[Event "Baku FIDE GP"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2008.04.22"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B08"]
[WhiteElo "2684"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2008.04.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Be2 O-O 6. O-O c6 7. a4 Nbd7 8. h3
e5 9. Be3 exd4 10. Bxd4 Re8 11. Re1 Nxe4 12. Bxg7 Kxg7 13. Nxe4 Rxe4 14. Qxd6
Qf6 15. Qxf6+ Nxf6 16. Bd3 Rf4 17. c3 Bxh3 18. Ne5 Bf5 19. g3 Bxd3 20. gxf4 Bf5
21. a5 a6 22. Rad1 Nh5 23. Rd4 c5 24. Rc4 Rc8 25. b4 cxb4 26. cxb4 Rf8 27. Rd4
Nf6 28. Rc1 Be6 29. f3 Rb8 30. Kf2 h5 31. Rc7 Nd5 32. Rd7 Nf6 33. Rd8 Rxd8 34.
Rxd8 Nd5 35. Nd3 h4 36. f5 1-0

[Event "Elista FIDE GP"]
[Site "Elista"]
[Date "2008.12.21"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B76"]
[WhiteElo "2669"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[Annotator "RR"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[EventDate "2008.12.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 128"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.01.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2
O-O 9. O-O-O d5 10. Qe1 e5 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Bc4 Be6 14. Ne4 Qc7
15. Bc5 Rfd8 16. h4 h6 17. h5 f5 18. Nf2 Nf4 19. Bxe6+ Nxe6 20. Bb4 g5 21. Bc3
Rxd1+ 22. Nxd1 Nf4 23. Ne3 Qf7 24. Kb1 Nd5 25. Nc4 Rb8 26. Bd2 Qe7 27. c3 e4
28. fxe4 fxe4 29. Qg3 Rd8 30. Qg4 e3 $19 31. Bc1 e2 32. Re1 Nf4 33. Ne3 Qe4+
34. Ka1 Re8 35. Qd7 Re7 36. Qd2 Nd3 $6 (36... Qd3 $19) 37. Rxe2 Nxc1 38. Qxc1
Be5 39. Qe1 $2 (39. Qc2 Bf4 40. Nf5 Qxe2 41. Nxe7+ Qxe7 42. Qg6+ Qg7 43. Qxc6
$17) 39... Qd3 $4 (39... Bd6 40. b4 Re8 41. g3 Bc7 $19 {[%cal Gc7b6]}) 40. Rd2
Bxc3 41. Rxd3 Bxe1 42. Nf5 Re2 43. Re3 Rxe3 44. Nxe3 Bb4 45. Kb1 Kf7 46. Kc2
Bf8 47. Kd3 Kf6 48. Ke4 g4 49. Nxg4+ Kg5 50. Ne5 c5 51. b3 Bg7 52. Nc6 Kxh5 53.
Nxa7 Kg4 54. a4 Kg3 55. a5 h5 56. a6 h4 57. Nb5 Kxg2 58. a7 h3 59. a8=Q h2 60.
Qa2+ Kg1 61. Qb1+ Kg2 62. Qc2+ 1-0

[Event "Poikovsky Karpov 10th"]
[Site "Poikovsky"]
[Date "2009.06.03"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Black "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C78"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2755"]
[Annotator "Inarkiev,E"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2009.06.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 131"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This game is from the first round of the Poikovsky tournament. Shirov came
here after his impressive win in Sofia, and at that moment no one could
imagine that he would have such a difficult start. For me, this was the first
game after more than 1 month break, and I wanted to feel my way into the
tournament, and just to play normal chess.  Diese Partie stammt aus der ersten
Runde Poikovsky-Turniers. Shirov kam hierher nach seinem beeindruckenden Sieg
in Sofia, und zu jenem Zeitpunkt konnt noch niemand ahnen, dass er so eine
schweren Start haben würde. Für mich war dies die erste Partie nach über
einmonatiger Pause, und ich wollte mich vorsichtig ins Turnier tasten und
einfach normales Schach spielen.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5.
O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 {The Neo-Arhangelsk variation of the Ruy Lopez is
time-tested weapon in Shirov's repertoire.  Die Neo-Archangelsk-Variante im
Spanier ist die von der Zeit geprüfte Waffe in Shirovs Repertoire.} 7. c3 d6 8.
a4 Rb8 9. d4 Bb6 10. Na3 Bg4 {A possible move order, leading to the main line.
Eine mögliche Zugfolge, die zum Hauptabspiel führt.} ({The more usual way is
Üblicher ist} 10... O-O 11. axb5 axb5 12. Nxb5 Bg4) 11. axb5 axb5 12. Nxb5 O-O
13. Bc2 {The main move. Der Hauptzug.} Bxf3 14. gxf3 Nh5 15. f4 Nxf4 16. Bxf4
exf4 17. Qg4 Qf6 {Alexei has already played this position 3 times. At first
view, the position looks just better for White, he controls the centre, and
his bishop seems easier to activate than Black's. Of course things are not so
simple, the white king is quite open, and Black has serious possibilities to
attack his opponen's centre.  Diese Stellung hat Alexei bereits dreimal
gespielt. Auf den ersten Blick wirkt die Stellung einfach besser für Weiß; er
kontrolliert das Zentrum und sein Läufer scheint leichter zu aktivieren als
der von Schwarz. Ganz so einfach liegen die Dinge natürlich nicht: Der weiße
König steht recht offen, und Schwarz hat gute Möglichkeiten das gegnerische
Zentrum zu attackieren.} 18. b4 g6 $5 $146 {In the previous game, Black
transferred the knight to g6. In der Vorgängerpartie überführte Schwarz den
Springer nach g6.} (18... Ne7 19. Na3 Ng6 {Leko Peter (HUN) 2755 - Shirov
Alexei (ESP) 2739, Moscow (Russia) 2007.11.10}) 19. Kh1 {The threat 19...h5
should not be ignored, since after 20.Qf3? the move 20...Qg5+ wins the b5
knight. Die Drohung 19...h5 ist nicht ohne weiteres ignorieren, denn falls
dann 20.Qf3?, so 20...Qg5+ mit Gewinn des Springers b5.} Nd8 {When the pawn is
on g6, this route for the knight is very natural, also Black prepares the
attack on White's centre. Mit dem Bauern auf g6 ist diese Route für den
Springer sehr natürlich; zudem bereitet Schwarz den Angriff auf das weiße
Zentrum vor.} 20. Bb3 {After this move, Black already has good play, so White
must search for an opening advantage somewhere earlier. Nach diesem Zug hat
Schwarz bereits gutes Spiel, daher muss Weiß irgendwo vorher nach
Eröffnungsvorteil suchen.} c6 $1 {Black starts to light the fire on the board.
Schwarz beginnt, das Brett in Flammen zu setzen.} ({Alternativ gibt es auch
das interessante, aber weniger aggressive Alternatively, there is also the
interesting, but less aggressive} 20... c5 $5 21. bxc5 ({Normally, White would
like to play Normalerweise würde Weiß hier gern} 21. e5 {here, but because of
19.Kh1, Black has spielen, aber wegen 19.Kh1 hat Schwarz} dxe5 22. dxc5 Qc6+ $1
$15) 21... dxc5 {and here after , und hier schützt Weiß mit} 22. Rfd1 $1 {
White protects the centre, and doesn't have any problems. das Zentrum und hat
keinerlei Probleme..}) 21. Na3 c5 {Of course, this is the point of the
previous move. Black plays ...c5 in a situation when White's knight is out of
play. Dies ist natürlich die Pointe des vorigen Zuges. Schwarz spielt ...c5 in
einer Situation, wo der weiße Springer außer Spiel ist.} 22. Nc4 $1 {The only
way to keep the pressure in the position. At the cost of a pawn, White wants
to keep Black's bishop closed in and activate his own pieces. Der einzige Weg,
den Druck in der Stellung aufrechtzuerhalten. Auf Kosten eines Bauern will
Weiß den schwarzen Läufer weiter eingesperrt lassen und seine eigenen Figuren
aktivieren.} ({Probably, with accurate play White can equalize after Mit
genauem Spiel ausgleichen kann Weiß wahrscheinlich nach} 22. bxc5 $6 dxc5 23.
e5 Qe7 24. Nb5 cxd4 25. cxd4 {but Black is in a comfortable situation here,
and can play without any risk. For example: , aber hier ist Schwarz in einer
angenehmen Lage und kann ohne jedes Risiko spielen. Zum Beispiel:} Bc5 $5 ({
Less clear is Weniger klar ist} 25... Ne6 26. Bxe6 fxe6 27. Rfd1 $13) ({
An interesting alternative is Eine interessante Alternative ist} 25... Nc6 $5
26. Qxf4 Nxd4 27. Nxd4 Bxd4 28. Qxd4 Rxb3 $15 {There's not too much material
left, but obviously Black has the initiative. Es ist nicht mehr allzu viel
Material übrig, aber offensichtlich hat Schwarz die Initiative.}) 26. Ba4 Rxb5
$1 27. Bxb5 Bxd4 28. Rad1 Qxe5 $15 {Objectively the position is not bad, but
White has to defend. Objektiv gesehen ist die Stellung nicht schlecht, aber
Weiß muss verteidigen.}) 22... cxb4 $1 {Continuing to fan the flame. Fächert
die Flammen weiter an.} ({Another possibility is Eine andere Möglichkeit} 22...
cxd4 {which leads to the endgame, more or less forced. was mehr oder weniger
forciert zu einem Endspiel führt.} 23. Ra6 $1 Bc7 ({After Nach} 23... d5 $6 24.
exd5 dxc3 25. Qf3 $14 {I would prefer White. würde ich Weiß bevorzugen.}) 24.
e5 Qe6 $1 25. Qxe6 Nxe6 26. exd6 Bd8 {and White can win the exchange, but
hardly the game: und Weiß kann die Qualität gewinnen, aber kaum die Partie:}
27. Ne5 dxc3 28. Nd7 Rxb4 29. Bxe6 fxe6 30. Nxf8 Kxf8 $11) 23. Ra6 $1 {This is
the point. Black has almost destroyed the opponent's centre, but White starts
a counterattack just in time. Das ist Pointe. Schwarz hat das gegnerische
Zentrum fast zerschlagen, aber Weiß beginnt gerade rechtzeitig einen
Gegenangriff.} Bc7 $6 {This could be a bad mistake, but in a critical line, we
both overlooked a crushing resource for White. Dies könnte ein schlimmer
Fehler sein, aber wir übersahen in einem kritischen Abspiel beide eine
durchschlagende Ressource für Weiß.} ({The right move is Der richtige Zug ist} 
23... d5 $1 24. Ne5 ({The alternative is more complicated: Die Alternative ist
komplizierter:} 24. exd5 $5 bxc3 25. Rd1 Re8 26. Qf3 $13) 24... bxc3 $1 ({
Of course not Natürlich nicht} 24... dxe4 $2 25. Nd7 Qd6 26. c4 $1 $16) 25.
Bxd5 $44 {White's pieces are very active. Die weißen Figuren stehen sehr aktiv.
} Ne6 $1 26. Nc6 $1 Bxd4 $5 ({or oder} 26... Nxd4 27. e5 $1 Qg7 28. Nxb8 Rxb8
$13) 27. Nxb8 Rxb8 28. Bxe6 fxe6 29. Rxe6 Qf7 $13 {The weakness of the White's
king and the pawn on c3 are enough compensation for the exchange. Die Schwäche
des weißen Königs und der Bauer auf c3 bedeuten genug Kompensation für die
Qualität.}) 24. Nxd6 $6 ({Everybody would like to play Jeder würde hier gern} 
24. e5 $1 {here, but it is very important to know what to do after spielen,
dabei muss man aber wissen, was nach} Qe6 25. Qxe6 Nxe6 26. exd6 bxc3 {zu tun
ist.} ({If Falls} 26... Bd8 {then , so} 27. Ne5 $1 bxc3 28. Bxe6 fxe6 29. Nd7
$16) {Now White has a beautiful move: Nun hat Weiß einen wunderschönen Zug:}
27. d5 $1 {and Black can't avoid material losses. und Schwarz kann
Materialverluste nicht vermeiden.} Bxd6 ({Or Oder} 27... Rxb3 28. dxe6 Bxd6 29.
Nxd6 $1 fxe6 30. Rc6 $16) 28. dxe6 Bc5 29. Rc6 $16) 24... bxc3 $6 {Black must
be accurate. Schwarz muss genau spielen.} ({Safer is Sicherer ist} 24... Bxd6
25. e5 Qf5 ({or oder} 25... Qg7 $5 26. Rxd6 bxc3 27. Bd5 $44 Ne6 $11) 26. Qxf5
gxf5 27. Rg1+ Kh8 28. Rxd6 bxc3 29. Bc2 Ne6 30. Bxf5 $11 {A draw is a very
likely result here. Ein Remis ist hier ein sehr wahrscheinliches Resultat.})
25. e5 Qg7 26. Nf5 $1 {White shouldn't lose a tempo of the initiative. This is
a nice sacrifice, not often in a practical game we can see that a queen is
trapped because of too close "care" of her own pawns. Weiß sollte kein Tempo
der Initiative verlieren. Dies ist ein schönes Opfer; in einer praktischen
Partie bekommen wir nicht oft zu sehen, dass eine Dame gefangen wird wegen zu
enger "Obhut" der eigenen Bauern.} gxf5 ({Of course not Natürlich nicht} 26...
Qh8 $4 27. Rxg6+ $18) 27. Qd1 $1 {This is the point of the sacrifice. Now
Black can't save the queen. Das ist die Pointe des Opfers. Nun kann Schwarz
die Dame nicht retten.} ({Black would have an easier task after Die schwarze
Aufgabe erleichtert hätte} 27. Qxf5 Kh8 28. Rg1 Qxg1+ 29. Kxg1 Rg8+ 30. Kf1
Rxb3 {and White has a draw in different ways, but not more. und Weiß hat auf
verschiedene Wege remis, aber nicht mehr.} 31. Ra7 $5 Ne6 32. Qf6+ Rg7 33. Rxc7
Nxc7 34. Qd8+ Rg8 35. Qf6+ $11) 27... Kh8 ({More accurate is Genauer ist} 27...
Bxe5 $1 28. dxe5 ({if falls} 28. Rg1 {then , so} Qxg1+ 29. Kxg1 Bg7 $13 30. Kg2
Rb4) 28... Qxe5 29. Rg1+ Kh8 {and we have reached the position from the game.
und wir haben die Stellung aus der Partie erreicht.}) 28. Rg1 Bxe5 $1 {This is
necessary. Unumgänglich.} 29. dxe5 {Choosing the attack instead of the queen.
Wählt den Angriff statt der Dame.} ({The alternative is Die Alternative ist} 
29. Rxg7 $5 Bxg7 30. d5 $1 {(x Nd8). With correct play from both sides, the
position is just unclear. Bei beiderseits korrektem Spiel ist die Stellung
einfach unklar.} f3 $1 31. Ra3 $1 Nb7 $5 32. Qxf3 Nd6 33. Bc2 Rg8 $13 {Of
course, White can always sacrifice the rook on c3 to make a draw, but without
this, the pawn on c3 is very annoying. Natürlich kann Weiß immer den Turm auf
c3 opfern, um Remis zu machen, ohne diese Möglichkeit aber ist dieser Bauer
sehr lästig.}) 29... Qxe5 30. Rh6 $1 {Threatening Rxh7+ and Qh5. Droht Rxh7+
und Qh5.} f3 $2 {This mistake is hard to explain; with about 30 minutes on the
clock, Black quickly made the decisive mistake. All you need to see is just
White's next move. Dieser Fehler ist schwer zu erklären; mit noch etwa 30
Minuten auf der Uhr machte Schwarz schnell den entscheidenden Fehler. Man muss
lediglich den nächsten weißen Zug sehen.} ({The way for the draw was not very
difficult, but the only one: Der Weg zum Remis war nicht allzu schwer, aber
auch der einzige:} 30... Qe4+ $1 31. f3 Qe3 $1 32. Qf1 ({Unfortunately not
possible is Leider nicht möglich ist} 32. Qd5 $2 {with the threat Rxh7+ and
Qxf5+. Black has only one move - mit der Drohung Rxh7+ und Qxf5+. Schwarz hat
nur einen Zug, nämlich} Rg8 $1 {but it wins since after , aber der gewinnt,
denn nach} 33. Rxh7+ Kxh7 34. Qxf5+ {he now has hat er jetzt} Rg6 $1 $19) 32...
Rb6 $1 33. Qh3 Rxh6 34. Qxh6 Qxf3+ 35. Rg2 Qf1+ 36. Rg1 Qf3+ $11) 31. Qf1 $18 {
Now it's over - it's impossible to stop Rxh7+ in any normal way. Nun ist es
vorbei - Rxh7+ ist mit normalen Mitteln nicht aufzuhalten.} Qg7 ({If Falls} 
31... Qf4 {then , so} 32. Qh3) 32. Rxg7 Kxg7 33. Rxh7+ $1 {The final detail.
Das letzte Detail.} (33. Rxh7+ $1 Kxh7 34. Qh3+ Kg7 35. Qg3+ {winning the rook.
mit Turmgewinn.}) 1-0

[Event "Jermuk FIDE GP"]
[Site "Jermuk"]
[Date "2009.08.21"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Jakovenko, Dmitrij"]
[Black "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C92"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2009.08.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 132"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. h3 Re8 10. d4 Bb7 11. Nbd2 Bf8 12. Bc2 g6 13. d5 Nb8 14. b3 c6 15. c4
Nbd7 16. Nf1 Nb6 17. Rb1 Qc7 18. Ne3 c5 19. g4 h5 20. Kh1 Bg7 21. Rg1 hxg4 22.
hxg4 Kf8 23. Rg3 Ke7 24. b4 cxb4 25. Rxb4 bxc4 26. Nxe5 Nxe4 27. Nxg6+ Kd8 28.
Bxe4 Rxe4 29. Qf3 Rd4 30. Rxb6 fxg6 31. Rb1 c3 32. Rh3 Qe7 33. Ba3 Kc7 34. Ng2
Ra4 35. Rb3 Rc8 36. Rh7 Kb8 37. Bc1 Rxa2 38. Nf4 Ra1 39. Kg2 Rxc1 40. Ne6 c2
41. Rxg7 Qxg7 42. Nxg7 Rb1 0-1

[Event "Astrakhan FIDE GP"]
[Site "Astrakhan"]
[Date "2010.05.13"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D40"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2669"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2010.05.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 137"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c6 2. e4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bf4 dxc4 7. Bxc4 e6 8.
Nf3 Bd6 9. Ne5 Bxe5 10. dxe5 Qxd1+ 11. Rxd1 Nd7 12. Bb5 O-O 13. Bxc6 bxc6 14.
Ne4 c5 15. f3 c4 16. Kf2 Nb6 17. Rd2 Ba6 18. Rc1 Nd5 19. Be3 Rfc8 20. a3 h6 21.
g3 Rc7 22. Bd4 Rd8 23. h4 Nb6 24. Bxb6 Rxd2+ 25. Nxd2 axb6 26. Ne4 Bb7 27. Nd6
Bd5 28. Ke3 f6 29. f4 fxe5 30. fxe5 Kh7 31. Rc3 Kg6 32. g4 h5 33. g5 Rc5 34.
Kf4 Kh7 35. Rc1 Kg6 36. Rc2 Kh7 37. Ke3 Bh1 38. Kd4 Rd5+ 39. Kc3 Rd3+ 40. Kxc4
Rh3 41. Kb5 Rxh4 42. Kxb6 Kg6 43. Rc7 Rf4 44. b4 h4 45. Rc8 Bf3 0-1

[Event "Astrakhan FIDE GP"]
[Site "Astrakhan"]
[Date "2010.05.16"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2669"]
[Annotator "Inarkiev,E"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2010.05.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 137"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{There have been days, when I thought that the King's Indian Defence is almost
the only way to receive postions complex enough to fight for the win with
Black. But a lot of water has flowed under the bridge since those days.} 1. d4
d5 2. c4 c6 {It's almost impossible to find a variation, which Gelfand hasn't
tried against the Slav. As I had chosen to play that opening, preparation
wasn't an easy task.} 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 {So we are in an
Anti-Meran variation.} Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O dxc4 9. Bxc4 b5 10. Be2 {The main
move.} (10. Bd3 {is also quite popular.}) 10... Bb7 11. Rd1 Qc7 12. e4 ({
Before Boris preferred} 12. Bd2 {Gelfand Boris (ISR) 2755 - Karjakin Sergey 
(UKR) 2717 , Khanty Mansyisk 6.12.2009 Cup World. The last memorable example
is the game against Karjakin, which he won in style, but that is another story.
}) 12... e5 13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. Nd4 {The previous moves are well known. The
variation is very dynamic; deep knowledge and good play in the middlegame are
essential if you want to employ it successfully.} Neg4 $1 {It seems, that this
move surprised Boris. There are no games with this move in the regular
databases, but correspondence players have employed it already.  Black's point,
is to exploit the minuses of White's setup - the rook and knight have left the
kingside, and the weakened squares now becoming the targets of Black's pieces.}
15. g3 (15. h3 $2 {is bad because of} Bh2+ $1 16. Kf1 Nxf2 $1 {destroying
White's position.} 17. Kxf2 b4 $1 $17 18. Na4 c5) 15... Bc5 $1 {Now f2 is
under pressure.} 16. Bxg4 ({It's impossible to drive the knight away
immediately} 16. h3 $2 Bxd4 $1 17. Rxd4 Qb6 $17 {White loses material, the
X-ray b6-f2 is very annoying.}) ({While} 16. Bf4 {transposes to the game.} Qb6
17. Bxg4 Nxg4) 16... Nxg4 17. Bf4 Qb6 18. Nce2 {(/\ Bc7). All these moves are
more or less necessesary, and have been played before, but at this moment both
of us had spent about 30 minutes each. White has defended against the direct
threats without loss of time, but to achieve this the light-squared bishop has
been exchanged for the knight, which, together with the weakening of the
kingside, is positionally dangerous. Of course, White has tin his favour that
the light-squared bishop is still a long way from becoming active, and White
can build the play on the black squares.} Rfe8 $1 {Black comes back to the
main plan, begins to prepare ...c6-c5; this is also the defence against Bc7.}
19. a4 ({Now} 19. Bc7 $2 {is bad because of} Qxc7 20. Qxc5 Rxe4 $17 {If White
recovers the pawn, then Black's bishop will become very strong.} 21. Nxb5 Qa5
22. Nec3 Re5 23. Qd4 cxb5 24. Qxg4 Rae8 $17) 19... a6 $5 $146 {Only this move
is a real novelty.} ({In correspondence games Black has tried} 19... a5) ({and
} 19... bxa4) 20. a5 $5 {Boris found very interesting way to decide the
kingside problems; but before that he forced the Black queen to move to an
awkward position.} Qa7 21. f3 $1 {This is the point, White sets up a block on
the h1-a8 diagonal, and protects the centre; also White is going to free the
g1-a7 diagonal, so the Black battery will have no targets.} Ne5 $1 {A
difficult move, I spent almost half an hour on it. In this variation you have
to play very accurately to keep the balance; one slight inaccuracy can give
the initiative to the opponent. I felt that tactics were possible, but
couldn't find a move in which I could believe. The text move, continues the
plan with ...c6-c5.} ({Very attractive is} 21... Rad8 $6 22. Qc3 {Others moves
are much worse.} b4 {The critical move} (22... Bxd4+ $6 {Without any
complexity leads to White's advantage.} 23. Rxd4 $1 ({Also good is} 23. Nxd4 b4
({Black's position is terrible after} 23... Nf6 24. Be3 Qb8 25. Nf5 $18 {
the bishop on b7 is still dreaming of freedom.}) 24. Qc4 $1 (24. Qxb4 $2 c5 $1)
24... Rd7 {and now} 25. Qxb4 $1 $16 Red8 ({If} 25... c5 {then} 26. Qa4 $1 Bxe4
$1 27. Nc6 $1 Bxc6 28. Qxc6 c4+ 29. Qb6 $1 $16) 26. Qb6 Qxb6 27. axb6 $16)
23... Rxd4 24. Qxd4 c5 ({The endgame after} 24... Qxd4+ 25. Nxd4 {is very
unpleasant} Ne5 26. Bxe5 $1 Rxe5 27. Nb3 $1 {(/\ Rc1, Nc5). The most simple.}
Kf8 ({If} 27... c5 {then} 28. Rd1 $18 {and Black is losing, because on} Kf8 {
there is the very strong} 29. f4 $1 Rxe4 30. Nxc5 Re7 31. Rd8+ $18) 28. Rc1 $16
) 25. Qd6 $16 {Black's pieces are awful.}) ({There is a point in} 22... Rxd4 $6
{but White will also take with the rook} 23. Rxd4 $1 (23. Nxd4 $2 {shows
Black's point, after} Rd8 $1 {White can't protect the knight, and is forced to
open the kingside, so even without the exchange Black has very good play.} 24.
fxg4 Bxd4+ 25. Kf1 c5 $13 26. Be3 Bxe4) {but now Black hasn't any ideas,
because on} 23... Rd8 (23... Bxd4+ 24. Qxd4 $1 {transposes to 22...Bd4.}) {
White has} 24. Be3 $1 $18) 23. Qc4 $8 {And here there is the very important} g5
$1 {Of course, this opens up Black's king very much, but otherwise Black is
just worse. Now it's White's turn to find a good move} 24. h3 $1 ({Black's
point can be seen after} 24. Bxg5 $2 Ne5 25. Qc1 Rxd4 26. Nxd4 Bxd4+ 27. Kg2
Bc8 $15 {The position is complex, but Black has better chances.}) (24. Bc7 $6 {
leads to a very unclear position} Rd7 $1 25. Bb6 Bxb6 26. axb6 Qxb6 27. fxg4
Rxe4 $13 {and Black has an initiative which is at least enough to compensate
for the piece. For example:} 28. Qc2 $1 Re5 $5 (28... Rde7 {is also possible.})
29. Kf1 $8 c5 30. Nf5 $8 Be4 ({Interesting is} 30... Bd5 $5) 31. Qc4 $8 Qc6 $5
32. Rxd7 Qxd7 33. Qxa6 $1 {Otherwise, White's position can become worse.} Bxf5
34. gxf5 Qxf5+ 35. Kg1 {Now Black has a choice how to force the draw.} Qc2 36.
Qf6 Qxe2 37. Ra8+ Re8 38. Qxg5+ Kh8 $11) {Actually, it's hard to suggest what
Black should do after 24.h3, but of course the computer can!} 24... h5 $5 ({
White has the advantage after} 24... gxf4 25. hxg4 $16) 25. hxg4 hxg4 $1 {
This is the point, Black wants to destroy White's centre, but now White can
take} 26. Bxg5 $1 gxf3 27. Bxd8 fxe2 28. Bf6 $1 exd1=Q+ 29. Rxd1 $16 {It's
obvious that with such king Black needs a miracle to save the game.}) 22. Kg2
$1 {Finishing the operation.} Bf8 $1 {(/\ c5, Nf3). White can't prevent c5 now.
} ({There's no reason to hurry} 22... Bxd4 $2 23. Nxd4 ({Of course not} 23.
Rxd4 $2 {because of} c5 24. Rd2 Nxf3 $1 $17) 23... c5 24. Bxe5 $1 {It's
important to get rid of the knight} ({If} 24. Nf5 $2 {then} Nxf3 $1 $17) 24...
Rxe5 25. Nf5 $14 {and White can enjoy the fruits of the right strategy - the
bishop on b7 is limited by White's pawns.}) 23. Nf5 {As White can't stop c5,
then he should be prepared for it.} ({It's not possible to take the pawn} 23.
Bxe5 $6 Rxe5 24. Nxc6 $2 Rc5 $19) 23... c5 {(/\ Nf3). After the light
squared-bishop is released, White's centre is under pressure now, and White
must be accurate.} 24. Nc3 c4 $1 {An important, and very natural move.
Honestly, with the queen on a7 and rook on a8 first of all, I was thinking how
to improve their positions, but this is the most economical way to activate
the pieces.} (24... Bc6 $6 {is too slow. After} 25. Nd5 $14 {White is very
active.}) {Black has strategical pluses, White has more active pieces. But the
practical difficulty for White is that it's not possible to simplify the
position without incurring some damage, and so White must maintain the tension.
} 25. Bxe5 $6 {White doesn't find the best way, and now Black seizes the
initiative. Obviously, White doesn't want to and mustn't let the knight come
to d3. This is very strong, but Black's only direct threat; this is the key
moment to understand what White should do.} (25. Nd5 $2 {is weak because of}
Nd3 $1 $17 (25... Bxd5 {is worse but Black is also better after} 26. Rxd5 Nd3
$15) {and if} 26. Nc7 {then} Nxf4+ $1 27. gxf4 Bxe4 $1 $19 28. fxe4 Qxc7) ({
Interesting but not good enough is} 25. Be3 Qb8 $1 {Black should keep both
bishops} ({after} 25... Bc5 {White equalises easily} 26. Bxc5 Qxc5 27. Nd6 $11)
26. Bf4 ({Still, White can't let the knight to come to d3} 26. Nd5 $2 Nd3 $1
$17 {and if} 27. Nb6 {then Black has terribly powerful blow} Rxe4 $19 {
crushing White's position} 28. Nxa8 ({or} 28. fxe4 Qe5 $1 $19) 28... Qe5 $1 $19
) 26... Qc8 $1 {Black shouldn't repeat the moves.} 27. Bxe5 {Now there's no
other way to stop the knight.} Rxe5 28. Nd6 Bxd6 29. Rxd6 f5 $1 $15 {with
Black's initiative.}) ({The best attempt is} 25. b3 $1 {White wants to
liquidate the outpost on d3, without any damage. Now Black has a real choice
but I didn't find more then a slight edge for Black.} cxb3 (25... Nd3 $2 {
doesn't work because of} 26. Be3 $1 Qb8 {and White even gets the advantage} 27.
bxc4 bxc4 28. Rab1 $14) (25... b4 {looks really dangerous, but as a
compensation for the strong black pawn White has the more active pieces.} 26.
Be3 Qb8 (26... Bc5 $2 {is now weak because of} 27. Bxc5 Qxc5 28. Na4 $1 Qxa5 ({
If} 28... Qc6 {then} 29. Nb6 $1 $16) 29. Nd6 $1 cxb3 30. Qxb3 $14 {and White
has a strong initiative.}) 27. Nd5 c3 28. Bb6 $13 {The position is absolutely
unclear.}) (25... Qc5 26. Nd5 cxb3 27. Qxb3 {Transposes to the 25...cxb3
variation.}) 26. Qxb3 Qc5 27. Nd5 {Of course, Black has a comfortable position,
but there's no serious advantage yet.}) 25... Rxe5 $15 {Now Black is better.}
26. Qc1 $2 {This is a big mistake; this move is a part of the operation, which
White began on the previous move and the queen is going to f4. The position is
unpleasant, but after White's move Black gets a decisive advantage.} ({
Probably White should go to the endgame} 26. Qf2 Qxf2+ 27. Kxf2 {but it
doesn't look reliable} g6 $5 28. Ne3 ({or} 28. Nd6 Bc6 $15) 28... Rc8 $15 {
with such an open centre the bishops are very strong.}) ({If White wanted to
move the queen on f4, the best attempt was} 26. Qd2 {now after} b4 $1 27. Na4
Rxe4 28. Nb6 ({Black is winning after} 28. fxe4 $2 Bxe4+ $18) 28... Rae8 29.
Re1 $1 c3 $1 {To open one more line} 30. bxc3 bxc3 31. Qxc3 Re2+ 32. Kf1 Rxe1+
33. Rxe1 Qb8 $17 {The bishops are very strong, but White still can defend.})
26... b4 $1 {Finally the bishop on b7 will have its word to say.} 27. Qf4 {
Is forced} ({If} 27. Na4 {then} Rxe4 $1 $19 {It's interesting that with the
main forces on the queenside, Black does the decisive blow on the kingside;
this shows how the long-range pieces work.} 28. fxe4 Bxe4+ 29. Kf1 Bxf5 30.
Qxc4 Bh3+ $19) ({Also, it's not possible to close the diagonal} 27. Nd5 {
because after} Bxd5 28. Rxd5 Rxd5 29. exd5 g6 $1 $19 {Black has a positional
advantage and a very strong attack.} 30. Ne3 Re8 $1) 27... Rxf5 $1 28. Qxf5 Bc8
$1 {The most accurate; maybe Boris overlooked this move.} ({The} 28... bxc3 {
is strong, but much more complicated, so White could guess that there are a
lot of chances.} 29. Rd7 (29. bxc3 Bc8 {transposes to the game.} 30. Qe5) 29...
cxb2 $1 {A very important move} 30. Qxf7+ Kh8 31. Rb1 c3 $1 32. Rxb7 Qd4 $19 {
and White will lose the rook for the pawns.}) 29. Qe5 bxc3 30. bxc3 Qb8 $1 {
Forcing a winning endgame.} 31. Qxb8 ({White can't avoid the exchange of the
queens} 31. Qd4 Qb2+ 32. Qd2 ({or} 32. Kg1 Bh3) 32... Rb8 $19) 31... Rxb8 $19 {
It's important for Black to have seized the file.} 32. Rd4 ({If} 32. Rab1 {then
} Rb3 $1) 32... Rb2+ {The position is winnig and there are different ways to
win it.} ({Probably it would be simpler, if Black coordinates the kingside
first, and only after that starts to attack.} 32... Be6 $5 {For example:} 33.
Rad1 Be7 34. f4 g6 $19 {(/\ Rb3).}) 33. Kh1 Bh3 34. Rg1 Be6 35. Rd8 g6 36. Ra8
Kg7 ({The immediate} 36... Bh3 $1 {wins, and if now} 37. g4 ({White can't take
the pawn} 37. Rxa6 {because of} Bc5 $19 {(/\ Bg2).}) 37... Kg7 38. Rg3 {then}
Bc5 $1 {and White can't avoid the mate} 39. Rxh3 Rb1+ 40. Kg2 Rg1#) 37. g4 Rf2
38. Rxa6 Rxf3 39. Rc6 Rxc3 40. Rg3 Rc1+ {To pass the time control.} 41. Rg1 Rc3
42. Rg3 {It will be difficult to stop the a-pawn without a rook, so Black
should avoid the exchange.} Rd3 $1 (42... Rxg3 $2 43. hxg3 $13 {and it's
already Black who has to fight for the draw now.}) 43. Rxd3 ({If} 43. a6 {then}
Rd7 $19) 43... cxd3 44. Rc3 d2 45. Rd3 Bb4 46. a6 Bc8 47. a7 Bb7 48. Kg1 ({If} 
48. Rd8 {then the most accurate is} Kf6 $1 {Black wants to take under the
control all the squares on the d-file, to move White's rook away.} 49. Kg1 ({or
} 49. Kg2 Ke7 $1 50. Rd4 Bc3 $19) 49... Ke7 50. Rd3 Bxe4 $19) 48... Bc5+ 49.
Kf1 Ba6 $1 {White resigned.} 0-1

[Event "Astrakhan FIDE GP"]
[Site "Astrakhan"]
[Date "2010.05.24"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D78"]
[WhiteElo "2669"]
[BlackElo "2735"]
[Annotator "Inarkiev,E"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2010.05.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 137"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{The game is a good example ofl the problems of both the defence, and the
technique of converting an advantage. It was played in the last round, and we
didn't manage to avoid the mix of good moves and mistakes, but there are no
silly mistakesl. I hope that the notes will help you to sense the tension
which is there in all the Grand Prix tournaments.} 1. d4 {In the second half
of the tournament, I had scored only 0.5 out of three games with 1.e4, so I
decided to switch openings.} Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 c6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bg2 d5 {
During recent years, Peter has more often played this line against the
Fianchetto Variation.} 6. Qb3 O-O 7. O-O Qb6 8. Nc3 Rd8 {Today this move is
more popular} ({The main line is} 8... Bf5) 9. Rd1 {A rare move, but this
couldn't have come as a surprise to Svidler, because I had already played it
against him!} Bf5 ({In that game, Black already made a serious mistake here:} 
9... Na6 $2 {after} 10. Qxb6 axb6 11. Na4 $1 $16 {White has a big advantage,
and Black gave up the pawn in order to complicate the game} dxc4 12. Nxb6 Ra7
13. Nxc4 Be6 {and after some adventures Black saved the game. ...1/2 Inarkiev,
E (2628)-Svidler,P (2750)/Moscow 2006/CBM 116 (35)}) 10. Ne1 $5 {White keeps
the tension in the centre. Obviously, the main difference in the positions of
bpth sides is that the white pawn is on c4, and Black's one is on c6. This led
White to place the pieces on more active positions.} dxc4 $5 {After about 30
minutes of thinking, Svidler finds an interesting novelty.} ({In the only game,
which was played in this position before, Black chose} 10... Be6 {and soon
equalised.} 11. c5 Qxb3 12. axb3 Nbd7 13. b4 a6 14. h3 h6 15. Ra3 Ne8 16. g4
Nc7 $11 {Anic Darko (FRA) 2487 - Nataf Igor-Alexandre (FRA) 2526, Vichy 
(France) 2000 (48)}) 11. Qxc4 Na6 {This position is more complicated than the
endgame. White has a space advantage - the pawn on d4 is strong, but Black has
a development advantage, and is ready to seize the initiative.} 12. e4 $1 {
White increases the advantage in the centre.} ({There's no good way to play
more quietly. If} 12. e3 $6 {then} e5 $1 13. Nf3 ({worse is} 13. dxe5 Ng4 $15)
13... exd4 14. Nxd4 Bg4 $36) 12... Bg4 {A very natural move. Black moves the
bishop with tempo, and tries to provoke the weaknesses in White's camp. Almost
everyone will play this move more or less quickly, but here it's not so simple,
because different moves of the bishop lead to completely different positions.
So, maybe you should try to look deeper.} ({An alternative is} 12... Be6 $5 {
in comparison with the game, White doesn't control the g4-square.}) 13. Bf3 {
Defending the rook and atacking the bishop. I like this move more than others.}
({There's no trouble for Black after} 13. Nf3 $6 Qb4 $1 (13... e5 $2 {doesn't
work here because of} 14. Nxe5 $1 $16 {and Black can't take the rook} Bxd1 15.
Qxf7+ Kh8 {and now the nice blow} 16. Bh6 $1 $18 Bxh6 17. Qxf6+ Bg7 18. Nf7+
Kg8 19. Qe6 $18) ({Also bad is} 13... Nb4 $2 {because ...Nc2 is not a threat,
and White can simply play} 14. a3 $1 $16 {and if} Nc2 $2 {then} 15. Na4 $18) {
Now White has to chose, to play the endgame with a slight initiative for Black,
or to sacrifice the pawn for the initiative.} 14. Qe2 $5 ({or} 14. Qxb4 Nxb4
$36) 14... Bxf3 15. Bxf3 Rxd4 16. Rxd4 Qxd4 17. Be3 Qe5 18. Rd1 $44 {Two
bishops give enough compensation for the pawn, but it is White who should
concentrate on getting equality.}) ({Less clear is} 13. f3 $5 {the position is
complex, but Black has pleasant choices here. Very few players would like to
play such a move without having to.} Be6 14. Qa4 Nb4 $5 15. Be3 Ne8 {It seems,
that there's no way to save the d4-pawn, but suddenly, the advantage in the
number of attackers is not enough to win it.} 16. Bf1 $1 {Here Black can
choose according to taste; I prefer} Nxa2 $5 ({The move} 16... Bxd4 $2 {
doesn't work because of} 17. Rxd4 $1 Rxd4 18. a3 $1 {and it's Black who will
lose the material.} c5 19. axb4 Rxb4 20. Qc2 $5 $16 Rxb2 21. Na4 Qb3 22. Qxb2
Qxe3+ 23. Qf2 Qxf2+ 24. Kxf2 Rc8 25. Nd3 $16) ({But, Black has the very
interesting sacrifice} 16... Rxd4 $5 17. Bxd4 Bxd4+ 18. Kg2 (18. Kh1 $5) {
It seems, that Black just has a normal position anyway. For example:} 18... c5
({More aggressive is} 18... a5 $5 19. a3 Bg1 $1 {for example:} 20. Kh1 Qf2 21.
Bg2 b5 $1 22. Nxb5 cxb5 23. Qxb5 Na2 $1 $13 {and the battle is just at the
beginning.}) 19. Nc2 ({If} 19. Nb5 $6 {then Black can take the pawn} Bxb2 $1
20. Rab1 Bg7 {and if} 21. a3 {then} Na2 $1 $15) 19... Nxc2 20. Qxc2 Nd6 $44 {
And the bishop on d4 is not weaker than the rook.}) 17. Nxa2 Bb3 $1 18. Qa3
Bxd1 19. Rxd1 Bxd4 {and Black has good chances with rook and two pawns against
two pieces} 20. Rxd4 $5 Rxd4 21. Nc2 e5 $13) 13... Be6 $6 {Now it's just the
loss of important tempo.} ({The most simple and natural is} 13... h5 $5 {
it's important to get the control over the g4-square, also it's a kind of
prophylactic against Bxg4-Nxg4-Qe2. Now White has different moves, but none of
them can give him the advantage. For example:} 14. Be3 (14. Rb1 $6 {(/\Be3)} {
is inaccurate:} Be6 $1 15. d5 cxd5 16. exd5 Bf5 $1 17. Ra1 Ng4 $15) (14. Kg2 {
is interesting, but the pawn on h5 changes the situation} Be6 $1 15. Qa4 ({
worse is} 15. d5 {here, because of} cxd5 16. exd5 Bf5 $1 $15 {and Black has
the important Ng4 all the time. For example:} 17. Qe2 Nc5 18. Be3 Ng4 $1) 15...
Ng4 $5 16. Nc2 c5 17. d5 Bd7 18. Qb3 $13 {White keeps the centre, but Black's
pieces are active enough.}) ({White can also develop the bishop on f4} 14. Bf4
$5 {for example:} Be6 $5 15. d5 cxd5 16. exd5 Bg4 $1 $13 {The pawn on h5 helps
again.}) 14... Bxf3 15. Nxf3 Ng4 $13 {Black will take the bishop, but this
will strengthen White's pawns in the centre.}) ({Less clear but strong enough
is} 13... Bh3 {(/\ Ng4).} {Now, again White has to give up something to finish
development.} 14. Bf4 $5 (14. e5 $6 {only weakens the centre:} Be6 $1 15. Qe2
Nd5 $15 16. Bg5 Nac7) ({Possible is} 14. Na4 Qb4 15. Qxb4 Nxb4 16. Nc3 Ng4 {
It seems, that White is in trouble, but actually not} 17. a3 $1 Na6 18. Nc2 {
and White protects the centre, but Black has good play} e5 19. d5 Nc5 $13) ({
White also can try to take more space with} 14. a4 $5 Qb4 15. Qxb4 Nxb4 16. a5
$13) 14... Ng4 15. Qe2 h5 $1 16. d5 $13 {A necessity, which lets White hold
the control over the centre, but obviously Black is OK.}) 14. d5 $1 {Now,
Black is in trouble.} {It's already not easy to defend, but the task is twice
as hard when you realise that just one move before you had an unclear position.
} Bg4 $6 {Of course, normally, Black would like to determine the position in
the centre, but here it looks dangerous. Still, it was necessary to calculate
it} ({After} 14... cxd5 $1 15. exd5 Bf5 16. Qe2 {the position is unpleasant,
but Black has a concrete way to keep his pieces on normal positions.} Nc5 $1
17. Be3 Qa5 $1 {and the position is just slightly better for White.} 18. Bd4 ({
If} 18. Rd4 {then} Qa6 $1 $14) ({Or} 18. Rac1 Rac8 $5 $14) 18... Rac8 $14) 15.
Bxg4 $6 {This is not precise enough, and lets Black construct a defence.} ({
The natural} 15. Be3 $1 {is very strong.} {The critical move here is} Qxb2 $5 {
Maybe this is not the best move, but in other lines White can get an advantage
without too much tension.} (15... Qb4 $2 {Simply loses the pawn.} 16. Qxb4 Nxb4
17. Bxg4 Nxg4 18. Bc5 $16) ({The story is similar after} 15... Qa5 $2 16. dxc6
$16 bxc6 17. Rxd8+ Rxd8 18. Qxc6 $16) (15... Qc7 $2 {doesn't help either:} 16.
dxc6 Bxf3 17. Nxf3 Qxc6 18. Rxd8+ $1 Rxd8 19. Qxc6 bxc6 20. Bxa7 $16) ({
The only way not lose the material immediately is} 15... c5 {but after this
move White has a big advantage in the centre. For example:} 16. e5 $5 $16 ({
Also strong is} 16. Qe2 $5 Bxf3 17. Nxf3 $16) 16... Bxf3 17. Nxf3 Nd7 18. e6 $5
({Also possible is} 18. Bf4 $5 Qxb2 19. Rab1 Nb6 20. Rxb2 Nxc4 21. Rxb7 $16)
18... Qxb2 19. exf7+ Kh8 20. Rac1 $16 {The knight will come to e6 very quickly.
}) 16. Rab1 Qa3 {It's important, that White has the very strong} 17. dxc6 $1 ({
Less clear is} 17. Rxb7 cxd5 18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. Rxd5 Rdc8 $14 {For example:} 20.
Qb3 $1 ({The advantage is dwindling after} 20. Qd3 $6 Qxd3 21. Rxd3 Be6 22.
Rxe7 Nc5 $132) ({Or after} 20. Nc2 $6 Rxc4 $1 21. Nxa3 Bxf3 22. Nxc4 Bxe4 23.
Rdd7 Bxb7 24. Rxb7 Bf6 $14 {And Black should hold the position.}) 20... Qxb3
21. axb3 Be6 22. Rdb5 $14 {Here White has serious chances, but Black can
defend.}) 17... bxc6 18. e5 $1 $16 {Exploiting the lack of coordination in the
black army; now Black is very close to catastrophe. With the queen on a3 and
the knight on a6, the tactic should work for White.} Nd5 (18... Bxf3 {just
loses:} 19. Rxd8+ $1 Rxd8 20. exf6 Bxf6 21. Nxf3 Bxc3 22. Rb3 $18) ({More
complicated, but also bad is} 18... Be6 19. Qxc6 Nd7 ({If} 19... Rdc8 {then
suddenly} 20. Nc2 $1 $18 Qa5 21. Rb5 Qxc3 22. Qxc3 Rxc3 23. Bxa8 $18 Ng4 24.
Rd8+) 20. Nc2 $1 {This is an important resource} Nxe5 ({or} 20... Qa5 21. Rb5
$18) 21. Nxa3 Nxc6 22. Bxc6 Bxc3 23. Bxa8 $18 Rxa8 24. Nb5 Bf6 25. a3 $5 $18) {
White wins the pawn, and also has the initiative.} 19. Nxd5 Bxf3 20. Nxe7+ $1
Qxe7 21. Nxf3 Nc7 22. Qxc6 $16) 15... Nxg4 16. Qe2 {The queen comes to a more
comfortable position.} Ne5 ({Here another interesting move is} 16... h5 $5 17.
Bg5 Bf6 18. Nf3 $14) 17. Bg5 $14 {White has got a comfortable advantage - more
space in the centre, and Black doesn't have active counterplay. White's main
threat is Be3 and after that f2-f4. The goal of the last move is by attacking
the e7-pawn, to force Black to worsen the position, and, only after that, come
back to the main plan.} ({The immediate} 17. Be3 $5 {is also possible} Qb4 18.
Rd4 Qb6 19. Rad1 $14) 17... Qc5 ({On} 17... Re8 {White will play} 18. Be3 $14)
18. Rac1 {Exploiting the problem underlying the last black move.} ({Here Black
was prepared for} 18. Be3 Qc4 $1 $13) 18... Re8 (18... h6 $6 {doesn't work:}
19. dxc6 $1 Qxc6 ({Of course not} 19... hxg5 $2 20. cxb7 $18) ({If} 19... Nxc6
{then} 20. Nd5 $16) 20. Bxe7 $16 {White simply wins the pawn.} Rxd1 21. Rxd1
Nc4 22. Rc1 Qe6 23. Nb5 $1 $16) 19. dxc6 {I decided to simplify the position,
and to fix my edge. Probably, White can count on a bigger advantage than in
the game.} ({Weaker is} 19. Be3 $6 Qc4 $14) ({But White can do one more
preparatory move} 19. a3 $1 Qc4 {Necessity} ({If} 19... Qa5 {then} 20. Be3 $16
{(/\ f4).}) ({Also bad is} 19... h6 $2 20. dxc6 $1 Qxc6 21. Nd5 Qe6 22. Be3 $1
{and Black is in big trouble.} Nc6 23. b4 $1 $18) 20. f4 Qxe2 ({But} 20... f6
$2 {doesn't work:} 21. fxe5 Qxe2 22. Nxe2 fxg5 23. dxc6 bxc6 24. Rxc6 Nb8 25.
Rc5 $18 {White is a pawn up in a much better position.}) 21. Nxe2 Ng4 22. dxc6
bxc6 ({Or} 22... Bxb2 23. cxb7 $1 Bxc1 ({If} 23... Rab8 $2 {then} 24. Rc6 $18)
24. bxa8=Q Be3+ 25. Kg2 Rxa8 26. Bxe7 $16) 23. Rxc6 Nb8 24. Rc5 Bxb2 25. Rd3
$16 {With a big advantage, because almost every black piece is in an awkward
position.}) 19... Nxc6 20. Rd5 {This is the point; White starts the pursuit of
the queen.} ({The alternative is less clear:} 20. Nd5 Qa5 21. a3 {for example:}
h6 $5 22. Be3 e6 $1 23. b4 Qxa3 24. b5 exd5 25. bxa6 Na5 $5 26. Rxd5 $16 {
White still has a solid advantage, but a lot of exchanges have increased
Black's chances of a draw.}) 20... Qb6 (20... Qb4 {Just losing the tempo, after
} 21. Nd3 $16 {Black will anyway have to play} Qb6) 21. Be3 $1 {Forcing the
black queen to hide in the corner of the board.} Qc7 22. Nb5 Qb8 (22... Qc8 {
Losing the pawn} 23. Nxa7 $1 Qe6 24. Nxc6 bxc6 25. Ra5 $16) 23. Nd3 {This is
the position, which I wanted when was playing 19.dxc6. White is clearly better:
the rook on a8 and knight on a6 are just terrible. At the same time, White's
pieces are quite active but Black hasn't any weaknesses and that is why White
can't get something concrete immediately.} Rd8 {Peter played the next part of
the game very well; in a dangerous position, he managed to find the moves
which maintained the tension.} ({If Black tries to exchange pieces} 23... Nc7 {
then White will destroy Black's structure} 24. Nxc7 Qxc7 25. Nb4 $1 $14) 24. a3
{There's no direct way, so White should impede Black in the activation of his
pieces. In the next part of the game, we both were under time pressure, I had
about 15 minutes till the time control, my opponent had about 25 minutes,
which is not too much, because in the Grand Prix series there's no increment
after each move.} e6 25. Rxd8+ {I played this and the next few moves quite
quickly.} ({The computer suggests an interesting option} 25. Bf4 $5 {White
wants to get something from the exchange of the rooks, because Black needs
this exchange.} Qc8 ({Worse is} 25... e5 26. Bg5 $16) 26. Rd6 $1 $16 {This is
the point, if Black takes on d6, knight will come to d6, and it's obvious,
that this will improve White's position. But what if} Bf8 {? Here White has a
nice tactic} 27. Ne5 $1 {destroying Black's position, because if} Bxd6 {then}
28. Nxc6 $1 bxc6 29. Nxd6 $16 {Of course, to play or even just to think about
this, you need time.}) 25... Qxd8 26. b4 $16 {The exchange of the rooks,
doesn't change the situation too much, because the rook d8 was not the bad
piece in Black's camp, but it's in Black's favour for sure.} Qe7 27. Kg2 {
The advantage of this move is, that you can play it quickly. At the same time,
it's not clear, how White should exploit his advantage.} Nab8 $1 {Black
decides not to wait till White starts the assault, and tries to improve the
position.} 28. e5 $1 {It's important to achieve something, before Black
coordinates his forces.} ({White still can't organize an invasion:} 28. Rd1 Nd7
29. Nc5 Nf8 $14) 28... Nd7 {Peter spent half of his time on this move, and
after it we both had about 10 minutes left. Obviously, Black would like to use
some tactics to make the defence easier, but that moment hasn't come yet.
Let's check, what can Black try.} ({The most simple is} 28... Nxe5 $2 29. Rc8+
$18) ({Or} 28... Bxe5 $2 29. Nxe5 Nxe5 30. Rc8+ Kg7 31. Bd4 $18) ({During the
game, I was thinking about the} 28... Qd7 {(/\ Qd5).} 29. Nd6 $1 {is critical}
(29. Nc5 {is also possible} Qe7 30. f4 $16 {but Black still can fight.} a5)
29... Bxe5 {This was the point of the previous move, but this weakens the
black king, and after} 30. Nxe5 Qxd6 31. Ng4 $1 $18 {Black is defenceless.}) ({
The real alternative is} 28... a5 {but this suddenly helps White, because now
White will have clear objects to attack.} 29. Nd6 $1 axb4 30. axb4 Nd7 ({
Once more} 30... Bxe5 $2 {is bad;} {now White has} 31. Nc8 $1 Qc7 32. Nxe5 $1
Qxe5 33. b5 $18 {and Black loses the piece.} Nd4 34. Ne7+) 31. f4 $18 {The
threat b4-b5 is very strong.} f6 32. b5 {Now we can feel the danger of the
position, and how it's unpleasant for Black.}) 29. f4 f6 $1 {Black can't
ignore the pawn on e5, because it's like a Trojan Horse which will help White
to come into the city.} 30. exf6 ({The interesting alternative is} 30. Bc5 $5
Nxc5 31. exf6 $1 Bxf6 32. Nxc5 {This is the point, White starts the attack of
the Black weaknesses immediately.} {The question is, what if} a6 ({Black can't
protect the pawn} 32... Re8 33. Qe4 $18 {(/\Nb7)}) ({Maybe the best chance is} 
32... Nd4 $5 33. Nxd4 Bxd4 $16 {but White has a pleasant choice as to how to
take the pawn.}) {The key move is} 33. Nxb7 $1 {and White wins the pawn, and
the pawn on e6 is still weak.} axb5 ({If} 33... Qd7 {then} 34. Rd1 $1 $18) 34.
Rxc6 $18) 30... Nxf6 31. Nd4 $6 {Besides the better structure, White has a
serious initiative, but White must try to use it before Black develops the
rook. The text move, helps Black.} ({It was necessary to find} 31. Bc5 $1 Qd7 (
{Probably better is} 31... Qf7 {but here White has a good choice.} 32. Re1 $16
({also} 32. Nd6 $5) ({or even} 32. Bxa7 $5)) {and now} 32. Bd6 $1 $16 {(/\ Nc5,
/\ Ne5) , and White has dangerous threats. For example:} Re8 33. Ne5 Nxe5 34.
Rc7 Qd8 35. Bxe5 $16) 31... Nxd4 32. Bxd4 {Of course, White still has a
serious advantage, but at least, all the black pieces will be in the game soon.
} Qd7 33. Bb2 b6 (33... Qd5+ {doesn't change much:} 34. Kg1 Re8 {for example:}
35. Nf2 Re7 36. Rd1 Qc6 37. Bd4 $1 a6 38. Qb2 Rf7 39. Be5 $16) 34. Kg1 $6 {
Once again, White doesn't try to seize the initiative.} ({White could start
the attack immediately} 34. Ne5 $1 Qd5+ 35. Kh3 $1 $16 {(/\ Rc7). For example:}
a5 36. b5 $1 Rd8 37. Rc7 $16) 34... Rd8 {Here we both had about 5 minutes.} ({
If} 34... Rc8 {then} 35. Rd1 $1 {the exchange of the rooks is in Black's
favour.}) 35. Re1 $6 {The rook is well placed on the c-file.} (35. Nf2 $142 $1)
35... Ne8 $1 {Black exchanges one more piece.} 36. Nf2 {White should be
accurate to avoid further simplifications.} ({For example:} 36. Bxg7 Qxd3 $1
37. Bb2 Qxe2 38. Rxe2 Kf7 $14) ({Or} 36. Ne5 Qd2 $1 $14 37. Nc6 Qxe2 38. Rxe2
Rd1+ 39. Kf2 Bxb2 40. Rxb2 Rh1 41. Kg2 Ra1 $14) 36... Bxb2 37. Qxb2 Kf7 38. Ne4
{Actually this is again an inaccuracy, but this move provoke Black into a
weakness, which finally helped White to destroy Black's position.} (38. Rd1
$142 Qe7 39. Nd3 $14) 38... h6 {Black can't avoid this move.} 39. Nf2 Nf6 {
The lost of tempi gave Black time to consolidate his position, and the
activity of his pieces should be enough to cover the kingside. But on the last
move before time control we both had 1 minute.} 40. Qe2 Qd6 $2 {A serious
mistake. Peter had worked hard and almost equalised, but after this move Black
comes back to an unpleasant position again; but the mistake is avery likely
one to make when you are in time trouble.} ({Black shouldn't give White time
to attack the kingside, and here was the right moment to start counterplay} 
40... Rc8 $1 {suddenly, Black's pieces become very active.} 41. Rd1 ({Or} 41.
Qe3 Rc2 42. Qb3 Rd2 $13 {and Black is no worse.}) ({If} 41. Nd3 {then Black
has at least a repetition} Qd4+ 42. Kf1 Qd5 $11) 41... Qa4 {this is more
direct move} ({not worse is} 41... Qc6 $13 42. Nd3 Qc3) 42. Rd3 ({White can
sacrifice the pawn} 42. Nd3 $5 Qxa3 $13 {but here the play will continue wit
all three results possible.}) 42... Rc1+ $1 43. Kg2 Rc2 44. Qf3 Nd5 $13 {
and Black has enough counterplay.}) 41. Rd1 $1 {Now White seizes the
initiative, and didn't let it go till the end of the game. The final part of
this game was my part.} Nd5 $6 {Black doesn't want to go into the deep defence,
but the knight on f6 was protecting important squares. After the game, Peter
said, that he chose this move, because he didn't like the others.} ({More
stubborn is} 41... Qe7 42. Nd3 Kg7 {but Black has to be ready for hard defence.
} 43. Rc1 $1 ({The exchange of the rooks is again in Black's favour} 43. Ne5 $6
Rxd1+ 44. Qxd1 Nd5 $14) 43... Nd5 44. Ne5 $16) 42. Qb2 $1 {(/\ Ng4). This move
is strong.} ({But stronger is} 42. Qe4 $1 {(/\ Ng4-e5) , and Black loses the
pawn. The queen on e4 is incredibly strong, White is threatening all Black's
weaknesses - e6, h6, g6.} Qc7 ({or} 42... Qf8 43. Ng4 $18) 43. Ng4 $1 Kg7 ({If
} 43... Ne7 {then} 44. Re1 $1 $18) 44. Qxe6 {and White is winning.} h5 45. Qe5+
Qxe5 46. Nxe5 $18) 42... Qf8 {The only way to save the material.} 43. Ng4 Qg7
44. Qc2 $1 {This is necessary to attack all the weaknesses; the queen comes to
the right square.} ({Worse is} 44. Ne5+ {because after this, it's more
difficult to attack the e6-pawn.} Kg8 45. Qc2 Kh7 $16) 44... Kg8 45. Qe4 $1 {
The best position for the queen.} ({Worse is} 45. Qc6 $6 {because of} Qe7 $1
46. Re1 (46. Nxh6+ $6 {is not the win of the pawn} Kh7 47. Ng4 Nxb4 $1 $14)
46... Rd6 $16 {and Black continues the resistance.}) 45... Rd6 $8 ({Of course
not} 45... Re8 $2 46. Rxd5 $1 $18) 46. Ne5 Kh7 $8 ({If} 46... g5 {then} 47. Nc4
$1 $18 Rc6 48. Rxd5) {Now, when Black's pieces are forced to defend the
kingside, White can prepare the invasion on the queenside. Black can't avoid
it.} 47. Rc1 $1 Qf6 48. Rc8 Qf5 49. Qe1 $1 {The queen is going to the long
diagonal, but what is very important, is that White controls all the squares,
and doesn't give Black any counterplay.} ({There are a lot of ways to spoil
everything. For example:} 49. Qd4 $2 {White wants to attack immediately, but
after} Qb1+ 50. Kg2 g5 $1 {White would have to be accurate to equalise. The
most simple is} 51. fxg5 hxg5 52. Rc7+ Kg8 53. Rc8+ Kh7 54. Rc7+ $11) ({Also} 
49. Qxf5 $6 {would be an inaccuracy:} exf5 50. Ra8 {White still has a serious
advantage, but Black has real chances to save the game.} g5 $1 51. Rxa7+ Kg8
52. fxg5 hxg5 $16) 49... b5 {Actually, the position is almost lost for Black,
now it's just a question of practical chances.} ({Black can provoke the crisis
immediately} 49... g5 50. Qa1 $1 {(/\ Rh8).} Qe4 ({If} 50... gxf4 {then} 51.
Nc4 $18 {and White wins} fxg3 52. Rh8+ Kg6 53. Rg8+ Kh5 54. hxg3 $18) ({
It's late to defend} 50... Qf6 51. Ra8 $1 gxf4 ({or} 51... Ne3 52. Qc3 $1 $18
Rd1+ 53. Kf2) 52. Rxa7+ Kg8 {and now} 53. Rf7 $1 Qg5 54. Qb1 Nf6 55. Qc2 $1 Rd8
56. Nf3 $18) 51. Ng4 $1 {looking to h8.} e5 $8 52. Qxe5 Qxe5 53. fxe5 Re6 54.
Rd8 {the endgame is winning for White.} h5 ({If} 54... Nc3 {then} 55. Rd6 $18)
55. Rxd5 hxg4 56. Kf2 $1 Rh6 57. Kg2 Re6 58. h3 $18) 50. Qa1 (50. Qc1 {also
wins.}) 50... g5 $6 {This loses immediately, but the position is bad anyway.} (
{If} 50... Qf6 {then White attacks the queenside} 51. Qf1 $1 Qf5 ({or} 51... a6
52. Qf2 $18) 52. Qxb5 Qb1+ 53. Qf1 Qb2 54. Qf2 $18 {and White wins, because if
Black takes the pawn, then the kingside falls} Qxa3 55. Qc2 $1 {and checks
don't help} Qa1+ 56. Kf2 Qd4+ 57. Ke2 $1 Qe3+ 58. Kf1 $18) ({Probably, the
best chance is} 50... Ra6 $5 {now the rook is far away from possible attacks
of the knight, and White still must to find good moves to win the game.} 51.
Rd8 $1 Qc2 52. Nxg6 $1 Nc3 53. Ne5 $18 {The position is sharp, and full of
interesting variations, but White is winning in all lines, of course during
the game there's still a lot of work to do.}) 51. Nc4 $1 {The most accurate.} (
{Also wins} 51. Rh8+ Kxh8 ({or} 51... Kg7 52. Nc4+ $18) 52. Nf7+ Kh7 53. Qh8+
Kg6 54. Ne5+ Qxe5 ({If} 54... Kh5 {then} 55. Qe8+ $18) 55. Qxe5 $18) 51... bxc4
52. Qh8+ Kg6 53. Rg8+ Kh5 54. Rxg5+ $1 $18 {This is the point, now it's all
over.} Qxg5 55. fxg5 c3 56. Qxh6+ Kg4 57. g6 e5 $18 58. g7 {Black resigned.}
1-0

[Event "TUR-chT"]
[Site "Kocaeli"]
[Date "2014.08.25"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B19"]
[WhiteElo "2666"]
[BlackElo "2742"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2014.08.18"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Denizsu Aquamatch"]
[BlackTeam "TS Alyans"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "TUR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "TUR"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 e6 8. Ne5
Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 Nd7 11. f4 c5 12. Be3 Nxe5 13. fxe5 cxd4 14. Qb5+ Qd7
15. Qxd7+ Kxd7 16. O-O-O Ke8 17. Bxd4 Ne7 18. Ne4 Nc6 19. Bc3 h5 20. Rhf1 Be7
21. g3 Rd8 22. Rxd8+ Nxd8 23. Kd2 Nc6 24. Ke3 Rh6 25. b3 Rg6 26. Bb2 Nb8 27.
Kf3 Nd7 28. Rd1 f6 29. exf6 gxf6 30. Nd6+ Bxd6 31. Rxd6 f5 32. c4 Ke7 33. Rd1
e5 34. Ba3+ Ke8 35. Rd5 Rg4 36. Rd6 f4 37. Re6+ Kd8 38. gxf4 Rxf4+ 39. Ke3 Rf7
40. Bd6 Nf6 41. Bxe5 Ng4+ 42. Ke4 Rf2 43. Bf4 Rxa2 44. Kf5 Kd7 45. Rd6+ Ke7 46.
c5 Rf2 47. b4 b6 48. Rd4 bxc5 49. bxc5 Rc2 50. Bg5+ Kf7 51. Rd7+ Ke8 52. Ke6
Re2+ 53. Kd6 Nf6 54. Rxa7 Ne4+ 55. Kd5 Nxg5 56. hxg5 Rg2 57. Ke6 Kd8 58. Kf6
Rf2+ 59. Kg6 h4 60. Rh7 Rh2 61. Kg7 1-0

[Event "RUS-chT 23rd"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2016.05.01"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D83"]
[WhiteElo "2686"]
[BlackElo "2732"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2016.05.01"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Moscow Legacy Square"]
[BlackTeam "St Petersburg Bronze Horseman"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Bg7 5. e3 O-O 6. Rc1 Be6 7. c5 Nh5 8. Bg5
h6 9. Bh4 b6 10. b4 a5 11. b5 bxc5 12. dxc5 Nd7 13. Na4 Ne5 14. Ne2 Bg4 15. Qb3
g5 16. Bg3 Ng6 17. Rd1 e5 18. Rxd5 Qe7 19. Nec3 Ngf4 20. Rd2 Rad8 21. f3 Be6
22. Qc2 Nf6 23. e4 g4 24. Bf2 Nh7 25. fxg4 Bxg4 26. Be3 Qg5 27. Nd5 Nf6 28.
Nac3 Be6 29. g3 Bxd5 30. Nxd5 N6xd5 31. exd5 Ng2+ 32. Bxg2 Qxe3+ 33. Kd1 f5 34.
Re1 Qa3 35. d6 e4 36. Qb3+ Qxb3+ 37. axb3 Bc3 38. Rc2 Bxe1 39. Kxe1 Rd7 40. Bf1
cxd6 41. c6 1-0

[Event "RUS-chT 23rd"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2016.05.02"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Black "Jakovenko, Dmitrij"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2686"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2016.05.01"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Moscow Legacy Square"]
[BlackTeam "Novosibirsk Siberia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ke8 10. h3 h5 11. Ne2 b6 12. Rd1 Ba6 13. Nf4 Rd8 14. Rxd8+
Kxd8 15. a4 Be7 16. a5 Bb7 17. e6 fxe6 18. Ne5 Rg8 19. Nxh5 c5 20. Ng6 Bd6 21.
c3 b5 22. Bg5+ Kd7 23. Rd1 Bd5 24. Nhf4 c6 25. Nd3 Kc7 26. Nde5 Nh6 27. f3 c4
28. h4 Rb8 29. Be3 b4 30. Bxa7 Rb5 31. Bb6+ Kb7 32. Nxc4 Nf5 33. Nxd6+ Nxd6 34.
cxb4 Nc4 35. Bd4 Rxb4 36. Bxg7 Ne3 37. Rd2 Ra4 38. b3 Rxa5 39. h5 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 17th"]
[Site "Gjakova"]
[Date "2016.05.20"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Navara, David"]
[Black "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E48"]
[WhiteElo "2735"]
[BlackElo "2686"]
[Annotator "Besenthal,K"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2016.05.12"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "KOS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Nge2 Re8 8.
O-O Bf8 9. Bd2 b6 10. Nf4 (10. Rc1 {führte zwischen zwei anderen ganz Großen
zu ähnlichen Strukturen:} c5 11. Nf4 Ba6 12. Qf3 Bxd3 13. Nxd3 Nc6 14. dxc5
bxc5 15. Rfd1 c4 16. Nf4 Ne5 17. Qh3 Rb8 18. Rc2 Nd3 19. Qf3 d4 20. exd4 Rxb2
21. Rxb2 Nxb2 22. Rc1 Qxd4 23. Be3 Qe5 24. g3 Nd3 25. Nxd3 cxd3 26. Bd2 Qd4 27.
Rb1 Qc4 28. Rb3 Bb4 29. Kg2 a5 30. Nb1 Rd8 31. Bxb4 axb4 32. Nd2 Qc2 33. Qf4
Nd5 34. Qh4 f6 35. Qc4 Qxd2 {0-1 (35) Nakamura,H (2774)-Gelfand,B (2733) Monte
Carlo 2011}) 10... Bb7 11. Qf3 a6 12. Rad1 Ra7 13. Bc2 c5 14. dxc5 bxc5 15. Qh3
g6 {Diagramm [#] Sichert den Punkt h7.} 16. Nce2 Bc6 17. Bc3 Nbd7 18. Bb3 Qa8 {
Diagramm [#] Schwarz hat die hängenden Bauern konsolidiert. Mit seinem
Raumvorteil steht er nun sogar einen Tick besser...} 19. g4 $2 {... und so
gesehen ist diese "Schwächung" eigentlich vollkommen unverständlich.} ({Mit} 
19. Rd2 {kleine Brötchen zu backen war besser.}) 19... Ne5 $1 {Legt den
Finger bereits auf die frische Wunde f3.} 20. g5 $2 {Das ist endgültig zu
viel.} (20. Bxe5 Rxe5 21. Qg3 Ne4 22. Qg2 {war notwendig.}) 20... d4 $1 21. f3
dxc3 22. gxf6 c4 23. Bc2 Nxf3+ {Diagramm [#] Nur vier Züge nach seinem
"Angriff" g2-g4 steht Navara vor einem Scherbenhaufen.} 24. Kf2 cxb2 (24...
Rxe3 $1 {war auch möglich.}) 25. Qg3 Qb8 (25... Rxe3 $1) 26. Nc3 Ne5 27. h4
Rd7 28. h5 Qd8 29. hxg6 fxg6 30. Rxd7 Qxd7 31. Kg1 Kf7 32. Ne4 Bh6 33. Qh4 Bxe4
34. Bxe4 Qg4+ 35. Qxg4 Nxg4 36. Bd5+ Kxf6 37. Nxg6+ Kg5 0-1

[Event "TUR-chT"]
[Site "Izmir"]
[Date "2016.07.30"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Black "Cheparinov, Ivan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2730"]
[BlackElo "2688"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2016.07.25"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.08.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.08.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Deniz Su Aquamatch"]
[BlackTeam "Turk Hava Yollari"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "TUR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "TUR"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O Nbd7 8.
Qc2 c6 9. Rd1 b6 10. b3 Ba6 11. a4 Qc8 12. Na3 Bb7 13. cxd5 cxd5 14. Qb2 Qd8
15. Rdc1 Ne4 16. Bf4 Bd6 17. Bxd6 Nxd6 18. Ne5 Nf6 19. Nb5 Nfe4 20. Rc7 Nxb5
21. Rd7 Qe8 22. axb5 f6 23. Rxb7 fxe5 24. Bxe4 dxe4 25. Qc3 Rf7 26. Rxf7 Qxf7
27. dxe5 Rd8 28. Ra4 Qd7 29. Qe3 Qxb5 30. Rxa7 Qxe5 31. Qxb6 Rb8 32. Qe3 Rb4
33. Ra8+ Kf7 34. Kg2 Kg6 35. Rc8 h6 36. Rc5 Qb8 37. Rc6 Qe5 38. Rc5 Qb8 39. Rc6
Qe5 40. Rb6 Rxb6 41. Qxb6 Qd5 42. Qe3 Qb7 43. Qc3 Kf5 44. Qc5+ Kf6 45. b4 Qd7
46. b5 Qd2 47. b6 Qb2 48. e3 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 1617"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2016.11.19"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C96"]
[WhiteElo "2732"]
[BlackElo "2745"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2016.10.15"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Schwaebisch Hall"]
[BlackTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. h3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 Nd7 12. Nbd2 exd4 13. cxd4 Nc6 14. d5 Nce5 15.
a4 Rb8 16. Nxe5 Nxe5 17. axb5 axb5 18. f4 Ng6 19. Nf3 Bh4 20. Rf1 Bg3 21. f5
Ne5 22. Ng5 Bh4 23. f6 h6 24. Qh5 gxf6 25. Nh7 Kxh7 26. Qxh4 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 1617"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2017.04.09"]
[Round "12.7"]
[White "Fressinet, Laurent"]
[Black "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2676"]
[BlackElo "2732"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2016.10.15"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 178"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Werder Bremen"]
[BlackTeam "Schwaebisch Hall"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 h6 6. c3 d6 7. a4 a6 8. Re1 O-O
9. b4 Ba7 10. Nbd2 Ne7 11. d4 Ng6 12. h3 exd4 13. cxd4 d5 14. exd5 Nxd5 15. b5
axb5 16. axb5 Be6 17. Ne4 Ndf4 18. Bxe6 Nxe6 19. Be3 Nef4 20. Bxf4 Nxf4 21. Qd2
Ne6 22. d5 Nc5 23. Qc2 Nxe4 24. Qxe4 Qf6 25. Ra2 Bb6 26. Rc2 Ra1 27. Rxa1 Qxa1+
28. Kh2 Qf1 29. d6 cxd6 30. Qxb7 Bc5 31. Ra2 g6 32. Qc6 Kg7 33. Rb2 Rb8 34. Qd7
Qc1 35. Re2 Qf4+ 36. Kg1 Ra8 37. Qe7 Ra3 38. Nh2 Ra1+ 0-1

[Event "Poikovsky Karpov 18th"]
[Site "Poikovsky"]
[Date "2017.04.23"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Rodshtein, Maxim"]
[Black "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2701"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2017.04.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 178"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. e3 O-O 8. Be2
dxc4 9. O-O Qe7 10. Bxc4 c5 11. Qe2 Nc6 12. Rad1 Bxc3 13. bxc3 b6 14. Ne5 Bb7
15. f4 Rac8 16. Nxc6 Bxc6 17. f5 exf5 18. Rxf5 cxd4 19. cxd4 Bd7 20. Rf4 Kh8
21. e4 f6 22. Ba6 Ba4 23. Rdf1 Rc2 24. Qd3 Rxa2 25. Qc4 Qa3 26. R4f3 Bb3 27.
Rxb3 Qxa6 28. Qb4 Rc8 29. Rc3 Rc2 30. Rxc8+ Qxc8 31. Qa4 Kh7 32. h3 Re2 33. d5
Qc3 34. Kh1 Qd3 35. Qxa7 Qxe4 36. Rg1 Re3 37. Qd7 Rd3 38. d6 f5 39. Kh2 Qe5+
40. Kh1 Rxd6 41. Qc7 Qc5 42. Qb7 Qc6 43. Qf7 Qd5 44. Qe7 Re6 45. Qf7 Re5 46.
Qh5 Qe6 47. Kh2 Re2 0-1

[Event "Nazran Tower of Concord m"]
[Site "Nazran"]
[Date "2017.08.08"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B33"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2729"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2017.08.03"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8.
Na3 b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd5 f5 11. Bd3 Be6 12. O-O Bxd5 13. exd5 Ne7 14. Re1
Bg7 15. c3 O-O 16. Qh5 e4 17. Bf1 Re8 18. Nc2 Nxd5 19. Qxf5 Re5 20. Qh3 Qf6 21.
a4 Rd8 22. axb5 Nf4 23. Qe3 axb5 24. Qb6 Kh8 25. Ne3 Rg8 26. g3 Bf8 27. Ra8 Ne6
28. Rd1 h5 29. Rd5 h4 30. Rxe5 dxe5 31. b4 Qg5 32. Re8 hxg3 33. hxg3 Qh5 34.
Qxb5 Bh6 35. Be2 Qg5 36. Bc4 1-0

[Event "Palma de Mallorca FIDE GP"]
[Site "Palma de Mallorca"]
[Date "2017.11.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Black "Li, Chao B"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2683"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[Annotator "Yermolinsky,A"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2017.11.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Qa4+ Nd7 ({
Personally, I have always preferred} 7... Qd7 8. Qb3 O-O 9. Nf3 c5 {but recent
developments after a new (to me) move} 10. d5 {leave me worried. For example,}
e6 11. Be3 exd5 12. exd5 b6 {and here} 13. Bb5 $5 {Nakamura-Vachier Lagrave,
Chess.com Blitz 2016, I wonder what's going on after} Bxc3+ 14. Kd1 (14. Ke2 $4
Qxb5+ 15. Qxb5 Ba6 $19) 14... Bxa1 15. Bxd7 Nxd7 {isn't Black supposed to be
more than OK here?}) 8. Nf3 O-O 9. Be2 Nb6 $6 {I know I'm not supposed to
treat a 2740 player like a schoolboy, but has Li Chao ever heard the famous Dr.
Tarrasch dictum "Nb6 always stands badly"?} ({Databases contain hundreds of
games with a standard} 9... c5 {and White's results show not more than a
normal few percentage points edge.}) 10. Qb4 Qd6 11. O-O Bg4 $6 {What is the
point of parting with a bishop when Black isn't attacking d4? More questions
that only Li Chao can answer.} (11... Qxb4 12. cxb4 Bg4 {would make more sense.
}) 12. Qb3 $1 c6 $6 {To me, an old Grünfeld hand, this move always signifies
Black's failure to follow through on this great opening's ideas.} ({No matter
what} 12... c5 13. Ba3 Qc6 {had to be tried.}) 13. Rd1 Qc7 14. Ba3 Nc8 15. Rac1
Bxf3 16. Bxf3 Rd8 {Just like that White has obtained a sizeable advantage
without breaking sweat... not one drop.} 17. e5 $1 e6 18. c4 Rb8 19. Be4 c5 $6
{A desperate attempt to break out that is doomed to fail.} 20. Bxc5 f6 21. Bb4
(21. Qh3 {also looked mighty good}) 21... fxe5 22. d5 $1 b6 23. dxe6 Ne7 {
Now the simple, yet elegant finish.} 24. Rd7 $1 Rxd7 25. exd7 Qxd7 26. c5+ Kh8
27. c6 Rc8 28. Qf7 Qd4 29. Bxe7 1-0

[Event "Palma de Mallorca FIDE GP"]
[Site "Palma de Mallorca"]
[Date "2017.11.22"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2719"]
[BlackElo "2683"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2017.11.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bb4 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O d6 {Apparently
tired of the main lines.} 7. d3 ({White can also choose a more ambitious setup
with} 7. Nd5 Bc5 8. e3 a6 9. b3 {Turov,M (2658)-Savchenko,S (2541) Metz 2012
EXT 2013 (1-0, 41) [Metz Alekhine/Primel,D]. True, he gives up the plan based
on b2-b4-b5 but has better control in the centre.}) 7... Re8 ({Black does not
need to prevent Bg5 yet, even though} 7... h6 {is quite popular.} 8. Na4 (8.
Bd2 a5 {Laznicka,V (2677)-Topalov,V (2769) Novy Bor 2013 CBM 157 (1-0, 39) [CB]
}) (8. Nd5 Bc5 9. e3 Bb6 {Eljanov,P (2702)-Sutovsky,E (2660) Poikovsky 2013
CBM 156 (1-0, 50) [CB]}) 8... a5 9. b3 Qe7 (9... Re8 10. Bb2 Bf5 11. e3 {
Svidler,P (2757)-Nakamura,H (2790) Moscow 2016 CBM 172 (½-½, 30) [Sagar Shah/
CB Website]}) 10. Bb2 Bc5 11. e3 {Aronian,L (2786)-Topalov,V (2780) Moscow
2016 CBM 172 [Mekhitarian,K] (½-½, 58)}) 8. Nd5 ({It appears that} 8. Bg5 {
is not too threatening.} Bxc3 {Of course, Black needs to prevent Nd5.} 9. bxc3
h6 10. Bh4 $5 ({An ambitious but double-edged move. Black has enough
positional resources after} 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. Nd2 Bd7 12. Qc2 Rab8 13. f4 Qg6
14. e4 b5 15. cxb5 Rxb5 $132 {Khmelniker,I (2493)-Eljanov,P (2741) Douglas
2016 (½-½, 42)}) 10... Rb8 ({Optically,} 10... g5 11. Nxg5 hxg5 12. Bxg5 {
looks very dangerous for Black. But after} Qe7 {White should probably play for
long term compensation with e2-e4 followed by f2-f4, even though this allows
Black to rid himself of the pin. The point is that} 13. f4 exf4 14. Rxf4 Qe3+
15. Kh1 Nh7 16. Re4 Qxg5 17. Rxe8+ Kg7 {does not look very convincing.}) 11.
Rb1 Bd7 12. h3 Qe7 ({Black could already think of winning the piece for three
pawns with} 12... e4 13. dxe4 g5 14. Nxg5 hxg5 15. Bxg5 Qe7 16. f4 Qe6 {
The position remains unclear, as White does not have a clear way of developing
his initiative:} 17. f5 Qe5 18. Rb5 Qxc3 19. Rb3 Qe5 {Of course, a draw is
guaranteed, but} 20. Qd2 {is not entirely clear. The explanation why White had
to give up the c3-pawn is revealed by the line} Nxe4 $2 21. Bxe4 Qxe4 22. Bf6
$18 {when Black does not have ...Qe3+.}) 13. g4 {Finally, White has got some
chances for interesting play with equal material.} Nd8 14. Nd2 Bc6 15. Bxc6
Nxc6 16. e3 Qe6 17. d4 Na5 18. d5 Qe7 19. Qf3 g5 20. Bg3 Nd7 21. Qf5 e4 $13 {
Nepomniachtchi,I (2751)-Palac,M (2525) Tbilisi 2017 (½-½, 35), The structure
is interesting but Black can compensate for his weakneses by playing for a
blockade,}) 8... Nxd5 ({In view of the threat Bg5 the only (untested)
alternative is} 8... h6 9. Nxb4 Nxb4 10. a3 Nc6 11. b4 Be6 12. Bb2 Qd7 13. Re1
Bh3 14. Bh1 $14 {with more pleasant white play due to his potentially strong
bishops.}) 9. cxd5 Ne7 (9... Nd4 {leads to a structure slightly favouring
White:} 10. Nxd4 exd4 11. e4 dxe3 12. fxe3 Bc5 13. d4 Bb6 14. a4 a5 15. Qd3 Qe7
16. Rf4 Bd7 17. Bd2 $14 {Naranja,R-Hecht,H Bad Pyrmont 1970 (0-1, 44) Due to
the passive b6-bishop play is rather one-sided at this point in the game, even
though making progress is not simple for White.}) 10. a3 {To my taste, this
approach is too simplistic. The bishop is misplaced on b4 and a3, b4 is not
such a threatening plan.} (10. d4 {as previously tried by Gelfand himself
leads to more interesting play.} e4 11. Ng5 h6 (11... f5 $2 12. Qa4 {[%cal
Ga2a3] traps the bishop.}) (11... Nxd5 12. Qb3 c6 13. Bxe4 $16 {also wins
material.}) 12. Nxe4 Nxd5 13. a3 Ba5 14. Nd2 Nf6 15. Nc4 ({The following game
features an interesting plan, offering White some very light but lasting
queenside initiative:} 15. b4 Bb6 16. e3 c6 17. a4 a5 18. bxa5 Bxa5 19. Qc2 d5
20. Nb3 Bc7 21. Bd2 Bg4 22. a5 Be2 23. Rfb1 Ne4 24. Nc5 Nxc5 25. Qxc5 Ba6 26.
Bf1 Bd6 27. Qb6 Bc7 28. Qc5 Bd6 29. Qb6 Bc7 30. Qb3 Bxf1 31. Kxf1 Ra7 32. Qd3
Qa8 33. Bc3 Qc8 34. Kg2 h5 35. h4 g6 36. Rb3 Qg4 37. Rab1 {Dubov,D (2683)
-Romanov,E (2626) St Petersburg 2017 (1-0, 83) and White eventually managed to
trade the a5-pawn for the b7-pawn, with very pleasant play.}) 15... c6 16. Nxa5
Qxa5 17. f3 d5 18. Qc2 Qb6 19. e3 Nd7 20. Bd2 c5 21. Rae1 ({This pawn
sacrifice is sound but does not offer more than equalising compensation.} 21.
dxc5 {looks more promising:} Nxc5 22. b4 Ne6 23. Qd3 Bd7 24. a4 $14 {and the
two bishops could tell in the endgame.}) 21... cxd4 22. exd4 Qxd4+ 23. Kh1 Nf6
24. Bc3 Qc5 25. Qd2 Bf5 26. g4 Bg6 27. Bd4 Qd6 28. Bxf6 Qxf6 29. Qxd5 Qxb2 30.
f4 Red8 31. Qxb7 Qxb7 32. Bxb7 {½-½ Gelfand,B (2737)-Wojtaszek,R (2737)
Heraklio 2017}) ({Another game by Dubov (quite a successful player with this
line) went} 10. Nd2 c6 11. dxc6 Nxc6 12. a3 Bxd2 13. Bxd2 d5 14. Rc1 Be6 15. b4
Qd7 {The structure is similar to that from the main game, but White has the
bishop pair, which could make a difference at a later stage.} 16. e3 a6 17. Rc5
Rac8 18. b5 Ne7 19. Rxc8 Rxc8 20. bxa6 bxa6 21. Qa1 f6 22. Rc1 Bh3 23. Rxc8+
Qxc8 24. Bxh3 Qxh3 25. Bb4 Nc6 $2 ({This simply loses a pawn. Black seems to
have no problem holding his centre together after} 25... Qd7 $11) 26. Qa2 Qd7
27. e4 Nd4 28. Bc3 Nb5 29. Bd2 h5 30. exd5 $16 {Dubov,D (2660)-Wojtaszek,R 
(2749) Doha 2016 (1-0, 44)}) 10... Ba5 (10... Bc5 $6 {allows White to breaking
the centre under optima circumstances:} 11. d4 exd4 12. Nxd4 Nf5 13. Nc2 Qf6
14. b4 Bb6 15. Rb1 Re7 16. Bb2 Qg6 {Adamski,J-Sydor,A Polanica Zdroj 1969 
(½-½, 19)} 17. e4 Nh6 18. a4 a5 19. Bd4 Bxd4 20. Nxd4 $16 {with strong
pressure against Black's queenside backward pawns.}) 11. b4 Bb6 12. Nd2 c6 13.
dxc6 Nxc6 (13... bxc6 {is also playable, but the c-pawn may become a source of
worries.} 14. Nc4 Bd4 15. Rb1 d5 16. Na5 Bb6 17. Bd2 c5 (17... Bxa5 18. bxa5
$14 {turns the more advanced of the a-pawns into a strength, as a7 is
permanently vulnerable. White is going to block on c5 and due to his flexible
structure he is likely to prevent any black pawn counterplay.}) 18. Bc3 f6 {
Zhao,Z (2583)-Olape,B (2256) Khanty-Mansiysk 2010 (1-0, 38)} 19. Nc4 $5 Be6 20.
Nxb6 axb6 21. a4 $14 {Once again Black's centre is too static while the white
bishops are strong.}) 14. Bb2 a6 $1 $146 ({It is important to keep the bishop
on its actual diagonal so as to discourage d3-d4. If} 14... Bg4 15. Rc1 Qd7 16.
Nc4 d5 (16... Bc7 17. Ne3 $14 {[%cal Gd3d4,Gb4b5,Ge3d5]}) 17. Nxb6 axb6 18. Re1
$14 {Primakov,V (2397)-Girard,E (2404) ICCF email 2012 (½-½, 39)}) 15. Rc1
Be6 16. e3 Qd7 17. Nc4 Ba7 {Black is flexibly regrouped and has more space in
the centre. White's main chance lies on the queenside, but Gelfand's next move
proves premature.} 18. a4 {Possibly played by intuition, without concrete
calculation, or else based on a miscalculation.} ({Of course White could play} 
18. d4 {but this would lead to almost perfect equality:} exd4 19. exd4 d5 20.
Ne3 $11) 18... Nxb4 $1 {Not fearing any ghosts.} 19. Ba3 a5 20. Nxa5 Na2 $1 {
The point behind Black's counterplay.} (20... Nd5 $2 21. Nc4 $16 {would be
crushing.}) 21. Rc4 $2 {[%cal Gg2b7] Gelfand requires from the position more
than it can offer. Once again this looks like an intuitive move, aiming at
trapping the knight, but concretely it loses material.} ({True,} 21. Ra1 {
does not look entirely satisfactory either:} Bxe3 $1 {This requires some
accurate calculating.} ({But as a safety network, Black has} 21... Bc5 22. Nc4
Bxa3 23. Rxa2 Bc5 24. Qb1 $11) 22. fxe3 Rxa5 23. Rxa2 Bxa2 24. Qd2 Qxa4 25.
Qxa2 Rf8 26. Ra1 Rfa8 $17) 21... Bxe3 $6 {Under the given circumstances this
move works out less well, allowing White getting out of deep trouble unscathed.
} (21... d5 $5 22. Rh4 Nc3 23. Qh5 h6 24. Bb2 d4 25. exd4 Bxd4 26. Nc4 Bxc4 27.
dxc4 Rxa4 $15) ({The surprising} 21... e4 $1 {is even stronger:} 22. Rxe4 (22.
dxe4 Bb8 {wins one of the hanging pieces}) (22. Bxe4 Bxc4 23. Nxc4 d5 $17)
22... Nc3 23. Qh5 Nxe4 24. Bxe4 g6 $17 {with no obvious compensation fo the
exchange as his pieces are a bit chaotically placed and the knight has no
comfortable way to retreat.}) 22. Nxb7 $2 ({With the rook controlling c6,} 22.
Bxb7 $1 {would have maintained the material equality, for instance} Rxa5 23.
Bc6 Qc8 24. Bxe8 Bxc4 25. dxc4 Bd4 26. Qd2 Ra7 27. Bb5 Nc3 $13) 22... Bxc4 23.
dxc4 Bd4 $17 {White is an exchange down and his hanging minor pieces prevent
him from retrieving material.} 24. Nxd6 Nc3 25. Qh5 ({Or if} 25. Qd2 Rxa4 26.
Nxe8 Rxa3 27. Qb2 Qa7 (27... Ra7 28. Qb8 $18) 28. Nd6 {the knight escapes, but
the f2-pawn is doomed:} Ra2 29. Qb7 Bxf2+ 30. Kh1 Qxb7 31. Bxb7 Rd2 $17 {
with excellent winning chances despite the opposite-coloured bishops.}) 25...
Rxa4 26. Nxe8 (26. Bh3 Qe7 {does not change much.}) 26... Rxa3 $19 {The forced
line has ended by trapping the white knight.} 27. Nxg7 {Unfortunately, not
enough for a draw by perpetual.} Kxg7 28. Qg5+ Kf8 29. Qh6+ Ke7 30. Qxh7 Qg4
31. Qh6 Ra2 32. Qc6 Qf5 33. c5 Kf8 34. Kh1 Kg7 35. f4 e4 36. g4 Qxg4 37. Bxe4
Ne2 0-1

[Event "TUR-chT"]
[Site "Ankara"]
[Date "2018.07.25"]
[Round "1.6"]
[White "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Black "Jakovenko, Dmitrij"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E36"]
[WhiteElo "2684"]
[BlackElo "2749"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2018.07.25"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Deniz su Aquamatch"]
[BlackTeam "Hatay Buyuksehir"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "TUR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "TUR"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 d5 7. Nf3 dxc4 8.
Qxc4 b6 9. Bg5 Ba6 10. Qa4 Qd7 11. Qc2 c5 12. dxc5 Rc8 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Rd1
Qe7 15. e4 Bxf1 16. Kxf1 Qxc5 17. Qe2 Nc6 18. g3 Rd8 19. Kg2 Rxd1 20. Rxd1 Rd8
21. b4 Qe7 22. Rc1 Qd6 23. Qa6 Ne5 24. Rc3 Nxf3 25. Rxf3 Qe7 26. Rf4 e5 27. Rf5
Rd4 28. Qe2 Qb7 29. Qg4+ Kf8 30. f3 Qa6 31. Qh4 Rd6 32. Qxh7 Qxa3 33. h4 a5 34.
bxa5 bxa5 35. h5 Ke7 36. h6 Qb2+ 37. Kh3 Qb8 38. Qg7 Qf8 39. Rh5 Rd1 40. Kg4
Rd8 41. Qxf8+ Rxf8 42. h7 Rh8 43. Kf5 a4 44. g4 a3 45. Rh2 1-0

[Event "Magas m"]
[Site "Magas"]
[Date "2018.08.12"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Black "Wei, Yi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D03"]
[WhiteElo "2690"]
[BlackElo "2735"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2018.08.12"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 186"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bg5 Bg7 4. Nbd2 O-O 5. c3 d5 6. e3 b6 7. Bd3 Bb7 8. O-O
c5 9. Ne5 Ne8 10. Bh4 Nd6 11. Qg4 Bc8 12. Qe2 Bb7 13. Rad1 Nd7 14. Nef3 Nf6 15.
dxc5 bxc5 16. c4 Qc7 17. Bg3 Nh5 18. cxd5 Nxg3 19. hxg3 Bxd5 20. e4 Bxa2 21. e5
Nb7 22. b3 Na5 23. Ra1 Bxb3 24. Rxa5 Qxa5 25. Nxb3 Qb6 26. Nbd2 a5 27. Nc4 Qc7
28. Be4 Rab8 29. Ra1 Rb4 30. Qc2 Rd8 31. Kh2 h5 32. Rxa5 h4 33. Ra6 hxg3+ 34.
fxg3 e6 35. Rc6 Qe7 36. Ne3 Bh6 37. Ng4 Kg7 38. Nxh6 Rh8 39. g4 Rxh6+ 40. Kg3
c4 41. Qc1 Rb3 42. g5 Rh5 43. Kg4 Kh7 44. Rxc4 Rb4 45. Qa3 Rb7 46. Qc3 Ra7 47.
Qd2 Qd7 48. Qf4 Qd1 49. Kg3 Qd7 50. Qf6 Ra3 51. Rb4 1-0

[Event "Danzhou 10th"]
[Site "Danzhou"]
[Date "2019.06.30"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Amin, Bassem"]
[Black "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A08"]
[WhiteElo "2707"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "2019.06.30"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 191"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.08.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. d3 O-O 6. Nbd2 c5 7. e4 Nc6 8. Re1
e5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. c3 h6 11. Qb3 Nb6 12. Ne4 Be6 13. c4 Nd7 14. Be3 b6 15. Qa4
Qc7 16. Nc3 Rad8 17. Nb5 Qb7 18. Bd2 a6 19. Nc3 Rc8 20. a3 Rfd8 21. b4 b5 22.
cxb5 axb5 23. Qxb5 Qxb5 24. Nxb5 cxb4 25. axb4 e4 26. dxe4 Bxa1 27. Rxa1 g5 28.
Bc3 g4 29. Nh4 Nde5 30. Bf1 Rd7 31. Nf5 Bxf5 32. exf5 Nf3+ 33. Kg2 Ne7 34. Be2
Nxf5 35. Ra6 Rd5 36. Rb6 h5 37. h3 N5d4 38. Bxd4 Nxd4 39. Nxd4 Rxd4 40. hxg4
hxg4 41. b5 Rc2 42. Rb8+ Kg7 43. Re8 Rdd2 44. Bxg4 Rxf2+ 45. Kg1 Rg2+ 46. Kf1
Rh2 47. Kg1 Rcg2+ 48. Kf1 Rb2 49. Kg1 Rhg2+ 50. Kf1 Rxg3 51. Be2 f5 52. Kf2
Rgb3 53. Ke1 f4 54. Kd1 Re3 0-1

