[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Bxd2+ 5. Qxd2 d5 {This apparently
simplistic way of playing used to be a specialty of Ulf Andersson, a
completely different kind of player from Carlsen.} 6. Nc3 ({The typical way of
meeting any Bogo-Indian setup is based on the kingside fianchetto; Carlsen had
some recent experience against it, though.} 6. g3 O-O 7. Bg2 Nbd7 8. O-O c6 9.
Rc1 b6 10. cxd5 (10. b4 {Topalov,V (2803)-Carlsen,M (2826)/Nanjing 2010/CBM
139/[Edouard,R] (0-1, 33)}) 10... cxd5 11. Nc3 (11. Na3 {Kramnik,V (2784)
-Carlsen,M (2814)/Wijk aan Zee 2011/CBM 141/[Moradiabadi/Karsten Mueller] (0-1,
85)}) 11... Ba6 {Wang Yue (2732)-Carlsen,M (2826)/Nanjing 2010/CBM 139/
[Edouard,R] (1/2, 28)}) 6... O-O 7. e3 {Before moving forward, I find it
useful to relate the position to some refefrence points from well settled
theory. In the Orthodox lines of the Queen's Gambit, Black frequently aims to
exchange the dark-squared bishops, in order to get some space for the queen
and release the pressure against the f6-knight. Two classical ways of
achieving that are the Capablanca System (...dxc4 followed by ...Nd5) and he
Lasker System (...Ne4).. From this point of view, I find some positive aspects
in the Bogo setup: Black exchanges the bishops without the need to give up the
tension in the centre with ...dxc4 or moving for the second time with an
already developed knight.} Qe7 {The perfect square for the queen in many
Bogo-Indian lines.} 8. Rc1 Rd8 {This way of putting pressure on the white
centre is reminsicent to some extent of one of the plans in the Lasker System.}
9. Qc2 ({Deviating from an earlier Carlsen game:} 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Bd3 Nc6 {
An useful preparation for ...Ne4.} (10... Ne4 11. Qc2 $14) 11. Bb5 (11. O-O Ne4
12. Qe2 Bg4) (11. a3 {is too slow: after having taken the e5-square under
control, Black can develop his initiative with} Bg4) 11... Rd6 {Somewhat
similar to one of the Lasker System variations, successfully used by Yusupov
during his candidates match against Karpov, ages ago.} 12. Bxc6 Rxc6 13. Ne5
Re6 14. f3 b6 15. O-O Bb7 16. Rfe1 h6 17. Ne2 c5 18. Nf4 Rd6 19. dxc5 bxc5 20.
Ned3 c4 21. Nb4 Rad8 22. Nc2 Nd7 23. Nd4 Ne5 $132 {Bacrot,E (2713)-Carlsen,M 
(2837)/Biel 2012/CBM 150 (1/2, 56)}) 9... a6 $5 {Resorting to a basic idea
from other Queen's Gambit setups than those mentioned above. Black prepares
the queenside expansion with ...b5 and ...c5, waiting with ...dxc4 until White
has spent a tempo on developing his bishop.} (9... Nbd7 10. cxd5 exd5 11. Bd3
Nf8 12. O-O {The position is typical for the Karlsbad/Exchange Variation of
the Queen's Gambit. The previous exchange of the bishops ensures Black some
freedom of action for his major pieces. It is interesting to follow the
harmonious regrouping of two great modern/classic players of completely
different style.} Ng6 (12... c6 13. a3 Ng6 14. h3 Rd6 15. Rfe1 Bd7 16. Nd2 Re8
$11 {Van der Sterren,P (2470)-Andersson,U (2605)/Wijk aan Zee 1988/CBM 005 
(0-1, 40)}) 13. Ne2 c6 14. Ng3 Re8 15. Qc5 Qd8 16. Nd2 Nh4 17. b4 a6 18. a4 Bd7
19. Rb1 Ng4 20. Qc2 g6 21. b5 axb5 22. axb5 h5 23. bxc6 bxc6 24. Rfe1 Qf6 {
One can feel the kingside pressure already.} 25. Ndf1 {Ironically, this knight
does not only fail to defend the king, but it also takes away an important
square from the king and bishop.} (25. Nb3 Nxg2 $1 26. Kxg2 h4 27. Nc5 Bc8 {
Retreating with the knight leads to disaster after ...h3!+, but} 28. Qe2 Kg7 {
/\...Rh8 does not spare White problems, either. Once again, stepping back is
bad:} 29. Nf1 h3+ 30. Kg1 Ra2 $1 31. Nd2 Qd6 $19) 25... Ra3 26. Re2 c5 $1 {
Excellent! White cannot defend both wings properly.} 27. dxc5 Ne5 28. Bb5 $2
Qf3 $3 {0-1 Andruet,G (2450)-Spassky,B (2565)/Germany 1988/GER-chT} 29. gxf3
Nexf3+ 30. Kh1 Bh3 $1 {/\...Bg2# What a shock! The f1-knight is Black's best
friend. One move earlier, it prevented Kf1, now it does not allow the defence
Bf1.}) ({In practice, White has failed to prove anything convincing after the
simplistic} 9... dxc4 10. Bxc4 c5 {, but the general feeling is that Black has
not equalised completely at this stage.} 11. O-O Nc6 (11... cxd4 12. Nxd4 Bd7
13. Rfd1 Nc6 14. Bb5 Rac8 15. Nxc6 Bxc6 16. Bxc6 Rxc6 17. Rxd8+ Qxd8 18. Rd1 {
1/2 Andersson,U (2640)-Spassky,B (2605)/Tilburg 1983/MCD} Qb8 19. Qd3 Rc8 20.
h3 {1/2 Chernin,A (2565)-Spassky,B (2620)/Reggio Emilia 1986/CBM 004}) (11...
Nbd7 12. Rfd1 cxd4 13. Rxd4 Nb6 14. Rxd8+ Qxd8 15. Bb5 Bd7 $11 {Akobian,V 
(2622)-Ghaem Maghami,E (2572)/Al Ain 2012/CBM 152 (1/2, 30)}) 12. dxc5 Qxc5 13.
Ne4 Qe7 14. a3 Bd7 15. Bd3 (15. Rfd1 Be8 {1/2 Vaganian,R (2630)-Karpov,A (2700)
/London 1984/MCL}) 15... h6 16. b4 Rac8 {Nikolic,P (2540)-Andersson,U (2640)/
Niksic 1983/MCD (0-1, 39)}) 10. a3 (10. cxd5 exd5 11. Bd3 {can again be met
with} Nc6 $5 12. Be2 Bg4 (12... g6 $5) 13. O-O Ne4 14. h3 Bh5 15. Ne5 Nb4 16.
Qd1 Bxe2 17. Qxe2 f6 18. Nf3 Rd7 19. a3 Nc6 20. b4 Nxc3 21. Rxc3 Na7 22. Rc5
Nc8 23. Rfc1 c6 24. a4 Nd6 {Akobian,V (2621)-Krush,I (2461)/Philadelphia 2012/
CBM 147 Extra (1/2, 44). After the knight has reached d6, only Black can be
better. Compare with the famous Portisch-Kasparov Skelleftea 1989 and
Bobotsov-Petrosian Lugano (ol) 1968 games.}) 10... Nbd7 11. Be2 $6 $146 {
This does not make any effort to cross Black's plans.} (11. h3 {is only a
little bit better, because h2-h3 does not change anything essentially.} dxc4
12. Bxc4 c5 13. O-O b5 14. Ba2 (14. Be2 {would almost transpose to the main
game.}) 14... Bb7 15. Qe2 cxd4 16. exd4 Nb6 $11 {Mukhaev,A (2315)-Kholmov,R 
(2465)/Moscow 1997/EXT 2000 (1/2, 50)}) ({Probably this is a good moment to
exchange on d5, since the insertion of ...a6 and a3 may favour White
strategically.} 11. cxd5 exd5 12. Na4 $5 (12. Bd3 c5 13. dxc5 Nxc5 14. O-O Bg4
15. Nd4 Rac8 {may offer Black some dynamic compensation for the isolani with a
supposedly bad bishop.}) 12... c6 13. Bd3 Ne4 14. O-O Re8 15. b4 {[%csl Rb6]
[%cal Ga4c5,Gf3d2]}) 11... dxc4 12. Bxc4 c5 13. Be2 b5 14. dxc5 Qxc5 15. b4 Qe7
16. O-O Bb7 {Black has equalised completely; in fact, White's position has
somewhat lost flexibility, which explains why Aronian decides to force drawish
exchanges.} 17. a4 $11 (17. Rfd1 Rac8 18. Qb3 Bxf3 19. Bxf3 Ne5 {[%csl Gc4] is
the typical neutral course which could favour only Black.}) 17... Qxb4 18. axb5
axb5 19. Qb1 Qxb1 20. Rxb1 Bxf3 21. Bxf3 Rab8 22. Nxb5 Ne5 23. Nd4 Nxf3+ 24.
Nxf3 Rxb1 25. Rxb1 h6 26. h3 g5 27. g4 Kg7 28. Kg2 Rd7 29. Rb2 Rc7 30. Nd4 Nd5
31. Rc2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 e6 2. c4 Bb4+ 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. Ngf3 O-O ({In my article published in CBM
143 I focussed on} 4... d5 5. Qa4+ Nc6 {Eventually, I had the occasion to test
the line against a very strong opponent, see Cheparinov,I (2710)-Marin,M (2447)
Leon 2012 CBM 152 [Marin,M] (1/2, 31)}) 5. a3 Be7 6. e4 d6 $5 {A hypermodern
treatment of the position that has become fashionable recently.} (6... d5 {
is the main line.}) 7. Be2 {The most flexible and probably the best move.
Obviously, Black wants to play ...e5 followed by ...exd4, transposing to some
sort of KI or Old Indian, where the knight is not especially well placed on d2.
In principle, after the exchange in the centre, Black would like to regroup
his minor pieces according to the plan ...Nfd7, ...Bf6 and ...Nc6. We can
understand now that White is interested in provoking ...Nbd7 as a preparatory
move for ...e5; the game move is best suited for this purpose.} (7. Bd3 {
looks active, but exposes the bishop:} e5 $5 8. O-O (8. b4 exd4 9. Nxd4 Nfd7
10. Rb1 a5 11. O-O Bf6 12. Nc2 axb4 13. axb4 Nc6 14. Ne3 Nb6 15. Nd5 Nxd5 16.
cxd5 Ne5 17. Be2 c6 $11 {Rodshtein,M (2616)-Gharamian,T (2661)/Cappelle la
Grande 2013}) ({The critical line is} 8. dxe5 dxe5 9. Nxe5 {Black seems to get
some compensation in view of his better development and the weakness of the
d4-square, but only practice will tell whether this is enough. Here is a
possible line:} Ng4 10. Ndf3 Bf6 11. Nxg4 Bxg4 12. h3 Bxf3 13. Qxf3 Nc6 14. Qe3
Qe7 15. O-O Rad8 16. Rb1 Rfe8 17. b4 Ne5 18. Be2 Ng6 {This seems to more or
less work for Black, but somehow it is up to White to choose the moment when
to return the pawn while maintaining some pressure with his bishop pair.}) 8...
a5 9. b3 exd4 10. Nxd4 Re8 (10... Nfd7 11. Bb2 Bf6 12. Rb1 Nc5 13. Bc2 Nc6 $11)
11. Bb2 Bf8 12. h3 c6 13. Re1 Nbd7 14. b4 g6 15. Bf1 Bg7 16. Qc2 axb4 17. axb4
Rxa1 18. Bxa1 Qe7 19. Bc3 {Cheparinov,I (2665)-Hess,R (2572)/Moscow 2011/CBM
141 (1/2, 52)}) (7. b4 {also is an open invitation to ...e6-e5.} a5 8. b5 e5 9.
dxe5 (9. Bb2 exd4 10. Nxd4 {Bulski,K (2549)-Antoniewski,R (2557)/Czech
Republic 2012 (1/2, 23)} Nbd7 11. Be2 Nc5 12. Qc2 Re8 13. O-O Bf8 14. f3 g6
$132) 9... dxe5 10. Bb2 Nbd7 11. Nxe5 Nxe5 12. Bxe5 Bc5 13. Be2 Qe7 14. Bxf6
gxf6 (14... Qxf6 $44) 15. Qc1 f5 16. O-O fxe4 17. Nxe4 Bd4 18. Bf3 (18. Ng3
Bxa1 19. Qxa1 $44) 18... Be6 (18... Bg4 $1 $44) 19. Ra2 $16 {Georgiev,K (2666)
-Arsovic,Z (2441)/Struga 2005/CBM 108 ext (1-0, 49)}) ({In a game played just
a few days before writing these lines, I faced} 7. Qc2 {This does not seem to
be a problem, White cannot get an advantage by moving with his queen when half
of his army is undeveloped.} Nfd7 $1 (7... Nbd7 {more or less justifies
White's experiment.} 8. g3 e5 9. Bg2 exd4 10. Nxd4 Re8 11. O-O a5 12. b3 Bf8
13. Bb2 c6 14. h3 g6 15. Bc3 Bg7 16. b4 {Hamitevici,V (2415)-Campos Moreno,J 
(2484)/Khanty Mansiysk 2010/CBM 139 (0-1, 36)}) 8. b4 (8. Be2 e5 9. d5 a5 10.
b3 Nc5 11. Rb1 f5 $36 {In this line we can feel that White has not only lost a
valuable tempo with Qc2, but also exposed the queen with it.}) 8... a5 $6 {
Careless.} (8... e5 9. Bb2 exd4 10. Nxd4 Bf6 {/\...Nc6}) 9. b5 $1 {Taking the
c6-square away from the b8-knight.} ({I was relying on} 9. Bb2 axb4 10. axb4
Rxa1+ 11. Bxa1 e5 12. d5 Na6 13. Bc3 c5 $5 $132 {, which would jusitfy the
migration of my knights to the queenside.}) 9... e5 10. Bb2 exd4 11. Nxd4 {
Black has some stability on the dark squares, but will need to spend some time
to develop his knights. In the meanwhile, White will build up his kingside
attack.} Nc5 12. g3 Nbd7 13. Bg2 Nb6 14. Rd1 Bg4 15. f3 Bd7 16. O-O c6 17. bxc6
bxc6 18. f4 Qc7 19. N2f3 $14 {Erdos,V (2634)-Marin,M (2552)/Bratto 2013/ (1-0,
33)}) 7... Nbd7 (7... Nfd7 {does not seem to work out well here:} 8. b4 $1 (8.
O-O $6 e5 9. d5 a5 10. b3 Nc5 11. Bb2 f5) 8... e5 9. d5 $1 a5 10. Bb2 axb4 11.
axb4 Rxa1 12. Qxa1 $1 {An important detail: we can see that the queen is more
useful on its initial square than on c2, ensuring the stability of the wings.
For instance, the aforementioned plan does not work:} Na6 13. Bc3 c5 14. dxc6
$1 bxc6 15. c5 $1 $36) 8. b4 e5 9. Bb2 a5 10. O-O exd4 11. Nxd4 Re8 {It is
hard to give a definitive evaluation to this position. Black has no immediate
worries and disposes over a coherent plan of regrouping. However, he cannot
claim equality yet, unless he dissolves the white centre somehow. The
character of the position is similar to that from the Hedgehog lines or the ...
exd4 lines in the fianchetto KI, systematically examined for the first time at
Zurich 1953.} 12. Qc2 (12. f3 Bf8 13. Qc2 c6 14. Kh1 axb4 15. axb4 Rxa1 16.
Bxa1 Ne5 17. Rd1 g6 18. Bf1 Bg7 19. N2b3 $14 {Rodshtein,M (2609)-Tomashevsky,E
(2708)/Biel 2010/CBM 138/[Krasenkow] (1/2, 60)}) 12... Bf8 13. N4b3 $6 $146 {
In one of his famous comments in the equally famous book on the Zurich 53
Candidates tournament, Bronstein underlines the fact that retreating with the
d4-knight usually offers Black counterplay. Boris surely knew that, since he
has huge experience with both colours in the KI, but for some reason he lets
himself be decoyed on to the wrong track.} (13. Nf5 g6 14. Ne3 Bg7 15. Bc3 c6
16. Rad1 (16. bxa5 Nc5 17. f3 Nh5 $17) 16... Qe7 17. Rfe1 axb4 18. axb4 Qf8 19.
Bf1 b6 20. f3 Bb7 21. Qb2 Ra7 22. c5 dxc5 23. bxc5 bxc5 24. Ndc4 $14 {Potkin,V
(2626)-Tomashevsky,E (2708)/Irkutsk 2010/CBM 138 (1/2, 36)}) 13... axb4 14.
axb4 Rxa1 15. Rxa1 c6 {Suddenly, it is not easy to prevent ...d5.} 16. Bf1 (16.
Bc3 d5 {[%csl Ge2]}) ({The only way to maintain the stability in the centre
would be} 16. Nd4 {, but this would mean throwing away two tempi. Play would
continue} g6 (16... d5 $6 17. exd5 Bxb4 18. dxc6 $16) 17. Bf1 Bg7 {I cannot
claim that Black has equalised, but he must have better chances to do it in
the near future; time is important in chess!}) 16... d5 17. exd5 Bxb4 (17...
cxd5 $2 18. c5 $16) 18. dxc6 bxc6 $11 {The position has become equal and dull.
Black has no problems whatsoever.} 19. Nd4 Qc7 20. N2f3 Bf8 21. g3 Bb7 22. Bg2
Qb6 23. Re1 Rxe1+ 24. Nxe1 c5 25. Nb5 Bc6 26. Qe2 Qb7 27. Bxf6 Nxf6 28. Bxc6
Qxc6 29. Ng2 g6 30. Nc3 h5 31. Nf4 Qe8 32. Kf1 Qxe2+ 33. Kxe2 Nd7 34. Nd3 Nb6
35. Ne4 Nxc4 36. Nexc5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. Qxc4
b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. Bg5 Nbd7 11. Bxf6 Nxf6 12. Nbd2 Rc8 13. Nb3 Be4 14. Qc3 Nd5
15. Qd2 c5 16. Nxc5 Bxc5 17. dxc5 Rxc5 18. Rfc1 Rxc1+ 19. Rxc1 Qa8 20. Bf1 $146
{A far from impressive novelty.} (20. Qd4 {is usually played}) 20... Bxf3 21.
exf3 Rc8 22. h4 h5 23. Bd3 Rxc1+ 24. Qxc1 Qd8 25. a3 g6 26. Be4 Qf6 27. Qd2 Kg7
28. f4 Nb6 29. b3 Nd5 30. Kg2 Qa1 31. Bxd5 exd5 32. Qxd5 Qxa3 33. Qe5+ Kg8 34.
Qe8+ Qf8 35. Qc6 Qb4 36. f5 Qxb3 37. fxg6 Qe6 38. gxf7+ Kxf7 39. Qb7+ Kg6 40.
Kf3 Qf7+ 41. Qxf7+ Kxf7 42. Ke4 a5 43. f3 a4 44. Kd3 a3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D35"]
[WhiteElo "2747"]
[BlackElo "2810"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 $5 {This way of sidestepping the
Exchange Variation structures used to be part of the repertoire of the young
Fischer among others. It may transpose to a Semi-Tarrasch, but White can
deviate.} 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 c5 7. a3 $5 (7. Nf3 cxd4 8. cxd4 Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Bxd2+
10. Qxd2 O-O 11. Bc4 {would lead to the main line of the Semi-Tarrasch. Here
are a few games annotated recently for CBM:} b6 12. O-O Nd7 (12... Bb7 13. Rfe1
Nc6 {Radjabov,T (2744)-Ivanchuk,V (2776) Medias 2011 CBM 143 [Rogozenco] (1/2,
45)}) 13. Rad1 (13. a4 {Leko,P (2720)-Naiditsch,A (2712) Porto Carras 2011 CBM
146 [Krasenkow] (1/2, 36)}) 13... Bb7 14. Rfe1 Rc8 15. Bb3 (15. Bd3 {Van Wely,
L (2686)-Illescas Cordoba,M (2609) Melilla 2011 CBM 146 [RR] (1/2, 60)}) 15...
Qf6 16. Qe3 Rfd8 17. d5 {Kasimdzhanov,R (2678)-Teske,H (2547) Germany 2011 CBM
146 [RR] (1-0, 40)}) 7... cxd4 {In connection with the next move, a
straightforward plan. Black does not wish to live with the permanent threat of
d4-d5 and decides to clear up matters in the centre at once. A more flexible
approach is viable, though, too.} (7... Be7 8. Nf3 O-O 9. Bd3 Nc6 10. Bb2 cxd4
(10... b6 11. O-O cxd4 12. cxd4 Bb7 13. Qe2 Rc8 14. Rad1 Na5 15. d5 $36 {
Bocharov,D (2582)-Mozharov,M (2459)/St Petersburg 2011/CBM 144 Extra (1-0, 26)}
) 11. cxd4 Qa5+ 12. Kf1 (12. Nd2 Bf6 13. e5 Bg5 14. h4 Bxd2+ 15. Qxd2 Qxd2+ 16.
Kxd2 Rd8 17. Ke3 Bd7) 12... b6 13. Qe2 Rd8 14. Kg1 Nb8 $5 (14... Bb7 15. h4 {
[%cal Gh4h5]} Qh5 16. Rh3 Rac8 17. Rg3) 15. Ne5 (15. h4 Ba6 16. d5 exd5 17. Ng5
$44) 15... Ba6 16. Rd1 Qa4 17. d5 $5 exd5 18. exd5 Bxd3 19. Rxd3 Bf6 20. h4 $36
{Vitiugov,N (2733)-Khalifman,A (2627)/Taganrog 2011/CBM 143 (1/2, 41)}) ({
I remember how interesting I found Black's way of transposing to a Grünfeld
type of position in the following game:} 7... Qc7 8. Nf3 Nd7 9. Bb2 g6 10. Bd3
Bg7 11. O-O O-O 12. Qe2 Nb6 {1/2 Prusikin,M (2563)-Kortschnoj,V (2608)/
Pulvermuehle 2006/CBM 112/[Marin] (26)}) 8. cxd4 e5 9. Nf3 ({Blocking the
centre with} 9. d5 {offers Black some stability on the dark squares.} Bd6 10.
Nf3 O-O 11. Be2 Nd7 12. O-O Nc5 13. Nd2 (13. Bb2 {Ivanov,S (2570)-Golod,V 
(2535)/Beersheba 1998/CBM 064/[Golod,V] (1/2, 26)}) 13... Qe7 (13... f5 $5) 14.
f3 Bd7 (14... f5 $5) 15. a4 (15. Nc4 Ba4 16. Qe1 Nb3 17. Nxd6 Qxd6 18. Rb1 Nxc1
19. Qxc1 Rac8 20. Qe3 b6 21. Ba6 Rc5 22. Rfc1 $14 {<->c Since he cannot
maintain the control of the only open file, Black has failed to equalise
completely.}) 15... Rfc8 16. Nc4 Nxa4 17. Rxa4 Bc5+ 18. Kh1 b5 19. Ra6 bxc4 20.
Bxc4 Bd4 $132 {Martinovic,S (2496)-Saric,A (2523)/Zagreb 2012/CBM 147 Extra (1/
2, 38)}) 9... exd4 10. Qxd4 ({Delaying the capture should not offer White
realistic chances:} 10. Bc4 Be7 11. O-O Nc6 12. Bd5 (12. Rb1 O-O 13. Bd5 Bf6
14. Bf4 Re8 {1/2 Lerner,K (2494)-Golod,V (2538)/Ramat Aviv 2004/CBM 102 ext})
12... O-O 13. Bb2 Bf6 14. Re1 (14. Bxc6 bxc6 15. Nxd4 $2 c5 $19) 14... Be6 $6 (
14... Bg4 $1 $11 {seems to have solved the problems at once.}) 15. Bxc6 bxc6
16. Nxd4 Bxd4 {Careless. The ending with four rooks and opposite-coloured
bishops is less safe than Black might have thought.} (16... c5 17. Nxe6 fxe6
18. Qxd8 Rfxd8 19. Bxf6 gxf6 {This looks a bit ugly from a structural point of
view, but the passed c-pawn should spare Black concrete problems.}) 17. Bxd4
Qd6 18. Be3 Qxd1 19. Rexd1 a5 20. Rd6 Rfc8 21. Rc1 h5 22. f4 a4 23. f5 Ba2 24.
Kf2 $36 {Aleksandrov,A (2630)-Rausis,I (2498)/Abu Dhabi 2005/CBM 107 ext (1-0,
41)}) 10... Qxd4 11. Nxd4 Be7 $146 {This looks less active than the previously
played 11...Bc5, but this impression may be false. Kramnik keeps the c-file
open for his rooks and prepares the activation of the bishop with ...Bf6.} ({
I did not find significant problems after} 11... Bc5 {either:} 12. Nb5 Na6 13.
Bc4 (13. Bf4 {1/2 Wojtaszek,R (2733)-Roiz,M (2618)/Eilat 2012/CBM 151/[Roiz,M]
(85)}) 13... O-O 14. O-O Be6 15. Bd5 Bxd5 16. exd5 Rad8 17. Rd1 Rfe8 $132 {
Nisipeanu,L (2677)-Naiditsch,A (2706)/Deizisau 2013/ (1/2, 47)}) 12. Be3 ({
Actually White could try} 12. Nb5 {with similar ideas as above even if the
knight is not attacked.} Na6 13. Bc4 O-O 14. O-O Bd7 15. Be3 Rac8 16. Rfd1 Rfd8
17. Bf1 {Both sides have centralised their pieces and Black has to give up the
bishop pair.} Bxb5 18. Bxb5 Nc5 ({The straightforward} 18... Rxd1+ 19. Rxd1
Bxa3 {fails to annihilate the bishop pair:} 20. Bxa7 Nc5 21. f3 Ne6 22. Kf1 Bc5
23. Rc1 $1 Rc7 24. Bb8 $1 Rc8 25. Bg3 b6 {True, Black is relatively stable,
but the main line leads to a better version of it.}) 19. f3 b6 20. a4 Ne6 {
[%cal Ge7c5]}) 12... O-O 13. Bc4 Nd7 14. Ke2 Nb6 15. Bb3 Bd7 {Black keeps
developing his pieces on what do not seem the most active squares, but there
is hidden flexibility in his play.} 16. Nf5 {Moving away from the centre
allows Black to activate both his bishops.} (16. Rhc1 Rfc8 17. Nf5 Bb5+ 18. Kf3
Bf8 {allows Black to regroup perfectly.}) (16. a4 $5 {might have posed more
problems:} Rac8 17. Rab1 $5 {an effective way of parrying ...Nc4 and keeping
the a4-pawn indirectly defended.} Bxa4 18. Bxa4 Nxa4 19. Rxb7 $14) 16... Bf6
17. Rab1 Rfd8 18. Rhc1 Bb5+ 19. Kf3 Bd3 20. Bc2 Ba6 21. Bb3 {There is nothing
more active than this.} Bd3 22. Bc2 Ba6 23. Bb3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A35"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. e3 Nf6 5. d4 cxd4 6. exd4 d5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8.
Qb3 Nxc3 9. Bc4 Nd5 10. Bxd5 e6 11. Bxc6+ bxc6 12. O-O Be7 $5 {Gelfand's
specialty.} ({The main line is} 12... Qd5 {, although play can transpose, of
course.}) 13. Be3 $146 (13. Bf4 Qd5 14. Qxd5 cxd5 15. Ne5 f6 16. Nc6 Bd7 17.
Rfc1 g5 18. Bg3 h5 19. h4 gxh4 20. Bxh4 Bxc6 21. Rxc6 Kd7 22. Rac1 Rhc8 {
Jakovenko,D (2732)-Gelfand,B (2736)/Eilat 2012/CBM 151 (1/2, 50)}) 13... Qd5
14. Rfc1 Qxb3 15. axb3 Bb7 16. Ne5 O-O 17. Ra4 Rfd8 18. Nc4 Bf6 19. Na5 Rd7 20.
Rb4 Ba6 21. Nxc6 Rb7 22. h3 Kg7 23. Rxb7 Bxb7 24. Ne5 Bd8 25. b4 $14 {/=} Rc8
$2 26. Bh6+ $1 Kg8 (26... Kf6 27. Bg5+ $1) 27. Rxc8 Bxc8 28. Nc6 Bf6 29. b5 Bd7
30. g4 {Black is in big trouble. There is not enough space for his f6-bishop
on the long diagonal (...Bh8 would allow mate with Ne7#) and the a7-pawn is in
danger.} g5 (30... a6 31. g5 axb5 32. Nb8 $18) 31. h4 gxh4 32. g5 Bxc6 (32...
Bg7 33. Bxg7 Kxg7 34. Nxa7 $18 {After the exchange of bishops, there is no
longer any need to keep the d4-pawn defended.}) 33. bxc6 Bd8 34. Kg2 Bc7 35.
Kh3 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A33"]
[WhiteElo "2872"]
[BlackElo "2810"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6 6. Bf4 d5 7. e3 (7. Ndb5 {
transposes to a line that used to be fashionable a few decades ago; in recent
years we had Nakamura,H (2775)-Kramnik,V (2801)/Moscow 2012/CBM 149/[Marin,M] 
(1/2, 40)}) 7... Bb4 8. Be2 dxc4 $146 (8... O-O {Zhigalko,A (2589)-Vachier
Lagrave,M (2711)/Warsaw 2012/ (0-1, 69)}) 9. Nxc6 Qxd1+ 10. Rxd1 bxc6 11. Bxc4
Nd5 12. O-O Nxf4 13. exf4 Bxc3 14. bxc3 Ke7 15. Rb1 Bd7 16. Rb7 Rhb8 17. Rfb1
Rxb7 18. Rxb7 a5 19. Bd3 h6 20. h4 Kd8 21. Kf1 Kc8 22. Rb1 Rb8 23. Rxb8+ Kxb8
24. Ke2 Kc7 25. Ke3 Kd6 26. Kd4 c5+ 27. Ke3 Bc6 28. g3 f6 29. a3 e5 30. fxe5+
Kxe5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
{A perfectly reasonable way of avoiding the Marshall attack, in which Svidler
is a great expert.} b4 9. d4 (9. d3 {is the more positional main line.}) 9...
d6 10. dxe5 dxe5 (10... Nxe5 {is also a playable alternative.}) 11. Nbd2 {
An ambitious move. Grischuk avoids the exchange of Q.} ({On the other hand} 11.
Qxd8 {is more popular} Rxd8 12. Bg5 ({or} 12. Nbd2 {and White can hope for
some small advantage thanks to the weak c4-square, but in most games Black was
able to hold the position.})) 11... Bc5 {A perfectly reasonable way of
avoiding the Marshall attack, in which Svidler is a great expert.} 12. Qe2 Qe7
13. Nc4 $146 {A logical novelty. The N immediately occupies the weak c4 square,
from where it can move to e3 at a good moment.} (13. a5 Rd8 14. Bc4 Nd4 15.
Nxd4 Bxd4 {Black easily equalised in Ivanovic-Spassky, Bugojno 1982.}) (13. Bd5
{looks more attractive; this happened in a correspondence game, but} Nxd5 14.
exd5 Nd4 15. Nxd4 Bxd4 16. Nb3 Qd6 17. Nxd4 exd4 18. Qe4 Bb7 {and draw was
agreed soon, Helmreich-Miciak, corr 2009.}) 13... Bg4 {Threatening with Nd4,
so the next move is forced.} 14. c3 bxc3 15. bxc3 h6 16. Bc2 ({The natural} 16.
h3 {is an interesting alternative, but probably Grischuk wanted to win a tempo
with Ne3.} Be6 (16... Bh5 $6 17. Ne3 Na5 18. Nf5 $36) 17. Bc2 Nd7 18. Ne3 Rfb8
19. Nd5 Qd8 20. Rd1 Na5 $132) 16... Qe6 (16... Nh5 {was also possible followed
by Qf6 and Nf4.} {The unsuspecting} 17. h3 $6 {could have been met by} Ng3 $1
18. Qd1 Rad8 $36 {with a strong initiative.}) 17. Ne3 Bxe3 (17... Rfd8 $5 {
is an interesting alternative. Black gives up his strong g4 B} 18. Nxg4 Nxg4
19. Rf1 Na5 20. h3 Nf6 $13 {but Black has also a comfortable position.}) 18.
Qxe3 {White has gained the pair of B, but thanks to the closed centre, it
doesn't give an advantage to White.} ({After} 18. Bxe3 {the pin can be a
little bit unpleasant for White.} Rfd8 19. h3 Bh5 20. Rad1 Na5 21. Rxd8+ Rxd8
22. Rd1 Re8 $11) 18... Na5 ({The immediate} 18... Bxf3 {also deserved
attention to avoid the Nd2.} 19. Qxf3 Na5 20. Ba3 Rfd8 21. Bb4 Nc4 ({or} 21...
Nc6) 22. Bb3 Qc6 {and Black can easily hold the position.}) 19. Nd2 Qc6 {
An important move.} ({In the event of} 19... Rfd8 $6 {White can play} 20. h3 $1
{and the B will be out of play.} Bh5 21. Qc5 $14 {White has some initiative.})
20. h3 Be6 {Now Black has under control the a2-g8 diagonal and the c4 square
too. His chanches are not worse.} 21. Qg3 (21. Ba3 Rfe8 (21... Rfb8 $5) 22. Bb4
Nc4 23. Nxc4 Bxc4 24. a5 Nh5 $13 {with some play.}) 21... Nd7 22. Rb1 (22. Ba3
Rfe8 23. Bb4 Nc4 {similar to the previous line.}) 22... Rfb8 23. Ba3 (23. Nf3 {
could be a tricky option, but after} Bb3 $1 (23... Rxb1 $6 24. Bxb1 $16 {
White wins a P.}) 24. Bd3 (24. Bxb3 Rxb3 25. Rxb3 Nxb3 26. Nxe5 Nxe5 27. Qxe5
Re8 $132 {and Black gets back the material.}) 24... Bc4 {forces to exchange
the B.}) 23... Nc4 24. Nxc4 Qxc4 25. Bb4 a5 {The following moves are forced:}
26. Bd3 Qa2 27. Ra1 Qd2 28. Red1 Qf4 29. Qxf4 exf4 {After the exchange of Qs
it is White who has to play some exact moves to equalise the position, however
for a great player as Grischuk, it is not a big task.} 30. Be7 Re8 31. Ba3 Bb3
32. Bb5 $1 Bxd1 33. Bxd7 (33. Rxd1 {is also leads to a draw after} Nb6 34. Bxe8
Rxe8 35. Rd4 $11) 33... Bc2 34. Bxe8 Rxe8 $11 {We have reached an endgame with
opposite colourod B with same material. The rest is an easy draw.} 35. f3 Rd8
$11 {We have reached an endgame with opposite colourod B with same material.
The rest is an easy draw.} 36. Be7 Rd7 37. Bh4 g5 38. Be1 Rd1 39. Rxd1 Bxd1 40.
c4 Bxa4 41. Bxa5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A88"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 f5 {After draws in the initial round both players are
perky and still full of fighting spirit. Ivanchuk with his incredibly wide
repretoire is the first to show his ambitions by going for the Leningrad Dutch.
} 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. g3 Bg7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O c6 {An important theoretical position.
The text move has a long history and has its fans even nowadays.} ({The
revival of the Dutch in the 1980s and 1990s, led by Malaniuk, M.Gurevich, P.
Nikolic and also Topalov, who was just an emerging star at that time, was
connected mainly with} 7... Qe8 {However, this continuation has fallen
somewhat out of fashion, one of the plausible ways to fight for an edge is} 8.
Nd5 $5 (8. d5 {is the main move, which occurs in more than half of the games
which reach this position.}) 8... Nxd5 9. cxd5 Qb5 10. Ng5 c6 11. a4 Qb6 12. a5
Qb5 (12... Qxd4 13. Qb3 $36) 13. e4 fxe4 14. Nxe4 cxd5 15. Nc3 Qd7 16. Nxd5 e6
17. Nf4 d5 18. Re1 Qf7 19. Be3 Nc6 20. Qd2 Bd7 21. h4 Rac8 22. Ra3 Ne7 23. Nd3
Nf5 24. Ne5 Bxe5 25. dxe5 Nxe3 26. Raxe3 Qe7 27. Rc3 Rxc3 28. bxc3 Qc5 29. Rb1
Bc6 30. h5 $14 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2682)-Kuzubov,Y (2615)/Plovdiv/2012/}) ({
The sharpest option is the risky} 7... Nc6 8. d5 $142 ({Ivanchuk could have
hardly have hoped for the repetition of} 8. b3 e5 9. dxe5 dxe5 10. Ba3 Re8 11.
e4 $6 (11. Qxd8 Rxd8 12. Rad1 $11) 11... Nd4 12. Re1 c6 13. exf5 $2 (13. Bc5 $5
$13) 13... Bxf5 14. Nh4 Bc2 15. Qc1 e4 16. Bb2 Bd3 17. Rd1 Qa5 18. Qd2 Rad8 19.
Rac1 Qh5 20. Kh1 g5 $19 {Radjabov,T (2735)-Ivanchuk,V (2751)/Odessa rpd/2008/})
8... Ne5 (8... Na5 9. Qa4 (9. Nd2 c5 10. Rb1 e5 11. dxe6 Bxe6 12. b3 d5 13.
cxd5 Nxd5 14. Nxd5 Bxd5 15. Ba3 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 Nc6 17. Nf3 {1/2, Aronian,L 
(2805)-Nakamura,H (2751)/Wijk aan Zee/2011/} b6 $11) 9... c5 10. dxc6 Nxc6 11.
Rd1 Ne4 12. Nxe4 fxe4 13. Ng5 Nd4 14. Be3 $1 Bd7 15. Qb4 Nc2 16. Qxb7 Nxe3 17.
fxe3 Rf5 18. Qxe4 Rb8 19. Rd5 Bxb2 20. Rxf5 Bxf5 21. Qh4 h5 22. Rf1 Qb6 23. Kh1
$1 Rf8 24. Bd5+ Kh8 25. Ne6 Be4+ 26. Qxe4 Rxf1+ 27. Kg2 Rf6 28. Nf4 $40 {
Zielinski,S-Schroeder,G/corr/2012/}) 9. Nxe5 dxe5 10. c5 Kh8 11. Qb3 h6 12. Rd1
g5 13. Bd2 a6 14. Be1 (14. Na4 $5 $36) 14... Qe8 15. d6 exd6 16. cxd6 c6 17.
Na4 e4 18. Nc5 Nd5 (18... f4 19. Bc3 e3 20. Bxf6 Rxf6 21. d7 exf2+ 22. Kf1 Bxd7
23. Nxd7 Re6 {Giri,A (2690)-Aronian,L (2808)/Monte Carlo rpd/2011/} 24. Bf3 $16
{/+-}) 19. d7 Bxd7 20. Qxb7 Be6 21. Nxe6 Qxe6 22. Rac1 Rfc8 23. Rc2 $14 {
Mekhitarian,K (2531)-Pogosian,V (2146)/Golden Sands/2012/}) 8. Rb1 {This move
became popular after Kramnik used it to beat Nakamura in Wijk 2010.} ({Earlier
White played almost exclusively} 8. d5 {, but in recent practice Black has
been doing quite fine after} e5 9. dxe6 Bxe6 10. b3 Na6 11. Bb2 Qe7 12. Ng5 Bd7
{and now:} 13. Qc2 ({Direct, but unpromising is} 13. Qd2 h6 14. Nh3 Be6 15.
Rad1 Rad8 16. Ba3 Nc5 17. f4 Qc7 18. Nf2 Rfe8 19. Kh1 $6 Qb6 20. Qc2 d5 $1 21.
cxd5 cxd5 22. Nxd5 Nxd5 23. Bxc5 Qc7 {Gelfand,B (2751)-Kamsky,G (2762)/
Tashkent/2012/} 24. Rd3 $1 b6 25. Rfd1 $15 {For more details see the notes to
this game by Ftacnik in CBM 152.}) 13... Rad8 14. Rad1 Nc5 (14... Rfe8 15. e3
Bc8 16. Rfe1 Nc5 17. b4 Ne6 18. Nf3 a6 19. a3 Qf7 20. Na4 Qc7 21. Qb3 Ng4 22.
h3 Ne5 23. Nxe5 dxe5 24. c5 Qf7 25. Nb6 Nf8 26. Qxf7+ Kxf7 27. Nc4 $16 {
Berczes,D (2450)-Pavasovic,D (2534)/HUN-chT/2006/}) (14... Bc8 15. Nf3 Rfe8 16.
e3 d5 17. cxd5 Nb4 18. Qc1 Nfxd5 19. Nxd5 Nxd5 20. Bxg7 Kxg7 21. Ne1 Be6 22.
Nd3 Bf7 23. Rd2 Nf6 24. Rfd1 Rd7 25. Qc5 Red8 $11 {Torre,E (2570)-Kovacevic,V 
(2540)/Indonesia/1983/}) 15. e3 (15. b4 Ne6 16. Nf3 f4 17. Qd2 Bc8 18. b5 Nd7
$132 19. bxc6 {1/2, Petkov,S (2387)-Tucci,A (2404)/corr/2009/}) 15... Ng4 16.
Nf3 Ne4 $5 17. Nxe4 fxe4 18. Bxg7 Kxg7 19. Nd4 Nf6 20. h3 Be6 21. Rd2 Bg8 22.
Ne2 d5 23. cxd5 Rxd5 24. Rxd5 Bxd5 25. Rd1 Re8 26. Nc3 Qe5 27. Qc1 Re7 $11 {
1/2, Nyvlt,Z (2444)-Tauber,H (2431)/corr/2010/}) ({Another way to fight for an
opening advantage is the restrained} 8. b3 Qc7 (8... Qe8 {is played more often,
transposing into 7...Qe8 lines.}) 9. Ba3 Re8 10. Qc1 a5 (10... e5 11. dxe5 dxe5
12. e4 $13 {/+/=}) 11. Rd1 Na6 12. Ne1 Nb4 13. Nc2 Nxc2 14. Qxc2 e5 15. dxe5
dxe5 16. Bd6 Qf7 17. Na4 Nd7 18. e4 f4 19. c5 Bf8 20. f3 Kg7 21. Qc3 fxg3 22.
hxg3 Qf6 23. Rac1 h5 24. f4 exf4 25. gxf4 Qxc3 26. Rxc3 $16 {Aronian,L (2825)
-Nakamura,H (2775)/Moscow blitz/2012/}) 8... Ne4 {Perhaps Black should look
for an alternative already to this knight sortie. However, it's not so easy to
prove full equality in the positional struggle:} (8... Na6 9. b4 (9. d5 Bd7 10.
b4 Qe8 {once again leads to positions from the 7...Qe8 branch. One of the most
recent examples:} 11. dxc6 bxc6 12. a3 Nc7 13. Bb2 Rc8 14. e3 h6 15. c5 $1 dxc5
16. bxc5 Ncd5 17. Nxd5 cxd5 18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19. Qxd5+ e6 20. Qc4 Be7 21. Ne5 Rxc5
22. Qd4 $36 {Wojtaszek,R (2723)-Hoang Thanh Trang (2469)/Gibraltar op/2013/})
9... Nc7 10. a4 Be6 11. Qd3 Kh8 12. b5 Bg8 13. Ba3 Qd7 14. Rfc1 Rfc8 15. e4
fxe4 16. Nxe4 Nxe4 17. Qxe4 Ne8 18. Ng5 Nf6 19. Qe2 Qg4 20. Nf3 Qd7 21. Rc3
cxb5 22. axb5 a6 {Gelfand,B (2736)-Van Wely,L (2688)/ECC Eilat/2012/} 23. b6 $5
$36) (8... a5 9. Qb3 Kh8 10. Rd1 Na6 11. Be3 Rb8 12. d5 c5 13. Bd2 Bd7 14. a4
Nb4 15. Ng5 Qc8 16. Nb5 h6 17. Nh3 Ne4 18. Be1 Kh7 19. f3 Nf6 20. Bc3 Bxb5 21.
axb5 e5 22. Nf2 Nd7 23. Ra1 Ra8 24. e4 f4 25. Bd2 h5 26. Bh3 $14 {Wojtaszek,R 
(2723)-Cmilyte,V (2515)/Gibraltar/2013/}) (8... Qe8 9. d5 $5 (9. b4 e5 10. dxe5
dxe5 11. e4 f4 12. b5 Bg4 13. bxc6 Nxc6 14. Rxb7 Qc8 15. Rxg7+ Kxg7 16. gxf4
Nd4 17. fxe5 Nxf3+ 18. Bxf3 Bxf3 19. Qxf3 Nd5 20. Qg3 Nxc3 21. Qxc3 Qg4+ 22.
Kh1 Qxe4+ 23. f3 Qe2 24. Kg1 Rf5 $13 {Khenkin,I (2655)-Bartel,M (2635)/
Bundesliga/2012/}) 9... Na6 10. Nd4 (10. b4 {- 8...Na6}) 10... Bd7 11. b3 Nc7
12. Bb2 cxd5 $6 (12... c5 $142 $132) 13. Nxd5 Nfxd5 14. cxd5 Qf7 15. Ne6 Nxe6
16. dxe6 Bxe6 17. Bxb7 Rab8 18. Bf3 f4 19. Qd2 Rb5 20. Bxg7 Qxg7 21. Rbc1 Bh3
22. Rfd1 g5 23. Rc7 $16 {Bosiocic,M (2562)-Bartel,M (2665)/Plovdiv/2012/}) 9.
Qc2 {Instead of swapping the knight, White forces Black to do it himself.} (9.
Nxe4 fxe4 10. Nd2 d5 11. e3 {gives White a more compact pawn structure, but
Black has probably more than one way to hold his own. The reason, why Kramnik
chose the text on move 9, was allegedly} Be6 (11... a5 12. b4 axb4 13. Rxb4 e6
14. Qc2 Nd7 15. Ra4 Rxa4 16. Qxa4 Rf7 17. Ba3 Nf6 18. Qa8 Ng4 19. Bb4 h5 20. h3
Nh6 21. Nb3 Bf8 22. Nc5 Qe8 23. Rb1 Nf5 24. h4 g5 25. hxg5 h4 $132 {Bokar,J 
(2571)-Timmerman,G (2703)/corr/2006/}) (11... Nd7 12. b4 a6 13. Qb3 e6 14. cxd5
cxd5 15. Bb2 b5 16. f3 exf3 17. Nxf3 Nb6 18. Ne5 Bb7 19. Rxf8+ Qxf8 20. Rf1 Qe8
21. Qd1 a5 22. Bc3 axb4 23. Bxb4 Rxa2 24. Rf7 Nc4 $1 $11 {Bu Xiangzhi (2695)
-Nakamura,H (2733)/Cap d'Agde rpd/2010/}) 12. b4 b5 13. cxb5 cxb5 14. a4 bxa4
15. Qxa4 Nd7 16. Qa2 Bf7 17. Nb3 Nb6 18. Na5 e6 19. Bd2 Be8 20. b5 Rf7 21. Rfc1
a6 22. bxa6 Rxa6 23. Qb2 Nd7 24. Nc6 Qa8 25. Qb7 Bf6 26. Qxa8 Rxa8 27. Bb4 Nf8
$11 {Tallaksen,G (2326)-Reinderman,D (2509)/Gausdal/2005/}) 9... Nxc3 (9... e5
10. dxe5 (10. Rd1 Qf6 11. dxe5 dxe5 12. Be3 Nxc3 13. Qxc3 Nd7 14. c5 e4 15. Bd4
Qe7 16. Bxg7 Qxg7 17. Nd4 a5 18. Rbc1 Nf6 19. e3 g5 20. Bf1 Kh8 21. Bc4 Re8 22.
Ne2 Nd7 $132 {Tomashevsky,E (2733)-Wang Hao (2739)/St Petersburg/2012/CBM 149 
(60)}) 10... Nxc3 11. bxc3 $5 (11. Qxc3 dxe5 12. e4 f4 $5 (12... Na6 13. b4 Nc7
$2 14. Nxe5 fxe4 15. Bxe4 Bxe5 16. Qxe5 Re8 {Zhou Jianchao (2625)-Lu,S (2514)/
Beijing/2012/} 17. Qc3 $1 Rxe4 18. Bb2 $18) 13. b4 (13. Nxe5 $2 g5 {[%csl Re5]}
) 13... g5 (13... Bg4 14. Bb2 Qe7 15. c5 Nd7 16. Rbd1 Rf7 17. Rd6 Raf8 18. Qb3
Kh8 19. h3 Bxf3 20. Bxf3 fxg3 21. fxg3 $36 {Malisov,B (2320)-Veremeichik,V 
(2300)/Minsk/1978/}) 14. Bb2 Qe7 15. Rfe1 Be6 16. Rbd1 Nd7 17. c5 Bf6 18. a3 g4
19. Nd2 {Ionesi,C (2232)-Grunberg,M (2403)/Predeal/2006/} Qf7 $13) 11... dxe5
12. Ba3 {- 9...Nc3}) 10. bxc3 e5 {Consistent central play, but now White's
lead in development starts to show.} (10... Na6 11. Rd1 Qa5 12. c5 $1 Nc7 (
12... dxc5 13. Qb3+ e6 14. Ne5 $44) 13. cxd6 exd6 14. c4 Ne8 15. d5 cxd5 {
Matlakov,M (2630)-Jakubiec,A (2528)/CZE-chT/2011/} 16. Rxd5 Qc3 17. Qxc3 Bxc3
18. c5 $1 $36) (10... Qa5 11. c5 $1 dxc5 12. Qb3+ e6 13. Bf4 Re8 14. Ne5 cxd4
15. cxd4 Qd8 16. Qc2 g5 17. Be3 $32 Nd7 {Giri,A (2517)-Reinderman,D (2560)/
Hilversum/2009/} 18. Nxc6 $1 bxc6 19. Qxc6 Rb8 20. Bxg5 $16) 11. dxe5 $5 {
Logically opens the centre while Black's queenside pieces are still asleep.
The only drawback the text move could have is that it makes the doubled
c-pawns more vulnerable, but to profit from this Ivanchuk first has to survive
White's direct and dangerous onslaught.} ({Instead, Kramnik opted for} 11. Rd1
e4 12. Ng5 h6 13. Nh3 g5 14. f3 d5 15. Nf2 Rf7 $5 (15... Kh8 16. cxd5 (16. Ba3
Rf7 17. cxd5 cxd5 18. c4 Nc6 19. cxd5 {Vazquez Igarza,R (2566)-Moreno Tejera,E
(2319)/Madrid/2012/} Nxd4 20. Qd2 exf3 21. exf3 Rd7 22. d6 b6 $132) 16... cxd5
17. c4 e3 (17... Nc6 18. e3 exf3 19. Bxf3 dxc4 20. Qxc4 f4 {Tanygin,V (2167)
-Taztdinov,R (2223)/Sterlitamak/2010/} 21. exf4 Bf5 (21... Nxd4 22. Be4 $16 {
[%csl Rd4]}) 22. Rb5 Rc8 $14) 18. Nd3 Nc6 19. Bxe3 Nxd4 20. Bxd4 Bxd4+ 21. Kh1
f4 22. Rb5 Qf6 23. Rxd5 Be6 $2 (23... Be3 $5) 24. Nxf4 $1 gxf4 25. R5xd4 fxg3
26. hxg3 $18 {Kramnik,V (2788)-Nakamura,H (2708)/Wijk aan Zee/2010/ For more
details about this game, which was already mentioned above, see the notes by
Marin in CBM 135.}) 16. Ba3 Be6 17. fxe4 fxe4 18. Rf1 Na6 19. Nd1 Rxf1+ 20.
Bxf1 Qa5 21. Qb2 Rd8 22. cxd5 cxd5 23. e3 Nb8 24. Qb4 Nc6 25. Qxb7 Nxd4 26.
cxd4 Qxa3 $11 {Levin,E (2486)-Sivuk,V (2432)/Donetsk/2011/ Here Black managed
to finish his development without suffering any major damage.}) 11... dxe5 12.
Ba3 Rf7 (12... Re8 13. Rfd1 (13. e4 Na6 14. Qa4 Qc7 15. Bh3 Bf8 16. exf5 gxf5
17. Nh4 f4 18. Bxc8 Raxc8 19. Nf5 Re6 20. Rfd1 e4 21. c5 Nxc5 22. Bxc5 Bxc5 23.
Qc4 Qe5 $132 {Rau,M (2006)-Alf,H (2090)/corr/2008/}) 13... Nd7 14. e4 (14. c5
Bf8 15. e4 Qf6 16. Qe2 Bxc5 17. Qc4+ Qe6 18. Qxe6+ Rxe6 19. Bxc5 Nxc5 20. Rd8+
Kg7 21. exf5 gxf5 22. Bh3 {Packroff,H (2222)-Polsterer,H (2463)/corr/1999/} Rf6
23. Nxe5 Rf8 $11 {[%cal Yc8e6]}) 14... fxe4 (14... Qf6 15. Rd6 Re6 16. Rbd1 Bf8
17. Rxe6 Qxe6 18. Bxf8 Nxf8 19. Rd8 Qe7 20. Qd2 fxe4 21. Qg5 $1 $16 {1-0 Xiu,D
(2492)-Mu Ke (2286)/Beijing 2012/EXT 2013 (25)}) 15. Nd2 e3 16. Ne4 $5 (16.
fxe3 Bf8 17. c5 (17. Bb4 Qb6 18. Ne4 Qxe3+ 19. Kh1 Bxb4 20. cxb4 Rf8 21. Re1
Qh6 22. c5 Nf6 23. Nxf6+ Rxf6 24. Rxe5 Bh3 {1/2, Raijmaekers,R (2433)-Pirs,M 
(2328)/corr/2009/}) 17... Bxc5 18. Ne4 Bxa3 19. Qb3+ Kh8 20. Qxa3 Qe7 21. Nd6
Rf8 22. c4 Nf6 23. c5 Nd5 24. Rd3 Qg7 25. Rdb3 a5 26. e4 Nf6 27. Nxc8 Raxc8 28.
Rxb7 Qh6 $14 {Yloenen,A (2051)-Chouraqui,G (2249)/corr/2008/}) 16... Qa5 (16...
exf2+ 17. Qxf2 $40) 17. Bd6 Nb6 18. Rb4 exf2+ 19. Qxf2 Bg4 20. Re1 Nc8 21. Rxb7
Nxd6 22. Nxd6 Rf8 23. Qe3 $14 {Witzschel,P (2372)-Chiricuta,M (2208)/corr/2009/
}) 13. Rfd1 Qe8 $6 $146 {A novelty, but undoubtedly unintentional - Ivanchuk
was consuming too much time to be still in his preparation.} ({It seems that} 
13... Nd7 $142 $1 14. e4 Bf8 {gives Black better chances to unravel his
queenside. Although his position is definitely dangerous, in previous practice
White hasn't achieved too much:} (14... fxe4 15. Qxe4 $32 {[%csl Re5]}) 15.
Bxf8 (15. Nxe5 $5 Bxa3 16. Nxf7 Kxf7 17. exf5 Qe7 (17... Qc7 $5 $14) 18. Re1 (
18. Bh3 $5 $36) 18... Qf6 19. fxg6+ hxg6 20. Re4 (20. Re3 $142 $13 {/+/=})
20... Nc5 $1 21. Rf4 Bf5 22. Be4 Nxe4 23. Rxb7+ Be7 24. Rxe4 Bxe4 25. Qxe4 Qe6
26. Qh4 Qf6 27. Qe4 Qe6 28. Qh4 Qf6 {1/2, Sales,J (2340)-West,G (2350)/
Melbourne/2005/}) (15. c5 $5 Qf6 16. c4 Nxc5 17. Bb2 Bd6 18. Rxd6 Qxd6 19. Nxe5
$44) 15... Qxf8 16. exf5 gxf5 17. Ng5 Re7 18. Rd6 Nc5 19. Qd1 (19. Qe2 $5 Bd7
20. Rbd1 $14) 19... Be6 20. Qd2 Bd7 21. Qe3 b6 22. Rbd1 {1/2, Moreno,A (2383)
-Polsterer,H (2448)/corr/2009/} Rc8 $13) (13... Rd7 14. e4 fxe4 15. Nd2 e3 16.
fxe3 Bf8 17. c5 $36 {[%csl Rd6][%cal Yd2c4,Yd2e4]}) 14. e4 {The difference now
is that Black has to reckon with the sortie Ng5.} f4 (14... Bf8 15. Qb3 $5 $36
(15. c5 Na6 16. Bf1 $14 (16. Rd6 $5 $44))) (14... fxe4 $2 15. Ng5 $40 {[%cal
Rf5e4,Re4d6]}) (14... Bf6 $5 15. Bd6 fxe4 16. Nd2 e3 17. fxe3 (17. Ne4 $5 $44)
17... Bg5 $14) 15. Rd3 $5 {Prepares doubling on the open file. However, White
had more than one tempting alternative:} (15. Ng5 Rf6 (15... Rd7 16. Rxd7 Nxd7
17. c5 $16) 16. Rd3 $36) (15. Bd6 h6 (15... Bg4 16. Ng5 Rd7 (16... Bxd1 17.
Qxd1 Rd7 18. Bh3 b6 19. c5 $1 $16) 17. f3 h6 18. Nh3 Be6 (18... Qe6 19. fxg4
Rxd6 20. gxf4 $16) 19. gxf4 $36) 16. Nh4 Kh7 17. c5 Nd7 18. Bh3 $32 (18. Qa4
$36)) 15... fxg3 $6 {Now Black doesn't have to calculate with gxf4 in the
future, but releasing the tension makes life easier also for White.} (15... Nd7
{gives White a choice between strengthening his position with} 16. Rbd1 $36 ({
or an attractive tactical solution} 16. Ng5 $5 Rf6 17. Bh3 h6 18. Rxb7 Bxb7 19.
Bxd7 Qb8 20. Ne6 $16 {The latter is naturally preferred by the metal friend...}
)) 16. hxg3 Na6 (16... Bf8 17. Rbd1 Nd7 18. Bxf8 Rxf8 19. Qd2 Nf6 (19... Nb6
20. Qg5 $16 {- this is an extra option White wouldn't have without 15...fxg3.})
20. Rd8 Qe7 21. Rxf8+ Kxf8 22. Qd8+ Qxd8 (22... Ne8 23. Bh3 $18) 23. Rxd8+ Ke7
24. Rh8 b6 25. Nxe5 Bb7 26. Rxa8 Bxa8 $14 {/+/-}) 17. Ng5 $16 Rc7 {Other moves
are not much better:} (17... Rf8 18. Bh3 $1 (18. Bxf8 Qxf8 $14) 18... Bxh3 19.
Nxh3 $16 {[%cal Ra3f8,Rb1b7]}) (17... Rd7 18. Rxd7 Bxd7 (18... Qxd7 19. Qb3 $1
$18 {[%cal Rc4c5,Rb1d1,Rg2h3]}) 19. Rxb7 $16) 18. Bd6 Bf6 {Black tries to
stave off the attack with an exchange sacrifice.} (18... Rd7 19. c5 Kh8 (19...
h6 20. Qb3+ Kh8 21. Ne6 $18) 20. Bh3 $16 {/+-}) 19. Qd2 $1 {[%mdl 192]
Radjabov already seeks a more direct tactical solution.} Rd7 (19... Rg7 20.
Bxe5 $1 $18 {is similar to the game.}) 20. Bh3 Rg7 (20... Rxd6 21. Rxd6 Bxg5 (
21... Be7 22. Bxc8 Rxc8 23. Rxb7 $18) 22. Qxg5 Bxh3 23. Rxb7 {[%cal Rg5h6]} Nc5
24. Re7 Nxe4 (24... Qf8 25. Rxg6+ $18) 25. Rxe8+ Rxe8 26. Rxg6+ hxg6 27. Qxg6+
Kf8 28. Qxe4 $18) (20... Nc5 21. Bxd7 Nxd7 22. Kg2 $18 {/\} Nb6 23. Nxh7 $1 $40
) 21. Bxe5 $1 Bxe5 (21... Qxe5 22. Rd8+ $1 Bxd8 23. Qxd8+) (21... Bxg5 22. Qxg5
Bxh3 23. Bxg7 Nc5 (23... Qxe4 24. Rd8+ Rxd8 25. Qxd8+ Kxg7 26. Rxb7+ Kh6 27. f3
$1 Qe1+ (27... Qxf3 28. Qh4+ Qh5 29. Qf4+ Qg5 30. Qf8+ Kh5 31. Rxh7+ Kg4 32.
Rh4+ $18) 28. Kh2 Qf2+ 29. Kxh3 Qf1+ 30. Kh4 Qh1+ (30... Qxc4+ 31. f4) 31. Kg4
Qh5+ 32. Kf4 Qf5+ 33. Ke3 Qc5+ 34. Ke2 Qxc4+ 35. Kf2 Qxa2+ 36. Kg1 $18) 24. Re3
(24. Qxc5 $4 Qxe4 25. f3 Qxd3 $19) 24... Kxg7 25. Qxc5 $18) 22. Rd8 Bxh3 23.
Rxe8+ Rxe8 24. Nxh3 $18 {White has a decisive material advantage and the rest
should be a matter of technique. However, we are still in for some excitement..
.} Nc5 25. Qe3 Bd6 26. f3 Ne6 (26... Rd7 27. Kg2 Be7 28. Nf2 Red8 29. Rb2 $18 {
[%cal Ye4e5,Yf2e4]}) 27. Kg2 g5 {[%cal Yg5g4,Ye6f4]} (27... Bc5 28. Qe2 Rd7 29.
Rd1 $18 {gradually loses, so Ivanchuk's last hope is a counterattack.}) 28. Nf2
h5 (28... Nf4+ 29. Kf1 Nh5 30. Qxa7 Bb8 31. Qa8 $1 Rf8 32. Rxb7 Bxg3 33. Rxg7+
Kxg7 (33... Nxg7 34. Qxc6 Rxf3 35. Kg2 Rxf2+ 36. Kxg3 $18) 34. Qa5 $18) (28...
Bc5 29. Qe2 {[%cal Yf2g4]} h5 30. e5 $18 {[%cal Yf2e4,Ye4f6]}) 29. Qxa7 ({
The text move is probably good enough, but a more technical route was} 29. e5
$5 Nc5 (29... Nf4+ 30. Kf1 Rxe5 31. Qd4 $18) (29... Bc5 30. Qe2 Bxf2 31. Qxf2
$18) 30. Qd4 $1 Be7 31. Ne4 $18) 29... Bc5 30. Qa4 Rf8 (30... g4 $5 31. f4 Bxf2
32. Kxf2 Nc5 33. Qc2 Nxe4+ 34. Kg2 $16 {/+-}) 31. Nd3 h4 32. Qa5 ({Simpler was
} 32. Nxc5 $142 $1 Nxc5 33. Qa7 Nd3 (33... g4 34. fxg4 Nxe4 35. Rxb7 Rxg4 36.
Rb8 $18) 34. Rxb7 $18 (34. Qd4 $5)) 32... b6 33. Rxb6 $2 {The idea was to
simplify into a won endgame, but this could have achieved the exact opposite,
as it misplaces both White's major pieces.} (33. Qa4 $18 {still seems good
enough.}) 33... Bxb6 $2 {Black was too short of time (he will indeed lose on
time on the following move) to make use of his fantastic chance. Needless to
say, Houdini points it out almost immediately:} (33... g4 $3 34. f4 (34. fxg4
Rxg4 35. Rxc6 (35. Nxc5 Rxg3+ 36. Kh1 Rf1+ 37. Kh2 Rf2+ $11) 35... Rxg3+ 36.
Kh2 Bg1+ 37. Kh1 Be3 38. Qd5 Rf1+ 39. Kh2 Bg1+ 40. Kh1 Bf2+ $11) (34. Nxc5 $2
gxf3+ 35. Kf1 (35. Kh2 hxg3+ 36. Kh3 Rf6 $19) 35... hxg3 36. Nd3 (36. Rb1 Rh7
37. Ke1 (37. Kg1 Nf4 $19) 37... Rh2 $1 $19) 36... g2+ 37. Kg1 Nf4 $1 38. Nxf4
f2+ $19) 34... h3+ 35. Kh2 (35. Kf1 Rh7 36. Nf2 h2 37. Nh1 Rd8 {and White just
barely scrapes a draw with} 38. Rxc6 (38. Rb1 Ra7 $1 $19 {[%csl Ra5]}) 38...
Rd1+ 39. Ke2 Rxh1 40. Rxc5 Re1+ 41. Kf2 Nxc5 (41... h1=Q 42. Rc8+ Kf7 43. Rc7+
Nxc7 44. Qxc7+ $11) 42. Qd8+ Kf7 43. Qd5+ Ne6 44. Qf5+ Kg7 45. Qxe6 h1=Q 46.
Qe7+ $11) 35... Rd8 (35... Rd7 36. Nxc5 Rd2+ 37. Kg1 Ng5 $1 $11 {[%cal Yg5f3,
Yf3h2]} (37... Nxf4 $5 38. gxf4 g3 39. Rb1 Rg2+ 40. Kh1 Rh2+ 41. Kg1 Rg2+ 42.
Kf1 Rf2+ $11 43. Ke1 $4 h2)) 36. Nxc5 Rd2+ 37. Kg1 h2+ 38. Kh1 Rd1+ 39. Kxh2
Rh7+ 40. Kg2 Rd2+ 41. Kg1 Rd1+ 42. Kf2 Rh2+ 43. Ke3 Re1+ 44. Kd3 Rd1+ 45. Ke3
Re1+ $11) 34. Qxb6 hxg3 $138 (34... hxg3 35. Kxg3 Nf4 (35... Rd7 36. Qxc6 Rxd3
37. Qxe6+ Rf7 38. Qg6+ Kf8 39. Qh5 $5 g4 40. Kxg4 Rdxf3 41. Qh8+ Ke7 42. Qe5+
$18) 36. Qxc6 Rg6 (36... Nxd3 37. Qd5+) 37. Qb5 $18) (34... g4 $142 35. f4 Rd8
36. Qe3 (36. Qxc6 $2 Rg6 {[%cal Rd8d3,Re6f4]}) 36... h3+ 37. Kh2 Rgd7 38. Qe2
$1 {[]} Rxd3 39. Qxg4+ Kf7 (39... Ng7 40. f5 R8d6 41. Qg5 $18) 40. Qf5+ Ke7 41.
Qh7+ Ke8 42. e5 $18) 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.17"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D52"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bg5 c6 6. e3 Qa5 7. cxd5 (7. Nd2 {
used to be the main line, but recently Black has been doing well after} Bb4 8.
Qc2 O-O 9. Be2 c5) 7... Nxd5 (7... exd5 {leads to Carlsbad structure where the
queen on a5 is doing nothing.}) 8. Rc1 {This move is relatively rare.} (8. Qd2
{is the main continuation.} Bb4 9. Rc1 h6 10. Bh4 {This position has been
defended mainly by grandmasters Alexei Shirov and Alexey Dreev. Here is one
recent example:} b6 11. a3 Bxc3 12. bxc3 c5 13. c4 Qxd2+ 14. Nxd2 Ne7 15. f3
Ba6 16. Be2 cxd4 17. exd4 Rc8 18. O-O Nf5 19. Bf2 O-O 20. Rfd1 Rfd8 21. g4 Ne7
$11 {1/2-1/2 (31) Potkin,V (2663)-Dreev,A (2677) Eilat 2012}) 8... Nxc3 9. bxc3
Ba3 (9... Qxa2 10. Bd3 Bd6 11. O-O Qa5 ({Black must be careful:} 11... O-O $2
12. Ra1 Qb2 13. Bxh7+ $1 Kxh7 14. Qd3+ Kg8 15. Rfb1 $18 {[%csl Rb2]}) 12. c4 {
with good compensation for the pawn.}) 10. Rc2 b6 {Preparing the favourable
exchange of the light-squared bishops.} 11. Bd3 Ba6 12. O-O Bxd3 13. Qxd3 O-O (
13... h6 14. Bh4 O-O 15. c4 Rfe8 16. e4 (16. Rd1 $5) 16... e5 17. d5 Nc5 18.
Qe2 Qa4 $11 {1/2-1/2 (38) Malakhatko,V (2548)-Michiels,B (2489) Antwerp 2011})
14. e4 {I think the plan adopted by Boris is not the best.} (14. c4 h6 15. Bf4
(15. Bh4 Rfe8 16. Rd1 {is another option. Then White can put his bishop on g3,
preventing the advance e6-e5.}) 15... Rad8 16. Rb1 Rfe8 17. Bc7 (17. c5 $2 e5)
17... Rc8 18. Bg3 Rcd8 19. c5 $1 Nxc5 20. Qc3 Ne4 21. Qxa5 bxa5 22. Rxc6 $14)
14... Rfe8 15. e5 $6 {This is a committal decision. White doesn't really have
chances for an attack on the kingside. Meanwhile, the move in the text weakens
the light squares.} ({In the event of} 15. c4 $6 e5 16. d5 Nc5 {Black will get
a nice square for his knight.}) (15. Bf4 {would be preferable.}) 15... h6 16.
Bh4 c5 17. Nd2 cxd4 18. cxd4 Rac8 $1 {The structure is now favourable for
Black. So, it's up to White to prove something.} 19. Nc4 Qb5 {Black doesn't
lose a piece.} ({Of course, not} 19... Qa6 $4 20. Qxa3 $18 {[%csl Ra6]}) 20. f4
Rc7 21. Qxa3 {White has to release the pressure before Black doubles the rooks
along the c-file.} (21. f5 Rec8 22. fxe6 fxe6 23. Qxa3 Rxc4 24. Rxc4 Qxc4 $15)
21... Rxc4 22. Rxc4 Qxc4 23. Bf2 {[%csl Ra7]} Qc7 {Black has to spend a move
on protecting the Pa7, so White seizes the c-file.} 24. Rc1 Qb7 25. Qd6 {
White's position looks very active, but he has no objects to attack.} ({
From the practical point of view it was preferable to swap queens:} 25. Qf3 $5
Qxf3 26. gxf3 {White's pawn structure has been spoiled, but the rook is going
to penetrate to c7. The position is balanced. For instance:} Nf8 27. Rc7 Ng6
28. f5 exf5 29. Rxa7) 25... Nf8 26. g3 ({After} 26. Qc7 Qa6 {the black queen
becomes active.}) 26... Rc8 27. Rxc8 Qxc8 28. d5 {White should get rid of this
pawn.} exd5 29. Qxd5 g6 30. Kg2 Ne6 {The position is very close to equality,
but White is the one who has to play accurately. The well-known duo queen +
knight might cause the white king some troubles.} 31. Qf3 Kg7 32. a3 h5 33. h4
$1 {Seemingly illogical, placing the pawns on the same colour as the bishop,
but preventing the possibility of h5-h4 which could weaken the Pf4.} Qc2 34.
Qb7 Qa4 35. Qf3 b5 {Sooner or later Black is going to organise a passed pawn
on the queenside.} 36. f5 {With must hurry up with his counterplay against the
black monarch.} gxf5 37. Qxf5 Qxa3 38. Qxh5 a5 39. Qg4+ Kf8 40. h5 $2 {The
decisive mistake.} (40. Qh5 Qc3 41. Qh8+ Ke7 42. Qf6+ Ke8 43. Qh8+ Kd7 {
Otherwise it's a perpetual check.} 44. Qf6 Qc6+ 45. Kg1 Nd8 46. e6+ $1 Qxe6 47.
Qg5 {[%csl Gh4] White is not worse as his h-pawn is also very dangerous.})
40... Qc1 $1 {Preventing the further advance of White's h-pawn.} 41. Qe4 b4 42.
Be3 Qc7 (42... Qc8 {was also strong} 43. h6 b3 $19 {[%cal Gc8c2]}) 43. Qa8+ Kg7
44. h6+ Kh7 45. Qe4+ Kg8 46. Qa8+ Qd8 {No perpetual check.} 47. Qxd8+ (47. Qf3
Qd3 48. Qg4+ Kh7 {is also hopeless for White.}) 47... Nxd8 48. Kf3 a4 49. Ke4
Nc6 50. Bc1 Na5 $1 51. Bd2 b3 52. Kd3 Nc4 $1 {The knight assists the passed
pawns very effectively.} 53. Bc3 a3 54. g4 Kh7 55. g5 Kg6 56. Bd4 b2 57. Kc2
Nd2 {White has to give up a piece, so he resigned.} 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.17"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A47"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 e6 3. Nd2 c5 4. e3 b6 5. Ngf3 Bb7 6. c3 Be7 7. Bd3 O-O 8. Bxf6
Bxf6 9. h4 Nc6 10. Ng5 g6 11. f4 Ne7 12. Qg4 h5 13. Qh3 cxd4 14. exd4 b5 15. a3
Qb6 16. Rg1 Nd5 17. Nge4 Bg7 18. Qf3 b4 19. axb4 Nxb4 20. Nc4 Qb5 21. Ne5 Nxd3+
22. Nxd3 Qf5 23. Ndc5 Bc6 24. b4 Rfb8 25. Ra5 a6 26. Qe3 Qg4 27. g3 Rb5 28.
Rxa6 Rxa6 29. Nxa6 e5 30. dxe5 Bxe4 31. c4 Rb6 32. Qxb6 Qf3 33. Qf2 Qa3 34. Nc5
{time} 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.17"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D76"]
[WhiteElo "2810"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Nf3 Nb6 7. Nc3 Nc6 8. e3
O-O 9. O-O Re8 10. h3 e5 11. d5 Na5 12. Qc2 $5 $146 {[%mdl 8] A novelty in a
well-known position.} (12. e4 {and}) (12. Nd2 {are theoretical lines.}) 12...
c6 (12... Nxd5 $2 {is impossible due to} 13. Rd1 c6 14. e4) (12... e4 13. Nxe4
Qxd5 14. Nd4 $1 {looks risky}) 13. b4 Nac4 14. dxc6 bxc6 {White has worsened
his opponent's pawn structure; now he must cope with Black's active pieces.}
15. Rd1 Qe7 16. Nd2 $1 Bf5 17. Nce4 Rad8 (17... Qxb4 18. a3 Qc5 19. g4 Bxe4 20.
Nxe4 Qe7 21. a4 $16 {(E.Gleizerov)}) (17... Red8 $5 18. a3 Rac8) 18. a3 h5 (
18... Be6 19. Nxc4 Rxd1+ 20. Qxd1 Bxc4 {[%cal Ye8d8,Yc4d5]} 21. Bb2 $14) 19.
Nxc4 Rxd1+ 20. Qxd1 Nxc4 21. Ra2 Rd8 22. Qf1 Nd6 23. Nc5 {White has
consolidated his position.} Nb5 $1 {[%mdl 512] An excellent decision. Black
doesn't want to passively defend his c6-pawn and decides to sacrifice it for
activity.} (23... e4 24. Rd2 $14) (23... Qc7 24. e4 Bc8 25. a4 $14) 24. Bxc6
Nc3 25. Rd2 Rxd2 26. Bxd2 Qd6 $1 27. Bxc3 Qxc6 {Black has got a bishop pair
and an option to trade his dark-squared bishop for the opponent's knight (e.g.
by means of ...Bg7-f8), which leads to opposite-coloured bishops and a
probable draw.} 28. Qg2 {Otherwise 28...Qf3, e.g.} (28. Kh2 Qf3 29. a4 Bf8 30.
Bxe5 a5 31. Qg2 Qxg2+ 32. Kxg2 axb4 33. Bd4 Bxc5 34. Bxc5 b3 35. Bd4 {(S.
Shipov)} Kf8 36. a5 Bc8 37. h4 Ke7 38. Kf3 Kd6 {should be a draw.}) 28... Qd6
$1 29. e4 Qd1+ 30. Kh2 Bc8 31. f3 Qc1 (31... h4 $44 {(E.Gleizerov) was
possible, too.}) 32. Qd2 (32. Bb2 $6 Qe3) 32... Qf1 33. Qg2 Qc1 34. Qd2 Qf1 35.
Qg2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.17"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E83"]
[WhiteElo "2747"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[Annotator "Javakhadze,Z/Alejandro Ramirez"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 c5 7. Nge2 Nc6 8. d5
Na5 (8... Ne5 {is well known theory.}) 9. Ng3 a6 10. Be2 Nd7 $5 11. Rc1 b5 {
The game transferred to the Benko Gambit but with one big difference. You
don't usually meet the knight on a5 there. Another major difference is that
Black doesn't have a strong lead in development, as he usually has. On the
other hand White's knight on g3 might be misplaced.} 12. cxb5 axb5 13. Bxb5 Ne5
14. O-O Nac4 15. Bg5 Bd7 16. Bxd7 Qxd7 17. Qe2 Nxb2 $6 {A strange decision by
Radjabov. He obviously understimated the power of two pieces.} (17... h6 18.
Bf4 Rfb8 {leads to the typical Benko type of positions.} 19. b3 Na3 $1 {
And the blockade is hard to break through, while White has no active prospects
anywhere else on the board.}) 18. Qxb2 Nd3 19. Qd2 Nxc1 20. Rxc1 Bxc3 21. Rxc3
Rfb8 22. Qc2 f6 23. Bc1 Qa4 24. a3 {Svidler has protected all his weakneses
and now he will gradually improve the coordination of his pieces. The rest is
just a matter of technique.} Kf7 25. Nf1 Qxc2 26. Rxc2 f5 27. Nd2 Ra4 28. Nc4
fxe4 29. fxe4 Rb3 30. Kf2 Ke8 31. e5 Ra6 32. exd6 exd6 33. Ke2 Kd7 34. Bf4 h5
35. h4 Ra4 36. Kd2 Rb1 37. Kc3 Ra6 {White has achieved a nearly perfect setup:
his king controls c4, which cements the knight that beautifully attacks d6 and
defends a3. The rest is really easy for Svidler. Most accurate now was Rc1
since the trade of rooks is impossible, but anything really wins.} 38. Re2 (38.
Rc1 $1 Rxc1+ 39. Bxc1 Ra7 40. Bf4 {and White will give back the two pieces for
a rook on d6, and be up a pawn in a winning king and pawn endgame.}) 38... Rd1
39. Re6 Rxd5 40. Rxg6 Rd4 41. Bxd6 Rxh4 42. Ne5+ Kc8 43. Rg8+ Kb7 44. Bxc5 Re6
45. Rg7+ Kc8 46. Nc4 Rg4 47. Nd6+ Kb8 48. Rb7+ Ka8 49. Rd7 Rg8 50. Nc4 Rxg2 51.
Bd6 Rxd6 52. Nxd6 h4 53. Rh7 Rh2 54. Kb4 h3 55. Ka5 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D22"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 a6 4. e3 b5 {A rare system, however, quite playable.
} 5. a4 Bb7 6. b3 e6 7. bxc4 (7. axb5 axb5 8. Rxa8 Bxa8 {leads to big
simplifications.}) 7... bxc4 8. Bxc4 Nf6 9. Nbd2 {White tries to get Ra1-b1 as
soon as possible.} (9. O-O {is more common, however, after} c5 {Black should
not have big problems:} 10. Ba3 (10. Nbd2 cxd4 $5) 10... Nbd7 11. Nbd2 Be7 (
11... cxd4 12. Bxf8 Nxf8 13. Nxd4 N8d7 $5) 12. Rb1 Ra7 (12... Bc6 $5 13. Qc2
O-O 14. Rfc1 {1-0 (26) Hecht,H (2347)-Seyfried,C (2160) St Denis 2012} Bxf3 $1
15. Nxf3 cxd4 16. Bxe7 Qxe7 17. Nxd4 Rfc8 $11) 13. Nb3 (13. Ne5 $5 Ba8 $1 (
13... O-O 14. Rxb7 $1 Rxb7 15. Nc6 Qe8 16. Bxa6 Rc7 17. Nxe7+ Qxe7 18. Nb3 $36)
14. Ndf3) 13... O-O (13... Ne4 14. Rc1 O-O 15. Bd3 cxd4 16. Bxe7 Qxe7 17. Nfxd4
$14 {[%csl Re4] 1/2 (43) Kraemer,M (2516)-Heberla,B (2534) Germany 2010}) 14.
Nxc5 Nxc5 15. dxc5 Nd7 $1 $11) 9... Nbd7 (9... c5 10. Rb1 (10. Ba3 cxd4 11.
Bxf8 Kxf8 12. exd4 g6 13. O-O Kg7 14. Rb1 Bd5 15. Qe2 {1/2 (44) David,A (2589)
-Vajda,S (2342) Bastia 2010} Nc6 $11 16. Bxa6 $140 Bxf3 17. Nxf3 Nxd4) 10...
Qc7 (10... Bc6 $5) 11. Bb2 (11. Ba3 $5) 11... Nbd7 12. O-O Be7 13. Qc2 O-O 14.
Rfc1 Rfc8 15. Ba3 Bf8 16. Qd3 $14 {1-0 (30) Pjevovic,B (2265)-Bakic,R (2403)
Belgrade 2005}) (9... Be7 10. Rb1 $1) (9... Bb4 $5 10. O-O O-O 11. Bb2 c5 12.
Nb3 {1/2 (12) Lastin,A (2659)-Bezgodov,A (2490) Moscow 2010}) 10. Rb1 Rb8 (
10... Ra7 {is less appropriate. The position, with all the pieces on the board,
remains complex, and the a7-rook will be misplaced and vulnerable:} 11. O-O c5
(11... Be7 12. Qe2 c5 13. Bb2 O-O 14. Rfc1 h6 15. Bd3 Re8 16. e4 Bc6 17. Nb3
Bxa4 18. Nxc5 Nxc5 19. dxc5 Qa8 20. Ne5 $14 {1/2 (23) Kuljasevic,D (2555)
-Doric,D (2491) Split 2011}) 12. Bb2 Be7 13. dxc5 $5 Nxc5 14. Bd4 O-O {1/2 (37)
Karjakin,S (2785)-Dubov,D (2594) Moscow 2012} 15. Nb3 Qc8 16. Ne5 $36) 11. O-O
Be7 $146 (11... Bd6 $6 12. Qe2 Bc6 13. Rxb8 Qxb8 14. e4 e5 15. dxe5 Nxe5 16.
Nxe5 Bxe5 17. Nf3 Nd7 18. Bxf7+ $1 Ke7 19. Qc4 Qf8 20. Nxe5 Nxe5 21. Qe6+ {
1-0 (21) Arabidze,M (2292)-Bezgodova,M (2195) Thessaloniki 2010}) 12. Qe2 O-O
$1 {[%mdl 516] Black sacrifices the a6-pawn, ready to recapture it on a4.} 13.
Bb2 (13. Bxa6 {requires analysis but the first impression is that Black
obtains good counterplay:} Bxa6 14. Qxa6 Rxb1 15. Nxb1 Qa8 16. Qc4 c5 {[%cal
Rd7b6]} 17. Nc3 cxd4 18. Qxd4 Rb8 $44) 13... c5 14. Bxa6 Bxa6 15. Qxa6 Ra8 16.
Qb5 Ra5 17. Qb3 (17. Qc6 Qc8 (17... Qa8 $143 18. Qxa8 Rfxa8 19. dxc5 $1 Bxc5
20. Bxf6 gxf6 21. Rb7 {M.Golubev}) 18. Qxc8 Rxc8 19. dxc5 (19. Ra1 Rca8) 19...
Rxa4 $11) 17... Qa8 18. Ra1 Rb8 19. Qc2 cxd4 20. Nxd4 Rc8 21. Qb1 Rxa4 $11 22.
Rxa4 Qxa4 23. Rc1 Qa6 24. Rxc8+ Qxc8 25. h3 h6 26. Qc2 Qxc2 27. Nxc2 Nd5 28.
Ba3 Bxa3 29. Nxa3 Nc5 30. Nc2 Kf8 31. Kf1 {Is the simple opining plan
demonstrated by Black enough for equality?} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2872"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 {Avoiding the "Berlin endgame".} Bc5 5. c3
{A few months ago Carlsen tried 5.Nc3, but achieved nothing against the world
champion.} (5. Nc3 d6 6. Na4 Bb6 7. Nxb6 axb6 8. c3 Bd7 9. Ba4 Ne7 10. Bc2 Ng6
11. h3 O-O 12. O-O h6 13. Re1 Re8 14. d4 Bc6 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Qxd8 Rexd8 $11 {
1/2-1/2 (61) Carlsen,M (2848)-Anand,V (2775) London 2012}) 5... O-O 6. O-O d6
7. h3 a6 {This is more a challenging continuation, inviting White to spoil the
pawn structure, but to give up a good bishop. The solid alternative is to
transfer the knight to g6.} (7... Ne7 8. d4 Bb6 9. Re1 Ng6 10. Bd3 Re8 11. Qc2
c6 12. Be3 d5 (12... Nh5 $5 $11 {[%cal Gh5f4]}) 13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Rxe5 15.
Bxb6 axb6 16. f4 Rh5 17. e5 Nd7 18. Qe2 Rh4 19. e6 Nc5 20. exf7+ Kxf7 21. Nd2
Nxd3 22. Qxd3 Rxf4 23. Qxh7 Bf5 24. Qh5+ Bg6 25. Qe5 Rf6 26. Nf3 Kg8 $11 {
1/2-1/2 (43) Adams,M (2725)-Anand,V (2780) Baden-Baden 2013}) 8. Bxc6 bxc6 9.
Re1 {Magnus decided not to hurry up with d3-d4 advance, but to complete the
development at first.} (9. d4 Bb6 10. Re1 h6 11. Qc2 (11. dxe5 dxe5 12. Qa4 $5
{[%cal Gb1d2,Gd2c4] is worth being checked in practice.}) 11... Re8 12. Nbd2
exd4 13. cxd4 c5 $11 {1-0 (55) Karjakin,S (2786)-Grischuk,A (2764) Moscow 2013}
) 9... Re8 10. Nbd2 d5 $6 $146 {This is strategically risky, as Black's pawn
structure will be permanently damaged.} (10... Bb6 11. Nf1 h6 12. Ng3 Be6 13.
Be3 Bxe3 (13... c5 14. d4 cxd4 15. cxd4 exd4 16. Bxd4 Rb8 {is playable for
Black.}) 14. Rxe3 c5 15. Qc2 Nd7 16. d4 cxd4 17. cxd4 exd4 18. Nxd4 $14 {
1-0 (55) Svidler,P (2741)-Navara,D (2706) Prague 2012}) 11. exd5 ({An
immediate counterstrike in the centre was also an option to consider:} 11. d4
dxe4 12. Nxe5 Qd5 13. Ndc4 (13. Qc2 Bd6 14. Ndc4 (14. Nxe4 $4 Nxe4 15. Qxe4
Qxe4 16. Rxe4 f6 $19) 14... c5 $132) 13... Bf8 14. Bg5 Nd7 {Black has
sufficient counterplay which compensates for his structural defects. His pair
of bishops is also a factor.}) 11... Qxd5 12. Nb3 Bf8 (12... Ba7 13. Be3 c5 {
is the engine suggestion, but it looks pretty ugly to close in the Ba7.}) 13.
c4 Qd6 14. Be3 Nd7 15. d4 e4 16. Nfd2 a5 17. a4 {Preventing any further
advance of Black's a-pawn and fixing it as a target.} f5 {From the strategic
point of view Black's position is very bad, but he has counterchances on the
kingside.} 18. c5 Qg6 $2 {This logical move is a serious mistake. It was
necessary to retreat to e6, covering the c4-square against the knight move.} (
18... Qe6 $1 19. Bf4 (19. Qc1 Nf6 20. Nc4 Nd5 $132) 19... Nf6 $1 {Black
shouldn't spend time on protecting the weak pawn.} 20. Bxc7 Nd5 (20... Qf7 21.
Be5 Be7 $44 {[%cal Gc8e6]}) 21. Be5 Qg6 (21... Nb4 22. f3 Nd3 23. fxe4 $1 Nxe1
24. Qxe1 fxe4 25. Qxe4 $14) 22. Nc4 f4 23. Kh2 f3 (23... Nb4 24. Nbd2 Nd3 25.
Nxe4 Nxe1 26. Qxe1 f3 27. gxf3 Bxh3 28. Kxh3 Qe6+ 29. Kg2 Qxc4 30. Qc3 $14) 24.
Rg1 Qh6 25. Qd2 Qh4 26. g4 Nf6 27. Ne3 g6 $44 {[%cal Gf8h6] An engine is not
really bothered by Black's kingside initiative, but a human player would
easily get frightened here as White.}) 19. Nc4 {[%csl Ra5]} (19. Bf4 Nf6 20.
Nc4 {leads to the same position as in our game.}) 19... Nf6 20. Bf4 (20. Ne5 $2
{would fall into a nasty exchange sacrifice:} Rxe5 $1 21. dxe5 Nd5 22. Qd2 Rb8
23. Nd4 f4 24. Bxf4 Bxc5 {All Black's pieces are very active, he gets the
material back.} 25. Rad1 Bb4 26. Qc1 Bxe1 27. Rxe1 Bxh3 28. Bg3 Bd7 $11) 20...
Nd5 21. Qd2 Be6 (21... Qf6 22. Nbxa5 Nxf4 23. Qxf4 Qxd4 24. b4 Be6 25. Rac1 $16
) 22. Nbxa5 Reb8 23. Ne5 Qf6 24. Bh2 ({It was possible to grab another pawn,
but probably after} 24. Naxc6 Nxf4 25. Qxf4 Rxb2 {Magnus was concerned about
the idea Be6-d5 trapping the Nc6.} {The engine finds the way to keep the
position winning by a subtle piece of tactics:} 26. Qc1 $1 Rb7 27. a5 Bd5 28.
Rb1 Rxb1 29. Qxb1 {and the knight is taboo in view of Qb3+.}) 24... Rxa5 {
A desperate tactical effort, but insufficient.} 25. Qxa5 Rxb2 26. Rab1 Ra2 27.
Qa6 {This way the queen can help in the defence. White just needs to
consolidate, his material advantage is enough for a win.} e3 (27... Nc3 28.
Rbc1 $18) 28. fxe3 Qg5 29. Re2 Nxe3 (29... Rxe2 30. Qxe2 Nc3 31. Qd3 Nxb1 32.
Nf3 Qh6 33. Bf4 Qh5 34. Qxb1 $18) 30. Nf3 Qg6 31. Rxa2 Bxa2 32. Rb2 Bc4 33. Qa5
Bd5 34. Qe1 $1 {Magnus is precise and merciless as usual, when it comes to the
technical part of the game.} f4 35. Bxf4 Nc2 36. Qf2 Bxf3 37. Rxc2 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D07"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nf3 Bg4 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bf4 {This system doesn't look
dangerous for Black.} Bxf3 6. gxf3 Bb4 (6... Bd6 {is another way to develop
the bishop. An example from super-GM practice:} 7. Bg3 Nge7 8. e3 Qd7 9. Qc2 f5
10. Bxd6 Qxd6 11. O-O-O O-O 12. f4 a6 13. Kb1 Nd8 14. Rg1 c6 15. Ne2 Nf7 16.
Nc1 Nc8 17. Rg3 Qe7 18. c5 Qc7 19. Be2 Kh8 20. Rdg1 $36 {1/2 (62) Kramnik,V 
(2758)-Morozevich,A (2748) Frankfurt 2000}) 7. e3 Nge7 (7... Nf6 8. Rg1 $36) 8.
Qc2 dxc4 (8... Ng6 9. Bg3 O-O 10. O-O-O Rc8 11. Kb1 Bxc3 12. Qxc3 Nce7 13. Qb3
b6 14. cxd5 Nxd5 15. Ba6 Rb8 16. Bc4 Nf6 17. Qb5 Rc8 18. Qa4 a5 19. Ba6 Ra8 20.
Bd3 Qe7 21. Rc1 Rfc8 22. Rc6 $16 {0-1 (60) Margvelashvili,G (2456)
-Hambartsumian,Y (2305) Yerevan 2006}) 9. Bxc4 Nd5 (9... Nxd4 $4 10. exd4 Qxd4
11. Bb5+ c6 12. Be3 $16 {1-0 (36) Vybiral,Z (2179)-Prochazka,P (1985) Tabor
2007}) 10. Bg3 h5 (10... Qf6 {1-0 (37) Bremond,P (2108)-Boghossian,P (2126)
France 2004} 11. Ke2 $5) 11. h3 Qd7 12. O-O-O O-O-O 13. Ne4 Kb8 14. Kb1 (14.
Bb5 $5 $14 Nxd4 $140 $6 15. Bxd7 Nxc2 16. Ba4 {[%csl Rc2]}) 14... h4 15. Bh2
Bd6 16. f4 f5 17. Ng5 {A typical position with bishops vs. knights. White's
h2-bishop is passive, his doubled pawns give his opponent more blockading
possibilities but, on the other hand, Black's g7- and h4-pawns are quite weak.
The overall evaluation is rather slightly favourable for White.} Na5 18. Be2
Rc8 19. Qd2 Bb4 20. Qd3 c5 $5 {Opening the position normally favours the side
with the bishops but when one of the bishops is out of play, that concept can
be wrong. However, in this case everything is based on tactical niceties.} 21.
dxc5 Rxc5 22. e4 Rhc8 $3 {[%mdl 512]} 23. Rc1 $2 (23. exd5 Rxd5 24. Qf3 (24.
Qe3 $2 Nc4 25. Qb3 Nd2+ 26. Rxd2 Rxd2 $17) 24... Rxd1+ (24... Bd2 $5 $44 {
, indicated by GM M.Golubev, may be even more appropriate}) 25. Rxd1 Qxd1+ $1
26. Bxd1 Nc4 {- Black regains the queen, ends up with a rook and a pawn vs.
two minor pieces, and keeps good drawing chances due to White's poor h2-bishop.
}) 23... Nc4 $1 24. Rxc4 Rxc4 25. exd5 exd5 $2 {Black misses an excellent
chance:} (25... Rc2 $1 26. a3 (26. dxe6 $4 Qc6) (26. Rd1 Qc7 27. a3 Bxa3 $1 28.
bxa3 $140 Rc3) (26. Qxc2 Rxc2 27. Kxc2 Qxd5 28. Bf3 Qxa2) 26... Bxa3 $3 (26...
Rd2 $143 27. Qb5 Qxd5 $1 28. Qxd5 exd5 29. Bd1 Bc5 30. Nf3 Rxf2 31. Re1) 27.
bxa3 Qa4 (27... Qc7 $5) 28. Bd1 (28. dxe6 R2c3 $19) 28... Rc1+ 29. Ka2 Qa5 30.
dxe6 Qb6 31. Qb3 Qd4 32. Qb2 Qd5+ 33. Bb3 Qxh1 $19 {(indicated by M.Golubev)})
26. Qb3 Qc6 27. Bxc4 dxc4 28. Qf3 Qb5 {Black has a strong attack for the
missing piece but that proves to be just enough for a draw.} 29. Qe2 Re8 30.
Qc2 c3 {[%cal Re8e2]} 31. bxc3 (31. a4 {can only be risky for White:} Qc4 32.
b3 Qa6 {[%cal Re8e2]}) 31... Bxc3+ 32. Qb3 Qd3+ 33. Qc2 Qb5+ 34. Qb3 Qd3+ 35.
Qc2 Qb5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E54"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2810"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 c5 8. O-O
cxd4 9. exd4 b6 10. Qe2 Bb7 11. Bg5 Bxc3 (11... Nbd7 12. Rac1 Qb8 $5 {- see
Gelfand - Kramnik in this issue.}) 12. bxc3 Nbd7 13. Rac1 Qc7 14. Bd3 (14. Nd2
Rfe8 15. f4 Ne4 16. Nxe4 Bxe4 17. Bb3 f5 18. Bh4 Rac8 19. c4 h6 20. Qe3 Kh7 21.
a4 Qc6 22. Rf2 a6 23. Ra1 Nf8 24. Rb2 Ng6 $132 {0-1 (41) Cordova,E (2539)
-Steingrimsson,H (2550) Khanty-Mansiysk 2010}) 14... Ng4 {One of many ways to
equalise in this harmless system. Practice has also seen:} (14... Rac8 15. c4
h6 $1 ({but not} 15... Bxf3 $2 16. Qxf3 {1/2 (49) Gelfand,B (2727)-Anand,V 
(2791) Moscow 2012 CBM 149 [Postny,E]} e5 17. Bf5 $16) 16. Bh4 Nh5 $11) (14...
Rfe8 15. Rfe1 Rac8 16. c4 h6 17. Bd2 Qd6 $5 18. Bc3 Ng4 19. h3 Bxf3 20. Qxf3
Qh2+ 21. Kf1 Ngf6 22. Qg3 Qxg3 23. fxg3 Red8 24. Red1 Re8 25. Re1 Red8 26. Red1
Re8 27. Re1 {1/2 (27) Wojtaszek,R (2721)-Meier,G (2650) Mulhouse 2011}) (14...
h6 $5 15. Bh4 (15. Bd2 Ng4) 15... Nh5 16. Qe3 Qf4 17. Be7 Rfe8 18. Ba3 Bxf3 19.
Qxf3 Qxf3 20. gxf3 Ndf6 21. Rfd1 {1/2 (21) Van der Stricht,G (2430)-Kveinys,A 
(2537) Charleroi 2007}) 15. Be4 Bxe4 16. Qxe4 Ngf6 17. Qe2 Rac8 18. c4 {
After quite a dull opening, a typical middlegame has arisen, with hanging
pawns and B+N vs 2N. It often arises from completely different openings like
the Sicilian with 2.c3. The position is equal although both sides can try to
outmanoeuvre their opponent. Once I managed to succeed against GM Sune Berg
Hansen but, of course, it is less likely at the super-GM level.} h6 19. Bh4 Qb7
20. Rfe1 Rfe8 21. a4 Qa6 22. Qa2 Rc6 23. Qb3 Rec8 24. Bxf6 (24. Nd2 Ne8 {
- White will have to exchange this knight on d6 anyway.}) 24... Nxf6 {The rest
consists of Black's fruitless attempts to get some winning chances.} 25. Ne5
Rd6 26. Red1 Rcd8 27. Qb4 Qc8 (27... Rxd4 28. Rxd4 Rxd4 29. Qe7 Qxa4 30. Qxf7+
$11) 28. Nf3 Ne4 {[%cal Ye4g5]} 29. h4 Nf6 30. a5 Ng4 31. axb6 axb6 32. Re1 Rc6
33. Qb5 Qc7 34. Re4 Rd5 35. Qb3 h5 36. Ree1 Rf5 37. Qd3 g6 38. Rc2 Qd6 39. Rd1
Rc8 40. Qe2 Rd8 41. Rcd2 Qc6 42. Rc2 Qc7 43. Rcd2 Rc8 44. Rc2 Ra5 45. Rdc1 Qd6
46. Qe4 Rf5 47. g3 Nf6 48. Qe3 Ng4 49. Qe4 Nf6 50. Qe3 Ng4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.20"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. c5 Nh5 8. Be2
Nxf4 9. exf4 b6 10. b4 a5 11. a3 c6 12. O-O Qc7 13. g3 g6 14. Re1 Ba6 15. Qc2
Bxe2 16. Nxe2 Ra7 17. Rab1 axb4 18. axb4 Rfa8 19. Nc1 Ra3 20. Nd3 Bf6 21. Kg2
Qb7 22. Rec1 Kg7 23. Qd1 b5 24. Nde5 R8a4 25. Rc2 Bd8 26. Qe2 h6 27. Nd3 Nf6
28. Nfe5 Nd7 29. Rcb2 Nxe5 30. dxe5 Qd7 31. Rb3 Be7 32. Ne1 Qa7 33. Nc2 Rxb3
34. Rxb3 Bxc5 35. bxc5 Qxc5 36. Ne3 h5 37. Qc2 Qb6 38. Rb2 Re4 39. Rb1 c5 40.
Nd1 Qc6 41. Nc3 Rc4 42. Qd3 b4 43. Ne2 Qa4 44. f5 Qc2 45. Qxc2 Rxc2 46. Nf4
gxf5 47. Nxh5+ Kh6 48. Nf6 Ra2 49. Nd7 Ra5 50. Nxc5 Rxc5 51. Rxb4 d4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.20"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D93"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 ({Easily the most sensational try to dent
the Grünfeld in London was} 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. h4 $5 {by Grischuk. Morozevich
played this flank sortie in blitz last year, but Carlsen could have hardly
expected it and reacted cautiously with} c6 ({In a later game Black already
played the more active and straightforward} 5... c5 6. dxc5 Na6 $5 $146 7. h5
O-O 8. hxg6 fxg6 9. Bh6 Bxh6 10. Rxh6 dxc4 11. Rh4 Nxc5 12. Rxc4 b6 13. b4
Qxd1+ 14. Rxd1 Ba6 15. e3 Ncd7 16. Rcd4 Bxf1 17. Kxf1 Rfc8 18. Ne2 Nf8 19. Nf4
Rc2 20. a4 Rac8 21. b5 Ra2 $11 {Morozevich,A (2758)-Mamedyarov,S (2766)/Zug/
2013/}) 6. Bg5 O-O 7. Bxf6 Bxf6 8. h5 Bf5 9. e3 e6 10. hxg6 Bxg6 11. Bd3 Nd7
12. Qe2 e5 13. Bxg6 hxg6 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. cxd5 cxd5 16. Rd1 Qa5 17. Kf1 Rad8
18. Nd4 Qc5 19. Nb3 Qc6 20. Na5 Qc7 21. Nb3 Qc6 22. Na5 $11 {1/2, Grischuk,A 
(2764)-Carlsen,M (2872)/London Candidates/2013/}) 4... Bg7 5. Nf3 ({Carlsen
would undoubtedly welcome a repetition of his previous Grünfeld encounter with
Ivanchuk, when Black easily solved his opening problems and even got a slight
edge after} 5. e3 c5 6. dxc5 Qa5 7. Qb3 Na6 $5 8. cxd5 Nxc5 9. Qb5+ Qxb5 10.
Bxb5+ Bd7 11. Rd1 Nh5 12. Bxd7+ Kxd7 13. Bg3 b5 14. d6 e6 15. Nf3 b4 16. Nb5
Nxg3 17. hxg3 Rab8 18. Nbd4 h5 19. Rh4 f5 20. Ne2 e5 21. Rc4 Rhc8 22. Kf1 Ne4
23. Rc7+ Rxc7 24. dxc7+ Kxc7 25. Nd2 Nxd2+ 26. Rxd2 a5 $11 {/=/+, Ivanchuk,V 
(2775)-Carlsen,M (2826)/Moscow/2011/ For more details see the notes to this
game in CBM 146 by Ramirez Alvarez.}) 5... O-O 6. e3 c5 7. dxc5 Qa5 {The text
move is the main continuation.} ({In round 11 we had the less usual} 7... Ne4
8. Rc1 {with the recent twist} Nd7 $5 ({The older move is} 8... Nxc3) 9. cxd5
Qa5 10. Nd4 Nxc3 $5 (10... Ndxc5 11. Bc4 (11. Qc2 Bf5 $5 12. Nxf5 gxf5 $44)
11... Nxc3 12. bxc3 e5 13. dxe6 Bxe6 14. Bxe6 Nxe6 15. Nxe6 Bxc3+ 16. Kf1 fxe6
17. Qb3 Qa6+ 18. Kg1 Bf6 19. h3 Rad8 20. Kh2 Rd2 21. Rc2 Rxc2 22. Qxc2 Qc6 23.
Qxc6 bxc6 24. Rc1 Rc8 25. Bd6 Kf7 $11 {/+/=, Gustafsson,J (2633)-Safarli,E 
(2630)/Porto Carras/2011/ The endgame is somewhat unpleasant for Black due to
his split pawns, but he managed to hold it rather easily.}) 11. bxc3 Qxa2 12.
c6 (12. Qb3 Qxb3 13. Nxb3 a5 14. c6 Nf6 15. d6 bxc6 16. dxe7 Re8 17. Nd4 Bd7
18. Bd6 Ne4 19. Ba3 c5 20. Bd3 Rxe7 21. Bxe4 Rxe4 22. Bxc5 Rc8 23. Ba3 f5 $44 {
Fridman,D (2655)-Kramnik,V (2799)/Dortmund/2012/ Black drew with ease, his
bishops give him full compensation.}) 12... Nc5 13. Be2 (13. c4 $6 {Somogyi,I 
(2290)-Kun,S (2295)/HUN-chT/1992/} e5 $1 14. dxe6 fxe6 $32 {|^} (14... Qa5+ $5
$40)) 13... Qxd5 14. Bf3 Qc4 15. Be2 Qd5 (15... Qa2 $5 $13 {is an interesting
attempt to avoid an immediate draw}) 16. Bf3 Qc4 17. Be2 Qd5 {1/2, Ivanchuk,V 
(2757)-Gelfand,B (2740)/London Candidates/2013/}) 8. Rc1 Rd8 {Carlsen chooses
a rare line, spoiling for a fight. Possibly he wanted to surprise his opponent,
who had problems with time management in London. However, Black will soon come
under pressure.} ({There has been some recent development in another sideline} 
8... Ne4 {Perhaps more testing is} 9. cxd5 (9. Be5 Bxe5 (9... Nxc3 $143 $6 10.
Bxc3 Bxc3+ 11. Rxc3 $16 Qxa2 12. Qc1 Qa5 13. cxd5 Nd7 14. Nd2 Rd8 15. Be2 f5
16. f3 Nf6 17. e4 fxe4 18. fxe4 $18 {Korotylev,A (2574)-Tilicheev,V (2366)/
Moscow/2012/}) 10. Nxe5 Nc6 $1 ({This is the new twist.} 10... Nxc3 $2 {
is hopeless:} 11. Rxc3 Qxa2 12. Qc1 {[%cal Rc3a3]} Qa4 13. b3 Qa5 14. cxd5 Nd7
15. Nxd7 Bxd7 16. f3 Rfc8 17. Kf2 Qb4 18. Be2 $16 {Novikov,I (2490)-Epishin,V 
(2350)/Minsk/1986/}) 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. cxd5 {is critical:} (12. a3 Rb8 13. Qa4
Qxc5 14. b4 Nxc3 (14... Qd6 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. Be2 c5 17. O-O cxb4 18. c5 Qe5
19. axb4 Qb2 20. Rfe1 Rxb4 {Simantsev,M (2549)-Misailovic,N (2301)/Kraljevo/
2011/} 21. Qa5 $1 $36 {[%csl Gc5]}) 15. Rxc3 Qb6 16. c5 $6 (16. cxd5 cxd5 17.
Rc6 Qb7 18. Ba6 Qa8 19. Rc7 d4 $132) 16... Qc7 17. Bd3 Qe5 18. Rc1 d4 19. O-O
dxe3 $15 {Docx,S (2426)-Kanep,M (2512)/Caleta/2013/}) 12... Nxc3 13. Qd2 {
, but Black has} Rb8 $1 14. Qxc3 (14. Rxc3 Rd8 15. d6 (15. Bc4 cxd5 16. Bb3 Ba6
$44) 15... Qxa2 16. dxe7 Re8 $44) 14... Qxa2 (14... Qxc3+ 15. bxc3 cxd5 16. c4
Be6 $11) 15. Bc4 Qxb2 16. Qxb2 Rxb2 17. dxc6 Be6 $11) 9... Nxc3 10. Qd2 Qxa2
11. bxc3 (11. Rxc3 $5 Bxc3 12. Qxc3 Nd7 $5 $13) 11... Qa5 $13 {, but even this
position is not quite clear.}) ({Definitely the main alternative is} 8... dxc4
{but this has a drawish reputation after} 9. Bxc4 Qxc5 10. Bb3 Nc6 11. O-O Qa5
12. h3 Bf5 13. Qe2 Ne4 {After} 14. Nd5 (14. Nxe4 Bxe4 15. Rfd1 h6 $5 (15... Qh5
{Aronian,L (2802)-Svidler,P (2755)/Moscow/2011/ For more details about the
whole line see my notes to this game in CBM 146}) 16. Rd7 Rac8 17. Rcd1 Qb4 18.
R7d2 (18. Nd2 Bf5 19. Rd5 Rfd8 20. a3 Qb6 $36 21. Rxf5 gxf5 22. Qh5 {Bulatov,R
(2208)-Nevostrujev,V (2449)/Pavlodar/2012/} e6 23. Bxh6 Ne5 $17) 18... a6 19.
Bc2 Bxc2 20. Rxc2 e5 21. Bg3 Rcd8 (21... e4 $5) 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. Nd2 f5 24. f3
Qd6 25. a3 Kh7 26. Be1 h5 27. Nc4 Qe6 28. Na5 $11 {Shimanov,A (2599)
-Areshchenko,A (2710)/St Petersburg/2012/}) 14... e5 {White has lately tried}
15. Bg5 (15. Bh2 Be6 16. Rfd1 Rfd8 17. Qc4 Nf6 18. e4 Rac8 19. Ng5 Nd4 $11 {
is a more or less forced draw}) 15... Nxg5 16. Nxg5 Qd8 17. h4 $5 (17. Nf3 e4
18. Nh2 Ne5 19. Rfd1 Nd3 20. Rc2 a5 $36 {Dzagnidze,N (2559)-Lahno,K (2546)/
Gaziantep rpd/2012/}) {, but even here the excitement peters out into
perpetuals after} 17... h6 18. g4 Bd7 19. Ne4 Qxh4 20. f3 Kh8 21. Rf2 f5 22.
Rh2 Qd8 23. Rxh6+ $1 Bxh6 24. Qh2 Kg7 25. Rxc6 $1 fxe4 (25... Bxc6 26. Qxe5+
Kh7 27. Ndf6+ Rxf6 28. Nxf6+ Kh8 29. Ng8+ Kh7 30. Nf6+ Kh8 31. Ng8+ {1/2,
Cmilyte,V (2503)-Lahno,K (2557)/Tbilisi rpd/2012/}) 26. Qxe5+ Kh7 27. Nf6+ Rxf6
28. Rxf6 Be8 29. g5 Rc8 (29... Qd2 30. gxh6 Qxe3+ 31. Kf1 Kxh6 32. Qh2+ Kg7 33.
Rxg6+ Kxg6 34. Qd6+ Kh7 35. Qe7+ Kg6 36. Qd6+ Kh7 37. Qe7+ Kg6 38. Qd6+ {
1/2, Jobava,B (2734)-Areshchenko,A (2702)/Burgas/2012/}) 30. Bd5 $2 (30. fxe4
Bxg5 31. Qxg5 Kg7 32. Rf5 $11) 30... Bxg5 $2 (30... Rc1+ 31. Kg2 Qc8 $1 $19)
31. Qxg5 Kg7 32. Rf5 exf3 33. Qg3 Qe7 34. Rxf3 $11 {Nielsen,P (2687)-Nyback,T 
(2627)/Bundesliga/2012/}) 9. Qa4 {The best way to fight for an advantage.
After other moves Black has more than one way to achieve a satisfactory
position:} (9. Nd2 dxc4 10. Bxc4 Nc6 (10... Na6 $5 11. a3 Qxc5 12. b4 Qh5 13.
Qxh5 Nxh5 14. Bg5 Nf6 15. Ke2 Nc7 16. Rhd1 Be6 17. Bxe6 Nxe6 18. Bh4 {1/2,
Vallifuoco,G (2285)-Stone,R (2305)/Dubai olm/1986/}) 11. Bb3 $6 (11. Qb3 $142
$5 $14) 11... Bf5 12. O-O Nb4 13. Bc4 Nd3 14. Bxd3 Bxd3 15. Nb3 {Bykhovsky,A 
(2405)-Manor,I (2510)/Tel Aviv/1996/} Qa6 16. Re1 Ne4 $17) (9. Qb3 Na6 (9...
Ne4 10. cxd5 Nd7 11. Nd4 Ndxc5 12. Qb5 Qxb5 13. Ncxb5 e5 14. dxe6 Nxe6 15. Nxe6
(15. Nc7 $5 $14) 15... Bxe6 16. f3 Nd2 $6 (16... Nf6 $44) 17. b3 a5 18. Nc7
Rac8 19. Bb5 g5 20. Bxg5 $6 (20. Bg3 $1 $16) 20... Rd5 21. Bf4 Nxb3 22. Rb1
Rxc7 23. Bxc7 Rxb5 24. axb3 a4 $36 {Farago,I (2475)-Rajna,G (2405)/HUN-ch/1974/
}) (9... Qxc5 10. Be2 (10. Rd1 Qa5 11. Be2 Na6 (11... Ne4 $1 $11 {/=/+}) 12.
O-O Nc5 13. Qb5 Qxb5 14. Nxb5 Bf5 15. Nfd4 dxc4 16. Nxf5 gxf5 17. Bxc4 Nfe4 18.
b4 {Tukmakov,V-Dueball,J/Kiev/1970/} Na4 $132) 10... Nc6 11. O-O dxc4 12. Qxc4
(12. Bxc4 $142 $1 {/\} Na5 13. Bxf7+ Kf8 14. Qa4 {[%cal Rb2b4]}) 12... Qb6 13.
Qb5 Qxb5 14. Bxb5 Bd7 15. h3 a6 16. Be2 Bf5 17. Rcd1 Ne4 18. Rxd8+ Rxd8 19. Na4
e5 20. Bh2 Be6 21. b3 Nb4 $36 {De Greif,B-Uhlmann,W/Havana/1963/}) 10. Qb5 Qxb5
11. Nxb5 Bd7 12. Nc7 $6 (12. cxd5 Nxd5 13. Be5 f6 $11) 12... Nxc7 13. Bxc7 Rdc8
14. Be5 Rxc5 15. b4 Rcc8 16. c5 a5 17. b5 Ne4 18. Bd4 f6 19. Nd2 Nxd2 20. Kxd2
e5 21. Bb2 Bf8 22. Ba3 b6 $17 {Portisch,F (2425)-Sax,G (2530)/Budapest/1976/})
9... Qxc5 {Natural enough.} ({However, White also has to reckon with} 9... Qxa4
10. Nxa4 Nc6 11. Ne5 $5 (11. Nc3 Ne4 $1 12. Be2 $6 Bxc3+ 13. bxc3 dxc4 14. Bxc4
Nxc5 15. O-O Be6 16. Bxe6 Nxe6 17. Bg3 Rac8 18. Nd4 Nc5 19. Rfd1 f6 $15 {
Portisch,L (2600)-Adorjan,A (2490)/Frankfurt rpd/1998/}) (11. Bc7 $5 Rd7 12.
Bg3) 11... Be6 (11... Nxe5 12. Bxe5 Be6 13. cxd5 Bxd5 14. Nc3 a5 $44) 12. Nxc6
bxc6 13. Bc7 Rd7 14. Be5 (14. Ba5 $5 d4 15. exd4 Rxd4 16. b3 $14) 14... Rad8
15. Be2 dxc4 16. O-O Ne4 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. Rfd1 Rxd1+ 19. Rxd1 {1-0 Mac Kenzie,
G-Mondaca,O (2160)/Buenos Aires 1993/EXT 1999 (30)} Rb8 $1 {[%cal Rb8b4]} 20.
Rd4 c3 $36) 10. b4 (10. Qb5 Qxb5 (10... Na6 $5) 11. Nxb5 Na6 12. Nc7 Nxc7 13.
Bxc7 Re8 14. Be5 Bd7 15. Be2 Bc6 16. O-O Nd7 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. cxd5 Bxd5 19.
Bb5 Red8 20. Rc7 Nb6 21. Rfc1 Kf6 22. h4 Rd6 23. b3 a6 24. Bc4 Bc6 25. Nd4 Nd5
{Orndahl,M (2170)-Li,C (2529)/Taby/2007/} 26. Bxd5 $11) 10... Qc6 11. Qa3 $1
$146 {[%cal Yb4b5,Ga3e7][%mdl 8] An interesting novelty, judging by the
consumption of time Ivanchuk invented it over the board.} (11. Qb3 Ne4 $1 (
11... a5 12. b5 Qc5 13. a3 a4 14. Nxa4 Qa7 15. Bc7 $1 Rd7 16. Bb6 Qxa4 17. Qxa4
Rxa4 18. cxd5 $18 {[%csl Rc8] Farago,I (2500)-Vadasz,L (2495)/Budapest/1977/})
12. Be5 (12. Nb5 Na6 13. Bd3 Nac5 (13... dxc4 $1 14. Bxc4 Be6 $15) 14. bxc5
Nxc5 15. Qa3 $4 (15. Qc2 Nxd3+ 16. Qxd3 Bf5 17. Qb3 $14) 15... Bb2 {0-1,
Mikhalchishin,A-Vaganian,R/Valencia/1974/}) 12... Bxe5 13. Nxe5 Qf6 (13... Qd6
$2 14. Nxf7 Kxf7 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. c5+ Be6 17. cxd6 Bxb3 18. dxe7 Kxe7 19. axb3
Nd7 20. Bb5 $14 {Urday Caceres,H (2470)-Yermolinsky,A (2590)/Moscow olm/1994/})
14. Nf3 Nxc3 15. Qxc3 Qxc3+ 16. Rxc3 Nc6 17. b5 Na5 18. cxd5 Rxd5 19. Bd3 Bd7
20. e4 Rd6 21. Ke2 Rd8 22. Ke3 Be6 $11 {Karsa,L (2200)-Sax,G (2530)/Budapest/
1976/}) ({It's not so simple for Black even after other moves:} 11. b5 Qc5 12.
Qb3 (12. Be5 Nbd7 (12... Ne4 13. Bd4 Nxc3 14. Rxc3 {Roeder,M (2365)-Pusch,H/
Porz/1989/} Nd7 15. Be2 $5 $14) 13. Bd4 Qc7 14. cxd5 Nxd5 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. Qa3
Nxc3 17. Rxc3 Qd6 18. Qxd6 exd6 19. Be2 Nc5 20. O-O a6 21. bxa6 Nxa6 22. Nd4
Nc5 $11 {Laux,T-Wild,H/Porz/1989/}) 12... Bg4 13. Na4 (13. Ne5 $5 Be6 14. Na4
Qc8 15. Qa3 d4 16. Be2 $14) 13... Qc8 {Here White would have profited from
having his queen already on a3!} 14. Be2 (14. Qa3 Bxf3 15. gxf3 Qf5 16. Nb6 e5
$36) 14... Ne4 15. Rc2 Nd7 (15... e5 16. cxd5 Qf5 17. Bg3 Nxg3 18. hxg3 e4 19.
Nd4 Bxd4 20. Bxg4 Qxg4 21. exd4 Nd7 {Lukacs,P (2450)-Sax,G (2565)/Budapest/
1977/} 22. Rh4 $1 Qg5 23. d6 $16) 16. cxd5 Ndc5 17. Nxc5 Nxc5 18. Qb4 (18. Qa3
$5 b6 19. e4 $14) 18... b6 19. O-O Qf5 20. Rc4 Qxd5 21. h3 Bf5 $11 {Farago,I 
(2500)-Gulko,B (2585)/Polanica Zdroj/1977/}) (11. Qxc6 bxc6 (11... Nxc6 12. b5
Nb4 $2 (12... d4 $1 13. Nd1 e5 $13) 13. a3 Ne4 14. Be5 Nxc3 15. Rxc3 a5 16.
Bxg7 Kxg7 {Petrov,I (2190)-Petkov,V (2375)/Sofia/2004/} 17. Rc1 $1 $16 {
[%csl Rb4]}) 12. cxd5 (12. Nd4 Ne4 13. Nxe4 dxe4 14. Bxb8 Bxd4 15. Bc7 Bb2 16.
Rc2 Rd7 17. Rxb2 Rxc7 18. Be2 a5 19. bxa5 Be6 20. O-O Rxa5 21. Rc1 Rca7 22.
Rcc2 Kg7 $15 {Urday Caceres,H (2480)-Olafsson,H (2525)/Manila olm/1992/}) (12.
Bc7 Rd7 (12... Re8 $5) 13. Ba5 Rb7 (13... Ne4 14. Nxe4 dxe4 15. Ng5 c5 16. Nxe4
cxb4 17. Bxb4 Na6 18. Bc3 Bb7 19. Bxg7 Kxg7 20. Nc3 Rad8 $44 {Kortschnoj,
V-Stein,L/Moscow/1964/}) 14. cxd5 Bd7 {Sorensen,T (2480)-Loeffler,B (2340)/
corr/1991/} 15. Na4 $5 $36) 12... Nxd5 13. Nxd5 cxd5 14. Bc7 Re8 15. Nd4 e5 16.
Nb5 Na6 17. Ba5 Bf8 {1/2, Ruchlin,V (2304)-Stern,W (2551)/corr/1980/} 18. a3
$14) 11... dxc4 {Carlsen senses the danger and resolves the tension.} (11...
Be6 12. Nd4 Qe8 (12... Qd7 13. Na4 $36) 13. Ncb5 Na6 14. Nxe6 fxe6 15. Be2 $36)
(11... Bf5 12. b5 (12. Nd4 Qd7 13. b5 $14 {[%csl Rb8]}) 12... Qe8 13. cxd5 {/\}
Nxd5 (13... Nbd7 $142 $5 $14) 14. Nxd5 Rxd5 15. Bc4 Rd7 (15... Rd8 16. Ng5 e6
17. e4 Bg4 18. h3 h6 19. hxg4 hxg5 20. Bxg5 Rd4 21. Qh3 Rxe4+ 22. Kf1 Nd7 23.
Qh7+ Kf8 24. Bh6 Bxh6 25. Qxh6+ Ke7 26. Qg5+ $18) 16. Ne5 Bxe5 17. Bxe5 $40)
12. b5 Qb6 (12... Qe8 $2 13. Bc7 $1 Nd5 (13... Rd7 14. Bxb8 $18) 14. Nxd5 Rxd5
15. Bxc4 Rh5 16. O-O $32 {[%csl Ra8,Rb8,Rc8,Rh5]}) 13. Bxc4 (13. Qxe7 $6 Bf8
14. Qc7 Ba3 $132) (13. Ne5 Qd6 $5 (13... Nbd7 14. Bxc4 Nxe5 15. Bxe5 Bf5 (15...
Be6 $2 16. Na4 Qa5+ 17. Bc3 Qc7 18. Bxe6 $18) 16. O-O $14) 14. Qb2 Qb6 15. Nxc4
(15. Bxc4 Be6 16. Qb3 Nbd7 $11) 15... Qc5 16. Be5 Be6 17. Na4 Qd5 $13) 13...
Be6 $1 (13... e6 14. O-O $16 {is ideal for White, he has a lead in development,
while Black's can't get his queenside pieces out.}) 14. Bxe6 (14. Be2 Nbd7 15.
Nd4 Qc5 $11 (15... Bxa2 $5 16. Qxa2 e5 $11)) 14... Qxe6 15. O-O (15. Ng5 Qc4 $1
16. Nce4 Qxb5 17. Qxe7 Qa5+ 18. Kf1 Qb5+ 19. Kg1 Qd7 $1 $11 {/\} 20. Nxf6+ Bxf6
21. Qxf6 $4 Qd1+ 22. Rxd1 Rxd1#) 15... Nbd7 {Black decides to sacrifice a pawn
just to get out his forces and swap a few pieces.} ({The resulting endgame
will be admittedly difficult to win, but} 15... Bf8 $5 {seems to be
objectively better. White must still prove he has anything tangible, in other
words Black has chances to gradually neutralise the pressure:} 16. Ng5 (16. Ne2
Nbd7 17. Rfd1 Rdc8 $5 18. Bc7 (18. Rxc8 $6 Rxc8 19. Qxa7 Qc4 20. Ned4 Qd5 {
[%cal Re7e5]}) 18... Nd5 $11) (16. e4 Nbd7 (16... Nxe4 17. Rfe1 Qf5 18. Rxe4 e5
19. Qa4 exf4 20. Rxf4 $40 {[%csl Rf7]}) 17. Rfd1 Nb6 $1 $132) 16... Qf5 $5 (
16... Qc4 17. e4 $5 {[%cal Rc3d5]} (17. Qb2 Nbd7 $11) 17... e6 18. Qb2 Qb4 $8
19. Qxb4 Bxb4 20. e5 Bxc3 21. exf6 Bxf6 22. Ne4 Be7 23. Rc7 Nd7 24. Rxb7 Nc5
$14) 17. Qb3 e6 18. f3 {[%csl Rf5]} Nbd7 19. g4 Qc5 20. Nge4 Qa3 $11) 16. Ng5 (
16. Nd4 Qb6 $11 17. Qxe7 $4 Bf8) 16... Qf5 17. Qxe7 Nh5 18. Rfd1 (18. Qe4 Nxf4
19. exf4 h6 20. Qxf5 gxf5 21. Nf3 Nc5 22. Nd1 $5 $14) 18... Nxf4 19. exf4 Bf8
20. Qe4 (20. Qe3 Nc5 $14 {/<=>}) 20... Qxe4 21. Ncxe4 Nb6 $14 {[%mdl 4352]
This is the endgame position Carlsen was aiming for. White has an extra pawn,
but it's doubled and his queenside is vulnerable. Converting the small
advantage requires superlative technique and maybe even some extra luck, Black
proceeds to defend tenaciously and finally saves the game.} 22. g3 (22. Rxd8
Rxd8 23. g3 Kg7 $14 {is similar to the game.}) 22... Rxd1+ 23. Rxd1 Be7 24. Nf3
(24. Rc1 $5 Rd8 25. Kg2 $14) 24... Rc8 25. Ne5 Rc7 ({Safe, but engines
indicate the direct} 25... f5 $1 26. Ng5 (26. Nd2 Rd8 $11) 26... Rc5 27. Ne6
Rxb5 28. Rc1 Bd6 $11) 26. Kg2 f6 27. Nf3 Kf7 28. h4 Rc2 29. a4 (29. Rd2 Rxd2
30. Nfxd2 Ke6 $132) 29... Ra2 30. Nc3 Ra3 31. Rc1 Nxa4 {Here Carlsen got too
optimistic and even declined a draw, later criticising his decision. There was
no need to hurry with this capture, now White retains winning chances.} (31...
a5 $142 $5 32. bxa6 bxa6 $11) (31... h5 32. Rc2 Ke8 33. Ne2 (33. f5 gxf5 34.
Ne2 Rxa4 {/\} 35. Rc7 Kd8 36. Rxb7 $6 Nd7 {[%csl Rb7]} 37. Nfd4 Kc8 38. Rxa7
Rxa7 39. Nc6 Ra2 40. Nxe7+ Kd8 $15) 33... Bd6 34. f5 $5 Kf7 $132 (34... gxf5
35. Ned4 f4 36. Nf5 $14)) 32. Ne4 Rd3 33. Rc7 Ke6 (33... Ke8 $5 34. Rxb7 Rd7
35. Rb8+ Rd8 36. Rxd8+ Bxd8 (36... Kxd8 37. Nd4 {[%cal Rd4c6,Yf4f5]}) 37. g4
$14 (37. h5 $5 $14)) 34. Rxb7 (34. g4 $142 $1 Nb6 35. f5+ gxf5 36. gxf5+ Kf7
37. Rxb7 Rd7 38. Rxd7 Nxd7 39. Nd4 $36 {gives White more winning chances.})
34... Rd7 35. Rb8 Rd8 36. Rb7 Rd7 37. Rxd7 Kxd7 {Contrary to the line above,
Black has forced a rook swap, while his king remains active.} 38. Nd4 f5 $1 39.
Ng5 (39. Nd2 $6 Nc3 {[%csl Rb5][%cal Ye7c5,Yd7d5]}) 39... Bxg5 (39... h6 $2 40.
Nf7 {[%csl Rg6][%cal Yf7e5]}) (39... h5 $2 40. Nc6 $16 {[%cal Yc6a7,Yc6e5]})
40. fxg5 Nc3 41. h5 (41. f4 Kd6 42. h5 gxh5 43. Nxf5+ Kc5 $132) 41... gxh5 $1 (
41... Kd6 $6 42. Nxf5+ $1 {/\} gxf5 $2 43. g6 hxg6 44. h6 $18) 42. Kh3 Kd6 43.
Kh4 Kd5 {Black will use his king to mount a counter-attack on White's pawns.} (
{However, supporting his own passed pawn seems to hold as well after} 43... Kc5
44. Nxf5 Kxb5 45. Ne3 a5 46. f4 a4 47. f5 Ne4 48. f6 (48. g6 hxg6 49. fxg6 a3
50. g7 Nf6 51. Kg5 Ng8 52. Nc2 a2 53. Kxh5 Kc4 54. Kg6 Kc3 55. Na1 Kb2 56. Kf7
Nh6+ 57. Kg6 Ng8 $11) 48... Nd6 49. Nc2 Kc4 50. Kxh5 Kb3 $11) 44. Nxf5 Nxb5 45.
Kxh5 Ke4 46. Ne3 (46. Ne7 a5 47. Kh6 a4 48. Nc6 a3 49. Nb4 Kf5 50. f4 Nc3 51.
Kxh7 Ne4 52. g6 Nxg3 53. g7 Nh5 $11) 46... Nd6 $1 (46... a5 $2 47. Kh6 a4 48.
Nc4 $18) 47. Kh6 Nf7+ {The defence finally triumphs, now the draw is
unavoidable.} 48. Kxh7 (48. Kh5 Kf3 49. g6 hxg6+ 50. Kxg6 Kxf2 $11) 48... Nxg5+
49. Kg6 Nh3 50. Nd1 Kf3 (50... a5 51. f4 Nxf4+ $11) ({Even} 50... Nxf2 $6 51.
Nxf2+ Kd4 $1 {[]} (51... Kf3 $2 52. g4 Kxf2 53. Kf5 $1 a5 54. Ke4 Ke2 55. g5 a4
56. g6 $5 a3 57. g7 a2 58. g8=Q a1=Q 59. Qg2+ $18) 52. g4 (52. Nd1 a5 53. Nb2
Kc3 54. Na4+ Kb4 $11) 52... a5 53. g5 a4 $11 {is still a draw.}) 51. Kf5 Nxf2
52. Nxf2 Kxg3 53. Nd1 a5 54. Ke4 a4 55. Kd4 a3 56. Nc3 a2 57. Nxa2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.20"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2810"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "144"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Bg4 {Although Kramnik is possibly the best prepared player
from the elite, even he occasionally avoids highly topical theory, shifting
the focus of the fight for the advantage form the opening to the early
middlegame. The Reti opening with its unhurried manoeuvring play is well
suited for this purpose. Annotating this game, I watched the following effort
online:} (2... c6 3. Bg2 Bg4 4. O-O Nd7 5. d3 Ngf6 6. Qe1 e5 7. e4 dxe4 8. dxe4
Bd6 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. h3 Bh5 11. Nc4 Bc7 12. a4 Re8 13. Nh4 Nc5 14. Nf5 Ne6 15.
Be3 Nf4 16. f3 $1 Nxg2 17. Kxg2 Bg6 18. Rd1 Nd5 19. Nh4 Nxe3+ 20. Qxe3 Qe7 21.
Qb3 Rab8 22. Rf2 Red8 23. Rxd8+ Bxd8 24. Rd2 Bc7 25. Rd3 Qe6 26. Qb4 b6 27. b3
a6 28. Qd2 b5 29. Rd7 $1 $36 {Kramnik,V (2801)-Vitiugov,N (2712)/Alekhine mem
Paris/St Petersburg/2013/}) 3. Bg2 e6 4. c4 c6 5. O-O Nf6 6. cxd5 Bxf3 {
A somewhat surprisingly modest choice, Aronian parts with his bishop just to
keep the position symmetrical.} ({The more usual} 6... exd5 {is also more
enterprising. The position remains roughly equal, but both sides have more
chances to disrupt the balance. After} 7. d3 Nbd7 {we have tranposed into
Carlsen-Karjakin, Wijk 2013:} 8. Qc2 Be7 9. Nc3 Bxf3 10. Bxf3 d4 11. Ne4 O-O
12. Nxf6+ Nxf6 13. Bd2 a5 14. a3 Nd5 15. Rab1 Qd7 16. Rfc1 Rfe8 17. Qc4 Nc7 18.
h4 a4 19. Bb4 Nb5 20. Kg2 h6 21. Bc5 g6 22. Qb4 Bf6 23. Qd2 Kg7 24. Rc4 $14 {
/=, Carlsen,M (2861)-Karjakin,S (2780)/Wijk aan Zee/2013/ In the end White won
after a long fight, when Black in an endangered position missed a draw on move
68 - see the notes by Marin in CBM 153.}) (6... cxd5 {is the least played
alternative. Although the bishop will be missed on the queenside, even here
White's edge is at best only minimal:} 7. Ne5 (7. Qb3 Bxf3 8. Bxf3 Qd7 9. Nc3
Nc6 10. Bg2 Be7 11. d3 O-O 12. Bd2 Rac8 13. Rfc1 Rfd8 14. Qd1 h6 15. a3 Bd6 16.
b4 Be5 17. Rab1 Ne8 18. Na4 b6 19. e3 Nd6 20. Qb3 Ne7 21. Nb2 Rxc1+ 22. Rxc1
Rc8 23. Rxc8+ Nexc8 24. d4 Bf6 25. a4 Qc7 26. b5 Be7 27. Qc3 $11 {/+/=,
Anastasian,A (2545)-Seirawan,Y (2630)/Groningen/1997/}) 7... Bh5 (7... Bf5 8.
Qb3 Nbd7 9. Nxd7 Qxd7 10. Nc3 Be7 11. d3 $5 (11. d4 O-O 12. a4 Rac8 13. Bd2 Rc4
14. e3 Rfc8 15. Rfc1 a6 16. a5 {Hausrath,D (2519)-Fressinet,L (2667)/Biel/2009/
} Ne8 $15) 11... Bg6 12. e4 d4 13. Ne2 $13 {/+/=}) 8. Nc3 (8. Qa4+ Nbd7 9. Nc3
a6 10. Nxd7 Qxd7 11. Qxd7+ Kxd7 12. Re1 Rc8 13. b3 Bd6 14. Bb2 Bg6 15. Rec1 Rc6
16. Nd1 Rhc8 17. d3 Rc2 18. Kf1 Bh5 19. f3 Bb4 20. Rxc2 Rxc2 21. Rc1 Rxc1 $11 {
1/2, Pigusov,E (2575)-Georgiev,K (2675)/New York/1998/}) 8... Bd6 9. d4 O-O 10.
h3 (10. Bf4 Bxe5 11. dxe5 Nfd7 12. Qb3 Nc6 13. Qxb7 Ndxe5 14. Qa6 Rb8 15. b3
Qe7 16. Rac1 Rfd8 17. Rfe1 Rb6 18. Qa4 f6 $13 {1/2, Romanishin,O (2555)
-Epishin,V (2465)/New York/1989/}) 10... Nc6 11. g4 Bg6 12. Nxg6 hxg6 13. e3
Rc8 (13... g5 $5 $13) 14. Bd2 Bb8 15. f4 a6 16. Rc1 Qd6 17. g5 Nd7 18. h4 Ne7
19. Rf3 Nf5 20. Rh3 b5 21. h5 b4 22. Ne2 $14 {Baklan,V (2590)-Grund,H (2480)/
Schwaebisch Gmuend/2000/}) 7. Bxf3 cxd5 (7... exd5 {is not too logical now,
although the position still bears a resemblance to the aforementioned
Carlsen-Karjakin game:} 8. d3 Nbd7 9. Bf4 Nc5 10. b4 Ne6 11. Bd2 Be7 12. a4 O-O
13. Na3 a6 14. e3 Qd7 15. Bg2 Nc7 16. Nc2 Nfe8 17. Bc3 Rd8 18. Qe2 f5 19. Bh3
Nd6 20. Rad1 Bf6 21. Bd4 Bxd4 22. Nxd4 Ne6 23. Qb2 Nxd4 24. Qxd4 Qe7 $11 {
Loginov,V (2540)-Vaganian,R (2590)/Manila olm/1992/}) 8. Nc3 Nc6 9. d4 {
Occupies space, but makes the pawn structure more rigid, which should favour
the side with the knights.} ({Thus White often prefers} 9. d3 {This leads to a
manoeuvring struggle, where White's main potential trump are his bishops.
However, with circumpsect play Black should be able to retain the balance:} Be7
(9... Bc5 10. Bd2 O-O 11. Rc1 Rc8 12. Bg2 Qe7 13. a3 a6 14. b4 Bd4 15. e3 Ba7
16. Ne2 Rc7 17. Qb3 Rfc8 18. h3 Qd8 19. Rfd1 h6 20. Qb2 b5 21. Be1 Bb6 22. Kh2
Nb8 23. Bc3 Nbd7 24. Qa1 Qe7 25. Nd4 Bxd4 26. Bxd4 $14 {Movsesian,S (2659)
-Gyimesi,Z (2531)/Pula/1999/}) 10. Bg2 (10. Qa4 O-O 11. Bf4 a6 12. Rac1 Qd7 13.
Bg2 h6 14. e4 $6 d4 15. e5 dxc3 16. exf6 Bxf6 17. Bxc6 bxc6 18. bxc3 Qxd3 19.
Qxc6 Rfc8 20. Qb7 Qb5 $15 {Harika,D (2514)-Eljanov,P (2678)/Moscow rpd/2013/})
(10. a3 O-O 11. Bg2 Qd7 12. Bd2 Rab8 13. Rc1 b5 14. Bf4 Bd6 15. Bg5 b4 16. Bxf6
gxf6 17. axb4 Nxb4 18. e4 dxe4 19. Nxe4 Be7 20. d4 Rfd8 21. Qg4+ Kh8 {Aronian,
L (2502)-Beliavsky,A (2650)/Portoroz/1999/} 22. Qh5 f5 23. Ng5 Bxg5 24. Qxg5
Qxd4 25. Rc7 Rd7 26. Rxd7 Qxd7 27. Qf6+ Kg8 28. Qg5+ Kf8 29. Qh6+ $11) 10...
O-O 11. Bd2 Rc8 (11... Nd7 12. Rc1 Rc8 13. a3 a6 14. b4 b5 15. e4 dxe4 16. Nxe4
Nb6 17. Bc3 f5 $6 (17... Nd4 $142 $1 $13) 18. Nc5 Bxc5 19. bxc5 Na4 20. Ba1 $36
{Akopian,V (2660)-Vaganian,R (2640)/Groningen/1997/}) 12. a3 (12. h3 a6 13. f4
$6 d4 14. Ne4 Qb6 15. Nxf6+ Bxf6 16. Rb1 Ne7 17. Qa4 Nf5 18. Ba5 Qa7 19. Kh2
Ne3 20. Rfc1 b5 21. Qb3 {Bocharov,D (2620)-Jakovenko,D (2741)/Novosibirsk/2012/
} e5 $36) 12... a6 13. b4 Nd7 14. Qb3 Nd4 15. Qa2 Bf6 16. Rac1 Ne5 17. Kh1 h5
18. f4 Ng4 19. e4 dxe4 20. Nxe4 (20. dxe4 Nb3 $1 $36) 20... Rxc1 21. Bxc1 Be7
22. h3 Nf6 $11 {/=/+, McShane,L (2664)-Fressinet,L (2707)/Wijk aan Zee/2011/})
9... Be7 10. e3 O-O 11. Bd2 {Caruana,F (2757)-Gelfand,B (2740) Zurich Chess
Challenge 2013 (6) 1-0 We have reached a position, which is suprisingly
similar to the Catalan from Caruana-Gelfand, Zurich 2013. For details about
this game see the notes in CBM 2013.} Qb8 $146 {Black uses a new and quite 
(over)ambitious setup.} ({Until now he used to play mainly} 11... Rc8 12. Qe2
a6 (12... Nd7 13. Rfc1 Nb6 14. Be1 Qd7 15. h4 a6 16. h5 Rc7 17. Qd1 Rfc8 18.
Ne2 Nc4 19. b3 Nd6 20. Nf4 Ne8 21. Nd3 Ba3 22. Rcb1 Bf8 23. b4 Nd6 24. Nc5 Qe8
25. a4 Nc4 26. Be2 Nb8 27. e4 b6 28. exd5 exd5 29. Nd3 Nc6 30. Nf4 $13 {
/+/=,Karjakin,S (2775)-Fressinet,L (2700)/Beijing rpd/2012/}) 13. Rfd1 (13. Bg2
{is non-committal and more logical.}) 13... b5 14. a4 $6 (14. Rac1 $142) 14...
b4 15. Na2 Qb6 16. b3 e5 $5 17. Bg2 exd4 18. exd4 Ne4 19. Be3 Na5 20. Qd3 Nc3
21. Nxc3 Rxc3 22. Qf5 {Gabuzyan,H (2500)-Bok,B (2537)/WChJ Maribor/2012/} Qe6
$5 $15) (11... a6 12. Rc1 Ne8 13. Na4 Nd6 14. b3 Ne4 15. Be1 f5 16. Nb2 Rc8 17.
Nd3 Bd6 18. b4 Qe7 19. Rb1 Nb8 20. a4 b6 21. a5 bxa5 $6 (21... b5 {/\} 22. Nc5
Bxc5 23. dxc5 Nc6 $13) 22. bxa5 Nd7 23. Be2 Rb8 24. f3 Nef6 25. Bd2 g5 26. Nf2
{[%csl Ra6]} f4 27. exf4 gxf4 28. g4 h5 29. g5 Ne8 30. h4 $16 {Karjakin,S 
(2775)-Jakovenko,D (2741)/Moscow rpd/2012/}) (11... Qd7 12. Qe2 Rac8 13. Bg2
Bb4 14. Rfc1 Na5 15. a3 Bxc3 16. Rxc3 Rxc3 17. Bxc3 Nb3 18. Rd1 a5 19. f3 b5
20. Bf1 Rb8 21. Qc2 a4 22. Bb4 Ne8 23. Rd3 g6 24. Rc3 $14 {Neckar,L (2337)
-Tichy,V (2260)/CZE-chT/2010/}) 12. Rc1 Rc8 13. Bg2 b5 {This is consistent
with Black's previous two moves, but still quite risky, as it gives White an
opportunity to expand in the centre.} ({However, recommending something like} 
13... Qd6 14. Qe2 h6 $11 {/+/= doesn't make much sense, as Black's queen could
have gone to d6 immedaitely on move 11.}) 14. e4 $1 {Kramnik shifts gear and
starts concrete play in the centre.} b4 (14... dxe4 15. Nxe4 Nd5 16. Nc3 Ncb4
17. Qb3 $36) 15. Bf4 (15. exd5 bxc3 16. Bf4 e5 {is not worth the trouble:} (
16... Qb6 17. dxc6 cxb2 18. Rb1 Nd5 $11) 17. dxe5 (17. dxc6 exf4 (17... cxb2
18. c7 bxc1=Q 19. cxb8=Q Qxd1 20. Qxe5 Qh5 21. Bxa8 Qxe5 22. dxe5 Rxa8 23. exf6
Bxf6 $11) 18. bxc3 $13 {/=/+}) 17... Nxe5 18. d6 Bxd6 19. Rxc3 (19. Bxa8 Qxa8
20. Rxc3 Rxc3 21. Bxe5 Bxe5 $15) 19... Rxc3 (19... Qb6 20. Bxa8 Rxa8 21. Qb3
Qa6 {is also about equal, but keeps more tension in the game.}) 20. bxc3 Qf8
21. Bxa8 Qxa8 22. Qxd6 Nf3+ 23. Kh1 Nd2+ 24. Kg1 $11) 15... Qb6 $8 (15... Qb7
$2 16. Nxd5 exd5 17. exd5 $18) (15... Bd6 $2 16. Nxd5 $1 exd5 17. e5 $18) 16.
Na4 {An enterprising move.} ({We have already mentioned the line} 16. exd5 bxc3
17. dxc6 cxb2 $11 {[%cal Yf6d5] above. After both sides lose their passed
pawns, there is not much fight left on the board.}) (16. Nxd5 exd5 17. exd5 Nd8
(17... Nxd4 18. d6 Bxd6 19. Bxa8 Rxa8 20. Be3 Be5 21. f4 Nd5 22. Bf2 Nxf4 $5 (
22... Bxf4 23. Bxd4 Be3+ 24. Kh1 Bxd4 (24... Qxd4 25. Qf3 {[%cal Rf3f7,Rc1d1]})
25. Qf3 Qb7 (25... Qe6 26. Rcd1 $14) 26. Rcd1 Bxb2 27. Rxd5 $14) 23. gxf4 Qg6+
24. Bg3 (24. Kh1 $4 Qe4+ $19) 24... Bf6 $44 {[%cal Yg6e4,Ya8d8,Yh7h4]} 25. f5
Nxf5 26. Qd5 Bd4+ 27. Kh1 Nxg3+ 28. hxg3 Qh6+ 29. Kg2 Qd2+ 30. Kh3 (30. Kf3
Qd3+ 31. Kg4 Qg6+ $11) 30... Qh6+ $11 (30... Rf8 $4 31. Qxf7+ $1 $18)) 18. d6
Bxd6 19. Bxa8 Rxa8 20. Be5 Ne8 21. Qf3 Rb8 22. Qd5 Bxe5 23. dxe5 Ne6 $13) 16...
Qa5 (16... Qxd4 $4 17. Rxc6 Qxd1 18. Rxc8+ $18) 17. e5 (17. exd5 Nxd5 18. Re1
Bf8 $11) 17... Nd7 {[%cal Rc6d4]} 18. Be3 {[%cal Yf2f5]} Nb6 {White fixes his
sights on the kingside, so Aronian seeks immediate counterplay.} 19. Nxb6 $8 (
19. Nc5 Nc4 ({or} 19... Bxc5 {can be better only for Black.})) 19... axb6 {
The consistent recapture, keeping the a2-pawn under attack.} (19... Qxb6 20.
Qd3 (20. f4 $5 $11 {/+/=}) 20... Rc7 21. Rc2 Rac8 22. Rfc1 $11 {/+/=}) 20. f4
$5 {[%mdl 128]} ({Kramnik plays for a direct attack and spurns} 20. Ra1 $11 {
/+/= This is justified and dangerous for Black, as a majority of his pieces is
on the opposite side of the board.}) 20... Qxa2 $6 {Continues in the same
risky vein as from move 11 onwards.} ({A more circumspect try was} 20... g6 21.
Ra1 $5 $14 {[%cal Yg3g4,Yf4f5,Yf1f2,Yg2f1,Yf1d3] keeps an edge, but it's not
without counterplay after} (21. g4 $6 Qxa2 22. f5 Qxb2 {is too optimistic,
contrary to the game White's queen doesn't have the g4 square and his attack
seems too slow after} 23. Rc2 Qa3 24. Qf3 Nd8 {[%csl Gb4][%cal Yb4b1]} 25. Rcf2
Qc3 $1 $19 {[%cal Ya8a1]}) (21. f5 gxf5 (21... exf5 $2 22. Qb3 $16 {[%csl Rd5]}
) 22. g4 f4 $1 {[]} (22... Qxa2 $2 23. gxf5 $40) 23. Rxf4 (23. Bxf4 Nxd4 $1 24.
Qxd4 Rxc1 25. Rxc1 Bc5 26. Rxc5 bxc5 $15) 23... Bg5 (23... Qxa2) 24. Rf3 (24.
Qf3 Qxa2 $5 25. Rf1 Qb3 $1 26. h4 Bxf4 27. Qxf4 Nd8 $17) 24... Bxe3+ 25. Rxe3
Ne7 $13 (25... Qxa2 26. Qd2 $44)) 21... Qa7 $5 22. g4 b5 {[%cal Ye7d8,Yd8b6]})
21. f5 $36 exf5 ({Here} 21... Qxb2 $2 {loses practically on the spot after} 22.
fxe6 fxe6 23. Qg4 (23. Bh3 Nd8 24. Rxc8 Rxc8 25. Qa4 $1 $18) 23... Nd8 (23...
Nxd4 24. Bxd4 Qxc1 25. Qxe6+ Kh8 26. Rxc1 Rxc1+ 27. Kf2 Rf8+ 28. Ke2 $18) 24.
Bh6 Bf8 (24... g6 25. Rxc8 Rxc8 26. Qf4 $18 {[%cal Rf4f8]}) 25. Bxd5 $1 (25.
Rxf8+ $2 Kxf8 26. Qxg7+ Ke8 27. Rf1 Qxd4+ 28. Kh1 Ra1 $11 {and there is no
mate in sight, so White ashould give one of the numerous perpetuals.}) 25...
exd5 (25... Rxc1 26. Bxc1 Qa1 27. Qf3 $18) 26. Rxc8 Rxc8 27. Qxc8 Qxd4+ (27...
Be7 28. Qd7 $18) 28. Kg2 Qc5 (28... Qe4+ 29. Kh3 $18) 29. Qxd8 gxh6 30. e6 b3 (
30... Qc2+ 31. Kh3 $18) 31. Rxf8+ Qxf8 32. e7 $18) (21... Nd8 22. fxe6 Nxe6 23.
Qf3 $16 {[%csl Rd5,Rf7] regains the pawn with a large advantage, so the text
move is forced.}) 22. b3 $1 ({White rightly strives for more than} 22. Rxf5 Nd8
$1 23. Rxc8 Rxc8 $132) 22... Qa5 $2 {[%mdl 64] A serious error, which could
have run into a hidden tactical refutation.} (22... Nd8 $142 23. Bxd5 Rxc1 24.
Qxc1 Ra5 25. Bc4 $36 (25. Qc7 $6 Rxd5 26. Qxe7 h6 {gives White nothing, only
Black can be on top after} 27. Qxb4 Qc2 $15) {/\} 25... b5 26. Bd5 {gives
White a very promising position, but still not a forced win.}) 23. Qf3 Nd8 24.
Qxd5 $2 {Kramnik returns the favour.} (24. Rxc8 Rxc8 25. Qxf5 Rc7 (25... Ra8
26. e6 $5 (26. Qd7 $16) 26... fxe6 27. Qh5 $40 {/\} Qb5 28. Be4 $1 $18) (25...
Qa8 26. Qd7 Qb7 27. Qe8+ ({More forcing than} 27. Qxb7 Nxb7 28. Bxd5 Nd8 29.
Bc4 $16 {[%cal Yf1a1,Yd4d6] /+-}) 27... Bf8 28. Bh3 Ne6 (28... Ra8 29. Bd7 $18
{[%cal Re5e6]}) 29. Rxf7 $1 Rxe8 30. Rxb7 $18 {[%csl Rb6,Rd5]}) 26. e6 $3 fxe6
(26... f6 27. Bxd5 $18) 27. Qh5 Bf8 (27... h6 28. Qg6 $18 {[%cal Re3h6]}) (
27... g6 28. Qe5 Ra7 (28... Rd7 29. Bh3 $18) 29. Bh6 $18) 28. Qe8 Nf7 29. Qxe6
{[%csl Rd5]} Re7 30. Qf5 $5 {[%cal Rg2d5]} (30. Qxd5 Qxd5 31. Bxd5 g6 32. Bg5
$16) 30... g6 31. Qf6 Qb5 (31... Qa7 32. Bxd5 $18) (31... Rd7 32. Qc6 $18) 32.
Bh6 $1 $18) (24. Qxf5 $2 Rxc1 25. Rxc1 Ne6 $132) 24... Rxc1 25. Rxc1 Qxd5 26.
Bxd5 Ra5 $44 {/+/= Now White has "only" the initiative and indisputable
compensation, but Aronian retains reasonable drawing chances.} 27. Bf3 (27. Bg2
Ra3 (27... f6 $5 28. exf6 Bxf6 29. d5 Ra1 $14) 28. d5 Rxb3 29. Bxb6 Rc3 30. Rb1
Bc5+ 31. Bxc5 Rxc5 32. Rxb4 Kf8 $14) (27. Bc4 Kf8 28. d5 Bc5 $132) 27... Ra3 $5
(27... f6 {seems safer, but the text move is more concrete.}) 28. Rc8 ({
Black has counterplay also after} 28. Rc7 Rxb3 29. Kf2 Rb2+ 30. Ke1 (30. Be2
Bf8 (30... Kf8 31. d5 Bc5 32. Bxc5+ bxc5 33. Rxc5 $36) (30... b3 31. Bc1 $5)
31. d5 b3 32. Rc3 Bb4 33. Rc4 (33. Rc8 Rxe2+ 34. Kxe2 b2 35. Rxd8+ Bf8 36. e6 (
36. Bc5 h5 37. Rxf8+ Kh7 38. e6 fxe6 39. dxe6 b1=Q 40. e7 Qe4+ $11) 36... fxe6
37. dxe6 b1=Q 38. e7 Qc2+ 39. Ke1 Qb1+ 40. Kf2 Qc2+ $11) 33... Bf8 34. Rc3 $11)
30... Rb1+ 31. Kd2 Rb2+ (31... Kf8 $6 32. d5 Rb2+ 33. Ke1 Rb3 34. Kf2 Bc5 35.
Bxc5+ bxc5 36. d6 {[%cal Rc7c8]} Ke8 37. Be2 $1 $18) 32. Kc1 Rb3 33. Bd2 (33.
Rxe7 Kf8 34. Rd7 Rxe3 35. Rxd8+ Ke7 $11) 33... Rxf3 34. Rxe7 Kf8 35. Rc7 (35.
Bxb4 $2 Nc6 $19) 35... Ne6 36. Bxb4+ Ke8 37. Re7+ Kd8 38. Rxf7 (38. d5 Nc5 39.
Bxc5 Rc3+ $1 40. Kd2 Rxc5 41. d6 h5 $11) 38... Nxd4 39. Rxg7 f4 $11) ({White
could have retracted his previous move with} 28. Bd5 $5 Ra5 29. Bg2) 28... Rxb3
29. Kf2 Rc3 (29... Rb2+ {as in the previous note should also hold, a sample
line is} 30. Be2 b3 31. Rb8 (31. d5 $2 Rxe2+ 32. Kxe2 b2 33. d6 Bf8 $1 $19)
31... Rc2 32. Rxb6 b2 33. d5 h6 34. d6 (34. h4 Ba3 35. Rb8 Rc8 $11) 34... Bg5
35. Bxg5 hxg5 36. Ke3 Rc5 37. Rxb2 (37. Rb8 Rxe5+ 38. Kf2 b1=Q $15) 37... Rxe5+
38. Kd4 Nc6+ 39. Kc4 Na5+ 40. Kc3 Kf8 41. Bf3 Ke8 42. Kd4 Kd7 $5 43. Kxe5 Nc4+
$11) 30. Rb8 b3 31. Rxb6 g5 (31... Rc2+ 32. Be2 b2 $11 {tranposes to the above
note}) (31... f6 $5 32. e6 (32. Rxb3 Rxb3 33. Bd5+ Kf8 34. Bxb3 fxe5 35. dxe5
Nc6 $11) (32. exf6 Rc2+ 33. Kg1 Bxf6 $11) 32... Kf8 33. Bd1 Nxe6 $1 34. Bxb3 (
34. Rxe6 Bd8 35. Rd6 Bc7 36. Rd5 b2 37. Rb5 Rc1) 34... Nd8 $11) 32. Rb8 (32.
Bd1 Nc6 33. Bxb3 (33. Rxb3 Rxb3 34. Bxb3 f4 $11) 33... Nb4 $1 34. Ba4 Nd5 $11)
32... Rc4 $6 $138 {[%mdl 4096] Black in time trouble starts making problems
for himself and the endgame becomes very tense.} (32... Rc2+ $142 33. Ke1 (33.
Be2 b2 34. d5 Kg7 35. d6 Bf8 36. Bxg5 Nc6 37. Rb6 Nxe5 $15) 33... b2 34. Bd1
Rxh2 35. d5 f4 36. gxf4 gxf4 37. Bf2 $8 Rh1+ 38. Kd2 (38. Ke2 $2 f3+) 38... Rh2
$11) 33. d5 Rb4 34. Rxb4 Bxb4 35. Bd1 b2 36. Bc2 Nb7 {Very straightforward,
but perhaps simpler was} (36... Bc3 $5 37. Bxg5 f6 38. exf6 (38. Bxf6 Nf7 39.
Bxf5 Bxe5 40. Bxe5 Nxe5 41. d6 h5 42. Ke2 Kf7 $11) 38... Nf7 39. Bf4 Bxf6 $14 {
/=}) 37. Bxg5 Nc5 38. Bxf5 Na4 $5 (38... Nd7 39. Bf4 (39. e6 fxe6 40. dxe6 Nb6
$132) 39... Bc3 40. e6 fxe6 41. dxe6 Ne5 $14 {might still be tenable, but
proceeding with the risky venture turns out to be justified.}) 39. d6 Nc3 (
39... Nc5 40. Be3 $16) 40. d7 Ba5 41. Ke3 (41. d8=Q+ Bxd8 42. Bxd8 b1=Q 43.
Bxb1 Nxb1 44. Ke3 Nc3 45. Kd4 Na4 {doesn't seem to trap Black's knight and
once it returns to the defence, the fortress holds.}) ({An interesting idea is
} 41. Bd2 $5 b1=Q 42. Bxb1 Bb6+ 43. Kf3 Nxb1 44. Bb4 {, paralysing the knight.
However, I haven't been able to find a win after} Kg7 {, for example} 45. Ke4
Kg6 46. Kd5 Kf5 47. Kc6 Bd8 {doesn't achieve any progress.}) 41... f6 (41...
b1=Q $5 42. Bxb1 Nxb1 {/\} 43. Kd3 Nc3 (43... Na3 $2 44. Be7 Nb5 45. Kc4 Na7
46. Kc5 $18 {[%cal Re7d6,Rd6b8]}) 44. Bd2 Na4 $1 45. Bxa5 Nc5+ $11 {seems
simpler}) 42. Bxf6 (42. exf6 b1=Q 43. Bxb1 Nxb1 44. Kd3 (44. d8=Q+ Bxd8 45. f7+
Kxf7 46. Bxd8 Nc3 $11) 44... Kf7 45. Kc2 (45. Kc4 Bd8 46. Kb4 Bc7 {and White's
king can't penetrate without releasing the knight}) 45... Na3+ 46. Kb3 Nb1 47.
Kb2 Nc3 48. d8=N+ Bxd8 49. Kxc3 Bxf6+ 50. Bxf6 Kxf6 51. Kd4 Kf5 52. h3 Kg5 $11
{is a draw - once White doesn't have a pawn on the second rank, he can't win
even if he manages to penetrate with his king to h6, as Black will be able to
regulate the respective position of the kings. For example in this concrete
situation Kh6/Kg8 with White to move is drawn.}) 42... Nd5+ 43. Kd4 Nxf6 44.
exf6 Kf7 45. Bxh7 (45. Ke5 Bc7+ $11 {White can't hold his f6-pawn, so further
simplification is forced.}) 45... Kxf6 46. Kd5 (46. g4 Ke7 47. Bf5 b1=Q 48.
Bxb1 Kxd7 $11 {is a much simpler draw. In this endgame Black holds even if the
pawns reach h6 and g6 - it's enough for him to achieve one of the following
setups: 1) Kf8 and B on the long diagonal 2) Even Kh8 and Bf8 holds, as Black
has either Kg8-h8, or Bxh6 with stalemate motifs. However, here White can't
get so far, as with the king on h8 Black can give up his bishop for the g-pawn.
}) 46... Ke7 47. Kc6 Kd8 48. g4 (48. h4 $6 Be1 {draws immediately, so White
has to allow a blockade.}) (48. Kd6 Bc7+ 49. Ke6 Bb8 $11) 48... Be1 49. h3 Bh4
50. Kd6 Be7+ 51. Ke6 Bh4 52. Bb1 Kc7 53. Be4 Kd8 54. Bc2 Kc7 55. Bb1 Kd8 56.
Be4 Kc7 57. Bd3 Kd8 58. Kd6 Be7+ 59. Ke6 Bh4 60. Bf5 Kc7 61. Kf7 {Kramnik
accepts the inevitable, otherwise White can't make further progress.} b1=Q $8 (
{Black can't afford to lose a tempo,} 61... Kd8 $2 62. Kg6 b1=Q 63. Bxb1 Kxd7
64. Kh5 Be7 65. g5 Ke6 66. Kg6 (66. g6 Bf8 67. Kg5 Bg7 68. h4 Ke7 69. h5 Kf8
70. Ba2 $22 {[%cal Yg5h6,Yh6h7]}) 66... Ke5 67. h4 Kf4 68. Bf5 $8 Bd8 69. Bc8 (
69. Bd7 Be7 70. Kh6 $2 Kg3 71. g6 Bf8+ 72. Kh5 (72. Kg5 Be7+ 73. Kf5 Bf8 74. h5
Kh4 $11)) 69... Be7 70. Bd7 $22 Bd8 (70... Bf8 71. Kf7) 71. Kh6 Kg3 72. g6 Bf6
73. h5 Kh4 74. Be8 $18) {Nevertheless it's still impressive to see how Aronian
after the preceding long and tough fight reels out about a dozen only moves in
a row to save the game.} 62. Bxb1 Kxd7 63. Ba2 {If it were White's move now,
he would win by improving his bishop and then advancing his pawns.} (63. Kg6
Ke7 64. Kh5 (64. g5 Bxg5 65. Kxg5 Kf7) 64... Bf6 65. h4 Kf8 66. g5 Bc3 67. Kg6
Kg8 68. Ba2+ (68. h5 Bd2 {[%cal Rd2g5]}) 68... Kh8 $8 69. Kf7 Bd4 70. h5 Be3
71. g6 Bh6 $11) 63... Kd6 $1 {[]} 64. Kg6 Ke5 $8 (64... Ke7 $2 65. Kh5 Bf6 66.
g5 Bd4 67. h4 {/\} Bf2 68. g6 $18) 65. Kh5 Be7 $8 (65... Bd8 $2 66. g5 Kf4 67.
g6 Bf6 68. Kh6 $18) 66. g5 (66. h4 Kf4 67. g5 Kg3 68. Bc4 Bf8 $1 {transposes
to the game}) 66... Kf4 $8 67. h4 {[%cal Rh5g6]} (67. g6 Bf8 68. Bb1 Bg7 $11)
67... Kg3 $8 68. Bc4 (68. g6 Bf8 69. Kg5 Be7+ 70. Kf5 Bf8 71. h5 Kh4 $11 {
and from a2 the bishop can't protect the Ph5.}) 68... Bf8 $8 (68... Bd8 $2 69.
g6 Bf6 70. Bf1 Kf4 (70... Bg7 71. Kg5 {[%cal Rh4h6]}) 71. Kh6 Kg4 72. h5 Kh4
73. Be2 $18) 69. Be2 Bg7 $1 {[]} 70. Bc4 Bf8 $8 71. g6 {[%cal Rh5g5,Rh4h6]} Kf4
$1 {[]} 72. Ba2 Bg7 (72... Kf5 73. Bb1+ Kf6 $11) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.20"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2747"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Bd2 Nb6 6. e3 Bg7 7. f4 $5 $146 {
[%mdl 8] Another example of a new tendency in super-GM preparation, which
worked brilliantly in Vladimir Kramnik's games against Grischuk, Svidler,
Gelfand: finding new ways at an early stage of the opening and working them
out. In fact, those ways may be quite harmless but the effect of surprise will
play the most important role. Of course, such a huge amount of work 
(essentially just for one or two games!) can only be afforded by top
professionals. The text move prevents ...e7-e5 but slightly compromises
White's centre. However, the usual way for Black to exploit that fact (...
c7-c5) is not very comfortable here.} O-O (7... c5 $5 8. dxc5 N6d7 9. Ne4 $1 {
etc. However, Boris Gelfand renounces ...c7-c5 altogether, certainly fearing
his opponent's preparation. That is one of the important psychological effects
of the above-mentioned concept: most likely, your opponent will opt for a side,
often second-rate line to evade your analysis, thus yielding you both a
positional and a psychological advantage.}) 8. Nf3 Bg4 (8... N8d7 $5 {[%cal
Yc7c5]}) 9. h3 Bxf3 10. Qxf3 c6 $6 ({Here, too,} 10... N8d7 {[%cal Yc7c5]
looks appropriate. White has a lot of possibilities, from} 11. h4 ({via} 11.
Ne4) ({to} 11. b4)) 11. h4 {[%mdl 128] No doubt now! When your opponent waives
counterplay in the centre, it is time for a flank attack!} N8d7 12. h5 e6 (
12... c5 13. hxg6 hxg6 14. Qh3 (14. d5 $5) 14... Re8 15. d5 Nf6 16. e4 $16) 13.
hxg6 hxg6 14. e4 {It was probably better to concentrate efforts on the
kingside:} (14. O-O-O f5 (14... Nf6 15. g4 Nbd5 16. Qh3 {etc.}) 15. g4 Nf6 16.
gxf5 gxf5 17. Rg1 {and only later e3-e4.}) 14... f5 15. g4 ({In the event of} 
15. e5 {Black holds on by means of} Kf7 {[%cal Yf8h8]}) 15... Nf6 16. gxf5 exf5
(16... gxf5 {was probably more accurate.}) 17. e5 Ng4 18. d5 $5 (18. Be3 Qe7
19. O-O-O $16 {was a simpler course. However, breaking through was still a
difficult task.}) 18... cxd5 19. O-O-O d4 20. Nb5 Qd5 21. Qh3 Rfc8+ {Black
misses a good defensive opportunity:} (21... Nf2 $1 22. Qh7+ Kf7 23. Nd6+ Qxd6
$1 24. exd6 Rh8 25. Re1 Rxh7 26. Rxh7 Ne4 {although White keeps some winning
chances after} 27. Ba5 Nxd6 28. Bg2) 22. Kb1 Rc6 23. e6 $2 {An absolutely
wrong sacrifice of this crucial pawn.} (23. Rc1 {was the simplest way to play})
(23. Nd6 {was a more complicated option but apparently clarifying the position
in White's favour:} Rxd6 24. exd6 Nf2 (24... Qxd6 25. Bg2 Nc4 26. Qb3 Qe6 27.
Qxb7 Rd8 28. Qc7 Re8 29. Bc6 $1 Nf2 $1 (29... Rc8 30. Bd5 $1) 30. Bxe8 Nxd2+
31. Rxd2 Qe4+ 32. Qc2 Qxh1+ 33. Qc1 Qe4+ 34. Ka1 Qxe8 35. Rxf2 $16) 25. Qh7+
Kf8 (25... Kf7 $2 26. Rc1 Qxd6 27. Rh6 {[%cal Rh6g6]} Rh8 28. Rc7+ $1 Qxc7 29.
Qxg6+ Kf8 30. Bb4+ $18 {(M.Notkin)}) 26. Qxg6 $1 Nxh1 (26... Qf7 27. Qxf7+ Kxf7
28. Bg2 $16) 27. Re1 $1 {[%cal Re1e7]} Qf7 {(M.Notkin)} 28. Qh7 Re8 $1 (28...
Ng3 $2 29. Bb4 Nd7 30. Re7) 29. Rxe8+ Kxe8 30. Qxh1 {with good winning chances.
}) 23... Qxe6 24. Bg2 Nf2 $1 {After this active move it is Black who plays for
a win.} 25. Qh7+ Kf7 26. Rde1 Qf6 27. Bxc6 bxc6 (27... Nxh1 $2 28. Bb4 $1 Rh8
29. Nd6+ Qxd6 30. Be8+ $1 Rxe8 31. Rxe8 $18 {(M.Notkin)}) 28. Nc7 Rh8 {The
simplest continuation.} (28... Ne4 $5 29. Rxe4 (29. Nxa8 $2 Nxd2+ 30. Kc1 d3
31. Re5 Nbc4) 29... fxe4 30. Nxa8 Nxa8 31. f5 $1 e3 32. fxg6+ Qxg6+ 33. Qxg6+
Kxg6 {(M.Notkin)} 34. Bb4 {, and White should not lose}) 29. Qxh8 (29. Re6 Rxh7
30. Rxf6+ Bxf6 31. Rxh7+ Kg8 32. Rh2 Ne4 33. Kc2 c5 34. b3 {may be a better
way for White to hold on.}) 29... Bxh8 30. Ne8 Nxh1 (30... Qd8 $1 31. Rxh8 Nd5
32. Rh7+ Kg8 33. Rg7+ Kf8 {[%cal Rf2e4]} 34. Rb7 $1 Qh4 $1 (34... Ne4 35. Rh1)
(34... Ne3 $5 35. Nc7 Qd7 $1 36. Rg1 $132) 35. Ng7 Ne4 36. Ne6+ {leads to a
complicated position, in which Black's chances are probably better; however,
Boris Gelfand understandably goes for a simpler option.}) 31. Nxf6 Ng3 (31...
Ng3 32. Nh7 $1 Ne4 33. Ng5+ Nxg5 34. fxg5 {with a roughly equal endgame.})
1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.21"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 {Nowdays, the top players prefer to avoid the
Sveshnikov Variation, which was the surprise weapon of Gelfand against Anand
in their World Championship match last year.} e6 4. O-O ({Next round, Carlsen
tried} 4. Bxc6 bxc6 5. b3 d6 6. O-O Ne7 7. e5 Ng6 8. exd6 Bxd6 9. Nc3 e5 10.
Re1 O-O 11. d3 f5 12. Ba3 Be6 13. Na4 Qe7 14. c4 Rad8 15. Qe2 Bc8 $132 {
Carlsen-Radjabov, London 2013}) 4... Nge7 5. Re1 (5. c3 {is another main line.}
) 5... a6 6. Bf1 d5 7. d3 (7. exd5 {A few rounds later, Carlsen played the old
main line against Gelfand.} Nxd5 8. d4 Nf6 9. Be3 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Bd7 11. c4 Nxd4
12. Bxd4 Bc6 13. Nc3 Be7 14. a3 $1 {White would like to gain some space on the
queenside by playing b4.} a5 {Gelfand considered this and tries to avoid.} 15.
Qd3 $1 {Carlsen prepares to activate his a1 R.} O-O 16. Rad1 Qc7 {Black would
like to finish the development. He only needs to get his f8 R to d8.} 17. Be5
$1 Qb6 18. Qg3 $1 $36 {Carlsen-Gelfand, London 2013; with White's initiative.})
7... d4 {A very logical move. Black has gained some space and closes the
position, because the e1 R is mounting an X-ray attack on his king.} (7... g6 {
has also been tried by Ivanchuk.} 8. exd5 (8. Bg5 Bg7 9. c3 h6 10. Bc1 Qc7 11.
h4 {Zvjaginsev-Ivanchuk, Sochi 2006; with a double-edged fight, but I prefer
Black's position.}) 8... exd5 9. d4 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Bg7 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Bg5 Be6
{and Black looks nicely placed.}) 8. e5 {The correct answer to avoid Black's
e5.} Nd5 9. c4 $146 ({After} 9. Bg5 Be7 10. Bxe7 Qxe7 11. g3 O-O 12. Nbd2 b5
13. h4 Bb7 14. Bh3 h6 15. Nf1 Rfd8 16. N3d2 Rac8 {Sedlak-Goloshchapov, Topola
2004; and Black is OK.}) (9. g3 Be7 10. Bg2 (10. h4 h6 11. c4 {similar to what
happens in the game.} dxc3 12. bxc3 b5 13. c4 Nb6 14. Nc3 bxc4 15. dxc4 {
(Zvjaginsev-Bocharov, Irkutsk 2010)} Qxd1 16. Rxd1 Na5 17. Nd2 Nd7 $13 {
with an unclear position.}) 10... b5 11. Nbd2 Bb7 12. Ne4 h6 $142 {to avoid
Bg5.} ({In the event of} 12... Qc7 13. Bg5 $1 {Good move, White exchanges the
dark-squared bishops, because d6 becomes very weak in Black's position.} O-O (
13... Bf8 {The computer suggests this, but such dirty moves cannot be good.}
14. c4 $1 dxc3 15. bxc3 $36 {with strong initiative for White.}) 14. Bxe7 Ncxe7
15. h4 Rad8 16. a4 {Campora-Granda Zuniga, Sao Paulo 1993; with some pressure.}
)) 9... dxc3 10. bxc3 Rb8 $5 {Gelfand makes a very deep move, which prepares
for b5.} ({Immediately} 10... b5 {could have been met effectively by} 11. c4 $1
Nb6 12. Nc3 bxc4 13. dxc4 Qxd1 14. Rxd1 Be7 (14... Nd7 15. Ne4 Ndxe5 16. Nxe5
Nxe5 17. Bb2 $44 {With nice compensation for the pawn.}) 15. Be3 O-O 16. Ne4
$14 {with a slightly better endgame for White.}) 11. Bb2 b5 {Only now.} 12.
Nbd2 Be7 13. Ne4 O-O 14. Rb1 {Grischuk protects his B and prepares to play c4,
which removes Black's N from the centre.} Nb6 (14... Bb7 15. c4 Nb6 16. Ba1 {
transposes to the game.}) 15. Ba1 {A useful move, which prepares for c4.} Bb7
16. c4 b4 $6 {An ambitious move, but on the other hand, it allows an
interesting tactical reply for White.} (16... bxc4 17. dxc4 Qxd1 18. Rexd1 Nb4
19. Nc3 Bxf3 20. gxf3 g5 $13) 17. Qd2 ({White could gain some initiative by} 
17. d4 $1 cxd4 18. Nd6 $1 Ba8 (18... Bxd6 19. exd6 Qxd6 20. Nxd4 Nxd4 21. Qxd4
Qxd4 22. Bxd4 {+/=/+/- White regains the pawn with the pair of bishops, so
Black faces a very long and unpleasant endgame.}) 19. Nxd4 Nxe5 20. Nxe6 $1
Nf3+ (20... fxe6 21. Bxe5 $36) 21. Qxf3 $1 Bxf3 22. Nxd8 Bxd6 23. Nxf7 $1 Rxf7
24. gxf3 Rxf3 25. Bd4 $14 {and White can hope for some advantage in this
endgame.}) 17... a5 (17... Nd7 18. Qf4 Qc7 19. Qg3 {similar to the game.}) 18.
Qf4 Nd7 {Forced, otherwise Nf6 comes with a destroying sacrifice.} 19. Qg3 Ba8
20. h4 (20. d4 {was also possible here, but after} cxd4 21. Nxd4 Nxd4 22. Bxd4
Bxe4 23. Rxe4 Nc5 24. Rg4 g6 {Black avoids White's attacks; his chances are
not worse.}) 20... a4 21. h5 h6 {It is very important to avoid h6 g6, because
the dark squares may became horribly weak. Now it is difficult to find, how
White can continue his attack.} 22. Qg4 Qc7 23. Nd6 $2 {Grischuk would like to
complicate the position, but Gelfand found the right tactical stroke.} ({
Perhaps} 23. d4 {was the best} cxd4 24. Nxd4 Nxd4 ({after the greedy} 24...
Ncxe5 $6 25. Qg3 {gives some chances.}) 25. Bxd4 Bxe4 $1 {it is very important
to take this attacking N.} 26. Qxe4 Rfd8 27. Bd3 Nf8 $15 {and Black looks
slightly better.}) 23... Ncxe5 $1 24. Nxe5 Nf6 $1 25. Qd1 Bxd6 26. Qxa4 Nxh5
$17 {Black is a healthy pawn up; his position is better.} 27. Qd1 Nf6 28. Ng4 {
White tries to open the long diagonal for the a1 B, which can cooperate well
with the Q.} Nxg4 29. Qxg4 e5 30. f4 Rbe8 31. Re3 f6 {Of course, Gelfand
closed the diagonal, overprotecting his e5 P.} (31... f5 32. Qg6) 32. Rbe1 Qf7
33. f5 Bc6 34. Rh3 Kh7 35. Bb2 Ra8 $1 36. Bc1 Rg8 $6 (36... Rxa2 $1 {Of course,
in a practical game it is very difficult to take this seemingly insignificant
pawn, especially in time trouble, while the opponent attacks our K. Even so}
37. Bxh6 gxh6 38. Rxh6+ Kxh6 39. Re3 Qh5 40. Rh3 Be8 41. Rxh5+ Bxh5 42. Qh4 Ra7
43. Be2 Kg7 44. Qxh5 b3 45. Qg6+ Kh8 $19 {and Black wins.}) 37. Re2 Bf8 38. Rf2
Re8 39. Be2 e4 40. Qh4 exd3 41. Bh5 Re1+ 42. Rf1 Rxf1+ 43. Kxf1 Qe7 44. Rxd3
Qe5 45. Qg4 Be8 $2 (45... Bd6 46. Bf7 Rf8 47. Be6 Kh8 $17) 46. Bg6+ Bxg6 47.
fxg6+ Kh8 48. Rd7 $1 {Now White is very active.} Bd6 49. Bxh6 $1 Qa1+ 50. Kf2
Qxa2+ 51. Kf1 Qb1+ 52. Kf2 Qc2+ 53. Kg1 Qb1+ 54. Kf2 Qb2+ 55. Kf1 {A very
interesting fight. From the 23rd move Black's postiton was clearly better, but
Grischuk took his practical chances and he was able to save the game.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.21"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E01"]
[WhiteElo "2810"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Bd6 6. Bg2 Nbd7 7. O-O O-O 8.
Qc2 c6 9. Nc3 dxc4 10. Rfd1 Qc7 11. Ng5 Be7 12. a4 e5 13. a5 exd4 14. Bf4 Bd6
15. Rxd4 Bxf4 16. Rxf4 h6 17. Nf3 b5 18. axb6 Nxb6 19. Rxf6 gxf6 20. Nd4 Bd7
21. Qd2 Kg7 22. Bxc6 Bxc6 23. Nf5+ Kg6 24. Ra5 Rh8 25. Qd4 Rag8 26. Rc5 Qd7 27.
Qf4 h5 28. Nh4+ Kg7 29. Nf5+ Kg6 30. Nh4+ Kg7 31. Nf5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.21"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 {A perfectly reasonable way of avoiding
the Berlin line, which is one of the main weapons of Aronian.} Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6.
O-O {A very popular line nowadays.} Re8 $5 {A very logical move. Black's idea
is waiting with d6, first a6 Ba4 b5 and in the event of Bc2, Black can
immediately play d5.} (6... d6 {is the main line.}) 7. Nbd2 a6 8. Ba4 b5 9. Bb3
(9. Bc2 d5 {as I mentioned before.}) 9... d6 {Now we have transposed to C78
Arkhangelsk d3 line.} 10. Re1 ({A few months ago Aronian had a blitz game with
} 10. h3 Be6 11. Re1 Bb6 12. Nf1 d5 (12... h6 13. Ng3 Bxb3 14. axb3 a5 15. Nh2
Qd7 16. Ng4 Nxg4 17. hxg4 f6 18. Nf5 Ne7 19. Be3 Bxe3 20. Rxe3 d5 $13 {
Dominguez Perez-Karjakin, Moscow blitz 2009}) 13. Qe2 Na5 14. Bc2 dxe4 15. dxe4
Bc4 16. Qd2 Bxf1 17. Rxf1 Qxd2 18. Nxd2 c5 19. Re1 c4 $11 {Fressinet-Aronian,
Beijing blitz 2012}) 10... Be6 11. Nf1 Bxb3 $146 (11... Bb6 12. h3 {transposes
to 10.h3}) 12. axb3 d5 {This type of position can be reached from the Italian
Game with an extra b5. The a6 P looks a little bit weak, but it's not a real
problem for Black.} 13. Qc2 ({In the event of} 13. Bg5 dxe4 14. dxe4 (14. Bxf6
Qxf6 15. Rxe4 Bb6 {Black looks very nicely placed.}) 14... Qxd1 15. Raxd1 Ng4
$11 {Black can equalise easily.}) 13... h6 14. Ng3 (14. b4 {is also
interesting to avoid a5} Bf8 15. Ng3 {but Black has} a5 {with an equal
position.}) 14... a5 {Now Black has gained some space.} 15. h3 Qd7 16. Be3 Bf8
{is a very ambitious move. Aronian doesn't want to exchange, his B is a very
useful defender on f8 and neutralises Nf5.} 17. Rad1 Rad8 18. Nf5 Qe6 19. g4 {
A little bit risky, but the only plan for the attack.} (19. Bc1 {is also
possible, sometimes threatening with exd5. Probably Radjabov wanted to avoid}
dxe4 20. dxe4 Rxd1 21. Rxd1 Rd8 $11 {and Black could equalise without any
problems.}) 19... dxe4 20. dxe4 Ne7 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 22. Ra1 Ra8 23. c4 b4 24. g5
hxg5 25. Nxg5 Qc8 26. Nxe7+ Bxe7 27. Kh2 Ra6 $1 {A very good move. The
powerful R on a6 can go to the kingside at an important moment...} 28. Rg1 Nd7
29. Qe2 Rg6 {and that moment has arrived.} 30. Qh5 Nf6 (30... Nf8 $1 {was the
best move} 31. Nf3 Rxg1 32. Kxg1 f6 $132 {looks good for Black.}) 31. Qf3 Rh6
32. Ne6 ({After} 32. Nxf7 $5 {White can force a draw} Kxf7 33. Bxh6 gxh6 34.
Qg3 Qd7 35. Qg6+ Ke6 36. Qf5+ Kf7 37. Qg6+ {with perpetual check.}) (32. Ra1 $5
{an unexpected decision, the R suddenly leaves the queenside and attacks
Black's weakest pawn.}) 32... Rh7 33. Ng5 Rh4 {Black is avoiding the
repetition of moves.} 34. Rg2 $6 (34. Ra1 $142 {is also preferable here, just
like two moves before.}) 34... Qd7 35. Rg1 {White tries to hold his position.}
g6 36. Bc1 $6 (36. Ra1 Qd8 $1 37. Rxa5 {a very complicated battle arises after}
Ng4+ $1 38. Kg3 Bxg5 39. Rd5 $1 Bf4+ $1 40. Bxf4 Qf6 $1 41. hxg4 exf4+ 42. Kg2
Kg7 $132 {with strong counterplay for the pawn.}) 36... Qe8 37. Be3 a4 $1 {
Black has protected his king's position so now he can start the breakthrough.}
38. bxa4 Qxa4 39. Bc1 b3 (39... Qc2 {was also strong} 40. b3 Kg7 $15) 40. Qg3
Rh5 41. Qd3 Qc6 42. Be3 Rh4 43. Kg3 Rh8 44. Kh2 Kg7 {Black improves his pieces.
} 45. c5 Qa4 46. Qc3 Re8 47. Qd3 $6 (47. Qxe5 $4 Bd6 $19) ({Maybe} 47. Re1 {
was the best defence.}) 47... Rd8 48. Qc3 Qb5 49. Kg2 (49. Ra1 Rd3 50. Qa5 Qd7
$15) 49... Rd3 $1 50. Qc1 $6 (50. Qxe5 Bd6 $1 51. Ne6+ $1 fxe6 52. Qg5 Rxe3 $1
53. Qxe3 Qxc5 54. Qxc5 Bxc5 55. Rc1 Bd6 $15 {also gives good chances for Black.
}) 50... Nh5 (50... Nd7 $1 {was stronger, but the text move is also very
unpleasant for White.}) 51. Nf3 Qb4 52. Qe1 Qa4 53. Nxe5 $2 {Loses immediately.
} ({After} 53. Qe2 {the fight can continue, but in a practical game it's very
difficult to hold for White.}) 53... Qxe4+ 54. Nf3 Nf4+ 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.21"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2747"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 {A very popular move
nowadays. White would like to avoid some critical lines.} b5 (6... d6 {is
another main move.}) 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 b4 ({The other possibilities are} 8... Rb8
) ({and} 8... Bd7) 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. a5 Be6 11. Nc4 Rb8 {Both players are
following theory. The upcoming positions are considered to be nicely playable
for both sides. All the pieces are on the board, which ensures a complicated
game where the stronger player might try to outplay his opponent with either
colour.} 12. c3 {Svidler had already two games for this. White wants to play
d4 at a good moment, but of course, this requires long preparation.} (12. h3 {
and}) (12. Re1 {was also tried.}) 12... bxc3 13. bxc3 h6 {Typical prophylaxis
against N or Bg5.} (13... Na7 {looks a little weird and could have been met
effectively by} 14. Ng5 $1 Bg4 15. f3 Bh5 (15... Bd7 {would have been met with}
16. f4 $1 $36 {which gives a strong initiative for White.}) 16. Qc2 Nd7 17. Nh3
$1 {Black has managed to avoid the f4 idea, but his bishop on h5 is out of
play, while the knight on h3 is just temporarily misplaced, as it will soon be
improved through f2.} Kh8 18. Ne3 $14 {Svidler-Sargissian, Ningbo 2011}) 14.
Re1 {From the 12th move, White prepares for d4. This time he protects the e4 P.
} Qc8 {Also a usual move, preparing for Rd8.} 15. Bc2 $146 {The first novelty
of the game, White would like to go back with his knight to e3 and then, d4
finally becomes possible.} (15. Ba3 {is the most common move.}) (15. Ba4 {
was played recently in a top game:} Bxc4 16. Bxc6 (16. dxc4 Nxa5 {This is the
difference. That is why Svidler went to c2 with his bishop.}) 16... Bb5 17.
Bxb5 Rxb5 {and Black's position is completely solid. Leko-Adams, London 2012})
15... Rd8 {This is the standard setup and the idea of the previous Qc8 move.
Black would like to play Bf8 and be ready to push d5 at a good moment.} (15...
Bxc4 {was also interesting. Black gives up his strong B to destroy White's P
structure. It is difficult to judge which factor has bigger importance.} 16.
dxc4 Qe6 17. c5 $5 {probably Svidler wanted to play this P sacrifice and play
on the light squares. Black is really missing his bishop here, but on the
other hand, he is a pawn up.} (17. Qe2 Nd7 $1 {and Black drives his N to c5
and it looks nicely placed.}) 17... dxc5 18. Qe2 Rb5 19. Ba4 (19. Bd3 Rxa5 20.
Rxa5 $6 Nxa5 21. Bxa6 $2 c4 22. Bb5 c6 23. Ba4 Nb3 {is forces the take on b3
and Black gains a very unpleasant advanced P.}) 19... Rxa5 20. Nd2 {now the R
can be trapped.} c4 21. Nxc4 Rc5 22. Bb3 Rb8 {and Black has no problem.}) 16.
Qe2 ({In the event of} 16. Ne3 {Black can play immeditely} d5 $1 {with a
promising position.}) 16... Bf8 (16... Bxc4 17. dxc4 Nd7 {was an option again,
but Carlsen preferred to keep his B pair.}) 17. Ne3 $6 {This seems like an
inaccuracy. The last preparation for d4, but this allows Black's strong reply.}
({Immediately} 17. d4 {would have still been too early. Black can play} exd4
18. cxd4 d5 $1 $15 {with a slight advantage.}) ({Probably} 17. h3 {was the
best waiting move, because Black also has difficulties finding a useful move.}
Bxc4 18. dxc4 Nd7 {similar to the previous line.} 19. Ba4 Ne7 20. Be3 Ng6 {
with a double-edged fight.}) 17... d5 $1 {Excellent timing by Carlsen. White's
last N move left the pressure from the important e5 P, so Black can
immediately start the action.} 18. exd5 Nxd5 19. Nxd5 Rxd5 {Black keeps the e5
pawn protected and, at the same time, attacks the pawn on a5.} ({Maybe} 19...
Bxd5 {was slightly better, as the e5 pawn is not really hanging.} 20. Nxe5 Nxe5
21. Qxe5 Re8 $5 ({Black can also force a draw by} 21... Bxg2 22. Kxg2 Re8 23.
Qxe8 Qg4+ 24. Kf1 Qh3+ 25. Kg1 Qg4+ $11) 22. Qxe8 Qg4 $1 {White has to
sacrifice his Q with} 23. Qe4 $1 (23. Re4 $2 Rxe8 $19) (23. f3 $2 Bxf3 $1 $19)
23... Bxe4 24. Rxe4 {Only Black can be better.}) 20. h3 $2 {This typical move
is a mistake. White would like to open the back rank and avoid the pin after
Bg4. The initiative passes to Black and Carlsen does not let it slip away
anymore.} (20. d4 $6 {is not so good, because} exd4 21. Qe4 g6 {and Black has
avoided everything, White cannot continue the attack. For example:} 22. cxd4
Qd8 23. Ra4 Bb4 $15) (20. Ba4 Rxa5 ({after} 20... Nxa5 21. Nxe5 Nb3 22. Bxb3
Rxb3 23. c4 Rd8 {Black is also OK here.}) 21. Bd2 (21. Bxh6 $6 {White would
like to protect the a1 R and threaten Bxc6, but after} Rxa4 $1 22. Rxa4 gxh6
23. Nxe5 Nxe5 24. Qxe5 Bg7 $17 {Black is much better.}) 21... Rc5 22. Bxc6 Rxc6
23. Nxe5 Rcb6 $15 {Thanks to the pair of Bs and passed P, Black looks very
nicely placed.}) (20. c4 Rxa5 21. Rxa5 Nxa5 22. Nxe5 Nb3 23. Bb2 c5 $132 {
and the N goes to d4.}) (20. Qe4 {is an interesting alternative. White would
like to provoke a weakness on the kingside with the threat of d4.} g6 ({On} 
20... f5 {White simply answers} 21. Qe2 {and the e5 P become vulnerable.}) 21.
Ba4 $1 Nxa5 22. Nxe5 Bg7 23. Bf4 $14 {Now the exchange of the a5 pawn for the
e5 one favours White. White seems to have an edge here.}) 20... Bf5 $1 {
A very strong move! Black prevents d4 and can exert pressure on the d3
weakness and soon, the a5 P will be hanging as well.} 21. Rd1 Qe6 22. Bb1 {
Svidler tries to activate his B from a2.} Qd7 $1 {Keeping the pressure on the
d3 P.} (22... Rxa5 {allows some counterplay for White.} 23. Rxa5 Nxa5 24. Ba2 {
getting back the e5 P.}) 23. Be3 e4 $1 (23... Rxb1 {not the best, because} 24.
Raxb1 Bxd3 {and White has} 25. Qa2 $1 {to attack the d5 R.} Rxa5 26. Qxa5 $1
Nxa5 27. Nxe5 Qf5 28. Nxd3 {The two R will give unpleasant counterchanches for
White.}) 24. Nd4 Nxd4 25. Bxd4 $2 {This allowed a tactical blow, which
actually Carlsen judged too risky.} (25. cxd4 {also led to Black's advantage
after} exd3 26. Bxd3 Bxd3 27. Qxd3 Rbb5 $1 $15 {White has serious problems
with the a5 P. Black is clearly better.}) 25... exd3 ({The computer immeditely
finds the strong} 25... Bxh3 $1 26. dxe4 (26. gxh3 {is not possible.} Qxh3 27.
Be3 Bd6 $1 $19) 26... Rg5 27. g3 {This was the critical position where I think
Carlsen missed a winning combination or just did not want to risk a
miscalculation. Black wins after a fantastic tactical blow:} Bg4 $1 28. f3 Rb2
$3 29. Qxb2 Bxf3 {and Black has too many threats. Rxg3, Qh3 and the simple
Bxd1.} 30. Qf2 (30. Rd3 Rxg3+ 31. Kf2 Rg2+ $19) 30... Bxd1 $19 {with an extra
P and a strong attack.}) 26. Bxd3 Bxd3 27. Rxd3 c5 28. Be5 $1 {This was
Svidler's plan, when he took back with the B on d4, but unfortunately for him,
it does not solve the problems.} Rxd3 29. Bxb8 c4 $1 {A great positional move!
Black protects the d3 R, fixes c3 and frees the c5 square for his B, where it
puts very strong pressure on f2. The additional weaknesses on c3 and a5 are
too much for White to hold the position.} 30. Be5 (30. Qe1 {was slightly better
} Bc5 31. Kh2 {followed by Bg3.}) 30... Bc5 31. Rb1 Qd5 $1 {Carlsen activates
his pieces.} (31... Rd2 {was too early} 32. Qxc4 {and Bxf2 is only a check.
There is no reason for Black to hurry with this plan.}) 32. Rb8+ Kh7 33. Qh5 {
Svidler tried the last trap with the threat of Rh8 Kxh8 Qxh6 and mate on g7,
but of course, this doesn't work on this level.} (33. Re8 {was the best chance,
although Black has various ways to remain better here as well.} Qd7 (33... f5 {
is also good to prevent Qe4.}) 34. Ra8 Qe6 {The following line is forced:} 35.
Qe4+ f5 36. Rh8+ $1 Kg6 $1 ({Of course not} 36... Kxh8 $2 37. Bxg7+ $1 $18) 37.
Qf4 Rd1+ 38. Kh2 Bxf2 $1 $17 {and Black is better.}) 33... Qe4 $1 {A cool
defence against the Rh8 and it also creates some threats of destroying White's
position.} 34. Rb2 (34. Rh8+ Kxh8 35. Qxh6+ Qh7 $1 $19) 34... Rd5 $1 {White
cannot avoid losing a piece.} 35. Re2 Qb1+ 36. Kh2 f6 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.23"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E18"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Nc3 Ne4 8. Bd2
Bf6 9. Ne5 $5 {Not really a new move, it had been played almost 30 years ago
in a correspondence game. It came into the limelight only recently, though,
and Aronian had used it last year to get an advantage against Carlsen. So,
hardly a surprise for Grischuk in this game.} (9. Qc2 Nxd2 10. Qxd2 d6 11. Rfd1
Nd7 {Vallejo Pons,F (2629)-Ponomariov,R (2734)/Linares 2003/CBM 094/[Ftacnik] 
(0-1, 53)}) (9. Rc1 {Kasparov,G (2847)-Ponomariov,R (2734)/Linares 2003/CBM
094/[Ftacnik] (1-0, 43)}) 9... Nxc3 10. Bxc3 Bxg2 11. Kxg2 {After a few more
or less forced exchanges, White retains a considerable space advantage and
active pieces. The main question is whether the central knight will prove
effective or just cause problems of stability.} c5 {The most logical way to
question the stability of the knight in the centre.} (11... d6 12. Ng4 ({
Just one week after the main game, White tried:} 12. Nf3 d5 $6 13. Qd3 a5 14.
e4 c6 15. cxd5 exd5 16. e5 Be7 17. h4 c5 18. Ng5 $14 {Wirig,A (2490)-Gajewski,
G (2650)/Deizisau 2013/ (1-0, 65)}) 12... Nd7 13. Qc2 Re8 14. e4 e5 15. d5 g6
$6 {This weakens the dark squares without any reason.} (15... h5 16. Nxf6+ Qxf6
17. f4 Qh6 18. f5 h4 $5 $132) 16. Nxf6+ (16. f4 $5) 16... Qxf6 17. f4 Qg7 18.
b4 $16 {Steigerwald,L-Timar,Z/HUN-ch H488 corr 1984/Corr 2000 (1/2, 35)}) (
11... Bxe5 12. dxe5 Nc6 {is too simplistic to solve Black's problems.} 13. Qd3
d6 14. exd6 Qxd6 15. Qxd6 cxd6 16. Rfd1 $14 {L'Ami,E (2620)-Brunello,S (2488)/
Bratto 2010/CBM 138 Extra (1/2, 74)}) (11... d5 {is the most frequent answer,
but it seems that White has better chances to stabilise in the centre.} 12. Ng4
(12. Qa4 Qe8 13. Qxe8 Rxe8 14. cxd5 exd5 15. e3 a5 $11 {Melkumyan,H (2649)
-Wojtaszek,R (2733)/Germany 2013/CBM 153 (0-1, 46)}) 12... Nd7 (12... Be7 13.
Qa4 c6 14. Ne5 dxc4 15. Qxc4 Qd5+ 16. f3 f6 17. e4 Qxc4 18. Nxc4 Nd7 19. Rfd1
Rfd8 20. Rac1 Rac8 21. Ne3 $14 {Sjugirov,S (2646)-Iturrizaga Bonelli,E (2646)/
Moscow 2013/CBM 152 Extra (1-0, 96)}) 13. Qa4 Be7 14. Rfd1 Nf6 15. Ne5 (15.
Nxf6+ Bxf6 16. Qc6 Qd6 17. Qxd6 cxd6 18. cxd5 exd5 19. Bb4 Rfd8 20. Rac1 a5 21.
Ba3 b5 22. b3 b4 23. Bb2 Rdc8 {In Oms Pallisse,J (2506)-Fluvia Poyatos,J (2490)
/Barcelona 2012/ (1/2, 48) White's advantage proved rather symbolic.}) 15...
Qe8 16. Nc6 Kh8 17. f3 $5 $14 {Aronian,L (2816)-Carlsen,M (2843) Sao Paulo/
Bilbao 2012 (1/2, 44)}) 12. Nf3 $146 (12. Ng4 Bxd4 13. Bxd4 cxd4 14. Qxd4 {
leaves the white knight still looking for a safe location.} Nc6 15. Qd6 f5 (
15... Rc8 16. Rad1 f5) 16. Ne3 (16. Ne5 Nxe5 17. Qxe5 Rc8 18. b3 Rc5 19. Qd6
Qc7) 16... f4 $132 {Bogdanovich,S (2286)-Kravtsiv,M (2516)/Odessa 2008/CBM 123
Extra (0-1, 56)}) ({Maintaining the tension with} 12. Qd2 {allows Black to
equalise at once:} cxd4 13. Bxd4 Nc6 $11) 12... cxd4 {This looks like a well
timed release of the tension.} (12... d6 13. Qd2 Nc6 {may be more principled
abstractly, but White can maintain the initiative with} 14. Rfd1 Qc7 15. d5 $14
) 13. Bxd4 Be7 $5 {In the Hedgehog, the e7-bishop has a clear task: defending
the d6-pawn. Besides, the d4-bishop somewhat stands in the way now, so the
last move cannot be considered a loss of time.} 14. Qd3 d6 15. Qc3 {The only
way to bring some life into the position and prove that the d4-bishop is
active after all.} e5 $1 {The safest defence; it would make litle sense to
weaken the kingside. With the f3-knight far from d5, the central weakness is
not too relevant.} 16. Be3 Nd7 17. Rfd1 Rc8 18. Rac1 f5 {This is double-edged,
but entirely viable. Black creates some sort of kingside threats, but weakens
a few squares in his camp.} ({I would probably have focussed on the d5-square
starting with} 18... Qc7 {planning ...Qb7, ...h6 and ...Nf6 possibly followed
by ...d5.} 19. Qb3 {This way of removing the queen from the c-file looks a bit
artificial, but natural regrouping moves offer Black counterplay:} (19. Nd2
Qb7+ 20. f3 d5) (19. Qd3 Nf6 {[%cal Ge5e4]} 20. Nd2 Qb7+ 21. f3 d5) (19. Qc2 b5
) (19. Bg5 Bxg5 20. Nxg5 Nf6 21. Qf3 Qc6 $11) 19... h6 {/\...Nf6}) 19. b4 Kh8 {
Maybe a bit too modest.} ({In for a penny, he should have gone in for the
pound too:} 19... f4 20. Bd2 Qe8 $132) 20. c5 $1 {A thematic pawn sacrifice.
White opens files on the wing where Black does not have enough pieces.} bxc5
21. bxc5 e4 (21... Nxc5 22. Nxe5 Bf6 23. Bxc5 Bxe5 (23... Rxc5 $2 24. Qxc5 dxc5
25. Rxd8 Bxd8 $8 26. Rxc5 $18) 24. Qa3 Qe7 25. Be3 $14) 22. Nd4 Nxc5 23. Nb5 {
White has consiedereably activated his position. All his pieces are working.
Black's position has somewhat lost its harmony, but the extra pawn helps to
resist the first wave of attack.} Qb6 (23... a6 {leads to a somewhat
unpleasant ending:} 24. Nxd6 Bxd6 25. Bxc5 Rxc5 26. Qxc5 Bxc5 27. Rxd8 Rxd8 28.
Rxc5 g6 29. e3 $14 {Pawns are equal, but White's rook is more active. Black
should probably find a good moment to give up the a6-pawn and place his rook
behind the white a-pawn, but this is a tough decision to make at such an early
stage of the middlegame.} Rd2 (29... Rd7 30. Rc6 a5 31. a4 Kg7 32. Rc5 Ra7 33.
h3 {[%cal Gg3g4]}) 30. Ra5 Rd6 31. h3 {[%cal Gg3g4]}) 24. Qc4 ({Another way of
invading the light squares would be} 24. Rb1 Qa6 25. Qc4 $44) 24... a6 25. Nc3
Qd8 26. Na4 {This will lead to simplifications making Black's defence much
simpler.} ({The c5-knight is not such a threatening piece, so} 26. Nd5 {
makes sense. The following line leads to a similar ending to that from the
previous comment.} Bg5 27. Nf4 Bxf4 28. Bxf4 Nd3 29. Qxc8 Qxc8 30. Rxc8 Nxf4+
31. gxf4 Rxc8 32. Rxd6 {True, White does not have the pawn break g3-g4 anymore,
so Black's chances to reach a draw by giving up the a6-pawn are higher.}) 26...
Nxa4 27. Qxa4 Rxc1 28. Rxc1 a5 29. Qb5 h6 30. Rd1 Bg5 31. Bb6 Qb8 32. a4 f4
$132 {While White was preparing to retrieve the pawn, Black finally launched
his kingside attack.} 33. h4 f3+ 34. exf3 exf3+ 35. Kh2 Bf6 36. Bxa5 Be5 37.
Qxb8 Rxb8 38. h5 (38. Be1 h5 {[%cal Gb8b3,Gb3a3]}) 38... Ra8 39. Rd5 Kg8 40.
Kh3 Kf7 41. Kg4 Ke6 42. Rb5 Bd4 43. Bb6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.23"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2872"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. Bxc6 bxc6 5. b3 {The Anand setup, not easy to
handle with White and maybe too complex for the style of Carlsen, who rarely
embarks such early battles of principle.} d6 (5... e5 6. Nxe5 Qe7 7. Bb2 (7. d4
d6 {Anand,V (2791)-Gelfand,B (2727)/Moscow 2012/CBM 149/[Stohl,I] (1-0, 77)})
7... d6 8. Nc4 d5 {Anand,V (2791)-Gelfand,B (2727)/Moscow 2012/CBM 149/[Kritz,
L] (1/2, 25)}) 6. O-O ({Radjabov must have felt confident about this position,
since he had had it twice recently:} 6. e5 dxe5 7. Nxe5 Qd5 8. Nf3 Qe4+ 9. Kf1
Qf5 10. Nc3 (10. Na3 Nf6 {Grischuk,A (2761)-Radjabov,T (2784)/Moscow 2012/CBM
149/[Kritz,L] (1/2, 41)}) 10... Nf6 11. d3 {McShane,L (2706)-Radjabov,T (2784)/
Moscow 2012/CBM 149/[Radjabov] (0-1, 48)}) 6... Ne7 ({It is instructive to
followe how a living legend fought for the control on the dark squares by
somewhat extravagant means.} 6... e5 7. Re1 g5 8. d3 h6 9. c3 Bg7 10. Na3 Ne7
11. Nc4 O-O 12. Ne3 f5 {This youthful way of playing, with ...f5 and ...g5,
yielded Korchnoi many impressive wins throughout his career; the latest
remarkable example is his win against Caruana in Gibraltar 2011.} 13. b4 f4 $36
{Boehnisch,M (2374)-Kortschnoj,V (2552)/Velden 2009/CBM 129 Extra (0-1, 40)})
7. e5 {This is the modern treatment of the problem of the dark squares in the
centre. There are other ways, though:} (7. d4 cxd4 8. Qxd4 e5 9. Qe3 f6 10. c4
d5 $132 {Dolmatov,S (2550)-Whitehead,J (2325)/Chicago 1983/EXT 99 (1/2, 43)}) (
7. c3 Ng6 8. d4 {Becerra Rivero,J (2480)-Blanco Fernandez,A (2345)/Havana 1994/
EXT 97 (1/2, 61)} cxd4 9. cxd4 Ba6 10. Qc2 Rc8 11. Rd1 Be7 12. Nc3 Qa5 $132)
7... Ng6 8. exd6 Bxd6 (8... e5 {may define the central structure too soon:} 9.
Na3 Bxd6 10. Nc4 $14) 9. Nc3 {Maybe this move is not bad, but in the game
Carlsen will not manage to justify this way of developing the knight. So, I do
not know whether to attach the question mark to the last move or simply to the
whole of the following sequence.} (9. d4 {remains an alternative:} cxd4 $140
10. Qxd4 O-O 11. Ba3) ({but} 9. Na3 O-O 10. Nc4 {looks more flexible. True,
without a pawn on e5, Black can play} Be7 {keeping c5 well defended and
followed by ...f6 and ...e5 later.}) 9... e5 10. Re1 O-O 11. d3 f5 $1 {The
start of a courageous plan; Black does not fear any ghosts. Black has two
relatively weak pawns, on c5 and e5, but he can defend them well enough. White
seems to have comfortable play, but soon he will end up short of constructive
plans.} 12. Ba3 Be6 13. Na4 Qe7 14. c4 Rad8 15. Qe2 Bc8 {Black has completed
his superb regrouping plan and is ready to launch the attack. It looks as if
the colours have been switched, since it is Black who dictates the events
after the opening. Having been outplayed, White needs some tactical
inventiveness to stay in the game, but he will fail here, too.} 16. Qe3 {
Not a good square and area for the queen, that goes without saying.} (16. Rad1
Nf4 (16... e4 17. dxe4 fxe4 18. Qxe4 Qxe4 19. Rxe4 Bxh2+ 20. Kxh2 Rxd1 21. Bxc5
$44) 17. Qc2 Rde8 $36) 16... f4 $5 {[%cal Gc8g4] Not the only possible plan.} (
16... Nf4 17. Bb2 (17. Bxc5 Nxd3 18. Qxd3 Bxc5 19. Qc3 e4 20. Ne5 Bd6 21. Nxc6
Qc7 22. Nxd8 Bxh2+ 23. Kf1 Be5) (17. Nxe5 Nxg2 18. Kxg2 f4 19. Qe4 Bxe5 20.
Qxe5 Qh4 21. Bb2 Qh3+ 22. Kg1 Rf6 $19) 17... e4 18. dxe4 fxe4 19. Qxe4 Nh3+ 20.
Kf1 Qg5 $5 21. Re2 (21. Nxg5 Rxf2#) (21. Re3 Nxf2 22. Kxf2 Bxh2 $40) 21... Rxf3
22. Qxf3 Bg4 $40) 17. Qe4 $6 {Playing with fire again. This square is supposed
to be left available for the knight.} (17. Qe2 Bg4 18. h3 Bh5 19. Qe4 {At
least now there is some stability for the queen in the centre.}) 17... Kh8 {
Unnecessarily cautious, but good enough. The attack is very much on still.} (
17... Rf5 $5 18. Rad1 Nh4 (18... Rh5 19. d4 cxd4 20. Nxd4) 19. h3 Rh5 20. Nxh4
Qxh4 21. Qf3 Rg5 22. Kf1 Rf8 $40 {/\...Rf6, /\...Rg3, /\...Rxg2!?}) 18. Rad1
Bg4 19. Rd2 Bxf3 {The problem with this plan is that White has chances to
consolidate on the light squares if he does not get killed by the attack.} 20.
Qxf3 Nh4 21. Qe4 $2 {But this loses at once, or should have done so...} ({
He should have defended the h3-c8 diagonal with} 21. Qg4 {, although the
position reemains dangerous after} Rf5 $40 {/\...Rdf8, ...h5}) 21... f3 22. g3
Ng2 $19 23. Nc3 (23. Red1 Qe6 $19 {[%cal Ge6h3]}) 23... Qe6 $2 {Offering White
an unexpected chance to stay in the game.} (23... Nxe1 24. Qxe1 Bc7 {[%cal
Gc7a5]} 25. d4 Qf7 $19 {Black is an exchange up and keeps mating threats. I
doubt that even a player with Carlsen's survival skills would have continued
playing on in this position.}) 24. Re3 $3 $17 {[%csl Gf3]} Nxe3 25. fxe3 {
Suddenly, White has got some space and stability on the light squares. He
should lose, of course, but Black still needs to find a constructive plan for
breaking open the fortress.} f2+ $2 $15 {Hallucinating. There is no attack
after this and White is more or less OK with one pawn for the exchange.} 26.
Rxf2 Rxf2 27. Kxf2 Rf8+ 28. Ke2 Qh3 29. Qh1 Be7 30. Ne4 Qg4+ 31. Kd2 Qh3 32.
Ke2 h5 33. Bb2 Qg4+ 34. Kd2 Qh3 35. Ke2 Qg4+ 36. Kd2 Qh3 37. Ke2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.23"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E54"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2810"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 c5 8. O-O
cxd4 9. exd4 b6 10. Qe2 Bb7 11. Bg5 Nbd7 12. Rac1 Qb8 {This old move has been
recently reintroduced into GM practice.} (12... Rc8 {and}) (12... Bxc3 {
are main continuations.}) 13. Rfd1 {Or else:} (13. Ne5 $6 Nxe5 14. dxe5 Bxc3
15. Bxf6 (15. bxc3 Ne4 16. Bf4 Rc8 (16... Qc7 17. Bd3 f5 18. Bxe4 fxe4 19. Be3
Rac8 20. Qb2 Qc4 21. Qa3 Qa6 22. Qb2 Bd5 $36 {0-1 (42) Gonzalez Zamora,J (2552)
-Onischuk,A (2687) Monterrey 2010}) 17. f3 Qc7 18. Bd3 Nxc3 19. Qc2 Qc5+ 20.
Kh1 Qd4 21. Bxh7+ Kh8 $17 {0-1 (40) Novkovic,M (2406)-Luther,T (2544) Austria
2001}) 15... gxf6 16. Rxc3 Qxe5 17. Re3 Qf4 18. Bd3 Rfd8 19. Rg3+ Kf8 20. Bxh7
Rac8 $5 $36 (20... Ke7 $13 {1-0 (66) Gamboa,N (2380)-Zelcic,R (2585) Elista
1998})) (13. Rfe1 {Not the best square for the rook.} Bxc3 (13... Rc8 14. Bd3
Bxc3 15. bxc3 Qd6 (15... Nd5 16. Qd2 Qd6 17. c4 N5f6 18. Ne5 Nxe5 19. dxe5 Qc6
20. f3 Nd7 21. Be7 Re8 22. Bd6 $14 {1/2 (29) Portisch,F-Dely,P Kecskement 1975}
) 16. Ne5 h6 17. Nxd7 Nxd7 $11 {1-0 (54) Andreikin,D (2700)-Ovetchkin,R (2501)
Tyumen 2012}) 14. bxc3 Ne4 (14... h6 15. Bh4 Qf4 16. Bg3 Qg4 17. Bd3 Nh5 18.
Qe3 Nxg3 19. hxg3 Rfd8 20. Red1 Rac8 $11 {1/2 (39) Donner,J-Barcza,G Amsterdam
1964}) 15. Be7 Re8 16. Ba3 Qf4 17. Bb5 Rad8 18. Qe3 Qxe3 19. Rxe3 a6 20. Bd3
Nef6 21. c4 {1/2 (74) Hammer,J (2647)-Sethuraman,S (2545) Moscow 2011} Bxf3 $1
22. gxf3 (22. Rxf3 $2 e5) 22... Nb8 $11) (13. Bd3 $5 h6 14. Bh4 Nh5) 13... Rc8
(13... h6 14. Bh4 (14. Bd2 Bd6 15. Ba6 Rd8 16. Re1 Bxa6 17. Qxa6 Qc8 18. Qe2
Qb7 $15 {0-1 (33) Hertneck,G (2539)-Bologan,V (2700) Saint Vincent 2005}) 14...
Nh5 {1-0 (37) Giorgadze,G-Izeta Txabarri,F (2380) Euskadi 1991} (14... Qf4 15.
Bg3 Qf5 16. Bd3 Qh5 17. Nb5 Nd5 {1/2 (20) Hansen,L (2574)-Akopian,V (2698)
Novi Sad 2009} 18. a3 Be7 19. Nc7 $16) 15. d5 $5 $36) (13... Bxc3 14. bxc3 Ne4
$5 {R.Giese} (14... Rc8 15. Bd3 h6 $1 (15... Nd5 16. Qd2 h6 $2 17. Bxh6 $1 gxh6
18. Qxh6 $18 {->1-0 (34) Lalic,B (2590)-Izeta Txabarri,F (2495) Benasque 1995
CBM 050 [Giese]}) 16. Bd2 (16. Bh4 Nh5) 16... Qd6 $11) (14... Be4 15. Ba6 Qc7
16. c4 h6 17. Bh4 Bb7 18. Bb5 Qf4 19. Bg3 Qe4 20. Qxe4 Bxe4 {1/2 (28) Taimanov,
M (2580)-Barcza,G (2460) Brno 1975} 21. Nd2 $14) 15. Be7 Re8 16. Ba3 Rc8 17.
Bb2 Nd6 18. Bd3 b5 $11) 14. Bd3 Bd6 15. g3 a6 16. Bxf6 Nxf6 17. Ne4 Rxc1 18.
Rxc1 Ne8 $4 {[%mdl 16384] Black has levelled the game but now makes a nervous,
extremely bad move.} (18... Nxe4 19. Bxe4 h6 $11) (18... Qd8 $5 $11) (18... Be7
$11) 19. Ned2 $4 {Amnesty! A lot of commentators including GMs M.Golubev and S.
Shipov, indicated that White could have got a big advantage after both} (19.
Neg5 h6 (19... g6 20. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 21. Ng5+ Kf6 (21... Kg7 22. Qxe6 $18) 22.
Qxe6+ Kxg5 23. Qh3 $1 {[%cal Rh3h4]} Kf6 (23... h5 24. Qe6) 24. Qxh7 $18) 20.
Bg6 $1 Bxf3 (20... hxg5 21. Nxg5 fxg6 (21... Kf8 22. Bxf7) 22. Qxe6+ Kh8 23.
Qh3+ Kg8 24. Qh7+ Kf8 25. Qh8+ Ke7 26. Qg8 $1 Kd8 27. Qe6 $18) (20... fxg6 21.
Qxe6+ Kh8 22. Nf7+ Kh7 23. Nh4 Nf6 24. Nxd6 $16) 21. Bxf7+ Kf8 22. Qxf3 hxg5
23. Bxe6+ Nf6 24. Rc8+ Qxc8 25. Bxc8 Rxc8 26. Qb7 Rc1+ 27. Kg2 Bc7 28. Qxa6 $16
) ({and, even simpler,} 19. Nfg5 $1 h6 (19... Bxe4 $2 20. Bxe4) (19... g6 20.
Nxf7 Kxf7 21. Ng5+ {- see above}) 20. Qh5 $1 hxg5 21. Nxg5 Nf6 22. Qxf7+ Kh8
23. Nxe6 Qg8 24. Qxb7 Rb8 25. Qxg7+ Qxg7 26. Nxg7 Kxg7 27. Rc6 Rd8 28. Bxa6 {
with five pawns for a piece.}) 19... Qd8 {Now the position is equal again.} 20.
Be4 Rc8 21. Qf1 Rxc1 22. Qxc1 Qc8 23. Qc3 Nf6 24. Bxb7 Qxb7 25. Ne5 Nd5 26. Qc6
Qxc6 27. Nxc6 Kf8 28. Nc4 Bc7 29. Ne3 Nxe3 30. fxe3 Bd6 31. Ne5 Bxe5 32. dxe5
Ke7 33. Kf2 Kd7 34. e4 Kc6 35. Ke3 Kc5 36. Kd3 {Black can't break through on
the queenside.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.23"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C45"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 (4... Bc5 {is another main line.})
5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8. c4 Ba6 (8... Nb6 {was also tried in some
games among top players, for example:} 9. Nc3 Bb7 {Planning g6.} ({The
immediate} 9... g6 {could have been met by} 10. Ne4 $1 $36) 10. Bd2 (10. Bf4 g6
$13 {Nepomniachtchi-Kramnik, Wijk aan Zee 2011}) 10... g6 (10... Qe6) (10...
O-O-O) 11. Ne4 O-O-O 12. a4 Ba6 13. Qe3 $1 Qxe5 $1 14. Bc3 Bb4 $1 15. Bxb4 Rhe8
{was a very interesting battle between Shirov-Kramnik, Wijk aan Zee 2011.}) 9.
g3 (9. Nd2 {is another possible line,}) ({and} 9. b3 g6 10. g3 {transposes to
the game.}) 9... g6 10. b3 Bg7 11. Bb2 O-O-O (11... O-O {is much more popular.}
) 12. Bg2 Rhe8 13. O-O Bxe5 14. Qxe5 (14. Bxe5 Qxe5 15. Qxe5 Rxe5 {is the same
as in the game.}) 14... Qxe5 15. Bxe5 Rxe5 16. cxd5 Bxf1 17. Kxf1 cxd5 18. Nc3
c6 {Nothing really new has happened so far. Both players are following theory.
We have a very interesting endgame. Black has two R and two P against the N+B.
The position is very tricky. Engines consider to be to Black's advantage, but
by human measures, thanks to the active white pieces, the fight is completely
double-edged.} 19. Rc1 (19. Ne2 Kc7 20. Nf4 Kd6 21. Nd3 Ree8 22. Rc1 a5 23. h4
Rb8 24. Bf3 h6 25. h5 g5 26. g4 {1/2 R.Mamedov-Ragger, Heraklio 2004}) 19...
Kb7 {This is more ambitious} ({than} 19... Kb8 {, but there is no serious
difference.} 20. Na4 (20. Bf3 Rde8 21. h4 h6 22. Na4 Kc7 23. Nc5 Kd6 24. Nb7+
Kc7 25. Nc5 Kd6 26. Nb7+ {1/2 Relange-V.Mikhalevski, Budapest 1996}) 20... Re7
21. Bf3 Rde8 22. h4 Rg8 23. b4 Rc8 24. Nb2 Rc7 25. Nd3 Kc8 26. Rc3 Kd8 27. Ra3
Re8 28. Nc5 {It looks as if White gets the maximum, gains some space, but
thanks to the strong P structure, Black has no real weakness, where White
could exert some pressure.} Ke7 29. g4 h6 30. Re3+ Kd8 31. Ra3 Ke7 32. Be2 Kf8
33. Bf3 {1/2 Macieja-Grabarczyk, Plock 2000 1/2 Macieja-Grabarczyk, Plock 2000}
) 20. Na4 a5 (20... d6 21. Nb2 Re7 (21... Rde8 22. Bf3) 22. Nd3 a5 (22... Rc7 {
(Ashley-D.Fernandez, Philadelphia 2001)} 23. Nb4 $1 a5 24. Nxc6 Rxc6 25. Bxd5
Rdc8 26. Ke2 Kb6 27. Bxc6 Rxc6 28. Rxc6+ Kxc6 29. Kd3 Kc5 30. Kc3 $18 {with a
winning P endgame.}) 23. b4 {and Black faces more difficulties.}) 21. Bf3 Kc7
$146 {The first novelty.} ({After} 21... f5 {Black creates an unnecessary
weakness on the e5 square, which will be a nice place for White's N.} 22. h4
Re7 23. Nc5+ Kb6 24. Nd3 Ra8 25. Be2 Ra7 26. f4 Re4 27. Nc5 Re7 28. Kf2 Ra8 29.
Bf3 Rae8 30. Nd3 Ra8 31. Ne5 {The N has reached e5, but now it has left the
queenside.} a4 32. b4 a3 $132 {with some counterplay, Arzumanian-Chudinovskih,
Pardubice 2006}) 22. Nc5 Ree8 23. Rc2 Ra8 24. Rd2 Re7 {Black's central P
structure is very strong and completely restricts White's pieces. On the other
hand it isn't so easy to move these P, because they can become weak very
quickly. So Svider decided to hold his position and make some manoeuvres with
his R. A draw will occur soon.} 25. Rd4 Rae8 26. Nd3 g5 27. Ra4 Kb6 28. Rd4 Kc7
29. Ra4 Kb6 30. Rd4 Kc7 {A very stable endgame line with both colours, from
the 18th moves almost all the games are very similar.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.24"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2872"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. d4 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. Qxc4
b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. Bd2 Bd6 11. a3 {Since Black's last move (quite fashionable
nowadays) does not contribute to the development directly, White thinks he can
afford to play some pawn moves before making up his mind with respect to the
b1-knight.} Nbd7 12. b4 (12. Ba5 {Cheparinov,I (2689)-Atalik,S (2603)/Burgas
2012/CBM 151/[Atalik,S] (1-0, 44)}) 12... Ra7 {Preparing a typical regrouping
with ...Qa8, aimed at putting pressure on the long diagonal and the a-file at
the same time.} (12... Nb6 13. Nc3 Nbd5 (13... Nc4 14. e4 $5) 14. Na2 Nb6 15.
Nc3 Nbd5 16. Nxd5 Nxd5 $2 (16... Bxd5 {may be slightly worse, but entirely
playable.}) 17. Qe4 $2 {Too modest.} (17. Ng5 $1 g6 18. Ne4 $16 {[%csl Gc5,Gf6,
Gh6]}) 17... h6 18. Ne5 Rb8 19. Qc2 Bxe5 20. dxe5 Qe7 21. e4 Nb6 22. Be3 $14 {
Leko,P (2735)-Karjakin,S (2780)/Wijk aan Zee 2013/CBM 153 (1/2, 38)}) (12...
Be4 13. Qb2 Bd5 14. Bg5 Qb8 15. Bxf6 Nxf6 16. Nc3 a5 {Quite ambitious, but not
really necessary.} (16... Bb7 17. Nd2 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 a5 19. Nde4 Nxe4 20. Nxe4
axb4 21. axb4 Ra4 $132 {Black's play along the a-file compensates for the
backward c-pawn.}) 17. Nxd5 exd5 18. Ne5 axb4 19. axb4 Ra4 20. Nc6 {Quite a
good square for the knight, but White still needs to stabilise the position
and create some targets.} Qa8 $6 ({A more harmonious and effective regrouping
would have been} 20... Qb7 21. Rfc1 Rfa8 $11) 21. Rfc1 Rxa1 22. Qxa1 Qa4 23.
Qc3 $14 {Laznicka,V (2701)-Bruzon Batista,L (2682)/Poikovsky 2011/CBM 145 (1-0,
43)}) 13. Nc3 (13. a4 {gains some space but also helps Black get rid of a
potential queenside weakening.} bxa4 14. Rxa4 Qa8 15. Na3 Ne4 16. Rb1 Nxd2 17.
Qxd2 Rb8 18. Nc4 Nb6 19. Nxb6 cxb6 20. Rba1 Rc8 21. Ne1 {1/2 Gelfand,B (2756)
-Granda Zuniga,J (2644)/Lugo 2009/CBM 133}) 13... Qa8 14. Nh4 Bxg2 15. Nxg2 c6
$146 {Once the bishops have been exchanged, this is quite logical. Black
focuses on ...a5.} (15... e5 {does not quite solve all the problems, since the
queenside pieces remain slightly strangely placed:} 16. Be3 Rb7 17. Rfd1 $14 {
Cheparinov,I (2710)-Harikrishna,P (2692)/Leon 2012/EXT 2013 (1/2, 33)}) 16.
Rac1 $6 {This does not cross Black's plans in either way.} (16. Ne4 $5 Nxe4 17.
Qxe4 Rc8 18. Rfc1 {[%cal Gg2f4,Gf4d3,Gg2e1,Ge1d3] would allow White to keep
the queenside immobile, with chances to get an advantage in the long run. With
the a3-pawn defended,} a5 $6 {may cause Black some problems after} 19. bxa5 $1)
16... a5 17. Ne4 Nxe4 18. Qxe4 Rc8 19. Nf4 axb4 20. Bxb4 ({White could still
keep the queenside blocked, but this would allow Black active play along the
a-file:} 20. axb4 Nf6 21. Qb1 Ra3 22. Nd3 Qa7 23. e3 Ne4 24. Rfd1 {[%cal Gd2e1]
}) 20... c5 21. Qxa8 Raxa8 22. dxc5 Bxc5 $11 {The position is plain equal now.
The game will end up in the same way as the first encounter between the same
players: a knight ending with equal pawns and symmetrical structure! Good
fighting spirit, but not really thrilling.} 23. Nd3 Bf8 24. Rxc8 Rxc8 25. Rb1
Ra8 26. Bxf8 Kxf8 27. Rxb5 Rxa3 28. g4 h6 29. h4 Ra2 30. Kf1 Ra1+ 31. Kg2 Ra2
32. Kf3 Ra3 33. Kg3 Ra2 34. e3 Rd2 35. Nf4 g6 36. g5 hxg5 37. hxg5 Ke7 38. e4
Rc2 39. f3 Rc5 40. Rxc5 Nxc5 41. Ng2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.24"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B35"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 {Perhaps Vassily wanted
to avoid the Maroczy System in the event of 4...g6 5.c4. However, this line
looks a little bit weird, it could have been met effectively by 6.Nxc6.} 6. Be3
(6. Nxc6 {looks very attractive} bxc6 ({if} 6... dxc6 $6 7. Qxd8+ Kxd8 8. Bc4
Ke8 9. e5 Nd7 10. f4 {The computer considers the position to be absolutely
equal, but by human measures, in my view, it is more pleasant for White.}) 7.
e5 Ng8 8. Bc4 Bg7 9. Qf3 $1 {forces some weaknesses in Black's position.} f5
10. Bf4 e6 11. O-O-O {White has a huge advantage in development, and} (11. O-O
{is also nice.})) 6... Bg7 {Now one of the main line has arisen.} 7. Bc4 Qa5 (
7... O-O {is more popular.}) 8. O-O O-O 9. Bb3 (9. Nb3 {is another main line.})
9... d6 10. Nd5 {A rare, but ambitious move.} (10. h3 {is more popular amongst
the top players, for example:} Bd7 11. Re1 Rfc8 12. Qe2 Qh5 13. Nf3 h6 14. Rad1
g5 15. Nd5 Nxd5 16. Bxd5 $1 Bxb2 17. Rb1 Bc3 $1 18. Rxb7 Bxh3 19. Nxg5 $1 Qxe2
20. Rxe2 Bg4 21. Nf3 e6 22. Bxc6 Rxc6 23. Bxh6 {Carlsen-Radjabov, Medias 2010;
with a slight advantage.}) (10. f3 {was also played. This is a slightly
strange Dragon in which White has castled on the kingside.}) 10... Re8 {
A cold-blooded answer.} ({The natural} 10... Nxd5 {is also possible} 11. exd5
Ne5 (11... Nxd4 12. Bxd4 Bf5 13. Bxg7 Kxg7 14. Re1 $14 {Hrabusa-Petrik, Banska
Stiavnica 2010. Thanks to the d5 P White has gained some space.}) 12. h3 Nd7 $5
{A very strange move, because the e5 N looks the only active piece in Black's
position and suddenly he retreats with it. But if we analyse deeply, that N
can be in trouble after f4.} 13. c3 Nf6 14. c4 Bd7 15. Qd3 (15. Re1 Rfe8 16.
Bd2 Qc5 17. Bc3 a6 18. Rc1 {+/=/= Williams-N.Pert, Canterbury 2010}) 15... Rfc8
16. Rfe1 Kf8 {(Bazeev-Gladyszev, St Petersburg 2011)} 17. Re2 $14 {and White
can improve his position.}) 11. Nxf6+ Bxf6 12. c3 Ne5 {The plan is Ng4.} (12...
Bd7 13. f4 Qc7 (13... Nxd4 14. Bxd4 ({after} 14. cxd4 {Black could equalise in
the game.} e6 15. e5 Bg7 16. Rc1 Bc6 17. Qd3 Rac8 18. Rfd1 Bd5 $11 {Basov-Hase,
corr 2003}) 14... Bxd4+ 15. Qxd4 Qc5 16. Rad1 Bb5 17. Rf2 Qxd4 18. Rxd4 Kg7 19.
e5 dxe5 20. fxe5 f6 $5 (20... f5 {(Pavasovic-Barle, Bled 2008)} 21. Bd5 $14))
14. Qf3 ({The computer suggests} 14. Nb5 Qd8 15. Qd2 a6 16. Na3 {but this is
not a human plan to transfer the N from d4 to a3.}) 14... Na5 15. f5 Nxb3 16.
axb3 Kh8 {A strange move, but it is not so easy to find a useful plan for
Black.} 17. fxg6 fxg6 18. Qg3 $14 {Philippe-Maze, Belfort 2012; with slightly
better chances for White.}) 13. h3 Qa6 $5 {A very interesting move connected
with the next move.} 14. Nc2 Nd3 $146 {The first new move in the game, Black
immediately tries to exploit White's weak squares.} (14... Qc6 $6 15. Nb4 $1 (
15. Bd5 Qc7 16. Qe2 Be6 17. Bxe6 fxe6 18. Nd4 Qc8 19. Rad1 $14 {Lacasa
Diaz-Raineri de Luca, Sitges 2002}) 15... Qxe4 16. Bd5 Qf5 17. f4 Nc6 18. Nxc6
bxc6 19. Bxc6 $16) 15. Qf3 (15. Qd2 $5 {was also interesting} Nxb2 $2 16. Nb4
Qa3 17. Rab1 Na4 18. Nc2 $18) 15... Be6 ({Here also} 15... Nxb2 $2 {is too
dangerous, because} 16. Nb4 Qa5 17. Nd5 $18) 16. Bd4 ({In the event of} 16.
Bxe6 fxe6 {is not a real weakness in Black's position.}) 16... Bxd4 17. Nxd4
Bc4 18. Rfb1 $5 {A very creative idea, White had to protect the b2 P and we
will see a few moves later, the R on a1 can be very useful.} Ne5 19. Qe3 Bxb3 (
{I think} 19... Rac8 {is more logical, because now the a1 R is out of play.})
20. axb3 {Now we can understand 18.Rfb1.} Qb6 21. Ra3 a6 22. Rd1 Rac8 23. Nc2
Qxe3 24. Nxe3 {This endgame gives a slight advantage for White and in a
practical game it is easier to play.} Nd7 25. f3 Kf8 26. Kf2 Rc6 27. g4 e6 28.
h4 Ke7 29. Ra5 Rec8 30. Kg3 h6 31. Rd2 Nc5 32. Ra3 a5 {An unexpected decision.
Black doesn't want to allow b4, but the a5 P and the b5-square can be a
weakness later.} 33. Nc2 $1 {Immediately heading to b5 square.} Ra6 34. Rd1
Rca8 35. Nd4 Kd7 36. Nb5 e5 $2 $138 {A mistake in big time trouble.} (36... Rb6
{was the best and after} 37. c4 a4 {and maybe Black can hope for some
counterplay.}) 37. b4 $1 axb4 38. cxb4 Ne6 39. Nxd6 {And here Ivanchuk lost on
time, but the position is already bad.} (39. Nxd6 Ke7 (39... Rxa3 40. bxa3 Nd4
41. Nb5 Ke7 42. Nxd4 exd4 43. Rxd4 Rxa3 44. Rd5 $16 {very close to a winning
endgame.}) 40. Nc4 f6 41. Rd5 $16) 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.24"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2810"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[Annotator "Kramnik,V"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 c5 8.
Be3 Qa5 9. Qd2 Nc6 10. Rc1 cxd4 11. cxd4 Qxd2+ 12. Kxd2 O-O 13. d5 Rd8 {
This position used to be very popular some 10 years ago, after my match with
Kasparov in 2000. Die Stellung war vor etwa 10 Jahr populär, nach meinem Match
mit Kasparov im Jahr 2000.} 14. Kc2 {A new idea, which I had been studying
already more than 10 years ago, but for some reason decided to play it only
much later. There were a lot of games played with 14.Ke1, but it seems that,
according to modern theory, Black finally managed to find a way to equalise.
Eine neue Idee, die ich bereits vor mehr als 10 Jahren studiert hatte, aber
aus irgendeinem Grund beschloss, sie erst viel später zu spielen. Es gab eine
Menge Partien mit 14.Ke1, es scheint aber, laut moderner Theorie, dass es
Schwarz endlich gelungen ist, einen Weg zum Ausgleich zu finden.} (14. Ke1 {
Here are my games played with this move, all of the them played just after the
above mentioned match in the first half of 2001. Hier sind meine Partien mit
diesem Zug, sie alle wurden direkt nach dem erwähnten Match in der ersten
Hälfte des Jahres 2001 gespielt.} Na5 (14... Ne5 15. Nxe5 Bxe5 16. f4 Bd6 17.
Kf2 e5 18. Bc5 Bxc5+ 19. Rxc5 exf4 20. Kf3 Bd7 21. Bd3 Rac8 22. Rhc1 g5 23. Rc7
Rxc7 24. Rxc7 Ba4 25. Kg4 h6 26. Rxb7 Rd7 27. Rb4 Bd1+ 28. Kf5 Kg7 29. h4 f6
30. hxg5 hxg5 31. e5 fxe5 32. Kxe5 f3 33. gxf3 Bxf3 34. d6 Rd8 35. Bf5 Bc6 36.
d7 Rf8 37. Rd4 {1-0 Kramnik,V (2770)-Leko,P (2743)/Budapest 2001/CBM 081/
[Krasenkow]}) 15. Bg5 Bd7 16. Bd3 Rdc8 17. Ke2 e6 18. Rxc8+ (18. Be3 exd5 19.
exd5 b6 20. Ba6 Rd8 21. Rhd1 Bc8 22. Bxc8 Raxc8 23. Rxc8 Rxc8 24. Nd4 Bf8 25.
Nb5 a6 26. d6 Rc2+ 27. Kd3 Rxa2 28. d7 Nb7 29. Nc3 Rb2 30. Nd5 Rb5 31. Kc2 Bc5
32. Bh6 f6 33. Nc7 {1-0 Kramnik,V (2772)-Van Wely,L (2700)/Wijk aan Zee 2001/
CBM 081/[Krasenkow]}) 18... Rxc8 19. Rc1 Rxc1 20. Bxc1 exd5 21. exd5 b5 22. Bf4
Nc4 23. Bxc4 bxc4 24. Be5 Bf8 25. Nd2 Bb5 26. Ne4 f5 27. Nc3 Bd7 28. Ke3 Bc5+
29. Bd4 Bb4 30. Be5 {1/2-1/2 Kramnik,V (2797)-Kasparov,G (2827)/Astana 2001/
CBM 084/[Krasenkow]}) 14... Ne5 {After a period of deep thought Peter chooses
a safe, but slightly passive option. Nach einigem tiefen Nachdenken wählt
Peter eine sichere, aber leicht passive Option.} (14... Na5 {is much more
principled, but I guess my opponent wanted to avoid sharp lines, knowing that
I had studied them with the computer engines. Here is the only game played
with 14.Kc2 before (no doubt, there will be quite a few after), but White's
play was rather weak there. I believe I would have done better. ist viel
prinzipieller, aber ich schätze, mein Gegner wollte scharfe Abspiele vermeiden
in dem Wissen, dass ich sie mit den Computerengines analysiert hatte. Hier ist
die einzige zuvor mit 14.Kc2 gespielte Partie (zweifellos wird es danach eine
ganze Reihe geben), allerdings war das Spiel von Weiß dort recht schwach. Ich
glaube, ich hätte es besser gemacht.} 15. Nd2 Bd7 16. Kb1 e6 17. Nc4 b6 18. Bg5
f6 19. Bf4 exd5 20. Nxa5 bxa5 21. exd5 Bf5+ 22. Kb2 Be4 23. Rc5 f5+ 24. Kb3
Rdc8 25. Bc7 Bd4 26. Rc1 Bxd5+ 27. Bc4 Rab8+ 28. Bxb8 Rxb8+ 29. Ka3 Bc5+ 30.
Ka4 Rb4+ 31. Kxa5 Rxc4 32. Kb5 Rxc1 33. Rxc1 Bxf2 34. Rc2 Be3 35. a4 f4 36. a5
Be4 37. Rb2 Kg7 38. Kc4 Kf6 39. a6 h5 {0-1 Heinig,W (2365)-Gauglitz,G (2235)/
Fuerstenwalde 1981/MCD}) 15. Nxe5 Bxe5 16. Bc4 {White has a small but lasting
advantage now, but Black's position is very solid, with good drawing chances.
Actually the position is quite similar to my game with Leko, shown above. Weiß
hat jetzt einen kleinen, aber dauerhaften Vorteil, allerdings ist die Stellung
von Schwarz sehr solide, mit guten Remischancen. Eigentlich ist die Stellung
ganz ähnlich meiner Partie mit Leko, oben gezeigt.} Bd7 17. f4 Bd6 18. Kb3 {
Now e4-e5 is already on the agenda. Nun steht bereits e4-e5 auf der
Tagesordnung.} (18. e5 $6 {would have been great to push, but it doesn't work
tactically: wäre ein toller Vorstoß gewesen, aber es funktioniert taktisch
nicht:} Ba3 19. Rcd1 Bg4 20. Rd2 Bb4 21. Rf2 b5) 18... f6 19. a4 {
Prophylactics against potential counterplay connected with ...b5, ...a5.
Prophylaxe gegen potentielles Gegenspiel in Verbindung mit ...b5, ...a5.} Rdc8
20. h4 {Starting active play on the kingside, but, strangely enough, also
prophylactic. I thought that Black might next play ...Kf7 and then ...e5 at
some point. Beginnt aktives Spiel am Königsflügel, aber, seltsamerweise,
ebenfalls prophylaktisch. Ich dachte, Schwarz könnte eventuell als nächstes ...
Kf7 spielen und dann ...e5 an irgendeiner Stelle.} (20. g3 {was another
logical option here. war hier eine weitere logische Möglichkeit.}) 20... Rab8 {
Seeking for active counterplay. Strebt aktives Gegenspiel an.} (20... Kf7 21.
h5 $1 {- the point, now White threatens to enter on the h-file and there is no
time for a e7-e5 break. - die Pointe, jetzt droht Weiß, auf der h-Linie
einzudringen, und es ist keine Zeit für einen e7-e5-Hebel.}) (20... h5 {
this is a radical solution, with its pluses and minuses, hard to say, what
counts more. On one hand, there are no breaks for the moment on the kingside,
but on the other, the g6-pawn might become vulnerable. For instance, endings
with light-squared bishops will, if it gets there, most probably be won for
White. dies ist eine Radikallösung, mit ihren Plus- und Minuspunkten; schwer
zu sagen, was mehr zählt. Eienrseits gibt es im Moment keine Hebel am
Königsflügel, aber andererseits könnte auch der g6-Bauer anfällig werden. Zum
Beispiel werden Endspiele mit weißfeldrigen Läufern, wenn es dazu kommt,
höchstwahrscheinlich für Weiß gewonnen sein.} 21. g3) 21. Bb5 Bxb5 22. axb5 a6
23. b6 $1 {White must keep this pawn in order to keep winning chances. This
b-pawn is threatening to become a queen in quite a few lines in the future.
Houdini equally likes 23.Ka4, but I am glad to use this rare occasion to point
out that he is wrong this time. Weiß muss diesen Bauern behalten, um
Gewinnchancen zu wahren. Dieser b-Bauer droht in einer ganzen Reihe von
zukünftigen Abspielen zur Dame zu gehen. Houdini gefällt 23.Ka4 ebenso, aber
ich freue mich, diese seltene Gelegenheit zu nutzen, um darauf hinzuweisen,
dass er diesmal irrt.} (23. Ka4 axb5+ 24. Kxb5 Rxc1 25. Rxc1 Ra8 26. Bc5 Bxc5
27. Rxc5 Ra2 28. g3 Kf7 29. Kb6 Re2 {is an easy draw. ist ein leichtes Remis.})
23... Kf7 24. h5 (24. g4 {would have been my first choice here if not wäre
meine erste Wahl gewesen, gäbe es da nicht} Rxc1 25. Rxc1 e6 $1 26. dxe6+ Kxe6
27. f5+ Kf7 {and although this position looks visually attractive, I could not
find any way through, and Houdini agrees. und obwohl diese Stellung optisch
attraktiv aussieht, konnte ich keinen Weg finden durchzubrechen, und Houdini
stimmt zu.}) 24... Rxc1 (24... gxh5 {was a possible option but most probably
Peter was worried about war eine mögliche Option, aber höchstwahrscheinlich
sorgte sich Peter wegen} 25. Rxc8 Rxc8 26. Rxh5 {followed by e5. nebst e5.})
25. hxg6+ {An important intermediate move. An important intermediate move.}
Kxg6 (25... hxg6 26. Bxc1 {We both thought this position was very dangerous
for Black, but the computer holds it somehow: Wir beide hielten diese Stellung
für sehr gefährlich für Schwarz, aber der Computer hält sie irgendwie:} Bc5 27.
Ba3 Bxa3 28. Kxa3 Rd8 29. Rh7+ Ke8 {looks really bad, but strangely enough
might hold due to the ...f5-idea, for example sieht richtig schlecht aus,
könnte aber seltsamerweise halten wegen der ...f5-Idee, zum Beispiel} 30. Kb4
f5 31. Rh8+ Kd7 32. Rxd8+ Kxd8 33. e5 Kd7) 26. Bxc1 Rg8 (26... h5 {is the
first line of Houdini, but I am not sure about this move, for example ist das
erste Abspiel von Houdini, aber ich bin bei diesem Zug nicht sicher, zum
Beispiel} 27. f5+ Kf7 28. Ba3 Rd8 29. Rxh5 Bxa3 30. Kxa3 Rd6 31. Rh6 $1 Rxb6
32. e5 Rb1 33. d6 {winning. und gewinnt.}) 27. g4 h6 28. Rh5 {White has
achieved a lot obviously, but with the help of the computer Black seems to be
still able to defend. Things are much more difficult when you are sitting at
the board, fortunately. Weiß hat offenkundig eine Menge erreicht, aber mit
Hilfe des Computers scheint sich Schwarz noch immer verteidigen zu können. Zum
Glück ist die Sache viel schwieriger, wenn man am Brett sitzt.} Kf7 {A serious,
although not obvious at all, mistake. Houdini still gives just a small plus
for White here, but in fact White seems to be winning with precise play from
now on, and I managed to demonstrate it this time. Ein ernster, wenngleich
keineswegs offensichtlicher Fehler. Houdini gibt hier immer noch nur ein
kleines Plus für Weiß, tatsächlich aber scheint Weiß bei genauem Spiel von
hier an zu gewinnen, und diesmal gelang es mir, es zu zeigen.} (28... Bc5 $1
29. e5 (29. Ba3 Bxa3 30. Kxa3 Rc8 31. Kb4 Rc1 {in time to create counterplay
rechtzeitg, um Gegenspiel zu schaffen.}) 29... fxe5 30. fxe5 Rh8 {again looks
ugly and passive, but probably holds. wirkt erneut hässlich und passiv, hält
aber wahrscheinlich.} 31. Bd2 (31. Kc4 Bxb6 32. Bf4 Bd8) 31... Bxb6 32. d6 Bd8
33. Kc4 exd6 34. exd6 Rg8 35. Kd5 Kf7) 29. e5 Bc5 (29... fxe5 30. fxe5 Bc5 31.
e6+ Ke8 32. Rxh6) 30. e6+ Kf8 (30... Kg7 31. f5) 31. Rh4 {A good move although
the computer suggests another strong option as well: Ein guter Zug, obwohl der
Computer auch noch eine weitere starke Möglichkeit vorschlägt:} (31. Rh3 Bxb6
32. Rc3) 31... Kg7 (31... Bxb6 32. Ba3 Bd8 {is not much better - ist nicht
viel besser -} 33. f5) 32. f5 Rd8 {A desperate attempt to create some activity.
Ein verzweifelter Versuch, etwas Aktivität zu entfalten.} (32... Rh8 {Since B
takes b6 is not a threat due to Ba3, White has all the time in the world to
improve his position. At some point I am going to play Ba3 and win the rook
endgame later. Da B schlägt b6 keine Drohung ist wegen Ba3, hat Weiß alle Zeit
der Welt, seine Stellung zu verbessern. An irgendeiner Stelle werde ich Ba3
spielen und später das Turmendspiel gewinnen.}) 33. Bxh6+ Kg8 34. Kc4 Bxb6 (
34... Bf2 35. Rh3) 35. g5 $1 Bf2 36. Rg4 $1 Kh7 37. gxf6 exf6 (37... Kxh6 38.
f7 Kh7 39. d6 {looks like the famous Labourdonnais game, only with the extra
rook. ähnelt der berühmten Labourdonnais-Partie, nur mit dem Extraturm.}) 38.
e7 {The most direct, although anything else wins. Am direktesten, obwohl auch
alles andere gewinnt.} Rc8+ 39. Kb3 Bc5 (39... Kxh6 40. d6 Bb6 41. d7) 40. Rc4
{A nice clean positional game, in my opinion, I am rather proud of it. Eine
schöne saubere Positionspartie, meiner Ansicht nach; ich bin ziemlich stolz
darauf.} 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.24"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A33"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6 6. g3 Qb6 7. Nb3 Ne5 8. e4
Bb4 9. Qe2 d6 {White has systematically failed to impose his point of view in
this line. This game is no exception. One important thing Black needs to know
is that the exchange on c3 is premature when the white bishop is on c1.} 10. f4
(10. Bd2 a5 11. f4 Nc6 12. Be3 Qc7 13. Bg2 e5 (13... a4 14. Nd2 Bxc3 15. bxc3
b6 16. Rb1 Nd7 17. Qf2 Rb8 18. O-O O-O 19. g4 {Morozevich,A (2748)-Leko,P 
(2732)/Tashkent 2012/CBM 152/[Ftacnik,L] (1-0, 42)}) 14. O-O Bxc3 15. bxc3 a4
16. Nd2 Ng4 {Fridman,D (2667)-Anand,V (2780)/Baden-Baden 2013/CBM 153/[Stohl,I]
(1/2, 58)}) 10... Nc6 (10... Bxc3+ $2 11. bxc3 Nc6 12. Ba3 $1 Na5 13. Nxa5 Qxa5
14. Bb4 Qa4 15. Bg2 $16 {Romanishin,O (2513)-Borosova,Z (2307)/Presov 2010/CBM
136 Extra (1-0, 26)}) 11. Be3 (11. Bg2 e5 $1 {does not change the situation
essentially.} 12. Bd2 (12. Be3 Nd4 $1 $17) 12... O-O (12... a5 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14.
exd5 a4 15. dxc6 axb3 16. a3 Bxd2+ 17. Qxd2 O-O 18. cxb7 Bxb7 19. Bxb7 Qxb7 20.
O-O $13 {Nezar,M (2399)-Tregubov,P (2647)/Nancy 2009/CBM 129 (1-0, 48)}) 13.
Nb5 (13. f5 Bd7 14. Qd3 Nd4 15. Rd1 Bc6 16. Rf1 Nxb3 17. axb3 Nd7 18. Qc2 f6
19. Ke2 Nc5 $15 {Karpov,A (2750)-Gulko,B (2610)/Linares 1989/CBM 011 (1/2, 24)}
) 13... exf4 14. gxf4 Re8 15. Bxb4 Nxb4 {/\ ...Bg4, ...Rxe4-+ Portisch,L (2610)
-Sax,G (2610)/Brussels 1988/CBM 007 (1-0, 42)}) 11... Bxc3+ {Now is a good
moment for this exchange.} ({However,} 11... Qc7 {seems to be OK, too.} 12. Bd2
{(+/= Portisch - practice has proved this evaluation to be too optimistic.)}
O-O 13. Bg2 a5 (13... e5 14. O-O Be6 15. Nd5 Bxd5 16. exd5 Nd4 17. Nxd4 Bc5 18.
fxe5 Bxd4+ 19. Kh1 Bxe5 {Cifuentes Parada,R (2500)-Riemersma,L (2440)/
Netherlands 1994/EXT 98 (1/2, 46); with perfect play for Black.}) 14. O-O (14.
a3 Bxc3 15. Bxc3 e5 16. f5 Bd7 17. Qe3 a4 18. Nd2 Na5 $15 {Swoboda,E (2200)
-Danner,G (2335)/Austria 1979/EXT 98 (0-1, 40)}) 14... Bxc3 15. Bxc3 e5 16. Kh1
b6 17. Nd2 a4 18. b4 axb3 19. axb3 {1/2 Drasko,M (2505)-Ivanovic,B (2530)/
Yugoslavia 1989/CBM 013}) 12. bxc3 Qc7 13. Bg2 e5 $1 {Quite wisely, Gelfand
decids to take over the control on the dark squares without wasting time with
castling.} ({The main move is} 13... O-O {, but this offers White some chances
for the initiative, although Black seems to be fine here, too:} 14. c5 (14. O-O
b6 15. Nd4 Nxd4 16. cxd4 Ba6 17. Rac1 Rac8 18. e5 Nd5 $1 {Carlsen,M (2675)
-Volokitin,A (2662)/Biel 2006/CBM 114/[Marin,M] (32, 0-1)}) 14... dxc5 15. Bxc5
Rd8 16. e5 Na5 17. Bb4 Nxb3 18. axb3 Nd5 19. Qc4 Qxc4 (19... Qd7 20. Qd4 Nxb4
21. Qxd7 Bxd7 22. cxb4 Bb5 23. Bxb7 Rab8 24. Ba6 {1/2 Kramnik,V (2790)-Salov,V
(2680)/Wijk aan Zee 1998/CBM 063/[Ribli]}) 20. bxc4 Ne3 (20... Nxb4 21. cxb4
Rd4 22. Rd1 Rxd1+ 23. Kxd1 $14) 21. Be4 (21. Kf2 $11) 21... Nxc4 (21... Bd7 22.
Kf2 Nxc4 23. Bxb7 Rab8 24. Rxa7 Bc8 25. Bf3 Rd2+ 26. Be2 Bb7 27. Rha1 Be4 28.
Ke1 $18 {Smirnov,P (2631)-Tomashevsky,E (2641)/Sochi 2007/CBM 118 (1-0, 35)})
22. O-O Ne3 (22... a5 $1 $15 23. Rfd1 Rxd1+ 24. Rxd1 f5 $1 {[%csl Gb4,Ge4]})
23. Rfc1 Nd5 24. Bc5 b5 25. Bxa7 Bb7 26. Bg2 h6 27. Bd4 Rxa1 28. Rxa1 Ra8 29.
Rb1 Bc6 $11 30. Bf1 Ra3 31. Bxb5 {1/2 Morovic Fernandez,I (2535)-Izeta
Txabarri,F (2380)/Ponferrada 1991/EXT 99}) ({The move order starting with} 
13... b6 $6 {is wrong:} 14. e5 dxe5 15. fxe5 Nd7 16. Nd4 $36 {[%cal Gd4b5,
Gb5d6]}) 14. c5 {Practically forced; otherwise the c4-pawn would be too weak
to deal with after ...b6.} (14. f5 b6 15. g4 Ba6 16. g5 Nd7 17. O-O Na5 $5 18.
Nxa5 bxa5 19. Rfd1 Nb6 20. Bxb6 axb6 21. Rab1 Bxc4 22. Qf2 b5 23. f6 g6 24. Rb2
Rd8 25. Rbd2 h6 $17 {Wells,P (2520)-Emms,J (2502)/Southend 2008/CBM 123 Extra 
(1-0, 41)}) (14. O-O b6 15. a4 Ba6 {Suetin,A (2430)-Kindermann,S (2585)/Bern
1995/EXT 2000 (1-0, 41)}) 14... b6 $5 $146 {The most logical complement to the
previous move.} (14... Bg4 15. cxd6 (15. Qb5 a6 16. Qb6 Qxb6 17. cxb6 Be6 18.
O-O-O Ke7 {Ftacnik,L (2568)-Kovacevic,A (2582)/Khanty Mansiysk 2010/CBM 139 (1/
2, 28)}) 15... Qxd6 16. Qb5 a6 17. Qc4 (17. Qxb7 Qd3 18. Qxc6+ Nd7 19. Qxa8+
Ke7 20. Bc5+ Nxc5 21. Qa7+ Ke8 22. Qb8+ Ke7 $11 {Korchnoi,V}) 17... Be6 18. Qe2
b5 $13 {Morovic Fernandez,I (2535)-Kortschnoj,V (2640)/Vina del Mar (m/2) 1988/
[Portisch,L] (0-1, 36)}) 15. cxd6 Qxd6 16. O-O O-O 17. f5 {Too straightforward.
} ({It would have been a good idea to force the queen to make up her mind
before deciding the kingside configuration.} 17. Rfd1 Qc7 (17... Qa3 $6 {
does not work now:} 18. Qb5 Bb7 19. Bc5 $1) 18. f5 $13) 17... Rd8 18. Rfd1 Qa3
$1 {Putting very unpleasant pressure on the white queenside. In some cases,
the simple ...Ba6-c4 would win material.} 19. Rxd8+ (19. Qb5 Bb7 20. Bc5 $2 {
does not work now because of} Rxd1+ 21. Rxd1 Qxa2 $19) 19... Nxd8 20. Bg5 ({
The attack based on the massiev pawn advance seems to be too slow:} 20. g4 Ba6
21. Qf3 Nb7 22. g5 Ne8 23. f6 g6 24. h4 Rd8 25. h5 Bc4 26. hxg6 hxg6 {White is
far from creating decisive threats yet, while his queenside problems are
chronic.}) 20... Ba6 21. Qd2 Qe7 22. Rd1 ({Objectively,} 22. Bf1 $15 {may have
been better, since the g2-bishop is passive while its rival is killing.
However, this would be equivalent to stategic surrender, so we can understant
White's reluctance to play it.}) 22... Nb7 23. Bf3 Rd8 24. Qc1 Rxd1+ 25. Bxd1
Nd6 26. Bxf6 gxf6 27. Qe3 Qc7 $17 {White's attack has come to an end before
even starting seriously, while his weaknesses are hard to defend.} 28. a4 $6 {
Creating even more weaknesses.} Qd7 29. a5 Nxe4 30. Bc2 Qb5 31. Qf3 Ng5 32. Qg2
bxa5 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.25"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. Be2 c6 8. O-O
Nh5 9. Be5 f6 10. Bg3 f5 11. Be5 Nhf6 12. h3 Nxe5 13. Nxe5 Nd7 14. f4 Nxe5 15.
fxe5 Bg5 16. Qd2 Bd7 17. Rac1 Rc8 18. a3 Kh8 19. b4 Be8 20. Bd3 Rc7 21. Ne2 Bh5
22. Nf4 Bxf4 23. exf4 Rd7 24. Qe3 dxc4 25. Bxc4 Rxd4 $2 (25... Re8 $13) 26.
Bxe6 Bf7 $2 27. Bxf5 Bc4 28. e6 $1 Qd6 29. Rfe1 Re8 30. e7 Bf7 31. Rc5 g6 32.
Bg4 h5 33. f5 Kg7 34. fxg6 Bxg6 35. Bxh5 Rd3 36. Qe5+ Qxe5 37. Rcxe5 Bxh5 38.
Rxh5 Rxa3 39. Rf5 Rd3 40. Re4 Rd7 41. Rg4+ Kh6 42. Rf6+ Kh7 43. Rf7+ Kh6 44.
Rgg7 Rd1+ 45. Kh2 Rf1 46. Rh7+ Kg6 47. Rhg7+ Kh6 48. Rh7+ Kg6 49. Rfg7+ Kf6 50.
h4 Ke6 51. Rg4 Kf5 52. Kg3 Re1 53. Rf4+ Ke6 54. h5 Rxe7 55. Rxe7+ Kxe7 56. Kh4
b6 57. h6 Rh1+ 58. Kg5 Ke6 59. Kg6 Ke5 60. Rf5+ 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.25"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D57"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "151"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 Ne4 {This order of
moves is slightly inaccurate.} (6... O-O 7. e3 Ne4 8. Bxe7 $140 Qxe7 9. cxd5
Nxc3 10. bxc3 exd5 11. Qb3 Rd8) 7. Bxe7 Qxe7 8. cxd5 Nxc3 9. bxc3 exd5 10. Qb3
c6 (10... Qd6 11. e3 O-O (11... Nc6 12. Bd3 O-O 13. O-O Ne7 14. c4 dxc4 15.
Bxc4 Ng6 16. Rfc1 c6 17. Bd3 Rb8 18. Qa4 a6 19. Rab1 b5 20. Qc2 Bb7 21. Nd2 Ne7
22. Qc5 $16 {1-0 (63) Najdorf,M-Thomas,G Buenos Aires 1939}) 12. c4 dxc4 13.
Bxc4 Nc6 (13... Nd7 14. O-O c5 15. Rfd1 $14) 14. Qc3 Bg4 15. Nd2 Rad8 16. O-O
Ne7 17. Rfc1 c5 {0-1 (38) Grau,R-Eliskases,E Buenos Aires 1939} 18. Ne4 cxd4
19. Nxd6 dxc3 20. Nxb7 Rd7 21. Nc5 Rc7 22. Rxc3 Rxc5 23. Bxf7+ Kxf7 24. Rxc5
$14) 11. e3 O-O {We've got a position from the main line of the Lasker System 
(see annotation to move 6), with 11...c6 instead of the more accurate 11...Rd8.
} 12. Be2 {White decides not to hurry up with c3-c4.} (12. c4 Be6 13. Rb1 Nd7
14. Bd3 dxc4 15. Bxc4 Bxc4 16. Qxc4 Nb6 17. Qb4 Qxb4+ 18. Rxb4 Rfc8 19. Ke2 c5
20. dxc5 Rxc5 {1/2 (20) Portisch,F (2425)-Lengyel,L (2415) Budapest 1977}) (12.
Bd3 Be6 13. O-O c5 $1 14. Qa3 Nd7 15. Rfe1 Qd8 16. Rad1 Qc7 17. Bb5 Nf6 $11 {
1/2 (22) Bilek,I-Flesch,J Miskolc 1963}) 12... Nd7 (12... Be6 13. O-O c5 14.
Ne5 $5) 13. O-O Nf6 14. Rfc1 (14. a4 Ne4 15. Rfc1 Re8 (15... Bg4 $5) 16. c4
dxc4 17. Bxc4 Nd6 18. Bf1 Be6 19. Qb4 Rac8 20. a5 Ne4 21. Rab1 Rc7 22. Rb2 Qxb4
23. Rxb4 c5 $11 {1/2 (36) Furman,S-Liberzon,V Moscow 1969}) 14... Bg4 15. c4
dxc4 16. Qxc4 {If Black doesn't manage to push ...c6-c5 in this structure,
White will keep a slight edge.} Rfe8 {[%mdl 32]} (16... Rac8 $5 {looks more
logical. Then ...c6-c5 will be a realistic eventuality.}) 17. h3 Be6 18. Qc5
Qc7 (18... Bd5 $5 {I am not sure Black should avoid the queen exchange.}) 19.
Rc2 Bd5 20. Rac1 Qd8 21. Qa3 Ne4 22. Ne5 Nd6 23. Bf3 Bxf3 24. Nxf3 Qd7 25. Qb4
Rad8 26. a4 Qe6 27. Ne5 f6 28. Nd3 Qf7 29. Qa5 a6 30. Nc5 Rc8 31. Qb4 Rcd8 32.
Qb6 Rc8 33. Rb1 Re7 34. Nd3 Rce8 35. Qb3 Qxb3 36. Rxb3 {After a lot of
manoeuvring, White has managed to weaken Black's queenside (forcing ...a7-a6)
and, only after that, exchange queens. Of course, it is an important
difference.} Kf7 37. g4 g5 38. Nc5 Rc8 39. Kg2 Rcc7 40. Nd3 Kg6 41. Nc5 h5 $1 {
That's right. Black should seize the initiative on the kingside to avoid a
"second weakness" there.} 42. Rb1 Ne4 $6 {The exchange of knights deprives
Black of counterplay.} (42... hxg4 43. hxg4 Rh7 $1 {[%cal Yh7h4,Yc7h7] was the
correct plan.} 44. Ne6 {is harmless due to} Rc8) 43. Nxe4 Rxe4 {[%mdl 4096]}
44. Kf3 Ree7 45. e4 Rcd7 46. Ke3 Rd5 47. f3 Rd6 48. Rb6 Red7 49. Rd2 hxg4 {
The h-file will be exploited by White but otherwise he would have another good
plan: d4-d5.} 50. hxg4 Kf7 51. a5 Ke7 52. Rb1 Kf7 $6 (52... Kd8 $142) 53. Rh1
Kg7 54. Rh5 Rd8 (54... Kg6 55. Rd1 $22 (55. Rdh2 $2 {is premature due to} Rxd4)
55... Rd8 (55... Kf7 56. Rh7+ Ke6 57. Rxd7 Rxd7 58. Rh1 $16) 56. Rdh1 Kf7 (
56... Rxd4 $2 57. Rh7) 57. Rh7+ Ke6 58. Rd1 {, and Black must exchange rooks,
after which White has easy play:} R6d7 59. Rxd7 Kxd7 60. Rh1 {etc.}) 55. Rd1 (
55. e5 {was already possible:} Rd5 56. Rb2 $5 (56. Rdh2 Kf7 57. Rh7+ Ke6 58.
R2h6 Rxd4 59. Rxf6+ Kxe5 60. Rf5+ Ke6 61. Rxg5 {is probably also good}) 56...
Rb5 (56... Rxd4 57. Rxb7+ R4d7 58. Rxd7+ Rxd7 59. exf6+ Kg6 60. f4 $1 gxf4+ 61.
Kxf4 Kxf6 (61... Rd4+ 62. Ke5 Rxg4 63. Rh8 Kf7 64. Rh7+ Kf8 65. Ra7) 62. Rh6+
Kg7 63. Rxc6 {, and White should win}) 57. Rbh2 Kf7 58. Rh7+ Ke6 59. R2h6 Rf8
60. f4 $1 gxf4+ 61. Ke4 $1 $18 {[%cal Rg4g5]}) 55... R8d7 $6 (55... R6d7 $1 {
was more stubborn. Then White should probably continue} 56. Rdh1 Rxd4 57. Rh7+
Kg8 58. Rh8+ Kf7 59. R1h7+ Ke6 60. Rxd8 Rxd8 61. Rxb7 Rd1 62. Rb6 {keeping
winning chances.}) 56. e5 $1 Rd5 57. Rdh1 Kf7 58. Rh7+ Ke6 59. Rxd7 {White has
managed to trade the pair of rooks in the best possible way. Now he wins the
f6-pawn and the game.} Kxd7 60. Rh7+ Ke6 61. Rh6 c5 62. Rxf6+ Ke7 63. Rb6 Rxd4
(63... cxd4+ 64. Ke4 Rxa5 (64... Rd7 65. e6 Rd6 (65... Rc7 66. Kxd4 Kf6 67. Kd5
Ke7 68. Rb4 $18) 66. Rxb7+ Kxe6 67. Rb6 $1 Rxb6 68. axb6 Kd6 69. b7 Kc7 70. f4
$18) 65. Rxb7+ Ke6 66. Rb6+ Ke7 67. Kxd4 Ra4+ 68. Kd5 Ra3 69. Ke4 a5 70. Rg6
$18) 64. Rxb7+ Ke6 65. Rg7 Ra4 66. Rxg5 Rxa5 67. f4 Ra3+ 68. Kd2 Ra2+ 69. Kc3
Rf2 70. Rg6+ Kd5 71. Rd6+ Ke4 72. Rf6 a5 73. e6 Kd5 74. f5 Re2 75. Rf8 Kd6 76.
f6 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.25"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2810"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Ne5 Nc6 8.
Bxc6 bxc6 9. Nxc6 Qe8 10. Nxe7+ Qxe7 11. Qc2 e5 12. Rd1 Rb8 13. Nc3 h6 14. dxe5
Qxe5 15. Bf4 Qe7 16. Rd4 Be6 17. Rad1 Rb6 18. Qd2 Kh7 19. f3 Rfb8 20. Qe3 Rxb2
21. Rxc4 R2b7 22. Ra4 Re8 23. Rxa7 Rxa7 24. Qxa7 Qb4 25. Be5 $2 (25. Qd4 $14)
25... Nd5 26. Nxd5 Bxd5 27. Qxc7 Qc4 28. a3 f6 29. Qxc4 Bxc4 30. Bc3 Rxe2 31.
Rd4 Bb5 32. Bb4 Re3 33. Kf2 Re2+ 34. Kg1 Re3 35. f4 Re2 36. Rd6 Rc2 37. g4 Bc6
38. Bd2 Bf3 39. h3 Ra2 40. Bb4 Rg2+ 41. Kf1 Rh2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.25"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E81"]
[WhiteElo "2747"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 c5 7. Nge2 Nc6 8. d5
Ne5 9. Ng3 h5 10. Be2 h4 11. Nf1 e6 12. f4 Nxc4 $5 (12... h3 $5 13. gxh3 Nxc4
14. Bxc4 b5 15. Bxb5 exd5 16. exd5 $6 ({I think that White should seek a way
to coordinate his forces at the cost of giving away a part of his material
advantage.} 16. Bc6 $1 Rb8 17. Bxd5 Rxb2 18. Rb1 Nxd5 19. Nxd5 Rxa2 20. f5 $1
Ba6 (20... Qh4+ $2 21. Ng3 Qxh3 22. Qb3 Rxh2 23. Ne7+ Kh8 24. Rxh2 Qxh2 25. Bf2
$18) 21. Rg1 Qh4+ 22. Ng3 Bc4 $1 23. Rc1 Re2+ 24. Qxe2 Bxe2 25. Kxe2 $14 {
White's rook plus two knights should be superior to Black's queen with a
couple of pawns, but the position needs practical testing.}) 16... Rb8 17. Qe2
Bxh3 18. Rg1 Bg4 19. Qc2 Bf5 20. Qa4 a6 $1 21. Qxa6 Ng4 22. Qa4 Qh4+ 23. Kd2 $2
(23. Rg3 $8 Nxh2 $36) 23... Nxe3 24. Nxe3 Qf2+ 25. Ne2 Rfe8 26. Rg3 Bd7 $1 $19
{0-1 (32) Sriram,J (2410)-Adhiban,B (2551) Aurangabad 2011}) 13. Bxc4 b5 $1 14.
Bxb5 exd5 15. e5 (15. exd5 h3 (15... Rb8 16. Qd2 Ng4 17. a4 a6) 16. gxh3 {
transposing to the above mentioned game Sriram-Adhiban.}) (15. Bc6 $2 d4 16.
Bxa8 Bg4 {This is the difference between this line and when the moves h3-gxh3
included and the square is covered.}) 15... dxe5 16. fxe5 (16. Bxc5 $2 d4 17.
Bxf8 Bxf8 18. fxe5 Qb6 19. exf6 dxc3 {Black is a full rook down, but can be
optimistic about his attacking chances.}) 16... Bg4 {The position is
completely wild and can be analysed for days.} (16... d4 17. Bg5 Bg4 (17... h3
18. Ne3 $1 hxg2 19. Nxg2 dxc3 20. Qxd8 Rxd8 21. exf6 cxb2 22. Rb1 $16) (17...
Rb8 18. exf6 Bxf6 19. Bxf6 Qxf6 20. Ne4 Qe7 21. Qe2 Rxb5 22. Qxb5 Qxe4+ 23. Qe2
Qc6 24. O-O-O $16) 18. Bxf6 (18. Qxg4 $6 Nxg4 19. Bxd8 dxc3 20. Be7 Rfe8 $1 21.
Bxe8 Rxe8 22. Bxh4 cxb2 23. Rb1 Nxe5 $44) 18... Bxf6 19. Qxg4 dxc3 20. exf6
cxb2 21. Rb1 Qa5+ 22. Kf2 Qxb5 23. Ne3 $16) 17. exf6 $1 {The best decision, at
least from a practical point of view.} (17. Be2 $6 Bxe2 18. Qxe2 Nd7 $1 19.
Nxd5 Nxe5 20. O-O-O c4 21. Nf4 Qf6 22. Kb1 Rab8 23. Bc1 Rb7 $36 {[%cal Gf8b8]})
(17. Qa4 d4 18. exf6 Bxf6 19. Ne4 h3 $1 $13) 17... Bxd1 18. fxg7 Kxg7 19. Bxc5
h3 $1 20. Rxd1 hxg2 21. Rg1 gxf1=Q+ 22. Kxf1 {The material is now balanced,
but Black's attacking potential has decreased significantly.} Qh4 23. Rg2 Rfd8
24. Rd4 $6 (24. Bd4+ Kg8 25. Kg1 {I think White is better, his pieces are well
coordinated. In general three minor pieces should overcome a queen, even
though here Black has an extra pawn.}) 24... Qh5 25. Rf4 d4 $1 26. Bxd4+ Rxd4
27. Rxd4 Rb8 28. a4 a6 29. Bxa6 $2 Qf3+ $2 (29... Qe5 $1 {[%csl Ra6,Rd4,Rf1]
[%cal Ge5d4,Ge5f6,Gf6a6,Gf6f1]}) 30. Rf2 Qh1+ 31. Ke2 Rxb2+ 32. Rd2 Qc1 33. Kd3
Rb6 34. Bc4 Rd6+ 35. Bd5 Rd7 36. Rf4 f5 37. Rd4 Kh6 38. h4 Rc7 39. Bc4 Qf1+ 40.
Re2 f4 41. Kc2 f3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.27"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A52"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[Annotator "Gormally,D"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Levon Aronian looked like the strongest player in the early stages of the
candidates, but strange things seemed to be happening in this extraordinary
tournament, and he did not look the same player in the second half of the
event.   Perhaps the bright spot for him during this period was his win
against Ivanchuk, a game which kept his hopes of qualifiying alive, and
against a player whom he also beat in the first half.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5 {
Some might be surprised by Ivanchuk's adoption of the Budapest Gambit, an
opening that is rarely seen at the top level, in such a strong event. But he
has played this opening before, and anyway as is very well known, Ivanchuk can
play pretty much anything! In general the mercurial Ukranian genius seemed to
have a laid-back approach to this tournament, when asked at one press
conference who he was playing tomorrow, he threw his hands up and confessed he
didn't know! But at times he was too laid-back, as we shall see.} 3. dxe5 Ng4
4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Bf4 Bb4+ 6. Nc3 {As is typical of Aronian, he plays the most
ambitious move. Besides, the tournament situation demanded that he kept the
position on the board as unbalanced as possible.} ({White is also slightly
better after} 6. Nbd2 Qe7 7. e3 Ngxe5 8. Nxe5 Nxe5 9. Be2 {with very little
risk of losing, which is probably one of the reasons why the popularity of
this opening has never really caught on.}) 6... Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 Qe7 8. Qd5 $1 {
Hanging on to the extra pawn.} f6 9. exf6 Nxf6 10. Qd3 d6 11. g3 O-O 12. Bg2
Bg4 13. O-O Rae8 14. Rae1 {Aronian deviates from an earlier game in this
variation. This move is played not so much to push the e-pawn, but to protect
e2 so as to make Nd4 possible.} (14. Rab1 $5 b6 15. Rbe1 Kh8 16. Bg5 Bxf3 17.
Qxf3 Ne5 18. Qb7 Nxc4 19. Qxa7 Qe5 20. Qa6 Qc5 21. Bxf6 Rxf6 22. Rd1 c6 23. Rd4
d5 $6 24. e4 $1 {and White was better and went on to win in Nikolic,P-Hector,J
Germany 2010. In general I have my doubts about Black's prospects in this line.
After all not only is White a pawn up, but he has the two bishops as well! And
while the black pieces can find very natural and good squares, I'm not sure
this fully compensates for the pawn. In addition I like the fact that White
has an extra pawn on the kingside - his king is ultra safe, in contrast to his
opposing number, a consideration that becomes highly important later in the
game.}) 14... Kh8 15. Nd4 $6 {A logical continuation of the previous move, but
this allows Black to defuse some of the white initiative.} ({I believe it made
more sense to keep more pieces and tension on the board with} 15. h3 Bd7 (15...
Bxf3 $2 16. Bxf3 {would not now make much sense, as ...Ne5 is not possible as
b7 would be hanging at the end}) {and now a strong but very logical pawn
sacrifice-} 16. c5 $1 {This is directed against Black's plan of playing ...b6,
reducing the c4-pawn to a permanent weakness, after which it would be very
hard for White to generate any play} dxc5 (16... d5 17. Bxc7 Qxc5 18. Rb1 b6
19. Bf4 {also looks good for White, as he has the d5-pawn to aim at now}) 17.
e4 Be6 18. Ng5 Rd8 19. Qc2 {a change of events which in my opinion would
massively favour White, as now he has a four vs two majority on the kingside,
as well as the two bishops, at this level such an advantage is almost always
decisive. It's important to note as well that} Bc4 $2 {is not possible because
of} 20. e5 $1 Bd3 21. exf6 $18) 15... Ne5 $1 16. Bxe5 dxe5 17. Nf5 (17. Nb5 $2
Qc5 $1 {looks awkward for White.}) 17... Bxf5 18. Qxf5 Nd7 $1 19. Qe4 ({
Aronian, in the press conference after the game, was slightly critical of his
play around about this point, suggesting that perhaps more accurate was} 19.
Qd3 {as perhaps White can then adapt a different plan of immediately attacking
the black kingside.} c6 20. Be4 $5 g6 21. h4 Nc5 (21... Nb6 22. Rb1 {also
looks better for White}) 22. Qe3 Nxe4 23. Qxe4 $14) 19... c6 $1 {Solidifying
the situation on the queenside and saying to White - I'm going to attack your
queenside weakies, what are you going to do about it? Perhaps White is still
better from a theoretical point of view, but now I would almost rather play
Black, as his play seems much easier, just attack the weak white queenside
pawns somehow. But of course Aronian is not 2800 for nothing, and it is
exactly in such dangerous situations that his considerable practical skills
come to the fore.} 20. Rd1 Nb6 $1 {Aronian wanted to lure the knight to c5,
but of course Ivanchuk has instead the logical aim of simply eating the
c4-pawn.} 21. Rd3 Qc5 22. Qh4 {Unhappy with the way things are developing on
the queenside, Aronian makes what turns out to be a highly successful decision,
that is to burn all his bridges and put all his faith in a kingside attack.
His decision was perhaps also guided by the fact that Ivanchuk was becoming
extremely short of time, hardly a rare event for him in this tournament, as he
lost on time I believe on a remarkable six occasions! Possibly he became so
absorbed in these epic battles that he lost sight of something so basic as a
chess clock.} g6 23. Be4 Kg7 24. Kg2 Qxc4 {With this move, Ivanchuk is also
crossing the Rubicon.} (24... Rf7 $1 {was perhaps simplest of all. A
multi-purpose move, this keeps an eye on the f2-pawn, while also preparing a
lateral defence of the h7-point. It would be very difficult for White to build
up an attack then.} 25. Rf3 Qxc4 26. Rxf7+ Qxf7 {and Black could look forward
to the future with great confidence.}) 25. Rfd1 Qxa2 $1 {The most principled
continuation, and also the best.} ({As Aronian explained afterwards, it was
possible for Black to go into an inferior ending with} 25... Nd5 26. Bxd5 Qxh4
27. gxh4 cxd5 28. Rxd5 {but he expected that Vassily would take on a2, as "he
always tries to play the best move".}) 26. g4 $1 $40 {Played with the very
dangerous intention of bringing the rook to h3. Aronian felt quite happy with
the situation now, as although Black is still ok, the position is becoming
very sharp and any mis-step could prove fatal.} Rf4 ({It was also possible to
return with} 26... Qc4 $5 {which leads to the fun line} 27. g5 Kg8 28. Rh3 Re7
29. Rd6 $1 {when White has generated quite dangerous threats, that are not
easily defused.}) 27. Bf5 $1 {Aronian very rarely misses such tactical
opportunities. Now the threat is Rd7, with a mating attack.} Nd5 $1 (27... gxf5
$2 28. Rd7+ Nxd7 29. Rxd7+ {and Black will have to give up the queen to
prevent mate} Qf7 30. Rxf7+ Kxf7 31. Qxh7+ Kf8 32. Qh6+ Ke7 33. g5 $1 {and the
ending is winning.}) 28. Rh3 Rh8 $2 {This is too passive, and runs into a
strong rejoinder. But no doubt Ivanchuk's clock was hanging at this moment...}
({He had seen the right move} 28... h5 $1 {but did not have enough time to
work out the consequences.} 29. Qg5 Rxg4+ $1 ({Ivanchuk had only looked at} 
29... Qxe2 30. Qxg6+ Kf8 {which he thought might lead to perpetual check.} 31.
Qh6+ Ke7 32. Qg7+ Kd6 33. Qd7+ Kc5 34. Rxd5+ Kb6 $1 35. Rd1 $1 hxg4 36. Rb1+
Kc5 37. Rh6 Qxf2+ 38. Kh1 Qf3+ {which is indeed equal}) (29... Rxf5 $5 30. gxf5
Nf4+ 31. Kh1 Qxe2 32. Rd7+ Kg8 33. Re3 {might still generate some chances for
White}) 30. Bxg4 hxg4 31. Qh6+ Kf7 {and White should probably take the perp
with} 32. Qh7+ Kf6 33. Qh4+) 29. e3 $1 {Killing Black's counterplay and
putting a very awkward question to the rook.} gxf5 (29... Qb3 30. Rb1 $1) (
29... Rxf2+ {"a sad move" (Aronian).} 30. Qxf2 Qxf2+ 31. Kxf2 gxf5 32. gxf5
Nxc3 33. Rd7+ Kf6 34. Rh5 Ne4+ 35. Kf3 Nc5 36. Rh6+ Kg5 37. Rdd6 {and White is
winning the ending.}) (29... Rc4 30. Bxg6 $1 Kxg6 31. Qh5+ Kf6 32. Qf5+ Ke7 33.
Qxe5+ {and it's over.}) 30. exf4 {Ivanchuk lost on time, but his position is
now hopeless in any case.} 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.27"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2872"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Magnus Carlsen: "My game against Gelfand in round 10, annotated by Peter
Heine Nielsen below, represents the level of chess I aspired to play at in the
Candidates. Although I did not succeed in every game, I take great comfort in
having reached the main objective which was to qualify for the World
Championship match against V. Anand. I would like to express my gratitude to
Peter Heine and the other seconds for their valuable help in reaching this
goal."} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 {Openingwise the players are basically 2 opposites.
While Carlsen moves around a lot, Gelfand, both in the WC-match with Anand and
in this Candidates tournaments stayed completely loyal to the Grünfeld against
1.d4 and the Sveshnikov against 1.e4.} 3. Bb5 $5 {Sveshnikov was right! At
least judged by the current trends, White players seems to concede that the
actual Sveshnikov Sicilian is fine for Black, and that 3.Bb5 is the way to
fight for the advantage. As Sveshnikov claimed years back. Anand did well with
Bb5 in the match, and later both Caruana and Ponomariov posed Gelfand some
problems.} e6 4. O-O ({In round 7 Magnus played} 4. Bxc6 {against Radjabov,
and after} bxc6 5. b3 d6 6. O-O $5 {tried this idea, deviating from 6.e5 which
was both played by McShane and Grischuk against Radjabov. The idea is that
after 6...e5 we have a position known from 3...d6 4.Bxc6 bxc6 5.0-0 only with
the white pawn on b3 instead of b2. Not a huge difference, but definitely
leading to a playble position for White. Here Radjabov played} Ne7 $5 {and in
a complex position, Magnus hallucinated, and was suddenly lost, but saved the
game after inaccurate play by Radjabov.}) 4... Nge7 5. Re1 a6 $5 {In the
Tashkent Grand Prix against Caruana and Ponomariov, Gelfand chose 5...Nd4, but
part of the reason behind being able to succesfully repeat his openings, is
having small surprises within them, and for this candidates he had prepared 5..
.a6, and employed it already succesfully with Grischuk in round 6.} 6. Bf1 d5
7. exd5 $5 {I was seconding Magnus in London, but also got help from other
seconds online. They suggested this line, thinking it leads to a moderately
pleasant position, with a long game ahead, which should suit Magnus style
excellently.} ({Grischuk played} 7. d3 {and we saw an unusually sharp fight
for pawn structure with big decisions early on:} d4 $5 8. e5 $5 Nd5 9. c4 $5
dxc3 10. bxc3 Rb8 11. Bb2 b5 $5 {and after a tactical error by Grischuk
Gelfand got a winning position, although the game ended in a draw.}) 7... Nxd5
8. d4 Nf6 9. Be3 cxd4 (9... Be7 {might be slightly more accurate as after} 10.
c4 O-O 11. Nc3 cxd4 12. Nxd4 {instead of 12...Bd7 also 12...Qc7 indenting ...
Rd8 is possible.}) 10. Nxd4 Bd7 11. c4 {This is the concept. White has a bit
more space and a queenside majority. Black of course a healthy and solid
position though.} Nxd4 (11... Be7 12. Nc3 O-O 13. Nf3 $5 {White has been quite
succesful with, and this is an argument for Gelfand's choice, securing
relieving exchanges before it is too late.}) (11... Bb4 $5 {is a principled
choice, but after} 12. Nc3 Bxc3 13. bxc3 O-O 14. Bf4 {White's activity more
than compensates for the structural weaknesses. After} Nxd4 $5 15. cxd4 Bc6 {
surprisingly suddenly we have the typically Nimzo pawn structure, very similar
to game 11 in the Anand-Gelfand match, where Gelfand had a pleasant position
with the 2 bishops, before that game was drawn.}) 12. Bxd4 Bc6 13. Nc3 Be7 14.
a3 $5 {Magnus was happy with this decision, as he thought the interpolation of
a3/a5 is probably favouring White.} (14. Qd3 O-O 15. Rad1 {This was played in
the stem game Kinmark (that's actually an anagram of Kramnik as my Swedish
friends have pointed out!) -Paoli 1975, also being slightly more pleasant for
White.}) 14... a5 $5 {The principled approach, and what one would expect from
Gelfand.} (14... O-O 15. b4 {is what White wants, but as usual only a slight
edge.}) 15. Qd3 O-O (15... a4 $6 {is an ambitious attempt, but after} 16. Rad1
O-O 17. Qg3 {White's initiative becomes too strong.}) 16. Rad1 Qc7 17. Be5 Qb6
18. Qg3 Rfd8 (18... Nh5 $5 19. Qh3 Nf6 {would be an interesting way to defend,
as now Bc7 no longer annoys Black, and Black is threatening ...Rfd8.} 20. Bd3
h6 21. Bd4 Qc7 22. b4 $1 {and White still keeps an edge though.}) 19. Rxd8+ (
19. Nd5 {Magnus said at the press-conference that he had wasted quite some
time on this move, which fails due to a small tactic:} exd5 20. Bd4 Bc5 21.
Bxf6 Bxf2+ $1 {leading to a drawish ending.}) 19... Qxd8 20. Rd1 Qb6 (20... Qf8
$5 {Speelman mentioned this move at the press conference, to which Gelfand
quite rightly replied that from a practical perspective it has no huge
relevance. Gelfand's plan was hampering Black's queenside play in an ambitious
manner, but this more defensive move does have some bite, as the following
tactic:} 21. b4 $5 axb4 22. axb4 Nh5 $1 23. Qg4 Bxb4 24. Qxh5 f6 $1 25. Bd3 g6
$1 {amazingly holds up for Black, as after} 26. Bxg6 $2 (26. Qg4 $1 fxe5 27.
Qxe6+ Qf7 28. Qxe5 Ra5 {and Black has enough compensation to draw here}) 26...
hxg6 27. Qxg6+ Qg7 {and due to the mate on g2, White can't take on f6 with the
queen, and thus suddenly ends up a piece short! Instead of 21.b4, probably 21.
Bd3!? is stronger, and White remains comfortably placed.}) 21. Bd4 Qb3 22. Rd3
(22. Rd2 {is more modest, but White still has a pleasant game after eg.} a4 23.
Qc7 Nd7 24. Be3 Bd8 25. Qg3 {But the game puts much more direct pressure on
Black.}) 22... Qc2 23. b4 $1 axb4 24. axb4 Nh5 25. Qe5 (25. Qe3 $5 {This
computer move also keeps an edge, the main point being} Bxb4 26. Qg5 g6 (26...
f6 $1 {a much better fighting chance} 27. Qxh5 e5 28. Qf5 Rf8 $1 {() and
although White is better, Black keeps definite figthing chances}) 27. Ne4 $1
Bxe4 28. Qe5 $1 {and Black's position suddenly collapses.}) 25... Bf6 {The
toughest defence.} ({Both players saw} 25... Ra1 26. Nd1 $1 Rxd1 27. Rxd1 Qxd1
28. Qb8+ Bf8 29. Bc5 h6 30. Qxf8+ Kh7 {and now} 31. Qd6 $1 {is the key
bringing back the queen for defence, and the ensuing endings will just be
winning for White due to the queenside majority and the pair of bishops.} (31.
Qxf7 $2 Be4 $1 {however would completely reverse the situation, as ...Bd3
can't be stopped.})) 26. Qxh5 Bxd4 27. Rxd4 Qxc3 28. Qa5 $1 {The point behind
23.b4, without this, White wouldn't even be better. But now with this
intermezzo, White just manages to coordinate in time, and thus his queenside
majority secures a huge edge.} Rf8 29. Qb6 e5 {The only way to fight.} 30. Rd1
(30. Rd8 $5 g6 31. b5 Be4 32. Rd7 {transposes to the line below.}) 30... g6 31.
b5 Be4 32. Qf6 $6 (32. h4 $5) (32. Rd7 {This seems almost winning, the idea
being Qd6 next, and if now ...Bf5, then Rxb7.} Qe1 33. Qd6 $16) 32... h5 $6 (
32... Bf5 $1 {A very good fighting chance,} 33. Rd5 Be6 34. Qxe5 Qxe5 35. Rxe5
Rc8 {as this could be easily drawn for Black, White should probably not
liquidate into this ending. An important line is} 36. c5 Kf8 37. Bd3 Bd7 $1 {
followed by ...f6 winning back the pawn.}) 33. h4 Bf5 34. Rd5 Qc1 $5 (34... Be6
35. Qxe5 Qxe5 36. Rxe5 Rc8 37. c5 Kf8 38. Bd3 Bd7 {is now different, as ...f6
would weaken the g6-pawn, and thus h4/h5 greatly favours White.}) 35. Qxe5 Be6
36. Rd4 Ra8 37. Qe2 {Gelfand has reasonable activity for the pawn, but in time
pressure commits a few inaccuracies, which Magnus punished mercilessly.} Kh7 $6
(37... Qa1 38. Qd1 Kg7 {eg. was a much tougher defence} 39. c5 $2 Qc3 $1 {
being one resource.}) 38. Rd1 Qc3 39. Qe4 Ra1 $2 {But ...Ra7 as the computer
thinks, fights on. But it is impossible for a human to play.} 40. Rxa1 Qxa1 41.
c5 $1 {The time control has been reached, but now White is completely winning,
as nothing stops his pawns marching forward.} Qc3 42. Qxb7 (42. b6 {would
indeed be safer, but Magnus missed Gelfand's reply to his next move.}) 42...
Qe1 $5 (42... Qxc5 43. b6 {followed by Qa6, and the pawn just queens.}) 43. b6
{Magnus said at the press conference that he quite quickly recovered from the
shock, and that despite losing the bishop on f1, it doesn't really change much,
as what matters is that the white pawns are queening.} Bc4 44. Qf3 $1 Qxf1+ 45.
Kh2 Qb1 46. b7 Qb5 47. c6 Bd5 48. Qg3 $1 {Controlling g2, and h4, eliminating
even any small attempts at counterplay, and simultaneously queening the b-pawn
made Gelfand resign. Probably Magnus' best game in London. He achieved only a
small edge in the opening, but with some precise tactics managed to enlarge it,
and then increased it to decisive proportions in Gelfand's time trouble. This
gave Carlsen the sole lead, but much more was still to happen...} 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.27"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2810"]
[Annotator "Kritz,L"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

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 Bd7 10. h3 (10. Rd1 Kc8 11. Ng5 Be8 12. b3 (12. e6 f6 13.
Nf7 Bxf7 14. exf7 Bd6) 12... b6 13. Bb2 Be7 14. Nge4 Kb7 15. Rd3 Rd8 16. Rad1
Rxd3 17. Rxd3 h5 $11 {1-0 Hovhannisyan,R (2615)-Pashikian,A (2607)/Yerevan
2013/CB03_2013 (61)}) 10... h6 $1 {Schwarz spielt prophylaktisch, um dem
Gegner nicht zu erlauben, eine Initiative am Königsflügel zu entfalten.} (10...
Kc8 11. g4 $1 Ne7 12. Ng5 Be8 13. f4 $14 {Das ist eine Traumstellung für Weiß!}
) 11. Rd1 {Das sieht am logischsten aus.} (11. b3 c5 12. Rd1 Kc8 13. Nd5 a5 14.
a4 Ne7 15. c4 Bf5 16. Ra2 b6 17. Nh4 Bh7 $11 {1/2-1/2 Solodovnichenko,Y (2559)
-Naiditsch,A (2706)/Deizisau 2013/CB13_2013 (102)}) (11. Bf4 {Der Läufer hat
hier nichts zu suchen.} Kc8 12. Rad1 b6 13. Rd3 Be6 14. Rfd1 Kb7 15. b3 g5 16.
Bc1 c5 17. Nd5 Ne7 18. Nxe7 Bxe7 $15 {1-0 Anand,V (2786)-Topalov,V (2757)/
Monte Carlo 2005/CBM 105 ext (46)}) 11... Kc8 {Nun kann Weiß nicht so aktiv am
Königsflügel werden, weil seinem Springer das Feld g5 genommen ist.} 12. a4 $6
{Normalerweise ist es nicht im Sinne von Weiß, alle Bauern auf weiße Felder zu
stellen. Es ist eher Schwarz, der solch eine Bauernstruktur anstreben muss.} (
12. b3 b6 13. Bb2 Ne7 14. Rd2 c5 15. Rad1 Be6 $11 {1-0 Grischuk,A (2736)
-Jakovenko,D (2736)/Moscow 2009/CBM 134 (44)}) 12... a5 {Der Zug a4 hat für
Weiß nur Nachteile - das Feld b4 wurde geschwächt, die Bauern können unter
Umständen schwach werden.} 13. b3 b6 {[%cal Rc8b7]} 14. Bb2 Ne7 $1 {Der
Springer hat normalerweise wenig zu tun auf f5. Die Idee von Schwarz ist es,
den Springer nach g6 zu bringen, sofort oder nach ...g5. Der weißfeldrige
Läufer geht nach e6, der Bauer nach c5 und nimmt dem weißen Springer das Feld
d4. Die schwarze Festung ist sehr solide.} 15. Rd2 c5 16. Ne2 (16. Rad1 Be6 $1
(16... Bc6 $2 17. e6 $1 fxe6 18. Ne5 Kb7 19. Nf7 Rg8 20. Nd8+ $16 {1-0
Grigoriants,S (2570)-Shen,Y (2447)/Moscow 2012/CBM 147 (26)}) 17. Rd8+ Kb7 18.
Rxa8 Kxa8 19. Rd8+ Kb7 $11 {Schwarz wird einfach ...Nc6 spielen und der weiße
Turm muss die 8. Reihe wieder verlassen.}) 16... Ng6 {Hier kann Schwarz weder .
..Be6 noch ...g5 spielen, so bleibt ihm nichts anderes übrig als das Feld f4
sofort unter Kontrolle zu nehmen.} (16... g5 $4 17. e6 $18) (16... Be6 17. Nf4
$14 {Wenn Weiß einen Springer gegen den weißfeldrigen Läufer tauschen kann,
hat Schwarz wenig Chancen auf Konter zu spielen. Seine Stellung bleibt jedoch
sehr schwer zu brechen.}) 17. Rad1 Be6 {Weiß muss mit ...c4 rechnen.} 18. c4 (
18. Rd8+ Kb7 19. Rxa8 Kxa8 20. Rd8+ Kb7 21. c4 Be7 22. Rxh8 Nxh8 23. Nf4 Bf5
$15 {Es ist nur Schwarz, der hier auf Sieg spielen kann. Man kann auch
deutlich sehen, warum die Bauernstruktur am Damenflügel günstig für Schwarz
ist.}) 18... Be7 19. Nc3 Kb7 {Das ist eine typische Stellung für diese
Variante. Schwarz hat alles geschafft, was er wollte. Weiß kann kaum auf
Gewinn spielen.} 20. Nd5 ({Der Versuch den König zu zentralisieren scheitert:} 
20. Kf1 Rad8 21. Ke2 $2 Nf4+ 22. Kf1 Rxd2 23. Rxd2 Bf5 $15) 20... Rad8 21. Nxe7
{Das führt zu einer gefährlichen Stellung für Weiß. Der Springer d5 ist
wesentlich stärker als der Läufer e7.} (21. Kh2 Bg5 $1 22. Nxg5 hxg5 23. Kg3
Rhe8 $11) 21... Rxd2 22. Nxd2 (22. Rxd2 Nxe7 23. Kh2 (23. g4 $2 h5 $1 24. Ng5
hxg4 25. Nxe6 fxe6 26. hxg4 Rh3 $1 {und Schwarz sollte gewinnen:} 27. Rd7 Nc6
28. Rxg7 Rxb3 29. Bc1 Rb1 $19) 23... g5 24. Kg3 Nf5+ 25. Kh2 Ne7 $11) 22...
Nxe7 23. Nf1 Kc8 $1 {Schwarz will in das Endspiel mit ungleichfarbigen
Läufern! Dann wird sein Läufer über f5-c2 alle weißen Bauern vernichten.} 24.
f3 g5 (24... Rd8 $5 25. Rxd8+ Kxd8 26. g4 Ng6 27. Kh2 (27. Kf2 Nf4 28. h4 $4
Nd3+ 29. Ke3 Nxb2 $19) 27... Nf4 28. Kg3 g5 $15 {Schwarz steht besser, weil
die Bauern b3 und e5 (nachdem der schwarze König näher ran kommt) schwach sind.
}) 25. Ng3 ({Der Springer konnte auch gut nach e3 gehen, um das Feld ...c2 zu
kontrollieren!} 25. Ne3 Rd8 26. Rxd8+ Kxd8 27. Kf2 Nc6 (27... Bf5 28. Ke2 $11)
28. Ng4 (28. Nc2 Bf5 29. Ne3 Bb1 $17) 28... Bxg4 29. hxg4 Nd4 30. Bxd4 cxd4 31.
Ke2 c5 32. g3 Ke7 33. Kd3 Ke6 34. Ke4 Kd7 35. Kd3 Ke7 36. f4 gxf4 37. gxf4 f6
38. exf6+ Kxf6 39. Ke4 Kg6 40. Kf3 h5 41. gxh5+ Kxh5 42. f5 Kg5 43. Ke4 Kf6 44.
Kf4 $11) 25... Rd8 26. Rxd8+ Kxd8 27. Kf2 Bf5 $5 {Schwarz ist bereit, seinen
Läufer zu geben. Das Problem ist, dass das Spiel nun fast forciert verläuft.} (
27... Ng6 $15) 28. Nxf5 $8 (28. Ke3 Bc2 $19 {Hier sieht man, warum das Feld c2
so wichtig ist.}) 28... Nxf5 29. g4 Nd4 30. Bxd4 $4 {Verliert sofort. Grischuk
hat wohl das Bauernendspiel falsch eingeschätzt.} ({Weiß konnte hier sogar die
Initiative übernehmen, aber dafür musste er den einzigen Zug finden, nämlich} 
30. Ke3 $1 {siehe die Analyse in der Endspielkolumne von Karsten Müller.})
30... cxd4 31. Ke2 Kd7 32. Kd3 c5 33. Ke4 (33. Ke2 Ke6 $19) 33... Ke6 34. f4
gxf4 35. Kxf4 d3 $1 36. Ke3 Kxe5 37. Kxd3 Kf4 $19 {... und der weiße König
schafft es nicht zum Königsflügel.} 38. Ke2 Kg3 39. Ke3 Kxh3 40. Kf4 Kh4 41.
Kf5 Kg3 $1 (41... f6 42. Kf4 Kh3 43. Kf3 Kh2 44. Kf2 $11) 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.27"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 c5 8.
Rb1 O-O 9. Be2 cxd4 10. cxd4 Qa5+ 11. Bd2 Qxa2 12. O-O Bg4 13. Bg5 h6 14. Be3
Nc6 15. d5 Na5 16. Re1 b6 17. Nd4 Bd7 (17... Bxe2 $6 {allows the radical
activation of the e1-rook:} 18. Rxe2 Qc4 19. Rc2 Qa6 20. Rc7 $16 {Iskusnyh,S 
(2457)-Zablotsky,S (2540)/Tomsk 2009/EXT 2010 (1/2, 38)}) 18. Ra1 Qb2 19. Rb1
Qa2 20. Ra1 Qb2 21. Rb1 Qa2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.28"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D90"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. h4 $5 {This extravagant move has
some abstract justification. Black's position in the centre is not too stable,
quite typically for the Grünfeld, so he might be not that well prepared
against the brutal advance of the h-pawn.} c6 {Adding some stability to the
centre, so as to parry h4-h5, at least for the time being.} ({If} 5... h5 6.
Bg5 {the insertion of the moves h4 and ...h5 ensures that the g5-bishop is
defended, rendering the typical ...Nf6-e4 ineffective.} c6 7. e3 $14 {Kadas,G 
(2224)-Bakos,B (2234)/Hungary 2006/EXT 2009 (0-1, 39)}) 6. Bg5 ({In the few
games played with this line,} 6. cxd5 cxd5 7. Bf4 {In principle, the move
h2-h4 does not seem to fit into what would otherwise be a marginally better
position for White. Still, in the long run the threat h4-h5 may become real
and if Black prevents it with ...h7-h5, things would already look coherent
from White's point of view.} Nc6 8. e3 O-O 9. Ne5 (9. Be2 Bg4 10. O-O e6 11.
Rc1 Rc8 {Melkumyan,H (2649)-Erdos,V (2637)/Germany 2013/CBM 153 (1/2, 58)})
9... Qb6 (9... Be6 10. Nd3 b6 11. Be2 h5 12. Rc1 Bg4 13. f3 Bd7 14. b4 e6 15.
Qb3 $14 {Nenezic,M (2400)-Maric,D (2207)/Belgrade 2013/CBM 152 Extra (1-0, 36)}
) 10. Qb3 Qxb3 (10... Bf5 11. Be2 h5 {Sadorra,J (2431)-Gopal,G (2548)/Beijing
2008/CBM 126 Extra (1-0, 29)} 12. Qxb6 axb6 13. f3 $14) 11. axb3 Nb4 12. Kd2 h5
13. Nd3 Nc6 (13... Nxd3 14. Bxd3 {[%cal Gc3b5]} Bd7 15. Ra5 $14) 14. f3 Bf5 15.
Ne5 $14 {Morozevich,A (2748)-Giri,A (2720)/Beijing 2012/ (1-0, 49). In all
these games, White's better control in the centre and the king's
centralisation make his position more pleasant.}) 6... O-O $146 {This flexible
developing move invites White to display his cards.} (6... Ne4 7. cxd5 (7. e3
$5 $14) 7... cxd5 8. Qb3 Nxc3 {1/2 Wocke,R-Chandler,P/Wiesbaden 1988/GER}) 7.
Bxf6 ({One possible problem is that the natural} 7. e3 {cuts off the bishop's
retreat, allowing} Nh5 $5 {[%cal Gh7h6]}) 7... Bxf6 (7... exf6 $5 {might also
be playable.} 8. cxd5 cxd5 9. e3 Nc6 {[%cal Gf6f5] There is no clear plan of
attacking the d5-pawn, while Black enjoys free development.}) 8. h5 Bf5 {
The bishop hurries to the defence of the kingside.} (8... dxc4 9. e4 b5 ({If} 
9... Be6 {then White gains time to cut the dark-squared bishop out of the play
completely:} 10. e5 Bg7 11. h6 Bh8 12. Ng5 Bd5 13. Qg4 Qb6 14. O-O-O Na6 15. f4
{Black will have to play the rest of the game with his bishop immobile on h8.
Besides, his king is under constant pressure. Would the extra pawn and
activity of the remaining pieces compensate for these important drawbacks?
With Black, I would be afraid they would not.}) 10. e5 Bg7 {Now, the same plan
is more difficult to carry out; Black would react with ...f6 if needed. White
may play} 11. a4 $44 {, hoping that the queenside diversion would create
favourable circumstances on the opposite wing.}) 9. e3 (9. Qb3 $5 dxc4 10. Qxb7
Qb6 11. Qxb6 (11. Qxa8 Qxb2 $19) 11... axb6 12. e4 Be6 13. e5 Bg7 (13... Bh8 {
anticipates the white plan, but the bishop does not stand nicely on h8.}) 14.
h6 $5 Bh8 15. Ng5 Bd5 16. f4 {The h8-bishop has been cut off play mechanically.
On the other hand, Black has an advantage on the queenside and in some cases
he could free his bishop with a knight sacrifice on e5 (following to ...
f7-f6xe5). The final evaluation is not clear to me, since the computers do not
always understand the notion of a trapped piece.}) 9... e6 10. hxg6 Bxg6 $1 (
10... hxg6 11. Ne5 {exposes the bishop to the threat g2-g4 and forces Black to
make some concession.} c5 (11... Bxe5 12. dxe5 Qg5 13. Qd4 Nd7 14. cxd5 exd5
15. O-O-O $36) 12. g4 cxd4 13. exd4 Be4 14. f3 Bh4+ 15. Ke2 f6 16. Nd7 $5 Qxd7
17. Rxh4 g5 18. Rh1 Bg6 19. cxd5 exd5 20. Kf2 $14) 11. Bd3 Nd7 12. Qe2 (12.
cxd5 cxd5 {[%cal Ge6e5] does not change things essentially.}) 12... e5 $132 {
Black clears the path for his Grünfeld bishop, which will compensate for the
relative weakness of the Isolani.} 13. Bxg6 hxg6 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. cxd5 cxd5
16. Rd1 Qa5 17. Kf1 {Grischuk keeps his rook on h1, in order to inhibit ...
Bxc3.} (17. O-O Nxf3+ 18. Qxf3 Bxc3 19. Rxd5 Qxa2 20. bxc3 a5 $11) (17. Rxd5
Nxf3+ 18. Kf1 {looks trickier, but Black has some tricks as well:} Nd2+ $3 (
18... Qc7 19. Qxf3 Bxc3 20. bxc3 Qxc3 21. Qh3 $36) 19. Qxd2 (19. Rxd2 Bxc3 20.
bxc3 Qxc3 $11) 19... Rad8 $1 $44) 17... Rad8 18. Nd4 Qc5 $11 (18... Rfe8 $2 19.
Nb3 $16 {wins the d5-pawn.}) 19. Nb3 {White has no advantage at all and,
fearing the pressure of the enemy minor pieces, immediately started peace
negotiations. In view of the weakness of his central pawn, Black cannot avoid
the repetition.} Qc6 20. Na5 Qc7 21. Nb3 Qc6 22. Na5 Qc7 23. Nb3 Qc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.28"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D93"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[Annotator "Mikhalchishin,A"]
[PlyCount "34"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 c5 7. dxc5 Ne4 8. Rc1
(8. Be5 {is a quite logical idea} Nxc3 (8... Bxe5 9. Nxe5 Nxc3 10. bxc3 Qa5 (
10... Qc7 11. Qd4 f6 12. Nf3 Nc6 13. Qxd5+ Kg7 14. Qd2 e5 15. Be2 Na5 16. O-O
Be6 17. Qb2 Qxc5 18. Nd2 Qc7 19. Qb4 Rac8 20. Rfd1 b6 21. c5 Qxc5 22. Ba6 Rc7
$11 {1/2 Alburt,L (2420)-Tukmakov,V (2570)/Vilnius 1975/MCL (33)}) 11. Qd4 f6
12. Nf3 Nc6 13. Qxd5+ (13. Qd2 dxc4 14. Qd5+ $6 (14. Bxc4+ Kg7 15. O-O Qxc5 16.
Bb3 {=}) 14... Kg7 15. Rc1 (15. Qxc4 $2 Be6 $1) 15... Qxa2 (15... Qa3 $6 16.
Rc2 Bf5 17. e4 Rfd8 18. Qxc4 Bg4 19. Be2 $11) 16. Bxc4 Qa5 (16... Qa3 $6 17.
O-O e6 18. Qe4 Qxc5 19. Bxe6 Re8 20. Qd5 $1) 17. h4 $2 (17. Nd4 $2 Ne5 18. c6
Qxd5 19. Bxd5 bxc6 20. Bxc6 Nxc6 21. Nxc6 Bb7 $1) (17. O-O) 17... Qd8 $1 18. h5
(18. Qe4 Bf5 19. Qf4 e5 20. Qg3 h5) 18... Qxd5 19. Bxd5 Rd8 20. e4 a5 21. Rb1
a4 22. h6+ Kf8 23. Nh4 Ra5 $19 24. Rd1 (24. Nxg6+ hxg6 25. h7 Kg7 26. Bxc6 bxc6
27. h8=Q+ Rxh8 28. Rxh8 Kxh8 29. Rb8 a3 $1 $19) 24... Re8 25. f4 Rxc5 $19 {
Yuneev,A-Polovodin,I (2355)/Leningrad 1979/}) 13... Kg7 14. Qd2 Qxc5 (14... Rd8
15. Qb2 Qxc5 $15) 15. Qb2 Be6 16. Nd4 Bxc4 17. Bxc4 Qxc4 18. Qb3 Qxb3 19. axb3
Rfc8 20. Kd2 Kf7 21. Rhc1 e5 22. Nxc6 {1/2 Portisch,L (2591)-Ruck,R (2573)/
Hungary 2001/EXT 2004}) 9. Bxc3 (9. bxc3 dxc4 10. Qxd8 Rxd8 11. Bxc4 Nc6 12.
Bxg7 Kxg7 13. Nd4 Bd7 14. Be2 Rac8 15. O-O Ne5 16. Rfb1 Rc7 17. h3 Be8 {
Kuzmin,G (2535)-Tseshkovsky,V (2570)/Tallinn 1979/EXT 2001 (30). Black is
still fighting for equality.}) 9... Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 Qa5 $36 11. cxd5 Qxc3+ 12.
Nd2 Qxc5 13. e4 $14) 8... Nd7 ({I had an analysis from 1970 which I
successfully used just 30 years later!} 8... Nxc3 9. bxc3 Qa5 10. Qb3 dxc4 11.
Bxc4 Qxc5 12. Rd1 Nc6 13. Rd5 Qb6 14. Rb5 Qd8 15. Ng5 e6 16. Ne4 Na5 17. Qb4
Nxc4 18. Qxc4 b6 19. Bg5 f6 20. Bf4 Qd7 21. Rb4 Bb7 22. O-O Rac8 23. Qe2 e5 24.
Bg3 g5 25. Rd1 Qe7 26. Ra4 Bc6 27. Rc4 Bb5 28. Nd6 Bxc4 29. Nxc4 Qe6 {0-1
Olarasu,G (2327)-Mikhalchishin,A (2522)/Nova Gorica 2005/CBM 104 ext}) 9. cxd5
Qa5 ({An interesting sharp option is} 9... Ndxc5 10. Be5 Nxc3 11. bxc3 f6 (
11... Bxe5 12. Nxe5 Bf5 13. Bc4 Qc7 14. Qd4 Rad8 15. O-O Rd6 16. Ng4 Bxg4 17.
Qxg4 Rc8 {Hammer,J (2601)-Swiercz,D (2585)/Germany 2011/ White still keeps the
extra pawn.}) 12. Bg3 Bd7 13. Bc4 Rc8 14. O-O Ne4 15. Bb3 Kh8 16. c4 Qb6 17.
Qd4 Nxg3 18. hxg3 Rc5 19. Ne1 f5 20. Qd2 Rc7 21. Nd3 Qf6 22. Rfd1 b6 23. a4 Rb8
24. Nb4 {Andersen,M (2461)-Wagner,D (2456)/Wattenscheid GER 2012; with
advantage.}) 10. Nd4 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Qxa2 (11... Nxc5 {is the common move.} 12.
Bc4 e5 (12... Bd7 13. O-O Na4 (13... Rac8 14. Bb3 Nxb3 15. Qxb3 b5 16. Bg5 Rfe8
17. f4 Rc4 18. f5 Qb6 19. Rb1 Qc5 20. fxg6 hxg6 21. Qd1 Qxd5 {Sachdev,T (2396)
-Zinchenko,Y (2544)/Kavala 2010/ with better chances.}) 14. Qb3 Nb6 15. Bb5
Bxd4 16. Bxd7 Bg7 17. Bb5 a6 18. Be2 Nxd5 19. c4 Nxf4 20. exf4 b6 21. Rfd1 Rad8
{Sanikidze,T (2585)-Gupta,A (2637)/Istanbul 2012; just White can have problems.
}) 13. dxe6 Bxe6 14. Bxe6 Nxe6 15. Nxe6 Bxc3+ 16. Kf1 (16. Ke2 fxe6 17. Qb3
Qa6+ 18. Kf3 Be5 19. h4 Rf7 20. Qc4 Bxf4 21. exf4 b5 {With good play,
Iturrizaga Bonelli,E (2649)-Le Quang,L (2714)/Moscow 2012}) 16... fxe6 17. Qb3
Qa6+ 18. Kg1 Bf6 19. h3 Rad8 20. Kh2 Rd2 (20... Rd3 21. Qb1 Rd2 {1/2 Grigore,G
(2532)-Mekhitarian,K (2511)/Arad 2010}) 21. Rc2 Rxc2 22. Qxc2 Qc6 23. Qxc6 bxc6
24. Rc1 Rc8 25. Bd6 Kf7 26. Kg3 Be7 27. Bc5 Bxc5 28. Rxc5 Ke7 29. Ra5 c5 30.
Rxa7+ Kd6 31. Kf3 c4 32. Ke2 Rb8 {Gustafsson,J (2633)-Safarli,E (2630)/Porto
Carras 2011; Black's activity is sufficient compensation for the pawn.}) 12. c6
(12. Qb3 Qxb3 13. Nxb3 a5 $132 14. c6 Nf6 15. d6 bxc6 16. dxe7 Re8 17. Nd4 Bd7
18. Bd6 Ne4 19. Ba3 c5 20. Bd3 Rxe7 21. Bxe4 Rxe4 22. Bxc5 Rc8 23. Ba3 f5 24.
g3 {White has managed to keep his extra pawn, but the bishop pair and the
potentially dangerous a5-pawn offer Black ample compensation.} g5 25. Kd2 Rce8
26. Rhe1 f4 27. exf4 Rxe1 28. Rxe1 Rxe1 29. Kxe1 gxf4 30. Kd2 Kf7 31. Kd3 fxg3
32. hxg3 h5 33. f4 Bf6 34. Kc4 h4 35. gxh4 Bxh4 36. Nf3 Bf6 37. Ne5+ Bxe5 38.
fxe5 Ke6 39. Bd6 {1/2 Fridman,D (2655)-Kramnik,V (2799)/Dortmund 2012/CBM 150/
[Marin,M]}) 12... Nc5 13. Be2 $146 (13. c4 Ne4 14. Qc2 Qa5+ 15. Ke2 Nc5 16.
cxb7 Bxb7 17. f3 e5 18. dxe6 Nxe6 19. Nxe6 fxe6 20. Bd6 Rfd8 21. c5 Rac8 22.
Rd1 Bd5 {Somogyi,I (2290)-Kun,S (2295)/Hungary 1992/ White has to be very
carefull.}) 13... Qxd5 14. Bf3 ({No problems await Black after} 14. O-O e5 15.
Bf3 Qd6 16. cxb7 Bxb7 17. Bxb7 Nxb7 18. Bg3 a5 19. c4 a4) 14... Qc4 (14... Qa2
{was dangerous:} 15. O-O e5 16. Bg3 a5 17. c4 exd4 18. Bd6) 15. Be2 {There is
nothing better for White than to repeat moves.} Qd5 16. Bf3 Qc4 17. Be2 Qd5
1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.28"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E60"]
[WhiteElo "2810"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 ({Kramnik more often than not prefers the Classical
King's Indian with} 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 {However, the
fianchetto shouldn't have been too surprising for Radjabov, as he used it
already in round 3 against Grischuk (and subsequently against Gelfand).}) 3...
c5 {Radjabov naturally follows his own repertoire. Grischuk and Gelfand both
went for the Grünfeld with} (3... d5) ({and} 3... c6 {respectively.}) 4. Nf3
Bg7 (4... cxd4 $143 {is premature:} 5. Nxd4 Qc7 6. Nc3 $142 $1 (6. b3 {is not
forceful enough:} Bg7 (6... b6 $1 7. Bg2 Bb7 $11) 7. Bg2 d5 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. O-O
Qd7 $6 (9... Nc6 10. Bb2 Qb6 11. Bxd5 Nxd4 12. e3 Be6 $1 13. Bxe6 Nxe6 14. Bxg7
Nxg7 15. Nc3 O-O {/\} 16. Qd7 Rfc8 17. Nd5 Qd8 $1 $11 {Kasparov}) 10. Bb2 O-O
11. Qc1 Rd8 12. Rd1 Nc6 13. Nxc6 Qxc6 14. Qxc6 bxc6 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 {Karpov,A 
(2710)-Kasparov,G (2735)/Brussels/1987/} 16. Nc3 $14 {Kasparov}) 6... Bg7 (6...
Qxc4 7. e4 (7. Bg5 $6 Bg7 8. Rc1 O-O 9. Bg2 Nc6 10. Ncb5 Qxa2 11. Ra1 Qxb2 12.
Rb1 Qa2 13. Ra1 Qb2 14. Rb1 Qa2 15. Ra1 {1/2, Kilgus,G (2354)-Stohl,I (2545)/
Vienna/2008/}) 7... Qc5 8. Ndb5 Na6 9. Be3 Qc6 10. Rc1 $32 {+/-}) 7. Ndb5 $1 (
7. Bf4 d6 8. Qa4+ Bd7 9. Ncb5 Qc8 10. Bxd6 $2 {Ornstein,A (2430)-Akesson,R 
(2445)/Norrkoeping/1988/} Ne4 $1 11. Bxb8 Bxd4 12. O-O-O Bg7 13. Bh3 O-O 14.
Bxd7 Qxb8 $17) 7... Qc6 (7... Qxc4 8. e4 Qc6 9. Bg2 $1 (9. Bf4 Na6 (9... O-O $1
10. Nc7 g5 11. Be5 Nxe4 $13) 10. Bg2 d6 11. Bf3 Qb6 12. Be3 Qa5 13. a3 O-O 14.
b4 Qd8 15. Rc1 h5 16. h3 Nd7 17. Bg2 {Claesen,P (2230)-Langner,L (2345)/
Antwerp/1992/} Nb6 18. O-O Nc7 19. Nxc7 Qxc7 20. Nd5 Qd8 21. Nc7 Rb8 22. a4 Bd7
23. a5 Na4 24. Bxa7 Rc8 $132) 9... a6 10. O-O axb5 11. e5 $40 {Kasparov}) 8. e4
a6 (8... Nxe4 $2 9. Nd5 $18) 9. Nd4 Qc7 10. Bg2 d6 11. b3 Nc6 12. O-O O-O 13.
Bb2 $14 {()}) 5. Bg2 cxd4 ({Just as in the previous note, White should
sacrifice a pawn for development even after} 5... Qa5+ 6. Nc3 Ne4 7. Qd3 cxd4
8. Nxd4 Nc5 9. Qd1 Nc6 10. e3 Ne6 11. O-O $1 (11. Nxe6 $6 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 dxe6
13. O-O O-O 14. Qb3 Qc7 15. c5 e5 16. c4 Bf5 17. Bd2 Rad8 18. Rfd1 Bg4 19. f3
Be6 20. Bf1 e4 $1 $17 {Ponomariov,R (2726)-Volokitin,A (2704)/UKR-ch Kiev/2012/
}) 11... Qc5 (11... O-O $142) 12. Ndb5 a6 13. Na4 Qxc4 14. Nbc3 Rb8 15. Nb6 Qc5
16. Ncd5 O-O 17. b4 Qd6 18. Nc4 Qxd5 19. Bxd5 Bxa1 20. Nb6 $16 {Supatashvili,K
(2479)-Bagaturov,G (2501)/Tbilisi/2000/}) 6. Nxd4 O-O 7. Nc3 ({Black easily
holds the balance after} 7. Nc2 Nc6 8. Nc3 d6 9. O-O Be6 10. b3 Qd7 11. Nd5 Bh3
12. Bxh3 Qxh3 13. Nf4 Qd7 14. Bb2 Rfd8 15. Rc1 e6 16. Qe1 Ne7 17. Ne3 b5 18.
Qa5 a6 19. Rfd1 Nc6 20. Qe1 Qb7 21. Nd3 Rac8 22. cxb5 axb5 23. Nc2 Ne7 24. Ncb4
Ne4 25. Bxg7 Kxg7 26. f3 Nf6 27. Qf2 e5 28. e4 d5 $11 {Aronian,L (2802)-Giri,A
(2720)/Wijk aan Zee/2013/}) ({It's difficult to advantageously break the
symmetry after} 7. O-O d5 8. cxd5 Nxd5 {, Radjabov's own games provide ample
proof that Black should gradually equalise:} 9. Nb5 (9. Nc3 Nxc3 10. bxc3 Nc6
11. Nxc6 (11. Be3 Bd7 12. Rb1 Qc7 13. Qb3 b6 14. Rfd1 Na5 15. Qb4 Rae8 16. Bg5
Bf6 17. Bh6 Bg7 18. Bg5 Bf6 19. Bh6 {1/2, Khalifman,A (2616)-Vescovi,G (2660)/
Moscow/2010/}) 11... bxc6 12. Ba3 (12. Bxc6 Bh3 $11) (12. Bg5 Ba6 13. Bf3 Bxc3
14. Rc1 Qxd1 15. Rfxd1 Bb4 16. Rxc6 Bb7 17. Rc7 Bxf3 18. exf3 Bd6 19. Rd7 f6
20. Be3 {1/2, Kirov,N (2420)-Witkowski,S (2330)/Lodz/1979/} a5 $11) 12... Bg4
13. Bxc6 Rc8 14. Qxd8 Rfxd8 15. Bxe7 Bxe2 16. Bxd8 Bxf1 17. Kxf1 Rxd8 18. Re1
Bxc3 19. Re8+ Rxe8 20. Bxe8 Bd4 $11 {Svidler,P (2747)-Radjabov,T (2792)/ECC
Eilat/2012/}) 9... Be6 (9... a6 10. N5c3 Nxc3 11. Nxc3 Nc6 12. Be3 Be6 13. Qc1
$6 (13. Qa4 $142 $1 Qc7 14. Rac1 $11 {/+/=}) 13... Rc8 14. Rd1 Qa5 15. Bf3 Rfd8
16. Rxd8+ Rxd8 17. Bh6 Bxh6 18. Qxh6 Nd4 $15 {Dautov,R (2609)-Radjabov,T (2667)
/Mulhouse/2005/}) 10. N1c3 (10. Nd4 Bc8 $11) (10. e4 $6 Nb4 11. N1c3 Qa5 12.
Bf4 Bc4 13. a3 {Gazik,R (2155)-Szymanowska,K (2100)/Sopot/} Nd3 $36) 10... Nxc3
11. Nxc3 Nc6 12. Qa4 Qb6 13. Qa3 Rfd8 14. Be3 Qa5 15. Qxa5 Nxa5 16. Rac1 Rac8
17. Bxa7 Rd2 18. b4 Bxc3 19. bxa5 Bxa5 20. Bxb7 Rxc1 21. Rxc1 Rd7 22. Rb1 Bxa2
23. Rb2 Bc3 24. Rxa2 {1/2, Morozevich,A (2771)-Radjabov,T (2761)/Wijk aan Zee/
2009/}) 7... Qc7 {Radjabov plays his pet move.} (7... Nc6 8. O-O {- A39 is the
main alternative, which leads to a theoretical position of a different type.})
8. b3 {Other moves promise White nothing:} (8. Nd5 Nxd5 (8... Qxc4 9. Nxe7+ Kh8
10. Nxc8 Rxc8 11. O-O Nc6 12. e3 (12. Nc2 Re8 13. Ne3 Qe6 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. Bxd5
Qxe2 16. Bxf7 Re7 17. Qxe2 Rxe2 18. Rb1 Rf8 19. Bc4 Rexf2 20. Rxf2 Bd4 21. Bf4
g5 22. Kg2 Bxf2 23. Bxg5 Bd4 24. Rd1 Bxb2 25. Rxd7 Ne5 {1/2, Wojtaszek,R (2569)
-Fressinet,L (2638)/Warsaw/2005/}) (12. Nxc6 dxc6 13. b3 Qc3 14. Bd2 Qe5 15.
Rc1 Rd8 16. Rc2 Ne4 17. Qc1 Nxd2 18. Rxd2 Rxd2 19. Qxd2 Qd4 $11 {Khurtsidze,N 
(2418)-Lomineishvili,M (2396)/Tbilisi/2005/}) 12... Nxd4 13. exd4 d5 14. Be3
Rc6 15. Bf3 Rac8 16. Qb3 Qxb3 17. axb3 a6 18. Rfc1 Rxc1+ 19. Rxc1 Rxc1+ 20.
Bxc1 Ne4 21. Be3 f5 $11 {Sargissian,G (2602)-Radjabov,T (2667)/Moscow/2005/})
9. cxd5 Qa5+ (9... Qb6 10. e3 d6 11. O-O Na6 12. a4 Bd7 13. a5 Qc7 14. Bd2 Rac8
15. b4 Qb8 16. b5 Nc7 17. Qe2 e6 18. dxe6 Nxe6 19. Nxe6 Bxe6 20. Rac1 d5 21.
Bb4 Rfd8 22. Qd3 d4 23. e4 Rxc1 24. Rxc1 Rc8 $132 {Wang Hao (2737)-Radjabov,T 
(2793)/Beijing blindfold rpd/2012/}) 10. Bd2 Qb6 11. Bc3 d6 12. Rc1 Nd7 13. Nb3
Bxc3+ 14. Rxc3 a5 15. Qd4 Qxd4 16. Nxd4 Nc5 17. Kd2 Bd7 18. Rhc1 a4 19. b4 axb3
20. axb3 Ra2+ 21. R1c2 Ra1 22. b4 Na6 23. Rb2 Ra4 24. Nc2 Rc8 $11 {Karpov,A 
(2619)-Gashimov,V (2758)/Moscow blitz/2009/}) (8. Qa4 d6 9. Ncb5 Qd8 10. O-O a6
11. Nc3 Bd7 12. Qd1 Nc6 13. b3 Nxd4 14. Qxd4 Bc6 15. Bb2 Ne4 16. Qe3 Nxc3 17.
Bxc3 Bxc3 18. Qxc3 Bxg2 19. Kxg2 Qc7 20. Qd3 Rfc8 $11 {Drozdovskij,Y (2558)
-Radjabov,T (2747)/Odessa rpd/2007/}) (8. Ndb5 $5 Qxc4 9. b3 Qc5 10. Be3 Qb4
11. a3 Qa5 12. b4 Qd8 13. Nxa7 Ng4 14. Bd4 Bxd4 (14... Nc6 $5 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16.
Nxc8 Rxc8 $132) 15. Qxd4 Nc6 16. Qxg4 Rxa7 17. Qf4 (17. O-O d5 $11) 17... e5
18. Qc4 b5 $5 19. Qb3 $2 (19. Nxb5 Ba6 20. Bxc6 Rc7 21. Qd5 Rxc6 22. O-O $14)
19... Bb7 20. Qb2 Qa8 21. O-O Nd4 $36 {Tregubov,P (2607)-Kurnosov,I (2549)/
Kazan/2005/}) (8. Qd3 Nc6 9. O-O d6 10. b3 Nxd4 11. Qxd4 Be6 12. Bb2 Rfc8 13.
Rac1 a6 14. Na4 Ne8 15. Qd2 Bxb2 16. Qxb2 Bd7 17. c5 Bxa4 18. bxa4 dxc5 19.
Qxb7 Ra7 20. Qb3 Nd6 21. Rfd1 Qa5 22. Rd5 Rac7 23. Qc2 Nf5 24. Qd1 Kg7 25. Bh3
e6 26. Bxf5 exd5 27. Bxc8 Rxc8 28. Qxd5 Qxa4 $11 {Bocharov,D (2647)-Shomoev,A 
(2567)/EU-ch Budva/2009/}) 8... d5 $1 {The point of Black's setup, otherwise
White would just finish his development and enjoy a space advantage, while
Black's queen is not ideally placed either.} 9. Ndb5 {White should refrain
from accepting the sacrifice, the pawn is poisoned:} (9. Nxd5 $2 Nxd5 10. Bxd5
e6 {[%csl Rd4,Rd5]} 11. Nb5 (11. Bg2 Rd8 $19) 11... Qe5 $19) (9. Bxd5 $6 Bh3
10. Bb2 (10. Ndb5 Qc8 11. e3 Rd8 12. Bd2 Nc6 13. Qe2 Nb4 14. Rc1 e6 15. Na4
Nxa2 16. Rc2 exd5 17. Rxa2 dxc4 18. Qxc4 Qf5 19. Nac3 Rac8 20. Qe2 Ne4 {
0-1, Ledger,A (2424)-Dragomirescu,R (2358)/Plovdiv/2012/}) 10... Rd8 11. Qc1 e6
12. Bf3 a6 13. Nc2 Nc6 14. Qf4 Ne5 $40 {[%csl Re1]} 15. Rc1 h6 16. Na4 Nfd7 17.
Ne3 g5 18. Qe4 Nxf3+ 19. exf3 Nc5 20. Nxc5 Qa5+ {0-1, Hansen,C (2595)-Gelfand,
B (2665)/Cap d'Agde rpd/1996/}) ({Very similar to the game is} 9. O-O dxc4 10.
Ncb5 Qd8 (10... Qb6 11. bxc4 a6 12. Nc3 Nbd7 13. Ba3 Qa5 14. Qb3 Re8 15. Rfd1
Rb8 16. Nd5 Nxd5 17. cxd5 Nc5 18. Qb4 Qxb4 19. Bxb4 Na4 20. Rac1 Be5 21. e4 Bd6
22. a3 Bd7 23. f4 Rbc8 24. e5 Bxb4 25. axb4 Nb2 26. Rxc8 Rxc8 $132 {Leko,P 
(2751)-Carlsen,M (2776)/Nice rpd/2009/}) 11. bxc4 a6 12. Nc3 Ng4 $1 (12... e5
$6 {[%csl Rg7]} 13. Nb3 Nc6 14. Be3 Nd7 15. Nd5 Re8 16. Rb1 Nf8 $2 17. Nc5 b5
18. Ne4 Nd4 19. Bg5 Qa5 20. Ndf6+ {1-0, Izoria,Z (2489)-Kocovski,I (2324)/
EU-ch Ohrid/2001/}) 13. e3 Nc6 14. Rb1 (14. Nce2 Nge5 (14... Qc7 $1 $11 {
[%cal Yf8d8]}) 15. Qc2 Qc7 16. c5 Bg4 17. Rb1 Rad8 18. h3 Bxe2 $6 (18... Bd7
$142 $132) 19. Qxe2 Nxd4 20. exd4 Nc6 21. Bf4 Qc8 22. d5 Nd4 23. Qe4 Qxc5 24.
Rxb7 e6 25. d6 Nf5 26. d7 e5 {Grischuk,A (2711)-Radjabov,T (2735)/Odessa rpd/
2008/} 27. Bg5 $5 Nd6 28. Qa4 Nxb7 29. Bxb7 $16 {[%csl Gd7]}) 14... Nxe3 15.
Bxe3 Bxd4 16. Bxd4 Qxd4 17. Qxd4 Nxd4 18. Nd5 Kg7 19. Nxe7 (19. Rfe1 b5 20.
Nxe7 Ra7 21. cxb5 axb5 22. Nc6 {1/2, Borovikov,V (2601)-Polzin,R (2494)/
Paleochora/2010/}) 19... Be6 20. Nd5 Rac8 21. Ne3 b5 22. cxb5 axb5 23. Rb2 Rfd8
24. Rd1 {1/2, Aronian,L (2739)-Radjabov,T (2735)/Morelia/Linares/2008/}) 9...
Qa5 10. Bd2 dxc4 11. bxc4 Qd8 {It's best to retreat with the exposed queen
immediately:} (11... Nc6 $143 12. O-O Ng4 13. Nd5 Qd8 14. Rc1 a6 15. Nbc3 e6
16. Ne3 Nge5 17. c5 Qe7 18. Ne4 Rd8 19. Nd6 Rb8 20. Bc3 $16 {Dautov,R (2623)
-Cvitan,O (2532)/Mallorca olm/2004/ For more details see the notes to this
game by Dautov in CBM 104.}) 12. O-O a6 (12... Nc6 13. Rb1 (13. Nd5 a6 14. Nbc3
Nd7 15. Rc1 e6 16. Nf4 Nc5 17. Ne4 Nxe4 18. Bxe4 Bd7 19. Nd3 Qc7 20. Re1 Rab8
21. c5 Rfd8 22. Bc3 Bxc3 23. Rxc3 Nd4 24. e3 Nb5 25. Rb3 e5 26. a4 Na7 27. Qa1
f6 28. Reb1 Bc6 $11 {Tesic,D (2348)-Baklan,V (2610)/Trieste/2012/}) (13. Rc1
Be6 14. Na4 Qc8 15. Bf4 Bh3 16. Qb3 Qf5 17. Qf3 Rad8 18. Bxh3 Qxh3 19. Rfd1 Ng4
20. Qg2 Qh5 $132 {Prohaszka,P (2547)-Polzin,R (2460)/AUT-chT/2012/}) 13... Be6
(13... Bf5 $5 14. e4 Bg4 $13) 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. cxd5 Bxd5 16. Bxd5 Qxd5 17. Nc7
Qxa2 18. Nxa8 Rxa8 (18... Rd8 19. Rxb7 Rxd2 20. Qb3 $14) 19. Be3 Rd8 20. Qc1
Qxe2 21. Rxb7 Ne5 22. Qc7 Rf8 23. Rbb1 {Rustemov,A (2544)-Jochens,A (2298)/
Bundesliga/2013/} h5 24. Qxa7 h4 $44) 13. Na3 Bf5 14. Nc2 (14. Rc1 Nc6 15. c5
Qd7 16. Bf4 Qe6 17. Qb3 Qxb3 18. axb3 Rad8 19. Nc4 Be6 20. Ne5 Nd5 21. Nxd5
Bxd5 22. Nxc6 bxc6 23. Bxd5 Rxd5 $11 {Rustemov,A (2495)-Dydyshko,V (2575)/
Minsk/1996/}) 14... Nc6 15. Ne3 Qd7 $6 $146 {Obviously insufficiently prepared
for White's opening choice, Radjabov was spending oceans of time remembering
his preparation and here came up with a rather dubious novelty.} ({It's not
clear what Kramnik had on his mind after} 15... Qd4 $142 $1 16. Rc1 (16. Nxf5
gxf5 17. Rc1 Rad8 {just transposes to Gelfand-Sokolov below.}) 16... Be4 $5 (
16... Rad8 {An interesting, albeit untested possibility is} 17. Qb3 $5 (17.
Nxf5 gxf5 18. Nd5 Ne4 19. Be3 Qxd1 (19... Qb2 $5 $13) 20. Rfxd1 e6 21. Bxe4
fxe4 22. Nb6 Rxd1+ 23. Rxd1 Rd8 24. Rb1 Bd4 25. Bxd4 Rxd4 26. Rb2 Kg7 27. c5
Rb4 28. Rd2 Rb1+ 29. Kg2 Rc1 30. Nd7 f5 31. Rb2 Na5 $11 {Gelfand,B (2700)
-Sokolov,I (2665)/Wijk aan Zee/1996/}) 17... Be4 (17... Qxd2 18. Bxc6 {[%csl
Rb7][%cal Rf1d1]} Ng4 19. Nxf5 (19. Rfd1 $6 Bxc3 20. Rxd2 Bxd2) 19... bxc6 $5
20. Nxe7+ Kh8 21. Nxc6 Rd6 $44 {/\} 22. Ne7 Re6 23. Ned5 Qh6 24. h4 g5) 18.
Qxb7 Bxg2 19. Kxg2 Ne5 20. Rfd1 Nxc4 21. Nxc4 Qxc4 22. Qxe7 Rfe8 $44) 17. Nxe4
Nxe4 18. Be1 Nc5 19. Bxc6 bxc6 20. Qxd4 Bxd4 21. Nc2 Bf6 22. Ba5 Rab8 23. Rb1
Rb7 (23... Ne4 $5 {[%cal Ye4c3,Ye4d6]}) 24. Rxb7 Nxb7 25. Bb6 c5 26. Ne3 Bd4 $2
(26... Rc8 $1 27. Nd5 Kg7 $11) 27. Nd5 e6 28. e3 Be5 29. Ne7+ Kg7 30. Rd1 Bd6
31. Nc6 Rc8 32. Nd8 Nxd8 33. Rxd6 Rc6 34. Rxc6 Nxc6 35. Bxc5 $14 {Aronian,L 
(2675)-Nataf,I (2565)/Mallorca olm/2004/}) (15... Be6 16. Rb1 Rb8 (16... Rc8
17. Na4 $5) 17. Ncd5 $14) 16. Nxf5 Qxf5 {Keeps his pawn-structure intact, but
the Pb7 will be more vulnerable.} (16... gxf5 17. Rb1 Rad8 $14 {also deserved
attention and was roughly equivalent.}) 17. Rb1 $14 {[%csl Gd2,Gg2][%cal Gh1a8]
[%mdl 2048] White can be satisfied with the outcome of the opening. His pieces
are well coordinated and the bishop-pair gives him a pleasant and almost
riskless pull, especially powerful is the unopposed Catalan Bg2.} Rad8 (17...
Rab8 18. Nd5 Rfd8 19. Rb6 $5 $14) 18. Qc1 (18. Rxb7 Na5 19. Rb4 Qe6 {regains
the pawn:} {However, even here White has a pull after} 20. Qc2 $5 (20. Nd5 Nxc4
21. Rxc4 Nxd5 $11) (20. Bd5 Qh3 {[%cal Rf6g4]} 21. Bf3 Ng4 22. Bxg4 Qxg4 23.
Nd5 Nxc4 24. Nxe7+ Kh8 25. Nc6 Rd5 26. Na5 (26. Qc1 Qxe2) 26... Rxa5 27. Rxc4
Qxc4 28. Bxa5 Qxa2 $11) 20... Nxc4 21. Bf4 $14) 18... Qe6 {Here the queen will
be vulnerable (even later on move 21).} (18... Rd7 $5 19. Nd5 Rfd8 $132 {
deserves attention.}) 19. Re1 (19. Nd5 Nd4 $11 {leads nowhere, Kramnik's move
prepares the knight sortie.}) (19. Rxb7 $5 Na5 20. Rb4 Nxc4 21. Bf4 $14) 19...
Qxc4 (19... Ne5 20. c5 Nc4 21. Bg5 $14) 20. Rxb7 Ne5 $6 (20... Na5 $142 $1 21.
Rb1 (21. Rxe7 Qc5 22. Re3 Rxd2 23. Qxd2 Nc4 $11) 21... Qe6 (21... Rc8 22. Qa3
$14) (21... Ng4 {[%cal Rd8d2]} 22. Ne4 Qxa2 23. Bb4 (23. h3 Nxf2 24. Bxa5 Nxh3+
25. Bxh3 Qxa5 $13) 23... Rc8 24. Qg5 {[%csl Ra5,Rg4]} Nc6 25. Qxg4 Nxb4 26.
Rxb4 f5 27. Qg5 fxe4 28. Bxe4 $14) 22. Bf4 Rc8 23. Qa3 Nc4 24. Qb3 Nh5 $132)
21. Bf4 (21. Rxe7 $1 {was possible here, contrary to the above line after} Qc5
{White has} 22. Rb7 $16) 21... Qe6 22. h3 ({More energetic was} 22. Qa3 $5 Rfe8
(22... Rd7 23. Rxd7 Nexd7 24. Rc1 $36) 23. Qb3 Qxb3 24. axb3 $36) 22... Nc4 (
22... Rd7 23. Rxd7 Nexd7 24. Qa3 $36) 23. e4 $5 {[%cal Yc3d5]} ({A plausible
alternative was} 23. Rd1 $14) 23... Ne5 {[%cal Re5d3]} (23... Rd7 24. e5 (24.
Rxd7 Nxd7 25. Nd5 $14) 24... Nh5 25. Rxd7 Qxd7 26. Nd5 Nxf4 27. Qxf4 $36) 24.
Bxe5 $1 {A simple solution, even with the opposite-coloured bishops White
retains his pressure.} ({Playable, but more complex was} 24. Qa3 Rfe8 (24...
Nd3 25. Rxe7 Qc8 (25... Qxe7 26. Qxe7 Nxe1 27. e5 (27. Qb7 $36) (27. Bh1 $5)
27... Nxg2 28. Kxg2 Nh5 29. Qc5 $14) 26. Rc7 Qe6 27. Rb1 Nxf4 28. gxf4 Rd3 $14
{/<=>}) 25. Reb1 {[%cal Yc3d5]} Nc4 26. Qa4 Nd6 27. Rc7 Nh5 28. Qxa6 Nxf4 29.
gxf4 $14) 24... Qxe5 25. Nd5 Rfe8 (25... Kh8 26. Nxe7 Rd7 27. Rxd7 Nxd7 28. Nd5
$16) (25... Nxd5 $5 26. exd5 Qd6 (26... Rc8 27. Qd1 {doesn't change the issue
- Black will lose a pawn.}) 27. Rexe7 Bd4 $14 {/+/- was possibly better. Black
is a pawn down, but he got rid off the dangerous knight and the central passed
pawn is blockaded. Further exchanges of major pieces would enhance Radjabov's
drawing chances.}) 26. Nb4 Rd7 (26... Rc8 27. Nc6 Qe6 28. e5 Nd7 29. f4 $16 {
[%csl Gc6,Rg7] ()}) 27. Nc6 Qe6 28. Rb6 $6 (28. Rb3 $142 $1 Rc7 29. Rc3 {
[%csl Gc6]} Bh6 (29... Qxa2 $2 30. e5 Nd5 (30... Nd7 31. Nxe7+ $18) 31. Ra3 $18
{[%csl Rd5]}) 30. f4 $5 (30. Qxh6 Rxc6 31. Rxc6 Qxc6 32. e5 Nd5 (32... Qc3 33.
Qe3 Qxe3 34. Rxe3 Nh5 $8 35. Ra3 $16) 33. e6 $1 fxe6 34. h4 $44 {->}) 30...
Rec8 31. e5 Nh5 32. Kh2 $36) (28. Rb4 $5 $14) 28... Qxa2 $2 {[%mdl 8192]
Towards the end of the Candidates Radjabov was totally out of form, here he
commits a decisive tactical error.} ({Bitter is that it comes exactly at the
moment, when he could have solved his problems with} 28... Rc7 $1 29. Rxa6 (29.
e5 Nd5 30. Bxd5 (30. Rxa6 Nb4 $17 {[%cal Rb4a6,Rb4c6,Rb4d3]}) 30... Qxd5 $15 {
[%csl Rc6,Re5]} {/\} 31. Rxa6 $2 Qb5) 29... Nd7 {[%cal Rd7e5,Rd7b8]} 30. e5
Nxe5 (30... Rec8 $2 31. Bd5 Qxh3 32. e6 $18) (30... Nb8 31. Rb6 Kh8 $5 (31...
Bxe5 32. Rb5 Nxc6 33. Rexe5 Qd6 34. Rbc5 Nd4 $132) 32. Re2 Rec8 33. Rc2 Nxc6
34. Rbxc6 Rxc6 35. Rxc6 Rxc6 36. Qxc6 Qxc6 37. Bxc6 Bxe5 $11) 31. Qd1 (31. f4
$2 Qc8 $19) 31... Rec8 (31... Qc8 32. Qa4 $11) 32. Ra5 Rxc6 33. Bxc6 Qxc6 34.
Raxe5 $11) 29. e5 {[%csl Rf6]} Nd5 (29... Nh5 30. g4 $18) 30. Rb2 Qa4 (30...
Qa3 31. Rb8 $18) 31. Bxd5 Rxd5 32. Rb4 Qa2 33. Nxe7+ $1 $18 Kh8 ({Black loses
an exchange, as he quickly gets mated after} 33... Rxe7 34. Qc8+ Bf8 35. Rb8
Re8 36. Qxe8 Qa3 37. e6 $18) 34. Nxd5 Qxd5 35. Qc4 Qxc4 36. Rxc4 Bxe5 (36...
Kg8 37. f4 $18) 37. Kf1 {[%cal Rf2f4]} ({Black has seen enough and doesn't
want to suffer anymore:} 37. Kf1 Re6 $8 38. Rce4 Bc3 39. Rxe6 fxe6 40. Rxe6 $18
{is a simple technical win.}) 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.28"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E26"]
[WhiteElo "2747"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. a3 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 c5 6. e3 Qa5 7. Bd2 (7. Qc2
Nc6 8. Nf3 (8. Bd2 d6 9. Bd3 Bd7 10. Ne2 Qa6 11. O-O Ne7 12. a4 d5 $1 13. Ng3
dxc4 14. Be2 Nf5 15. Qa2 Nxg3 16. hxg3 O-O 17. Bxc4 Qd6 $11 {1/2 (43) Ree,H 
(2455)-Romanishin,O (2570) Wijk aan Zee 1985}) 8... d6 9. Bd3 e5 10. O-O O-O
11. Rb1 Rb8 12. Nd2 Qc7 13. Ne4 Nxe4 14. Bxe4 f5 15. Bd5+ Kh8 16. f4 e4 $13 {
0-1 (40) Nielsen,J (2139)-Eljanov,P (2755) Copenhagen 2010}) 7... Ne4 8. Bd3
Nxd2 9. Qxd2 d6 (9... Nc6 10. Nf3 d6 (10... cxd4 $5 11. cxd4 (11. exd4 $142 $5)
11... b6 12. Qxa5 (12. Rb1 $142) 12... Nxa5 13. Nd2 Ba6 14. Ke2 d6 15. Ne4 Rd8
16. Rac1 Ke7 17. Rc3 Rd7 18. Rhc1 Rc8 $15 {0-1 (43) Vladimirov,B-Simagin,V
Gorky 1954}) 11. O-O (11. d5 exd5 $6 (11... Ne7 $5) 12. cxd5 Ne7 13. c4 Qxd2+
14. Kxd2 Bg4 15. Ng5 h6 16. Ne4 O-O-O 17. a4 Kc7 18. a5 Bc8 19. Nc3 $14 {
1-0 (50) Bosiocic,M (2570)-Fedorchuk,S (2630) Aix les Bains 2012}) 11... O-O (
11... cxd4 12. exd4 $5) 12. d5 Ne7 {0-1 (49) Gothilf,S-Vasiliev,V Leningrad
1938} 13. dxe6 Bxe6 14. Ng5 g6 15. Nxe6 fxe6 16. Be4 Qc7 17. Rab1 Rab8 18. f4
$14) 10. f4 {A classic continuation anticipating ...e6-e5: in that case White
can continue d4xe5 d6xe5 f4-f5.} (10. Nf3 cxd4 (10... Nd7 11. O-O O-O 12. Qc2
h6 13. Nd2 e5 {1/2 (29) Vladimirov,B-Bronstein,D Baku 1961} (13... Nf6 $5) 14.
f4 $36) 11. cxd4 (11. exd4 $5) 11... Nc6 12. Qxa5 Nxa5 13. Nd2 Bd7 14. Ke2 Ke7
15. Rhc1 Rac8 16. Rc3 Ba4 17. Rac1 b6 $11 {1/2 (30) Porper,E (2469)-Romanishin,
O (2552) Gausdal 2006}) 10... Nd7 (10... Nc6 11. Nf3 O-O 12. O-O f5 13. d5 exd5
14. cxd5 Ne7 15. Qb2 b5 16. Qxb5 Qxc3 17. Rab1 a5 18. Rb3 Qf6 19. Qa4 $14 {
1-0 (57) Borisenko,G-Sokolsky,A Moscow 1950}) (10... cxd4 11. exd4 Nd7 12. Nf3
O-O 13. O-O Nf6 14. Rab1 Qc7 15. Qe1 b6 $13 {1/2 (42) Rudakovsky,I-Kotov,A
Moscow 1940}) 11. Nf3 f5 (11... Nb6 12. e4 Bd7 13. O-O cxd4 14. cxd4 Qxd2 15.
Nxd2 e5 16. fxe5 dxe5 17. c5 Na4 18. Nc4 f6 19. dxe5 Nxc5 20. exf6 gxf6 21. Be2
O-O 22. e5 fxe5 {1/2 (22) Polgar,Z (2430)-Lombardy,W (2500) New York 1985}) 12.
e4 fxe4 {Another option was to keep the position closed:} (12... O-O $5 13. O-O
Nb6 {If} 14. exf5 exf5 15. d5 {then} Qa4 $5 {[%csl Rc4]} 16. Qa2 Bd7 17. Rae1
Rae8 18. Ng5 g6 $13) 13. Bxe4 Nf6 (13... cxd4 14. cxd4 Qxd2+ 15. Nxd2 Nf6 16.
Bf3 {[%csl Gf3]}) 14. Bc2 Bd7 15. O-O cxd4 (15... O-O 16. Qd3 cxd4 $140 17.
cxd4) 16. Qxd4 O-O (16... Qb6 $5) 17. Qxd6 Qxc3 18. Bd3 Rad8 19. Rac1 Qa5 20.
Ne5 $14 {[%csl Ge5]} Bc8 21. Qb4 Qc7 $6 {A risky course.} ({In the endgame
after} 21... Qxb4 22. axb4 Nd7 {Black should gradually equalise}) 22. c5 g5 {
Another risky move compromising the position of Black's own king.} (22... Bd7 {
[%cal Yd7c6,Yf6d5] is a normal although passive continuation.}) 23. c6 $6 ({
The immediate} 23. Qe1 {was probably better, e.g.} Nh5 (23... gxf4 24. Rxf4 Rd5
25. Qg3+ Qg7 26. Qe3 Qc7 $1 27. Ng4 $1 Nxg4 28. Rxg4+ Kh8 29. Qh6 Rdd8 30. Rh4
Rf7 31. Bg6 $1 Qxc5+ 32. Kh1 Rg7 33. Bxh7 Qg5 34. Qxg5 Rxg5 35. Kg1 $16) 24.
fxg5 Rxf1+ 25. Bxf1 Rd5 26. Nd3 Rxg5 27. g3 $14 {[%csl Rg8]}) 23... b5 $2 {
[%mdl 16384] Black should not leave White's pawn on c6.} (23... Nd5 $1 24. cxb7
Qxb7 25. Qxb7 Bxb7 26. fxg5 Nf4 {with good counterplay for Black (indicated by
M.Golubev and S.Shipov)}) 24. Qe1 $1 Rd5 (24... Nh5 25. fxg5 Rxf1+ 26. Bxf1 Rd5
{is now nearly hopeless due to} 27. Nf3) 25. Qg3 h6 26. fxg5 Qxe5 27. Qxe5 Rxe5
28. gxf6 Kf7 29. Rf4 {White has a healthy extra pawn and confidently brings
home his advantage.} Rd8 30. Be4 Rd2 31. h4 a5 32. Rc3 Re2 (32... Kf8 33. f7 {
[%cal Rc3g3]}) 33. Bg6+ Kf8 34. Rd4 Rd5 35. Rxd5 exd5 36. Rc5 Re1+ (36... Re6
37. Bf5 Re8 38. Bd7 $1 Rd8 39. Rxb5 Bxd7 40. Rxd5 $18) 37. Kh2 Rf1 38. f7 b4
39. axb4 axb4 40. Rxd5 Kg7 41. Rd8 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.29"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D42"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2810"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e3 ({The main line is} 
6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 cxd4 8. cxd4 Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 O-O {White has a
space advantage, but Black's position is out of weaknesses and his majority on
the queenside might tell in a certain endgame.}) 6... Nc6 7. Bd3 Be7 8. a3 O-O
9. Qc2 {Levon is trying to gain something by a slightly tricky order of moves.
Objectively, the main move 9.0-0 is more promising.} ({The position after} 9.
O-O cxd4 10. exd4 {may arise also from the Panov Attack in the Caro-Kann.})
9... cxd4 10. exd4 f5 $1 $146 {The idea itself is not new, but in this
particular position it hasn't appeared beforehand. Black is going to put the
bishop on f6, pressing the Pd4. In a later interview Kramnik said that he
figured out this plan over the board. Well done! The previously played 10...h6
is also perfectly playable.} (10... h6 11. O-O Bf6 12. Rd1 (12. Be3 Nce7 13.
Ne4 b6 14. Rad1 Bb7 $11) 12... Qb6 13. Bc4 Rd8 14. Ne2 Bd7 15. Qe4 Nce7 16. Bd3
Ba4 (16... Ng6 $142) 17. Qh7+ Kf8 18. Re1 Bb5 19. Bxb5 Qxb5 20. Ng3 Ng6 21. Ne5
Nde7 22. Bxh6 $1 $40 {1-0 (41) Smyslov,V (2600)-Ribli,Z (2615) London 1983})
11. O-O Bf6 12. Nxd5 Qxd5 13. Be3 b5 $1 {Developing the queenside and, at the
same time, covering the c4-square.} (13... Nxd4 $2 14. Bxd4 Bxd4 15. Bc4 Qc5
16. Rad1 {The black bishop has nowhere to go as it is tied to protecting the
queen.} b5 $8 17. Rxd4 bxc4 18. Rxc4 {and White is clearly better as the
knight is going to occupy the commanding e5-outpost.}) 14. Qe2 (14. Qc5 Qxc5
15. dxc5 a6 16. a4 b4 $11) 14... Bb7 15. Rac1 $6 {Levon definitely saw the
possibility to force a draw after 15.Bxb5, but decided to play for a win.
Objectively speaking his position is not better, but in the current tournament
situation only a win could keep him in the race for the first place.} (15. Bxb5
{could force a draw by repetition:} f4 16. Bc4 Qe4 17. Bd3 Qd5 $11) 15... a6
16. Rfd1 f4 $5 {Kramnik decided to force matters.} (16... Rac8 17. Rc5 Qd6 {
was very good for Black as well. The idea f5-f4 is a potential threat.} (17...
Nxd4 $6 18. Bxd4 Rxc5 19. Bxc5 Qxc5 20. Qxe6+ Kh8 21. b4 Qc3 22. Qxf5 g6 $11))
17. Rc5 (17. Bxf4 $2 Nxd4 $19) (17. Rxc6 $2 Qxc6 18. Bxf4 Bxd4 $19) 17... Qd6
18. Qc2 $2 {Both players had to calculate a lot.} (18. Bxf4 $1 Qxf4 19. Qxe6+
Kh8 (19... Rf7 $2 20. Bxh7+ Kf8 21. Bg6 Nd8 22. Qh3 $16) 20. Rh5 (20. Rxc6 $2
Bxc6 21. Qxc6 Bxd4 22. Qe4 Qxe4 23. Bxe4 Rad8 $1 24. Nxd4 (24. Rxd4 $2 Rxd4 25.
Nxd4 Rd8 $19) 24... Rf7 {[%cal Gf7d7] Black gains the piece back and remains
with an extra exchange in the endgame.}) 20... h6 21. Nh4 $1 {This idea is
very difficult to spot in advance.} Ne7 (21... Bxh4 $4 22. Qg6 {is the point.})
(21... Ne5 22. Rxe5 Bxh4 23. Qg6 Qxf2+ 24. Kh1 Bxg2+ 25. Qxg2 Qxg2+ 26. Kxg2 {
and it should be a draw thanks to the opposite coloured bishops.}) 22. g3 Qxd4
23. Qxe7 $1 Qxf2+ $1 (23... Bxe7 $2 24. Ng6+ Kg8 25. Nxe7+ Kf7 26. Bg6+ Kxe7
27. Rxd4 $14) 24. Kxf2 Bxe7+ 25. Kg1 Bf6 $1 26. Ng6+ Kg8 27. Nxf8 Bf3 28. Rd2
Bxh5 29. Nd7 {and White survives somehow.}) (18. Bd2 $2 Nxd4 19. Nxd4 Qxc5 20.
Qxe6+ Rf7 21. Bxh7+ Kxh7 22. Qxf7 Qxd4 23. Qxb7 Rd8 {and the pin along the
d-file will cost White material.}) 18... fxe3 19. Bxh7+ Kh8 20. fxe3 Ne7 $2 {
Another human move and another mistake.} (20... Rac8 $1 {preparing the
counterstrike ...Nxd4!} 21. Rh5 Nxd4 22. Qd3 (22. Bg8+ $2 Kxg8 23. Qh7+ Kf7 $19
) 22... Bxf3 23. gxf3 Nxf3+ 24. Kg2 Qxd3 25. Bxd3+ Kg8 26. Kxf3 Bxb2+ 27. Ke2
Bxa3 {and Black should win.}) 21. e4 $2 (21. Rh5 {This move is so tempting, I
don't know how Levon managed to resist playing it. This position is already in
White's favour!} Rac8 (21... Bxf3 22. gxf3 Rac8 23. Qg2 $40) 22. Qe2 $1 (22.
Ne5 $6 Bxe5 (22... Rxc2 $6 {falls into the classical tactics, like from the
old books:} 23. Bxc2+ Kg8 24. Bh7+ Kh8 25. Bg6+ Kg8 26. Bf7+ $1 Rxf7 27. Rh8+
$1 Kxh8 28. Nxf7+ Kg8 29. Nxd6 {This position is still difficult to estimate.
White's rook + two pawns should be superior to Black's pair of bishops.}) 23.
dxe5 Qb6 24. Qd3 Rcd8 25. Qxd8 Qxe3+ (25... Rxd8 $4 26. Rxd8+ Qxd8 27. Bf5+ Kg8
28. Bxe6+ Kf8 29. Rh8+ Ng8 30. Rxg8+ Ke7 31. Rxd8 $18) 26. Kh1 Bxg2+ $1 27.
Kxg2 Qf3+ 28. Kg1 Qf2+ $11) 22... g6 (22... Bxf3 23. Qxf3 Bg5 24. Bb1+ Bh6 25.
Qe4 Nf5 26. g4 Rce8 27. Kh1 $1 $16) 23. Bxg6+ Kg7 24. Bb1 Kf7 25. Ne5+ Ke8 26.
Rh7 $40) 21... Rac8 $2 (21... Qf4 {was far more convincing} 22. Rh5 g6 $1 {
is the most precise way to defuse White's attack} (22... Ng8 {[%cal Gg8h6] is
a good defensive move.}) 23. Bxg6+ Kg7 $19) 22. e5 {The next five-six moves
are pretty forced.} Bxe5 23. Nxe5 (23. Rxc8 $2 Rxc8 24. dxe5 Qb6+ 25. Qf2 Qxf2+
26. Kxf2 Kxh7 $19) 23... Rxc5 24. Ng6+ $1 (24. Qxc5 Qxc5 25. dxc5 Kxh7 26. Rd7
Nc6 {and Black keeps the extra piece.}) 24... Nxg6 25. dxc5 {[%tqu "En","A lot
of pieces are hanging. What should be done?","","","b7e4","",5]} Be4 $1 26.
Rxd6 Bxc2 27. Bxg6 Bxg6 28. Rxe6 (28. Rxa6 Bd3 29. h4 e5 $19) 28... Bd3 29. h4
a5 30. c6 Rf1+ $2 {This is according to the rule to put the rook behind the
pawn, but here this was the case for an exception!} (30... Rc8 $1 31. Kf2 Bc4
32. Rd6 Bf7 {[%csl Rc6][%cal Gf7e8] Black wins the annoying pawn and rest is a
matter of technique.}) 31. Kh2 Rc1 32. Re3 $1 Bb1 33. Rc3 {The point. White
saves the important c-pawn.} Rxc3 34. bxc3 {Black's extra piece is not enough
for a win. White has a strong passed pawn and another potential passer on the
kingside.} Kg8 35. c7 Bf5 36. Kg3 Kf7 37. Kf4 Bc8 38. Kg5 Bd7 {Black has to
wait with the bishop until White runs out of useful moves.} 39. h5 Be6 40. g3
a4 (40... Ke7 41. Kg6 Kf8 42. Kg5 $11) 41. g4 Kf8 42. Kf4 Ke7 {Now the king
can go to pick up the pawn, but it's not enough for a win.} 43. g5 Kd7 44. Ke5
Bg8 45. c8=Q+ {Not a mistake, but requires precise calculation.} (45. Kd4 {
was the easiest way:} Kxc7 46. Kc5 Bc4 47. h6 gxh6 48. gxh6 Bd3 49. Kd4 Bh7 50.
c4 {exchanging the b-pawn and then White's king reaches the safe a1 corner.
Just a draw.}) 45... Kxc8 46. Kd6 Kd8 47. Kc6 Ke7 48. Kxb5 Ke6 49. Kxa4 Kf5 50.
g6 $4 {Choosing between 50.g6 and 50.h6 Levon didn't manage to calculate well.}
(50. h6 g6 51. Kb5 Kxg5 52. a4 Kxh6 53. a5 g5 54. a6 g4 (54... Bd5 55. c4 Be4
56. c5 g4 57. c6 g3 58. a7 g2 59. a8=Q g1=Q $11) 55. c4 g3 56. a7 g2 57. a8=Q
g1=Q $11) 50... Kg5 51. Kb5 Kxh5 52. a4 Kxg6 53. a5 Kf6 54. a6 (54. c4 Ke5 55.
c5 g5 56. a6 Bd5 57. Kb6 g4 58. a7 Ba8 $1 59. c6 Kd6 60. c7 Kd7 $19) 54... Bd5
55. c4 Ba8 56. Kb6 Ke5 {Black's pieces are just in time to stop the white
pawns.} 57. Kc7 g5 58. Kb8 Be4 59. Kc7 g4 60. a7 g3 61. c5 Ba8 62. Kb8 Bc6 {
An epic fight. There were many mistakes which are not typical for these two
great players. However, let's not forget that this was already round twelve of
the very tense tournament with a lot at stake. At the press conference after
the battle both grandmasters looked completely exhausted.} 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.29"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B48"]
[WhiteElo "2872"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[Annotator "Kritz,L"]
[PlyCount "180"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Mueller,Ka} c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 e6 ({Wenn Schwarz ganz prinzipiell
spielen will, kann er mit} 3... e5 {fortfahren:} 4. Bc4 d6 5. d3 Be7 {mit
vielen theoretischen Varianten.}) 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Qc7 6. Be3 a6 7. Qd2 {
Das ist die populärste und wohl auch die stärkste Fortsetzung gegen das
Paulsen-System.} (7. Bd3 Nf6 8. O-O Nxd4 $1 {Ich finde das Nehmen sehr gut für
Schwarz.} 9. Bxd4 Bc5 10. Bxc5 (10. Bxf6 $2 gxf6 11. Qg4 Kf8 12. Kh1 h5 13. Qh4
Be7 14. f4 b5 $132) 10... Qxc5 11. Kh1 d6 12. f4 e5 $132) (7. Be2 Nf6 8. O-O
Bb4 9. Na4 Be7 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. Nb6 Rb8 12. Nxc8 Qxc8 13. Bd4 c5 14. Be5 Rb6
$132 {Auch hier hat Schwarz gute Aussichten.}) 7... Nf6 8. O-O-O Bb4 9. f3 Ne7
$5 {Diese Variante war und bleibt eine der größten Fragen, die Weiß noch zu
beantworten hat.} (9... b5 10. Bf4 Ne5 11. Nc6 $3 {Dank dieses Tricks bekommt
Weiß eine sehr angenehme Stellung.} Nd3+ (11... Qxc6 12. Bxe5 Bb7 13. Qg5 $16)
(11... Bxc3 12. bxc3 $1 Qxc6 13. Bxe5 $16) (11... dxc6 12. Bxe5 $16) 12. cxd3
Qxc6 13. Kb1 O-O 14. Rc1 $14) (9... Ne5 {Die Hauptvariante!} 10. Nb3 b5 11. Qe1
{Nun droht Nxb5.} Be7 12. f4 Ng6 13. e5 Ng4 14. Ne4 $132 {Beide Seiten haben
ihre Chancen.}) 10. Nb3 $2 {Dieser Zug wird selten gespielt und das zurecht.
Besser ist 10.Nde2.} (10. Nde2 d5 (10... b5 11. Bf4 e5 12. Bg5 Bb7 13. Kb1 $14)
11. Bg5 dxe4 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. Qd4 exf3 14. Qxb4 fxe2 15. Bxe2 f5 $13 {Es
sieht so aus, als ob Weiß genug Kompensation für den Bauern hat, aber etwas
Konkretes gibt er auch wieder nicht. Es hat noch niemand einen eindeutigen Weg
zum Vorteil in dieser Stellung gezeigt.}) 10... d5 11. e5 {Weiß steht schon
schlechter. Nach dem Partiezug bekommt er keine einzige Chance zum Spielen.} (
11. Kb1 Bxc3 12. bxc3 O-O 13. e5 Nd7 14. f4 a5 15. Nd4 Nc5 16. Nb5 Qc6 17. Bxc5
Qxc5 18. Qd4 b6 19. Qxc5 bxc5 $15 {0-1 Cernousek,L (2417)-Chloupek,S (2317)/
Czechia 2009/EXT 2011 (40)}) 11... Nd7 $15 {Es ist sehr komisch, dass Carlsen
diese Variante gewählt hat. Ich vermute, dass er etwas verwechselt hat, weil
Weiß hier einfach eine schlechte Bauernstruktur bekommt, ohne jegliche
Kompensation.} 12. f4 b6 13. Bd4 {Etwas stärker war doch a3, dann behält man
zumindest den schwarzfeldrigen Läufer.} (13. a3 Bxc3 14. Qxc3 Qxc3 15. bxc3 Bb7
16. Kd2 Kd8 17. Be2 Kc7 $15 {1-0 Piorun,K (2445)-Vovk,Y (2549)/Warsaw 2008/CBM
125 Extra (44)}) 13... Nc5 {Jetzt ist die Stellung von Weiß schon kritisch.}
14. a3 $2 {Und wieder nicht die beste Entscheidung! Offensichtlich hat Carlsen
einfach einen schlechten Tag erwischt.} (14. Bxc5 $1 Bxc5 (14... bxc5 15. a3
Bxc3 16. Qxc3 c4 17. Nd4 $132) 15. Kb1 O-O (15... Bb4 $2 16. Nb5 $1 $16) 16.
Bd3 Bd7 $15) 14... Ne4 15. Qe1 Nxc3 16. Bxc3 (16. axb4 Nxd1 $19) 16... Bxc3 17.
Qxc3 Qxc3 18. bxc3 $17 {Nach nur 18 Zügen hat Weiß alle Chancen auf aktives
Spiel verloren und muss nun ums Remis kämpfen. Gegen einen Spieler von solcher
Klasse wie Ivanchuk kann man solche Stellungen kaum halten.} a5 $6 {Als erstes
kommt der "schlechte" Läufer raus, wobei das auch einen Nachteil hat - das
Feld b5 wird geschwächt.} 19. Nd4 (19. c4 $5 O-O 20. cxd5 Nxd5 21. g3 a4 22.
Nd4 Ne3 23. Re1 Bb7 $17) 19... Ba6 20. Bd3 $1 {Wenn Schwarz auf d3 nimmt, wird
die weiße Bauernstruktur sofort verbessert.} (20. Nb5 $6 Kd7 21. Bd3 Bxb5 $1
22. Bxb5+ Kc7 $17 {Dieses Materialverhältnis ist das schlechteste für Weiß.})
20... Kd7 (20... Bxd3 $4 21. cxd3 $14) 21. Kd2 Nc6 $1 {Ivanchuk spielt sehr
genau. Man muss alle starken Figuren von Weiß abtauschen, um dann gegen die
Schwächen spielen zu können.} 22. Rb1 (22. Nb5 f6 $1 23. exf6 gxf6 $17 {
Schwarz wird bald zu ...e5 kommen.}) (22. Bb5 Bxb5 23. Nxb5 g5 $1 {Typischer
Zug für diese Bauernstruktur.} 24. g3 Rag8 $17) 22... Bxd3 $1 {Jetzt kann
Schwarz auf d3 nehmen, weil Weiß nicht mit dem Bauern zurückschlagen kann.} 23.
Kxd3 (23. cxd3 Nxd4 24. cxd4 Kc6 25. Rb2 Kb7 26. Rhb1 Ra6 $15 {Demnächst kommt
Rc8-Rc6 und dann wird sich der Turm a6 befreien können.}) (23. Nxc6 Bxc2 24.
Kxc2 (24. Rxb6 Be4 25. Nd4 Rhb8 $19) 24... Kxc6 $19) 23... Rab8 {Weiß kann die
Stellung wahrscheinlich halten, wenn er die Türme auf der b-Linie verdoppelt.}
24. Nb5 $2 (24. Rb2 f6 25. Nxc6 Kxc6 26. Re1 Rhf8 27. g3 $15) 24... g5 $1 {
Jetzt kommt Schwarz auch noch von der anderen Seite.} 25. g3 Rhg8 26. c4 (26.
Nd6 gxf4 27. gxf4 f6 $19) (26. Rhg1 Ne7 $17) 26... gxf4 {Das Nehmen auf c4 war
gut genug.} (26... dxc4+ 27. Kxc4 gxf4 28. gxf4 Rg4 $19 {Beide Bauern e5 und
f4 hängen.}) 27. gxf4 Ne7 $2 {Ivanchuk macht ebenfalls einen Fehler. Nach 27...
.dxc4 könnte Weiß aufgeben.} (27... dxc4+ 28. Kxc4 (28. Kc3 Ne7 $19) 28... Rg4
29. Rhf1 Nxe5+ $19) 28. Rhg1 {Nun hat Schwarz das Feld g4 nicht mehr zur
Verfügung.} dxc4+ 29. Kxc4 Nd5 (29... Rbc8+ 30. Kb3 Nd5 31. Rxg8 Rxg8 32. Rd1
Kc6 33. c4 Nxf4 34. Rd6+ Kb7 (34... Kc5 $4 35. Nc3 $18) 35. Rd7+ $14) 30. Nd6
Kc6 31. Nxf7 Nxf4 {Auch nach 31....Rgf8 steht Schwarz besser.} (31... Rgf8 32.
Ng5 Rxf4+ 33. Kb3 Re8 34. Rbe1 h6 35. Ne4 Rh4 $15) 32. Kb3 {Vermutlich waren
beide Spieler schon in Zeitnot.} (32. Rbd1 $1 Rxg1 (32... Nd5 33. Kd4 $11) 33.
Rxg1 b5+ 34. Kb3 Kc5 35. Rf1 Ne2 36. c3 b4 37. cxb4+ axb4 38. Ng5 $1 (38. axb4+
Rxb4+ 39. Kc2 Rf4 40. Rxf4 Nxf4 41. Ng5 h6 42. Nf7 h5 43. Kd2 Kd4 $19) 38...
Nd4+ 39. Kb2 bxa3+ 40. Kxa3 $15 {Schwarz steht besser, aber Weiß hat gute
Chancen, um Remis zu halten.}) 32... Kc5 (32... Rgf8 $5 33. Ng5 Rf5 34. Rbf1
Rg8 35. Nxh7 Rxg1 36. Rxg1 Rxe5 $15) 33. Ng5 h6 34. Ne4+ Kd4 35. Nf6 Rxg1 36.
Rxg1 Rc8 $1 {Genau gespielt! Schwarz muss seinen Turm aktivieren.} (36... Kxe5
$4 37. Nd7+ $18) 37. Re1 (37. Rd1+ Kxe5 38. Ng4+ Ke4 39. Nxh6 Ne2 $17) 37...
Rc3+ 38. Kb2 Rf3 (38... Rh3 $4 39. Re4+ $18) 39. Re4+ Kc5 40. Nd7+ Kd5 41. Nf6+
Kc5 42. Nd7+ Kc6 $1 {Schwarz will natürlich weiter spielen, seine Stellung ist
viel besser, weil sein König sehr stark ist.} 43. Nf6 (43. Rd4 Nd5 44. c4 Rf2+
45. Kb3 a4+ $1 46. Kxa4 b5+ 47. cxb5+ (47. Ka5 bxc4 48. Nb8+ Kc5 $19) 47...
Kxd7 48. Rh4 Re2 $17) 43... Ng6 {Nun droht einfach Nxe5.} 44. Rc4+ Kb5 45. Re4
$2 {Mueller,Ka: 'The passive solution makes life difficult for Carlsen.'} ({
The active} 45. Rc8 $1 {Mueller,Ka draws easier, e.g.} Nxe5 46. Ne4 Re3 47.
Nd6+ Ka4 48. Rf8 b5 (48... Rf3 49. Rxf3 Nxf3 50. c4 Nd2 51. Ka2 Nb3 52. Ne4
Nc1+ 53. Kb2 Nd3+ $11) 49. Rf4+ b4 50. axb4 axb4 51. Rf8 Ka5 52. Rb8 Re2 53.
Kb3 $11) 45... Rf5 $17 {Schwarz hat wieder sehr großen Vorteil. Weiß kann den
Bauern nicht halten.} 46. Ne8 $6 ({The computer suggestion} 46. a4+ {Mueller,Ka
} Kc5 47. Kb3 Nxe5 48. c3 {is better.}) 46... Kc5 47. Nc7 $6 ({Again the
computer solution} 47. Kb3 {Mueller,Ka} Rxe5 48. Rc4+ Kd5 {is objectivly
better, but White's house already looks very shaky.}) 47... Nxe5 $1 48. Rh4 Kd6
49. Nb5+ Kd7 50. a4 h5 51. Nd4 Rg5 52. Re4 Nc4+ 53. Kc3 Re5 $1 54. Rh4 $6 {
Mueller,Ka: 'The rook is a bit misplaced here.'} (54. Re2 $5 {Mueller,Ka is
called for.}) 54... Nd6 55. Kd3 Rd5 56. c4 Rg5 57. Nf3 Rc5 58. Nd2 Rf5 59. Nb3
Nb7 60. Rh3 Kd6 61. Kc3 Nc5 $1 62. Nxc5 Kxc5 63. Re3 (63. Rh4 {Mueller,Ka} e5
64. Kd3 Kb4 $19) 63... e5 $2 {Mueller,Ka: 'Until now Ivanchuk has played his
initiative forcefully. But now he loses control for a short moment.'} (63... h4
$1 {Mueller,Ka wins, e.g.} 64. Rxe6 (64. Kd3 e5 65. Ke4 (65. Kc3 e4 66. Rxe4
Rf3+ 67. Kc2 Rh3 $19) 65... Rf4+ 66. Kxe5 Rxc4 67. Ra3 Kb4 68. Ra1 Rc2 $19)
64... Rf3+ 65. Kb2 (65. Kd2 Rh3 $19) 65... Rh3 66. Re5+ Kb4 67. Rb5+ (67. Re2
Kxa4 $19) 67... Kxc4 68. Rxb6 Rxh2+ 69. Ka3 Rh3+ 70. Kb2 Rd3 71. Rb5 Rd5 $19)
64. h4 Kd6 65. Rd3+ Ke6 (65... Kc6 {Mueller,Ka} 66. Rd5 Rf3+ 67. Kc2 Rh3 68.
Rxe5 Rxh4 69. Kc3 Rh1 70. Re6+ Kc5 71. Re5+ Kd6 72. Rb5 Kc6 73. Kd4 h4 74. Rh5
h3 75. Rh6+ Kd7 76. Kd5 h2 77. Rh7+ Ke8 78. Kc6 Kf8 79. Rh3 Kg7 80. Kb7 $11)
66. Rg3 (66. Rd5 $2 {Mueller,Ka} Rf3+ (66... e4 $2 67. Kd4 Rxd5+ 68. cxd5+ Kf5
69. d6 Ke6 70. Kxe4 Kxd6 71. Kd4 Kc7 72. Kc3 $11) 67. Kc2 Rf4 68. Kc3 Rxh4 69.
Rb5 Rh3+ 70. Kd2 (70. Kb2 e4 71. Rxb6+ Ke5 72. c5 Kd4 73. Re6 Rc3 $19) 70... e4
71. Rxb6+ Ke5 72. c5 Rd3+ 73. Ke2 Rc3 74. Rb5 h4 75. Rxa5 (75. c6+ Kd4 $19)
75... h3 76. c6+ Kd6 77. Rh5 h2 78. Rh6+ Kc7 79. Kd2 Ra3 80. a5 Ra1 $19) 66...
Kf6 67. Rd3 Rf4 68. Rd6+ Kf5 69. Rxb6 Rxh4 70. c5 Rxa4 (70... Ke4 {Mueller,Ka}
71. c6 (71. Kc4 $11) 71... Kd5 72. Rb5+ Kxc6 73. Rxe5 $11) 71. Rh6 $2 {Mueller,
Ka: 'The large drawish tendency of rook endings still saves White, but over
the board it is next to impossible to defend this position.'} (71. c6 {Mueller,
Ka} Ke6 (71... Ra1 $6 {is met by} 72. Kb2 {when} Ra4 {is the only move to draw
for Black.}) 72. Rb5 Kd6 73. c7 Kxc7 74. Rxe5 {is a tablebase draw, e.g.} h4
75. Rh5 Kb6 76. Rh6+ Kc5 77. Rh5+ Kd6 78. Kb3 Rd4 79. Rxa5 Rd5 80. Ra6+ Ke5 81.
Rh6 Rd4 82. Kc3 Ra4 83. Kd2 Kf5 84. Ke2 Kg5 85. Rh8 $11) 71... Ke4 $1 {Mueller,
Ka: 'Ivanchuk's king crosses over to deal with the passed c-pawn himself.'} 72.
Rd6 (72. Rxh5 {Mueller,Ka} Kd5 73. c6 Rc4+ 74. Kd3 Rxc6 $19) (72. c6 {Mueller,
Ka} Kd5 73. Kd3 Rd4+ 74. Ke3 Rc4 $19) 72... Rd4 $1 73. Ra6 (73. Rxd4+ {Mueller,
Ka} exd4+ 74. Kc4 d3 75. c6 (75. Kc3 Kd5 76. Kxd3 Kxc5 $19) 75... d2 76. c7
d1=Q 77. c8=Q Qc2+ $19) 73... Kd5 74. Rxa5 (74. c6 {Mueller,Ka} Rc4+ 75. Kd3
Rxc6 76. Rxa5+ Ke6 $19) (74. Rh6 {Mueller,Ka} Kxc5 75. Rxh5 Kd5 $19) 74... Rc4+
75. Kd3 Rxc5 76. Ra4 Rc7 ({The computer move} 76... e4+ {Mueller,Ka wins
quicker as} 77. Rxe4 $6 {runs into} Rc3+ 78. Kxc3 Kxe4 79. Kd2 Kf3 80. Ke1 Kg2
$19 {[%csl Gg1,Gg2]}) 77. Rh4 Rh7 78. Ke3 Ke6 79. Ke4 Rh8 80. Ke3 Kf5 81. Ke2
Kg5 82. Re4 Re8 83. Ke3 h4 84. Ke2 h3 85. Kf2 h2 86. Kg2 h1=Q+ 87. Kxh1 Kf5 88.
Re1 Rg8 $1 {Mueller,Ka: 'The cut off decides.'} 89. Kh2 (89. Rg1 {Mueller,Ka}
Rxg1+ 90. Kxg1 Ke4 91. Kf2 Kd3 $19 {[%csl Gd3,Ge3,Gf3]}) 89... Kf4 90. Rf1+ Ke3
0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.29"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Qb3 {One of the modern trends
created by Topalov.} Nb6 6. d4 Be6 {A necessary preparation of the intended ...
Bg4xf3.} (6... Bg4 $2 7. Ng5 $18) 7. Qc2 Bg4 8. Qe4 {White will move for the
third and fourth time with the queen, just to maintain the flexibility of the
structure. Hoewever, the doubled pawns are not necessarily a weakness; they
increase White's control in the centre.} (8. e3 Bxf3 9. gxf3 e6 10. Bd2 c6 11.
h4 h5 12. Ne4 Nd5 13. Nc5 b6 14. Nd3 Bd6 15. f4 a5 16. Ne5 $14 {Hebert,J (2411)
-Barbeau,S (2397)/Montreal 2002/CBM 088 ext (1-0, 41)}) (8. Bf4 Bxf3 9. gxf3
Bg7 10. Rd1 c6 11. Be5 Bf6 12. f4 {Arsovic,Z (2441)-Stojanovic,D (2444)/
Vrnjacka Banja 2005/EXT 2006 (1/2, 29)}) 8... Bxf3 9. Qxf3 ({But} 9. exf3 $6 {
is too much. White gains some time for his development, but gives away the
control over the d5-square.} c6 10. a4 Bg7 11. a5 Nd5 12. Bc4 e6 13. O-O O-O
14. Rd1 Nd7 {Ornstein,A (2430)-Savon,V (2575)/Dortmund 1975/MCL (0-1, 26)})
9... c6 $146 {Solidly played.} (9... Qxd4 10. Qxb7 (10. e3 Qb4 $2 11. Bd2 Bg7
12. Nb5 Qxb2 13. Nxc7+ Kf8 14. Rc1 $18 {Dorfman,J (2602)-Balinov,I (2438)/
Austria 2002/EXT 2003 (1-0, 47)}) 10... Bg7 11. Qe4 $6 {White is heading for
an ending with the bishop pair in too straightforward a fashion..} (11. e3 $5)
11... Qxe4 12. Nxe4 Nc6 13. e3 Nb4 14. Ke2 {L'Ami,E (2592)-Bobras,P (2544)/
Germany 2011/CBM 146 (1-0, 46)} Na4 $5 $15) 10. e3 Bg7 11. Be2 e5 {Tis way of
breaking the centre loses some time, but the natural alternative has some
drawbacks.} (11... N8d7 12. O-O O-O 13. Rd1 e5 14. a4 (14. d5 $5) 14... exd4
15. exd4 a5 16. d5 {Black may be active enough to keep the balance even, but
the bishop pair may become dangerous at any time in an open position.}) 12.
dxe5 Bxe5 (12... N8d7 13. e6 $1) 13. Qe4 Qe7 14. Bd2 N8d7 15. Qc2 {The sixth
queen move already, but now Her Majesty has finally reached the best square.
It should be compared to Topalov's novelty 5.Qc2...} O-O 16. O-O {Black seems
to have no problem, but this kind of position with a kingside majority and a
potentially strong bishop pair offers White better chances in the long run. In
the next phase of the game, Svidler will wisely provoke as much simplification
as possible, increasing his chances for successful defence.} Rfe8 17. Rfd1 a5
$1 {The usefulness of this move is easy to understand if we compare with the
second game Nielsen-Gashimov, FIDE World Cup 2011. A completely different
opening had been played then, but the resulting position was similar; White
managed to play b2-b4 and a2-a4 before Black took preventive measures.} 18. Be1
a4 19. Rab1 Nc5 20. Bf1 {The standard regrouping. Soon, the minority attack
should start, though.} Red8 21. g3 Bg7 22. Rxd8+ Rxd8 23. b4 axb3 24. axb3 Ra8
25. b4 Ncd7 26. Ne4 ({With the c4- and d5-squares safely defended by the black
knights,} 26. b5 c5 {would not achieve too much.}) 26... Ra1 27. Rxa1 Bxa1 28.
Qa2 Be5 29. Bg2 Nf6 30. Nc5 Bd6 31. Nd3 (31. Bc3 Nfd5 32. Ba1 Be5 $11) 31...
Ne4 $6 {So far, Black has managed to maintain his stability, but after the
last move his position is hanging for just a moment.} (31... Nbd5 $5 32. b5 $6
Nxe3 $1) 32. Qa7 (32. b5 $1 cxb5 (32... c5 33. Qa7 Nd5 34. Nb2 $16) 33. Qa5 Bc7
34. Qxb5 $16) 32... Nd5 33. Qd4 f5 34. Qc4 (34. b5 $1 $14) 34... Qe6 35. f3 (
35. b5 Nc7 $1 36. Qxe6+ Nxe6 37. bxc6 bxc6 {In the absence of quuens, Black
has less problems defending this position.}) 35... Ng5 36. Bd2 Nc7 37. Qxe6+
Ngxe6 $11 {White has missed the favourable moments and Black has reached the
desired safety now. There are no dangerous pawn breaks in view.} 38. f4 Nd5 39.
e4 fxe4 40. Bxe4 Nd4 41. Kf2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.29"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E35"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "173"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 8.
a3 Bxc3+ 9. Qxc3 O-O 10. e3 Bf5 11. Nf3 Nd7 12. Be2 Rfc8 13. O-O c5 14. b3 $146
{Aimed at maintaining the tension.} (14. Rac1 c4 {was played in a few games,
the most notable being} 15. a4 a6 16. Nd2 b5 {Arab,A (2374)-Ivanchuk,V (2716)/
Tripoli 2004/CBM 102 (0-1, 83)}) 14... Qb6 15. dxc5 {This does not imply the
weakening ...Qxc3 bxc3 anymore and is fully jusified.} Nxc5 16. b4 Na4 17. Qe5
Nc3 {Black has an active position, but in the long run the blockade on d4
makes White's play simpler from a practical point of view. This explains why
Black eventually had to defend a theoretically drawn ending with two pawns
less.} 18. Rfe1 Bg4 19. Bd3 Bxf3 20. gxf3 Qe6 21. Qd4 Rc6 22. b5 Rc7 23. Kh1
Re8 24. Rg1 Qe5 25. Qxe5 Rxe5 26. Rg4 Kf8 27. a4 Rc5 28. Rd4 g6 29. h3 Re6 30.
Kg2 Kg7 31. Rb4 b6 32. Rd4 f5 33. Kf1 Kf6 34. Ke1 Re7 35. Kd2 Rc8 36. Ra3 Rec7
37. Ra1 g5 38. Rb4 Rd8 39. Rd4 Rdc8 40. Ra3 h5 41. h4 g4 42. Rf4 gxf3 43. Bxf5
Ke5 44. Rxc3 Rxc3 45. Bxc8 Rxc8 46. Kd3 Rc1 47. Rxf3 Rc4 48. Rf7 Rxa4 49. f4+
Ke6 50. Rh7 Ra3+ 51. Kd4 Ra4+ 52. Kd3 Ra3+ 53. Ke2 Ra2+ 54. Kf3 Ra3 55. Rh6+
Ke7 56. Rxh5 d4 57. Re5+ Kf6 58. Re4 dxe3 59. Rxe3 Ra5 60. Re5 a6 61. bxa6 Rxa6
62. Rb5 Ra1 63. Rxb6+ Kf5 64. Rb5+ Kf6 65. Kg4 Rg1+ 66. Kh5 Rh1 67. Ra5 Rh2 68.
Ra8 Rh1 69. Rg8 Kf7 70. Rg4 Kf6 71. Rg8 Kf7 72. Rc8 Kf6 73. Rc5 Rh2 74. Rg5 Rh1
75. Kg4 Rg1+ 76. Kf3 Rf1+ 77. Kg3 Rg1+ 78. Kf2 Rh1 79. h5 Rh4 80. Kg3 Rh1 81.
Ra5 Rg1+ 82. Kf2 Rh1 83. Kg2 Rh4 84. Kf3 Rh1 85. h6 Rxh6 86. Ra6+ Kf5 87. Rxh6
1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.31"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2809"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 c6 3. d4 Nf6 4. g3 $5 dxc4 {Picking up the gauntlet.} ({
In principle, the positions with ...Bf5 arising via the Reti move order in
which White plays a later d2-d4 are supposed to be quite OK for Black. The
concrete position arising after} 4... Bf5 {may offer White some additional
possibilities:} 5. Qb3 Qb6 6. c5 Qxb3 ({With some more developing moves
inserted, Black usually answers c4-c5 with ...Qa6, but here} 6... Qa6 $2 {
loses a piece to} 7. e4 $18) 7. axb3 Nbd7 8. Nc3 h6 9. b4 Ne4 10. b5 Nxc3 11.
bxc6 bxc6 12. bxc3 $14) 5. Bg2 Nbd7 (5... b5 {would transpose to some sort of
Catalan gambit line:} 6. a4 Bb7 7. O-O e6 8. Ne5 a6 9. Nc3 $44) 6. Qc2 {
In principle, White would prefer to retrieve the pawn without moving the queen
so early, but this is not simple to achieve.} (6. Na3 Nb6 7. Ne5 g6 (7... Be6
$1 {would transpose to the game since} 8. Nxc6 bxc6 9. Bxc6+ Bd7 10. Bxa8 Qxa8
{looks good for Black.}) 8. e4 (8. Naxc4 Nxc4 9. Nxc4 Be6 10. Qd3 Bg7 11. O-O
O-O 12. Rd1 {offers better chances of stabilising the position than the line
from the main game.}) 8... Be6 9. O-O Bg7 10. Be3 O-O {Stefanova,A (2503)
-Macek,V (2216) Rabac 2003 (1/2, 47). White has some compensation for the pawn,
but Black does not seem to be in danger.}) (6. O-O Nb6 {Possibly premature.} (
6... g6 7. Na3 Nb6 {would transpose above.}) 7. a4 $1 a5 8. Na3 g6 9. Ne5 Be6
10. e4 Bg7 11. Be3 Nfd7 12. Nxd7 Bxd7 13. Rc1 O-O 14. Nxc4 Nxc4 15. Rxc4 Rc8
16. Qd2 $14 {Fominykh,M (2313)-Yefimov,M (2050) Pardubice 2010 (1-0, 51)}) 6...
Nb6 7. Nbd2 g6 {Very wisely played. Black does not stick to his extra pawn and
transposes to a comfortable Grünfeld structure.} (7... Be6 8. Ng5 $44) 8. O-O
Bg7 9. Nxc4 Bf5 10. Qc3 Nxc4 11. Qxc4 O-O 12. Rd1 ({With his development
incomplete, White should not embark on such radical operations as:} 12. b4 Be4
13. a4 Qd5 14. Qc5 Nd7 {[%csl Gc4]}) 12... a5 $11 {Having exchanged one knight,
Black does not suffer from lack of space. besides, White's centre is not easy
to put into motion.} 13. Qb3 {White clears the c4-square for his knight, but
this does not contribute to his development.} ({A possible alternative would be
} 13. Bf4 Qb6 14. Qc1 Rfd8 15. Be5 {followed by the knight's transfer to c4 or
d4 at a later stage. Although Black does not seem to be under pressure yet,
with time White may establish some domination with chances for a kingside
attack.}) 13... Qd6 14. Ne5 Nd7 15. Nc4 Qb4 16. Ne3 Qxb3 17. axb3 Be6 {White
is underdeveloped and has some concrete queenside problems. He needs to make
use of his main trump: the advantage in the centre. This will be enough only
for equality, though.} 18. d5 (18. Rd3 Rfd8 {[%cal Gd7b6]}) 18... cxd5 19. Nxd5
Nc5 20. Ra3 (20. Nxe7+ Kh8 {dooms the b3-pawn.}) 20... Bxd5 21. Rxd5 Rac8 {
Black's superior activity, typical for the Grünfeld, prevents White from
getting any profit from his bishop pair.} 22. Bg5 (22. Be3 b6 23. Bxc5 Rxc5 24.
Rxc5 bxc5 25. Rxa5 e6 $5 26. Rxc5 Rb8 $11) 22... e6 23. Rd6 Bxb2 24. Rxa5 Bc1
$5 {The most accurate move order.} ({In principle, Black should avoid lines in
which White retains some domination even after eliminating all the queenside
pawns:} 24... Nxb3 25. Rb5 Bc1 26. Be7 Rfe8 27. Rd7 Nd2 28. Bxb7 Rc2 {True,
there is no real danger here, but somehow there is some slight discomfort in
Black's position, creating some risk of blundering.}) 25. Bf6 (25. Bxc1 Nxb3
26. Bd2 Nxa5 27. Bxa5 Rc1+ 28. Bf1 Ra8 29. Bd2 Rd1 30. Kg2 h5 (30... Raa1 31.
e3 Rxf1 32. Rd8+ Kg7 33. Bc3+ Kh6 34. Bxa1 Rxa1 35. Rd7 $11) 31. e3 Ra2 32. Bb4
Rxd6 33. Bxd6 Rb2 $13 {[%cal Gb7b5]}) (25. Be7 Rfe8 $11 {[%csl Gd7] This is
the point behind delaying the knight move.}) 25... Nxb3 26. Rb5 Nd2 {Well,
there is not much to analyse in the next phase of the game. The players
extended the spirit of the Sofia rule beyond mere necessity.} 27. Rd3 b6 28. e3
Nc4 29. Bf1 Ba3 30. Rd1 Rfe8 31. Rd7 Bf8 32. Bxc4 Rxc4 33. Rxb6 Bg7 34. Be7
Rcc8 35. Kg2 Rb8 36. Rc6 Rbc8 37. Rb6 Rb8 38. Rc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.31"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D71"]
[WhiteElo "2810"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 c6 4. Bg2 d5 5. e3 {No theory, just play!} dxc4 6. Ne2
Bg7 (6... Nbd7 $5 7. Na3 $140 Nb6) 7. O-O O-O 8. Na3 Nbd7 9. Nxc4 Nb6 {The
exchange of knights will be satisfactory for Black but if White avoids it,
Black easily pushes ...e7-e5.} 10. Na5 {White stops the development of Black's
c8-bishop but, on the other hand, his a5-knight will be far away from the main
battlefield.} Qc7 11. b4 e5 $11 12. dxe5 Qxe5 13. Nd4 Ne4 14. Qc2 Re8 15. Ba3
Qe7 (15... h5 $5) 16. Rad1 h5 $1 {The right course. After ...h5-h4xg3 White's
king will be weakened, and he will never be able to push away Black's
e4-knight by means of f2-f3.} 17. Rd3 Nd5 (17... h4 $5 {is quite possible since
} 18. b5 {is harmless due to} Qe5 $1) 18. Rfd1 $6 (18. b5 c5) (18. Rc1 $5 {
M.Golubev}) 18... Bg4 (18... Bxd4 $5 19. Rxd4 Bf5 {[%cal Rd5c3,Rc3b5] with an
excellent position for Black.}) 19. Rc1 {Sad necessity.} (19. f3 {doesn't work
due to} Nec3 $1 20. Re1 ({otherwise White collapses:} 20. fxg4 Nxd1 21. Qxd1
Nxe3) (20. Rxc3 Nxe3 21. Rxe3 Qxe3+ 22. Qf2 Qxa3) 20... Bxd4 21. Rxd4 Nb5 {
with material gains for Black}) 19... Bxd4 (19... h4 $5 {with good counterplay.
}) 20. Rxd4 Ng5 (20... Nec3 $5 {[%cal Rc3e2,Rc3b5]} 21. Bf1 Ne4 22. Bg2 Nec3
$11) 21. Qd3 Nf3+ $6 {An oversight. It was essential for Black to keep his
knights. The position remained unclear after} (21... Bf3 22. e4 (22. b5 $2 Qe6)
22... Bxg2 (22... Bxe4 $143 23. Bxe4 Nxe4 24. Re1 Ndf6 25. f3 c5 $1 26. bxc5
Qc7 27. fxe4 Qxa5 28. Rf1 $36) 23. Kxg2 Nf6 24. f3 Qe6) 22. Bxf3 Bxf3 23. b5 $1
Qe6 24. Nxb7 cxb5 25. Nd6 Qh3 26. Qf1 {White certainly took into consideration
this eventuality when playing 21.Qd3.} Qxf1+ 27. Kxf1 Re6 28. Nxb5 {White has
won a pawn but it is not easy to convert it due to the opposite-coloured
bishops and weakness of the light squares.} Rb8 $6 (28... Rb6 $142 29. Nd6 Ra6)
29. Nd6 {[%csl Re6]} Nf6 30. Rf4 $6 (30. Rdc4 $1 {was probably stronger but
after} Ne4 $1 31. Rc8+ Rxc8 32. Rxc8+ Kg7 $1 33. Bb2+ f6 34. Rc7+ Kg8 35. Nxe4
Bxe4 (35... Rxe4 $143 36. Bxf6) 36. Rxa7 Rc6 {[%cal Yc6c2] it is still unclear
whether White can win.}) 30... Bd5 31. Rc2 Ne4 $2 $138 (31... Rd8 $1 32. Rc8
Rexd6 33. Rxd8+ Rxd8 34. Rxf6 Bxa2 $11) 32. Nxf7 Ra6 33. Bc1 Re8 (33... Nxg3+
$142 34. hxg3 Bxf7) 34. Rc7 Rxa2 35. Nh6+ Kh8 36. Nf7+ (36. g4 $1 hxg4 37. Nxg4
{After the opening of the h-file Black's king will be in trouble.}) 36... Kg8
37. f3 $2 (37. Nh6+ Kh8 38. g4 $1) 37... Bxf7 38. Rfxf7 Rd8 $1 {Both kings are
now cut off along the 7th (2nd) rank, and it turns out that Black's
counterplay is quite timely.} 39. Rg7+ (39. Rfd7 Rxd7 40. Rxd7 Ng5 $132) 39...
Kf8 40. Rgf7+ (40. Ba3+ Rxa3 41. fxe4 Ra2 42. Rcf7+ Ke8 43. Rf2 Rxf2+ 44. Kxf2
Rd2+ 45. Kf3 Rxh2 46. Rxg6 h4 $1 47. g4 h3 48. Rh6 a5 $11 {_|_}) 40... Kg8 41.
Ke1 Nc5 $1 {The most accurate continuation.} (41... Nf2 $6 42. Rg7+ Kf8 43.
Rcf7+ Ke8 44. Rg8+ Kxf7 45. Rxd8 {[%csl Rf2]}) (41... Nc3 42. Rg7+ Kf8 43. Rgd7
Rxd7 44. Rxd7 Rxh2 45. Rxa7 Ne2 $1 46. Ba3+ Kg8 47. Bd6 Ng1 {may be enough for
a draw, too.}) 42. Rg7+ Kf8 43. Rgf7+ (43. Rcf7+ Ke8 44. Rg8+ Kxf7 45. Rxd8
Rxh2 46. Ba3 Nb3 47. Rd3 (47. Rd7+ Ke6 48. Rxa7 Nd2) 47... Na1 48. Kd1 a5 {
with sufficient counterplay.}) 43... Kg8 44. Rg7+ Kf8 45. Rh7 Nd3+ $1 46. Kf1
Kg8 47. Rcg7+ Kf8 48. Rf7+ Kg8 49. Rfg7+ Kf8 50. Rb7 Kg8 51. Rhg7+ Kf8 52. Rgc7
Nxc1 53. Rxc1 Rxh2 54. Kg1 Re2 55. e4 a5 56. Ra7 a4 57. Rb1 a3 58. Rxa3 Rdd2
59. Ra7 Rg2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.31"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E32"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "178"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. g3 {A rare plan in the
4.Qc2 system.} O-O 7. Bg2 e5 8. O-O (8. dxe5 Nxe5 9. Nxe5 dxe5 10. O-O c6 11.
Rd1 Qe7 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Ne4 Qe7 15. c5 Bf5 16. Rd6 Bxe4 17. Bxe4
Rfd8 18. Rad1 $14 {1-0 (59) Rajlich,I (2399)-Lomineishvili,M (2437) St
Petersburg 2009}) 8... c6 (8... exd4 9. Nxd4 c6 10. a3 Bc5 11. Rd1 Ne5 12. Na4
Qe7 13. Nxc5 dxc5 {1/2 (46) Foisor,O (2495)-Hergott,D (2320) Saint John 1988}
14. Nf3 $14) 9. Rd1 Re8 (9... Qe7 $5 {is probably more accurate} 10. dxe5 $140
Nxe5) 10. dxe5 $1 {Otherwise 10...e4.} (10. Bg5 Bxc3 11. Qxc3 e4 12. Ne1 h6 13.
Bf4 Nf8 14. Nc2 Ng6 15. Be3 d5 16. b3 Be6 17. h3 Qd7 18. Kh2 h5 $36 {0-1 (43)
Vitiugov,N (2594)-Tomashevsky,E (2646) Moscow 2007}) 10... dxe5 11. a3 (11. Ng5
h6 12. Nge4 {is positionally wrong: White should not trade knights as Black's
minor pieces get in each other's way.} Qc7 13. a3 Bf8 14. b4 Nxe4 15. Nxe4 f5
16. Nd2 Nf6 17. e4 a5 18. Rb1 axb4 19. axb4 Qf7 $132 {0-1 (46) Paulsen,D (2240)
-Kuzmin,G (2545) Dortmund 1981}) 11... Bxc3 (11... Bf8 {deprives Black's
d7-knight of a comfortable square.} 12. b4 a5 13. Rb1 $14) 12. Qxc3 Qe7 13. b4
{A courageous move, active but weakening the c4-pawn (square).} Nb6 14. Be3 $6
(14. a4 $5 e4 $140 15. Ng5 h6 16. a5 Nbd7 17. Nh3 $14) 14... Ng4 15. Nd2 ({
It is hard to say whether White missed} 15. Bc5 $2 Na4 $1 {or simply made a
mistake in evaluation but after the exchange of his important dark-squared
bishop the position roughly equalises.}) 15... f5 16. h3 Nxe3 17. Qxe3 e4 (
17... Qf7 $5 18. Rac1 Be6) 18. Rac1 $6 (18. c5 Nd5 19. Qd4 {[%cal Yd2c4,Yc4d6]}
b5 $5 {leads to complex play. After the passive text move Black seizes the
initiative.}) 18... Be6 19. Qc3 (19. c5 Nd5 20. Qd4 Rad8 21. Qe5 Nc7 $1 {
, and White's knight can't get to c4 anymore.}) (19. f3 exf3 20. exf3 {(S.
Zagrebelny) is hardly enough: after} Qf6 21. Bf1 Bf7 22. Qf2 Na4 {White's
position is very unpleasant.}) 19... Rad8 20. Bf1 (20. c5 Nd5 21. Qe5 {was
relatively better after all.}) 20... c5 $6 {Black fails to demonstrate
prophylactic thinking (how to anticipate White's idea 21.e3 ?) and misses a
strong resource:} (20... Bf7 $1 21. e3 {(what else?)} Bh5 22. Re1 Nd7 $17 {
[%cal Yd7e5] (indicated by S.Zagrebelny and other commentators)}) 21. bxc5 Na4
22. Qb4 Nxc5 23. Nb3 {After this the position nearly equalises.} Rxd1 24. Rxd1
Na6 (24... Nxb3 25. Qxb3 Rc8 26. e3 {is hardly enough, too.}) 25. Qxe7 Rxe7 26.
e3 Kf7 27. Be2 b6 28. Rd8 Nc5 29. Nd4 (29. Nxc5 bxc5 30. Rb8 {was good enough.
But after the text move White obtains a strong outpost on d4, compensating for
Black's c5 stronghold.}) 29... Kf6 30. Kf1 Rd7 31. Rf8+ Bf7 32. Ke1 g6 33. h4
h6 34. Rc8 Be6 35. Rf8+ Rf7 36. Rh8 Rc7 37. Nb5 Rd7 38. Nd4 h5 {Otherwise
h4-h5 could be an issue.} 39. Rf8+ Bf7 40. Rc8 Ke5 41. Ra8 a6 42. Rc8 Rd6 43.
Nc6+ Kf6 44. Nd4 Be6 45. Rf8+ Ke7 46. Ra8 Rd7 47. Rb8 (47. Kd2 {was simpler.})
47... Rb7 48. Rxb7+ {Why? White's rook was more active, and Black couldn't
make any progress. The minor piece endgame should also be drawn but it
requires accuracy from White as Black has ways to improve his position.} Nxb7 {
[%mdl 4096]} 49. Kd2 Kd6 50. Kc3 Bf7 51. Nb3 Ke5 52. Bf1 a5 53. Be2 Be6 54. Bf1
Bd7 55. Be2 Ba4 56. Nd4 Nc5 57. Kb2 Be8 58. Kc3 Bf7 59. Nc6+ Kd6 60. Nd4 Nd7 {
Black finds a plan: ...Ke5, Nc5 and ...a4 with a semblance of zugzwang.} 61.
Nb5+ Kc5 62. Nd4 Ne5 63. Nb3+ Kc6 64. a4 $6 {A move, which amazed spectators
and commentators. In normal circumstances a strong GM would never make such a
move (creating a new serious weakness in his camp) even at gunpoint. GM
Teimour Radjabov was probably in extremely bad shape. Meanwhile, the zugzwang
was just an illusion; White simply needs to realise that he can play f2-f3 at
some point:} (64. Nd4+ Kd6 65. Nb3 a4 66. Nd2 Kc5 {Zugzwang?} 67. f3 $1 (67.
Bd1 Ng4 68. Bxa4 Nxf2 {is indeed risky}) 67... exf3 68. Nxf3 Nxf3 (68... Nxc4
69. Bxc4 Bxc4 70. Ne5) 69. Bxf3 Bxc4 {- White loses a pawn but after} 70. e4
Be6 71. exf5 Bxf5 72. Bg2 {Black can never break through.}) (64. Kd4 Kd6 65.
Nd2 Nc6+ 66. Kc3 {[%cal Yf2f3] was possible, too.}) 64... Kd7 65. Nd4 Kd6 66.
Nb5+ Kc5 67. Nd4 Be8 68. Nb3+ (68. Kb3 Bd7 {This is indeed zugzwang!} 69. f3 (
69. Bf1 Ng4) (69. Nc2 Nd3) 69... exf3 70. Nxf3 Ng4 $19 {is now a completely
different story!}) 68... Kd6 69. c5+ Kc7 $1 (69... bxc5 70. Nxa5 Bxa4 71. Nc4+
{is a draw.}) 70. Kd4 Nc6+ 71. Kc3 Ne7 $1 72. cxb6+ Kxb6 73. Nd2 Bxa4 74. Nc4+
Ka6 $1 75. Na3+ Kb7 76. Nc4 Ka6 77. Na3+ Ka7 $1 {Black holds his extra pawn
and gets fair winning chances.} 78. Kd4 (78. Nc4 Bb5) 78... Nc6+ 79. Kc5 Ne5 (
79... Nb4 $5 80. Nb5+ Kb7 81. Nc3 Bb3) 80. Nc4 $2 {Probably the decisive
mistake.} (80. Kd4 $1 {was the right way although even after} Nd3 {
(recommended by Alexey Dreev during a live broadcast)} (80... Nc6+ 81. Kc5 Nb4
{is possible, too}) 81. Bxd3 exd3 82. Kxd3 Bb3 {we can't assume it is a clear
draw.}) 80... Nd3+ 81. Kd4 ({Now} 81. Bxd3 exd3 82. Kd4 Bc2 83. Kc3 a4 {
is hardly enough for a draw - both White's pieces are paralysed, and Black's
king goes forward.}) 81... Nc1 $1 ({White probably expected something like} 
81... Nxf2 82. Nxa5 Nh1 83. Ke5 Nxg3 84. Bc4 Kb6 85. Nb3 {with good chances to
recapture one of Black's pawns and survive}) 82. Bf1 Bb5 83. Nxa5 $2 {
Desperation under time pressure.} (83. Kc3 a4 84. Kb2 Nd3+ (84... Nb3 $5) 85.
Bxd3 exd3 86. Nd2 Kb6 {leads to a setup mentioned in the comment to White's
81st move.}) 83... Bxf1 84. Nc6+ Kb6 85. Ne7 Nd3 86. Nxg6 Kc7 87. Ne7 Bh3 88.
Nd5+ Kd6 89. Nf6 Bg4 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.31"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C02"]
[WhiteElo "2747"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 {This is a specialty of Svidler's countryman, Grischuk,
who used it to beat Ivanchuk twice, among others. A good psychologycal
decision by Svidler to put Ivanchuk to the test once again.} c5 4. c3 Nc6 5.
Nf3 Bd7 6. Be2 Nge7 7. O-O {This is how the game Grischuk-Ivanchuk had gone,
too. Ivanchuk does not seem to be the kind of player to let his defeats pass
without looking for improvements, so the theoretical duel is very much on...}
Ng6 (7... Nf5 {Grischuk,A (2746)-Ivanchuk,V (2768)/Khanty-Mansiysk 2011/CBM
145/[Marin,M] (1-0, 44)}) 8. g3 cxd4 (8... Be7 {Grischuk,A (2746)-Ivanchuk,V 
(2768)/Khanty-Mansiysk 2011/CBM 145/[Marin,M] (1-0, 35)}) 9. cxd4 f6 10. exf6
Qxf6 (10... gxf6 $6 {weakens the kingside too much.} 11. Nc3 Bg7 12. h4 O-O 13.
Bd3 $14 {Cori Tello,J (2418)-Ostos,J (2316)/Havana 2009/CBM 130 Extra (1-0, 39)
}) 11. Bg5 $1 {An active move, gaining some time and inducing a small
weakening of the kingside.} Qf7 12. Be3 {[%cal Gf3g5]} h6 13. Nc3 Bd6 14. Nb5 {
This may look a bit like shadow boxing, but White's idea is revealed by the
next move.} (14. Ne1 {is too slow, allowing Black to get his king out of the
centre and obtain a normal regrouping.} O-O 15. Ng2 Rac8 16. Bh5 Qf6 17. Qg4
Nge7 18. Nh4 Be8 {After getting rid of his potentially bad bishop, Black is at
least not worse.} 19. Bxe8 Rcxe8 $11 {Gwaze,R (2402)-Pert,N (2501)/Halifax
2004/EXT 2005 (1/2, 44)}) 14... Bb8 15. Ne5 $1 $146 {A strong novelty, casting
serious doubts over Black's previous play. The main idea is to clear the g1-a7
diagonal, in order to allow Be3-c5.} (15. Rc1 {Jonkman,H (2491)-Firman,N (2494)
/Lvov 2001/CBM 087/[Psakhis] (0-1, 29): It is interesting that in his notes to
this game, the outstanding specialist in the French Lev Psakhis expresses his
amazement about the ease with which Black has equalised...}) 15... Ngxe5 {
There are several ways to take the pawn, but none of them solves the main
problem: the king's safety.} (15... Ncxe5 16. dxe5 Bxe5 17. Bc5 {leaves the
knight passive on g6.}) 16. dxe5 Nxe5 ({Or} 16... Bxe5 17. Bc5 {followed by
Nd6+ soon. If White manages to force the exchange of the e5-bishop for his
knight, the compensation would have a permanent character. Black would have
serious problems because of the chronic weakness of the dark squares, while
his king would lack a safe residence.}) 17. Bc5 Nc4 {Ivanchuk does his best to
avoid Nd6+, but this is one of those cases in which the remedy is even worse
than the initial problem.} 18. b3 $1 (18. Bxc4 $6 dxc4 19. Nd6+ Bxd6 20. Qxd6 {
is too simplistic to be good.} b6 21. Bb4 O-O-O $132 {White's king is also
insecure, because of the weakening g2-g3 move.}) 18... b6 {Kicking back
consequently...} 19. Bb4 a5 20. Bc3 $1 {Black has managed to drive the
molesting bishop away from the a3-f8 diagonal, but new and unsolvable problems
are awaiting him on the long dark diagonal.} Bxb5 (20... Ne5 21. f4 Ng6 22. f5
exf5 23. Bf3 Ne7 24. Bh5 $16 {creates similar problems.}) 21. Bh5 g6 22. Bxh8
$16 {White has won an exchange for a pawn. Things would not be that bad for
Black if he was not poorly coordinated and his king had some safe place to go
to.} gxh5 23. Re1 $5 {A hyper-accurate move. The threat is Qxd5} (23. bxc4 Bxc4
24. Re1 Bd6 25. Be5 $16) 23... Qf5 (23... Nd6 24. Qxd5 Ra7 25. Rxe6+ Re7 26.
Rae1 $18) 24. bxc4 Bxc4 25. Qd4 Bc7 26. Be5 O-O-O 27. Rac1 $18 {White has a
stable blockade in the centre and both Black's wings are vulnerable. The rest
is a matter of technique, as they say.} Rd7 28. a4 Qg4 29. Qe3 h4 30. Qxh6 hxg3
31. hxg3 Bd8 32. Bf4 Re7 33. Bg5 Kd7 34. Bxe7 Bxe7 35. Kg2 Bc5 36. f3 Qf5 37.
Qg7+ 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.04.01"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E90"]
[WhiteElo "2809"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. h3 O-O 6. Bg5 a6 7. Nf3 c5 8. dxc5
Qa5 9. Bd3 dxc5 10. O-O Nc6 {This line was examined in my opening survey in
CBM 132.} 11. Nd5 {Two recent examples featuring other options for White:} (11.
a3 $6 Nd7 12. Rc1 e6 13. Bh4 Qc7 14. Qd2 b6 15. Bb1 Bb7 16. Ne2 Nde5 17. Nxe5
Qxe5 18. Nc3 Nd4 $15 {1-0 (36) Conquest,S (2532)-Glek,I (2424) Otranto 2011}) (
11. Qe2 Nd7 (11... e6 $5) 12. Nd5 Re8 13. Bd2 Qd8 14. Bf4 Nde5 15. Nxe5 Nxe5
16. Rad1 e6 17. Nc3 Bd7 18. Bb1 Qe7 19. Bg3 Red8 $6 (19... b5 $1) 20. f4 Nc6
21. e5 Nd4 22. Qf2 $16 {[%cal Rg3h4] 1-0 (52) Kourousis,E (2324)-Saric,S (2462)
Kavala 2012}) 11... Be6 $146 {[%cal Yb7b5][%mdl 8] This is more active than
the previously played} (11... Qd8 12. Re1 h6 (12... Be6 13. Qb3 b5 14. Rad1 Rb8
15. Qa3 Nd7 16. Bf4 Ra8 17. e5 Kh8 18. Be4 $16 {1-0 (34) Kazhgaleyev,M (2606)
-Evdokimov,A (2500) Paris 2006 CBM 132 [Krasenkow]}) 13. Bf4 e6 14. Nxf6+ Qxf6
15. Bd6 Qxb2 16. Rb1 Qxa2 {1-0 (37) Gheorghiu,F-Pavlov,M Bucharest 1965} 17.
Bxc5 $1 Re8 (17... Rd8 18. Re2 Qa5 19. Bb6) 18. e5 $36) 12. Qb3 {Hardly a
fortunate move since Black can play 12...b5 anyway.} (12. Re1 $5 Rfe8 $1 (12...
b5 13. Nxe7+ $1 Nxe7 14. e5) 13. Bd2 $5 Qd8 14. Bc3 $14) 12... b5 $1 {Logical.}
13. Rac1 ({The tactical justification of Black's last move:} 13. cxb5 axb5 14.
Bxf6 exf6 15. Bxb5 (15. Qxb5 Nb4 $1 16. Qxa5 Rxa5 17. Nxb4 cxb4 $44) 15... Rab8
16. a4 Na7 {, and Black should equalise.}) 13... bxc4 14. Bxc4 Nxe4 (14... Rab8
15. Qc2 $1 (15. Qd3 $143 Rxb2) 15... Bxd5 (15... Nxd5 16. exd5 Rxb2 17. Qe4)
16. exd5 Nd4 17. Qd3 $14) 15. Qb7 {White could have probably kept a tiny plus
due to his better pawn structure after simplifications starting with} (15.
Nxe7+ $5 {, e.g.} Nxe7 16. Bxe7 (16. Bxe6 Nxg5 17. Nxg5 c4 $1 18. Qe3 fxe6 19.
Qxe6+ Kh8 20. Qxe7 Rae8 21. Nf7+ Kg8 22. Qd7 Re2 $15) 16... Rfe8 (16... Rfb8
17. Qd3 Ra7 18. Bxe6 Rxe7 19. Bxf7+ Rxf7 20. Qxe4 Qxa2 21. Ra1 $1 Qb3 22. Rxa6
$14) 17. Bxe6 Rxe7 18. Bd5 Rae8 19. Rce1 $14) 15... Rac8 (15... Bxd5 16. Bxd5
Nxg5 17. Nxg5 Ne5 {was probably good enough for equality, too, e.g.} 18. Qxe7 (
18. f4 Qd2 $5) 18... Rac8 19. f4 $2 Rc7 20. Qd6 Rd7 {(Indicated by IM M.Notkin)
}) 16. Bxe7 $5 (16. Nxe7+ Nxe7 17. Qxe4 Bxc4 18. Qxc4 Nf5 $11) 16... Bxd5 $6 (
16... Rfe8 {was simpler, with a probable draw after} 17. Rfe1 $1 Bxd5 18. Bxd5
Nxe7 19. Rxe4 Nxd5 20. Rxe8+ Rxe8 21. Qxd5 {(M.Notkin)}) {After the text move
White obtains a 2R vs Q ending (+opposite-coloured bishops). It is potentially
dangerous for Black since White's pieces can launch a strong attack on Black's
king. Everything will depend on Black's ability to prevent White's activation.}
17. Bxf8 ({Black has no problems after} 17. Bxd5 Rc7 $1 18. Qxc6 Rxc6 19. Bxf8
Bxf8 20. Bxc6 Nf6) 17... Rb8 $1 18. Qxb8 (18. Qd7 $1 Rd8 19. Qxd5 Rxd5 20. Bxd5
Bxf8 21. Bxe4 Nd4 22. Nxd4 cxd4 23. a3 {apparently gives White more chances.})
18... Nxb8 19. Bxd5 Kxf8 20. Bxe4 Nd7 {Black wins one of White's queenside
pawns - an important factor!} 21. b3 Qxa2 22. Rcd1 Ne5 23. Rd8+ Ke7 24. Rb8
Nxf3+ 25. Bxf3 Bd4 26. g3 (26. Bd5 Bxf2+ $1 27. Rxf2 Qa1+ {regaining the d5
bishop with a check on the next move.}) (26. Rb7+ Ke6 27. Re1+ Kf6 28. Re2 {
is premature due to} Qa1+ 29. Kh2 Qf1 {(M.Notkin)}) 26... a5 $2 {A theoretical
mistake allowing White's rook to come out.} (26... Kf6 27. Bd5 $140 $6 Qe2 $1
28. Rb7 Qe5 $1 29. Rxf7+ Kg5) ({or} 26... Qd2 {(M.Notkin) was correct. Black
should not lose in that case.}) 27. Re1+ Kf6 28. Re2 Qb1+ 29. Kg2 a4 $2 {
A fatal idea. Black's a-pawn can now queen but his king comes under a mating
attack. Black would do better to defend passively, protecting his f7 pawn with
the queen:} (29... Qf5 {or so. White's advantage is probably insufficient for
a win after all.}) 30. Rb7 $1 a3 (30... Qd3 31. bxa4 {[%csl Ga4] was a lesser
evil but the a-pawn is likely to bring White a victory.}) 31. Bd5 a2 32. Rxf7+
Kg5 33. h4+ (33. Ree7 $1 {was even more accurate.}) 33... Kh6 34. Ree7 g5 $8
35. Be4 $1 (35. Be4 Qxe4+ 36. Rxe4 a1=Q 37. Re6+ Kh5 38. g4+ $3 Kxg4 (38...
Kxh4 39. Rh6+ Kxg4 40. f3#) 39. f3+ Kxh4 40. Rxh7#) 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.04.01"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2872"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
O-O 9. Nc3 Bb7 10. Bd2 Qd7 11. a4 $146 (11. Ne2 Nd8 12. Ng3 Ne6 13. Nf5 c5 14.
N3h4 Bd8 15. Qf3 d5 {Mickiewicz,P (2271)-Malaniuk,V (2522)/Koszalin 2007/CBM
119 ext (0-1, 43)}) 11... Nd8 12. axb5 axb5 13. Rxa8 Bxa8 14. Ne2 Ne6 15. Ng3
c5 16. Nf5 Bd8 17. c4 $5 {This way of fighting for the light squares justifies
(at least partly) the loss of a tempo with a3-a4.} bxc4 18. Bxc4 Bc7 19. Re1
Re8 20. Qc1 Nh5 21. g3 g6 22. Nh6+ Kg7 23. Ng5 Nxg5 24. Bxg5 d5 25. exd5 Bxd5
26. Ng4 Bf3 27. Bf6+ Kg8 28. Nh6+ Kf8 29. Qe3 Bb7 30. Bh4 Qh3 31. f3 $2 (31.
Bd5 $1 {This is not that difficult to spot, but evaluating the consequences
requires some effort.} Bxd5 32. Qxc5+ Kg7 33. Qxd5 Kxh6 34. Qxf7 Ba5 35. Qxe8
Bxe1 36. Qxe5 {Threatening mate with Bg5#} Bxf2+ $1 (36... Bd2 37. Qe2 Bc1 38.
Be7 {allows White to maintain the initiative in conditions of material
equality.}) 37. Kxf2 Qxh2+ {with a probable draw. If White interposes his
queen to one of the checks, Black can exchange and win the bishop with ...g5.})
31... Nf4 $36 32. gxf4 Qxh4 33. Nxf7 Bxf3 34. Qf2 Qg4+ 35. Qg3 exf4 36. Rxe8+
Kxe8 37. Qxg4 Bxg4 38. Ng5 h6 39. Nf7 h5 40. Nh6 Bd1 41. Kf2 f3 42. h3 Bf4 43.
Nf7 g5 44. Ke1 g4 45. hxg4 hxg4 46. Kxd1 g3 47. Ke1 g2 48. Kf2 Bh2 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.04.01"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Bd2 Bg7 6. e4 Nxc3 7. Bxc3 c5 8.
d5 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 O-O 10. Qd2 e6 {Other options in this important position of
the 5.Bd2 Bg7 line:} (10... Qd6 $5 11. f4 (11. Bc4 Nd7 (11... f5 $5) 12. f4 $6
(12. Nf3 Nb6 13. Be2 Bg4 $11) 12... Nb6 13. Bb3 c4 14. Bc2 f5 $17 {1/2 (101)
Gupta,A (2577)-Li,C (2604) Wijk aan Zee 2010}) (11. Nf3 Bg4 12. Ng5 f6 $5 (
12... h6 13. h3 hxg5 14. hxg4 Qe5 15. Bd3 Qf6 16. O-O-O $1 $40 {[%cal Yg2g3,
Yf2f4] (R.Edouard)} (16. Rb1 $143 b6 17. Bb5 a6 18. Be2 Nd7 $13 {1/2 (37)
Terrieux,K (2434)-Edouard,R (2602) Mulhouse 2011})) 13. h3 fxg5 14. hxg4 Qe5 {
(R.Edouard)} (14... Rf4 15. Qe3 Qe5 16. f3 b6 17. O-O-O Nd7 18. Bb5 Rd8 19.
Rhf1 Rf6 20. Kc2 h6 21. Rh1 Kg7 22. Rh3 $14 {1/2 (42) Urban,K (2463)-Bobras,P 
(2550) Warsaw 2012}) 15. f3 Nd7 16. Bb5 Nf6 $13) 11... Nd7 $5 (11... e6 12. Bc4
exd5 13. Bxd5 {(R.Edouard)} Qa6 14. f5 $36) (11... e5 12. fxe5 $5 (12. Nf3 $6
Nd7 13. Bb5 exf4 14. Bxd7 Bxd7 15. e5 Qa6 16. Kf2 Qc4 $15 {0-1 (34) Coene,I 
(2228)-Van Haastert,E (2417) Leiden 2011}) 12... Qxe5 13. Bd3 Bg4 14. Nf3 Bxf3
15. gxf3 Nd7 16. f4 $14) 12. e5 Qc7 13. h4 c4 14. h5 Nb6 15. Nf3 Bg4 16. hxg6
fxg6 17. Ng5 Rad8 $1 18. d6 exd6 19. Rxh7 Qc5 20. Rh6 $1 dxe5 21. Rxg6+ Kh8 22.
Nf7+ Kh7 23. f5 $1 (23. Rh6+ $4 Kg7 {0-1 (36) Riazantsev,A (2714)-Edouard,R 
(2625) Belfort 2012 CBM 149 [Edouard,R]}) 23... Rxd2 24. Ng5+ Kh8 25. Rh6+ Kg8
26. Rg6+ $11 {(R.Edouard)}) (10... Nd7 $5 11. Nf3 Qc7 12. Bd3 Nf6 13. h3 e5 14.
Qh6 Ne8 15. O-O f6 16. Nd2 Nd6 $11 {1/2 (25) Mamedyarov,S (2721)-Vachier
Lagrave,M (2718) Germany 2010}) 11. Bc4 $146 {Rather harmless.} ({But} 11. d6
$5 {is positionally risky:} Bd7 (11... Qf6 12. Nf3 Nc6 13. Bb5 Bd7 14. O-O Rad8
15. Rfe1 e5 {1-0 (74) Bernadskiy,V (2473)-Kozakov,M (2481) Mukachevo 2012} 16.
Rad1 $14 Bg4 $140 17. Re3) (11... e5 12. h4 $5 Be6 13. h5 g5 14. h6 Kh8 15. Nf3
f6 16. Be2 Nc6 $13 {1-0 (49) Akesson,R (2466)-Boros,D (2457) Budapest 2008}) (
11... Qh4 12. Qe3 f5 13. e5 Nc6 14. Bb5 Bd7 15. Nf3 Qe4 {1/2 (80) Sambuev,B 
(2489)-Nevostrujev,V (2471) Sochi 2006} 16. a4 $13) 12. Rd1 (12. h4 Bc6 $5)
12... Bc6 13. Qe3 Nd7 14. Nf3 Qf6 15. Be2 e5 16. g3 Qe6 (16... Rfe8 $5 17. O-O
Rad8 $132) 17. Ng5 Qxa2 18. O-O Qa5 19. f4 $44 {1/2 (27) Nyzhnyk,I (2444)
-Ipatov,A (2472) Lvov 2008}) 11... exd5 12. Bxd5 Nc6 13. Nf3 Qf6 14. O-O Bg4
15. Qe3 (15. Ng5 $5 {(M.Notkin) was the way to avoid the exchange of this
knight but the position after} h6 (15... Rad8 16. Qe3 b6 17. f4 $14) 16. Nxf7
Rxf7 17. Bxf7+ Kxf7 18. Qxh6 {is hard to evaluate.}) 15... Bxf3 16. gxf3 Rae8
$11 17. Kh1 (17. f4 Nd8 {[%cal Yd8e6]}) 17... b5 {A possible plan for
counterplay.} 18. Rad1 b4 19. f4 Ne7 $1 (19... bxc3 $6 20. e5) 20. c4 Qa6 (
20... Nxd5 21. cxd5 Qa6 22. e5 $13 {[%csl Gd5,Ge5]}) 21. Qxc5 Nxd5 22. exd5 Qa3
23. d6 (23. Kg2 Qxa2 24. Qxb4 Re4 $132) 23... Qf3+ 24. Kg1 Qg4+ 25. Kh1 Qf3+
26. Kg1 Qg4+ 27. Kh1 Qf3+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.04.01"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B08"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2810"]
[Annotator "Gormally,D"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{The 2013 Candidates tournament in London, had the most exciting denouement of
any tournament I can remember. The brilliant Norwegian Wunderkind Magnus
Carlsen, was eventually to stagger over the line, after a war of attrition and
nerves that will live in the memory for many years. But it was the Russian
Vladimir Kramnik who will perhaps feel most aggrieved - he did not lose a game
until the last round, a game we shall now analyse, and his chess was of a very
high quality indeed.  There are a lot of ifs and buts, but I would not
criticise the format. One player had to qualify, and if there had not existed
the tie-break format, and the tournament had gone to play-offs, perhaps you
would have had a much more cautious approach from the players, resulting in
the veritable bore-fest which was the previous candidates. Clearly this
tournament format is the way forward.} 1. d4 d6 2. e4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 {Kramnik
essays the Pirc, a surprising choice you might think in such an important
encounter. But going into the game he must have felt that he needed to win, as
he could hardly have expected Carlsen to lose with White to Svidler, so
perhaps he felt that his normal repertoire was too solid, and that a sharper
game was needed. However I have little doubt that if such a situation were to
arise again, Kramnik would not choose this opening. Readers with a good memory,
may recall that the Pirc has a mixed success rate in last round games at the
world championship level. Famously, Korchnoi was to be thoroughly routed when
he chose this defence against Karpov in the decisive last game of their 1978
Baguio match. It is my belief that a player should stick with the approach
that has brought them to this point in the first place, and not change at the
last moment when on the brink of success. If you are a strategic and
positional player like Kramnik or Korchnoi, you should not play the Pirc, you
should stick to what you know, even if there is a danger that the game will be
too dry to play for a win. But that it is just my thought and I will never
play a match for the world championship!} 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Be2 O-O 6. O-O a6 7. h3
Nc6 8. Bg5 {Already we are in fairly unexplored territory.} (8. d5 {tries to
"punish" Black for his loss of time, but White was unable to prove any
advantage here either.} Nb8 $5 9. a4 e5 10. dxe6 Bxe6 11. Nd4 Bd7 12. Bg5 h6
13. Bh4 Nc6 $1 14. Nxc6 Bxc6 15. Bd3 Re8 16. Re1 Qc8 17. Qd2 Nd7 18. Rad1 Nc5 {
and Black had comfortably equalised in the game Khalifman,A-Svidler,P Tilburg
1994, which later ended in a draw.}) 8... b5 $1 {Gaining some useful space,
while creating a threat of ...b4.} 9. a3 h6 10. Be3 e5 $5 {A firm and commital
decision, but it does create some weaknesses on the queenside, like the
c5-square for example.} ({Black might ideally like to play} 10... Nd7 {so that
he can recapture on e5 with a piece, but the problem is that this runs into}
11. d5 $1 Nce5 12. Nxe5 (12. Nd4 $5 Bb7 13. f4 c5 14. Ndxb5 $1 axb5 15. Bxb5 {
is also good for White}) 12... Nxe5 13. f4 Nd7 14. Bd4 {with a nice edge for
White.}) 11. dxe5 (11. d5 $6 Ne7 {is really what Black wants. He can then look
forward to very good King's Indian style play, with ...Nh5 followed by ...f5
ect. White is not helped in such structures by the fact that he has already
played h3, which just gives Black an additional target on the kingside.} 12.
Nd2 c6 13. dxc6 Nxc6 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. exd5 Ne7 16. c4 f5 $1 17. f3 Qd7 {
looks more than ok for Black.}) 11... dxe5 12. Qc1 Kh7 13. Bc5 Re8 14. Rd1 Bd7
15. b4 Qc8 16. Qe3 Nd8 17. a4 {White is fighting for space for his pieces. He
wants to put the bishop on c4, and also just to attack the black queenside.} (
17. Nd5 {gets nowhere after} Nxd5 18. Rxd5 Bc6 19. Rd2 Ne6) 17... bxa4 18. Nxa4
Ne6 $1 19. Bc4 ({Kramnik's last turn smartly took advantage of the fact the
e5-pawn is immune:} 19. Nxe5 $2 Nxc5 20. Qxc5 Nxe4 {is not what the doctor
ordered.}) 19... Nh5 20. Nc3 Nhf4 21. Nd5 {Ivanchuk wants to challenge
Kramnik's strong knight play in the centre, with some of his own.} ({Serious
consideration could have been given to} 21. Bf1 {creating an eventual threat
of g3.} Nxc5 22. bxc5 Ne6 {with the threat of ...Nd4.} 23. Nd5 $1 {sidesteps
that threat, but even here play is not so clear after} a5) 21... Bb5 $5 22. Bb3
(22. Bxb5 axb5 23. Rxa8 Qxa8 {only looks good for Black, he has his army very
harmoniously posted, while he can start to pester White with moves like ...Qa2.
}) 22... Bc6 {Around about here Kramnik already started to think about taking
over the initiative. One can only imagine the emotions raging through the
players at this point, with so much at stake. Did Kramnik need to play for a
win, or a draw? He was keeping a close eye on proceedings in the Carlsen
encounter, which perhaps distracted him from his own game.} 23. Ra5 Qb7 24. g3
{Ivanchuk wants to force matters.} Nxh3+ 25. Kg2 Nhg5 26. Rh1 Kg8 ({Jon
Speelman enquired in the press conference afterwards, whether Kramnik had
considered the possibility of the sacrifice} 26... Nxe4 $5 $36 {Kramnik
replied that he had, but was unsure about this as it might just be losing.
However this is an excellent suggestion by the imaginative Speelman, as it
would have given Black superb practical chances. One can also see Kasparov
playing this way, but perhaps Kramnik found his usual instincts, to play solid,
positional chess, difficult to desert?} 27. Qxe4 f5 28. Qc4 Rad8 29. Be3 $1 ({
you see it is easy to go wrong here. At first I thought the simple} 29. Rd1 {
was good, but this runs into} e4 $1 30. Nh4 Bb5 $1 31. Rxb5 axb5 32. Qe2 c6 33.
Nf4 Nxf4+ 34. gxf4 Rxd1 35. Qxd1 Bf6 {and Black is taking over}) 29... Bb5 30.
Qh4 $1 Rxd5 31. Bxh6 {It is important to make every move count} Rd6 32. Bxg7+
Kxg7 33. Qh7+ Kf8 {with an extremely sharp situation on the board.}) 27. Nxg5
Nxg5 28. f3 Bxd5 29. Bxd5 c6 30. Bc4 Qc8 $5 {Trying to keep the game as sharp
as possible, an understandable decision considering the tournament situation
at this point.} ({Afterwards Kramnik bemoaned the fact that he didn't just play
} 30... Ne6 {here, which he considered to be close to a draw. But the problem
is he didn't know which result he should be playing for at this point, as it
wasn't clear yet that Carlsen was going to lose.} 31. Bxe6 (31. c3 Nxc5 32.
Qxc5 Red8 33. Ra2 Rd7 {also looks fairly equal, Black is a pawn up, but this
is balanced out by his queenside weaknesses and the superb bishop on c4}) 31...
Rxe6 32. Qd3 h5 33. Rha1 Bf8 {does indeed look quite drawish.}) 31. Qb3 h5 32.
Be3 Ne6 33. Rha1 h4 {Another move that later brought sharp criticism by
Kramnik, but for me this is a very human reaction - Black is becoming slowly
squeezed, so it's human nature to want to grab some squares for his pieces.}
34. gxh4 Qd8 35. Rxa6 Rc8 $2 {But only this move really cost Vladimir a
rematch with Vishy. Now Black just has a bad position, without even a pawn to
compensate for that.} ({One can only imagine that Kramnik refrained for the
seemingly natural continuation} 35... Rxa6 $1 36. Rxa6 Qxh4 37. Rxc6 {as
perhaps he felt that Black is only fighting for a draw here. But at least he
has some squares!} Ng5 38. Bxg5 ({The computer makes the suggestion} 38. Bxf7+
Nxf7 {and now the calm} 39. b5 {a very sharp idea indeed, but would Ivanchuk
have played this way? I somehow doubt it.} Bf6 40. b6 Rd8 $13 {with the idea
of ...Rd1, where there is still everything to play for}) 38... Qxg5+ 39. Kf1
Ra8 40. Ra6 Rxa6 41. Bxa6 Bh6 {which should objectively end in a draw.}) 36.
Rh1 ({The computer points out that it's possible to even ignore the threat on
the h-pawn with} 36. c3 $1 Qxh4 37. Bxe6 Rxe6 38. b5 $1 {and the b-pawn comes
through, with similar gruesome results to the game.}) 36... Rc7 37. Bxe6 Rxe6
38. b5 $1 {A move that effectively ended Kramnik's brave challenge for another
two years, and ensured that the Norwegian Wunderkind Magnus Carlsen would
challenge Anand for the World title. White's threats are murderous.} Rb7 39. b6
c5 40. Rb1 Bf8 (40... Bf6 41. Qd5 Rb8 42. Qxd8+ Bxd8 43. Bxc5 $18) 41. Qd5 $1 {
By this stage it was clear that Carlsen was going to lose, but this must have
been scant consolation for Vladimir, staring at the ruins of his position.} Qb8
({Kramnik had missed that} 41... Rd7 {runs into} 42. Qa8 $1 Rd2+ 43. Kg3 {
but his task is helpless in any case.}) 42. Rba1 Rd6 43. Ra8 $1 Rxd5 44. Rxb8
Rxb8 45. exd5 Bd6 46. Ra6 Rb7 47. Kf1 {The king simply runs to the queenside,
while Black can't move a thing.} 1-0

