[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.06"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Adhiban, Baskaran"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2677"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[Annotator "Adhiban,B"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 {I was happy with
what I got last time in this line, So I decided to repeat it.} e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8.
Bc4 $5 b5 (8... Qb6 {is another major branch.}) 9. Bxe6 fxe6 10. Nxe6 {I
waited with bated breath... would he fall into the trap?} Qb6 {and he did!} 11.
Nd5 Nxd5 12. Qxd5 {I remembered this as clearly winning.} Nb8 $1 {The best
defence.} 13. Nxf8 Rxf8 14. Qxa8 Bb7 15. Qxb8+ Kf7 16. Qxf8+ Kxf8 17. O-O-O {
Apparently all this has been analysed by Krasenkow way back...} Bxe4 18. Rd2 $6
(18. Rhe1 $1 {It is worth spending another tempo to prevent any counterplay.}
d5 19. Rd2 $1 Qa5 20. a3 b4 21. Bd8 $1 {is the killer idea mentioned during my
PM by Sagar.} Qa4 22. Re3 {[%cal Re3a3]}) 18... h6 $6 (18... Qa5 19. Rxd6 Qxa2
{is also sufficient for full counterplay and hence my whole plan with Rd2 was
flawed.}) 19. Bh4 $2 (19. Re1 $1 {was the last chance.} hxg5 20. Rxe4 Qg1+ 21.
Rd1 Qxg2 {I wasn't entirely sure about this but the computer gives} 22. Rde1 g4
23. f5 {as clearly better for White.}) 19... Qa5 $1 {Now suddenly Black has
sufficient counterplay.} 20. Re1 (20. a3 b4 {is also good enough for Black.})
20... Qxa2 21. Rxd6 {[%csl Gf8][%cal Gf8f7,Gf7g6,Gg6h7] This was the position
I was aiming for, but with a bishop on g5 which greatly changes the situation
as now I also have to worry about the f4 point and the black king will be safe
on h7.} Qa1+ 22. Kd2 Qa4 23. Rd8+ Kf7 24. b3 Qa5+ 25. Kd1 Qa1+ 26. Kd2 (26. Ke2
Qc3 27. Kf2 Qxc2+) 26... Qa5+ 27. Kd1 Qa1+ 28. Kd2 {I felt there was too much
risk involved in Ke2, so decided to call it a day.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Morelia/Linares 25th"]
[Site "Morelia/Linares"]
[Date "2008.02.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2755"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[Annotator "Anand,V"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2008.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 123"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.04.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 {A move that Shirov
added to his repertoire last year. Ein Zug, den Shirov letztes Jahr in sein
Repertoire aufgenommen hat.} e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qf3 Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. Bd3 Bb7
11. Rhe1 Qb6 12. Nb3 {The course of his game against Karjakin was favourable
for White. Der Verlauf seiner Partie gegen Karjakin war günstig für Weiß.} Rc8
{I found this idea only shortly before the game, but it seemed to me similar
enough to Movsesian-Kasparov, Sarajevo 2000. Diese Idee fand ich erst kurz vor
der Partie, sie erinnerte mich aber sehr an Movsesian-Kasparov, Sarajevo 2000.}
(12... b4 13. Nb1 Be7 14. N1d2 Qc7 15. Qh3 e5 16. Nc4 O-O 17. Nba5 Bc8 18. Qg3
{Shirov,A (2739)-Karjakin,S (2694) Khanty-Mansiysk 2007}) 13. Qh3 Rxc3 $1 {
The point. Die Pointe.} 14. bxc3 Qc7 15. Kb1 Be7 16. e5 {Well, so much for
Movsesian-Kasparov. That was with the pawn on f3. Nun, so viel zu
Movsesian-Kasparov. Das war mit dem Bauern auf f3.} dxe5 17. f5 $6 (17. fxe5 $1
Nd5 (17... Nxe5 18. Qg3 Bd6 19. Bxf6 gxf6 20. Be4 $36 (20. Qg7 Rf8 21. Qxf6
Bxg2 22. Bf5 {also looks unpleasant for Black. wirkt ebenfalls unangenehm für
Schwarz.})) 18. Bxe7 Kxe7 19. Rd2 Nxe5 20. Qg3 Nxd3 (20... Nc4 21. Qg5+ Kf8 22.
Bxc4 bxc4 23. Nc5 h6 24. Qh4 $1 Nxc3+ 25. Ka1 Bd5 26. Rxe6 $1) 21. Qxc7+ Nxc7
22. cxd3 {Black has some compensation here. Hier hat Schwarz einige
Kompensation.}) 17... Nd5 18. Bxe7 (18. Bd2 exf5 (18... N7b6 19. fxe6 Na4 20.
Ka1 Ndxc3 21. exf7+ Kf8 22. Nd4 $1 Bc8 (22... exd4 23. Rxe7 $18) 23. Ne6+ Bxe6
24. Qxe6) 19. Bxf5 N7b6 {looks fine for Black. sieht gut aus für Schwarz.})
18... Kxe7 19. fxe6 fxe6 $6 (19... Nxc3+ $1 20. Kc1 (20. Ka1 Nxd1 $1 {The
point - Qc3 is threatened. Die Pointe - es droht Qc3.}) 20... Nf6 (20... Nxd1
21. exd7 Nc3 22. Qg3 $1 $18) 21. Rd2 (21. Qg3 Nxd1 22. Qxg7 (22. Rxd1 g6 23.
exf7 Kxf7) 22... Nf2 $1) 21... e4 22. exf7 {and und} Qe5 {look good for Black.
sehen gut aus für Schwarz.} (22... Kxf7 $6 {Falls for a nice tactical trick:
Falls for a nice tactical trick:} 23. Bc4+ $1 Qxc4 24. Rd7+ Nxd7 25. Qxd7+ Kg6
26. Qd6+ Kf7 27. Qd7+ $11) ({but both but both} 22... Qd6 23. Rf2 Bd5 (23...
Kxf7 24. Qh5+)) {for e.g. denn z.B.} 23. Be2 Nxa2+ 24. Kb1 Nc3+ 25. Kc1 Bd5 $17
) 20. Qg3 g6 (20... Nxc3+ 21. Ka1 {Already this move is possible. Schon ist
dieser Zug möglich.} Kf7 22. Rf1+ (22. Rd2 Nd5 23. Rf2+ N5f6) 22... Nf6 23.
Rde1 Na4 24. Qxe5 Qxe5+ 25. Rxe5 Bxg2 {The two pawns should give Black enough
compensation, but nothing more. Die zwei Bauern sollten Schwarz genügend
Kompensation geben, mehr aber nicht.}) 21. Rd2 (21. Qh4+ N7f6 22. Rd2 e4 $1)
21... Rc8 (21... Nxc3+ 22. Ka1 Rc8 23. Qg5+ Nf6 24. Rf2 Ncd5 25. Rxe5 {is just
unclear. ist einfach unklar.}) 22. Qg5+ $2 {I thought this was the decisive
mistake, but White still has a resource left. Dies hielt ich für den
entscheidenden Fehler, aber Weiß hat noch eine Ressource.} (22. Qh4+ {This was
easier though Das war einfacher, denn} N7f6 (22... Ke8 23. Qxh7 $18) 23. Rf2 e4
24. Bxe4 Nxc3+ 25. Kc1 Qe5 26. Rxf6 Nxa2+ 27. Kd2 Rd8+ 28. Bd3 Qc3+ 29. Ke3
Qe5+ $11) 22... Ke8 23. Qg4 $2 (23. Bxg6+ hxg6 24. Qxg6+ Ke7 25. Qg7+ Kd6) (23.
Rf2 e4 $1) (23. Qh6 $1 {This comp move still seems to hold. Dieser Computerzug
scheint noch zu halten.} Nxc3+ (23... N7f6 24. Kc1) (23... N7b6 24. Rf1 Qe7 25.
Bxg6+ $1) 24. Ka1 Nf6 25. Qh4 Ncd5 26. Qg5 Nd7 27. Be4 {White has a fair
amount of counterplay here. Hier hat Weiß eine ordentliche Menge Gegenspiel.})
23... Nxc3+ 24. Ka1 Bd5 $17 25. Re3 (25. Qb4 a5 26. Qxa5 Ra8 $1) 25... Nf6 26.
Qh4 Qe7 (26... Qg7 $5) 27. Bf1 {White was in time pressure already. Weiß war
bereits in Zeitnot.} (27. Qg3 Bxb3 (27... e4 28. Be2 b4 $17) 28. Bxg6+ hxg6 29.
cxb3 Nfe4 30. Qxg6+ Qf7 31. Qxf7+ Kxf7 32. Rc2 Rc5) 27... Bxb3 28. cxb3 Nce4 $1
29. Rb2 (29. Rxe4 Qa3 30. Bd3 (30. Rb2 Rc1+ 31. Rb1 Rc2 $19) 30... Qc1+ 31. Bb1
Qxd2 32. Re2 Qxe2 33. Qxf6 Kd7 $1 $19) 29... Rc1+ 30. Rb1 Qc5 {A good way to
start the tournament. Ein guter Weg, ins Turnier zu starten.} 0-1

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 15th"]
[Site "Gothenburg"]
[Date "2005.08.04"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Haznedaroglu, Kivanc"]
[Black "Jones, Richard S"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2430"]
[BlackElo "2325"]
[Annotator "Atlas,V"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "2005.07.30"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SWE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 109"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Turkey"]
[BlackTeam "Wales"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "TUR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "WLS"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qf3
Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. Bxf6 Nxf6 11. e5 Bb7 12. Qh3 dxe5 13. Ncxb5 Qc8 14. fxe5
Ne4 15. Nd6+ Bxd6 16. exd6 Qd7 17. Qh4 Qxd6 $2 ({A serious mistake. After} 
17... O-O {Black has good counterplay.}) 18. Nf5 Qf8 $2 ({The final mistake.
More tenacious was} 18... Qxd1+ 19. Kxd1 exf5) {[%tqu "En","Black's king is in
desperate situation. How can White continue?","Exploit weakness of Black's
back rank and a shaky position of the black knight.","Sacrifice your bishop!",
"f1a6","After this brilliant move Black is doomed.",5]} 19. Bxa6 $1 {[%csl Ra8,
Rb7,Gd1,Rd8,Re4,Re8,Gh4][%cal Gh4e4,Gh4d8,Gd1d8]} (19. Bxa6 {The decisive blow.
Now the game is over:} Bc6 (19... Rxa6 20. Rd8#) (19... Bxa6 20. Qxe4 Rc8 21.
Qa4+ {, with mate in two.}) (19... Qb4 20. Bb5+ Qxb5 (20... Kf8 21. Rd8+ Rxd8
22. Qxd8#) 21. Qe7#) 20. Qxe4 $1 Bxe4 21. Bb5+) 1-0

[Event "Moscow"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1981.04.??"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Beliavsky, Alexander G"]
[Black "Polugaevsky, Lev"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2620"]
[BlackElo "2620"]
[Annotator "Belov,I"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "1981.04.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "URS"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "MCL"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 b5 {
Polugaevsky/} 8. e5 dxe5 9. fxe5 Qc7 10. exf6 (10. Qe2 Nfd7 11. O-O-O Bb7 $13)
10... Qe5+ 11. Be2 Qxg5 12. Qd3 Qxf6 13. Rf1 Qe5 14. Rd1 Qc7 $2 (14... Ra7 $142
15. Nf3 (15. Ndxb5 $5 Rd7 16. Qc4 Kd8 $2 (16... Bb7 $142 $5 17. Rxd7 axb5 $5
18. Qc7 Nxd7 19. Qxb7 b4 20. Qc8+ Ke7 21. Nb5 $13) 17. Nd4 Bd6 18. Nf3 $1 Qa5 {
Wolff,P-Polugaevsky,L/Groningen/1993/1/2-1/2/66/} 19. Qg4 $1 f5 20. Qg5+ Kc7
21. Rxd6 Kxd6 22. Qg3+ e5 23. Nd2 $1 $16 {Anand/}) 15... Qc7 16. Ng5 f5 17. Qd4
Qe7 18. Nge4 (18. Bh5+ g6 19. Qxh8 Qxg5 20. Bf3 Nd7 $13 {Hellers,F-Polugaevsky,
L/Haninge/1989/1:0/26/}) 18... h5 19. Nd6+ Qxd6 20. Qxa7 Qe5 $1 21. Qd4 Nd7 $1
$15 {Rodriguez,Am-Polugaevsky,L/Biel(izt)/1985/0:1/41/}) 15. Bh5 $1 (15. Bf3
Ra7 16. Nc6 Be7 $1 17. Nxa7 Qxa7 $44) 15... g6 $8 16. Bf3 Ra7 17. Nc6 $1 Nxc6
$8 (17... Be7 18. Qd4 $18) 18. Bxc6+ Bd7 19. Qxd7+ $2 (19. Bxd7+ $142 Qxd7 20.
Qe3 $1 {Kasparov/} (20. Qe4 $5) 20... Qe7 (20... Qb7 21. Qd4 $18) (20... Qc7
21. Nd5 $18) 21. Qe5 f6 22. Rxf6 $18) 19... Qxd7 20. Rxd7 Rxd7 21. Ke2 (21. Ne4
f5 $1 22. Nf6+ Ke7 23. Nxd7 Kd6 24. Nxf8 Kxc6 25. Nxe6 Re8 $10 {Beliavsky/})
21... Kd8 $8 22. Bxd7 Kxd7 23. Rxf7+ Be7 24. a4 b4 25. Ne4 Ke8 $6 (25... e5
$142 $10 {/\ Ke6/}) 26. Rf3 $6 (26. Rf2 $142 {>< c2/} Kd7 27. Kd3 e5 28. Kc4
$16) 26... Kd7 27. Kd3 e5 $10 28. Rf7 Ke6 29. Rg7 Rd8+ 30. Ke3 Rc8 31. Kd3 Rd8+
32. Ke3 Rc8 33. Kd3 (33. c3 $5 bxc3 34. bxc3 $14) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1992.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Berelowitsch, Alexander"]
[Black "Muhutdinov, Marat"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2510"]
[BlackElo "2485"]
[Annotator "Berelovich,A"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "1992.??.??"]
[EventType "game"]
[EventRounds "1"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 033"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1993.04.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1993.04.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qc7 8. Qf3
b5 (8... Nc6 $14) 9. Bxf6 (9. f5 $10) 9... gxf6 10. e5 d5 (10... Bb7 $13 {
Yudasin,L-Rashkovsky,N/}) (10... dxe5 $5 $44 {Zijatdinov-Rashkovsky/}) 11. exf6
Nd7 12. O-O-O Nxf6 13. f5 $5 $146 (13. Kb1 Bg7 $5) 13... e5 14. Nxd5 Nxd5 15.
Qxd5 Bb7 16. Bxb5+ $5 (16. Nxb5 $6 Bh6+ 17. Kb1 axb5 18. Bxb5+ Kf8 19. Qd7 Qxd7
20. Rxd7 Bxg2 $17) 16... axb5 17. Qxb5+ (17. Nxb5 $2 Qe7 $8 {-/+}) 17... Ke7
18. f6+ Kxf6 19. Rhf1+ Kg6 20. Qd3+ $2 (20. Nf3 Ra5 21. Nxe5+ Qxe5 22. Qxb7 f6
$17) (20. Nf5 Be4 $1 21. Nh4+ Kg7 22. Nf5+ (22. Rxf7+ $2 Qxf7 23. Rd7 Be7 24.
Qxe5+ Kg8 $19) 22... Kg8 23. Qe2 Bxf5 24. Rxf5 Bg7 $10) (20. Kb1 $1 $13) 20...
e4 21. Qh3 Bc8 22. Rf5 $6 $138 (22. Qh4 Qe5 23. Nc6 Qg5+ 24. Qxg5+ Kxg5 25. Ne5
Be6 26. Nxf7+ Bxf7 27. Rxf7 Kg6 28. Rdf1 Bg7 $19) (22. Rf6+ $5 Kxf6 23. Qh4+
Kg6 24. Qxe4+ f5 25. Qxa8 Bh6+ 26. Kb1 Re8 $17) 22... h5 23. Rdf1 Ra6 $1 (23...
Bh6+ 24. Kb1 Bxf5 25. Qxf5+ Kg7 26. Qxe4 $13) 24. Qh4 (24. Rxf7 Bxh3 25. Rxc7
Bd6 26. Rc3 Bd7 $19) 24... Bxf5 $19 25. Rxf5 Qe7 26. Qg3+ Kh7 27. Kb1 Bh6 28.
Rxh5 Rd6 29. c3 Rg6 30. Qe3 Rg5 31. Rh3 0-1

[Event "Sigeman & Co 15th"]
[Site "Malmo"]
[Date "2007.04.23"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Berg, Emanuel"]
[Black "Negi, Parimarjan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2574"]
[BlackElo "2515"]
[Annotator "Berg,E"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2007.04.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SWE"]
[EventCategory "13"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 118"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qf3
Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 ({The alternative is} 9... Be7 10. Bd3 h6 11. Bh4 g5 12. fxg5
Ne5 13. Qe2 Nfg4 {when the game gets a bit more positional. Black has good
central control, but White is a bit ahead in development.}) 10. Bd3 ({The
seemingly interesting move} 10. e5 {more or less leads to a forced draw after}
Bb7 11. Qh3 dxe5 12. Nxe6 fxe6 13. Qxe6+ Be7 {Now for instance} 14. Bxb5 ({
Also possible is} 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. Be2 (15. Bxb5 axb5 16. Nxb5 Qc6 17. Nd6+
Kd8 18. Nxb7+ Qxb7 (18... Kc7 19. Qxe7 Rxa2 20. Qxd7+ Qxd7 21. Rxd7+ Kxd7 22.
Nc5+ Kc6 23. Nb3) 19. Rxd7+ Qxd7 20. Rd1 Qxd1+ 21. Kxd1 exf4 22. a4) 15... h5
$1 16. Nd5 Bxd5 17. Rxd5 Nb6 {and here White's best option is to force the
draw with} 18. Bxh5+ Rxh5 19. Qg8+ Bf8 20. Qe6+ Be7 $11 (20... Qe7 21. Qxb6 {
gives White good compensation for the piece.})) 14... axb5 15. Nxb5 Qc6 16.
Nd6+ Kd8 17. fxe5 (17. Nxb7+ $2 Qxb7 (17... Kc7 $5 18. Qxe7 Rxa2 19. Bxf6 gxf6
20. Qxd7+ (20. fxe5 Ra1+ 21. Kd2 Qd5+ 22. Ke2 Qxg2+ 23. Ke3 Qg5+ 24. Ke2 Qg4+
25. Kd2 Rxd1+ 26. Rxd1 Kxb7 27. Kc1) 20... Qxd7 21. Rxd7+ Kxd7 22. Nc5+ Kc6 23.
Nb3 Rg8 24. g3 exf4 25. gxf4 Ra4 $17) 18. Bxf6 (18. fxe5 Ra6 19. Rxd7+ Nxd7 20.
Qxe7+ Kc8 21. Qxg7 Rf8 $19) 18... Bxf6 19. Rxd7+ Qxd7 20. Rd1 Qxd1+ 21. Kxd1
exf4 {and Black was even slightly better in 1/2-1/2 Berg,E (2529)-Aagaard,J 
(2431)/Stockholm 2005/Min Bas/[Berg,Emanuel] (26)}) 17... Kc7 (17... Re8 $5 18.
exf6 gxf6 19. Nxb7+ Qxb7 20. Rd3 fxg5 21. Rhd1 Ra7 22. Rxd7+ Qxd7 23. Qb6+ Rc7
(23... Kc8 24. Rxd7 Rxd7 25. Qc6+ Kd8 26. Qa8+ Kc7 27. Qxe8 $18) 24. Qb8+ Rc8
25. Qb6+ $11) 18. Qxe7 Rxa2 $1 (18... Nd5 {is unnecessary and gives White some
hope after} 19. Rxd5 Qxd5 20. Rd1 Qxe5 21. Nxb7 Qxe7 22. Bxe7 Rxa2 23. Nd6 Ra1+
24. Kd2 Rxd1+ 25. Kxd1 $15) 19. exf6 Ra1+ 20. Kd2 Qd5+ 21. Kc3 (21. Ke2 Qxg2+
22. Kd3 Qd5+ $11) 21... Qa5+ 22. Kd3 Qd5+ $11) 10... Bb7 11. Rhe1 Qb6 $1 {
A strong move that forces White to actions which are not unfavorable for Black.
Either White must go for the piece sacrifice played in the game or retract the
knight to b3 with a rather equal position.} ({After both the alternatives} 
11... O-O-O {and}) (11... Be7 12. Qg3 {Black is facing difficulties.}) (11...
b4 {is met by the standard sacrifice} 12. Nd5 $1 exd5 13. exd5+ Kd8 14. Nc6+
Bxc6 15. dxc6 {with very good compensation for the sacrificed piece.}) 12. Nd5
Qxd4 (12... exd5 {is bad in view of} 13. Nc6 $1 {with advantage to White.}) 13.
Bxf6 gxf6 14. Bxb5 Qc5 15. Nxf6+ {This is all known theory. After} (15. b4 $6 {
Black gives up his queen with} Qxb5 $1 16. Nc7+ Ke7 17. Nxb5 axb5 {with an
excellent position. The three pieces are superior to the white queen.}) 15...
Kd8 16. Nxd7 Qxb5 17. Nxf8 Rxf8 18. Qa3 Ke8 $1 {Much better than} (18... Rc8
19. Qxd6+ Ke8 20. Re3 $1 Qc6 21. Qd2 {when White has a powerful initiaitve.
Now Rc3 is a serious threat and after} Ke7 22. Qb4+ Kf6 23. c3 $1 {Black is in
seious trouble, for instance} Qc5 24. e5+ Kf5 25. g4+ Kg6 26. f5+ Kg7 27. Qf4
Qc4 28. Rd4 Qxa2 29. Rh3 Qa1+ 30. Kc2 {1-0 as in Fier,A (2490)-Oliveira,J 
(2183)/Guarulhos BRA 2006/TWIC}) 19. Qxd6 Qc6 $1 20. Qd4 (20. Qd2 {is met by}
Qc7 $1 {with the idea of ...Rd8 next, exchanging off some pieces. Now White
doesn't have time for the Re3-manouvre.} {After} 21. g3 f6 22. e5 f5 23. Qd6
Qxd6 24. Rxd6 Ke7 25. Red1 Bd5 26. b3 Rfc8 27. Kb2 a5 28. Rb6 Rcb8 29. Rxb8
Rxb8 30. Rd4 h5 $1 {Black got a good game and went on to win in 0-1 Luther,
T-Sasikiran,K Aeroflot Open 2007.}) 20... Qc7 21. f5 $5 $146 (21. g3 {is the
solid move and was played in was played in Alvir,A (2370)-Pachta,P (2300)/
Austria 2006/EXT 2007. However, Black didn't get any immediate trouble after}
Rd8 22. Qa4+ Ke7 (22... Qc6 $5) 23. Qb4+ Kf6 {and although the Black king
looks a bit shaky White has no good way to exploit it and Black has good
control over the opened d-file.}) 21... Rg8 {RRO: 'Black takes control over
the g-file and stops White from any plans of invation with Qg7.'} (21... Rd8
22. Qa4+ Rd7 ({After} 22... Qc6 23. Qa5 {Black loses important dark square
control.}) (22... Ke7 {is bad in view of} 23. Qb4+ Kf6 24. e5+ Kg7 25. Rxd8
Rxd8 26. fxe6 fxe6 27. Qg4+ Kh8 28. Qxe6 {gives White four pawns for the
sacrificed piece and a wide open king for Black..} Qg7) 23. Rxd7 Qxd7 24. Qa5 {
Planning Rd1 with some initiative for White.}) 22. g3 Rc8 (22... Rd8 23. Qa4+
Rd7 24. Rxd7 Qxd7 25. Qa5) 23. Rd2 e5 ({Stronger was} 23... Rd8 $1 24. Qa4+ Qc6
{and now after} 25. Qa5 Rxd2 {White can no longer recapture with his rook as
in the earlier variations. After} 26. Qxd2 e5 27. Rd1 Qc7 $15 {Black has
managed to exchange an important pair of rooks and stands slightly better.})
24. Qa4+ Kf8 ({After} 24... Qc6 {there might follow} 25. Qb4 f6 26. c3 {
RRO: 'with repetition of moves and a draw as the result.'} Qb5 27. Qd6 Qc6 28.
Qb4 $11 {with a draw by repetition.}) 25. Rd7 (25. f6 {doesn't give White much
after} Rg6 26. Qb4+ Kg8 {and the king is in safety, leaving White with a weak
f-pawn.}) 25... Qc6 26. Qb4+ Kg7 27. Qd2 Kh8 28. c3 {Freeing the queen from
the defence of c2. Now Rxf7 is a threat.} (28. Rxf7 {is by far too risky.
Black takes over the game with} Rgd8 29. Qe2 Qh6+ $1 30. Qe3 Bxe4 $1 31. c3 Qh5
{with a clear advantage.}) ({Black also has a good game after} 28. Rd1 $2 Qxe4
29. Rxf7 Bd5 $1 30. Rd7 Bc6 31. Rf7 Be8 $1 {with a clear advantage.}) 28... f6
(28... Rc7 29. Rd6 Qe8 30. Rd1 $5 {with compensation for White.}) 29. Rd1 $6 ({
Better was} 29. Rd6 Qa4 30. Qh6 Rxc3+ $2 (30... Qxa2 {leads to a draw after}
31. Qxf6+ Rg7 32. Rd8+ Rxd8 33. Qxd8+ Qg8 34. Qf6 Qa2 $11) 31. Kb1 $1 Bxe4+ 32.
Ka1 Rc7 $8 33. Qxf6+ Rcg7 34. Qxe5 $36 {White has three pawns a crushing
position. Just lloking at the cramped pieces around the Black king should be
enough to make a judgement.}) 29... Rg7 $2 ({Better was} 29... Rc7 $1 30. Rd8
Rf7 31. Qh6 Qc7 $1 $17 {'with advantage to Black.}) 30. Rd6 ({After} 30. Rd8+
Rxd8 31. Qxd8+ Rg8 32. Qe7 {Black has dangerous counterthreats with} Qb6 $1 {
but White seems to be just OK after} 33. Rd7 Qe3+ ({The critical variation is} 
33... Qg1+ 34. Kd2 Qxh2+ {but now White gets away with} 35. Kd3 $1 Bxe4+ 36.
Kxe4 Qg2+ (36... Qh1+ 37. Kd3 Qf1+) 37. Kd3 Qxg3+ 38. Kc4 Qf4+ 39. Kb3 Qxf5 40.
Rd6 {and only White could be better here.}) 34. Kd1 Qg1+ 35. Kd2 Qg2+ 36. Kc1
$11) ({Also} 30. Rxg7 Kxg7 31. Qd7+ Kg8 32. Qe7 {seems to end up in a draw
after some complications.} Qb6 $1 33. Rd7 Qg1+ 34. Kd2 Qxh2+ 35. Kd1 Qh1+ 36.
Kd2 Qh6+ 37. Kd3 Ba8 38. Qe6+ Kh8 39. Rxh7+ $1 Qxh7 (39... Kxh7 40. Qxc8 Bxe4+
41. Kxe4 Qh1+ 42. Kd3 Qf1+ 43. Kc2 Qe2+ 44. Kb3 Qb5+ $11) 40. Qxc8+ Qg8 41.
Qxa6 Qxg3+ 42. Kc4 $1 Qg8+ 43. Kd3 $11) 30... Qa4 $4 {The decisive mistake
based on a miscalculation. After} (30... Qxe4 {White can either force a draw
with} 31. Rd8+ (31. Rxf6 Qc4 32. Qd6 Rcg8 (32... Bf3 33. Rf8+ Rxf8 34. Qxf8+
Qg8 35. Rd8 Qxf8 36. Rxf8+ Rg8 37. Rf6 a5 $15) 33. Rf8) 31... Rg8 32. Qh6 Qxf5
33. R1d7 Rcxd8 34. Rxh7+ $1 Qxh7 35. Qxf6+ Qg7 36. Qh4+ Qh7 37. Qf6+ Rg7 38.
Qxd8+ $11 {with perpetual checks or continue playing 31.Rxf6 and the position
remains unclear.}) 31. Rd8+ {White is winning.} Rg8 32. Qh6 Rxc3+ {The point
behind Black's 30...Qa4. Unfortunately for him White doesn't need to accept
this very nice sacrifice and after White's next move Black is lost with no
hope of counterplay.} (32... Rgxd8 33. Qxf6+ Kg8 34. Rxd8+ Rxd8 35. Qxd8+ Kf7
36. Qc7+ Kf6 37. Qxb7 $18) 33. Kb1 $1 (33. bxc3 $4 {gives Black a clear
advantage after} Qa3+ 34. Kc2 Qxa2+ 35. Kc1 Qa3+ 36. Kc2 Bxe4+ 37. R1d3 Bxd3+
38. Rxd3 Qe7 {Although the material is balanced, White's badly placed King
will most probably decide the game sooner or later. Black also has two passed
pawns as a trump.}) 33... Bxe4+ 34. Ka1 Qxd1+ {The only way to continue the
game, but the fight is soon to be over anyway.} 35. Rxd1 Rc6 36. Qh5 Rgc8 37.
b3 $1 {An important defensive move taking away the last hopes for Black. Now
Rd7 is a deadly threat.} R6c7 38. Qh6 {A slight error in time trouble.} (38.
Qh4 $1 $18 {wins right away.}) 38... Rf7 39. Rd6 Rcf8 40. g4 Bb7 41. h4 e4 42.
g5 Re8 43. Rxf6 {White resigned.} 1-0

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 10th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2012.02.02"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Berg, Emanuel"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2550"]
[BlackElo "2699"]
[Annotator "Berg,E"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2012.01.24"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 147"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 h6 8. Bh4
Qb6 {Playing the delayed Poisoned Pawn Variation seems to have become quite
popular lately. Although my opponent has several openings in his repertoire
this was the one I expected to come. I have faced this position twice before
as White without getting much out of the opening. In both those games I
continued with 9.a3 which I believe does not give White any advantage. In the
last round of Politiken Cup 2011 I had a sad loss against Marc Tyler Arnold
where I didn't get into the game before it was all over.} 9. Qd3 $1 {This move
has become rather popular within the regular Poisoned Pawn variation where I
have tried it myself with great success. Here 9.Qd2 is the more popular move,
but I'm sure we will see a lot more of 9.Qd3 in the future.} Qxb2 10. Rb1 Qa3
11. f5 {Now the question is what the important differences are compared with
the white bishop on g5 instead of h4 and the black h-pawn back on h7. I have
concluded that Black has weakened the square g6 as well as the diagonal h5-e8
which is a clear drawback for him. On the other hand the white bishop on h4
has lost control over the c1-h6 diagonal which might be an important fact in
some lines although I think that Black's concessions are worse.} (11. e5 {
is the main move according to my database, but it has not been tested on a
high level lately. However there are some high class games from the past
before the influence of computer engines.} {The game Mikenas,V-Tal,M Riga 1959
continued} Nd5 12. Nxd5 Qxd3 13. Bxd3 exd5 14. e6 Nc6 (14... fxe6 {is also
interesting} 15. Bg6+ (15. f5 $5 $146) 15... Kd7 16. f5 e5 17. Ne6 {1/2-1/2 
(34) Janosevic,D-SofrevskiJ Kragujevac 1959. With interesting play.}) 15. Nxc6
bxc6 16. exf7+ Kxf7 17. Rb6 $44 {1-0 (60) Mikenas,V-Tal,M Riga 1959. White has
at least full compensation for the sacrificed pawn and Black has a difficult
defensive task.}) 11... Be7 {This position has been reached seven times
according to my database. Before my game Black had an outstanding statistic of
4.5 points out of 5 games. However when having a short look at the position
during my preparation the same morning I didn't find that result to be a fair
reflection of the games.} 12. fxe6 ({It's essential not to start with} 12. Be2
$2 {due to} Nxe4 $1 $15 {0-1 (40) Vedmediuc,S (2422)-Wojtaszek,R (2711)
Aix-les-Bains 2011. With an advantage to Black.}) 12... fxe6 ({Black also has
the opportunity to give the pawn back in order to be able to develop his
pieces:} 12... Bxe6 13. Nxe6 fxe6 14. Be2 ({After} 14. Rxb7 Nbd7 {White has
won back the pawn, but lost his initiative and Black is soon ready for
counterplay. However it's worth noticing that ...Nc5 is not yet a threat due
to Rxe7+.}) (14. e5 $5 $146 {is a move worth investigating further. White
needs to act quickly before Black consolidates in order to keep the initiative.
However, it seems as if Black has enough defensive resources.} dxe5 15. Qg6+ (
15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Qg6+ {also deserves attention.}) 15... Kd8 $1 {This is the
move that puts most questions to White's position. It might look more natural
to go to f8, but the king is safer on this side. Now it seems difficult to
find a good continuation for White although the position looks pretty
interesting.} ({The natural move} 15... Kf8 {almost loses by force after} 16.
Rb3 Qc5 (16... Qc1+ 17. Nd1 Nc6 18. Be2 Nd4 19. Bxf6 Nxc2+ 20. Kf1 Bxf6 21. Bh5
Qf4+ 22. Rf3 Qc4+ 23. Rd3 Qc7 24. Rc3 $18) (16... Qa5 $4 17. Bc4 $18 {[%csl
Re6]}) 17. Bxf6 $1 Bxf6 18. Be2 h5 (18... Qe7 19. Bh5 Nc6 20. O-O Nd4 21. Rb6
$18) 19. Bxh5 Qe7 20. Rxb7 Nd7 21. O-O Rh6 22. Qg4 $16) 16. Rb3 (16. Qd3+ Kc7
$17) (16. Nd1 Bb4+ 17. Ke2 Rf8 $15) 16... Qc1+ 17. Nd1 Nbd7 (17... Nc6 18. Bd3
$13) 18. Bd3 Qf4 $15) 14... Nbd7 15. O-O {And here instead of 15...Nc5 (1/2-1/
2 (42) Huschenbeth,N (2521)-Van Kampen,R (2519) Haarlem 2011)} Rc8 $5 $15 {
looks like a better continuation}) 13. Be2 O-O (13... Nxe4 $2 14. O-O $1 {
gives White a crushing attack.}) 14. O-O Kh8 $146 {Black hides his king in the
corner so as not to allow any tactics connected with Nd5. The drawback is that
ideas like e5 followed by Qg6 become even more dangerous now.} (14... Nc6 {
is the only move that has been played before my game. This forces an endgame
after} 15. Nxc6 bxc6 16. Nd5 Qxd3 17. Nxe7+ Kf7 {and here I believe} 18. cxd3
$146 {to be stronger than} (18. Bxd3 {0-1 (54) Solodovnichenko,Y (2629)-David,
A (2597) Milan 2011}) {After} 18... Kxe7 19. e5 $1 dxe5 20. Bf3 {was what I
had a brief look at during my morning preparation. White has full compensation
for the sacrificed material and good practical chances although Black should
be able to hold with correct defence.}) ({After} 14... Nbd7 $5 {White can
force a middlegame without queens since he has the bishop pair and some
initiative in exchange for a pawn. He also has the option of winning back the
pawn, but then he will lose some coordination.} 15. Nd5 (15. Nxe6 Ne5 16. Qh3 {
levels the material, but the N on e6 stand in a serious pin.}) 15... Qxd3 16.
Nxe7+ Kf7 17. cxd3 Kxe7 18. Bf2 $44 {White's pair of bishops and active piece
play compensate for the sacrificed pawn.}) 15. Kh1 {White needs to prepare
before going for any action.} ({After} 15. e5 dxe5 16. Qg6 Qxc3 {Black is in
time to defend because of White's king's vulnerability along the g1-a7
diagonal.} 17. Bd3 Qxd4+ 18. Kh1 e4 $19) 15... Nbd7 $2 {Actually this move
almost loses the game by force.} (15... Nc6 $2 {also runs into trouble after}
16. Nxc6 bxc6 17. e5 $1 dxe5 18. Qg6 Bd7 (18... Qxc3 {loses after} 19. Rf3 Qd4
20. Rg3 Rg8 21. Bxf6 Bxf6 22. Bd3 $18) 19. Bxf6 Rxf6 20. Rxf6 Bxf6 21. Bd3 e4
22. Nxe4 (22. Qxe4 Kg8 23. Qh7+ Kf7 24. Qg6+ Ke7 25. Ne4 {is less clear}) 22...
Be8 23. Qg4 $14 {White has a very dangerous initiative which more than
compensates for the sacrificed pawn.}) ({The ugly-looking} 15... e5 {was
necessary and Black keeps his extra pawn and keeps his king out of any
immediate danger. Here I cannot see any immediate way forward for White.
However with some help from my silicon friend I found the astonishing move} 16.
Qd2 $1 {which certainly deserves attention. This is a serious way for White to
try to keep his forces as active as possible. It also makes perfect sense when
Black's queenside is totally out of the game. Now White is ready for either
Bxf6 followed by Nd5 or the immediate Nd5.} exd4 {The most critical
continuation, but this actually seems to give White a crushing attack after}
17. Nd5 {when Black faces serious problems. I'll give a few possible lines.}
Bd8 (17... Nxd5 {might lead to an endgame, but this rather increases White's
pressure since after} 18. exd5 Qe3 19. Qxe3 dxe3 20. Bxe7 Rxf1+ 21. Rxf1 {
Black is left with his undeveloped queenside and is now forced to play} Nd7 $14
{Things are not yet completely over, but it's clear that White has a solid
advantage and perhaps even a winning one going down the lines a bit further.})
18. Nxf6 Qe3 (18... Nc6 19. Nh5 $1 Rxf1+ 20. Rxf1 Bxh4 (20... Be6 21. Rf8+ Kh7
22. Qf4 Bxh4 {leads to 20...Bxh4 by transposition.}) 21. Rf8+ Kh7 22. Qf4 {
forces Black into the concession} Be6 23. Rxa8 Be7 {to avoid immediate defeat.
Now White keeps a clear advantage after} 24. Qf1 $16) 19. Qxe3 dxe3 20. Nd5 $14
{Still after the exchange of queens White's advantage continues with great
power.}) (15... Qa5 {is another possible defensive move to get the queen back
into the game, but White will receive an advantage by energetic play after} 16.
e5 $1 {This is a thematic move in almost every line of the Poisoned Pawn and
should usually be played at any cost to stop Black from getting a blockade on
e5. Black is now still undeveloped on the queenside which makes a sacrifice of
a second pawn possible.} dxe5 $4 ({After} 16... Qxe5 17. Bf3 {White will win
back at least one pawn with a continous strong initiative. The main threat is
not Bxb7 but Rbe1 or Rfe1 when the e6 pawn is lost.}) 17. Ne4 $1 {This is
another key move that is common for the Poisoned Pawn variation. Going for the
kill with this brutal sacrifice leads to a won position for White.} Nbd7 (17...
exd4 18. Nxf6 Bxf6 19. Qg6 $1 $18 {[%cal Ge2d3]}) 18. Nxe6 Rf7 19. Nxg7 $1 Kxg7
20. Nxf6 Nxf6 (20... Bxf6 21. Bh5 $18) 21. Qg3+ Kf8 22. Bc4 $18) 16. Nxe6 $1
Ne5 17. Nxf8 $1 {White sacrifices his queen for a rook and a knight, but most
important a devastating attack on the black Monarch.} ({There was no need to
consider} 17. Qh3) 17... Nxd3 18. Ng6+ Kh7 19. Bxd3 Kxg6 (19... Bd8 {On http://
www.huffingtonpost.com Lubomir Kavalek mentioned the line 19...Bd8 20.e5 dxe5
21.Nxe5+ Kg8 22.Bc4+ Kh7 23.Bd3+ when he wrote that "it's hard to see White
has more than a draw".) However, White has improvements on the way.
Surprisingly exactly this position was seen in the Bundesliga just three days
later. I certainly don't believe that this was a prepared novelty from Black,
but White seemed to know what he was doing.} {The game concluded} 20. Nd5 $1 ({
Also interesting is} 20. e5 dxe5 21. Ne4 $14 {with a strong initiative for
White.} (21. Nd5 Nxd5 22. Rf8 Qxf8 23. Nxf8+ Kg8 24. Bxd8 Kxf8)) 20... b5 21.
Nge7 Bxe7 22. Nxe7 Bb7 23. Bxf6 gxf6 24. Rxf6 Qxa2 25. Rbf1 Kg7 26. Rg6+ Kh8
27. e5 {1-0 (27) Bobras,P (2544)-Maksimenko,A (2553) Germany 2012}) 20. e5+ Kh5
{This move looks like a little bit too much, but actually it's already all
over and my opponent probably hoped to get some practical chances.} ({After} 
20... Kf7 21. exf6 gxf6 22. Nd5 $40 {White carry on attacking undisturbed.
Black is still unable to develop his queenside and remains in a completely
hopeless situation.}) 21. exf6 Bxf6 {During the game I had regarded this move
as completely hopeless for Black, but also after} (21... Qxc3 {White has a
straight win after} 22. fxe7 Bd7 23. Be1 $1 Qe5 (23... Qc7 24. Rf7 $18 {
[%csl Rh5]}) 24. Rxb7 $18 {and the black position will collapse.}) 22. Bxf6
gxf6 23. Rb3 ({White could also achieve a won position after} 23. Nd5 f5 24.
Nb6 Rb8 25. Nxc8 Rxc8 26. Rxf5+ Kg4 27. Rbf1 $18) 23... Qa5 24. Rxf6 {[%csl
Rh5] White keeps the Black king cut off. This move also activates threats like
Bg6+ and Ne4.} Bd7 {Finally Black tries to develop, but it's far too late by
now. Anyway there was nothing to be done.} 25. Ne4 ({White could also win by} 
25. Bg6+ $1 Kh4 (25... Kg4 26. h3+ Kh4 27. Ne4 Qe1+ 28. Kh2 Qxe4 29. Bxe4) (
25... Kg5 26. Ne4+ Kh4 (26... Kg4 27. Rg3+ Kh4 28. Rf4+ Bg4 29. Rh3#) 27. Rf4+)
26. g3+ Kg4 (26... Kh3 27. Rf4 Bc6+ 28. Be4 Qg5 (28... Bxe4+ 29. Rxe4 Qh5 30.
Ne2 $1 $18 {with mate to follow very soon.}) 29. Bxc6 bxc6 (29... Qxf4 30. Bd7+
Qg4 31. Rb4 (31. Ne4) 31... Rg8 32. Nd1) 30. Rbb4 $18 {[%cal Gf4h4]}) 27. Ne4
$1 Qe1+ 28. Kg2 Qe2+ 29. Rf2 $18 {and Black must give up his queen to avoid
mate.}) 25... Bg4 (25... Rg8 26. Be2+ Kh4 27. Rh3+ (27. Rxh6+ Qh5 28. Rxh5#)
27... Bxh3 28. g3+ Rxg3 29. hxg3#) (25... Qe1+ 26. Rf1 $19) 26. h3 Rg8 27.
hxg4+ Rxg4 28. Be2 $1 (28. Rf5+ {leads to a technical win after} Qxf5 29. Ng3+
Rxg3 30. Bxf5 $18) 28... Qe1+ 29. Kh2 {Black resigned in view of} (29. Kh2 Qxe2
30. Rh3+ Rh4 31. Rxh4+ Kxh4 32. Rf4+ Kh5 (32... Qg4 33. g3+ Kh5 34. Nf6+) 33.
Ng3+) 1-0

[Event "EU-Cup 23rd"]
[Site "Kemer"]
[Date "2007.10.03"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Atakisi, Umut"]
[Black "Berg, Emanuel"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2399"]
[BlackElo "2593"]
[Annotator "Berg,E"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2007.10.03"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 121"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Besiktas Jimnastik"]
[BlackTeam "Sollentuna"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "TUR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "SWE"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 {This move has been
my favourite weapon as White for a few years now and I still play it a lot.
However, trying the position from the black side is also very interesting.} e6
7. f4 Qc7 {This is a very solid move for Black that usually leads to more
positional lines than Black's other options. It's also a good move if Black
likes to avoid any of all the forced drawing lines for White.} 8. Qf3 {This is
the most aggressive try for White. However, having analysed it very deeply
from the white side and not really found anything convincing I was happy to
sit on the black side. I personally believe that it is better to play} (8. Bxf6
gxf6 9. Qd2 {with a more positional battle.}) 8... b5 9. f5 $6 {This is an old
line where White sacrifices a piece in exchange for a few pawns and some
activity. It looks rather scary for Black, but he does have good defensive
resources. This line might be worth trying for White, but only as a surprise.
In my opinion Black has the better chances if he defends correctly.} b4 $1 {
A very nice zwischenzug that practically forces White to sacrifice a piece.}
10. Ncb5 {White gives away his knight on b5 in order to develop his Bishop
from f1 with tempo.} (10. fxe6 $2 {doesn't work as Black can simply igonre
this and capture the piece.} bxc3 $1 11. Bxf6 cxb2 $1 12. Rb1 gxf6 13. Qxf6
Qc3+ $1 {A very nice move, pinning the knight on d4 in order to recapture with
...Bxe6. White is totally hopeless, eg} 14. Kf2 Bxe6 15. Qxh8 Nc6 {etc winning
another piece for the Rook.}) 10... axb5 11. Bxb5+ (11. fxe6 $5 {is an
interesting alternative. Now Black must act very precisely so as not to get
into trouble.} Be7 $1 12. Bxb5+ ({After} 12. Nf5 {Black should simply castle.}
O-O 13. e5 Bb7 14. Qg3 dxe5 {and after} 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. e7 {Black can either
agree on a draw by playing 16...Re8 17.Nh6+ etc or go for more with} Na6 {
which gives Black very good compensation for the exchange.}) 12... Kf8 13. exf7
Ra5 $1 {A good defensive move with counterplay along the fifth rank. Now White
must start to be careful and Black can easily consolidate his position.}) 11...
Bd7 12. fxe6 Bxb5 13. Nxb5 Qc5 14. Bxf6 fxe6 $1 {An important zwischenzug that
kills off any hope of an attack for White.} 15. Nd4 (15. Rf1 {is simply not
enough for White. After} Qxb5 16. Bxg7 Bxg7 17. Qf7+ Kd8 18. Qxg7 Re8 {Black
has an extra knight giving him a clear advantage.}) 15... gxf6 16. Nxe6 Qc4 $1
{A move with many purposes. From here the queen threatens the knight on e6,
the pawn on e4 and also prevents White from castling short.} 17. Qxf6 Nd7 {
This far we are following the game Smith-Hillarp, Swe-ch 2007. According to
the book, Black is already slightly better.} 18. Qxh8 ({Smith-Hillarp continued
} 18. Nc7+ Qxc7 19. Qxh8 Qc5 $1 20. Qxh7 {after which Hillarp came up with the
creative and strong} b3 $1 {A very nice blow that opens up the position even
more in front of the White king. After this Black can play on for a win
without any risk as he will always have perpetual checks whenever needed. The
game concluded} 21. cxb3 Qe3+ 22. Kf1 Qf4+ 23. Ke2 $2 (23. Ke1 $1 {is more
stubborn.}) 23... Rc8 24. Rad1 $4 {This loses on the spot, but here White was
already under a lot of pressure.} Qg4+ 25. Ke3 Qg5+ 26. Ke2 Qxg2+ 27. Ke3 Qg5+
28. Ke2 Ne5 29. Qh3 Rc2+ 30. Ke1 Qf4 {0-1 Smith,A-Hillarp-Persson,T/Stockholm
2007}) 18... Qxe4+ 19. Kd1 (19. Kf2 {is no better after} Qf5+ ({Worse is} 19...
Qxe6 20. Rhe1 Ne5 21. Qxh7 {when White can hide his King on g1 and it's not
all that clear.}) 20. Kg3 Qxe6 21. Rhe1 Ne5 22. Qxh7 {Now Black can force the
game by playing} Qg4+ 23. Kf2 Qd4+ $1 {followed by ...Ra7-f7 with a huge
advantage.}) 19... Qg4+ 20. Kc1 Qxe6 21. Qxh7 {Here I used up a lot of my
remaining time in order to find something convincing for Black. During the
game I assessed the position as clearly better for me and even thought I could
force a win somehow. However it's not all that clear and White still has
reasonable chances to defend, although it's a very difficult task.} Nc5 $5 {
This move I played after a long time of consideration. During the game I was
not totally happy about it as White now is able to force a queen exchange.} (
21... Ne5 {is well met by} 22. Qe4 {centralizing the White Queen.}) ({My
original plan was to play} 21... b3 {but here White can simply capture} 22.
cxb3 {as there is no forced win for Black. The queen on h7 protects important
squares along the diagonal. Black can continue with} Nc5 23. Kb1 {but now after
} Ne4 {there is} 24. Re1 $1 d5 25. a3 {And the white king escapes.}) 22. Qh5+
$2 {This is a mistake as it only helps Black to activate his king which might
be useful in an upcoming endgame after an exchange of queens.} ({I was more
worried about} 22. Qh3 {with the idea} Bh6+ ({After} 22... Qe5 23. Qg3 {
there is no easy way to an advantage for Black.}) 23. Kb1 Qxh3 24. gxh3 Ne4 25.
Re1 $1 {An important detail, giving White an extra tempo when trying to
develop the rook from a1.} d5 26. a4 ({After} 26. a3 {Black simply goes} Kd7 {
and White is still under a lot of pressure.}) 26... Kd7 27. Ra2 Nd2+ 28. Ka1 b3
$1 29. cxb3 d4 30. Ra3 (30. b4 {loses to} Nb3+ 31. Kb1 d3 32. Ra3 d2 33. Rd1
Rc8 {and Black will soon have two extra pieces and a won endgame. The passed
pawns on the queenside might give some chances, of survival, but it's
definitely not enough for a draw.}) 30... Bf8 $1 31. b4 (31. Ra2 d3 {etc.})
31... Bxb4 {wining an exchange and then the d-pawn will decide the game.}) ({
In the post mortem my opponent suggested} 22. Rf1 {but this loses instantly
for White after} Bh6+ 23. Kb1 Ne4 24. Qh8+ Kd7 25. Qxa8 Nd2+ 26. Kc1 Nxf1+ 27.
Kd1 Ne3+ 28. Kc1 Nc4+ 29. Kd1 Nxb2#) 22... Kd7 23. Rf1 $2 {Now Black gets the
opportunity for a winning combination.} ({Now it was necessary to go for an
endgame with} 23. Qh3 Bh6+ 24. Kb1 ({or} 24. Kd1 Qxh3 25. gxh3 Rg8 {
threatening ...Rg2} 26. Ke2 Rg2+ 27. Kf3 Rxc2 {with a clear advantage to Black
and very good winning chances.}) 24... Qxh3 25. gxh3 Ne4 26. a3 Nd2+ 27. Ka2
bxa3 28. bxa3 (28. b3 $2 Ne4 $17) (28. b4 Rc8 $17) 28... Bg7 $1 29. Rad1 ({
In case of} 29. Rag1 Be5 $1 {Black threatens both ...Nc4 and ...Rb8-b2 which
White cannot prevent.}) 29... Bc3 {followed by ...Rb8-b2 winning for Black.})
23... Nb3+ $1 {A very nice blow, forcing White to give up his queen and
deciding the game.} 24. cxb3 Qe3+ $1 25. Kd1 Qd3+ 26. Ke1 Re8+ 27. Qxe8+ (27.
Kf2 Qe3#) 27... Kxe8 {During the game I first was not totally convinced
whether the position was won for Black as White has no less than three extra
pawns. However the pawn on d6 will soon become very strong and tie down the
White pieces.} 28. Rf3 ({After} 28. Rf2 {Black might continue} Bg7 29. Rd1 Qa6)
28... Qh7 $1 29. Kf1 {A little trap, but now Black's task is rather simple.
Maybe 29.h3 would have put up more resistance.} ({Kanske var} 29. h3 {ett
bättre försök, men även här står svart klart bäst efter} Bg7 30. Rf2 Be5) 29...
Bg7 ({Of course not} 29... Qxh2 30. Re1+ Be7 31. Rfe3 {and Black is lost after}
Qh1+ 32. Kf2 Qh4+ 33. g3 $1 (33. Kg1 Qd4) 33... Qh2+ 34. Kf1 Qh1+ 35. Ke2 Qh7
36. Kd2 Qh6 37. Kc2 Qg6+ 38. Kc1) 30. Re1+ Kd7 $1 {Activates the King and
threatens both ...Qxh2 and ...Bxb2.} 31. a3 {White tries to exchange off the
Black b-pawn, but he's justa bit too slow.} Qxh2 $1 32. Rf7+ Kc6 {A bit
surprising that my opponent resigned this early. However, the outcome of the
game is very clear.} ({After} 32... Kc6 33. Rxg7 {White loses the rook to} Qf4+
{followed by a queen check on e5 or d4.}) 0-1

[Event "Corus-C"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2007.01.27"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Berg, Emanuel"]
[Black "Bosboom, Manuel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2586"]
[BlackElo "2375"]
[Annotator "Berg,E"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2007.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 116 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qf3
h6 9. Bh4 Rg8 10. Bf2 {Preparing to meet ...g5 with g3 as in Bosboom-Negi,
Corus C 2007.} ({In the game Spoelman-Bosboom, Corus C 2005 there followed} 10.
O-O-O g5 11. fxg5 hxg5 12. Bg3 g4 13. Qf2 {and here instead of the played} Qc7
{I believe that} (13... Nh5 {is more accurate and Black seems to be doing fine
as in Zhang-Bosboom, Amsterdam ACT op 3rd 2006.})) 10... Qc7 11. O-O-O Be7 {
A waiting move, preparing either ...g5 or ...b5.} ({After the immediate} 11...
b5 {White has} 12. e5 Bb7 13. Qh3 dxe5 14. Nxe6 fxe6 15. Qxe6+ Be7 16. Bxb5 $16
{with acrushing attack.}) ({and in case of} 11... g5 {there is the interesting
pawn sacrifice} 12. e5 $5 (12. g3 b5) 12... dxe5 13. fxe5 Qxe5 ({Trying to
trap the queen with} 13... Nxe5 14. Qxf6 Bg7 {doesn't work after} 15. Bb5+ $1
axb5 (15... Kf8 16. Nxe6+ Bxe6 17. Bc5+ Qxc5 18. Rd8+ Rxd8 19. Qxd8#) 16. Ndxb5
Qa5 17. b4 $1 Bxf6 (17... Qa3+ 18. Nxa3 Bxf6 19. Nab5 Kf8 20. Nc7 Ra3 21. Bd4
Nd3+ 22. Rxd3 Bxd4 23. N7b5 Bxc3 24. Nxa3 Bxb4 25. Nc4 $16) 18. bxa5 Kf8 19.
Nc7 Rxa5 20. Bb6 Ra3 21. Bc5+ Be7 22. Rd8+ Kg7 23. Rxg8+ Kxg8 24. Bxa3 Bxa3+
25. Kd2 $14) 14. Bg3 $44 {with compensation. Black has development problems
and his king is very exposed in the center.}) 12. Bd3 g5 ({After} 12... b5 {
once again White can go for} 13. e5 (13. Rhe1 Bb7 14. a3 {is another more
solid possiblity.}) 13... Bb7 14. Qh3 dxe5 15. Nxe6 fxe6 16. Bg6+ Kd8 (16...
Kf8 17. Rxd7 $1 (17. Qxe6 $2 Qc4 $1 $17) 17... Qxd7 (17... Nxd7 18. Qxe6 Qc4
19. Qxd7 Qxf4+ 20. Be3 $3 (20. Kb1 Bxg2) 20... Qxe3+ 21. Kb1 {with an
overwhelming attack!}) 18. fxe5 {An interesting position. At the moment White
is a rook down, but Black will at least need to give back the knight on f6 and
so White should have compensation for the sacrificed exchange.}) 17. Qxe6 $44)
13. g3 b5 14. Rhe1 Bb7 15. Qe2 {Going out of the pin and preparing e5. Now
White is also ready for the piece sac Nd5! if needed.} b4 {Black is forcing
some action, which gives him a pawn, but now the position opens up and his
king will be in great danger. Probably better was} (15... gxf4 16. gxf4 Rg2 $5)
16. Nd5 $1 Nxd5 {Here Black could not take with the pawn as the conterplay
along the e-file would have been too much and Black is even needed to give his
bishop on e7 in return.} 17. exd5 Bxd5 18. Bh7 $5 {An interesting move forcing
the black rook to a worse square before going for the action.} Rh8 (18... Rg7
19. Nf5 Rxh7 20. Nxe7 Bb7 21. Nf5 d5 22. Qd3 Nf8 23. Bd4 $44) 19. Be4 $1 {
By exchanging the bishops White weakens the protection of the black king and
soon a piece sac on e6 might come into consideration.} Bxe4 20. Qxe4 Rc8 21.
Re2 Nc5 $2 {Missing a very important point. After this mistake Black never
really came back into the game again. Much better was} (21... d5 $1 22. Qf3 Nf6
{[%csl Ge4] going for the e4-square and having everything protected for the
moment. White still has some compensation for the sacrificed pawn but there is
nothing convincing anymore. After having placed his knight on e4 Black will
have a rather solid position.}) 22. Nxe6 $3 {A nice blow!} Nxe6 ({After} 22...
fxe6 23. Bxc5 Qxc5 (23... dxc5 24. Qg6+ Kf8 25. Rxe6 {with a crushing attack!})
24. Qxe6 Rc7 25. f5 $18 {followed by f6 White wins back the material and has a
won position.}) 23. f5 Nd8 24. Bb6 (24. Bd4 $5) 24... Qd7 (24... Qb7 {might
have been a better try, although White will always have a stable plus in the
endagame after} 25. Qxb7 Nxb7 26. f6 Kd7 27. Rxe7+ Kc6 28. Bf2 Rc7 29. Rxc7+
Kxc7 30. Re1 Kc6 (30... Rd8 31. Re4 a5 32. g4 $16) 31. Re4 a5 32. Re7 Rf8 (
32... Rh7) 33. Be3 Nc5 34. h4 Nd7 (34... gxh4 35. gxh4 $16) 35. hxg5 hxg5 36.
Bxg5 $16) 25. Rde1 ({Now after} 25. Bd4 {I didn't like} f6 26. Bxf6 Rh7 27. Bd4
d5 $1 {and Black has good survivial chances.}) 25... Nc6 26. f6 Ne5 27. fxe7 f6
{Black has a seemingly solid block on e5, but it's not going to hold for long.}
28. Bd4 Kf7 29. Rf1 Qxe7 30. Ref2 {Now threatening to take on f6 which Black
is not in time to stop.} Rce8 {Trying to make it less bad, but doesn't stop
white's plan.} 31. Qd5+ ({Maybe even stronger was} 31. Bxe5 Qxe5 (31... dxe5
32. Qc6 $18) 32. Rxf6+ Qxf6 33. Qd5+ Re6 34. Rxf6+ Kxf6 35. Qd4+ Re5 36. Qxd6+
Re6 37. Qd4+ Re5 38. Qxb4 $18 {with a technical win, but still some work to do.
}) 31... Kg7 32. Rxf6 Rhf8 (32... Qxf6 {looses at once after} 33. Rxf6 Kxf6 34.
Qxd6+ Kf5 35. Bxe5 Rxe5 36. g4+ Ke4 37. Qd3+ Kf4 38. Qd4+ $18) 33. Rxf8 Rxf8
34. Rxf8 Kxf8 35. Qa8+ Kf7 36. Qxa6 Nf3 (36... Nc6 37. Qc4+ Qe6 38. Qxe6+ Kxe6
39. Bg7 h5 40. Kd2 $16 {should be rather easy won for White. With a pawn up
and the bishop against the knight Black doesn't have much of a chance.}) 37.
Qc4+ Qe6 38. Qxb4 Kg6 39. b3 ({The immediate} 39. a4 $1 {was stronger, but in
timetrouble I decided for "safety first".}) 39... Nxh2 40. a4 Nf3 41. a5 {
Forcing a won queen endgame which I considered rather easy-won after having
had two queen endgames earlier in the tournament. Of course, there are several
other ways of winning as well.} Nxd4 (41... d5 42. Bf2 $18) 42. Qxd4 Qe1+ 43.
Kb2 Qxa5 44. Qxd6+ Kf5 45. b4 Qa4 (45... Qb5 $1 {was a better try.} 46. Kc3 $1
{Centralising the king, which will be of great importance in any pawn endgame
when the white king is running over to the kingside stopping the h-pawn. Now
threatening Qd3+.} (46. Kb3 $5 h5 47. c4 Qe5 48. Qd3+ Qe4 49. Qd7+ (49. Qxe4+
$2 Kxe4 50. b5 Ke5 $1 $11) 49... Qe6 50. Qh7+ Kg4 51. b5) 46... Kg4 (46... h5
47. Qd3+ Qxd3+ 48. Kxd3 $18) 47. Kd4 $1 (47. Qc5 $5 Qb8 (47... Qxc5+ 48. bxc5
Kf5 49. c6 $1 Ke6 50. g4 Kd6 51. Kd4 Kxc6 52. Ke5 Kc5 53. Kf5 $18) 48. b5 Qxg3+
49. Kb2 $18) 47... h5 48. c4 Qf5 49. b5 h4 50. gxh4 gxh4 51. b6 {and White is
first out in the pawn run.}) 46. Qc5+ Kg4 47. b5 Qa5 (47... Kxg3 48. Qa3+ $18)
48. Qc8+ $1 {A nice check, forcing the black king back and at the same time
improving the position of the white queen.} Kh5 (48... Kxg3 49. Qc3+ $18) (
48... Kf3 49. Qc3+ $18) 49. Qh3+ Kg6 50. Qe6+ Kh5 51. Qe2+ Kg6 52. Qd3+ Kh5 53.
Qf3+ Kg6 54. Qc6+ {Here the queen is perfectly placed and can support the
b-pawn.} Kh5 55. b6 Qe5+ 56. Ka2 Qxg3 (56... Qa5+ 57. Kb3 $1 {going away from
the checks.}) 57. Qe8+ $1 Kh4 58. b7 Qc7 59. b8=Q Qxc2+ 60. Qb2 1-0

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 9th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2011.02.02"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Berg, Emanuel"]
[Black "Zhu, Chen"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2627"]
[BlackElo "2495"]
[Annotator "Berg,E"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2011.01.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 141"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 h6 8. Bh4
Qb6 $5 {This is an interesting idea for Black. With the inclusion of ...h6 and
Bh4 White is missing some options in the Main Line of the Poisoned Pawn.
However White now has an extra option which would not work with the bishop on
g5.} 9. a3 {I considered this move as an improvement after having lost a rapid
game to Valerij Popov in 2006.} ({Of course} 9. Qd2 Qxb2 10. Rb1 Qa3 11. e5 {
is also possible and would transpose to one of the Main Lines in the Poisoned
Pawn with a very sharp game to follow.}) 9... Nbd7 ({Here} 9... Nc6 {would be
well met by} 10. Bf2 {which is the difference of having the bishop on h4
instead of g5.}) 10. Bf2 Qc7 (10... Nc5 {is possible, but after the correct}
11. Nb3 {White keeps an edge.}) 11. Qf3 e5 {This came as somewhat of a
surprise to me. Black now seriously weakens the light squares, which was not
at all necessary.} ({I expected the natural follow up} 11... b5 {with...Bb7
coming next putting pressure against e4.}) 12. Nf5 b5 13. O-O-O {Adding
pressure against the weak d6-pawn and creating the threat of Bxb5.} g6 (13...
Bb7 $2 {falls victim to} 14. Bxb5 axb5 15. Nxb5 {and White achieves a winning
position after} Qxc2+ (15... Qc6 16. Nbxd6+ Bxd6 17. Nxd6+ Kf8 18. Qb3 $18 {
[%csl Rb7,Rf8][%cal Yb3f7,Yb3b7]}) 16. Kxc2 Bxe4+ 17. Rd3 Bxf3 18. gxf3 $18 {
[%csl Ga3,Gb2,Rd6,Re8]}) 14. Ne3 Bb7 15. Bh4 {This bishop was not doing very
much on f2 any longer and after the weakening move ...g6 it is natural to come
back with the bishop.} ({I also considered playing} 15. fxe5 dxe5 {and now} 16.
Bh4 {Now Black no longer has the option of ...Be7 like in the game and ...Bg7
allows a promising piece sacrifice. However having exchanged on e5 Black now
has a longer diagonal for her bishop on f8 which gives her the option} Bc5 $1 {
tactically defending the N on f6.} (16... Bg7 $2 {allows} 17. Bxb5 axb5 18.
Nxb5 Qb8 19. Nd6+ Kf8 20. Bxf6 Nxf6 21. Ng4 {when White is winning back
material with an overwhelming position.}) (16... Be7 $4 {loses material to} 17.
Rxd7 $1 {when White will win two minor pieces for the rook since after} Nxd7
18. Bxe7 {the bishop on e7 is tactically protected by a knight fork on d5.}))
15... Be7 ({Now} 15... exf4 16. Bxf6 Nxf6 17. Qxf4 Bg7 $1 {would have been an
interesting continuation where Black's dark squared bishop is seriously
improved compared to the game.} {As allways Black has to watch out for moves
like} 18. Bxb5+ $5 axb5 19. Nxb5 Qe7 20. Nxd6+ Kf8 {which might look somewhat
awkward to play for Black, but White has nothing straightforward here.}) 16. g3
{This move stabilises the f4-pawn as well as opens up the position for Bh3.}
Rc8 17. Bxf6 ({Unfortunately the move} 17. Bh3 {is unplayable due to} g5 $1 18.
fxg5 hxg5 {when White loses a piece.}) 17... Nxf6 18. Bh3 Rd8 19. Ned5 {
This move forces Black to enter a position with opposite coloured bishops
which has some drawing tendencies. However with rooks and queens on the board
as well as Black's somewhat vulnerable king White definitely has chances.} Nxd5
20. Nxd5 Bxd5 21. Rxd5 exf4 {Black decides on opening the long diagonal for
her bishop.} ({In the event of} 21... O-O 22. f5 {might be considered when
Black's bishop will stay passive.}) 22. gxf4 Bf6 23. Rhd1 O-O 24. Qd3 {White
adds pressure against the weak d6-pawn in order to force a passive defence
from Black.} Qb6 $5 {Black decides to defend actively by means of
counter-attack. Now the d6-pawn should not be taken in view of ...Qe3+ after
exchanging rooks.} 25. Kb1 {Putting the king in safety and once again
preparing Rxd6.} Qf2 {Once again Black is using her queen to create
counter-threats instead of defending passively by ...Be7.} 26. Rf1 {This moves
forces the queen back again, but the rook leaves the d-file making it possible
for Black to defend d6.} Qb6 (26... Qxh2 $2 {wins a pawn for the moment, but
loses the game after} 27. Qf3 Bh4 28. Rd3 {[%csl Rh2][%cal Gh3g2,Yf1h1] when
Black's queen is in serious trouble.} g5 {forced in order not to lose material.
However now White can switch from trapping the queen to attacking the king by
playing} (28... d5 29. e5) 29. Qh5 $40 {and after} Kg7 30. Rdf3 Qd2 31. fxg5
Qxg5 32. Rxf7+ Rxf7 (32... Kg8 33. Qf3) 33. Qxf7+ Kh8 34. Qe6 $18 {when
despite level material White is simply winning due to Black's exposed king
position and discoordinated pieces.}) 27. c3 {White now stops Black from
creating counterplay with ...b4 and at the same time reduces the power of the
bishop on f6.} Rfe8 {Black tries to place her pieces as actively as possible
while waiting for White to force matters. Since Black is now forced into a
passive defence, White is in no hurry but can simply improve his pieces before
forcing any action.} 28. Bg2 Kg7 29. Bf3 h5 {This move creates further
weakness around Black's king, but it was hard to find sensible waiting moves
for Black.} 30. Qe2 {White prepares to play Rfd1 without allowing ..Qf2. In
addition White now eyes the h5-pawn and a bishop sacrifice might soon become
possible.} Rh8 {In time trouble Black does not want to risk anything, but this
leads to an even more passive defence and gives White an easy game.} 31. Rfd1
Be7 32. Qd2 Rc8 (32... a5 {is well met by} 33. Be2 b4 34. cxb4 axb4 35. Qxb4
$16 {with a healthy extra pawn for White.}) 33. f5 $1 {Now it's the right time
to push forward for White. Black's pieces are uncoordinated and an attack
against the king is very logical.} Rcd8 34. Qf4 Qf2 {Black tries to get the
queen into the game in order to defend against White's attack.} 35. R5d2 Qc5
36. Rg2 Qe5 37. Qe3 $6 {An inaccuracy, which gives Black the chance to get
back into the game.} ({Stronger was} 37. Qc1 $1 {keeping a clear advantage.})
37... Rh6 $2 ({Necessary was} 37... d5 $1 {when Black solves her main problems.
The main point is that} 38. fxg6 {can be met by} ({Perhaps the best
continuation is} 38. Qd4 Qxd4 39. Rxd4 dxe4 40. Rxe4 Kf6 41. fxg6 fxg6 42. Rf4+
Kg7 43. a4 $14 {with some advantage for White.}) 38... f5 $1) 38. Rd5 Qf6 39.
Qa7 $1 {White suddenly switches sides of the board when all Black's pieces are
stuck to the defence of the king. Black's queenside pawns are about to fall
and there is not much she can do about it.} Qh4 {Once again the queen gets
active and this seems like the best practical chance.} 40. Ka2 $6 {A natural
safety move, but a slight inaccuracy.} ({After the correct} 40. e5 $1 dxe5 41.
Rxd8 Bxd8 42. Bd5 Qf6 (42... Qe7 43. f6+ Qxf6 44. Rf2 $18) (42... Be7 43. f6+
Qxf6 44. Rf2 $18) 43. fxg6 Rxg6 44. Rf2 Bb6 45. Rxf6 Bxa7 46. Rxf7+ Kh6 47.
Rxa7 {White is winning straight away.}) 40... Kf8 41. fxg6 Rxg6 42. Re2 Qh3 43.
Rf5 $1 ({The tempting} 43. Bxh5 Rh6 {might give White some practical
difficulties.} 44. Bxf7 $5 ({Stronger is} 44. Re3 Qxh2 45. Bd1 $18 {[%cal
Gd1b3] which is still winning for White, but does not look that clear to a
human eye.}) 44... Kxf7 45. Qxa6 $14 {White has more than enough pawns for the
sacrificed piece. In addition to Black's exposed king White has good winning
chances, but Black is still fighting.}) 43... Rg5 (43... Rf6 44. Qd4 Rh6 45.
Rf2 $18) 44. Qd4 $1 {The point behind White's last move. Now White leaves the
Black queenside pawns behind himt and once again plays for a mating attack,
having the black queen cut off at h3.} Ke8 45. Qd5 ({Also winning is the
straightforward tactical line} 45. e5 $1 d5 (45... Qxf5 46. exd6 $18) 46. Rf6
$1 Qc8 47. e6 Qc4+ 48. Qxc4 bxc4 49. exf7+ Kf8 50. Rh6 $18 {although these
lines are not very human.}) 45... f6 (45... Rxf5 46. exf5 Qh4 47. Bxh5 Qxh5 48.
Rxe7+ Kf8 49. Ra7 {is comfortably winning for White.}) 46. c4 $1 {A smart
in-between move.} ({My first intention was to play} 46. Rxg5 fxg5 47. e5 {
but then after} Qf5 $8 {I was unable to find any straight forward win,
although I'm sure there are several ways to win this position.}) 46... bxc4 47.
Rxg5 fxg5 48. e5 Kf8 ({Now the aforementioned line} 48... Qf5 {does not work
in view of} 49. exd6 Qxd5 {(no check anymore)} 50. Rxe7+ Kf8 51. Bxd5 Rxd6 52.
Rf7+ $18 Ke8 53. Rf5 $18) 49. exd6 Bxd6 50. Qxg5 Qd7 51. Qf6+ 1-0

[Event "Miercurea Ciuc Bancpost op 20th"]
[Site "Miercurea Ciuc"]
[Date "2017.08.19"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Baratosi, Daniel"]
[Black "Istratescu, Andrei"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2370"]
[BlackElo "2604"]
[Annotator "Biro,S"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2017.08.17"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2020"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.10.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,78,29,26,46,51,79,70,70,28,50,37,58,43,54,19,20,11,14,-5,-12,-12,3,-3,
2,2,21,18,11,11,11,-35,0,-114,-17,-23,8,-46,-20,-1,-18,-18,4,-29,-6,6,39,115,
222,12,5,-12,8,-28,29,-107,-119,-143,-123,-114,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,6,23,97,0,0,
0,0,0,0,0,0]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7.
f4 h6 8. Bh4 Qb6 9. Qd3 Qxb2 10. Rb1 Qa3 11. f5 Be7 12. fxe6 fxe6 13. Be2 O-O
14. O-O Qa5 15. Kh1 Nc6 16. Bf2 Nxd4 17. Bxd4 b5 18. Qe3 Qd8 19. e5 dxe5 20.
Bxe5 Bb7 21. Qg3 b4 22. Bd3 Bc6 23. Ne4 Bb5 24. Rf3 Bxd3 25. cxd3 Kh7 26. Rbf1
Nh5 27. Qg4 $2 (27. Qh3 $1 Rxf3 (27... Qxd3 $4 28. Nf6+ $3 Rxf6 29. Bxf6 Qxf1+
30. Rxf1 Nxf6 31. Qxe6 $18) 28. Qxf3 Qf8 29. Qe2 Nf6 30. Nxf6+ gxf6 31. Bb2 Ra7
32. Qxe6 Qg8 33. Qe3 $14) 27... Qxd3 28. h4 Qd5 (28... Rxf3 $3 29. Rxf3 Qe2 30.
Qxh5 Qxe4 31. Bxg7 Qxh4+ 32. Qxh4 Bxh4 $19) 29. Ng5+ hxg5 $2 (29... Bxg5 $1 30.
Rxf8 Rxf8 31. Rxf8 Be7 32. Bxg7 (32. Rf7 $4 Qxe5 33. Rxe7 Ng3+ 34. Kg1 Qc5+ 35.
Kh2 Nf1+ 36. Kh1 Qxe7 $19) 32... Bxf8 33. Bxf8 a5 $17) 30. Qxh5+ Kg8 31. Bxg7
Rxf3 32. Rxf3 Qd1+ 33. Kh2 Bd6+ 34. g3 Bxg3+ 35. Kg2 Bf4 36. Qh8+ (36. Qg6 $4
Qe2+ 37. Rf2 (37. Kg1 $4 Bh2+ 38. Kh1 Qxf3+ 39. Kxh2 Qf2+ 40. Kh1 Qxh4+ 41. Kg2
Qh7 $19) 37... Qg4+ 38. Kf1 Qh3+ 39. Ke2 Qf5 $19) 36... Kf7 37. Qxa8 Qe2+ 38.
Rf2 Qg4+ 39. Kf1 Qd1+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Linares 09th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "1991.??.??"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Ljubojevic, Ljubomir"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2590"]
[BlackElo "2700"]
[Annotator "Boensch,U"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "1991.02.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 022"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1991.06.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1991.06.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Gelfand} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4
Nbd7 8. Be2 (8. Qf3 Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. Bd3 Bb7 11. Rhe1 Qb6 12. Nb3 b4 13. Nb1
Be7 14. N1d2 Qc7 15. Kb1 h6 16. Qh3 Rg8 17. Bxf6 Nxf6 18. f5 e5 $10 {Ehlvest,
J-Gelfand,B Linares(08) 1991}) 8... Be7 (8... Qb6 9. Qd2 Be7 10. O-O-O h6 11.
h4 hxg5 12. hxg5 Rxh1 13. Rxh1 Ng8 14. Rh8 Kf8 15. g6 $16 {Westerinen,
H-Vitolinsh,A Jurmala 1978 -Inf.26/499}) (8... Qb6 {Gelfand}) 9. Qd2 Qc7 10.
Bf3 (10. O-O-O h6 11. h4 $13) (10. O-O-O {Gelfand}) 10... h6 11. Bxf6 (11. Bh4
$2 Nxe4 $17) 11... Bxf6 12. h4 Nb6 13. O-O-O (13. b3 $5 {Gelfand} h5 $15) 13...
Bd7 14. g4 (14. Nce2 {Gelfand} h5 $15) 14... Nc4 15. Qd3 Rc8 16. b3 (16. g5
Nxb2 17. Kxb2 Qb6+ $17) (16. Nce2 {Gelfand} Qa5 17. a3 $8 (17. Qb3 Ba4 18. Qxb7
O-O $19) 17... Qb6 18. Qc3 $17) 16... Ne3 $1 17. Qxe3 Qxc3 18. Qxc3 (18. Rd3 {
Gelfand} Qa1+ 19. Kd2 Qxa2 $19) 18... Rxc3 19. Rh3 (19. Be2 Re3 $19) (19. Bg2 {
Gelfand} Rg3 20. Bh3 g5 $1 21. fxg5 hxg5 22. h5 Ke7 $19) 19... h5 $1 $17 20. f5
(20. g5 Bxd4 21. Rxd4 e5 $19) 20... hxg4 21. Bxg4 Rxh3 22. Bxh3 Rxh4 (22...
Bxd4 {Gelfand} 23. Rxd4 Rxh4 24. fxe6 fxe6 $19) 23. fxe6 Rxh3 24. exd7+ Kxd7
25. Nf5 Be5 26. Rd3 Rxd3 (26... Rh1+ 27. Kd2 Rh2+ 28. Kd1 Ke6 $19) 27. cxd3 g6
28. Nh4 d5 29. Kd2 dxe4 30. dxe4 b5 31. Ke3 Kd6 32. Nf3 f6 33. Ne1 Ke6 34. Nc2
Bc3 35. Kd3 Ba5 36. Ne3 Bd8 37. Nd5 g5 38. Nb4 a5 39. Nd5 Ke5 40. Nc3 g4 41.
Nxb5 Bb6 42. Ke2 Kxe4 43. Nd6+ Kf4 44. Nc4 Ba7 45. a3 Kg3 46. Nxa5 Kh2 47. Nc4
g3 48. Nd2 g2 49. Nf3+ Kg3 50. b4 f5 51. a4 f4 52. a5 g1=Q 53. Nxg1 Bxg1 54. b5
Kg2 55. b6 f3+ 56. Kd2 f2 57. a6 f1=Q 58. a7 Qf4+ 0-1

[Event "Interzonal-15"]
[Site "Manila"]
[Date "1990.??.??"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Yudasin, Leonid"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2615"]
[BlackElo "2680"]
[Annotator "Boensch,U"]
[PlyCount "34"]
[EventDate "1990.06.29"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "PHI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 019"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1990.12.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1990.12.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qe2
Qc7 9. O-O-O (9. g3 b5 10. Bg2 b4 11. e5 bxc3 12. Bxa8 cxb2 13. Rd1 $5 (13. Rb1
dxe5 14. fxe5 Nxe5 $44)) 9... b5 10. g3 $6 b4 11. Nd5 exd5 12. exd5+ Be7 13.
Nf5 (13. Nc6 Nb8 14. Bxf6 gxf6 $17 (14... Nxc6 15. Bxg7 Rg8 16. dxc6 Rxg7 $17))
13... Nc5 $1 {><e6} (13... Nb6 14. Nxg7+ Kd8 15. Re1 {/\ 16. Bf6 Bf6 17. Qe8
Re8 18. Re8 Kd7 19. Bh3#}) 14. Nxg7+ Kd8 (14... Kf8 $6 15. Nh5 $5 $40 (15. Bh6
Kg8 16. Nh5 $40)) 15. Re1 $2 (15. Bg2 Rg8 (15... Bg4 16. Bf3 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 $132
{><f5}) 16. Rde1 $1 {- 15. Re1 Yudasin,L}) 15... Rg8 $2 (15... Nfe4 $142 $1 16.
Bg2 f5 $1 (16... Nxg5 17. fxg5 Bxg5+ 18. Kb1 {/\ Rhf1|^}) 17. Nh5 Bxg5 18. fxg5
b3 $1 19. axb3 Nxb3+ 20. Kd1 (20. Kb1 Ned2+ $19) 20... Nd4 $1 $19) 16. Bg2 Nfe4
(16... Rxg7 $2 17. Bxf6 $18) 17. Bxe4 (17. Bxe7+ Qxe7 18. Qc4 Rxg7 (18... f5
19. Ne6+ {/\ Qb4~/=}) 19. Bxe4 Rb8 20. Qd4 (20. Bxh7 Qf6 21. Be4 a5) 20... Qf8
21. Qf6+ Kc7 22. Re3 $44 (22. Bf5)) 17... Rxg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "GER CupT"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "1991.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Mueller, Matthias"]
[Black "Brunner, Lucas"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2360"]
[BlackElo "2460"]
[Annotator "Boensch,U"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[EventDate "1991.??.??"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 024"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1991.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1991.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Boensch} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4
Qc7 8. Qf3 b5 9. O-O-O b4 10. e5 Bb7 11. Qh3 (11. Ncb5 axb5 12. Bxb5+ Nbd7 (
12... Nfd7 13. Nxe6 fxe6 14. Qh3 Kf7 15. f5 Be4 16. fxe6+ Kg8 17. Qb3 Bxc2 18.
Qxc2 Qxc2+ 19. Kxc2 Nxe5 20. e7 $18 {Georgiev,Kr.-Kasparov, Malta(ol) 1980
-Inf.30/485}) 13. Qh3 b3 14. exf6 bxa2 15. Nxe6 (15. Kd2 Bd5 $8 16. Rhe1 g6 $1
17. c3 Kd8 $13 {Oll -Inf.50/286}) 15... a1=Q+ 16. Kd2 Qaa5+ 17. c3 Qcxc3+ 18.
bxc3 Qa2+ 19. Kc1 fxe6 {Oll -Inf.50/286}) 11... dxe5 12. fxe5 Qxe5 13. Bxf6
gxf6 (13... Qxf6 $2 14. Ncb5 Bc5 15. Nxe6 axb5 16. Bxb5+ Nc6 17. Bxc6+ Bxc6 18.
Nc7+ Kf8 19. Nxa8 Qf4+ 20. Kb1 Qb8 21. Rhf1 Be7 22. Qe6 {1:0
Chiburdanidze-Tukmakov, URS 1980}) 14. Bb5+ axb5 15. Rhe1 Bxg2 {N} (15... Qf4+
16. Kb1 Ra6 17. Qh5 bxc3 18. Nxe6 Rxe6 19. Rxe6+ Be7 20. Qxb5+ Bc6 $17 {
Yudasin-Tukmakov, URS 1981}) 16. Qd3 $6 (16. Qxg2 Qg5+ 17. Qxg5 fxg5 18. Ncxb5
$13) 16... Qc5 17. Rxe6+ $6 (17. Ncxb5 Bd5 $17) 17... fxe6 18. Nxe6 Qe5 19.
Nxb5 Bh6+ 20. Kb1 Kf7 $1 $19 21. Nec7 Kg7 22. Qc4 Rg8 23. Nd6 Bd5 0-1

[Event "Belgrade Investbank"]
[Site "Belgrade"]
[Date "1989.11.??"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Ljubojevic, Ljubomir"]
[Black "Kasparov, Garry"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2635"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[Annotator "Boensch,U"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "1989.11.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 016"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1990.06.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1990.06.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Bönsch} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4
Qc7 8. Qe2 Nc6 9. O-O-O Nxd4 10. Rxd4 Be7 11. g3 (11. e5 dxe5 12. fxe5 Nd5 13.
Bxe7 {>= 13.Ld2} Nxe7 14. Ne4 O-O 15. Qh5 Ng6 $15 {Ivanchuk-Kasparov Tilburg
1989}) 11... Bd7 12. Bg2 h6 {12...Lc6 >= ...0-0-0} 13. Bh4 Bc6 14. f5 O-O (
14... e5 15. Rd3 $14) 15. Rhd1 (15. fxe6 g5 $13 (15... fxe6 16. Rc4 g5 $13))
15... b5 16. g4 $6 (16. fxe6 g5 (16... fxe6 17. Bxf6 Rxf6 18. e5 $14 {x e4})
17. Nd5 Bxd5 18. exd5 gxh4 19. Rxh4 Nh7 20. Qg4+ $2 (20. Rh5 $13) 20... Bg5+
21. Kb1 f5 $19) 16... e5 17. R4d3 b4 18. Bxf6 (18. Nd5 $2 Nxd5 19. exd5 Bb5 $19
) 18... bxc3 $17 (18... Bxf6 $2 19. Nd5 $14) 19. Bxe7 cxb2+ 20. Kb1 Qxe7 21.
Rxd6 Rfc8 22. R1d2 (22. Qd2 $2 Ba4 $19) 22... Bb5 23. Qe3 (23. Qd1 $5) 23...
Rab8 24. Rb6 Bc4 25. Rd1 (25. Rdd6 Qxd6 $1 26. Rxd6 Bxa2+ 27. Kxa2 b1=Q+ 28.
Ka3 Qb2+ 29. Ka4 Qb4#) (25. Kxb2 Qg5 $19) (25. Rxb2 Rxb2+ 26. Kxb2 Qb4+ 27. Kc1
(27. Ka1 Rb8 $19) 27... Bxa2 $19) 25... Rxb6 26. Qxb6 Qa3 27. Qxb2 Bxa2+ 28.
Ka1 (28. Qxa2 Rb8+ 29. Ka1 Qc3+ $19) (28. Kc1 Qe3+ 29. Rd2 Rd8 30. Qb4 (30. c3
Qe1+ $19) 30... Qe1+ $19) 28... Qa4 29. Qxa2 (29. Rd2 Qa5 $19) 29... Qxa2+ 30.
Kxa2 Rxc2+ 31. Kb3 Rxg2 32. Kc4 Rxh2 33. Kd5 f6 34. g5 hxg5 35. Ke6 g4 36. Rd8+
Kh7 37. Kf7 Rh5 {38.Tg8 Tg5 -+} 0-1

[Event "URS-ch58"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1991.??.??"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Brodsky, Michail"]
[Black "Shabalov, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2415"]
[BlackElo "2535"]
[Annotator "Boensch,U"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[EventDate "1991.11.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "URS"]
[SourceTitle "URS-ch"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Ernst} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nc6
$5 8. e5 h6 9. Bh4 g5 {N} (9... dxe5 $6 10. Nxc6 Qxd1+ 11. Rxd1 bxc6 12. fxe5
Nd5 13. Ne4 Rb8 14. b3 Be7 15. Nd6+ Bxd6 16. exd6 $16 {Luther,T-Bykhovsky,Av
Sochi 1990}) 10. fxg5 Nd5 (10... hxg5 $2 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Bxg5 $18) 11. Nxd5
exd5 12. exd6 Qxd6 13. Qe2+ Be7 14. Nxc6 bxc6 15. Bg3 (15. gxh6 $2 Qb4+ $19)
15... Qg6 16. gxh6 (16. Qe5 {Ernst} Rg8 17. gxh6 Qxc2 18. Be2 Rg5 $1 19. Qh8+
Kd7 20. h7 Bb4+ 21. Kf1 Rf5+ 22. Bf3 Qd3+ $40) 16... Bg4 17. Qe5 Qxc2 $3 18.
Bh4 (18. Qxh8+ $2 Kd7 19. Qc3 Bb4 20. Qxb4 Re8+ $19) 18... f6 19. Bxf6 Rh7 20.
Qe3 (20. Qc3 Qe4+ 21. Kf2 (21. Kd2 Bb4) 21... Qf4+ $19) 20... Kd7 21. Bd3 Qxg2
22. Rg1 (22. Bxh7 Bb4+ 23. Bc3 Re8 $19) 22... Bb4+ 23. Bc3 Qxb2 24. Bxb4 Qxb4+
25. Kf2 Rf7+ 26. Kg2 Qb2+ {Boensch} (26... Qb2+ 27. Kg3 (27. Kh1 Bf3+ $19)
27... Rf3+ $19 (27... Rg8 $2 28. Qa7+)) 0-1

[Event "Pamplona 9192 2nd"]
[Site "Pamplona"]
[Date "1991.??.??"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Yudasin, Leonid"]
[Black "Ehlvest, Jaan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2595"]
[BlackElo "2605"]
[Annotator "Boensch,U"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "1991.12.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "13"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 028"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1992.06.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1992.06.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qc7 8. Qf3
b5 9. f5 Nc6 (9... b4 10. Ncb5 axb5 11. fxe6 Be7 12. e5 dxe5 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14.
Bxb5+ Kf8 15. Nf5 fxe6 (15... Bxe6 16. Nxe7 Ra5 17. Qxf6 Rxb5 18. Rf1 Qxc2 19.
Qxe6 Qe4+ 20. Kd2 Qd4+ $10 {Murey,Y-Yudasin,L Podolsk 1991}) 16. Nxe7 Kxe7 17.
Qxa8 Qb6 18. Qa4 Qd4 19. a3 Bd7 20. Qxb4+ Qxb4+ 21. axb4 Bxb5 $17 {Murey,
Y-Spraggett,K Paris-ch 1991}) 10. Nxc6 (10. O-O-O) 10... Qxc6 11. fxe6 {N} (11.
Bxf6 gxf6 12. Bd3) 11... fxe6 (11... Bxe6 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. Bd3 $16 (13. Qxf6
Rg8 $13)) 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. Qxf6 Rg8 14. Be2 Be7 15. Qd4 Rb8 $2 (15... Rxg2 16.
O-O-O $5 (16. Qh8+ Kd7 17. Qxh7 b4 $132 18. Qh3 bxc3) 16... Qc5 17. Qxc5 (17.
Qh8+ Kd7 18. Qxh7) 17... dxc5 18. Bh5+ Kf8 19. Rdf1+ Kg8) 16. Bh5+ $6 (16. O-O
Qb6 $1 (16... Qc5 $2 17. Qxc5 dxc5 18. Bh5+ Kd8 19. Rad1+ Kc7 (19... Bd7) 20.
Rf7) 17. Bh5+ Kd8 18. Qxb6+ Rxb6 19. Rf7 $14) 16... Kd7 17. Bf3 Qb6 $6 (17...
b4 $2 18. e5 d5 19. Nxd5 $18) (17... Qc4 $14 18. Qd3 $1) 18. Qd3 $1 Qc5 19.
O-O-O Qe5 20. Ne2 $1 Bb7 (20... Bf6 21. Qb3 a5 22. Kb1 a4 23. Qb4 {/\
Ne2-c1-d3, Rd1-d2 + Rh1-d1}) 21. Kb1 $1 a5 (21... Bf6 22. Qb3 a5 23. Nc1 $16)
22. Nc1 $1 b4 23. Qe3 Bg5 24. Qa7 Rgc8 $6 (24... Bxc1 25. Rxc1 Qc5 26. Qxc5
dxc5 $16) 25. Nd3 Qb5 26. Qd4 $16 Be7 27. Bg4 Qg5 28. h4 Qg8 (28... Qxg4 29.
Ne5+ $18) 29. Bh3 Ke8 30. e5 d5 31. Nf4 $18 Qg3 32. Nxe6 Rc4 33. Qd2 Rbc8 34.
Nd4 {Boensch} 1-0

[Event "POL-ch 52nd"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Grabarczyk, Bogdan"]
[Black "Wojtkiewicz, Aleksander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2375"]
[BlackElo "2530"]
[Annotator "Bulletin"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "1995.02.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "17"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[EventCategory "8"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1999"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qc7 8. Qe2
Nc6 9. O-O-O Nxd4 10. Rxd4 Be7 11. Qd3 $6 b5 (11... h6 12. Bh4 g5 $5 {
Wojtkiewicz,}) 12. Be2 Bb7 13. Rd1 Rc8 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Rxd6 Be7 16. e5 (16.
Rd7 Qxf4+ $17) 16... Bxd6 17. exd6 Qd7 18. f5 exf5 $1 (18... O-O $2 19. f6 $1)
19. Qe3+ Kf8 20. g4 $2 {20.Bd3} h5 $1 21. Bd3 (21. gxh5 Rh6) 21... hxg4 22.
Bxf5 Qxf5 23. Qe7+ Kg8 24. d7 Rxh2 $1 25. dxc8=Q+ Bxc8 26. Ne4 Be6 27. Qc7 Rh5
28. Ng3 Qg5+ 29. Kb1 Rh3 30. Ne4 Qd5 $1 31. Nf2 (31. Qd8+ Qxd8 32. Rxd8+ Kh7
33. Ng5+ Kg6 34. Nxh3 gxh3) 31... Qxa2+ 32. Kc1 Rh5 0-1

[Event "Hoogovens"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "1984.01.22"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Van der Wiel, John"]
[Black "Tukmakov, Vladimir B"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2515"]
[BlackElo "2550"]
[Annotator "Bulletin"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "1984.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "13"]
[SourceTitle "MCL"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qc7 8. Qf3
b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. a3 $5 Nc6 $5 11. Nxc6 Qxc6 12. f5 Ra7 $5 13. Be2 {P 14.
fxe6 fxe6 15. xf6} (13. fxe6 fxe6 14. Qxf6 Bg7 $44) 13... Qc5 14. O-O-O Rc7 15.
Rhf1 Rg8 16. fxe6 (16. g3 $5) 16... fxe6 (16... Qg5+ $5) 17. Qxf6 Qg5+ (17...
Bg7 $5 18. Qh4 (18. Qf4 $5 Be5 (18... Bxc3 $2 19. bxc3 Qxa3+ 20. Kb1 $16) 19.
Bh5+ Kd8 20. Qh4+ Kd7 $13) 18... Bxc3 19. Bh5+ Kd7 20. Rf7+ Kc6 21. Rxc7+ Kxc7
22. bxc3 Qxa3+ 23. Kb1 Bd7 $15) 18. Kb1 (18. Qxg5 Rxg5 $44) 18... Qxf6 19. Rxf6
Bg7 (19... Rxg2 $4 20. Bh5+ $18) 20. Bh5+ Kd8 (20... Ke7 21. Rf7+ $18) 21. Rf7
Be5 (21... Rxf7 22. Bxf7 Rf8 23. Bh5 Rf2 24. Bf3 $1 Ke7 25. Na2 $1 {P b4-d3})
22. Rxc7 Kxc7 23. Bf3 Bxc3 $1 24. bxc3 e5 25. Rd3 Kc6 (25... Bg4 $5 26. g3 (26.
Bxg4 $6 Rxg4 27. Rg3 $2 Rxg3 28. hxg3 Kc6 $19) 26... h5 $10) 26. h3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad Women-39"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2010.09.25"]
[Round "5.2"]
[White "Kosintseva, Nadezhda"]
[Black "Ju, Wenjun"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2565"]
[BlackElo "2516"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2010.09.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Russia (W)"]
[BlackTeam "China (W)"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "CHN"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 Nbd7 7. Qe2 e6 8. f4
Qc7 9. O-O-O Be7 10. g4 b5 11. a3 Bb7 12. Bh4 h6 13. Bg2 Qc4 14. Qxc4 bxc4 15.
h3 Rc8 16. Rhe1 Nc5 17. Re2 Rg8 18. f5 Nfd7 19. Bg3 Ne5 20. Nf3 Ncd7 21. Nd4
Nc5 22. Kb1 g6 23. Rf2 gxf5 24. exf5 Bxg2 25. Rxg2 Bf6 26. Bf4 Rh8 27. Re2 Ke7
28. fxe6 fxe6 {#} 29. Nf5+ $1 exf5 30. Nd5+ Ke6 31. Nxf6 Rcd8 32. gxf5+ $6 (32.
Nd5 $1 fxg4 33. hxg4 Nb7 34. Nc7+ Kf7 35. Rf1 Ke7 36. Nd5+ Ke6 37. Nb6 Rhe8 38.
Nxc4 {etc.}) 32... Kxf5 33. Rf1 Ke6 34. Ng4 Ncd7 35. Rfe1 Kd5 36. Bxe5 dxe5 37.
Nxe5 Nxe5 38. Rxe5+ Kc6 39. R1e4 c3 40. b4 Rd1+ 41. Ka2 Rhd8 42. Rc5+ Kb6 43.
Re6+ R8d6 44. Rxd6+ Rxd6 45. Rxc3 a5 46. Kb3 Rg6 47. Re3 axb4 48. axb4 h5 49.
c3 Rg5 50. Re6+ Kc7 51. Rh6 Rf5 52. h4 Re5 53. c4 Rf5 54. b5 Kb7 55. Kb4 Re5
56. Rh7+ Kc8 57. b6 Rf5 58. c5 Rf4+ 59. Kb5 Rxh4 60. Kc6 1-0

[Event "World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2007.12.09"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2694"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2007.11.24"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qf3
Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. Bd3 Bb7 11. Rhe1 Qb6 12. Nb3 (12. Nd5 {is the other
critical line, but various games of Gelfand have shown that Black is OK after}
Qxd4 $1) 12... b4 13. Nb1 (13. Na4 {was played in a famous brilliancy.} Qc7 14.
Nd4 Be7 15. Qh3 Nc5 16. Nxc5 dxc5 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. Bc4 Rd8 19. Qxe6 Rxd1+ 20.
Rxd1 Rf8 21. Bxf6 Rxf6 22. Qg8+ Bf8 23. g3 Bc8 24. e5 Rb6 25. Qxh7 Be6 26. Qg6+
Qf7 27. Qe4 Qc7 28. h4 Bxc4 29. Qxc4 Qc6 30. b3 g6 31. Qe2 Qe6 32. h5 Rb7 33.
Qe4 Rg7 34. hxg6 Qxg6 35. f5 {1-0 Spassky,B (2655)-Tukmakov,V (2545)/Moscow
1973/URS-ch}) 13... Be7 14. N1d2 Qc7 15. Qh3 e5 16. Nc4 O-O 17. Nba5 Bc8 18.
Qg3 Re8 19. Kb1 Rb8 20. Rf1 exf4 {Starting a forcing liquidation.} 21. Bxf4 Rb5
22. Bxd6 Bxd6 23. Nxd6 Rxa5 24. Rxf6 Nxf6 25. Nxe8 Qxg3 26. Nxf6+ gxf6 27. hxg3
Rg5 {The result of the forcing sequence is that White has an extra pawn, but
his weaknesses on the g and e-files mean that he has no real winning chances.}
28. Be2 Kg7 29. Rd3 a5 30. Re3 Re5 31. g4 Rg5 32. a3 Bxg4 33. Bxg4 Rxg4 34.
axb4 axb4 35. g3 Kg6 36. Ka2 f5 37. exf5+ Kxf5 38. Kb3 h5 39. Rf3+ Ke6 40. Ka4
f5 41. Kb5 Ke5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Montreal International"]
[Site "Montreal"]
[Date "1979.05.01"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Spassky, Boris Vasilievich"]
[Black "Ljubojevic, Ljubomir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2640"]
[BlackElo "2590"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "1979.04.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "18"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "MCL"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 (4. dxc5 Nxe4 $1) 4... cxd4 5. Nxd4 a6 6.
Bg5 e6 7. f4 b5 8. Bd3 (8. e5 {Main line.}) 8... Qb6 $5 (8... Nbd7 9. f5 (9.
Qe2 Qb6 10. Nf3 Bb7 11. f5 e5 $13 {Markov-Day/CAN/1972/}) 9... e5 10. Nc6 Qb6
11. Nb4 Bb7 12. Qe2 Be7 13. O-O-O Rc8 14. Bxf6 Nxf6 15. g4 Qa5 16. a3 Rxc3 $44
{Spassky,B-Polugaevsky,L/URS/1960/} 17. bxc3 d5 {-/+ Polugaevsky}) (8... Bb7 $1
) 9. e5 dxe5 10. fxe5 Nfd7 (10... Qxd4 $2 11. Bxb5+ $18) 11. Nf3 Bb7 12. Qe2
Bb4 (12... Nc5 $5) 13. Bd2 Nc5 14. Be3 $1 Nxd3+ 15. cxd3 Bxf3 $1 (15... Qc7 16.
O-O O-O 17. Rac1 $16) 16. Qxf3 Qc6 17. Ke2 $1 $16 Qxf3+ (17... Bxc3 $5 18. bxc3
O-O {Gligoric}) 18. gxf3 Bxc3 (18... Nc6 19. f4 Ne7) 19. bxc3 Nc6 20. f4 Kd7 $2
(20... Ne7 $142) 21. Rhb1 $1 Rab8 (21... f6) (21... Rhc8 22. a4 Ne7 23. Bd2 Nd5
24. Rb3 f6 25. Rg1 $14) 22. Bc5 Rhc8 23. Bd6 Rb7 24. a4 Nd8 25. axb5 axb5 26.
Kd2 f6 27. d4 Nf7 28. Bb4 fxe5 (28... Nh6 $142 {Gligoric}) 29. fxe5 Nh6 30. Ra5
Nf5 31. Kd3 g6 32. Bc5 Rcb8 33. Ra6 Rc8 34. Ke4 Rcc7 35. Kf4 h6 36. Ke4 g5 (
36... Rc8 37. d5 exd5+ 38. Kxd5 Ne7+ 39. Bxe7 Kxe7 40. Re6+ Kf7 41. Rf1+ Kg7
42. Rff6 $18) 37. Rba1 Rc8 38. Rxe6 $1 $18 Rxc5 (38... Kxe6 39. Ra6+ Kd7 40.
Kxf5 $18) 39. Kxf5 Rxc3 40. Rxh6 Kc7 41. Rh7+ Kb6 42. Rxb7+ Kxb7 43. e6 Kc7 44.
Ra7+ Kb6 45. Ra8 1-0

[Event "Debrecen"]
[Site "Debrecen"]
[Date "1989.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Oll, Lembit"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2510"]
[BlackElo "2600"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "1989.06.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "HUN"]
[EventCategory "12"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1990.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1990.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nc6 8. Nxc6
bxc6 9. e5 h6 10. Bh4 (10. exf6 hxg5 11. fxg5 gxf6 12. Qf3 d5 13. O-O-O fxg5
14. Bc4 g4 $1 $17 {Hector,J-Oll,L/Debrecen/1989/0-1/ -> CBM14}) 10... g5 (10...
dxe5 $6 11. Qxd8+ Kxd8 12. fxe5 g5 13. O-O-O+ $14) 11. fxg5 Nd5 12. Ne4 (12.
Nxd5 cxd5 13. Qh5 Qb6 14. Be2 Bg7 15. Rf1 Ra7 16. Bf2 d4 17. O-O-O dxe5 $15 {
Sakharov-Odeev/corr/1989/}) 12... Qb6 $1 (12... dxe5 13. Nf6+ Nxf6 14. Qxd8+
Kxd8 15. gxf6 $14) 13. c3 dxe5 14. Bg3 hxg5 15. Bxe5 Rh4 16. Bd3 f5 $5 {
16...Qe3; 16...Bb7} 17. Nd2 Bc5 (17... Qxb2 18. O-O Ne3 19. Qf3 $13) 18. Qe2
Qxb2 19. Rb1 Qxa2 20. g3 Rh7 (20... Rh6 $5 21. c4 Nb4) 21. c4 Ne3 22. Qf3 Bd7
23. Ke2 Qa3 24. Ra1 Qb4 25. Rab1 Qa3 26. h4 $6 (26. Bb2 $5 Qa2 27. Bc3 Qa3 28.
Rb3 Qa2 29. h4) 26... Ng4 27. Bb2 Qa5 28. hxg5 Rxh1 29. Qxh1 O-O-O 30. Nb3 Qb6
31. Nxc5 Qxc5 32. Qg1 1/2-1/2

[Event "WchT 6th"]
[Site "Beersheba"]
[Date "2005.11.09"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2748"]
[BlackElo "2717"]
[Annotator "Erenburg,S"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2005.11.01"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Ukraine"]
[BlackTeam "Israel"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "UKR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ISR"]

{[%mdl 8192]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7.
f4 Nbd7 {Black prevents White's e4-e5 advance. Boris Gelfand is a well-known
guru of this variation. Another theoretical lines are:} (7... b5) (7... Qb6) 8.
Qf3 {The idea of this move is to castle long, as well as to react with e4-e5
on Black's possible b7-b5.} ({More aggressive is} 8. Bc4 Qb6 9. Qd2 Qxb2 10.
Rb1 Qa3 11. Bxe6 $5 fxe6 12. Nxe6 Kf7 13. f5 Qa5 14. O-O b5 15. a4 Bb7 16. axb5
Rc8 17. bxa6 Bxa6 18. Rf3 Be7 19. Rg3 Rhg8 20. Qe1 Bc4 $17 {0-1 Radjabov,
T-Gelfand,B/15th European Team Championship 2005 (31)}) 8... Qc7 {preparing to
carry out the b7-b5 advance.} ({Another possibility is} 8... h6 9. Bh4 e5 {
The idea of this move is to get a the central e5 square for the knight.} 10.
Nde2 $6 $146 {A very strange decision. White plays too passive, while he could
occupy the f5 square. After such a passive move it is very difficult to fight
for an advantage...} (10. Nf5 exf4 11. Bxf6 (11. O-O-O g5 12. Bf2 Ne5 13. Qe2
Qc7 $13) 11... Nxf6 12. O-O-O Qa5 13. Bc4 Be6 14. e5 O-O-O 15. exf6 Qxf5 16.
Bxa6 d5 17. Bc4 Qxf6 18. Nxd5 $16 {1-0 Santo Roman,M-Colovic,A/Sautron 2004/
EXT 2005 (51)}) (10. Bxf6 $5 Nxf6 11. fxe5 dxe5 12. Nf5 Bxf5 13. Qxf5 Qa5 14.
O-O-O Bb4 15. Nd5 Nxd5 16. Rxd5 Qxa2 17. Qd7+ Kf8 18. c3 Be7 19. Qxb7 Qa1+ 20.
Kc2 Re8 21. Qxa6 $16 {1-0 Nemeth,M-Vegh,E/Hungary 2002/EXT 2004 (33)}) 10...
exf4 {Black forces White to trade the dark-squared bishop.} 11. Bxf6 {
Otherwise, White will be a pawn down:} (11. O-O-O g5 12. Be1 Ne5 $17) (11. Nd5
g5 12. Bf2 Nxd5 13. exd5 Qa5+ $17 {[%cal Yd7e5]}) 11... Nxf6 12. Nxf4 Bg4 ({
In case of} 12... Qb6 13. O-O-O Bg4 {White can react with} 14. Nfd5 $1 Bxf3 15.
Nxb6 Bxd1 16. Nxa8 Bg4 $11) 13. Qe3 {covering the g1-a7 diagonal.} Rc8 ({
Worth a consideration:} 13... g5 14. Nfd5 Bg7 $13) 14. h3 ({In my opinion,
better was} 14. Be2 Bxe2 $6 (14... Be7 $5 $13) (14... Bd7 $5 $13) 15. Qxe2 $14
{[%csl Gd5][%cal Yc3d5,Yf4d5]}) 14... Bd7 15. O-O-O {I think, that the option
of a short castle was a bit preferable for White. The side, who has a pair of
bishops, usually is better in a struggle on two flanks.} (15. Be2 Be7 16. O-O
O-O $11 17. Rad1 $141 $2 d5 $15) 15... Be7 16. Kb1 {moving away the king from
the diagonal h6-c1.} O-O $11 {0-1 Mazi,L-Kurnosov,I/Warsaw 2005/CBM 108_01/
[Erenburg] (29)}) (8... b5 $4 {is met by} 9. e5 $18) 9. O-O-O b5 {preparing to
fianchetto the light-squared bishop.} ({Another possible plan is} 9... Be7 10.
Bd3 h6 11. Bh4 g5 12. fxg5 Ne5 13. Qe2 Nfd7 $6 (13... Nfg4 {is the usual move})
14. Qh5 Nf8 (14... Nc5 15. gxh6 Ncxd3+ 16. cxd3 Qc5 17. Nf5 $1 exf5 18. d4 Qb6
19. Bxe7 Nc4 20. Qe2 Qxb2+ 21. Qxb2 Nxb2 22. Bf6 $1 $18) (14... Ng6 15. Nxe6
$18) 15. gxh6 Qc5 16. Be2 {After this simple move, White retains with extra
material and a much better position.} Bxh4 (16... Nd3+ $6 {Gofshtein,L} 17.
Rxd3 Qxh5 18. Bxh5 Bxh4 19. Rf1 {White is probably on the verge of a win
already}) 17. Qxh4 Nfg6 18. Qf6 Nd7 (18... Rxh6 {Gofshtein,L} 19. h4 $1 {
is strong, throwing Black's pieces further back.}) 19. Qf2 Rxh6 20. Rhf1 Rh7
21. h4 $1 {very strong, white chooses a direct approach:} ({after} 21. Kb1 {
Gofshtein,L} b5 {Black could have hoped to get some counterplay.}) 21... Nxh4
22. e5 $1 $16 {1-0 Neelotpal,D-Alexikov,A/Alushta 2004/CBM 103/[Gofshtein,L] 
(29)}) 10. Bd3 {intending to centralize the pieces. White has tried also:} (10.
Bxf6 Nxf6 11. e5 Bb7 12. Qh3 $5 dxe5 13. Ncxb5 $5 Qb6 14. fxe5 Nd5 15. Na3 Bc5
16. Nc4 Qc7 17. Nb3 Be7 18. Kb1 Rd8 {[%cal Rd5c3,Rd8d1]} 19. Be2 O-O 20. Rhf1 {
[%cal Rf1f8]} Nb4 {[%cal Rb7d5,Yb4c6,Rc6e5] Black opens his bishop and
transfers the knight to c6 to attack the e5 pawn.} 21. Nbd2 Bd5 22. a3 Nc6 23.
Bd3 g6 24. Rde1 $14 {[%cal Ye1e5,Yc4e5] 1-0 Haznedaroglu,K-Van der Stricht,G/
Antalya 2004/CBM 101/[Gofshtein,L] (40)}) (10. e5 Bb7 11. Qh3 dxe5 12. Nxe6
fxe6 13. Qxe6+ Be7 14. Nxb5 {0-1 Kamsky,G-Gelfand,B/Linares 1993/CBM 34/
[Gelfand] (80)}) (10. Bxb5 {An interesting piece sacrifice.} axb5 11. Ndxb5 Qb6
12. e5 Bb7 13. Qe2 dxe5 14. fxe5 Qc5 $5 $146 {[%cal Rc5g5]} 15. exf6 Qxg5+ 16.
Kb1 Qxg2 $8 17. Qd3 {[%cal Rd3d7] The preliminary 17.Nc7 was also possible.}
Qc6 18. Qg3 {[%cal Rb5c7,Rf6g7] Creating two threats - 19.Nc7 and 19.fg.} gxf6
19. Nc7+ Ke7 {It was worth considering 19...Kd8 removing the king from the
centre.} 20. Nxa8 Bxa8 21. Rhe1 {[%cal Rc3d5] Bringing the rook to the centre
and putting more pressure.} Qb6 22. Nb5 {[%cal Rg3a3] Threatening 23.Qa3 and
bringing the queen to the game this way.} Qxb5 23. Qa3+ Nc5 24. Qxa8 Bg7 {
24...Qb6 deserved attention, covering the a7 square and not letting White to
activize his queen.} 25. Qa7+ Nd7 26. Qa3+ Nc5 27. Qa7+ Nd7 28. Re3 $14 {
[%cal Re3d3,Re3b3] 1-0 Kurnosov,I-Kuznetsov,V/Nojabrsk 2005/CBM 106/[Gofshtein,
L] (44) Bringing the rook to the attack.}) (10. a3 Bb7 11. g4 Be7 12. Bxf6 Nxf6
(12... Bxf6 13. g5 Bxd4 14. Rxd4 O-O {0-1 Leko,P-Gelfand,B/Monaco MNC 2001/The
Week in Chess 333 (38)}) 13. g5 Nd7 14. Bh3 Nc5 15. Rhg1 g6 {1/2-1/2 Leko,
P-Shirov,A/Monaco MNC 2001/The Week in Chess 334 (45)}) 10... Bb7 {preparing
to castle queenside.} (10... b4 $6 {is a risky continuation:} 11. Nd5 $1 {
A typical piece sarifice in this variation, which gives White a strong attack.}
exd5 12. exd5 Bb7 13. Rhe1+ Kd8 14. Nc6+ $5 Bxc6 15. dxc6 Nb8 $146 16. Bxf6+
gxf6 17. Be4 h5 18. Bd5 $5 $16 {1-0 Atakisi,U-Mazi,L/Antalya 2004/CBM 101/
[Gofshtein,L] (44) Opening the e-file for the White pieces.}) 11. Rhe1 {
White is ready to attack Black's e6 pawn, in order to get control of the
central d5 square.} Qb6 {attacking White's knight.} (11... O-O-O 12. f5 (12. a3
Be7 13. Qe2 h6 14. Bh4 Nc5 15. Bf2 d5 16. e5 Nfe4 $5 $132 {1/2-1/2 Adams,
M-Gelfand,B/Wijk aan Zee 1994/CBM 39/[Gelfand] (45)}) 12... e5 13. Nb3 Be7 14.
a4 $1 Nxe4 15. Bxe4 Bxg5+ 16. Kb1 bxa4 17. Bxb7+ $1 Qxb7 18. Ne4 {[%cal Re4d6,
Re4g5]} Be7 19. Na5 Qc7 20. Nc3 $1 Qxa5 21. Qa8+ Nb8 22. Nd5 $1 Rd7 23. Re4 $1
{[%cal Ge4a4]} Rc7 24. Rxa4 Qc5 25. Rc4 $1 Qxc4 26. Nb6+ Kd8 27. Nxc4 Rxc4 28.
Qxb8+ $18 {1-0 Pavlovic,M-Janssen,R/Wijk aan Zee 2004/CBM 99/[Gofshtein,L] (34)
}) 12. Qe3 {threatening again with f4-f5 or e4-e5 strikes.} ({Black has
succeeded to neutralize White's initiative after} 12. Nd5 Qxd4 13. Bxf6 gxf6
14. Bxb5 Qc5 15. Nxf6+ Kd8 16. Nxd7 Qxb5 17. Nxf8 Rxf8 18. Qa3 Rc8 19. Qxd6+
Ke8 20. c3 Qc6 21. Qb4 a5 22. Qxa5 Ra8 23. Qg5 f6 24. Qd5 Qxc3+ 25. bxc3 exd5
$17 {0-1 Nakamura,H-Gelfand,B/Biel SUI 2005/The Week in Chess 560 (39)}) 12...
O-O-O (12... Be7 {looks unlogical:} 13. e5 dxe5 14. fxe5 Bc5 15. exf6 Bxd4 16.
fxg7 $16 {1-0 Liss,E-Karpman,V/Tel Aviv 1996/CBM 052 ext (35)}) 13. f5 (13. Nb3
{is less principled:} Qxe3+ 14. Rxe3 Be7 15. Na5 h6 16. Bxf6 Nxf6 $11 {1-0
Solomon,S-Kuczynski,R/Thessaloniki 1988/TD (89)}) 13... e5 14. Nb3 Be7 $146 {
looks like an improvement in comparison to} (14... Qxe3+ {Why to help white to
activate his pieces?} 15. Rxe3 d5 16. Nxd5 Bxd5 (16... Nxd5 17. exd5 f6 18. Bh4
Nc5 19. Be2 Nxb3+ 20. axb3 Rxd5 21. Rxd5 Bxd5 22. Bf3 $14 {[%cal Ge3g3]}) 17.
exd5 Nxd5 {is refuted by} 18. Bxb5 $1 Nxe3 19. Bxa6+ Kc7 20. Bxe3 $16 {1-0
Zapata,A-Nogueiras,J/Bogota 1979/EXT 2003 (36)}) 15. Qg3 {threatening to move
away the dark-squared bishop to e3 with a following capture on g7.} ({
Interesting is} 15. Qxb6 Nxb6 16. Na5 $13) 15... g6 $1 {preparing the h5
square for the kingside knight.} 16. Rf1 (16. Be3 Qc7 17. Rf1 Nc5 $132) 16...
Nh5 $1 17. Qh4 Bxg5+ 18. Qxg5 Nf4 $132 {Black has succeeded to trade the
dark-squared bishops, that leaves White with a passive light-squared one. Now
Black is threatening to develop an initiative on the kingside through the "g"
file.} 19. g3 (19. Kb1 {is met by} f6 20. Qg4 (20. Qh6 Nxg2 $17) 20... gxf5 $17
{[%cal Gd8g8]}) 19... f6 (19... Qe3+ 20. Kb1 Nd5 21. Qh4 Nxc3+ 22. bxc3 f6 23.
Qg4 $13) 20. Qh6 {Other moves lose an exchange:} (20. Qg4 $2 Ng2 $1 $17 {
[%cal Gg2e3]}) (20. Qh4 Ng2 $17) 20... Qe3+ 21. Kb1 Nd5 $1 {A great tactical
resource, that allows White to worsen White's pawn structure.} 22. Qg7 Nxc3+
23. bxc3 gxf5 (23... Rdg8 $6 24. Qe7 $14) 24. Rxf5 {In spite of the
superiority of black's pawn structure, the activity of White's pieces promise
him good counterchances.} Qb6 {bringing the queen back to the camp.} (24...
Bxe4 $5 {leads to a perpetual check:} 25. Qe7 $1 Bf3 (25... Bxf5 $2 26. Bxf5
Qxc3 (26... Qf3 27. Qxd6 Qxf5 28. Qc6+ Kb8 29. Na5 $18) 27. Rxd6 $18) 26. Qxd6
(26. Rf1 Bb7 27. Qxd6 Rhe8 28. Rxf6 e4 29. Re6 Rxe6 30. Qxe6 Qb6 31. Qxb6 Nxb6
32. Be2 Na4 $17) 26... Bxd1 27. Qc6+ Kb8 28. Qd6+ Ka7 29. Qc7+ Ka8 30. Qc6+ $11
) 25. Rh5 Qc7 $1 {attacking the c3 pawn, and planning to protect the h7 pawn
by moving the knight to b6 or c5.} (25... Qc6 26. Kb2 Nb6 27. Na5 Na4+ 28. Kc1
Qd7 29. Qxd7+ Rxd7 30. Nxb7 Kxb7 $13) 26. Kb2 ({Worse is} 26. Rxh7 Rxh7 27.
Qxh7 Qxc3 $15 {[%cal Gd7b6,Gb6a4]}) 26... Nb6 (26... Nc5 {equalizes as well:}
27. Qxc7+ Kxc7 {[%cal Gc5e4,Gc5a4]} 28. Nxc5 dxc5 29. Rh4 $11) 27. Qxc7+ Kxc7 {
threatening with Na4+ with following capture on c3.} 28. Ka3 Rdg8 {The final
position is approximately equal. For instance:} (28... Rdg8 29. Rf1 Nd7 (29...
Rg4 30. Nd2) (29... Rg6 $11) 30. c4 bxc4 31. Bxc4 Bxe4 32. Bxg8 Rxg8 $13)
1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 6th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.06.26"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Mamedov, Rauf"]
[Black "Mazi, Leon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2511"]
[BlackElo "2365"]
[Annotator "Erenburg,S"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2005.06.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%mdl 72]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4
b5 {Quite a risky theoretical line. Other ones are:} (7... Nbd7 {0-1 Mazi,
L-Kurnosov,I/Warsaw 2005/CBM 108_01/[Erenburg] (29)}) ({and} 7... Qb6) 8. e5
dxe5 9. fxe5 Qc7 10. exf6 {The most principle reply. White allows Black to get
a pair of bishops, but big development advantage gives first player good
chances for an attack. Other attempts to fight for an advantage are:} (10. Nf3
{0-1 Reeh,O-Naumann,A/Heringsdorf 2000/CBM 080/[Tyomkin,D] (33)}) (10. Qe2 $5
Nfd7 11. O-O-O Bb7 (11... Qxe5 $2 12. Qxe5 Nxe5 13. Ndxb5 $18) 12. Qg4 Qxe5 $2
(12... Nxe5 13. Qh5 {[%cal Rd4e6]} (13. Qg3 {Tyomkin,D} Nbd7) 13... g6 14. Qh3
$44) (12... Nc6 13. Nxe6 fxe6 14. Qxe6+ Be7 15. Bxe7 Nxe7 16. Bxb5 $1 $18) 13.
Bd3 Be7 $2 (13... h6 14. Nxe6 $1) 14. Bxe7 Kxe7 15. Rhe1 $18 {1-0 Nataf,
I-Guidarelli,L/Vichy FRA 2000/The Week in Chess 303 (33)}) 10... Qe5+ 11. Be2
Qxg5 12. O-O ({Another possibility is} 12. Qd3 Qxf6 13. Rf1 Qe5 14. Rd1 Ra7 15.
Nf3 Qc7 16. Ng5 f5 17. Qd4 {1-0 Hellers,F-Polugaevsky,L/Haninge 1989/CBM 013/
[Wedberg] (26)}) 12... Ra7 $1 {Black covers the seventh rank.} (12... Qe5 13.
Kh1 $1 Ra7 14. Nf3 Qxf6 15. a4 b4 16. Ne4 Qd8 17. Qe1 Nc6 18. Rd1 Qc7 19. Nfg5
Be7 20. Rxf7 Qe5 21. Rxg7 Kf8 22. Rf7+ Kg8 23. Qf2 h6 24. Rf1 hxg5 25. Rf8+
Bxf8 26. Qxf8+ Kh7 27. Nf6+ Kg6 28. Bd3+ {1-0 Efimenko,Z-Miroshnichenko,E/
Alushta 2002/EXT 2003 (28)}) 13. Qd3 Rd7 {threatening with the capture on d4
with following Bc5.} 14. Ne4 Qe5 15. Nf3 {This continuation is more ambitios,
than the following one:} (15. c3 Bb7 16. Qg3 (16. Bf3 Bxe4 (16... Nc6 17. Rad1
Qc7 $6 (17... Nxd4 $5 18. cxd4 Qf4 $13) 18. Qe3 Ne5 19. fxg7 $16 {1-0 Baklan,
V-Puth,D/Bad Wiessee GER 2001/The Week in Chess (35)}) 17. Bxe4 gxf6 $13) 16...
Qxg3 17. Nxg3 Rg8 18. Bf3 gxf6 19. Bxb7 Rxb7 20. Ne4 Nd7 21. Rxf6 $4 (21. Nxf6+
Nxf6 22. Rxf6 Bg7 $15) 21... Rg4 {0-1 De Vreugt,D-Van Wely,L/Dieren 1999/CBM
71 ext (21)}) 15... Qc7 (15... Qxb2 16. Qe3 Bb7 {1-0 Leko,P-Ghaem Maghami,E/
Yerevan 2001/CBM 086/[Tyomkin,D] (27)}) ({After the queens exchange,} 15...
Rxd3 16. Nxe5 {White's chances are clearly better in the endgame:} Rd5 17. fxg7
Bxg7 18. Nxf7 O-O 19. Nfd6 $16) 16. Qe3 Bb7 {Black tried also:} (16... g6 17.
c4 b4 18. Kh1 (18. Bd1 $5 $32 {[%cal Gd1a4]}) 18... Bb7 19. Rad1 h5 20. Neg5
Bc5 21. Qe5 Bd6 22. Rxd6 Qxd6 23. Nxf7 Kxf7 24. Ng5+ Kf8 25. Nxe6+ Kf7 26. Ng5+
Kf8 {1/2-1/2 Novopashin,A-Polugaevsky,L/Vilnius 1960/EXT 2002 (26)}) (16... Qa7
17. Qxa7 Rxa7 18. a4 b4 19. Ne5 $36) 17. Bd3 $146 {White transfers the bishop
to a better position on the b1-h7 diagonal, as well as opens the "e" file for
the queenside rook. In the preceding game White prefered to attack Black's
pawns on the queenside:} (17. c4 Bxe4 18. Qxe4 gxf6 19. cxb5 Qb6+ 20. Kh1 axb5
21. a4 bxa4 22. Qxa4 Kd8 23. Qf4 $40 {1-0 Vasquez,R-Arancibia,E/Maipu 2003/CBM
097 ext (46)}) 17... Rd5 $2 {liberating the d7 square for the knight. But, in
my opinion, Black should not have suffered the White's pawn on f6...} ({
Worth consideration:} 17... Bxe4 $5 18. Qxe4 (18. fxg7 Bxg7 19. Bxe4 Bxb2 20.
Rab1 Bg7 21. a4 $13) 18... gxf6 19. a4 f5 20. Qh4 (20. Qe2 b4 $13) 20... Be7
21. Qh6 bxa4 22. Qg7 $13) 18. Kh1 {The king is located safer on h1, than on
the diagonal a7-g1.} Nd7 19. fxg7 Bxg7 20. Nfg5 $36 {White has an unpleasant
initiative with an equal material!} Rf8 {Other continuations are not better:} (
20... Bxb2 21. Rab1 Bd4 22. Qh3 $40 {[%cal Gg5f7,Yg5e6,Yf1f7]}) (20... Ne5 21.
Qf4 $1 {[%cal Ye4f6]} (21. Nxf7 Nxf7 22. Nf6+ Bxf6 23. Rxf6 Ng5 $19) (21. Qg3
Rd7 $15 {[%cal Ge5d3,Yh7h6]}) 21... Qe7 22. Qg3 $36) 21. Rae1 Qc6 {building
the battery along the a8-h1 diagonal.} 22. Qg3 $1 {threatening with the
capture on h7.} ({Worth consideration:} 22. Nxh7 $5 Rh8 23. Qf3 $16) 22... Be5
{White forced Black to occupy the e5 square with the bishop, which makes his
knight on d7 pretty passive.} 23. Qh4 f5 $2 {allows White to get an obvious
advantage.} ({Probably, better was} 23... Bxb2 24. Nxh7 Rg8 (24... Rh8 25.
Nhf6+ $18) 25. Rf3 $36 {[%cal Ye1f1]}) 24. Be2 $1 {transfering the bishop to
h5.} fxe4 25. Bh5+ Ke7 26. Rxf8 (26. Nxh7+ {is met by} Bf6) 26... Nxf8 (26...
Kxf8 {loses in view of} 27. Rf1+ Nf6 28. Nxh7+ $18 {[%cal Yh7f6]}) 27. Nxh7+
Kd6 28. Nxf8 $16 {Black's king location in the centre promises White a big
advantage.} Qxc2 $2 {leads to lost position.} ({More resistant was} 28... Bxb2
29. Bg4 (29. Qd8+ Kc5) (29. Rxe4 Rd1+ 30. Bxd1 Qxe4 31. Qd8+ Kc5 32. Qe7+ Kb6
33. Qxe6+ $11) 29... Bc3 30. Rf1 $16) (28... Kc7 29. Qxe4 $16) 29. Qd8+ Kc5 $2
{loses on the spot.} ({Last chance was} 29... Kc6 30. Be8+ Kc5 31. Nxe6+ Kc4
32. Qe7 (32. Qa5 Qxb2 33. Qb6 $16) 32... Rd1 33. Qc5+ Kd3 34. Qe3+ Kc4 35. Qb3+
Qxb3 36. axb3+ Kd5 37. Nc7+ Bxc7 38. Rxd1+ $18) 30. Nxe6+ Kc4 31. Qa5 Rd2 (
31... Qxb2 32. Be2+ $18) 32. Qb6 {winning the bishop.} Bd5 (32... Kb4 33. Qxb7
$18 Rxg2 34. Rxe4+ Ka5 35. b4+ Ka4 36. Qxa6#) 33. Qc5+ {mating.} (33. Qc5+ Kd3
34. Re3#) 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 6th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2005.06.21"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Mazi, Leon"]
[Black "Kurnosov, Igor"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2365"]
[BlackElo "2550"]
[Annotator "Erenburg,S"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2005.06.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%mdl 8]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4
Nbd7 {Black prevents White's e4-e5 advance. The greatest expert of this line
is Boris Gelfand. Other theoretical lines are:} (7... b5 8. e5 dxe5 9. fxe5 Qc7
{1-0 Mamedov,R-Mazi,L/Warsaw 2005/CBM 108_01/[Erenburg] (33)}) (7... Qb6) 8.
Qf3 {The idea of this move is to castle long, as well as to react e4-e5 on
Black's possible b7-b5. Other possibilities are:} (8. Bc4 Qb6 9. Qd2 Qxb2 10.
Rb1 Qa3 11. Bxe6 $5 fxe6 12. Nxe6 Kf7 13. f5 Qa5 14. O-O b5 15. a4 Bb7 16. axb5
Rc8 17. bxa6 Bxa6 18. Rf3 Be7 19. Rg3 Rhg8 20. Qe1 Bc4 $17 {0-1 Radjabov,
T-Gelfand,B/15th European Team Championship 2005 (31)}) (8. Qe2 Be7 9. O-O-O
Qc7 {0-1 Kristensen,B-Hansen,C/Taastrup 1998/CBM 065/[Tyomkin,D] (49)}) (8. Be2
{0-1 Ljubojevic,L-Gelfand,B/Linares 1991/CBM 022/[Boensch,U] (58)}) 8... h6 {
This is a rare theoretical line in comparison to} (8... Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. Bd3
Bb7 11. Rhe1 Qb6 12. Nd5 Qxd4 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Bxb5 Qc5 15. Nxf6+ Kd8 16. Nxd7
Qxb5 17. Nxf8 Rxf8 18. Qa3 Rc8 19. Qxd6+ Ke8 20. c3 Qc6 21. Qb4 a5 22. Qxa5 Ra8
23. Qg5 f6 24. Qd5 Qxc3+ 25. bxc3 exd5 $17 {0-1 Nakamura,H-Gelfand,B/Biel SUI
2005/The Week in Chess 560 (39)}) 9. Bh4 e5 {The idea of this move is to get a
central e5 square for the knight.} 10. Nde2 $6 $146 {Very strange decision.
White plays too passive, while he could occupy the f5 square. After such a
passive move it is very difficult to fight for an advantage... In the previous
games White tried} (10. Nf5 exf4 11. Bxf6 (11. O-O-O g5 12. Bf2 Ne5 13. Qe2 Qc7
$13) 11... Nxf6 12. O-O-O Qa5 13. Bc4 Be6 14. e5 O-O-O 15. exf6 Qxf5 16. Bxa6
d5 17. Bc4 Qxf6 18. Nxd5 $16 {1-0 Santo Roman,M-Colovic,A/Sautron 2004/EXT
2005 (51)}) (10. Bxf6 Nxf6 11. fxe5 dxe5 12. Nf5 Bxf5 13. Qxf5 Qa5 14. O-O-O
Bb4 15. Nd5 Nxd5 16. Rxd5 Qxa2 17. Qd7+ Kf8 18. c3 Be7 19. Qxb7 Qa1+ 20. Kc2
Re8 21. Qxa6 $16 {1-0 Nemeth,M-Vegh,E/Hungary 2002/EXT 2004 (33)}) 10... exf4 {
Black forces exchange of the dark-squared bishop.} 11. Bxf6 {Otherwise, White
will be a pawn down:} (11. O-O-O g5 12. Be1 Ne5 $17) (11. Nd5 g5 12. Bf2 Nxd5
13. exd5 Qa5+ $17 {[%cal Yd7e5]}) 11... Nxf6 12. Nxf4 Bg4 ({In case of} 12...
Qb6 13. O-O-O Bg4 {White can react} 14. Nfd5 $1 Bxf3 15. Nxb6 Bxd1 16. Nxa8 Bg4
$11) 13. Qe3 {covering the g1-a7 diagonal.} Rc8 ({Worth consideration:} 13...
g5 14. Nfd5 Bg7 $13) 14. h3 ({In my opinion, better was} 14. Be2 Bxe2 $6 (14...
Be7 $5 $13) (14... Bd7 $5 $13) 15. Qxe2 $14 {[%csl Gd5][%cal Yc3d5,Yf4d5]})
14... Bd7 15. O-O-O {I think, that the option of a short castle was a bit
preferable for White. The side, who has a pair of bishops, usually is better
in a struggle on two flanks.} (15. Be2 Be7 16. O-O O-O $11 17. Rad1 $141 $2 d5
$15) 15... Be7 16. Kb1 {moving away the king from diagonal h6-c1.} O-O 17. g3 {
preparing to develop light-squared bishop on a long diagonal.} (17. Nfd5 Re8
18. Bd3 $11) 17... Re8 18. Bg2 Bf8 19. Rhf1 ({Worth consideration:} 19. Ncd5
Ba4 (19... Nxe4 20. Bxe4 f5 21. Qb3 $18) (19... Nxd5 $11) 20. Rd2 Nxe4 21. Bxe4
f5 22. Nb6 Rxe4 23. Qf2 Rc6 24. Nfd5 $13) 19... Re5 $1 {transfering the rook
to queenside via 5-th rank.} 20. Rd2 (20. Nd3 {isn't better, than the move in
the game:} Ra5 (20... Rxc3 $5 21. bxc3 Rb5+ 22. Ka1 Be6 $44) 21. e5 dxe5 22.
Nxe5 Qe8 23. Rfe1 Be6 $15) 20... Qa5 21. Rdf2 $2 {missing Black's tactical
resources... Better was to occupy the d5 square:} (21. Nfd5 Nxd5 22. Nxd5 Be6
23. Rfd1 $11) {[%tqu "En","Please find the best move for black.","","","d6d5",
"",10]} 21... d5 $1 {[%cal Gf8c5][%mdl 64]} 22. Nd3 $2 (22. Nfxd5 Nxd5 23. Nxd5
Qxd5 $19) ({The least of the evils was} 22. Qd4 $1 dxe4 23. Nxe4 Nxe4 24. Bxe4
Bf5 $15) {[%tqu "En","Please enter the strongest move for black.","","","c8c3",
"",10]} 22... Rxc3 $1 $19 {[%mdl 640]} 23. bxc3 {[%tqu "En","Black sacrifeced
the exchange. How would you develop initiative?","","","f8a3","",10]} Ba3 $1 {
[%mdl 128]} 24. Qd4 (24. Rxf6 dxe4 25. Bxe4 Rb5+ 26. Nb4 gxf6 $19) (24. Qf4 {
doesn't help too much:} Re6 $1 {[%cal Ge6b6]} 25. Nb4 Bxb4 26. cxb4 Qxb4+ $19)
24... Nxe4 {adding the knight to an attack.} 25. Ka1 $2 ({More resistant was} 
25. Qxe5 Nxc3+ 26. Qxc3 (26. Ka1 Bd6 $19) 26... Qxc3 27. Bxd5 Be6 $17 {/-+})
25... Nxc3 $1 $19 {[%cal Ga3c5] Now White cannot avoid big material loses...}
26. Rxf7 (26. Nxe5 Bb4 (26... Bc5 $2 27. Bxd5 Bxd4 28. Bxf7+ Kh8 29. Ng6+ Kh7
30. Nf8+ $11) 27. Bxd5 Nxd5 28. Qc4 Bc3+ (28... Be6 $19) 29. Kb1 Bxe5 30. Rxf7
Qb6+ 31. Qb3 Nc3+ 32. Kc1 Qe3+ $19) 26... Bc5 27. Rxg7+ (27. Bxd5 {loses as
well:} Bxd4 28. Rf8+ Kh7 29. Bg8+ Kg6 30. Bf7+ Kg5 31. h4+ Kg4 $19) 27... Kh8
$1 ({Of course not} 27... Kxg7 $4 28. Qxe5+ $18) 28. Rg8+ Kxg8 29. Bxd5+ Rxd5 {
Great game by Igor!} (29... Rxd5 30. Qc4 Bd4 $19 {[%csl Yd4][%cal Gc3e4,Ge4d2,
Yd4a1]}) 0-1

[Event "USA-CHN Summit"]
[Site "Seattle"]
[Date "2001.03.16"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Shabalov, Alexander"]
[Black "Zhang, Zhong"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2609"]
[BlackElo "2607"]
[Annotator "Ernst,T"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2001.03.14"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 082"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.05.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.05.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "US of America"]
[BlackTeam "China"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "USA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "CHN"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qc7 8. Qf3
Nc6 9. O-O-O Bd7 10. f5 $6 (10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. Bc4 Be7 (11... d5 12. Bxf6 gxf6
13. exd5 cxd5 14. Bxd5 exd5 15. Nxd5 $16) 12. Rd3 O-O (12... d5 13. exd5 cxd5
14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Bxd5 exd5 16. Nxd5 Qb8 17. Nxf6+ gxf6 18. Re1+ Be6 19. Rb3
Qc8 20. f5 $18) 13. Rhd1 d5 14. Bxf6 (14. e5 dxc4 15. Bxf6 $1 {Stahlberg} cxd3
16. Qg4 Bxf6 17. exf6 g6 18. Qg5 Kh8 19. Rxd3 e5 20. Ne4 Rg8 21. g4 Qb6 $19 22.
Rxd7) 14... Bxf6 15. exd5 cxd5 16. Bxd5 exd5 17. Nxd5 Bxb2+ 18. Kxb2 Qd6 19.
Ne7+ Qxe7 20. Rxd7 Qb4+ 21. Kc1 Rfb8 22. a3 Qb2+ 23. Kd2 $14) 10... Be7 11. Qh3
Nxd4 12. Rxd4 b5 13. Be2 Rc8 $11 14. a3 Nxe4 $1 $17 15. Rxe4 Bxg5+ 16. Kb1 O-O
17. Rg4 Bf6 18. Bd3 exf5 19. Nd5 Qd8 20. Rf1 g6 21. Bxf5 Bxf5 22. Rxf5 Bg7 23.
Rf1 f5 24. Rb4 Re8 25. g4 $5 fxg4 26. Qxg4 Re5 27. Re4 Kh8 28. Rxe5 dxe5 29.
Rf7 Qe8 30. Ra7 (30. Nc7 $1 Qxf7 31. Qxc8+ Qf8 (31... Qg8) 32. Qxf8+ Bxf8 33.
Nxa6 e4 34. Nc7 Bd6 35. Nxb5 Bxh2 36. Nc3 e3 $13) 30... Qf8 31. Rxa6 Rd8 32.
Qg2 Qc5 33. Nb4 Kg8 34. Ra8 Rxa8 35. Qxa8+ Bf8 36. Nd3 (36. Qd5+ Kg7 $15) 36...
Qg1+ 37. Ka2 Qd4 38. Qc6 Bd6 39. Qxb5 e4 40. Nc1 Bxh2 $17 41. Ne2 Qe5 42. Qd7
Qf5 43. Qd8+ Kg7 44. a4 h5 45. a5 Be5 46. Qa8 Qf7+ 47. b3 Qf1 $1 $19 48. Qa7+
Kg8 49. Nd4 Qd1 50. c3 Qd2+ 51. Ka3 Qxc3 52. Nb5 Qc1+ 53. Ka4 e3 54. Qa8+ Kh7
55. Qe4 Qa1+ 56. Kb4 (56. Kb4 Qe1+ 57. Ka4 e2 58. Qxe5 Qh4+ 59. b4 e1=Q $19)
56... Qe1+ 0-1

[Event "Capablanca Memorial-A"]
[Site "Matanzas"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Becerra Rivero, Julio"]
[Black "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2480"]
[BlackElo "2570"]
[Annotator "Ernst,T"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "CUB"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 043"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.12.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.12.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qf3
Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. Bd3 Bb7 11. Rhe1 O-O-O 12. a3 Be7 13. Bh4 (13. Qf1 Qb6 14.
Nf3 Rhe8 15. h3 Nc5 16. f5 exf5 17. exf5 d5 $10 {Georgadze,T-Schneider/Lvov/
1986/}) (13. Qe2 $1 h6 14. Bh4 Nc5 15. Bf2 d5 16. e5 Nfe4 17. Bxe4 dxe4 18. Kb1
Na4 19. Nxa4 bxa4 {Adams-Gelfand/Wijk m(1)/1994/} 20. c3 $14) 13... Kb8 14. Bf2
Nc5 15. Kb1 d5 16. e5 Nfe4 17. Bxe4 Nxe4 18. Nxe4 dxe4 19. Qe3 Bd5 20. Ne2 b4
21. axb4 Bxb4 22. c3 Be7 23. Qb6+ Qb7 24. Ng3 h5 25. Kc1 e3 26. Bxe3 h4 27. Ne2
Bxg2 28. Rxd8+ Rxd8 29. Qxb7+ Kxb7 30. Rd1 Rxd1+ 31. Kxd1 $15 Kc6 32. c4 f6 33.
Nd4+ Kd7 34. exf6 Bxf6 35. c5 e5 36. fxe5 Bxe5 37. Bg1 g5 38. b4 g4 39. b5 Bxd4
(39... axb5 40. Nxb5 g3 41. hxg3 Bxg3 $17) 40. Bxd4 axb5 41. Bf2 g3 42. hxg3 h3
43. Bg1 Ke6 44. Kd2 Bc6 45. Ke3 Kf5 (45... Kd5 46. Kd3 b4 $17) 46. Bh2 Bd7 47.
Kd4 Kf6 48. Bg1 Kg5 49. Ke4 Bc6+ 50. Ke3 Kf5 51. Bh2 Ke5 52. g4+ Kd5 53. Bd6
Bd7 54. g5 Ke6 55. Kf3 Kf5 56. Be7 b4 57. Kg3 b3 58. Bf6 Kg6 59. c6 Bxc6
1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-34"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2000.11.12"]
[Round "14.3"]
[White "Hector, Jonny"]
[Black "Kulaots, Kaido"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2509"]
[BlackElo "2491"]
[Annotator "Ernst,T"]
[PlyCount "136"]
[EventDate "2000.10.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2001"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.11.22"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.11.22"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Sweden"]
[BlackTeam "Estonia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "SWE"]
[BlackTeamCountry "EST"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qc7 8. Qf3
b5 9. f5 Nc6 10. Nxc6 Qxc6 11. Bxf6 gxf6 12. Bd3 Ra7 $1 13. O-O-O b4 14. Ne2 e5
{Similar positions often arise in the Richter-Rauser attack, where white's
usual plan is Ng3, but this seems to be too slow here.} 15. Kb1 a5 16. Nc1 Bh6
17. Qe2 Ke7 18. Bb5 Qb6 19. Ba4 Ba6 $15 20. Qh5 Bxc1 21. Bb3 Rf8 22. Rxc1 a4
23. Bd5 a3 $40 24. Rcd1 axb2 25. Rhe1 Qc5 26. Qf3 Bc4 27. Bxc4 Qxc4 28. Qb3 Qc6
29. Qd5 Qc7 30. Re2 Ra5 31. Qb3 Rfa8 32. Rd3 Ra3 33. Qxb2 Qa7 34. Rxa3 bxa3 35.
Qc3 Qb6+ 36. Kc1 Ra4 37. Re3 Qb7 38. Qb3 Qxb3 39. Rxb3 (39. cxb3 Rd4 $36) 39...
Rxe4 40. Rxa3 Re2 $17 41. Ra7+ Kf8 42. Rd7 Rxg2 43. Rxd6 Rxh2 44. Kb2 (44. Rxf6
Rf2 45. a4 Kg7 $17) 44... Ke7 45. Rd1 Rf2 46. a4 Rxf5 47. a5 Rg5 48. a6 Rg8 49.
Kb3 f5 50. Kb4 f4 51. a7 Ke6 52. Kc5 f3 53. Rf1 e4 54. Kd4 Kf5 55. Ke3 Ra8 56.
Ra1 Kg4 57. c4 (57. Kxe4 f2 58. Ke3 Kg3) 57... Kg3 58. Rg1+ Kh2 59. Ra1 Kg2 60.
c5 f5 $19 61. Ra2+ Kg3 62. c6 f4+ 63. Kxe4 f2 64. Ra1 Rxa7 65. Rxa7 f1=Q 66.
Rg7+ Kf2 67. Kxf4 Qc1+ 68. Kf5 Qxc6 0-1

[Event "Cannes team g/60"]
[Site "Cannes"]
[Date "1992.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Van der Wiel, John"]
[Black "Renet, Olivier"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2540"]
[BlackElo "2495"]
[Annotator "Ernst,T"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "1992.02.??"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 028"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1992.06.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1992.06.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qc7 8. Qf3
Nbd7 9. O-O-O b5 10. Bxb5 axb5 11. Ndxb5 Qb8 12. e5 Bb7 13. Qe2 dxe5 14. Qc4
Be7 15. Nc7+ Kf8 16. Rxd7 Nxd7 17. Bxe7+ $5 {Eine sehr interessante Neuerung
in dieser Wild-West-Variante!} (17. Rd1 Bxg5 18. fxg5 Bc8 19. N3b5 g6 $13 {
Kengis - Dvojris, URS 1982.}) 17... Kxe7 18. Rd1 Bd5 19. N3xd5+ exd5 20. Nxd5+
Kd8 (20... Kf8 21. Nc7 $36) 21. Nb4 Qc7 22. Qxf7 Ra5 23. Nd5 Rxd5 24. Rxd5 Re8
25. Qxg7 exf4 26. Qf6+ Kc8 27. Qa6+ Kd8 28. Qf6+ Kc8 29. Qg7 Kd8 30. Qxh7
1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-39"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2010.09.29"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Berg, Emanuel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2749"]
[BlackElo "2616"]
[Annotator "Estremera,S"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2010.09.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Spain"]
[BlackTeam "Sweden"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ESP"]
[BlackTeamCountry "SWE"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qe2
{Una antigua idea recuperada últimamente con muy buenos resultados} Qc7 ({
En la quinta ronda de la Olimpiada el GM Daniel Alsina se enfrentó con éxito a
} 8... Be7 9. O-O-O h6 10. Bh4 O-O 11. g3 Qc7 12. Bg2 Nb6 13. g4 Nxe4 14. Nxe4
Bxh4 15. g5 d5 16. Qg4 f5 17. Nf6+ Rxf6 18. Qxh4 Rg6 19. Kb1 hxg5 20. Qh5 Qf7
21. Nf3 Rf6 22. Qxg5 Nc4 23. Bf1 Nd6 24. Ne5 Qf8 25. Rg1 Ne4 26. Qh4 b5 27. Rd3
Qb4 28. c3 Qa4 29. Be2 Nc5 {1-0 Alsina Leal,D (2523)-Urkedal,F (2430)
Khanty-Mansiysk 2010}) 9. O-O-O b5 10. a3 {Posición crítica de este sistema:}
Bb7 ({Contra la más directa} 10... Rb8 {en el torneo interzonal de Petrópolis
David Bronstein empleó el sacrificio temático} 11. Nd5 $1 exd5 12. exd5+ Be7
13. Nc6 Nb6 14. Bxf6 gxf6 {y consiguió una posición muy prometedora para las
blancas en Bronstein,D-Gheorghiu,F Petropolis (izt) 1973 1-0 en 36 jugadas}) ({
ya en 2010 Loek van Wely probó} 10... Be7 11. g4 Rb8 12. Bg2 b4 13. axb4 Rxb4
14. e5 dxe5 15. Nc6 {!de nuevo la casilla c6!} Bb7 16. Nxb4 Bxb4 17. fxe5 Bxc3
18. exf6 gxf6 19. bxc3 fxg5 20. Bxb7 Qxb7 21. h4 Qc7 22. hxg5 Qxc3 23. Qxa6 Nc5
24. Qa8+ Ke7 25. Qa7+ Kf8 26. Rhf1 {y 1-0 en Ivanchuk,V (2749)-Van Wely,L 
(2641) Wijk aan Zee 2010}) 11. g4 Be7 12. Bh4 $1 {amenazando g5.} Nb6 ({
Las siguientes partidas dan una idea de los peligros que acechan a las negras} 
12... h6 13. Kb1 Rb8 14. Rg1 Ba8 15. Bg2 b4 16. axb4 Rxb4 17. Qxa6 Qb8 18. Ndb5
g5 19. e5 Bxg2 20. Rxg2 gxh4 21. exf6 Nxf6 22. g5 hxg5 23. fxg5 Ng4 24. g6 Bf6
25. Qa3 Rf4 26. Nxd6+ Kf8 27. Nxf7+ Kg8 28. Nxh8 Ne3 29. g7 Rb4 30. Qa2 Nc4 31.
b3 Bxc3 32. Nf7 {1-0 Sutovsky,E (2651)-Efimenko,Z (2680) Kallithea 2008}) (
12... Nc5 13. Bg2 O-O 14. g5 Nfd7 15. Kb1 Nb6 16. f5 e5 17. Nb3 Nca4 18. Nxa4
bxa4 19. Na5 Rfc8 20. f6 Bf8 21. fxg7 Bxg7 22. Bh3 Rcb8 23. Be1 d5 24. Bb4 d4
25. Bf5 Bc8 26. Rhf1 Bxf5 27. Rxf5 Rd8 28. Rd3 Nc4 29. Rh3 Ne3 30. Qh5 h6 31.
Rf2 Bf8 32. Bxf8 Rd7 {1-0 Ponomariov,R (2719)-Fercec,N (2481) Kallithea 2008})
13. g5 Nfd7 14. f5 e5 15. Nf3 $1 {Novedad de Shirov} ({en la única partida que
figura esta posición se había jugado} 15. Nb3) 15... Nc4 16. Bh3 $1 f6 ({a} 
16... O-O-O {seguiría} 17. f6 gxf6 18. gxf6 Bf8 {y la posibilidad del salto}
19. Ng5 {es una diferencia vital con respecto a 15.Nb3} Bh6 20. Rhg1) ({
y no es posible} 16... Nxa3 $2 17. f6 gxf6 18. Bxd7+ Kxd7 19. gxf6 Bd8 20.
Nxe5+ {y el el caballo de f3 decide la partida}) 17. gxf6 gxf6 (17... Bxf6 18.
Ng5 {no es deseable para las negras}) 18. Nd5 $6 ({La opción son las
complicaciones que empiezan con} 18. Rhg1 $1 Nxa3 19. Rg7 {que parece
favorecer a las blancas. Por ejemplo:} Nc4 (19... b4 20. Nd5 Bxd5 21. Rxd5 Nc4
22. Nd2 $1) 20. Nd2 $3 {otra vez este caballo es la clave, las blancas
amenazan irrumpir con la Q en el flanco de rey,}) 18... Bxd5 19. Rxd5 Ndb6 20.
Rd3 b4 $1 ({la alternativa sólida es} 20... O-O-O) 21. a4 $2 (21. axb4 a5 22.
b5 a4 {ofrece contrajuego a las negras. pero los peligros de la continuación
de Shirov no van a ser ni mucho menos menores}) 21... Nxb2 $1 22. Kxb2 Nxa4+
23. Kc1 Nc3 {La iniciativa está ahora en manos del GM sueco} 24. Qe3 Rc8 25.
Kd2 d5 $2 ({Después de} 25... Qa5 $1 {la posición blanca es crítica}) 26. exd5
$1 e4 27. Bxf6 $1 {Shirov no deja pasar la oportunidad de incendiar el tablero,
la situación es muy confusa} Bxf6 28. d6 Qd7 $2 {A pesar de ser también un
conocido pirómano Berg no logra esta vez estar a la altura} ({Con} 28... Qc6 $1
29. d7+ Kf7 30. dxc8=Q Rxc8 {las negras coordinan sus fuerzas, recuperan
material y mantienen el rey en relativa seguridad}) 29. Ne5 $1 {A partir de
este momento Alexei ya no perdona} Bxe5 30. f6 Nb1+ 31. Ke1 Qc6 32. d7+ Kf7 33.
dxc8=Q Rxc8 34. Rd7+ Ke8 35. Re7+ Kd8 36. Rxe5 {y las negras abandonan, una
partida espectacular.} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 81st"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2019.01.18"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[Annotator "Fernandez,D"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[EventDate "2019.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 (6... Nbd7 7. Qe2
h6 8. Bh4 g6 9. f4 e5 10. fxe5 dxe5 11. O-O-O {is the main line worth bearing
in mind when you view the next 4-5 moves of the game.}) 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qe2 h6 9.
Bh4 e5 10. fxe5 dxe5 11. Nf5 (11. O-O-O {doesn't work as well here as in the
analogous lines with ...g6.} exd4 12. e5 Be7 13. Rxd4 (13. exf6 Nxf6 14. Bxf6
gxf6 15. g3 Be6 $132) 13... O-O 14. exf6 Bxf6 15. Bxf6 Qxf6 $11) 11... Nb6 {
A sign that Black is well-prepared even in this sideline.} (11... g6 12. Ne3
Be7 13. O-O-O b5 {looks more natural but leaves Black worse, e.g.} 14. Bxf6
Bxf6 15. g3 $14) 12. Qf3 (12. Qd3 Bxf5 13. exf5 Qxd3 14. Bxd3 Bb4 15. O-O Bxc3
16. bxc3 O-O-O 17. Rab1 Rd6 18. Rfe1 $11 {Lomasov,S-Sarana,A Loo 2018}) 12...
Bxf5 13. Qxf5 Be7 14. Bd3 Nfd7 15. Bxe7 (15. O-O Bc5+ 16. Bf2 Qe7 $11) 15...
Qxe7 16. O-O-O O-O 17. Kb1 Nc5 18. Be2 Rad8 19. Qf2 $1 {White has acheived
nothing from the opening; that much is clear. What remains for him to do is to
play suitably circumspect moves so that he doesn't end up worse.} Qc7 20. Qe3
Qc6 21. Rhe1 Rfe8 22. a3 Kf8 {I suppose this move indicates a willingness to
repeat the position by artificial methods if necessary, and the arbiters were
disinclined to stand in the way of the draw anyway. That all being said, could
not Black have played on at the end?} (22... Rxd1+ 23. Rxd1 Ne6 {makes sense,
with either ...Qc5 or ...Nd4 in the pipeline, when it is hard to see what
White can constructively do. Though, of course, the position is still level.}
24. Nd5 Nd4 25. c3 Nxe2 26. Qxe2 Nc4 $11) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus-B"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2003.01.14"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"]
[Black "Zhang, Zhong"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2456"]
[BlackElo "2624"]
[Annotator "Finkel,A"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2003.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "13"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 093"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.04.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.04.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 (6... Nc6 7. f4
Qb6 8. Nb3 e6 9. Qf3 Qc7 10. O-O-O (10. Bd3 b5 11. O-O-O Bd7 12. Kb1 Be7 13.
Rhe1 b4 14. Nd5 $5 $36 {Tong Yuanming-Zhang Zhong/Beijing 1997}) 10... Be7 (
10... b5 11. g4 Bb7 12. Bg2 Rc8 13. Qe2 Be7 14. Rhe1 O-O 15. h4 Na5 16. e5 $16
{Navarro,P-Santos,J/Olival Basto 2001}) 11. g4 h6 12. Bh4 g5 13. Bg3 gxf4 14.
Bxf4 e5 15. g5 Bg4 16. Qf2 exf4 17. gxf6 Bxf6 18. Nd5 $16 {Woda,J-Mainka,R/
Aabybro 1989}) 7. f4 Qc7 8. Qf3 {Young russian star is famous for her
agressive style, but it seems that Chinease grandmaster was well prepared for
the game and managed to get very comfortable position from the opening.} Nc6 (
8... Nbd7) 9. Nb3 b5 (9... Be7 10. O-O-O h6 $6 11. Bh4 O-O 12. g4 Bd7 13. g5
Ne8 14. Rg1 Qd8 15. Kb1 Rc8 16. Bf2 $16 {Kosteniuk,A-Laguna,F/InterAjedrez
Directo 2002}) (9... Bd7 10. Bd3 Na5 11. f5 Be7 12. fxe6 Bxe6 13. O-O Nc6 14.
Kh1 O-O 15. Qg3 $14 {Schmitz,T-Sicherl,P/Germany 1992}) 10. Bd3 Bb7 11. Qh3 {
Another idea is to castle queenside.} (11. O-O-O Be7 12. Rhe1 b4 13. Ne2 O-O
14. Kb1 e5 15. Ng3 $14 {[%cal Gg3f5] Simek,P-Stefan,O/Frymburk 2000}) (11. a4
b4 12. Ne2 Be7 13. O-O h6 14. Bh4 g5 $1 15. Bf2 gxf4 16. Nxf4 Ne5 17. Qe2 Rg8
$132 {Ranniku,M-Tsiganova,M/Tallinn 2002}) 11... Be7 12. O-O (12. a3 b4 13.
axb4 Nxb4 14. O-O Nxd3 15. Qxd3 O-O $13) 12... Nb4 13. Rae1 Nxd3 14. cxd3 b4
15. Nd1 {Deserved attention retreat of the knight to e2:} (15. Ne2 $5 O-O 16.
Ned4 a5 17. Kh1 a4 18. Nd2 h6 19. Bh4 Qc5 20. N2f3 Qh5 21. Qg3 $14) 15... a5
16. Nf2 h6 17. Rc1 ({Nothing promised} 17. e5 dxe5 18. fxe5 Nd5 19. Bxe7 Nxe7
20. Ne4 Bxe4 21. Rxe4 O-O $13 {and black is doing fine.}) 17... Qd8 18. e5 dxe5
19. fxe5 Nh7 $5 {More natural was to come to d5, but black doesn't want to
close the bishop.} (19... Nd5 20. Bxe7 Nxe7 21. Nc5 Bd5 $132) 20. Bxe7 Qxe7 21.
Nc5 Bd5 22. Ng4 O-O 23. Rf2 $6 (23. d4) 23... Rad8 24. b3 $2 {Simple
blundering a pawn in the equal position!} (24. d4) 24... Qg5 $1 $17 {[%csl Rc1,
Re5]} 25. Rcf1 h5 26. Rf4 $2 {Miscalculation leading to the loss of the knight.
} (26. Ne3 Qxe5 27. Nxd5 Rxd5 28. Ne4 f5 29. Nd2 Nf6 30. Nf3 Qe3 $17) 26...
hxg4 27. Rxg4 Qxe5 $19 28. Rh4 Qg5 $1 {Just as simple as that! The game is
over since white can't take on h7.} 29. Rg4 (29. Rxh7 Qxg2+ 30. Qxg2 Bxg2 31.
Kxg2 Kxh7 $19) 29... Bxg2 $1 30. Qxg2 Qxc5+ 31. d4 Rxd4 32. Rxg7+ Kh8 0-1

[Event "Amsterdam Euwe Memorial"]
[Site "Amsterdam"]
[Date "1991.??.??"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Van der Wiel, John"]
[Black "Kasparov, Garry"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2530"]
[BlackElo "2800"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "1991.05.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "16"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 023"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1991.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1991.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qc7 8. Qf3
Nbd7 9. O-O-O b5 10. e5 Bb7 11. Qh3 dxe5 12. Nxe6 fxe6 13. Qxe6+ Be7 14. Bxf6 (
14. Nxb5 axb5 15. Bxb5 O-O-O $1) (14. Bxb5 axb5 15. Nxb5 Qc6 16. Nd6+ Kd8 17.
fxe5 Kc7) 14... gxf6 15. Be2 (15. Bxb5 axb5 16. Nxb5 Qc6 17. Nd6+ Qxd6 18. Rxd6
Nc5 19. Qf5 Be4 20. Qh5+ Bg6 $13 {Cejtlin-Gutman/URS/1971/}) 15... h5 16. Nd5 (
16. Nxb5 axb5 17. Bxb5 O-O-O 18. Qxe7 Nc5 19. Qxf6 Be4 20. Bc4 $13 {
Westerinen-Jacobsen/Raach/1969/}) (16. fxe5 Nf8 17. Qb3 Rd8 18. exf6 Qf4+ 19.
Kb1 Rxd1+ 20. Rxd1 Qxf6 21. Nxb5 axb5 22. Rf1 Qe5 23. Bxb5+ Kd8 $19 {
Kuyindzhi-Tseitlin,M/URS/1971/}) (16. Bd3 Nf8 17. Qh3 exf4 18. Rhe1 Rd8 19. a4
b4 20. Ne4 Kf7 $17 {Tringov-Polugajevsky/Skopje/1971/}) 16... Bxd5 17. Rxd5 Nc5
(17... Nb6 18. Bxh5+ (18. Bd3 Kf8 19. Bg6 Kg7 20. Qf7+ Kh6 $15 {
Georgadze-Gutman/URS/1972/}) 18... Rxh5 19. Qg8+ $10) 18. Qf5 Qc6 19. Qg6+ Kf8
20. Rhd1 (20. Rxe5 Qe8 21. Qf5 Qc8 22. Qg6 Qe8 {Schulman-Parma/Lugano ol/1968/}
) 20... Qe8 (20... Ne6 21. Bxh5 (21. Rd6 Nxf4 $1) 21... Rxh5 22. Qxh5 Nxf4 23.
Qh8+ Kf7 24. Qh7+ Ke6 25. R5d2 $40) 21. Qf5 Qc8 (21... exf4 $2 22. Rxc5 Bxc5
23. Qxf6+ Kg8 24. Qg5+ $1 Kf8 25. Qxc5+ $18) 22. Qg6 Qe6 23. Bxh5 Qg8 (23...
Rxh5 24. Qxh5 exf4 25. Rxc5 Qe3+ 26. Kb1 Bxc5 27. Qh8+ Kf7 28. Qxa8 $18) 24.
Rd8+ (24. Qf5 Qe6 (24... Qh7 25. Bg6 Qh6 26. Rxc5 $1 Qxf4+ 27. Qxf4 exf4 28.
Rc7 $16)) 24... Rxd8 {Ftacnik,L} (24... Rxd8 25. Rxd8+ Bxd8 26. Qe8+ Kg7 27.
Qg6+ $10) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Biel GM"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2006.07.24"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Volokitin, Andrei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2728"]
[BlackElo "2662"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2006.07.24"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 114"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qf3
Qc7 9. g4 b5 10. Bxf6 Nxf6 11. g5 Nd7 12. O-O-O b4 {It seems to be
unbelievable, that this position has never occured in documented tournament
praxis.} (12... Bb7 13. f5 e5 14. Nb3 b4 15. Nd5 Bxd5 16. exd5 Qb6 17. g6 f6
18. Qe4 Be7 19. Bd3 h6 20. Rhe1 O-O 21. Re3 Rfc8 {0-1 Maertin,H-Hellwig,M/
Mecklenburg VP 1999/ (59)}) (12... Nc5 13. Bd3 b4 14. Nd5 exd5 15. exd5 Nxd3+
16. Rxd3 Be7 17. h4 Bb7 18. Nf5 O-O-O 19. Re1 Bf8 20. a3 Kb8 21. axb4 {1-0
Novotny,J (2055)-Boleslav,P (1925)/Klatovy 2001/ (30)}) 13. Nd5 $5 (13. Nce2
Bb7 14. Ng3 Be7 $11) 13... exd5 14. exd5 {With this brave move Radjabov has
declared war on his seriously underdeveloped opponent.} Bb7 (14... Be7 15. Re1
Nb8 16. f5 Nd7 17. f6 Ne5 18. Qf4) (14... Nb8 $6 15. Bd3 Ra7 16. Rhe1+ Be7 17.
f5 $14) 15. Qe4+ (15. Re1+ Kd8 16. Bh3 Qc5 17. Nc6+ Kc7 $17) 15... Be7 {
The development of the bishop is highly desirable, even though the square e7
is on the only open file on the board. A serious alternative was offered by
the king retreat, since it was much more forcing on White's play.} (15... Kd8
$5 16. Nc6+ Bxc6 17. dxc6 Nb6 (17... Nc5 18. Qd5 $44) 18. Re1 (18. Bc4 Nxc4 (
18... Rc8 19. Bxa6 Qxc6 20. Qe2 Ra8 $17) 19. Rhe1 Be7 20. Qxc4 $36) 18... Be7
19. Bg2 d5 20. Qd4 Qxc6 21. Qxg7 Rf8 22. Qxh7 Qc4 23. Kb1 Qxf4 24. h4 $15) 16.
Nf5 Nc5 17. Nxg7+ $1 {Radjabov has managed to properly grasp the problems and
he chose the most unpleasant from many attractive continuations.} (17. Qd4
O-O-O 18. Qxg7 Rde8 19. Qxf7 Bd8 20. Qh5 Kb8 $17) (17. Qxb4 O-O-O (17... Bc8
18. Nxe7 Kxe7 19. Qc3 Kf8 20. b4 Ne6 21. Qe3 Nd8 22. Re1 g6 23. Qd4 $13) 18.
Bh3 Kb8 19. Rhe1 Bf8 20. Re3 g6 21. Nd4 Ka8 $15) 17... Kf8 18. Qd4 Rg8 19. Nf5
b3 $1 {Attack is the best form of defence! Volokitin exploits the moment to
bring some misery into the life of White's king.} (19... Rc8 20. Qxb4 Rg6 21.
h4 $14) 20. Bc4 bxc2 (20... bxa2 21. Bxa2 Re8 22. Rhe1 $14) 21. Rde1 Re8 22.
Re2 (22. Kxc2 Bc8 23. Nh6 Na4 24. b3 (24. Nxg8 Bf5+ 25. Kc1 Kxg8) (24. Re4 Rg7
25. Rhe1 Qb6) 24... Nb6 25. f5 Nxc4 26. bxc4 Qa5 27. f6 Qxa2+ 28. Kd3 Qa3+ 29.
Kd2 (29. Qc3 Qxc3+ 30. Kxc3 Bxf6+ 31. gxf6 Rg6 $17) 29... Qb4+ $11) (22. h4 $5
Bc8 23. Nh6 Qb6 24. Kxc2 Rg7 25. b3 $13) 22... Bc8 23. Nh6 Qb6 $1 24. Qc3 $2 {
Black's counterchances can not be underestimated, but Radjabov is not chosing
the best defense by a great margin.} (24. Kxc2 Rg7 (24... Na4 25. Qxb6 Nxb6 26.
Nxg8 Kxg8 27. Rhe1 $16) 25. b3 (25. Rhe1 Na4 26. Qf6 Be6 (26... Qc7 27. Kb1
Nxb2) 27. Rxe6 Qf2+ 28. R1e2 Qxe2+ 29. Rxe2 Bxf6 30. Rxe8+ Kxe8 31. Bxa6 Kf8
$15) 25... Bd7 26. Rhe1 $14) 24... Na4 25. Qxc2 Rxg5 $3 {[%mdl 256] Excellent
counterblow! The rook was locked behind the white pieces, but now the black
forces will spring to life with miraculous speed.} 26. fxg5 (26. Qxa4 Rg6 $19)
(26. Rxe7 $2 Rg1+ $19) 26... Bxg5+ 27. Kb1 Rxe2 28. Bxe2 Bd7 $1 29. Bg4 {
White has the exchange, but he is unable to save the life of the knight which
has strayed on to h6.} (29. Ng4 $2 Bf5 $19) (29. Rf1 Bxh6 30. Bh5 Be8 31. Bxf7
Bxf7 32. Qxa4 Qb5 $17) 29... Bb5 30. b3 Bxh6 (30... Qd4 31. Nf5 (31. Qc8+ Be8
32. bxa4 Qe4+ $19) 31... Nc3+ 32. Kb2 Qxg4 $19) 31. Bf5 Bg7 32. Qc8+ Ke7 $6 {
Volokitin must have been spending loads of time in a complicated position and
he begins to suffer due to lack of time.} (32... Be8 33. Re1 (33. Bd7 Nc3+ 34.
Kc1 (34. Ka1 Nb5+ 35. Kb1 Na3+ 36. Kc1 Qe3+ $19) 34... Qe3+ $19) 33... Nc3+ 34.
Kc1 Bh6+ 35. Kb2 Qf2+ 36. Kxc3 (36. Ka3 Qxa2+ 37. Kb4 Nxd5+ 38. Kc4 Nb6+ $19)
36... Qxe1+ $19) 33. Rc1 Nc5 (33... Be8 $1 34. Qc7+ Kf8 35. Qxb6 Nxb6 $17) 34.
Qg8 Be5 (34... Nxb3 $5 35. Qxg7 (35. axb3 $2 Bd3+ $19) 35... Nxc1 36. Qg5+ Kf8
$17) 35. Bxh7 Qa5 (35... Nxb3 36. Qg5+ f6 37. Qg7+ Kd8 38. Qg8+ Be8 39. Rc8+
Kxc8 40. Qxe8+ $11) 36. Qg5+ Kf8 $2 $138 {The last stages of the fight does
not the least honour to Black. Under the pressure from the opponent and his
own clock he completely lost the overview of the position.} (36... f6 37. Qh6
Bd7 $17) 37. Rxc5 dxc5 $2 (37... Bd3+ 38. Bxd3 Qxc5 39. h4 Qd4 $11) 38. Qxe5
Qd2 39. Bc2 Bd3 $2 (39... Bd3 $2 40. Qh8+ Ke7 41. d6+ Kxd6 42. Qd8+ $18) 1-0

[Event "Baku FIDE GP"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2008.05.04"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2726"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2008.04.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qc7 8. Bxf6
gxf6 9. Qh5 Qc5 $1 10. Qxc5 dxc5 11. Nb3 {It is hard to believe, that 9.Qh5
move will find too many followers. Black playes with two bishops and his pawn
structure is only minimally compromised.} (11. Nf3 b5 (11... b6 12. a4 Nc6 13.
O-O-O Bb7 14. g3 Bg7 15. Bg2 Ke7 16. Rhe1 Na5 17. b3 Rhd8 18. Rxd8 Rxd8 19. f5
c4 20. b4 Nc6 21. b5 Ne5 22. Nxe5 fxe5 23. fxe6 fxe6 {1/2 Rogers,I (2529)
-Lautier,J (2658)/Netherlands 2001 (40)}) 12. e5 (12. a4 b4 13. Nb1 Bb7 14.
Nbd2 Nc6 15. Nb3 Bd6 16. g3 f5 17. Nfd2 O-O-O 18. e5 Be7 19. Bg2 h5 20. h4 Kc7
21. Kf2 f6 {0-1 Torok,S (2334)-Galyas,M (2428)/Hungary 2006 (60)}) 12... Bb7
13. exf6 Nd7 14. f5 Nxf6 15. fxe6 fxe6 16. a4 b4 17. Nd1 Rg8 18. Ne3 Bh6 19.
Nc4 Bf4 20. Rd1 Ke7 21. Ke2 Ne4 $17 {0-1 Crawley,A-Wojtkiewicz,A (2595)/Kona
1998 (31)}) 11... Bd6 12. g3 Ke7 13. Bg2 Ra7 $1 14. O-O-O Rd8 (14... b5 15.
Rhe1 Nd7 16. Na5 $36) 15. a4 b6 16. Nd2 {Kamsky will suffer during the whole
game due to the failure of finding a proper plan. It is very hard to suggest a
set up of pieces that would lead anywhere.} (16. Rhe1 Rad7 17. e5 fxe5 18. fxe5
Bc7 19. a5 Rxd1+ 20. Nxd1 b5 21. Nxc5 Bxa5 $15) 16... Rad7 17. Nc4 Bc7 18.
Rxd7+ Bxd7 19. Re1 Be8 $1 {A fine move by Svidler, that excludes all the
tricks with the potential jump of the knight to d5.} (19... Nc6 $2 20. Nd5+
exd5 21. exd5+ $16) (19... b5 20. Nd5+ exd5 21. exd5+ Kf8 22. d6 $1 Bxd6 23.
Nxd6 bxa4 24. Nb7 $14) 20. Na3 Kf8 21. Bf1 Bc6 22. b3 (22. Rd1 Rd4 $15) 22...
Bb7 23. Rd1 Rd4 $1 {[%mdl 32] A small challenge, that black finds impossible
to accept. White pawn on e4 is quite vulnerable.} 24. Bd3 (24. Nc4 Nc6 25. Rd2
Ke7 $15) 24... Nc6 25. Ne2 Rd8 26. c3 Ke7 27. Bc2 Rb8 $1 28. Bd3 Na7 29. c4 $2
{Kamsky finally commits a serious positional mistake, his bishop on d3 turns
into a very poor piece.} (29. Nc4 Nc8 30. Kc2 Nd6 31. Nxd6 Bxd6 $15) 29... Nc6
30. Nc2 h5 31. h4 (31. Kb2 h4 32. g4 h3 $17) 31... Rg8 32. Kd2 Nd4 $1 {
Consequent play enabled by the opening of the second front. White is obliged
to defend the vulnerable g3 pawn.} 33. Ncxd4 cxd4 34. b4 (34. Rf1 e5 35. fxe5
fxe5 36. Rf5 Rh8) (34. Nxd4 Rxg3 35. Ne2 Rh3 $19) (34. Rg1 Bd6 $17) 34... e5
35. c5 $2 $138 {In time trouble Kamsky finally loses control and lashes out in
the hope for counterplay. Opening of the play favours the black bishops.} (35.
f5 Rg4 $17) (35. fxe5 fxe5 36. Rf1 Bd6 37. b5 axb5 38. cxb5 Rg4 $17) 35... bxc5
36. Rc1 (36. bxc5 Ba5+ $1 37. Kc2 Rc8 $19) (36. fxe5 fxe5 37. Rc1 Bb6 38. bxc5
Ba5+ 39. Kc2 Rg4 $17) 36... f5 $1 37. exf5 (37. Rxc5 Bd6 38. Rc4 fxe4 $19)
37... e4 38. Bc4 (38. Rxc5 Bd6 39. Rc4 exd3 40. Kxd3 Bf3 41. Rxd4 Bxe2+ 42.
Kxe2 Rxg3 $19) 38... d3 39. Nc3 (39. Bxd3 Rd8 40. Rxc5 Rxd3+ $19) 39... Rxg3
40. Nxe4 $2 {The final blunder is not changing anything, the position was lost.
} (40. Rf1 e3+ 41. Kxd3 e2+ 42. Kxe2 Rxc3 $19) 40... Bxf4+ 0-1

[Event "USA-ch"]
[Site "Long Beach"]
[Date "1993.??.??"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Shabalov, Alexander"]
[Black "Wolff, Patrick G"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2590"]
[BlackElo "2585"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "1993.12.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "14"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 039"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.04.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.04.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qf3
Qc7 9. a4 $5 {I don't know if this is a new move, but is certainly out of the
ordinary.} (9. O-O-O b5 10. e5 (10. Bd3 b4 11. Nd5 $5 Qc5 12. Nb3 Qc6 13. Nxb4
Qb6 14. Nd5 $1 exd5 15. exd5 Rb8 16. Rhe1+ Kd8 17. Qe4 $1 h6 18. Qe8+ Kc7 19.
Bxf6 Nxf6 20. Qxf7+ Bd7 21. Bf5 {game White plenty of compensatino in the
local game Jestadt-Panugaling, California 1993.}) 10... Bb7 11. Qh3 dxe5 12.
Nxe6 fxe6 13. Qxe6+ Be7 14. Nxb5 axb5 15. Bxb5 Be4 16. Rd2 Kf8 17. Bc4 Bg6 18.
Bxf6 Nxf6 19. fxe5 Bb4 20. Rf2 Bf7 21. Qxf7+ Qxf7 22. Bxf7 Kxf7 23. a3 {
is all well-known theory, for example} Be7 (23... Bc5 $1 24. Rf3 Bd4 25. exf6
gxf6 $15 {according to Gelfand and Guzman.}) 24. exf6 Bxf6 {which should have
been about equal in Kamsky-Glefand, Linares 1993.}) 9... Be7 10. Be2 h6 11. Bh4
{This allows a typical Richter-Rauzer combination which wins a pawn for Black.
Shabalov probably saw it but figured there was enough attacking compensation.}
Nxe4 12. Bxe7 Nxc3 13. bxc3 Kxe7 14. O-O Re8 15. g4 Qc5 16. Rf2 Kf8 17. Rd1 Kg8
18. h4 e5 19. Nb3 Qc6 20. Qxc6 bxc6 21. Rxd6 Nf6 $5 22. Bf3 e4 23. g5 Nd5 24.
Bg2 Nxc3 25. gxh6 gxh6 26. Rxh6 Bg4 27. Rxc6 Rac8 28. Rxc8 Rxc8 29. Bf1 Rd8 30.
Bc4 Kf8 31. Rd2 Re8 32. Kf1 e3 33. Rd4 Ne4 34. Ke1 Ng3 35. Nc5 Rc8 36. Rd5 Bf3
37. Re5 e2 $2 38. Nd7+ Kg7 39. Rg5+ Kh6 40. Rxg3 1-0

[Event "World Cup"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2007.12.07"]
[Round "5.2"]
[White "Alekseev, Evgeny V"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2716"]
[BlackElo "2694"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2007.11.24"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qe2
Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. a3 Bb7 11. g4 Be7 12. Bg2 Qc4 (12... O-O 13. Bh4 g6 14.
Rhf1 Nb6 15. Rd3 Nc4 16. Rh3 Rac8 17. f5 e5 18. Nb3 d5 19. exd5 e4 20. Bxe4
Nxe4 21. Bxe7 Nxc3 22. Rxc3 Rfe8 23. f6 $16 {1/2 Radjabov,T (2742)-Karjakin,S 
(2694)/Crete 2007/ (43)}) (12... Rc8 13. Bh4 Qc4 14. Qxc4 Rxc4 15. Bf3 Nc5 16.
Be2 Nfxe4 17. Nxe4 Bxe4 18. Bxe7 Nb3+ 19. Kb1 Rxd4 20. Bxd6 Bxh1 21. cxb3 Rxd1+
22. Bxd1 Kd7 $19 {0-1 Savon,V (2570)-Mecking,H (2575)/Petropolis 1973/ (33)})
13. Qd2 b4 $6 {Karjakin is rushing the counterplay on the queenside. In
retrospect it seems, that preparation with the quiet 13...Rb8 would have been
stronger.} (13... Rb8 14. f5 e5 15. Nb3 b4 16. axb4 Qxb4 $132) 14. axb4 Qxb4 (
14... O-O 15. Kb1 Rfb8 (15... Rfe8 16. Bxf6 Nxf6 (16... Bxf6 17. Nb3 Be7 18.
Qd4 Qxd4 19. Nxd4 $16) 17. e5 dxe5 18. fxe5 Nd5 19. Nxd5 Bxd5 20. Bxd5 Qxd5 21.
Rhe1 Qb7 22. c3 a5 23. b5 a4 24. Rf1 (24. Qe2 a3 25. Qe4 Qb6 26. Qc6 Qa5 27.
Qc4 $16) 24... a3 25. Qf4 Bc5 26. Qf3 $16) 16. b3 Qc7 (16... Qxb4 17. Nd5 Qxd2
18. Nxe7+ Kf8 19. Rxd2 Kxe7 20. e5 Bxg2 21. Rxg2 dxe5 22. Nc6+ $16) 17. h4 $16)
15. e5 dxe5 16. Nc6 $6 {[%mdl 4] Alekseev plays the active move, but probably
misses a chance to challenge his opponent more with different exchanges in the
centre.} (16. Bxf6 $1 Nxf6 (16... Bxg2 17. Nxe6 $1 Nxf6 18. Qxg2 Rc8 19. Nxg7+
$16) 17. fxe5 Nd5 (17... Bxg2 18. Qxg2 Rb8 19. exf6 Qxb2+ 20. Kd2 Rc8 21. fxe7
Qxc3+ 22. Ke2 $18) 18. Nxd5 Qxd2+ 19. Rxd2 Bxd5 20. Bxd5 exd5 21. h4 $14) 16...
Bxc6 $1 17. Bxc6 O-O-O 18. Qg2 (18. Qe2 Nb8 19. Ba8 exf4 20. Qf3 Rxd1+ 21. Rxd1
Rd8 22. Bxf4 Rxd1+ 23. Nxd1 $14) 18... Nc5 {Both players nurture some
ambitions, Black is not really scared despite White's excellent control of the
a8-h1 diagonal.} (18... Kc7 19. Bxd7 Rxd7 20. Rxd7+ Nxd7 21. Bxe7 Qxe7 22. fxe5
Rb8 23. Rf1 Nxe5 24. Qg3 f6 25. g5 $44) 19. fxe5 Nd5 20. Bd2 (20. Bxe7 Nxe7 21.
Kb1 Ng6 22. Bb5 $1 (22. Ne4 Nxe4 23. Bxe4 Nxe5 24. c3 Qc4 25. Bc2 $44) 22...
Kb8 (22... axb5 23. Qc6+ Kb8 24. Nxb5 Nb7 25. Rxd8+ Rxd8 26. Qc7+ Ka8 27. Qb6
Qa5 28. Nc7+ Kb8 29. Na6+ Ka8 30. Nc7+ $11) 23. Be2 Nxe5 24. Qg3 f6 25. g5 $44)
20... Nf4 21. Bxf4 (21. Qf3 $2 Ncd3+ $1 $19) 21... Qxf4+ 22. Kb1 Qxe5 {The
burden of looking for equality has shifted to White. Black's exposed king and
opposite coloured bishops make that easier.} 23. Ne4 Kc7 (23... Nxe4 24. Bxe4
Rxd1+ 25. Rxd1 Rd8 26. Bd3 $11) 24. Nxc5 Qxc5 25. Ba4 Bf6 26. Rhf1 Kb6 (26...
Rxd1+ 27. Rxd1 Rb8 28. Rd7+ Kc8 29. b3 Qc3 30. Qc6+ Qxc6 31. Bxc6 Rb6 $15) (
26... Rb8 27. Qg3+ Kc8 28. c3 Rb7 $15) 27. g5 Be5 (27... Rxd1+ 28. Rxd1 Rd8 29.
Rxd8 Bxd8 30. Qf3 Qxg5 31. Qc6+ Ka7 32. Qd7+ Kb8 33. Qxf7 $11) 28. c3 {The
most precise continuation was probably 28.Rde1, but the battle gravitates
toward balance.} (28. Rde1 f6 29. Rf3 Rd4 30. Rb3+ Rb4 31. Rxb4+ Qxb4 32. Qc6+
Ka7 33. c3 Qd6 34. Qxd6 Bxd6 35. Rxe6 Bxh2 36. gxf6 gxf6 37. Rxf6 $11) 28... f6
29. gxf6 gxf6 30. Bb3 Qc6 31. Qxc6+ Kxc6 32. Rxd8 Rxd8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-39"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2010.09.28"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Smeets, Jan"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2669"]
[BlackElo "2716"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2010.09.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Netherlands"]
[BlackTeam "Cuba"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "NED"]
[BlackTeamCountry "CUB"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qf3
Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. e5 Bb7 11. Qh3 dxe5 12. Nxe6 {White can afford to begin
with violent play, since his development advantage compensates for some
sacrificed material.} fxe6 13. Qxe6+ Be7 14. Nxb5 axb5 15. Bxb5 Be4 {Smeets
has invested two pieces and the position is quite critical for the defender.
Black is trying to get some counterplay in order to tie down some enemy pieces.
} 16. c3 (16. Rd2 Kf8 17. Bc4 Bg6 18. Bxf6 Nxf6 19. fxe5 Bb4 20. Rf2 (20. c3
Re8 $17) 20... Bf7 (20... Re8 $2 {Boensch} 21. Rxf6+ gxf6 22. Qxf6+ $18) 21.
Qxf7+ (21. Rxf6 gxf6 22. Qxf6 Rg8 23. e6 Rg7 $19) 21... Qxf7 22. Bxf7 Kxf7 23.
a3 $1 (23. exf6 $2 Rxa2 24. fxg7+ Kxg7 $19) 23... Be7 (23... Bc5 $142 24. Rf3
Bd4 25. exf6 gxf6 $5 $15 {Wittman-Gutman/1985/}) 24. exf6 Bxf6 25. c3 h5 26.
Rd1 $6 (26. Re2 $5 h4 27. h3 Rh5 28. Rd1 $10) 26... h4 27. h3 Rhe8 $15 {
0-1 Kamsky,G (2655)-Gelfand,B (2690)/Linares 1993 (80)}) 16... O-O-O {
Fortunately for Black long castling is probably not the only solution, but
certainly a desirable one. The king is running away into relative safety in
one move.} (16... Rd8 17. fxe5 (17. Rhe1 Kf8 18. Bxd7 Rxd7 19. Rxd7 Qxd7 20.
Qxd7 Nxd7 21. Bxe7+ Kxe7 22. Rxe4 Rf8 23. a4 (23. g3 Kd6 24. Kd2 Kd5 25. Ke3
$11) 23... Rxf4 24. Rxf4 exf4 25. a5 Kd6 {0-1 Nguyen Anh Dung (2539)-Wynn Zaw
Htun (2572)/Kuala Lumpur 2006 (40)}) 17... Bd5 18. Rxd5 Nxd5 19. Rd1 Qb6 20.
Bc6 Qxc6 $8 21. Qxc6 Bxg5+ 22. Kb1 Ne3 (22... Ne7 $2 23. Qb5 O-O 24. Rxd7 Rb8
25. Rb7 $18 {1-0 Chudinovskih,A (2315)-Karpman,V (2445)/Smolensk 1991 (40)})
23. Qe6+ Be7 24. Rd3 Rf8 25. a4 $1 $16) (16... Kf8 17. Rxd7 Qc5 18. Bc4 $1 (18.
fxe5 Nxd7 19. Rf1+ Nf6 20. Bc4 Ke8 21. Rd1 Rf8 22. Bxf6 Qe3+ 23. Rd2 Qe1+ 24.
Rd1 Qe3+ {1/2-1/2 Kalka,A (2330)-Ostermeyer,P (2400)/Germany 1995 (27)}) 18...
Bg6 19. Bxf6 gxf6 20. f5 $18) (16... Qc5 17. Bxd7+ Kf8 18. fxe5 (18. Rhe1 Bd5
19. Qxe5 Bxg2 (19... Bxa2 $1 20. Bc6 Rc8 21. Ba4 Bf7 $11) 20. Be6 h6 21. Bxf6
gxf6 22. Qe2 Bc6 23. Bb3 Rh7 24. Rg1 Rg7 25. Rxg7 Kxg7 26. Rd3 Kh7 27. Rg3 f5
28. Qe6 {1-0 Ungureanu,E (2320)-Tugui,A (2200)/Orange 1994}) 18... Ra3 $1 {
This move was never played before but it is more than logical. Black is
running forward towards the white king and keeps the balance.} (18... Bd5 $2
19. Rxd5 Qxd5 20. Qxd5 Nxd5 21. Rf1+ Nf6 22. exf6 Bxf6 23. Bxf6 gxf6 24. a4 $18
{0-1 Chudinovskih,A-Vexler,A/Omsk 1973 (30)}) 19. Rd2 Rxc3+ 20. bxc3 Qxc3+ 21.
Kd1 Qa1+ 22. Ke2 Qxh1 23. exf6 Qxg2+ 24. Ke1 Qg1+ 25. Ke2 Qg2+ $11) 17. Rhe1 {
White would dearly love to capture the bishop on e7, but he fails to have an
effective antidote to the move 17...Qb6!} (17. Qxe7 Qb6 $1 (17... h6 18. Bxf6
Nxf6 19. Qxc7+ Kxc7 20. fxe5 Ng4 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 $11) (17... Rhe8 18. Qb4 Bb7 (
18... Bxg2 19. Rhe1 Re6 $11) 19. fxe5 Qxe5 20. Bf4 Qe7 21. Qc4+ Qc5 22. Rxd7
Qxc4 23. Rxd8+ Kxd8 24. Bxc4 $18 {1-0 Pribyl,M (2300)-Vasilchenko,O (2425)/
Hlinsko 1993 (41)}) 18. Qb4 (18. Bxd7+ Rxd7 19. Rxd7 Nxd7 20. Qb4 Qe3+ 21. Kd1
Qd3+ 22. Ke1 Bxg2 {0-1 Smirnov,I (2331)-Shneider,A (2516)/Alushta 2001}) 18...
Qe3+ 19. Rd2 Nb8 (19... h6 $4 20. Ba6+ {1-0 Van der Wiel,J-Gutman,L Amsterdam
op 1984}) 20. c4 Bxg2 (20... Bf5 21. Bxf6 gxf6 22. Ba4 Rhg8 $19) 21. Rhd1 exf4
22. Qa5 Rxd2 23. Rxd2 Be4 24. Bh4 Qg1+ 25. Rd1 Qe3+ 26. Rd2 Qg1+ 27. Rd1 Qe3+
28. Rd2 Bb7 $17 {1/2-1/2 Balinov,I (2434)-Vlcek,S (2202)/Austria 1999 (35)})
17... Ba3 $1 {Chess opening theory is full of small paradoxes. The bishop will
be captured on a3, but the white queen will be incomparably more modest at the
edge of the board!} (17... Rhe8 18. Rxe4 Nxe4 19. Bxe7 Nxc3 (19... Nec5 20.
Bxd8 Rxe6 21. Bxc7 Kxc7 22. b4 exf4 23. bxc5 Nxc5 24. Rd5 Kb6 25. a4 $14 {
1-0 Hovhannisyan,R (2529)-Gopal,G (2611)/Martuni 2010 (33)}) 20. Qa6+ Qb7 21.
Rxd7 Nxa2+ 22. Kb1 Qxa6 23. Rxd8+ Kc7 24. Bxa6 Rxe7 25. Rc8+ Kb6 26. Bf1 $18 {
1-0 Kravtsiv,M (2546)-Kokarev,D (2612)/Bhubaneswar 2010 (35)}) 18. Qa6+ (18.
Ba6+ Bb7 19. Bxb7+ Kxb7 20. Qb3+ Nb6 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 22. Qxa3 e4 $15) 18... Bb7
19. Qxa3 e4 20. Rd4 (20. f5 Qe5 21. Qb4 Qxf5 22. Be3 Nd5 $15 {1/2-1/2 Vorobiov,
E (2592)-Grigoriadis,A (2330)/Chalkis 2010}) 20... Nc5 $5 {Since both players
are well versed in modern theory (Smeets was even part of Topalov's team in
the world championship match in Sofia 2010) it can be presumed, that they knew
about this idea of getting counterplay.} (20... Nb6 21. Rb4 Kb8 22. Ba6 Qd6 23.
Kb1 Rd7 $11) 21. Rc4 (21. Kb1 Nd3 22. Rc4) 21... Nd3+ 22. Kb1 Qxc4 23. Bxc4
Nxe1 24. Qc5+ Kb8 (24... Kd7 $2 25. f5 Ke8 26. Bb5+ Rd7 27. Qc7 $18) 25. Qe5+
Ka8 26. Qa5+ Kb8 27. Qe5+ Ka8 28. a4 $6 {[%mdl 4] It is not difficult to
understand the feelings of the white player. He can force a draw by perpetual
check, but that was not his ambition when he played this very sharp line.
Accepting some risk he decides to continue the fighting.} Rd1+ (28... Rhe8 29.
Qa5+ Kb8 30. Ba6 e3 31. Bxb7 Kxb7 32. Qb5+ $11) 29. Ka2 Nd5 30. f5 {Black is a
piece up and despite all the activity of the white pieces material still
counts for something.} (30. Bb3 Rd2 31. Ka3 Nc2+ 32. Bxc2 Rxc2 33. Qxe4 Rc1 $15
) (30. Qxg7 Rc8 31. Bb3 Rd2 $15) 30... Rc8 31. Bb3 $6 (31. Be2 $1 Nd3 32. Bxd3
exd3 33. Qxg7 Rg1 34. g3 Rg2 35. Ka3 $11) 31... Nd3 32. Qxg7 Rf1 33. Qd7 $2 {
In a higly charged position it is very easy to make a serious mistake. White
is seeking counterplay, but the idea should fail tactically.} (33. Qd4 Rxf5 34.
h4 Nc5 35. g4 Nxb3 36. Kxb3 Rf1 $15) (33. a5 Rxf5 34. Bd2 Rc5 $15) (33. f6 Rf2
34. Ka3 Rxb2 35. f7 Nxc3 36. Qxc3 Rxc3 37. f8=Q+ Bc8 $19) 33... Nc5 $6 {
Dominguez is missing the golden opportunity for a beautiful combination
deciding the outcome of an interesting game.} (33... Rxc3 $1 34. Qxb7+ (34.
bxc3 Nxc3+ 35. Ka3 Ra1+ 36. Ba2 Rxa2+ 37. Kb3 Nc5+ $19) (34. Qd8+ Rc8 35. Qa5+
(35. Qxc8+ Bxc8 36. Bxd5+ Kb8 37. Bxe4 Bxf5 $19) 35... Kb8 36. Bxd5 Bxd5+ 37.
Qxd5 Nb4+) 34... Kxb7 35. Bxd5+ Rc6 36. Bxe4 Nc5 37. Bf3 Nxa4 $19) 34. Qb5 (34.
Qf7 Nxb3 35. Kxb3 e3 $17) 34... Rxf5 35. Qa5+ $2 {Smeets was clearly getting
nervous due to the mounting activity of Black's pieces, but this check fails
completely.} (35. Bh4 Nxb3 36. Kxb3 Ne3 37. Qe2 Bd5+ 38. Ka3 Nc4+ $17) 35...
Na6 36. Ka3 (36. h4 Nxc3+ $19) 36... Rxg5 37. c4 e3 $1 {One of the last
remaining black pawns will become the hero of the day.} 38. cxd5 e2 39. Qe1 Re5
40. d6 Re3 41. Ka2 (41. d7 Rd8 42. Ka2 Nb4+ 43. Qxb4 e1=Q $19) 41... Nb4+ 0-1

[Event "RUS-ch Higher League 60th"]
[Site "Krasnoyarsk"]
[Date "2007.09.06"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Khismatullin, Denis Rimovich"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2613"]
[BlackElo "2566"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2007.09.03"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qc7 8. Bxf6
gxf6 9. Qf3 b5 10. O-O-O b4 11. Nce2 Bb7 {The Najdorf variation with 6.Bg5 is
returning to prominence, black players have to look for ways of dealing with
it. The line on the board suffers from the very loose black pawn structure.}
12. Qh5 Qc5 $6 (12... Qc8 13. Ng3 Nc6 14. Bc4 Nxd4 15. Rxd4 Qc5 16. Rhd1 Qxh5
17. Nxh5 Be7 18. f5 e5 19. R4d2 Bxe4 20. Rxd6 Kf8 (20... Bxd6 21. Nxf6+ Ke7 22.
Nxe4 Bc7 23. f6+ Ke8 24. Ng5 $16) 21. Bd5 Bxd5 22. R6xd5 {1-0 Onischuk,V (2411)
-Vovk,Y (2441)/Minsk 2006 (59)}) 13. e5 $1 Bc8 {If Black has to retreat with
the already developed bishop his position must be very serious.} (13... Bd5 14.
f5 Bxa2 15. b3 $16) (13... dxe5 $2 14. Nxe6 $18) (13... fxe5 14. Nxe6 Qe3+ 15.
Kb1 Ra7 16. Nc7+ Ke7 17. Ng3 $18) 14. Ng3 (14. Qf3 Ra7 15. Nb3 Qb6 16. exd6 $14
) 14... f5 (14... fxe5 $2 15. Ne4 Qa7 16. Nf6+ Kd8 17. fxe5 $18) 15. Ngxf5 $6 {
[%mdl 128] Nepomniashchy understands very well the need to shatter his
opponent's defenses. The only problem lies in the imprecise way of executing
the main idea.} (15. exd6 $1 Bxd6 16. Qh6 Rg8 (16... Bf8 17. Qf6 Rg8 18. Nxe6
$18) 17. Ndxf5 exf5 18. Qxd6 $16) 15... exf5 16. e6 (16. exd6 Bxd6 17. g3 O-O (
17... Bb7 18. Nxf5) (17... Ra7 18. Qh6 $16) 18. Bg2 Ra7 19. Qg5+ Kh8 20. Qf6+
Kg8 21. Qg5+ $11) 16... Bxe6 (16... Ra7 17. exf7+ Rxf7 18. Bxa6 $1 Nxa6 19.
Rde1+ Be7 20. Rxe7+ Kxe7 21. Re1+ Be6 22. Nxe6 Qf2 23. Re2 Qf1+ 24. Kd2 Rf6 25.
Nc5+ Kd8 26. Qh4 Rhf8 27. Nxa6 $16) 17. Nxe6 Qe3+ 18. Kb1 Qxe6 19. Bb5+ (19.
Bxa6 $5 Be7 $1 (19... Nxa6 20. Rhe1 O-O-O 21. Rxe6 fxe6 22. g4 $16) 20. Rhe1
Qf6 21. Bb5+ Kf8 22. Re3 Ra7 $17) 19... Kd8 $1 {Khismatullin finds the best
way of slipping away from the trouble.} (19... axb5 $2 20. Rhe1 Kd7 21. Rxe6
fxe6 22. Qf7+ Be7 23. Re1 $16) 20. Rhe1 Qf6 21. Qf3 Ra7 (21... Bg7 22. Re5 Ra7
23. Rxd6+ Qxd6 24. Rd5 Qxd5 25. Qxd5+ Nd7 $17) 22. Qf2 $2 {It is easy to
understand White's frustration with the transfer into the middlegame.
Unfortunatelly the white queen does not belong to f2 at all.} (22. Ba4 Bg7 23.
Qb3 Kc7 24. Qc4+ Kb7 25. Qd5+ Kb6 26. Qxd6+ Qxd6 27. Rxd6+ Kb7 $17) 22... Rb7
23. Ba4 Bg7 24. c3 bxc3 25. Bb3 (25. Re2 Nd7 26. Rc2 Kc7 $19) 25... Nd7 26. Re2
Re8 {Black enjoys an extra piece and a completely winning position.} 27. Rc2 (
27. Rxe8+ Kxe8 28. Qe1+ Qe7 $19) 27... Rc7 28. Qf3 Re4 (28... Nc5 29. Qxc3 (29.
Rxc3 Ne4 $19) 29... Qxc3 30. bxc3 Re3 31. Rxd6+ Ke7 32. Rdd2 Ne4 $19) 29. g4 (
29. Rxc3 Rxc3 30. Qxc3 Qxc3 31. bxc3 Ke7 $19) 29... Qe7 30. gxf5 (30. bxc3 fxg4
31. Qxg4 Bxc3 $19) 30... Re1 (30... cxb2 31. Qg2 Bf6 32. Qg8+ Qf8 $19) 31. Rxe1
(31. bxc3 Nc5 $19) 31... Qxe1+ 32. Rc1 Qxc1+ $1 (32... Qxc1+ $1 33. Kxc1 cxb2+
$19) 0-1

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 4th"]
[Site "Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2017.04.20"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2817"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2017.04.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 178"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 h6 8. Bh4
Qb6 9. a3 {Caruana was facing a difficult choise, as computers have played
hunderds of thousands games in the line with b2-pawn sacrifice. It seems to be
more prudent to avoid crazy lines analysed till move 30.} (9. Qd2 Qxb2) 9...
Be7 10. Bf2 Qc7 11. Qf3 Nbd7 12. O-O-O b5 13. g4 Bb7 14. h4 $146 {[%mdl 8] On
the high level this seems to be the novelty. White has been frustrated about
the idea g7-g5 after the bishop moves, hence the move that prevents it.} (14.
Bd3 g5 15. f5 Ne5 16. Qe2 Nxd3+ 17. cxd3 e5 18. Nc2 h5 19. gxh5 Nxh5 20. Kb1
Nf4 $15 {1/2-1/2 (45) Azarov,S (2626)-Wojtaszek,R (2700) Loo 2013}) (14. Bg2 g5
(14... Rc8 15. Kb1 g5 (15... g6 16. f5 gxf5 17. gxf5 e5 18. Nb3 Rg8 19. Rd2 Nb6
20. Bxb6 Qxb6 $15 {1/2-1/2 (60) Wan,Y (2494)-Gao,R (2475) China 2013}) 16. f5 (
16. Qh3 Nc5 17. Rhe1 h5 18. Nf5 Ncxe4 19. Bxe4 Nxe4 20. Bd4 Rg8 21. Nxe7 Kxe7
22. gxh5 gxf4 23. Qh4+ $16 {1-0 (37) Nakamura,H (2779)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2804)
London 2016}) 16... e5 17. Nb3 Nxe4 18. Nxe4 Qxc2+ 19. Ka2 Bxe4 20. Qxe4 Qxf2
21. Rhf1 Qb6 $17 {0-1 (54) Kanmazalp,O (2437)-Solodovnichenko,Y (2587) Teplice
2016}) 15. h4 (15. f5 e5 16. Nb3 h5 17. h3 Rc8 18. Rhe1 Nb6 19. Kb1 Nc4 20. Rd3
Bc6 21. Qe2 $11 a5 {1/2-1/2 (88) Henriquez Villagra,C (2517)-Salem,A (2656)
Doha 2016}) 15... gxf4 16. g5 Ne5 17. Qxf4 Nh5 (17... Nfg4 18. g6 Rf8 19. Bg3
h5 20. gxf7+ Rxf7 21. Qd2 Nc4 22. Qe2 $11 {1-0 (59) Yu,Y (2662)-Sethuraman,S 
(2553) Kocaeli 2013}) 18. Qd2 hxg5 19. hxg5 O-O-O 20. Kb1 Nc4 21. Qc1 Qc5 22.
g6 Bg5 23. Nxe6 fxe6 24. Bxc5 Bxc1 25. Kxc1 {1-0 (35) Naiditsch,A (2702)
-Guliyev,N (2545) Le Port Marly 2012} dxc5 $11) 14... d5 15. e5 (15. exd5 $2
Nxd5 16. Bg2 Rc8 $17) 15... Ne4 16. Rh3 {Vachier Lagrave has entered the very
top section of the world rating list. White is aware of the fact that an
advantage will not be easy to come by.} (16. Nxe4 dxe4 17. Qe3 Bd5 18. Bg2 Qb7
$11) 16... Nxf2 17. Qxf2 b4 18. axb4 (18. Nb1 $6 bxa3 19. Nxa3 Nc5 $15) 18...
Bxb4 19. f5 $1 {Very often the top players resemble the dangerous big cats 
(think lions, tigers, pumas). They can strike at any moment and their claws
are very dangerous. Black must be on the alert and try to minimise the danger.}
Nxe5 20. fxe6 O-O $1 21. Qg1 {White is not ready to sacrific his valuable
e6-pawn, but it means the investment of a tempo in a sharp position.} (21. g5
fxe6 22. Qg3 Rae8 23. gxh6 Rf6 24. hxg7 Bd6 $11) 21... Rae8 22. g5 h5 23. Be2 {
The computer is not very happy about this move, but the position remains very
sharp and dangerous if Black begins to play for a win.} (23. exf7+ Qxf7 24. Bg2
Ng6 25. Rf3 Nf4 26. Rdf1 Qc7 $11) 23... g6 (23... fxe6 $5 24. Bxh5 Re7 25. Kb1
Nc4 $15) 24. exf7+ Qxf7 25. Nb3 Nc4 {Black is instinctively gravitating
towards one critical position, that is not completely equal. There were other
solutions promising complete equality.} (25... Bc8 26. Rg3 Qf4+ 27. Kb1 Bxc3
28. Rxc3 Qxh4 29. Rxd5 Qe4 $11) 26. Rf3 Qg7 (26... Qe7 27. Rxf8+ Rxf8 28. Bxc4
dxc4 29. Nd2 Bc5 30. Qg3 $11) 27. Rxf8+ Rxf8 (27... Qxf8 28. Bxc4 dxc4 29. Qb6
cxb3 30. Qxg6+ Kh8 31. Qxh5+ Kg8 32. Qg6+ $11) 28. Qd4 Qxd4 29. Rxd4 Rc8 $6 {
Vachier Lagrave can not believe, that the endgame with an extra pawn could be
unpleasant. Too bad, as it will not be so bad, just really annoying.} (29...
Rf2 $5 30. Bxc4 dxc4 31. Rxc4 Rf1+ 32. Kd2 a5 33. Nc5 Bxc5 34. Rxc5 Rf4 35. Rb5
Bh1 36. Rxa5 Rxh4 $11) 30. Bd3 (30. Ne4 Be7 31. Ned2 Nxd2 32. Kxd2 Rf8 $11)
30... Nxb2 $1 (30... Bxc3 31. bxc3 Ne5 32. Na5 $14) 31. Rxb4 Nxd3+ 32. cxd3
Rxc3+ 33. Kd2 Rc7 34. Ke3 Bc8 (34... Kg7 $5 35. Kd4 Rf7 36. Ke5 Bc8 37. Nc5 a5
$11) 35. Kd4 Kf7 36. Nc5 Ra7 37. Kxd5 a5 38. Rf4+ $6 {Time trouble has
destroyed and also saved many a position. Caruana has not realised, that the
simple retreat to b3 could have been pretty unpleasant for Black.} (38. Rb3 $1
Ra8 39. d4 $14) 38... Bf5 39. Kc6 Ke7 40. Rd4 (40. Ra4 Bd7+ 41. Nxd7 Rxd7 42.
Rxa5 Rd6+ 43. Kc5 Rxd3 $11) 40... a4 41. Kb6 Ra8 42. Nxa4 (42. Kb7 Ra5 43. Kb6
$11) 42... Bxd3 43. Nc5 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 17th"]
[Site "Gjakova"]
[Date "2016.05.14"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Black "Palac, Mladen"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2700"]
[BlackElo "2577"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2016.05.12"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "KOS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 h6 8. Bh4
Qb6 {The Poisoned Pawn is not an easy line for either side as the system of
the player with Black contradicts most rational rules of how to conduct the
opening.} (8... Be7 9. Bf2 Qc7 10. Bd3 b5 11. a3 Bb7 12. Qe2 (12. g4 g5 13. h4
gxf4 14. Rg1 h5 15. g5 Ng4 16. Qf3 Nc6 17. g6 Nxd4 18. gxf7+ Kf8 19. Bxd4 Bxh4+
20. Kd1 e5 $19 {0-1 (32) Pineda Polanco,A (2297)-Pinto Pinares,M (2231) Maipu
2003}) 12... Nbd7 13. O-O (13. O-O-O Nc5 14. Rhe1 Rc8 15. Kb1 O-O 16. g4 d5 17.
exd5 Nxd5 18. Nxd5 Bxd5 19. g5 Nxd3 20. Qxd3 Qxf4 21. Be3 Qxh2 $17 {0-1 (40)
Tantsiura,M (2167)-Rodriguez Rueda,P (2145) Caldas Novas 2011}) 13... g5 14. f5
e5 15. Nb3 h5 (15... Bd8 16. Rad1 Qc6 17. Rfe1 Bb6 18. Bxb6 Qxb6+ 19. Qe3 Rc8
20. Qxb6 Nxb6 21. Na5 Ba8 22. Rd2 Ke7 23. Na2 Nc4 24. Bxc4 bxc4 $17 {0-1 (59)
Silva Villalon,R (2135)-Pinto Pinares,M (2200) Santiago de Chile 2007}) 16.
Rad1 h4 17. Rd2 Nh5 18. Rfd1 Nf4 19. Qe1 Nf6 20. Bf1 O-O-O 21. Nd5 N4xd5 22.
exd5 Kb8 23. c4 $14 {1-0 (32) Ginsburg,G (2493)-Weber,U (2290) Germany 2002})
9. a3 {Vallejo has no interest in testing his opponent on opening knowledge
running to move 25-30. The modest a-pawn advance excludes the possibility of ..
.Qxb2.} (9. Qd2 Qxb2 $13) 9... Be7 10. Bf2 Qc7 11. Bd3 Nbd7 {The Sicilian
Defence is the most commonly used system in tournament practice. The Najdorf
variation is the flagship of the whole Sicilian family with many games played
in nearly every line.} (11... b5 12. O-O (12. Bg3 Nbd7 13. Qe2 Nc5 14. O-O O-O
15. Kh1 Bb7 16. Rad1 Rad8 17. h3 Rfe8 18. Bh2 Bf8 19. Qe3 Rd7 20. Nde2 Qd8 21.
Bg1 e5 22. fxe5 Rxe5 23. Ng3 d5 $15 {0-1 (34) Heimann,A (2485)-Zhigalko,A 
(2555) Rogaska Slatina 2011}) 12... Bb7 13. Qe2 Nc6 14. Rae1 Rd8 15. Nxe6 fxe6
16. e5 dxe5 17. fxe5 Nxe5 18. Qxe5 Qxe5 19. Rxe5 Kf7 20. Rfe1 Rd6 21. Bf5 Bc8
22. Bc5 Rd5 23. Rxd5 Nxd5 24. Bxe7 Nxc3 25. Bb4 exf5 26. Bxc3 Rd8 $11 {1/2-1/2
(40) Najer,E (2674)-Oparin,G (2563) Moscow 2015}) 12. Qe2 (12. Qf3 b5 13. g4 (
13. O-O Bb7 14. Rae1 g5 15. Nd5 exd5 16. exd5 Nxd5 17. Nf5 gxf4 18. Nxe7 Nxe7
19. Rxe7+ Kxe7 20. Bh4+ f6 21. Qxf4 Raf8 22. Re1+ Kd8 $19 {0-1 (31) Sygulski,B
(2253)-Luch,M (2429) Poronin 2013}) 13... g5 14. fxg5 Ne5 15. Qg2 hxg5 16. h3
Bb7 17. O-O-O Nfd7 18. Kb1 Rc8 19. h4 gxh4 20. g5 Rg8 21. Rxh4 Rxg5 22. Qh2 Ng6
$15 {0-1 (50) Geshko,A (1976)-Krstulovic,A (2119) Porec 2015}) 12... b5 13.
O-O-O {Every main decison has advantages, but drawbacks as well. Long castling
makes the position even more sharp and centralises the white rook to d1.} (13.
O-O Bb7 14. Rae1 Rc8 15. e5 dxe5 16. fxe5 Nd5 17. Qg4 g5 18. Kh1 Nf4 19. Be4
Nxe5 20. Qd1 Nc4 21. Qc1 b4 22. axb4 Bxb4 23. Bg3 Bxe4 24. Rxe4 Bxc3 25. bxc3
Qb7 26. Rfxf4 gxf4 27. Qxf4 $11 {0-1 (29) Vargyas,Z (2121)-Krstulovic,A (2331)
Hungary 2015}) 13... Bb7 (13... Rb8 14. Rhe1 Nc5 15. e5 dxe5 16. fxe5 Nfd7 17.
Ne4 O-O 18. Bg3 b4 19. a4 Bb7 20. Nf6+ Kh8 21. b3 Rbd8 22. Kb1 Nb6 $17 {
0-1 (27) Weinzettl,E (2305)-Kislik,E (2408) Tabor 2012}) 14. g4 {White choses
a perfect moment for starting the pawn storm against the black position. The
decisive factor should be the level of mobilisation of the white pieces and
the risk connected with the adversary still trying to catch up.} (14. Kb1 Rc8
15. g4 g5 16. h4 Rg8 17. hxg5 hxg5 18. fxg5 Rxg5 19. Rh8+ Nf8 20. Bh4 Rg7 21.
Bxb5+ axb5 22. Bxf6 Bxf6 23. Ndxb5 $18 {1-0 (31) Liang,A (2383)-Yanayt,E (2213)
Las Vegas 2015}) 14... g6 15. f5 e5 16. Nb3 g5 {Palac must have been agonizing
about the question where to hide the black king. The decision to aim for the
queenside seems perfectly rational as it lessens the risk of a violent attack
by White.} (16... O-O 17. Be3 Kg7 18. Qg2 $1 $16) 17. h4 Rg8 (17... gxh4 18.
Kb1 Nc5 19. Bxh4 $14) 18. hxg5 hxg5 (18... Rxg5 $5 19. Rdg1 O-O-O 20. Be3 Rgg8
21. Rxh6 d5 22. g5 $1 $16) 19. Kb1 (19. Rh6 Bf8 $16) 19... Nc5 (19... Bf8 20.
Bg1 Nc5 21. Nxc5 dxc5 22. Nd5 Bxd5 23. exd5 O-O-O 24. c4 e4 25. Bc2 Qa5 26. Rh3
$16) 20. Rh6 $6 {The big problem in chess is the question of execution, even
if the main idea as to what to play for is quite well defined. It seems that
Vallejo Pons is missing the most promising line starting with the exchange of
the knights on the c5-square.} (20. Nxc5 $1 dxc5 21. Nd5 $1 Nxd5 22. exd5 O-O-O
23. Be4 f6 24. c4 $16) 20... O-O-O $2 (20... Nxb3 $1 21. cxb3 Bc6 22. Rc1 Qb7
23. b4 Kd7 $14) 21. Nd5 $1 {[%mdl 32] White is ready to deliver blows and now
he does it with great accuracy on the most vulnerable spot.} Bxd5 (21... Nxd5
22. exd5 Rh8 23. Rxh8 Rxh8 24. Nxc5 dxc5 25. c4 bxc4 26. Bxc4 Rh2 27. Bxa6 Bxa6
28. Qxa6+ Qb7 29. Qe2 $16) 22. exd5 Rh8 {The defender seems to have lost his
main chances for effective resistance and it is difficult to find an
improvement.} (22... Nxb3 23. cxb3 Kb8 24. Rxf6 Bxf6 25. Rc1 Qb7 26. Rc6 e4 27.
Bxb5 axb5 28. Rb6 $18) (22... e4 23. Nxc5 exd3 24. Nxd3 Rde8 25. Qf3 Qc4 26.
Ne5 dxe5 27. d6 $16) (22... Nxd3 23. Rxd3 Kd7 24. Nc5+ Ke8 25. Ne4 Nxe4 26.
Qxe4 $16) 23. Nxc5 $1 dxc5 (23... Rxh6 24. Nxa6 Qb7 25. Bxb5 Ne4 26. Qc4+ Nc5
27. b4 $18) 24. d6 $1 {Nimzowitsch would have been happy at such a direct
vindication of his ideas about hitting the opponent at his strong point There
is no satisfactory way of recapturing on d6.} Bxd6 (24... Qxd6 25. Rxh8 Rxh8
26. Bxb5 Qxd1+ (26... Qc7 27. Bxa6+ Kb8 28. Bg3 $18) 27. Qxd1 axb5 28. Qe2 $18)
25. Rxf6 Qe7 26. Qe4 $1 {The Spanish chess star certainly knows how to exploit
the opponent's distress. Direct attack will shorten the way to victory.} Qxf6 (
26... Kc7 27. Qd5 Qxf6 28. Be4 Kd7 29. Qc6+ Ke7 30. Bxc5 Kf8 31. Bxd6+ Kg7 32.
Rd5 Rh6 33. Bxe5 Qxe5 34. Qxh6+ Kxh6 35. Rxe5 $18) 27. Qc6+ Kb8 28. Be4 1-0

[Event "Interzonal-15"]
[Site "Manila"]
[Date "1990.??.??"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Spraggett, Kevin"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2540"]
[BlackElo "2680"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "1990.06.29"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "PHI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 019"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1990.12.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1990.12.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qc7 8. Bd3
$6 (8. Bxf6) 8... b5 9. Qe2 b4 10. Nd1 Nbd7 11. Nf2 Bb7 $1 12. O-O (12. O-O-O
$5 Be7 13. Kb1 $5 {/\ e5} (13. Rhe1 Nc5 14. Kb1 $10)) 12... Be7 13. Nf3 (13.
Rae1 h6 $1 14. Bh4 (14. Bxf6 Nxf6 15. e5 dxe5 16. fxe5 Nd5 17. Qg4 (17. Nxe6 $6
fxe6 18. Qh5+ Kd8 $19) 17... O-O-O $17) 14... g5 $1 15. fxg5 hxg5 16. Bxg5 Ne5
$1 {/\ 0-0-0, Rdg8|^}) 13... h6 14. Bh4 Nh5 $1 15. Bxe7 $6 (15. Nh3 $1 Bxh4 16.
Nxh4 Nhf6 17. Nf3 e5 $15) 15... Nxf4 16. Qd2 Nxd3 17. cxd3 Kxe7 18. Qxb4 Qb6 $1
$17 19. Qa3 $6 $138 (19. Qxb6 $142 Nxb6 20. Rfc1 Rac8 21. Kf1 {/\ Ke2-d2})
19... Rhc8 20. Rac1 a5 $1 {/\ Qb4} 21. b3 Nc5 22. Rcd1 Kf8 23. Qb2 a4 $1 24. b4
a3 25. Qd2 Na4 26. d4 $6 (26. Kh1 Nc3 27. Rde1 Qxb4 28. Ng4 {/\} h5 $5 29. Nh6)
26... Ba6 $19 27. Rfe1 Nc3 28. Ra1 Qxb4 29. Nd1 Rab8 0-1

[Event "Linares 11th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "1993.??.??"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2655"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[Annotator "Gelfand,B"]
[PlyCount "160"]
[EventDate "1993.02.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 034"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1993.06.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1993.06.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Boensch} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4
Nbd7 8. Qf3 Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. e5 Bb7 11. Qh3 dxe5 12. Nxe6 fxe6 13. Qxe6+ Be7
14. Nxb5 (14. Bxf6 {Boensch} gxf6 15. Be2 h5 16. Nd5 Bxd5 17. Rxd5 Nc5 (17...
Nb6 18. Bxh5+ Rxh5 19. Qg8+ Bf8 20. Qe6+ Be7 21. Qg8+ Bf8 22. Qe6+ {1/2
Chiburdanidze,M-Brunner,L Graz (12) 1991}) 18. Qf5 Qc6 19. Qg6+ Kf8 20. Rhd1
Qe8 21. Qf5 Qc8 22. Qg6 Qe6 23. Bxh5 Qg8 24. Rd8+ Rxd8 25. Rxd8+ {1/2 Van der
Wiel,J-Kasparov,G Amsterdam Euwe-mem (1) 1991}) (14. Bxb5 {Boensch} axb5 15.
Nxb5 Qc6 16. Nd6+ Kd8 17. fxe5 Kc7 18. Bxf6 gxf6 19. Qxe7 Rxa2 20. Nxb7 Ra1+
21. Kd2 Qd5+ 22. Ke2 Qxg2+ 23. Ke3 Qg5+ 24. Kd3 Qf5+ 25. Ke2 {1/2 Winsnes,
R-Svensson,B SVE-ch (08) 1991}) 14... axb5 15. Bxb5 Be4 16. Rd2 (16. c3 {
Boensch} Rd8 $146 (16... O-O-O 17. Qxe7 Qb6 $2 (17... h6 $13) 18. Qb4 Qe3+ 19.
Rd2 h6 20. Ba6+ {1-0 Van der Wiel,J-Gutman,L Amsterdam op 1984}) 17. fxe5 Bd5
18. Rxd5 Nxd5 19. Rd1 Qb6 20. Bc6 Qxc6 $8 21. Qxc6 Bxg5+ 22. Kb1 Ne3 23. Qe6+
Be7 24. Rd3 Rf8 $1 $13 {(Paunovic,T) -Inf.53/235}) 16... Kf8 17. Bc4 Bg6 18.
Bxf6 (18. fxe5 {Boensch} Nxe5 $17) 18... Nxf6 19. fxe5 Bb4 20. Rf2 (20. c3 {
Boensch} Re8 $17) 20... Bf7 (20... Re8 $2 {Boensch} 21. Rxf6+ gxf6 22. Qxf6+
$18) 21. Qxf7+ (21. Rxf6 {Boensch} gxf6 22. Qxf6 Rg8 23. e6 Rg7 $19) 21... Qxf7
22. Bxf7 Kxf7 23. a3 $1 (23. exf6 $2 Rxa2 $19 (23... Rxa2 {Boensch} 24. fxg7+
Kxg7 $19)) 23... Be7 (23... Bc5 $142 24. Rf3 Bd4 25. exf6 gxf6 $5 $15 {
Wittman-Gutman/1985/}) 24. exf6 Bxf6 25. c3 h5 26. Rd1 $6 (26. Re2 $5 h4 27. h3
Rh5 28. Rd1 $10) 26... h4 27. h3 Rhe8 $15 28. Rd7+ Kg6 29. Kd1 {/\ Re2} Rab8
30. Rdd2 Rb6 $1 31. Rfe2 (31. Rde2 $142) 31... Reb8 {xb2} 32. Rf2 Bg5 33. Rde2
R8b7 $1 {(.)} 34. a4 Bf6 35. Kc1 Ra6 36. Re4 Rba7 37. b3 Bxc3 (37... Rc7 {
Boensch} 38. c4 $10) 38. Rg4+ Kh5 39. Rf5+ Kh6 40. Rxh4+ Kg6 41. Rc5 Bf6 42.
Rg4+ Kh6 43. Kc2 (43. Re4 Rd6 44. Kc2 Rad7 45. Re2 Rd1 $40) 43... Re6 (43...
Rd7 44. a5 Re6 45. b4) 44. a5 (44. Kd3 $142 $5) 44... Re3 45. b4 Ra3 $6 (45...
Rd7 46. b5 $1 Ra3 47. b6 $132) (45... Rae7 $1 46. a6 $1 Ra3 47. Ra5 Re2+ 48.
Kd1 Rxa5 49. Kxe2 Rxa6 $17) 46. Re4 Rd7 (46... Ra2+ 47. Kb3 Rxg2 48. Ka4 $132)
47. g4 $1 {/\ h4} Bg5 48. Re6+ (48. Kb2 $2 Rxh3 (48... Rdd3 49. Re6+ g6 50. h4)
49. b5 Rd2+ 50. Rc2 Bf6+ 51. Kc1 Rd5 $1 $19) (48. h4 $5 Rd2+ 49. Kb1 Be3 $8 50.
Rc2 Rdd3 $1 $17 (50... Rd1+ 51. Kb2 Rad3 52. Re2 $3 {/\ Kc2})) 48... g6 49. Kb2
(49. h4 Rd2+ 50. Kb1 Bf4 $19) 49... Rxh3 50. Rc3 Rh4 51. a6 (51. Rcc6 $1 Rxg4
52. Rxg6+ Kh5 53. Rgd6 $10) 51... Rxg4 52. Kb3 $6 (52. b5 $5) 52... Rdd4 53.
Rh3+ (53. Rb6 Be7) (53. Rcc6 Rxb4+ 54. Kc3 Rbf4 55. Rxg6+ Kh5 $17) 53... Kg7
54. Rb6 Be7 55. a7 (55. b5 Ra4 $17) 55... Rxb4+ 56. Kc2 (56. Rxb4 {Boensch}
Rxb4+ 57. Kc3 Ra4 $19) 56... Ra4 57. Rb7 Rge4 58. Rc3 Kf6 59. Rc8 (59. Rf3+ $5
Ke6 60. Rc3 $17) 59... Re2+ 60. Kd3 Rea2 $19 61. Rc6+ Kf7 62. Rcc7 R4a3+ 63.
Kc4 $6 (63. Kd4 $142 Rd2+ 64. Ke5 Re2+ 65. Kd5 g5 66. Rc8 Rd2+ 67. Ke5 Rda2 68.
Rcc7 Re2+ 69. Kd4 (69. Kf5 Ra4 $19) (69. Kd5 Ra4 $19) 69... g4 $19) (63. Ke4 {
Boensch} Re2+ 64. Kd5 Kf6 $19) 63... Rc2+ 64. Kb5 Rb3+ 65. Ka4 Ra3+ 66. Kb5
Rb2+ 67. Kc6 Ra6+ 68. Kd5 Rxb7 (68... Ra5+ $142 69. Kc4 (69. Kc6 Rc5+ 70. Kd7
Rd2+ 71. Kc8 Rd8#) 69... Rxb7 70. Rxb7 g5 $19) 69. Rxb7 Ra5+ $1 70. Kc6 Ke6 71.
Rc7 (71. Kb6 Bd8+ 72. Kc6 Bf6 73. Rd7 Be5 74. Kb6 Rxa7 75. Rxa7 Bd4+ $19) 71...
Bc5 $1 72. a8=Q Rxa8 73. Kxc5 Rd8 74. Rh7 g5 75. Kc4 Kf5 76. Rf7+ Ke4 77. Re7+
Kf4 78. Rf7+ Kg3 79. Kc3 g4 80. Rg7 Kf3 0-1

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 15th"]
[Site "Gothenburg"]
[Date "2005.08.03"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2682"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[Annotator "Gelfand,B"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2005.07.30"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SWE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 109"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Azerbaijan"]
[BlackTeam "Israel"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "AZE"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ISR"]

1. e4 {Gofshtein} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4
Nbd7 8. Bc4 Qb6 9. Qd2 (9. Bb3 Be7 10. f5 Nc5 11. fxe6 fxe6 12. Na4 (12. Be3 {
-16/466}) 12... Qc7 13. Nxc5 dxc5 (13... Qxc5 14. Be3 Qe5 15. O-O $16) 14. Nxe6
(14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Nxe6 Qe5 16. Qd5 Qxe6 17. Qxe6+ Bxe6 18. Bxe6 Bxb2 $11)
14... Bxe6 15. Bxe6 Qe5 16. Bxf6 (16. Bf5 Rd8 17. Qf3 g6 18. Bf4 Qxb2 $19)
16... Qxe4+ 17. Qe2 (17. Kf2 Qxe6 18. Bxe7 Qxe7 19. Re1 O-O+ 20. Kg1 $11) 17...
Qxe2+ 18. Kxe2 Bxf6 $11 {Radjabov,T-Gelfand,B/Merida,ESP-TCH 2005}) 9... Qxb2
10. Rb1 Qa3 11. Bxe6 $6 {Gofshtein: 'A relatively new idea which was seen only
in one game before. White sacrifices a piece and gets a long-term initiative'}
(11. f5 $6 e5 12. Ne6 fxe6 13. fxe6 Nc5) 11... fxe6 12. Nxe6 Kf7 (12... Qa5 13.
O-O Kf7 (13... h6 {Gofshtein} 14. Bh4 Kf7 15. f5 Be7 16. Qd3 Ne5 17. Qh3 b5 18.
Bxf6 Bxf6 19. Qh5+ Kg8 20. Nd5 $13 {1-0 Beil,Z-Watzlawek,M/Sueder 1996/EXT
2001 (35)}) 14. f5 {-12...Kf7}) 13. f5 (13. Nd8+ Kg8 14. O-O (14. Ne6 Qa5 15.
Nxf8 Kxf8 16. Qxd6+ Kf7) (14. Nxb7 Bxb7 15. Rxb7 Qc5 $19 {Olthof,R}) 14... Qc5+
15. Kh1 Qc4 16. Rfe1 h6 $17) (13. e5 dxe5 14. fxe5 Nxe5 15. Nxf8 Rxf8 16. Bxf6
gxf6 17. O-O Kg7 $19 {Olthof,R}) 13... Qa5 14. O-O b5 $1 {Gofshtein: 'Black
opens the way for his light squared bishop, trying to finish the development.'}
(14... Be7 15. Qe3 b5 16. Qg3 $36) 15. a4 (15. Nxf8 Rxf8 16. Qxd6 Re8 $19)
15... Bb7 $1 {Gofshtein: 'This way black activates his pieces on the queenside.
'} (15... b4 16. Bxf6 $1 (16. Nd5 Nxe4 17. Qd4 Bb7 18. Ndc7 d5 19. Nxa8 Bxa8
$19) 16... Nxf6 17. Ng5+ Kg8 18. Nd5 $13) 16. axb5 Rc8 17. bxa6 {'?!'
Gofshtein. Gofshtein: '17.Rb3 deserved attention, not letting the black bishop
to get into the game.'} (17. Rb3 $5 {Gofshtein} axb5 18. Rxb5 Qxc3 19. Qxc3
Rxc3 20. Rxb7) 17... Bxa6 18. Rf3 Be7 19. Rg3 (19. Qe1 Bc4 20. Ra1 Qb6+ 21. Be3
Qc6 22. Ra7 Ne5 (22... Bxe6 23. fxe6+ Kxe6 24. Ne2 $1) (22... Rhe8 23. Qg3 Bf8
24. Bd4 (24. Nd4 Qb6) 24... Bxe6 25. fxe6+ Rxe6 26. Nd5 Rxe4 $17) 23. Rg3 g6
$17) (19. Qd1 Rxc3 20. Bd2 Rxf3 21. Ng5+ Ke8 22. Bxa5 Rf1+ $19) 19... Rhg8 (
19... Bc4 20. Bxf6 Bxf6 21. Qxd6 Qa7+ 22. Kh1 $13) (19... Rc6 20. Qd1 $1 (20.
Nd5 Qxd2 21. Bxd2 Rg8 22. Ng5+ Ke8 23. Ra3 Bc8 $19)) (19... Nf8 20. Qd1 $1 $132
) (19... g6 $5 {Olthof,R}) (19... Rb8 $5 20. Rd1 (20. Re1 Rhc8) 20... Rhc8 21.
Bh4 Nh5 22. Bxe7 Nxg3 23. Qxd6 Qb6+ 24. Qxb6 Nxb6 $17) 20. Qe1 (20. Bxf6 Nxf6
21. Ng5+ Ke8 {'-/+' Gofshtein.}) (20. Qd1 $5 {Notkin,M} Bc4 (20... Rxc3 21. Bd2
{[%csl Ya5,Gb6,Gc5,Gg1]} Rgc8 (21... Nxe4 22. Qh5+ Kf6 23. Qh4+ Kf7 $11 24.
Qxe4 $2 Qa2 25. Rxc3 Qxb1+ 26. Kf2 Qf1+ 27. Kg3 Qe2) 22. Bxc3 (22. Qe1 $6 Rxg3
$1 23. Bxa5 Ra3 $8 24. Bb4 Ra2 25. Qg3 Rcxc2 26. Qxg7+ Ke8 $19 {Olthof,R}) (22.
Rxg7+ Ke8 23. Bg5 $44) 22... Rxc3 23. Qe1 Ra3 24. Rxg7+ Ke8 25. Qxa5 Rxa5 26.
Nc7+ Kf8 27. Ne6+ $11) 21. Ra1 (21. Rb7 Ke8 (21... Bxe6 22. fxe6+ Kxe6 23. Bxf6
Nxf6 24. Nd5 $36) 22. Bxf6 (22. Bd2 Qa6) 22... Nxf6 23. Nxg7+ Kf8 $19) 21...
Qb6+ 22. Be3 Qc6 23. Ng5+ Ke8 $17) 20... Bc4 21. Ra1 (21. Bd2 Bxe6 22. fxe6+
Kxe6 23. Nb5 Qb6+ 24. Be3 Qd8 $19 (24... Qa6 25. Bf2 Kf7 26. Ra3 Qc6 27. Rc3))
(21. Rb7 Bxe6 22. fxe6+ Kxe6 23. Bxf6 Bxf6 24. Qd1 Rgd8 $1 $19 {Notkin,M})
21... Qb6+ 22. Be3 Qc6 23. Nd4 (23. Bd4 Bxe6 24. fxe6+ Kxe6) (23. Ng5+ Ke8 24.
Bd4 (24. Nf3 Ne5) 24... h6 (24... Nh5 25. Rg4 Bf6 $19) 25. Ne6 Kf7 $18) 23...
Qc7 24. Nf3 Rge8 25. Ra7 Qb8 26. Bd4 Bf8 27. Qc1 (27. Bxf6 Qxa7+) 27... Rc7 28.
Ra5 Kg8 29. Qg5 (29. Qh6 Kh8) 29... Nxe4 30. Nxe4 Qb1+ 31. Kf2 Qf1+ 0-1

[Event "Dos Hermanas"]
[Site "Dos Hermanas"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2715"]
[BlackElo "2710"]
[Annotator "Gelfand,B"]
[PlyCount "137"]
[EventDate "1995.04.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 047"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1995.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1995.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Boensch Hecht} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6
7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qe2 Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 (9... Be7 {Boensch} 10. g4 (10. g3 O-O 11.
Bg2 Nb6 12. h4 e5 13. Nf5 Bxf5 14. exf5 Rac8 15. g4 exf4 16. Bxf4 Nc4 17. Rh3
$16 {Prie,E-Wians,C Brussels zt (10) 1993 1-0 26}) 10... h6 (10... O-O 11. Bxf6
Nxf6 12. g5 Nd7 13. Rg1 Re8 14. Kb1 b5 15. f5 Bf8 16. Bh3 Ne5 $132 {Matsuo,
T-Chumfwa,S Moskow olm (09) JPN-ZAM 1994 1-0 34 - EXP 44}) 11. Bh4 g5 12. fxg5
Nh7 13. Nf5 hxg5 (13... exf5 $1) 14. Bg3 Ne5 15. Nxe7 Kxe7 16. h4 $16 {Howell,
J-Timoshenko,G Hastings Challenger 1991 1-0 31}) 10. g3 (10. a3 {Boensch} Bb7
11. f5 e5 12. Nb3 Be7 13. Kb1 O-O 14. h4 h5 15. g4 hxg4 16. Bg2 Qc4 17. Qe1 $44
{Ginsburg,A-Karpman,V Ukraina-chT Simferopol 1991 1/2 41}) (10. g4 $5 {Boensch}
) 10... b4 11. Nd5 {Im Gegensatz zu Varianten mit der Q auf f3 soll dieses
Standardopfer mit mehr Kraft geschehen. Aber auch in der vorliegenden Partie
hat Weiß "nur" Initiative für den geopferten N.} exd5 12. Bg2 $5 $146 {Weiß
behällt die Option e4-e5, spielt aber einen ruhigen Entwicklungszug in einer
sehr scharfen Stellung.} (12. exd5+ {Yudasin-Gelfand,1990}) (12. exd5+ {Boensch
} Be7 13. Nf5 Nc5 14. Nxg7+ Kd8 15. Re1 Rg8 16. Bg2 Nfe4 17. Bxe4 Rxg7 {
1/2 Yudasin,L-Gelfand,B Manila izt (12) 1990}) 12... Be7 13. Nf5 (13. exd5 O-O
$1) 13... Nb6 (13... g6 $2 {Boensch} 14. Nxe7 Kxe7 15. e5 dxe5 16. Bxd5 Rb8 (
16... Bb7 17. fxe5 $18) 17. fxe5 Qxe5 18. Qxe5+ Nxe5 19. Rhe1 $16) (13... h6 $5
{!Boensch Jetzt habe ich keine befriedigende Fortsetzung für Weiß gefunden. zB.
} 14. Nxe7 (14. exd5 Nc5 15. Nxg7+ (15. Bxf6 Bxf5 16. Bxg7 Rg8 $19) 15... Kf8
$17) (14. Nxg7+ Kf8 15. Bxf6 Nxf6 $19) 14... Kxe7 15. exd5+ (15. e5 dxe5 16.
Bxd5 Rb8 17. fxe5 Qxe5 18. Qxe5+ Nxe5 19. Bf4 Nfd7 $19) 15... Kf8 $19) 14.
Nxg7+ Kf8 (14... Kd8 $5 15. e5 Bg4 16. Qf2 (16. Bf3 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Ne8 (17...
Rc8 {Boensch} 18. Rd2 Ne4 19. exd6 Nxd6 $19) (17... dxe5 $2 18. fxe5 Qxe5 19.
Nf5 $44) 18. exd6 (18. Nf5 Bxg5 19. fxg5 Rc8 (19... dxe5 20. Rxd5+ Kc8) 20. Rd2
Qc4 21. Kb1 Qe4) 18... Nxd6 $15) (16. exf6 Bxe2 17. fxe7+ Kd7 18. Bh3+ (18.
Rde1 Bd3) 18... Kc6 19. Rde1 Bf3 $19) 16... Ne8 $1 (16... dxe5 {Boensch} 17.
fxe5 Bxd1 18. exf6 Bc5 $19) (16... Bxd1 $2 17. exf6 Bf8 18. Rxd1 $16) 17. exd6
(17. Bxe7+ Kxe7 $17) (17. Nxe8 Rxe8 18. Bxd5 Bxd1 19. Rxd1 Nxd5 20. Rxd5 Bxg5
21. Rxd6+ Ke7 22. fxg5 Kf8 $19) 17... Nxd6 (17... Qxd6 18. h3 Bxd1 19. Nf5) 18.
Bxd5 (18. Rde1 Bxg5 (18... f6 $5 19. f5 $5) 19. fxg5 Kc8 20. Qf6 Kb7 21. Re7
Bd7 22. Qd4 Rac8 23. Bxd5+ Nxd5 24. Qxd5+ Kb8 25. Qd2) 18... Bxd1 19. Rxd1 Nxd5
20. Rxd5 h6 21. Rxd6+ (21. Bxe7+ Kxe7 22. Qd4 (22. Qe3+ Kf8 23. Qe5 (23. Qd4
Rg8) 23... Rc8 24. Ne6+ fxe6 25. Qxh8+ Ke7 $17) 22... Rhc8 $19) 21... Qxd6 22.
Nf5 hxg5 23. Nxd6 Bxd6 24. Qb6+ Ke7 25. Qb7+ Kf6 26. fxg5+ Kg7 27. g6 Kxg6 28.
Qe4+ Kf6 29. Qf3+ $10) 15. Bh6 (15. Nh5 Nxh5 16. Qxh5 Bxg5 17. fxg5 dxe4 $17)
15... Kg8 (15... Qc4 16. Nh5+ Ke8 17. Nxf6+ Bxf6 18. Qxc4 dxc4 (18... Nxc4 19.
e5 $16 (19. e5 Ne3 20. exf6 Nxg2 $13)) 19. Rxd6 $13 {Boensch} Bd8 20. e5 Ra7
21. Rhd1 Bd7 $44) 16. Nh5 (16. e5 dxe5 (16... Ng4 17. Ne8 $5 (17. exd6 Qxd6 18.
Ne8 Qe6)) 17. fxe5 Ng4 18. Bf4 Qc4 $1 19. Qxc4 dxc4 20. Ne8 (20. Nh5 Nf2 21.
Bxa8 Nxd1 22. Rxd1 (22. Bf3 Nf2 23. Rf1 (23. Be3 Nxh1 24. Bxb6 Bg5+ (24... Nxg3
25. hxg3 Kf8 $19) 25. Kb1 Bf5 $19) 23... Nh3 24. Bh6 Bg5+ $19) 22... Bg4 $19) (
20. Bxa8 {Boensch} Kxg7 21. Bf3 Nf2 $19) 20... Bb7 (20... Ra7 21. Nf6+ Kg7 22.
h3 Nf2 23. Be3) (20... h5 21. Rhe1) (20... Nf2 21. Bxa8 Nxa8 22. Bh6) 21. Bxb7
Rxe8 22. Bc6 Rc8 23. Bb7 Rb8 24. Bxa6 Ra8 $19 (24... Nf2)) (16. exd5 {Boensch}
Ng4 $19) 16... Ng4 (16... Nxe4 17. Rxd5 $1 Nxd5 18. Bxe4 $18) (16... dxe4 {
Boensch} 17. Nxf6+ Bxf6 18. Bxe4 Na4 $1 19. c3 Bxc3 $1 20. bxc3 Nxc3 21. Qc2
Ra7 22. Rhe1 Nxe4 23. Rxe4 Qxc2+ 24. Kxc2 Bf5 $19) 17. Bg7 Qc4 18. Qxc4 (18.
Rd3 Qxa2 19. b3 Ne5 $1 $19) 18... Nxc4 {Auch nach dem Q-Tausch geht es
taktisch weiter.} 19. e5 $1 Nge3 20. exd6 Nxd6 (20... Bg4 $5 21. Bxd5 $1 {
[#] Schach wie vor hundert Jahren, beinahe alle Figuren hängen.} (21. dxe7 Bxh5
22. Bxh8 Bxd1 23. Bd4 (23. Rxd1 Nxd1 24. Bxd5 Re8 25. Bf6 (25. Bxc4 Ne3 $19)
25... Nde3 26. Bc6 Nd6 27. Bxe8 Nxe8 $17) 23... Bg4 24. b3 Nxg2 25. bxc4 dxc4
$15) (21. Rxd5 Nxd6 22. Bxh8 Kxh8 23. Rxd6 Nxg2 $17) 21... Bxh5 (21... Bxd1 22.
Bxa8 (22. Rxd1 Nxd5 23. Rxd5 Nxd6 24. Bf6 $1 Bxf6 25. Nxf6+ Kg7 26. Rxd6 $10)
22... Bxh5 23. Bxh8 Bxd6 24. Bd4 $14) 22. Bxh8 (22. Bxa8 Kxg7 23. dxe7 Bxd1 24.
Bc6 Nd6 25. Re1 Rc8) 22... Nxd5 23. Rxd5 Bf3 (23... Nxd6 24. Rxh5 Kxh8 25. Re1
$14) 24. dxe7 Bxd5 25. Re1 (25. Rd1 Ne3 26. Re1 Kxh8 27. Rxe3 Re8 28. Re5 $15 (
28. Rd3 {Boensch} Bc6 29. Rd6 Bb5 $17)) 25... Re8 (25... Be6 26. Rd1) 26. Bd4 (
26. Bf6 Nd6 27. Rd1 Ne4) 26... f5 27. Bc5 $132) (20... Bxd6 {Boensch} 21. Rxd5
$3 Nxg2 22. Rg5 f5 (22... Be7 23. Nf6+ Bxf6 24. Bxf6+ Kf8 25. Bxh8 $16) 23.
Be5+ Kf7 24. Bxh8 $13) 21. Rhe1 $3 (21. Bxh8 Kxh8 (21... Nxd1 $2 22. Bf6 Ne3 (
22... Bxf6 $2 23. Nxf6+ Kg7 24. Nh5+ Kg6 25. Rxd1 $18) 23. Bxe7 Ndf5 24. Bf3
Nxe7 25. Re1 N3f5 26. g4 Kf8 (26... Nd4 $2 27. Rxe7 Kf8 28. Rxf7+ Kxf7 29.
Bxd5+ $18) 27. gxf5 Bxf5 $10) 22. Rde1 (22. Rhe1 {Boensch} Nxd1 (22... Nxg2 23.
Rxe7 Be6 $15) 23. Rxe7 Be6 24. Rxe6 fxe6 25. Kxd1 $17) 22... Nxg2 23. Rxe7 Be6
$17) (21. Rde1 Ndf5 22. Bxh8 Nxg2 23. Rxe7 Nxe7 24. Be5 Nc6 $17) 21... Ndf5 $6
(21... Bg4 $1 22. Rxe3 (22. Rxd5 Nxd5 23. Bxd5 Re8) 22... Bxd1 23. Rxe7 (23.
Kxd1 Nf5 24. Rxe7 Nxe7 25. Bf6 $143 $44) 23... Bxh5 24. Bxh8 Kxh8 25. Re5 $15 (
25. Bxd5 {Boensch} Rd8 $17) 25... Bg4 26. Rxd5 Rd8 27. Rd4 Be6 $15) 22. Bxd5 (
22. Bxh8 Nxg2 23. Rxe7 Nxe7 24. Be5 (24. Bf6 Bg4) 24... Nc6) 22... Nxd5 23.
Bxh8 (23. Rxd5 Nxg7 24. Rxe7 Kf8 $1 (24... Be6 $1 25. Rg5 (25. Ra7 Bxd5) 25...
Kf8 $19) (24... Nxh5 $2 {Boensch} 25. Re8+ Kg7 26. Rg5+ $16)) 23... Nfe3 24.
Nf6+ (24. Bf6 Nxd1 25. Bxe7 Bg4) 24... Bxf6 (24... Kxh8 {Boensch} 25. Nxd5 Nxd1
(25... Nxd5 26. Rxd5 Be6 $10) 26. Nc7 Ra7 27. Rxe7 Bg4 $13) 25. Rxd5 (25. Bxf6
$2 {Boensch} Be6 26. Rd3 Nxc2 $17) 25... Kxh8 (25... Nxd5 $4 26. Re8#) 26. Rxe3
Be6 27. Rd6 Kg7 $2 (27... h5 $1 {Boensch Verhindet g4 und entwertet die weiße
P-Majorität am Königsflügel.}) 28. a4 $2 (28. g4 $1 h6 29. b3 $14) 28... h5 29.
a5 Bf5 30. c3 bxc3 (30... Rc8 $5) 31. bxc3 Rc8 32. Kd2 $6 (32. Kb2 $5) 32...
Rc5 $6 (32... Rb8 $5 33. Rb6 (33. Rxa6 {Boensch} Rb2+ 34. Kd1 Rxh2 $17) 33...
Rd8+ 34. Kc1 (34. Ke2 Bg4+) 34... Bd3 $17) 33. Rxa6 Rb5 34. Ra8 (34. h4 $1 $10)
34... Rb2+ 35. Ke1 Rxh2 (35... Rc2 $5 36. Kd1 Bxc3 37. Rc8 $5 Rd2+ 38. Kc1 Bxc8
39. Rxc3 Rd8 $15) 36. a6 Ra2 37. a7 Ra1+ $138 (37... Bh3 $5) (37... Kh7 $5) 38.
Kd2 Ra2+ 39. Kc1 Kh7 40. c4 (40. Kd1 Bh3 $17 (40... Bh3 {Boensch} 41. c4 Bg2
$19)) 40... Ra1+ 41. Kd2 Ra2+ 42. Kd1 Kg7 (42... Bd4 $5 43. Re7 Kg7 44. Rg8+ (
44. Rb8 {Boensch} Bg4+ 45. Kc1 Bxa7 46. Rbb7 Bf2 47. Rxf7+ Kg6 $17) 44... Kxg8
45. Re8+ Kg7 46. a8=Q Bg4+ $19) 43. Rg8+ $8 (43. c5 Bd4 44. Re7 Bxc5 $19) 43...
Kxg8 44. Re8+ Kg7 45. a8=Q Bg4+ 46. Kc1 (46. Ke1 $5 Bc3+ 47. Kf1 Be2+ 48. Kg2
Rxa8 49. Rxa8 Bxc4 $17) 46... Rxa8 47. Rxa8 {Boensch: Auf Kosten des a-P ist
es Weiß gelungen einen R zu tauschen. Die schwarze Gewinnführung ist sehr
kompliziert.} Bd4 {Hecht: 2B<->RP. Starke B. Bauernschwäche g3. Schwierige
Gewinntechnik.} 48. Kd2 Bf2 49. Ra3 Kf6 50. Rd3 Ke6 (50... Be6 $5 {Salov,/
\Kf5-g4}) 51. Kc3 Be2 52. Rd8 (52. Rd2 {Hecht} Be1 $19) 52... Ke7 53. Rd5 f6
54. Kd2 Bg4 (54... Bxc4 $6 55. Rxh5 Bxg3 56. Ke3 $15) 55. Rd3 Ke6 56. Ra3 (56.
Kc3 Be2 $19) 56... Kd7 (56... Kd6 57. Ra6+ Kc5 58. Rxf6 (58. Kd3 {Boensch} f5
$19) 58... Kxc4 59. Rd6 (59. Rg6 Kd4 $5 (59... Bxg3 60. Ke3)) 59... Bxg3 60.
Ke3 h4 61. Rg6 h3 62. Rxg4 h2 $19) 57. Ra6 (57. c5 $5 Kc6 (57... Bxc5 58. Ra6
Ke7 (58... Bf2 59. Rxf6 Bxg3 60. Ke3 Ke7 61. Ra6 h4 62. Ra7+ $10) 59. Ke1) 58.
Rc3 (58. Ra6+ Kxc5 59. Rxf6 Kd4 $19) 58... f5 $22 59. Kc2 (59. Kd3 Bxg3 (59...
Bxc5 60. Rc2 Kd5 61. Ra2)) 59... Bxc5 60. Kd2 Kd5 $19) 57... Bxg3 58. Rxf6 Ke7
(58... h4 $1 59. Ke3 h3 60. Rh6 h2 $19) 59. Ra6 h4 (59... Bxf4+ 60. Ke1 (60.
Ke1 {Boensch} h4 $19)) 60. Ke3 h3 61. c5 h2 62. Ra1 (62. Rh6 Kf7 $19 (62... Kf8
{Boensch} 63. c6 Kg7 $19)) (62. Ra7+ Bd7) 62... Kf6 $1 (62... Kd7 $2 63. Rc1
Kc6 64. Ke4 Be2 65. Ke3 Bh5 66. Ra1 $1 $10 (66. Ke4 $2 Bf2 67. Rh1 Bg1 68. f5
Bf7 $19)) 63. Rb1 (63. Ke4 Kg6 64. c6 Kh5 65. c7 Kh4 66. Ke3 Kh3 67. Rc1 Kg2
68. Rc2+ Kf1 $19) (63. c6 Ke7 64. Rc1 Kd8 65. c7+ Kc8 66. Ke4 Be2 67. Ke3 (67.
f5 {Boensch} Bxc7 (67... Ba6 $2 68. f6 $1 (68. Kf3 $2 Bd6 (68... Bxc7 $4 69.
Rxc7+ Kxc7 70. Kg2 $10) 69. f6 Bb7+ $19) 68... Bb7+ 69. Kf5 h1=Q 70. Rxh1 Bxh1
71. f7 Bd6 72. Kg6 Bf8 73. Kh7 Bd5 74. Kg8 Bc5 75. Kg7 Bd4+ 76. Kg6 $10) 68. f6
Kd7 69. f7 Bd6 70. Rh1 Ke7 71. Ke3 Bb5 $19) 67... Bh5 $22 68. Ke4 Bf2 69. Rh1
Bg1 70. f5 Be8 $19) 63... Kf5 64. c6 Bxf4+ 65. Kf2 Bh3 66. Kf3 Bc7 67. Rb5+ $2
Kf6 68. Rb1 Be6 (68... Bb6 {Hecht} 69. Rd1 {Hecht} (69. Rh1 {Hecht} Bc7 (69...
Bg1 70. Kg3 $10) 70. Rc1 Be6 71. Ke4 Kg5 $19) 69... Bg1 $19) 69. Rd1 (69. Rd1
h1=Q+ $19 (69... Bd5+ $19)) (69. Ke4 {Hecht} Bf5+ $19) 0-1

[Event "Candidates FIDE m1"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2660"]
[BlackElo "2685"]
[Annotator "Gelfand,B"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "1994.01.16"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 039"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.04.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.04.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Wolff} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4
Nbd7 8. Qf3 Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. Bd3 Bb7 11. Rhe1 O-O-O 12. a3 Be7 13. Qe2 $1
$146 (13. Qf1) (13. Qg3) 13... h6 {?! Wolff} (13... Nc5 14. Bxb5 $5 $36) (13...
Nc5 $142 {Wolff}) 14. Bh4 Nc5 15. Bf2 (15. Bxb5 $2 Nfxe4 16. Nxe4 Bxh4 $19)
15... d5 {? Wolff} (15... Kb8 $5 $14) (15... Nxd3+ $142 {Wolff} 16. Rxd3 Kb8)
16. e5 Nfe4 $5 17. Bxe4 dxe4 (17... Nxe4 18. Rd3 (18. Nxe4 {Wolff} dxe4 19. Kb1
$16 {><e4, /\f4-f5}) 18... b4 (18... Nc5 19. Rf3 $16) 19. axb4 Bxb4 20. Nxe4
dxe4 21. Rb3 $1 Bxe1 22. Qxe1 Rd5 23. Rc3 Rc5 24. Nxe6 Rxc3 25. Nxc7 Rxc7 26.
f5 $1 $16) 18. Kb1 (18. Qe3 $1 f5 (18... Na4 19. Nxe4) 19. exf6 gxf6 20. Kb1
$16) (18. b4 $2 {Wolff} Nd3+ 19. cxd3 Qxc3+ 20. Kb1 Qxa3) 18... Na4 $1 (18...
Qa5 19. Qe3 (19. Nb3 Nxb3 20. cxb3 b4 $132) 19... b4 20. axb4 Qxb4 21. Na2 $16)
(18... Kb8 19. b4 (19. Qe3 $1 $16) (19. f5 $16 {Wolff}) 19... Nd7 20. Nxe4 Nb6
21. Rd3 Na4 $14) 19. Nxa4 (19. Nxe4 $2 Bxa3 $1) 19... bxa4 20. f5 $6 {! Wolff}
(20. c3 $142 $14) 20... Bc5 $2 (20... Qxe5 21. fxe6 (21. Bg3 Qc5) (21. Qc4+ {
Wolff} Qc5 22. Qxa4 e5) 21... f5 $1 $13 (21... fxe6 22. Qc4+ $18) 22. Qc4+ $140
Qc5 (22... Kb8 {Wolff} 23. Nc6+ Bxc6 24. Qxc6 $16) 23. Qxa4 f4 $132) (20...
exf5 {Wolff} 21. Nxf5 Qxe5 22. Qc4+ $18) 21. fxe6 Bxd4 22. e7 (22. Bxd4 $5 fxe6
23. Qd2 $5 {/\ Re3-c3+/-}) 22... Qxe7 23. Rxd4 {! Wolff} (23. Bxd4 Qe6 {
/\ Rd7, Rad8+/=; /\ Kb8, Rc8}) 23... Rxd4 24. Bxd4 Qe6 25. Qd2 {/\ Re3, Qb4}
Kb8 (25... Rd8 26. Qb4 (26. Re3 Qd5) 26... Qd5 27. Bb6 Re8 $16) 26. Qb4 Qc6 (
26... Rc8 27. Rxe4 Rxc2 28. Kxc2 Qc6+ 29. Kd2 Qxe4 30. Qd6+ $18) 27. Rd1 $1 (
27. Re3 Rd8 (27... Rc8 {Wolff} 28. Rc3 Qb5 29. Qd6+ Ka8 30. Rxc8+ Bxc8 31. Qc7
Qd7 $1 $14) 28. Bc5 Rc8 29. Bd6+ Ka8) (27. Rf1 $1 Rc8 28. Rf2 (28. c3 e3 $1 29.
Bxe3 Qe4+ $10) 28... Ka8 $14) 27... Rc8 28. Rd2 {/\ Be3, Qd4} Qb5 (28... Qc4 $2
29. Qd6+ Qc7 30. Bb6 $1 $18) 29. Qd6+ Ka8 30. Be3 Bc6 (30... Qf1+ 31. Rd1 (31.
Ka2 Qc4+ 32. b3 axb3+ 33. cxb3 Qc1 (33... Qc3 {Wolff} 34. Qb6 Qxd2+ $8 (34...
Kb8 35. Qa7+ Kc7 36. Bb6+ Kc6 37. Rd6+ Kb5 38. a4+ Kb4 39. Ba5+ Kxa5 40. Qb6#)
35. Bxd2 Rc2+ 36. Kb1 Rxd2 37. a4 $1 $16 {/\ b3-b4-b5, ...axb5, a4-a5}) 34. Qd4
Rc2+ 35. Rxc2 Qxc2+ 36. Ka1 Kb8 $10) 31... Qc4 32. c3 $16) 31. Qd4 Qb7 32. c4 (
32. Bf2 $1 e3 (32... Bb5 33. Qe3 {/\ Rd4-b4-b6+-}) 33. Bxe3 Be4 34. Kc1 $18)
32... Qc7 33. Ka1 Qb7 34. g3 h5 35. h3 {? Wolff xh3} (35. Bf2 $1 {/\ Qe3, Rd6,
Qd4, Be3+-}) 35... Qc7 36. Qc5 Bd7 37. Qb4 $2 (37. Qd5+ Bc6 38. Qd4) 37... Be6
(37... Bxh3 $2 {Wolff} 38. c5 (38. Rd6 $2 Qxc4) 38... Qxe5 $8 39. Rd6 Bf1 40.
Qb6 (40. c6 Rb8 41. Bd4 Qb5 $1 42. Qc3 Bc4 43. c7 Rc8 44. Rd8 Kb7) 40... Qe7 (
40... Qxg3 $2 41. c6 Qe1+ 42. Ka2 Bc4+ 43. b3 axb3+ 44. Kb2 Qe2+ 45. Rd2 $18) (
40... Rb8 41. Qc6+ Rb7 42. Qc8+ Rb8 (42... Ka7 43. c6+ $18) 43. Rxa6+ Bxa6 44.
Qxa6#) 41. c6 {/\ Rd7} Rb8 (41... Qc7 42. Qxc7 Rxc7 43. Rd8+) 42. c7 $1 Rxb6
43. c8=Q+ Rb8 44. Rxa6+ $18) 38. c5 Qc6 39. Rd6 Qb5 40. Qxe4+ Ka7 41. c6+ (41.
b4 $5 Qf1+ $1 (41... axb3 $2 42. Kb2) 42. Qb1 (42. Kb2 Bf5 $19) 42... Qc4 $10)
(41. Rb6 Qf1+ 42. Qb1 Qf3 43. Bd4 Rc6 $10) 41... Kb8 42. Qh1 $2 {?? Wolff} (42.
Qb4 $10) (42. b4 $5 {Wolff Nunn, /\Kb2} axb3 43. Kb2) 42... Qc4 (42... Qb3 43.
c7+ Kxc7 44. Qc6+ Kb8 45. Ba7+ $1 Kxa7 46. Qxa6+ Kb8 47. Rb6+ Kc7 48. Rxb3 Bxb3
$10) 43. Qb1 (43. c7+ $5 Kxc7 44. Qb1 {/\ Rd4}) 43... Rxc6 44. Rd4 (44. Rxc6 $2
{Wolff} Qxc6 $17 {/\ ...Qc4}) 44... Qc2 $2 (44... Qe2 $1 45. Bf4 Rc4 46. Rd2
Qf3 47. h4 Kb7 $17) 45. h4 Qxb1+ $2 (45... Qe2 $17) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Biel GM"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2005.07.27"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2660"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[Annotator "Gelfand,B"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2005.07.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "16"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qf3
Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. Bd3 Bb7 11. Rhe1 Qb6 12. Nd5 Qxd4 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Bxb5
Qc5 15. Nxf6+ Kd8 $1 $146 16. Nxd7 Qxb5 17. Nxf8 Rxf8 18. Qa3 Rc8 19. Qxd6+ Ke8
20. c3 (20. Re3 Qc6 (20... Rg8 $2 21. Rc3 Bc6 22. f5 Rxg2 23. fxe6 Rf2 24. Rc5
Qa4 25. Rg1 {1-0 Kosten,A-Georgiev,Kr/Saint Affrique FRA 2005/The Week in
Chess 560 (25)}) 21. Qd2 Ke7 22. Qb4+ Kf6 $11) 20... Qc6 21. Qb4 a5 $1 (21...
Qb5 22. Qd4 f6 (22... Ke7 23. Qd6+ Kf6 24. e5+ Kg7 25. Qe7 $40) (22... Rg8 $5
23. f5 e5) 23. Re3 $40) (21... Rg8 22. Rd2 a5 23. Qd4 $13) 22. Qxa5 (22. Qd4 f6
$15 (22... Ke7 23. f5 Rfd8 24. Qg7 $40)) 22... Ra8 23. Qg5 (23. Qb4 Rxa2 24.
Rd6 Ra4 $1 25. Rxc6 Rxb4 26. Rc7 Rxe4 $17) (23. Qd5 $2 Qxc3+) 23... f6 (23...
h6 24. Qf6) 24. Qd5 $2 (24. Qh5+ Rf7 (24... Ke7 25. e5 Rxa2 26. Qxh7+ $18) 25.
a3 Rxa3 26. bxa3 Qxc3+ $11) (24. Qg7 Rxa2 25. Rd4 Qb5 26. b3 (26. Rb4 $2 Qd3)
26... Ra1+ 27. Kd2 Ra2+ 28. Kc1 $11 (28. Ke3 e5)) 24... Qxc3+ $1 25. bxc3 exd5
26. exd5+ Kd7 27. Kb1 Ra4 28. g3 Rfa8 $1 (28... Rb8 29. Ka1 Rba8 30. Rd2 R8a5 (
30... Ba6 31. d6) 31. d6 (31. Re6 Rxa2+) (31. c4 Rxc4 32. Re6 Rxd5) 31... Bd5
32. Re7+ Kxd6 33. Rxh7 $15) 29. Rd2 R8a5 30. d6 $2 (30. Re6 $142 Rxd5 (30...
Bxd5 31. Rxf6 Ke7 32. Rh6 Bxa2+ 33. Kc2 Bg8 $15) 31. Rde2 (31. Rxd5+ Kxe6)
31... Rd6 32. Re7+ Kc8 33. Re8+ Rd8 $17) 30... Be4+ 31. Ka1 h5 $19 32. h3 Bd5
33. g4 Rxa2+ 34. Rxa2 Rxa2+ 35. Kb1 Rh2 36. Re3 h4 37. Kc1 Kxd6 38. f5 Rf2 39.
Kd1 Rf3 0-1

[Event "Bermuda"]
[Site "Bermuda"]
[Date "2004.01.22"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Shabalov, Alexander"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2623"]
[BlackElo "2709"]
[Annotator "Gelfand,B"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2004.01.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BER"]
[EventCategory "16"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%mdl 1]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4
Nbd7 8. Qf3 Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. Bd3 Bb7 11. Rhe1 Qb6 12. Nd5 Qxd4 (12... exd5
$2 13. Nc6 $1 Bxc6 14. exd5+ Be7 15. dxc6 Nc5 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. Bf5 {
Chiburdanidze,M-Dvoiris,S,Tashkent,1980}) 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Bxb5 Qc5 15. b4 (
15. Nxf6+) 15... Qxb5 16. Nc7+ Ke7 (16... Kd8 17. Nxb5 axb5 18. Qh5 {xf7}) 17.
Nxb5 axb5 18. Qh5 $5 $146 (18. Qd3 Ra6 19. Qxb5 Rb6 $15 {Mnatsakanian,
E-Georgiev,Kr.,Erevan,1982}) 18... Rxa2 $1 (18... e5 $6 19. Kb1 $36) (18... Bc6
19. Rd3 $5 $36) (18... Bg7 19. Rxd6 $1 Kxd6 20. Qxf7 $16 {/\ Rd1}) 19. Qxb5 (
19. Kb1 $6 Ra6 20. e5 d5 $17 (20... fxe5 21. fxe5 Nxe5 $1 22. Rxe5 Bg7 $19)) {
diagram} 19... Bh6 $3 (19... Ra1+ 20. Kd2 (20. Kb2 Rxd1 21. Rxd1 Bxe4 22. Ra1
Bg7 23. Ra7 f5+ 24. Kb3 Rd8 $13) 20... Rxd1+ 21. Kxd1 Ba8 $13) (19... Ra7 $2
20. Rxd6 $1 Kxd6 21. Rd1+ Bd5 22. exd5 $16) 20. e5 $6 (20. g3 Rb8 $5 (20... Rc8
21. Qxb7 Rcxc2+ $11) 21. Rxd6 Rxc2+ 22. Kd1 (22. Kxc2 Bxe4+) 22... Rc7 $15) (
20. Kb1 $5 Rha8 21. Qxb7 Bxf4 22. c3 Be5 (22... R2a7 23. Qb5 Ne5 $11) (22...
R8a3 $5) 23. Qc6 R8a3 24. Qc4 Rxg2 25. Re2 Rxc3 $44) (20. Qxb7 Bxf4+ 21. Kb1
Raa8 $5 (21... Rha8 {-20.Kb1}) 22. Qb5 Be5 $40) 20... fxe5 $6 (20... Bxf4+ 21.
Kb1 Rha8 22. exd6+ Kd8 23. Qxb7 Ra1+ 24. Kb2 R1a7 25. Qxa8+ Rxa8 26. c4 $16) (
20... Rc8 $1 {Golubev,M} 21. exd6+ (21. Rxd6 Rcxc2+ 22. Kd1 Rc7) (21. exf6+
Kxf6 22. Re2 Be4 23. Rxe4 Rcxc2+ 24. Kb1 Rcb2+ 25. Kc1 Nc5) 21... Kd8 22. Qd3 (
22. Qxb7 Rcxc2+ 23. Kb1 Rcb2+ 24. Kc1 Bxf4+) 22... Rcxc2+ 23. Qxc2 Bxf4+ $17)
21. Qxb7 Bxf4+ 22. Kb1 Rha8 23. g3 (23. Rxd6 $5 Ra1+ 24. Kb2 R8a2+ (24... R1a2+
$11 25. Kb3 $140 $2 R8a3+ 26. Kc4 Rxc2+ 27. Kb5 Kxd6 $19) 25. Kb3 Kxd6 26. Rxa1
Rxa1 27. c4 Rc1 28. g3 $15 (28. c5+ $2 Rxc5)) 23... R2a7 24. Qc6 (24. Qxa7 Rxa7
25. gxf4 exf4 $17) (24. Qe4 d5) 24... Ra6 (24... Bd2 25. Rxd2 Ra1+ 26. Kb2
R8a2+ 27. Kb3 Ra3+ 28. Kb2 $11) 25. Qc3 $6 (25. Qb7 $5 Bh6 (25... Bg5 26. c3
Bf6) 26. c3 Bg7 (26... d5 27. Rxd5 Ra1+ (27... exd5 28. Rxe5+) 28. Kb2 R8a2+
$11) 27. Rxd6 $140 $5 Ra1+ 28. Kb2 R8a2+ 29. Kb3 Kxd6 30. Rxa1 Rxa1 31. c4 $15)
25... Bh6 $44 {/\d6-d5,Bg7,Nd7-b6-c4} (25... Bg5 $5) 26. Re4 $2 (26. Rd3 d5)
26... d5 27. Rh4 d4 $1 28. Qb2 Bg5 (28... Nb6 29. Rdxd4 $1 exd4 (29... Na4 30.
Qa3 exd4 31. b5+ Rd6 32. Rxd4) 30. Rxh6 Rd8 $44) 29. Rxh7 (29. Rg4 Be3) 29...
Nf6 (29... Nb6 30. Rf1 $132) 30. h4 $2 (30. b5 $142 $1 Ra1+ (30... Ra4 31. b6
$1 Nd5 (31... Nxh7 32. b7 Rb8 33. Qb5 $13) 32. Rd3 $1 (32. b7 $2 Rb8 33. Rd3 e4
34. Ra3 (34. Rxd4 Nc3+ 35. Qxc3 Rxb7+) 34... Rb4 35. Rb3 e3 $1 36. Rxb4 e2 $19)
32... e4 33. Rxd4 $1 Bf6 (33... Ra1+ 34. Qxa1 Rxa1+ 35. Kxa1 Bf6 36. b7 Bxd4+
37. Kb1 $18) 34. Rxa4 (34. b7 $5) 34... Rxa4 35. c3 Nxc3+ 36. Kc2 $18) 31. Qxa1
Rxa1+ 32. Kxa1 Nxh7 $17) 30... Nd5 $2 (30... Ne4 $1 31. b5 Ra4 32. Rd3 (32.
hxg5 Nc3+) 32... Bd2 $19) 31. Rd3 Bd2 $6 (31... e4 $2 32. hxg5 exd3 33. Qxd4
Ra1+ 34. Kb2 R8a2+ 35. Kb3 $11) (31... Bf6 $1 32. b5 (32. Rf3 e4) 32... Ra4 33.
b6 e4 34. b7 Rb8 35. Rb3 (35. Ra3 d3) 35... d3 36. c3 e3 $19) 32. Rxd2 Nc3+ 33.
Kc1 Ra1+ 34. Qxa1 Rxa1+ 35. Kb2 Rb1+ 36. Ka3 e4 $1 (36... Rf1 37. Kb3 $13) 37.
Rf2 (37. Rxd4 e3 $19) 37... e3 38. Rfxf7+ Kd6 39. Rd7+ Kc6 (39... Ke5 $1 40.
Rh5+ Ke4 41. Rd6 e5 42. Re6 Kf3) 40. Rc7+ (40. Rde7 Kd6 $1 (40... Kd5 $6 41.
Rh6 $1 Ke4 42. Rhxe6+ Kf3 43. Rd7) 41. Rd7+ Ke5 $19) 40... Kd5 41. Rcd7+ {
Diagram [#]} (41. Rhd7+ Ke4 42. Rc6 e5) 41... Ke4 $1 42. Rde7 Kf3 43. Rxe6 Ke2
$1 44. Rd7 Kd2 45. Rxe3 (45. Rxd4+ Kxc2 {/\ Rb3 X}) 45... Kxe3 (45... Kxc2 $6
46. Rxc3+ $17) 46. Rf7 Nd5 47. b5 (47. h5 Kd2) 47... Kd2 0-1

[Event "Olympiad-36"]
[Site "Mallorca"]
[Date "2004.10.29"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Berg, Emanuel"]
[Black "Castellanos, Renier"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2529"]
[BlackElo "2449"]
[Annotator "Gofshtein,L"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2004.10.15"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Sweden"]
[BlackTeam "Chile"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "SWE"]
[BlackTeamCountry "CHI"]

{[%mdl 128]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7.
f4 Nbd7 8. Qf3 h6 {8...Qc7 and 8...Be7 are played more often.} 9. Bxf6 {
9.Bh4 is a fine alternative.} (9. Bh4 g5 (9... Qa5 10. Be2 g5 11. Nb3 $16 {
... (49). 1/2-1/2 Wagner,H-Gutman,L/Mengen 1990/GER (34)}) 10. fxg5 Nh7 11.
O-O-O Ne5 12. Qe3 Be7 13. Nf3 hxg5 14. Bg3 $16 {1-0 Bueno Perez,L-Barlov,D/
Tjentiste 1975/EXT 2001 (28)}) 9... Nxf6 {Another recapture gives white a
clear edge.} (9... Qxf6 10. O-O-O g5 11. f5 Ne5 12. Qh5 $16 {1/2-1/2 Petijevic,
V-Narandzic,V/Jahorina 2000/EXT 2001 (25)}) 10. O-O-O Qc7 11. Bd3 e5 {11...b5
deserved serious attention with the idea to throw the white knigth out of c3
first and only then to play e6-e5.} (11... Bd7 12. Rhe1 O-O-O 13. e5 Ne8 14. g4
Be7 15. Kb1 Kb8 $14 16. Be4 Bc8 17. Qf2 d5 18. Bf3 Qc5 19. Re3 Nc7 20. Nb3 Qa7
21. Ne2 Bd7 {1/2-1/2 Meszaros,T-Haag,E/Hungary 2000/EXT 2002 (21)}) (11... b5
$5 12. g4 b4 13. Nce2 e5 14. Nf5 Be6 $132) 12. Nf5 exf4 $2 $146 {Black is
mistaking when he opens the position. The correct move is 12...Be6 getting a
perfectly playable position.} (12... Be6 $5 13. Nd5 Bxd5 14. exd5 Nd7 15. Rhe1
O-O-O 16. Re4 $14 {1-0 Boey,J-Gutman,L/Brussels 1987/TD (40)}) 13. Rhe1 $1 {
[%cal Re1e8] White is preparing the e4-e5 advance trying to take advantage of
his great development edge.} g6 14. e5 $1 {[%mdl 512] A decisive breakthrough
in the centre. White has a very beautiful combination in mind.} (14. Nd5 Nxd5
15. exd5+ Kd8 16. Nd4 h5) 14... dxe5 15. Bb5+ $1 {[%mdl 512] White is playing
very imaginatively, holding on to his initiative with the aid of sacrifices.} (
15. Qxf4 gxf5 16. Bb5+ axb5 17. Nxb5 Qb8 18. Qxe5+ Qxe5 19. Nc7+ Ke7 20. Rxe5+
Be6 21. Nxa8 h5 $17) 15... axb5 {15...Bd7 is also bad in view of 16.Nd5.} (
15... Bd7 16. Nd5 $1 Nxd5 17. Bxd7+ Kxd7 18. Qxd5+ Kc8 19. Re4 $18) 16. Nxb5
Qxc2+ {In case of 16...Qb8 a sequence of the sacrifices decides as the next
lines show:} (16... Qb8 17. Rxe5+ $3 Qxe5 18. Qe2 $3 Ne4 (18... Qxe2 19. Nc7#)
19. Qxe4 f6 20. Nc7+ Kf7 21. Qc4+ Be6 22. Nxe6 gxf5 23. Nd8+ Kg6 24. Qf7+ Kg5
25. h4+ Kxh4 26. Qg6 $18) 17. Kxc2 Bxf5+ 18. Kc1 Rc8+ 19. Nc3 $18 {White has a
large material advantage and his victory is only a matter of time.} e4 (19...
Ng4 20. Qxf4 Bg7 21. Qa4+ $18) 20. Qxf4 Be7 21. Kb1 {Moving the king away from
a dangerous area and freeing the pinned knight.} O-O 22. Qxh6 Bb4 23. Rc1 Rfd8
24. h3 {Preparing g2-g4.} e3+ 25. Ka1 Ne4 26. g4 Nxc3 27. gxf5 {Getting rid of
the light squared bishop and getting to the black king.} Ra8 28. Rxc3 Bxc3 29.
fxg6 fxg6 30. bxc3 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 5th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2004.05.25"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Haznedaroglu, Kivanc"]
[Black "Van der Stricht, Geert"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2395"]
[BlackElo "2450"]
[Annotator "Gofshtein,L"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2004.05.15"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qf3
Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. Bxf6 {A relatively unanalyzed line. 10.Bd3 or 10.e5 are
more common and lead to a long forced lines.} (10. Bd3 Bb7 11. Rhe1) (10. e5
Bb7 11. Qh3 dxe5 12. Nxe6 fxe6 13. Qxe6+) 10... Nxf6 11. e5 Bb7 12. Qh3 $5 {
12.Qe3 has also been played with an unclear game.} (12. Qe3 dxe5 13. Ncxb5 Qb6
(13... axb5 14. Bxb5+ Nd7 (14... Ke7 $2 15. Nc6+ Bxc6 16. Qc5+ $18) 15. Nxe6
fxe6 16. Rxd7 Qxd7 17. Bxd7+ Kxd7 18. Rd1+ $40) 14. fxe5 Nd5 15. Qg3 O-O-O (
15... axb5 $5 16. Bxb5+ Ke7 17. c4 $13) 16. Na3 {1-0 Hector,J-Van der Stricht,
G/Plovdiv 2003/CBM 98 (55)}) 12... dxe5 13. Ncxb5 $5 {[%mdl 512] This
sacrifice is the main idea of this original variation.} Qb6 {If black accepts
the sacrifice his king stays in the center and doesn't feel too comfortable.
In this unclear position white succeeded to win the next game:} (13... axb5 14.
Bxb5+ Ke7 15. fxe5 Nd5 16. Kb1 {1-0 Haznedaroglu,K-Georgiev,K/Antalya 2001/CBM
81 ext (31)}) 14. fxe5 Nd5 (14... Ne4 $5 {[%cal Re4f2] deserves attention and
as the practice shows black gets a fine play.} 15. Bc4 (15. Qb3 $5 $13) 15...
Be7 $5 (15... O-O-O $2 16. Nxe6 Rxd1+ 17. Rxd1 $18 {1-0 Krakops,M-Skomorokhin,
R/Berlin 1993/EXT 97 (22)}) (15... axb5 16. Bxb5+ Ke7 17. Rhe1 Rxa2 18. Rxe4
Bxe4 19. Qh4+ f6 20. Qxe4) 16. Nd6+ Bxd6 17. exd6 O-O 18. Rhf1 Nxd6 $132 {
0-1 Thinius,M-Kuczynski,R/Germany 1998/GER-chT (68)}) 15. Na3 Bc5 16. Nc4 {
White's experimental opening play worked well for him, he got an extra pawn.}
Qc7 17. Nb3 {White tries to stabilize the position. Black's pair of bishops
and a weak e5 pawn give black some compensation.} Be7 18. Kb1 Rd8 {[%cal Rd5c3,
Rd8d1]} 19. Be2 {Developing the bishop and connecting the rooks.} O-O (19...
Nf4 20. Rxd8+ Qxd8 21. Qg4) 20. Rhf1 {[%cal Rf1f8] Bringing the rook to the
center and further consolidating the position.} Nb4 {[%cal Rb7d5,Yb4c6,Rc6e5]
Black opens his bishop and transfers the knight to c6 to attack the e5 pawn.}
21. Nbd2 Bd5 22. a3 Nc6 23. Bd3 g6 24. Rde1 {[%cal Ye1e5,Yc4e5] White defends
the e5 pawn and has a good position.} Rb8 {[%cal Yb8b2] Black tries to
activate the rook. The profilactic 24...Kg7 also deserved attention not
letting the white queen to h6.} (24... Kg7 $5 25. Qg3 $36 {[%cal Rh2h5]}) 25.
Qh6 {White immideatly takes advantage of black's inaccuracy and starts an
attack.} Na5 {Of course taking on g2 is dangerous. White gets a winning attack
in that case.} (25... Bxg2 $2 26. Rg1 Bd5 27. Re3 {[%cal Re3h3,Rg1g6]}) 26. Re3
{[%cal Ye3h3] White tries to get to the black king not fearing to sacrifice.}
Nxc4 (26... f5 $5 27. Qf4 (27. exf6 $2 Bxf6 {[%cal Rf6b2]}) (27. Rg3 Nxc4 28.
Rxg6+ hxg6 29. Qxg6+ Kh8 $11 30. Nxc4 $2 Bc5 $19)) 27. Rh3 $2 {White acts too
straight forward and gets a totally losing position. The right move was 27.Bc4
exchanging black's dangerous knight.} (27. Bxc4 $5) 27... Rxb2+ $1 (27... Nxd2+
$5 28. Ka1 Bh4 29. Rxh4 f5 30. Qxd2 Qxe5 31. Rb1 (31. c3)) 28. Kc1 Rxc2+ $1 {
By sacrificing the rook black opens the white king.} 29. Bxc2 Bxa3+ 30. Kd1
Nb2+ (30... f5 $5 31. exf6 Nxd2 32. Qxd2 Bd6 $44) 31. Ke1 Qxe5+ $4 {[%mdl 8192]
Black brilliantly led his counter attack but now makes a severe mistake and
loses.} (31... f5 $5 32. exf6 Bb4 $36) 32. Be4 $1 Nd3+ (32... Qh8 33. Rxa3 Bxe4
34. Nxe4 $18) 33. Ke2 $18 Nc1+ 34. Rxc1 Rd8 35. Qxh7+ Kf8 36. Qh8+ {After the
exchange of queens the win is simple.} Qxh8 37. Rxh8+ Ke7 38. Rxd8 Bxc1 39. Rc8
Bxe4 40. Nxe4 1-0

[Event "RUS-ch U20"]
[Site "Nojabrsk"]
[Date "2005.03.08"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Kurnosov, Igor"]
[Black "Kuznetsov, Viktor2"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2538"]
[BlackElo "2416"]
[Annotator "Gofshtein,L"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2005.03.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 106"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qf3
Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. Bxb5 {[%mdl 512] An interesting piece sacrifice. Except
this move white has a wide choice of options. He has tried calm lines such as
10.a3 or 10.Bd3 or the sharper 10.e5. As the tournament practice shows
complicated positions with mutual chances arise.} (10. a3 Bb7 11. g4 Be7 12.
Bxf6 Nxf6 (12... Bxf6 13. g5 Bxd4 14. Rxd4 O-O {0-1 Leko,P-Gelfand,B/Monaco
MNC 2001/The Week in Chess 333 (38)}) 13. g5 Nd7 14. Bh3 Nc5 15. Rhg1 g6 {
1/2-1/2 Leko,P-Shirov,A/Monaco MNC 2001/The Week in Chess 334 (45)}) (10. Bd3
Bb7 11. Rhe1 O-O-O 12. a3 Be7 13. Qe2 $5 {1/2-1/2 Adams,M-Gelfand,B/Wijk aan
Zee 1994/CBM 39/[Gelfand] (45)}) (10. e5 Bb7 11. Qh3 dxe5 12. Nxe6 fxe6 13.
Qxe6+ Be7 14. Nxb5 {0-1 Kamsky,G-Gelfand,B/Linares 1993/CBM 34/[Gelfand] (80)})
10... axb5 11. Ndxb5 Qb6 {Usually, black plays 11...Qb8 which leads to
positions where white has compensation for the sacrificed piece.} (11... Qb8) (
11... Qb8 12. e5 Ra5 (12... Bb7 13. Qe2 dxe5 14. Qc4 Be7 15. Nc7+ Kf8 16. Rxd7
Nxd7 17. Bxe7+ $5 (17. Rd1 Bxg5 18. fxg5 Bc8 19. N3b5 g6 $13 {Kengis - Dvojris,
URS 1982.}) 17... Kxe7 18. Rd1 Bd5 19. N3xd5+ exd5 20. Nxd5+ $44 {1/2-1/2 Van
der Wiel,J-Renet,O/Cannes 1992/CBM 28/[Ernst] (30)}) 13. exf6 gxf6 14. Bh6 Bxh6
15. Nxd6+ Ke7 16. Kb1 $44) 12. e5 Bb7 13. Qe2 {In case of 13.Rd6 as the
variations show white doesn't have enough compensation for the sacrificed
piece.} (13. Rxd6 Bxf3 14. Rxb6 Nxb6 15. exf6 Bc6 16. Nc7+ (16. Rd1 Bxb5 17.
Nxb5 Nd5 18. Rxd5 exd5 19. Nc7+ Kd7 20. Nxa8 Bc5 $17 21. fxg7) 16... Kd7 17.
Nxa8 Bxa8 18. Rd1+ Kc7) 13... dxe5 {13...h6 was also played leading to
complicated positions.} (13... h6 14. Bxf6 (14. Nxd6+ Bxd6 15. Rxd6 Qb4 $17)
14... gxf6 15. Nxd6+ Bxd6 16. Rxd6 Qb4 17. Qd2 Nb6 $13 {0-1 Hellers,F-Ivanov,I/
Philadelphia 1992/TD (45)}) (13... Ne4 $6 14. Nxe4 Bxe4 15. exd6 $40 {1-0 De
Wit,J-Gutman,L/Wijk aan Zee 1984/MCL (19)}) 14. fxe5 Qc5 $5 $146 {[%cal Rc5g5]
[%mdl 8] A novelty. 14...Nd5 was previously played. In this case as the games
show white has a strong attack.} (14... Nd5 15. Nxd5 $5 (15. Rxd5 $5 exd5 16.
Nd6+ Bxd6 17. exd6+ Kf8 18. Qe7+ Kg8 19. Qxd7 Bc6 20. Qf5 h6 21. Be7 g6 22. Qe5
$44 {1-0 Tokmachev,V-Narmontas,T/Birstonas 2002/CBM 089 ext (38)}) 15... Bxd5
16. Rxd5 $5 exd5 17. Rf1 $6 (17. Nd6+ $5 Bxd6 18. exd6+ Kf8 19. Qe7+ Kg8 20.
Qxd7 h6 21. Be7 $5 (21. Rf1 hxg5 22. Qxf7+ $11 {0-1 Korchagina,V-Bodnaruk,A/
Heraklio 2004/EXT 2005 (33)}) 21... Rxa2 22. Qc8+ Kh7 23. Qf5+ Kg8 24. d7 Qxb2+
25. Kd2 Qd4+ 26. Ke2 Rxc2+ 27. Qxc2 Qg4+ 28. Kd2 Qxd7 29. Ra1 $36 {0-1 Niering,
M-Lehmann,K/Germany 1994/GER (75)}) 17... Nc5 18. Qh5 Qb7 19. Rxf7 g6 20. Rxf8+
Kxf8 21. Qf3+ Qf7 $17 {0-1 Liss,E-Istratescu,A/Rishon Le Ziyyon 1990/EXT 99 
(40)}) 15. exf6 Qxg5+ 16. Kb1 Qxg2 $8 (16... Rc8 17. Qd3 {[%cal Rd3d7]} Bc6 18.
Na7 $5 $40) 17. Qd3 {[%cal Rd3d7] The preliminary 17.Nc7 was also possible.} (
17. Nc7+ Kd8 18. Qd3 Qc6 (18... Kxc7 $2 19. Qxd7+ Kb8 20. fxg7 Bxg7 21. Qd6+
Kc8 22. Rhg1 $18) 19. Nxa8 Bxa8 20. Rhf1 $13) 17... Qc6 18. Qg3 {[%cal Rb5c7,
Rf6g7] Creating two threats - 19.Nc7 and 19.fg.} gxf6 19. Nc7+ Ke7 {It was
worth considering 19...Kd8 removing the king from the centre.} (19... Kd8 $5
20. Nxa8 Bxa8) 20. Nxa8 Bxa8 21. Rhe1 {[%cal Rc3d5] Bringing the rook to the
centre and putting more pressure.} Qb6 (21... Kd8 22. Qb8+ Qc8 23. Qf4 Be7 $13
24. Ne4) 22. Nb5 {[%cal Rg3a3] Threatening 23.Qa3 and bringing the queen to
the game this way.} (22. Ne4 $5 Ke8 23. Qf3 Bxe4 24. Qxe4) 22... Qxb5 23. Qa3+
Nc5 (23... Qc5 24. Qxa8 Qc7 $13) 24. Qxa8 Bg7 {24...Qb6 deserved attention,
covering the a7 square and not letting white to activize his queen.} (24... Qb6
$5 {[%cal Rb6a7]} 25. Qa3 Bg7 26. Re4 f5 27. Rb4 Rd8 $36) 25. Qa7+ Nd7 26. Qa3+
Nc5 27. Qa7+ Nd7 28. Re3 {[%cal Re3d3,Re3b3] Bringing the rook to the attack.}
f5 $6 {Black gives away his queen, hoping to get some compensation.} (28... Rd8
29. a4 Qf5 30. Qc7 Bh6 31. Red3 {[%cal Rd3d7]} e5) 29. Rb3 Qc6 30. Rxd7+ Qxd7
31. Rb7 Rd8 32. a4 {White starts to advance his pawns. The preliminary 32.Qc5
also looks not bad.} (32. Qc5+ Ke8 (32... Kf6 33. Rxd7 Rxd7 34. a4 e5 35. a5
Rd1+ 36. Ka2 Rd4 37. Qc6+ Kg5 38. a6 $18) 33. Rxd7 Rxd7 34. a4 Bd4 35. Qb5 Ke7
36. b4 Rc7 37. c4) 32... Bd4 $5 {Black activizes his bishop, preparing the
advance of his passed f-pawn and preventing from white to advance his pawns.}
33. Rxd7+ Rxd7 34. Qb8 Be3 35. c4 f4 36. Qe5 $5 {Centralizing the queen and
preventing from the f-pawn to advance.} f6 37. Qh5 $5 {Again preventing from
the black pawns to advance.} Kd6 {It was worth considering the immideate
activization of the black pawns with 37...f5. In this case white's task would
be more difficult.} (37... f5 $5 38. Qxh7+ Kd6 39. Qg8 Ke5 40. Qb8+ Ke4 41.
Qa8+ Ke5) 38. b4 {Naturally starting to advance his pawns.} f5 39. c5+ Ke5 40.
c6 {Black tries to activize his pieces, in order to stop the white pawns.} (40.
Kc2 $5 Rd4 41. Kb3 Rd3+ 42. Kc4 Rd4+ 43. Kb5 Bd2 44. Qe2+ Kf6 45. a5 Rxb4+ 46.
Kc6 Be3 47. a6 $18) 40... Rd4 {[%cal Rd4b4]} 41. b5 (41. Qe8 $5 Rxb4+ 42. Ka2
Rxa4+ (42... Bb6 43. Qb8+ Kd5 44. c7 Rxa4+ 45. Kb3 Bxc7 46. Qb5+ $18) 43. Kb3
Ra7 44. Qb8+ Ke4 45. c7 Rxc7 46. Qxc7) 41... Rxa4 (41... Rb4+ 42. Kc2 Rxa4 43.
Kb3 $1 Ra5 44. Qe2 Ra8 45. b6 Rb8 46. Qb5+ Kd6 47. c7 $18) 42. c7 Rc4 43. b6
$18 Kd6 44. Qd1+ (44. Qd1+ Bd4 45. Qd3 Rb4+ 46. Kc2 Rxb6 47. c8=Q $18) 1-0

[Event "Olomouc Skanska Cup"]
[Site "Olomouc"]
[Date "2004.08.08"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Simacek, Pavel"]
[Black "Lagowski, Patryk"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2439"]
[BlackElo "2415"]
[Annotator "Gofshtein,L"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[EventDate "2004.08.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "CZE"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 103"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nc6 {
Black chooses a relatively rare line in the Rauzer} 8. Nxc6 bxc6 9. e5 h6 10.
Bh4 {Of course, white wishes to keep the bishop. After 10.exf6 black seizes
the initiative.} (10. exf6 $6 hxg5 11. fxg5 gxf6 12. Qf3 d5 13. O-O-O fxg5 14.
Bc4 g4 $1 $17 {Hector,J-Oll,L/Debrecen/1989/0-1/ -> CBM14}) 10... g5 (10...
dxe5 $6 11. Qxd8+ Kxd8 12. fxe5 g5 13. O-O-O+ $14) 11. fxg5 Nd5 12. Ne4 {
The main line of the variation. As the games given below show 13.Qg4 deserves
attention.} (12. Nxd5 cxd5 (12... exd5 13. Qe2 hxg5 14. Bg3 Qa5+ 15. Qd2 Qxd2+
16. Kxd2 Be6 $1 $10 {Yermolinsky-Browne, USA(ch) 1992}) 13. Qh5 (13. Qg4 $5 {
Sandler} dxe5 $6 (13... Be7) 14. g6 f5 15. Bxd8 $1 (15. g7 fxg4 16. gxh8=Q
Qxh4+ $146) 15... fxg4 16. Bf6 Rg8 17. Bxe5 Bg7 18. Bxg7 Rxg7 19. Bd3 $16 {
Panajotov-Sandler, Albena 1989}) 13... Qb6 $5 14. Be2 Bg7 15. Rf1 (15. g6 O-O
16. Bf6 Ra7 $1 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. gxf7 Raxf7 19. Qg4+ $1 Kh8 20. O-O-O Qe3+ 21.
Kb1 dxe5 22. Rhe1 Rg7 $15 {Mackic,-Maksimenko, Jugo. 1994}) 15... Ra7 16. Bf2
d4 17. O-O-O dxe5 $15 {Sakharov-Odeev/corr/1989/}) (12. exd6 hxg5 13. Bf2 Bxd6
14. Qd4 f6 15. O-O-O Bf4+ 16. Kb1 Be5 17. Qd3 Nxc3+ 18. bxc3 Rb8+ $17 {
Meyers-Savchenko, Bern,1993}) 12... Qb6 $1 {A typical move for this line.
Black activates his queen and is trying to seize the initiative.} (12... dxe5
13. Nf6+ Nxf6 14. Qxd8+ Kxd8 15. gxf6 $14) 13. c3 {After this move black has
good counter chances. 13.Bd3 deserves serious attention, in this case white
had chances to seize the initiative.} (13. c4 dxe5 14. cxd5 Qb4+ 15. Nc3 Qxh4+
$132 {0-1 Bauer,P-Stangl,M/Germany 1990/GER-chT (29)}) (13. Bd3 $5 hxg5 14.
Bxg5 (14. Bf2 $1 Qxb2 15. O-O Qxe5 16. Bg3 $1 Qd4+ 17. Kh1 Ne3 18. Qf3 Nxf1 19.
Rxf1 f5 20. c3 $1 Qb6 (20... g4 $6 21. Qe2 Qg7 22. Rxf5 $3 $16 {
Vitolinsh-Shabalov, USSR 1990}) 21. Nxd6+ Bxd6 22. Bxd6 $146 {
Vitolinsh-Drilinsh, USSR 1990}) 14... dxe5 (14... Qxb2 {Tyomkin,D} 15. c4 $5 (
15. Nf6+ Nxf6 16. Bxf6 Qc3+ 17. Ke2 Rg8 18. Rb1 Bh6 $2 (18... Rxg2+ $142) 19.
g3 $16 {Solomon Stephen J-Leskiewicz Maksymilian/Ch Queensland, Brisbane 
(Australia) 1995/1-0(31)}) 15... Qxe5 16. cxd5 Bg7 $132 {Nataf-Hamdouchi/Nice,
1996/1-0(37)} (16... cxd5 $2 17. Bf6 Rxh2 18. Bxe5 Rxh1+ 19. Bf1 $18)) 15. Nf6+
Nxf6 16. Bxf6 Rh6 $1 $132 {1/2-1/2 Almasi,Z-Leko,P/Budapest 1997/CBM 62/
[Tyomkin,D] (25)}) 13... dxe5 {13...Qb2 looks dangerous, grabbing material but
bringing the queen away from the centre.} (13... Qxb2 14. Rb1 Qxa2 15. g6 $13 {
1/2-1/2 Kozlitin,O-Nagimov,A/Samara 2002/CBM 89 ext (54)}) 14. Qf3 $6 {White
transfers the queen to a more active position, not paying attention to the b2
pawn. 14.g6 deserved attention, with compensation for the sacrificed material.}
(14. g6 $5 fxg6 (14... f5 15. Qh5) 15. Qg4 Qe3+ 16. Be2 Nf4 17. Qf3 Qxe2+ 18.
Qxe2 Nxe2 19. Kxe2 g5 20. Bg3 Bg7 $44 {0-1 Ziatdinov,R-Loginov,V/Tashkent 1987/
EXT 2000 (50)}) (14. Bg3 hxg5 (14... Bg7 15. Nd6+ Ke7 16. Nc4 Qc7 17. Qg4 $40)
(14... Nf4 15. Qf3 Qxb2 16. Rd1 $146) 15. Bxe5 Rh4 $132 {1/2-1/2 Oll,L-Gelfand,
B/Debrecen 1989/CBM 14/[ChessBase] (32) '!?' Tyomkin,D.}) 14... hxg5 15. Bxg5
Qxb2 {Black, doesn't pay attention to the white threat and takes the pawn.} 16.
Rd1 f5 {An extra pawn in the centre and a centralized knight give black good
chances of defdning against the white attack.} 17. Bd3 {White tries to find
some chances to attack the black king.} (17. Nf6+ Kf7) 17... Be7 $1 {
Simplifying the position, and npt letting white to get any activity.} 18. Bxe7
Kxe7 $1 (18... fxe4 19. Bxe4 Kxe7 20. O-O) 19. Nd2 Qxc3 {Taking another pawn
and getting a large material advantage.} 20. O-O Bd7 {Finishing the
development and connecting rooks.} 21. Nc4 Rag8 {[%cal Rg8g2,Rh8h2] Targeting
the white king.} 22. Qe2 Qd4+ {White resigned as black has a huge positional
advantage besides the two extra pawns.} 0-1

[Event "Carlos Torre Wimbledon 17th"]
[Site "Merida"]
[Date "2004.12.17"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Sulskis, Sarunas"]
[Black "Vera Gonzalez Quevedo, Reynaldo"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2555"]
[BlackElo "2461"]
[Annotator "Gofshtein,L"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2004.12.13"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "MEX"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Bc4
Qb6 {Activizing the queen and escaping the pin. As the tournament practice
shows black gets mutual chances after 8...b5} (8... b5 $5 9. Bxe6 (9. Bb3 Qb6
10. f5 e5 11. Nf3 Bb7 12. Qe2 b4 13. Na4 Qb5 $132 {1-0 Ljubojevic,L-Gutman,L/
Wijk aan Zee 1987/CBM 02 (58)}) 9... fxe6 10. Nxe6 Qa5 (10... Qb6 11. Qe2 Nc5
12. Nd5 Nxd5 13. exd5 Bxe6 14. dxe6 Be7 {0-1 Gebhardt,U-Karpman,V/Giessen 1994/
GER (34)}) 11. e5 dxe5 12. fxe5 Nxe5 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Qh5+ Nf7 15. Qd5 Ra7 $19
{0-1 Stocek,J-Dvoirys,S/Cappelle la Grande 1994/EXT 99 (34)}) (8... Qa5 9. Qe2
$5 b5 10. Bd5 $36 {1-0 Matulovic,M-Barlov,D/Smederevska Palanka 1982/MCL (42)})
9. Qd2 $5 {The most agressive move in this position. As the tournament
practice shows other options such as 9.Bf6 and 9.Bb3 allow black to get
sufficient counterplay} (9. Bxf6 Nxf6 (9... Qxb2 $2 10. Nxe6 $1 fxe6 11. Bd4 e5
12. a3 exd4 13. Na4 $18 {1-0 Groszpeter,A-Loeffler,S/Lenk 1995/EXT 97 (30)})
10. Bb3 e5 11. Nde2 exf4 12. Nxf4 Qe3+ 13. Nfe2 Be7 14. Qd4 Qxd4 15. Nxd4 g6
16. O-O O-O 17. Rad1 $14 {1/2-1/2 Beliavsky,A-Gelfand,B/Linares 1994/CBM 40 
(43)}) (9. Bb3 Be7 10. f5 Nc5 11. fxe6 fxe6 12. Be3 (12. Qe2 Nxb3 13. Nxb3 O-O
$132 {1/2-1/2 Ljubojevic,L-Gheorghiu,F/Palma de Mallorca 1972/EXT 98 (20)})
12... Qc7 13. O-O b5 (13... O-O 14. a3 Nxb3 $132 {0-1 Matulovic,M-Buljovcic,I/
Novi Sad 1975/EXT 2001 (42)}) 14. Qf3 O-O {1/2-1/2 Kavalek,L-Gheorghiu,F/
Skopje 1972/EXT 2000 (14)} (14... O-O 15. e5 dxe5 16. Qc6 Ra7 $17 {0-1
Matulovic,M-Gheorghiu,F/Helsinki 1972/MCD (50)})) (9. Bxf6 {— 60/261}) 9...
Qxb2 {Black accepts the challenge and takes the pawn. After the calm 9...Be7
white gets a good position} (9... h6 10. Bh4 Qxb2 11. O-O Qb4 12. Bxe6 $13 {
0-1 Borocz,I-Pinter,J/Hungary 1996/EXT 2000 (36)}) (9... Be7 10. O-O-O Nc5 11.
Rhe1 Qd8 12. b4 Ncd7 13. Bxe6 $36 {1-0 Anderson,J-Savory,R/London 1995/EXT 98 
(29)}) 10. O-O {10.Rb1 was also possible which leads to an unclear position} (
10. Rb1 Qa3 {— B 97} (10... Qa3 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. Nxe6 Qa5 13. O-O h6 14. Bh4
Kf7 15. f5 $13 {1-0 Beil,Z-Watzlawek,M/Sueder 1996/EXT 2001 (35)})) 10... Be7 {
Black also has another option 10...Qb4 which leads to complex positions which
are very difficult to evaluate} (10... Qb4 $5 11. Bb3 (11. Bxe6 $1 $146 fxe6
12. Nxe6 Kf7 (12... Qb6+ 13. Kh1 Nc5 14. Nxc5 Qxc5 (14... dxc5 15. e5 $16) 15.
e5 $40) (12... Qc4 $1 13. Nxf8 (13. e5 $36 dxe5 (13... Qxe6 14. exf6 Kf7 15.
Rae1 Qc4 (15... Qf5 16. fxg7 Kxg7 17. Qd4+ Kg8 18. Nd5 h6 19. Re8 $16) 16. fxg7
Bxg7 (16... Kxg7 17. f5 $40) 17. Re7+ $44) 14. Nxf8 (14. fxe5 Qxe6 15. exf6
Bc5+ 16. Kh1 O-O 17. fxg7 Rxf1+ 18. Rxf1 b6 $17) 14... Rxf8 {— 13.Nf8}) 13...
Rxf8 (13... Nxf8 14. e5 $40) 14. e5 dxe5 (14... Ng4 15. Rae1 $40) 15. fxe5 Ng4
$1 $13 (15... Nxe5 16. Rae1 $16)) 13. e5 $5 $13 {0-1 Sulskis,S-Kobalia,M/
Moscow 2003/Inf 87/[Kobalia,M] (26)} (13. Nxf8 Rxf8 14. e5 Qc5+ 15. Kh1 dxe5
16. fxe5 Qxe5 17. Rae1 Qa5 18. Re7+ Kg8 $17) (13. Nd8+ Kg8 14. Rab1 (14. e5
dxe5 15. fxe5 Nxe5 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. Rxf6 h6 $17) 14... Qc4 $15)) 11... Be7 12.
Rad1 Nc5 $13 (12... Nc5 13. Qe1 Bd7 14. e5 {1/2-1/2 Vuckovic,B-Lesiege,A/
Bermuda 2002/CBM 088 (53)})) (10... Qb6 11. Kh1 h6 (11... Qc7 12. Bxe6 $1 fxe6
13. Nxe6 Qc4 (13... Qa5 14. e5 $1 dxe5 15. fxe5 Nxe5 16. Nxf8 $5 Rxf8 17. Rae1
Qc7 18. Nd5 Qd6 19. Nxf6+ Rxf6 20. Rxe5+ Be6 (20... Qxe5 21. Bxf6 $18) 21. Rxf6
Qxe5 22. Rf1 $16) 14. e5 (14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. exd5 Nf6 16. Bxf6 Bxe6 $15) 14...
Qxe6 (14... dxe5 15. fxe5 Qxe6 16. exf6 $18) 15. exf6 Kf7 16. fxg7 Bxg7 17.
Rae1 Qc4 18. Ne4 $16) (11... Be7 12. Bxe6 $1 fxe6 13. Nxe6 Kf7 14. Nd5 (14. e5
dxe5 15. fxe5 Nxe5 $15) 14... Nxd5 15. Rab1 $1 (15. Qxd5 Nf6 16. Nd8+ Ke8 17.
Bxf6 gxf6 18. Ne6 Bxe6 19. Qxe6 Qc6 $17) 15... Qe3 (15... Nb4 16. Rxb4 Qa5 17.
Bxe7 $40) 16. Qxd5 Nf6 17. Nd8+ Ke8 18. Bxf6 gxf6 19. Nxb7 Rb8 20. Qh5+ Kd7 (
20... Kf8 21. Nd8 $1 Bxd8 22. Rxb8 Qc3 23. e5 $16) 21. Qf5+ Kc7 (21... Ke8 22.
Nxd6+ Bxd6 23. Rxb8 $18) 22. Qa5+ Kd7 23. Qxa6 $36) 12. Bh4 (12. Bxf6 Nxf6 13.
e5 (13. f5 Qc5 14. Bb3 e5 $15) 13... Ng4 14. exd6 (14. Be2 dxe5 15. fxe5 Nxe5
16. Qf4 Bd6 $17) 14... Bxd6 15. Ne4 Be7 $15) 12... g5 $5 (12... Qc7 13. Bxe6
fxe6 14. Nxe6 Qc4 15. e5 $40) (12... Be7 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. Nxe6 $36) 13. fxg5
hxg5 14. Bxg5 Ng4 15. h3 Nde5 16. Be2 Bg7 $13) 11. Rab1 Qa3 12. Kh1 {A
profilactic move. By hiding the king white prepares an opening of the game} Qc5
$6 {Black provokes the opponent to sacrifice a piece. 12...Nc5 deserved
attention not letting white to sacrifice on e6} (12... Nc5 $5 13. Rfe1 b5 14.
Bxf6 gxf6 $132) 13. Bxe6 $1 {[%mdl 512]} fxe6 14. Nxe6 Qa5 {Also in case of 14.
..Qc4 white's attack is dangerous} (14... Qc4 15. Nxg7+ Kf7 16. Nf5 Bf8 17. e5
$40) 15. Nxg7+ Kf7 16. Nf5 $36 {[%mdl 128] Two extra pawns, black's exposed
king and insufficient development give white enough compensation for the
sacrificed piece} Nxe4 {Black tries to exchange white's dangerous knight (Nf5).
In case of 16...Bf8 or 16...Rhe8 white gets a dangerous attack after 17.e5} (
16... Bf8 17. e5 $1 dxe5 18. fxe5 Qxe5 19. Rbe1 Qc5 20. Ne4 Qd5 (20... Nxe4 21.
Rxe4 $40) 21. Qc3 $18) (16... Re8 17. e5 dxe5 18. fxe5 Qxe5 19. Rbe1 Qc5 20.
Nxe7 Rxe7 21. Rxe7+ Kxe7 22. Nd5+ $40) 17. Nxe4 Qxf5 18. Rbe1 $1 {[%cal Re1e7]
White brings his last piece into action. The exposed position of the black
king and the activity of the white pieces make black's position indefencible}
Bf8 19. Nxd6+ Bxd6 20. Qxd6 {[%cal Re1e7]} Rf8 21. Bh6 $18 {Forcing the
exchange of black's main defenders} Re8 (21... Kg8 22. Rf3 Kh8 23. Rg3 Qf6 24.
Bxf8) 22. Rxe8 Kxe8 23. Re1+ Kf7 (23... Kd8 24. Bg5+ $18) 24. Re7+ Kg8 25. Qd4
(25. Rg7+ Kh8 26. Rxd7 Bxd7 27. Qd4+) 1-0

[Event "Corus-C"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2004.01.19"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Pavlovic, Milos"]
[Black "Janssen, Ruud"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2548"]
[BlackElo "2489"]
[Annotator "Gofshtein,L"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2004.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {[%mdl 4]} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4
Nbd7 8. Qf3 Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. Bd3 Bb7 11. Rhe1 O-O-O 12. f5 {A relatively
new move. 12.a3 or 12.Qh3 was mostly played before. In this case black
recieved a fine counterplay, for example:} (12. a3 Be7 13. Qe2 h6 (13... Nc5
14. Bxb5 $5 $36) 14. Bh4 Nc5 15. Bf2 (15. Bxb5 $2 Nfxe4 16. Nxe4 Bxh4 $19)
15... d5 (15... Kb8 $5 $14) (15... Nxd3+ $142 {Wolff} 16. Rxd3 Kb8) 16. e5 Nfe4
$5 $132 {1/2-1/2 Adams,M-Gelfand,B/Wijk aan Zee 1994/CBM 39/[Gelfand] (45)})
12... e5 13. Nb3 Be7 14. a4 $1 {[%mdl 16] This way white significatly weakens
the position of the black king and gets a promising position. This move which
was introduced only recently puts a question mark on this variation for black.
Other moves are not dangerous for black} (14. Bxf6 Nxf6 15. Nd5 Nxd5 16. exd5
Kb8 $132 {1/2-1/2 Baklan,V-Kuczynski,R/Ohrid 2001/CBM 84 (59)}) 14... Nxe4 {
Black accepts the sacrifice and quickly finds himself in difficulties. But
anyway it is hard to give black a good advice. White has the initiative in all
lines} (14... b4 $6 15. Bxf6 Nxf6 (15... Bxf6 16. Nd5 Bxd5 17. exd5 a5 18. Re4
Qa7 19. Bb5 $36 {1-0 Berg,E-Paehtz,E/Gausdal 2003/CBM 93 ext (31)}) 16. Nd5
Nxd5 17. exd5 a5 18. Re4 $40 {[%csl Gc4] 1-0 Kotronias,V-Jobava,B/Batumi 2002/
CBM 90/[Tyomkin,D] (35)}) (14... bxa4 $6 15. Nxa4 d5 16. exd5 Nxd5 17. Bxe7
Nxe7 18. Be4 $16) 15. Bxe4 (15. Bxe7 Nxc3 16. Bxd8 Rxd8 $17) 15... Bxg5+ 16.
Kb1 bxa4 17. Bxb7+ $1 {Of course, there is no need to drive the knight off the
center with 17.Na4} (17. Nxa4 $2 Nf6 18. Bxb7+ Qxb7 19. Qc3+ Qc7 $8 (19... Kb8
20. Na5 {[%cal Ga5c6]}) 20. Qd3 Kb7 $132) 17... Qxb7 18. Ne4 {[%cal Re4d6,
Re4g5] Centralization of the white pieces and the open position of the black
king give white a strong attack} Be7 19. Na5 Qc7 20. Nc3 $1 {[%mdl 512] A
positional piece sacrifice. The activity of the white pieces and a "bad"
black's king give white more than enough compensation} Qxa5 21. Qa8+ Nb8 22.
Nd5 $1 {[%mdl 128] White plays for the domination} Rd7 23. Re4 $1 {[%cal Ge4a4]
Activizing the rook. Now almost all white pieces are in the attack} Rc7 24.
Rxa4 Qc5 (24... Qxa4 25. Nb6+ $18) (24... Qb5 25. Rb4 Qa5 26. Nb6+ $18) 25. Rc4
$1 {Forcing black to give his queen} Qxc4 26. Nb6+ Kd8 27. Nxc4 Rxc4 28. Qxb8+
$18 Rc8 29. Qa7 {With a clear material advantage white easily decides the game
in his favour} h5 30. Rd3 {[%cal Rd3b3,Rb3b7,Rb7e7] With the idea to activize
the rook via d3-b3-b7} Rh6 31. Rb3 Rc7 32. Rb8+ Kd7 33. Qxa6 d5 34. Qb5+ {
New material losses are inevitable, that's why black resigned} 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-36"]
[Site "Mallorca"]
[Date "2004.10.18"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Ibrayev, Nurlan"]
[Black "Kulaots, Kaido"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2476"]
[BlackElo "2597"]
[Annotator "Gofshtein,L"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2004.10.15"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Kazakhstan"]
[BlackTeam "Estonia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "KAZ"]
[BlackTeamCountry "EST"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qf3
Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. Bd3 Bb7 11. Rhe1 Qb6 12. Nd5 Qxd4 (12... exd5 $2 13. Nc6 $3
Bxc6 14. exd5+ Be7 15. dxc6 Nc5 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. Bf5 $36 {Chiburdanidze,
M-Dvoiris,S,Tashkent,1980}) 13. Bxf6 $5 (13. Nc7+ Kd8 14. Nxa8 Qa4 $132) 13...
gxf6 14. Bxb5 Qc5 (14... Qxd1+ 15. Rxd1 axb5 16. Nc7+ Kd8 17. Nxa8 Bxa8 18. Qd3
Rg8 19. g3 Bc6) 15. Nxf6+ $146 {[%mdl 8] A novelty. 15.b4 was played before
which leads to irrational positions. As the tournament practice shows black
has enough compensation for the sacrificed queen.} (15. b4 Qxb5 16. Nc7+ Ke7 (
16... Kd8 17. Nxb5 axb5 18. Qh5 {xf7} (18. Qh5 Rxa2 19. Qxb5 $36 {1-0
Janetschek,K-Wallner,A/Austria 1992/EXT 97 (61)})) 17. Nxb5 axb5 18. Qd3 (18.
Qh5 $5 $146 Rxa2 $1 $132 {0-1 Shabalov,A-Gelfand,B/Bermuda 2004/CBM 99/
[Gelfand] (47)} (18... e5 $6 19. Kb1 $36) (18... Bc6 19. Rd3 $5 $36) (18... Bg7
19. Rxd6 $1 Kxd6 20. Qxf7 $16 {/\ Rd1})) 18... Ra6 19. Qxb5 Rb6 $13 {0-1
Mirkovic,S-Tadic,B/Belgrade 2004/CBM 102 ext (43)}) 15... Ke7 {Another
possible move in this position led to unclear consequences} (15... Kd8 $5 16.
Bxd7 $5 (16. Nxd7 Qxb5 17. Qc3 (17. Nxf8 Rxf8 18. Rxd6+ Kc7 19. Red1 $13) 17...
Kxd7 (17... Rg8) 18. Qxh8 Qh5 $132) 16... Be7 17. Qb3 Bxf6 18. Bxe6 fxe6 19.
Qxb7 Ra7 20. Qb3 $44) 16. Bxd7 Bg7 (16... Kxf6 17. e5+ Ke7 18. Qxb7 Ra7 19.
exd6+ $18) 17. Nh5 Bxb2+ $8 18. Kxb2 Kxd7 {After a serie of forced moves the
game came to a position where white has an extra pawn and a clear edge.} 19.
Re3 $6 {After 19.Qa3 black faced a serious problems.} (19. Qa3 $5 Qxa3+ 20.
Kxa3 Rhc8 21. e5 d5 22. Nf6+ Ke7 23. Rd2 $16) 19... Rhc8 20. Rc3 Qxc3+ 21. Qxc3
Rxc3 22. Kxc3 {[%mdl 4096]} Rc8+ 23. Kd3 (23. Kb3 Ke7 24. Ng3 h5 $44) 23... f5
$5 {This way black activizes his light squared bishop.} (23... Rc5 24. g4 Ra5
25. Rb1 $16) 24. exf5 exf5 25. Ng3 {[%csl Yf5][%cal Rg3f5] 25.Rd2 has also
deserved attention, exchanging the c-pawn for the h-pawn and getting a
dangerous passed pawn along the h-file.} (25. Rd2 $5 $16 Be4+ 26. Kd4 d5 27.
Nf6+ Kd6 28. Nxh7 Rc4+ 29. Ke3 Bxc2 30. Ng5 $16) 25... Rc5 $6 $44 {[%cal Rc5f5,
Rc5a5,Ra5a2,Yb7g2] 25...Bxg2 deserved serious attention, exchanging the weak
f5 pawn for g2. In this case in spite of the lack of pawn black can attack
white's many weaknesses.} (25... Bxg2 $5 26. Nxf5 Rf8 27. Nh4 Bh3 28. Ke4 Re8+
29. Kd3 Rf8 30. Ke4 Re8+ $132) 26. Rd2 (26. Rg1 Ke6 27. c4 d5 28. cxd5+ Rxd5+
29. Kc3 Rc5+ 30. Kd4 Rc2 $44) 26... Rd5+ 27. Ke3 Rxd2 28. Kxd2 Ke6 29. Ke3 Bxg2
30. Kd4 {Despite the material equality white's position is clearly better as
his king is much more superior.} Bc6 31. c4 Kf6 {Black is forced to wait.} 32.
a3 Kg6 33. Kc3 Bd7 {[%cal Rd7e6] Bringing the bishop to a more active position.
} 34. Kd4 Be6 {[%cal Re6c4] The bishop targets the c4 pawn, knotting the white
king to it.} 35. c5 {Exchanging his weak c4 pawn and trying to activize the
king.} dxc5+ 36. Kxc5 Bb3 37. Kd6 {White gets nothing by activizing the knight
by 37.Nf1. As the next lines show black is able to get a draw.} (37. Nf1 Kh5 (
37... Bd1 38. Ne3 Be2 39. Nd5 Bf1 40. Kd6) 38. Ne3 Ba2 $1 (38... Kh4 39. Nxf5+
Kg4 40. Nd4) 39. Kb6 Kh4 40. Nxf5+ Kg4 41. Ne7 Kxf4 42. Kxa6 Bb3 43. Kb5 Kg4
44. Kb4 Bd1 $11) 37... Bc2 38. Ke5 Bd3 39. h4 Bb1 40. Ke6 {In this position
the opponents agreed to a draw. I think this decision is a little premature.
As the lines show black should have played very precisely after 40.Nf5 in
order to reach the draw.} (40. Nxf5 Kh5 41. Nd6 Kxh4 42. f5 Kg4 43. f6 Bg6 44.
f7 Bxf7 45. Nxf7 h5 46. Nh6+ Kg5 47. Nf5 Kg4 48. Ke4 a5 49. Nh6+ Kg5 50. Nf5
Kg4 51. Nd4 h4 52. Ke3 Kg3 53. Nf5+ Kg4 54. Nd6 Kg3) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Ismailia Misr 2nd"]
[Site "Ismailia"]
[Date "2004.08.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Timoshenko, Georgy"]
[Black "Adly, Ahmed"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2536"]
[BlackElo "2475"]
[Annotator "Gofshtein,L"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2004.08.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "EGY"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 103"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Bd7 {
A very rare line, which doesn't provide black with good results} 8. Qf3 {
The most natural move, other common moves are 8.Qe2 supporting e4-e5 and 8.f5}
(8. e5 {is answered by} dxe5 9. fxe5 Qa5 {with a fine game for black}) 8... Nc6
9. O-O-O Nxd4 10. Rxd4 Bc6 11. Bc4 Be7 12. Bb3 {One month earlier Sulskis went
for a more direct approach against Adly and won in a nice fashion after 12.f5}
(12. f5 Qa5 13. Rhd1 exf5 14. Qxf5 Qxf5 15. exf5 Bxg2 16. Re1 Kf8 17. Bf4 Rd8
18. Rd2 Bc6 19. Rde2 d5 {1-0 Sulskis,S-Adly,A/Pardubice CZE 2004/The Week in
Chess 508 (47) although the position is highly unclear}) 12... Qc7 (12... Qa5 {
is an interesting alternative, after which f4-f5 would be involved with a pawn
sacrifice, similar to the game Sulskis-Adly}) 13. f5 exf5 (13... Nxe4 $2 {
is tempting but bad in view of} 14. Bxe7 Nxc3 15. Qxc3 Qxe7 16. fxe6 fxe6 17.
Bxe6 {with a winning attack}) (13... e5 $6 {is bad} 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Rd3 {
dominating the d5 square with a clear advantage}) 14. Qxf5 O-O 15. Rf1 {
The position is complicated but white looks a little better, his pieces are
better placed} Rae8 16. Kb1 Bd7 17. Qf3 Be6 18. h3 {planning to grab some
space on the kingside} (18. Bxe6 fxe6 19. Qh3 Qc8 {is fine for black}) 18... b5
19. Rfd1 Rd8 $2 {too passive} (19... b4 $1 {was the sharp alternative} 20. Nd5
(20. Rxb4 $2 Qc5 $1 {is the point, attacking the rook and the bishop} 21. Bxf6
Qxb4 {and black is better}) (20. Bxf6 Bxf6 21. Rxb4 (21. Nd5 Bxd5 22. Rxd5 Be5
{and black is fine}) 21... Qc5 {also provides black with a pair of bishops,
active piece play and a full compensation for the pawn}) 20... Nxd5 21. exd5
Bd7 22. Bxe7 Rxe7 23. Rxb4 Rfe8 {and black has a fine compensation for the
pawn, he controls the e-file and white's bishop is restricted}) 20. g4 Rd7 21.
Bf4 $1 {white's position is already clearly better} (21. e5 $6 {is tempting
but is not the best} dxe5 22. Rxd7 Bxd7 23. Bxf6 Bxf6 24. Nd5 Qc6 25. Nxf6+
gxf6 26. Bd5 Qb6 {and although white is fully compensated for the pawn it
seems that in the game he had more}) 21... Rc8 $2 {black misses white's threat}
(21... h6 {was almost forced} 22. Nd5 Bxd5 23. Bxd5 Nxd5 24. Rxd5 {with a
clear advantage for white}) 22. g5 Ne8 23. Bxe6 fxe6 24. Qg4 {now the game is
practically over} Qc6 (24... e5 25. Bxe5) 25. Qxe6+ Kh8 26. a3 {black could
have resigned already, besides the extra pawn white has plenty positional
advantage, the rest is easy} Rb7 27. Nd5 {white further improves the position
of his pieces, black's position looks very grim} Bf8 28. Nb4 Qc5 29. Rd5 Qc4
30. b3 Qc7 31. Rf5 $1 Be7 32. Rd2 Qd7 33. Qxd7 Rxd7 34. Nd5 {with a double
threat, to take the bishop or Nb6} Nc7 35. Nb6 Rcd8 36. Nxd7 Rxd7 37. Rd4 g6
38. Rc5 Kg7 39. Rc6 1-0

[Event "Corus-C"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2005.01.26"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Spoelman, Wouter"]
[Black "Bosboom, Manuel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2381"]
[BlackElo "2426"]
[Annotator "Gofshtein,L"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2005.01.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "7"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qf3
h6 {Black chooses a relatively rare line. 8...Be7 or 8...Qc7 is more common} (
8... Qc7) 9. Bh4 {The alternative 9.Bf6 brought white success in the next game:
} (9. Bxf6 $5 Nxf6 10. O-O-O Qc7 11. Bd3 e5 12. Nf5 exf4 13. Rhe1 $5 g6 14. e5
dxe5 15. Bb5+ axb5 16. Nxb5 $40 {1-0 Berg,E-Castellanos,R/Mallorca 2004/CBM
104 no vc (30)}) 9... Rg8 $146 {[%mdl 8] A novelty. Black prepares the advance
g7-g5. A usual move in this position is 9...e5. As the variations show black
has a fine counterplay} (9... e5 $5 10. Nf5 (10. Bxf6 Nxf6 11. fxe5 dxe5 12.
Nf5 Bxf5 13. Qxf5 Qa5 14. O-O-O Bb4 15. Nd5 Nxd5 16. Rxd5 Qxa2 17. Qd7+ Kf8
$132 {1-0 Nemeth,M-Vegh,E/Hungary 2002/EXT 2004 (33)}) (10. fxe5 Nxe5 11. Qd1
Be7 12. Be2 Nxe4 13. Bxe7 Nxc3 14. Bxd8 Nxd1 $132 15. Bc7 Nxb2 $17 {1/2-1/2
Radjabov,T-Dominguez,L/Tripoli 2004/CBM 102 (96)}) 10... exf4 11. Bxf6 Nxf6 12.
O-O-O Qa5 13. Bc4 Be6 14. e5 $13 {1-0 Santo Roman,M-Colovic,A/Sautron 2004/EXT
2005 (51)}) (9... Qa5 10. Be2 g5 11. Nb3 Qd8 12. Bg3 gxf4 13. Bxf4 Ne5 14. Bxe5
dxe5 15. Rd1 Bd7 16. O-O Be7 17. Qg3 Qb8 18. Qh4 Nd5 19. Qf2 Nf4 20. Kh1 Qa7
$132 {... (49). 1/2-1/2 Wagner,H-Gutman,L/Mengen 1990/GER (34)}) (9... Qc7 10.
O-O-O b5 11. Bd3 b4 12. Nce2 Bb7 13. Kb1 O-O-O 14. c3 $16 {1-0 Nishimura,
H-Diallo,R/Manila 1992/TD (56)}) 10. O-O-O {10.Bf2 was also possible with the
idea after 10...g5 to reply with 11.g3 not giiving up the e5 square} (10. Bf2
$5 g5 11. g3 Qc7 12. O-O-O) 10... g5 11. fxg5 hxg5 12. Bg3 g4 (12... Qc7 $5)
13. Qf2 Qc7 {Black prepares b7-b5 in order to finish his development} 14. Be2 {
Developing the bishop and connecting rooks} Be7 15. h3 {Trying to open lines
on the kingside. It was interesting to check 15.Rhf1 trying to make use of the
lead in development} (15. Rhf1 $5 b5 16. Bxb5 axb5 17. Ndxb5 Qa5 18. Bxd6 Bxd6
19. Nxd6+ Ke7 20. Ndb5 $1 Rg7 21. e5 $40) 15... gxh3 {15...b5 deserved
attention not opening lines on the kingside} (15... b5 $5) 16. gxh3 b5 {
[%cal Rb5b4]} 17. a3 {A profilactic move headed against the advance b5-b4} Rb8
{Black plays very actively and tries to get counterplay on the queenside
despite the fact that his king is still in the centre} (17... Bb7 $5 18. Bf3
Ne5 $132) 18. Rhf1 {[%cal Rf2f7] In case of 18.h4 black would have also get an
active counterplay} (18. h4 b4 19. axb4 Rxb4 20. h5 Qb6 $132) 18... b4 $5 19.
axb4 Rxb4 {Black activizes his pieces, trying to get an active game} 20. h4 Ne5
{Zaslyzivalo vnimanija nemedlennoe 20...Qb6 crazy atakyja peshky b2} (20... Qb6
$5) 21. h5 {[%cal Rg3h4,Rh4f6] White pushes his pawn forward, also preparing
22.Bh4} (21. Rg1 Rh8) 21... Qb6 {[%cal Rb4b2]} 22. Bh4 $1 {[%cal Rh4f6]
Strengthening the pressure on the black position} (22. Bxe5 dxe5 23. Ndb5 Qxf2
24. Nc7+ Kf8 25. Rxf2 Nxe4 26. Nxe4 Rxe4 $132) 22... Nfg4 {Black tries to
weaken the white pressure by tactical means} 23. Bxg4 Bxh4 24. Qxh4 Rxg4 $6 {
24...Rd4 was stronger exchanging white's strong knight and getting his queen
involved in the game} (24... Rxd4 $5 25. Rxd4 Qxd4 26. Be2 Bb7 27. Qf4 $14) 25.
Qf6 $6 {25.Qf2 deserved a serious attention and because of the dangerous
h-pawn white has the advantage} (25. Qf2 $5 Rxb2 26. h6 Rg6 27. Rh1 $18) 25...
Rxd4 26. Qh8+ Kd7 $4 {[%mdl 8192] A blunder after which black loses at once.
It was essential to play 26...Ke7 with counterplay} (26... Ke7 $8 27. Rxd4 Qxd4
28. Qxc8 Rg1 $132) 27. Rxd4 $18 Rg1 {27...Qd4 also loses} (27... Qxd4 28. Rxf7+
$1 Nxf7 29. Qxd4) 28. Rxg1 Qxd4 29. Qg7 {A material advantage and the passed
h-pawn give white a winning position} Kc6 30. h6 Qe3+ 31. Kb1 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 5th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2004.05.24"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Atakisi, Umut"]
[Black "Mazi, Leon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2344"]
[BlackElo "2417"]
[Annotator "Gofshtein,L"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2004.05.15"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qf3
Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. Bd3 b4 $6 {A hasty move which forces white to force
matters to his favour. Although, in the main line after 10...Bb7 black is also
experiencing serious difficulties as the next game shows, for example:} (10...
Bb7) (10... Bb7 11. Rhe1 O-O-O 12. f5 e5 13. Nb3 Be7 14. a4 $5 $36 {1-0
Kotronias,V-Jobava,B/Batumi 2002/CBM 90}) 11. Nd5 $1 {[%mdl 512] A typical
piece sarifice in this variation, which gives white a strong attack.} exd5 {
If black declines the sacrifice with 11...Qb7 then white has a pleasant choice
between 12.Rhe1 forcing black to take the piece and the more quiet 12.Nf6.} (
11... Qb7 12. Rhe1 (12. Nxf6+ Nxf6 13. Bxf6 gxf6) 12... exd5 13. exd5+ (13. Nc6
$5 $44) 13... Kd8 14. Nc6+ Kc7 15. Re4 $36) 12. exd5 Bb7 {Also after 12...Be7
white has compensation for the sacrificed piece.} (12... Be7 13. Rhe1 (13. Nf5
Kf8 14. Rhe1 Bd8 15. Qg3 Rg8) 13... Kf8 14. Nc6 $36) 13. Rhe1+ Kd8 14. Nc6+ $5
{The strongest move as black is practically forced to exchange his light
squared bishop and to open the position further.} (14. Bf5 Be7 15. Be6 $40 {
1-0 Kavalek,L-Gheorghiu,F/Skopje 1972/EXT 2000 (36)}) (14. Qe2 Kc8 (14... Qc5
$5) 15. Qe8+ Qd8 16. Bxf6 Nxf6 17. Bf5+ Kc7 18. Qxf7+ Kb6 19. a4 $36 {1-0
Jerez Perez,A-Arroyo Izquiano,L/Spain 1998/EXT 2003 (23)}) 14... Bxc6 15. dxc6
Nb8 $146 {A novelty which doesn't bring black any success. In any case white
gets more than enough compensation for the sacrificed piece. Black's weak king
and black's many weaknesses give white a clear edge.} (15... Nc5 16. Bxf6+ gxf6
17. Bc4 Ra7 18. Qd5 Ne6 (18... Qb6 19. Qf5 Be7 20. Bd5 a5 21. Qg4 a4 22. Qg7
$44 {1/2-1/2 Thipsay,P-Ravi,L/Mumbai 2003/CBM 94 (36)}) 19. f5 Ng7 20. Re4 Qb6
21. Bb3 Rc7 22. Ba4 Kc8 23. Qd2 a5 24. Qe2 $44 {1-0 Gruenfeld,Y-Gutman,L/Holon
1986/EXT 97 (38)}) 16. Bxf6+ gxf6 17. Be4 h5 18. Bd5 $5 $16 {Opening the
e-file for the white pieces.} Ra7 19. Qe4 {[%cal Ye4e8,Ye4b4] A double attack,
white threatens mate and attack the b4 pawn at the same time.} Bg7 20. Qxb4 a5
21. Qc4 f5 {[%cal Rg7b2] Black is trying to get some counterplay, and opens
his dark squared bishop.} 22. Re3 {White regroups his pieces to a better
squares.} Na6 23. Bf3 $1 {[%cal Rd1d6,Rd2d5,Rd5f5,Rd5a5] Opening the d-file
for the rook and not letting black to put his knight on c5 also freeing d5 for
the rook or the queen.} Kc8 24. Rde1 {[%cal Re3e8]} Rd8 25. Qd5 $1 {[%cal
Rd5f5] White goes forward with his plan to attack and to take care of the
opponent's weaknesses.} Nc5 26. Qxf5+ Kb8 27. Qd5 $5 {White blacks the d-pawn
in order to supress black from any counterplay.} (27. Qxh5 d5 {[%cal Rc7f4]})
27... Qb6 28. c3 Ne6 {[%cal Re6f4] It's not clear how can black get any real
counterplay since white pieces are totally dominating.} (28... Na4 29. R1e2 $16
) (28... Rc7 29. Bxh5 Rxc6 30. Bxf7 $16) 29. g3 h4 $5 {Black gets rid of the
weakness on h5.} 30. Kb1 $6 {An immideate 30.Kc2 was stronger, moving the king
from the c1-h6 diagonal.} (30. Kc2 $5) 30... hxg3 31. hxg3 Rc7 32. Kc2 Ka7 {
The game gradually equals. White tries to move the black knight from e6 but
black gets the e5 square for the bishop.} 33. f5 $5 Ng5 {By attacking the
bishop black gains a tempi and not letting the white rook to envade to e7. The
drawback of the move is the position of the knight on g5.} (33... Nc5 34. Re7
$16 {[%cal Re7c7,Re7f7]}) 34. Bg2 Rb8 {[%cal Yb6b2]} 35. b3 Be5 {By putting
the bishop on e5 black closes the e-file for white.} 36. Qd2 $1 {[%cal Ye3d3,
Yd3d5,Yd5a5,Re3e5] A strong move, white threatens 37.Re5 and also the retreat
of the queen allows the maneouvre Re3-d3-d5 which strengthens white's position.
} f6 37. Rd3 Qc5 38. Rd5 {[%cal Rc5a3]} Qa3 39. Kb1 {White parries the black's
threats.} Rb6 40. c4 $6 {40.Qe3 deserved attention, not opening the king.} (40.
Qe3 $5) 40... Ra6 $2 {A passive move. Black gives the b-file without a fight.
After 40...Ka6 or 40...Rb4 there is still a long game.} (40... Rb4 41. Re3 Nf7)
(40... Ka6 $5 41. Bf1 Rxb3+ 42. axb3 Qxb3+ 43. Kc1 Bc3) 41. Rb5 $5 {41.Ree5
won immideatly.} (41. Rexe5 $1 dxe5 (41... fxe5 42. Qe3+ Ka8 (42... Rb6 43. Rb5
$18) 43. Qxg5 $18) 42. Rd7 $18) 41... a4 42. Re3 $5 {[%cal Re3b3] Bringing the
rook to the game over the 3rd rank but still 42.Ree5 was simpler.} (42. Rexe5
$1 fxe5 (42... dxe5 43. Qd8 $18) 43. Qe3+ $11 Ka8 44. Qxg5 $18) 42... axb3 43.
Rexb3 $18 Qa4 44. Qe3+ 1-0

[Event "Pardubice op-A"]
[Site "Pardubice"]
[Date "2005.07.24"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Savchenko, Boris"]
[Black "Henrichs, Thomas"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2534"]
[BlackElo "2413"]
[Annotator "Gutman,L"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2005.07.22"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 107 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qc7 8. Bxf6
gxf6 9. f5 Qc5 10. Qd3 Nc6 11. Nb3 Qb6 (11... Qe5 12. fxe6 fxe6 13. O-O-O b5
14. Kb1 Bb7 15. Qe3 Be7 16. Be2 O-O 17. Qh3 {brachte Schwarz nicht genug
Gegenspiel, Kavalek-Chandler, deutsche Bundesliga1982/83.}) 12. O-O-O Bh6+ (
12... Bd7 13. Qh3 O-O-O 14. Bc4 Re8 15. Rhf1 Ne5 16. Be2 Kb8 17. Kb1 Be7 18.
Nd4 {versprach Weiß mehr vom Spiel in Zielinsky-Kopylov, Fernpartie 1991.
Schwarz will versuchen den Läufer nach e5 zu überführen, was in einigen
Rauser-Varianten durchaus positiv ist}) 13. Kb1 Bf4 14. g3 $2 (14. Be2 Be5 15.
Nd2 $5 {stellt das schwarze Vorhaben in Frage, da} Qd4 {durch} 16. Qh3 Qc5 17.
Nc4 {pariert wird}) 14... Be5 15. Bh3 (15. Nd2 Qd4 $5 (15... Nb4 16. Qf3 Qc7
17. Nc4 b5 18. Nxe5 fxe5 19. Bh3) 16. Qf3 Qc5 $11) 15... Bd7 16. Ne2 Rc8 ({
Treibt die Spannung hoch; solider war} 16... O-O-O $5 17. c3 Kb8 18. Nd2 Bc8
19. Bg2 h5 20. Nc4 Qc7 $13) 17. c3 Na5 18. Nxa5 Qxa5 19. Nd4 Ke7 20. Qe3 (20.
Nf3 h5 21. Rd2 {wird durch} Bb5 22. Qe3 Bxc3 23. bxc3 Rxc3 {abgewehrt}) 20...
h5 21. Rd2 Qc5 22. Rhd1 b5 23. Qe2 b4 24. cxb4 Qxb4 25. fxe6 fxe6 26. Nf3 ({
Überlässt Schwarz die Initiative.} 26. Qxa6 $5 Rc5 {war die kritische Folge})
26... Bb5 27. Qe3 Qc5 28. Qxc5 Rxc5 29. Bf1 Bc6 30. Nxe5 dxe5 31. Bxa6 Bxe4+
32. Bd3 Bd5 33. b3 f5 $6 (33... h4 {lag auf der Hand; mit besseren Aussichten
für Schwarz}) 34. Bxf5 exf5 35. Rxd5 Rxd5 36. Rxd5 Ke6 37. Rd2 h4 38. b4 hxg3
39. hxg3 Rh3 40. b5 Rxg3 41. b6 f4 42. Kc2 e4 43. a4 e3 44. b7 Rg8 45. Rd3 Rb8
46. Rb3 e2 47. Kd2 f3 48. Rb1 (48. Ke1 Kd6 49. a5 Kc7 50. a6 Rf8 51. Kf2 Kb8
$11) 48... Kd6 49. a5 Kc7 50. a6 Rd8+ 51. Ke3 Re8+ 52. Kxf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Nuremberg LGA Cup 8th"]
[Site "Nuremberg"]
[Date "2011.09.10"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Huschenbeth, Niclas"]
[Black "Klein, David"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2513"]
[BlackElo "2339"]
[Annotator "Gutman,L"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2011.09.08"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 144 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.10.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.10.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 h6 8. Bh4
Qb6 9. a3 Nc6 $5 ({Zu riskant erscheint} 9... Nbd7 10. Bc4 {
Caruana-Vachier-Lagrave, Biel 2011}) 10. Bf2 Qc7 ({Ein Zugeständnis wäre} 10...
Nxd4 $6 11. Bxd4 Qc6 {Nikolic-Mihajlovic, Belgrad 2007} 12. Qd3 Be7 13. Be2 $14
) 11. Qf3 ({Harmlos erscheint} 11. Bd3 Bd7 ({Aber nicht} 11... e5 $6 12. Nde2
Be7 {, Mirza-De Guzman, New Delhi 83, wegen} 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. exd5 $14) 12. O-O
Be7 13. Kh1 O-O 14. Qe2 Nxd4 15. Bxd4 e5 16. Be3 b5 {Gufeld-Suetin, Lenigrad
1960}) 11... Be7 12. Bd3 ({In Tal-Olafsson, Kandidatenturnier Portoroz-Bled
1959, folgte} 12. O-O-O Bd7 13. g4 {, wonach 13...} Nxd4 $5 14. Rxd4 (14. Bxd4
e5 15. fxe5 dxe5 16. Qg3 Bd6) 14... Rc8 ({Hier ist} 14... e5 {schwächer wegen}
15. Nd5 Nxd5 16. Rc4 Qa5 17. exd5 $14) 15. Bd3 b5 $11 {das Spiel ausgleicht.})
12... Nxd4 $2 ({Eher am Platze ist} 12... Bd7 13. O-O O-O 14. Nb3 b5 $11 {
Lokvenc-Ivkov, Dresden 1959}) 13. Bxd4 e5 14. Be3 $2 ({Es ist kaum zu glauben.
Niclas verpasst} 14. fxe5 dxe5 15. Qg3 $16 {mit klarem Vorteil.}) 14... exf4
15. Qxf4 Be6 16. O-O-O Nd7 17. h4 Bf6 18. Nd5 Bxd5 19. exd5 Be5 20. Qf2 Nf6 ({
Nach} 20... Nc5 21. Kb1 $14 {gefällt die weiße Stellung etwas besser.}) 21. Bb6
$6 ({Mehr war durch} 21. Qf3 h5 22. Rhe1 Ng4 23. Bg5 O-O 24. Bf5 $14 {zu
erreichen.}) 21... Ng4 22. Qg1 Qe7 23. Kb1 O-O 24. Bf5 h5 25. Bxg4 hxg4 26. Qe3
Rae8 27. g3 f5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-A 79th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2017.01.16"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Wei, Yi"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2706"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[Annotator "Hillarp Persson,T"]
[PlyCount "149"]
[EventDate "2017.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 {Already at this stage I felt inclined to comment on this game. It's
nice to see that there are some who still seek asymmetry.} 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 {Finally someone who is prepared to play a
principled move.} ({Karjakin came up with} 6. a3 {in the first round against
Giri. I guess this move is inspired by a kind of psychic prophylaxis: "I'll
stop you from playing b5-b4 because the cards say that you will play b7-b5."
Then Carlsen followed suit in round 2, and won. "Principled" is so yesterday.})
6... e6 7. f4 h6 {This line has ascended from obscurity into the limelight in
only a few years. Compared to the normal poisoned pawn lines (without h6 and
Bh4) I can only find one small difference (but possibly I've missed something).
} (7... Qb6 8. Qd2 (8. Qd3 $5) (8. a3 Nc6 {is much better for Black now that
there is no Bf2.}) 8... Qxb2 9. Rb1 Qa3 10. e5 (10. f5 {is one option that is
unique to this move order.}) 10... h6 {leads to the same position described
after 9.Qd2. I'm still not much wiser as to why Black prefers h6 to the direct
...Qb6.}) 8. Bh4 Qb6 {This move is played in many Sicilian scenarios, with the
idea of luring White to place Nd4 on a more passive square. White is not in
the habit of cooperating.} 9. a3 {This is the latest fashion.} (9. Qd2 Qxb2 10.
Rb1 Qa3 11. e5 dxe5 12. fxe5 {If you go down the rabbit hole, you will be
likely to meet something like} Nfd7 13. Ne4 Qxa2 14. Rd1 Qd5 15. Qe3 Qxe5 16.
Be2 Bc5 17. Bg3 Qd5 18. c4 Bxd4 19. Rxd4 Qa5+ 20. Rd2 O-O 21. Bd6 f5 22. Bxf8
Nxf8 23. Nd6 Nbd7 {where Black is currently doing all right. Wei Yi has tried
this twice with White, with no success.}) ({After} 9. Qd3 Qxb2 10. Rb1 Qa3 {
I get the feeling that ...h6/Bh4 favours Black somewhat.}) ({Without ...h6/Bh4,
White could consider} 9. Nb3 {, although it would be a terribly passive move.
Here it is just bad because of} Qe3+ {winning a pawn.}) 9... Nbd7 {This is a
first step off the most trodden paths, and a step that I like.} ({The normal} 
9... Be7 {almost forces White to play} 10. Bf2 {, when} Qc7 11. Qf3 Nbd7 12.
O-O-O b5 13. g4 {featured in three absolute top games in 2016. The last game
saw:} Bb7 14. Bg2 Rc8 15. Kb1 g5 16. Qh3 Nc5 17. Rhe1 h5 18. Nf5 $1 Ncxe4 19.
Bxe4 Nxe4 20. Bd4 {Nakamura,H (2775)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2800) 8th London
Classic 2016, with a huge attack for White. It has been clear since then that
Black needed to find an improvement.}) (9... Nc6 10. Bf2 {with splendid
chances for White, is the main difference to the usual poisoned pawn lines (7..
.Qb6).}) (9... Qxb2 10. Na4 {and as we all know; the knight on the rim is dim.}
) 10. Be2 {This move doesn't quite fit with the usual narrative of "queen goes
to f3, long castle, g4, bam!", but it isn't obviously wrong. I'm very curious
as to how far Wei Yi's preparation stretched. When I read his comments, I get
the feeling that he has an exceptional "feeling" for what goes on in the
Najdorf and that his preparations are more conceptual than they are detailed.}
({After} 10. Bf2 Qc7 11. Qf3 {, hoping for 11...Be7, Black can instead play} b5
{, which seems a bit more active.}) (10. Bc4 e5 $5) 10... e5 {As far as I can
tell, this is a novelty.} ({However, now that the queen's route to f3 is
obstructed, it is again possible to play} 10... Be7 11. Bf2 Qc7 {White should
continue with} 12. Bf3 {and then either} g6 ({or} 12... Nb6 {, intending e6-e5,
seems possible.})) 11. Nf5 $1 {White's minor pieces start swarming and the
knight is on the road towards d5. Still, Black cannot tolerate the knight on
f5 and has to kick it towards its goal.} g6 12. Bf2 $5 {This means either a)
that Wei Yi has prepared the position deeply and seen that the 12.Ne3 is less
clear than the engines indicate, or b) that he didn't prepare the position and
played Bf2 on instinct. Considering how the game continues and the fact that
he spent quite a lot of time on this move, it seems more likely that b) was
the case.} ({The engine likes} 12. Ne3 {better, intending} Qxe3 13. Bf2 {
At first sight it seems that} Ng4 (13... Qxf4 14. g3 Qxe4 15. Nxe4 Nxe4 16. Bf3
Nxf2 17. Kxf2 h5 {is another possibility, but the bishop on f3 looks strong
here.}) 14. Bxe3 Nxe3 15. Qd2 Nxg2+ 16. Kd1 Nxf4 {is fine for Black, but when
you evaluate this kind of line you must first of all look for forced lines.
Indeed, in this case there is such a one:} 17. Rf1 $1 {Intending Rxf4. If
Black is allowed to solidify his position then the sacrifice will be less
effective.} Be7 (17... g5 18. Nd5) 18. Rxf4 exf4 19. Nd5 Bd8 20. Qxf4 Ne5 21.
c4 {and Black is definitely under pressure. I wonder if Wei Yi considered this
line and chose not to enter it?}) 12... Nc5 {After this move we seem to be on
a one way road, so if Black is to find an improvement (apart from 10...Be7),
then this is the place to look for it.} (12... Qc7 $6 13. Ne3 exf4 14. Ned5 $36
) (12... Qc6 $5 13. fxe5 dxe5 14. Ne3 Bc5 15. O-O) 13. b4 $1 {Being ahead in
development, it's the initiative, not the pawns, that count.} gxf5 14. O-O $5 (
{There was nothing wrong with} 14. bxc5 {and it is far from clear that Wei
Yi's move is the better one. It keeps things simple and allows for Black to be
a bit surprised.}) 14... Nfxe4 (14... Qc7 {leads to the same position as after
16...Qc7.}) 15. Nxe4 fxe4 16. bxc5 dxc5 (16... Qc7 $1 17. Qd5 (17. Rb1 $5 Be6
18. Bg4) 17... Qc6 18. Bc4 Be6 19. Qxc6+ bxc6 20. Bxe6 fxe6 21. cxd6 exf4 22.
Bd4 Rg8 23. Rxf4 Bxd6 24. Rxe4 {leads to a slightly better endgame for White,
but there are other promising alternatives on move 17.}) 17. fxe5 $6 ({Here} 
17. Qd5 {was the strongest move. After something like} Bg7 18. Rad1 Be6 19.
Qxe4 exf4 20. Qa4+ Qc6 21. Qxc6+ bxc6 22. Bxc5 {White has good winning chances.
}) (17. Bh4 Rg8 {is less clear.}) 17... Be6 18. Rb1 Qc6 19. Bg4 {The bishop on
e6 is the linchpin of Black's position, so White must challenge it.} b5 ({
Black can also consider} 19... Rd8 20. Qe2 Be7 21. Bxe6 fxe6 22. a4 h5 $132)
20. Bh4 $1 {The most active place for the bishop that also opens the route for
the rook to f6.} Rg8 $6 ({Black should keep the rook out of f6:} 20... Bg7 $1
21. Bf6 Bxf6 22. Rxf6 Rd8 {is unclear. The queenside structure gives Black
some reasons to be optimistic.}) 21. Bxe6 Qxe6 22. Rf6 $1 Qg4 $1 (22... Qxe5
23. Rxa6 $1 Rc8 24. Rc6 $1 Ra8 25. Qe2 c4 26. a4 Rg6 27. Bf6 Rxf6 28. Rxf6 Rxa4
(28... Qxf6 29. Qxe4+) 29. Rbf1 {is close to winning for White.}) 23. Qd2 Be7
24. Rf4 Qd7 ({Black seeks salvation in exchanges, falls into a trap. A better
move was} 24... Qe6 25. Bxe7 Qxe7 26. Rxe4 Rg6 {, when White is better, but no
more.}) 25. Qxd7+ Kxd7 26. e6+ $1 {There's the trap.} ({After} 26. Rxf7 Rae8 {
Black is doing very well. For instance:} 27. c4 e3 28. cxb5 axb5 29. Rxe7+ (29.
Rxb5 $2 Kc6 $19) 29... Rxe7 30. Bxe7 Kxe7 31. Rxb5 e2 32. Kf2 (32. Rb1 Ke6)
32... Rxg2+ 33. Ke1 Rxh2 {with equality. With a c-pawn and such a centralised
king, Black is happy to enter almost any rook endgame.}) 26... fxe6 (26... Kxe6
$2 27. Rxe4+) 27. Rf7 Rg5 ({A neccessity since} 27... Rae8 28. Rd1+ {loses a
piece.}) 28. Rd1+ Ke8 29. Rh7 b4 ({Black gets some more chances with} 29... c4
{aiming to pick up the a-pawn for nothing. Still, after} 30. Bxg5 hxg5 31. Kf2
Bxa3 32. Ke3 a5 33. Kxe4 a4 34. c3 {Black is struggling to survive but White's
advantage is not a comfortable one. Black's pawns look menacing and a small
mistake might cost the game.}) 30. a4 c4 31. Bxg5 hxg5 32. Rh8+ Bf8 33. Rf1 Ke7
34. Rh7+ Kd6 35. Rh8 Ke7 36. Rh7+ {White's next few moves are anything but
random. The point is that he gets a rook to the c-file, which makes it easier
to handle Black's queenside pawns.} Kd6 37. Rhf7 Bh6 38. Rd1+ Ke5 39. Rc7 c3 {
Black hopes to be able to make b4-b3 work at some point. The downside is that
Black's queenside pawns are robbed of most of their dynamism.} ({Perhaps
Nepomniachtchi didn't have enough time to calculate the consequences of} 39...
b3 $5 40. Rc5+ Kf4 {After} 41. Rxc4 b2 42. Re1 Ke5 43. Rexe4+ Kd6 44. Rcd4+ Ke7
45. Rb4 Bg7) 40. Kf2 g4 (40... Rb8 $5 41. Rc5+ Kf6 42. Ke3 (42. Rb1 $2 Rd8)
42... g4+ 43. Kxe4 b3 44. cxb3 Rxb3 45. g3 {and the engine assures me that
White is winning. Still not a problem free situation.}) 41. Rc5+ Kf6 42. Ke2
Rb8 43. Rb1 $6 (43. Rd4 {was better, although I can symphatise with Wei Yi's
handling of the situation. He doesn't risk anything by taking it easy.}) 43...
Rd8 44. Rf1+ Ke7 45. Rc7+ Kd6 46. Rc4 Ke7 $6 (46... Ke5 $1 47. Rd1 Rb8 48. Rc5+
Kf6 {would again lead to the position where White needs to play} 49. Rd4 $1)
47. Rd1 Rb8 48. Rdd4 b3 49. cxb3 Rxb3 50. Rc7+ Kf6 51. Rxe4 Rb2+ 52. Kd3 {
White's dream comes true. All of Black's active pawns gets liquidated within
the next few moves. In the resulting endgame, the e-pawn is of little
consequence, whereas the a4-pawn becomes a hero.} Rd2+ 53. Kxc3 Kf5 54. Re1
Rxg2 55. Rc5+ Kf6 56. Re4 Rxh2 57. Rxg4 a5 {Black is able to save the a-pawn
by tactical means, but now he is left with two weaknesses: the a-pawn and the
e-pawn.} 58. Kd3 Rd2+ (58... Rh3+ 59. Kc4 Bd2 60. Re4 (60. Kb5 e5) 60... Rc3+
61. Kb5 Rxc5+ 62. Kxc5 Bb4+ 63. Kc6 Kf5 64. Re2 Bc3 65. Kd6 Bb4+ 66. Kd7 e5 67.
Kc6 Ke6 68. Re4 Bd2 69. Kc5 Bb4+ 70. Kc4 Be7 71. Re3 Bb4 72. Rh3 {and the
e-pawn will fall.}) 59. Ke4 Re2+ 60. Kf3 Re3+ 61. Kf2 Re5 $2 {This makes
matters simple for White.} 62. Rg6+ Kxg6 63. Rxe5 Bd2 64. Rxe6+ Kf7 65. Re4 Kf6
66. Ke2 Bc3 67. Rc4 Be5 (67... Bb4 68. Rxb4 axb4 69. a5) 68. Rc5 Ke6 69. Rxa5
Bc7 70. Rb5 Kd6 71. Kd3 Kc6 72. Kc4 Bb6 73. a5 Ba7 74. a6 Bb6 75. Rb3 1-0

[Event "Linares 14th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "1997.02.10"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2665"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[Annotator "Huzman,A"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "1997.02.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 057"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.04.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.04.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Ivanchuk} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4
Nc6 8. e5 (8. Nxc6 bxc6 9. e5 h6 10. Bh4 g5 11. fxg5 Nd5 12. Nxd5 cxd5 13. Qg4
$5 (13. Qh5 {- 47/(323)}) 13... dxe5 $6 (13... Be7) 14. g6 f5 15. Bxd8 $1 (15.
g7 fxg4 16. gxh8=Q Qxh4+ $44) 15... fxg4 16. Bf6 Rg8 17. Bxe5 Bg7 18. Bxg7 Rxg7
19. Bd3 $16 {+/- Panajotov,J-Sandler,L/Albena 1989}) 8... h6 9. Bh4 dxe5 (9...
g5 $6 10. fxg5 Nh7 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. exd6 $16) 10. Nxc6 Qxd1+ 11. Rxd1 bxc6 12.
fxe5 Nd5 (12... Nd7 $5 13. Ne4 g5 14. Bg3 Bg7 15. Nd6+ Ke7 16. Nc4 a5) 13. Ne4
Rb8 (13... Be7 14. Bf2 $6 (14. Nd6+ $142) (14. Bxe7 $142) 14... Rb8 15. Bd4 Nb4
16. Rd2 Nxa2 17. c3 Nc1 18. Bc4 Nb3 19. Bxb3 Rxb3 20. Bc5 a5 21. Nd6+ $1 {
1-0 Ljubojevic,L-Ivanchuk,V/Tilburg 1989 (28)}) 14. b3 (14. c4 $6 {Ivanchuk}
Rxb2 $1 15. cxd5 Bb4+ 16. Nd2 exd5 $44) 14... Be7 (14... g5 $6 15. Bg3 Bb4+ 16.
Ke2 (16. Kf2 O-O 17. c4 f5 $132) 16... f5 $5 (16... Nc3+ 17. Nxc3 Bxc3 18. Kd3
Bb4 19. c4 {/\ Kc2, Be2-f3+/=}) 17. exf6 e5 18. Kf3 g4+ (18... Bg4+ 19. Kxg4
Ne3+ 20. Kf3 Nxd1 21. Bxe5 Rb7 22. Bc4 $18) (18... h5 19. Kf2 $16 {><g5}) 19.
Kf2 Bf5 (19... O-O 20. Bc4 $16) 20. Bxe5 (20. Bd3 $2 O-O $44) 20... Bxe4 21.
Bxb8 g3+ $5 (21... O-O 22. Be5 Nxf6 23. Bc4+ Nd5+ 24. Kg3 $16) 22. Bxg3 Bc5+
23. Ke2 O-O 24. Rxd5 $6 (24. Bf2 $2 Nf4+ 25. Ke1 Bb4+ $19) (24. Rd2 Re8 $1 {/\}
25. Kd1 $4 Nc3+ 26. Kc1 Ba3#) (24. Rd3 $1 Rxf6 25. Kd2 Bb4+ 26. c3 Bxd3 27.
Bxd3 Nxc3 28. Kc2 Nxa2 29. Ra1 Nc3 30. Rxa6 $18) 24... cxd5 25. Kd1 $16 {
1-0 Brodskij,M-Rechel,B/Groningen (open) 1993 (35)}) (14... Bb4+ {Ivanchuk} 15.
c3) 15. Bg3 (15. Bxe7 Kxe7 16. c4 $2 Ne3 17. Rd6 Ng4 $1 18. Rxc6 Bb7 $17) (15.
Nd6+ Bxd6 16. exd6 Kd7 (16... Nb4 $6 {Ivanchuk} 17. Rd2 Nxa2 18. Bxa6 $1 $16)
17. Bd3 Nc3 (17... f6 $5) 18. Rd2 f6 19. O-O Nxa2 20. Bc4 Nc3 21. Bxe6+ Kxe6
22. Re1+ Kf5 23. d7 $44 {1/2-1/2 Luther,T-Bykhovsky,A/Sochi 1990 (39)}) (15.
Bf2 $6 {Ivanchuk} Bb4+ $13) (15. Bxe7 $14 {Ivanchuk}) 15... O-O 16. Be2 (16. c4
Nb4 17. Rd2 Rd8 18. a3 (18. Nd6 c5) 18... Rxd2 (18... Rd4 $5 19. Nd6 (19. Rxd4
Nc2+ 20. Kd2 Nxd4 21. b4 a5 22. Bf2 Nf5 $132) 19... Bg5 20. Rxd4 Nc2+ 21. Kd1
Nxd4 22. b4 c5 $132) 19. Kxd2 Na2 20. b4 a5 $36) 16... a5 (16... Ne3 17. Rd2
Nxg2+ 18. Kf2 Nh4 $44) 17. c4 Nb4 18. Rd2 (18. O-O Nxa2 19. Ra1 Nb4 20. Rxa5
Nc2 $15 {/\21...Nd4}) 18... Rd8 19. Rf1 {xf7} Rxd2 20. Kxd2 Na6 (20... Nxa2 21.
Ra1 Nb4 22. Rxa5 $16) 21. Bh5 g6 22. Bf3 Bb7 23. Kc3 Rd8 24. Nd6 Ba8 25. a3 (
25. Rd1 $5 f5 26. exf6 Bxf6+ 27. Kc2 $16) 25... f5 26. b4 g5 27. h3 Bf8 28. c5
Rb8 (28... Bg7 29. Nc4 (29. Re1 axb4+ 30. axb4 Rb8) 29... axb4+ 30. axb4 Nc7
31. Rd1 Nd5+ 32. Kb3 $14 Rb8 33. Be1) 29. Bh5 (29. Ra1 $1 {/\30.Nc4} Bg7 30.
Nc4 Nc7 $132) 29... Nc7 30. Bf3 Na6 31. Bh5 Nc7 32. Bf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 9th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2011.01.27"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Kosintseva, Nadezhda"]
[Black "Sandipan, Chanda"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2552"]
[BlackElo "2641"]
[Annotator "Kosintseva,N"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2011.01.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 141"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qe2
{Judging from the database, this is a rather rarer and less studied
continuation, compared with the usual 8.Qf3. I find the system quite
interesting, chiefly because there are fewer forcing variations, and play
often assumes a more positional character, insofar as this can be said of any
variation of the Najdorf.} Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. f5 $5 {This move is a novelty,
as regards my practice of this variation. Previously, I had preferred 10.a3
followed by g4. On this occasion, I preferred to vary my repertoire and try
out an idea I had found recently.} b4 ({The other principled line is} 10... e5
$5 {For the time being, I will not reveal the secrets of my preparation in
this line, but wuill merely modestly hope that I will get another chance to
annotate a game of mine in this variation.}) 11. fxe6 bxc3 12. exd7+ Bxd7 ({
Rather more common is} 12... Nxd7 13. Qc4 cxb2+ 14. Kb1 Qxc4 15. Bxc4 {,with
the better chances for White, on account of his lead in development, which,
for example, was demonstrated in the game Tukmakov-Polagaevsky, played in the
pre-computer era, some 40 years ago:} Ne5 16. Bd5 Rb8 17. Bf4 f6 18. Rhe1 Be7
19. Re3 Bd8 20. h3 Bd7 21. Rb3 Bb6 22. Nf5 $16) 13. Qc4 $5 ({Interestingly,
this position had already arisen in one of my opponent's games, from two years
ago.Then, his opponent, Sanan Sjugirov preferred} 13. Bxf6 {,but after
Sandipan's accurate reaction} Qb6 $1 {, Black retained the queens and the
possibility of counterplay against the white king:} 14. Nb3 ({or} 14. b3 Qb4 $1
15. Rd3 gxf6 $13) ({or} 14. bxc3 gxf6 15. Qh5 Rc8 16. Rd3 Rc5 17. Qh4 Rg8 $132)
14... gxf6 15. Qf3 (15. bxc3 Bh6+ 16. Kb1 Bf4 $1) 15... Rc8 $5 (15... cxb2+ $5
16. Kb1 Be7 $132) 16. Qxf6 Rg8 17. Qd4 cxb2+ 18. Kb1 Qc7 {with chances for
both sides.}) 13... cxb2+ ({Here} 13... Qb6 {allows White after} 14. Qxc3 Nxe4
15. Qe3 {to avoid a weakening of his kingside and develop the initiative,
thanks to his superior development and the weakness of the black d-pawn, eg:}
d5 16. Nb3 Qe6 ({or} 16... Qxe3+ 17. Bxe3 Be6 18. Bd3 Be7 19. Nd4 $14) 17. Kb1
Rc8 18. Bd3 $14) 14. Kb1 Qxc4 ({Here} 14... Qb6 {is more dangerous, because of}
15. Bxf6 gxf6 16. Qd5 {followed by Bc4.}) 15. Bxc4 {One of the key positions,
which is of importance in assessing the whole variation with 10.f5. White can
take the b2-pawn at any moment, whilst Black has weaknesses on a6 and d6,
against which White's play will be directed. My main ideas in this position
are Rhe1, Nf5, Bf4, attacking the pawn on d6. It is also possible to transfer
the rook along the third rank, attacking the weakness on a6. The whole
question is whether Black will manage in the meantime to liquidate his lag in
development and coordinate his pieces, so as to oppose White's play.} Be7 ({
In the event of the immediate} 15... Ng4 16. Rhe1 $5 (16. Rhf1 Ne5 17. Bb3 Be7
18. Bf4 O-O 19. Nf5 Bxf5 20. exf5 Rab8 21. Rd5 $14 {deserves attention, with
the better chances on account of the bishop pair}) {and Black is unlikely to
have anything better than} 16... Ne5 ({but not} 16... Nxh2 $2 17. e5 $18) ({nor
} 16... a5 17. Nf5 Ne5 18. Bf1 f6 19. Bf4 Bxf5 20. exf5 Kf7 21. a4 $14) 17. Bb3
Be7 18. Bf4 {, reaching a position that could have arisen in the game and is
examined below.}) 16. Rhe1 ({The hasty} 16. Nf5 {does not work, because of}
Bxf5 17. exf5 Ne4) 16... Ng4 ({If} 16... O-O {then after} 17. Nf5 Bxf5 18. exf5
Rfe8 19. Rd3 {and White should be better, because of the two bishops, eg.} Ne4
(19... d5 20. Bb3 $14) 20. Bxe7 Rxe7 21. Kxb2 Re5 22. Rde3 d5 23. Bxd5 Rxd5 24.
Rxe4 $14) 17. Bf4 O-O $2 {A mistake, leading to material losses} ({Essential
was} 17... Ne5 {, after which I was intending} 18. Bb3 {with the same idea -
deprive the opponent of his two bishops with Nf5.} O-O ({If Black tries to
prevent this by} 18... g6 {then after} 19. Nf3 $1 f6 20. Bh6 {and his king may
start to feel uncomfortable, eg.} Rb8 (20... O-O-O 21. Nd4 $14) 21. Nxe5 (21.
Bg7 $140 Rxb3 22. axb3 Rg8 23. Bxf6 (23. Bh6 g5 24. h4 Bg4) 23... Bxf6 24. Rxd6
Nxf3 25. gxf3 Bc3 $13) 21... dxe5 22. Rf1 Bf8 (22... Bb5 23. Rf2 $14) 23. Bxf8
Rxf8 24. Rd6 Ke7 25. Rxa6 $14) ({White reacts in analogous fashion after} 18...
Bg4 19. Rd2 g6 20. Rf1 f6 21. Bh6 Bf8 22. Be3 Ke7 23. h3 Bd7 24. Nf3 $14) ({
After the move} 18... a5 {, the simplest is to react with} 19. a4 {retaining
all the same ideas.}) 19. Nf5 Bxf5 20. exf5 a5 21. a4 $14) 18. Nf3 {
underlining the slowness of the knight on g4.} ({Also possible was} 18. Nf5
Bxf5 19. exf5 Ne5 {and here I would have preferred} 20. Bd5 ({rather than} 20.
Bxe5 dxe5 21. Rxe5 Bf6 {with drawish tendencies, because of the
opposite-coloured bishops}) 20... Rab8 21. Re4 {with a positional advantage})
18... Bb5 {Black has not managed to coordinate his pieces and he must part
with the pawn on d6. He decides to open the a-file in compensation, so as to
create pressure against the pawn on a2.} (18... Rfc8 19. Bb3) 19. Bxb5 axb5 20.
Bxd6 Bxd6 21. Rxd6 Ra3 22. Kxb2 ({If the immediate} 22. Rd3 {then after} Rxd3 (
{if} 22... b4 {, then} 23. Re2 $1 Rfa8 $140 24. h3 Nf6 25. Red2 Kf8 26. Rd8+
Rxd8 27. Rxd8+ Ke7 28. Rd4 Re3 29. Rxb4 Nxe4 30. Kxb2 Re2 31. a4 $14) 23. cxd3
Nf2 24. d4 Ra8 $1 {Black starts tactical operations around his pawn on b2, not
giving White the chance to take it in comfort.} ({worse is} 24... Rc8 25. Re2
Nd1 26. Rc2 Rxc2 27. Kxc2 b1=Q+ 28. Kxb1 Nc3+ 29. Kc2 Nxe4 30. Kb3 Kf8 31. Kb4
Ke7 32. a3 $16) 25. Re2 ({or} 25. e5 b4 26. Nd2 Rc8 27. Nb3 Nd3 28. Rd1 Rc3)
25... Nd1 26. Rc2 (26. Rd2 Nc3+ 27. Kxb2 Nxe4) 26... Kf8 27. d5 b4 28. Rc4 b3
29. a4 Rxa4 30. Rxa4 Nc3+ 31. Kxb2 Nxa4+ 32. Ka3 (32. Kxb3 Nc5+ 33. Kc4 Nxe4
$11) 32... b2 33. Nd2 f5 34. exf5 Nc3 35. Kxb2 Nxd5 $11) 22... b4 23. Rd3 Rxd3
(23... Rfa8 {is totally unpromising:} 24. Rxa3 Rxa3 25. Rd1 Kf8 26. Rd8+ Ke7
27. Rb8 Ra4 28. Rb7+ Kf6 29. e5+ Ke6 30. Rb5 $16) 24. cxd3 Nf2 25. Rb1 $1 {
This far from obvious move allows White to retain the extra pawn, exploiting
the awkward position of the enemy pieces.} ({If} 25. Kc2 {there follows} Rc8+
26. Kd2 Rc3 27. d4 ({or} 27. Rb1 Nxd3 28. Rxb4 Nxb4 29. Kxc3 Nxa2+ 30. Kc4 f6
$11) 27... Ra3 28. Kc2 f6 {with compensation}) 25... Ra8 ({If} 25... Nxd3+ {
then} 26. Kc2 Nf4 27. Rxb4 Nxg2 28. a4 Ra8 29. Kb3 {when the advancing a-pawn
is very dangerous for Black; he will find it hard to fight against this with
his scattered pieces.}) ({On} 25... Rd8 {I intended} 26. Kc2 Nxd3 27. Rb3 $1 ({
this is stronger than} 27. Rd1 b3+ $1 28. Kxb3 Nc5+ 29. Kc2 Ra8) 27... Nc5 28.
Rxb4 Ra8 29. a3 Kf8 30. Rc4 Nd7 31. Kb3 $16) ({whilst after} 25... Rc8 26. Ne1
Kf8 27. Rc1 Rd8 28. Kc2 $16 {White retains his extra pawn.}) 26. Ne1 (26. Ne5
Re8) 26... Kf8 ({The situation is not changed by} 26... Ra3 27. Ka1 Kf8 (27...
Nxd3 28. Rd1) 28. Rb3 Rxb3 29. axb3 Ke7 30. Kb2 $16) 27. Ka1 Ra4 28. Rb3 {
Preparing Nc2} Ke7 29. Nc2 Kd6 30. Nxb4 {Now it is two extra pawns, but White
must still overcome some technical difficulties, relating to the activity of
the black king.} Kc5 ({or} 30... Ng4 31. Kb2 Nxh2 32. Nc2 $16) 31. Nc2 Ra7 32.
Kb2 Rd7 33. d4+ Kc4 34. Rb4+ Kd3 35. d5 Ke2 36. Kb3 Nd3 ({After} 36... Kf1 {
the most energetic way is} 37. e5 Kxg2 (37... Nd3 38. Rd4 Nxe5 39. Rd2 $18) 38.
d6 Kxh2 39. Kc4 {with a winning position.}) 37. Rd4 Nc1+ 38. Kb2 Nd3+ 39. Kc3
Rc7+ 40. Rc4 {A small period of time trouble is past, and White has not
blundered anything away, and his position is absolutely winning.} Ra7 41. Nd4+
Ke3 42. Nf5+ Ke2 43. d6 Ne5 44. Rc5 f6 45. Rc7 Rxa2 46. Rxg7 h5 47. Kd4 Rd2+
48. Kc5 Kf2 49. h3 Rd3 50. Kb6 Rb3+ 51. Kc7 Rc3+ 52. Kd8 Rc4 53. Ke7 Rxe4 54.
Kxf6 Nc6 55. g3 Kg2 56. h4 Kf3 57. Rc7 Nd8 58. Re7 Ra4 59. Re8 Nc6 60. d7 {
and here Black finally admitted defeat.} 1-0

[Event "London Classic 8th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.15"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2823"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2016.12.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{While the tournament leader, Wesley So, was scoring another victory against
out-of-form Veselin Topalov, two of his chasers, said to be the most probable
challengers for the world title in 2018, clashed in a principled battle.} 1. e4
c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 {Nakamura played the Najdorf
System against Caruana in their last decisive classic game (US Championship,
Saint Louis, April 2016)... and lost! Since then Fabiano and Hikaru only met
in rapid (or semi-rapid, as in the "Champions Showdown" last month) and blitz
events, and Nakamura always replied 1...e5 to 1.e4. Does he think that the
Najdorf is a "more serious" opening than 1...e5 :-)?} 6. Bg5 {This "main" move
is a rare guest in Caruana's practice. He plays various systems against the
Najdorf but lately his main weapon has been the English Attack, starting with
6.f3 (that's what he played against Nakamura in Saint Louis). However, it
looks like Hikaru was not surprised.} e6 7. f4 h6 {Apparently, Nakamura had
never played this line before the present game. However, Caruana didn't miss
it out when preparing to play 6.Bg5.} 8. Bh4 Qb6 {This aggressive continuation
is probably more popular on move 7 but it is by no means new in this position,
too.} 9. a3 {One of the main theoretical moves. White indirectly protects his
b2-pawn and prepares to oust Black's queen by means of Bh4-f2.} (9. Qd2 {
, sacrificing the b2-pawn, is the main alternative.}) 9... Be7 ({Of course,} 
9... Qxb2 $4 {loses the queen due to} 10. Na4) (9... Nbd7) (9... Nc6 {and even}
) (9... Bd7 {are the other moves frequently seen in practice.}) 10. Bf2 Qc7 11.
Qf3 Nbd7 12. O-O-O b5 13. g4 {Both sides have made typical attacking knight
pawn moves; however, their impet is slowed down by the rook pawns, which have
already moved to a3 and h6...} g5 {...and besides, Black has a possibility to
strike a sudden counterblow, with an obvious idea to gain the e5-square for
his knight.} 14. h4 $5 gxf4 15. Be2 {This apparently strange sequence of moves
was seen for the first time in a correspondence game and later, at the
super-GM level, in Giri - Vachier-Lagrave (Stavanger 2016). White creates the
g4-g5 threat and protects the g4-pawn in case of ...Nd7-e5 Qf3xf4.} b4 $5 {
Played instantly, which means that this move was prepared at home. In his
annotations for ChessBase Magazine, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave examines a lot of
moves but not this one! However, it was obviously no secret for yesterday's
opponents.} ({The French grandmaster played} 15... Rg8 {in the above-mentioned
game, to which, according to his analysis, White could have sacrificed a pawn:}
16. g5 $1 {with a powerful attack} ({instead of} 16. Rdg1 {, played by Anish
Giri})) ({To understand the idea of 15...b4, we must take a look at the
following line:} 15... Ne5 16. Qxf4 Nexg4 $1 17. Bxg4 e5 {(looks very strong
but White has an adequate riposte)} 18. Nd5 $1 Nxd5 19. Qf3 {- White avoids
serious material losses and keeps up a strong attack on Black's uncastled king,
e.g.} Bxg4 20. Qxg4 Nf6 21. Qf3 exd4 22. Bxd4 {regaining the piece since} Qd8
$2 {is clearly bad due to} 23. e5 {(Indicated by Vachier-Lagrave).}) 16. axb4
Ne5 17. Qxf4 Nexg4 18. Bxg4 e5 {Now we see the difference.} ({In the event of} 
18... e5 19. Nd5 Nxd5 20. Qf3 {Black can simply play} Nxb4 {. White's d4
knight can't retreat, the only way for him to avoid losing a piece is} 21. Be1
a5 22. Bxb4 axb4 {, opening the a-file for Black, after which the latter
obtains excellent counterplay. However, White has another option...}) 19. Qxf6
$1 {This queen sacrifice is not difficult, in fact, but what followed next was
really amazing.} Bxf6 {.} 20. Nd5 Qd8 21. Nf5 $3 {After this move Hikaru fell
into deep thought for the first time in this game!} ({In his analysis he
obviously expected} 21. Nc6 Bxg4 22. Nxd8 Bxd8 {This endgame is unclear, both
sides have their advantages and drawbacks. Black has more weaknesses but his
bishop pair should not be underestimated. Instead, Fabiano renounces restoring
the material balance! I must say that such "real" queen sacrifices are an
Achilles' heel of analysis engines. They almost always evaluate positions with,
say, two minor pieces for a queen in favour of the strongest piece, while in
reality, in human play, there may be a more than sufficient compensation for
the material. Therefore such positions should be analysed and evaluated
"manually", and kudos to Caruana and his team for doing that! P.S. Readers of
the Chessbase website rightly indicated that engines start appreciating 21.Nf5
at some depth so my above comment is probably not quite relevant in this case;
however, it remains valid in many similar situations!}) 21... Rb8 $6 {Black
prevents 22.Bb6 but allows 22.Nxf6+ Qxf6 23.Nxd6+ (or 23.Rxd6), which proves
to be fatal for him.} ({He could have parried both threats by just trading
White's dangerous knight:} 21... Bxf5 22. Bxf5 Rb8 {but then the weakness of
light squares around his king could have become decisive. Computer engines
show equality here, which means that Black's position is almost hopeless :-).
White could have played} 23. Rd3 {with idea Ra3 or Rc3} ({or simply} 23. c4))
22. Nxf6+ Qxf6 23. Rxd6 $6 {Alas, White fails to find the strongest but very
difficult continuation, which means that either Caruana did not analyse 21...
Rb8 at all or forgot his analysis. I bet for the former suggestion since the
variations are really amazing and must stick out in one's memory:} (23. Nxd6+
$1 Ke7 ({to} 23... Kf8 {White has an amazing move} 24. Bf5 $3 {followed by
Bf2-c5, and Black's king, "pressed against the ropes", is completely helpless})
(23... Qxd6 {is hopeless due to} 24. Rxd6 Bxg4 25. Rxa6 {with a decisive
material advantage for White}) 24. Bc5 $3 Qf4+ {(forced)} (24... Bxg4 25. Nb5+
{followed by mate on c7}) 25. Kb1 Qxg4 (25... Bxg4 {again leads to a mate after
} 26. Nf5+) 26. Nxc8+ Ke8 (26... Kf6 27. Rhf1+ Kg7 28. Rg1 $18 {with decisive
material gains for White}) 27. Nd6+ Kd7 {(again the only move)} (27... Ke7 28.
Nf5+ Ke8 29. Rhg1 $18 {- Black's queen can't retreat in view of Nf5-g7#}) 28.
Nxf7+ Kc7 {(other retreats are worse)} ({e.g.} 28... Ke6 29. Nxh8 Rxh8 30. Rhf1
{with an inevitable deadly check on d6}) 29. Bd6+ Kb7 {(once again, there are
no better king moves)} 30. Bxb8 Rxb8 31. Nxe5 {, and White keeps a rook,
knight and three pawns for the queen, which is quite enough to win, since} Qxe4
$6 32. Nd7 {loses an exchange, after which two rooks easily deal with Black's
lone queen.}) 23... Be6 {Black is ready to castle. However, his position is
still poor.} 24. Rhd1 ({Another way to meet Black's castling was} 24. Be3 Rxb4
$1 ({if} 24... O-O {then} 25. Nxh6+ Kh8 (25... Kg7 26. Rg1) 26. Nxf7+ $1 Qxf7
27. Rxe6 {, and Black's king is helpless.}) ({an attempt to free Black's queen:
} 24... Qg6 {fails to} 25. Rxe6+ $3 fxe6 26. Bh5 $1 Qxh5 27. Ng7+) 25. Rxa6 O-O
({In the event of} 25... Bxf5 26. Rxf6 Bxg4 27. Bxh6 Rxe4 {White keeps an
extra pawn and good winning chances}) 26. Nxh6+ Kh8 27. Bf5 $1 (27. Nxf7+ Qxf7
28. Rxe6 {is now premature due to} Rxe4 {; White must prepare that blow}) 27...
Qd8 28. Nxf7+ $1 Rxf7 29. Rxe6 Rxf5 $1 {(Black must get rid of White's
terrifying bishop)} 30. Rh6+ (30. exf5 Rg4 $1 {is less clear}) 30... Kg8 31.
Rg1+ Kf7 32. Rh7+ Ke6 33. exf5+ Kxf5 $16 {Despite an approximate material
parity, White has a clear advantage: a passed h4-pawn, and Black's
"centralised" king is in danger; still, the outcome of the game is not quite
certain.}) 24... O-O 25. h5 $1 {(threatening 26.Bh4)} Qg5+ ({Black couldn't
bring himself to put his queen into the corner by} 25... Rfe8 26. Bh4 Qh8 {
but that was the most stubborn defence. White should probably continue
positionally:} 27. Ne3 $1 (27. Ne7+ {is not enough due to} Rxe7 28. Bxe7 Bxg4
29. Rd8+ Rxd8 30. Rxd8+ Kh7 31. Rxh8+ Kxh8 {, and Black should not lose this
endgame with opposite-coloured bishops}) 27... Qg7 28. Rg1 Kf8 29. Rdd1 $16 {
Black's position is very difficult to defend, of course.}) 26. Be3 Qf6 ({
Of course, not} 26... Qxg4 27. Nxh6+) 27. Nxh6+ Kh8 28. Bf5 {Caruana spent
some time calculating the blow on f7 but finally prefered a strong positional
continuation, making Nxf7+ a more powerful threat.} (28. Nxf7+ {was possible
but Black had the following defence:} Rxf7 29. Rxe6 Qh4 $1 30. Bf5 {
(threatening 31.Rh6+ since Black will be unable to reply 31...Rh7)} Rxf5 $1 {
(here, too, Black must eliminate this bishop)} 31. exf5 (31. Rh6+ {was a good
alternative:} Kg8 32. Rg1+ Kf7 33. Rh7+ Ke6 34. exf5+ Kxf5 35. Rf1+ Ke6 36.
Rh6+ Kd5 37. Bd2 $16 {with a favourable position, similar to the one examined
in the 24.Be3 line}) 31... Qxb4 {, and the forced line} 32. Rh6+ Kg8 33. Rg1+
Kf7 34. Rh7+ Kf6 35. Rg6+ Kxf5 36. Rf7+ Ke4 37. Rg4+ Kxe3 38. Rxb4 Rxb4 {
leads to a rook endgame with an extra pawn for White, which, I believe, should
be winning for him despite Black's passed e-pawn. But, of course, calculating
this line and evaluating the final position is a very difficult task over the
board.}) 28... Qe7 $2 {Nakamura succumbs to the pressure. His move doesn't
parry the Nxf7+ threat.} (28... Rxb4 $2 29. Nxf7+ Qxf7 30. Rxe6 {was obviously
hopeless}) (28... Rbd8 {doesn't work due to the simple} 29. Rxd8 Rxd8 30. Rxd8+
Qxd8 31. Bxe6 {, and White gets a third piece for the queen;} Qh4 {doesn't
help here due to} 32. Nxf7+ Kg7 ({or} 32... Kh7 33. Kb1) 33. Bh6+ $1 Kh7 34. b3
{: Black can't take the e4-pawn in view of the knight fork; well, he can take
the h5-pawn but White keeps a decisive material advantage anyway}) ({to} 28...
Qh4 {White can reply} 29. Rg1 $1 {threatening 30.Bg5} (29. Nxf7+ Rxf7 30. Rxe6
Rxf5 {leads to a position arising after 28.Nxf7+}) 29... Qxh5 {(what else?)}
30. Nxf7+ $1 Rxf7 (30... Bxf7 {is also hopeless due to} 31. Rh6+ Qxh6 32. Bxh6
Rg8 33. Rh1) 31. Rxe6 Rg7 32. Rd1 {- Black will never survive with such a poor
king!}) (28... Rfe8 {was the most stubborn defence. White can continue} 29. Rg1
({or} 29. c3) ({but not} 29. Rxa6 $2 Ra8 {, and Black obtains counterplay})
29... Rxb4 30. Rxa6 {with a huge advantage.}) 29. b5 $6 {The idea of this move
is either to close the b-file or to deflect Black's rook from the 8th rank.
However, such "niceties" were excessive!} ({Black prepared to meet} 29. Nxf7+
Rxf7 30. Rxe6 {with} Qxb4 {followed by} 31. Rh6+ Kg8 32. Rg1+ Rg7 ({but not} 
32... Kf8 33. Rh8+ Ke7 34. Rxb8 Qxb8 35. Bc5+ $18) 33. Be6+ Kf8 {. Here both
players missed the excellent move} 34. Bc5+ $3 ({instead of the obvious} 34.
Rh8+ Ke7 35. Rxg7+ Kd6 $1 36. Rd7+ Kxe6 37. Rxb8 Qxb8 $16 {, which both
definitely calculated and concluded that Black could successfully continue
resistance}) 34... Qxc5 35. Rh8+ Ke7 36. Rxg7+ Kd6 37. Rxb8 Qe3+ (37... Kxe6
38. Rb6+ $1 Qxb6 39. Rg6+ {- a simple skewer combination}) 38. Kb1 Qe1+ 39. Ka2
Qa5+ 40. Kb3 Kxe6 {(the bishop can be taken now but White simply queens his
h-pawn)} 41. h6 $18) 29... Qe8 $2 {Here are the lines demonstrating White's
idea:} (29... axb5 30. Nxf7+ Rxf7 31. Rxe6 {, and in the event of} Qb4 32. Rh6+
Kg8 {White can simply play} 33. c3 {parrying all future threats}) (29... Rxb5
30. Nxf7+ Rxf7 31. Rxe6 Qb4 32. Rd8+ {(the point! The invasion of this rook
breaks Black's defences)} Rf8 33. Rh6+ Kg7 ({or} 33... Kg8 34. Be6+ Kg7 35.
Rd7+) 34. Rd7+ Rf7 35. Rg6+ Kh8 (35... Kf8 36. Rd8+ Ke7 37. Bg5+) 36. Rd8+ Rf8
(36... Kh7 37. Rc6+ Rxf5 38. Rc7+ {and mate}) 37. Rxf8+ Qxf8 38. Bg5 {with an
inevitable deadly check on f6.}) ({Black could have parried the Nxf7+ threat
by means of} 29... Rbe8 {but with the passed a-pawn after} 30. bxa6 {, White
should win.}) 30. Nxf7+ Rxf7 31. Rxe6 Qxb5 {The same defence as after the
immediate 29.Nxf7+ but here Black's queen is placed worse than on b4.} 32. Rh6+
{BLACK RESIGNED foreseeing the following line. Nakamura's opening surprise (15.
..b4) was met with an excellent counter-surprise (21.Nf5!!). Black's queen was
absolutely powerless against White's minor pieces. Of course, the unsafe
position of Black's king made the greatest contribution to his defeat.
Unfortunately, Caruana didn't find the simplest paths to a win on several
occasions but he never let his advantage slip and finally brought it home.} ({
After} 32. Rh6+ Kg8 33. Rg1+ Rg7 34. Be6+ Kf8 35. Rh8+ ({of course, the
beautiful} 35. Bc5+ {wins here, too, but it is unnecessary now}) 35... Ke7 36.
Rxg7+ Kd6 {Black is not threatening mate on e1, and ...Qxb2+ will be
completely harmless; therefore, White can simply continue} 37. Rh6 $18 {
with decisive threats.}) 1-0

[Event "World-ch Anand-Kramnik +3-1=8"]
[Site "Bonn"]
[Date "2008.10.29"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[Annotator "Kritz,L"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "2008.10.14"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 127"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{In order to better understand what happened over the board, you need to know
the situation before this game took place: it was the 11th game in the WCh
match. Anand was leading 6-4 and needed only a draw to retain his WCh title. 
Um die Ereignisse am Brett besser zu begreifen, muss man die Ausgangssituation
vor dieser Partie wissen: es ist die elfte Partie des WM-Matches gewesen,
Anand führte mit 6-4 und brauchte nur ein Remis, um seinen Weltmeister-Titel
zu verteidigen.} 1. e4 $1 {An exclamation mark for the well-timed change in
opening - until this point in the match, Anand had played only 1.d4. The game
move has two advantages at the same time: firstly the effect of surprise, and
secondly in recent years Kramnik has rarely replied to 1.e4 with anything but
the Petroff. Ausrufezeichen fuer den rechtzeitigen Wechsel der Eröffnung - bis
jetzt hatte Anand im Match nur 1.d4 gezogen. Der Partiezug hat gleich zwei
Vorteile: erstens Überraschungseffekt und zweitens hat Kramnik gegen 1.e4 in
letzten Jahren selten etwas außer Russisch gespielt.} c5 $1 {Of course there
can be no question of a Petroff. If you have to play for a win, there is no
better choice than the Sicilian.  Von Russischer Partie kann natürlich keine
Rede sein. Wenn man auf Gewinn spielen muss, gibt es keine bessere Wahl als
Sizilianisch.} 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 {Kramnik decides on
the Najdorf Variation. On one hand, the decision is the correct one - it is
one of the sharpest variations in modern theory and offers Black good
counter-chances. On the other, it is perhaps a little ambitious when facing
Anand, who plays the Najdorf himself and certainly knows all about it. I would
rather have considered the Ragozin or the Dragon variations.  Kramnik
entscheidet sich für die Najdorf-Variante. Einerseits ist die Entscheidung
richtig - es ist eine der schärfsten Varianten in der modernen Theorie und
bietet Schwarz gute Konterchancen. Auf der anderen Seite, gegen Anand, der
selbst Najdorf spielt und mit Sicherheit darüber alles weiß, war es vielleicht
ein wenig übertrieben. Ich würde eher Ragozin oder die Drachen-Variante in
Betracht ziehen.} 6. Bg5 ({Nowadays Heute gilt} 6. Be3 {is considered to be
the main move, but the variations which arise after it are sharp and
complicated - exactly what Kramnik was aiming for in this final game and what
Anand wanted to avoid. als Hauptzug, doch die Varianten, die danach entstehen,
sind scharf und kompliziert - genau das, was Kramnik in dieser letzten Partie
anstrebte und Anand vermeiden wollte.}) 6... e6 7. f4 Qc7 $1 {The correct
decision! After 7....Qb6 there are far too many forced drawing variations,
whereas after 7....b5 and 7....Nbd7 White too can play relatively without risk.
Richtige Entscheidung! Nach 7....Qb6 gibt es viel zu viele forcierte
Remisabwicklungen, während nach 7....b5 und 7....Nbd7 Weiß ebenfalls relativ
risikofrei aufspielen kann.} (7... Qb6 8. Qd2 Qxb2 ({Nor does Auch} 8... Nc6 {
achieve a playable position: bringt keine spielbare Stellung aufs Brett:} 9.
O-O-O Qxd4 10. Qxd4 Nxd4 11. Rxd4 Be7 12. Na4 Bd7 13. Nb6 $14 {Kramnik -
Svidler (Wijk aan Zee, 2004)}) 9. Rb1 Qa3 10. f5 {White has various ways to
play for a win, but we have to assume that in this specific match situation
Anand would bank on safety first and choose the long drawish variation. Weiß
hat unterschiedliche Möglichkeiten, auf Gewinn zu spielen, aber es ist zu
vermuten, dass in dieser spezifischen Matchsituation Anand auf Nummer sicher
gehen würde und die lange remisliche Variante wählen würde.} Nc6 11. fxe6 fxe6
12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. e5 dxe5 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. Ne4 Qxa2 16. Rd1 Be7 17. Be2 O-O
18. O-O Ra7 19. Rf3 Kh8 20. Rg3 Rd7 21. Qh6 Rf7 22. Qh5 Rxd1+ 23. Bxd1 Qa5 24.
Kf1 Qd8 25. Qxf7 Qxd1+ 26. Kf2 Qxc2+ 27. Kf3 Qd1+ 28. Kf2 Qc2+ 29. Ke3 Bc5+ 30.
Nxc5 Qxc5+ 31. Kd2 Qf2+ 32. Kc3 Qd4+ 33. Kc2 Qf2+ 34. Kc3 {Vallejo Pons -
Kasparov (Moscow, 2004). This long variation is almost forced; if Black tries
to deviate, he risks getting into a losing position. Of course, Kramnik would
not have wanted such a development. Diese lange Variante ist fast forciert,
will Schwarz ausweichen, so riskiert er, in eine verlorene Stellung
hineinzukommen. Solch eine Entwicklung wäre natürlich für Kramnik unerwünscht.}
) (7... b5 8. e5 dxe5 9. fxe5 Qc7 10. exf6 Qe5+ 11. Be2 Qxg5 12. O-O {Leko -
Ivanchuk (Monaco, 2001). It is clear that White has a very strong initiative
thanks to his lead in development. Es ist offensichtlich, dass Weiß dank
seines Entwicklungsvorsprungs eine sehr starke Initiative hat.}) (7... Nbd7 8.
Qf3 Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. Bd3 Bb7 11. Rhe1 $14 {This is one of the main
positions in the 6.Bg5-Najdorf. As you can see, White's central position is
very solid. Das ist eine der Hauptstellungen im 6.Bg5-Najdorf. Wie man sieht,
steht Weiß sehr solide im Zentrum.}) 8. Bxf6 (8. Qf3 b5 9. O-O-O (9. Bxf6 gxf6
10. e5 (10. O-O-O b4 11. Nce2 Bb7 (11... h5 12. Ng3 h4 13. Nh5 Nd7 14. g4 Bb7
15. Bg2 O-O-O 16. Kb1 Nc5 17. Rhe1 Be7 18. Qh3 Kb8 19. f5 e5 20. Nb3 a5 21.
Qxh4 a4 22. Nc1 a3 23. b3 Nxe4 24. Rxe4 Bxe4 25. Bxe4 Qc3 26. Nd3 d5 27. Qf2
dxe4 28. Qb6+ Ka8 29. Qa6+ Kb8 30. Qb6+ Ka8 31. Qa6+ {1/2-1/2 Stellwagen,D 
(2621)-Hillarp Persson,T (2491)/Malmo SWE 2008/The Week in Chess 704}) 12. Qh5
Qc5 13. e5 Bc8 14. Ng3 f5 15. Ngxf5 exf5 16. e6 Bxe6 17. Nxe6 Qe3+ 18. Kb1 Qxe6
19. Bb5+ Kd8 20. Rhe1 Qf6 21. Qf3 Ra7 22. Qf2 Rb7 23. Ba4 Bg7 24. c3 bxc3 25.
Bb3 Nd7 26. Re2 Re8 27. Rc2 Rc7 28. Qf3 Re4 29. g4 Qe7 30. gxf5 Re1 31. Rxe1
Qxe1+ 32. Rc1 Qxc1+ {0-1 Nepomniachtchi,I (2613)-Khismatullin,D (2566)/
Krasnoyarsk RUS 2007/The Week in Chess 670}) 10... Bb7 11. Qh5 b4 $1 $132) 9...
b4 10. Nce2 Nbd7 11. g4 (11. e5 $4 Bb7 $19) 11... Bb7 12. Bxf6 Nxf6 13. Ng3 Rc8
14. Bd3 g6 15. h4 Bg7 16. h5 Nd7 $132 {Naiditsch - Vachier Lagrave (Moscow,
2006). Black reached a playable position with counter-chances. Schwarz
erreichte eine spielbare Stellung mit Konterchancen.}) 8... gxf6 {Now White
has a whole host of options. To be honest, I don't like the move in the game.
White may well exert immediate pressure on the e6-pawn, but in return Black
gets the e5-square for his pieces. I would prefer the traditional 9.Qd2.  Nun
hat Weiß eine Menge an Möglichkeiten. Mir gefällt der Partiezug ehrlich gesagt
nicht. Zwar übt Weiß sofortigen Druck gegen den Bauern e6 aus, doch dafür
bekommt Schwarz das Feld e5 für seine Figuren. Ich würde das traditionelle 9.
Qd2 vorziehen.} 9. f5 (9. Qh5 $6 {lets Black easily achieve good play. lässt
Schwarz leicht zu gutem Spiel kommen.} Qc5 10. Qxc5 dxc5 11. Nb3 Bd6 12. g3 Ke7
13. Bg2 Ra7 14. O-O-O Rd8 15. a4 b6 16. Nd2 Rad7 17. Nc4 Bc7 $132 {Kamsky -
Svidler (Baku, 2008)}) (9. Qd2 Nc6 (9... b5 10. Bd3 Bb7 {The development of
the bishop to b7 has a major disadvantage - the e6-square is weakend. Die
Entwicklung des Läufers nach b7 hat einen großen Nachteil - der Punkt e6 wird
geschwächt.} 11. O-O-O Nd7 12. Rhe1 O-O-O 13. f5 $14 {Khalifman - Lautier 
(Moscow, 2001)}) 10. O-O-O (10. Nb3 b5 11. Bd3 Bb7 12. a4 b4 13. Ne2 Rg8 14. g3
O-O-O 15. O-O-O d5 16. exd5 Rxd5 $15 {Kamsky - Paragua (Las Vegas, 2008)})
10... Bd7 11. Kb1 h5 12. Bc4 O-O-O 13. Nxc6 Qxc6 14. Bb3 Kb8 15. Rhf1 Qc5 16.
Qd3 h4 17. Qh3 Be7 18. f5 $14 {Topalov - Anand (Dortmund, 1997)}) (9. Be2 Nc6
10. Qd2 (10. Qd3 h5 11. O-O-O Bd7 12. Nf5 $2 {It is not so easy to crack open
Black's position; in fact it is easier to end up at a disadvantage. so leicht
kann man die schwarze Stellung nicht knacken, man kommt eher in Nachteil} exf5
13. Nd5 Qa5 14. Nxf6+ Kd8 15. Nxd7 Kxd7 16. Qb3 Be7 17. Qxb7+ Qc7 18. Qxc7+
Kxc7 19. exf5 $15 {Shirov - Akopian (Khanty-Mansiysk, 2007)}) 10... Bd7 11.
O-O-O {And there arises the same sort of position as after 9.Qd2. Es entsteht
der gleiche Stellungstyp wie nach 9.Qd2.} h5 12. Kb1 O-O-O 13. Nb3 Kb8 14. Bf3
Na5 15. Nxa5 Qxa5 16. Qe3 h4 17. Rd3 Qc5 18. Qd2 Be7 19. Re1 $14 {Spraggett -
Rodshtein (Cappelle la Grande, 2007)}) 9... Qc5 (9... Nc6 10. fxe6 fxe6 11. Bc4
(11. Be2 $5 Nxd4 12. Qxd4 (12. Bh5+ Ke7 13. Qxd4 Qc5 14. Qd1 Bh6 $15) 12... Qf7
13. Na4 Bd7 14. Nb6 Rd8 15. O-O $14 {Van der Wiel - Hou Yifan (Wijk aan Zee,
2007)}) 11... Nxd4 12. Qxd4 Rg8 13. O-O-O Bd7 14. Bb3 O-O-O 15. g3 Be7 16. Na4
Rg5 17. Rd3 $14 {Radjabov - Grischuk (Sochi, 2008)}) 10. Qd3 (10. fxe6 $6 {
In this position, the exchange of pawns does not achieve much, because Black
is controlling both the h5- and the c4-squares. In dieser Stellung bringt der
Bauerntausch eher wenig, weil Schwarz das Feld h5 sowie auch das Feld c4
kontrolliert.} fxe6 11. Be2 Nc6 12. Nb3 (12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. Bh5+ Ke7 14. Qf3 Bh6
$15) 12... Qe3 $15 {And White is forced to exchange queens. Und Weiß ist
gezwungen, die Damen zu tauschen.}) 10... Nc6 11. Nb3 $1 {The only move, or
else Black will get some counterplay. Der einzige Zug, ansonsten kommt Schwarz
zu Gegenspiel.} (11. O-O-O $2 Qxd4 12. Qxd4 Nxd4 13. Rxd4 Bd7 $15 {Black is
simply better, thanks to his control of the dark squares. Dank der Kontrolle
der schwarzen Felder steht Schwarz einfach besser.}) (11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. O-O-O
Rb8 $15) 11... Qe5 12. O-O-O exf5 $6 {This looks suspect. Black opens up the
position with his king in the centre and at the same time offers a whole range
of squares to the white knights. Instead of this, Black should try to
stabilise the position. Das sieht verdächtig aus. Schwarz öffnet die Stellung
mit dem König im Zentrum und bietet gleichzeitig den weißen Springern eine
Menge Felder an. Stattdessen sollte Schwarz versuchen, die Stellung zu
stabilisieren.} (12... Bd7 13. Kb1 (13. Nd2 b5 (13... Bh6 14. Kb1 Bxd2 $2 15.
Qxd2 Ke7 16. Be2 h5 17. Qe3 $1 $14 {The threat is 18.Nd5! exd5 19.Rxd5 winning
the queen. At the same time,White wants to double rooks on the d-file. Black
is simply badly placed.  Es droht 18.Nd5! exd5 19.Rxd5 mit Damengewinn,
gleichzeitig will Weiß seine Türme auf der d-Linie verdoppeln. Schwarz steht
einfach schlecht.}) 14. Nf3 Qc5 15. Kb1 (15. e5 $2 Nxe5 16. Nxe5 Qxe5 $15 {
Obviously White does not have enough for the sacrificed pawn. Weiß hat
offensichtlich nicht genug für den geopferten Bauern.}) 15... h5 $132) (13.
fxe6 fxe6 14. Kb1 b5 (14... O-O-O 15. Nd2 Qc5 16. Na4 Qf2 17. Nc4 Kb8 18. Nab6
$36) 15. Be2 h5 $132) 13... b5 (13... O-O-O 14. Nd2 Qc5 15. Na4 Qd4 16. Qxd4
Nxd4 17. Nb6+ Kc7) 14. Be2 (14. a3 $6 {Gives Black something to attack on the
queenside. Gibt Schwarz ein Angriffsziel am Damenflügel.} Rb8 $132) 14... h5 {
It turns out that b4 is hardly a threat. Es stellt sich heraus, dass b4 gar
keine Drohung ist.} (14... b4 15. Na4 Rb8 16. Qxa6 $18) 15. Bf3 Rc8 $13 {
I think this would have been exactly the correct position for Black - there is
no forcing line, the position is unclear, both sides have roughly equal
chances. Ich denke, das wäre genau die richtige Stellung für Schwarz gewesen -
es gibt kein forciertes Spiel, die Stellung ist unklar, beide Seiten haben
ungefähr gleiche Chancen.}) 13. Qe3 $1 {Very strong! White makes the d-file
available for his rook. The obvious move 13.Nd5 leads to unwanted
complications: Sehr stark! Weiß macht die d-Linie für den Turm frei. Der
offensichtliche Zug 13.Nd5 führt zu unerwünschten Komplikationen:} (13. Nd5
fxe4 (13... Bh6+ 14. Kb1 Kf8 15. Nb6 fxe4 16. Qxd6+ Qxd6 17. Rxd6 Rb8 18. Bxa6
Ke7 19. Rxc6 bxc6 20. Nxc8+ Rbxc8 21. Bxc8 Rxc8 22. Nd4 $14) 14. Qxe4 $1 Be6 (
14... Qxe4 15. Nxf6+ Ke7 16. Nxe4 Bg4 17. Re1 Be6 18. Kb1 $11) 15. Nc7+ Ke7 $3
(15... Kd7 16. Nxa8 $3 Bh6+ (16... Qxe4 17. Nc5+ Ke7 18. Nxe4 Bh6+ 19. Kb1 Rxa8
20. Nc3 $16) 17. Kb1 Rxa8 18. Qxh7 $16) 16. Qxe5 fxe5 17. Nxa8 Bh6+ 18. Kb1
Rxa8 $44 {Of course Anand did not want to go into anything like this. Auf so
etwas wollte sich Anand natürlich nicht einlassen.}) 13... Bg7 {Anything else
is much worse: Alles andere ist viel schlechter:} (13... h5 14. Kb1 Bh6 15. Qf2
fxe4 16. Nxe4 $1 $16) (13... fxe4 14. Rd5 Qe6 (14... Qe7 15. Nxe4 $16) 15. Nd4
Nxd4 16. Qxd4 Bd7 17. Bc4 $16) 14. Rd5 Qe7 (14... Qe6 15. Rxf5 $16) 15. Qg3 Rg8
(15... O-O 16. exf5 Re8 17. Bd3 Nb4 18. Rd4 Nxd3+ 19. Qxd3 Qe3+ 20. Qxe3 Rxe3
21. Nd5 Re5 22. Nb6 Rb8 23. g4 $18) 16. Qf4 $1 (16. Qh4 fxe4 17. Qxh7 Kf8 18.
Qxe4 f5 19. Qxe7+ Kxe7 20. Rd1 Be6 21. Nd5+ Bxd5 22. Rxd5 Be5 $132) (16. Qxd6
$2 fxe4 17. Qxe7+ Nxe7 18. Rh5 f5 19. Rxh7 Be6 $15) 16... fxe4 {16....Be6
would be better, in order to set a more difficult task for his opponent.
Besser wäre 16....Be6, um den Gegner vor eine schwierigere Aufgabe zu stellen.}
(16... Be6 $1 17. Rd1 (17. Rxd6 $2 Bh6 18. Qxh6 Qxd6 19. Qxf6 Rd8 $17) (17.
exf5 $4 Bxd5 18. Nxd5 Qe1#) (17. Bd3 fxe4 18. Bxe4 f5 $1 19. Rxf5 (19. Bxf5
Bxc3 20. Bxe6 fxe6 $19) 19... Bxc3 20. bxc3 Bxf5 21. Qxf5 Qg5+ $19) 17... fxe4
18. Nxe4 Kf8 19. Nxd6 Bg4 $1 20. Bc4 $1 (20. Qxg4 $4 Bh6+ $19) 20... Bxd1 21.
Rxd1 Qe5 22. Qxe5 Nxe5 23. Bd5 Rb8 24. Nxb7 (24. Bxb7 Bh6+ 25. Kb1 Rd8 $15)
24... Bh6+ 25. Kb1 Ng4 $132) 17. Nxe4 f5 $2 {This is the decisive error! Black
had to play 17....Be6, to bring the game to the position which might have
arisen after 16....Be6 17.Rd1 fxe4. Das ist der entscheidende Fehlgriff!
Schwarz hätte 17....Be6 spielen müssen, um die Partie zu der Stellung zu
führen, die nach 16....Be6 17.Rd1 fxe4 hätte entstehen können.} (17... Be6 $5
18. Nxd6+ (18. Rxd6 f5 $17) 18... Kf8 19. Rd1 {->16....Be6. ->16....Be6.}) 18.
Nxd6+ Kf8 19. Nxc8 Rxc8 20. Kb1 $1 {Now it is all over - Black can do no more.
Jetzt ist es vorbei - Schwarz kann nichts mehr machen.} (20. Bd3 Nb4 21. Qxf5
Rc7 $15) 20... Qe1+ (20... Nb4 $2 21. Rxf5 Qe1+ 22. Nc1 $18) 21. Nc1 Ne7 22.
Qd2 {The exchange of queens is forced. Der Damentausch ist erzwungen.} Qxd2 (
22... Qe6 $4 23. Rd8+ Rxd8 24. Qxd8#) 23. Rxd2 Bh6 24. Rf2 Be3 {Black can only
be worse. It was clear that he could no longer win the game and so Kramnik
offered a draw in this position. Schwarz kann nur schlechter stehen. Es war
klar, dass die Partie nicht mehr zu gewinnen war, deswegen bot Kramnik in
dieser Stellung Remis an.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Biel GM 45th"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2012.07.25"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Wang, Hao"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[Annotator "Kritz,L"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2012.07.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 150"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 b5 {
Die Problemvariante hier heute ist 7...Qb6.} (7... Qb6 8. Qd2 Qxb2 9. Rb1 Qa3
10. f5 (10. e5 h6 11. Bh4 dxe5 12. fxe5 Nfd7 13. Ne4 Qxa2 14. Rd1 Qd5 15. Qe3
Qxe5 16. Be2 Bc5 17. Bg3 Bxd4 18. Rxd4 Qa5+ 19. Rd2 O-O 20. Bd6 Nc6 21. O-O
Nce5 22. Rdd1 f5 $132 {Karjakin - Kokarev (Sochi, 2012)}) 10... Nc6 11. fxe6
fxe6 12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. Be2 Be7 14. O-O O-O 15. Rb3 Qc5+ 16. Be3 $44 {Ivanchuk
- Grischuk (Nice, 2010)}) 8. e5 {Hier sieht der Zug Qf3 nicht so gut aus, weil
Schwarz gleich seinen Läufer nach b7 entwickeln kann.} (8. Qf3 Bb7 9. Bd3 Nbd7
10. O-O-O Rc8 {Schwarz hat an Qc7 Zeit gespart.} 11. Rhe1 Be7 12. Kb1 Rxc3 13.
bxc3 Qc7 $44 {Lane - Zhao (Canberra, 2010)}) 8... dxe5 9. fxe5 Qc7 (9... h6 10.
Bh4 g5 11. exf6 gxh4 12. Qf3 Ra7 13. O-O-O $18) 10. exf6 {Das ist der Hauptzug.
Etwas schwächer ist 10.Qe2.} (10. Qe2 Nfd7 11. O-O-O Bb7 12. Qg4 Qb6 13. Be2
Nxe5 14. Qh3 Nbd7 $132 {Vallejo Pons - Bromberger (Bahia Feliz, 2011)}) 10...
Qe5+ 11. Be2 (11. Qe2 Qxg5 12. Ne4 Qe5 13. O-O-O Ra7 14. Qf3 Rd7 15. c3 Bb7
$132 {Bindrich - Vorobiov (Cappelle la Grande, 2010)}) 11... Qxg5 12. O-O {
Weiß kann die Dame nicht gleich angreifen:} (12. Ne4 Qh4+ 13. Ng3 gxf6 $15)
12... Ra7 {Die Idee von Schwarz ist es, den Turm ins Zentrum zu bringen, und
erst dann Bb7 zu spielen.} (12... Qe5 13. Nf3 Qe3+ 14. Kh1 Nd7 (14... Bb7 15.
Re1 Qf4 16. Nxb5 axb5 17. Bxb5+ Bc6 18. Qd5 $3 Ra6 19. Rad1 $18 {Kokarev -
Smirnov (Samara, 2012)}) 15. Re1 Qa7 16. fxg7 Bxg7 17. Qd6 Qb6 18. Qg3 O-O 19.
Rad1 Ra7 20. Ne4 $44 {Leko - Ivanchuk (Monte Carlo, 2001)}) (12... gxf6 13. Bf3
Ra7 14. Ne4 Qe3+ 15. Kh1 Be7 16. Nf5 exf5 17. Nd6+ Bxd6 18. Qxd6 $44) 13. Qd3
Rd7 14. Ne4 Qe5 15. Nf3 {Wenig bringt 15.c3, wobei auch dort Weiß eine gewisse
Kompensation besitzt.} (15. c3 Bb7 16. Bf3 Bxe4 17. Bxe4 gxf6 18. Rae1 Bc5 19.
Kh1 Bxd4 20. cxd4 Qxd4 21. Qg3 Ke7 $1 $132 {Kogan - Smirin (Maalot-Tarshiha,
2008)}) 15... Qc7 {Das Spiel in dieser Variante verläuft sehr forciert - ein
falscher Zug und man gerät unter sehr starken Angriff.} (15... Qxb2 16. Qe3 Bb7
17. a4 b4 18. Rab1 Qxc2 19. Nfg5 Qc7 20. Rxb4 $3 Bxe4 21. Nxe4 Bxb4 22. fxg7
$16 {Leko - Ghaem Maghami (Yerevan, 2001)}) 16. Qe3 Bb7 (16... g6 17. c4 b4 18.
Bd1 $16) 17. Nfg5 h6 {Diese Stellung wurde schon ein Mal gespielt und Weiß
opferte den Springer auf e6. Wang Hao spielte besser.} 18. Qh3 (18. Nxe6 fxe6
19. Bh5+ Kd8 $17 {und Schwarz hat sich leicht verteidigt in Pegoraro - Guliyev
(Villa San Giovanni, 2005).}) (18. Nxf7 Kxf7 19. Ng5+ hxg5 20. fxg7+ Kxg7 21.
Qxg5+ Kh7 22. Bd3+ Rxd3 23. Qh5+ Kg7 (23... Kg8 24. Rxf8+ Kxf8 25. Qxh8+ Ke7
26. Qh7+ Kd8 27. Qxd3+ $16) 24. Qg5+ Kh7 25. Qh5+ $11) 18... g6 {Der Zug 18...
Qe5 sieht logisch aus, doch Weiß hat auch dann eine starke Initiative.} (18...
Qe5 $5 19. Bd3 Rg8 20. Rae1 hxg5 21. Qh7 Bxe4 22. Rxe4 Qxb2 23. Qxg8 gxf6 24.
a4 $36) 19. Bd3 {Weiß will früher oder später auf e6 opfern und bereitet sich
für das Opfer vor.} (19. Nxe6 $2 Qb6+ $1 $19) 19... Nc6 20. Kh1 {Auch hier
käme das Opfer zu früh.} (20. Nxe6 fxe6 21. Qxe6+ Kd8 22. f7 Qe5 23. Qxg6 Kc7
$15) (20. Rae1 Kd8 $13) 20... Ne5 (20... Kd8 21. a4 b4 22. Rad1 $14) 21. Rae1 (
21. Nxe6 fxe6 22. Qxe6+ Kd8 $15) 21... Bb4 {Stattdessen hätte Schwarz seinen
König evakuieren können, was zu einer unklaren Stellung führen würde.} (21...
Kd8 22. Nxe6+ fxe6 23. Ng5 $1 Bd5 24. Be4 $1 hxg5 25. Qxh8 Rf7 26. Rd1 $36 {
Weiß hat ausgezeichnetes Spiel auch in dieser Stellung.}) (21... Nxd3 $2 {
Das würde allerdings verlieren.} 22. Nxe6 fxe6 23. Qxe6+ Kd8 24. Qe8+ $3 {
Hübsch!} Kxe8 25. Nd6+ Kd8 26. Re8#) 22. Re3 Bd5 {Nun wäre das Nehmen auf d3
eine Alternative.} (22... Nxd3 $5 23. cxd3 (23. Nxe6 fxe6 24. Qxe6+ Kd8 25.
cxd3 Bd5 26. Qxa6 Qb7 $17) 23... Bd5 $13 {Zum einen hat Weiß keinen Plan, wie
er die schwarze Festung stürmen soll. Auf der anderen Seite kann auch Schwarz
wenig machen, weil sein Turm h8 aus dem Spiel ausgeschaltet ist. Die Stellung
ist zweischneidig.}) 23. Be2 Nc4 {Interessante Stellungen entstehen nach 23...
Nxc4:} (23... Qxc2 24. a3 Bf8 25. Nc3 Nc4 26. Nxe6 Nxe3 27. Ng7+ Kd8 (27...
Bxg7 28. fxg7 Rg8 29. Qxe3+ Re7 30. Qg3 Rxg7 31. Nxd5 $18) 28. Qxe3 $44) 24.
Rd3 (24. Bxc4 Qxc4 25. Rc1 (25. Rd1 Bxe4 $19) 25... Qxa2 $17) 24... Qe5 $1 {
Schwarz spielt auf Sieg. Er hat auch allen Grund dafür, denn der weiße Angriff
hat viel an Potenzial verloren.} (24... Bxe4 25. Nxe4 Rxd3 26. Qxd3 O-O 27. Qh3
$14) 25. a3 Ba5 26. Bg4 Nd6 $2 {Das ist der Fehler, der Schwarz die Partie
kostet. Nach 26...Bxe4 hätte Weiß eine schwere Zeit gehabt:} (26... Bxe4 27.
Nxe4 (27. Rxd7 Qxg5 $3 28. Re7+ Kf8 29. Qg3 Ne5 $19 {Weiß kann nichts gegen
die Drohung ...Bd8 machen, seine Stellung ist verloren.}) 27... Qxe4 28. Bf3
Qf5 (28... Rxd3 29. cxd3 Qd4 (29... Qxd3 30. Bc6+ $18) 30. Bc6+ Kf8 31. dxc4
Qxc4 32. Qf3 $44) 29. Qxf5 gxf5 30. Bc6 Ne5 31. Bxd7+ Nxd7 32. Rd6 Nb8 $1 $19 {
/\Bc7}) 27. Rxd5 $1 {Die Stellung von Schwarz fällt auseinander.} Qxd5 (27...
exd5 $4 28. Bxd7+ Kf8 29. Nxd6 $18) 28. Bxe6 $1 (28. Nxe6 Nxe4 29. Ng7+ Kf8 30.
Bxd7 Nf2+ 31. Rxf2 Qd1+ $19) 28... fxe6 29. f7+ Kd8 (29... Ke7 30. Qxh6 $1 Rdd8
(30... Rf8 31. Qxf8+ Kxf8 32. Nh7+ Kg7 33. f8=Q+ Kxh7 34. Nf6#) 31. f8=Q+ Rdxf8
32. Qg7+ Kd8 (32... Ke8 33. Nf6+ Rxf6 34. Qxh8+ Kd7 35. Qxf6 $18) 33. Rxf8+
Rxf8 34. Qxf8+ Kc7 35. Qxd6+ Qxd6 36. Nxd6 Kxd6 37. Kg1 $18) (29... Kf8 30.
Nxe6+ Ke7 31. Qh4+ g5 32. Qxh6 $18) 30. Nxe6+ Kc8 31. f8=Q+ Rxf8 32. Rxf8+ Bd8
{Schwarz ist in eine total verlorene Stellung gezwungen.} (32... Kb7 33. N6c5+
Ka7 34. Qxd7+ $18) 33. Nxd6+ Kb8 $1 {Sonst kann man gleich nach Hause gehen.} (
33... Qxd6 34. Rxd8+ Rxd8 35. Nxd8+ Kxd8 36. Qd3 $18) (33... Rxd6 34. Nxd8+ Kc7
35. Qc3+ Kb6 36. Qe3+ $18) 34. Rf1 $1 {Die einfachste Lösung.} Rxd6 (34... Qxd6
35. Nxd8 Rxd8 36. Qxh6 $18) 35. Nxd8 Qc4 {Schwarz versucht es mit taktischen
Tricks, aber die Stellung ist zu einfach und Weiß bringt den Punkt sicher nach
Hause.} (35... Rxd8 36. Qxh6 $18) 36. Rg1 Rxd8 37. Qg3+ Kb7 38. Qxg6 $18 {
Die Stellung ist gewonnen. Nicht nur hat Schwarz zwei Bauern weniger, sein
König ist auch noch schwach.} Rd2 39. Qxh6 Rxc2 40. Qg7+ Kb6 41. b4 Qd3 42. Re1
Qe3 43. Qf6+ Kc7 44. Qf1 Rf2 45. Qg1 Qf4 46. h3 Qg3 47. Qh2 1-0

[Event "Minsk Sokolsky Memorial-13"]
[Site "Minsk"]
[Date "1983.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Agapov, Konstantin"]
[Black "Yuferov, Sergey N"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2335"]
[BlackElo "2430"]
[Annotator "Laios,S"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "1983.11.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "17"]
[EventCountry "URS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qc7 8. Qe2
Nbd7 9. O-O-O Be7 10. g4 b5 11. Bg2 b4 12. Nd5 exd5 13. Nf5 Ng8 14. Rxd5 Nb6
15. Bxe7 Nxe7 16. Nxd6+ Kf8 17. Rd2 h5 18. gxh5 Be6 19. e5 Rb8 20. Rhd1 Na4 21.
Nb7 g6 22. hxg6 Rxh2 23. Rd8+ Rxd8 24. Rxd8+ Kg7 25. gxf7 Bxf7 26. Rd2 Qb6 27.
Qe1 Bg6 28. f5 Nxf5 29. Nd6 Nh4 30. Ne8+ Kf8 31. Nf6 Bf5 32. e6 Qxe6 33. Nd7+
Kg7 34. Qg3+ Ng6 (34... Bg4) 35. Qxh2 Qxa2 {time} 0-1

[Event "Ubeda"]
[Site "Ubeda"]
[Date "1997.02.18"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Akopian, Vladimir Eduardovic"]
[Black "Lautier, Joel"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2655"]
[BlackElo "2630"]
[Annotator "Lautier,J"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "1997.02.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "16"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 058"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.06.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.06.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Gershon Jussupow} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5
e6 7. f4 Qc7 8. Qf3 b5 9. O-O-O (9. f5 {Gershon} Nc6 (9... b4 10. Ncb5 axb5 11.
fxe6 (11. Bxb5+ Bd7 12. fxe6 Bxb5 13. Nxb5 Qc5 14. Bxf6 Qxb5 15. Bxg7 Bxg7 16.
Qxf7+ Kd8 17. Qxg7 Re8 18. Rf1 b3 19. cxb3 Qa5+ 20. Kd1 Qh5+ 21. g4 Qb5 22. Rf3
Rxe6 23. Rf8+ Re8 24. Qf6+ $18 {Hector,J-Rashkovsky,N/Espergarde PC 1992/1/2-1/
2 (51)}) 11... Be7 12. e5 dxe5 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Bxb5+ Kf8 15. Nf5 fxe6 (15...
Bxe6 16. Nxe7 Ra5 17. Qxf6 Rxb5 18. Rf1 Qxc2 19. Qxe6 Qe4+ 20. Kd2 Qd4+ $10 {
Murey,Y-Yudasin,L Podolsk 1991}) 16. Nxe7 Kxe7 17. Qxa8 Qb6 18. Qa4 Qd4 19. a3
Bd7 20. Qxb4+ Qxb4+ 21. axb4 Bxb5 $17 {Murey,Y-Spraggett,K Paris-ch 1991}) 10.
Nxc6 Qxc6 11. fxe6 fxe6 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. Qxf6 Rg8 14. Be2 Be7 15. Qd4 Rb8 16.
Bh5+ Kd7 17. Bf3 Qb6 18. Qd3 $1 Qc5 19. O-O-O Qe5 20. Ne2 $1 Bb7 21. Kb1 $1 a5
22. Nc1 $1 b4 23. Qe3 Bg5 24. Qa7 Rgc8 $6 25. Nd3 $16 {Boensch 1-0 Yudasin,
L-Ehlvest,J/Pamplona 1991 (33)}) 9... b4 10. Nd5 (10. Nce2 {Gershon} Bb7 (10...
Nbd7 11. g4 Bb7 12. Ng3 Be7 13. Kb1 O-O-O 14. Bg2 Nc5 15. Qe2 Kb8 16. Rhe1 Rhe8
17. f5 Nfd7 18. Bxe7 Rxe7 19. g5 Ne5 20. f6 gxf6 21. gxf6 Red7 22. Qh5 Na4 23.
Bf1 Qb6 $15 {Podkrznik,G-Bukic,E/Portoroz op 1995/0-1 (81)}) 11. Ng3 Nbd7 12.
Bd3 Be7 13. Nh5 O-O (13... Nxh5 14. Qxh5 g6 15. Qh4 Bxg5 16. fxg5 Qb6 17. Nf3
a5 18. Qf4 Qc7 19. Rhe1 O-O 20. Qe3 Rfc8 {... 0-1 Zak,U-Har Zvi,R/Tel-Aviv Cup
rapid 1996}) 14. Rhe1 Rfe8 15. Nxf6+ Bxf6 16. Bxf6 Nxf6 17. Qg3 d5 18. e5 Ne4
19. Qe3 Rec8 20. Kb1 Qb8 21. Ne2 a5 22. Bxe4 dxe4 23. Ng3 a4 24. Nh5 Rc7 25.
Rd6 b3 26. cxb3 axb3 27. Qxb3 Qf8 28. a3 Bd5 $44 {0-1 Feher,G-Dao Thien Hai/
HUN-chT1 1995 (39)}) 10... exd5 11. Bxf6 gxf6 12. exd5 Ra7 (12... Qc5 {Gershon}
13. Qe4+ (13. Nb3 Qb6 14. Bd3 Ra7 15. Rhe1+ Re7 16. Rxe7+ Bxe7 17. Nd4 Kd8 18.
Qe3 Qc5 19. Re1 Re8 20. Qe4 f5 21. Nxf5 Bxf5 22. Qxf5 Bh4 23. Rd1 Qe3+ 24. Kb1
Qd2 25. Qh5 Qxd1+ 26. Qxd1 Re1 27. Qxe1 Bxe1 28. Bxh7 Nd7 $17 {Dragovic,
M-Savanovic,A/JUG-chT2 1994/0-1 (48)}) 13... Kd8 14. Nb3 Qb6 15. Re1 Bd7 16.
Bc4 Ra7 17. g4 Rc7 18. h4 f5 19. gxf5 Bh6 20. f6 Re8 21. Qd3 Bxf4+ 22. Kb1 Be5
23. Rhf1 a5 $19 {0-1 Euler,G-Degenhardt,H/Giessen op 1991 (36)}) 13. Bd3 Qc5
14. Bf5 {White's idea is to keep the black-square bishop moveless for very
long time.} (14. Nb3 {Gershon} Qb6 {see: Dragovic-Savanovic/1994/0-1}) 14...
Bxf5 15. Nxf5 Rc7 (15... Nd7 $2 {Gershon} 16. Rhe1+ Kd8 17. Qe2 Kc7 18. Rd4 Nb6
(18... Qa5 19. Qe8 (19. Rc4+ Nc5 20. Qe8 Qb5 $17) 19... Qxa2 20. Ree4 Rb7 21.
Rc4+ Nc5 22. Ne7 $1 $18) 19. Qe8 $16) 16. Rhe1+ Kd8 17. Qe4 Kc8 18. Rd4 a5 (
18... Nd7 {Gershon} 19. Rxb4 Nb6 20. Rd4 $44) 19. b3 Na6 $1 $146 (19... Kb7)
20. Rc4 (20. Qe8+ $2 Kb7 21. Rc4 Qxd5 22. Ne3 Qe6 23. Qb5+ Ka7 24. Rxc7+ (24.
Kd2 Rc5 25. Rxc5 dxc5 26. Nc4 Qd5+ 27. Kc1 Qb7 28. Qxa5 Bh6 29. g3 Rb8 $19)
24... Nxc7 25. Qxa5+ (25. Qc6 Na6 26. Kd2 d5 $19) 25... Na6 26. Kd2 d5 (26...
Qe4 27. Nc4 (27. Nd5 Qd4+ 28. Kc1 Qc5 29. Qxc5+ dxc5 30. Re8 $17) 27... Qxf4+
28. Kd3 $132) 27. Nxd5 Qc6 28. Re8 Bc5 (28... Qxe8 $2 29. Qb6+ Ka8 30. Qxa6+
Kb8 31. Qb6+ $18) 29. Rxh8 Qxd5+ 30. Ke2 Qxg2+ 31. Kd3 Qf3+ 32. Kd2 Be3+ $19) (
20. Red1 {Gershon} Qc3 21. Qe8+ Kb7 22. Qb5+ Ka7 $19) 20... Qb5 21. Qd4 {
/\ Qa7! Jussupow: ?} (21. Qe8+ $5 Qxe8 22. Rxe8+ Kd7 (22... Kb7 23. Nxd6+ (23.
Rd8 $5 {/\ Re4-e8}) 23... Bxd6 24. Rxh8 Rxc4 25. bxc4 Bxf4+ 26. Kd1 Bxh2 27.
Rxh7 Be5 28. Rxf7+ Kb6 $13) 23. Ra8 (23. Rce4 $2 Nc5 $1 (23... Rc8 24. Rxc8
Kxc8 25. Re8+ Kd7 26. Ra8 Nc7 27. Ra7 Kc8 28. Rxa5 Kb7 29. a3 bxa3 30. c4 $13)
24. Re3 Nd3+ 25. Kd1 (25. Kd2 Nxf4 26. Ra8 Nxd5 27. Ree8 Bh6+ $19) 25... Nxf4
26. Ra8 Nxd5 27. Ree8 Nc3+ 28. Ke1 Rc5 $19) 23... Rxc4 24. bxc4 Nc7 25. Rb8 (
25. Rxa5 Be7 26. Ra7 Ra8 $17) 25... Na6 (25... Bg7 26. Rb6 Bf8 27. Rb8 $11) 26.
Ra8 Nc7 27. Rb8 $11) 21... Kb7 (21... Rxc4 $2 {Gershon} 22. bxc4 Qd7 23. Qxf6
Rg8 24. Re7 $1 $16) 22. Qxf6 $2 (22. g3 $1 $13) 22... Rg8 $36 {>< d5, >< g2}
23. Nxd6+ $6 (23. Rxc7+ Nxc7 24. Qxf7 Qxd5 $17 (24... Qxd5 {Gershon} 25. Qxd5+
Nxd5 26. g3 $17)) (23. Qd8 Qxd5 24. Rxc7+ (24. Re8 Qxf5 25. Qa8+ Kb6 26. Rxc7 (
26. Rb8+ Nxb8 27. Qxb8+ Rb7 28. Qd8+ Ka7 $19) 26... Qxf4+ 27. Kb1 (27. Kd1 Qf1+
28. Kd2 Bh6+ $19) 27... Qf1+ 28. Kb2 Bg7+ $19) 24... Nxc7 25. Ne7 Bxe7 26. Qxg8
Bf6 $17) 23... Bxd6 24. Qxd6 Qb6 (24... Rxc4 $5 25. bxc4 Qxc4 26. Re7+ Nc7 27.
g3 $17) 25. Rxc7+ (25. Qe5 Rxg2 26. d6 Rxc4 27. bxc4 Nc5 28. Qd5+ Qc6 29. Qxf7+
Ka6 $19) 25... Nxc7 26. Qd7 (26. Qxb6+ Kxb6 27. d6 Nd5 $1 $19 {/\ Kc6}) 26...
Qf6 $1 27. Kb1 (27. d6 Qa1+ 28. Kd2 Rxg2+ $19 (28... Rxg2+ {Gershon} 29. Kd3
Qc3+ $19)) 27... Rd8 $19 28. Qe7 Qxe7 29. Rxe7 Rxd5 30. Rxf7 {This logical
move is probably loosing imediatly.} ({Some chances would give:} 30. a3 {
Gershon} Kc6 (30... bxa3 31. Ka2 Rd2 32. Rxf7 Rxc2+ 33. Kxa3 Rxg2 34. Rxh7 $15)
31. axb4 axb4 32. Re4 Rd2 33. Rc4+ Kd6 34. Rxb4 Rxg2 35. Rb6+ Ke7 36. Rh6 Rg7
37. c4 $17) (30. c4 $5 {Gershon} bxc3 31. Kc2 Rc5 (31... Rd2+ 32. Kxc3 Rxg2 33.
Rxf7 Rxh2 $19) 32. Rxf7 Kc6 33. Rxh7 Nb5 34. Re7 Nd4+ 35. Kc1) 30... Kc6 {
/\ Nb5-c3, Rd1} 31. Kc1 (31. Rxh7 {Gershon} Nb5 32. Rh6+ Kc5 33. Kb2 Nc3 34.
Rh8 Rd1 35. Rc8+ Kb6 36. Rxc3 bxc3+ 37. Kxc3 Rf1 38. g3 Rf2 39. h4 Kc5 40. Kd3
Rf3+ 41. Ke4 Rxg3 42. f5 Kd6 $19) 31... Nb5 32. c4 {White is forced to create
black a passed pawn on c3, otherwise he gets mated.} (32. Rxh7 {Gershon} Nc3)
32... bxc3 {Now white is hopeless.} 33. Rxh7 Rd2 34. Rh3 Rxa2 35. f5 Kc5 36. f6
Kb4 37. f7 Kxb3 38. Kd1 Rd2+ 39. Ke1 Rd8 40. Rf3 Rf8 (40... Rf8 {Gershon} 41.
g4 Nd6 42. Kd1 Kb2 $19) 0-1

[Event "EU-ch 12th"]
[Site "Aix les Bains"]
[Date "2011.03.23"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Vedmediuc, Serghei"]
[Black "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2422"]
[BlackElo "2711"]
[Annotator "Marchand,A/Primel,D"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2011.03.22"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 142 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.06.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.06.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 h6 (7...
Nc6 8. Nxc6 bxc6 9. e5 h6 10. Bh4 g5 11. fxg5 Nd5 12. Ne4 Qb6 13. c3 dxe5 14.
g6 fxg6 15. Qc2 Qe3+ $6 (15... Rb8 16. O-O-O $13) 16. Be2 Nf4 17. Nf6+ Kf7 18.
Ng4 $16) 8. Bh4 Qb6 9. Qd3 {En fin de tournoi, le polonais a affronté la ligne
principale Qd2 mais les Noirs n'ont également pas eu de problème dans cette
ligne} (9. Qd2 Qxb2 10. Rb1 Qa3 11. e5 dxe5 12. fxe5 g5 13. exf6 gxh4 14. Be2
Qa5 15. O-O Nd7 16. Kh1 Qg5 17. Rf4 e5 18. Nd5 exd4 19. Qxd4 Kd8 20. Rd1 h3 21.
g3 Bd6 22. Re4 Re8 23. Nb6 Rxe4 24. Qxe4 Qc5 25. Nxa8 Nxf6 26. Qd3 Ke7 27. Bf3
{Nisipeanu,L (2673)-Wojtaszek,R (2711)/Aix les Bains 2011/ Mega2011 Update 15/
0-1 (39)}) (9. a3 $5 {La ligne classique est moins populaire actuellement} Be7
10. Bf2 Qc7 11. Qf3 Nc6 12. O-O-O Bd7 13. Be2 Rc8 14. g4 Nxd4 15. Rxd4 Bc6 {
Naiditsch,A (2712)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2710) ESP-chT CECLUB Honor 2011 (2) 0-1}
(15... d5 $5 {Edouard})) 9... Qxb2 10. Rb1 (10. Nb3 $5 {Bijaoui,M (2392)
-Guliyev,N (2554) Syre Memorial op 34th 2011 (5) 1/2}) 10... Qa3 11. f5 $5 $146
{Cette idée nouvelle a été été reprise dans des nombreuses parties en 2011 et
2012.} (11. e5 Nd5 (11... dxe5 12. fxe5 Nd5 $132 {Parma,B-Sofrevski,J YUG-ch
Ljubljana 1960 (9) 1/2} (12... g5 $5 {Benjamin YB 99})) 12. Nxd5 Qxd3 $11 {
Keres,P-Olafsson,F Zuerich 1959 1/2}) 11... Be7 $1 {[%csl Rh4][%cal Gf6e4,
Ge7h4]} 12. Be2 $2 (12. fxe6 $142 fxe6 13. Be2 {Le bon ordre de coups} O-O (
13... Nxe4 14. O-O Nxc3 15. Qg6+ Kd8 16. Bxe7+ Kc7 17. Qxg7 $40 {[%cal Gg7c7,
Gg7h8]})) 12... Nxe4 $1 {Le thème tactique de cette variante "améliorée" du P
empoisonné} 13. O-O (13. Nxe4 {Un moindre mal mais la partie est également
sans espoirs pour les Blancs} Bxh4+ 14. g3 Qxd3 15. cxd3 Be7 16. fxe6 fxe6 17.
Bg4 d5 18. Nd2 Nc6) 13... Qxc3 (13... Nxc3 $19) 14. Qxe4 Nc6 15. Rbd1 (15. Nxc6
) 15... d5 $1 $40 {[%csl Re4,Rh4]} 16. Qg4 Bxh4 17. Qxh4 Qe3+ 18. Rf2 Nxd4 19.
Rxd4 exf5 20. Rd3 Qe4 21. Qh3 Be6 22. Re3 Qd4 23. c3 Qb6 24. Bd3 g6 25. Ree2
Qc5 26. Qg3 Rc8 27. Re3 Ke7 28. h4 (28. Bf1 {[%cal Ge3c3] N'aurait fait que
retarder l'échéance car le développement de la Rh8, les Blancs peuvent
abandonner}) 28... Qd6 29. Re5 Rxc3 $19 30. Rc2 Qc5+ 31. Kh2 Qd4 32. Re3 f4 33.
Rxe6+ fxe6 34. Qe1 Rc6 35. Bxg6 f3 36. Rd2 Qf6 37. h5 Rhc8 38. Rxd5 Qf4+ 39. g3
f2 40. Qd1 f1=Q 0-1

[Event "World Women-ch k.o."]
[Site "Antakya"]
[Date "2010.12.05"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Vasilevich, Irina"]
[Black "Sebag, Marie"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2333"]
[BlackElo "2494"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2010.12.04"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 140"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Bc4
Qb6 9. Bb3 Be7 10. Qd2 (10. f5 {is a more popular alternative.}) 10... Nc5 11.
e5 $146 {This looks logical, but maybe White's position already was a bit
suspicious.} ({In previous games, White gave up one of his bishops in order to
save the e4-pawn with either} 11. Bxf6) ({or} 11. Ba4+) 11... Nfe4 12. Nxe4
Nxe4 13. Ba4+ Bd7 14. Bxd7+ Kxd7 {White's attack has almost been extinguished
and she has been left with weak squares and hanging pieces.} 15. Qe3 Nxg5 16.
exd6 Bf6 17. O-O-O h6 18. Rhe1 Nh7 19. Rh1 Ng5 20. Rhe1 Nh7 21. Qa3 Bxd4 22.
Qa4+ Qc6 23. Qxd4 Rac8 24. Rd2 Nf6 25. Re3 Qc5 26. Qa4+ Qb5 27. Qa3 Qc5 28. b4
Qc4 29. Rb3 Ne4 30. Qa4+ Rc6 0-1

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2010.01.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2749"]
[BlackElo "2641"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2010.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qe2
Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. a3 Be7 (10... Bb7 {is considered to be the main move.}) (
10... Rb8 {has similar deffects as in the aforementioned game Nakamura-Van
Wely:} 11. Nd5 $1 exd5 12. exd5+ Be7 13. Nc6 Nb6 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. g3 $40 {
Bronstein,D (2585)-Gheorghiu,F (2530)/Petropolis 1973/IZT (1-0, 36)}) 11. g4
Rb8 ({Again,} 11... Bb7 {is by far more popular.}) 12. Bg2 b4 13. axb4 Rxb4 (
13... h6 $5 {may be a last chance to avoid the disaster. If the bishop
retreats, the f4-pawn and the h4-bishop would be hanging along the fourth rank
after ...Rxb4.}) 14. e5 dxe5 15. Nc6 $16 {It is hard to understand what did
Black have in mind when entering this variation. An earlier game had proven
that Black is in trouble and his novelty looks more like over the board
desperation.} Bb7 $146 (15... Rb6 16. Nxe7 Bb7 17. Bxb7 Rxb7 18. fxe5 Nxe5 19.
Rde1 Ned7 20. Qxa6 {1-0 Spraggett,K (2631)-Czakon,J (2482)/San Sebastian 2007})
16. Nxb4 Bxb4 17. fxe5 Bxc3 18. exf6 gxf6 19. bxc3 fxg5 20. Bxb7 Qxb7 21. h4
Qc7 22. hxg5 Qxc3 23. Qxa6 Nc5 24. Qa8+ Ke7 25. Qa7+ Kf8 26. Rhf1 1-0

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2010.01.30"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Smeets, Jan"]
[Black "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2657"]
[BlackElo "2641"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "2010.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qe2
Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. g3 {[%cal Gf1g2,Ge4e5] White strives for harmonious
development.} Be7 $6 {After this move, Black gets into trouble almost by force.
} (10... b4 {seems to be the critical line, forcing the sharp} 11. Nd5 {
Shirov,A (2715)-Gelfand,B (2710)/Dos Hermanas 1995/CBM 047/[Gelfand] (0-1, 69).
Of course, not everybody is ready to stand such an attack.}) (10... Bb7 $6 {
is just a half measure:} 11. Bg2 Qc4 (11... Rc8 12. e5 $16) 12. Qxc4 bxc4 13.
f5 $14 {Bronstein,L-Fernandez,I/Buenos Aires 1969/MCD (1-0, 44). Black starts
having structural problems.}) 11. Bg2 Bb7 12. e5 dxe5 13. fxe5 $1 $146 (13.
Bxb7 {Zambrana,O (2425)-Grover,S (1987)/Sort 2006/CBM 113 ext (1/2, 62)}) 13...
Nd5 14. Bxe7 Nxc3 15. bxc3 Bxg2 (15... Kxe7 {is no better:} 16. Bxb7 Qxb7 17.
Rhf1 {The black king is surrounded by dangers.}) 16. Qxg2 Kxe7 17. Nc6+ Kf8 18.
Rhf1 $40 Nb6 19. Qf3 Re8 20. Nd8 Re7 21. Rd6 Ke8 22. Rxb6 Qxd8 23. Rxa6 1-0

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2010.01.23"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Smeets, Jan"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2657"]
[BlackElo "2712"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2010.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nc6 8. Nxc6
({The main alternative is} 8. e5 h6 9. Bh4 g5 10. fxg5 Nd5 11. Nxd5 exd5 {
Abstractly speaking, I would prefer this line, because 8.Nxc6 looks like a
premature release of the tension.}) 8... bxc6 9. e5 h6 10. Bh4 g5 11. fxg5 Nd5
12. Ne4 Qb6 13. Bd3 hxg5 14. Bxg5 Qxb2 15. c4 Be7 (15... Qxg2 {is the more
popular continuation, but after} 16. Rf1 {Black is under strong attack.}) 16.
Bxe7 Ne3 17. Qc1 Nxg2+ 18. Kd1 Ne3+ 19. Ke1 Ng2+ 20. Kd1 Ne3+ 21. Qxe3 Qxa1+
22. Kd2 Qxh1 23. Bxd6 Rxh2+ 24. Be2 Qb1 25. Nf6+ Kd8 26. Qd4 c5 27. Bxc5+ Kc7
28. Qd6+ Kb7 29. Qe7+ Kc6 30. Qd6+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2010.01.18"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Smeets, Jan"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2657"]
[BlackElo "2749"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2010.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qc7 8. Qf3
b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. a3 Bb7 11. Be2 h5 12. O-O-O Nd7 13. f5 {Strategically, the
correct decision.} ({In an older game at grandmaster level, White went for the
h5-pawn. His greedyness not only cost him time, but also left him one pawn
down when the forced operation was over.} 13. Qh3 O-O-O 14. Bxh5 Kb8 15. Qg4 f5
16. Qe2 Nf6 17. Bf3 fxe4 18. Nxe4 Nxe4 19. Bxe4 d5 20. Bf3 Qxf4+ 21. Kb1 Rxh2
$17 {Unzicker,W (2530)-Balashov,Y (2600)/Munich 1979/MCD (1/2, 32)}) 13... e5
14. Nb3 Rc8 15. Kb1 Nb6 $1 $146 {Obviously, the right square for the knight,
keeping d5 under control.} (15... h4 16. Rd3 Nc5 $6 17. Nd5 Bxd5 18. Rxd5 Nxb3
19. Qxb3 $14 {Felton,J-O'Bee,C/BCCP-ch6 corr 1995/Corr Nr. 1 (1/2, 52)}) 16.
Rd3 Bh6 $5 {For the sake of maximal activation of forces, Ivanchuk leaves the
h5-pawn undefended.} 17. Qxh5 Ke7 18. Qf3 Nc4 19. Rhd1 Bg5 20. h3 Rh4 {For the
sacrificed pawn, Black has obtained some stability on dark squares and
attacking chances. It is hard to prove that his compensation is entirely
adequate, but in a practical game it may work out well.} 21. Qf2 Qb8 22. Bg4 a5
23. Qe2 Rhh8 24. Qe1 Rhd8 25. Nd5+ Bxd5 26. Rxd5 Qc7 27. Qe2 a4 28. Na1 b4 29.
axb4 a3 30. Nb3 Nxb2 31. Ra5 Ra8 32. Ka2 Nxd1 33. Qxd1 Qc3 34. Qa1 Qxc2+ 35.
Kxa3 Rxa5+ 36. bxa5 Rb8 0-1

[Event "EU-ch 11th"]
[Site "Rijeka"]
[Date "2010.03.11"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Balogh, Csaba"]
[Black "Erdogdu, Mert"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2622"]
[BlackElo "2502"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2010.03.06"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "CRO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 136"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.05.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.05.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qc7 8. Qe2
Nc6 9. O-O-O Nxd4 10. Rxd4 Be7 11. g4 h6 12. Bh4 g5 {Being incompletely
developed, Black cannot really hope to get a stable blockade on dark squares
with this brutal method.} 13. fxg5 (13. e5 {led to similar play:} dxe5 14. Rc4
Qb8 15. fxg5 hxg5 16. Bg3 Nd7 17. Bg2 b5 18. Rc6 {Naiditsch,A (2693)-Swiercz,D
(2472)/Budva 2009/CBM 130 (1-0, 36)}) 13... Nd7 14. e5 $1 {A thematic break,
preventing the blockade and opening the long diagonal for the bishop.} dxe5 15.
Rc4 Qd8 16. Bg2 hxg5 17. Bg3 f6 18. Rd1 Rb8 19. Ne4 $44 b5 20. Rc3 Kf7 21.
Nxg5+ fxg5 22. Bxe5 Bf6 23. Rf3 Qe7 24. Bxb8 Nxb8 25. Rxf6+ Kxf6 26. Rf1+ Kg6
27. Qe5 Rf8 28. Be4+ Kh6 29. Rf3 1-0

[Event "Danzhou 3rd"]
[Site "Danzhou"]
[Date "2012.06.02"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Zhao, Jun"]
[Black "Zhou, Jianchao"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2577"]
[BlackElo "2609"]
[Annotator "Martin,A"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2012.05.29"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "16"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2016"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 Nbd7 {An
old-fashioned continuation.which has recently become very popular, thanks to
some new ideas after 7.Bc4.} 7. Qe2 $5 ({White ducks the challenge of} 7. Bc4
Qb6 $5 {which has been scoring well for Black.}) 7... e6 (7... h6 {immediately
has some merit, forcing the issue somewhat:} 8. Bh4 (8. Bd2 {feels like a
misplacement of the bishop:} e5 9. Nf5 Nc5 10. O-O-O g6 11. Ng3 Be6 12. h4 Qc7
13. h5 Bg7 14. hxg6 fxg6 15. Be3 O-O-O 16. f3 d5 $11 {Melia,S (2400)
-Guramishvili,S (2395)/Anaklia 2012}) 8... e6 9. O-O-O b5 10. f4 Qc7 11. f5 Nc5
$6 (11... b4 $1 {is the best move:} 12. fxe6 (12. Nb1 e5 13. Nb3 Bb7 $17) 12...
bxc3 13. exd7+ Nxd7 14. Kb1 g5 15. Bg3 Ne5 $13) 12. fxe6 fxe6 13. e5 dxe5 14.
Bg3 b4 15. Bxe5 Qf7 16. Nb1 (16. Nc6 $1 Bb7 17. Nxb4 {would set Black more
problems.}) 16... Bb7 17. Nd2 Be7 18. Nc4 Nfe4 19. Nf3 O-O 20. Qe3 Rad8 21.
Rxd8 Rxd8 22. Be2 Qg6 23. Re1 Bd5 24. g3 Rf8 25. Bf4 Qe8 26. Nfd2 Nxd2 27. Qxd2
Ne4 28. Qd4 Qa4 29. Kb1 Rc8 30. Rd1 $2 (30. Bd3 Bc5 31. Qe5 Bd6 32. Qd4 (32.
Nxd6 Qxa2+) 32... Bc5 $11) 30... Bc5 ({Better} 30... Nc3+ $1 31. bxc3 bxc3 32.
Qxc3 Bxc4 33. Bxc4 Rxc4 34. Qd3 Rb4+ 35. Kc1 Qxa2 $19) 31. Qe5 Bd6 32. b3 $4 (
32. Qd4 Nc3+ 33. bxc3 bxc3 34. Bxd6 Qb5+ 35. Kc1 Rxc4 36. Qxc3 $1 $11) 32...
Bxe5 33. bxa4 Nc3+ {0-1 Potkin,V (2642)-Laznicka,V (2693)/Havana 2012  The
last word has yet to be said about this whole variation}) 8. f4 Qc7 9. O-O-O b5
10. a3 Be7 11. g4 Bb7 {It's a traditional Najdorf, but with the white queen on
e2. White's position lends itself to the idea of a quick e4-e5 with sacrifices
such as Nf5 or Nd5 always in the wings. the drawback is that it takes slightly
longer to develop the kingside. Black must be very careful!} 12. Bh4 h6 (12...
Nc5 $1 {exploits White's slight lag in development and should equalize:} 13.
Bxf6 (13. Bg2 O-O 14. Bf2 d5 15. e5 Nfe4 16. Nxe4 dxe4 17. Kb1 Rfd8) 13... Bxf6
14. g5 Bxd4 15. Rxd4 e5) 13. Rg1 g5 $5 {Another of those thematic Najdorf
ideas, exploiting the unprotected Bishop on h4. Equally as usual, this is a
very double-edged procedure, where Black has to carefully consider the
position of his king in the centre.} 14. fxg5 hxg5 ({After Zhao Jianchao's
experience in our featured game, Black may have to revert to} 14... Nh7 $1 15.
Bf2 hxg5 16. Nf3 Ne5 17. Bd4 f6 18. h4 O-O-O 19. h5 Nf8 20. Bf2 Nxf3 21. Qxf3
Nd7 22. Rg3 Ne5 23. Qe3 Kd7 24. Qb6 Qxb6 25. Bxb6 Rc8 26. Be2 Bd8 27. Bd4 Ke7
28. Bxe5 fxe5 29. Rf3 Bb6 30. Rdf1 Rcf8 31. Rxf8 Be3+ 32. Kd1 Rxf8 33. Rxf8
Kxf8 34. Bf3 Bc6 35. Na2 a5 36. Ke2 Bf4 37. Kd3 d5 38. b4 a4 39. Nc3 Bc1 40.
exd5 exd5 41. Bxd5 Bd7 42. h6 Bxg4 43. Nxb5 Bd7 44. Nd6 g4 45. h7 Kg7 46. Be4
Be6 47. Nf5+ Bxf5 48. Bxf5 g3 49. Be4 Bxa3 50. Kc4 Bc1 51. b5 g2 52. Bxg2 Kxh7
53. Kb4 a3 54. Kb3 Kg7 55. c4 Kf7 56. c5 a2 57. Kxa2 Be3 {1/2-1/2 Wang Hao 
(2696)-Li,C (2643)/Beijing 2009/CBM 130 Extra}) 15. Bxg5 Nc5 16. h4 $1 Nfxe4
17. Nxe4 Nxe4 18. Bxe7 Qxe7 19. Bg2 $16 {The opening of the position has not
favoured Black at all, who now finds himself without a safe haven for his king.
} d5 ({After} 19... Nc5 {The simple} 20. Bxb7 {is just difficult to meet:} Nxb7
(20... Qxb7 21. Nf5 $1) 21. g5 Rxh4 22. g6 Kd7 23. gxf7 Qxf7 24. Nxe6 Re8 25.
Qg2 $1) 20. Bxe4 dxe4 21. Nxb5 $1 {Energetic and correct. The black king is
stuck high and dry in the middle.} (21. h5 Qg5+ 22. Kb1 Rc8 23. Qh2 $16) 21...
axb5 22. Qxb5+ Kf8 23. Rd7 Ba6 (23... Qe8 {is no better:} 24. Qc5+ $1 Kg8 25.
Qg5+ Kf8 26. Rxb7 Rb8 27. Rxb8 Qxb8 28. Rd1 $18) 24. Qe5 $1 Qxh4 25. g5 $1 {
A subsequent g5-g6 is impossible to stop.} Qh2 ({Or} 25... Qh3 26. Qxe4 Re8 27.
g6 Qh6+ 28. Kb1 Bc4 29. Qe5 fxg6 30. Qf6+ {crushes Black.}) 26. Qc5+ Kg8 27. g6
f6 (27... f5 28. Qd4 Qh6+ 29. Kb1 Re8 30. Qf6) 28. Qb6 {Black still walks a
tightrope after 6.Bg5.} 1-0

[Event "London Classic 8th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.16"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[Annotator "Meier,Georg"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2016.12.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 {Everyone is happy
to see this! The players go into the deep jungle, but to come out unscathed a
formidable map is indispensable. One round earlier Hikaru ran right into
quicksand as Black, so he decided to ask Maxime about the right path.} e6 7. f4
h6 ({To my mind} 7... Qb6 8. Qd2 (8. a3 Nc6) 8... Qxb2 9. Rb1 Qa3 10. e5 h6 11.
Bh4 dxe5 12. fxe5 Nfd7 13. Ne4 Qxa2 14. Rd1 Qd5 15. Qe3 Qxe5 16. Be2 Bc5 17.
Bg3 Qd5 18. c4 Bxd4 19. Rxd4 Qa5+ 20. Rd2 O-O 21. Bd6 f5 22. Bxf8 Nxf8 23. Nd6
Nbd7 {is the latest development. Both Giri and Vachier-Lagrave have shown that
Black is fine.}) 8. Bh4 Qb6 9. a3 (9. Qd2 Qxb2 10. Rb1 Qa3 {could transpose
back to 7...Qb6.}) 9... Be7 10. Bf2 {That's the difference from the move order
starting with 7...h6. I like this redeployment of the bishop, as Black has to
relieve pressure on b2, while White gets ready for a pawn storm on the
kingside against the juicy target created by h6.} Qc7 {Now White can develop
quite harmoniously.} 11. Qf3 Nbd7 12. O-O-O b5 13. g4 {Things start to heat
up! White also seems to have created a target with a2-a3, but it is much
harder to exploit, since Black cannot open up lines on the queenside.} Bb7 ({
The round before we probably witnessed the end of} 13... g5 $6 14. h4 gxf4 15.
Be2 b4 $146 {Hikaru's novelty, which led him straight into a lost position.} ({
Maxime had been successful with} 15... Rg8 16. Rdg1 $2 ({but} 16. g5 hxg5 17.
hxg5 Ne5 18. Qxf4 Nfd7 19. Nxe6 fxe6 20. Rh7 {would have been big trouble} Bxg5
$2 21. Bh5+ Kd8 22. Bh4) 16... d5 17. exd5 Ne5 18. Qh3 exd5 {0-1 (28) Giri,
A-Vachier Lagrave,M Stavanger 2016}) 16. axb4 Ne5 17. Qxf4 Nexg4 18. Bxg4 e5
19. Qxf6 $3 Bxf6 20. Nd5 Qd8 21. Nf5 $1 Rb8 (21... Bxf5 22. Bxf5 $18 {
Picturesque! White is completely dominating. A queen needs targets, and there
is not a single one in White's position. Black cannot get his king to any
safety and being unable to open up new lines, he has to await execution making
aimless moves with the major pieces.}) 22. Nxf6+ Qxf6 23. Rxd6 {1-0 (32)
Caruana,F-Nakamura,H London 2016}) 14. Bg2 Rc8 15. Kb1 g5 {Again, Black is
fighting for the dark squares on the kingside. But of course this sharp
attempt needed to be well-prepared at home...} 16. Qh3 Nc5 $2 {Maxime had
already sunk into deep thought and it turns out that he already lost his way.}
({There are a number of correspondence games with} 16... Nh7 17. e5 (17. f5 $2
e5 18. Nb3 Nhf6 {would allow Black to stabilise}) 17... Bxg2 18. Qxg2 gxf4 19.
exd6 Bxd6 20. Rhe1 Be5 {And here I begun analysing quite a bit out of genuine
curiosity. The move the computer wants to play probably wouldn't enter any
player's head in London: Na2} 21. h3 $5 {This is very abstract too, but I like
this move claiming there is some sort of zugzwang!} (21. Nf5 exf5 22. gxf5 Ng5
23. h4 Qc6 24. Rd5 f6 25. hxg5 hxg5 {and Black holds}) (21. Na2 O-O 22. Nb4 a5
(22... Bxd4 23. Bxd4 a5 24. Nd3 f3 25. Qf2 b4 26. axb4 axb4 27. Nxb4 Qb7 {
was seen in the correspondence games, but without a computer's help Black
should have very little chances to survive.}) 23. Na6 Qc4 24. b3 Qc3 25. Rd3
Bxd4 26. Rxc3 Bxc3 27. Rh1 a4 $13) (21. h4 {Looks logical, to get ready for
Black castling, but then he doesn't; he plays} Rg8 {and finds a target on g4})
21... O-O $6 (21... Rg8 $142 22. Rd3 Kf8 {appears playable for Black though})
22. g5 $1 hxg5 23. Ne4 $36) 17. Rhe1 {All White's pieces have joined the game;
next is blowing up the centre.} h5 (17... gxf4 {leads to a long forced
sequence:} 18. g5 Nfd7 19. g6 fxg6 20. Nxe6 Nxe6 21. Qxe6 Ne5 22. Bd4 Qc4 23.
Nd5 Bxd5 24. exd5 Qxc2+ 25. Ka1 Qf5 26. Qxf5 gxf5 27. Bxe5 dxe5 28. d6 Kf7 29.
Rxe5 $16 {The d-pawn will tie Black down.}) 18. Nf5 $1 {...and that's how you
do it in the Najdorf!} Ncxe4 {Keeping control requires precision from White,
but his superior coordination should inspire full confidence that there is
always going to be a solution.} (18... exf5 19. exf5 Bxg2 20. Qxg2 {Now Black
has to try and stop a breakthrough on the kingside, so:} Rg8 21. fxg5 Rxg5 {
does not look bad at first sight, but} 22. h3 $1 {followed by Bh4 breaks the
blockade with devastating effect. Black's pieces are in a way shattered,
living separate lives on each side and unable to work together.}) 19. Bxe4 Nxe4
20. Bd4 $1 {Not exposing c2 and assuming control over the black kingside.} Rg8
21. Nxe7 Kxe7 22. gxh5 {White has transformed his initiative into one major
asset: the h-pawn supported by queen and bishop. Of course the black king's
location in the centre makes it impossible to put together a succesful defence
against its advance.} gxf4 23. Qh4+ Kf8 (23... f6 {would also expose the 7th
rank, adding more problems.}) 24. Ka1 {Elegant and good enough, since Black
cannot repair his position.} (24. h6 $1 e5 25. h7 Rh8 26. Ka1 $1 {is the
computer's beautiful solution to win the game. Stepping away from c2 takes
away any last trick Black may have.}) 24... b4 {Desperation obviously.} 25.
Nxe4 Bxe4 26. Rxe4 Qxc2 27. Ree1 bxa3 28. Qxf4 axb2+ 29. Bxb2 Rg5 {For the
first time all the black pieces seem to be working together; he is aiming for
an irritating rook swing, but Hikaru has it all under control.} 30. Qxd6+ Kg8
31. Rg1 $1 {The last precise move, Black is about to get mated.} Qa4+ 32. Ba3
Rxg1 33. Rxg1+ Kh7 34. Qd3+ Kh6 35. Rg6+ Kxh5 36. Rg1 f5 37. Qf3+ {So what can
we say? Clearly, there are some real problems in the line Maxime chose, which
may require Black to go back to the well trodden paths of 7...Qb6. Otherwise
Black has to dig deep in the analysis of 16...Nh7 but it would not appeal to
my chess senses at all. Nowadays you can solve opening problems in a lot of
ways with the help of the computer, but it's necessary to play positions one
has a good feel for as well. Since you cannot repeat all analysis constantly,
eventually you'll get a complicated line you haven't looked at in a while and
you will easily misstep if it does not suit you.} 1-0

[Event "Asia-ch 4th"]
[Site "Doha"]
[Date "2003.02.26"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Iuldachev, Saidali"]
[Black "Zagrebelny, Sergey"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2487"]
[BlackElo "2540"]
[Annotator "Mikhalevski,V"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2003.02.22"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "QAT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 094"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.05.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.05.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nc6 {
Relatively rare, but interesting move. Black invites White to start a tactical
battle.} 8. Nxc6 {[%csl Rd8][%cal Ge4e5]} (8. e5 {is an alternative:} h6 9. Bh4
dxe5 (9... g5 {was also tested.}) 10. Nxc6 Qxd1+ 11. Rxd1 bxc6 12. fxe5 Nd5 13.
Ne4 {[%csl Rd6][%cal Gh4f2,Gf2c5]} Be7 14. Bf2 Rb8 15. Bd4 Nb4 {[%csl Ra2,Rc2]}
16. Rd2 Nxa2 17. c3 Nc1 {[%cal Gc1b3]} 18. Bc4 Nb3 {[%csl Rd2,Rd4]} 19. Bxb3
Rxb3 20. Bc5 $1 {[%cal Ge4d6]} a5 21. Nd6+ Bxd6 22. Bxd6 {[%csl Re8]} Ba6 (
22... f6 $142 $1) 23. Kf2 f5 24. Ra1 $1 {[%csl Ra5]} Kf7 25. Rxa5 Bc4 26. Ra7+
Kg6 27. Ke3 Rb5 28. b4 h5 (28... Rd5 {was better, however after} 29. Rd4 {
Black 's in trouble.}) 29. Rd4 {1-0 Ljuboevic-Ivanchuk,Tilburg,89}) 8... bxc6
9. e5 {[%cal Gg5d8]} h6 10. Bh4 ({Bad is} 10. exf6 hxg5 11. fxg5 gxf6 12. Qf3
d5 13. O-O-O fxg5 14. Bc4 g4 $1 $17 {Hector,J-Oll,L/Debrecen/1989/0-1/ -> CBM14
}) 10... g5 (10... dxe5 $6 {ChessBase} 11. Qxd8+ Kxd8 12. fxe5 g5 13. O-O-O+
$14) 11. fxg5 Nd5 $1 {[%cal Gd8h4] pinning the g-pawn.} 12. Nxd5 ({Unclear
position arises after} 12. Ne4 {ChessBase} Qb6 $1 (12... dxe5 {ChessBase} 13.
Nf6+ Nxf6 14. Qxd8+ Kxd8 15. gxf6 $14) 13. c3 dxe5 14. Bg3 hxg5 15. Bxe5 Rh4
16. Bd3 f5 $5 {16...Qe3; 16...Bb7} 17. Nd2 Bc5 (17... Qxb2 {ChessBase} 18. O-O
Ne3 19. Qf3 $13) 18. Qe2 Qxb2 19. Rb1 Qxa2 20. g3 Rh7 (20... Rh6 $5 {ChessBase}
21. c4 Nb4) 21. c4 Ne3 22. Qf3 Bd7 23. Ke2 Qa3 24. Ra1 Qb4 25. Rab1 Qa3 26. h4
$6 (26. Bb2 $5 {ChessBase} Qa2 27. Bc3 Qa3 28. Rb3 Qa2 29. h4) 26... Ng4 27.
Bb2 Qa5 28. hxg5 Rxh1 29. Qxh1 O-O-O 30. Nb3 Qb6 31. Nxc5 Qxc5 32. Qg1 {
1/2-1/2 Oll,L-Gelfand,B/Debrecen 1989/CBM 14/[ChessBase] (32)}) 12... cxd5 13.
Bg3 (13. Qh5 {ChessBase} Qb6 14. Be2 Bg7 15. Rf1 Ra7 16. Bf2 d4 17. O-O-O dxe5
$15 {Sakharov-Odeev/corr/1989/}) 13... hxg5 14. Bd3 {[%cal Ge1g1] A new move.
White has been preparing short castle with the attack of the f7-point.} (14.
Qd2 Bg7 (14... dxe5 15. Bxe5 f6 16. Bg3 Bd6 17. Bxd6 Qxd6 18. O-O-O Rxh2 19.
Rxh2 Qxh2 {and it seems that White doesn't have enough for a pawn. 0-1 Driamin,
D-Odeev,H/Moscow 1997/EXT 2000 (29)}) 15. exd6 (15. Qe3) 15... Bxb2 16. Rb1 Qf6
17. Rxb2 $1 (17. Kd1 Bc3 $17 {1/2-1/2 Aldrovandi,A-Bartolini,T/Rimini 1993/EXT
2000 (42). (41)}) 17... Qxb2 18. Qxg5 $44) (14. Be2 Qb6 (14... Bg7 $5) 15. Rb1
dxe5 16. Bxe5 Rh4 {and Black got a promising position in the game Villar-
Barral, La Coruna op 98.}) 14... Bg7 {[%csl Rb2,Re5][%cal Gg7b2]} (14... Qb6 {
deserved serious attention. This way Black prevents 0-0,and also attacks the
b2-pawn.}) 15. exd6 (15. Qe2 $5 {[%csl Ge5]}) 15... e5 ({It was better to
simply take the b2-pawn leaving e5 for later.} 15... Bxb2 16. O-O (16. Rb1 Bc3+
) 16... e5 $1 {[%csl Rd6][%cal Gb2d4]}) 16. O-O (16. Qd2 $5 {[%csl Rg5]}) 16...
Qxd6 17. Kh1 {Prophylaxis. White takes his king away from the open diagonal
amd leaves all options open.} ({White could try to exchange one of black's
central pawns with} 17. c4 $5 dxc4 $140 18. Qa4+ (18. Bxc4 Qc5+) 18... Bd7 19.
Qxc4) 17... Be6 18. Qe2 $1 {[%csl Re5][%cal Gc2c4] Concentrating on the
e5-pawn White also connects the rooks and takes his Queen away from the d-file
in order to play c4.} Rh6 $1 19. c4 ({It was also possible to initially bring
the rook to d1.} 19. Rad1 {[%cal Gc2c4]}) 19... d4 {[%csl Re8] It's easy to
understand Black who wants to keep the position close.} 20. b4 $2 {Throws the
advantage. Probably White has missed 22...Qb8 with exchange of Queens.} Qxb4
21. Bxe5 ({Not better is} 21. Rae1 Qc5) 21... Bxe5 22. Qxe5 Qb8 $1 {Now White
has to look for equality.} 23. Rae1 $1 ({It was possible to look for
counterplay on the b-file, but after} 23. Qxb8+ Rxb8 24. Rab1 Rxb1 25. Rxb1 {
[%cal Gb1b6]} Bd7 {[%csl Gb6]} (25... Kd7 26. Rb6 {[%csl Ra6]}) 26. Kg1 $1 {
Black's slightly better.}) 23... g4 (23... Qxe5 24. Rxe5 g4 25. Kg1 Ke7 {
would only lead to transposition.}) 24. Kg1 Qxe5 25. Rxe5 Ke7 26. Rf4 $1 {
[%csl Rd4,Rg4][%cal Gf4d4,Gf4g4] Double-attack.} Rah8 27. Rxg4 ({It would be
worse to begin with} 27. Rxd4 Rxh2 28. Rxg4 Kf6 $1 {[%csl Re5,Rg4] and White
has to be careful not to lose one of his rooks.} 29. Rge4 (29. Rgg5 Rh1+ 30.
Kf2 Rd8 31. Be2 Rd2 {[%csl Ra2,Rc4][%cal Ge6c4,Gd2a2]}) 29... Rh1+ 30. Kf2 Bf5
$1 {[%csl Rd3,Re4,Re5]}) 27... Kd6 ({Probably} 27... Rxh2 28. Rxd4 R2h4 29.
Rxh4 Rxh4 {[%csl Rc4] would give more chances for escape.}) 28. Rge4 Rxh2 29.
Ra5 $1 {[%csl Ra6,Rd4] White wins a pawn.} Rh1+ 30. Kf2 Rd1 31. Be2 ({White
could simply take the pawns} 31. Rxa6+ Kc7 (31... Kc5 $2 {leads to forced mate.
} 32. Re5+ Kb4 33. Rb6+ Kc3 34. Rb3+ Kd2 35. Re2+ Kc1 36. Rc2#) 32. Rxd4 {
Nothing to afraid of.} Rd2+ 33. Kf3 Bf5 (33... Rh6 $142 34. Ra7+ Kb6 35. Rb7+
$1 Kxb7 (35... Kc5 36. Ke3 Rxa2 37. Rb5+ Kc6 38. Be4+ $16) 36. Be4+ Kb6 37.
Rxd2 Bxc4 {with chances for escape.}) 34. Rad6) 31... Rd2 32. Ke1 Rb2 33. Rxd4+
Kc7 34. Rxa6 Rh1+ 35. Kf2 Rc1 {[%csl Re2][%cal Gc1c2]} 36. Ke3 $2 {It should
be really disappointing to make such a move after a good play. Probably that
was a time-trouble blunder.} ({After} 36. Ra5 $1 {White 's still better. For
example:} Rcc2 $140 37. Rc5+ Kb6 38. Rb5+ $14 {[%csl Rb2,Rb6]}) 36... Re1 $19 {
Now it's over. White loses a piece.The rest doesn't require comments.} 37. Kf4
(37. Rd2 Rxd2 38. Kxd2 Rxe2+ 39. Kxe2 Bxc4+ {[%csl Ra6,Re2] and Black wins.})
37... Rexe2 38. g4 Rxa2 39. Rxa2 Rxa2 40. Kg5 Ra8 41. Kf6 Rg8 42. Ke7 Kc6 43.
Re4 Kc5 44. Kf6 Rg6+ 45. Ke7 Bxc4 46. Rf4 Be6 47. Ra4 Bc4 48. g5 Kd4 49. Ra5
Bd5 {[%csl Rg5]} 0-1

[Event "Leningrad-ch56"]
[Site "Leningrad"]
[Date "1983.01.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Agapov, Konstantin"]
[Black "Polovodin, Igor A"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2335"]
[BlackElo "2435"]
[Annotator "Nesis,G/Fedorov,VI"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[EventDate "1983.01.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "17"]
[EventCountry "URS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2006"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.11.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.11.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qe2
Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. Nd5 $6 exd5 11. exd5+ Be7 12. Re1 (12. Nf5 Nb6 13. Nxg7+
Kd8 $17) 12... O-O $1 13. Qxe7 Re8 14. Qxe8+ Nxe8 15. Rxe8+ Nf8 16. Bd3 (16.
Be7 $2 Bb7) (16. Nc6 f6) 16... f6 $1 17. Bh4 Bb7 18. Ne6 Qf7 $1 19. Rxa8 Bxa8
20. Re1 (20. Be4 Qh5) 20... Bxd5 21. Nxf8 Kxf8 $17 *

[Event "EU-ch 12th"]
[Site "Aix les Bains"]
[Date "2011.03.24"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Guseinov, Gadir"]
[Black "Nielsen, Peter Heine"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2584"]
[BlackElo "2670"]
[Annotator "Nielsen,Peter Heine"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2011.03.22"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 142 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.06.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.06.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 h6 $5 8.
Bh4 Qb6 {The latest trend. While 7....h6 might be rare, connecting it with 8...
Qb6 , making a delayed poisoned pawn, only very recently caught attention due
to Areshchenko and Morozevich's efforts. That's of course discounting that Tal
played it in 1958!} 9. Qd2 (9. a3 {Black's move order has some up-sides, 9.a3
however definitely is a down-side. Compared to the normal lines without the
inclusion of ...h6 and Bh4 now the inclusion heavily favours White, as Bf2
next is possible, making the b6-square uncomfortable for the black queen. In
Berg-Zhu Chen (who is coached by Morozevich!) there followed:} Nbd7 10. Bf2 Qc7
11. Qf3 e5 $6 (11... b5 {This must be the critical move, as the usual 12 e5?!
Bb7 works here too.}) 12. Nf5 b5 13. O-O-O g6 14. Ne3 Bb7 15. Bh4 Be7 16. g3
Rc8 17. Bxf6 Nxf6 18. Bh3 Rd8 19. Ned5 Nxd5 20. Nxd5 Bxd5 21. Rxd5 {was very
pleasant for White.}) (9. Qd3 Qxb2 10. Rb1 Qa3 11. f5 Be7 12. Be2 $2 (12. fxe6
{is critical, as in the line without the inclusion of ...h6/Bh4.}) 12... Nxe4
$1 {Occurred the day before my game in Vedmedjuc-Wojtaszek. Actually in the
same tournament, but as we played in different hall, and game files were
updated with a day's delay, I was unaware that my fellow second also chose 7...
h6!}) (9. Nb3 Qe3+ 10. Be2 {Quite interestingly Tal won this with either
colour in 1958.} Qxf4 (10... Nxe4 $1 11. Nxe4 Qxf4 {is the suggestion of
modern technology, which does indeed look good for Black.}) 11. Bg3 Qe3 12.
Bxd6 Nc6 13. Rf1 (13. Bxf8 {Two rounds later Tal was Black against Fichtl, who
might have played a better move, yet fared much worse.} Rxf8 14. Qd2 Qxd2+ 15.
Kxd2 Bd7 16. Ke3 O-O-O $15 {When the Magician showed he also could win by
technical means.}) 13... Nxe4 14. Nxe4 Qxe4 15. Bxf8 Rxf8 16. Kf2 {Tal won
famously like this with White, as} Bd7 $4 {was punished by:} (16... Qe5 $15)
17. Qxd7+ $1 Kxd7 18. Nc5+) 9... Qxb2 10. Nb3 $6 {Guseinov usually plays this
against the poisoned, pawn, which is why I aimed for it, as here the details
definitely work in Black's favour.} (10. Rb1 Qa3 11. f5 (11. e5 {This was
played in Nisipeanu-Wojtaszek a few days later, and is just a straight
transposition to main lines of the poisoned pawn.}) 11... Be7 $5 {Again the
point, as shown in Vallejo-Morozevich.} 12. fxe6 fxe6 13. Bc4 Nxe4 $1 14. Nxe4
Bxh4+ 15. g3 Bg5 {held perfectly well for Black, if anything he was slightly
better after:} 16. Nxg5 hxg5 17. Nxe6 Bxe6 18. Bxe6 Qxg3+ $1 19. hxg3 Rxh1+ 20.
Ke2 Rh2+ 21. Ke1 Rxd2 22. Kxd2 Ra7 $15) 10... Be7 $1 {This is the point,
immediately threatening 11...Nxe4 and Guseinov already faces a difficult over
the board decision.} 11. e5 (11. Bf2 {was the only moved played before this
game; it seems unconvincing, after eg:} Qa3 $15) (11. a3 {also seems
insufficient, but forces Black to make a couple of only moves due to the
threats of Na4/d1 or Ra2.} Nxe4 $1 12. Nxe4 Bxh4+ 13. g3 Bf6 $1 14. Nxd6+ Ke7 {
Threatening ...Bc3.} 15. Ne4 Rd8 $1 $17 {and Black comes out on top again.}) (
11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Na4 Qa3 13. Nb6 Bxa1 14. Nxa1 Qc5 15. Nxa8 b5) 11... dxe5 12.
a3 $6 {Extremely ambitious, but at least forcing me to think on my own.} (12.
Bxf6 Bxf6 13. Na4 Qa3 14. Nb6 O-O $5 $132 {was what I mainly prepared,
concluding Black was just better.}) 12... exf4 $1 {After a serious think I
decided greed was in order. Actually lack of decent alternatives led me to the
solution. The only other idea Black has is:} (12... Nd5 {but} 13. Na4 Bxh4+ 14.
g3 Qxa1+ 15. Nxa1 Bd8 {despite definitely being decent for Black, still didn't
appeal to me, as the white queen could become a factor, a theme we
unfortunately return to later in the game...}) 13. Bf2 $1 (13. Ra2 $2 {might
look like White's point, but it runs into the basic point of Black's 7...h6
concept, that the bishop on h4 is loose.} Ne4 $1 {Winning on the spot.} 14.
Rxb2 Bxh4+ $1 15. g3 Nxd2 {with a handful of extra pawns for Black.}) 13... Nd5
(13... Bxa3 $1 {This amazing move works, and pretty much ends the game
immediately. I rejected it due to} 14. Ra2 {, but again tactics come to the
rescue:} Ne4 $1 15. Rxb2 Nxd2 $17 {and the fact that the rook on b2 is hanging
makes the difference.}) 14. Bd4 {This was his point, and dark coluds are
indeed gathering around the black queen.} Bh4+ $6 (14... Nc6 $1 {I was
considering this move, but rejected it for a number of reasons. Wrongly.} 15.
Nxd5 {This was my main worry.} (15. Bxg7 Bh4+ $1 16. g3 fxg3 {Now is
completely winning for Black. Funnily enough, it helps Black that the bishop
is hanging on g7, so the knight on c3 is pinned!} 17. Bg2 (17. hxg3 Bxg3+ 18.
Kd1 Rg8 $1 19. Nxd5 Qxg7 $19 {and the bishop on g3 covers c7.}) 17... gxh2+ 18.
Kf1 Bg5 $1 $19 {followed by ...Ne3+}) 15... Nxd4 16. Nc7+ Kf8 17. Qxd4 Qxd4 18.
Nxd4 {I assumed pleasant for Black, actually it is however just winning.} Ra7
$1 {There now is no defence, to b5 or b6, collecting the stranded knight on c7,
leaving Black at least a clear pawn up.}) 15. g3 fxg3 (15... Nc6 $1 {As usual,
this is pretty strong.}) 16. hxg3 $2 (16. Bg2 $1 {This was a much better
chance, when Black might still be ok, but only in scenarios with rook and lots
of pawns vs. a queen.} gxh2+ (16... Bg5 {I thought this winning, but} 17. Qd3
Nf4 18. Qd2 $1 {amazingly forces Black to repeat, which he can do with 4
different knight moves though!}) 17. Kf1 Nc6 $1 (17... Bg5 $6 18. Qd3 Nf4 19.
Qc4 $1 {As g2 now is protected, this becomes possible.}) 18. Ra2 Bg5 19. Qd3
Qxa2 20. Nxa2 Nxd4 21. Qxd4 Ne3+ 22. Kf2 O-O {and I would assume Black to be
better.}) 16... Bxg3+ $6 {Amazingly a mistake, correct again was:} (16... Nc6
$1 {Actually things are so bad for White that it is hard to even suggest a
possible line.} 17. Bxg7 (17. Rxh4 Nxd4 {and due to the threat of ...Nf3+
Black has time for ...Qxc3 next.}) 17... Bxg3+ 18. Kd1 Rg8 {transposes to
above, and just wins.}) 17. Kd1 e5 $1 18. Nxd5 (18. Na4 $5 exd4 19. Nxb2 Bg4+
$1 20. Be2 (20. Kc1 Bf4 $1) 20... Nc3+ 21. Kc1 Nxe2+ 22. Kb1 Nc3+ 23. Kc1 {
I thought much better for Black, as long as he do not fall for:} Bf4 $4 24.
Re1+ $1 {Protecting the e2-square with check.}) 18... exd4 19. Bh3 $5 (19. Qd3
$1 {Preventing the saving ...d3+ tactics in the line below, and actually
putting up a real fight.} Bd6 (19... Be6 $1 20. Qxg3 Bxd5 21. Qxg7 Rf8 22. Qe5+
Be6 23. Qxd4 Qxd4+ 24. Nxd4 {and despite the fact that White has got 2 pawns
back, and will collect h6 next, he was 4(!) pawns down , and thus still is
behind, yet however with realistic drawing chances.}) 20. Nb6 O-O 21. Na4 $1) (
19. Nb6 O-O 20. Nxa8 (20. Na4 Bg4+ 21. Be2 Bxe2+ 22. Qxe2 d3 $1)) 19... Nc6 $1
{Finally, and as usual, it wins.} 20. Nb6 O-O $4 (20... d3 $1 {Not wanting to
allow any checks, I postponed this move, that liberates the black queen.} 21.
Qe3+ (21. Nxa8 O-O $1 {is what I was aiming for and transposes to below.}) (21.
Bxc8 O-O {is crushing as White is too exposed, and luckily can only take 1
black piece at a time, leaving enough black pieces for a deadly counter-attack.
}) 21... Be6 {is immediately over due to the threat of ...dxc2+, and other
checks are not really to be seen either, as the e1-square is protected.}) {
Here my opponent touched the knight on b6, and much to my amazement he did not
take the rook on a8, but put it somewhere else:} 21. Na4 $1 (21. Nxa8 $2 d3 $1
{not only opens a path for the black queen, but just more importantly, opens
the d-file with a direct route to the white king.} 22. Qxd3 Rd8 23. Qxd8+ Nxd8
24. Bxc8 Nc6 {Quite an interesting position. White has 2 rooks and a knight
for a queen and 3 pawns, however more importantly he can't defend the black
squares around his king, and Black wins in a direct attack. For a start, ...
Nd4 next can't be prevented.}) 21... Qxa1+ {The sad reality dawned on me, yet
my opponent's time pressure, basically being down to the increment, gave me
some hope.} 22. Nxa1 Be5 23. Nb3 Bf6 24. Nb6 Bxh3 25. Rxh3 Rad8 26. Qg2 Ne5 27.
Nd2 Ng6 28. Qxb7 $1 {Short of time, he shows no fear, and starts collecting my
loose pawns, not fearing an imaginary attack.} Rfe8 29. Rf3 Re7 (29... Ne5 $5
30. Rxf6 $1 gxf6 31. Qxa6 {also looks pretty hopeless.}) 30. Qxa6 Re6 31. Qb7
Re7 32. Qa6 Re6 33. a4 $1 {Having gained extra time, and gotten closer to move
40, he of course goes for the full point.} Ne5 34. Rg3 d3 $6 35. cxd3 $1 {
Not seeing any ghost, despite being very short of time, White collects.} Bh4
36. Rh3 Bf2 37. a5 Nd7 38. Rf3 Bxb6 39. axb6 Rxb6 40. Qa7 {The time control
has been made, and White is easily winning.} Rbb8 41. Rf5 Ra8 42. Qc7 Nf6 43.
Ra5 $1 Rac8 44. Qb7 Rb8 45. Qf3 Nh7 46. Ne4 Rd7 47. Nc5 Rdd8 48. Ne4 Rd7 49.
Kd2 Rbd8 50. Ra1 Nf8 51. Nc5 Rc7 52. Ra5 Kh7 $6 53. Ra8 $1 {Forcing off rooks,
ending any, even moderate resistance.} Rxa8 54. Qxa8 Rxc5 55. Qxf8 Rf5 56. d4
h5 57. Qe7 {Despite the negative results in the game for me, and one can only
respect my opponent's fighting abilities, 7...h6 and 8...Qb6 is an interesting
trend in the sharpest line of the Najdorf, which I'm sure will develop in the
very near future.} 1-0

[Event "Buenos Aires Konex International"]
[Site "Buenos Aires"]
[Date "1979.07.25"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Liberzon, Vladimir Mikhailovi"]
[Black "Ljubojevic, Ljubomir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2515"]
[BlackElo "2590"]
[Annotator "Notkin,M"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "1979.07.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARG"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "MCL"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 b5 8. e5
dxe5 9. fxe5 Qc7 10. Qe2 Nfd7 11. O-O-O Bb7 12. Nxe6 fxe6 13. Qh5+ g6 14. Qg4
Be7 (14... Qxe5 15. Bd3 Be7 16. Bxe7 Kxe7 17. Rhe1 h5 18. Qxg6 Qf4+ 19. Kb1 Qg4
20. Rxe6+ Qxe6 21. Qg7+ Kd8 22. Qxh8+ Kc7 23. Qxh5 Bxg2 $13 {Gruenfeld,Y-Van
der Vliet,F/Amsterdam/1982/1:0/41/}) 15. Bxe7 Nxe5 (15... Kxe7 16. Qg5+ $5 {
/\Bb5->/}) 16. Qg3 Kxe7 17. Bxb5 Rc8 18. Rhf1 $2 (18. Qh4+ Kf8 19. Qf6+ Kg8 20.
Qxe6+ Kg7 21. Ba4 Bxg2 22. Rhf1 $1 $16 {Gonzalez,N-Hernandez,J/CUB/1981/1:0/35/
}) 18... axb5 19. Qg5+ Ke8 20. Qf6 Nf3 $1 (20... Nf7 21. Qg7 $1 Qe7 22. Nxb5
Ra6 $8 23. Nc7+ $1 Rxc7 24. Qg8+ Qf8 25. Rd8+ $1 Nxd8 26. Rxf8+ Ke7 $13) 21.
gxf3 b4 22. Qh8+ Kf7 23. Qxh7+ Kf6 24. Qh4+ (24. Ne4+ Bxe4 25. fxe4+ Ke5 $1 $19
) 24... Kg7 25. Qxb4 Rxa2 $1 26. Kb1 Ra6 27. Rf2 Nc6 28. Qd6 (28. Qb5 Rca8 29.
Kc1 Ra1+ 30. Nb1 Ba6 $19) 28... Qa5 $1 29. Qd7+ Kh8 30. Kc1 Rd8 (30... Rd8 31.
Qxb7 Qa1+ 32. Nb1 Qxb1+ $1 33. Kxb1 Rxd1#) 0-1

[Event "RUS-ch Higher League 69th"]
[Site "Kolomna"]
[Date "2016.06.28"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Lobanov, Sergei"]
[Black "Khismatullin, Denis Rimovich"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2433"]
[BlackElo "2623"]
[Annotator "Pavlovic,M"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "2016.06.22"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 174"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 {The Najdorf is nowadays
one of the most popular choices for Black on 1.e4 and with good reason, White
is having tough times finding an advantage.} 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qc7 8. Qf3 b5 9.
O-O-O Bb7 10. Bd3 Nbd7 11. Rhe1 Qb6 12. Nd5 {This old line is popular since my
teenage times. I don't think that this poses any problems to Black.} ({More
critical is} 12. Nb3 Rc8 $5 {The move that Shirov played once against me in
Corsica rapid 2002, I think. Unfortunatly I didn't save that game, but I
remember that I lost.} 13. Bh4 Rxc3 $5 14. bxc3 Qc7 15. Bf2 Be7 16. g4 h6 17.
Qh3 Nc5 18. Nxc5 dxc5 19. e5 Nd5 20. f5 Qa5 $19 {0-1 (27) Husek,M (2195)
-Skalsky,A (1993) Vsetin 2016}) 12... Qxd4 13. Bxb5 Qc5 14. b4 Qc8 15. Nb6 axb5
$5 (15... Qc7 16. Nxa8 Bxa8 17. Ba4 $5 Qc4 18. Bxf6 gxf6 19. Qe3 Qxb4 20. Rd4
Qc5 21. Qd3 Kd8 $5 $13 (21... Bb7 $6 22. Rc4 $16 {1-0 (33) Piorun,K (2445)
-Przybylski,W (2363) Warsaw 2008})) 16. Nxc8 Rxc8 {Sacrificing the queen is a
common theme in this line.} 17. Rd3 $5 {Interesting novelty} (17. Rd4 e5 18.
Rd3 Be7 19. Rc3 O-O 20. Rxc8 Rxc8 21. Qd3 Rc4 22. a4 Rxb4 $15 {0-1 (58)
Decoster,F (2257)-Van Oosterom,C (2401) Netherlands 2007}) 17... d5 18. Bxf6
Nxf6 19. e5 Ne4 $1 ({The tempting} 19... Bxb4 {is probably refuted by} 20. exf6
Bxe1 21. f5 $1 Bh4 22. fxg7 Rg8 23. Qh5 Bf6 24. fxe6 Rxg7 25. Rg3 Rc7 26. Qf3
$1 $16) 20. a3 Be7 21. Qh5 Rc7 22. Kb2 O-O {Black has very strong pieces in
the centre and pressure on the c-line.} 23. Re2 g6 24. Qh6 f6 25. Rh3 Rf7 26.
Rd3 fxe5 27. fxe5 Bg5 $17 28. Qh3 Rf5 29. Rf3 Rxe5 30. g4 Bc6 {This still
keeps the advantage, but Black had the opportunity for} (30... d4 $1 31. Rd3
Bd5 $19) 31. Qf1 Bh6 32. h4 Bg7 33. Kc1 d4 34. Qe1 Bd5 35. Rd3 Bc4 $4 {A big
blunder after which Black is simply lost.} (35... Ra7 $1 {White is holding
only because of the fact that the rook on e5 is not ideally placed, but White
on the other hand has no active moves.} 36. Kb2 Nd6 $1 $19) 36. Rxe4 Bxd3 37.
Rxe5 Rxc2+ 38. Kd1 Rb2 (38... Bxe5 39. Qxe5) 39. Rc5 $18 e5 40. Rc8+ Kf7 41.
Qg3 Be4 42. a4 Rxb4 43. Qf2+ Ke6 44. Qa2+ Kd7 45. Rg8 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 0304"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2004.03.28"]
[Round "13.4"]
[White "Tischbierek, Raj"]
[Black "Pelletier, Yannick"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2519"]
[BlackElo "2604"]
[Annotator "Pelletier,Y"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2003.11.01"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2005"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Kreuzberg"]
[BlackTeam "Werder Bremen"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. Nge2 Nf6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 h6 8. Bh4
Nbd7 {Diese seltene Zugfolge wurde mir wenige Wochen vor dieser Partie von
Ognjen Cvitan vorgeschlagen.} 9. Qe2 {Komischerweise spielte auch Korneev
gegen Cvitan so. 9.Qf3 und 9.Bc4 sehen stärker aus.} Qc7 10. O-O-O Be7 ({
Logischer ist wohl} 10... b5 {, aber um 9 Uhr morgen war ich weder in Stimmung
noch in Verfassung für Neuerungen...}) 11. Bg3 (11. g4 g5 12. fxg5 Nh7) 11...
g6 $1 12. h3 ({Der vorige schwarze Zug verhinderte e5, man sehe:} 12. e5 dxe5
13. fxe5 Nh5 14. Nf3 Nxg3 15. hxg3 b5 $36) 12... e5 13. fxe5 dxe5 (13... Nxe5 {
spielte Cvitan in der erwähnten Partie aus Nova Gorica (2004) gegen Korneev.
Beide Züge sind gut und führen zu interessantem Spiel.}) 14. Nf3 ({Direkter war
} 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. exd5 Bd6 {/\ b5!? (trotz Feld c6)}) 14... b5 15. Qd2 ({
Mein Gegner dachte hier lange nach, was mir erlaubte, über die Folgen von} 15.
Nd5 {nachzudenken.} Nxd5 16. Rxd5 (16. exd5 Bd6 17. Re1 Bb7 {und e5 kann nicht
so gut geschlagen werden wegen} 18. Bxe5 Nxe5 19. Nxe5 O-O-O 20. Nc6 Bxc6 21.
dxc6 Qxc6 $36) 16... Bf6 {(/\Bb7)} 17. Rd3 $5 Bb7 18. Rc3 Qa5 $36 {Schwarz
darf zwar nicht mehr langrochieren, aber der Rc3 steht dafür merkwürdig.})
15... Bb7 16. Kb1 (16. Bd3 Bb4 $5) 16... b4 (16... Nxe4 {sieht nach} 17. Nxe4
Bxe4 18. Re1 Bxf3 19. gxf3 {gefährlich aus.}) ({Zudem wusste ich noch nicht,
wo mein König hingehörte.} 16... O-O-O 17. Bd3) 17. Nd5 Nxd5 18. exd5 Bd6 19.
Bh4 ({Nach} 19. Bd3 {hätte ich wohl} O-O-O {ziehen, wobei nach} 20. Rc1 Nc5 {
kompliziertes Spiel entstehen würde.} (20... e4 21. Bxd6 Qxd6 22. Bxe4 Nf6 $11)
(20... f5 $5 $13 21. Nh4 $140 e4 22. Bxd6 Qxd6)) 19... Kf8 20. g4 (20. Bd3 $142
Kg7 (20... Re8 21. Rhf1 $5 e4 $140 22. Nd4) 21. Rhf1 Rhe8 {Schwarz hat hier
die Initiative, aber die Lage bleibt kompliziert.}) 20... Kg7 21. Bf2 $2 ({
Der schwache Textzug erlaubt die Verbesserung meines Springers. Besser wohl} 
21. Bg2 a5 $1 22. Rhf1 (22. Bf2 a4 23. h4 a3 $40) 22... a4 $40) 21... Nf6 22.
Bg2 Nxd5 $1 {Die taktischen Tricks funktionnieren für Schwarz.} 23. Nd4 (23.
Nh4 Rad8 $1 $19 {[%csl Gd5][%cal Gd8d2]}) (23. Ne1 Nc3+ $1 (23... Rhd8 $19) 24.
bxc3 bxc3 $19) 23... Nc3+ $1 24. bxc3 Bxg2 25. Rhg1 Rhd8 $1 ({Genauer als} 
25... bxc3 26. Ne6+ fxe6 27. Qxd6 Qxd6 28. Rxd6 Rhb8+ 29. Kc1 Bd5 30. Rd7+ Kg8
31. Rc7 $17 {, wonach Schwarz noch gut arbeiten müsste.}) 26. cxb4 (26. Rxg2
bxc3 27. Nf5+ gxf5 28. gxf5+ Kh7 29. Qd5 Bf8 $19) (26. Be3 bxc3 (26... Be4 $19)
27. Qxg2 exd4 28. Bxd4+ Be5 29. Bxe5+ Qxe5 30. Ka1 Rxd1+ 31. Rxd1 Rd8 $19) (26.
Bh4 bxc3 27. Qxg2 exd4 $19) 26... Bxb4 27. Qe2 (27. Qxb4 Rab8) (27. Nb5 Bxd2
28. Nxc7 Rab8+) 27... exd4 0-1

[Event "Warsaw 4 Players"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "1937.09.03"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Steiner, Lajos"]
[Black "Najdorf, Miguel"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[Annotator "Petronijevic,Z"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "1937.09.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2017"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6 6. Bg5 a6 {With different
move order we came to The Najdorf Variation.} 7. f4 Nbd7 ({This move is played
nowadays though it is not as popular as} 7... Qb6) ({or} 7... Be7) ({or} 7...
h6) 8. Bc4 ({Main continuation is} 8. Qf3) 8... b5 ({This leads to a very
sharp play. Equal play gave} 8... Qb6 $11) 9. Bb3 $6 ({The sacrifice on e6
leads to equal play. Let's see a possible variation:} 9. Bxe6 fxe6 10. Nxe6 Qa5
11. Qd4 b4 12. Nd5 Kf7 13. Ndc7 Bb7 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. Qc4 d5 16. Qe2 b3+ 17. c3
Qb6 18. Qh5+ Kg8 19. Qg4+ Kf7 $11 {White's move gives Black an excellent play.}
) 9... Nc5 $6 ({Black has a few good continuations. Here, it is likely that
best is} 9... Bb7) (9... b4 {is also an interesting continuation} 10. Nce2 Bb7
{with excellent play for Black. Black has played an inferior move.}) 10. e5 $1
{This is similar to The Polugaevsky Variation.} (10. O-O Be7 11. e5 $14) 10...
dxe5 $6 ({Better was} 10... h6 11. Bh4 g5 (11... dxe5 12. fxe5 g5 13. Bf2 $14)
12. fxg5 dxe5 13. Nxe6 Bxe6 14. Bxe6 Nxe6 15. gxf6 $14 {White has a small
advantage.}) 11. fxe5 Qc7 ({After} 11... h6 12. Bh4 g5 13. Bf2 $1 $16 {White
has a clear advantage.}) 12. Qe2 $6 ({Better was} 12. exf6 Qe5+ 13. Qe2 Qxg5
14. O-O $16) 12... Nfd7 13. Nd5 $6 (13. O-O-O {gives Black an excellent play}
Bb7) ({Best was} 13. Bd5 $5 {with approximatelly equal play.}) 13... Qb7 $1 ({
Excellent move. Though it look very dangerously Black yet can take the pawn} 
13... exd5 {because after} 14. e6 $5 Nf6 $1 (14... Nb6 $2 {is a bad move which
loses after} 15. exf7+ Kxf7 16. O-O+ Kg6 17. Qe8+ Kxg5 18. Nf3+ Kh6 19. Qe3+
Kg6 20. Ne5+ $18) 15. exf7+ (15. Bxf6 Nxb3 16. exf7+ Kxf7 {transposes to the
main line}) 15... Kxf7 16. Bxf6 Nxb3 17. Be5 Bb4+ 18. Kd1 Bg4 19. Rf1+ Kg8 20.
Qxg4 Qxe5 $11 {leads to equal play}) 14. O-O-O $2 ({Better was} 14. Nc3 $15)
14... h6 $1 15. Bh4 (15. Nxe6 $5 {is an interesting attempt but it gives Black
better play} Nxe6 16. Bh4 Bc5 $17) 15... exd5 $6 ({Black decides to take the
piece inspite of the danger. Better was} 15... Nxb3+ $1 {with a possible
variation} 16. axb3 Qxd5 17. Rhf1 g5 $19 {Black wins}) 16. e6 Nb6 $6 ({Black
could have kept a certain advantage after} 16... Nxb3+ 17. axb3 Nc5 18. exf7+
Kxf7 19. Rdf1+ Kg8 20. Rxf8+ Kxf8 21. Be7+ Kg8 22. Bxc5 Qc7 $17) 17. exf7+ Kxf7
18. Rhf1+ Kg8 19. Qe8 $2 ({In complicated positions, it is hard to find a
correct move. White should have played} 19. Rxf8+ {which gives him equal play:}
Kxf8 20. Be7+ Qxe7 21. Rf1+ Ke8 22. Qh5+ Kd7 23. Rf7 Rf8 24. Qg4+ Ke8 25. Rxe7+
Kxe7 26. Qxg7+ Rf7 27. Nc6+ Kd6 28. Qxf7 Kxc6 $11) 19... Bf5 $2 ({Black missed
to win by} 19... Kh7 20. Rxf8 Nxb3+ 21. axb3 Rxf8 22. Qxf8 Bg4 $19) 20. Qe5 $2
({This move loses, better was} 20. Bd8 $1 Qd7 (20... Kh7 {leads to draw} 21.
Nxf5 Nxb3+ 22. axb3 Bc5 23. Qh5 Raxd8 24. Nxg7 $1 Kxg7 25. Qg4+ Kh7 26. Qf5+
$11) 21. Qxd7 Ncxd7 22. Bxb6 Be4 $11) 20... Bg6 $19 (20... Be4 {was also
winning. Due course of the game needs no comment - Black wins simply.}) 21. Ne6
Nxe6 22. Qxe6+ Kh7 23. Bf2 Nc4 24. h4 Re8 25. Qh3 Qc8 26. g4 Na5 27. h5 Be4 28.
c3 Nxb3+ 29. axb3 Be7 30. Be3 Rhf8 31. Qg3 b4 32. Bd2 bxc3 33. bxc3 Ba3# 0-1

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2010.01.17"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2708"]
[BlackElo "2641"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2010.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 135"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Marin,M} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4
Nbd7 8. Qf3 Qc7 {Marin,M: 'This is just one of the lines in which Black delays
...Be7, hoping that, for the practical reasons of his queenside attack, he
will be one tempo up compared to the normal lines.'} 9. Bxf6 {White gives up
the bishop in order to gain some tempi by pushing forward the g-pawn.  Marin,M:
'Nakamura seems to have an inclination towards exchanging on f6 slightly
earlier than really necessary (see also his game against Shirov, from the same
tournament).'} ({Marin,M: The usual move order is} 9. g4 b5 10. Bxf6 {when}
gxf6 {has not been played between strong players.}) ({Marin,M: For some
decades, White tried to refute Black's setup mainly with} 9. O-O-O b5 10. Bd3
Bb7 11. Rhe1 Qb6 12. Nd5 {without reaching a definitive conclusion.}) 9... Nxf6
10. g4 b5 11. g5 Nd7 12. O-O-O {Marin,M: 'All this last sequence based on
g4-g5 corresponds to a relatively new trend. Black can always transpose back
to the classical lines with ...Be7, while delaying the bishop's development
starts being connected with certain dangers. After all, the king is two moves
away from castling!'} Nc5 $6 {The immediate 12...b4 should be the critical
line and deserves thorough analysis.  Marin,M: 'This was considered to be the
most solid answer.'} (12... b4 13. Nd5 $1 exd5 14. exd5 $40 Bb7 15. Qe4+ Be7
16. Nf5 Nc5 17. Nxg7+ $1 Kf8 18. Qd4 Rg8 19. Nf5 b3 $1 20. Bc4 bxc2 21. Rde1
Re8 22. Re2 Bc8 23. Nh6 Qb6 $1 24. Qc3 $2 (24. Kxc2 $1 Rg7 25. b3 $1 Bd7 26.
Rhe1 $14 {Ftacnik}) 24... Na4 25. Qxc2 Rxg5 $3 26. fxg5 Bxg5+ 27. Kb1 Rxe2 28.
Bxe2 Bd7 $1 $15 {[%csl Rh6] 1-0 Radjabov,T (2728)-Volokitin,A (2662)/Biel 2006/
CBM 114/[Ftacnik] (39)}) (12... Bb7 13. Bh3 b4 14. Nd5 exd5 15. exd5 Be7 16.
Rhe1 $40 {Krivoborodov,E (2453)-Parligras,M (2547)/Bad Wiessee 2009 (1-0, 30).
Marin,M: These are just two examples in which White obtained strong attack by
means of the thematic knight sacrifice on d5.}) 13. a3 $1 $146 {This modest
move is a strong improvement. Preventing the ...b5-b4 advance, White is
preparing the assault against the black monarch.  Marin,M: 'Technically
speaking, a novelty, but it could lead to a simple transposition.'} (13. f5 b4
14. Nd5 $6 {In this version this sacrifice is less promising as Black has an
opportunity to transfer the knight to the e5-outpost and block the e-file.} (
14. Nce2 Bb7 15. Ng3 $13) 14... exd5 15. exd5 Nd7 16. Bg2 Ne5 17. Rhe1 Bb7 18.
Qb3 Be7 $17 {0-1 Hector,J (2537)-Negi,P (2515)/Malmo 2007/CBM 118 (75)}) 13...
Rb8 $6 {This move allows the typical sacrifice that now follows.  Marin,M:
'This looks a bit like playing with fire.'} (13... Bb7 14. f5 e5 15. Nb3 Nxb3+
16. cxb3 {yields White a stable edge thanks to the control over the key
d5-square.}) ({Marin,M: Maybe this would be a good moment to transpose back
with} 13... Be7 {is relatively better, but the position is in White's favour
here as well.  Marin,M: ', after having provoked a2-a3. It should be mentioned
that in the main lines White usually tries to do without this move, which
means that by employing his move order with a delayed ...Be7 Black has
obtained some sort of success.'}) 14. b4 $5 Nd7 15. Nd5 $1 {A standard piece
sacrifice; in the current case it seems especially effective.} exd5 (15... Qb7
16. Qc3 $1 exd5 17. exd5 Qxd5 18. Bxb5 $1 axb5 19. Rhe1+ Be7 20. Nc6 Qc4 21.
Rxe7+ Kf8 22. Qe3 $18) 16. exd5 {Compared to the aforementioned game
Radjabov-Volokitin, Black has less space on the queenside, and therefore less
counterplay.  Marin,M: 'This had been prepared by Nakamura before the game.'}
Be7 ({Marin,M: According to him, the critical line for the evaluation of the
variation is} 16... Nb6 17. Nc6 Nxd5 18. Qxd5 Be6 19. Qg2 Rc8 20. Nd4 Qc3) 17.
Re1 {Marin,M: 'White has a strong attack.'} Ne5 $6 {A desperate attempt to get
out of the squeeze.} (17... Kf8 18. Qe4 Nb6 19. Nc6 Rb7 20. Bd3 {and White is
totally dominating. It's already hard to suggest a reasonable move for Black.})
(17... Rb6 $1 {was the best reply.} {After} 18. Nf5 Ne5 $1 19. fxe5 Bxf5 20.
Qxf5 Qc3 {Black is worse, but still in the game.}) 18. fxe5 Bxg5+ 19. Kb1 dxe5
20. Nc6 Bf6 21. Bd3 $1 h5 (21... O-O 22. Rhg1 {White even doesn't have to grab
the exchange.} Kh8 23. Ref1 {[%cal Gf3e4] and Black is defenceless against the
numerous threats.}) {[%tqu "En","How White should continue his attack?","","",
"e1e5","A powerful blow. Instead of grabbing the exchange, which could leave
some practical chances for Black, Nakamura sacrifices his own rook.",20]} 22.
Rxe5+ $1 {[%mdl 512] A powerful blow. Instead of grabbing the exchange, which
could leave some practical chances for Black, Nakamura sacrifices his own rook.
} Bxe5 23. Re1 Bg4 24. Qf4 O-O 25. Rxe5 $18 g6 {The alternatives are not
better.} (25... f5 26. Qg5 Rbe8 27. Ne7+ Kh8 28. h3 $1 $18) (25... Rb7 26. h3
$1 Bd1 27. Kc1 $18 {[%csl Rd1]}) 26. Qf6 Rbe8 27. Ne7+ Rxe7 28. Rxe7 Qxh2 29.
Bxg6 Qh1+ 30. Kb2 Qxd5 31. Bxf7+ (31. Be4 {was even more brutal.}) 31... Qxf7
32. Rxf7 Rxf7 33. Qxa6 {The rest is an agony.} Kg7 34. Qxb5 Kg6 35. Qc4 Rd7 36.
b5 Kg5 37. b6 Bf3 38. Qb5+ Rd5 39. Qb3 {An impressive game by the US champion.}
1-0

[Event "Cappelle op 36th"]
[Site "Cappelle la Grande"]
[Date "2020.02.27"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Godart, Francois"]
[Black "Martinez Alcantara, Jose Eduardo"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2445"]
[BlackElo "2617"]
[Annotator "Primel,D"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2020.02.22"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 195 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.05.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.05.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:49]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:07]} d6 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} 3. d4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 4. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:05]}
Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 5. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 6. Bg5 {
[%emt 0:00:17]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:51] Une petite surprise car selon les bases, le
péruvien ne jouait que Nbd7} (6... Nbd7 7. Qe2 h6 {Valmana Canto,J (2401)
-Martinez Alcantara,J (2601) Benasque op 39th 2019 (10) 1/2}) 7. f4 {[%emt 0:
02:10]} h6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 8. Bh4 {[%emt 0:01:03]} Qb6 {[%emt 0:00:01] La
variante du P empoisonné retardée avec l'interposition du coup h6} 9. Qd2 {
[%emt 0:06:47]} (9. a3 Be7 10. Bf2 Qc7 11. Qf3 Nbd7 12. O-O-O b5 13. g4 Bb7 14.
h4 Nc5 15. Bd3 d5 16. e5 Nfe4 17. Be1 O-O-O 18. Kb1 Kb8 19. Qe3 h5 20. g5 g6
21. Bxe4 Nxe4 22. Nxe4 dxe4 23. Bb4 Bd5 24. Bxe7 Qxe7 25. Ne2 Qa7 26. Rd4 Rd7
27. Rhd1 Rhd8 28. c3 Bb3 29. R1d2 Bc4 30. Qxe4 Bxe2 31. Rxd7 Rxd7 32. Qxe2 Rxd2
33. Qxd2 Qg1+ 34. Ka2 Qf1 35. Qd6+ Kb7 36. Qd7+ Kb6 37. Qd4+ Kb7 38. Kb3 Qe2 {
Wei,Y (2737)-Lu,S (2619) Changsha 2019 1-0}) (9. Qd3 Qxb2 10. Rb1 Qa3 11. f5)
9... Qxb2 {[%emt 0:06:53]} 10. Rb1 {[%emt 0:01:11]} Qa3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 11. f5
{[%emt 0:00:26]} (11. e5 {La grande ligne}) 11... Be7 {[%emt 0:06:52][%cal
Ge7h4]} 12. fxe6 {[%emt 0:03:10]} fxe6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 13. Bc4 {[%emt 0:02:15]
} Nxe4 $1 {[%emt 0:05:28] Le thème de la variante} 14. Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:56]}
Bxh4+ {[%emt 0:00:03]} 15. g3 {[%emt 0:00:42]} Bg5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 16. Nxg5 {
[%emt 0:05:35]} hxg5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 17. O-O {[%emt 0:30:47] Une position
typique du P empoisonné, les Blancs ont une énorme avance de développement
et on ne donne pas cher de la peau du K Noir. Dans la pratique, les Noirs ont
des ressources étonnantes et des bons résultats. Après avoir joué
rapidement l'ouverture, les Blancs font une longue pause d'une 1/2 heure pour
choisir un plan} (17. Nxe6 {L'alternative qui mène probablement à une nulle
forcée} Bxe6 18. Bxe6 Qxg3+ $1 {La pointe!} 19. hxg3 Rxh1+ 20. Ke2 Rh2+ {
Vallejo Pons,F (2697)-Morozevich,A (2715) Reggio Emilia 53rd 2010 (5) 1/2})
17... Qc5 {[%emt 0:02:41][%cal Gc5c4,Gc5d4] Gagnant un tempo important pour
ramener la Q en défense} 18. Qf2 {[%emt 0:03:50]} Qxc4 {[%emt 0:05:51]} (18...
Nc6 19. Nxe6 Qxf2+ 20. Rxf2 Bxe6 21. Bxe6 $44 {Martinez Duany,L (2470)-Vachier
Lagrave,M (2758) EU-Cup 31st Skopje 2015 (1.2) 1/2}) 19. Qf7+ {[%emt 0:00:51]}
Kd8 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 20. Qxg7 {[%emt 0:00:28]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 21. Rf7 {
[%emt 0:01:02]} Bd7 $6 {[%emt 0:13:15]} (21... Nd7 22. Rxb7 Bxb7 23. Rxd7+ Kc8
24. Rxb7 Qxd4+ $1 {[%cal Gd4g1,Gd4g7] La pointe qui simplifie et doit conduire
à une nulle} 25. Qxd4 Kxb7 {Igonin,T (2498)-Zhu,Y (2295) Moscow op-A 2016 (3)
1/2}) 22. Rxb7 {[%emt 0:01:06]} Qa4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 23. Rb4 $6 $146 {[%emt 0:
15:49]} (23. c4 Kc8 24. Rb3 Ra7 25. Re7 Rxe7 26. Qxe7 Rb7 27. Rf3 Qd1+ {
0-1 (27) Trifan,A (2253)-Gschnitzer,A (2396) Neustadt an der Weinstrasse 2020})
(23. a3 $1 {[%cal Gb7b4] Un coup difficile à trouver devant l'échiquier mais
menaçant Rb4 pour dévier la Q de la défense du Bd7. C'est dommage car les
Blancs ont vu la bonne idée Rb4 pour dévier la Q mais ils pouvaient
l'améliorer avec le coup préparatoire a3. Au surplus, les Noirs peuvent
difficilement exploiter le tempo donné par la poussée a3 car ils sont
proches du zugzwang. Le Nb8 est lié à la protection du Bd7, ainsi que la Q,
les R Noires ne peuvent pas bouger. Le seul coup est Bc8 mais avec un mat en 2.
Malgré un 1/4 d'heure de réflexion, les Blancs n'ont pas vu que les Noirs
étaient en zugzwang et il aurait mieux vallu d'approfondir la réflexion pour
peut-être trouver la pointe 23.a3 Après le 22ème coup, les Blancs avaient
encore 38 mns à la pendule contre une heure pour l'adversaire et ils
pouvaient utiliser 5 à 10 mns supplémentaires pour trouver un meilleur coup
que Rb4 mais peut-être que les Blancs ont vu la suite de la partie qui mène
à une nulle rapide qui est un bon résultat face à un 2600.} Qxa3 (23... Bc8
24. Qf6+ Re7 25. Qxe7#) 24. Rfxd7+) 23... Qxb4 {[%emt 0:08:19]} 24. Rxd7+ {
[%emt 0:00:10] Gagne la Q mais les Blancs vont manquer de matériel pour mater}
Nxd7 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 25. Nc6+ {[%emt 0:00:07]} Kc7 {[%emt 0:04:29]} 26. Nxb4 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} a5 {[%emt 0:01:22]} 27. Qc3+ {[%emt 0:00:38]} Nc5 $132 {
[%emt 0:00:19]} 28. Nd3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Kc6 $1 {[%emt 0:01:09]} 29. Nxc5 {
[%emt 0:01:31]} dxc5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 30. Qf3+ {[%emt 0:01:54]} Kb6 {[%emt 0:
03:25]} 31. Qb3+ {[%emt 0:00:59]} Kc6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 32. Qf3+ {[%emt 0:00:13]
} Kb6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 33. Qb3+ {[%emt 0:00:44]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Syre Memorial op 34th"]
[Site "Issy les Moulineaux"]
[Date "2011.06.04"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Bijaoui, Manuel"]
[Black "Guliyev, Namig"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2392"]
[BlackElo "2554"]
[Annotator "Primel,D"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2011.06.03"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2012"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.11.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.11.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 h6 (7...
Qb6 8. Qd2 (8. Nb3 {Bijaoui,M (2363)-Vitoux,C (2300) FRA-ch Accession 2006 (3)
1-0})) 8. Bh4 Qb6 $5 {Un ordre de coups astucieux car le MI joue d'habitude
Nb3 face а la variante du P empoisonné} 9. Qd2 (9. a3 $5 {C'est probablement
la ligne critique du système h6 mais depuis le début des années 60, elle ne
semble pas avoir été rejouée а haut niveau.} Nc6 ({RR} 9... Nbd7 10. Bf2 Qc7
11. Qf3 e5 ({RR} 11... b5) 12. Nf5 b5 13. O-O-O g6 14. Ne3 Bb7 15. Bh4 Be7 16.
g3 Rc8 17. Bxf6 Nxf6 18. Bh3 Rd8 19. Ned5 Nxd5 20. Nxd5 Bxd5 21. Rxd5) 10. Bf2
$14 {[%cal Gf2b6,Gf2d4];Tal,M-Olafsson,F Candidates Tournament 1959 (4) 1-0}) (
{RR} 9. Nb3 Qe3+ 10. Be2 Qxf4 ({RR} 10... Nxe4 11. Nxe4 Qxf4) 11. Bg3 Qe3 12.
Bxd6 Nc6 13. Rf1 ({RR} 13. Bxf8 Rxf8 14. Qd2 Qxd2+ 15. Kxd2 Bd7 16. Ke3 O-O-O)
13... Nxe4 14. Nxe4 Qxe4 15. Bxf8 Rxf8 16. Kf2 Bd7 ({RR} 16... Qe5) 17. Qxd7+
Kxd7 18. Nc5+) (9. Qd3 Qxb2 10. Rb1 Qa3 11. e5 Nd5 $132 {[%cal Gd5c3];Keres,
P-Olafsson,F Zuerich 1959 1/2}) 9... Qxb2 $8 {L'avantage de ce sytème pour les
Noirs est qu'il y a encore beaucoup moins de théorie que sur la variante
"pure" du P empoisonné sans h6. Le MI reconnaissait d'ailleurs а l'analyse
avoir été surpris par cette variante dont il ignorait qu'elle était revenue а
la mode.} 10. Nb3 {C'est apparament le système que joue le français contre la
variante du P empoisonné mais avec h6, c'est probablement moins fort que la
ligne principale Rb1} (10. Rb1 $142 Qa3 {RR} 11. f5 ({RR} 11. e5) (11. Be2 $6
Be7 {[%cal Gf6e4,Ge7h4]} 12. Bf2 {Zagorovsky,V-Sergievsky,V RUS Ch 18th Sochi
1958 1-0} (12. O-O)) 11... Be7 12. fxe6 fxe6 13. Bc4 Nxe4 14. Nxe4 Bxh4+ 15. g3
Bg5 16. Nxg5 hxg5 17. Nxe6 Bxe6 18. Bxe6 Qxg3+ 19. hxg3 Rxh1+ 20. Ke2 Rh2+ 21.
Ke1 Rxd2 22. Kxd2 Ra7 23. Bd5 Nd7 24. Rxb7 Rxb7 25. Bxb7 Nc5 {Vallejo Pons,F 
(2697)-Morozevich,A (2715)/Reggio Emilia 2011/CBM 140/1/2-1/2}) 10... Be7 $5 {
[%cal Ge7h4,Gf6e4] le retrait Bh4 après h6 a pour défaut de laisser le B non
protégé et les Noirs menacent de gagner un P par le thème tactique Ne4. Le GMI
était bien préparé car il connaissait cette nouveauté théorique jouée а
Aix-Les-Bains 2 mois auparavant.} (10... Qa3 11. Bd3 Be7 $132 {Gipslis,
A-Kortschnoj,V URS-ch sf Tashkent 1958 0-1}) 11. Bf2 (11. a3 Nxe4 {[%cal Ge7h4,
Gh4e1]} 12. Nxe4 Bxh4+ 13. g3 Bf6 14. Nxd6+ Ke7 15. Ne4 Rd8) (11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12.
Na4 Qa3 13. Nb6 Bxa1 14. Nxa1 Qc5 15. Nxa8 b5) (11. e5 $142 dxe5 {Guseinov,G 
(2584)-Nielsen,P (2670) EU-ch 12th Aix-les-Bains 2011 (3) 1-0}) (11. Bd3 $2
Nxe4 $1 12. Nxe4 Bxh4+ $40) 11... Qa3 $15 {[%csl Ga3] Comme dans la variante
du P empoisonné la Q noire exerce paradoxalement une forte pression sur
l'aile-dame sur cette case} 12. Be2 (12. Bd3 Nc6 $1) 12... O-O 13. O-O $146 (
13. g4 b5 {Bohak,J (2231)-Bustillo,A WCup2 Veterans Preliminary email 2009 1/2}
) 13... d5 $1 {[%cal Ge7b4,Gb4d2,Gf6e4] Les Noirs choisissent de redonner le P
pour activer le B de cases noires et même si les ressources tactiques échouent,
les Noirs auront une bonne finale avec une meilleure structure.} (13... Nc6 $5)
14. exd5 (14. e5 Ne4 15. Nxe4 dxe4 {[%csl Rd2][%cal Gf8d8,Gd8d2]} 16. Qe3 Bd7
17. Qxe4 Bc6 18. Qd3 Rd8 19. Nd4) 14... Bb4 15. Qd4 Bxc3 (15... Nxd5 16. Nxd5
exd5 17. Qxd5 Nc6 $36 {[%cal Gc8e6]}) 16. Qxc3 Ne4 (16... Nxd5 $143 $6 17. Qg3
{[%csl Rg7][%cal Gf2d4,Gf2c5,Gc5a3,Gc5f8,Gd4g7]}) 17. Qe5 (17. Qd3 Nxf2 18.
Rxf2 Rd8 19. c4 Nc6 20. Rd1 (20. Rff1 exd5 21. cxd5 Be6 $1) 20... exd5 (20...
Qxa2 $2 21. Qc3 {[%cal Gd1a1]}) 21. cxd5 Nb4 {[%cal Gb4d3,Gb4d5]} (21... Be6
22. Qc4) 22. Qf3) 17... Nxf2 18. Rxf2 Nd7 {[%cal Gd7e5] Gagnant un tempo de
développement important} 19. Qd4 exd5 20. Qxd5 Nf6 $44 21. Qc5 {Le signe que
la position blanche n'est pas trés saine car le MI n'a pas vraiment d'autre
alternative mais la finale est meilleure pour les Noirs} Qxc5 $1 {[%csl Ra2,
Rc2]} 22. Nxc5 {[%csl Ra8,Rb7,Gc5,Rc8] La phase tactique est terminée et début
de la partie technique où les Noirs vont essayer de réaliser le petit avantage.
Le problème du GMI est que l'échange des Q s'est traduit par l'installation
d'un N actif en c5 qui gêne le développement de l'aile-dame} b6 (22... Rd8 $143
23. Bf3 $1 {[%csl Ra8,Rb7]}) 23. Bf3 Ra7 {[%cal Ga7c7]} 24. Ne4 (24. Nd3 Rc7 {
[%csl Rc2][%cal Gc8e6,Gf8c8]}) 24... Nxe4 25. Bxe4 Be6 (25... Re8 26. Bd3) 26.
Rd2 Rc8 (26... Rc7) (26... Rd7 $5 {L'échange d'une paire de R doit
probablement favoriser les Noirs} 27. Rxd7 (27. Rad1 $2 Rxd2 28. Rxd2 Bxa2)
27... Bxd7 28. Rd1 Be6 29. a4 (29. a3)) 27. a4 b5 {Une erreur de saisie} 28.
Rd4 (28. axb5) 28... bxa4 29. Raxa4 a5 30. Kf2 Kf8 31. Ke3 Bd7 32. Ra3 {
suite illisible et nulle au 56ème coup} 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 9th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2017.12.09"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[Annotator "Quintiliano,R"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2017.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 {As a Najdorf
player, I think that Bg5 is one of the biggest problems that Black has to
solve, with a lot of theory and sharp positions. So, Vachier Lagrave's games
in this variation always draw my attention.} e6 ({Curiously, some strong and
experienced grandmasters like} 6... Nbd7 {here, but Maxime has never played
this, at least up till now}) 7. f4 h6 8. Bh4 Qb6 {Maxime really trusts in this
Delayed Poisoned Pawn variation, as he has played it very often and against
some well prepared guys, like Giri, Nakamura and Caruana, with a very good
score.} 9. a3 ({Najer challenged Vachier Lagrave with the principled} 9. Qd2 {
but Black was not afraid of the complications} Qxb2 10. Rb1 Qa3 11. e5 dxe5 12.
fxe5 Nfd7 13. Ne4 Qxa2 $1 {Najer,E (2687)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2798) Dortmund
44th 2016 (5) 0-1 Black grabs as many pawns as possible with the queen, and if
he suceeds in surviving against White's initiative, everything is fine. In
this game, he did it -}) 9... Be7 10. Bf2 ({A few months ago, Caruana
surprised him with} 10. Qd3 $5 {Caruana,F (2807)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2791)
Sinquefield Cup 5th 2017 (6) 1/2 but his idea hasn't found followers since
then, I have also annotated that game -}) 10... Qc7 11. Qf3 Nbd7 12. O-O-O b5
13. g4 {This position has been played many times over recent years, and now
there's an important choice to make.} Bb7 {In the recent games Vachier Lagrave
has opted for developing the bishop.} (13... g5 {was how he played when facing
this position for the first time, but after} 14. h4 gxf4 {White unleashed} 15.
Be2 $1 {a move that had been tested in correspondence games, and MVL was not
aware of them. The main goal is that besides the strong threat of g4-g5, the
g4-pawn is protected against ...Ne5 ideas} Rg8 {Giri,A (2790)-Vachier Lagrave,
M (2788) Norway Chess 4th 2016 (2) 0-1} (15... b4 $5 {was tried by Nakamura,
but after} 16. axb4 Ne5 17. Qxf4 Nexg4 18. Bxg4 e5 {[%csl Yf4][%cal Gc8g4]
Caruana was one step ahead in the preparation} 19. Qxf6 $1 Bxf6 20. Nd5 Qd8 {
and now comes the amazing} 21. Nf5 $3 {Caruana,F (2823)-Nakamura,H (2779)
London Classic 8th 2016 (6) 1-0 On seeing this position at the board, one
starts to realise how well placed White's minor pieces are and how difficult
is to find a good plan for Black. The problems proved be too much even for
such a resourceful player as Nakamura -} ({instead of the materialistic} 21.
Nc6 $2 Bxg4 22. Nxd8 Bxd8 {with un unclear endgame in which the bishop pair
ensures good chances for Black to hold the game})) {and according to Vachier
Lagrave, White could have started a powerful attack with} 16. g5 $1) 14. Bg2 {
White develops the bishop in order to make harder for Black the thematic break
on d5.} (14. h4 {has also been tried here, but Black has more than one move to
reach a good position} Nc5 (14... d5 $1 {also is totally in accord with the
position and Sicilian ideas} 15. e5 Ne4 16. Rh3 Nxf2 17. Qxf2 b4 $5 {Black is
ready to take the iniative} 18. axb4 Bxb4 19. f5 $1 {and White is ready to
strike back!} Nxe5 20. fxe6 O-O $1 {Caruana,F (2817)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2803)
Grenke Chess Classic 4th 2017 (5) 1/2 with a vivid battle that offers chances
for both sides -}) 15. Bd3 {Konguvel,P (2388)-Niekras,D (2291) Warsaw Najdorf
Memorial op-A 15th 2017 (6) 1/2} d5 $1 {The same idea} 16. e5 Nfe4 {and Black
is fine.}) 14... g5 {Vachier Lagrave improves on his own play from his only
defeat in this variation in recent games.} ({That game went} 14... Rc8 15. Kb1
g5 16. Qh3 $1 Nc5 $2 ({in the notes on the game, GM Meier analyses the strange
move} 16... Nh7 $5 {that was played in correspondence games and looks like the
best option}) 17. Rhe1 {White has developed all his pieces and is ready to
take active measures in the centre} h5 (17... gxf4 18. g5 Nfd7 19. g6 $1 $40)
18. Nf5 $1 {[%csl Gf5][%cal Ye1e8,Yd1d8];Nakamura,H (2779)-Vachier Lagrave,M 
(2804) London Classic 8th 2016 (7) 1-0 and White's attack was strong and
precise -}) (14... d5 $2 {is not good anymore, and after} 15. exd5 Nxd5 16. Nf5
$1 {the point behind 14.Bg2 becomes clear.}) 15. h4 {Karjakin also shows
excellent preparation, as this principled move was also played by Yu Yangyi
and Naiditsch.} (15. f5 {closes the kingside and didn't give any advantage to
White} e5 16. Nb3 h5 $5 17. h3 Rc8 18. Rhe1 {Henriquez Villagra,C (2517)-Salem,
A (2656) Wch Rapid Doha 2016 (6) 1/2} {Black could had reached a better
position with} hxg4 19. hxg4 a5 $1 $17 {[%cal Ga5a4,Gb5b4]}) (15. Qh3 {
Compared to Nakamura-Vachier Lagrave, Black has a totally adequate response now
} O-O-O $1 {suddenly, the black king is safe and White's play on the kingside
looks unjustified} 16. Ndxb5 $2 {embarking on an attack that doesn't work} (16.
f5 e5 17. Nb3 h5 $1 $36) 16... axb5 17. Nxb5 Qc4 18. Na7+ Kb8 19. Rd4 Qa6 20.
Rb4 Nc5 $1 {there's no way back for White, so he went for} 21. e5 Nfe4 22. Bxc5
dxc5 23. Nc6+ Qxc6 24. Bxe4 {but after} cxb4 25. Bxc6 Bxc6 $19 {Kulaots,K 
(2597)-Santos Ruiz,M (2473) EU-ch 18th Minsk 2017 (3) 0-1 Black's pieces
cooperated very well against the queen, and he won easily -}) 15... gxf4 16. g5
{White rushes to open the kingside, the only way to take advantage of the
development.} Ne5 $1 {[%cal Yf6d7] Black should vacate the d7 square for the
other knight.} 17. Qxf4 hxg5 $146 {The way how Vachier Lagrave solves his
problems looks so natural, that it makes one wonder why in the previous 2
games in this position Black played other moves.} (17... Nfg4 {is perhaps more
ambitious and double-edged} 18. g6 $1 Rf8 19. Bg3 h5 $1 20. gxf7+ Rxf7 21. Qd2
Nc4 22. Qe2 Rc8 $1 23. Rd3 $1 {Yu,Y (2662)-Sethuraman,S (2553) Wch U20 52nd
2013 (6) 1-0 And the position is very complicated. Both sides should be very
careful with the opponent's threats. Such positions offers winning chances,
but one mistake is enough to lose control -} (23. Nxe6 Qb6 {[%cal Gc4e3,Yg4f2,
Yd6d5]})) (17... Nh5 $6 {[%csl Gh5] looks the most risky, as the knight stands
misplaced} 18. Qd2 (18. Qe3 $142 Nc4 19. Qf3 $14 {[%csl Gh5]}) 18... hxg5 19.
hxg5 O-O-O {Naiditsch,A (2702)-Guliyev,N (2545) Pyramides FFE GP op rapid 2012
(3.2) 1-0} 20. Bf1 $1 {[%csl Gc4][%cal Yf1e2] a subtle and strong manoeuvre
that prevents ...Nc4 and prepares to harass the knight with Be2:} Rdg8 21. Rg1
Qd8 22. Be3 Ng7 23. Kb1 Kb8 24. Qf2 $14) 18. hxg5 Rxh1 19. Rxh1 Nfd7 20. Kb1
O-O-O $11 {When watching the game, I was impressed with how Vachier Lagrave
made Black's challenges in this variation look easy to solve. Black has
finished the development, his king is safe and the knight is solidly placed on
e5, securing a nice position. Besides, the e4- and g5-pawns offer some
optimistic chances for the ensuing endgame.} 21. Rh3 {Karjakin had at least
two interesting plans in this position.} (21. Nf3 $1 {would be good to play
against the blockader on e5, and Black's life is not that easy, at least if he
is hoping to play for a win} Rf8 {good prophylaxis} (21... Nxf3 22. Bxf3 Ne5
23. Bh5 $1 {[%csl Yf7]} Rf8 24. Bd4 $1 {again looking to eliminate the
annoying knight} Kb8 25. Be2 {[%cal Yh1h7] and it is still White who is
fighting for the advantage}) (21... Kb8 22. Rh7 {[%cal Yg5g6] g5-g6 is a very
unpleasant threat, even after} Nf8 23. Rg7 Nfg6 24. Qg3 Rf8 25. Nxe5 Nxe5 26.
Bd4 $36 {White keeps some pressure}) (21... Rg8 {[%csl Yg5] counter-attacking
against g5 seems natural} 22. Bd4 $1 Kb8 (22... Nxf3 $2 23. Qxf3 {[%csl Rf7]})
23. Bxe5 Nxe5 24. Nxe5 $1 dxe5 25. Qxf7 Rxg5 26. Bf1 Bc8 27. Rh7 Bd8 $14 {
forcing the trade of the queens, and despite White keeping some advantage,
Black should be able to hold}) 22. Rh7 Qd8 $1 {[%csl Yg5] Now Black looks
better organised to protect his position and to attack his opponent's
weaknesses} 23. Bh3 (23. Nxe5 Nxe5 24. Be3 Rg8 25. Rh5 {is harmless for Black})
23... Nxf3 (23... Kb8 24. Nxe5 Nxe5) 24. Qxf3 Ne5 25. Qh5 Kb8 $1 (25... Bxg5 $2
{contains a very dangerous and unexpected trap} 26. Nd5 $1 {[%cal Rf2b6]} Nd7
27. Bg3 $1 exd5 28. Bxd6 $40) 26. Bg3 {now the following sequence is almost
forced} Bxg5 27. Bxe5 dxe5 28. Rxf7 Rh8 (28... Rxf7 $5 {could be a good
practical solution} 29. Qxf7 Bxe4 $1 30. Qxe6 $1 Bb7 31. Qxe5+ Ka8 $14 {
White is a pawn up but I believe that Black has good chances in this endgame,
specially because of the reduced number of pawns}) 29. Qg4 Bc8 30. Qg1 $1 {
[%csl Ra7]} Be7 31. Qg3 Bd6 $14 {White can still look for something due
Black's exposed king and the weak pawns, but Black should be fine with correct
defence, also because the bishop pair covers many important squares}) (21. g6
$5 Rg8 $1 {keeps everything under control for Black, although the main line is
very complicated} 22. gxf7 Rxg2 23. Nxe6 Qc4 $1 24. Rh8+ $1 (24. f8=Q+ $2 Nxf8
25. Nxf8 Qf7 $3 26. Qxf7 Nxf7 $19 {[%csl Rf2,Rf8]}) 24... Nf8 25. Nxf8 Qf1+ 26.
Be1 $1 (26. Ka2 Rxf2 $19) 26... Qxf4 (26... Qxe1+ 27. Ka2 Rf2 28. Qh6 $1 Rxf7
29. Qe6+ Kc7 30. Ng6 $1) 27. Ng6+ Kd7 28. Nxf4 Rg1 29. f8=Q Rxe1+ 30. Ka2 Bxf8
31. Rxf8 Bxe4 32. Nxe4 Rxe4 $11) 21... Kb8 22. Be3 Rg8 23. Rg3 Rg7 {Of course,
White's position should still be fine, but with the last moves Vachier Lagrave
has protected f7 and started to press against g5, even with the position
remaining objectively equal, in a practical game it seems that White is about
to feel uncomfortable.} 24. Bh3 {[%cal Gh3e6]} Rh7 (24... Nf8 $5 {[%cal Yf8h7]}
) 25. Qf2 Nc5 {[%csl Ye4] And so there's also e4 to take care of.} 26. Bg2 Qc8
$1 {[%cal Gc8g8,Gc8h8,Ye7d8,Yd8c7,Yd8b6] A nice move, now the queen can be
directed towards the kingside, and the bishop has the excellent route d8-b6 or
d8-c7 to be improved.} 27. Bc1 (27. Nb3 $5 {would stop both plans, but at the
price of damaging the queenside structure; it is not an easy decision.}) 27...
Bd8 28. Nf3 Ng6 $1 {Karjakin has gone for Nf3 too late, as in this position
the knight is not forced to be on e5.} 29. Nd4 Ne5 30. Nf3 Ng6 31. Nd4 {
One more draw in London?} Bb6 {....no!} 32. Be3 Ne5 33. b3 {A clear signal
that White's position is already slightly unpleasant, I'm pretty sure that
Karjakin would prefer not to play this move.} (33. Nf3 $2 {is bad due to} Nc4
$17 {[%csl Gb6][%cal Gb6g1] and the dangerous Bb6 prevents White from
retreating his one to c1.}) (33. Nb3 {was the better option} Nc4 34. Bd4 Qc7
35. Nd2 $1 {and White keeps everything under control} Ne5 36. Rh3 $11) 33...
Rh4 {Vachier Lagrave steadily increases the pressure.} 34. Nde2 $1 {Karjakin
is also showing his defensive skills.} Qc7 35. Bd4 Ncd7 $1 {Forcing
advantageous exchanges for Black.} (35... Nxe4 $2 {would be a terrible mistake}
36. Nxe4 Bxe4 37. Bxe4 Bxd4 38. Qxd4 d5 39. Nc3 $1 dxe4 40. Nxe4 $14) 36. Bxb6
$6 {We know from his match against Carlsen that Karjakin displays really
impressive skills when resisting in passive defensive positions, and here he
goes for it. However, this endgame will be a bit too much, even for him.} (36.
g6 $5 {looks interesting} fxg6 37. Bh3 Nc5 {Black remains a pawn up, although
after} 38. Bxe6 $5 Nxe4 $1 39. Nxe4 (39. Bxb6 Nxf2 40. Bxc7+ Kxc7 $17) 39...
Bxd4 40. Nxd4 Bxe4 $13 {the nature of the endgame has changed, it looks
sharper and can offer practical chances for White.}) 36... Qxb6 37. Qxb6 Nxb6
38. Nd4 Ng6 $1 {[%cal Yb6d7,Yd7e5,Gg6f4] This knight has been alternating
between e5 and g6 many times in this game, always posing problems for Black.
Now, it heads for f4, and the other knight will replace it on e5, with great
pressure on White's camp.} 39. Kc1 {The monarch runs to help its forces in the
centre.} Nd7 40. Kd2 Nf4 41. Ke3 (41. Bf3 {does not keep the bishop alive at
all} Ne5 $17) 41... Nxg2+ $1 {Sometimes, we become a bit hypnotised by such
beautiful knights on good squares, but not strong players like Vachier Lagrave:
he understands that without this bishop, White's defence is harder, and the
e4-pawn is weaker.} 42. Rxg2 Rh3+ 43. Kd2 {And White is even more passive than
before.} (43. Nf3 $4 Ne5 44. Rf2 Ng4+ $19) 43... Ne5 44. Nde2 {The only
acceptable move in this difficult position.} (44. Rf2 Rg3 {[%cal Rg3g5]}) (44.
Rg1 {looks another playable option, but Black has a way to keep improving the
position} Ka7 $1 45. Rg2 Kb6 $17 {[%cal Yb6c5]}) (44. g6 $5 {was maybe the
last practical chance} fxg6 45. Rf2 (45. Nxe6 Nf3+ 46. Ke2 Nh4 $1 $19 {[%cal
Gh4g2,Rh3c3]}) 45... Bc8 46. Rf6 $15) 44... Nf3+ 45. Kc1 Nh4 46. Rg1 Ng6 {
Black still hasn't made much progress, but in such endgames you don't really
need this: just keep playing good moves and making sure that your opponent is
in an unpleasant position. In general, nerves, time and the difficulty of the
position decide the issue.} 47. Kd2 Kc7 {Finally, the king finds a useful
function: To protect the f7-pawn.} 48. Nd4 Kd7 49. Rf1 Ke7 50. Rg1 Ne5 51. Rg2
Ba8 52. Nde2 {Now, further improvements are possible.} (52. Rg1 {would offer
more chances}) 52... Nf3+ 53. Kc1 Rh1+ $1 {After bringing his king to the
centre, Vachier Lagrave chases White's king away.} 54. Kb2 Nh4 55. Rg4 Ng6 56.
Nf4 {Losing a pawn, but what else? There's no good advice for White here.} (56.
Ng3 Rh3 {[%cal Yg6e5]} 57. Nge2 Ne5 58. Rg2 (58. Rg3 Rxg3 59. Nxg3 Nf3 {
[%csl Rg5]}) 58... Rh4 {[%csl Re4]}) (56. Rg3 Rh4 57. Nd4 (57. Re3 Rg4) 57...
Ne5 $1 (57... Bxe4 58. Nxe4 Rxe4 59. Nc6+ {[%cal Yc6b8] with some chances}) 58.
Nf3 Nxf3 59. Rxf3 Rg4 $17) 56... Nxf4 57. Rxf4 Rg1 58. Rh4 Rxg5 59. Kc1 d5 {
Black is totally winning and with the e- and f-pawns passed and connected, the
technical task is not exactly difficult, so Karjakin decided to call it a day.
A nice win for Vachier-Lagrave, and the game had great theoretical value, as
even if White plays the correct plan, Black seems to be prepared to hold his
position against this aggressive variation.} 0-1

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 5th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.08"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2807"]
[BlackElo "2791"]
[Annotator "Quintiliano,R"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2017.08.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 {The 6.Bg5
variation has always been a very aggressive and principled weapon against the
Najdorf, but in the last two years we have seen its practice growing
considerably among the elite, Caruana being the one who has presented more
interesting and dangerous ideas for White. In this game, he again manages to
surprise his opponent, no less than one of the greatest world specialists in
the Najdorf with the Black pieces.} e6 (6... Nbd7 {is an interesting option
for Black, but curiously MVL never gave a chance to this move.}) 7. f4 h6 {
MVL likes this move before ...Qb6.} (7... Qb6 {used to be the main move, and
at the level of these guys, theory was so deeply developed that the likely
result seems to be a draw. Until recently, when Caruana showed his
prepararions and played} 8. Qd3 $5 Qxb2 9. Rb1 Qa3 10. f5 Be7 11. fxe6 fxe6 12.
Be2 Qa5 13. Bd2 Qc7 14. g4 h6 15. Rg1 $5 $146 {Caruana had studied this
simple-looking but interesting move} (15. Qh3 {[%cal Gg4g5];Gashimov,V (2759)
-Grischuk,A (2736) WchT 7th Bursa 2010 (4.1) 0-1 is one of the points behind 8.
Qd3, and was played in one of the most fascinating games that I've ever seen -}
) 15... Bd7 (15... Nc6 16. g5 $6 {Hector,J (2497)-Sagit,R (2406) SWE-ch
Stockholm 2017 (5) 0-1} Nxd4 17. Qxd4 hxg5 18. Rxg5 Kf8 $15) 16. g5 hxg5 17.
Rxg5 Nc6 $6 {Black focussed just on finishing his development as soon as
possible, but he missed an important idea for White in this process} (17... Rh7
$5) 18. Rxg7 O-O-O $2 (18... Nxd4 19. Qxd4 Rf8 20. Rb3 $1 {a mysterious move,
which I'm totally sure Caruana had prepared, as the rook can be useful in the
third rank for attacking purposes either if Black keeps his king in the centre,
or if he plays 0-0-0}) 19. Ncb5 $1 {after this unexpected blow, Black needs to
find the correct defence to keep things even} axb5 20. Nxb5 Ne5 $8 (20... Qb8
21. Rxe7 $1) 21. Nxc7 Nxd3+ 22. cxd3 Ng8 $2 (22... Rxh2 $1 23. Rxe7 Rh1+ 24.
Bf1 Rf8 $1 {[%csl Gc7][%cal Yf8f1,Yh1f1] and Black is regaining the piece} 25.
Rc1 Kb8 26. Nxe6 (26. Ke2 Rh2+ 27. Ke3 e5 $1 {[%cal Gf6g4] is even dangerous
for White}) 26... Bxe6 27. Bh6 $1 Rxh6 28. Rxe6 Rh1 29. Kd2 (29. Ke2 Ng4) 29...
Nxe4+ 30. dxe4 Rhxf1 31. Rxf1 Rxf1 32. Rxd6 Kc7 $11 {and the variation ends in
a drawish endgame. Modern theory!}) 23. Na8 $1 Kb8 24. Nb6 Bc6 25. Bf4 $16 {
Caruana,F (2808)-Nakamura,H (2785) Norway Chess 5th 2017 (9) 1-0 and White
converted his material advantage -}) 8. Bh4 Qb6 9. a3 Be7 10. Qd3 $5 $146 {
Caruana's new idea for this game, but actually it is not his idea, as he said
in the interview after game that it was a suggestion of his friend, Norwegian
GM Torbjorn Hansen.} ({Earlier this year, another game between the same
players went} 10. Bf2 Qc7 11. Qf3 Nbd7 12. O-O-O b5 13. g4 Bb7 ({Caruana won
another beautiful game against} 13... g5 14. h4 gxf4 15. Be2 $1 b4 16. axb4 Ne5
17. Qxf4 Nexg4 18. Bxg4 e5 {and Caruana now played} 19. Qxf6 $1 Bxf6 20. Nd5
Qd8 21. Nf5 $1 {[%csl Gd5,Gf5][%cal Yf2b6] a surprisingly strong queen
sacrifice, as it's very difficult for Black's pieces to find good squares,
especially the queen} Rb8 $2 22. Nxf6+ Qxf6 23. Rxd6 $16 {Caruana,F (2823)
-Nakamura,H (2779) London Classic 8th 2016 (6) 1-0}) 14. h4 d5 $1 {A typical
Sicilian counter-blow in the centre for Black} 15. e5 Ne4 {Caruana,F (2817)
-Vachier Lagrave,M (2803) Grenke Chess Classic 4th 2017 (5) 1/2 and Black is
in the way to get a good position -}) 10... Nbd7 {Cautious, Vachier-Lagrave
avoids the complicated lines which mean stepping along a totally unknown path.}
(10... Nxe4 $5 {leads to interesting positions} 11. Bxe7 Nxc3 (11... Qxb2 $5 {
seems kind of risky, but actually Black is not worse in the ensuing
complications} 12. Nxe4 Qxa1+ 13. Kf2 Kxe7 14. Nf5+ $1 exf5 15. Qxd6+ Ke8 16.
Bb5+ $1 axb5 17. Rxa1 fxe4 18. Qe5+ Kd8 19. Rd1+ Bd7 20. Qxg7 Re8 {and despite
White's temporary activity, and some pawns dropping on the kingside, Black has
too many pieces for the queen} 21. Qxf7 Rxa3 {it's likely that Caruana had
studied this endgame a lot, but I like Black's chances}) 12. Qxc3 (12. Bxd6 $5)
12... Kxe7 13. O-O-O Rd8 {White seems to have enought compensation for the
pawn, as he can develop a quick initiative on the kingside} 14. g4 $5 Nc6 15.
Bg2 Nxd4 16. Rxd4 Bd7 17. Rhd1 Rac8 18. Qd2 d5 19. f5 $40) (10... Qxb2 $6 {
even for a strong player like Vachier-Lagrave, this is playing with fire} 11.
Nb3 {[%cal Ga1a2]} Nxe4 $8 12. Nxe4 Bxh4+ 13. Kd2 $1 (13. g3 Bf6) 13... Nc6 $8
(13... O-O 14. Nc3 Bf6 15. Na4 {[%csl Rb2]}) (13... Bf6 14. Nxd6+ Ke7 15. Nc4
Rd8 16. Nxb2 Bxb2 17. Ra2 Bf6 18. g3 $14) 14. Nxd6+ Kf8 (14... Ke7 15. Nc4 Qf6
16. Qd6+ Ke8 17. g3 e5 18. Bg2 $1) 15. Nc4 Qf6 16. g3 {[%csl Rh4] and after} b5
17. Nd6 e5 18. Ne4 Qe7 19. gxh4 $14 {Black can try to fight because of the
exposed Kd2, but objectively White is clearly better.}) (10... Nc6 {This is
possible also.}) (10... d5 $5 {Caruana said this move is also an option for
Black.}) 11. O-O-O g5 $6 {This doesn't look good for Black, and his position
will become somewhat uncomfortable.} (11... Nc5 12. Qe2 Nfxe4 $6 {again this
idea leaves White with a pleasant position} 13. Nxe4 Bxh4 14. Nf5 $1 Nxe4 15.
Qxe4 Be7 (15... d5 16. Nxg7+ Kf8 17. Qe5 f6 18. Qe2 Kxg7 19. g3 $14) 16. Nxe7
Kxe7 17. Bc4 {and White has good compensation} Kf8 (17... Re8 18. Rhe1 Qc5 19.
Bb3 Bd7 20. f5 $36) 18. Rhe1 g6 19. g4 $1 {and still is not easy for Black to
finish development} d5 $2 20. Qe5 Rg8 21. Bd3 $16 {[%cal Yf4f5]}) (11... O-O
12. g4 $36) (11... Qc7 12. Qg3 g5 $6 (12... O-O 13. Be2 Nc5 14. Bf3 {looks
promising for White}) 13. fxg5 Nh5 14. Qe3 (14. Qg4 hxg5 15. Bxg5 Ne5 16. Qh4
Ng6 17. Qg4 Ne5 $11) 14... Qc5 15. Kb1 hxg5 16. Bf2 $14) 12. fxg5 Ne5 ({
Caruana said} 12... Ng4 {could be a better version for Black, but after} 13.
Qd2 $1 {White has the advantage, like in the game} Qd8 (13... Qc5 14. Be2 hxg5
15. Na4 $1 Qc7 16. Bxg5) (13... hxg5 14. Bxg5 Bxg5 15. Qxg5 Nf2 16. Nd5 $1 exd5
17. Nf5 f6 18. Qg7 $18) 14. Nf3 Nge5 15. Bf2 $1 hxg5 16. Be3 b5 $5 (16... Rg8
17. Be2 {[%csl Ge8] Despite his solid position, Black has problems to find a
good place for his king}) 17. Be2 $1 (17. Nxg5 Ng4 18. Nf3 Nxe3 19. Qxe3 Qc7
$44) 17... Rg8 18. Nxe5 Nxe5 19. Bd4 $16 {[%cal Yh1f1,Ye2h5] White has a clear
plan, which is Rhf1-Bh5 and Black is in trouble.}) 13. Qd2 Nh7 {[%csl Gh7]
Black regains the pawn, but the knight is in an awkward position on h7.} 14.
Nf3 hxg5 15. Bf2 ({Caruana also considered} 15. Bg3 Qc7 16. Qd4 f6 {and Black
is kind of solid, but then} 17. h4 $1 {[%cal Yh1h8] is a good way to exploit
the advantage in development opening the h-file} Nf8 18. Be2 gxh4 19. Bxh4 Bd7
{Black is finishing development, but White's pieces enjoys more freedom and
activity, for example} 20. Bf2 Rxh1 21. Rxh1 O-O-O 22. Qa7 Nc6 23. Qe3 $16 {
[%cal Yc3a4,Yh1h6]}) 15... Qc7 16. Be2 $16 {White has a clear advantage, as
his pieces are all well developed and his plan to exploit the advantage is
pretty easy.} Bd7 17. h4 $1 {[%csl Gh7][%cal Yh1h8] In general, when you are
ahead in development, a good way to proceed is to open the position and create
concrete threats, and here the h-file is especially good due to the Nh7.} Rg8 (
17... O-O-O 18. Nxg5 {White just wins a pawn.}) 18. h5 $1 {[%csl Gh5] A good
practical choice, creating a strong passed pawn and keeping the Nh7 passive.} (
18. hxg5 Nxg5 19. Rh5 {also attracted Caruana's attention, and in fact, after}
Ngxf3 20. gxf3 O-O-O 21. f4 Ng4 22. Bd4 {White still definitely has the
advantage, although, as Caruana said, it is not so easy to see how to increase
this advantage} (22. Bxg4 Rxg4 23. Rh7 $14)) 18... g4 $1 {Black should play
this move before White can do it.} (18... O-O-O 19. Nxe5 dxe5 20. g4 $1 {
[%csl Yh5,Gh7] and Black is strategically lost - Caruana.}) 19. Nxe5 dxe5 20.
Bh4 $1 {I like this move because it forces the exchange of the dark-squared
bishops, and White will be able to attack the weak g4-pawn.} Bc6 21. Qe3 Bxh4
22. Rxh4 Qe7 $1 {This is a smart idea by Vachier-Lagrave.} 23. Rxg4 $2 {
Strangely, after taking this pawn, White cannot win the game!} (23. Qg3 $1 {
was better} Qg5+ 24. Kb1 Nf6 {[%csl Ye4,Yh5] Caruana stopped his calculations
at this point, but White keeps the advantage with} 25. Rf1 $1 (25. h6 {is also
good} Rh8 26. Rf1 Rxh6 27. Rxh6 Qxh6 28. Qf2 Ke7 29. Qc5+ Ke8 30. Qxe5 $16)
25... Nxh5 26. Qf2 $1 {[%csl Rf7,Rg4] and now Black is the one who has some
problems to defend his pawns} f5 (26... Rf8 27. Rxg4 Qe7 28. g3 O-O-O 29. Rh4
Ng7 30. Rh7 $16) 27. Bxg4 $1 {and Black is almost lost, for example} Nf4 28.
Bf3 O-O-O 29. exf5 Bxf3 30. gxf3 Qxf5 (30... exf5 31. Qc5+) 31. Qa7 $18) 23...
Rxg4 24. Bxg4 Qg5 $1 {After the exchange of queens, Black is able to creat a
solid blockade and White's material advantage is not enough to win.} 25. Qxg5
Nxg5 26. Bf3 Ke7 27. Kd2 Rh8 28. Rh1 f5 $1 29. Ke3 Kf6 30. b4 b5 {There's no
way to break Black's position. Again, Caruana surprised us with interesting
ideas in the 6.Bg5 Najdorf, but Vachier Lagrave made a surprising escape!}
1/2-1/2

[Event "Plancoet op-A 10th"]
[Site "Plancoet"]
[Date "2013.08.01"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Bailet, Pierre"]
[Black "Tugui, Adrian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2474"]
[BlackElo "2387"]
[Annotator "RR"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2013.07.28"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2017"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qf3
Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 (9... Be7 {La grande ligne} 10. g4) 10. Bd3 Bb7 11. Rhe1 O-O-O
(11... Qb6) (11... Be7) 12. Kb1 (12. f5 e5 13. Nb3 Be7 14. a4 Nxe4 15. Bxe4
Bxg5+ 16. Kb1 Nf6 17. Bxb7+ Qxb7 18. Nd5 e4 19. Qc3+ Kb8 20. Nb4 Ka8 21. axb5
Qxb5 22. Nd4 Qb6 23. Qa3 Rd7 24. Nb3 d5 25. g3 h5 26. h4 Bh6 27. Rd4 Rc8 28.
Qxa6+ Qxa6 29. Nxa6 Rc4 30. c3 Rxd4 31. Nxd4 Bd2 32. Re2 e3 33. Nc5 Rc7 34.
Ndb3 Ka7 35. Kc2 Kb6 {1/2-1/2 (35) Maslak,K (2541)-Van Wely,L (2625) Moscow
2009}) 12... Kb8 13. f5 b4 $146 (13... e5 14. Nb3 Be7 15. Bxf6 Nxf6 16. a4 bxa4
17. Nxa4 d5 18. exd5 Nxd5 19. Be4 Nb4 20. Nc3 Rxd1+ 21. Rxd1 Rd8 22. Rxd8+ Bxd8
23. Bxb7 Qxb7 24. Qg4 Nd5 25. Qxg7 Nxc3+ 26. bxc3 e4 27. Qe5+ Ka7 28. c4 Qc6
29. g4 Qxc4 30. Nd2 Qb4+ 31. Nb3 Bb6 32. f6 a5 33. Qe7+ Ka6 34. Qxf7 a4 35. Qe7
Qe1+ 36. Nc1 Be3 37. Qa3 Bxc1 38. Qxc1 Qb4+ 39. Qb2 Qc4 40. Qe5 Qb4+ 41. Ka2
Qc4+ 42. Ka3 Qxc2 43. Qe6+ {Vasquez Schroder,R (2522)-Velasquez Ojeda,C (2282)
Santiago de Chile 2007 1-0}) 14. Nce2 e5 15. Nb3 a5 $1 16. Ng3 a4 $132 17. Nd2
Nb6 18. Nh5 Be7 19. Nxf6 gxf6 20. Be3 d5 $36 21. Bxb6 $6 Qxb6 22. exd5 Bc5 (
22... Bxd5 $142 23. Be4) 23. Be4 Bd4 24. d6 Ba6 25. d7 (25. Bc6 $142 Rxd6 26.
Bxa4 Rhd8 27. Ne4 {[%csl Ge4]}) 25... Rxd7 26. Bc6 Ra7 $1 27. Bxa4 Bb7 $19 28.
Qb3 Qa5 (28... Qa6 $142 29. Bd7 Bxg2 30. Qxf7 Bc6) 29. Bd7 Bd5 30. c4 Bxg2 31.
Re2 Rg8 32. Bb5 Bh3 33. a4 $2 bxa3 34. c5 Bxf5+ 35. Bd3+ Rb7 36. Nc4 Rxb3 0-1

[Event "ESP-chT CECLUB Honor"]
[Site "Melilla"]
[Date "2011.11.22"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2712"]
[BlackElo "2710"]
[Annotator "RR"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2011.11.21"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Colegio Marcote EIKM"]
[BlackTeam "Sestao"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ESP"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ESP"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 h6 8. Bh4
Qb6 9. a3 Be7 10. Bf2 Qc7 11. Qf3 Nc6 12. O-O-O Bd7 13. Be2 Rc8 14. g4 Nxd4 15.
Rxd4 Bc6 16. g5 hxg5 17. fxg5 Nd7 18. Qg3 Nc5 19. Bf3 Na4 20. Nxa4 Bxa4 21. c3
Bd7 22. g6 f6 23. h4 e5 24. Rd5 Qc4 25. h5 $6 (25. Kb1 Rf8 26. Rhd1 $15) 25...
Qa2 $19 26. Be1 Qa1+ 27. Kc2 Ba4+ 28. Kd3 Qxb2 29. Qg2 Bb5+ 30. Ke3 Rxc3+ 31.
Bxc3 Qxc3+ 32. Kf2 Bc6 33. Rdd1 d5 34. exd5 Bc5+ 35. Kg3 e4 36. dxc6 Qe5+ 37.
Kg4 exf3 38. Qd2 $2 (38. Qc2 Qg5+ 39. Kxf3 $11) 38... f5+ $19 39. Kxf3 Qe4+ 0-1

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 18th"]
[Site "Porto Carras"]
[Date "2011.11.05"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Firat, Burak"]
[Black "Kovacevic, Aleksandar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2393"]
[BlackElo "2563"]
[Annotator "RR"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2011.11.03"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Turkey"]
[BlackTeam "Serbia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "TUR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "SRB"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 h6 8. Bh4
Qb6 9. a3 Be7 10. Bf2 Qc7 11. Qe2 Nc6 12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. Qf3 Rb8 14. Bc4 O-O 15.
O-O d5 16. Bb3 c5 17. exd5 c4 18. Ba4 Rxb2 19. dxe6 Bxe6 20. f5 Bc8 21. Kh1 Bc5
22. Nd5 Nxd5 23. Qxd5 Bxf2 24. Rxf2 Rd8 25. Qe4 Qc5 26. Rf4 Qxa3 27. Rff1 Qc5
28. f6 Bb7 29. Qe7 $2 (29. Qe2 Rb6 30. fxg7) {[%tqu "En","","","","b7g2","",10]
} 29... Bxg2+ $1 $19 30. Kxg2 Rd2+ 31. Kf3 Qh5+ 32. Kf4 Qg5+ 33. Kf3 Qg2+ 34.
Ke3 Qe2+ 0-1

[Event "Hoogovens"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "1998.01.20"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Salov, Valery"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2680"]
[Annotator "Salov,V"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "1998.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 063"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.03.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.03.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Ftacnik Tyomkin,D} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5
e6 7. f4 Bd7 8. f5 $1 $146 (8. Qe2 h6 9. Bh4 Be7 10. O-O-O Nc6 11. Nf3 Qa5 $132
{Groszpeter-Adorjan, Hungary 1996}) (8. e5 dxe5 9. fxe5 Qa5 10. Qe2 Bb4 $132) (
8. Nf3 $5) (8. Qf3 {Ftacnik} Nc6 9. O-O-O Nxd4 (9... Qa5 10. Bxf6 gxf6 11. f5
Nxd4 12. Rxd4 Qe5 13. Rd1 O-O-O 14. Bc4 h5 15. g3 h4 16. g4 Bc6 17. h3 Kb8 18.
Rhf1 Bh6+ 19. Kb1 Bg5 20. Rfe1 Rhe8 21. Qf2 Qa5 22. Rd3 Qc7 23. Bb3 $13 {
1/2-1/2 Hyldkrog,L-Kristensen,K/Copenhagen op 1993}) 10. Rxd4 Bc6 11. f5 Qa5
12. Bxf6 (12. Be2 Be7 13. Bd2 Qe5 14. Rc4 O-O 15. Bf4 Qa5 16. Qg3 Bb5 17. Bh6
Ne8 18. e5 exf5 19. Nd5 Qd8 20. Nc7 Bh4 21. Rxh4 Qxc7 $17 {0-1 Nunn,J-Lennox,C/
BCF-ch 1974/ (29)}) 12... gxf6 13. fxe6 Qg5+ 14. Kb1 fxe6 15. Bc4 Qe5 16. Rhd1
O-O-O 17. Ne2 f5 18. Qb3 Re8 19. Nc3 fxe4 20. Bxa6 d5 21. Bb5 Bc5 22. Ra4 Kc7
$17 {0-1 Alexander,C-Larsen,B/Hastings5657 1956 (40)}) 8... Be7 (8... b5 {
Tyomkin,D Tyomkin,D} 9. Qf3 Be7 10. O-O-O e5 11. Nb3 Bc6 (11... Nc6 $2 12. Bxf6
) 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. g4 $36 O-O 14. Kb1 h6 15. a3 Be7 16. Be2 Ra7 17. Qf2 Rb7
18. h4 b4 19. axb4 Rxb4 20. g5 Nd7 21. f6 $18 {Shabalov,A-Dao Thien Hai/Donner
mem op 1996/1-0 (50)}) 9. fxe6 (9. Bc4 $5 $14) 9... fxe6 10. Bc4 {Ftacnik: The
central idea of this less played line is white attempt to attack the
vulnerable e6 square.} Qc8 11. Bb3 $6 (11. Qe2 $1 Nc6 12. Nxc6 Qxc6 13. O-O-O
$14) 11... Nc6 12. Nxc6 Qxc6 (12... bxc6 $5 {Tyomkin,D} 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Qh5+
$36) (12... Bxc6 {Ftacnik} 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Qh5+ $14) 13. Qd3 Qc5 $1 14. Be3
Qh5 $1 $11 15. Bf4 Rd8 (15... Qc5 $6 {Ftacnik} 16. O-O-O $16) 16. O-O (16. Bxd6
$2 {Ftacnik} Bc6 17. e5 Ng4 $1 $17) 16... O-O (16... Qc5+ {[%cal Gc5d6]
Tyomkin,D} 17. Be3 Qc6 $14 (17... Qc7 18. Na4 $16)) 17. h3 (17. Bxd6 $5 Bc8 (
17... Ng4 18. h3 (18. Qg3 Bh4 19. Rxf8+ Rxf8 20. Qh3 Bf2+ 21. Kh1 Be1 $1) 18...
Ne5 19. Rxf8+ Bxf8 20. Qd1 $16) 18. Bxe7 (18. e5 {Tyomkin,D} Bxd6 19. exd6 Qc5+
(19... Ng4 $15) 20. Kh1 Qxd6 (20... Ng4 21. Ne4 Qe5 22. g3 b5 23. Kg1 $1 Bb7
24. Rfe1 $16) (20... Rxd6 21. Ne4 Rxd3 22. Nxc5 $16 {[%csl Re6]}) 21. Qe2 Kh8
$14) 18... Rxd3 19. cxd3 Re8 (19... Rf7 20. Bd6 $44 (20. Bxf6 {Ftacnik} gxf6
21. d4 $15)) 20. Bxf6 gxf6 21. Rxf6 Qc5+ 22. Kh1 Rf8 23. Rxf8+ Qxf8 24. d4 Qf2
$132) 17... Kh8 18. Rad1 (18. Bxd6 Bxd6 (18... Bc8 {Ftacnik} 19. Bxe7 Rxd3 20.
cxd3 Rf7 $15) 19. Qxd6 Bb5 20. Rxf6 gxf6 21. Qxe6 Bd7 (21... Qg5 $11) 22. Qd5
Qg6 $132) 18... Bc8 (18... d5 $5 19. exd5 exd5 20. Qe3 $1 Rfe8 $1 21. Nxd5 Bb5
$1 22. g4 (22. Nxf6 Bxf6 23. Rxd8 Rxd8 $11) 22... Nxg4 23. hxg4 Qxg4+ 24. Qg3
Bc5+ $13) 19. Qg3 {Tyomkin: Black central pawns are under pressure Ftacnik:
White plays rather pointedly against d6 pawn, but so far black was defending
quite successfully.} Qc5+ (19... Qa5 $5 {Ftacnik} 20. Be3 (20. Kh1 Nh5 $1)) 20.
Be3 Qc6 $1 21. e5 $1 dxe5 (21... Ne4 $2 {Ftacnik} 22. Nxe4 Qxe4 23. Bb6 $16)
22. Qxe5 Bd6 $4 (22... b5 23. Rxd8 (23. Ne2 $140 $2 Bb7 24. Nf4 Nd7 {[%cal
Rf8f4]}) 23... Rxd8 (23... Bxd8 24. a4 $5) 24. a3 $1 (24. Ne2 $2 Bb7 (24... Qe4
{Tyomkin,D}) 25. Nf4 g5 $1 $17 (25... Bd6 26. Qg5)) 24... Bd6 (24... Bb7 {
Ftacnik} 25. Rf2 $14) 25. Qg5 h6 26. Qg6 Bc5 $11) 23. Rxd6 $1 {Ftacnik: Neat
combination that combines several motives, among them the vulnerability of the
8th rank.} Rxd6 (23... Qxd6 24. Qxd6 Rxd6 25. Bc5 Rdd8 (25... Rfd8 {Tyomkin,D}
26. Bxd6 Rxd6 27. Ne4) 26. Bxf8 Rxf8 27. Ne4 $1 $16) 24. Ne4 Rd5 (24... Rd7 25.
Nxf6 (25. Rxf6 $4 {Tyomkin,D} Rd1+ 26. Kh2 gxf6 27. Nxf6 Qd6) (25. Bd4 {
Tyomkin,D} Qc7) 25... Rdf7 (25... gxf6 26. Rxf6 Rxf6 27. Qxf6+ Kg8 28. Bxe6+
$18) 26. Bc5 (26. Bg5 $2 {Tyomkin,D} Qb5) 26... gxf6 27. Rxf6 Qxc5+ (27... Rxf6
{Tyomkin,D} 28. Bxf8 $18 (28. Bxf8 Qb6+ 29. Bc5 Qd8 30. Bd4 $18)) 28. Qxc5 Rxf6
29. Qe5 $16 (29. Bc4 $16 {Ftacnik})) (24... Rdd8 {Tyomkin,D} 25. Nxf6 gxf6 26.
Rxf6 Kg8 27. Qg5+ {with mate}) 25. Bxd5 Qxd5 (25... exd5 26. Nd6 (26. Nxf6 {
Tyomkin,D} gxf6 (26... Rxf6 27. Rxf6 gxf6 28. Qe7 $18) 27. Qf4 {[%csl Rf6]
[%cal Re3d4]} (27. Qd4 $16 {Ftacnik}) 27... Qxc2 28. Qd6 Kg8 29. Bh6 $18) 26...
Kg8 27. Bg5 $18) 26. Bd4 Qxe5 (26... Bd7 $5 27. Nxf6 (27. Rf4 {Ftacnik} Bc6 28.
Qxd5 Bxd5 29. Nxf6 gxf6 30. Bxf6+ Kg8 31. b3 $16) 27... Qxe5 28. Bxe5 gxf6 29.
Bxf6+ Kg8 $16) 27. Bxe5 Bd7 {Ftacnik: Black hopes to save himself in an
endgame with active bishop.} (27... Nd7 {Tyomkin,D} 28. Rxf8+ Nxf8 29. Nd6 Bd7
(29... Ng6 30. Bxg7+ Kxg7 31. Nxc8 $18) 30. Nxb7 Bc6 31. Nc5 $18) 28. Bxf6 gxf6
29. Rxf6 $1 Rxf6 (29... Rc8 {Ftacnik} 30. Nd6 $18) 30. Nxf6 {Tyomkin: This is
not a big deal to win in this ending on this level.} Bc6 31. Kf2 Kg7 32. Ng4
Be4 33. c3 $16 (33. c4 {Ftacnik} h5 34. Ne5 Kf6) 33... h5 34. Ne5 (34. Ne3 {
Ftacnik} Kf6 35. g4 $16) 34... Kf6 35. Nd7+ Kf5 (35... Ke7 {Ftacnik} 36. Nc5
Bd5 37. b3 Kd6 38. Nd3 e5 39. g4 $16) 36. b4 Bc6 37. Nc5 Ke5 38. g3 Kd5 39. Ke3
Kc4 40. Ne4 (40. Kd2 {Ftacnik} Bg2 41. Nxe6 Bxh3 42. Nf4 Bg4 43. Ng2 $16) 40...
e5 {Ftacnik: Black can not afford to trade into the pawn endgame, but the
fight is not over. Pawn structure c3-b4 is quite exposed, Salov hopes to
exchange all pawns.} (40... Bxe4 $2 {Ftacnik} 41. Kxe4 Kxc3 42. g4 hxg4 43.
hxg4 $18) 41. g4 (41. h4 $5) (41. Nf6 $2 {Tyomkin,D} Kxc3 42. Nxh5 Kxb4 (42...
Bd5 43. a3) 43. Nf6 Kc5 44. h4 Kd6 {[%cal Gd6e6]}) 41... h4 (41... hxg4 42.
hxg4 Kd5 43. Nc5 $1 (43. g5 Ke6 44. g6 b5 $1 $14) 43... Kc4 44. Kd2 e4 45. g5
e3+ 46. Kxe3 Kxc3 47. a3 Kb2 48. g6 Kxa3 49. g7 Bd5 50. Kd4 Bg8 $1 (50... Bf7
51. Kc3 Bg8 52. Nxb7 Ka4 53. Nd6 $18) 51. Kc3 Bf7 52. Nxb7 Ka4 53. Nd6 Bg8 54.
Nf5 Kb5 55. Nh6 Bh7 (55... Ba2 56. Kd4 $18) 56. Kb3 $1 a5 (56... Kb6 57. Ng4 $1
Bg8+ 58. Ka4 $18) 57. bxa5 Kxa5 58. Kc4 Kb6 59. Kd5 Kc7 60. Ke6 Kd8 61. Kf7 Kd7
62. Ng4 Kd6 63. Nf6 Bd3 64. Kf8 Bc4 65. Ng4 $18) 42. g5 Bd7 43. g6 Bxh3 44. Ng5
Bg2 45. Nf3 Bh3 (45... Bxf3 {Ftacnik} 46. Kxf3 h3 47. g7 $18) 46. Kd2 Be6 (
46... e4 {Ftacnik} 47. Ng5 e3+ 48. Kxe3 Bg2 49. Nf3 Bh3 50. Kd2 $18) 47. Nxh4
Kb5 (47... e4 48. Ng2 (48. g7 $2 e3+ 49. Kxe3 Kxc3) 48... Kb5 49. a3 (49. Ne3
$18 {Tyomkin,D} Bxa2 $140 50. c4+) 49... Ka4 50. Nf4 Bg8 51. Ke3 $18) 48. Nf3
Bxa2 (48... e4 $2 {Ftacnik} 49. Nd4+ $18) 49. Nxe5 Be6 (49... a5 {Ftacnik} 50.
c4+ $18) 50. Kc2 a5 (50... b6 51. Kb2 Ka4 (51... a5 52. Ka3 $18) 52. Nc6 a5 53.
bxa5 bxa5 54. g7 Bc4 55. Ne7 Kb5 56. g8=Q Bxg8 57. Nxg8 Kc4 58. Nf6 $18) 51.
bxa5 Kxa5 52. g7 Kb5 (52... b5 53. Kd3 Ka4 54. Kd4 $18 (54. Nc6 {Ftacnik} Bf7
55. Ne7 b4 56. c4 b3)) 53. Kd3 (53. Ng6 {Ftacnik} Kc4 54. Ne7 b5) 53... Ka5 (
53... Kc5 54. Nd7+ $18) (53... Ka4 {Ftacnik} 54. Nd7 $1 Bf7 (54... Ka3 55. Nc5
Bg8 56. Nxb7 $18) 55. Nc5+ Kb5 56. Nxb7 $18) 54. Kd4 b6 (54... b5 {Ftacnik} 55.
Kc5 Ka4 56. Nc6 Bf7 57. Nd4 $18) 55. Nc6+ Ka4 56. Ne7 b5 57. g8=Q (57. g8=Q {
Tyomkin,D} Bxg8 58. Nxg8 b4 59. c4 b3 60. Nf6 (60. Ne7 $144) 60... b2 61. Ne4 (
61. Nd5 $144) 61... b1=N 62. Nc3+ Nxc3 63. Kxc3 Ka5 64. Kd4 Kb6 65. Kd5 Kc7 66.
Kc5 $18) 1-0

[Event "London Classic 7th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2015.12.07"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2015.12.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 h6 8. Bh4
Qb6 9. a3 (9. Qd2 {is the other main line.}) 9... Be7 10. Bf2 {Important,
otherwise ...Nxe4!} Qc7 ({Of course} 10... Qxb2 $4 {does not work, because of}
11. Na4 $18 {and the queen is trapped.}) 11. Qf3 b5 12. g4 Nc6 (12... Nbd7 {
is the alternative continuation.}) 13. O-O-O $146 {A logical novelty by
Grischuk.} (13. Nxc6 Qxc6 14. O-O-O Bb7 15. Bd3 Nd7 16. h4 Nc5 (16... Bf6 $5)
17. g5 Nxd3+ 18. Qxd3 Qc4 19. Qf3 Rc8 $13 {Sherwood-Klimakovs, Lechenicher
SchachServer 2011, with an unclear middlegame.}) 13... Bb7 14. h4 d5 $1 {
The right reply! As the principle says, if your opponent attacks on the
kingside, you should search forcounterplay in the centre!} 15. e5 ({In the
event of} 15. exd5 Nxd4 $1 16. Bxd4 Nxd5 17. Bxg7 Nxc3 $1 18. Qxc3 Qxc3 (18...
Qxf4+ $5 19. Kb1 Bxh1 (19... Rc8 {could have been met by} 20. Bxb5+ $1 axb5 21.
Qd3 $1 Qc7 22. Bxh8 Bxh1 23. Rxh1 $14 {and White is a simple P up.}) 20. Bxh8
Bb7 $132 {with a double-edged fight.}) 19. Bxc3 Bxh1 20. Bxh8 Bf3 21. Rd2 Bxg4
22. Bg2 Rd8 $11 {and Black equalised without any problem.}) 15... Ne4 16. Nxe4
dxe4 17. Qc3 Rc8 18. Rh3 {The rook is very useful on the 3rd rank.} b4 19. axb4
Nxb4 ({If} 19... Bxb4 20. Qc4 O-O 21. Nxc6 Qxc6 22. Qxc6 Bxc6 23. Be1 {looks
more comfortable with White.}) 20. Qxc7 Rxc7 21. f5 O-O 22. Be1 Bd5 23. g5 $5 {
The most ambitious continuation.} Rfc8 ({The greedy} 23... hxg5 $2 {could have
been met by} 24. f6 $1 gxf6 25. exf6 $36 {with unpleasant pressure on the
kingside.}) ({The engine suggests} 23... Nd3+ $5 24. Bxd3 exd3 25. Rdxd3 hxg5
26. Ba5 Rb7 27. hxg5 exf5 (27... Bxg5+ $2 28. Bd2 $1) 28. Nxf5 Bxg5+ 29. Bd2
Be6 $1 30. Rhf3 Bxd2+ 31. Rxd2 Bxf5 32. Rxf5 $11 {with an equal rook endgame.})
24. Bxb4 Bxb4 25. f6 (25. fxe6 $5 {was also possible.}) 25... Kh7 (25... a5 $5
{is also an alternative.}) 26. c3 gxf6 27. gxf6 Rg8 28. Bxa6 Bc5 $44 {White is
a pawn up, but Black is active, his rook controls the g-file and his bishops
are also strong, so he has enough compensation for the pawn.} 29. Nb5 Rc6 30.
Bb7 Rb6 31. Bxd5 exd5 32. Nd4 Bxd4 33. cxd4 Rg2 {After some exchanges a rook
endgame endgame has been established. White has to give back the pawn.} 34. Rd2
Rxd2 35. Kxd2 Kg6 (35... Rxb2+ $11 {was also fine.}) 36. b3 Kf5 37. Rg3 Kf4 38.
Rg1 (38. Rg7 $2 {is too dangerous, because of} Kf3 $1 {and suddenly Black's
king is very active.}) 38... e3+ 39. Kd3 Rxb3+ 40. Kc2 Rb6 41. Kd3 Rb3+ 42. Kc2
Rb6 43. Kd3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Excelsior Cup"]
[Site "Gothenburg"]
[Date "1998.01.07"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Hartman, Christer"]
[Black "Svensson, Bengt"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2345"]
[BlackElo "2390"]
[Annotator "Tyomkin,D"]
[PlyCount "137"]
[EventDate "1998.01.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SWE"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 063"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.03.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.03.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Hecht} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4
Nbd7 8. Qf3 Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. Bd3 Bb7 11. Rhe1 O-O-O 12. a3 Be7 13. Qe2 (13.
Bh4 $5 {N} Kb8 14. Bf2 Nc5 15. Kb1 d5 16. e5 Nfe4 17. Bxe4 (17. Nce2 $5) 17...
Nxe4 (17... dxe4 18. Qe3 {/\ Rc1, b4!}) 18. Nxe4 dxe4 19. Qe3 Bd5 20. Ne2 b4 $1
21. axb4 Bxb4 22. c3 Be7 23. Qb6+ Qb7 24. Ng3 h5 25. Kc1 e3 26. Bxe3 h4 27. Ne2
Bxg2 28. Rxd8+ Rxd8 29. Qxb7+ Kxb7 30. Rd1 Rxd1+ 31. Kxd1 {=/+ Becerra Rivero,
J-van Wely,L/Matanzas 1994}) (13. Qg3 {Tyomkin,D} Nc5 14. Nf3 h6 15. Bxf6 Bxf6
16. e5 dxe5 17. fxe5 Be7 18. Bf1 g5 $15 {Krakops,M-Gurevich,V/Berliner Sommer
1993/1/2-1/2(34)}) (13. Qf1 Qb6 $146 {Kruppa,Y; Shneider,A} (13... h6 14. Bh4
g5 15. fxg5 hxg5 16. Bxg5 Rxh2 17. Bf4 Rh5 18. Bxb5 {Petrushin,A-Vitolinsh,A/
Daugavpils URS sf 1978/1-0(39)}) 14. Nf3 Rhe8 {/\ Ng4} (14... Nc5 $2 15. e5 $16
) 15. h3 Nc5 16. f5 exf5 $1 (16... e5 17. g4 {/\ Bd2, g5}) 17. exf5 d5 $10 {
Georgadze,T-Shneider,A/Lvov 1986/1-0(44)}) 13... Nc5 $2 $146 (13... h6 {Gelfand
} 14. Bh4 Nc5 15. Bf2 (15. Bxb5 $2 Nfxe4 16. Nxe4 Bxh4 $19) 15... d5 {Adams,
M-Gelfand,B/Wijk cm1 1994/1/2-1/2(45)} (15... Kb8 $5 $14) (15... Nxd3+ $142 16.
Rxd3 Kb8)) 14. Bxb5 $1 axb5 15. Ndxb5 Qb6 16. e5 $16 dxe5 17. fxe5 Nd5 (17...
Rxd1+ 18. Rxd1 Nd5 19. Bxe7 Nxe7 20. b4 $16) 18. Bxe7 Nxe7 19. b4 Kb8 (19...
Rxd1+ 20. Rxd1 Nd7 21. Na4 $18 Qa6 $140 22. Rxd7) (19... Nd7 20. Nd6+ Kb8 21.
Nxf7 $18) 20. bxc5 (20. Rd6 $5 Rxd6 (20... Bc6 21. bxc5 Qxc5 22. Na4 Qxb5 23.
Qxb5+ Bxb5 24. Rb6+ Kc7 25. Rxb5) 21. exd6 Nf5 22. bxc5 Qxc5 23. d7 {[%cal
Gc3a4]} Bc6 (23... Rd8 24. Na4 Qd5 25. c4 $18) 24. Qd2 Rd8 25. Qf4+ $18) 20...
Qxc5 21. Rxd8+ (21. Rd6 $1) 21... Rxd8 22. Qe3 Rc8 23. Kb2 Nf5 24. Qxc5 Rxc5
25. g3 h5 26. a4 {The game transfered to the ending where white is pawn up,and
good chances to win.} Bc6 27. Kb3 {[%cal Rb3b4]} Bxb5 28. Nxb5 {[#] Hecht: 
Taktisches Endspiel in dem nach Bauernreduzierung die schwarzen Figuren
eingekreist sind.} Rd5 29. Kc3 $6 (29. c4 $142 Rd2 30. a5 (30. c5 Kb7 $1 (30...
Rxh2 31. c6)) 30... Kb7 31. Kb4) 29... Rc5+ 30. Kb2 Rd5 31. Re2 Rd1 32. c4 Kb7
33. Kc2 Ra1 34. Kb3 Rb1+ 35. Kc3 Kb6 36. Nd6 Kc5 37. Ne4+ Kc6 38. Rb2 Re1 (
38... Rxb2 39. Kxb2 Ne3 {[%cal Ge3g4]} 40. Nd6 (40. Nd2 Ng4 41. Nf3 Kc5 42. Kc3
Ne3 43. Nd2 Ng4) 40... f6 41. Kb3 fxe5 42. Nf7 $16) 39. Ng5 Re3+ 40. Kb4 Nh6
41. Rf2 Ng4 42. Rxf7 Nxe5 43. Rxg7 Nd3+ 44. Kc3 Nc5+ 45. Kd4 Re2 46. Rg6 Rd2+
47. Ke3 Rxh2 48. Nxe6 $18 Nxa4 ({after} 48... Nxe6 {the rook's ending is
easily winning for white.}) 49. Rh6 Kd7 50. Nf4 Rc2 51. Nd3 (51. Kd4 Rd2+ 52.
Ke5 Rc2) 51... Rg2 52. Kf3 Rh2 53. Ra6 (53. c5 $18 {[%cal Gd3e5]}) 53... Nc3
54. Nf2 $2 (54. c5 $18) 54... Kc7 55. Ra3 Nb1 56. Rd3 {[%csl Rb1,Rh2] [#]
Hecht:  beide schwarzen Figuren stehen patt; doch kann keine abgeholt werden.}
Kc6 57. Ne4 (57. Ke2 {Hecht} Kc5 58. Kf1 (58. Rb3 Nd2) 58... Kxc4 59. Rd1 Nc3
60. Rd8 h4 61. g4 h3 62. Rh8 Kd4 $11) 57... h4 (57... Rc2 {Hecht} 58. c5 {
[%csl Rb1,Rh5]}) 58. Rd6+ Kc7 59. g4 Rc2 60. g5 Nc3 (60... Rxc4 61. Rd1 $1 $18
(61. g6 Nc3 $1 $11 62. Re6 (62. g7 Nxe4 63. Rg6 (63. g8=Q Nxd6 $11) 63... Nf6
$1 64. Rxf6 Rc3+ 65. Kf4 Rg3 66. Rf7+ Kd6 $11) 62... Nxe4 63. Rxe4 {[%cal
Ge4g4]} Rc3+ 64. Kf4 Kd6 $11 (64... Rg3 65. Kf5 h3 66. Kf6 $18))) 61. Rd2 Rc1
62. g6 Nxe4 63. Kxe4 h3 (63... Rxc4+ 64. Kf5 Rc3 65. g7 Rg3 66. Kf6 $18) 64.
Kf5 Rf1+ 65. Ke6 Rg1 66. Kf7 Rg2 67. Rd3 h2 68. Rh3 Rf2+ 69. Kg8 1-0

[Event "EST-ch int"]
[Site "Puhajarve"]
[Date "2001.08.15"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Zjukin, Sergei"]
[Black "Kulaots, Kaido"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2415"]
[BlackElo "2529"]
[Annotator "Tyomkin,D"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2001.08.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "EST"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 085"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qc7 8. Qf3
b5 9. Bxf6 (9. f5 {is another good way for white in this line;}) 9... gxf6 10.
e5 {Other moves are worse according theory;} d5 11. exf6 Nd7 {11...b4 is very
complicative and it has to be checked properly especially if you decide to
play this line;} (11... b4 {Berelovich,A; Vaisman,A} 12. Nxd5 $5 exd5 13. O-O-O
Nd7 $146 (13... Bb7) 14. Bb5 $5 (14. Qxd5 Bb7 15. Ne6 fxe6 16. Qxe6+ Kd8 17.
Be2 Bc6) 14... axb5 15. Rhe1+ Kd8 16. Qxd5 Ra6 17. Qxf7 Qxf4+ 18. Kb1 {1/2-1/2
Berelovich,A-Istratescu,A/Romania 74/287 1998/Inf 74/[Berelovich,A; Vaisman,A]
(27)}) 12. O-O-O {Black gets good play after following move of white:} (12. Bd3
Nxf6 13. a4 b4 14. Nce2 Bb7 15. O-O h5 16. c3 bxc3 17. bxc3 Bc5 18. Kh1 Ne4 {
1-0 Ernst,T-Sadler,M/Gausdal 1994/EXT 98 (47)}) 12... Nxf6 13. f5 e5 14. Nxd5
Nxd5 15. Qxd5 Bb7 16. Bxb5+ (16. Nxb5 $6 Bh6+ 17. Kb1 axb5 18. Bxb5+ Kf8 19.
Qd6+ (19. Qd7 Qxd7 20. Rxd7 Bxg2 $17) 19... Qxd6 20. Rxd6 Kg7 $15) 16... axb5
17. Nxb5 $1 $146 {[%mdl 72] After 17.Qxb5 white's compensation is suspicious.
What interesting is that Berelovich, annotator of the game below, doesn't even
mention 17.Nxb5 in his comments! Probably he just tried to keep 17.Nxb5-
improvement for another game in this variation;} (17. Qxb5+ {Berelovich} Ke7
18. f6+ Kxf6 19. Rhf1+ Kg6 20. Kb1 $1 $13 (20. Nf3 Ra5 21. Nxe5+ Qxe5 22. Qxb7
f6 $17) (20. Nf5 Be4 $1 21. Nh4+ Kg7 22. Nf5+ (22. Rxf7+ $2 Qxf7 23. Rd7 Be7
24. Qxe5+ Kg8 $19) 22... Kg8 23. Qe2 Bxf5 24. Rxf5 Bg7 $10) (20. Qd3+ $2 {
0-1 Berelovich,A-Muhutdinov,M/Moscow 1992/CBM 33/[Berelovich] (31)})) 17... Qe7
18. Nd6+ Qxd6 19. Qxb7 Bh6+ {Interesting ending arises in the following line:}
(19... Rb8 20. Rxd6 Rxb7 21. Rd5 $14 {[%cal Gh1e1,Ye1e4] This is very hard to
give exact evaluation here, but it looks like white has some winning chances
here- black bishop si quite passive piece and also white can advance his pawns
over the queenside without any difficulties;}) 20. Kb1 Qa6 21. Qd7+ $6 {
That is the only moment in the game where white's play can be improved. The
ending is semilar to the ending in the line with 19...Rb8;} (21. Qxa6 Rxa6 22.
Rhe1 f6 23. Re4 $1 $14 {[%cal Ye4a4,Ye4h4] The rook e4 controls important 4th
rank and it looks like white has winning chances here; Bishop h6 shoots to
nowhere...}) 21... Kf8 22. a3 Kg7 23. Rd6 Qe2 {Black is exactly in time to
create some play over the queenside;} 24. Qe7 (24. f6+ Kg6 {White doesn't have
enough forces to continue the attack on black king here:} 25. h4 (25. g4 {
[%cal Gd7f5]} Qe4) (25. Rd3 {[%cal Gd3g3]} Bf4 $1) 25... Rhd8 $1 26. h5+ Kg5 {
and suddenly, black king is safe on g5;}) 24... Rhc8 25. Qf6+ Kg8 26. Qxh6 {
White doesn't have any good defense of c2:} (26. c3 Rab8 $19) (26. Rc6 Qxg2 $19
{[%csl Rc6,Rh1]}) 26... Qxc2+ 27. Ka1 {[%tqu "En","How to get a draw with
black here?","","","a8a3","",10]} Rxa3+ $1 {[%mdl 64]} 28. bxa3 Qc3+ 29. Ka2
Qc2+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "HUN-ch"]
[Site "Budapest"]
[Date "1997.10.23"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Almasi, Zoltan"]
[Black "Leko, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2615"]
[BlackElo "2635"]
[Annotator "Tyomkin,D"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "1997.10.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "HUN"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 062"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nc6 8. Nxc6
bxc6 9. e5 h6 10. Bh4 (10. exf6 hxg5 11. fxg5 gxf6 12. Qf3 d5 13. O-O-O fxg5
14. Bc4 g4 $1 $17 {Hector-Oll, Debrecen,1989}) 10... g5 11. fxg5 Nd5 12. Ne4 (
12. Nxd5 cxd5 (12... exd5 13. Qe2 hxg5 14. Bg3 Qa5+ 15. Qd2 Qxd2+ 16. Kxd2 Be6
$1 $10 {Yermolinsky-Browne, USA(ch) 1992}) 13. Qg4 $5 {Sandler} (13. Qh5 Qb6 $1
14. Be2 Bg7 15. Rf1 (15. g6 O-O 16. Bf6 Ra7 $1 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. gxf7 Raxf7 19.
Qg4+ $1 Kh8 20. O-O-O Qe3+ 21. Kb1 dxe5 22. Rhe1 Rg7 $15 {Mackic,-Maksimenko,
Jugo. 1994}) 15... Ra7 16. Bf2 d4 17. O-O-O dxe5 $15 {Shakarov-Odeev, corr.
1989}) 13... dxe5 $6 (13... Be7) 14. g6 f5 15. Bxd8 $1 (15. g7 fxg4 16. gxh8=Q
Qxh4+ $146) 15... fxg4 16. Bf6 Rg8 17. Bxe5 Bg7 18. Bxg7 Rxg7 19. Bd3 $16 {
Panajotov-Sandler, Albena 1989}) (12. exd6 hxg5 13. Bf2 Bxd6 14. Qd4 f6 15.
O-O-O Bf4+ 16. Kb1 Be5 17. Qd3 Nxc3+ 18. bxc3 Rb8+ $17 {Meyers-Savchenko, Bern,
1993}) 12... Qb6 (12... dxe5 {Gelfand} 13. Nf6+ Nxf6 14. Qxd8+ Kxd8 15. gxf6
$16) 13. Bd3 (13. c4 dxe5 14. cxd5 Qb4+ 15. Nc3 Qxh4+ 16. g3 Qxg5 17. dxc6 Bc5
18. Qf3 f5 19. Be2 h5 $15 {Bauer-Stangl, BRD 1990}) (13. c3 {Gelfand} dxe5 14.
Bg3 (14. g6 $5 fxg6 15. Qg4 $13) 14... hxg5 (14... Bg7 15. Nd6+ Ke7 16. Nc4 Qc7
17. Qg4 $40) (14... Nf4 15. Qf3 Qxb2 16. Rd1 $146) 15. Bxe5 Rh4 $5 16. Bd3 $1 (
16. Qf3 f5 $1 17. Nf6+ Kf7 $13) 16... f5 17. Nd2 (17. Nd6+ Bxd6 18. Bxd6 Qxb2
19. O-O Qxc3 $1 $15) 17... Bc5 18. Qe2 Qxb2 19. Rb1 Qxa2 20. g3 {Oll-Gelfand,
Debrecen 1989} Rh6 $1 21. c4 Nb4 22. Rb2 (22. Bxf5 $2 exf5 23. Bd6+ Re6 $19)
22... Nxd3+ 23. Qxd3 Qa5 $17) 13... hxg5 14. Bxg5 (14. Bf2 $1 Qxb2 15. O-O Qxe5
16. Bg3 $1 Qd4+ 17. Kh1 Ne3 18. Qf3 Nxf1 19. Rxf1 f5 20. c3 $1 Qb6 (20... g4 $6
21. Qe2 Qg7 22. Rxf5 $3 $16 {Vitolinsh-Shabalov, USSR 1990}) 21. Nxd6+ Bxd6 22.
Bxd6 $146 {Vitolinsh-Drilinsh, USSR 1990}) 14... dxe5 (14... Qxb2 {Tyomkin,D}
15. c4 $5 (15. Nf6+ Nxf6 16. Bxf6 Qc3+ 17. Ke2 Rg8 18. Rb1 Bh6 $2 (18... Rxg2+
$142) 19. g3 $16 {Solomon Stephen J-Leskiewicz Maksymilian/Ch Queensland,
Brisbane (Australia) 1995/1-0(31)}) 15... Qxe5 16. cxd5 Bg7 (16... cxd5 $2 17.
Bf6 Rxh2 18. Bxe5 Rxh1+ 19. Bf1 $18) 17. O-O $2 Qxh2+ 18. Kf2 f5 (18... Bxa1 $2
19. Qxa1 $18 {[%cal Re4d6]}) 19. Qa4 O-O 20. Nf6+ (20. Ng3 f4 $1) 20... Bxf6
21. Bxf6 Rxf6 22. Rh1 Qe5 23. Rae1 Qb2+ (23... Qxd5 $5 24. Qh4 Kf7 $1 $13) 24.
Re2 Qb6+ 25. Kf1 f4 26. dxe6 d5 $2 (26... Bxe6 $17) 27. Qa3 $18 c5 28. Qc3 d4
29. e7 Be6 30. Qc2 Bf7 (30... Re8 31. Rxe6 $18) 31. Bc4 $18 {Nataf-Hamdouchi/
Nice,1996/1-0(37)}) (14... Rxh2 $2 {Tyomkin,D} 15. Rxh2 Qg1+ 16. Bf1 Qxh2 {
[%tqu "En","","","","d1d5","",10]} 17. Qxd5 $1 exd5 18. Nf6+ Ke7 19. Ng4+ Ke6
20. Nxh2 $18 {Castaneda,N-Browne,W/World Open, Philadelphia USA 1997/1-0(26)})
15. Nf6+ Nxf6 16. Bxf6 Rh6 $1 $146 (16... Rg8 $2 {Tyomkin,D} 17. Qf3 {[%cal
Rd3h7]} Bg7 (17... Bb7 18. Be4 $1 Bg7 19. Bxg7 Rxg7 20. O-O-O $16) 18. Bh7 Rh8
19. Bxg7 Rxh7 20. Bxe5 $18 Qa5+ 21. Bc3 Qd5 22. Qg4 Rh5 23. Qg8+ Ke7 24. O-O
Rf5 25. Rxf5 Qxf5 26. Rf1 {Stillger Bernhard-Hedman Erik/It (a) (cat.3),
Budapest (Hungary) 1995/1-0(29)}) 17. Bxe5 $6 (17. Qf3 $1 $146 Bb7 (17... Bb4+
$6 18. c3 Bd6 19. O-O-O Rb8 20. Rd2 Bb7 21. Be4 $16) (17... Bd6 18. Rd1 Bb7 19.
Be4 $13) 18. O-O-O (18. Bxe5 Qa5+ 19. Bc3 Bb4 $13) 18... e4 (18... c5 19. Qf2
e4 20. Bc4 $36 {for instance:} Qb4 21. Bg5 Rg6 22. Rhf1 f5 23. Bxe6 $1 $18) 19.
Bxe4 Rxf6 20. Qxf6 Qe3+ 21. Kb1 Qxe4 22. Rhf1 $16) 17... Qa5+ 18. Bc3 Bb4 19.
Bxb4 Qxb4+ 20. Qd2 Rb8 21. Qxb4 (21. b3 $142 $16 {Almasi}) 21... Rxb4 $44 {_|_}
22. O-O-O c5 23. h3 Bb7 24. Rd2 $6 Rg4 $1 25. Bf1 $6 (25. Rh2 $142) 25... Ke7 {
This ending is not worse for black:pieces are active,pawns e and f will be
moved soon.Perhapse white should think about a draw already.Idential ending
arising in Rauser Variation in better version for white(see for example the
game Short-Anand,Dos Hermanas,1997),and there black has also good compensation.
} (25... Ke7 26. Kd1 {[%cal Gd1e1,Ge1f2]} (26. Rf2 {[%cal Gh1h2,Yf1e2]} Rg3 27.
Rh2 Rf6 (27... Rh4 28. Be2 f5 29. Bf3 Bxf3 30. Rxf3 Rxf3 31. gxf3 Kf6 $11) (
27... f5) 28. Rxf6 Kxf6 29. h4 Kg6 30. Kd2 f5) 26... f5 27. Ke1 {[%cal Gh3g4]}
Rg5 $1 (27... Rg3 $6 28. Kf2 f4 29. Rd3 Rxd3 30. Bxd3 e5 31. Re1) 28. Kf2 f4
$36 {[%cal Ge6e5,Ge5e4]}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-ch 3rd"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2002.06.16"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Kotronias, Vasilios"]
[Black "Jobava, Baadur"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2580"]
[BlackElo "2566"]
[Annotator "Tyomkin,D"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2002.06.12"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 090"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qf3
Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. Bd3 Bb7 11. Rhe1 O-O-O 12. f5 e5 13. Nb3 Be7 14. a4 $146 {
[%mdl 4] This is completely new idea in this position; Among other moves (14.
Kb1 and 14.Bxf6), 14.Kb1 causes black more troubles (V.Kotronias is the expert
of this line with white), but usually black gets some counterplay over the
queenside mainly bases on play over the semi-open c-file; 14.a4 allows 14...
Nxe4 blow which doesn't exist in above mentioned lines- 14.Kb1 Nxe4? leads to
the loss of black as it's proved below;} (14. Kb1 Nc5 (14... Kb8 15. a4 b4 16.
Bxf6 Bxf6 (16... Nxf6 $142) 17. Nd5 Bxd5 18. exd5 a5 19. Re4 Nc5 20. Rc4 Qb6
21. Nxc5 $14 {1/2-1/2 Kotronias,V-Wolff,P/Buenos Aires 1997/CBM 60 (61)}) (
14... Nxe4 $2 15. Bxe4 Bxg5 16. Bxb7+ Qxb7 17. Ne4 Be7 18. Rxd6 $18 {[%cal
Gb3a5]}) 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Bf1 Na4 17. Nd5 Bxd5 18. Rxd5 Kd7 19. c4 bxc4 (19...
Nb6 20. Rd2 bxc4 21. Rc2 $16 {[%cal Gb3d2]}) 20. Rc1 Nb6 21. Bxc4 Nxc4 22. Qd3
Rc8 23. Rc5 Na3+ 24. bxa3 Qb7 25. Ka1 $14 {1/2-1/2 Kotronias,V-Dominguez,L/
Linares ESP 2002/The Week in Chess 383 (57)}) (14. Bxf6 Nxf6 15. Nd5 Nxd5 16.
exd5 Kb8 17. Kb1 (17. Bf1 Rc8 18. Qf2 Bd8 19. Re4 Qb6 ({Amazing idea has been
shown by Fritz 7:} 19... Bxd5 $5 20. Rxd5 Qc6 {and there is no piece to
protect Rd5!!} 21. Qd2 $140 Bg5 {[%csl Rc2]}) 20. Qd2 a5 21. Kb1 g6 $15 {
1/2-1/2 Grabarczyk,B-Kuczynski,R/Glogow POL 2001/The Week in Chess 364 (67)}) (
17. g3 Qb6 18. Kb1 Rc8 19. Bf1 Rc7 20. Re4 Rhc8 21. c3 a5 $132 {1/2-1/2
Jakubiec,A-Kuczynski,R/Polanica Zdroj POL 1999 (72)}) 17... Rc8 18. c3 (18. Be4
Qb6 19. g3 h6 20. a3 Ka7 21. h4 Rc7 22. Re3 Rhc8 23. Qe2 Bd8 24. Qe1 Rc4 25.
Qe2 R4c7 $11 {0-1 Stripunsky,A-Lutz,C/Passau 1997/EXT 99 (48)}) 18... Bf6 (
18... Qb6 19. Bf1 Ka7 (19... Bg5 20. Re4 g6 21. f6 Qd8 22. a4 $1 Qxf6 23. Qe2
Rc4 24. axb5 axb5 25. Rxc4 bxc4 26. Qxc4 Qf4 27. Qb5 $40 {1-0 Timoshenko,G-Van
den Doel,E/Cappelle la Grande 1998/CBM 63 ext (38)}) 20. Re4 a5 21. Qd3 a4 22.
Nd2 (22. Nd4 $1 exd4 23. Rxe7 dxc3 24. bxc3 $16 {[%csl Rf7][%cal Gd3b5]}) 22...
Rc5 23. c4 Kb8 24. Qg3 Bf6 25. cxb5 Rxd5 26. Rxa4 e4 $1 $17 {[%csl Rb1][%cal
Gd5b5] 0-1 Grabarczyk,B-Kuczynski,R/Plock 2000/CBM 78 (41)}) 19. a3 Qb6 20. Bf1
Ka7 21. Re4 a5 22. Qd3 Ba6 23. a4 Rb8 24. Qe3 Qxe3 $11 {1/2-1/2 Baklan,
V-Kuczynski,R/Ohrid 2001/CBM 84 (59)}) 14... b4 $6 {14.a4 move has found ti's
proof in this game, while 14...Nxe4 may work for black:} (14... Nxe4 $5 15.
Bxe4 (15. Bxe7 Nxc3 16. Bxd8 Rxd8 $17) 15... Bxg5+ 16. Kb1 {[%csl Rd5]} bxa4
17. Nxa4 {diverting the knight from d5;} Nf6 18. Bxb7+ Qxb7 19. Qc3+ Qc7 $8 (
19... Kb8 20. Na5 {[%cal Ga5c6]}) 20. Qd3 Kb7 {blacki king remains open, but
on the other hand white doesn't have any direct attack, so this line can be
considered as playable for black;}) (14... bxa4 $6 15. Nxa4 d5 16. exd5 Nxd5
17. Bxe7 Nxe7 18. Be4 $16) 15. Bxf6 Nxf6 16. Nd5 Nxd5 17. exd5 a5 18. Re4 {
[%csl Gc4] comparing this position with semilar in 14.Kb1 and 14.Bxf6 lines,
there is one big difference here- white has reached c4 square for the rook;} (
18. Qe2 {[%cal Gd3a6]} Kb8 19. Ba6 Ba8 20. Qb5+ Ka7 {[%cal Gd8b8] and white
can't grab a5-pawn;}) 18... Kb8 (18... Bxd5 $4 19. Ba6+ Bb7 20. Bxb7+ Qxb7 21.
Nxa5 $18) 19. Rc4 (19. Bb5 {[%cal Ge4c4,Gb5c6]} Rc8 20. Rc4 Qb6 21. Bc6 Rc7 {
[%cal Gh8c8] and black is getting rid of pressure over c-file;}) 19... Qb6 20.
Be4 h5 (20... Rc8 $142 {would be very natural move, but black leads another
interesting plan which doesn't hurt black position;}) 21. Kb1 h4 22. Ka2 Bg5
23. c3 {That's the only way for white to play for the win and it fins it's
tactical proof in the 23...Rc8 line;} Be3 $2 (23... Rc8 $142 $1 24. Rc6 $1 {
in other lines black is just great; But Kotronias was forced to see this blow
and I an quite sure he had seen it;} Bxc6 25. dxc6 bxc3 26. Qxc3 Kc7 $1 {
[%cal Yc8a8,Yc7d6]} 27. Nxa5 Ra8 28. Rd5 $16 {[%cal Gd5b5]}) 24. cxb4 axb4 25.
Re1 (25. Bd3 {[%cal Ga4a5,Yc4b4] would create black troubles around b4-pawn-
a4-a5 is immediate threat; But inclusion of Re1 Bf4 moves (game line) doesn't
change much;}) 25... Bf4 26. Bd3 $16 Ka8 $2 {Now the game can not be saved;} (
26... Qa7 27. Rxb4 $16) 27. a5 Qa7 28. Rc7 $1 $18 {[%csl Rf7][%cal Ga5a6]
That's the main lack of Ka8 move- white got to the 7th;} Qb8 29. Rxf7 Qc8 30.
Bb5 (30. Rxg7 {white could collect up some more pawns, but 30.Bb5 is even
stronger!}) 30... Rhf8 31. Rxg7 Rxf5 32. a6 $1 e4 (32... Bxa6 33. Bc6+ (33. Qf2
{-same;}) 33... Kb8 34. Qf2 $18 {[%cal Gf2a7]}) 33. axb7+ Qxb7 34. Rxb7 exf3
35. Bc6 {My Fritz shows mate in 7 ;-)} 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament Gp1"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2002.07.09"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Lutz, Christopher"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2650"]
[BlackElo "2710"]
[Annotator "Tyomkin,D"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2002.07.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 090"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.09.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qf3
Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. Bxb5 axb5 11. Ndxb5 Qb8 12. e5 Ra5 {Tyomkin,D: '12...Bb7
is another principle move, and probably black can reach the balance this way:'}
(12... Bb7 {(Tyomkin,D) Ernst} 13. Qe2 dxe5 14. Qc4 Be7 15. Nc7+ Kf8 16. Rxd7
Nxd7 17. Bxe7+ $5 {Eine sehr interessante Neuerung in dieser
Wild-West-Variante!} (17. Rd1 {(Tyomkin,D) Ernst} Bxg5 18. fxg5 Bc8 19. N3b5 g6
$13 {Kengis - Dvojris, URS 1982.}) 17... Kxe7 18. Rd1 Bd5 19. N3xd5+ exd5 20.
Nxd5+ Kd8 (20... Kf8 {(Tyomkin,D) Ernst} 21. Nc7 $36) 21. Nb4 Qc7 22. Qxf7 Ra5
23. Nd5 Rxd5 24. Rxd5 Re8 25. Qxg7 exf4 26. Qf6+ Kc8 27. Qa6+ Kd8 28. Qf6+ Kc8
29. Qg7 Kd8 30. Qxh7 {1/2-1/2 Van der Wiel,J-Renet,O/Cannes 1992/CBM 28/[Ernst]
(30)}) 13. exf6 gxf6 14. Bh6 Bxh6 15. Nxd6+ Ke7 16. Kb1 Rd8 {Tyomkin,D: '16...
Nb6 is interesting too, but 16...Rd8 looks much more logical;'} (16... Nb6 {
Tyomkin,D} 17. Nce4 $5 (17. Qe4 {Tyomkin,D} Rd8 18. Qb4 (18. Ndb5 $6 {Tyomkin,D
} Rxb5 (18... Qxf4 $5 {Tyomkin,D} 19. Qc6 Nd7 20. Rxd7+ Rxd7 21. Qc5+ Qd6 $1)
19. Nxb5 Nd5 (19... Qxf4 {Tyomkin,D} 20. Qc6 Nd5 21. Qc5+ Ke8 22. Rxd5 $1 $18)
20. c4 Ba6 21. cxd5 Qxb5 22. Rhe1 Bb7 23. Qxh7 Bxd5 24. Qxh6 Rb8 25. Rd2 Bxa2+
$1 $19 {0-1 Balashov,Y-Polugaevsky,L/Manila 1976/IZT (33)}) 18... Rxd6 19. Rxd6
Qxd6 20. Qxa5 Bxf4 21. Rd1 Nc4 22. Qa7+ Qc7 23. Qxc7+ Bxc7 24. Rd4 Ne3 25. Re4
Nxg2 (25... Bb6 $5 {Tyomkin,D}) 26. Nd5+ Kd8 27. Nxf6 Bxh2 28. Rd4+ Ke7 29.
Ng8+ Ke8 30. Nf6+ {1/2-1/2 Dimitrov,V-Genov,P/BUL 1995/EXT 97 (30)}) 17... Na4
$2 (17... Nd5 $142 {Tyomkin,D} 18. c4 $36 {[%cal Gc4c5,Gf4f5]}) 18. Nxc8+ Rxc8
19. Qa3+ Nc5 20. Qxa5 Nxe4 21. Qa3+ Nc5 22. g3 $16 {1-0 Psakhis,L-Anikaev,Y/
Frunze 1979/MCL (35)}) 17. Rhe1 {Tyomkin,D: 'That's the best move for white
here;'} ({Black is completely safe in the following line:} 17. Nce4 {Tyomkin,D}
Bg7 $5 (17... Bb7 {Tyomkin,D} 18. Qc3 Ra4 19. Nxb7 Qxb7 20. Rxd7+ Rxd7 21.
Qxf6+ Ke8 22. Qh8+ Bf8 23. Nf6+ Ke7 24. Ng8+ (24. Nxd7 {Tyomkin,D} Qxd7 $15 {
0-1 Pokojowczyk,J-Staniszewski,P/POL-ch 1986/MCL (30)}) 24... Kd8 25. Nf6 $11)
(17... Qa8 $5 {Tyomkin,D} 18. Qb3 Bxf4 (18... Nc5 $4 {Tyomkin,D} 19. Qb6 $18 {
[%cal Rd6f5,Re4c5] 1-0 Vasiesiu,D-Tugui,A/Tusnad 1997/EXT 99 (28)}) 19. Nxc8+
Rxc8 20. Qb4+ Nc5 21. Nxc5 Raxc5 22. Qxf4 Rxc2 $11) 18. Qc3 Ra6 19. f5 Kf8 20.
Rhf1 (20. Nxc8 {Tyomkin,D} Rxc8 21. Qd3 Qa8 $1 22. Qxd7 $140 Rxa2 23. Qxc8+
Qxc8 24. Kxa2 Qc4+ $19) 20... Ne5 $17 {0-1 Kengis,E-Dvoirys,S/Vilnius 1984/MCD
(40)}) ({The way of computer played in this position doesn't give white
anything too:} 17. Qe4 {Tyomkin,D} f5 18. Qd4 Rg8 (18... Ba6 {Tyomkin,D} 19.
Rhe1 $36) 19. Nxc8+ Qxc8 20. Qb4+ Qc5 21. Rxd7+ Kxd7 22. Qb7+ Qc7 $1 (22... Ke8
{Tyomkin,D} 23. Qb8+ Ke7 24. Qxg8 Bxf4 25. Rd1 $14 {black hasn't got enought
comp.; 1-0 Comp WChess-Wolff,P/Boston 1994/EXT 99 (34)}) 23. Rd1+ Rd5 24. Rxd5+
(24. Qxc7+ {Tyomkin,D} Kxc7 $17) 24... exd5 25. Qxd5+ Ke7 26. Qxf5 Qc4 $17) ({
Tactical approach 17.Nxd5 doesn't bring white any success:} 17. Nd5+ {Tyomkin,D
} exd5 18. Nf5+ Kf8 19. Nxh6 Nc5 20. Rhe1 Na4 21. b3 Qb4 22. Re3 Re8 $19 {
0-1 Kengis,E-Shneider,A/Vilnius 1984/MCD (48)}) 17... Nb6 18. Ncb5 {Tyomkin,D:
'The material balance is N+2P of white against pair of black bishops;'} Ba6 {
[%mdl 4] This continuation was analysed in my annotations to the game
Timman-Gelfand;} (18... Rxb5 {(Tyomkin,D) The only way to keep the defense;}
19. Nxb5 Rxd1+ $5 $146 (19... Nc4 {Tyomkin,D} 20. Qb3 Nd2+ (20... Qxf4 {
Tyomkin,D} 21. Qb4+ Ke8 22. Qc5 {[%cal Rb5c7]} Nd2+ $8 23. Ka1 {[%cal Rb5c7,
Rc7d5]} Bb7 24. g3 $1 Qb8 {Otherwise white would check black by Nd6;} 25. Nc7+
(25. Qh5 $16 {[%cal Re1e6] Tyomkin,D}) 25... Kd7 26. Qh5 Kxc7 27. Qxh6 $16 {
[%csl Rf6,Rh7]}) 21. Rxd2 Rxd2 22. Qb4+ Rd6 (22... Ke8 {Tyomkin,D} 23. Qxd2
Qxb5 24. Qc3 $16 {[%csl Rc8,Rf6]}) 23. g3 Bd7 24. Qxd6+ Qxd6 {1/2-1/2 Brodsky,
M-Timoshchenko,G/Moscow 1992/CBM 33 (24) The evaluation of this ending is
principle for the evaluation of all the opening line-9...b5; But, perhaps,
Timman was ready to play this ending vs white for a win;} 25. Nxd6 Kxd6 26. b4
e5 {and black gets some counterplay;}) 20. Rxd1 Bxf4 21. g3 Be5 22. Qa3+ Ke8
23. Nd6+ Bxd6 24. Qxd6 Qxd6 25. Rxd6 Nd5 26. c4 {All was forced till now...}
Ke7 $4 {Black should move the knight instead, but I don't really know what
black can oppose to white passed pawns over the queenside....} (26... Ne3 {
[%cal Ge3f1] (Tyomkin,D) This ending can be compared vs final position of the
game Brodsky,M-Timoshchenko,G(see 19...Nxc4)- black is up a pawn here
comparing vs that ending, but black has pair of bishops there and some
counterplay as well. In both cases, white has chances to win thanx to 3 passed
pawns over the queenside;} 27. c5 Nf1 (27... Ke7 {Tyomkin,D} 28. b4 e5 29. a4
Nf1 30. a5 $18) 28. b4 Nxh2 29. b5 $16 {and white pawns are very dangerous;}) (
26... Ne7 {[%cal Ge7f5] (Tyomkin,D) was possible too, but it is a bit passive;}
27. b4 Nf5 28. Rd3 (28. Rb6 {Tyomkin,D} Ne3 29. b5 Nxc4 30. Rc6 Nd2+ {[%cal
Gc8d7]} 31. Kc1 Bd7 32. Rc7 $16 {[%cal Gb5b6,Ya2a4]}) 28... Bb7 29. Kb2 e5 30.
b5 $16 {and so on;}) 27. Rc6 $18) (18... Rd7 {(Tyomkin,D) -is another way to
repeal white's threat- Nf5+;} 19. Qc6 Kf8 $8 20. Nxc8 Rxd1+ 21. Rxd1 Nxc8 22.
Rd8+ Kg7 23. Qe8 $18) 19. Nf5+ $1 $146 {[%mdl 64] That's the right way to
fight for advantage here;} (19. Qc3 $2 {Tyomkin,D} Rxb5 20. Nxb5 Bxb5 21. Qb4+
Rd6 22. Qxb5 Bxf4 $17 {0-1 Kantsler,B-Kuporosov,V/Sochi 1979/EXT 99 (37)})
19... Kf8 (19... Ke8 $143 20. Rxe6+ $1 (20. Qc6+ Kf8 21. Qc3 {-leads to the
game continuation;}) 20... Kf8 21. Rxd8+ Qxd8 22. Rxb6 $1 Bxb5 (22... Qxb6 23.
Qa8+) 23. Rd6 $18) 20. Qc3 $1 {[%csl Ra5,Rf6][%mdl 64] Forced move again as
the whole line actually!} Rxb5 21. Qxf6 {[%cal Rf6h8]} Rxb2+ $1 {[%mdl 64]
Black would lose it on the spot without this counterblow;} 22. Qxb2 (22. Ka1
Rxa2+ 23. Kxa2 Bc4+ $19 {developing mating attack;}) 22... Nd5 23. Rxd5 $1 {
[%mdl 64] Another forced blow continues the series;} (23. Nxh6 Nc3+ $19) 23...
Qxb2+ (23... exd5 24. Nxh6 $18) 24. Kxb2 Bg7+ $1 {[%mdl 64] This check makes
sense- white knight gonna get trapped there; But I am sure all this was
home-prepared by Boris;} (24... Rxd5 25. Nxh6 Rd2 26. g3 Rxh2 27. Ng4 Rh3 {
[%cal Gh7h5] vs some chances to save the game;}) 25. Nxg7 Rxd5 26. Nxe6+ fxe6
27. Rxe6 (27. Rxe6 Bf1 $1 {intending to grab g2 but also to start checking
white king over 5th rank- rook and bishop combine well in this;} 28. g3 Rb5+ {
[%cal Gb5a5,Gb5c5]} 29. Kc3 Rc5+ 30. Kd2 Bc4 $11 {[%csl Ya2]}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "VISA GP"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "1998.03.11"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Hector, Jonny"]
[Black "Hillarp Persson, Tiger"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2505"]
[BlackElo "2410"]
[Annotator "Tyomkin,D"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "1998.03.10"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 064"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qc7 8. Qf3
b5 9. a3 Nbd7 10. g4 Be7 $146 (10... Rb8 11. Bxf6 Nxf6 12. f5 b4 13. axb4 Rxb4
14. O-O-O e5 15. Nb3 Bb7 16. Bd3 d5 $132 {Bjornsson,T-Wojtkiewicz,A/Reykjavik
op 1990/1-0(34)}) 11. Bxf6 gxf6 $6 (11... Bxf6 $5 12. O-O-O {[%cal Gg4g5]} g5
$5 13. f5 $140 Ne5) 12. f5 Ne5 13. Qh3 Qb6 14. Nce2 {[%csl Re6][%cal Ge1c1,
Ye2f4]} Nc6 $6 15. Nxc6 Qxc6 16. O-O-O Qc5 17. Nf4 Ra7 18. Rd2 Bd8 $6 (18...
Qe5 19. Nd3 (19. Qe3 Qc5) 19... Qxe4 20. Bg2 Qc4 21. fxe6 Bxe6 22. Qe3 $16) 19.
Bg2 Ba5 20. c3 Bd8 21. Rhd1 a5 $2 (21... Be7 22. fxe6 Bxe6 (22... fxe6 23. Ng6
$1) 23. Nxe6 fxe6 24. g5 $16) 22. fxe6 fxe6 23. Rxd6 $18 Be7 24. Nxe6 Bxe6 25.
Rxe6 Kf7 {[%tqu "En","White rook is attacked. What to do?","","","g4g5","This
move begins briiliant attack of white!",10]} 26. g5 $1 {This move begins
brilliant attack of white!} Qxg5+ 27. Kb1 b4 28. Rc6 bxa3 {[%tqu "En","How to
continue the attack?","try to open files,and to insert pieces to the attack",
"","e4e5","",10]} 29. e5 $1 {[%cal Gg2d5]} Qxe5 $2 (29... Qg6+ 30. Ka2 axb2 {
[%cal Rb2b1]} (30... Rb8 31. Bd5+ Kg7 32. exf6+ Bxf6 {[%tqu "En","","","",
"c6f6","",5]} 33. Rxf6 $3 Rxb2+ 34. Kxa3 $18) 31. Be4 (31. exf6 b1=Q+ $11)
31... Qg5 (31... Qxe4 32. Qe6+ Kg6 33. Rg1+ Kh5 34. Qf7+ $18) 32. exf6 Bxf6 33.
Qe6+ Kg7 {[%tqu "En","","","","d1g1","",10]} 34. Rg1 $3 b1=Q+ 35. Bxb1) (29...
axb2 30. exf6 Qg6+ (30... Bxf6 31. Rf1 Qg6+ 32. Rf5 $18) 31. Kxb2 Rb8+ 32. Ka1
Ba3 33. Qe6+ Kf8 34. Rc8+ Rxc8 35. Qxc8+ Kf7 36. Bd5+ Kxf6 37. Qe6+ Kg7 38.
Qe5+ $18) (29... fxe5 30. Rf1+ Kg7 31. Rf5 Qh4 32. Qe3 $18 {[%cal Re3e5]}) 30.
Bd5+ Kf8 31. Qc8+ Kg7 32. Rg1+ Kh6 33. Qh3+ (33. Qh3+ Qh5 34. Qe3+ Qg5 35.
Qxg5#) 1-0

[Event "DEN-ch"]
[Site "Taastrup"]
[Date "1998.04.05"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Sahl, Bjarke"]
[Black "Hansen, Curt"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2430"]
[BlackElo "2595"]
[Annotator "Tyomkin,D"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "1998.04.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "DEN"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 065"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.08.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.08.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%mdl 6180]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7.
f4 Nbd7 8. Qe2 Be7 9. O-O-O Qc7 10. Nf3 (10. g4 h6 (10... b5 11. a3 Bb7 12.
Bxf6 Nxf6 13. g5 Nd7 14. h4 Nb6 15. Kb1 Nc4 16. Rh3 Rc8 17. f5 e5 18. Nb3 h6
$15 {Lanka,Z-Azmaiparashvili,Z/UR-chYM 1980/0-1(41)}) 11. Bxf6 (11. Bh4 g5 12.
fxg5 Nh7 13. Nf5 hxg5 14. Bg3 Ne5 15. Nxe7 Kxe7 16. h4 $16 {Howell,
J-Timoshchenko,G/Hastings Challengers 1991/1-0(30)}) 11... Bxf6 (11... gxf6 12.
Bg2 Nb6 13. h4 Bd7 14. g5 hxg5 15. hxg5 O-O-O 16. g6 fxg6 17. Bh3 Rxh3 18. Rxh3
e5 19. Ncb5 $13 {Bratko-Martinovic,S/Dravograd 1963/1/2-1/2 (49)}) 12. Bg2 Nb6
13. h4 Bd7 14. Rh3 h5 15. f5 hxg4 16. Qxg4 O-O-O 17. fxe6 fxe6 18. e5 $2 (18.
Nxe6 $5) 18... Bxe5 19. Ne4 $2 Bxd4 $19 {Stein,L-Najdorf,M/Mar del Plata 1965/
0-1(29)}) (10. g3 O-O 11. Bg2 Rb8 12. h4 b5 13. e5 dxe5 14. Nc6 Bd6 15. Rxd6
$18 {Prie,E-Beran,J/Clichy 1990/1-0(27)}) 10... h6 $146 (10... Nb6 11. Kb1 (11.
e5 dxe5 12. Nxe5 O-O 13. g3 h6 14. Bh4 Bd7 15. Bg2 Bb5 16. Qf3 g5 17. fxg5 hxg5
18. Rhe1 Nh7 19. Qh5 Be8 $19 {Kavalek,L-Ljubojevic,L/Las Palmas 1974/0-1(29)})
11... h6 12. Bh4 d5 $2 13. exd5 Nbxd5 14. Nxd5 Nxd5 15. Bxe7 $16 {Wegener,
D-Heinemann,T/BL9394 1994/1-0(37)}) 11. Bh4 {[%cal Ge4e5]} Nb6 12. g4 e5 (12...
Nxg4 $6 13. Bxe7 Qxe7 14. Rg1 Nf6 15. Rxg7 $16 Nh5 16. Rg1 Nxf4 $2 17. Qe3 {
[%cal Ge3b6,Ge3f4]}) 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. f5 Bd7 15. h4 Be7 16. Kb1 (16. Nd2 $5 {
[%csl Gd5][%cal Gd2c4] Trying to get control over important d5 square}) 16...
Bc6 $132 {[%cal Ge8c8,Gd6d5]} 17. Rh3 (17. Bg2 $5 O-O-O 18. g5 (18. Ne1 {
[%cal Ge1d3,Gd3b4]} Bf6 19. Nd3 d5 20. exd5 Nxd5 21. Bxd5 Bxd5 22. Nxd5 Rxd5
$15 {[%csl Rh4]}) 18... d5 19. exd5 Nxd5 20. Nxd5 Bxd5 21. Rhe1 hxg5 22. hxg5
e4 $36) 17... O-O-O {[%cal Gd6d5]} 18. Nd5 Bxd5 (18... Nxd5 $5 19. exd5 Bd7 20.
Nd4 {[%cal Gh3c3]} Kb8 $13) 19. exd5 Kb8 20. Ne1 Rc8 21. Ng2 Qc4 22. Rb3 Qxe2
23. Bxe2 Ka7 $15 {[%csl Rg2,Rh4] After dubious maneur Nf3-e1-g2 black get over
the initiative.} 24. Rbd3 Rhe8 25. b3 e4 26. Rg3 Nd7 27. c4 Nc5 {[%cal Ga6a5,
Ge7f6,Gf6e5]} 28. g5 hxg5 29. hxg5 Rh8 $17 30. Rd4 (30. b4 Na4 $17 {[%csl Rc4,
Rg5][%cal Gh8h2,Re7g5] And in white's position is to many weaknesses.}) 30...
a5 {[%csl Gc5]} 31. Kb2 Bd8 $1 32. a3 Bb6 {[%cal Rc5a4]} 33. Rd1 Rh2 34. b4 Nd7
{[%csl Rc4][%cal Gd7e5,Rb6f2]} 35. Rf1 Rch8 36. Kb3 R8h3 37. Rxh3 Rxh3+ $19 {
Inspite of material balance white's position is hopeless.} 38. Ka4 $8 (38. Ka2
Rh2 39. Nf4 Be3 $19 {[%csl Re2]}) 38... Rg3 39. Nf4 Rxg5 40. c5 dxc5 41. bxa5
Bd8 (41... Bc7 $19) 42. d6 Rxf5 43. Bg4 Rf6 44. Bxd7 g5 {Rest of the game is
easy job for black.} 45. Ne6 Rxf1 46. Nxd8 Rf6 47. Be6 (47. Bg4 Rxd6 48. Nxf7
Rd4+ 49. Kb5 e3 $19) 47... fxe6 48. d7 {[%cal Rd8c6]} Rf8 49. Nxe6 Rg8 (49...
Rg8 50. d8=Q Rxd8 51. Nxd8 e3 $19) 0-1

[Event "Krynica zt"]
[Site "Krynica"]
[Date "1998.09.02"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Groszpeter, Attila"]
[Black "Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2505"]
[BlackElo "2575"]
[Annotator "Tyomkin,D"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "1998.09.02"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 067"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.11.30"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.11.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qc7 8. Bxf6
gxf6 9. Qd2 h5 $5 $146 {Other moves lead to white's advantage.} (9... Nc6 10.
O-O-O {In this structure white has space advantage and the plan is
well-known-to push f4-f5 with the pressure on e6.} Bd7 (10... Qb6 11. Nf3 Bd7
12. Kb1 O-O-O 13. g3 Kb8 14. Bh3 h5 (14... Na5 15. Qd4 Qxd4 16. Nxd4 Nc6 17.
Nf3 h5 18. Ne2 $14 {Matulovic,M-Georgiev,K/Nis 1981/1/2-1/2(24)}) 15. Rhf1 Bc8
16. Qf2 Qxf2 17. Rxf2 $14 {Matulovic,M-Balashov,Y/JUG-URS 1979/1/2-1/2(38)})
11. Kb1 (11. Nb3 b5 12. Kb1 h5 13. f5 Ne5 14. fxe6 fxe6 15. Nd4 b4 16. Nce2 Bh6
17. Nf4 Bxf4 18. Qxf4 Ke7 19. Be2 $14 {Yudasin,L-Polgar,S/Oviedo rapid45 1992/
1-0 (49)}) (11. Be2 h5 12. Kb1 O-O-O 13. Rhf1 Kb8 14. Nb3 Be7 15. Rf3 $14 {
Savon,V-Yudasin,L/Podolsk 1991/1/2-1/2(26)}) 11... O-O-O (11... h5 12. Bc4
O-O-O 13. Nxc6 Qxc6 14. Bb3 Kb8 15. Rhf1 Qc5 16. Qd3 h4 17. Qh3 Be7 18. f5 Qe5
19. Rde1 Rde8 20. Ne2 Bf8 21. Nf4 $14 {Topalov,V-Anand,V/Dortmund 1997/1-0(41)}
) 12. f5 h5 (12... Kb8 13. Bc4 Nxd4 14. Qxd4 Be7 15. Bb3 Qc5 16. Qd3 $14 {
Shmuter,L-Vaulin,A/St.Petersburg op 1993/1/2-1/2(25)}) (12... Nxd4 13. Qxd4 Be7
14. Bc4 Qc5 15. Qd3 $14 {Aseev-Rashkovsky, Nikolaev 1983}) 13. Nxc6 Qxc6 14.
fxe6 fxe6 15. Qf2 Be7 16. Rd4 b5 17. a4 Qc5 18. axb5 axb5 19. h4 $40 {[%cal
Gh1h3] Brodsky,M-Avrukh,B/Groningen op 1993/1-0(27)}) (9... b5 10. O-O-O (10.
a4 b4 11. Na2 Bb7 12. f5 e5 13. Nb3 Bxe4 14. Nxb4 Nd7 {Matulovic-Vaisman,
Zrenjanin 1980} 15. Bd3 Bb7 16. c4 $14 {Vaisman}) 10... Bb7 11. Bd3 h5 12. Rhe1
Nd7 13. Kb1 Qb6 14. Nb3 O-O-O 15. a4 b4 16. Na2 a5 17. c3 $1 Nc5 18. cxb4 $16 {
Jansa-Ermenkov, Smederevska Palanka 1979}) 10. O-O-O b5 (10... Nc6 {[%cal
Gc8d7,Ge8c8] leads to white's advantage-as you can see in 9...Nc6.}) 11. Kb1
Nd7 12. f5 b4 (12... Ne5 $5 13. Qf2 {[%csl Re6][%cal Gc3e2,Ge2f4]} Ng4 14. Qg3
$14) (12... Nc5 13. Bd3 $16) 13. fxe6 (13. Nce2 e5 14. Nb3 Bb7 15. Qxb4 Rc8 $36
{[%cal Gd6d5]} (15... d5 $2 16. Qa5)) 13... bxc3 14. exd7+ Bxd7 15. Qxc3 Qxc3
16. bxc3 Rg8 {Black is pawn less,but anyway he has good drawing chances after
next activization of Rh8.} 17. g3 Rg5 (17... d5 18. exd5 Ba3 19. Bc4 Rb8+ 20.
Bb3 a5 21. Nc6 $1 $18) 18. Bc4 {[%cal Gc4b3,Gc4d5]} Rc5 {5th rank is perfect
for black rook.Actually this monouevre is typical in this structure.} 19. Bb3
a5 $1 {Playing on initiative.} (19... Rxc3 20. Nf5 (20. Rhf1 {[%csl Rf6][%cal
Gd4f5]} Rb8 21. Nf5 a5) 20... Bxf5 (20... Rc6 21. Rd3 $36 {[%cal Gh1d1]}) 21.
exf5 Rc5 $14 {[%csl Rd6,Rf8,Rh5]}) 20. Rd3 a4 21. Bd5 Rb8+ 22. Ka1 f5 $1 {
[%cal Gf8g7]} 23. Rb1 (23. Re1 Bg7 $1 24. exf5+ Kf8 25. f6 Bxf6 26. Rf3 Kg7 27.
Ref1 Bh3 $1 28. Rxf6 Bxf1 29. Rxf7+ Kg6 $15) (23. Nxf5 Bxf5 24. exf5 Bg7 25.
Re1+ Kf8 26. Ree3 Rcb5 27. Rd1 Rc5 $11) 23... Rxb1+ 24. Kxb1 fxe4 (24... fxe4
25. Bxe4 h4 {And because of few material on the board game should be finished
a draw.}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "CUB-ch"]
[Site "Las Tunas"]
[Date "2001.04.02"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Gongora Reyes, Maikel"]
[Black "Abreu Delgado, Aryam"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2417"]
[BlackElo "2480"]
[Annotator "Tyomkin,D"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2001.04.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "16"]
[EventCountry "CUB"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 083"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.07.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.07.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nc6 8. Nxc6
bxc6 9. e5 h6 10. Bh4 g5 11. fxg5 Nd5 12. Ne4 Qb6 13. Bd3 hxg5 14. Bg3 {
Other moves, like 14.Bxg5 and 14.Bf2, are explained in my annotations to the
following game:} (14. Bxg5 {1/2-1/2 Almasi,Z-Leko,P/Budapest 1997/CBM 62/
[Tyomkin,D] (25)}) 14... Nf4 $5 $146 {[%mdl 8] It looks a bit strange, but I
didn't find how white can get some clear advantage;} (14... dxe5 {Tyomkin,D}
15. Bxe5 Rh4 16. Qd2 $5 $146 ({Very important game was played after another
principle move of white:} 16. Qf3 {Tyomkin,D} Be7 17. O-O-O (17. c4 f5 $5 {
or simply 17...Qe3}) 17... Qe3+ (17... f5 18. Nd6+ Bxd6 19. Bxd6 Qe3+ {but
also here black isn't such great, but has chances to save.}) 18. Qxe3 Nxe3 19.
g3 $1 $16 Rh6 20. Rd2 Ng4 (20... Nd5 21. c4 $16) 21. Bg7 f5 (21... Rh3 22. Be2
Rh7 23. Bc3 $16) 22. Bxh6 $18 fxe4 $2 23. Bxe4 Kf7 24. Rf1+ Kg8 {1-0 Lendwai,
R-Ermenkov,E/Miskolc 1990/EXT 97 (24)}) 16... f5 $2 {1-0 Tischbierek,R-Shirov,
A/Germany 2000/CBM 75/[Tyomkin,D] (24) Very risky move, probably leads to the
losing position of black. The right way was to go to the ending:} (16... Qb4
$142 {Tyomkin,D} 17. Qxb4 Bxb4+ 18. c3 Be7 19. Nd6+ Bxd6 20. Bxd6 Bb7 {[%cal
Ge8c8]} 21. O-O-O O-O-O 22. Bc5 {[%csl Ya6,Rb7,Yc6] Black's B is stalled on-b7,
but probably may create a counterplay, which would be enough for equality:}
Rdh8 23. h3 g4 24. Bf2 R4h6 25. h4 Nf4 26. Bf1 c5 $5 $132)) (14... Qxb2 $5 {
This move wasn't tried in practical play, but should be checked properly;} 15.
Rb1 (15. exd6 f5 16. Nxg5 Qc3+ $17 (16... f4 17. Bg6+ Kd7 $17)) 15... Qd4 $132
(15... Qxa2 16. O-O Ne3 17. Qf3 $40 {[%csl Rd6,Rf7]})) 15. Bxf4 gxf4 16. Nxd6+
{There was idea for white to keep the knight out of trade, but the knight
isn't so useful piece in next line:} (16. exd6 Qxb2 (16... f5 17. d7+ $1 $36 {
[%cal Ge4f6]}) 17. O-O f5 $13 {Chances are mutual here;}) 16... Bxd6 17. exd6
Qxb2 18. O-O (18. Rb1 $6 Qc3+) 18... Qd4+ 19. Kh1 Qxd6 20. Be4 $6 {White could
try to develop initiative in the middlegame by moving queen somewhere; Black's
best defense is to play Bb7 and 0-0-0 as soon as possible, even losing f4-pawn.
} (20. Qf3 Bb7 (20... e5 21. Be4 (21. Rae1 Be6 22. Be4 Rc8 {and black holds
it's position;}) 21... Bd7 (21... Rh6 $5 22. Qc3 $44 {[%cal Ga1d1]}) 22. Rad1
Qh6 (22... Qe6 23. Qc3 $44) 23. h3 $44 {[%cal Gf3c3]} f5 $140 24. Rxd7 $1 Kxd7
(24... fxe4 25. Qg4 $132) 25. Bxf5+ Kc7 26. Qc3 {[%cal Gc3e5,Gc3a5] white gets
dangerous attack;}) 21. Rad1 Qc7 22. Qxf4 $11) (20. Qg4 $5 {[%cal Gg4g7,Yf1f4,
Ga1d1]} Bb7 {[%cal Ge8c8]} (20... e5 21. Qg7 $16 {[%cal Ga1e1]}) 21. Rxf4 O-O-O
{and probably black keeps the balance;}) 20... Qxd1 {Now black is safe in the
ending- even it has better chances because of better pawn structure; White can
expect for the draw hoping on activity of it's pieces;} (20... Qc7 $6 21. Qd4
$1 $16 {white queen gains strong outpost in the centre;} e5 $140 22. Bxc6+ $1)
(20... Ke7 21. Qf3 {[%csl Rc6,Rf4][%cal Ga1d1] Middlegame is too dangerous for
black;}) 21. Raxd1 Bd7 (21... Rb8 $5 22. Bxc6+ Ke7 23. Rxf4 Rb2 {the ending is
about draw, but black has some practical chances;}) (21... Ke7 22. Bxc6 Rb8 {
-21...Rb8;}) 22. Rxf4 f5 23. Bf3 Ke7 (23... e5 $2 24. Re1 e4 25. g4 $1 {
and black loses it's central pawns;}) 24. Rc4 {Now white forces draw by
attacking black's weaknesses;} Rhc8 (24... Rac8 25. Ra4 Ra8 26. Rc4 $11) 25.
Rh4 Rh8 26. Rc4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Capablanca Memorial Elite 37th"]
[Site "Havana"]
[Date "2002.05.06"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nataf, Igor Alexandre"]
[Black "Bruzon Batista, Lazaro"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2567"]
[BlackElo "2569"]
[Annotator "Tyomkin,D"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2002.05.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "CUB"]
[EventCategory "13"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 089"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.08.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.08.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qc7 8. f5
Be7 (8... Nc6 {Tyomkin,D} 9. fxe6 fxe6 10. Bc4 $5 $146 {This is improvement
for white in this variation.Bishop makes a strong pressure on diagonal a2-g8,
espessially on-e6.} (10. Nxc6 {Tyomkin,D} bxc6 11. Be2 Be7 12. e5 dxe5 13. Bh5+
g6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. O-O $44 {Vitolinsh-Kengis/Latvia 1975}) 10... Nxd4 11.
Qxd4 Be7 12. Bb3 b5 (12... O-O {Tyomkin,D} 13. O-O-O {[%csl Re6] and white
looks much better.}) 13. a4 Rb8 14. axb5 axb5 15. Ra7 Qb6 $4 (15... Qc6 $142 {
Tyomkin,D} 16. O-O Rf8 (16... Bd8 {[%cal Gd8b6] Tyomkin,D} 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18.
Kh1 Qc5 19. Qxc5 dxc5 20. Nxb5 $1 Rxb5 21. Ba4 Bd7 22. Rd1 Bc6 23. Rd6 $18) 17.
Be3 $36 {[%cal Ge4e5]}) (15... Rb7 {Tyomkin,D} 16. Nxb5 {[%cal Ya7c7]}) 16.
Nxb5 $18 {[%mdl 64]} Bd7 17. Nc7+ Kf7 18. Nxe6 $1 {Very impressive.White makes
an invitation to black king to make a trip in the center,and Black is forced
to accept it. 1-0 Dvoirys,S-Lesiege,A/Koszalin 1999/CBM 73/[Tyomkin,D] (23)}) (
8... b5 {Tyomkin,D} 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Qh5 b4 11. Ncb5 $2 (11. Nce2 $142 {
Tyomkin,D}) 11... Qc5 $1 (11... axb5 {Tyomkin,D} 12. fxe6 $36) 12. Nb3 Qe3+ $17
13. Kd1 axb5 14. Bxb5+ Ke7 15. Re1 Qb6 16. Bc4 Nc6 17. fxe6 fxe6 18. g4 Ne5 19.
Bd3 Bg7 {0-1 Tosic,M-Cseshkovsky Vitaly/Vrnjachka Banja YUG 1982 (19)}) 9. fxe6
(9. Qf3 $5 {Tyomkin,D} Nc6 10. O-O-O Nxd4 11. Rxd4 b5 12. Qg3 e5 $6 13. Bxf6
Bxf6 14. Nd5 Qd8 15. Rd3 {1-0 Conquest,S-Zygouris,H/Iraklion 1992 (37)}) 9...
fxe6 10. Qd3 $146 (10. Be2 O-O 11. Bg4 Nxg4 12. Qxg4 e5 13. Nf5 Bxf5 14. exf5
Bxg5 15. Qxg5 Nc6 $11 {1/2-1/2 Vitolinsh,A-Gutman,L/Riga 1975/EXT 2002 (37). 
(36)}) (10. g3 {Tyomkin,D} Nc6 11. Bh3 Qa5 12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. Qd2 Rb8 14. Rb1 h6
15. Be3 O-O 16. O-O Qh5 $15 {Matulovic-Tukmakov,V/Titograd 1982}) 10... Nc6 11.
O-O-O Bd7 (11... O-O 12. Qc4 {[%csl Re6]} d5 $1 $132) 12. Be2 Nxd4 13. Qxd4 Rc8
14. Rhf1 O-O $11 {Creative opening play of Igor didn't bring him opening
advantage;} 15. Rf3 (15. Bxf6 Rxf6 (15... gxf6 $11) 16. Rxf6 gxf6 $11 {[%cal
Gc7c5]}) 15... Rf7 16. Bxf6 (16. Rdf1 Rcf8 {and white can't reach anything
over f-file;}) 16... gxf6 17. Rg3+ Rg7 (17... Kh8 18. Bh5 Rg7 {-semilar to the
game;}) 18. Rdd3 Qc5 19. Rxg7+ Kxg7 20. Rg3+ Kh8 21. Qd2 {It sacrifices a pawn
but gives white some active play over the kside;} (21. Qd1 b5 22. Kb1 $5 (22.
Bd3 $11 {[%cal Gc3e2]}) 22... b4 $140 23. Bxa6 $1 {[%cal Gd1g4]}) 21... Qg1+
22. Bd1 Qxh2 23. Qf4 {[%cal Rg3g8]} (23. Rh3 Qe5 {[%cal Ge5g5]} 24. Kb1 Qg5 25.
Qf2 b5 $15) 23... Qh1 $1 {This only move holds the defense- white can't create
any serious threats over the kside;} 24. Qg4 Qh6+ 25. Kb1 Qf8 {Too passive-
there was no reason to move the queen out from the active place;} (25... b5 $15
{[%cal Gb5b4]}) 26. Qh3 {[%cal Gd1g4,Gg4h5,Yg4e6,Yh5g6]} f5 {It leads to
better ending, while black could continue in the middlegame keeping the extra
pawn;} (26... Rc5 {[%cal Gc5g5]} 27. Bh5 {[%cal Gh5g6]} Rg5 $15) 27. exf5 Qxf5
28. Qxf5 exf5 29. Nd5 Bh4 {Probably black has suffered form lack of time at
this point of the game already;} 30. Rh3 Rc4 31. Bf3 Bd8 32. c3 Kg7 33. Ne3 Rc5
{Black could continue the game for a while, but probably black has been short
of time;} (33... Rc5 34. Rg3+ Kh6 35. Rh3+ Kg6 36. Rg3+ (36. Bxb7 f4 37. Be4+
Kf6 38. Rf3 Ke5 $19) 36... Bg5 37. Nd5 Kh6 38. Rh3+ Kg7 $15) 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE-Wch k.o."]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2001.11.28"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Lastin, Alexander"]
[Black "Cvitan, Ognjen"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2628"]
[BlackElo "2550"]
[Annotator "Tyomkin,D"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[EventDate "2001.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 086"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.02.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.02.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Bd7 8. Qe2
(8. Qf3 {is the main line;}) (8. Qd2 Nc6 9. O-O-O {-leads to well-known
position of Rauzer var.;}) 8... Nc6 $146 (8... h6 9. Bh4 Be7 10. O-O-O Nc6 11.
e5 Nxd4 12. Rxd4 dxe5 13. fxe5 Nd5 {1/2-1/2 Maciejewski,M-Kuczynski,R/Sopot
1997/CBM 59 (13)}) 9. O-O-O Nxd4 10. Rxd4 Qa5 $2 {By this move black lets
white to develop dangerous initiative; More resistant was 10...Bc6 and white
has to fight hard for the opening advantage;} (10... Bc6 $5 11. e5 (11. Qd3 $5
{[%cal Ge4e5,Yd3d4]}) 11... Qb6 12. Rd2 dxe5 13. f5 $5 (13. fxe5 Nd5 14. Ne4
$13) 13... Qc7 14. fxe6 fxe6 15. Qc4 Nd5 (15... Qf7 16. Bd3 {[%cal Gh1e1,Ye1e5]
}) 16. Be2 {[%cal Ge2h5,Ge2f3]} (16. Nxd5 exd5 17. Rxd5 Be7 18. Bxe7 Qxe7 19.
Rd2 Rd8 20. Rxd8+ Kxd8 $1 {and black king finds safety over the queenside;}) (
16. Ne4 $5 Be7 {[%cal Ge8f8]}) 16... Be7 17. Bxe7 Qxe7 18. Bh5+ g6 19. Bf3 $14
{[%cal Gh1e1]}) 11. Qd2 {More aggresive 11.e5 leads to the forced play and
white achieves an advantage:} (11. e5 $142 $5 dxe5 12. Qxe5 Bb4 $1 13. Bxf6
gxf6 14. Qxf6 Rf8 15. Rd3 Bxc3 16. Rxc3 Qxa2 17. Ra3 Qd5 18. Be2 $16 {[%csl
Re8][%cal Ge2f3]}) 11... Bc6 12. f5 e5 (12... Be7 13. fxe6 fxe6 14. Bc4 e5 15.
Rxd6 $1 $16 Bxd6 $140 16. Qxd6 $18 {[%cal Rd6e6]}) 13. Bxf6 $1 {[%mdl 512] It
sacrifices an exchange for a pawn, but white gets stable positional advantage
this way;} exd4 $2 {Correct way was to decline the sacrifice by:} (13... gxf6
14. Rd3 h5 15. Kb1 $16 {[%cal Gf1e2]}) 14. Bxd4 {[%csl Re8,Rf8] Now black
suffers from lack of development and he is not able to complete it till the
end of the game;} b5 {[%csl Yc4] preventing Bc4;} (14... f6 15. Bc4 $18) 15.
Qe3 {[%cal Rd4b6]} Qc7 (15... b4 16. Nd5 {[%cal Gf1c4]} Bxd5 17. exd5+ Kd7 18.
Bc4 $18 {[%csl Rd7,Rf8,Rh8]}) 16. Bd3 {There was no reason to force play by
Nd5:} (16. Nd5 Bxd5 17. exd5+ Kd7 (17... Qe7 18. Qg3 {[%cal Rf1b5,Gh1f1]} Kd7
19. Bd3 $16 {[%cal Gh1e1]}) 18. f6 g6 19. Qh3+ Kd8 20. Kb1 $16 {[%cal Gf1d3,
Yh3a3]}) 16... f6 {An attempt to complete the development by Be7 and 0-0 then;
But white is in time to break thru;} 17. Nd5 Qf7 (17... Bxd5 18. exd5+ Be7 19.
Re1 Kf8 20. Kb1 Re8 21. g4 $18 {[%csl Rh8][%cal Gh2h4,Gg4g5] and black can not
get rid of white's pressure;}) 18. Kb1 Rc8 19. c4 $1 {The defense of black
fails over the queenside;} Be7 (19... bxc4 20. Bxc4 {[%csl Ra6][%cal Gd5b6]}
Qb7 21. Qe2 $18 {[%cal Gc4a6,Ye2h5]}) 20. cxb5 axb5 (20... Bxb5 21. Bxb5+ axb5
22. Qb3 $1 $18 {[%csl Rb5] attacking b5 and preventing black from castle;}) 21.
Nb6 {Maybe the resignation of black came too early, but black is not able to
hold the defense here anyhow;} (21. Nb6 Rc7 (21... Rd8 22. Qc1 $18 {[%cal
Gc1c7]} (22. Rc1 $18)) 22. Rc1 {[%cal Rd3b5,Rc1c6]} O-O 23. Bxb5 {[%csl Rc7]})
1-0

[Event "WchT 5th"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "2001.10.18"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Ghaem Maghami, Ehsan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2513"]
[Annotator "Tyomkin,D"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2001.10.12"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 086"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.02.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.02.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Hungary"]
[BlackTeam "Iran"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "HUN"]
[BlackTeamCountry "IRI"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 b5 8. e5
dxe5 9. fxe5 Qc7 10. exf6 Qe5+ 11. Be2 Qxg5 12. O-O {This line creates black
much more problems than the old fashioned 12.Qd3;} (12. Qd3 Qxf6 13. Rf1 {
Wedberg} (13. O-O-O Be7 14. Rhf1 Qh6+ 15. Kb1 O-O $132 {0-1 Hector,
J-Polugaevsky,L/Haninge 1990/CBM 18 (69)}) 13... Qe5 14. Rd1 Ra7 {This
remarkable R-move is the backbone of the variation.} 15. Nf3 Qc7 16. Ng5 f5 17.
Qd4 Qe7 {The originator of this move, Julian Hodgson, is reported to have been
very proud the first time Polugaevsky played his move. The alternative is 17.
-h5.} 18. Bh5+ {This has been suggested but never tried before.} (18. Nge4 {
(Wedberg) Ftacnik} h5 19. Nd6+ Qxd6 20. Qxa7 Qxh2 {Van der Wiel-Hodgson,
Ostende 1983; 21.Rd3!+/-;>= 20...Qe5; Van der Wiel}) 18... g6 19. Qxh8 Qxg5 {
[Tom Wedberg]. 1-0 Hellers,F-Polugaevsky,L/Haninge 1989/CBM 13/[Wedberg] (26)
At this point Polugaevsky came up to me and said: 'I've lost the exchange, but
I have good compensation!' Then he showed his fist to underline what he meant.}
) 12... Ra7 {Another way for black was shown by Ivanchuk, but black hasn't
solve problems of the opening there too; The idea of 12...Qe5 is to place
black queen at the middle of the board (e5 or e3) disturbing white to develop
his queen;} (12... Qe5 13. Nf3 (13. Bf3 $5 Ra7 14. Ne4 Rd7 15. c3 $36 {[%cal
Gf1e1]}) 13... Qe3+ (13... Qxf6 $5) 14. Kh1 Nd7 15. Re1 Qa7 16. fxg7 Bxg7 17.
Qd6 Qb6 18. Qg3 O-O 19. Rad1 $16 {1-0 Leko,P-Ivanchuk,V/Monaco MNC 2001/The
Week in Chess 332 (36)}) 13. Qd3 ({Following move of white looks unlogical:} 
13. Nb3 $6 Rd7 14. Qe1 gxf6 15. Bxb5 $5 (15. Bf3 Be7 16. Qf2 {1/2-1/2 Sipos,
I-Dub,Z/Budapest 2001/CBM 83 ext (91)}) 15... axb5 16. Ne4 $36 {[%cal Ge4f6]})
13... Rd7 14. Ne4 Qe5 15. Nf3 (15. c3 $5 Bb7 16. Bf3 Nc6 (16... Bxe4 $5 17.
Bxe4 gxf6 $13 {[%cal Gf6f5]}) 17. Rad1 Qc7 $6 (17... Nxd4 $5 18. cxd4 Qf4 $13)
18. Qe3 Ne5 19. fxg7 $16 {1-0 Baklan,V-Puth,D/Bad Wiessee GER 2001/The Week in
Chess (35)}) 15... Qxb2 {Unfortunately black can not go to the ending by:} (
15... Rxd3 16. Nxe5 Rd5 17. fxg7 Bxg7 18. Nxf7 O-O 19. Nfd6 $16 {white is up a
pawn here;}) 16. Qe3 Bb7 17. a4 $146 {[%mdl 8] This impulsive move is a right
way to play with white in this position- all is about time here and white
needs to open position as fast as possible;} ({Black can survive in the
following line:} 17. c3 Bxe4 18. fxg7 (18. Qxe4 gxf6 19. Kh1 (19. a4 $1) 19...
Rg8 20. Nd4 Qxc3 21. Nxe6 Qe5 $1 22. Qxh7 Rxg2 $1 $19 {0-1 Cooke,E-Dub,Z/
Budapest 2001/CBM 83 ext (30)}) 18... Bxg7 19. Qxe4 Qa3 $1 {[%cal Ga3c5] Black
queen is moved to the defense, and white doesn't have enough forces to create
something serious here;} (19... O-O $6 20. Ng5 {[%csl Rh7]}) 20. Kh1 Qc5 21. a4
Bxc3 22. Rad1 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 O-O 24. axb5 axb5 $15 {0-1 Tseitlin,M-Zaichik,G/
Komotini 1992/CBM 32 ext (39)}) 17... b4 $2 (17... Qxc2 18. Nfg5 $16 {[%cal
Ga1c1,Rg5e6] there are too many threats of white here;} h6 19. Rac1 Qxa4 20.
Nxe6 fxe6 21. fxg7 Bxg7 22. Bh5+ {[%cal Ge3c5,Yc5b6] mate is close here;}) ({
Perhaps, the only way for black to continue was 17...Qb4, and after this white
doesn't have any forced way for advantage:} 17... Qb4 $142 18. c4 (18. Nf2 gxf6
(18... Bc5 19. fxg7 Rg8 20. Qh6 (20. Qg5 Bxf3 21. Bxf3 Bd4 {[%csl Ga1,Gg7]})
20... Qg4 $17)) (18. Nfg5 Bxe4 19. Nxe4 Qd4 {transforming the game to the
ending;}) 18... Bxe4 19. Qxe4 Qc5+ 20. Kh1 b4 $1 21. Rad1 gxf6 22. Rxd7 Nxd7
23. Qa8+ Ke7 24. Rd1 Bg7 25. Qb7 Qc8 $1 (25... Rd8 26. Nd4 $18 {[%cal Gd4c6]})
26. Qxb4+ Nc5 27. Nd4 {[%cal Gd4b3]} Rd8 28. Nb3 Rxd1+ 29. Bxd1 Kd6 {and black
has repulsed white's attack;}) 18. Rab1 $18 Qxc2 {There is no way for black to
defend here; Other moves doesn't help black too:} (18... Qa3 19. Qb6 {[%cal
Gf6g7,Ye4d6]} (19. Qxa3 $2 bxa3 20. Rxb7 Rxb7 21. fxg7 Bxg7 22. Nd6+ Ke7 23.
Nxb7 a2 $17) (19. Rb3 Qxa4 20. fxg7 Bxg7 21. Nc5 Qa5 22. Nxd7 Nxd7 23. Rfb1 Bf8
(23... O-O 24. Rxb4 $16) 24. Kh1 $16 {[%cal Gc2c3]}) 19... Bxe4 20. Qxb8+ Rd8
21. Bb5+ $1 axb5 22. Qxb5+ Rd7 23. Ne5 $18) (18... Qa2 19. Rxb4 $1 Bxb4 20.
fxg7 $18 {[%cal Ge4f6]}) 19. Nfg5 $1 {No reason to hurry up vs 19.fxg7;} (19.
fxg7 Bxg7 20. Rxb4 Bxe4 $1 (20... Qc7 21. Rc1 Nc6 22. Qg5 f5 23. Nf6+ Bxf6 24.
Qxf6 $18 {[%csl Ge6,Re8,Gh8]}) 21. Rc1 O-O 22. Rxc2 Bxc2 $16 {and black has
some chances to save the game;}) 19... Qc7 {An attempt to close up the
kingside by g6 doesn't save black:} (19... g6 20. Rfc1 Qa2 21. Bc4 Qa3 22. Qf4
$18 {[%cal Gc4e6] and black can not save e6;}) 20. Rxb4 $1 {[%mdl 64] Money
Time! All white pieces are in the game, while the kingside of black is still
undeveloped;} Bxe4 (20... Nc6 21. Rc4 h6 22. Nxf7 $1 Rxf7 23. Bh5 g6 $8 24.
Bxg6 $18) (20... Bxb4 21. fxg7 $18 {[%cal Ge4f6]}) 21. Nxe4 {[%mdl 64]} Bxb4 {
Letting white to finish the game by nice tactics;} (21... g6 22. Rc4 Nc6 (22...
Qa5 23. Rc8+ Rd8 24. Rfc1 $18) 23. Rb1 {[%cal Gb1b6]} (23. Rfc1 Qa7 $1 $16)
23... Qa7 24. Qxa7 Nxa7 25. Rb8+ Rd8 26. Rb7 $18 {[%cal Gc4c7]}) 22. fxg7 Rg8
23. Nf6+ Kd8 24. Nxg8 Bc5 {Black wins white queen, but white queens his g-pawn,
creating decisive threats over black king;} 25. Nf6 $1 {[%mdl 64]} Bxe3+ 26.
Kh1 Kc8 (26... Ke7 27. g8=Q $18) (26... Rd2 27. g8=Q+ Ke7 28. Nd5+ $1 $18 {
[%cal Gf1f7]}) 27. Nxd7 {[%csl Yf7][%cal Gg7g8] winning also f7 pawn then;} 1-0

[Event "GER-ch 72nd"]
[Site "Heringsdorf"]
[Date "2000.11.18"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Reeh, Oliver"]
[Black "Naumann, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2420"]
[BlackElo "2489"]
[Annotator "Tyomkin,D"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2000.11.17"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 080"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.01.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.01.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 b5 8. e5
dxe5 9. fxe5 Qc7 10. Nf3 {Few moves were tried for white in this position.
Still, there is a large field for improvements in all lines. 10.Nf3 is looking
as a good option.} (10. exf6 Qe5+ 11. Be2 Qxg5 12. O-O Ra7 $1 13. Qd3 {[%csl
Ye3]} Rd7 14. Ne4 Qe5 15. c3 Bb7 16. Qg3 (16. Bf3 Bxe4 17. Bxe4 gxf6 $13) 16...
Qxg3 17. Nxg3 Rg8 18. Bf3 gxf6 19. Bxb7 Rxb7 20. Ne4 Nd7 21. Rxf6 $4 (21. Nxf6+
Nxf6 22. Rxf6 Bg7 $15) 21... Rg4 {0-1 De Vreugt,D-Van Wely,L/Dieren 1999/CBM
71 ext (21)}) (10. Qe2 $5 Nfd7 11. O-O-O Bb7 (11... Qxe5 $2 12. Qxe5 Nxe5 13.
Ndxb5 $18) 12. Qg4 Qxe5 $2 (12... Nxe5 13. Qh5 {[%cal Rd4e6]} (13. Qg3 Nbd7)
13... g6 14. Qh3 $44) (12... Nc6 13. Nxe6 fxe6 14. Qxe6+ Be7 15. Bxe7 Nxe7 16.
Bxb5 $1 $18) 13. Bd3 Be7 $2 (13... h6 14. Nxe6 $1) 14. Bxe7 Kxe7 15. Rhe1 $18 {
1-0 Nataf,I-Guidarelli,L/Vichy FRA 2000/The Week in Chess 303 (33)}) 10... b4
$146 {Pritty risky, but it has worked succesfully in this game. Cool game was
played in the following line:} (10... Nfd7 11. Be2 Bb7 12. Qd3 Nc6 13. O-O-O
Ncxe5 14. Nxe5 Nxe5 15. Qg3 b4 $2 (15... Bb4 $142 $1 16. Bf4 Bxc3 17. bxc3 f6
$132) 16. Nb5 $1 axb5 17. Bxb5+ Bc6 18. Qxe5 $1 Qb7 19. Bc4 Bd7 20. Rxd7 $1
Kxd7 21. Rd1+ Ke8 22. Bb5+ Qxb5 23. Qxb5# {1-0 Stam,B-Lomo,M/Gausdal 2000/CBM
77 ext (23)}) 11. exf6 $2 {It was necessary to weaken black pawns by:} (11. Nb5
$1 axb5 12. exf6 $16 {[%csl Ya6,Rb4,Rb5,Yc3] comparing to the game, black has
two weak pawns b5 and b4 instead of a6 and c3.}) 11... bxc3 12. fxg7 Bxg7 13.
b3 Nd7 {Black gets an esy development and powerful bishops on both big
diagonals. c3 pawn is very annoying for white.} 14. Be2 (14. Bd3 Bb7 15. O-O
Nc5 $15) 14... Bb7 $15 15. O-O Nb6 {[%cal Yb7f3,Gc7c5]} 16. Kh1 Nd5 {[%cal
Gh7h6]} 17. Bc4 h6 18. Bxd5 {Black should trade the bishop for to keep Bg5 in
the game.} Bxd5 19. Bh4 O-O 20. Qe2 (20. Bg3 Qc5 $15) 20... f5 {[%csl Gd5,Rf3]
Now black has the pair of bishops, especially Bd5, which has no white opponent
and can not be compared with Nf3.} 21. Rad1 Qf4 22. Be7 Rfe8 23. Bc5 Kh7 {
Black needs g-file for his rooks to put some pressure on g2.} 24. Be3 $6 {
It looks logical to trade at least one of black bishops- white can still hold
position.} (24. Bd4 $142 Rg8 $15 {[%cal Yg8g2]}) 24... Qg4 25. Qf2 Rg8 26. h3
Qh5 27. Rxd5 $2 {White didn't stand the pressure and sacrificed echange, which
wasn't neccesary at all. White is just lost after this sac.} (27. Qe2 $142 Qg6
28. Bd4 $15) 27... exd5 28. Nd4 f4 $1 $19 {Killing blow. Black rooks get quick
access to white's position by open files.} 29. Bxf4 (29. Qxf4 Raf8 30. Nf5 d4
$1 $19 {[%csl Rf5][%cal Gf8f7,Yg8f8]}) 29... Rae8 30. Nf3 Re4 31. Bh2 Rge8 32.
Qc5 (32. Re1 Bd4 $1 $19 {[%cal Rh5f3]} (32... Rxe1+ 33. Nxe1 Qd1 34. Bg3 Rxe1+
$5 35. Qxe1 Qxc2 {[%csl Gc3][%cal Gc3c2]})) 32... Re2 {[%csl Rg2][%cal Rh5g6]}
33. Rd1 Qg6 {[%csl Rg2][%cal Ge2c2]} 0-1

[Event "Bundesliga 9900"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2000.03.13"]
[Round "13.1"]
[White "Tischbierek, Raj"]
[Black "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2526"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[Annotator "Tyomkin,D"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[EventDate "1999.10.09"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 076"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.05.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.05.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Dresden"]
[BlackTeam "Luebeck"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nc6 8. Nxc6
bxc6 9. e5 h6 10. Bh4 g5 11. fxg5 Nd5 12. Ne4 Qb6 13. Bd3 hxg5 14. Bg3 {
It looks like this move gives white an advantage.} (14. Bxg5 dxe5 15. Nf6+ Nxf6
16. Bxf6 Rh6 $1 $146 17. Bxe5 $6 {1/2-1/2 Almasi,Z-Leko,P/Budapest 1997/CBM 62/
[Tyomkin,D] (25)} (17. Qf3 $1 $146 {Tyomkin,D} Bb7 (17... Bb4+ $6 18. c3 Bd6
19. O-O-O Rb8 20. Rd2 Bb7 21. Be4 $16) (17... Bd6 18. Rd1 Bb7 19. Be4 $13) 18.
O-O-O (18. Bxe5 Qa5+ 19. Bc3 Bb4 $13) 18... e4 (18... c5 19. Qf2 e4 20. Bc4 $36
{for instance:} Qb4 21. Bg5 Rg6 22. Rhf1 f5 23. Bxe6 $1 $18) 19. Bxe4 Rxf6 20.
Qxf6 Qe3+ 21. Kb1 Qxe4 22. Rhf1 $16)) (14. Bf2 {-is another dangerous line for
black. But nobody didn't try it during last years.}) 14... dxe5 15. Bxe5 Rh4
16. Qd2 $5 $146 ({Very important game was played after another principle move
of white:} 16. Qf3 Be7 17. O-O-O (17. c4 f5 $5 {or simply 17...Qe3}) 17... Qe3+
(17... f5 18. Nd6+ Bxd6 19. Bxd6 Qe3+ {but also here black isn't such great,
but has chances to save.}) 18. Qxe3 Nxe3 19. g3 $1 $16 Rh6 20. Rd2 Ng4 (20...
Nd5 21. c4 $16) 21. Bg7 f5 (21... Rh3 22. Be2 Rh7 23. Bc3 $16) 22. Bxh6 $18
fxe4 $2 23. Bxe4 Kf7 24. Rf1+ Kg8 {1-0 Lendwai,R-Ermenkov,E/Miskolc 1990/EXT
97 (24)}) 16... f5 $2 {Very risky move, probably leads to the losing position
of black. The right way was to go to the ending:} (16... Qb4 $142 17. Qxb4
Bxb4+ 18. c3 Be7 19. Nd6+ Bxd6 20. Bxd6 Bb7 {[%cal Ge8c8]} 21. O-O-O O-O-O 22.
Bc5 {[%csl Ya6,Rb7,Yc6] Blakc's B is stalled on-b7, but probably may create a
counterplay, which would be enough for equality:} Rdh8 23. h3 g4 24. Bf2 R4h6
25. h4 Nf4 26. Bf1 c5 $5 $132) 17. Nf6+ (17. Nxg5 Bh6 $15 {[%csl Rg5]}) 17...
Nxf6 18. Bxf6 Bb4 (18... Rxh2 $2 19. O-O-O Rxh1 20. Rxh1 g4 21. Qg5 Qc7 22.
Bxf5 $1 $18) 19. c3 Bd6 20. Bxg5 $2 {[%mdl 8192] White misses very easy way to
win.} (20. Qxg5 Rg4 21. Qh5+ Kf8 22. Be2 Qe3 23. Rd1 a5 (23... Be7 24. Qh8+ Kf7
25. Bxe7 Kxe7 26. Rd8 $18) 24. Rxd6 Ba6 25. Rd2 Bxe2 26. Bd4 $1 Rxd4 27. Qh8+
$18) 20... Rg4 $2 {[%mdl 8192] And Shirov has made the move which loses at
once.} (20... Bg3+ 21. Kd1 Rxh2 22. Rxh2 Bxh2 23. Kc2 Rb8 24. b3 $16 {[%cal
Gg2g4] But still white has very strong attack,which is probably decisive.}) 21.
Be2 $18 {That's all.} Rxg5 22. Qxg5 Qxb2 23. Bh5+ Kd7 24. Qg7+ {Very
surprising loss of Shirov.} (24. Qg7+ Kd8 25. Rd1 Qa3 26. O-O $18) 1-0

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2002.01.21"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Timman, Jan H"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2605"]
[BlackElo "2703"]
[Annotator "Tyomkin,D"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2002.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 087"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qf3
Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 {This line is a speciality of Boris in Najdorf;} 10. Bxb5 {
Other world top players had tried different lines in this position: Leko- soft
10.a3 in two last year games in Monaco, Kamsky- sharp 10.e5, Adams-10.Bd3; 10.
Bxb5 is another very sharp line which leads to conctrete play;} (10. a3 Bb7 11.
g4 Be7 12. Bxf6 Nxf6 (12... Bxf6 13. g5 Bxd4 14. Rxd4 O-O {0-1 Leko,P-Gelfand,
B/Monaco MNC 2001/The Week in Chess 333 (38)}) 13. g5 Nd7 14. Bh3 Nc5 15. Rhg1
g6 {1/2-1/2 Leko,P-Shirov,A/Monaco MNC 2001/The Week in Chess 334 (45)}) (10.
Bd3 Bb7 11. Rhe1 O-O-O 12. a3 Be7 13. Qe2 $1 $146 {1/2-1/2 Adams,M-Gelfand,B/
Wijk aan Zee 1994/CBM 39/[Gelfand] (45)}) (10. e5 {Gelfand} Bb7 11. Qh3 dxe5
12. Nxe6 fxe6 13. Qxe6+ Be7 14. Nxb5 {0-1 Kamsky,G-Gelfand,B/Linares 1993/CBM
34/[Gelfand] (80)}) 10... axb5 11. Ndxb5 Qb8 12. e5 Ra5 {12...Bb7 is another
principle move, and probably black can reach the balance this way:} (12... Bb7
{Ernst} 13. Qe2 dxe5 14. Qc4 Be7 15. Nc7+ Kf8 16. Rxd7 Nxd7 17. Bxe7+ $5 {
Eine sehr interessante Neuerung in dieser Wild-West-Variante!} (17. Rd1 {Ernst}
Bxg5 18. fxg5 Bc8 19. N3b5 g6 $13 {Kengis - Dvojris, URS 1982.}) 17... Kxe7 18.
Rd1 Bd5 19. N3xd5+ exd5 20. Nxd5+ Kd8 (20... Kf8 {Ernst} 21. Nc7 $36) 21. Nb4
Qc7 22. Qxf7 Ra5 23. Nd5 Rxd5 24. Rxd5 Re8 25. Qxg7 exf4 26. Qf6+ Kc8 27. Qa6+
Kd8 28. Qf6+ Kc8 29. Qg7 Kd8 30. Qxh7 {1/2-1/2 Van der Wiel,J-Renet,O/Cannes
1992/CBM 28/[Ernst] (30)}) 13. exf6 gxf6 14. Bh6 Bxh6 15. Nxd6+ Ke7 16. Kb1 Rd8
{16...Nb6 is interesting too, but 16...Rd8 looks much more logical;} (16... Nb6
17. Nce4 $5 (17. Qe4 Rd8 18. Qb4 (18. Ndb5 $6 Rxb5 (18... Qxf4 $5 19. Qc6 Nd7
20. Rxd7+ Rxd7 21. Qc5+ Qd6 $1) 19. Nxb5 Nd5 (19... Qxf4 20. Qc6 Nd5 21. Qc5+
Ke8 22. Rxd5 $1 $18) 20. c4 Ba6 21. cxd5 Qxb5 22. Rhe1 Bb7 23. Qxh7 Bxd5 24.
Qxh6 Rb8 25. Rd2 Bxa2+ $1 $19 {0-1 Balashov,Y-Polugaevsky,L/Manila 1976/IZT 
(33)}) 18... Rxd6 19. Rxd6 Qxd6 20. Qxa5 Bxf4 21. Rd1 Nc4 22. Qa7+ Qc7 23.
Qxc7+ Bxc7 24. Rd4 Ne3 25. Re4 Nxg2 (25... Bb6 $5) 26. Nd5+ Kd8 27. Nxf6 Bxh2
28. Rd4+ Ke7 29. Ng8+ Ke8 30. Nf6+ {1/2-1/2 Dimitrov,V-Genov,P/BUL 1995/EXT 97
(30)}) 17... Na4 $2 (17... Nd5 $142 18. c4 $36 {[%cal Gc4c5,Gf4f5]}) 18. Nxc8+
Rxc8 19. Qa3+ Nc5 20. Qxa5 Nxe4 21. Qa3+ Nc5 22. g3 $16 {1-0 Psakhis,L-Anikaev,
Y/Frunze 1979/MCL (35)}) 17. Rhe1 {That's the best move for white here;} ({
Black is completely safe in the following line:} 17. Nce4 Bg7 $5 (17... Bb7 18.
Qc3 Ra4 19. Nxb7 Qxb7 20. Rxd7+ Rxd7 21. Qxf6+ Ke8 22. Qh8+ Bf8 23. Nf6+ Ke7
24. Ng8+ (24. Nxd7 Qxd7 $15 {0-1 Pokojowczyk,J-Staniszewski,P/POL-ch 1986/MCL 
(30)}) 24... Kd8 25. Nf6 $11) (17... Qa8 $5 18. Qb3 Bxf4 (18... Nc5 $4 19. Qb6
$18 {[%cal Rd6f5,Re4c5] 1-0 Vasiesiu,D-Tugui,A/Tusnad 1997/EXT 99 (28)}) 19.
Nxc8+ Rxc8 20. Qb4+ Nc5 21. Nxc5 Raxc5 22. Qxf4 Rxc2 $11) 18. Qc3 Ra6 19. f5
Kf8 20. Rhf1 (20. Nxc8 Rxc8 21. Qd3 Qa8 $1 22. Qxd7 $140 Rxa2 23. Qxc8+ Qxc8
24. Kxa2 Qc4+ $19) 20... Ne5 $17 {0-1 Kengis,E-Dvoirys,S/Vilnius 1984/MCD (40)}
) ({The way of computer played in this position doesn't give white anything
too:} 17. Qe4 f5 18. Qd4 Rg8 (18... Ba6 19. Rhe1 $36) 19. Nxc8+ Qxc8 20. Qb4+
Qc5 21. Rxd7+ Kxd7 22. Qb7+ Qc7 $1 (22... Ke8 23. Qb8+ Ke7 24. Qxg8 Bxf4 25.
Rd1 $14 {black hasn't got enought comp.; 1-0 Comp WChess-Wolff,P/Boston 1994/
EXT 99 (34)}) 23. Rd1+ Rd5 24. Rxd5+ (24. Qxc7+ Kxc7 $17) 24... exd5 25. Qxd5+
Ke7 26. Qxf5 Qc4 $17) ({Tactical approach 17.Nxd5 doesn't bring white any
success:} 17. Nd5+ exd5 18. Nf5+ Kf8 19. Nxh6 Nc5 20. Rhe1 Na4 21. b3 Qb4 22.
Re3 Re8 $19 {0-1 Kengis,E-Shneider,A/Vilnius 1984/MCD (48)}) 17... Nb6 18. Ncb5
{[%mdl 1024] The material balance is N+2P of white against pair of black
bishops;} Rxb5 {The only way to keep the defense;} (18... Ba6 $2 19. Nf5+ $1 (
19. Qc3 $2 Rxb5 20. Nxb5 Bxb5 21. Qb4+ Rd6 22. Qxb5 Bxf4 $17 {0-1 Kantsler,
B-Kuporosov,V/Sochi 1979/EXT 99 (37)}) 19... Kf8 (19... Ke8 20. Qc6+ Kf8 21.
Qc3 {-leads to the same;}) 20. Qc3 $1 Rxb5 21. Qxf6 Rxb2+ $1 22. Qxb2 Nd5 23.
Rxd5 $1 Qxb2+ (23... exd5 24. Nxh6 $18) 24. Kxb2 Rxd5 (24... Bg7+ 25. Nxg7 Rxd5
26. Nxe6+ fxe6 27. Rxe6 $16) 25. Nxh6 Rd2 26. g3 Rxh2 27. Ng4 Rh3 {[%cal Gh7h5]
vs some chances to save the game;}) (18... Rd7 {-is another way to repeal
white's threat- Nf5+;} 19. Qc6 Kf8 $8 20. Nxc8 Rxd1+ 21. Rxd1 Nxc8 22. Rd8+ Kg7
23. Qe8 $18) 19. Nxb5 Rxd1+ $5 $146 {[%mdl 8]} (19... Nc4 20. Qb3 Nd2+ (20...
Qxf4 21. Qb4+ Ke8 22. Qc5 {[%cal Rb5c7]} Nd2+ $8 23. Ka1 {[%cal Rb5c7,Rc7d5]}
Bb7 24. g3 $1 Qb8 {Otherwise white would check black by Nd6;} 25. Nc7+ (25. Qh5
$16 {[%cal Re1e6]}) 25... Kd7 26. Qh5 Kxc7 27. Qxh6 $16 {[%csl Rf6,Rh7]}) 21.
Rxd2 Rxd2 22. Qb4+ Rd6 (22... Ke8 23. Qxd2 Qxb5 24. Qc3 $16 {[%csl Rc8,Rf6]})
23. g3 Bd7 24. Qxd6+ Qxd6 {1/2-1/2 Brodsky,M-Timoshchenko,G/Moscow 1992/CBM 33
(24) The evaluation of this ending is principle for the evaluation of all the
opening line-9...b5; But, perhaps, Timman was ready to play this ending vs
white for a win;} 25. Nxd6 Kxd6 26. b4 e5 {and black gets some counterplay;})
20. Rxd1 Bxf4 21. g3 Be5 22. Qa3+ Ke8 23. Nd6+ Bxd6 24. Qxd6 Qxd6 25. Rxd6 Nd5
26. c4 {All was forced till now...} Ke7 $4 {Black should move the knight
instead, but I don't really know what black can oppose to white passed pawns
over the queenside....} (26... Ne3 {[%cal Ge3f1] This ending can be compared
vs final position of the game Brodsky,M-Timoshchenko,G(see 19...Nxc4)- black
is up a pawn here comparing vs that ending, but black has pair of bishops
there and some counterplay as well. In both cases, white has chances to win
thanx to 3 passed pawns over the queenside;} 27. c5 Nf1 (27... Ke7 28. b4 e5
29. a4 Nf1 30. a5 $18) 28. b4 Nxh2 29. b5 $16 {and white pawns are very
dangerous;}) (26... Ne7 {[%cal Ge7f5] was possible too, but it is a bit
passive;} 27. b4 Nf5 28. Rd3 (28. Rb6 Ne3 29. b5 Nxc4 30. Rc6 Nd2+ {[%cal
Gc8d7]} 31. Kc1 Bd7 32. Rc7 $16 {[%cal Gb5b6,Ya2a4]}) 28... Bb7 29. Kb2 e5 30.
b5 $16 {and so on;}) 27. Rc6 $18 Bb7 28. cxd5 Bxc6 29. dxc6 Kd6 (29... f5 30.
b4 {[%cal Gb4b5]}) 30. g4 $1 {Now black can advance his e-pawn maximum on e5
to keep it protected by f-pawn, but white easily wins there by moving his
pawns to a5 and b5 and the king- to c5;} (30. b4 Kxc6 31. g4 $1 (31. a4 f5 $1 {
[%cal Ge6e5,Ge5e4] and black would get his passed e-pawn on e4;})) ({The
following lines show how white easily wins in that pawn ending:} 30. g4 Kxc6
31. Kc2 Kd5 32. Kd3 e5 33. b4 Kc6 (33... e4+ 34. Ke3 Ke5 35. a4 $18) 34. Kc4
Kb6 35. a4 Ka6 36. a5 Kb7 37. b5 Ka7 38. Kc5 Kb7 39. a6+ Ka7 40. Kc6 e4 41. b6+
Kxa6 42. b7 Ka7 43. Kc7 $18) 1-0

[Event "Griesheim GM"]
[Site "Griesheim"]
[Date "2002.01.24"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Jakubiec, Artur"]
[Black "Ginsburg, Gennadij"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2518"]
[BlackElo "2493"]
[Annotator "Tyomkin,D"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2002.01.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "12"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 088"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qc7 8. Qf3
b5 (8... Be7 {-was tried in some games;}) 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Bd3 b4 $146 (10...
Nd7 11. O-O-O Bb7 12. Rhe1 (12. Kb1 Nc5 13. f5 b4 14. Nce2 e5 15. Nb3 {0-1
Dworakowska,J-Tetenkina,I/Zagan 1995/EXT 97 (33). (33)}) 12... O-O-O 13. f5 Nc5
14. fxe6 fxe6 15. Qh3 Qd7 16. Be2 h5 17. b4 $1 $16 {1/2-1/2 Suetin,A-Balashov,
Y/Sochi 1973/MCL (28). (27)}) (10... Nc6 11. Nxc6 Qxc6 12. f5 Ra7 13. fxe6 fxe6
14. O-O-O Bh6+ 15. Kb1 O-O 16. Qh3 Bg7 17. Ne2 Qc5 18. Rhf1 Qe5 $11 {0-1
Vuckovic,B-Sedlak,N/Subotica 2000/EXT 2001 (29). (29)}) (10... Bb7 11. Qh5 $2 (
11. f5 $142 $14) 11... Qc5 $1 $15 {0-1 Bosbach,M-Rytshagov,M/Mittelrhein 1994/
EXT 2002 (37). (37)}) 11. Nce2 Nd7 12. e5 {f4-f5 plan doesn't have a sense
here- black would get e5 outpost for the knight;} Bb7 13. Qh5 {[%cal Rd4e6]}
Nc5 14. exf6 Rg8 (14... Bxg2 15. Rg1 Bd5 16. Rg7 Bxg7 17. fxg7 Rg8 18. Bxh7
Rxg7 19. Be4 {[%cal Gh5h8] leaving it messy;}) 15. f5 e5 (15... O-O-O 16. fxe6
fxe6 17. Nf4 Qd7 18. Qxh7 Rg4 $44) 16. Ne6 {[%mdl 64]} Qc6 $6 {Black queen
went to the wrong square; 16...Qb6 could give black chances for advantage;} (
16... Qb6 17. O-O-O (17. Bc4 d5 $1) 17... Nd7 $1 {[%cal Gd7f6,Yb6e3]}) 17. Bc4
{[%csl Rf7]} Nxe6 {That's the lack of Qc6 move- black doesn't have d6-d5 now;}
(17... d5 18. Bxd5 {[%cal Ye6c7]}) 18. Bxe6 $6 {This move will force white to
sacrifice the bishop on e6, however there is nothing wrong in it- white would
get two pawns e6 and f6 there;} (18. fxe6 $142 Rg6 $8 19. Bb3 (19. Qxh7 Rxf6
20. exf7+ Ke7 21. Qh4 Qe4 $1) 19... Rxf6 20. O-O-O {[%cal Gb3d5]} (20. Qh4 $5))
18... Qc7 19. Ng3 {[%cal Rh5h7]} h6 20. O-O-O Rg5 21. Qh4 fxe6 22. fxe6 {
White can always take a piece back for those pawns, but the bigger problem is
that black got an attack against white king;} Rc8 23. Rd2 Qc4 24. Qh3 {The
only chance of white is in the middlegame;} (24. Qxc4 Rxc4 25. Rf1 {[%cal
Re6e7,Yf6f7]} Rf4 $1 $15 {[%csl Ye6,Yf6] white pawns are not supported by
white pieces;}) 24... Qxa2 25. Kd1 {Both kings are totaly uncovered now!} Qb1+
$4 {The following crazy line suddenly ends to the draw!} (25... Rc6 $1 {
[%cal Gb7c8,Yd6d5,Yc6f6,Yc6e6] Only Fritz is able to find such defenses- black
needs control over 6th rank the most;} 26. e7 Bxe7 27. fxe7 d5 28. Rf1 Qxb2 29.
Ne4 $1 b3 $1 (29... dxe4 30. Qd7#) 30. Nxg5 bxc2+ 31. Ke2 Qb5+ 32. Rd3 $8 (32.
Kf2 Qxf1+ $19) 32... c1=N+ $3 (32... c1=Q 33. Rf8+ Kxe7 34. Rf7+ Ke8 35. Qd7#)
33. Rxc1 Rxc1 34. Qh5+ Kxe7 35. Qf7+ Kd8 (35... Kd6 36. Ne4+ Kc6 37. Qe6+ {
with perpetual at least;}) 36. Ne6+ Kc8 37. Qg8+ Kd7 38. Qf7+ Kd6 39. Qf6 $1 {
and probably white intitiative is enough for the draw;}) 26. Ke2 Qxb2 27. e7
Bxe7 28. Qe6 $1 {That's why black had to stay with the queen over a2-g8
diagonal;} Rc7 29. Rf1 $1 {entering the last piece to the attack- nothing can
stop white here;} e4 30. fxe7 Rxe7 31. Qxd6 Bd5 32. Qb8+ Kd7 33. Qb7+ Ke6 34.
Qb6+ Ke5 (34... Kd7 35. Rf8 {and white gonna mate black king here too;}) 35.
Qf6# 1-0

[Event "FRA-ch Pool A"]
[Site "Vichy"]
[Date "2000.08.23"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Nataf, Igor Alexandre"]
[Black "Degraeve, Jean Marc"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2526"]
[BlackElo "2540"]
[Annotator "Tyomkin,D"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2000.08.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 079"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.11.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.11.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nc6 8. e5
h6 9. Bh4 g5 10. fxg5 {In the other game of FRA ch, Igor Nataf tried the less
popular 10.Bg3, but he has got dangerous position:} (10. Bg3 Nd5 11. Nxd5 exd5
12. f5 Nxe5 (12... dxe5 $142 13. Nxc6 bxc6 14. Bxe5 Bb4+ 15. c3 O-O $15) 13.
Be2 Bg7 14. O-O Nc6 15. c3 Nxd4 16. cxd4 Qf6 {1/2-1/2 Nataf,I-Relange,E/Vichy
FRA 2000/The Week in Chess 302 (16)}) 10... Nd5 11. Nxd5 exd5 12. exd6 {
I believe that Nataf knew this opening line. About Degraeve- I don't know, but
probably less than Nataf.} (12. e6 Bxe6 13. Nxc6 bxc6 14. Qd4 Qa5+ 15. b4 Bg7
$2 (15... Qa3 $142 16. g6 $5 $132) 16. Qxg7 Qxb4+ 17. Kf2 Qxh4+ $2 18. g3 $18 {
1-0 Jakubiec,A-Szelag,M/Zakopane chT 2000/The Week in Chess 310 (34)}) 12...
Qxd6 (12... Bxd6 13. Nxc6 (13. Qe2+ Qe7 14. Nxc6 bxc6 15. g6 Qxe2+ 16. Bxe2
fxg6 $11 {1/2-1/2 Kristensen,B-Gormally,D/Taastrup 1997/EXT 99 (28)}) 13...
bxc6 14. Qd4 Qe7+ 15. Be2 (15. Kd2 $5) 15... Be5 (15... Qe5 $5) 16. Qa4 Rb8 17.
g6 Qd6 (17... Qb4+ $1) 18. gxf7+ {1-0 McDonald,N-Danner,G/Budapest 1996/CBM 52
ext (32)}) (12... hxg5 $5 13. Qe2+ Kd7 14. Nxc6 $13) 13. Qe2+ Be7 14. Nxc6 bxc6
15. Bg3 Qb4+ $2 $146 {Not successful novelty- it leads to losing position
immediatly. 15...Qg6 deserves attention. Black drew somehow in the following
game, but there is a field for improvements for both sides:} (15... Qg6 16. Qe5
(16. Be5 $6 O-O {with advantage in development for black.}) 16... Qe6 17. Qxe6
Bxe6 18. Be5 Rg8 19. gxh6 f6 20. Bf4 Bf5 21. O-O-O {1/2-1/2 Forster,R-Hoffmann,
M/Lippstadt 1995/EXT 97 (21)}) 16. c3 $16 Qa4 $6 {The best for black was to go
to the ending with pawn down:} (16... Qe4 17. Qxe4 dxe4 18. gxh6 Rxh6 19. Bc4
$16) 17. Qe5 Rg8 $2 {Still black had the same ending:} (17... Qe4+ 18. Qxe4
dxe4 19. gxh6 Rxh6 20. Bc4 $16) 18. gxh6 $18 {[%cal Rh6h7] Now black is
defendless.} Qc2 19. Be2 Qg6 20. Bh5 Qxh6 (20... Qe4+ 21. Qxe4 dxe4 22. O-O Be6
23. Be5 $18 {[%cal Rh6h7]}) 21. O-O Be6 22. Rae1 {[%cal Re5e6,Rh5f7] The enter
of last white piece to the game forces the immediate surrender of black. Black
even can not castle because of mate in one.} 1-0

[Event "MK Cafe Cup-A"]
[Site "Koszalin"]
[Date "1999.08.10"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Dvoirys, Semen I"]
[Black "Lesiege, Alexandre"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2590"]
[BlackElo "2553"]
[Annotator "Tyomkin,D"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "1999.08.03"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 073"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.12.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.12.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qc7 8. f5
Nc6 (8... b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Qh5 b4 11. Ncb5 $2 (11. Nce2 $142) 11... Qc5 $1 (
11... axb5 12. fxe6 $36) 12. Nb3 Qe3+ $17 13. Kd1 axb5 14. Bxb5+ Ke7 15. Re1
Qb6 16. Bc4 Nc6 17. fxe6 fxe6 18. g4 Ne5 19. Bd3 Bg7 {0-1 Tosic,M-Cseshkovsky
Vitaly/Vrnjachka Banja YUG 1982 (19)}) (8... Be7 9. fxe6 (9. Qf3 $5 Nc6 10.
O-O-O Nxd4 11. Rxd4 b5 12. Qg3 e5 $6 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Nd5 Qd8 15. Rd3 {
1-0 Conquest,S-Zygouris,H/Iraklion 1992 (37)}) 9... fxe6 10. g3 (10. Be2 O-O
11. Bg4 Nxg4 12. Qxg4 e5 13. Nf5 Bxf5 14. exf5 Bxg5 15. Qxg5 Nc6 $15 {
Vitolinsh-Gutman/URS 1975}) 10... Nc6 11. Bh3 Qa5 12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. Qd2 Rb8 14.
Rb1 h6 15. Be3 O-O 16. O-O Qh5 $15 {Matulovic-Tukmakov,V/Titograd 1982}) 9.
fxe6 fxe6 10. Bc4 $5 $146 {This is improvement for white in this variation.
Bishop makes a strong pressure on diagonal a2-g8,espessially on-e6.} (10. Nxc6
bxc6 11. Be2 Be7 12. e5 dxe5 13. Bh5+ g6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. O-O $44 {
Vitolinsh-Kengis/Latvia 1975}) 10... Nxd4 11. Qxd4 Be7 12. Bb3 b5 (12... O-O
13. O-O-O {[%csl Re6] and white looks much better.}) 13. a4 Rb8 14. axb5 axb5
15. Ra7 Qb6 $4 (15... Qc6 $142 16. O-O Rf8 (16... Bd8 {[%cal Gd8b6]} 17. Bxf6
gxf6 18. Kh1 Qc5 19. Qxc5 dxc5 20. Nxb5 $1 Rxb5 21. Ba4 Bd7 22. Rd1 Bc6 23. Rd6
$18) 17. Be3 $36 {[%cal Ge4e5]}) (15... Rb7 16. Nxb5 {[%cal Ya7c7]}) {[%tqu
"En","White has a way to win material by tactical blow.","","","c3b5","",10]}
16. Nxb5 $18 {[%mdl 64]} Bd7 17. Nc7+ Kf7 18. Nxe6 $1 {[%mdl 192] Very
impressive.White makes an invitation to black king to make a trip in the
center,and Black is forced to accept it.} Bxe6 19. Bxe6+ Kxe6 20. Qc4+ $1 {
[%mdl 192] This is better than 20.Bxf6.} d5 21. exd5+ Kf5 (21... Kf7 22. d6+
Kg6 23. Qd3+ Kxg5 (23... Kh5 24. Rxe7 $18 (24. Bd2 $18 {[%cal Gd3f5]})) 24. h4+
{mating.}) 22. Rxe7 Kxg5 23. h4+ (23. h4+ Kh5 24. Qe2+ Ng4 25. Re5+ {[%cal
Ge5e6]}) 1-0

[Event "CUB-ch"]
[Site "Holguin"]
[Date "2002.04.03"]
[Round "4"]
[White "De la Paz Perdomo, Frank"]
[Black "Vera Gonzalez Quevedo, Reynaldo"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2427"]
[BlackElo "2534"]
[Annotator "Tyomkin,D"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2002.03.31"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "17"]
[EventCountry "CUB"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 089"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.08.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.08.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qc7 8. Bxf6
(8. Qf3 {-leads to main lines of Najdorf;}) 8... gxf6 9. Qd2 b5 10. O-O-O (10.
Bd3 Bb7 11. O-O-O Nd7 12. Rhe1 O-O-O 13. f5 Nc5 14. a3 Kb8 15. Kb1 h5 16. Qe3
Bh6 17. Qh3 Qe7 18. Qf3 {1/2-1/2 Khalifman,A-Lautier,J/Moscow 2001/CBM 86 (18)}
) 10... Bb7 11. Bxb5+ $6 {Aggresive but dubious way- white will have to fight
hard for the draw in forthcoming ending;} (11. Bd3 {-would transform it to
Khalifman,A-Lautier,J-see 10.Bd3;}) 11... axb5 12. Ndxb5 Qc6 {The ending is
the best solution for black here;} (12... Qb6 13. Nxd6+ Bxd6 14. Qxd6 Nc6 15.
Nd5 $1 $132) 13. Nxd6+ Bxd6 14. Qxd6 Qxd6 15. Rxd6 Ra6 $15 16. Rd2 (16. Rxa6
Nxa6 $15 {[%cal Ge8e7,Ga6c5]}) 16... Ke7 17. Rhd1 Rc8 {[%csl Re4][%cal Gc8c4,
Gc8c3] Rxc3 is threatening to destroy white's pawn chain and to grab e4 or a2
there;} 18. Rd3 {to prevent Rxc3;} (18. g3 Rxc3 $1 19. bxc3 Rxa2 $15 {[%csl
Re4]}) 18... Rac6 (18... Rc4 19. b3 Rb4 20. Rd8 Bc6 21. Kb2 Nd7 $15) 19. R1d2 (
19. Rh3 $142 Rc4 20. Re1 $15) 19... Rc4 20. Rd4 (20. Re2 Nd7 {[%csl Re4][%cal
Gd7c5]}) 20... e5 (20... f5 21. exf5 Rxd4 22. Rxd4 Bxg2 23. fxe6 Kxe6 $15 {
[%csl Rf4][%cal Ge6f5]}) 21. R4d3 Bxe4 {21...f5 very strong instead; 21...Bxe4
was premature- now white has a way to equalize;} (21... f5 $5 22. fxe5 (22.
exf5 Rxf4 $17) 22... fxe4 23. Rh3 Nd7 24. Rxh7 Nxe5 {[%cal Ge7e6,Gf7f5,Yc4b4,
Ye5c4]}) 22. Re3 Rxc3 23. bxc3 Rc4 24. Rde2 f5 25. fxe5 Nd7 26. Rh3 Nxe5 27.
Rxh7 $11 {Only 2 pawns 'f' are left for black- not enough material to win the
game; On the other hand, white can not play for the win as well- black pieces
are dominating and all white pawns are weak;} Rxc3 28. Rh8 $6 {Letting black
to transfer the knight to f4;} (28. g3 Ra3 29. Kb1 Nc4 30. Rh4 {[%cal Rh4e4]}
Ne3 {[%cal Ge7e6,Ge6e5]} 31. Kb2 Nc4+ 32. Kb1 Ne3 $11) 28... Ng6 29. Rg8 Nf4 {
[%csl Rc2,Rg2]} 30. Rxe4+ $2 {White doesn't stand the pressure and overlooks
the tactics;} (30. Rd2 Nd3+ 31. Rxd3 (31. Kb1 Nb4 {[%csl Rc2]}) 31... Bxd3 32.
Kd2 Rxc2+ 33. Kxd3 Rxa2 $11) 30... fxe4 31. Rg4 {It looks like white grabs
e4-pawn, and the draw is obvious there, but...} Nd3+ $1 32. Kd2 Rc4 $1 {
That's the point- black keeps on the pawn e4 now;} 33. Ke3 (33. cxd3 e3+ {
[%csl Rg4]}) ({The best practical chance was:} 33. Rg3 $142 Nf4 $19 {[%cal
Gf7f5,Ge7e6]} (33... Nb4 34. Rc3 $1)) 33... Nc5 34. h4 Rxc2 35. h5 Rxa2 36. h6
Ra8 37. Rg5 Ne6 38. Rh5 Kf6 39. Kxe4 Kg6 40. Rh1 Ng5+ {[%cal Ga8h8,Gh8h6] and
f7 pawn is enough to win here;} 0-1

[Event "Cannes masters k.o."]
[Site "Cannes"]
[Date "2000.02.20"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "David, Alberto"]
[Black "Fressinet, Laurent"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2520"]
[BlackElo "2501"]
[Annotator "Tyomkin,D"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2000.02.19"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 076"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.05.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.05.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nc6 8. Qd3
{Rare line. After 7...Nc6, white has two main lines: 8.Nxc6 bxc6 9.e5 and 8.e5.
Both of them lead to whites advantage, and prove that 9..Nc6 isn't such good
line for black. Between two these lines, 8.Nxc6 looks more dangerous for black.
} (8. Nxc6 bxc6 9. e5 h6 10. Bh4 g5 11. fxg5 Nd5 12. Ne4 Qb6 13. Bd3 hxg5 14.
Bg3 {1-0 Tischbierek,R-Shirov,A/Germany 2000/CBM 76_02 (24)}) (8. e5 h6 9. Bh4
dxe5 10. Nxc6 Qxd1+ 11. Rxd1 bxc6 12. fxe5 Nd5 13. Ne4 Rb8 14. b3 Be7 15. Bg3
O-O 16. Be2 a5 17. c4 Nb4 18. Rd2 Rd8 19. Rf1 Rxd2 20. Kxd2 {White looks much
better in this ending[Tyomkin,D]. 1/2-1/2 Adams,M-Anand,V/Linares 1997/CBM 57/
[Huzman] (32)}) 8... h6 9. Bh4 g5 $146 ({White didn't get any opening
advantage in following game:} 9... Bd7 $5 10. O-O-O g5 11. fxg5 Ng4 12. Nf3 Be7
13. Be2 hxg5 14. Bg3 Nge5 15. Nxe5 Nxe5 16. Bxe5 dxe5 {and black looks safe. 1/
2-1/2 Blaskowski,J-Schoenthier,F/BL2W 1990 (30)}) 10. fxg5 Ng4 11. Nxc6 bxc6
12. O-O-O hxg5 13. Bg3 Qb6 {After the series of logical moves from both sides,
the typical Naidorf position was arised on the board. This position is with
mutual chances, but white can not create immediate threats on black's
position- the meaning is that the opening has passed successfully for black.}
14. Rd2 (14. Be2 Nf2 15. Bxf2 Qxf2 16. Qc4 (16. e5 Qf4+ 17. Kb1 Qxe5 18. Bf3
Bb7 19. Rhe1 Qa5 20. Ne4 O-O-O $17) (16. Kb1 Qc5 $1 {[%cal Gc5e5]}) 16... Bd7
17. Kb1 Qb6 18. e5 d5 $15) 14... Ne5 15. Bxe5 dxe5 16. Na4 Qc7 17. Be2 Rb8 18.
Rhd1 (18. a3 $5 {preventing Rb4.}) 18... Be7 (18... Rxh2 $2 19. Qd8+ Qxd8 20.
Rxd8+ Ke7 21. Bxa6 $16) 19. Bg4 Rb4 20. Nc3 Rd4 $2 {Annoying mistake for black.
By simple 20...f5 black could get an advantage.} (20... f5 $1 21. exf5 {
Maybe because of this move black declined 20..f5, but black is safe here.} (21.
Be2 g4 $17 {[%cal Ge7g5]}) 21... Rxg4 22. f6 Bxf6 23. Ne4 (23. Qg6+ Ke7 (23...
Qf7 24. Rd8+ Bxd8 25. Rxd8+ Kxd8 26. Qxf7 Rxh2 $15) 24. g3 $1 $40 {[%cal Gd2f2]
}) 23... Rxe4 24. Qxe4 O-O $1 {I almost forgot, that black still may castle!})
21. Qf3 Rxd2 22. Rxd2 Rxh2 $2 (22... Rh6 $1 23. Rd1 c5 (23... Rxh2 $2 24. Bh5 {
[%csl Rf7]})) 23. Bh5 $16 Rh1+ $2 (23... Bc5 24. Rd1 {[%cal Gd1f1] Black can
not protect f7-point} Qe7 25. Rf1 Bd4 (25... Be3+ 26. Kb1 Bf4 27. g3 Rxh5 28.
Qxh5 Bxg3 29. Rd1 $1 $18 {[%cal Rh5h8]}) 26. Bxf7+ Kd8 $16) 24. Nd1 {Suddenly
blacks position became defendless-the main weakness is f7.} Bc5 25. g4 Re1 26.
Qf6 Bd6 (26... Be3 27. Bxf7+ Qxf7 28. Qd8#) 27. Qh8+ Bf8 28. Rf2 {[%csl Rf7]}
1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 4th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2016.04.20"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2790"]
[BlackElo "2788"]
[Annotator "Vachier Lagrave,M"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2016.04.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 {Anish goes for it!
A very unexpected but principled decision. For some reason I had had a look at
my notes not long before the game so I still had a few fresh memories of how
to play this position.} e6 7. f4 h6 8. Bh4 Qb6 9. a3 {One of the issues of the
move order I chose to enter the Poisoned Pawn as the bishop can come back to
f2 in the event of ...Nc6. The lines are thus less forcing but nonetheless
very sharp, but I generally don't mind that.} Be7 10. Bf2 Qc7 11. Qf3 Nbd7 ({
I had chosen} 11... b5 {against Sasha Grischuk at the London Chess Classic.}
12. g4 Nc6 (12... Bb7 $2 13. g5 hxg5 14. fxg5 Nfd7 15. g6 $16) 13. Nxc6 (13.
O-O-O Bb7 14. h4 d5 $1) 13... Qxc6 14. O-O-O Bb7 15. Bd3 {would have been a
bit dodgy though as my cherished d5 break is not possible anymore.} d5 (15...
g5 16. fxg5 hxg5 17. Bd4) 16. exd5 Nxd5 17. Be4 {with a big advantage.}) 12.
O-O-O b5 13. g4 g5 (13... Bb7 14. Bg2 (14. h4 Nc5 15. Bd3 d5 16. e5 Nfe4 {
looks good for Black.}) 14... g5 {is the other option but I prefer to keep the
bishop on c8 for now to keep control of the e6-square in case of f5.}) 14. h4 (
14. Bg2 Rb8 15. Qh3 $5 b4 $1 16. axb4 Rxb4 17. fxg5 Nxg4 $1 {could become very
double-edged as} 18. Qxg4 Bxg5+ 19. Kb1 (19. Rd2 Ne5 20. Qg3 Nc4) 19... Qxc3
20. Nb3 Qc7 {looks good for Black.}) 14... gxf4 15. Be2 $1 {A great idea,
already seen in correspondence chess. But I wasn't aware of that.} Rg8 {
After a while, I decided in favor of this move, most importantly because it
contained a subtle trap.} (15... Ne5 16. Qxf4 Nexg4 {is the direct option but
it leads to a very unpleasant position after the more or less forced sequence:}
17. Bxg4 e5 18. Nd5 $1 (18. Qxf6 $2 Bxf6 19. Nd5 Qd8 20. Nc6 Bxg4 {wouldn't be
as smart as it looks.}) 18... Nxd5 19. Qf3 Bxg4 (19... Nf4 20. Bxc8 Rxc8 21.
Rd2 {followed by Nf5 is worrisome.}) 20. Qxg4 Nf6 21. Qf3 exd4 22. Bxd4 Rg8 23.
Bxf6 Bxf6 24. Qxf6 Rc8 25. Rh2 Rg6 26. Qf4 {and White has a definite pull on
the position.}) (15... h5 16. g5 Ng4 17. Qxf4 $1 e5 18. Nd5 Qb7 19. Qg3 {
is awful.} Nxf2 20. Qxf2 exd4 21. Nxe7 Kxe7 22. Qxd4) (15... Bb7 {is
objectively best. My main concern was having to surrender the h-file but
apparently it's not the end of the world after} 16. g5 Ne5 17. Qxf4 Ng6 18. Qf3
(18. Qe3 hxg5 19. hxg5 Rxh1 20. Rxh1 Nd7 21. Rh7 Qc5) 18... hxg5 19. hxg5 Rxh1
20. Rxh1 Nd7 21. Be3 Nde5 22. Qf2 O-O-O {and no sacrifice on b5 works quite
yet. Still things are a bit dodgy as there's no further plan available.}) (
15... d5 16. g5 $1 {I didn't measure the strength of this move as 16.exd5 was
more of a concern to me.} (16. exd5 Ne5 $1 (16... Bb7 17. dxe6 $1 Bxf3 18.
exd7+ {would give White tremendous play for the queen and never quite appealed
to me.} Kf8 $5 (18... Qxd7 19. Bxf3 O-O-O 20. Nc6 Qc7 21. g5) 19. Bxf3 Rd8 20.
g5 hxg5 21. hxg5 Rxh1 22. Rxh1 Ng8 23. g6 $1 Qxd7 24. Bd5 Qxd5 $6 (24... Nf6
25. Bxf7 Qxd4 26. Bxd4 Rxd4 $14) 25. Nxd5 Rxd5 26. Rh7 $1 fxg6 27. Ne6+ Ke8 28.
Nc7+) 17. d6 {scared me but maybe without any good reason as after} (17. Ncxb5
$2 axb5 18. Nxb5 Qb8 19. Qc3 Ne4 $3 {The great defensive shot I missed,
completely turning the tables.} (19... Nxd5 $4 20. Rxd5) 20. Nc7+ Kf8 21. Qxe5
Bf6) 17... Nxf3 18. dxc7 Ne5 19. Ndxb5 axb5 20. Bd4 Nc6 21. Bxb5 Bb7 {Black
should be fine:} 22. g5 hxg5 23. hxg5 Rxh1 24. Rxh1 Nd5 25. Nxd5 exd5 26. Be5
Kd7 27. Bxf4 Bd6) 16... Ne5 17. Qg2 Nxe4 (17... Rg8 18. exd5 Bb7 19. Qh3 $1
Nxd5 20. Nxe6 {with a winning attack.}) 18. Nxe4 dxe4 19. Qxe4 Bb7 20. Nxe6 $1
fxe6 21. Bh5+ Kf8 22. Qxf4+ Kg8 23. Bf7+ Kh7 24. g6+ Kg7 25. Bd4 Bf6 26. Rhf1
Nd3+ 27. Rxd3 Qxf4+ 28. Rxf4 e5 29. Rxf6 Kxf6 30. Bc3 {and Black ends up with
a very difficult endgame to hold.}) 16. Rdg1 $2 {Now my break attempt is much
more powerful as the rook has left the d-file. But Anish wanted to keep his
rook on the h-file in case it opened.} (16. g5 $1 {was the most principled,
and it seems to work:} Ne5 (16... hxg5 17. hxg5 Rxg5 18. Rh8+ Rg8 19. Rxg8+
Nxg8 20. e5 Bb7 21. Nxe6 {would win on the spot, and I didn't need to
calculate lines to realise that.} fxe6 22. Qh5+ Kf8 (22... Kd8 23. exd6 Bxd6
24. Qf7 Ne7 25. Qxe6) 23. Rg1 dxe5 24. Qh8 Ndf6 25. Bh5 $1 Bd6 26. Bh4 {
all wins}) 17. Qxf4 hxg5 (17... Nfg4 {was the move that concerned Anish. But
it fails to} 18. Bxg4 $1 (18. gxh6 Nxf2 19. Qxf2 Rh8 {would also be better but
doesn't look so clear.}) 18... hxg5 19. Qg3 gxh4 20. Rxh4 Bxh4 21. Qxh4 Nxg4 (
21... Rxg4 22. Qh8+ Kd7 23. Ndxb5 axb5 24. Qxe5) 22. Rg1 {and White wins
material.}) 18. hxg5 Nfd7 (18... Nfg4 19. Bh4) (18... Nh7 19. Ncxb5 $1 {
the most precise move order for what will follow.} axb5 20. Rxh7 Bxg5 21. Qxg5
$1 Rxg5 22. Rh8+ Ke7 23. Bh4 {leaving Black defenceless:} f6 24. Bxg5 fxg5 25.
Rh7+ Nf7 26. Rf1 Kf8 27. Nxb5) 19. Nxe6 $1 {The shot that I underestimated, as
otherwise if my knights get to g6 and e5 things aren't that brutal.} fxe6 20.
Rh7 $1 Bb7 (20... Bxg5 21. Bh5+ Nf7 (21... Kd8 22. Bh4) 22. Rxf7 $1 Bxf4+ 23.
Rxf4+ Kd8 24. Bh4+) 21. Bh5+ Kd8 22. g6 {and I'm too cramped to defend:} Bf6 (
22... Qc6 23. Rxe7) (22... Nxg6 23. Bxg6 Rxg6 24. Rh8+ Nf8 25. Rxf8+ Kd7 26.
Rf7) 23. Bg4 $1 (23. Bh4 Bxh4 24. Qxh4+ Kc8 25. Qe7 Kb8 26. Rxd6 Ka7 {would
still be bad but I'd have a fighting chance.}) 23... Nxg6 (23... Nxg4 24. Qxg4
{and there are too many weaknesses to take care of.}) 24. Rxd7+ $1 Qxd7 25.
Qxf6+ Kc7 26. Bc5 $1 Raf8 27. Qd4 Rd8 28. Bb6+ Kb8 29. Bxd8 Rxd8 30. Qf6 {
with a technically winning position.}) (16. Qxf4 $1 {Actually worked as well.}
e5 (16... Ne5 17. g5 hxg5 18. hxg5 {would be the same after} Nfd7 19. Nxe6 $1)
17. Qxh6 exd4 (17... Rg6 18. Ne6 $1 {is crushing after} Qb7 19. Ng7+ Kd8 20.
Qh8+ Bf8 21. g5) 18. Bxd4 Bb7 19. Rhf1 {and Black is in trouble again:} Nxg4 (
19... Rg6 20. Qf4 O-O-O 21. g5) 20. Bxg4 Rxg4 21. Rxf7 $1 Kxf7 22. Qh5+ Rg6 23.
Qh7+ Ke8 24. Qxg6+ Kd8 25. Qg8+ Nf8 26. Rf1 {with a terrifying attack.}) 16...
d5 $1 {Now this break works much better.} 17. exd5 ({I thought} 17. g5 {
was the only way to complicate matters. I calculated all the following:} Ne5
18. Qh3 Nxe4 19. gxh6 Rh8 20. Nxe4 dxe4 21. h7 Rxh7 22. Rg8+ Bf8 {but wasn't
as certain as the computer that White has no real resources here.}) 17... Ne5 (
17... Bb7 {would also work, but allowing the queen sacrifice again felt
unnecessary:} 18. dxe6 (18. Nc6 Bf8 $1) 18... Bxf3 19. exd7+ Qxd7 20. Bxf3 Rc8
21. g5 Rxc3 $1 22. bxc3 Nd5 23. gxh6 Rh8 {but Black still has the upper hand.})
18. Qh3 (18. Ndxb5 axb5 19. Nxb5 Qb8 20. Qc3 Nxd5 {wouldn't work at all.})
18... exd5 19. Re1 (19. Nf5 Bxf5 20. gxf5 Rxg1+ 21. Rxg1 O-O-O $1 (21... Bc5 {
was my intention but it gives White the opportunity to make his life easier:}
22. Nxd5 Nxd5 23. Bxc5 Qxc5 24. Rg8+ Ke7 25. Rxa8 f3 26. f6+ Kxf6 27. Rxa6+ Ke7
28. Bxf3 Qe3+ 29. Kb1 Nc7 $1 30. Rxh6 Qxh6 {And White is still in definite
trouble but the reduced number of pawns works in his favour especially if the
queens get exchanged at some point, as two knights will not win if all the
pawns get exchanged.}) 22. Kb1 Bc5) (19. Bf3 $1 {isn't too natural but might
have been a good resource, forcing me once again to find} Kf8 $1 (19... h5 20.
Nxd5 Nxd5 21. Bxd5 hxg4 22. Bxa8 gxh3 23. Rxg8+ $13) (19... Bxg4 $6 20. Nxd5
Nxd5 21. Bxg4) (19... Nxf3 20. Qxf3 Bb7 21. g5 hxg5 22. Rxg5 O-O-O 23. Rf5 $1
$11) (19... Qd6 $1 {could also be good to just pick up the pawn on g4. But
that doesn't look good at first sight...}) 20. Kb1 h5 21. Nxd5 Nxd5 22. Bxd5
Bxg4 23. Qh2 Rd8 {with a clear advantage after the forced line} 24. Qxf4 Rxd5
25. Rxg4 Rxg4 26. Ne6+ Kg8 27. Nxc7 Rxf4 28. Nxd5 Rxf2 29. Nxe7+ Kg7 {but
White might be able to hold this.}) (19. Qg2 Bb7 {followed by ...Ne4 wouldn't
be good.}) 19... Kf8 $5 {Not needed according to the computer, but preventing
any sacrifice on b5 looked good to me, as now the Re1 looks stupid.} (19... h5
20. Bxb5+ axb5 21. Ndxb5 Qb8 22. Bd4 Nexg4) 20. Nf5 (20. Qg2 Bxg4 21. Nxd5 Qb7
$1 {would win a piece after} 22. Nxf4 Qxg2 23. Nxg2 Bxe2 24. Rxe2 Rxg2 25. Rxe5
Rxf2) 20... Bxf5 21. gxf5 Bc5 $1 {Getting complete control over the dark
squares. If White could consolidate his king now, things wouldn't be so
terrible yet, but here he's just not in time not to get rolled over. It was
actually quite unexpected to me how fast things got really bad for White, but
all my pieces are suddenly in the right place.} 22. Qf1 (22. Bxc5+ Qxc5 {
followed by either ...d4 or ...Rg3 would be the start of a mating attack.}) (
22. Nxb5 axb5 23. Qc3 Be3+) 22... d4 23. Nb1 (23. Nd1 Rc8 24. Bd3 Nfg4 25. Kb1
Ne3 {would be really bad as well.}) 23... Ne4 24. Bf3 Nxf2 $1 {Winning on the
spot, in more than one way.} 25. Bxa8 Ned3+ (25... d3 26. Nc3 d2+ 27. Kxd2 Be3+
{was also more than enough but I had my preferences for the text move, as it
was completely forcing and I liked the final position.}) 26. Kd2 (26. cxd3
Bxa3+ 27. Kd2 Bb4+ 28. Ke2 f3+ $1 29. Kxf3 (29. Bxf3 Qc2+) 29... Qg3+ 30. Ke2
Qe3#) 26... Nxe1 27. Qxf2 d3 $1 28. Qxe1 Be3+ (28... Be3+ 29. Kxd3 Qc4#) 0-1

[Event "Chicago op 26th"]
[Site "Chicago"]
[Date "2017.05.27"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Corrales Jimenez, Fidel"]
[Black "Vazquez, Guillermo"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2511"]
[BlackElo "2443"]
[Annotator "Vazquez,G"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2017.05.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 h6 8. Bh4
Qb6 9. a3 Be7 10. Bf2 Qc7 11. Qf3 b5 (11... Nbd7 {is more common, but I did
not want to define the position of the knight, while Black will play b7-b5
anyway.}) 12. O-O-O (12. e5 Bb7 {gives nothing to White.}) (12. g4 $5 {forces
Black to decide what to do with the b8-knight.} Bb7 $2 {fails to} (12... Nbd7
13. O-O-O {will be a transposition to the main lines}) (12... Nc6 $5 13. Nxc6 (
13. O-O-O Bb7 {transposes to the game}) 13... Qxc6 14. O-O-O Bb7 15. Bd3 Nd7
$13) 13. g5 hxg5 14. fxg5 Nh5 15. g6 $16) 12... Bb7 13. g4 Nc6 {By another
move order, the game has transposed to Grischuk-Vachier Lagrave, London 2015.}
(13... Nbd7 {transposes to the game Nakamura-Vachier Lagrave in London 2016,
which White won and I did not remember clearly, so I wanted to go to more
unknown territories.}) 14. g5 {White is in a hurry to open the kingside. Black
has to find a way not to allow White to play g5-g6 comfortably, because that
will leave Black with weak light squares, especially e6.} ({The previously
mentioned game continued} 14. h4 d5 $1 {and Black managed to equalize} 15. e5 (
15. exd5 Nxd4 16. Bxd4 Nxd5 17. Bxg7 Nxc3 18. Qxc3 Qxc3 19. Bxc3 Bxh1 20. Bxh8
Bf3 21. Rd2 Bxg4 22. Bg2 Rd8 $11) 15... Ne4 16. Nxe4 dxe4 17. Qc3 Rc8 $11)
14... hxg5 (14... Nxd4 {is another resource the computer finds, but it does
not work} 15. Bxd4 hxg5 16. fxg5 Nxe4 $1 {the point behind 14 ... Nxd4,
otherwise White is simply better.} 17. Nxe4 Rh4 18. Bd3 d5 19. Rhf1 O-O-O 20.
Qf2 $1 (20. Qxf7 dxe4 21. Qxe6+ Qd7 22. Qxd7+ Rxd7 23. Be2 Bxg5+ 24. Kb1 $11)
20... Rxh2 21. Qg3 dxe4 22. Qxc7+ Kxc7 23. Be5+ Kb6 24. Bxh2 Bxg5+ 25. Bf4
Bxf4+ 26. Rxf4 exd3 27. Rxf7 $16) 15. fxg5 Ne5 {Covering g6 before moving the
knight on f6.} 16. Qg2 {During the game I only considered this move because it
is the only one that keeps the idea of playing g5-g6. After other moves Black
should be alright because of the control over e5.} ({The computer suggests} 16.
Qf4 Ng6 (16... d5 $5) 17. Qf3 Ne5 {with a draw by repetition, but this would
be an admission that 14.g5 is a bad move.}) 16... Nfg4 {Again the only move to
fight against g5-g6.} (16... Nfd7 17. g6 Nc5 (17... Nxg6 18. Nxe6 $16) 18.
gxf7+ Nxf7 19. h4 $14) 17. g6 {The point behind 16.Qg2, after any other move
Black would just capture the f2-bishop or the g5-pawn, getting a comfortable
position.} Bg5+ {I liked that direct approach, which allowed the queen to
defend f7.} (17... O-O $5 {was an alternative, but I was not sure about the
position after} 18. Bg1) 18. Kb1 Nxf2 19. Qxf2 (19. Bxb5+ $2 {is not dangerous}
axb5 20. Ndxb5 (20. Ncxb5 Qe7 $19) 20... Qc5 21. Nxd6+ Kf8 22. Nxb7 Qb6 23.
Qxg5 f6 $19) (19. gxf7+ $4 Qxf7 $19) 19... Nxg6 {White has many ways of
regaining the pawn, but Black's position should be fine because the
dark-squared bishop is very strong.} 20. Bxb5+ (20. Nxe6 fxe6 21. Qg3 Bf6 22.
Qxg6+ Qf7 23. Qxf7+ Kxf7 24. Rxd6 Rad8 $15 {Black is a pawn down but the pair
of bishops and White's weak pawns on e4 and h2 guarantee that Black is the
only one with winning chances.}) 20... Ke7 $1 (20... axb5 $2 21. Nxe6 $3 (21.
Ndxb5 Qe7 22. Nxd6+ Kf8 $13) (21. Ncxb5 $2 Qb6 $19) 21... fxe6 22. Nxb5 {
and White's attack is too strong, for example} Qc6 23. Nxd6+ Kd8 24. Qf7 $1 Ne7
25. Qxg7 Rg8 26. Qe5 $18) 21. Ba4 Bf6 $15 {Black has the bishop pair and some
weaknesses to attack (e4, h2). Black's king might look exposed on e7 but it is
actually quite safe with all the pieces near it to defend it (especially that
pawn on f7 which survived and keeps e6 defended).} 22. Rhg1 {It is logical to
try to attack g6 and e6 as White to try to gain some practical chances.} ({
I expected} 22. Bb3 {which is more flexible as the rook might stay on h1 and
support h2-h4.}) 22... Ne5 {Taking the knight to the centre and avoiding any
tricks with Nxe6 or Rxg6.} (22... Rh3 $2 23. Nxe6 $18 {is one way to go wrong
as Black}) 23. Bb3 Rh5 (23... Rh3 $1 {trying to play ...Rxc3 was my original
intention, but then I miscalculated the consequences of a sacrifice on e6.} 24.
Rg3 (24. Bxe6 Rxc3 25. Nf5+ Kf8 $19) 24... Rah8 $17) 24. Rg3 (24. Nce2 $5 {
is the kind of practical play that I expected from White, but Black keeps
things under control after} Rah8 (24... Bxe4 25. Nf4 $13 Rh6 26. Rge1 (26.
Nfxe6 fxe6 27. Nxe6 Bxc2+ $1) 26... Qb7 27. Qe3 $13) 25. Nf4 Rxh2 26. Qe1 Qb6)
24... Rah8 (24... Bh4 $2 25. Nxe6 $1 $18) 25. Nf3 Qc5 {Not the best move, but
I wanted to force the white queen to a more passive square, since exchanging
queens leads to a strategically lost position for White.} 26. Qe1 Nxf3 27. Rxf3
Rxh2 $19 {Now it should just be a matter of technique, but I gave White
chances during the time pressure.} 28. Na4 Qc7 29. Rf1 R8h4 {And another pawn
falls.} 30. Rd3 Rxe4 31. Qg3 Reh4 32. Ka2 R2h3 33. Qe1 Rxd3 34. cxd3 Rh2 35.
Rf4 Rh1 36. Qb4 {Here I have to be careful and not allow any tricks with
Rf4-c4 or d4-d5.} Rc1 37. d4 Rg1 $6 {Not a bad move in itself, but it is going
in the wrong direction.} (37... a5 {was simpler, driving White's queen to a
more passive position} 38. Qb5 $2 Qc6 39. Qxa5 Qh1 $19) 38. d5 {And now I was
getting worried about my king in the centre.} exd5 $2 (38... Bxd5 39. Bxd5 exd5
40. Nb6 Qc6 41. Qb3 Rg2 $19) 39. Rf2 $17 {White is taking his chances.} Rc1 {
And the rook has to come back to c1 to prevent Rc2.} 40. Re2+ Kd8 $6 (40... Kf8
{was safer.}) 41. Rh2 ({I expected} 41. Nc3 {trying to activate the knight,
but Black had} a5 42. Qa4 Bc6 43. Qf4 Rxc3 44. bxc3 Bd7 $19) 41... d4 $2 (41...
g5 $1 {it was important to keep the rook out of the back rank and the bishop
will find a safe square on e5.}) 42. Rh8+ Ke7 43. Qd2 $6 (43. Nb6 $1 $36 {
activating the knight would have created Black some problems on the light
squares (Nd5+ or Ba4-Re8+). The resulting position would have been complicated,
though an engine still claims Black's advantage after some computer-like moves
(tough to find over the board), for example} Be5 44. Qd2 (44. Ba4 Be4 45. Re8+
Kf6 46. Nd7+ Kf5 $19) 44... Rc5 45. Qf2 Bf6 46. Ba4 (46. Qe1+ Re5 47. Qb4 d3
$17) 46... Rb5 47. Bxb5 axb5 48. Qe2+ Be5 $17) 43... Be4 {Closing the e-file
and preparing d6-d5 to block the bishop on b3.} 44. Qe2 $4 (44. Nb6 $8 Bb1+ 45.
Ka1 Bf5+ 46. Ka2 Be6 47. Bxe6 fxe6 48. Rc8 Qxb6 (48... Qxc8 49. Nxc8+ Rxc8 50.
Qb4 {should end in a draw after White captures the pawn on a6}) 49. Qxc1 d3 $17
{Black is the only one playing for a win here, but the game is still in
progress.}) 44... Ra1+ $1 (44... Ra1+ $1 45. Kxa1 Qc1+ 46. Ka2 Qb1#) 0-1

[Event "EU-Cup 28th"]
[Site "Eilat"]
[Date "2012.10.11"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Volokitin, Andrei"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2748"]
[Annotator "Volokitin,A"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2012.10.11"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "ISR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Ashdod"]
[BlackTeam "SOCAR"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ISR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "AZE"]

{This year in the European Cup for teams there was a strange pairing system.
Our team "Ashdod" had to meet the ratings favourites "Socar" in the very first
round.  In diesem Jahr gab es beim Europapokal der Vereinsmannschaften ein
seltsames System der Paarungen. Unsere Mannschaft "Ashdod" hat so schon in der
ersten Runde gegen den Ratingfavoriten "Socar" gespielt.} 1. e4 c5 {A surprise
for me. Recently Shakhriyar has been playing 1...c6 and 1...e5.  Eine
Überraschung für mich, in letzter Zeit spielte Shakhriyar 1...c6 und 1...e5.}
2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 {Till then my opponent had played
the Najdorf about 10 times.  "Najdorf" spielte mein Gegner bisher etwa 10 Mal.}
6. Be3 {Here I thought for 7 minutes. Hier habe ich 7 Minuten nachgedacht.} Ng4
7. Bc1 Nf6 8. Bg5 {The second attempt! Der zweite Versuch!} Nbd7 {With this
move Shakh selectes a "winning variation".  Shakh wählt damit eine
"Gewinnvariante" aus.} 9. Qe2 e6 ({The game Motylev-Wojtaszek from Poikovsky
2012 continued In der Partie Motylev-Wojtaszek aus Poikovsky 2012 folgte} 9...
h6 $5 10. Bxf6 Nxf6 11. O-O-O e5 12. Nf5 g6 13. Ne3 Be6 14. g3 Rc8 15. Ncd5
Nxd5 16. Nxd5 h5 17. h4 Rc5 {and Black had no problems. I must say that 9...h6
is very interesting for Black. und Schwarz hatte keine Probleme. Ich muss
sagen, dass 9...h6 sehr interessant für Schwarz ist.}) ({My game against Al
Sayed in the Istanbul-Olympiad continued In meiner Partie gegen Al Sayed aus
der Istanbul-Olympiad folgte} 9... b5 10. Nd5 Bb7 11. Bxf6 Nxf6 12. Nxf6+ exf6
13. a4 bxa4 14. Rxa4 $1 $14 {White was somewhat better. Weiß stand etwas
besser.}) 10. O-O-O Qc7 11. f4 b5 {Now we have ended up in the variation 6...
e6 7.f4 Nbd7 8.Qe2.  Jetzt sind wir zur Variante 6...e6 7.f4 Nbd7 8.Qe2
gelangt.} 12. f5 ({The main move is Der Hauptzug ist} 12. a3) 12... b4 $6 ({
In my opinion, Meiner Meinung nach ist} 12... e5 $1 {is stronger than the move
in the game. stärker als der Partiezug.} 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. exd5 {This is the
main variation. Das ist die Hauptvariante.}) 13. fxe6 bxc3 14. exd7+ Nxd7 ({
After Nach} 14... Bxd7 15. Qc4 $1 cxb2+ 16. Kb1 Qxc4 17. Bxc4 Be7 18. Rhe1 $14
{White has the better endgame. TThe main idea is Nf5. besitzt Weiß das bessere
Endspiel. Die Hauptidee ist Nf5.}) 15. Qc4 $1 cxb2+ 16. Kb1 Nc5 {Instead of an
endgame Black wants to keep the queens on the board.  Statt des Endspiels will
Schwarz die Damen auf dem Brett halten.} 17. e5 {Too soon. During the game I
could not remember my analysis, all I remembered was the evaluation of the
variation as better for White, but not the specific moves. Zu früh. Während
der Partie erinnerte ich mich nicht an meine Analyse, ich erinnerte mich nur
an die Beurteilung der Variante als besser für Weiß, aber nicht die konkreten
Züge.} ({The best move is Der beste Zug ist} 17. Be2 $1 {White develops his
pieces, while on the other hand Black cannot bring his bishop to e7. Weiß
entwickelt seine Figuren, während Schwarz nicht im Gegenzug seinen Läufer auf
e7 entwickeln kann.} Be7 $2 (17... h6 18. Bh4 $14) (17... Ra7 18. Rhf1 Ne6 19.
Bh4 $14) 18. Bxe7 Qxe7 19. e5 $1 $16 {So, after the quiet move 17.Be2 White
has a clear advantage. Also, nach dem ruhigen Zug 17.Be2 verfügt Weiß über
klaren Vorteil.}) 17... Rb8 $1 {The strongest reply. Die stärkste Antwort.} ({
Other moves are weaker: Andere Züge sind schwächer:} 17... dxe5 $2 18. Nb5 $8
axb5 19. Qd5 f6 20. Bxb5+ Ke7 21. Qxa8 $1 fxg5 22. Rhf1 $16 {White has a very
strong attack, for example Weiß hat sehr starken Angriff, zum Beispiel} h5 23.
Bc4 Be6 24. Bxe6 Nxe6 25. Qa3+ Ke8 26. Qa4+ Ke7 27. Rd5 Nf4 28. Ra5 $18) 18.
exd6 Bxd6 19. Re1+ Kf8 20. Bd3 {This looks logical. White also has other
options: Das sieht logisch aus. Weiß besitzt auch andere Möglichkeiten:} (20.
Bd2 {Prophylaxis against ...Rb4 and ...h6. Prophylaxis gegen ...Rb4 und ...h6.}
Ne6 $1 {Black must exchange queens. otherwise the position can become
dangerous. Schwarz muss die Damen tauschen, sonst kann die Stellung gefährlich
werden.} (20... h5 $2 21. Bd3 $1 (21. Qc3 Ne6 $1 {Black should be able to hold
the position without queens. Ohne Damen muss Schwarz die Stellung halten
können.} 22. Qxc7 (22. Nc6 Rb6 23. Ne5 Qxc3 24. Bxc3 Bxe5 25. Rxe5 f6 26. Re3
Rc6 $132) 22... Bxc7 23. Nc6 Rb6 24. Ne5 Nd4 $11) 21... Nxd3 22. Qxd3 Bd7 23.
Rhf1 Kg8 24. Nf5 $1 Bxf5 25. Rxf5 $40 {This position looks dangerous. Black
has major problems wqith the rook on h8, for example. Diese Stellung sieht
sehr gefährlich aus. Schwarz hat große Probleme mit dem Turm auf h8, zum
Beispiel} Bxh2 26. Re4 $1 Rc8 (26... Qg3 27. Qe2 $1 Qg6 28. Re8+ Rxe8 29. Qxe8+
Kh7 30. Qe4 Kg8 31. Qa8+ Kh7 32. Qf3 Rc8 33. Rxh5+ Kg8 34. Rh8+ $1 Kxh8 35.
Qh3+ Qh7 36. Qxc8+ Qg8 37. Qh3+ $16) (26... Rd8 27. Rd5 Rc8 28. Red4 g6 29. Re4
$1 $16) (26... g6 27. Rd5 Qg3 28. Qf1 Qc7 29. Ba5 Qc6 30. Qd3 $1 $16) 27. g3 $1
Bg1 (27... Qxg3 28. Qd7 $1 Rf8 29. Re8 $18) (27... Bxg3 28. Rd4 $1 g6 29. Rg5
$1 Bf2 30. Rf4 $18) (27... h4 28. Ba5 $1 Qc6 29. Re7 Rf8 (29... f6 30. Rd5 $1
$18) (29... Bxg3 30. Rfxf7 Rh7 31. Bb4 $1 $18 a5 $140 32. Qxh7+ Kxh7 33. Rxg7+
Kh6 34. Bd2+) (29... hxg3 30. Rfxf7 Rh7 31. Qxh7+ Kxh7 32. Rxg7+ Kh8 33. Rh7+
Kg8 34. Reg7+ Kf8 35. Bb4+ $18) 30. Rexf7 $1 Rxf7 31. Qd8+ Kh7 32. Rh5+ Qh6 33.
Rxh6+ gxh6 34. Qd3+ Kg8 35. Qg6+ Rg7 36. Qe6+ Kh7 37. Qf5+ Kg8 38. Bc3 $18) 28.
Bb4 $1 Qd8 29. Rc4 Ra8 30. Qf3 $16) 21. Nxe6+ Bxe6 22. Qxc7 Bxc7 23. Bxa6 h5 $1
24. a4 Kg8 25. Bb5 h4 26. h3 Rh5 $1 $132 {White is slightly better, but Black
must be able to hold the draw. Weiß steht etwas besser, aber Schwarz muss
Remis halten.}) (20. Qc3 {This move does not promise White anything. Dieser
Zug verspricht nichts für Weiß.} Na4 $1 21. Qxc7 Bxc7 22. Bd2 Bf4 23. Ba5 Bc7
$11) 20... h6 $4 {The decisive mistake. Der entscheidende Fehler.} ({The only
move is Einziger Zug ist} 20... Rb4 $1 21. Qc3 $1 ({After Nach} 21. Qxb4 Nxd3
22. Qd2 Nxe1 23. Rxe1 h6 {Black has no problems. hat Schwarz keine Probleme.})
21... f6 $1 {Once more, the only move wieder der einzige Zug} (21... h6 $2 {
does not work here funktioniert hier nicht} 22. Bd2 $1 Nxd3 23. Qxd3 Ra4 24.
Re4 $1 Bd7 25. Rhe1 $40) 22. Qxb4 {White must take the rook, or else...Na4
will follow Weiß muss den Turm nehmen sonst folgt ...Na4} Nxd3 23. Qb3 Nxe1 24.
Rxe1 fxg5 {and here one forced line goes: und hier geht ein forcierte Variante:
} 25. Qf3+ Bf4 26. g3 g6 $8 27. Nc6 $1 Bd7 $1 28. Qc3 Be5 $8 29. Qxe5 Qxe5 30.
Nxe5 Bf5 31. Kxb2 Kg7 32. c4 h5 {Black should have a draw here. Schwarz sollte
hier ein Remis haben.}) {Now there is a beautiful combination:  Jetzt geht
eine schöne Kombination:} 21. Bd8 $3 Qxd8 22. Rhf1 Rb7 (22... f6 23. Nc6 $18)
23. Bg6 f6 ({After Nach} 23... Qd7 {I calculated this variation: habe ich
diese Variante gerechnet:} 24. Bxf7 Qxf7 25. Qd5 $1 Qxf1 26. Rxf1+ Ke7 27. Qf7+
Kd8 28. Nc6#) 24. Qd5 $4 {A blunder. I still had some 10 minutes left and was
getting nervous. I was only reckoning on two moves: Qd5 and Nc6. Ein grober
Fehler. Ich besaß hier noch etwa 10 Minuten und wurde nervös. Ich habe nur an
den zwei Zügen Qd5 und Nc6 gerechnet.} ({Of course, after Natürlich nach} 24.
Re3 $1 $18 {Black can resign straight away. kann Schwarz sofort aufgeben.})
24... Re7 $8 {Now the game starts afresh.  Jetzt beginnt die Partie erneut.}
25. Nc6 Bb7 26. Qxc5 Bxc5 27. Nxd8 Bd5 28. Rd1 Be4 $1 29. Nf7 Rxf7 $4 {My
opponent gives me a second chance. Mein Gegner gibt mir eine zweite Chance.} ({
After Nach} 29... Bxg6 $1 30. Nxh8 Be8 $1 31. Rd8 Re4 $1 32. Ng6+ Kf7 33. Nf4
Bb5 34. Nd3 Ba3 $44 {Black has sufficient compensation for the exchange and
good drawing chances. besitzt Schwarz genügend Kompensation für die Qualität
und gute Remischancen.}) 30. Rfe1 $1 {My opponent had overlooked this move.
Now White wins very easily. Diesen Zug hat mein Gegner übersehen. Jetzt
gewinnt Weiß sehr leicht.} Bxc2+ 31. Kxc2 Kg8 32. Rd8+ Rf8 (32... Bf8 33. Re6
a5 34. Bxf7+ Kxf7 35. Ra6 $18) 33. Rxf8+ Bxf8 34. g4 $1 {Black has no moves,
so my opponent resigned. Schwarz hat keine Züge, deswegen gab mein Gegner auf.}
1-0

[Event "Haninge"]
[Site "Haninge"]
[Date "1989.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Hellers, Ferdinand"]
[Black "Polugaevsky, Lev"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2565"]
[BlackElo "2575"]
[Annotator "Wedberg,T"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "1989.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "SWE"]
[EventCategory "13"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 013"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1989.12.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1989.12.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Ftacnik} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4
b5 {Polugaevsky is faithful to his old love, but against the tactician Hellers
this is extremely dangerous.} 8. e5 dxe5 9. fxe5 Qc7 10. exf6 Qe5+ 11. Be2 Qxg5
12. Qd3 Qxf6 13. Rf1 Qe5 14. Rd1 Ra7 {This remarkable R-move is the backbone
of the variation.} 15. Nf3 Qc7 16. Ng5 f5 17. Qd4 Qe7 {The originator of this
move, Julian Hodgson, is reported to have been very proud the first time
Polugaevsky played his move. The alternative is 17.-h5.} 18. Bh5+ {This has
been suggested but never tried before.} (18. Nge4 {Ftacnik} h5 19. Nd6+ Qxd6
20. Qxa7 Qxh2 {Van der Wiel-Hodgson, Ostende 1983; 21.Rd3!+/-;>= 20...Qe5; Van
der Wiel}) 18... g6 19. Qxh8 Qxg5 {At this point Polugaevsky came up to me and
said: 'I've lost the exchange, but I have good compensation!' Then he showed
his fist to underline what he meant.} 20. Bf3 Nd7 (20... Rg7 $5 $13) (20... Rg7
{Ftacnik} 21. Rf2 b4 22. Ne2 Nd7 23. Nd4 Nf6 24. Nc6 Bd7 (24... Rg8 25. Rd8+
Kf7 26. Ne5+ Ke7 27. Nc6+ $10) 25. Re2 Rg8 26. Rxe6+ Bxe6 (26... Be7 $2 27.
Rxe7+ Kf8 28. Rdxd7 {/\ Rd8}) 27. Rd8+ Kf7 28. Ne5+ $10 {Hellers}) 21. Rf2 (21.
Qxh7 $5 $14) (21. Qxh7 {Ftacnik} Qe3+ 22. Ne2 (22. Be2 Ne5 23. Qh3 Qxh3 24.
gxh3 Rh7 $44) 22... Ne5 23. Qh3 (23. Qg8 Rc7 $132) 23... Bh6 $44) 21... Qh6 $2
{Polu couldn't explain this move after the game. It looks strange and does
nothing. Hellers answer is nice - perhaps Polu missed it.} (21... Nf6 $1 22.
Bc6+ (22. Rd8+ Kxd8 23. Qxf8+ Ne8 $1 $17) 22... Kf7 (22... Bd7 $2 23. Bxd7+
Rxd7 24. Rxd7 Nxd7 25. Qxh7 $18) (22... Ke7 $2 23. Rd8 Kxd8 (23... Qe3+ 24. Ne2
Kxd8 25. Qxf8+ Kc7 26. Qxf6 (26. Rf3 Qe5 $8 27. Rc3 Kb8 (27... b4 28. Bb7+ bxc3
29. Qxc8+ Kb6 30. Qc6+ Ka5 31. b4+ Kxb4 32. Qb6+ $18) 28. Bxb5 Rc7 29. Bxa6 Nd7
(29... Rxc3 30. bxc3 $18) 30. Qb4+ Bb7 31. Bxb7 Rxb7 32. Qe7 $18) 26... Kxc6
27. Rf3 Qb6 28. Rc3+ Kb7 $13) 24. Qxf8+ Kc7 25. Qc5 $18) 23. Rd8 Qe3+ (23...
Bh6 $1 {Ftacnik} 24. Rxc8 (24. Re2 Bb7 25. Be8+ (25. Bxb7 Bg7 $1) 25... Ke7 26.
Rb8 Qc1+ 27. Nd1 Be4 $13) (24. Rfd2 Rc7) 24... Qe3+ 25. Kf1 Qc1+ 26. Ke2 Qd2+
$10) (23... Bg7 24. Be8+ Ke7 25. Qxg7+ Kxd8 26. Qxa7) (23... Bc5 24. Rxc8 Bxf2+
(24... Qe3+ 25. Re2 Qg1+ 26. Kd2 Qd4+ 27. Kc1 Qf4+ 28. Rd2 $18) 25. Kxf2 Ng4+ (
25... Qd2+ 26. Kf3) (25... Qf4+ 26. Ke2 Qe5+ 27. Kf1 Qf4+ 28. Bf3 $18) 26. Ke1
$8 Qe3+ 27. Ne2 Qf2+ 28. Kd2 Qe3+ 29. Kd1 Nf2+ 30. Ke1 $18) 24. Kf1 (24. Re2
Qg1+ 25. Kd2 Bg7 26. Be8+ Ke7 27. Qxg7+ Kxd8 28. Qxf6+ Kxe8 29. Qh8+ Kd7 30.
Qxh7+ Kc6 31. Qxg6 Rd7+ $19) (24. Ne2 Bg7 (24... Bh6 25. Rf3) 25. Be8+ Ke7 26.
Qxg7+ Kxd8 27. Qxf6+ Kxe8 28. Qh8+ Kd7 29. Rf3 Qc5 30. Rd3+ Ke7 31. Rc3 $18)
24... Bg7 25. Be8+ Ke7 26. Qxg7+ Kxd8 27. Qxf6+ Kxe8 28. Re2 Qc1+ 29. Kf2 $13)
(21... Nb6 {Ftacnik} 22. Qd4) (21... Nc5 {Ftacnik} 22. Qe5 {/\ Qb8}) 22. Rd6 $1
Nb6 {This tricky move - 23.Rxb6?? Qe3+ - solves nothing.} (22... Kf7 23. Rxe6
$1 Kxe6 24. Re2+ Kd6 (24... Kf7 25. Bd5#) 25. Qd4+ $18 (25. Qd4+ {Ftacnik} Kc7
26. Qxa7+ Kd8 27. Qe3 $18)) (22... Qe3+ {Ftacnik} 23. Kf1 Nc5 (23... Kf7 24.
Rxe6 $1 $18) 24. Re2 Qh6 25. Rc6 $18) 23. Re2 {This manouvre: Rf2-e2, was
Hellers basic preparation for the game.} Nc4 24. Qf6 $3 {Bingo!} Be7 (24...
Nxd6 25. Bc6+ Bd7 26. Rxe6+ Be7 27. Qxe7#) 25. Bc6+ Bd7 26. Rdxe6 {[Tom
Wedberg]} 1-0

[Event "Montreal 6th"]
[Site "Montreal"]
[Date "2005.08.14"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Charbonneau, Pascal"]
[Black "Huzman, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2509"]
[BlackElo "2577"]
[Annotator "Wells,P"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2005.08.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
[EventCategory "12"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 109"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qe2
Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. f5 e5 11. Nd5 Nxd5 12. exd5 Bb7 13. g4 Nb6 14. Bg2 Qc4 15.
Qxc4 Nxc4 16. Nc6 h6 17. Bd2 Be7 18. h4 Bd8 19. b3 Nxd2 20. Kxd2 Kd7 21. Ra1
Bb6 22. a4 Kc7 23. a5 Bf2 24. Kd3 Bg3 25. Be4 Bf4 {[%csl Gf4] Typical of the
bishop which escapes the shackles of the centre pawns, finds a decent looking
outpost and then finds that in the absence of assistance from the remaining
forces, there is actually not much to do. I have no prescription for Black
here - I think the dilemmas he faced have no easy answers - but I am left with
the feeling that when White steps up the pressure on the queen-side, the
defensive capabilities of this piece are sorely missed too.} 26. Nb4 Kd7 27. c4
$1 bxc4+ 28. bxc4 Rhb8 29. Rab1 Bc8 30. Ke2 Ra7 31. f6 $1 {A very nice
positional sac!} gxf6 32. Bf5+ Kc7 33. Bxc8 Rxc8 34. Nc6 Rb7 35. Rxb7+ Kxb7 36.
Rb1+ Kc7 37. Rb6 {A tale of two outposts - one purposeful, the other lacking
direction. I don't want to labour this point - I think the message is clear.}
Ra8 38. Nb4 e4 39. Nxa6+ Kc8 40. c5 dxc5 41. Rc6+ Kd8 42. Nxc5 Ke7 43. a6 Rd8
44. a7 Ra8 45. Ra6 Be5 46. Ke3 h5 47. Na4 Bh2 48. Kxe4 Bg1 49. gxh5 f5+ 50.
Kxf5 Rxa7 51. Rxa7+ Bxa7 52. Nc3 Kf8 53. d6 Bf2 54. Kg4 f5+ 55. Kxf5 Bxh4 56.
Kg6 Bg3 57. Ne4 Be5 58. h6 1-0

[Event "Moscow Aeroflot op-A"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2006.02.15"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Azarov, Sergei Nikolaevich"]
[Black "Kuzubov, Yuriy"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2581"]
[BlackElo "2544"]
[Annotator "Wells,P"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2006.02.08"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 112"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.06.07"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8. Qf3
Qc7 9. O-O-O b5 10. Bd3 Bb7 11. Rhe1 Qb6 12. Nb3 b4 13. Ne2 Be7 14. Kb1 Rc8 15.
Ned4 Nc5 16. Qe3 O-O 17. Nxc5 Qxc5 18. Qh3 g6 19. Nb3 Qc7 20. Qh4 Kg7 $1 21.
Bh6+ Kg8 22. Bg5 Kg7 23. Bh6+ Kg8 24. Bxf8 Rxf8 $132 {[%csl Ge7][%cal Ga6a4]
As I said in the column, the idea that the unrelenting slide which White
suffers from here on is necessary seems to stretch credulity. On the other
hand, it is difficult to find either a satisfactory plan to attack the black
king, or a route to try and simplify the position. In the absence of these,
Black's queenside attack has every chance to hit home and the dark-squared
bishop is a great piece for supporting this.} 25. Qf2 (25. Qh3 a5 26. Nd4 a4
27. e5 dxe5 28. fxe5 Nd5 $13) 25... a5 26. Nd4 Qc5 27. e5 Nd5 28. Be4 a4 29.
Bxd5 $6 Bxd5 30. Qd2 Rd8 31. exd6 Rxd6 32. Qe2 Bf6 $17 {[%cal Gf6b2,Gd5a2,
Ga4a3][%mdl 2048]} 33. Nf3 a3 34. Ne5 axb2 35. Rd3 Qa5 36. Kxb2 Bc4 37. Kc1
Bxd3 38. cxd3 b3 39. axb3 Qc3+ 40. Kb1 Ra6 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis Spring-A"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2019.03.09"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Kasimdzhanov, Rustam"]
[Black "Xiong, Jeffery"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2663"]
[BlackElo "2663"]
[Annotator "Yermolinsky,A"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2019.03.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.04.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.04.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 h6 8. Bh4
Qb6 9. a3 Nbd7 {[#]} 10. f5 $5 {A novelty in a topical line. Shouldn't it have
been reserved for Rustam's pupil to use?} e5 ({One would think} 10... exf5 {
had to be the move, based on} 11. Nxf5 $2 Qxb2) 11. Nb3 Qc7 12. Qf3 {White
looks better here.} b5 13. O-O-O Bb7 14. g4 Rc8 15. Bd3 Qb8 {In search of
counterplay Jeffery looks to sacrifice the exchange.} 16. Be1 $1 {No go.} Nc5
17. Nxc5 dxc5 {[#] This pawn structure change is almost always favorable for
White.} 18. h4 b4 $1 ({The other option was to try to attack the e4-pawn:} 
18... c4 19. Be2 b4 20. axb4 Bxb4 {but things work out White's way after} 21.
g5 $1 Bxc3 22. Bxc3 Nxe4 (22... Bxe4 23. Qe3 hxg5 24. hxg5 Rxh1 25. gxf6 Rxd1+
26. Bxd1 gxf6 27. Qxe4 $16) 23. f6 $1 gxf6 24. Bb4 Bc6 25. Ba3 {The black
king's life is in mortal danger.}) 19. axb4 cxb4 20. Ne2 Qc7 21. Ng3 {[#]} ({
Safer was} 21. Kb1 {a move White often finds time for in sharpest lines of the
Sicilian.}) 21... Nd7 ({Perhaps, it was worth looking at} 21... b3 22. Bc3 Ba3)
22. b3 ({Also good was} 22. Nh5 Rg8 23. Rh2 Nc5 24. g5) 22... Bc5 23. f6 $1 {
A very nice idea.} g6 (23... Nxf6 24. g5 {is murder.}) 24. h5 Qa5 {[#]} 25. Kd2
{Kasimdzhanov's lack of practice begins to tell. It was the wrong time to play
it safe.} ({Black had no threats at all, so} 25. hxg6 fxg6 26. g5 h5 27. Nxh5
gxh5 28. g6 {would move in for the kill.}) 25... g5 26. Nf5 Rc6 27. Ke2 Rxf6
28. Rf1 {What we have here is a heavy positional battle in looming time
trouble.} Kd8 $2 ({Wouldn't the king be safe where it belongs?} 28... O-O) 29.
Bc4 Kc8 30. Bg3 Qc7 31. Bd5 {Slowly White begins to take command.} Re8 32. c4
$1 bxc3 33. Qxc3 Bc6 34. Rc1 Bb5+ 35. Bc4 Qb7 36. Qd3 Kb8 37. Bxb5 axb5 (37...
Qxb5 38. Qxb5+ axb5 39. Rfd1 $18) 38. Rfd1 Ba3 {[#]} 39. Ra1 $2 {A terrible
time trouble error. Rustam wanted to augment his attack by taking control of
the a-file.} ({Instead, staying on the c-file,} 39. Rc2 {would prove to be
decisive:} Nc5 40. Qd5 Nxe4 41. Bxe5+ Ka8 (41... Nd6 42. Kf2) 42. Qxb7+ Kxb7
43. Bxf6 Nxf6+ 44. Kf3 {etc.}) 39... Nc5 40. Qd5 Nxe4 41. Bxe5+ Nd6 $1 {[#]}
42. Rxa3 {After a long, sobering think Kasimdzhanov accepted the inevitable.} (
42. Kf2 Rxe5 43. Qxe5 Bc5+ $1 {The move that would have been impossible with
the white rook on c2 now turns the tables completely.} 44. Kg3 Re6 45. Qh8+ Re8
) 42... Rxe5+ 43. Qxe5 Re6 44. Qxe6 {Nothing else to be done, but the white
king is too open to contain the opponent's queen.} Qg2+ 45. Kd3 fxe6 46. Nxd6
Qf3+ 47. Kc2 b4 $1 {Sealing the cage. Draw is unavoidable.} 48. Ra5 Qc3+ 49.
Kb1 Qxb3+ 50. Kc1 Qc3+ 51. Kb1 b3 52. Rb5+ Ka8 53. Rc1 Qd3+ 54. Ka1 Qd4+ 55.
Kb1 Qd3+ 56. Ka1 Qd4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Palma de Mallorca FIDE GP"]
[Site "Palma de Mallorca"]
[Date "2017.11.17"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2762"]
[BlackElo "2796"]
[Annotator "Yermolinsky,A"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2017.11.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 h6 8. Bh4
Qb6 9. a3 Be7 {This has always been Maxime's choice.} ({He tried} 9... Nbd7 {
only once, against Caruana in 2011}) 10. Bf2 {This retreat was the reason
Black stayed away from 7...h6 for many years. Recent developments, however,
showed that Black's position is quite playable.} ({Another Caruana-MVL battle,
Sinquefield Cup, 2017, saw Fabiano's innovation} 10. Qd3) 10... Qc7 11. Qf3
Nbd7 12. O-O-O b5 13. g4 Bb7 ({One of the first games that brought this line
into the spotlight was the battle between the same players in Norway Chess,
2016. Maxime played the thematic} 13... g5 {Anish countered with} 14. h4 gxf4
15. Be2 {but hesitated at the critical moment after} Rg8 {Everybody agreed} ({
Later the same year Caruana-Nakamura, London Classic 2016, saw} 15... b4 16.
axb4 Ne5 17. Qxf4 Nexg4 18. Bxg4 e5 {and here Fabiano's brilliant find} 19.
Qxf6 $3 {brought him a great victory.}) 16. g5 {leading to a crushing attack
for White in many lines, for example} ({instead of} 16. Rdg1 $2 {which allowed
Maxime to strike first with} d5 $1) 16... hxg5 17. hxg5 Rxg5 18. Rh8+ Rg8 19.
Rxg8+ Nxg8 20. Qg2 Ngf6 21. e5 Bb7 22. Nxe6 fxe6 23. Qg6+ Kd8 24. exf6 Nxf6 25.
Bd4 $18) 14. h4 ({The poisonous little move} 14. Bg2 {brought White success in
another high-profile game, Nakamura-Vachier Lagrave, London Classic, 2016.
It's amazing how the top players of today are willing to play the same
positions with either colour. there is no emotional attachment to "my moves".
They'll play anything as long as it works!} Rc8 15. Kb1 g5 ({the line} 15... g6
16. Rhe1 e5 17. h4 $3 exd4 18. Bxd4 {illustrates well how powerful White's
attack can be.}) 16. Qh3 $1 Nc5 17. Rhe1 h5 18. Nf5 $1 {and Hikaru broke
through.}) 14... Nc5 ({There's another one for you:} 14... d5 15. e5 Ne4 {
Caruana-Vachier Lagrave, Grenke 2017.}) 15. Bd3 h5 16. g5 Ng4 {It is important
for Black to put at least a temporary hold on White's offensive. The knight on
g4 accomplishes that, but Giri won't hesitate to remove the obstacle.} 17. Rhg1
$5 (17. f5 {seems thematic, but, in reality, it's Black who may take over the
initiative after} Nxd3+ 18. cxd3 O-O 19. Kb1 d5 $1 20. exd5 b4 21. axb4 Bxb4
22. Rc1 Qb6) 17... g6 ({Now} 17... Nxd3+ {will be answered by} 18. Rxd3 {
because the e5-square is still under White's control.}) 18. Rxg4 hxg4 19. Qxg4
{Black faces no mean task to keep his king safe. Castling short right into
White's pawn storm is not recommended, and f4-f5 is in the air.} e5 $5 {
Probably, the best move.} ({Oh, I almost forgot to mention} 19... O-O-O $2 20.
Nd5 $18) 20. Nf3 Rc8 ({It seems logical to bring the queen closer, but after} 
20... Qd7 21. Qg3 Qe6 22. Nd5 Rc8 23. Kb1 Nxd3 24. Rxd3 Bxd5 25. exd5 Qf5 26.
fxe5 {White gets the second pawn and may be able to to keep his edge in the
endgame:} dxe5 27. Qxe5 Qxe5 28. Nxe5 Bd6 29. Nc6 {etc.}) 21. fxe5 dxe5 22. Kb1
$1 ({The tempting} 22. Nxe5 $6 Qxe5 23. Bd4 {gets turned back by} Bxg5+ $1 (
23... Qxd4 24. Bxb5+ axb5 25. Rxd4 Ne6 26. Rd2 (26. Rd3 Rxh4 $1) 26... b4 27.
axb4 Bxb4 28. e5 Bxc3 29. bxc3 {is OK for Black, but White isn't worse.}) 24.
hxg5 Nxd3+ 25. Rxd3 Rh1+ 26. Kd2 Qh2+ 27. Ne2 Qh4 {where White is forced to
trade queens to try to survive the bad ending.}) 22... Rd8 23. Nd5 $1 Bxd5 24.
exd5 Nxd3 25. Rxd3 O-O {Up to this point Anish played a nearly perfect game.}
26. h5 $6 {Just a bit too eager.} ({Instead, he had} 26. Bg3 Bd6 (26... Qc4 27.
Nxe5 Qxg4 28. Nxg4 $16) 27. Nd2 {where the threat of occupying f6 with that
knight compels Black to open up his king:} f6 28. gxf6 Rxf6 29. h5 {Defending
this one would have been extremely difficult, if not outright impossible.})
26... Qc4 $1 {Now MVL can breathe a sigh of relief.} 27. Qh3 Qc8 28. Qxc8 Rxc8
29. Nxe5 Bxg5 30. d6 Bf4 31. d7 {Seeing an equal endgame coming up after White
gets the exchange back, the players agreed to a draw. What a great battle.}
1/2-1/2

[Event "Dresden ZMD op 20th"]
[Site "Dresden"]
[Date "2011.08.09"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Friedel, Joshua E"]
[Black "Zakhartsov, Viacheslav V"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B96"]
[WhiteElo "2531"]
[BlackElo "2578"]
[Annotator "Zakhartsov,Vi"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2011.08.06"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 143 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.08.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.08.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 h6 8. Bh4
Qb6 9. a3 Nbd7 {I did not see a big difference between the text and} (9... Be7
{, but the bishop's move would be more precise after White's next.}) 10. Bc4 $1
{Now sacrifices on e6 are hanging in the air.} g5 $5 {Probably a better try
than} (10... Be7 11. Bf2 Qc7 12. Bxe6 fxe6 13. Nxe6 $36) 11. Bf2 (11. fxg5 hxg5
12. Bxg5 Qc5 13. Bxf6 Nxf6 {with full compensation for the pawn.}) 11... Nc5 (
11... Qc7 12. Bxe6 $1 {(stronger than} (12. Qe2 Nb6 13. Bb3 gxf4 {,
Caruana-Vachier Lagrave, Biel 2011}) 12... fxe6 13. Nxe6 Qc4 (13... Qc6 $2 14.
Nd5) 14. Nxf8 Rxf8 15. Qxd6 {with an edge for White.}) 12. Nb3 gxf4 13. e5 $5 (
13. Qd2 e5 14. Nxc5 dxc5 15. O-O-O {with definite compensation for the pawn.})
13... Nfd7 $2 (13... dxe5 {was the only move:} 14. Na4 Qc6 15. Naxc5 b6 16. Bh4
(16. Qe2 bxc5 17. Qxe5 Qe4+) 16... Be7 17. Qe2 bxc5 18. Qxe5 Qe4+ {(I had
overlooked this check in advance)} 19. Qxe4 Nxe4 20. Bxe7 Kxe7 21. O-O f5 22.
Rxf4 Rb8 {with mutual chances.}) 14. Qh5 {Missing a strong opportunity:} (14.
Bxe6 $1 fxe6 15. Qh5+ Kd8 16. exd6 Bxd6 17. Rd1 $1 {with a winning attack:} Kc7
18. Nxc5 Nxc5 (18... Bxc5 19. Bxc5 Qc6 (19... Qxc5 20. Rxd7+) (19... Nxc5 20.
Qe5+) 20. Rxd7+ Qxd7 21. Qe5+ Kc6 22. Bd4) 19. Rxd6 Qxd6 20. Bxc5 Qd8 21. Qe5+
Kc6 22. O-O) 14... d5 (14... dxe5 15. Ne4 Qc6 16. Nbxc5 Bxc5 17. Nxc5 Nxc5 18.
Qxe5 Qe4+ 19. Qxe4 Nxe4 20. Bd4 Rg8 21. Bd3 f5 22. O-O {with a stable edge for
White.}) 15. Bxd5 $1 {Of course, the only move.} exd5 16. Nxd5 Qc6 17. e6 $1 {
Opening the e-file.} ({Otherwise after} 17. Rd1 Ne6 {White has not enough
compensation for the piece.}) 17... Nxe6 18. Nd4 $6 (18. O-O-O {would be much
more dangerous:} Bg7 (18... Rg8 19. Rhe1 Rg5 20. Rxe6+ $1 Qxe6 21. Nc7+ Ke7 22.
Bh4 Qe5 23. Nxa8 Bg7 24. Bxg5+ hxg5 25. c3 Nf6 26. Qf3 {with an extra exchange}
) 19. Rhe1 Kf8 20. Nd4 Nxd4 21. Bxd4 Bxd4 22. Rxd4 Nf6 23. Qe5 Kg7 24. Rxf4 Re8
25. Ne7 Qe6 26. Qc3 Rxe7 27. Rxe6 Rxe6 {with a roughly equal material balance
and some initiative for White. However, it is difficult to find these moves
over the board.}) 18... Nxd4 19. Bxd4 Rg8 20. O-O-O Rg5 21. Qe2+ Kd8 22. Bb6+
Nxb6 23. Nxb6+ (23. Ne7+ Qd7 24. Nxc8 Rxc8 25. Rxd7+ Nxd7 {with a material
advantage for Black.}) 23... Kc7 24. Nxa8+ Kb8 25. Qf3 Rc5 {Now the knight on
a8 is trapped.} 26. Rd8 (26. Qxc6 Rxc6 27. Rd8 Bc5) 26... Be7 (26... Rxc2+ 27.
Kb1 Rxb2+ {!} 28. Kxb2 Qf6+ 29. Qc3 Qxd8 30. Rc1 Bd6 {with a winning advantage}
) 27. Qxc6 Rxc6 28. Re8 Bc5 29. Rd1 Kxa8 30. Rd7 Ka7 31. Rxf7 Be6 32. Rg7 Be3+
33. Kd1 Bf5 34. Ree7 (34. c3 Rd6+ 35. Ke1 Rd2 36. b4 Ra2 37. Ree7 Bd3 38. Rxb7+
Ka8 {, and Black wins}) 34... Bxc2+ 35. Ke2 Rb6 36. b4 Bc1 37. g3 f3+ 38. Kxf3
Bxa3 39. Rc7 Bd1+ 0-1

