[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2718"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 4. Ba4 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 5. d3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 6. Bb3 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 7. c3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d6 {[%emt 0:03:54]
Black should play this sooner or later. The alternative is essentially ...d5,
which is double-edged in the Italian and probably borderline suicidal now
Black has played ...b5.} 8. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} h6 {[%emt 0:04:28]} 9. Bh4 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} g5 {[%emt 0:18:01]} 10. Bg3 {[%emt 0:00:00] We will not be
getting a repeat of the various 'draw lines' Anand has played which involve
sacrifices on g5 against a castled king, and then perpetual check...} Ba7 {
[%emt 0:00:27]} (10... Bb6 {may keep marginally more options open, including
contesting the a-file 'properly'.} 11. Nbd2 O-O 12. Qe2 Ne7 {and now} 13. d4
Ng6 $5 $132 {Alekseev,E-Predke,A Kaliningrad 2015, was an interesting and
ultimately successful pawn sacrifice.}) 11. Nbd2 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Na5 {[%emt 0:
04:55]} 12. Bc2 {[%emt 0:07:08]} Nh5 {[%emt 0:00:55] We are now in new
territory, and Black is playing extremely inventively. However, Anand is not
to be outdone.} 13. a4 $5 {[%emt 0:02:53] Highlighting a problem with ...Ba7,
but at the same time committing to playing the sacrifice that follows. White
is playing maximalist chess.} (13. b4 {DF} Nc6 14. a4 $132 {might have been a
more normal way to play.}) 13... b4 {[%emt 0:04:12]} 14. cxb4 {[%emt 0:06:43]}
Nc6 {[%emt 0:02:01]} 15. b5 {[%emt 0:00:22]} Nb4 {[%emt 0:02:05]} 16. Nc4 {
[%emt 0:03:49]} (16. O-O $6 {may be possible, but is a bit wet and White does
not have the fun after} Nxg3 17. hxg3 h5 $44) 16... Nxg3 {[%emt 0:08:39]} 17.
hxg3 {[%emt 0:01:12]} g4 {[%emt 0:11:04] Black commits!} (17... axb5 18. axb5
Bxf2+ $2 {does not work immediately as Black's knight lacks proper access to
d4.} 19. Kxf2 Rxa1 20. Qxa1 Nxc2 21. Qa4 $1 $16) (17... Bc5 $44 {was still
possible, looking for compensation - I am reasonably sure it is sufficient.})
18. Nh4 {[%emt 0:09:07]} axb5 {[%emt 0:01:48]} 19. axb5 {[%emt 0:01:21]} Bxf2+
{[%emt 0:01:56]} 20. Kxf2 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Rxa1 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 21. Qxa1 {
[%emt 0:00:10]} Nxc2 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 22. Qa4 {[%emt 0:03:23] White had
presumably envisaged this position up to ten moves in advance and liked his
practical chances. White's knights hop around in pleasing ways near the black
king, while White's kingside construction with the h4-knight and (soon to be)
h2-king is watertight.} Qf6+ {[%emt 0:04:00]} (22... Nd4 23. b6+ Kf8 24. bxc7
Qxc7 $11 {was also interesting, but the d6-pawn is weak.}) 23. Kg1 {[%emt 0:08:
04]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:01:21]} 24. b6+ {[%emt 0:02:43]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:10:24]} 25. Qd1
{[%emt 0:00:30]} cxb6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 26. Kh2 {[%emt 0:02:56] Reaching a
position which is only ever going to be hard for Black to play.} O-O {[%emt 0:
02:11]} (26... b5 27. Rf1 Qe7 28. Ne3 {gives White either the d5-square or
g4-pawn}) 27. Rf1 {[%emt 0:00:37]} Qg5 $6 {[%emt 0:04:21] A minor inaccuracy,
giving up the wrong pawn, and White's moves just keep playing themselves.} (
27... Qe7 28. Ne3 Qg5 $1 {was the right time to place the queen here. Now} 29.
Nhf5 Bxf5 30. Nxf5 Qh5+ 31. Kg1 Nxf5 32. Rxf5 Qg6 $11 {could follow, when
White's position is still easier but his king has lost its bomb shelter.}) 28.
Nxd6 $14 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Be6 {[%emt 0:00:29]} 29. Nhf5 {[%emt 0:01:05]} Nxf5
$6 {[%emt 0:05:07]} (29... Rd8 30. Nxd4 Rxd6 31. Nxe6 Rxe6 32. Rf5 Qg6 33. Qb3
$14 {is similar to the last note but with White having better co-ordination.
Still, this was an interesting try, not least because Black can now try and do
'nothing' e.g. ...Re8 and ...Qe6, and try to complete the fortress with ...
Kh7-g6 and ...h5.}) 30. exf5 {[%emt 0:06:17]} Bd5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 31. Qe2 $1 {
[%emt 0:01:34]} Qf6 {[%emt 0:05:45]} (31... f6 32. d4 {is a slightly
non-obvious point until you reach the position itself, whereupon it becomes
clear that White's rook needs to be on f4, and simultaneously one sees how to
accomplish this.}) 32. Qxg4+ {[%emt 0:02:12]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 33. Ne4 {
[%emt 0:00:54]} Bxe4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 34. dxe4 {[%emt 0:02:59]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:
03:07]} 35. Rc1 $16 {[%emt 0:11:40] This is now a truly thankless position as
the fortress tries will never quite work and the rook ending is lost. White
just plays with ideas for a few moves until he works out what he wants to do.}
Rd4 {[%emt 0:04:08]} 36. Rc7 {[%emt 0:08:10]} Rb4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 37. Qe2 {
[%emt 0:01:05]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:54]} 38. Rc8 {[%emt 0:07:37]} Qg5 {[%emt 0:00:
55]} 39. Rc6 {[%emt 0:01:01]} Rb3 {[%emt 0:00:38]} 40. Rc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rb4
{[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. b3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rd4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 42. Rc6 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} Rb4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 43. Qf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 44.
Rd6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 45. Rd5 {[%emt 0:00:00] Now White's
rook is the centralised one!} Qf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 46. Kg1 {[%emt 0:00:40]} Kh7
{[%emt 0:02:50]} 47. Qd3 {[%emt 0:02:20]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:01:54]} 48. Kf2 {
[%emt 0:04:54]} Rd4 $2 {[%emt 0:12:00] Understandable in view of the various
rook-trap motifs White has, but the last try was to wait for Qc3 before doing
this, so that the recapture would come with tempo and then Black might get a
good square like e3 or e5 for his queen.} (48... Qe7 {DF} 49. Kf3 Qf6 50. Qc3
Rd4 51. Rxd4 exd4 52. Qd3 Qd6 $16 {is for instance not that much better for
White.}) 49. Rxd4 {[%emt 0:01:11]} exd4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 50. Qb5 {[%emt 0:00:
22]} Qd8 {[%emt 0:02:09]} 51. Qd5 {[%emt 0:02:42]} Qf6 {[%emt 0:01:24]} 52. g4
{[%emt 0:04:30]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:37]} 53. Kf3 {[%emt 0:03:32] Black had no
desire to play out the queen ending, especially since e5 will win a further
pawn.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2834"]
[BlackElo "2811"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} 3. Nxe5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 4. Nf3 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 5. Qe2 {[%emt 0:00:00] A minor choice, generally
renowned for leading to a drawish ending.'} Qe7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 6. d3 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 7. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Qxe2+ {[%emt 0:06:
40]} 8. Bxe2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:12]} ({On schematic grounds, I
might have preferred} 8... c6 {[%csl Rc3] to close off all options of Nb5 and
'dominate' the c3-knight. The followup could then be ...d5 and ...Bg4, with
the idea of trying to exchange the light-squared bishop for anything, and
exchange the pair of dark-squared bishops.}) 9. Nd4 {[%emt 0:05:37]} a6 {
[%emt 0:04:25]} 10. Bf4 {[%emt 0:05:06] Now this pressures the d6-pawn, so as
to prevent ...c6 following a fianchetto. Black has little choice but to play ..
.Nc6 one way or another, and he will be left with doubled pawns.'} Bg7 {
[%emt 0:00:33]} (10... Nbd7 {is the maximalist move, trying to prevent Bf3
altogether.}) 11. h3 {[%emt 0:00:43]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:06:15]} 12. Bf3 {[%emt 0:00:
36]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 13. Nxc6 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 14.
Bxc6+ {[%emt 0:00:13]} bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 15. O-O-O {[%emt 0:00:50]} Kd7 {
[%emt 0:06:33] Objectively, there is nothing whatsoever wrong with Black's
position, and as long as one doesn't get carried away with premonitions of
White kings appearing on a5 after the rooks come off (echoes of Rubinstein)
then it is also easy enough to play.'} 16. Rhe1 {[%emt 0:01:14]} Rhe8 {[%emt 0:
04:33]} 17. Ne4 {[%emt 0:00:42]} (17. Bd2 {[%cal Ge1e8,Gd1e1] may have been
wisest, focusing on the task of exchanging all the rooks as quickly as
possible and then placing pawns on light squares.}) 17... Nd5 {[%emt 0:07:57]}
(17... Nxe4 18. dxe4 Re6 19. f3 Rae8 20. Bd2 {[%cal Gc2c4,Gc1c2] is also fine
but now White's moves are definitely easier to find, starting with c4, Kc2, b3.
}) 18. Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:11]} f5 {[%emt 0:02:42]} 19. Ng5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} h6 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} 20. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} g5 {[%emt 0:04:07]} 21. c3 {[%emt 0:
02:59]} c5 {[%emt 0:07:56]} 22. Kc2 {[%emt 0:02:16]} Bf6 {[%emt 0:00:30]} ({
The computer wants} 22... a5 {but it can never be good to allow this pawn to
be fixed.}) 23. Rxe8 {[%emt 0:01:08]} Rxe8 {[%emt 0:01:29]} 24. Re1 {[%emt 0:
00:11]} Rf8 {[%emt 0:05:21]} 25. Rh1 {[%emt 0:01:51]} Re8 {[%emt 0:06:55]} 26.
g3 {[%emt 0:01:59]} g4 {[%emt 0:09:09]} 27. Ng1 {[%emt 0:00:38]} Bg5 {[%emt 0:
00:14]} 28. Kd1 {[%emt 0:06:20]} a5 {[%emt 0:11:46]} 29. Ne2 {[%emt 0:02:30]
One of several acceptable moves.} (29. a4 Rb8 $1 $15 {was the point and White
is being stretched a bit thin.}) 29... a4 {[%emt 0:00:13]} (29... Rb8 $5 30. b3
a4 31. Bxg5 hxg5 {is a little bit testing, perhaps}) 30. Bxg5 {[%emt 0:05:53]}
hxg5 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 31. hxg4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} fxg4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 32. Rh5 {
[%emt 0:00:22]} Re5 {[%emt 0:01:40]} 33. Rh7+ {[%emt 0:00:31]} Ke6 {[%emt 0:07:
59]} 34. a3 {[%emt 0:13:54]} (34. d4 {screams out to be played, but there is
nothing much going on here either:} Rf5 35. c4 Nb6 36. b3 axb3 37. axb3 Rf3 $11
{Nevertheless, this was marginally safer for White than the game.}) 34... Rf5 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} 35. c4 {[%emt 0:02:06]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:05:21]} 36. Rh2 {[%emt 0:
00:45] It looks slightly dangerous to a human to allow ...Rxf2, because ...
Nd7-e5 with pressure will follow soon.'} Rf3 {[%emt 0:00:52]} 37. Kc2 {[%emt 0:
00:51]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:00:45]} 38. d4 {[%emt 0:05:54] Else White is in very
obvious difficulties.} Nb6 {[%emt 0:00:17]} (38... Rf5 {is a sensible engine
suggestion; this keeps a bit of pressure by not clarifying the situation of
the d4-pawn.} 39. Kd3 (39. Rh7 Nb6 40. dxc5 Rxc5 $36) 39... Rf7 {An engine
move; what was your first clue?} 40. Rh6+ $6 Ke7 41. Rh2 cxd4 42. Nxd4 Ne5+ 43.
Kc3 c5 $15) 39. dxc5 {[%emt 0:00:42]} dxc5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 40. Nc3 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} Ke5 (40... Ke5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} {Presumably the expected continuation
was:} 41. Nd1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nxc4 42. Rh5 Kd4 43. Rxg5 Ne5 44. Rg7 {when
White is completely out of the woods.}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Hou, Yifan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2680"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} 3. Nxe5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 4. Nf3 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 5. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00] To my mind, a fairly
underestimated line, and the reason I don't often play the Petroff now.} (5. c4
{is an interesting attempt at playing move orders, but I think Black is
considered to be fine after} Nc6 $11) (5. d4 {is the main move.}) (5. Qe2 {
was the first game, Carlsen-Caruana.}) 5... Nxc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} (5... Nf6 {
would have been an interesting choice against Giri, considering he has
championed the Black side. From what I understand, the point for White is to
avoid the impulse to play too early against the c8-bishop, because that will
simply encourage a fianchetto and Black will be fine.} 6. d4 Be7 7. Bd3 O-O 8.
O-O Re8 9. Re1 $1 {The point of this is to force Black to commit his
light-squared bishop one way or another. Even moves that do not obviously do
this - such as ...d5 - really do make a decision, because they make the
fianchetto rather undesirable. White can play against either ...Bg4 or ...b6,
but should do so in different ways and definitely should not commit to h3 just
yet.} ({Following the immediate} 9. h3 b6 $1 {Vachier Lagrave,M-Giri,A Germany
2012, and Black was soon fine.}) 9... Nbd7 10. Bf4 {White is slightly better,
for instance} Nf8 11. h3 b6 12. Bb5 Bd7 13. a4 $14) 6. dxc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]}
Be7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 7. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:00] The choice is between this move
and Bf4. The current move allows Black lots of ...Ne5 possibilities, which I
believe he should take.} (7. Bf4 {meanwhile does not gel so well with the rest
of White's kingside attack.} O-O 8. Bd3 Nd7 9. Qd2 Nc5 $11 {for instance seems
fine for Black.}) 7... Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 8. Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Be6 {
[%emt 0:00:00] White should play one of the queen moves and then castle
queenside, and I think given that White has played Be3, Black should castle
queenside too. No surprise then that the present game continued in that way.}
9. Qe2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} (9. Qd2 Qd7 {was similar enough and a game of mine:
Jackson-Fernandez, Coventry 2013.}) 9... Bf6 {[%emt 0:04:53]} 10. O-O-O {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Qe7 {[%emt 0:01:39]} (10... Qd7 {is more natural to me, not
worrying about White's Ng5 ideas, but more concerned with cuing up ...Bf5 in
future.}) 11. Kb1 {[%emt 0:05:03]} a6 {[%emt 0:13:52]} 12. Rhe1 {[%emt 0:05:47]
} O-O-O {[%emt 0:05:42]} 13. h3 {[%emt 0:24:30]} Rhe8 {[%emt 0:14:54]} (13...
h5 {is trivially easy to recommend in hindsight, but it should have been
reasonably obvious that White wanted kingside space.}) 14. g4 {[%emt 0:08:40]}
h6 {[%emt 0:05:19]} 15. Nd2 $1 $14 {[%emt 0:02:37] Now White is probably a
tiny bit better, but obviously an incredible amount of technique and further
errors need to be played out over the board before White can think about
winning.} Bg5 {[%emt 0:18:20]} 16. f4 {[%emt 0:08:04]} Bh4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 17.
Bf2 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Bxf2 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 18. Qxf2 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Qf8 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} 19. f5 {[%emt 0:21:05] Opting to set Black more direct
problems, but ceding the e5-square. While I am not sure this is the best
continuation, it could be the most practical, especially against slightly
lower-rated opposition.} (19. Nf1 {seems more natural to me, waving the idea
of Ng3-h5 around.}) 19... Bd7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 20. f6 {[%emt 0:00:25]} g6 {
[%emt 0:09:21]} (20... Rxe1 21. Rxe1 g5 $11) 21. Be4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Kb8 {
[%emt 0:02:43]} 22. Nc4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Re6 $6 {[%emt 0:04:31] In practical
terms, another slight mistake. We obtain a similar structure to
Carlsen-Caruana, but with the minor pieces off the board Black faces more
difficulties.} 23. Bxc6 $1 {[%emt 0:04:11]} Rxe1 {[%emt 0:05:06]} 24. Rxe1 {
[%emt 0:00:11]} Bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 25. Na5 {[%emt 0:01:00]} Re8 {[%emt 0:01:
43]} 26. Nxc6+ {[%emt 0:00:26]} bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 27. Qg3 {[%emt 0:07:17]
The engine evaluation of 0.00 is hopelessly unhelpful for looking at this
position. What is important is that White is marginally more active and has a
better structure and advanced f6-pawn. Giving variations is slightly pointless
here, so I shall try and confine myself to comments only.} Qh8 {[%emt 0:03:55]}
28. Re7 {[%emt 0:01:36]} Rxe7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 29. fxe7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Qe8 {
[%emt 0:00:38]} 30. Qe3 {[%emt 0:02:50]} Kc8 {[%emt 0:02:23]} 31. h4 {[%emt 0:
06:10]} Kd7 {[%emt 0:06:22]} 32. Qxh6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Qxe7 {[%emt 0:00:02]}
33. b3 $14 {[%emt 0:01:45] White will be able to fix the f7-pawn and of course
a6 is still a weakness also. Doubtless this endgame will be discussed for a
while to come, including fortress possibilities and better White tries, but
the contours of what White must aim for are now clear.} Qe4 {[%emt 0:02:04]}
34. g5 {[%emt 0:03:23]} Qe5 {[%emt 0:00:54]} 35. Qf8 {[%emt 0:00:49]} Qd5 {
[%emt 0:01:48]} 36. Kb2 {[%emt 0:00:15]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:38]} 37. Qg8 {[%emt 0:
00:32]} Qf3 {[%emt 0:00:35]} 38. Qf8 {[%emt 0:00:52]} Qd5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 39.
Qg7 {[%emt 0:00:40]} Qf5 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 40. Qg8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Qf3 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. a4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Qf1 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 42. Qf8 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} Qf5 {[%emt 0:10:37]} 43. Qa8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Qf1 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 44.
Qe4 {[%emt 0:06:36] Again, in human terms White has acheived something else -
the centralisation of his queen. Black must wait around until White shows what
the next stage of his plan is - though presumably it must be b4.} Kd8 {[%emt 0:
02:49]} 45. Qg4 {[%emt 0:03:51] A mini-zugzwang.} d5 {[%emt 0:03:37]} 46. a5 $1
{[%emt 0:10:26]} Qe1 {[%emt 0:04:21]} 47. h5 {[%emt 0:07:33] This simplifies
Black's task a little bit, but does not completely give equality.} (47. Qf4 Qe6
48. Qf2 Qe7 49. Qf1 Qe6 50. b4 $14 {is another try}) 47... gxh5 {[%emt 0:00:13]
} 48. Qxh5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Qe6 {[%emt 0:01:15]} 49. Qh8+ {[%emt 0:00:24]} Ke7
{[%emt 0:02:36]} 50. b4 {[%emt 0:01:18]} cxb4 {[%emt 0:02:55]} 51. cxb4 {
[%emt 0:00:03]} Kd7 $11 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 52. Qd4 {[%emt 0:01:23]} Kc8 {[%emt 0:
01:15]} 53. Qf6 $5 {[%emt 0:02:59] Even the pawn endgame retains certain
practical difficulties and would be an ideal candidate for the next Naiditsch
book.} Qxf6+ {[%emt 0:07:00]} 54. gxf6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Kd7 {[%emt 0:00:59]}
55. Kb3 {[%emt 0:02:39]} Kc6 $4 {[%emt 0:00:40] My educated guess is that this
move arose out of a desire to win a moral battle for tempi. Against 55.Kc3
Black had ...Kd6 in mind, and so it was natural to try and avoid that
'critical square' with the present move... Well, we may never know.} ({Black
had to play} 55... Kd6 $1 {to draw, and the idea is of course ...c5.} 56. c4 (
56. Ka4 c6 57. Kb3 c5 $11) 56... c5 $1 57. b5 d4 58. b6 Kc6 59. Kc2 $11 {
Both kings are stuck.}) 56. c4 {[%emt 0:00:43] Suddenly White is completely
winning.} d4 {[%emt 0:00:43]} (56... dxc4+ 57. Kxc4 Kd6 58. b5 axb5+ 59. Kxb5
Kd7 60. a6 Kc8 61. Kc6 Kb8 62. a7+ {is even more trivial}) 57. Kc2 {[%emt 0:00:
22]} Kd6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 58. Kd2 $3 {[%emt 0:00:48] Amazing tempo play, but
stereotyped enough.The idea is that only after Black recaptures on c5 must
White play Kd3! as that position is a mutual zugzwang.} (58. Kd3 c5 {is once
again a draw.}) 58... c6 {[%emt 0:00:42]} 59. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:18] Avoiding the
d3-square for the last time.} Kd7 {[%emt 0:00:50]} (59... Ke5 60. b5 $18) (
59... c5 60. bxc5+ Kc6 (60... Kxc5 61. Kd3) 61. Kd2 $1 Kxc5 62. Kd3 $18) 60.
Kd3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kc7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 61. Kxd4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kd6 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} 62. Kd3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kc7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 63. Ke4 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} Kd6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 64. Kd4 {Not an undeserved victory, but a
slightly surprising one.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2640"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} 3. Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 4. c3 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 5. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} exd4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 6. cxd4
{[%emt 0:00:00]} Bb4+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} 7. Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} (7. Nc3 {
is the 'main line' I was taught as a kid, but it has a number of problems.}
Nxe4 8. O-O Bxc3 9. d5 Ne5 (9... Bf6 {becomes needlessly messy, e.g.} 10. Re1
Ne7 11. Rxe4 d6 12. Bg5 Bxg5 13. Nxg5 O-O 14. Nxh7 $11 {and Black must be
precise to draw}) 10. bxc3 Nxc4 11. Qd4 O-O $1 12. Qxc4 Nd6 13. Qf4 b6 $11 {
White faces all the practical problems in this ending as his compensation does
not take the form of a real attack on the king.}) 7... Bxd2+ {[%emt 0:00:00]}
8. Nbxd2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 9. exd5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nxd5 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} 10. Qb3 {[%emt 0:00:00] Here, Black's third most common move,
other than the two he played, is actually to agree a draw.} Na5 {[%emt 0:00:00]
} (10... Be6 {is a slightly entertaining gambit line}) 11. Qa4+ {[%emt 0:00:00]
} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 12. Qb3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nce7 {[%emt 0:00:00] My
feeling is that this optimism is maybe a bit misplaced, and Black soon ends up
a little worse as his position is after all a bit more difficult to play.} 13.
O-O {[%emt 0:00:00]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:00]} 14. Rfe1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} c6 {
[%emt 0:13:46]} 15. Ne4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nb6 {[%emt 0:08:14]} (15... a5 16. Ne5
f6 $11 {is the engine suggestion but you have to be reasonably sure of
yourself to cue up White's future Ne6 motifs.}) 16. Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Ned5 {
[%emt 0:03:42]} 17. Nc5 {[%emt 0:09:10] This was the position on the board
when I began my game in the 4NCL (British chess league.) Shortly before
leaving my room, I noted down a prediction - White to win here. It does indeed
look slightly more pleasant, but of course IQP positions are always hard to
play.} Nf6 {[%emt 0:06:29]} 18. Rac1 {[%emt 0:08:23]} Rb8 {[%emt 0:05:37] When
you play such moves, you must ipso facto be slightly worse. Finding a plan for
White is, however, not totally trivial.} 19. Qa3 {[%emt 0:09:00]} ({One of my
best ideas in the position, I think, is to try and exploit the position of the
Black rook by means of a cumbersome-looking 'queen lift'.} 19. Qb4 $5 Nfd5 {
If this isn't played now or next, the White queen gets to f4.} 20. Qd2 Nd7 21.
Nb3 $14 {Black still lacks ways to complete his development.}) 19... a6 {
[%emt 0:03:18]} 20. Qb3 {[%emt 0:05:49]} Qc7 {[%emt 0:03:04]} 21. Ne4 {[%emt 0:
10:44]} (21. Ne5 $14 {was another relatively easy move to make, with the idea
of Qd1-f3 and (if allowed) Bc2-b3! Black also lacks ...Rd8 due to a rather
cheap tactic.}) 21... Nfd5 {[%emt 0:01:10]} 22. Nc3 {[%emt 0:09:34]} Qd6 {
[%emt 0:03:44]} 23. Be4 {[%emt 0:16:28]} Bg4 $1 {[%emt 0:03:51] Black has now
completely equalised.} 24. Nxd5 {[%emt 0:02:29]} (24. Ne5 Be6 25. Bxd5 Nxd5 26.
Ne4 {looks tactically tricky, but Black's defences are all in place after} Qd8
27. Nc5 Re8 $11) 24... cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 25. Bb1 {[%emt 0:00:36]} Bxf3 {
[%emt 0:01:02] Now White lacks the dynamism he would need to try and win, and
in fact if Black could get his knight to c6 he could try something. A few more
good-enough moves and peace broke out.} 26. Qxf3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Rfe8 {
[%emt 0:01:10]} 27. Qc3 {[%emt 0:05:38]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:51]} 28. Bd3 {[%emt 0:
02:05]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:21:44]} 29. g3 {[%emt 0:02:43]} Rbc8 {[%emt 0:02:11]} 30.
Rxe8 {[%emt 0:03:03]} Rxe8 {[%emt 0:00:44]} 31. Qb3 {[%emt 0:02:20]} Re7 {
[%emt 0:03:18]} 32. Bf1 {[%emt 0:04:18]} Qf6 {[%emt 0:03:31]} 33. Qb4 {[%emt 0:
01:05]} Re4 {[%emt 0:00:43]} 34. Rd1 {[%emt 0:01:47]} Re7 {[%emt 0:02:48]} 35.
Rc1 {[%emt 0:00:36]} Re4 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 36. Rd1 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Re7 {
[%emt 0:00:03]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Wei, Yi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D77"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2743"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 2. g3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} g6 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} 3. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 4. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6
{[%emt 0:00:00]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:00]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:00]} 6. c4 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} dxc4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 7. Na3 {[%emt 0:00:00] A good move to play for a
long technical battle!} c5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} (7... c3) 8. dxc5 {[%emt 0:00:00]}
c3 {[%emt 0:00:00] The approved method of gaining equality, but I think Black
might have to take the pawn on the next move to prove it.} (8... Qxd1 {was
tried recently, but it is more unpleasant for Black.} 9. Rxd1 Nfd7 10. Nxc4
Nxc5 11. Be3 $16 {Meier,G-Edouard,R Germany 2017}) 9. Nb5 $1 {[%emt 0:00:00]}
Na6 {[%emt 0:01:46]} (9... cxb2 10. Bxb2 Bd7 11. Qb3 Bc6 12. Rfd1 {was a
previous Kramnik game: Kramnik,V-Topalov,V London 2016; here I think ...Qa5
and then ...Nbd7 offers Black reasonable play.} Qa5 $132 (12... Nbd7)) 10. Nxc3
{[%emt 0:00:00]} Nxc5 {[%emt 0:01:00][%cal Gg2a8,Gg7a1]} 11. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} Nfe4 {[%emt 0:10:18]} 12. Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 13.
Bd4 $1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bxd4 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 14. Qxd4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Qxd4 {
[%emt 0:01:35]} 15. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:04:21]} Nd6 {[%emt 0:00:08][%csl Gd6]
Unbelievably, this had all been seen before, and from Wei Yi's next move, it
is clear that he had seen the precedent.} 16. Rac1 $146 {[%emt 0:03:03]} (16.
Rfc1 Rd8 17. Rc7 Kf8 18. Rac1 Ne8 19. R7c4 Nd6 20. Rc5 Bd7 $11 {Ding,L-Giri,A
Palma de Mallorca 2017, was equal and ultimately drawn.}) 16... Rd8 {[%emt 0:
10:01]} (16... e5 17. Nb3 Be6 {was now worthy of note, and while I might think
it's an equalising route, we will just have to wait for Kramnik to beat
another elite player to find out what he had in mind here!}) 17. f4 {[%emt 0:
03:19][%cal Gg1f2] This approach goes better with the rook on f1 than a1, as
White wants to bring it to d1 next.} Kf8 {[%emt 0:20:37]} 18. Kf2 {[%emt 0:05:
11]} Bg4 {[%emt 0:03:04]} 19. h3 {[%emt 0:08:32]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:00:50]} 20. e4 {
[%emt 0:19:50][%cal Ge4e5]} (20. Rc7 $5 {appeals to me, as I think the e4-e5
push gains in strength from there being no rooks on the board.}) 20... Rac8 {
[%emt 0:07:03]} (20... Nb5 $1 {was still objectively equal if a little
unpleasant over the board:} 21. Nxb5 (21. Rfd1 Nxd4 22. Rxd4 Be6 $15) 21...
Bxb5 22. Rfd1 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 Rc8 24. Rd2 f6 $11) 21. Rxc8 {[%emt 0:13:34]} (21.
e5 {may have been good, taking advantage of a moment when Black is not able to
reply with ...Nb5 and must worry about the b7-pawn.} Nf5 22. Ne2 Bb5 $1 {
This accurate move may be needed to hold the balance. There could follow} 23.
Rxc8 Rxc8 24. Rc1 Rxc1 25. Nxc1 b6 26. Be4 {and Black should just be equal
with one or two more good moves.}) 21... Rxc8 {[%emt 0:01:47]} 22. Rd1 {
[%emt 0:00:31] The point seems to be that after ...Nb5 White now intends Ne2!,
a4, and Nc3.} Ke8 {[%emt 0:22:30]} (22... Nb5 23. Ne2 {[%cal Ga2a4,Ge2c3]}) 23.
e5 {[%emt 0:07:21]} Nf5 {[%emt 0:00:42][%cal Gc8c2]} 24. Nb3 {[%emt 0:03:29]} (
24. Nxf5 Rc2+ {[%csl Gg2]}) 24... Bc6 {[%emt 0:07:27]} (24... Rc2+ 25. Rd2
Rxd2+ 26. Nxd2 b6 {would have led to a similar ending to the last note.'} 27.
g4 Nd4 28. a3 $14) 25. Rc1 {[%emt 0:02:57] Now I think White has a little
something!} Kd7 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 26. Nc5+ {[%emt 0:02:27]} Ke8 {[%emt 0:00:19]}
27. Nd3 {[%emt 0:07:15]} (27. Na6 $5 {is rather flashy for a move that is only
trying to inflict pawn weaknesses on the opponent, but Black seems to be fine
after the accurate} Nd4 $1 $11) 27... Kd7 {[%emt 0:01:43]} 28. g4 {[%emt 0:07:
53] Giving Black a major headache - his best move now requires a wrinkle to
make it playable.} Nd4 $6 {[%emt 0:08:05]} (28... Bxg2 29. Rxc8 (29. e6+ {
[%csl Gc8,Gd7]} fxe6 30. Ne5+ Kd8 31. Nf7+ {DF} Kd7 32. Rxc8 Kxc8 33. Kxg2 Nd6
34. Ng5 {looks slightly unpleasant for Black, though the machine notes that he
draws with the only move} e5 $1 35. fxe5 h6 $1 $11) 29... Kxc8 30. Kxg2 $14)
29. Rc4 {[%emt 0:02:00]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 30. f5 {[%emt 0:01:15]} gxf5 {
[%emt 0:02:45]} 31. gxf5 {[%emt 0:00:38]} Ng7 {[%emt 0:02:11]} (31... Nd8 $14 {
limited the damage by not allowing another isolated pawn, though the
co-ordination and space deficits are still there.}) 32. Bxc6+ {[%emt 0:02:55]}
bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} (32... Rxc6 33. e6+ $1 Ke8 {[%cal Ge6f7]} (33... fxe6 34.
Ne5+) 34. exf7+ Kf8 (34... Kxf7 35. Ne5+) 35. Rxc6 bxc6 36. b4 Nxf5 37. Ne5 $16
Nd4 {DF} 38. a4 $18) 33. Nc5+ {[%emt 0:02:16]} Kc7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 34. Rh4 {
[%emt 0:03:31]} (34. Rb4 Nxf5 35. Rb7+ Kd8 36. Rxa7 $16) 34... h5 {[%emt 0:02:
00]} (34... Nxf5 35. Rxh7 Rf8 36. h4 $16) (34... Rh8 {DF} 35. Rb4 Nxf5 36. Rb7+
Kc8 37. Rxa7 $18) 35. f6 {[%emt 0:00:44] Winning a pawn by force} exf6 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} 36. exf6 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Ne8 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 37. Rxh5 {
[%emt 0:01:02]} Nxf6 {[%emt 0:00:48]} 38. Rf5 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:
49]} 39. Rxf7+ {[%emt 0:01:27]} Kd6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 40. Ne4+ {[%emt 0:00:00]}
Ke5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. Nd2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} a5 {[%emt 0:00:00] Black has
played these last ten moves well, keeping active even at the cost of a pawn,
but unfortunately White's position is probably winning with best play.} 42.
Nc4+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ke6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} (42... Kd4 43. Nxa5) 43. Rh7 {
[%emt 0:03:25]} Rb8 {[%emt 0:10:07]} 44. Ke2 {[%emt 0:04:37]} Kf5 {[%emt 0:13:
06]} (44... Rb4 45. Rh6+) (44... a4 $142) 45. Rh6 {[%emt 0:06:04]} Nf6 {
[%emt 0:05:24]} 46. h4 {[%emt 0:01:50]} a4 {[%emt 0:02:27]} 47. Kd3 {[%emt 0:
01:36]} c5 {[%emt 0:01:30]} (47... Rd8+ $16 {would have continued to put up
more active resistance}) 48. Ne3+ {[%emt 0:03:34]} Ke5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 49. h5
$6 {[%emt 0:02:24]} (49. Rg6 $142 $1 $18 {forces Black's king back for
tactical reasons. The position can't be held anymore.}) 49... Rd8+ {[%emt 0:01:
08] In the game again! I suspect there was an element of time pressure here.}
50. Kc4 $6 {[%emt 0:02:05]} Ne4 $4 {[%emt 0:00:28]} (50... Rd2 $1 $11 {is a
sudden draw; the subtlety here is that while Black can't take on b2
immediately, he does have} 51. Kxc5 Ne4+ 52. Kc6 Kd4 $1 53. Nf5+ Ke5 {The
knight has no good way to avoid the attention of the black king, and ...Rxb2
is always on the cards.}) 51. Kb5 {[%emt 0:02:08] Now White picks up the
a-pawn and there should be no further drama.} Kd4 {[%emt 0:01:19]} 52. Nc4 $18
{[%emt 0:02:26]} a3 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 53. Nxa3 {[%emt 0:00:53]} Nd6+ {[%emt 0:
01:47]} 54. Kc6 {[%emt 0:02:40]} Nf7 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 55. Nb5+ {[%emt 0:01:37]}
1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B29"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 $5 {
[%emt 0:00:00] This is another exceedingly rare guest in elite practice.} 3. e5
{[%emt 0:00:00]} Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 4. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} 5. Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} exd5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 6. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6
{[%emt 0:00:00]} 7. dxc5 {[%emt 0:06:35]} Bxc5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 8. Bd3 {
[%emt 0:03:01] I'm not surprised Wesley So decided to avoid the absolutely
most critical continuation and try for a positional edge, but I'm not sure
what Black's prep could have been.} (8. Qxd5 $1 {is critical, and I was once
privileged to watch a sharp line being played at a neighbouring board.} d6 (
8... Qb6 $6 9. Bc4 Bxf2+ 10. Ke2 O-O 11. Rf1 Bc5 12. Ng5 Nxe5 13. Nxf7 Nxf7 14.
Rxf7 Qe6+ 15. Qxe6 dxe6 16. Rxf8+ Kxf8 17. Bf4 $14 {Tan,J-Bach,M Helsingor
2015, among others.}) 9. exd6 Qb6 10. Be3 $5 (10. Qe4+ Be6 11. Qh4 Bxd6 12. Bd3
$14 {is safer}) 10... Qxb2 11. Bb5 $1 $14 {White retains an extra pawn against
best play.}) 8... d6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 9. exd6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Qxd6 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} 10. O-O {[%emt 0:00:23]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:00]} 11. Re1 {[%emt 0:04:45]}
h6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 12. h3 {[%emt 0:09:25]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:04:58]} 13. Be3 {
[%emt 0:02:15] Presumably, Wesley So had in mind some idea of occupying the
d4-square when he made his 8th move, but it is not possible to execute unless
Black helpfully trades the bishops. With a move such as the one played Black
keeps equality.} d4 {[%emt 0:03:53]} (13... b6 $6 14. c3 Rfe8 15. Qd2 $14) 14.
Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:39]} Rfe8 {[%emt 0:01:56]} 15. a3 {[%emt 0:04:45]} Qd5 {
[%emt 0:06:46][%cal Gd7f5] Thematically playing for ...Bf5.} 16. b4 {[%emt 0:
02:04]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:07:35]} 17. c4 {[%emt 0:18:57]} dxc3 {[%emt 0:00:36]} 18.
Rxe8+ {[%emt 0:00:43]} Rxe8 {[%emt 0:09:54]} 19. Bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:17]} Be6 {
[%emt 0:00:17]} 20. Be4 {[%emt 0:11:07]} Qxe4 {[%emt 0:03:09]} 21. Qxd6 {
[%emt 0:00:21]} Qc2 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 22. Qd2 {[%emt 0:03:26] Instead of
playing this move it is also possible to offer a draw immediately.} Qxd2 {
[%emt 0:00:19]} 23. Nxd2 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 24. Re1 {
[%emt 0:05:57]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:02:25]} 25. a4 {[%emt 0:00:42]} Nc2 {[%emt 0:02:
59]} 26. Rc1 {[%emt 0:00:33]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:08:26]} 27. Re1 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Nc2
{[%emt 0:00:15]} 28. Rc1 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 29. Re1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Adhiban, Baskaran"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2655"]
[Annotator "Adhiban,B"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 $5 {Finally the Caro makes its return...} 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6
5. Be2 Ne7 ({Svidler-Jobs 2015 continued} 5... Nd7 6. O-O f6 $5 {An
enterprising line which worked well in this game.} 7. c4 fxe5 8. dxe5 Bc5 {
ended in a nice victory for Black.}) ({Another popular option is} 5... c5 6.
Be3 Qb6 7. Nc3 Nc6 8. O-O Qxb2 9. Qe1 cxd4 10. Bxd4 Nxd4 11. Nxd4 Bb4 12. Rb1 (
12. Ndb5 Ba5 (12... Bxc3 13. Nxc3 {has scored 100% for White, (the original
game being Karjakin-Azarov 2010)}) 13. Rb1 Qxc2 14. Rc1 Qb2 15. g4 $5 {was the
move which stunned the whole world} Bg6 16. f4 Be4 17. Rf2 Kf8 $5 {is the way
to hold. (Azarov-Shimanov 2017)} (17... Nh6 18. Bd3 Qb4 19. Rb1 Qc5 20. Nxe4
dxe4 21. Qxa5 O-O 22. Be2 {ended in a spectacular victory for White in 
(Fabi-MVL Sinquefield cup 2014) which kickstarted his legendary 7 wins streak
yet to be matched...})) 12... Bxc3 13. Rxb2 Bxe1 14. Rxe1 b6 15. Bb5+ Kf8 16.
Nxf5 exf5 17. Rb3 Rc8 $5 {is the improvement which is holding this line for
black.} (17... Ne7 18. Rc3 Rc8 (18... a6 19. Bd7 $1) 19. Rxc8+ Nxc8 20. Rd1 Ne7
21. f4 {(Svidler-Postny 2011) White won.})) 6. O-O h6 (6... Bg6 7. c3 h6 8. a4
Nd7 9. Nbd2 c5 {(Svidler-Riazantsev RUS ch 2016) Black equalised.}) (6... c5 7.
c4 dxc4 8. Na3 Nec6 9. Bg5 Be7 10. Bxe7 Qxe7 11. Nxc4 {(Svidler-Seirawan 2015)}
) 7. Nbd2 Bh7 8. Nb3 Nd7 9. a4 g5 $5 {It is time...as all the preliminary
preparations have been made.} 10. a5 a6 11. c3 Nf5 12. Bd3 g4 $5 {This felt
very natural.} (12... c5 {is premature:} 13. Nxc5 Nxc5 14. dxc5 Bxc5 15. Nd4
$14) 13. Ne1 h5 {Only here I noticed the possibility of 17.Nd4!} 14. Nc2 c5 (
14... f6 $5 {would have been a much more fun option!}) 15. Nxc5 Nxc5 {This
looked like the right way.} ({The computer's preference is} 15... Bxc5 16. dxc5
Nxc5 (16... Nxe5 17. Bxf5 Bxf5 18. Nd4 (18. Ne3 Be4) (18. Qd4 f6) 18... Be4 19.
Bf4 Nd3 20. Bd6 Nxb2 21. Qb3 Nc4 22. Qxb7 Nxd6 23. cxd6 O-O 24. d7 Rb8 25. Qa7
{with a funny draw.}) 17. Bxf5 Bxf5 18. Nd4 Be4 $132 {Black looks solid.} (
18... Bg6)) 16. dxc5 Bxc5 17. Nd4 Bxd4 (17... Qd7 18. Nxf5 Bxf5 19. Bxf5 exf5
20. Bg5 $1 {Only If I get 0-0-0 in time, then I have a good position.}) 18.
cxd4 Rc8 {I decided to delay the ...Nh4 option for the time being.} (18... Nh4
$5) 19. Ra3 (19. Ra4 $5 {looked more natural as the Rb4-Qb3 combo could be
nasty.}) 19... Rc7 {Preventing Rb3.} (19... Nxd4 {was my original trap :).} 20.
Bxh7 Rxc1 21. Qa4+ Rc6 (21... Qd7 22. Rxc1 Ne2+ 23. Kf1 Nxc1 24. Bc2 {[%csl
Rc1]}) 22. Bd3 $1 {The knight is caught.} Nf5 23. Bxf5 exf5 {looked preferable
for White.}) (19... Nh4 {was probably the best moment to play this ...Nh4 plan.
}) 20. Bf4 $1 {I underestimated this move and now I had to go for ...Nh4 under
much less favourable circumstances.} Nh4 {Good or bad this was the way!} (20...
Kd7 $5 {was a funny alternative, but I felt then I might never be able to
achieve ...Nh4 later on.} 21. Qa4+ Kc8 22. Rc1 $16) 21. Qd2 ({I was more
concerned about} 21. Bxh7 $5 Rxh7 {Since now my rook is seriously misplaced
and it might take a while before I am able to coordinate it.} 22. Qd3 Nf5 23.
Rc3 Rxc3 24. Qxc3 {looked really nasty.} Kd7 25. Rc1 Rh8 26. Qb4) 21... Bxd3
22. Bg5 {Although nice, I felt this gave me some tempi to stabilise the
queenside.} (22. Rxd3 Nf5 23. Rc1 $5 Rxc1+ 24. Qxc1 Qxa5 {and Black is fine.})
22... Qc8 (22... Qd7 23. Qxd3 (23. Rxd3 Nf5 24. Rc3 Rxc3 25. Qxc3 Qc6) 23...
Nf5 24. Rc3 $5 Rxc3 25. bxc3 {I felt I wasn't in time.} Qc7 26. Rb1 Kd7 {
but maybe not :).}) 23. Rxd3 Nf5 24. Qb4 Kd7 (24... Rc4 $1 25. Rc3 Qc6 $5 {
I noticed this option only later on.} 26. Rxc4 Qxc4 27. Qxb7 O-O $1 {This is
what I had missed.}) (24... Rg8 $5 25. Bf6 Kd7 {was the right execution,
preventing some options for White.}) 25. Qa4+ Rc6 26. Rc1 Rg8 $1 {[%csl Ga6,
Gb7,Gc6,Gc8,Gd5,Gd7,Ge6,Gf5,Gf7,Gg4,Gg8,Gh5] Forcing White to make an
important decision. An historic moment, I felt like Karpov when I noticed that
I had placed all my pieces on the light squares!!} 27. Bf6 ({Another option was
} 27. Bd2 $5 {During the game I felt this was stronger.} Qc7 28. Bb4 (28. Rdc3
Rc8 29. Rc5 Ke8) 28... Rc8 {although the computer gives advantage to White,
it's not entirely clear how to make use of it.} (28... b5 29. axb6 Qxb6 30. Rc5
)) 27... Qc7 28. g3 Rc8 {I couldn't find anything wrong with this and hence I
went for it.} (28... h4 {with the idea ...Qxa5 :) but White just takes} 29.
gxh4) (28... b5 $5 {was very tempting.} 29. axb6 Qxb6 30. Rb3 (30. Rc5 Nxd4 {
I missed this move.}) 30... Qb5 $1 {was the stunning point.} 31. Rxb5 Rxc1+ 32.
Kg2 axb5 33. Qxb5+ Rc6 34. Qb7+ Rc7 35. Qb5+ Kc8 $5 36. b4 {White shouldn't be
doing worse here.}) 29. Rc5 {First look gives the impression that White is
doing well and that it is not easy for Black to untangle...} (29. Rdc3 b5 30.
axb6 (30. Rxc6 bxa4) 30... Qxb6 {[%csl Rd4] White is slowing getting worse.})
29... Ke8 $1 {Followed by ...Qd7 as simple as that :).} 30. b4 Qd7 {[%csl Ga6,
Gb7,Gc6,Gc8,Gd5,Gd7,Ge6,Ge8,Gf5,Gf7,Gg4,Gh5] Once again!! All my pieces on
light squares! Twice in the same game is a fantastic achievement!} 31. Qd1 $5 {
Svidler decided to go for damage control.} Rxc5 32. bxc5 (32. dxc5 Qb5 $17)
32... Qb5 33. h3 $1 {Here he offered a draw and after some thought I agreed.} (
33. h3 Qxa5 (33... gxh3 34. Kh2 {looked very unclear.}) (33... Qc4 34. hxg4
hxg4 35. Kg2 Kd7 $11) 34. hxg4 hxg4 35. Qxg4 Qe1+ 36. Kg2 Qe4+ 37. Qxe4 dxe4
38. Rb3 Rc7 39. Rb4 {with a really funny endgame.} e3 40. Kf3 $1 {...Ne3 can't
be allowed.} exf2 41. Kxf2 {It is almost like mutual zugzwang.}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Adhiban, Baskaran"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2655"]
[BlackElo "2834"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:39]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} 3. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:51]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 4. d4 {[%emt 0:00:
07]} exd4 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 5. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 6.
Nxc6 {[%emt 0:00:13]} bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 7. Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:16]} d5 {
[%emt 0:01:36]} 8. exd5 {[%emt 0:00:15]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:10]} 9. O-O {[%emt 0:
00:03]} cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 10. Bg5 {[%emt 0:01:31]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 11.
Qf3 {[%emt 0:00:39] It is interesting how these things change. In 2008 this
line was taught to me from the White side by Ukrainian-Israeli GM Boris
Alterman; shortly after becoming an IM (in 2011) I viewed it as primarily a
drawing weapon and now I think it's just a way to get a long and strategically
messy game which the better player will probably win. That is in fact what
occurred.} Bd6 {[%emt 0:02:48]} (11... Rb8 12. h3 {probably brings White a
little bit closer to his dream of Na4, b3, c4, Bf4 and Rad1.}) (11... Be7 {
is more played and is most solid, but the doubled f-pawns are not something to
get that scared about.}) 12. Rae1 {[%emt 0:01:50] Possibly preparation, but in
any case quite logical to take the e5-square from Black's bishop.} (12. h3 {
is main, and now a tactic worth knowing is} Rb8 13. b3 Be5 14. Bf4 $5 {
although it doesn't necessarily promise White anything after} Bxc3 15. Bxb8
Bxa1 16. Rxa1 Bg4 17. hxg4 Qxb8 $11 {Morozevich,A-Kramnik,V Moscow 2013.
However, we were not destined to see another bishop-vs-
knight-and-solid-d5-centre draw this round.}) 12... Rb8 {[%emt 0:06:40]} 13. b3
{[%emt 0:02:24] Keeping equality.} (13. Na4 h6 $1 $15) 13... a5 {[%emt 0:13:26]
} (13... Bb4 {tries to take advantage of White's tactically vulnerable pieces.
There could follow:} 14. Qg3 Bd7 {and I assume Carlsen saw this and steered
clear due to the drawing line} 15. Qh4 $1 h6 16. Bxh6 $11) 14. h3 {[%emt 0:05:
11]} h6 {[%emt 0:05:20]} 15. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Qxf6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 16.
Qxf6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} gxf6 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 17. Ne2 {[%emt 0:00:07]} c5 {
[%emt 0:08:27]} 18. Ng3 {[%emt 0:02:40]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:40]} 19. Nf5 {[%emt 0:
02:17] So White has emerged with a marginally more comfortable position from
the opening, but Black isn't giving up on trying to win just yet.} Bf8 $1 {
[%emt 0:03:03] Bishops of the same colour always offer more imbalance, and in
this case White needs to be concerned about the ...c4 push too.} (19... Bxf5
20. Bxf5 a4 21. g3 axb3 22. axb3 Be5 $11 {would be a reasonably solid way to
make a draw.}) 20. Ne7+ {[%emt 0:14:20]} Bxe7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 21. Rxe7 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} Be6 {[%emt 0:01:18]} 22. Rd1 {[%emt 0:06:01]} (22. Ra7 $1 {
As always, White should exchange precisely one pair of rooks, and this poses
Black some significant problems.} Ra8 (22... c4 23. Be2 {is inconvenient for
Black as he doesn't obtain enough in the event of ...c4, but} Ra8 {is also bad:
} 24. Rxa8 Rxa8 25. f4 $14) 23. Rxa8 Rxa8 24. f4 (24. g4 h5 $11) 24... f5 $1 (
24... Kf8 25. Kf2 Ke7 26. g4 $14 {leads to the same problem as in Giri-Hou
yesterday, and a Rubinstein game about 100 years ago: the isolated rook's pawn
is often a major weakness.}) 25. g4 fxg4 26. f5 Bd7 27. hxg4 Re8 $11) 22... c4
{[%emt 0:09:45]} 23. Be2 {[%emt 0:20:23]} a4 {[%emt 0:00:23] Now Black is
having some fun: possibly Adhiban missed from afar that ...Rxc2 can pin a
bishop to a c7-rook a few moves into certain lines.} 24. bxa4 {[%emt 0:01:35]}
Bf5 $6 {[%emt 0:03:32] Either an inaccuracy or a slight gamble. Either way, it
makes the game look a bit less 'smooth' given that it is a win in the end, but
also increased the likelihood of that being the result.} (24... Kf8 25. Rc7 Rb2
$132 {was for instance one reasonable continuation for Black.}) 25. Bf3 $2 {
[%emt 0:20:41] Missing the accidental chance.} (25. c3 $1 Ra8 (25... d4 26.
Bxc4 dxc3 27. Rxd8+ Rxd8 28. Bb3 $14) 26. Rc7 $1 {The point is that White can
use the pin on the d-file, and for this reason Black is unable to take on a4.
For instance:} Be6 27. f4 f5 28. Rd2 $14) 25... d4 $1 $15 {[%emt 0:01:40]} 26.
a5 $2 {[%emt 0:08:52]} (26. Re2 Rb2 27. Red2 {is the engine suggestion but
following} d3 $5 {it is also a bit depressing, e.g.} 28. cxd3 (28. c3 Rb6 29.
a5 Ra6 $15) 28... c3 29. Rxb2 cxb2 30. Rb1 Rb8 31. Be4 Be6 32. a5 Bxa2 33. Rxb2
Rxb2 34. a6 Rb1+ 35. Kh2 Ra1 36. a7 Bd5 37. Bxd5 Rxa7 $15 {and the endgame
should be held, especially at this level: bishop goes to f5 and is supported
by g4, for instance, but it requires a certain appetite for suffering to go in
for this.}) 26... Bxc2 $19 {[%emt 0:01:45]} 27. Rc1 {[%emt 0:00:36]} Rb1 {
[%emt 0:06:42]} 28. Rxb1 {[%emt 0:09:46]} Bxb1 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 29. Rc7 {
[%emt 0:03:43]} c3 {[%emt 0:00:49] The engine takes a while to realise, but
White is toast.} 30. Bd1 {[%emt 0:02:52]} (30. Kf1 Re8 {snares the a5-pawn in
a reasonably funny way.}) 30... Ra8 {[%emt 0:02:33]} 31. Rc5 {[%emt 0:00:56]}
Bxa2 {[%emt 0:00:47]} 32. Bc2 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Be6 {[%emt 0:01:47]} 33. Kf1 {
[%emt 0:02:06]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:59]} 34. Rxc8+ {[%emt 0:00:10]} Bxc8 {[%emt 0:
00:02]} 35. Ke2 {[%emt 0:03:28]} Ba6+ {[%emt 0:00:03]} 36. Kf3 {[%emt 0:00:11]}
d3 {[%emt 0:00:19] A very well played game!} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E71"]
[WhiteElo "2811"]
[BlackElo "2640"]
[PlyCount "137"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} g6 {[%emt 0:
00:12]} 3. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 4. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d6
{[%emt 0:00:06] I'm not sure what else one expects from Gawain Jones!} 5. h3 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:33]} 6. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:53]
} 7. d5 {[%emt 0:00:08] The Petrosian systems are a good place for both sides
to show class as they lead to long and yet complicated games, so this was a
predictable choice from Caruana, but as Gawain mentioned yesterday, he is not
in this event as decoration and can give as good as he gets in complex
positions.} Na6 {[%emt 0:03:22]} 8. g4 {[%emt 0:00:51]} Nc5 {[%emt 0:01:14]} 9.
f3 {[%emt 0:01:33]} h5 $5 $146 {[%emt 0:11:11] This is new according to my
database, but also quite good.} ({Previously a strong grandmaster had played
for ...f5 here with} 9... Ne8 10. Qd2 f5 11. exf5 gxf5 {and lost a long game
to a centre/kingside attack in Parligras, M-Demchenko,A Konya 2017}) 10. Qd2 {
[%emt 0:09:40]} (10. Bg5 {might have been an interesting way to execute the
same idea, trying to get the Black queen a bit out of place first.}) (10. g5
Nh7 11. h4 {would have forced Black to come up with something other than the
plan he showed in the game. My guess is that the intention was} f6 $5 12. Qd2
fxg5 13. hxg5 {and now if he had reached this position, Black might not have
been able to resist the thematic, and ironically Petrosian-like, exchange
sacrifice} Rf4 $5 14. Bxf4 exf4 15. Qxf4 Bd7 $44) 10... Nh7 {[%emt 0:03:00]}
11. O-O-O {[%emt 0:18:09]} h4 {[%emt 0:01:44] Black is threatened with a
kingside attack, so he must prevent gxh5 opening up the whole flank.} 12. Bd3 {
[%emt 0:08:23] Black can now choose between ...f5 and .. .b5 plans.} Nxd3+ {
[%emt 0:18:48]} (12... a6 {is another way of playing; even though White would
typically like to retain the light-squared bishop on say c2, here Black is on
time with ...b5 and some pawn sacrifices.} 13. Kb1 (13. Bc2 b5 14. b4 Nb7 15.
cxb5 a5 $1 $13 {is cute}) 13... Nxd3 14. Qxd3 b5 15. cxb5 axb5 16. Nxb5 Ba6 $13
{Black seems to have quite good compensation.}) 13. Qxd3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} f5 {
[%emt 0:00:17]} 14. Rh2 {[%emt 0:10:39]} (14. gxf5 gxf5 15. exf5 Bxf5 16. Ne4 {
was stereotyped, but maybe not advantageous after} Qe8 $11) 14... Kh8 {[%emt 0:
07:55]} 15. Rg2 {[%emt 0:02:01]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:10:51] Black keeps tension.} (
15... f4 {runs the risk that following} 16. Bf2 {and another 40 moves, Black
will find himself crushed on the queenside with no moves or space.}) 16. exf5 {
[%emt 0:11:03]} gxf5 {[%emt 0:00:21]} 17. g5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} f4 {[%emt 0:08:
12]} 18. Bf2 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Qe8 $6 {[%emt 0:02:57] This is completely
understandable, trying to organise ... Qh5 and ...Nf8-g6 or even ..Be8-g6, but
concretely another move was better.} (18... Rg8 {The idea is just to use the
unexpected pressure on... the g5-pawn.} 19. g6 $5 (19. Bxh4 Bh6 $11) 19... Bf6
20. Nge2 Nf8 $11 {Black will play .... Qc8 and ...Bf5 next.}) 19. Ne4 $14 {
[%emt 0:03:30]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:06:45]} 20. Bxh4 {[%emt 0:12:25]} Qh5 {[%emt 0:00:
42]} 21. Bf2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Bxe4 {[%emt 0:00:36]} ({.Nf8-g6 and other
extravagant maneouvres do not ultimately target the White kingside pawns, for
example} 21... Rfc8 22. h4 Nf8 23. Kb1 Ng6 24. Ne2 $16 {and White can play c5
soon.}) 22. fxe4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Nxg5 {[%emt 0:00:29]} 23. Rg4 {[%emt 0:01:44]
} Nh7 {[%emt 0:01:18]} (23... Bh6 {was another option, after which White is
also better and may manage to get more pieces off:} 24. Rh4 Qg6 25. Nf3 $1 Nf7
26. Rg1 $16) 24. Nf3 {[%emt 0:01:43]} Bf6 {[%emt 0:05:49]} 25. c5 {[%emt 0:05:
11]} Rg8 {[%emt 0:03:23]} 26. Rdg1 {[%emt 0:00:59]} Qh6 {[%emt 0:06:06]} (26...
Be7 {was also possible immediately and would have maintained the option of ...
Rxg4 and ...Qe8-a4.}) 27. Qf1 {[%emt 0:07:20]} Be7 {[%emt 0:03:13]} (27... Rxg4
28. hxg4 Rg8 $14) 28. Kc2 {[%emt 0:08:59]} (28. Bh4 $1 {would have led to a
situation reminiscent of Anand's game from yesterday, where White's practical
advantage is larger than his actual one. For instance:} Rxg4 29. hxg4 $1 Bxh4
30. Rh1 Rg8 31. cxd6 cxd6 32. Nxh4 $16) 28... Nf6 $11 {[%emt 0:06:05]} 29. Ng5
{[%emt 0:06:26]} Raf8 {[%emt 0:03:25]} 30. Ne6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Qh7 $1 {
[%emt 0:02:37]} 31. Rh4 {[%emt 0:02:36]} Nh5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 32. Nxf8 {
[%emt 0:00:26]} Rxf8 {[%emt 0:03:04]} (32... Qxe4+ $5 {led to a really
interesting ending:} 33. Qd3 Qxd3+ 34. Kxd3 Bxh4 35. Ng6+ Rxg6 36. Rxg6 Kh7 37.
Rg2 Bxf2 38. Rxf2 Ng3 39. cxd6 cxd6 $44 {I very much believe Black is in this
game, and all three reuslts are on the cards.}) 33. Rhg4 {[%emt 0:00:41]} Qxe4+
{[%emt 0:00:13]} 34. Qd3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Qxd3+ {[%emt 0:00:08]} 35. Kxd3 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} e4+ {[%emt 0:00:04]} 36. Kc4 {[%emt 0:01:51]} (36. Kxe4 Nf6+
37. Kf3 $14 {would have been my choice-baby steps! Caruana wants to try and
win with an extra exchange.}) 36... dxc5 {[%emt 0:01:17]} 37. Bxc5 {[%emt 0:00:
24]} Bxc5 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 38. Kxc5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Ng3 {[%emt 0:01:11]} 39.
Rh4+ {[%emt 0:00:35]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 40. Kd4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rf5 {
[%emt 0:00:59]} 41. Rxf4 $1 {[%emt 0:04:07] The best way to give up an
exchange.} (41. Rc1 Rf7 42. Rg4+ Kf8 {would have delayed the inevitable but
White is going to have to sac an exchange against the rolling pawns.}) 41...
Rxf4 {[%emt 0:01:09]} 42. Rxg3+ {[%emt 0:00:11]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:02:30]} 43. Rb3 {
[%emt 0:08:01]} c6 {[%emt 0:16:11] Now Black has to try and get 'b and a
against e with rooks' as connected pawns always win in these things.} (43... b6
44. Rc3 e3+ $1 {was a simple-once-you-see it way to draw:} 45. Kxe3 Ke5 46.
Rxc7 Rh4 47. Rxa7 Rxh3+ 48. Kd2 Kxd5 $11) 44. Rxb7 {[%emt 0:09:37]} (44. dxc6
bxc6 45. Rc3 {is, strangely enough, winning, for complicated reasons we shan't
go into.}) 44... cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 45. Kxd5 {[%emt 0:01:14]} e3 $1 {
[%emt 0:05:53] And this is the reason why Rxb7 isn't winning. Black's e-pawn
is far enough advanced that White cannot take a7 and then go back.} 46. Rb3 {
[%emt 0:00:14]} Rf2 {[%emt 0:08:09]} 47. Rxe3 {[%emt 0:02:45]} Rxb2 {[%emt 0:
00:50]} 48. a4 {[%emt 0:08:58]} Rb7 {[%emt 0:07:01]} 49. h4 {[%emt 0:09:59]}
Rd7+ {[%emt 0:04:57]} 50. Kc5 {[%emt 0:01:10]} Rh7 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 51. Re4 {
[%emt 0:05:21]} Rh5+ {[%emt 0:01:14]} 52. Kd6 {[%emt 0:02:26]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:06:
28]} 53. Re7+ {[%emt 0:03:00]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:26] Black remembers how to draw
from the side as in a Nakamura-Howell game if need be!} 54. Re4 {[%emt 0:00:55]
} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 55. Rf4+ {[%emt 0:00:20]} Ke8 {[%emt 0:00:32]} 56. Kc7 {
[%emt 0:00:36]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:33]} 57. Re4+ {[%emt 0:00:18]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:
06]} 58. Kb7 {[%emt 0:00:23]} Rh7+ {[%emt 0:01:12]} 59. Ka6 {[%emt 0:00:48]}
Kf5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 60. Rb4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ke6 {[%emt 0:00:41]} 61. a5 {
[%emt 0:06:45]} Kd6 {[%emt 0:01:56]} 62. Rf4 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Rh5 {[%emt 0:00:
32]} 63. Rg4 {[%emt 0:01:42]} Kc6 {[%emt 0:01:01]} 64. Rb4 {[%emt 0:01:14]} Rh7
{[%emt 0:01:51]} 65. Rc4+ {[%emt 0:00:24]} Kd6 {[%emt 0:00:59]} 66. Rc1 {
[%emt 0:01:07]} Rxh4 {[%emt 0:00:56]} 67. Kxa7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Ra4 {[%emt 0:
00:47]} 68. a6 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Rb4 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 69. Ka8 $11 {[%emt 0:00:
43] Black's king is too close to the pawn.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[Annotator "Giri,A"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 {Fernandez,D} e6 2. Nc3 Bb4 3. Qb3 {Fernandez,D: 'I was intrigued by
this opening, and looked around it a bit, finding that it is indeed played
reasonably often by really top players, but probably should not promise
anything, at least on a cursory investigation.'} Ba5 (3... a5 {(Fernandez,D)
is a stereotypical 'Bogo' way to play, and after} 4. a3 Bxc3 5. Qxc3 Nf6 6. b3
O-O 7. Bb2 d6 8. e3 e5 9. d4 Nc6 $11 {Black was fine in Aronian,L-Riazantsev,A
Sharjah 2017}) 4. Nf3 c5 (4... Nf6 {(Fernandez,D) was played in an old
Conquest-Rozentalis game, but doubtless Giri had something else quite
inventive up his sleeve, for instance} 5. g4 $5 $13) 5. d4 Nf6 6. dxc5 $6 {
Fernandez,D: 'Not holding back, Giri makes a double-edged decision that might
score worse on the engine pane, but is nearly certain to get him the bishop
pair and hence an imbalanced position.'} (6. e3 {(Fernandez,D) might well be
more solid, and Black needs to be careful that he does not transpose to an
awkward Nimzo. This can be acheived with} cxd4 $6 7. exd4 d5 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9.
Bd3 $14 {and for this reason Black should prefer something like 6...d6.}) 6...
Na6 7. Be3 Ne4 8. g3 Naxc5 9. Qc2 Bxc3+ (9... Nxc3 {(Fernandez,D)} 10. bxc3 b6
11. Bg2 {is a hard thing for a human to play as Black, with the backward
d-pawn and the wayward bishop on a5.}) 10. bxc3 b6 11. Bg2 Bb7 12. O-O O-O 13.
Rfd1 Qe7 {Fernandez,D: 'Now we have more or less the position that White
signed up for on move 6. A simplistic evaluation would be 'equal', a better
one would be 'equal for kids or blitz players, better for Black from 1800 to
2600 in classical, and messy above that!'} (13... Qc7 $5 14. Nd4 Nd6 15. Nb5
Nxb5 16. Bxc5 bxc5 17. Bxb7 Na3 18. Qa4 Qxb7 19. Qxa3 Qc7 $11) 14. a4 $1 {
Fernandez,D: 'One problem Black has is that he cannot block the a5-push.'} d6 (
14... f5 {(Fernandez,D)} 15. a5 e5 16. axb6 axb6 {might have been preferable
for Black, who intends ...f4 soon - the plan is very easy to grasp.}) 15. a5 f5
$2 (15... Nf6 $1 $11) 16. axb6 (16. Nd4 $5) 16... axb6 17. Nd4 $14 Nf6 18. Bxb7
Nxb7 $6 (18... Rxa1 19. Rxa1 Qxb7 20. Nb5 Ng4 $14) 19. Rxa8 Rxa8 20. Nb5 Rc8 $2
{Fernandez,D: 'Leaving the a-file, which White eventually exploits, and he
could in fact have done so a bit faster.'} (20... Nd7 $1 {Fernandez,D: 'is
sensible, heading for c5 with one knight and either a5 or e5 with the other,
and keeping the Nimzo-typical ...Rc8 in reserve. White wins a pawn with'} 21.
Bf4 (21. Nxd6 {Fernandez,D} Nxd6 22. Qd3 Ne5 23. Qxd6 Qxd6 24. Rxd6 Nxc4 25.
Rxe6 {but after} Rc8 $3 {his pieces are so badly tangled that he must give it
back to get out.} 26. Re7 Kf8 27. Rb7 Nxe3 28. fxe3 Rxc3 29. e4 fxe4 30. Rxb6
$11) 21... Ne5 $14) 21. Qa2 (21. Bxb6 $1 Rxc4 22. Ra1 $16) 21... d5 22. Bg5 $5
{It is obvious that White has a risk-free advantage, but this move, a
temporary pawn sacrifice changes the character of the game, shifting the focus
from the weak pawns to the weak king, which is never pleasant, especially in
time trouble.} Rxc4 {Black can afford this capture, since due to some tactical
finesses he doesn't lose by force.} (22... Qd7 $5 {keeps the position together,
but White keeps the initiative with} 23. Bxf6 gxf6 24. Qa7 Rxc4 25. Nd4 Rc7 26.
Qxb6 Nd8 27. Kg2 {with risk-free torture. Black's position is cramped and his
pieces uncoordinated.}) 23. Qa8+ {This appears to be winning, but Black has a
strong defensive resource.} (23. Bxf6 gxf6 24. Qa8+ Kg7 $1 {is the way for
Black to defend if White chooses to reverse the move order.} 25. Ra1 Na5 26.
Qa6 Qc5 27. Nd4 Kf7 {holding on for now.}) 23... Kf7 $1 (23... Qe8 24. Qxb7
Qxb5 {loses to} 25. Qe7 $1 Qc6 26. Ra1) (23... Nd8 24. Bxf6 gxf6 (24... Qxf6
25. Rxd5 exd5 26. Qxd5+ {is the same. White wins a pawn and the game.}) 25.
Rxd5 $1 {the main point.} exd5 26. Qxd5+ Qe6 27. Qxd8+ Kg7 28. Nc7 {and the
queen+knight combo starts performing.} Qf7 29. Ne8+ Kg6 30. Nd6 Qe6 31. Nxc4
Qxc4 32. Qd3 {with a winning queen endgame.}) 24. Ra1 $1 {The second wave of
the attack.} (24. Qxb7 Qxb7 25. Nd6+ Ke7 $1 26. Nxb7 Rc7 {is the point. The
extra knight is trapped.}) 24... Na5 25. Qb8 $1 {White's queen is attacking
from within the enemy camp.} Rc6 $6 {Natural, but it was better to return the
pawn and try and coordinate the pieces.} (25... Nc6 $1 {was a strong defensive
resource:} 26. Qxb6 h6 $1 27. Bxf6 (27. Bc1 $5) 27... Kxf6 $1 28. Ra8 Qd7 $1 {
a couple of more strong computer moves and Black can be proud of having saved
the position that looked on the verge of being lost, just a couple of moves
ago.}) 26. Nd4 $1 Rxc3 $2 {The losing mistake.} (26... Rd6 $1 {was the only
move. It looks extremely suspect, but it was possible to make it, through the
method known as elimination. The continuation in the game looks even more
dangerous.} 27. Nf3 (27. Bf4 Rd7 $1 28. Nf3 Nc4 $1 29. Ra8 Qe8 $1 30. Ng5+ Ke7
31. Qxe8+ Nxe8 32. Nxe6 Kxe6 33. Rxe8+ Kf7 {and Black should hold this endgame
without many problems.}) 27... Qd8 $1 28. Ne5+ Kf8 $1 29. Qa7 Qe7 $1 30. Qa6
Nc4 $1 {and again the computer performed a miracle escape. White is only
slightly better after capturing twice on c4.}) 27. Qxb6 Nc4 28. Qb8 $1 {
Threatening Ra7 and preparing to meet ...Ra3 with Rb1!. Probably that last
detail is what Black overlooked.} Nd7 $2 {loses on the spot.} (28... Ra3 {
was still the best attempt to continue the game:} 29. Rb1 Kg6 30. Rb7 Qe8 {
and now both the lazy 31.Qxe8+ Nxe8 32.Nxe6 and the more ambitious 31.Qc7 are
winning for White.}) 29. Bxe7 $1 {A surprising idea, leading to a clean finish.
} Nxb8 30. Bb4 {Suddenly the rook is trapped almost in the middle of the board.
} e5 31. Ra7+ Kg8 32. Bxc3 exd4 33. Bxd4 Nc6 34. Rxg7+ Kf8 35. Bf6 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Hou, Yifan"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C01"]
[WhiteElo "2680"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 2. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:
00:04]} 3. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 4. exd5 {[%emt 0:01:29]}
exd5 {[%emt 0:00:33]} 5. Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:03:23]} 6. a3 {
[%emt 0:01:23]} Ba5 {[%emt 0:01:23] This is optimistic, ...Bxc3 is the move
you play if you would like to hold a solid draw.} 7. Nge2 {[%emt 0:10:04]} Nge7
{[%emt 0:04:29]} 8. O-O {[%emt 0:01:40]} O-O {[%emt 0:05:19]} 9. Bg5 {[%emt 0:
09:40]} (9. Na4 $5 {demands attention, because the bishop pair is almost never
bad to have. An old game by an (East) German grandmaster went:} Bf5 10. Nc5 Qc8
11. Bg5 Bb6 12. b4 Bxc5 13. dxc5 Re8 $11 {Schmittdiel,E-Uhlmann,W Germany 1992}
) 9... f6 {[%emt 0:11:03]} 10. Be3 {[%emt 0:03:14]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:02:12]} 11.
Nf4 $6 {[%emt 0:21:07] The computer sees no problem with this, but compared to
move 6, Black is much better developed and ready to take advantage of the
structural problem this implies.} Bxc3 {[%emt 0:13:27]} 12. bxc3 {[%emt 0:03:
23]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:02:49]} 13. c4 {[%emt 0:05:29]} Bxd3 {[%emt 0:00:46]} (13...
Na5 {is the engine recommendation, but the compact structure after} 14. cxd5
Nxd5 15. c4 Nxe3 16. fxe3 {may be better for White than it thinks.}) 14. Qxd3 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} Rad8 {[%emt 0:08:24]} 15. Rab1 {[%emt 0:06:06]} (15. cxd5 Nxd5
16. Nxd5 Qxd5 17. c4 $132 {is worth a look: the blitzy ...Ne5 gets the knight
trapped, and when White gets d5 in his bishop will be of equal value to the
knight.}) 15... b6 {[%emt 0:01:24]} 16. Rb5 $6 {[%emt 0:07:46] Now Black is
slightly better already - this rook is tactically weak and does not coordinate
well with the rest of the pieces.} dxc4 {[%emt 0:04:23]} 17. Qxc4+ {[%emt 0:00:
05]} Rf7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 18. Rd1 {[%emt 0:02:50] This doesn't help either -
now everything comes with tempo.} Na5 {[%emt 0:04:43]} 19. Qd3 {[%emt 0:05:53]}
c6 {[%emt 0:00:57]} 20. Rbb1 {[%emt 0:01:36]} Qf5 $15 {[%emt 0:03:50]} 21. a4 {
[%emt 0:06:09]} (21. Qe2 Nd5 22. Nxd5 cxd5 23. Qd3 {might not be so dreadful.})
21... g5 $1 {[%emt 0:05:57]} 22. Nh5 {[%emt 0:04:22]} Qxd3 {[%emt 0:02:09]} 23.
Rxd3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 24. Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nc4 {
[%emt 0:00:31] This position is almost winning at the elite level, and
Mamedyarov's 'tactically informed technique' is nearly perfect.} 25. Re1 {
[%emt 0:01:52]} h6 {[%emt 0:04:35]} 26. h4 {[%emt 0:01:47]} (26. Re6 Rd6 27.
Re8+ Kh7 28. h3 {may have been worth a try, just to keep two active pieces})
26... Kh7 {[%emt 0:02:05]} 27. g4 {[%emt 0:06:25]} gxh4 {[%emt 0:01:49]} 28.
Re6 {[%emt 0:02:41]} Rd6 {[%emt 0:03:24]} 29. Rxd6 {[%emt 0:03:33]} Nxd6 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} 30. f3 {[%emt 0:00:36]} f5 $19 {[%emt 0:01:16]} 31. Be1 {
[%emt 0:01:16]} a5 {[%emt 0:06:48]} 32. Bxh4 {[%emt 0:02:12]} b5 {[%emt 0:01:
10]} 33. Ra3 {[%emt 0:00:44]} Nc4 {[%emt 0:03:26]} 34. Ra1 {[%emt 0:00:01]}
fxg4 {[%emt 0:00:37]} 35. fxg4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Nde3 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 36. Nf6+
{[%emt 0:01:22]} Kg6 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 37. d5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} cxd5 {[%emt 0:03:
53]} 38. axb5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Rxf6 {[%emt 0:00:16] Gaining material, though
there might have been some last bit of optimisation to do.} (38... Nxc2 39. Rc1
(39. Rb1 Nd2 $19) 39... Nd4 40. Kg2 Rxf6 41. Bxf6 Kxf6 42. Rb1 Nb6 {obtains
the same position with the c2-pawn gone.}) 39. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Kxf6 {
[%emt 0:00:03]} 40. c3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} (40. Kf2 Nxg4+ 41. Kf3 Nge5+ 42. Kf4 {
was the last try to pose practical problems, in my opinion}) 40... Ke6 $19 {
[%emt 0:02:25] Now Black's pieces all have defined roles: the Black king will
stop the b-pawn, and then take it once the a-pawn has distracted White's rook.}
41. b6 {[%emt 0:05:25]} Kd7 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 42. Rb1 {[%emt 0:00:25]} Kc8 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} 43. b7+ {[%emt 0:00:39]} Kb8 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 44. Kf2 {[%emt 0:
00:04]} a4 {[%emt 0:05:13]} 45. Ke2 {[%emt 0:04:33]} a3 {[%emt 0:03:51]} 46.
Kd3 {[%emt 0:01:52]} Nxg4 {[%emt 0:02:10]} 47. Kd4 {[%emt 0:00:31]} Nd2 {
[%emt 0:05:13]} (47... Nge3 {and ...Nc2 and ...a2 would have been as per the
original plan, but there is a tactic instead.}) 48. Rb4 {[%emt 0:04:52]} a2 {
[%emt 0:00:20]} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 2. g3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {
[%emt 0:00:41]} 3. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 4. O-O {[%emt 0:00:
03]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 5. d4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 6. c4 {
[%emt 0:00:53]} dxc4 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 7. dxc5 {[%emt 0:00:08] Third most
popular after 7.Ne5 and 7.Qa4, but this is a good try for an advantage.} (7.
Qa4) (7. Ne5) ({An even less popular move was featured in the immediate
predecessor, though I actually find it quite interesting:} 7. Na3 $5 cxd4 8.
Nxc4 Bc5 9. b3 (9. a3 $5 {might improve and after} a5 {either Bf4 or the
straightforward gambit} 10. e3 $44) 9... Qe7 10. Nfe5 Nxe5 11. Nxe5 Nd7 $11 {
Carlsen,M-Anand,V London 2017, Black later managed to consolidate his pawn and
press for a while.}) 7... Qxd1 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 8. Rxd1 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Bxc5 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} 9. Nfd2 $5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} (9. Nbd2 c3 10. bxc3 O-O {is
reasonably topical; I actually think White may have something after the} 11.
Ne1 $5 {Le, Q-Harikrishna,P Huaian 2017}) 9... Na5 $1 $11 {[%emt 0:10:27] A
good move which essentially equalises since White can't easily attack the pawn
again.} 10. Na3 {[%emt 0:00:11]} (10. Nc3 Bd7 11. Nce4 Nxe4 12. Nxe4 Bb4 $1 {
with ...Bc6 to come is easy enough for Black}) 10... Bxa3 {[%emt 0:06:23]} 11.
bxa3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} O-O $146 {[%emt 0:08:30]} (11... Nd5 12. Ne4 O-O 13. Bd2
b6 14. Rac1 Ba6 15. Bxa5 bxa5 16. Nc5 Bb5 17. Bxd5 exd5 18. Rxd5 Rfd8 19. Rxd8+
Rxd8 20. Ne4 f5 21. Nc3 Bc6 22. f3 Kf7 23. Kf2 g5 24. Ke3 Rd6 25. Rd1 Re6+ 26.
Kf2 Rh6 27. h4 gxh4 28. gxh4 Rxh4 29. Rd6 Be8 30. Kg2 a4 31. Ra6 Rd4 32. Rxa7+
Ke6 33. Rxh7 Rd2 34. Rc7 Rc2 35. Rxc4 Bb5 36. Rc5 Bxe2 37. Kg3 Bd3 38. Kf4 Kd6
39. Rd5+ {1-0 (39) Carlsen,M (2837)-Harikrishna,P (2744) Riadh 2017}) (11... c3
$5 12. Nb3 Nc4 $132 {is maybe a bit too ambitious from Black, but White needs
to prove this in a precise way.}) 12. Ne4 {[%emt 0:01:49]} Nxe4 {[%emt 0:01:49]
} 13. Bxe4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} e5 {[%emt 0:01:33]} 14. Bb2 {[%emt 0:01:48]} Re8 {
[%emt 0:05:41]} 15. Bc3 {[%emt 0:05:32]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:15] White might
appear to have something here but one of the most basic facts about this
position is that the c8-bishop will develop soon, so therefore Black has few
difficulties once a few more moves are played.} 16. Rab1 {[%emt 0:00:04]} h6 {
[%emt 0:14:37] The computer disagrees, but this move is completely the right
one from a schematic point of view. Black would like to play ...Re7 but right
now there is an issue with the back rank, therefore he solves it and then
plays ...Re7.} (16... Nd4 17. Bxd4 exd4 18. Rxd4 Be6 19. Rxb7 Rec8 $11 {
is one other way to play}) 17. f3 {[%emt 0:07:10]} Re7 {[%emt 0:05:59]} 18. Kf2
{[%emt 0:25:29]} f6 {[%emt 0:11:33] Now White must take action reasonably
quickly, or else after ...Be6 and ...Rd8 he risks having his compensation fade.
} 19. Bd5+ {[%emt 0:05:48]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 20. Be4+ {[%emt 0:17:25]} Kg8
{[%emt 0:00:43]} 21. Bb4 {[%emt 0:04:12]} Rc7 {[%emt 0:05:57]} 22. Bd6 {
[%emt 0:01:54]} Rd7 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 23. Bd5+ {[%emt 0:01:08]} Kh8 {[%emt 0:02:
43]} 24. Bxc4 {[%emt 0:03:38]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:01:48]} 25. Bc5 $6 {[%emt 0:00:08]
This move is maybe a bit too compliant.} (25. Bb4 {keeps trying for an
advantage, though I think Black still proves his concept after the precise} Rc7
26. Bd5 Bd7 $1 {It is important to not fear ghosts.} 27. e3 Bc6 $1 $11) 25...
Rc7 {[%emt 0:00:37]} 26. Bxd4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rxc4 {[%emt 0:00:33]} 27. Be3 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} b6 {[%emt 0:01:59]} 28. Rd8+ {[%emt 0:00:09]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:
06]} 29. Rc1 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Rxc1 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 30. Bxc1 {[%emt 0:00:05]}
Bb7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 31. Rxa8 {[%emt 0:00:06] Here I might be vaguely tempted
to play a few moves of the bishop endgame as Black, because the doubled pawns
mean only I can be better, but the players had sufficient respect for each
other to agree a draw here.} Bxa8 32. e4 Kg6 $15 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2718"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:37]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:
00:10]} 3. g3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:01:19]} 4. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:11]} dxc4
{[%emt 0:01:15]} 5. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:25]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 6. Qa4 {[%emt 0:
02:23]} (6. O-O {is another main move, but I believe ...Rb8 equalises.}) 6...
Bb4+ {[%emt 0:00:12]} 7. Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:22]} Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 8. Bxb4 {
[%emt 0:01:11]} (8. Qb5 Bxd2+ 9. Nbxd2 c3 10. bxc3 Nxc3 11. Qb2 Na4 12. Qc2 Nb6
13. e3 O-O 14. O-O Qe7 15. Rac1 Rd8 16. Nb3 Rb8 17. Nc5 Nd5 18. a3 h6 19. Rfe1
b6 20. Nxe6 Bxe6 21. Qxc6 Qxa3 22. Ra1 Qd6 23. Qxd6 cxd6 24. Rxa7 Nc3 25. e4 b5
26. d5 Bg4 27. Nd4 b4 28. h3 Bd1 29. e5 b3 30. e6 fxe6 31. Rxe6 Bc2 32. Nxb3
Rxb3 33. Ree7 g5 34. Rac7 Bf5 35. Rg7+ Kh8 36. Rgf7 Ne2+ 37. Kh2 Nd4 {
Harikrishna,P (2755)-Bu,X (2723) Danzhou 2016 0-1}) 8... Ndxb4 {[%emt 0:00:08]}
9. Nc3 {[%emt 0:13:59]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:01:02]} 10. O-O {[%emt 0:01:52]} a5 {
[%emt 0:00:32]} 11. Qd1 {[%emt 0:01:43]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:12]} 12. e3 {[%emt 0:
02:55]} (12. Nd2 $5 {scores extremely well, though it seems Black should
somehow have equality.} Nxd4 13. Bxb7 Rb8 14. Bg2 Bc8 15. Nxc4 Ba6 $1 (15... c5
16. e3 Ba6 17. b3 $14 {Leko,P-Grischuk,A Khanty-Mansiysk 2010, was a better
version for White.}) 16. b3 Bxc4 17. bxc4 Ndc2 $11 {White will be hard pressed
to make anything of the advantage of the bishop.}) 12... a4 {[%emt 0:00:47]}
13. Nxa4 {[%emt 0:10:13] Probably the best try for an edge.} (13. Qe2 $5 {
and now} Na5 14. Ne5 Nd5 15. Nxd5 exd5 16. Bxd5 Bh3 17. Qf3 $5 {Aronian,
L-Kramnik,V Shanghai 2010, was an interesting piece of preparation from White,
but the exchange did eventually tell.}) 13... Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:38]} 14. Qxd4 {
[%emt 0:00:43]} Bxa4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 15. Qxc4 {[%emt 0:00:21]} Qe7 {[%emt 0:
00:05] Computers rather like White's position around here, but tend to calm
down quickly.} 16. a3 {[%emt 0:08:01]} Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:42]} 17. Rfc1 {[%emt 0:
10:49]} (17. e4 Nb6 18. Qc3 {might be an interesting way to play - White's
plans like b3, a4, Rfc1, Qc5 are much more immediately obvious than Black's
corresponding ones.}) 17... Rfc8 {[%emt 0:01:06]} 18. b3 {[%emt 0:07:34]} Bc6
$146 {[%emt 0:06:14]} (18... Be8 {is preferred by engines, but I actually
prefer the text. The follow-up after ...Be8 could be} 19. a4 c5 (19... c6 20.
Nd2 {when Black's grip on equality is a bit tenuous.}) 20. Ne1 Nb4 21. Nd3 Nxd3
22. Qxd3 Ra5 23. Qc3 b6 24. Rd1 Ra7 25. h4 {½-½ (25) Van der Hoeven,D (2639)
-Munoz Moreno,F (2525) ICCF email 2010}) 19. Nd4 {[%emt 0:04:02]} Rxa3 {
[%emt 0:00:54] As a human you just know what is going to happen now...} 20.
Nxc6 {[%emt 0:00:54]} bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 21. Qxc6 {[%emt 0:00:25]} Rxa1 {
[%emt 0:05:19]} 22. Rxa1 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 23. Rc1 {
[%emt 0:09:28]} h5 {[%emt 0:02:48]} 24. Bf3 {[%emt 0:00:57]} Rb8 {[%emt 0:05:
32]} 25. Qxc7 {[%emt 0:04:49]} Qxc7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 26. Rxc7 {[%emt 0:00:04]}
Rxb3 {[%emt 0:00:05] ...and here it is.} 27. Rc8+ {[%emt 0:00:11]} Kh7 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} 28. Rc7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:01:18]} 29. Rc8+ {
[%emt 0:00:05]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 30. Rc7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Kg8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D91"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "247"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} g6 {[%emt 0:
00:03]} 3. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 4. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Ne4
{[%emt 0:01:53]} (4... Bg7 {is the other move, and would be my choice in a
game. Following} 5. Bxf6 Bxf6 6. cxd5 c6 $1 {Black obtains good compensation.})
5. Bh4 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Nxc3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} (5... c5 $5 {is a suitably
mental-looking move which however quietens down reasonably soon. It equalises,
and is suitable for quick research at home.}) 6. bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} dxc4 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} 7. e3 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Be6 {[%emt 0:00:27]} 8. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:
16]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:01:44]} 9. Qb1 {[%emt 0:00:44] One of those positions where
Black should be equal, but finding clear ways to do so is a little challenging.
} Qd5 {[%emt 0:10:52]} (9... b6 10. Ng5 (10. Be2 O-O 11. O-O {and now
following the inaccurate} c5 $6 {White obtained a much easier position in a
recent practical test, and the game will for obvious reasons have influenced
the present one. A logical improvement is ...Nc6, and that seems to obtain
equal chances, but Svidler might have been scared of White's analysis of his
own previous game.} 12. Rd1 Qc7 13. Qb2 (13. d5 $5 $14) 13... Re8 14. Ng5 Bd5
15. e4 Bb7 16. Bg3 $14 {Tran,T-Wei,Y Chengdu 2017}) 10... Bd5 11. e4 h6 12.
exd5 hxg5 13. Qb5+ Qd7 14. Qxd7+ Nxd7 15. Bxg5 b5 16. a4 b4 17. Rc1 bxc3 18.
Rxc3 Rb8 19. Rxc4 Nb6 20. Rxc7 Nxd5 21. Rc5 e6 22. Bb5+ Kf8 23. O-O Bxd4 24.
Rc4 e5 25. Rfc1 Kg7 26. g3 Rb6 27. Kg2 a6 28. Bc6 Nf6 29. h3 Rb2 30. R1c2 Rhb8
{1/2-1/2 (30) Radjabov,T (2722)-Van Wely,L (2674) Monzon 2016}) 10. Be2 {
[%emt 0:01:45]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:08:00]} 11. Qb4 {[%emt 0:00:26]} c5 {[%emt 0:02:
37]} 12. Qb5+ {[%emt 0:00:14] Maybe just trying to stop the ...Nd7 development
plan before inevitably capturing on c4.} Bd7 {[%emt 0:03:05]} 13. Qxc4 {
[%emt 0:00:19]} Bc6 $146 {[%emt 0:08:14]} (13... Qxc4 14. Bxc4 Nc6 15. Rb1 cxd4
16. cxd4 Rc8 17. Be2 Na5 18. Kd2 e6 19. Rhc1 O-O 20. Be7 Rxc1 21. Rxc1 Rc8 22.
Rxc8+ {1/2-1/2 (20) Mitkov,M (2401)-Bogdanovski,V (2421) Skopje 2011}) 14. Qb3
{[%emt 0:15:01]} e6 {[%emt 0:17:46]} 15. c4 {[%emt 0:13:30] This might throw
away White's opening edge.} (15. O-O {is more conservative, since Black feels
awkward with his queen in the middle anyway. There are some obvious quick
lines:} Qxb3 (15... O-O 16. Be7 Rc8 17. Bxc5 $14) (15... Nd7 16. c4 Qf5 17.
Rad1 $14) 16. axb3 Nd7 17. b4 $14) 15... Qd7 {[%emt 0:02:16]} 16. Ne5 {[%emt 0:
18:36]} Qc7 {[%emt 0:00:34]} 17. O-O $5 {[%emt 0:00:35] Maximalism. White
makes Black run the gauntlet for his equality.} (17. Nxc6 Nxc6 18. Rb1 cxd4 19.
Qxb7 Qxb7 20. Rxb7 O-O $11 {is an optical edge only for White}) 17... O-O {
[%emt 0:10:09]} (17... cxd4 18. exd4 Bxe5 19. dxe5 Qxe5 {is the acid test, and
the computer obviously thinks this is fine for Black, but I'd prefer White
after} 20. Qb4 $44) 18. Bg3 $1 $14 {[%emt 0:04:00] Back on track. Black will
be suffering a bit now.} Qb6 {[%emt 0:00:42]} 19. Rfd1 {[%emt 0:28:14]} Qa6 {
[%emt 0:06:49]} 20. a4 {[%emt 0:03:42]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:01:08]} 21. Nxc6 {[%emt 0:
08:36]} bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 22. Rab1 {[%emt 0:00:09]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:07:54]}
23. exd4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nb6 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 24. Ra1 {[%emt 0:07:41]} (24. a5
$5 Qxa5 25. Ra1 Qg5 26. h4 Qe7 27. Ra6 $14 {deserved consideration too - the
a7-pawn and c6-pawn are both weak.}) 24... Rfd8 {[%emt 0:09:41]} 25. a5 {
[%emt 0:00:53]} Nc8 {[%emt 0:01:50]} 26. Ra2 {[%emt 0:02:35] A tricky move
that was probably seen a while in advance. White's threat is c5, trapping the
queen, and this serves as a tactical defence of d4 too.} Ne7 {[%emt 0:00:49]
Else d5 comes with even more power.} 27. d5 {[%emt 0:00:16]} exd5 {[%emt 0:06:
12]} 28. cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Qc8 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 29. Bh4 {[%emt 0:00:54]}
Qc7 {[%emt 0:03:44]} 30. Bxe7 {[%emt 0:01:23]} (30. Qa3 $5 c5 31. Bc4 $16 {
kept the same size of advantage but with material level.}) 30... Qxe7 {[%emt 0:
00:01]} 31. dxc6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Rxd1+ {[%emt 0:03:24]} 32. Qxd1 {[%emt 0:00:
03]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 33. Qc2 {[%emt 0:03:03]} Be5 {[%emt 0:02:07]} 34. g3
{[%emt 0:00:17]} Rb8 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 35. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:41] As with
Anand-Matlakov, this is a thankless defence even if possible in theory - but
the difference is Svidler manages it! Although he is lost at various points.}
Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 36. Qc1 {[%emt 0:01:52]} Rb3 {[%emt 0:00:38]} 37. Bf3 {
[%emt 0:00:50]} Bc7 {[%emt 0:02:20]} 38. Qc4 {[%emt 0:00:28]} Ra3 {[%emt 0:01:
25]} 39. Qd4+ {[%emt 0:00:36]} Be5 {[%emt 0:00:38]} 40. Re2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} (
40. Qxe5+ $5 {is worth a glance or two, but not more:} Qxe5 41. Rxa3 g5 $1 {
This is the only move. Black needs to force g4 and exchange a pair of pawns,
so that down the road Bb7 can be stopped on pain of perpetual by Bb7. For
instance:} 42. g4 h5 43. h3 hxg4 44. hxg4 Qc5 45. Rd3 Qxa5 46. Rd7 Qc5 47. c7
Qc4 $1 $11) 40... Rxa5 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 41. Qd7 {[%emt 0:06:41]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:
08:42]} 42. Qc8+ {[%emt 0:03:44]} Qe8 {[%emt 0:13:09]} 43. Qb7 {[%emt 0:27:03]}
Rc5 {[%emt 0:00:52]} 44. Qxa7 {[%emt 0:00:20]} (44. Rd2 $1 {was winning on the
spot- there was nothing to be done about Rd7 and Bd5.}) 44... Qe7 {[%emt 0:00:
35]} 45. Qa3 {[%emt 0:00:18]} h5 {[%emt 0:07:47]} 46. Rd2 {[%emt 0:04:28]} Bd6
{[%emt 0:00:29]} 47. Qd3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Be5 {[%emt 0:01:55]} 48. Qa3 {
[%emt 0:00:49]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 49. Qd3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Be5 {[%emt 0:00:
09]} 50. Qb3 {[%emt 0:03:12]} Rc3 {[%emt 0:04:19]} 51. Qd1 {[%emt 0:01:32]} h4
{[%emt 0:01:48]} 52. Rd7 {[%emt 0:05:13]} Qg5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 53. Qd5 {
[%emt 0:03:11]} Qf5 {[%emt 0:01:10]} 54. Bg4 $6 {[%emt 0:00:23] Committing to
the next move as otherwise c6 is lost.} Qf6 {[%emt 0:00:44]} 55. f4 {[%emt 0:
00:52] Not a fantastic call to have to make. Now White has few pawns and the
one he might eventually have to win with queens on a square of the wrong
colour.} (55. Be2 Rxc6 56. Rxf7+ Qxf7 57. Qxc6 hxg3 58. hxg3 $11) 55... Bxf4 {
[%emt 0:03:28]} 56. gxf4 {[%emt 0:00:27]} Rc2+ {[%emt 0:00:10]} 57. Kh3 {
[%emt 0:00:30]} Rc3+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} 58. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rc2+ {[%emt 0:
00:04]} 59. Kg1 {[%emt 0:00:49]} Rc1+ {[%emt 0:00:13]} 60. Bd1 {[%emt 0:00:00]}
Qxf4 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 61. Qd4 {[%emt 0:15:01] Going into a drawn ending.} Qxd4+
{[%emt 0:04:33]} 62. Rxd4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rxc6 {[%emt 0:04:48]} 63. Rxh4 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 64. Rd4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Rf6 {[%emt 0:01:
23] Black has now reached complete safety, though White made him go the
distance.} 65. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Kh6 {[%emt 0:00:27]} 66. Bf3 {[%emt 0:00:
06]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 67. Kg3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Kh6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 68. Kf2
{[%emt 0:01:05]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 69. Rd7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:
25]} 70. Ke3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 71. Bd5 {[%emt 0:00:22]} Kg8
{[%emt 0:00:21]} 72. Bc4 {[%emt 0:01:25]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 73. Rc7 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} Rf5 {[%emt 0:00:41]} 74. Ra7 {[%emt 0:01:04]} Rf6 {[%emt 0:00:
27]} 75. Rb7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Rf5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 76. Ba2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Rf6
{[%emt 0:00:06]} 77. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rf5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 78. Rd7 {
[%emt 0:00:15]} Rf6 {[%emt 0:00:27]} 79. Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Rf5 {[%emt 0:00:
04]} 80. Bd5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rf6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 81. Rb7 {[%emt 0:00:23]} Rf5
{[%emt 0:00:13]} 82. Ke4 {[%emt 0:00:21]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:48]} 83. Ra7 {
[%emt 0:01:06]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:21]} 84. Kd4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Rf2 {[%emt 0:02:
10]} 85. h3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Rf1 {[%emt 0:00:28]} 86. Kc5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rf6
{[%emt 0:00:27]} 87. Rb7 {[%emt 0:00:39]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:26]} 88. Kd4 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} Rf5 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 89. Kc4 {[%emt 0:01:23]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:
15]} 90. Kc5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Rf6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 91. Rc7 {[%emt 0:00:41]} Kf8
{[%emt 0:01:01]} 92. Be4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 93. Kd5 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} Re6 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 94. Kd4 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Rf6 {[%emt 0:00:
16]} 95. Ra7 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 96. Ra3 {[%emt 0:01:34]} Kg7
{[%emt 0:00:07]} 97. Kd5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Re6 {[%emt 0:00:33]} 98. Rc3 {
[%emt 0:00:13]} Rf6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 99. Bc2 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:02:
48]} 100. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:49]} 101. Ke5 {[%emt 0:00:05]}
Rf5+ {[%emt 0:00:03]} 102. Kd6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rf4 {[%emt 0:00:27]} 103. Bd5 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} Rf5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 104. Rc7 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:00:
16]} 105. Ra7 {[%emt 0:01:59]} Rf6+ {[%emt 0:01:36]} 106. Kd7 {[%emt 0:00:04]}
Rf5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 107. Ra8+ {[%emt 0:01:23]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 108. Kd6 {
[%emt 0:00:02]} Rf6+ {[%emt 0:01:30]} 109. Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Rf5 {[%emt 0:
00:05]} 110. Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Re5+ {[%emt 0:00:12]} 111. Kd6 {[%emt 0:00:
04]} Rf5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 112. Be4 {[%emt 0:01:46]} Rf6+ {[%emt 0:00:22]} 113.
Ke5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Re6+ {[%emt 0:00:07]} 114. Kf4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Rf6+ {
[%emt 0:00:10]} 115. Kg5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Re6 {[%emt 0:01:07]} 116. Rd4 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} Rf6 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 117. h4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Re6 {[%emt 0:00:
31]} 118. Bf3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Rf6 {[%emt 0:00:27]} 119. Bg4 {[%emt 0:00:06]}
Rf1 {[%emt 0:01:09]} 120. Rd7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rf2 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 121. h5 $6
{[%emt 0:00:03]} gxh5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 122. Bxh5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rf1 {[%emt 0:
00:44]} 123. Bxf7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rxf7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 124. Rxf7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.15"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2811"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. c4
c6 9. Qc2 Na6 10. a3 Bg4 11. Ne5 Bf5 12. b4 Nc7 $146 {A novelty by Caruana.} (
12... f6 13. Nf3 Bg6 14. Nc3 (14. c5 $5) 14... Nxc3 15. Bxg6 hxg6 16. Qxc3 $11
{Leko-Ivanchuk, Monte Carlo blind rapid 2006, with a balanced position.}) 13.
f3 Bg6 {A nice solution to the pin.} 14. c5 (14. fxe4 $2 {does not work, as
there is} Bxe5 15. dxe5 dxe4 $17 {followed by ...Qd4.}) ({In the event of} 14.
Nxg6 fxg6 15. fxe4 dxe4 16. Rxf8+ (16. Bxe4 $2 {loses immediately, as} Bxh2+ $1
17. Kxh2 Rxf1 $19 {and Black is winning,}) ({or} 16. Be2 $2 Qh4 17. g3 (17. h3
Qg3 $19 {followed by ...Qh2 mate.}) 17... Bxg3 $1 18. hxg3 Qxg3+ 19. Kh1 Rxf1+
20. Bxf1 Qe1 $1 21. Kg1 Rf8 $19 {with a decisive attack.}) 16... Bxf8 $132 {
with a complicated position.}) 14... Bxe5 15. dxe5 Ng5 ({Still} 15... a5 $5 {
was also possible,} 16. Bb2 (16. fxe4 $2 {is bad again} dxe4 $17 {and Black is
better.}) 16... Ng5 {is transposing to the text move.}) 16. Bb2 d4 $2 {A
mistake, which allows White's subsequent attack on the kingside.} (16... Nge6
17. f4 Bxd3 18. Qxd3 {transposes to 16...Bxd3.}) (16... Bxd3 17. Qxd3 Nge6 18.
f4 g6 19. f5 gxf5 20. Rxf5 Qh4 21. Nd2 a5 22. Raf1 {and White's position looks
more tempting, however the engine isn't afraid of anything.}) ({Or even} 16...
a5 17. f4 Bxd3 18. Qxd3 Ne4 {was also possible and Black is not worse.}) 17. f4
$1 {White immediately starts his kingside play.} Nd5 {The only move, but White
is better here too.} 18. fxg5 Ne3 19. Qd2 Bxd3 20. Qxd3 Nxf1 21. Kxf1 Qxg5 22.
Nd2 $1 {White continues the development, doesn't think about the material.}
Qxe5 {Black gets some pawns, but the two pieces are stronger, than the rook.}
23. Nf3 ({The engine suggest} 23. Nc4 $1 {, but the human move is 23.Nf3 to
protect the h2-pawn.} Qxh2 24. Qxd4 f6 25. Nd6 $16 {and finally White has a
clear advantage.}) 23... Qh5 24. Qxd4 f6 25. Qc4+ Kh8 26. Bc1 $1 {After 24...
f6 the bishop is already useless on the a1-h8 diagonal. He prepares for Bf4-d6.
} Rfe8 27. Bf4 a5 28. Bd6 axb4 29. Qxb4 Qd5 (29... Qf7 {was more solid, however
} 30. Kf2 Ra7 31. a4 $16 {is also unpleasant for Black.}) 30. Qxb7 h6 (30...
Qd3+ $1 {was a better chance to win the a3-pawn,} 31. Kg1 Rxa3 32. Rxa3 Qxa3
33. h3 $1 {A great cool-blooded reply!} ({The greedy} 33. Qxc6 $2 {could have
been met by} Qc1+ 34. Kf2 Qc2+ $1 35. Kg3 Qg6+ $11 {with perpetual checks.})
33... Qe3+ 34. Kh2 Qe4 35. Qd7 Ra8 {and White should be better, but it is
still not clear how the knight can attack the c6-pawn.}) 31. Kg1 $1 {Now White
keeps the a3-pawn.} Ra4 32. h3 Rc4 33. Qb2 Qd3 34. Ra2 $1 {A nice reaction to
protect the 2nd rank.} Qd1+ 35. Kh2 Rc1 36. a4 {Black doesn't have any threat
on the first rank.} f5 (36... Qh1+ 37. Kg3 $18 {and the white king is safe.})
37. Qb7 f4 38. Bxf4 Rxc5 39. Rd2 Qxa4 40. Qf7 Rg8 41. Be5 Qc4 42. Rd6 $1 {
A smart finish to the game!} (42. Rd6 $1 Qc1 (42... Qxf7 43. Rxh6#) 43. Rd8 $1
$18 {and mate on g7!}) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.15"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Wei, Yi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E06"]
[WhiteElo "2834"]
[BlackElo "2743"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:50]} e6 {[%emt 0:
00:15]} 3. g3 {[%emt 0:00:48]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 4. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Be7
{[%emt 0:00:33]} 5. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:11]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:18]} 6. Qc2 {[%emt 0:
00:16]} c5 {[%emt 0:01:18]} 7. O-O {[%emt 0:00:27]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:09:56]} 8.
Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:27]} Na6 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 9. cxd5 {[%emt 0:08:56]} Nb4 {
[%emt 0:00:19]} 10. Qb3 {[%emt 0:02:10]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:58]} 11. Nb5 {[%emt 0:
06:17]} Nbxd5 {[%emt 0:00:27]} 12. N1c3 {[%emt 0:02:42]} Be6 {[%emt 0:02:21]}
13. Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:20]} Bxd5 {[%emt 0:00:33]} 14. Bxd5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Qxd5
{[%emt 0:00:06]} 15. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:21]} Qxb3 {[%emt 0:15:51]} 16. axb3 {
[%emt 0:00:02]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 17. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:38]} h6 {[%emt 0:02:44]
} 18. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Bxf6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 19. Nd5 {[%emt 0:01:24]} Rac8
{[%emt 0:01:28]} 20. Rac1 {[%emt 0:02:14]} e4 {[%emt 0:08:15]} 21. Rc4 {
[%emt 0:00:59]} Rxc4 {[%emt 0:03:47]} 22. bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Bxb2 {[%emt 0:
08:30]} 23. Rb1 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Ba3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 24. Rxb7 {[%emt 0:00:14]}
Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 25. Ra7 {[%emt 0:02:45]} Rxc4 {[%emt 0:04:35]} 26. Rxa6 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} Bf8 {[%emt 0:05:13]} 27. Ra8 {[%emt 0:05:36]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:
05]} 28. e3 {[%emt 0:00:44]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 29. Kg2 {[%emt 0:01:00]} h5 {
[%emt 0:00:46]} 30. h3 {[%emt 0:00:36]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:03:06]} 31. Rd8 {[%emt 0:
03:26]} Be5 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 32. Re8 {[%emt 0:01:12]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 33.
Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:40]} Be5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 34. g4 {[%emt 0:00:57]} hxg4 {
[%emt 0:00:14]} 35. hxg4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rc5 {[%emt 0:07:13]} 36. g5 {[%emt 0:
00:48]} Rb5 {[%emt 0:01:08]} 37. Kh3 {[%emt 0:00:29]} Rc5 {[%emt 0:00:45]} 38.
Ne7 {[%emt 0:01:02]} Rc2 {[%emt 0:06:06]} 39. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:32]} Rc7 {
[%emt 0:00:10]} 40. Rg8+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 41. Re8 {
[%emt 0:00:47]} Rc5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 42. Rc8 {[%emt 0:01:17]} Rb5 {[%emt 0:02:
27]} 43. Rf8 {[%emt 0:01:06]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 44. Rg8+ {[%emt 0:00:08]}
Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 45. Rf8 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 46. Rg8+ {
[%emt 0:00:13]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.15"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Black "Adhiban, Baskaran"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C07"]
[WhiteElo "2640"]
[BlackElo "2655"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 2. d4 {[%emt 0:00:40]} d5 {[%emt 0:
00:10]} 3. Nd2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} c5 {[%emt 0:01:13]} 4. exd5 {[%emt 0:00:22]}
Qxd5 {[%emt 0:01:20]} 5. dxc5 {[%emt 0:00:17]} Qxc5 {[%emt 0:05:26]} 6. Ngf3 {
[%emt 0:00:23]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 7. Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:00:
28]} 8. Qe2 {[%emt 0:01:12]} Qc7 {[%emt 0:03:42]} 9. c3 {[%emt 0:01:51]} Be7 {
[%emt 0:11:25]} 10. O-O {[%emt 0:01:49]} b6 {[%emt 0:07:27]} 11. Ne4 {[%emt 0:
01:42]} O-O {[%emt 0:09:49]} 12. Bg5 {[%emt 0:06:30]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 13.
Bh4 {[%emt 0:04:18]} Qf4 {[%emt 0:09:53]} 14. Bg5 {[%emt 0:05:12]} Qc7 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} 15. Rad1 {[%emt 0:06:59]} Rfd8 {[%emt 0:07:24]} 16. Rfe1 {
[%emt 0:06:04]} Rac8 {[%emt 0:04:06]} 17. Bh4 {[%emt 0:11:49]} Qf4 {[%emt 0:00:
37]} 18. Bg3 {[%emt 0:07:54]} Qg4 {[%emt 0:05:30]} 19. Nxf6+ {[%emt 0:05:28]}
Bxf6 {[%emt 0:02:18]} 20. Ba6 {[%emt 0:04:02]} Bxa6 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 21. Qxa6 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} Nc5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 22. Rxd8+ {[%emt 0:02:53]} Rxd8 {[%emt 0:
00:04]} 23. Qxa7 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Nd3 {[%emt 0:06:14]} 24. h3 {[%emt 0:06:51]}
Qc4 {[%emt 0:04:40]} 25. Rd1 {[%emt 0:01:18]} h5 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 26. Qxb6 {
[%emt 0:08:38]} Qxa2 {[%emt 0:02:13]} 27. Ne5 {[%emt 0:18:50]} Qxb2 {[%emt 0:
12:27]} 28. Qc7 {[%emt 0:00:35]} Rf8 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 29. Nd7 {[%emt 0:00:51]}
Qe2 {[%emt 0:08:01]} 30. Ra1 {[%emt 0:01:19]} Qb2 {[%emt 0:00:44]} 31. Ra7 {
[%emt 0:02:28]} Bd8 {[%emt 0:01:42]} 32. Qd6 {[%emt 0:01:03]} Qb1+ {[%emt 0:00:
06]} 33. Kh2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 34. Qc6 {[%emt 0:03:28]} h4
{[%emt 0:03:38]} 35. Nf6+ {[%emt 0:00:15]} Bxf6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 36. Qxe8+ {
[%emt 0:00:06]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 37. Qxf7 {[%emt 0:00:24]} hxg3+ {[%emt 0:
00:14]} 38. fxg3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Qb8 {[%emt 0:00:32] Here Adhiban
unfortunately had no time to go for mate with 38...Nf2, as 39.Qh5+ Kg8 40.Ra8+
and White mates first!} (38... Nf2 39. Qh5+ Kg8 40. Ra8+) 39. Qxf6 {[%emt 0:02:
00]} Qxa7 {[%emt 0:00:28]} 40. Qh4+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:02:08]} 41.
Qd8+ {[%emt 0:00:34]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 42. Qxd3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Qc5 {
[%emt 0:00:03]} 43. h4 {[%emt 0:04:32]} e5 {[%emt 0:02:17]} 44. g4 {[%emt 0:04:
53]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:33]} 45. Qf3+ {[%emt 0:03:02]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:02:02]} 46. g5
{[%emt 0:01:27]} Qc4 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 47. Qb7+ {[%emt 0:03:49]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:
00:11]} 48. Qb4 {[%emt 0:00:20]} Qd5 {[%emt 0:00:55]} 49. Qb8+ {[%emt 0:06:15]}
Kf7 {[%emt 0:01:14]} 50. Qa7+ {[%emt 0:01:38]} Ke6 {[%emt 0:01:14]} 51. Qa6+ {
[%emt 0:03:12]} Kf5 {[%emt 0:00:36]} 52. Kg3 {[%emt 0:01:15]} Qd1 {[%emt 0:02:
44]} 53. Qf6+ {[%emt 0:01:53]} Ke4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 54. Qf3+ {[%emt 0:00:20]}
Qxf3+ {[%emt 0:00:03]} 55. gxf3+ {[%emt 0:00:06]} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.15"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Hou, Yifan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A18"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2680"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 2. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {
[%emt 0:01:30]} 3. e4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 4. cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:
04]} exd5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 5. e5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Ne4 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 6. Nf3 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:01:58]} 7. d3 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Nxc3 {[%emt 0:03:
14]} 8. bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 9. d4 {[%emt 0:01:10]} O-O {
[%emt 0:04:26]} 10. Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:23]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:02:31]} 11. O-O {[%emt 0:
01:20]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:05:06]} 12. Re1 {[%emt 0:07:54]} b6 {[%emt 0:06:51]} 13.
Bb5 {[%emt 0:05:23]} Qe6 {[%emt 0:04:19]} 14. Ng5 {[%emt 0:03:34]} Bxg5 {
[%emt 0:21:48]} 15. Bxg5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Qg6 {[%emt 0:01:38]} 16. h4 {[%emt 0:
10:07]} a6 {[%emt 0:09:07]} 17. Be2 {[%emt 0:09:24]} h6 {[%emt 0:02:53]} 18.
Bf4 {[%emt 0:04:47]} Qe6 {[%emt 0:07:19]} 19. h5 {[%emt 0:07:57]} Be4 {[%emt 0:
03:08]} 20. Bg4 {[%emt 0:02:20]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 21. Bf3 Rad8 {[%emt 0:05:
54]} 22. Qe2 {[%emt 0:10:49]} Na5 {[%emt 0:05:39]} 23. g4 {[%emt 0:03:50]} Be4
{[%emt 0:02:48]} 24. Bxe4 {[%emt 0:00:17]} dxe4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 25. Bg3 {
[%emt 0:01:55]} c5 {[%emt 0:03:33]} 26. dxc5 {[%emt 0:01:54]} Nc4 {[%emt 0:01:
32]} 27. Qxe4 {[%emt 0:17:39]} Nd2 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 28. Qf4 {[%emt 0:03:36]}
bxc5 {[%emt 0:07:48]} 29. Re3 {[%emt 0:03:06]} Nc4 {[%emt 0:00:51]} 30. Re4 {
[%emt 0:02:52]} Nd2 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 31. Re3 {[%emt 0:02:26]} Nc4 {[%emt 0:00:
25]} 32. Re4 {[%emt 0:01:17]} Nd2 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.15"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D46"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2718"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} c6 {[%emt 0:
00:06]} 3. Nf3 {[%emt 0:05:10]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 4. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:58]} e6
{[%emt 0:00:27]} 5. e3 {[%emt 0:01:54]} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 6. Be2 {[%emt 0:
01:30]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:04:43]} 7. Qc2 {[%emt 0:03:30]} O-O {[%emt 0:02:05]} 8.
O-O {[%emt 0:01:12]} dxc4 {[%emt 0:04:33]} 9. a4 {[%emt 0:00:19]} e5 {[%emt 0:
00:30]} 10. Bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:26]} exd4 {[%emt 0:08:32]} 11. exd4 {[%emt 0:00:
35]} Nb6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 12. Bb3 {[%emt 0:06:22]} Nbd5 {[%emt 0:01:21]} 13.
Bg5 {[%emt 0:01:03]} Be6 {[%emt 0:02:06]} 14. Nxd5 {[%emt 0:08:23]} cxd5 {
[%emt 0:02:28]} 15. Qd3 {[%emt 0:00:26]} Be7 {[%emt 0:22:15]} 16. Ne5 {[%emt 0:
06:27]} Ne4 {[%emt 0:02:08]} 17. Bxe7 {[%emt 0:01:00]} Qxe7 {[%emt 0:00:05]}
18. f3 {[%emt 0:00:23]} Nd6 {[%emt 0:04:40]} 19. Rfe1 {[%emt 0:05:03]} Rac8 {
[%emt 0:09:11]} 20. a5 {[%emt 0:03:45]} Qg5 {[%emt 0:03:36]} 21. Rad1 {[%emt 0:
10:04]} Rfd8 {[%emt 0:08:20]} 22. g3 {[%emt 0:10:42]} Nc4 {[%emt 0:12:43]} 23.
Bc2 {[%emt 0:10:58]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 24. Nxc4 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Rxc4 {
[%emt 0:00:37]} 25. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:27]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.15"]
[Round "3"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:30]} d5 {
[%emt 0:00:10]} 3. c4 {[%emt 0:00:51]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 4. Nc3 {[%emt 0:01:
32]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 5. cxd5 {[%emt 0:02:37]} exd5 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 6. Bg5
{[%emt 0:00:04]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:49]} 7. e3 {[%emt 0:05:35]} h6 {[%emt 0:00:16]
} 8. Bh4 {[%emt 0:02:05]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 9. Qb3 {[%emt 0:01:43]} Bxc3+ {
[%emt 0:00:23]} 10. bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:02:25]} 11. Be2 {
[%emt 0:01:30]} c5 {[%emt 0:01:03]} 12. dxc5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} g5 {[%emt 0:03:
28]} 13. Nd4 {[%emt 0:10:50]} Bg6 {[%emt 0:09:29]} 14. c6 {[%emt 0:02:44]} bxc6
{[%emt 0:08:29]} 15. Nxc6 {[%emt 0:02:28]} Qe8 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 16. Bg3 {
[%emt 0:00:21]} Nc5 {[%emt 0:03:18]} 17. Qb5 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Nfe4 {[%emt 0:10:
56]} 18. O-O {[%emt 0:16:37]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:06:26]} 19. Nd4 {[%emt 0:04:04]}
Nxc3 {[%emt 0:00:38]} 20. Qa5 {[%emt 0:02:00]} Nxe2+ {[%emt 0:02:23]} 21. Nxe2
{[%emt 0:00:05]} Qa4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 22. Qxa4 {[%emt 0:04:07]} Nxa4 {[%emt 0:
00:01]} 23. Rfd1 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Rfd8 {[%emt 0:05:40]} 24. Be5 {[%emt 0:00:43]
} Re8 {[%emt 0:03:57]} 25. Bd4 {[%emt 0:09:34]} Rc2 {[%emt 0:00:47]} 26. Kf1 {
[%emt 0:00:53]} a6 {[%emt 0:14:20]} 27. h4 {[%emt 0:05:18]} gxh4 {[%emt 0:10:
16]} 28. Nf4 {[%emt 0:04:48]} Nb2 {[%emt 0:00:21]} 29. Rdc1 {[%emt 0:08:44]}
Rxc1+ {[%emt 0:00:12]} 30. Rxc1 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nd3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 31. Nxd3
{[%emt 0:02:05]} Bxd3+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} 32. Kg1 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Bc4 {[%emt 0:
00:15]} 33. a3 {[%emt 0:00:39]} Rb8 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 34. Kh2 {[%emt 0:00:05]}
Rb3 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 35. Ra1 {[%emt 0:03:19]} Rd3 {[%emt 0:02:29]} 36. Kh3 {
[%emt 0:03:09]} Rd2 {[%emt 0:01:02]} 37. f3 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:
25]} 38. Rg1 {[%emt 0:01:11]} Bc2 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 39. Kxh4 {[%emt 0:00:39]}
Rd1 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 40. Rxd1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bxd1 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 41. Kg4 {
[%emt 0:01:04]} Be2 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 42. Kf5 {[%emt 0:01:19]} h5 {[%emt 0:00:
17]} 43. Kg5 {[%emt 0:00:17]} Bf1 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 44. g3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Be2
{[%emt 0:00:06]} 45. e4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Bxf3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 46. exd5 {
[%emt 0:00:02]} Bxd5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.15"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C48"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:29]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 4. Nc3 {[%emt 0:
00:19]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:27]} 5. Bc4 {[%emt 0:03:54]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:48]} 6. d3
{[%emt 0:03:14]} d6 {[%emt 0:03:13]} 7. Na4 {[%emt 0:27:27]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:21]
} 8. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:03:30]} bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 9. Ne2 {[%emt 0:12:30]} cxd3 {
[%emt 0:14:03]} 10. Qxd3 {[%emt 0:00:27]} Bb4+ {[%emt 0:00:38]} 11. c3 {
[%emt 0:02:35]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:26:10]} 12. b3 {[%emt 0:14:25]} Ba5 {[%emt 0:00:
08]} 13. O-O {[%emt 0:01:31]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:04:56]} 14. f3 {[%emt 0:01:29]} Bc6
{[%emt 0:03:36]} 15. Qa6 {[%emt 0:00:29]} Bb6+ {[%emt 0:01:11]} 16. Nxb6 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} axb6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 17. Qd3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} d5 {[%emt 0:09:
28]} 18. exd5 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Qxd5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 19. Rd1 {[%emt 0:10:20]}
Qxd3 {[%emt 0:02:09]} 20. Rxd3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:12]} 21. c4 {
[%emt 0:08:54]} Rfe8 {[%emt 0:01:44]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.16"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Adhiban, Baskaran"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A09"]
[WhiteElo "2655"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[Annotator "Adhiban,B"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{I think I was around 10 when I got the chance to play in a simul against
Vishy Anand. But I told my parents that I didn't want to be just another
"player" in a simul. I wanted to sit in front of him as a fellow player and
hold my own! I had to wait so many years for it...but it was so worth the wait!
} 1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 d4 3. b4 c5 $5 {At the last moment I realised this was a
nasty surprise.} (3... f6 4. e3 e5 5. c5 a5 ({I once faced} 5... d3 6. Qa4+ c6
7. Qb3 e4 8. Nd4 f5 9. Nc3 Nf6 10. Ba3 $1 Qe7 11. g3 h5 12. f3 g6 13. fxe4 fxe4
14. Bg2 h4 15. Rf1 hxg3 16. hxg3 Bg4 17. Nxe4 $1 Nxe4 18. Bxe4 Qxe4 19. Qf7+
Kd8 20. Qf6+ {and I won a nice game in (Adhiban-Raetsky 2016)}) 6. Qa4+ Bd7 7.
b5 Bxc5 8. Bc4 Bg4 9. Bxg8 Nd7 10. Qb3 Qe7 {Vishy managed to pull off an
amazing escape and drew this game!} 11. Bc4 a4 12. Qc2 O-O-O 13. O-O Bxf3 14.
gxf3 Nb6 15. d3 f5 16. e4 f4 17. Kh1 Rd6 18. Rg1 Rh6 19. Nd2 Rf8 20. Nf1 Kb8
21. Bd2 Rh3 22. Be6 Rxf3 23. Kg2 Re3 24. Bg4 f3+ 25. Kh1 Re2 26. Rg3 Rxf2 27.
Kg1 Rg2+ 28. Rxg2 fxg2 29. Ng3 g6 30. Kxg2 h5 31. Be2 Bb4 32. Rf1 Bxd2 33. Qxd2
Rxf1 34. Nxf1 Qc5 35. Qb2 a3 36. Qb3 Qc1 37. Bd1 Nc8 38. Qc2 Qa1 39. Qd2 Nd6
40. b6 cxb6 41. Bb3 Qb2 42. Kh3 Nb5 43. Kh4 Nc3 44. Kg5 Qb1 45. Ng3 Qg1 46.
Kxg6 h4 47. Qg5 hxg3 48. hxg3 Qe3 49. Qxe5+ Ka7 50. Bc4 b5 51. Qc5+ Ka6 52.
Qxa3+ Kb6 53. Qd6+ Ka7 54. Qc5+ Ka6 55. Qd6+ Ka7 56. Qc5+ Ka6 57. Qd6+ {
1/2-1/2 (57) Caruana,F (2804)-Anand,V (2770) Leuven BEL 2016}) (3... Bg4 4. g3
Bxf3 5. exf3 e6 6. Qb3 a5 7. b5 Nd7 8. Bg2 Nc5 9. Qc2 h5 10. d3 h4 11. f4 Nh6
12. Nd2 a4 13. Ba3 Ra7 14. Rb1 Be7 15. Ne4 Nxe4 16. Bxe7 Qxe7 17. Bxe4 O-O 18.
b6 cxb6 19. Rxb6 Ng4 20. O-O Nf6 21. Bf3 Rc8 22. Qb2 Nd7 23. Rxb7 Rxb7 24. Qxb7
Qd8 25. Qb2 Nc5 26. Qc2 Qa5 27. Rc1 Rb8 28. Qe2 h3 29. f5 exf5 30. Bd5 Qc3 31.
Rd1 Kf8 32. Qe5 Re8 33. Qd6+ Kg8 34. Rf1 Nxd3 35. Qd7 Rf8 36. Qxf5 Nb4 37.
Bxf7+ Rxf7 38. Qc8+ Rf8 39. Qe6+ Rf7 40. Qe8+ {1/2-1/2 (40) Caruana,F (2807)
-Anand,V (2783) Saint Louis USA 2017}) 4. g3 $5 (4. e3 dxe3 5. fxe3 cxb4 {
I wasn't entirely happy with White's compensation.}) 4... cxb4 5. a3 {Now we
are in Benko territory!} b3 {A solid alternative as playing the Benko a move
down could really be nasty.} ({From the other side I chose} 5... f6 $5 6. Bg2 (
6. e3 Nc6) 6... e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d3 a5 9. e3 Bc5 10. exd4 Bxd4 11. Nxd4 Qxd4
12. Ra2 Nge7 13. Be3 Qd6 {(Kunte-Adhiban 2011) ended in a draw}) 6. d3 Nc6 7.
Nbd2 e5 8. Bg2 Nf6 9. O-O Be7 ({Another option was} 9... Bd6 10. Nxb3 O-O 11.
e3 dxe3 12. Bxe3 Be6 {with an equal game.}) 10. Nxb3 (10. Rb1 O-O 11. Rxb3 Nd7
$11) 10... O-O 11. Bg5 $5 {Getting rid of the knight which will influence the
fight for the light squares.} Rb8 12. Ne1 $1 Bd7 (12... Bg4 13. Nc2 h6 14. Bxf6
Bxf6 15. Nb4 {with a nice position for White. (but the computer disagrees)})
13. Nc2 b5 {This felt wrong.} 14. Nd2 $1 a6 {This is bit slow.} 15. Nb4 $1 {
After this I manage to seize the intiative.} Nxb4 16. axb4 bxc4 (16... Bxb4 17.
Rxa6 Bc8 18. cxb5 $1 ({Also possible is} 18. Ra2) 18... Rxb5 19. Bxf6 gxf6 20.
Ra8 {and the fight will continue on the light squares.}) 17. Nxc4 Bb5 18. Nxe5
Bxb4 19. Rb1 {I liked this move provoking a5.} a5 20. Ng4 Rb6 21. Qc1 $2 {
This stupid move ruined everything :).} (21. Nxf6+ gxf6 22. Bh6 Re8 {should be
fine for Black.}) ({Best was} 21. Bxf6 $1 gxf6 22. Nh6+ Kh8 23. Be4 $16 {
[%cal Gd1c1] with an attack for free!!}) 21... Qc8 $1 {Without the queens, it
will be difficult to capitalise on the intiative.} 22. Ne5 $6 ({The last
chance was} 22. Nxf6+ gxf6 23. Bh6 Qxc1 24. Rfxc1 Re8 25. Bf3 (25. Rc7 Rxe2)
25... f5 26. Bf4 $14) 22... Qe6 $1 {The tables have changed dramatically, now
the hunter becomes the hunted!} 23. Nf3 (23. Bxf6 Qxf6 24. Qc7 Rbb8 $15) 23...
Qxe2 24. Nxd4 Qxd3 25. Rd1 (25. Bxf6 $1 Rxf6 26. Rd1 Qc4 27. Qxc4 Bxc4 28. Nc6
Bc5 {I stopped here prematurely.} 29. Rd2 $1 {and it is a draw.}) 25... Qg6 26.
Bxf6 Qxf6 27. Nxb5 Rxb5 28. Qc6 Qf5 29. Be4 Qe5 30. Rd7 $1 Rc5 31. Qb7 g6 (
31... Rc3 {offered better chances.}) 32. Bd5 $1 Qf6 33. Rb3 Rc3 (33... Bc3 34.
Kg2 {is also fine.}) 34. Rxc3 Bxc3 35. Rxf7 $1 Rxf7 36. Bxf7+ Qxf7 (36... Kf8
37. Bd5 Bd4 38. Qc8+ Kg7 39. Qd7+ $11) 37. Qc8+ Qf8 38. Qc4+ {The cleanest.}
Qf7 {This was my first ever encounter against the Madras Tiger...I was bit
disappointed about missing my chances but still it turned out to be an
entertaining game and I will look forward to our future struggles!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.16"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E46"]
[WhiteElo "2811"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:
00:07]} 3. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 4. e3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} O-O
{[%emt 0:04:31]} 5. Nge2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} d5 {[%emt 0:05:27]} 6. a3 {[%emt 0:
00:14]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 7. cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} exd5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 8.
Nf4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Re8 {[%emt 0:05:14]} 9. Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:59]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:
03:31]} 10. O-O {[%emt 0:01:27]} Bxf4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 11. exf4 {[%emt 0:00:06]
} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 12. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:47]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 13. Qc2 {
[%emt 0:12:07]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:51]} 14. f3 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:01:41]
} 15. g4 {[%emt 0:05:46]} Bxd3 {[%emt 0:17:41]} 16. Qxd3 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Kg7 {
[%emt 0:04:14]} 17. Rae1 {[%emt 0:04:17]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:04:01]} 18. Bf2 {
[%emt 0:14:03]} h5 {[%emt 0:02:54]} 19. h3 {[%emt 0:00:42]} c6 {[%emt 0:08:18]}
20. Ne2 {[%emt 0:15:06]} hxg4 {[%emt 0:10:33]} 21. hxg4 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Nfg8 {
[%emt 0:08:42]} 22. Bh4 {[%emt 0:10:46]} f5 {[%emt 0:02:13]} 23. Ng3 {[%emt 0:
02:09]} Rf8 {[%emt 0:08:42]} 24. Re5 {[%emt 0:02:02]} Rf7 {[%emt 0:03:11]} 25.
Qe2 {[%emt 0:07:07]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:01:51]} 26. Re6 {[%emt 0:10:36]} Rc8 {
[%emt 0:06:49]} 27. b4 {[%emt 0:06:07]} b6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 28. Re1 {[%emt 0:
01:51]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 29. bxc5 {[%emt 0:00:41]} bxc5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 30.
dxc5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Qc7 {[%emt 0:01:33]} 31. Kg2 {[%emt 0:09:11]} Qxc5 {
[%emt 0:02:24]} 32. Qe5 {[%emt 0:00:22]} fxg4 {[%emt 0:01:57]} 33. fxg4 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} d4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 34. Qxc5 {[%emt 0:05:33]} Rxc5 {[%emt 0:00:
01]} 35. Ne4 {[%emt 0:01:59]} Rc2+ {[%emt 0:00:12]} 36. Kf3 {[%emt 0:00:33]}
Nd5 {[%emt 0:03:35]} 37. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:09] Caruana missed a chance with 37.
Rd6, when after 37...Nxf4, he would have 38.Ng5 and black's knight is lost.
Instead after 37.Bg5 the game ended in a draw ten moves later.} (37. Rd6 Nxf4
38. Ng5 {[%csl Rf7]}) 37... Rh7 {[%emt 0:04:45]} 38. Nd6 {[%emt 0:01:04]} d3 {
[%emt 0:00:49]} 39. f5 {[%emt 0:01:30]} Rh3+ {[%emt 0:02:02]} 40. Ke4 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} d2 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 41. Rf1 {[%emt 0:13:51]} d1=Q {[%emt 0:24:26]} 42.
Rxd1 {[%emt 0:01:25]} Nc3+ {[%emt 0:00:15]} 43. Kd4 {[%emt 0:00:25]} Nxd1 {
[%emt 0:00:18]} 44. f6 {[%emt 0:12:46]} Nxf6 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 45. Bxf6 {
[%emt 0:00:30]} Rd2+ {[%emt 0:00:18]} 46. Kc5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rc2+ {[%emt 0:
08:05]} 47. Kd4 {[%emt 0:03:48]} Rd2+ {[%emt 0:00:09]} 48. Kc5 {[%emt 0:00:02]}
Rc2+ {[%emt 0:00:03]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.16"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C18"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2834"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 2. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:
00:07]} 3. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 4. e5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ne7
{[%emt 0:00:11]} 5. a3 {[%emt 0:00:27]} Bxc3+ {[%emt 0:00:10]} 6. bxc3 {
[%emt 0:00:03]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 7. Qg4 {[%emt 0:00:52]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:
09]} 8. Qxg7 {[%emt 0:03:29]} Rg8 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 9. Qxh7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Qc7
{[%emt 0:00:17]} 10. Ne2 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Nbc6 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 11. f4 {
[%emt 0:00:19]} dxc3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 12. Nxc3 {[%emt 0:05:59]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:
00:25]} 13. Bb2 {[%emt 0:09:42]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:02:15]} 14. O-O-O {[%emt 0:00:58]
} Qb6 {[%emt 0:00:45]} 15. Qd3 {[%emt 0:13:31]} Ndf5 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 16. Rd2 {
[%emt 0:01:11]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:06:56]} 17. g3 {[%emt 0:03:47]} Ne3 {[%emt 0:10:
51]} 18. Ne4 {[%emt 0:14:49]} Rxc2+ {[%emt 0:07:35]} 19. Rxc2 {[%emt 0:00:54]}
dxe4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 20. Qxe4 {[%emt 0:05:59]} Nxc2 {[%emt 0:01:38]} 21. Qxc2
{[%emt 0:00:07]} Bc6 {[%emt 0:01:54]} 22. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:20]} Bxg2 {[%emt 0:
00:29]} 23. Qxg2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 24. Kb1 {[%emt 0:09:31]}
Nc3+ {[%emt 0:00:31]} 25. Ka1 {[%emt 0:00:24]} Qb3 {[%emt 0:00:28]} 26. Bxc3 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} Qxa3+ {[%emt 0:00:09]} 27. Kb1 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Qxc3 {[%emt 0:
00:04]} 28. Rc1 {[%emt 0:10:34]} Qb4+ {[%emt 0:00:15]} 29. Qb2 {[%emt 0:00:54]}
Qe4+ {[%emt 0:00:09]} 30. Qc2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Qb4+ {[%emt 0:00:11]} 31. Qb2 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.16"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Hou, Yifan"]
[Black "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2680"]
[BlackElo "2718"]
[Annotator "Mekhitarian,K"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[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. c3
d5 {The Marshall attack! Played surprisingly only 6,600 times in chess history
(I really thought that number would be bigger), it was brought to practice by
Frank James Marshall - he played it four times, scoring two wins, a loss 
(against Capablanca) and a draw (against Lasker).} 9. d4 $5 (9. exd5 Nxd5 {
is the modern approach} (9... e4 {was tried by Marshall in his debut in a
simultaneous exhibition - this line is considered very bad for Black nowadays.}
10. dxc6 exf3 11. g3 $1 Re8 12. d4 Bg4 13. Bg5 h6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Nd2 $16 {
1-0 (34) Nakamura,H (2741)-Short,N (2680) London 2010. with a huge advantage
for White}) 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 {is the main line, repeatedly tried with
success by its main defender, Levon Aronian} (11... Nf6 {was Marshall's try
against Capablanca, who played near perfection the whole game} 12. Re1 Bd6 13.
h3 Ng4 14. Qf3 Qh4 15. d4 Nxf2 16. Re2 $1 Bg4 17. hxg4 Bh2+ 18. Kf1 Bg3 19.
Rxf2 Qh1+ 20. Ke2 Bxf2 21. Bd2 $1 Bh4 22. Qh3 Rae8+ 23. Kd3 Qf1+ 24. Kc2 Bf2
25. Qf3 Qg1 26. Bd5 $1 $18 {1-0 (36) Capablanca,J-Marshall,F New York,NY 1918})
12. Re1 Bd6 13. d3 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4 15. g3 Qh3 16. Bxd5 Bg4 17. Qg2 cxd5 18.
Qxh3 Bxh3 19. Be3 {entering a typical Marshall endgame - White is a pawn up,
but Black has the bishop pair and excellent play. In this game, I dare say
that Nakamura was able to create some chances.} Bf5 20. d4 Rfe8 (20... Rfc8 $5
{preparing b4} 21. a3 a5 22. Nd2 f6 $44 {following Aronian's footsteps, with
the rook on c8 instead of e8}) 21. Nd2 f6 22. Bf4 $1 Bf8 23. Nf1 $14 {½-½ 
(43) Nakamura,H (2780)-Aronian,L (2801) Palma de Mallorca 2017, after coming
under some pressure, Black was able to hold.}) 9... exd4 (9... dxe4 {is
another safe way to deal with this position} 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. dxe5 Qxd1 12.
Bxd1 Nd7 13. Rxe4 Nc5 14. Rd4 Ne6 15. Rd2 Bg5 (15... Bb7 $5 $44) 16. Rc2 Bxc1
$1 (16... Rd8 17. Bf3 Bb7 18. Bxg5 Nxg5 19. Nd2 $14 {1/2-1/2 (83) Halkias,S 
(2583)-Melkumyan,H (2642) Heraklio 2017}) 17. Rxc1 Nf4 18. Bf3 Rb8 19. Rd1 Ng6
20. Nd2 Nxe5 $11 {1/2-1/2 (81) Kurnosov,I (2649)-Khalifman,A (2614) Nakhchivan
2013}) 10. e5 Ne4 11. cxd4 Bf5 12. Nc3 Nxc3 13. bxc3 Na5 (13... Qd7 $6 14. Bg5
Ba3 $2 (14... Bxg5 15. Nxg5 Na5 16. Bc2 {with good prospects on the kingside})
15. Nh4 $1 $146 {a strong novelty, that puts the whole 13...Qd7 move under
trouble} Be6 16. Bc2 g6 17. Bf6 Rfe8 18. f4 Ne7 19. Rf1 Bg4 20. Qe1 {and White
already has a winning position with the decisive attack} Kf8 21. f5 $1 $18 {
1-0 (30) Mastrovasilis,D (2580)-Sargissian,G (2650) Minsk 2017}) 14. Bc2 Bxc2
15. Qxc2 Nc4 {Matlakov is a very classical player and goes for the bishop
exchange followed by occupying the weak square with a knight, which looks very
logical.} 16. a4 Qd7 17. Bg5 {On the other hand, we have a strong attacking
player, Hou Yifan, known for her dynamic games always full of initiative.} bxa4
18. Rxa4 a5 {Thinking long term, Black should be happy, there is a potential
outside passed pawn and a great outpost for the knight on c4. On the other
hand, White has some kingside prospects, which seem less threatening after
each move, since White's forces are directed towards the queenside.} 19. Rea1
Rfb8 20. R4a2 $6 (20. Bxe7 $5 Qxe7 21. Nd2 $1 (21. R4a2 $5 {preparing to
remove Black's strong knight with Nd2 is also possible}) 21... Rb2 22. Qc1 Rxd2
23. Rxc4 dxc4 24. Qxd2 a4 $13 {with a complex pawn endgame.}) 20... Bxg5 $1 {
Forcing the white knight to go to g5, from where it stands far away from d2.
And White doesn't have attacking prospects anymore, which means that g6 is no
big deal.} 21. Nxg5 g6 22. h3 (22. Nf3 a4 23. Nd2 Nxd2 24. Qxd2 Rb3 $15 {
followed by ...Qb5, Black is able to grab the initiative quickly.}) 22... Rb6
23. Nf3 Rab8 $1 {Stopping Nd2 and preparing a queenside invasion at some point.
} 24. Qc1 Kg7 {Avoiding Qh6.} 25. Kh2 $6 (25. Nd2 $1 {once again this was
needed} Nxd2 26. Qxd2 Rb1+ 27. Kh2 Rxa1 28. Rxa1 a4 29. Qa2 Ra8 30. Qb1 $11 {
followed by Qb4, White should be fine.}) 25... Qf5 26. Nd2 Nb2 (26... Qf4+ $1
27. Kh1 Rb2 $1 28. Rxb2 Nxb2 $17 {threatening to take on f2 and also ...Nd3.})
27. Nf3 $6 (27. Nf1 $3 {was a very hard move, preparing Ng3 at any cost:} Qxf2
28. Ng3 {now there is a Qg5 threat, and the b2-knight isn't going anywhere} h6
29. Rb1 Rb3 30. Nh1 $1 {talk about creative knight moves!} Qe2 31. Ng3 Qf2 (
31... Qb5 32. Qf4 $36 {with a strong initiative}) 32. Nh1 Qe2 33. Ng3 $11)
27... a4 28. Rxa4 $2 {The position was tough, but this helps Black.} Nxa4 29.
Rxa4 Rb2 30. Qe3 Qe4 31. Qxe4 dxe4 32. Ng5 Rxf2 (32... Re2 $1 {threatening ...
h6} 33. d5 e3 34. fxe3 Rbb2 $19) 33. Nxe4 Re2 34. Nf6 Rbb2 35. Kg3 Re3+ 36. Kf4
Rxc3 37. Ra8 Rxg2 $1 38. Rg8+ Kh6 39. Rh8 Rf2+ 40. Ke4 Rxf6 $5 {The practical
decision, leading to a very good rook endgame, that isn't that easy to convert.
I like the decision generally, but here it almost cost Matlakov half a point.}
(40... g5 $1 {was also winning (Ng4+ doesn't win the rook, because of ...Kg7,
hitting h8).}) 41. exf6 Kg5 42. Rxh7 Kxf6 43. Rh8 Kg5 44. h4+ Kg4 45. d5 Rc4+
$2 (45... f5+ $1 46. Kd4 Rh3 47. Rh7 (47. Rg8 $2 Rxh4 $1 {White can't take on
g6 because of ...Kh5+}) 47... Rxh4 48. Rxc7 f4 49. d6 Rh8 50. Rg7 (50. d7 Rd8
51. Kd3 Kf3 $1 {stopping White from bringing the king back to defence} 52. Kd2)
50... g5 51. d7 Rf8 $1 {preparing ...f3} 52. Re7 {[%cal Ge7e8]} Rd8 53. Rg7 Kf3
$1 $19 {transposing to another winning endgame, in case the pawn gets
exchanged.}) 46. Ke5 $2 (46. Kd3 $1 Rc1 (46... Rf4 {If the black rook leaves
the c-file, then Rc8 is played, with nice counterplay} 47. Rc8 $1 $132) 47. Kd4
{and Black can't make any real progress} f5 48. Rg8 $11) 46... f5 $1 {Now
Black is winning again.} 47. h5 Re4+ 48. Kf6 gxh5 49. Rc8 f4 50. Rxc7 f3 {
And the f-pawn is unstoppable.} 51. Rg7+ Kf4 52. Rh7 f2 53. Rxh5 Kg3 54. Rg5+
Rg4 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.16"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {
[%emt 0:00:13]} 3. Nxe5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 4. Nf3 {[%emt 0:
00:05]} Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 5. d4 {[%emt 0:00:40]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 6. Bd3
{[%emt 0:00:06]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:35]} 7. O-O {[%emt 0:00:26]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:
12]} 8. Nbd2 {[%emt 0:01:27]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:06:20]} 9. Re1 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Nxd2
{[%emt 0:02:04]} 10. Qxd2 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Bxd3 {[%emt 0:05:51]} 11. Qxd3 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:09]} 12. c3 {[%emt 0:03:36]} h6 {[%emt 0:14:49]
} 13. Bf4 {[%emt 0:05:11]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:00:36]} 14. Bg3 {[%emt 0:04:35]} Qd7 {
[%emt 0:07:24]} 15. Re3 {[%emt 0:14:01]} Rfe8 {[%emt 0:04:01]} 16. Rae1 {
[%emt 0:00:16]} Rxe3 {[%emt 0:05:09]} 17. Rxe3 {[%emt 0:00:14]} a6 {[%emt 0:04:
29]} 18. Bxd6 {[%emt 0:12:50]} Qxd6 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 19. Nh4 {[%emt 0:00:04]}
Qd7 {[%emt 0:16:16]} 20. Qf5 {[%emt 0:05:33]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:21]} 21. Qxd7 {
[%emt 0:10:28]} Rxd7 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 22. Re8+ {[%emt 0:00:04]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:
00:05]} 23. Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:11:42]} 24. Rb8 {[%emt 0:00:29]}
c5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 25. Nf3 {[%emt 0:08:29]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 26. Rc8 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:03:29]} 27. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Nxd4 {[%emt 0:
00:14]} 28. cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Re7 {[%emt 0:04:39]} 29. Kf1 {[%emt 0:00:10]}
Re4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 30. Rc7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 31. Rxf7 {
[%emt 0:00:50]} Rxd4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 32. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Ra4 {[%emt 0:01:
33]} 33. a3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Rc4 {[%emt 0:01:30]} 34. Kd3 {[%emt 0:02:18]} b4 {
[%emt 0:00:46]} 35. axb4 {[%emt 0:02:12]} Rxb4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.16"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D78"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. d4 O-O 6. c4 c6 {The eternal
problem for White: how to prove anything concrete in the symmetrical Gruenfeld?
} 7. Ne5 {By far not the main line, but not really new either. Besides, it has
been tried by Kramnik a couple of times before this game.} Be6 {Deviating from
his opponent's previous games with this line:} (7... Ne4 8. Nc3 Nxc3 9. bxc3
dxc4 10. Nxc4 Be6 11. Qd3 {White's centre looks impressive so far but as so
many times in this opening Black's piece pressure should be enough to keep the
balance even.} Nd7 12. Rd1 Nb6 13. Na5 {White avoids exchanges in order to
give meaning to his space advantage.} Qd7 14. c4 {In view of the
recommendation on the next move, this may be premature.} Rad8 ({Now was a good
time for throwing the pawns into the fight with:} 14... c5 $11) 15. Be3 Qc7 $6
{Once again refraining from the thematic break. In Kramnik,V (2812)-So,W (2770)
Paris (rapid) 2016 (½-½, 56) White could have retained an advantage with} 16.
Rac1 $16 {getting out of the unpleasant pin and thus stabilising the centre.})
(7... Nbd7 8. Nc3 Nxe5 9. dxe5 Ne4 10. cxd5 Nxc3 11. bxc3 cxd5 12. f4 Be6 13.
Be3 f6 14. Qb3 {White has managed to obtain some initiative, but will fail to
convert it into anything palpable.} fxe5 15. Rad1 Qc7 16. Bxd5 Bxd5 17. Rxd5
Kh8 18. fxe5 Rxf1+ 19. Kxf1 e6 20. Rd3 Qc6 {Kramnik,V (2810)-Ding,L (2764)
Novi Sad 2016 (½-½, 37) and Black gradually neutralised White's initiative.})
8. cxd5 Bxd5 {Switching to the genuine Grьnfeld spirit, with piece pressure
against White's centre.} (8... cxd5 9. Nc3 {trasposes to a somewhat uusual
version of the Exchange variation. The bishop typically does not land on e6.}
Nc6 (9... Nfd7 $6 {Arkell,K (2450)-Fernandez,D (2450) Crawley e2e4 Gatwick op
10 2016 (9) 1/2} 10. Nxd5 Nxe5 11. dxe5 Bxe5 12. Bh6 Re8 13. Qb3 $36) (9...
Nbd7 10. Nd3 Nb6 11. Nc5 Qc8 12. Nxe6 Qxe6 13. Qd3 $14 {Pedersen,N (2417)
-Kristensen,K (2244) Ballerup 2009 (1-0, 40) White's bishop pair offers him
some advantage, probably something Kramnik would have been delighted to make
use of. Besides, the knight does not stand too well on b6.}) 10. Nxc6 bxc6 {
In fact this position has been reached in numerous games, but most of them via
a different move order (7.cxd5). But still it is not Black's main line,
meaning that for White reaching here would be a small success.}) 9. Nc3 {
Aiming for rapid development.} ({The main alternative is} 9. Bh3 {trying to
prove that the central bishop is exposed. It is interesting mentioning that
Kasparov had played this position with both colours!} Nfd7 ({With Black,
Kasparov tried} 9... c5 10. dxc5 Ne4 11. Nd3 Na6 12. Be3 Bc6 {Speelman,J (2645)
-Kasparov,G (2760) Reykjavik 1988 (½-½, 17)} 13. Na3 $16 {This game might
have inspired Kasparov to try the line with White many years later, but the
opening wasn't a big success for him that time either.}) 10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11. Nc3
Bc4 12. b3 Ba6 13. Bb2 e5 14. d5 cxd5 15. Qxd5 Nf6 16. Qxd8 Rfxd8 $11 {
Kasparov,G (2830)-Belzberg,S London 2003 (1-0, 28)}) 9... Bxg2 10. Kxg2 Nbd7 {
This not only prepares ...c6-c5 but also puts pressure on the central knight.
On the other hand, if Black does not find a favourable moment for playing ...
Nxe5 his knight will be hanging slightly.} ({The alternative is} 10... Na6 11.
Nf3 ({I do not understand this willing retreat from the centre especially that
the knight is not exposed to an exchange. The consolidating} 11. f4 {deserves
attention:} e6 12. e4 c5 13. Be3 cxd4 14. Bxd4 Ng4 {Otherwise White would
simply retain active play.} 15. Nxg4 Bxd4 16. e5 {with some chances to
endanger the enemy king.}) 11... c5 12. d5 b5 {Wen,Y (2611)-Xu,M (2305) Wuxi
2016 (1-0, 33) with excellent black counterplay.}) 11. Qb3 Qb6 12. Rd1 Qxb3
$146 {This looks like a small concession as it clears the a-file for the white
rook and allows a later b3-b4, stabilising the queenside. But I have failed to
prove this move objectively wrong.} ({The main alternative I analysed is} 12...
Rad8 13. Nd3 Nd5 14. e4 (14. Nxd5 cxd5 15. Qxd5 Ne5 $11) 14... Nc7 15. Be3 Qxb3
{Necessary already in order to prepare the counterplay in the centre.} 16. axb3
a6 17. b4 f5 $132) ({Previously only} 12... e6 {was tried.} 13. Bf4 ({
Apparently not the most effective.} 13. Nc4 Qa6 14. e4 {or}) (13. e4 c5 14.
Nxd7 Nxd7 15. d5 {may be more active.}) 13... Rfd8 ({Too mild. Black should
have used the fact that after} 13... Nxe5 {14.dxe5 Ng4 the e5-pawn is hanging,
while after} 14. Bxe5 Qxb3 15. axb3 Rfd8 {Black would have little to fear due
to the exchange of one knight.}) 14. Nc4 Qa6 15. a4 Nd5 16. Bg5 N7f6 17. e4
Nxc3 18. bxc3 $14 {Palachev,P (2370)-Bocharov,I (2534) Moscow 2018 (½-½, 64)}
) 13. axb3 Rfc8 ({I would find it more appropriate setting up pressure along
the d-file with} 13... Rfd8 {when White's slight delay in development may
count.} 14. Nc4 ({If} 14. f4 Nd5 {the immediate threat is ...Nxc3 followed by .
..Nxe5 winning a pawn while otherwise Blck may consider ...f7-f5.}) 14... Nf8 {
followed by ...Ne6. For instance:} 15. e4 Ne6 16. d5 cxd5 17. exd5 Nc7 18. d6
exd6 19. Nxd6 b6 {and White's initiative has reached a dead end.}) 14. f4 ({
I would consider preveting ...c6-c5 with} 14. b4 {for instance} Nf8 {[%cal
Gf6d5]} 15. e4 Rd8 16. Be3 Ne6 17. f4 $14 {But Kramnik probably wanted to gain
a tempo for his kingside initiative over this line, considering that ...c6-c5
would play into his hands.}) 14... c5 (14... Nf8 15. e4 Ne6 16. Be3 $14 {
is even better for White than in the line above; for instance} Rd8 17. Kf3 Nc7
18. g4) 15. Be3 cxd4 (15... b6 16. Kf3 $14) 16. Rxd4 $1 {The only way to
maintain the initiative.} (16. Bxd4 Nxe5 17. Bxe5 Ng4 $11) 16... Nxe5 17. fxe5
Ne8 18. Rd7 Rc7 $2 ({Hard to say whether Svidler blundered by missing
Kramnik's reply or underestimated his chances after the natural} 18... Bxe5 19.
Rxe7 Bxc3 20. bxc3 Rxc3 21. Rxa7 Rxe3 22. Rxe3 Rxa7 23. Rxe8+ Kg7 24. Re7 Kf6
25. Rc7 {In principle White is better, but Black should draw without major
problems. The most accurate way would be} h5 {Before abandoning the pawn,
Black makes maximal kingside progress.} 26. h4 Ke6 27. b4 f6 28. b5 Kf5 29. b6
Ra3 30. Kh3 (30. Rxb7 Kg4 $11) 30... Re3 31. Rxb7 Rxe2 $11) 19. Rxa7 $1 $16 Rb8
(19... Rxa7 20. Rd8 Kf8 21. Bxa7 Rc6 (21... Bxe5 22. Bb8 Rc5 23. b4 $18) 22.
Bd4 $16) (19... Rxd7 20. Rxa8 Kf8 21. Nb5 $18 {Black is paralyzed and will
soon be in Zugzwang for if} Bxe5 22. Bh6+) 20. Rd5 b6 ({Another mysterious
move. Good or bad, Black should have gained some breathing space with} 20... f5
) 21. Nb5 Rxa7 22. Nxa7 Kf8 23. Rd7 Ra8 (23... Bxe5 24. Nc6 $18) 24. Bd4 (24.
Bd4 {Svidler probably had enough of it already. But since he is not
immediately losing, this reminds me of an old episode: when asking a friend of
mine why he resigned his game, he answered: "It was too dangerous to play on."
For the truth's sake, Svidler had virtually no chance to save the game:} f6 25.
Bxb6 fxe5 26. Bc5 Bf6 27. b4 Kf7 28. b5 Ke6 29. Rd1 Nd6 30. b6 Nb7 31. Nb5 Rd8
32. Nc7+ Kf7 (32... Kf5 33. Rxd8 Nxd8 34. g4+ Kxg4 35. Ne6 Nb7 36. e4 Kh5 37.
Be3 g5 38. Nc5 $18) 33. Rxd8 Nxd8 34. Kf3 $18) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.16"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E92"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2640"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. h3 O-O 6. Nf3 e5 7. d5 a5 8. Bg5 Na6
9. Be2 Qe8 10. g4 Kh8 11. Nd2 {Not the most accurate move order.} ({Korobov's} 
11. Be3 {is more appropriate here (see my "Opening trends" article in CBM 182).
}) 11... Ng8 $1 12. h4 f5 ({It makes no sense to insert} 12... f6 {since
White's bishop is not placed well on g5. Here is an example:} 13. Be3 f5 14.
gxf5 gxf5 15. exf5 Bxf5 (15... Nh6 16. Bh5 Qd7 17. f6 Rxf6 18. Nde4 Rf8 {
0-1 (44) Polivanov,A (2421)-Vovk,A (2339) Lvov 2005} 19. Qd2 Nf5 20. O-O-O $14)
(15... Bh6 16. Bg5 Bxg5 17. hxg5 Bxf5 18. Nde4 $14 {1/2 (18) Giddins,S (2290)
-Gullaksen,E (2365) Skei 1995}) 16. Nde4 Nf6 17. Ng3 Qd7 {(Black's bishop has
no h7-square)} 18. h5 Rf7 19. h6 Bf8 20. Bd3 Bxd3 21. Qxd3 Ng4 22. Nce4 Nxe3
23. fxe3 Qg4 24. Kd2 $14 {0-1 (36) Polak,T (2544)-Novikov,S (2562) Pardubice
2007}) (12... h6 $5 13. Be3 f5 {is possible, transposing to the position from
my game against Spirin, examined in the same article.}) 13. gxf5 (13. f3 fxg4
$5 (13... f4 14. h5 Bf6 15. hxg6 Qxg6 16. Bxf6+ Nxf6 17. Nb3 b6 18. Qd2 Bd7 19.
O-O-O $14 {0-1 (40) Lazarev,V (2500)-Cebalo,M (2465) Estensi 2001}) 14. fxg4
Nf6 $132) 13... gxf5 14. Bh5 (14. exf5 Bxf5 15. Nde4 Nf6 16. Ng3 Qd7 17. Rg1
Nb4 18. Rc1 e4 $132 {1/2 (45) Georgiadis,I (2449)-Simeonidis,I (2238) Rethymno
2013}) 14... Qd7 15. Qe2 (15. exf5 Qxf5 16. Nde4 Nc5 17. Qe2 Nxe4 18. Nxe4 Nf6
19. Ng3 Qd7 20. Rg1 c6 $132 {0-1 (32) Solomon,K (2350)-Popovic,D (2553)
Cappelle-la-Grande 2014}) 15... Nf6 16. Bf3 fxe4 $6 {[%mdl 32]} (16... Nc5 {
is a normal continuation. If} 17. O-O-O {then} fxe4 (17... Qf7 $5) 18. Ndxe4
Nfxe4 19. Nxe4 Qf5 $1 20. Bg2 Nxe4 21. Bxe4 Qxf2 22. Qh5 (22. Qxf2 Rxf2 23.
Rdf1 Rxf1+ 24. Rxf1 Bg4 25. Rf7 Rc8 {[%cal Yh8g8]}) 22... Bf5 23. Rhf1 Bxe4 $1
24. Rxf2 Rxf2 $44) 17. Ndxe4 Nxe4 18. Nxe4 Nb4 {Alas, sending Black's knight
to c5 is not so easy now:} (18... Nc5 $6 19. Nxc5 dxc5 {[%csl Re5]} 20. Rg1 $16
) (18... b6 19. Rg1 Nc5 20. Nxc5 bxc5 21. Be4 Qf7 22. f3 $14) 19. Bg2 Qa4 (
19... c6 $5 {was probably a better way to create counterplay.}) 20. Nc3 Qc2 21.
Be4 Qxe2+ 22. Kxe2 $14 {After the exchange of queens White's king is safe, and
he keeps the better prospects due to Black's passive g7 bishop.} Bg4+ 23. f3
Bh5 24. Rag1 Rf7 $6 (24... Na6 $5 {[%cal Ya6c5]} 25. Be3 Bf6 {[%cal Yf8g8]})
25. Be3 Bf6 $2 ({It was better to "take the last move back":} 25... Rff8) 26.
Rg5 {[%mdl 64] This is what Black missed. He can't take the rook so material
losses are inevitable.} ({But} 26. a3 $1 Na6 27. Rg5 $1 {was even more
accurate. Black had no ideas with ...Nb4-c2 in that case.}) 26... Bg6 (26...
Bxg5 27. hxg5 $18) 27. Bxg6 hxg6 28. Rxg6 Nc2 29. Ne4 Be7 30. Ng5 Rf6 31. Rxf6
Bxf6 32. Ne6 {White easily converts his material and positional advantage.}
Nxe3 33. Kxe3 Rg8 34. Ke4 c6 35. Kf5 Be7 36. Ng5 Re8 37. Ne4 Kg7 38. Ke6 Bf8+
39. Kd7 Re7+ 40. Kxd6 Kf7 41. Rg1 cxd5 42. cxd5 Ke8 43. Nf6+ Kd8 (43... Kf7 44.
Nd7 $5) 44. Rg8 Re8+ 45. Rxf8 Rxf8 46. Ke6 {[%csl Rf8]} Rh8 47. h5 b5 48. d6 {
Black's king and rook are completely paralysed.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Wei, Yi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2743"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {
[%emt 0:00:15]} 3. Nxe5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 4. Nf3 {[%emt 0:
00:02]} Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 5. d4 {[%emt 0:00:14]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 6. Bd3
{[%emt 0:00:12]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 7. O-O {[%emt 0:00:15]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:
08]} 8. Re1 {[%emt 0:00:19]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:17]} 9. c4 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:26]} 10. cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:27]} Qxd5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 11. Nc3 {
[%emt 0:00:27]} Nxc3 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 12. bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rae8 {[%emt 0:
01:21]} 13. Bf4 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Bxd3 {[%emt 0:00:45]} 14. Qxd3 {[%emt 0:00:29]
} Bd6 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 15. c4 {[%emt 0:13:52]} Qh5 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 16. Bxd6 {
[%emt 0:06:48]} cxd6 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 17. Qa3 {[%emt 0:00:21]} Qa5 {[%emt 0:02:
19]} 18. Qxd6 {[%emt 0:07:23]} Rxe1+ {[%emt 0:00:36]} 19. Rxe1 {[%emt 0:00:27]}
Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 20. Re3 {[%emt 0:00:58]} h6 {[%emt 0:02:02]} 21. Qf4 {
[%emt 0:01:22]} Qxa2 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 22. d5 {[%emt 0:02:17]} Na5 {[%emt 0:00:
50]} 23. Qc7 {[%emt 0:16:04]} Qb1+ {[%emt 0:00:17]} 24. Re1 {[%emt 0:00:07]}
Qb6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 25. Re7 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Qxc7 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 26. Rxc7 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 27. cxb5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rxd5 {[%emt 0:00:
06]} 28. h3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Rxb5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 29. Rxa7 {[%emt 0:00:07]}
Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2834"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

{Especially dramatic was the match between Magnus Carlsen and Vladimir Kramnik.
In an Italian game Kramnik reached easy equality with Black} 1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 3. Bc4 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 4. O-O {[%emt 0:00:01]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:
22]} 5. d3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} d6 {[%emt 0:01:10]} 6. c3 {[%emt 0:00:19]} a6 {
[%emt 0:00:11]} 7. a4 {[%emt 0:00:17]} O-O {[%emt 0:01:12]} 8. h3 {[%emt 0:00:
18]} h6 {[%emt 0:02:17]} 9. Re1 {[%emt 0:02:41]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:58]} 10. Nbd2
{[%emt 0:03:42]} Be6 {[%emt 0:01:14]} 11. Bxe6 {[%emt 0:01:26]} Rxe6 {[%emt 0:
00:25]} 12. b4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Ba7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 13. Qc2 {[%emt 0:06:43]}
Qd7 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 14. Nf1 {[%emt 0:06:09]} d5 {[%emt 0:01:00]} 15. Ng3 {
[%emt 0:14:26]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:04:39]} 16. exd5 {[%emt 0:16:32]} Qxd5 {[%emt 0:
14:05]} 17. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Qxd3 {[%emt 0:19:40]} 18. Qxd3 {[%emt 0:00:07]
} Rxd3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 19. Bxa7 {[%emt 0:09:11]} Nxa7 {[%emt 0:01:24]} 20.
Nxe5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Rd5 {[%emt 0:02:26]} 21. Ng4 {[%emt 0:00:20]} Nxg4 {
[%emt 0:06:14]} 22. Rxe6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} fxe6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 23. hxg4 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} a5 {[%emt 0:01:58]} 24. f3 {[%emt 0:02:26]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:07:20]
} 25. Rb1 {[%emt 0:07:16]} b6 {[%emt 0:08:27]} 26. Ne4 {[%emt 0:00:46]} axb4 {
[%emt 0:04:39]} 27. cxb4 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Rd4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 28. b5 $6 {
[%emt 0:01:15] After one "impulsive" move (28.b5) — as Carlsen said after
the game — the Norwegian even came under pressure and had to save himself in
a rook ending, where black had two pawns extra — although doubled on the
g-line. With only one g-pawn it would be a theoretical draw, but the second
g-pawn made the matter "tricky" to quote Carlsen. But Carlsen defended himself
precisely and saved the draw} Ne5 {[%emt 0:01:27]} 29. Rc1 {[%emt 0:11:02]}
Nxg4 {[%emt 0:07:22]} 30. fxg4 {[%emt 0:02:50]} Rxe4 {[%emt 0:00:35]} 31. Rxc7
{[%emt 0:00:09]} Rxa4 {[%emt 0:02:44]} 32. Rc6 {[%emt 0:02:10]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:
02:36]} 33. g5 {[%emt 0:01:35]} hxg5 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 34. Rxb6 {[%emt 0:00:02]}
Rb4 {[%emt 0:01:28]} 35. Rb8 {[%emt 0:04:45]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:04:54]} 36. b6 {
[%emt 0:00:21]} Ke5 {[%emt 0:02:25]} 37. Kh2 {[%emt 0:09:23]} Rb3 {[%emt 0:00:
59]} 38. g4 {[%emt 0:08:53]} Kf4 {[%emt 0:07:48]} 39. b7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Kxg4
{[%emt 0:02:10]} 40. Re8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rxb7 {[%emt 0:01:14]} 41. Rxe6 {
[%emt 0:01:39]} Rb2+ {[%emt 0:08:12]} 42. Kg1 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Kf3 {[%emt 0:02:
35]} 43. Ra6 {[%emt 0:00:44]} Rg2+ {[%emt 0:04:59]} 44. Kh1 {[%emt 0:00:52]}
Re2 {[%emt 0:02:48]} 45. Kg1 {[%emt 0:08:27]} g4 {[%emt 0:02:28]} 46. Ra1 {
[%emt 0:01:24]} Re8 {[%emt 0:08:00]} 47. Rb1 {[%emt 0:03:54]} g3 {[%emt 0:09:
01]} 48. Rb3+ {[%emt 0:00:40]} Re3 {[%emt 0:03:29]} 49. Rb1 {[%emt 0:00:02]}
Re8 {[%emt 0:04:24]} 50. Rb3+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} Kg4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 51. Rb5 {
[%emt 0:00:11]} Re1+ {[%emt 0:05:22]} 52. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Re2+ {[%emt 0:
00:18]} 53. Kg1 {[%emt 0:00:02]} g5 {[%emt 0:05:15]} 54. Rb8 {[%emt 0:00:12]}
Re1+ {[%emt 0:00:24]} 55. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Re2+ {[%emt 0:00:04]} 56. Kg1 {
[%emt 0:00:10]} Ra2 {[%emt 0:00:42]} 57. Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Ra1+ {[%emt 0:01:
28]} 58. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Ra2+ {[%emt 0:00:04]} 59. Kg1 {[%emt 0:00:07]} g2
{[%emt 0:02:18]} 60. Rc4+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kh3 {[%emt 0:00:53]} 61. Rc3+ {
[%emt 0:00:18]} Kh4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 62. Rc4+ {[%emt 0:00:08]} g4 {[%emt 0:00:
35]} 63. Rc3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Kh5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B14"]
[WhiteElo "2640"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:47]} 2. d4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} d5 {[%emt 0:
00:07]} 3. exd5 {[%emt 0:00:38]} cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:27]} 4. c4 {[%emt 0:00:07]}
Nf6 {[%emt 0:02:04]} 5. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:10]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:51]} 6. Nf3 {
[%emt 0:00:59]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:26]} 7. cxd5 {[%emt 0:01:07]} Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:
27]} 8. Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:07]} O-O {[%emt 0:02:38]} 9. Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:19]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:11]} 10. O-O {[%emt 0:00:08]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 11. Nxd5 {
[%emt 0:03:56]} exd5 {[%emt 0:04:02]} 12. h3 {[%emt 0:03:25]} Bf6 {[%emt 0:00:
47]} 13. Bc3 {[%emt 0:07:05]} Be6 {[%emt 0:03:11]} 14. Re1 {[%emt 0:04:45]} g6
{[%emt 0:08:19]} 15. Qd2 {[%emt 0:05:10]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:06:11]} 16. Rac1 {
[%emt 0:08:11]} a6 {[%emt 0:02:17]} 17. Qf4 {[%emt 0:05:26]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:01:
01]} 18. b3 {[%emt 0:08:46]} Qf6 {[%emt 0:01:47]} 19. Qxf6 {[%emt 0:09:26]}
Bxf6 {[%emt 0:02:39]} 20. Ne5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Be7 {[%emt 0:36:20]} 21. Nxc6 {
[%emt 0:01:46]} Rxc6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 22. Bd2 {[%emt 0:01:49]} Rfc8 {[%emt 0:
00:21]} 23. Rxc6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Rxc6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 24. Rc1 {[%emt 0:00:33]
} Rxc1+ {[%emt 0:00:06]} 25. Bxc1 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D30"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2811"]
[Annotator "Sadorra,J"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Bg5 Bb4+ 5. Nbd2 $5 {A "Shak specialty." In
his post-game interview, Shakriyar admits that he played a "very risky
opening" as he sacrificed a pawn early in the game.} dxc4 6. e3 b5 7. Be2 (7.
a4 $5 {is also another way to an imbalanced middlegame. For more ideas see
Sumet's annotated game in Megabase 2018.}) 7... Bb7 8. O-O O-O 9. b3 c3 $146 {
The position is still objectively equal, however there is a great chance that
Caruana was surprised by Shak's opening choice and had the unpleasant task of
having to recall lines that are not fresh in his mind and defend accurately
against Shak's concrete prep.} ({The most recent game in this pawn-sac line
continued} 9... cxb3 10. Nxb3 $5 a6 11. Ne5 $1 {White must play energetically
otherwise Black simply will complete development and push the queenside pawns.}
Nbd7 12. Bf3 Bxf3 13. Qxf3 {White has compensation but not more.} Nxe5 14. dxe5
Qd5 $1 15. Qf4 Ne4 16. Rad1 ({A simpler way is} 16. f3 Nxg5 17. Qxb4 (17. Qxg5
h6 18. Qf4 Bc3 $19) 17... h6 18. Qc3 $44 {White has full compensation due to
better pieces and weaknesses on Black's queenside.}) 16... Qb7 (16... Nc3 $5
17. Qxb4 Nxd1 18. Qg4 {[%csl Rd1][%cal Rg5f6]} Qxe5 19. Rxd1 h5 $1 20. Qh4 (20.
Qf4 Qxf4 21. Bxf4 Rfd8 $15) 20... f6 21. Bf4 Qf5 $13) 17. Rd4 Nxg5 18. Rxb4 h6
19. h4 Nh7 20. Rc1 $11 {1/2-1/2 (64) Swapnil,S (2531)-Das,A (2443) Bhubaneswar
IND 2018}) ({The only game played before this game happened was} 9... Bxd2 10.
Qxd2 cxb3 11. axb3 a6 12. Rfc1 {White had a Catalan-type of compensation and
queenside pressure.} Nbd7 {Here White could improve with} 13. Qb2 $1 (13. Qe1 {
0-1 (32) Penttinen,J (2322)-Moiseenko,A (2678) Kallithea 2008}) 13... Rc8 {
[%cal Gc7c5]} 14. Ne5 Nxe5 15. dxe5 Qd5 16. Bf3 {now the e-pawn is guarded.}
Ne4 17. Be7 $1 {An important intermediate move to limit the enemy queen's
mobility.} Rfe8 18. Rd1 Qc6 19. Bh4 $1 $40 {I like retreating the bishop on
this diagonal as it prevents enemy rooks from going to d8 and keeps the
attacking possibility of sac-ing on f6 in the future.}) 10. a3 Be7 11. Nb1 c5
12. Nxc3 a6 (12... cxd4 13. Nxd4 a6 14. Bf3 Bxf3 ({The engine recommends the
unnatural} 14... Qb6 $5 15. Ne4 Nbd7 {[%cal Gf8d8,Ga8c8] After which Black has
no problems.}) 15. Qxf3 Ra7 16. Rfd1 $36 {Is certainly a line that can be
worrisome for Black.}) 13. dxc5 Bxc5 14. Qc2 Nbd7 15. Rfd1 Rc8 16. Bxf6 $1 {
giving Black a long-term weakness before he improves his pieces.} (16. b4 Be7 {
There is no clear way for White to create any real pressure on Black's
position.} 17. Ne5 Qe8 $1 18. Nxd7 Nxd7 19. Bxe7 Qxe7 $11) 16... gxf6 17. b4
Be7 18. Rac1 Qe8 ({Another good and typical way of improving this type of
position is} 18... Rc7 $1 {[%cal Gd8a8,Gf8c8]} 19. Nd4 Qa8 $132 (19... Kh8 $5 {
[%cal Gf8g8]} 20. Bf3 Bxf3 21. Nxf3 Qa8 $11)) 19. Qb1 Nb6 {Improving the
knight and keeping an eye on White's a3-a4 pawn break.} ({I'm sure Caruana
also considered} 19... f5 {with the idea to relocate the bishop on h8-a1
diagonal and keep the c3-knight from e4, but was concerned about} 20. a4 {
but there was nothing to fear after} (20. e4 fxe4 21. Nxe4 Rxc1 22. Rxc1 f5 $1
23. Ng3 Bd5 $15) 20... bxa4 21. Nxa4 Be4 $1 22. Qb3 (22. Qa1 Rxc1 23. Rxc1 Bxb4
24. Bxa6 (24. Nc3 Bxf3 25. Bxf3 a5 $15) 24... Qe7 $15 {[%csl Rg2][%cal Gh7h6,
Gg8h7,Gf8g8,Rg8g2,Re4g2]}) 22... Rxc1 23. Rxc1 Qb8 24. Bxa6 Qxb4 $15) 20. Nd4
Kh8 21. Bf3 Bxf3 22. Nxf3 Nc4 ({Also natural and good is} 22... Rg8 23. Ne4
Rxc1 24. Rxc1 Qa8 $132) 23. Ne4 {Shak continues to play natural moves that
improve his position.} Qc6 {So does Caruana.} 24. Nfd2 Qb7 $2 {With the aim of
playing it safe and solid, Caruana makes an inaccuracy. Interestingly,
according to his interview, Shak correctly sensed that this was a mistake.} ({
There was nothing wrong with continuing to play normal moves:} 24... Rfd8 $1 {
Black will have enough resources to hold with his isolated passed pawn.} 25.
Nxc4 Rxd1+ (25... bxc4 26. Rxd8+ (26. Nd2 $4 c3) 26... Rxd8 27. Qc2 Qd5 28. h3
Qd3 $1 29. Qxc4 (29. Qxd3 cxd3 30. Kf1 f5 31. Nd2 Bf6 $11) 29... Qxa3 $11) 26.
Rxd1 bxc4 27. Rc1 (27. Nc3 f5 $1) 27... Qd5 $11) 25. Nxc4 Rxc4 (25... bxc4 26.
Rd4 $1 $16 {[%cal Rd4c4,Rd4h4]}) 26. Rxc4 (26. Nc5 $5 Bxc5 27. bxc5 $36 Qc6 (
27... Rxc1 28. Rxc1 Qc6 29. Qd3 $16 {[%csl Gc5,Rf6,Rh7,Rh8]}) 28. Rxc4 bxc4 29.
Qb4 Qb5 30. Rc1 Qxb4 31. axb4 Rb8 32. c6 $1 $16 (32. Rxc4 a5 $132)) 26... bxc4
27. Qc2 Rc8 {White's position is clearly much easier to play and from here on
slowly but surely improves his position while Black's position is difficult to
improve.} 28. h3 Qc6 (28... f5 29. Qc3+ $1 Kg8 30. Nc5 Bxc5 31. bxc5 Qb3 32.
Qd4 c3 33. Rc1 $1 c2 34. Qd7 Rb8 (34... Rxc5 35. Qd8+ Kg7 36. Qd4+) 35. Qd2 $16
) (28... Kg7 29. Rd4 $1) (28... Qb5 {[%cal Ga6a5]} 29. Qc3 (29. Rd4 a5 $132)
29... Qa4 30. Rb1 $1 Kg7 31. g4 $36) 29. Rd4 $1 a5 {Black can't just sit and
wait.} (29... c3 30. Nc5 Bxc5 31. Rh4 $1 {An important intermediate move.} f5
32. Qxc3+ Kg8 33. Rc4 $18) 30. Nd2 Rg8 (30... Qb5 {It looks like this can hold
at first because it keeps the material balance, but White is simply
positionally winning after} 31. Rxc4 Rxc4 32. Qxc4 Qxc4 33. Nxc4 axb4 34. a4 $1
$18 {e.g.} Bc5 35. Kf1 Kg7 36. Ke2 Kf8 37. Kd3 Ke7 38. Nd2 $18 {[%cal Gd3c4,
Gd2b3,Ga4a5]} (38. Na5 $5 $18)) 31. g3 axb4 32. Rxc4 b3 33. Nxb3 Qf3 34. a4 {
White has gained a clear pawn. Now he only needs a few accurate moves to put
out Black's small intiative, which Shak was able to accomplish.} Bd6 35. Rc8 (
35. Nd4 Qh5 36. Rc8 $1 (36. Kh2 $18) 36... Qxh3 37. a5 $18) 35... Rxc8 36.
Qxc8+ Kg7 37. Qc2 Bb4 38. Qc4 Qb7 39. a5 Bd6 40. a6 Qb6 41. Nd4 Qa5 42. Kg2 Qa3
43. Qc6 {Black resigned as he cannot stop White's plan of promoting the a-pawn
with help of the strong tandem of queen and knight.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2718"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[PlyCount "32"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 2. g3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} c6 {[%emt 0:
00:27]} 3. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 4. O-O {[%emt 0:00:20]}
Bg4 {[%emt 0:00:21]} 5. h3 {[%emt 0:00:32]} Bh5 {[%emt 0:00:28]} 6. d4 {
[%emt 0:00:52]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:50]} 7. c4 {[%emt 0:02:52]} Be7 {[%emt 0:04:10]}
8. Nc3 {[%emt 0:02:21]} O-O {[%emt 0:05:27]} 9. Ne5 {[%emt 0:05:41]} Nbd7 {
[%emt 0:21:38]} 10. g4 {[%emt 0:05:18]} Bg6 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 11. Nxg6 {[%emt 0:
22:02]} hxg6 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 12. Qd3 {[%emt 0:00:42]} Ne8 {[%emt 0:08:54]} 13.
cxd5 {[%emt 0:18:16]} exd5 {[%emt 0:00:59]} 14. Rb1 {[%emt 0:01:37]} a5 {
[%emt 0:06:48]} 15. a3 {[%emt 0:04:12]} Nd6 {[%emt 0:05:23]} 16. b4 {[%emt 0:
02:40] The game between Maxim Matlakov and Sergey Karjakin was less forced,
but the result was the same as between Anand and Wei. In a position on move 17
in which both sides could still play on, Matlakov and Karjakin shook hands}
axb4 {[%emt 0:00:56]} (16... axb4 17. e4 {Karjakin felt the game would see
simplifying exchanges, yet with unbalanced material and pawn structure, once
wonders if another pairing with the same moves would not have continued})
1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Adhiban, Baskaran"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A21"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2655"]
[PlyCount "159"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d6 {[%emt 0:01:26]} 2. Nc3 {[%emt 0:01:28]} e5 {[%emt 0:
00:35]} 3. g3 {[%emt 0:02:38]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:56]} 4. Bg2 {[%emt 0:03:23]} f5
{[%emt 0:00:11]} 5. d4 {[%emt 0:08:27]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 6. dxe5 {[%emt 0:
00:45]} dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 7. Qxd8+ {[%emt 0:00:03]} Bxd8 {[%emt 0:00:04]}
8. b3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} O-O {[%emt 0:04:06]} 9. Bb2 {[%emt 0:05:28]} c6 {
[%emt 0:00:21]} 10. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:24]} Bc7 {[%emt 0:02:23]} 11. O-O {[%emt 0:
01:16]} Na6 {[%emt 0:02:04]} 12. Rfd1 {[%emt 0:10:47]} Re8 {[%emt 0:02:55]} 13.
Rac1 {[%emt 0:01:52]} e4 {[%emt 0:00:40]} 14. Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:21]} f4 {[%emt 0:
00:19]} 15. Ndb5 {[%emt 0:08:19]} fxg3 {[%emt 0:08:39]} 16. hxg3 {[%emt 0:01:
20]} e3 {[%emt 0:32:51]} 17. f4 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Bg4 {[%emt 0:01:08]} 18. Nxc7
{[%emt 0:09:36]} Nxc7 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 19. Ba3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:
04:13]} 20. Bd6 {[%emt 0:11:51]} g5 {[%emt 0:07:30]} 21. fxg5 {[%emt 0:06:01]}
Nxg5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 22. Rd4 {[%emt 0:03:18]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:07:17]} 23. Rd3 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} Ng7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 24. Rf1 {[%emt 0:02:57]} Nf5 {[%emt 0:00:
22]} 25. Bf3 {[%emt 0:00:36]} Bh3 {[%emt 0:01:49]} 26. Bg2 {[%emt 0:02:48]} Bg4
{[%emt 0:00:10]} 27. Rf4 {[%emt 0:01:03]} Re6 {[%emt 0:03:01]} 28. Bc7 {
[%emt 0:05:55]} h5 {[%emt 0:04:15]} 29. Bf3 {[%emt 0:01:14]} Ng7 {[%emt 0:08:
03]} 30. Bd8 {[%emt 0:01:37]} Nge8 {[%emt 0:03:45]} 31. Kg2 {[%emt 0:05:40]}
Bxf3+ {[%emt 0:00:30]} 32. Rxf3 {[%emt 0:00:47]} Ng4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 33. Rf5 {
[%emt 0:03:27]} Ng7 {[%emt 0:02:15]} 34. Rf4 {[%emt 0:02:34]} Rg6 {[%emt 0:01:
48]} 35. Bh4 {[%emt 0:00:59]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:00:53]} 36. Rf5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Re8
{[%emt 0:05:24]} 37. Ne4 {[%emt 0:02:29]} Ng7 {[%emt 0:04:20]} 38. Nf6+ {
[%emt 0:04:09]} Nxf6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 39. Rxf6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Rxf6 {[%emt 0:
02:42]} 40. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf5 {[%emt 0:00:28]} 41. Kf3 {[%emt 0:05:49]}
Kf7 {[%emt 0:02:53]} 42. Bg5 {[%emt 0:01:00]} Rg8 {[%emt 0:08:59]} 43. Bf4 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} Ke6 {[%emt 0:04:11]} 44. Rd1 {[%emt 0:00:07]} b5 {[%emt 0:14:
03]} 45. cxb5 {[%emt 0:07:46]} cxb5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 46. Rh1 {[%emt 0:00:04]}
Rh8 {[%emt 0:01:56]} 47. Bxe3 {[%emt 0:00:25]} Nxe3 {[%emt 0:00:36]} 48. Kxe3 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} Kf5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 49. Rh4 {[%emt 0:09:49]} Re8+ {[%emt 0:00:
07]} 50. Kf3 {[%emt 0:11:09]} Kg5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 51. Rd4 {[%emt 0:00:18]}
Rf8+ {[%emt 0:00:11]} 52. Rf4 {[%emt 0:00:39]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 53. Re4 {
[%emt 0:01:40]} Rc3+ {[%emt 0:01:04]} 54. e3 {[%emt 0:06:22]} Rc5 {[%emt 0:02:
16]} 55. b4 {[%emt 0:02:36]} Rf5+ {[%emt 0:03:05]} 56. Rf4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rd5
{[%emt 0:00:47]} 57. Rf7 {[%emt 0:04:01]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 58. Rg7+ {
[%emt 0:03:09]} Kh6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 59. Rc7 {[%emt 0:04:05]} Rd6 {[%emt 0:01:
37]} 60. Rc5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rf6+ {[%emt 0:00:21]} 61. Ke4 {[%emt 0:00:22]}
Rg6 {[%emt 0:01:40]} 62. Kf3 {[%emt 0:01:42]} Rf6+ {[%emt 0:02:16]} 63. Kg2 {
[%emt 0:00:01]} Rd6 {[%emt 0:03:51]} 64. Kh3 {[%emt 0:01:06]} Re6 {[%emt 0:00:
07]} 65. Rc3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Kg5 {[%emt 0:00:43]} 66. a3 {[%emt 0:00:26]} Kg6
{[%emt 0:01:43]} 67. g4 {[%emt 0:01:32]} hxg4+ {[%emt 0:10:41]} 68. Kxg4 {
[%emt 0:00:01]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 69. Kf4 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:
01]} 70. e4 {[%emt 0:00:39]} Rh6 {[%emt 0:00:27]} 71. Rc7+ {[%emt 0:07:39]} Kd8
{[%emt 0:00:10]} 72. Ra7 {[%emt 0:00:17]} Kc8 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 73. e5 {[%emt 0:
01:53]} Kb8 {[%emt 0:01:43]} 74. Rd7 {[%emt 0:01:20]} a5 {[%emt 0:02:13]} 75.
bxa5 {[%emt 0:02:28]} Ra6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 76. Rd5 {[%emt 0:01:38]} Rxa5 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} 77. e6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Kc7 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 78. e7 {[%emt 0:
00:20]} Ra8 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 79. Kf5 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Kc6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 80.
Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Hou, Yifan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2680"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Bb4 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bf4 {A possible but
not very ambitious line.} O-O 7. Rc1 c6 (7... Bf5 {- Svidler-Giri in CBM 167.})
8. e3 Bd6 (8... Bf5 $5 9. Qb3 $5 (9. Be2 Bd6 10. Bxd6 Qxd6 11. O-O Nbd7 12. a3
Ne4 13. Na4 Qe7 14. Qb3 Nd6 $11 {1-0 (39) Melkumyan,H (2622)-Bluebaum,M (2588)
Berlin 2015}) 9... Qb6 10. Nh4 (10. Be2 Be7 11. Nd2 Nbd7 12. h3 Bg6 13. O-O a5
14. Qxb6 Nxb6 15. Bc7 Nfd7 16. Rfe1 Rfc8 17. Bg3 Re8 $11 {1/2 (55) Sunilduth
Lyna,N (2524)-Dubov,D (2661) Moscow 2017}) 10... Be6 11. Bd3 c5 (11... Nh5 $5)
12. dxc5 Bxc5 13. Qxb6 axb6 14. a3 Nh5 15. Bg3 Nc6 16. Nf3 Nxg3 17. hxg3 h6 18.
Nb5 Be7 19. O-O Bf6 $11 {1/2 (41) Cuenca Jimenez,J (2489)-Peralta,F (2559)
Caleta 2018}) (8... Qa5 9. Nd2 (9. Bd3 $5) 9... Bg4 10. Qc2 c5 11. dxc5 Qxc5
12. Nb3 Qe7 13. Bd3 Rc8 14. O-O Bxc3 15. bxc3 Nc6 16. Qb2 Ne5 17. Bxe5 Qxe5 18.
Nd4 b6 19. c4 Bd7 20. h3 Ne4 $11 {1/2 (30) Sunilduth Lyna,N (2526)-Laxman,R 
(2403) Sharjah 2017}) 9. Bxd6 (9. Bg3 Bf5 10. Bd3 Bxd3 11. Qxd3 Re8 12. Nd2 Na6
13. a3 Nc7 14. Na4 Ne6 15. b4 Qe7 16. Nc5 Rad8 17. Nf3 Ne4 $11 {1-0 (51)
Mamedyarov,S (2804)-Lenderman,A (2611) chess.com INT 2018}) 9... Qxd6 10. Qc2
Re8 (10... Bg4 $5 {in order to exchange the bishop or transfer it to g6.}) 11.
Bd3 Nbd7 12. O-O Nf8 13. h3 {Preventing ...Bg4 for good.} g6 (13... Ng6 $5) 14.
Ne5 {[%mdl 32] White prepares a kingside attack with f2-f4-f5. Black's g6-pawn
will be a useful hook for him.} Nh5 {Preparing ...f7-f6 and thus preventing 15.
f4.} (14... Be6 15. f4) (14... Ne6 15. f4 Ng7 16. g4) 15. Rfe1 Re7 16. Qa4 Nd7
17. Nf3 (17. f4 {was now possible, e.g.} f6 18. Nf3 Nb6 19. Qc2 {However,
White changes his plan and starts a classic minority attack.}) 17... Ndf6 $6 {
A strange decision. Black's h5 knight will now be stuck on the kingside, and
White's assault will go without obstacles.} ({If} 17... Nhf6 {then} 18. b4 {
, too.}) (17... Nb6 {doesn't help much:} 18. Qa5 {and then b2-b4. If} Ng7 $6 {
then} 19. e4 $1 {is very strong.}) (17... a5 $1 {preventing b2-b4, is correct.
The initiative belongs to White but it is not easy for him to break down
Black's defences. If} 18. e4 {then} Nf4 19. e5 Qb4) 18. b4 a6 {A senseless
move, not preventing b4-b5.} (18... Bd7 $142 19. b5 Ne4) 19. b5 cxb5 20. Nxb5
Bd7 $2 {A tactical blunder. However, White doesn't exploit it.} (20... Qd8 21.
Nc3 $16 {[%csl Rh5]}) 21. Nxd6 Bxa4 22. Rb1 $2 (22. Nc8 {[%cal Rc8e7,Rc8b6]}
Re6 23. Ng5 Re8 24. Nb6 $18) 22... b5 23. Ne5 (23. Rec1 $142 Re6 24. Nc8) 23...
Nd7 24. Rec1 Nxe5 25. dxe5 Rxe5 26. Rc7 Rf8 (26... f5 $5) 27. Rc6 (27. Ra7 {
was more logical.}) 27... Ra8 28. Rc7 Rf8 29. Rc6 Ra8 30. Rbc1 d4 (30... Re6 $5
) 31. g4 Nf6 32. e4 (32. exd4 Re6 33. g5 $14) 32... Re6 33. f4 b4 34. Rc8+ Rxc8
35. Rxc8+ Kg7 36. e5 Nd5 (36... Ne8 $5 37. Ne4 Rc6 $1 38. Rd8 Rc1+ 39. Kf2 a5
$14) 37. Bc4 Nxf4 38. Rc7 ({White can hardly win after} 38. Bxe6 Nxe6) 38... d3
$4 {[%mdl 8192] A terrible blunder when the rescue was very close.} (38...
Nxh3+ 39. Kh2 Rxe5 $1 40. Rxf7+ (40. Nxf7 Re3 $1 41. Ng5+ Kf6 42. Nxh3 Rc3 $132
) 40... Kh6 41. Kxh3 d3 42. Rf2 Re3+ 43. Kg2 Kg5 {with sufficient counterplay.}
) 39. Rxf7+ Kh6 40. Rxf4 d2 41. Rd4 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.19"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Adhiban, Baskaran"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A33"]
[WhiteElo "2655"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "172"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6 6. a3 Bc5 7. Be3 $5 {
Almost a novelty at a very early stage.} ({The main line goes} 7. Nb3 {and the
latest annotated games are:} Bb6 8. Bf4 d5 9. c5 (9. e3 O-O 10. Be2 {Yilmaz,M 
(2594)-Vidit,S (2648) Dubai 2016 CBM 172 [Vidit,S] (0-1, 65)}) 9... Bc7 10.
Bxc7 Qxc7 11. Nb5 Qb8 12. Nd6+ Ke7 {Rapport,R (2731)-Navara,D (2744) Prague
2016 CBM 173 [Schulz,A] (½-½, 35)}) 7... Nxd4 $146 ({The only previous game
went} 7... Be7 8. Ndb5 $6 ({Embarking on active operations with the bishop
blocking the development of its colleague is unsound.} 8. Bf4 O-O 9. e3 {
is more normal.}) 8... O-O $1 ({The solid} 8... d6 $11 {is enoguh for equality
for if} 9. Bf4 $2 e5 10. Be3 a6 11. Nd5 Nxd5 12. cxd5 axb5 13. dxc6 bxc6 $17)
9. f3 ({Another weird move. White is dreaming of Bf2, e2-e4 and so on but in
chess we move in turns.} 9. Bf4 $5 {or}) (9. Nd6 $5 {offer better chances to
survive the opening.}) 9... d5 10. cxd5 Nxd5 11. Nxd5 exd5 12. Nd4 Bf6 $17 {
Soskic,B (2205)-Vratonjic,S (2467) Belgrade 2006 (0-1, 23) with an
overwhelming advance in development.}) 8. Bxd4 b6 {The most logical move, but
as it turns out later, played with a risky plan in mind.} (8... Be7 9. e4 d6 {
is a safer way of reaching the same kind of middlegame position.}) 9. e4 Bb7
10. b4 Be7 $6 {Extremely provocative.} (10... Bxd4 11. Qxd4 d5 {offers chances
for gradually equalisng, but as the ulterior course of the game shows, this
was not Mamedyarov's intention.} 12. cxd5 O-O 13. Rd1 exd5 14. e5 Ne4 15. Nxd5
Bxd5 16. Qxd5 Qxd5 17. Rxd5 Rfc8 18. Be2 a5 {and Black should reach a draw.})
11. Bd3 {Quite a respectful move, characteristic of White's play all through
the game.} ({Things would not have beeb entirely clear after} 11. e5 Ne4 12.
Qg4 Nxc3 13. Qxg7 Rf8 14. Bxc3 Qc7 15. Be2 O-O-O 16. Rg1 Kb8 17. O-O-O {
but in principle Black's compensation for the lost pawn is not obvious.}) 11...
d6 12. O-O O-O 13. Qe2 Nd7 14. Rfd1 {An open declaration that all White wants
to do is sit and wait.} ({The active minor piece placement seems to more or
less require a different approach:} 14. Rad1 Rc8 15. f4 {but then Black can
fight back with} e5 16. fxe5 Nxe5 17. Nd5 Bg5 {retaining a solid position on
the dark squares.}) 14... Rc8 15. Rac1 Qc7 16. Nb5 Qb8 {Black has more or less
completed his development and has no problems. Actually, there is only one
practical problem: how to generate winning chances against a very peaceful
opponent?} 17. Qg4 Nf6 ({Had Black aimed for just comfortable play he might
have chosen} 17... Bf6 18. Bxf6 Nxf6 19. Qg3 Rfd8 20. f3 a6 21. Nd4 h6 $11 {
But Mamedyarov's decision to keep the bishop will prove justified in the end,
when this piece will be stronger than a rook! True, there will be some far
from one-sided adventures on the way...}) 18. Qe2 Nd7 19. Qg4 Ne5 {From the
perspective of previous comments, this is the only reasonable move.} 20. Qg3
Ng6 21. f3 Rfd8 22. Bf1 Bh4 {Black cannot generate a coherent active plan yet,
as White is solid in the centre. The best he can do is organise small
diversions, aimed at provoking White into weakening his structure or else
losing coordination.} 23. Qg4 h6 {The obvious threat is ...Bg5, but as the
line from the next comment shows, this is about more than just improving the
piece placement slightly.} 24. Be3 ({The innocent} 24. Kh1 $2 {would be an
almost decisive mistake as after} Bg5 {White's queen would land in completely
unexpected trouble:} 25. Rb1 (25. Rc2 $2 {is even worse as after} e5 26. Bg1
Bc6 {the threat ...Bxb5 winning a piece gains an important tempo:} 27. Rb2 Bd7
28. Qg3 Bh4 $19) 25... a6 26. Nc3 Bc6 {Even so there is no simple escape for
the queen (I will not examine the desperate h2-h4 or f3-f4 which just lose a
pawn without compensation.)} ({Actually} 26... b5 {is not bad either.}) 27. Qg3
e5 28. Bg1 Bh4 29. Qg4 (29. Qh3 Bd7 30. g4 b5 $17) 29... Bd7 30. Qh5 Bg5 31.
Nd5 Be6 32. g3 Nf4 33. gxf4 g6 34. Ne7+ Kg7 $17 {Black wins the queen for
insufficient compensation.}) 24... Bf6 25. Nd4 Re8 {Taking measures against a
possible Nx6.} 26. Nb5 {The second invitaion to a repetition in this game.}
Rcd8 27. a4 {Finally an active white move, which does not seem to offer
chances for a pawn attack though.} Bc6 {Mamedyarov seems to have been focused
on harassing his opponent by means of piece pressure, without the pawns'
involvement.} (27... d5 $5 {would have led to unclear play:} 28. c5 dxe4 29.
fxe4 Rxd1 ({This looks better than} 29... bxc5 30. Bxc5 Be5 31. Bxa7 Bxh2+ 32.
Kh1 {when White's passed pawns are more dangerous than Black's immobile
kingside majority.}) 30. Rxd1 Bc6 31. Nd6 Rd8 32. b5 bxc5 33. Bxc5 Ne5 34. Qg3
Ba8 35. a5 h5 {White's position looks more active but he also faces the risk
of being over-extended. At the same time Black's king is safer, so all in all
chances may be about equal.}) ({I would have probably preferred} 27... a6 28.
Nc3 Ba8 {waiting for a good moment to play ...a6-a5.}) 28. Qg3 Bh4 29. Qg4 Re7
{The start of a somewhat unnatural regrouping.} (29... Bf6 $11) 30. Bd3 Bf6 31.
f4 {Hard to say whether this was intended as an attacking move (this does not
fit into the general picture) or just a sign that White had enough with his
queen feeling uncomfortable in the narrow kingside space. But objectively the
move is justified as the f6-bishop is almost immobile now.} Qa8 {Still
refraining from pawn moves.} (31... a6 32. Nc3 Bxc3 33. Rxc3 ({The principled
continuation as} 33. b5 {avoids the pawn loss but weakens the drk squares.})
33... Bxa4 34. Rf1 b5 35. c5 (35. e5 dxe5 36. Bxg6 fxg6 37. c5 {looks more
like a way to try forcing a draw.}) 35... dxc5 36. Bxc5 {with reasonable
compensation for the pawn.}) 32. Re1 (32. c5 {would have led to interesting
complications:} Bxe4 (32... dxc5 $2 33. e5 {wins a pece.}) 33. cxd6 Red7 (33...
Bxd3 34. dxe7 Nxe7 35. Qf3 {offers White some chances for converting the extra
exchange in the ending.}) 34. Nc7 Bf5 35. Bxf5 exf5 {with a probable draw as
the d-pawn is safely blocked. If} 36. Qxf5 $2 {then} Qxg2+ $1 37. Kxg2 Nh4+ 38.
Kf2 Nxf5 $15) 32... Rdd7 {This may be subjective, but I feel that now Black's
overall coordination is unnatural. The bishop still does not have retreats and
the king's rook lacks quick access to the queenside.} (32... Bxe4 $2 33. Bxe4
Qxe4 34. Bxb6 $18) (32... a6 33. Nc3 (33. Nd4 Bxe4) 33... Bxc3 34. Rxc3 Bxe4
35. Bxb6 $14) ({Mamedyarov probably discarded the more natural} 32... Red7 {
becuse the d8-rook would be hanging after his planned ...a7-a5. But things are
not entirely clear after} 33. Bf2 a5 {(Obviously not forced, but Black needs
to unbalance the position somehow if he wants to play for a win.)} 34. Bxb6
axb4 35. Bxd8 ({If White ignores the offered exchange and plays as in the game
} 35. a5 {then Black's higher mobility is revealed after} b3 36. Rb1 b2 37. Qf3
Rb8 $1 {Threatening the positional exchange sacrifice ...Rxb6.} 38. Qe3 Bxb5
39. cxb5 Bc3 {with unclear complications.}) 35... Bxd8 36. Bc2 Bb6+ 37. Kh1 Bc5
{Black has reasonable compensation for the exchange due to his perfect control
on the dark squares and White's numerous weaknesses.}) 33. Bf2 a5 34. Bxb6 axb4
35. a5 b3 36. Kh1 e5 $2 {The idea of activating the knight is right, but
unfortunately the last move obstructs hia own bishop.} (36... b2 {may still
have been better, even though after} 37. Rb1 {Black should probably lose a
tempo over the previous similar line with} Re8 {folloed by ...Rb8.}) 37. f5 Nf4
38. Bb1 d5 {The logical follow up of ...e6-e5, but concretely this pwn break
is unsound.} 39. exd5 Bxb5 (39... Nxd5 {does not work either:} 40. cxd5 Bxb5
41. Qb4 Qa6 (41... Rxd5 42. Be4 $18) 42. d6 Re8 43. Rc5 $16) 40. cxb5 Qxd5 41.
Be4 {The time trouble is over and White has managed to maintain his stability
while his a-pawn is very threatening.} Qd2 $2 {Leaving White with both passed
pawns alive is equivalent to suicide.} ({Mamedyarov probably discarded} 41...
Qxb5 {on account of Be4-c6, but winning the exchange would actually deprive
White from his perfect stability.} 42. g3 (42. Bc6 $2 {is actually playing
with fire:} Qb4 43. Bxd7 Rxd7 44. g3 b2 45. Rb1 h5 46. Qf3 Nd3 $36 {with
complete black domination.}) 42... Kh7 ({One of the problems with having the
rooks away from the bck rank is that} 42... Nd3 $2 {leads to mate:} 43. Rc8+
Kh7 44. Qg6+ fxg6 45. fxg6#) 43. Bc6 Qa6 44. gxf4 b2 45. Rb1 Rd2 $16 {Black
does not have enough compensation for the piece, but has reasonable saving
chances due to the exposed white king and strong b2-pawn.}) 42. a6 ({Since the
knight cannot move away,} 42. g3 {would win material for instance} b2 43. Rc8+
Kh7 44. Rg1 $18) 42... b2 43. Rb1 Qb4 44. Bc6 Rd3 45. Be3 $2 {Finally throwing
away the win.} (45. a7 $2 Rxa7 46. Bxa7 h5 $19 {traps the queen.}) (45. Re3 $1
$18 {would have prevented the game manoeuvre making the a-pawn unstoppable.})
45... Ra3 $44 46. a7 $6 {This makes Black's play simple as it absolves him
from the need of keeping an eye on the passed pawn.} (46. g3 $5 h5 47. Qf3 Nd3
48. Rf1 e4 49. Qxh5 Ra1 $13) 46... Rexa7 47. Bxa7 Rxa7 48. Qd1 Ra3 49. Be4 Qxb5
50. Qd2 Rb3 {Black has eliminated the passed pawns and retains two pawns for
the exchange. But he cannot claim a clear advantage yet before solving the
problem of his unstable knight.} 51. g3 Nh3 52. Bg2 Ng5 53. h4 Nf3 54. Bxf3
Rxf3 55. Rxb2 {Black has accomplished the aforementioned task, but lost the
b-pawn in the process. His play remains more pleasant, but possibly White
could hold his own.} Qa4 56. Re3 e4 57. Rb8+ (57. Rxf3 {should reach a draw
but the following line is not easy to calculate nor to evaluate.} exf3 {
[%cal Ga4e4]} 58. Rb4 Qa1+ 59. Kh2 Qf1 {Since the rook is dominated by the
bishop (b2) and the queen (c4) there seems to be no way of defending against ..
.f3-f2.} 60. Rb8+ $1 {The only way to return with the rook to the defence.} Kh7
61. Rc8 $1 f2 62. Rc1 Qc4 $1 {Otherwise Black would lose the pawn..} 63. Rxc4 (
{This leads to a simpler draw than} 63. Kg2 Qe4+ 64. Kh3 Qxf5+ 65. Kg2 Qe4+ 66.
Kh3 Bd4 67. Qf4 {when Black still has some practical chances.}) 63... f1=N+ 64.
Kh3 Nxd2 65. Rc7 Kg8 66. Rc8+ Kh7 67. Rf8 $11) 57... Kh7 58. Kg2 Qc6 $1 ({
More ambitious than} 58... Rxf5 59. Rb4 Qa1 60. Qe1 Qxe1 61. Rxe1 Bc3 62. Rexe4
$11 {with an obvious draw.}) 59. Rxf3 exf3+ 60. Kf2 $2 {The king will now land
in troubles.} (60. Kh3 $1 Qe4 61. Rb4 Qxf5+ 62. g4 f2 $1 63. gxf5 f1=Q+ 64. Qg2
Qxf5+ 65. Qg4 {The king has breathing space now and White's pieces are
coordinated. One drawing idea would be exchanging queens with Qe4+ while after}
Qd3+ 66. Qg3 Qd1 67. Qf4 {the threat Qf5 more or less forces Black into giving
a perpetual or allowing the exchange of queens.}) 60... Be7 61. Qd3 Bc5+ 62.
Kf1 Ba7 63. Rb1 Qc5 64. Ke1 $2 (64. f6+ {still offered some saving chances,
due to the weakness of the f7-square.} g6 65. Ke1 h5 (65... Qf2+ $6 66. Kd1 h5
67. Rb7 $1 $11) 66. Qxf3 Qg1+ 67. Qf1 Qxg3+ $17) 64... Qf2+ 65. Kd1 f6 $3 $19 {
Now White is just lost. He has no counterplay and can only follow how his
pawns are falling one after another.} 66. Rb3 Qg1+ 67. Kc2 Qg2+ 68. Kc3 (68.
Kc1 f2) 68... Qxg3 69. h5 Qe5+ 70. Kb4 Qf4+ 71. Kb5 f2 72. Rb1 Qg4 73. Ra1 Bd4
74. Rf1 Qg2 75. Kc4 Bb6 76. Kb5 Be3 77. Ka4 Bd2 78. Kb5 Be1 79. Kc5 Qg4 80. Kd6
Qxh5 81. Ke7 {Trying a desperate attack as the only alternative to watching
the h-pawn promoting.} Qh2 82. Qd8 Qh3 83. Qc8 Bb4+ 84. Ke8 Qh5+ 85. Kd8 Qe2
86. Qc1 Be1 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.19"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2811"]
[BlackElo "2718"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 4. Ba4 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:00]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 6. Re1 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 7. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:19]
} 8. a4 {[%emt 0:00:11]} b4 {[%emt 0:00:29]} 9. d4 {[%emt 0:00:16]} d6 {
[%emt 0:00:12]} 10. dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Nxe5 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 11. Nxe5 {
[%emt 0:00:13]} dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 12. Qe2 {[%emt 0:00:17]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:02:
53]} 13. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:32]} Bd4 {[%emt 0:00:28]} 14. Bxd4 {[%emt 0:00:29]}
Qxd4 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 15. Rd1 {[%emt 0:00:25]} Bg4 {[%emt 0:15:20]} 16. Rxd4 {
[%emt 0:00:19]} Bxe2 {[%emt 0:02:00]} 17. Rd2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rfd8 {[%emt 0:
03:05]} 18. f3 {[%emt 0:00:57]} Rxd2 {[%emt 0:01:53]} 19. Nxd2 {[%emt 0:00:05]}
Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 20. Nc4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:44]} 21. Bxc4 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} a5 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 22. Rc1 {[%emt 0:00:25]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:28:
08]} 23. c3 {[%emt 0:00:41]} b3 {[%emt 0:05:06]} 24. Rb1 {[%emt 0:01:17]} Rb8 {
[%emt 0:16:21]} 25. Ra1 {[%emt 0:00:22]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:05:47]} 26. Ra3 {[%emt 0:
06:19]} Rd1+ {[%emt 0:01:58]} 27. Bf1 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 28.
Rxb3 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Nb6 {[%emt 0:00:56]} 29. Kf2 {[%emt 0:45:00]} Nxa4 {
[%emt 0:00:16]} 30. Rb8+ {[%emt 0:03:03]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 31. Rb5 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} Kd6 {[%emt 0:06:21]} 32. Be2 {[%emt 0:04:41]} Rd2 {[%emt 0:00:
57]} 33. Rxa5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Nxb2 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 34. Ke3 {[%emt 0:00:34]}
Rc2 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 35. Rd5+ {[%emt 0:00:17]} Ke6 {[%emt 0:00:34]} 36. Rc5 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} Kd6 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 37. Rd5+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} Ke6 {[%emt 0:00:
03]} 38. Rc5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.19"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E03"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:01:36]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:
00:06]} 3. g3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:01:19]} 4. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} dxc4
{[%emt 0:00:18]} 5. Qa4+ {[%emt 0:00:07]} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:03:21]} 6. Qxc4 {
[%emt 0:00:27]} a6 {[%emt 0:06:39]} 7. Qc2 {[%emt 0:02:01]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:40]}
8. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} b5 {[%emt 0:02:16]} 9. Ne5 {[%emt 0:00:21]} Nd5 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} 10. Nxd7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Bxd7 {[%emt 0:00:28]} 11. Bxd5 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} exd5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 12. dxc5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Bc6 {[%emt 0:
01:14]} 13. O-O {[%emt 0:00:11]} d4 {[%emt 0:00:32]} 14. Bf4 {[%emt 0:01:13]}
Qd5 {[%emt 0:04:30]} 15. f3 {[%emt 0:00:11]} d3 {[%emt 0:00:27]} 16. exd3 {
[%emt 0:02:17]} Qxc5+ {[%emt 0:08:51]} 17. Qxc5 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Bxc5+ {
[%emt 0:00:07]} 18. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Bd4 {[%emt 0:02:22]} 19. Nc3 {[%emt 0:
04:11]} Kd7 {[%emt 0:08:54]} 20. Rae1 {[%emt 0:07:48]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.19"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Hou, Yifan"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B19"]
[WhiteElo "2680"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 2. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:
00:05]} 3. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} dxe4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 4. Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:03]}
Bf5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 5. Ng3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bg6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 6. h4 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} h6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 7. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:18]}
8. Ne5 {[%emt 0:00:19]} Bh7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 9. Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Bxd3 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} 10. Qxd3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 11. f4 {[%emt 0:
01:28]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:43]} 12. Bd2 {[%emt 0:07:26]} Nxe5 {[%emt 0:00:27]} 13.
fxe5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Bxh4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 14. O-O-O {[%emt 0:00:40]} Bxg3 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} 15. Qxg3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 16. Qxg7 {
[%emt 0:19:08]} Rg8 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 17. Qf6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nf5 {[%emt 0:12:
44]} 18. Bxh6 {[%emt 0:02:50]} Qxf6 {[%emt 0:18:23]} 19. exf6 {[%emt 0:00:05]}
Rd8 {[%emt 0:06:24]} 20. Bf4 {[%emt 0:12:45]} Nxd4 {[%emt 0:14:14]} 21. Rd2 {
[%emt 0:20:02]} c5 {[%emt 0:03:57]} 22. c3 {[%emt 0:03:10]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:47]
} 23. Bd6 {[%emt 0:02:40]} b6 {[%emt 0:01:20]} 24. b4 {[%emt 0:04:04]} cxb4 {
[%emt 0:05:01]} 25. cxb4 {[%emt 0:00:33]} a5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 26. b5 {[%emt 0:
16:40]} Na7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 27. a4 {[%emt 0:01:21]} Nc8 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 28.
Rhd1 {[%emt 0:06:16]} Rg4 {[%emt 0:00:36]} 29. Bb8 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Rxd2 {
[%emt 0:10:51]} 30. Rxd2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rxa4 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 31. Rc2 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} Kd8 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 32. Rd2+ {[%emt 0:05:10]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.19"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A49"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2640"]
[Annotator "Yermolinsky,A"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:29]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} g6 {
[%emt 0:00:12]} 3. g3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 4. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:
03]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:08]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:05]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 6. Re1 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} c6 $6 {[%emt 0:09:34]} ({I think} 6... c5 {represents Black's
best option here.}) 7. e4 {[%emt 0:03:48]} Qc7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} ({Probably} 
7... Bg4 {has to be played, but parting with the bishop is a concession,
particularly here where, unlike in the KID, the white c-pawn can give
protection to the d4-pawn.}) 8. e5 {[%emt 0:06:58] A novelty, but the reason
it had not been played before is because good players never had a crack at
this position.} dxe5 {[%emt 0:04:50]} 9. dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:
53]} 10. Qe2 $14 {[%emt 0:01:45] Sometimes White goes from an early e4-e5 in
various variations of the Pirc, but here with the fianchettoed light-squared
bishop he has the perfect version of it.} b5 {[%emt 0:05:17]} (10... Bg4 11. c4
Nb6 12. Bf4 Qc8 13. Nc3 c5) 11. Nbd2 {[%emt 0:11:34]} a5 {[%emt 0:13:23]} 12.
c4 {[%emt 0:09:09]} Nb4 {[%emt 0:09:29]} 13. Nd4 {[%emt 0:03:08]} Rd8 $1 {
[%emt 0:02:15] I have to give credit to Gawain Jones for his spirited defence.}
14. a3 {[%emt 0:01:13]} Rxd4 {[%emt 0:03:37]} 15. axb4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} bxc4 {
[%emt 0:05:53]} 16. Nxc4 {[%emt 0:05:38]} Bg4 $1 {[%emt 0:07:12] Black's
counterplay isn't so easy to contain.} 17. Qf1 $5 {[%emt 0:11:47] Watch
Kramnik's solution to the problem.} (17. Qc2 Bf5 18. Be4 Be6 19. Nxa5 Rxb4 20.
Bd2 Rd4 {is a bit confusing.}) ({And the same goes for} 17. f3 Be6 18. b3 a4
19. f4 axb3 $1 20. Rxa8 Rxc4) 17... Bf5 {[%emt 0:03:11]} 18. Be3 $1 {[%emt 0:
02:23] There's nothing Vladimir values more in chess than an opportunity to
take away the opponent's counterplay, even at the cost of a small material
concession. We have seen many of his games with exchange sacrifices, and now
Kramnik is happy to part with his queen.} Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:47]} 19. Bxd4 {
[%emt 0:00:15]} Bxf1 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 20. Bxf1 {[%emt 0:00:58]} c5 {[%emt 0:10:
30]} 21. Bxc5 {[%emt 0:04:51]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:03:53]} 22. Bd4 {[%emt 0:01:00]} a4
{[%emt 0:00:46]} 23. b5 {[%emt 0:04:53]} Rb8 {[%emt 0:01:51]} 24. Rec1 {
[%emt 0:10:25]} h5 $16 {[%emt 0:06:57]} 25. b6 $6 {[%emt 0:09:07] Perhaps that
pawn spoke too soon.} ({Further preparation, beginning with} 25. Bg2 {was in
order.}) 25... Qc6 {[%emt 0:05:05]} 26. Na5 {[%emt 0:04:41]} (26. Bg2 Qb5)
26... Qe6 {[%emt 0:03:36]} 27. Bc4 {[%emt 0:05:58]} Qg4 {[%emt 0:00:34]} 28.
Nc6 {[%emt 0:01:45]} Rxb6 {[%emt 0:02:15] Jones was happy to get rid of that
pawn no matter the cost.} 29. Bxb6 {[%emt 0:04:37]} Nxb6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 30.
Nxe7+ {[%emt 0:00:43]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 31. Nd5 {[%emt 0:03:30]} Bxe5 $5 {
[%emt 0:02:35] Now Gawain shows his ambitions.} (31... Nxd5 32. Bxd5 Bxe5 33.
Rc4 Qe2 34. Rcxa4 Bxb2 {would be enough for a draw.}) 32. Nxb6 {[%emt 0:03:03]}
Bxb2 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 33. h3 $6 {[%emt 0:01:43] Being short of time Kramnik
decides to eliminate the a-pawn.} (33. Rab1 Bxc1 34. Rxc1 a3 35. Nd5 Qd4 36.
Ne3 {would be safe for him anyway, but I'm not sure White would have been able
to generate winning chances from there.}) 33... Qxh3 {[%emt 0:04:40]} 34. Bf1 {
[%emt 0:00:20]} Qe6 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 35. Nxa4 {[%emt 0:00:59]} Bxa1 {[%emt 0:
00:39]} 36. Rxa1 {[%emt 0:00:01]} h4 {[%emt 0:00:26]} 37. Nc5 {[%emt 0:01:06]}
Qd5 {[%emt 0:01:05]} 38. Rc1 {[%emt 0:00:34]} hxg3 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 39. Nd3 {
[%emt 0:00:26]} gxf2+ {[%emt 0:05:15]} 40. Kxf2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Qd4+ {[%emt 0:
00:22]} 41. Ke2 {[%emt 0:08:45]} Qg4+ {[%emt 0:04:00]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.19"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A13"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2834"]
[Annotator "Yermolinsky,A"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:58]} 2. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Bb4 $5 {
[%emt 0:00:08] Back in the day we used to call it a Poor Man's Nimzo, but, in
fact, it is a fully playable line.} 3. Qb3 {[%emt 0:01:20]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:20]}
({The more solid} 3... Ba5 {was seen in Giri-Kramnik earlier in this
tournament.}) 4. Nb5 $5 {[%emt 0:07:54] This extravagant move has been known
for some time. I'm sure Carlsen counted on it in his preparation.} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:07:15]} 5. Nd6+ {[%emt 0:00:58]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:02:27]} (5... Ke7 $5 6.
Qg3 Kf8 {is an interesting nuance. The white queen may find itself not
supported by other pieces, and therefore, out of place on the kingside.}) 6.
Nf3 $6 {[%emt 0:01:10] It is funny to even question this natural developing
move, but the thing is, that knight is going to be driven back!} ({Instead,
let's take a look at one possible alternative:} 6. g3 Qe7 7. Nxc8 Rxc8 8. Bg2
Nf6 9. Nf3 e5 10. O-O e4 $6 ({A more reasonable move is} 10... g6 11. d3 Kg7
$14) 11. Ne1 Nd4 12. Qd1 {It may seem from a casual glance that Black has made
some progress, but his position has a rotten foundation. The absence of a
light-squared bishop, a stray bishop on b4, uncastled king and disconnected
rooks do not inspire confidence in his success in the long run. One thing left
to do is to play} h5 {and hope for the best.}) 6... Qe7 {[%emt 0:01:30]} 7.
Nxc8 {[%emt 0:01:26]} Rxc8 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 8. e3 {[%emt 0:12:28]} e5 $5 {
[%emt 0:02:03] Carlsen is absolutely right: Black must act fast and disrupt
White's smooth development.} ({In that respect} 8... g5 $5 {also comes into
consideration.}) 9. Qc2 {[%emt 0:01:00]} e4 {[%emt 0:09:34]} 10. Ng1 {[%emt 0:
00:22]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:02:12]} 11. Ne2 {[%emt 0:03:05]} Ba5 {[%emt 0:02:12]} 12.
a3 {[%emt 0:05:21]} h5 $1 {[%emt 0:13:39] A remarkable move. It serves as a
deterrent against White's idea of fianchettoing his light-squared bishop, and
prepares a possibility of development for the h8-rook.} (12... d5 13. cxd5 Nxd5
14. Ng3) 13. b3 {[%emt 0:09:03]} (13. g3 $2 h4) 13... Rd8 {[%emt 0:03:20]
Magnus prepares to open the d-file to pressurise d2.} ({He could have done so
right away,} 13... d5 14. cxd5 Nxd5 15. Ng3 (15. Bb2 Ncb4 16. axb4 Nxb4 17. Qb1
Nd3+ 18. Kd1 Nxf2+ 19. Ke1 Nd3+ 20. Kd1 {would give Black a choice between a
draw by repetition, and a more ambitious try} Bb4 $5) 15... Nf6 16. h4 {
and play} Rd8 {then. Either way, Black is getting some play, and possibly,
more!}) 14. Bb2 {[%emt 0:10:30]} d5 {[%emt 0:12:59]} 15. cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:22]}
Rxd5 {[%emt 0:02:49]} 16. O-O-O $1 {[%emt 0:05:09] Excellent play by Svidler.
With the black rook off the c-file he is safe against all ...Nb4 tricks.} Ng4
$1 {[%emt 0:01:25] Once again Carlsen shows his deep understanding of dynamic
factors.} ({A slow approach, such as} 16... h4 17. Nf4 Rd8 {would allow White
to switch to positional tracks with} 18. Bb5 $5 Bc7 19. Bxc6 bxc6 20. d3 $14)
17. Ng3 $5 {[%emt 0:23:27] Peter Svidler is no stranger to tactical battles.
He knows the value of being the one in the driver's seat.} ({He rejected} 17.
Nf4 Rf5 18. Nh3 {most likely on account of} c4 $1 ({Not} 18... Nxf2 19. Nxf2
Rxf2 20. Bc4 f6 21. Bd5 $14) 19. b4 (19. Bxc4 b5 {look out for that rook
coming to c5!}) 19... Bxb4 20. axb4 Nxb4 21. Qa4 b5 {with a big intiative for
Black.}) 17... Nxf2 {[%emt 0:00:47]} 18. Bc4 {[%emt 0:01:33]} Nxd1 {[%emt 0:10:
24]} 19. Rxd1 {[%emt 0:00:17]} Rg5 $1 {[%emt 0:09:43] The white knight had to
be kept off f5.} 20. Rf1 {[%emt 0:00:35] This looks very difficult to defend,
but no worries, it's Magnus at the controls.} Nd8 $1 {[%emt 0:00:09]} (20... f6
$2 21. Nxe4 Rxg2 22. Nxf6 $1 $18) 21. Nf5 {[%emt 0:07:57]} ({With no target
present on f6} 21. Nxe4 {is pointless:} Rxg2 $15) 21... Qd7 {[%emt 0:00:09]}
22. Qxe4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Rg4 {[%emt 0:02:30] Carlsen's move forces White's
hand.} (22... b5 23. Bd5 h4 24. Qf3 {is very much unclear.}) 23. Bxg7+ {
[%emt 0:06:21] After some consideration Svidler decided to wrap up this
exciting game.} ({I can't blame him for taking a draw, as} 23. Qc2 Rxg2 24.
Bxg7+ Rxg7 25. Nxg7 {would have led to an ending,} Qxd2+ ({no need to allow} 
25... Kxg7 $6 26. b4 $1) 26. Qxd2 Bxd2+ 27. Kxd2 Kxg7 28. Ke2 b6 29. Rd1 Nc6
30. Rd7 Ne5 31. Rxa7 Rh6 {where chances are about even.}) 23... Rxg7 {[%emt 0:
04:05]} 24. Nxg7 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Qxd2+ {[%emt 0:01:03] All is forced now.} 25.
Kb1 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bc3 {[%emt 0:00:37]} 26. Rxf7+ {[%emt 0:00:31]} Nxf7 {
[%emt 0:00:03]} 27. Qe8+ {[%emt 0:01:37]} Kxg7 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 28. Qxf7+ {
[%emt 0:00:04]} Kh6 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 29. Qf4+ {[%emt 0:00:06]} Kg6 {[%emt 0:00:
14]} 30. Qf7+ {[%emt 0:00:04]} Kh6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 31. Qf4+ {[%emt 0:00:04]
With draws like this, who needs decisive games?} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.19"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A17"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. Bxc4 a6 6. b3 $5 {An extremely
rare way of avoiding the Queen's Gambit Accepted.} c5 ({In the only other game
played at grandmaster level Black played more carelessly:} 6... Be7 7. Bb2 O-O
8. Be2 c5 9. Rg1 {White does more or less the same as in our main game.} b5 10.
g4 b4 $6 {an unnecessary weakening.} 11. Na4 Bb7 12. g5 Nd5 13. Qc2 Nd7 {
Khismatullin,D (2628)-Grachev,B (2645) Sochi 2017 (0-1, 99)} 14. h4 {[%cal
Gh4h5]} N5b6 15. Nxb6 Qxb6 16. Nh2 $16) 7. Bb2 Nc6 8. Qc2 Be7 9. a3 b6 {
A hyper cautious move.} ({But Black could have played the natural} 9... b5 10.
Be2 Bb7 {for instance:} 11. a4 Nb4 (11... b4 12. Nb1 O-O 13. d3 Nd5 14. Nbd2
Nc3 15. Rc1 Rc8 16. Bxc3 bxc3 17. Qxc3 Nb4 18. Rd1 Bf6 19. Qc4 {offers Black
active play, but probably not entirely adequate compensation for the pawn. The
fact is that White is quite solid on the light squares.}) 12. Qb1 bxa4 13. Rxa4
O-O {with satisfactory play.}) 10. g4 {Trying to speed up the attack.} (10. Rg1
{may simply transpose.}) 10... h6 {Again a solid approach.} (10... Nxg4 {
deserves mentioning.} 11. Rg1 (11. Qe4 Nf6 12. Qxc6+ Bd7 13. Qb7 Rb8 14. Qxa6
Ra8 $11 {with perpetual harassing of the queen.}) 11... f5 12. h3 Nce5 13. Nxe5
Nxe5 14. Rxg7 Bf6 15. Rg3 b5 16. Be2 Bb7 17. O-O-O {Black is active and has
more space, but his king is a bit unsafe. Whit's play may be just easier in
the least of the cases.}) 11. Rg1 b5 ({Basically losing a tempo. Black might
have feared leaving the bishop on c4 due to} 11... Bb7 12. g5 hxg5 13. Nxg5 Rh6
14. Bxe6 $5 fxe6 15. Nxe6 {but things are not entirely clear as the king can
run away from the dangerous area:} Qd7 16. Nxg7+ Kd8) 12. Be2 Bb7 13. g5 hxg5
14. Nxg5 Rh6 (14... Rxh2 {is too risky:} 15. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 16. Qg6+ Kf8 17. Ne4
Ne8 18. Bxg7+ Nxg7 19. Rc1 $5 $16 {The g7-knight is not running anywhere so
White opens a new front along the c-file. The c5-pawn is in danger.} Nd4 $5 20.
Qxg7+ Ke8 21. Qg6+ Kd7 22. exd4 {[%cal Ge2g4,Ge4c5]} Qg8 (22... Qf8 23. Qg3 $1
$18) 23. Qxg8 Rxg8 24. Rxg8 Rh1+ 25. Bf1 Bxe4 26. f3 Bxf3 27. Kf2 Be4 28. dxc5
{and White should win.}) 15. Nce4 (15. Bf3 Rc8) 15... Nxe4 {This slightly
helps White developing the initiative.} (15... Na5 $5 {[%cal Gb7d5,Ga8c8]} 16.
d3 {[%cal Gb7d5,Ge4d2]} (16. b4 cxb4 17. axb4 Nc6 18. Nxf6+ gxf6 19. Ne4 Kf8 {
leaves White's pawns hanging while the black king is relatively safe.}) 16...
Rc8 {with certain counterplay.}) 16. Nxe4 g6 $6 {Too passive.} (16... Qd5 $5
17. Bxg7 Rxh2 18. Nf6+ Bxf6 19. Bxf6 Rc8 {With his king facing problems
allowing the rook connection (one ould not think of castling long) White
cannot make use of his bishop pair at its best.}) 17. Nxc5 Bxc5 18. Qxc5 Rxh2
19. a4 $36 {Instead of counterplay, Black only has queenside problems now.} Qh4
$2 {A desperate counterattack, which mainly weakens his own king's defence.} (
19... Rc8 $5 20. Bg7 Qe7 (20... Ne7 21. Qe5 $16) 21. Qxe7+ Kxe7 {[%cal Gf7f6]}
22. Bb2 (22. axb5 axb5 23. Bf3 {[%csl Gh1]} f6 24. Rxg6 Kf7 25. Rh6 Rxh6 26.
Bxh6 Rh8 27. Rc1 Rxh6 28. Bxc6 Bxc6 29. Rxc6 Rh1+ 30. Ke2 Rb1 31. Rc3 b4 $11)
22... b4 23. Rc1 {with some vague hopes for an encgame advantage due to his
bishops. The problem is that Black is active and the b3-pawn causes some
worries.}) 20. Rf1 Rc8 21. Qb6 {At this point White's initiative should be
decisive.} Nd8 22. axb5 Bg2 23. Ra4 Qh3 24. Ba3 {White starts missing simple
wins.} (24. bxa6 Bxf1 25. Bxf1 Rh1 26. Qb5+ Nc6 27. a7 $18) 24... Rh1 25. bxa6
Qh8 (25... Bxf1 26. Qb5+ Nc6 27. Bxf1 $18) 26. Rd4 $2 {Throwing away the win
by just one stroke.} (26. d4 $18) (26. Qb5+ Nc6 27. d4 $18) 26... Bxf1 27. Qb5+
$2 {White could have still forced a draw in at least two ways.} (27. Rxd8+ Rxd8
28. Qc6+ Rd7 29. Qc8+ Rd8 $11) (27. Bxf1 Nc6 28. a7 Nxd4 29. exd4 Rxf1+ 30.
Kxf1 Qh1+ 31. Ke2 Qe4+ 32. Kd1 Qd3 33. Bc5 Qb1+ {and this time it is Black who
has the perpetual.}) 27... Nc6 28. Bxf1 Rxf1+ $1 {The start of a simple
combination winning material.} 29. Kxf1 Qh1+ 30. Ke2 Qh5+ 31. Qxh5 Nxd4+ $1 32.
exd4 gxh5 {The position is not easy to assess but White's connected pawns are
not dangerous so Black can hope stopping them and winning one of them, with
reasonable winnin chances.} 33. b4 (33. a7 Kd7 34. Bc5 Kc6 35. Kf1 Rg8 $1 $19 {
followed by the advance of the h-pawn.}) 33... Rb8 34. Kf3 Kd7 35. Kg3 Kc6 ({
It would have been better to activate the rook with} 35... Rb6 $1 36. b5 Rxb5
37. Bc5 Kc6 38. a7 Kb7 {with similar play as in the final phase of the game.})
36. b5+ $2 ({Black in vain forces Black into activating his rook. The best
defence was} 36. a7 Ra8 37. b5+ Kxb5 38. Bc5 Rh8 39. Kh4 Kc6 40. Be7 Kb7 41.
Bc5 Rh6 42. Kg5 Rh7 43. Kh4 Rh8 {White will soon land in zugzwang so he should
change the defensive system before advancing his pawns from the second rank.}
44. d5 exd5 45. f4 ({Probably the only saving setup. If} 45. Bd4 Re8 46. Kxh5
Re4 47. Bc5 Rc4 48. Bb6 d4 49. Kg5 Ra4 {or}) (45. Be3 Rd8 46. Kxh5 d4 47. Bg5
Rd6 48. Kg4 Kxa7 {Black should win.}) 45... Rc8 46. Be3 Rc4 47. Kxh5 d4 48. Bf2
d3 49. Kg4 Re4 50. Kf3 Re2 51. Be3 {[%cal Gf3e4] This defensive system seems
reliable enough.} f5 52. Bd4 Rxd2 53. Ke3 Rd1 54. Bc5 Ka8 55. Bd4 {with a draw
since} Rf1 56. Kxd3 Rxf4 {does not offer Black any constructive idea.}) 36...
Rxb5 37. Bc5 Rb2 38. a7 Kb7 39. d5 {Too late.} exd5 40. Be3 Rb4 {[%cal Gd5d4]}
41. d4 (41. Bc5 Rb3+ 42. f3 Rd3 43. Be3 d4 $19) 41... Rb1 {White cannot win
the h-pawn but will lose his a-pawn so he resigned.} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.20"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C50"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. a4 d6 6. c3 a6 7. Bg5 {When I
started playing 1...e5 some 30 years ago these lines with an early a2-a4 did
not exist at all. But one of the first things I learned was that with Black's
king still in the centre Bg5 is not recommendable, as after ...h7-h6 and ...
g7-g5 the knight sacrfice on g5 is not viable.} h6 8. Bh4 Ba7 9. Nbd2 Qe7 ({
Still preparing the kingside attack. But} 9... g5 10. Bg3 O-O ({If} 10... Nh5 {
White has} 11. Nxe5 Nxg3 12. Bxf7+ Ke7 13. Ng6+ Kxf7 14. Nxh8+ Qxh8 15. hxg3 {
White is not worse from material point of view but Black's king is exposed and
Black's main pride, the a7-bishop, will turn into a mere spectator after d3-d4.
True, 10...Qe7 would probably transpose, but abstractly it is better to keep
the inevitable ...g7-g5 in reserve.}) 11. O-O Nh7 12. h3 h5 {is playable, as
in Topalov,V (2760)-So,W (2794) London 2016 CBM 176 [Stohl,I] (0-1, 27)}) 10.
h3 ({A rare and mysterious move. Since the later bishop retreat to h2 will
prove a waste of time, it means Anand wanted to control g4. His plan for this
game was based on Qe2, so it is worth checking what could have happened after} 
10. Qe2 g5 ({The more solid} 10... Be6 {is entirely playable, but not
essential for the question raised above.} 11. b4 O-O 12. O-O Rfe8 13. Rfb1 Rab8
14. a5 Bxc4 15. Nxc4 Qe6 16. Bxf6 Qxf6 17. b5 axb5 18. Rxb5 Nd8 19. Rab1 Ra8
20. g3 Qe6 21. Kg2 c6 22. R5b2 Bb8 23. Ra1 Bc7 {Najer,E (2707)-Aleksandrov,A 
(2580) Tbilisi 2017 (1-0, 51) and Black can be content with his position.}) 11.
Bg3 h5 $5 ({A romantic plan.} 11... g4 {is hardly a problem due to} 12. Bh4 $5)
(11... Bg4 12. h3 Bh5 {may be another reason, as the queen would look strange
on e2.}) 12. h4 (12. Nxg5 h4 {may explain why Anand needed the h2-square, but
even this is not entirely clear:} 13. Bxf7+ Kf8 14. O-O-O Kg7 15. Bb3 hxg3 16.
hxg3 Bd7 17. f4 {with reasonable play for the sacrificed piece.}) 12... g4 13.
Ng5 Rf8 14. f4 gxf3 15. gxf3 {This position does not look like a reason to
waste time and weaken the kingside with h2-h3, as White is more active.
Kramnik opined that his opponent had mixed up something in the opening. I
suppose this could be one of the moments he had in mind.}) (10. b4 Bd7 11. Rb1
g5 12. Bg3 Nh5 {Salem,A (2638)-Giri,A (2775) Geneva 2017 CBM 180 [Szabo,Kr] 
(0-1, 43)}) 10... g5 11. Bg3 Nh5 12. Qe2 (12. Nxe5 $2 Nxg3 13. Bxf7+ Kd8 $1 14.
Ng6 {(wthout check!)} Qxf7 {winning the knight due to the threat ...Qxf2#.}) ({
The following game is an illustration about what could have happened had Anand
not played g2-g4 later.} 12. Bh2 Nf4 13. Bxf4 gxf4 14. b4 Rg8 15. Rg1 Be6 16.
a5 Nd8 17. b5 axb5 18. Bxb5+ c6 19. Ba4 f5 $17 {Voigt,R (2381)-Karpatchev,A 
(2461) Leipzig 2004 (0-1, 36)}) (12. Nf1 Nf4 13. Rg1 {is awfully passive.} Be6
14. Bxe6 fxe6 15. Ne3 O-O-O 16. b4 d5 17. exd5 exd5 18. b5 e4 19. bxc6 exf3 20.
Qxf3 Rhf8 $17 {Berenyi,G (2230)-Timoshenko,G (2475) Budapest 1991 (0-1, 27)
with a huge attack.}) 12... Qf6 13. Bh2 ({On the previous move Black refrained
from opening the f-file, but now the exchange on g3 may be a real threat. For
instance if} 13. Kd1 Nxg3 14. fxg3 h5 15. Rf1 {Black is in time to regroup with
} Qg7) 13... Nf4 14. Bxf4 gxf4 15. g4 {Trying to stabilise the kingside. We
already know that playing with a backward pawn on g2 is passive.} Ne7 16. b4 {
Anand seems to have been convinced that Kramnik would castle long. But since
this did not happen, his queenside plan only creates weaknesses.} ({He should
have carried on his regrouping with} 16. Kd1 Ng6 17. Kc2 {One important point
is that} h5 {can be met with} 18. gxh5 $1 Rxh5 19. h4 Nxh4 $6 20. Rag1 $14 {
We can understand now why saving the tempo b2-b4 was useful.}) 16... Ng6 17.
Kd1 h5 18. g5 {Under the given circumstances it is Black already who benefits
from stabilising the kingside.} ({But} 18. gxh5 {does not work anymore:} Rxh5
19. h4 (19. Qf1 Bd7 20. Kc2 Ke7 $17 {followed by ...Rah8 i awfully passive for
White.}) 19... Nxh4 20. Kc2 Ke7 21. Rag1 Bd7 $17 {[%cal Ga8h8]}) 18... Qe7 19.
b5 (19. Kc2 $15 {was better, inviting Black to find a way of opening the
queenside.}) 19... Kf8 20. bxa6 {Continuing the global suicidal plan of
opening the queenside.} ({But by now Black can more or less force the opening
of the queenside anyway:} 20. d4 $5 Kg7 21. Kc2 c6 $5) 20... bxa6 21. d4 Kg7
22. d5 {An obvious positional concession, clearing the path for the bishop on
a7 and restricting his own bishop.} (22. Kc2 exd4 23. cxd4 a5 $36 {[%cal Gc7c6,
Gd6d5]}) 22... Bd7 23. Kc2 Rhb8 ({One more doubt about why did Anand play his
last move is raised by} 23... c6 $17 {opening the c-file.}) 24. Bxa6 {Trying
to build up a fortress on the light squares.} (24. h4 {[%cal Gh1b1]} Qe8 (24...
Bg4 $17 {[%csl Gh4]}) 25. a5 c6 $17) 24... Bxf2 25. Bb5 (25. Qxf2 Rxa6 {
retrieves the a-pawn soon, with a decisive attack along the newly opened files.
.}) 25... Be3 26. h4 (26. Nc4 Bxb5 27. axb5 Rxa1 28. Rxa1 Qd7 29. Nxe3 fxe3 30.
c4 Qxh3 {The h-pawn and the g6-knight (especially after ...Nf4) are very
annoying.}) (26. c4 Rc8 {followed by ...c7-c6 is even stronger than with the
pawn on c3.}) 26... Ra5 {Black has a pleasant choices on each move, but
Kramnik's play is logical and effective.} 27. c4 Rba8 28. Kb3 (28. Nb3 Bxb5 $5
(28... R5a7 29. a5 Bg4 {is also strong.}) 29. Nxa5 Bd7 30. Nb3 (30. Nc6 Bxc6
31. dxc6 Qe6 {followed by either ...Ne7xc6 or ...Ra6.}) 30... Bxa4 31. Kc3 Qd7
32. Rhb1 c6 $19 {[%csl Ga4,Rc3,Ge3]}) 28... Nf8 {[%cal Gf8d7,Gd7c5] The start
of the final and decisive regrouping.} 29. Rhc1 Bg4 30. Kc2 Bxd2 31. Kxd2 Nd7
32. Ra3 Nc5 33. Bc6 Rb8 34. Ke1 Qd8 $1 35. Qc2 Bxf3 36. Rxf3 Qc8 {After ...Qg4
White will soon collapse on both wings.} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.20"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Hou, Yifan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D35"]
[WhiteElo "2834"]
[BlackElo "2680"]
[Annotator "Golubev,M"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. cxd5 Nxd5 $5 5. e3 ({Principled lines are
connected with e2-e4 (as Magnus twice successfully played in 2016 in the short
control games against Kramnik) or} 5. Nf3 {first.}) 5... c5 $1 6. Bd3 ({
A rare continuation, which was used by Geller sixty years ago but was not seen
often after that. More standard is} 6. Nf3 {transposing to Carlsen's own 2010
rapid game against Hammer.}) 6... cxd4 7. exd4 Nxc3 $5 {Indeed, there were
alternatives for Black here and on the previous move.} 8. bxc3 Qc7 9. Bd2 Nd7
$1 10. Qg4 $5 {This is probably new.} Nf6 ({Also} 10... g6 {is playable.}) 11.
Qg3 $1 Qxg3 12. hxg3 {The world champion obtained a slightly better endgame.
Surely nothing special, but often he does not need much.} Bd6 13. Nf3 ({
Curious and probably deserving mention is} 13. Rh4 $5 {, preparing g3-g4. While
} e5 {can be met by} 14. dxe5 Bxe5 15. Nf3 {followed by 16.Kf1!. But
developing a knight, as Carlsen did, is very natural.}) 13... b6 {Black could
have tried to do without this move, developing the bishop to d7. But generally
there's nothing wrong with Hou Yifan's approach.} 14. a4 $1 Bb7 15. a5 Ke7 16.
Ke2 Ne4 17. Be1 $5 {Otherwise White can't preserve her bishop pair.} h6 18. c4
Nf6 $6 {I do not like this retreat, after which White activates easily.} ({
Instead,} 18... f5 $5 {looks OK, with decent counterchances for Black.}) 19.
Bc3 $1 Be4 {Also this is somewhat illogical. Now White quickly develops strong
pressure.} 20. Rhb1 Bxd3+ 21. Kxd3 Nd7 22. Nd2 $5 Rhd8 ({The alternative} 22...
f5 {has serious drawbacks because it weakens the e6-pawn.}) 23. Ne4 Bc7 24.
Bb4+ Ke8 {Black's position is passive and nearly critical. But, somewhat
strangely, it's also hard to offer something absolutely convincing for White.}
25. f4 ({Instead,} 25. Kc3 $5 f5 26. Bd6 $1 Bxd6 27. Nxd6+ Ke7 28. Nb5 {
also deserved attention, probably, and can be better than it looks.}) 25...
Rac8 26. axb6 axb6 27. Ra7 {Essentially, White goes for a promising looking
exchange sacrifice.} ({He also could have played the quieter:} 27. Nc3 $5 Nc5+
({or} 27... Bb8 28. Ra8 Nc5+ 29. Bxc5 bxc5 30. Rb7 $1 {with the idea of} Rxd4+
31. Ke2 Rdd8 32. Nb5 g5 33. Na7 Bxa7 34. Raxa7 {, etc.}) 28. Ke3 Nd7 29. Re1 $1
Bb8 30. Kd3 {and Black is worse after} Nc5+ $5 31. Bxc5 bxc5 32. d5 Kf8 {
as well as in other lines.}) 27... Nb8 $1 28. Rxc7 $1 Rxc7 29. Nd6+ Kd7 30.
Nxf7 Rdc8 {White has more than enough for the sacrificed exchange, but is it
enough for a win? Possibly not.} 31. Ne5+ ({Or} 31. Bd6 $5 Ra7 (31... Rb7 $6
32. Be5 $1) 32. Rxb6 ({Black also should be able to survive the bizarre} 32. f5
$5 exf5 33. d5) 32... Ke8 33. Ne5 Nd7 34. Nxd7 Kxd7 35. Bc5 $5 Re8 $1 {and
it's not clear how White can make progress.}) 31... Ke8 32. Bd6 Rb7 $1 33. c5
Nc6 $1 34. Rxb6 Rxb6 35. cxb6 {Further, Hou Yifan continued to defend a
not-so-simple ending well, until her fatal mistake on the 50th move,} Nd8 $5
36. Bc7 Ra8 37. Kc4 Nb7 ({Also possible was} 37... Ra2 $5 {where White should
avoid} 38. Kc5 ({other options:} 38. Kb5 $5) (38. g4 $5) 38... Ra5+ 39. Kd6 $4
{(well, Magnus would not play this even in bullet)} Rd5#) 38. Kb5 Ra2 39. g4
Ke7 $5 40. g3 $5 Nd6+ $1 41. Bxd6+ Kxd6 42. Nc4+ Kd7 43. Kc5 Rc2 $1 44. f5 exf5
45. gxf5 Rf2 46. Nd6 $1 ({After} 46. g4 {,} h5 $1 47. gxh5 Rxf5+ 48. Ne5+ Kc8
49. Kc6 Rf6+ {is an easy draw for Black.}) 46... Rg2 ({She could have tried} 
46... h5 $5 {(not allowing White to connect his g- and f-pawns), which seems
to be an easier way to the desired result for Black.}) 47. Ne4 Rb2 48. g4 $1
Rb1 49. Nd2 $1 Rh1 $5 50. d5 h5 $2 {It was necessary to abstain from this
advance.} ({The waiting strategy was correct. For example,} 50... Rc1+ 51. Nc4
Rb1 $5 52. Ne5+ Ke7 ({but not} 52... Kd8 $2 53. Kc6 $1 $18 {and after} Rc1+ {
White has} 54. Kd6) 53. d6+ Kd8 54. Kc6 Rc1+ {and if} 55. Kd5 Rb1 $1 {. But
it's difficult to understand that Black can save a game by playing like this.})
51. d6 $1 $18 {Now it's over.} Kc8 ({Or} 51... hxg4 52. b7 Rh8 53. Nc4 $1 Rb8
54. Ne5+ $1 Ke8 ({if} 54... Kd8 55. Nc6+) 55. Kc6 g3 56. Kc7 Rxb7+ 57. Kxb7 g2
58. Kc7 g1=Q 59. d7+ Ke7 60. d8=Q#) 52. gxh5 Rxh5 53. Kc6 {The black rook is
misplaced.} Kb8 54. Ne4 Rxf5 55. Nc5 {One may feel sorry for the Chinese star
who made so many strong moves but still lost this game.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.20"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B22"]
[WhiteElo "2640"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 2. c3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:
02:18]} 3. e5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 4. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} e6
{[%emt 0:05:06]} 5. Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:26]} d6 {[%emt 0:03:34]} 6. d4 {[%emt 0:03:
13]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:02:17]} 7. cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:33]} 8. O-O
{[%emt 0:01:12]} Be7 {[%emt 0:02:45]} 9. exd6 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Qxd6 {[%emt 0:
02:25]} 10. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} O-O {[%emt 0:01:56]} 11. Re1 {[%emt 0:02:42]}
Rd8 {[%emt 0:08:21]} 12. a3 {[%emt 0:04:04]} a6 {[%emt 0:05:01]} 13. Be3 {
[%emt 0:00:58]} Nxe3 {[%emt 0:07:12]} 14. fxe3 {[%emt 0:00:44]} b6 {[%emt 0:00:
05]} 15. Rc1 {[%emt 0:18:12]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:12:52]} 16. Ba2 {[%emt 0:20:22]}
Rac8 {[%emt 0:03:29]} 17. Ne4 {[%emt 0:03:32]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:01:33]} 18. Nfg5 {
[%emt 0:00:44]} Bxg5 {[%emt 0:01:12]} 19. Nxg5 {[%emt 0:05:15]} h6 {[%emt 0:00:
05]} 20. Nf3 {[%emt 0:04:59]} Qd6 {[%emt 0:01:41]} 21. Rf1 {[%emt 0:01:35]} Rc7
{[%emt 0:02:32]} 22. Qe2 {[%emt 0:08:35]} Rdc8 {[%emt 0:03:58]} 23. Rcd1 {
[%emt 0:04:25]} Na5 {[%emt 0:06:49]} 24. Bb1 {[%emt 0:01:35]} Nc4 {[%emt 0:01:
15]} 25. Bd3 {[%emt 0:07:25]} b5 {[%emt 0:11:12]} 26. Rf2 {[%emt 0:00:49]} f5 {
[%emt 0:03:49]} 27. e4 {[%emt 0:03:26]} fxe4 {[%emt 0:03:14]} 28. Bxe4 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} Bxe4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 29. Qxe4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Qd5 {[%emt 0:
03:27]} 30. Re1 {[%emt 0:02:04]} Qxe4 {[%emt 0:01:22]} 31. Rxe4 {[%emt 0:00:03]
} Rc6 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 32. Rfe2 {[%emt 0:01:38]} a5 {[%emt 0:01:50]} 33. Ne5 {
[%emt 0:03:24]} Rd6 {[%emt 0:00:59]} 34. Nxc4 {[%emt 0:02:12]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.20"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2811"]
[Annotator "Golubev,M"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:29]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:
00:03]} 3. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 4. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} a6
$5 {[%emt 0:00:06] Until recently, it was not possible to see this move in top
level chess (with several notable exceptions such as Staunton's 1843 game).
But times change! Today's top guys can play, generally, just anything that is
not refuted by their computers during home preparation.} 5. cxd5 {[%emt 0:01:
22]} exd5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 6. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:29]} Be6 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 7. e3 {
[%emt 0:01:02]} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 8. Bd3 {[%emt 0:07:37]} h6 {[%emt 0:00:
27]} 9. Bh4 {[%emt 0:00:52]} g5 {[%emt 0:00:06] This is a topical line, first
played with Black by GM Fedoseev in 2016.} 10. Bg3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nh5 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} 11. Be5 {[%emt 0:01:22] But now Caruana comes up with
something unusual.} Nhf6 $5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} ({Instead,} 11... Ng7 {was tested
in many games last year.}) 12. Bg3 {[%emt 0:00:35]} ({White also had more
active moves around here. After} 12. Qb3 {curious is} g4 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Ne5
Nxe5 15. dxe5 Qxe5 16. Qxb7 Rd8 17. Qc6+ Ke7 18. O-O {where Black can even
consider} Kf6 $5 {planning to hide his king on g7.}) 12... Nh5 {[%emt 0:00:19]}
13. Nd2 {[%emt 0:20:30]} Nxg3 {[%emt 0:00:57]} 14. hxg3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Nb6 {
[%emt 0:20:31]} ({Other ideas were} 14... c5 $5 {and 14...c6.}) 15. Qc2 {
[%emt 0:05:08]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:14:55]} ({Better could have been} 15... c6 {
after which} 16. e4 {is premature because of} dxe4 {and the d4-pawn falls.})
16. e4 $1 {[%emt 0:11:05] Now White develops the initiative.} dxe4 {[%emt 0:00:
54]} ({Possibly preferable was} 16... Qd7 $5 {, and if} 17. e5 Be7 {.}) 17.
Bxe4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Qe7 $2 {[%emt 0:04:29]} ({Black had to play} 17... c6 {
with a surely somewhat worse position. (Karjakin intended to continue} 18.
O-O-O $1 {). But instead Caruana blunders a pawn.}) 18. Bxb7 $3 {[%emt 0:02:14]
} Rb8 {[%emt 0:05:46]} ({It turns that all discovered checks lead Black
nowhere. For example,} 18... Bd5+ 19. Kf1 Bxb7 20. Re1 $18) 19. Bc6+ {[%emt 0:
12:46]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 20. O-O {[%emt 0:12:31]} Qf6 {[%emt 0:03:57]} 21.
Nf3 {[%emt 0:03:09]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:05:45]} 22. Rfe1 {[%emt 0:02:24]} Rhd8 {
[%emt 0:12:10]} 23. Ne4 {[%emt 0:06:35]} Qg6 {[%emt 0:04:09]} 24. d5 $1 {
[%emt 0:02:23] An energetic way of converting the advantage. White gives his
extra pawn back, but prevents ...Nd5 and develops a crushing intiative.} Nxd5 {
[%emt 0:00:28]} 25. Bxd5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Bxd5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 26. Qc3+ {
[%emt 0:00:05]} f6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 27. Nxd6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} cxd6 {[%emt 0:00:
03]} 28. Nd4 $1 $18 {[%emt 0:03:20] Black simply has too many weaknesses,
including the vulnerable king.} Rd7 {[%emt 0:11:57]} 29. Qa5 {[%emt 0:00:24]}
Bf7 {[%emt 0:02:32]} 30. b3 {[%emt 0:01:09]} Ra8 {[%emt 0:02:13]} 31. Rac1 {
[%emt 0:01:03]} d5 {[%emt 0:02:59]} 32. Rc7 {[%emt 0:01:22]} Rxc7 {[%emt 0:02:
52]} 33. Qxc7 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Qd3 {[%emt 0:02:19]} 34. Ne6+ {[%emt 0:01:39]}
Kg6 {[%emt 0:01:02]} 35. Nd8 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rxd8 {[%emt 0:01:09]} 36. Qxd8 {
[%emt 0:00:05] And White converts his extra exchange.} Qd2 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 37.
Qe7 {[%emt 0:00:58]} Qxa2 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 38. Re3 {[%emt 0:11:52]} Qb1+ {
[%emt 0:05:44]} 39. Kh2 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Qf5 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 40. Qc7 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} d4 {[%emt 0:05:22]} 41. Re7 {[%emt 0:04:14]} Qd5 {[%emt 0:00:21]} 42.
b4 {[%emt 0:02:43]} Be6 {[%emt 0:12:48]} 43. Qb6 {[%emt 0:15:35]} Bf7 {[%emt 0:
23:00]} 44. Qxa6 {[%emt 0:00:59]} d3 {[%emt 0:03:42]} 45. Re3 {[%emt 0:00:10]}
Qc4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 46. Qa3 {[%emt 0:00:08] Black's d3-pawn falls; there's
nothing to play for anymore.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.20"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Wei, Yi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2743"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 h6 {One of the many possible moves. Black wastes a
tempo to get the bishop pair, which is far from one-sided with the development
incomplete.} ({The classical treatment of this line is} 10... a5 11. Nc3 {
but now} Ra6 $5 {So,W (2794)-Adams,M (2748) London 2016 CBM 176 [Marin,M] (1-0,
40) surely is a bit exotic.}) (10... Nbd7 11. Nc3 h6 12. Bf4 Bd6 13. Ne5 Bxg2
14. Kxg2 Nb6 15. Qb3 a5 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2804)-Dominguez Perez,L (2739)
Doha 2016 (½-½, 48)} 16. e4 $5) (10... Bd5 {is an open attempt of reaching a
draw in a somewhat worse position, for instance} 11. Qd3 c5 12. Nc3 Bc6 {
Vachier Lagrave,M (2789)-Nakamura,H (2787) Paris 2016 CBM 173 [Besenthal,K] 
(1-0, 54)}) 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Nc3 ({The main alternative is} 12. Rd1 {
overprotecting d4 before developing the knight. Of course the two variations
could transpose to each other if Black does not take the pawn as in the main
game (which will this time prove a not entirely edible pawn). But I am not
sure whether the main game move order offers White any additional ideas to
that with 12.Rfd1.} a5 13. Nc3 Bxf3 14. Bxf3 c6 15. h4 Nd7 16. e3 Ra6 17. Rab1
Be7 18. Be4 Rb6 19. Bc2 $14 {Inarkiev,E (2660)-Kasimdzhanov,R (2704) Berlin
2015 (½-½, 53)  Compare also with Eljaov-Adams below.}) 12... Bxf3 (12... a5
13. e4 Na6 14. Rfd1 {is a tabyia which can arise via either move order.} Nb4
15. Ne1 $5 Be7 (15... b6 16. e5 $16) 16. Rac1 Rb8 17. Nb5 Bxb5 18. axb5 $14 {
Gabuzyan,H (2525)-Kravtsiv,M (2589) Yerevan 2013 (0-1, 39)}) 13. Bxf3 Qxd4 ({
A more solid try is} 13... c6 {even though White retains an edge:} 14. e3 a5
15. h4 Na6 16. Rfd1 Qb6 17. Qe2 $14 {Eljanov,P (2723)-Adams,M (2740) Biel 2015
CBM 168 [Marin,M] (0-1, 59)}) 14. Qxc7 {Apparently the only challenging move.}
(14. Qxd4 {Kasimdzhanov defended Black's point of view twice after} Bxd4 15.
Bxb7 Ra7 16. Bg2 Nd7 17. Rfd1 c5 18. e3 Bf6 19. Rd2 (19. Rab1 Rb8 {Aronian,L 
(2805)-Kasimdzhanov,R (2683) Riadh 2017 (½-½, 51)}) 19... Rb8 20. Ne4 Be7 21.
Rc2 Rb4 {½-½ Landa,K (2626)-Kasimdzhanov,R (2704) Germany 2016}) 14... Nc6
15. Qxb7 Na5 {Black's chances to retrieve the pawn are obvious. But in the
process White may use the available time to regroup properly for setting up
some sort of central domination.} 16. Qc7 ({Once again it looks better
avoiding the queen exchange to be able creating some kingside threats. If} 16.
Qe4 Rab8 17. Qxd4 Bxd4 18. Rad1 Be5 19. Ne4 Nb3 20. Nd2 {½-½ Andriasian,Z 
(2585)-Harutyunian,T (2487) Yerevan 2018}) 16... Qd8 17. Qf4 {Same issue.} Rb8
18. Rfd1 {Molaei,M (2327)-Magalashvili,D (2506) Fajr op 26th 2018 (5) 1/2 A
draw was agreed here in} {So I assume this aks the next move a novelty:} Qe7 {
Black aims for natural development but this delays his queenside counterplay.}
({From this point of view} 18... Qc8 {is better suited. On the other hand,
after retrieving the pawn the queen will be slightly misplaced in the almost
symmetrical position.} 19. Ne4 (19. Rab1 {fails to consolidate the queenside
due to} Nc4) 19... Bxb2 20. Rab1 Ba3 (20... Qc4 21. Bh5 $14 g6 $2 22. Rxb2 Rxb2
23. Nf6+ Kg7 24. Qe5 $18) 21. Kg2 $5 $14 {[%cal Gh2h4] Black will not find it
easy getting coordinated.}) 19. Rab1 Rfc8 {Black is perfectly regrouped now,
but after the next move so will White be! And taking on b2 will induce some
chaos in Black's position again.} (19... Rb4 20. Ne4 $14 {fails to bother
White.} Bxb2 $6 21. Qd6 Qxd6 22. Rxd6 $16) ({Quite possibly, the best chance
was} 19... g5 $5 {when it is hard keeping the possibility Ne4 as an answer to .
..Rfc8:} 20. Qe4 (20. Qc1 Rfc8) (20. Qg4 Bg7 {[%cal Gf7f5]}) 20... Rfc8) 20.
Ne4 $1 Bg5 {Giving up the idea of retrieving the pawn.} (20... Bxb2 21. Nd6 {
causes serious problems on f7.} Rf8 (21... Rd8 22. Nxf7 $1 $16) 22. Qd2 Ba3 23.
Nxf7 $16) 21. Qd6 Qxd6 22. Rxd6 {White has kept his pawn anda6 is hanging
while Black is poorly coordinated. With a bit of accuracy from White, the game
is as good as over.} Be7 23. Rxa6 Nc4 24. Rc1 Nxb2 25. Rxc8+ Rxc8 26. a5 {
Sustained by all White's pieces, this pawn is unstoppable already.} Nc4 27. Ra7
Bb4 28. a6 f5 29. Rb7 $5 fxe4 30. Bg4 Ra8 31. Rxb4 Nd6 32. Bxe6+ Kf8 33. Rb6 {
With two pawns less and a passive position, Black resigned.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.20"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Black "Adhiban, Baskaran"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E68"]
[WhiteElo "2718"]
[BlackElo "2655"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:44]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:
00:38]} 3. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:41]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 4. g3 {[%emt 0:00:27]} O-O
{[%emt 0:01:48]} 5. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:36]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 6. O-O {[%emt 0:
00:48]} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 7. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:29]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 8. e4
{[%emt 0:00:15]} Re8 {[%emt 0:02:30]} 9. h3 {[%emt 0:02:49]} exd4 {[%emt 0:05:
53]} 10. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:16]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 11. Be3 {[%emt 0:03:00]} Rb8
{[%emt 0:00:55]} 12. b3 {[%emt 0:02:00]} Nc5 {[%emt 0:04:40]} 13. Qc2 {[%emt 0:
03:29]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 14. b4 {[%emt 0:13:27]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 15.
Nb3 {[%emt 0:00:26]} Qc8 {[%emt 0:19:15]} 16. Kh2 {[%emt 0:12:34]} b5 {[%emt 0:
18:01]} 17. c5 {[%emt 0:10:23]} Nd8 {[%emt 0:00:34]} 18. Rad1 {[%emt 0:08:08]}
Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 19. a3 {[%emt 0:02:28]} Ne5 {[%emt 0:04:30]} 20. Na5 {
[%emt 0:03:42]} h5 {[%emt 0:05:26]} 21. Nd5 {[%emt 0:05:38]} Nxd5 {[%emt 0:07:
47]} 22. exd5 {[%emt 0:01:26]} h4 {[%emt 0:10:36]} 23. Bg5 {[%emt 0:09:11]}
dxc5 {[%emt 0:06:12]} 24. Qxc5 {[%emt 0:01:29]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:07:50]} 25. Bxh4 {
[%emt 0:07:16]} Nd3 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 26. Qa7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Ra8 {[%emt 0:06:
53]} 27. Qb7 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Qxb7 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 28. Nxb7 {[%emt 0:00:05]}
Nb2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 29. d6 {[%emt 0:04:53]} Nxd1 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 30. Rxd1 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} cxd6 {[%emt 0:02:22]} 31. Nxd6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Rad8 {[%emt 0:
00:07]} 32. Rd5 {[%emt 0:01:32]} Be6 {[%emt 0:03:12]} 33. Nxe8 {[%emt 0:00:42]}
Rxd5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 34. Bxd5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Bxd5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 35. Bf6 {
[%emt 0:00:33]} Bf8 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 36. f4 {[%emt 0:04:34]} Bc6 {[%emt 0:03:
18]} 37. Nc7 {[%emt 0:00:14]} a5 {[%emt 0:01:35]} 38. Na6 {[%emt 0:04:47]} axb4
{[%emt 0:00:38]} 39. axb4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:01:07]} 40. Nc5 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Bd5 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 41. g4 {[%emt 0:01:58]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:23:
59]} 42. Kg3 {[%emt 0:00:33]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 43. h4 {[%emt 0:43:25]} Kh6
{[%emt 0:02:00]} 44. Be5 {[%emt 0:02:57]} Bxc5 {[%emt 0:02:05]} 45. bxc5 {
[%emt 0:00:34]} f5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 46. g5+ {[%emt 0:08:07]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:04:
30]} 47. Bc3 {[%emt 0:02:22]} Bc6 {[%emt 0:01:28]} 48. Kf2 {[%emt 0:01:07]} Kg8
{[%emt 0:00:29]} 49. Ke3 {[%emt 0:01:58]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 50. Kd4 {
[%emt 0:00:14]} Ke6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 51. Be1 {[%emt 0:00:24]} Bf3 {[%emt 0:00:
19]} 52. Kc3 {[%emt 0:00:22]} Kd5 {[%emt 0:02:57]} 53. Kb4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Kc6
{[%emt 0:00:14]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.20"]
[Round "7"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D56"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:
00:04]} 3. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 4. Bg5 {[%emt 0:03:52]} Be7
{[%emt 0:00:22]} 5. e3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} h6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 6. Bh4 {[%emt 0:00:
06]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:06]} 7. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 8. Be2
{[%emt 0:05:35]} c5 {[%emt 0:10:44]} 9. O-O {[%emt 0:03:07]} dxc4 {[%emt 0:04:
17]} 10. Bxc4 {[%emt 0:02:56]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:46]} 11. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:03:22]}
Ne5 {[%emt 0:02:42]} 12. Be2 {[%emt 0:08:09]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:11:37]} 13. Qb3 {
[%emt 0:09:50]} Qb6 {[%emt 0:02:14]} 14. Qxb6 {[%emt 0:01:56]} axb6 {[%emt 0:
00:04]} 15. Bg3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:01:00]} 16. Ndb5 {[%emt 0:00:10]}
Na7 {[%emt 0:06:02]} 17. Nxa7 {[%emt 0:15:55]} Rxa7 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 18. Rfd1 {
[%emt 0:02:26]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:04:38]} 19. Bd6 {[%emt 0:02:19]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:04:
11]} 20. Bxe7+ {[%emt 0:04:14]} Kxe7 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 21. Rd4 {[%emt 0:00:03]}
Bc6 {[%emt 0:06:16]} 22. Rb4 {[%emt 0:00:40]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:07:28]} 23. Rd1 {
[%emt 0:01:55]} Ra5 {[%emt 0:00:54]} 24. f3 {[%emt 0:05:19]} Rc5 {[%emt 0:00:
35]} 25. Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:42]} Ra8 {[%emt 0:02:13]} 26. h4 {[%emt 0:02:45]} g5 {
[%emt 0:03:49]} 27. Rc1 {[%emt 0:03:49]} Rca5 {[%emt 0:05:41]} 28. e4 {[%emt 0:
03:59]} Rg8 {[%emt 0:03:10]} 29. hxg5 {[%emt 0:02:36]} hxg5 {[%emt 0:00:27]}
30. Rd4 {[%emt 0:00:42]} Ne5 {[%emt 0:02:22]} 31. Rh1 {[%emt 0:06:17]} Raa8 {
[%emt 0:01:14]} 32. Rh5 {[%emt 0:00:29]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:00:44]} 33. Ke3 {[%emt 0:
00:59]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:02:35]} 34. Rh1 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rgc8 {[%emt 0:04:09]} 35.
g3 {[%emt 0:02:52]} Rg8 {[%emt 0:01:58]} 36. a3 {[%emt 0:06:53]} Rgc8 {[%emt 0:
07:26]} 37. Rb4 {[%emt 0:06:16]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 38. Rd4 {[%emt 0:00:14]}
Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 39. Rb4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 40. Rd4
1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.21"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Adhiban, Baskaran"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A34"]
[WhiteElo "2655"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[Annotator "Adhiban,B"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{In this year's Masters I have only one person to blame for my performance and
it is Karjakin! If only I had met him earlier :) things would have turned out
differently...} 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 $5 c5 3. Bg2 Nc6 4. c4 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Nc3
(6. d4 {is an option.} cxd4 7. Nxd4 Ndb4 8. Nxc6 Qxd1+ 9. Kxd1 Nxc6) 6... Nc7
7. a3 g6 8. d3 Bg7 9. Be3 Ne6 10. h4 $5 h6 {This move although natural only
turns to be a weakening.} (10... h5 {is better.}) 11. Rc1 Bd7 12. O-O Rc8 (
12... b6 13. b4 $1 cxb4 14. axb4 Nxb4 15. d4 {is quite nasty.}) 13. Na2 $5 {
I wasn't entirely sure about this, but it helps me achieve the key b4-break.} (
13. Ne4 b6 14. b4 (14. Qd2 a5 {[%cal Gh6h5,Ga5b4] Now I wasn't sure which plan
to aim for.}) 14... cxb4 15. d4 {was very tempting but I couldn't prove the
lines after} f5 16. Ned2 Ncxd4 {It looked like I had insufficient compensation.
} 17. Rxc8 (17. Nxd4 Rxc1 18. Qxc1 Nxd4) 17... Nxf3+) (13. Na4 b6 14. b4 cxb4
15. d4 b5 $5 16. Nc5 Nxc5 17. Rxc5 bxa3 {is not so bad for Black.}) (13. Qd2
Na5 $1 (13... b6)) (13. b4 cxb4 14. axb4 Nxb4 15. d4 {maybe was an interesting
option.} O-O 16. Qd2 h5 {didn't look convincing.}) 13... O-O (13... Bxb2 14.
Rb1 {[%cal Gb1b7]}) 14. b4 (14. Bxc5 Nxc5 (14... Bxb2 15. Rb1 Bg7 16. Be3 b6
17. d4 Na5 {[%cal Ga5c4] I felt Black was doing fine here.}) 15. Rxc5 Bxb2 16.
Rb5 Bxa3 17. Rxb7 {with a complex position but I liked White's chances due to
the potential kingside attack.}) 14... cxb4 15. Nxb4 (15. axb4 {was an option
but I didn't like the stupid knight on a2.}) 15... Qa5 (15... h5 16. Nd5 $1) (
15... Nxb4 16. axb4 Bc6 17. Qd2 Kh7 18. Bxa7 $5 b6 19. h5 {with total chaos.})
16. Qd2 Qxa3 17. Nxc6 Bxc6 18. Bxh6 Bxf3 19. Bxg7 (19. Bxf3 $5 Rxc1 20. Rxc1
Nd4 21. Bxg7 Kxg7) 19... Kxg7 20. Ra1 {This just looked very nice, but 20.Bf3
was more ambitious:} (20. Bxf3 $1 $16 {would have given me the advantage
thanks to the huge difference in the king's safety which is more important
than the outside passed pawns.}) 20... Qc3 21. Qxc3+ Rxc3 22. Bxf3 Nd4 23. Rxa7
Nxf3+ 24. exf3 Rxd3 25. Rxb7 Rxf3 26. Rxe7 Ra8 27. Kg2 Rfa3 28. Rb1 R8a7 29.
Rxa7 (29. Ree1 $5 {Maybe was the best chance to try with 4 rooks.}) 29... Rxa7
30. g4 Ra4 31. Kg3 Ra3+ 32. f3 Ra5 33. Rb4 (33. Re1 {[%cal Gg3f4] is probably
how I should have tried.}) 33... Rc5 34. Kf4 Ra5 35. Re4 f5 36. gxf5 {I played
this due to the sudden new possibility of f4-Re5 idea.} (36. Re5 Ra4+ 37. Kg5
fxg4 38. fxg4 Ra7 {is also a draw.}) 36... Rxf5+ 37. Kg4 Ra5 {But of course
it's just a draw.} 38. Rb4 Ra1 39. Rb7+ Kh6 40. Rb8 Kg7 41. Kf4 Ra4+ 42. Kg5
Ra5+ 43. Kf4 Ra4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.21"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B76"]
[WhiteElo "2834"]
[BlackElo "2640"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Golubev,M} c5 {A slight surprise as recently Jones have preferred the
indeed more solid 1...e5. But as these days publicity is what matters even
Nakamura played the Dragon in order just to get in one funny tweet, why
wouldn't Jones use his opportunity at the stage vs. the World Champion to
advertise his two books on the subject?} 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 $5 {Somewhat
impratical, as one could argue Magnus would be an even bigger favourite if a
theoretical battle was out of the picture with any random move like 3.Bb5+,
but again, that would indeed be predictable.} cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3
Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2 O-O 9. O-O-O {A few years back when Magnus himself played
the Dragon as Black 9.Bc4 was the line he was most tested in, but Leko did
play this move agianst him in their match at Miskolic 2008.} d5 10. Qe1 $5 {
This is the pet-line that Leko used to cause get opening advantages yet no
wins against Magnus in the match, but later both did collect the full point
against Lawrence Trent at Isle of Mans.} e5 {On my own repertoire DVD I
recommended 10...e6 for Black, but since then White has found improvements and
in his book Jones rightfully preferred 10...e5.} 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. exd5 Nxd5 {
Magnus took with the c-pawn - 12...cxd5 - but after 13.Bg5 Be6 14.Bc4 it has
now been established that Black just suffers, which the games illustrated well.
} 13. Bc4 Be6 14. Kb1 $5 {Especially two games by Wei Yi in 2013 made this
particular move popular as Black just seemed to suffer. In his book Jones
recommends 14...Rb8 which even was played shortly after this game in Gibraltar
against Duda. Gawain however cunningly deviates from his own recommendation,
obviously taking the World Champion by surprise, as he now started spending
considerable amounts of times for his next moves:} Re8 $5 15. Ne4 f5 $1 {
A strong novelty.} 16. Ng5 Bc8 $1 {This is the point. Surprisingly there is no
way White can really exploit Black's loss of time.  From a practical point of
view its tempting for White to try and find a move that might push Black out
of his preparations and force "man vs. man" situations, and after a few
minutes Magnus lashed out with:} 17. g4 $4 {This is logical, as after 17...h6
18.Ne4 why wouldn't it be better that White immediately threatened to open the
gfile? However 17.h4 was not only an aggressive move, it also had the
advantage of protecting the knight at g5, which means that after...} ({The
computer indicates the logical} 17. h4 {but concluding that after} Rb8 $5 {
willingly sacrificing the a7-pawn, Black has sufficient counterplay:} 18. Bb3
h6 19. c4 hxg5 20. cxd5 Rxb3 $1 {being a principled line.}) ({One more idea is
} 17. Bb3 $5 {Golubev,M} f4 18. h4 ({Black should be able to survive also} 18.
Ne4 fxe3 19. c4 Be6 $1 20. cxd5 cxd5 21. Qxe3 $11) 18... fxe3 19. c4 e4 $5 20.
cxd5 Qf6 {and White has an easy draw, for example,} 21. dxc6+ Kh8 22. Nf7+ Kg8
23. Ng5+ {(where Black should avoid} Be6 $2 24. Bxe6+ Rxe6 25. Qb4 $1 $18 {
) but probably no more. Hopefully, Black is OK everywhere. But before entering
all these lines in a practical game, the safest is to check them with
AlphaZero. One way or another, one can see how dangerous is to play the Dragon
these days, if your opponent isn't a lazy world champ but someone who is well
prepared.}) 17... f4 $1 {...the shocking reality is that Black is winning a
piece! Magnus in an interview afterwards admitting to that simply having
blundered.} 18. h4 $5 {After all Fischer had a point. It's all about h4-h5 and
mate against the Dragon!} ({Else a possible explanation could be invented that
} 18. Bxf4 exf4 19. Rxd5 cxd5 $1 ({but not} 19... Rxe1+ 20. Rd1+ $1) 20. Bxd5+
Qxd5 21. Qxe8+ Bf8 {is sufficient as Black's queen covers the f7-square thus
leaving White with no effective follow up. Even more interesting, online
spectators where speculating that Magnus was inspired by the sensational
attacking games of Alphazero where material considerations seemed to be less
important to artificial intelligence that humans so far had seemed to
appreciate. Still right now that's a stretch, Black is just a piece up and
resignation would in principle be a viable option for White, but as the World
Champion stated in the post game interview that the psychological situation
had completely changed. White has indeed lost a piece, but also any kind of
expectations for a result, while for Jones obviously the reverse must have
been true. All pressure is now on the Englishman:}) 18... fxe3 19. Qxe3 h6 20.
Qc5 Bb7 $1 {Objectively the strongest move,} ({but} 20... hxg5 {was worth
considering. White gets back one piece with some interest after} 21. Qxc6 Be6
22. Bxd5 Bxd5 23. Rxd5 {but} Qb6 24. Qc4 Qe6 $1 {while being less advantages
based on engine-evalution still should be plenty to win the game as after} 25.
hxg5 e4 {the black Dragon bishop comes to life and after all, is an extra
piece!}) 21. Ne4 Re6 22. h5 Qb6 $2 {Somewhat understandably Gawain wants ot
exchange queens, and simultaneously puts it on a logical square eying the
b-pawn in the open b-line.} ({However} 22... g5 $1 {would effectively shut
down White's counterplay on the kingside, and while it does weaken the
f5-square and the white squares in general, its not nearly enough for a piece.}
) {Now however:} 23. g5 $1 {Norwegian Grandmaster Johan Salomon got it spot on
here, while tweeting that things has turned 180 degrees predicting a white win,
while the engines indeed still shows Black is safely winning. Black is still a
piece up, but he has gone from having the kingside under control, to now
entering chaos.} hxg5 $2 ({The primary problem of course is that} 23... Qxc5 {
while it does exchange the queens, does lose material immediately after} 24.
Nxc5 {as} Re7 25. Nxb7 Rxb7 26. Rxd5 $1 {wins.}) (23... Bf8 $1 {would have
prevented White's next move, and while} 24. Qg1 $1 Qxg1 25. Rdxg1 {still is a
decent initiative for White, the lack of queens does make a noticeable
difference.}) 24. Qa3 Rb8 25. b3 $1 {A great move. Sure it blocks White's
queen from the 3rd rank, but it can be regrouped via c1 if neccesary, and
mainly now it's all about king safety: Black's will be exposed, while White
now having removed the weakness of b2, to the safely defended b3, will not
have to bother in the sligthest about a black counterattack in the process.
Stockfish despite being a piece down already gives 0.00 indicating equality,
but I'm sure, were Alphazero not busy with new important research projects, it
would tell us White already is winning as his long-term initiative is
unstoppable.} Qd8 {Technically the losing move. 25...gxh5 or 25...g4 was a
better chance.} 26. Qxa7 $1 {It's not so much the pawn, but more the attack
along the 7th rank that matters, as well as again the queen could go to g1
attacking along the g-file if need be.} gxh5 27. Rxh5 Rg6 28. Rxg5 Rxg5 29.
Nxg5 {Exploiting that the rook on b8 is unprotected should Black take the
knight on g5.} Qc8 30. Rg1 Ra8 31. Qb6 Ra6 32. Qc5 Qd7 33. Ne4 Kh8 34. Qf2 Qe7
35. Bxa6 {Direct attack also would have decided the game, but almost with a
touch of irony, Magnus gets materialistic in the end.} Bxa6 36. Qh2+ Kg8 37.
Qh6 Qa7 38. Qe6+ Kf8 39. Rg5 Ne3 40. Qd6+ Kf7 41. Nc5 Bc8 42. Rxg7+ {As 42...
Kxg7 43.Qxe5+ followed by 44.Qxe3 leaves White a healthy 3 pawns up, Black
resigned.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.21"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A35"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[Annotator "Giri,A"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 {For me it is a certainty that my opponents are unable to predict my
first move, because most of the time I am unable to predict it myself.} c5 2.
Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 {This variation is back in fashion again lately. As a
fashionista, I had a look at it as well.} (3... e5 {is regularly employed by
MVL, while 3...Nf6 is a respected continuation too and was recently employed
by Vishy Anand.}) 4. e3 {This move and 7 that follow were played at a quick
rate. Not trying to reinvent the wheel, both players decided to follow
established theory.} Nf6 5. d4 cxd4 6. exd4 d5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. Qb3 e6 9. Bb5
Bg7 10. O-O O-O 11. Bxc6 {By giving up the bishop, White is ruining Black's
pawn structure. According to established theory, this is White's main attempt
to fight for an edge.} bxc6 {Marin,M: 'I examined this line in my CBM 180
Modern Trends article and later analysed the game mentioned in the next
comment.'} 12. Re1 {An indecisive move played only once in this position which
has occurred around 50 times in practice already.} ({An interesting game was
played by a countryman of Shakhriyar:} 12. Na4 {the most popular continuation}
Qd6 13. Re1 Rb8 14. Qd1 Ne7 15. Bd2 Nf5 16. Bc3 Rd8 17. Nc5 Nxd4 18. Ne4 Qd5
19. Nxd4 Bxd4 20. Qa4 Qb5 21. Qxd4 Rxd4 22. Bxd4 {1-0 (71) Grischuk,A (2772)
-Safarli,E (2639) Riadh 2017, with beautiful compensation for the queen. It is
safe to assume that the analytical forces of Azerbaijan have prepared an
improvement along the way.}) 12... Qd6 $2 {Played almost instantly, probably
incorrectly recalling the game of Safarli.  Marin,M: 'This looks as if played
without noticing that White has deviated from the main line, where the queen
goes, indeed, to d6. As a result Black will have wasting a tempo on the very
next move.'} ({The only previous game is hardly relevant:} 12... Qb6 {Marin,M}
13. Qc2 {½-½ Tomashevsky,E (2710)-Alekseev,E (2622) Sochi 2017, but probably
White can keep an edge because once again the queen is exposed to the knight's
attack:} Rb8 (13... Nxc3 14. bxc3 Qa5 {preventing Ba3 in order to prepare ...
c6-c5 can be met with} 15. Bf4 Ba6 16. Bd6 Rfd8 17. Bc5 $14) 14. Na4 Qb5 15.
Qd1 $5 ({Useful prophylaxis, taking the queen out of the range of the opposing
minor pieces. If} 15. Nc5 $6 e5 16. Nxe5 Bf5 {Black obtains certain
counterplay.}) 15... Rd8 16. Nc5 $14) ({Marin,M: The most logical move is} 
12... Qc7 {placing the queen on a safe square and preparing ...Rb8. For
instance:} 13. Ne4 c5 $5 14. Nxc5 (14. dxc5 Rb8 15. Qc4 Rb4 16. Qe2 Qc6 {
[%cal Gc8a6] also offers Black very active play for the pawn.}) 14... Bxd4 15.
Nxd4 Qxc5 {True, the g7-square is weak now, but Black is centralised and his
bishop may become dangerous along the long diagonal, too.}) 13. Ne4 $1 {
Now the knight obviously goes via the centre, winning quite some tempi.} Qb4
14. Qc2 $1 (14. Bd2 Qxb3 15. axb3 {is a favourable endgame for White, typical
for this variation, yet the continuation in the game is even stronger.}) 14...
a5 {Taking on d4 was not a good option due to Bd2 followed by Nxd4, when the
dark squares are all gaping.} 15. a3 {A more logical move was Bd2, but it is
good to take away the b4-square from the knight in advance.} Qb6 {There was
something to say for placing the queen on b5, but then Black would always have
to pay attention to Nd6, hitting it.} 16. Nc5 Re8 17. Ne5 $1 {It was also
possible to play more modestly, but given so many extra tempi in the opening I
decided that I deserved to have some fun with my knights.} f6 {Black's only
chance to create any play at all now is connected to f6-e5.} 18. Nc4 Qc7 19.
Bd2 {The a5-pawn is doomed.} e5 20. dxe5 fxe5 21. Qa4 Nb6 $6 {This is a very
sad move. I expected Black to go all desperado and try to create some illusion
of initiative on the kingside. It is difficult to suggest how, but I expected
a move like 21...Rf8 or 21...Bf5.} 22. Nxb6 Qxb6 {At first I thought my
position was overwhelming but then I realised that it is still not so simple
to win it. However after further pondering I came to the realisation that my
position is indeed, as good as it looks, no less.} 23. Qc4+ Kh8 24. Bc3 {
The dumbest way to play, is quite powerful.} Bf5 $2 {The final mistake, now
White gains some extra time thanks to a cute tactic and the game is
essentially decided.} (24... Qb5 {This was the last chance. Now White is
likely to end up a pawn up in an endgame but Black will have slightly more
saving chances than in the game.} 25. Qxb5 (25. Re4 {trying to get a similar
position to the one I got in the game is possible too-} Bf5 26. a4 $1) 25...
cxb5 {and here eventually White will win a pawn, with Rad1-Rd5 or simply} 26.
f4 {while the computer smartly indicates that the best move is very possibly a
waiting 26.h3!?.}) 25. g4 $1 {Sending the bishop home.} Bc8 (25... Bxg4 $2 26.
Na4 $1 {is the point.}) 26. Re4 $5 {26.Rad1 was strong too, obviously, but
this looks more grand.} Qb5 27. Rae1 $1 {This time around White can ignore the
offer of the queen trade and let Black take on c4 himself, keeping all the
queenside pawns weak and isolated.} Qxc4 28. Rxc4 Rb8 29. h3 $1 {Upon closer
examination it becomes apparent that Black has no next move. White will
eventually win a couple of pawns with Ne4 or Ra4 or Rd1-d6, but for now it
makes sense to prepare all of that with some useful moves.} h5 (29... Kg8 {
would be a decent way to pass, now White could continue the sadistic approach
with Kg2, f3, a4 or can simply start picking up the full house with} 30. Ne4 $5
Rb6 31. Ra4 $1) 30. gxh5 $5 {I decided it was time to start picking up the
pawns. 30.Rd1! was very strong as well, preparing to penetrate.} gxh5 (30... e4
{leads to a technically lost endgame a couple of pawns down, but at least
Black would be able to continue the struggle for a while.} 31. hxg6 (31. Rexe4
Rxe4 32. Nxe4 Bxc3 33. bxc3 gxh5 34. Rxc6 {wins as well.}) 31... Bxc3 32. bxc3
Bxh3 33. Rexe4 {and 2 pawns should be enough. Black will regain the g6-pawn
soon but White will in his turn win the a5 or c6 soldier in exchange.}) 31. Rh4
Kh7 {Clever move, preparing to meet Rxh5+ with ...Kg6 but now the final touch
follows:} 32. Ne4 $1 {...and while it seems that the resignation is premature,
once you start calculating the variations you quickly notice that although the
material is still equal, Black's position is collapsing completely (the
computer's +3.00 evaluation indicates White's advantage being equal to three
pawns!).} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.21"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Hou, Yifan"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C96"]
[WhiteElo "2680"]
[BlackElo "2811"]
[Annotator "Roiz,M"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 {Fabiano also has rich experience in the Berlin,
but this time he chooses the Classical Ruy Lopez.} 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1
b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 Nd7 12. d5 {This is one of
most ambitious ways of handling the position - White manages to seize a lot of
space.} Nb6 13. Nbd2 Bd7 (13... f5 14. exf5 Bxf5 15. Bxf5 Rxf5 16. Ne4 {
was also tested on the highest level. The control over the e4-spot offers
White a small, but stable advantage.}) 14. Nf1 Nb7 15. b3 {Quite a flexible
continuation - the f1-knight might have better prospects than being placed on
g3.} (15. Ng3 g6 16. Bh6 Re8 17. b3 a5 18. Qe2 b4 19. c4 (19. Bd2 $5) 19... a4
$132 {Hansen,E - Naroditsky,D Reykjavik 2015}) 15... a5 $146 {This innovation
hardly makes Black's position more attractive.} ({After} 15... c4 16. b4 (16.
Be3 Qc7 17. b4 a5 18. a3 Ra6 $132) 16... a5 17. g4 axb4 18. cxb4 Na4 {
Kryvoruchko,Y - Polgar,J Achaea 2012, Black was fine.}) 16. Rb1 $1 {Possibly,
this prophylactic move was underestimated by GM Caruana. Now it's difficult
for Black to make any progress on the q-side.} c4 $6 {An over-optimistic
decision.} ({In the event of} 16... Qc7 17. Ne3 a4 18. b4 Rac8 19. Bd2 $14 {
Black wouldn't have much counter-play, but it was still a better option.}) 17.
bxc4 $1 Nxc4 18. a4 {The poor location of the b7-knight makes it impossible to
protect the pawn.} Qc7 19. axb5 $16 {White is a sound pawn up, though the play
is quite complex.} Nb6 20. Be3 (20. Bd2 a4 21. Rb4 a3 22. Qe2 $16) 20... Rfc8
21. Bd3 Nc5 22. Re2 $6 (22. Qe2 $142 a4 23. Rb4 $16 {White would be able to
limit Black's counterplay and keep a sound extra pawn.}) 22... a4 $2 {Fabiano
is returning the favour.} ({The correct way was} 22... Nba4 $1 23. Rc2 (23. Rc1
Nxd3 24. Qxd3 Qc4 25. Qxc4 Rxc4 26. Rec2 Bxb5 27. N1d2 Rcc8 $11) 23... Rab8 {
, obtaining significant counterplay.}) 23. Ra2 {Now Hou Yifan is in control
again.} Bd8 24. Bc2 Nc4 ({Possibly, a better move was} 24... a3 25. N3d2 Nca4
26. Bxb6 Nxb6 27. Rb3 Qc5 28. Bd3 $16) 25. N3d2 Nxe3 26. Nxe3 {As a result of
Black's over-optimistic play, the a4-pawn should also fall soon.} Rcb8 27. c4
Qc8 28. Ra3 $6 {The first step in the wrong direction.} ({There was no reason
for leaving the opponent's passer:} 28. Bxa4 Ba5 29. Bb3 $18 {there is still
plenty of play ahead, but White's position is winning.}) 28... Ba5 29. Ndf1 Bb6
30. Ng3 (30. Rba1 Qd8 31. Qf3 Qh4 32. Nf5 Bxf5 33. Qxf5 g6 34. Qf3 $16) 30...
Qd8 31. Nef5 {This is not a real mistake yet, but White is wrongly focussed on
the kingside attack...} (31. Qf3 g6 32. Ne2 $16) 31... g6 32. Nh6+ ({Perhaps,
it was better to admit the mistake:} 32. Ne3 Qg5 33. Rba1 Rf8 34. Kh1 {and it
would be still difficult for Fabiano to make any real progress on the kingside.
}) 32... Kg7 33. Qd2 $2 (33. Ng4 Qg5 34. Ne3 Rf8 35. Qc1 $14 {White would
still have no risk.}) 33... Qh4 {Now White is losing an important pawn, so the
Kg1 is getting exposed.} 34. Ng4 Bxg4 35. hxg4 Qxg4 $17 {The situation has
completely changed - now White is in big danger.} 36. Kf1 $2 {A decisive
mistake.} (36. Qe2 Qh4 37. Nf1 $17) 36... Qh4 37. Ke2 h5 38. Kf1 {Admitting
the mistake - the Ke2 was helpless.} Rh8 39. Rba1 Qf6 (39... Rhc8 $5 40. Bxa4
Nxe4 41. Nxe4 Qxe4 42. Bb3 Rxa3 43. Rxa3 Qh4 $19) 40. Rf3 Qe7 41. Ne2 ({
The most stubborn way was} 41. Kg1 Nd7 42. Nf1 Bc5 {, but even then Black's
position seems winning from a positional point of view.}) 41... Nb3 $1 42. Bxb3
axb3 43. Ra6 Rxa6 44. bxa6 Ra8 45. Rxb3 Rxa6 {There is nothing ca be done
against the penetration of Black's major pieces.} 46. g3 h4 47. gxh4 (47. Kg2
h3+ 48. Kxh3 Bxf2 49. Kg2 Qa7 $19) 47... Qxh4 48. Ng3 Bxf2 49. Qxf2 Qh3+ 50.
Ke2 Ra2+ {The rest is just an agony.} 51. Ke1 Rxf2 52. Nf5+ Qxf5 53. exf5 Rxf5
54. Rb6 Rf4 55. Rc6 g5 56. Ke2 Rd4 57. Kf3 f6 58. Rxd6 Rxc4 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.21"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 2. g3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {
[%emt 0:02:02]} 3. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:10]} e6 {[%emt 0:01:30]} 4. O-O {[%emt 0:00:
14]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:49]} 5. c4 {[%emt 0:00:21]} O-O {[%emt 0:01:05]} 6. d4 {
[%emt 0:00:26]} dxc4 {[%emt 0:00:56]} 7. Qa4 {[%emt 0:00:54]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:
29]} 8. Qxc4 {[%emt 0:00:30]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 9. Qc2 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Bb7 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} 10. Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Be4 {[%emt 0:00:27]} 11. Qc1 {[%emt 0:
02:21]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 12. Rd1 {[%emt 0:00:58]} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:01:55]} 13.
Nc3 {[%emt 0:02:42]} Bg6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 14. Bg5 {[%emt 0:01:33]} Rc8 {
[%emt 0:07:30]} 15. a3 {[%emt 0:05:02]} a5 {[%emt 0:07:37]} 16. h4 {[%emt 0:29:
52]} h6 {[%emt 0:08:29]} 17. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:02:14]} Bxf6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 18.
Qe3 {[%emt 0:03:33]} Qb6 {[%emt 0:05:15]} 19. Ne4 {[%emt 0:02:51]} Be7 {
[%emt 0:08:09]} 20. Rac1 {[%emt 0:03:20]} Rfd8 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 21. Nc5 {
[%emt 0:19:32]} Nxc5 {[%emt 0:08:52]} 22. Ne5 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:07:
29]} 23. Nxg6 {[%emt 0:02:46]} Bf6 {[%emt 0:03:30]} 24. g4 {[%emt 0:12:54]} c5
{[%emt 0:17:41]} 25. dxc5 {[%emt 0:04:38]} Rxc5 {[%emt 0:01:41]} 26. Rxc5 {
[%emt 0:01:10]} Qxc5 {[%emt 0:04:36]} 27. Rxd7 {[%emt 0:00:42]} Qxe3 {[%emt 0:
00:03]} 28. Rxd8+ {[%emt 0:00:04]} Bxd8 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.21"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D40"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:13]} 3. Nc3 {[%emt 0:01:07]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 4. e3 {[%emt 0:01:
26]} e6 {[%emt 0:01:37]} 5. d4 {[%emt 0:01:43]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:34]} 6. a3 {
[%emt 0:00:25]} a6 {[%emt 0:02:32]} 7. dxc5 {[%emt 0:01:48]} Bxc5 {[%emt 0:00:
09]} 8. b4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:07:53]} 9. Bb2 {[%emt 0:04:23]} O-O {
[%emt 0:03:37]} 10. cxd5 {[%emt 0:06:13]} exd5 {[%emt 0:00:43]} 11. Be2 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} Be6 {[%emt 0:04:10]} 12. O-O {[%emt 0:02:00]} Qe7 {[%emt 0:00:
58]} 13. Rc1 {[%emt 0:07:26]} a5 {[%emt 0:08:51]} 14. Nb5 {[%emt 0:04:25]} Bb8
{[%emt 0:00:50]} 15. bxa5 {[%emt 0:02:57]} Nxa5 {[%emt 0:04:14]} 16. Bxf6 {
[%emt 0:11:06]} Qxf6 {[%emt 0:00:42]} 17. Nc7 {[%emt 0:00:29]} Bxc7 {[%emt 0:
01:06]} 18. Rxc7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rac8 {[%emt 0:09:09]} 19. Rxc8 {[%emt 0:03:
47]} Rxc8 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 20. Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Nc4 {[%emt 0:03:46]} 21.
Nxe6 {[%emt 0:05:10]} fxe6 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 22. e4 {[%emt 0:00:44]} d4 {
[%emt 0:02:06]} 23. Bxc4 {[%emt 0:03:34]} Rxc4 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 24. Qb3 {
[%emt 0:00:03]} Rc7 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 25. f4 {[%emt 0:00:41]} h6 {[%emt 0:02:07]
} 26. f5 {[%emt 0:01:01]} Re7 {[%emt 0:00:43]} 27. fxe6 {[%emt 0:02:40]} Qxe6 {
[%emt 0:00:18]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.21"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2718"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} 3. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 4. d4 {[%emt 0:00:
02]} exd4 {[%emt 0:01:01]} 5. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:35]} 6.
Nxc6 {[%emt 0:00:13]} bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 7. Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} d5 {
[%emt 0:01:00]} 8. exd5 {[%emt 0:01:43]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:09]} 9. O-O {[%emt 0:
01:09]} cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 10. Bg5 {[%emt 0:01:41]} c6 {[%emt 0:02:44]} 11.
Qf3 {[%emt 0:02:47]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:08:34]} 12. Rae1 {[%emt 0:03:52]} Rb8 {
[%emt 0:05:30]} 13. Nd1 {[%emt 0:03:56]} h6 {[%emt 0:03:53]} 14. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:
00:23]} Qxf6 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 15. Qxf6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} gxf6 {[%emt 0:00:03]}
16. b3 {[%emt 0:01:18]} a5 {[%emt 0:09:01]} 17. Ne3 {[%emt 0:01:12]} Bb4 {
[%emt 0:13:32]} 18. Re2 {[%emt 0:00:18]} a4 {[%emt 0:05:34]} 19. Nf5 {[%emt 0:
01:21]} Bxf5 {[%emt 0:05:09]} 20. Bxf5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Rfd8 {[%emt 0:05:05]}
21. Re3 {[%emt 0:05:47]} axb3 {[%emt 0:03:52]} 22. axb3 {[%emt 0:00:11]} c5 {
[%emt 0:04:55]} 23. Rg3+ {[%emt 0:02:31]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:03:01]} 24. Rh3 {
[%emt 0:02:27]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:27]} 25. Rg3+ {[%emt 0:00:06]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:00:
06]} 26. Rh3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.23"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C95"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2834"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:58]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 4. Ba4 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:44]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:15]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 6. Re1 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 7. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:07]}
8. c3 {[%emt 0:00:31]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:07]} 9. h3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Nb8 {
[%emt 0:00:08] The famously solid Breyer variation! Similar in character to
some games of mine that began with the move 1.d4 b5, Black's play in this line
is extremely formulaic and rarely deviates from well-established and easily
understood plans. A good sign of mastery is to be able to combine elements
from different plans as the game dictates.} 10. d4 {[%emt 0:00:23]} (10. d3 $5
{is another move, recently used against Mamedyarov by the young Spanish GM
David Anton. The logic is that Black has spent time on ...Nb8 that he probably
wouldn't have done against an earlier d3-system. For instance:} Nbd7 11. Nbd2
Bb7 12. Nf1 Re8 13. Ng3 $132 {and White can contemplate playing with Nh2-g4 in
place of the standard d4, Bc2 stuff.}) 10... Nbd7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 11. Nbd2 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:00:11]} (11... c5 {The reason this move order is
not played, is that Black would like White to have to play a4 before Black
goes c4.} 12. Nf1 Re8 13. Ng3 Bf8 14. Ng5 {The point. Now there is no real
choice other than c4, and then Black has to go for tricks.} c4 15. Bc2 exd4 $5
(15... h6 16. Nf3 Bb7 17. d5 g6 18. Be3 {is exactly what Black doesn't want:
counterplay is slow to arrive because White doesn't have a4 yet, and White may
continue with Nh2-g4 or Qd2, etc.}) 16. cxd4 Bb7 17. Bd2 g6 $132 {Black's play
now is aimed at making the knight on g5 feel silly. Nevertheless, he doesn't
have quite enough pressure on e4 and the feeling is that White must be better
somehow, perhaps with a4 under the now-different circumstances.}) 12. Bc2 {
[%emt 0:07:27]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 13. Nf1 {[%emt 0:01:09]} Bf8 {[%emt 0:00:
09]} 14. Ng3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 15. a4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} (15.
Nh2 {is an interesting creative move:} exd4 16. cxd4 c5 17. d5 $11 {In this
kind of position it's hard to know how much weight to give to the opinion of
the machine, but Black should not be worse if he follows normal plans (...Bg7,
...c4, ...Nc5, possibly ...h5.) See Motycakova,M-Nemcova,K Frydek Mistek 2009.}
) (15. b3 $5 {A conceptually challenging line. White wants to get d5 without
a4, and not have it punished by ...c6 and detonation of the centre. Black must
react carefully, and I am not sure quite how to equalise here, though there is
a very interesting piece sacrifice which gives excellent compensation.} Bg7 (
15... c5 16. d5 $14) (15... d5 16. Bg5 h6 17. Bh4 $14 {seems to have been
pioneered by Mamedyarov and analysed down to a draw, but cloud engines
disagree! The consensus will probably change soon...}) 16. d5 Rc8 17. c4 {
This was White's point.} c6 18. Be3 (18. dxc6 Rxc6 19. cxb5 axb5 20. Bd3 b4 $11
{Berg,E-Butnorius,A Gibraltar 2008}) 18... Nb6 $1 {Now for concrete reasons
this is best.} (18... Qa5 {is suggested by the engine, but following} 19. a3
bxc4 20. bxc4 Nc5 21. Qd2 Qxd2 22. Nxd2 Nfd7 23. Rab1 $14 {the queens have
come off and Black is quite passive}) 19. Qe2 $1 {Other moves have been tried,
but this is the most convincing for White.} cxd5 20. cxd5 Nbxd5 {If not for
this move White would be trivially better.} 21. exd5 Nxd5 22. Rac1 $1 {The
only way to take back on e3 with a piece.} (22. Qd2 Nxe3 23. fxe3 e4 24. Nd4
Bxd4 25. exd4 e3 26. Qe2 Qh4 27. Kh2 Qxd4 {is not what White was looking for
from the opening}) 22... Nxe3 (22... Nc3 23. Qd2 $14) 23. Qxe3 d5 $44 {Black
has good compensation based on the big centre.}) 15... Nb6 $5 {[%emt 0:00:51]
Not a move I had seen before, but perhaps it will be seen more in light of the
present game.} (15... c5 {This is the main line. White is only given liberty
to close the centre after he has played a4. Here I have some quite detailed
analysis but suffice it to say in summary that Black faces some slight
problems according to the present theory, largely depending on how fast he
allows tripling on the a-file.} 16. d5 c4 17. Bg5 $1 {White is trying to cross
or delay Black's usual knight redeployment of Nc5, Nfd7.} Bg7 $1 (17... h6 $6 {
is less strong, and a simple plan for White can be formulated, involving...
tripling on the a-file. Far from gaining a tempo, ...h6 in fact loses one. I
will give some sample lines.} 18. Be3 Nc5 19. Qd2 h5 20. Ra3 Qc7 (20... Nfd7
21. Rea1 Nb6 {Else just R1a2, Qc1-a1, etc.} 22. a5 Nba4 {Interesting idea, but
probably bad.} 23. Rb1 $1 Bg7 24. Nf1 $14 {The idea is just Qd1, N1d2, Nxc4
and there is not a lot Black can do about it.}) 21. Rea1 Rab8 22. Qd1 Bc8 23.
axb5 axb5 24. Ra5 Rb7 25. R1a2 Bd7 26. Bg5 Nh7 27. Bd2 Nf6 28. Ng5 Reb8 29. Nf1
{White has gained a marginally more pleasant position and will be able to
triple on the a-file if desired, however if Black plays completely precisely
the advantage will grow, and as we all know, with almost nothing on the board
0.3 is a draw!}) 18. Qd2 Nc5 19. Ra3 (19. Nh2 Qc7 20. Ng4 Nxg4 21. hxg4 Bc8 22.
f3 Bd7 $11) 19... Qc7 20. Rea1 Reb8 21. Qc1 Nfd7 {Black is just about in time,
for instance:} 22. R1a2 Nd3 $132) (15... Bg7 $5 {is an interesting attempt to
dodge the main line - Black is fine to play with ...c6 in place of ...c5, and
keep the position compact and solid in a Philidor-like way.} 16. Bd3 {
Otherwise Black gets ...c5, free of the problems outlined above.} c6 17. Be3 (
17. Bg5 {encourages Black's concept:} Nf8 18. Qd2 Ne6 19. Be3 Nd7 $11 {Black
is fine as in Hou,Y-Sasikiran,K New Delhi 2011.}) 17... Qc7 $132 {Black is
playing for ...d5 and whether White has an edge depends heavily on whether he
can sufficiently discourage this move in the coming phase. One motif to pay
attention to is the dark-square complex. Anand has been on the White side of
this: Anand,V-Baramidze,D Baden-Baden 2015}) 16. axb5 {[%emt 0:06:22]} (16. a5
Nbd7 17. b4 $5 {Caruana,F-Roiz,M Bilbao 2014 , An audacious concept . White is
trying to play d5, lock down the centre as well as the queenside and only
subsequently (and extremely slowly) make progress with the kingside attack.
The idea could, however, have come slightly unstuck against the principled}
exd4 18. cxd4 c5 19. bxc5 dxc5 20. d5 c4 $132) (16. b3 $5 {is possibly more
ambitious than the text - White wants Bd3, c4, d5.} bxa4 {may be the best way
to counter this:} 17. bxa4 a5 18. Bd3 Qc8 $132 {Adams,M-Tan,J Bournemouth 2016,
Black has reasonable play according to current knowledge, but Black's position
looks slightly looser than usual, so there may be an incisive way for White to
get an edge.}) 16... axb5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 17. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Bg7 {
[%emt 0:06:43]} 18. Bd3 {[%emt 0:05:49]} Rxa1 {[%emt 0:06:36]} 19. Qxa1 {
[%emt 0:00:16]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:49]} 20. Be3 {[%emt 0:02:51]} (20. Qc1 {
followed by Bh6 is the engine idea, but Black is solid in any case.}) 20... Qc7
{[%emt 0:07:19]} 21. dxe5 {[%emt 0:01:00]} dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 22. Qc1 {
[%emt 0:00:52]} Bc8 {[%emt 0:05:35]} 23. Qc2 {[%emt 0:01:39] The last two
moves do not create a great impression, but White has a very wide margin of
error in such positions.} Nfd7 {[%emt 0:05:08]} 24. c4 {[%emt 0:05:31] This
move looks like White has reconciled himself to offering a draw soon.} Nxc4 {
[%emt 0:01:03]} 25. Bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:13]} bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 26. Qxc4 {
[%emt 0:00:10]} Nf8 {[%emt 0:01:19]} 27. Rc1 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:04:
33]} (27... Rd8 $5 {is a nice wrinkle: after} 28. Qxc6 Rd1+ 29. Kh2 Rxc1 30.
Qxc1 Qxc1 31. Bxc1 Ne6 $36 {Black has full compensation for the pawn despite
the reduced material and his bishop pair means his game is more pleasant.}) 28.
Nf1 {[%emt 0:04:57]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 29. N1d2 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Qa5 {
[%emt 0:10:37]} 30. Ng5 {[%emt 0:16:57]} Nxg5 {[%emt 0:01:18]} 31. Bxg5 {
[%emt 0:00:11]} Bf8 {[%emt 0:08:28]} 32. Be3 {[%emt 0:05:44] With a draw offer
which was accepted.} (32. Nb3 Qb5 33. Qc3 {was maybe worth considering, as on
strategic purity White is still marginally ahead. Definitely below super-GM
level there is a strong chance that White will consolidate a dark-square bind,
e.g. Be3-c5, Nd2, b4, f3, Kh2.}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.23"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Adhiban, Baskaran"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E71"]
[WhiteElo "2811"]
[BlackElo "2655"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:58]} 2. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} g6 {
[%emt 0:01:02]} 3. e4 {[%emt 0:00:14] The Anti-Grьnfeld move order, but
presumably Black had no intention of playing anything other than a King's
Indian anyway.} d6 {[%emt 0:01:32]} 4. d4 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:05]}
5. h3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Na6 {[%emt 0:02:36]} 6. Be3 {[%emt 0:01:53]} O-O {
[%emt 0:03:11]} 7. g4 {[%emt 0:08:33]} (7. Nf3 {led surprisingly quickly to an
unfavourable position in a predecessor by the same player.} c6 8. Rc1 e5 9. d5
cxd5 (9... Nc5 $5) 10. cxd5 $14 {Nepomniachtchi,I-Adhiban,B Tbilisi 2017,
where the position was already hard to play for Black, and this is not just
the standard machine dislike of the King's Indian!}) 7... c5 {[%emt 0:11:07]
Gawain Jones chose an approach with ...e5 instead, earlier in this event.} 8.
Nge2 {[%emt 0:02:42]} b6 $5 {[%emt 0:27:00] Not a machine top choice, but the
only move to play a substantially different position from the ones after ...
cxd4, ...Nd7, et cetera, which are just mangled Maroczy binds.} 9. e5 {[%emt 0:
20:40]} (9. Bg2 Bb7 10. d5 Nc7 11. O-O Nd7 {would have been the principled
continuation from both sides - Black will manage to arrange a plausible ...b5,
...e6 or ...f5 break in the near future and thus has a fully playable game.})
9... Ne8 {[%emt 0:04:47] Now, as in the classic game Letelier-Fischer, White's
centre appears to be on the brink of being detonated.} 10. Bg2 {[%emt 0:04:47]}
Rb8 {[%emt 0:00:49]} 11. O-O {[%emt 0:11:11]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:02:29]} 12. Bxb7 {
[%emt 0:12:01]} (12. f4 Bxg2 13. Kxg2 Qc7 {will not hold up White's centre for
long. Ideas for Black include not only ...cxd4 but also ...Qb7 and ...Nac7.})
12... Rxb7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 13. Qa4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Nec7 $6 {[%emt 0:00:46]} (
13... Nb4 {was more convincing, if a bit inhuman: after} 14. a3 $6 Nd3 $1 $15 {
White's centre is toast. So he must voluntarily dismantle it with 14.exd6 or
similar.}) 14. exd6 {[%emt 0:03:09]} exd6 {[%emt 0:04:13]} 15. Rad1 {[%emt 0:
04:48]} Qh4 {[%emt 0:12:01]} (15... Qe8 16. Qxe8 Rxe8 17. Rd2 $14 {is very
comfortable for White, because his centre is even nicer than in the game.}) 16.
Kg2 {[%emt 0:02:53]} f5 {[%emt 0:01:05]} 17. f3 {[%emt 0:06:57] The situation
has now stabilised and seems to be marginally in White's favour.} Qe7 {[%emt 0:
22:52]} 18. Bf2 {[%emt 0:02:36]} Qe8 {[%emt 0:02:18]} (18... Nb4 {was again
the move, resting upon the slightly awkward-looking tactical nuance} 19. a3 Na2
$1 $11) 19. Qxe8 {[%emt 0:02:42]} Nxe8 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 20. g5 {[%emt 0:10:06]}
Nec7 {[%emt 0:02:09]} 21. Bg3 {[%emt 0:02:52]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:04:40]} (21... b5 {
was maybe the last chance for Black to try and claim an opening success.} 22.
Bxd6 Re8 23. dxc5 b4 {and amidst significant complications Black seems to be
completely fine.}) 22. d5 {[%emt 0:03:02]} Nxg5 {[%emt 0:00:37]} 23. Bxd6 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:01:28]} 24. Bg3 $14 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nf7 {[%emt 0:
00:56]} 25. Nf4 {[%emt 0:02:47]} Bxc3 {[%emt 0:01:44]} 26. bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:04]
} Nd6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 27. Ne6 {[%emt 0:01:21]} Rdd7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 28. Bxd6
{[%emt 0:00:10]} Rxd6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 29. Rfe1 {[%emt 0:01:09]} Nc7 {[%emt 0:
00:53]} 30. Nf4 {[%emt 0:04:16]} (30. Nxc7 Rxc7 31. Re5 {would have been my
choice, because reputation aside, rook endings offer no worse winning chances
than other kinds of ending with the same size of advantage!}) 30... Kf8 {
[%emt 0:01:44]} 31. a4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} a6 {[%emt 0:01:13]} 32. Nd3 {[%emt 0:
02:46]} Rb8 {[%emt 0:00:21]} 33. Re5 {[%emt 0:01:12]} (33. Ne5 $16) 33... b5 {
[%emt 0:00:14] White is now on the verge of losing control of the situation.}
34. Nxc5 $6 {[%emt 0:00:23]} (34. Nb2 $14 {just about retained a measure of
control; White is going to get the c4-square for his knight. For instance:} Kf7
35. cxb5 axb5 36. axb5 Nxb5 37. Nc4 {and the technical battle continues.})
34... bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 35. Rd4 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:01:34]} 36.
Kg3 {[%emt 0:00:36]} Rb1 {[%emt 0:00:34]} (36... Re8 {was much safer; White
has no way to win a pawn with or without compensation.}) 37. Rxc4 {[%emt 0:00:
34]} Rxd5 {[%emt 0:00:55]} 38. Rxd5 {[%emt 0:00:53]} Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 39.
Nxa6 {[%emt 0:00:06] Now the position is still broadly speaking equal, but
there is an imbalance, and it is often much harder to prove compensation than
to fight against it, particularly in simplified positions.} Rc1 {[%emt 0:01:01]
} (39... Rg1+ 40. Kf2 Ra1 $11 {was apparently the way to go, intending ...Ra3,
and the pawn should be coming home.}) 40. a5 $1 {[%emt 0:00:00]} (40. Nb4 Nxc3
41. Kh4 Rb1 $11 {escapes.}) 40... Nxc3 $6 {[%emt 0:00:35]} (40... g5 $5 41. Nb4
f4+ 42. Kf2 Nxb4 43. Rxb4 Rc2+ $1 44. Ke1 Rxc3 45. Ra4 {and now the rook
endgame would be unpleasant were it not for} Rxf3 $1 $11) 41. Kh4 {[%emt 0:13:
41]} (41. Rc7+ Ke6 $1 42. Rc6+ Ke5 $1 43. Kh4 $14 {might be interesting,
forestalling the idea seen in the game (i.e. ...h6 and ...g5.)}) 41... h6 {
[%emt 0:11:54] The game is still within the drawing margin, but Black is
really cutting it fine.} 42. Nc5 {[%emt 0:09:03]} g5+ {[%emt 0:16:57]} 43. Kh5
{[%emt 0:00:15]} Rh1 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 44. Kxh6 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Rxh3+ {[%emt 0:
00:10]} 45. Kxg5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rxf3 {[%emt 0:00:06] Home and dry.} 46. a6 {
[%emt 0:00:19]} Ne4+ {[%emt 0:01:46]} 47. Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:31]} fxe4 {[%emt 0:
00:08]} 48. Ra4 {[%emt 0:04:24]} Rg3+ {[%emt 0:00:53]} 49. Kf5 {[%emt 0:00:32]}
Rg8 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 50. Rxe4 {[%emt 0:03:26]} Rh8 {[%emt 0:02:56]} 51. Re6 {
[%emt 0:08:21]} Rh5+ {[%emt 0:03:22]} 52. Kg4 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Ra5 {[%emt 0:02:
31]} 53. Rh6 {[%emt 0:00:28]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 54. Rb6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Kf7
{[%emt 0:00:03]} 55. Kf4 {[%emt 0:00:46]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 56. Rh6 {
[%emt 0:00:12]} Kd7 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 57. a7 {[%emt 0:00:17]} Kc7 {[%emt 0:00:
05]} 58. Rh8 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rxa7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 59. Rh7+ {[%emt 0:00:04]}
Kb6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 60. Rxa7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kxa7 61. Ke4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.23"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Black "Hou, Yifan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2640"]
[BlackElo "2680"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:01:20]} 2. g3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:
00:06]} 3. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 4. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Be7
{[%emt 0:00:35]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:08]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:04]} 6. d4 {[%emt 0:
00:08]} dxc4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 7. Ne5 {[%emt 0:00:16] Gawain Jones departs from
his usual 1.e4 fare and plays a topical Catalan.} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 8. Nxc6
{[%emt 0:00:09]} bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 9. Na3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Bxa3 {[%emt 0:
00:15]} 10. bxa3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Ba6 {[%emt 0:00:08] Right now this is
fashionable.} (10... Nd5 11. Qa4 Nb6 12. Qa5 (12. Qxc6 Rb8 {is another
significant line, and I think Black is more or less fine here.}) 12... Bb7 13.
Rd1 Qc8 14. Rb1 Rd8 15. e4 Ba6 $1 $132 {Howell,D-Speelman,J England 2017,
Black maintained equality here. It is a fair bet that White knew about this
game and maybe even that Black anticipated he would...}) 11. a4 {[%emt 0:00:29]
} Qc8 $6 $146 {[%emt 0:14:57] This novelty commits to an exchange sacrifice,
which may not end up working out well.} (11... Qd6 {was a sensible move in a
predecessor game, which Black may have known about.} 12. Qd2 (12. e4 Qb4 13.
Qc2 Rab8 $132) 12... Rfb8 13. Qa5 Rb6 14. Re1 Bb7 (14... Qxd4 $5 {is also
playable}) 15. Qc3 Qb4 16. Qxb4 Rxb4 17. Bd2 Rb2 18. Bc3 Rc2 19. Rec1 Rxc1+ 20.
Rxc1 Nd5 $11 {Wang,Y-Zhou,J Xinghua Jiangsu 2011}) 12. Ba3 {[%emt 0:02:41]} Rd8
{[%emt 0:00:52]} 13. Be7 {[%emt 0:06:08]} Rd5 $5 {[%emt 0:04:10]} (13... Rd6 $5
$14 {could be the best way to give up the exchange, which in fact White is not
encouraged to take.}) 14. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:15:40]} gxf6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 15. Bxd5
{[%emt 0:00:05]} cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 16. e4 $1 {[%emt 0:04:30]} dxe4 {
[%emt 0:10:18]} 17. Qg4+ {[%emt 0:00:27] Now White has a material advantage,
and whatever parallel one wants to draw with the ...b5 QGA exchange sacrifice
line or whatever, he stands better.} Kf8 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 18. Qxe4 {[%emt 0:00:
50]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} (18... Qb7 $5 19. Qxh7 Qd5 $14 {offers slightly more
interesting compensation}) 19. Qxh7 {[%emt 0:02:40]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 20.
Qh6+ {[%emt 0:11:22]} (20. Qh4 $1 Ke7 21. Rab1 Qd5 22. f3 $16 {was concretely
the way to do it. White need not shrink from Qe4 in what follows.}) 20... Ke7 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} 21. Qe3 {[%emt 0:00:48]} Qxa4 {[%emt 0:02:24]} 22. Rab1 {
[%emt 0:09:14]} Bd5 $14 {[%emt 0:00:11] Black seems to have broadly speaking
got things back on track. The practical problems caused by the long diagonal
are augmented by the fact that Black has a pawn for the exchange now.} 23. Rb2
{[%emt 0:03:49]} Rh8 {[%emt 0:01:36]} 24. Qc3 {[%emt 0:01:52]} a5 {[%emt 0:02:
14]} 25. f3 {[%emt 0:03:05]} Kd7 {[%emt 0:05:42]} 26. Rc1 {[%emt 0:06:48]} Ra8
$6 {[%emt 0:06:37] A slightly strange move, unless it occurs to you that Black
might have been concerned about the odd-looking idea of Rb3-a3.} (26... f5 {
was more natural. Now} 27. Rb3 $6 {is nothing in particular after} Qxa2 $1 {
due to the threat to h2.} 28. Rb2 Qa4 $15) 27. Qe3 {[%emt 0:03:57]} Rg8 {
[%emt 0:01:01]} 28. Kg2 {[%emt 0:02:52]} f5 {[%emt 0:12:07]} 29. Kf2 {[%emt 0:
05:54]} Rh8 {[%emt 0:10:49]} 30. Ke1 {[%emt 0:01:12]} Qc6 {[%emt 0:12:19]} 31.
Rc3 {[%emt 0:00:41]} Qa8 {[%emt 0:02:12]} 32. Qe2 {[%emt 0:08:22]} Qa7 {
[%emt 0:10:15]} 33. Qd1 {[%emt 0:03:13]} e5 {[%emt 0:11:36]} (33... f4 $5 $44 {
kept the tension going longer, and thus might have stood better chances
against a White player who, it seems, might have been making some slightly
sub-optimal calls.}) 34. Qa4+ {[%emt 0:00:57]} Kc8 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 35. Rxc4 {
[%emt 0:00:51] White does not miss his chance to clarify the position at the
cost of reinstating material parity.} Bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:26]} 36. Qxc4 {[%emt 0:
00:06]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 37. Kf1 {[%emt 0:12:08]} (37. Qb5 $5 Rxd4 38. Qxe5
$14) 37... Qxd4 {[%emt 0:03:42]} 38. Qa6+ {[%emt 0:01:04]} (38. Qxd4 $5 Rxd4
39. h4 $44) 38... Kd7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 39. Qb5+ {[%emt 0:01:06]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:
00:53] Black now plays for a win!} 40. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rd5 {[%emt 0:01:33]
} 41. Qe2 {[%emt 0:08:26]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:10:06]} 42. Rc2 {[%emt 0:02:55]} Qb4 {
[%emt 0:02:24]} (42... c5 $17 {was completely natural and probably winning,
and would have been a good culmination to the strategy begun with ...Rd5.}) 43.
Qe3 {[%emt 0:07:56]} c5 {[%emt 0:14:58]} 44. Qh6+ {[%emt 0:15:10]} Ke7 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} 45. Re2 {[%emt 0:01:52] Now White is in some sense 'in', and
there is compensation again.} Qb5 {[%emt 0:04:17]} 46. Rf2 {[%emt 0:03:20]} Qb8
{[%emt 0:04:58]} 47. Qg5+ {[%emt 0:02:24]} Ke6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 48. g4 $1 {
[%emt 0:00:41]} f4 {[%emt 0:05:59]} 49. Qf5+ {[%emt 0:01:28]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:
06]} 50. Re2 {[%emt 0:00:55]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:02:58]} 51. Qf6 {[%emt 0:01:12]} Qd6
{[%emt 0:01:49] Black has to give this back to alleviate some of the pressure.
But after this, there are close to no winning chances- for either side.} 52.
Qxd6+ {[%emt 0:00:24]} Rxd6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 53. Rxe5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Rd2+ {
[%emt 0:00:04]} 54. Kh3 {[%emt 0:00:29]} Rxa2 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 55. Rxc5 {
[%emt 0:01:09]} Ra3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 56. Kh4 {[%emt 0:01:45]} Rxf3 {[%emt 0:01:
40]} 57. Rxa5 {[%emt 0:00:19]} Rf2 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 58. h3 {[%emt 0:00:23]} Rf3
{[%emt 0:00:06]} 59. Rh5 {[%emt 0:04:00]} Ra3 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 60. Rf5 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Rf3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 61. Rf6 {[%emt 0:00:58]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:01:
17]} 62. g5 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 63. Ra6 {[%emt 0:02:03]} Kg7
{[%emt 0:00:21]} 64. Rf6 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 65. Rh6 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} Rg3 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.23"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Wei, Yi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2743"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:23]} e6 {[%emt 0:
00:11]} 3. Nf3 {[%emt 0:01:35]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 4. g3 {[%emt 0:00:04]}
Bb4+ {[%emt 0:01:09]} 5. Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:38]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 6. Bg2 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:08]} 7. O-O {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:00:
16]} (7... c6 {is the main move, and it has recently become fashionable to try
and make something of White's bishop positioning with} 8. Bc3 $5 {which
contains some interesting points although 8...Ne4 should equalise.}) 8. Qc2 {
[%emt 0:03:22]} (8. Na3 $5 {Aronian,L-Karjakin,S London 2017, was an
interesting new direction.}) 8... c6 {[%emt 0:00:54]} 9. Rc1 {[%emt 0:01:51]} (
9. Bf4 {looks the most constructive, but the standard move-repetition offer}
Nh5 {forces White to then think of something new.}) 9... b6 {[%emt 0:02:09]} (
9... Ne4 {might look natural, but concretely here White does not need to worry
about the threatened swap, e.g.} 10. a4 Nxd2 11. Nbxd2 a5 12. e4 {with a space
advantage.}) 10. cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:18]} cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 11. Bf4 {[%emt 0:
00:07]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:15:56]} 12. Qb3 {[%emt 0:00:12]} (12. Qa4 {was the path
followed by a noteworthy predecessor.} a6 (12... Rc8 $1 {improves, e.g.} 13.
Rxc8 Qxc8 14. Na3 a6 15. Rc1 Qa8 $11) 13. Rc7 $5 (13. Nbd2 Rc8 14. Qd1 Nh5 15.
Rxc8 Bxc8 16. Rc1 Nxf4 17. gxf4 Bb7 18. e3 Qb8 $11 {Ghaem Maghami,E-Wei,Y
Tashkent 2016}) 13... Rb8 (13... e5 14. dxe5 Qxc7 15. exf6 Bd6 16. fxg7 $14)
14. Nbd2 b5 15. Qc2 Nh5 16. Rxd7 Qxd7 17. Bxb8 Rxb8 18. Ne5 Qd8 19. Nb3 $36 {
White has a very pleasant position- but the question of an advantage is a
different one.}) 12... Rc8 {[%emt 0:10:08]} 13. Rxc8 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Qxc8 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} 14. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nh5 {[%emt 0:04:12] A principled
reaction, but not the best.} (14... a6 15. Rc1 Qa8 16. Na4 $5 {is presumably
the wrinkle intended by 12.Qb3. White could have a little something here,
especially if Black's best is ...Qa7, but looking at some concrete details, my
opinion is that this isn't true:} b5 17. Nc5 Rc8 $1 (17... Nxc5 18. dxc5 Ne4
19. Qe3 $132) 18. Nxb7 Qxb7 $11) 15. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Bxg5 {[%emt 0:04:29]}
16. Nxg5 {[%emt 0:00:20]} Qb8 {[%emt 0:12:23]} 17. e3 {[%emt 0:02:03]} Nhf6 {
[%emt 0:01:35]} 18. Bf1 {[%emt 0:01:05]} h6 {[%emt 0:17:17]} 19. Nf3 {[%emt 0:
00:05]} Ne4 {[%emt 0:01:19]} 20. a4 {[%emt 0:07:20]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:09:25] Now
White gets a relatively pleasant game.} (20... a6 $5 $11 {is now a good reflex,
refusing to allow pawn weaknesses.}) 21. a5 {[%emt 0:00:14]} bxa5 {[%emt 0:07:
14]} 22. Rxa5 {[%emt 0:00:58]} Bc6 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 23. Qa3 {[%emt 0:10:36]}
Rc7 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 24. Nxe4 {[%emt 0:09:49]} dxe4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 25. Nd2
$14 {[%emt 0:00:03] With two pawn weaknesses to White's none (after b3) Black
is reduced to playing responsive chess. Thankfully for him, the position is
quite solid.} Bd5 {[%emt 0:04:03]} 26. b3 {[%emt 0:00:27]} Rb7 {[%emt 0:06:29]}
27. Ba6 {[%emt 0:09:20]} Rc7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 28. Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:24]} Nf6 {
[%emt 0:04:43]} 29. Qd6 {[%emt 0:07:56]} Ne8 {[%emt 0:00:56]} 30. Qa3 {[%emt 0:
02:54]} (30. Qe5 Nf6 31. Rc5 Rb7 32. Qxb8+ Rxb8 33. h3 $14 {might have been my
choice, given how much easier it is to outplay someone when there are few
pieces on the board!}) 30... Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 31. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rb7
{[%emt 0:00:19]} 32. h3 {[%emt 0:08:09]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 33. Ba6 {[%emt 0:
05:49]} Rb4 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 34. Bc4 {[%emt 0:03:40]} Rb7 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 35.
Ra6 {[%emt 0:03:27]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:02:03]} 36. Ra5 {[%emt 0:11:56] Karjakin
doesn't see a way to continue the game.} (36. Qd6 Qxd6 37. Rxd6 Nb6 38. Bxd5
exd5 39. Rc6 {is still slightly interesting}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.23"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:02:11]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:28]} 3. Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:47]} 4. c3 {[%emt 0:00:
06]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 5. d3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} O-O {[%emt 0:06:44]} 6. O-O {
[%emt 0:05:57]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:44]} 7. exd5 {[%emt 0:00:17]} Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:
05]} 8. a4 {[%emt 0:08:11]} (8. Re1 Bg4 9. h3 Bh5 10. Nbd2 {is the main line,
and the jury is still out. Personally, following the trail of most-played
moves, I am sceptical of Black's concept after} Nb6 11. Bb5 f6 12. Ne4 Be7 13.
Ng3 $36) 8... Bf5 {[%emt 0:08:59]} (8... Nb6 9. Bb5 Ne7 {is a fascinating
gambit line which I have already mentioned on this site.}) (8... a5 {is the
most played move, espoused by Aronian among others.}) 9. Re1 {[%emt 0:28:29]}
Nb6 {[%emt 0:02:11]} 10. Bb5 {[%emt 0:01:27]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:01:16] This delayed
implementation of the gambit is based on a Dominguez game from a year ago, and
seems to equalise, albeit in slightly uninspiring fashion if White reacts
correctly.} 11. a5 {[%emt 0:02:56]} (11. Nxe5 c6 12. Bc4 Nxc4 13. dxc4 Qxd1 14.
Rxd1 Ng6 $44 {is more dangerous for White than Black.}) (11. Rxe5 Bd6 12. Re1 (
12. Rxf5 Nxf5 13. d4 $44 {is a maximalist exchange sac, leading to a
strategically confusing game.}) 12... a6 13. Bc4 Nxc4 14. dxc4 c5 $11) 11... c6
{[%emt 0:00:32]} 12. axb6 {[%emt 0:00:44]} cxb5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 13. Be3 {
[%emt 0:10:58]} (13. Rxa7 Qxb6 14. Rxa8 Bxf2+ 15. Kh1 Rxa8 $15 {Mamedov,
R-Dominguez Perez,L Doha 2016}) (13. bxa7 $5 Bxa7 14. Be3 Bxe3 15. Rxa8 Bxf2+
16. Kxf2 Qxa8 17. Rxe5 $11) 13... axb6 {[%emt 0:04:51]} 14. Rxa8 {[%emt 0:00:
18]} Qxa8 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 15. Bxc5 {[%emt 0:12:08]} bxc5 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 16.
Rxe5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Qd8 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 17. d4 {[%emt 0:08:36]} (17. Rxc5 {
seems to improve slightly.} Bxd3 (17... Qxd3 18. Qxd3 Bxd3 19. Na3 $14 {
might now have been a little something.}) 18. Na3 $5 ({Following} 18. Nd4 Bxb1
19. Qxb1 b4 20. Rb5 $11 {we have transposed to the game.}) 18... Ng6 (18... Be4
19. Qxd8 Rxd8 20. h3 {is still inexplicably more pleasant for White.}) 19. Ne5
Bc4 20. Qxd8 Rxd8 21. f4 Nxf4 22. Naxc4 bxc4 23. Nxc4 $11 {The endgame is
roughly equal, but the imbalance can only favour White in the event of
slightly sub-optimal play from either side.}) 17... cxd4 {[%emt 0:25:31]} (
17... b6 $5 {tries to keep something in the position, but after the accurate}
18. Qe1 Be6 19. Ng5 {Black is forced into a slightly speculative pawn
sacrifice:} Ng6 20. Nxe6 fxe6 21. Rxe6 Nf4 $44) 18. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:02:46]} Bxb1
{[%emt 0:01:19]} 19. Qxb1 {[%emt 0:00:08]} b4 {[%emt 0:00:34]} (19... Nc6 20.
Rxb5 Nxd4 21. cxd4 Qxd4 22. Rxb7 Re8 23. h3 $14) 20. Rb5 $11 {[%emt 0:03:34]
As far as I can see, White's tenuous grip on an edge has now completely gone,
and there is also 19...Nc6 to think about, but nevertheless for a few moves
his position is marginally more pleasant. We have transposed to the game.} bxc3
{[%emt 0:02:42]} 21. bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Nd5 {[%emt 0:09:23]} 22. Qd3 {
[%emt 0:02:56]} ({Following} 22. Qb3 Qe8 $1 $11 {Black infiltrates to e1 and
takes c3 for b7 anyway.}) 22... Nf4 {[%emt 0:02:36]} 23. Qf3 {[%emt 0:02:10]}
Ne6 {[%emt 0:03:22]} 24. Rxb7 {[%emt 0:01:35]} (24. Qe4 Nxd4 25. Qxd4 Qxd4 26.
cxd4 Re8 27. Kf1 Re7 $11) (24. Nxe6 $5 {demands a bit of precision.} Qd2 $1 (
24... fxe6 25. Qe2 Qc8 26. h3 $14) 25. h3 fxe6 26. Qe3 Qxe3 27. fxe3 Rc8 28.
Rxb7 Rxc3 29. Kf2 $11 {The proper computer evaluation of this position is +/=
due to White's better king, but in practice this is almost totally drawn.})
24... Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 25. cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Qxd4 {[%emt 0:00:07] Now
two further unnecessary moves were played.} 26. g3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} g6 {
[%emt 0:00:19]} 27. h4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} h5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.23"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2718"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 2. g3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bg4 {
[%emt 0:00:41]} 3. Bg2 {[%emt 0:01:58] One of the great things about these
slightly unassuming openings is that an annotator can start to make meaningful
comments right from the word 'go'.} c6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 4. O-O {[%emt 0:00:28]}
Nd7 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 5. h3 {[%emt 0:00:23]} (5. c4 Bxf3 6. Bxf3 Ne5 $11 {
is a motif worth bearing in mind.}) 5... Bh5 {[%emt 0:00:06] Perhaps nothing
at this level, but nevertheless an indication that Black is not trying to hold
a draw.} 6. d4 {[%emt 0:01:51]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 7. c4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Be7
{[%emt 0:00:15]} 8. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:20]} (8. cxd5 exd5 9. Nc3 Ngf6 10. Nh4 {
Vachier-Lagrave, M-Gunina,V Gibraltar 2016, could be one way to introduce the
bishop-for-knight imbalance anyway.}) 8... dxc4 {[%emt 0:01:27] But this is
the really comment-worthy point. Anish Giri has decided to play for a win.} (
8... Ngf6 {was normal, obviously.}) 9. b3 {[%emt 0:00:29]} cxb3 {[%emt 0:08:48]
} 10. Qxb3 {[%emt 0:00:26]} Qb6 {[%emt 0:08:21]} (10... Ngf6 {was a slightly
strange reaction from a top player a year ago, considering the strategic
importance of the b7-pawn. Following} 11. Qxb7 O-O 12. Bf4 Qa5 13. g4 Bg6 14.
g5 Nh5 15. Bd2 Rfd8 16. Qxc6 (16. Rfc1 $14) 16... Rac8 17. Qb5 Qxb5 18. Nxb5 a6
$11 {Eljanov,P-So,W Shamkir 2017 Black nevertheless equalised.}) 11. Qa4 {
[%emt 0:00:37]} Ngf6 {[%emt 0:18:21]} 12. Rb1 {[%emt 0:15:41]} Qc7 {[%emt 0:00:
13]} 13. Bf4 {[%emt 0:00:24]} Qc8 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 14. Rfc1 {[%emt 0:25:29]} (
14. Qb3 {After} Bg6 15. Rb2 Nb6 16. Ne5 $44 {for instance Black's position is
slightly unpleasant and White has at least full compensation.}) 14... O-O {
[%emt 0:03:36]} 15. Qb3 {[%emt 0:05:39] Seemingly forcing some concessions,
but there is a relatively clever tactical defence of the b7-pawn available.}
Bg6 {[%emt 0:10:42]} 16. Rb2 {[%emt 0:01:05]} Rd8 $1 {[%emt 0:02:49] Black has
already equalised. There is no easy way to disentangle the White pieces. So
White goes for a slow one.} 17. a4 $1 {[%emt 0:07:42]} (17. Nh4 Nb6 18. Be5
Nfd7 $15) (17. Nd2 {is no good immediately:} Nb6 $15) 17... a5 {[%emt 0:02:49]}
18. Nd2 {[%emt 0:02:23]} Nh5 $6 {[%emt 0:15:13]} (18... Nf8 $5 19. Nc4 (19. Be5
N6d7 20. Bf4 Bb4 $132) 19... Rxd4 $1 {A natural exchange sacrifice. Now} 20.
Nb6 Qd8 21. Nxa8 Rb4 22. Qa2 Qxa8 $44 {is easier for Black to play, even if
objectively equal.}) 19. Be3 {[%emt 0:01:48]} Nhf6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 20. Nc4 $14
{[%emt 0:05:11] White gets ambitious, and right now it seems justifiable.} Nd5
{[%emt 0:01:19]} 21. Qxb7 {[%emt 0:04:09]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:03:18]} 22. Qxc8 {
[%emt 0:01:46]} Raxc8 $6 {[%emt 0:00:22] An objectively dubious but
competitively understandable move.} (22... Rdxc8 23. Na2 c5 24. dxc5 Bxc5 25.
Bxc5 Rxc5 26. Rb7 $36 {might not be so terrible, but Black lacks winning
chances.}) 23. Na2 {[%emt 0:09:17]} Nxe3 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 24. fxe3 {[%emt 0:00:
14]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 25. Nd6 {[%emt 0:02:52]} (25. Rd1 $1 {was the
computer-precise move, adding to the pawn tension in the centre and
threatening to open the c-file since there is now longer a pin there. For
instance:} Nf6 (25... cxd4 26. Nxb4 axb4 27. Rxb4 dxe3 28. Nxe3 Nc5 29. Rxd8+
Rxd8 30. a5 $16) 26. Nxb4 cxb4 27. Nxa5 $16) 25... Ba3 $1 {[%emt 0:01:37]} 26.
Nxc8 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Bxb2 {[%emt 0:00:41]} 27. Ne7+ {[%emt 0:00:33]} Kf8 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} 28. Nxg6+ {[%emt 0:00:15]} hxg6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 29. Rc2 {
[%emt 0:06:11]} Ba3 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 30. Bc6 {[%emt 0:07:49]} (30. Nc3 {
and Nb5 looks natural to me, and White is probably still equal or as near as
makes no difference. Presumably the scare was over} cxd4 31. exd4 Rc8 {but
White has the calm} 32. Be4 $11 {and then Nb5 anyway.}) 30... cxd4 {[%emt 0:09:
24]} 31. exd4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:01:18]} 32. e3 {[%emt 0:04:40]} Ke7
{[%emt 0:01:12]} 33. Kf1 {[%emt 0:02:04]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:05:08]} 34. g4 {[%emt 0:
00:35]} Nb6 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 35. Rc1 $2 {[%emt 0:03:05] The finish is now
clinical in what was until now just a slightly unpleasant position.} (35. Ke2
Rh8 $1 $15 {illustrates one problem.}) (35. Kf2 f5 36. Nc1 Nd5 37. Nd3 Kf6 $15
{is also gradually getting worse for White.}) 35... Ba3 {[%emt 0:01:24]} 36.
Rc3 {[%emt 0:00:22]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:02:24]} 37. Nxb4 {[%emt 0:01:46]} axb4 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} 38. Rc5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} b3 $19 {[%emt 0:02:00] Black is
winning a piece. White played one more move:} 39. a5 {[%emt 0:00:27]} Nd7 {
[%emt 0:03:17] and then promptly resigned.} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.23"]
[Round "9"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} g6 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} 3. Nbd2 {[%emt 0:03:04] Home-made chess it is today! It is a
relief to see one of the world elite players trying out an 'interesting' 3rd
move in this position - there are many which have appealed to me and other
theory-lite players in the past, including Bg5, c3, b4...} ({It would be
remiss of me not to mention the 'Old Speckled Egg' setup, pioneered by my
fellow English GM, Keith Arkell. The idea is similar to those of the text.} 3.
b4 Bg7 4. Bb2 O-O 5. Nbd2 d6 $1 {Against ...d5 setups, White obtains an easier
position!} 6. e3 c5 $11 {Fernandez,D-Ghasi,A chess. com INT 2017, Black had
equalised and ultimately won.}) 3... d5 {[%emt 0:03:51]} 4. e3 {[%emt 0:01:01]}
(4. b4 $5 {is interesting if we bear the above note in mind. For instance, now}
Bg7 5. Bb2 O-O 6. e3 Bf5 7. c4 a5 8. b5 {leaves Black a bit short of plans, so
Black might have to play more directly, for instance with 4...a5.}) 4... Nc6 {
[%emt 0:15:09] Among other things, this move prevents b4, but it is hard to
find plans for Black in what follows.} 5. b3 {[%emt 0:11:01]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:01:
58]} 6. Bb2 {[%emt 0:00:49]} O-O {[%emt 0:01:28]} 7. Be2 {[%emt 0:02:45]} a5 {
[%emt 0:07:40]} 8. a3 {[%emt 0:04:31]} (8. c4 {attempts to call Black's bluff:}
a4 {is not that threatening since after} 9. bxa4 {the pawn will prove rather
hard to regain.}) 8... b6 {[%emt 0:05:39]} (8... Ne4 9. c4 Nxd2 10. Qxd2 $14)
9. O-O {[%emt 0:00:58]} e6 {[%emt 0:01:27]} 10. c4 {[%emt 0:02:43]} Ne7 {
[%emt 0:04:24]} 11. cxd5 {[%emt 0:08:38] Allowing Black's light-squared bishop
to develop on its preferred diagonal.} ({We have nevertheless reached a
vaguely Catalan-esque position, in which White tends to keep the central pawn
tension until an advantageous moment, so} 11. Qc2 $5 {deserved consideration.
There could follow:} c6 12. Rac1 Ba6 13. Rfd1 Rc8 14. Qb1 $14 {and White has a
good version of the Catalan, because ...c5 is almost impossible to arrange.})
11... exd5 {[%emt 0:01:05]} 12. b4 {[%emt 0:03:02]} c6 {[%emt 0:08:55]} 13. Rc1
{[%emt 0:03:21] A slightly strange move, conceding the a-file and hence
equality.} (13. b5 {was the most principled. Doubtless, Black has in mind the
equally principled} cxb5 14. Bxb5 Bd7 {but here White can pretend to have an
edge, e.g.} 15. Bxd7 Qxd7 16. a4 $32 {when if nothing else, the queenside pawn
structure bodes well for an endgame.}) 13... axb4 {[%emt 0:04:21]} 14. axb4 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:07] Black keeps it solid, since ...Ne8-d6-c4 is
not too hard to arrange for him.} 15. Nb3 {[%emt 0:05:01]} (15. Ne5 Qd6 16. Qc2
$5 {was an interesting and quite maximalist pawn sacrifice.}) 15... Ra2 {
[%emt 0:11:22]} 16. Bc3 {[%emt 0:05:27]} Ne4 {[%emt 0:04:38]} 17. Be1 {[%emt 0:
04:47]} (17. Nfd2 Nxc3 18. Rxc3 Qd6 $11 {still leads to an equal position-
White has two knights but only one useful outpost!}) 17... Ra6 {[%emt 0:04:15]
From a human point of view, it is sensible to cut out Na5 options with the
attendant rook-traps, and also protect the c6-pawn.} (17... Bg4 $5 18. h3 Bxf3
19. Bxf3 Nd6 $11 {is equal for precisely the same reason as the last note.})
18. Nc5 {[%emt 0:03:48]} Rb6 $6 {[%emt 0:03:00] Solid to a fault.} (18... Nxc5
19. Rxc5 Qd6 {might have been slightly more unpleasant for White to play - c6
is not easy to hit, and Black's doubling on the a-file comes quickly.}) 19. Ra1
{[%emt 0:06:35]} Bg4 {[%emt 0:09:30]} 20. h3 {[%emt 0:01:55]} Bxf3 {[%emt 0:00:
14]} 21. Bxf3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Nxc5 {[%emt 0:00:44]} 22. bxc5 {[%emt 0:00:06]}
Rb8 {[%emt 0:01:12] Now if we are looking at the position seriously, White has
a slight edge, though quite how to prosecute it is not clear.} 23. Ra7 {
[%emt 0:06:42]} (23. Qc2 Ra8 24. Bb4 Qd7 25. Ra2 Ra7 26. Rfa1 Rfa8 27. Be2 $14
{followed by kingside pawn pushes might be the best way to try- Black has no
counterplay and while his position is tremendously solid, he has no option
other than staying solid.}) 23... Ra8 {[%emt 0:03:46]} 24. Qa1 {[%emt 0:00:23]}
Qb8 {[%emt 0:00:18]} (24... Rxa7 $5 25. Qxa7 Nf5 26. Bb4 Qg5 $132) 25. Rxa8 {
[%emt 0:02:16]} Qxa8 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 26. Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Qb7 {[%emt 0:01:
05]} 27. Qc3 {[%emt 0:00:25]} Ra8 {[%emt 0:00:36]} 28. Ra1 {[%emt 0:00:06]} h5
{[%emt 0:02:50]} 29. g4 {[%emt 0:02:04] Now play looks similar to two notes
ago, but Black is closer to arranging the major-piece swaps in a good way.}
hxg4 {[%emt 0:00:47]} 30. hxg4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} f5 {[%emt 0:01:18]} 31. Rxa8+ {
[%emt 0:04:39]} Qxa8 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 32. Qa3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Qc8 {[%emt 0:03:
48] On principle, with White having played kingside pawn pushes, it is correct
to keep queens on.} (32... Qxa3 $5 33. Bxa3 f4 $11 {was a way for Black to
think about maybe, eventually, winning-on a good day with a following wind,
and if and only if White tries to win with a pawn break.}) 33. gxf5 {[%emt 0:
01:17]} Qxf5 {[%emt 0:00:32]} 34. Kg2 {[%emt 0:04:39]} g5 {[%emt 0:02:02] The
position is now completely balanced and it is for White to force a draw before
Black develops real play with ...Ng6 or ...g4.} 35. Be2 {[%emt 0:05:17]} Qe4+ {
[%emt 0:01:42]} (35... Ng6 36. Qd3 $1 $11) 36. Bf3 {[%emt 0:02:00]} Qf5 {
[%emt 0:00:25]} 37. Be2 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Qe4+ {[%emt 0:00:03]} 38. Bf3 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.24"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2834"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "149"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. Bf4 Bf5 4. e3 e6 5. c4 Bxb1 6. Qxb1 (6. Rxb1 {- see
Karjakin-Wei Yi in CBM 174.}) 6... Bb4+ 7. Kd1 {A very unusual line but Magnus
Carlsen regularly proves that White's king in the centre is less a problem for
him than it might seem.} Bd6 (7... O-O 8. c5 c6 9. Bd3 Nbd7 10. Ke2 Ba5 11. g4
g6 {0-1 (26) Caruana,F (2807)-Karjakin,S (2773) Saint Louis 2017} 12. h4 $40) (
7... Ne4 8. Qc2 Bd6 (8... c6 9. Bd3 f5 10. Ke2 (10. cxd5 $5 exd5 11. g4 $36)
10... Nd7 (10... Bd6 $142) 11. Qb3 Qe7 12. c5 Bxc5 {1-0 (23) Rambaldi,F (2574)
-Sanchez Alvarez,R (2402) Panama City PAN 2017} 13. Qxb7 $16) 9. Bxd6 Qxd6 10.
Bd3 f5 {0-1 (75) Demidov,M (2523)-Kovalenko,I (2635) chess.com INT 2018} 11.
cxd5 exd5 12. Ne5 $14) (7... Be7 8. c5 b6 9. b4 Ne4 10. Qc2 O-O 11. Bd3 {
1-0 (75) Margvelashvili,G (2547)-Gerzhoy,L (2489) Saint Louis 2012} f5 $13) (
7... c5 8. a3 Ba5 9. b4 cxb4 10. axb4 Bc7 11. Bxc7 Qxc7 12. c5 O-O 13. Bb5 Ne4
14. Qb2 Nc6 15. Ke2 f5 $13 {1-0 (33) Olbrich,M (2302)-Stettler,M (2291)
Germany 2002}) (7... dxc4 8. Bxc4 Bd6 9. Bg3 Nbd7 10. Ke2 Qe7 11. Qc2 O-O 12.
Rhd1 e5 13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Bxe5 15. Kf1 Bxg3 16. hxg3 Qe5 $11 {1/2 (23)
Wirthensohn,H (2361)-Mathonia,C (2197) Germany 2002}) 8. Bg5 (8. c5 Bxf4 9.
exf4 Ne4 10. Qc2 Qf6 11. g3 O-O 12. Bb5 a6 13. Ba4 b5 14. cxb6 cxb6 15. Ke2 b5
16. Bb3 a5 $17 {0-1 (30) Nikolic,Z-Djukic,Z Nis 1981}) (8. Bxd6 Qxd6 9. Qc2 (9.
cxd5 exd5 10. Bd3 O-O 11. Ke2 Nbd7 12. b4 a5 13. b5 c5 14. bxc6 bxc6 15. Rd1 c5
16. dxc5 Nxc5 17. Kf1 Rfc8 $15 {0-1 (49) Hauge,L (2436)-Vaibhav,S (2542) chess.
com INT 2018}) 9... O-O 10. Bd3 dxc4 11. Qxc4 Nbd7 12. Ke2 c6 13. Rhd1 Qe7 14.
Rac1 e5 $11 {1/2 (18) Demidov,M (2523)-Andriasian,Z (2585) chess.com INT 2018})
8... h6 (8... c5 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Bb5+ Nc6 11. dxc5 Bxc5 (11... Be7 $142 $14)
12. Bxc6+ bxc6 13. Qc2 $16 {1-0 (26) Carlsen,M (2838)-Finegold,B (2481) chess.
com INT 2017}) (8... c6 9. Bd3 Nbd7 10. Ke2 Qe7 11. Rd1 h6 12. Bh4 O-O 13. Kf1
e5 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Nxe5 Qxe5 16. Bg3 Qe6 17. cxd5 cxd5 18. Bf5 Qe7 19. Qc2
$14 {1-0 (74) Kobo,O (2489)-Taylor,A (2256) Barcelona 2016}) 9. Bxf6 (9. Bh4 {
was played in two online games between Carlsen and So:} Nbd7 (9... g5 10. Bg3
Ne4 11. Qc2 g4 12. Nd2 Bxg3 13. Nxe4 dxe4 14. hxg3 f5 15. Qb3 $14 {1/2 (77)
Carlsen,M (2832)-So,W (2815) chess.com INT 2017}) 10. cxd5 exd5 11. Bd3 c6 12.
Ke2 Be7 13. b4 a6 14. Rc1 O-O 15. a4 Ne4 16. Bxe4 Bxh4 17. Bh7+ Kh8 18. Bf5 Nb6
19. b5 cxb5 20. axb5 a5 $11 {1-0 (35) Carlsen,M (2832)-So,W (2815) chess.com
INT 2017}) 9... Qxf6 10. cxd5 $146 {[%mdl 8]} (10. c5 Bf8 ({there is nothing
wrong with} 10... Be7) 11. Qc2 c6 12. b4 a6 13. Bd3 Nd7 14. Ke2 g5 15. h3 Bg7
16. a4 Qe7 17. Rad1 O-O 18. g4 e5 $13 {1/2 (40) So,W (2822)-Wojtaszek,R (2745)
Shamkir 2017}) 10... exd5 11. e4 $1 {Unusual: White attacks in the centre when
his uncastled king is there! Moreover, he has no development advantage or
other positional trumps. The justification of his action is purely tactical: a
favourable constellation of pieces at this particular moment. And surprisingly
it works!} Be7 (11... Qe6 $5 12. e5 Be7 13. Bb5+ Nd7) 12. Bb5+ $5 ({Of course,
not} 12. exd5 Nd7 {followed by 0-0-0.}) ({The immediate} 12. e5 {allows Black
to activate his queen:} Qb6) 12... c6 13. e5 Qf4 14. Bd3 c5 {Black must get
access to White's king.} 15. dxc5 Nc6 16. Qc1 {Of course, the exchange of
queens is favourable for White.} Qb4 17. a3 $1 (17. Ke2 Bxc5 18. Rd1 Qb6 19. a4
a6 20. b4 Nxb4 21. Rb1 O-O 22. Kf1 Qc6 23. a5 Rac8 24. Qd2 Nxd3 25. Qxd3 {
0-1 (68) Sadzikowski,D (2584)-Bai,J (2575) Neustadt an der Weinstrasse G 2018}
Rfd8 $15) 17... Qxc5 18. Ke2 {...but Magnus Carlsen doesn't hurry!} ({After} 
18. Qxc5 Bxc5 19. Ke2 O-O {[%csl Re5] Black should equalize.}) 18... Nd4+ (
18... Qb6 $5 {[%cal Re7c5]}) 19. Nxd4 Qxd4 20. f4 O-O 21. Qd2 Qb6 22. Rhe1 f6
23. e6 $1 {[%mdl 512]} Qxe6+ 24. Kf3 {White has sacrificed a pawn but his king
is now safe, and the weakness of light squares in Black's position becomes
critical.} Qd7 (24... Qf7 {[%cal Yf7h5]} 25. Bf5 Kh8 26. Rad1 {is very
unpleasant, too.}) 25. Rad1 Rad8 26. Qe3 Bd6 27. Bg6 f5 28. Qe6+ Qxe6 29. Rxe6
Bc5 {This move allows White to regain material while keeping a big positional
advantage} ({but after} 29... Bb8 30. h4 {Black's position is completely
passive.}) 30. Re5 (30. g3 $142 {protecting the f4-pawn, and then Re6-e5.})
30... Rf6 (30... Bd6 $142 $1 31. Rxf5 (31. Rexd5 Rf6 $1 32. Bxf5 g6 {regaining
the f4-pawn is the point of Black's defence}) 31... Bc7 32. Rxf8+ Kxf8 {
, and Black keeps good drawing chances.}) 31. Bxf5 Bd6 32. Rdxd5 Kf7 33. Re4 g6
34. Bg4 {As a result, White has won a pawn.} h5 35. Bh3 Re8 36. Red4 Be5 37.
Rb4 g5 38. g3 (38. Rxb7+ Kf8 39. g3 gxf4 40. g4 {was not clear due to} hxg4+
41. Bxg4 Rd6 $1 {with drawing chances for Black. If} 42. Rxd6 Bxd6 43. Rxa7 {
then} Re3+ 44. Kg2 Rb3) 38... b6 39. Rd7+ Kf8 40. Rh7 {White goes for a
position with 3 pawns vs. bishop. He had a good alternative:} (40. Rxa7 Bd6 41.
Rc4 gxf4 42. gxf4 b5 43. Re4 Rxe4 44. Kxe4 Rxf4+ 45. Kd5 $16) 40... g4+ 41.
Bxg4 hxg4+ 42. Kxg4 {Computers usually evaluate such positions as nearly equal
but in fact, they are quite difficult to defend. Wesley So fails to hold his
ground.} Bd6 43. Rc4 a5 (43... Rg6+ $142 44. Kf5 Rg7 {exchanging White's
active rook.}) 44. Rc6 Kg8 {Black now loses a fourth pawn but} ({if} 44... Be7
{then} 45. Rh8+ Kf7 46. Rxf6+ Bxf6 47. Rxe8 Kxe8 48. b3 {. After the exchange
of both pairs of rooks the endgame is winning for White.}) 45. Rb7 Be5 46.
Rcxb6 Rxb6 47. Rxb6 {[%mdl 4096] The rest is a matter of technique, which the
World Champion hardly lacks.} Bd4 48. Rb5 Re2 49. b3 Rxh2 50. Rxa5 Re2 51. Rd5
Bb2 52. a4 Bc3 53. Kf5 Re8 54. g4 Rf8+ 55. Ke4 Rb8 56. Rb5 Re8+ 57. Kd3 Be1 58.
a5 Bf2 59. b4 Re3+ 60. Kc4 Re4+ 61. Kb3 Kf7 62. Re5 Rd4 (62... Rxf4 63. Rf5+
Rxf5 64. gxf5 $18) 63. b5 Rd3+ 64. Kc2 Rg3 65. g5 Bd4 66. Rd5 Be3 67. Rd3 Rg2+
68. Kb3 Bc1 69. b6 Ke6 70. Rd4 Rb2+ 71. Ka4 Kf5 72. Rb4 Ra2+ 73. Kb5 Bxf4 74.
Rxf4+ Kxf4 75. b7 {A fantastic game, a real gem of chess strategy of the
future. It is very difficult to say where Black committed mistakes leading to
his defeat!} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.24"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E00"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:
00:03]} 3. g3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bb4+ {[%emt 0:00:15]} 4. Nd2 {[%emt 0:00:00]
Maybe similarly to yesterday, Anish Giri goes for the creation of a slight
imbalance. 4.Bd2 is played more often.} c5 {[%emt 0:00:45] And Karjakin does
not object. In principle, if one plays these ...Bb4 lines, be they in the
Ragozin, Nimzo-Indian, Bogo-Indian or even something else, one should not
object to giving up this bishop for a knight and then arranging all one's
pawns on dark squares.} (4... d5 5. Bg2 O-O 6. Ngf3 b6 7. O-O Bb7 {is another
normal way to play this position with Black.}) 5. a3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bxd2+ {
[%emt 0:00:05]} 6. Qxd2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 7. Nf3 {[%emt 0:
00:11]} (7. Qxd4 Nc6 8. Qd3 O-O 9. Bg2 d5 $11) 7... d5 {[%emt 0:00:47]} (7...
b6 $5 8. Nxd4 Bb7 9. f3 $132 {could lead to some kind of almost Maroczy-like
play}) 8. Bg2 {[%emt 0:01:01]} dxc4 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 9. Qxd4 {[%emt 0:00:14]}
Qxd4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 10. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:08] The
position is now 'more open than closed' and so I would probably slightly
prefer to be White, but very accurate play is needed to make anything of this.}
11. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:25]} (11. Bg5 $5 e5 12. Nb5 Nc6 13. Rd1 $14 {is maybe one
way to go; White will choose soon whether to play with Bxf6, Nd6 etc or with
Be3, h3, Nc3, 0-0 and try and make use of the bishop pair only once the rooks
come off. The Catalan bishop always guarantees at least sufficient
compensation.}) 11... Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:40]} 12. Rc1 {[%emt 0:00:21]} (12. O-O $5
Nxe3 13. fxe3 e5 $11 {is creative but probably nothing.}) 12... c3 $1 {[%emt 0:
00:26]} (12... Nxe3 13. fxe3 e5 14. Nb5 Nc6 15. Nd6 $14) 13. b3 {[%emt 0:00:05]
} Nxe3 {[%emt 0:03:29]} 14. fxe3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 15. Rxc3
{[%emt 0:02:48]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:07:50]} 16. O-O {[%emt 0:14:21]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:
32]} 17. Rc7 {[%emt 0:11:35]} (17. Nf3 $5 $14 {is a counter-intuitive machine
suggestion that makes a lot of sense once you look at it a few times, but in
any case Black might be able to neutralise the pressure with the standard
bishop-for-knight swap, because the machine overrates bishops. For instance:}
Bd7 18. Ne5 Rac8 19. Rxc8 Rxc8 {and Black is getting nice and active, whether
White accepts the unusual swap offer or not.}) 17... Rb8 $1 {[%emt 0:00:05] An
ugly but necessary move, and after a few more similar ones it transpires that
White is not better.} 18. Nb5 {[%emt 0:10:21]} a5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 19. Na7 {
[%emt 0:07:07]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:07:57]} 20. Rd1 {[%emt 0:01:09]} (20. Rxb7 $2 Rxb7
21. Bxb7 Rb8 $15) 20... b6 {[%emt 0:09:07] With equality.} 21. Bc6 {[%emt 0:04:
56]} Bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:59]} 22. Rxd8+ {[%emt 0:00:07]} Rxd8 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 23.
Nxc6 {[%emt 0:00:37]} Rd1+ {[%emt 0:01:46]} 24. Kg2 {[%emt 0:01:19]} h5 {
[%emt 0:01:33]} 25. Ne5 {[%emt 0:03:34]} Ng4 {[%emt 0:02:25]} (25... Re1 $5 {
might deserve consideration at lower levels, to try and play on based on
White's structure.}) 26. Nxg4 $11 {[%emt 0:01:56] The rook endgame is almost
completely equal, with White's activity counterbalanced by a structural issue.}
1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.24"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Hou, Yifan"]
[Black "Adhiban, Baskaran"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2680"]
[BlackElo "2655"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "204"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:01:37]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d6 {
[%emt 0:00:48]} 3. g3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:28]} 4. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:
06]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:06]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:03]} 6. Re1 {
[%emt 0:00:12] White opts to play that rare creature, the Fianchetto KID
without c4. There can be nothing really wrong with it but the game now
resembles something more like a Philidor with a slightly strange fianchetto
for White.} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:01:17]} 7. e4 {[%emt 0:00:11]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 8.
Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} c6 {[%emt 0:02:39]} 9. a4 {[%emt 0:00:19]} Re8 {[%emt 0:
01:27]} (9... a5 10. h3 Re8 11. Be3 exd4 12. Bxd4 Rb8 13. Re2 Qc7 14. Qe1 Ne5
15. Nd2 $11 {Lobron,E-Gelfand,B Biel 1993}) 10. h3 {[%emt 0:02:54]} Qc7 {
[%emt 0:00:54]} 11. Be3 {[%emt 0:05:35]} b6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 12. Qd2 {[%emt 0:
00:05]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:00:33]} 13. Rad1 {[%emt 0:02:31]} Rad8 $11 {[%emt 0:00:22]
So, both sides have completed development and it is up to White what she wants
to do about ...d5, which may be coming soon. It is perhaps not so strange that
the play vaguely resembles some of the Breyer sidelines examined yesterday in
the notes to Anand-Carlsen.} 14. Bg5 {[%emt 0:04:06]} (14. Bh6 a6 15. Bxg7 Kxg7
{is no panacea for White, who must still worry about slow play: ...h6, ...b5, .
..Qb6, maybe eventually ...c5.}) 14... a6 {[%emt 0:09:50]} 15. h4 {[%emt 0:13:
22]} b5 {[%emt 0:03:00]} 16. axb5 {[%emt 0:06:42]} axb5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 17. b3
{[%emt 0:01:17]} (17. h5 $5 {initiates some bizarre complications. For
instance:} exd4 18. Nxd4 b4 19. Na2 Ne5 $13) 17... Qb8 {[%emt 0:21:17]} 18.
dxe5 {[%emt 0:15:41]} (18. h5 {is again worth at least calculating, though
Black has a bail-out option in ...h6 intending ...Nxh5.}) 18... dxe5 {[%emt 0:
03:14]} 19. Bh3 {[%emt 0:08:55]} Nf8 {[%emt 0:14:24]} 20. Qe3 {[%emt 0:02:58]}
Rxd1 {[%emt 0:03:25]} 21. Rxd1 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Bc8 {[%emt 0:01:18]} 22. Bxc8 {
[%emt 0:08:30]} Rxc8 {[%emt 0:01:14] This is now a fully believable Breyer Ruy
Lopez, except the pawn at c2, which should be on c4.} 23. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:06:12]}
Bxf6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 24. Na2 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:19:21]} 25. Nb4 {
[%emt 0:00:40] As a firm believer in the knight, it was interesting to watch
this game and see how convincing or otherwise the 'bad' dark-square bishop was
against it. ('bad' is in quotes because I do know a thing or two about the
KID!)} Be7 {[%emt 0:02:09]} 26. Nd3 {[%emt 0:11:43]} f6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 27. h5
{[%emt 0:00:06]} g5 $6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} (27... Kf7 $11 {was maybe better, not
making too many pawn weaknesses.}) 28. b4 {[%emt 0:03:11]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:04:40]}
(28... Rc7 29. Ndxe5 $13 {is messy, but could have been Black's best.}) 29. Ra1
{[%emt 0:05:10]} Rd7 {[%emt 0:01:52]} 30. Nh2 {[%emt 0:02:03]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:01:
06]} 31. Ra2 {[%emt 0:04:49]} (31. Qd2 $5 {tries to arrange a queen lift to a2.
} Ra7 {causes a cascade of tactical issues, beginning} 32. Rxa7 Qxa7 33. c3 $14
) 31... Ra7 {[%emt 0:03:56]} 32. Rb2 {[%emt 0:01:30]} Ra3 {[%emt 0:04:36]} 33.
Qd2 {[%emt 0:01:40]} Qa8 {[%emt 0:08:26]} (33... c5 $132 {is a better 'human'
move, trying to get the queen to c6.} 34. Nxc5 Qe8 {and White is having to
defend on a number of fronts.}) 34. c3 {[%emt 0:02:04]} Ne6 $2 {[%emt 0:00:01]}
35. Ne1 $6 {[%emt 0:02:47]} (35. Nxe5 fxe5 36. Qd7 Kf7 37. Ng4 $16 {is winning
after some convoluted tactical lines!}) (35. Ng4 $14 {is safe and 'normal'.})
35... Ra1 {[%emt 0:00:33]} 36. Kf1 $2 {[%emt 0:00:46]} (36. Kg2 {is still good
for the knights. For instance:} c5 37. Nc2 $1 (37. Qd5 $6 Qxd5 38. exd5 Nc7 $15
) 37... Ra6 38. Qe2 $14) 36... c5 {[%emt 0:00:32]} 37. f3 {[%emt 0:01:18]} cxb4
{[%emt 0:00:29]} 38. cxb4 {[%emt 0:00:22]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:26]} (38... Qa3 {
is almost winning, e.g.} 39. Kf2 Bd8 $17 (39... Rd1 $5)) 39. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:
14]} Qa3 {[%emt 0:02:04] By contrast with the last note, now Black lacks the
tempo to play ...Rxe1 against Kg2.} 40. Nd3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Qa4 {[%emt 0:00:
11]} 41. Nc1 {[%emt 0:06:57]} Qa3 {[%emt 0:10:04]} 42. Ne2 {[%emt 0:09:32]}
Bxb4 {[%emt 0:21:22] There is nothing better than cashing in. In what follows,
I have made brief notes rather than giving variations, knowing that better
analysts than myself will pick apart the endgame.} 43. Qxb4 {[%emt 0:02:36]}
Qxb4 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 44. Rxb4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Ra2 {[%emt 0:01:09]} 45. Ng4 {
[%emt 0:02:14]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:02:52]} 46. Kf1 {[%emt 0:00:56]} Nxe2 {[%emt 0:00:
46]} 47. Rxb5 {[%emt 0:05:31]} Nxg3+ {[%emt 0:00:32]} 48. Kg1 {[%emt 0:00:04]
And so we reach an unpleasant endgame for White, but still one that is
probably technically drawn.} Ne2+ {[%emt 0:00:53]} 49. Kf1 {[%emt 0:00:06]}
Ng3+ {[%emt 0:00:03]} 50. Kg1 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nxh5 {[%emt 0:00:32]} 51. Rb7+ {
[%emt 0:00:03]} Kg6 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 52. Rb6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:01:
29]} 53. Rb7+ {[%emt 0:00:04]} Kg6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 54. Rb6 {[%emt 0:00:04]}
Ra5 {[%emt 0:02:17]} 55. Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:07] Black lacks moves here- all his
pieces are tied down to their present positions. A pawn sacrifice will become
necessary.} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 56. Rb7+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} Kg6 {[%emt 0:00:06]}
57. Rb6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rc5 {[%emt 0:01:16]} 58. Ra6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Kg7 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} 59. Ra7+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} Kg6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 60. Ra6 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Rc2+ {[%emt 0:05:56]} 61. Kg1 {[%emt 0:00:26]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:04:
49]} 62. Ra7+ {[%emt 0:00:04]} Kg6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 63. Ra6 {[%emt 0:00:04]}
Rc7 {[%emt 0:02:27] Ultimately this had to be done, but the pressure on f6 is
not relieved.} 64. Nxe5+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 65. Ng4 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} Rf7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 66. Ne3 {[%emt 0:01:34]} Nf4 {[%emt 0:00:
19]} 67. Nf5+ {[%emt 0:00:06]} Kg6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 68. Ra8 {[%emt 0:06:18]} h5
{[%emt 0:03:59]} 69. Rg8+ {[%emt 0:03:16]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 70. Rd8 {
[%emt 0:00:03]} h4 {[%emt 0:03:46]} 71. Rd6 {[%emt 0:02:59]} Kg6 {[%emt 0:00:
18]} 72. Ne3 {[%emt 0:04:19]} Re7 {[%emt 0:03:36]} 73. Kf2 {[%emt 0:04:50]}
Nh3+ {[%emt 0:00:20]} (73... Rb7 $5 74. Ng4 Rb2+ 75. Kf1 Nh5 $15 {was another
try, but probably not one that deserves to succeed.}) 74. Kf1 {[%emt 0:00:11]}
Nf4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 75. Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Re6 {[%emt 0:00:35]} 76. Rd7 {
[%emt 0:00:02]} Ra6 {[%emt 0:01:08]} 77. Nf5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Ra2+ {[%emt 0:00:
38]} 78. Kg1 {[%emt 0:13:50]} Ne2+ {[%emt 0:03:09]} (78... Nh3+ 79. Kh1 Nf2+
80. Kg1 g4 $15 {kept the game a bit more lively, but is unlikely to ultimately
lead to more than rook and knight vs rook.}) 79. Kh1 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Ng3+ {
[%emt 0:00:03]} 80. Nxg3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} hxg3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 81. Rd6 $1 {
[%emt 0:00:24]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:01:44]} (81... g4 82. e5 $1 $11) 82. Rd5 {[%emt 0:
02:05]} Re2 {[%emt 0:03:32]} 83. Kg1 {[%emt 0:01:25]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:02:03]} 84.
Rf5 $1 {[%emt 0:00:19] Against this construction there is not a lot that can
be done.} Kg6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 85. Kf1 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Ra2 {[%emt 0:01:29]}
86. Kg1 {[%emt 0:00:47]} Rf2 {[%emt 0:01:26]} 87. Kh1 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Re2 {
[%emt 0:01:49]} (87... g4 88. fxg4 $11) 88. Kg1 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:
00:43]} (88... g4 89. Rf4 $1 $11) 89. f4 {[%emt 0:05:20]} gxf4 {[%emt 0:01:01]}
90. Rxf4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Ke6 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 91. Rg4 {[%emt 0:00:48]} Re3 {
[%emt 0:00:20]} 92. Rf4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Ke5 {[%emt 0:00:53]} 93. Rf5+ {
[%emt 0:00:04]} Ke6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 94. Rf4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Re2 {[%emt 0:00:
47]} 95. Rg4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Ke5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 96. Rxg3 {[%emt 0:00:06]}
Kxe4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 97. Ra3 {[%emt 0:00:47]} f5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 98. Kf1 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} Re3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 99. Ra5 {[%emt 0:00:22]} Rb3 {[%emt 0:00:
25]} 100. Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rb2+ {[%emt 0:00:02]} 101. Kf1 {[%emt 0:00:05]}
f4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 102. Ra3 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Rc2 {Black didn't bother
disrespecting his opponent by forcing her to demonstrate the need to play Ra8
only after ...f3.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.24"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B22"]
[WhiteElo "2640"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 2. c3 {[%emt 0:00:00] Another rare
guest at the top levels, but Gawain Jones is nothing if not a connoisseur of
anti-Sicilians.} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 3. e5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:
06]} 4. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 5. Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:17]} (5.
d4 {is marginally more popular, but has been largely de-fanged.}) 5... Nb6 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} 6. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} c4 {[%emt 0:00:06] Seizing control of
c4 now gives White slightly fewer options and makes clear that Black is
playing for a win.} (6... d6 7. exd6 Qxd6 8. Na3 $5 {is an interesting idea,
seen in a number of elite games. For instance,} Be6 9. d4 Bxb3 10. Qxb3 cxd4
11. Nb5 Qb8 12. Nbxd4 $36 {Nakamura,H-Nepomniachtchi, I Baku 2015}) 7. Bc2 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 8. exd6 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Qxd6 {[%emt 0:00:
08]} (8... e5 $5 {is even more militantly maximalist, but it is a bit
unncessary and could come unstuck, e.g.} 9. a4 Bxd6 10. O-O Be6 11. d3 h6 12.
a5 Nc8 13. a6 $14 {Howell,D-Lazarev,V France 2006}) 9. O-O {[%emt 0:00:10]} Bg4
{[%emt 0:00:09]} 10. h3 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Bh5 {[%emt 0:00:44]} 11. Re1 {[%emt 0:
00:17]} O-O-O {[%emt 0:11:42]} 12. Be4 {[%emt 0:07:24] Discouraging all kinds
of ...Qf6 ideas. This move has far more to it than meets the eye.} (12. b3 Qf6
13. bxc4 $132 {brings about an interesting imbalance}) (12. Na3 {could be
another implementation of the game idea:} Qf6 13. Be4 Ne5 14. g4 $132 {
Vysochin, S-Kokarev,D Olginka 2011}) 12... e6 {[%emt 0:12:45]} (12... Qd7 $5 {
might be a slight improvement.} 13. b3 f5 14. Bxc6 (14. Bc2 e5 $17) 14... Qxc6
15. Qc2 $1 (15. g4 fxg4 16. Ne5 Qf6 17. hxg4 Be8 $132 {should practically
favour Black}) 15... Bxf3 16. Qxf5+ e6 17. Qxf3 Qxf3 18. gxf3 Rd3 $44 {Black
has good compensation, and practical chances based on White's exposed king,
but I don't think he is actually better.}) 13. b3 {[%emt 0:04:01]} f5 {[%emt 0:
01:13]} 14. Bc2 {[%emt 0:02:54]} g6 {[%emt 0:02:10]} 15. bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:50]}
e5 {[%emt 0:04:51]} 16. d4 $6 {[%emt 0:06:02]} (16. d3 {keeps chances of a
slight objective edge, although neither I nor the engine properly understand
Black's pawn sacrifice.}) 16... exd4 {[%emt 0:04:22]} 17. Bg5 {[%emt 0:11:13]}
Bg7 $1 {[%emt 0:07:59] A really powerful exchange sacrifice, which must have
been underestimated.} (17... d3 18. Bb3 Be7 $11) 18. Bxd8 {[%emt 0:06:13]} Rxd8
{[%emt 0:00:16]} 19. Qd3 {[%emt 0:05:57]} Qf4 $17 {[%emt 0:06:18] White finds
it impossible to disentangle because of the pressure on the long diagonal.} 20.
Qd2 {[%emt 0:23:41]} (20. Na3 dxc3 21. Qe3 {might have been a better wriggle.})
20... Qxd2 {[%emt 0:02:05]} 21. Nbxd2 {[%emt 0:02:13]} dxc3 {[%emt 0:00:19]}
22. Nb3 {[%emt 0:00:42]} Bxf3 {[%emt 0:00:46]} 23. gxf3 {[%emt 0:06:10]} Nb4 {
[%emt 0:00:26]} 24. Re2 {[%emt 0:01:28]} Nxc4 {[%emt 0:01:02] Now Black has
reached material parity, and the difference in quality of pieces is obvious.
Nevertheless, it is not so clear how precisely Black should push the queenside
pawns.} 25. Rc1 {[%emt 0:10:21]} b5 {[%emt 0:06:13]} 26. Na1 {[%emt 0:05:51]}
Bh6 {[%emt 0:02:13]} 27. Rb1 {[%emt 0:00:55]} a5 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 28. Kg2 {
[%emt 0:06:26]} Nd2 {[%emt 0:06:11]} 29. Rbe1 {[%emt 0:00:46]} Bf4 {[%emt 0:02:
48] Fully under control. White can barely move. The rest is just good 
(although not tricky) technique.} 30. Re7 {[%emt 0:01:35]} Rd7 {[%emt 0:01:46]}
31. Re8+ {[%emt 0:01:25]} Kc7 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 32. Ra8 {[%emt 0:03:43]} a4 {
[%emt 0:01:37]} 33. Re6 {[%emt 0:01:37]} Kb7 {[%emt 0:02:53]} 34. Rae8 {
[%emt 0:01:55]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:00:47]} 35. Bd1 {[%emt 0:01:00]} Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:
18]} 36. Re1 {[%emt 0:00:36]} Nf4+ {[%emt 0:00:17]} 37. Kh1 {[%emt 0:00:04]}
Bc5 {[%emt 0:01:56]} 38. Be2 {[%emt 0:01:23]} Nxe2 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 39. R1xe2 {
[%emt 0:01:00]} b4 {[%emt 0:00:29]} 40. R2e5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rc7 {[%emt 0:00:
47] The time control was reached and despite still not being material down,
there is precious little White can do about ...b3 et cetera, so he resigned.}
0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.24"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2718"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

{[%evp 0,81,38,30,22,22,21,9,17,21,21,15,-13,-13,-18,-38,-8,-5,-6,-12,12,1,-5,
-3,21,9,9,-19,5,1,-5,-4,35,32,16,-27,-27,-43,-10,-1,5,-3,14,-11,17,21,32,33,39,
65,146,78,110,110,146,90,86,31,29,0,49,24,50,40,42,0,5,5,92,107,130,140,99,56,
109,99,124,138,408,446,549,549,556,645]} 1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:
16]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 3. Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Bc5 {
[%emt 0:00:17]} 4. c3 {[%emt 0:00:20]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 5. d3 {[%emt 0:00:
06]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:34]} 6. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:26] Opting, oddly enough, for a
similar strategy to the one Anand used against Matlakov in the first round,
despite that opening beginning with 3.Bb5. Here it seems like the immediate
idea is probably to prevent Black using a setup with ...d5.} h6 {[%emt 0:04:29]
} 7. Bh4 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} (7... g5 {led to a draw in a
recent high-profile game.} 8. Bg3 d6 9. a4 a6 10. Qd2 Nh5 11. h4 Nxg3 12. fxg3
g4 13. Qxh6 gxf3 14. Qg6+ Kh8 15. Qh6+ Kg8 16. Qg6+ Kh8 $11 {Vachier Lagrave,
M-Karjakin,S Paris 2017}) 8. Nbd2 {[%emt 0:00:14]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:57]} (8...
Na5 $5 {is not a completely pointless gambit:} 9. Nxe5 Nxc4 10. Nexc4 (10. dxc4
Nxe4 $15) 10... d5 11. Ne3 dxe4 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. Nxe4 Be7 $132 {With two
bishops for two knights and a pawn, Black has very reasonable counterplay,
analogous perhaps to the Gajewski line of the Ruy Lopez.}) 9. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:
53]} (9. a4 {was faced by Kramnik himself from the other side of the board
recently.} Nh5 10. Bg3 Nxg3 (10... Nb8 $5 {could have been played immediately,
not giving White the needed clarity on what is happening on the h-file.} 11.
Nf1 (11. Nxe5 {is obvious, but following} Nxg3 12. Nxf7 Rxf7 13. hxg3 Qf8 $13 {
White will soon have nothing better than to enter a double-edged material
balance of two pawns plus rook against two bishops, which probably should
ultimately favour the bishops.}) 11... c6 12. Ne3 Nd7 $11 {Playing for ...Ndf6
and ...d5. White should probably castle short, but the moment he does that, he
will no longer ever use the h-file.}) 11. hxg3 Nb8 12. Nf1 c6 13. Ne3 Na6 14.
g4 (14. Bxa6 bxa6 15. d4 $14) 14... Nc7 $11 {Vachier Lagrave,M-Kramnik,V
Leuven 2017, Following a slightly complicated opening battle Black had
equalised.}) 9... Nh5 {[%emt 0:03:02]} (9... Na5 10. Bc2 c5 $132 {is another
standard plan, and Black will probably continue with ...Be6, ...Nc6 and
consider ...d5.}) 10. Bxe7 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Qxe7 {[%emt 0:02:36]} 11. Nc4 {
[%emt 0:00:19]} Qf6 {[%emt 0:09:14] Telegraphing a kingside attack rather
clearly, but this then prompts White's overreaction.} (11... Be6 12. Ne3 Nf6 {
was solid in Baramidze, D-Fressinet,L Germany 2009.}) 12. Ne3 {[%emt 0:03:57]}
Nf4 {[%emt 0:13:54]} 13. Bc2 {[%emt 0:00:47]} (13. O-O {followed by g3 could
have been one way to go.} Ne7 14. d4 g5 15. g3 $132) 13... Ne7 {[%emt 0:03:19]}
14. g3 {[%emt 0:07:03]} Nh3 {[%emt 0:00:50]} 15. Qe2 {[%emt 0:01:29] Now we
can see what Kramnik is playing for: a sharp opposite-side castling position.}
c5 {[%emt 0:06:00]} 16. O-O-O {[%emt 0:10:22]} (16. Ng1 $11 {or something was
technically still legal, but who plays chess like this?}) 16... Be6 {[%emt 0:
03:06]} 17. d4 {[%emt 0:17:27]} (17. Kb1 $5 {is almost always useful
preparation, and that holds here too.} Rfc8 18. d4 cxd4 19. cxd4 $132) 17...
cxd4 {[%emt 0:17:53]} 18. cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Rac8 {[%emt 0:03:50] Missing a
chance.} (18... Bxa2 $5 {is possible here according to the machines, and it
seems to get an edge! The critical line is} 19. b3 a5 20. Kb2 $6 a4 21. Kxa2 $2
axb3+ 22. Kxb3 d5 $19) 19. Kb1 {[%emt 0:08:54]} Rc7 {[%emt 0:08:45]} (19...
Rxc2 {was another noteworthy chance, though not obvious if you're not looking
for it. The point is the non-trivial} 20. Kxc2 $6 Qg6 $3 $17) 20. Rd2 {[%emt 0:
03:36]} Rfc8 {[%emt 0:01:31]} 21. dxe5 {[%emt 0:12:33]} dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:05]}
22. Rhd1 {[%emt 0:00:25] Now everything is under control, and just like in
Anand-Matlakov from round 1, the position is just easier for White, even if
not actually better.} g6 {[%emt 0:07:13]} (22... b5 $5 {is a little bit faster.
}) 23. Rd6 {[%emt 0:09:28]} Rc6 {[%emt 0:01:30]} 24. Bb3 {[%emt 0:03:13]} Rf8
$2 {[%emt 0:12:04]} (24... Rxd6 25. Rxd6 h5 {survives according to the machine,
but White is definitely significantly better after even the simple} 26. a3 $36)
25. R1d3 $2 {[%emt 0:08:44]} ({If I had to guess I would say Black's last move
was based on using the f-file after} 25. Bxe6 {but neither order quite works:}
Rxd6 (25... fxe6 26. Rd8 $1 $16) 26. Bxh3 $1 $18 (26. Rxd6 fxe6 $14)) 25...
Rfc8 {[%emt 0:00:42]} 26. Rd1 {[%emt 0:02:18]} Rf8 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 27. a3 {
[%emt 0:01:12] Missing the same idea again.} h5 {[%emt 0:05:04] It is
generally useful to avoid Ng4 motifs.} 28. Bxe6 {[%emt 0:04:15]} fxe6 {[%emt 0:
00:02]} 29. Rd7 {[%emt 0:00:20]} Nc8 $2 {[%emt 0:02:38]} (29... Qxf3 30. Qxf3
Rxf3 31. Rxe7 Rf7 {almost equalises, and so should be preferred.}) 30. Nc4 {
[%emt 0:09:50]} (30. Nh4 $16 {is another option, cuing up interesting Nd5
ideas.}) 30... Nxf2 {[%emt 0:01:54]} 31. Ncxe5 {[%emt 0:02:51] An alluring and
practically tricky option, but not objectively best.} (31. Rf1 $5 Rxc4 32. Rxf2
{leaves Black with bizarrely few options against Qe3-h6. The only move is} Rd4
$8 {but now if nothing else White acheives a large advantage with} 33. Nxd4
Qxf2 34. Qxf2 Rxf2 35. Nxe6 Rxh2 36. Rxb7 $16) 31... Nxd1 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 32.
Qxd1 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Rc5 {[%emt 0:01:47]} (32... Rb6 33. Qd2 g5 $11 {is the
machine defence.}) 33. Qd4 {[%emt 0:00:52] This is now practically impossible
to defend, but the errors understandably continue from both sides.} Nb6 {
[%emt 0:00:42]} (33... Rb5 34. Rc7 {might look like a lethal battery, but
Black can execute the text move now:} Nb6 $14 {and Black has gained a tempo
over the text.}) 34. Rxb7 {[%emt 0:01:56]} Rb5 {[%emt 0:01:25]} 35. Rxa7 Rd8 {
[%emt 0:00:18]} 36. Qc3 {[%emt 0:02:15]} (36. Rf7 $3 $16) 36... Rc8 {[%emt 0:
00:30]} (36... Nd7 $3 $132) 37. Rc7 {No further accidents.} Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:42]
} 38. Qc6 {[%emt 0:01:28]} Rb3 {[%emt 0:00:39]} (38... Rxe5 39. Nxe5 Qxe5 40.
Qxb6 Qxe4+ 41. Ka2 Qd5+ 42. Qb3 $16 {is basically over too.}) 39. Rf7 $1 {
Enough to force resignation even if this was a time scramble.} (39. Rf7 $1 {
[%emt 0:00:30]} Qxf7 40. Nxf7 Kxf7 41. Ng5+ {wins a rook with the next check.})
1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.24"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. d4 Bb4 {The Ragozin: known to me as the
opening which won Jonathan Hawkins his first British national title.} 5. cxd5 {
5.Bg5 and 5.e3 are also played.} exd5 6. Bf4 (6. Bg5 {is the main move, and
after} h6 7. Bh4 c5 {the current fashion is for the ambitious} 8. dxc5 $5) 6...
Ne4 7. Qa4+ {A second minor move in a row by Peter Svidler lands him not in
completely new territory but certainly in slight danger.} (7. Rc1 {was a more
solid move in an obvious ideological precedent.} Nc6 8. Nd2 g5 9. Be3 Nxc3 10.
bxc3 Bd6 $132 {Svane,R-Socko,B Germany 2016}) 7... Nc6 8. Rc1 O-O 9. g3 (9. h4
{was necessary if a little uncomfortable. There could follow} Bg4 10. e3 Qe7
11. Be2 $11) (9. e3 g5 10. Bg3 h5 11. h4 g4 12. Ne5 Bxc3+ 13. Rxc3 (13. bxc3
Nxg3 14. fxg3 Qe7 $17) 13... Nxc3 14. bxc3 Nxe5 15. Bxe5 Bf5 $15 {Ermenkov,
E-Shyam,S Albena 2015}) 9... g5 10. Be3 f5 (10... Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 f5 {was a
marginally more precise order.}) 11. Bg2 {Kind of a wasted move since White
will never get to castle.} (11. Bd2 $5 Bxc3 12. Bxc3 {was an additional option
granted by Black's last.}) 11... f4 {[%emt 0:35:06]} 12. gxf4 {[%emt 0:35:56]}
(12. Bd2 {can be met in various ways, including} g4 13. Ne5 Bxc3 14. bxc3 Nxd2
15. Kxd2 Nxe5 16. dxe5 fxg3 $15) 12... Bxc3+ {[%emt 0:00:08]} 13. bxc3 {
[%emt 0:00:33]} gxf4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 14. Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Kh8 $1 $17 {
[%emt 0:03:03] The absolute best move. After less than 15 moves White has no
castling prospects and is close to lost.} 15. Qb3 $2 {[%emt 0:35:15] Not
helping.} (15. Rg1 Be6 16. Bf1 {is one way of trying to get belated
counterplay.}) ({After} 15. O-O Qf6 $1 {White will be unable to form a
coherent defence against doubling on the g-file.}) 15... Na5 {[%emt 0:03:05]
Unfortunately, this natural move gains a great many tempi.} 16. Qc2 {[%emt 0:
06:27]} Nc4 {[%emt 0:00:47] The obvious threat is ...Bg4 trapping the
d2-bishop, but there are others.} 17. Rd1 {[%emt 0:01:32]} Rg8 {[%emt 0:07:46]}
(17... Qe7 {is most favoured by machines, which want to continue ...Bf5 and ...
Rae8, but it is much of a muchness by now.}) 18. Ne5 {[%emt 0:04:30]} Nxe5 {
[%emt 0:00:22]} 19. Bxe4 {[%emt 0:01:20]} Qg5 {[%emt 0:00:34]} (19... dxe4 20.
Bxf4 Ng6 21. Bg3 {is also dead, but the game might last a bit longer since
White has a good bishop.}) 20. Bxf4 {[%emt 0:07:49]} Qxf4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 21.
Bxd5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Bf5 $1 {[%emt 0:00:28] It's a clear piece and maybe even
more. A shame that Svidler was not able to demonstrate his usual good chess
today.} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.24"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C48"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2811"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} 3. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:53]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 4. Bb5 {[%emt 0:
00:08]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:15] Black had no truly adventurous choices in any case,
except the slightly odd 4...Bd6. Quite solid are the well-known 4...d6 and 4...
Bb4.} 5. Bc4 {[%emt 0:01:07]} (5. Ba4 $5 {is the main line, trying to prevent
Black from playing ...d5 under favourable conditions. Play could continue:} Bc5
$5 (5... Nxf3+ 6. Qxf3 Bc5 $11 {is stable equality, though White has also
tried the pawn recapture.}) 6. Nxe5 O-O 7. Nd3 Bb6 8. e5 Ne8 9. Nd5 {Now see,
for instance, Morozevich-Svidler, Thessaloniki 2013, or Kasparov-Dominguez,
Saint Louis 2017.}) 5... Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 6. d3 {[%emt 0:02:00]} (6. Nxe5
Qe7 $1 {is vaguely reminiscent of the Traxler Counter-Gambit and is in any
case more dangerous for White than Black.}) 6... d6 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 7. Na4 {
[%emt 0:02:00] Initiating large-scale exchanges in a tried and tested manner.}
(7. h3 {is most played, but seems a little slow, especially since Black can
just respond to Bg5/Nd5 ideas with a laconic ...c6.}) 7... b5 {[%emt 0:01:29]}
8. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:39]} bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 9. Nf5 {[%emt 0:00:52]} Bxf5 {
[%emt 0:00:39]} 10. exf5 {[%emt 0:00:18]} cxd3 {[%emt 0:00:37]} 11. Nxc5 {
[%emt 0:05:41]} dxc5 {[%emt 0:00:50]} 12. cxd3 {[%emt 0:04:21] So far
following a source game from 2 years ago. What seems likely is that central
pawn exchanges will follow and then a draw.} Qd7 {[%emt 0:08:38]} 13. Qf3 {
[%emt 0:02:45]} O-O {[%emt 0:02:25]} 14. O-O {[%emt 0:00:33]} (14. Bg5 e4 15.
dxe4 Nxe4 $11) 14... Rfd8 {[%emt 0:08:39]} 15. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:57]} Qxd3 {
[%emt 0:00:40]} 16. Rac1 {[%emt 0:00:28] To be honest with you, I doubt it
makes much difference which rook White plays with here.} (16. Rfc1 e4 17. Qg3
Qd5 18. Qxc7 Rac8 19. Qf4 $11 {Maze,S-Fressinet,L Agen 2016, was the source
game, maybe marginally more pleasant for Black but still ultimately agreed
drawn without much trouble.}) 16... c4 {[%emt 0:03:13]} 17. h3 {[%emt 0:09:03]}
h6 {[%emt 0:05:15]} (17... e4 $11 {kept equality more easily.}) 18. Rc3 {
[%emt 0:16:53]} Qe4 {[%emt 0:08:35]} (18... Qd5 $1 19. Qxd5 Nxd5 20. Rxc4 a5
$11 {keeps everything watertight.}) 19. Qxe4 {[%emt 0:01:38]} Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:
05]} 20. Rxc4 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Nd2 {[%emt 0:03:21]} 21. Bxd2 {[%emt 0:00:08]}
Rxd2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 22. Rb1 {[%emt 0:04:46]} ({Black has made a few very
minor inaccuracies, and now} 22. Rxc7 $5 Rxb2 23. Re1 $1 Rxa2 24. Rxe5 $14 {
might still make Black do a little bit of work in an unpleasant 4-v-3 rook
endgame.}) 22... Rad8 {[%emt 0:08:08]} 23. Rxc7 {[%emt 0:01:04]} Re2 $1 {
[%emt 0:00:29] The sacrificed pawns will return home.} 24. Rxa7 {[%emt 0:01:04]
} Rdd2 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 25. Rf1 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Rxb2 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 26. g4 {
[%emt 0:08:58]} Rxa2 {[%emt 0:00:58]} 27. Rxa2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rxa2 {[%emt 0:
00:03]} 28. Re1 {[%emt 0:00:06] The draw was agreed here, none too soon.}
1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.26"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Adhiban, Baskaran"]
[Black "Wei, Yi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A37"]
[WhiteElo "2655"]
[BlackElo "2743"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:34]} 2. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} g6 {[%emt 0:
00:38]} 3. Nf3 {[%emt 0:08:02]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 4. g3 {[%emt 0:03:04]} Nc6
{[%emt 0:01:59]} 5. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} e5 {[%emt 0:09:27]} 6. d3 {[%emt 0:01:
50]} Nge7 {[%emt 0:00:57]} 7. Nd2 {[%emt 0:00:34]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:46]} 8. Nf1 {
[%emt 0:00:17]} a6 {[%emt 0:13:57]} 9. Bg5 {[%emt 0:02:32]} Rb8 {[%emt 0:02:44]
} 10. a4 {[%emt 0:03:55]} Be6 {[%emt 0:09:12]} 11. Bxe7 {[%emt 0:01:01]} Nxe7 {
[%emt 0:03:29]} 12. Ne3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} h5 {[%emt 0:01:34]} 13. h4 {[%emt 0:
00:51]} O-O {[%emt 0:02:51]} 14. Ned5 {[%emt 0:05:56]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:15:25]} 15.
e3 {[%emt 0:09:02]} a5 {[%emt 0:05:16]} 16. O-O {[%emt 0:13:01]} Nb4 {[%emt 0:
00:17]} 17. Qd2 {[%emt 0:19:01]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:01:27]} 18. Nxb4 {[%emt 0:01:52]}
cxb4 {[%emt 0:01:47]} 19. Ne4 {[%emt 0:00:21]} Kh8 {[%emt 0:05:24]} 20. Ng5 {
[%emt 0:00:42]} Rbe8 {[%emt 0:04:25]} 21. Nxe6 {[%emt 0:05:56]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.26"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Hou, Yifan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D35"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2680"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 2. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} d5 {[%emt 0:
00:16]} 3. d4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:01:18]} 4. cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:19]}
Nxd5 $5 {[%emt 0:00:05] Clearly Hou Yifan was not in the mood to face a
minority attack today. Although this move has been played by a lot of good
players, it is unquestionably a secondary one. According to the current state
of top level praxis the line is playable, but very few people do it correctly,
especially from the black side!} 5. e4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Nxc3 {[%emt 0:00:05]}
6. bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 7. Rb1 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Be7 {
[%emt 0:01:15]} 8. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:27]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:56]} 9. Bc4 {[%emt 0:
00:11]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:02:42]} (9... Qc7 {leads us to a veritable minefield of
top games:} 10. Qe2 a6 11. O-O (11. a4 cxd4 12. cxd4 Bd7 $11 {Matlakov,
M-Aronian,L Tbilisi 2017, might objectively equalise, but that didn't stop
Black being annihlated in a 'modern attacking classic'.}) 11... b5 12. Bd3 Nd7
$1 (12... Bb7 $6 13. a4 $1 bxa4 $2 14. Bf4 {left Black virtually lost already
in Carlsen, M-So,W chess.com INT 2017}) 13. a4 (13. h4 e5 14. h5 h6 $11 {
Navara,D-Dominguez Perez,L Saint Louis 2017}) 13... bxa4 14. g3 $13 {The
position is easier to play for White, but obviously far from clear.}) 10. O-O {
[%emt 0:00:33]} b6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 11. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:41]} (11. d5 Na5 12.
Bd3 c4 13. Bc2 exd5 14. exd5 Bb7 $11 {Svidler,P-Hou,Y Geneve 2017; probably
equalised for Black in her previous outing with the line.}) 11... Bb7 {[%emt 0:
03:12]} 12. Qe2 {[%emt 0:01:22]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:08:27]} (12... Qc7 $5 13. d5 (
13. Ba6 {is White's most obvious idea, but there is a concrete remedy:} cxd4
14. cxd4 Nb4 $1 15. Bxb7 Qxb7 $132 {and White's centre continues to come under
fire.}) 13... Na5 14. dxe6 Nxc4 15. Qxc4 fxe6 16. Qxe6+ Kh8 $44) 13. cxd4 {
[%emt 0:00:20]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 14. Rfd1 {[%emt 0:01:28]} Qc7 {[%emt 0:03:
49]} 15. d5 {[%emt 0:05:25]} Ne5 {[%emt 0:08:34]} (15... exd5 16. exd5 Ne5 17.
Bb3 Nxf3+ 18. Qxf3 Bd6 $132 {Navara,D-Dominguez Perez,L Saint Louis 2017}) 16.
Bb5 {[%emt 0:25:40]} (16. Nxe5 Qxe5 17. f3 $14) 16... exd5 {[%emt 0:25:16]} 17.
exd5 {[%emt 0:01:03]} Nxf3+ {[%emt 0:00:06]} (17... Rfd8 18. Rbc1 Qb8 {is
apparently still nail-biting equality}) 18. Qxf3 $14 {[%emt 0:00:17] Certainly
by contrast to Navara-Dominguez above the bishop on b5 poses Black some extra
problems, connected with Rbc1 and Bc6.} Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 19. Rbc1 {[%emt 0:
12:15]} Qe7 {[%emt 0:19:27]} 20. Bf4 {[%emt 0:16:49]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:05:55]} 21.
Bc6 {[%emt 0:00:48] That's just it. Now Black has to go into a bit of a huddle,
and Anand's technique has been his strong point in this event.} Bxf4 {[%emt 0:
07:15]} (21... Ba8 {still kept White's advantage to a minimum by making him
work for every extra pawn advance}) 22. Qxf4 {[%emt 0:00:28]} Bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:
20]} 23. dxc6 {[%emt 0:01:06]} Qc7 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 24. Rd6 $18 {[%emt 0:09:39]
The forcing continuations get nowhere, so White just improves. The obvious
follow-up is to play the queen to d5 and try for Rd7.} Rcd8 {[%emt 0:03:43]}
25. Rcd1 {[%emt 0:00:44]} h6 {[%emt 0:02:25]} 26. g3 {[%emt 0:02:09]} Rxd6 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} ({It is interesting to note the tactical point White basically
has to use if Black sits tight:} 26... Rc8 27. Qc4 Kh8 28. Qd5 Kg8 29. a4 Kh8
30. Kg2 (30. Rc1 $2 Rfd8 $14) 30... Kg8 31. h4 {Or, I suppose, just Rc1 now.}
Kh8 32. Rd4 Kg8 33. Rc4 Rfd8 34. Rd7 $1 $18) 27. Rxd6 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Rc8 {
[%emt 0:01:45]} 28. Qe5 {[%emt 0:06:56]} b5 {[%emt 0:07:42]} 29. Qd5 {[%emt 0:
00:44]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:01:41]} 30. Qe4+ {[%emt 0:02:12]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:04:24]} 31.
Rd7 {[%emt 0:00:24] Another neat tactical point, but if not this, then
something else would have worked.} Qa5 {[%emt 0:00:34]} 32. c7 {[%emt 0:00:53]}
Rf8 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 33. Qe7 {[%emt 0:00:29] Mate cannot be far away.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.26"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2811"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {
[%emt 0:00:14]} 3. Bf4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:00:41]} 4. e3 {[%emt 0:01:
31]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 5. Nbd2 {[%emt 0:00:20]} ({For some reason Caruana
didn't feel like trying to emulate Carlsen's} 5. c4 $5) 5... Bd6 {[%emt 0:11:
22]} 6. Ne5 {[%emt 0:02:01]} (6. Bg3 {is the more 'true Londoner' move, but
after say} O-O 7. Be2 c5 8. c3 Nc6 $11 {it is immediately obvious that White
has nothing}) 6... h6 {[%emt 0:05:02]} 7. g4 $5 $146 {[%emt 0:24:36]} Bh7 {
[%emt 0:05:06]} (7... Bxe5 $5 {is fascinating:} 8. dxe5 Bxg4 9. f3 Nh5 10. fxg4
Nxf4 11. exf4 Qh4+ 12. Ke2 Qxg4+ {but it seems like White probably has an edge
with the solid} 13. Nf3 Qxf4 14. Qd2 $14 {when the piece marginally
outperforms the three pawns.}) 8. h4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Ne4 {[%emt 0:03:23]} (
8... Nfd7 9. Nxd7 Qxd7 $132 {could eventually leave White feeling a bit
over-extended; for subtle structural reasons Black should recapture on d6 with
the pawn!}) 9. Nxe4 {[%emt 0:05:51]} Bxe4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 10. f3 {[%emt 0:00:
05]} Bh7 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 11. Bd3 {[%emt 0:09:04]} (11. Qd2 Nd7 12. O-O-O {
might still keep things a bit fresh, as the prospect of a good bishop versus
bad bishop endgame weighs slightly on Black's mind.}) 11... Bxd3 {[%emt 0:01:
01]} 12. Qxd3 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:07:05] Solid and good for equality.
} 13. O-O-O {[%emt 0:00:29]} Bxe5 $5 {[%emt 0:09:49]} (13... Qe7 14. h5 O-O-O
$11) 14. dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:19]} Qe7 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 15. e4 {[%emt 0:09:52]}
dxe4 {[%emt 0:01:00]} (15... c6 {could be interesting, keeping open the option
of short castling, but I suspect Black rejected this due to the possibility of
c4 + Qd6 turning out to be a textbook 'incisive continuation'.}) 16. Qxe4 {
[%emt 0:00:14]} O-O-O {[%emt 0:00:05]} 17. g5 {[%emt 0:02:32]} hxg5 {[%emt 0:
16:38]} 18. Bxg5 {[%emt 0:00:16]} f6 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 19. exf6 {[%emt 0:00:19]}
Nxf6 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 20. Qe5 {[%emt 0:05:27]} Qf7 {[%emt 0:08:10]} 21. Rhe1 {
[%emt 0:05:13]} (21. b3 {might improve slightly, not giving away any tempi,
and the cat-and-mouse could continue:} b6 22. Kb2 Rhf8 23. Rxd8+ Rxd8 24. Qe2
$14) 21... Rxd1+ {[%emt 0:02:42]} 22. Rxd1 {[%emt 0:00:11]} b6 {[%emt 0:02:50]}
23. b3 {[%emt 0:08:20]} Kb8 {[%emt 0:04:07]} 24. Kb2 {[%emt 0:03:59]} Nh7 {
[%emt 0:01:59]} 25. Bf4 {[%emt 0:03:12]} (25. f4 $14 {was a logical human
continuation}) 25... Nf6 {[%emt 0:02:14]} 26. Bg5 {[%emt 0:08:44]} Nh7 {
[%emt 0:00:10]} 27. Bf4 {[%emt 0:04:25]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 28. Qd4 {[%emt 0:
01:26]} Kb7 {[%emt 0:12:10]} (28... Nd5 29. Be5 Qxf3 $11) 29. Be5 {[%emt 0:02:
50]} Rh5 {[%emt 0:04:11]} 30. Rg1 {[%emt 0:00:36]} Rf5 {[%emt 0:00:59]} 31. f4
{[%emt 0:00:05]} g6 {[%emt 0:01:10]} 32. Rd1 {[%emt 0:01:33]} (32. Qc4 {
was an interesting tactical idea, hinting at an overloading of the black queen,
and then} Nd5 33. Qe4 $36 {could be genuinely unpleasant}) 32... Qe7 {[%emt 0:
00:49]} 33. Qc3 $6 {[%emt 0:04:57] This loses the advantage.} Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:
53] Possibly White had thought Qg3 was good, but missed the tactical idea of ..
.Nxf4. Black has now equalised again.} 34. Qf3 {[%emt 0:04:40]} Kb8 {[%emt 0:
00:15]} 35. Qe4 {[%emt 0:01:32]} Qxh4 {[%emt 0:04:15] Now the most White can
do is take on g6, which implies a trade of pieces, and then there will be
nothing left with which to win.} 36. Rd2 {[%emt 0:00:47]} Qe7 {[%emt 0:02:39]}
37. Rh2 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Rf8 {[%emt 0:03:03]} 38. Rh6 {[%emt 0:01:00]} Rg8 {
[%emt 0:02:16]} 39. Rxg6 {[%emt 0:00:56]} Rxg6 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 40. Qxg6 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 41. Qd3 {[%emt 0:00:54]} Kc8 {[%emt 0:02:
36]} 42. a4 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Nb4 {[%emt 0:05:32]} 43. Qe4 {[%emt 0:01:30]} Nc6
{[%emt 0:00:47]} 44. Bc3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.26"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A14"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. Nf3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. b3 c5 7. cxd5 $5 {
A relatively simplistic continuation.} ({Both} 7. e3 Nc6 8. Bb2 {and}) (7. Bb2
d4 8. b4 $5 {lead to more consistent play, but apparently this is not what
Karjakin wanted to get against Kramnik!}) 7... Nxd5 ({I would also be worried
about} 7... exd5 {transposing more or less by force to a comfortable (for
Black) Tarrasch line after} 8. d4 Nc6 9. Bb2) 8. Nc3 Nc6 9. Bb2 Nxc3 {This may
also look simplistic but keeping the tension in the centre is not without
strategic risk. For instance} (9... Bf6 10. Qc1 b6 11. Nxd5 exd5 12. d4 $5 Ba6
13. Re1 Nxd4 14. Bxd4 cxd4 15. Qa3 Bb7 16. Rad1 Be7 17. Qa4 Qe8 18. Qxd4 Rc8
19. Qf4 Bf6 20. Nd4 Be5 21. Qe3 g6 22. Nb5 {The position is full of life but
Black should be doing fine in principle. Only his next move is wrong.} Qxb5 $6
(22... Bb8 $5) (22... Rc5 $5) 23. Qxe5 Rfe8 24. Qb2 Rc5 25. h4 $16 {Fischer,
R-Filip,M Palma de Mallorca 1970 (1-0, 40) with good play against the Isolani
and the enemy kingside.}) ({Or as in a newer example:} 9... b6 10. Nxd5 exd5
11. d4 Bb7 12. Rc1 Re8 13. Qd2 Qd7 14. Rfd1 $14 {Kovalyov,A (2616)
-Kasimdzhanov,R (2704) Baku 2015 CBM 169 [CB] (1-0, 33)}) 10. dxc3 $5 {This is
rather rare, especially between strong players. White turns the structure
almost symmetrical, hoping that his g2-bishop will keep Black under pressure
yielding him better chances in the fight for the d-file.} ({The position
resulting after} 10. Bxc3 {is rather dull, as White cnnot open the centre
easily, but the following game unexpectedly turned interesting in the
middlegame:} Qc7 11. Qc2 Rd8 12. Qb2 Bf8 13. Rac1 Qb6 14. d3 Bd7 15. Ne5 Nxe5
16. Bxe5 Rac8 17. Rc4 f6 18. Bxf6 $5 gxf6 19. Qxf6 {Salov,V (2645)-Beliavsky,A
(2640) Linares 1991 CBM 022 [Salov,V] (1-0, 37)   Engines are sceptical and
Salov himself considers the position about equal, but at least this is not
boring anymore!}) 10... Qc7 11. Qc2 b6 12. Bc1 $5 $146 {Slightly paradoxical.
White disconnects his rooks temporarily to re-activate his bishop.} ({The
point is that doing everything according to the natural order is inoffensive:} 
12. Rad1 Bb7 13. Bc1 Rad8 $11) ({The following classical games did not pose
Black problems:} 12. Ne5 Bb7 13. Nxc6 Bxc6 14. Bxc6 Qxc6 15. c4 Rfd8 16. Rad1 (
16. Rfd1 {½-½ Flohr,S-Krogius,N Sochi 1965}) 16... Rxd1 17. Rxd1 Rd8 18.
Rxd8+ Bxd8 19. Qd3 Be7 {½-½ Ilivitzki,G-Krogius,N Sochi 1965}) 12... Bb7 13.
Bf4 Qc8 $6 {This is the main cause for Black's later problems.} ({Better
chances for equality were offered by} 13... Bd6 14. Bxd6 Qxd6 {for isntance}
15. Ng5 g6 16. Rad1 Qe7 {with more of a symbolic advantage for White.}) 14.
Rad1 Rd8 15. h4 h6 16. Rxd8+ Nxd8 {The start of an uninspired regrouping.} ({
But} 16... Bxd8 17. Rd1 Bc7 {would not have been all roses either:} 18. Qd2 $14
{planning the invasion along the d-file.} e5 19. Bxh6 $1 e4 (19... gxh6 20.
Qxh6 Qf8 21. Qg5+ Qg7 22. Qxg7+ Kxg7 23. Rd7 Rc8 24. Ng5 $18) 20. Qg5 Qf8 21.
Rd7 exf3 22. Bxf3 Bd8 23. Qxg7+ Qxg7 24. Bxg7 Kxg7 25. Rxb7 $14 {with more
than enough compensation for the piece.}) 17. Rd1 f5 (17... Nc6 {looks a bit
safer, but it would be hard formulating a plan with Black after, say,} 18. h5
$5 $14) 18. Qd2 Nf7 19. Qd7 Bf6 20. Ne5 $1 {A well-timed trick ensuring White
a persistent endgame advantage.} Nxe5 (20... Qxd7 21. Nxd7 Bxg2 22. Nxf6+ gxf6
23. Kxg2 e5 24. Bc1 h5 25. Rd7 $16) 21. Bxe5 Bxe5 22. Bxb7 Qxd7 23. Rxd7 Re8 (
23... Rf8 24. Re7 Rf7 {fails to neutralise White's pressure:} 25. Re8+ Kh7 26.
Bc8 $16) 24. Bc6 a5 (24... Bxc3 $2 25. Rd3 $18) (24... Rc8 $6 25. Bb5 Rc7 26.
f4 Rxd7 27. Bxd7 Bxc3 28. Bxe6+ Kf8 29. Bxf5 $18 {and due to his 4-2 majority
White wins.}) ({But the tricky move order} 24... Rf8 $5 {deserves mentioning:}
25. Rxa7 (25. c4 Rc8 $3 {With the d4-square available this works out well.} 26.
Bb5 Rc7 27. f4 Bd4+) 25... Bxc3 26. Re7 Rf6 27. h5 Kf8 28. Re8+ Kf7 29. Rb8 Ba5
$16 {Just as in the game, Black is very passive and has many weaknesses.}) 25.
Bb5 Kf8 26. f4 Bf6 27. Rd6 Re7 28. h5 Bxc3 29. Rxb6 c4 $5 {[%cal Gc3d4] A
desperate defence forcing White into temporarily releasing the pressure on e6,
thus allowing Black to slightly activate his pieces.} ({If} 29... Kf7 30. Bc4
Kf6 31. Kf2 Kf7 32. Kf3 Kf6 33. g4 fxg4+ 34. Kxg4 Re8 35. e4 $18) 30. Rb8+ Kf7
31. Bxc4 Rd7 32. Kg2 Ke7 33. Kf3 Rd1 34. Rb7+ Rd7 35. Rb5 Rd1 36. a3 Rf1+ 37.
Kg2 Rd1 38. e3 Rd6 39. Kf3 Rc6 40. g4 fxg4+ 41. Kxg4 a4 $6 {This will simplify
White's techical process.} ({But passive play should not save already.} 41...
Rd6 42. e4 Rd4 43. Kf3 Bd2 {[%csl Gf4]} 44. Re5 Rd6 45. Rc5 Rd4 46. Bb5 $18 {
[%cal Gc5c7]}) 42. Rb7+ Kd8 43. e4 Bb2 44. Bb5 Rc7 45. Rxc7 $1 {It turns out
that the pure bishop ending is easily won.} Kxc7 46. bxa4 Bc3 47. e5 Kd8 48.
Kf3 Bd2 49. Ke4 Ke7 50. f5 exf5+ 51. Kxf5 {After White has created another
passer the rest is a formality. The distance between the pawns is of 3 files,
ensuring the win.} Bc1 52. a5 Bxa3 53. a6 Bc5 54. Ke4 Ke6 55. Bc4+ Kd7 56. Kd5
Bf2 57. e6+ Kc7 58. Bb5 Bh4 59. a7 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.26"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E34"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2834"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:25]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:
00:06]} 3. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 4. Qc2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5
{[%emt 0:00:20]} 5. cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} (5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 {is another big
main line, e.g.} O-O 7. Nf3 dxc4 8. Qxc4 b6 9. Bg5 $11 {, which was the path
followed by Ivanchuk,V-Harikrishna,P Huaian 2017}) 5... Qxd5 {[%emt 0:00:09]}
6. e3 {[%emt 0:01:56]} (6. Nf3 Qf5 $1 $11 {has now become famous, and after
some wrangling it has become clear that only Black can actually have a
positional edge in the endgame, despite his doubled f-pawns!}) 6... c5 {
[%emt 0:01:00]} 7. Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 8. Bxc3 {[%emt 0:
00:05]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:44]} 9. Bxd4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 10.
Bc3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} (10. Bxf6 gxf6 11. Ne2 {is the initial computer
recommendation, but this really isn't that good after say} Bd7 12. a3 Qa5+ 13.
Nc3 Ne7 $11 {Dreev,A -Fedoseev,V Moscow 2014}) 10... O-O {[%emt 0:00:54]} 11.
Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:20]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:18:24] Else Rd1 is slightly annoying.} 12.
Be2 {[%emt 0:12:37]} (12. Rd1 Qxd1+ 13. Qxd1 Rxd1+ 14. Kxd1 Ne4 15. Be1 e5 $11
{is another equal position, where White's bishop pair isn't yet active enough
to give him any advantage.}) 12... Qe4 {[%emt 0:03:03]} 13. Rc1 {[%emt 0:05:05]
} Qxc2 {[%emt 0:01:48]} 14. Rxc2 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} (14...
Bd7 15. Nd4 Ne7 $11 {could be worth considering for the future; White's bishop
pair is a lot less scary when there is an extra pair of knights on the board.})
15. Ne5 {[%emt 0:21:44]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:03:44] This is the novelty!} (15... Nxe5
16. Bxe5 b6 17. a3 f6 18. Bg3 Bb7 19. O-O Rac8 20. Rfc1 e5 21. Rxc8 Rxc8 22.
Rxc8+ Bxc8 23. Kf1 {Grachev,B-Karjakin,S Antalya 2017. This somehow led to one
of the world's best defensive players being ground down; the problem is that
White can keep trying things and never runs any risk at all.}) 16. Nxc6 {
[%emt 0:15:26]} Bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 17. Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:40]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:22:
33]} 18. f3 {[%emt 0:01:06]} Rac8 {[%emt 0:00:37]} 19. e4 {[%emt 0:02:52]} (19.
Ba5 $5 b6 20. Bb4 Nd5 21. Bd2 $14 {prevents Black from playing ... a6 and ...
Bb5.}) 19... f6 {[%emt 0:00:57]} 20. Be3 {[%emt 0:02:47]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:46]}
21. Kf2 {[%emt 0:02:19]} (21. Bc4 $5 Kf7 22. Bb3 Bb5 23. Kf2 {and we can still
talk about a White edge based on the bishop pair.}) 21... Bb5 $1 {[%emt 0:01:
00] Black has equalised again.} 22. Rhc1 {[%emt 0:07:13]} Rxc2 {[%emt 0:01:24]}
23. Rxc2 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Bxe2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 24. Kxe2 {[%emt 0:04:18]} Nc6
$11 {[%emt 0:00:28] There is nothing really left to play for. Black can choose
between an ...e5 based plan, and a rook-exchange based plan.} 25. b4 {[%emt 0:
01:04]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:01:52]} 26. Rc5 {[%emt 0:05:57]} b5 {[%emt 0:02:19]} 27.
f4 {[%emt 0:05:40]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 28. a3 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:
06:52]} 29. Rxc8 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Nxc8 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 30. Bc5 Ne7 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} 31. Bxe7 {[%emt 0:01:32]} Kxe7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 32. Kf3 {[%emt 0:01:50]
} Kd6 33. Ke3 e5 {[%emt 0:00:40]} 34. f5 {[%emt 0:04:27]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:00:07]}
35. g4 {[%emt 0:00:39]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 36. h4 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Kg8 {
[%emt 0:00:13]} 37. Kf3 {[%emt 0:00:13]} h6 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 38. h5 {[%emt 0:
00:18]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.26"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A33"]
[WhiteElo "2718"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:38]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:50]} 3. d4 {[%emt 0:03:04]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:21]} 4. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:
00:03]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:46]} 5. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:13]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 6. a3
{[%emt 0:02:04]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:05:06]} 7. Nb3 {[%emt 0:00:45]} Bb6 {[%emt 0:01:
33]} 8. c5 {[%emt 0:01:15]} Bc7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 9. g3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} O-O {
[%emt 0:04:14]} 10. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:36]} b6 {[%emt 0:05:35]} 11. O-O {[%emt 0:
01:01]} Be5 {[%emt 0:14:48]} 12. a4 {[%emt 0:11:54]} bxc5 {[%emt 0:10:03]} 13.
Nxc5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 14. e4 {[%emt 0:04:01]} Rb8 {[%emt 0:
15:19]} 15. exd5 {[%emt 0:11:27]} Nxd5 {[%emt 0:01:41]} 16. Nxd5 {[%emt 0:18:
39]} exd5 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 17. Qxd5 {[%emt 0:00:19]} Qxd5 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 18.
Bxd5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:04:01]} 19. Be3 {[%emt 0:12:54]} Bh3 {
[%emt 0:06:12]} 20. Bg2 {[%emt 0:01:13]} Bxg2 {[%emt 0:01:01]} 21. Kxg2 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} Nc2 {[%emt 0:01:20]} 22. Nd7 {[%emt 0:10:28]} Nxe3+ {[%emt 0:
03:48]} 23. fxe3 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Rxb2+ {[%emt 0:00:03]} 24. Kf3 {[%emt 0:00:
15]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 25. Nxe5 {[%emt 0:04:58]} Rxe5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 26.
Rab1 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rxb1 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 27. Rxb1 {[%emt 0:00:05]} f6 {
[%emt 0:00:44]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.26"]
[Round "11"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E61"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2640"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:28]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} g6 {[%emt 0:
00:08]} 3. g3 {[%emt 0:00:24]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 4. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:43]} O-O
{[%emt 0:00:15]} 5. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:33]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:31] Expressing a
willingness to play...a Benoni structure! Again Gawain Jones brings something
new to the top table. Obviously ...c6 or ...d6 are completely normal.} 6. dxc5
{[%emt 0:04:39]} Qa5 {[%emt 0:06:22]} 7. Qa4 {[%emt 0:11:04]} (7. Bd2 Qxc5 8.
Rc1 d6 9. b3 Nc6 10. Nh3 Bxh3 11. Bxh3 d5 $132 {Greet,A-Howell, D England 2017.
This was a game featuring another English star on the Black side of this line.}
) 7... Qxc5 {[%emt 0:00:43]} 8. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Qc7 {[%emt 0:02:42]} (8...
Qh5 9. h3 $1 $14 {is strangely unpleasant.}) 9. c5 {[%emt 0:04:03] This is
very maximalist play, trying to rule out both ... d6 and ...b6 at once.} Nc6 $6
{[%emt 0:09:53] Black prepares a gambit, but this may not have been best.} (
9... Na6 $5 {leads to some lines which just have to be mentioned!} 10. Rc1 $6 (
10. Qb5 Ng4 $132) (10. Nb5 Qe5 11. Bd4 Qf5 12. Rc1 d5 $132) 10... Nxc5 $1 {
Ignoring the idea White had set up against this. The move works due to the
filthy detail} 11. Nb5 Qc6 $3 $15 {and suddenly Black is the one playing for
an edge.}) 10. Rd1 {[%emt 0:04:05]} b6 {[%emt 0:14:56] Practically not a bad
move, as everything else is just nice for White.} (10... Qb8 11. Nf3 b6 {
is too slow: now White almost wins on the spot with} 12. Bf4 $16) 11. cxb6 {
[%emt 0:20:28]} Qb8 {[%emt 0:00:29]} 12. bxa7 {[%emt 0:12:04]} Qxb2 {[%emt 0:
00:17]} 13. Nb5 $1 {[%emt 0:00:06] Most accurate, but unfortunately for Black
also quite easy to find.} Bb7 {[%emt 0:11:22]} 14. Qb3 {[%emt 0:01:20]} Qxb3 {
[%emt 0:11:47]} (14... Qe5 $5 15. Nf3 Qh5 {is actually not trivial for White
to play - the best move is apparently} 16. Nh4 $1 $16) 15. axb3 {[%emt 0:00:02]
} Nxa7 {[%emt 0:00:50]} 16. Bxb7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Rab8 {[%emt 0:00:30]
Bringing about an endgame where Black can put up some very inspired resistance,
but ultimately should lose against good play.} 17. Nxa7 {[%emt 0:15:49]} Rxb7 {
[%emt 0:00:10]} 18. f3 {[%emt 0:00:51]} Rxb3 {[%emt 0:01:35]} (18... e6 19. Nh3
Nd5 20. Bf2 Nc3 21. Rd2 d5 {is also maybe interesting, with the idea of ...d4
and ...e5 to play against White's minor pieces.}) 19. Bf2 {[%emt 0:03:50]} Ra8
{[%emt 0:05:58]} 20. Nh3 {[%emt 0:00:46]} Rb7 {[%emt 0:04:48]} 21. O-O {
[%emt 0:00:08]} Rbxa7 {[%emt 0:01:48]} 22. Bxa7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rxa7 {[%emt 0:
00:04]} 23. Ra1 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rxa1 {[%emt 0:09:10]} 24. Rxa1 $16 {[%emt 0:
00:02] It is now just a technical question. While the fortress possibilities
are not small, and more than likely with perfect play the game is actually a
draw, Black is always going to lose this in a practical game unless he (for
instance) manages to exchange knights.} d5 {[%emt 0:00:37]} 25. Ra7 {[%emt 0:
02:10]} Bf8 {[%emt 0:01:59]} 26. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:30]} Ne8 {[%emt 0:07:47]} 27.
Ra8 {[%emt 0:10:17]} Nd6 {[%emt 0:00:51]} 28. Ng5 {[%emt 0:01:43]} h6 {[%emt 0:
00:52]} 29. Nh7 $5 {[%emt 0:00:05] An interesting call, and not one I
necessarily agree with.} Kxh7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 30. Rxf8 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Kg7 {
[%emt 0:02:55]} 31. Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Nc4 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 32. g4 {[%emt 0:
03:10]} e6 {[%emt 0:01:37]} 33. h4 {[%emt 0:02:26]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:53]} (33...
Ne3+ $5 {deserved consideration. I think if Black can get ...g5 for free then
he draws, but White's tempi don't work out either e.g.} 34. Kf2 Nd1+ 35. Kg3 (
35. Ke1 Ne3 {and since ...Ng2 is threatened White will have to go back.}) 35...
g5 36. e4 Nc3 $1 37. Rc8 Ne2+ $1 {It is rather useful that this is check.} 38.
Kf2 Nf4 $11 {This position has got to be a fortress.}) 34. Rh8 {[%emt 0:00:56]}
Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 35. Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:17]} Nd6 {[%emt 0:03:05]} 36. Rc6 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} Nb5 {[%emt 0:00:57]} 37. e3 {[%emt 0:02:26]} g5 {[%emt 0:02:24]
} 38. h5 {[%emt 0:00:23] So Black got ...g5 in but his knight has lost its
bearings a little bit.} Na3 {[%emt 0:01:34]} 39. Kg3 {[%emt 0:07:09]} Nc4 $2 {
[%emt 0:02:16] Losing a pawn, and possibly the decisive mistake.} (39... Nb5
40. Kf2 Kf6 {and even though it feels uncomfortable Black may be able to get
back on track soon with ...Ke7 and ...Nd6, since taking the h-pawn gets
White's rook trapped.}) 40. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ne5 {[%emt 0:05:02]} 41. exd5 {
[%emt 0:00:38]} exd5 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 42. Rd6 {[%emt 0:00:41]} Nd3 {[%emt 0:01:
37]} 43. Rxd5 {[%emt 0:01:09]} Nf4 {[%emt 0:01:53]} 44. Rf5 {[%emt 0:00:58]}
Ne6 {[%emt 0:01:32] Initially I thought there were still chances for this to
be a fortress but then I realised Black has too many targets. Maybe with the
h-pawns off the board?} 45. Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:27]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:12:37]} 46. Rd5 {
[%emt 0:00:24]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 47. Ke3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Nf4 {[%emt 0:01:
15]} 48. Ra5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Ng2+ {[%emt 0:01:57]} 49. Ke4 $18 {[%emt 0:00:20]
} Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 50. Rb5 {[%emt 0:00:53]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:01:35]} 51. Ke5 {
[%emt 0:00:34]} Ne1 {[%emt 0:00:59]} 52. Rb3 {[%emt 0:00:28]} Ng2 {[%emt 0:00:
12]} 53. Kd6 {[%emt 0:05:10]} Nf4 {[%emt 0:07:06]} 54. Rb5 {[%emt 0:01:36]} Kf8
{[%emt 0:03:16]} 55. Rf5 {[%emt 0:03:04]} Ng2 {[%emt 0:01:20]} 56. Kd7 {
[%emt 0:03:01]} Ne3 {[%emt 0:00:42]} 57. Rc5 {[%emt 0:00:43]} f5 {[%emt 0:08:
03]} 58. Ke6 {[%emt 0:06:38]} fxg4 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 59. Kf6 {[%emt 0:01:40]}
Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 60. Kg6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 61. Re5 {
[%emt 0:01:07]} Nc4 {[%emt 0:01:56]} 62. Rf5+ {[%emt 0:00:14]} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.27"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C83"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:56]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} a6 {[%emt 0:01:58]} 4. Ba4 {[%emt 0:00:
51]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:08]} Nxe4 {[%emt 0:01:38] Perhaps
forgetting, or not knowing, that the Open Ruy Lopez was basically co-invented
by Anand, in New York 1995 (it existed before, but his role was similar to
that of Kramnik with the Berlin Wall!)} 6. d4 {[%emt 0:01:31]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:
06]} 7. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:10]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 8. dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:33]} Be6 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} 9. Nbd2 {[%emt 0:01:20]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:09]} ({A little
history lesson is in order, beginnning with the move} 9... Nc5 {:} 10. c3 d4 (
10... Be7 {exists too, but after} 11. Bc2 {I feel White must have a more
pleasant position}) 11. Ng5 $5 {One of the most shocking moves in 'modern'
opening theory to an impressionable 9-year-old me, learning chess in 2004!}
dxc3 $6 (11... Qxg5 {was obviously tried too, and with best play Black is
committing to a piece sacrifice.} 12. Qf3 O-O-O 13. Bxe6+ fxe6 14. Qxc6 Qxe5
15. b4 Qd5 $1 $44 {Grischuk,A-Anand,V Wijk aan Zee 2005}) 12. Nxe6 fxe6 13.
bxc3 Qd3 14. Nf3 (14. Bc2 $5 Qxc3 15. Nb3 $13 {was ultimately decided upon as
White's best, and Black is in quite a bit of trouble here.}) 14... O-O-O 15.
Qe1 Nxb3 16. axb3 Kb7 17. Be3 Be7 18. Bg5 (18. Qc1 $5 $40) 18... h6 (18... Rhe8
$11) 19. Bxe7 Nxe7 20. Nd4 Rxd4 21. cxd4 Qxb3 22. Qe3 Qxe3 23. fxe3 Nd5 24. Kf2
Kb6 $44 {Kasparov,G-Anand,V New York 1995, Black had enough compensation to
draw.}) 10. c3 {[%emt 0:05:21]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:08]} 11. Bc2 {[%emt 0:05:23]}
f5 {[%emt 0:00:21]} (11... Bf5 $5) 12. Nb3 {[%emt 0:02:26]} (12. exf6 Nxf6 13.
Nb3 Bg4 14. Qd3 $32 {looks hard to play for Black, but maybe it is just me. A
useful game to look at: Anton Guijarro,D-Vidit,S Martuni 2016}) 12... Qd7 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} 13. Nfd4 {[%emt 0:01:13]} Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 14. Nxd4 {
[%emt 0:05:03]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 15. Nxe6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Qxe6 {[%emt 0:00:
04]} 16. f3 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Ng5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 17. a4 {[%emt 0:00:18]} (17.
Bxg5 Bxg5 18. f4 $14 {might have been worth playing, not least to remind
Wesley of his loss to Carlsen from this event!}) 17... Rad8 {[%emt 0:00:05]} (
17... b4 {makes the game quite strategically messy, but probably still better
for White.}) 18. axb5 {[%emt 0:00:44]} axb5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 19. Bxg5 {[%emt 0:
00:14]} (19. Ra7 Rd7 20. Rxd7 Qxd7 21. Bxg5 Bxg5 22. f4 Bd8 23. b3 $14 {
is another take, with c4 to come soon}) 19... Bxg5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 20. f4 {
[%emt 0:00:13] So we get here anyway! However, here Black has good play
through the centre.} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 21. Kh1 {[%emt 0:00:23]} (21. b4 $5 {
was vaguely Carlsenesque, but objectively Black should have no problem after
accepting:} cxb4 22. cxb4 Bxb4 23. Qd3 $44) 21... d4 $1 {[%emt 0:00:26] It is
not only White who can play with colour complexes.} 22. cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:50]}
c4 {[%emt 0:00:04] Threatening ...Bc5, and Ra5 is met with ...Qb6.} 23. b3 {
[%emt 0:08:35]} (23. Qd2 $5 Qd5 (23... Bc5 24. Qa5 $16) 24. Ra5 {would have
tested Black more, though he still has compensation.}) 23... Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:
08]} 24. bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:32]} Rxd4 {[%emt 0:01:37]} 25. Qf3 {[%emt 0:09:00]}
bxc4 {[%emt 0:01:48]} 26. Rfd1 {[%emt 0:04:09]} g6 {[%emt 0:08:11]} 27. Rxd4 {
[%emt 0:13:49]} Bxd4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 28. Rd1 $146 {[%emt 0:00:24]} (28. Ra8
Rxa8 29. Qxa8+ Kg7 30. Qb7+ Qf7 31. Qxf7+ {1/2-1/2 (31) Adams,M (2761)-Giri,A 
(2769) Shenzhen 2017}) 28... Rd8 {[%emt 0:07:05]} 29. Qb7 {[%emt 0:07:25]} Bb6
$11 {[%emt 0:02:54] Neutralised by a whisker!} 30. Rxd8+ {[%emt 0:05:21]} Bxd8
{[%emt 0:00:19]} 31. Ba4 {[%emt 0:00:43]} Qb6 {[%emt 0:02:33]} 32. Qxb6 {
[%emt 0:01:25]} Bxb6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.27"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B48"]
[WhiteElo "2834"]
[BlackElo "2718"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:01:09]} e6 {[%emt 0:
00:12]} 3. d4 {[%emt 0:02:08]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 4. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:02]}
Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 5. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Qc7 {[%emt 0:00:31] Another
pull-no-punches opening choice from Matlakov, who in his Black games against
the other 2 world champions in this event (yep, quite a tough draw!) chose
innovative systems in the Italian and Ruy Lopez involving knights moving to
the edge. Maybe this is something of a habit for him, as in this game the
c6-knight soon makes its way to a5...} 6. Be3 {[%emt 0:01:25]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:
30]} (6... Nf6 7. f4 Bb4 $5 {is an interesting attempt to make do without ...
a6 for at least a few moves:} 8. Ndb5 Qa5 9. e5 Nd5 10. Bd2 Nxc3 11. Bxc3 O-O
12. Qd2 a6 (12... f6 $5 $132) 13. Bxb4 Qxb4 14. Qxb4 Nxb4 15. Nd4 $132 {
1/2-1/2 (15) Motylev,A (2656)-Svidler,P (2751) Tallinn 2016}) 7. Qd2 {[%emt 0:
01:04]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:53]} 8. f4 {[%emt 0:00:24]} (8. O-O-O Be7 (8... Bb4 9.
f3 {is the absolute main line:} Ne5 (9... Na5 {is also a thing here, but White
must be slightly better in the ending after a3}) 10. Nb3 b5 (10... d6 11. Bd4
$16 {was the unfortunate opening outcome (for Black) of one game from the 2016
British Championships}) 11. Qf2 $5 {Main is 11.Qe1 but this is an interesting
new idea.} Be7 $6 12. g4 d6 13. Rg1 Rb8 14. g5 $14 {Dominguez Perez,L-Vachier
Lagrave,M Berlin 2015}) 9. f3 h5 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. Bf4 e5 12. Bg5 a5 13. Bc4 a4
14. a3 d6 15. f4 O-O 16. Rhf1 Bg4 17. Rde1 Rfd8 18. Qe3 Rab8 19. fxe5 dxe5 20.
Bxf6 Bxf6 21. h3 Rd4 22. hxg4 Rxc4 23. gxh5 Be7 24. Rf3 Rd4 25. Nd1 Qb6 26. h6
Qd8 27. Rg3 g6 28. Rf1 Rb7 29. Nf2 Bh4 30. Rg4 Bxf2 31. Qxf2 Rbd7 32. Qf3 Kh7
33. Kb1 Qe7 34. Rg3 Qh4 35. Rg4 Qe7 36. Rg3 Qd6 37. Rc1 Rd1 {Grischuk,A (2783)
-Cori Tello,J (2641) Tbilisi 2017 1/2-1/2}) 8... Bb4 {[%emt 0:02:08]} 9. Bd3 {
[%emt 0:00:41]} Na5 {[%emt 0:00:36]} (9... Ne7 $5 {tries to play ...d5 under
favourable circumstances, but just ends up looking slow after the same move}
10. a3 $14) 10. a3 {[%emt 0:00:31]} Bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:32]} 11. Qxc3 {[%emt 0:00:
02]} Qxc3+ {[%emt 0:00:18]} 12. bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 13.
exd5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} (13. e5 Ne4 14. Nb3 Nc4 $11 {led to an interesting game
with a sidelined White knight:} 15. Bxc4 dxc4 16. Na5 Bd7 17. Bd4 Rc8 18. Nxb7
Bc6 19. Na5 Bd5 $44 {Volokitin,A-Giri,A Germany 2014}) 13... exd5 {[%emt 0:01:
03]} 14. Nb3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Nc4 {[%emt 0:00:47]} 15. Bd4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Ne4
{[%emt 0:04:13]} 16. Nc5 {[%emt 0:01:07]} Nxc5 {[%emt 0:25:42]} 17. Bxc5 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:00:25] The position is similar in essence to
Mamedyarov-Carlsen from yesterday - the only difference being that Carlsen
held nearly effortlessly there, but Matlakov is not able to do the same today.}
18. O-O-O {[%emt 0:02:34]} O-O-O {[%emt 0:01:38]} 19. Bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:53]}
dxc4 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 20. Bb6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Rde8 {[%emt 0:01:07]} 21. Rd4 {
[%emt 0:00:11]} Re6 {[%emt 0:07:55] Dropping a healthy pawn by force.} (21...
Bb5 $5 22. Rhd1 Kb8 {looks a bit passive, but avoids going in for
hard-to-calculate forced lines. Black's idea is ...Rc8-c6.}) 22. Rxc4+ {
[%emt 0:00:24]} Rc6 {[%emt 0:00:48]} (22... Kb8 23. Rd1 $5 Bb5 24. Rb4 Rxb6 25.
c4 $14 {is unlikely to be much more pleasant, since Black now ends up with
doubled pawns himself.}) 23. Rxc6+ {[%emt 0:00:44]} Bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:26]} 24.
Rd1 {[%emt 0:00:25]} Bxg2 {[%emt 0:18:10]} 25. Rg1 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Be4 {
[%emt 0:12:19]} 26. Rxg7 {[%emt 0:00:44]} Bg6 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 27. a4 {[%emt 0:
12:05]} (27. f5 {immediately was also possible, and Black's drawing chances
may not be as good as they immediately seem.}) 27... Rf8 {[%emt 0:05:24]} 28.
Kb2 {[%emt 0:04:57]} Kd7 {[%emt 0:02:12]} (28... h5 {could also have been
played, since it is not clear, especially given the further course of the game,
whether having the king out helps or hinders Black's drawing efforts.}) 29. f5
{[%emt 0:00:34]} Bxf5 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 30. Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:
00:20]} 31. Rxf7+ {[%emt 0:00:07]} Ke6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 32. Re7+ {[%emt 0:00:
03]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 33. Bb4 $14 {[%emt 0:00:53] Now White has a healthy
nibble, and he coaxes ...a5.} a5 {[%emt 0:09:19]} (33... b5 34. axb5 axb5 35.
Rb7 Re8 36. Rxb5 Re2 $14 {was a marginally better version of the same thing.})
34. Ba3 {[%emt 0:00:21]} Rc4 {[%emt 0:00:43]} 35. Rxb7 {[%emt 0:00:41]} Rxa4 {
[%emt 0:00:12]} 36. Ra7 {[%emt 0:05:14]} Re4 {[%emt 0:09:40]} 37. Rxa5 {
[%emt 0:00:11]} Re2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 38. Bd6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bxc2 {[%emt 0:02:
20]} 39. c4 $16 {[%emt 0:00:55] Eventually Carlsen had to be able to swap one
of his doubled pawns for another pawn. The position is now completely
thankless - the best Black can hope for is not even a straight draw, but to
have to defend rook and bishop against rook!} Ke6 {[%emt 0:02:00]} 40. Ra6 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Bf5+ {[%emt 0:05:14]} 41. Kc3 {[%emt 0:01:48]} Be4 {[%emt 0:11:
24]} 42. Kd4 {[%emt 0:06:19]} Kf5 {[%emt 0:02:03]} 43. Ra5+ {[%emt 0:00:29]}
Kg4 {[%emt 0:03:26]} 44. c5 {[%emt 0:05:32]} Bf3 {[%emt 0:05:04]} 45. Ra7 {
[%emt 0:01:20]} h6 {[%emt 0:04:19]} 46. Rh7 {[%emt 0:03:14]} Re4+ {[%emt 0:04:
33]} 47. Kd3 {[%emt 0:01:05]} Re6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 48. Kc4 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Bc6
{[%emt 0:02:48]} 49. Rc7 {[%emt 0:00:51]} Bh1 {[%emt 0:00:47]} 50. Kb5 {
[%emt 0:01:16]} h5 {[%emt 0:02:17]} (50... Re1 $16 {keeps the game going a bit
better.}) 51. Rg7+ {[%emt 0:01:38]} Kh4 $6 {[%emt 0:01:02] Walking into all
kinds of mating motifs.} (51... Kf5 52. Rg1 Bf3 53. Rf1 {might have been a
line Black was afraid of, but he survives by defending with the rook:} Re3 $16)
52. Rg1 {[%emt 0:16:52]} Ba8 {[%emt 0:01:23]} 53. Kb6 {[%emt 0:06:28]} Re2 {
[%emt 0:01:29]} 54. Kc7 {[%emt 0:01:04]} Bd5 {[%emt 0:03:57]} 55. Rg3 {[%emt 0:
03:30]} Bh1 {[%emt 0:00:35]} (55... Rxh2 56. Rd3 {is a nice small tactic.}) 56.
Rc3 {[%emt 0:07:56]} Kg4 {[%emt 0:03:34]} 57. c6 {[%emt 0:01:07] So White has
managed everything he needs to and he will win the bishop without the need for
a h-pawn swap. In a game Sowray-Harvey, Bedford 2013, the weaker side
continued even after the win of a similar piece, but ultimately even after
some inspired resistance was unable to save half a point.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.27"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Adhiban, Baskaran"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A40"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2655"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 2. d4 {[%emt 0:01:25]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:
00:10]} 3. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} c5 {[%emt 0:08:24] A sequence of moves known
to English chess fans as the 'Sniper'...} 4. d5 {[%emt 0:05:44]} d6 {[%emt 0:
01:27]} (4... b5 $5 {probably transposes to a Benko Gambit:} 5. cxb5 a6 6. e4 (
6. bxa6 Nf6 7. Nc3 Bxa6 8. e4 Bxf1 9. Kxf1 d6 {is a main line}) 6... axb5 7. e5
b4 $13 {This position is sufficiently modern for the most exacting taste, and
I think Black is probably fine if he continues with ...Nh6 and/or ...Ba6,
developing as many pieces to the side as possible.}) 5. e4 {[%emt 0:00:48]} e6
{[%emt 0:04:39]} 6. Bd3 {[%emt 0:04:36]} ({Pertinent:} 6. Nc3 exd5 7. cxd5 a6
8. h3 b5 9. Bd3 Nd7 10. O-O Ngf6 11. a3 O-O 12. Bf4 Qb6 13. Qd2 Re8 14. b4 Bb7
15. Rab1 Rac8 16. Rfc1 Nh5 17. Bh6 Bh8 18. Be3 Qd8 19. Bg5 Qb6 20. Be3 Qd8 21.
Bg5 Qb6 22. Be3 {1/2-1/2 (22) Matlakov,M (2714)-Zvjaginsev,V (2661) Sochi 2017}
) 6... exd5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 7. cxd5 {[%emt 0:02:19]} ({I was always taught
that if White is able to recapture with the e-pawn, i.e.} 7. exd5 $14 {then
the Benoni construction has basically failed and White is better.}) 7... Bg4 {
[%emt 0:04:25]} ({A good question to ask is why not} 7... Nf6 {Maybe} 8. h3 (8.
Nc3 O-O 9. O-O ({Or} 9. h3 b5) 9... Bg4 {is main line theory.}) 8... O-O 9. O-O
{might have been something Black didn't like - the move order certainly raises
unusual questions. Play could continue} b5 $6 (9... c4 10. Bc2 b5 $132 {
is better}) 10. Bxb5 Nxe4 11. Re1 Nf6 12. Nc3 $14 {when the position resembles
the line which refutes 1.d4 b5.}) 8. Nbd2 $1 $14 {[%emt 0:01:11]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:
05:15]} 9. O-O {[%emt 0:00:47]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:07]} 10. h3 {[%emt 0:00:27]}
Bxf3 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 11. Nxf3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} c4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 12. Bxc4 {
[%emt 0:15:46]} Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 13. Re1 {[%emt 0:00:35]} Re8 {[%emt 0:02:
30]} 14. Qc2 {[%emt 0:02:06]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:03:45]} 15. Rxe8+ {[%emt 0:13:50]}
Nxe8 {[%emt 0:02:29]} 16. Bg5 $146 {[%emt 0:11:28] It's just a bishop pair,
and Black lacks the usual compensations that the Benoni offers.} (16. Qb3 Qc7
17. Be3 Nd7 18. Rc1 Nc5 19. Qa3 Qd8 20. b4 Nd7 21. Qd3 Rc8 22. Bb3 Rxc1+ 23.
Bxc1 Qc7 24. Bd2 a6 25. a4 Ne5 26. Nxe5 Bxe5 27. g4 Ng7 28. Kg2 h5 29. f4 Bf6
30. a5 hxg4 31. hxg4 Qd7 32. Bd1 Ne8 33. Be2 Nc7 34. Qc4 Nb5 35. Be3 Qe8 36.
Kf3 Nc3 37. g5 {1/2-1/2 (37) Khismatullin,D (2601)-Andreikin,D (2625) Voronezh
2009}) 16... Nf6 {[%emt 0:02:28]} 17. Nd4 {[%emt 0:08:05]} (17. Re1 {was more
natural for me.}) 17... Qb6 {[%emt 0:17:10] Probably relying on ...Nxe3, but
White's next makes this irrelevant.} ({After the natural} 17... Nbd7 18. Ne6 $5
{could be the point, but the story doesn't necessarily end here:} fxe6 19. dxe6
d5 20. Bxd5 Nf8 21. Bxb7 Rb8 22. Bc6 $44) 18. Be3 {[%emt 0:11:04]} Ng4 $6 {
[%emt 0:02:40] Not a great move, but the position wasn't fun anyway.} 19. Qe4 {
[%emt 0:01:35]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:22:10]} (19... Nxe3 20. Qe8+ Bf8 21. fxe3 {
leaves Black completely helpless against Rf1 and Ne6 ideas, despite the
initially optimistic prognosis of the machine. For instance} Qc7 22. Ne6 fxe6
23. dxe6 Qe7 24. Qc8 $18 {with Rf1-f7 to come.}) 20. Qe7 {[%emt 0:01:25] The
position, and this move in particular, give me flashbacks to the game
Hawkins-Fernandez, 4NCL 2016, when I tried some kind of KID/Benko mashup.} Nbd7
{[%emt 0:00:15]} 21. Nb5 {[%emt 0:00:24]} Bf8 {[%emt 0:03:57]} 22. Bxb6 {
[%emt 0:00:42]} Bxe7 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 23. Bxa7 $16 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Ne5 {
[%emt 0:05:20]} 24. b3 {[%emt 0:03:15]} Nxc4 {[%emt 0:00:50]} 25. bxc4 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 26. Re1 {[%emt 0:01:08]} Bf8 {[%emt 0:01:
52]} 27. Bd4 {[%emt 0:00:17]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 28. Rc1 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Ra8
{[%emt 0:04:29]} 29. Rc2 {[%emt 0:01:13]} Ra6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 30. Re2 {
[%emt 0:03:42]} Ra4 {[%emt 0:01:33]} ({If Black has to defend passively with} 
30... Ra8 {then he is not long for this world, but there might not have been
anything objectively better.}) 31. Re8 $18 {[%emt 0:00:58] A well-calculated
way to clinch the game in tactics rather than technique.} Rxc4 {[%emt 0:00:14]}
32. Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Ne5 {[%emt 0:05:23]} (32... Rb4 33. a4 $1 {doesn't
change much.}) 33. f4 {[%emt 0:02:48]} Nd3 {[%emt 0:00:41]} 34. Bf6 {[%emt 0:
00:17]} Re4 {[%emt 0:03:33]} 35. Nxd6 {[%emt 0:00:21]} Re1+ {[%emt 0:00:08]}
36. Kh2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nf2 {[%emt 0:00:02] Directed against White's most
obvious idea of Nc8-e7, but there are others.} 37. Bg5 {[%emt 0:03:41]} h5 {
[%emt 0:01:56]} (37... Kg7 38. Ne8+ Kg8 39. Nf6+ Kg7 40. d6 $18) 38. Bh6 {
[%emt 0:01:28]} h4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 39. g4 {[%emt 0:01:00]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:07]
} 40. Rxf8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nd3 {[%emt 0:01:06] This move looks like it
threatens perpetual check, but in fact it doesn't even do that. Black is
beyond saving, of course.} 41. Rxf7+ {[%emt 0:02:04]} Kh8 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 42.
Rf8+ {[%emt 0:03:34] Probably the idea was Nf7 next and then the white king
trivially dodges the checks using f3.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.27"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Hou, Yifan"]
[Black "Wei, Yi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2680"]
[BlackElo "2743"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} 3. Nxe5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 4. Nf3 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 5. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:58]} (5. c4 Nc6 {can, as we
now know, lead to a quick repetition of moves...}) 5... Nxc3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} (
5... Nf6 $5 {was weakly recommended in my analysis to the first round- White
needs to get an idea or two and then he is better.}) 6. dxc3 {[%emt 0:00:04]}
Be7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 7. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:08] Interestingly, this is the same
system chosen against Hou Yifan herself by Anish Giri.} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 8.
Qd2 {[%emt 0:00:06] Trying to make do without Anish's Bd3 and head directly
for Bb5xc6 to inflict on her opponent the structure that caused her so much
trouble back in round 1!} (8. Bd3 Be6 9. Qe2 Bf6 10. O-O-O Qe7 11. Kb1 a6 12.
Rhe1 O-O-O 13. h3 Rhe8 14. g4 h6 15. Nd2 $1 $14 {Now White is probably a tiny
bit better in practical terms, but obviously an incredible amount of technique
is needed before White can think about winning. Nevertheless he did in Giri,
A-Hou,Y, Tata Steel Masters 2018.}) 8... Be6 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 9. O-O-O {
[%emt 0:00:11]} Bf6 {[%emt 0:02:50]} (9... Qd7 {was the main move, and in fact
this was used in a previous Wei Yi game - I wonder what the problem was?} 10.
Kb1 a6 11. h3 O-O-O 12. Be2 Bf6 13. Nd4 Bxd4 14. cxd4 d5 15. g4 f6 16. Rdg1 Na7
17. Rg3 Kb8 18. h4 h6 19. Bf4 g5 20. Be3 Nc8 21. f4 Nd6 22. Qb4 gxh4 23. Rxh4
f5 24. g5 {1/2-1/2 (24) Vallejo Pons,F (2705)-Li,C (2741) Palma de Mallorca
2017}) (9... O-O {is not a bad move, but Black will need a plan for dealing
with the slow kingside attack from White:} 10. Bd3 Qd7 11. h4 Rad8 $6 12. Ng5
Bf5 13. g4 $40) 10. Kb1 {[%emt 0:06:39]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:01:39]} 11. Bg5 {[%emt 0:
06:55] Pointing out a problem with the moves ...Bf6 and ... Qd7 in conjunction
(...Qe7 would not have had this problem, but it would have made Nd4 look more
convincing, so perhaps the issue lies with ...Bf6.)} (11. Ng5 Bxg5 12. Bxg5 f6
13. Bf4 O-O-O $11 {is the stereotyped continuation from both sides, when White
is well advised to not develop her f1-bishop quickly, or else it will simply
be harrassed.}) (11. h4 O-O-O 12. Nd4 Bxd4 $5 13. cxd4 d5 {Li,C-Wei,Y China
2017 led to the kind of position that the present event is making me
re-evaluate as closer to 'equal' than +/=.}) 11... Bxg5 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 12.
Nxg5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} O-O-O {[%emt 0:00:08]} 13. Nxe6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Qxe6 {
[%emt 0:00:31]} 14. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Qf5 $146 {[%emt 0:30:50]} (14... Rde8
15. Rhe1 Qf5 16. Bxc6 bxc6 17. Re3 Rxe3 18. Qxe3 Kd7 19. Re1 Qe6 20. Qc1 Qg4
21. Qe3 Qe6 22. Qc1 Qg4 23. Qe3 {1/2-1/2 (23) Yu,Y (2675)-Bu,X (2693) Danzhou
2014}) 15. Bxc6 {[%emt 0:21:28]} bxc6 {[%emt 0:00:07] Mission accomplished,
kind of. White is now slightly better by virtue of pawn-islands, and it looks
very likely that we will reach a queen ending again!} 16. Rhe1 {[%emt 0:00:04]}
Rhe8 {[%emt 0:02:24]} 17. f3 {[%emt 0:05:24]} c5 {[%emt 0:10:01]} 18. b3 $14 {
[%emt 0:07:28]} Kb7 {[%emt 0:07:58]} 19. Re2 {[%emt 0:01:21]} (19. Kb2 $5)
19... Re6 {[%emt 0:17:52]} 20. Rxe6 {[%emt 0:01:44]} fxe6 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 21.
Re1 {[%emt 0:00:04]} e5 {[%emt 0:10:40] Reaching a position which is similar
in essence to Jones-Hou, except White is not a pawn down here.} 22. Qd5+ {
[%emt 0:02:22]} c6 {[%emt 0:01:11]} 23. Qd2 {[%emt 0:01:01]} Kc7 {[%emt 0:07:
25]} 24. Re4 {[%emt 0:01:33]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:02:04]} 25. f4 {[%emt 0:11:54] In
principle a good break to have made, but maybe White should have concentrated
a bit more on the front she had open first.} (25. Qd3 $14 {kept probing.})
25... exf4 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 26. Qe2 {[%emt 0:02:53]} Qf5 {[%emt 0:02:38]} 27.
Ra4 {[%emt 0:01:42]} Kb8 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 28. Qa6 {[%emt 0:01:38]} Qd7 {
[%emt 0:00:31]} 29. Rxf4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 30. Kb2 {
[%emt 0:01:29]} h6 {[%emt 0:04:35]} 31. Qd3 {[%emt 0:02:53]} (31. h4 {was a
good idea - none of Black's pieces has much mobility and White can try and
arrange b4!? at a good time - or else just push kingside pawns until Black
feels he has to do something.}) 31... Kb7 {[%emt 0:00:53]} 32. h4 {[%emt 0:01:
25]} Re6 {[%emt 0:01:55]} 33. Rf8 {[%emt 0:08:39]} Re7 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 34. g4
{[%emt 0:02:34]} (34. Qg3 {keeps Black more tied down.}) 34... d5 {[%emt 0:01:
30]} 35. g5 $6 {[%emt 0:05:17] Now Black equalises with...} hxg5 {[%emt 0:03:
50]} 36. hxg5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rf7 $11 {[%emt 0:00:15] ...since the position
is a little bit too open. Black can try to get counterplay based on the f-file
and diagonals a1-h8/ b1-h7 as indeed he proceeds to do.} 37. Rg8 {[%emt 0:04:
31]} Re7 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 38. Rf8 {[%emt 0:02:49]} Rf7 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 39. Rh8
{[%emt 0:00:13]} Qd6 {[%emt 0:04:35]} 40. Qh3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d4 {[%emt 0:00:
32]} 41. Re8 {[%emt 0:14:16]} (41. Qc8+ Kb6 42. Qb8+ Qxb8 43. Rxb8+ Kc7 44. Rg8
{might offer some small chances.}) 41... Rf2 {[%emt 0:22:18] Brave play -
Black has calculated all the necessary checks and attacking moves from White.
Now the ideas like ...d3 and ...Rxc2 force White to take real evasive action.}
42. Qd3 {[%emt 0:05:07]} Rg2 {[%emt 0:06:04]} 43. cxd4 {[%emt 0:10:58]} Qxd4+ {
[%emt 0:06:25]} 44. Qxd4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 45. Re7+ {
[%emt 0:00:43]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.27"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2640"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[PlyCount "23"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Nf6 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} 3. Nxe5 {[%emt 0:00:42]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 4. Nf3 {[%emt 0:
00:03]} Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 5. c4 {[%emt 0:00:17]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 6.
Nc3 {[%emt 0:01:29]} Nxc3 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 7. dxc3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} g6 {
[%emt 0:01:21]} 8. Bg5 {[%emt 0:07:13]} Be7 {[%emt 0:01:42]} 9. Bh6 {[%emt 0:
04:52]} Bf8 {[%emt 0:02:14]} 10. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:40]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 11.
Bh6 {[%emt 0:00:27]} Bf8 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 12. Bg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.27"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B13"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2811"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Ne5 $5 {Kramnik,V (2787)-Svidler,
P (2768) 80th Tata Steel GpA 2018 (4.3) 1-0 This rare move is in a way similar
to Kramnik's early knight move to e5 in} ({The main lines were Fischer's
favourite} 5. Bd3) ({and the Panov Attack.} 5. c4) 5... Nc6 ({Another game of
a World champion went} 5... e6 {Leaving the c8-bishop passive.} 6. Nd2 Nc6 7.
c3 Bd6 8. f4 {Starting an attack in the spirit of the Colle system.} g6 9. Qf3
Nh5 10. g4 Ng7 11. Qh3 h5 12. Bd3 Kf8 13. Ndf3 Kg8 14. Bd2 Bd7 15. O-O-O $36 {
Anand,V (2803)-Vallejo Pons,F (2684) Leon 2008 (1-0, 46) with consistent
initiative.}) 6. Bb5 Bd7 {In a way this is the most flexible move, parrying
the threat by developing a piece, but its drawbck is giving up the bishops'
pair.} (6... Qb6 7. c4 {offers White some initiative in the spirit of the 
(reversed) Ragozin system.}) (6... Qc7 {has been played only between lower
rated players, but looks sound enough. The point is that} 7. Bf4 {is not as
threatening as it looks:} e6 {[%cal Gf8d6]} 8. Nxc6 (8. Ng6 Qa5+ 9. Bd2 Qxb5
10. Nxh8 {[%csl Rh8]} Qxb2 $5 $17) 8... Qxf4 9. Ne5+ Bd7 10. Nxd7 Qe4+ 11. Be2
Nxd7 12. O-O Bd6 {and Black does not have much to fear.}) 7. Nxd7 Qxd7 8. c3 e6
9. O-O ({The following game features a slightly different move order:} 9. Nd2
Bd6 10. Nf3 O-O 11. O-O Qc7 12. Re1 a6 13. Bd3 Bf4 {The reason why Black is
interested in exchanging these bishops can be found in a line from the comment
to 12...e5 below.} 14. Bxf4 Qxf4 15. a4 g6 16. g3 Qc7 17. Kg2 Kg7 18. Qe2 Rfe8
19. h4 h5 20. b4 (20. Ne5 $14 {looks more natural.}) 20... Ne7 (20... Ng4 $5)
21. Rac1 Rac8 22. Ne5 a5 23. Bb5 Rf8 24. Qb2 b6 25. Ba6 Ra8 26. Bd3 $14 {
Rapport,R (2707)-Salgado Lopez,I (2644) Riadh 2017 (1-0, 52) with some slight
pressure.}) 9... Bd6 10. Nd2 O-O 11. Re1 (11. Nf3 Qc7 (11... Ne4 $5) 12. Re1 {
would transpose to the game above.}) 11... a6 ({The plan of exchanging bishops
is available after other white knight moves, too, of course:} 11... Qc7 12. Nf1
Bf4 13. Bxf4 Qxf4 14. Qd2 (14. Nd2 {planning Qe2, Nf3, Bd3 looks more active.})
14... Qxd2 15. Nxd2 Rfc8 16. Bd3 {½-½ Antipov,M (2584)-Mchedlishvili,M (2604)
Izmir 2016}) 12. Bd3 e5 {Caruana decides on switching to a French Isolani
structure.} ({The main alternative is starting the minority attack, typical
for the Carlsbad structure (even if in reversed form as here):} 12... b5 {
but White's kingside initiative is a bit more effective:} 13. Nf3 b4 (13... Qc7
{does not manage exchanging the dangerous bishop in time:} 14. Bg5 Nd7 15. Qc2
h6 {This weakening is more important than it may look at fist sight, as it
allows White to start an effective attack.} 16. Be3 Nf6 17. h3 Rfc8 18. Qe2 Qb7
19. g4 $1 b4 20. g5 hxg5 21. Bxg5 bxc3 22. bxc3 Na5 23. Bxf6 gxf6 {Safarli,E 
(2639)-Esipenko,A (2564) Riadh 2017 (1-0, 49)} 24. Nh4 $1 Rxc3 $140 25. Qg4+
Kf8 26. Qh5 $18 {planning Nf5 with a decisive attack.}) 14. Bg5 bxc3 (14... Be7
15. Ne5 Qb7 16. Nxc6 Qxc6 17. cxb4 $16) {Puccini,J (2073)-Le,M (1927) Al Ain
2013 (½-½, 29)} 15. Bxf6 gxf6 16. bxc3 $14) 13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. Nf3 Nfg4 $6
$146 {Kramnik rightly considered this "a strange move".} (14... Rfe8 {is more
natural, but since it was played only between low rated players it is too
early to draw any conclusion.} 15. Bg5 Qg4 16. Nxe5 (16. Bxf6 Nxf3+ 17. Qxf3
Qxf3 18. gxf3 gxf6) 16... Qxg5 17. Nf3 Rxe1+ 18. Qxe1 Qf4 {Massironi,M (2193)
-Rorato,G (2039) Venice 2006 (½-½, 66)}) ({Exchanging the knight for any of
White's minor pieces offer White pleasant play against the Isolani.} 14...
Nxf3+ 15. Qxf3 Rfe8 16. Be3 $14) (14... Nxd3 15. Qxd3 h6 16. Be3 $14) 15. Nxe5
Nxe5 {Caruana must have thought the knight was active on this square but as
will be clear soon it is rather exposed.} 16. Bc2 Rfe8 (16... Bc7 17. Bf4 {
is likely to transpose to the game.}) (16... Qc6 17. Bf4 Nc4 18. Bxd6 Nxd6 (
18... Qxd6 19. b3 Na3 20. Be4 Rad8 21. Bf3 $14) 19. Qd4 $14) 17. Bf4 Bc7 18. g3
$3 {The most difficult move in the game. White prepares for winning a pawn
with Bxh7+ by avoiding back rank problems.} ({Immediately carrying out this
operation would offer Black reasonable compensation:} 18. Bxe5 Bxe5 19. Bxh7+
Kxh7 20. Qh5+ Kg8 21. Rxe5 Qb5 $44) ({The purpose of the last move is clear,
but the natural question is why not} 18. h3 {? The answer is that} Nc4 {
works better than in the similar line below. What is really remarkable with
Kramnik's last move is that Black cannot parry the initial threat under
favourable circumstances.}) 18... Rad8 {Practically turning 18.g3 into a gain
of time as Black will soon have to play ...Rd8-e8.} (18... g6 {weakens f6,
which becomes relevant after} 19. Bb3 Rad8 20. Bg5 {Black has to launch the
desperate attack with} Qh3 21. Bxd8 Rxd8 {when White calms down the position
to his favour with} 22. Rxe5 Bxe5 23. Bxd5 Qd7 24. c4 Bxb2 25. Rb1 Bg7 26. a4 {
and the b-pawn will soon be lost.}) (18... h6 {weakens g6, and also leads to
the loss of the d-pawn:} 19. Bxe5 Bxe5 20. Qd3 g6 21. Bb3 Rad8 22. Rad1 $16 d4
$2 23. Qxg6+) ({Or if} 18... Nc4 19. Rxe8+ Rxe8 20. Bxc7 Qxc7 21. Qxd5 Nxb2 22.
Rb1 {we can notice the difference with respect to the similar line with 18.h3:
there is no back rank mating danger.} Qxc3 23. Qb3 Re1+ 24. Rxe1 Qxe1+ 25. Kg2
Qe5 26. Qxb7 g6 27. Bb3 Qf6 {Black has defended with only moves but loses a
pawn anyway:} 28. Bxf7+ Qxf7 29. Qxb2 {With reasonable winning chances.}) 19.
Bxh7+ Kxh7 20. Bxe5 Bxe5 21. Qh5+ Kg8 22. Rxe5 Rxe5 ({Due to the move g2-g3,
White can meet} 22... Qb5 {with} 23. Rae1 Rxe5 24. Rxe5 {for instance:} Qxb2
25. Re7 Rf8 26. Qxd5 Qxc3 27. Rxb7 $16) 23. Qxe5 Re8 24. Qd4 Qb5 25. b3 Re2 {
Black has achieved some activity but White will temporarily return the pawn to
launch a new wave of initiative.} 26. h4 b6 (26... Re4 27. Qd1 $5) 27. Rd1 Rxa2
28. Re1 {White has returned the pawn but has gained the control over the open
file. It is Black's king now who experiences problems.} Qc6 29. Re5 Qf6 30. Qe3
Ra1+ 31. Kg2 Ra5 32. h5 d4 33. cxd4 $1 ({The rook ending resulting after} 33.
Re8+ Kh7 34. Qd3+ Qf5 35. Qxd4 Qd5+ 36. Qxd5 Rxd5 37. g4 Rc5 38. Re3 a5 {
offers Black reasonable drawing chances.}) 33... Rxe5 34. Qxe5 Qd8 35. d5 {
White is well centralised and his d-pawn is dangerous. Besides, Black's
kingside is under pressure. His queenside pawns are too slow to generate
adequate counterplay so White should win with a bit of technique.} a5 36. d6
Qd7 37. Qe7 Qc6+ 38. Kg1 Qc1+ 39. Kh2 Qc5 40. Qe8+ Kh7 41. Qe4+ g6 (41... Kg8
42. d7 Qxh5+ 43. Kg2 Qd1 44. Qe8+ Kh7 45. d8=Q) 42. hxg6+ Kg7 $5 (42... fxg6
43. Qe7+ Kg8 44. Qe8+ Kg7 45. Qd7+ Kh6 46. Kg1 Qd5 47. Qe7 Qd1+ 48. Kh2 Qf3 49.
Qe3+) 43. Qd3 Qxf2+ 44. Kh1 Qf6 (44... Qe1+ 45. Kg2 Qe8 46. d7 Qd8 47. Qd4+
Kxg6 (47... f6 48. Qg4 $18 Qe7 49. Qd1 Qd8 50. Qh5 $18) (47... Kg8 48. Qd5 $18)
48. Qg4+ {[%cal Gg4h4]}) 45. d7 Qd8 46. Qc3+ $1 (46. gxf7 Kxf7 47. Qd6 b5 $5 {
offers Black counterplay.}) 46... Kxg6 47. Qc6+ (47. Qc8 {also wins:} Qe7 48.
d8=Q Qe1+ 49. Kh2 Qe2+ 50. Kh3 Qf1+ 51. Kh4 Qh1+ 52. Qh3 $18) 47... Kh5 (47...
f6 48. Qc8 Qe7 49. Qe8+) (47... Kg7 48. Qc8 Qf6 49. d8=Q Qf1+ 50. Kh2 Qf2+ 51.
Kh3 Qf1+ 52. Kh4 Qh1+ 53. Kg5 Qh6+ 54. Kg4 $18) 48. Qf3+ Kh6 (48... Kg6 49.
Qg4+ {[%cal Gg4h4]}) 49. Qxf7 Qh8 50. Kg2 Qa8+ 51. Kh2 Qh8 52. Qe8 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.27"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2768"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 2. g3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} c6 {[%emt 0:
00:11]} 3. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 4. O-O {[%emt 0:00:06]}
Bg4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 5. h3 {[%emt 0:00:28]} Bh5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 6. d4 {
[%emt 0:00:19]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:45]} 7. c4 {[%emt 0:00:36]} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:00:21]
} 8. cxd5 {[%emt 0:04:57]} exd5 {[%emt 0:00:29]} 9. Ne5 {[%emt 0:04:19]} Ne4 {
[%emt 0:19:52]} 10. Nd2 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Nxd2 {[%emt 0:08:21]} 11. Bxd2 {
[%emt 0:00:13]} Nxe5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 12. dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:
00:04]} 13. Kh2 {[%emt 0:21:08]} O-O {[%emt 0:03:30]} 14. Rc1 {[%emt 0:10:43]}
Qe7 {[%emt 0:06:54]} 15. g4 {[%emt 0:05:43]} Bg6 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 16. f4 {
[%emt 0:00:14]} f5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 17. Qb3 {[%emt 0:00:25]} Rad8 {[%emt 0:33:
15]} 18. gxf5 {[%emt 0:09:51]} Bxf5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 19. Rxc5 {[%emt 0:01:01]}
Qxc5 {[%emt 0:00:21]} 20. e4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Bg6 {[%emt 0:16:26]} 21. Bb4 {
[%emt 0:21:04]} Qc4 {[%emt 0:02:17]} 22. f5 {[%emt 0:09:09]} Bh5 {[%emt 0:00:
55]} 23. Bxf8 {[%emt 0:07:52]} Qxb3 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 24. axb3 {[%emt 0:00:01]}
Kxf8 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 25. exd5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 26. Kg3 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} d4 {[%emt 0:01:36]} 27. Bf3 {[%emt 0:10:34]} Bxf3 {[%emt 0:01:
34]} 28. Kxf3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} d3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 29. Rd1 {[%emt 0:00:43]} d2
{[%emt 0:00:06]} 30. Ke3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rd5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 31. Ke4 {
[%emt 0:00:02]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.28"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Adhiban, Baskaran"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C26"]
[WhiteElo "2655"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 2. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} 3. g3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 4. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:40]} 5. Nge2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} (5. Nf3 {looks a bit
inconsistent, but may be White's best attempt at trying to use every wrinkle
in the position.} d5 6. Nxe5 (6. d3 d4 7. Ne2 Nbd7 8. O-O O-O 9. h3 {is just a
standard King's Indian Attack}) 6... dxe4 7. d3 $5 Bxf2+ 8. Kxf2 Qd4+ 9. Kf1 $5
({After} 9. Be3 Qxe5 10. h3 (10. Bf4 $11 {is just a repetition}) 10... exd3 11.
Qxd3 O-O 12. Rhe1 $44 {White has full compensation for the missing material.})
9... Qxe5 10. Bf4 Qd4 11. Nxe4 O-O $132) 5... d5 {[%emt 0:02:34]} 6. exd5 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 7. d4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} exd4 {[%emt 0:00:
06]} 8. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} O-O {[%emt 0:02:57]} 9. O-O {[%emt 0:00:12]} Bg4
{[%emt 0:00:12]} 10. Nde2 {[%emt 0:00:07] A standard-looking move, unleashing
some kind of pressure against the d5-pawn, but here the pawn is free to
advance, which was what White should have tried to avoid.} (10. Qd3 Bxd4 11.
Qxd4 Nc6 12. Qc5 d4 13. Ne4 Nxe4 14. Bxe4 Re8 $11 {at least gives White the
bishop pair in exchange for Black's dynamism.}) 10... Qc8 {[%emt 0:01:13]
Perceptively played.} ({After the immediate} 10... d4 {there is a slight
problem with} 11. h3 $1 (11. Na4 Qe8 12. Nxc5 Bxe2 13. Qe1 Nc6 $44) 11... Bxh3
12. Bxh3 dxc3 13. Qxd8 Rxd8 14. Nxc3 Nc6 15. Bf4 $14 {Here Kramnik would have
risked losing the exact same type of game which he won yesterday.}) 11. Bg5 {
[%emt 0:01:05] On this move and indeed the next few Adhiban plays extremely
well.} (11. Be3 $6 d4 $5 12. Bxd4 Rd8 13. Qd3 Nc6 14. Bxc6 Qxc6 $11 {is
unpleasant for White, but playable if he jumps through a few more hoops.})
11... d4 {[%emt 0:04:58]} 12. Na4 {[%emt 0:11:04]} Be7 {[%emt 0:02:30]} 13. Qd3
{[%emt 0:06:14]} h6 {[%emt 0:05:18]} 14. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:10:58]} Bxf6 {[%emt 0:
00:07]} 15. Nf4 {[%emt 0:00:17]} (15. Nxd4 $6 Rd8 16. Qb3 $1 $11 {clings to
equality tactically, but this is hard to calculate.}) 15... Nc6 {[%emt 0:15:38]
} (15... Nd7 $11 {was marginally more accurate.}) 16. Nd5 {[%emt 0:11:14]} Be5
{[%emt 0:06:08]} 17. Qb5 {[%emt 0:12:13]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:06:33]} 18. Nc5 {
[%emt 0:02:51]} Bxc5 {[%emt 0:16:48]} 19. Qxc5 {[%emt 0:00:05] Suddenly the
bishop pair is gone and Black should think about equality.} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:17]
} (19... Bh3 {should have been almost an impulse for a Catalan player like
Vladimir Kramnik!}) 20. b4 $14 {[%emt 0:12:23]} Kh8 {[%emt 0:06:22]} 21. Rfe1 {
[%emt 0:04:00]} Qf5 {[%emt 0:08:48]} 22. Nc7 {[%emt 0:05:12]} Rxe1+ {[%emt 0:
02:44]} 23. Rxe1 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:06:28]} (23... Rc8 {prevents
White's strong next move because} 24. Ne8 Qxc5 25. bxc5 Nb4 $132 {gives Black
too much play.}) 24. Ne8 $1 {[%emt 0:05:53]} (24. Re8+ Rxe8 25. Nxe8 Kg8 26.
Nd6 Qxc5 27. bxc5 $14 {is also good for White, but a bit less convincing.})
24... Qxc5 {[%emt 0:02:14]} 25. bxc5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Be6 {[%emt 0:04:48]} 26.
Nd6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Rd7 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 27. a3 {[%emt 0:04:54] The first
hesitation.} (27. Rb1 Bxa2 28. Rxb7 Rxb7 29. Nxb7 $16 {would have left Black
in a lot of trouble.}) 27... Rc7 {[%emt 0:01:56]} 28. Nb5 {[%emt 0:04:39]} Rc8
{[%emt 0:00:56]} 29. Nd6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Rc7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 30. f4 {[%emt 0:
01:37]} g6 {[%emt 0:01:16]} 31. Nb5 {[%emt 0:00:05] The second hesitation,
seemingly looking for another move repetition.} Rd7 {[%emt 0:02:41]} 32. Nd6 {
[%emt 0:00:20]} Na5 {[%emt 0:02:35] But Kramnik is mentally tough enough to
not take it, even though his position is far from being better.} 33. Rb1 {
[%emt 0:04:20]} (33. Nxb7 Rxb7 34. Bxb7 Nxb7 35. c6 Nd6 {might have occupied a
fair bit of White's time, and while the position isn't technically winning as
such, Black certainly faces more challenges after} 36. Rd1 $14 {because he
will be unable to hold the d-pawn.}) 33... Rc7 {[%emt 0:01:13]} 34. Rb5 {
[%emt 0:01:48]} b6 $11 {[%emt 0:01:00] Just like that, the advantage is gone.}
35. Rxa5 $2 {[%emt 0:00:48] Imaginative, but not correct.} ({It was a good
time for} 35. cxb6 axb6 36. Rb2 Nc4 37. Nxc4 Rxc4 38. Be4 f5 39. Bd3 (39. Rxb6
fxe4 40. Rxe6 e3 $36) 39... Rc6 40. Rb4 Rd6 $11) 35... bxa5 {[%emt 0:00:16]}
36. c6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} a6 {[%emt 0:01:58] The point is that between this move
and ...Re7, Black is able to both discourage Nb5 ideas and hold off the White
king.} 37. Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:20]} (37. a4 Re7 38. Nb5 axb5 39. axb5 a4 $19) 37...
Re7 {[%emt 0:00:23]} 38. a4 {[%emt 0:04:52]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:01:11]} 39. Ne4 {
[%emt 0:00:36]} (39. Nb5 axb5 40. axb5 a4 41. b6 Bc8 42. b7 Bxb7 43. cxb7 Re8
44. Bc6 Rb8 45. Bxa4 Rxb7 $19) 39... Kf8 {[%emt 0:02:36]} 40. Nd6 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} Bg4 {[%emt 0:02:18]} (40... Bf5 {was marginally faster.}) 41. Be4 {
[%emt 0:12:53]} h5 {[%emt 0:08:35]} 42. h4 {[%emt 0:04:45]} f6 {[%emt 0:09:40]
Asking for a move from White.} 43. Bxg6 {[%emt 0:08:55]} (43. Bd3 Rc7 44. Be4
Ke7 45. Nc4 f5 46. Bg2 Bd1 $19) 43... Re2+ {[%emt 0:01:37]} 44. Kf1 {[%emt 0:
00:14]} Re6 {[%emt 0:00:32]} 45. Nb7 {[%emt 0:06:33]} Rxc6 {[%emt 0:01:18]} 46.
Nxa5 {[%emt 0:02:01]} Rc3 $19 {[%emt 0:01:10] The front c-pawn being dead, the
game is now over. A curious feature of this tournament, first in variations
and now in an actual game, seems to be nearly-trapped White knights on a5.} 47.
Nb3 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Rc4 {[%emt 0:01:54]} 48. Bd3 {[%emt 0:01:35]} Rxa4 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} 49. Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:33]} a5 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 50. Ke1 {[%emt 0:
06:46]} Be6 {[%emt 0:02:28]} 51. Nc5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Ra1+ {[%emt 0:00:06]} 52.
Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Bf7 {[%emt 0:00:56]} 53. Kf3 {[%emt 0:01:52]} a4 {[%emt 0:
00:29]} 54. Ke4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} a3 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 55. Kxd4 {[%emt 0:00:03]}
Rd1 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.28"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2811"]
[BlackElo "2768"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 4. Ba4 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:00]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 6. Re1 {
[%emt 0:00:12]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 7. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} O-O {[%emt 0:01:03]
} 8. c3 {[%emt 0:01:20]} d5 {[%emt 0:02:45]} 9. exd5 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Nxd5 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} 10. Nxe5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nxe5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 11. Rxe5 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} c6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 12. d3 {[%emt 0:01:35]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:01:34]
} 13. Re1 {[%emt 0:00:50]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:01:26]} 14. Qf3 {[%emt 0:02:01]} Qh4 {
[%emt 0:05:42]} 15. g3 {[%emt 0:00:20]} Qh3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 16. Be3 {[%emt 0:
03:00]} Bxd3 {[%emt 0:04:15]} 17. Nd2 {[%emt 0:02:02]} Qf5 {[%emt 0:02:57]} 18.
Bd4 {[%emt 0:01:47]} Rfe8 {[%emt 0:04:11]} 19. a4 {[%emt 0:04:16]} h6 {[%emt 0:
02:06]} 20. Qxf5 {[%emt 0:04:02]} Bxf5 {[%emt 0:00:26]} 21. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:06]
} Be6 {[%emt 0:09:20]} 22. Be5 {[%emt 0:04:02]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:02:28]} 23. Nd4 {
[%emt 0:02:08]} Bxd4 {[%emt 0:04:50]} 24. Bxd4 {[%emt 0:00:17]} Nf4 {[%emt 0:
00:20]} 25. Bxe6 {[%emt 0:02:03]} Nxe6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 26. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:05]
} Nc7 {[%emt 0:02:51]} 27. Kg2 {[%emt 0:04:42]} Nd5 {[%emt 0:01:38]} 28. Kf3 {
[%emt 0:03:40]} Nxe3 {[%emt 0:01:30]} 29. Rxe3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:
04:48]} 30. h4 {[%emt 0:00:48]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.28"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2834"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 4. Ba4 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:00]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 6. Re1 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 7. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:06]
} 8. a4 {[%emt 0:00:07] No Breyer today.} b4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} (8... Bb7 {
is more popular, but I have never understood the appeal of developing the
bishop to a diagonal that will remain closed, in the case when the Breyeresque
...c5-c4 is still some moves off.} 9. d3 d6 10. Nc3 {is White's point; Black's
queenside pawns will not be permitted to advance abreast. The best he might be
able to do is} Na5 11. Ba2 b4 12. Ne2 c5 13. Ng3 g6 (13... Bc8 14. c3 Rb8 15.
d4 $36 {Duda,J-Najer,E Czech Republic 2017}) 14. h3 {when White appears to
have extra tempi in his kingside attack, compared to most systems with an
early d3.}) (8... Rb8 {is slightly compliant: after} 9. axb5 axb5 10. c3 d6 11.
d4 {Black lacks the usual recourse of ...Na5 in the line} exd4 12. cxd4 Bg4 13.
Be3 {so might have to make do with} d5 14. e5 Ne4 15. h3 Bh5 16. Nc3 $36 {
; furthermore, 13.Nc3!? might be unexpectedly strong in spite of the doubled
f-pawns.}) 9. d4 {[%emt 0:01:17]} (9. a5 d6 10. d3 Be6 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. Nbd2 {
led to a nice win for Magnus himself in Carlsen,M-Aronian,L Saint Louis 2017;
one wonders where the improvement was?}) (9. d3 d6 10. Nbd2 Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12.
c3 Rb8 {is now fine for Black, who has not wasted time on ...Bb7 unlike in the
8...Bb7 line.}) 9... d6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 10. dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nxe5 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} 11. Nxe5 {[%emt 0:05:48]} (11. Nbd2 Ned7 $5 {was an unusual
method of pressuring e4, but a successful one:} 12. Nd4 Bb7 13. c3 bxc3 14.
bxc3 Nc5 15. Bc2 Re8 16. f3 Nfd7 17. a5 d5 $11 {Nakamura, H-Svidler,P Saint
Louis 2017}) 11... dxe5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 12. Qe2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} a5 {[%emt 0:
00:49] Possibly still affected by his own experience on the White side,
Carlsen decides to avoid White's a5-ideas.} (12... Bc5 {is of course fine
immediately.}) 13. Nd2 {[%emt 0:10:03]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:01:05]} 14. Nf3 {[%emt 0:
06:46]} Qe7 {[%emt 0:02:23]} 15. Be3 {[%emt 0:12:57]} Ba6 {[%emt 0:19:41]} 16.
Bxc5 {[%emt 0:02:31]} Qxc5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 17. Qe3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Qxe3 {
[%emt 0:00:52]} 18. Rxe3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rfe8 $11 {[%emt 0:02:35] Initially
this position looked to me to be slightly nicer for White, but this isn't
really the case. In fact, Black may have more ideas in the position, and in
the long term has the better bishop, so it would not surprise me if he was
vaguely thinking about winning here.} 19. c3 {[%emt 0:02:40]} (19. h3 c5 20.
Rd1 c4 21. Ba2 Kf8 $132 {is hard to get enthused about from the White side,
especially if we remember Adhiban-Carlsen from round 2.}) 19... Ng4 {[%emt 0:
01:23]} 20. Ng5 {[%emt 0:06:14] Simplifying quickly lest he end up worse.} Nxe3
{[%emt 0:02:28]} 21. Bxf7+ {[%emt 0:00:14]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 22. Bxe8 {
[%emt 0:00:43]} Rxe8 {[%emt 0:01:06]} 23. fxe3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} bxc3 {[%emt 0:
01:57]} 24. bxc3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} h6 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 25. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:55]}
Bd3 {[%emt 0:01:30]} 26. Rd1 {[%emt 0:01:54]} Bxe4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 27. Rd7 {
[%emt 0:00:11] Continuing to force pieces off, because if White plays slowly
the bishop will be superior.} Re7 {[%emt 0:03:06]} 28. Rd8+ {[%emt 0:00:23]} (
28. Rxe7 Kxe7 29. Nxe5 Ke6 30. Nc4 Kd5 31. Nxa5 Bc2 {leads to an odd position
where White is a pawn up but only he is taking risks.}) 28... Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:
43]} 29. Nd2 {[%emt 0:00:41]} Bc6 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 30. Nc4 {[%emt 0:00:38]} Ke6
{[%emt 0:01:41]} 31. Nxa5 {[%emt 0:02:20]} Bxa4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 32. Nb7 {
[%emt 0:00:59]} Re8 {[%emt 0:03:30]} (32... Bd7 {might be a try if Black is
desperate to play on.} 33. e4 (33. Nc5+ Kd6 34. Ne4+ Kc6 35. Kf2 Be8 $132)
33... Rf7 34. Nc5+ Kd6 35. Nd3 c5 $132 {Objectively this might be nothing for
Black, and so there is no reason to go for it, especially if one has looked at
Anish Giri's game and concluded he is unlikely to win.}) 33. Nc5+ {[%emt 0:00:
14]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:28]} 34. Rxe8 $11 {[%emt 0:01:04] Unlike the previous
note, here White gets to play Na6 immediately, and thus seal up the whole
position.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.28"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "132"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:
00:05]} 3. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 4. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Be7
{[%emt 0:00:07]} 5. Bf4 {[%emt 0:00:11]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:09]} 6. e3 {[%emt 0:
00:06]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:06] Black is fine to take a bit of risk, knowing that
White will probably not want to do the same.} 7. dxc5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Bxc5 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} 8. Qc2 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 9. Rd1 {[%emt 0:
00:10]} (9. a3 {is slightly more popular.} Qa5 10. O-O-O (10. Ra2 $5 {was the
move chosen in a recent, random game.} Be7 11. b4 Qd8 12. h3 b6 (12... d4 $1
$11) 13. cxd5 exd5 14. Be2 Be6 15. Ng5 Rc8 $6 16. Nxe6 fxe6 17. Ba6 $14 {
Topalov,V-Nakamura,H Saint Louis 2017}) (10. Nd2 Bb4 $5 11. cxd5 exd5 12. Nb3
Bxc3+ 13. bxc3 Qd8 $132 {Topalov,V-Nakamura,H Paris 2017, could have been a
decent try for an edge, notwithstanding that it ultimately failed}) 10... Ne4
$5 11. Nb5 (11. Nxe4 {leads to a long forced line:} dxe4 12. Qxe4 Bxa3 13. bxa3
Qxa3+ 14. Kd2 Rd8+ 15. Ke2 Qb2+ 16. Rd2 Rxd2+ 17. Nxd2 e5 18. Bg3 Bg4+ $3 19.
f3 (19. Qxg4 Rd8 20. Kf3 Qxd2 21. Bh4 f5 22. Qg5 Rd4 $1 $11 {with perpetual
check soon}) 19... Rd8 20. Be1 Bh5 $13 {The mess continues, and White has a
few moves now, but I don't think there will be any way found for him to keep
an edge.}) 11... a6 12. Nc7 e5 $1 {Not a new idea from Karjakin, merely an old
one which had been forgotten.} 13. Rxd5 $1 (13. Nxd5 Nxf2 $1 (13... exf4 14.
Qxe4 fxe3 15. fxe3 h6 16. Nd4 $16 {Ivanchuk,V-Karjakin, S Medias 2017}) 14. Ng5
$1 (14. Qxf2 exf4 15. Nxf4 b5 $40) 14... Bf5 $1 15. Qxf2 (15. Qxf5 g6 $17)
15... f6 16. Nh3 exf4 17. Nhxf4 Ne5 $44 {Black has full compensation for the
pawn.}) 13... exf4 (13... Nxf2 14. Qxf2 Qxc7 15. Nxe5 Nxe5 16. Bxe5 Qc6 17. Bd4
$1 $14) (13... f5 $2 14. Rxe5 Nxe5 15. Bxe5 Ra7 16. Nd5 $16 {Kasparov,
G-Vaganian,R Debrecen 1992}) 14. Qxe4 Qxc7 15. Rxc5 fxe3 16. Bd3 $5 (16. Qxe3
b6 17. Rh5 Bg4 18. Rg5 Rfe8 $1 $11) 16... g6 17. Qxe3 b6 18. Rg5 (18. Rh5 Bg4
19. Rh4 Bxf3 20. gxf3 Ne5 $132) 18... Na5 $13 {From a brief investigation it
doesn't seem like White has a convincing follow-up here, though there are, as
usual, many complicated lines ending in perpetual check.}) 9... Qa5 {[%emt 0:
00:30]} 10. a3 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:34] Treading another of the
hallowed paths of chess history.} (10... Be7 {is more common now, and then} 11.
Be2 {has a huge score for White; indeed I suspect White is probably slightly
better following} Ne4 12. cxd5 Nxc3 13. bxc3 exd5 14. O-O Be6 15. a4 $14 {
Mamedyarov,S-Graf,A Sant Lluis 2005, played by the same White player as the
present encounter.}) 11. Nd2 {[%emt 0:00:31]} (11. Be2 e5 $15 {is the point.})
11... e5 {[%emt 0:01:32]} 12. Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:42]} 13. Qb1
{[%emt 0:00:10]} (13. Qc1 Bf5 {is liable to lead to a forced draw; two of the
world's top players chose this route recently.} 14. Bxf6 Nc2+ 15. Ke2 Nd4+ $11
{Carlsen,M-Nakamura,H Douglas 2017} (15... gxf6 $6 {gets neutralised
effortlessly:} 16. Nxd5 Qa6 17. g4 $1 Bg6 18. Bg2 $16)) 13... Bf5 {[%emt 0:00:
32]} 14. Bd3 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Bxd3 {[%emt 0:00:24]} (14... e4 $6 {is well met
by} 15. Bf1 $1 {giving up a queen for three pieces.} (15. Bc2 {was
nevertheless enough for a slight edge in one of the classics.} Nxc2+ 16. Qxc2
Qa6 17. Bxf6 Qxf6 18. Nb3 $14 {Kortschnoj,V-Karpov,A Baguio City 1978}) 15...
Ng4 16. cxd5 $1 Ne5 17. exd4 Nf3+ 18. gxf3 exf3+ 19. Be3 Bxb1 20. Nc4 $1 Qc7
21. dxc5 $16) 15. Qxd3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Ne4 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 16. Ndxe4 {
[%emt 0:00:07] Maybe not the most precise, but safe enough.} (16. cxd5 Nxc3 17.
Qxc3 Qxc3 18. bxc3 Nc2+ 19. Ke2 f6 20. Bh4 Nxa3 21. Ne4 Rac8 $11) (16. Ncxe4
dxe4 17. Qxe4 $14 {seems to me to get an advantage.}) 16... dxe4 {[%emt 0:00:
47]} 17. Qd2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:05:12]} 18. Bh4 {[%emt 0:00:45]} (
18. Nxe4 Qxd2+ 19. Rxd2 f5 20. Nxc5 Nxc5 $13 {leads to an imbalance and likely
quite a good one for Black, who is likely to recover the c4-pawn quite soon.})
18... Qa6 {[%emt 0:09:59]} 19. Qe2 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Rac8 {[%emt 0:07:46]} 20.
O-O {[%emt 0:00:21]} Bf8 {[%emt 0:05:53]} 21. Qg4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Qxc4 {
[%emt 0:17:32]} (21... Rxc4 $11 {equalised more reliably.}) 22. Nxe4 {[%emt 0:
00:27]} Kh8 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 23. h3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nc5 {[%emt 0:06:46]} 24.
Nxc5 {[%emt 0:00:38]} Qxg4 {[%emt 0:01:35]} 25. hxg4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Rxc5 {
[%emt 0:00:22]} 26. Rd7 {[%emt 0:00:14] Now White could potentially have a
small something again.} Rb5 {[%emt 0:00:40]} 27. b4 {[%emt 0:00:50]} f6 {
[%emt 0:00:28]} 28. g5 {[%emt 0:04:10]} fxg5 {[%emt 0:04:10]} 29. Bxg5 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} a5 {[%emt 0:01:36]} 30. Rfd1 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:05:
05]} 31. Bd8 {[%emt 0:00:21]} axb4 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 32. a4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Rc5
{[%emt 0:00:09]} 33. Rxb7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:01:14]} 34. Ba5 {
[%emt 0:00:22]} Rc4 {[%emt 0:05:26]} 35. Rd5 {[%emt 0:12:43]} b3 {[%emt 0:06:
35]} (35... Re6 $11 {is a hard move to make perhaps, but it gets Black some
badly needed counterplay. For instance:} 36. Rb8 Rc1+ 37. Kh2 Rh6+ 38. Kg3 Rg6+
39. Kf3 Rf6+ 40. Ke4 Rxf2 41. Kxe5 Rc4 $132) 36. Rxb3 {[%emt 0:00:19]} Rxa4 {
[%emt 0:00:16]} 37. Bc3 {[%emt 0:01:15]} e4 {[%emt 0:00:27]} 38. Rb7 {[%emt 0:
00:19]} Ra6 {[%emt 0:02:04]} 39. Rdd7 $14 {[%emt 0:06:17] The position looks
threatening, but it is not clear to me how White makes progress, and
apparently it was not clear to Mamedyarov either. There are little things to
try, but they end up being neutralised.} Rg6 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 40. g3 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:01:48]} 41. Bd4 {[%emt 0:02:22]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 42.
Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:03:12]} 43. Kh3 {[%emt 0:01:03]} Re8 {
[%emt 0:04:40]} 44. Rf7 {[%emt 0:01:41]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:04:07]} 45. Rf4 {[%emt 0:
05:45]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 46. Bc3 {[%emt 0:02:00]} (46. Rg4 Rxg4 47. Kxg4 g6
{is still very passive for Black, but this is probably a draw even without the
rooks and e-pawn.}) 46... Rge6 {[%emt 0:07:24]} 47. Rff7 {[%emt 0:03:13]} Rg6 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} 48. Rfc7 {[%emt 0:01:51]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 49. Kg2 {
[%emt 0:00:03]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 50. Kf1 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:
33]} 51. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:42]} 52. Kd1 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Rg5
{[%emt 0:00:46]} 53. Kc2 {[%emt 0:02:08]} Rf5 {[%emt 0:03:59]} 54. Bxg7 {
[%emt 0:00:27]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:02:26]} 55. Rd7 {[%emt 0:00:52]} Rxf2+ {[%emt 0:
00:12]} 56. Kb3 {[%emt 0:00:29]} Bxg3 {[%emt 0:00:43]} 57. Bd4 {[%emt 0:00:34]}
Be5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 58. Bxe5 {[%emt 0:01:56]} Rxe5 {[%emt 0:00:08] Soon White
will run out of little things to try and the +/= will collapse to =.} 59. Rg7+
{[%emt 0:00:05]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 60. Rxh7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:
00:05]} 61. Kc4 {[%emt 0:00:19]} Rg2 {[%emt 0:00:27]} 62. Rhe7 {[%emt 0:00:36]}
Rxe7 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 63. Rxe7 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 64. Rxe4 {
[%emt 0:00:03]} Rg5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 65. Kd4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:
05]} 66. Re5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Rg1 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.28"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Black "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E65"]
[WhiteElo "2718"]
[BlackElo "2640"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} g6 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} 3. g3 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 4. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:
10]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:09]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:48]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:40]} 6. c4 {
[%emt 0:00:10]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 7. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:40]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:21]
} 8. dxc5 {[%emt 0:00:31]} dxc5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 9. Bf4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Nd4 {
[%emt 0:01:07]} 10. Re1 {[%emt 0:00:21]} Re8 {[%emt 0:17:36]} 11. Rc1 {[%emt 0:
09:58]} Ng4 {[%emt 0:18:20]} 12. h3 {[%emt 0:08:17]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:35]} 13.
Bg5 Nxf3+ 14. exf3 {[%emt 0:01:30]} Qxg5 {[%emt 0:11:55]} 15. fxg4 Qe7 {
[%emt 0:05:15]} 16. Qa4 {[%emt 0:14:03]} Bd7 {[%emt 0:07:11]} 17. Qa3 {[%emt 0:
04:54]} Bc6 {[%emt 0:01:49]} 18. Nd5 {[%emt 0:15:41]} Bxd5 {[%emt 0:02:03]} 19.
cxd5 {[%emt 0:02:04]} Bf8 {[%emt 0:01:19]} 20. d6 {[%emt 0:02:08]} Qxd6 {
[%emt 0:00:45]} 21. Bxb7 {[%emt 0:11:15]} Rab8 {[%emt 0:11:39]} 22. Be4 {
[%emt 0:08:18]} Red8 {[%emt 0:03:13]} 23. Rc2 {[%emt 0:04:00]} Rb4 {[%emt 0:01:
57]} 24. Qf3 {[%emt 0:00:42]} Rd4 {[%emt 0:06:57]} 25. Kg2 a5 26. h4 {[%emt 0:
02:22]} a4 {[%emt 0:01:45]} 27. Re3 {[%emt 0:01:37]} Qa6 {[%emt 0:03:17]} 28.
g5 {[%emt 0:03:16]} Rd1 {[%emt 0:01:28]} 29. Rce2 {[%emt 0:02:03]} Qc4 {
[%emt 0:01:52]} 30. b3 {[%emt 0:05:15]} Qc1 {[%emt 0:01:58]} 31. Kh2 {[%emt 0:
03:24]} axb3 {[%emt 0:04:14]} 32. Rxb3 {[%emt 0:00:34]} c4 {[%emt 0:02:50]} 33.
Rb7 {[%emt 0:05:37]} R1d7 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 34. Reb2 {[%emt 0:05:03]} Qd1 {
[%emt 0:01:00]} 35. Rxd7 {[%emt 0:01:11]} Rxd7 {[%emt 0:00:33]} 36. Qf6 {
[%emt 0:00:46]} Qe1 {[%emt 0:03:01]} 37. Qf3 {[%emt 0:00:42]} c3 {[%emt 0:01:
11]} 38. Re2 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Qd1 {[%emt 0:00:55]} 39. Bc2 {[%emt 0:00:14]} Qd4
{[%emt 0:00:53]} 40. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rc7 {[%emt 0:00:38]} 41. Kg2 {
[%emt 0:10:35]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:04:37]} 42. Bc2 {[%emt 0:01:46]} Rc5 {[%emt 0:07:
16]} 43. Re3 {[%emt 0:02:37]} Qc7 {[%emt 0:01:17]} 44. Qe4 {[%emt 0:02:30]} Qa7
{[%emt 0:07:41]} 45. Bb3 {[%emt 0:02:14]} Rc7 {[%emt 0:01:16]} 46. h5 {[%emt 0:
06:31]} Qd4 {[%emt 0:01:13]} 47. Qc2 {[%emt 0:00:21]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:07:42]} 48.
Qe2 {[%emt 0:04:28]} Qc5 {[%emt 0:03:25]} 49. Bc2 {[%emt 0:07:43]} Qd5+ {
[%emt 0:03:21]} 50. Kh2 {[%emt 0:00:43]} e4 {[%emt 0:01:45]} 51. Qg4 {[%emt 0:
02:54]} Rc5 {[%emt 0:04:21]} 52. h6+ {[%emt 0:09:09]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 53.
Rxe4 {[%emt 0:00:41]} Qxg5 {[%emt 0:02:09]} 54. Qxg5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Rxg5 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} 55. Re8 {[%emt 0:00:28]} Rh5+ {[%emt 0:00:21]} 56. Kg2 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} Rxh6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 57. Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:54]} Rh5 {[%emt 0:00:
19]} 58. Rxc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.28"]
[Round "13"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Hou, Yifan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E01"]
[WhiteElo "2792"]
[BlackElo "2680"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 2. g3 {[%emt 0:00:16]} d5 {[%emt 0:
00:26]} 3. Bg2 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 4. d4 {[%emt 0:00:44]}
Bb4+ {[%emt 0:03:13]} 5. Bd2 {[%emt 0:02:57]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:00:13]} (5... Be7 {
is far more common. It has a few advantages over the text- for instance,
covering the h4-d8 diagonal; avoiding c5 with tempo, and keeping d5 better
covered.} 6. Nf3 (6. Nc3 O-O 7. Nf3 dxc4 {has scored extremely well for Black})
6... O-O 7. O-O Nbd7 {We have obtained a standard 'delayed Catalan', as seen
for instance in Karjakin-Wei from this event.}) 6. Nc3 {[%emt 0:04:15] Trying
to make Black take on c4 or play ...c6, neither of which is particularly
favourable.} O-O {[%emt 0:03:07]} (6... c6 7. e4 dxe4 8. Nxe4 Nxe4 9. Bxe4 Nd7
10. Nf3 Nf6 11. Bc2 $14 {Vallejo Pons,F-Quesada Perez,Y Monzon 2016}) (6...
dxc4 {might nevertheless be the best move.} 7. Qa4+ (7. e4 e5 $132) 7... Nbd7 (
7... Nc6 $6 8. Bxc6+ bxc6 9. Qxc6+ Bd7 10. Qxc4 Qb8 11. b3 Qb7 12. Nf3 Bc6 $6
13. O-O Bxf3 14. exf3 Qxf3 15. d5 $16 {Donchenko, A-Bartel,M Gjakova 2016}) 8.
Qxc4 a6 $1 $132 {According to what I can see, this position has never been
viewed, let alone played, but a preliminary investigation indicates Black is
probably okay playing the standard ...Rb8, ... 0-0 and then whichever of ...b5,
...e5 and ...c5 best suits the position.} ({Meanwhile} 8... O-O 9. Nb5 $14 {
is arguably another disadvantage of ...Bd6})) 7. cxd5 {[%emt 0:01:32] If this
forcing approach works, there is no need to analyse anything else.} (7. e4 {
might be another move, as in the Vallejo game above, but here Black can
eventually play ...c5 in one.}) 7... exd5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 8. Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:
05]} Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 9. Bxd5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bxg3 {[%emt 0:03:53]} 10.
Qb3 {[%emt 0:00:52]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:07:57]} (10... c6 11. Bxf7+ Rxf7 12. hxg3
Qxd4 13. Nf3 Qb6 14. Qxb6 axb6 15. Ng5 $16) 11. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:21]} c6 {
[%emt 0:01:00]} (11... Nd7 {After the precise} 12. Rg1 $1 {Black has an
interesting choice to make.} Nf6 (12... Nb6 $5 13. Bh6 g6 14. Bxf8 Qxf8 $44 {
is not stupid either}) 13. Bc4 (13. Bh6 Ng4 14. Bg5 Be7 $11) 13... Bf5 14.
O-O-O (14. Ne5 Bxe5 15. dxe5 Ne4 16. Bh6 Qh4 $1 $132) 14... Qe7 $132 {White's
attacking chances are not insignificant, but Black has completed development
and should be fine.}) 12. Bc4 {[%emt 0:04:01]} Bf5 $6 {[%emt 0:13:41] Between
them the last two moves deserve one 'dubious' mark, and I have decided to
award it here.} (12... Nd7 13. Rg1 Nb6 {was once again worth considering,
since White runs into some tactical issues down the road if he takes the
exchange.}) 13. Ng5 {[%emt 0:08:52]} Qe7 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 14. Qf3 {[%emt 0:07:
15]} (14. O-O-O h6 15. e4 $40 {is revealed to be really problematic after some
deep engine analysis, but the text is more natural.}) 14... Bg6 {[%emt 0:02:19]
} 15. h4 {[%emt 0:01:17]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:04:00]} (15... h5 16. Bd3 Bxd3 17. Qxd3
g6 18. O-O-O Nd7 19. e4 $40) 16. O-O-O {[%emt 0:03:00]} Bxd2+ {[%emt 0:00:48]}
17. Rxd2 {[%emt 0:00:18]} h5 {[%emt 0:20:41]} (17... h6 18. h5 Qxg5 19. hxg6
Qxg6 20. Rdd1 $40 {is really difficult to believe for Black.}) (17... Nd7 18.
h5 Qxg5 19. hxg6 Qxg6 {could have been a bail-out option: the engine
recommendation is} 20. Qh3 {but there could follow} (20. Rdd1 $5) 20... Nf6 21.
Bd3 Qh6 {and Black has reached an endgame.}) 18. Rg1 {[%emt 0:09:39] The
position is now basically objectively winning in a number of ways.} (18. Qg3 $5
{is a slightly cunning move, cuing up Ne6 (the text does not do this, because
of the x-ray attack from the f8-rook.)}) 18... Nd7 {[%emt 0:02:22]} 19. Qg3 {
[%emt 0:04:47]} Nb6 {[%emt 0:05:48]} 20. Bb3 {[%emt 0:01:13]} Qf6 {[%emt 0:03:
29]} (20... Nd5 21. e4 {does not really do anything to interfere with the
threat of Nxf7.}) 21. e4 {[%emt 0:03:42]} Rae8 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 22. e5 {
[%emt 0:00:55]} Qf5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 23. Bc2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Qg4 {[%emt 0:08:
41]} 24. Bxg6 {[%emt 0:02:40]} Qxg3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} (24... fxg6 25. Qb3+ $18 {
is of course the point.}) 25. Bh7+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} Kh8 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 26.
Rxg3 {[%emt 0:01:17]} f6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 27. Bg6 {[%emt 0:00:14]} fxg5 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} 28. Bxe8 {[%emt 0:00:54]} gxh4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 29. Rg5 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} Rxe8 {[%emt 0:00:13]} 30. Rxh5+ {[%emt 0:00:16] It is
pointless to go on.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 80th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2018.01.28"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A17"]
[WhiteElo "2743"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[EventDate "2018.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

1. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:33]} 2. e3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6 {
[%emt 0:01:09]} 3. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 4. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:
11] Probably trying for some clever move-order trick in a Meran.} b6 {[%emt 0:
00:18]} (4... a6 5. b3 Bd6 6. Bb2 O-O 7. g4 $5 $132 {Nepomniachtchi,I-Anand,V
London 2017, was an experimental continuation.}) (4... Bb4 $5 {has an equally
'interesting' flavour:} 5. a3 (5. Qa4+ Nc6 6. Nd4 a5 $132) 5... Bxc3 6. bxc3
O-O 7. Bb2 $5 {Trying to open the long diagonal quickly, but Black has a
gambit idea.} (7. d4 c5 {Via a circuituous route, we have reached a main line
Sдmisch position.}) 7... c5 8. cxd5 exd5 9. c4 d4 $5 $132) (4... c5 {is of
course fine, when White's main independent continuation could be the attempt
to force an IQP position with} 5. cxd5 {. However, Black is under no
obligation to accept this and can continue} Nxd5 $5 6. d4 cxd4 7. exd4 Nxc3 8.
bxc3 Qc7 9. Bd2 Nd7 $132 {Aronian,L-Carlsen,M London 2015}) 5. b3 {[%emt 0:00:
55]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:00:26]} 6. Bb2 {[%emt 0:00:21]} Nbd7 {[%emt 0:00:33]} 7. g3
$5 {[%emt 0:11:42] Ducking d4 at any cost.} Bd6 {[%emt 0:23:15]} (7... dxc4 {
seems logical to try and punish White's omission. For instance,} 8. Bxc4 (8.
bxc4 e5 9. Bg2 e4 $36) 8... a6 9. O-O (9. a4 Bb4 $11 {is also very comfortable}
) 9... b5 10. Be2 Be7 $11) 8. Bg2 {[%emt 0:02:30]} O-O {[%emt 0:01:09]} 9. O-O
{[%emt 0:04:11]} Re8 {[%emt 0:01:52]} 10. Rc1 {[%emt 0:22:12]} a6 {[%emt 0:01:
11]} 11. Qe2 {[%emt 0:05:29]} dxc4 {[%emt 0:07:12]} (11... c5 $6 {was
correctly avoided:} 12. cxd5 exd5 (12... Nxd5 13. Nxd5 exd5 14. d4 {is similar}
) 13. d4 {Black does not have a good version of the hanging pawns position.})
12. bxc4 {[%emt 0:00:20]} b5 $5 {[%emt 0:02:34] Liquidating.} (12... c5 13. Ng5
Bxg2 14. Kxg2 {leads to a position reminiscent of the 6.b3 Catalan discussed
yesterday; both sides have glaring backward pawns but White is probably
slightly more comfortable unless Black hurries to get pieces off with (say)}
Be5 $1 15. f4 Bxc3 16. Bxc3 e5 $11) 13. cxb5 {[%emt 0:30:32]} axb5 {[%emt 0:00:
11]} 14. Nxb5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Rxa2 {[%emt 0:00:27]} 15. d4 {[%emt 0:08:18]} ({
It is a running joke in my circle that whenever possible, I will suggest moves
like} 15. Bxf6 {to try and exploit, after a further 50 moves, some perceived
superiority of White's compact structure. This may or may not be present, but
on objective grounds the move deserves consideration. Play could continue} Nxf6
16. Nfd4 Bxg2 17. Kxg2 Ne4 18. Rfd1 $11 {when White has the 'threat' of Nc3,
exchanging off more pieces and thus getting closer to the ideal RB v RN
position, where in theory the backward c-pawn could become a factor.}) 15...
Qb8 {[%emt 0:09:27]} 16. Ra1 {[%emt 0:00:43]} Rxa1 {[%emt 0:01:41]} 17. Rxa1 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} Bf8 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 18. Nc3 {[%emt 0:01:51]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:
30]} 19. Rb1 {[%emt 0:02:34] Maybe a slightly slack move.} (19. Qb5 cxd4 20.
Nxd4 Bxg2 21. Kxg2 $11) 19... cxd4 {[%emt 0:01:34]} 20. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:04]}
Bxg2 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 21. Kxg2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Qa8+ {[%emt 0:01:47]} (21...
Rc8 {created a threat and would not have been a totally unreasonable move to
play on with.} 22. Ba1 Qa8+ 23. Qf3 Qa3 24. Ndb5 Qa6 $11 {and while the
position is objectively level, White's pieces are a little bit tangled up and
a bit less active.}) 1/2-1/2

