[Event "Olympiad-42"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2016.09.10"]
[Round "8.2"]
[White "Li, Chao B"]
[Black "Almasi, Zoltan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2746"]
[BlackElo "2684"]
[Annotator "Almasi,Z"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2016.09.02"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 175"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "China"]
[BlackTeam "Hungary"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "CHN"]
[BlackTeamCountry "HUN"]

{The match was played in round 9 against the former Olympiad winners, China!
They had not being playing well and my opponent Li Chao had just lost a
winning position against Nigel Short in the previous round with White! The
match decided who would have the chance to play for a good place in the last
two rounds.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 b6 {This line is becoming
more popular.} 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Bd3 Bb7 7. Bd2 {Li Chao had played against the
same move, just one day before against Short, but I did not check it so deeply.
The idea is to avoid the main line and play a different structure from the
usual one.} d6 {Just a normal move.} (7... c5 8. a3 Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxd4 10. exd4
(10. Nxd4)) (7... d5 8. cxd5 exd5 9. O-O Nbd7 10. Rc1 a6 11. Ne5 Re8 12. f4 Nf8
13. Be1 c5 14. Bh4 c4 15. Bc2 b5 16. g4 Qb6 17. g5 Ne4 18. Nxe4 dxe4 19. Qe2
Bd5 20. Qg2 Qb7 21. f5 Nd7 22. Ng4 Kh8 23. Bg3 Rac8 24. Qh3 f6 25. g6 Nf8 26.
Rf2 Rc6 27. Rcf1 a5 28. Rg2 a4 29. Rf4 c3 30. bxc3 Bxc3 31. Bh4 Qb6 32. gxh7
Re7 33. Ne5 fxe5 34. Bxe7 exf4 35. Bxf8 Bxd4 36. Qg4 Rc7 37. Qh5 f3 38. Rg4 Be5
39. Bc5 Qh6 40. Qe8+ Kxh7 41. Qxe5 Rxc5 42. Qe7 f2+ 43. Kg2 Bc4 44. Kxf2 Qxh2+
{0-1 (44) Li Chao2 (2746)-Short,N (2666) Baku AZE 2016}) 8. Qc2 ({If castling
is coming, we just have a transpositon to when White starts with castling on
move 7.} 8. O-O c5 {- 7.0-0 c5 8.Bd2.}) 8... c5 9. a3 $2 {Li Chao played this
move fast and I think he did not realise that he could be in trouble so early.}
(9. dxc5 bxc5 10. a3 Ba5 {Now there is no need to take on c3. The chances are
about equal.} 11. O-O Nbd7 (11... Bxf3 12. gxf3 Nc6) 12. Rfd1 (12. Rab1 Bxf3
13. gxf3 Ne5 14. Be2 Rb8) 12... Rb8) 9... Bxc3 10. Bxc3 cxd4 $1 $15 {Black is
already better, because White can not take back with a piece due to the fact
that ...e5 is coming and the d3-bishop is getting into trouble. So White has
to take back with the pawn, but then his structre becomes awful.} 11. exd4 (11.
Nxd4 e5 $1 12. Nf5 (12. Nf3 e4 13. Bxf6 exd3 14. Bxd8 dxc2 15. Be7 Rc8 $17)
12... g6 13. Ng3 Bxg2 14. Rg1 Bf3 {Just a pawn up, without counterplay.}) 11...
d5 $2 {Do not ask me how I found this move?! I just completely forgot about
the ...c5 option! My idea was to take on f3 of course and then d5, but wanted
to do it more smartly.} (11... Bxf3 12. gxf3 Nbd7 $15 {and ...d5 is coming and
the white structure just collapses.} 13. O-O-O Rc8 14. Kb1 d5 15. cxd5 Nxd5 16.
Bxh7+ Kh8 17. Be4 Nxc3+ 18. bxc3 Qe7 19. Ka2 Rc7) (11... Nbd7 {could be also
better and it's difficult to protect the f3-knight. The plan is ...Rc8 and ...
d5.} 12. Qe2 Nh5 (12... d5)) 12. c5 {The positon has just changed in one move
and White is clearly better now. I had closed in my bishop and allowed a
protected passed pawn on c5.} Nc6 13. O-O (13. b4 bxc5 14. bxc5 {is better for
White, but I did not feel it was so bad.} (14. dxc5 e5 $1)) 13... bxc5 14. dxc5
d4 15. Bd2 Qd5 16. Rfe1 $1 {Just to protect against ...Ne5.} (16. Qc4 Qxc4 17.
Bxc4 e5 18. Bg5 Ne4 (18... e4 19. Nd2 Ne5 {White is better, but it's not that
clear.})) 16... e5 (16... a5 {This was my first idea, until I found a more
aggressive way to complicate the game, because positionally White is much
better.} 17. Bg5 {I was afraid from this move and I did not see the defending .
..Ba6!} Ba6 18. Bxa6 Rxa6 19. Bxf6 gxf6 20. Rad1 $14) 17. Bc4 Qd7 {This is
what I calculated. The only practical chance.} 18. Nxe5 (18. Ng5 h6 19. Ne4
Nxe4 20. Rxe4 (20. Qxe4 Na5) 20... d3 $1 $13) 18... Nxe5 19. Rxe5 Bxg2 {
What else?! I saw it, it is not good in any case, but there was no other
choice.} 20. Kxg2 Qg4+ 21. Kh1 Qf3+ 22. Kg1 Qg4+ 23. Kf1 Qh3+ 24. Ke1 $2 (24.
Ke2 $16 {This was the precise move! Unfortunately I can not give a good check.
Otherwise the white king escapes the danger and White is a piece up.} Rae8 (
24... Ng4 25. Qf5 (25. Re7 Qh5 26. Kf1) 25... g6) (24... Qxh2 25. Qf5 $1 {
and now I do not have ...Qh1+.}) 25. Rxe8 Rxe8+ (25... Qg4+ 26. Kf1 (26. f3
Qg2+ 27. Kd1 Rxe8 28. Qd3) 26... Qh3+ 27. Ke1 Rxe8+ 28. Kd1) 26. Kd1 Ne4 27.
Kc1 $1 (27. Qb3 d3 28. Bxd3 Rd8)) 24... Qxh2 $1 {Already White is in trouble.
Probably this was when my opponent blundered.} 25. f4 (25. Qf5 Rae8 26. Bf4
Qg1+ 27. Kd2 Qxa1 $19) 25... Qg1+ $1 {Just to break up the coordination of the
white pieces and not allow him the chance to escape.} 26. Bf1 Ng4 $1 {That was
the point of ...Qg1+, ...Qf2 and ...Qg3 is threatening.} 27. Qc4 $6 ({I
expected} 27. Qd3 Rae8 28. Qf3 Nxe5 29. fxe5 Rxe5+ 30. Kd1 Rxc5) 27... Rae8 $1
{The game is lost.} 28. c6 (28. b4 d3 $1 {the best according the computer} 29.
Qxd3 Qf2+ 30. Kd1 Nxe5 31. fxe5 Rd8 $1 32. Qe2 Rxd2+ 33. Qxd2 (33. Kxd2 Qd4+
34. Kc2 Qxa1) 33... Qxf1+ $19) 28... Nxe5 29. fxe5 Rxe5+ 30. Kd1 Rf5 $19 {
A nice finish.} 31. c7 (31. Kc2 Rc5 $1 32. Qxc5 d3+ {and the queen is lost.})
31... d3 32. Qxd3 Rxf1+ 33. Kc2 Rxa1 {This game slightly reminded me of the
young Almasi :)} 0-1

[Event "Tel Aviv super 1st"]
[Site "Tel Aviv"]
[Date "1999.05.13"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Alterman, Boris"]
[Black "Psakhis, Lev"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2615"]
[BlackElo "2560"]
[Annotator "Alterman,B"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "1999.05.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISR"]
[EventCategory "14"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 071"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 O-O 5. Bg5 c5 6. Rc1 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Nc6 (
7... h6 $146 8. Bh4 Nc6 9. a3 Bxc3+ 10. Rxc3 g5 11. Bg3 Ne4 12. Nb5 Nxc3 13.
Nxc3 d5 {Anand,V-Timman,J/Wijk aan Zee NED 1999}) 8. e3 Be7 9. Be2 d6 $146 (
9... Qa5 10. Bh4 Nxd4 11. Qxd4 d5 12. O-O dxc4 13. Qxc4 Bd7 14. Bf3 Rac8 15.
Qb3 b6 16. Rfd1 Rfd8 17. Bg3 Be8 18. h3 Rxd1+ 19. Rxd1 b5 {1/2-1/2 Byrne,
R-Eliskases,E/Buenos Aires 1964 (19)}) 10. Ndb5 Ne8 11. Bxe7 Nxe7 12. Ne4 d5
13. cxd5 Nxd5 14. O-O Bd7 15. Qb3 Qb6 (15... Bxb5 16. Bxb5 $14) 16. Nd4 Nef6
17. Nc5 Rab8 $6 {[%mdl 16384]} (17... Qxb3 $142 18. Ndxb3 Bc8 $11 {/\b6}) 18.
Qxb6 axb6 19. Nxd7 Nxd7 20. Bf3 N7f6 21. Rfd1 Rfc8 22. a3 Kf8 23. g3 Rc5 24. b4
Rc7 25. Nb5 Rc6 26. Na7 Rc7 (26... Rxc1 $16) 27. Nb5 $2 {[%mdl 8192] Much
stronger was:} (27. Bxd5 $5 Nxd5 28. e4 Nc3 29. Kg2 $1 Ra8 (29... Re8 30. Rd3
Nb5 31. Rxc7 Nxc7 32. Rd7 Re7 $16) 30. Rd3 Rxa7 31. Rcxc3 (31. Rdxc3 Rd7 $1)
31... Rc6 $1 32. Rd8+ Ke7 33. Rcd3 Rc7 (33... Rxa3 34. R3d7+ Kf6 35. Rf8 $18)
34. Rh8 $18) 27... Rc6 28. Nd4 Rc7 29. Rxc7 Nxc7 30. Rc1 Nfe8 31. h4 g6 32. Kg2
e5 33. Ne2 f5 34. Nc3 e4 35. Be2 Ra8 36. a4 Rd8 37. Nb5 Nd5 38. Nd4 Ra8 39. Bb5
Nef6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Nis op"]
[Site "Nis"]
[Date "2017.07.02"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Atalik, Suat"]
[Black "Ristic, Nebojsa B"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2525"]
[BlackElo "2306"]
[Annotator "Atalik,S"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2017.06.27"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. Bd2 $5 Bb7 6. g3 $5 O-O ({I have
also had some experience on the other side of the board:} 6... Nc6 7. a3 Bxc3
8. Bxc3 Ne4 $13 {Taimanov-Atalik,S,Lviv 2000.}) 7. Bg2 d6 8. O-O (8. d5 $5 Bxc3
9. Bxc3 exd5 10. Nh4 Ne4 11. cxd5 (11. Rc1 Re8 12. cxd5 Qg5) 11... Nxc3 12.
bxc3 Nd7 $11) 8... Nbd7 9. Rc1 (9. d5 Bxc3 10. Bxc3 exd5 11. Nh4 Ne4 12. cxd5
Nxc3 13. bxc3 f5 $1 $132) 9... Qe7 10. Bg5 (10. Nd5 $2 exd5 11. Bxb4 c5) (10.
d5 $2 Bxc3 11. Bxc3 exd5 12. Nh4 (12. Nd4 c5) 12... Qe6 $1) 10... Bxc3 $6 {
Black surrenders the pair of bishops for the reason that the b4-bishop may
turn out to be in danger.} (10... h6 $1 {However the bishop does not fall after
} 11. Bxf6 Nxf6 (11... Qxf6 $2 12. Nb1 d5 13. Qa4) 12. Nb1 c5 13. a3 Ba5 14.
Qa4 Qe8 $11) 11. Rxc3 h6 12. Bc1 $1 Ne4 13. Rc2 $1 (13. Re3 f5) 13... c5 14. b3
Rfd8 15. Bb2 Ndf6 16. Qa1 $36 Ng5 $6 {I do not like this kind of nervous move
which makes it obvious that Black is trying to equalise at once.} 17. d5 $5
Nxf3+ $6 (17... exd5 18. Nxg5 (18. Bxf6 gxf6) 18... hxg5 19. e3 $36 (19. Bxf6
gxf6 20. Rd2 d4 21. Bxb7 Qxb7 22. e3 d5 $11)) 18. exf3 $1 {White has to keep
the game open.} (18. Bxf3 $2 e5 $1 $11) 18... exd5 (18... e5 19. f4 exf4 20.
Re1 $18) 19. Re1 Qf8 (19... Qd7 $2 20. Bxf6 gxf6 21. Rce2 d4 22. Re7 Qc6 23.
Qc1 $1 Kg7 (23... Re8 24. Qxh6 Rxe7 25. Rxe7 Re8 26. Qxf6 $18) 24. Qf4 $18) 20.
Bxf6 gxf6 21. f4 Re8 $2 (21... Rab8 $142 {is the only way of offering Black
some chances of survival.} 22. Qxf6 dxc4 23. bxc4 d5 24. Re7 Qg7 25. Qxg7+ Kxg7
26. Bxd5 Bxd5 27. cxd5 Rxd5 28. Rxa7 b5 $44) 22. Rd1 $1 $16 Qe7 23. Bxd5 Bxd5
24. Rxd5 Qe1+ 25. Qxe1 Rxe1+ 26. Kg2 Rd8 27. Rcd2 Ra1 28. Kf3 Kg7 29. Kg4 Kg6
30. h4 Rd7 31. h5+ Kg7 32. Kf5 Rd8 33. R5d3 $1 {Playing for a checkmate, White
lines up rooks on the e-file.} Rd7 34. Re3 Rh1 (34... Rc1 35. Re8 b5 36. Rb8 $1
bxc4 37. Re2 $18) 35. g4 Rg1 36. Re8 Ra1 $2 {My opponent misses the idea.} (
36... Rc1 $8 37. Rc8 $1 (37. Rde2 d5 38. Rc8 dxc4 39. Ree8 Rd5+ 40. Ke4 Rd4+
41. Kf3 Rc3+ 42. Kg2 f5 $132) 37... Re1 38. Rc6 Re6 39. a3 $16 {Black is
paralysed.}) 37. Rde2 $1 $18 {With an unavoidable checkmate.} d5 38. Rc8 dxc4
39. bxc4 Rad1 40. Ree8 R7d5+ 41. cxd5 1-0

[Event "Otvoreno Prventsvo Pozarevca"]
[Site "Pozarevac"]
[Date "2015.12.26"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Atalik, Suat"]
[Black "Rajkovic, Dusan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2570"]
[BlackElo "2372"]
[Annotator "Atalik,S"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2015.12.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 Nc6 $5 {A surprise! A favorite of the
late Gurgenidze, known as the 'most polite man in Tbilisi'!} 5. Bd2 $1 (5. Qc2
d6 6. Bd2 $13 {is a normal setup in the Classical System.}) (5. e3 O-O 6. Bd3 {
transposes the game into the Rubinstein System.} d5 (6... d6 7. O-O Bxc3 8.
bxc3 e5 9. Nd2 $13) 7. O-O a6 $5 (7... dxc4 8. Bxc4 Bd6 $13)) 5... a5 $5 (5...
O-O 6. Rc1 $5 {leads to a waiting policy.} (6. g3 d5 $1) (6. e3 d6 7. a3 Bxc3
8. Bxc3 Ne4 9. Qc2 Nxc3 10. Qxc3 Qe7 {brings a type of game in the spirit of
the Bogoljubow System.})) 6. Rc1 $5 $146 {A very logical move with the idea of
answering ...d6 with g3 and in the event of ...d5 playing e3 or Bg5 after the
exchange on d5.} (6. g3 d5 $1) (6. e3 d6 $1) 6... d5 $5 (6... d6 7. g3 (7. a3
Bxc3 8. Bxc3 O-O 9. g3 Ne4 10. Bg2 $14) 7... e5 8. d5 Ne7 9. Bg2 Bxc3 10. Rxc3
Ne4 11. Ra3 $5 {is one of my ideas found over the board.}) 7. cxd5 (7. e3 $5
O-O 8. h3 $5 {looks similar to Qa4 lines in Ragozin.} (8. Bd3)) 7... exd5 8.
Bg5 h6 9. Bxf6 $1 (9. Bh4 $6 g5 10. Bg3 Ne4 11. e3 h5 $1 {and White is in
trouble.}) 9... Qxf6 {Despite the loss of a tempo White is happy with ...Nc6
which is usually forced via Qa4 in the Ragozin.} 10. a3 {I did not want to
play against the pair of bishops.} (10. e3 O-O 11. Be2 Rd8 12. O-O {is also
possible.}) 10... Bxc3+ 11. Rxc3 {The logical move.} (11. bxc3 $5 a4 $1 (11...
Qd6 12. a4) 12. c4 (12. e3 Qd6) 12... dxc4 13. Rxc4 O-O 14. e3 Be6 15. Rxa4 Bd5
$44) 11... Qd6 (11... Bg4 $5 12. e3 (12. Ne5 $6 Nxe5 13. dxe5 Qb6 $1) 12...
Bxf3 13. Qxf3 Qxf3 14. gxf3 Kd8 $1 $14 {is à la Taimanov!}) (11... O-O 12. e3
Ne7 13. Bd3 (13. Rxc7 $6 Nc6 14. Qb3 Qd8 (14... Qd6 15. Qb6) 15. Qb6 Re8 $13 {
I would be nervous about Rc7.}) 13... c6 14. Ne5 Qd6 15. Qh5 $13) 12. e3 Ne7 (
12... Bf5 13. Bb5) 13. Bd3 c6 (13... Bf5 $2 14. Bxf5 Nxf5 15. Qc2 {double
attack.}) 14. Qc2 O-O {Over the board there has arisen a Karlsbad like Ragozin
structure. I always felt I was a bad Karlsbad player. However with more pieces
exchanged, namely two pairs of minor ones, I felt more comfortable.} 15. O-O
Be6 16. Nh4 $5 {Trying to provoke a weakness in Black's camp before starting a
minority attack.} (16. b4 axb4 17. axb4 Qxb4 18. Rb3 Qd6 $1 (18... Qa4 $6 19.
Bh7+ $1 (19. Rxb7 Qxc2 20. Bxc2 Rfe8 21. Ne5 Kf8) 19... Kh8 20. Rxb7 Qxc2 21.
Bxc2 $16) 19. Rxb7 Rfb8 $11) (16. Ne5 f6 17. Bh7+ Kh8 18. Ng6+ Nxg6 19. Bxg6 a4
$5 $13) 16... g5 $1 (16... f6 17. f4 $1 g5 18. Nf3 $1 Kg7 $14 (18... gxf4 $140
$2 19. exf4)) 17. Nf3 $1 (17. Nf5 Nxf5 18. Bxf5 Bxf5 19. Qxf5 Qe6 $11) 17...
Kg7 18. b4 $5 {I did not want to lose a tempo} ({with} 18. Rb1 f6 19. b4 b5 $5
(19... axb4 20. Rxb4 $1)) 18... axb4 19. axb4 b5 $5 {Throughout his career GM
Rajkovic has stood for active play. Black has a fine position but one should
not forget the difficulty which Black has of beingcondemned to play a game
with b5 and g5.} (19... Qxb4 20. Rb3 Qd6 (20... Qa4 $6 21. Rxb7 Qxc2 22. Bxc2
Rfe8 23. Ne5 $16) 21. Rxb7 Rfb8 22. Rxb8 (22. Rbb1 $5) 22... Rxb8 23. Ra1 $14)
20. Rc5 (20. Ne5 Ra6) 20... f6 21. Qb1 $1 {Controlling very critical squares
on the queen's wing.} Ra4 22. Bc2 Ra6 {Offering a draw.} 23. Nd2 Nc8 $1 {
This is what Black is up to: Nc5 should be met with ...Nc4.} 24. Bf5 $5 {
A seemingly illogical move to part with the bishops. However White has to
probe the weaknesses created by the g5 thrust.} ({White can not accomplish the
anchoring of his knight on f5 or h5:} 24. Rc1 f5 $1 (24... Nb6 $2 25. Bh7) (
24... Bd7 $6 25. e4 $1)) 24... Nb6 $1 {Dusan, already running low on time,
decides to keep the tension by not exchanging the bishops.} (24... Bxf5 $6 25.
Qxf5 Nb6 (25... Ne7 26. Qc2 Rfa8 27. Nb3 Ra2 28. Qc1 $16) 26. Rfc1 (26. h4 Qd7
$1) 26... Nc4 27. Nxc4 dxc4 28. h4 $1 $16) 25. Nb3 Bf7 $6 {A risky move under
the circumstances.} (25... Nc4 26. Rxc4 bxc4 27. Nc5 Bxf5 28. Qxf5 Rfa8 29.
Nxa6 (29. Ne6+ Kf7 30. Nc7 Kg7 $11) 29... Rxa6 30. h4 gxh4 31. Qg4+ Kf7 $11)
26. Rcc1 $1 $36 {I wanted to keep all four rooks for the attack.} (26. Rc2 Nc4
27. Nc5 Ra7 28. Ra2 Rfa8 29. Rxa7 Rxa7 $11) 26... Nc4 27. Nc5 Ra7 (27... Nd2 $2
28. Qc2 $1 Nxf1 29. Nxa6 $18) 28. Qd3 $1 {White sets up his pieces for Qd3-d1,
Bb1, Qd3 or Qf3 or even g4.} Rfa8 29. Qd1 {The position is razor sharp with
both sides having their trumps.} (29. h4 $5 h5 $5 $13 (29... gxh4 $6 30. Qd1 h5
31. Re1 {preparing the queen switch without being subject to a fork.} (31. Qf3
$2 Nd2))) 29... Ra2 $2 {Exchanging the bishops was imperative.} (29... Bg6 $1
30. Bxg6 Kxg6 31. g4 $1 (31. Re1 f5 32. Nd3 Ra2 $40) (31. h4 f5 $1 $40) 31...
Kg7 32. Qd3 $13) 30. Bb1 $1 {The tempo has an impact in the game.} (30. Bc2 $6
Bg6) 30... R2a3 (30... Rd2 31. Qg4 (31. Qf3 Bg6) 31... Bg6 32. Ne6+ Kf7 33.
Bxg6+ Kxg6 34. Nf4+ Kg7 35. Nh5+ Kg6 36. Ng3 $40) 31. Qc2 Rh8 32. Rfe1 h5 $1 {
Black needs at least some activity on the kingside to parry the threats.} 33.
Rcd1 {Preparation for e4 is completed.} (33. e4 Bg6 34. Qd1) (33. Qf5 Qe7 $1 {
It is important to stay out of the fork.} (33... Ra7 34. e4 Bg6 $140 $2 35.
Qxg6+)) 33... Rh6 $1 (33... h4 34. Qf5) 34. e4 dxe4 ({I was expecting} 34...
Bg6 35. Qe2 dxe4 36. Bxe4 Bf7 37. Bb1 Ra7 38. h4 $1 gxh4 39. Bf5 $40) 35. Nxe4
$1 {A good pawn sacrifice providing White with the dangerous
manoeuvreNe4-g3-f5.} Qxb4 $1 (35... Qd5 36. Ng3 Nd6 37. Qc1 $1 (37. Qc5 h4 38.
Nf5+ Nxf5 39. Bxf5 Rh8 40. Be4 Qxc5 41. dxc5 Ra6 $1 {and Black's position
looks solid.}) 37... Ra7 38. Re5 $1 {and the rook is taboo} (38. Qc5 Rd7 39.
Nf5+ Nxf5 40. Bxf5 $16 {with a positional edge}) 38... fxe5 $140 $2 39. Qxg5+
Bg6 40. Nxh5+ $18) 36. Ng3 $1 ({Tempting but possibly wrong is} 36. Nxf6 $6 Nb2
$3 (36... Kxf6 $2 37. Qf5+ Kg7 38. Qxg5+ $18) (36... Bg6 37. Qc1 $1 Kxf6 38. h4
$1 $18) 37. Qf5 (37. Rc1 $2 Nd3) (37. Ne8+ Kf8) 37... Nxd1 38. Qxg5+ Rg6 $1 39.
Nxh5+ Kg8 40. Qd8+ Qf8 41. Nf6+ Kg7 42. Nh5+ (42. Qxf8+ $2 Kxf8 43. Nd7+ Kg7
44. Bxg6 Bxg6 45. Rxd1 b4 $19) 42... Kg8 43. Nf6+ $11) 36... Bg6 ({The
exchange sacrifice with} 36... Rxg3 37. hxg3 (37. fxg3 $5) 37... Qd6 38. Qf5
$16 {does not give enough compensation in my opinion.}) 37. Qe2 $1 ({
Rightfully refraining from a materialistic approach with} 37. Nf5+ Bxf5 38.
Qxf5 Ra7 39. Qc8 Re7 40. Rxe7+ Qxe7 41. Qxc6 Nd6 42. Bd3 Rh8 43. Bxb5 Rc8 $44)
37... h4 $8 38. Nf5+ Bxf5 39. Bxf5 Ra7 $2 $138 {Two moves to reach the time
control.. Dusan stumbles.} ({The 8th rank should be urgently defended.} 39...
Rh8 $1 40. Bb1 (40. d5 Ne5 $1 41. dxc6 Rc3 $13) 40... Ra7 (40... Qd6 41. Qg4)
41. Qe4 Rh6 42. d5 cxd5 43. Rxd5 Rf7 44. Red1 Qe7 45. Qd4 Ne5 46. f4 gxf4 47.
Qxf4 $44) 40. Qe8 $1 {Now the Rh6 is temporarily paralysed.} Qd6 $2 {One
mistake follows the other.} (40... Qf8 $142 41. Qxc6 Nd6 42. Bd3 $16) (40...
Rf7 41. Be6 Nd6 42. Qxc6 $16) 41. Ra1 $1 {I burned all my remaining time
omthis one but it wins by force.} (41. Re6 $2 Qd7 42. Qxd7+ Rxd7 43. Rxc6 Rd8
44. Ra1 $16 {gives some chances to Black.}) 41... Na3 {This looked forced
until Papa Nestorovic showed an alternative.} (41... Rf7 $5 {Nestorovic,D} 42.
Ra8 Qf8 43. Qxc6 $1 (43. Re7 Qxe8 44. Rexe8 $16) 43... Qb4 (43... Qd6 44. Ree8)
44. Qe8 Qf8 45. Re7 Qxe8 46. Rexe8 $18) (41... Rxa1 42. Rxa1 Qc7 43. Re1 $18 {
is easy to understand.}) 42. Re3 $1 {A much more beautiful line exists!} (42.
Re3 $1 b4 (42... h3 43. Raxa3) 43. Rae1 $18) (42. Rxa3 $3 Qxa3 43. Bd7 $1 $18
Rxd7 $140 44. Qxd7+ Kg6 45. Qe8+ Kf5 46. Qe4#) 1-0

[Event "Bhopal op"]
[Site "Bhopal"]
[Date "2017.12.24"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Atalik, Suat"]
[Black "David, Alberto"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2545"]
[BlackElo "2571"]
[Annotator "Atalik,S"]
[PlyCount "35"]
[EventDate "2017.12.21"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. Bd2 Bb7 6. g3 O-O 7. Bg2 d6 8. O-O (
8. d5 Bxc3 (8... exd5 9. Nxd5) 9. Bxc3 exd5 10. Nh4 Ne4 11. cxd5 Nxc3 12. bxc3
Nd7 $13) 8... Nbd7 9. Rc1 Bxc3 10. Rxc3 $146 Re8 11. Bc1 h6 12. Re1 a6 13. a4
Ra7 (13... b5 $5 14. axb5 axb5 15. cxb5 Qb8 16. Bf1 {And how does Black get
the pawn back?}) 14. Bf1 Qb8 15. Be3 (15. Nh4 $6 c5 16. g4 (16. f3 d5) 16...
Ne4 (16... g5 17. Ng2) 17. Rh3 d5 $40) (15. Nd2 c5 16. e3 d5 17. b3 $13) 15...
Ng4 16. Bc1 (16. Bf4 Ngf6) 16... Ngf6 17. Be3 Ng4 18. Bc1 {Both sides were
happy with the strange repetition of moves they have ended in.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Leonid Stein Memorial-B"]
[Site "Lvov"]
[Date "2000.05.14"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Taimanov, Mark E"]
[Black "Atalik, Suat"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2402"]
[BlackElo "2575"]
[Annotator "Atalik,S"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[EventDate "2000.05.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "UKR"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 b6 2. Nf3 Bb7 3. Nc3 e6 4. d4 Bb4 5. Bd2 $6 Nf6 6. g3 Nc6 7. a3 Bxc3 8.
Bxc3 Ne4 9. Qd3 d5 10. Bg2 O-O 11. O-O a5 12. b4 Ne7 13. Rfc1 (13. cxd5 exd5
14. b5 c6 15. bxc6 Ba6 $17) 13... dxc4 14. Qxc4 Ba6 15. Qb3 (15. b5 Nd6 16. Qb3
Bxb5 17. Ne5 Rc8 $19) (15. Qa2 Nxc3 16. Rxc3 axb4 17. axb4 Bxe2 $19) 15... Nd5
$2 (15... Nxc3 16. Qxc3 Bxe2 (16... axb4 $6 17. axb4 Bxe2 18. Rxa8 Qxa8 19. Ng5
Qa6 20. Qc2 Ng6 21. Qxc7 $15) 17. Qxc7 (17. Ne5 Ra6) 17... Qxc7 18. Rxc7 Nd5
$17) 16. Be1 Bxe2 17. bxa5 $2 (17. Ne5 Nef6 18. bxa5 bxa5 19. Nc6 Qd6 (19...
Qd7 $1 20. Bxa5 $14) 20. Bxa5 $1 (20. Nxa5 Qb6) 20... Ra6 21. Bb4 Nxb4 22. Qxb4
$14) 17... Bxf3 18. Bxf3 Nef6 19. axb6 cxb6 20. Qb5 {Draw offer.} Ra7 21. a4 h6
22. a5 bxa5 23. Rxa5 Rxa5 (23... Rd7 24. Bd2 Nc7 25. Qe5 Rxd4 $2 26. Bxh6) 24.
Bxa5 Qa8 25. Rc5 Rb8 26. Qc6 $1 (26. Qc4 $2 Rb1+ 27. Kg2 Ne3+ $19) (26. Qd3 Nd7
) (26. Qe2 Nd7) 26... Qxc6 (26... Qa7 27. Qd6) 27. Rxc6 Rb3 28. Kg2 Ra3 29. Bd8
Ra4 30. Bxf6 (30. Rc8 Kh7 31. Bxf6 $11 (31. Bd1 $6 Rxd4 32. Bc2+ g6)) 30...
Nxf6 31. Rc8+ Kh7 32. Rd8 $6 (32. Rc7 Kg8 $8 (32... Kg6 $2 33. Bd1 $16)) 32...
g5 33. Bc6 Ra2 34. h3 Kg7 (34... Rd2 35. Kf3 (35. Kf1 Nd5 36. Bxd5 (36. Rd7 $11
) 36... Rxd4 37. Rd7 $11) 35... Kg7) 35. Ra8 Rd2 36. Ra4 g4 37. d5 $1 (37. hxg4
Nxg4 38. d5 Ne3+ 39. Kf3 Nxd5 40. Bxd5 Rxd5 $15) (37. h4 Rd1 $15) 37... gxh3+
38. Kxh3 exd5 39. Rf4 Rc2 40. Bb5 Rb2 41. Bd3 Rb6 42. Kg2 Rd6 43. Kf3 Nd7 44.
Ke3 Nc5 45. Rg4+ Kf6 (45... Kf8 46. Kd4 Ne6+ 47. Ke5 Ke7 48. Rh4 (48. Ra4 Rd7)
48... Ng5 $15) 46. Rh4 Ke7 47. Kd4 Ne6+ 48. Ke3 d4+ 49. Kd2 Ng5 (49... Nc5 50.
Rh5) 50. Kd1 (50. Be2 Kf8) 50... Nf3 51. Rf4 Ne5 (51... Rf6 52. Re4+ Re6 53.
Kc2 Ne1+ 54. Kd2 $11) 52. Re4 Kf6 53. Ke2 Ng6 54. Bc4 h5 55. Kd2 Kf5 56. Bd3
Kg5 57. f4+ Kh6 (57... Kg4 $5 58. f5+ Kxg3 59. fxg6 fxg6 60. Re1 Kf2 61. Rf1+
Kg2 62. Rf8 $1 $11) 58. f5 Nf8 59. Bc4 f6 (59... Rd7 60. Kd3) 60. Be2 (60. Re6
$142 $1 Nxe6 61. fxe6 Rd8 62. Bb5 Kg5 63. e7 Rb8 64. e8=Q Rxe8 65. Bxe8 Kg4 66.
Kd3 $11) 60... Kg5 61. Rh4 Kxf5 62. Rxh5+ Kg6 63. g4 Nd7 (63... Kg7 64. Bd3 Ne6
65. Rh7+ Kf8 66. Bf5 $11) 64. Bd3+ Kg7 65. g5 fxg5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-33"]
[Site "Elista"]
[Date "1998.10.12"]
[Round "13.4"]
[White "Avrukh, Boris"]
[Black "Shariyazdanov, Andrey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2565"]
[BlackElo "2530"]
[Annotator "Avrukh,B"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "1998.09.29"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 068"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Israel"]
[BlackTeam "Russia II"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ISR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. Qb3 c5 6. Bg5 h6 (6... Nc6 7. e3 h6
8. Bh4 g5 9. Bg3 Ne4 10. Bd3 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 Nxg3 12. hxg3 d6 13. Be4 Bd7 14.
Bxc6 Bxc6 15. d5 $1 $16 {Condie,M-Cullip,S/Edinburgh op 1989/1-0 (51)}) 7. Bh4
Nc6 $6 (7... Bb7 8. e3 Qe7 9. O-O-O cxd4 10. exd4 Bxc3 11. Qxc3 d5 12. Kb1 O-O
13. Ne5 g5 (13... dxc4 14. Bxc4 Bxg2 (14... Rc8) 15. Rhg1 Be4+ 16. Ka1 Kh8 17.
Qe3 Bh7 18. Qf3 $18) 14. Bg3 dxc4 15. Bxc4 Rc8 16. h4 Nd5 (16... b5 17. hxg5
Ne4 18. Qe3 bxc4 19. g6) 17. Qd2 f6 (17... Nc6 18. Ng4) 18. hxg5 hxg5 (18...
fxe5 19. Rxh6 Nd7 (19... Rxc4 20. Bxe5) 20. Rdh1 Qg7 21. Qe2 (21. Bb3) 21...
Rxc4 22. Qh5 (22. Qxc4) 22... Nc3+ 23. Ka1 Kf8 24. Rh8+ Ke7 25. Rh7) 19. Bxd5
Bxd5 (19... exd5 20. Rh6 fxe5 21. Bxe5) 20. Rh8+ {[%cal Ge5g6] 1-0 Alterman,
B-Kurajica,B/Dresden 1998/CBM 65/[Tisdall] (20)}) (7... g5 8. Bg3 Ne4 9. e3
cxd4 10. Nxd4 Na6 11. O-O-O Bxc3 12. bxc3 Nac5 13. Qc2 Nxg3 14. hxg3 a6 15. Be2
Bb7 16. Bf3 Bxf3 17. gxf3 Qf6 $13) 8. d5 $1 (8. O-O-O Ba6 (8... Na5 9. Qc2 cxd4
10. Ne4 Be7 11. Bxf6 gxf6 12. Nxd4 f5 13. Nc3 Bb7 $13) 9. d5 Na5 10. Qc2 g5 11.
Bg3 Bxc4 12. Ne5 Bxc3 13. Nxc4 Nxc4 14. Qxc3 b5 15. b3 Nb6 16. Be5 Nfxd5 17.
Qf3 f6 18. Bd6 Kf7 19. e4 Nb4 20. Bxb5 $16 {1-0 Lev,R-Kogan,A/ISR-ch 1992/TD
92\10 (38)}) 8... Na5 9. Qc2 Nxc4 (9... exd5 10. cxd5 O-O (10... g5 11. Bg3
Nxd5 $4 12. Qe4+ $18) 11. e3 d6 (11... g5 12. Bg3 Nxd5 13. O-O-O Bxc3 14. bxc3
Bb7 15. h4 $40) 12. Be2 Bxc3+ (12... g5 13. Bg3 Nxd5 14. O-O-O) 13. bxc3 (13.
Qxc3 $2 Nxd5 $1 $15) 13... Qe7 14. Nd2 Bd7 (14... g5 15. Bg3 Nxd5) 15. O-O Rae8
16. c4 $14 {[%csl Ra5][%cal Ye3e4,Yf2f4] 1-0 Sokolov,I-Granda Zuniga,J/Wijk
aan Zee 1997/CBM 57/[Jacoby,G] (48)}) (9... d6 10. e4 e5 11. Nd2 Bxc3 (11...
Bd7 12. Ndb1 g5 13. Bg3 Nh5 14. a3 Bxc3+ 15. Nxc3 Qf6 16. O-O-O O-O-O 17. f3
Qg6 18. Bf2 Kb8 19. g3 f5 20. b4 Nb7 21. Bd3 fxe4 22. Nxe4 $16 {1-0 Van Wely,
L-Tiviakov,S/Groningen 1994 (50)}) (11... Nb7 12. f3 Bxc3 13. Qxc3 Nxe4 14.
Bxd8 Nxc3 15. Bh4 Na4 16. O-O-O a6 17. Kc2 b5 18. cxb5 axb5 19. Bxb5+ Bd7 20.
Bc6 Bxc6 21. dxc6 Na5 22. Ne4 $16) 12. Qxc3 Qe7 13. Be2 Nxd5 14. Qg3 g5 15.
exd5 gxh4 16. Qg7 Qf8 17. Qf6 {[%cal Gd2e4]} Rg8 18. O-O-O $40 {Sokolov,
I-Bauer,C/EU-ch Rapid-30' 1996/1-0 (77)}) 10. O-O-O (10. e4 $2 Nxb2 $1 11. Qxb2
(11. Bxf6 Qxf6 12. e5 Qf4 13. Qxb2 exd5 $17) 11... g5 12. Bg3 Nxe4) 10... Bxc3
11. Qxc3 b5 $8 $146 (11... Na5 12. e4 O-O 13. e5 Ne4 14. Qe3 g5 15. Qxe4 exd5
16. Rxd5 {1-0 Peng,Z-Janssen,R/Wijk aan Zee 1997/CBM 57 (16)}) (11... exd5 12.
Rxd5 (12. e4 $5) 12... Na5 13. Rd6 Qc7 14. Rxf6 d5 15. Qe3+ Kf8 16. Bg3 {
1-0 Miles,A-Kalesis,N/Chania 1997/EXT 97 (16)}) 12. e4 Qc7 13. d6 (13. Bxc4
$142 Qf4+ (13... bxc4 $2 14. d6 $18) 14. Kb1 bxc4 15. Rhe1 O-O 16. g3 Nxe4 (
16... Qg4 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. Qxf6 Qg7 19. Qxg7+ Kxg7 20. Ne5 $18) 17. gxf4 Nxc3+
18. bxc3 $16) (13. Bxf6 $6 Qf4+ 14. Kb1 Qxf6 $13) 13... Nxd6 14. Rxd6 (14. e5
Nf5 (14... Nd5 15. exd6 (15. Rxd5 $2 Ne4 $1) 15... Nxc3 16. dxc7 Nxd1 17. Bxb5
g5 $140 18. Bg3 f5 19. Rxd1 f4 20. Bc6 $1 $18) 15. exf6 Nxh4 16. fxg7 Rg8 17.
Nxh4 Qf4+ 18. Kb1 Qxh4 19. Bxb5 Qg5 $11) (14. Bxf6 Nxe4 $1 (14... gxf6 $5 15.
Qxf6 Rg8 16. Qf4 Ke7 17. e5 Nf5 18. g4 Nd4 $13) 15. Qe5 Qxe5 16. Bxe5 Nxf2 17.
Bxb5 Nxh1 18. Rxh1 a6 19. Ba4 Bb7 20. Rd1 Bd5 21. Bd6 f6 $15) (14. Qe5 Nfxe4 (
14... Ke7 $2 15. Qg3 $1 {[%csl Rc7,Re7][%cal Gg3g7,Ge4e5]} g5 16. e5 $18) 15.
Qxg7 Rf8 $13 {[%cal Gc8b7]}) (14. Bg3 Ndxe4 (14... Nfxe4 15. Qxg7 Rf8 16. Qe5
Bb7 17. Rxd6 Nxd6 18. Qxd6 Qxd6 19. Bxd6 Rg8 $15) 15. Bxc7 (15. Qxf6 Qxg3 $3
$19) 15... Nxc3 16. bxc3 Ne4 17. Re1 Nxc3 18. Be5 Nxa2+ 19. Kb1 Nb4 20. Bxg7
$13) 14... Qxd6 15. e5 Nd5 16. exd6 Nxc3 17. bxc3 a6 (17... c4 18. Nd4 a6 19.
Be2 $16 {[%cal Ge2h5]}) 18. Ne5 Bb7 (18... f6 19. Ng6 (19. Nd3 c4 20. Nc5 $16)
19... Rg8 20. Be2 Bb7 21. Ne7 Rf8 22. Bh5+ Kd8 23. f3 {[%cal Gh4f2,Gf2b6]}) 19.
Be2 {[%cal Ge2h5]} g5 20. Bg3 Bxg2 $2 (20... h5 $8 21. f3 (21. Nd3 Rc8 $13)
21... f6 (21... c4 22. h4 f6 23. Ng6 Rh6 24. Ne7 $16) 22. Nd3 c4 23. Nc5 Bc6
24. h4 Rg8 25. Rh2 $1 {with advantage.}) 21. Rg1 Bd5 22. Bh5 Rf8 (22... Rh7 23.
Ng4 $1 $18) 23. f4 {[%csl Rf7][%cal Gf4g5,Gg1f1]} O-O-O (23... gxf4 $2 24. Bh4
$1 $18 {[%csl Re8]}) 24. fxg5 (24. Nxf7 $6 Bf3 $1 (24... e5 $2 25. Nxd8 exf4
26. Bf2 Kxd8 27. Bxc5 Bxa2 28. Bf3 $16) (24... Rxf7 25. Bxf7 Rf8 26. Bh5 gxf4
27. Bf2 $14) 25. Bg6 Be4 26. Bxe4 Rxf7 $13) 24... f6 (24... hxg5 25. Nxf7 Bf3
26. Bg6 Be4 27. Bxe4 Rxf7 28. Kd2 Rdf8 29. Bg2 $16 {[%cal Ga2a4]}) 25. gxf6
Rxf6 26. Bh4 Rf5 27. Bxd8 Rxe5 (27... Rxh5 28. Rg8 (28. Bf6 Rxh2 29. Rg7 $5)
28... Kb7 29. Nxd7 Kc6 30. Nf6 $18 {[%cal Gd6d7]}) 28. Bd1 Re3 29. Bf6 Rh3 30.
c4 $1 (30. Be5 Re3 31. Bf4 Rxc3+ 32. Kb2 Rc4 $1 (32... Rh3 $2 33. Rg8+ Kb7 34.
Bg3 h5 35. Rh8 $18) 33. Bxh6 Rh4 $11) 30... Bxc4 (30... bxc4 31. Be5 $1 {
and white must win this ending.} (31. Ba4 Rxh2 32. Rg8+ Kb7 33. Bxd7 Rh1+ 34.
Kb2 Rh2+ 35. Ka3 $4 (35. Kc1 $11) 35... c3 $19)) 31. Rg8+ Kb7 32. Rd8 Kc6 33.
Be7 $138 {[%csl Rd7][%cal Gd8c8,Gc8c7] 33...
Bd534Rc8-Kb635Bd8-Kb736Rc7-Kb837Be7!-Bc638Rc6 +-} 1-0

[Event "ISR-ch op"]
[Site "Ramat Aviv"]
[Date "1999.??.??"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Avrukh, Boris"]
[Black "Tsesarsky, Ilya"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2609"]
[BlackElo "2430"]
[Annotator "Avrukh,B"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "1999.03.28"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 070"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qb3 a5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 Nc6 {
[%cal Ga5a4][%mdl 8]} (7... Bb7 8. a3 (8. e3 d6 9. Bd3 (9. Be2 g5 10. Bg3 Ne4
11. d5 (11. O-O-O $6 Bxc3 12. bxc3 Nd7 13. Ne1 h5 $1 {[%csl Gg3]} 14. h4 (14.
f3 h4 $1) 14... g4 15. Nd3 Nxg3 16. fxg3 Bxg2 $17 {0-1 Conquest,S-Onischuk,A/
GER 1997/BL9697 (57)}) 11... Nd7 12. Nd4 Ndc5 13. Qc2 Bxc3+ 14. bxc3 e5 {
1/2-1/2 Stohl,I-Polak,T/Olomouc CZE 1998 (14)}) 9... Nbd7 10. O-O-O Bxc3 11.
Qxc3 g5 (11... a4 $143 12. Qc2 {[%csl Ge4]} Ra5 13. Nd2 g5 14. Bg3 Bxg2 15.
Rhg1 Bb7 16. f3 Qa8 17. Rdf1 Ke7 18. Be1 $44 {[%csl Ya5][%cal Gf3f4,Gd2e4] 1-0
Miles,A-Bischoff,K/Havana 1998/CBM 65_03 (44)}) (11... Qc8 $6 12. Qc2 c5 13. d5
$1 e5 (13... exd5 14. Bf5 $36) 14. Nd2 g5 15. Bg3 Qc7 16. f4 exf4 17. exf4
O-O-O 18. fxg5 hxg5 19. Rhf1 $16 {1-0 Khalifman,A-Tunik,G/Maikop 1998/TW 189 
(50)}) 12. Bg3 Ne4 13. Qc2 f5 14. Ne1 {[%cal Gf2f3]} Qf6 15. f3 Nxg3 16. hxg3
O-O-O 17. Qc3 {[%cal Ge1c2]} f4 {and black fine.0-1 Filipenko,A-Tunik,G/Moscow
RUS 1999 (47)}) 8... a4 9. Qc2 Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 $1 d6 11. e3 Nbd7 12. Bd3 O-O 13.
O-O c5 14. Nd2 Qc7 15. f3 $14 {1-0 Garcia Palermo,C-Quiroga,F/Pico City 1996/
EXT 97 (31)}) 8. O-O-O ({Nothing gives} 8. d5 Bxc3+ (8... a4 {also good} 9. Qc2
Ne7 10. Bxf6 (10. a3 Bxc3+ 11. Qxc3 Nf5 12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. Qxf6 gxf6 14. e4 Nd6
{and black is OK}) 10... gxf6 11. a3 Bxc3+ 12. Qxc3 e5 13. e4 d6 {[%cal Gf6f5]}
) 9. Qxc3 exd5 10. cxd5 Nb4 11. e4 $140 Qe7 $1 $17 {[%cal Ge7e1]}) 8... Bxc3 (
8... g5 9. d5 $5 (9. Bg3 Bxc3 10. Qxc3 Nb4 11. Qb3 (11. Kb1 $2 Ne4 12. Qb3 Bb7
13. d5 exd5 14. cxd5 Qe7 {[%csl Rb1] looks very dangerous for white.}) 11... d5
12. e3 c5 $132 {[%cal Ga5a4]}) 9... Bxc3 (9... gxh4 10. dxc6 Ng4 {[%csl Gf2]}
11. Ne4 f5 12. Nd4 {[%cal Gd4e6]} d6 13. h3 Ne5 14. Nd2 $14 {[%csl Re8]}) 10.
dxc6 (10. Bg3 $6 exd5 11. cxd5 (11. Qxc3 d6 $1) 11... Nxd5 12. Qxd5 Bg7 $17)
10... Ne4 11. Qc2 (11. Bg3 Bg7 12. e3 Nxg3 13. hxg3 Qf6 $1 $17) 11... f5 12.
Bg3 (12. bxc3 gxh4 13. cxd7+ $140 Bxd7 14. Ne5 Nxf2 $1 15. Rxd7 Qg5+ 16. Kb1
Nxh1 $19) 12... Bf6 (12... Bg7 13. Be5 $36) 13. e3 d6 $11) 9. Qxc3 Nb4 (9... g5
$142 10. Bg3 Nb4 {see notes to 8..g5}) 10. Kb1 g5 $6 (10... Bb7 11. Nd2 (11. d5
exd5 12. a3 (12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. Qxf6 gxf6 14. a3 Nc6 15. cxd5 Ne5 $11 16. Nh4
$140 Ng4 $1 17. Rd4 Nxf2 18. Rg1 Rg8 $17 {[%cal Gf2h3]}) 12... dxc4 13. axb4 (
13. Qe5+ Kf8 14. axb4 axb4 $13) (13. Bxf6 $2 Be4+) 13... Be4+ 14. Kc1 axb4 15.
Qxc4 g5 16. Bg3 c5 $44 {[%csl Rc1]}) 11... d5 12. e3 (12. a3 Na6 13. e3 Ne4 $11
) 12... O-O 13. f3 $14) 11. Nxg5 $1 {[%mdl 512] Very logical piece-sacriface:
black's king still in the centre and white's pressure by h4-d8-diagonal is
very unpleasant and limits black's play very much.} (11. Bg3 Ne4 {with nice
position for black.see 8..g5}) 11... Nfd5 (11... hxg5 12. Bxg5 Ne4 (12... Rg8
13. h4 d5 (13... Bb7 14. d5 $1) 14. e3 (14. a3 Na6 (14... Nc6 $2 15. cxd5 {
[%csl Gc6]}) 15. Qf3 Rg6) 14... Bb7 15. a3 Na6 16. f3 $44) 13. Bxd8 Nxc3+ 14.
bxc3 Kxd8 15. cxb4 axb4 $16) 12. cxd5 hxg5 13. Bg3 (13. dxe6 Bb7 (13... Rxh4
14. Qf3 $18 {[%csl Ra8,Rf7]}) 14. d5 Rxh4 15. exf7+ Kf8 16. g3 Rh6 $17) 13...
Nxd5 14. Qc2 $2 (14. Qe1 $1 {A.Finkel} f5 (14... Bb7 15. e4 Nf6 16. f3 $16) (
14... Ba6 15. e4 Bxf1 16. Rxf1 Nf4 17. Qc3 $16 {[%cal Gd4d5]}) 15. e4 fxe4 16.
Qxe4 Rh6 (16... Qe7 17. Qg6+ Qf7 18. Qxg5 $16) 17. h4 (17. Be2 Bb7 18. Bh5+ Ke7
$13) 17... Bb7 18. Qg4 Qe7 19. Bd3 $16) 14... f5 15. e4 (15. Be5 Rh6 $1) 15...
Nb4 (15... fxe4 16. Qxe4 $36) 16. Qxc7 (16. Bxc7 Nxc2 17. Bxd8 Kxd8 18. Kxc2
fxe4 19. d5 Bb7 $1 20. dxe6 d5 $11) 16... f4 (16... Qxc7 $143 17. Bxc7 fxe4 18.
Bxb6 Ba6 19. Bc7 {[%csl Yh2]} Bd3+ 20. Bxd3 Nxd3 21. Rd2 $16 {[%cal Gf2f3]})
17. Bxf4 gxf4 18. Qxf4 {[%mdl 1024]} Qh4 19. Qe3 (19. Qxh4 $143 Rxh4 20. f3 Bb7
{and black chances is clearly better in this endgame.}) 19... Bb7 20. f3 (20.
d5 $2 Qh7 21. Bd3 O-O) 20... Qh6 (20... O-O 21. a3 Nc6 22. d5 Ne5 (22... exd5
$2 23. Rxd5 $16 {[%csl Gb6][%cal Gf1c4]}) 23. dxe6 dxe6 24. Rd6 (24. Qxb6 Bc6
$36 {[%cal Gf8b8]}) 24... Rad8 (24... Qf6 25. Rxb6 Bc6 26. Be2 $16) 25. Rxe6
Rd1+ 26. Ka2 $16) 21. Qb3 O-O 22. a3 Nc6 23. d5 Ne5 24. Qxb6 $2 {[%mdl 16384]
Strategically very bad move:first- white takes the b-pawn,which isn't so
important and also gives to black to create dangerous play on b-file:and the
most important thing ,that pawnstructure in the centre changes not in white's
favour.} (24. dxe6 $142 Qxe6 (24... dxe6 $2 25. Rd6) 25. Qxe6+ dxe6 26. Rd6
Rad8 (26... Bc6 27. Rxe6 Rfe8 28. Rxe8+ Rxe8 29. Be2 $14) 27. Rxb6 Bxe4+ 28.
fxe4 Rd1+ 29. Ka2 Rfxf1 30. Rxf1 Rxf1 31. Rxe6 $14) 24... Rab8 25. Qd4 Qg7 26.
Be2 exd5 27. exd5 d6 28. f4 Qg6+ $2 (28... Nd7 $1 {[%cal Gd7c5]} 29. g3 (29.
Rd3 Qxd4 30. Rxd4 Nc5 31. b4 axb4 32. axb4 Ba6 $1 $17) 29... Nc5 30. Qxg7+ Kxg7
31. Bc4 Bc8 $17 {[%cal Gc8f5]}) (28... Ng6 $6 29. g3) 29. Ka1 $138 (29. Ka2
$142 Nd7 30. Rd3 Qf6 31. Rg3+ Kh8 32. Rh3+ $11) 29... Nd7 {[%cal Gd7c5]} 30.
Rd3 Nc5 31. Rh3 (31. Rg3 $4 Qxg3 $1 32. hxg3 Nb3+ $19) 31... Bc8 $4 {[%mdl
8192]} (31... Qg7 32. Qc4 (32. Qd1 Ne4 $1 {[%csl Rb2][%cal Ge4f2]}) (32. Rd1
Qxd4 33. Rxd4 Rfe8 34. Bd1 (34. Bb5 Re1+ 35. Ka2 Bc8 36. Rg3+ Kf7 37. a4 Ba6 $1
38. Bxa6 Nxa6 $17 {[%cal Ga6b4]}) 34... a4 (34... Bc8 35. g4 (35. Rg3+ Kf8 36.
b4 axb4 37. axb4 Na6 38. Rb3 Nc7 $36 {[%cal Gc7b5]}) 35... Re1 36. Ka2)) (32.
Qxg7+ Kxg7 33. b4 axb4 34. axb4 Ne4 $17) 32... Ba6 33. Qc2 Bxe2 34. Qxe2 Rfe8
35. Qc2 (35. Qxe8+ Rxe8 36. Rg3 a4) 35... Ne4 36. Re1 Rec8 37. Qe2 $13) (31...
Qf6 32. Rg3+ Kh8 33. Rh3+ $11) 32. Qh8+ Kf7 33. Rh7+ Ke8 34. Bh5 $1 $18 Qxh5 (
34... Rxh8 $142 35. Bxg6+ Kf8 36. Rxh8+ Kg7 37. Rxc8 Rxc8 38. Bc2 $18) 35. Re1+
$1 1-0

[Event "Capablanca Memorial Elite 31st"]
[Site "Cienfuegos"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Miles, Anthony John"]
[Black "Morovic Fernandez, Ivan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2635"]
[BlackElo "2575"]
[Annotator "Baburin,A"]
[PlyCount "147"]
[EventDate "1996.05.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "CUB"]
[EventCategory "12"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 054"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 Bb4+ 4. Nbd2 b6 5. a3 Bxd2+ 6. Bxd2 Bb7 7. e3 d6 8.
Bd3 O-O 9. O-O Nbd7 10. Bc3 Ne4 11. Bxe4 Bxe4 12. Qe2 Qe7 13. Nd2 Bb7 14. e4 c5
15. Rfd1 cxd4 16. Bxd4 Rfc8 17. Rac1 Rc7 18. b3 Rac8 19. Qe3 Nc5 20. f3 Qf8 21.
Nf1 a5 22. a4 Re8 23. Rc3 f6 24. Qf2 Rec8 25. Bxc5 Rxc5 26. Rcd3 Rd8 27. Qd2 {
[#]Here the d6-pawn is rather vulnerable, while Black lacks the usual
counterplay, associated with ...b5 & ...d5.} Rc6 28. Ng3 Ba6 29. Ne2 Qe7 30.
Qe3 Kf7 31. Nc3 Qc7 32. Rd4 Rc5 33. Qd2 Ke7 34. f4 Qc6 35. Qe3 Kf7 36. Qh3 h6
37. Qg3 Kf8 38. Qg6 e5 39. R4d3 exf4 40. Nd5 Bb7 41. Nxf4 Qxe4 42. Qxe4 Bxe4
43. Ne6+ Ke7 44. Nxc5 bxc5 45. Re3 f5 46. g4 Kd7 47. gxf5 Bxf5 48. Kf2 g6 49.
Ke1 h5 50. Kd2 h4 51. Rde1 Rf8 52. Re7+ Kc6 53. Rg7 Rd8 54. Rf7 d5 55. Rf6+ Rd6
56. cxd5+ Kxd5 57. Rxd6+ Kxd6 58. Re8 g5 59. Ra8 g4 60. Ra6+ Kd5 61. Rxa5 Be4
62. Ra8 g3 63. hxg3 hxg3 64. Rg8 g2 65. Ke3 Bc2 66. a5 Kc6 67. Rxg2 Bxb3 68.
Rg6+ Kc7 69. Kd3 Bd5 70. Rb6 Bf7 71. Rb2 Be6 72. Kc3 Bf7 73. a6 Bd5 74. Kd3 1-0

[Event "RUS-ch 53rd"]
[Site "Samara"]
[Date "2000.06.27"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Poluljahov, Aleksandr"]
[Black "Ibragimov, Ildar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2526"]
[BlackElo "2611"]
[Annotator "Baburin,A"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2000.06.03"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 078"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.10.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.10.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qb3 c5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 Bb7 8. e3 d6
9. O-O-O Bxc3 10. Qxc3 g5 11. Bg3 Ne4 12. Qc2 Qe7 13. Bd3 Nxg3 14. hxg3 Nc6 15.
Qa4 O-O-O 16. Be4 Nb4 17. Bxb7+ Qxb7 18. a3 Nc6 19. g4 Kb8 20. dxc5 bxc5 21.
Qc2 Na5 $2 {Instead of making this decentralising move Black should have sat
tight and try to consolidate his position.} 22. Qc3 Qa6 $2 (22... Qc7 $142) 23.
Nxg5 $1 Rhg8 $6 24. Nxf7 Rxg4 {[%tqu "En","How can White conclude the game?",
"Ward off Black's attack on the c4-pawn and win more material.","Use various
tactical motifs to win the a5-knight.","f7e5","This is the most forceful way
to finish the game.",4,"f2f4","",3,"f7e5","",0]} 25. Ne5 $1 {This is the most
forceful way to finish the game.} (25. f4 $1 $18) (25. Ne5 Rgg8 26. Qxa5 $1
Qxa5 27. Nc6+ Kc7 28. Nxa5 $18) 1-0

[Event "Yerevan"]
[Site "Yerevan"]
[Date "1989.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Lputian, Smbat G"]
[Black "Anastasian, Ashot"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[BlackElo "2475"]
[Annotator "Bulletin"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "1989.05.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "URS"]
[EventCategory "12"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1990.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1990.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 b6 4. Nf3 Bb4 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 c5 7. dxc5 $6 Bxc3+ 8.
bxc3 bxc5 9. e3 d6 $1 10. Nd2 Bb7 11. Be2 Nbd7 12. O-O Qc7 13. Bf3 Rb8 14. Bxb7
Rxb7 15. Qa4 Ke7 16. Rab1 Rhb8 (16... Rxb1 17. Rxb1 Rb8 18. Rb3 Rb6 $10) 17.
Rb3 Rb6 18. Rfb1 g5 19. Bg3 Qb7 20. f3 Rc8 21. Rb5 $14 Rb8 22. h3 Qc6 23. Qc2
Rxb5 $2 24. cxb5 Rxb5 $2 25. Bxd6+ Ke8 26. Rxb5 Qxb5 27. c4 Qa6 28. Bg3 Qa3 29.
Nb3 a5 30. Qd2 a4 $2 31. Na5 Kf8 32. Nc6 Kg7 33. Bc7 Kh7 34. Ba5 Nf8 35. Bc3 {
35.Na7 /\ Nb5} Nh5 36. Qc2+ {36.Na7} Ng6 37. g4 Ng7 38. Kf2 Kg8 39. Na7 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 17th"]
[Site "Gjakova"]
[Date "2016.05.14"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Melkumyan, Hrant"]
[Black "Svane, Rasmus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2646"]
[BlackElo "2526"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2016.05.12"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "KOS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. Bd2 O-O 6. g3 Ba6 7. b3 d5 8. cxd5
exd5 9. e3 Bxf1 10. Kxf1 Nbd7 11. Kg2 c6 12. Rc1 Rc8 13. Qc2 Qe7 14. Qd3 Rfd8
15. Rc2 Nf8 16. Ne2 Bd6 17. Rhc1 Ba3 18. Rb1 Bd6 19. b4 Ne4 20. Be1 Ne6 21. a3
h6 22. Rbc1 Qb7 23. Qb3 {Svane ist sehr gut aus der Eröffnung herausgekommen
und hat bereits die leichter zu spielende Stellung. Melkumyan hat schwache
Felder am Königsflügel, den schlechten Läufer auf e1 und keine wirklichen
Angriffsziele am Damenflügel, da die einzige potentielle Schwäche auf c6 gut
überdeckt ist.} Rc7 {um den c6 notfalls ein weiteres Mal decken zu können.} (
23... Bb8 24. Qa4 $140 b5 25. Qb3 Nd6 $15) 24. Ne5 $6 (24. Qa4 Rdc8) (24. Nf4
Re8 (24... Nxf4+ $6 25. exf4 f6 26. Nh4 $14) (24... Bxf4 25. exf4 Nd6 26. Qd3
f6 $13) 25. Nd3 $11) 24... Bxe5 25. dxe5 c5 26. f3 N4g5 {[%cal Gb7f3,Gg5f3]}
27. Ng1 (27. h4 $2 Nxf3 28. Kxf3 d4+ 29. e4 d3 $17) 27... c4 28. Qb1 d4 29. h4
$2 {ignoriert den schwarzen Bauernvorstoß} (29. Rxc4 $1 Rxc4 30. Rxc4 b5 $5 {
kämpft das Feld d4 frei} (30... Qa6 31. Qc1 dxe3 32. h4 Nh7 33. Rc3 $14) 31.
Rc1 dxe3 32. Qb3 (32. h4 $2 Nxf3 33. Nxf3 Nd4 $19) 32... Nc7 33. h4 Nge6 34.
Qxe3 Nd5 35. Qe4 Qa6 $44) 29... d3 30. Rf2 Nh7 31. Bc3 Nhf8 {Diagramm [#]
Svane konnte seine Bauern nun weit ins gegnerische Lager vorschieben -
Melkumyans Figuren sind nun soweit eingeschränkt, dass er kein Gegenspiel mehr
organisieren kann.} 32. Nh3 b5 33. Rh1 Nd7 34. Nf4 Qc6 35. e4 Nb6 36. Qc1 Rcd7
37. Qd2 Na4 38. Rc1 Nd4 39. Bxd4 Rxd4 40. Nd5 R8xd5 41. exd5 Qxd5 42. Rff1 c3
$1 {wickelt in ein sofort gewonnenes Endspiel ab.} 43. Rxc3 Nxc3 44. Qxc3 Rc4
45. Qe1 Rc2+ 46. Rf2 Qa2 47. e6 fxe6 48. Rxc2 Qxc2+ 0-1

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 2nd"]
[Site "Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2014.09.08"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Meier, Georg"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2715"]
[BlackElo "2652"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2014.09.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 d6 {In dieser Variante mit
frühem und freiwilligem Tausch des Läufers b4 gegen kam Georg Meier in der
ersten Runde gegen Matthias Blübaum zu einem leichten Sieg. Doch davon
unbeeindruckt wählt Naiditsch ein aggressives Vorgehen und stürmt mit seinen
Bauern am Königsflügel los.} 6. g4 O-O 7. g5 Nfd7 8. h4 Nc6 9. Bg2 Qe8 10. h5
e5 11. g6 h6 {Schwarz will die Stellung möglichst geschlossen hat und nimmt
das Bauernopfer deshalb nicht an.} 12. Nh4 Ne7 13. c5 {Öffnet die Diagonale
a2-g8 für die weiße Dame.} dxc5 14. Rg1 $1 {Erst ein Bauernopfer, dann ein
"ruhiger" Zug.} fxg6 15. hxg6 Rf6 16. Qb3+ Kf8 17. Bxh6 {Energisch gespielt.}
c4 ({Wenn Schwarz den lästigen Bauern auf g6 nimmt, muss sein König ins
Freie gehen und Weiß bekommt starken Angriff:} 17... Nxg6 18. Be4 Nxh4 19.
Bxg7+ Ke7 20. dxe5 Nxe5) 18. Qxc4 Nb6 19. Qd3 gxh6 20. g7+ Kf7 21. Bf3 {
Mit der ekligen Drohung Lh5+.} Qg8 22. Bh5+ Ke6 23. dxe5 Rf4 24. Ng6 Nxg6 25.
Bxg6 {Mit der vernichtenden Drohung Lh7, gegen die Schwarz keine adäquate
Verteidigung hat.} 1-0

[Event "Grand Slam Final 4th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2011.10.10"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2823"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[Annotator "Carlsen,M"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2011.09.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BRA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 145"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%mdl 2]} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. Qc2 {This apparently
came as a suprise to Ivanchuk, even though I played it against Anand in round
6. It might have something to do with the fact that I achieved very little in
that game.} Bb7 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. Qxc3 {All of the three main moves here, d6, 0-0
and Ne4, were tried against me in Bilbao. Regrettably, I did not show the same
versatility, only employing two of the three possible setups from this
position (no e3, Be2 and so on).} Ne4 8. Qc2 f5 9. g3 Nf6 {A case could be
made for including 9... 0-0 10.Bg2 before making this move, which will anyway
be necessary because of Ng5 or Nd2.} 10. Bh3 {Suddenly experiencing a burst of
creativity, I decided to try and exploit the extra opportunity. The main idea
behind this move is to be able to drive away the black bishop from e4 after ...
Be4 Q somewhere, without exchanging bishops.} O-O 11. O-O a5 {A far from
obvious move, which Ivanchuk made immediately.} (11... Qe8 12. d5 {is similar
to the game.}) (11... Be4 12. Qc3 Qe8 {was quite interesting however. Now Nd2
is bad due to ...Qh5, so I was going to continue playing creatively with} 13.
Rd1 Qh5 14. Bf1 {with good chances of fighting for an advantage.}) 12. Rd1 Qe8
13. d5 Na6 14. Bf4 (14. dxe6 dxe6 15. Bf4 {looks a little bit better for White,
but I was looking for something more interesting.}) 14... exd5 $2 {After this
move Black is in serious trouble.} (14... d6 {looked much more logical to me}
15. dxe6 (15. Ng5 Nc5 16. b4 h6 17. bxc5 hxg5 18. Bxg5 Ne4 {Is not that clear})
15... Be4 16. Qc3 Nc5 (16... Qh5 17. Bf1 Nc5 18. Nd4 {just transposes}) 17. Nd4
Qh5 (17... Nxe6 18. Nxe6 Qxe6 19. f3 Bb7 20. e4 $16) 18. Bf1 Rfe8 19. f3 Bb7
20. b4 Nxe6 21. Nxe6 Rxe6 22. c5 dxc5 23. bxc5 Qf7 {and Black is more or less
ok.}) (14... Qh5 15. Bg2 exd5 16. Nd4 g5 {was given as interesting by online
commentators. My decision to not delve deeper into it should be attributed to
laziness, not arrogance.}) 15. Bxf5 dxc4 (15... Ne4 16. Bh3 {looks pretty cool
for White too.}) 16. Ng5 $1 {The point. Now all kinds of tricks are possible.}
Qh5 {More or less forced. Black can hardly afford to give up the h7-pawn, and}
(16... h6 17. Bxd7 Qe7 (17... Qh5 18. g4 Qh4 19. Qxc4+ Kh8 20. Nf7+ Rxf7 21.
Qxf7 $18) 18. Qxc4+ Kh8 19. Qe6 $1 {is pretty straightforward.}) 17. Rxd7 {
This move was so tempting that I hardly looked at others.} ({With a slightly
cooler head, I might have come close to considering} 17. Rd4 $1 Rae8 18. Bd2 {
when Rh4 next will be hard to meet.}) 17... Kh8 {I quickly realised that this
was the only move, but I thought there should still be some relatively easy
way to win here.} (17... Nxd7 18. Bxh7+ Kh8 19. Bg6 Qg4 (19... Qh6 20. Nf7+
Rxf7 21. Bxh6) 20. h3 {loses trivially.}) 18. Re7 $6 {Objetively speaking, a
mistake. Unfortunately, I was not able to coolly give up the exchange without
finding a forced win.} (18. Rad1 $1 Nxd7 19. Rxd7 Nc5 {What else?} 20. Rxc7
Rad8 21. f3 {and White is dominating.}) 18... Nd5 19. Bg4 $6 {Another step in
the wrong direction.} (19. Re5 Nxf4 20. gxf4 {would still retain a clear
advantage.}) 19... Qg6 20. Nf7+ Kg8 21. Bf5 Qxf5 $1 {A nasty suprise.} (21...
Qh5 $145 22. g4 Qh4 23. Bg3 $1 Qxe7 24. Bxh7+ Kxf7 25. Qg6#) 22. Qxf5 Nxe7 23.
Nh6+ gxh6 24. Qg4+ Ng6 25. Bxh6 {Fortunately, White can still fight for an
advantage here, and with the open black king White certainly has the easier
game.} Rf7 26. Rd1 Re8 (26... c3 {would have been an interesting try, but it's
probably no better than the game continuation} 27. h4 $1 (27. bxc3 Nc5 {
is fine for Black}) 27... c2 28. Rd7 Nc5 29. Rxf7 Kxf7 30. Qc4+ Ke7 31. Qxc2 {
and White is clearly on top.}) 27. h4 Nc5 28. h5 Bc8 29. Qxc4 Ne5 30. Qh4 {
By now Ivanchuk had got really short on time, which was not making his job any
easier.} Nc6 $2 {After this Black can hardly defend.} ({The best chance was} 
30... Ne6 31. f4 (31. Rd5 Rf5 $1 {is the key}) 31... Nd7 32. e4 Kh8 {when
there is still all to play for.}) 31. Rd5 Ne6 32. Qc4 (32. Qa4 {would have
been even stronger, but for some reason I did not consider this move at all.
My idea with the text was to win the e5-square for my rook.}) 32... Ncd8 $2 (
32... Ne7 {would have held out much longer, but after} 33. Re5 Nf5 34. Qg4+
Nfg7 35. Qe4 {Black is pretty tied up, and White should win gradually.}) 33.
Qg4+ {Surprisingly the fact that the c8-bishop is unprotected becomes the
decisive factor.} Ng7 {Ivanchuk was visibly shocked when I captured his bishop,
but} (33... Kh8 34. Bd2 $1 {would have been equally bad.}) 34. Qxc8 1-0

[Event "Match Alekhine-Euwe +3-2=4"]
[Site "Netherlands"]
[Date "1926.12.24"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Euwe, Max"]
[Black "Alekhine, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E21"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "1926.12.22"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2000"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.11.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.11.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 {Played in Amsterdam} Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. g3 Bb7 6. Bg2
O-O 7. O-O Bxc3 8. bxc3 d6 9. d5 exd5 10. Nh4 Ne4 11. cxd5 Re8 12. Bb2 b5 13.
a4 Qg5 14. axb5 Qxd5 15. Qa4 Nd7 16. c4 Qd2 17. Qa2 a6 18. Bc1 Qxa2 19. Rxa2
axb5 20. Rb2 Rab8 21. cxb5 Nc3 22. Bc6 Rxe2 23. Rb3 Bxc6 24. Rxc3 Bxb5 25. Rxc7
Ne5 26. Nf5 Nf3+ 27. Kg2 Ne1+ 28. Kh3 Re5 29. Rh1 Nd3 30. Ne7+ Kf8 31. Ba3
Nxf2+ 32. Kg2 Nxh1 33. Bxd6 Re6 34. Bc5 Re8 35. Nf5+ Kg8 36. Ne7+ Kh8 37. Kxh1
Bd3 38. Kg2 h6 39. Kf3 Kh7 40. h4 h5 0-1

[Event "URS-ch50 Final"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1983.04.14"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Polugaevsky, Lev"]
[Black "Psakhis, Lev"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2625"]
[BlackElo "2580"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "1983.04.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "17"]
[EventCountry "URS"]
[EventCategory "14"]
[SourceTitle "URS-ch"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b6 7. Nf3 Bb7 8.
e3 a5 9. b3 d6 10. Bb2 Nbd7 11. Bd3 Ne4 12. Qc2 f5 13. O-O Rf6 14. c5 bxc5 15.
dxc5 Nexc5 16. Bxf6 Qxf6 17. Be2 Be4 18. Qd1 Bxf3 19. Bxf3 Rb8 20. Bc6 Qb2 21.
Bxd7 Nxd7 {[#]} 22. b4 (22. Qc1 Qxc1 23. Rfxc1 c5 24. Rab1 $14) 22... axb4 23.
Qa4 Nc5 (23... Nb6 $142 24. Qc6 Qc3) 24. Qc6 $1 $16 bxa3 25. Qxc7 Ra8 26. Qxd6
$18 Nb3 27. Qxe6+ Kh8 28. Rab1 Qxb1 29. Rxb1 a2 30. Qxb3 a1=Q 31. g4 Qe5 32. f4
Qd6 33. gxf5 Rf8 34. Rd1 Qc5 35. Rd5 Qc1+ 36. Kg2 h6 37. Qd3 Qb2+ 38. Kg3 Qc1
39. e4 Kh7 40. e5 Qg1+ 41. Kh3 h5 42. f6+ Kh6 43. Qg3 Qf1+ 44. Kh4 gxf6 45.
exf6 1-0

[Event "YUG Team-ch36"]
[Site "Pula"]
[Date "1984.09.10"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Djuric, Stefan"]
[Black "Nikolic, Predrag"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2500"]
[BlackElo "2570"]
[Annotator "ChessBase/Kovacevic,V"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "1984.09.05"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Belgrade Crvena Zvezda"]
[BlackTeam "Sarajevo CC"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "YUG"]
[BlackTeamCountry "YUG"]

1. d4 {1)Sahovski Glasnik 1984, p.409} e6 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Nc3 c5 5. d5
Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 d6 7. dxe6 Bxe6 8. Qd3 Nc6 9. Bg5 h6 10. Bh4 g5 11. Bg3 Qa5 12.
Nd2 O-O-O 13. e4 {[#]} d5 $5 (13... Nh5 $1 14. Qc2 Nxg3 15. hxg3 h5 $16) 14.
exd5 (14. cxd5 Bxd5 15. exd5 Rxd5 16. Qf3 Re8+ 17. Be2 Rxd2 18. O-O Rexe2 19.
Qxf6 $11) 14... Bxd5 15. cxd5 Rxd5 {[#]} 16. Qc4 $2 (16. Qf3 Re8+ 17. Be2 Rxd2
18. O-O Rexe2 19. Qxf6 $11) 16... Re8+ $19 17. Be2 b5 18. Qb3 Rxd2 19. Kxd2 Nd4
20. Bf3 Nxb3+ 21. axb3 Qb6 22. Rhe1 Rxe1 23. Rxe1 Qa5 24. Re5 Qa2+ 25. Ke3 Qxb3
26. Rxc5+ Kd8 27. Kd4 a6 28. h3 Nd7 29. Rc6 f6 30. Bc7+ Ke8 31. Bh5+ Kf8 32.
Bg4 Kg7 33. Bd6 Qa4+ 34. Bb4 a5 35. Ra6 Ne5 36. Bh5 Nc6+ 37. Kc5 Nxb4 38. Ra7+
Kf8 39. Ra8+ Ke7 40. Ra7+ Ke6 41. Bf7+ Kf5 0-1

[Event "Linares 13th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "1995.03.14"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Dreev, Alexey"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2650"]
[BlackElo "2700"]
[Annotator "Dautov,R"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "1995.03.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 046"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1995.06.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1995.06.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 {Ftacnik} Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qb3 c5 6. Bf4 (6. a3 Ba5
7. Bg5) 6... O-O 7. e3 d5 8. Rd1 Nbd7 {N} (8... Nc6 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Be2 c4 11.
Qc2 Ne4 12. O-O Bf5 13. Qc1 Rc8 14. Ne1 Nxc3 15. bxc3 Bd6 16. Bxd6 Qxd6 17. Qb2
Rb8 18. g4 Bg6 19. Qb5 f6 20. Bf3 Rfd8 21. Ng2 Be8 22. Nf4 Ne7 23. Qa6 g5 24.
Ne2 $10 {Bareev,E-Dolmatov,S/URS-53ch Kiev/1986/0.5 (41)}) 9. cxd5 $2 (9. dxc5
{>=} bxc5 10. Bd3 $13) (9. Bd6 {Ftacnik} Re8 10. Bd3 Ba6 $132) 9... Nxd5 (9...
exd5 {Ftacnik} 10. dxc5 bxc5 11. Bb5 Bb7 12. O-O $14) 10. Bg5 (10. Bd6 $2 {
Ftacnik} c4 $1) 10... Qc7 $15 {><c3} 11. Bc4 (11. dxc5 {Ftacnik} Nxc5 12. Qc2
Bb7 $15) 11... cxd4 12. Bxd5 (12. exd4 Bb7 13. O-O Bxc3 14. bxc3 Rfc8 15. Nd2
Nxc3 16. Qxc3 b5 $17) (12. Rxd4 {Ftacnik} Nc5 13. Qc2 Bb7 $15) 12... Bxc3+ $1 (
12... exd5 13. Rxd4 (13. Nxd4 Bxc3+ 14. Qxc3 Qxc3+ 15. bxc3 Ba6 $36 {/\Ne5}) (
13. Qxb4 dxc3 14. Bf4 Qc6 15. Nd4 Qg6 $15) 13... Bxc3+ 14. Qxc3 Qxc3+ 15. bxc3
Bb7 16. c4 (16. O-O Rac8 $15) 16... Rfc8 17. cxd5 Rc1+ 18. Rd1 Rxd1+ 19. Kxd1
Bxd5 $15) 13. bxc3 exd5 14. cxd4 (14. Qxd5 {Ftacnik} Qxc3+ 15. Nd2 dxe3 16.
Bxe3 Rb8 $17) 14... Ba6 $36 {עe1} 15. Nd2 (15. Qxd5 $2 Qc3+ 16. Nd2 (16. Rd2
Rac8 17. Qb3 Qa5 18. Qb2 Rc3 $17 {/\Rfc8}) 16... Qd3 17. Qf3 Rac8 18. Nb3 Qb5
$17 {/\Rc2}) 15... Rfe8 16. Qa3 (16. f3 h6 17. Bh4 Qf4 18. Bf2 Qxd4 $17) (16.
Qxd5 h6 17. Bh4 Qc3 18. Qb3 (18. Qxd7 $2 Rxe3+ 19. fxe3 Qxe3#) (18. Be7 {
Ftacnik} Rad8 19. Qe4 Nf6 20. Qe5 Qd3 $19) 18... Qxd4 $17) 16... Qb7 17. f3
Rac8 $17 18. Qb3 (18. Rc1 {Ftacnik} Rxc1+ 19. Qxc1 Rc8 20. Qb1 Qc6 21. Kf2 h6
22. Bf4 g5 23. Bg3 Qc3 24. Rd1 Re8 25. Qb3 Rxe3 26. Qxc3 Rxc3 $17) 18... Bc4
19. Qa3 (19. Qb2 Bd3 20. Qa3 Qa6 21. Qxa6 Bxa6 22. Kf2 Rc2 $17) (19. Nxc4 $142
dxc4 (19... Rxc4 20. O-O Qc6 $17) 20. Qc3 b5 (20... h6 {Ftacnik} 21. Bf4 g5 22.
Bg3 Nf6 23. Bf2 (23. e4 Nxe4 24. fxe4 Qxe4+ 25. Kd2 Qxg2+ 26. Kc1 Qxa2 $17)
23... Nd5 24. Qc1 Qa6 25. O-O Qxa2 $17) 21. O-O b4 $17) 19... Bb5 20. Rb1 (20.
Qb3 {Ftacnik} Qc6 $17) 20... Qa6 21. Qxa6 (21. Qd6 {Ftacnik} Nf6 (21... h6 22.
Bf4 Bd3 23. Qxd7 Bxb1 24. Nxb1 Qd3 25. Kf2 Rc2+ 26. Kg3 $13) 22. Qg3 Qa3 23.
Rxb5 Rc1+ 24. Ke2 Rxh1 $19) 21... Bxa6 22. Kf2 (22. Kd1 {Ftacnik} h6 23. Bf4 g5
$19) 22... Rc2 23. Rhd1 h6 24. Bf4 Rec8 (24... Rxa2 {Ftacnik} 25. Ra1 Rxa1 26.
Rxa1 Bb5 27. Rxa7 $132) 25. a3 (25. a4 {Ftacnik} g5 (25... Ra2 26. Ra1 Rcc2 27.
e4 $15) 26. Bd6 Ra2 27. Ra1 Rcc2 28. Bb4 Bc4 29. Ke1 a5 30. Rxa2 Rxa2 31. Nxc4
dxc4 32. Bd6 Rxa4 33. Rb1 Ra2 $19) 25... R8c3 26. Bd6 (26. Ra1 {Ftacnik} Rd3
27. Ke1 g5 $19) 26... Rd3 27. Bb4 Bb5 $19 {/\a5} 28. a4 (28. Rbc1 Ra2 29. Rc7
a5 30. Bc3 Rc2 $19 (30... Rc2 {Ftacnik} 31. Rb1 Ba4 $19)) 28... Bxa4 29. Ra1
Bb5 30. Ra3 (30. Rxa7 Rb2 $19) 30... Rxa3 (30... a5 {Ftacnik} 31. Rxd3 Bxd3 32.
Bd6 b5 $19) 31. Bxa3 Ba4 $1 32. Bc1 $8 (32. Bb4 {Ftacnik} a5 33. Bd6 Ra2 $19)
32... b5 33. e4 (33. Ke2 {Ftacnik} b4 34. Kd3 Rc3+ $19) 33... b4 34. Re1 (34.
exd5 {Ftacnik} b3 35. Ba3 Ra2 36. Bc5 b2 37. Re1 Nxc5 38. dxc5 b1=Q 39. Rxb1
Rxd2+ $19) 34... b3 35. Ke3 b2 36. Bxb2 Rxb2 37. exd5 Nb6 38. d6 f5 (38... Bb5
$19 {Ftacnik}) 39. Nb1 Nd5+ (39... Nd5+ {Ftacnik} 40. Kd3 Bb5#) 0-1

[Event "Horgen"]
[Site "Horgen"]
[Date "1995.10.24"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Kortschnoj, Viktor Lvovich"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2635"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[Annotator "Dautov,R"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "1995.10.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 050"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 {Hecht Donev} e6 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb7 5. g3 Bb4 (5... Bxf3 $5
6. exf3 d5 7. Bg2 (7. cxd5 Nxd5 $10) 7... c6 8. cxd5 cxd5 9. O-O Nc6 10. f4 g6
$10) 6. Bd2 Bxf3 (6... Nc6 {Donev} 7. a3 Bxc3 8. Bxc3 d5 9. Bg2 dxc4 10. Ne5
Nd5 11. Nxc4 O-O 12. O-O a5 13. Rc1 Qd7 14. Be1 Rfd8 15. Ne3 Nde7 16. Bc3 Rab8
17. Qc2 Na7 18. Rfd1 Qe8 19. Bxb7 Rxb7 20. Qe4 Nd5 21. Be1 {Kortschnoj,
V-Adorjan,A/Linares ;MCL 01 1985/1-0 (49)}) (6... c5 {Donev} 7. dxc5 bxc5 8.
Bg2 O-O 9. O-O Nc6 10. Qc2 d6 11. Rfd1 Qe7 12. Bg5 Bxc3 13. Qxc3 Rfd8 14. Rd2
Rd7 15. Rad1 Rad8 16. Ne1 Kf8 17. e3 h6 18. Bxf6 Qxf6 19. Qc2 Ke7 20. a3 Ne5
21. f4 Bxg2 22. Kxg2 Nc6 23. Nf3 g5 24. Qe4 Rc7 25. fxg5 hxg5 26. g4 a5 27. b3
Qg7 28. Rf2 f6 29. Rfd2 Rdd7 30. Rf2 Rc8 31. Rdf1 d5 {1/2-1/2 Lerner,K-Psakhis,
L/URS-FL Tallinn ;MCL 06 1983}) 7. exf3 O-O (7... Nc6 8. a3 Be7 9. Be3 O-O 10.
d5 Na5 11. Be2 Nb7 $10 {Garcia Gonzales,G-Kortchnoi,V/Biel 1984} (11... Nb7 {
Donev} 12. O-O a5 13. Qc2 Bc5 14. Rfe1 Bxe3 15. fxe3 Qe7 16. Bf1 c6 17. dxc6 {
1/2-1/2 Garcia Gonzales,G-Kortschnoj,V/Biel ;MCL 02 1984})) 8. Bg2 Nc6 {N} (
8... d5 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. f4 c6 11. O-O Ne7 12. a3 Bxc3 13. bxc3 Nd7 14. c4 Rc8
15. Qa4 Qc7 16. Rfd1 Rfd8 17. f5 Nxf5 18. Bf4 Qb7 19. Bg5 f6 20. Bf4 Nf8 21. d5
cxd5 22. cxd5 e5 23. Bh3 {Garcia Gonzales,G-Georgiev,Ki/Thessaloniki olm (07) ;
BIG 80 1984/0-1 (58)}) 9. a3 Bxc3 $1 (9... Be7 10. Be3 d5 11. f4 $13) 10. Bxc3
d5 $10 11. Qa4 Qd7 12. f4 Rad8 13. O-O-O Ne7 14. Qxd7 Rxd7 15. b3 c6 (15...
Rfd8 $5) 16. Rhe1 (16. a4 Rfd8 17. Rd2 dxc4 18. bxc4 Nf5 19. Rhd1 Nd6 20. d5 (
20. Bf1 Nde4 $17) (20. Bxc6 Rc7 21. d5 Nxc4 22. Bxf6 gxf6 23. Rc2 Na5 $17)
20... Nxc4 21. dxc6 (21. dxe6 Rxd2 22. Bxd2 fxe6 23. Bxc6 $2 Rc8 $19) 21...
Nxd2 22. cxd7 Nb3+ 23. Kb2 Nc5 24. Bxf6 gxf6 25. Bc6 Kf8 $17) 16... dxc4 17.
bxc4 Rfd8 {[%csl Rd4][%cal Rd7d4] /\Nf5} 18. Bh3 $8 (18. Rd2 Nf5 19. Red1 Nd6
$17) 18... Nf5 19. Bxf5 exf5 20. f3 Ne8 $1 {[%csl Rc4,Rd4] ><c4,d4,/\Nd6,/
\Nc7-e6} 21. Kc2 Nc7 22. g4 $6 (22. Rd2 {>=} f6 (22... b5 23. Ba5 bxc4 24. Bxc7
Rxc7 25. Kc3 $10) (22... Ne6 23. Re5 g6 24. d5 cxd5 25. Rexd5 $10) 23. a4 Kf7
24. Rde2 $10) 22... f6 23. gxf5 {[%csl Rf3,Rf4,Rf5] ><f5,f4,f3} (23. Rd2 Kf7
24. Rde2 Re8 25. Rxe8 Nxe8 $15) 23... b5 $1 $15 24. Ba5 bxc4 25. a4 (25. Bxc7
Rxc7 26. Kc3 Rd5 27. Kxc4 Rxf5 28. Re4 Rb7 29. Rd2 Kf7 $15) 25... Rb8 $6 (25...
Rc8 $5 26. Bxc7 Rcxc7 27. Kc3 Rd5 28. Kxc4 Rxf5 $15) 26. Bxc7 Rxc7 {Hecht: TT
- TT Motive: zersplitterte weiße B-Stellung, schwarze Freibauern am K-Flügel}
27. Kc3 Rd8 (27... Rb3+ 28. Kxc4 Rxf3 29. Kc5 $1 Rxf4 30. Kd6 $132) 28. Kxc4
Rd5 29. Re8+ $1 (29. Rb1 Rxf5 30. Re4 Kf7 $15) 29... Kf7 30. Rb8 {/\Rdb1-b7}
Ra5 (30... Rxf5 31. Rdb1 Rxf4 32. R1b7 $13) 31. Ra1 $2 (31. Rdb1 Rd7 (31...
Rxa4+ 32. Kc5 Rd7 33. R1b4 $10) 32. R1b4 $1 $10 (32. R1b7 Rxa4+ 33. Kc5 Raxd4
34. Kxc6 R4d6+ 35. Kc5 {/\Rxa7} a6 $15 {/\g6})) 31... Rd7 $1 $17 32. Rc8 Rxf5
33. Rxc6 Rxf4 34. Rd1 Rxf3 35. Rd2 g5 36. d5 h5 37. a5 h4 38. a6 g4 $19 39. Rb2
Rf4+ 40. Kc5 Rf5 41. Rd2 (41. Rd6 Rxd6 (41... Re7 $19) 42. Kxd6 g3 43. hxg3
hxg3 44. Rg2 Rf3 45. Kc6 f5 46. d6 Rc3+ 47. Kb7 Ke6 48. Rd2 Kd7 $19) 41... g3
42. Rd6 Rxd6 (42... Rxd6 43. Kxd6 Rf2 $19 (43... Rf2 {Hecht} 44. Rd1 g2 45. Rg1
h3 46. Kc7 Rf1 $19)) 0-1

[Event "Bundesliga 1920"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2020.02.22"]
[Round "7.6"]
[White "Edouard, Romain"]
[Black "Meier, Georg"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2635"]
[BlackElo "2628"]
[Annotator "Edouard,R"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2019.11.23"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 195 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.05.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.05.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Werder Bremen"]
[BlackTeam "Deizisau"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. d4 Bb4 4. Nf3 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 d6 6. Nd2 (6. g4 $5 {
was tried by German GMs Naiditsch and Bluebaum, but I didn't believe in it
very much.}) 6... e5 (6... O-O 7. e4 e5 8. Bd3 Nc6 9. Bb2 Ne7 10. O-O Ng6 11.
g3 Bh3 12. Re1 $36 {0-1 (69) Urkedal,F (2550)-Vitiugov,N (2732)
Khanty-Mansiysk 2019}) 7. e4 Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 9. g3 O-O (9... h5 $5 {might have
been annoying:} 10. h4 (10. h3 h4 11. g4 Ng6 $132) 10... O-O 11. Bg2 c6 12. O-O
Bg4 13. f3 Bd7 $11 {and it's going to be difficult to push f4.}) 10. Bg2 Nd7 (
10... c6 $5) 11. O-O h6 12. Kh1 b6 13. f4 Ba6 (13... exf4 $5 14. gxf4 Ng6 $13 (
14... f5 $2 15. e5 $16)) 14. f5 f6 15. g4 Kf7 16. h4 Rh8 17. Rf3 Nc5 18. Rh3 {
I just continue my attack. Future will tell us what is actually going on!} Qd7
19. a4 c6 20. Ba3 Nb7 $1 (20... cxd5 21. Bxc5 bxc5 22. cxd5 {followed by Bf1
looked annoying for Black.}) 21. a5 Qc7 22. Qf3 Nxa5 23. g5 $6 {That's
probably a bit too much.} (23. Bf1 $5) 23... hxg5 24. hxg5 Raf8 ({The engine
just goes} 24... Nxc4 25. Nxc4 Bxc4 26. g6+ Kg8 27. Rxh8+ Kxh8 {and laughs at
my attack.}) 25. Bb4 c5 $2 (25... Nxc4 26. Rxa6 Nxd2 27. Qd3 Rxh3+ 28. Bxh3 c5
$1 $17) 26. Bxa5 bxa5 27. Kg1 Ke8 28. Nb3 $2 {A terrible move. Qg4, Qg3, g6 -
anything would be better.} Qb6 $1 29. Nxa5 Qb2 {Initiative now belongs to
Black.} 30. Rd1 fxg5 31. Rg3 $2 {Again, any other, but not this one.} Ng6 $1 {
That's really bad news.} 32. Rxg5 $2 (32. Qf2 {was necessary.}) 32... Nf4 33.
Rxg7 Rf7 $1 34. Rg4 {At that point I knew my position was losing, but I had no
idea how hopeless it was.} (34. Rxf7 Kxf7 $19) 34... Ne2+ (34... Qa2 $1 35. Nc6
Ne2+ 36. Kf1 Bxc4 37. Ke1 Nxc3 {was a clean way to win the game.}) 35. Kf1 Nxc3
36. Re1 Qb4 37. Nc6 (37. Rg3 Nxe4 $17) 37... Bxc4+ $2 {A surprising move! Now
I was convinced I was fine - and for good reason.} (37... Qxc4+ 38. Kg1 (38.
Kf2 $2 Qa2+) 38... Ne2+ 39. Kf2 Nf4 $19) 38. Kg1 Qb2 39. Qg3 Kf8 40. Bf3 $2 {
Looking for a win.} (40. Nd8 {is just a draw:} Ne2+ 41. Rxe2 Qxe2 42. Rg8+ $5 (
42. Rh4 $5) (42. Ne6+ $5 Ke7 43. Rh4) 42... Rxg8 43. Ne6+ Ke7 44. Qxg8 Qe1+ $11
) 40... Nb5 41. Nd8 Nd4 (41... Qd4+ $5 42. Qf2 Bxd5 43. exd5 Rh1+ 44. Bxh1
Qxg4+ 45. Bg2 Rxf5 $44) 42. Ne6+ $2 (42. Bg2 $1 {was required, but of course
it is no fun that I could have reached the same position with the black knight
on d4 and not c3.}) 42... Ke7 $2 (42... Nxe6 $1 43. dxe6 Qd4+ $1 44. Qf2 (44.
Kg2 Rfh7 $19) 44... Bxe6 $19) 43. Bd1 $2 (43. Bg2 Ne2+ 44. Rxe2 Qxe2 45. Rh4
Rh5 46. Rxh5 Qxh5 47. Qg8 Kf6 48. Qd8+ Re7 49. Qf8+ $11) 43... Qd2 $2 (43...
Nxe6 $1 44. dxe6 Qd4+ 45. Kg2 (45. Qe3 Rfh7 46. Qxd4 exd4 $17) 45... Qd2+ 46.
Kg1 Bxe6 47. fxe6 Rh3 $1 $19) (43... Bxd5 $6 {leads to a funny draw:} 44. Rh4
$5 (44. exd5 Nxf5 $44) 44... Nxe6 45. Rxh8 Rg7 46. Bg4 Nf4 47. exd5 Qd4+ 48.
Kf1 Qc4+ 49. Kg1 Ne2+ 50. Rxe2 Rxg4 51. f6+ Kxf6 52. Rf2+ Ke7 53. Rh7+ Ke8 54.
Rh8+ $11) 44. f6+ $1 Kxf6 45. Rf4+ Qxf4 (45... exf4 46. Qg5#) 46. Nxf4 exf4 (
46... Rg7 47. Bg4 Ke7 $1 {should also hold!} (47... exf4 $2 48. Qxf4+ Ke7 49.
e5 $18)) 47. Qxf4+ Ke7 48. Qg5+ Kd7 {And here I simply couldn't find a win.
The reason for it is simple: it doesn't exist.} 49. Bg4+ (49. Bh5 Rfh7 50. Bg4+
Kc7 51. Kf2 {was perhaps the best try.}) 49... Kc7 50. Ra1 (50. Qg6 Rhh7 51. e5
Nf3+ 52. Bxf3 Rhg7 $15) (50. Rc1 $2 Rhh7 $1 51. Rxc4 Rhg7 {and Black wins!})
50... a6 $2 (50... Kb7 $5) 51. e5 Bxd5 52. exd6+ Kxd6 53. Rxa6+ Nc6 54. Bh5 $4
(54. Qg6+ {would have given White huge practical chances:} Ke5 (54... Ke7 55.
Bh5 Rff8 56. Qg7+ Ke6 57. Bf7+ Rxf7 58. Qxh8 {should be a win.}) 55. Bf3 $1 (
55. Bh5 Rhf8 $11) 55... Rxf3 56. Qg7+ Kd6 57. Qxh8 Rf1+ $1 58. Kxf1 Bc4+ 59.
Kf2 Bxa6 {with a theoretical draw with Black plays a few precise moves.}) 54...
Rg8 $1 {Oops, what a blunder.} 55. Qxg8 Rf1+ 56. Kxf1 Bxg8 57. Kf2 c4 58. Ke3
Bd5 59. Kd2 Kc5 60. Kc3 {And unfortunately we lost the match 3,5-4.5.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Biel 53rd"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2020.07.27"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Edouard, Romain"]
[Black "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2649"]
[BlackElo "2626"]
[Annotator "Edouard,R"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2020.07.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 197 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%evp 0,34,14,18,29,-9,-11,-11,-7,16,36,0,12,5,5,6,24,30,0,-24,93,27,63,58,53,
53,119,-1,46,70,48,48,17,54,38,16,6]} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6
5. Qb3 a5 {A rare move. Usually Black prefers 5...c5, which is much more
tricky.} 6. g3 Nc6 {I had never seen this move, but it seems quite dubious!
I've played several games as White after 6...Bb7.} 7. Bg2 a4 8. Qc2 Ba6 (8...
a3 9. O-O {seems to be the simplest path to an advantage.}) 9. O-O $1 a3 (9...
Bxc4 $2 10. Ne5 $1 {just doesn't work for Black:} Nxe5 (10... Nxd4 $2 11. Qd1
Bxc3 $6 12. Nxc4 $18) 11. Bxa8 $1 Qxa8 12. dxe5 Ng4 13. Bf4 $16 {1-0 (37)
Kolev,A (2380)-Bednarski,J (2360) Primorsko 1987}) 10. Rd1 $5 (10. Nb5 $5 {
would also be bette for White.}) 10... axb2 11. Bxb2 Na5 12. Ne5 c6 (12... Bb7
13. d5 $16) 13. d5 $2 {A natural move - but actually giving Black some
counterplay.} ({Arkadij correctly pointed out after the game that after} 13.
Ne4 Nxe4 14. Bxe4 {Black can almost resign. Indeed he doesn't have a move!}) (
13. c5 $1 {may be even simpler:} bxc5 14. dxc5 Bxc5 15. Ne4 Nxe4 16. Bxe4 $18)
13... cxd5 14. cxd5 Rc8 15. dxe6 ({The engine thinks it's better not to open
the f-file right away, and prefers to start} 15. Rac1 O-O 16. Qa4 {with the
idea of} Bc5 17. Nd3 {with a small but very pleasant avantage.}) 15... fxe6 16.
Rac1 O-O 17. Qa4 Bc5 (17... Bxc3 $6 18. Bxc3 $1 Bxe2 19. Rd2 b5 20. Qd4 $16)
18. Nxd7 Nxd7 19. Rxd7 Qf6 20. Kh1 $1 {The best move. Whte is winning.} (20.
Nd1 $2 Bxf2+ 21. Kh1 e5 $132) 20... Bxe2 (20... Qxf2 $2 21. Ne4 $18) (20...
Bxf2 $2 21. Rf1 Bxe2 22. Rxf2 $1 Qxf2 23. Nxe2 $18) 21. Qc2 $2 (21. Qe4 $1 {
would have put an end of the game.}) 21... Bf3 22. Ne4 Bxg2+ 23. Kxg2 Qf3+ 24.
Kg1 e5 $1 {The move I've missed.} (24... Bxf2+ $2 25. Nxf2 Rxc2 $2 26. Rxg7+
Kh8 27. Rxc2 $18) 25. Bxe5 Bxf2+ 26. Nxf2 Qxf2+ 27. Qxf2 Rxc1+ 28. Kg2 Rxf2+
29. Kxf2 Rc2+ 30. Kg1 (30. Kf3 Rxh2 31. Rxg7+ Kf8 {should be an easy draw for
Black.}) 30... g6 31. a4 Nc4 32. Rg7+ Kf8 33. Rc7 Rc1+ 34. Kg2 Ne3+ 35. Kf3
Rxc7 36. Bxc7 Nd5 37. Be5 Ke7 38. Ke4 Ke6 39. g4 h5 $2 ({Black should just
have waited with} 39... Ne7 {since after} 40. Bd4 Nd5 {not only White has no
useful waiting move (...Nc3+), while even Black has one (...Kd6).}) 40. gxh5
gxh5 41. Bd4 Kd6 $2 (41... h4 42. h3 Kd6 43. Kf5 Ne7+ $1 ({Funnily enough} 
43... Kd7 {draws as well, as after} 44. Bf2 Nc3 45. Bxh4 Nxa4 {the black king
is close enough to the h-pawn.}) ({The most natural move loses:} 43... Kc6 $4
44. Bf2 b5 45. axb5+ Kxb5 46. Bxh4 Ne3+ 47. Ke4 Nc4 48. Bg3 Kc6 49. Kf5 Kd7 50.
h4 Ne3+ 51. Kf6 Ke8 52. Bd6 $1 Kd7 53. Bc5 Nd5+ 54. Ke5 Ne7 55. h5 Ng8 56. Ba3
Ke8 57. Ke6 {and White slowly wins. The black knight will end up dominated.})
44. Kf4 (44. Kg4 Nd5 45. Kxh4 Nf4 $11) 44... Nd5+ 45. Kg4 Ke6 {and the h-pawn
is untouchale due to ...Nf4, unless White wants to captue it with his knight,
but then Black has ...Nc3. Conclusion: the only thing Black should not do is
to bring his king to the queenside!}) 42. Kf5 Kc6 43. Kg5 b5 44. a5 $4 (44.
axb5+ Kxb5 45. Kxh5 {was just winning! For example:} Kc4 (45... Kc6 46. Kg6 Kd7
47. Kf7 Ne7 48. Bf2 Nf5 49. Kf6 Nd6 50. Be3 Ne4+ 51. Ke5 Nc3 52. Bd4 Ne2 53.
Bc5 Ke8 54. Kf6 Nc3 55. Kg6 Nd5 56. h4 Nf4+ 57. Kf6 Nh5+ 58. Kg5 Ng7 59. Kg6
Ne6 60. Bd6 Kd7 61. Bb4 Ke8 62. Kf6 Nf4 63. Bd6 Nd5+ 64. Ke6 Ne7 65. h5 Ng8 66.
Bc5 Nh6 67. Kf6 Kd7 68. Kg6 Ng4 69. Kg5 Ne5 70. Kf5 Nf7 71. Bb4 Nh8 72. h6 Nf7
73. h7 $18) 46. Be5 Ne3 47. Bf4 Ng2 48. Kg4 Kd3 49. h3 $3 Ke2 (49... Ke4 50.
Bd2 $18) 50. Bb8 Kd3 51. Kg3 Ne3 52. Ba7 Nd5 53. Kf3 Ne7 54. Kf4 Ng6+ 55. Kf5
Nh4+ 56. Kg4 Ng6 57. Bb8 Ne7 58. Bd6 Nc6 59. h4 Ke4 60. Bg3 Ne7 61. Kg5 Ng8 62.
Bb8 Ne7 63. Bc7 Nf5 64. h5 Ng7 65. h6 Ne6+ 66. Kf6 Nxc7 67. h7 $18 {There are
computer lines. Could you do me a favor and not ask me to explain them? I
think they would be impossible to reproduce over the board!}) 44... b4 45. Kxh5
Kb5 46. Kg5 b3 (46... Nc3 $2 47. a6 Kxa6 48. h4 Kb5 49. h5 Kc4 50. h6 b3 (50...
Kxd4 51. h7 b3 52. h8=Q+ Kd3 53. Qh2 $18) 51. Bxc3 Kxc3 52. h7 $18) (46... Kxa5
47. h4 Ne7 48. h5 Ng8 49. Kg6 b3 {is a draw as well.}) 47. h4 Ne7 48. h5 Ng8
49. Bc3 Kc4 50. Bb2 Kb5 51. Bc3 (51. Kg6 Kxa5 52. Kg7 Ne7 53. Kf7 Nf5 {doesn't
bring anything.}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 15th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2017.02.01"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Edouard, Romain"]
[Black "Short, Nigel D"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2613"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[Annotator "Edouard,R"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2017.01.24"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. Qb3 Ba5 $5 {A typical Nimzo move,
but one that I had seen here.} 6. g3 {In my opinion the correct reaction
against all moves but 5...c5.} (6. Bg5 Bb7 7. e3 h6 8. Bh4 d6 9. Bd3 Nbd7 10.
O-O-O $5 (10. O-O g5 11. Bg3 Nh5 $132) 10... Rc8 11. Kb1 Bxc3 (11... O-O $5 {
should just be very decent for Black, for example} 12. Nd2 Bxc3 13. Qxc3 Nd5
14. cxd5 Qxh4 $13) 12. Qxc3 c5 13. d5 O-O $6 14. e4 $6 (14. dxe6 fxe6 15. Qc2 {
should be better for White.}) 14... b5 $6 15. Qc2 $6 (15. dxe6 fxe6 16. e5 $40)
15... bxc4 16. Bxc4 exd5 17. exd5 Nb6 $15 {0-1 (50) Bocharov,D (2569)
-Jakovenko,D (2596) playchess.com INT 2004}) 6... Bb7 7. Bg2 d6 8. O-O O-O 9.
Rd1 h6 $5 {Avoiding all Bg5 ideas once and for all.} 10. a3 Re8 $2 {A brave
move - but too brave!} ({In order to keep delaying ...Bxc3, Black should play} 
10... Qe7 {with the idea} 11. Na2 c5 12. Qe3 Na6 {with a typical Nimzo
position.}) 11. Na2 $1 {Black is already in trouble: White has a simple threat
Qe3.} a6 $8 12. Bf4 $1 (12. Qe3 $2 {fails to} b5 13. b4 Bb6 14. c5 $2 dxc5 $17)
12... b5 $8 13. c5 $1 {Keeping the a5-bishop in the box.} g5 $2 {A mistake,
but the position is bad already.} (13... Nd5 $8 14. Qc2 Nxf4 15. gxf4 Bxf3 (
15... c6 16. cxd6 Qxd6 17. Ne5 $16) 16. Bxf3 c6 17. cxd6 Qxd6 18. e3 $16 {
/\Nc1-Nd3}) 14. Nxg5 $1 Bxg2 15. Kxg2 hxg5 16. Bxg5 Nbd7 17. Qf3 c6 18. b4 $6 (
18. e4 {right away was much stronger, as after} e5 19. d5 $1 cxd5 20. c6 dxe4
21. Qf5 $18 {the d6-pawn remains hanging.}) 18... Bc7 19. e4 e5 20. d5 cxd5 21.
c6 $6 (21. Nc3 $1 {/\N(x)d5 would win at once.}) 21... dxe4 22. Qf5 Qc8 $8 (
22... Re6 23. cxd7 Kg7 24. Nc3 $18) 23. cxd7 (23. Bxf6 Nxf6 24. Qg5+ $1 Kh7 25.
Qxf6 Qe6 26. Qxe6 Rxe6 27. Nc3 d5 28. Rxd5 Rxc6 29. Nxe4 $16) (23. Bh6 {
seemed to win at once, but after} Nf8 24. Qg5+ Ng6 25. Qxf6 Nf4+ $8 {White
does not have anything better than} 26. Bxf4 Re6 27. Qh4 exf4 28. Qxf4 d5 {
with some chances for Black.}) 23... Nxd7 24. Rac1 $6 (24. Qxe4 {with the idea}
Nb6 $6 25. Bf6 {was stronger.}) 24... Nb6 25. Qxe4 f5 (25... Nc4 26. Nc3 $18)
26. Qh4 Nc4 $6 (26... Qb7+ 27. Kg1 $18) (26... Qd7 $1 {was the best defence:}
27. Bf6 Bd8 28. Qh8+ Kf7 29. Qg7+ Ke6 30. Bxe5 $1 Qxg7 31. Bxg7 $16) 27. Nc3
Bd8 28. Nd5 Re6 29. Qh5 (29. Rc3 {with the idea Rf3 was even stronger!}) 29...
Ra7 (29... f4 $2 30. Bxd8 Qxd8 31. Qg4+ Kf7 32. Qf5+ $18) 30. Bxd8 Qxd8 31.
Qxf5 Rh6 32. Qe4 Rg7 (32... Rah7 33. h4 Rg7 34. Ne3 $1 {The simplest.} Nxe3+ (
34... Rxh4 35. Qd5+ Kf8 36. Nf5 $18) 35. Qxe3 Rxh4 (35... Qxh4 $2 36. Rh1 $18)
36. Qb3+ (36. Qxe5 Qa8+ 37. Qd5+ Qxd5+ 38. Rxd5 $18) 36... Kh8 37. Qe6 $18) 33.
Ne3 Nxe3+ 34. fxe3 $1 (34. Qxe3 $2 Qh4 $132) 34... Qd7 35. Qa8+ Kh7 36. Qe4+
Kh8 37. Kg1 Qh3 38. Qg2 Qg4 39. Rf1 Rg8 40. Qf3 Qg5 41. Rc6 {Now the time
trouble is over, and the position is unsavable for Black.} Qg6 42. Qf5 Qg7 43.
Rc8 $1 Rg6 44. Qh3+ Qh7 45. Rxg8+ Rxg8 46. Qe6 $1 (46. Qxh7+ $2 Kxh7 47. Rf7+
Kg6 48. Rd7 Kf5 $1 $132) 46... Qg6 47. Rf6 Qg5 (47... Qb1+ 48. Kg2 Qe4+ 49. Kh3
Rg7 50. Qe8+ Kh7 51. Qh5+ Kg8 52. Rxd6 $18) 48. Kf2 e4 49. Qxd6 Kh7 50. Qe6 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 2nd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.08.30"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2877"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[Annotator "Finegold,B"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[EventDate "2014.08.27"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "23"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. Bd2 $5 {An unusual way to fight for
an advantage.} Bb7 6. g3 c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. Bg2 O-O 9. O-O Be7 10. Bf4 Na6 11.
Nb5 d5 12. Ne5 Nc5 13. Rc1 a6 14. Nc3 dxc4 {Diagram # White has nothing from
the opening and the game is completely equal. Normally, this is where Magnus
outplays his opponents, but, thus far, not in this event.} 15. Bxb7 Nxb7 16.
Qxd8 Raxd8 17. Nc6 $5 {Magnus does not want the equality offered by 17.Nxc4}
Rde8 $5 (17... Rd7 18. Ne5 Rdd8 $11) 18. Rfd1 {Both sides decide to play for a
win. Now Topalov is ahead a pawn, but his Rf8 is out of play and white may
want to play Be5xf6 and penetrate with Rd7.} h6 19. e4 Bc5 $1 20. e5 {Diagram #
} Nd5 $1 {Topalov plays very accurately and maintains equality by giving back
the pawn.} 21. Nxd5 exd5 22. Rxd5 b5 $5 (22... Re6 23. Nd4 Bxd4 24. Rxd4 b5 $11
) 23. Be3 $1 Bxe3 24. fxe3 Re6 25. Nd4 Rb6 26. b3 Rc8 27. Kg2 {Diagram #} Rc5
$1 {This temporary pawn sacrifice ensures black has no difficulties.} 28. Rxc5
Nxc5 29. bxc4 bxc4 30. Rxc4 Nd3 31. Rc8+ Kh7 32. e6 fxe6 33. Kf3 Kg6 {Now the
game is just a draw. But Magnus goes a little too far and things get
interesting!} 34. a4 e5 35. Nc6 Kf5 36. g4+ (36. e4+ Ke6 37. Nb8 a5 38. Rc6+
Rxc6 39. Nxc6 Nb2 40. Nxa5 Nxa4 $11) 36... Ke6 37. a5 Rb5 38. Rd8 $2 (38. Rg8
Kd6 39. Nd8 Ke7 40. Nc6+ Kd6 $11) 38... Nc5 39. h4 Rb1 40. Rg8 Kd6 {Time
control was reached and only Topalov can play for a win now!} 41. Nb8 e4+ 42.
Kg2 Rb2+ 43. Kf1 Rb5 44. Kf2 $6 (44. Ke2 Kc7 (44... Ne6 45. Nxa6 Rxa5 46. Nb4
Rb5 47. Nc2 $11 {And the Ke2 makes all the difference (with the Kf2, as played
in the game, now 47...Rb2 wins)}) 45. Nxa6+ Nxa6 46. Rxg7+ Kc8 47. g5 $11)
44... Ne6 45. Rc8 Rxa5 (45... Rc5 {People got excited when they saw the
computer evals, but this is also a draw...} 46. Rxc5 Nxc5 47. h5 Kc7 48. Nxa6+
Nxa6 49. Kg3 $11) 46. Rc6+ Kd5 47. Rxa6 Rxa6 48. Nxa6 Kc6 49. Nb4+ Kc5 50. Nc2
Kc4 51. Ke2 g5 52. hxg5 hxg5 53. Kd2 {White needs to be careful, but this is
an easy draw for Magnus.} Nc5 54. Na3+ Kb4 55. Nc2+ Kc4 56. Na3+ Kd5 57. Nb5
Nd7 58. Nc3+ Ke5 59. Nd1 Nf6 60. Nf2 Kd5 61. Nh3 Nxg4 62. Nxg5 Nxe3 63. Nxe4
Ke5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sarajevo Bosnia 39th"]
[Site "Sarajevo"]
[Date "2009.05.15"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Sokolov, Ivan"]
[Black "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2669"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "2009.05.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BIH"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 130"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qb3 c5 6. e3 O-O {White will have
to invest some time into attempts to prove, that the combination of b6 and Bb4
moves is too ambitious on Black's part. It makes sense to castle as quickly as
possible and keep the flexibility for the other pieces.} (6... Nc6 7. a3 Ba5 (
7... cxd4 8. exd4 Bxc3+ 9. Qxc3 Bb7 10. Bd3 Ne7 11. Bg5 Rc8 12. O-O Ne4 13.
Bxe4 Bxe4 14. Nd2 Bb7 15. Rfe1 O-O {0-1 Petran,P (2425)-Csom,I (2460)/Budapest
1991 (39)}) 8. Bd3 O-O 9. O-O Bxc3 10. Qxc3 Qe7 11. b3 Rd8 12. Bb2 d6 13. d5
Nb8 14. dxe6 fxe6 15. Ng5 e5 16. f4 Nc6 17. Rae1 h6 18. Ne4 Bf5 19. Nxf6+ Qxf6
20. fxe5 {1-0 Rasmussen,H (2158)-Petersen,S (2164)/Denmark 2008}) (6... Bb7 7.
Bd3 Bxf3 8. gxf3 cxd4 9. Qxb4 Nc6 10. Qa3 dxc3 11. Qxc3 d5 12. cxd5 Qxd5 13. e4
Qa5 14. Qxa5 Nxa5 15. Bb5+ Ke7 16. Bd2 a6 17. Bb4+ Kd8 18. Ba4 Rc8 19. Rg1 Rg8
20. Bxa5 bxa5 21. Rg5 {1-0 Uhlmann,W-Platz,H/Meerane 1954 (46)}) 7. Bd3 $6 {
Sokolov was far from his best form in Sarajevo and it often translates into
small innacuracies. Centralization of the light squared bishop is not
advisable, as the knight on f3 needs support.} (7. Be2 Ne4 (7... Bb7 8. O-O
Bxc3 9. Qxc3 Qe7 10. b3 d6 11. dxc5 bxc5 12. Bb2 Nbd7 13. Rfd1 e5 14. Qd2 Ne4
15. Qc2 f5 16. Ne1 Qh4 17. Bf3 Rf6 18. g3 Qg5 19. Qe2 Rh6 {0-1 Tolnai,T (2230)
-Lukacs,P (2470)/Budapest 1982 (29)}) 8. Bd2 Nxd2 9. Nxd2 Nc6 10. a3 Ba5 11.
Nf3 cxd4 12. exd4 Ba6 13. O-O Bxc3 14. Qxc3 Rc8 15. Rfe1 Ne7 {1/2-1/2 Browne,W
(2585)-Lein,A (2490)/Chicago 1982}) 7... Bb7 8. O-O Nc6 (8... Bxf3 9. gxf3 Nc6
10. dxc5 bxc5 11. a3 Ba5 12. f4 Rb8 $15) 9. a3 Na5 10. Qc2 $2 {White is
insisting on recapturing the bishop with the queen, but the neglect of the
kingside structure will be costly.} (10. Qd1 $1 Bxc3 11. bxc3 Rc8 $15) 10...
Bxc3 11. Qxc3 (11. bxc3 cxd4 12. cxd4 Rc8 13. Nd2 Ba6 $17) 11... cxd4 (11...
Bxf3 12. gxf3 cxd4 13. exd4 Rc8) 12. exd4 (12. Nxd4 Rc8 13. b3 d5 14. Rd1 dxc4
15. bxc4 Nxc4 16. Bxc4 Bd5 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. Bxd5 Rxc3 19. Bxe6+ Kh8 20. Rxd8
Rxd8 $17) 12... Bxf3 $1 {Eljanov was shining brightly in Bosnia event and his
courageous decision to part with second bishop is fully justified.} 13. gxf3
Rc8 14. b3 (14. c5 Nd5 15. Qc2 f5 16. Be3 Qh4 $17) 14... Nh5 $1 {[%mdl 2048]
Both knights at the edge of the board are fullfilling useful functions while
white bishops are only dreaming about chances to show their potential. A model
example of the perfect exception to the general rules!} 15. Be2 (15. Re1 f5 $1
16. Ra2 Qh4 17. Kh1 Nf4 18. Rg1 Rf6 $17) (15. d5 exd5 16. Qe5 dxc4 17. Bxh7+
Kxh7 18. Qxh5+ Kg8 19. bxc4 Nxc4 $17) 15... Qh4 16. Rd1 (16. c5 Nc6 17. Rd1 Ne7
$17) 16... f5 17. Rb1 (17. Bb2 Rf6 18. Kh1 Nf4 19. d5 Rg6 $19) 17... Rf6 $1 {
White's compromised kingside can not be properly defended.} 18. Qe1 Nc6 19. d5
(19. Bb2 Rh6 20. Qd2 Nf4 21. Kf1 Qxh2 22. Ke1 Qh1+ 23. Bf1 Qxf1+ 24. Kxf1 Rh1#)
19... Nd4 20. Kh1 e5 21. Rxd4 {The act of complete desperation. With each move
the position was becoming less defensible for white.} (21. Bb2 Rh6 22. Bxd4
Ng3+ $19) (21. Be3 Nc2 22. Qg1 Rg6 $19) 21... exd4 22. Bf1 Rg6 23. Bd2 (23. Bg2
Kf7 24. Qf1 Re8 $19) 23... Nf4 24. Rd1 Nd3 $1 {A charming final with a small
combination, even the second knight got centralized in the end!} (24... Nd3 $1
25. Bxd3 Qh3 26. Qf1 Qxf3+ $19) 0-1

[Event "Hilversum KRO m"]
[Site "Hilversum"]
[Date "1990.??.??"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Seirawan, Yasser"]
[Black "Timman, Jan H"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2635"]
[BlackElo "2660"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[EventDate "1990.12.??"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1991.04.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1991.04.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qb3 c5 6. a3 Ba5 7. e3 O-O 8. Be2
Ne4 9. d5 Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 Ba6 11. Bb2 Qe7 12. Rd1 Re8 13. Bd3 Nd6 (13... exd5
14. cxd5 Nxf2 15. Kxf2 $1 Qxe3+ 16. Kg3 Bxd3 (16... Re5 17. Bc1 $1) 17. Rhe1
Be2 18. Rd2 $18) 14. Qc2 e5 (14... Bxc4 $2 15. Bxh7+ Kh8 16. dxe6 dxe6 17. Ne5
$40) 15. Nd2 (15. Bxh7+ Kh8 16. Be4 f5 $1) 15... e4 16. Be2 Nf5 17. O-O d6 18.
Nxe4 $1 Qxe4 19. Bd3 Nxe3 20. fxe3 Qxe3+ 21. Rf2 g6 22. Bc1 Qe7 23. Rdf1 Nd7 (
23... f5 24. g4 $1 fxg4 25. Bxg6) 24. Rxf7 Qxf7 25. Rxf7 Kxf7 26. Bf4 Ne5 27.
Bxe5 dxe5 (27... Rxe5 28. Qa4 $1) 28. Be4 $1 Bxc4 29. Qa4 b5 30. Qa5 a6 31. d6
Rad8 32. Qc7+ Kg8 33. d7 Rf8 34. h4 Be6 35. Qxe5 Kf7 (35... Bxd7 36. Bd5+ Rf7
37. Qe7 $1) 36. Bc6 c4 37. Qd6 $2 (37. g4 $1 $18) 37... h5 $1 38. Kh2 (38. Kf2
$1 Rg8 39. Ke3 g5 40. Kd4 gxh4 41. Kc5 Rb8 42. Qf4+ Ke7 43. Qxh4+ Kf7 44. Kd6
Bg4 45. Qe7+ Kg6 46. Be4+ $18) 38... Rg8 39. Kg3 (39. Qf4+ Ke7 40. Qe5 $1)
39... g5 40. hxg5 Rxg5+ 41. Kh2 Rf5 42. a4 bxa4 43. Bxa4 a5 44. Qd4 Ke7 45. Qe4
Rg8 46. Bc6 Kd6 47. Qd4+ Kxc6 48. d8=Q Rxd8 49. Qxd8 Rc5 50. Kg3 Rf5 51. Kh4
Rc5 52. Qe7 Bd7 53. Kg3 Rd5 54. Kf4 Kb5 55. Qe4 Bc6 56. Qb1+ Kc5 57. Qa2 Kb5
58. Qb2+ Kc5 59. g3 Rd3 60. Qa3+ Kb6 61. Qb2+ Kc5 {Ftacnik,L} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Helsinki op"]
[Site "Helsinki"]
[Date "1992.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Yrjola, Jouni"]
[Black "Lerner, Konstantin Z"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2460"]
[BlackElo "2530"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "1992.09.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FIN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 032"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1993.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1993.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qb3 c5 6. a3 Ba5 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4 g5
9. Bg3 Ne4 10. e3 (10. O-O-O Bxc3 11. bxc3 Nc6 $13) 10... Nc6 11. Bd3 (11. d5
$6 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Na5 13. Qc2 Nxg3 14. hxg3 Ba6 {xc4}) 11... Nxg3 12. hxg3 g4
13. d5 (13. Nd2 cxd4 14. exd4 Nxd4 15. Qd1 Bxc3 16. bxc3 Nc6 17. Qxg4 Ne5 18.
Qe4 Nxd3+ 19. Qxd3 Bb7 20. Qd4 Rh7 $10) 13... gxf3 (13... exd5 $1 14. cxd5 gxf3
15. dxc6 fxg2 16. Rg1 Qf6 17. O-O-O Bxc3 18. cxd7+ Bxd7 19. Qxc3 Qxc3+ 20. bxc3
Bc6 21. e4 $10) 14. dxc6 fxg2 15. Rg1 Qf6 (15... dxc6 16. O-O-O $16) 16. Be4 $1
Bxc3+ $146 (16... d5) 17. Qxc3 (17. bxc3 Rb8 18. c7 Rb7 19. Bxb7 Bxb7 20. Rxg2
Ke7 21. Rh2 Rc8 22. O-O-O Rxc7 $13) 17... Qxc3+ 18. bxc3 d6 $1 (18... Rb8 19.
c7 Rb7 20. Bxb7 Bxb7 21. Rxg2 Ke7 22. Rh2 Kd6 23. c8=Q Bxc8 24. O-O-O+ Ke7 25.
Rdh1 $16) (18... d5 19. cxd5 exd5 20. Bxd5 Bh3 21. f3 h5 22. Kf2 $16) 19. O-O-O
(19. c7 d5 20. cxd5 Bb7 21. O-O-O Bxd5 22. Bxd5 exd5 23. Rxd5 Rc8 24. Rxg2 Rxc7
25. Rh2 Rc6 $10) 19... Ba6 20. Rxd6 Rd8 21. Rxd8+ Kxd8 22. Rd1+ Kc8 23. Bxg2
Rd8 24. Rh1 Bxc4 25. Rxh6 Kc7 (25... Bd5 26. Bxd5 Rxd5 27. Rh7 Rf5 28. f4 Kc7
29. g4 $18) 26. Rh7 (26. Rf6 $5 Rf8 27. g4 Kd6 28. g5 Ke7 29. Rf4 Bd3 $14)
26... Rf8 27. Be4 Kd6 28. g4 Bb5 29. c7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tilburg Fontys"]
[Site "Tilburg"]
[Date "1998.10.28"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Piket, Jeroen"]
[Black "Lautier, Joel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2605"]
[BlackElo "2625"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "1998.10.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1999"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 O-O 5. Bg5 c5 6. Rc1 cxd4 7. Nxd4 d5 (7...
Nc6 8. e3 Be7 (8... a6 9. Be2 Be7 10. O-O d6 11. Qd2 Qb6 12. Rfd1 Bd7 13. Nb3
Rad8 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. Ne4 Nb4 16. Nxd6 Nxa2 17. c5 Qxb3 18. Bc4 Nxc1 19. Bxb3
Nxb3 20. Qb4 Nxc5 21. Qxc5 Ba4 22. b3 Bxb3 23. Rd3 Bd5 24. e4 Bxe4 {0-1 Szabo,
L-Kortschnoj,V/Lugano olm/1968/}) (8... d5 9. a3 Be7 10. cxd5 Nxd4 11. Qxd4
Nxd5 12. Bxe7 Nxe7 13. Qxd8 Rxd8 14. Be2 Bd7 15. O-O {1/2-1/2 Gulko,B-Tal,M/
Biel izt/1976/}) 9. Be2 Qa5 10. Bh4 Nxd4 11. Qxd4 d5 12. O-O dxc4 13. Qxc4 Bd7
14. Bf3 Rac8 15. Qb3 b6 16. Rfd1 Rfd8 17. Bg3 Be8 18. h3 Rxd1+ 19. Rxd1 b5 {
1/2-1/2 Byrne,R-Eliskases,E/Buenos Aires/1964/}) 8. e3 dxc4 (8... h6 9. Bh4
Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 dxc4 11. Bxc4 e5 12. Nb5 Qxd1+ 13. Rxd1 Nc6 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15.
O-O Na5 16. Bd5 Be6 17. Nc7 Bxd5 18. Nxd5 Kg7 19. e4 Rfd8 20. Rd3 {1-0
Nenashev,A-Luther,T/Recklinghaus/1998/ (41)}) 9. Bxc4 Nbd7 10. O-O h6 11. Bh4
Ne5 (11... Qb6 12. Qc2 $14) 12. Qb3 Be7 $6 {The fight for equality with
simplified pawn structure should not be too difficult, but white is much
further with centralization of his rooks.} (12... Nxc4 13. Qxb4 Nb6 14. Rfd1
$16) (12... Bxc3 $5 13. Rxc3 Nxc4 14. Qxc4 e5 15. Bxf6 $1 (15. Nf3 g5 16. Bg3
$14) 15... Qxf6 16. Nf3 $14) 13. Rfd1 Nxc4 $2 (13... Qa5 14. Bb5 $16) 14. Nc6
Nd2 (14... Qc7 15. Nxe7+ Qxe7 16. Qxc4 g5 17. Bg3 e5 18. Qb5 (18. Nd5 Nxd5 19.
Qxd5 $16) 18... Re8 19. e4 $16) 15. Rxd2 $1 {[%mdl 64] Tha tactics works
clearly for the better developed player.} (15. Nxe7+ Qxe7 16. Rxd2 b6 (16... g5
17. Bg3 e5 18. e4 $16) 17. Ne4 g5 18. Nxg5 (18. Qa3 Qxa3 19. Nxf6+ Kg7 20. Nh5+
Kg6 21. bxa3 Kxh5 22. Bg3 Ba6 $11) 18... hxg5 19. Bxg5 Bb7 20. Qa4 Rac8 $13)
15... Qe8 (15... Qxd2 16. Nxe7+ Kh7 17. Rd1 $18) 16. Nb5 $1 (16. Nxe7+ Qxe7 17.
Ne4 g5 18. Nxf6+ Qxf6 19. Bg3 $16) 16... Bd7 (16... bxc6 17. Nc7 Ne4 18. Nxe8
Nxd2 19. Qc3 Rxe8 20. Bxe7 $18) 17. Nxe7+ (17. Nc7 Bxc6 18. Nxe8 Rfxe8 $18)
17... Qxe7 18. Bxf6 gxf6 (18... Qxf6 $2 19. Rxd7 $18) 19. Rc7 {The game is
over as the defender remains horribly tied down.} Rad8 20. Nc3 (20. Nxa7 Ba4
21. Rxe7 Bxb3 22. Red7 Rxd7 23. Rxd7 Bxa2 24. Rxb7 $16) 20... Qe8 (20... Ba4
21. Rxe7 Bxb3 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. axb3 $18) (20... Kg7 21. Qxb7 $18) 21. Ne4 Kg7
(21... Qe7 22. Rcxd7 $1 $18) 22. Nd6 Qe7 23. h3 (23. Nxb7 Rc8 24. Rcxd7 Rc1+
25. Rd1 Qxd7 26. Rxc1 Rb8 27. Nc5 $18) (23. h3 Rg8 24. Nxb7 $18) 1-0

[Event "Linares 09th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "1991.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Gurevich, Mikhail"]
[Black "Kasparov, Garry"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2650"]
[BlackElo "2800"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[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. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qb3 c5 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. Qxc3 O-O (7...
d6 8. Bg5 Nbd7 9. dxc5 $6 (9. O-O-O Ne4 10. Qe3) 9... bxc5 10. e3 a5 $1 11. b3
O-O 12. Nd2 Bb7 13. f3 Qb6 14. Be2 d5 $10 {Tukmakov,V-Browne,W/Las Palmas/1982/
}) 8. g3 (8. Bg5 $5 cxd4 9. Nxd4 Ne4 10. Bxd8 Nxc3 11. Be7 $1 (11. Bxb6 Na4 12.
Ba5 Nxb2 13. e3 Ba6 14. Nb5 Bxb5 15. cxb5 Rc8 16. Kd2 d5 17. Be2 Nd7 $10) 11...
Re8 12. Bb4 Na4 13. Nb5 Na6 14. b3 N4c5 15. Bxc5 bxc5 16. Nd6 Rd8 17. h4 $1 $14
) 8... cxd4 9. Qxd4 Nc6 10. Qh4 Bb7 11. Bg2 Rc8 12. Bd2 (12. b4 d5 (12... Ne5
$6 13. Nxe5 Bxg2 14. Rg1 Bb7 15. Bg5 $16) 13. cxd5 Nxd5 14. Bg5 $13) 12... Na5
$1 13. Bxa5 bxa5 14. b4 $2 (14. O-O a4 15. Rfd1 $10) 14... Qc7 $1 15. c5 (15.
Rc1 axb4 16. axb4 a5 $1) 15... d6 16. Rc1 axb4 17. axb4 dxc5 $1 (17... a5 18.
c6 $1 axb4 (18... Bxc6 19. b5 Bxf3 20. Rxc7 Bxg2 21. Rxc8 Rxc8 22. Rg1 Rc1+ 23.
Kd2 Rxg1 24. f3 Rb1 25. Qa4 $13) 19. Nd4 $13) 18. Rxc5 Qb6 19. Rxc8 Rxc8 20.
O-O Ba6 21. Ne5 (21. Re1 Rc4) 21... Bxe2 22. Re1 Bb5 23. Qf4 h6 24. h4 Be8 25.
g4 Rd8 26. g5 Rd4 27. Qf3 hxg5 28. hxg5 Nd5 29. Rc1 Qb8 30. Qg3 Nf4 31. Qe3 Qd8
32. Nf3 Rxb4 33. Bf1 Nd5 34. Qxa7 $138 Rg4+ 35. Kh1 Nf4 36. Qb7 Kh7 37. Qe4+ f5
38. gxf6+ Bg6 39. Qb7 Qxf6 40. Re1 Nd5 (40... Nd3 $1 $19) 41. Bg2 Nf4 42. Bf1
Nd3 $1 {Ftacnik,L} 0-1

[Event "Buenos Aires Najdorf"]
[Site "Buenos Aires"]
[Date "1993.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Seirawan, Yasser"]
[Black "Zarnicki, Pablo Adrian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2595"]
[BlackElo "2470"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "1993.04.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARG"]
[EventCategory "13"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 035"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1993.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1993.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qb3 c5 6. a3 Ba5 7. Bg5 Nc6 8. O-O-O
(8. e3 h6 9. Bxf6 (9. Bh4 cxd4 (9... g5 10. Bg3 cxd4 11. Nxd4 Nxd4 12. exd4 Ne4
13. Bd3 Bxc3+ 14. bxc3 Nxg3 15. hxg3 Rb8 16. Qb5 Bb7 17. Qe5 f6 18. Qd6 Kf7 19.
f4 g4 20. Kf2 Rc8 21. Rh4 f5 22. Rah1 Qc7 23. Qxc7 Rxc7 24. Rxh6 $13 {
Kohlweyer,B-King,D/Dortmund-B/1987/}) 10. exd4 O-O 11. O-O-O Bxc3 12. Qxc3 d5
13. cxd5 Qxd5 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. Bc4 Qd6 16. Qe3 Kg7 17. Kb1 Ne7 18. Qe4 Nd5 19.
Qg4+ Kh7 20. Qe4+ f5 21. Qh4 Bb7 22. Ne5 Qd8 23. Qg3 Rc8 24. Bd3 $14 {
Wirthensohn,H-Morrison,G/Thessaloniki olm (13)/1988/}) 9... Qxf6 10. Rd1 O-O
11. Be2 Ba6 12. O-O Bxc3 13. Qxc3 cxd4 14. Nxd4 Nxd4 15. Rxd4 d5 16. Qd2 Bxc4
17. Bxc4 dxc4 18. Rxc4 Rfd8 {0,5/Pieterse,G-Hoeksema,E/NLD-ch (08)/1991/}) 8...
Bxc3 9. d5 Be5 (9... exd5 10. cxd5 Be5 11. dxc6 Qe7 12. cxd7+ Bxd7 13. e3 Rd8
14. Rxd7 Rxd7 15. Bb5 Bd6 16. Rd1 O-O 17. Bxd7 Qxd7 18. Bf4 c4 19. Qc2 Ne8 20.
Ng5 f5 21. Qxc4+ Kh8 22. Bxd6 Nxd6 23. Qd5 Rd8 24. Ne6 $18 {Seirawan,Y-Timman,
J (5)/Hilversum KRO m/1990/}) 10. dxc6 Qc7 $2 (10... Bc7 11. e3 h6 12. Bh4 Qe7
13. Qa4 d6 14. Bd3 g5 15. Bg3 Nh5 16. Be2 f5 17. Nd2 Nf6 18. h4 g4 19. f3 h5
20. Nb1 a6 21. Nc3 O-O 22. Bf4 Rb8 23. Bh6 Rf7 24. Bg5 $16 {Soppe,G-Debarnot,R/
Buenos Aires Konex (07)/1991/}) 11. g3 $1 Bd6 (11... Qxc6 12. Nxe5 Qxh1 13. Nf3
Bb7 14. Bh3 Bxf3 15. Rxh1 Bxh1 16. f3 {/\ Qd1}) 12. Bg2 dxc6 13. Rxd6 $1 Qxd6
14. Rd1 Qc7 $2 (14... Nd5 15. e4 $1 $16) 15. Bf4 Qb7 16. Ne5 Bd7 17. Rxd7 Nxd7
18. Bxc6 Qa6 19. Nxd7 Qc8 20. Ba4 (20. Nb8+ $1 $18) 20... Ke7 21. Qd3 f6 22.
Qd6+ Kf7 23. Ne5+ fxe5 24. Bd7 Qd8 25. Qxe6+ Kf8 26. Bxe5 g6 27. Bf6 1-0

[Event "Kecskemet Szechenyi"]
[Site "Kecskemet"]
[Date "1991.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Malaniuk, Vladimir P"]
[Black "Lendwai, Reinhard"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2510"]
[BlackElo "2405"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "1991.07.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "HUN"]
[EventCategory "8"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 026"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1992.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1992.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qb3 c5 6. a3 Ba5 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4 g5
9. Bg3 g4 (9... Ne4 10. e3 Nc6 11. Bd3 Nxg3 (11... Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Nxg3 13. fxg3
$1 $14) 12. hxg3 g4 13. d5 gxf3 14. dxc6 fxg2 15. Rg1 $13 {Psachis,L-Gruenfeld,
Y/Israel/1991/}) 10. Nd2 (10. O-O-O $5 Bxc3 (10... gxf3 11. Nb5 $40) 11. Qxc3
gxf3 12. d5 $1 $16 {Psachis,L}) 10... cxd4 11. Nb5 Bxd2+ 12. Kxd2 Ne4+ 13. Ke1
d6 (13... Nxg3 14. Qxg3 $16) 14. Qd3 Nxg3 15. Qxd4 (15. Qxg3 e5 $1) 15... Nxh1
(15... e5 16. Nxd6+ Kf8 (16... Kd7 17. Qd5 Nxh1 18. Nxf7+ $18) 17. Qxe5 f6 18.
Qd5 $18) 16. Qxh8+ Ke7 (16... Kd7 17. Qxh6) 17. Qxh6 Nd7 18. Rd1 Ba6 (18... Qf8
19. Qh4+ f6 20. Nxd6 $40) 19. Qf4 (19. Nxd6 Qh8) 19... Bxb5 (19... e5 20. Qg5+
Kf8 21. Qh6+ $16) 20. Qxd6+ Ke8 21. cxb5 g3 (21... Qe7 22. Qc6 Rd8 23. g3 $16)
22. hxg3 Rc8 23. Qd4 e5 (23... Nf6 24. Qh4 $18) 24. Qg4 Qc7 25. Qh3 Nxf2 26.
Kxf2 Qc5+ 27. Ke1 (27. e3 Nf6 $132) 27... Nf6 (27... Qxb5 28. e3 Qc6 29. Be2
$36) 28. Qf5 Ke7 29. g4 Rc7 30. g5 Nh5 $2 (30... Ne8 31. g6 $40) 31. g4 Ng7 (
31... Ng3 32. Qf6+ Kf8 33. Rd8#) 32. Qf6+ Kf8 33. Rd8+ {Ftacnik,L} (33. Rd8+
Ne8 34. Qh8+ Ke7 35. Qxe8#) 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 2nd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2014.06.09"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2014.06.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 161"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 O-O 5. Bg5 c5 {Thanks to his castled king
Black is able to start real counterplay in the centre.} 6. Rc1 h6 7. Bh4 cxd4 (
7... g5 8. Bg3 Ne4 9. e3 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Nc6 11. Bd3 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Nxg3 13. hxg3
Kg7 14. Qh5 Rh8 15. f4 d5 16. O-O dxc4 17. Nxc6 bxc6 18. fxg5 Qe7 19. Rf6 Bd7
20. Rcf1 {1-0 (20) Bacrot,E (2725)-Inkiov,V (2465) Haguenau 2013}) 8. Nxd4 d5 {
Kramnik is right to hurry up with active operations in the centre as with each
move the opponent will be closer to complete development including the king
being brought to safety. The pawn advance to d5 is a relatively rare
continuation as Black has predominantly been testing other ideas.} (8... Nc6 9.
a3 (9. e3 e5 (9... b6 10. Ndb5 (10. Be2 Bb7 11. O-O {1/2 (11) Marin,M (2475)
-Andersson,U (2600) Szirak 1987}) 10... Be7 11. Be2 Ne8 12. Bg3 d6 13. O-O Bb7
14. Bf3 a6 15. Nd4 Qc8 16. Nxc6 Bxc6 17. Nd5 Bd8 18. Nb4 Bxf3 19. Qxf3 Ra7 20.
Qc6 Qxc6 21. Nxc6 $14 {1-0 (53) Bacrot,E (2706)-Rau,H (2464) Deizisau 2012}) (
9... Bxc3+ 10. Rxc3 g5 11. Bg3 Ne4 12. Ra3 Qe7 13. Bd3 Qb4+ 14. Kf1 Qxb2 15.
Bxe4 Qxa3 16. h4 Nxd4 17. hxg5 Nf5 18. Bxf5 exf5 19. Be5 f6 20. Bd6 Qc3 21.
Rxh6 Rf7 22. Rg6+ $18 {1-0 (28) Sedlak,N (2553)-Perunovic,M (2580) Vrsac 2008})
(9... d6 10. Bd3 Bd7 11. O-O Ne5 12. a3 Bxc3 13. Rxc3 Rc8 14. f4 Nxd3 15. Qxd3
d5 16. Bxf6 Qxf6 17. cxd5 exd5 18. Rfc1 Rxc3 19. Rxc3 Qb6 20. Rb3 Qc7 21. Kf2
$11 {1/2 (36) Barsov,A (2525)-Campora,D (2505) Catalan Bay 2003}) (9... Be7 10.
Be2 d5 11. O-O Bd7 12. cxd5 Nxd5 13. Bxe7 Ncxe7 14. Nxd5 Nxd5 15. Bf3 Rc8 16.
Bxd5 exd5 17. Qb3 Bc6 18. Rc3 Qb6 19. Qxb6 axb6 20. Rb3 Ra8 21. a3 $16 {
1-0 (73) Zhang,Z (2649)-Hussein,H (2354) Beijing 2008}) 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. Ndb5
Rd8 12. Be2 d6 13. O-O Bxc3 14. Nxc3 Be6 15. Qb3 Rd7 16. Rfd1 Rad8 17. Rd2 Qg6
18. Rcd1 e4 19. Qc2 Bf5 20. Kh1 Ne5 21. Rd5 $11 {1-0 (58) Bacrot,E (2645)
-Socko,B (2551) Rethymnon 2003}) 9... Bxc3+ 10. Rxc3 g5 11. Bg3 Ne4 12. Nb5
Nxc3 13. Nxc3 d5 14. cxd5 exd5 15. Qxd5 Be6 16. Qxd8 Rfxd8 17. e3 Rac8 18. h4
g4 19. Be2 Na5 20. Be5 Nc4 21. Bxc4 Bxc4 $15 {1/2 (54) Anand,V (2784)-Timman,J
(2649) Wijk aan Zee 1999}) (8... b6 9. e3 Bb7 10. Ndb5 $1 Na6 11. Nd6 Bxd6 12.
Qxd6 Rc8 (12... Qc7 13. Nb5 $16) 13. f3 Rc6 14. Qd4 Qe7 15. Be2 (15. Rd1 Rd8
16. Be2 $16) 15... g5 $6 (15... Nc7 16. O-O d5 17. cxd5 exd5 18. Bd3 $16) 16.
Bg3 d5 (16... Nh5 17. Rd1 (17. Bf2 f5 18. h4 $16) 17... Nxg3 18. hxg3 Rd8 19.
Ne4 $16) 17. h4 (17. Be5 Nd7 18. cxd5 exd5 19. Bg3 $16) 17... Nh5 (17... dxc4
$2 18. hxg5 hxg5 19. Ne4 Nh7 20. Bd6 $18) 18. Bf2 Ng7 19. hxg5 hxg5 (19... Qxg5
20. cxd5 exd5 21. g4 $16) 20. Qe5 $5 {1-0 (36) Ponomariov,R (2705)-Polgar,J 
(2708) Vitoria Gasteiz 2007} (20. cxd5 exd5 21. Bb5 Rc5 22. a3 $16)) (8... g5
9. Bg3 Ne4 10. Ndb5 f5 11. Bc7 Qe7 12. f3 a6 13. a3 axb5 14. axb4 Na6 15. Be5
d6 16. Bd4 Nxc3 17. Bxc3 bxc4 18. e4 fxe4 19. Bxc4 b5 20. Bb3 Bb7 21. Qd4 Kh7
$11 {1-0 (62) Bauer,C (2640)-Cheparinov,I (2621) Metz 2005}) (8... Be7 9. e3 d6
10. Be2 Nc6 11. O-O a6 12. Bg3 Bd7 13. Nb3 Ne5 14. c5 Qb8 15. f4 Ng6 16. e4 e5
17. fxe5 Nxe5 18. Bxe5 dxe5 19. Rxf6 Bxf6 20. Qxd7 $18 {1-0 (33) Gonzalez
Garcia,J (2522)-Hernandez Carmenates,H (2570) Barbera del Valles 2011}) 9. Bxf6
(9. e3 e5 10. Nf3 g5 11. Bg3 d4 12. exd4 exd4 13. Nxd4 (13. Qxd4 Re8+ 14. Be2
Qe7 15. O-O Nc6 16. Qe3 Bxc3 17. bxc3 Qxe3 18. fxe3 Rxe3 19. Nd4 $11) 13... Qb6
14. Ndb5 Bg4 15. Be2 Bxe2 16. Kxe2 Qe6+ 17. Kf1 Qxc4+ 18. Qe2 Qxe2+ 19. Kxe2
Re8+ 20. Kd3 Nc6 $11 {1/2 (56) Wojtaszek,R (2701)-Tkachiev,V (2632) Legnica
2013}) (9. cxd5 g5 (9... exd5 10. e3 Nc6 11. Be2 Re8 12. O-O g5 13. Bg3 Bxc3
14. Nxc6 bxc6 15. Rxc3 Bd7 16. f3 Re6 17. Qd2 Qe7 18. Rfc1 Nh5 19. Bf2 Nf4 20.
Ba6 Ng6 21. Bb7 Rd8 22. Qd4 $16 {1/2 (41) Byrne,R-Wexler,B Leipzig 1960}) 10.
Bg3 Qxd5 11. a3 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Rd8 13. Nb5 Na6 14. f3 Bd7 15. e4 Qc5 16. Qd4
Bxb5 17. Qxc5 Nxc5 18. Bxb5 a6 19. Be2 Nh5 20. Bf2 Rac8 21. Rc2 Nd3+ 22. Kf1
Nhf4 $11 {1/2 (37) Ipatov,A (2569)-Smirnov,P (2618) Moscow 2013}) 9... Qxf6 10.
cxd5 Rd8 {The former world champion is working hard on chess and often his
analyses are surprisingly deep. Black could have tried the simple recapturing
with pawn with a fair position.} (10... exd5 11. e3 Nc6 12. a3 Bxc3+ 13. Rxc3
Qg6 $11) 11. e3 (11. e4 $2 exd5 $19) 11... Rxd5 (11... exd5 12. a3 Bxc3+ 13.
Rxc3 Nc6 $11) 12. Qb3 Rxd4 $6 {[%mdl 1028] The game was very important for
both players who have not been on friendly terms ever since their world
championship match. Kramnik tries to punish Topalov with active play over the
board. Unfortunately the exchange sacrifice is not forced and most likely also
not the strongest line.} (12... Qe7 13. Bd3 Rd8 14. O-O Nc6 $11) 13. exd4 Nc6
14. Bb5 $1 Qf4 {Black gets cold feet at the moment when he could shock his
adversary with the sacrifice of the rook with 14...Nxd4!? The whole system is
very spirited, but Black has no reason to believe that he can gain an opening
advantage.} (14... Qxd4 15. Bxc6 bxc6 16. O-O $14) (14... Nxd4 $5 15. Qxb4 Qf4
16. Kd1 (16. Qe7 Qxc1+ 17. Nd1 Nc2+ 18. Ke2 Nd4+ 19. Ke1 e5 $19) 16... e5 17.
Ne2 (17. Rf1 Bg4+ 18. f3 Rd8 19. Qe7 Nc6+ 20. Qxd8+ Nxd8 21. fxg4 Qxg4+ 22. Kc2
$14) 17... Nxe2 18. Qxf4 Nxf4 19. Re1 Bf5 20. Rc5 $14) 15. O-O Nxd4 16. Qd1 (
16. Qc4 $5 Bd6 (16... a6 17. Rfd1 e5 18. Nd5 Qg4 19. Qxb4 axb5 20. Kh1 $14) 17.
g3 Qg4 18. Rfd1 e5 19. Qd5 Be7 20. Rd3 $14) 16... Bxc3 $6 {Even in the battle
of two former world champions the positional rules are still more than valid.
Kramnik is diminishing his chances by the exchange of his dark-squared bishop
for the knight at the moment when a simple retreat would have offered near
equality.} (16... Ba5 17. Bd3 e5 $11) 17. Rxc3 e5 (17... Nxb5 $2 18. Qd8+ Kh7
19. Rxc8 $16) (17... Qd6 18. Bc4 e5 19. Qh5 Be6 20. Bxe6 Qxe6 21. Rc7 $14) 18.
Bc4 (18. Qc1 $5 Be6 19. Bd3 $14) 18... Bd7 19. Qc1 Qf6 (19... Qxc1 20. Rfxc1
Bc6 21. f3 $14) 20. Qe3 Bc6 21. Bd3 {White is very disciplined and he is
working hard on stabilising his position in the centre. Black's chances for
active counterplay will be honed down to a minimum.} Re8 (21... Qd6 22. Be4
Bxe4 23. Qxe4 Rd8 24. Re3 Nc6 25. f4 exf4 26. Qxf4 $14) 22. Be4 Bb5 (22... Qd6
23. Bxc6 bxc6 24. Rc4 Rb8 25. b3 Rd8 26. Re1 $14) 23. Re1 Qa6 $2 {Kramnik did
not play this spirited opening with the hope of defending passively. His
striving for active play is perfectly understandable, but White will benefit
more from the conflict.} (23... Qe7 24. b3 $14) 24. Rc7 $1 Qxa2 (24... Bc6 25.
Bxc6 bxc6 26. Qa3 $1 $16) 25. Rxb7 a6 (25... Qxb2 26. Rb1 Qe2 27. R7xb5 Qxe3
28. fxe3 Nxb5 29. Rxb5 $18) 26. b3 Rd8 $6 {The nerves are ticking and Black is
not willing to admit that only passive defence can offer some chances of
survival.} (26... Rf8 27. Bb1 Qb2 28. h3 Ne2+ 29. Kh2 Nf4 30. Rc7 Nd5 31. Qe4
Nf6 32. Qf5 $16) 27. Bd5 $1 Ne2+ (27... Rxd5 28. Rb8+ Kh7 29. Qe4+ f5 30. Qxd5
$18) 28. Kh1 (28. Rxe2 $2 Qxe2 29. Bxf7+ Kh8 30. Qxe2 Bxe2 31. h4 $14) 28...
Nf4 (28... Qc2 29. Bxf7+ Kh8 30. Bc4 Qd1 (30... Bxc4 31. Qxe5 Qc3 32. Qxc3 Nxc3
33. bxc4 $18) 31. Qxe2 Qxe2 32. Bxe2 Bxe2 33. h3 $18) 29. Bxf7+ Kh8 30. Qb6 $6
{Topalov is not immune to trepidations of his own. In the heat of the fight he
chooses exactly the wrong method of bringing his queen closer to the black
king.} (30. Rb6 $1 Qd2 31. Rb8 Qd6 32. Rxd8+ Qxd8 33. Qxe5 Nd3 34. Qe7 $18) (
30. Qxe5 Qxf2 31. Bd5 $1 Nh5 32. Bf3 Nf6 33. Rf7 $18) 30... Qd2 31. Rg1 Kh7 $6
{A nervous move, ignoring the golden chance to complicate matters with a
spectacular hidden resource. In the battle of two computers we would have seen
31..Nh3!!, but instead we are witnessing the merciless duel of two ex-world
champions.} (31... Nh3 $3 32. gxh3 Be2 33. Qc6 Qd3 34. Bd5 Qxd5+ 35. Qxd5 Rxd5
36. Rc1 $16) (31... Qd4 32. h3 $18) 32. h3 Rd6 (32... Qd4 33. Bc4 $18) 33. Qc7
Bd7 (33... Rd7 34. Qb8 Rd8 35. Qxe5 Qxf2 36. Bg6+ $18) 34. Qb8 {Exactly this
picture was the defender's worst nightmares. Black is unable to defend the 8th
rank so he chooses to play va-banque.} h5 $8 35. Qg8+ Kh6 36. Qh8+ Kg5 37.
Qxg7+ Kf5 38. Bxh5 {Time trouble is lurking around the corner and White
probably had no time to choose the best winning line. Fortunately for the
aggressor his position is completely winning in most sensible lines.} (38. f3
Nd3 39. Rxd7 Rxd7 40. Qg6+ Kf4 41. g3+ Kxf3 42. Qf5+ Ke3 43. Qg5+ Nf4 44. Qxe5+
$18) (38. Bg8 $1 Ng6 39. Bh7 Be8 40. Re7 Re6 41. Rxe8 $18) 38... Nxh5 39. Qg4+
Kf6 40. Qxh5 Qxf2 41. Qh6+ {Even after the time control Topalov is not ready
to play the best moves, he just wants to grab his deserved point and run...} (
41. Rb8 $1 Ke6 42. Qg4+ Ke7 43. Qg7+ Ke6 44. Rf8 $18) 41... Ke7 42. Qg7+ Ke6
43. Qg4+ Ke7 44. Rd1 {Material and positional superiority is rendering any
resistance by Black pointless.} (44. Rd1 Rxd1+ 45. Qxd1 Qf5 46. h4 Ke8 47. Kg1
$18) 1-0

[Event "URS-ch58"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1991.??.??"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Dreev, Alexey"]
[Black "Kiselev, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[BlackElo "2510"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "40"]
[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. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qb3 c5 6. a3 Ba5 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4 g5
9. Bg3 g4 (9... Ne4 10. e3 Nc6 11. Bd3 Nxg3 (11... Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Nxg3 13. fxg3
$1 $14) 12. hxg3 g4 13. d5 $1 gxf3 14. dxc6 fxg2 15. Rg1 $146) 10. Nd2 (10.
O-O-O $5 Bxc3 (10... gxf3 11. Nb5 $40)) 10... cxd4 11. Ncb1 {N} (11. Nb5 Bxd2+
12. Kxd2 Ne4+ 13. Ke1 d6 14. Qd3 Nxg3 15. Qxd4 Nxh1 16. Qxh8+ Ke7 17. Qxh6 Nd7
18. Rd1 $40 {Malaniuk,V-Lendwai,R/Kecskemet Szechenyi/1991/ ->CBM 26}) 11...
Ne4 12. Qd3 Nxg3 (12... Nxd2 13. Nxd2 Bxd2+ 14. Qxd2 Nc6 15. h3 $16) 13. Qxd4 (
13. hxg3 Bxd2+ 14. Nxd2 Nc6 $13) 13... Bxd2+ 14. Nxd2 Nxh1 (14... Rg8 15. hxg3
Nc6 16. Qf4 $16) 15. Qxh8+ Ke7 16. Qxh6 Bb7 17. Qg5+ Ke8 (17... f6 18. Qg7+ Kd6
19. Rd1 Kc7 20. Qxg4 $13) 18. Qg8+ Ke7 19. Qg5+ Ke8 20. Qg8+ Ke7 {Ftacnik,L}
1/2-1/2

[Event "Hilversum KRO m"]
[Site "Hilversum"]
[Date "1990.??.??"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Seirawan, Yasser"]
[Black "Timman, Jan H"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2635"]
[BlackElo "2660"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "1990.12.??"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1991.04.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1991.04.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qb3 c5 6. a3 Ba5 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4 $1
(8. Bd2 O-O 9. e3 cxd4 10. exd4 Ba6 11. Qc2 Bxc3 12. Bxc3 d5 $10 {Seirawan,
Y-Van der Wiel,J/Rotterdam WCT/1989/ ->CBM 13}) 8... Nc6 $6 (8... g5 $6 9. Bg3
g4 10. Nd2 cxd4 11. Nb5 Bxd2+ (11... Ne4 12. Nd6+ Nxd6 13. Bxd6 $36) 12. Kxd2
Ne4+ 13. Ke1 Nxg3 14. Qxg3 $40) 9. O-O-O $1 (9. e3 g5 10. Bg3 Ne4) (9. dxc5
bxc5 10. e3 Rb8 11. Qc2 g5 12. Bg3 Rxb2 13. Qxb2 Ne4 14. Rc1 Qf6 $19) (9. Rd1
g5 10. Bg3 Ne4 (10... g4 11. d5 $1) 11. d5 $6 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Na5) 9... Bxc3 10.
Qxc3 cxd4 11. Nxd4 Ne4 $5 12. Qh3 Qc7 $2 (12... g5 13. Qe3 (13. Nxc6 Qc7) 13...
f5 $5 (13... gxh4 14. Qxe4 Nxd4 15. Rxd4 Ba6 16. e3 $16) 14. Nxe6 $1 (14. f3
gxh4 15. fxe4 Qg5 16. Qxg5 hxg5 17. exf5 Nxd4 18. Rxd4 exf5) (14. Nxc6 Qc7 15.
f3 Qxc6 16. fxe4 (16. Be1 Qxc4+ 17. Kb1 Nc5 18. Qe5 $1) 16... gxh4 17. exf5
Qxc4+ $13) 14... Qe7 (14... Qf6 $5 15. Nc7+ Kd8 16. Nxa8 gxh4) 15. Nc7+ Kd8 16.
Nxa8 f4 (16... gxh4 17. Nxb6 $1 axb6 18. Qxb6+ Ke8 19. g3 $16) 17. Qxf4 $1 gxf4
18. Bxe7+ Nxe7 19. Rd4 Nxf2 (19... Bb7 20. Nxb6 axb6 21. f3) 20. Rg1 Rf8 (20...
Bb7 21. Nxb6 axb6 22. Rxf4) 21. g3 fxg3 22. hxg3 Bb7 23. Bg2 Nc6 24. Bxc6 Bxc6
25. Rf4 Rxf4 26. gxf4 Bxa8 27. Rg8+ $18) 13. Nb5 Qe5 (13... Qf4+ 14. e3 Qe5 15.
f4 Qb8) 14. Qe3 $1 f5 (14... g5 15. f4 $1 gxf4 (15... Qxf4 16. Qxf4 gxf4 17.
Nc7+) (15... Qf5 16. g4 Qh7 17. Bg2) 16. Qxe4) (14... a6 15. Qxe4 axb5 16. Qxc6
$1 dxc6 17. Rd8#) (14... O-O 15. f3 Nc5 (15... Nf6 16. Qxe5 Nxe5 17. e4 $16)
16. Qxe5 Nxe5 17. Be7 Re8 18. Bxc5 bxc5 19. Nc7) 15. f4 $1 (15. f3 a6) 15...
Qb8 16. g4 O-O 17. Bg2 (17. gxf5 Rxf5 18. Qxe4 Rxf4 19. Qg6 Rxh4 20. Nd6 Ba6)
17... d5 (17... a6 18. gxf5 axb5 19. Bxe4) 18. gxf5 exf5 (18... Rxf5 19. Bxe4
Qxf4 (19... dxe4 20. Nd6 $18) 20. Qxf4 Rxf4 21. cxd5 Rxe4 22. dxc6 Rxh4 23.
Rd8+ $18) 19. Bxe4 $1 (19. cxd5 Ba6 20. dxc6 Bxb5 21. Qb3+ $6 Kh8 22. Qxb5
Qxf4+ 23. Kb1 Qxh4) 19... fxe4 $6 (19... dxe4 20. Rd6 $16) 20. cxd5 Ba6 21. Nc3
Na5 22. d6 Nc4 23. Qd4 {Ftacnik,L} 1-0

[Event "Hilversum KRO m"]
[Site "Hilversum"]
[Date "1990.??.??"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Seirawan, Yasser"]
[Black "Timman, Jan H"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2635"]
[BlackElo "2660"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "1990.12.??"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1991.04.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1991.04.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qb3 c5 6. a3 Ba5 7. Bg5 Nc6 8. O-O-O
Bxc3 9. d5 $1 (9. Qxc3 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Ne4) 9... exd5 $2 (9... Na5 10. Qxc3 Ne4
11. Qxg7) (9... Nd4 10. Qxc3 Nxf3 11. Qxf3 $16) (9... Bxb2+ 10. Qxb2 Ne7 11. e4
Nxe4 12. dxe6 fxe6 13. Bd3 $1) (9... Be5 $1 10. dxc6 Qc7) 10. cxd5 Be5 11. dxc6
Qe7 12. cxd7+ Bxd7 13. e3 Rd8 (13... O-O 14. Nxe5 Qxe5 15. Bxf6 $18) (13... Bc6
14. Bb5) 14. Rxd7 $1 Rxd7 (14... Kxd7 15. Qa4+ (15. Bb5+ Kc8 16. Ba6+ Kd7 17.
Nxe5+ Qxe5 18. Qxf7+ Qe7 19. Rd1+ $18) 15... Kc8 (15... Ke6 16. Bc4+ Kf5 17.
Qc2+) 16. Ba6+ Kb8 17. Nxe5 $18) 15. Bb5 Bd6 16. Rd1 (16. Qa4) 16... O-O 17.
Bxd7 Qxd7 18. Bf4 c4 (18... Ne8 19. Qd5 $18) 19. Qc2 Ne8 20. Ng5 f5 (20... g6
21. Ne4) 21. Qxc4+ Kh8 22. Bxd6 Nxd6 23. Qd5 Rd8 24. Ne6 $1 (24. Qxd6 $2 Qc8+
25. Kb1 Rxd6 26. Rxd6 Kg8 27. Ne6 Kf7) 24... Qc8+ 25. Kb1 Rd7 26. Qxd6 $1 {
Ftacnik,L} 1-0

[Event "Chess Champions League"]
[Site "Vitoria Gasteiz"]
[Date "2007.11.09"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Black "Polgar, Judit"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2705"]
[BlackElo "2708"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2007.11.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 121"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 O-O 5. Bg5 c5 6. Rc1 h6 7. Bh4 cxd4 8.
Nxd4 b6 {It would be very optimistic to believe, that this game will enhance
the popularity of this side line. Black scores much better with the move 8...
Nc6.} 9. e3 Bb7 10. Ndb5 $1 Na6 11. Nd6 Bxd6 12. Qxd6 {At this moment the
omens are not especially good for Black. The absence of the dark squared
bishop will be felt for the rest of the game.} Rc8 (12... Qc7 13. Nb5 $16) 13.
f3 Rc6 14. Qd4 Qe7 15. Be2 (15. Rd1 Rd8 16. Be2 $16) 15... g5 $6 {Polgar shows
her teeth, but weakens the kingside forever. Ponomariov will demonstrate his
attacking skills with great confidence.} (15... Nc7 16. O-O d5 17. cxd5 exd5
18. Bd3 $16) 16. Bg3 d5 (16... Nh5 17. Rd1 (17. Bf2 f5 18. h4 $16) 17... Nxg3
18. hxg3 Rd8 19. Ne4 $16) 17. h4 (17. Be5 Nd7 18. cxd5 exd5 19. Bg3 $16) 17...
Nh5 (17... dxc4 $2 18. hxg5 hxg5 19. Ne4 Nh7 20. Bd6 $18) 18. Bf2 Ng7 19. hxg5
hxg5 (19... Qxg5 20. cxd5 exd5 21. g4 $16) 20. Qe5 $5 {[%mdl 128] This funny
looking move aims to relocate the white queen to the open h-file. Black is
slowly facing the impossible task of defending the hopeless cause.} (20. cxd5
exd5 21. Bb5 Rc5 22. a3 $16) 20... f6 (20... dxc4 $2 21. Nd5 $18) 21. Qh2 (21.
Nxd5 Qd8 22. Qh2 exd5 23. Qh7+ Kf7 24. Rd1 $40) 21... dxc4 (21... Nc7 22. f4
$16) 22. f4 g4 {Moves like this are not made with love; Black desperately
tries to avoid the impending disaster.} (22... Kf7 23. fxg5 fxg5 24. Bh5+ Nxh5
25. Qxh5+ Kg8 26. Bg3 $18) (22... gxf4 $4 23. Qh7+ Kf7 24. Bh5#) 23. Bxg4 Rc5
24. e4 Kf7 (24... Rc7 $4 25. Qh7+ Kf7 26. Bh5#) (24... Ra5 25. e5 Kf7 26. Bh5+
Nxh5 27. Qxh5+ Kg8 28. Rh4 $18) 25. Bxc5 {Any decent computer program would be
ashamed to grab the material, since the direct attack was winning much more
swiftly.} (25. e5 $5 Rc7 (25... Ke8 26. Bh4 Nb4 27. Be2 Nd3+ 28. Bxd3 cxd3 29.
exf6 $16) 26. Rd1 Ke8 27. Bh4 $18) 25... Qxc5 (25... Nxc5 26. Be2 Rd8 27. Kf1
Nd3 28. Rd1 $18) 26. Qh7 Ke7 (26... Bxe4 27. Qxe4 f5 28. Qb7+ $18) (26... Qe3+
27. Ne2 Rg8 28. Bxe6+ $18) 27. Qxg7+ {Once again it made more sense to refrain
from consuming the the spoils, but Ponomariov is simply spoilt for choice...} (
27. Rd1 $5 Rf7 (27... Qe3+ 28. Ne2 Nc5 29. e5 Ne4 30. Qxg7+ Rf7 31. Qxf7+ $1 (
31. Rd7+ Kxd7 32. Qxf7+ $18) 31... Kxf7 32. Rd7+ Ke8 33. Bxe6 $18) 28. Qg8 Ne8
29. Bh5 $18) 27... Rf7 28. Qg8 Nb4 (28... Qe3+ 29. Ne2 Nc5 30. Rd1 Nd3+ 31.
Rxd3 cxd3 32. Rh8 $18) 29. Ke2 (29. Rd1 Nd3+ 30. Rxd3 cxd3 31. Bh5 $18) 29...
Nd3 30. Rcf1 Qb4 31. Rh8 $1 Qxb2+ 32. Ke3 {The race on the board doesn't look
nice for Black. White's king sits in relative safety while Black is hopelessly
exposed.} Kd6 (32... Qxc3 33. Qd8#) 33. e5+ $5 (33. Qb8+ $1 Rc7 (33... Kc6 34.
Qe8+ $18) 34. Rh7 $18) 33... fxe5 34. fxe5+ Nxe5 (34... Kxe5 35. Qb8+ $18) 35.
Qb8+ Rc7 (35... Kc6 36. Qxe5 Rxf1 37. Qxe6+ $18) 36. Rd1+ (36. Rd1+ Kc6 37.
Qe8+ Rd7 38. Bf3+ $18) 1-0

[Event "EU-Cup 18th"]
[Site "Kallithea"]
[Date "2002.09.28"]
[Round "7.3"]
[White "Varga, Zoltan"]
[Black "Gritsak, Orest"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2528"]
[BlackElo "2542"]
[Annotator "Gershon,A"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2002.09.22"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 092"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.02.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.02.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Sarajevo Napredak"]
[BlackTeam "Karpaty"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "BIH"]
[BlackTeamCountry "UKR"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Bd2 {this move order allows white to
transpose into Queen's Indian positions, without allowing black to enter
favorable versions of Queen's Gambit, after 3.Nf3} O-O 5. Nf3 b6 6. g3 Bb7 7.
Bg2 d6 8. O-O Nbd7 9. b3 {This move is useful, since white cannot play without
it anyway, after black's a7-a5} (9. Rc1 Bxc3 (9... a5 {deserves serious
attention, since white has no useful moves to improve his position.} 10. Be3
Bxc3 11. Rxc3 Re8 12. Qa4 Qb8 13. Rd1 Be4 14. Nh4 Bxg2 15. Nxg2 Qb7 16. f3 c6
17. Qa3 d5 $15 {[%csl Re3] 0-1 Vukelic,T-Cvitan,O/Pula CRO 2002/The Week in
Chess 393 (40)}) 10. Bxc3 Ne4 11. d5 Ndf6 12. Bxf6 Nxf6 13. Nd4 e5 14. Nb5 a6
15. Nc3 Qe7 16. e4 Bc8 17. Qd2 Bd7 18. f4 $14 {1-0 Ikonnikov,V-Krzywicki,D/
Prague 1990/EXT 97 (44). (43)}) (9. Rb1 {is a bit awkward} Bxc3 10. Bxc3 Ne4
11. Bb4 f5 12. Qc2 Qe8 13. Rfc1 Qh5 14. d5 e5 {0-1 Nickoloff,B-Zarnicki,P/
Moscow 1994/CBM 44 ext (37) with good game for black}) 9... a5 10. Qc2 Qb8 $2 (
10... Qe7 {the Q is much better placed on e7. There is no need to put it on b8
(b7) when the idea is to play c6 d5 anyway.}) 11. Rfe1 {[%cal Ge2e4] e4 is
already a threat now} Bxc3 12. Bxc3 Be4 13. Qd1 c6 $6 (13... Qb7 {i would
prefer keeping the pressure on the long diagonal..}) 14. Rc1 Re8 $6 {too slow}
(14... e5 $142 {getting space in the center.}) 15. Bh3 d5 (15... h6 16. Nd2 Bh7
17. e4 {is not good for black}) 16. Ne5 Nxe5 17. dxe5 Nd7 18. f3 Bg6 19. cxd5
cxd5 20. Qd4 $14 {after the series of exchanges in the center, white has
obtained a pleasant edge, due to black's weakened Q side, a slight spacial
advantage, and a pair of bishops, which can tell in the endgame} Qb7 21. Red1 (
21. e3 $5 Nb8 22. Bf1 Nc6 23. Qd2 {would lead to approx. same position}) 21...
Nb8 22. Qd2 Nc6 23. e3 {[%cal Gh3f1,Gf1b5] using black's weakened squares.}
Rec8 24. Bf1 h6 25. Bb5 Na7 $1 {not allowing white to get a good hold on b5}
26. Be2 Nc6 27. Bb2 {[%cal Gc1c3,Gd1c1] white plays well, preparing to slowly
improve his position, by doubling on the 'c' file. black's biggest problem, is
that exchanging all the heavy pieces will lead to a lost endgame, due to his
weakened Q side.} Rc7 28. Rc3 Rac8 29. Rdc1 Nxe5 $4 {a very strange decision !
I can't really imagine what was black's idea while playing this move. It is
possible, that he thought that white must take on c7 twice, after which the
queen would defend the knight. However, black's position isn't easy at all.} (
29... b5 30. Rc5 b4 31. Kg2 Qb6 32. Bf1 $16 {[%cal Gd2e2,Ge2b5]}) 30. Rxc7
Nxf3+ 31. Bxf3 Rxc7 {now it's all over} 32. Rxc7 Qxc7 33. Qc3 Qxc3 34. Bxc3 Bb1
35. a4 Bc2 36. Be2 1-0

[Event "ARG-ch Najdorf Memorial"]
[Site "Buenos Aires"]
[Date "1999.11.20"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Sorin, Ariel"]
[Black "Campora, Daniel Hugo"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2501"]
[BlackElo "2543"]
[Annotator "Gershon,A"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "1999.11.19"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ARG"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 074"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. Qa4 Qc8 {Black chooses not to commit
on his plan yet, keeping the option of playing both c5 and c6-d5 later on.
However, giving up a tempo ( the queen is rarely needed on c8) allows white
get a comfortable advantage.} ({the normal continuation is:} 5... c5) 6. Nc3 (
6. Bg2 c6 (6... c5 7. dxc5 (7. d5) 7... Bxc5 8. Nc3 O-O 9. Bg5 Be7 10. Rc1 Bb7
11. O-O d6 12. Rfd1 a6 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Ne1 f5 15. e4 fxe4 16. Nxe4 Rd8 17.
Qb3 f5 18. Nc3 Nd7 19. Na4 Bxg2 20. Nxg2 Qc6 21. Nf4 $16 {1-0 Inkiov,V-Vaidya,
A/Calcutta 1986/TD (38)}) 7. Nc3 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Bf4 d5 10. cxd5 Nxd5 11.
Nxd5 cxd5 12. Rfc1 Qd7 13. Qxd7 Nxd7 14. Rc7 $16 Rfd8 15. e4 Kf8 16. exd5 exd5
17. Rd1 Bb4 18. Rdc1 h6 19. a3 Be7 20. h4 Bb5 21. Bh3 Nf6 22. Ne5 Be8 23. Nc6
Bxc6 24. R1xc6 Ne8 25. Rb7 Bd6 26. Bd2 Be7 27. Bd7 Nd6 28. Rbc7 Nb5 29. Bg4
Nxc7 30. Rxc7 a5 31. Bh5 b5 32. Bf4 b4 33. a4 Ra6 34. Kf1 Ke8 35. Rb7 Rc6 36.
Bd1 Bf6 37. Be3 Rc4 38. b3 Rxd4 39. Bxd4 Bxd4 40. Rb5 Rd6 41. Bf3 Rf6 42. Kg2 {
1/2-1/2 Molnar,I-Paksa,R/HUN-chT2 1993/TD (42)}) 6... Bb7 {This make more
sense than the other two moves tried here previously, but the rises the
question why not play this immediately without wastng a tempo.} 7. Bg2 (7. Qc2
$2 c5 8. e4 (8. d5 exd5 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Qe4+ Ne7 {The difference between this
and the usual lines with the Q on d8 is that here the B is protected}) 8...
cxd4 9. Nxd4 Nc6 $15) 7... Ne4 8. Qc2 Bb4 9. O-O Bxc3 10. bxc3 f5 {Black's
main idea is to establish himself on 'e4'. However, to accomplish this he
would need two more tempi ( d6, Nd7), and even then ,of course, it is
problematic whether he would be able to keep the pieces there (e.g. Ne1, f3)}
11. d5 $5 {[%csl Ga8,Gb7,Gb8,Gc8,Ge8] expoiting his advantage in development
white opens up lines and diagonals.} O-O (11... exd5 12. Nd4 O-O 13. cxd5 Bxd5
14. g4 $1 $16 g6 $140 15. gxf5 gxf5 16. Nxf5 Rxf5 17. Bxe4 Bxe4 18. Qxe4 d5 19.
Qg4+ $40) 12. Ng5 exd5 (12... Nxg5 13. Bxg5 Na6 14. e4 fxe4 15. Bxe4 h6 16. Be3
$16) 13. cxd5 Bxd5 14. Rd1 {Black is a pawn up but it is obvious that white
has more than enough compensation for the pawn} Qb7 {[%cal Gb7g2]} 15. Rxd5 $1
Qxd5 16. Ba3 $1 (16. Nxe4 fxe4 17. Bxe4 Qf7 18. Bxh7+ (18. Bxa8 $4 Qxf2+ 19.
Kh1 Qf1#) 18... Kh8 19. Be3 Nc6 $13) 16... Nc6 (16... Re8 17. Rd1 {[%csl Gg8]
[%cal Gc2b3,Gb3g8]} Qc4 (17... Qb5 18. Nxe4 fxe4 19. Bxe4 Nc6 20. Rxd7 $18) 18.
Rd4 Qxc3 (18... Qb5 19. Bxe4 fxe4 20. Rxe4 $18 {[%csl Ga8,Gh7][%cal Ge4e8,
Ge4h7,Ge4a8]}) 19. Bxe4 Qxc2 (19... Qe1+ 20. Kg2 fxe4 21. Qc4+ $18) (19... Qxd4
20. Qb3+ d5 21. Qxd5+ Qxd5 22. Bxd5+ Kh8 23. Nf7+ Kg8 24. Nd6+ Kh8 25. Nxe8 $18
) 20. Bxc2 $16) 17. Rd1 Qb5 18. Nxe4 fxe4 19. Bxf8 Rxf8 20. Bxe4 {[%csl Gh7]}
Qh5 21. Rd5 Qh6 22. Rxd7 $18 {White has an extra pawn up and a better position}
Ne5 23. Rd4 (23. Rxc7 Ng4 24. h4 Kh8 (24... Nxf2 25. Bd5+ Kh8 26. Qf5 $1 $18)
25. Bf5 Nxf2 {would give blac unnecessary chances}) 23... g6 (23... Ng4 $4 24.
Bd5+ Kh8 25. Rxg4 $18) 24. Qb3+ Kg7 25. Qe6 Qg5 26. Bd5 {[%cal Gf2f4]} (26. f4
Rxf4) 26... Qf6 27. f4 Qxe6 28. Bxe6 {white forces black enter a hopeless
endgame} Kf6 29. Bb3 Ng4 30. Rd7 g5 31. fxg5+ Kxg5 32. Rg7+ $1 Kh5 33. Rxh7+
Kg6 34. Bc2+ Kf6 35. Rxc7 {The rest is pointless} Ne3 36. Be4 Re8 37. Bf3 Re7
38. Rc8 Re5 39. Kf2 Nd1+ 40. Ke1 Ne3 41. h4 Ra5 42. g4 Rxa2 43. Kf2 Nd1+ 44.
Kg3 Ra3 45. g5+ Ke7 46. c4 Nc3 47. Kf4 b5 48. g6 Kf6 49. Rc6+ Kg7 50. Kg5 1-0

[Event "ARG-ch"]
[Site "Argentina"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Tempone, Marcelo"]
[Black "Rosito, Jorge"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2435"]
[BlackElo "2340"]
[Annotator "Giese"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "ARG"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 049"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1995.12.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1995.12.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. g3 b6 5. Bg2 Bb7 6. O-O O-O 7. d4 Bxc3 8.
bxc3 d6 9. a4 Nc6 10. Nd2 Qc8 11. e4 e5 12. Bb2 Re8 13. f4 Na5 14. fxe5 dxe5
15. Rxf6 $1 {up to this point, Black has no change to defend his kingside
Jetzt besitzt Schwarz keine Chance mehr, seinen Königsflügel zu verteidigen}
gxf6 16. Qh5 Qd8 (16... Kh8 17. Bh3 Qd8 18. Bf5 $18) (16... Kf8 17. Bh3 Qd8 18.
Qh6+ Ke7 19. Ba3+ c5 20. dxc5 $18) 17. Rf1 Bc8 18. d5 $1 {[%csl Ge6]} Qe7 19.
Qh6 Bd7 20. Rxf6 Qf8 21. Qh4 Qg7 22. Bf3 Nb7 23. Bc1 Kh8 24. Nf1 Nc5 25. Bh6
Qg8 26. Rc6 1-0

[Event "FRA-ch 55th"]
[Site "Puteaux"]
[Date "1980.08.23"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Sellos, Didier"]
[Black "Giffard, Nicolas"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2310"]
[BlackElo "2300"]
[Annotator "Giffard,N/Primel,D"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "1980.08.20"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2007"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.11.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.11.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 (6. Bh4 {La grande
ligne} Bb4 {Flohr,S-Botvinnik,M Moscow 1936 1/2}) 6... Qxf6 7. e4 {[%csl Rb7,
Gc4,Gd4,Ge4]} Bb4 8. Qc2 (8. Bd3 c5 {Geller,E-Boleslavsky,I Candidates
Tournament 1953 (4) 0-1}) 8... Qg6 {[%cal Gb7e4,Gg6e4,Gb4c3]} 9. Nd2 Bxc3 10.
bxc3 O-O 11. f3 d6 12. Kf2 e5 13. d5 Nd7 14. Be2 c6 $1 15. dxc6 (15. Nf1 $142 {
[%cal Gf1e3]} f5 16. exf5 Qxf5 17. Qxf5 Rxf5 18. Ng3 $11 {[%cal Gg3f5,Gg3e4]})
15... Bxc6 16. Nf1 {[%csl Gd5][%cal Gf1e3,Ge3d5,Ge3f5]} f5 $36 {[%cal Gf8f2]}
17. exf5 Rxf5 18. Ne3 {[#]} e4 $3 {[%csl Rf2][%cal Gf5f2,Gc6g2] Un sacrifice
de qualité intuitif pour exploiter la mauvaise position du Roi blanc.} 19. Nxf5
Qxf5 {[%cal Ge4e3,Rf5c2] Menaçant 20...e3+} 20. Qd2 Ne5 $1 $40 {[%csl Ge5]} (
20... exf3 $1 {Semble plus fort pour ouvrir l'aile-roi mais c'était aussi ...
moins beau} 21. gxf3 Ne5 {[%csl Rf3][%cal Gc6h1,Ge5f3]} 22. Rhf1 Nxf3 23. Qxd6
Qe4 24. Bd3 Ng5 $1 (24... Nd2) 25. Bxe4 Nxe4+ {[%cal Ge4f2,Ge4d6] PRIMEL}) 21.
f4 (21. Rhf1 e3+ 22. Kxe3 Ng4+ 23. Kd4 (23. fxg4 $2 Re8+ 24. Kd4 Qe4#) 23...
Re8 $1 $19) 21... Re8 22. Kg1 Nf3+ $3 23. gxf3 exf3 24. Bf1 (24. Bd3 Qg4+ 25.
Kf1 Re2 $1 26. Bxe2 Qg2+ 27. Ke1 f2+ 28. Kd1 Qxh1+ 29. Kc2 Qxa1 30. Qc1 Qxc1+
31. Kxc1 Bg2 $19) 24... Qg4+ 25. Kf2 Qh4+ 26. Kg1 Re6 27. f5 Re4 28. Bd3 Qg4+
29. Kf1 Qh3+ 30. Kg1 Re2 $1 0-1

[Event "Lippstadt"]
[Site "Lippstadt"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Gostisa, Leon F"]
[Black "Boensch, Uwe"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2410"]
[BlackElo "2535"]
[Annotator "Hecht,H"]
[PlyCount "134"]
[EventDate "1994.06.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "8"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 043"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.12.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.12.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 O-O 5. Bg5 d6 6. e3 Nbd7 7. Rc1 c5 8. Be2
b6 9. O-O Bxc3 10. Rxc3 Qc7 11. Rc1 Bb7 12. Qc2 Ne4 13. Bh4 f5 14. d5 Rae8 15.
Rcd1 Ndf6 16. Ng5 Nxg5 17. Bxg5 Ne4 18. Bh4 exd5 19. cxd5 g5 20. f3 gxh4 21.
fxe4 Rxe4 22. Bd3 Bxd5 23. Rxf5 Rxf5 24. Bxe4 Bxe4 25. Qxe4 Rf6 26. Qxh4 Qe7
27. Qg4+ Kh8 28. Rd3 Qf7 29. h3 Qxa2 30. Qc8+ Qg8 31. Qc7 Qg6 32. Qb8+ Kg7 33.
Qxa7+ Kh6 34. Qe7 Rf1+ 35. Kxf1 Qxd3+ 36. Kg1 Qb1+ 37. Kh2 Qxb2 38. Qxd6+ Kg7
39. Qe7+ Kg6 40. Qe4+ Kf6 41. Qh4+ Ke6 42. Qxh7 Qe5+ 43. Kh1 b5 44. Qg6+ Kd5
45. h4 c4 46. h5 b4 47. h6 b3 48. Qf7+ (48. Qg7 b2) 48... Kc5 49. Qg7 Qxg7 50.
hxg7 b2 51. g8=Q b1=Q+ 52. Kh2 Qe4 53. Qg7 Qh4+ 54. Kg1 Qe1+ 55. Kh2 c3 56.
Qd4+ Kb5 57. e4 Qd2 58. Qe5+ Ka4 59. Qe8+ Ka3 60. Qf8+ Kb2 61. Qf6 Qe3 62. g4
Kb1 63. Qf1+ Kb2 64. Qb5+ $2 (64. Qf6 $1) 64... Kc1 65. Qb3 (65. g5 c2 66. g6
Qh6+ 67. Kg3 Qxg6+ 68. Kf3 Qf6+ 69. Ke2 Qb2 70. Qf5 Kb1 71. e5 Qb5+ 72. Kd2
Qb4+ 73. Ke2 Kb2 $19) 65... Kd2 66. Qb4 Ke2 67. Qb3 Kf3 $3 {Matt oder
Damentausch} 0-1

[Event "Hoogovens"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "1997.01.27"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Sokolov, Ivan"]
[Black "Granda Zuniga, Julio E"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2615"]
[BlackElo "2620"]
[Annotator "Jacoby,G"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "1997.01.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "16"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 057"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.04.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.04.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 (4... Bb7 5. Bf4 Bb4 6. Qb3 {+/=
Kortschnoj,V-Huebner,R/Meran cf 1980 (43)}) 5. Qb3 c5 6. Bg5 (6. a3 Ba5 7. Bg5
h6 8. Bh4 g5 $5 {N} (8... Nc6 9. O-O-O Bxc3 10. Qxc3 cxd4 11. Nxd4 Ne4 12. Qh3
$1 $16 {Seirawan,Y-Timman,J/Hilversum m/3/1990/ ->CBM 21}) 9. Bg3 Nc6 (9... g4
10. Nd2 cxd4 11. Ncb1 Ne4 12. Qd3 Nxg3 13. Qxd4 Bxd2+ 14. Nxd2 Nxh1 15. Qxh8+
Ke7 16. Qxh6 Bb7 17. Qg5+ Ke8 18. Qg8+ Ke7 19. Qg5+ Ke8 20. Qg8+ Ke7 {1/2-1/2
Dreev,A-Kiselev,S/URS-ch58 Moscow 1991}) 10. O-O-O Bxc3 11. Qxc3 Ne4 12. Qc2
Nxg3 13. hxg3 cxd4 14. Nxd4 Nxd4 15. Rxd4 Bb7 16. e3 Qf6 17. Kb1 Rc8 18. Qd2
Rc7 19. f3 Kd8 20. Be2 Kc8 21. g4 {1-0 Gheorghiu,F-Leuba,D/SWZ-GP Suhr 1991 
(38);CBM 22}) (6. Bf4 O-O 7. e3 (7. a3 Ba5 8. dxc5 Ne4 9. cxb6 axb6 10. g3 Nc6
11. Bg2 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Ba6 13. O-O Nc5 14. Qc2 Bxc4 15. Ne5 {1-0 Dreev,
A-Timman,J/Moscow blitz 1993 (40)}) 7... d5 8. Rd1 Nbd7 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Bg5
Qc7 11. Bc4 cxd4 12. Bxd5 Bxc3+ $1 13. bxc3 exd5 14. cxd4 Ba6 15. Nd2 Rfe8 16.
Qa3 Qb7 17. f3 Rac8 $17 {0-1 Dreev,A-Ivanchuk,V/Linares 1995 (39);CBM 46}) 6...
Nc6 (6... O-O 7. d5 d6 8. O-O-O Bxc3 9. Qxc3 Ne4 10. Qe3 Nxg5 11. Nxg5 e5 12.
h4 h6 13. Ne4 f5 14. Nc3 Nd7 {1/2-1/2 Sutmuller,J-Vanheirzeele,D/NLD-chT 1995 
(23)}) 7. d5 (7. e3 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. Bg3 Ne4 10. Bd3 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 Nxg3 12.
hxg3 d6 13. Be4 Bd7 14. Bxc6 Bxc6 15. d5 Bd7 16. dxe6 Bxe6 17. Rd1 Qe7 18. e4
f5 19. e5 g4 20. Nh4 O-O-O 21. Ng6 {Condie,M-Cullip,S/Edinburgh op 1989/1-0 
(51)}) 7... Na5 8. Qc2 h6 9. Bh4 exd5 (9... Nxc4 10. O-O-O Bxc3 11. Qxc3 Na5
12. e4 O-O 13. e5 Ne4 14. Qe3 g5 15. Qxe4 exd5 16. Rxd5 {1-0 Peng
Zhaoqin-Janssen,R/Hoogovens-B (9)/1997}) (9... d6 10. e4 e5 11. Nd2 Bxc3 (11...
Bd7 12. Ndb1 g5 13. Bg3 Nh5 14. a3 Bxc3+ 15. Nxc3 Qf6 16. O-O-O O-O-O 17. f3
Qg6 18. Bf2 Kb8 19. g3 f5 20. b4 Nb7 21. Bd3 fxe4 22. Nxe4 {1-0 Van Wely,
L-Tiviakov,S/Groningen 1994 (50)}) 12. Qxc3 Qe7 13. Be2 Nxd5 14. Qg3 g5 15.
exd5 gxh4 16. Qg7 Qf8 17. Qf6 Rg8 18. O-O-O {Sokolov,I-Bauer,C/EU-ch Rapid-30'
1996/1-0 (77)}) 10. cxd5 O-O (10... g5 11. Bg3 Nxd5 $4 12. Qe4+ $18) 11. e3 d6
(11... g5 12. Bg3 Nxd5 13. O-O-O Bxc3 14. bxc3 Bb7 15. h4 $40) 12. Be2 Bxc3+ (
12... g5 13. Bg3 Nxd5 14. O-O-O) 13. bxc3 (13. Qxc3 $2 Nxd5 $1 $15) 13... Qe7
14. Nd2 Bd7 (14... g5 15. Bg3 Nxd5) 15. O-O Rae8 16. c4 $14 {[%csl Ra5][%cal
Ye3e4,Yf2f4]} g6 17. Bd3 g5 18. Bg3 Nh5 19. Rae1 (19. Ne4 Nb7 $1) (19. Bf5 Nxg3
20. hxg3 Bxf5 21. Qxf5 Qe5 $11) (19. e4 $5 Nb7 20. f4 Nxg3 21. hxg3 $36) 19...
f5 20. f4 Nxg3 21. hxg3 Qg7 22. fxg5 Qxg5 {[%csl Rf5]} 23. Rf3 Nb7 $2 (23...
Rf7 $142 24. Ref1 Ref8 (24... Rxe3 25. Ne4 fxe4 26. Rxf7 exd3 27. Rf8+ Kh7 28.
R1f7+ Kg6 29. Qf2 $16) 25. e4 f4 26. gxf4 Rxf4 27. Rxf4 Rxf4 28. Nf3 Qg3) 24.
Ref1 Nd8 (24... Rxe3 $4 25. Ne4) 25. e4 $1 Nf7 (25... fxe4 $4 26. Nxe4 Qe7 27.
Nf6+) 26. exf5 $16 Ne5 $1 27. Ne4 $1 Nxf3+ 28. Rxf3 Rxe4 (28... Qe7 29. f6 Qe5
30. Qd2 Qh5 (30... Qd4+ 31. Kh2 Rxe4 32. Qxh6 $18) 31. f7+ Rxf7 32. Nf6+ Rxf6
33. Rxf6 $16) (28... Qd8 29. Qc1 (29. Nxd6 Re1+ 30. Kh2 Qe7 31. Qd2) 29... Bxf5
30. Qxh6 Re5 31. Rf4 Qe7 32. Nxd6 Rf6 33. Qg5+ Bg6 34. Nf5 Qd6 35. Rg4 Rexf5
36. Bxf5 $18) 29. Bxe4 Qf6 30. Rf4 Rf7 (30... Re8 31. Qd2 b5 32. Rg4+ Kf7 33.
Rg6 $40) 31. Kh2 Rg7 32. Qd2 Rg5 (32... b5 33. cxb5 Bxb5 34. Rh4 Rg5 35. Qa5
$40) 33. g4 Rg7 34. Qf2 Re7 (34... b5 $142) 35. Bd3 Kf8 36. Qg3 Rg7 37. Kh3 Re7
38. Rf1 Re5 39. Kh2 Re7 40. Qf4 Qh4+ 41. Kg1 Qf6 42. Rf3 {/\Rh3} Rg7 43. Rh3
Rg5 44. Be2 Be8 45. Re3 Bf7 46. Ra3 Qe7 47. Kf2 Kg7 48. Qe3 (48. Qe3 Qc7 49.
Qc3+ Kh7 50. Qf6 {/\Rh3}) 1-0

[Event "Aars"]
[Site "Aars"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Nielsen, Peter Heine"]
[Black "Hansen, Curt"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2500"]
[BlackElo "2635"]
[Annotator "King,D"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "1995.10.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "DEN"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 050"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. Qb3 c5 6. a3 Ba5 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4
Bb7 9. e3 g5 10. Bg3 Ne4 11. Bd3 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Nxg3 13. hxg3 d6 14. Qc2 Nd7
15. a4 a5 {It is in neither side's interest to castle: Black for obvious
reasons; and White could be walking into a kingside attack. As the centre is
fairly blocked there is little risk in leaving the kings in the middle.} 16.
Be4 Bxe4 17. Qxe4 Ke7 18. d5 Nf6 19. Qd3 Qg8 20. dxe6 Qg6 21. Qxg6 fxg6 22. Nd2
Kxe6 23. Rb1 Rab8 24. Ke2 g4 25. f4 h5 26. Rb3 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 15th"]
[Site "Gothenburg"]
[Date "2005.07.31"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Kortschnoj, Viktor Lvovich"]
[Black "Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2615"]
[BlackElo "2679"]
[Annotator "Kortschnoj,V"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[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 "Switzerland"]
[BlackTeam "Romania"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "SUI"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ROU"]

1. d4 {Gavrikov} Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qb3 ({This reply is less
dangerous for Black than} 5. Bg5 {Gavrikov}) 5... c5 6. a3 {A rather harmless
continuation. More active, according to the modern theory, is 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bh4
Nc6 8.d5 Na5 9.Qc2 and then 0-0-0, developing white`s initiative.} Ba5 7. Bd2
O-O 8. e3 Bb7 {Played an adventurous way. The simple move 8...d5 would promise
convenient play to black.} 9. dxc5 Bxf3 10. gxf3 bxc5 11. f4 {Black has given
up his good piece - the white-squared bishop, but chances in the position are
still about equal.} Nc6 {'?!' Gavrikov. Gavrikov: 'This natural move is
probably an inaccuracy.'} ({Deserved serious attention} 11... d5 $1 {Gavrikov}
12. Bg2 Nbd7 13. cxd5 exd5 14. O-O (14. Bxd5 $6 Rb8 15. Qa2 Nxd5 16. Qxd5 Rxb2
$36) 14... d4 $1 (14... Rb8 15. Qc2 d4 16. Ne4 Bxd2 17. Nxd2) 15. Ne4 Nxe4 16.
Bxa5 Qxa5 17. Bxe4 Rab8 {followed by Nf6 with comfortable position for Black.})
12. Bg2 Rb8 13. Qc2 Ne7 {Black is preparing d7-d5.} ({Instead he could play} 
13... Qb6 14. O-O-O (14. Na4 Bxd2+ 15. Qxd2 Qb3 16. Nxc5 (16. Qd1 $5 Qxc4 17.
Rc1) 16... Qxb2 17. Qxb2 Rxb2 18. Nxd7 Nxd7 19. Bxc6 Nc5 {Black will soon
recapture the pawn with an active position.}) 14... Qa6 15. Na4 Bxd2+ 16. Rxd2
Na5 $1 {still with about equal chances.}) 14. O-O-O $14 d5 {'?!' Gavrikov. The
most consequent.  Gavrikov: 'From a practical point of view this decision is
dubious because it requires precise defence.'} ({After} 14... Nf5 $6 15. Rhg1 {
white had a clear edge.}) (14... d6 {Gavrikov} 15. Nb5 Bxd2+ 16. Rxd2 d5 17.
Nxa7 Qb6 18. Nb5 $13) (14... a6 $142 {Gavrikov}) 15. cxd5 exd5 16. Nxd5 {
The move is more or less forced. But/and it is strong. It wins, almost wins!,
a pawn.} Bxd2+ ({Or} 16... Nfxd5 17. Bxa5 Qxa5 18. Bxd5 Rb6 (18... c4 19. Bxc4
Rfc8 20. Rd4 Nf5 21. Rd3 (21. Rd5 $2 Qb6 22. Rxf5 Rxc4 23. Qxc4 Qxb2+ 24. Kd1
Qb1+ 25. Ke2 Qxf5 $15) 21... Qb6 22. Rc3 Nd6 23. b3 {Black's initiative should
not be underestimated, but two extra pawns should say their word.}) 19. Qc4
Rfb8 20. Rd2 {black's compensation for the pawn is not sufficient.}) 17. Rxd2
Nexd5 18. Bxd5 Nxd5 19. Rhd1 Nxe3 {The arising endgame looks rather unpleasant
for black.} ({Instead after} 19... c4 20. Rxd5 Qb6 {or 20...Qh4 black could
get some initiative, which was not easy to neutralise.}) 20. Rxd8 Nxc2 21. Rxb8
Rxb8 22. Kxc2 {The white king side is crippled. But the activity of the white
pieces quite compensates these positional defects. It seems, black has to play
resourcefully in order to save the game.} Kf8 $1 {Excellent! Black does not
move his pawns. He will exploit the sixth rank for a counter-attack!} 23. Rd7
Rb6 $1 24. Rxa7 Rh6 ({Much worse was} 24... Rf6 {Then:} 25. a4 Rxf4 26. a5
Rxf2+ 27. Kc3 Rxh2 28. Rb7 (28. a6 Rh6) 28... Rh6 29. Rb6 Rh1 (29... Rh3+ 30.
Kc4 Rh4+ 31. Kxc5 Ra4 (31... Rh5+ 32. Kd6 $1) 32. Rb5 g5 33. b3 Ra3 (33... Ra2
34. Kb6 $18) 34. Kb4 Ra1 35. Rxg5 $18) 30. Rb3 Rh6 31. Ra3 Ra6 32. Kc4 Ke7 33.
Kxc5 Kd7 34. b4 Rc6+ 35. Kb5 Kc7 36. a6 Rb6+ 37. Ka5 Re6 38. b5 Kb8 39. Rc3 {
followed by b5-b6, winning.}) 25. b4 {Here a3-a4 would not work out well. So
this move is white's only chance to play for a win.} cxb4 26. axb4 Rxh2 $2 {
This move puts the black position into jeopardy.} ({Black should make a draw by
} 26... Ke8 $1 27. Kc3 Rf6 28. b5 Kd8 29. Ra4 ({Or} 29. Kb4 Rxf4+ 30. Ka5 Rxf2)
29... Kc7) 27. b5 Rxf2+ ({Or} 27... Rh6 28. Kc3 Ke8 29. Kb4 Rf6 30. Ka5 {
white wins.}) 28. Kc3 {The next long series of moves is forced.} Rf3+ 29. Kc4
Rxf4+ 30. Kc5 Rf5+ 31. Kc6 Rf6+ 32. Kc7 Ke7 {g7-g5 in order to put the king to
g7 and thus to support better his passed pawns was also a worth to consider.}
33. b6 Rf1 34. b7 Rc1+ 35. Kb6 Rb1+ 36. Kc6 Ke6 37. Ra5 Rxb7 38. Kxb7 {A rare
position. It was still not clear to both competitors of the game, whether
white should win or not.} f5 {The best. Analysing the position with a group of
Swiss players, I managed to refute the following set-up:} (38... g6 39. Kc6 h5
{White wins by} 40. Rg5 $1 Kf6 41. Rd5 h4 42. Kc5) 39. Kc6 g5 $2 (39... f4 $1 {
would secure the draw for black:} 40. Kc5 Ke5 41. Kc4+ Ke4 42. Kc3 Ke3 43. Re5+
Kf2 44. Rg5 f3 (44... Ke2 $2 45. Rg2+ Ke1 46. Kd3 $18) 45. Kd2 (45. Rxg7 Ke2
$11) 45... g6 46. Rg4 h5 47. Rxg6 h4 48. Rh6 Kg2 $1 49. Ke3 h3 50. Rg6+ Kf1 $11
) 40. Kc5 Ke5 41. Kc4+ Ke4 42. Kc3 h5 (42... Ke3 43. Kc2 g4 44. Kd1 g3 45. Ke1
{and black is lost.}) 43. Kd2 h4 44. Ke2 g4 45. Ra4+ $4 (45. Kf2 {would win in
a few moves:} f4 (45... Kf4 46. Ra8 Kg5 47. Rf8 Kf4 48. Rg8 Ke5 49. Rh8 h3 50.
Kg3 Kf6 51. Rg8 Kf7 52. Rg5 Kf6 53. Kf4 $18 {(Vaganian)}) 46. Rh5 h3 47. Kg1
Kf3 48. Kh2 Ke2 49. Rg5 f3 50. Kg3 $1 $18) 45... Ke5 46. Ke3 h3 47. Ra5+ Kf6
48. Kf4 Kg6 49. Rb5 Kh6 $11 {The only move, everything else was losing.} 50.
Rb6+ Kg7 51. Ra6 Kf7 {Since 52.Rh6 Kg7 53.Kg5 does not work out, due to f5-f4,
the black set-up is unbreakable. Draw.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "USA-ch m"]
[Site "Los Angeles"]
[Date "1991.??.??"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Seirawan, Yasser"]
[Black "Ivanov, Igor Vasilievich"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2615"]
[BlackElo "2450"]
[Annotator "Kortschnoj,V"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "1991.07.??"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 025"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1991.12.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1991.12.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qb3 Na6 $5 {Other continuations are
5...c5,5...a5 or 5...De7} 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. Qxc3 c5 8. b4 O-O 9. dxc5 bxc5 10. b5
Nc7 11. e3 (11. Bb2 $5) 11... Ne4 12. Qc2 f5 13. Be2 Bb7 14. Bb2 f4 $6 (14...
d6 15. O-O e5 $13) 15. exf4 Rxf4 16. O-O d6 17. a4 $6 (17. Rad1 $1) 17... Qe7
18. Bc1 Rg4 (18... Rf7 19. Bd3 Rxf3 20. Bxe4 Bxe4 21. Qxe4 $16) 19. Ne1 Rg6 20.
Bh5 (20. Bf3 $5 $14) 20... Rf6 21. Bf3 Rxf3 $1 22. Nxf3 Rf8 23. Ra3 e5 $44 24.
Re1 Nf6 25. Nh4 (25. Bf4 Ne6 26. Bg3 $13) 25... Ne6 26. Nf5 Qd7 27. Rh3 g6 28.
Nh6+ Kg7 29. f3 Nd4 $17 30. Qd3 (30. Qd1 $5) 30... Nh5 31. Rf1 (31. Ng4 $5)
31... Nf4 32. Bxf4 Rxf4 33. Ng4 e4 $19 34. Qe3 h5 35. Nf2 exf3 36. g3 Ne2+ 37.
Kh1 Qxh3 38. Rg1 Qg2+ 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 78th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2016.01.21"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2747"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2016.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. Bd2 {A quiet, harmless continuation.
} O-O 6. Rc1 c5 {Amazingly, a novelty!} (6... Bb7 7. Bg5 d6 8. e3 Nbd7 9. Bd3
h6 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. O-O Bxc3 12. Rxc3 e5 13. d5 a5 14. Qc2 Rae8 15. Bf5 Nc5
16. e4 Bc8 17. Bxc8 Rxc8 $11 {1/2 (28) Christensen,W-Rohde,M (2540) Albany 1989
}) 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. g3 Bb7 9. Bg2 Ne4 $6 {Is the exchange of White's d2 bishop
worth a precious tempo?} (9... Nc6 {is more solid.}) 10. O-O (10. Nxe4 $5 Bxe4
11. b4 Be7 12. Bc3 $14 {was a good alternative.}) 10... Nxd2 (10... Qe7 $5) 11.
Qxd2 Qe7 12. a3 {In the following game of future ECU presidents the same
position arose from a different move order, and White likewise obtained an
edge:} (12. Rfd1 Rd8 13. Qf4 d6 14. a3 a5 15. Nb5 Na6 16. Nfd4 Bxg2 17. Kxg2
Rac8 18. Nb3 d5 19. cxd5 exd5 20. Qf3 Qe5 21. Nc3 Nc7 22. e3 $14 {1-0 (37)
Azmaiparashvili,Z (2465)-Danailov,S (2425) Moscow 1986}) 12... a5 13. Rfd1 Rd8
14. Na4 d6 15. Nd4 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 Qb7+ 17. f3 d5 (17... Nc6 18. Nb5 $14) 18. Nb3
Bf8 19. Qd4 (19. Qe3 $5 Nd7 20. cxd5 exd5 21. Rd2 $14) (19. Qf4 $5 $14 {
[%cal Yc4d5]} Bd6 $6 20. Qe3) 19... b5 20. Nac5 (20. Nbc5 $142 Qc6 21. cxb5
Qxb5 22. Qd3 $1 $14 {White's control of the c-file promises him a tiny edge.})
20... Qa7 $5 {[%mdl 512] Black aspires to more than} (20... Qb6 21. cxd5 (21.
cxb5 a4 22. Nxa4 Qxb5 23. Nac5 Qxe2+) 21... Rxd5 22. Qe4 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 Ra7 $11)
21. cxb5 a4 22. Na1 $2 {[%csl Ra1]} (22. Qh4 $5 Rc8 (22... Be7 $2 23. b6) (
22... Re8 23. Rd4 $1 axb3 24. Ra4 Qb6 25. Rxa8 Bxc5 26. Qa4 $13) 23. Qxa4 Qxa4
24. Nxa4 Rxc1 25. Rxc1 Rxa4 26. Rc8 Nd7 $13) 22... Qb6 23. Nxa4 (23. Qc3 $142
Qxb5 24. Nd3 $15) 23... Qxb5 24. Nc5 Nc6 $6 (24... Bxc5 $142 25. Qxc5 (25. Rxc5
Qxe2+) 25... Qxb2 $17 {[%cal Rb2a3,Rb2e2]}) 25. Qf2 Ne5 (25... Qxb2 26. Nxe6
fxe6 27. Rxc6 d4 $36 {[%csl Ra1]}) 26. Nd3 Nxd3 27. exd3 g6 $44 28. Rc3 Rdb8
29. Rd2 Qa4 30. Rcc2 Bh6 31. f4 e5 32. Qf3 exf4 33. Rf2 Qd4 34. Rce2 Ra6 $2 {
[%mdl 8192] This move allows White to activate his knight and obtain an
advantage.} (34... Bg7 $5 35. gxf4 (35. Qxf4 $6 Qxf4 36. gxf4 Bd4) 35... Bf6
$44) 35. Nc2 $1 Qc5 36. Nb4 Rd6 37. gxf4 Bg7 38. f5 Rbd8 39. Rc2 Qb5 40. fxg6
Rxg6+ 41. Kh1 Qd7 {The game is far from over, Black still has some
compensation for the pawn as White's king is not safe.} 42. Rg2 (42. Rf1 $5)
42... Re8 43. Rce2 (43. Rc1 Re5 $132) 43... Bd4 $2 {[%mdl 8192] This blunder
loses another pawn.} (43... Rxe2 44. Qxe2 Kf8 $44) 44. Qxd5 $1 Rd8 $2 ({After} 
44... Rxg2 45. Rxe8+ Qxe8 46. Qxg2+ Kf8 47. Qe4 {(White must give back one
pawn to simplify the game)} Bxb2 48. Qxe8+ Kxe8 49. a4 {White is probably
winning but will have to work a lot. The text move leads to a completely
hopeless position.}) 45. Qxd7 Rxd7 46. Nc6 Bf6 47. d4 Rd6 48. Rc2 Kf8 49. Rxg6
hxg6 50. Rc4 {Black decided not to check White's technique any further.} 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-40"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2012.09.09"]
[Round "11.1"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2712"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2012.08.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Russia"]
[BlackTeam "Germany"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. Qb3 c5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 g5 8. Bg3
Ne4 9. e3 Nc6 (9... Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 Nxg3 11. hxg3 Nc6 12. Bd3 Qe7 13. Be4 Bb7
14. Bxc6 dxc6 15. a4 cxd4 16. cxd4 c5 17. a5 $14 {1/2 Bocharov,D (2574)
-Alekseev,E (2625)/Biel 2005/CBM 107 ext (70)}) (9... cxd4 $5 10. exd4 (10.
Nxd4 Na6 11. Ndb5 Qf6 $132) 10... Nc6 11. Qc2 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Nxg3 13. hxg3 Ba6
14. Rh5 Qf6 15. Bd3 Rc8 16. Nd2 d5 {1/2 Malaniuk,V (2523)-Khairullin,I (2606)/
Brescia 2009/EXT 2010}) (9... Bb7 10. Bd3 Bxc3+ (10... Nxg3 11. hxg3 g4 12. Ne5
d6 13. Nxg4 Bxg2 14. Rh2 Bf3 15. Be2 Bxg4 16. Bxg4 Nc6 17. Bf3 Qd7 18. O-O-O
$16 {1/2 Van Wely,L (2681)-Polgar,J (2707)/Wijk aan Zee 2008/CBM 122 (37)}) 11.
bxc3 Nxg3 (11... h5 12. Be5 Rg8 13. d5 f5 14. h4 d6 15. Bh2 gxh4 16. Bxe4 fxe4
17. Nd2 $14 {1-0 Halkias,S (2579)-Ilandzis,S (2196)/Kallithea 2008/CBM 125
Extra (33)}) 12. hxg3 (12. fxg3 $6 g4 13. Nh4 Qg5 14. Kf2 Nc6 15. Rhe1 O-O-O
16. Kg1 Kb8 17. a4 Rc8 18. Qa2 Na5 $15 {0-1 Vigh,B (2378)-Farago,I (2486)/
Hungary 2001/EXT 2009 (47)}) 12... d6 13. d5 Nd7 14. a4 g4 15. Nd2 Qg5 16. e4
Rb8 17. a5 bxa5 18. Qa4 Qe5 19. Qxa5 exd5 20. cxd5 Bxd5 21. O-O Be6 $11 {
1/2 Ronczkowski,M (2284)-Bellmann,H (2299)/corr 2001/Telechess 86/[Bellmann] 
(32)}) 10. Bd3 (10. Qc2 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 Nxg3 12. hxg3 Qf6 13. Nd2 Qe7 14. Be2
Bb7 15. dxc5 Qxc5 16. Ne4 Qe5 17. Rd1 Nb4 18. cxb4 Bxe4 19. Qd2 Rd8 20. f4 {
1/2 Schenk,A (2455)-Bar,R (2412)/Athens 2001/EXT 2002}) (10. d5 Na5 11. Qc2
Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Nxg3 13. hxg3 Ba6 14. dxe6 dxe6 15. Qe4 {1-0 Estremera Panos,S 
(2364)-Tebar Moreno,J (2182)/Barcelona 2000/CBM 077 ext (63)} Ke7 $11) 10...
Bxc3+ $146 (10... Na5 11. Qc2 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Nxg3 13. fxg3 Ba6 14. O-O d6 15.
Nd2 O-O 16. g4 Bb7 17. Rf2 cxd4 18. exd4 Qe7 19. Nf1 Rac8 20. Ng3 Nxc4 21. Qe2
b5 22. Raf1 $40 {1-0 Nemet,I (2422)-Farago,I (2467)/Basel 2000/CBM 074 ext (32)
}) 11. bxc3 Nxg3 12. fxg3 $6 (12. hxg3 $11) 12... Qe7 $6 (12... g4 13. Nd2 Qg5
{with an excellent position for Black.}) 13. O-O Bb7 14. Rae1 O-O-O 15. Be4 f6
$6 (15... d6 $6 16. Bxc6 Bxc6 17. d5) (15... Na5 $1 $11 {E.Gleizerov}) 16. Bxc6
$1 {As you see from the games quoted above, this exchange is very typical in
this system.} dxc6 {[%csl Rb7]} (16... Bxc6 17. d5 Bb7 (17... exd5 18. cxd5 {
That's why 14.Rae1 - the e3-pawn is protected!}) 18. a4 $40) 17. a4 cxd4 18.
exd4 c5 19. a5 (19. d5 Rd6 20. Nd2 f5 $1 21. Qc2 $1 (21. Rxf5 Qd7 22. Rfe5 exd5
{E.Gleizerov}) 21... Qg7 22. Rxe6 Rxe6 23. Qxf5 Rhe8 24. dxe6 Qxc3 $13) 19...
Qd6 20. axb6 axb6 21. Rf2 Rhe8 22. Rd2 e5 $2 {[%mdl 16384]} (22... h5 $1 $132)
23. d5 {Totally killing the b7-bishop.} e4 24. Rde2 f5 25. g4 $1 fxg4 26. Nd2
e3 27. Rxe3 Rxe3 28. Rxe3 Kc7 $2 (28... h5 {still required good technique from
White, which probably started with} 29. Qb1 $1 {[%cal Re3e6]} (29. Re6 $143 Qf4
) 29... Qf6 30. Ne4 Qg6 31. Qf1 {[%cal Ye4f6]}) 29. Re6 Qxe6 30. dxe6 Rxd2 {
Black's hopes are vain: White's e6-pawn easily decides the game due to his
next move.} 31. Qb1 $1 Rxg2+ 32. Kf1 Rxh2 33. Qh7+ Kb8 34. e7 Bc6 35. Qg8+ Kb7
36. Qf7 Rh1+ 37. Ke2 Rh2+ 38. Ke1 Rh1+ 39. Kd2 Rh2+ 40. Kc1 Ka6 41. e8=Q Bxe8
42. Qxe8 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 12th"]
[Site "Aix les Bains"]
[Date "2011.04.01"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Manea, Alexandru"]
[Black "Edouard, Romain"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2392"]
[BlackElo "2600"]
[Annotator "Marchand,A/Primel,D"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[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. Nf3 (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 c5 5. dxc5 Na6 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. Qxc3
Nxc5 8. b4 Nce4 9. Qd4 d5 10. c5 b6 11. f3 {C'est la différence majeure avec
la partie}) 1... Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. d4 {Retombe sur une Nimzo-Indienne}
(4. Qc2) (4. g4) 4... c5 (4... d5) (4... b6) 5. dxc5 {Une ligne secondaire qui
n'est pas très dangereuse pour les Noirs} (5. e3 $142) (5. g3 $142) 5... Na6 {
Cette structure est plus courante avec la variante 4.Qc2 ou Qb3 au lieu de Nf3.
En ayant joué Nf3, les Blancs se privent de la possibilité de jouer f3 afin de
chasser le N après Na6c5e4} (5... Bxc3+) ({RR} 5... Nc6 6. Bd2 Bxc5 7. e3 b6 8.
a3 Be7 9. Be2 Bb7 10. O-O a6 11. Qc2 Qc7 12. Rfd1 O-O 13. Rac1 h6 14. h3 Rfd8
15. Qb1 Qb8 16. Be1 d6 {1/2-1/2 Legky,N (2505)-Kiselev,S (2495)/Russia 1995})
6. Bd2 O-O 7. e3 ({RR} 7. g3 Nxc5 8. Bg2 Bxc3 9. Bxc3 Nce4 10. Bxf6 Nxf6 11.
O-O d5 12. cxd5 Nxd5 13. Qd4 b6 14. e4 Nf6 15. e5 Nd5 16. Nd2 Qe7 17. Ne4 Bb7
18. Nd6 Rad8 19. f4 Ba8 20. a4 Nc7 21. Bxa8 Rxa8 {Kahn,E (2355)-Nemeth,M (2337)
/Budapest 2002/0-1 (39)}) 7... Nxc5 $11 8. Be2 d6 $146 (8... b6 9. O-O Bb7 10.
a3 Bxc3 11. Bxc3 d5 12. b4 {Slipak,S (2520)-Giaccio,A (2505) Buenos Aires zt 2.
5 2000 (7) 0-1}) 9. O-O Bd7 {Un peu bizarre dans une structure hérisson} (9...
b6 {Davantage dans l'esprit de la position} 10. Rc1 (10. Nb5 $6 Bxd2 11. Qxd2
Nce4 12. Qd3 a6) 10... Bb7 11. a3 Bxc3 12. Bxc3 Nce4 $132 {[%csl Ge4]}) 10. Nd4
a5 {[%csl Rb5]} (10... a6 {Plus naturel et "lapinews" suit un plan original}
11. Rc1 Ba5 12. Bf3 Qc7) (10... Bxc3 11. Bxc3 Nfe4 12. Be1 a6 13. f3) 11. Nb3
$6 (11. Qc2) 11... b6 (11... a4 $1 {Justifie davantage la poussée a5} 12. Nxc5
Bxc5 $15 {[%csl Rd2,Re2][%cal Gd8e7,Gd8b6]}) 12. Bf3 Rc8 13. Nxc5 $6 bxc5 $5 {
[%csl Rb2]} (13... Bxc5) 14. a4 $2 {Le roumain veut obtenir une case forte en
b5 pour son N mais c'est trés passif} (14. a3 $142 $1 Bxc3 15. Bxc3 Bc6 16.
Bxc6 Rxc6 17. Qf3 d5 18. Bxf6 Qxf6 19. Qxf6 gxf6 20. cxd5 exd5 21. Rac1 Rb8 {
L'activité des R noires compense la mauvaise structure mais les Blancs ont au
moins l'égalité dans cette finale.}) 14... Bc6 15. Bxc6 Rxc6 16. Nb5 d5 $1 {
Romain gagne de l'espace au centre et il a maintenant des meilleures
perspectives} 17. cxd5 exd5 18. Bc3 Bxc3 19. bxc3 (19. Nxc3 Re8 (19... d4 20.
exd4 cxd4 21. Qf3 Qb6 22. Nb5 Rd8)) 19... Ne4 {[%csl Ge4] Nettement plus actif
que le Nb5 qui n'est pas trés utile} 20. Qc2 Qh4 $36 {[%cal Gc6h6] Les Blancs
manquent de pièces pour défendre l'aile-roi} 21. Rad1 Rh6 $1 22. h3 Ng5 {
[%cal Gg5h3]} 23. Qf5 {Non seulement 14.a4 était une perte de temps mais le P
"a4" est trés faible maintenant...} Rf6 {[%csl Ra4]} 24. g3 $2 (24. Qg4) (24.
Qd7) 24... Qh5 25. Qxd5 Rf5 (25... Nxh3+ 26. Kg2 Rf5) 26. Qh1 Nxh3+ 27. Kg2
Qf3+ 28. Kh2 Qg4 29. f3 Qxa4 30. g4 Rf6 {[%cal Gf6h6]} 31. Nd6 Nf2 $1 32. Rxf2
Rh6+ {[%csl Rh1,Rh2]} 33. Kg3 Rxh1 34. Rxh1 Qb3 35. Rfh2 Qb8 {[%csl Rd6,Rg3]}
0-1

[Event "EU-ch 10th"]
[Site "Budva"]
[Date "2009.03.07"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Dobrov, Vladimir"]
[Black "Meier, Georg"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2510"]
[BlackElo "2608"]
[Annotator "Meier,Georg"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2009.03.06"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "MNE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 130"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.05.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 e6 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b6 7. Nf3 {
Während der EM hatte ich eine einfache Routine bei der Vorbereitung; abends
verschaffte ich mir einen Überblick über die Eröffnungen meines Gegners und
ging dann am nächsten Vormittag an die konkrete Vorbereitung der Varianten. Am
Abend vor dieser Partie stellte ich fest, dass dieses System das einzige ist
mit dem ich mich ernsthaft beschäftigen sollte, hatte das aber bis zum
nächsten Tag schon wieder vergessen... In letzter Zeit gewinne ich solche
Partien glücklicherweise häufig und lerne danach, wie die Eröffnung eigentlich
funktioniert...} ({Heutzutage wird man fast nur noch mit} 7. Bg5 {konfrontiert.
}) 7... Bb7 8. e3 Ne4 (8... d6 $5 9. Be2 (9. Bd3 Nbd7 10. O-O e5) 9... Nbd7 10.
O-O Ne4) 9. Qc2 f5 {[%csl Rb7,Gc1,Re1,Re4,Gf1,Rf5][%cal Rb7h1] Als
"Kompensation" für das Läuferpaar kontrolliert Schwarz die lange Diagonale und
schafft durch den Ne4 und das räumliche Übergewicht am Königsflügel
Vorraussetzungen für einen Königsangriff.} 10. Bd3 {Wohin der Läufer
entwickelt werden soll, ist Geschmackssache. Nach Bd3 kann Weiß den Ne4 mit
Nd2 nebst f3 vertreiben, während Weiß nach Be2 eher Ne1, f3 folgen lässt und
dabei dem Springer ein gutes Feld auf d3 lässt.} (10. Be2) 10... d6 11. O-O Nd7
(11... a5 $5) 12. b4 {Ich erinnerte mich hier an meine Partie aus dem
Länderkampf, in der ich zum ersten Mal mit diesem System konfrontiert gleich
einige Fehler beging und damit war klar, dass sich mein Gegner diese Stellung
vor der Partie genau angeschaut hatte. Ich hatte damals notiert, dass 12...Rf6
die normale Fortsetzung für Schwarz ist, allerdings ohne mich weiter damit
auseinanderzusetzen. Deshalb versuchte ich nun eine neue Idee zu finden, da
ich meinem Gegner nicht in die Vorbereitung laufen wollte.} (12. Nd2 Qh4 13. f3
Ng5 14. Rf2 Rf6 15. Nf1 Rg6 (15... Raf8 {/\e5|^}) 16. Kh1 c5) 12... Rc8 $5 $146
{Ich verstand, dass dieser Zug Ideen mit d4-d5 entkräftet, da nach der Öffnung
der Stellung nun nie der Pc7 hängt. Außerdem hat Schwarz nach dem natürlich
wirkenden Bb2 sofort genug Gegenspiel um auszugleichen. Und natürlich hängt
c7-c5 nun stets in der Luft. Das korrekte weiße Vorgehen fand ich erst in der
späteren häuslichen Analyse.} ({Tatsächlich verschäft sich die Stellung nach} 
12... Rf6 13. d5 exd5 {und ich stieß in der Nachbereitung auf zwei neue Ideen,
so dass mein Entschluss aus praktischer Sicht zweifellos richtig war.} 14. cxd5
(14. Bb2 Rg6 15. cxd5 Bxd5 16. Ne1 $5 $146 (16. Bc4 Bxc4 17. Qxc4+ Kh8 18. Qf7
$13) 16... Qg5 17. Bc4 Bxc4 18. Qxc4+ Kh8 19. Qxc7 $13) 14... Bxd5 15. Nd4 $5
$146 {/\f3}) (12... a5 13. Bb2 Ng5 14. Ne1 Nh3+ $6 15. Kh1 Qh4 $2 16. d5 Ng5
17. f4 Ne4 18. Nf3 $16 {0-1 Papin,V -Meier,G Neustadt 2008 (33)}) 13. a4 $6 {
Einleitung zu einer strategischen Fehlentscheidung.} (13. Bb2 Ng5 {Mit dem Bc1
kann Weiß hier stets auf g5 tauschen und f3 folgen lassen.} 14. Nd2 (14. Ne1 c5
15. f3 Qe7 $132 {[%csl Re1]}) 14... Nh3+ 15. Kh1 Qh4 16. f3 Nf2+ $11) (13. Nd2
$142 Qh4 14. f3 Ng5 15. c5 $1 {Weiß übernimmt die Initiative und richtet
einfach zu viel Schaden am Damenflügel an, wenn Schwarz alles auf den
Königsangriff setzt.} (15. Rf2 Rf6 16. Nf1 Rg6 17. Kh1 Ne4) (15. f4 Nh3+ 16.
gxh3 Rf6 17. d5 Qxh3 18. Kh1 Rg6 19. Rf2 Nf6 (19... exd5 20. cxd5 Nf6 21. Nf3
Bxd5 22. Bc4) 20. Nf3 b5) (15. Qa4 Nf6 16. Qxa7 Ng4 17. fxg4 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 fxg4
19. Qb7 g3 20. hxg3 Qh3+ 21. Kg1 Qxg3+ $11) (15. Bb2 Rf6) 15... Bd5 (15... dxc5
16. bxc5 bxc5 17. dxc5 $14) 16. Bb2 Rf6 17. cxd6 (17. g3 Qh3 18. cxd6 Rh6 19.
Rf2 Qh5 20. Bf1 Nf6 21. Rc1 Bxf3 22. d5 $16) 17... Rh6 18. Ba6 Qxh2+ 19. Kf2
Rh3 20. Ke2 Nxf3 21. Rf2 Nxd2 22. gxh3 Bf3+ 23. Kxd2 Qxf2+ 24. Kc3 Qxe3+ 25.
Qd3 $16) 13... c5 14. dxc5 $2 bxc5 15. b5 Rf6 $1 {Jetzt wird klar, was Weiß
angerichtet hat: Er kommt nicht mehr dazu, den Ne4 zu vertreiben und ihm fehlt
jegliches Gegenspiel, weil er den Damenflügel abgeriegelt hat. Seine
Bauernmehrheit wird im Mittelspiel nie eine Rolle spielen.} (15... e5 $6 16.
Nd2) 16. Bb2 (16. Nd2 Rh6 17. f3 Qh4 {mit durschlagendem Angriff.}) 16... Rg6 (
16... Rh6 $142) 17. Be2 Rh6 (17... Ng5 $2 18. Qd1 $1 {mit folgendem Abtausch
wäre eine erhebliche Entlastung für Weiß.} (18. Ne1 Nh3+ 19. Kh1 Qh4 20. Bf3 (
20. f3 Nf2+ 21. Kg1 Rh6) 20... Rh6 21. Bxb7 Ng1 22. h3 Nxh3 23. g3 Qh5)) 18.
Rad1 Qe7 {Schwarz hat Zeit, alle Kräfte am Königsflügel zu sammeln, bevor er
zum entscheidenden Angriff übergeht. Ich kann mir nicht vorstellen, wie Weiß
diese Stellung retten soll.} 19. g3 Rf8 20. Ne1 e5 (20... Ng5 21. f3 Nh3+ 22.
Kh1 g5 $17) 21. Bf3 Qf7 (21... Ndf6) 22. a5 Ndf6 23. a6 (23. Qe2 Qg6) (23. Bxe4
Qh5) 23... Ba8 24. Qe2 {Die Folgen von 24...Ng4 waren mir nicht ganz klar,
daher verfiel ich darauf, meinen Gegner für a5-a6 zu "bestrafen", indem ich c4
unter Beschuss nehme. Im Endeffekt zog ich es also vor, einen Bauern
anzugreifen, statt meinen Springer die Partie zu Ende bringen zu lassen... Ich
konnte ganz im Stile meiner vorherigen Züge mit Qf7-g6 Ng4 vorbereiten, wonach
Weiß nur noch der Exekution zusehen kann.} Nd7 $2 (24... Ng4 25. Bxe4 Bxe4 26.
h4 Qg6 $1 27. f3 $140 Nxe3 28. Qxe3 Qxg3+ 29. Ng2 Rxh4 30. Rxd6 Qh2+ 31. Kf2
Rh3) (24... Qg6 $1 {/\Ng4-+}) 25. Bg2 Nb6 26. Rc1 g5 {Der schwarze Vorteil ist
immer noch groß, aber ich muss nun von Neuem einen Angriff aufbauen.} (26...
Ng5) 27. f4 (27. Ba1 Qg6 28. Nf3 Qh5 29. Rfe1 g4 30. Nh4 Ng5) (27. Nd3 Rc8 28.
f4 exf4 29. exf4 g4) 27... exf4 28. exf4 (28. Bxe4 Bxe4 29. exf4 g4 30. Ba1 Re6
) 28... Re8 29. Qc2 ({Zäher war} 29. Qd3 g4 (29... Qh5 $2 30. Nf3 gxf4 31. Nh4
Nxg3 32. hxg3 Re3 33. Qxf5 Rxg3 34. Qxh5 Rxh5 35. Rxf4 Rxh4 36. Rxh4 Rxg2+ 37.
Kf1 Rxb2 38. Re1) 30. Rc2 Qe6 31. Ba1 Rh5 32. Bb2 Qh6 33. Bh1 Re6 34. Rg2 Nxg3
35. Qxg3 Rh3 36. Qf2 g3) 29... g4 $6 (29... Rxh2 30. Kxh2 Qh5+ 31. Kg1 Nxg3 $19
) 30. Bxe4 (30. Ba1 Rxh2 31. Qb2 (31. Kxh2 Qh5+ 32. Kg1 Nxg3 33. Rf2 Bxg2 34.
Rxg2 Qh1+ 35. Kf2 Re2+ 36. Qxe2 Nxe2 37. Kxe2 Qh6 38. Rf2 Nxc4 $19) 31... Qg6
32. Kxh2 Qh6+ 33. Kg1 Nxg3 34. Rf2 Bxg2 35. Rxg2 Qh1+ 36. Kf2 Re2+) 30... Rxe4
31. Qc3 Rd4 32. Nc2 Na4 (32... Rxh2 $1 33. Kxh2 Qh5+ 34. Kg1 Na4 (34... Qh1+
35. Kf2 Qg2+ 36. Ke1 Na4)) 33. Qa5 Rxc4 34. Ne3 Re4 35. Qd8+ Re8 36. Nxf5 Rg6
37. Qg5 Qd5 38. Nh6+ Kf8 39. Qxd5 Bxd5 0-1

[Event "Sigeman & Co 13th"]
[Site "Malmo/Copenhagen"]
[Date "2005.04.17"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Palo, Davor"]
[Black "Hansen, Curt"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2525"]
[BlackElo "2633"]
[Annotator "Mueller,Karsten"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[EventDate "2005.04.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SWE"]
[EventCategory "13"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 107"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 d6 8.
Nd2 Nbd7 9. e4 e5 10. Bd3 Nf8 11. Nf3 Ng6 12. Bg3 Qe7 13. Nh4 Nxh4 14. Bxh4 g5
15. Bg3 Bb7 16. f3 Nh5 17. Qa4+ Qd7 18. Qxd7+ Kxd7 19. O-O-O f6 20. c5 Ke7 21.
cxd6+ cxd6 22. Rd2 Rac8 23. Kb2 Nxg3 24. hxg3 h5 25. f4 exf4 26. gxf4 gxf4 27.
Rh4 Rcg8 28. Rxf4 Rg4 29. Rdf2 Rxf4 30. Rxf4 Rg8 31. Bf1 Rg4 32. Rf5 h4 33. e5
fxe5 34. dxe5 Bxg2 35. exd6+ Kxd6 36. Bxg2 Rxg2+ 37. Kb3 h3 38. Rh5 h2 39. a4
a5 40. Kc4 Rd2 41. Rh4 Ke6 42. Kb5 Rb2+ 43. Ka6 Kf5 44. c4 Kg5 45. Rh8 Kg4 46.
Rh6 Kg5 47. Rh8 Kf4 48. Rh6 Kg3 49. Rg6+ Kf2 50. Rh6 Kg1 51. Rg6+ Rg2 52. Rxb6
Rg5 53. Rh6 $2 (53. Rb1+ {hätte das entscheidende Tempo gewonnen:} Kg2 54. Kb6
h1=Q 55. Rxh1 Kxh1 56. c5 $11) 53... h1=Q 54. Rxh1+ Kxh1 55. Kb6 Kg2 56. c5 Kf3
57. c6 (57. Kxa5 Ke4 $1 {typischerweise hat das Heranführen des Königs
Priorität.} (57... Rxc5+ $2 58. Kb6 $11) 58. Kb6 Kd5 59. c6 Rg6 60. a5 Rxc6+
61. Kb7 Kc5 62. a6 Rb6+ $19) 57... Ke4 58. c7 Rg8 59. Kxa5 (59. Kb7 Kd5 60.
c8=Q Rxc8 61. Kxc8 Kc5 62. Kc7 Kb4 63. Kd6 Kxa4 64. Kc5 Kb3 $19) 59... Kd5 60.
Kb6 Kd6 61. a5 Kd7 62. Kb7 (62. a6 Rg1 (62... Rc8 $2 {ist nun wegen} 63. a7 $11
{falsch.}) 63. a7 Rb1+ 64. Kc5 Ra1 65. Kb6 Kc8 $19) 62... Rc8 63. a6 Rxc7+ (
63... Rxc7+ 64. Kb6 (64. Kb8 Kc6 65. a7 Rb7+ 66. Ka8 Rh7 67. Kb8 Rh8#) 64...
Rc1 65. a7 Rb1+ 66. Ka6 Kc7 67. a8=N+ Kc6 68. Ka7 Rb4 $22 $19) 0-1

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 15th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2017.02.02"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Edouard, Romain"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2613"]
[BlackElo "2785"]
[Annotator "Navara,D"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2017.01.24"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Before the last round, David Anton Guijarro was leading by half a point.
Romain Edouard and Hikaru Nakamura were amongst the 8 players who were half a
point behind.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 O-O 5. Bg5 c5 6. Rc1 (6. d5
{might lead to a Benoni-like type of pawn structure with mutual chances and no
connection to the true Benoni.}) 6... h6 7. Bh4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 d5 9. e3 (9. cxd5
g5 $1 10. Bg3 Qxd5 11. e3 Qxa2 {Cavajda - Peuraniemi, 2012, corr. The game
eventually finished in a draw.}) 9... e5 $5 {This idea was (first?) played by
GM Alexey Kuzmin back in 1987. Hikaru Nakamura was born in that year, while
Romain Edouard is even several years younger.} 10. Nf3 d4 {This idea must have
surprised White, who started spending a lot of time. For good reason, as the
position is very tricky and any mistake might have serious consequences.} 11.
exd4 exd4 12. Nxd4 $6 {This might be inaccurate.} (12. Qxd4 {was probably
better.} Qe7+ (12... g5 13. Bg3 Re8+ 14. Be2 Qe7 15. O-O Nc6 16. Qe3 Bxc3 17.
bxc3 Qxe3 18. fxe3 Ne4 {Lednev - Peuraniemi, 2011, corr. That game also
finished peacefully.}) 13. Be2 (13. Qe3 Qxe3+ 14. fxe3 Ne4 $44) 13... Re8 14.
O-O (14. Qd2 $1 g5 15. Nxg5 Rd8 16. Qf4 Bd6 17. Qf3 $1 Bg4 18. Qe3 Qxe3 19.
fxe3 Bxe2 20. Nf3 $1 Bxc4 21. Bxf6 {is clearly better for White.}) 14... Nc6
15. Qf4 Bxc3 16. bxc3 (16. Rxc3 $1 Qxe2 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. Qxh6 $44) 16... Qxe2
17. Rce1 Re4 $1 18. Qc1 (18. Qc7 $1 Qxf3 $1 19. gxf3 Rxh4 $17) 18... Qxf3 19.
gxf3 Rxh4 20. Re3 Rxc4 21. Rd1 Rc5 22. f4 Bf5 23. Qa3 b6 24. Qa4 Rc8 25. Rd6
Nd5 26. Re1 Nxc3 27. Qa6 Nb5 28. Rd2 {0-1 (28) Barsov,A-Kuzmin,A (2440)
Tashkent 1987}) 12... Qb6 {White is already facing some problems.} 13. Nf3 $6 (
13. a3 $1 {was stronger, e.g.} Rd8 14. Bxf6 $1 Qxf6 15. axb4 Rxd4 16. Qe2 ({or
} 16. Qf3 Qxf3 17. gxf3 {. Still, it is White who has to fight for equality,
as his kingside is seriously underdeveloped. True, so is Black's queenside,
but he can activate his pieces with tempi (...Nc6, ...Be6).})) 13... Rd8 (13...
g5 14. Bg3 Rd8 {is a mere transposition.}) 14. Qc2 g5 $1 {Black can afford to
play such a move due to his (prospective) lead in development. White is short
of time to attack Black's king.} 15. Bg3 Nc6 16. Bd3 {White is lacking one
tempo to complete his development. Black needs to act energetically. Hikaru
played very quickly until this moment, but here he spent over half an hour.} g4
$1 17. Nh4 (17. Nd2 Ba5 $5 {creates the threats 18...Nb4, 18...Nd4 and 18...
Qd4. Still, White might hold after} 18. a3 Qd4 19. Bh4 {, but he needs to see
some tricks like} Ne5 $6 (19... Qxd3 $1 20. Qxd3 Rxd3 21. Bxf6 Bf5 22. Nf1 $1
Rd6 23. b4 $1 Rxf6 24. bxa5 Ne5 $1 {is still slightly preferable for Black.})
20. O-O $1 Nxd3 21. Nb3 {, regaining the material. Not an easy task!}) 17...
Bf8 (17... Ba5 $5 18. a3 Nd4 19. Qb1 Re8+ 20. Kf1 Nb3 21. Rd1 Bxc3 22. bxc3 Nc5
{might have been slightly better for Black, but this is very difficult to
assess unless you are analysing the game with a strong engine like me.}) 18.
Qb1 $1 {This modest retreat is the best way to parry the threat 18...Nb4.} Re8+
19. Kf1 {The position is approximately balanced, but Hikaru was in his element.
He plays such positions superbly, as I can confirm (too) many times.} Be6 20.
h3 (20. Nf5 $1 {is Komodo's choice and perhaps rightly so, but it looks more
logical to bring the king into safety.}) 20... Nh5 $1 21. Ne4 {This is not the
best move, but White's task was rather hard.} ({Being equipped with Komodo, I
tried to discover what happens after} 21. Nf5 {. You are not obliged to read
it, of course. I would not if I were just a reader.} Rad8 $1 ({A spectacular
line} 21... Nb4 22. hxg4 Nxg3+ 23. Nxg3 Nxd3 24. Qxd3 Qxb2 25. Rb1 Rad8 $1 26.
Nd5 $1 Bxd5 $1 27. cxd5 Rxd5 $1 28. Qb3 $1 {might lead to approximate equality.
}) 22. Nd5 (22. hxg4 $2 Bxf5 23. gxf5 Nxg3+ 24. fxg3 Nb4 {and the black rooks
join the attack with decisive effect.}) 22... Bxd5 23. cxd5 Rxd5 24. hxg4 (24.
Bc4 Nxg3+ (24... Rd2 $6 25. Nxh6+ $1 Kg7 26. Nf5+ Kg8 (26... Kh8 $2 27. hxg4 {
and there is no check on g3.}) 27. Nh6+ $11) 25. Nxg3 Rd6 26. hxg4 (26. Nf5 g3
$3 (26... Rd2 $2 27. Nxh6+ $1) 27. Nxg3 (27. fxg3 $2 Rf6 28. g4 Qe3 {and White
is helpless against numerous threats.}) 27... Rf6 28. Nf5 Bc5 {with a strong
attack. White badly misses his kingside rook.}) 26... Ne5 27. Be2 Rd2 {with
Black's initiative.}) 24... Nxg3+ 25. Nxg3 Ne5 26. Be2 Rd2 $36) 21... Nxg3+ ({
Computers like} 21... gxh3 22. gxh3 {and now for example} Rad8 {, but it does
not look very logical to open the g-file.} (22... Kh8 $5)) ({Even} 21... f5 {
might be good, but the exhaustive analysis would also be fairly exhausting.})
22. Nxg3 Rad8 23. hxg4 Ne5 $1 24. Be2 Bxg4 ({Komodo rightly prefers} 24... Bxc4
$1 {, but the organizers rightly prefer human chess to impersonal computer
competitions. And we are thankful to them! White's back rank problems would
tell, as the following lines show:} 25. Rxc4 (25. Bxc4 $2 Nxc4 26. Rxc4 Rd2 $1
27. Kg1 (27. Rf4 Qxb2 28. Qxb2 Rd1#) 27... Qxf2+ 28. Kh2 Re3 $1 29. Ngf5 Bd6+
30. Nxd6 Qxh4+ 31. Kg1 Qf2+ 32. Kh2 Qxg2#) 25... Nxc4 26. Bxc4 {gives Black a
pleasant choice.} {, while} Rd2 $1 (26... Qxb2 $6 {allows} 27. Bxf7+ $1 (27.
Qg6+ $2 Kh8 $1) 27... Kxf7 28. Qg6+ Ke7 29. Kg1 {with some counterplay.}) 27.
Kg1 Qxf2+ 28. Kh2 Re3 $1 29. Bxf7+ Qxf7 {is rather bad for White.}) 25. Bxg4 $2
{This move loses. White probably missed Black's 26th move. He did not have
much time left.} ({Both} 25. f3) (25. Nf3 {were better. Black would maintain
his initiative, but not more.}) 25... Nxg4 26. Qc2 Bb4 $1 {Black intends 27...
Rd2 and there is no sensible way to parry the threat.} 27. c5 (27. Nf3 Rd2 $1
28. Nxd2 Qxf2#) 27... Qa6+ (27... Qb5+ 28. Kg1 Bxc5 $5 {was even quicker, as}
29. Qxc5 {fails to} Qxc5 30. Rxc5 Rd1+ 31. Nf1 Ree1 {with decisive mate(rial
gains). But the text is good enough.}) 28. Kg1 Be1 29. Rh3 Bxf2+ 30. Kh1 Re1+
31. Rxe1 Bxe1 32. Nf3 Nf2+ 33. Kh2 Nxh3 34. Nxe1 Ng5 35. Qc3 Qg6 {White
survived the attack, but his position was left in ruins. Being an exchange
down with a weak king and no compensation, he respectfully resigned. It is not
easy to defeat a solid GM with the black pieces, but Hikaru displayed very
powerful play in a must-win situation.} 0-1

[Event "FRA-chT Top 12"]
[Site "Brest"]
[Date "2018.06.01"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Edouard, Romain"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2621"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[Annotator "Navara,D"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2018.05.26"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2019"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.10.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Bischwiller"]
[BlackTeam "Mulhouse Philidor"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "FRA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "FRA"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

{This game was played in our match against the team of Bischwiller, which
eventually won the league. Our stronger opponents probably intended to make a
draw on the 1st board and win the match elsewhere.} 1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nf6
{[%emt 0:00:06]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 3. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 4. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} b6 {[%emt 0:01:23]} 5. Bd2 $6
{[%emt 0:00:54] This move came as a surprise. I had analysed it a bit back in
2016, but forgot a lot afterwards.} Bb7 {[%emt 0:02:22]} 6. g3 {[%emt 0:00:23]}
c5 {[%emt 0:03:30] White's modest looking setup leaves Black with quite a wide
choice.} (6... Bxc3 7. Bxc3 Ne4 8. Rc1 {Edouard,R} (8. Qc2 Nxc3 9. Qxc3 O-O 10.
Bg2 d6 11. O-O Nd7 {looks like the most solid option, but it is hardly
suitable when Black is playing for the win.}) 8... d5 9. Bg2 O-O 10. O-O (10.
Nd2 $1 Nxc3 11. bxc3 $36) 10... Nxc3 $6 (10... dxc4 $1 11. Bb4 Nd6 $11) 11.
Rxc3 dxc4 12. Rxc4 Bd5 13. Rc3 a5 14. Qc2 Na6 15. a3 c5 16. Rd1 cxd4 $6 17.
Nxd4 $16 {½-½ (59) Mamedyarov,S (2809)-Morozevich,A (2665) Moscow RUS 2018:
½-½ (36)}) (6... Nc6 {(threatening 7...Nxd4)} 7. a3 Bxc3 8. Bxc3 {would
leave White with a comfortable position.}) ({It was also possible to play} 6...
Bxf3 7. exf3 O-O {with a double-edged position, for instance} 8. Bg2 Nc6 9. a3
Bxc3 10. Bxc3 d5 11. f4 Qd7 {. Black then takes on c4 to ensure the d5-square
for his knight.}) ({Black might also play} 6... O-O 7. Bg2 d6 (7... c5 {
might transpose to the game.}) 8. O-O Nbd7 {, but he must be ready to play
against White's bishop pair after the eventual exchange on c3.} 9. b3 $5 {
Edouard,R The idea behind this move is to play a3, and after ...Bxc3 Bxc3, to
be able to answer ...Ne4 with Bb2.} c5 10. d5 $5 (10. a3 Bxc3 11. Bxc3 Qe7 $13
(11... Be4 $6 12. dxc5 Nxc5 13. b4 $14 {½-½ (41) Zhou Jianchao (2619)
-Ganguly,S (2644) Liaocheng CHN 2017})) 10... exd5 11. Nh4 Ne4 (11... g6 12.
cxd5 {is a strange Benoni for Black: with the bishop on b4 instead of g7!}) 12.
Nxe4 dxe4 13. Nf5 Qf6 14. Nxd6 Qxd6 15. Bxb4 Qxd1 16. Raxd1 Rfd8 17. Bc3 $14 {
1-0 (58) Idani,P (2566)-Ganguly,S (2665) Ashgabat TKM 2017}) (6... a5 {
(Edouard,R) was a solid try by Ivanchuk:} 7. Bg2 Ne4 8. Nxe4 Bxe4 9. O-O O-O
10. Rc1 Bxd2 11. Qxd2 d6 12. Qe3 (12. Qf4 $5 {should be a better move. If
Black plays} Bb7 {anyway, then 13.e4 or 13.c5!?.}) 12... Bb7 13. Qd3 Nc6 14.
Rfd1 Qe7 $132 {0-1 (28) Deac,B (2566)-Ivanchuk,V (2729) Medias ROU 2017}) 7.
dxc5 {[%emt 0:00:21]} Bxc5 {[%emt 0:01:56]} ({The other recapture} 7... bxc5 {
would leave the d6-square vulnerable after} 8. Bg2 O-O 9. O-O {. (I was not
willing to play with the hanging pawns after} d5 10. cxd5 exd5 {.)}) 8. Bg2 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:41]} 9. O-O {[%emt 0:00:14]} d5 {[%emt 0:21:22]
} ({I played} 9... Be7 10. Bf4 Na6 (10... d5 11. Ne5 $36) 11. Rc1 Nc5 {twice
in the Elite Mind Games blitz tournament in Huai'an in 2016.} {The game can
transpose to the QID with 5. Qa4 after} 12. Qc2 (12. Nb5) ({and} 12. b4 $5 {
are other options.}) 12... Qc8 {, when Black should be able to equalise.}) 10.
cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:24]} ({The knight move} 10. Ne5 {enables Black to equalise
after} Bd4 $5 ({I was inclined to play} 10... Nbd7 {. The computer line} 11.
Nd3 Qc8 12. cxd5 exd5 13. Nf4 $1 (13. b4 d4 $1 14. Bxb7 Qxb7 15. bxc5 dxc3 16.
Bxc3 Ne4 $11) 13... d4 14. Ncd5 g5 $5 (14... Nxd5 15. Nxd5 Ne5 16. b4 Qd7 17.
Qb3 $36) 15. Rc1 $1 Re8 16. b4 gxf4 17. Nxf6+ Nxf6 18. Bxb7 Qxb7 19. bxc5 fxg3
20. fxg3 Re6 {might lead to equality but Black could easily stumble along the
way.}) 11. Nd3 (11. Bf4 Bxc3 12. bxc3 Qc8 $5 $11) 11... Qd7 12. cxd5 Nxd5 {.})
10... Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 11. Qc2 {[%emt 0:00:36] Edouard,R: 'This move
order was used by Mamedyarov, but perhaps Navara proved it isn't best.'} (11.
Ne5 $5 {was a serious alternative.}) {Here White offered me a draw. He was
still playing quickly, whereas I had already spent some time. I disliked my
position, but I like such quick draws even less! In the end I found a playable
continuation. Still, I did not really believe that I could win the game.} 11...
Nf6 $146 {[%emt 0:11:28] Edouard,R: 'Just a good move.'} (11... Nd7 12. Nxd5
Bxd5 13. Ng5 g6 14. Rad1 (14. Bxd5 {Edouard,R: should be the best try, but I
must admit it is quite minimal for White:} exd5 15. b4 Be7 16. Nf3 Bf6 17. Rac1
Ne5 18. Nxe5 Bxe5 19. Qd3 $36) (14. Ne4 Rc8 $1 $11) 14... Bxg2 15. Kxg2 Be7 16.
Ne4 Qc8 17. Qxc8 (17. Qa4 Qb7 18. f3 b5 19. Qd4 e5 20. Qe3 Nb6 $132) 17...
Rfxc8 18. Bg5 Nc5 $2 (18... Bxg5 19. Nxg5 Nf6 $11) 19. Bxe7 Nxe4 20. f3 Rc7 21.
Bd8 Rcc8 22. Bh4 $16 {½-½ (38) Mamedyarov,S (2736)-Karjakin,S (2762) Baku
AZE 2015} Nc5 23. Rd2 Kg7 24. Rfd1 e5 25. Rd6 Ne6 26. Rxe6 fxe6 27. Rd7+ Kg8
28. Bf6 Rc2 29. Rg7+ Kf8 30. Rxh7 Rxe2+ 31. Kh3 e4 32. Kg4 exf3 33. Kxf3 Rc2
34. Kg4 Rc5 35. Rh8+ Kf7 36. Rxa8 Kxf6 37. Rxa7 Rc2 38. b4 Rc4+ {1/2-1/2 (38)
Mamedyarov,S (2736)-Karjakin,S (2762) Baku 2015}) 12. Rad1 {[%emt 0:17:11] I
was more afraid of the idea e2-e4-e5, which is nevertheless not easy to carry
out.} ({The line} 12. Bg5 Nbd7 (12... h6 $4 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Ng5 $1) 13. e4 h6
{is just fine for Black}) ({, whereas after} 12. e4 {there is nothing wrong
with} Nbd7 ({In fact,} 12... Nc6 $5 {. Black is doing well after} 13. e5 Nb4
14. Qb1 Bxf3 15. Bxf3 Ng4 $1 {, but I am not going to delve into the details.})
13. Bf4 h6 $11 {.}) ({The computer suggests} 12. Rfd1 Nbd7 13. Ng5 {with a
slight initiative, but I believe that Black should be able to neutralise it
without too many problems.}) (12. Bf4 {Edouard,R} Nbd7 13. a3 a5 $132) 12...
Nbd7 {[%emt 0:01:21]} 13. Bf4 {[%emt 0:02:13]} (13. e4 Qc7 14. Bf4 e5 $11)
13... Rc8 {[%emt 0:03:33]} (13... Qe7 $11 {Edouard,R: 'is also completely fine.
'}) 14. Ne5 {[%emt 0:03:32]} Bxg2 {[%emt 0:00:51]} 15. Kxg2 {[%emt 0:00:05]}
Qe7 {[%emt 0:07:07]} 16. Nxd7 {[%emt 0:04:49]} Nxd7 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 17. Qd3 {
[%emt 0:13:55]} ({I expected something like} 17. Qa4 Nf6 18. Be5 Qb7+ 19. Kg1
Be7 $11 {.}) (17. Ne4 e5 18. Bg5 Qe6 19. Qb3 $1 {might have been a bit more
testing, but Black should equalise after} Qxb3 20. axb3 Rc7 {.}) 17... Nf6 {
[%emt 0:04:43]} 18. Qf3 {[%emt 0:13:53]} Rfd8 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 19. Bg5 {
[%emt 0:04:00]} ({I expected rather} 19. Ne4 {, but almost any normal move is
good here.}) ({Edouard,R: It was time for} 19. Rxd8+ Rxd8 20. Rd1 $11) 19...
Bd4 {[%emt 0:00:48] Edouard,R: 'Black starts to be a tiny bit better.'} 20. Rd3
{[%emt 0:00:51]} h6 {[%emt 0:01:37]} 21. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:02:25]} Bxf6 {[%emt 0:
00:28]} 22. Rfd1 {[%emt 0:00:59]} Bxc3 {[%emt 0:19:35] I spent a lot of time
on this move. I wanted to play for the win, but saw no suitable way of doing
so.} ({I was considering} 22... Rxd3 23. Rxd3 Qb4 {, but rejected it on
account of} 24. Rd7 ({It would be too naive to expect} 24. Ne4 Bxb2 25. Rd7 Rf8
26. Rxa7 $4 f5 $19 {.}) 24... Qxb2 25. Ne4 a5 26. Rb7 $11 {, when Black cannot
untangle without losing his spare pawn.}) 23. bxc3 $6 {[%emt 0:00:17] This
move is not bad in itself, but it is the source of White's subsequent problems.
} (23. Rxc3 Rxc3 24. Rxd8+ Qxd8 25. bxc3 $1 $11 {(or 23.Rxd8+ Rxd8 24.Rxd8+
Qxd8 25.bxc3!) was to be preferred, as White's queenside pawns could not be
easily attacked and} Qd5 $4 {would even lose to} 26. Qxd5 exd5 27. Kf3 Kf8 28.
Kf4 $1 ({I only saw} 28. e4 $5 {, but it was more than enough to reject 25...
Qd5??.}) 28... f6 29. e4 $1 dxe4 30. Kxe4 Ke7 31. Kd5 {.}) 23... Rxd3 {[%emt 0:
00:27]} 24. Rxd3 {[%emt 0:00:10]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:49]} 25. Qf4 {[%emt 0:02:37]}
({It made sense to play} 25. h4 $5 {now or a bit later. The position is still
equal but it soon changed without any clear mistake on White's side.}) 25...
Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:37]} 26. Qa4 {[%emt 0:18:39] Edouard,R: '?'} (26. Qd4+ e5 (
26... Qf6 {Edouard,R} 27. Qd7 $11) 27. Qe4 {Edouard,R: 'with the idea Rd5, was
the last chance for an easy draw.'} Qe6 28. Rd5 Rxc3 29. Rxe5 {still looks
pretty much equal.}) 26... Rc7 {[%emt 0:00:27] Edouard,R: 'Now White's
position is just very unpleasant.'} 27. Qe4 $6 {[%emt 0:01:15]} (27. Qd4+ $1)
27... Rc5 {[%emt 0:01:16]} 28. Qa8 {[%emt 0:08:40]} (28. Qd4+ {Edouard,R} e5
29. Qe4 Qe6 $15) 28... Qc7 {[%emt 0:00:29]} 29. e4 {[%emt 0:03:55]} Qc6 $1 {
[%emt 0:05:30]} ({I rejected} 29... Rxc3 $6 30. Rxc3 Qxc3 31. Qxa7 Qc6 {
after finding} 32. Kg1 $11 {.}) ({After} 29... a5 $6 30. Rd8 Rxc3 31. Rg8+ Kf6
32. Qf8 {Black can still draw, but there was no reason to play with fire.}) 30.
Qxc6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Rxc6 $15 {[%emt 0:00:06] /-/+. The rook endgame is quite
unpleasant for White. Contrary to the lines 23.Rxc3 and 23.Rxd8+, here White's
rook is restricted and remains passive. During the game I believed my
advantage to be rather small, but after a subsequent thorough analysis with
engines I realised that White's task was rather difficult. His time trouble
certainly did him a bad service.} 31. Rd7 {[%emt 0:00:53] I do not
particularly like this move, especially in connection with his next one. Still,
it seems that the decisive mistake came later.} ({White could start with a
useful move} 31. h4 $1 {. A natural-looking reply} Kf6 ({The pawn advance} 
31... g5 $1 {maintains some winning chances but both} 32. h5 $5 ({and} 32. Kh3
Rc4 33. hxg5 hxg5 34. Rd7 {look defensible for White. The latter variation
strongly resembles the option 36.Rd6! from the game.})) {can be parried with}
32. Rd7 $1 a5 33. e5+ $1 Kxe5 34. Rxf7 Rxc3 35. f4+ Kd6 36. Rg7 Rc2+ 37. Kf3
Rxa2 38. Rxg6 {when White seems to hold.} {After} Ra1 {his king should sooner
or later return to g2 to prevent Ra1-h1 in various variations. True, it would
be very hard to go for such a line, especially in time trouble.}) 31... a6 {
[%emt 0:01:19]} ({The computer suggests} 31... a5 $1 {, but I was reluctant to
weaken my b6-pawn. This move was probably slightly better than 31...a6. In
both cases the passive option 32.Rd3 leaves Black with a clear advantage,
whereas the active play connected with 32.Rb7 is more risky with the pawn
already on a5, as Black would be essentially a tempo up compared to 31...a6 32.
Rb7 a5. That said, I believe that even here White can hold after} {It seems to
me that White can hold after} 32. Rb7 $5 {. He gives up the a2-pawn and locks
in Black's king by means of e4-e5, Ra6-a8 and eventually h2-h4 or (after g6-g5)
g2-g4. After the game I analysed this endgame in great detail with efficient
engines. They provide little help as they do not understand that pushing the
extra pawn to a2 with Black's rook on a1 does not win once Black exchanges the
e5-pawn for his f7-pawn. (And there is no better way to activate Black's
locked king.) Moreover, even a position like Kg2, Ra5, f2, g4, h2 x Kf6, Ra1,
a3, e6, g5, h6 seems to be drawish. If needed, White White can sometimes play
h3-h4 gxh4 f2-f4 to prevent Black's king from supporting the a-pawn. I
produced about two pages filled with variations, but suspect that most readers
would not be very enthusiastic about it and if so, they can look at Let's
Check to get some hint. I will limit myself to a couple of lines, here.} ({
White would remain under the pressure after} 32. Rd3 Rc4 ({It makes sense to
play} 32... Kf6 $5 {with subsequent g6-g5, b6-b5, Rc6-c4. Black would like to
weaken the e4-pawn. After} 33. f4 $5 g5 $17 {White still needs to be careful.})
33. Kf3 ({After} 33. Rd6 $5 {it makes sense to postpone the exchange by means
of} b5 $5 (33... Rxc3 $6 34. Rxb6 {transposes to 32.Rb7 Rxc3 33.Rxb6. White
seems to hold, there.}) 34. Rb6 Rc5 $1 $17 {, as White's king cannot go to f3
and Black can improve his position a bit before taking on c3.}) 33... g5 $1 34.
Ke3 Kf6 35. f3 $17 {looks promising for Black, but he needs to find the right
way to create a second (or third) weakness on e4.} {The straightforward attempt
} g4 (35... b5 $5 36. h3 h5 $17) {is not entirely convincing because of} 36.
Kf4 $1 (36. fxg4 $6 Ke5 $17) 36... Ra4 $1 37. Rd6 $1 {, when White might be
able to hold.}) 32... Rxc3 {This is not forced. Black can try to improve his
position before taking the pawn. Still, I believe that 32...Kf6 33.a4!, 32...
g5 33.h4 and even 32...a4 33.e5 also enable White to hold.} 33. Rxb6 {
transposes to 32.Rb7 Rxc3 33.Rxb6. White seems to hold, there.} Rc2 {is
defensible after something like} 34. Ra6 Rxa2 35. e5 g5 (35... h5 36. h4) 36.
g4 {followed by Ra8 and waiting (contrary to engines' evaluations). I analyse
some details of this endgame in the notes to my 42th move. Black can push his
pawn to a3 or a2 and then play f7-f5 exf6+ Kxf6, but White should hold.
Another critical option is} Kf8 37. Ra8+ Ke7 38. Ra7+ Ke8 39. Ra8+ Kd7 40. Ra7+
Kc6 {. This would be winning with the pawn already on a4, but here White can
hold after} 41. Rxf7 Re2 42. Re7 $1 Rxe5 43. f4 $1 {or even 43.h4 a4 44.f4!
gxf4 45.Kf3, although the lines are still fairly complex. Given that, it looks
safer to meet 31...a5 with 32.Rd3 with a clear advantage for Black.}) 32. Rd3 {
[%emt 0:00:54]} ({I was hoping for} 32. Rb7 $5 a5 {, when Black eventually
remains a pawn up, which looked like an achievement. In fact, White seems to
hold, here. I have analysed the relevant lines with a tempo down after 31...a6
32.Rb7 a5. That said, I am fairly sure that} {White seems to hold after} 33. h4
{should suffice for a draw.} {White probably has several adequate replies to}
Kf6 $5 {, namely 34.e5+, 34.f4 a4 35.g4! with subsequent g4-g5+ or 34.a4. That
said, none of those continuations looks that simple and White needs to defend
precisely.} (33... Rxc3 $6 34. Rxb6 Rc2 {gives White an additional option} 35.
g4 $5 Rxa2 36. g5 Ra4 37. Kf3 $15)) ({White can also start with} 32. h4 $5 {
, when most of the lines transpose into 32.Rb7, for example} Rxc3 ({or} 32...
a5 33. Rb7) 33. Rd6 Ra3 34. Rxb6 Rxa2 35. e5 $15 {.}) 32... b5 {[%emt 0:02:44]
White's rook moves resulted in a loss of time. I believed this pawn advance to
be more important than} (32... g5 $5 33. h4 Kg6 {.}) 33. f3 {[%emt 0:01:25]} ({
I was planning to meet} 33. e5 {with} g5 (33... Rc5 $17 {is a much safer
option.}) {. True, it would be nice to see the line} 34. Rd6 $2 Rxd6 $1 35.
exd6 Kf8 36. Kf3 f5 $1 37. Ke3 Ke8 38. Kd4 Kd7 39. Kc5 (39. Ke5 g4 40. Kf6 Kxd6
41. Kg6 Kd5 42. Kxh6 Kc4 43. Kg5 Kxc3 44. Kf6 Kb2 $19) 39... g4 $1 40. Kb6 Kxd6
41. Kxa6 Kc5 $19 {with the decisive advance of Black's kingside pawns, which
was not the case.}) (33. h4 $5 {still looks like a good move. The line} g5 34.
h5 $1 Kf6 (34... Rc4 35. e5) 35. Rf3+ Ke7 36. e5 Rc5 37. Rf6 {shows some
drawbacks of the move 33.f3. That said, White's last moves were perhaps not
bad. The decisive mistake came later.}) 33... Rc4 {[%emt 0:02:47] I wanted to
undermine the e4-pawn by means of the g6-g5-g4 advance. This would also enable
Black to activate his king.} (33... g5 34. h4 $5 gxh4 35. gxh4 {did not look
like an improvement to me. White's king could eventually become active on the
kingside.}) 34. h4 {[%emt 0:00:13]} (34. Kf2 g5 (34... Kf6 35. Ke3 g5 36. h3)
35. Ke3 Kf6 $17) (34. e5 g5 35. g4 Kg6 36. h3 h5 $17) 34... g5 {[%emt 0:00:49]}
35. hxg5 {[%emt 0:00:09]} (35. h5 Ra4 36. Rd2 g4 $1 {looks lost for White.}) (
35. Kh3 Kg6 $17) 35... hxg5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 36. Kh3 $2 {[%emt 0:01:12] White
lost this endgame because of the passivity of his pieces. It is therefore
somewhat ironic that this active move might have been the decisive mistake.} ({
Komodo's suggestion} 36. Rd6 $1 Ra4 37. Kh3 $1 {would bring White sufficient
counterplay, e.g.} Kg6 $5 (37... Rxa2 38. Kg4 Kg6 39. f4 $15 {with a
defensible endgame.}) (37... Kf6 $5 38. Rc6 $1 (38. Kg4 Kg6 $1 {looks
dangerous for White. The desirable advance} 39. f4 {loses to} Rxe4 40. Rxa6
gxf4 41. gxf4 f6 $1 {(threatening 42...e5), as} 42. c4 $1 bxc4 43. Kf3 Kf5 44.
Ra5+ e5 45. fxe5 Rxe5 46. Ra8 Ke6 $1 47. a4 Kd7 $1 {is lost for some reason.
Please do not ask me why.}) (38. Rd2 Rc4 39. Rd3 Kg6 40. Re3 Ra4 41. Re2 Ra3
42. Rc2 {would eventually transpose to the game. As we will see, both} Kh5 ({
and} 42... f5 $1 43. exf5+ exf5 {are winning.})) 38... Rxa2 39. Kg4 Ra4 (39...
Ra1 40. Rc8) 40. Kh5 {and White seems to hold.}) 38. Rd8 $1 Rc4 $1 (38... Rxa2
39. Rg8+ Kh5 40. Rh8+ $1 Kg6 41. Rg8+ Kf6 42. Kg4 $15) 39. Rg8+ Kh6 40. Rh8+
Kg7 41. Ra8 Rxc3 42. Rxa6 Rxf3 {is defensible after something like} 43. Kg4 ({
or even} 43. Ra5 Re3 44. Rxb5 Kf6 45. Kg4 Rxe4+ 46. Kh5 Ra4 47. Rxg5 Rxa2 48.
Rb5) 43... Re3 44. Kxg5 Rxe4 45. g4 {. But this is a result of an extensive
computer analysis and even the final position is dangerous for White. The
previous slight inaccuracies forced White to play extremely precisely, which
he did not.}) ({On the other hand,} 36. e5 $2 Ra4 37. Rd6 Rxa2+ 38. Kh3 Ra4 $1
$19 {would not enable White to activate his king.}) 36... Kg6 {[%emt 0:00:11]
From now on, it is very hard to find a substantial improvement for White.} 37.
Re3 {[%emt 0:00:30]} ({Now} 37. Rd6 {no longer works, as} Rxc3 $1 38. Rxa6 Rxf3
39. a4 bxa4 40. Rxa4 {is lost for White:} Rc3 (40... Kf6 $5 $19) 41. Ra2 (41.
Kg2 {is no better:} Kf6 42. Ra5 Re3 43. Ra4 Ke5 44. Ra5+ Kxe4 45. Rxg5 Re2+ 46.
Kh3 f5 47. Rg8 e5 $19 {.}) ({and} 41. Kg4 $2 {loses immediately to} f5+ 42.
exf5+ exf5+ 43. Kh3 f4 {.}) 41... Re3 42. Ra4 Kf6 43. Rb4 Ke5 44. Rb5+ Kxe4 45.
Rxg5 f5 46. Rg6 Kf3 $19 {The poor placement of White's pieces makes it
possible for Black to win.}) 37... Ra4 $1 {[%emt 0:04:22]} 38. Re2 {[%emt 0:00:
04]} Ra3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 39. Rc2 {[%emt 0:00:04] would eventually transpose
to the game. As we will see, both} Kh5 {[%emt 0:00:06] It looked clever to
create a sort of zugzwang on move 39!} ({The machine opts for and} 39... f5 $1
40. exf5+ (40. e5 Ra4 $1 41. Rd2 g4+ 42. Kg2 Ra3 $1 $19) 40... exf5 {, when it
Black surprisingly seems to be winning, e.g. are winning.} 41. Kg2 (41. c4 bxc4
42. Rxc4 Rxf3 $1) (41. g4 f4 42. Kg2 Kf6 $19) (41. f4 gxf4 $1 42. gxf4 Kh5 $1
43. Kg3 b4 $19) 41... Kf6 {with a king's march to c4 and a subsequent decisive
zugzwang. While my move was not the strongest one, it was still enough for a
win.}) 40. g4+ {[%emt 0:01:24]} ({The "electronic" variation} 40. Kg2 g4 41. f4
Kg6 $1 42. Kf2 Kf6 43. Ke3 e5 $1 44. f5 Ke7 45. Kd2 Kd6 46. Kc1 Kc5 47. Kb2 Ra4
48. Re2 b4 $1 49. cxb4+ Rxb4+ 50. Kc3 Ra4 51. Kb3 Rc4 52. Re1 a5 $19 {with a
win of the e4-pawn and the game shows the extent of White's problems.}) 40...
Kg6 {[%emt 0:30:05]} 41. Kg3 {[%emt 0:02:36]} ({Black is also winning after} 
41. e5 $1 b4 $1 {- cf. 40.g4+ Kg6 41.e5! b4!.} 42. cxb4 Rxf3+ 43. Kh2 $1 Rf4
44. a3 $1 {This is a nice computer's suggestion. Still, Black has more than
one way to a victory:} Rxg4 45. Rc6 a5 $1 ({The alternative} 45... Re4 46. Rxa6
Rxe5 47. a4 g4 48. b5 f5 $1 49. Ra8 Kg5 $19 {is not easy to evaluate. White
loses because of his poor king's position.}) 46. b5 Re4 47. Rc2 Rxe5 48. Rb2
Rd5 49. b6 Rd8 50. b7 Rb8 51. Kg3 f5 $19 {and the connected passed pawns
should prevail.}) 41... Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 42. c4 {[%emt 0:03:05]} b4 $1 {
[%emt 0:00:00] I spent a lot of time on this move. It took me just a couple of
minutes to realise that the game continuation was very strong, but I still
tried to explore 42...bxc4 as well. This was not very practical, but I had
more than enough time left, so why not?} (42... bxc4 $2 43. Rxc4 Rxa2 {leads
to an interesting endgame which is fairly relevant for the evaluation of our
moves. The endings with an extra pawn on the queenside occur in practice
frequently and knowledge of the typical motifs is often essential.} 44. Rc5 (
44. Rc8 $2 a5 45. Rg8 e5 $1 46. Ra8 a4 47. Ra6+ Ke7 48. Ra7+ Ke6 $1 (48... Kd6
49. Rxf7 a3 50. Rg7 Ra1 51. Ra7 Kc5) 49. Ra6+ Kd7 50. Ra7+ Kc6 51. Rxf7 Rc2 52.
Ra7 Kb5 $19) 44... a5 $1 45. e5+ {leads to a line which I analyxe below. Black
cannot win any longer, as his pieces are poorly placed.} Kg6 (45... Kg7 $1 46.
Rc8 Re2 (46... Rd2 47. Ra8 Rd5 48. f4) 47. Rc5 a4 48. Ra5 Ra2 49. Ra8) 46. Rb5
a4 (46... Kg7 47. Rb8 Rd2 48. Ra8 Rd5 49. f4) 47. Ra5 Ra1 48. Kg2 a3 49. Ra6
Kg7 50. Ra8 {and White should hold his own, e.g.} a2 (50... f6 51. Ra7+ Kg6 52.
Ra6 $1 a2 {amounts to the same.}) (50... f5 $1 51. exf6+ Kxf6 52. Ra5 e5 53.
Ra6+ Ke7 54. Ra7+ Kd6 55. Ra5 $11) 51. Kh2 f5 (51... Rf1 52. Rxa2 Rxf3 53. Kg2
$15) 52. exf6+ Kxf6 53. Kg2 Ke5 54. Ra7 Kd4 55. Ra6 {Black would like to
transpose into a winning pawn endgame, but this cannot be achieved.} Kc4 56.
Ra8 e5 (56... Kb3 57. Rb8+ Kc3 58. Ra8) 57. Ra7 Kb3 58. Rb7+ Kc3 59. Rc7+ Kd3
60. Rd7+ $1 ({The motif} 60. Ra7 $2 Rc1 $1 61. Rxa2 Rc2+ 62. Rxc2 Kxc2 63. Kg3
Kd1 64. Kh2 Kd2 65. Kh1 Ke3 66. Kg2 Ke2 67. Kg3 Kf1 $19 {should certainly be
remembered!}) 60... Ke3 61. Ra7 Rd1 (61... Re1 62. Ra3+ $1) 62. Rxa2 Rd2+ 63.
Rxd2 Kxd2 64. Kh2 $1 Kd3 65. Kh3 Kc4 66. Kg2 Kd4 67. Kh2 $1 $11 {I had not
worked out all the details during the game, but found most of the relevant
lines (including 64.Kh2!) and no win. (For a good reason, as there was none!)
That said, the calculation was fairly unnecessary this particular time.}) 43.
Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:24]} ({Lines like} 43. c5 Rc3 $1 44. Rb2 a5 $19 {were easy to
find.}) 43... Ke7 $1 {[%emt 0:00:00] The point. Now the game is essentially
over. Black's king stops the passed pawn and the a6-pawn will have the last
word. White's pieces are tied down to the defence of his weak pawns and cannot
therefore create any counterplay.} 44. c5 {[%emt 0:03:21]} Kd7 {[%emt 0:00:00]}
45. c6+ {[%emt 0:00:03]} Kc7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 46. Ke2 {[%emt 0:04:55]} a5 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} 47. Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:18]} a4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} ({Having worked
out a clear way to the win, I saw no reason for calculating lines like} 47...
Rc3 48. Rxc3 bxc3 49. Ke3 Kxc6 50. Kd3 Kd6 51. Kxc3 Ke5 $19 {. (This is by far
not the end, but I still see no reason in it!)}) 48. Ke2 {[%emt 0:01:50]} b3 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} 49. axb3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} axb3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 50. Rc5 {
[%emt 0:00:50]} (50. Rc1 b2 51. Rb1 Rb3 $19) 50... Ra6 $1 {[%emt 0:00:00] The
point. The rook comes behind the pawn.} 51. Kd2 {[%emt 0:01:16]} Rb6 {White
resigned, as} (51... Rb6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 52. Rc1 (52. Kc1 Rxc6) 52... b2 53.
Rb1 Kxc6 $19 {would be completely hopeless. While the Frenchman was not on his
best form, I was still happy to play such a good game in an important match.
My team was even leading 3.5:2.5 at some point, but in the end our stronger
opponents prevailed. In the end I would like to apologise for my ability to
make simple-looking games appear complicated. In fact, there were many
subtleties under the surface and my search for precision went out of control
during the analysis.}) ({The computer prefers} 51... b2 52. Kc2 Rxc6 53. Rxc6+
Kxc6 54. Kxb2 Kd6 55. Kc3 Ke5 56. Kd3 Kf4 57. Ke2 Kg3 58. Ke3 e5 59. Ke2 Kg2
60. Ke3 Kf1 $19 {. I saw that line but still consider my continuation to be
the most precise one.}) 0-1

[Event "Oakham YM"]
[Site "Oakham"]
[Date "1986.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Schandorff, Lars"]
[Black "Emms, John M"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2335"]
[BlackElo "2305"]
[Annotator "Nunn,J"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "1986.04.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "MCL"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qb3 a5 6. g3 Bb7 7. Bg2 O-O 8. O-O
Na6 9. Bg5 Bxc3 10. bxc3 h6 11. Bxf6 Qxf6 12. c5 Rfb8 13. cxb6 cxb6 14. Rfe1 b5
15. e4 Qd8 16. a3 Nc7 17. Ne5 d6 18. Nd3 Qd7 19. f4 Qc6 20. Re2 Qc4 21. Qc2 b4
22. axb4 axb4 23. Rxa8 Rxa8 24. Nxb4 Nb5 25. Na2 Ra3 26. Rd2 Nxc3 27. Nxc3 Rxc3
28. Qb2 Ba6 29. g4 Rd3 $2 (29... Rf3 $1 {/\ Rf1, Rf4} 30. Rf2 (30. Rd1 Rxf4 31.
Qb8+ Kh7 32. Qxd6 Rxg4 $19) 30... Rb3 31. Qa2 (31. Qa1 Rc3 32. Bf1 Rc1 $19)
31... Qc1+ 32. Bf1 Bxf1 33. Rxf1 Qe3+ 34. Rf2 Rd3 $17) 30. h3 Rxd2 31. Qxd2 Bb7
32. Qb2 Qc7 33. Kh2 Qc6 34. Kg3 Qc7 35. h4 Ba6 36. h5 Bd3 37. Qa3 Bb5 38. e5 d5
1/2-1/2

[Event "Val Thorens op 09th"]
[Site "Val Thorens"]
[Date "1984.07.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Seret, Jean Luc"]
[Black "Giffard, Nicolas"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2340"]
[Annotator "Primel,D"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "1984.07.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2021"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.10.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:0"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qc2 (5. Bg5 {La grande ligne} Bb7 6.
e3 h6 7. Bh4 g5 8. Bg3 Ne4) 5... Bb7 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. Qxc3 d6 8. g3 (8. e3 Nbd7
9. b4 a5 10. Bb2 O-O 11. Be2 Ne4 12. Qd3 axb4 13. axb4 Rxa1+ 14. Bxa1 Qa8 15.
O-O Qa2 16. Rc1 Ra8 17. Ne1 d5 18. cxd5 Bxd5 19. f3 Nd6 20. Bd1 Bc4 21. Qc2
Qxc2 22. Bxc2 f5 23. Nd3 Ra2 24. Nb2 Bd5 25. Nd1 Nf6 26. Nc3 Ra7 27. Kf2 b5 28.
g4 c6 29. g5 Nd7 30. e4 Bc4 31. Bb2 Kf7 32. Kg3 Nf8 33. h4 Kg6 34. Nd1 {
1/2-1/2 (34) Polugaevsky,L (2625)-Seirawan,Y (2600) Tilburg 1983}) 8... c5 $146
{Une poussée thématique mais peut-être prématurée} (8... Nbd7 9. Bg2 O-O
10. O-O Be4 11. Rd1 Qb8 12. Bf1 Rd8 13. b3 b5 14. Nd2 Bc6 15. Bb2 a5 16. Qc2
Qb7 17. Rac1 Rdc8 18. c5 Rab8 19. e4 d5 20. e5 Ne4 21. f3 Nxd2 22. Rxd2 Rf8 23.
Bd3 g6 24. Rf2 f5 25. exf6 Rxf6 26. Re1 Nf8 27. Kg2 a4 28. b4 Be8 29. Bc1 c6
30. Bg5 Rf7 31. Qd2 Bd7 32. Bf4 Re8 33. Bd6 Qc8 34. Qh6 Qd8 35. Re3 Bc8 36. h4
Qf6 37. Be5 Qe7 38. h5 {Anikaev,Y (2460)-Kaunas,K (2260) Klaipeda 1983 1-0}) (
8... O-O $142 9. Bg2 a5 10. b3 Nbd7 11. O-O Be4 (11... c5 12. Bb2 Qe7 13. Rfd1
Rfd8 $132) 12. Bb2 (12. a4 c5 {Alterman,V (2375)-Razuvaev,Y (2470) URS-chT
Republics 14th final A 1979 (3) 1/2}) 12... Qb8 $132) 9. dxc5 $5 {L'ouverture
du centre doit profiter au camp qui a la paire de B} bxc5 10. Bg2 Nc6 {[%csl
Gd4][%cal Gc6d4]} 11. O-O a5 12. Rd1 $14 Qe7 (12... Qc7 13. Bf4) 13. Bg5 $1 Rd8
{Le plan choisi par le top GMI NAIDITSH est plus souple} (13... O-O $142 14.
Rd2 Rfd8 15. Rad1 Rab8 $11 {[%csl Rb2] Avec un plan classique dans ce genre de
position} 16. Bxf6 gxf6 {Anastasian,A (2602)-Naiditsch,A (2657) EU-ch 7th
Kusadasi 2006 (11) 0-1}) 14. Rd2 O-O 15. Rad1 $36 Rd7 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. Qe3 Rb8
18. Qf4 Ne5 $6 {Conduit à des échanges qui peuvent donner une meilleure
finale pour les Blancs et les Noirs se privent de la possibilité d'une finale
Q+N contre Q+B} (18... Ba8 $11 {[%csl Rb2][%cal Gb8b2]}) 19. Nxe5 fxe5 20. Qg4+
Kh8 21. Bxb7 Rbxb7 22. Qe4 Rb6 $2 (22... f5 $5 23. Qc2) 23. Qa8+ Kg7 24. Qxa5 {
[%csl Ga3] Non seulement les Blancs ont gagné un P mais le P passé est
dangereux} Rdb7 25. b4 $1 {La pointe!} (25. Qc3 Rb3) 25... cxb4 26. axb4 Rxb4
27. Rxd6 Qf6 28. c5 $1 {L'idée de la poussée b4} e4 29. c6 R7b5 30. Qa7 Rc4
31. c7 Rbc5 32. Rd7 $40 {[%csl Gd7,Rf7,Rg7]} h5 33. c8=Q Rxc8 34. Rxf7+ $1 Qxf7
35. Rd7 Rf8 36. Kg2 Kf6 37. Qa1+ Kg6 38. Rxf7 Rxf7 39. Qa6 $1 {[%cal Ga6c4,
Ga6e6]} Rb4 40. Qxe6+ Rf6 41. Qg8+ 1-0

[Event "Vandoeuvre op 11th"]
[Site "Vandoeuvre"]
[Date "2014.12.29"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Flom, Gabriel"]
[Black "Fedorchuk, Sergey A"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2451"]
[BlackElo "2669"]
[Annotator "RR"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[EventDate "2014.12.26"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2017"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. g3 O-O 5. Nf3 b6 (5... d5 6. Bg2 dxc4 7. O-O
Nc6 {Par rapport à une Catalane, les Blancs auront plus de difficultés à
récupérer le P"c4" et les Noirs égalisent assez vite} 8. a3 Be7 9. e4 Rb8
$11) 6. Bg2 Bb7 7. Bd2 d6 8. O-O Nbd7 9. Ne1 $146 (9. a3 Bxc3 10. Bxc3 {
Semkov,S (2450)-Prie,E (2435) BUL-FRA m Sofia 1990 (5) 1/2}) 9... Bxg2 10. Nxg2
c6 11. Rc1 a5 12. Qc2 Rb8 13. a3 Bxc3 14. Bxc3 d5 15. cxd5 (15. b3) 15... cxd5
16. Bd2 Rc8 17. Qxc8 Qxc8 18. Rxc8 Rxc8 $11 19. Rc1 Rxc1+ 20. Bxc1 Kf8 21. Kf1
Ke7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Plancoet op-A 10th"]
[Site "Plancoet"]
[Date "2013.08.01"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Petre, Nad Titus"]
[Black "Bailet, Pierre"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2371"]
[BlackElo "2474"]
[Annotator "RR"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[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. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. d4 Bb4 4. Nf3 O-O ({RR} 4... c5) ({RR} 4... Bxc3+) 5.
Bg5 d6 (5... c5 $1 6. e3 h6 7. Bh4 Qa5 (7... g5 8. Bg3 Ne4 9. Rc1 f5 $13) 8.
Bxf6 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Qxc3+ 10. Nd2 gxf6) 6. e3 ({RR} 6. e4 h6 ({RR} 6... e5))
6... Nbd7 7. Nd2 ({RR} 7. Bd3 e5 ({RR} 7... Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 h6 9. h4 Qe8 10. Qc2
e5 11. Bf5 Kh8 12. Bxf6 Nxf6 13. Nd2 Qc6)) ({RR} 7. Qc2) ({RR} 7. Rc1 c5 8. Be2
b6 9. O-O Bxc3 10. Rxc3 Qc7 11. Rc1 Bb7 12. Qc2 Ne4 13. Bh4 f5) 7... c5 $146 ({
RR} 7... Bxc3 8. bxc3 h6 9. Bh4 e5 10. Bd3 Qe8 11. O-O b6 12. Qc2 Bb7 13. f4 e4
14. Be2 Nh7 15. f5 g5 16. fxg6 fxg6 17. Rxf8+ Kxf8 18. Rf1+ Kg7 19. d5 g5 20.
Bg3 Nhf6 21. Nb3 Nc5 22. Qd1 {Barsov,A (2445)-Florea,D Untergrombach 1995 1-0 
(39)}) 8. d5 Bxc3 9. bxc3 h6 10. Bh4 Ne5 (10... g5 11. Bg3 e5 12. Bd3 Qe7 13.
O-O e4) 11. dxe6 Bxe6 (11... fxe6 12. Be2 Qe7 13. O-O $11) 12. Be2 Ng6 13. Bg3
d5 14. Qc2 (14. cxd5 $143 Nxd5 $132 {[%csl Rc3]}) 14... d4 15. exd4 cxd4 16.
O-O Rc8 17. Rfd1 b5 $1 18. cxb5 Rxc3 19. Qb2 Qc8 20. Rac1 Rd8 $36 {[%csl Gd4]}
21. Nb1 Rc5 22. Qa3 Rxc1 23. Rxc1 Qb7 24. Nd2 d3 25. Qa5 $11 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 3rd"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2011.12.10"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2826"]
[BlackElo "2734"]
[Annotator "RR"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2011.12.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. Qc2 Bb7 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. Qxc3 d5 8.
cxd5 Qxd5 9. e3 Nbd7 10. b4 O-O 11. Bb2 a5 12. Bd3 axb4 13. axb4 Rxa1+ 14. Bxa1
Qa2 15. O-O Nd5 16. Qe1 c5 17. dxc5 bxc5 18. b5 Ra8 19. Qc1 h6 20. h3 Qa3 21.
Qd2 Qb4 22. Qc2 Qa4 23. Qb2 f6 24. Rc1 Nb4 25. Be2 Bxf3 26. gxf3 Nd5 27. f4
N7b6 28. Bg4 Kf7 29. Qb1 Qa3 30. Rd1 f5 31. Bf3 Ra4 32. Be5 Qb4 33. Qd3 Ra3 34.
Qf1 g6 35. h4 Nc4 $2 (35... Rb3 36. h5 g5 $16) 36. Rxd5 $18 Nxe5 37. Rxe5 Qc3
38. Kg2 1-0

[Event "Grand Slam Final 7th"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2014.09.14"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2712"]
[BlackElo "2804"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2014.09.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 g5 7. Bg3 Ne4 8. Qd3 {
unusual, Qc2 is more seen.} f5 9. h4 $5 {This interesting novelty probably
will not gather too many supporters.} Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 Nxg3 11. fxg3 g4 12. Nd2
d5 13. e4 dxe4 14. Nxe4 Bb7 (14... fxe4 15. Qxe4 c6 16. Qg6+ {leaves Black
king too weak.}) 15. Nd2 Nd7 {Black's structure is good, if he finishes
development he will be way ahead.} 16. Qe3 Qf6 17. Bd3 Bxg2 18. Rh2 Bb7 19. Re2
O-O-O 20. Qxe6 Qxe6 21. Rxe6 Nc5 22. Re3 Nxd3+ 23. Rxd3 {Wit the smoke cleared
it is obvious that Black holds a small edge, but not more than that. The
position gives White good chances to hold on.} f4 (23... c5 $1) 24. gxf4 Rdf8
25. Kf2 g3+ (25... Rxf4+ 26. Kg3 Rhf8 27. Re1 Rf2 28. d5 {is not as dangerous
as it looks at first.}) 26. Rxg3 Rxf4+ 27. Ke3 Rxh4 28. Rag1 Re8+ 29. Kd3 Bc6
30. Nf3 Be4+ 31. Kd2 Bxf3 32. Rxf3 Rh2+ 33. Kd3 Rxa2 34. Rg7 $1 {Piece
activity is al ways paramount in rook endgames.} Kb8 (34... Ree2 35. c5 b5 36.
Re3 $13) 35. Rh7 Ree2 36. c5 b5 37. Re3 Rxe3+ 38. Kxe3 {Black has no winning
chances in this engame, his passed pawns are too slow.} Ra3 39. Kd2 Ra6 40. c4
bxc4 (40... b4 41. d5 $11 {Black needs to be careful in these lines.}) 41. Kc3
c6 42. Rxh6 Kb7 43. Rh7+ Kc8 44. Rh8+ Kb7 45. Rh7+ Kb8 46. Rh8+ Kb7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Abu Dhabi op 23rd"]
[Site "Abu Dhabi"]
[Date "2015.08.23"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Oganisjan, Roman"]
[Black "Akopian, Vladimir Eduardovic"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2328"]
[BlackElo "2647"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[EventDate "2015.08.23"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2016"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:59"]
[BlackClock "0:35:20"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. g4 $5 {Only one game has been
played with this move before. Indjic against Efimenko which ended in a win for
Black.} Bb7 (5... Nxg4 6. Rg1 {Recovers the pawns and gives excellent play.})
6. g5 Ne4 7. Qd3 d5 {It's very nice to see how Akopian plays in the center
against the flank attack by his opponent.} 8. cxd5 exd5 9. h4 c5 10. Bd2 O-O $1
{When you have not broken any rules of opening play you shouldn't be afraid to
0-0. Even if your opponents pawns are so far advaanced.} 11. a3 Bxc3 12. Bxc3
Re8 13. b4 Ba6 14. Qc2 Nc6 15. Bb2 Rc8 {Each and every move that Black makes
is a developing move and towards the center of the board.} 16. Qa4 Bc4 17. dxc5
bxc5 18. e3 Bxf1 19. Kxf1 d4 $1 {Of course! The culmination of Black's central
strategy. White's pawns on h4-g5 have been able to cause absolutely no damage.}
20. exd4 Qd5 21. Qd1 cxd4 22. Rh2 d3 23. Nd2 Nxd2+ 24. Qxd2 Ne5 25. Qf4 d2 26.
Rd1 Nf3 {The h2 rook is hanging and with Re1+ coming up, Roman resigns. A very
instructive game by the experienced Armenian grandmaster.} 0-1

[Event "Wch U20 54th"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2015.09.04"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Bluebaum, Matthias"]
[Black "Gagare, Shardul"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2580"]
[BlackElo "2469"]
[Annotator "Schulz,Andre"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2015.09.02"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2016"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 O-O 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 c5 7. Rc1 cxd4 8.
Nxd4 b6 9. Ndb5 Ba6 10. Qa4 Be7 11. Bg3 Bxb5 12. Qxb5 Nc6 13. e3 a6 14. Qb3 Nh5
15. Be2 Nxg3 16. hxg3 f5 17. O-O Rb8 18. Rfd1 Ne5 19. Rd2 Qc7 20. Rcd1 Rfd8 21.
e4 fxe4 22. Nxe4 b5 23. c5 a5 24. Bxb5 Qb7 {Das Schwache Feld e6 lädt zu
einer Kombination ein:} 25. Rxd7 $1 Nxd7 (25... Qxb5 26. Rxd8+ Bxd8 27. Rxd8+
$18) (25... Rxd7 26. Qxe6+ Kh8 27. Rxd7 (27. Bxd7 $2 Qxe4 $15) 27... Qxe4 (
27... Nxd7 28. Bxd7 $18) 28. Rxe7 Rxb5 29. Re8+ {Am klarsten.} ({Auch gewonnen
ist wohl} 29. Qxe5 Qxe5 30. Rxe5 Rxb2 31. c6 Rc2 32. Rxa5) 29... Kh7 30. Qg8+
Kg6 31. Re6+ Kf5 (31... Kh5 32. Qe8+ $18) 32. Rxe5+ Kxe5 (32... Qxe5 33. Qf7+
Ke4 34. Qc4+ Qd4 35. Qxb5 $18) 33. Qe8+ Kf5 34. Qxb5 $18) 26. Qxe6+ {und
gewinnt eine Figur.} Kh8 27. Bxd7 Bf8 28. c6 Qb6 {Der nächste Kraftzug
eintscheidet die Partie:} 29. Ng5 $1 (29. Ng5 hxg5 30. Qh3+ Kg8 31. Be6#) 1-0

[Event "Julian Borowski 1st"]
[Site "Essen"]
[Date "1999.03.28"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Fridman, Daniel"]
[Black "Christiansen, Larry Mark"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2529"]
[BlackElo "2581"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "1999.03.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "14"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 071"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 e6 2. c4 b6 3. Nf3 Bb7 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bd2 {A very harmless setup by White,
as now Black simply transposes into a Nimzo-Indian with Bd2. Without accepting
the challenge and striving to occupy the [+] (3.e4) White can't hope for an
opening advantage. Even older games give ample proof of this.} Nf6 6. Qc2 (6.
g3 Bxc3 $5 7. Bxc3 Ne4 $11) 6... O-O (6... Qe7 7. a3 Bxc3 8. Bxc3 Ne4 9. e3 d6
10. Bd3 f5 11. O-O-O Nd7 12. Rhg1 O-O-O 13. b4 g5 14. Bb2 g4 15. Ne1 Rhg8 16.
f3 gxf3 17. Nxf3 c5 18. Kb1 Kb8 $15 {Van Rijn,W-Jansen,J/Haarlem/1996/}) 7. a3
(7. e3 c5 (7... Bxc3 8. Bxc3 Ne4 9. Rd1 (9. Bb4 d6 10. Bd3 f5 11. O-O-O Nc6 (
11... c5 $142 $13) 12. Ba3 a5 $6 13. Bxe4 Nb4 14. Bxb7 Nxc2 15. Kxc2 Rb8 16.
Bc6 Qf6 17. g3 Qg6 18. Rd3 Qh5 19. Rd2 Rfd8 20. b3 h6 21. h4 g5 22. Ne1 Qg6 23.
hxg5 hxg5 24. f4 g4 25. d5 e5 26. Bb2 {1-0,Troeger,P-Unzicker,W/Bad Pyrmont/
1949/}) (9. Bd3 f5 10. O-O-O d6 11. Ne1 Qg5 12. h4 Qh6 13. Rh2 Nd7 14. Bxe4
Bxe4 15. Qe2 Bb7 16. Nd3 Nf6 17. f3 a5 18. Nf4 Nh5 19. Nxh5 Qxh5 20. Qd2 Ba6
$15 {[%csl Ga6,Rc3] ^-|^ Heller,M-Hein,A/Schleswig-Holstein-ch/1988}) 9... f5
10. Bd3 d6 11. b4 Nd7 12. Bb2 a5 13. a3 Qe8 14. O-O Ndf6 15. Ne1 axb4 16. axb4
Qh5 $132 {1/2,Havasi,K-Gruenfeld,E/Budapest/1926/}) (7... d5 8. cxd5 exd5 9.
Bd3 (9. Nb5 Bxd2+ 10. Nxd2 Nc6 11. Be2 Qe7 12. h3 Rfc8 13. O-O Nd8 14. Rfc1 c5
15. dxc5 bxc5 16. Nb3 Ne6 17. Bf3 Bc6 18. Nc3 Rab8 19. Nd2 a5 20. b3 d4 21. Nd1
Bb5 22. Nc4 Ng5 23. Be2 Rd8 24. Ndb2 Nd5 25. exd4 Nf4 $36 {Peric,S-Tosic,M/
Niksic/1997/}) 9... Nbd7 10. O-O a6 $5 $14 (10... Re8 11. Nb5 Bd6 12. Rac1 (12.
Nxd6 cxd6 13. Rfc1 Nf8 14. Qc7 Rb8 15. Bf5 Ne6 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. Bb4 Ne4 18.
Qxd8 Rexd8 19. Rc7 a5 20. Be1 Rdc8 21. Rac1 Ba6 22. h4 Rxc7 23. Rxc7 Rc8 24.
Rxc8+ Bxc8 $11 {1/2,Falcon,E-Nogues Acuna,A/ARG-ch/1938/}) 12... Nf8 13. Nxd6
cxd6 14. Qc7 Re7 15. Qxd8 Rxd8 16. Bb4 Ne6 17. Ne5 Rc7 18. Rxc7 Nxc7 19. Rc1
Nfe8 20. Nc6 Bxc6 21. Rxc6 $16 {[%csl Gb4,Gd3] ^^_|_,Tartakower,S-Johner,P/
Karlsbad/1929/})) (7... d6 8. Bd3 Nbd7 9. O-O-O c5 10. Ne4 Bxd2+ 11. Nfxd2 Qe7
12. Ng5 h6 13. h4 cxd4 14. exd4 d5 15. Kb1 Rfc8 16. b3 dxc4 17. bxc4 b5 18. c5
Nxc5 19. dxc5 Rxc5 20. Bh7+ Kf8 21. Nxe6+ fxe6 22. Qg6 Rd8 23. f3 Rcd5 {
0-1,Damgaard,S-Grigorian,M/Copenhagen/ 1996/}) 8. dxc5 (8. Bd3 $6 Bxf3 (8...
Nc6 9. a3 cxd4 10. exd4 Bxc3 11. Bxc3 d5 12. Ne5 dxc4 13. Nxc6 Bxc6 14. Bxc4
Bxg2 15. Rg1 Be4 16. Qe2 Bg6 17. Bb4 Re8 18. Bb5 a5 19. Bxe8 axb4 20. Bc6 Rc8
21. Ba4 bxa3 22. Rxa3 Qxd4 $36 {Weinstein,S-Rabinovich,I/Leningrad/1921/}) 9.
gxf3 cxd4 10. exd4 Nc6 11. Be3 d5 12. cxd5 Qxd5 13. Be4 Nxe4 14. fxe4 Nxd4 15.
O-O-O Nxc2 16. exd5 Nxe3 17. fxe3 Rac8 $17 {Pachmann,O-Grabuzova,T/Pardubice
op/1993/}) 8... Bxc5 9. a3 Be7 10. Be2 d6 11. O-O Nbd7 12. Rfd1 a6 13. Be1 Qc7
14. Rac1 Rac8 15. Nd2 Qb8 16. Qb1 Rfd8 17. b4 Qa8 18. Bf1 h6 19. h3 Ne5 20. Na4
Qa7 21. Nc3 Bf8 22. Qa1 Qb8 23. Qb1 Qa8 24. Na4 Ned7 25. Nc3 Re8 26. Qd3 Be7
27. Qb1 Rc7 $11 {Man Yee,C-Rubinetti,J/Sao Paulo/1991/}) (7. g3 $6 Nc6 $1 8.
O-O-O Na5 9. b3 Ba3+ 10. Kb1 Nc6 11. Bc1 Nb4 12. Qd2 Ne4 13. Qe3 Nxc3+ 14. Qxc3
Be4+ 15. Rd3 Nxd3 {0-1,Grau,R-Blumich,M/Haag olm/1928/}) 7... Bxc3 8. Bxc3 Ne4
9. g3 d5 $5 {An ambitious move.} (9... c5 $11 {leads to simple equality.}) (
9... Ng5 $143 10. Nxg5 Qxg5 11. e4 f5 12. Bg2 $14) 10. cxd5 exd5 11. Bg2 Re8
12. O-O Nd7 (12... c5 $13) 13. e3 c5 14. dxc5 bxc5 15. Nd2 (15. b4 Rc8 16. Qb2
Nxc3 17. Qxc3 Qe7 $5 $11) 15... Nxc3 16. bxc3 $5 $11 (16. Qxc3 Qb6 {/\d4|^})
16... Rb8 17. Rfb1 (17. Rab1 $11 {seems more natural.}) 17... Qc7 18. c4 (18.
e4 dxe4 19. Nxe4 c4 $5 $15 {()}) 18... d4 $8 {The only move to keep tension in
the position.} (18... dxc4 19. Bxb7 Rxb7 20. Nxc4 $11 {/+/=}) 19. Bxb7 Rxb7 20.
exd4 Rxb1+ 21. Rxb1 cxd4 22. Qd3 (22. Nf3 Ne5 23. Nxe5 (23. Nxd4 Qd7 24. Nf5 g6
25. Ne3 Nf3+ $1 26. Kg2 Qc6 27. Nd5 Ne1+ $17) 23... Qxe5 24. Qd3 $11 {was the
simplest, but maybe White started to have ambitions somewhere around here.})
22... Ne5 $5 (22... Qc5 23. Rb5 $1 Re1+ 24. Kg2 Qc6+ 25. Qf3 $36 {[%csl Rd4]
><d4}) 23. Qe4 $2 (23. Qxd4 Rd8 24. Qb2 h6 $1 (24... Rxd2 $2 25. Qb8+ Qd8 $8
26. Qxe5 $18) 25. Nf1 $5 (25. Ne4 Nf3+ (25... Nxc4 26. Qc3 Rc8 27. Rc1 Qd7 $11)
26. Kg2 Qxc4 27. Qb4 (27. Kxf3 $2 Rd3+ 28. Kg2 $8 (28. Kf4 $2 g5+) 28... Qxe4+
29. Kg1 Rxa3 $17) 27... Qd3 28. Nc5 Qd5 29. Qe4 Nxh2 $1 30. Qxd5 Rxd5 31. Rb8+
Kh7 32. Kxh2 Rxc5 33. Rb7 a5 $15) 25... Nxc4 (25... Nf3+ 26. Kg2 Qc6 27. Qb7
$14) 26. Qc3 $11) 23... Rd8 {o^d4 Now the potentially strong passed pawn in
connection with the weakened white squares around Kg1 make White's life more
difficult.} 24. Rb7 Qc8 25. Rxa7 Nc6 $1 (25... Nxc4 $2 26. Qe7 Nd6 (26... Rf8
27. Rc7 $18) 27. Ne4 Re8 28. Qxd6 Rxe4 29. Qd5 $16) 26. Ra4 Re8 27. Qd5 h6 $44
{[%csl Ra4,Rf3,Rg1,Rg2,Rh3][%mdl 128] צa4,עg1 In the final phase of the game
Black with the help of his opponent whips up a strong -> with his 3 remaining
pieces.} 28. Kg2 (28. Ne4 $2 Re5 $1 (28... Rd8 $2 29. Nd6) (28... Qg4 29. Qxc6
Rxe4 30. Kg2 d3 31. h3 Qf5 32. Ra8+ Kh7 33. Ra5 $1 Re5 34. Rxe5 Qxe5 35. Qf3
Qd4 36. Qf5+ $11) 29. Qxf7+ (29. Nd6 Qd7 30. Ra8+ Kh7 31. Qxf7 (31. Rh8+ Kg6 $1
$19) 31... Qxd6 32. Qg8+ Kg6 $19) 29... Kxf7 30. Nd6+ Kf8 31. Nxc8 d3 $19 {
[%csl Gd3] o^d}) 28... Rd8 29. Qb5 d3 30. Qb6 (30. Qc5 $5 Qb7 (30... Re8 31.
Qd5 Rd8 32. Qe4 $14) 31. Qb5 $11) 30... Re8 31. Nf3 Re2 32. Qb3 $2 $138 (32.
Qc5 $142 $13 {[%csl Rf2] ><f2,/\} d2 $2 33. Qd5) 32... Ne5 $1 $19 {->} 33. Rb4
(33. Nxe5 Rxe5 34. Qd1 (34. Rb4 Qc6+ 35. Kh3 Rh5+ 36. Kg4 f5+ $1 37. Kxh5 Qf3+
38. Kg6 Qg4#) 34... Qc6+ 35. Kh3 (35. Kg1 d2 $19) 35... Qd7+ $1 {[%cal Rd3d2] /
\d2-+}) (33. Nd4 Ng4 $1 34. Nxe2 dxe2 35. Qb4 (35. Qb1 Qc6+ 36. f3 Qxa4 37.
fxg4 Qd1 38. Qf5 g6 $1 $19) 35... Ne5 $1 36. Ra7 Qc6+ 37. Kh3 Nd3 38. Qe7 Nxf2+
39. Kh4 Qxc4+ $19) 33... Qc6 34. Rb8+ Kh7 35. Qb7 Qf6 $138 (35... Qc5 $142 $1
36. Nxe5 (36. Qb6 Rxf2+) 36... Qxf2+ 37. Kh3 Qf5+ $1 38. g4 Qf1+ 39. Kg3 Qf2+
40. Kh3 Qxh2#) 36. Nxe5 $2 {Loses immediately, but the game was beyond saving
anyway.} (36. Qd5 Rxf2+ $1 (36... d2 $19) 37. Kxf2 Ng4+ 38. Kg2 (38. Kg1 Qa1+)
(38. Ke1 Qc3+ $19) 38... Ne3+ 39. Kf2 Nxd5 40. cxd5 Qc3 $19) (36. Qa8 Ng4 37.
Rh8+ Kg6 38. Re8 Rxf2+ 39. Kh3 Qf5 $5 40. Nh4+ Kh5 $19) 36... Qxf2+ 37. Kh3
Qf5+ 38. g4 Qf1+ 0-1

[Event "Dortmund 45th"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2017.07.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Black "Wang, Yue"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2699"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2017.07.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 {In Dortmund Radek willingly allowed the
Nimzo-Indian, which in the end brought him 2 full points and a well-deserved
tournament victory.} ({However, in the final round he varied with} 4. Qc2 {
Instead of the main lines, Nisipeanu went for the rare} d6 ({In the currently
topical line} 4... O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 {Kasparov after his long absence
from elite chess came up with a very interesting new idea:} d5 (6... d6 7. Bg5
Nbd7 8. Nf3 b6 9. e3 Bb7 10. Nd2 Rc8 11. Bd3 c5 12. O-O h6 13. Bh4 cxd4 14.
exd4 d5 (14... b5 $5 15. b3 Qb6 (15... Ba6 16. Rac1 bxc4 17. bxc4 Bxc4 18. Nxc4
d5 $11) 16. Qb2 bxc4 $6 (16... Nh5 $1 $132) 17. Nxc4 Qc6 18. f3 Ba6 19. Rac1 d5
20. Ne5 Qb6 21. Bxa6 Qxa6 22. Bxf6 Nxf6 23. b4 Qb7 24. Rc5 Nd7 25. Nxd7 Qxd7
26. Rfc1 $14 {Gunina,V (2528)-Cramling,P (2495) Sochi 2015}) 15. b3 Qc7 (15...
dxc4 16. bxc4 e5 17. dxe5 Nxe5 18. Bf5 Rc5 19. Rad1 Qd6 20. Qh3 $2 (20. f3 $1
$14) 20... Qc6 21. Nb3 Nh5 $1 $36 {[%cal Rh5f4] Ivanisevic,I (2650)-Beliavsky,
A (2602) Baku olm 2016}) 16. Rfe1 Nh5 17. f3 Rfe8 18. Rac1 dxc4 19. bxc4 e5 ({
This is again premature, but White seems to be better even after} 19... Qf4 20.
Bf2 e5 21. dxe5 Rxe5 22. g3 $14) 20. Bf5 $1 exd4 21. Qxd4 Bc6 22. Ne4 (22. Bg4
Qf4 23. Nb3 $16) 22... Qf4 23. Bxd7 Bxd7 {Kasparov,G (2812)-Navara,D (2737)
Saint Louis blitz 2017} 24. Qxd7 Qxh4 25. Qxa7 $14 {/+/-}) 7. Nf3 dxc4 8. Qxc4
b6 9. h4 $5 $146 Bb7 (9... c5 10. dxc5 bxc5 11. h5 h6 12. g4 $1 Qd5 (12... Ba6
13. Qa4 $5 $14) 13. Qxd5 Nxd5 14. g5 hxg5 15. Bxg5 f6 16. Bd2 Nc6 $2 (16... Nd7
17. e4 N5b6 18. O-O-O $36 (18. h6 $5)) 17. Rc1 Nd4 18. Rxc5 Nxf3+ 19. exf3 Bd7
20. Rh4 Rfb8 21. b4 a6 22. Rd4 Bb5 23. Bg2 Re8 24. f4 $16 {/+-, Kasparov,G 
(2812)-Nakamura,H (2792) Saint Louis blitz 2017}) ({One can expect further
practical tests with} 9... Ba6 10. Qc2 (10. Qa4 Qd7 $11 (10... Qd5 $5)) 10...
Nbd7 (10... c5 $5 11. dxc5 bxc5 $13)) 10. Bg5 Nbd7 (10... Qd5 11. Rc1 Nbd7 12.
Qxd5 Bxd5 13. Ne5 c5 $6 (13... Nxe5 14. dxe5 Nd7 $14 {/=}) 14. Bxf6 Nxf6 15.
dxc5 bxc5 16. f3 $1 Rab8 17. e4 Ba2 18. Rc2 Bb1 19. Rd2 Rfd8 20. Rxd8+ Rxd8 21.
Bb5 Nh5 22. g4 (22. Nc6 $16) 22... Nf4 23. Kf2 $2 (23. Rh2 $1 $16 {[%cal Yh2d2]
}) 23... f6 24. Nc6 Rd2+ 25. Ke3 Rxb2 26. Kxf4 Rxb5 $11 {Kasparov,G (2812)
-Aronian,L (2799) Saint Louis blitz 2017}) (10... h6 $5 {/\} 11. Ne5 c5 $132)
11. Ne5 h6 12. Nxd7 Qxd7 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Rh3 $1 f5 15. Rd1 Kh7 16. Qc1 Bd5 $6
(16... Rac8 17. Rc3 Qd6 $13) 17. Rc3 c6 18. g3 a5 19. e3 (19. Qf4 $142 $1 $14 {
[%cal Yf2f3,Ye2e4]}) 19... Rac8 20. Be2 Qe7 21. Rd2 Rc7 22. Bc4 Rfc8 23. Rdc2
Be4 24. Bd3 Bf3 25. Be2 Be4 26. Bd3 Bf3 27. Be2 $11 {½, Kasparov,G (2812)
-Anand,V (2783) Saint Louis blitz 2017}) 5. Bd2 Nc6 (5... O-O 6. a3 Bxc3 7.
Bxc3 Qe7 8. Nf3 Nbd7 {is played somewhat more often:} 9. e3 b6 10. Bd3 e5 $5
11. dxe5 dxe5 12. Nd2 Nc5 13. Be2 Bb7 14. O-O Nfe4 15. b4 Nxc3 16. Qxc3 Nd7 17.
c5 bxc5 18. Rfc1 Bd5 19. bxc5 {Lenic,L (2641)-Carlsen,M (2840) chess.com rpd
2017} Rab8 $132) 6. Nf3 O-O 7. a3 Bxc3 8. Bxc3 Qe7 9. e3 a5 10. Be2 e5 11. dxe5
dxe5 12. h3 (12. O-O Bg4 13. h3 Bh5 14. Nxe5 $5 Nxe5 15. Bxh5 Nxh5 16. Qf5 Nxc4
17. Qxh5 f5 18. Rad1 (18. Rac1 $14) 18... c6 19. Rd4 Nb6 20. e4 fxe4 21. Qg4
Nd5 22. Rxe4 Qf7 $132 {Nolte,R (2460)-Bersamina,P (2206) Tagaytay City 2013})
12... Rd8 (12... a4 13. O-O Nd7 14. Bd3 (14. Nd2 Nc5 15. Bf3 Bd7 16. Rfd1 Rfe8
17. Bb4 Nxb4 18. axb4 e4 19. bxc5 exf3 20. Nxf3 Bc6 21. Nd4 {Anton Guijarro,D 
(2650)-Kayumov,S (2505) Doha blitz 2016} Be4 22. Qe2 Qxc5 $11) 14... g6 15. Be4
Nd8 16. Bb4 Nc5 17. Ne1 c6 18. Nd3 b6 19. Nxc5 bxc5 20. Bc3 $16 {Salomon,J 
(2488)-Fenil,S (2267) Sitges 2017}) 13. O-O (13. b3 g6 14. Qb2 Re8 15. Nd2 b6
16. O-O Bb7 17. b4 Nd7 18. Bf3 Nd8 19. bxa5 Bxf3 20. Nxf3 bxa5 21. Rfd1 f6 22.
Qd2 Nc5 23. Rab1 Ndb7 $11 {Lupulescu,C (2618)-Bogdanovich,S (2591) Baku 2016})
13... e4 14. Nd4 Nxd4 (14... Ne5 15. b4 Bd7 16. Rfd1 c5 17. bxc5 Qxc5 18. Rab1
Qxa3 19. Nb3 Re8 20. Ra1 Qe7 21. Rxa5 Rxa5 22. Nxa5 Bc6 23. Qd2 $16 {Enricci,J
(2410)-Cilloniz Razzeto,A (2301) email 2006}) 15. Bxd4 c5 16. Bc3 (16. Bxf6
gxf6 (16... Qxf6 17. Qxe4 $14) 17. Rfd1 Rxd1+ 18. Rxd1 f5 $14 {is pleasant for
White, but is it really enough to win?}) 16... a4 17. f4 $5 Bd7 (17... exf3 18.
Bxf3 (18. Rxf3 Ne4 19. Bd3 Re8 $11) 18... Qxe3+ 19. Kh1 $44) 18. f5 Bc6 19. Rf4
Rd6 20. Raf1 Rad8 21. Qc1 Nd7 $6 (21... h6 $13) 22. f6 $1 Nxf6 $6 (22... Rxf6
$142 $5 23. Bxf6 Nxf6 $14) 23. Qe1 Ne8 (23... Re6 24. Qg3 Qc7 25. Qg5 h6 26.
Qxc5 $16 {[%csl Gc3,Ge2]}) 24. Rxf7 Qxf7 25. Rxf7 Kxf7 26. Qg3 Nf6 27. Qe5 $16
{[%cal Rg2g5] /+-, Wojtaszek,R (2736)-Nisipeanu,L (2683) Dortmund 2017}) 4...
O-O 5. Bg5 c5 6. e3 (6. Rc1 h6 7. Bh4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 d5 9. e3 (9. cxd5 g5 $1 10.
Bg3 Qxd5 $132) 9... e5 10. Nf3 d4 (10... g5 11. Bg3 d4 12. exd4 exd4 13. Nxd4
$6 (13. Qxd4 $142 {transposes to 10...d4}) 13... Qb6 14. Ndb5 Bg4 $1 15. Be2
Bxe2 (15... Rd8 $5) 16. Kxe2 Qe6+ $6 (16... Nc6 $1 $36) 17. Kf1 Qxc4+ 18. Qe2
Qxe2+ 19. Kxe2 Re8+ 20. Kd3 Nc6 21. Rhe1 (21. Rhd1 $142 $11 {/=/+}) 21... Red8+
22. Kc2 a6 23. Na3 b5 24. Kb1 Rac8 25. Red1 Bxc3 26. Rxd8+ Rxd8 27. Rxc3 Nb4
28. Rc1 Ne4 29. Bc7 Rc8 30. f3 Nd2+ 31. Ka1 Nd5 32. Rd1 Rxc7 33. Rxd2 Rc1+ $17
{Wojtaszek,R (2701)-Tkachiev,V (2632) Legnica 2013. Although later Radek
managed to save the game, probably this experience subsequently led him to
abandon 6.Rc1 in favour of 6.e3.}) 11. exd4 exd4 12. Nxd4 $6 (12. Qxd4 g5 $44)
12... Qb6 $1 $32 13. Nf3 Rd8 14. Qc2 g5 15. Bg3 Nc6 16. Bd3 g4 17. Nh4 Bf8 18.
Qb1 Re8+ 19. Kf1 Be6 20. h3 Nh5 21. Ne4 Nxg3+ 22. Nxg3 Rad8 23. hxg4 Ne5 $40 {
Edouard,R (2613)-Nakamura,H (2785) Caleta 2017 For more details see the notes
to this game by Navara in CBM 177 and an article about the 4.Nf3 0-0 line in
CBM 179.}) 6... h6 7. Bh4 cxd4 (7... Qa5 $143 $6 8. Bxf6 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Qxc3+
10. Nd2 $44 gxf6 11. Rb1 d6 12. Rb3 Qa5 13. Bd3 e5 14. O-O Nc6 15. d5 Nb4 16.
Bb1 f5 17. a3 Na6 18. Nf3 Qd8 19. g3 Qf6 20. Nh4 Nc7 21. Bxf5 $1 Bxf5 22. Qf3
b5 23. Qxf5 Qxf5 24. Nxf5 $16 {Melkumyan,H (2647)-Vydeslaver,A (2384) Warsaw
2014}) 8. exd4 d5 {Wang Yue opts for the simple alternative.} ({The sharper
continuation is} 8... Qa5 $5 {and now:} {Wojtaszek himself once played} 9. Bd3
$5 (9. Qc2 Ne4 10. Rc1 (10. Bd3 $5 Nxc3 11. O-O Qa4 12. Qc1 Nxa2 13. Qb1 d6 14.
Rxa2 Qe8 $44 {and White's initiative is good enough only for equality -
Kasparov}) (10. Be7 Bxe7 11. Qxe4 Bb4 12. Qe3 Nc6 13. Be2 Bxc3+ 14. bxc3 Qc7
15. g4 Ne7 16. g5 Nf5 17. Qd3 hxg5 18. Nxg5 f6 19. Ne4 b6 20. c5 Bb7 $17 {
Van Doorn,J (2269)-Oudheusden,W (2222) email 2011}) 10... d5 11. Bd3 (11. a3
Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Nc6 13. Bd3 f5 14. O-O g5 15. Bg3 f4 16. cxd5 exd5 17. c4 Qxa3
18. Qb1 Bf5 19. cxd5 Nd2 20. Nxd2 Bxd3 $17 {Jobava,B (2334)-Barsov,A (2526)
Abu Dhabi 2003}) 11... Qxa2 12. Bxe4 (12. O-O Bxc3 13. bxc3 Qxc2 14. Rxc2 Nc6
15. Ra1 b6 16. cxd5 exd5 17. Bxe4 dxe4 18. d5 Na5 19. Nd2 Bf5 $17 {Cruz,W 
(2241)-Mekhitarian,K (2559) Florianopolis 2017}) 12... dxe4 13. Nd2 (13. Ne5 f6
14. O-O Bxc3 15. Qxc3 Qa4 16. Ng6 Rf7 17. Bg3 Kh7 18. Bxb8 Rxb8 19. h4 Qe8 20.
Qg3 Bd7 $15 {Sideif Sade,F (2385)-Novikov,I (2455) Pavlodar 1987}) 13... Qa5
14. Qxe4 (14. Ndxe4 Nc6 15. Qd3 {Cruz,W (2241)-Das Chagas,D (1952) Pirai do
Sul 2017} Qh5 $1 16. Qg3 Kh8 $19 {[%cal Rc6d4,Rf7f4]}) 14... f5 ({Black has
more restrained moves such as} 14... Nc6 $5 15. O-O Qh5 $11) ({or} 14... Qf5
$11) 15. Qd3 e5 ({Black still doesn't have to force the issue - the solid} 
15... Qc7 $1 16. f3 Nc6 {is at least equal}) 16. O-O $142 $1 $32 {is a
dangerous piece sacrifice:} (16. f4 exd4 17. Qxd4 Re8+ 18. Kd1 Be6 (18... Nc6
$5 19. Qd5+ Be6 20. Qxa5 Nxa5 21. b3 b5 22. Nxb5 Bxd2 23. Kxd2 Nxb3+ 24. Kc2
Nxc1 25. Nc7 Ne2 26. Nxa8 Bxc4 27. Nc7 Rc8 {0-1, Skaperdas,K (2217)-Sigalas,F 
(2277) Aghios Kirykos 2004}) 19. Qe5 Qxe5 20. fxe5 Nc6 21. Re1 g5 22. Bf2 Rad8
$19 {Florean,A (2459)-Rogozenco,D (2557) Bucharest 1999 See the notes to this
game in CBM 70 by Tisdall.}) 16... g5 (16... exd4 17. Nd5 Bxd2 18. Ra1 {
[%csl Ra5]}) (16... e4 17. Qe2 Nc6 $5 18. Nb3 Qc7 19. f3 $5 $14) 17. Bg3 e4 18.
Qe2 f4 19. Ndxe4 Bxc3 20. bxc3 Qc7 21. h4 (21. c5 $40) 21... fxg3 22. fxg3 Bf5
23. hxg5 Nd7 24. gxh6 Kh8 25. Ng5 Qd6 26. g4 $36 {Bekker Jensen,S (2438)
-Lupulescu,C (2626) Germany 2016}) 9... Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 Qxc3+ 11. Kf1 Nh5 ({
Also the older move} 11... d6 12. Bxf6 gxf6 {might be playable after} 13. Rc1 (
13. Rb1 Bd7 14. Rxb7 Ba4 15. Qe2 Nc6 16. Qe3 Kg7 {Ciparis,J (2363)-Stropus,V 
(2383) corr 1999} 17. Ke2 Nb4 18. Rb1 $11) (13. h4 e5 $13 {can only transpose
to 13.Rc1}) 13... Qa5 14. Bb1 $5 (14. h4 e5 15. g4 Nc6 16. g5 f5 17. gxh6 Kh8
18. Rg1 e4 19. d5 exf3 20. dxc6 bxc6 21. Qxf3 Be6 22. c5 Rg8 23. Rxg8+ Rxg8 24.
Qf4 Qa3 25. Qd4+ Kh7 $132 {Rashkovsky,N (2420)-Novikov,I (2490) Tashkent 1986})
14... Kg7 15. g3 (15. Nd2 $5) 15... e5 16. Kg2 $44) 12. g3 $1 Nc6 $142 (12...
f5 13. Rc1 $6 (13. Be7 $1 Re8 14. Bd6 $44 {/|^}) 13... Qa3 14. Ne5 Nf6 15. Ng6
Rf7 16. Kg2 b6 17. Re1 Bb7+ 18. d5 Na6 19. Ne5 g5 20. Nxf7 Kxf7 $19 {Wojtaszek,
R (2715)-Berkes,F (2665) Budapest 2014 This game is annotated in more detail
in the theoretical article in CBM 179.}) 13. Rc1 Qa5 $5 (13... Qa3 $143 14. Kg2
$44) 14. Kg2 b6 $13 {is far from clear, but the Chinese GM is not interested...
}) 9. Rc1 (9. Bd3 dxc4 10. Bxc4 Nc6 11. O-O Be7 12. a3 b6 13. Qd3 Bb7 14. Rad1
Nh5 15. Bg3 Bf6 $142 $5 (15... Nxg3 16. hxg3 Bf6 17. d5 exd5 (17... Na5 18.
dxe6 Nxc4 19. exf7+ Rxf7 20. Qxc4 Qc8 21. Qb3 Bxc3 22. bxc3 Qf5 23. Ne5 Qxe5
24. Rd7 $16 {Shankland,S (2602)-Bregadze,L (2417) Santa Clara 2014}) 18. Bxd5
$14 Na5 {Timofeev,A (2539)-Aleksandrov,A (2606) St Petersburg 2015} 19. b4 $1
Bxc3 20. Bxf7+ Kxf7 21. Qxc3 $36) 16. d5 (16. Ne4 Na5 17. Ba2 Bd5 $11) 16...
Na5 17. dxe6 Nxc4 18. exf7+ Rxf7 19. Qxc4 Qc8 20. Qb3 Bxf3 21. gxf3 Bxc3 22.
Rc1 Qf5 23. Rxc3 Raf8 24. Qc4 Nf4 25. Re1 Kh8 26. Bxf4 Qxf4 27. Qxf4 Rxf4 28.
Kg2 R8f7 {½, Learte Pastor,T (2258)-Sciarretta,R (2129) email 2012}) 9... Be7
$146 {[%mdl 8] A plausible novelty.} ({However, the developing} 9... Nc6 $142
$1 {makes a better impression:} 10. a3 (10. cxd5 exd5 11. Be2 Qd6 12. O-O Ne4
13. Nb5 Qf4 14. Bg3 Nxg3 15. hxg3 Qb8 16. a3 Be7 17. Re1 Bf6 18. Qd3 a6 19. Nc3
Qd6 20. Bd1 Bg4 21. Bc2 g6 22. Bb3 Bxf3 23. Qxf3 Nxd4 24. Qxd5 Rad8 $11 {
Taimanov,M (2585)-Parma,B (2500) Tbilisi 1973}) (10. c5 $6 g5 (10... e5 $5 11.
Nxe5 Nxe5 12. dxe5 d4 13. a3 dxc3 14. axb4 cxb2 15. Rb1 Qxd1+ 16. Kxd1 Rd8+ 17.
Ke1 Rd4 18. exf6 Rxb4 $1 19. Bd3 Rxh4 20. Rxb2 gxf6 $15 {/-/+, Chatalbashev,B 
(2550)-Lie,K (2525) Kragero 2017}) 11. Bg3 Ne4 12. h4 Nxg3 13. fxg3 e5 14. a3
Bxc3+ 15. bxc3 e4 16. Ng1 Qc7 $17 {Champion,W-Gladis,D email 2004}) (10. Be2
dxc4 11. Bxc4 b6 (11... Be7 12. O-O b6 13. a3 Bb7 14. Ba2 Nd5 15. Bxe7 Ncxe7
16. Bb1 Rc8 17. Qd2 Nxc3 18. Rxc3 Rxc3 19. Qxc3 Bxf3 20. Qxf3 Qxd4 $17 {
Brynell,S (2501)-Willemze,T (2393) Wijk aan Zee 2007}) 12. O-O Bb7 13. Bd3 Be7
14. Bb1 Rc8 15. Re1 Re8 16. a3 Nd5 17. Bg3 Nxc3 18. bxc3 Bxa3 19. Qd3 g6 20.
Rcd1 {Rashkovsky,N (2445)-Mikhalchishin,A (2525) Kuibyshev 1986} Ne7 $5 $15 {
[%cal Ye7f5]}) 10... Be7 11. c5 Ne4 12. Bxe7 Qxe7 13. Bb5 Nxc3 14. Rxc3 e5 15.
dxe5 (15. O-O Bg4 16. Bxc6 bxc6 17. dxe5 (17. Qa4 Bxf3 18. Rxf3 e4 19. Rb3 Qd7
20. Qa6 {Ivanov,I (2505)-Seirawan,Y (2595) Saint John blitz 1988} f5 $132 {/=/+
}) 17... Bxf3 18. Rxf3 Qxe5 {1/2-1/2 (58) Carlsen,M (2855)-Nakamura,H (2787)
Leuven 2016} 19. b4 d4 20. Re1 Qd5 21. Qb3 Rfd8 22. Qxd5 Rxd5 23. Rd1 a5 $11 {
Carlsen,M (2855)-Nakamura,H (2787) Leuven blitz 2016}) 15... Nxe5 16. Nxe5
Qxe5+ 17. Qe2 Qc7 18. O-O d4 19. Rcc1 Bf5 20. Qf3 Bg6 21. Rfd1 Rad8 22. b4 a6
23. Bd3 Bxd3 24. Rxd3 Rfe8 25. g3 Re5 26. Kg2 a5 27. h4 axb4 28. axb4 {
Gonzalez Garcia,J (2498)-Burg,T (2506) Barcelona 2017} Qc6 $11) ({Even though} 
9... dxc4 10. Bxc4 {gives White an extra tempo in comparison with 9.Bd3, it's
still difficult to prove any advantage:} Nc6 11. O-O Be7 12. Re1 b6 13. a3 Bb7
14. Bg3 Rc8 15. Ba2 Bd6 $1 16. d5 Nxd5 17. Nxd5 Bxg3 18. hxg3 exd5 19. Bxd5 Qf6
20. Qa4 Rfd8 21. Rcd1 {Kasparov,G (2700)-Karpov,A (2720) WCh Moscow 1985} Rc7
$1 22. Be4 Rcd7 $11 {Kasparov}) 10. c5 {As White doesn't want to lose a tempo
with his Bf1, this is practically forced.} (10. cxd5 Nxd5 {makes life rather
easy for Black:} 11. Bxe7 (11. Bg3 Nc6 $11 (11... b6 $5)) 11... Nxe7 12. Bc4 a6
$11) 10... b6 (10... Nc6 11. Bb5 $14 {favours White - compared to the similar
line in the Panov attack of the Caro-Kann, he has an extra tempo due to the
manoeuvre Bb4-e7.}) ({However, a good alternative is} 10... Ne4 11. Bxe7 Qxe7
12. Bd3 Nxc3 13. Rxc3 (13. bxc3 b6 $15) 13... e5 $1 14. dxe5 Nc6 15. O-O Bg4 $5
(15... Nxe5 16. Bb1 $14) 16. Bc2 Rad8 $132) 11. b4 a5 (11... Nc6 $6 12. b5 $36
{makes even less sense, than a move earlier.}) ({Black still had} 11... Ne4 $5
12. Bxe7 Qxe7 {and now:} 13. Bd3 (13. Nxe4 dxe4 14. Ne5 Rd8 $13) (13. Ne5 Nxc3
14. Rxc3 Nd7 15. Nxd7 (15. Nc6 Qe8 {[%cal Rd7c5]} 16. b5 Bb7 $132) 15... Bxd7
16. Ba6 bxc5 17. bxc5 (17. dxc5 Qf6 18. Rf3 Qe5+ 19. Re3 Qf4 $11) 17... Bc6 18.
O-O e5 $132) 13... Nxc3 (13... Bb7 14. Qe2 $14) 14. Rxc3 e5 15. dxe5 Nc6 16.
O-O Nxb4 17. cxb6 Nxd3 18. Qxd3 axb6 19. Qxd5 Be6 20. Qb5 Rxa2 21. Qxb6 Bd5 $11
{and despite White's extra P the position is drawish.}) 12. Na4 $6 {Falling
behind in development.} ({White should have taken his chance to flick in} 12.
Bxf6 $142 $5 gxf6 (12... Bxf6 $6 13. b5 $16 {[%csl Gb5,Gc5]}) 13. a3 (13. Na4
axb4 14. Nxb6 Rxa2 15. Qb3 Ra5 16. Qxb4 Nc6 17. Qd2 e5 $1 $13 {/\} 18. Qxh6 Bf5
) (13. Qd2 axb4 14. Qxh6 Re8 $1 (14... bxc3 $2 15. Bd3 (15. Rxc3 Rxa2 16. Ne5
$18) 15... f5 16. Rg1 $18 {[%cal Rg2g4]}) 15. Bd3 f5 16. Nb5 bxc5 17. dxc5 Rxa2
18. O-O Bf8 $13) 13... axb4 14. axb4 Nc6 15. b5 Nb4 16. c6 e5 17. Be2 $13)
12... axb4 13. Nxb6 ({Now it's already late for} 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 $17) 13... Rxa2
{[%cal Rf6e4]} (13... Ra3 $5 14. Bd3 (14. Qd2 Ne4 15. Qxb4 Bxh4 16. Qxa3 Bxf2+
17. Kd1 e5 $1 $40) (14. Bg3 Nbd7 15. Nxc8 Qxc8 16. Bd3 Ne4 $15) 14... Nc6 15.
O-O Ne4 $15) 14. Qb3 Ra7 (14... Ra5 $142 $1 15. Qxb4 Nc6 16. Qb2 e5 $1 $32 {/\}
17. dxe5 $2 (17. Be2 $142 exd4 18. O-O $15) 17... Bxc5 18. Rxc5 (18. Nxc8 Qxc8
19. exf6 Ba3 $19) 18... Rxc5 19. Be2 (19. exf6 $2 Re8+ 20. Kd2 Bf5 $40) 19...
g5 20. exf6 gxh4 21. O-O Bf5 22. Nxh4 d4 $17) 15. Qxb4 Nbd7 $6 {Black again
had better moves:} (15... Nc6 16. Qb2 Nd7 $5 (16... Bb7 17. Bb5 $14) 17. Bxe7
Nxe7 18. Bd3 Rb7 19. Rb1 f6 20. O-O e5 $11) (15... e5 16. dxe5 (16. Nxe5 Ng4 $1
17. Bg3 Nxe5 18. dxe5 Be6 $44) 16... Nc6 17. Qb2 Ne4 18. Bxe7 Nxe7 19. Be2 Rb7
20. O-O Nxc5 21. Rxc5 Qxb6 $14 {/=}) 16. Nxd7 $6 {White returns the favour,
this exchange is in my opinion misguided.} ({After} 16. Nxc8 Qxc8 17. Bb5 $36 {
[%csl Gc5] the o^ is potentially more dangerous.}) 16... Bxd7 17. Bd3 ({
Black has no problems whatsoever after} 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. Bd3 Qa8 (18... Ra2
$11) (18... Bc6 $11) 19. O-O Rb8 $11 {Therefore Wojtaszek allows the
transition into an endgame.}) 17... Ra4 18. Qd2 $8 (18. Qb2 g5 19. Bg3 Qa5+ $15
) 18... Ne4 19. Bxe7 Nxd2 $1 (19... Qxe7 $143 20. Qb2 $14) 20. Bxd8 Nxf3+ 21.
gxf3 Rxd8 {[%mdl 4096]} 22. Ke2 $1 (22. c6 $2 Bxc6 $17) 22... Bc6 {Playing it
safe.} (22... Rxd4 23. c6 Bc8 24. Ra1 $44 ({or} 24. c7 $5 {probably doesn't
lose by force, but it's definitely more dangerous.})) 23. Ke3 e5 $5 {Suddenly
Black lashes out - surprising and objectively probably OK.} ({However, the
simple} 23... Kf8 24. Ra1 Rda8 25. Rxa4 Rxa4 26. Rb1 Ke7 27. Rb6 Kd7 $11 {
should hold.}) 24. dxe5 Rh4 (24... g5 25. Ra1 Rf4 26. Ra6 d4+ 27. Kd2 Rc8 $1
28. Rb1 h5 $5 (28... Bxf3 29. Rxh6 Kg7 $1 30. Rh7+ Kg8 31. Rg1 Rxc5 32. Rxg5+
Kf8 $44) 29. Rbb6 Bxf3 30. e6 fxe6 31. Rxe6 Rxc5 32. Rg6+ Kf8 33. Rgf6+ Kg7 $11
) 25. Rb1 d4+ 26. Kd2 {[%cal Yb1b6]} (26. Ke2 $143 Rf4 $11 (26... Rh5 $5))
26... Kf8 (26... Bxf3 27. Rhc1 Rxh2 (27... Bc6 $2 28. Rb6 Rc8 29. Bf5 Rc7 30.
Rb8+ $18) 28. c6 Bxc6 29. Rxc6 Rxf2+ 30. Kd1 $14 {gives White some winning
chances.}) ({This line shows Black needs an airhole, roughly equivalent to the
text was} 26... g5 $5) 27. Rb6 Rc8 $5 (27... Bxf3 28. c6 $1 Rc8 (28... Bxh1 29.
c7 Ke7 (29... Rc8 30. Rb8 Ke7 (30... Bb7 $2 31. Bf5 $18) 31. Rxc8 {- 29...Ke7})
30. Rb8 Rc8 31. Rxc8 Kd7 32. Bf5+ Kc6 33. Rf8 Kxc7 34. Rxf7+ $16) 29. Rhb1 Bxc6
30. Rxc6 $1 (30. Ba6 Re8 $5 31. Rxc6 Rxh2 $14) 30... Rxc6 31. Rb8+ Ke7 32. Bb5
Ke6 $1 33. Bxc6 Kxe5 34. Rb7 $14) 28. Rhb1 Ke7 (28... Bxf3 $2 29. Rb8 Re8 (
29... Rxb8 30. Rxb8+ Ke7 31. Bb5 $18) 30. R1b6 $1 $16 {[%csl Gc5][%cal Rd3b5]
unblocks the strong Pc5.}) 29. Ra1 Rc7 $1 {Again the best defence.} (29... Bxf3
$2 30. Ra7+ Kf8 31. Ba6 $1 Rd8 32. Bc4 $18) 30. Raa6 Bxf3 31. Bb5 {[%cal Yb6b8]
White has finally removed the Bc6 and can now play for an attack against the
Ke7.} Bg4 $2 {[%mdl 8192] Wang Yue stumbles, this tactical error costs him the
game.} (31... Rxh2 32. Rb8 f6 {holds, White has no more than repetition after}
33. exf6+ (33. Re8+ Kf7 34. e6+ $6 Kg6 $17) 33... gxf6 34. Rh8 Rxc5 35. Rh7+
Kf8 36. Raa7 (36. Rb6 Kg8 37. Rd7 Rxf2+ 38. Ke1 Rfc2 39. Rd8+ Kf7 40. Rd7+ $11)
36... Rxf2+ 37. Kd3 Rg2 38. Rhf7+ Kg8 39. Rfe7 Kh8 40. Re8+ Rg8 41. Ree7 $11)
32. Ra8 Bc8 (32... f6 33. Rg8 $18) (32... Rc8 33. Rb7+ Kd8 34. Raa7 Rxc5 35.
Rxf7 $18) 33. Rc6 $1 $18 ({The text move is more straightforward than} 33. c6
Rxh2 34. Rb7 Kd8 $16 (34... Bxb7 $2 35. cxb7 Rxb7 36. Re8#)) 33... Kd8 34. Rxc7
Kxc7 35. Ra7+ Kb8 (35... Kd8 36. c6 Rxh2 37. c7+ Ke7 38. Ra8 Rxf2+ 39. Kd1 $1
$18 (39. Ke1 $2 Rf5 $11)) 36. Rxf7 ({After} 36. Rxf7 Rxh2 {White has more than
one way to win; possibly the cleanest is} 37. Kd3 $5 $18 {[%csl Gc5,Ge5] and
the o^ will decide.} (37. Bc4 $18 {[%cal Ge5e8]}) (37. Bd7 $18) (37. c6 $18))
1-0

[Event "Mermaid Beach Club m"]
[Site "Bermuda"]
[Date "1999.01.26"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Seirawan, Yasser"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2643"]
[BlackElo "2716"]
[Annotator "Tisdall,J"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[EventDate "1999.01.21"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 069"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.04.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.04.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qb3 c5 6. a3 Ba5 7. Bg5 Bb7 8. e3 (
8. Rd1 $5 {again seems most promising according to the state of the art. Now
black can avoid the terrors of the previous duel be capturing on d4 before the
rook can influence the game.}) 8... cxd4 (8... Bxf3 9. gxf3 cxd4 10. exd4 Nc6
11. O-O-O Bxc3 12. Qxc3 Rc8 13. Kb1 d5 $5 (13... Ne4 14. fxe4 Qxg5 15. c5 O-O
16. Ba6 Rb8 17. d5 exd5 18. exd5 Ne7 19. Rhg1 Qh6 20. c6 $1 dxc6 21. dxc6 Nxc6
22. Rd6 $1 $18 {1-0 Kortschnoj,V-Polugaevsky,L/Reykjavik 1987/CBM 02 (31)}) 14.
c5 bxc5 15. dxc5 d4 16. Qc4 O-O 17. Rg1 Ne5 18. Qxd4 Qxd4 19. Rxd4 Nxf3 20.
Bxf6 Nxg1 21. Rg4 g6 22. Rxg1 Rxc5 23. Be7 $16 {1-0 Kohlweyer,B-Ostojic,P/
Dortmund 1987/TD (67)}) 9. Nxd4 (9. exd4 $5 {not fearing the gashed pawn
structure after ...Bxf3 seems more ambitious, especially in view of black's
dismal record in this type of position.}) 9... O-O 10. Qc2 (10. Ndb5 d5 11.
O-O-O a6 12. cxd5 axb5 13. dxe6 {was, according to Seirawan, his prepared
response in this position, but he discovered a flaw at the board. This seems
like good judgement since the sacrifice looks highly doubtful to me. Black's
active pieces are more likely to do damage to white's rather exposed king long
before pawn count has any say in the game.}) 10... Bxc3+ 11. Qxc3 d5 12. cxd5
Bxd5 13. f3 h6 $1 {This makes it more difficult for white to achieve e4,
thanks to a more successful tactical mechanism with ...N(x)e4 with the white
bishop placed on h4.} 14. Bh4 Nbd7 15. Bb5 (15. b4 $5 Ne4 16. Bxd8 Nxc3 17. Be7
Rfe8 18. Bd6 {was given by Seirawan, who found it hard to assess. Since he was
willing to repeat this variation a few days later, one is tempted to deduce
that he found it worth trying to get one more time.}) (15. Rc1) 15... Rc8 16.
Qd2 Nc5 17. Rd1 Nb3 18. Nxb3 (18. Qe2 Nxd4 19. Rxd4 Rc1+ 20. Rd1 Rxd1+ 21. Qxd1
Qc8 22. O-O Bc4 23. Bxc4 Qxc4 {gave some chances for a microscopic edge
according to Seirawan.}) 18... Bxb3 19. Qxd8 Rfxd8 20. Rxd8+ Rxd8 21. Ke2 Rc8 (
21... Rc8 22. Bd3 Nd7 23. Bg3 a5 $1 {did not inspire white into playing on.} (
23... Nc5 $6 24. Rc1 Rd8 25. Bb5 {and the possibility of Bc7 prevents ...a6
and gives white the beginning of a small initiative.} a6 26. Bc7 Rc8 27. Bxb6
axb5 28. Rxc5)) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Recklinghausen"]
[Site "Recklinghausen"]
[Date "1998.07.28"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Graf, Alexander"]
[Black "Luther, Thomas"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2625"]
[BlackElo "2510"]
[Annotator "Tisdall,J"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "1998.07.25"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "12"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 067"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.11.30"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.11.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 {Hecht} e6 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 O-O 5. Bg5 c5 6. Rc1 (6. d5 b5 (
6... h6 7. Bh4 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 d6 9. e3 e5 10. Nd2 Nbd7 11. Bd3 Re8 12. Qc2 Nf8
13. O-O g5 14. Bg3 Qe7 15. f3 Nh5 16. Bf2 Kg7 $13 {0-1 Blagojevic,D-Milanovic,
V/Belgrade 1989/EXT 89op (47)}) 7. e3 Bb7 8. d6 Qa5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd2 Bxc3
11. bxc3 Qxc3 12. cxb5 a6 13. Rc1 Qa3 14. b6 Nc6 15. Nc4 Qb4+ 16. Qd2 Rfb8 17.
f4 Qxd2+ 18. Nxd2 Nb4 19. Rxc5 Bc6 20. Nc4 Nxa2 21. Be2 Nc3 22. Na5 Nxe2 23.
Rxc6 dxc6 24. b7 Ra7 25. Kxe2 Raxb7 26. Nxb7 Rxb7 27. Rc1 Rb2+ 28. Kd3 Kf8 29.
Rxc6 Ke8 30. h4 Rxg2 31. Rxa6 {1-0 Kortschnoj,V-Larsen,B/Sousse 1967/IZT (44)})
6... cxd4 7. Nxd4 d5 (7... Nc6 8. e3 a6 9. Be2 Be7 {is the most solid plan.}
10. O-O d6 11. Qd2 Qb6 12. Rfd1 Bd7 13. Nb3 Rad8 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. Ne4 Nb4 16.
Nxd6 Nxa2 17. c5 Qxb3 18. Bc4 Nxc1 19. Bxb3 Nxb3 20. Qb4 Nxc5 21. Qxc5 Ba4 22.
b3 Bxb3 23. Rd3 Bd5 24. e4 Bxe4 {0-1 Szabo,L-Kortschnoj,V/Lugano 1968/MCD-ol 
(24)}) 8. e3 h6 9. Bh4 Bxc3+ (9... Nc6 10. cxd5 $14) 10. bxc3 dxc4 11. Bxc4 e5
$5 {An extremely straightforward way to seek equality. Black must play
precisely to neutralize white's initiative.} (11... Nbd7 $5) 12. Nb5 Qxd1+ 13.
Rxd1 Nc6 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. O-O (15. Nd6 Na5 16. Bd5 Be6 $11) 15... Na5 (15...
Be6 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. Nc7 $16) (15... a6 16. Nd6 (16. Nc7 Ra7 17. Rd6 Kg7 18.
Rfd1 (18. Nxa6 $4 Na5 $19) (18. Bxa6 $4 bxa6 19. Rxc6 Bd7 $19 {[%csl Rc7]})
18... Na5 19. Be2 b5 20. Nd5 Be6 $132) 16... Rb8 17. f4 $5 Bg4 (17... Be6 18.
Bxe6 fxe6 19. f5 $16) 18. Rd2 $16) 16. Bd5 Be6 $1 17. Nc7 $1 (17. Bxe6 fxe6 18.
Nc7 Rac8 19. Rd7 (19. Nxe6 Rfe8 $19) 19... Rf7 $15) 17... Bxd5 18. Nxd5 Kg7 19.
e4 {[%csl Rf6,Rf7]} Rfd8 20. Rd3 Rd6 21. Rg3+ Kf8 22. Rf3 Nc4 $1 (22... Kg7 23.
Ne7 Rd2 24. Nf5+ Kf8 25. Rh3 $14 Rxa2 26. Rxh6 Kg8 27. Rxf6 Nc4 $132) 23. Rxf6
Rxf6 24. Nxf6 {Hecht: '[#] Beiderseits Bauern- und Felderschwächen. Da Schwarz
seinen Turm zuerst aktivieren kann, läßt sich der weiße Mehrbauer nicht halten.
'} Rd8 {[%csl Ra2,Rc3,Gc4,Re4] Now black has excellent compensation, having
fully activated his forces and having plenty of targets for counterplay.} 25.
h4 Rd6 $1 26. Nh5 (26. Nd5 Nd2 27. Re1 Nxe4 28. c4 Nd2 29. Rxe5 Nxc4 $15) 26...
Nd2 27. Rc1 Nxe4 28. f3 Nc5 29. Rc2 {It is hard for me to imagine this going
wrong for black.} Ke7 (29... Rd3 $5) 30. Re2 Rd1+ 31. Kh2 f6 32. f4 Nd3 33.
fxe5 fxe5 34. Ng3 Ke6 35. Ne4 {Hecht: '[#]'} Re1 $2 {'?!' Hecht. Time
pressure? Suddenly black must be careful. Hecht: 'Der Übergang ins
Springerendspiel läßt die weißen Bauernschwächen verschwinden, beläßt dem
weißen aber einen - ähnlich wie in Bauernendspielen - gefährlichen entfernten
Freibauern. Zudem steht der schwarze Springer auf e1 schlecht. Viel besser war:
'} (35... Nf4) (35... Nf4 $1 {Hecht} 36. Re3 (36. Rd2 Re1 37. Nc5+ Kf5 $132 {
z.B.} 38. Nxb7 e4 39. g3 e3) 36... Nd5) 36. Rxe1 Nxe1 37. g4 (37. Nc5+ $5 Kd5 (
37... Kf5 38. Nxb7 Kg4 (38... e4 39. Kg1) 39. c4 {is more dangerous for black,
for example} Nd3 40. c5 Nb4 41. Nd8 e4 42. c6 Nd5 43. Nf7 h5 44. g3 Kf3 45.
Ng5+ Ke3 46. g4 hxg4 47. h5 Kf4 48. Nxe4 $1 Kxe4 49. c7 $1 $18 (49. h6 $2 Kf3
$1 $19) 49... Nxc7 50. h6 $18) 38. Nxb7 Kc4 39. g4 Kxc3 40. Kg3 e4 41. g5 hxg5
42. h5 {is harmless for most reasons.} Nd3 43. h6 Nf4 ({Even} 43... e3 44. h7
e2 45. h8=Q+ Kd2 46. Qh2 Kd1 47. Qh5 Kd2 48. Qxg5+ Kc2 $11) 44. h7 Ng6) 37...
Kd5 $2 {Hecht: 'Aktivität zur unrechten Zeit.'} (37... b5 $11) (37... Nd3 $142
{[%cal Gd3c5,Yd3f4,Yb7b5,Ya7a5] Hecht}) 38. Nf6+ Kc4 (38... Ke6 39. Ng8 h5 40.
gxh5 $16) 39. Kg3 {'+-!' Hecht.} Kd3 (39... Kxc3 40. g5 hxg5 41. h5 $1 Nd3 42.
Nd5+ $1 Kd4 43. h6) 40. g5 hxg5 41. h5 e4 42. Nxe4 1-0

[Event "Mermaid Beach Club m"]
[Site "Bermuda"]
[Date "1999.01.30"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Seirawan, Yasser"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2643"]
[BlackElo "2716"]
[Annotator "Tisdall,J"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "1999.01.21"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 069"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.04.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.04.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qb3 c5 6. a3 Ba5 7. Bg5 Bb7 8. e3 (
8. Rd1 $5 {as quickly as possible is the interesting philosophical point in
this variation. Seirawan's most impressive achievement with this variation was
accomplished with an early Rd1 followed by Rxd4-f4! Also worth noting is Ivan
Sokolov's impressive performance against Emms with an early Rd1, though
Sokolov played the position without a2-a3, a move that Seirawan always inserts.
All of this raises questions; Is Seirawan trying to avoid lines with ...
Nc6-a5? Why does Sokolov hurry the R to d1when his idea is to play exd4? Why
does Seirawan not hurry the R to d1 when his idea of using the open d-line
caused so many problems?  Hopefully further adventures in this sharp system
will shed some light on these subtleties.}) 8... cxd4 9. Nxd4 ({As mentioned
in the notes to the other match games,} 9. exd4 $5 {not fearing the gashed
pawn structure after ...Bxf3 has had good results. One can understand that
this drastic variation might not be just what the doctor ordered in a close
match however. On the other hand, black could force this structure by taking
on f3 first - so perhaps a situation where neither side wishes to touch the
position.}) 9... O-O 10. Qc2 Bxc3+ 11. Qxc3 d5 12. cxd5 Qxd5 $5 (12... Bxd5 {
was a relatively painless result for black in the previous match game.} 13. f3
h6 14. Bh4 Nbd7 15. Bb5 Rc8 16. Qd2 Nc5 17. Rd1 Nb3 18. Nxb3 Bxb3 19. Qxd8
Rfxd8 20. Rxd8+ Rxd8 21. Ke2 Rc8 {1/2-1/2 Seirawan,Y-Adams,M/Bermuda 1999/CBM
69_07/[J Tisdall] (21) However, Seirawan had a chance to improve on move 15
and try for a slight thematic advantage with his bishop pair (see notes to
that game) and probably had such a safe strategy in mind as this tense match
neared its conclusion. In the meantime, Adams has found what appears to be an
even more efficient solution to black's opening problems.}) 13. Bxf6 Rc8 $1 14.
Qd2 {White acquiesces to at most a symbolic advantage. Seirawan mentions to
sharper tries:} (14. Qb4 gxf6 15. Qe7 $5 {and} (15. Nb5 {at first sight both
of these look amazingly anti-intuitive, clowning around with the only
developed pieces while behind in development. But white needs to harass the
strongly centralized black queen, and both ideas combined with Rd1 have this
in mind.})) 14... gxf6 15. f3 Nc6 16. Nxc6 Qxd2+ 17. Kxd2 Rxc6 18. Rd1 Rd8+ 19.
Ke1 Rxd1+ 20. Kxd1 Rc5 21. Be2 (21. Bd3 $6 Rg5 $1 {and the bishop must return
home.}) 21... Rd5+ 22. Kc1 Rc5+ 23. Kd2 Rd5+ 24. Ke1 Rc5 25. Bd1 Ba6 $1 (25...
Rc1 26. Rf1 {and white unravels his pieces and can dream of trying exploit his
marginally better pawn structure some day.}) 26. Kd2 Rd5+ 27. Kc1 Rc5+ 28. Kd2
1/2-1/2

[Event "CRO-ch 6th"]
[Site "Pula"]
[Date "1998.01.09"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nikolac, Juraj"]
[Black "Zelcic, Robert"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2435"]
[BlackElo "2540"]
[Annotator "Tisdall,J"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "1998.01.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "CRO"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 064"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.06.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 {Hecht} Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 O-O 5. Bg5 c5 6. d5 exd5 7. cxd5
d6 8. g3 {A very unusual plan which aims to mobilize white's center pawns
after a brief delay to complete development.} h6 9. Bxf6 Qxf6 10. Rc1 Bg4 11.
Bg2 Re8 12. O-O Nd7 {If the Bb4 were posted on the long black diagonal this
would be a nice Benoni, but arranging a nice post for the bishop pair here is
rather difficult.} 13. h3 Bxf3 (13... Bf5 $5) 14. Bxf3 Ne5 15. Bg2 Bxc3 16.
Rxc3 b5 17. Rc2 Re7 18. b3 Rae8 19. f4 Nd7 20. e4 Qg6 21. Kh2 Rxe4 $5 {A
rather drastic remedy to the traditional worries of a white pawn storm
involving e5/d6/f5.This cannot be sound, but it does create practical chances
and makes black's position easier to play.} 22. Bxe4 Rxe4 23. Re2 f5 24. Rxe4
fxe4 25. Qe2 a6 26. a4 $1 Nf6 27. axb5 axb5 28. Qxb5 Qh5 (28... Nxd5 29. Qc4)
29. Kg2 Kh8 $1 (29... Qxd5 30. Qc4) (29... Nxd5 30. Qc4) 30. Qc4 e3 31. Ra1 Qf5
32. Rd1 (32. Re1 $5 Nxd5 33. Rd1 e2 34. Qxe2 Nc3 35. Qe8+ Kh7 36. Rxd6 Qc2+ 37.
Kf3 $18) 32... Qc8 $5 33. Re1 $2 (33. b4 $1) 33... Qa8 $132 34. Rxe3 $2 (34.
Kg1 $1 Nxd5 35. Qd3 Qa5 $140 36. Rf1 Qa8 37. Rd1 e2 38. Re1) 34... Nxd5 $11 35.
Re8+ $8 Qxe8 36. Qxd5 {[#] Hecht: A mating attack via a king intrusion behind
White's pawns. An endgame Medal seems appropriate. [#] Hecht: Mattangriff
durch Unterwanderung der weißen Bauern mit dem König. Eine Endspielmedaille
erscheint mir angebracht.} Qg6 37. g4 (37. h4) 37... Kh7 38. Kg3 h5 39. f5 (39.
g5 $142 $5 {Hecht Der Textzug schwächt die schwarzen Felder und ermöglicht das
Einsickern des schwarzen Königs.}) (39. g5 $142 $5 {Hecht The text move
weakens the dark squares and enables the infiltration of the black king.})
39... Qf6 40. Qd3 $6 (40. Kf4) 40... Qe5+ 41. Kf2 $2 {Now black is allowed to
post what is left of his forces on dominating posts. Hecht:Versus the flank
king, Nikolac had justifiable second thoughts: Gegen den Randkönig hatte
Nikolac berechtigte Bedenken: Gegen den Randkönig hatte Nikolac berechtigte
Bedenken:} (41. Kh4 {Hecht} Qf4 42. f6+ g6 (42... Kh6 43. fxg7) 43. f7 Kh6 $5 (
43... Kg7 $1 44. f8=Q+ (44. Qd5 Qf2+ 45. Kg5 Qf6#) 44... Qxf8 45. gxh5 Qf4#)
44. f8=Q+ Qxf8 45. Qd2+ Kg7 46. gxh5 Qf6+ 47. Qg5 $11 Qf2+ 48. Kg4 Qd4+ 49. Kg3
Qc3+ 50. Kh4 (50. Kg2 $5 Qc2+ 51. Kg1 {könnte halten. Mag allerdings sein, daß
gerade für diesen Fall in B) 45...Kh7 besser als 45...Kg7 ist. Steht nämlich
Opa auf h7, so ginge jetzt Dd1+ nebst gh5. Bitte nachprüfen, ob Weiß danach
Dauerschach hat!}) 50... Qb4+ 51. Qg4 Qe1+ 52. Kg5 Qe7+ 53. Kf4 Qe5+ 54. Kf3
Qxh5) (41. Kg2 $5 {Hecht}) (41. Kg2 $5 {Hecht}) 41... Qh2+ 42. Kf1 Qf4+ 43. Ke1
Kh6 44. Qd5 Kg5 $5 $17 (44... hxg4 45. Qe6+ Kg5 46. Qg6+ Kh4 47. hxg4 Qxg4 48.
Qxd6 $140 Qg3+) 45. Qf7 Qe5+ 46. Kf2 Qd4+ 47. Kg2 Qd2+ 48. Kf1 $2 (48. Kg3 $142
Qd3+ 49. Kf2 $17) 48... Kf4 49. f6 Kg3 {[%csl Gd1,Gf2]} 0-1

[Event "Ciocaltea Memorial"]
[Site "Bucharest"]
[Date "1999.03.14"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Florean, Andrei"]
[Black "Rogozenco, Dorian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2459"]
[BlackElo "2557"]
[Annotator "Tisdall,J"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "1999.03.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 070"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 O-O 5. Bg5 c5 6. e3 {Not a line with a
terrific track record, and a slightly unfortunate choice against Rogozenko who
has toyed with it as white. The alternative} (6. Rc1 {on the other hand, is
enjoying a bit of a renaissance at the higher levels:} cxd4 7. Nxd4 d5 (7... h6
8. Bh4 Nc6 $5 9. a3 $6 Bxc3+ 10. Rxc3 g5 11. Bg3 Ne4 $1 $17 {1/2-1/2 Anand,
V-Timman,J/Hoogovens Blitz, Wijk aan Zee NED 1999 (54)}) 8. e3 dxc4 (8... h6 9.
Bh4 Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 dxc4 11. Bxc4 e5 12. Nb5 Qxd1+ 13. Rxd1 Nc6 14. Bxf6 gxf6
15. O-O Na5 16. Bd5 Be6 17. Nc7 Bxd5 18. Nxd5 Kg7 19. e4 Rfd8 20. Rd3 Rd6 21.
Rg3+ Kf8 22. Rf3 Nc4 $1 23. Rxf6 Rxf6 24. Nxf6 Rd8 $1 $44 {1-0 Nenashev,
A-Luther,T/It, Recklinghausen GER 1998 (42)}) 9. Bxc4 Nbd7 10. O-O h6 11. Bh4
Ne5 12. Qb3 Be7 13. Rfd1 Nxc4 14. Nc6 Nd2 15. Rxd2 Qe8 16. Nb5 Bd7 17. Nxe7+
Qxe7 18. Bxf6 gxf6 19. Rc7 Rad8 20. Nc3 Qe8 21. Ne4 Kg7 22. Nd6 Qe7 23. h3 {
1-0 Piket,J-Lautier,J/Fontys, Tilburg NED 1998 (23)}) (6. d5 {is the sharpest,
but also the riskiest. Even in a relative sideline black gained active play in
the recent:} d6 7. Rc1 exd5 8. cxd5 Nbd7 9. e3 h6 10. Bh4 Qa5 11. Nd2 b5 $1 12.
Be2 Bb7 13. e4 Rae8 14. f3 Nh5 15. O-O Nf4 16. Nb3 Nxe2+ 17. Qxe2 Qa6 18. Rfd1
Bxc3 19. bxc3 f5 $36 {0-1 Timman,J-Polgar,J/2nd VAM It, Hoogeveen NED 1998 (42)
}) 6... cxd4 (6... Qa5 7. Bd3 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 cxd4 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. exd4 Qxc3+
11. Kf1 Nc6 12. Rb1 Na5 13. h4 b6 14. Rh3 Re8 15. Ne5 {1-0 Hamilton
S-Gunnarsson J/Philadelphia, PA USA 1995 (18)}) 7. exd4 h6 8. Bh4 Qa5 9. Qc2 (
9. Bd3 $5 {is for the happy-go-lucky bridge burning type. White gets a mess
and attacking chances for a pawn. A drastic example:} Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 Qxc3+ 11.
Kf1 d6 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. Rc1 Qa5 14. h4 e5 15. g4 $5 Nc6 16. g5 f5 17. gxh6 Kh8
$13 {with chaos, 0-1 Rashkovsky,N -Novikov,I/Tashkent 1986/EXT 97 (64). The
game continuation indicates that if white wants to play this variation, he
should at least get some entertainment value for his pawn, and so this is
probably the most promising way.}) 9... Ne4 $1 10. Rc1 d5 11. Bd3 (11. a3 Bxc3+
12. bxc3 Qxa3 13. Bd3 Nc6 14. O-O f5 15. h3 Qd6 16. Rce1 b6 17. Bg3 Qd8 18. Ne5
Nxe5 19. Bxe5 Ba6 {and white was struggling, 1/2-1/2 Rogozenko,D-Kiselev,S/
Berliner Sommer 1995 (41)}) 11... Qxa2 12. Bxe4 dxe4 13. Nd2 (13. Ne5 f6 14.
O-O Bxc3 15. Qxc3 Qa4 16. Ng6 Rf7 $15 {0-1 Sideif Sade,F-Novikov,I/Pavlodar
1987/EXT 97 (55)}) 13... Qa5 14. Qxe4 f5 15. Qd3 e5 $1 $36 16. f4 {White was
understandably nervous about his bishop being interred by black's pawn mass.} (
16. d5 g5 17. Bg3 e4) (16. O-O g5 17. Nb3 (17. Bg3 e4) 17... Qd8 18. Nd5 e4 19.
Qe2 Bd6) 16... exd4 17. Qxd4 Re8+ 18. Kd1 Be6 (18... Nc6 $5 {was also very
promising as the attempt to break black's initiative by} 19. Qd5+ Be6 20. Qxa5
Nxa5 {accelerates the attack in the queenless middlegame.}) 19. Qe5 Qxe5 20.
fxe5 Nc6 21. Re1 g5 22. Bf2 Rad8 $19 {White's position is a wreck - the e5
pawn is frail, the black bishops rake in all directions and his king is under
fierce attack.} 23. Kc2 Bf7 (23... Bf8 $5 {to play Nb4 was also painful.}) 24.
b3 Ba3 25. Rcd1 (25. Ra1 Nb4+ $19) 25... Nb4+ 26. Kb1 Nd3 27. Re2 (27. Rf1 Nb2)
27... Nf4 28. Re3 Bh5 29. Nf3 Nxg2 30. Red3 Rxd3 31. Rxd3 Nf4 (31... Nf4 32.
Re3 Bc5) 0-1

[Event "VAM Hoogeveen 2nd"]
[Site "Hoogeveen"]
[Date "1998.10.18"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Timman, Jan H"]
[Black "Polgar, Judit"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2655"]
[BlackElo "2665"]
[Annotator "Tisdall,J"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "1998.10.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "14"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1999"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 {Hansen,Cu} Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 O-O 5. Bg5 {Hansen,Cu: 'This
was played in game 7 and 11 of the world-championship match between Karpov and
Kasparov in 1985. Karpov tried 5. - d6 and 5. - c5. The crucial point is which
pin plays the most important role in the strategical battle. The one on the /^
h4-d8 or the one on the /^ a5-e1. I would say the pin of Nf6 gains in strength
the moment black places his K on g8. However it seems Kasparov and Timman have
different opinions about how this should be exploited'} c5 6. d5 {Hansen,Cu:
'Timman may have played this because of his many games with the
Leningrad-variation (4.Lg5) where black normally does not castle so quickly.
In game 11 of the above mentioned match Kasparov preferred:'} (6. e3 {Hansen,Cu
} cxd4 7. exd4 h6 8. Bh4 d5 9. Rc1 {with some kind of Nimzoindian type of
position}) 6... d6 {Judit avoids the critical reaction in this type of
position, with an immediate kick of the bishop with ...h6. This and the gambit
reaction ...b5 is the combination of ideas that I imagine put most white
players off using this line more often. Play can easily transpose into one of
Timman's pet variations (the true Leningrad Nimzo, 4.Bg5), but there is
relatively little experience with this gambit with the inclusion of the moves
Nf3 and ...0-0.} (6... h6 7. Bh4 Bxc3+ (7... b5 $5 8. e3 Bb7 9. dxe6 fxe6 10.
cxb5 Qa5 11. Bxf6 Rxf6 12. Qd2 $6 (12. Qc1 $1 {is better, keeping the Ra1
protected and adding punch to an eventual a2-a3.}) 12... a6 13. bxa6 Nxa6 $6
$44 {1/2-1/2 Moskalenko,V-Lyrberg,P/Copenhagen 1995/CBM 47 ext (30)} (13...
Bxf3 $1 14. gxf3 Nc6 $1 $40 {[+] transposes into Timman-Ligterink, Wijk an Zee
1977.})) 8. bxc3 d6 9. e3 e5 10. Nd2 Nbd7 11. Bd3 Re8 12. Qc2 Nf8 (12... Qe7
13. f3 Nf8 14. O-O g5 15. Bf2 Kg7 16. f4 $5 e4 17. Be2 gxf4 18. Bh4 Ng6 19.
Bxf6+ Qxf6 20. Bh5 Bf5 $2 21. Bxg6 $16 {1-0 Riemersma,L-Tozer,R/Edinburgh 1989/
EXT 97 (60)}) 13. O-O g5 14. Bg3 Qe7 15. f3 Nh5 16. Bf2 Kg7 17. g4 Nf6 18. h3
Ng6 19. Bg3 Bd7 20. Rf2 $14 {0-1 Blagojevic,D-Milanovic,V/Belgrade 1989/EXT 97
(47)}) (6... b5 7. e3 Bb7 8. d6 $5 Qa5 $6 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd2 Bxc3 11. bxc3
Qxc3 12. cxb5 a6 13. Rc1 Qa3 14. b6 $16 {1-0 Kortschnoj,V-Larsen,B/Sousse 1967/
IZT (44)}) 7. Rc1 {Hansen,Cu: 'The normal Leningrad-Nimzoindian move would be:
'} (7. e3 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 exd5 $5 9. cxd5 Bg4 10. Be2 Nbd7 11. O-O Re8 $132 {
1-0 Slipak,S-Tempone,M/Buenos Aires 1997/CBM 58 ext (25)}) (7. e3 {Hansen,Cu
but Timman probably fells that since black has "wasted a move" with castles -
he has the time to avoid the doubled c-pawns with the textmove}) 7... exd5 8.
cxd5 Nbd7 9. e3 (9. a3 Ba5 $6 10. Nd2 Nb6 11. e4 Re8 12. Bb5 Bd7 13. Bxd7 Nbxd7
14. O-O Qb8 15. Qa4 Bxc3 16. Rxc3 $14 {1-0 Barden,L-O'Hare,E/Varna 1962/MCD 
(35)}) 9... h6 10. Bh4 Qa5 11. Nd2 b5 $1 {Hansen,Cu: 'Black has to play as
active as possible. The basic idea of the Nimzoindian defence is to threaten
to give white a doubled c-P and to get better control over the central squares
- particulary e4. But now the P-structure is almost like in the Ben-Oni -
which means the black-squared B - from a positional point of view - is quite
misplaced on b4. However tactically Bb4 is still of good use for black as it
plays a role in putting pressure on d5.'} (11... Bxc3 12. bxc3 (12. Rxc3 $6
Nxd5 13. Ra3 Qb4 14. Bg3 Ne5 $5 {and white's compensation is not apparent.})
12... b5 {could be very similar to the game but there is no reason to
surrender the Bb4 so early or easily.} (12... Qxa2 13. Nc4 {[%csl Ra2]} (13.
Ra1 {Hansen,Cu} Qb2 14. c4 $44)) (12... Nxd5 $4 13. Nc4)) 12. Be2 Bb7 (12...
Bxc3 $5 {to grab the a-pawn looks playable, but also unnecessary;} 13. bxc3
Qxa2 14. Bg3 (14. Bxb5 Qxd5 15. Nf3 Qe6) 14... Ne5 (14... Qa6 $5) 15. c4 b4 16.
Bxe5 dxe5 17. Ra1 Qb2 18. Rb1 Qa3 19. Ra1 $11) 13. e4 Rae8 14. f3 (14. Qc2 {
[%csl Rd5,Re2][%cal Ge8e2] prevents the game continuation but leaves white
with a problem to solve regarding castling - the looseness of the Be2 means
that the d5 pawn is tactically weak.}) 14... Nh5 {'!' Hansen,Cu.} 15. O-O {
White finally gets his king to safety - with understandable relief as things
are about to happen on f4 and f5. Was} (15. Bxb5 {possible?} Bxc3 (15... Nf4
16. Bxd7 Nxg2+ (16... Nd3+ 17. Kf1 Nxc1 18. Qxc1) 17. Kf2 Nxh4 18. Nc4 Qd8 19.
Bxe8 Rxe8 {and black has some practical compensation for the exchange, but I
don't believe this is enough.}) 16. Bxd7 Bxb2 $1 {leads to very worrying
clouds gathering around the white king.} 17. Rb1 Nf4 18. Bxe8 Rxe8 $44 {
[%csl Rd4,Rg2][%cal Ga6f1,Gb7a6]} (18... Bd4 $5)) 15... Nf4 {Hansen,Cu: 'White
has been able to support the strong P-chain supporting the P-d5. However is
has given black certain possibilities on the K-side where Nf4 is now
well-placed and the thrust f7-f5 - to undermine whites center-Ps is now in the
air. The P-structure is - as mentioned before - like in a Ben-Oni and just
like in that opening the squares e5 and f4 make good outposts for blacks Ns '}
16. Nb3 Nxe2+ 17. Qxe2 Qa6 {Hansen,Cu: 'Tactically black manages to hang on to
his b5-P'} 18. Rfd1 (18. Qxb5 Bxc3 $17) (18. Nxb5 {is very complicated but
looks equally strange, walking into all sorts of pins in search of chaos.} Bxd5
(18... f5 $5) 19. Rfd1 {[%csl Rd6]} Nb6 $1 (19... Be6 20. Rxd6 Qxa2 21. Nc7 $1
Qxb3 22. Nxe6 $11) 20. Qf1 Qxa2 21. exd5 Qxb3 22. Nxd6 Re5 $17) 18... Bxc3 $1
19. bxc3 f5 {[%csl Ra2,Rd5,Re4][%cal Ra4h4,Re8e2] Now white's position comes
under pressure from far too many directions.   Hansen,Cu: 'The exchanges has
taken the dynamic out of whites position. His center is under attack and
because of the misplaced Nb3 there is no active continution. The conclusion of
the opening-battle seems to me to be: From a strategical point of view the
build-up of the white P-center f3-e4-d5 was a good idea. However that was only
possible by a extremely slow build-up Ra1-c1, Nf3-d2, e2-e3-e4. Blacks just
gained to much extra time and was tactically able to stop white from getting a
harmoniously setup of his minor-pieces.'} 20. Nd2 Qa4 (20... Bxd5 {was
possible;} 21. Qd3 (21. a4 $5) 21... Be6 22. a4 {creates some counterchances
so black rules even this out.}) 21. c4 Ba6 {[%csl Rd3][%cal Ga6e2,Gd7e5]} 22.
Bg3 {This induces black to give up the pressure against e4, but the time lost
means that bad things will still happen elsewhere. White's main headache is
keeping the black N out of d3.} (22. cxb5 Bxb5 23. Qe3 Ne5 $1 $17) 22... f4 23.
Be1 Ne5 {[%csl Rc4,Rd3] Hansen,Cu: 'Blacks domination of the white squares is
now much more important than the control of the black squares white might be
able to get one fine day.'} 24. Rc3 Rb8 {Black continues the unpleasant
practice of postponing strong moves in preference to maintaining the threat.
There was no obvious drawback with the direct} (24... bxc4 $5 {since} 25. Nb1 (
25. Ra1 {could transpose to the game.}) 25... Rb8 26. Ra3 {is refuted by} c3 $1
$19) 25. Ra1 bxc4 {The dreaded day has arrived for white, and d3 has fallen
decisively into enemy hands.} 26. Nb1 Nd3 27. Na3 Rb2 28. Qd1 Qxd1 29. Rxd1
Rfb8 30. Nxc4 Bxc4 31. Rxc4 Nxe1 32. Rxe1 Rxa2 $19 {The domination of the
second rank scores the point.} 33. g3 fxg3 34. hxg3 Rb3 35. e5 dxe5 36. Rd1
Rxf3 37. d6 Rxg3+ 38. Kh1 Rgg2 39. Rcc1 (39. d7 Rh2+ 40. Kg1 Rag2+ 41. Kf1 Rh1+
42. Kxg2 Rxd1) 39... Rh2+ 40. Kg1 Rag2+ 41. Kf1 Rd2 42. Kg1 Kf7 0-1

[Event "Dresden zt 1.2"]
[Site "Dresden"]
[Date "1998.05.06"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Alterman, Boris"]
[Black "Kurajica, Bojan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2615"]
[BlackElo "2580"]
[Annotator "Tisdall,J"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "1998.04.28"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 065"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.08.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.08.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. Qb3 c5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 Bb7 (7...
Nc6 8. O-O-O (8. d5 Na5 9. Qc2 Nxc4 (9... d6 10. e4 e5 11. Nd2 Nb7 12. f3 Bxc3
13. Qxc3 Nxe4 14. Bxd8 Nxc3 15. Bh4 Na4 16. O-O-O a6 17. Kc2 b5 18. cxb5 axb5
19. Bxb5+ Bd7 20. Bc6 Bxc6 21. dxc6 Na5 22. Ne4 Nxc6 23. Nxd6+ Kf8 24. Bf2 Nd4+
25. Bxd4 exd4 26. Rhe1 Rb8 27. b4 cxb4 28. Rxd4 Kg8 29. Re7 Kh7 30. Rxf7 Rhd8
31. Rc7 Nc3 32. Kb3 Ra8 33. Rd2 Nxa2 34. Rxa2 Rxa2 35. Kxa2 Rxd6 36. Kb3 Rd3+
37. Kxb4 Rd2 38. g4 Rxh2 39. Kc3 Rh3 40. Rf7 Kg8 41. Rf4 {1/2-1/2, Rytshagov
2525-Brouwer, Dieren op 1997}) 10. O-O-O Bxc3 11. Qxc3 exd5 (11... Na5 12. e4
O-O 13. e5 Ne4 14. Qe3 g5 15. Qxe4 exd5 16. Rxd5 {1-0, Peng 2370-Janssen 2350,
Hoogovens-B Wijk an Zee 1997}) 12. Rxd5 Na5 13. Rd6 Qc7 14. Rxf6 d5 15. Qe3+
Kf8 16. Bg3 {1-0, Miles 2595-Kalesis 2400, 7th Open Chania 1997}) 8... Ba6 (
8... Na5 $5 9. Qc2 cxd4 10. Ne4 Be7 11. Bxf6 gxf6 12. Nxd4 f5 13. Nc3 Bb7 14.
e3 Rc8 15. Kb1 a6 16. Rg1 Nxc4 17. g4 Be4 18. Bd3 Bxd3 19. Qxd3 fxg4 20. Qe4
Qc7 21. Rxg4 Nxb2 22. Rc1 Nc4 23. Qg2 Qc5 24. Nb3 Qa3 25. Rc2 Qd6 26. Rd4 Qc6
27. Qg7 Rf8 28. Rc1 Qf3 29. Ne4 {0-1, Pieterse-Douven, NLD-chT9495 1994}) 9. d5
Na5 10. Qc2 g5 11. Bg3 Bxc4 12. Ne5 Bxc3 13. Nxc4 Nxc4 14. Qxc3 b5 15. b3 Nb6
16. Be5 Nfxd5 17. Qf3 f6 18. Bd6 Kf7 19. e4 Nb4 20. Bxb5 a6 21. Be2 Nc8 22.
Bxc5 Qc7 23. Qh5+ Kg7 24. Kb1 Rb8 25. Rc1 Qe5 26. Qf3 a5 27. Rhd1 Rb7 28. Bd4
Qf4 29. e5 Nc6 30. exf6+ Kf7 31. Qxf4 gxf4 32. Bh5+ Kf8 33. Rxc6 dxc6 34. Bc5+
Kg8 35. Rd8+ Kh7 36. Rxh8+ Kxh8 37. f7 Rxf7 38. Bxf7) (7... g5 8. Bg3 Ne4 9. e3
cxd4 $5 (9... Bb7 10. Bd3 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 Nxg3 12. hxg3 d6 13. d5 Nd7 14. a4 Ba6
15. Rd1 g4 16. Nd2 Ne5 17. Be2 Qe7 18. a5 Qb7 19. f4 gxf3 20. gxf3 exd5 21.
cxd5 Bxe2 22. Kxe2 b5 23. c4 a6 24. Rh5 Rb8 25. Qb2 f6 26. Ne4 Qe7 27. cxb5
Rxb5 28. Qc3 Kf8 29. Rf5 Kg7 30. Rxf6 Rb4 31. Re6 Qf7 32. Rxe5 dxe5 33. Qxe5+
Kh7 34. Rh1 Qg7 35. Qf5+ Qg6 36. Nf6+ Kg7 37. Nh5+ Kh7 38. Qd7+ Kg8 39. e4 Qf7
40. Qc8+ Kh7 41. Qxc5 Rb2+ 42. Ke3 Rb3+ 43. Kd4 Rhb8 44. Qd6 R8b4+ 45. Ke5 Qe8+
46. Qe6 Qb8+ 47. d6 Rb5+ 48. Kf4 Qf8+ 49. Nf6+ Kg7 50. Qe7+ Qf7 51. Qxf7+ Kxf7
52. Rxh6 Rxa5 53. e5 Raa3 54. Ne4 Rxf3+ 55. Kg4 Rfe3 56. Rf6+ Kg7 57. Kf4 Rf3+
58. Kg4 Rxf6 59. Nxf6 Kf7 60. Ne4 Ra1 61. Ng5+ Ke8 62. e6 Re1 63. Kf5 a5 64.
Nf7 Rf1+ 65. Kg6 Rd1 66. d7+ Rxd7 67. exd7+ Kxd7 68. Kf5 a4 69. Ne5+ Kd6 70.
Ke4 Kc5 71. Kd3 a3 72. Kc3 a2 73. Kb2 Kd4 74. Nf3+ {1-0, Pachman-Muse, Baden
Baden op 1987}) 10. Nxd4 $2 Na6 11. O-O-O Bxc3 12. bxc3 Nac5 13. Qc2 Nxg3 14.
hxg3 a6 15. Be2 Bb7 16. Bf3 Bxf3 17. gxf3 Qf6 18. f4 O-O-O 19. Nb3 Na4 20. Rd4
d6 21. Qe4 Kc7 22. Kc2 e5 23. Rd3 exf4 24. gxf4 Rhe8 25. Qf3 Nc5 26. Nxc5 dxc5
27. Rxd8 Rxd8 28. f5 Qd6 29. Qg3 Rh8 30. Qf3 Rd8 31. Qg3 Rh8 32. Rh5 b5 33. Kb3
Qxg3 34. fxg3 Kd6 35. a4 bxa4+ 36. Kxa4 Ke5 37. g4 Ke4 38. Rh3 Kd3 39. Ka5 Kxc3
40. Kxa6 Kxc4 41. Kb6 Kd5 42. Kc7 f6 43. Kd7 Rh7+ 44. Ke8 Ke5 45. Kf8 c4 46.
Kg8 Rc7 47. Rxh6 c3 {0-1, Luik-Henttinen, FIN-chT 1994}) 8. e3 Qe7 9. O-O-O
cxd4 10. exd4 Bxc3 11. Qxc3 d5 12. Kb1 O-O 13. Ne5 g5 $6 {A very risky
procedure - can black try to grab the g-pawn with his kingside more intact?} (
13... dxc4 14. Bxc4 Bxg2 (14... Rc8 $5 {not grabbing anything and not
weakening the kingside, looks solid and sensible.}) 15. Rhg1 Be4+ 16. Ka1 {
and black faces a strong attack:} Kh8 17. Qe3 Bh7 (17... g5 18. Rxg5 $1 hxg5
19. Qxg5 Bg6 20. Qh6+ Kg8 21. Rg1 $18) 18. Qf3 $16) 14. Bg3 dxc4 15. Bxc4 Rc8 {
[#] (2) 0.91/8} 16. h4 $1 {[#] (2) -1.03/4} Nd5 {[#] (2) 0.88/8} (16... Bxg2 {
again begs for trouble.} 17. Rhg1 Be4+ 18. Ka1 b5 19. hxg5 hxg5 20. Bf4 Nh7 (
20... bxc4 21. Bxg5 Bg6 (21... Kf8 22. Bxf6 Qxf6 23. Qb4+ Qe7 24. Rg8+) 22. Rh1
) 21. Qe3 bxc4 22. Bxg5 Nxg5 23. Rxg5+ Bg6 (23... Kf8 24. Rdg1 $18) 24. Nxg6
fxg6 25. Rxg6+ Kf7 (25... Kf8 26. Qh6+) 26. Rdg1 $18) (16... b5 17. hxg5 Ne4
18. Qe3 bxc4 19. g6) 17. Qd2 f6 {perforates his kingside further, but this
side of the board is already in need of first aid.} (17... Nc6 18. Ng4) 18.
hxg5 $1 hxg5 (18... fxe5 {at least gave some temporary material comfort for
the coming onslaught, but black's king is too exposed to many dangers to have
any real hope of survival.} 19. Rxh6 Nd7 (19... Rxc4 20. Bxe5 $18) 20. Rdh1 Qg7
21. Qe2 (21. Bb3 $5) 21... Rxc4 22. Qh5 (22. Qxc4 {is also very good.}) 22...
Nc3+ (22... Kf8 23. Rh8+ Ke7 24. Rh7 Qxh7+ (24... Nc3+ 25. Ka1) 25. Qxh7+ Kd6
26. Bxe5+ Kc6 27. g6 $18) 23. Ka1 Kf8 24. Rh8+ Ke7 25. Rh7) 19. Bxd5 Bxd5 $2 (
19... exd5 20. Rh6 fxe5 21. Bxe5 {and black cannot save his queen.}) 20. Rh8+
$1 (20. Rh8+ Kxh8 21. Ng6+) 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 9900"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2000.03.13"]
[Round "13.1"]
[White "Nielsen, Peter Heine"]
[Black "Hracek, Zbynek"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2564"]
[BlackElo "2620"]
[Annotator "Wells,P"]
[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 "Wattenscheid"]
[BlackTeam "Werder Bremen"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. Qb3 c5 6. a3 (6. Bg5 $5 Bb7 7. a3 (
7. O-O-O Bxc3 8. Qxc3 Ne4 9. Bxd8 Nxc3 10. bxc3 Kxd8 11. d5 Ke7 $13) (7. Rd1
O-O 8. e3 cxd4 9. exd4 Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 Qc7 $1 $13 {Alterman,B - Gelfand,B/ Tel
Aviv 1999 ( CBM 71/Alterman ).}) 7... Ba5 8. dxc5 $6 Na6 9. cxb6 Nc5 10. Qc2
Be4 11. Qd1 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Qxb6 $32 13. g3 Ng4 14. Qd4 O-O 15. Be7 Qb2 16. Rd1
Nb3 17. Qxe4 Qxc3+ 18. Nd2 Nxd2 19. Rxd2 Qa1+ 20. Rd1 Qc3+ 21. Rd2 Qc1+ 22. Rd1
Qxd1+ 23. Kxd1 Nxf2+ 24. Kc2 Nxe4 25. Bxf8 Rxf8 $17 {0-1 Van Wely,L-Seirawan,Y/
Hoogovens Tournament, Wijk aan Zee NED 1994 (44)}) 6... Ba5 7. Bg5 h6 ({
The theoretical debate which the players decide to enter has obvious
similarities with the famous tactics arising from} 7... Nc6 8. O-O-O $1 (8. e3
{is not in the spirit of the position} h6 9. Bxf6 Qxf6 10. Rd1 O-O 11. Be2 Ba6
12. O-O Bxc3 13. Qxc3 cxd4 14. Nxd4 Nxd4 15. Rxd4 d5 $11 {1/2-1/2 Pieterse,
G-Hoeksema,E/Nederlands ch. 1991 (18)}) 8... Bxc3 9. d5 $1 {This fine tactical
thrust has brought this system's no.1 specialist Yasser Seirawan fine results
and a host of entertaining chess. However, the question remains whether it is
sufficient to haul in a theoretical plus,} ({an important one since} 9. Qxc3
cxd4 (9... Ne4) 10. Nxd4 Ne4 11. Bxd8 Nxc3 12. bxc3 Nxd8 {almost certainly
does not.}) 9... Be5 $1 (9... exd5 10. cxd5 Be5 11. dxc6 Qe7 12. cxd7+ Bxd7 13.
e3 Rd8 14. Rxd7 $1 Rxd7 15. Bb5 {[%csl Rd7,Re5,Re8]} Bd6 16. Rd1 O-O 17. Bxd7
Qxd7 18. Bf4 $18 c4 19. Qc2 Ne8 20. Ng5 f5 21. Qxc4+ Kh8 22. Bxd6 Nxd6 23. Qd5
Rd8 24. Ne6 Qc8+ 25. Kb1 Rd7 26. Qxd6 {1-0 Seirawan,Y-Timman,J/Hilversum 1990/
CBM 21 (26)}) 10. dxc6 Bc7 $1 {Again the only chance to test white's concept} (
{Weaker is} 10... Qc7 11. g3 {[%csl Yf4]} Bd6 12. Bg2 dxc6 13. Rxd6 $3 {
[%csl Rc6,Ye5][%cal Yf3e5]} Qxd6 14. Rd1 Qc7 15. Bf4 Qb7 16. Ne5 Bd7 17. Rxd7
$1 Nxd7 18. Bxc6 Qa6 19. Nxd7 Qc8 20. Ba4 Ke7 21. Qd3 f6 22. Qd6+ Kf7 23. Ne5+
fxe5 24. Bd7 Qd8 25. Qxe6+ Kf8 26. Bxe5 g6 27. Bf6 {1-0 Seirawan,Y-Zarnicki,P/
Buenos Aires 1993/Inf 57 (27)}) 11. g3 (11. e3 $5 h6 12. Bh4 Qe7 13. Qa4 d6 14.
Bd3 g5 15. Bg3 Nh5 16. Be2 f5 17. Nd2 Nf6 18. h4 g4 19. f3 {White's attempts
to nibble at black's extended king-side pawns acquire a certain potency from
the unusual feature of a white pawn at c6. In short, black has to think twice
about otherwise desirable moves which would rule out short castling.} h5 {
[%csl Rg5]} (19... Rg8 {[%csl Yc6,Re8]}) 20. Nb1 a6 21. Nc3 O-O 22. Bf4 Rb8 23.
Bh6 Rf7 24. Bg5 Qf8 25. e4 $16 {1-0 Soppe,G-Debarnot,R/Buenos Aires Konex 1991/
TD 91\09 (35)}) 11... h6 12. Bf4 Bxf4+ 13. gxf4 Qc7 14. cxd7+ Nxd7 15. e3 Bb7
16. Be2 g5 $1 17. fxg5 hxg5 18. Rhg1 f6 19. h4 {Does not look quite sound,
although If white leaves his opponent's structure in peace, then black is very
comfortable.} gxh4 20. Rg7 O-O-O 21. Qc2 f5 $2 (21... h3 $5 $132) 22. Ng5 Qe5
23. Rg6 Rhg8 24. Rxe6 Qg7 25. f4 h3 26. Nxh3 Be4 27. Rxe4 $1 fxe4 28. Qxe4 Nb8
29. Ng5 Rxd1+ 30. Bxd1 Qd7 31. Qd5 Rd8 32. Bf3 Qe7 33. Bg4+ Nd7 34. Qa8+ Kc7
35. Ne6+ {1-0 Seirawan,Y-Browne,W/Mechanics Institute Bronstein Rapidplay 1999
(35)}) ({Personally I am in little doubt that} 7... Bb7 $1 {is the most solid
and logical choice.} 8. e3 (8. Rd1 O-O 9. e3 Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 h6 11. Bh4 Qe7 12.
Be2 d6 13. O-O Nc6 $5 {[%csl Rc4][%cal Gc6a5]} 14. Nd2 Na5 15. Qb1 Rac8 16. e4
e5 17. d5 Rb8 18. Rfe1 Ba6 19. Nf1 {1/2-1/2 Wells,P-Thinius,M/Germany 1998/
GER-chT (45) and white will get reasonable compensation for a pawn. I suspect
that this ..Nc6-a5 approach might be the most promising, and was not
enthusiastic about my position during the game.}) (8. O-O-O {is probably not a
serious challenge} Bxc3 $1 9. Qxc3 Ne4 10. Bxd8 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Kxd8 12. d5 Ke7
13. e4 d6 14. Bd3 (14. e5 $5) 14... Nd7 15. Rhe1 Rad8 $13 {1-0 Gretarsson,
H-Hjartarson,J/Leeuwarden op 1995/CBM 48 (53)}) (8. dxc5 $6 {is weak and was
dealt with in the note to 6 Bg5 above.}) (8. e3 cxd4 (8... h6 9. Bh4 O-O 10.
Rd1 cxd4 11. Rxd4 Bxf3 {Black at least prevents white's aggressive intentions
with Rf4 coming into fruition. However, even with the more modest rook retreat,
the bishop pair should secure an edge.} (11... Nc6 12. Rf4 $1 $40) 12. gxf3 Nc6
13. Rd2 Ne5 14. Be2 Ng6 15. Bg3 $14 Ne8 16. Qc2 Bxc3 17. Qxc3 f5 18. Qd3 $36 {
1-0 Sokolov,I-Janssen,R/Nederland (ch) 75/456 1999/Inf 75 (55)}) (8... O-O 9.
Rd1 cxd4 (9... Bxc3+ $5 10. bxc3 Qe7 11. Be2 d6 12. O-O Nbd7 {On the basis of
my game with Thinius, I would regard} (12... Nc6 $5 {as more challenging.
Adams heads for a set-up which appears rather passive.}) 13. Nd2 Rfc8 14. f3 h6
15. Bh4 Qe8 16. e4 Nh5 17. f4 f5 18. d5 Nhf6 19. Bf3 fxe4 20. Nxe4 Nxe4 21.
Bxe4 exd5 22. Bf5 $40 {0-1 Seirawan,Y-Adams,M/Bermuda 1999/CBM 69 (41)}) 10.
Rxd4 $1 Nc6 11. Rf4 $1 $40 {Subtle it is not, but rather effective.} Ne7 12.
Rxf6 $1 h6 {1/2-1/2 Seirawan,Y-Adams,M/Bermuda 1999/CBM 69 (25) and now} 13.
Bh4 {led to huge complications in which white later went astray and conceded
the draw, but from the theoretical angle} (13. Bxh6 $5 $16 {is enough to close
the debate. Black has no compensation whatsoever.})) 9. Nxd4 (9. exd4 $5) 9...
O-O 10. Qc2 Bxc3+ 11. Qxc3 d5 12. cxd5 Qxd5 13. Bxf6 Rc8 $1 {Until now the
same as the last of Mickey's several shots at this system in the match with
Seirawan. The defence is not too ambitious, but seems rather sound.} 14. Qb4
gxf6 15. Nb5 Rc2 16. Rd1 Nc6 17. Qg4+ Qg5 18. Qxg5+ fxg5 19. Nd6 Rb8 20. Nxb7
Rxb7 21. Rd2 Rc1+ 22. Rd1 Rc2 23. Rd2 {1/2-1/2 Sokolov,I-Adams,M/Dortmund 1999/
CBM 72 (23)})) 8. Bh4 Nc6 ({The double-edged nature of this variation can be
assessed by that fact that such side-lines as} 8... g5 $6 9. Bg3 g4 10. Nd2
cxd4 11. Nb5 Bxd2+ 12. Kxd2 Ne4+ 13. Ke1 $16 Nxg3 $140 14. Qxg3 {are crucial
to its viability.}) 9. O-O-O (9. d5 $6 Nd4 $36) 9... g5 (9... Bxc3 10. Qxc3 (
10. d5 $5 Be5 11. dxc6 Bc7 12. e3 {Wells - see Soppe - Debarnot above.}) 10...
cxd4 11. Nxd4 Ne4 {is well met by the elegant} 12. Qh3 $1 Qc7 13. Nb5 Qe5 14.
Qe3 f5 15. f4 Qb8 16. g4 O-O 17. Bg2 d5 18. gxf5 exf5 19. cxd5 Ba6 20. Nc3 Na5
21. d6 Nc4 22. Qd4 {1-0 Seirawan,Y-Timman/(3) 1990 (22)}) 10. Bg3 Bxc3 11. d5
$1 $146 {Here it is again, and it looks even stronger for the weaknesses in
black's king-side. Strangely it is novelty here.} (11. Qxc3 Ne4 12. Qc2 Nxg3
13. hxg3 cxd4 (13... g4 14. d5 gxf3 15. dxc6 Qg5+ 16. e3 dxc6 17. gxf3 {
[%csl Rc6] An extraordinary structure, but it is c6 that looks the target pawn.
} Bd7 18. Qc3 O-O-O 19. f4 Qe7 20. Bg2 $14 {1/2-1/2 Churin,L-Ginzburg,M/San
Jorge 1993/EXT 99 (48)}) 14. Nxd4 Nxd4 15. Rxd4 Bb7 16. e3 Qf6 17. Kb1 Rc8 (
17... O-O-O 18. c5 $40) 18. Qd2 Rc7 19. f3 Kd8 20. Be2 Kc8 21. g4 {1-0
Gheorghiu,F-Leuba,D/Suhr 1991/CBM 22 (39) with perhaps a slight edge for white.
}) 11... exd5 12. cxd5 Nxd5 13. Rxd5 (13. Qxd5 Bg7 14. h4 {also looks
interesting.}) 13... Bg7 {[%csl Yd5,Yg3] I suppose that 11 d5 had not been
played here due to uncertainty surrounding white's compensation in this
position. In fact, the king-side weaknesses are quite accesible, and white's
pieces are well placed.} 14. h4 $44 g4 15. Ne5 Nxe5 16. Bxe5 O-O 17. Bxg7 Kxg7
18. Qg3 f5 $6 {[%csl Rf6,Rg6,Rh6] This looks rather ambitious.The cost of
retaining a pawn advantage is a serious weakening of the 6th rank around the
king.} (18... d6 $5 19. Rxd6 Qe7 $14) 19. e4 {[%mdl 128]} Bb7 20. Rd6 Qe7 (
20... Bxe4 21. f3 Bc6 22. fxg4 Rf6 $8 23. g5 $40) 21. Bb5 Rad8 22. Rhd1 Bc6 23.
exf5 $1 Bxb5 24. Qxg4+ {A surprisingly swift denouement, and a clinical
demonstration of the exploitation of weaknesses around the king.} (24. Qxg4+
Kh7 25. Rxh6+ $18) 1-0

[Event "RUS-ch 53rd"]
[Site "Samara"]
[Date "2000.06.26"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Ionov, Sergey"]
[Black "Tunik, Gennady"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2558"]
[BlackElo "2442"]
[Annotator "Wells,P"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2000.06.03"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 078"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.10.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.10.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qb3 a5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 Bb7 8. e3 d6
9. Bd3 Nbd7 10. O-O-O Bxc3 11. Qxc3 g5 12. Bg3 Ne4 13. Bxe4 Bxe4 14. Rhg1 f5
15. Nd2 Bb7 16. f3 Qf6 17. Rge1 O-O-O 18. e4 f4 19. Bf2 c5 $2 20. e5 $1 cxd4
21. Bxd4 dxe5 22. Rxe5 {Of course. The bishop which will land on e5 as a
product of this 'exchange' is a monster.} Nxe5 23. Bxe5 Qf8 24. c5 $1 {[%csl
Rc8,Ye5][%cal Ye5b8,Ye5h8,Yd2c4,Yc4b6][%mdl 1024] Yes, the rook on h8 could
only dream of enticing the e5 bishops intentions!} bxc5 ({However,the 'threat'
to take on h8 does have use in the variation} 24... Qxc5 25. Bxh8 Rxh8 26. Nc4
$1 {[%cal Gc4b6,Gc3h8] Double attack!}) 25. Nc4 {[%csl Rc8]} Rxd1+ 26. Kxd1 Rg8
27. Nb6+ Kd8 28. Qd3+ Bd5 29. Qh7 $1 1-0

[Event "Moscow Aeroflot op"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2002.02.06"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Poluljahov, Aleksandr"]
[Black "Khurtsidze, Nino"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2527"]
[BlackElo "2434"]
[Annotator "Wells,P"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2002.02.04"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 088"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 b6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qb3 c5 6. Bg5 Nc6 {Never liked this
move. It seems to me white gets myriad tactical chances.} 7. d5 Na5 8. Qc2 h6
9. Bh4 d6 10. Nd2 e5 11. e4 Bxc3 $6 12. Qxc3 Nxd5 $2 {I'm not crazy about
black's position anyway, but this tactic, very typical in all kinds of Qc2/Qb3
Nimzos and Nimzo hybrids should be examined very carefully when it involves
reliance on moves such as ...g7-g5 which are in this case very weakening.
Probably black thought she could find time to make a consolidating move before
recouping the material. 15 f4! is a rude awakening.} 13. Qg3 g5 14. exd5 f5 (
14... gxh4 15. Qg7 Rf8 16. Ne4 $40) 15. f4 $1 gxh4 $8 (15... exf4 16. Qc3 {
[%cal Yh4f2]}) 16. Qg6+ Kf8 17. fxe5 dxe5 18. Bd3 Qg5 19. Qxg5 hxg5 20. Bxf5 $1
$16 Ke7 21. O-O Rf8 22. Bxc8 Raxc8 23. b3 b5 24. cxb5 Kd6 25. Rad1 Rxf1+ 26.
Kxf1 c4 27. Ne4+ Kd7 28. b4 Nb7 29. Ke2 Nd6 30. Nc5+ Ke7 31. a4 Nf5 32. Kd2 Rd8
33. Kc3 Ne3 34. Re1 Nxd5+ 35. Kxc4 Nb6+ 36. Kb3 Rd5 37. a5 Nc8 38. Ne4 Rd3+ 39.
Kc4 Rd4+ 40. Kc5 g4 41. Nc3 Ke6 42. Rd1 Rxd1 43. Nxd1 e4 44. b6 1-0

[Event "FIDE-Wch k.o."]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2001.12.03"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Bareev, Evgeny"]
[Black "Ehlvest, Jaan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2719"]
[BlackElo "2626"]
[Annotator "Wells,P"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[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. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Nbd2 b6 5. a3 Bxd2+ 6. Qxd2 O-O 7. g3 Ba6 8.
Qc2 Bb7 9. Bg2 d6 10. O-O Nbd7 11. b4 a6 12. Bb2 Be4 13. Qb3 b5 {A standard
enough procedure for gaining space on the white squares. However, without
trying to look too hard at the theoretical assessment, suffice to say that
black's rash 19th move suggests that he later found the mobile pawn on c5 an
inconvenience.} 14. c5 a5 15. Rfc1 Qb8 16. Bf1 {A standard procedure for
preparing to attack the bishop on e4. Of course white must avoid the exchange
of light-squared bishops at all costs.} h6 (16... Qb7 $5 {[%cal Yf3d2,Yf3g5,
Ge4d5,Gd5c6] Knowing the rest of the game it is difficult not to have the
feeling that the bishop is sorely missed from the a8-h1 diagonal.}) 17. Nd2 Bg6
18. e3 a4 19. Qd1 dxc5 {Smacks of impatience. However, white has clearly
neutralised black's hoped for light square initiative in any case, and the
bishop pair and space advantage offers excellent long term prospects. am
reminded of the discussion ( inspired by John Watson ) from my previous column
on 'Combatting the Bishop Pair' in which it was mentioned how often,
apparently in contradiction of the recieved wisdom, black follows up conceding
the bishop pair by going on to open the position. The justification was
two-fold. As well as the fact that the immediate compensation for the bishops
often took the form of a developmental plus, the sort of 'temporary'
initiative which will dissipate if the position remains closed, there was also
the claim that an opening of the position is necessary for knights to find the
kind of outposts essential to their well-being. This is very much the crux of
the matter here. 19...dxc5? is not so much a full opening of the position as
the opening of a diagonal which scarcely contributes to black's knights' hopes
of finding good squares. It is the failure to find outposts which eventually
sees black's pieces driven back in a kind of spatial nightmare scenario.} 20.
dxc5 c6 21. Bg2 Nd5 22. e4 N5f6 23. f4 Qc7 24. Bf3 Rad8 25. Qe2 Kh8 26. Rd1 Ng8
27. Nf1 Ne7 28. Ne3 f6 29. Rd6 Nc8 30. Rd2 Rfe8 31. Rad1 $18 {White enjoys a
domination which is absolute.} Nf8 32. e5 Rxd2 33. Qxd2 f5 34. Qg2 Ne7 35. Rd6
Nd5 36. Nc2 Rd8 37. Nd4 Be8 38. Qe2 Ne7 39. Nxe6 Nxe6 40. Rxe6 Nc8 41. Bh5 Bd7
42. Rd6 Be8 43. Rxd8 Qxd8 44. e6 1-0

[Event "SWE-ch"]
[Site "Linkoping"]
[Date "2001.07.01"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Eriksson, Anders"]
[Black "Agrest, Evgenij"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E21"]
[WhiteElo "2335"]
[BlackElo "2532"]
[Annotator "Ziegler,A"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2001.06.30"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "SWE"]
[EventCategory "8"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 085"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 e6 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 {Här spelar man normalt a3 eller g3. Sc3
anses inte ge svart några större problem. Nu har svart möjligheten att behålla
en Damindisk karaktär med Lb7 eller länka över partiet till Nimzoindiskt med
Lb4. Evgenij väljer det senare.} Bb4 5. Qb3 {Akademiskt sett är det sällan Db3
ger svart några problem i Nimzoindiskt. Här är 5.Lg5 (Leningradvarianten)
vanligare.} a5 (5... c5 {Spelar de flesta här och uppriktigt talat så har jag
aldrig riktigt kommit att förstå mig på draget a5 i Bogo-, Nimzoindiskt. Det
är en sorts dynamik som går mig förbi. Uppenbart är att det på ett tidigt
stadium bromsar upp vits damflygelexpansion.}) 6. e3 ({Här gick sista tåget
till tufft spel med} 6. Bg5 {vilket Khalifman har spelat.}) 6... O-O {Lite
otypiskt av Agrest. Annars väntar han gärna med rockaden så länge som möjligt.}
7. Bd3 Bb7 8. a3 a4 ({Alternativet var att spela lite mjukt med:} 8... Bxc3+ 9.
Qxc3 Ne4 10. Qc2 f5 {Och få en ställning som påminner om Holländskt på ett bra
sätt.}) 9. Qc2 Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 {[#] Ett bra drag tycker jag. Om vit vill ha
någon chans att vinna partiet måste han bryta symmetrin. Att ta med damen ger
en försämrad variant av ovan eftersom vit aldrig kan expandera på damflygeln.}
d6 11. e4 {Rätt igen. Vit har sämre struktur och löparparet. Då kan man inte
ägna sig fågelskåderi. Nu hotar vit e5.} Nfd7 ({Det var inte nödvändigt att
förbereda ...e5 med det något passiva springardraget, eftersom vit knappast
kan ta e5-bonden:} 11... e5 12. O-O (12. dxe5 $6 dxe5 13. Nxe5 Re8 14. f4 Nbd7
15. Nxd7 (15. O-O $6 Nc5) 15... Qxd7 16. e5 (16. O-O $2 Rad8 {Och svart står
redan på gränsen till vinst.}) 16... Rad8 {Och svart har fin kompensation för
bonde. Det blir svårt för vit att hålla både c4 och g2.}) 12... Re8 ({eller} 
12... Qe8 {ger svart helt tillfredsställande spel.})) 12. O-O e5 13. Bg5 ({
Löparen ville ut, men kanske skulle fältherren lugnat den ivrige soldaten en
smula och lagt in en liten smygare :} 13. Rb1 {Vit hotar ibland c5 och ibland
Tb4Xa4.}) 13... Qe8 {Det fanns inget rimligt alternativ. ...f6 hade försvagat
strukturen i onödan.} 14. Nd2 Nc6 {Logiskt. Vit lämnade garderingen av
d4-punkten och då passar svart på att angripa den.} 15. Be3 Nf6 {Svart börjar
kravla sig ut igen.} 16. f3 {Vit önskar som bekant att spelet skall öppnas och
då ligger c4-c5 nära till hands. Men han är lite orolig för att ...Sg4 skall
komma.} ({Det är lätt att vara modig i efteranalysen. (Förvisso, skulle inte
modet finnas då, ligger man risigt till.) Alltså, låt oss titta lite på det
omedelbara:} 16. c5 bxc5 17. dxc5 Ng4 18. Bg5 {Vad det hela handlar om är
hurivida vit kan offra bonde eller ej.} dxc5 {Vid en första titt verkar det
inte finnas mycket för vit att vara rädd för. både a4 och d5 bönderna är
offerlamm, men låt oss gå vidare.} 19. Rab1 {Logiskt.} Ba6 {Man vill ju inte
gardera löparen.} 20. Bxa6 Rxa6 21. f3 Nf6 22. Bxf6 gxf6 {[#]Om vi håller oss
till tummregeln att en dubbelbonde endast är värd 11/2 bönder så får vi dra av
en poäng för svart, dvs vi har en materiellt lika ställning. Men hur står det
till med koordinationen? Ja, vit är bättre koordinerad och alltså står han
bättre.}) 16... Nh5 ({Ett annat sätt att ge sig på f4 fältet var:} 16... Nd8 {
Detta eftersom svart aldrig behöver vara orolig för d4-d5.}) 17. c5 {Rätt.}
bxc5 18. dxc5 Na5 {Nu är det barnförbjudet. Det är sånt här som barnen aldrig
får se i läroböckerna. Total decentralisering av springarna. Hade mina elever
spelat så hade de fått en skarp tillsägelse.} 19. cxd6 cxd6 20. Rab1 Bc6 21.
Nc4 Nxc4 22. Bxc4 {[#] Vit har spelat mycket bra så långt. Ställningen är
halvöppen vilket gynnar löparparet. Svart pjäser söker fortfarande varandra.
Hur skall vit fortsätta? Ett sätt är att ge sig på de svaga punkterna, vilket
är a4 och d6, ett annat är att förbättra den sämsta pjäsen vilket är tornet på
f1. På kort sikt finns det ett drag som kombinerar båda önskemålen samtidigt.
Tornet till b6! Maximalism!} Qe7 23. Rb6 Qc7 24. Rxc6 $6 {Vit söker tryggheten
alldeles för tidigt. Nu försvinner i princip alla vits vinstchanser. Att
behålla löparna var bättre.} (24. Rfb1 Nf6 {Springaren måste tillbaka in i
spelet.} (24... Rab8 {Är inget att vara rädd för. Vit tål ett tornbyte.}) 25.
Qd3 Nd7 26. R6b4 {Och vit har fortfarande pressen.}) 24... Qxc6 25. Bd5 Qc7 26.
Bxa8 Rxa8 27. Rb1 h6 {Svart tar det lugnt. Han ser att i värsta fall kan han
ställa tornet på a6 och damen på c6 för att gardera a4 och d6, och i sådana
fall är matten på sista raden det enda att oroa sig för.} 28. c4 Nf6 29. Qd3 {
Vit tvekar igen, han måste uppehålla svart med hot.} (29. Rb4) 29... Rc8 30.
Rb4 Qc6 31. h3 Kh7 32. Qc2 Ra8 33. Kh2 Ra6 {[#] Nu är svart trygg, och
springaren kan börja leta efter positioner.} 34. c5 {Vit hittar inget
konstruktivt utan söker remin.} Nd7 35. Rc4 dxc5 36. Bxc5 Nxc5 37. Rxc5 Qf6 {
Ställningen är lika. Det enda båda spelarna måste tänka på är att försvara
kungen.} 38. Qc1 Rd6 39. Rc4 Qh4 {Anders har nu 15 sekunder kvar på klockan,
men det händer inget. När han slår bonden på a4 faller kläppen.} 0-1

