[Event "London Classic 2nd"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2010.12.09"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E20"]
[WhiteElo "2791"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "2010.12.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 140"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. g3 c5 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O d6 7. d4 {White
plays d2-d4 now, instead of move 1, but it is still a well-known Nimzo-Indian
position which arises.} Bxc3 {Alternatives:} (7... Nc6 8. d5 $1) (7... Nbd7) 8.
bxc3 Qe7 {Here, too,} (8... Nc6 {is quite common.}) 9. dxc5 {White often does
without this exchange:} (9. Bg5 Nbd7 10. Qd3 h6 11. Bxf6 Nxf6 12. Rfd1 Bd7 13.
dxc5 dxc5 14. Ne5 Ba4 15. Qd6 Rfe8 16. Rd2 Rac8 17. Rb1 b6 18. Rbb2 Qxd6 19.
Rxd6 Red8 20. Rd3 Kf8 21. Rbd2 {1/2 Georgiev,K (2677)-Anand,V (2803)/Turin
2006/CBM 113}) (9. Qd3 Nc6 10. Rd1 h6 11. Ba3 Bd7 12. Nd2 Rac8 13. f4 b6 14.
Nf1 e5 $6 (14... Na5 $5) 15. fxe5 dxe5 16. dxc5 bxc5 17. Ne3 $14 {1/2 Gupta,A 
(2495)-Kunte,A (2550)/Ooty 2008/CBM 123 Extra (29)}) (9. Nh4 $5 e5 10. d5 e4
11. f4 Re8 12. a4 Na6 13. h3 Nh5 14. Kh2 f5 15. e3 Nf6 16. Rf2 Kh8 17. Bf1 Rg8
18. Be2 $14 {1-0 Milov,V (2595)-Djuric,S (2488)/Genova 2003/CBM 095 ext (61)})
(9. Bf4 $5 Rd8 10. Qc2 Nc6 11. Rfd1 cxd4 (11... d5 12. Ne5 Bd7 13. Bg5 h6 14.
Bxf6 Qxf6 15. cxd5 Nxe5 16. dxe5 Qxe5 17. dxe6 Bxe6 18. Bxb7 $16 {1/2 Stocek,J
(2480)-Balashov,Y (2505)/Passau 1995/EXT 1999 (44)}) 12. cxd4 Bd7 13. Qb2 $14 {
1/2 Moehring,G (2405)-Augustin,J (2445)/Stary Smokovec 1977/MCD (30)}) (9. Nd2
$5 e5 10. Re1 Nbd7 11. e4 cxd4 $6 12. cxd4 exd4 13. Ba3 Ne5 14. Qb3 Nfd7 15. f4
Nc6 16. e5 Nc5 17. Qf3 $14 {0-1 Kindermann,S (2455)-Kuzmin,G (2545)/Dortmund
1981/MCD (32)}) 9... dxc5 10. Ne5 $6 {This knight route is hardly the best.} (
10. Bf4 $5 Rd8 11. Qb3 Nc6 12. Rfd1 Rxd1+ 13. Rxd1 e5 14. Bg5 Be6 15. Nd2 Bf5 (
15... Rd8 $5) 16. Nf1 $1 Rd8 17. Rxd8+ Nxd8 18. Ne3 Be6 19. Qa4 $16 {1/2
Dvirnyy,D (2457)-Leniart,A (2423)/Chotowa 2010/CBM 137 Extra (56)}) 10... Qc7 (
10... Nbd7 $5 11. Nd3 (11. Nxd7 Nxd7 {[%cal Ya8b8,Yb7b6]}) 11... e5 {[%csl Rd3]
} 12. Qb3 Rb8 {[%cal Yb7b6]}) 11. Bf4 (11. Nd3 Nbd7 {[%cal Ya8b8,Yb7b6]} 12.
Qa4 a6) 11... Nh5 {White now loses his bishop pair, and his destroyed pawn
structure will be quite painful. Therefore he goes in for a risky piece
sacrifice.} 12. Qd2 $6 {[%mdl 512]} (12. e3 {was a quiet alternative:} Nxf4 13.
exf4 Nd7 14. Nd3 {The activity of White's pieces should be enough for equality.
}) 12... g5 13. Bxg5 Qxe5 14. Rad1 $6 (14. g4 $142 Ng7 15. Rad1 (15. Bd8 {
[%cal Rf2f4]} Nc6 $1 {liquidates into a favorable ending for Black:} 16. f4
Rxd8 17. Qxd8+ Nxd8 18. fxe5 Bd7 $17) 15... Nd7 16. e4 $44 {Theoretically
Black should consolidate his position but it is not an easy task in practice!})
14... f6 15. Bh6 Ng7 16. Bf4 Qh5 {White's pieces are very active but he has no
real target. Black gradually completes his development keeping - at least
partly - his material advantage.} 17. Bd6 Re8 18. Qf4 Nd7 19. g4 Qf7 20. Rd3 e5
21. Qh6 Qg6 22. Qxg6 hxg6 $19 {After the queen exchange the rest looks
relatively easy; still, Black has to overcome some technical problems.} 23. Be4
Kf7 (23... Nb6 $142 $1 $19 24. Bxg6 $140 Bxg4 25. Bxe8 Bxe2 26. Bg6 Bxd3 27.
Bxd3 Rd8 {K.Sakaev}) 24. f4 exf4 25. Bd5+ Ne6 26. Bxf4 Nb6 $6 {This move gives
White an unpleasant attack.} (26... Kg7 $1 27. Re3 Nb6 $19 {K.Sakaev}) 27. Be5
Nxd5 (27... Nd7 28. Bxf6 $1 Nxf6 29. g5) 28. cxd5 Nf8 (28... Nf4 $5 29. Bxf4
Bxg4 {, then winning the e2 pawn, was safe and simple but opposite-coloured
bishops gave White some drawing chances.}) 29. Rxf6+ Kg8 30. Bd6 Kg7 31. Rf4 g5
32. Rf2 b6 (32... Ng6 $144 33. h3 (33. Rdf3 Bxg4 34. Rf7+ Kh6 35. Rxb7 Bxe2 36.
Rff7 Rh8 {, and Black should win.}) 33... b6 34. Rdf3 Ba6 35. Rf7+ Kh6) 33.
Rdf3 Ng6 34. Rf7+ Kh6 35. h3 (35. R2f6 $5 Bxg4 36. e4 Rxe4 37. Bf8+ Rxf8 38.
Rxf8 Bh3 $1 39. Rh8+ (39. Kf2 Kh5 $1) 39... Kg7 40. Rxg6+ Kxg6 41. Rxh3 {
The rook ending is better for Black but still far from winning.}) 35... Ba6 36.
R2f6 Bxe2 37. Be7 $1 (37. Kf2 Bc4 38. h4 $1 Re2+ 39. Kf3 Bxd5+ 40. Kxe2 Bxf7
41. Rxf7 gxh4 $17 {K.Sakaev}) 37... Bc4 38. Rd6 Bxd5 $6 {Nothing was really
threatened, so Black could have started moving his pawns:} (38... b5 $17 {e.g.}
39. Kf2 a5 40. Kg3 {now threatening 41.Bxg5+! Kxg5 42.h4+!} Bd3 $1 {[%cal
Yb5b4]}) 39. Bxg5+ Kxg5 40. Rxd5+ Kh4 41. Rf3 $2 {White collapses when
salvation is not far away.} (41. Kg2 $1 Re2+ $1 (41... Re5 42. Rxe5 Nxe5 43.
Rf5 Nxg4 44. Rf4 $1 {- the simplest -} Rg8 45. hxg4 Rxg4+ 46. Kf3 Rxf4+ 47.
Kxf4 $11) (41... Rh8 $4 42. Rff5) 42. Kf3 Re5 43. Rh7+ Kg5 44. h4+ $1 Kf6 (
44... Nxh4+ $2 45. Rxh4 Rxd5 46. Rh5+) 45. Rd6+ Re6 46. g5+ Ke5 47. Rxe6+ Kxe6
48. h5 {(indicated by GM K.Sakaev)} Ne7 49. Kg4 {with excellent drawing
chances due to his strong passed pawns. A possible line:} Rf8 50. h6 Ng6 51.
Rg7 Ne5+ 52. Kg3 $1 Kf5 53. h7 Ng6 (53... Rh8 54. Kh4) 54. Rg8 Rf7 $8 55. Rxg6
Rxh7 56. Rg8 {, and White should not lose.}) 41... Re5 $1 42. Rxe5 (42. Rd6 Rf8
$1) 42... Nxe5 43. Rf5 Nd3 44. Kh2 Rh8 $19 {Black's rook is tied up but he has
enough pieces and pawns to decide the game on the queenside.} 45. a4 Rh6 46.
Kg2 a5 47. Kf3 Nb2 48. Kf4 Nxa4 49. c4 Nc3 50. Ke3 a4 51. Kd3 Nd1 52. Rf8 Kxh3
53. g5 Rd6+ 54. Ke4 Kg4 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 73rd"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2011.01.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2773"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2011.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 141"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 d5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 Nbd7 7. e3 c5 8.
dxc5 Qa5 9. Rc1 Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 O-O 11. Nd4 Qxc5 12. Bd3 Ne4 13. Bf4 Nb6 14. Qc2
h6 15. f3 Nf6 16. g4 Re8 17. Kf2 Nc4 18. h4 Bxg4 19. Bxc4 dxc4 20. fxg4 Nxg4+
21. Kf3 Ne5+ 22. Bxe5 Rxe5 23. Kf2 Rae8 24. Rh3 b5 25. Rg1 Re4 26. Qd1 b4 27.
Qf3 Rxe3 28. Rxg7+ Kxg7 29. Qg4+ Kf8 30. Rxe3 Rxe3 31. Kxe3 bxc3 32. Ke2 Qe5+
33. Kd1 Qh2 34. Ne2 Qd6+ 35. Qd4 Qxd4+ 36. Nxd4 Kg7 37. Nc6 a6 38. Nb8 a5 39.
a4 Kf6 40. Nc6 Ke6 41. Nxa5 Kd5 42. Kc2 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis m1"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2011.05.19"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E94"]
[WhiteElo "2754"]
[BlackElo "2774"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2011.05.16"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 143"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Na6 8. Re1
c6 9. Be3 Ng4 10. Bg5 f6 11. Bh4 Qe8 12. c5 {White is rushing to create crises
on the board, since both black knight can easily dream up better locations.
The c-pawn advance was played in nearly all the games where this position has
arisen.} dxc5 (12... exd4 13. Nxd4 (13. Bxa6 dxc3 14. Bc4+ Be6 15. Bxe6+ Qxe6
16. Qxd6 Qf7 17. bxc3 h5 {1/2-1/2 Hoegy,K (2145)-Bracker,A (2219)/Wismar 2009}
18. h3 Rad8 19. Qg3 Nh6 20. e5 $16) 13... dxc5 14. Nb3 h5 15. Bxa6 bxa6 16. Bg3
c4 17. Na5 Be6 18. Qa4 Ne5 19. Bxe5 fxe5 20. Qxc6 Qf7 (20... Rb8 21. Re2 Rb6
22. Qxe8 Rxe8 23. Rd1 Rc8 $11) 21. Re2 Rac8 22. Qxa6 h4 23. h3 Rfd8 24. Rd1 Rd4
25. Rxd4 exd4 26. Nd5 d3 27. Rd2 {1-0 Bilobrk,F (2372)-Viskic,P (2222)/Sibenik
2008 (36)} Qe8 28. Ne3 Bh6 $11) 13. dxe5 (13. Bxa6 bxa6 14. d5 Nh6 15. dxc6
Qxc6 16. Qd5+ Qxd5 17. Nxd5 g5 18. Bg3 Rf7 19. Rac1 Bf8 20. b4 $2 (20. h4 gxh4
21. Bxh4 Kg7 $11) 20... cxb4 21. Rc6 Bg7 $17 {0-1 Schildt,R (2001)-Meissner,H 
(2221)/Berlin 2007 (64)}) 13... Nxe5 14. Nxe5 fxe5 $6 {[%mdl 4] Recapturing
with the pawn on e5 is strategically risky. Black is ready to defend the
position with 2 doubled and 5 isolated pawns.} (14... Qxe5 15. Bxa6 bxa6 16.
Qa4 f5 17. Qxc6 Rb8 18. exf5 Qxf5 19. Nd5 Kh8 20. Ne7 Qd7 21. Qxc5 Rxb2 22.
Rad1 Qb5 $11 {1-0 Gavrilov,A (2484)-Shimanov,A (2520)/Moscow 2011 (51)}) 15.
Bxa6 bxa6 16. Qd6 (16. Na4 $5 c4 (16... Rb8 17. Qc2 c4 18. Qxc4+ Rf7 19. f3 $16
) 17. Qc2 Be6 18. Nc5 $14) 16... c4 17. Rad1 Be6 $6 {Even the
supergrandmasters are finding it difficult to play this complicated position
with any degree of precision.} (17... Rf7 18. Qa3 Bf8 19. Qa5 $14) 18. Bg3 (18.
Be7 $1 Bg4 19. f3 Rf7 20. fxg4 Rxe7 21. Qc5 Bf8 22. Qxc4+ Rf7 23. h3 $14) 18...
Rf7 (18... Rb8 19. Bxe5 (19. Re2 $6 Rd8 $15) 19... Bxe5 20. Qxe5 Rxb2 21. Nd5
Rbxf2 22. Nc7 Rxg2+ 23. Kh1 Qf7 24. Rf1 Rf2 25. Rxf2 Qxf2 26. Qxe6+ Kh8 27.
Qe5+ Kg8 $11) 19. Bxe5 (19. f3 Rd7 (19... Rb8 20. Bxe5 Bxe5 21. Qxe5 Rxb2 22.
Rd6 $14) 20. Qc5 Bf8 21. Qxe5 Rd3 $132) 19... Bg4 20. Bxg7 Bxd1 21. Bf6 $6 {
Ponomariov must have felt, that the dark squares are promising him enough
counterplay for the sacrificed pawn. Unfortunately his choice of solution is
among the least precise in the position.} (21. Rxd1 Kxg7 22. Qd4+ Kg8 23. e5
Qe6 24. Ne4 Qd5 25. Nf6+ Rxf6 26. exf6 Qxd4 27. Rxd4 Rb8 $11) (21. Be5 Rd8 22.
Qc5 Bc2 23. f3 $11) 21... Bg4 22. e5 Qd7 $6 {Nakamura is handling the position
by intuition and also misses the most exact continuations.} (22... Bf5 23. Bg5
Qe6 24. Qb4 Rc8 $15) 23. Ne4 (23. Qc5 $1 Be6 (23... Rb8 24. Qxc4 Qe6 25. Qxe6
Bxe6 26. b3 $11) 24. h3 Rb8 25. Re2 $11) 23... Bf5 24. Qb4 (24. Rd1 Re8 25.
Qxd7 Rxd7 26. Nd6 Rb8 27. f3 $15) 24... Bxe4 25. Rxe4 Re8 $1 {Finally the
tactical idea, that Black can understand well. White has to worry about the
back rank as well as about the e-file.} (25... Qd1+ 26. Re1 c5 27. Qa5 Qd5 (
27... Qd4 28. Qxa6 Rb8 29. h3 Qxb2 30. Qxc4 Qb4 31. Qc1 $11) 28. h3 Rb8 $15)
26. f3 (26. Re1 Qd4 27. Rf1 c5 28. Qa4 Rb8 29. Qxa6 Qxb2 30. Qxc4 Qd4 $17)
26... Rxf6 27. exf6 Rxe4 28. fxe4 Qd4+ 29. Kf1 Qxe4 {Black is only a pawn up
in the queen ending, but his lady is active and the f6-pawn can be eliminated.}
30. Qb7 (30. Qb8+ Kf7 31. Qxa7+ Kxf6 32. Qb8 Qf5+ 33. Kg1 Qc5+ 34. Kf1 Qd5 $17)
30... Qf5+ 31. Ke2 Qxf6 32. Qb8+ Kf7 33. Qxa7+ Ke6 34. Qb7 (34. Qxa6 Qxb2+ 35.
Kd1 Qd4+ $17) 34... Qe5+ (34... Kf5 $5 $17) 35. Kf3 Qf5+ 36. Ke3 Qc5+ 37. Kf3
$2 {Tired by the unpleasant defence Ponomariov makes a serious mistake. The
quiet king's retreat to e2 would make the realisation of the advantage very
difficult.} (37. Ke2 Qd5 (37... Qb5 38. Qc8+ Kf6 39. Qf8+ Kg5 40. Qe7+ $13) 38.
Ke3 $15) 37... c3 $1 38. Qc8+ Kd5 39. bxc3 Qxc3+ 40. Kg4 {White is now doomed,
as he cannot prevent further pawn losses or the exchange of queens.} (40. Kf2
Qf6+ 41. Kg1 (41. Ke2 Qe6+ $19) 41... Qd4+ 42. Kf1 Qf4+ 43. Ke1 Qe3+ 44. Kf1
Qd3+ 45. Kf2 Qf5+ $19) 40... Qd4+ 41. Kh3 Qe3+ 42. Kh4 (42. g3 Qe6+ $19) 42...
Qe7+ 43. Kg3 Qg5+ (43... Qg5+ 44. Kf3 Qf5+ $19) 0-1

[Event "Saint Louis m1"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2011.05.22"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D31"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2011.05.16"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 143"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bf4 c6 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. Bxd6 Qxd6 8.
e3 Qg6 9. Qxg6 hxg6 10. b4 a6 11. f3 Nd7 12. Bd3 Ne7 13. Nge2 g5 14. Kf2 Nf6
15. g4 Kd8 16. Kg3 Bd7 17. a4 Nc8 18. h3 Re8 19. Kf2 Nd6 20. a5 Re7 21. Rac1
Nfe8 22. Ng3 g6 23. h4 gxh4 24. Rxh4 f5 25. gxf5 Nxf5 26. Nxf5 gxf5 27. Rh8 Rb8
28. Na4 Kc7 29. Nb6 Be6 30. Rf8 Rf7 31. Rxf7+ Bxf7 32. Bxf5 Nd6 33. Bd3 Rh8 34.
Rg1 Kd8 35. Na4 Nc4 36. Nc5 Rh2+ 37. Rg2 Rxg2+ 38. Kxg2 Kc7 39. Bxc4 dxc4 40.
Na4 Be8 41. Nc3 b6 42. e4 Kb7 43. Kf2 c5 44. bxc5 1-0

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM 39th"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2011.07.31"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E97"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2011.07.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 144"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5
Ne7 9. b4 Nh5 10. c5 Nf4 11. a4 {Hardly a worthwhile experiment.} (11. Bxf4
exf4 12. Rc1 {is the most common continuation here.}) 11... f5 12. Bc4 fxe4 13.
Nxe4 h6 {[%csl Gf4]} 14. Re1 (14. g3 Nh3+ $1 (14... Nh5 15. Nfd2 Kh8 16. Ra3 a6
17. cxd6 cxd6 18. b5 Bf5 19. bxa6 bxa6 20. Qe2 $14 {0-1 Bareev,E (2677)
-Amonatov,F (2649)/Dagomys 2008/CBM 124 (36)}) 15. Kh1 Bg4 16. Ra3 Qd7 $132 {
S.Zagrebelny}) 14... Bg4 15. Ra3 g5 16. h3 Bh5 17. Bxf4 Rxf4 18. g3 Rf8 19. a5
Kh8 20. Kg2 Rb8 21. Qd2 (21. h4 $5 gxh4 22. Rh1 Nf5 23. Qb1 {K.Landa} dxc5 $5
24. bxc5 b5 $13) 21... b6 22. axb6 axb6 $11 {Despite White's control of the
e4-square, Black's strong light-squared bishop guarantees him sufficient
counterplay.} 23. Nfxg5 $5 {[%mdl 512] A risky but interesting piece sacrifice.
} (23. cxd6 cxd6 24. Bb5 Ra8 $132) 23... hxg5 24. Qxg5 Bg6 25. cxd6 cxd6 26.
Ra7 Rc8 (26... Rf7 $5 27. f3 b5 28. Rxe7 Qxe7 29. Qxg6 bxc4 30. Ng5 Kg8 31.
Nxf7 Qxf7 32. Qxd6 Rb5 {K.Landa} 33. Rd1 {- White is fighting for a draw here.}
) 27. Rxe7 Rxc4 28. f3 Rc2+ (28... Rxb4 29. h4 b5 30. Re2 $132 {[%cal Rh4h5]})
29. Kg1 Rc8 30. Ra1 (30. h4 $5 {was recommended by K.Landa:} Rf7 31. Qxg6 Rxe7
32. Ng5 Bf8 33. Qh5+ Kg8 34. Qg6+ $11 {since} Bg7 $2 35. h5 {is favourable for
White.}) {The text move is also enough for a draw.} 30... Rf7 31. Qxg6 Qxe7 (
31... Rxe7 32. Ng5 $11) 32. Ng5 $2 (32. Nxd6 {was indicated by many
commentators. After} Rcf8 33. Nxf7+ Qxf7 34. Qxf7 Rxf7 35. Kg2 {, with 3 pawns
for a piece, White should not lose.}) 32... Kg8 33. Qh7+ Kf8 34. Ne6+ Ke8 35.
Qh5 Bf6 (35... Qf6 $142 $1 {[%cal Re5e4] although Black still has a lot of
work to do to consolidate his position, e.g.} 36. Qg4 $1 Rd7 37. f4 $5 e4 ({
but not} 37... exf4 38. Re1 $1) 38. Ra2 {etc.}) 36. g4 $2 {Wrong! Surprisingly,
it is very difficult for Black to make any progress after} (36. Ra2 {(K.Landa)}
) ({or} 36. Qg6 Qb7 37. Ra2 {[%cal Yh3h4]} b5 38. Kg2) 36... Qb7 {Quite
sufficient but} (36... e4 $142 $1 37. Rf1 exf3 38. Rxf3 Rc1+ 39. Kg2 Rc2+ 40.
Kh1 Qa7 $19) 37. Rd1 (37. Qg6 b5 {[%cal Rb7b6] White has no time for the Kg2,
Ra2 setup.} 38. Kh1 $1 (38. Ra2 Bd8 $1 {[%cal Rf7f3,Rb7d5]} 39. Qg8+ Ke7 40.
Qg5+ Kd7 41. Qg6 Rf6) 38... e4 39. Re1 Qxd5 40. Qg8+ Ke7 41. Qxc8 Qxe6 42. Rxe4
Be5 $19) 37... Qa6 {[%cal Ra6e2]} 38. Qg6 Ke7 39. g5 Bh8 40. Re1 Qa3 41. Nd4
Qxb4 (41... Rc1 {is simpler:} 42. Qe6+ Kf8 43. Qxd6+ Kg8 $19) 42. Nf5+ Kf8 43.
Rd1 (43. Qxd6+ Qxd6 44. Nxd6 Rd8 45. Nxf7 Kxf7 $19 {_|_}) 43... Rc2 44. Nd4
exd4 45. Qxc2 Qc3 46. Qe4 Qe3+ 47. Qxe3 dxe3 48. Kg2 Bc3 49. Kf1 Rxf3+ 50. Ke2
Rxh3 0-1

[Event "Grand Slam Final 4th"]
[Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"]
[Date "2011.10.08"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D31"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2807"]
[Annotator "Edouard,R"]
[PlyCount "157"]
[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"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bf4 c6 6. e3 Bf5 7. g4 {The main
line, actually!} Be6 8. h4 (8. h3 $5 {is the other option where White's plan
is to play Bd3, Qc2, Nge2, 0-0-0 and so on.}) 8... Nd7 9. h5 Nh6 10. Be2 Nb6
11. Nh3 g5 12. hxg6 hxg6 13. Bg3 $146 (13. f3 Bh4+ {[%cal Gg6g5,Gf7f5]
followed by ...g5 and ...f5 was usually played - and very fine for Black.})
13... Qd7 ({Was Naka's novelty pure bluff? It seems that after the brillant} 
13... Nxg4 $3 14. Bxg4 Qd7 {Black is actually better!}) 14. Nf4 O-O-O 15. Nxe6
Qxe6 16. Rg1 Bd6 17. Qc2 Bxg3 18. Rxg3 f5 19. O-O-O Nxg4 20. Bxg4 fxg4 21. Rdg1
Rh4 22. Qe2 Rf8 23. Nd1 Rf4 24. Kd2 $5 Nc4+ 25. Ke1 {Till there, apart from
the 13...Nxg4 possibility, everything has proceeded normally. Black is doing
very well, and got a very pleasant equality, however Aronian's next move was a
bit surprising: too soft or too light. I call it surprising, since it goes, in
my opinion, against Aronian's superb active style.} Rf3 $6 (25... Rf6 26. Rxg4
Rh2 {and Black is never going to be worse. For example:} 27. e4 {(the only way
to try anything)} Qd6 $5 (27... Qe7 28. a3 Re6 29. Ne3 Rxe4 30. Rxe4 Qxe4 31.
Nxc4 Qxe2+ 32. Kxe2 dxc4 33. Rxg6 Rh3 $11) 28. a3 Re6 29. Kf1 Qd7 30. Ne3 (30.
e5 c5 31. b3 Nd6 $15) 30... Rf6 (30... Nxe3+ 31. Qxe3 dxe4 32. Rxe4 Rxe4 33.
Qxe4 Qf7 34. Qg4+ $11) 31. Nd1 {and White probably holds, though he's
definitely not trying to win.}) 26. Rxf3 gxf3 27. Qxf3 Qf5 $6 (27... Kd7 $5 28.
b3 Nd6 {and Black still has no problem at all.}) 28. Qg3 $1 Rh6 29. b3 Nb6 30.
Qg4 $1 {Already White's position is a bit easier to play.} Nd7 31. Qxf5 gxf5
32. Nc3 Nf6 33. Ne2 Ng4 $6 {Too inoffensive again in my opinion. Black should
try to take a bit of control of the queenside, and find some stable setup,
otherwise White is going to dominate everywhere as in the game.} (33... Rh2 $5
34. Nf4 a5 $1 35. Nd3 Ne4 {and maybe here Black just holds. Some tactics out
of White's queenside pawns are a plus for Black's defence.}) 34. Nf4 Rh2 35.
Nd3 {The right place for White's knight. Now White's king is going to g3 and
f4. Somehow Black's plan is wrong.} Kd8 $6 {Maybe this move is not actually
the dubious one, but the mark is for the plan behind the next moves. White
went very fast from slightly better to winning.} ({Maybe} 35... a5 36. Ke2 Rh3
{should be a good defence. Of course after} 37. Rg2 {followed by f3, Black has
some problems to solve (maybe 37...Rh1!? to find counterplay), but it is
somehow better than letting White's king advance.}) 36. b4 (36. Ke2 $5) 36...
Ke7 $6 (36... Kc7 {followed by ...Kb6 and ...a5 seems to give Black
counterplay, though White is still better. I would have preferred 36.Ke2.}) 37.
a4 b6 38. Ke2 Kd6 39. Kf3 a5 40. bxa5 bxa5 41. Kg3 Kc7 42. Rc1 {Now White's
position is just crushing.} Rh7 43. Kf4 Re7 44. Rc2 Re4+ 45. Kg5 $18 (45. Kxf5
{was possible but Black can go} Rxe3 46. Ne5 Nxe5 47. fxe3 Nc4 48. Kf4 Nd6 {
which should be winning for White, though it also gives Black unnecessary
chances to draw.}) 45... Re8 46. Rb2 Rf8 47. Nc5 Kc8 48. Kf4 {The rest is just
a matter of technique.} Rh8 49. f3 Nh2 50. Rf2 Rh3 51. Nb3 Kc7 52. Nxa5 Kb6 53.
Nb3 Ka6 54. Nc1 Ka5 55. Ne2 Kxa4 56. Ng1 Rh6 57. Kg3 Ng4 58. fxg4 fxg4 59. Rf5
Rh1 60. Kg2 Rh4 61. Ne2 Kb5 62. Nf4 Rh8 63. Kg3 Rg8 64. Re5 Kc4 65. Re6 Kb5 66.
Re7 Kb4 67. Nd3+ Kc3 68. Ne5 c5 69. dxc5 d4 70. exd4 Kxd4 71. Nd7 Rd8 72. c6
Rc8 73. Re6 Rc7 74. Rd6+ Kc4 75. Kxg4 Kb5 76. Ne5 Rh7 77. Rd7 Rh8 78. Kf5 Kb6
79. Ke6 1-0

[Event "London Classic 3rd"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2011.12.04"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D31"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[Annotator "RR"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[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 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bf4 c6 6. e3 Bf5 7. Nge2 Nd7 8.
Ng3 Bg6 9. Be2 Nb6 10. Be5 Nf6 11. h4 h6 12. h5 Bh7 13. Bd3 O-O 14. Bxh7+ Kxh7
15. Qc2+ Kh8 16. Nf5 Nc4 17. b3 Nxe5 18. dxe5 Ng4 19. f4 Qd7 20. O-O-O f6 21.
e4 fxe5 22. Qe2 Nf6 23. Nh4 exf4 24. Ng6+ Kg8 25. Nxf8 Bxf8 26. exd5 cxd5 27.
Qd3 Rd8 28. Kb1 Bc5 29. Rhf1 Be3 30. g3 d4 31. gxf4 Qe7 32. Rde1 Rd7 33. Nd1
Nd5 34. Nxe3 dxe3 35. Rc1 Rd8 36. Qf5 Qe8 37. Rfe1 b6 38. a3 $6 (38. Ka1 Qf8
39. Qe5 $16) 38... Kh8 39. Kb2 a5 $2 (39... e2 40. Rc2 Qe3 $14) 40. Rc4 $6 (40.
Rcd1 Qg8 41. Qe5 $18) 40... Nf6 $16 41. Qe5 Qf8 42. Qxe3 b5 43. Rd4 b4 44. a4
Rxd4 45. Qxd4 Nxh5 46. Re5 Nxf4 47. Rxa5 Ne6 48. Qd2 g5 49. Ra6 Qf6+ 50. Ka2
Qe5 51. Qb2 Qxb2+ 52. Kxb2 Nf4 53. Rxh6+ Kg7 54. Rd6 1-0

[Event "London Classic 3rd"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2011.12.06"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E97"]
[WhiteElo "2811"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[Annotator "RR"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[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 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5
Ne7 9. b4 Ne8 10. c5 f5 11. Nd2 Nf6 12. a4 g5 13. Nc4 h6 14. f3 f4 15. Ba3 Ng6
16. b5 dxc5 17. Bxc5 Rf7 18. a5 h5 19. b6 g4 20. Nb5 cxb6 21. axb6 g3 22. Kh1
Bf8 23. d6 a6 24. Nc7 Rb8 25. Na5 Kh8 26. Bc4 Rg7 27. Ne6 Bxe6 28. Bxe6 gxh2
29. Nc4 $2 (29. Rc1 Nd7 30. Bf2 $18) 29... Qe8 $11 30. Bd5 h4 31. Rf2 h3 32.
gxh3 Rc8 33. Ra5 $6 (33. d7 Qxd7 34. Bxf8 $17) 33... Nh4 $19 34. Kxh2 $2 (34.
Rxh2 Nxd5) 34... Nd7 $2 (34... Nxd5 35. exd5 Qg6 $19) 35. Bb4 $17 Rg3 36. Qf1
Qh5 37. Ra3 a5 $6 (37... Nxb6 $1 38. Rc3 Nxd5 $19) 38. Be1 $11 Rxc4 39. Bxc4
Bxd6 40. Rxa5 $2 (40. Rd3 Bc5 41. Be6 $11) 40... Bc5 $19 41. Be2 Bxb6 42. Rb5
Bd4 $2 (42... Bxf2 43. Bxf2 Nxf3+ $19) 43. Bd1 $2 (43. Rd5 Nf6 44. Rd8+ $17)
43... Bxf2 $19 44. Bxf2 Nxf3+ 45. Bxf3 Qxf3 46. Rb1 Rg6 47. Rxb7 Nf6 48. Rb8+
Kh7 49. Rb7+ Kh6 0-1

[Event "Reggio Emilia 54th"]
[Site "Reggio Emilia"]
[Date "2011.12.31"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A22"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2011.12.27"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. g3 Bb4 4. Nf3 Bxc3 (4... Qe7 {was played in Nakamura,H 
(2758)-Caruana,F (2727) Reggio Emilia 2011 CBM 146 [Marin] (1/2, 43). In my
comments to that game I also mentioned some subtleties of the move order
chosen by White.}) 5. bxc3 d6 (5... e4 {1/2 Kamsky,G (2714)-Gelfand,B (2736)/
Moscow 2007/CBM 122/[Marin,M] (29)}) 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O Re8 {Black plays a
flexible game, delaying the development of his queen's knight. White has to
permanently count with the threat ...e4. With the knight on c6, this would be
slightly less effective, because of the pressure created by Nf3-d4.} 8. Ne1 $5
(8. d4 Nbd7 ({After the weakening of the c4-square, I would consider} 8... e4
$5 {fighting for a blockade on the light squares.}) 9. Qc2 Qe7 (9... e4 $5) 10.
e4 $5 exd4 11. cxd4 Qxe4 12. Qb3 Qe7 13. Re1 Qd8 14. Rxe8+ Qxe8 15. Bf4 h6 16.
a4 a5 17. c5 $44 {Rechlis,G (2473)-Tunik,G (2473)/Israel 2008/EXT 2009 (1/2,
22)}) (8. d3 e4 {The critical continuation.} (8... Nbd7 9. e4 {offers White
the possibility of building up a strong centre, with chances for an advantage.}
c6 10. Nh4 Qa5 11. Qc2 d5 12. cxd5 cxd5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. c4 Ne7 15. Bb2 Nc6
16. Rfe1 $14 {Shahtahtinsky,A (2380)-Ibragimov,I (2550)/Ano Liosia 1993/EXT
1997 (1/2, 78)}) 9. Ng5 (9. Nd4 Nbd7 {[%cal Gd7c5]}) 9... exd3 10. exd3 Nbd7
11. Rb1 Rb8 {Black's position looks completely normal, but he is slightly
underdeveloped. This gives White the possibility of starting a surprisingly
dangerous kingside attack.} 12. Rb2 $1 {A typical way of activating the rook,
for its later transfer to the kingside.} b6 13. f4 Bb7 14. Bxb7 Rxb7 15. Qf3
Qa8 {Neutralising the pressure along the long diagonal has cost Black some
additional time.} 16. g4 $1 {The first signal to the real attack, clearing the
third rank for the queen at the same time.} Rbb8 17. Qh3 Nc5 18. Rg2 (18. Nxf7
$5 Kxf7 19. g5 Nfd7 20. f5 $44) 18... d5 (18... Re7 19. Be3 Rbe8 20. Bd4 Ncd7
21. Nf3 c5 22. g5 $36) 19. Be3 (19. Nxf7 Kxf7 20. g5 $36) 19... Ncd7 20. Bd4 (
20. Nxf7 $5) 20... dxc4 21. Nxf7 {Finally!} Kxf7 22. g5 Qc6 23. dxc4 $44 {
Khismatullin,D (2601)-Efimenko,Z (2682)/Dagomys 2009/CBM 130 (1/2, 52)}) 8...
c6 (8... Nc6 {would transpose back to lines with an earlier ...Nc6. The
absence of the threat of ...d5 allows White to consolidate his spatial
advantage.} 9. e4 a6 (9... Nd7 10. d3 Nc5 11. f4 exf4 12. Bxf4 f5 13. Qh5 g6
14. Qh6 $36 {Sengupta,D (2563)-Bryzgalin,K (2469)/Pardubice 2011 (1-0, 25)})
10. a4 Rb8 11. Rb1 Bd7 12. d3 Na5 13. f4 h6 14. c5 b6 15. cxd6 cxd6 16. Nf3 $36
{Jobava,B (2669)-Kobalia,M (2634)/Budva 2009/CBM 130 (1-0, 39)}) 9. d3 h6 (9...
d5 $6 {is premature.} 10. cxd5 cxd5 11. Bg5 {Black has no favourable way of
avoiding the spoiling his kingside structure.} Be6 12. Rb1 b6 13. c4 $14) 10.
Rb1 d5 11. Qb3 b6 $1 {Neutralising the pressure along the b-file.} (11... Na6
12. cxd5 cxd5 13. Ba3 $5 {[%csl Ga6]}) (11... Nbd7 12. cxd5 cxd5 13. Ba3 $14 {
[%csl Gd7]}) (11... dxc4 12. Qxc4 Be6 13. Qh4 b5 14. a4 a6 15. Nc2 $14) 12.
cxd5 {This is a small success for Black, who will get the c6-square for his
knight.} (12. Nc2 Be6 (12... dxc4 13. Qxc4 Be6 14. Qa4 Bd5 15. e4 $14) 13. Ne3
dxc4 14. dxc4 e4 15. Rd1 Qc8 16. Ba3 c5 (16... Bh3 {achieves little after} 17.
Bh1) 17. Nd5 Nbd7 $13 {White's position looks active, but he needs time to
recycle his a3-bishop.}) 12... cxd5 13. Nc2 Nc6 14. h3 $6 {I cannot understand
this move, giving away a tempo and weakening the kingside.} (14. Ne3 Be6 15. f4
d4 16. Qb5 $13) 14... Bb7 15. Nb4 Na5 16. Qb2 d4 17. c4 Rc8 18. Bxb7 Nxb7 $15 {
Black's opening has been a complete success. He has exchanged the active
g2-bishop and neutralised the other, he has a lead in development and more
space.} 19. e4 {[%csl Gd5] Fighting for space, but weakening his position even
more.} dxe3 20. Bxe3 Qd7 21. Kh2 Nd6 22. Rbc1 Nf5 23. Rfd1 h5 24. Qe2 h4 $40
25. Nc2 (25. g4 Nxe3 26. Qxe3 Qd6 $17 {[%cal Gd6b4,Gd6h2,Re5e4]}) 25... b5 {
Opening a second active front, in the best classic fashion.} 26. Qf3 bxc4 27.
dxc4 hxg3+ 28. fxg3 Qe6 29. c5 Red8 30. Bf2 e4 31. Qb3 Qe5 32. Ne3 Rxd1 33.
Qxd1 Rxc5 $1 $17 34. Nc4 {White probably thought that this double attack would
keep the c5-pawn defended indirectly, but he was wrong.} Qc7 35. Bxc5 Qxg3+ $1
$40 {A winning rook sacrifice, which should have crowned a well played game.}
36. Kh1 Qxh3+ 37. Kg1 Qg3+ $2 $44 ({He should have simply brought his knights
closer to the king.} 37... Ng4 $1 $19 38. Qe2 Nh4 39. Nd2 Qg3+ 40. Kh1 Nf3 $1 {
The effects of this move were not easy to anticipate a few moves earlier.} ({
However, he had a safety net in view of} 40... Qh3+ {, with a draw by
perpetual.}) 41. Nxf3 exf3 42. Qe8+ (42. Qd2 f2 $19) 42... Kh7 43. Rc2 f2 44.
Rxf2 {Sadly, there is nothing better than that.} Nxf2+ 45. Bxf2 Qxf2 $19 {
With "just" a winning queen ending.}) 38. Kf1 $1 Ng4 (38... e3 $44) (38... Qf4+
39. Ke1 e3 $44) 39. Qd8+ Kh7 40. Qd5 Qf3+ $2 $16 {The king escapes now
definitively.} (40... Nh2+ 41. Ke2 Nd4+ $3 {A brilliant move, forcing White to
either obstruct the d-file, or place the queen on a vulnerable square.} 42.
Qxd4 (42. Bxd4 Qf3+ 43. Ke1 Qf1+ 44. Kd2 Qd3+ $11) 42... Qg4+ 43. Ke3 Qg3+ (
43... Qf3+ $2 44. Kd2 $18) 44. Kxe4 ({One of the points behind 41...Nd4!!+ is
that} 44. Kd2 $2 {loses the queen to} Nf3+) 44... Qf3+ 45. Ke5 Qf6+ $1 $11 {
White has to take the perpetual, since} 46. Kd5 $2 {leads to an unexpected
finish:} Qe6#) 41. Ke1 Ng3 42. Rc2 f5 43. Kd2 $16 {With good winning chances
already.} Nf6 44. Qd8 Ne2 45. Ke1 f4 46. Rxe2 Qc3+ 47. Kd1 Qxc4 48. Qd4 Qb5 49.
Rh2+ Kg6 50. Kc2 a5 51. Be7 Qc6+ 52. Qc5 Qa4+ 53. Kc1 f3 54. Bxf6 Kxf6 55. Rd2
g6 56. Rd6+ Kg7 57. Rd8 1-0

[Event "USA-ch"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2012.05.18"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2012.05.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "16"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 149"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. a4 e5 7. Nf3 Be7 8. Bc4
O-O 9. O-O Be6 10. Bb3 Nc6 11. Bg5 Na5 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. Bd5 Rc8 14. Nd2 Qc7
15. Re1 Bg5 16. Nf1 Qb6 17. Rb1 Nc4 18. Qe2 Bh6 19. h4 Qb4 20. g3 Rc7 21. Kg2
Nb6 22. Bb3 Bxb3 23. cxb3 Qxb3 24. a5 Na4 25. Nh2 g6 26. Ng4 Bg7 27. Nd5 Rc2
28. Qe3 Nc5 29. h5 Qxe3 30. Ngxe3 Rd2 31. Nc4 Rd4 32. Nxd6 Rd8 33. b4 Nd3 34.
Nxb7 Nxe1+ 35. Rxe1 Ra8 36. f3 Bf8 37. Rc1 Bxb4 38. Rc7 gxh5 39. Kh3 Kg7 40.
Kh4 Ra7 41. Kxh5 Rxd5 42. exd5 Bxa5 43. Re7 Bb6 44. d6 a5 45. Kg5 a4 46. Kf5 a3
47. Nd8 a2 48. Ne6+ Kh6 49. Ng5 a1=Q 50. Nxf7+ Kg7 0-1

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 7th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.06.14"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D20"]
[WhiteElo "2769"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[Annotator "Edouard,R"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2012.06.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 149"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.07.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "6000+30"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 {Nowadays almost the most famous move against Queens
Gambit Accepted.} Nf6 {One of the most popular defences against the 3.e4
attack.} 4. e5 Nd5 5. Bxc4 Nb6 6. Bd3 (6. Bb3 $5 {is the other possibility.})
6... Nc6 7. Ne2 Bg4 8. f3 Be6 (8... Bh5 {which is the engine suggestion, has
also been tried in the past:} 9. Nbc3 (9. e6 fxe6 10. Nbc3 Qd7 11. Bf4 g5 $1
12. Bxg5 {was played in Al Sayed-Filippov (2010) while here probably} O-O-O {
[%cal Gh8g8] would have been best, with an unclear position.}) 9... e6 10. Be4
$5 (10. Bb5 $5 {An interesting idea played only once in 2011.} Qd7 {(maybe not
the best reaction)} 11. h4 $1 f6 12. exf6 gxf6 13. Ne4 Be7 14. Bf4 Rg8 15. Kf2
$5 O-O-O 16. Rc1 Qd5 17. Bxc6 bxc6 18. Qd3 $40 {1-0 (44) Evdokimov,A (2533)
-Papin,V (2569) Armavir RUS 2011}) 10... Bg6 11. O-O Be7 12. Be3 O-O 13. Bf2
Qd7 14. Nf4 {was unpleasant for Black in Wojtaszek-Socko (2009).}) 9. Nbc3 Qd7
(9... Bc4 {used to be sort of a main move:} 10. Bxc4 Nxc4 11. Qb3 Nb6 12. Be3
$1 (12. e6 fxe6 {followed by ...Qd7 was proven to be rather fine for Black.})
12... e6 13. O-O Nb4 (13... Qd7 14. Rad1 Nb4 15. Nf4 c6 16. Nh5 $16 {1-0 (44)
Kasimdzhanov,R (2678)-Ismagambetov,A (2500) UZB 2011}) 14. f4 $5 {[%cal Gf4f5]}
(14. Nf4 $5) 14... N4d5 15. Bd2 Qd7 16. a4 a5 17. Ne4 Bb4 $6 (17... Be7 18. Nc5
$14) 18. Nc5 Qc8 $6 19. Bxb4 Nxb4 20. f5 $1 exf5 21. e6 $18 {1-0 (25) Edouard,
R (2617)-Sumets,A (2614) FRA 2010}) 10. Ne4 Bd5 11. Nc5 Qc8 12. a3 e6 13. Qc2
Bxc5 14. dxc5 {An interesting treatment of the position, which is almost new,
but that should objectively be wrong.} ({Normally White goes} 14. Qxc5 Qd7 15.
O-O (15. Bg5 $5 h6 16. Be3 Qe7 17. Qc3 Qh4+ 18. Bf2 Qg5 19. Kf1 $5 h5 20. h4
Qe7 21. b4 a6 22. Nf4 $40 {1-0 (38) Zherebukh,Y (2541)-Tzermiadianos,A (2447)
Budapest HUN 2009}) 15... a6 16. Qc3 Ne7 {followed by ...Bc6, and Black is
extremely solid, though after} 17. b3 Bc6 18. a4 {White is supposed to be a
little bit better (after all, Black can put only one piece on the d5-square!).}
) 14... Nd7 15. f4 Bxg2 (15... Qd8 $1 {with the idea of} 16. O-O Bb3 $1 {
followed by ...Nxc5 seems immediately good for Black:} 17. Qc3 Nxc5 18. Bb5 Qd5
$8 {and probably Black is just better, e.g.} 19. Be3 Ne4 20. Bxc6+ bxc6 21. Qc1
O-O 22. Nd4 Ba4 23. b3 c5 24. Nxe6 fxe6 25. bxa4 Rad8 $15 {It is quite likely
that Morozevich studied the position after 14.dxc5 and thought chances his
opponent doesn't find 15...Qd8 were quite high, while after the text move
White has interesting ideas.}) 16. Rg1 Bf3 $5 17. Be3 $5 {White wants to
castle long as fast as possible in order to launch an attack, since for the
moment it is not so clear where Black is going to castle.} (17. Rxg7 Qd8 {
followed by ...Qh4, ...0-0-0 should be fine for Black.}) 17... g6 18. O-O-O Ne7
19. Be4 $5 {Black's bishop is a strong defensive piece, so it is obviously
interesting to get rid off it immediately, though not so logical purely
strategically speaking.} (19. Rg3 Bxe2 $5 ({The more logical} 19... Bd5 {
followed by ...c6, ...Qc7, ...0-0-0, also seems quite unclear to me.}) 20. Bxe2
c6 21. Rd6 {looks unpleasant for Black, but after} Nf5 22. Rh3 b6 {it may
happen that White is not better at all! For instance:} 23. cxb6 Nxd6 24. exd6
Nxb6 25. f5 gxf5 26. Bd4 Kd7 $132) 19... Bxe4 20. Qxe4 b6 $5 {Black needs to
find counterplay somewhere!} (20... Nd5 $5) 21. Nc3 O-O ({The less human} 21...
c6 {also makes sense:} 22. Qf3 Nd5 23. Ne4 O-O 24. cxb6 axb6 25. h4 Qa6 $1 {
and Black will go ...Nc5 at some point and White's attack might just be too
slow.}) 22. c6 Nb8 23. f5 $1 {A natural way to get counterplay. Now Black's
position is most probably fine, but unpleasant.} Nxf5 ({After} 23... Nbxc6 24.
Bg5 {White obviously has huge compensations.}) 24. Bg5 Qe8 {Black has to hurry
up not to get mated!} 25. Qf4 $5 ({The natural} 25. Rd8 {is just a draw:} Qxd8
(25... Qxc6 $2 26. Rxb8 Qxe4 27. Rxf8+ Kxf8 28. Nxe4 $16) 26. Bxd8 Rxd8 27. Nb5
a6 28. Nxc7 Ra7 29. Na8 Nxc6 30. Qxc6 Raxa8 31. Qxb6 Rdb8 $11) 25... f6 {
The most natural move, but objectively maybe a bit dubious.} (25... Qxc6 26.
Kb1 {followed by Ne4, h4, obviously gives White a strong attack, but the
position mayb be holdable for Black, e.g.} Nd7 27. Ne4 Nc5 28. Nf6+ Kh8 29. Qg4
Rg8 $1 {and after} 30. Qh3 Rg7 31. Bh6 Nxh6 32. Qxh6 {White can make a draw at
any moment (e.g. Nh5-f6) but probably nothing more.}) 26. Bxf6 Qxc6 27. Kb1 Nd7
28. Ne4 {Black's position is already very unpleasant.} Nc5 $2 (28... Rf7 $1 {
should be best:} 29. h4 $1 (29. Ng5 $6 Nxf6 $1 30. Nxf7 Nd5 31. Nh6+ Kh8 $132)
29... Nc5 30. Nf2 $1 (30. Ng5 $2 Rd7 $15) 30... Rd7 31. Rxd7 Qxd7 32. h5 {
and after} Qd4 33. Qxd4 Nxd4 34. hxg6 hxg6 35. Rh1 Rf8 $8 36. Rh8+ Kf7 37. Rh7+
Ke8 38. Rxc7 a5 {White is better but Black might be able to make a draw.}) 29.
Nxc5 $2 {A strange move, but of course this position is extremely difficult to
play for both sides.} ({After} 29. Ng5 $1 h6 (29... Nd7 $2 30. Rc1 $40) 30. h4
$1 {I believe Black has serious problems, e.g.} Qe8 (30... hxg5 31. Qxg5 Qe4+
32. Ka2 $1 Rf7 (32... Qc4+ 33. Ka1 Nb3+ 34. Kb1 $18) 33. Qxg6+ Ng7 34. Qxg7+ $1
{(not the only winning move, but definitely the strongest and most beautiful
one!)} Rxg7 35. Rxg7+ Kf8 36. Rdg1 Qc4+ 37. Kb1 Qe4+ 38. Ka1 Nb3+ 39. Ka2 $18)
(30... Rae8 31. h5 $18 {[%cal Gg5h3,Gg5f3]}) 31. Nh3 Kh7 32. h5 Rg8 $8 (32...
g5 $2 33. Rxg5 $1 hxg5 34. Nxg5+ Kg8 35. Rg1 $18) 33. hxg6+ Rxg6 34. Qf3 $1 {
and White wins, e.g.} Rb8 35. Ka2 $1 Rxg1 36. Rxg1 Qd7 37. Ng5+ hxg5 38. Qh5+
Nh6 39. Bxg5 Qd5+ 40. Ka1 Nb3+ 41. Kb1 Qd3+ 42. Ka2 Qg6 43. Qh1 Nd4 44. Be3 $18
) 29... bxc5 {Suddenly Black is completely fine.} 30. h4 Rf7 (30... Rab8 $1 {
was very strong, since after} 31. h5 $6 c4 $1 32. hxg6 h6 {followed by ...c3
White is just totally lost.}) 31. h5 Rd7 $8 32. hxg6 h6 {The right idea, but
only sort of drawing, while it could have been killing in the event of 30...
Rab8.} 33. Rxd7 Qxd7 34. Qf3 Rb8 35. Rd1 Qe8 36. Rd2 c4 37. Ka2 a5 {The
position was about equal again, but White suddenly made a big mistake.} 38. Qd1
$2 ({After something like} 38. Qc3 Qa4 39. Ka1 {nothing would happen.}) 38...
c3 $1 {White should never have allowed such a move.} 39. bxc3 Ne3 40. Qe2 $2 {
The last mistake!} (40. Qc1 Qxg6 $17) 40... Nd5 41. Qd3 a4 $1 $19 {Now White
is lost.} 42. Rb2 Rxb2+ 43. Kxb2 Qb8+ 44. Kc1 Qb3 45. Qa6 Qxc3+ 46. Kd1 Ne3+
47. Ke2 Qc4+ 0-1

[Event "Biel GM 45th"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2012.07.26"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Bologan, Viktor"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D20"]
[WhiteElo "2732"]
[BlackElo "2778"]
[PlyCount "162"]
[EventDate "2012.07.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 150"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 Nf6 4. e5 Nd5 5. Bxc4 Nb6 6. Bb3 Nc6 7. Be3 Bf5 8.
Ne2 e6 9. Nbc3 Qd7 10. a3 O-O-O 11. Rc1 Kb8 12. O-O Qe8 13. Ba4 Nxa4 14. Qxa4
Bd3 15. d5 exd5 16. Rfd1 Bxe2 17. Nxe2 Be7 18. Rxc6 Qxc6 19. Qxa7+ Kc8 20. Nd4
Qa6 21. Qxa6 bxa6 22. Nc6 Rd7 23. b4 Kb7 24. Rc1 d4 25. Bxd4 f6 26. f4 fxe5 27.
fxe5 Bg5 28. Rc4 Re8 29. Kf2 Rf7+ 30. Ke2 Re6 31. Na5+ Kc8 32. g3 Rh6 33. h4
Bd8 34. Be3 Re6 35. Bf4 Bf6 36. Re4 Rfe7 37. Nc4 g6 38. Re3 Bg7 39. Kf3 Rc6 40.
Na5 Rce6 41. Nc4 h6 42. g4 Rd7 43. Ke4 Bf8 44. Rf3 Rf7 45. Rc3 Rd7 46. Be3 Kd8
47. Rb3 Ke8 48. h5 gxh5 49. gxh5 Rc6 50. Nb2 Rc2 51. Bf4 Rf7 52. a4 Re2+ 53.
Be3 Rf1 54. Nd3 Be7 55. Nf4 Ra2 56. Nd5 Bd8 57. a5 c6 58. Nf4 Rh2 59. Ne6 Rh4+
60. Kd3 Rd1+ 61. Kc2 Re1 62. Rd3 Bg5 63. Nc7+ Ke7 64. Bc5+ Kf7 65. Nxa6 Rh2+
66. Kb3 Rb1+ 67. Kc4 Rh4+ 68. Kc3 Ra1 69. Kb2 Rhh1 70. Nb8 Rhb1+ 71. Kc3 Rc1+
72. Kd4 Ke6 73. Nxc6 Rc2 74. Ke4 Re1+ 75. Kf3 Rf1+ 76. Kg4 Rg2+ 77. Kh3 Ra2 78.
a6 Kf5 79. Nd4+ Ke4 80. Rf3 Rh1+ 81. Kg3 Bh4+ 0-1

[Event "Biel GM 45th"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2012.08.02"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Bologan, Viktor"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A59"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2732"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2012.07.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 150"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 g6 6. Nc3 Bxa6 7. e4 Bxf1 8.
Kxf1 d6 9. Nf3 Bg7 10. g3 O-O 11. Kg2 Nbd7 12. a4 Qb6 13. Qe2 Rfb8 14. Bd2 Ne8
15. Rhb1 Nc7 16. Nd1 Qa6 17. Qxa6 Rxa6 18. a5 f5 19. exf5 Nxd5 20. fxg6 hxg6
21. Ra4 Nb4 22. Ne3 Rb5 23. b3 e6 24. Bxb4 Rxb4 25. Rxb4 cxb4 26. Rc1 Nc5 27.
Rc4 Bc3 28. Nd1 Nxb3 29. Nxc3 bxc3 30. Rxc3 Nc5 31. Ra3 e5 32. Nd2 d5 33. Nf3
Nd7 34. Ne1 Nb8 35. Rb3 Nc6 36. Rb6 Rxb6 37. axb6 Kf7 38. b7 Ke6 39. h4 Kd6 40.
g4 e4 41. h5 gxh5 42. gxh5 Kc7 43. h6 Ne5 44. h7 Nf7 45. Kg3 Kxb7 46. Nc2 Kc6
47. Kf4 Kd6 48. Kf5 Ke7 49. Kg6 Kf8 50. Kf6 Nh8 51. Nd4 Ke8 52. Kg7 Ke7 53.
Kxh8 Kf8 54. Ne2 Kf7 55. Nc3 d4 56. Nxe4 d3 57. Nd2 Kf8 58. Nf3 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-40"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2012.09.06"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D79"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[PlyCount "159"]
[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 "US of America"]
[BlackTeam "Russia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "USA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. c4 c6 5. d4 d5 6. cxd5 cxd5 7. Nc3 Ne4 8. Qb3
Nxc3 9. bxc3 O-O 10. Nd2 e6 11. e4 Nc6 12. O-O Na5 13. Qd1 Qc7 14. Qf3 b6 15.
Ba3 Rd8 16. e5 Ba6 17. Rfe1 Rac8 18. Bb4 Bh6 19. Qd1 Nc6 20. Ba3 Na5 21. Bb4
Nc6 22. Ba3 Na5 23. Nb1 b5 24. h4 Nc6 25. Bc5 Qb8 26. Qe2 Na5 27. Nd2 Rxc5 28.
dxc5 Qc8 29. Nf3 Qxc5 30. Nh2 Bg7 31. h5 g5 32. h6 Bxh6 33. Qh5 Bg7 34. Qxg5
Nc6 35. Ng4 Qe7 36. Qxe7 Nxe7 37. a4 d4 38. axb5 Bxb5 39. Rxa7 d3 40. Rxe7 d2
41. Rd1 Be2 42. Ne3 Bxe5 43. c4 h5 44. Ra7 h4 45. Ra2 Bxd1 46. Nxd1 hxg3 47.
fxg3 Bxg3 48. c5 f5 49. Ra7 e5 50. c6 e4 51. Bh3 Rc8 52. Ra6 Rf8 53. Ra5 f4 54.
Kf1 e3 55. Ke2 Rf6 56. Ra8+ Kg7 57. Ra7+ Rf7 58. Rb7 Kf6 59. Kf3 Re7 60. Rxe7
Kxe7 61. c7 e2 62. c8=N+ Kf6 63. Kxe2 Ke5 64. Nb6 Kd4 65. Bg2 Be1 66. Nd5 Ke5
67. Nb4 Bh4 68. Nd3+ Kf5 69. Kxd2 Kg4 70. Ke2 Bf6 71. N1f2+ Kg3 72. Bf3 Bd8 73.
Ne4+ Kh4 74. Ne5 Bc7 75. Ng6+ Kh3 76. Ne7 Bd8 77. Nf5 Bb6 78. Kf1 Kh2 79. Bg4
f3 80. Nh4 1-0

[Event "London FIDE GP 1st"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2012.10.02"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2730"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[EventDate "2012.09.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Qe2 Qe7 6. d3 Nf6 7. Nc3 Qxe2+ 8.
Bxe2 Be7 9. O-O O-O 10. h3 h6 11. Re1 Rd8 12. Nd4 Bf8 13. Bf3 c6 14. b4 Nbd7
15. g3 Nb6 16. Bg2 a5 17. bxa5 Rxa5 18. a4 Nbd7 19. Nb3 Ra6 20. a5 Nc5 21. Nxc5
dxc5 22. Ra4 Nd5 23. Nxd5 cxd5 24. Bf4 Bd7 25. Raa1 Bc6 26. Bc7 Rc8 27. Bb6 Bd6
28. h4 Raa8 29. Bh3 Rcb8 30. c3 Kf8 31. h5 Re8 32. Bg2 Rxe1+ 33. Rxe1 Rc8 34.
Rd1 Be7 35. f4 f6 36. Kf2 d4 37. Bh3 Ra8 38. c4 Bd6 39. Re1 Re8 40. Be6 Re7 41.
g4 Re8 42. f5 Re7 43. Re2 Re8 44. Rb2 Ra8 45. Rb1 Ke8 46. Re1 Be5 47. g5 hxg5
48. h6 gxh6 49. Rxe5 fxe5 50. f6 Bd7 51. f7+ Ke7 52. Bxd7 Kxd7 53. Bxc5 h5 54.
f8=Q Rxf8+ 55. Bxf8 h4 56. Bh6 g4 57. Bg5 h3 58. Bh4 Kd6 59. Bg3 Ke6 60. Ke2
Kd6 61. Kd2 Kc5 62. Bxe5 Kb4 63. Kc2 Kxa5 64. Kb3 Kb6 65. Bxd4+ 1-0

[Event "London Classic 4th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2012.12.01"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A31"]
[WhiteElo "2815"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2012.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 152"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. g3 e5 6. Nb5 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 a6 8.
N5c3 d5 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Bg2 Be6 11. O-O Nb6 12. Be3 Nc4 13. Qc1 O-O 14. Rd1
Qc7 15. a3 Nxe3 16. Qxe3 Ba5 17. Nd2 Bb6 18. Qf3 Rad8 19. Na4 Ba7 20. Qc3 Rd4
21. Qc2 f5 22. e3 Rdd8 23. b4 e4 24. Nb3 Qf7 25. Nbc5 Bd5 26. Rd2 b6 27. Rxd5
Rxd5 28. Nxa6 Ne5 29. Rd1 Rfd8 30. Rxd5 Qxd5 31. Nb2 Qd2 32. Qc7 Ng4 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 75th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2013.01.19"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Wang, Hao"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D30"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2769"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2013.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 153"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Qc2 dxc4 5. Qxc4 Nf6 6. Bg5 b5 7. Qc2 Bb7 8. e4
Nbd7 9. Nbd2 Qb6 10. a4 a6 (10... Bb4 {, developing another piece, is probably
more logical. The whole system was examined in my survey in CBM 150:} 11. Bd3 (
11. Be2 h6 12. Bxf6 Nxf6 13. O-O Bxd2 $5 14. Nxd2 (14. Qxd2 Nxe4 15. Qe3 Nf6
$13) 14... Qxd4 15. Nb3 Qxe4 {1/2 Marin,M (2604)-Fressinet,L (2581)/Bucharest
2001/CBM 150/[Krasenkow,Michal]} (15... Qxe4 16. Qxe4 Nxe4 17. Na5 Rb8 18. axb5
cxb5 19. Bxb5+ Ke7 20. Bc6 Ba8 $13)) 11... h6 12. Bxf6 Nxf6 13. O-O Nd7 14. Nb3
bxa4 15. Rxa4 a5 (15... O-O 16. Rc1 c5 $11 {0-1 Kuzmin,A (2587)-Kharlov,A 
(2616)/Dubai 2000/EXT 2001 (46)}) 16. Rc1 O-O 17. Bf1 Rfc8 18. Nc5 Nxc5 19.
dxc5 Qa7 20. Ne5 Ba6 21. Bxa6 Qxa6 22. Nd3 {1/2 Mchedlishvili,M (2560)
-Tregubov,P (2632)/Istanbul 2003/CBM 096}) 11. axb5 $6 {Hardly a good move,
opening up the diagonal for Black's bishop.} (11. Bd3 Rc8 (11... c5 $5) 12. O-O
(12. Qb3 $1) 12... c5 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. d5 c4 15. Be2 {0-1 Zakhartsov,V (2486)
-Popov,V (2557)/Korolev 2000/EXT 2002 (53)} Bd6 $132) (11. Be2 $142 Bb4 $5 (
11... c5 12. axb5 axb5 13. Rxa8+ Bxa8 14. O-O Bb7 15. Rc1 h6 16. Be3 Ng4 17.
dxc5 Nxe3 18. cxb6 Nxc2 19. Rxc2 $16 {1-0 Krasenkow,M (2661)-Markowski,T (2531)
/Plock 2000/CBM 078/[Huzman] (55)}) 12. O-O O-O {[%cal Yc6c5]} 13. Bxf6 gxf6
14. e5 $5) 11... cxb5 (11... axb5 $6 12. Rxa8+ Bxa8 13. Be2 h6 (13... Bb4 $5)
14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. O-O Be7 16. Qc3 O-O $6 17. b4 $16 {1-0 Dyachkov,S (2545)
-Arzumanian,G (2455)/Serpukhov 2003/EXT 2004 (30)}) 12. Bd3 Rc8 13. Qb1 (13.
Qb3 $6 e5 14. Nxe5 Nxe5 15. dxe5 Ng4 16. O-O Bc5) 13... h6 (13... e5 14. d5)
14. Be3 Ng4 15. O-O (15. Bf4 e5 $1) (15. e5 $5) 15... Nxe3 16. fxe3 e5 $1 {
Black has obtained an excellent position. His bishop pair is quite formidable.}
17. Nb3 Bb4 18. Qa2 {This flank action just worsens White's position.} (18. Qd1
$142) 18... O-O 19. Na5 Ba8 (19... Bxa5 20. Qxa5 Qxa5 21. Rxa5 f5 {is not
dangerous here due to} 22. Nd2) 20. Kh1 (20. Nb3 a5 $1 21. Nxa5 exd4 22. exd4
Ne5 $1 23. Nxe5 Qxd4+ 24. Kh1 Qxe5 $19) 20... Bxa5 21. Qxa5 Qxa5 22. Rxa5 f5 $1
{Now this action is appropriate.} 23. Rxa6 (23. Nd2 $2 {doesn't work now due
to the weakness of the back rank after} fxe4) 23... fxe4 24. Rxa8 $8 Rxa8 25.
Bxe4 Rad8 26. Ra1 exd4 27. exd4 Nb6 28. Ra5 $4 {[%mdl 8192] A final blunder.
It was possible to continue resistance by means of} (28. h3) 28... Rxd4 $19 29.
Bc2 Rb4 30. Bd3 Ra8 31. Rxb5 Ra1+ 32. Ng1 Rxb5 33. Bxb5 Rb1 34. h3 Rxb2 35. Bc6
Kf7 36. Nf3 Kf6 37. Kh2 Nc4 38. Kg3 Ne3 0-1

[Event "Tata Steel-A 75th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2013.01.23"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E70"]
[WhiteElo "2781"]
[BlackElo "2769"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[EventDate "2013.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 153"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. e4 d6 6. Bd3 O-O 7. Nge2 Nbd7 8. Bc2
Ne8 9. O-O Nc7 10. a4 Na6 11. f4 Nb4 12. Be3 e6 13. dxe6 fxe6 14. Qd2 Nf6 15.
Rad1 Ng4 16. Bb1 Nc6 17. Kh1 Nxe3 18. Qxe3 Nd4 19. e5 dxe5 20. fxe5 Rxf1+ 21.
Rxf1 Bd7 22. Nxd4 cxd4 23. Qxd4 Bc6 24. Qg4 Qe7 25. b3 Bxe5 26. Ne2 Rd8 27. Be4
Be8 28. Qf3 b6 29. Nf4 Bf7 30. Nd3 Bd6 31. Qe3 Qh4 32. h3 Qg3 33. Qxg3 Bxg3 34.
Rf3 Bc7 35. Kg1 Rd4 36. Re3 g5 37. Kf2 h5 38. Re2 a5 39. Ke3 Rd8 40. Bf3 Kg7
41. Rb2 Bd6 42. Rb1 Kf6 43. Rf1 Ke7 44. Be4 Rg8 45. Rh1 h4 46. Bf3 Rf8 47. Rd1
Rd8 48. Rf1 Bg6 49. Be4 Bh5 50. Bf3 Rf8 51. Nf2 Bg6 52. Ne4 Bc5+ 53. Kd3 Rd8+
54. Kc2 g4 55. hxg4 h3 56. Rd1 Rf8 57. Kd3 h2 58. Rh1 Bg1 59. Ke2 Bxe4 60. Bxe4
Kf6 61. Bf3 Rd8 0-1

[Event "Zug FIDE GP"]
[Site "Zug"]
[Date "2013.04.28"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E91"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2758"]
[Annotator "Sumets,A"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2013.04.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. d4 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 O-O 5. e4 d6 6. Be2 c5 7. d5 (7. O-O cxd4
(7... Nc6 8. d5 Na5) 8. Nxd4 Nc6 {leads to a Maroczy setup.}) 7... e6 (7... e5
8. O-O Ne8 9. Ne1 f5 10. Nd3 Nf6 11. f3 f4 12. g4 h5 13. h3 Nh7 14. Kg2 Nd7 15.
Bd2 Ndf6 16. Nf2 Ne8 17. Rh1 Bf6 18. Qg1 a6 19. a3 Bd7 20. b4 b6 21. Rb1 Bh4
$13 {Postny,E-Mamedov,R 8th World teams Ningbo CHN 2011 1-0 (46)}) 8. O-O Re8
9. Nd2 Na6 10. Re1 Nc7 {It seems to me that this variation is better than its
reputation. Maybe eventually it will become more popular.} 11. Rb1 $6 {White
doesn't threaten to push 12.b4 due to 12...cxb4 13.Rxb4 Nfxd5!. Another
drawback of this move is the vulnerability of the a2-pawn, which is evident in
some tactical complications. So I can't recommend 11.Rb1.} (11. a4 b6 (11...
Na6 12. Bf1 Nb4 13. h3 b6 14. a5 bxa5 15. Nb3 Ba6 16. e5 $1 dxe5 17. d6 $1 {
Not so clear another capture} (17. dxe6 Qc7 18. exf7+ Qxf7 19. Nxa5 e4 {
with some counterplay}) 17... Rc8 18. Bg5 Rc6 19. Ne4 h6 20. Bxf6 Bxf6 21. Nxa5
Rb6 22. Nb3 $18 {1-0 Nyzhnyk,I-Vocaturo,D 74th Tata Steel GMB Wijk aan Zee NED
2012 1-0 (34)}) 12. Rb1 Rb8 13. b3 a6 14. Bb2 exd5 15. cxd5 b5 $132 16. axb5 (
16. Qc2) 16... axb5 17. Bf1 $2 Ng4 18. Nf3 (18. h3 $2 Nxf2 19. Kxf2 Bd4+ 20.
Kg3 Qf6 $17) 18... f5 19. h3 $2 (19. exf5 Rxe1 20. Qxe1 Bxf5 21. Ra1 $15) 19...
Ne5 $2 (19... b4 $1 20. Na2 fxe4 21. Bxg7 Kxg7 22. Nd2 Nf6 $19) 20. Nxe5 Bxe5
$15 {Smyslov,V-Polugaevsky,LURS-ChT Riga 1975 0-1 (38)}) (11. Bf1 Rb8 12. a4 b6
13. Nb3 a6 14. Bg5 (14. e5 $1 dxe5 15. d6 Na8 16. a5 Nd7 17. Na4 $16) 14... h6
15. Bh4 e5 16. Bd3 Rf8 17. f3 Qe8 18. Bf2 Nh5 19. g3 Bh3 20. Nd2 Qd8 21. Bf1
Bc8 22. Rb1 a5 $13 {0-1 Reshevsky,S-Damljanovic,B GMA Baleares op Palma de
Mallorca 1989 0-1 (84)}) 11... exd5 (11... Bd7 12. b4 $6 (12. e5 $5 dxe5 13. d6
Na6 14. Nb3 Bc6 15. Bg5 b6 16. Bf3 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 $44) 12... cxb4 13. Rxb4 b6 (
13... Nfxd5 $1 14. Nxd5 Na6 15. Rxb7 exd5 16. cxd5 (16. exd5 Nc5 17. Rb1 Na4
$17) 16... Nc5 17. Rb4 Qa5 18. Rc4 (18. a3 Bc3 19. Rc4 Ba4 $17) 18... Qxa2 $15)
14. Rb3 Na6 15. Ba3 (15. Nb5 Bxb5 16. cxb5 Nc5 17. dxe6 $1 Rxe6 18. Re3 $13)
15... Nc5 16. Bxc5 bxc5 17. dxe6 Bxe6 $15 {Browne,W-Dzindzichashvili,R
American Open Los Angeles 1989 1-0 (48)}) (11... b5 $5 {M.Golubev}) 12. cxd5 (
12. exd5 $2 Bf5) 12... a6 13. a4 $6 b5 14. axb5 axb5 15. b4 (15. Bxb5 $6 Nxb5
16. Nxb5 Ba6 17. Na3 (17. Nc3 Bd3) 17... Bd3 $17) (15. Nxb5 Nxe4 $15) (15. f3
Bd7 16. b4 Nh5 17. Qc2 Bd4+ 18. Kh1 Qh4 $19) 15... Ng4 $1 {I believe that this
is stronger than 15...cxb4 which also was quite good for Black to achieve an
opening advantage.} (15... cxb4 16. Rxb4 Ng4 17. Qb3 (17. Ndb1 Qh4 18. Bxg4
Bxg4 19. Qd3 Bd7 20. g3 Qf6 $15) (17. Nxb5 Nxb5 18. Rxb5 Nxf2 $17 19. Kxf2 $2
Bd4+ 20. Kf1 Qh4 $19) 17... Nxf2 18. Nxb5 Ng4 $15) 16. Bxg4 (16. Qc2 $2 Nxf2
17. Nxb5 (17. Kxf2 Qh4+ 18. Kf1 Bd4 19. Nd1 Qxh2 20. Bf3 Nxd5) 17... Nxd5 $1
18. exd5 Bf5 19. Qc4 Nd3 20. Bxd3 Rxe1+ 21. Kf2 Bxd3 22. Qxd3 Rd1 23. Ke2 Rh1
$19) 16... Bxg4 17. Qxg4 (17. Qc2 cxb4 18. Rxb4 Rc8 $5 {a more precise move} (
18... Bxc3 $5 19. Qxc3 Nxd5 20. Qd4 Nxb4 21. Bb2 f6 22. Qxb4 d5 {must be
enough for Black to win the game}) 19. Qb3 Bxc3 20. Qxc3 Nxd5 21. Qd4 Nxb4 22.
Bb2 f6 23. Qxb4 d5) (17. Qb3 cxb4 18. Qxb4 Na6 19. Qb3 b4 20. Na2 Nc5 21. Qc4
b3 22. Nxb3 Ra4 23. Nb4 Rxe4 24. Rxe4 Nxe4 25. Nd2 (25. Qxe4 Bf5 $19) 25... Nc3
$1 26. Qxg4 Qe8 27. Kf1 Nxb1 28. Nxb1 Qb5+ $19) 17... Bxc3 18. bxc5 dxc5 19.
Qf3 $6 {That's interesting - why does Nakamura provoke ...b4? Maybe he is
hoping for ...Nxd5.} b4 $1 (19... Nxd5 $2 {Greediness leads to a draw:} 20. Rd1
Bxd2 21. Bxd2 (21. Rxd2 Qa5 22. h4 Nb6 23. Qf6 Nc4) 21... Nc7 22. Bc3 Qe7 23.
Rd7 Qxd7 24. Qf6 Kf8 25. Qg7+ Ke7 26. Qf6+ $11) 20. Rd1 Nb5 $1 $17 21. Nc4 $1 {
Even if this move loses White has to play it. Other opportunities are quite
joyless.} (21. Qd3 Nd6 22. Bb2 (22. f3 Ra2 23. Nc4 Qh4 $1 24. Be3 (24. Rf1 Nxc4
25. Qxc4 Be5 26. f4 Bd4+ 27. Kh1 Rf2 $19) 24... f5 $1 25. Nxd6 Be5 26. h3 Bxd6
$19) 22... Bxd2 $5 (22... Qf6 23. Bxc3 bxc3 24. Nf3 Nxe4 25. Re1 Qa6 26. Qxa6
Rxa6 27. Ng5 Nf6 $17) 23. Qxd2 Rxe4 24. Rbc1 Ra5 (24... Nc4 $6 25. Rxc4 Rxc4
26. d6) 25. f3 Re8 $17) (21. Nf1 Bd4 22. Bd2 Ra3 23. Ne3 Bxe3 24. fxe3 Nd6 $19)
21... Bd4 {Black's main problem is the large number of attractive
opportunities. Probably he has not just one single way to win the game. Trying
to find the best way or the most reliable one, achessplayer can miscalculate
and miss the winning Morozevich lost the game.} (21... Ra2 $1 22. d6 Bd4 23.
Be3 Nc3 24. Bxd4 cxd4 25. Re1 Nxb1 26. Rxb1 Qd7 27. h3 Qc6 28. Rxb4 Rc2 29. Qd3
Rc1+ 30. Kh2 Qc5 $19) 22. Bd2 Nc3 $6 (22... Ra6 $5 23. Rf1 Na3 $1 24. Rbc1 f5
25. exf5 Nxc4 26. Rxc4 Ra3 27. Be3 Raxe3 28. fxe3 Rxe3 29. Qd1 Qxd5 30. Rxd4
Qxd4 31. Qxd4 cxd4 32. fxg6 d3 $19) (22... Na3 $5 23. Rbc1 (23. Nxa3 bxa3 $19)
23... Nxc4 24. Rxc4 Ra3 25. Be3 f5 26. e5 Bxe3 (26... Rxe5 27. Bxd4 Re4 (27...
Rxf3 $2 28. Bxe5 Ra3 29. Rxc5 $11) 28. Rxc5 Rxf3 29. gxf3 Qg5+ 30. Kf1 Qh5 31.
Rc8+ Kf7 32. Kg2 Rf4 33. Rd3 Rxf3 34. Rxf3 Qg4+ 35. Rg3 Qxd4 36. Rb8 $17) 27.
fxe3 Rxe5 28. Rxc5 Raxe3 29. Qf4 b3 $17 {I believe Black would win this
position.}) 23. Bxc3 bxc3 24. Rbc1 Ra4 25. Ne3 Ra6 $6 (25... Bg7 26. g3 (26. d6
$5 Raxe4 27. g3 (27. d7 $2 R8e6 28. g3 Bd4 $19) 27... Bd4 28. Nd5 Qxd6 29. Nxc3
Re3 $1 30. fxe3 Rxe3 31. Rxd4 Qxd4 $19) 26... Raxe4 27. Kg2 Bd4 $17) 26. Nc2 $1
Bg7 $5 (26... Rf6 27. Nxd4 $1 Rxf3 28. Nxf3 Rxe4 29. Rxc3 Qd6 {In the final
position I believe White is closer to a draw than Black to a win.}) 27. Ra1
Rxa1 28. Rxa1 Qb6 $6 (28... Qg5 $1 29. Kf1 (29. g3 Qd2 30. Ra2 Rf8 31. Kg2 f5
$17) (29. Rd1 Bd4 30. g3 Qe5 $17) 29... Qd2 30. Qe2 f5 31. Qxd2 cxd2 32. Rd1
Bh6 33. Ne3 Rxe4 34. Rxd2 Kf7 35. d6 Ke8 36. Rd5 $15) 29. g3 $11 Qb2 30. Qd1
Bh6 $6 {Black has spoiled a winning position. Maybe Morozevich believed that
this position couldn't be lost by Black. He should have played more precisely.}
(30... Qb3 31. Qd3 (31. d6 $2 Rd8 32. Kg2 Qe6 $17) 31... c4 32. Qe2 Qb5 33. Qf3
Qb2 34. Qd1 Qb5 {I don't see how White could improve his position.}) 31. f4 $1
Rxe4 $4 {It is hard to explain this blunder. Now White wins easily.} (31... g5
$1 32. d6 (32. Ra6 Bg7 33. e5 Rd8 34. d6 Qb7 35. Ra4 f6 $1 {This move looks
ugly, but it looks like Black is out of danger here} 36. Rc4 (36. e6 $2 Bf8 37.
d7 Qc6 $17) (36. fxg5 fxe5 37. Ne3 e4 38. Ng4 Bd4+ 39. Rxd4 cxd4 40. Qxd4 Qb1+
41. Kg2 Qa2+ 42. Kg1 Qb1+ 43. Kg2 Qa2+ $11) 36... fxe5 37. fxg5 Bf8 38. Rxc3
Rxd6 $11) 32... gxf4 33. gxf4) 32. Ra8+ Kg7 (32... Bf8 33. d6 Qb7 (33... Rd4
34. Nxd4 cxd4 35. d7 c2 36. Rxf8+ Kxf8 37. d8=Q+ Kg7 38. Q1xd4+) 34. d7 Qxa8 (
34... Rd4 35. Qxd4 cxd4 36. Rxf8+ Kxf8 37. d8=Q+ Kg7 38. Qxd4+ Kg8 39. Qxc3 $18
) 35. d8=Q $18) 33. d6 Rd4 (33... Qb7 34. d7 Rd4 35. Nxd4 Qxd7 36. Rd8 $1 $18)
34. Nxd4 {The result of the game doesn't seem fair. But it should be noted
that despite the bad position Nakamura kept fighting and eventually he was
rewarded.} 1-0

[Event "Zug FIDE GP"]
[Site "Zug"]
[Date "2013.04.29"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D10"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2767"]
[Annotator "Margvelashvili,G"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[EventDate "2013.04.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 {This is one of those tournaments that Mamedyarov will want to forget.
Today was clearly not his day.} d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 dxc4 4. e3 b5 5. a4 b4 6.
Nce2 (6. Ne4 {is the most popular move, but Mamedyarov has already played 6.
Nce2 once and decisively beat his opponent.}) 6... Nf6 (6... Qd5 7. Ng3 Nf6 8.
Be2 e5 9. Nf3 Nbd7 10. O-O Bd6 11. Nd2 c3 12. bxc3 bxc3 13. e4 Qe6 14. Nf5 O-O
15. Bc4 Nd5 16. Nf3 N7b6 17. Bb3 Ba6 18. Re1 Bc7 19. dxe5 {1-0 Mamedyarov,S 
(2733)-Brunello,S (2575)Porto Carras 2011}) 7. Nf3 Ba6 8. Ng3 c5 $1 {A strong
improvement by Nakamura. I think this move calls into question Mamedyarov's
whole opening plan.} 9. Bd2 (9. Ne5 e6 10. Nh5 $5 {is suggested by chess
engines.} Nbd7 11. Bxc4 Bxc4 12. Nxc4 Rc8 {and Black has solved all the
opening problems.}) 9... e6 10. Rc1 Qd5 11. Ne5 (11. dxc5 Nbd7 12. Bxb4 Nxc5
13. Bc3 Rb8 {leads to a slightly better endgame for Black.}) 11... cxd4 12.
Nxc4 Nbd7 13. Be2 $1 {Good move by Mamedyarov.} Rc8 (13... Qxg2 $4 14. Bf3 {
is losing for Black.}) (13... Bxc4 $1 14. Bxc4 (14. Rxc4 {is also possible} d3
15. Qc1 $1 Rd8 (15... dxe2 $2 16. Rc8+ Rxc8 17. Qxc8+ Ke7 18. Bxb4+ $18) 16.
Bf3 Qa5 17. Ne4 {with some, but clearly not enough compensation for the
sacrificed pawn.}) 14... Qxg2 15. Bb5 Rd8 16. Bc6 Qh3 17. exd4 Bd6 18. Qf3 O-O
{with advantage for Black.}) 14. Bf3 Qc5 15. b3 Be7 16. Ne2 $6 {This is an
inaccuracy.} (16. O-O $1 {would be a lot stronger, since after} O-O 17. exd4
Qxd4 18. Ne2 Qd3 19. Nf4 Qd4 20. Ne2 {White forces a draw.}) 16... d3 $1 17.
Nf4 O-O 18. Nxd3 Qf5 $1 {Now Mamedyarov is dangerously behind in development.}
19. e4 $2 {A terrible blunder. Such blunders sometimes happen when player is
clearly unsatisfied with his previous play and is psychologically stressed.
There is no other way to explain this blunder by Mamedyarov, who is one of the
strongest players in the world.} (19. Nxb4 Bxc4 20. Rxc4 Rxc4 21. bxc4 Ne5 22.
Nc6 $1 Nxc6 23. Bxc6 {would give Mamedyarov excellent drawing chances.}) 19...
Nxe4 20. g4 Qd5 {I do not know what Mamedyarov overlooked, but nothing works
here for White.} 21. Qe2 f5 {Nakamura has an extra pawn and a winning position.
} 22. O-O Rxc4 $6 {Not the best move, but one which surprisingly led to
Mamedyarov's resignation.} (22... Bxc4 $1 23. bxc4 Qb7 24. Rfe1 Ndc5 {would
give Black a winning position.}) (22... Rxc4 $6 23. bxc4 Bxc4 24. Nxb4 $1 {
Probably both players overlooked this resource that saves White from immediate
disaster.} Bxe2 (24... Bxb4 25. Rxc4 Bxd2 26. Bxe4 fxe4 27. Rxe4 {is worse for
White, but the position is still playable.}) 25. Nxd5 exd5 26. Bxe2 Nxd2 27.
Rc7 Nf6 28. Rxe7 Nxf1 29. Kxf1 Rf7 30. Rxf7 Kxf7 31. gxf5 {This endgame looks
winning for Black, but White has some drawing chances. Good win for Nakamura
and a game to forget for Mamedyarov.}) 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess 1st"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2013.05.08"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Wang, Hao"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2743"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2013.05.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 155"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Be7 7. Be3 O-O
8. Qd2 {In this known position, Black usually chooses between 8...Nc6 and 8...
Nd7, with possible transposition to each other after a further ...Ne5.} b6 $146
({Even if you do not know too much about this line, the list of annotated
games below will give you an image of the intensity of the theoretical duel
over the past few years.} 8... Nc6 9. O-O-O Ne5 10. h4 (10. Nd4 {Kramnik,V 
(2715)-Kasparov,G (2805)/New York 1995/CBM 047 ext/[Vaisser] (1/2, 66)}) (10.
Be2 {1/2 Naiditsch,A (2612)-Kramnik,V (2744)/Dortmund 2005/CBM 108/[Huzman] 
(58)}) 10... c6 (10... Bg4 {Topalov,V (2778)-Kramnik,V (2753)/Sofia 2005/CBM
107/[Huzman] (1/2, 52)}) (10... Re8 {Svidler,P (2740)-Kramnik,V (2739)/Moscow
2005/CBM 111 (1-0, 48)}) 11. c4 (11. Kb1 Bg4 12. Be2 Nxf3 13. Bxf3 (13. gxf3 {
Karjakin,S (2760)-Gelfand,B (2739)/Moscow 2010/CBM 139/[Mueller,Karsten] (1-0,
57)}) 13... Bxf3 {Jakovenko,D (2725)-Gelfand,B (2741)/Astrakhan 2010/CBM 137/
[Kritz] (1/2, 53)}) (11. h5 {Nisipeanu,L (2672)-Gelfand,B (2741)/Medias 2010/
CBM 137/[Rogozenco] (0-1, 40)}) (11. Bg5 {Caruana,F (2736)-Gelfand,B (2739)/
Wijk aan Zee 2012/CBM 147/[Marin,M] (1-0, 48)}) 11... Be6 12. Ng5 Nxc4 (12...
Bf5 {Karjakin,S (2760)-Kramnik,V (2790)/Moscow 2010/CBM 139/[Stohl] (1-0, 32)})
13. Qd3 {Gashimov,V (2734)-Gelfand,B (2741)/Astrakhan 2010/CBM 137/[Kritz] (1/
2, 29)}) (8... Nd7 9. O-O-O Re8 10. h4 c6 11. Bd3 {Nakamura,H (2758)-Giri,A 
(2714)/Reggio Emilia 2012/CBM 146/[Giri,A] (0-1, 41)}) 9. O-O-O Bb7 {Black's
position looks flexible, but it has an organic defect: the f5-square is left
undefended.} 10. Nd4 Nc6 11. Nf5 Bf6 12. h4 Re8 $6 {Too slow.} ({Black should
have started fighting against the knight with} 12... Qd7 $5) 13. Bg5 Ne5 ({
The following lines offer an image of the potential of White's attack:} 13...
h6 14. Bxh6 $1 Bc8 (14... gxh6 15. Rh3 $40) (14... Qd7 15. Qf4) (14... Re5 15.
Bd3) 15. g4 gxh6 16. Nxh6+ Kf8 17. g5 Bg7 18. Nxf7 Kxf7 19. Qd5+ Be6 20. Qxc6)
14. f4 Ng4 15. Bb5 Re4 16. Ng3 Re6 17. Rde1 Rxe1+ 18. Rxe1 $14 h6 19. Qe2 (19.
Re8+ Qxe8 20. Bxe8 Rxe8 21. Bxf6 Nxf6 $14 {Black's fortress may not be easy to
crack.}) 19... Qc8 20. Bd3 Qe6 (20... hxg5 21. Bf5 Qd8 22. hxg5 Bxg5 23. Qxg4
$40) 21. Qxe6 fxe6 22. Bxf6 Nxf6 23. Rxe6 Bxg2 24. Re7 $16 Nd5 25. Bc4 Kf8 26.
Bxd5 Kxe7 27. Bxg2 Rf8 28. f5 Kf6 29. Kd2 d5 30. Ke3 Ke5 31. Bh3 Rd8 32. Ne2 c5
33. Kf3 Rd7 34. Nf4 Kf6 35. h5 a6 36. b3 Rd8 37. Ne6 Rd7 38. Kf4 a5 39. Bf1 c4
40. a4 Rd6 41. Bg2 Rd7 42. Bf3 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 1st"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2013.05.12"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C78"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2013.05.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 155"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 7. c3 d6 8. d4
Bb6 9. Be3 {This line is very popular nowadays. White wants to avoid the sharp
8.a4 lines and tries to play positionally.} O-O 10. Nbd2 Re8 ({The other main
lines are} 10... Bb7) ({and} 10... h6) 11. Re1 ({One month ago} 11. h3 {
was tried} Na5 12. Bc2 Bb7 (12... c5 13. dxc5 (13. d5 c4) (13. Re1 {transposes
to 11.Re1.}) 13... dxc5 14. Qe2 {is similar to the text move.}) 13. Qb1 (13.
Re1 exd4 14. Bxd4 c5 15. Be3 h6 $13) 13... exd4 (13... h6 14. Re1) 14. cxd4 Nc4
15. Nxc4 bxc4 16. Nd2 (16. e5 dxe5 (16... Bxf3 $2 17. exf6) 17. dxe5 Bxf3 18.
exf6 Bxg2 $1 19. Kxg2 Qd5+ 20. Kg1 Bxe3 21. fxe3 Rxe3 (21... Qg5+ 22. Kh1 Qd5+
23. e4 Qh5 {with perpetual checks.}) 22. Bxh7+ Kh8 23. fxg7+ Kxg7 24. Rf2 Rg3+
25. Kh2 Qd6 $13 {with a very unclear fight.}) 16... Rb8 17. Nxc4 Bxe4 18. Bxe4
Nxe4 19. Qd3 Qd7 20. Rfc1 Nf6 21. Bd2 Ba7 $13 {and Black looks OK,
Ponomariov-Giri, Zug 2013.}) 11... Na5 12. Bc2 c5 13. dxc5 $146 {A logical
novelty.} (13. h3 cxd4 {Probably Anand didn't want to allow this move.} (13...
Nc6 14. d5 (14. dxc5 dxc5 (14... Bxc5 15. Bg5 h6 16. Bh4) 15. a4 Rb8 16. axb5
axb5 {and Black hasn't got any problems.}) 14... Ne7 (14... Na5 15. b3 $14) 15.
a4 Bd7 {with a typical Ruy Lopez middlegame.}) 14. cxd4 exd4 15. Nxd4 (15. Bxd4
Bb7 $11) 15... Bb7 16. Nf5 Bxe3 17. Rxe3 g6 {and Black looks nicely placed.})
13... dxc5 14. Qe2 Ng4 {Nakamura would like to take advantage of White's
missing h3 immediately.} 15. Nf1 Be6 16. Ng5 (16. h3 {was an interesting
alternative} Nxe3 ({or} 16... Bc4 17. Qd2 Nxe3 (17... Qxd2 18. Bxd2) 18. Qxd8 (
18. Nxe3 Qxd2 19. Nxd2 Be6 20. Nf3 f6 21. Nd5 Nc4 $11) 18... Raxd8 19. Nxe3 Bc7
(19... Be6 $2 20. Nxe5) 20. b4 cxb4 21. cxb4 Nc6 22. Nxc4 bxc4 23. Ba4 Re6 24.
Rac1 $14 {and White is slightly better.}) 17. Nxe3 Nc4 18. Red1 Qc7 19. Nd5
Bxd5 20. Rxd5 Nxb2 21. Bb3 c4 22. Qxb2 cxb3 23. axb3 f6 {with a nearly equal
position.}) 16... Nxe3 17. Nxe6 fxe6 (17... Rxe6 $6 {is dubious because of} 18.
Nxe3 $14 {followed by Nd5.}) 18. Nxe3 c4 19. Qh5 Qc7 20. Ng4 Rf8 {A very
unusual position in Ruy Lopez. Black has doubles e-pawns, but thanks to the
weak f2 P he gets enough counterplay.} 21. Re2 (21. Rad1 Nc6 $11) 21... Rad8 $1
22. Rd1 (22. Qxe5 $2 {doesn't work because of} Qxe5 23. Nxe5 Rxf2 $1 24. Rxf2
Rd2 $15 {and White is in a big trouble.}) 22... Rxd1+ 23. Bxd1 Rd8 (23... Qd6
24. Bc2 Nc6 $11) 24. Bc2 (24. Rd2 $5 Nc6 $11) 24... b4 $2 {A very ambitious
move, but he missed White's strong answer.} ({The simple} 24... Nc6 {was the
correct} 25. Rd2 Qe7 26. Rxd8+ Qxd8 27. h3 Kf8 $1 28. Qxh7 Qd2 $44 {and Black
has good counterchances.}) 25. cxb4 $2 {Spoiling the sudden chance.} (25. Rd2
$1 {was the strongest move:} Nc6 26. Ba4 $1 bxc3 27. bxc3 g6 28. Qh6 Rxd2 29.
Qxd2 $16 {and Black faces a very unpleasant endgame.}) 25... Nc6 (25... c3 {
was also possible, but after} 26. bxc3 (26. bxa5 $2 cxb2) 26... Qxc3 27. h3 (
27. h4 $5) 27... Nc6 28. Bb3 Nd4 29. Re3 Qxb4 30. Nxe5 Rf8 31. Qg4 {it is very
difficult to play with Black.}) 26. Ba4 $6 ({Still} 26. Rd2 {gives the best
chance} Nd4 27. Ne3 a5 $44) 26... Nxb4 27. Qxe5 Qe7 $1 {A very strong
cold-blooded move by Nakamura!} 28. Qh5 Nxa2 (28... Nd3) ({or} 28... Rf8 {
were also promising for Black.}) 29. g3 $2 {A decisive mistake probably in
time trouble.} (29. Ne5 {was the last chance, which sometimes threatens with
Nc6 fork.} g6 (29... Nc1 30. Rc2) 30. Qg4 Qd6 31. Nf3 Nc1 32. Rd2 Nd3 33. Bc2 {
and White can hold his position.}) 29... Nc1 $1 $19 {A very strong N move,
followed by Nd3. White's position is already hopeless.} 30. Rc2 Nd3 31. e5 Rf8
32. Rxc4 (32. Bc6 Rf5 33. Qe8+ Qxe8 34. Bxe8 h5 $19) 32... Bxf2+ 33. Kg2 (33.
Nxf2 Qa7 $1 $19) 33... Bc5 34. Bc6 Rf5 35. Qh4 Ne1+ 36. Kh3 Qf7 37. Rxc5 Rh5
38. Bg2 Rxh4+ 39. gxh4 Qf5 {A great win by Nakamura!} 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess 1st"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2013.05.17"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B32"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2745"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2013.05.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 155"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nb5 d6 6. N1c3 a6 7. Na3 b5 8. Nd5
Nf6 {This is an open invitation to transposing to the Sveshnikov, but I
somehow fail to see the point of using a different move order. Which lines did
Black wish to avoid? Not the topical ones, for sure, since they all are
connected with the position arising after 9.Bg5.} (8... Nge7 {would be in the
spirit of the Kalashnikov move order.}) 9. c4 $5 {A plan that is known from
the lines with 9.Bg5 Be7 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 and only now 11.c4.} b4 10. Nxf6+ Qxf6
11. Nc2 Be7 {A rare move, advocated by the pioneer of the Kalashnikov and
Sveshnikov variation.} (11... Qg6 12. Ne3 (12. Qd5 {Anand,V (2757)-Shirov,A 
(2715)/Linares 2002/CBM 088/[Ftacnik] (1-0, 31)}) 12... Be7 13. g3 O-O (13...
h5 {Grischuk,A (2701)-Fedorov,A (2604)/Istanbul 2003/CBM 096/[Postny] (1/2, 35)
}) 14. Bg2 {Bologan,V (2652)-Tregubov,P (2627)/Belfort 2002/CBM 090/[Bologan] 
(1-0, 30)}) 12. g3 h5 $146 {I wonder which were Nakamura's feeling when seeing
this move. At Wijk aan Zee he lost badly against Carlsen using the same
radical advance of he h-pawn in a similar position.} (12... O-O 13. Bg2 Bb7 14.
O-O Qg6 (14... Bd8 15. Be3 a5 {1/2 Stefansson,H (2549)-Sveshnikov,E (2508)/
Riga 2004/CBM 101 ext (29)}) 15. b3 a5 {1-0 Shirov,A (2736)-Sveshnikov,E (2557)
/Tallinn 2004/CBM 100 (40)}) 13. h3 Qg6 14. Bg2 h4 15. g4 O-O 16. O-O Be6 17.
Ne3 Rac8 18. b3 Rfd8 19. a3 $14 {Despite the weaknesses on f4 and d4, White
controls the position firmly. Black has no favourable pawn breaks and his
queen is passive.} bxa3 20. Nf5 Bg5 21. Rxa3 a5 22. Bb2 Rd7 23. Bc3 Bd8 24. Kh1
Qh7 25. f4 Bb6 26. Ra2 Bc5 27. Rd2 f6 28. Nxd6 Rb8 29. fxe5 fxe5 30. Nf5 g6 31.
Nh6+ Kh8 32. Rf6 Rxd2 33. Bxd2 Qd7 34. Qe1 Kg7 35. Rf1 Rxb3 36. Bg5 Qd3 37. Nf7
Qg3 38. Qd2 Bxc4 39. Bf6+ Kf8 40. Nxe5 Qxh3+ 41. Bxh3 1-0

[Event "Thessaloniki FIDE GP"]
[Site "Thessaloniki"]
[Date "2013.05.29"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B92"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "147"]
[EventDate "2013.05.22"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 155"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 {The classical line
is still quite rare in Nakamura's practice, who until now has mainly
alternated between the sharp lines as 6.Bg5, 6.Bc4 and 6.Be3.} ({Although the
English Attack is still popular, the latest encounters between top players
with some exceptions mostly confirm the dynamic balance and it seems that they
are just checking the opponent's homework:} 6. Be3 e6 (6... e5 {is the main
and fully playable alternative, which occurs even more often.}) 7. f3 b5 8. Qd2
Nbd7 9. g4 h6 10. O-O-O b4 11. Nce2 Qc7 12. h4 d5 {Currently the most testing
try is} 13. Bf4 $1 (13. Bh3 $143 $6 Nb6 14. b3 (14. g5 Nc4 15. Qd3 hxg5 16.
hxg5 Nd7 $17) 14... dxe4 15. g5 Nfd5 16. fxe4 Nxe3 17. Qxe3 hxg5 18. hxg5 g6
19. Kb1 Bg7 20. Rhf1 Qe5 21. Qf2 Ra7 $36 {[%csl Gc8,Gg7][%cal Gg7a1,Gh8h1]
Karjakin,S (2763)-Cheparinov,I (2650)/EU-chT Porto Carras/2011/}) 13... e5 14.
Bh2 dxe4 15. g5 hxg5 16. hxg5 Rxh2 17. Rxh2 exd4 18. Rh8 (18. Rh4 Ng4 $5 $146 (
18... b3 19. axb3 Nc5 20. Nxd4 Nd5 21. fxe4 Nb4 {Leko,P (2737)-Grischuk,A 
(2754)/London/2012/} 22. Bc4 $16 {[%csl Re8] ->}) 19. Rxg4 Nc5 20. Rh4 d3 (
20... b3 $2 21. Kb1 e3 22. Qc1 d3 23. Qxe3+ Be6 24. axb3 dxe2 25. Bxe2 Rd8 26.
Rxd8+ Kxd8 27. Bc4 a5 28. g6 $16 {Saric,I (2622)-Korobov,A (2705)/EU-ch
Legnica/2013/}) 21. Nd4 Bb7 22. Rh8 O-O-O (22... Rd8 {[%cal Rd8d4]} 23. Nb3 $8
Ne6 24. Re1 (24. fxe4 Bxe4 25. Re1 dxc2 26. Rxf8+ Kxf8 27. Qxb4+ Qd6 28. Qxd6+
Rxd6 29. Rxe4 Rd1+ 30. Kxc2 Rxf1 31. Ra4 $132 {/=}) 24... Rc8 25. fxe4 Qxc2+
26. Qxc2 Rxc2+ 27. Kb1 d2 28. Rd1 Bxe4 29. Ka1 $13) 23. Kb1 $1 dxc2+ 24. Qxc2
exf3 25. Qd2 Be4+ 26. Ka1 Kb7 27. Bc4 b3 28. Rc1 Qd6 $2 (28... bxa2 $1 $132)
29. Nxf3 $16 {Jakovenko,D (2713)-Artemiev,V (2524)/Yekaterinburg/2013/}) 18...
Nd5 19. Qxd4 Bb7 20. fxe4 (20. Qxe4+ Ne7 21. Qxb4 Ng6 22. Rg8 Ne7 23. Rh8 Ng6
24. Rg8 Ne7 25. Rh8 {1/2, Kasimdzhanov,R (2699)-Grischuk,A (2779)/Thessaloniki/
2013/}) 20... N5b6 21. Qxb4 (21. Bh3 O-O-O 22. Kb1 Kb8 23. Bxd7 Nxd7 24. Rxf8
Rxf8 25. Qxd7 Bxe4 26. Qa4 a5 27. Qb5+ Kc8 28. Qa6+ (28. Nd4 Rd8 $11) 28... Kb8
29. Qb5+ Kc8 30. Qa6+ Kb8 31. Qb5+ Kc8 {1/2, Dominguez Perez,L (2723)-Korobov,
A (2698)/RUS-chT Loo/2013/}) 21... O-O-O 22. Qb3 (22. Qd4 Qc5 23. e5 Qxd4 24.
Nxd4 Nxe5 25. Ne6 Rxd1+ 26. Kxd1 Ng6 27. Rxf8+ Nxf8 28. Nxf8 Kd8 29. Bd3 Ke7
30. Nh7 Na4 31. Kc1 Nc5 32. Bf5 Be4 $44 {Dosi,A (2585)-Hansen,O (2499)/corr/
2009/}) 22... Bxe4 $1 (22... Bc5 $2 23. Rxd8+ Qxd8 24. Qxf7 Qxg5+ 25. Kb1 Qe5
26. Bh3 $16 {Jarmula,L (2149)-Zaczek,J (2096)/Warsaw/2012/}) 23. Nc3 Qf4+ 24.
Kb1 Kc7 25. Bxa6 Nc5 26. Nb5+ Kc6 27. Na7+ $8 Kc7 28. Nb5+ Kc6 29. Na7+ Kc7 {
1/2, Karjakin,S (2776)-Grischuk,A (2780)/Beijing/2013/}) ({An interesting
sideline, which Nakamura also used to play, is} 6. h3 {A recent spectacular
encounter went} e5 7. Nde2 h5 $5 8. g3 Be7 9. Bg2 b5 10. Nd5 Nbd7 11. Nec3 Bb7
12. Nxe7 Qxe7 13. Bg5 Qe6 14. O-O Rc8 15. Re1 b4 16. Na4 Rc4 17. f3 h4 (17...
Bc6 $5 18. b3 Rd4) 18. g4 d5 19. b3 Rd4 (19... Rc7 20. a3 $5 $14 {/~~}) 20.
Qxd4 $1 exd4 21. exd5 Nxd5 22. Rxe6+ fxe6 23. Rd1 e5 24. f4 Ne3 25. Bxb7 Nxd1
26. Bc6 exf4 27. Nc5 O-O 28. Nxd7 Re8 29. Kf1 Re3 30. Bxf4 Rxh3 {Leko,P (2737)
-Mamedyarov,S (2761)/Beijing/2013/} 31. Bd5+ Kh8 32. Ne5 $36) 6... e5 ({
Two weeks earlier in Norway in their encounter Topalov opted for the
Scheveningen continuation} 6... e6 7. Be3 Be7 (7... Qc7 {/\} 8. g4 d5 $5 9.
exd5 Bb4 10. Qd3 $146 (10. dxe6 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 Qxc3+ 12. Kf1 fxe6 $13) 10...
Nxd5 11. Bd2 Nxc3 12. Bxc3 Bxc3+ 13. Qxc3 Qxc3+ 14. bxc3 Nd7 15. O-O-O Nc5 16.
Bf3 Bd7 17. Nb3 Rc8 18. Nxc5 Rxc5 19. Bxb7 Bb5 20. Rd6 Ke7 21. Rhd1 h5 22. a4
Bxa4 23. Rxa6 Bb5 24. Ra5 hxg4 25. c4 Rxc4 26. Rxb5 Rxh2 $11 {Hou,Y (2595)
-Navara,D (2707)/Prague m/2013/}) 8. g4 d5 (8... b5 9. g5 Nfd7 10. a3 Bxg5 11.
Qd2 Bf6 12. O-O-O Bb7 13. Rhg1 Nc5 $2 (13... O-O $142 $13) 14. e5 $1 Bxe5 15.
Ndxb5 Nb3+ 16. cxb3 axb5 17. Bxb5+ Bc6 18. Bd4 Qc8 19. Bxe5 dxe5 20. Kb1 Rg8
21. Ne4 {1-0, Ivanchuk,V (2739)-Negi,P (2634)/GRE-chT Peristeri/2010/}) 9. exd5
Nxd5 10. Nxd5 Qxd5 11. Bf3 Qa5+ 12. Qd2 Qxd2+ 13. Bxd2 Nd7 14. O-O-O Ne5 15.
Be2 Bd7 16. f4 (16. Rhe1 $14) 16... Nc6 17. Nb3 O-O-O 18. Bf3 Kc7 19. a3 $6 (
19. Bc3 $14) (19. Rhe1 $5) 19... Na7 20. Nd4 Nb5 21. Be3 Nxd4 22. Bxd4 Bc6 23.
Rhf1 f6 24. Be2 h6 25. h4 b5 $11 {Nakamura,H (2775)-Topalov,V (2793)/Stavanger/
2013/ Although the game was drawn in the end, the endgame was more comfortable
for White. Therefore an early deviation is no major surprise, Topalov has
already played both main moves in the past.}) 7. Nb3 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Be3 Be6
10. Qd3 ({The main move here is definitely} 10. Qd2 {, which is covered in
more detail in the notes to Ponomariov-Anand, Wijk aan Zee 2011 in CBM 141. I
will add just one personal experience:} Nbd7 11. a4 Nb6 $5 ({A viable
alternative to} 11... Qc7 {and the more common}) (11... Rc8) 12. a5 Nc4 13.
Bxc4 Bxc4 14. Rfd1 Rc8 15. f3 Rc6 16. Qf2 Qc8 (16... Nd7 17. Nd5 Bxd5 18. Rxd5
f5 19. exf5 Qc8 20. Rd2 Rxf5 21. Qe2 Rf7 22. Ra4 Nf6 23. c4 Bf8 24. Rd1 Rfc7
$132 {Mostowik,D (2059)-Auzins,M (2419)/corr/2011/}) 17. Nc1 Qe6 18. Nd3 d5 19.
exd5 Nxd5 20. Nxd5 Bxd5 21. Bc5 Bc4 22. c3 Bxd3 23. Bxe7 Qxe7 24. Rxd3 Rd8 25.
Rad1 Rcd6 26. Rxd6 Rxd6 27. Rxd6 Qxd6 28. h3 g6 $11 {1/2, Petrik,T (2534)
-Stohl,I (2518)/CZE-chT/2013/}) ({Another (and possibly more flexible) way to
achieve the game position is} 10. Nd5 Nbd7 ({Was Nakamura worried about the
sacrificial} 10... Nxe4 $5 11. Bb6 Qd7 12. Nc7 Nc6 13. Nxa8 Rxa8 14. f3 Nf6 15.
Bf2 h6 16. c4 Rd8 17. Bb6 (17. Qd2 $5) 17... Rc8 18. Rc1 $6 d5 $1 19. cxd5 Nxd5
20. Bf2 Bg5 21. Nc5 Qe7 22. Nxe6 Bxc1 23. Qxd5 fxe6 24. Qe4 Bxb2 25. Bd3 Kf8
26. Qh7 Nd8 27. Qh8+ Kf7 28. g3 Qf6 29. Kg2 Bd4 30. Be1 Ke7 $15 {Globa,
V-Babushkin,I (2267)/corr/2011/}) 11. Qd3 {This move order was actually
featured in Ponomariov-Anand.}) 10... Nbd7 ({Natural development, but Black
can consider also the other knight move} 10... Nc6 {This is more popular in
postal games and should also suffice for equality after} 11. a3 {and now:} (11.
Rfd1 Rc8 12. a3 Na5 13. Nxa5 Qxa5 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. exd5 Bd7 16. b4 Qd8 17. c4
f5 18. f4 Bf6 19. Rac1 Re8 20. Re1 exf4 21. Bxf4 Qb6+ 22. Kh1 Re4 $15 {Zvara,P
(2419)-Swiercz,D (2611)/CZE-chT/2013/}) 11... Rc8 (11... d5 12. exd5 Nxd5 13.
Nxd5 Qxd5 14. Rad1 Qxd3 (14... Rfd8 15. Qxd5 Rxd5 16. Rxd5 Bxd5 17. Rd1 Bxb3
18. cxb3 Rd8 19. Rxd8+ Bxd8 20. b4 $14 {[%cal Yb4b5]}) 15. Bxd3 f5 (15... Rfd8
16. Nc5 Bxc5 17. Bxc5 Rac8 18. Bb6 Rd7 19. Rfe1 f6 20. Bc4 Re7 21. Bd3 Rd7 22.
f3 Kf7 23. c3 Ne7 24. Bc2 Nd5 25. Bf2 Rcd8 26. g3 b5 27. Rd2 h5 $11 {Brodt,A 
(2396)-Gueci,A (2469)/corr/2011/}) 16. Nc5 Bxc5 17. Bxc5 Rfe8 18. f3 b5 19. b3
Rad8 20. Rfe1 Rd7 21. a4 bxa4 22. bxa4 Rd5 23. Bb6 Nb4 24. Bf1 Rxd1 25. Rxd1
Rc8 26. Ba5 Nd5 27. Bxa6 Rxc2 $132 {Voiculescu,C (2545)-Demetrio,A (2510)/corr/
2009/ Facing the bishop pair in an endgame is not necessarily ideal, but
Black's position is probably defensible.}) (11... Na5 12. Nd2 (12. Nd5 Nxd5 13.
exd5 Bd7 14. Nxa5 Qxa5 15. b4 Qc7 16. c4 f5 17. f3 b6 18. Qc2 g6 19. Bd3 Bh4
20. Rac1 f4 $13 21. Bf2 {1/2, Schmidt,T (2597)-Lounek,J (2520)/corr/2008/})
12... d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Nxd5 Qxd5 15. Qxd5 Bxd5 16. Bb6 Bd8 17. Bc5 Re8 18.
b4 Rc8 19. c4 Be6 20. Rac1 f5 21. Be3 Nc6 22. f3 {Yemelin,V (2515)-Karasev,V 
(2405)/St Petersburg/1995/} a5 $5 $132) 12. Nd5 Bxd5 13. exd5 e4 14. Qd2 Ne5
15. Rac1 Re8 16. c4 Nfd7 17. Rc2 (17. h3 h6 18. Nd4 Nc5 19. Rc3 Qd7 20. b4 Ncd3
21. Qc2 Bg5 22. Bxg5 hxg5 23. f3 b5 24. cxb5 Rxc3 25. Qxc3 Rc8 26. Nc6 Nf4 27.
Qc2 Nxe2+ 28. Qxe2 exf3 29. Qc2 fxg2 30. Ne7+ Qxe7 31. Qxc8+ Kh7 32. Kxg2 axb5
33. Qf5+ Kh6 34. Qe4 g6 $44 {1/2, Cornejo,W (2551)-Dronov,A (2680)/corr/2011/})
17... Bh4 (17... Rc7 18. h3 Qc8 19. Rfc1 Bf8 20. a4 h6 21. Rc3 Nc5 22. Nxc5
dxc5 23. a5 Bd6 24. Rb3 Rd7 25. Qc2 f5 26. Rb6 $14 {Voiculescu,C (2583)
-Ljubicic,L (2575)/corr/2010/}) (17... h6 18. Nd4 Nc5 19. Nf5 Qd7 20. Nxe7+
Qxe7 21. Qd4 f5 22. b4 Ncd7 23. c5 Qf7 24. c6 Nf6 25. Rd1 g5 $14 {/<=>,
Voiculescu,C (2547)-Nefedov,S (2447)/corr/2011/}) 18. Rd1 b6 19. Nd4 Qf6 20.
Rc3 h6 21. Qc2 Nc5 22. b4 Ncd3 23. g3 Qg6 24. Nc6 Bf6 25. Nxe5 Nxe5 26. Bxb6
Nf3+ 27. Rxf3 exf3 28. Qxg6 fxg6 29. Bd3 Bd8 $1 $11 {Voiculescu,C (2547)
-Avotins,M (2446)/corr/2011/}) 11. Nd5 Bxd5 {Black rarely plays anything else.}
({However, there is the interesting} 11... b5 $5 12. a4 Bxd5 13. exd5 Qc7 14.
Rfc1 Nc5 15. Nxc5 dxc5 16. axb5 axb5 17. Qxb5 Nxd5 18. Bd2 Nf4 19. Bf1 Rab8 20.
Qa5 Rb6 21. Qc3 Ne6 22. Re1 Nd4 23. b3 Rd8 24. Ra2 Rg6 $132 {Pezikov,E (2337)
-Gerasimov,V (2379)/corr/2010/}) 12. exd5 Nc5 {A radical solution, Black wants
to change the pawn structure so that he doesn't have to worry about the
expansion b4,c4-c5 in the future.} (12... Re8 13. c4 Bf8 14. Nd2 a5 15. Bd1 Nc5
16. Qe2 g6 17. Nb1 Nh5 18. Bxc5 dxc5 19. Qd2 Ng7 20. Ba4 Re7 21. d6 Re6 22. d7
$36 {[%csl Gd7] Hovhannisyan,R (2589)-Andriasian,Z (2624)/Yerevan/2012/}) ({
Similar to the game is} 12... Rc8 13. c4 Nc5 $5 14. Nxc5 dxc5 15. f4 (15. d6
Qxd6 16. Qxd6 Bxd6 17. Rfd1 Rfd8 18. Bg5 e4 19. Bxf6 gxf6 20. Bg4 Rb8 21. b3
Be5 22. Rxd8+ Rxd8 23. Rd1 Rxd1+ {1/2, Sulskis,S (2550)-Vovk,A (2567)/Hastings/
2013/}) (15. Bf3 $5 {is analogous to the game and possibly better.}) 15... Bd6
16. fxe5 Bxe5 17. Rab1 Qd6 18. h3 Rce8 19. Bf3 b6 20. Kh1 Re7 21. b4 cxb4 22.
a3 a5 23. axb4 axb4 24. Bd2 Nd7 $11 {Andrijevic,M (2384)-Pavlovic,M (2461)/
Vrsac op/2000/}) 13. Nxc5 {White agrees to resolve the tension.} ({In the
aforementioned game Ponomariov played} 13. Qd2 Nfe4 (13... b6 14. f3 Nh5 15.
Rfd1 f5 16. Nxc5 bxc5 17. c3 Bh4 18. Bd3 g6 19. b4 cxb4 20. cxb4 Bf6 21. Rab1
e4 22. fxe4 Be5 23. Bf2 f4 24. Be2 Nf6 25. Qd3 g5 26. Qh3 $36 {Efimenko,Z 
(2683)-Safarli,E (2607)/Khanty-Mansiysk olm/2010/ For more details about this
game see the notes by Ftacnik in CBM 139.}) 14. Qb4 a5 15. Qb5 Qc7 16. Qc4 Rac8
{and camr under pressure after the slow} 17. Rfd1 $6 (17. f3 $11) 17... f5 $1
18. c3 Qd8 19. Qb5 b6 20. Nd2 Nxd2 21. Bxd2 Bf6 22. Rab1 e4 23. b4 Nd7 24. Rb3
Be5 $36 {Ponomariov,R (2744)-Anand,V (2810)/Wijk aan Zee/2011/}) 13... dxc5 {
[%csl Gd5,Gd6,Ge2,Ge3][%cal Yf6e8,Ye8d6,Ye7d6][%mdl 32] A strategically
interesting position. White has a central passed pawn and two bishops, but
this doesn't necessarily give him an edge, as the blockade on d6 is very
strong.} 14. Bf3 $5 {In the notes to Ponomariov-Anand I mentioned only} (14.
Rad1) ({and} 14. c4 {The drawback of these otherwise natural moves is that
Black can get in the e5-e4 advance with more concrete counterplay. Nakamura's
move prevents it at least for the near future; even purely statistically it
promises White the best practical results.}) 14... Qc7 (14... Bd6 15. Bg5 h6
16. Bh4 Qe7 17. Rfe1 Rae8 18. Re3 g6 19. Rae1 Kg7 20. c4 Qc7 21. Bd1 Nd7 22.
Ba4 (22. g4 $5) 22... f5 23. Bxd7 Qxd7 (23... e4 $5 24. Qc3+ Be5 25. Bg3 f4 26.
Bxf4 Rxf4 27. Bxe8 Bxc3 28. bxc3 $13) 24. f3 g5 25. Bf2 Re7 26. R3e2 Qc7 27.
Bg3 h5 28. Qc3 f4 29. Bf2 Kh6 30. h3 Rg8 $14 {/<=>, Solak,D (2599)-Amonatov,F 
(2610)/Istanbul olm/2012/}) 15. c4 g6 $146 {Although this new move is
basically useful, the timing is dubious. Black should try to stabilise his
setup as soon as possible:} (15... Rfe8 16. g3 Bd6 17. Bg2 Qd7 (17... e4 $142
18. Qc2 Ng4 19. Bxe4 Nxe3 20. fxe3 g6 $44 {/+/=}) 18. Rfe1 b5 19. Bd2 Qg4 20.
b3 e4 21. Qc2 Ra7 22. Re3 Be5 23. h3 Qg6 24. Bxe4 $1 Nxe4 25. Qxe4 f5 26. Qxe5
Rxe5 27. Rxe5 $36 {Ghyssens,D (2264)-Stolz,P (2130)/corr/2009/}) (15... Ne8 16.
Be4 h6 (16... g6 17. Bh6 Ng7 (17... f5 18. d6 Nxd6 19. Bd5+ $14 {/+/-}) 18.
Rae1 Bd6 (18... f5 19. d6 Bxd6 20. Bxb7 $36) 19. g3 b5 20. Rc1 Qd7 21. Rfe1
Rfb8 22. Re2 Ra7 23. b3 b4 24. Ra1 f6 25. Bd2 a5 26. a4 {1-0 Dutra Neto,A 
(2416)-Rizzardi,J (2355)/ICCF email 2011/Corr 2013 (51)} f5 27. Bg2 e4 28. Qc2
$14 {[%cal Rf2f3]}) 17. Qc2 Nd6 18. Bh7+ Kh8 19. Bd3 f5 20. f3 Rae8 21. Rae1
Bf6 22. Bf2 Qc8 23. Re2 Re7 24. b4 b6 25. bxc5 bxc5 26. Bg3 Qd7 27. Rfe1 $14 {
[%csl Rc5,Re5] Turov,V (2539)-Ferreira,N (2405)/corr/2010/ Transferring the
knight to d6 costs time and allows White to build up pressure against the Pe5 
(or on the e-file).}) (15... Bd6 $142 $1 16. g3 (16. h3 Rae8 17. Be2 e4 18. Qb3
Nd7 19. Rad1 f5 20. Bd2 Nf6 21. g3 e3 22. Bxe3 Bxg3 23. Bf3 Bh2+ 24. Kh1 Ne4
25. Rfe1 Bd6 $36 {[%csl Rh1] O'Brien,A (1870)-Ohl,K (1800)/corr/2004/}) 16...
Rae8 17. Qc2 e4 18. Bg2 Ng4 19. Bxe4 Nxe3 20. fxe3 g6 $44 {[%csl Gd6,Re4]
leads to a position in which Black's dark-square control and the opposite
coloured bishops should give him sufficient compensation for the pawn to hold
the balance:} 21. Rae1 (21. Rf3 Re7 (21... f5 22. Bd3 Be5 23. Raf1 Bg7 24. Kg2
Re7 25. e4 fxe4 26. Rxf8+ Bxf8 27. Bxe4 Qe5 28. Bf3 $14 {Karpanov,V (2134)
-Myakonikikh,D (2338)/corr/2009/}) 22. Bd3 Rfe8 23. e4 Be5 24. Raf1 Rb8 25. Qd2
Kg7 26. Kg2 (26. b4 b5 27. Kh1 bxc4 28. Bxc4 f6 29. Rb1 h5 30. Be2 cxb4 31.
Rxb4 Rxb4 32. Qxb4 a5 {1/2, Voiculescu,C (2565)-Bellmann,H (2484)/corr/2009/})
26... b5 27. b3 b4 28. g4 h6 29. Rh3 Rh8 30. Qe3 Bd4 31. Qf3 f6 32. Rg3 Be5 33.
Bc2 Ree8 $11 {Voiculescu,C (2538)-Ljubicic,A (2505)/corr/2011/}) 21... Re7 22.
Bd3 f5 (22... Rfe8 23. Qd2 Be5 24. Kg2 Rb8 25. a3 Qd6 26. b3 ({A similar line
is} 26. Rf3 b5 27. b3 Kg7 28. Ref1 bxc4 29. Bxc4 f5 30. Re1 Bf6 31. a4 Re5 32.
Re2 h5 33. Qa5 Bd8 34. Qc3 Bf6 $132 {Moreira,J (2399)-Muukkonen,K (2397)/corr/
2011/}) 26... Kg7 27. Rb1 b5 28. Rf3 bxc4 29. Bxc4 f5 30. Qa5 h5 31. h4 Qf6 32.
Qd2 Bd6 33. Qd3 Rbe8 34. Bxa6 Re4 35. Bb5 R8e7 36. Rc1 {1/2, O'Hare,C (2438)
-Muukkonen,K (2397)/corr/2011/} Rg4 $44 {[%csl Rh4]}) 23. a3 Rfe8 24. Rf3 Re5
25. Kg2 Bf8 26. Re2 Qe7 27. Qb3 Qc7 28. Qc2 Qe7 29. Qb3 Bh6 30. Bc2 Qc7 31. Kf2
R5e7 32. Kg2 Qd6 33. Kf2 Bg7 34. Qd3 Re5 35. Qd2 b5 $132 {Demchenko,A (2639)
-Nepomniachtchi,I (2717)/Yekaterinburg/2013/ This is until now the only
non-postal game, which featured the position after move 20. It's also the only
one Black lost, as he got overambitious later on.}) 16. Rae1 h5 $6 {Loses a
pawn almost by force.} (16... Bd6 $142 17. g3 Nd7 $14 (17... Rae8 $2 18. Bh6))
17. Bg5 {[%cal Rd5d6]} Ne8 (17... Qd6 18. Be4 $5 {[%cal Rf2f4,Re4g6]} Nxe4 (
18... b5 19. b3 $16) 19. Bxe7 Qxe7 20. Qxe4 $16 {[%csl Re5]}) 18. Bxe7 Qxe7 19.
Qe3 Nd6 $5 {The best chance. Black doesn't insist on protecting the pawn and
hopes to build a fortress.} (19... f6 20. b4 $1 Rc8 (20... b6 $2 21. d6 $18) (
20... cxb4 21. c5 $16 {/+-}) 21. bxc5 Qxc5 (21... Rxc5 22. d6 $1 Qxd6 $8 23.
Qh6 f5 24. Rd1 Qf6 25. Rd7 $18) 22. Qh6 Kf7 23. d6 Nxd6 24. Bd5+ $40) 20. b3
Rfc8 (20... Rfe8 21. Qxc5 b5 22. Qb4 a5 23. Qc3 bxc4 24. bxc4 Rac8 25. Be2 $14
{/+/-}) 21. Qxe5 Qxe5 22. Rxe5 Re8 23. Rxe8+ Rxe8 24. Rc1 (24. Ra1 $5 {/\} b5
25. cxb5 axb5 26. a4 $36) 24... a5 {Topalov defends passively. As he fails to
hold in the end, perhaps it was worth trying} (24... b5 $5 25. g3 (25. b4 $5
cxb4 26. c5 Rc8 $14) 25... bxc4 26. bxc4 Rb8 $14) 25. Kf1 $16 {[%mdl 4096]
It's still not simple to convert the extra pawn, but Nakamura shows patience
and good endgame technique.} Kg7 (25... h4 26. g3 hxg3 27. fxg3 $16) 26. h4 b6
27. g3 Kf6 28. Be2 Re7 29. Rc3 Re8 30. Ke1 Ra8 31. Bd1 Re8+ 32. Kf1 Ke5 33. Bc2
Kf6 34. f3 Re7 35. Kf2 Re8 36. Re3 $1 {White needs a rook swap to make further
progress - this enables him to activate his king.} Rxe3 (36... Rh8 $5 $16 {
is more resilient}) 37. Kxe3 Kg7 (37... Ke7 38. g4 $36 {[%csl Rh5]}) 38. Kf4 f6
39. g4 a4 ({Marking time with} 39... Kf7 40. Bd3 Kg7 41. g5 $5 Kf7 42. gxf6
Kxf6 43. Ke3 $16 {[%cal Yf3f4,Ye3d2,Yd2c3,Ya2a3,Yb3b4] /+- is similar to the
game.}) 40. Bd3 axb3 41. axb3 Kh6 42. g5+ Kg7 (42... fxg5+ 43. hxg5+ Kg7 44.
Kg3 Kf7 45. f4 Kg7 46. Kh4 Kf7 47. f5 $18) 43. gxf6+ Kxf6 44. Ke3 g5 ({Black
can't sit and wait, a sample line is} 44... Nf7 45. f4 Nd6 46. Kd2 Nf7 47. Kc3
Nd6 48. b4 Nb7 49. bxc5 Nxc5 50. Bc2 Nb7 51. Kb4 Nd6 52. c5 $18) 45. hxg5+ Kxg5
46. f4+ Kh6 (46... Kg4 47. Be2+ Kh4 (47... Kf5 48. Bxh5 b5 49. Be2 $18) 48. Bd1
$22) 47. Kf3 Kg7 48. Kg3 Kh6 49. Kh4 Ne8 50. f5 Nd6 (50... Nf6 51. d6 (51. Be2
$18) 51... Kg7 52. Be2 Kf8 53. Bf3 Ke8 54. Kg5 $18) 51. f6 $18 Nf7 (51... Nc8
52. Kg3 Nd6 53. Kf4 {[%cal Rf4e5]} Nf7 54. Kf5 $18) 52. Be2 {[%csl Rh5]} Nd6
53. Bxh5 b5 54. cxb5 {The blockade is broken and White already has a wider
choice.} (54. f7 Kg7 55. cxb5 Nxb5 56. Kg5 Nd6 57. Kf4 $18 {also wins.}) 54...
Nxb5 55. Be2 (55. f7 $142 $18) (55. Kg4 {[%cal Rf6f7,Rg4f5]} Nd4 56. d6 $18)
55... Nd4 56. Bh5 $1 (56. Bd3 $6 Nf3+ 57. Kg3 Ne5 58. d6 Kg5 $14) 56... Nxb3
57. d6 Nd4 58. d7 Ne6 (58... Nc6 59. Bf7 Nd8 60. Bd5 Kg6 61. f7 Kg7 62. Kg5 Kf8
63. Kf6 c4 64. Bxc4 Nxf7 65. Bb3 Nd8 66. Bd5 Nf7 67. Ke6 Nd8+ 68. Kd6 $22 {+-})
59. Bg4 ({Faster is} 59. Bf7 Nd8 60. Bd5 $18 {- 58...Nc6}) 59... Nd8 60. Bf5 c4
61. Kg4 c3 62. Kf4 Nf7 63. Bd3 Nd8 64. Bc2 Kh5 65. Kf5 Kh6 66. Bb3 Kh7 67. Kg5
Nc6 68. Ba4 Nd8 69. Bc2+ Kg8 70. Kg6 Kf8 71. Bb3 Nc6 72. Kf5 Nd8 73. Ke5 Nb7
74. Kd4 {[%cal Rd4c3] The Pc3 falls and White's king returns to support its
pawns.} 1-0

[Event "Thessaloniki FIDE GP"]
[Site "Thessaloniki"]
[Date "2013.06.03"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A10"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2769"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2013.05.22"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 155"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 g6 2. e4 e5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nf3 exd4 5. e5 Ne4 6. Qxd4 Bb4+ 7. Nbd2 Ng5 8.
a3 Nxf3+ 9. gxf3 Nc6 10. Qe3 Bf8 11. b4 Bg7 12. Bb2 O-O 13. f4 d6 14. O-O-O
dxe5 15. fxe5 Qh4 16. b5 Ne7 17. Qg3 Qh5 18. f4 a6 19. a4 axb5 20. axb5 Bg4 21.
Re1 Rfd8 22. Rg1 Be6 23. Be2 Qf5 24. Bg4 Qxg4 25. Qxg4 Bxg4 26. Rxg4 Nf5 27.
Rg2 Rd3 28. Ne4 Ra4 29. Rc2 Re3 30. Kd1 Rd3+ 31. Kc1 Ne3 32. Nc5 Nxc2 33. Kxc2
Rxc4+ 34. Kxd3 Rxc5 35. Ra1 Rxb5 36. Ra8+ Bf8 37. Bd4 h6 38. Rc8 c6 39. Bc3
Rd5+ 40. Ke4 Rc5 41. Kd3 Rb5 42. h4 h5 43. Bd2 Rd5+ 44. Kc2 Rc5+ 45. Kd3 Rd5+
46. Kc2 g5 47. f5 gxh4 48. Bc3 Kg7 49. e6+ f6 50. Rc7+ Kg8 51. Rc8 Kg7 52. Rc7+
Kg8 53. Bxf6 Rxf5 54. Rc8 Rf2+ 55. Kd3 Rf3+ 56. Kd4 1-0

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 8th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2013.06.14"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E68"]
[WhiteElo "2803"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2013.06.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 155"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 g6 3. g3 ({In the not so distant past Kramnik used to counter
Nakamura's King's Indian with his favourite Classical System, but from the
basic position after} 3. e4 Bg7 4. d4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5
Ne7 {he scored only a meagre 0,5/3, despite having promising positions. All
these games were annotated by Krasenkow in CBM 139, 142 and 144 respectively.
However, already the Candidates in London indicated that Vladimir incorporated
the Fianchetto System in his repertoire.}) 3... Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. d4 d6 6. Nf3
Nbd7 7. O-O e5 8. b3 {A rather rare move, which however doesn't mean White
doesn't want to occupy the centre - he is only postponing the e4 advance.} ({
The usual continuation is} 8. e4 {Nakamura's only previous experience with
this line wasn't too pleasant:} exd4 9. Nxd4 Re8 10. h3 Nc5 11. Re1 h6 12. Kh2
Bd7 13. Rb1 a6 14. a3 {is rather restrained:} (14. a4 a5 15. Ndb5 $1 Bc6 16.
Qc2 h5 17. Bd2 Nfd7 18. f4 Ne6 19. Nd5 Nd4 20. Nxd4 Bxd4 21. Rbd1 Bg7 22. b3
Nf6 23. Bc3 Nxd5 24. cxd5 Bd7 25. Bxg7 Kxg7 26. e5 $16 {[%csl Gd5,Ge5]
Georgiev,K (2658)-Spasov,V (2570)/Plovdiv/2012/}) (14. b4 $5 Ne6 15. Be3 a5 $5
(15... Ng5 16. f3 Qc8 17. h4 Ne6 18. Nd5 Qd8 19. Nxe6 Bxe6 20. Qd2 Kh7 21. Bd4
Nd7 22. Bxg7 Kxg7 23. Qd4+ Kg8 24. f4 $14 {Blagojevic,D (2485)-Markovic,M 
(2520)/Niksic/1997/}) 16. b5 (16. a3 $142) 16... h5 17. e5 dxe5 18. Nxe6 Bxe6
19. Bxb7 Bxc4 20. Bxa8 Qxa8 21. b6 cxb6 22. Rxb6 Rc8 $44 {Janev,T (2412)
-Spasov,V (2566)/BUL-ch Bankia/2013/}) 14... Qc8 $146 (14... Rb8 15. b4 (15. f4
b5 $132 {with counterplay}) 15... Ne6 16. Be3 Ng5 (16... b5 $5 $132) 17. f3 c5
18. bxc5 dxc5 19. Nde2 (19. Nb3 $5 $14) 19... Qc8 20. Nf4 (20. h4 $2 Ngxe4 $1
21. Nxe4 Rxe4 $36) 20... b5 21. h4 $6 (21. Ncd5 $142 $1 $13 {/+/=}) 21... Ne6
22. cxb5 axb5 23. Nxe6 Rxe6 24. Qc1 b4 $36 {Guliev,S-Itkis,B (2310)/Frunze/
1989/}) 15. f4 Rb8 16. b4 Ne6 17. Nf3 c5 $6 (17... b5 $142 18. e5 Nh7 $5 $14 (
18... Nh5 19. cxb5 axb5 20. Nh4 $36 {[%cal Rf4f5]})) 18. e5 dxe5 19. Nxe5 cxb4
20. axb4 Nf8 21. Bb2 Be6 22. Nd5 Qd8 23. Qb3 h5 24. Rbd1 Bxd5 25. cxd5 h4 26.
d6 {Mamedyarov,S (2729)-Nakamura,H (2783)/London/2012/ For more details about
this game see the notes by Krasenkow in CBM 151.}) 8... Re8 ({A more accurate
move is} 8... c6 {A more testing reply is} 9. e4 {, but even here Black has
the sortie} ({Black doesn't have to worry unduly about} 9. Ba3 exd4 10. Nxd4
Qa5 (10... Nc5 $5 11. Qd2 Re8 12. Rad1 Qb6 $132 13. Nxc6 bxc6 14. Qxd6 Nfd7 15.
Bxc6 {Kupreichik,V (2515)-Shulman,Y (2425)/Minsk/1994/} Bb7 16. Bxb7 Nxb7 $13 {
/=/+}) 11. Bb2 Re8 12. e4 Nb6 (12... Nc5 13. Qc2 Qb6 $132 {[%cal Ya7a4]}) 13.
h3 d5 $2 14. exd5 cxd5 15. Ncb5 Ne4 16. Bxe4 Rxe4 17. Bc3 Qxc3 18. Nxc3 Rxd4
19. Qf3 Bxh3 20. c5 Nd7 21. Nxd5 Ne5 22. Nf6+ Kh8 23. Qxb7 Rad8 24. Qh1 $1 $18
{Agdestein,S (2590)-Shirov,A (2655)/Gausdal/1992/}) 9... Qb6 $5 {with
counterplay:} 10. Bb2 (10. d5 cxd5 11. Nxd5 Nxd5 12. cxd5 Nc5 13. Be3 Bd7 14.
Nd2 Rac8 $5 (14... Rfc8 15. Re1 Qd8 16. Nc4 Be8 17. Qd2 a5 18. Rac1 b5 19. Nb2
Bf8 20. Rc2 a4 $6 21. b4 Na6 22. Rec1 Bd7 23. a3 Be7 24. Bf1 Rxc2 25. Rxc2 Qb8
26. h4 $36 {Dautov,R (2595)-Olsson,A (2416)/Gothenburg/2005/ See the notes to
this game by Dautov in CBM 109.}) 15. Rc1 f5 16. Nc4 Qa6 17. exf5 gxf5 18. Rc2
Rc7 19. Qd2 e4 20. Qa5 Qxa5 21. Nxa5 b6 22. Nc4 Nd3 23. a4 b5 24. axb5 Bxb5 25.
Ra2 Ne5 26. Rxa7 Rxa7 27. Bxa7 Nxc4 28. bxc4 Bxc4 $11 {/=/+, Grigorov,G (2488)
-Kotronias,V (2610)/Chalkidiki/2009/}) 10... exd4 11. Na4 Qc7 12. Qxd4 Re8 13.
Rad1 Nb6 14. Nc3 Bg4 15. h3 Bxf3 16. Bxf3 Qc8 17. Qxd6 Qxh3 18. Qf4 {Navara,D 
(2620)-Kotronias,V (2599)/Mallorca olm/2004/ For more details about this game
see the notes in CBM 104, here Navara gives} Nh5 $1 19. Qg4 (19. Qe3 Nf6 $132)
19... Qxg4 20. Bxg4 Nf6 21. Bf3 Nfd7 $5 $132 {as sufficient for equality.} (
21... Nxe4 22. Nxe4 Bxb2 23. Nd6 Re7 24. Nxb7 $1 $14)) 9. e4 {The most
consistent move.} (9. d5 Nc5 10. b4 Nce4 11. Nxe4 Nxe4 12. Bb2 a5 13. a3 Bd7
14. Nd2 Nxd2 15. Qxd2 axb4 16. axb4 Qe7 17. e3 f5 18. Rfc1 e4 19. Bf1 Bxb2 20.
Qxb2 Qg7 21. Qb1 Rxa1 22. Qxa1 Qxa1 23. Rxa1 Kf8 24. Ra7 Rb8 {Wang Yue (2752)
-Nisipeanu,L (2672)/Medias/2010/} 25. b5 $11) 9... c6 ({Subsequently Kramnik
had to face} 9... exd4 10. Nxd4 a6 11. Be3 Rb8 12. Qd2 ({White stubbornly
refuses to "waste time" on} 12. h3 {, but this prophylactic move is in fact
his best chance for an advantage. The direct} c5 13. Nde2 b5 14. Qxd6 b4 15.
Na4 Nxe4 16. Bxe4 Bxa1 17. Rxa1 Rxe4 18. Nxc5 Re8 19. Rd1 $44 {gives him a
promising initiative.}) 12... c5 13. Nde2 b5 14. Qxd6 Ng4 15. Bf4 bxc4 (15...
g5 $142 $1 $36) 16. Rad1 (16. Rab1 Nge5 $13) 16... Qa5 $2 (16... cxb3 $1 17.
Qxb8 (17. axb3 Rxb3 $11) 17... Nxb8 18. Rxd8 Rxd8 19. axb3 (19. Bxb8 bxa2 $15 {
[%cal Rc8e6]}) 19... Nc6 $132) 17. Nd5 cxb3 18. axb3 (18. Ne7+ Kh8 19. Nxc8
Rbxc8 20. Qxd7 bxa2 21. Qxg4 $16) 18... Nge5 19. Ne7+ Kh8 20. Nxc8 $2 (20. Rd5
$1 $18) 20... Rbxc8 21. Nc1 Rc6 22. Qd2 Qxd2 23. Rxd2 c4 24. bxc4 Nb6 25. Rfd1
Nexc4 26. Ra2 a5 $13 {Kramnik,V (2803)-Mamedyarov,S (2753)/Geneve rpd/2013/})
10. Be3 ({Once again Kramnik is unwilling to play the typical} 10. h3 exd4 11.
Nxd4 Nc5 12. Re1 a5 13. Bf4 $5 $14 {However, even the text move promises White
a pull.}) 10... exd4 (10... Ng4 11. Bg5 f6 (11... Qa5 12. Bd2 Qc7 (12... exd4
13. Nb5 $36) 13. d5 f5 14. Ng5 Nc5 15. b4 Nxe4 16. Ncxe4 fxe4 17. dxc6 bxc6 18.
Nxe4 Bf5 19. b5 $1 $36 {Juerges,K-Peetoom,F (1799)/corr/2003/}) 12. Bc1 f5 13.
exf5 gxf5 14. Bg5 Qa5 15. Rc1 Nh6 16. d5 Nf7 17. Be3 Qc7 18. Qd2 Nf6 19. Ng5 (
19. dxc6 $5 bxc6 20. Ng5 $36 {[%csl Rc6,Rd6]}) 19... Nxg5 20. Bxg5 c5 21. Nb5
Qd7 22. a3 a6 23. Nc3 b5 24. Rb1 $14 {Mujica,H (1872)-Pott,B (1768)/Telechess/
2010/}) 11. Nxd4 Nc5 12. f3 {Now White must protect the Pe4 like this.} (12.
Qc2 $2 {runs into} Ng4 $17) 12... Qe7 {Despite White's rather undesirable last
move Black must quickly create effective counterplay to prevent full
consolidation.} ({In practical games he tried to challenge White's slow
build-up with the direct} 12... d5 13. Nxc6 bxc6 14. Bxc5 dxc4 (14... Nxe4 15.
fxe4 Bxc3 16. exd5 Bxa1 17. Qxa1 Bf5 18. dxc6 Be4 19. Bf8 $1 Rxf8 20. Bxe4 $16)
15. f4 $142 $1 (15. Qxd8 Rxd8 16. Rad1 (16. Rfd1 Be6 17. bxc4 Nd7 18. Bd4 Ne5
19. Nd5 cxd5 20. cxd5 Bh3 $6 (20... Bd7 21. f4 Nc4 $15 {McNab}) 21. Bxe5 Bxe5
22. Bxh3 Bxa1 23. Rxa1 Rab8 24. Kf2 Rb2+ 25. Ke3 Rxh2 26. Bf1 $44 {Kortschnoj,
V (2635)-McNab,C (2360)/London/1982/}) 16... Be6 (16... Rd3 $2 17. bxc4 $16)
17. Rxd8+ {1/2, Barsov,A (2475)-McNab,C (2445)/Oxford/1998/} Rxd8 18. Bxa7 Nd7
19. Rc1 cxb3 20. axb3 Ne5 21. Rd1 Ra8 22. Bf2 Nxf3+ 23. Bxf3 Bxc3 $11) (15.
bxc4 Nd7 16. Bd4 Ne5 17. Ne2 Ba6 $36) 15... Bg4 (15... Nd7 16. Bd4 $14) 16.
Qxd8 Rexd8 (16... Raxd8 17. e5 Nd7 18. Bxa7 f6 19. exf6 Bxf6 20. Rac1 $14) 17.
e5 Nd7 18. Bd6 (18. Be7 $1 Re8 19. Bd6 $16 {Huzman}) 18... Nb6 19. Ne4 (19.
Bxc6 Rac8 20. Bb7 cxb3 $1 21. Bxc8 Rxc8 22. Nd1 Nc4 $44) (19. Rac1 $6 $36)
19... Be6 20. Rac1 cxb3 $14 {1/2, Ionescu,C (2515)-Nisipeanu,L (2545)/
Bucharest/1997/}) ({Nakamura's choice is similar to the usual} 12... a5 13. Qc2
{, which is rather slow:} h5 $5 (13... Qe7 14. Rad1 Nfd7 15. Rfe1 (15. Bf2 Nb6
16. Nde2 Be6 17. Nf4 Bc8 18. Rd2 Qc7 19. Rfd1 Bf8 20. Nd3 Nbd7 21. f4 b6 22.
Be3 Nxd3 23. Qxd3 Nc5 24. Qe2 f5 25. Bxc5 bxc5 26. e5 $1 dxe5 27. Nb5 $14 {
Brodt,A (2394)-Moiseev,N (2264)/corr/2009/}) 15... Nb6 16. Bf1 Nbd7 17. h3 Na6
18. Bg2 Ndc5 19. a3 Bd7 20. Kh2 Nc7 21. f4 N7e6 22. Nde2 Rad8 23. b4 axb4 24.
axb4 Na6 25. Bb6 Ra8 26. Qb1 $14 {Van Oosterom,J (2779)-Soberano,J (2607)/corr/
2006/}) 14. Rad1 Qe7 15. Nde2 (15. Rfe1 $14) 15... Nh7 16. Qd2 Bf8 17. Bh6 Bxh6
18. Qxh6 a4 19. b4 Na6 {Delchev,A (2587)-Moreno Carnero,J (2506)/FRA-chT/2001/}
20. b5 Nc5 21. Qd2 $14) 13. Re1 a5 (13... Nfd7 14. Qc2 Ne5 15. Rad1 a5 16. h3
a4 17. f4 axb3 18. axb3 Ned7 19. b4 Ne6 20. Nde2 (20. Nf3 $5 $14 {()}) 20... h5
21. Rd3 h4 22. gxh4 (22. g4 g5 23. f5 $14) 22... Qxh4 23. Bf2 Qh6 24. Qd2 g5 {
0-1 O'Kelly de Galway,A-Eliskases,E/Sao Paulo 1948/EXT 2012 (40)} 25. f5 Nf4
26. Rxd6 Nxh3+ $13) 14. Qc2 Be6 $146 (14... h5 15. Rad1 h4 16. Qd2 hxg3 17.
hxg3 Nfd7 18. Nde2 Bf8 19. Bg5 f6 20. Bh6 Rd8 21. Be3 Re8 22. Bh6 Rd8 23. Bxf8
Nxf8 24. Kf2 Be6 25. Nd4 Bd7 26. Rh1 $16 {Ubilava,E (2500)-Apicella,M (2370)/
Belgrade/1988/}) 15. Rad1 (15. Nf5 gxf5 (15... Bxf5 16. exf5 $14 {[%csl Ge3,
Gg2]}) 16. exf5 Bd7 17. Bxc5 Qxe1+ 18. Rxe1 Rxe1+ 19. Kf2 Bxf5 $1 20. Qxf5 (20.
Ne4 Bxe4 21. fxe4 Ra1 22. Bxd6 Ng4+ $132) 20... Re5 $11) 15... a4 {Objectively
a dubious attempt to create immediate counterplay.} ({However, one can
understand that Nakamura was unwilling to defend passively with e.g.} 15...
Rad8 $14) 16. b4 Ncd7 (16... Na6 17. b5 $5 (17. a3 {[%csl Ra4]} Bxc4 18. Nxa4
Be6 19. Nb6 Rad8 20. b5 cxb5 21. Nxb5 $16 {[%csl Rd6][%cal Ye3f4]}) 17... Nb4
18. Qb1 (18. Qe2 a3 $132) 18... c5 19. Nxe6 Qxe6 20. a3 Qxc4 21. Rc1 Qd3 22.
axb4 Qxb1 23. Rxb1 Ng4 24. Bd2 Ne5 25. Nd5 $16) 17. Nxe6 Qxe6 18. Nxa4 Ne5 (
18... Ra6 19. b5 Ra5 20. Nb6 Nxb6 (20... cxb5 21. e5 $1 Nxe5 22. f4 bxc4 (22...
Nxc4 23. Bd2) 23. fxe5 Rxe5 24. Bf2 $16) 21. Bxb6 Ra3 22. Re3 Rxe3 23. Bxe3 d5
24. cxd5 cxd5 25. Qb3 Qe7 26. e5 $1 Qxe5 27. Bd4 $36 {[%csl Gd4,Gg2][%cal
Ya2a5]}) 19. c5 (19. Nb6 Ra3 20. Rb1 Nfd7 21. Rb3 Ra6 (21... Nxb6 22. Rxa3
Nbxc4 23. Rc3 Nxe3 24. Rexe3 $14 {/+/-}) 22. Nxd7 Qxd7 23. a3 b5 $5 $14) 19...
Qc4 (19... dxc5 {gives White a wider, but mostly pleasant choice:} 20. f4 $1 (
20. Nxc5 Qxa2 21. Qxa2 Rxa2 22. Nxb7 Bf8 23. Nc5 $36) (20. Bxc5 $5 b5 21. Nb6
Rxa2 22. Qb1 {[%cal Yf3f4,Ye4e5,Rd1d6]} Ra3 23. Rd6 (23. f4 Nf3+ 24. Bxf3 Rxf3
25. e5 $36) 23... Qb3 24. Qxb3 Rxb3 25. Red1 h5 (25... Nxf3+ 26. Bxf3 Rxf3 27.
Rd8 Bf8 28. e5 $18) 26. f4 Nf3+ 27. Bxf3 Rxf3 28. e5 $16) 20... cxb4 $5 (20...
Nc4 21. Bc1 $5 {[%cal Ra4c5]} (21. Bxc5 b5 22. Nc3 Nd7 23. Bd4 $16) 21... Nd7
22. bxc5 $16 {[%cal Rd1d7,Rg2f1]}) 21. fxe5 Ng4 22. Bf4 Bxe5 $16 {/<=>}) 20.
Qb3 $1 $16 {[%mdl 64] For the time being Kramnik curbs the tactics well,
perhaps Nakamura underestimated this strong move...} (20. Qxc4 Nxc4 21. Nb6
Nxb6 22. cxb6 d5 $14) 20... dxc5 (20... d5 21. Nb6 Qxb3 22. axb3 Ra3 23. exd5
Rxb3 24. Bf2 cxd5 25. f4 $16) (20... Qxb3 21. axb3 d5 22. Nb6 {- 20...d5}) 21.
Nb6 (21. f4 $142 $5 Qxb3 22. axb3 Neg4 23. Bxc5 $18) 21... Qxb3 (21... Qxb4 22.
Nxa8 Rxa8 23. f4 Nc4 24. e5 Nxe3 (24... Ng4 25. Bc1 $18) 25. Rxe3 Ng4 26. Re4 {
and Black's compensation is clearly insufficient.}) 22. axb3 Rad8 (22... Ra3
23. f4 cxb4 (23... Neg4 24. Bxc5 Rxb3 25. e5 Nh5 26. Rd7 $18) 24. fxe5 Ng4 25.
e6 fxe6 26. Bc5 Rxb3 27. Nd7 Ne5 28. Nxe5 Bxe5 29. Rb1 $16) 23. bxc5 Nfd7 24.
Na4 (24. Nxd7 Nxd7 25. Re2 $16) 24... Nf8 25. Rd6 $6 {The first step in the
wrong direction.} (25. Kf1 $5 Ne6 26. Ke2 $16 {[%cal Yg2h3]}) 25... Ne6 26.
Red1 Ra8 $1 {[%csl Rd6]} 27. h3 $2 {[%mdl 8192] An oversight, which squanders
any remaining advantage.} (27. Bf2 Bf8 28. f4 (28. R6d2 Ng5 $1 $15) 28... Ng4
29. e5 $44) (27. Bf4 Nc4 28. Rd7 Nxf4 29. gxf4 Bh6 30. Bf1 Ne3 31. R1d6 Bxf4
32. Rf6 Rad8 $5 33. Rfxf7 Rxd7 34. Rxd7 Re5 $14 {/<=>}) (27. f4 $5 Ng4 (27...
Nc4 28. bxc4 Rxa4 29. f5 gxf5 (29... Nc7 30. Rb1 $16) 30. exf5 Nf8 31. Bf2 Rxc4
32. Rb1 $16) 28. Bc1 Bf8 29. e5 Bxd6 30. cxd6 $44) 27... Nc4 $1 $132 28. bxc4 (
28. Kf2 Nxe3 (28... Nxd6 29. cxd6 $44) 29. Kxe3 Bf8 $11) 28... Rxa4 29. Rd7 (
29. Rb1 $142 Rxc4 (29... Be5 30. f4 Bxd6 31. cxd6 $13) 30. Rxb7 Ra8 $1 $132 {
[%cal Ya8a2,Yg7f8]}) (29. Bf1 Bf8 30. f4 Ra2 $5 $13) 29... Rb4 {[%csl Rc4,Rc5]}
30. f4 Bf8 31. Kh2 Bxc5 32. Bc1 (32. Bd2 Rxc4 (32... Rb3 33. Be1 Ra8 $11 {/=/+}
) 33. f5 gxf5 34. exf5 Nf8 $15 {/\} 35. Rxb7 Rc2 36. Bb4 (36. Re1 Ra8 37. Bb4
Bd4 $40) 36... Rb2 37. Bxc5 Rxb7 $15) 32... Ra8 $15 {The tide has turned
completely and it's White who has to seek counterplay. Kramnik was in bad form
and didn't manage to adapt.} 33. f5 (33. Bd2 Rb3 $36) 33... Nf8 34. R7d3 (34.
Rd8 $2 Rxd8 35. Rxd8 Rb1 $1 36. Rd1 Ba3 $19) 34... Rxc4 35. Bh6 Be7 36. R1d2 (
36. g4 $5 Bf6 37. Bf4 $15) 36... b5 37. Rf3 b4 38. e5 gxf5 39. Rxf5 Ng6 $17 40.
Rdf2 ({More resilient was} 40. Rb2 $142) 40... Bf8 $1 (40... b3 $5 41. Rxf7 Bf8
$19 {is roughly equivalent}) 41. Bg5 (41. Bxf8 Rxf8 42. h4 Re8 $19) 41... b3
42. Rxf7 (42. Rb2 Ra2 $1 43. Rff2 (43. Rxb3 Rcc2) 43... h6 44. Be3 Rc3 45. Bd4
Rxb2 46. Rxb2 Rd3 $19 {[%cal Rg6e5]}) 42... Rb8 $19 {[%cal Rb3b2]} ({More
forcing than} 42... Nxe5 43. R7f5 (43. R7f4 Rc3 $19) 43... Bg7 $19) 43. Bf1 Rc3
44. e6 (44. R7f3 Rxf3 45. Bc4+ (45. Rxf3 Nxe5) 45... Kh8 46. Rxf3 b2 47. Bd3
b1=Q (47... Nxe5 48. Bf6+ Bg7 $19) 48. Bxb1 Rb2+ $19) 44... b2 45. Bf6 b1=Q 46.
Bxc3 Qb3 47. R7f3 Bc5 {Slightly prolongs the struggle, but still safe enough.}
(47... Qxe6 48. Re3 Qb3 49. Bd4 (49. Bb2 Qa2 $19) 49... Qa4 $19 {wins on the
spot.}) 48. Rb2 Qxb2+ 49. Bxb2 Rxb2+ 50. Bg2 Be7 51. h4 Re2 52. Rc3 (52. h5 Nf8
) 52... c5 53. Kh3 Kg7 54. Bd5 Ne5 {[%cal Yh7h5,Ye5g4]} 55. g4 Ng6 56. Rf3 Bd6
{[%cal Re2h2,Rg6f4]} 57. Rf7+ Kh8 58. g5 Rh2+ 59. Kg4 (59. Kg4 Rxh4+ 60. Kf3 (
60. Kf5 Rf4#) 60... Ne5+ 61. Kg3 Rd4 $19 {[%csl Rd5,Rf7]}) 0-1

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 8th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2013.06.15"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D90"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[Annotator "Sumets,A"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2013.06.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 155"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Bd2 Bg7 6. e4 Nxc3 7. Bxc3 c5 8.
d5 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 O-O 10. Nf3 {According to modern theory, this is not the most
prinicipled continuation. At the moment the most principled lines start with
10.Qd2 or 10.Bc4.} (10. Qd2 $5 e6 (10... Qd6 11. f4 (11. Nf3 Bg4 12. Ng1 {
1/2-1/2 Arutinian,D-Kasimdzhanov,R/Konya TUR 2011}) 11... Nd7 12. e5 Qc7 13. h4
c4 14. h5 Nb6 15. Nf3 Bg4 16. hxg6 fxg6 17. Ng5 Rad8 18. d6 exd6 19. Rxh7 Qc5
20. Rh6 dxe5 21. Rxg6+ Kh8 22. Nf7+ (22. Rh6+ Kg8 23. Rg6+ $11) 22... Kh7 23.
Rh6+ (23. f5 $1 Rxd2 24. Ng5+ Kh8 25. Rh6+ Kg8 26. Rg6+ $11) 23... Kg7 $19 24.
Nxd8 Rxd8 25. Rh4 Rxd2 26. Rxg4+ Kf8 27. Kxd2 Qf2+ 28. Be2 Nd5 29. Rh1 Qe3+ 30.
Ke1 Qxc3+ 31. Kf2 Qe3+ 32. Ke1 Nxf4 33. Rh8+ Kf7 34. Rxf4+ exf4 35. Rh7+ Kf6
36. Rxb7 c3 {0-1 Riazantsev,A-Edouard,R TCh-FRA Top12 Belfort 2012}) 11. d6 e5
12. h4 Be6 13. Nh3 {See the game Anand,V-Hammer,J NOR 2013.} (13. h5 g5 14. h6
(14. Nf3 f6 15. Be2 Nc6 16. O-O Rf7 17. Rfd1 Rd7 {You don't need to bea GM to
understand that the computer overestimates this position. Computer assessment
is around +0.5. I think the position is in Black's favour.}) 14... Kh8 15. Nf3
f6 16. Be2 Nc6 17. Nh2 Qd7 18. Nf1 Nd8 19. Rd1 Nf7 20. Bh5 Qc6 21. Ng3 Rad8 22.
Bxf7 Rxf7 $17 {Akesson,R-Boros,D FS05 Budapest 2008 1-0 (48)})) (10. Bc4 Qd6 (
10... b5 11. Bxb5 Qa5 12. Rb1 (12. Qd3 $1 Nd7 13. Nf3 Rb8 14. Bxd7 Bxd7 15. O-O
$16 Rb2 16. Ne5 Bb5 17. c4 Ba6 18. Nc6 Qc7 19. Qa3 Qb6 20. Nxe7+ Kg7 21. Nc6 f6
22. Qc3 Re2 23. Rab1 Qc7 24. Rfe1 Rxa2 25. e5 {1-0 Sambuev,B-Umansky,V Tula
2004}) 12... Bd7 13. Bd3 Qxc3+ 14. Qd2 Qxd2+ 15. Kxd2 e6 16. Ne2 exd5 17. exd5
Rd8 (17... Bc8 18. Nc3 Nd7 19. Rhe1 $14) 18. Rhc1 Bc8 19. Rxc5 Nd7 20. Ra5 $16
{Stocek,J-Khismatullin,D 11th EICC Men Rijeka CRO 2010 1/2-1/2 (50)}) 11. Nf3
Bg4 12. e5 Qc7 13. O-O Bxf3 14. Qxf3 Qxe5 15. Rab1 Nd7 (15... b6 $2 16. d6 Nd7
17. Rfe1 Qxd6 18. Rbd1 Ne5 (18... Qc7 19. Rxe7 $18) 19. Bxf7+ Nxf7 20. Rxd6 $18
) 16. Rfe1 Qd6 17. Rxb7 Rfb8 $11 18. Rb3 Ne5 19. Qe4 Nxc4 20. Qxc4 Rxb3 21.
axb3 Rd8 {1/2-1/2 Grachev,B-Vachier Lagrave,M Aeroflot Open A Moscow RUS 2010})
10... e6 {Another option is 10...Bg4:} (10... Bg4 11. Be2 (11. Qd2 Bxf3 12.
gxf3 Qd6 13. f4 e6 14. c4 e5 15. f5 Nd7 16. Rg1 Kh8 17. Qh6 Rg8 18. Rb1 Qa6 19.
Bd3 Rab8 20. fxg6 Rxg6 21. Rxg6 fxg6 22. Qh3 Qd6 23. Be2 b6 24. Qa3 a5 (24...
Qc7 $5 25. h4 Nf6 26. Qe3 Rf8 27. Kd2 Ne8 $11) 25. Rb3 Nf6 26. Qb2 Nxe4 $2 27.
f4 $16 Re8 $2 28. Re3 {1-0 Sokolov,I-Brkic,A Sibenik 2007}) 11... Bxf3 (11...
Qd6 $5 12. Nd2 $1 (12. h3 $6 Bxf3 13. Bxf3 Nd7 14. O-O b5) (12. e5 Qc7 13. O-O
Nd7 14. d6 exd6 15. exd6 Qc6 $132) 12... Bxe2 13. Qxe2 Nd7 14. O-O $14) 12.
Bxf3 Nd7 13. O-O Qc7 (13... b5 $5 14. Be2 Rb8 15. f4 c4 16. Qd2 Qc7 17. Rad1
Rfd8 {Black has good counterplay.}) 14. c4 Rad8 15. Qb3 e5 16. Rfb1 Rb8 17. Qa3
b6 18. Rd1 Nf6 19. Qc3 Rfd8 20. a4 Qe7 $11 {Radjabov,T-Kamsky,G FIDE GP Sochi
2008 1/2-1/2 (50)}) 11. Be2 {White didn't get any advantage after 11.Bc4:} (11.
Bc4 b5 12. Bxb5 Qa5 13. Bc4 $1 (13. Qd3 exd5 14. exd5 a6 15. Bc4 Re8+ 16. Kf1
Bf5 17. Qd2 Nd7 $44) 13... Qxc3+ (13... Ba6 $5 14. Bxa6 Qxc3+ 15. Nd2 Nxa6 16.
dxe6 fxe6 17. O-O Rad8 18. Qb3 Qxb3 19. axb3 Rxd2 20. Rxa6 Rb8 21. Rxa7 Rxb3
22. g3 Rbb2 $11) 14. Nd2 Ba6 15. Rc1 Qe5 16. Qe2 Bxc4 17. Nxc4 Qg5 18. Ne3 (18.
O-O $1 exd5 19. exd5 Qxd5 20. Rfd1 Qc6 21. Rd6 $44) 18... exd5 19. exd5 Nd7 20.
O-O Rfe8 $11 {Karpov,A-Timofeev,A RUS-ChT Sochi 2007 1/2-1/2 (35)}) 11... exd5
12. exd5 Bg4 13. O-O Nd7 (13... Qd6 {Black's standard plan in such kind of
positions is} 14. Rb1 (14. c4 Bxf3 15. Bxf3 Nd7 16. Re1 Rfe8 $11) 14... Nd7 $1
(14... b6 $6) 15. Rxb7 Nb6 {threatening ...Bc8} 16. Qd2 $1 Qxd5 (16... Kg7 $5
17. Ne5 (17. Qg5 Bc8 18. Qe7 Qxe7 19. Rxe7 Nxd5 20. Re5 Nxc3 21. Bc4 Bb7 22.
Rc1 Ne4 23. Re7 $44) 17... Bxe2 (17... Bc8 $2 18. Rxf7+ $1 Rxf7 19. Qh6+ Kg8 $8
20. Nxf7 Kxf7 21. Qxh7+ Kf8 22. Bd3 $16) 18. Qxe2 Qxd5 19. Re7 Qd6) (16... Bc8
$2 17. Qh6) 17. Qxd5 Nxd5 18. Bc4 Bxf3 (18... Nb6 $6 19. Bxf7+ Rxf7 20. Rxf7
Kxf7 21. Ne5+ Ke6 22. Nxg4 Rd8 23. Re1+ Kf7 24. Ne5+ Kf6 $44 {The activity of
the black pieces could be enough for a draw.}) 19. gxf3 Nb6 20. Be2 Rfb8 21.
Rc7 Rc8 22. Rb7 Rcb8 $11) 14. h3 Bxf3 15. Bxf3 Ne5 16. Be2 Qd6 17. Rb1 $1 b6 $2
18. Re1 $6 {An inaccurate move.} (18. Ba6 $1 Rfe8 19. Re1 Nd7 20. c4 Nf6 21.
Bb5 $16) 18... Rfd8 $2 (18... a6 $1 {It seems to me that this is the best
setup for Black.} 19. a4 Nd7 {M.Golubev} 20. Bf1 Nf6 21. c4 Rab8 22. Qb3 Rfe8
23. Qb2 $14) (18... c4 19. Qd4 Rac8 20. f4 Nd3 21. Bxd3 cxd3 22. Rbd1 Rfd8 23.
Rxd3 Qc5 24. Qxc5 $6 (24. Ree3 Qxd4 25. Rxd4 Rc5 26. c4 Kg7 27. Kf2 $16) 24...
Rxc5 $44 {Nezar,M-Marzolo,C Nancy 2005 1-0 (64). Black chances to make draw
are higher than White's chances to win the game.}) 19. Ba6 $1 Rab8 20. c4 Nd7 (
20... Re8 21. Bb5 Re7 22. Qd2 f6 {In order to put the knight on d6 Black needs
to weaken his kingside. Black's position is cramped and very difficult. If you
have a lack of space, then passive rooks are the common problem. For example,
if Black managed to swap one pair of rooks his position would be defendable.
If he managed to swap all the rooks his position would be better.} 23. Re2 Rf8
24. a4 g5 25. f4 gxf4 26. Qxf4 $16) 21. Bb5 $1 $16 (21. Rb3 Re8 $1 22. Rbe3
Rxe3 23. Rxe3 Kf8 24. Bb5 Re8 $5 (24... Nf6 25. Bc6 Rc8 26. Qa1 $1 $16) 25.
Rxe8+ Kxe8 26. Qa4 Qc7 {Black's next move is ...Ke7. It is not so clear if
White can achieve something.}) 21... Nf6 (21... Re8 $1 {As was mentioned above,
Black needs to trade rooks.} 22. Qd2 (22. Qa4 $5 Rxe1+ 23. Rxe1 Rb7 24. Re8+
Kg7 25. Rd8 $6 {It seems that White gains a piece} Qf4 $1 26. Qd1 $6 (26. Qc2
$1 Ne5 27. Re8 Qd4 28. Qe2 $14) 26... Ne5 27. d6 a6 28. Bxa6 Ra7 29. d7 $8 (29.
Bb5 $2 Rxa2 30. Qf1 Qf6 $19) 29... Kh6 $1 30. Bb5 Rxa2 31. Qe1 Nf3+ 32. gxf3
Qg5+ 33. Kh2 Qxd8 34. Qe3+ Kg7 35. Qe5+ Kh6 36. Qe3+ Kg7 $11) 22... Rxe1+ 23.
Rxe1 Nf6 24. a4 Kg7 25. a5 $16 {At least Sergey would have more practical
chances than he had in the game.}) 22. Qe2 Rb7 23. Rb3 Nh5 24. Re3 {White has
a strategically winning position.} Ng7 25. g4 $5 {Usually if you see a move
like g4 you don't want to consider other options. Nevertheless 25.Re7 deserves
attention. At least White wins a pawn.} (25. Re7 $5 Rxe7 26. Qxe7 Nf5 27. Qxa7
Qb8 28. Qxb8 Rxb8 29. a4 $16) 25... Kf8 26. a4 {Nakamura even doesn't want to
think about Black's opportunity ...a6, ...b5.} f5 $5 {Sergey is trying to play
actively.} 27. Re5 $6 (27. Qb2 $1 Kg8 28. gxf5 $1 Rf7 (28... Nxf5 29. Re8+ Rxe8
30. Rxe8+ Kf7 31. Qh8 $18) 29. fxg6 hxg6 (29... Qxg6+ 30. Rg3 $18) 30. Be8 $1
Rc7 31. Re4 $18 {Black doesn't have any reasonable moves} Nf5 $2 32. Re6) 27...
fxg4 28. hxg4 Rf7 {Black's position has improved significantly. He has some
counterplay on the f-file. However we should admit that Black's position is
bad. The knight on e8 is out of play.} 29. Qe3 Qf6 30. Re2 Qf4 31. Qxf4 (31.
Re4 Qxe3 32. R2xe3 {White keeps rooks on the board. It is not easy to
determine where Black's position is more difficult.} h5 33. f3 Rd6 34. Kg2 Rdf6
35. Kg3 $16) 31... Rxf4 32. R5e4 $8 Rxe4 33. Rxe4 h5 34. f3 Kf7 35. Kg2 Kf6 36.
Re1 g5 {Sooner or later Black had to make this move.} 37. Kg3 Rh8 38. Bc6 Kf7
39. d6 h4+ $2 (39... hxg4 $8 {The only chance to continue resistance was} 40.
fxg4 (40. Kxg4 $2 Kf6 41. Bd5 Rh4+ 42. Kg3 Rh8 $11 43. a5 $2 Rd8) 40... Kf6 41.
Re7 Rd8 42. Bd7 $22 Rh8 $8 (42... Kg6 $2 43. Kf3 Kf6 44. Ke4 $18) 43. Kf3 Rh2
44. Bc6 (44. Ke4 $2 Re2+) 44... Ne6 $8 45. Bd5 Nd4+ 46. Kg3 Rh8 $1 47. Rxa7 Rd8
$16 {and White needs to choose between} 48. Ra6 $5 {or} (48. Rf7+ Ke5 49. d7 {
It is not obvious if White can win the endgame or not.})) 40. Kh2 Kf6 41. d7
Ne6 42. Bd5 $6 {The key to the win is the breakthrough f4. Fortunately for
Nakamura he managed to find it later.} (42. f4 $1 gxf4 43. g5+ Kf5 44. Bd5 Nc7
45. g6 Kxg6 (45... Kf6 46. g7 $1 Kxg7 47. Bg8 $3) 46. Bg8 $3 $18 {An amazing
line, isn't it?}) 42... Nc7 43. Be4 Ne6 44. Bd5 Nc7 45. f4 $1 $18 ({Nakamura
could postpone the breakthrough:} 45. Bc6 Ne6 46. f4 $1 gxf4 47. g5+ Kf5 48.
Bd5 Ng7 49. Re7 Kg6 50. Bf7+ Kxg5 51. Be8 $18) 45... gxf4 46. g5+ Kg6 (46...
Kf5 47. g6 $1 Kxg6 48. Bg8 $1 $18) 47. Re5 Rd8 48. Be4+ Kf7 49. Bf5 Rh8 50. Kg2
a5 51. Kf2 f3 52. Re1 $22 1-0

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 8th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2013.06.17"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2774"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2013.06.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 155"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. Be3
h5 {A very interesting and popular line nowadays. Black avoids White's main
attacking plan by g4, so after this play becomes positional.} 9. Qd2 (9. Nd5 {
is similar to the game, but in the event of} Nxd5 10. exd5 Bf5 {White has an
extra} 11. Bd3 {and he doesn't lose a tempo with Qd2.}) 9... Nbd7 10. Nd5 (10.
O-O-O {is another main line.}) 10... Nxd5 (10... Bxd5 {is more common.} 11.
exd5 g6 $5 {a very interesing idea by Topalov.} 12. O-O-O Nb6 13. Qa5 Bh6 $1 {
This is the point of 11...g6.} 14. Bxh6 Rxh6 15. Kb1 Rc8 (15... Kf8 $5) 16. Qb4
$1 {Prepares for c4.} Kf8 17. c4 Kg7 18. g3 Rh8 19. Rc1 Qc7 20. Bh3 $1 Rce8 21.
Rhd1 Re7 22. a3 Rd8 23. Nd2 {(Anand-Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 2008)} e4 $1 {
and Black has some counterplay, for example:} 24. Qc3 ({or} 24. Nxe4 Nxe4 25.
fxe4 Rxe4) 24... Na4 25. Qc2 (25. Qd4 exf3 26. Rf1 Qc5 $15) 25... Nc5 $132) 11.
exd5 Bf5 12. Be2 Rc8 13. Rc1 $146 {Novelty. Caruana prepares for c4 and the R
can be useful on c1.} ({Immediately} 13. c4 {is very similar} Qh4+ 14. Bf2 Qf6
15. O-O h4 16. Be3 Be7 17. Na5 Rc7 18. b4 Qg6 (18... O-O $5) 19. Rad1 {This
move is also prepares for the break-through by c5!} Bc2 (19... e4 20. c5 $1)
20. Rc1 Bf5 21. c5 $1 $36 {Maliangkay-Hiltunen, Czechia 2003.}) 13... Qh4+ $1 {
A nice provoking move. Black wants to create weaknesses on White's K side.} 14.
g3 ({In the event of} 14. Bf2 Qf6 {.}) 14... Qf6 {Now White has to calculate
with h4 after all moves.} 15. O-O Be7 ({Still} 15... h4 $2 {doesn't work, as}
16. g4 $1 Bh7 17. Bg5 Qg6 18. Bd3 $18 {and the Q is trapped.}) 16. Na5 Rc7 17.
Bd3 (17. c4 O-O 18. Bd3 {transposes to the game.}) 17... O-O 18. c4 Bxd3 19.
Qxd3 Re8 20. b4 Bf8 21. Rce1 (21. Kg2 $5 {improves the K's position and
prepares h3, which can be useful in case of ...e4 f4.} g6 (21... e4 22. fxe4
Qb2+ 23. Qd2 Qxd2+ 24. Bxd2 Rxe4 25. Bf4 {The _|_ can be slightly better for
White.}) 22. Nb3 $5 (22. Rc2 e4 (22... Qe7 23. Qd2 e4 24. f4 Nf6 25. h3 $14)
23. fxe4 Qe7 24. Bf4 Qxe4+ 25. Qxe4 Rxe4 26. Rd1 Nb6)) 21... g6 22. Qd2 ({Still
} 22. Kg2 $5 {is also interesting} e4 23. Qb3 (23. fxe4 Qb2+ 24. Qd2 Qxd2+ 25.
Bxd2 Ne5 26. Rc1 Nd3 $132 {with some counterplay.}) 23... exf3+ 24. Rxf3 {
and White looks nicely placed.}) 22... Qf5 (22... Bg7 $6 {is dubious, because}
23. c5 $1 $16 {is working.}) 23. a4 (23. Kg2 b5 (23... Nf6 24. h3 $14) 24. Nc6)
23... Nf6 24. Bb6 ({After} 24. Kg2 b5 $1 $132 {is very strong.}) (24. c5 h4 25.
c6 (25. g4 Nxg4 $1 26. fxg4 Qxg4+ 27. Kh1 Qe4+ 28. Kg1 (28. Qg2 Qxb4 $132)
28... Qg4+ $11 {and Black has perpetual checks.}) 25... hxg3 26. hxg3 bxc6 27.
dxc6 Rb8 28. Rb1 d5 29. b5 axb5 30. axb5 d4 $13 {with a double-edged fight,
because Black looks also very fast.}) 24... Rcc8 25. f4 $6 (25. Kg2 $5) 25...
e4 26. Bd4 Rc7 27. h3 $6 {Dubious, but White's position is already difficult.}
({Now} 27. Bb6 $6 {is not effective because of} Rce7 $15) ({Maybe} 27. Re2 {
was the best, but after} h4 {Black has a nice initiative.}) 27... Bg7 28. Qg2 (
28. Kg2 {is too late, as} b5 $1 $17) (28. Qb2 b5) 28... b5 $1 {A very strong
break-through by Nakamura!} 29. axb5 axb5 30. Bxf6 Bxf6 31. g4 hxg4 32. hxg4
Bd4+ 33. Kh2 Qf6 34. Nc6 Bb6 35. g5 Qf5 36. c5 (36. Qh3 bxc4 37. Qxf5 gxf5 {
is also hopeless for White.}) 36... dxc5 37. Ne5 cxb4 38. d6 Rc3 39. Rxe4 Kg7 {
A great win by Nakamura!} 0-1

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 8th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2013.06.19"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C60"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2013.06.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 155"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 {A sideline, but nowadays the Ruy Lopez quite
often even at the highest level isn't only about the Berlin and classical
closed systems (Chigorin, Breyer etc.). Nakamura himself lately successfully
experimented with other systems:} (3... a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 (4... d6 5. c3 Bd7 {
is the Deferred Steinitz, which usually leads to a heavy manoeuvring struggle
after} 6. O-O g6 7. d4 Bg7 8. h3 ({Only one of the numerous options. In his
book "Dynamic Opening Strategy" Jansa recommends} 8. Re1 Nge7 9. Be3 O-O 10. d5
Nb8 11. Bxd7 Nxd7 12. Nfd2 f5 13. f3 {with a King's Indian without the
light-squared bishops. Although this should give White an edge, Black has} Rf7
$5 14. c4 Qf8 15. Nc3 Bh6 16. Bf2 Bxd2 17. Qxd2 f4 18. b4 g5 19. c5 Rg7 20. Qe2
Nf6 21. Kh1 Kh8 22. Na4 Qf7 23. Rac1 Rag8 $132 {Stehno,P (2366)-Radulski,J 
(2502)/Brno/2005/}) 8... Nf6 (8... h6 9. Be3 Nge7 10. Nbd2 O-O 11. dxe5 dxe5
12. Bc5 Re8 13. Re1 b6 14. Ba3 Na7 15. Bxd7 Qxd7 16. Nc4 Qe6 17. Ne3 Nb5 18.
Bxe7 Rxe7 19. Qa4 Nd6 20. Qc6 Rc8 21. Rad1 Kh7 22. Rd2 Ne8 23. Qb7 Nd6 24. Rxd6
$5 cxd6 25. Qxa6 $44 {Caruana,F (2774)-Ivanchuk,V (2755)/Thessaloniki/2013/})
9. Re1 O-O 10. Nbd2 Re8 11. Bc2 Qe7 12. Nf1 Qf8 $5 13. Ng3 Rad8 14. d5 (14. Be3
Bc8 15. Qe2 Bh6 16. Qd2 Bxe3 17. Qxe3 Qg7 18. Rad1 Kh8 19. Qc1 h6 20. Ba4 b5
21. Bc2 Nh5 22. Nxh5 gxh5 23. Kh1 Rg8 24. Rg1 Qf6 25. Qe3 Rg6 26. dxe5 Nxe5 27.
Nxe5 dxe5 28. Rxd8+ Qxd8 29. Rd1 Qe7 30. Rd3 Kg7 31. b4 Be6 32. Bb3 Qg5 $11 {
Landa,K (2570)-Yandemirov,V (2500)/Novgorod/1997/}) 14... Ne7 15. Nh2 Bh6 16.
Qf3 Bxc1 17. Raxc1 Qg7 18. Qe3 Nh5 $5 19. Nxh5 gxh5 20. Kh1 f5 21. exf5 Bxf5
22. Bxf5 Nxf5 23. Qd3 Rf8 24. Nf3 Ne7 $132 {Caruana,F (2774)-Andreikin,D (2713)
/Moscow/2013/}) 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 7. c3 d6 8. d4 Bb6 {is the Neoarkhangelsk,
with Shirov, Caruana and Nakamura being the most prominent members of the fan
club:} {Another important branch is} 9. a4 ({After} 9. Be3 O-O 10. Nbd2 {
the currently most topical move is} Re8 $5 ({Caruana used to play} 10... h6 11.
h3 Re8 12. Re1 Bd7 13. Bc2 Rb8 14. Rc1 Nh7 15. Bd3 Qf6 16. Nb3 Nf8 17. Kh2 g5
18. d5 Ne7 19. c4 Bxe3 20. Rxe3 c5 21. dxc6 Bxc6 22. Kg1 Nfg6 $13 {Anand,V 
(2780)-Caruana,F (2757)/Zurich/2013/ For details see the notes to this game in
CBM 153.}) (10... Bg4 11. h3 Bh5 12. dxe5 $5 dxe5 13. Qe2 Qe7 14. Rfd1 Na5 15.
Nf1 Nxb3 16. axb3 Qe6 17. b4 Bxe3 18. Qxe3 Rfd8 19. Rxd8+ Rxd8 20. Ne1 $1 $36 {
[%csl Rh5] Movsesian,S (2700)-Onischuk,A (2675)/WChT Ningbo/2011/ This
impressive strategic game was annotated by Movsesian in CBM 144.}) 11. Re1 (11.
h3 Na5 12. Bc2 Bb7 13. Qb1 exd4 14. cxd4 Nc4 15. Nxc4 bxc4 16. Nd2 Rb8 17. Nxc4
Bxe4 18. Bxe4 Nxe4 19. Qd3 Qd7 20. Rfc1 Nf6 21. Bd2 Ba7 $11 {Ponomariov,R 
(2733)-Giri,A (2727)/Zug/2013/}) 11... Na5 12. Bc2 c5 13. h3 (13. dxc5 dxc5 14.
Qe2 Ng4 $5 15. Nf1 Be6 16. Ng5 Nxe3 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. Nxe3 c4 19. Qh5 Qc7 20.
Ng4 Rf8 21. Re2 Rad8 22. Rd1 Rxd1+ 23. Bxd1 Rd8 24. Bc2 b4 {by ucinne celilo
25.Vd2!, slabsie} (24... Nc6 $142 $11) 25. cxb4 $6 (25. Rd2 $1 $14 {[%csl Re5]}
) 25... Nc6 26. Ba4 Nxb4 27. Qxe5 Qe7 $36 {Anand,V (2783)-Nakamura,H (2775)/
Stavanger/2013/ Nakamura went on to win an impressive game.}) 13... Nc6 14.
dxc5 dxc5 15. a4 Rb8 16. axb5 axb5 17. c4 Nb4 (17... b4 18. Ba4 Bd7 $11) (17...
Nd4 18. cxb5 Ba5 $5 $132) 18. cxb5 Bd7 19. Nc4 Bxb5 20. Nfd2 Bc7 21. Ra3 Bxc4 (
21... Qe7 $5 $11) 22. Nxc4 Qxd1 23. Bxd1 Nxe4 24. Ra7 Nd6 $6 (24... Nd5 25. Bf3
Nxe3 26. fxe3 Nd6 $11 {still holds the balance}) 25. Ba4 Rec8 26. Nxe5 Nb5 27.
Bxb5 Rxb5 28. Bd2 Nc2 29. Nc6 $1 $36 {Ponomariov,R (2733)-Caruana,F (2772)/Zug/
2013/}) 9... Rb8 10. Na3 O-O 11. axb5 axb5 12. Nxb5 Bg4 13. Bc2 exd4 ({Black
doesn't trust the positions after} 13... Bxf3 14. gxf3 Nh5 15. f4 {anymore.})
14. Nbxd4 Nxd4 15. cxd4 Re8 ({Nakamura's idea, but even after the older} 15...
Bxf3 16. gxf3 Nh5 17. Kh1 Qf6 18. Be3 Ra8 19. Rxa8 Rxa8 20. Rg1 Nf4 21. Bb3 Ne6
22. Bxe6 {the novelty} Qxe6 $5 {promises Black sufficient compensation and
counterplay after} 23. d5 Qf6 24. Qe2 Bxe3 25. fxe3 h6 26. Rc1 Rb8 27. Rc3 Ra8
{1/2, Craciunescu,V (2513)-Parushev,A (2259)/corr/2011/}) 16. Re1 Bxf3 17. gxf3
Nh5 18. Ba4 $5 (18. f4 Qh4 19. Ra3 Nxf4 20. Rg3 Qf6 21. Qf3 Nd5 22. Ba4 Qxf3
23. Rxf3 Re7 24. Bd2 Nf6 25. e5 dxe5 26. dxe5 Nd7 $11 {Leko,P (2735)-Nakamura,
H (2769)/Wijk aan Zee/2013/}) 18... Rf8 (18... Re6 $142 $5 19. Kh1 Qh4 {
seems more critical}) 19. Bc6 Qf6 20. Ra4 Nf4 21. Kh1 d5 22. exd5 Ng6 23. Re4
Ne7 24. Rc4 Qd6 25. Bf4 Qd8 26. Bg5 f6 27. Bf4 Nxd5 28. Bxd5+ Qxd5 29. Qe2 $14
{Grischuk,A (2779)-Nakamura,H (2775)/Thessaloniki/2013/ Although at this point
White's extra pawn doesn't play a decisive role, Black is the one who must
fight for a draw - and he didn't manage to hold the position after protracted
defence.}) ({Although Nakamura hasn't tried the text move yet, he has already
employed the similar} 3... Nge7 4. Nc3 $5 (4. O-O g6 5. c3 a6 6. Ba4 Bg7 7. d4
{is a line, which could arise also in the game - we will have a closer look at
it below.}) 4... d6 ({But} 4... g6 {is rather unpleasant for Black\;} 5. d4
exd4 6. Nd5 $5 Bg7 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bf6 Bxf6 9. Nxf6+ Kf8 10. O-O Kg7 11. Nd5 d6
12. Bxc6 Nxc6 13. Nxd4 Re8 14. Nb5 Rxe4 15. Nbxc7 $14 {Svidler,P (2750)
-Aronian,L (2782)/Nice rpd/2010/}) 5. d4 a6 6. Be2 $5 (6. Bc4 b5 7. Be2 exd4 8.
Nd5 Ne5 9. Qxd4 c5 10. Qd1 Nxd5 11. Qxd5 Be6 12. Qd1 Be7 13. O-O O-O 14. c3 Qb6
15. Ng5 Bc8 16. Qc2 Bb7 17. Rd1 Rad8 18. Nf3 Ng6 19. a4 Bc6 20. axb5 axb5 21.
Be3 Rfe8 $11 {Dominguez Perez,L (2725)-Nakamura,H (2783)/London/2012/ Black
has comfortable equality here and got into trouble only later by trying too
hard.}) 6... exd4 7. Nxd4 Nxd4 8. Qxd4 Nc6 9. Qe3 g6 10. Qg5 h6 11. Qg3 Be6 (
11... Bg7 $142) 12. O-O Ne7 $6 13. Be3 Bg7 14. Rad1 (14. f4 $5) 14... Qd7 15.
Bd4 Bxd4 16. Rxd4 O-O-O 17. b4 Qc6 (17... Nc6 $5) 18. Rfd1 g5 19. a4 Ng6 20.
Bf1 Ne5 {Kasimdzhanov,R (2709)-Nakamura,H (2767)/Zug/2013/} 21. b5 $40) 4. O-O
(4. c3 a6 5. Ba4 Bg7 (5... d6 6. d4 Bd7 7. O-O Bg7 {is the Deferred Steinitz
from the previous note}) 6. d4 exd4 7. cxd4 b5 8. Bb3 Nge7 {gives White the
interesting extra option} 9. d5 $5 (9. O-O {can transpose from 4.0-0.}) 9...
Na5 10. Bd2 c5 $5 {Probably the best.} (10... Bxb2 $2 11. Bxa5 Bxa1 12. Nc3
Bxc3+ (12... Bb2 $2 13. Qc2 $1 Ba3 14. Nb1 Bd6 15. e5 $18) 13. Bxc3 Rf8 14. Ng5
$40) (10... Nxb3 11. Qxb3 O-O 12. Bc3 d6 13. Bxg7 Kxg7 14. O-O Bd7 15. Nc3 Rb8
16. Qb4 Re8 17. Rac1 Ng8 18. Rfe1 $14 {Duda,J (2380)-Dragun,K (2420)/Warsaw/
2012/}) 11. d6 Nec6 12. Bc3 O-O 13. Bd5 Bb7 14. Qd2 (14. O-O $5 $14 {seems
more flexible}) 14... Nb4 15. Bxb7 Nxb7 16. O-O Nc6 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. Nc3 b4
19. Na4 Qa5 20. b3 c4 21. Qe3 {Ponomariov,R (2734)-Blagojevic,D (2514)/
Istanbul olm/2012/} Rae8 $5 $132 {/\} 22. Nb6 Nxd6 23. Nxd7 Rxe4 24. Qd2 Rd8 $1
25. Qxd6 Re6 $11 {[%csl Rd7] /=/+}) (4. d4 exd4 5. Bg5 Be7 6. Bxe7 Qxe7 7. Bxc6
dxc6 8. Qxd4 Nf6 9. Nc3 Bg4 10. O-O-O Bxf3 11. gxf3 O-O 12. Qe3 (12. f4 Nh5 13.
f5 Rfe8 14. Qe3 Qe5 15. Rd7 $6 Nf6 16. f4 Qxf5 17. exf5 Rxe3 18. Rxc7 Rb8 $15 {
Volokitin,A (2558)-Malaniuk,V (2556)/Warsaw rpd/2002/}) 12... Rfe8 13. f4 Rad8
14. f5 a5 15. Rxd8 Qxd8 16. f4 b5 $6 (16... Nd5 $5 17. Nxd5 Qxd5 18. exd5 Rxe3
19. dxc6 bxc6 $132) 17. Rd1 Qc8 $6 18. Qd4 Nh5 19. fxg6 hxg6 20. f5 b4 21. Na4
$40 {Gopal,G (2604)-Sokolov,I (2654)/Sarajevo/2010/}) 4... Bg7 5. c3 a6 6. Bxc6
$5 {A rare move, which Anand played very fast. White obviously wants to avoid
the following unclear modern line, but the position he is heading for is no
less complex in a strategic sense.} (6. Ba4 Nge7 7. d4 exd4 8. cxd4 b5 9. Bb3 (
9. Bc2 O-O ({White has to reckon with} 9... d5 $5 10. exd5 Nb4 $132 {as well.})
10. d5 Na5 11. Nc3 (11. a4 b4 12. Nbd2 d6 13. Nb3 c5 14. Nxa5 Qxa5 15. Nd2 Qd8
16. Nc4 a5 17. Re1 Ba6 18. Bb3 Nc8 19. Rb1 {Palac,M (2475)-Arkhipov,S (2500)/
Kecskemet/1991/} Bxc4 20. Bxc4 Nb6 21. Bb5 c4 $132) 11... d6 {gives White an
extra tempo compared to 9.Bb3. However, it's still not easy to prove an
unequivocal advantage:} 12. Nd4 Bb7 13. Rb1 c5 14. dxc6 Naxc6 15. Nxc6 Nxc6 16.
Be3 Rc8 17. a4 Nb4 18. Bb3 bxa4 19. Bxa4 d5 20. exd5 Nxd5 21. Nxd5 Qxd5 22.
Qxd5 Bxd5 $11 {Brodsky,M (2545)-Murey,J (2440)/Rishon Le Ziyyon/1998/}) 9...
O-O 10. Nc3 Na5 (10... d6 {allows} 11. Nd5 $5 {[%cal Yc1g5]} h6 12. Nxe7+ Nxe7
13. Be3 Kh7 14. Rc1 f5 15. Qd3 $1 $16 {[%csl Rc7,Rh7] /\} Bb7 $4 16. Ng5+ $1
hxg5 17. Bxg5 d5 18. exd5 $18 {[%cal Rd3h3,Rd5d6]}) 11. Bc2 d6 12. h3 (12. d5
Nc4 13. Re1 c5 14. dxc6 Nxc6 15. Rb1 h6 16. Nd5 Be6 17. b3 N4e5 18. Nxe5 dxe5
19. Ba3 Re8 20. Bc5 Rc8 21. b4 Nd4 $11 {Karjakin,S (2723)-Aronian,L (2786)/
Moscow blitz/2009/}) 12... c5 {A more testing move is} 13. Bg5 $5 (13. dxc5
dxc5 14. Qxd8 Rxd8 15. Be3 Nb7 16. e5 Bf5 17. Be4 (17. Ne4 Nd5 18. Bg5 Re8 19.
g4 Bd7 20. Nf6+ $6 Bxf6 21. exf6 Nb4 22. Bd1 Bc6 $15 {Smeets,J (2651)-Karjakin,
S (2725)/Nice rpd blindfold/2010/}) 17... Bxe4 18. Nxe4 Rd5 19. Bg5 Nc6 20.
Nf6+ Bxf6 21. Bxf6 {Smeets,J (2651)-Aronian,L (2782)/Nice rpd blindfold/2010/}
c4 $1 {[%cal Yb7c5,Yc5d3]} 22. Rad1 Nb4 $15) 13... h6 14. Bh4 g5 15. Bg3 cxd4
$5 (15... Nc4 16. b3 Na3 17. Bd3 Nc6 18. Nd5 Nxd4 19. Nxd4 Bxd4 20. Qh5 Kg7 $5
(20... Bg7 $6 21. Rad1 c4 22. Be2 c3 23. Nxc3 Bxc3 24. Bxd6 $16 {Polgar,J 
(2710)-Banusz,T (2563)/Warsaw rpd/2011/}) 21. Rad1 Be6 22. Kh1 {[%cal Yf2f4] /\
} Ra7 $6 23. f4 f6 24. e5 $1 Bxd5 25. fxg5 $40) 16. Nxd4 Nc4 17. Rb1 Re8 $1
$132 {A.Kuzmin} (17... Bb7 18. Nd5 Bxd5 19. exd5 Qb6 20. Qd3 Rfe8 21. Rfd1 Bxd4
22. Qxd4 Qxd4 23. Rxd4 Rac8 24. Re1 Kg7 25. Bd3 $14 {Gopal,G (2584)-Nezad,H 
(2408)/Caleta/2010/})) (6. Bc4 Nge7 7. d4 exd4 8. cxd4 b5 {leads to the same
position after the natural} 9. Bb3 O-O) 6... dxc6 7. d4 {Logical central play.}
(7. d3 {is too tame:} Ne7 8. h3 c5 9. Na3 Nc6 10. Bg5 Qd7 11. Qd2 O-O 12. Rfe1
b6 13. Rad1 Bb7 14. Nc4 f6 15. Bh6 Qf7 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. b3 Rfe8 18. Nh2 Rad8
19. f4 b5 20. Nb2 f5 $5 $132 {Zagrebelny,S (2510)-Margolin,B (2385)/Alushta/
1994/}) 7... exd4 {A natural reaction.} (7... Bg4 $143 8. dxe5 Qxd1 9. Rxd1
Bxe5 10. Na3 Bxf3 11. gxf3 b5 12. Nc2 $14 {leads to an inferior endgame:} Ne7
13. Be3 g5 14. Bc5 Rg8 15. h3 Rg6 16. a4 Bd6 $6 17. Bxd6 Rxd6 18. Rxd6 cxd6 19.
axb5 cxb5 20. Nd4 {[%csl Rb5]} Kd7 21. Ra2 $14 {/+/-, Stanojoski,Z (2450)
-Mitkov,M (2398)/Struga/2005/}) 8. cxd4 Ne7 9. h3 {Although the text move has
still been played, we are gradually entering less charted waters.} (9. Nc3 Bg4
$5 (9... O-O 10. Be3 h6 11. Qb3 b6 12. d5 $6 (12. Ne5 $5 c5 13. Rad1 $14) 12...
cxd5 13. exd5 Nf5 14. Bf4 g5 15. Be5 Nh4 16. Nxh4 $6 (16. Bxg7 Nxf3+ 17. gxf3
Kxg7 18. Rad1 $13) 16... Bxe5 17. Nf3 Bg7 18. Rfe1 Bb7 19. Rad1 Re8 20. Rxe8+
Qxe8 21. h4 g4 22. Nh2 {Abergel,T (2517)-Kosten,A (2497)/Nimes/2009/} g3 $36 {
[%csl Gb7,Gg7]}) 10. Be3 O-O 11. h3 Bxf3 12. Qxf3 f5 (12... Bxd4 13. Rad1 c5
14. b4 Qe8 (14... b6 15. bxc5 bxc5 16. Na4 $16) 15. Bxd4 cxd4 16. Rxd4 $14) 13.
Bg5 Qd7 (13... fxe4 $142 $1 14. Qxe4 Rf7 15. Rfe1 Qd7 $11 {/=/+} 16. Bxe7 $6
Re8) 14. Bxe7 (14. e5 $5) 14... Qxe7 15. e5 Rad8 16. Rad1 c5 17. Nd5 Qf7 18.
dxc5 Bxe5 19. Rfe1 Rde8 {1/2, Chandler,M (2535)-Spassky,B (2610)/Vienna/1986/})
9... O-O 10. Nc3 h6 {[%csl Gc8,Gd4,Ge4,Gg7][%cal Yc8e6,Yf7f5] Patiently
prepares Be6, or f5. Although White has a mobile pawn centre, the position is
not fully clear, as advancing the pawns could enhance the strength of Black's
bishop pair.} 11. Qb3 $146 {[%mdl 8] An interesting novelty, which complicates
Black's development.} (11. Be3 f5 (11... Be6 $5) 12. Qd2 $2 (12. Qb3+ Kh8 $13)
12... fxe4 13. Nxe4 {Cuartas,J (2517)-Panesso Rivera,H (2335)/Pamplona/2012/}
Rxf3 $1 14. gxf3 Nf5 $40) ({A possibly promising alternative is} 11. Bf4 $5 {
[%cal Yf4e5]}) 11... g5 $5 {A dynamic and provocative reaction.} (11... Qd6 {
also prevents Bf4, but Black lacks other active ideas after} 12. Rd1 {Nakamura
seeks more direct counterplay.}) 12. Rd1 (12. Be3 {is somewhat more flexible,
as White has no better square for his bishop, while his rooks might still be
deployed differently.}) 12... b6 {[%csl Rc6] A calm and slow move, which
nevertheless has a drawback - c6 becomes potentially vulnerable.} ({Engines
recommend the straightforward} 12... Be6 $5 13. d5 (13. Qxb7 a5 {[%cal Rd8d7,
Rf8b8]} 14. d5 $8 cxd5 15. exd5 Rb8 16. Qa7 Nxd5 17. Qxa5 c6 $44 {[%csl Ge6,
Gg7]}) 13... cxd5 14. exd5 Bf5 15. Qxb7 (15. Be3 g4 $5 $132) 15... Qd6 16. Qb3
Rab8 17. Qc4 Rfe8 $32 {~~ Black has good compensation for the sacrificed pawn,
but it's still not easy to opt for such a radical solution.}) 13. a4 {In a
distant endgame the insertion of a4 and a5 can be advantageous for White, but
it doesn't substantially improve his chances in a complex middlegame.} (13. Qc2
{[%cal Gc2c6] allows} f5 $132) ({More logical was} 13. Be3 Qd6 (13... Be6 14.
d5 $36) 14. Rac1 $14 {[%cal Yd4d5,Yh3h4] It seems that White is slightly
better, future active plans can be well timed pawn advances as d5, or h4.})
13... a5 14. Be3 Ng6 {Risky, Black leaves Pc6 unattended.} (14... Qd6 $5 {
[%cal Yd6b4,Yd6g6] deserves attention, the queen aims for g6, or even b4. After
} 15. d5 g4 $132 {the position remains very unclear.}) 15. d5 {Stabilising the
centre, but Black is ideally placed to control the e5-square.} ({More
dangerous for Black was} 15. Ne2 $142 $1 $14 {[%cal Ye2g3,Yg3h5,Ya1c1,Gc1c7] /\
} Qf6 16. Qc2 Bxh3 17. Ne5 $1 $36) 15... c5 16. Nb5 g4 $5 {Just as in move 11,
a very dynamic and concrete continuation.} (16... Ba6 17. d6 (17. Nd2 Qd7 $11)
17... Bxb5 18. dxc7 Qxc7 19. Qxb5 Rfd8 $132 {is roughly balanced - Black's
active pieces compensate for the holes in his pawn structure. Nakamura is more
ambitious.}) 17. hxg4 Bxg4 18. Bd2 {A safe move.} (18. d6 Bxf3 19. gxf3 (19.
dxc7 $2 Qh4 20. gxf3 Qh3 $19) 19... Qf6 (19... Qh4 $5 20. Kg2 (20. Kf1 Ne5 $132
) 20... Qf6 21. dxc7 Nh4+ 22. Kf1 Qxf3 $11 {is similar to the main line.}) 20.
dxc7 Qxf3 {[%csl Gc7,Rg1] gives White a powerful passed pawn, but his king is
very exposed. An unforced sample line is} 21. Qd5 Nh4 22. Kf1 Rae8 23. Nd6 Re6
24. c8=Q Rxc8 25. Nxc8 Rxe4 26. Nd6 Qg2+ 27. Ke2 Qf3+ $11 {/\} 28. Kd2 $4 Rd4+
$19) (18. Bc1 {is a computer idea, but it's not without risk - White can miss
the Ra1 on the kingside:} Nh4 (18... Qd7 $5 19. d6 c6 20. Nc7 Rab8 $13) 19.
Nxh4 Qxh4 (19... Bxd1 $2 20. Qg3 $18 {[%cal Rc1h6,Rh4f5]}) 20. Re1 (20. f3 Qg3
21. Qe3 Bd7 22. Qf2 Qxf2+ 23. Kxf2 Bxb5 24. axb5 f5 $11) 20... Be5 21. g3 Qh5
22. Ra3 $1 $13) 18... Qd7 $1 {A good positional move, preparing c6.} (18... Ne5
19. Nxe5 Bxe5 (19... Bxd1 $2 20. Qg3 $18 {[%cal Ra1d1,Rd2h6,Re5c6]}) 20. f3 Bh5
21. Bxh6 Qh4 22. Qe3 $1 $14) (18... Nh4 19. Nxh4 Qxh4 20. f3 (20. Re1 $5 {
[%cal Yd2c3,Yd2f4] might be even stronger}) 20... Bd7 21. Bc3 $14) 19. Rac1 $6
{Loses a tempo} ({A more useful move was} 19. Re1 $142 $5 {/\} c6 20. dxc6 Qxc6
21. Nh2 (21. Bc3 Bxf3 22. Bxg7 Nh4 $5 23. gxf3 Kxg7 24. Kf1 $11) 21... Be6 22.
Qc2 $13 {[%cal Yd2c3]}) 19... c6 {Direct, but Black could also have played} (
19... Rad8 $5) ({, or} 19... Rfe8 20. Re1 c6 $15) 20. dxc6 (20. Na3 Rfe8 $5 21.
Nc4 Rab8 $36 {and White has no obvious way to advantageously retain the
central tension.}) 20... Qxc6 21. Bc3 $6 {This could have cost White an
exchange.} (21. Qe3 $142 Rfe8 22. Re1 Bxb2 23. Rb1 Bg7 24. Bc3 $15 {/<=>
Black's extra pawn doesn't play a major role yet and White has counterplay.})
21... Bxf3 22. gxf3 Rad8 $5 {[%mdl 32] Nakamura plays for a strategic
advantage.} (22... Nf4 $1 {with the forced follow-up} 23. Rd6 Qc8 24. Bd2 Ne2+
25. Kg2 Nxc1 26. Bxc1 {nets Black an exchange. Not a difficult line to
calculate, but the evaluation of the final position is not so simple.
Nevertheless it seems Black has reasonable winning chances after} Rd8 27. Qd5
$5 (27. Rxb6 c4 $17) 27... Rb8 28. Bxh6 Rxd6 29. Qxd6 Bxh6 30. Qxh6 Qe6 $15 {
/-/+}) 23. Rxd8 (23. Bxg7 $2 {runs into} Nf4 24. Nd6 {The beautiful point is}
Rxd6 $1 (24... Kxg7 25. Qc3+ f6 (25... Kh7 $2 26. Qf6 Ne2+ 27. Kf1 Nxc1 28. Rd5
$18) 26. Nf5+ $132) (24... Ne2+ 25. Kg2 Nxc1 26. Qc3 Rxd6 27. Rxd6 Qxd6 28.
Bxf8 Qg6+ 29. Kf1 Na2 30. Qc4 $11) 25. Bxf8 Rd2 $3 (25... Rxd1+ $2 26. Rxd1 $16
) 26. Kh1 $8 (26. Rxd2 Qg6+ 27. Kf1 Qg2+ 28. Ke1 Qg1#) 26... Qd7 27. Rg1+ Kxf8
28. Rg3 (28. Rg4 Nd3 $19 {is similar}) 28... Qd8 $1 29. Rg4 Nd3 $19 {Black
wins all the material back with interest and a continuing attack.}) 23... Rxd8
24. Rd1 Rd7 $15 {Fights for the open file, but Black had also the simple} (
24... Rxd1+ 25. Qxd1 Bxc3 26. bxc3 (26. Nxc3 Nf4 $36) 26... Qf6 $15 {The
distant passed Ph6 gives him an advantage in almost any endgame.}) 25. Rxd7
Qxd7 26. Qd5 $6 {[%mdl 4096] Transposing to a knight endgame only increases
Black's advantage.} (26. Bxg7 $142 Kxg7 27. Qc3+ f6 28. Qe3 Qh3 29. Nd6 Nh4 (
29... Ne5 30. Nf5+ $11 {[%cal Yf5g3]}) 30. Nf5+ Nxf5 31. exf5 Qxf5 32. Qe7+ Kg6
33. Qe8+ Kg5 {doesn't lead to a perpetual, but after} 34. Kg2 $15 {Black faces
a very tough technical task.}) 26... Qxd5 27. exd5 Bxc3 28. bxc3 Ne5 $6 (28...
Kf8 $142 $1 {is more flexible and stronger, after the analogous} 29. Nd6 {
Black's knight has an alternative route} Nf4 $1 30. c4 Ne2+ 31. Kf1 Nc3 $19 {
[%csl Ga5,Gh6][%cal Rc3a4]}) 29. Nd6 Kf8 30. Kh2 $2 {White was fighting for a
draw and decentralising the king doesn't feel right, moreover it fails
tactically.} ({It is probably insufficient to play} 30. Kf1 b5 $1 (30... Ke7
31. Nc8+ Kd7 32. Nxb6+ Kc7 33. f4 $11 {already works, as Black doesn't have
the manoeuvre from the game.}) (30... Nxf3 31. Ke2 Ne5 32. f4 $44 {allows
White to achieve full coordination with excellent drawing chances.}) 31. Nxb5 (
31. axb5 a4 32. Nb7 a3 33. Nxc5 a2 34. Nb3 Ke7 $19 {[%csl Ga2,Rb5,Rd5,Gh6]
[%cal Ye7d6] and White's pawns are blockaded, while Black's will decide.})
31... Nc4 $17 {[%cal Rc4b6,Rb6a4] Black will take the Pa4, transfer his knight
to d6 and support one of his passed pawns with his king - he should win this
in the long run.}) ({It seems that the best try was} 30. f4 Nd3 31. Nc8 Nxf4
32. Nxb6 (32. c4 Ke8 33. Nxb6 Kd8 34. d6 Ne6 35. Kg2 Ng7 36. Kh3 Ne8 37. d7 Nf6
38. Kh4 Ke7 $1 $17 {and Black takes on d7 only after White moves his Pf2})
32... Ke7 33. Kf1 h5 34. d6+ Kxd6 35. Nc4+ {although even here} Kc7 $5 (35...
Ke6 36. Nxa5 Nd5 37. Nb7 c4 38. Nd8+ Kf6 39. Nb7 Nxc3 40. Nd6 $15) 36. Nxa5 Nd5
37. Nb3 Kd6 $17 {gives Black good winning chances.}) 30... Ke7 $1 31. Nc8+ (31.
Nf5+ Kd7 32. Nxh6 b5 33. axb5 a4 34. Nf5 a3 35. Ne3 Nxf3+ 36. Kg3 Ne1 $19 {
[%csl Ga3][%cal Ga3a1]}) 31... Kd7 32. Nxb6+ Kc7 33. f4 Nf3+ 34. Kg2 Nd2 $1 $19
{[%csl Rb6]} 35. Na8+ Kb7 36. d6 {White must ditch the passed pawn for free to
save his knight, the resulting endgame is hopeless.} Kc6 37. Nc7 Kxd6 38. Nb5+
Kd5 39. Kg3 Kc4 (39... Nc4 $1 $19 {[%csl Ra4][%cal Rc4b6] is simpler}) 40. Nd6+
(40. f3 f6 $5 41. f5 Nb1 42. Nd6+ Kd3 43. Ne4 c4 44. Nxf6 Nxc3 45. Nd7 Nd5 {/\}
46. f6 Nxf6 $1 47. Nxf6 c3 $19) 40... Kxc3 41. Nxf7 c4 ({An easier win was} 
41... Kd4 $1 42. Nd6 (42. f5 c4 $19 {transposes to the game}) 42... Ne4+ 43.
Nxe4 Kxe4 44. Kg4 c4 45. f5 Ke5 $19 ({, or} 45... h5+ 46. Kg5 c3 47. f6 c2 48.
f7 c1=Q+)) 42. f5 (42. Nd6 $5 {is better, but also loses by force to} Kd3 $1
43. f5 (43. Nb5 c3 $19) 43... c3 44. f6 c2 45. f7 c1=Q 46. f8=Q Qg1+ 47. Kh3 (
47. Kh4 Qh2+ 48. Kg4 Qg2+ 49. Kh4 Nf3+ $19) 47... Qh1+ 48. Kg3 Nf1+ 49. Kf4
Qh2+ 50. Kg4 Qg2+ 51. Kh4 Qg5+ 52. Kh3 Qh5+ 53. Kg2 Qh2+ $1 54. Kf3 (54. Kxf1
Qh1#) 54... Nd2+ 55. Kg4 Qg2+ $19 {- White gets mated, or loses his queen.})
42... Kd4 43. Nd6 ({As} 43. f6 {fails to} Ne4+ {, Black's win is already
trivial.}) 43... Ke5 44. Nb5 Kxf5 45. f3 h5 0-1

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 1st"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2013.09.09"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2813"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2013.09.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Aronian was the last person on his board, arriving only a few minutes before
the opening moves.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1
b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 b4 9. d4 d6 10. dxe5 Nxe5 11. Nbd2 {The players
confidently blitzed to this position, but here Aronian began to think. Maybe
he was not anticipating this in his preparation, but it seemed that he wasn't
out of his own book as he quickly replied...} Nfd7 12. Nd4 c5 13. Nf5 {Hikaru
has nothing to complain out of the opening. His powerful control of the
lightsquares a dangerous knight on f5 should give him the better position.} Nf6
14. Ne3 (14. Nf3 $5 {was maybe a better move, trying to mobilize all of
White's pieces, but Black can try to create counterplay after} Bxf5 15. exf5
Qc7 {preparing c4.} (15... c4 $2 {this move immediately does not work because}
16. Nxe5 cxb3 17. Nc6 {is a deadly fork.})) 14... Bb7 15. f3 Ng6 $6 {White
retains strong pressure after this. Levon spent a lot of time on this move but
maybe he was not confident in his calculations nonetheless.} (15... d5 $1 {
Breaking in the center is the only reason to put the bishop on b7.} 16. exd5
Nxd5 17. Nxd5 Bxd5 18. Rxe5 Bxb3 19. Rxe7 $1 (19. cxb3 $2 Qd4+ 20. Kh1 Qxe5 {
and Black wins.}) 19... Qxe7 20. Nxb3 Rad8 21. Qf1 c4 $1 22. Nd2 Qc5+ $1 23.
Qf2 Qe5 {Despite White's material advantage, it's very hard to see how exactly
he will untangle. It is more pleasant to be Black, but maybe Aronian was
worried that White would be able to develop and utilize his material advantage.
}) 16. Ndc4 d5 17. exd5 Nxd5 18. Nf5 Qc7 19. Nxe7+ Ngxe7 20. Bg5 {White's pair
of bishops secures him a slight but stable advantage. Also, Black's pawn
structure on the queenside is not the best.} Nf5 21. c3 (21. Na5 $5 {would've
been a very interesting move, since after} Qxa5 22. Bxd5 Bxd5 23. Qxd5 {
White's pieces are clearly dominating the board.}) 21... bxc3 22. bxc3 h6 23.
Qd3 g6 24. Bd2 Rad8 25. Qe2 Nf4 {It seems that with this move Black starts
regaining control of the position and equality. White's only advantage is the
pair of bishops and without it Black should hold without problems.} 26. Bxf4
Qxf4 27. Rad1 Bd5 28. Nd2 Bxb3 29. Nxb3 Qxa4 30. Nxc5 Qb5 $4 {A stunning
blunder!} (30... Qc6 31. Ne4 {would have led to an easy draw.}) 31. Qxb5 axb5
32. Nd7 {Nakamura played this instantly, after which Aronian was visibly
shaken. He might have completely forgotten about this resource which wins an
exchange. The Armenian was very fidgety before he decided his best chance was
to immediately take on d7.} Rxd7 33. Rxd7 Ra8 {Without the queenside pawns
Black might have some hope of holding the draw.} 34. Kf2 Ra6 35. g4 Nh4 36. f4
Rc6 37. Re8+ Kg7 38. Ree7 Rf6 39. Kg3 g5 40. f5 h5 41. Re6 {Nakamura starts
the tournament with an unexpected win.} 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 1st"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2013.09.10"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B43"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2013.09.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 {A small surprise. Kamsky has used the Sicilian many times in the
past, but he is better known as a Spanish player.} 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4
a6 5. Nc3 b5 6. Bd3 Bb7 7. O-O Nc6 8. Nxc6 Bxc6 {Interestingly, both players
have had this position with Black.} 9. Re1 (9. Qe2 $6 Bc5 10. e5 Bd4 $1 11. Rd1
Qb6 {with adequate counterplay in Felgaer-Kamsky, 2010.}) 9... Qb8 10. a4 (10.
Qe2 Bd6 11. e5 Bc7 {was the end of the game in Gashimov-Nakamura, Tata Steel
2012. The game still has lot of life left, of course.}) 10... b4 11. Nd5 {
The knight is obviously taboo, but it isn't immediately threatening anything
by itself - the main point is that it is supporting the move Bf4.} Bd6 12. Qh5
Ne7 13. Nxe7 Bxe7 14. b3 a5 $6 {Kamsky played this move very quickly, but it
is hard to justify exactly why a5 was necessary.} (14... O-O $5 15. Bb2 f6 {
looks dangerous, but might be entirely playable as at some point Black might
play e5 to close White's bishops, or at least he will be ready to meet e5 with
f5 closing the diagonals in that way.}) 15. Bb2 Bf6 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. e5 {
Black has a lot of weakness and will have to prove that his activity can
compensate for this and hold his position together.} Rg8 18. g3 Rg5 19. Qh6
Rxe5 20. Qxf6 Rh5 $1 {An important move, without this Black would quickly lose
the h7 pawn without compensation.} 21. Be4 $1 {Nakamura uses the fact that the
security of the king is a prime factor in major piece endgames - and it is
clear that the e8 king is not a happy camper.} Qd8 22. Qf3 Rc5 23. Qe3 {
A strange choice, as now Kamsky could simplify the position significantly.} (
23. Bxc6 {was more in tune with White's plans.} dxc6 (23... Rxc6 $2 24. Re4 $1
{and immediately Black has serious problems with his king and the h7-pawn.})
24. Rad1 Qg5 (24... Rd5 25. Rxd5 Qxd5 26. Qf6 {and again the h7-pawn is the
issue}) 25. Rd6 {and it seems impossible to defend c6, which nets White an
extra pawn.}) 23... Qe7 (23... Re5 24. Qd4 Rxe4 25. Rxe4 Bxe4 26. Qxe4 h6 $11 {
and Black is barely holding, but his counterplay against the weak c2 pawn
seems to keep him alive and almost equal.}) 24. Bxh7 $5 {The only way to fight
for an advantage. This comes with some risk as the bishop will be trapped and
out of play for a long time, while the pawn advantage will not be of use for
many moves.} f5 {This is of course Black's point} 25. Bg6+ Kd8 {The king heads
to safer grounds, while it will allow the a8-rook to swing back to the game.}
26. Rac1 $5 {A "mysterious" rook move as Nimzowitsch would say. The idea is
that a potential c3 break might be very powerful.} Kc7 27. Bh5 e5 $5 {Very
optimistic.} ({Black could also have played...} 27... Qd6 $5 28. Rcd1 f4 $1 {
and the game turns to be quite interesting as White has to play carefully to
not get into hot water.}) 28. f4 $6 {Not a move that Nakamura wanted to play,
but he thought it was necessary to stop Black's play.} (28. c4 $5 {Securing
the queenside structure} f4 29. Qe2 e4 $1 {Black obtains a strong attack.})
28... Qd6 $1 {With Nakamura down to only four minutes - an extremely unusual
event - Kamsky has secured both good counterplay and dangerous tactical
chances against his opponent.} 29. Rf1 exf4 30. Qxf4 Be4 31. Qf2 Rc3 32. Be2
Kb7 $6 {An unfortunate decision. Kamsky was clearly worried about the queen's
opportunities on the f2-a7 diagonal, but now his own queen will be tied down
to the d7-pawn - not a position it wants to be in.} 33. Rcd1 Qe6 34. Bc4 d5 35.
Qc5 $1 {Nakamura is such a resourceful player! Here the bishop is poisoned.}
Rd8 (35... dxc4 $2 36. Rd6 $1 {and the threats will soon be lethal on the king,
so Black must give up his queen.}) 36. Qxa5 $1 {Amazing! Despite the fact that
it looks like White has no time to do this, he is just barely able to take
Black's pawns on time.} Rxc2 $2 {Maybe the losing move.} (36... Qb6+ 37. Qxb6+
Kxb6 38. Bd3 Kc5 {still is difficult for White as Black is very active.}) 37.
Rf2 $1 {Very important not to go for the intermezzo yet:} (37. Qxb4+ $6 Qb6+
38. Qxb6+ Kxb6 39. Rf2 dxc4 $1 {and White will have many problems with the
passed b-pawn after} 40. Rxd8 Rc1+ $1 41. Rf1 Rxf1+ 42. Kxf1 cxb3 {with an
unclear position that should end in a draw.}) 37... Rxf2 38. Qxd8 $1 (38. Qxb4+
Qb6 39. Qxb6+ Kxb6 40. Kxf2 Kc5 {is still unclear as Black's pieces are very
active.}) 38... Rg2+ 39. Kf1 Rb2 (39... Rxh2 {was no better since after} 40.
Bxd5+ Bxd5 41. Qxd5+ Qxd5 42. Rxd5 {the b4-pawn cannot be saved.}) 40. Bxd5+
Bxd5 41. Qxd5+ Qxd5 42. Rxd5 1-0

[Event "Paris FIDE GP"]
[Site "Elancourt"]
[Date "2013.09.29"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D70"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2013.09.22"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "2:00:00"]
[BlackClock "2:00:00"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 2. c4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} g6 {[%emt 0:
00:04]} 3. f3 {[%emt 0:00:11] An aggressive system against the Gruenfeld.
Black could transpose back into the King's Indian Defense after which White
would have already committed to the Saemisch.'} d5 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 4. cxd5 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 5. e4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Nb6 {[%emt 0:00:
04]} 6. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 7. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} O-O {
[%emt 0:00:39]} 8. Qd2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:54]} 9. O-O-O {[%emt 0:
00:13]} Qd6 {[%emt 0:00:18] A position of much interest in recent years.'} (
9... e5) (9... f5) 10. h4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} (10. Nb5 Qd7 11. Bh6 Bxh6 12. Qxh6
a6 13. Nc3 Nxd4 {was Sivdler-Caruana from earlier this year that ended in a
draw.}) 10... Rd8 {[%emt 0:03:10]} 11. Nb5 {[%emt 0:03:21]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:00:39]
} 12. h5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} a6 {[%emt 0:03:47]} 13. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:17]} Nxd4 {
[%emt 0:43:22]} 14. hxg6 {[%emt 0:00:17]} hxg6 $4 {[%emt 0:08:43]
Unexplainable. Black loses disastrous amounts of material with basic tactics.'}
(14... fxg6 $8 15. g4 Qc6 $5 16. Qf2 Ne6 {Grischuk-Mamedyarov, Tal Memorial
2010. This ended in a draw.}) 15. Bxd4 {[%emt 0:04:09]} Qxd4 {[%emt 0:10:14]} (
15... Bxd4 16. Qh6 {with the simple threat of Nge2, so Black must get out of
the way and fall to the secondary threat.} Qd6 17. Rxd4 (17. Nge2 $2 Qf6 $11)
17... Qxd4 18. Qh7+ Kf8 19. Qh8+ Qxh8 20. Rxh8+ Kg7 21. Rxd8 $18 {And Black is
simply down a piece.}) 16. Qe1 {[%emt 0:01:02]} (16. Qf4) (16. Qg5 {both win
as well with the same idea.}) 16... Qxd1+ {[%emt 0:00:04]} 17. Nxd1 {[%emt 0:
00:04] Black has a rook and a pawn for a queen. That's just not enough.'} Na4 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} 18. b3 {[%emt 0:10:59]} Nc5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 19. e5 {[%emt 0:
00:10]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:01:26]} 20. f4 {[%emt 0:01:08]} a5 {[%emt 0:02:45]} 21.
Nf3 {[%emt 0:02:07]} a4 {[%emt 0:00:13] If Caruana hadn't blundered so early
he might have resigned as soon as he lost his queen.'} 22. b4 {[%emt 0:00:07]}
Nb3+ {[%emt 0:00:25] might as well go for the desperado'} 23. axb3 {[%emt 0:01:
32]} a3 {[%emt 0:03:23]} 24. Qc3 {[%emt 0:00:46]} e6 {[%emt 0:00:47]} 25. Ne3 {
[%emt 0:02:10]} a2 {[%emt 0:02:07]} 26. Qa1 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Bf8 {[%emt 0:00:
19]} 27. Nxf5 {[%emt 0:04:24]} gxf5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 28. b5 {[%emt 0:00:28]} c6
{[%emt 0:05:32]} 29. bxc6 {[%emt 0:04:28]} Rdc8 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 30. Bc4 {
[%emt 0:00:19]} Rxc6 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 31. Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Rcc8 {[%emt 0:
00:11]} 32. Kc2 {[%emt 0:00:29]} Bb4 {[%emt 0:00:34]} 33. g4 {[%emt 0:00:47]}
fxg4 {[%emt 0:00:26]} 34. f5 {[%emt 0:00:05] Black's run out of immediate
threats and he will get promptly mated. A big blunder for sure!'} 1-0

[Event "Paris FIDE GP"]
[Site "Elancourt"]
[Date "2013.09.30"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2013.09.22"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. c3 g6 {Black immediately
develops his B to the long diagonal. In the normal Ruy Lopez it takes two more
tempi via Re8, Bf8, g6, Bg7.} 7. O-O Bg7 8. Re1 O-O 9. h3 b5 10. Bc2 Bb7 11.
Nbd2 Re8 {With the double fianchetto Black is well-prepared against the
central push d3-d4.} 12. a4 ({Five years ago Ivanchuk tried this line with
Black too.} 12. d4 Nb8 {Black wants to build up a Breyer type of position.} (
12... d5 {is the typical central breakthrough in the Spanish.} 13. dxe5 Nxe5
14. Nxe5 Rxe5 15. Nf3 Re8 16. e5 Ne4 (16... Nd7)) 13. Rb1 Nbd7 14. d5 c6 15. c4
Qc7 16. b3 Bh6 17. Nf1 Bxc1 18. Rxc1 bxc4 19. bxc4 Nc5 $13 {
Morozevich-Ivanchuk, Nice blind 2008.}) 12... Nb8 (12... h6 13. axb5 axb5 14.
Rxa8 Bxa8 15. Bb3 Na5 16. Ba2 c5 17. Nf1 d5 18. exd5 Bxd5 19. Bxd5 Qxd5 20. Qe2
Nc6 $11 {Vysochin-Kobalia, Internet blitz 2003.}) 13. b4 {A flexible move on
the queenside.} c5 $146 (13... Nbd7 14. Nb3 Rb8 15. Be3 d5 16. Qb1 Bf8 17. axb5
axb5 18. Ra5 c5 (18... Nb6 $6 19. Rxb5 $1 dxe4 20. dxe4 Nc4 21. Bc1 c6 {
Black wins the exchange, but it doesn't help him.} 22. Rc5 $1 Bxc5 23. Nxc5 Bc8
24. Bb3 $16 {Kr.Georgiev-Flear, Saint Affrique 2005}) 19. bxc5 dxe4 20. dxe4
Nxc5 21. Bxc5 Bxc5 22. Rxb5 Bb6 23. Rxe5 Rxe5 24. Nxe5 Qc7 25. Nf3 Qxc3 {
and Black has some drawing chances.}) 14. bxc5 dxc5 15. Rb1 Bc6 16. Bb2 Nh5 ({
The natural} 16... Nbd7 {can be met by} 17. d4 $1 exd4 18. cxd4 cxd4 19. Nxd4
$14 {and White is slightly better.}) 17. g3 {Otherwise Nf4.} Bd7 (17... Nd7 {
was also possible, but Nakamura wanted to put his N on c6.}) 18. h4 Nc6 19. Bb3
(19. Nf1 {was also logical.}) 19... h6 {Black wants to avoid Ng5.} 20. Bd5 Rb8
21. Nb3 (21. axb5 axb5 22. Qb3 Qe7 23. Ra1 Nf6 24. Ra6 Rec8 25. Rea1 {with a
double-edged fight.}) 21... Qb6 22. axb5 axb5 23. Ba3 b4 24. Bb2 (24. cxb4 $6 {
is dubious, as} cxb4 25. Bb2 Nxg3) ({The engine suggests} 24. Nbd2 Ne7 (24...
Qa6 25. Bb2 bxc3 26. Bxc3 Qxd3 27. Rxb8 Rxb8 28. Re3 Qb5 29. Qa1 $44 {and
White has some compensation for the P.}) 25. Nc4 Qa7 26. cxb4 Nxd5 27. exd5 Bg4
{ect. typical moves by Mr. Houdini.}) 24... Bg4 (24... Nf6 {was an interesting
alternative. Black would like to remove the strong d5 B.} 25. Bc4 Bg4 26. Qe2 {
followed by Qe3 and still the position is unclear.}) 25. Nbd2 Ne7 26. Bc4 Nc6
27. Ra1 (27. Bd5 {is a repetition of moves, but Ivanchuk still wanted to
continue the fight.}) 27... Qc7 28. Qc2 Nf6 29. Rec1 bxc3 ({Maybe} 29... Rb6 {
was more accurate to keep the tension.}) 30. Bxc3 Nd4 ({In the event of} 30...
Nd7 31. Ra6 Nb6 32. Bb5 {and White has a comfortable position.}) 31. Nxd4 cxd4
32. Ba5 Qe7 33. Rcb1 Be6 34. Qa2 Bxc4 35. Nxc4 $14 {This position is slightly
better for White, because his B is much better than Black's one, and the black
central Ps are fixed on the dark squares. On the other hand it isn't so easy
to improve the position with White.} Ra8 36. Rb5 Nd7 37. Rab1 Reb8 38. Rd5
Rxb1+ 39. Qxb1 Rb8 40. Qa2 Qe6 (40... Nf8 41. Kg2 h5 {and Black tries to hold.}
) 41. Kg2 Qc6 42. Bd2 ({The computer immediately suggests the strong} 42. Rd6
$1 Qb7 43. Bb4 $1 Qb5 (43... Qxb4 44. Rxd7 $16) 44. Rd5 Qb7 45. Bd6 $16 {
and Black is in trouble.}) 42... Ra8 43. Qb1 h5 44. Rd6 Qa4 45. Qb7 Ra7 46. Qd5
Kh7 $1 {A very nice cool-blooded move.} 47. Qxf7 Nf6 48. Nb6 Qa3 49. Bc1 Rxf7
50. Bxa3 Ng4 51. f4 exf4 52. gxf4 Rxf4 53. Rd7 Rf2+ 54. Kg3 Kg8 55. Nc4 {
The position is completely drawn, probably White lost on time.} 0-1

[Event "EU-Cup 29th"]
[Site "Rhodes"]
[Date "2013.10.24"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E71"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2013.10.20"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "St Petersburg"]
[BlackTeam "Padova"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ITA"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. h3 O-O 6. Bg5 Na6 7. f4 $6 {An
unusual and hardly effective combination of opening moves.} Nh5 (7... Qe8 {
[%cal Ye7e5] is good, too:} 8. Nf3 (8. Bd3 e5 (8... c5 $5) 9. fxe5 dxe5 10. d5
Nh5 11. Nge2 f5 12. Qd2 Nc5 13. Bc2 fxe4 14. Nxe4 Nxe4 15. Bxe4 Bf5 16. Bxf5
gxf5 17. O-O-O Qg6 $36 {1-0 (56) Arbakov,V (2471)-Kurnosov,I (2287) Alushta
2000}) 8... e5 $5 (8... Nh5 9. g4 Ng3 10. Rg1 Nxf1 11. Kxf1 e6 12. Qd2 f6 13.
Bh4 c6 14. Bg3 f5 $132 {1/2 (22) Kuzenkov,A (2375)-Sonzogno,A (2560) ICCF 1998}
) 9. fxe5 dxe5 10. d5 (10. Nxe5 c5 $1) (10. dxe5 Nd7) 10... Nh5 {with
excellent play for Black.}) 8. Nge2 c5 $1 $146 {[%mdl 8]} (8... h6 9. Bh4 f5 $6
10. exf5 gxf5 11. g3 Qe8 12. Bg2 e5 13. dxe5 dxe5 14. fxe5 Qxe5 15. Qd5+ Qxd5
16. Bxd5+ Kh7 17. Bf3 Nf6 18. O-O-O $14 {1/2 (26) Spassky,B (2545)-Polgar,J 
(2665) Hoogeveen 1998 EXT 1999 [Hazai]}) (8... f6 9. Bh4 Bh6 10. Qd2 (10. f5
$142 $1 $13) 10... e5 11. dxe5 dxe5 12. Qxd8 Rxd8 13. Nd5 g5 14. Nxf6+ Nxf6 15.
fxg5 Nb4 $17 {0-1 (31) Fischer,J (2355)-Kaminik,A (2190) Bad Wiessee 2000}) 9.
d5 b5 $5 {This aggressive play in the spirit of the Benko Gambit is justified
by the fact that White's kingside is seriously weakened.} (9... Nc7 10. g4 Nf6
11. Bg2 {is more passive.}) 10. cxb5 Nc7 11. a4 Rb8 12. g4 Nf6 13. Ng3 (13. Bg2
a6 14. Qb3 {, to gain some time for development while Black will be dealing
with recapturing the b-pawn, is still in Black's favour:} axb5 15. axb5 Bd7 16.
b6 Nb5 $1 17. Na4 (17. Nxb5 Qxb6) 17... Be8 18. O-O Nd7 $1 $15) 13... h6 (13...
a6 $5 14. Bd3 axb5 15. axb5 Nd7) 14. Bh4 Nh7 15. Qd2 a6 16. Bc4 (16. e5 $1 dxe5
17. Nge4 {was a good tactical chance leading to unclear complications.}) 16...
axb5 17. axb5 Bd7 {Now Black simply recaptures the b5-pawn and obtains the
better prospects.} 18. e5 $6 {Too late!} (18. Nge2 $142 Nxb5 19. O-O) 18...
Bxb5 $1 19. Nxb5 (19. b3 Bxc4 20. bxc4 dxe5 21. Nge4 exf4 22. d6 Ng5 23. dxc7
Qxc7 24. Bxg5 hxg5 25. O-O Bd4+ 26. Kg2 Qe5 $17) 19... Nxb5 20. Qa5 $2 (20. Qd3
$142 Nd4 21. Ne4 Rxb2 22. O-O {with some counterplay for the pawn.}) 20... Qe8
$1 21. O-O g5 22. Nf5 gxh4 {Black has won a whole piece: too high a price for
some activity for White's pieces!} 23. Rae1 dxe5 24. Rxe5 Bxe5 25. fxe5 e6 26.
Nxh6+ Kg7 27. Qd2 Qd8 28. Rf6 Nd4 29. Nxf7 Nxf6 0-1

[Event "WchT 9th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2013.11.27"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E36"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2013.11.26"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "US of America"]
[BlackTeam "Russia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "USA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 d5 7. Nf3 dxc4 8.
Qxc4 b6 9. Bg5 Ba6 10. Qc3 {A rare continuation in this popular line.} (10. Qa4
{and}) (10. Qc2 {are usually played. In the latter case after} Nbd7 11. Ne5 {
doesn't promise anything due to} c5 $1 {, e.g.} 12. Nxd7 Qxd7 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14.
dxc5 Rac8 15. Rd1 Qb5 16. e3 Qa5+ 17. Qd2 Qxd2+ 18. Rxd2 Bxf1 19. Rxf1 Rxc5 $11
{1/2 (64) Rotstein,A (2519)-Tischbierek,R (2507) Austria 2004}) 10... h6 (10...
Nbd7 {is quite logical; White can play} 11. Ne5 (11. Qc6 Rc8 12. Rd1 Nb8 13.
Qa4 Qd5 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. h4 Bc4 16. Qb4 Bb3 17. Rd3 Bc2 18. Rd2 c5 $132 {
1/2 (40) Shen,Y (2453)-Xu Yuhua (2485) JinZhou 2009}) {but it is hardly
dangerous in view of} 11... Nxe5 ({the idea of 10.Qc3 is seen in the line} 
11... c5 12. Nxd7 Qxd7 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. dxc5 {[%cal Rc3f6]}) 12. dxe5 Ne4 13.
Bxd8 Nxc3 {, e.g.} 14. Bxc7 (14. Bh4 Nd5) 14... Rfc8 15. Bd6 Ne4 {[%cal Rc8c2]}
16. f3 Nxd6 17. exd6 Rc2 18. e4 Bxf1 19. Rxf1 Rxg2 20. Rc1 Rd8 21. Rf2 Rg1+ 22.
Rf1 Rg2 23. Rf2 Rg1+ 24. Rf1 Rg2 {1/2 (24) Shen,Y (2435)-Xu Yuhua (2488)
Ulaanbaatar 2010}) 11. Bxf6 $1 (11. Bh4 $143 g5 12. Bg3 Ne4 13. Qc2 Qd5 14. Nd2
(14. Ne5 $5 $13) 14... Nxd2 15. Qxd2 Nc6 16. e3 Bxf1 17. Rxf1 Na5 $15 {1/2 (41)
Maiorov,N (2538)-Lekic,D (2430) Anogia GRE 2013}) 11... Qxf6 12. g3 $5 (12. e3
Bxf1 13. Kxf1 c5 $1 $11) (12. Rc1 Bb7 (12... Rc8 13. e3 Bxf1 14. Kxf1) 13. e3
Nd7 14. Bb5 c6 15. Be2 c5 $11) 12... Bb7 {A small inaccuracy. The bishop was
putting pressure on the e2-square; there was no need to remove it.} (12... c5 {
was quite possible and simple:} 13. dxc5 (13. Bg2 Nd7 14. Ne5 Rad8) 13... Qxc3+
14. bxc3 Rc8 $1 15. Bg2 Bb7 16. cxb6 axb6 {, and Black's counterplay is enough
for a draw}) 13. Bg2 Na6 $6 {[%mdl 32] To the edge of the board?} (13... c5 14.
O-O Nd7 {was still quite good.}) 14. O-O c5 15. Rac1 Rac8 (15... cxd4 16. Qxd4
Qxd4 (16... Qe7 17. b4) 17. Nxd4 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 {leads to a typical endgame,
where White's knight, aiming at the c6 square, is stronger than Black's.}) 16.
Ne5 cxd4 (16... Qe7 17. Rfd1 Rfd8 18. Qe3 $14 cxd4 $140 19. Rxc8 $1 Rxc8 20.
Rxd4) 17. Qxd4 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 $14 {Here, too, White keeps the better prospects
due to his stronger knight.} Nc5 19. b4 (19. Qe3 $5 Qe7 20. Rfd1 {[%cal Rb2b4]
deserved attention. It was not easy for Black to release pressure. The text
move leads to a more forced play, in which White keeps an edge, too.}) 19...
Nb3 20. Rxc8 Rxc8 ({Also after} 20... Nxd4 21. Rxf8+ Kh7 22. Nxf7 Qf5 $1 {
White keeps an edge with accurate play:} 23. f3 $1 (23. h4 Qe4+ 24. f3 Qxe2+
25. Rf2 Qe1 $132) 23... Nxe2 (23... Qb5 $143 24. Rd8 Qxe2+ 25. Rf2 Qe3 26. h4
$16) 24. Re1 $1 Qc2 (24... Nd4 $2 25. Rh8+ Kg6 26. Ne5+) 25. Rh8+ Kg6 26. Ne5+
Kh5 (26... Kf6 27. Kf1 $1) 27. Kf1 $1 (27. Kh3 Qd2 $1 28. Rf1 Qe3 $13) 27...
Nc1 28. Re4 Qd1+ 29. Kg2 Qc2+ 30. Kh3 $16 {[%csl Rh5]}) 21. Qd7 {[%csl Rb3]}
Rf8 (21... Rd8 22. Qc7 {[%cal Re5f7]} Rd2 (22... Nd4 23. Rd1) 23. Nd7 $16) 22.
f4 $16 {Black's main trouble is his ill-fated knight.} Qf5 23. Rf3 Qc2 24. Qd3
$1 Qxd3 25. Rxd3 {[%mdl 4096]} Nc1 26. Rd2 (26. Rd7 $5 Nxe2 27. Rxa7 $16 {
was more energetic - White has more active pieces and a potential passed
a-pawn.}) 26... Rc8 (26... Nb3 27. Rd7 a5 28. Rb7) 27. h4 h5 28. b5 Rc7 29. Nc6
Kh7 (29... Nb3 30. Rd8+ Kh7 31. Ra8 {. With the text move Black parries this
threat but now his knight doesn't come out.}) 30. Rb2 $1 a5 {After this move
the b6 pawn becomes weak but passive defence was hardly more stubborn:} (30...
f6 31. Kf2 Rd7 32. Ke3 Kg6 33. Rb4 {[%cal Yb4a4,Ya4a7]}) (30... a6 $2 {loses
due to} 31. Rc2 {[%cal Rc2c1,Rb5a6]}) 31. Kf2 Rd7 32. Ne5 Rc7 33. Rd2 (33. Ke3
$5) 33... f6 34. Nd7 {[%cal Rd7b6,Rd7f8]} Nb3 35. Nf8+ (35. Rd1 $6 Nc5 36. Nxb6
Rb7) ({The rook ending after} 35. Rd6 Nc5 36. Nxc5 Rxc5 37. Rxb6 Rc3 {gives
Black good drawing chances}) 35... Kg8 36. Rd7 Rxd7 $2 {The knight endgame
with an extra pawn is completely winning for White.} (36... Rc3 $1 {was a must,
and Black should apparently survive:} 37. Nxe6 Nc5 38. Rxg7+ (38. Nxc5 Rxc5 39.
a4 Rc4 40. Rb7 Rxa4 41. Rxb6 Rb4) 38... Kh8 39. Re7 Ne4+ 40. Kf1 Nxg3+ 41. Ke1
Rxa3 {etc.}) 37. Nxd7 Nd4 (37... a4 38. Ke3 $18) 38. a4 $1 Nxb5 {Desperation.
Black's a-pawn will be stopped.} 39. axb5 a4 40. Nc5 $1 a3 41. Nb3 a2 42. Ke3
Kf7 43. Kd4 Ke7 44. e4 {[%cal Yd4c3,Yc3b2]} e5+ 45. fxe5 Ke6 46. Na1 fxe5+ 47.
Kc3 g5 (47... Kd6 48. Nb3) 48. Kb2 gxh4 49. gxh4 Kd6 50. Nb3 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 76th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2014.01.11"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E32"]
[WhiteElo "2789"]
[BlackElo "2718"]
[Annotator "Sumets,A"]
[PlyCount "129"]
[EventDate "2014.01.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 159"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 {The main line and probably the
strongest one. The disadvantage of the line is that Black has too many
interesting options, that promise him an equal game.} Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b6 (6... d5
7. Nf3 dxc4 8. Qxc4 b6 9. Bg5 Ba6 10. Qc3 {a very rare line} h6 11. Bxf6 Qxf6
12. g3 Bb7 13. Bg2 Na6 (13... c5 $5 14. O-O Nd7) 14. O-O c5 15. Rac1 Rac8 16.
Ne5 cxd4 $6 17. Qxd4 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 Nc5 19. b4 Nb3 20. Rxc8 Rxc8 21. Qd7 $16 {
1-0 (50) Nakamura,H (2786)-Kramnik,V (2793) Antalya TUR 2013}) (6... b5 {
This gambit line was often played by Naiditsch} 7. cxb5 c6 8. Bg5 cxb5 9. e3
Bb7 10. Nf3 h6 11. Bh4 g5 (11... a6 12. Bd3 d6 13. O-O Nbd7 14. Rfc1 Qb6 15.
Qc7 Rfc8 16. Qxb6 Nxb6 17. Bg3 Rxc1+ 18. Rxc1 Rc8 19. Rxc8+ Nxc8 20. h3 Ne4 21.
Bh2 Kf8 $11 {L'Ami,E (2628)-Nakamura,H (2751) Wijk aan Zee 2011 0-1 (43).}) 12.
Bg3 Ne4 13. Qd3 (13. Qc2 Na6 14. b4 Rc8 15. Qb2 Nc7 (15... h5 $5 16. h4 g4 17.
Ne5 d6 18. Nd3 Nxg3 19. fxg3 Nc7 $15) 16. Bd3 f5 17. O-O d6 18. Nd2 h5 $6 (
18... Nxg3 19. hxg3 Qe7 $11) 19. Bxe4 fxe4 20. h3 h4 21. Bh2 Qd7 22. Rac1 $14
Na8 $6 23. Qb1 d5 24. f3 $16 {Drozdovskij,Y (2603)-Naiditsch,A (2700) Odessa
2009 1/2 (64)}) 13... a6 14. Nd2 f5 15. Rc1 Nxg3 16. hxg3 Kg7 17. Qc3 Qc8 18.
Qxc8 Rxc8 19. Rxc8 Bxc8 20. Bd3 Ra7 {Dreev,A (2654)-Naiditsch,A (2708) Warsaw
2012 1-0 (51)} 21. f4 $5 Rc7 22. Kf2 $14) 7. Bg5 Bb7 8. e3 d6 9. f3 {or} (9.
Ne2 Nbd7 10. Qc2 h6 (10... c5 11. Nc3) 11. Bh4 c5 12. Rd1 (12. dxc5 {see the
game Morozevich,A-Moiseenko,A EU-ChT 2011 1-0 (58) annotated by Marin}) 12...
cxd4 13. Rxd4 Qc7 14. Nc3 d5 15. cxd5 Nxd5 16. Rc4 Qb8 17. Be2 Nxc3 18. Qxc3
Bd5 19. Bg3 e5 20. Rc7 Rc8 21. Rxc8+ Qxc8 22. O-O Qxc3 23. bxc3 Rc8 {1/2 (23)
Inarkiev,E (2693)-Jakovenko,D (2724) Poikovsky 2013}) 9... h6 (9... Nbd7 10.
Bd3 Rc8 11. Rc1 c5 12. Ne2 h6 13. Bh4 cxd4 14. Qxd4 d5 15. cxd5 Rxc1+ 16. Nxc1
Qc8 17. O-O Nxd5 18. e4 $6 (18. Nb3 $5 e5 (18... Ba6 19. Rc1 Qb7 20. Be4 $14)
19. Qa4 Nxe3 $6 20. Rc1 Nc5 21. Nxc5 bxc5 22. Be7 $16) 18... e5 19. Qf2 Nf4 20.
Rd1 Nc5 21. Bf1 Ba6 $11 {Danielian,E (2470)-Koneru,H (2607) Tashkent 2013 0-1 
(58)}) 10. Bh4 Nbd7 11. Bd3 {Other moves were also at the centre of discussion.
} ({A very rare line.} 11. O-O-O {See the game Gelfand,B (2700)-Anand,V (2635)
Munich 1991 1-0 (59) commented by Gelfand}) ({Up to the moment Black is OK
after} 11. Nh3 Re8 12. Be2 e5 13. O-O Qe7 14. Bf2 Nf8 15. Kh1 Ng6 16. b4 a5 17.
e4 Nh5 18. dxe5 Nhf4 19. Nxf4 Nxf4 20. Bd1 axb4 21. axb4 Rxa1 22. Qxa1 dxe5 23.
c5 Qg5 $6 (23... Nd3 $11) 24. Bg3 Ra8 25. Qc3 Ba6 26. Rg1 $14 {1-0 (77)
Eljanov,P (2761)-Polgar,J (2682) Khanty-Mansiysk 2010}) 11... c5 12. Ne2 Rc8
13. Qb3 d5 14. cxd5 Bxd5 ({According to Houdini} 14... cxd4 $5 {is not worse
than 14...Bxd5. The only game, that I managed to find in the database continued
} 15. exd4 $8 (15. Nxd4 $6 Nc5 16. Qd1 Qxd5 17. Bxf6 gxf6 $15) 15... Bxd5 16.
Qa4 Bc6 17. Qd1 b5 18. O-O Qb6 $132 {Brittner,S (2182)-Uribe,M (2364) Bled
2002 0-1 (37)}) 15. Qd1 cxd4 16. Nxd4 Bc4 17. O-O Bxd3 {The most reliable way.}
(17... a6 18. Rc1 b5 19. Bxc4 Rxc4 20. Rxc4 bxc4 21. Qa4 $14 Qb6 22. Qxc4 Qxb2
23. Qxa6 Nd5 24. Bf2 Nc5 25. Qd6 Nd3 26. Nxe6 fxe6 27. Qxe6+ Kh8 28. Qxd5 Nxf2
29. Qc5 $6 (29. Qe6 $3 {I believe that human players can't find such kind
moves.} Nd3 30. Qd6 Ra8 31. Qxd3 Rxa3 32. Qd8+ Kh7 33. Re1 Ra2 34. Qd3+ Kh8 35.
Qf1 $16) 29... Nh3+ 30. Kh1 (30. gxh3 Rf6 31. Qh5 Qe2 $44) 30... Nf2+ 31. Kg1
Nh3+ 32. Kh1 {1/2 (32) Sokolov,I (2625)-Georgiev,K (2610) Elenite 1992}) 18.
Qxd3 {White keeps some pressure in this line. Nevertheless, the most likely
outcome of the game is a draw.} Ne5 19. Qe2 Ng6 20. Bf2 $146 {A novelty that
can't change the long established verdict that the line is very drawish.} (20.
Bg3 Nd5 21. Rad1 Qe7 22. Qd2 Rfd8 23. e4 (23. Rc1 $5 Qb7 24. Rxc8 Rxc8 25. Rd1
a6 26. e4 {White has a tiny edge.}) 23... Nf6 24. Bf2 Qd7 25. Be3 Qa4 {1/2 (25)
Khalifman,A (2667) -Lutz,C (2595) New Delhi/Teheran 2000}) 20... e5 21. Nb5 Qe7
22. Rfd1 {Due to his bishop, White is slightly better. Black should avoid the
queen exchange.} Rfd8 23. Be1 (23. Rxd8+ Rxd8 24. Rc1 a6 25. Rc7 (25. Nc3 e4
26. Rd1 Rxd1+ 27. Qxd1 exf3 28. gxf3 Ne5 $11 {Black's position is at least not
worse}) 25... Qe6 26. Nc3 b5 27. e4 Nf4 28. Qc2 Qd6 29. Ra7 Qd2 $15) 23... Nd5
24. Nc3 ({Of course not} 24. e4 $4 {due to} Ngf4 25. Qf2 Ne3 $3 26. Rxd8+ Rxd8
27. Qxe3 Qg5 $19) 24... Nxc3 25. Bxc3 Rxd1+ {A premature rook exchange.} ({
I think Black should have changed the pawn structure in the centre:} 25... e4
$5 26. f4 (26. Rxd8+ Rxd8 27. Rd1 $11) 26... Qe6 27. Kf2 Ne7 $11) 26. Rxd1 Rd8
27. Rd2 Rd7 (27... Rxd2 28. Qxd2 Qg5 (28... e4 $2 29. Qd4 f6 30. Qd5+ Kh7 31.
f4 $16) 29. a4 Qf5 30. Kf2 f6 {White's advantage is insignificant.}) 28. Qd1
Nf8 29. Bb4 Rxd2 30. Qxd2 Qd7 31. Bd6 Ng6 {A bit passive.} (31... Ne6 $5 {
He could find a little tactical trick} 32. Qd5 Qc8 $1 {and White has to accept
the draw:} 33. Bxe5 (33. Qxe5 Qc1+ 34. Kf2 Qd2+ 35. Kg3 $2 (35. Kf1 $11) 35...
Qe1+ 36. Kh3 Qf2 $17) 33... Qc1+ 34. Kf2 Qc2+ 35. Kf1 Nc5 36. h3 Qb1+ 37. Kf2
Nd3+ 38. Kg3 Qe1+ 39. Kh2 Qxe3 40. Bg3 $11) 32. Kf2 f6 33. Qd5+ Kh7 34. Qd3 f5
35. h3 a5 $6 {A strange move. Black's b-pawn has clearly been exposed as a
weakling.} 36. a4 Nh4 37. b3 Qe6 38. Qd1 Qg6 $2 {It is unclear what Arkadij
overlooked, but after the obvious reply he is a piece down.} 39. g3 $1 Nxf3 $8
40. Kxf3 Qh5+ 41. g4 $8 Qxh3+ {Despite the extra bishop, It is still not easy
to win the game.} 42. Ke2 (42. Kf2 $1 Qh2+ 43. Ke1 Qh1+ 44. Kd2 Qd5+ 45. Kc1
Qc6+ 46. Kb1 $16) 42... Qxg4+ 43. Kd2 {Usually three pawns are sufficient
compensation for the bishop. However, in this case, the bishop is much
stronger.} Qe4 44. Qc2 Qg2+ 45. Kc1 Qg1+ ({Nor does} 45... Qf3 {bring any
relief:} 46. Kb2 e4 47. Qc8 h5 48. Bf4 Qe2+ 49. Ka3 Qg4 50. Qe6 Qg6 51. Qe7 $16
) 46. Kb2 e4 47. Qc8 Qg6 (47... Qg5 48. Bf4 Qf6+ 49. Qc3 $1 Qg6 (49... Qxc3+
50. Kxc3 g5 51. Bc7 h5 52. Kd2 $18) 50. Qc7 h5 51. Qe7 $16) 48. Be5 h5 49. Qd8
$16 Qg2+ 50. Ka3 Qg1 $6 (50... Qg6 {allows him to continue the resistance} 51.
Bd4 Qh6 52. Qf8 Qg6 53. Qe7 $16) 51. Qxb6 f4 52. Qb7 $1 $18 (52. Bxf4 $4 Qa1#)
52... fxe3 53. Qxe4+ Kh8 54. Bd4 Qc1+ 55. Bb2 Qc5+ 56. Ka2 Qg5 57. Bc1 h4 58.
Bxe3 Qh5 59. Bf4 Qg4 (59... h3 60. Qe6 h2 61. Qc8+ Kh7 62. Qc2+ $18) 60. Qe3 h3
61. Qg3 Qe2+ 62. Ka3 Qe7+ 63. Bd6 Qd7 64. Be5 Kg8 65. Bc3 1-0

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2014.01.31"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2773"]
[BlackElo "2789"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2014.01.30"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 159"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 {Recently Anand had some games with this
opening in the World Championship match against Carlsen, who usually chose
this move against him.} 4. d3 {Anand avoids the Berlin Variation; usually he
chooses this reply.} Bc5 5. Bxc6 (5. c3) ({and} 5. O-O {are the other lines.})
5... dxc6 6. h3 {A logical decision. White wants to avoid Bg4.} Be6 {A very
ambitious answer. Nakamura would like to castle on the queenside and he tries
to attack on the kingside.} ({However} 6... O-O {is more popular. Black's
typical plan is Re8, Nd7-f8 and f6, Ne6 with a balanced game.}) 7. Nc3 Qd6 8.
O-O O-O-O 9. a3 {A nice move. White prepares for b4 followed by Na4.} ({
The logical} 9. Na4 $2 {does not work, because of} Nxe4 $1 {.}) 9... Nh5 {
Nakamura immediately starts his attack against the white K.} ({The natural} 
9... Kb8 {was an interesting alternative,} 10. b4 Bb6 11. Na4 {and now} Nxe4 {
is not so good, as} 12. Nxb6 axb6 13. Bb2 $1 $14 {and White is very active.})
10. Na4 $1 {The black N has gone from f6, so White is ready to remove Black's
dark squared B.} Bb6 ({In the event of} 10... f6 $6 11. Nxc5 Qxc5 12. Ng5 $1
fxg5 13. Be3 $1 {An important intermediate move.} Qe7 14. Qxh5 $14 {and White
has a comfortable position.}) 11. Nxb6+ axb6 12. a4 $1 {Another strong move by
Anand. He wants to play a5 then a6 and tries to open the a-file. Now White's
attack looks quicker.} f6 13. Be3 ({The immediate} 13. a5 {could have been met
by} bxa5 14. Rxa5 b6 {followed by Kb7, Ra8 and Black is solid.}) 13... Nf4 {
Now Black is also ready to play for g5-g4!} 14. a5 $1 b5 15. d4 $6 {A mistake,
which underestimated Black's strong reply!} ({White should have played} 15. a6
$1 b6 (15... bxa6 16. Rxa6 $18 {and White has a winning attack.}) 16. Bxf4 (16.
d4 $5 {was also interesting. Here thanks to the a6 White is much better than
in the game.} Nxh3+ 17. gxh3 Bxh3 18. Re1) 16... exf4 17. Re1 $16 {and White
has a powerful position.}) 15... Nxh3+ $1 {A very strong sacrifice. Nakamura
immediately spotted his great chance!} 16. gxh3 Bxh3 17. dxe5 ({Still} 17. a6 {
was also an interesting option} bxa6 $1 18. Rxa6 Qe6 (18... Qd7 19. Nd2 $1) 19.
Nd2 $1 Qf7 20. Kh2 Bxf1 21. Nb3 $3 {a typical variation by Mr. Houdini 4!})
17... Qe6 18. Nd2 Bxf1 19. Qxf1 Qxe5 {The position has completely changed.
Black has a R and 2 P against a B and a N. Nevertheless the position is still
balanced.} 20. c3 (20. a6 {is already not so important, as} b6 {and later the
a6 P can be weak.}) 20... Kb8 21. a6 b6 22. Qg2 Rd6 $5 {A very ambitious move.
Nakamura prepares for f5 followed by Rg6.} ({The natural} 22... Rhe8 {was also
possible.}) 23. Nf1 $6 {A logical move, but it is an inaccuracy.} ({In the
event of} 23. Nb3 Re8 (23... f5 $6 {is not so good here, as} 24. exf5 Qxf5 25.
Nd4 Qg6 26. Bf4 {and White has defended against Black's attack; his position
is more promising.})) ({or even} 23. Bd4 Qe6 24. b4 {was also interesting with
an unclear fight.}) 23... f5 $1 24. exf5 Qxf5 {Suddenly the white K is very
weak. Black is threatening with Rg6 and h5-h4.} 25. Ng3 Qd7 26. Qe4 Ka7 $1 {
A very nice cool-blooded move! Now the K is safe and Black is ready for the
attack on the kingside.} 27. Kg2 h5 28. Qf5 {White wants to exchange the Qs,
but Black avoids this.} (28. Rh1 Rd5 $1 {and White's position is very
unpleasant.}) 28... Qe8 {Of course, Black doesn't exchange.} 29. Qe4 Qf7 30.
Kh1 (30. Qf5 Rf6 {and Black is winning.}) 30... h4 31. Ne2 (31. Nf5 {is also
not helping for White, as} Re6 32. Qd3 c5 $1 {and the f5 N is in big trouble.})
31... Re8 32. Qg4 Rg6 33. Qh3 Qd5+ 34. Kh2 Rxe3 $1 {The final beautiful
tactical blow!} 35. fxe3 Qd2 36. Qf1 Rf6 0-1

[Event "Gashimov Memorial-A 1st"]
[Site "Shamkir"]
[Date "2014.04.22"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2014.04.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 {It might be surprising to see such an active player as Shakhriyar
playing Caro-Kann, but in fact there are a lot dynamic lines in this opening
as well.} 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. Be2 c5 6. Be3 Qb6 {This very
aggressive line came into some kind of a crisis after several convincing wins
by Sergey Karjakin as White.} (6... cxd4 7. Nxd4 Ne7 {is a more solid
alternative.}) 7. Nc3 Nc6 (7... Qxb2 $6 8. Qb1 $1 {is the great idea, played
for the first time on a high level by Bologan. The following game was a heavy
blow:} Qxb1+ (8... Qxc3+ $2 9. Bd2 $18 {[%csl Rc3]}) 9. Rxb1 c4 10. Rxb7 Nc6
11. Nb5 Nd8 12. Rc7 Rb8 13. Nd6+ $1 Bxd6 14. exd6 Rb1+ 15. Bd1 Bxc2 16. Kd2
Bxd1 17. Rxd1 Rb6 18. Bf4 Nf6 19. Re7+ Kf8 20. Rxa7 Ne4+ 21. Kc2 f6 22. h4 $1
$16 {1-0 (34) Karjakin,S (2747)-Eljanov,P (2761) Khanty-Mansiysk 2010}) 8. dxc5
{This is not the main move in the position, but also poses some problems for
Black, at least practical ones.} (8. O-O Qxb2 9. Qe1 $1 {This is considered as
the most promising line for White, but the subsequent positions are quite
complicated and require excellent preparation.} (9. Nb5 $6 c4 $1 10. Nc7+ Kd7
11. Nxa8 Bxc2 12. Qe1 Bb4 13. Bd2 Nge7 14. Bxb4 Nxb4 $13 {[%csl Ra8] 0-1 (46)
Karjakin,S (2706)-Morozevich,A (2771) Nice 2009}) 9... cxd4 10. Bxd4 Nxd4 11.
Nxd4 Bb4 12. Ndb5 (12. Rb1 Bxc3 13. Rxb2 Bxe1 14. Rxe1 b6 15. Rb3 Ne7 16. Rc3
g5 17. Rc7 Bg6 18. g4 h5 19. h3 Kf8 $11 {1/2-1/2 (29) Sjugirov,S (2635)
-Eljanov,P (2729) St Petersburg 2013}) 12... Ba5 13. Rb1 Qxc2 14. Rb3 Ne7 15.
Nd6+ Kf8 16. Nxb7 Bb6 17. Nd6 Ba5 18. Bf3 Bd3 $1 19. Qc1 Qxc1 20. Rxc1 Ng6 21.
Nxd5 $1 Nxe5 22. Nf4 Nxf3+ 23. gxf3 Bg6 24. Rb7 $16 {1-0 (46) Karjakin,S (2779)
-Fridman,D (2655) Dortmund 2012}) 8... Bxc5 9. Bxc5 Qxc5 10. Nb5 Kf8 {Black is
forced to lose the privilege of castling.} (10... Qb4+ 11. c3 Qxb2 12. Nd6+ Kf8
13. O-O {with excellent compensation for the pawn.}) 11. Nbd4 Nge7 (11... Qb4+
12. Qd2 (12. c3 {is worth checking in practice, though after} Qxb2 13. O-O Bg6
{white's knight is not as active as on d6, so the compensation is less obvious.
}) 12... Qxd2+ 13. Kxd2 Nge7 14. Nxf5 Nxf5 15. Bd3 g6 16. c3 Rc8 $11 {0-1 (47)
Pintaudi,A (2138)-Ballarani,P (2381) ICCF email 2009}) 12. O-O Be4 13. Re1 Qb4
$146 {An attempt to improve over a couple of previous games.} (13... h6 14. c3
Qb6 15. b3 Rc8 (15... Rd8 16. Bd3 Bxd3 17. Qxd3 $14 {1/2-1/2 (43) Zhigalko,S 
(2621)-Berkes,F (2647) Martuni 2009}) 16. Nxc6 Nxc6 17. Bd3 Bxf3 18. Qxf3 Qc7
19. Qg3 g6 20. h4 h5 21. Qf4 Kg7 22. Qf6+ Kg8 23. Re3 Qe7 24. Qf4 $14 {1/2-1/2
(39) Zhigalko,S (2648)-Turov,M (2609) Tashkent 2010}) 14. a3 $5 {Ignoring the
threat to Pb2, playing purely for an initiative.} ({The positional alernative} 
14. Rb1 {would yield White a small edge thanks to some space superiority.
Black also needs time to bring his kingside rook into play.} h5 (14... h6 15.
c3 Qb6 16. Bd3 Bxd3 17. Qxd3 $14) 15. c3 Qb6 16. Bd3 Bxd3 17. Qxd3 $14) 14...
Qxb2 15. Rb1 Qxa3 16. Rxb7 Bxf3 17. Nxf3 h6 (17... Rb8 $1 {was logical, to
exchange White's annoying rook. In general, Black should strive for
simplifications.} 18. Rxb8+ Nxb8 19. c4 (19. Qd2 Qb2 $1 20. Qf4 h6 21. Nd4 Kg8
22. Bh5 g6 23. Nxe6 fxe6 24. Qf6 Rh7 25. Qxe6+ Kf8 26. Bxg6 Rg7 27. Qf6+ Kg8
$11) 19... g6 20. cxd5 Nxd5 21. Bc4 Qc5 22. Bxd5 Qxd5 23. Qxd5 exd5 24. Rc1 $11
) 18. Qd2 (18. c4 g6 19. cxd5 Nxd5 20. Bc4 Rd8 {is okay for Black.}) 18... g5 (
18... Rb8 $6 {Now it's worse than on the previous move.} 19. Rxb8+ Nxb8 20. Rb1
Nbc6 21. h4 g6 22. Qf4 $36) 19. h4 (19. Reb1 Kg7 20. h4 (20. Nxg5 hxg5 21.
Qxg5+ Kf8 22. Bb5 Rg8 23. Qh6+ Rg7 24. Qh8+ Rg8 $11) 20... g4 21. R7b3 (21. Nd4
Rhb8 22. Nxc6 Rxb7 23. Rxb7 Nxc6 24. Qf4 Qa1+ 25. Kh2 Qxe5 26. Rxf7+ Kg8 $11)
21... Qc5 22. Rb5 Qa3 23. Nd4 Rhb8 24. Nxc6 Nxc6 25. Qf4 Rxb5 26. Bxb5 Rb8 27.
Qxg4+ Kh8 28. Qf4 Qf8 $11) 19... g4 $2 {This logical move appears to be a
serious mistake.} (19... Qa4 $1 {It's important to prevent Nf3-d4, so that
Black would keep his both knights for a better protection of his king.} 20. Qe3
(20. hxg5 hxg5 21. Qxg5 $6 Qxc2 $15 {[%cal Gc2h7]}) (20. Bb5 Qa5 21. Qe3 Nf5
22. Qc5+ Nce7 $11) 20... Nf5 21. Qc5+ Nce7 22. Bd3 Rc8 23. Rxa7 Rxc5 24. Rxa4
Nxh4 25. Nxh4 gxh4 26. Rxh4 h5 $11) 20. Nd4 Qa5 (20... g3 21. fxg3 Qxg3 22.
Nxc6 Nxc6 23. Rf1 Rh7 24. Rf4 $1 h5 25. Rb3 Qg7 26. Qc3 Nxe5 27. Qc7 Kg8 28.
Rb8+ Rxb8 29. Qxb8+ Qf8 30. Qxe5 $18) (20... Nxe5 $2 {is losing on the spot.}
21. Qf4 $18 {[%csl Re5,Re6]}) 21. c3 Nxd4 22. Qxd4 Nf5 $2 {This is very
tempting, but after that Black's position is, probably, beyond saving.} (22...
Rc8 {would have been far more resilient. Still, after} 23. Rc1 (23. Reb1 $6 Nf5
24. Qxg4 Qxc3 25. Rb8 Rg8 {is still playable for Black.}) 23... h5 24. Qf4 Rh7
25. Qg5 Qc5 (25... Ng8 $2 26. Rcb1 Qxc3 27. Rb8 Qc7 28. Rxc8+ Qxc8 29. Ba6 $1
$18) 26. g3 {White keeps a strong initiative.}) 23. Qd2 {Black's main problem
is that his king is unsecure and the rooks are not coordinated. The extra
a-pawn may be a factor only in an endgame, but he simply won't reach this
stage.} d4 (23... h5 24. Bd3 $18) (23... Rc8 24. Bxg4 Qxc3 25. Qxc3 Rxc3 26.
Ra1 Rc8 27. Bxf5 exf5 28. Raxa7 Rh7 29. e6 $18) 24. Bxg4 Qxc3 25. Qe2 Nxh4 (
25... Ne7 26. Bh5 Rc8 27. Qe4 {Black's king and knight can't mov; soon White's
attack will prevail.}) 26. Bh5 Rh7 27. Qe4 $1 {In the final stage of the game
Hikaru is very convincing.} Rc8 (27... f5 28. exf6 $1 Rxb7 29. Qxe6 Qc8 30.
Qd6+ Kg8 31. Qg3+ Kh7 32. Qxh4 $18) 28. Qxh7 $1 Qxe1+ 29. Kh2 Qxe5+ 30. g3 {
Black's checks are finished, but White's are starting now...} Rc7 31. Rb8+ Ke7
32. Qxf7+ Kd6 33. Qf8+ (33. Qf8+ Kd5 34. Rb5+ $18) 1-0

[Event "Gashimov Memorial-A 1st"]
[Site "Shamkir"]
[Date "2014.04.28"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D11"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[Annotator "Negi,P"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2014.04.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 $5 {For a long time this was considered to
be harmless. It seems like White gives Black a lot of options - bring out the
bishop, or get an improved Catalan with dxc4, or even g6...but at the same
time White usually avoids the well trodden paths of theory. This fits in with
the latest trend of most players to try and seek advantage in non-forcing
variations - thereby reducing the effect of computers, and keeping more
creative options for the game.} (4. Nc3 e6 5. g3 {closely resembles the 4. g3
line, but now after dxc4, Black usually is doing quite well. By keeping the
knight on b1, White creates extra options for himself... although he gives
Black additional options as well.}) 4... Bf5 ({In my opinion, the most
critical move is} 4... dxc4 5. Bg2 b5 {Playing in the same style as Catalan c6
variations, Black tries to hold on to the pawn for the maximum amount of time.
Nc3 at any point would probably transpose either into some sort of Catalan or
4.Nc3 e6 5.g3 into the Slav... but I don't think White needs to go there:} ({
Black can also aim at a more solid setup with} 5... Nbd7 6. Qc2 Nb6 7. a4 $5 ({
is less flexible. White will eventually have to take Nxc4 before anything else,
and Black could get easy play as in:} 7. Nbd2 g6 8. O-O Bg7 9. Nxc4 Bf5 10. Qc3
Nxc4 11. Qxc4 O-O 12. Rd1 a5 13. Qb3 Qd6 {/\Qb4 Grischuk,A (2764)-Aronian,L 
(2809) London 2013.}) 7... a5 8. Na3 g6 {Trying to play like Aronian, but now
White can go for} 9. e4 Bg7 10. O-O O-O 11. Rd1 {keeping a very tense position.
In general, White seems to have more options here, and this was shown in the
following game:} Nfd7 12. Bf4 Qe8 13. Be3 $1 Ra6 {Bacrot,E (2725)-Edouard,R 
(2666) Geneve 2013. Black's positon is rather awkward.}) 6. Ne5 Bb7 7. O-O e6
8. b3 $5 (8. a4 a6 9. Nc3 Be7 {would lead to a very different line - and Black
has usually been doing ok here:} 10. axb5 axb5 11. Rxa8 Bxa8 12. Nxb5 (12. Bf4
Nd5 13. Qa1 Bb7 14. Qa7 Qc8 15. Nxc4 Nxf4 16. Nb6 Nxe2+ 17. Nxe2 Qc7 18. Na8
Qc8 19. Nb6 $11 Qc7 20. Na8 Qc8 21. Nb6 {1/2-1/2 (21) Vachier Lagrave,M (2722)
-Shirov,A (2714) Biel 2011}) 12... cxb5 13. Bxa8 O-O 14. Bg2 Nd5 15. f4 Bd6 16.
e3 Bxe5 17. fxe5 Nc6 18. Qg4 Qd7 19. h4 Ncb4 $15 {Nyzhnyk,I (2585)-Giri,A 
(2717) Plovdiv 2012 CBM 148 [Krasenkow,M]}) 8... cxb3 9. axb3 {An advantage of
not having played a4 earlier. We have an interesting position with a lot of
game left to explore:} Be7 10. Nc3 (10. Ba3 $5 b4 11. Bb2 {/\ Nd2...Ndc4 etc
would also give White decent compensation, although this doesn't seem the most
natural way.}) 10... a6 11. Bg5 O-O 12. Qd2 h6 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Rfd1 Qc7 15.
Qf4 (15. Ne4 $5 Bxe5 16. dxe5 c5 (16... Qxe5 17. Nd6 $44) 17. Nf6+ Kh8 18. Bxb7
Qxb7 19. Qe3 $14 {White still has some pressure.}) 15... Bg5 16. Qg4 Ra7 $6 (
16... Nd7 17. Nxd7 f5 $1 {preventing Ne4, would be ok for Black.}) 17. e3 Bc8
18. Rac1 $36 {Lysyj,I (2662)-Shirov,A (2702) Kishinev 2014.}) (4... Bg4 $5 {
avoids the various problems Bf5 faced due to Nh4, but Grischuk got an edge
with rather stylish play here:} 5. Ne5 (5. Bg2 e6 6. O-O Nbd7 $11) 5... Bf5 6.
cxd5 cxd5 7. Nc3 Nc6 8. f3 $5 Bd7 9. Nxd7 Qxd7 10. e4 $1 e6 11. e5 Ng8 12. Be3
Bb4 13. Bd3 $14 {1-0 (57) Grischuk,A (2777)-Tomashevsky,E (2697) Loo 2014}) 5.
Nc3 e6 6. Nh4 $5 {The key idea. This is very similar to the 4.e3 Bf5 6.Nc3 e6
7.Nh4 variation in the closed Slav... and it's possible that in some cases g3
can be quite a useful move in comparison. White has the extra option of
bringing out the bishop sometimes, or even planning f3...e4 often... at the
same time, Black's position remains solid, and there is a lot of area to
explore here.} (6. Bg2 Nbd7 7. O-O h6 {would be a rather harmless setup from
White.}) 6... Be4 {Provoking some weakenesses, so White can't just take the
bishop and have an easy life.} (6... Bg6 7. Nxg6 hxg6 8. Qd3 $1 {White just
got a rather pleasant version of the e3 Slav here:} Nbd7 9. Bg2 Be7 10. O-O O-O
11. Rd1 Qa5 12. b3 Rad8 13. cxd5 exd5 14. a3 Qc7 15. Bf4 Bd6 16. Bg5 Be7 17.
Rdc1 Qb8 18. b4 $14 {1-0 (67) Giri,A (2749)-Buhmann,R (2582) Germany 2013}) (
6... Bg4 {seems too sophisticated.} 7. h3 Bh5 8. g4 Nfd7 (8... Bg6 9. Nxg6 hxg6
10. g5 Nh5 11. Qb3 $14) 9. Qb3 $1 b6 10. Ng2 Bg6 11. Nf4 dxc4 12. Qxc4 b5 13.
Qb3 b4 14. Nxg6 hxg6 15. Ne4 $14 {1-0 (40) Grischuk,A (2779)-Zvjaginsev,V 
(2659) Khanty-Mansiysk 2013}) 7. f3 Bg6 8. Qb3 {Choosing how to defend the
b7-pawn is always a slightly annoying decision.} (8. Nxg6 hxg6 9. Qd3 {is no
longer as nice as the Giri game, as Black can just continue} Bd6 {and get
counterplay.}) 8... Qb6 (8... Qc8 $6 {has won both the games for Black, but it
had little to do with the position:} 9. e4 $1 dxe4 10. Nxg6 hxg6 11. fxe4 e5
12. dxe5 Ng4 13. e6 fxe6 14. Be2 Ne5 15. Bf4 Nbd7 16. O-O-O Be7 17. h4 $16 {
Tkachiev,V (2649)-Najer,E (2633) Khanty-Mansiysk 2013}) ({The bizarre} 8... b5
{might actually deserve some attention, although I wouldn't claim it's
objectively the best move.} 9. cxb5 (9. cxd5 $5 exd5 10. Bg2 {is assessed
quite optimistically for White by the computer, but it seems a rather unusual
position.}) 9... c5 {will lead to a typical piece sacrifice which is hard to
assess, but certainly offers Black some compensation.}) (8... Qd7 {holds
everything together, but I am not sure how Black plans to continue developing
after} 9. Nxg6 hxg6 10. Bg5 Be7 11. Rd1) 9. Nxg6 hxg6 10. c5 Qc7 (10... Qxb3
11. axb3 $14 {/\ b4...b5 - which is impossible to prevent.}) 11. e4 Be7 $146
12. Bf4 Qc8 {At first glance, White seems to just have a great position... but
it's not so easy to actually maintain the burgeoning centre.} 13. exd5 $6 {
Now Black gets an ideal position.} (13. Bd6 $1 {looks very tempting.} {Perhaps
Black planned} b6 $5 (13... Bxd6 14. cxd6 O-O 15. e5 $14) (13... Nbd7 14. e5
Ng8 {/\Nh6...Nf5, but the bishop on d6 is untouchable so I would prefer White.}
15. Qa3 $14) 14. Bxe7 Kxe7 15. Qa3 b5 16. exd5 (16. Bg2 a5 17. Ne2 Nbd7 $11)
16... exd5 17. Nxb5 cxb5 18. c6+ {leads to quite a bit of insanity, but I'd be
worried as Black.}) 13... Nxd5 14. Nxd5 cxd5 {Suddenly, it's White who doesn't
seem to be too well developed.} 15. O-O-O (15. Be2 Nc6 16. Rd1 O-O 17. O-O {
it's Black who is aiming for an advantage.}) 15... Nc6 16. Kb1 g5 17. Be3 f5 $1
{Mamedyarov was probably aiming to target the black king - clearly it won't be
feeling safe on the kingside... but instead Nakamura aggressively finds a new
square for his king.} 18. g4 {Its hard to say if this is a good move, but
White did not have an easy choice.} f4 19. Bf2 Kf7 $1 {The idea behind f5. It
is very hard to get to the king here.} 20. Re1 {Already White is completely
losing his way... it's amazing how completely the position managed to change
in the last few moves.} b6 $1 {There's no way to prevent Black's initiative.}
21. Qa4 $5 {Trying some desperate tricks? Actually, practically there is still
some kind of mess here...} bxc5 22. Ba6 Qc7 23. Bb5 Rab8 {Very stylish... but
not the cleanest way.} (23... Nxd4 {Naka was possibly worried about the
initiative in the opposite coloured positions... at least practically it
doesn't seem as easy as the computer points out.}) (23... Rhc8 24. dxc5 a6 {
would be the simplest suggestion - Black simply has an advantage.}) 24. Rxe6 $5
(24. Bxc6 Rb4 $1 25. Qc2 Qxc6 $17) 24... Kxe6 {Naka decides to go for the
material, but he could have also chosen to play safely:} (24... Rxb5 $1 25.
Rxe7+ Nxe7 26. Qxb5 c4 $17 {Even though the material is equal, White's
horrible bishop and Black's excellent structure leave no doubt about this
position.}) 25. Bxc6 Rhd8 $1 {An important move. White seems to have good
compensation, but actually the king's retreat to safety can't be stopped, and
Black stays ahead.} 26. dxc5 Bf6 27. Bd4 (27. b3 Kf7 $15) 27... Kf7 28. Rd1 $6
{This doesn't really create any play. Now Black's life is easy:} (28. Bxf6 gxf6
29. h4 $1 {would give White better chances.}) 28... Kf8 {Now Black is ready to
come back.} 29. a3 Bxd4 30. Rxd4 Qe5 31. Rd2 Qe1+ 32. Rd1 Qe2 33. b4 Qxf3 34.
Kb2 Qxg4 {The rest of the game is inconsequential.} 35. Qc2 Qe6 36. Ba4 Kg8 37.
Bb3 Kh8 38. c6 Rd6 39. Rc1 f3 40. Qc5 Qf6+ 41. Ka2 f2 42. c7 Rc8 43. Rf1 d4 44.
h4 Qf3 45. Bc4 Rc6 46. Qxd4 R6xc7 47. Rxf2 Rxc4 0-1

[Event "Tashkent FIDE GP"]
[Site "Tashkent"]
[Date "2014.10.26"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B52"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2748"]
[Annotator "Gormally,D"]
[PlyCount "193"]
[EventDate "2014.10.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "UZB"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. O-O Nf6 6. e5 dxe5 7. Nxe5 Qc8
8. Qf3 e6 9. b3 Be7 10. Bb2 Nbd7 11. Nc4 O-O 12. Nc3 Qc7 13. a4 Rad8 14. Rfe1
a6 15. a5 Nb8 16. Na4 Nc6 17. Qg3 Qxg3 18. hxg3 Nd5 19. c3 Rc8 20. Ba3 Na7 21.
Ne3 Nxe3 22. dxe3 Rc7 23. Red1 Nb5 24. Bb2 c4 25. bxc4 Nd6 26. Nb6 Ne4 27. Ba3
Nxc3 28. Bxe7 Rxe7 29. Rd3 Ne4 30. Nd7 Rc8 31. f3 Nf6 32. Nb6 Rc5 33. Rd8+ Re8
34. Rxe8+ Nxe8 35. Rd1 Rxa5 36. Rd8 Kf8 37. Rb8 Ra2 38. c5 Rc2 39. e4 f6 40.
Rxb7 Kg8 41. Re7 Kf8 42. Rxe6 Nc7 43. Rc6 Nb5 44. Nd5 Nd4 45. Rxa6 {Nakamura
has a reputation as a tactical wizard but he displayed his maturation as a
player against Gelfand, when he ground out a long win in the endgame.} Rxc5 (
45... Rxc5) 46. Ra8+ Kf7 47. Ra7+ Kf8 48. Nf4 Rc6 {This is a very typical
situation in chess that Gelfand is faced with - a pawn down in some grim
ending where he is devoid of active counterplay. Such a situation is very
depressing but it is far from resignable yet.} 49. Ra8+ Kf7 50. Rh8 $1 {
All these little moves are significant as they force a weakness in the
opponent's armour. Just in case, Nakamura is softening up Black's kingside.} h6
51. Rb8 Rc7 {Defending passively for the moment.} ({Given that passive defence
in a position like this is from the pyschological point of view so unpleasant,
I would be looking to get active with} 51... f5 $5 {trying to exchange some
pawns and hopefully making Black's defensive task that little bit easier.} 52.
Rb7+ $1 (52. e5 $6 g5 53. Rb7+ Kf8 54. Nd5 Re6 55. f4 {also looks unenviable
for Black}) 52... Kf6 $1 (52... Kf8 53. Rd7 Rc4 54. Rxd4 {is really bad}) (
52... Kg8 53. Rd7 Rc4 54. e5 {and the problems remain.}) 53. exf5 Nxf5 54. g4
Ng3 {the only move, to cover h5} 55. Kf2 Nh1+ 56. Ke3 Ng3 {with some chances
to hold.}) 52. Rb6 Ra7 53. Rd6 Nb5 54. Rd5 Rb7 55. Kh2 {Slowly improving the
position is going to be the key for White here.} Na7 56. Rd6 Nc8 57. Rc6 Ne7
58. Ra6 Ng6 59. Nh5 Ne7 60. Nf4 Ng6 61. Nd5 Ne7 62. Ne3 $1 Rc7 63. g4 Rc3 64.
Nf1 Rc7 65. Ra3 Rb7 66. Ne3 Rd7 67. Kg3 Rc7 68. Ra5 Rc3 69. Kf2 Rc7 70. Rb5 Ng6
71. Nd5 Ra7 72. Rc5 Ra2+ 73. Kg3 Kg8 74. Rc7 Ra3 75. Rb7 Ra2 76. Rc7 Ra3 77.
Rd7 Ra2 78. Ne3 $1 Ne5 79. Rb7 Ra3 80. Nf5 Nf7 {White has strengthened his
rook and knight combination to the maximum. Now it's time to bring up
reinforcements, in the shape of those humble little foot soldiers called pawns,
to stretch the opponent's defences to breaking point.} 81. Kh2 Ra2 (81... Ra4
$5 {just to prevent the plan of f4, suggests itself.} 82. Rb8+ Kh7 83. Re8 {
threatens both f4 and Re7 though, and Black can hardly prevent both.} g6 84.
Ne3 Kg7 85. Re7 Kf8 86. Nd5 $1 {when f6 also becomes a target.} f5 $2 87. gxf5
gxf5 88. exf5 Ra5 89. Rd7 Ke8 90. Nf6+ Kf8 91. g4 $18) 82. Re7 (82. f4 Re2 83.
Rb8+ $1 Kh7 84. Rf8 Nh8 85. Re8 {when White has a simple plan of marching his
e-pawn up the board.} Ng6 86. Kg3 Ra2 87. Nd4 Ra3+ 88. Nf3 $16) 82... Ra8 83.
f4 $1 {So much patient manouevering, but Nakamura is now close to a
breakthrough.} Kf8 84. Rc7 g6 {Gelfand is rather forced into this unwelcoming
weakening move as the more active tries} (84... Re8 $2 85. Rxf7+) ({and} 84...
Ra4 85. Rc8+ {both fail tactically.  This brings back a point made once by
Yasser Seirawan, that good technique is basically good tactics.  If you know
your way around the chessboard like Nakamura clearly does, then the small
tactical problems that tend to be presented in the endgame phase, don't offer
a serious problem.}) 85. Nh4 g5 86. Nf5 gxf4 87. Rc6 Ng5 $2 {Finally after a
long period of defending this desperately depressing ending, Gelfand
understandably cracks.} ({The almost "study like"} 87... Kg8 $1 88. Rxf6 Ra4 $1
{would have made White's task much harder, even if he retains a large advantage
} 89. Rg6+ Kf8 90. Re6 Ra5 $1 {crucially keeping the e5-square under control} (
{the "pseudo active"} 90... Ng5 $6 {like in the game, again fails to convince
because of} 91. Rf6+ Ke8 92. e5 Ra2 93. Nd4 $1 ({after} 93. Rxh6 $6 {Black has
the strong waiting move} Kd7 $1 {when it is difficult for White to prevent the
f3 threat;} ({But certainly not the immediate} 93... f3 {because of} 94. e6 $1)
{he can try} 94. Rd6+ Kc7 95. Rd3 f3 96. Ne3 {but this kind of winning attempt
is best left to engines; we humans prefer to keep control}) 93... Rd2 94. Rxf4
$16) 91. Rf6 Kg8 92. Nh4 Ra2 93. Rxf4 Ne5 {and probably White will gradually
win.  However it was interesting that better defensive opportunities were
offered by a passive defence when we are always told that it's better to
defend actively. Perhaps in this computer era it's better to rip up all the
chess generalisations?!}) 88. Rxf6+ Kg8 89. e5 Ra2 $2 90. e6 $1 Nf3+ 91. Kh3
Ng1+ 92. Kh4 Rxg2 93. Kh5 Nf3 94. Nxh6+ Kh7 95. Rf7+ Kh8 96. e7 Re2 97. Rxf4
1-0

[Event "Saint Louis m"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2014.11.21"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E51"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[Annotator "Pavlovic,M"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2014.11.21"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bd2 $5 {A rare idea. White wants to
transpose to the Nimzo-Indian which he does, but the Bd2 line itself is not
considered dangerous for Black. But we have a game, which sometimes is for
some players more important.} O-O {An attempt to get a pawn which seems to be
highly risky for Black:} (5... dxc4 6. e3 Bxc3 7. Bxc3 b5 (7... Qd5 8. Be2 Nc6
9. O-O b5 10. b3 cxb3 11. Qxb3 $5 a6 12. Qb2 O-O 13. Ne5 Bb7 14. Bf3 Ne4 15.
Nd3 f5 16. Rfd1 Rab8 17. Nf4 Qd7 18. d5 exd5 19. Rxd5 Nd6 20. Rc5 Nd8 21. Bd1
$36) 8. a4 c6 9. axb5 cxb5 10. b3 O-O 11. bxc4 bxc4 12. Bxc4 Qc7 13. Qb3 Bb7
14. Ba5 Qc8 15. O-O Bxf3 16. gxf3 Nc6 17. Bd2 Rb8 18. Qa4 Rb2 19. Rfd1 Nd5 20.
Bf1 Qb7 21. e4 Nb6 22. Qa3 Nd7 23. Be3 $14 {1-0 (46) Reis,C (2366)-Pizzo,R
corr. 2006}) 6. e3 {I have extracted some new games played in this line;
obviously clear pathways have not yet been established.} Re8 (6... c5 7. a3 (7.
dxc5 Bxc5 8. cxd5 (8. Rc1 Nc6 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Be2 d4 11. exd4 Nxd4 12. O-O
Nxe2+ 13. Qxe2 Re8 14. Qc4 b6 15. Bg5 Bb7 16. Rfd1 Qc8 $1 $132) 8... exd5 9.
Be2 Nc6 10. O-O d4 11. exd4 Nxd4 12. Nxd4 Bxd4 13. Bf3 Be6 14. Qc2 Nd5 15. Nxd5
Bxd5 16. Bxd5 Qxd5 {1/2-1/2 (16) Ophoff,R (2062)-Abolina,A (1870) Hockenheim
2007}) 7... Bxc3 8. Bxc3 cxd4 9. Bxd4 Nc6 10. cxd5 Nxd4 11. Qxd4 Qxd5 12. Qxd5
Nxd5 13. Bd3 b6 14. Ke2 Bb7 15. Rac1 Rac8 16. Nd4 a6 17. f3 Rfd8 18. g3 h6 19.
Rhd1 Kf8 $11 {1/2-1/2 (58) Zvjaginsev,V (2642)-Lysyj,I (2670) Vladivostok 2014}
) (6... b6 7. Rc1 dxc4 (7... Bb7 8. cxd5 exd5 9. Bd3 a6 10. O-O Bd6 11. Ne5 c5
12. f4 Nc6 13. Na4 c4 14. Bb1 b5 15. Nc3 b4 16. Na4 a5 17. Be1 Ne8 18. Qh5 g6
19. Qh6 f5 20. g4 Ng7 21. Nf3 Be7 22. h4 fxg4 23. h5 Nxh5 24. f5 Rxf5 25. Bxf5
gxf3 26. Bxg6 hxg6 27. Qxg6+ Ng7 28. Rxf3 Qe8 29. Qg2 Nd8 $1 $17 (29... Nxd4
30. exd4 Qxa4 31. Bg3 $16 {1-0 (44) Sandipan,C (2597)-Agdestein,S (2637)
Warsaw 2014}) 30. Bg3 (30. Rg3 $6 Nde6 $19) 30... Nf7 31. Rcf1 Ng5 32. Be5 Ra6
33. Rg3 Rg6 $17) 8. Bxc4 Bb7 9. O-O Nbd7 10. Qe2 c5 11. a3 Bxc3 12. Bxc3 Ne4
13. Rfd1 Nxc3 14. Rxc3 Qe7 15. Ba6 Bxa6 16. Qxa6 cxd4 17. Nxd4 Nc5 18. Qc4 Rad8
19. Rcc1 Qh4 20. Qc2 Qe4 21. Qxe4 Nxe4 22. Nc6 $14 {1-0 (54) Sandipan,C (2603)
-Efimenko,Z (2649) Muelheim 2014}) 7. a3 (7. Be2 c6 8. O-O Nbd7 $13) (7. Bd3
Nbd7 8. O-O c5 9. a3 Bxc3 10. Bxc3 cxd4 11. exd4 b6 {with obvious similarities
to regular 4.e3 lines in the Nimzo, or even some Bogo-Indian types of position.
}) 7... Bf8 8. Rc1 Nbd7 9. Be2 a6 (9... dxc4 10. Bxc4 a6 11. e4 $5 (11. a4 b6
12. O-O Bb7 13. Qe2 c5 14. Rfd1 Qc7 15. dxc5 Bxc5 $13) 11... b5 12. Be2 Bb7 13.
e5 Ne4 14. Nxe4 Bxe4 15. Ng5 Bd5 16. Bd3 g6 17. h4 $40) 10. c5 c6 11. Na4 Ne4 (
11... e5 12. O-O e4 13. Ne1 $13) 12. O-O Nxd2 13. Nxd2 (13. Qxd2 e5 14. b4 e4
15. Ne1 Rb8 16. Nc2 Qh4 17. Nc3 Nf6 18. a4 Ng4 19. h3 Nh6 $13) 13... e5 14. e4
$5 dxe4 {Another possibility for Black gives easier play somehow:} (14... exd4
$5 15. exd5 cxd5 16. Nf3 b5 17. cxb6 Nxb6 18. Nxd4 (18. Nxb6 Qxb6 19. Qxd4 Rb8
$132) 18... Nxa4 19. Qxa4 Bd7 20. Qb3 Qf6 21. Rfd1 Rab8 $132) 15. Nxe4 Qh4 16.
f3 exd4 17. Bc4 (17. Qxd4 {This was perhaps a more precise move order:} {
Black can't solve his problems in the event of:} Nf6 (17... f5 18. g3 Qh6 19.
Bc4+ Kh8 20. Nd2 Bxc5 21. Nxc5 Nxc5 22. Qxc5 Qxd2 23. Rfd1 Qg5 24. Bf7 $16) 18.
Nb6 Rb8 19. Nxc8 Rbxc8 20. Bc4 {can transpose to the game.}) 17... Nf6 {
It seems that Black has missed a better move...} (17... Ne5 $1 18. Nb6 Rb8 19.
Nxc8 (19. Qxd4 Bf5 20. b4 Bxe4 21. Rcd1 $5 Rbd8 22. Qxe4 Qxe4 23. fxe4 Rxd1 24.
Rxd1 Be7 $11) 19... Rbxc8 20. Qxd4 Rcd8 21. Qc3 Kh8 $13) 18. Nb6 Rb8 19. Nxc8
Rbxc8 20. Qxd4 Nxe4 (20... Rcd8 21. Bxf7+ $1 Kh8 22. Qe3 $16) 21. fxe4 {
We have entered an opposite-coloured bishop type of position, and it is easy
to go astray when evaluating such positions. Pressure on f7 is simply stronger
then Black's ability to block the e4-pawn from advancing further.} Rc7 {
The alternative was interesting:} (21... Kh8 $5 22. Bxf7 Rxe4 23. Qd7 Rb8 24.
b4 $13 {[%cal Gf7a2,Gd7f7]}) 22. Rce1 Rd8 {I am not sure about this move. The
alternative looks safer:} (22... g6 23. g3 Qd8 (23... Qg5 24. e5 Bg7 25. Qf4 $1
Qxf4 26. gxf4 Bf8 27. b4 Rd8 28. Re4 $14) 24. Qf2 Ree7 25. e5 Bg7 26. Rd1 Qe8
27. e6 fxe6 28. Rd6 Kh8 29. Qe2 e5 30. Rfd1 Rc8 31. Qe4 $44 {Despite beeing a
pawn down White has control of the position but it's not sure if he has more
than that.}) 23. Qe3 Qh6 24. b4 $1 Qxe3+ 25. Rxe3 Rd4 26. Bb3 g6 27. Ref3 Rdd7
28. e5 $1 {That's it! The e4-pawn is alive and Black is now in a very
difficult position, where good advice is not easy to give.} Re7 29. e6 $16 h5
30. Rf6 Kg7 31. h4 a5 32. R1f3 axb4 33. axb4 Kh7 34. Bc2 Kg7 35. exf7 $18 Rxf7
36. Rxg6+ Kh8 37. Rfg3 Bg7 38. R3g5 Rf4 39. Rxh5+ Kg8 {Black has lost all his
pawns on the kingside.} 40. Bf5 Kf8 41. Be6 Ke8 42. g3 Rxb4 43. Kg2 Rb2+ 44.
Kh3 Kd8 45. Rhg5 Bc3 46. Rg8+ Ke7 47. Bc4 Rf2 48. Rh5 1-0

[Event "London Classic 6th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2014.12.13"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D30"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2745"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2014.12.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Bg5 Be7 5. Qc2 {An unusual but quite logical
move order: ...d5xc4 and ...c7-c5 are now less appropriate than in positions
with White's knight on c3.} h6 (5... O-O 6. e3 {leads to a kind of normal
Queen's Gambit.}) 6. Bxf6 Bxf6 7. e3 c5 {A risky idea.} (7... O-O 8. Nc3 {
leads to a well-known position} (8. cxd5 $5 exd5 9. Bd3 {is possible if White
wants to avoid theory})) 8. cxd5 cxd4 9. Bb5+ Bd7 ({It was not easy to go for} 
9... Nd7 10. dxe6 Qa5+ 11. Nc3 dxc3 12. exd7+ Bxd7 13. Bxd7+ Kxd7 {but
apparently Black can hold his ground:} 14. O-O cxb2 15. Rad1+ Ke7 16. Qe4+ Kf8
17. Qxb7 Re8 $1 18. Nd4 Qc3 19. Rb1 Bxd4 20. exd4 Qxd4 21. Rfd1 Qf6 22. Rxb2 g6
{[%cal Ye8e7,Yf8g7]}) {After the game move Black can't equalise anymore.} 10.
dxe6 Qa5+ (10... Bxb5 $143 11. exf7+ Kxf7 12. Qb3+ Ke7 13. Qxb5 Qb6 14. Qxb6
axb6 15. Nxd4 {, and White should convert his material advantage, e.g.} Nc6 16.
Nxc6+ bxc6 17. Nc3 Bxc3+ 18. bxc3 Ra3 19. Kd2 Rha8 20. Rhc1 Rxa2+ 21. Rxa2
Rxa2+ 22. Rc2 {etc.}) 11. Nbd2 Qxb5 12. exd7+ Nxd7 13. Qe4+ Kf8 14. Nxd4 Qxb2
15. Rb1 Qxa2 16. Qxb7 Rd8 (16... Rb8 17. Qxd7 Rxb1+ 18. Nxb1 Qxb1+ 19. Ke2 Qb2+
20. Kf3 g6 21. Rd1 $5 {, and White keeps pressure} ({or} 21. Qxa7 Bxd4 22. Qxd4
Qxd4 23. exd4 Ke7 {- this ending is theoretically drawn but requires accurate
defence})) 17. Qb4+ Kg8 18. O-O {It is hardly possible for Black to get his
h8-rook out without at least losing his a7-pawn.} a5 (18... Qd5 19. Ra1 {
[%csl Ra7]}) 19. Qc3 Qd5 (19... Bxd4 $5 20. exd4 (20. Qxd4 Kh7 21. Ra1 Qc2 22.
Rfc1 Qf5) 20... Qd5 21. Rfd1 {[%cal Yd2c4]}) 20. Qc7 Nf8 21. Rb5 Qd7 22. Qxd7
Rxd7 23. N2f3 Bxd4 (23... Ne6 24. Nxe6 fxe6 25. Rxa5 {is favourable for White,
of course. The rook endgame with pawns on the same side offers Black more
drawing chances.}) 24. Nxd4 Ne6 25. Nxe6 fxe6 {[%mdl 4096]} 26. Rxa5 Kf7 27. g4
Rc8 $6 {Black should have aimed for the exchange of one pair of rooks:} (27...
Rhd8 {[%cal Yd7d1] In the resulting ending he should be able to survive with
accurate defence. With four rooks on the board White has more chances to
out-manoeuvre his opponent.}) 28. Rb1 Rc2 29. Ra8 Rc4 30. h3 h5 $2 {This pawn
sacrifice looks merely temporary but it proves impossible for Black to regain
it without critically worsening the position of his rooks.} ({But even after} 
30... Rdc7 31. Rbb8 g5 32. Rg8 {[%cal Ra8f8]} Kf6 $1 33. Kg2 {it is unclear
whether he can successfully defend.}) 31. gxh5 Rh4 32. Rh8 Kf6 (32... Rxh3 33.
Kg2 Rh4 34. f4 $18 {[%csl Rh4][%cal Rg2g3]}) 33. Kh2 Rd5 34. Rf8+ Ke7 35. Rf3 {
[%cal Rb1b7]} Rf5 (35... Rhxh5 36. Rb7+ Rd7 37. Rxd7+ Kxd7 38. Rf7+ $18) 36.
Rxf5 exf5 37. Rg1 Kf6 38. Rg6+ Kf7 39. Rg5 Kf6 (39... f4 40. Rf5+ Ke6 41. Rxf4
Rxh5 $18 {_|_}) 40. f4 {[%cal Rh2g3]} 1-0

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 13th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2015.02.01"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2800"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2015.01.27"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. a4 Ngf6 5. Nc3 e6 6. d4 cxd4 7. Qxd4 a6 8.
Be2 {It's always refreshing to see that after eight moves we are already out
of theory. Black will play this in a hedgehog style, developing with b6 and
Bb7, while White will try to contain his opponent.} b6 9. O-O Bb7 10. Rd1 Qc7
11. Bg5 Be7 12. Nd2 h6 13. Bh4 Ne5 14. Nf1 Rd8 15. Bg3 O-O 16. Ne3 Rc8 17. Kh1
Rfd8 18. f3 Nh5 19. Bf2 Nf4 {Black doesn't have too much to complain about his
position. He is a little cramped, but he has some good squares on the kingside;
it is not trivial to push the knights back as any pawn move on the kingside
will cause a weakness. On the other hand Nakamura still holds a nice amount of
space and targets the b6 and a6 pawns with his diagonals.} 20. Bf1 Nfg6 (20...
h5 {and march the pawns forward on the kingside is not completely crazy.}) 21.
Qd2 Bg5 22. Qe1 Nf4 23. Bg3 Nh5 24. Bf2 {Black looks to be relatively planless,
but as is usual in the hedgehog finding a way to improve ones position 
(doesn't matter if you are white or black) seems to be the most difficult part
of the game.} Qe7 25. Ra3 Nf4 26. Rb3 Rc6 27. Ne2 $1 {White gets rid of this
pesky knight on f4, and this gives him a slight edge.} Nxe2 (27... Nfg6 28. Nd4
$16) 28. Bxe2 Rdc8 29. c3 Nd7 30. Nc2 d5 $6 {This advance usually solves
Black's problems, but here it is done too early. Black had to defend against
certain threats.} (30... Nc5 31. Ra3 R6c7 {is perhaps slightly favorable for
White but still anyone's game.}) 31. Nb4 $1 Rc5 32. exd5 {Suddenly thehre is
no good way of recapturing on d5. It is unclear to me what Topalov had planned,
as 31.Nb4 was quite obvious.} Ra5 33. Nc6 Bxc6 34. dxc6 Rxc6 35. Rb4 $16 {
The pair of bishops and the awkward position of Black's rook causes real
headaches for Topalov. White has a clear advantage.} Bf6 36. Qf1 Rd6 37. Rxd6
Qxd6 38. Bxa6 {One pawn finally falls: White has converted his advantage into
something tangible.} Nc5 39. Bb5 Qd2 40. Bg1 Ra8 41. Bc6 $1 Rc8 42. Rxb6 $1 {
Now it's two pawns!} Bd8 43. Rb5 Rxc6 44. Bxc5 Bc7 45. a5 {Black simply lacks
any good compensation for his material. The rest is easy for Nakamura.} Qc2 46.
f4 f6 47. h3 Kh7 48. f5 exf5 49. Bg1 Be5 50. a6 1-0

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 13th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2015.02.03"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Yu, Yangyi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B22"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2015.01.27"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. Na3 {Nakamura is not playing 2.c3 Sicilian
with the hope of boring, peaceful stuff. Every opening can be treated in
different manners, White hopes to infuse enough venom into an otherwise
restrained line.} Nf6 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Bc4 Qd8 7. O-O a6 {The Chinese player
comes up with a novelty on move 7, which may indicate a bit of surprise or
creativity. In any case most players so far have tried to speed up the
development of the black pieces with the natural 7...e6.} (7... e6 8. d4 (8.
Re1 Be7 9. Nc2 O-O 10. d4 Qc7 11. Bf1 b6 12. Bg5 Bb7 13. Bh4 Rad8 14. Qe2 Nd5
15. Bxe7 Qxe7 16. g3 cxd4 17. Ncxd4 Nxd4 18. Nxd4 h6 19. Rad1 $11 {0-1 (43)
Cherniaev,A (2447)-Cheparinov,I (2678) Khanty-Mansiysk 2013}) 8... cxd4 (8...
a6 9. dxc5 Qxd1 10. Rxd1 Bxc5 11. Nc2 b5 12. Be2 Bb7 13. Be3 Bxe3 14. Nxe3 Ke7
15. Nd4 Nxd4 16. Rxd4 Rhd8 17. Rad1 Rxd4 18. Rxd4 Bc6 19. f4 h6 $11 {0-1 (30)
Mestrovic,Z (2366)-Markus,R (2595) Nova Gorica 2006}) 9. Nb5 dxc3 (9... a6 10.
Nbxd4 Nxd4 11. Nxd4 Bd6 12. Bb3 Qc7 13. h3 O-O 14. Bg5 Ne4 15. Be3 Bh2+ 16. Kh1
Bf4 17. Qf3 Bxe3 18. Qxe3 Nf6 19. Rae1 b6 20. f4 Re8 21. Qe5 Qxe5 22. Rxe5 $11
{1/2 (28) Haba,P (2522)-Horvath,P (2484) Austria 2006}) 10. Bf4 cxb2 11. Rb1
Nh5 12. Nc7+ Ke7 13. Bg5+ f6 14. Qxd8+ Kxd8 15. Nxa8 fxg5 16. Nxg5 Ke7 17. Rxb2
Kf6 18. f4 $14 {1/2 (70) Amat0r,R (2625)-Dummkoller (2442) playchess.com INT
2007}) (7... Bg4 $2 8. Qb3 $16) 8. Nc2 Bg4 {Despite the mild development
advantage for White, Black's position is very solid with several continuations
to choose from.} (8... e6 9. d4 cxd4 10. Ncxd4 Nxd4 11. Nxd4 $11) (8... b5 9.
Be2 Bb7 10. d4 (10. a4 b4 $1 $11) 10... e6 11. Bg5 $11) 9. d4 e6 (9... cxd4 10.
Ncxd4 Nxd4 11. cxd4 e6 12. h3 Bh5 $11) 10. h3 Bxf3 $2 {In a positional sense
the exchange of the light-squared bishop is a genuinely horrible move. Yu must
have hoped, that he would get enough pressure against White's centre, but he
will be sorely disappointed.} (10... Bh5 11. Be3 cxd4 12. Ncxd4 Nxd4 13. Bxd4
Bd6 $11) (10... Bf5 11. Bg5 $14) 11. Qxf3 Rc8 (11... cxd4 12. Rd1 Bc5 13. cxd4
$14) 12. Rd1 $1 {Even the obvious solutions can be quite strong, so the
exclamation mark is given for the sheer merit of the centralisation of the
rook.} (12. Bd3 $6 cxd4 13. cxd4 Be7 $11) 12... cxd4 13. Bb3 (13. cxd4 Bd6 (
13... Nb4 14. Ne3 Nc2 15. Nxc2 Rxc4 16. Ne3 Rc7 17. d5 Rd7 18. dxe6 fxe6 (18...
Rxd1+ 19. Nxd1 fxe6 20. Bf4 Qd5 21. Qc3 $16) 19. Rxd7 Qxd7 20. Ng4 $14) 14. b3
O-O $11) 13... Qc7 (13... e5 14. cxd4 e4 (14... exd4 15. Nxd4 Nxd4 16. Qxb7 Be7
17. Ba4+ Kf8 18. Rxd4 $18) 15. Re1 Be7 16. Rxe4 $16) (13... Na5 14. Bg5 $1 Be7
15. Nxd4 $16) 14. Nxd4 Nxd4 {The frustration of the defender has definitely
set in, the choices of the best move were not made with a light heart.} (14...
Be7 15. Bf4 Qb6 16. Re1 $1 $16) 15. cxd4 (15. Rxd4 Bc5 16. Bf4 Qc6 17. Qxc6+
Rxc6 18. Rd2 Ke7 $11) 15... Bd6 {The bishop goes to the centre despite the
obvious problem with the stability of the f6-knight.} (15... Qc6 $2 16. d5 $1
$16) (15... Be7 16. Bf4 Qc6 17. Rdc1 $16) 16. Bg5 Ke7 {An imperfect solution
in a difficult situation, Black is at least postponing the real problem to the
future.} (16... Qc6 17. d5 Nxd5 18. Rac1 Qd7 19. Rxc8+ Qxc8 20. Bxd5) (16...
Qe7 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. d5 $16) 17. Re1 {[%mdl 128] Nakamura could have
centralised the rooks via a different route, but the result would most likely
have been in the end identical.} (17. Rd3 $5 h6 18. Bxf6+ gxf6 19. Re1 h5 20.
Rde3 $16) 17... h6 18. Bxf6+ gxf6 19. Re3 h5 20. Rae1 Qd7 {The queen is a very
bad defender, but the blow on the e6 was quite obvious and so devastatin, that
it was simply impossible to ignore.} (20... h4 21. Bxe6 fxe6 22. Rxe6+ Kd7 23.
Qf5 $1 $18) 21. Qe4 (21. d5 e5 22. R3e2 Qd8 23. Bc2 Kf8 24. Rd1 $16) 21... Kf8
22. d5 e5 {Some games are very similar to a path with quite a few very
difficult choices. Black is not pushing the pawn to e5 with an easy heart, but
the alternatives were in the end considered to be inferior.} (22... Be5 $2 23.
dxe6 fxe6 24. Rd1 Qe7 25. Red3 Rh7 26. Bxe6 $1 $18) (22... exd5 23. Qf3 Kg7 24.
Qxd5 Rcd8 25. Re7 Bh2+ 26. Kxh2 Qxd5 27. Bxd5 Rxd5 28. Rxb7 $16) 23. Rf3 Kg7 (
23... Rh6 24. Bc2 Bc5 25. Qe2 Qd6 26. Bf5 $16) 24. Bc2 h4 25. Rf5 (25. a3 Rh6
26. b4 $16) 25... Rh6 26. Bd3 {The crisis is impending, but White is not
exactly sure about its character.} (26. Bd1 $6 Rc1 $1 $11) 26... Qc7 (26... Rg8
27. Kh1 $16) 27. Qg4+ Kf8 (27... Rg6 28. Qxh4 Qa5 29. Rf1 Qxd5 30. Rf3 $16) 28.
Rf3 Qc5 $2 (28... Qd8 $1 29. Bf5 Rc5 30. Rd3 Qc7 31. Be4 $16) 29. Bxa6 $5 {
They say that eagle has a an eye able to distinguish small prey on the ground.
The battles between very good tactical masters can sometimes remind you of the
skill to see the subtle details in the position.} (29. Bh7 Qc1 30. Rfe3 Qc4 31.
Re4 Qc2 32. Bf5 $16) (29. Be4 Rd8 30. Rd1 $16) 29... Rg6 $6 (29... bxa6 30. Rc3
$18) (29... Rc7 30. Bf1 Qc2 31. Rb3 $16) 30. Qf5 $2 {Humans are very fragile,
especially under pressure and in extreme situations. White is not taking time
and effor to investigate if the grabbing of the h4-pawn will work.} (30. Qxh4
Rd8 (30... bxa6 31. Rc3 Rxg2+ 32. Kxg2 Qxd5+ 33. Rf3 $18) (30... Qa5 31. Qh8+
Rg8 32. Qh6+ Rg7 (32... Ke8 33. Qxf6 Qxe1+ 34. Bf1 $18) 33. Rf1 $18) 31. Bf1
$18) 30... Kg7 (30... Rc7 31. Bd3 Qb4 32. Rfe3 Rh6 $16) 31. Bd3 (31. Bxb7 $2
Qb4 $19) 31... Qb4 32. Rfe3 Rc5 $2 {Nobody is claiming that the black position
can be called sweet in any sense, but there was no need to push the situation
to the brink. It was necessary to grind one's teeth and to sit tight hoping to
survive the worst.} (32... Rc7 33. R3e2 $1 (33. Re4 Qd2 34. R4e2 Qg5 $14) 33...
Rh6 34. Be4 $16) (32... Rd8 33. Be4 $16) 33. Qd7 $1 Rc7 34. Qd8 Rg5 (34... Rh6
35. a3 $1 Qb6 36. Re4 Bc5 37. d6 Qxd6 (37... Bxf2+ 38. Kh1 Rc6 39. Rg4+ Rg6 40.
Rxg6+ fxg6 41. Qe7+ Kh6 42. Qxf6 $18) 38. Rg4+ Rg6 39. Qxd6 Bxd6 40. Bxg6 fxg6
41. Rxh4 $18) 35. Re4 Qd2 (35... Qc5 36. Rxh4 Bf8 37. Rh7+ Kg8 38. Qxf6 $18)
36. Bf1 $1 {A masterly retreat, when White is already combining attack in the
centre with a devastating idea of taking the pawn on h4.} (36. R1e3 $2 Rc1+ 37.
Bf1 Bc7 38. Qe8 Qxd5 $15) 36... Qxd5 (36... Bc5 37. R4e2 (37. R1e2 Qc1 38. Rxh4
Rc8 39. Qd7 $18) 37... Qa5 38. d6 Bxd6 39. Qxd6 $18) 37. Rxh4 Kg6 38. g4 $1 {
Sometimes even the most anti-positional move can be very pleasing. The obvious
target is the black king locked in on the kingside in the corner of the board.}
f5 39. Qg8+ {We may probably agree in judging the position to be completely
winning for White. Some purist might be "scandalised"by the choice of the
final move, since the thematic 39.Qh8 challenges Black into attempts to avoid
being literally mated. Hopefully players will learn that moves like 10...Bxf3
can have lasting and very depressing consequences.} (39. Qh8 fxg4 (39... f6 40.
Bb5 $1 Qxb5 (40... Rc6 41. Qh7#) 41. Rh6+ Kf7 42. Rxf6+ Ke7 43. Qf8+ Kd7 44.
Rxd6#) (39... Bf8 40. Qxf8 Kf6 41. Qh6+ Rg6 42. Qh8+ Ke6 43. Bg2 $18) 40. Rh6+
Kf5 41. Rf6#) (39. Qg8+ Kf6 40. Rh6+ Rg6 41. Rxg6+ fxg6 42. Qxd5 $18) 1-0

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge 4th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2015.02.14"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2811"]
[BlackElo "2776"]
[Annotator "Pavlovic,M"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2015.02.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. h3 {A popular line
nowadays, played by Bobby Fischer on a very few occasions a long time ago, has
now resurfaced again. I guess that 6.Bg5 is in crisis as well as 6.Be3,
otherwise I don't really see why would anybody would play such a passive move
with White.} e5 7. Nde2 h5 {A very popular line, it is a direct attempt to
stop a g4 expansion or Ng3.} 8. g3 Nbd7 9. Bg5 Be7 10. a4 Nc5 $5 {I can't say
if this is new or not. In today's chess with so many games played every day it
is difficult to draw a line as to what is new and what is not.} (10... b6 11.
Bg2 Bb7 12. O-O O-O 13. Qd2 Rc8 14. Rfd1 Re8 15. Qe3 Rc4 16. b3 Rc5 17. Rd3 Qc7
18. Rad1 Qc6 19. h4 b5 20. axb5 axb5 21. Bh3 Bf8 22. Bxd7 Nxd7 23. Qf3 Qc8 {
1/2-1/2 (53) Shirov,A (2675)-Oparin,G (2543) Moscow (rapid) 2014; with a
complicated struggle ahead of us.}) 11. Bg2 Be6 12. a5 b5 (12... O-O 13. g4 $5
{Although interesting, there is no real need for this; White can play 13.0-0
and transpose to the game.} b5 14. axb6 hxg4 15. b7 Rb8 16. Ng3 Qb6 17. hxg4
Qxb2 18. Bd2 Bxg4 19. f3 Be6 20. Rb1 Qa3 21. Rh2 $13 {1-0 (34) Romm,M-Dolin,B
corr. 2014}) 13. axb6 Qxb6 14. b3 O-O 15. O-O a5 16. Qd2 Rfc8 17. Rfd1 a4 {
An intuitive pawn sacrifice, there are interesting computer generated ideas as
an option:} (17... Rc6 18. Ra3 Rac8 19. Rda1 Ncxe4 $5 20. Nxe4 Rxc2 21. Qd3
Nxe4 22. Be3 Nxf2 23. Kxf2 Qd8 24. Rxa5 Bf8 25. R5a2 Rxa2 26. Rxa2 d5 27. Kg1
d4 28. Bd2 Qb6 $44) ({A logical attempt is} 17... Qb4 $5 18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19. Qxd6
Rd8 20. Qc6 Rxd1+ 21. Rxd1 Rc8 22. Qb5 Qxb5 23. Nxb5 a4 24. bxa4 Nxa4 25. Rc1
Be7 $11) 18. bxa4 Bc4 19. a5 $1 $14 {White has an initiative: the black pawn
sacrifice didn't fully pay off and White is gaining momentum.} Qd8 (19... Rxa5
20. Bxf6 Rxa1 21. Bxe7 Rxd1+ 22. Qxd1 $16) 20. Bxf6 Bxf6 21. Qxd6 Qxd6 22. Rxd6
Nb7 23. Rd2 Rxa5 {Black should have considered an alternative to be played
sooner or later:} (23... h4 $5 24. Nd5 Rxa5 25. Rxa5 Nxa5 26. Nxf6+ gxf6 27.
Nc3 Be6 28. Nd5 Bxd5 29. exd5 Nc4 30. Rd3 Nd6 31. Rb3 hxg3 32. fxg3 Rxc2 33.
Rb6 Rc1+ 34. Kh2 Nf5 {Black has good counterplay in this endgame.}) 24. Rb1 Nc5
25. Nd5 Bd8 26. h4 $1 Ra3 27. Nec3 Rca8 28. Rdd1 Ba5 {Black has accumulated
all his forces on the queenside but still that won't be enough.} 29. Nb5 Ra2
30. Bf3 g6 31. Ne7+ (31. Nd6 $1 Bxd5 32. Rxd5 Rxc2 33. Ra1 {with an unpleasant
position for Black.}) 31... Kg7 32. Nc6 Na4 33. Nd6 Be6 34. Rb7 Rxc2 35. Nxe5
$2 {A serious mistake after which White loses the thread in the game.} (35.
Nxf7 $1 Nc5 (35... Bxf7 36. Nxe5 Rc7 37. Rxc7 Bxc7 38. Nxf7 $16) 36. Rb5 Bxf7
37. Rxa5 Rxa5 38. Nxa5 {White is a pawn up.}) 35... Nc5 36. Re7 Kf8 {The rook
is trapped now, the position has changed dramatically in Black's favour.} 37.
Nc6 (37. Rxf7+ Bxf7 38. Ndxf7 Bc7 39. Nd6 Kg7 40. Ndc4 Raa2 41. Rd5 Bb8 42.
Rxc5 Bxe5 43. Rxe5 Rxc4 44. Rg5 Rcc2 45. Bxh5 Rxf2 $17) 37... Nb3 38. e5 Bb6
39. Rb7 $2 {A big mistake but a logical one; previous moves had been played to
save the rook and not to sac it so Rb7 is consequently played, unfortunately
for White it just loses.} Bxf2+ 40. Kg2 Bc5+ 41. Kh1 Raa2 0-1

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge 4th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2015.02.16"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A33"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[Annotator "RR"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2015.02.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 e6 6. g3 Qb6 7. Ndb5 Ne5 8.
Bf4 Nfg4 9. Qa4 g5 10. Bxe5 Qxf2+ 11. Kd1 Nxe5 12. Nc7+ Kd8 13. Nxa8 Qd4+ 14.
Kc2 Nxc4 15. e4 Ne3+ $2 (15... Qd2+ 16. Kb3 Qxb2+ $1 17. Kxc4 Bg7 18. Qa5+ b6
19. Qxg5+ f6 20. Qb5 $1 Ba6 $1 21. Qxa6 f5 $11) 16. Kb3 Qd2 17. a3 Qc2+ 18. Ka2
Qxa4 19. Nxa4 Nxf1 20. Rhxf1 b5 21. N4b6 axb6 22. Nxb6 Bb7 23. Rxf7 Bc6 24. Rd1
Be7 25. Rf3 Kc7 26. Nxd7 Rd8 27. Rc3 1-0

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge playoff 4th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2015.02.19"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2797"]
[BlackElo "2776"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[EventDate "2015.02.19"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "1"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. c5 Nh5 8. Be5
c6 9. g4 Nhf6 10. Rg1 Nxe5 11. Nxe5 Nd7 12. Nxd7 Bxd7 13. f4 b6 14. b4 a5 15.
a3 axb4 16. axb4 Qb8 17. g5 bxc5 18. bxc5 Qb4 19. Rc1 Ra3 20. Qd2 Bd8 21. Nd1
Qxd2+ 22. Kxd2 Ba5+ 23. Ke2 Rb8 24. Kf3 e5 25. fxe5 Bf5 26. Rg2 Be4+ 27. Kf4
Bxg2 28. Bxg2 Ra2 29. Bf3 Bd2 0-1

[Event "Khanty-Mansiysk FIDE GP"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2015.05.21"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2799"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[Annotator "Gormally,D"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2015.05.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 167"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 2. Bf4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} b6 {
[%emt 0:02:10]} 3. c4 {[%emt 0:02:50]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 4. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:
07]} e6 {[%emt 0:03:13]} 5. a3 {[%emt 0:06:38]} d5 {[%emt 0:07:18] This is
already rare stuff. Presumably both players were happy with this development -
Vachier Lagrave was having a terrible tournament and was probably just
relieved to play some interesting and new type of positions, while Nakamura is
also often happy to leave the confines of main-line opening theory.} ({Of
course Black has a lot of choice about how to approach this line. One way is
the double fianchetto with} 5... g6 $5 6. Nf3 Bg7 7. e3 (7. Qd2 $5 {with the
idea of Bh6, is also possible}) 7... O-O 8. Be2 d6 9. h3 Nbd7 {Shchekachev,A 
(2560)-Zvjaginsev,V (2590) Elista 1996, when Black was totally fine.}) 6. e3 {
[%emt 0:10:00]} ({In another game White played more directly;} 6. cxd5 exd5 7.
Nb5 $5 Na6 8. Qc1 c6 9. Qe3+ $1 Be7 10. Nd6+ Kf8 11. Nf5 (11. Nxb7 $1 {taking
material is often best :D} Qd7 12. Nf3 Qxb7 13. g3 $16) 11... Qd7 12. Qxe7+
Qxe7 13. Bd6 Qxd6 14. Nxd6 Bc8 15. e4 {Bruno,F (2436)-Rombaldoni,D (2480)
Boscotrecase 2014, with interesting play in the endgame.}) 6... Bd6 {[%emt 0:
01:37]} 7. Bg5 $1 {[%emt 0:01:28]} h6 {[%emt 0:06:38]} (7... O-O 8. cxd5 exd5
9. Bd3 Nbd7 {and now as White hasn't yet committed the knight to f3 he has
more options, perhaps with} 10. Qf3 $1 {being the best of them; simple
development will follow with Nge2, 0-0 when White is ready to pressurise the
kingside.}) 8. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:19:05]} Qxf6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 9. cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:
03]} exd5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 10. Qa4+ $1 {[%emt 0:00:04] Giving Black an awkward
decision to make. Nakamura is excellent at posing these little tactical
problems for his opponent.} Kf8 $6 {[%emt 0:09:07] The loss of time associated
with castling by hand allows Nakamura to grab the advantage.} (10... Bc6 $1 {
was the only real alternative, even if this looks a little ugly.} 11. Bb5 (11.
Qc2 O-O 12. g3 Bb7 13. Bg2 c6 14. Nge2 Nd7 {also looks more than acceptable
for Black}) 11... Bxb5 12. Qxb5+ c6 13. Qd3 O-O 14. Nge2 {on the surface looks
rather nice for White - he has a simple plan of 0-0, followed by f3 and e4.
But Black remains very solid and with accurate play it will be difficult for
White to develop an initiative:} Re8 15. O-O Qe6 $1 {preventing f3} 16. b4 Nd7
$13) 11. g3 {[%emt 0:01:22]} c6 {[%emt 0:12:06]} 12. Bg2 {[%emt 0:01:07]} g6 {
[%emt 0:01:25]} 13. Nge2 {[%emt 0:01:22]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 14. O-O {
[%emt 0:01:26]} Qd8 {[%emt 0:09:42] Slightly passive. Slowly and almost
inperceptibly Black inches closer to the precipice.} ({I'm sure a more in form
and less tired Maxime would have found the more combative} 14... Qf5 $1 {
if White continues as he did in the game with} 15. e4 {then Black looks much
more co-ordinated and active after} (15. f3 {is certainly possible. However
even when White is able to carry out e4, this does at least give Black
something to bite on in terms of counterplay against d4.} Qd7 16. e4 c5 $5 17.
Qxd7 Nxd7 18. exd5 Nf6 $1 {with excellent counterplay in the centre.} (18...
cxd4 19. Nxd4 Bc5 20. Rad1 Nf6 21. b4 $1 {is less accurate})) 15... dxe4 16.
Nxe4 Rd8 $1) 15. e4 {[%emt 0:10:43]} dxe4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 16. Nxe4 {[%emt 0:
00:15]} Re8 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 17. Rad1 {[%emt 0:06:28]} Na6 {[%emt 0:07:53]} 18.
N2c3 {[%emt 0:08:55] Probably the critical moment of the game.} Nc7 $2 {
[%emt 0:06:46]} ({The only way to hold the position together tactically was by
} 18... Rb8 $1 19. d5 (19. Nxd6 Qxd6 20. Ne4 Qe7 {is also just about holding
together for Black}) 19... cxd5 20. Nxd5 {which perhaps surprisingly, isn't as
overwhelming as it looks at first sight for White:} Nc5 $1 {pretty much the
only move} 21. Nxc5 bxc5 22. Rd2 {when White retains a slight edge.} (22. Qxa7
$6 Bxd5 23. Rxd5 Rxb2 {is not convincing for White - for example} 24. Rfd1 $2
Qf6 $1)) (18... Bf8 $2 19. d5 $1 cxd5 (19... c5 20. d6 {and Black can hardly
move anything while the White d-pawn looks a monster}) 20. Nxd5 Bxd5 21. Qxa6 {
looks rather horrible.}) 19. Nc5 $1 {[%emt 0:01:16] Now White gains an almost
crushing positional edge.} bxc5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 20. dxc5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Nd5
{[%emt 0:00:05]} 21. cxd6 {[%emt 0:08:49]} Qxd6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 22. Ne4 {
[%emt 0:02:00]} Qe5 {[%emt 0:06:33]} (22... Qe7 23. Rc1 {and with Nc5 coming,
it's getting really ugly.}) 23. Rc1 {[%emt 0:00:39]} Nb6 {[%emt 0:05:23]} 24.
Qb4 {[%emt 0:01:48]} Rad8 {[%emt 0:06:00]} 25. Nc5 {[%emt 0:01:12]} Rd4 $2 {
[%emt 0:03:16] Under pressure, Black gives the game away.} (25... Bc8 26. Bxc6
{just looks like a clean pawn.}) (25... Ba8 {looks like positional sucicide
and probably is as now the bishop can't move for a long time. It's a very
difficult move to force your hand to make, especially for an instinctively
active player like Maxime. However Black retains material parity for the time
being.} 26. Rfe1 Qd6 27. h3 $16) 26. Qc3 {[%emt 0:01:27]} Bc8 {[%emt 0:02:04]}
27. Rce1 {[%emt 0:00:34]} 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 3rd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2015.06.18"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A38"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[Annotator "Mokal,P"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2015.06.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 167"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 g6 7. O-O Bg7 8.
Nxd5 Qxd5 9. d3 O-O 10. Be3 Bd7 11. Nd4 Qd6 12. Nxc6 Bxc6 13. Bxc6 Qxc6 14. Rc1
Qa6 {A harmless opening variation has resulted in a very dry position which
seems likely to be heading towards a draw.} 15. Qb3 (15. Rxc5 {has been tried
before by Karjakin and Radjabov but neither of them could achieve anything
more than a draw} b6 (15... Qxa2 $5 16. Rb5 b6 17. Qa1 Qe6 18. Qa6 Rfc8 19. Ra1
Qc6 {1/2-1/2 Gausel,E (2540)-Tisdall,J (2480)/Reykjavik 1997/CBM 062}) 16. Rc4
Qxa2 17. Rb4 Rac8 (17... Rfc8 18. Qa1 Qd5 $11 {1/2-1/2 Radjabov,T (2788)
-Ivanchuk,V (2769)/Istanbul 2012/CBM 151 (30)}) 18. Qa1 Qxa1 19. Rxa1 Rc7 20.
Kg2 Rd8 21. Ra6 h5 22. b3 Be5 23. Re4 Bd6 24. b4 $5 Rdd7 25. b5 Rc2 26. Kf3 Rb2
$11 {1/2-1/2 Karjakin,S (2770)-Leko,P (2731)/Sochi RUS 2014/The Week in Chess
1045 (57)}) 15... b6 16. Rc4 Rfd8 17. Rfc1 Rd7 18. a3 Rad8 19. Rf4 $146 ({
A previous game simplified to an easy draw after} 19. Qc2 Bd4 20. Bxd4 Rxd4 21.
b4 Rxc4 22. Qxc4 Qxc4 23. Rxc4 Rd4 24. bxc5 Rxc4 25. dxc4 bxc5 26. f4 f5 27.
Kf2 Kf7 28. e3 e6 29. h3 h5 30. h4 a5 {1/2-1/2 Meier,G (2623)-Safarli,E (2653)/
Antalya TUR 2013/The Week in Chess 996}) 19... Bf6 ({It is hard to notice any
risk in the move} 19... e6 {as well. Should be equal.}) 20. h4 Qb7 21. Rc2 ({
The thematic break} 21. h5 $6 {does not promise anything here as Black can
simply take} gxh5 {[%cal Gh5h4] and always have the move ...h4 in his hand.})
21... Qb8 22. Rf3 Rd5 23. Bg5 Qd6 (23... Bxg5 {could have unnecessarily gone a
bit wild after} 24. e4 Bxh4 25. gxh4 (25. exd5 $6 Bf6 $15) 25... R5d7 26. Qxf7+
Kh8 $13 {with some sort of dynamic equality.}) 24. Bxf6 exf6 {Not all doubled
pawns are weak. Black's structure, although very slightly damaged is very
solid enough to hold.} 25. Qa4 a5 26. Qf4 f5 27. Qxd6 R8xd6 28. Rf4 Rd4 29.
Rxd4 Rxd4 30. Kg2 Kg7 31. Rc3 Kf6 32. e3 Rd6 33. Kf3 Ke5 34. a4 Kd5 35. Ke2 Rd7
36. Kd2 h6 37. Rc1 Kc6 38. Kc3 {Everything has gone pretty logically so far in
the fight between the World no.4 and the World no.2. White's better pawn
structure might give him a very slight chance to try and persist but obviously
the advantage is simply negligible for the R endgame.} b5 $6 {Suddenly strange
things begin to happen. For no apparent reason, Caruana creates further damage
to his pawn structure.} (38... Kd5 $11 {is pretty much equal.} 39. f3 h5 40.
Rd1 (40. e4+ fxe4 41. dxe4+ Ke5 $11) 40... Rd6 41. e4+ Ke5 42. exf5 Kxf5 43.
Re1 f6 44. Re7 g5 $11 {[%csl Gf5][%cal Gd6d3,Gd6b6]}) 39. axb5+ Kxb5 40. b3 $5
{This move is also a bit curious as White had an option of using the b3-square
for a R manouevre.} ({For example} 40. h5 g5 (40... gxh5 $2 41. Rh1 $18) 41.
Ra1 Re7 42. Ra3 {[%cal Ga3b3,Gb3b8]} f4 (42... a4 43. b3 axb3 44. Rxb3+ Kc6 45.
Rb8 $16) 43. e4 (43. gxf4 gxf4 44. e4 Re5 $11) 43... Re8 (43... fxg3 44. fxg3
Re8 45. Ra1 {[%cal Ga1f1]}) 44. Ra1 (44. Rb3+ Kc6 45. Kc4 Rd8) 44... Re5 45.
gxf4 gxf4 46. Rh1 f5 47. f3 fxe4 48. dxe4 Rg5 49. Rh4 a4 50. Rxf4 Rxh5 51. Rf8
$14) 40... g5 $2 {Suicidal. Within a span of 3 moves the position has gone
from dead equal to lost for Black, and surpisingly the reason has been gross
positional mistakes rather than any obvious blunders. The move ...g5 is
totally inexplicable for a player of Caruana's calibre.} (40... h5 $142 41. Ra1
Rd8 42. Ra4 {is a very slight edge for White but with accurate play Black is
likely to hold.}) 41. hxg5 hxg5 42. Rh1 {[%csl Rf5,Rf7,Rg5][%cal Gh1h6,Gh6h7,
Gh6f6,Gh7f7,Gh7g7,Gg7g5]} Ra7 43. Rh7 f4 (43... a4 44. bxa4+ Rxa4 45. Rxf7 Ra3+
46. Kd2 Ra2+ 47. Ke1 Ra1+ 48. Ke2 Ra2+ 49. Kf1 Ra1+ 50. Kg2 Rd1 51. Rxf5 Rxd3
52. Rxg5 $16) 44. gxf4 gxf4 45. e4 $1 {Making sure that he gets connected
passed pawns.} a4 46. bxa4+ Rxa4 47. Rxf7 Ra3+ 48. Kd2 Ra2+ 49. Ke1 Ra3 (49...
Kb4 50. Rxf4 Kc3 51. Rf3 Kd4 52. Re3 Ke5 53. Kf1 Rb2 54. Kg2 Rb7 55. Kf3 Rb2 (
55... Rd7 56. Ke2 $18) 56. Re1 Kd4 57. e5 $18) 50. Ke2 Ra2+ 51. Kf3 Rd2 52. Rd7
Kc6 53. Rd5 Kb6 54. e5 Kc6 55. Rd8 Kc7 56. Rd6 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 3rd"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2015.06.25"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A25"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[Annotator "Nakamura,H"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2015.06.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 167"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Going into this critical last round, I was 1 point behind Topalov and 1/2 a
point behind Anand and on the same score as Giri. Having said that, Levon was
having a rather miserable event, so I felt like taking a shot to try and win.
Of course, considering my rather abysmal score against Levon with Black, I
wasn't ready to go insane, but I simply wanted to get a game.   However, I had
to also be realistic coming off an extremely disappointing draw against Maxime
Vachier-Lagrave the previous day where I missed several opportunities to win.} 
1. c4 {I was slightly surprised that Levon chose to play the English. After a
really terrible loss to Magnus Carlsen in round 8, I assumed that Levon would
try to be super solid.} e5 $1 {After move 1, I was already very happy as I had
achieved my goal of simply getting a position and playing chess!} 2. Nc3 Nc6 3.
g3 Bc5 $5 {A fairly unusual setup which isn't seen very often. The only high
level player who has used it consistently is GM Paco Vallejo.  I might add
that while I beat Paco, (see the notes to the game) I also recently had a game
in Gibraltar against Grandelius which I won, but the position was very unclear
at a certain point.} 4. Bg2 d6 5. e3 (5. a3 a6 6. e3 Nf6 7. Nge2 Ba7 8. b4 O-O
9. d3 Ne7 10. O-O c6 11. h3 Be6 12. Bb2 Qd7 13. Kh2 Ng6 14. Qd2 d5 15. c5 Rae8
$11 {1-0 (35) Nakamura,H (2776)-Grandelius,N (2602) Caleta 2015. While the
position is equal, I do prefer Black.}) 5... a6 6. Nge2 Ba7 7. a3 (7. b3 Nge7
8. Bb2 Rb8 9. d3 Bf5 10. Qd2 Qd7 11. h3 O-O 12. f4 Be6 13. d4 exd4 (13... Nf5
14. Bxc6 bxc6 15. O-O-O exd4 16. exd4 Ne7 17. g4 f5 18. g5 Bf7 19. Ng3 a5 20.
h4 a4 $1 21. Nxa4 Bxc4 22. bxc4 c5 $14 {1-0 (59) Nakamura,H (2753)-Vallejo
Pons,F (2716) Sao Paulo/Bilbao 2011}) 14. exd4 d5 15. c5 b6 16. cxb6 cxb6 17.
g4 f5 18. g5 b5 $13 {[%csl Ge4][%cal Ge7c8,Gc8d6,Gd6e4]}) 7... h5 $5 {A fairly
rare move, but I was inspired by the game of another Spanish GM, Anton
Guijarro.} 8. d4 (8. h4 Bg4 9. b3 Nge7 10. Bb2 Rb8 11. Qc2 Qd7 12. d3 O-O 13.
Rc1 Nd8 14. O-O Ne6 $11 {0-1 (39) Mwali,C (2250)-Anton Guijarro,D (2624)
Tromso 2014}) 8... h4 9. b4 Nge7 {The practical decision! Perhaps with deeper
and more concrete preparation 9...h3 will be playable, but it's too commital
without preparation.} (9... h3 $5 {This is also possible, but it's very
difficult to assess whether there is counterplay or the bishop on a7 is
completely dead.} 10. Bxc6+ bxc6 11. c5 {[%csl Ga7]} Qf6 12. Rf1 Qf3 13. Nb1
Qg2 (13... Nf6 14. Nd2 Qd5 15. f3 exd4 16. e4 Qh5 17. Nb3 $132 {Another very
difficult position to assess and one which is impossible to play over the
board.}) 14. dxe5 dxe5 15. Bb2 f6 16. Nd2 Qxh2 17. f3 $1 Qg2 18. Rf2 Qh1+ 19.
Rf1 Qg2 20. Rf2 $11 {One of the weirdest repetitions I have ever seen!}) 10. c5
$5 {More or less forcing the action. As Levon himself has said on many
occasions, once you push your pawns forward, they can never go back!} Bf5 $8
11. Bb2 Qd7 12. Qb3 h3 13. Bf3 exd4 (13... d5 $5 {Also possible, but I didn't
really see how to proceed after 14. 0-0.} 14. O-O Bd3 (14... e4 15. Bh1 Bg4 16.
f3 exf3 17. Bxf3 Bxf3 18. Rxf3 f5 19. Raf1 $14 {[%cal Ga3a4,Gb4b5,Ge2f4] White
is substantially better as he has more space, all the pawn breaks and a clear
initiative on both sides of the board.}) 15. e4 $5 Nxd4 16. Nxd4 Bxf1 17. Nxd5
Nxd5 18. Nf5 Bg2 19. Bxg2 hxg2 20. Qxd5 Qxd5 21. exd5 f6 $13 {The computers
assess this as equal, but I'd prefer to be White.}) 14. Nxd4 Bg4 (14... Nxd4
15. exd4 Be6 16. Qc2 (16. d5 $2 Bg4 $1 17. Ne4 Qf5 18. Nd2 Bxf3 19. Qxf3 dxc5
$17) 16... O-O-O 17. O-O Bg4 18. Bh1 dxc5 19. dxc5 f6 {Again, this looks very
scary to a human, but the computers seem to think that it is no big deal.}) 15.
Bxg4 Qxg4 16. Nxc6 Nxc6 17. Qd1 (17. cxd6 Ne5 18. Qd5 cxd6 19. f4 Nc6 20. Qd3
O-O 21. O-O Rfe8 22. Rae1 Rad8 23. Ne4 d5 24. Ng5 Qh5 25. Bd4 Nxd4 26. exd4 Qg6
$11) 17... Qg6 (17... Qxd1+ 18. Rxd1 dxc5 19. Nd5 (19. Ne4 Kf8 20. Nxc5 Bxc5
21. bxc5 Rh5 $1 22. Rc1 Rd8 23. Ke2 Rdd5 24. a4 Kg8 25. Ba3 Rhe5 $1 $15 {
[%cal Gc6d4,Gc6a5,Ge5e4]}) 19... O-O $1 20. b5 axb5 21. Nxc7 Rad8 22. Nxb5 Bb8
23. Ke2 $14 {[%csl Gh3] White has to be slightly better in the long run as h3
is probably a weakness as opposed to a strength.}) 18. cxd6 O-O-O (18... Ne5 $6
19. d7+ Kd8 20. O-O $14) 19. Rc1 $2 {A serious error.} (19. Qb1 $8 Qh5 20. dxc7
Kxc7 21. Qe4 Rhe8 22. Qf4+ Kc8 23. Rc1 Rd3 24. Qh4 $1 Qf5 25. Qf4 $1 Qh5 $11)
19... Rxd6 {Another practical decision as the computer line after 20.Nd5 would
be impossible to find.} (19... Ne5 20. Nd5 (20. O-O Rxd6 21. Qc2 (21. Qe2 $2
Rd2 22. Qxd2 Nf3+ 23. Kh1 Nxd2 $19) 21... Qxc2 22. Rxc2 Nf3+ 23. Kh1 Rhd8 $19 {
[%csl Gf3,Gh1,Gh3]}) 20... Nd3+ 21. Kf1 Qe4 22. Ne7+ Kd7 $1 23. Rxc7+ Ke8 $1
24. Bxg7 Qg2+ 25. Ke2 Qxf2+ 26. Kxd3 Rxd6+ 27. Kc3 (27. Bd4 Bxd4 $19) 27...
Qxe3+ 28. Kc2 Qe4+ 29. Kb3 Qe6+ 30. Kc3 Rxd1 31. Rxd1 Qg4 $1 32. Kc2 Bb8 $1 33.
Rc8+ Kxe7 34. Rxh8 Qc4+ 35. Kd2 (35. Bc3 Be5 $19) 35... Qa2+ 36. Kc1 Qxa3+ 37.
Bb2 Qe3+ 38. Kc2 Qe4+ 39. Rd3 Qe2+ 40. Rd2 Qc4+ 41. Kb1 Bd6 42. Rh4 Qf1+ 43.
Kc2 Qf5+ 44. Kc1 f6 $15) 20. Qc2 Qh5 21. Qe2 Ne5 {After the game, Levon
claimed that he simply missed this move.} 22. Qxh5 Nd3+ 23. Ke2 $2 {A strange
decision.} (23. Kf1 Rxh5 24. Rc2 Bxe3 $1 {A move that I saw in my calculations
at the board during the game.} 25. Ne4 (25. fxe3 Rf5+ 26. Kg1 (26. Ke2 Rf2+ 27.
Kd1 Nxb4+ $1 28. Kc1 Rxc2+ 29. Kb1 Rdd2 30. Bc1 Rxh2 31. axb4 Rxh1 32. Kxc2
Rxc1+ 33. Kxc1 h2 $19) 26... Rdf6 $19) 25... Re6 26. fxe3 Rxe4 27. Ke2 Nxb2 28.
Rxb2 Rhe5 29. Rb3 g5 $17 {I saw this during the game, and while Black is up a
pawn and much better, I'm not sure that this is trivial at all.}) 23... Nxc1+
24. Rxc1 Rxh5 25. g4 Re5 $19 {All of the smoke has cleared and the rest is
simply technique.} 26. Rg1 Re8 27. Rg3 Bd4 28. Na4 (28. Rxh3 b5 $1 29. Rh7 (29.
Nd1 Bxb2 30. Nxb2 Red8 $19 {[%csl Gb5][%cal Gb5c4,Gb5a4,Gd6d2] Domination.})
29... f5 30. gxf5 Bf6 31. Nd1 Bxb2 32. Nxb2 Red8 33. Rxg7 Rd2+ 34. Kf3 Rxb2 $19
) 28... Bxb2 29. Nxb2 Red8 30. Nc4 Rc6 31. Ne5 Rc2+ 32. Ke1 (32. Kf3 Rdd2 33.
Rxh3 Rxf2+ 34. Kg3 (34. Ke4 Rxh2 35. Rf3 f6 $19) 34... Rg2+ 35. Kf3 Rxh2 36.
Rxh2 Rxh2 37. Nxf7 Ra2 $19) 32... f6 33. Nf3 Rh8 34. g5 Ra2 35. Nd4 Rxa3 36.
Ne6 (36. g6 Ra1+ 37. Ke2 Rh1 38. Nf5 Rxh2 39. Nxg7 Rg2 40. Nf5 h2 41. g7 h1=Q
42. gxh8=Q+ Qxh8 43. Rxg2 Qh5+ $19) 36... Ra1+ 37. Ke2 Rh1 38. gxf6 gxf6 39.
Nf4 b6 (39... Rxh2 40. Rg1 Rg2 41. Nxg2 Rg8 42. e4 hxg2 43. f4 c5 44. bxc5 a5
45. Kf2 a4 $19 {[%cal Ga4a3,Ga3a2] This is also winning, but what's the point
when there is a cleaner way to win.}) 40. Nxh3 Rb1 0-1

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 3rd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2015.08.23"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2814"]
[BlackElo "2816"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2015.08.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 Bd5 {The variation chosen by Anand is knwon for its
straight aim at simplifying and, after a bit of struggling, a relatively safe
draw.} ({For} 10... h6 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 {Eljanov,P (2723)-Adams,M (2740) Biel GM
48th 2015 (10) 0-1 see}) ({The most solid line is} 10... a5) 11. Qc2 Be4 12.
Qd1 c5 13. dxc5 Bxc5 14. Qxd8 {Since White intended to develop his knight to
d2, it makes sense exchanging queens first. Otherwise, his queen would be
passive.} (14. Nc3 {is an important alternative} Bc6 15. Ne5 {Akopian,V (2678)
-Kramnik,V (2807) Moscow 2002 CBM 091 [Ribli] (0-1, 26)}) 14... Rxd8 15. Nbd2
Bc6 {The structure is almost symmetrical, but Black is behind in development
and White can still gain some time by attacking the enemy bishops.} 16. Nb3 ({
Nobody has tried yet} 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. Nb3 {, aiming for a knight versus
dark-squared bishop which used to be a specialty of Ulf Andersson.}) 16... Be7
{Not the only possible move, but the most natural one, ensuring the integrity
of the kingside structure.} (16... Nbd7 {Kramnik,V (2797)-Gelfand,B (2712)
Astana 2001 CBM 084 [Ribli] (1-0, 60)}) (16... Bb6 {Kozul,Z (2610)-Baramidze,D
(2543) Dresden 2007 CBM 118 [Marin,M] 1-0 (55)}) 17. Na5 {White immediately
puts pressure on the c6-bishop, thus delaying the development of the b8-knight.
} (17. Rfc1 {is a bit milder.} h6 18. Be3 (18. Bf4 Nbd7 19. Na5 Be4 20. Ne1
Bxg2 21. Kxg2 e5 22. Be3 Nd5 {Cmilyte,V (2508)-Kosintseva,N (2460) Nalchik
2008 (½-½, 99)}) 18... Nbd7 19. Na5 Be4 20. Ne1 Bxg2 21. Kxg2 Nd5 {Panno,O 
(2485)-Zarnicki,P (2545) Villa Gesell 1996 0-1 (56)}) 17... h6 {Just like in
the lines above, Black is best adviced to start questioning the stability of
the white bishop.} (17... Bd5 {is too slow, allowing White to gain time for
regrouping.} 18. Ne5 Bxg2 19. Kxg2 Nbd7 20. Nd3 $14 {Aronian,L (2581)-Lutz,C 
(2645) Germany 2003 CBM 094 [Ribli] (1-0, 45). The b2-pawn is defended, making
the pressure against b7 real. This element yields White long term initiative.})
18. Be3 ({Getting the bishops' pair with} 18. Nxc6 {speeds up Black's
development.} Nxc6 19. Bd2 Ne4 {As we see, the bishop faces permanent
harassment.} 20. Be3 Bc5 21. Bxc5 Nxc5 22. Ra3 {White cannot clear the long
diagonal with a knight move because this would leave Black with initiative
inthe centre after ...Nd4.} a5 23. Rc1 Na6 24. Rac3 Nab4 {After over defending
the c6-knight, Black is sfae against the bishop's pressure.} 25. Rc5 f6 26. Bf1
Rd7 27. e3 Rad8 28. Bb5 Nd3 {And now the bishop's exchange is forced, after
this piece has consumed a few tempi while looking for new horisons.} 29. Bxd3
Rxd3 30. Rb5 R8d7 $11 {Vasilevich,T (2399)-Kosintseva,N (2491) Dagomys 2009 
(½-½, 76)}) 18... Nd5 19. Bd2 Nb6 {Psakhis,L (2550)-Sandipan,C (2469)
Pardubice KB Czech op 2003 (8) 1/2 This looks a bit speculative but is not
easy to meet. Black keeps jumping around with an already developed piece
creating one-move threats. The main thread of this position is the concrete
fight of the minor pieces, not a simple issue and one which used to be Paul
Keres' specialty. And in general lines, Black should try completing his
development while White will do his best to prevent that. A draw was agreed
here in the only previous game with this line.} ({The straightforward} 19... b6
20. Nxc6 Nxc6 {may be playable for Black, but the queenside weaknesses could
tell in the long run after the natural sequance} 21. Rac1 Rac8 22. Rfd1) (19...
Bf6 {is abstractly more constructive than the game move (it activates a piece)
and not easy to refute. For instance, Black can neutralize the direct operation
} 20. e4 Ne7 21. e5 {with} Bxe5 22. Nxe5 Bxg2 23. Kxg2 Rxd2 {True, White
retains some symbolic advantage after} 24. Rad1 Rxd1 25. Rxd1 Nec6 26. Nexc6
Nxc6 27. Nxb7 {but} Ra7 {should keep things under control} (27... Rb8 {would
be less indicated due to} 28. Rd7 {with some domination.})) 20. Bf4 {[%cal
Gf4c7]} Nd5 {Consequent and best.} (20... Bd6 $2 21. Rfd1 Be7 22. Ne5 $16) (
20... Rc8 $6 21. Rac1 $14) (20... Rd5 21. Nxc6 Nxc6 22. Rfc1 Bf6 23. Be3 Nc8
24. Rab1 $36 {[%csl Rd5,Ge3,Gg2][%cal Gb2b4]}) 21. Ne5 (21. Be5 {exposes the
bishop to the b8-knight's attacks, for instance} Bb4 22. Nc4 (22. Nxc6 Nxc6 {
[%csl Ge5]}) 22... Nd7 $11) 21... g5 $6 {Blach rightly decides to continue the
fight against the enemy bishop, but weakening the kingside is risky. In the
end of the game it will eventually cost him the full point.} ({Now was a good
moment to exchange some pieces and finally develop the queenside:} 21... Nxf4
22. gxf4 Bxg2 23. Kxg2 {Ribli,Z (2610)-Karpov,A (2725) IBM Amsterdam 1980 1-0
This kind of structure with double f-pawns and an active jnight on e5 versus a
moderately good bishop may be dangerous for Black as known ever since Karpov's
famous defeat in} {But here the c6-square is not weak and besides Black can
immediately attack the e5-knight with} Nd7 $1 (23... b6 24. Nac4 Bc5 25. Rfd1
$14) 24. Nd3 (24. Nxb7 Rdb8 25. Nxd7 Rxb7 $11) 24... Rab8 25. Rfc1 Bd6 26. Kf3
{From practical point of view White's position is more appealing, but
formulating a clear plan of strengthening the pressure is not easy.}) 22. Bd2
Bf6 23. Nd3 {Nakamura still does not wish to allow Anand to develop.} ({But} 
23. Nexc6 Nxc6 24. Nxc6 bxc6 {was a worthy alternative, since Black's chronic
weaknesses offer White pleasant play after} 25. Rab1 Rab8 26. Rfc1 Nb4 27. Be1
$14) 23... b6 24. Nc4 b5 {To a lesser extent than 21...g5, this pawn move with
incomplete development is some sort of asking for trouble.} (24... Nd7 {
looks safe enough as after} 25. Rfd1 Rac8 26. e4 {Black can regroup with} Ne7
27. Nd6 Rb8 {when White's slight space advantage is compensated by the
weakness of the d4-square.}) 25. Bxd5 $5 {Typically for positions with mutual
minor piece play, White had a wide choice here. None of the available
continuations had clear consequences but analysis siggests that two other
moves might have been a bit stronger.} (25. Nce5 bxa4 26. f4 {is a resolute
attacking action, far from Black's undeveloped queenside.} gxf4 27. gxf4 Bb5
28. f5 Nd7 29. Ng4 Bd4+ 30. Kh1 $36 {Black should be able to defend, but the
fun would be all White's:} N7f6 31. Nxh6+ Kg7 32. fxe6 fxe6 33. Rf3 Rac8 (33...
Ra7 34. Raf1) 34. Rg3+ (34. Raf1 Rc2 35. Rg3+ Kh7 $132) 34... Kf8 35. Bg5) (25.
Ne3 $5 {This is an entirely different approach. White intends exchanging some
of Black's active pieces in order tp retain his lead in development until late
in the ending.} Nxe3 (25... bxa4 26. Rfc1 Ra7 (26... Bb5 27. Ba5 Re8 28. Nxd5
exd5 29. Bxd5 Ra7 30. Rc2 $14) 27. Nxd5 exd5 (27... Bxd5 28. Bxd5 exd5 29. Rxa4
$14) 28. Ba5 Re8 29. Rc2 $14 {[%csl Rb8][%cal Gd3b4]}) 26. fxe3 $1 {The point.
White spoils his pawn structure and temporarily sacrifices a pawn just to
maintain the rhytm of his initiative.} Bxb2 27. Ra2 Bxg2 28. Kxg2 Bg7 29. axb5
Nd7 30. bxa6 Nb8 {It seems as if Black is close to a draw (or even the more
pleasant side of the draw, due to his better structure) but White can still
pull out a few tricks to retain a stable advantage.} 31. Rb1 $3 {Preventing
Rxa6 and threatening a6-a7.} (31. a7 Nc6) 31... Nxa6 (31... Rxa6 $2 32. Rxb8 $1
$11) 32. Rc1 $3 {Black does not seem to be under any pressure, but his knight
is in an awfull situation, for instance} Nc7 33. Rxa8 Nxa8 34. Ba5 {[%csl Gb6,
Gc7]} Rb8 35. Rc6 {[%csl Gb6,Gc7];Rodriguez Cespedes,A (2515)-Marin,M (2485)
Novi Sad ol (Men) 1990 (8) 1-0 It is far from clear how and if White can win,
but Black will play the rest of the game with the knight imprisonned. I have
some bad memories of this kind from the game} {The attempt to free the knight
with} Kf8 36. Kf3 Ke8 {can be met with either 37.Nc5 controlling d7 or} 37. Kg4
Kd7 38. Ra6 {starting an attack on the abandoned wing.}) 25... bxc4 $1 {
This should have led to equality.} (25... Bxd5 26. Nb6 Ra7 27. axb5 {wins a
pawn.}) 26. Bxc4 Bxb2 27. Ra2 Bg7 $6 {Too passive and offering White the time
to re-organize his pressure.} (27... Bd4 {would have pinned the f-pawn while
controlling c5, allowing to meet} 28. Rc1 {with} Be4 $11 {without fearing
f2-f3 or Nc5. This way, Black would have got an essential tempo to dveelop his
knight.}) 28. Rc1 Be8 {Black keeps regrouping, but we are approaching move 30
and his queenside pieces are still immobile. Quite a dangerous situation.} 29.
Nc5 {Abstractly, I find this a bit premature and concretely it causes White
some problems of stability. The knight was doing fine on d3, while on c5 it is
vulnerable, while also obstructing the c-file for the rooks.} ({During my live
comments I suggested} 29. a5 {which is the move I would probably play in a
game of my own, too. Blocking the a6-pawn and gaining space are useful
allowing White to keep options on other sectors of the board.} Nd7 (29... Bf8
30. f4 $1 $36) ({If} 29... Nc6 30. Nc5 {there would be some trouble around the
a6-pawn.}) 30. Be3 {[%csl Gb6] Black is in no immediaqte danger, but his
position is anything but pleasant.}) 29... Bf8 $1 {[%csl Gc5]} 30. Bd3 Nc6 31.
Be4 ({The a-pawn is taboo, of course:} 31. Nxa6 $2 Rxd3) ({or} 31. Bxa6 $2 Bxc5
) 31... Rdc8 32. Kf1 $1 {I like this move a lot. White takes measures against
the annoying ...Nd4 keeping his flexibility.} (32. f4 gxf4 33. gxf4 Nd4 $1)
32... Ra7 {[%cal Ge4a8]} 33. Nb3 ({Due to his hanging knight, White is not
ready to start his kingside attack with} 33. f4 gxf4 34. gxf4 Nd4 $1 {But b3
is not a good square for the knight.}) ({In fact, engines slightly prefer} 33.
Nd3 {and I can agree with that, since d3 is the best square for the knight,
but then why did White need to quit it a few moves earlier?}) 33... Rac7 34.
Rac2 Bd6 $6 {Overdefending the c7-rook, based on an illusion.} ({Ramirez: "} 
34... Ba3 $1 {Was much better} 35. Ba5 $2 {is what Anand was worried about.}
Nxa5 36. Rxc7 Rxc7 37. Rxc7 Nxb3 $19 {and Black has Nd2+ as a threat, so White
can't do anything."}) 35. f4 $1 $36 f5 (35... gxf4 36. Bxf4 $5 {[%csl Ra6,Rc7,
Rh6] leaves Black hanging but maybe things would not be as bad as they look:}
Ne5 37. Rxc7 Rxc7 38. Rd1 Rd7 39. Rxd6 Rxd6 40. Bxe5 Rd1+ 41. Kf2 Bxa4 42. Nc5
Bb5 43. Nb7 Rd2 44. Bf3 {Karpov,A (2720)-Kasparov,G (2700) World Championship
32th-KK2 1985 (2) 1/2 How would I evaluate this position? Possibly, I would
not be afraid of losing it with black, but I would get very irritated if I
could not win with white. To be compared with the ending from Carlsen-Nakamura,
this same tournament. Here the black kingside is weak, offering White some
additional ideas, while the presence of two more minor pieces may favour him,
too. But if the light-squared bishops are off board, I would start preferring
Black, due to his passed pawn. For this latter aspect compare with}) (35... g4
36. f5 $36) 36. Bd3 (36. Bg2 {does not put pressure on a6, allowing} g4 $11)
36... Nb8 $2 {This loses a big fat pawn and the game.} (36... gxf4 $2 37. Bxf4
$1 {[%csl Ra6,Rc7,Rh6]}) (36... Rb8 $1 {was the right move, hitting onto the
Achile's heel in White's position: his knight.} 37. Nc5 (37. Rc3 {leads to
interesting play resulting in simplifications and a probable draw:} Bb4 38. Rc4
Ba3 39. Nd4 Bxc1 40. Rxc1 Kf7 41. Ba5 Rcc8 42. Bxa6 Nxd4 $1 {The right moment
to free Black's positon.} 43. Rxc8 Rxc8 44. Bxc8 Bxa4 $11) 37... Nd4 38. Rc4
Rxc5 (38... Bxc5 $6 39. Rxd4 $14) 39. Rxd4 Rxc1+ 40. Bxc1 Be7 {[%csl Gd5,Gd6,
Gd7,Gd8] Despite his minor weaknesses, Black is well regrouped and has little
to fear.}) 37. Rxc7 Rxc7 38. Rxc7 Bxc7 39. fxg5 hxg5 40. Nc5 (40. Bxg5 Bxa4 41.
Nc5 $18) 40... Bd6 (40... Kf7 41. Bc4 Bd7 42. Nxd7 Nxd7 43. Bxa6 $18) 41. Nxe6
Bxa4 42. Nxg5 Bd7 43. Bc3 {The least White can do is create two connected
passers by eliminating the last kingside redoute with e2-e4, which should
suffice for a technical win. But even the advance of the h-pawn would be
molesting, being sustained by all the minor pieces. Anyway, Anand was not
curious to check all these details and called it a day.} 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 3rd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2015.08.28"]
[Round "6"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E99"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2814"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2015.08.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5
Ne7 9. Ne1 Nd7 (9... Ne8 {is the another main line.}) 10. f3 f5 11. Be3 f4 12.
Bf2 g5 13. Nd3 (13. Rc1) ({and} 13. a4 {are more popular.}) 13... Ng6 14. c5
Nf6 15. Rc1 Rf7 16. Kh1 h5 17. cxd6 cxd6 18. Nb5 {Both players are following
their plans: White plays on the queenside to create some weaknesses and Black
attacks his opponent K as fast as possible.} (18. Qb3 {was tried in a
correspondence game,} g4 19. Nb5 g3 (19... a6 {could have been met by} 20. Nc7
$1 Rxc7 21. Bb6 Ne8 22. Rxc7 Nxc7 23. Rc1 $16 {and White is better.}) 20. Bxa7
Bf8 21. Rc2 Bd7 22. Bg1 gxh2 23. Bf2 h4 24. Rfc1 h3 25. g3 fxg3 26. Bxg3 Bxb5
27. Qxb5 Bh6 $36 {with a nice position for Black, Hiltunen-Sekretaryov, ICCF
2011.}) 18... a6 19. Na3 $146 {Novelty by So.} ({A few days ago} 19. Na7 {
was played by Kjartansson} Bd7 20. Qb3 g4 21. Qb6 Qxb6 22. Bxb6 h4 23. Nf2 h3
24. gxh3 gxf3 25. Bxf3 Nh4 $13 {with a complicated position,
Kjartansson-Kovalev, Riga 2015.}) 19... b5 $1 {The right move! Black avoids
the Nc4-b6 maneuver.} 20. Rc6 g4 21. Qc2 Qf8 (21... g3 $5 {was also possible,}
22. Bb6 (22. hxg3 $6 fxg3 23. Bxg3 h4 24. Bf2 Nh5 $40 {with a strong attack.})
22... Qf8 23. h3 Nh4 24. Rc1 Bd7 25. Bf1 $1 $13 {and White tries to hold his
kingside.}) 22. Rc1 Bd7 23. Rc7 $2 {Releasing the tension on d6 and a6 is too
lenient on Black's position, moreover Black's 7th rank is protected, the d7 B
closes the kingside from the c7 R.} (23. Nb4 $1 {was better} Bxc6 (23... Bh6 $5
24. Rxa6 Nxe4 $1 25. Bxb5 (25. fxe4 $2 Rxa6 26. Nxa6 f3 $1 $17) 25... Rxa6 26.
Nxa6 $13 {with a very complicated position.}) 24. dxc6 $44 {with a strong
compensation.}) 23... Bh6 24. Be1 {White removes the B from potential g3 moves
with tempo.} h4 $1 {The most precise attacking move!} 25. fxg4 $2 {White takes
the "poisoned P", because ...h3 was too dangerous. Nevertheless this is a
mistake.} (25. Bb4 {was more solid,} h3 26. gxh3 {and still White can try to
defence.}) 25... f3 26. gxf3 Nxe4 $1 {The best reply! Of course Nakamura
doesn't want to take on c1. His B is more important then the R.} 27. Rd1 $2 {
Loses immediately, but White's position was already bad.} ({In case of White
captures with} 27. fxe4 $2 Rf1+ $1 28. Kg2 Be3 $1 29. Bxf1 h3+ $1 $19 {and
Black wins.}) (27. Rxd7 Rxf3 $1 28. Bxf3 Qxf3+ 29. Qg2 Qxd3 30. Rd1 Bd2 $3 {
This is the key move!} (30... Qxd1 $2 31. Qxe4 $132) 31. Bxd2 Nf4 $1 $19 {
and White is getting mated.}) (27. Nc5 dxc5 28. Rxd7 Rxd7 29. Qxe4 Bxc1 30.
Qxg6+ Rg7 $19 {is also losing.}) (27. Nf2 Nxf2+ 28. Bxf2 Bxc1 29. Qxg6+ Rg7 $17
{and Black is better. Probably this was the best practical chance yet.}) 27...
Rxf3 $1 {Nakamura continues the strong attack, White is already hopeless.} 28.
Rxd7 (28. Bxf3 Qxf3+ 29. Qg2 Bxg4 $19 {is completely winning.}) 28... Rf1+ $1
29. Kg2 Be3 $1 {Another fantastic move!} (29... h3+ {was also winning:} 30.
Kxh3 Rf2 $3 31. Bxf2 Qxf2 $3 32. Nxf2 Nf4+ 33. Kh4 Bg5# {What a beautiful mate
by Mr. Houdini!}) 30. Bg3 hxg3 31. Rxf1 Nh4+ 32. Kh3 Qh6 $1 {White has a clear
R up, but he can't avoid the mate.} 33. g5 Nxg5+ 34. Kg4 Nhf3 35. Nf2 Qh4+ 36.
Kf5 Rf8+ 37. Kg6 Rf6+ $1 38. Kxf6 Ne4+ 39. Kg6 Qg5# {and mate! What a
brilliant victory by Nakamura!} 0-1

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 3rd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2015.09.01"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2814"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[Annotator "Mokal,P"]
[PlyCount "153"]
[EventDate "2015.08.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 {Compared to 3...Bd7, this approach tries to
keep an imbalance in the position and looks for fighting chess.} 4. O-O a6 5.
Bd3 Ngf6 6. c3 {Sticking to the traditional Bd3-c3-Bc2 plan.} (6. Re1 b5 7. c4
$5 {is the other approach, tried by Carlsen against Nakamura in Zurich rapid
2014.}) 6... b5 7. Bc2 Bb7 8. Re1 Rc8 {Grischuk had faced this position from
Black thrice before this game, albeit all three were blitz games.} (8... e5 {
leads to typical Ruy Lopez type positions after} 9. d4) 9. a4 ({Instead} 9. d4
$6 {is premature} cxd4 10. cxd4 Qc7 11. Bd3 (11. Nc3 $2 b4 $17) 11... Nxe4 $132
{[%csl Rc1]}) ({Ivanchuk refrained from opening the a<-> and continued} 9. d3
e5 10. Nbd2 Be7 11. Nf1 O-O 12. Ng3 Re8 13. h3 Bf8 {Here, out of the many
possibilities Ivanchuk chose} 14. Nh2 {but after} d5 {Grischuk did not face
any serious problems and went on to draw the game later. 1/2-1/2 Ivanchuk,V 
(2704)-Grischuk,A (2810)/Beijing 2014/CBM 163 Extra (54)}) 9... b4 ({The first
blitz game between Karjakin and Grischuk in June 2014 went -} 9... e5 10. axb5
axb5 11. d4 Be7 12. d5 $5 Ra8 $132 {0-1 Karjakin,S (2771)-Grischuk,A (2792)/
Flor & Fjaere 2014/CBM 160 Extra (73)}) 10. a5 ({The second blitz game played
in September 2014 saw -} 10. d4 $5 cxd4 11. cxd4 Qc7 12. Bd3 Nxe4 13. Qe2 Nef6
14. Bxa6 e6 15. Bxb7 Qxb7 16. Nbd2 $14 {[%csl Ga4] 1-0 Karjakin,S (2777)
-Grischuk,A (2789)/Moscow 2014/CBM 162 Extra (43). With a slight edge for
White due to the o^.}) 10... Qc7 11. d3 bxc3 12. bxc3 e6 13. h3 {[%cal Gc1f4,
Gf4h2] Trying to avoid the harassment of the B after it is developed to f4.}
Be7 14. Bf4 ({Instead} 14. Nbd2 O-O {would transpose to a game that came from
a different move order. It went} 15. Nf1 $5 (15. Nc4 d5 $132) 15... Rfd8 16.
Bg5 Nf8 17. Qd2 Ng6 18. N1h2 d5 19. e5 Ne4 $1 $132 {0-1 Sivuk,V (2519)
-Artemiev,V (2636)/Loo 2014/CBM 160 (75)}) 14... O-O 15. Nbd2 Bc6 16. Nc4 (16.
d4 cxd4 17. cxd4 Bb5 $132) 16... Bb5 17. Nfd2 (17. e5 $5 Nxe5 (17... dxe5 $6
18. Nfxe5 $1 {[%cal Ge5g6]} Nd5 19. Ng6 $1 Qd8 (19... Nxf4 20. Nxe7+ Kh8 21.
Nxc8 $16) 20. Nxf8 Nxf4 21. Nxd7 $16) 18. Nfxe5 Nd5 19. Bg3 dxe5 20. Nxe5 {
[%cal Gc3c4]} Nxc3 21. Qd2 Nd5 22. Nxf7 Qd7 23. Ne5 $14 {[%csl Rc5,Rd3,Re6]})
17... Rfd8 (17... e5 18. Bg3 $14 {[%cal Gc4e3,Ge3f5,Ge3d5]}) (17... Ne5 18.
Bxe5 dxe5 19. Nb6 Rcd8 20. Ndc4 $11) 18. Bg3 Ne8 ({Black must have already
started considering} 18... Ne5 $5 19. Nxe5 dxe5 20. Nf3 Bd6 $11) 19. Kh2 {
Both sides are using a waiting strategy, improving there pieces. White has not
found a favourable position to play d4 so he is likely to go for the f4-plan.
Meanwhile Black feels that he is ready for that Kingside activity which is
characteristic of the Sicilian.} (19. Ba4 $5 Rb8 (19... Bxa4 20. Qxa4 $14) 20.
Qc2 Bf6 $13) 19... Rb8 20. Ne3 Ne5 21. Qe2 (21. d4 $6 Nd3 $15) 21... Nc6 22.
Nb3 Ne5 23. Nd2 Nc6 24. Ndc4 Nf6 25. Kh1 {[%cal Gg3h2,Gf2f4]} (25. f4 g6 {
[%cal Gg6h5] /\...Nh5}) 25... Ne5 26. f4 {Finally, the dance of the Ns comes
to an end.} ({It would be inadvisable to play} 26. Nxe5 dxe5 {[%csl Rd3,Ge5,
Ge6][%cal Gd8d3] giving Black a typical advantageous o/o with unpleasant
pressure down the d<->.}) ({Worth considering was} 26. Na3 $5 {aiming to play
f4 without allowing N exchanges.}) 26... Nxc4 27. dxc4 (27. Nxc4 d5 (27... Bxc4
28. dxc4 g6 $13 (28... e5 $5 {Trying to shut down White's Bs.})) 28. exd5 exd5
29. Nb6 (29. Qxe7 Qxe7 30. Rxe7 dxc4 31. dxc4 Bxc4 $15 {[%cal Gb8b1,Gd8d1]})
29... Re8 $132) 27... Bc6 {In this Nimzo/Sicilian structure there does not
seem to be any reason for Black to worry. Although he does not have the
d4-square like he does often in positions with the White P on b3 instead of c3,
he does have the dark squared B which he usually has to part with to get the
White Ps doubled on c<->.} 28. Nd1 (28. e5 Ne4 29. Bxe4 Bxe4 $15 {[%csl Ge4,
Ge7] ^^}) (28. Ng4 Nxg4 29. Qxg4 Rb2 $15) 28... g6 29. Bh2 Nh5 {As is usual in
similar situations, Black does not mind provoking the White g-P forward.} 30.
Qe3 Bh4 31. g3 Be7 32. Kg1 Re8 (32... Bf8 $5 33. g4 Nf6 34. Nf2 Bg7 35. g5 Nd7
$15) 33. e5 (33. g4 Nf6 34. Nf2 Nd7 $15) 33... Ng7 (33... Ba8 $142 {[%cal
Gc7c6,Gc6h1] /\...Qc6, would be a thematic move. But after} 34. g4 {the move}
f5 $1 {would not be an easy move to find in time pressure.} (34... Qc6 35. Be4
Qxe4 36. Qxe4 Bxe4 37. Rxe4 Ng7 $15) (34... Ng7 35. Nf2 Qc6 36. Qe4 $13) 35.
exf6 (35. gxh5 Qc6 36. Be4 (36. Qg3 Bh4 $1 37. Qxh4 Qg2#) 36... Qxe4 $17) 35...
Nxf6 36. Nf2 Rb2 $36) (33... dxe5 34. fxe5 f5 (34... Ba8 $5) 35. exf6 Bd6 {
[%cal Gc6h1,Gd6h2]} 36. Ba4 Bxa4 37. Rxa4 Nxf6 $15) 34. g4 f5 (34... dxe5 $5
35. fxe5 Ba8 36. Nf2 Rb2 $15) 35. exf6 (35. gxf5 exf5 $19 {[%csl Re5][%cal
Ge8e1,Ge7h4,Gg7e6]}) (35. g5 dxe5 36. fxe5 Ba8 $19 {[%csl Re5,Rg1,Rg5][%cal
Ga8h1]}) (35. exd6 Bxd6 $17 {[%csl Rf4,Rg1][%cal Ge8f8,Gd6f4,Gf8f4]}) 35...
Bxf6 36. Nf2 Bh4 (36... Rb2 $142 37. Re2 (37. Ne4 $6 Bxe4 38. Bxe4 Rb3 (38...
Reb8) 39. Rec1 Bd4 $1 $19) 37... Ba8 (37... Nf5 $5 38. gxf5 exf5 39. Qd3 Rxe2
40. Qxe2 Bxc3 41. Rd1) 38. Qd2 (38. Nd3 $4 Bxc3 39. Nxb2 Bd4 $19) (38. Nd1 Qc6)
38... Qb7 (38... Qc6 39. Ne4) 39. Ne4 Be7 $40 {[%csl Rg1][%cal Gd6d5,Gg7f5,
Ga8h1] /\...d5 or...Nf5.}) 37. Re2 Bxf2+ $6 {This decision is probably the
result of time pressure. The dark squared B seemed more valuable.} (37... Rb2
38. Nd3 Rb7 $13) 38. Rxf2 Rf8 39. Bg3 Rbe8 $6 {This passive move is most
likely the result of the same problem stated above, time.} ({With the White K
still not very comfortable, activity was the way to counter White's ^^
advantage. For example} 39... Rb2 40. Rd2 (40. h4 Ba8 41. h5 $6 Qb7 $15) 40...
Ba8 $132) 40. Kh2 Rf7 (40... e5 $2 41. fxe5 (41. f5 $14) 41... Rxf2+ 42. Qxf2
dxe5 43. Qxc5 $16) 41. Rd1 $14 {[%csl Gc2,Gg3][%cal Gc2h7,Gg3h4,Gh4g5,Gg5h6,
Gh3h4,Gh4h5,Gf4f5] White has come out slightly better after the time control.
Both his Bs have good scope. The P-structure on the >> is quite fluid and
Black's pieces are somewhat passive. White's main plans would be manoeuvering
the dark-squared B to h6 or playing h4-h5 or even f5 at the right moments.
Black, on the other hand will have to wait and look to counter in the center
in order to open lines towards the White K.} Rd7 (41... Qxa5 $6 42. Rxd6 $16)
42. Rfd2 Qd8 (42... Red8 43. f5 gxf5 44. gxf5 exf5 45. Qg5 {[%csl Rd6,Rf5]
[%cal Gg3c7,Gg5g8,Gc2f5]} Be4 (45... Kh8 46. Bxf5 Nxf5 47. Qxf5 $18 {[%csl Rd6,
Rh8]}) 46. Bxe4 fxe4 47. Qd5+ Kh8 48. Qxe4 $16 {[%csl Rd6,Rh8]}) 43. h4 (43.
Qf2 $5 $14 {[%cal Gg3h4]}) 43... Rf8 {[%cal Gg7e8,Gd7h7] Black braces for h5.}
44. Rf2 (44. h5 $6 gxh5 45. Qd3 Ne8 $15) 44... Kh8 {Black could have
considered taking the P here itself.} ({After} 44... Qxa5 $142 $5 45. h5 gxh5
46. f5 exf5 47. gxf5 Qd8 $13 {The position is complicated but White does not
get the domination he got in the game because of} 48. f6 $2 Rxf6 {[%csl Rd1]
[%cal Gb1b8]}) 45. Rb1 {[%cal Gb1b6]} (45. h5 $6 gxh5 46. f5 exf5 47. gxf5 h4
$17) 45... Qxa5 $8 46. h5 $40 gxh5 47. f5 exf5 48. gxf5 Qd8 $6 ({Black's best
bet now was} 48... Ne8 {[%cal Ga5c3] keeping the Q active for a while. But
even then after} 49. Rb8 {[%csl Re8]} ({If White continued as in the game then
after} 49. f6 Rdf7 50. Bh4 Rg8 {he may have to look for other ideas as} 51. Qh6
$2 {does not work due to} Qxc3) 49... h4 $8 (49... Rdf7 50. Bxd6 Nxd6 51. Rxf8+
Rxf8 52. Qe5+ $18) 50. Bxh4 Rdf7 51. Rc8 Bd7 52. Rd8 $14 {White keeps the
chances}) 49. f6 $1 Ne8 (49... Rxf6 50. Rxf6 Qxf6 51. Rb8+ Rd8 52. Qd3 {
[%csl Rd8,Rf6]} Kg8 (52... Nf5 53. Qxf5 $18) 53. Qxh7+ Kf7 54. Rxd8 Qxd8 55.
Bg6+ Ke6 $8 56. Qxg7 $18) 50. Bh4 Rdf7 51. Qh6 $1 {[%cal Gc2g6,Gg6h7,Gb1g1] /
\Bh7 or Bg6 or Rg1} Rg8 (51... Nc7 52. Rg1 {[%cal Gg1g7]} Rg8 53. Rg7 $18) 52.
Re1 $6 {[%cal Ge1e7]} ({Simpler was} 52. Rg1 Rxg1 (52... Qc7 53. Rxg8+ Kxg8 54.
Rf1 $1 d5+ (54... Qd7 55. Rg1+ Kh8 56. Bxh7 $18) 55. Bg3 Qd7 56. Be5 $18 {
[%cal Gf1g1,Gc2h7]}) 53. Kxg1 {[%cal Gc2g6,Gg6h7,Gh6f8]} Qd7 (53... Nc7 54.
Qg7+ $1 $18) 54. Bf5 Qb7 55. Bxh7 $18) 52... d5 $1 53. Qxh5 ({For the sake of
establishing the truth we can have a look at} 53. Re6 $5 Qc7+ 54. Rf4 $1 {
because working this move out properly in the game with the second and final
time control approaching would definitely not be easy.} (54. Qf4 Rg4 55. Qxc7
Rxh4+ 56. Kg3 Rg4+ 57. Kh3 Nxc7 58. Rxc6 Rxc4 59. Bd1 Rxc3+ 60. Kg2 Ne8 61. Rc8
(61. Bxh5 $2 Rxf6) 61... Re3 62. Bxh5 Kg8 63. Bxf7+ Kxf7 $11) 54... dxc4 (54...
Rg4 $5 55. Bg5 $18 {[%cal Gc2h7]} (55. Bg3 $18)) (54... d4 55. Re7 Rg2+ 56. Kh3
Rxc2 57. Rxc7 Rxc3+ 58. Kh2 Nxc7 59. Qxh5 $16) 55. Re7 (55. Bxh7 Rxh7 56. f7
Rxh6 57. Rxh6+ Kg7 58. Rg6+ Kxg6 59. fxg8=Q+ Ng7 60. Qxc4 $13) 55... Rg2+ 56.
Kh3 Rxc2 57. Rxc7 Nxc7 58. Qxh5 $16) (53. Re7 {does not achieve the same
result as Re6 because Black manages to exchange all major pieces after} Qd6+
54. Qf4 (54. Rf4 $2 Rxe7 $19 {[%cal Gd6h6]}) 54... Qxf4+ 55. Rxf4 Rxe7 56. fxe7
Rg4 $1 57. Rxg4 (57. Rf8+ Kg7 58. Bg3 dxc4 59. Be5+ Kh6 $11) 57... hxg4 58.
cxd5 Bxd5 59. Kg3 $11) 53... Qd6+ 54. Re5 {Bravely keeping the Qs on the board.
} ({Also interesting was} 54. Qe5 $5 Rg4 (54... Qxe5+ 55. Rxe5 dxc4 56. Rxc5
Rg4 57. Rxc6 Rxh4+ 58. Kg3 Rh5 59. Ba4 $14) 55. cxd5 Qxe5+ 56. Rxe5 Rxh4+ 57.
Kg3 Rc4 (57... Rh6 58. dxc6 Nxf6 59. Rg5 $1 $18 {[%csl Gc6][%cal Gf2f7,Gf2d2,
Gd2d8,Gc2h7] dominating all important lines of communication}) 58. dxc6 Rxc3+ (
58... Nxf6 59. Rf3 $16) 59. Kh4 Nxf6) 54... d4 $138 {Time remaining after this
move - White: 9 minutes, Black: 2 minutes.} (54... dxc4 55. Bg3 $16) 55. cxd4
$6 (55. Bg3 $142 Nxf6 (55... d3 56. Qxf7 $18) 56. Qxf7 Ng4+ 57. Kg1 Qh6 58.
Qxh7+ Qxh7 59. Bxh7 Nxe5 (59... Kxh7 60. Re7+ Rg7 61. Rxg7+ Kxg7 62. Rf4 $16)
60. Bxg8 Nf3+ 61. Rxf3 Bxf3 62. Bd5 $1 $18) 55... Qxd4 {[%csl Rh4]} 56. Re7
Rxe7 57. fxe7 Qd6+ $6 $138 ({Black had to find} 57... Qg7 $1 {[%cal Gg7g1]} 58.
Bg5 Qe5+ $132 {with sufficient counterchances.}) 58. Kh3 Bd7+ $6 (58... Qe6+
$142 59. Qf5 (59. Bf5 Qe3+ 60. Kh2 Qe5+ $11) 59... Rg6 60. Qxe6 Rxe6 61. Bf5
Re3+ 62. Kg4 $14) 59. Bf5 Qd3+ 60. Rf3 Bxf5+ 61. Qxf5 Qxf5+ 62. Rxf5 $18 {
The dust has settled down and White has come out with a dominating position.
Nakamura flawlessly exploits his advantage in study-like fashion.} Kg7 63. Bg3
$1 {[%cal Gg3e5,Gf5f8]} h6 64. Be5+ Kh7 (64... Kg6 65. Rf8 {transposes to the
game.}) 65. Rf7+ Kg6 66. Rf8 Kh7 67. Bf4 a5 (67... h5 68. Kh4 Rg4+ 69. Kxh5 $18
) 68. Bxh6 a4 69. Be3 $1 a3 70. Bxc5 a2 71. Bd4 Nc7 72. Ba1 Ne8 (72... Rg1 73.
Rh8+ Kg6 74. Rg8+ $18) 73. c5 Nc7 74. c6 Ne8 75. Kh4 Nc7 76. Kh5 Ne8 77. c7 {
Grischuk's time pressure and Nakamura's courageous play summarise the game.
Hikaru went on to tie for second after this last round encounter.} (77. c7 Nxc7
(77... Ng7+ 78. Bxg7 Rxg7 79. e8=Q $18 {[%cal Gf8h8]}) 78. Rf7+ $18) 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2015.09.19"]
[Round "3.5"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B22"]
[WhiteElo "2816"]
[BlackElo "2705"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2015.09.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 169"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Bc4 Nb6 6. Bb3 d5 7. exd6 Qxd6 8.
Na3 Be6 9. d4 Bxb3 10. Qxb3 cxd4 11. Nb5 Qb8 12. Nbxd4 e6 13. O-O Be7 14. a4
Nd5 15. a5 Nxd4 16. Nxd4 a6 17. Qa4+ Kf8 18. c4 Nf6 19. b3 h5 20. Nf3 h4 21. h3
Rh5 22. Be3 Qc7 23. Bb6 Qf4 24. Rad1 e5 25. Be3 Qf5 26. c5 Qc8 27. b4 e4 28.
Nd4 Nd5 29. Qb3 Kg8 30. Rfe1 Bf6 31. Bc1 Qe8 32. Qc4 Rd8 33. Ne2 e3 34. fxe3
Re5 35. Nc3 Nxc3 36. Qxc3 Red5 37. Qc2 Qb5 38. Rxd5 Rxd5 39. Bd2 Rd3 40. Re2
Ra3 41. Re1 Qd7 42. Rc1 Rd3 43. Be1 Rxe3 44. Bf2 Rd3 45. Re1 g6 46. Qc4 Rd2 47.
Qf4 Kg7 48. Bxh4 Qd4+ 49. Qxd4 Bxd4+ 50. Kf1 Rb2 51. Re4 Rxb4 52. Be1 Rc4 53.
Rxd4 Rxc5 54. Rd6 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2015.09.19"]
[Round "3.8"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2816"]
[BlackElo "2705"]
[PlyCount "143"]
[EventDate "2015.09.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 169"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. O-O a6 5. Bd3 Ngf6 6. c3 b5 7. Bc2 Bb7 8. Re1
Rc8 9. a4 b4 10. a5 e6 11. d3 bxc3 12. bxc3 Be7 13. h3 O-O 14. Bf4 Bc6 15. Nbd2
Bb5 16. Bh2 Re8 17. Bb3 Bxd3 18. c4 d5 19. cxd5 exd5 20. e5 c4 21. Bc2 Ne4 22.
Bxd3 cxd3 23. Nxe4 dxe4 24. Rxe4 Nc5 25. Rd4 Qc7 26. e6 Qb7 27. Rb1 Qa8 28.
exf7+ Kxf7 29. Ne5+ Kg8 30. Rxd3 Bf6 31. Re3 Rcd8 32. Qe2 Qd5 33. Ng4 Rxe3 34.
Nxf6+ gxf6 35. Qxe3 Qd1+ 36. Qe1 Qxe1+ 37. Rxe1 Kf7 38. Bc7 Rd5 39. Rb1 Ne6 40.
Bb6 Nc5 41. Kf1 Nb7 42. Ra1 h5 43. g3 Kg6 44. Kg2 Rb5 45. Ra4 Kf7 46. Kf3 Rb3+
47. Kg2 Rb5 48. g4 hxg4 49. hxg4 Kg7 50. f4 Kf7 51. f5 Rd5 52. Kg3 Kg7 53. Kh4
Nd6 54. Rb4 Nb7 55. Rc4 Nxa5 56. Rc7+ Kg8 57. Kh5 Nb3 58. Kg6 Kf8 59. Rc3 Rb5
60. Be3 Ke7 61. Rc6 Re5 62. Rc3 Rb5 63. Rc7+ Kd6 64. Bf4+ Kd5 65. Kxf6 a5 66.
Ra7 Nd4 67. Kg6 Ke4 68. Bh2 Kf3 69. Rd7 Nc6 70. g5 a4 71. f6 Rb6 72. Kg7 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2015.09.19"]
[Round "3.9"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A26"]
[WhiteElo "2705"]
[BlackElo "2816"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2015.09.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 169"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O Nc6 7. Rb1 e5 8. b4
Be6 9. d3 h6 10. Nd2 Qc8 11. b5 Ne7 12. a4 Bh3 13. Bb2 Bxg2 14. Kxg2 Kh7 15.
Nf3 c5 16. bxc6 Qxc6 17. Qb3 g5 18. e4 Nd7 19. Ba3 b6 20. Qb5 Nc5 21. Rfd1 f5
22. Bxc5 dxc5 23. a5 Qf6 24. Ne1 f4 25. Rd2 Nc6 26. Nd5 Qd6 27. axb6 axb6 28.
Qb2 Rab8 29. f3 h5 30. Nc2 g4 31. Rf1 Qg6 32. Rdf2 Rf7 33. Qc1 Bh6 34. Qd1 Rg8
35. fxg4 hxg4 36. gxf4 g3 37. hxg3 Qxg3+ 38. Kh1 Rg4 39. Rh2 Rh4 40. Qe2 Rxh2+
41. Qxh2 Qxd3 42. Re1 exf4 43. Qh5 Ne5 44. Rg1 Qf3+ 45. Qxf3 Nxf3 46. Rd1 Ne5
47. Nxb6 f3 48. Kg1 Ng4 49. Nd5 Bf4 50. Nxf4 Rxf4 51. Rd7+ Kg6 52. Rd6+ Kg5 53.
Rd5+ Kh4 54. Kf1 Kg3 55. Ne1 Ne3+ 56. Kg1 f2+ 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2015.09.20"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2814"]
[BlackElo "2742"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2015.09.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 169"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Bb4+ ({It is interesting to compare the
following line with that played in the game:} 4... Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O Nbd7
7. Nc3 dxc4 8. e4 c5 {With the bishop on c1 instead of d2, White has} 9. d5 $1
exd5 10. e5 $1 $36) 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O Nbd7 8. Nc3 dxc4 ({Earlier
this year Adams preferred the solid but somewhat passive} 8... c6 {Wojtaszek,R
(2733)-Adams,M (2740) Biel 2015 CBM 168 [Ftacnik,L] (1/2-1/2, 46)}) 9. e4 c5 (
9... c6 10. Bf4 {transposes to a completely different line, usually arising
via the 5.g3 Semislav as in Dubov,D (2629)-Dreev,A (2649) Moscow 2014 CBM 164 
[Pavlovic,M] (1-0, 41)}) 10. Bf4 ({Premature action in the centre does not pay
off:} 10. e5 Nd5 11. Qe2 Nxc3 12. Bxc3 b5 $15 {Jacobsen,B (2375)-Azarov,S 
(2621) Rijeka 2010 (0-1, 22)}) ({Or if} 10. d5 exd5 11. e5 Ne4 {the d2-bishop
is hanging, eliminating thus the dangers for the e4-knight after} 12. Nxd5 Nxd2
) 10... Nb6 (10... cxd4 11. Qxd4 {Activates White's play:} Nc5 (11... e5 12.
Nxe5 Nxe5 13. Qxe5 Be6 14. Nd5 $14 {Nguyen,A (2484)-Csom,I (2472) Budapest
1999 (0-1, 29)}) (11... Nb6 {Ragozin,V-Budo,A Leningrad 1936 (1-0, 41)} 12.
Qxd8 Rxd8 13. a4) 12. Qxc4 Qd3 {Ragozin,V-Levenfish,G Leningrad 1936 (½-½,
30). As we see, there was some activity in this line almost 80 years ago!!} 13.
Ne5 $1 Qxc4 14. Nxc4 Nd3 15. e5 Nd7 16. Rfd1 Nxf4 17. gxf4 $16) 11. a4 {
[%csl Gb6][%cal Ga4a5]} cxd4 (11... a5 {[%csl Gb5,Gb6]} 12. Nb5 {[%cal Gf4c7]}
Ne8 13. Be3 cxd4 14. Qxd4 Qxd4 15. Bxd4 $36) 12. Nxd4 Bc5 $1 $146 ({Clearly an
improvement over the passive} 12... a6 13. a5 Nbd7 14. e5 Nd5 15. Bxd5 {
Giving up the bishop will backfire despite some temporary initiative.} (15.
Nxd5 $1 exd5 16. Nf5 Nc5 17. Nxe7+ Qxe7 18. Qxd5 $14) 15... exd5 16. Nf5 Nc5
17. Nxe7+ Qxe7 18. Nxd5 Qd8 19. Nb6 Bh3 20. Nxa8 $2 Qxa8 21. Qh5 (21. Re1 b5
22. f3 Nd3 $17) 21... Bxf1 22. Rxf1 Qc8 $15 {1/2-1/2 (29) Sorokin,M (2400)
-Pigusov,E (2530) Voronezh 1988}) 13. Ndb5 Qxd1 $1 {A precise move forcing
White into committing one of his rooks.} (13... a6 14. Nc7 Ra7 15. a5 Nbd7 16.
e5 Ne8 17. Nxe8 Rxe8 18. Ne4 $36) 14. Raxd1 (14. Rfxd1 {[%csl Gf2]} e5 $1 {
[%cal Gc8g4]} (14... Bd7 15. a5 $16) 15. Bxe5 Bxf2+ $1) 14... Bd7 15. Nc7 $2 {
This will eventually yield White an advantage but it could have led to the
opposite had Black defended correctly.} (15. a5 Bxb5 16. Nxb5 Na4 $132) 15...
Rac8 $2 {There was no need to attack the knight.} ({It was essential to defend
the d7-bishop:} 15... Rad8 $1 {[%csl Gd7]} 16. a5 Na4 17. e5 Ng4 $17) 16. a5
Na4 (16... Na8 $6 {is too passive:} 17. Nxa8 e5 (17... Rxa8 18. e5 Nd5 19. Nxd5
exd5 20. Rxd5 $18) 18. Bxe5 Bg4 (18... Rxa8 19. Bxf6 gxf6 20. Rxd7 $18) 19. Rd2
Rxa8 20. h3 Be6 21. Rfd1 $16) 17. e5 Nxc3 18. bxc3 Nd5 (18... Rxc7 19. exf6 $18
{[%csl Gd7]}) 19. Nxd5 exd5 20. Bxd5 $14 {White is better centralised and his
majority is more mobile than Black's.} Bc6 (20... b6 $14) 21. Bxc6 ({White
could have safely taken the pawn with} 21. Bxc4 $5) 21... Rxc6 22. Rd7 Ra6 $6 {
Taking the rook too far from the kingside.} (22... b5 23. axb6 Bxb6 24. Rfd1
$14) 23. Rxb7 Rxa5 24. e6 $2 {This is a thematic idea, weakening the seventh
rank, but the last move is premature.} (24. Rd1 $1 Ra2 (24... Ra8 {does not
work as in the line below since after} 25. Rdd7 {the f7-pawn is hanging.}) 25.
e6 fxe6 26. Rdd7 $16) 24... g5 ({A simpler way was} 24... fxe6 25. Rd1 Ra8 26.
Rdd7 Bf8 $13 {[%csl Ga7][%cal Ga7a1]}) 25. Bxg5 fxe6 26. Bf4 Rf7 $6 {Allowing
White to defend his only weak spot, the f2-pawn.} (26... Ra2 $11 {would have
left White short of active plans.}) 27. Rb8+ Rf8 28. Rb2 $1 Ra3 29. Be5 $14 {
White's position is not only better but also easier to play. He has the better
structure and safer king.} Rb3 30. Re2 Rb5 31. Bf4 Kf7 32. Rd1 Rb7 33. Rde1 Rb6
34. Kg2 Rc8 35. Re4 Rb2 36. Be3 Bxe3 37. R1xe3 $16 {White has activated his
reserve rook making the aforementioned trumps even more relevant.} Rc5 (37...
Rc6 38. Rh4 Kg7 39. Rg4+ Kf6 40. Rf4+ Kg6 41. Ref3 $36) 38. Rxe6 Rf5 39. Re7+ (
{The simple} 39. Re2 {was also possible.}) 39... Kf8 40. Re8+ Kf7 41. R3e7+ Kg6
(41... Kf6 42. Rf8+) 42. Rg8+ Kf6 43. Rf8+ Kxe7 44. Rxf5 {After the exchange
of one rook, White wins with relative ease.} Kd6 45. Ra5 Rb7 46. g4 Kc6 47. Ra4
Kc5 48. h4 Rd7 49. g5 Kb5 50. Rb4+ Kc5 51. Rb8 a5 52. Ra8 Kb6 53. h5 Rd3 54. h6
1-0

[Event "London Classic 7th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2015.12.07"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E06"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[Annotator "Sumets,A"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2015.12.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. Qc2 {Nakamura has very
good statistics in his games against Anand. A few month ago he won after 6.0-0,
which is considered as the main line.} (6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4 Bd7 9. Qxc4
Bc6 10. Bg5 Bd5 11. Qc2 Be4 12. Qd1 c5 13. dxc5 Bxc5 14. Qxd8 Rxd8 15. Nbd2 Bc6
16. Nb3 Be7 17. Na5 h6 18. Be3 $11 {Nakamura,H (2814)-Anand,V (2816)1-0 (43)
Saint Louis USA 2015}) 6... c5 7. O-O cxd4 8. Nxd4 {Now Black has a choice
between 8...Nc6, which is the most popular continuation; 8...e5; 8...Qb6 and 8.
..Na6!?. I would recommend 8...e5 as the most reliable continuation or 8...Na6
for those who like unexplored tracks.} Qb6 (8... Na6 $5 {Of late it has been
played in 2 games.} 9. cxd5 {It seems to me that White doesn't have any
alternatives.} (9. Rd1 $2 Nb4 10. Qd2 (10. Qb3 $2 dxc4 11. Qxc4 e5 $19) 10...
dxc4 $15) (9. Bd2 $6 e5 10. Nf5 d4 {In comparison with the line 8...e5 9.Nf5
d4 Black could get an extra tempo, because White's dark-squared bishop is
misplaced and he should play 10.Nxe7+ Qxe7 11.Bg5.}) 9... Nb4 $1 ({Kurajica,B
proved that} 9... Nxd5 $6 {is not a strong move due to} 10. Rd1 Ndb4 11. Qb3
Qb6 12. Be3 Nc5 13. Qc4 Nd5 14. Nf5 exf5 15. Bxd5 $16 {Kurajica,B (2495)
-Groszpeter,A (2490) 1-0 (52) Oberwart 1984}) 10. Qd1 (10. Qb3 e5 11. Nc2 Nbxd5
{Black should be satisfied with the opening results. He even has a small
advantage.} 12. Nc3 Nxc3 13. Qxc3 e4 14. Be3 Qd5 15. Bd4 Qh5 16. f3 exf3 (16...
Be6 $5 17. Qc7 Rfe8 18. Qxb7 Rac8 19. Rac1 Bc5 $44) 17. exf3 Bd7 18. Ne3 Rac8
19. Qb3 Bc5 20. Qc3 $11 {Khairullin,I (2630)-Riazantsev,A (2688) 1/2 (34)
Sochi RUS 2015. White almost levelled the game.}) 10... e5 11. Nf3 e4 (11...
Qxd5 $5 {leads to complications after} 12. Qxd5 Nfxd5 13. Nxe5 Nc2 14. Bxd5
Nxa1 $13) 12. Ng5 e3 $5 (12... Qxd5 $5 13. Qxd5 Nfxd5 14. Bxe4 Nf6 15. Nc3 h6
$44) 13. Nc3 exf2+ 14. Kh1 $1 (14. Rxf2 $6 Ng4) 14... h6 15. a3 $1 hxg5 $6 (
15... Nbxd5 16. Nxd5 hxg5 17. Nxe7+ Qxe7 18. Bxg5 Qe5 19. Bxf6 Qxf6 20. Qd2 $14
) 16. axb4 Qb6 17. Bxg5 Qxb4 18. Qd2 Ng4 19. Bf4 $16 {Khismatullin, D (2654)
-Bukavshin,I (2657) 1/2 (50) Khanty-Mansiysk RUS 2015}) (8... e5 {Sergey
Karjakin prefers this move.} 9. Nf5 d4 10. Nxe7+ Qxe7 {It seems that Black is
OK. He controls the centre and White's c4-pawn might be a target. However,
there are a lot of strong GMs, who like to play it with White. White's
light-squared bishop is very strong. He can also rely on the pair of bishops
and on the majority on the queenside. White should choose between 11.b4 and 11.
Bg5. Evgenij Miroshnichenko played 11.b3 but this option doesn't have many
supporters.} 11. b4 (11. b3 {- Miroshnichenko,E-Anand,V Bundesliga 2004,
annotated by Ribli,Z.}) (11. Bg5 h6 12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. Nd2 Nc6 (13... Bf5 14.
Qb3 Nd7 15. Qa3 Qb6 16. Rfc1 Rfc8 17. b4 a5 18. c5 Qa6 $2 (18... Qb5 19. Qf3 $1
Be6 20. Qd3 $1 (20. Qxb7 $2 Qxe2 21. Ne4 axb4 22. Nd6 Rcb8 $17) 20... Qxd3 (
20... Qxb4 21. a3 $1 Nxc5 22. axb4 Nxd3 23. exd3 axb4 24. Rxa8 Rxa8 25. Kf1 Ra2
26. Ke1 $16) 21. exd3 Rc7 22. a3 $14) 19. Nc4 Be6 20. Nd6 $18 {Aronian,L (2826)
-Carlsen,M (2872) 1-0 (53) Zuerich 2014}) 14. c5 Qe7 15. Ne4 Bf5 16. Qc4 Bxe4
17. Bxe4 Kh8 18. b4 f5 19. Bd5 Rad8 20. Rab1 Qd7 21. Bxc6 bxc6 $11 {Wojtaszek,
R (2698)-Karjakin,S (2762) 1/2 (83) Rhodes 2013}) 11... Be6 12. Nd2 Rc8 (12...
Qc7 13. Ba3 Nbd7 14. Rac1 Rac8 15. b5 Rfd8 16. c5 Nd5 $6 (16... Bd5 17. Qd3
Bxg2 18. Kxg2 Re8 $13) 17. Ne4 Bf5 $6 18. c6 $1 bxc6 19. Bd6 $16 {Li Chao2 
(2750)-Kreisl,R (2437) 1-0 (39) Skopje MKD 2015}) 13. Qd3 Nc6 14. b5 Na5 15.
Ba3 Qd7 16. Rac1 a6 17. Bb4 axb5 18. cxb5 Nd5 19. Bxd5 Rxc1 20. Rxc1 Qxd5 21.
a3 b6 22. Rc7 (22. e4 $5 Qd8 (22... dxe3 23. Qxd5 Bxd5 24. fxe3 f6 25. Rc7 $14)
23. f4 f6 $11) 22... h6 $11 {Wang,Y (2725)-Karjakin,S (2756) 1/2 (36) Antalya
2013}) (8... Nc6 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. Nd2 (10. b3 a5 11. Nc3 Ba6 12. Na4 Rb8 13.
Rd1 {I played this tournament and during the game I didn't like this move.
However the game Jobava,B-Zhukova,N convinced me that the natural 13...Nd7 is
not a panacea for all woes.} Bd6 (13... Nd7 14. Bf4 Rb4 $6 (14... Rb7 15. e4
$14) 15. cxd5 cxd5 16. Bc7 Qc8 17. Rac1 $16 {1-0 (31) Jobava,B (2722) -Zhukova,
N (2470) Doha QAT 2014}) 14. Be3 ({I believe White should have played} 14. Bb2
Qe7 15. e4 {with advantage.}) 14... Qe7 15. Bb6 Bb5 $1 16. Bxa5 Bxa4 17. bxa4 (
17. Bc3 $1 Bb5 (17... Bb4 18. Be5 Ra8 19. bxa4 $14) 18. cxb5 cxb5 19. a4 Rfc8
20. Qd2 bxa4 21. bxa4 Rb3 22. Rdc1 $14) 17... Bb4 18. Bxb4 Rxb4 19. cxd5 cxd5
20. Rd3 $6 Qa7 21. Rb1 Rxa4 22. Rd2 $15 {1/2 (22) Li Chao2 (2722)-Rausis,I 
(2586) Heusenstamm GER 2014. Of course, we have to respect top GMs but I'd
like to see how Li Chao played this unpleasant position.}) 10... Qb6 11. b3 a5
12. a3 Rb8 13. Bb2 dxc4 $6 14. Nxc4 Qxb3 15. Qxb3 Rxb3 16. Rab1 $14 {Li,C 
(2700)-Rozentalis,E (2623) 1-0 (42) Reykjavik 2014}) 9. Rd1 Nc6 10. Nxc6 Qxc6
11. Bg5 $146 (11. Na3 Bxa3 12. bxa3 Qxc4 13. Qxc4 dxc4 14. a4 (14. Rd4 c3 15.
Rc4 Bd7 16. Rxc3 Nd5 17. Rb3 Bc6 $11) 14... Bd7 15. Ba3 $6 (15. Bxb7 Rab8 16.
Ba6 c3 17. Ba3 Rb6 $1 18. Bxf8 c2 19. Rdc1 Rxa6 20. Bb4 Bxa4 21. a3 Nd5 $11)
15... Bxa4 16. Rdc1 b5 17. Bxa8 Rxa8 $15 {Aronian,L (2780)-Anand,V (2804) 0-1 
(51) Blitz Stavanger NOR 2015}) (11. a4 Bd7 12. b3 (12. Nd2 Qc7 13. b3 Rac8 14.
Bb2 Bc6 15. e4 dxe4 16. Nxe4 Bxe4 17. Bxe4 a5 $5 (17... Nxe4 18. Qxe4 Rfd8 $11)
18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19. Bxh7+ Kh8 20. Rac1 g6 21. Bxg6 fxg6 22. Qxg6 $13 {1/2 (32)
Melkumyan,H (2622)-Dominguez Perez,L (2732) Baku AZE 2015}) 12... Qc8 $6 {
A weird move.} (12... Rac8 13. Bb2 Qa6 14. Nd2 Rfd8 15. Bd4 Bc6 {With good
chances to equalise.}) 13. Ba3 Bxa3 14. Nxa3 Bc6 15. Rac1 a6 16. cxd5 exd5 17.
Qd3 $14 {Lei Tingjie (2444) -Ushenina,A (2486) Chengdu CHN 2015. Black's
position is unpleasant,}) (11. b3 b5 12. Na3 $6 (12. Ba3 $5 Bxa3 (12... b4 $5
13. Bb2 Bb7) 13. Nxa3 bxc4 14. bxc4 Bb7 15. Rab1 (15. cxd5 Qa6 $1 {This is
stronger than 15...Qxc2, which is also not bad.} (15... Qxc2 16. Nxc2 Bxd5 17.
Ne3 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 Rfd8 $11) 16. Qd3 Qxd3 17. Rxd3 Bxd5 $11) 15... Rfc8 16. Qb2
Ba6 17. cxd5 Nxd5 18. Nb5 Qxb5 19. Qxb5 Bxb5 20. Rxb5 Nc3 21. Bxa8 Rxa8 22.
Rdb1 Nxb1 23. Rxb1 g6 24. Rb7 {Black still has some problems.}) 12... bxc4 13.
bxc4 Bb7 (13... Bd7 $1 14. cxd5 $6 Nxd5 15. Qxc6 Bxc6 $15) 14. Rb1 Qa6 15. Qb3
Bc6 16. cxd5 Bxd5 (16... Ba4 17. Qd3 Qxd3 18. Rxd3 Nxd5 $11) 17. Bxd5 Nxd5 18.
Nb5 Qb7 19. Qf3 Qc6 $11 {Mkrtchian,L (2443)-Ushenina,A (2486) 1/2 (30) Chengdu
CHN 2015}) 11... h6 ({Probably Black could have got an equal position after} 
11... Qxc4 $5 12. Qxc4 dxc4 13. Nd2 Bd7 (13... c3 $6 14. bxc3 Rd8 15. Nc4 Rxd1+
16. Rxd1 Kf8 17. Na5 {I don't see how Black can finish his development.}) 14.
Nxc4 (14. Bxb7 Rab8 15. Bf3 h6 $1 16. Bf4 Rxb2 17. Nxc4 Rc2 $11) 14... Bb5 15.
Rac1 Rac8 16. Ne5 h6 $1 {It seems to me that Black has got an equal position.
For example} 17. Be3 (17. Bxf6 $6 gxf6 18. Nd3 b6 $15) (17. Bf4 Bxe2 (17... Nd5
$11) 18. Bxb7 Rxc1 19. Rxc1 Rb8 20. Rc8+ Rxc8 21. Bxc8 Bc5 $11) 17... Nd5 18.
Rxc8 Rxc8 19. Bxd5 exd5 20. Rxd5 Bxe2 21. Rd7 Bf6 $11) 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. Na3 {
Now White's queen is protected and he wants to take on d5.} Bd7 14. Rab1 (14.
Rd2 Rac8 15. Qb3 (15. cxd5 $6 Qxc2 16. Rxc2 Rxc2 17. Nxc2 Rc8 $1 18. Ne3 Bxb2
19. Rb1 Rc1+ 20. Rxc1 Bxc1 $15) 15... Qa6 16. cxd5 Qa5 17. Qd3 Rc5 $44) (14.
cxd5 $2 Qxc2 15. Nxc2 Ba4 16. Rd2 Bxb2 $15) 14... Rac8 15. Qd3 Rfd8 16. cxd5
Qa4 17. Rd2 b5 {I shouldn't assess the last move as a dubious one, because
objectively Black is not worse, but the resulting positions are complicated
and it is easier to make a mistake.} (17... exd5 {I believe that this is the
most practical decision.} 18. Bxd5 Bg5 19. Rdd1 (19. f4 Be7 20. e4 Be6 21. Rbd1
Bb4 22. Rc2 Bxa3 23. Rxc8 Rxc8 24. bxa3 Bxd5 25. exd5 Rc3 26. Qd4 Rc4 $11)
19... Bc6 20. e4 Bxd5 21. exd5 Rc5 22. d6 Bf6 23. Qe2 Rc6 24. Nb5 a6 25. Nc3
Bxc3 26. bxc3 Rcxd6 27. Rxd6 Rxd6 28. Rxb7 Rd1+ 29. Kg2 Qc6+ 30. Kh3 Qxb7 31.
Qxd1 Qc8+ 32. Kg2 Qxc3 $11) 18. Rbd1 (18. dxe6 Bxe6 19. Qxb5 Qxb5 20. Rxd8+
Rxd8 21. Nxb5 Bxa2 22. Ra1 Bc4 $11) 18... exd5 $6 (18... a6 {Black protects
his b5-pawn and he is ready to play ...exd5 and after Bxd5 Be6.} 19. d6 (19.
Bf3 exd5 20. Bxd5 Be6 21. e4 Rd6 22. Kg2 Rcd8 23. Qe2 Bxd5 24. exd5 g6 {
White can't improve his position.}) 19... Rc5 20. Bf3 a5 21. Kg2 Rdc8 $44) (
18... Bc6 19. e4 (19. dxc6 $2 Rxd3 20. Rxd3 a6 $17) (19. Qb3 Qxb3 20. axb3 exd5
21. Bxd5 Bxd5 22. Rxd5 Rxd5 23. Rxd5 a6 $44) 19... exd5 (19... Bg5 $6 20. f4
Be7 21. Qc2 $16) 20. exd5 Bd7 21. d6 $14 {Definetely the knight on a3 is
misplaced but the d6-pawn is strong and Black still has some problems.}) (18...
Bg5 $5 19. f4 (19. Rc2 Bf6 {and White doesn't have anything better than Rcd2.})
19... Bf6 (19... Be7 $5 20. d6 Bf6 21. e4 e5 22. Bf3 Rc5 23. Qb3 Rdc8 24. Qxa4
bxa4 $44) 20. Qb3 Qxb3 21. axb3 e5 22. e4 exf4 23. gxf4 Re8 24. Bf3 g5 $44) 19.
Bxd5 Bc6 20. e4 a6 21. h4 (21. Qb1 $1 {Sakaev,K} Bxd5 22. exd5 Bg5 (22... Qb4
23. d6 g6 24. Nc2 Qxb2 25. Qxb2 Bxb2 26. d7 $1 Rc7 27. Nb4 Bc3 28. Nxa6 Bxd2
29. Nxc7 Rxd7 30. Nxb5 Kf8 31. Kf1 Ke7 32. Ke2 Rb7 33. Rxd2 Rxb5 34. a4 Ra5 35.
Ra2 $18 {See the last game of the match Alekhine-Capablanca.}) 23. Rc2 Bf6 24.
Rxc8 Rxc8 25. d6 $16 {Black is in trouble, the d6-pawn is very strong.}) 21...
Bxd5 22. exd5 Qb4 (22... Rd7 {Sakaev,K} 23. d6 Rcd8 24. Qe2 Bxb2 25. Nxb5 Qxb5
26. Qxb5 axb5 27. Rxb2 Rxd6 28. Rxd6 Rxd6 29. Rxb5 Ra6 30. Rb2 h5 $14 {The
endgame is drawish, but a few people like to have the white pieces.}) (22...
Rd6 {Sakaev,K} 23. Nc2 Bxb2 24. Ne3 Bc1 25. Rc2 Rxc2 26. Nxc2 Bb2 27. Ne3 $16 {
Due to his d6-pawn White has a huge advantage. For example} Bf6 (27... Qa3 28.
Qe4 Rd8 29. Nf5 Qa4 30. Qxa4 bxa4 31. Kg2 Kf8 32. h5 $16) 28. Rd2 b4 29. Nc4
Rd8 30. d6 Bc3 31. Re2 Qb5 32. Re7 Bf6 33. Rc7 a5 34. Qf3 a4 35. Qb7 Qxb7 36.
Rxb7 Bc3 37. Kg2 Kf8 38. Kf3 $16 {White's king is heading to d5.}) 23. Rb1 (23.
d6 $5 Rd7 24. Nc2 Qxb2 25. Ne3 Qe5 26. Ng4 Qe6 27. Qf3 $16) 23... Qa5 24. b4
Qa4 $2 {This is a serious mistake, which leads to a very difficult position.} (
24... Qb6 25. Rb3 g6 26. Nc2) 25. Rb3 {The black queen is trapped.} Be7 26. Re2
$1 {Probably Anand hoped for 26.Qb1 a5.} Rc7 (26... Bxb4 27. Re4 a5 28. Kg2 Re8
29. Rd4 Rcd8 30. d6 $16) 27. Kg2 Bf6 28. Qf3 Re7 29. Rd2 Red7 30. Qe2 g6 $6 (
30... Re7 31. Qd1 Rc7) 31. h5 g5 32. Qd1 $1 {White needn't assess the position
which arises after} (32. Nc2 $6 Qxa2 33. Nd4 Qxd2 34. Qxd2 Rxd5 35. Qa2 Bxd4
36. Qxa6 $16) 32... Bg7 33. Nc2 $18 Qxa2 34. Ne3 Qa1 35. Qxa1 Bxa1 36. Ra2 Bd4
37. Nf5 Bg7 38. Rxa6 Bf8 39. d6 Bxd6 40. Nxh6+ Kh7 41. Ng4 (41. Ng4 Be7 42. Rf3
(42. Ne5) 42... Rf8 43. Ne5 $18) 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.03.19"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D12"]
[WhiteElo "2790"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2016.03.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bf5 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nh4 Bg6 7. Nxg6 hxg6 8. Rb1
{Nakamura is using the idea that was introduced into practice by his great
opponent in the world championship match of 2006. White is ready to build up a
strong pawn chain and even attack his opponent's structure with the help of
the advance of the b-pawn.} Nbd7 (8... Bd6 9. c5 Bc7 10. b4 e5 11. g3 Qe7 12.
Bg2 exd4 13. Qxd4 a5 14. a3 axb4 15. axb4 Be5 16. Qd3 Nbd7 17. O-O O-O 18. Ne2
Ra2 19. Nd4 Rfa8 $11 {1-0 (70) Ni,H (2691)-Gledura,B (2538) Karlsruhe 2016}) 9.
c5 a5 {It should make great sense to develop the rook from a8 with the help of
the exchange of a-pawns.} (9... e5 10. b4 a6 (10... a5 11. b5) (10... Qc7 11.
b5 Be7 12. bxc6 bxc6 13. Qa4 O-O 14. Be2 Rfb8 15. O-O Rxb1 16. Nxb1 Nf8 17. Nd2
Ne6 18. Nb3 Ne4 19. Bf3 Bf6 20. Bxe4 dxe4 21. Bb2 exd4 22. Bxd4 Bxd4 23. Nxd4
Nxd4 24. Qxd4 $14 {1/2-1/2 (51) Volke,K (2475)-Huebner,R (2605) Switzerland
2008}) (10... Be7 11. g3 exd4 12. exd4 Ne4 13. Nxe4 dxe4 14. Bg2 Nf6 15. O-O
Qd5 16. Bf4 Rd8 17. Qe2 Qe6 18. b5 Nd5 19. bxc6 bxc6 20. Qxe4 Qxe4 21. Bxe4 $16
{1/2-1/2 (73) Roiz,M (2594)-Girya,O (2456) Minsk 2015}) 11. g3 Be7 (11... g5
12. Bg2 g6 13. e4 Nxe4 14. Nxe4 dxe4 15. dxe5 Nxe5 16. Qxd8+ Rxd8 17. Bxg5 Be7
18. Be3 f5 19. a4 Ng4 $15 {0-1 (57) Nakamura,H (2640)-Volkov,S (2634)
playchess.com INT 2006}) 12. Bg2 O-O (12... e4 13. f3 exf3 14. Bxf3 Nf8 15. e4
dxe4 16. Nxe4 Nd5 17. Qb3 Ne6 18. Bb2 Qd7 19. O-O Rd8 20. Rbd1 O-O 21. Nd2 $11
{1-0 (47) Nisipeanu,L (2648)-Malakhov,V (2700) Burgas 2012}) 13. O-O Re8 14. a4
Qc8 15. b5 Bd8 16. Bd2 axb5 17. axb5 Ba5 18. Qc2 exd4 19. exd4 Nf8 20. Ra1 Bxc3
21. Bxc3 $14 {1/2-1/2 (51) Gelfand,B (2743)-Wang,H (2710) Beijing 2014}) (9...
Qc7 10. g3 b6 11. b4 a5 12. a3 axb4 13. axb4 Be7 14. Bd3 O-O 15. O-O bxc5 16.
bxc5 e5 17. f4 exd4 18. exd4 Nh7 19. f5 Bf6 20. Ne2 g5 21. Be3 Ra3 $11 {
0-1 (61) Moreno Trujillo,A (2522)-Candela Perez,J (2430) Madrid 2015}) 10. a3
Be7 (10... e5 11. b4 axb4 12. axb4 Qc7 13. f4 exf4 14. exf4 Be7 15. Be2 (15.
Bd3 $5 Nf8 16. Qf3 Ne6 17. Ne2 b5 $5) 15... Nf8 16. O-O Ne6 17. g3 Qd7 18. Qd3
Ne4 19. Nxe4 dxe4 20. Qxe4 Qxd4+ 21. Qxd4 Nxd4 22. Bc4 O-O 23. Kg2 Ra4 24. Rd1
$11 {1/2-1/2 (66) Topalov,V (2813)-Kramnik,V (2743) Elista 2006}) 11. g3 e5 12.
Bg2 e4 13. b4 {The fight has not yet left the famous examples played by strong
players in the quest to find the best continuation for both sides. White is
abstaining from the immediate advance of the f-pawn, which would undermine the
e4-stonghold.} (13. f3 exf3 14. Bxf3 Nh7 15. e4 dxe4 16. Nxe4 O-O 17. O-O Ndf6
18. Nc3 Qd7 19. Be3 Rad8 20. b4 axb4 21. axb4 Rfe8 22. Re1 Qf5 23. g4 Qc8 24.
h3 $14 {0-1 (50) Ashwin,J (2478)-Ragger,M (2528) Yerevan 2007}) 13... axb4 14.
axb4 Nf8 15. b5 Ne6 16. Bd2 O-O {Even this position has been tested in
practice, but the queen move to d7 does not have to be the candidate for the
most precise solution.} (16... Qd7 17. Na4 Bd8 18. h4 g5 19. bxc6 bxc6 20. Nb6
Bxb6 21. cxb6 O-O 22. hxg5 {1/2-1/2 (22) Sasikiran,K (2661)-Malakhov,V (2690)
Sibenik 2007}) 17. Na4 Ng5 18. h4 (18. Nb6 Ra7 19. bxc6 bxc6 20. Bb4 Nd7 $14)
18... Nf3+ 19. Bxf3 exf3 20. bxc6 {The White player is sitting close to the
top of the pyramid of human players, but the computer engine is not
impressionable and suggests a somewhat different solution.} (20. Nc3 $5 b6 21.
cxb6 Qxb6 (21... Rb8 22. Qxf3 Rxb6 23. O-O $16) 22. Qxf3 cxb5 23. Nxd5 Nxd5 24.
Qxd5 b4 25. O-O Rfb8 $14) 20... bxc6 21. Nc3 Bxc5 $6 {The great moment in the
game and a genuine mystery for any annotator. Topalov surprises his dangerous
opponent with a magificent idea of sacrificing a piece for the initiative.
Objectively speaking the adventure wasn't sufficient to equalise, but Nakamura
will struggle to find the best solution.} (21... Qd7 22. Qxf3 Bd8 23. Kf1 $14)
22. dxc5 d4 23. exd4 Qxd4 (23... Re8+ 24. Be3 Ra3 25. Rb3 Rxb3 26. Qxb3 Qxd4
27. Nd1 Qd7 28. Nb2 $14) 24. O-O (24. Qxf3 Ra3 25. O-O Qxd2 26. Ne4 Rxf3 27.
Nxd2 $11) 24... Qg4 25. Re1 (25. Bf4 Rfd8 26. Bd6 Ra3 $1 27. Qd3 Nd5 28. Be5
Kh7 $11) 25... Rfd8 26. Rb2 Rd4 {Black needed a lot of fantasy in order to
guess that the counterplay for the missing piece could be nearly successful.
White must be very cautios, as the f3-pawn is ready to support the Qh3 with
mating ideas.} 27. Re7 (27. Re3 $1 Rad8 28. Nb1 Ne4 29. Qxf3 Qxf3 30. Rxf3 Nxd2
31. Nxd2 Rxd2 32. Rb6 f6 33. Rxc6 Rc2 34. Re3 $16) 27... Rad8 28. Qb3 Rf8 29.
Qd1 (29. Be3 $2 Qh3 $19) 29... Rfd8 30. Qb3 Rf8 (30... Nd5 31. Nxd5 R4xd5 32.
Kh2 $18) 31. Nd1 Nd5 {Only the computer can understand very quickly, that the
most exact idea for Black would have been 31...Qf5! with sufficient
counterplay.} (31... Qf5 $1 32. Re3 (32. Bg5 Rd3 $19) 32... Rfd8 33. Rxf3 Qxc5
34. Qa2 Qd6 35. Ne3 Rxd2 36. Rxd2 Qxd2 37. Qxd2 Rxd2 38. Nc4 $11) 32. Re5 (32.
Ra7 Qe6 33. Raa2 Qe2 34. Nc3 Nxc3 35. Qxc3 Rfd8 36. Qe3 Re4 37. Qxe2 fxe2 $11)
32... Kh7 $2 {Black actually needs to generate compensation for the missing
piece and it was still possible with the help of the active move 32...Ra8!} (
32... Ra8 $1 33. Re1 (33. Kh2 Rxd2 34. Rxd2 Nf4 35. Kg1 Ne2+ 36. Kh2 Nf4 $11)
33... Qf5 34. Ra2 Rc8 $11) 33. Kh2 $1 Nf6 (33... f6 34. Ne3 Qc8 35. Rxd5 cxd5
36. Bc3 Rd3 37. Qc2 Rxe3 38. fxe3 Qxc5 39. Bb4 $18) 34. Be3 Rb8 (34... Rd7 35.
Rg5 Qe4 36. Nc3 $18) 35. Qxb8 Rxd1 36. Rb1 $1 {The rook is gone, but it does
not mean that Black would not be able to bite. Unfortunately for him White is
able to defend against all the tricks.} (36. Re7 $2 Qh3+ 37. Kxh3 Rh1#) 36...
Qd7 37. Rg5 Ne4 (37... Ng4+ 38. Rxg4 Rxb1 39. Qxb1 Qxg4 40. Qd3 $18) 38. Rxd1
Qxd1 39. Qf4 {Without the missing pieces Topalov can not really hope to fight
on.} (39. Qf4 Nxg5 40. hxg5 Kg8 41. Bd4 $18) 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.03.25"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2790"]
[BlackElo "2762"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2016.03.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bb4 5. Nd5 e4 {This provocative move is a
worthy alternative to the more restrained:} (5... Bc5 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O d6 8.
d3) 6. Nh4 O-O 7. Bg2 d6 {This usually is a disclosure of Black's intentions
to trap the h4 knight, something I have evaluated as risky in my English
trilogy.} ({The classical main line goes} 7... Bc5) 8. a3 $5 $146 {This
novelty had devastating effects in this game, but its objective merits are far
from clear yet. Mor practice is needed.} ({My book line goes} 8. O-O g5 9. d4
h6 (9... gxh4 $2 10. Bg5 $18) (9... Ne8 $6 10. Nxb4 Nxb4 11. Qd2 $16) (9...
Nxd5 $6 10. cxd5 Nb8 11. Qa4 $16) {McNab,C (2410)-Haik,A (2370) Metz 1988 (0-1,
25)} 10. Nxb4 $146 Nxb4 11. f3 $1 $36 {At the time when I analysed this
position the engines evaluated it as slightly preferable for Black. In fact,
White has a very dangerous initiative for the inevitably lost piece, given
that the black knights do not have good squares, the black king is weak and
the c1-bishop is unchallenged on the dark squares. I provided many
illustrative lines, managing to more or less moderate the engines' initial
optimism and I thought that the next computer generations would see it more
clearly. But now that I checked it again after 5 years, the evaluation remains
the same. The only thing I can say is that I would always choose to play on
the White side.}) 8... Bc5 9. O-O Re8 ({One of the ideas behind Nakamura's
novelty is that after} 9... g5 $2 10. d4 $1 $16 {[%csl Gc5,Gg5] the bishop is
attacked. Anand's move is natural, but not the only reasonable one.}) ({
It appears that the e4-pawn does not need defending yet, as after} 9... Bg4 10.
Nxf6+ Qxf6 11. Bxe4 Rae8 12. Bf3 Bh3 13. Bg2 (13. Ng2 Nd4) 13... Bg4 $11 {
White does not have anything better than agreeing to a draw by repetition:} 14.
Nf3 $2 Nd4 15. Nxd4 Bxd4 16. Bf3 Bxf3 17. exf3 Re6 $36) (9... Nxd5 $6 {leads
to a typical English structure with a passive black dark-squared bishop.} 10.
cxd5 Nd4 11. e3 (11. Bxe4 Bg4 $36 12. Re1 $6 f5) 11... Nf5 12. Nxf5 Bxf5 13.
Qc2 Re8 14. f3 $14 {[%csl Gc5]}) 10. e3 $3 {[%cal Gf2f3,Gb2b4,Gc1b2] A typical
move, restricting the c5-bishop and preparing f2-f3. But the exclamation marks
are for ignoring the threat against the knight on the edge.} (10. b4 Bd4 11.
Rb1 Ne7 12. e3 Nexd5 13. exd4 Ne7 14. d3 Nf5 15. Nxf5 Bxf5 $11) 10... g5 $6 {
Playing with fire.} ({It was not too late to return to normal development:} 
10... Be6 11. d4 exd3 12. b4 Bb6 13. Bb2 Bxd5 14. cxd5 Ne5 {In principle the
structure favours White, but retrieving the d3-pawn will require making some
concession.}) 11. b4 Bb6 $6 ({Having started to go down one route, Black
should have continued:} 11... gxh4 12. Bb2 $5 Nxd5 13. cxd5 Ne5 14. bxc5 Bg4
15. Qb3 Nf3+ 16. Bxf3 Bxf3 {Optically, the position is not entirely clear but
after} 17. cxd6 cxd6 18. h3 {[%csl Gg8][%cal Gg1h2,Gb2h8] it appears that only
Black's king is in some danger while White's is relatively safe.}) 12. Bb2 $16
{Forcing the next exchange.} Nxd5 13. cxd5 Nd4 $5 {Neither better nor worse
than any other knight move, but the most spectacular of them.} (13... Ne5 14.
f4 Nc4 15. fxg5 Nxb2 16. Qh5 $40 Qd7 (16... Qe7 17. Bxe4) 17. Bh3 Qe7 18. Nf5 {
[%csl Rf7][%cal Gf5h6]} Bxf5 19. Bxf5 f6 20. gxf6 Qf7 21. Bxh7+ Qxh7 22. f7+) (
13... Ne7 14. Bf6 gxh4 15. Qh5 $18) (13... Nb8 14. Qh5 gxh4 15. Qh6 f6 (15...
Re5 16. Bxe4 $1 f5 17. f4 $1 $18) 16. Bxf6 Qd7 17. Qg5+ Kf8 18. f3 $18) 14. d3
$1 {Dotting the i and crossing the t. White intends to open the d-file in
order to capture the self-trapped knight quite comfortably.} (14. exd4 gxh4)
14... gxh4 (14... exd3 15. Qxd3 Qf6 16. Rfd1 gxh4 17. Bxd4 Qg6 18. Rac1 $16 {
[%csl Gc7,Gg8]}) 15. dxe4 Ne6 (15... Nb5 16. a4 $16) 16. dxe6 Rxe6 ({The
developing} 16... Bxe6 {leaves the king helpless after} 17. Qh5 {[%cal Gh5h6]}
Rf8 (17... f6 18. Qxh4) 18. gxh4 $18 {[%cal Gg1h1,Gf1g1]}) 17. e5 {The game is
basically over. White has a huge advance in development and the black king is
desperately weak. In the next sequence almost any reasonable white move wins.}
hxg3 18. hxg3 Qg5 19. exd6 Rxd6 20. Qb3 h5 (20... c6 {[%cal Gc8g4]} 21. Qc3 f6
22. Rad1 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 Bg4 24. Rd6 $18) 21. Rad1 Rh6 {Black will not be in
time to launch his desired attack with ...h5-h4.} 22. Rd5 Qe7 23. Qc4 Bg4 24.
Qf4 Rg6 25. Re5 Qd6 26. Be4 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.03.27"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2790"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah/CB Website"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2016.03.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 172"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.05.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. a3 {The idea of playing
a3 before e3 is to discourage the Nbd7 move. Nbd7 now can be met with Nb5.} c5
7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. e3 Nc6 9. cxd5 (9. Qc2 {is the main line of this variation.})
9... exd5 (9... Nxd5 {is played more often by Black. Play might continue
something like} 10. Nxd5 exd5 11. Bd3 {which has already been played by
Topalov against Morozevich in San Luis 2005.}) 10. b4 (10. Be2 {looks normal
but allows Black to break in the centre with} d4 11. Na4 Bb6 12. exd4 (12. Nxb6
Qxb6 $11) 12... Bxd4 {This might not be such a huge edge for White.}) 10... d4
$1 {Nakamura is extremely alert and breaks right away in the centre.} 11. exd4
Bxd4 12. Nxd4 Nxd4 13. Be3 Nf5 14. Qxd8 Rxd8 $15 {Even though White has the
bishop pair, this position is completely favourable for Black thanks to his
developmental advantage. a7-a5 break looks strong and also Be6 followed by
Rac8 is not so easy to meet.} 15. Be2 Nxe3 16. fxe3 {Hikaru sank into deep
thought as to how he should use this small advantage that he has got out of
the opening. It is definitely an edge but not so huge and hence accurate play
is of paramount importance.} Ng4 $5 17. e4 (17. Bxg4 Bxg4 {is a pretty sad
position. The bishop is definitely superior to the knight and 0-0 is met with
Rd3.} 18. O-O Rd3 $17) 17... Be6 (17... Ne3 18. Kf2 $11) 18. O-O Ne3 19. Rfc1
Rd2 20. Bf3 (20. Kf2 Nc4 21. Ke1 Rd4 $15) 20... Rad8 21. e5 b6 22. Ne4 Rb2 23.
Re1 Nc4 (23... Nc2 24. Re2 $13) (23... Rb3 $5 {renewing the threat of Nc2 is
pretty strong.} 24. Re2 g6 $17) 24. Ng5 h6 25. Nxe6 fxe6 {Once the e6 bishop
is exchanged Black doesn't really have so much of an edge.} 26. Rac1 Rd4 27. h3
b5 28. Rc3 Rdd2 29. a4 a6 30. Bb7 Nb6 31. axb5 axb5 32. Be4 Nc4 33. Rg3 Re2 $15
34. Ra1 $2 (34. Rxe2 Rxe2 35. Bc6 Rxe5 36. Rc3 {Black has better defensive
chances here.}) 34... Nxe5 35. Ra8+ Kf7 36. Bh7 g5 37. Bg8+ Kf6 38. Rf8+ Kg7
39. Re8 Ng6 40. Bxe6 Nf4 {The bad tournament for Veselin continues.} 0-1

[Event "Bilbao Masters 9th"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2016.07.13"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B91"]
[WhiteElo "2855"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2016.07.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 174"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Ne2 {Schränkt die schwarze Auswahl etwas ein. Je nachdem, was
Schwarz im zweiten Zug zieht, könnte Weiß auf d4 verzichten.} d6 3. Nbc3 a6 {
Das deutet darufhin, dass Schwarz die Najdorf-Variante spielen will.} 4. g3 g6
5. Bg2 Bg7 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Nf6 8. O-O O-O {Nun ist eine Position des
Fianchetto-Systems der Drachenvariante auf dem Brett.} 9. b3 ({Alternativen:} 
9. h3) (9. a4) 9... Nc6 10. Nxc6 (10. Nde2 Bg4 11. Bb2 Qc8 12. Qd2 Bh3 13. f3
Bxg2 14. Kxg2 b5 {1-0 (60) Bykova,E-Rudenko,L Frauen-WM, Leningrad 1953}) 10...
bxc6 11. Bb2 Qa5 12. Na4 Bg4 13. Qe1 {Damentausch?} Qh5 14. f3 Bh3 15. g4 $5 (
15. Rd1) (15. c4) 15... Qh6 16. Rd1 $14 g5 17. Bc1 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 Qg6 19. h4 (
19. Nb6 $5 Rab8 20. Nc4 h5 21. h3 $14) 19... gxh4 20. Qxh4 d5 {[#]} 21. g5 $2 {
Zu impulsiv. Nun gerät Weiß in Nachteil.} (21. exd5 cxd5 (21... Qxc2+ 22. Rd2
Qg6 23. dxc6 Rac8 $11) 22. Qg5 Qxc2+ 23. Rd2 Qc6 24. Bb2 $11) 21... dxe4 22. f4
{Für den Bauern erhält Weiß zu wenig Spiel. Vor allem steht der Sa4 viel zu
weit weg vom Geschehen.} (22. fxe4 Nxe4 {mit Bauerngewinn und sehr unsicherem
weißen König.}) 22... e6 23. c4 Rfd8 24. Rde1 Ne8 25. Nc5 Nd6 26. Qf2 f5 27.
Bb2 {[#]} Nf7 {Früher oder später kommt e5 und das schwarze
Bauernübergewicht im Zentrum wird spürbar.} 28. Bxg7 Kxg7 29. Qg3 Rd6 30. Rd1
Rad8 31. Rxd6 Rxd6 32. Qc3+ Kg8 33. Rf2 Qh5 (33... e5 $5 34. fxe5 ({Oder} 34.
Qg3 Qh5 {mit der Idee} 35. Z0 Rd1 36. Z0 Qh1#) 34... Qxg5+ $18) 34. Qh3 Qd1 35.
Qe3 e5 36. Qg3 (36. fxe5 Rg6 $1 ({Auf} 36... Nxe5 {kann Weiß vielleicht} 37.
Nxe4 fxe4 38. Qxe4 {probieren. Nach} Qg4+ 39. Qxg4 Nxg4 40. Re2 {muss Schwarz
noch etwas arbeiten.})) 36... Rg6 37. Kh2 exf4 38. Qxf4 {Weiß verwaltet eine
Ruine, die im Folgenden rasch eingerissen wird.} Qh5+ 39. Kg1 Qd1+ 40. Kh2 Qh5+
41. Kg1 Nxg5 42. Qb8+ Kg7 43. Qe5+ Kh6 44. Qf4 Qd1+ 45. Kh2 Qd4 46. b4 Kg7 47.
Qc7+ Kh8 48. Qc8+ Rg8 49. Qxf5 Nf3+ 50. Kh3 Qd6 (50... Qd6 51. Rg2 Qh6+ {
und Matt.}) 0-1

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 4th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2016.08.06"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D44"]
[WhiteElo "2791"]
[BlackElo "2769"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2016.08.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 174"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 c6 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. a4 Bb4 7. e4 Qa5 8. Bd2
c5 9. Bxc4 cxd4 10. Nxd4 O-O (10... Qc5 {- see Moiseenko - Sjugirov in CBM 139,
where the whole line was examined in detail. Here is a later game:} 11. Bb5+
Bd7 12. Nb3 Qd6 ({the immediate} 12... Qc7 $5 {may be better and deserves
serious attention}) 13. Qe2 Nc6 14. O-O O-O 15. Rfd1 Qc7 16. Rac1 a6 17. Bxc6
Bxc6 18. e5 Bxc3 19. Rxc3 Nd7 20. Re1 $14 {1-0 (73) Parligras,M (2581)
-Posedaru,B (2388) Iasi 2015}) 11. Nc2 {This move has lately become quite
popular, but it can hardly be regarded as promising.} (11. Qe2 {was played
more often in previous years:} Nbd7 (11... Nc6 12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. O-O Bb7 (13...
e5 14. Rac1 Nd7 15. Rfd1 $14 (15. Qh5 $6 Nb6 16. Bb3 Ba6 $132 {1/2 (64)
Salgado Lopez,I (2595)-Anton Guijarro,D (2403) El Sauzal 2010})) 14. Rfd1 Nd7
15. Na2 Bxd2 16. Qxd2 Qxd2 17. Rxd2 Ne5 18. Be2 c5 19. f3 Nc6 20. Rc1 Nd4 {
1-0 Sriram,J (2497)-Sundararajan,K (2516)/Mumbai 2009/CBM 133 Extra (73)} 21.
Rc3 $14) (11... Rd8 $5 12. Nb3 Qc7 13. e5 Nd5 14. O-O Nc6 15. f4 Nxc3 16. bxc3
Bf8 17. a5 Bd7 18. Kh1 Ne7 19. Nd4 Nf5 20. Bd3 Bc5 $13 {1/2 (70) Iturrizaga
Bonelli,E (2628)-Arnold,M (2529) Philadelphia 2012}) 12. Nc2 (12. O-O Ne5 13.
Ba2 Bd7 14. Nc2 Rfd8 15. Nxb4 Qxb4 16. f4 Nc6 17. e5 Nd4 $13 {0-1 (48) Edouard,
R (2636)-Inarkiev,E (2667) Barcelona 2010}) 12... Ne5 13. Ba2 (13. f4 Nxc4 14.
Qxc4 Bxc3 15. Bxc3 Qa6 16. Qxa6 bxa6 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. O-O-O Bb7 19. Rhe1 Rfc8
20. b3 Rab8 21. Kb2 Kf8 $13 {1/2 (37) Ding,L (2547)-Yu,Y (2585) Danzhou 2010})
13... Rd8 14. O-O b6 (14... Nc6 15. Nxb4 Qxb4 16. Nd5 Qxb2 17. Rfb1 Qe5 18. Bc3
Qg5 19. Nxf6+ gxf6 20. Rb3 $44 {1-0 (31) Vitiugov,N (2733)-Chadaev,N (2577)
Taganrog 2011}) 15. Nxb4 Qxb4 16. Rfd1 (16. Bg5 a5 17. Rad1 Rxd1 18. Rxd1 Ba6
19. Qc2 {1/2 (19) Shulman,Y (2617)-Potkin,V (2682) Khanty-Mansiysk 2011}) 16...
Bb7 17. Be1 Rxd1 (17... Nxe4 18. Nd5 $1 Qxa4 19. Ne7+ Kh8 20. Bd5 Qxa1 21. Rxa1
exd5 22. f3 $16 {1-0 (29) Belous,V (2518)-Reshetnikov,A (2521) Moscow 2012})
18. Rxd1 Nxe4 19. f3 Qc5+ 20. Kh1 Nxc3 21. Bxc3 Ng6 $13) 11... Nc6 {The
simplest} (11... Qc7 12. Qe2 Be7 13. e5 Nfd7 14. f4 Nc6 15. O-O b6 16. Nb5 Qb8
17. Ncd4 Nxd4 18. Nxd4 Bc5 19. Be3 Re8 20. Rad1 a6 21. b4 $1 Bf8 22. f5 $40 {
1-0 (28) Potkin,V (2682)-Shirov,A (2714) Khanty-Mansiysk 2011}) (11... Nbd7 12.
O-O b6 $4 13. Bb5 a6 14. Bc6 Rb8 15. Nxb4 Qxb4 16. Nd5 Qd4 17. Bf4 Qxd1 18.
Ne7+ Kh8 19. Rfxd1 e5 20. Bg3 $18 {1-0 (31) Izzat,K (2480)-Schon,E (2332)
Melbourne AUS 2016}) (11... Bxc3 12. Bxc3 Qg5 13. Qe2 $6 (13. Qf3 $5) 13... e5
({why not} 13... Qxg2 {?}) 14. f3 Nh5 15. Qd2 Qxd2+ 16. Kxd2 Nc6 17. g3 Be6 18.
Bxe6 fxe6 19. Ke3 $14 {1-0 (40) Wojtaszek,R (2726)-Kempinski,R (2597) Czechia
2011}) 12. Nxb4 Qxb4 13. b3 Qe7 14. O-O Rd8 15. Re1 Ne5 $11 {Black comfortably
develops his pieces, and White's bishop pair is useless.} 16. Bf1 Bd7 {Since
Black sets his bishop on the long diagonal anyway,} (16... b6 $5 {looks more
logical:} 17. Qc2 Bb7 18. f3 Rac8 19. Be3 Bxe4 $5 (19... Nc6 20. Red1 Nd7 21.
Rac1 Nb4 22. Qb1 Nc5 23. Na2 Nxa2 24. Rxd8+ Rxd8 25. Qxa2 Nd3 26. Rd1 Nb4 27.
Rxd8+ Qxd8 28. Qd2 Qxd2 29. Bxd2 $14 {1-0 (68) Chadaev,N (2577)-Reshetnikov,A 
(2487) Moscow 2011}) (19... h6 $5) 20. fxe4 Qc7 {[%cal Re5g4,Rc7c3]} 21. Bc4 $8
Nxc4 (21... Neg4 22. g3 Nxe3 23. Rxe3 Qc5 24. Qe2 Ng4 25. Re1) 22. bxc4 Ng4 23.
g3 Qxc4 24. h3 $1 Ne5 25. Red1 $1 h5 $5 $44) 17. Qe2 Bc6 18. Bg5 (18. f3 $142
Rd3 19. Kh1 Rad8 20. Red1 {[%cal Yd2f4]}) 18... h6 19. Bh4 Ng6 20. Bg3 Rd7 $6 {
This superficial move allows White to consolidate his position, after which
his bishops gain power.} (20... Qb4 $1 21. Qc4 Qxc4 22. Bxc4 Nh5 $11) 21. f3 {
[%mdl 32]} Rad8 22. Qe3 a6 23. Rab1 Qb4 $6 {Too late. Now it is just a loss of
time.} (23... e5 $5 24. Red1 Nf4 25. Bf2 $14) 24. Rec1 e5 25. Be1 $1 Qe7 (25...
Qd4 26. Nd1 $5) 26. Na2 $1 {[%cal Ra2b4,Ye1a5]} Rd4 (26... Rc8 27. Nb4 Rd6 {
is very passive. Black is ready to sacrifice material in order to obtain
counterchances}) 27. Ba5 R8d7 28. Bc3 ({It was more appropriate to refrain
from material gains:} 28. Bb6 $5 Rd2 (28... Nxe4 $2 29. Rxc6 $1 bxc6 30. Bxd4
$18) (28... Bxe4 29. fxe4 Rxe4 30. Qc5 $18) 29. Bc5 Qe6 30. Nb4 Nf4 31. Nxc6
bxc6 32. Bb4 Ra2 33. Kh1 N6h5 34. Rd1 $14) 28... Bxe4 $2 {[%mdl 512] The wrong
sacrifice! The bishop is more precious than the knight!} (28... Nxe4 $142 $1
29. fxe4 (29. Bxd4 exd4 30. Qe1 d3 31. Rxc6 bxc6 32. Qxe4 (32. fxe4 $2 d2 33.
Qd1 Qxe4 $19) 32... Qc5+ 33. Kh1 Qc2 $1 34. Ra1 Qb2 35. Rd1 Qxa2 36. Qxc6 Qxb3
37. Qxd7 Qxd1 38. Qxd3 Qxa4 39. Qxa6 $11) 29... Rxe4 30. Qg3 h5 $44) 29. fxe4
Rxe4 30. Qa7 b5 (30... Nf4 31. Re1 $16) 31. Qxa6 {White simply collects
material. Black's attack is not too dangerous and can be parried.} Ng4 32. h3 (
32. Rb2 $5 Qc5+ $140 33. Kh1 Nf2+ 34. Rxf2 Qxf2 35. Qa8+ $18) 32... Qc5+ 33.
Kh1 Nf2+ 34. Kh2 Qe3 (34... Rh4 {[%cal Rf2g4]} 35. Be1 $1) 35. Re1 Qf4+ 36. g3
Qf5 37. Bg2 Rh4 {Desperation.} (37... Rxe1 38. Qc8+ Kh7 39. Rxe1 $18) 38. Qa8+
Kh7 39. Qf3 $2 ({The cool-blooded} 39. gxh4 Rd3 40. Rb2 {would be decisive.
After the text move White loses his whole material advantage.}) 39... Rxh3+ 40.
Kg1 Qxf3 41. Bxf3 Nd3 $2 {A wrong retreat.} (41... Ng4 $1 42. Bxg4 Rxg3+ 43.
Kf2 Rxg4 {, and Black should not lose.}) 42. Re3 $1 Rxg3+ 43. Kh2 Rxf3 {
This is insufficient. White consolidates his position and converts his extra
rook. But in case of} (43... Rg5 {[%csl Rg5] this rook is out of play, and
after} 44. Rd1 Nc5 45. Rxd7 Nxd7 46. a5 {White's a-pawn decides the game.}) 44.
Rxf3 bxa4 45. bxa4 e4 46. Rf5 Nh4 47. Rfb5 Nf4 48. R5b4 Rd3 ({Or} 48... Nf3+
49. Kg3 Ne2+ (49... Nh5+ 50. Kf2 Ng5 51. a5) 50. Kf2 Nxc3 51. Nxc3 f5 52. a5 {
, and White should gradually win.}) 49. Rxe4 g5 50. Rxf4 gxf4 51. Rf1 Nf3+ 52.
Kh1 Kg6 53. a5 Kf5 54. a6 Ng5 55. a7 Rh3+ 56. Kg1 Rg3+ 57. Kf2 Ne4+ 58. Ke1 Rg8
59. Bd4 Kg4 60. Be5 $1 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 4th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2016.08.14"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2791"]
[BlackElo "2755"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[EventDate "2016.08.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 174"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5
9. Be2 Bb7 10. h4 g4 11. Ne5 Nbd7 12. Nxd7 (12. Bxg4 {is the other main
continuation.}) 12... Qxd7 13. Be5 Qe7 14. b3 cxb3 15. axb3 a6 {Usually Black
plays this defensive move, because after d5 the b5-pawn won't be takeable
immediately.} (15... Bg7 {is more popular, for example:} 16. O-O O-O 17. Bxg4
c5 18. Nxb5 Rfd8 19. Bf3 cxd4 $13 {Werle-Van Wely, London 2008, with a
complicated middlegame.}) 16. Qc1 $146 {This is the novelty of the game.} (16.
O-O {has been tried before} h5 17. Re1 Bg7 18. d5 O-O 19. d6 Qd8 20. b4 (20.
Bd3 $5) 20... Bh6 21. Bg3 $44 {Tregubov-Motylev, Krasnoyarsk 2007, with nice
compensation for the pawn.}) 16... Rg8 17. O-O Nh5 ({In the event of} 17... Nd7
{White can simply play} 18. Bg3 {.}) 18. d5 $1 {The best reply, Black's king
is in the middle, so White wants to open the files.} Qxh4 $2 {The decisive
mistake! Black wants to push ...g3, but the queen is out of play, White gets a
strong attack!} ({In the event of} 18... exd5 19. exd5 Qxe5 20. Re1 $1 Be7 21.
Bxb5 $40 {White has a strong attack}) ({, but} 18... f6 $1 19. Bh2 cxd5 20.
exd5 (20. Nxb5 Rc8) 20... Kf7 21. Re1 Rc8 22. dxe6+ Kg7 23. Bxg4 Kh8 $1 $132 {
and suddenly Black's king is safe, the position becomes very complicated.}) 19.
g3 $1 {A very important move. White avoids ...g3 with tempo.} (19. dxc6 $4 {
is losing immediately, because of} g3 $1 $19) ({and} 19. dxe6 $2 {is also bad,
as} Qg5 $1 {and Black is safe.}) 19... Qg5 20. dxc6 $1 Qxe5 (20... Qxc1 $2 {
loses because of} 21. cxb7 $18) ({and} 20... Bxc6 {could have been met by} 21.
Nxb5 $1 Qxc1 22. Nc7+ Kd7 23. Raxc1 $18 {and Black has to resign.}) 21. cxb7
Rb8 22. Nd5 $1 {What a wonderful tactical blow! He opens the c-file for the
queen, so White is threatening Qc8.} ({The similar looking} 22. Nxb5 $4 {
is a big blunder, because of} Bc5 $1 $19 {and suddenly Black is the one who
wins!}) 22... exd5 $6 {Loses immediately, but Black's position was already bad.
} (22... f6 {was tougher, but} 23. Rxa6 Kf7 24. Qc7+ Qxc7 25. Nxc7 Rxb7 26.
Nxe6 $18 {is also winning for White.}) 23. Qc8+ Ke7 24. Rxa6 Nxg3 $1 {Still
the best practical chance.} ({If} 24... Bg7 25. Qc5+ $18 {and mate soon.}) 25.
Bxb5 $1 {Again the stronger move!} Ne2+ 26. Bxe2 f6 27. Re6+ Qxe6 28. Qxb8 {
What a brilliant game by Nakamura!} 1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Showdown 60m"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2016.11.11"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E35"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[PlyCount "27"]
[EventDate "2016.11.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 c5 8.
dxc5 g5 9. Bg3 Ne4 10. e3 Bf5 11. Bxb8 Nxc3 12. Qxf5 Ne4+ 13. Ke2 Qxb8 14. Qxd5
1-0

[Event "Saint Louis Showdown 60m"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2016.11.12"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D57"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2823"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2016.11.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. e3 Ne4 8. Bxe7
Qxe7 9. cxd5 Nxc3 10. bxc3 exd5 11. Bd3 c5 12. O-O Nc6 13. Re1 Rd8 14. e4 dxe4
15. Bxe4 Qf6 16. d5 Ne7 17. c4 Bg4 18. Qb3 Bxf3 19. Bxf3 Nf5 20. Qxb7 Nd6 21.
Qc6 Rdc8 22. Qa6 g6 23. Rab1 Rd8 24. Qc6 Rdc8 25. Qa6 Rd8 26. Re3 Qd4 27. Be2
Nf5 28. Reb3 Nd6 29. Rd1 Qf6 30. Qa5 Re8 31. Bf1 Rec8 32. g3 Qf5 33. Qd2 h5 34.
Ra3 Re8 35. Ra6 Ne4 36. Qf4 Qxf4 37. gxf4 Rab8 38. Rxa7 Nd6 39. Ra6 Nf5 40. Rc6
Re4 41. d6 Rd8 42. d7 Kf8 43. Rxc5 Rxf4 44. Bh3 Nd4 45. Rc8 Ke7 46. c5 g5 47.
Re1+ Ne6 48. Bxe6 fxe6 49. c6 1-0

[Event "London Classic 8th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.11"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2779"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[Annotator "Pavlovic,M"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2016.12.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Nbd7 {Recently this has become Anand's
favorite move order, in the same tournament he played it against So as well.}
5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 Bb4 7. e3 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. Bg3 Ne4 {We have reached a very
sharp line of the Ragozin Opening, a line that has had lots of followers
recently.} 10. Nd2 Nxg3 ({It is risky to take the pawn:} 10... Nxc3 11. bxc3
Bxc3 12. Rc1 Ba5 13. h4 Nf6 14. Rc5 Bxd2+ 15. Qxd2 Ne4 16. Bxc7 Qe7 17. Qb2 O-O
18. hxg5 Nxc5 (18... hxg5 19. Bd3 $1 $16) 19. dxc5 Qxc7 20. Rxh6 Qa5+ 21. Kd1
Qa4+ 22. Kc1 f6 23. Rg6+ Kh8 24. gxf6 Rf7 25. Bd3 {with a winning attack.}) 11.
hxg3 c6 $5 {A less popular choice among grandmasters at least, but an
interesting one. We will see that the idea is to have at his disposal the
a5-square for the bishop to retreat to.} (11... Nb6 12. a3 Bd6 13. e4 dxe4 14.
Ndxe4 Qe7 15. Be2 Bf5 16. Nxd6+ Qxd6 17. Rc1 c6 18. O-O O-O 19. f4 Rad8 20.
fxg5 Bg6 21. gxh6 Qxd4+ 22. Qxd4 Rxd4 23. g4 Re8 24. Rcd1 Rxd1 25. Rxd1 Kh7 26.
g5 Re5 27. Rd8 Rxg5 28. Rb8 Nd5 29. Nxd5 Rxd5 30. Rxb7 Rd2 31. Bf3 c5 {½-½ 
(46) Onischuk,A (2662)-Bacrot,E (2697) Berlin (rapid) 2015. Black managed to
make a draw without great difficulties.}) 12. a3 {An important move, Black has
to decide where to go with the bishop.} Ba5 {Probably the best choice, as
Black keeps the tension. b2-b4 is still not any kind of positional threat, so
the bishop on a5 enjoys a good position.} (12... Be7 13. Bd3 Nf6 14. Qe2 Be6
15. Nf3 Ng4 16. e4 dxe4 17. Bxe4 Qa5 18. O-O Nf6 19. Ne5 Qb6 20. Rfd1 Rd8 {
1/2-1/2 (20) Borisenko,G-Averbakh,Y Sverdlovsk 1957}) (12... Bd6 {a slightly
provocative idea...} 13. e4 Nb6 14. e5 Be7 15. Bd3 Be6 16. Qe2 Qd7 17. Nb3
O-O-O 18. O-O-O Kb8 19. Kb1 h5 {with unclear conseqencies.}) (12... Bxc3 13.
bxc3 Nf6 14. Bd3 Qe7 15. Qc2 Bd7 16. c4 {White is slightly better.}) 13. Bd3
Kf8 14. Qc2 Nf6 15. O-O-O Kg7 16. Kb1 Be6 17. Nb3 Bb6 18. f4 Bg4 19. Rde1 Qd6 {
So all has gone in normal fashion, Black has a slightly exposed king but has
the bishop pair, and the position is a bit closed for the moment.} 20. Rhf1
Rae8 21. Nc5 Re7 22. Qd2 $5 {Hitting g5.} Rhe8 (22... Bxc5 23. dxc5 Qxc5 24.
fxg5 hxg5 25. b4 (25. e4 dxe4 $17 {the pawn on g5 is defended}) 25... Qd6 26.
e4 Rh5 27. exd5 Rxe1+ 28. Qxe1 cxd5 (28... Nxd5 29. Nxd5 Qxd5 30. Qc3+ Kg8 31.
Bc4 Qe4+ {Black is fine}) 29. Nb5 Qb6 30. Qe5 Qe6 31. Qd4 Qb6 $11) 23. fxg5
hxg5 24. e4 Nxe4 (24... Nh5 $3 {The computer choice; for humans this is a
tough move to play in a tournament game. What puzzles me is that I don't
understand really what Anand missed in this game.} 25. Qxg5+ (25. e5 Qh6 26.
Qf2 Bxc5 27. dxc5 f5 $1 $132) 25... Qg6 26. Qxg6+ fxg6 $17) 25. N5xe4 {It was
better to take with the other knight:} (25. N3xe4 $1 dxe4 26. Rxe4 Bh5 {
the idea that could have saved Black in the game now is not that strong due to}
27. Qxg5+ Qg6 28. Qxe7 $1 Rxe7 29. Rxe7 {the bishop on d3 is protected now!}
Bxc5 30. Rfxf7+ Qxf7 31. Rxf7+ Kxf7 32. dxc5 $16) 25... dxe4 26. Rxe4 Rxe4 $2 (
26... Bh5 $1 {the last chance because Nakamura took with the wrong knight on e4
} 27. Qxg5+ Qg6 28. Qxg6+ Bxg6 29. Rg4 Re1+ 30. Rxe1 Rxe1+ 31. Ka2 Ba5 {
Black has very good chances of holding a draw actually without great problems.}
) 27. Nxe4 Qg6 (27... Qxd4 28. Qxg5+ Kf8 29. Qh6+ Qg7 30. Qd6+ Re7 31. Nf6 $18)
28. Nf6 $1 Qxf6 29. Rxf6 Kxf6 30. Qc3 Bd7 ({A better chance was} 30... Bc7 31.
d5+ Be5 32. Qb4 Bc8 33. dxc6 bxc6 34. Qc5 $16) 31. d5+ Re5 32. Be4 g4 33. dxc6
bxc6 34. Bxc6 Bxc6 35. Qxc6+ $18 Kg5 36. Qd7 Re3 37. Qxf7 Rxg3 38. Qd5+ Kh4 39.
a4 $18 Bf2 40. Qd8+ Kh5 41. Qe8+ Kg5 42. Qe5+ Kg6 43. Qf4 1-0

[Event "London Classic 8th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.12"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2760"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[Annotator "Roiz,M"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2016.12.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 {This aggressive approach is rarely seen on the top
level.} 4. dxc5 Nc6 5. Nf3 (5. a3 $5 {is another interesting continuation,
which has recently gained some popularity}) 5... Bg4 6. c3 e6 7. b4 ({Possibly,
} 7. Be3 $5 {as was played in most games, poses Black more problems. For
instance, in the following recent encounter Hikaru was unable to solve the
problems:} Qc7 (7... Bxf3 8. Qxf3 Nge7 9. Bb5 a6 10. Ba4 Qa5 11. Bc2 Nxe5 12.
Qg3 Nc4 13. b4 Qd8 14. O-O $36 {Zhigalko,S (2683)-Laznicka,V (2666) Rhodes 2013
}) 8. Nbd2 Nge7 9. Bd4 g6 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Nxf3 Bg7 12. Bb5 O-O 13. Bxc6 Nxc6
14. Qe2 $14 {Leko,P (2693)-Nakamura,H (2779) Doha QAT 2016}) 7... a6 {The
e5-pawn should fall soon, so Hikaru is making a useful prophylactic move.} ({
There are several solid alternatives:} 7... g6 $5 8. Bb5 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 Bg7 10.
Bxc6+ bxc6 11. Qe2 a5 12. a3 f6 13. Bf4 Nh6 $44 {Fedoseev,V (2670)-Fridman,D 
(2620) Liepaja LAT 2016. Black had full compensation for the pawn.}) (7... Bxf3
$5 8. Qxf3 Nxe5 9. Bb5+ Nc6 10. Bb2 Be7 11. c4 Nf6 $132 {Nepomniachtchi,I 
(2704)-Andreikin,D (2718) Moscow 2012}) 8. Nbd2 ({White doesn't get much after
} 8. Bf4 Bxf3 $1 9. Qxf3 g5 10. Bg3 Bg7 $132 {Doluhanova,E (2252)-Schepetkova,
M (2302) Sharjah UAE 2016}) 8... Nxe5 9. Qa4+ ({The other moves have been
tested at a high level, but Black's position looks fine both after} 9. h3 Nxf3+
10. Nxf3 Bxf3 11. Qxf3 g6 12. Be2 Bg7 13. O-O Ne7 $132 {Fedorchuk,S (2660)
-Lupulescu,C (2634) Legnica 2013}) ({and} 9. Be2 Nc6 10. O-O Nf6 11. h3 Bh5 12.
Bb2 Be7 $132 {Frolyanov,D (2566)-Alekseev,E (2651) Kaliningrad RUS 2015}) 9...
Nd7 $146 {Hikaru chooses the most ambitious way, deviating from the
approximately equal endgame.} ({The previously played} 9... Qd7 {also looks
solid:} 10. Qxd7+ Nxd7 11. Bb2 Bxf3 ({But} 11... Ngf6 $6 {is inferior:} 12. Nd4
Be7 13. N2b3 e5 14. h3 $1 Be6 15. Nxe6 fxe6 16. Be2 $14 {Predojevic,B (2632)
-Zelcic,R (2539) Zadar 2010}) 12. Nxf3 Be7 13. Be2 Bf6 14. O-O Ne7 15. Rab1 O-O
16. c4 a5 $132 {Nevednichy,V (2554)-Zelcic,R (2548) Tromso 2014}) 10. Ne5 {
Veselin is trying to make use of pinning the Nd7, but most of his pieces are
undeveloped and do not bother Black.} Ngf6 11. c4 $6 {Veselin is pushing too
hard, exposing his pawn structure.} ({It was better to liquidate the bishop at
once in order to develop the Bf1 with tempo:} 11. Nxg4 $1 Nxg4 12. Be2 Nge5 (
12... Ngf6 13. O-O Be7 14. a3 O-O 15. Qc2 b6 16. cxb6 Nxb6 17. c4 dxc4 18. Nxc4
$14) 13. Bb2 {White's bishops can be potentially very strong, so Black has to
play precisely:} a5 $1 (13... Be7 14. Qb3 O-O 15. c4 dxc4 16. Nxc4 Nxc4 17.
Qxc4 $14) 14. Qb3 Be7 15. a3 b6 16. c4 $1 axb4 17. axb4 Rxa1+ 18. Bxa1 dxc4 19.
Nxc4 Nxc4 20. Bxc4 bxc5 21. O-O O-O 22. Rd1 Qc7 23. Bxe6 Nf6 $11) 11... a5 $1
12. Nb3 $6 {This inaccuracy invites further troubles.} ({More to the point was
} 12. Nxd7 Qxd7 13. Qxd7+ Nxd7 14. cxd5 exd5 15. bxa5 Be7 $1 ({After} 15...
Bxc5 16. Nb3 O-O 17. f3 {White should be able to slowly equalise.}) 16. Be2
Bxe2 17. Kxe2 Nxc5 18. Nb3 $15 {with a slightly worse, but defendable endgame.}
) 12... axb4 13. Qb5 Be7 $1 {Now Black's development advantage is getting
threatening.} 14. c6 (14. cxd5 {is strongly met by} O-O $1 15. Nxg4 Nxg4 16. h3
Nxf2 $1 17. Kxf2 Bf6 18. Rb1 Rxa2+ 19. Kg1 Bc3 20. Bf4 Qf6 $40 {with a
powerful attack.}) 14... bxc6 15. Nxc6 Qc7 16. f3 {The best chance.} (16. Nxe7
{loses on the spot:} Rb8 $1 17. Qa5 Qe5+ 18. Be3 Kxe7 $19) 16... Bf5 17. Nxe7
Rb8 18. Nxf5 $2 {Veselin is trying to change the unfavourable course of the
game, but White cannot afford to lose the queen in this situation.} ({He had
to play} 18. Qa5 Qe5+ 19. Kf2 Kxe7 20. c5 Rhc8 21. Be3 Qb2+ 22. Be2 Bd3 23.
Rhe1 $17) 18... Rxb5 19. Nxg7+ Ke7 (19... Kf8 $1 {was simpler:} 20. Bh6 Qe5+
21. Kf2 Qb2+ 22. Kg1 Ra5 $1 $19) 20. cxb5 Nc5 $6 {This inaccurate move makes
Black's task tougher.} ({Hikaru should have continued} 20... Qe5+ 21. Be2 Nc5
22. Rb1 Nd3+ 23. Kf1 Nxc1 24. Nxc1 Nd7 $1 $19) 21. Bb2 Nxb3 22. axb3 {
Developing the queenside pieces is Veselin's definite achievement, but the
position is still very dangerous.} Qf4 (22... Rg8 $5 23. Bd4 Qc2 24. g3 Rxg7 $1
(24... Ne4 25. Ra7+ Kd6 26. Ra6+ Kd7 27. Ra7+ Kc8 28. fxe4 Qxe4+ 29. Be2 Qxh1+
30. Kf2 Qxh2+ 31. Kf1 $11) 25. Ra7+ Nd7 26. Bxg7 Qxb3 27. Be2 Qe3 28. b6 Qxb6
29. Ra1 f6 $17) 23. Be2 $6 {This is too modest!} ({The correct move was} 23.
Rd1 $1 Qg5 24. Bd4 Qxg7 25. g3 Qh6 26. Bd3 $17 {, activating all the forces.})
23... Rc8 $1 24. Rd1 ({In the event of} 24. b6 Qe3 25. Bxf6+ Kxf6 26. Nh5+ Ke7
27. Rd1 Rc2 28. Ng3 Qxb6 $19 {the lack of harmony makes White's position
completely lost.}) 24... Qg5 $6 {There was no reason for hurrying! The poor
Ng7 would be lost anyway.} ({A much stronger try was} 24... Rc2 25. Bd4 Qg5 26.
Nf5+ Qxf5 27. Bd3 Qg5 28. g3 Rc3 $1 29. f4 Qg8 $19) 25. b6 $2 {Returning the
favour.} ({GM Topalov misses another chance to consolidate:} 25. O-O $1 Rc3 $1
26. Nxe6 fxe6 27. f4 Qg8 28. Rde1 $17 {and the vulnerablity of the king on e7
offers White definite drawing chances.}) 25... Rc2 {The rook penetrates
White's camp with great effect.} 26. Bxf6+ Qxf6 27. Nh5 (27. b7 Qc3+ 28. Kf1
Qc7 $19) 27... Qc3+ 28. Kf1 Qe3 29. Re1 Qxb6 {Collecting the most important
pawn. The b3-pawn should fall soon too.} 30. Nf4 Qe3 31. g3 Qxb3 {The b3-pawn
is worth a piece, but there is still some technical work to do.} 32. Kg2 Kf8 (
32... e5 33. Kh3 Rd2 34. Ng2 Qc3 35. Rc1 Rc2 $19) 33. Kh3 Qb2 34. Rb1 Qf6 35.
Rhe1 (35. Rxb4 Qh6+ 36. Kg2 e5 $19) 35... e5 36. Nxd5 (36. Nd3 e4 37. Nxb4 Rd2
38. Rbd1 Rxd1 39. Bxd1 Qh6+ 40. Kg2 Qd2+ 41. Kf1 e3 42. Be2 Qxb4 $19) 36...
Qe6+ 37. Kg2 Qxd5 38. Rxb4 {White was able to liquidate all the opponent's
pawn on the queenside, but it's still lost!} Qd2 39. Rb8+ Kg7 40. Kf1 Qh6 $2 {
The last move before crossing the time control turns out to be a serious
mistake.} ({The most convincing was} 40... e4 $1 41. fxe4 Qh6 42. Kg1 Qe3+ 43.
Kf1 Qxe4 44. Kf2 Qa4 $1 {, and White is paralysed:} 45. Kf1 (45. Rb7 Qd4+ 46.
Kf1 Qd5 $19) 45... h5 46. Rbb1 Qe4 47. Kf2 Rxe2+ 48. Rxe2 Qxb1 $19) 41. Kg2 $2
{Alas, Veselin is far from his best...} ({Otherwise, he would have played} 41.
Rb4 $1 Qh3+ (41... Qxh2 $2 42. Rh4 Qxg3 43. Rg4+ Qxg4 44. fxg4 {, and now it
is Black, who has to fight for a draw!}) 42. Kg1 Qd7 43. Kf1 $17 {, and the
limited material balance leaves White some hopes - it's not easy to make
progress here!}) 41... e4 $1 {Now White's position is collapsing.} 42. Rb3 (42.
fxe4 Qe3 $19) (42. f4 Qh5 $19) 42... Qe6 43. Re3 exf3+ 44. Kxf3 Qh3 {The rest
is easy.} 45. Rd1 (45. Rh1 Qf5+ 46. Kg2 Qd5+ $19) 45... Qh5+ 46. Kf2 Qxh2+ 47.
Kf3 Rc6 48. Rd4 Rg6 49. g4 Rf6+ 50. Ke4 Qh1+ 51. Kd3 Qb1+ 52. Kd2 Qb2+ 53. Kd3
Rc6 0-1

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

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

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge 6th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2017.04.15"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D94"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[Annotator "Nakamura,H"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2017.04.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 178"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. e3 Bg7 4. c4 O-O 5. Be2 b6 6. O-O Bb7 7. Nc3 d5 8. cxd5
Nxd5 9. Bd2 Nd7 (9... c5 $6 10. dxc5 Nxc3 11. Bxc3 Bxc3 12. bxc3 Nd7 13. cxb6
axb6 14. Qd4 Qc7 15. Rfb1 Ra5 16. Qb4 e6 17. Qe7 Qd8 18. Qxd8 Rxd8 19. Rd1 $14
{Giri-Vachier, Fide World Cup Baku 2015}) 10. Nxd5 Bxd5 11. Bc3 c5 (11... Nf6
12. Nd2 Bb7 13. Bf3 Bxf3 14. Nxf3 Ne4 15. Qc2 Nxc3 16. bxc3 c5 $11 {Anton
Guijarro-Lillo Castany, Llucmajor Open 2014}) 12. Rc1 e6 13. Qa4 $146 a6 14.
Qa3 Qb8 15. dxc5 Bxc3 16. Qxc3 bxc5 $2 {Accepting a much worse pawn structure
unnecessarily.} (16... Rc8 17. Rfd1 Rxc5 18. Qd2 Rxc1 19. Rxc1 Qb7 $11 {
With the symmetrical structure, Black should be fine although White might have
a very small pull.}) (16... Nxc5 17. Ne5 f6 {An ugly move, but Black seems to
be only marginally worse.} 18. Ng4 Kg7 19. b4 Ne4 20. Qd4 $14) 17. Nd2 a5 $2 {
A serious positional mistake.} 18. a4 $1 {[%csl Gb5]} Qb7 19. e4 Bc6 ({
Alternately, if Black were to play} 19... Bxe4 20. Nxe4 Qxe4 {White still
takes the upper hand with} 21. Bf3 Qxa4 22. Bxa8 Rxa8 23. Rfd1 Ra7 24. Ra1 Qb4
25. Qxb4 cxb4 26. Rd4 $1 $16 {[%csl Ga5,Ga7,Gb4][%cal Gd4b4,Ga1a7]}) 20. b3 $16
{The dust has completely settled and White holds all the positional trumps.}
Rfb8 21. Qe3 Qc7 22. Rfd1 Rb4 23. Nc4 $1 {[%csl Ga5][%cal Gc4a5]} Rab8 24. Rc3
Nf6 25. f3 Nd7 26. Qd2 Nb6 27. Qg5 (27. Qd6 Qxd6 28. Nxd6 $16 {This is also
quite good.}) 27... Nxc4 28. Bxc4 e5 29. h4 Kg7 30. h5 h6 31. Qe3 Rd8 32. Rxd8
Qxd8 33. hxg6 fxg6 34. Qxc5 Qb6 (34... Qd4+ {wouldn't change anything. Ex:} 35.
Qxd4 exd4 36. Rc1 Kf6 {[%cal Gg1f2,Gf2e2,Ge2d3]} 37. Kf2 Rb8 (37... Ke5 38. Bg8
Kd6 (38... Bd7 39. Rc5+ $18) 39. e5+ $18) 38. Ke2 g5 39. Kd3 Ke5 40. Bf7 $18 {
[%cal Gc1c5]}) 35. Bb5 $1 {A clean way of ending the game while avoiding any
potential technical difficulties in resulting endgames.} (35. Qxb6 {is also
perfectly possible, but would require more work and precise play to convert.}
Rxb6 36. Be2 $1 Be8 37. Rc7+ Kf8 38. Bc4 Rc6 39. Ra7 Rc5 40. Bd5 {This should
be winning for White as well, but it will still require some technique.}) (35.
Bb5 Qxc5+ 36. Rxc5 Bxb5 (36... Bb7 37. Rc7+ $18) (36... Ba8 37. Rc8 Bb7 38.
Rc7+ $18) 37. Rxb5 Rd4 38. Rxa5 $18) 1-0

[Event "Zuerich Chess Challenge 6th"]
[Site "Zuerich"]
[Date "2017.04.16"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2017.04.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 178"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. a3
Nc6 9. Be2 dxc4 10. Bxc4 Qxd1+ 11. Rxd1 a6 12. Bd6 Bxd6 13. Rxd6 Rd8 14. Rxd8+
Nxd8 15. Bd3 Bd7 16. Ke2 Kf8 17. Rd1 Ke7 18. Ne5 Nc6 19. Nxd7 Nxd7 20. Ne4 Rc8
21. Rc1 Nd4+ 22. Kd1 Rxc1+ 23. Kxc1 Nc6 24. Kc2 f5 25. Nd2 g5 26. b4 a5 27.
bxa5 Nxa5 28. Be2 Nf6 29. Kc3 Nd5+ 30. Kc2 Nf6 31. Kc3 Kd7 32. h3 Kd6 33. Nc4+
Nxc4 34. Kxc4 b6 35. Kb5 Kc7 36. Kc4 h5 37. Bf3 h4 38. Ba8 Nd7 39. f4 g4 40.
Kd4 b5 41. hxg4 fxg4 42. Be4 Nf6 43. Bd3 g3 44. Bf1 Ng4 0-1

[Event "Moscow FIDE GP"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2017.05.18"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B97"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2751"]
[Annotator "Yermolinsky,A"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2017.05.12"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 {With only four rounds
left both players needed to make a push. The Najdorf Sicilian answers the call.
} 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qb6 8. a3 $5 {I like this decision. Hikaru refuses to get
involved in a theoretical dispute in the Poisoned Pawn Variation.} Nc6 ({
From a Najdorf player's point of view} 8... Nbd7 {looks attractive, but, in
turn, it allows White to move his other bishop to an active position,} 9. Bc4)
({Obviously,} 8... Qxb2 $4 {loses the queen to} 9. Na4) 9. Nb3 Be7 ({Naturally,
Ian had no interest in defending a slightly worse position after} 9... Qe3+ 10.
Qe2) 10. Qd2 $5 {An important moment. Seeing the black knight on c6, Nakamura
recognised a Classical Sicilian pattern, and placed his queen accordingly.} ({
Routine is} 10. Qf3 {which Black often answers with} Qc7 11. O-O-O h6 12. Bh4
g5 $5 {inviting a firestorm:} 13. e5 $1 {[#]} (13. fxg5 Ne5 {this tempo is the
key to the whole idea.} 14. Qe2 Nfg4 {Black will regain a pawn and keep the
e5-square for his knight.}) 13... dxe5 ({Perhaps a safer try is} 13... gxh4 14.
exf6 Bxf6 15. Ne4 Be7 16. Qc3 Rg8 {but since Nf6+ is always there for him,
White can simply play} 17. Be2 $1 {with some advantage in all lines.}) 14. fxg5
Nd5 $1 ({I find} 14... hxg5 {unsatisfactory, as after} 15. Bxg5 Nd5 16. Bd2 $14
Bd7 17. Nxd5 exd5 18. Qxd5 Be6 19. Qd3 {Black's compensation is insufficient,
mainly because he cannot castle long.}) 15. Rxd5 $1 {The most principled
answer.} (15. Nxd5 exd5 16. Rxd5 hxg5 17. Bg3 Be6 18. Rd1 f5 {is rather good
for Black.}) 15... hxg5 16. Bf2 exd5 17. Nxd5 Qd6 18. Bc5 g4 $1 (18... Qh6 19.
Kb1 Bd8 20. Nd2 {offers White excellent attacking prospects.}) 19. Qd1 Qh6+ 20.
Kb1 Bxc5 21. Nxc5 Rb8 22. Bc4 b5 23. Rf1 $1 {A fun position to play, mainly
from the White side.}) 10... O-O {I don't think Ian was very familiar with the
intricacies of this type of position. What we have here is a typical
Richter-Rauser Attack setup, where Black deals with two major threats. One is
Bxf6, and you either lose the d6-pawn or agree to damage your pawn structure.
Two, and it's much worse, is e4-e5!} ({One way to deal with both is} 10... Ng4
{although the position after} 11. Bxe7 Kxe7 12. Nd1 $1 Rd8 13. Be2 Nf6 14. Nc3
{appears simply better for White.}) ({I'd put} 10... h6 $1 {on top of the list.
} 11. Bxf6 (11. Bh4 $2 Nxe4 {Every Russian schoolboy Knows....}) 11... Bxf6 12.
O-O-O {Here I'd even think of} O-O $5 (12... Be7 {saves the pawn, but loses
time:} 13. h4 Qc7 14. g4 b5 15. Be2 $14) 13. Kb1 Bd7 ({too early for} 13... Na5
{on account of} 14. Na4 $1 Nxb3 15. Nxb6 Nxd2+ 16. Rxd2 $16) 14. Qxd6 (14. g4
Na5 $1 {Another typical idea from the R-R Attack} 15. Nxa5 Qxa5 {and} 16. Nd5
Bd8 {is harmless.}) 14... Bxc3 15. bxc3 Rfd8 {Back in the day when everybody
played the Classical Sicilian Black used to welcome such developments.}) 11.
O-O-O Rd8 {Seemingly Black has successfully addressed both White's threats -
see above - but his counterplay is slow in coming, and White will continue to
press on.} 12. Bd3 (12. Qe2 $5 h6 13. h4 Bd7 14. g4 Rac8 15. Rh3 {was another
promising idea.}) 12... h6 13. h4 $5 Bd7 {Nepo continues to play quickly, but
his moves lack imagination.} ({Here he neglected a chance to establish some
kind of connection between his queen and knight:} 13... Ng4 $5 14. Bxe7 Nxe7
15. Rdf1 e5 16. Be2 a5 $1 {with reasonable chances for both sides.}) 14. Qe2
Kf8 $2 {And this one is a real error.} ({The only way to stop White was} 14...
h5 $1 15. e5 (15. f5 Ng4 16. Rdf1 Bf6 17. fxe6 Bxe6 18. Nd5 Bxd5 19. exd5 Nce5
$15) (15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Qxh5 Qe3+ 17. Kb1 Qxf4) 15... dxe5 16. fxe5 Ng4 $13)
15. e5 $1 {The floodgates are open.} dxe5 16. fxe5 hxg5 17. exf6 Bxf6 18. hxg5
Bxg5+ ({No salvation was offered by} 18... Bxc3 19. bxc3 Rac8 20. Rh7 $18) 19.
Kb1 {A dreadful sight for the second player. Black has no counterplay and no
means to defend his king.} Qe3 20. Qh5 Bh6 21. Rhf1 Be8 22. Rde1 Qg5 23. Qh3 {
Hikaru anticipated Ian's reply.} ({Some would choose} 23. Qh2 {to stop the
black knight from coming to help.}) 23... Ne5 24. Nc5 $1 {The e6-pawn is
collapsing, and as in many Sicilian positions, it's the beginning of the end.}
Kg8 25. Nxe6 $1 fxe6 (25... Rxd3 26. cxd3 fxe6 27. Qxe6+ Nf7 28. Nd5 $18) 26.
Qxe6+ Nf7 27. Bg6 ({Even more thematic would be} 27. Ne4 Qe5 28. Qg6 Rxd3 29.
cxd3 {and there's no stopping Nf6+.}) 27... Kh8 (27... Rd7 28. Qxe8+) 28. Bxf7
Bxf7 29. Qxf7 Qxg2 ({Understandably, Nepo didn't cherish Black's prospects
after} 29... b5 30. Rh1 Rf8 31. Qd7 {White is up a pawn, and Black's Bh6 plays
no other part other than being an unmovable stick in its king's rickety
shelter. One sample line is} Rad8 32. Qc6 Rf6 33. Re8+) 30. Rg1 Qd2 31. Rd1 Qf4
32. Qxb7 Rdb8 33. Qe4 Qf8 $2 {Ian simply quits.} ({At least} 33... Qxe4 34.
Nxe4 Re8 {would prolong the game.}) 34. Rg6 Ra7 35. Qd4 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 5th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2017.06.06"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D80"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2771"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[EventDate "2017.06.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bg5 Ne4 5. Bh4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 dxc4 7. e3 Be6 8.
Qb1 b6 9. Nh3 Bh6 10. Bg5 Bxg5 11. Nxg5 Qd5 12. Nxe6 Qxe6 13. Qb4 Qd5 14. Qxc4
Qxc4 15. Bxc4 e6 16. Be2 Nd7 17. a4 Ke7 18. a5 c6 19. Kd2 b5 20. Rab1 Rab8 21.
Rb2 f5 22. Rhb1 Kd6 23. f3 e5 24. c4 exd4 25. cxb5 cxb5 26. Bxb5 dxe3+ 27. Kxe3
{Let us start looking at the game here. Before this, it was a Grünfeld and we
have got to this position which, though perhaps almost equal, does hold a bit
of danger for Black. Bishops are superior to knights, and the kingside pawns
will be vulnerable to an attack by the light-squared diagonal user. This
endgame is a bit reminiscent of what Fischer called the "minor exchange".} Nf6
28. Bc4 Rxb2 (28... Rhe8+ 29. Kd4 Rbd8 $1 {was the unnatural, but best way, to
hold. The point is that the rooks create an unsafe environment for the kings,
which makes it difficult for White to make progress.} 30. Rb7 Kc6+ 31. Kc3 Re3+
32. Kc2 Rd4 {for example.}) 29. Rxb2 Re8+ 30. Kd4 {Notice how Black's knight
is uncomfortably controlled compared to White's bishop.} Re7 31. Rb8 Rd7 32.
Rc8 Rb7 33. a6 $1 {Putting in the squeeze. The rook can't stay on the seventh
rank, but there isn't enough time to create counterplay.} Rb4 (33... Re7 34.
Bb5 {and the surprising checkmate on c6 is not so easy to parry.}) 34. Kc3 Ra4
35. Kb3 Nd7 36. Bb5 (36. Kxa4 Nb6+ 37. Kb5 Nxc8 38. Bg8 h6 {is not dangerous
for Black as there is no penetration square once the knight reaches e7.}) 36...
Ra5 37. Kb4 Ra1 38. Rd8 Rb1+ 39. Ka5 Ra1+ 40. Kb4 Rb1+ 41. Ka4 Ra1+ 42. Kb3
Rb1+ 43. Kc4 Rc1+ 44. Kd3 Rc7 45. Kd4 {Black has stabilised for now, but he is
far from out of danger.} Ke7 46. Ra8 Kd6 47. h4 $1 {Now phase two, if you will:
White advances a bit on the kingside to create threats.} Ke7 $2 {Unfortunate
timing.} (47... Nb6 48. Rh8 Ke6 49. Re8+ Kd6 50. h5 {is still very hard to
hold.}) 48. Bxd7 $1 {Nakamura does not miss his chances. The rook endgame is
hopeless.} Rxd7+ (48... Kxd7 49. Kd5 Ke7 50. Rh8 Kf6 51. Kd6 {and everything
falls apart} Rc2 {! the only way to resist} 52. Rxh7 Rxg2 53. Rxa7) 49. Ke5 Kf7
50. Rb8 {This is the killing manoeuvre. Any rook trade is hopeless.} Re7+ 51.
Kd5 Kf6 52. Rb7 Re5+ 53. Kd4 Ra5 54. Rxa7 {This endgame is sometimes a draw,
but not in this csae, with a weak kingside and the pawn on the sixth and not
the seventh, and you will soon find out why!} f4 55. Kc4 Ra2 56. Kc5 h5 57. Ra8
Rc2+ 58. Kb6 Rb2+ 59. Kc5 Rc2+ 60. Kb6 Rb2+ 61. Ka7 Rxg2 62. Rb8 Rf2 63. Rb6+
Kg7 64. Kb7 Rxf3 65. a7 Ra3 66. Ra6 Rb3+ 67. Kc6 1-0

[Event "Norway Chess 5th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2017.06.10"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2785"]
[BlackElo "2796"]
[Annotator "Yermolinsky,A"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2017.06.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bd3 {One of those
sidelines that leaves Black with a choice of options.} e5 {I guess Hikaru
counted on this one, as MVL only plays Najdorf setups.} ({The Dragon response} 
6... g6 7. O-O Bg7 8. a4 O-O 9. Kh1 Nc6 {was seen in Judit Polgar's games
against Anand and Grischuk in the World Blitz 2014.}) (6... e6 7. f4 Nbd7 8.
O-O b5) 7. Nde2 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Ng3 Be6 (9... g6 $5) 10. Nd5 Bxd5 11. exd5 g6
12. c4 {This is a standard structure, the same as we saw in Carlsen-Nakamura
from round three.} Ne8 $2 {I don't like this retreat because it narrows
Black's options to a K-side attack alone, and later in the game we will see
how iffy this strategy can be.} (12... Nbd7 13. Bh6 Re8 14. b4 a5 15. a3 axb4
16. axb4 Rxa1 17. Qxa1 b5 $1 {is where your Nf6 comes in handy.}) 13. Bh6 Ng7
14. b4 Nd7 15. Rc1 $14 a5 16. a3 axb4 17. axb4 Ra3 (17... f5 18. c5 $1 dxc5
$140 19. d6 Bg5 20. Bxg5 Qxg5 21. bxc5 $16) 18. Ne4 $1 {Nakamura gets his
knight to support his queenside offensive.} f5 19. Nc3 e4 20. Be2 Bg5 21. Bxg5
Qxg5 22. c5 Ne5 (22... dxc5 23. bxc5 Nxc5 24. Nb5 Rd3 $1 {was worth taking a
look at, but White has his own ideas:} 25. Bxd3 Nxd3 26. Rc7 f4 27. Rxg7+ $1
Kxg7 28. Nc7 {winning back the exchange.}) 23. c6 {Strategically the game is
decided. The only thing left to do is put it away by exact calculation.} Nh5
24. Bxh5 gxh5 25. Kh1 {Easier said than done...} ({The most resolute was} 25.
cxb7 Ra7 {and now the surprising shot,} (25... Nd3 26. Ra1 Rxc3 27. Ra8) 26.
Nxe4 $3 fxe4 27. Rc7 Ra6 28. Rc8 Nd7 29. Qc2 Qxd5 30. Qc7 Qb5 31. Rxf8+ Kxf8
32. Qxd7 Qxd7 33. b8=Q+ Kg7 {secures White a large advantage,} 34. h3 {The
black king is too open for Black to have any hopes of advancing his d-pawn.} d5
35. b5 Qa7 36. Qe5+ Rf6 37. Qxd5 {etc.}) 25... Qh4 $2 (25... Nd3 26. Nb5 Nxc1
27. Nxa3 Nd3 28. Qc2 $16) 26. Qd4 Ng4 27. h3 f4 {MVL tries a desperado attack.}
28. Kg1 e3 29. hxg4 hxg4 30. cxb7 exf2+ 31. Rxf2 g3 32. Rxf4 Qh2+ 33. Kf1 1-0

[Event "Palma de Mallorca FIDE GP"]
[Site "Palma de Mallorca"]
[Date "2017.11.19"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[Annotator "Yermolinsky,A"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2017.11.16"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. O-O Nge7 5. d4 $1 {An intriguing line.
Usually, White doesn't combine the Rossolimo with an Open Sicilian, but here
the black knight is on e7.} cxd4 6. Nxd4 Ng6 (6... a6 7. Be2 Nxd4 8. Qxd4 Nc6
9. Qc3 $1 {is the key line. The active queen is interfering with Black's
development.}) 7. Be3 Be7 8. Be2 O-O 9. Nc3 Qc7 10. f4 {In this normal
Sicilian pattern White has moved his light-squared bishop twice, but it also
took two moves for the black knight to reach g6, which arguably is an inferior
position to the usual f6.} Nxd4 11. Qxd4 b6 $1 12. Qd2 {Hikaru easily
sidesteps a trap.} (12. Rad1 $2 Bc5 13. Qd2 Nxf4) ({but he could have done the
same with} 12. g3) 12... Bb7 13. Rad1 Bc6 {Black has emerged with a playable
position. Of course, when playing Nakamura one has to expect a long, tough
game regardless of how successful your opening turned out to be.} 14. a3 Bf6 $5
{Teimour's idea was to provoke e4-e5.} ({There seemed to be nothing wrong with
} 14... Rad8 15. g3 d5) 15. g3 Rac8 16. e5 Be7 17. h4 $1 Rfd8 18. h5 Nf8 19.
Ba6 Rb8 20. Qd6 $5 {Often, queen sacrifices produce more excitement from
spectators than deserved. Here it is a cute way to take the game into an
ending with opposite colourd bishops.} ({Apparently, HIkaru was not fully
satisfied with} 20. Qe2 d6 21. Qc4 d5 22. Qe2 Bc5) 20... Bxd6 21. exd6 Qc8 22.
Bxc8 Rbxc8 {Black's game isn't that cramped by the presence of the white pawn
on the 6th rank, yet there's the typical lack of communication lines between
the flanks. Nakamura has to be very quick with his play on the queenside.} 23.
a4 $1 {Doing just that!} h6 24. Ra1 Ba8 ({A sharper move was} 24... Nh7 25. Nb5
Be4 26. c3 Nf6 27. Nxa7 Rb8 $13) 25. a5 Rc6 26. Rfd1 b5 $2 {Leaving White's
a-pawn alive was a big mistake that ultimately cost Radjabov the game.} ({
Instead,} 26... bxa5 27. Bxa7 (27. Rxa5 a6) 27... Ra6 28. Be3 Rb8 29. b3 Bf3
30. Rd2 Nh7 31. Na4 Nf6 32. Nc5 Raa8 {looks about even.}) 27. a6 $1 b4 28. Nb5
Rxc2 29. Rd2 Rdc8 (29... b3 30. Rxc2 bxc2 31. Bxa7 e5 32. Rc1 Be4 33. Nc3 Bd3
34. Bb6 Ra8 35. a7 {brings no relief.}) 30. Nc7 Rxd2 31. Bxd2 Bc6 32. Be3 Nh7 (
{There was a defensive idea} 32... e5 {to force a knight swap, but the
resulting opposite-coloured bishop endgame with rooks present would be very
tough for Black, whose king is late in coming to help.}) 33. Bxa7 Nf6 34. Bc5
Ne4 {Whatever gains Black may achieve on the kingside are absolutely
irrelevant in the face of White's advantage on the other side of the board. As
expected, Nakamura wrapped the game up in the most efficient manner.} 35. Bxb4
Nxg3 36. a7 Ne2+ 37. Kh2 Nxf4 38. Ra6 Be4 39. Rb6 Nxh5 40. Rb8 Rf8 41. Bd2 Nf6
42. b4 1-0

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 16th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2018.01.27"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Duda, Jan Krzysztof"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B76"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[Annotator "Quintiliano,R"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2018.01.23"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 183"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 $1 {After having tested
the Sicilian Dragon in the last London Classic and finished unbeaten, it was
likely that Nakamura would play it again in future events.} 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3
O-O 8. Qd2 Nc6 9. O-O-O ({One of those games played by Nakamura in the London
Classic against an opening expert went} 9. Bc4 Bd7 10. h4 h5 11. Bb3 Rc8 12.
O-O-O Ne5 13. Bg5 Rc5 14. Kb1 Re8 15. g4 $5 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2789)-Nakamura,
H (2781) 9th London Classic 2017 (2.2) 1/2 entering complicated and
double-edged positions, but despite the fight, the end was peaceful -}) 9... d5
$1 {Once the bishop is not on c4, this move is possible and good.} 10. Qe1 {
Duda is aware of the trend in the opening, as this move has been becoming more
popular in recent years.} ({The other game played by Nakamura against another
opening expert in London went} 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Bd4 ({the greedy
} 12. Nxd5 cxd5 13. Qxd5 Qc7 $1 {is dangerous for White as in return for the
pawn Black has many open lines on the queenside and real attacking
possibilities, and} 14. Qxa8 $2 {is bad due to} Bf5 $1 {[%csl Ra8,Gc2] when
Black wins the queen and remains with active pieces}) 12... Bxd4 (12... e5 {
used to be the main line in the past, but after} 13. Bc5 Be6 14. Ne4 Re8 15. h4
{White keeps a comfortable position in the centre for his pieces}) 13. Qxd4 Qb6
14. Na4 (14. Nxd5 {again is not advantageous for White} cxd5 15. Qxb6 axb6 16.
a3 Rd8 $11) 14... Qc7 15. Nc5 {In this position White intends to keep a firm
control over Black's slightly damaged structure on the queenside, and at some
point ideas on the kingside can also be possible, due to the absence of the
Bg7. But Nakamura showed excellent understanding of the position and equalised
without problems} (15. Bc4 {is the main move} Nb6 $5 {Caruana,F (2803)
-Nakamura,H (2799) Khanty-Mansiysk FIDE GP 2015 (10) 1/2 a novelty played by
the same Nakamura some years ago, that was enough to solve Black's problems in}
) (15. h4 $6 {is an aggressive attempt, but also looks dangerous after} Rd8 $1
16. h5 Bf5 {with dangerous counterplay for Black}) 15... Rd8 16. Bc4 (16. c4 $2
{is too naive} Qa5 $1) 16... Bf5 17. Bb3 Nb6 18. Qc3 h5 $1 {[%csl Yf5] a good
move to secure the f5-square to the bishop} 19. g3 Nd5 20. Qc4 e6 {[%cal Yd5e3]
} 21. Rhe1 Qe7 {Adams,M (2715)-Nakamura,H (2781) 9th London Classic 2017 (5.5)
1/2 Black is ok and had no problems in}) (10. Kb1 {is another option which
leads to some complications.}) 10... e5 ({Of course not} 10... dxe4 $4 11. Nxc6
{[%cal Yd1d8] this is the point of 10.Qe1.}) 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. exd5 Nxd5 (12...
cxd5 {is a line that used to be played and considered safe for Black, but it
is just better for White, as the statistics in database can prove} 13. Bg5 Be6
14. Bc4 Qc7 {here both} 15. Bxf6 (15. Bxd5 Nxd5 16. Nxd5 Bxd5 17. Rxd5 {
even in this position I don't really trust Black's compensation, although
there are always practical chances in such positions}) 15... dxc4 16. Bxg7 Kxg7
{and after} 17. Nd5 Bxd5 18. Rxd5 Rfe8 19. Qc3 {White's position is easier to
play, Black is the only side who has things to worry about, namely its weak
pawns and more exposed king.}) 13. Bc4 Be6 14. Kb1 $5 {I think this is a small
but good improvement for White, as 14.Kb1 is always a useful move. Practice
has shown that Black's aggressive attempts tend to fail, and in other
variations White just obtains a free-tempo version of the main line. During
the game I was excited to see what Nakamura had prepared to face this line.} ({
The most played remains being} 14. Ne4 Qc7 15. Bc5 Rfd8 16. g4 Nf4 $1 17. Qc3 {
and 3 years ago, when facing this position I decided for the interesting
sacrifice} (17. Bxe6 {is the main move}) 17... Rd4 $5 {Umetsubo,C (2374)
-Quintiliano Pinto,R (2443) Blumenau Region-ch sf 2015 (3) 1-0 which gives
excellent compensation for Black, despite the disappointing result}) 14... Rb8
({Some days before this game, another one caught the world's attention} 14...
Re8 15. Ne4 f5 (15... Qc7 {is a good example of how Black can end in a bad
position playing normally against this line} 16. Bc5 h6 17. g4 Nf4 18. Bd6 Qb6
19. Bxe6 Rxe6 20. Bc5 Qb5 21. b3 Ree8 22. h4 Qe2 $2 23. Qxe2 Nxe2 24. Rd6 $16 {
Leko,P (2709)-Trent,L (2463) Douglas IoM op 2016 (4) 1-0}) 16. Ng5 Bc8 {
and here} 17. g4 $2 ({instead the natural} 17. h4) 17... f4 {[%csl Ge3,Gg5];
Carlsen,M (2834)-Jones,G (2640) 80th Tata Steel GpA 2018 (8.1) 1-0 and Black
is just winning a piece, although in the end, as Anish Giri stated, the World
Champion showed he is a piece stronger than the rest of world -}) 15. Ne4 (15.
Bxa7 $2 {is too risky} Rb7 16. Bc5 e4 {[%cal Yb7b2,Gg7b2] With a dangerous
initiative for Black.}) 15... Qc7 {We probably can establish this move as the
best for Black.} ({In 2016, known Sicilian Dragon specialist GM Gawain Jones
recommended the aggressive} 15... f5 {but some subsequent games showed that
with} 16. Bxa7 $1 {White keeps the advantage. I tried to play} Qe7 (16... Qc7
$2 17. Bxb8 Rxb8 {Kasimdzhanov,R (2703)-Jones,G (2650) Eurasian Blitz Chess
Cup 2016 (11) 1/2} 18. Ng5 {simply wins for White} e4 19. Bb3 Qe5 20. c3 $18) (
16... fxe4 17. Bxb8 Qxb8 18. fxe4 Nc7 19. Qc3 Kh8 20. Bxe6 Nxe6 21. Qc4 Nd4 22.
Rhf1 $16 {Gopal,G (2593)-Bakre,T (2444) 38th TCh-IND 2018 (4.1) 1-0 White is
always winning, as despite the material advantage, the c6-pawn is always in
danger and now there is the possibility of invading Black's position by using
the f-file -}) (16... Ra8 $6 17. Bc5 Rf7 18. Bb3 fxe4 19. fxe4 Rd7 20. exd5
Bxd5 {Ganguly,S (2672)-Cuenca Jimenez,J (2529) ESP-chT Div Honor 2016 (5.3)
1-0 White is simply a pawn up -}) 17. Bc5 (17. Bxb8 Rxb8 18. Rd3 {was also
good for White after} fxe4 19. fxe4 {Sevian,S (2590)-Le,T (2465) Dallas UT
Fall op 2016 (8) 1-0} Nf4 20. Rb3 Rd8 21. Bxe6+ Nxe6 {but possibly in this
position Black has better chances to fight}) 17... Qb7 18. Bb3 fxe4 19. Bxf8
Rxf8 20. fxe4 Nf4 {I had this position analysed with some options for White
now, but in a rapid game my well prepared opponent surprised me with the move}
21. Qc3 $1 {previously seen only in correspondence games. Suddenly Black is
facing annoying problems} Bxb3 (21... Kh8 22. Bxe6 Nxe6 23. Qb3 $1 {is similar}
) 22. Qxb3+ Qxb3 23. cxb3 $1 {[%csl Ya2] Now not just the distant passed pawn
is very dangerous, but also White has plenty of open files to active the rooks}
Ne6 (23... Nxg2 {wastes precious time} 24. a4 Nf4 25. Rd6 $16) 24. Rhf1 $1 {
since Black should avoid trading the rooks, White wins the f-file and prevents
Black's king from participating in the endgame} Rc8 25. Rd6 Nc5 26. Rfd1 {
[%cal Yd6d8] and White is simply losing} Rc7 (26... Nxe4 27. Rd8+ Rxd8 28.
Rxd8+ Bf8 {Konguvel,P (2383)-Gonzalez Acosta,B (2467) Barcelona Sants op 19th
2017 (8) 1/2} 29. a4 Kf7 30. a5 Bc5 31. Rd7+ Ke6 32. Rxh7 $18) 27. Rd8+ Kf7 28.
b4 Ne6 29. R1d7+ Rxd7 30. Rxd7+ Ke8 31. Ra7 $18 {Ganguly,S (2668)-Quintiliano
Pinto,R (2484) Wch Rapid Doha 2016 (10) 1-0 White's rook is extremely active
and the distant passed pawn makes the endgame a matter of technique. To my
surprise, after the game my opponent told me that he had analysed all the
ensuing endgames after 21.Qc3, and Black is just lost -}) 16. Bc5 Rfd8 17. g4 {
When I studied this line, I didin't like this position because Black is not
able to play ...Nf4, but there's another interesting idea.} (17. Ba3 {is not
dangerous for Black} Qb6 18. Bb3 a5 19. Qh4 {Tari,A (2595)-Samani,Y (2263)
TUR-chT Kocaeli 2017 (9.6) 1-0} a4 $1 20. Bxa4 {Black can pose some problems
for White now with} f5 21. Ng5 h6 $1 22. Nxe6 Nc3+ 23. Ka1 Rxd1+ 24. Rxd1 Nxd1
25. Qe7 (25. Nxg7 $2 Qg1 $18) 25... Rb7 26. Qc5 Qxc5 27. Bxc5 e4 $1 {with a
complicated position}) 17... h6 {An important move to prevent both g5 and
Ng5-ideas, and preparing the f7-f5 advance.} 18. h4 (18. Bb3 {has also been
played, the same idea is possible} f5 19. gxf5 gxf5 20. Ng3 Qf7) (18. Rg1 $5
$146 {maybe an idea to be tested in the future, as this move makes f7-f5 a bit
more risky.}) 18... f5 $5 {I always thought that this move is very risky for
weakening Black's kingside, but it its the best chance to remove the annoying
blockader from e4 and generate threats along the a1-h8 diagonal, creating a
lively fight with chances for both sides.} ({If Black had waited one move he
would be too late} 18... a5 19. g5 $1 h5 {[%csl Ye4] and there's no hope of
dynamic play for Black.}) 19. gxf5 gxf5 20. Ng3 Qf7 $1 {[%csl Yh5][%cal Yf7a2]
A nice square for the queen, keeping Nh5-ideas under control and protecting
the a2-g8 diagonal, after f7-f5 this move is very necessary.} 21. Bb3 Rd7 {
Now Black intends to double rooks in the d-file. It makes sense to improve the
pieces, as Black has already moved almost all the pawns and further advances
would create serious weaknesses.} 22. Ne2 $146 {This move may look difficult
to understand at first sight, but contains a preventive idea.} ({A previous
game went} 22. Qa5 Rbd8 23. Rd3 Nf4 $2 (23... Bf6) 24. Qxd8+ Rxd8 25. Rxd8+ Kh7
26. Rhd1 $16 {Wei,Y (2557)-Gagare,S (2419) World ol U16 12th 2013 (9) 1/2}) ({
For example, if White rushes with} 22. h5 Rbd8 23. Qa5 $2 Nc3+ $1 $19 {this is
why the knight is needed on e2. The knight is useful protecting f4 as well.})
22... Rbd8 23. h5 Kh7 24. Qa5 {Duda intends to press against the queenside
pawns, besides the pressure in a7 he can play Qa4 or Qa6 and attack c6. White
is very solid here.} Nf4 $1 {Nakamura goes for the most challenging and active
continuation.} (24... Nc7 {was playable, but after} 25. Rdf1 $1 (25. Rxd7 Rxd7
26. Bxa7 Bxb3 27. axb3 Nb5 28. Bb6 e4 $132 {[%cal Yf7f6]}) (25. Rdg1 Bxb3 26.
axb3 Qd5 {[%csl Gf3]}) 25... Nb5 26. Be3 $1 {[%cal Ye3c1] White's position is
very solid.}) 25. Rxd7 Rxd7 26. Nxf4 exf4 {This position looks very difficult
to play. Both sides have some things to be concerned about, but as Black
destroyed his own pawn structure in order to obtain open lines for the pieces,
his moves are more obvious. If Duda succeeds in stopping active ideas by Black,
his position should be easier to play, but among many options it is difficult
to spot which one is the best.} 27. Qe1 (27. Bxe6 Qxe6 28. Bxa7 $6 {seems too
risky to be good} Rb7 29. c3 Rb5 $1 30. Qa3 Qe2 {and White could have problems
with the pieces misplaced.}) 27... Bd5 28. Bb4 {[%cal Yb4c3] As said before,
Duda is trying to reorganize the pieces in order to avoid any active idea by
Black.} (28. Qh4 Bxb3 29. axb3 Qd5 30. Qf2 Qe5 31. Ba3 {was another option.})
28... c5 $1 {An idea that Nakamura immediately disrupts.} 29. Bxd5 $2 {As
often happens in Dragon positions, the only mistake is enough to be the
decisive one.} (29. Bxc5 $1 {was called for} Qf6 30. c3 Bxf3 31. Rg1 Be4+ (
31... Bxh5 32. Qe6 $1) 32. Ka1 Qe5 (32... f3 33. Qg3 $13) 33. Qf2 $13 {It is
difficult to understand what Duda disliked about 29.Bxc5.}) (29. Bc3 $2 c4 30.
Ba4 Re7 31. Qd2 Bxf3 32. Rf1 Bxc3 33. Qxc3 Bd5 34. Rxf4 Qxh5 $17) 29... Qxd5 {
Now Black's position becomes very active.} 30. Ba3 Qxf3 31. Bxc5 Rb7 32. b3 Qd5
$1 {Once he has the initiative, Nakamura creates so many threats that White is
never able to organise a good defence. Now, the queen heads for the weakened
long diagonal.} 33. Ba3 (33. Bf2 {would be the best try, keeping the important
d4-square under control} Rc7 34. Rg1 Qe4 $1 {and White is still suffering.})
33... Qd4 34. c3 Qd3+ 35. Kb2 f3 36. Bc5 {Played to stop the threat of f3-f2,
but Nakamura finds an elegant way to finish the game.} f2 $1 $19 {First
deflecting the bishop...} 37. Bxf2 Re7 $1 {And so the queen.} 38. Qxe7 Qxc3+
39. Ka3 Qa5# {A nice game with theoretical value for the assessment of the
move 14.Kb1. Although careful analysis shows that White's position was good
almost until the end, the plan used by Nakamura should be Black's best chance
to fight dynamically and look for counterplay at the appropriate moment.} 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess 6th"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2018.06.06"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2769"]
[BlackElo "2782"]
[Annotator "Roiz,M"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2018.05.28"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 185"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.07.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bb4 (4... d5 {Sergey has wide experience
in another main line -} 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 {, but this time he enters
into the sharper one.}) 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O e4 {The most ambitious choice.} ({
Both} 6... d6) ({and} 6... Re8 {also were tested on the highest level.}) 7. Ng5
Bxc3 8. bxc3 Re8 {This position was first seen in the middle of 60'es, but it
gained popularity mostly after the Kasparov - Karpov match in Seville 1987.} 9.
f3 exf3 10. Nxf3 d5 {The most common. Even though White has the bishop pair,
Black feels free to open up the position. Indeed, at the moment Black's pieces
are better mobilised.} ({The alternative} 10... Qe7 {has also been seen in
Karjakin's White's practice:} 11. e3 Ne5 12. Nh4 ({Amove worth considering is} 
12. Nd4 $5 d6 13. d3 c5 14. Nf5 Bxf5 15. Rxf5 d5 16. cxd5 c4 17. d4 Nd3 18. Bd2
Ne4 19. Bxe4 Qxe4 20. Qf3 Qxf3 21. Rxf3 Rad8 $132 {Tomashevsky,E - Korotylev,A
Sochi 2017}) 12... d6 13. d3 Ng6 14. Nxg6 {Karjakin,S - Eljanov,P Baku 2015;
in this complex position draw was agreed.}) 11. d4 dxc4 12. Bg5 ({The
relatively recent} 12. Qc2 $5 h6 13. Bf4 {yielded White a memorable victory in
Caruana,F - Anand,V Moscow 2016.}) 12... h6 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Nd2 $146 {
Hikaru comes up with a natural novelty.} (14. e4 Bg4 15. Qa4 Qd6 16. Rae1 (16.
Qxc4 Na5 17. Qb5 b6 18. Nd2 Qd7 $132) 16... Rab8 17. Qxc4 b5 18. e5 bxc4 19.
exd6 cxd6 20. Rxe8+ Rxe8 21. Nd2 Na5 {led to equal endgame in Aronian,L -
Anand,V Saint Louis 2015.}) 14... Qe7 $6 {Too passive. As often happens in
such sharp positions, one mistake might invite serious troubles.} ({A much
better try was} 14... Qg6 $1 {, diminishing White's control of e4. The play
might continue:} 15. e4 ({After} 15. Nxc4 Bf5 16. Qb3 Be4 17. Bxe4 Rxe4 18.
Qxb7 Rb8 19. Qxc7 Rxe2 {Black has full compensation for the pawn due to
activity of all his pieces.}) 15... b5 16. e5 (16. a4 $6 b4 17. Nxc4 Ba6 18.
Qb3 Rad8 $15 {makes White's pawn centre very fragile.}) 16... Rb8 17. Be4 (17.
Ne4 Ne7 18. Nc5 Bf5 $132) 17... Qe6 ({Another possibility is} 17... f5 $5 18.
exf6 Rxe4 19. Nxe4 Qxe4 20. Qe1 Qxe1 21. Raxe1 gxf6 22. Rxf6 Bb7 23. d5 Na5 24.
Re7 Bxd5 25. Rxc7 Rb6 $11) 18. Qf3 Nd8 19. Rae1 Bb7 20. d5 Qxe5 21. Bh7+ Kxh7
22. Rxe5 Rxe5 23. Qf4 Rxd5 24. Qe4+ Kg8 {White has nothing better than forcing
a draw by perpetual.}) 15. e4 Na5 $6 {Black's knight's desertion of the centre
makes it easier for Hikaru to extend his initiative.} ({The attempt to protect
the pawn by means of} 15... Qa3 16. Qc2 Qa6 {looks too awkward, so after} 17.
e5 Ne7 18. Rf2 Be6 19. Ne4 $36 {White's initiative is lasting itself.}) ({
In comparison to the above-mentioned note, after} 15... b5 16. e5 {the Nc6 is
hanging, and White manages to develop a powerful initiative:} Bb7 17. Rb1 a6
18. Nxc4 Rad8 19. Ne3 {Despite the material balance, Black's position is
practically lost.}) ({A better attempt was} 15... Rb8 16. Nxc4 Be6 17. Qe2 (17.
Ne3 Na5 $14) 17... Rbd8 18. Rae1 f6 $14 {Black's position is passive, but
rather solid.}) 16. e5 Be6 $2 {Alas, Sergey fails to put up resistance and
loses on the spot.} ({It was necessary to put some pressure on White's pawn
centre:} 16... c5 17. Ne4 cxd4 18. cxd4 Nc6 19. Nd6 Rf8 $16) 17. Ne4 Rad8 18.
Qh5 {White's queen is joining the attack with killing effect.} b5 {Desperation.
Obviously, Black has no time for creating any counterplay on the queenside.}
19. Nf6+ ({An even more effective move would be} 19. Rf6 Qf8 20. Raf1 b4 21.
Rg6 bxc3 22. Nf6+ Kh8 23. Nxe8 Rxe8 24. Be4 $18) 19... Kh8 (19... gxf6 20. Rxf6
Qf8 21. Rxh6 Qg7 22. Be4 $18) 20. d5 ({The prosaic} 20. Nxe8 Rxe8 21. Rf2 $18 {
would be good enough too.}) 20... Bxd5 (20... Qc5+ 21. Rf2 $18) 21. Bxd5 Rxd5
22. Nxe8 Rxe5 (22... Qxe8 23. Qxf7 Rxe5 24. Qxe8+ Rxe8 {leads to the same}) 23.
Qxf7 Qxe8 24. Qxe8+ Rxe8 25. Rae1 $18 {Despite the approximate material
balance Black's position is absolutely lost - the rooks are very powerful,
whereas the Na5 is poor.} Rxe1 26. Rxe1 c5 27. Kf2 b4 28. Ke3 bxc3 ({Or} 28...
b3 29. Ke4 bxa2 30. Ra1 $18) 29. Rc1 {Obviously, all the c-pawns would fall
soon.} Nc6 30. Rxc3 ({A simpler way was} 30. Ke4 Nb4 31. a3 $18) 30... Nb4 31.
Rxc4 Nxa2 32. Rxc5 Nb4 33. Ke4 Kh7 34. Rc4 a5 35. Rc5 a4 36. Ra5 Nc6 37. Rxa4
Nd8 {Sergey was able to avoid the loss of his knight, but this is a symbolic
achievement.} 38. Ra6 Nf7 39. Kf5 Nh8 40. h4 Nf7 41. g4 1-0

[Event "London Classic 10th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.12.13"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2832"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "2018.12.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 b6 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8.
Nxd5 Qxd5 9. Bd3 Qa5+ 10. Kf1 Ba6 11. Bxc7 Bxd3+ 12. Qxd3 Na6 13. Bg3 Nb4 14.
Qe2 Rfc8 15. a3 Qa4 16. Kg1 Na2 17. h3 Nc1 18. Qf1 Qc2 19. Kh2 Ne2 20. Be5 Qxb2
21. d5 Nc3 22. dxe6 fxe6 23. Rd1 Qxa3 24. Rd7 Nd5 25. Nd4 Bf6 26. Bg3 Bxd4 27.
exd4 Qa4 28. Rd6 Rc6 29. Rd7 Rcc8 30. Rd6 Qe8 31. Qa6 Rc6 32. Ra1 Rxd6 33. Bxd6
Qd7 34. Be5 Nb4 35. Qe2 Nc6 36. Bg3 Qd5 37. Qa6 Nxd4 38. Rc1 Nf5 39. Rc8+ Rxc8
40. Qxc8+ Kf7 41. Qc7+ Kf6 42. Bf4 e5 43. Bc1 h6 44. Bb2 Qc5 45. Qb8 a5 46. f4
Kg6 47. Bxe5 Qc6 48. Qa7 h5 49. h4 a4 50. Qa6 Kh7 51. Qd3 Qg6 52. g3 Nh6 53.
Qc4 Ng4+ 54. Kh3 Qb1 0-1

[Event "London Classic 10th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.12.13"]
[Round "1.6"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2832"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2018.12.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 b6 7. Rc1 Ba6 8. Qa4
dxc4 9. Bxc4 Bb7 10. O-O a6 11. Be2 Nbd7 12. Rfd1 b5 13. Qc2 Rc8 14. Ne5 c5 15.
dxc5 Rxc5 16. Qb1 Qe8 17. Nxd7 Nxd7 18. Ne4 Rxc1 19. Rxc1 Qa8 20. Bf3 Rc8 21.
Rd1 Nf6 22. Ng5 h6 23. Bxb7 Qxb7 24. Nf3 Qe4 25. Be5 Qxb1 26. Rxb1 Ne4 27. Ne1
f6 28. Bg3 Rd8 29. Nf3 Rc8 30. Ne1 e5 31. f3 Nd2 32. Rd1 Nc4 33. Rd7 Bc5 34. b3
Nxe3 35. Bf2 Nf5 36. g4 Nd4 37. Kf1 Ne6 38. h4 Bxf2 39. Kxf2 Nf4 40. Rd6 a5 41.
Ra6 Rd8 42. Rxa5 Rd2+ 43. Kf1 Nh3 44. Nd3 Rxd3 45. Rxb5 Rxf3+ 46. Ke1 Rf2 47.
a4 Ra2 48. a5 Nf4 49. Kd1 e4 50. Kc1 e3 0-1

[Event "London Classic 10th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.12.13"]
[Round "1.7"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A12"]
[WhiteElo "2746"]
[BlackElo "2832"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2018.12.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. b3 Bf5 5. Bb2 e6 6. Nc3 h6 7. d4 Be7 8. Bd3 O-O
9. O-O Nbd7 10. Qc2 Bg4 11. Ne5 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Nd7 13. h3 Bh5 14. g4 Bg6 15.
Bxg6 fxg6 16. Qxg6 Rf7 17. Ne2 Nf8 18. Qc2 Rc8 19. Rad1 Bc5 20. Kg2 Qh4 21. Bd4
Be7 22. f4 Bb4 23. cxd5 exd5 24. f5 h5 25. Rf4 Nh7 26. Ng3 c5 27. gxh5 Qd8 28.
Bb2 d4 29. e6 Rfc7 30. Qc4 b5 31. e7+ bxc4 32. exd8=Q+ Rxd8 33. bxc4 d3 34. h6
gxh6 35. Rg4+ Kf8 36. Ne4 Ng5 37. Nxg5 hxg5 38. Rxg5 d2 39. Kf3 Rh7 40. Rg3
Rdd7 41. Be5 Rh5 42. Kg4 Rdh7 43. Bf6 R5h6 44. Bg5 Ra6 45. e4 Rxa2 46. Rd3 Rc2
47. Bxd2 Rxc4 48. Rd8+ Kf7 49. Bxb4 Rxe4+ 50. Kf3 Re7 51. Bxc5 Rxh3+ 52. Kg4
1-0

[Event "London Classic 10th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.12.13"]
[Round "1.8"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E71"]
[WhiteElo "2832"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2018.12.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. h3 O-O 6. Be3 e5 7. d5 a5 8. g4 Na6
9. Nge2 Nd7 10. Qd2 Ndc5 11. Ng3 c6 12. Be2 cxd5 13. cxd5 a4 14. h4 Bd7 15. h5
Rc8 16. Kf1 a3 17. b3 Qa5 18. Rc1 f6 19. Kg2 Nb4 20. hxg6 hxg6 21. Bh6 Rf7 22.
Rh2 Bxh6 23. Qxh6 Rg7 24. Rch1 Rf8 25. Qc1 Nbd3 26. Qd2 Nf4+ 27. Kg1 Kf7 28.
Rh7 Rc8 29. Bc4 b5 30. Nge2 g5 31. Nxf4 gxf4 32. g5 Rcg8 33. Be2 Kf8 34. Kf1
fxg5 35. f3 b4 36. Nd1 Nxb3 37. Qc2 Nd4 38. Qc1 b3 39. axb3 a2 0-1

[Event "London Classic 10th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2018.12.17"]
[Round "2.8"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A34"]
[WhiteElo "2746"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2018.12.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 188"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e3 Nxc3 6. bxc3 g6 7. Bb5+ Bd7 8.
Be2 Bg7 9. O-O O-O 10. d4 Bc6 11. Ba3 cxd4 12. cxd4 Re8 13. Rc1 Qa5 14. Qb3 Nd7
15. Bb4 Qf5 16. Bd3 Qh5 17. e4 e6 18. h3 Rad8 19. Rfe1 a5 20. Bd2 a4 21. Qb1
Rc8 22. Be2 Bf6 23. Rcd1 Red8 24. Ng5 Qh4 25. g3 Qh6 26. Nxf7 Qxh3 27. Bf1 Qh5
28. Be2 Qh3 29. Bg4 1-0

[Event "Moscow FIDE GP"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2019.05.19"]
[Round "1.3"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D53"]
[WhiteElo "2761"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2019.05.17"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 190"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e3 c5 8. Bxc4
cxd4 9. Nxd4 O-O 10. O-O Bd7 11. Qe2 Nc6 12. Rfd1 Qb6 13. Nf3 Rfd8 14. e4 Be8
15. e5 Nd7 16. Bxe7 Nxe7 17. Rd6 Qa5 18. Rad1 Nf5 19. R6d2 Nf8 20. Bd3 Bc6 21.
Be4 Rxd2 22. Rxd2 Rc8 23. h4 a6 24. h5 b5 25. a3 Bxe4 26. Qxe4 Qb6 27. Kh2 Qa7
28. Qd3 Rc7 29. Ne4 Rd7 30. Nd6 Qb6 31. g4 Nxd6 32. exd6 f6 33. Nh4 Kf7 34. f4
Ke8 35. f5 e5 36. Qd5 Qe3 37. Ng6 Nxg6 38. hxg6 Qf4+ 39. Kh3 Qf1+ 40. Kh4 Qe1+
41. Kh5 1-0

[Event "Nations Cup Online Prelim"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.05"]
[Round "2.1"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2784"]
[BlackElo "2736"]
[PlyCount "276"]
[EventDate "2020.05.05"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Russia"]
[BlackTeam "USA"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "USA"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. c5 c6 8. h3 b6
9. b4 a5 10. a3 h6 11. Qc1 Bb7 12. Bd3 Qc8 13. O-O Ba6 14. Bxa6 Rxa6 15. Qb2
Qb7 16. Rfb1 axb4 17. axb4 Rxa1 18. Qxa1 Ra8 19. Qb2 Nh5 20. Bh2 Bd8 21. Ra1
Nhf6 22. g4 Ne8 23. Rxa8 Qxa8 24. Qa2 Qb7 25. Qa4 b5 26. Qa1 Bc7 27. Bxc7 Nxc7
28. Qa5 f6 29. Ne2 Kf7 30. Nc1 g5 31. Nd3 Ke7 32. Nd2 Kd8 33. Nb3 Qa6 34. f4
Qxa5 35. Nxa5 Nb8 36. Kf2 Ne8 37. Kg3 Kc7 38. h4 Nd7 39. Nb3 gxh4+ 40. Kxh4 Ng7
41. Nd2 Nf8 42. Nf3 Ng6+ 43. Kg3 Kd8 44. Nh4 Ne7 45. Kf3 Ke8 46. Nc1 Kf7 47.
Nb3 h5 48. Na5 hxg4+ 49. Kxg4 Ne8 50. f5 Nc7 51. fxe6+ Kxe6 52. Ng2 Ne8 53.
Nf4+ Kd7 54. Nh5 Kc7 55. Nb3 Kd7 56. Nc1 Ke6 57. Nf4+ Kf7 58. Nb3 Ng7 59. Na5
Ngf5 60. Kf3 Nh4+ 61. Kg3 Nhf5+ 62. Kf2 Ng7 63. Nb7 Ke8 64. Kf3 Kd7 65. Na5
Nef5 66. Kf2 Ne7 67. Kf3 Nef5 68. Nb3 Nh4+ 69. Kf2 Nhf5 70. Nd2 Ke7 71. Nf3 Kf7
72. Nh2 Ke7 73. Ng4 Kf7 74. Kf3 Nh4+ 75. Ke2 Nhf5 76. Nf2 Ng3+ 77. Kf3 N3f5 78.
Nd1 Nh4+ 79. Kf2 Nhf5 80. Nc3 Ne8 81. Kf3 Nc7 82. Nce2 Na6 83. Nd3 Nc7 84. Nec1
Ne6 85. Nb3 Ke8 86. Nf2 Kf7 87. Na5 Nd8 88. Ng4 Kg6 89. Nf2 Kf7 90. Nd3 Kg6 91.
Nf4+ Kf7 92. Ng2 Kg6 93. Kf4 Ne6+ 94. Kg4 Nh6+ 95. Kf3 Nd8 96. Nf4+ Kf5 97. Nh5
Kg6 98. Ng3 Nhf7 99. e4 Ng5+ 100. Ke3 dxe4 101. Nxe4 Nge6 102. Nc3 Nc7 103. Kf4
Na6 104. Na2 Nc7 105. Ke4 f5+ 106. Ke5 Nf7+ 107. Kf4 Nd5+ 108. Kf3 Nd8 109. Kg3
Kh5 110. Kf3 Kg5 111. Kg3 f4+ 112. Kf3 Kf5 113. Nc1 Nxb4 114. Ne2 Nd5 115. Nc1
Nc7 116. Nd3 Nce6 117. Nb3 Ng5+ 118. Kf2 Ke4 119. Nb4 Nge6 120. d5 cxd5 121. c6
Ke5 122. Na5 Nc7 123. Kf3 Nde6 124. Nd3+ Kd4 125. Nxf4 Nxf4 126. Kxf4 Kc3 127.
Nb7 b4 128. Nc5 Kc4 129. Na4 Kb5 130. Nb2 Kxc6 131. Ke5 Kc5 132. Na4+ Kc4 133.
Kd6 d4 134. Kxc7 d3 135. Kb6 d2 136. Nb2+ Kb3 137. Nd1 Kc2 138. Ne3+ Kc1 0-1

[Event "Nations Cup Online Prelim"]
[Site "Chess.com INT"]
[Date "2020.05.08"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[EventDate "2020.05.05"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 196"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.06.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.06.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "USA"]
[BlackTeam "Russia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "USA"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Na4 e5 6. dxe5 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Qe7 8.
Nf3 Nc6 9. a3 Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 Nb6 11. Nxb6 axb6 12. Qf4 O-O 13. e3 Ra5 14. Be2
Nxe5 15. O-O Bg4 16. Rfd1 Nxf3+ 17. Bxf3 Bxf3 18. Qxf3 c6 19. Rd4 Rd8 20. Rad1
Rxd4 21. Rxd4 Rb5 22. b4 Rf5 23. Qd1 c5 24. Rd7 Qf6 25. f4 cxb4 26. axb4 Qc3
27. Kf2 Rf6 28. Qe1 Qb2+ 29. Rd2 Qe5 30. Rd8+ Kg7 31. Qd2 Qa1 32. h4 Rc6 33.
Kg3 Qc3 34. Qd4+ Qxd4 35. Rxd4 h5 36. Kf3 Rc1 37. Rd6 Rc6 38. Rd5 Rc4 39. Rb5
Rc6 40. f5 f6 41. fxg6 Kxg6 42. e4 Re6 43. g3 Rc6 44. Ke3 Rc3+ 45. Kf4 Rc6 46.
g4 hxg4 47. Kxg4 Re6 48. Kf3 Rc6 49. Kf4 Re6 50. h5+ Kh6 51. Rd5 Rc6 52. Kf5
Rc4 53. b5 Rb4 54. Kxf6 Rxe4 55. Re5 Rc4 56. Ke7 Kh7 57. Re6 Rc5 58. Rxb6 Rxh5
59. Rxb7 Kg6 60. Rb8 Kf5 61. Kd6 Ke4 62. b6 Kd4 63. Rd8 1-0

