[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.07"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2706"]
[BlackElo "2796"]
[Annotator "Friedel,J"]
[PlyCount "167"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{For some reason, I always feel like Kramnik losing violates some basic law of
nature. Nevertheless, I'll do my best to explain how such a thing took place.} 
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 {Kramnik stuns the world by playing the Berlin.}
4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. dxe5 {This sideline is generally considered quite
tame.} (6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 {is the infamous endgame which
Kramnik made popular by using it to hold Kasparov at bay.}) 6... Nxb5 7. a4
Nbd4 {This is the safest choice for Black.} (7... d6 8. e6 fxe6 9. axb5 {
is for folk who are less sound in the head.}) 8. Nxd4 Nxd4 9. Qxd4 d5 10. exd6
Qxd6 {I'm sure at this point most people were expecting the players to repeat
moves and take a nap.} 11. Qe3+ $5 {This strange looking move isn't a novelty,
but it is hard to believe it is a serious try for advantage.} (11. Qe4+ Qe6 12.
Qd4 Qd6 {is the forced draw which has occurred in countless games.}) 11... Be6
(11... Be7 12. Nc3 c6 {is another option for Black.}) (11... Qe6 {is idiotic
now due to} 12. Qg3 {and Black is under some pressure.}) 12. Nc3 a6 {It is
worth investing a tempo to take away the b5 square from White's knight.} 13.
Rd1 Qc6 14. Rd3 {This bizarre looking move has actually been tried before.} Rc8
$6 {This move is too deep for me, but I fear that it is also too deep for the
position. The idea is to defend the weak c-pawn while not committing the
bishop yet, but I think it is just too slow.} (14... Be7 {I'm curious what
Andreikin's prep was here} 15. Nb5 O-O 16. Nd4 Qd5 17. Nxe6 Qxe6 18. Qxe6 fxe6
19. Be3 {Maybe his plan was to play into this ending, though in my opinion
White's advantage is pretty much symbolic} Bf6 20. c3 Rfd8 21. Rad1 Rxd3 22.
Rxd3 Rd8 23. Rxd8+ Bxd8 24. g4 e5 25. Kg2 Kf7 26. Kf3 Ke6 27. Ke4 c6 28. f3 b5
29. b3 g6 30. c4 Be7 31. Bd2 Bd8 32. Bc3 Bc7 33. Bd2 Bd8 34. Bc3 Bc7 35. Bd2 {
1/2-1/2 (35) Jones,G (2635)-Fressinet,L (2693) Plovdiv 2012}) (14... Bc5 15.
Qg3 f6 {is another interesting possibility for Black.}) 15. Ne2 $1 {Andreikin
uses the opportunity to improve his knight.} Bc5 (15... Qxc2 16. Nd4 {would be
ill-advised.}) 16. Qg3 f6 17. Be3 {Andreikin's play is very straightforward.
Once he forces the bishop trade, Black's dark squares will be hurting.} Bd6 18.
Bf4 Bxf4 19. Nxf4 O-O {This drops the c7-pawn, but Black had no better options.
} 20. Rc3 Qd6 21. Nxe6 Qxe6 22. Rxc7 Rxc7 23. Qxc7 Rc8 24. Qxb7 Rxc2 {The dust
has settled, and while White is up a pawn, Black has clear compensation due to
his active pieces. All the same, it is clear White got what he wanted from the
opening, not something most can claim when playing Kramnik.} 25. h3 Qe2 26.
Qb8+ Kf7 27. Qa7+ Kg8 28. b4 h6 29. Qb8+ Kh7 30. Qf4 {Play has been quite
logical so far. Black is trying to keep White as passive as possible while
keeping the pawns at bay. The problem is that it is impossible to do this
indefinitely.} Qe6 31. Qd4 Qe2 32. Qf4 Qe6 33. Rb1 Qa2 {This move makes Black
go down a bit quicker, but it is an understandable try, as otherwise Black
will simply be forced into passivity once the pawns gets rolling.} 34. Qf5+ Kg8
35. Rd1 {Now that Black's queen is out of the center, White focuses his
attention on the weak king.} Qxa4 (35... Rd2 36. Rxd2 Qxd2 37. Qb1 {is
hopeless.}) 36. Rd8+ (36. b5 $1 {was the simplest way to end it, the point
being that if} axb5 37. Rd8+ Kf7 38. Qh5+ {leads to mate.}) 36... Kf7 37. Qd5+
Kg6 38. Qd3+ (38. Qd1 $1 {is crushing now, as Black is left without a good
move. This kind of move is difficult to spot over the board, however.} Qc6 39.
Qg4+ Kf7 40. Rd7+ Ke8 41. Rxg7 $18) 38... Kf7 39. Rd7+ Ke8 40. Rd8+ Kf7 41.
Rd7+ Ke8 42. Rxg7 {White missed a couple knockout blows, but he correctly
assessses the rook ending as a win. Don't believe your computers here, folks.}
Qa1+ 43. Kh2 Qe5+ 44. Qg3 Qxg3+ (44... Rxf2 45. Qxe5+ fxe5 46. Rg6 Rb2 47. Rxa6
Rxb4 48. Rxh6 {is an easy win.}) 45. Kxg3 Rb2 46. Rb7 (46. Rh7 {is also good.})
46... Kf8 (46... a5 {is a more active try, but it isn't quite good enough.} 47.
Rb6 $1 {and White will collect Black's entire kingside, as bxa5 is a threat
now.} (47. b5 a4 48. b6 a3 {will liquidate the queenside pawns leading to a
theoretically drawn ending.}) 47... axb4 (47... Rxb4 48. Rxf6 h5 49. f4 a4 50.
Rf5 Rb2 51. Rxh5 $18) 48. Rxf6 h5 49. Rh6 Kd7 50. Rxh5 Kc6 51. Rh8 Rd2 52. Rb8
$18) 47. Rh7 Rb3+ 48. f3 Rxb4 49. Rxh6 {In general, White's kingside majority
should be enough to win these endings. The idea is to advance the kingside
pawns while making sure White's rook can get behind the a-pawn. Andreikin's
technique is instructive.} Kg7 50. Rh5 Ra4 51. h4 Kg6 52. Rc5 a5 53. h5+ Kg7 (
53... Kh6 54. Kh3 Ra1 55. Kg4 {is an easy win.}) 54. f4 Ra2 55. Kf3 a4 56. Ra5
a3 57. g4 Kh6 58. Ra6 Kg7 59. Ra7+ Kg8 (59... Kh6 60. Rf7 $18) 60. Ke4 Rg2 61.
Kf5 a2 62. h6 Kh8 63. g5 fxg5 64. fxg5 Rb2 65. Kg6 Rb6+ 66. Kh5 Rb5 (66... Rb2
{doesn't improve Black's chances.} 67. Ra8+ Kh7 68. g6#) 67. Rxa2 {Now we've
reached a basic endgame every Russian schoolboy knows. The plan is to put the
rook on the e-file, get the king out, and eventually play g6.} Kh7 68. Ra7+ Kg8
69. Rg7+ Kh8 70. Rf7 Kg8 71. Rf6 Kh7 72. Re6 Ra5 73. Re7+ Kg8 74. Kg6 Ra6+ 75.
Kf5 Ra1 76. g6 {Black has a lot of checks here, but inevitably his rook will
get forced back to the 8th, and then White will force a rook trade.} Rf1+ 77.
Ke5 Re1+ 78. Kd6 Rd1+ 79. Kc5 Rc1+ 80. Kb4 Rc8 81. Kb5 Ra8 82. Kb6 Rb8+ 83. Ka7
Rd8 84. Rb7 {with Rb8 coming next, Kramnik resigned. Andreikin recovered from
yesterday's bad loss and avenged the World Cup final all in one go!} 1-0

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.13"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Black "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A35"]
[WhiteElo "2706"]
[BlackElo "2695"]
[PlyCount "114"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. e3 Nf6 5. d4 cxd4 6. exd4 d5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8.
Qb3 e6 9. Bb5 Bg7 10. Bg5 Qa5 11. O-O O-O 12. Rfd1 Qb4 13. Qxb4 Ncxb4 14. Ne4
h6 15. Bd2 b6 16. a3 Ba6 17. Bxb4 Nxb4 18. Bxa6 Nxa6 19. Rac1 Rfd8 20. Ne5 f6
21. Nxg6 Kf7 22. Nf4 f5 23. Nc3 Bxd4 24. Nfe2 Bf6 25. b4 Nc7 26. g3 Rxd1+ 27.
Nxd1 Nd5 28. Ne3 Bg5 29. h4 Bxe3 30. fxe3 Nxe3 31. Rc7+ Kf6 32. Nf4 Rd8 33. Kf2
Ng4+ 34. Ke2 e5 35. Ng2 Ke6 36. Rxa7 Rc8 37. Ne3 Nxe3 38. Kxe3 Rc3+ 39. Kf2 Kd5
40. Rb7 Ke4 41. Rxb6 Rxa3 42. Kg2 h5 43. Rh6 Ra2+ 44. Kh3 Kf3 45. Rxh5 f4 46.
Rg5 Ra1 47. Kh2 Rb1 48. h5 Rb2+ 49. Kh3 Rb1 50. Kh2 Rxb4 51. Rxe5 fxg3+ 52. Kh3
Rg4 53. Rf5+ Ke4 54. Ra5 Rg8 55. Kg2 Kf4 56. Ra4+ Kg5 57. Kxg3 Kxh5+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.11"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Black "Goganov, Aleksey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D00"]
[WhiteElo "2706"]
[BlackElo "2575"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. Bg5 Nf6 3. e3 c5 4. Bxf6 gxf6 5. dxc5 e6 6. c4 dxc4 7. Nd2 c3 8.
bxc3 Bxc5 9. Qg4 Nd7 10. Bb5 f5 11. Qg3 Qf6 12. Rb1 Ke7 13. Ne2 Bd6 14. f4 Nc5
15. Nd4 a6 16. Be2 Bd7 17. Qf3 b5 18. O-O Rab8 19. e4 Nxe4 20. Nxe4 fxe4 21.
Qxe4 Rhc8 22. Qd3 Rc7 23. Rbd1 Bc5 24. Kh1 Rbc8 25. f5 e5 26. Ne6 Ra7 27. Bh5
fxe6 28. fxe6 Qxe6 29. Qxh7+ Kd8 30. h3 Be7 31. Bg4 Qc6 32. Rf7 Bd6 33. Qg6 Be7
34. Qg7 Qc5 35. Rf8+ Kc7 36. Rxd7+ 1-0

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.05"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E12"]
[WhiteElo "2706"]
[BlackElo "2762"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 b6 3. Nc3 Bb7 4. d4 e6 5. a3 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. e3 g6 8. h4
Bg7 9. h5 Nd7 10. Bd3 Nxc3 11. bxc3 e5 12. e4 Qe7 13. O-O O-O 14. Re1 Rfe8 15.
a4 a6 16. Bc4 c6 17. h6 Bf6 18. Ba3 c5 19. dxc5 Nxc5 20. Bxc5 Qxc5 21. Qb3 Re7
22. Rab1 Bc6 23. Red1 Rb8 24. Bd5 Be8 25. c4 Rc7 26. Ra1 Kf8 27. Qb2 a5 28. Rd3
Kg8 29. Rb3 Ra7 30. Ne1 Qd4 31. Qa2 Be7 32. Nf3 Qc5 33. Nxe5 Bg5 34. Ng4 Qd4
35. c5 Kf8 36. c6 f5 37. Rf3 Bf7 38. Ne3 fxe4 39. Rd1 Qc5 40. Bxe4 Bxh6 41. Rd7
Rxd7 42. cxd7 Qc1+ 43. Kh2 1-0

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.09"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Black "Shomoev, Anton"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E12"]
[WhiteElo "2706"]
[BlackElo "2579"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. a3 Bb7 5. Nc3 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. e3 g6 8. Nxd5
exd5 9. Bd3 Bd6 10. Bd2 O-O 11. O-O Nd7 12. h3 Qe7 13. Rc1 Nf6 14. Ne5 c5 15.
f4 Rad8 16. Bc3 Nh5 17. Qf3 Bxe5 18. fxe5 f6 19. e6 Qxe6 20. Rfe1 Rf7 21. dxc5
d4 22. exd4 Qxe1+ 23. Rxe1 Bxf3 24. gxf3 bxc5 25. Bc4 cxd4 26. Bb4 Nf4 27.
Bxf7+ Kxf7 28. Re7+ Kg8 29. Rxa7 Rc8 30. Bd2 Nxh3+ 31. Kf1 Ng5 32. Bxg5 fxg5
33. b4 Rc3 34. Kf2 h5 35. b5 Rb3 36. a4 Rb2+ 37. Kg3 Rb4 38. Rd7 Kf8 39. a5 Ke8
40. Rd5 h4+ 41. Kh3 Ke7 42. a6 Ke6 43. Rd8 Rxb5 44. a7 Ra5 45. a8=Q Rxa8 46.
Rxa8 Kd5 47. Ra5+ Kc4 48. Rxg5 1-0

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.07"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Goganov, Aleksey"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E65"]
[WhiteElo "2575"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[PlyCount "205"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 c5 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O d6 7. dxc5 dxc5 8. Nc3
Nc6 9. Be3 Be6 10. Qa4 Rc8 11. Bxc5 Nd7 12. Be3 Nb6 13. Bxb6 Qxb6 14. Nd5 Bxd5
15. cxd5 Nd4 16. Nxd4 Bxd4 17. Rab1 Rc7 18. b4 Rfc8 19. e3 Bf6 20. Bh3 Rd8 21.
Rfd1 h5 22. Rd3 Kg7 23. Qb3 a5 24. a3 axb4 25. Qxb4 Qa6 26. Bf1 Qa7 27. d6 exd6
28. Rxd6 Rxd6 29. Qxd6 Qa5 30. Rb5 Qc3 31. a4 Re7 32. Qd5 Qa1 33. Qb3 h4 34.
Rd5 Rc7 35. Rd1 Qc3 36. Qxc3 Bxc3 37. gxh4 Bf6 38. h5 gxh5 39. Be2 h4 40. Rb1
Rc2 41. Bg4 Rb2 42. Rc1 b5 43. axb5 Rxb5 44. Kg2 Re5 45. Rb1 Be7 46. Rb7 Bf6
47. Rb3 Rc5 48. Rb7 Re5 49. Kf1 Re7 50. Rb6 Rc7 51. h3 Be7 52. Rb3 Bf6 53. Rb8
Be7 54. Re8 Bf6 55. Rb8 Be7 56. Rb5 Rc5 57. Rb7 Kf8 58. Ke2 Rc2+ 59. Kf3 Ra2
60. Bf5 Rd2 61. Rb1 Kg7 62. Rg1+ Kf6 63. Bh7 Rb2 64. Rg4 Rb4 65. Be4 Ke5 66.
Rf4 Ke6 67. Rf5 Rb8 68. Rh5 Rd8 69. Ke2 Bf6 70. f4 Ke7 71. Rb5 Kf8 72. Bd5 Rd7
73. e4 Bd4 74. Kf3 Kg7 75. Rb4 Bc3 76. Rc4 Be1 77. Kg4 Bg3 78. Rc6 Be1 79. Kf5
Bg3 80. Rb6 Bf2 81. Rb5 Bg3 82. Kg5 Ra7 83. Rb6 Bf2 84. Rc6 Be3 85. Kg4 Bf2 86.
f5 Bd4 87. Kxh4 Be5 88. Kg4 f6 89. Kh5 Ra8 90. Re6 Rh8+ 91. Kg4 Bc3 92. Re7+
Kh6 93. h4 Rh7 94. Bf7 Rg7+ 95. Kf3 Be5 96. h5 Rg3+ 97. Kf2 Rg4 98. Kf3 Rg3+
99. Kf2 Rg4 100. Ke3 Rg3+ 101. Kd2 Rh3 102. Bg6 Kg5 103. Ra7 1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.09"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Goganov, Aleksey"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D73"]
[WhiteElo "2575"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 c5 6. O-O cxd4 7. Nxd4 d5 8.
cxd5 Nxd5 9. Nb5 Be6 10. Nd4 Bc8 11. Nb5 Be6 12. Bxd5 Bxd5 13. N1c3 Bxc3 14.
Nxc3 Be6 15. Bh6 Qxd1 16. Rfxd1 Rc8 17. Nd5 Nc6 18. Rac1 Rd8 19. Nc7 Rxd1+ 20.
Rxd1 Rd8 21. Rxd8+ Nxd8 22. Nxe6 Nxe6 23. Bd2 Nd4 24. Kf1 b5 25. Be3 Nc6 26.
Bc5 h5 27. f3 f6 28. e4 Kf7 29. Ke2 e5 30. h3 a6 31. Kd3 Ke6 32. Ke3 Na5 33.
Kd3 Nc6 34. Ke3 Na5 35. Kd3 Nc6 36. Ke3 1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.13"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Goganov, Aleksey"]
[Black "Motylev, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C41"]
[WhiteElo "2575"]
[BlackElo "2676"]
[Annotator "Friedel,J"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d6 2. e4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. Nf3 e5 5. Bc4 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. a4 c6 8. a5
$5 {This move is a fairly recent development. The idea is obvious - Black's
queenside development is severely restricted now.} (8. Re1 {has been played in
countless games, after which Black typically plays either a5 or b6.}) 8... Rb8
{Black tries to free his queenside by preparing the b5 push. Note how the pawn
on a5 actually allows for this possibility, though White will get the open
a-file in compensation.} (8... h6 9. Re1 Re8 {is another way to play, simply
waiting for White to commit his pieces before deciding on concrete action.}) 9.
Qe2 Qc7 (9... b5 {I would probably prefer to play this move immediately, as it
is unclear if the queen really belongs on c7 in these positions.}) 10. Be3 {
White forces Black's hand on the queenside, since the a7-pawn is now under an
indirect threat.} b5 11. axb6 axb6 12. d5 {This is a typical idea for White in
these Philidor positions, and with the open a-file I think it is even stronger.
} b5 $6 {This move is understandable, but objectively allowing Ra7 is just too
much.} (12... Bb7 13. dxc6 Bxc6 14. Nd2 {gives White a slight edge due to the
weakened light squares, but Black has a better position here than he did in
the game.}) 13. Ra7 Bb7 14. dxc6 bxc4 15. cxd7 (15. cxb7 Rxb7 16. Rfa1 {
also leaves White with a comfortable advantage, and though it doesn't win
material by force, it kills some potential counterplay from the b7 bishop. I
guess it is a matter of taste.}) 15... Qxd7 16. Qxc4 Rfc8 17. Qd3 h6 {At this
point, White is up a pawn for dubious compensation at best, but the game took
an unusual turn.} 18. Nh4 $2 {I'm not a believer in this kingside escapade.} (
18. Nd2 {looks simple, solid, and strong.}) 18... Bf8 19. f4 $2 {This is
consistent, but as is often the case when pursuing the wrong path, consistency
is not a positive quality.} (19. f3 {was probably best, solidifying the center,
but there is no way White would play Nh4 with the intention of following it up
with f3.}) 19... Ng4 $2 (19... Qc6 $1 {was possible now, and I'm unsure how
White will defend this e4-pawn:} 20. Nf5 (20. fxe5 dxe5 {only helps out
Black's dark-squared bishop}) 20... Ra8 (20... Nxe4 21. Rxb7 Rxb7 22. Nxe4 {
is less clear.}) 21. Rxa8 Rxa8 {and I think Black is just better, as the
e4-pawn is extremely weak and Black's pieces have a lot of active potential.})
20. Nf5 Nxe3 $6 {Once again, consistency is not a virtue.} (20... Qc6 {was
best even here, with the point that it isn't so easy for White to find a move.}
) 21. Nxe3 exf4 (21... Qc7 {was better, trying to bring the queen to the g1-a7
diagonal and discourage a knight from hopping on to the d5-square.}) 22. Rxf4 (
22. Ned5 $1 {was more accurate, as it shuts down Black's options of d5 and Ra8.
}) 22... d5 {I'm not sure this move is good objectively, but it is an
understandable practical try.} (22... Ra8 {was the main alternative, but after}
23. Rxa8 Rxa8 24. Ncd5 {White is clearly in charge.}) 23. Ncxd5 Rd8 {This
couldn't have been his intention.} (23... Bc5 {was the first idea that came to
my mind, which automatically makes it suspect, but there is some chance
Motylev had some idea like this as well.} 24. Nf6+ {No, I didn't miss this
move.} gxf6 25. Qxd7 Bxe3+ 26. Kh1 Bxa7 (26... Bxf4 27. Rxb7 {is simply lost
for Black}) 27. Rg4+ Kh8 28. Qd2 $1 {Yes, this one I missed, although Qxf7 is
perfectly sufficient as well.} Kh7 29. Rh4 {with mate to follow.}) (23... Qd6 {
is best according to the infernal machine, though after} 24. g3 Qe5 25. b4 {
it is clear Black won't have enough.}) 24. b4 {Once White takes away the
c5-square, Black's counterplay is limited. The rest should be fairly
straightforward.} Qe6 25. c3 Rd7 26. Ra1 Re8 27. Rd1 Kh8 28. Nf5 Qe5 29. Rff1
g6 30. Nxh6 $1 {Nicely calculated.} Bxd5 (30... Bxh6 31. Qh3 {[%cal Rh3h6,
Rh3d7]}) 31. Ng4 Qg5 32. Qh3+ Qh5 33. Qxh5+ gxh5 34. Nf6 Bc6 35. Nxd7 Bg7 36.
Nf6 Rc8 37. Rf5 Bh6 38. Rxh5 Kg7 39. Ng4 Bf4 40. Rc5 Bb8 41. Kh1 1-0

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.05"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Goganov, Aleksey"]
[Black "Vitiugov, Nikita"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2575"]
[BlackElo "2729"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Qe7 5. g3 Bxd2+ 6. Qxd2 Nc6 7. Nc3 d5 8.
Ne5 dxc4 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. Bg2 O-O 11. O-O Rb8 12. Rfd1 Rd8 13. Qc2 Ba6 14. Ne4
Nxe4 15. Bxe4 g6 16. Bxc6 Qb4 17. Rab1 Rd6 18. Bf3 Qa5 19. b3 Rb4 20. bxc4 Rxc4
21. Rb8+ Kg7 22. Qb2 Qc3 23. Qxc3 Rxc3 24. Ra8 c5 25. Rxa7 cxd4 26. Rd2 Bc4 27.
h4 e5 28. Rb2 Ra6 29. Rxa6 Bxa6 30. a4 Rc4 31. Bb7 Rxa4 32. Bxa6 Rxa6 33. f3 h5
34. Kf2 Kf6 35. e3 Ke6 36. exd4 exd4 37. g4 Ke5 38. gxh5 gxh5 39. Rb5+ Kf4 40.
Rxh5 Ra2+ 41. Ke1 f5 42. Rh8 Ke3 43. Re8+ Kxf3 44. h5 Rh2 45. Rh8 f4 46. h6
Re2+ 47. Kd1 Re6 48. h7 Re7 49. Kd2 Ke4 50. Ke2 d3+ 51. Kf2 f3 52. Ra8 Rxh7 53.
Ra4+ Kd5 54. Ke3 Rf7 55. Ra1 f2 56. Rf1 Kc4 57. Kd2 Ra7 58. Rc1+ Kd4 59. Ra1
Ra2+ 0-1

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.12"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Goganov, Aleksey"]
[Black "Shomoev, Anton"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A45"]
[WhiteElo "2575"]
[BlackElo "2579"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 e6 3. Nd2 c5 4. e3 cxd4 5. exd4 Be7 6. Bd3 b6 7. Ngf3 Ba6 8.
Bxa6 Nxa6 9. O-O O-O 10. c4 d6 11. Rc1 Qd7 12. a3 b5 13. Qe2 bxc4 14. Qxc4 Nb8
15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Ne4 d5 17. Nxf6+ gxf6 18. Qc7 Qxc7 19. Rxc7 Na6 20. Rc3 Rfc8
21. Rfc1 Rxc3 22. Rxc3 Rb8 23. b4 Rb7 24. Rc8+ Kg7 25. Kf1 Rc7 26. Rxc7 Nxc7
27. Ke2 Nb5 28. a4 Nc3+ 29. Kd3 Nxa4 30. Nh4 Kf8 31. g4 Nb2+ 32. Ke2 Ke7 33. f4
Kd7 34. Nf3 Nc4 35. Kd3 Ke7 36. h4 Nd6 37. h5 Ne4 38. Ke3 Kf8 39. h6 Ke7 40.
Ne1 Nd6 41. Nf3 Kd7 42. Kd3 Ne4 43. g5 Ke7 44. Ke3 Nd6 45. Kd3 Nc4 46. Kc3 fxg5
47. fxg5 Kd6 48. Nh4 Ke7 49. b5 Nd6 50. Kb4 Ne4 51. g6 fxg6 52. Nxg6+ Kd6 53.
Ka5 Kc7 54. Ka6 Nd6 55. Ne5 Nf5 56. Kxa7 Nxd4 57. b6+ Kd6 58. b7 Kxe5 59. b8=Q+
Ke4 60. Qb1+ 1-0

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.14"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Black "Goganov, Aleksey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E92"]
[WhiteElo "2695"]
[BlackElo "2575"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 O-O 5. e4 d6 6. Be2 e5 7. d5 a5 8. h3 Nh5
9. g3 f5 10. exf5 gxf5 11. Ng5 Nf6 12. Be3 Na6 13. Qd2 Nc5 14. O-O-O a4 15. Qc2
Qe7 16. Rhg1 a3 17. b4 Na6 18. b5 Nc5 19. g4 e4 20. Rg2 f4 21. Bxf4 Nxg4 22.
Bd2 Nxf2 23. Rdg1 Nfd3+ 24. Kb1 Nb4 25. Ne6 Bxe6 26. Rxg7+ Qxg7 27. Rxg7+ Kxg7
28. Qc1 Bf5 29. Be3 Bg6 30. h4 h5 31. Qg1 Rf5 32. Bxc5 dxc5 33. Qxc5 Nd3 34.
Qxc7+ Rf7 35. Qg3 Nf4 36. Bd1 Re8 37. Qe3 Ng2 38. Qd4+ Kh7 39. Kc2 e3+ 40. Kb3
Nf4 41. d6 Nd3 42. Kxa3 Ra8+ 43. Na4 Rf4 44. Qxe3 Rxc4 45. Qe7+ Kh6 46. d7 Rd4
47. Qe3+ Rf4 48. Bc2 b6 49. Bxd3 Raxa4+ 50. Kb2 Bxd3 51. d8=Q 1-0

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.09"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A64"]
[WhiteElo "2695"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 c5 5. d5 O-O 6. Nc3 d6 7. Nf3 e6 8. O-O
exd5 9. cxd5 Re8 10. Nd2 a6 11. a4 Nbd7 12. h3 Rb8 13. Rb1 Qc7 14. b3 b5 15.
Bb2 b4 16. Nce4 Nxe4 17. Nxe4 Bxb2 18. Rxb2 a5 19. Qd3 Rb6 20. g4 Qd8 21. f4
Ba6 22. Qe3 f5 23. gxf5 gxf5 24. Qg3+ Kh8 25. Ng5 Qf6 26. Rf2 c4 27. e4 c3 28.
Rb1 fxe4 29. Bxe4 Nf8 30. Kh2 Rb7 31. Rg1 Rg7 32. Rfg2 Ree7 33. Qf3 h6 34. Ne6
Nxe6 35. dxe6 Qxe6 36. Bg6 Bb7 37. Qh5 Bxg2 38. Qxh6+ Rh7 39. Qf8+ Qg8 40.
Qxg8+ Kxg8 41. Bxh7+ Kxh7 42. Rxg2 d5 0-1

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.12"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D78"]
[WhiteElo "2695"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 c6 4. Nf3 d5 5. Qb3 Bg7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O Qb6 8. Nc3
Rd8 9. Qa3 dxc4 10. Qxe7 Na6 11. Na4 Qc7 12. Qxc7 Nxc7 13. b3 cxb3 14. axb3 Ne4
15. e3 b5 16. Nb2 c5 17. Nd2 Nxd2 18. Bxd2 Rb8 19. Ba5 Rd7 20. Rac1 Na6 21. Rc2
Re7 22. dxc5 Bf5 23. e4 Be6 24. b4 Rc8 25. Rfc1 Nb8 26. e5 Bxe5 27. c6 Bf5 28.
Re2 Bxb2 29. Rxe7 Bxc1 30. c7 Bg5 31. cxb8=Q Rxb8 32. Rxa7 Re8 33. Bd5 Re7 34.
Ra8+ Kg7 35. h4 Bf6 36. Bb6 Rd7 37. Bc5 Rxd5 38. Bf8+ Kg8 39. Be7+ Kg7 40. Bf8+
Kg8 41. Be7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.07"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Black "Vitiugov, Nikita"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B46"]
[WhiteElo "2695"]
[BlackElo "2729"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8.
O-O Nf6 9. Qf3 Be7 10. e5 Nd7 11. Qg3 Kf8 12. Na4 h5 13. c4 h4 14. Qf4 h3 15.
g3 dxc4 16. Bxc4 Qa5 17. Bxe6 Nxe5 18. Bb3 Rh5 19. Be3 Rb8 20. Rad1 Rb4 21. Bd4
Rf5 22. Qe4 Nf3+ 23. Kh1 Nxd4 24. Rxd4 Rxd4 25. Qxd4 Qe5 26. Qg4 c5 27. Qxh3
Bb7+ 28. Kg1 Rh5 29. Qg4 g6 30. Nc3 Rf5 31. Qe2 Qxe2 32. Nxe2 Bf6 33. f4 Bxb2
34. Rb1 Bd4+ 35. Nxd4 cxd4 36. Rd1 Bd5 37. Bc2 Rf6 38. a4 Rc6 39. Rxd4 Rxc2 40.
Rxd5 Ke7 41. Ra5 Ke6 42. h3 Ra2 43. g4 Rc2 44. Rxa6+ Kd5 45. Rf6 Ke4 46. Kf1
Rh2 47. a5 Kf3 48. Ke1 Rxh3 49. g5 Rh1+ 50. Kd2 Ra1 51. a6 Ke4 52. Kc3 Kd5 53.
Kb3 Kc5 54. Kc3 Kd5 55. Kd3 Ra3+ 56. Ke2 Ke4 57. Kf2 Rf3+ 58. Kg1 Rg3+ 59. Kf1
Rf3+ 60. Ke2 Ra3 61. Kd1 Ra1+ 62. Kc2 Kd5 63. Kb2 Ra4 64. Kc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.06"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Goganov, Aleksey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C11"]
[WhiteElo "2762"]
[BlackElo "2575"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3 cxd4 8. Nxd4
Bc5 9. Qd2 O-O 10. O-O-O a6 11. Qf2 Bxd4 12. Bxd4 b5 13. Be3 Qa5 14. Kb1 b4 15.
Ne2 Qc7 16. Nd4 Nxd4 17. Bxd4 a5 18. Bb5 Ba6 19. Bxd7 Qxd7 20. g4 a4 21. b3
Rfc8 22. f5 Qb5 23. Rhe1 axb3 24. cxb3 Rc3 25. Re3 Rxe3 26. Bxe3 Rc8 27. f6
gxf6 28. Qxf6 Qe2 29. Qg5+ Kf8 30. Bc5+ Rxc5 31. Qd8+ Kg7 32. Qg5+ Kf8 33. Qd8+
Kg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.14"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2762"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[Annotator "Friedel,J"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 c5 8.
Rb1 {Karjakin is not one to shun the main lines, even against a Grünfeld
specialist such as Svidler.} O-O 9. Be2 cxd4 10. cxd4 Qa5+ 11. Bd2 Qxa2 12. O-O
Bg4 13. Be3 Nc6 14. d5 Na5 15. Bg5 b6 {This move, which has been played a
couple times already by Svidler himself, looks kinda obnoxious. Bxe7? What
Bxe7? In all seriousness though, gambiting this pawn is not all that unusual
in the Grünfeld.} (15... Qa3 {is the older and more common move, pretending
that Bxe7 is actually a threat.}) 16. Bxe7 Rfe8 17. d6 Nc6 18. Bb5 Nxe7 19.
Bxe8 Rxe8 20. dxe7 Qa3 21. h3 Bxf3 22. Qxf3 Qxe7 {After a fairly forced
sequence of events, this interesting position has been reached. White has
snagged an exchange, but it wasn't for free. It not only cost a pawn, but
White's most dangerous one (the d-pawn). In addition, the outside connected
passers could become dangerous one day. If you want my theoretical opinion, I
don't think Black should have serious problems here.} 23. Rfe1 {This is the
first new move. While this move may look fairly simple, it allows Black to
reposition his bishop to a more useful square.} (23. Rfd1 {Shulman's move
stopped the immediate ...Bd4 but Svidler got his bishop to c5 in another way
an easily made a draw.} Bf8 24. Rd4 Qe6 25. Qb3 Qxb3 26. Rxb3 Bc5 27. Ra4 a5
28. Kf1 Bb4 29. Rbxb4 axb4 30. Rxb4 Re6 31. Ke2 Kf8 32. Ke3 Rc6 33. f4 {
1/2-1/2 (33) Shulman,Y (2617)-Svidler,P (2739) Ningbo 2011}) 23... Bd4 24. Rbd1
Qe5 25. Qd3 Bc5 26. Qa6 {White temporarily stops a5, which would solidify
Black's queenside completely.} Re7 27. Re2 h5 {In such a position it can be
difficult to do anything serious with your pieces, so Svidler simply improves
his kingside.} 28. Rd5 Qe6 29. Rd8+ Kg7 30. Qa1+ Qe5 {There was no good way to
avoid the queen trade, but Black shouldn't really object to it much, as his
queenside will be more dangerous then. The main drawback will be that White
can more easily advance his kingside.} 31. Qxe5+ Rxe5 32. Kf1 a5 33. Ra8 {
The rook here is quite effective at halting Black's queenside march.} g5 {
Svidler aims to prevent f4-e5 ideas.} 34. f3 h4 35. Rd2 f5 36. exf5 (36. Rd5 {
had to be calculated, and after} Kf6 (36... Rxd5 $2 {would not be recommended,
as after} 37. exd5 Kf6 38. Re8 $1 a4 39. Re6+ Kf7 40. Ke2 a3 41. Kd3 {and
White is winning, since a2 can be answered easily with Re1. The key is that
Black's king is stuck out of the action while White's is in ideal position})
37. Rxe5 Kxe5 38. exf5 Kxf5 39. Ke2 Kf4 {is a draw, since neither side can
really make progress. Black's king will stick to the kingside, thus forcing
White's king to do the same, and meanwhile the rook on a8 keeps Black's
queenside from advancing.}) 36... Kf6 37. g4 {This move isn't necessary, but
it doesn't change much.} hxg3 38. Kg2 Kxf5 39. Kxg3 Re1 {Neither side can
really make progress here.} 40. Rd5+ Re5 (40... Kf6 {would also be a simple
draw, as after} 41. f4 gxf4+ 42. Kxf4 Rf1+ 43. Kg4 Rg1+ 44. Kh5 Rh1 {White has
no real way to make progress.}) 41. Rxe5+ Kxe5 42. Kg4 Be3 {The only danger to
Black is if White manages to create a kingside passer and get it far advanced.
White's main potential hazard would be if Black's king could support the
queenside pawns. Both are pipe dreams.} 43. Rd8 b5 44. Rb8 b4 45. Rb5+ Kd4 46.
Rxa5 {White has snagged a pawn, but the b-pawn is dangerous enough he'll have
to sac the rook for the other pawn.} b3 47. Rb5 Kc4 48. Rxb3 Kxb3 49. h4 gxh4
50. Kxh4 {And thus Svidler ensures at least a tie for first.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.12"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2762"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 c5 8.
Rb1 O-O 9. Be2 b6 10. O-O Bb7 11. Qd3 Ba6 12. Qc2 Bxe2 13. Qxe2 Qd7 14. Bg5 h6
15. Bf4 Qa4 16. Qe3 Kh7 17. dxc5 Nd7 18. cxb6 axb6 19. Rfd1 Qxa2 20. e5 Ra4 21.
h4 Qe6 22. Rb4 Rxb4 23. cxb4 Rc8 24. Qd3 Nf8 25. Be3 Rc4 26. b5 Rb4 27. Qd8 Qb3
28. Rc1 Rxb5 29. Qxe7 Qe6 30. Rc7 Qxe7 31. Rxe7 Kg8 32. Re8 Kh7 33. Re7 Kg8 34.
Re8 Kh7 35. Re7 1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.08"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2762"]
[BlackElo "2695"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[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. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4
15. g3 Qh3 16. Bxd5 cxd5 17. Qxd5 Rad8 18. Qg2 Qxg2+ 19. Kxg2 Bxd3 20. Be3 f6
21. Nd2 b4 22. Bd4 bxc3 23. Bxc3 Rfe8 24. f3 Kf7 25. Rac1 Rxe1 26. Rxe1 Be7 27.
g4 h5 28. h3 g6 29. Nb3 Rd7 30. Nd4 Bc4 31. Nc6 Bd5 32. Nxe7 Rxe7 33. Rd1 Bxa2
34. gxh5 gxh5 35. Rd4 Re6 36. Kg3 Rc6 37. Kh4 Kg6 38. Rd1 Bf7 39. Rd4 Rc4 40.
Rxc4 Bxc4 41. f4 1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.05"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Shomoev, Anton"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A05"]
[WhiteElo "2796"]
[BlackElo "2579"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 b6 3. Bg2 Bb7 4. O-O e6 5. d3 {Eine einigermaßen
zurückhaltende Eröffungsbehandlung. Natürlich führt das einfache 5.d4 mit
Zugumstellung in damenindische Gewässer, denn früher oder später muss Weiß
auch noch c4 ziehen, wonach ein Dameninder auf dem Brett steht. Aber Kramnik
hat andere Pläne. d3 stellt die Drohung e4 auf, wobei nicht klar ist, wie
stark diese Drohung eigentlich ist - auf jeden Fall unterbindet sie Shomoev
sofort.} d5 6. Nbd2 g6 $5 {Natürlicher war es, den Läufer nach e7 zu spielen,
aber mit dem Doppelfianchetto hofft Shomoev für den Preis einiger Tempi aktive
Figuren zu bekommen.} 7. c4 (7. b3 Bg7 8. Bb2 c5 9. e3 {endete nur wenig
später in der auch in diesem Jahr gespielten Partie Jakovenko-Riazantsev mit
Remis.}) 7... Bg7 8. b4 $5 {Und das Spiel ist eröffnet! Weiß expandiert
aggressiv am Damenflügel, aber öffnet dabei die Diagonale des gefährlichen
Läufers auf g7. Was Schwarz auch hätte ignorieren können.} Ne4 (8... O-O 9. Bb2
Nbd7 10. b5 $5 {ist vielleicht ein bisschen angenehmer für Weiß, der außerdem
einfach mit 10.Tc1 seine Entwicklung fortsetzen könnte.}) 9. cxd5 $5 exd5 (9...
Bxa1 10. Nxe4 {und die Drohung Lg5 ist bereits zu stark: Weiß steht auf Gewinn.
}) 10. Nb3 $5 {Weiß opfert eine ganze Qualität, aber erhält dafür
Entwicklungsvorsprung und gefährliches Spiel auf den schwarzen Feldern.} Bxa1 {
Den Springer von e4 zurückzuziehen ist definitiv keine Option.} 11. Nxa1 Nd6
12. Bg5 f6 13. Bf4 a5 $1 {Geht sofort zum Gegenangriff über und verschafft
Schwarz gewisse Bewegungsfreiheit.} 14. bxa5 Rxa5 15. Qc2 c5 16. Nb3 Ra7 17.
Nxc5 $5 {Ich weiß nicht genau, wie gut dieser Zug eigentlich ist, aber Weiß
erhöht den Druck! Schwarz hat einen ganzen Turm für nur zwei Bauern, aber
seine Stellung ist schwer zu spielen.} bxc5 18. Qxc5 Ra6 {Erzwungen, nach
allen anderen Zügen steht Weiß bereits besser.} (18... Nc8 19. Bxb8 $16) 19.
Rb1 Nd7 (19... Ba8 {hätte das weiße Vorgehen wirklich auf die Probe gestellt.}
20. Nd4 Nd7 21. Qb4 Qe7 {und Schwarz beginnt sich zu konsolidieren.}) 20. Qe3+
Kf7 $2 {Schließlich unterläuft Schwarz ein schwerer Fehler.} ({Nach} 20... Qe7
21. Bxd6 Qxe3 22. fxe3 Ba8 23. Bb4 Rxa2 24. Bh3 {hat Schwarz immer noch
Materialvorteil, aber ganz sicher nicht genug, um Vorteil reklamieren zu
können; wenn überhaupt, dann hat Weiß die besseren Chancen in dieser Stellung.}
) 21. Bxd6 Ba8 (21... Rxd6 22. Rxb7 {und die Initiative wird allmählich immer
größer.}) 22. Qf4 Re8 23. Nd4 {Jetzt, wo das materielle Gleichgewicht
wiederhergestellt ist, steht Weiß offenkundig besser, aber die Partie ist noch
nicht vorbei.} Rxa2 $2 (23... Kg8 $1 {war der entscheidende Verteidigungszug,
der Shomoev am Leben gehalten hätte.}) 24. Bh3 $1 {Jetzt bricht die schwarze
Stellung zusammen.} Raxe2 (24... f5 25. Rc1 {would have lastest a few more
hätte ein paar Züge länger gedauert, aber mit dem weißen Turm auf der siebten
Reihe kann sich Schwarz wahrscheinlich nicht lange halten.}) 25. Nxe2 Rxe2 26.
Qh6 (26. Qh6 Nf8 27. Bg4 $1 Re8 28. Bxf8 $18) 1-0

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.11"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B20"]
[WhiteElo "2796"]
[BlackElo "2695"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. b3 Nc6 3. Bb2 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Nc3 Qe5+ 6. Qe2 Qxe2+ 7. Ngxe2 Bf5
8. O-O-O O-O-O 9. g3 e5 10. f4 exf4 11. Nxf4 Nf6 12. Bc4 Nd4 13. d3 Bd6 14.
Rdf1 Bd7 15. Nce2 Bxf4+ 16. Nxf4 Bc6 17. Rhg1 Rd7 18. Bxd4 cxd4 19. b4 b5 20.
Bb3 Ng4 21. Nh5 Nxh2 22. Rf2 Ng4 23. Rf4 f5 24. Be6 g6 25. Ng7 Ne5 26. Re1 Nf3
27. Re2 Rhd8 28. Bxd7+ Rxd7 29. Ne6 Rd6 30. Nf8 h5 31. Re6 Rxe6 32. Nxe6 Bd7
33. Nf8 Ng1 34. Kd1 Be8 35. Rxd4 Nf3 36. Rd6 g5 37. Ne6 Bd7 38. Nc5 Be8 39. Re6
Kd8 40. Nb7+ Kd7 41. Re3 g4 42. Nc5+ Kd8 43. Ne6+ Kd7 44. Nf4 Bf7 45. d4 h4 46.
Rxf3 gxf3 47. gxh4 Bxa2 48. Ke1 Ke7 49. d5 Kd6 50. h5 Ke5 51. h6 Kxf4 52. Kf2
1-0

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.13"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E07"]
[WhiteElo "2796"]
[BlackElo "2762"]
[Annotator "Friedel,J"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Nc3 $5 {Kramnik likes to
surprise people early in the openings these days. This move is highly
inflexible compared to the main move 0-0, but it has a few points of its own.}
(6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 {has been played in countless games, with the idea of
simply recapturing on c4.}) 6... Nbd7 {Black doesn't try to punish White's
move order.} (6... dxc4 {is the main test, and now play continues} 7. Ne5 {
This move is the consistent path after 6.Nc3.} c5 {This is the way Black tries
to take advantage of White not having castled.} (7... Nc6 {The purpose of 6.
Nc3 is revealed in the following variation:} 8. Bxc6 bxc6 9. Nxc6 Qe8 10. Nxe7+
Qxe7 11. Qa4 e5 {This move, which pretty much guarantees equality in the line
with 0-0 instead of Nc3, now simply gives White an advantage.} (11... c5 {
is to be recommended, transposing to more or less normal lines}) 12. Qxc4 exd4
13. Qxd4 {and Black doesn't have enough compensation for the pawn. Note how if
White had castled instead of playing Nc3, Black could take on e2 here.}) 8.
dxc5 Qxd1+ 9. Nxd1 Bxc5 {Typically in such endings, if White can complete
development in a normal fashion, that player will secure an advantage due to
his superior bishop on g2. The problem, however, is that coordinating White's
forces is not so easy. In the following recent game, Black neutralized White's
play quite easily.} 10. Ne3 Nbd7 11. N5xc4 Rb8 12. Na5 Ne5 13. Nec4 Bb4+ 14.
Bd2 Bxd2+ 15. Kxd2 Rd8+ 16. Kc3 Nxc4 17. Kxc4 b6 18. Nc6 Bb7 19. Kb3 Bxc6 20.
Bxc6 Ng4 21. f3 Ne3 22. Be4 Nf5 23. Bxf5 exf5 24. Rad1 Re8 25. Rhe1 g6 26. e4
fxe4 27. Rxe4 Rxe4 28. fxe4 Rb7 29. Rd4 Kf8 30. a4 Ke7 31. Kc3 h5 32. b4 Ke6
33. Kd3 a5 34. Ke3 f6 35. h4 Ra7 36. Kf4 Ra8 37. Rc4 axb4 38. Rxb4 Ra6 39. Rd4
Ra5 40. Rb4 Ra6 41. Rd4 Ra5 42. Rb4 {1/2-1/2 (42) Grischuk,A (2785)-Nakamura,H
(2772) Elancourt FRA 2013}) 7. b3 $1 {This move limits Black's possibilities
with regards to dxc4.} (7. O-O dxc4 8. e4 {is a risky but perfectly playable
alternative, simply sacrificing the c4-pawn for the usual Catalan central
pressure.}) 7... c6 8. O-O b6 {And now we've transposed to a closed Catalan!
I'd say this is a somewhat favorable version for White, however, since Black
hasn't forced White's bishop to d2 and thus has more options on how to force
play in the center.} 9. Bb2 Ba6 (9... Bb7 {is the main alternative.}) 10. Nd2 {
This is a common idea in order to push e4. It tends to be played if Black
can't easily pressure the d4 pawn, as the move's drawback is the fact that
pawns is now undefended.} Rc8 11. e4 dxe4 12. Re1 {A rare move, as people
usually immediately recapture the pawn with one of the two knights.} (12. Ncxe4
{looks like the better of the two captures, though it is likely that Kramnik
would rather not leave his knight on d2.}) (12. Ndxe4 b5 $132 {was probably
what Kramnik strived to avoid.}) 12... c5 {This move is consistent, but it
fails to equalize. On the other hand, I don't think playing slow moves like ...
Bb7 and ...Re8 is any better. Once you take on e4 you are pretty much
committed to playing for c5.} 13. Ndxe4 cxd4 14. Qxd4 {Due to his central
space and the oddly placed bishop on a6, I think White's opening can be
considered a success. An excellent example of how cleverness early in the game
can pay off! Even so, the advantage is not a big one.} Nc5 15. Qe3 Qc7 16. Nxc5
(16. Nb5 {I like this concrete approach.} Bxb5 17. Nxf6+ Bxf6 18. Bxf6 {
Qg5 is a threat, so the bishop must be taken} gxf6 19. cxb5 {and due to
Black's slightly weakened king, the c6 square, and the fact Black's knight on
c5 can be easily harassed, I think White should have a nice edge here.}) 16...
Bxc5 17. Qf3 Rfd8 {Now White's advantage is more difficult to prove.} 18. Ne2
$6 {I don't like this move, as it allows Black's bishop a freeing idea.} (18.
Nb5 Bxb5 19. cxb5 Rd2 {is not to be recommended.}) (18. Rad1 {may not look all
that exciting, but I think it was White's best option to keep up some pressure,
even if minimal.}) 18... Qe7 19. Rad1 Rxd1 20. Rxd1 Rd8 (20... b5 {would have
been more to the point, freeing his bishop immediately.}) 21. Rxd8+ Qxd8 22.
Nd4 {It has been a tense and high quality struggle thus far. Don't let the
innocuous appearance of these positions fool you - they require precision!} h5
$1 {Karjakin correctly assesses that this is the best way to provide
counterplay. He gives his king luft and allows for ...Ng4 ideas.} 23. Qa8 Bc8 {
Once again, best. The self-pin looks rather unusual, but Black will get
counterplay using the powerful bishop on c5.} (23... Qxa8 24. Bxa8 {is what
Kramnik was hoping for, and Black will have to struggle for the draw here.
White's plan is to play Kg2 followed by an eventual Nc6, and if Black takes on
d4 then he will suffer for a long time against the bishops.}) 24. Bf3 {This
move is quite understandable, covering the g4 and d1 squares.} (24. h3 Bxd4 25.
Bxd4 Qxd4 26. Qxc8+ Kh7 {doesn't looks like much.}) 24... Kh7 25. Ne2 {
Otherwise Black was going to snap off the knight.} Ng4 (25... Qd1+ 26. Kg2 Ng4
{was even more precise, preventing the idea White played in the game.}) 26. Bd4
$1 Bxd4 27. Qe4+ f5 28. Qxd4 {Now Black has to be cautious again, as the
c-pawn must be treated with caution and there are potential weaknesses.} Qe7
29. Nf4 $1 {The only real try for an advantage.} e5 30. Nd5 Qd6 31. Qd2 (31.
Qc3 {was a better square for the queen, which now supports the advance of the
c-pawn, and I think White is slightly better.}) 31... g6 32. b4 Kg7 {Accurate
play, planning ...Nf6.} 33. Qc1 Nf6 {It is slightly inaccurate here, however.}
(33... Be6 {first was better, as now c5 can't really be played.} 34. c5 (34. a3
$11) 34... bxc5 35. bxc5 Qc6 {with an annoying pin.}) 34. c5 bxc5 35. bxc5 (35.
Nxf6 {was simpler, and now after} Kxf6 36. bxc5 {White's c-pawn should present
some difficulties, though with accurate play Black should hold of course.})
35... Qc6 36. Qc3 e4 {... and here Nxf6 isn't an option.} 37. Nb4 (37. Nxf6
Qxf6 {and after the queen trade Black will be better due to his superior king.}
) 37... Qe6 38. Be2 a5 39. Nc2 Qxa2 {Now the position is still complicated but
White isn't better. In fact, I think accuracy is required by both sides now.}
40. c6 Qb1+ 41. Kg2 h4 {The c-pawn is a potential hazard, not to mention that
Black's king isn't the happiest camper. The reason why it is drawn is because
White's king can be made to feel uncomfortable as well.} 42. Qc5 f4 43. Qe7+
Kh6 44. Qf8+ {White opts for a perpetual instead of getting checkmated.} Kh7
45. Qf7+ Kh6 46. Qf8+ Kh7 47. Qf7+ Kh6 48. Qf8+ {A very high quality and
entertaining game!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.06"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2796"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Be3 c5 8.
Rc1 Qa5 9. Qd2 cxd4 10. cxd4 Qxd2+ 11. Kxd2 O-O 12. Bc4 Nc6 13. Ne2 Rd8 14.
Rhd1 Bxd4 15. Nxd4 Nxd4 16. Ke1 Nc6 17. Rxd8+ Nxd8 18. Bd5 Nc6 19. Bxc6 bxc6
20. Rxc6 Bb7 21. Rc4 a6 22. f3 Rc8 23. Rb4 Bc6 24. Bd2 Kf8 25. Rb6 Bb5 26. a3
Ke8 27. Rb7 Rd8 28. Ba5 Rd6 29. Rb8+ Kd7 30. Kf2 h5 31. Rb7+ Ke8 32. Rb8+ Kd7
33. Rb7+ Ke8 34. Bb4 Rd7 35. Rb8+ Rd8 36. Rb6 Rd7 37. h4 Rc7 38. g4 hxg4 39.
fxg4 f6 40. e5 Rc6 41. Rb7 Re6 42. exf6 Rxf6+ 43. Kg3 Rf3+ 44. Kxf3 Bc6+ 45.
Kf4 Bxb7 46. h5 gxh5 47. gxh5 Kf7 48. h6 Kg6 49. Bxe7 Kxh6 1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.08"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Goganov, Aleksey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A05"]
[WhiteElo "2796"]
[BlackElo "2575"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "143"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Through an unusual move-order the game transposed into a fianchetto Dragon
Sicilian, which is not considered to be the most dangerous variation for Black,
but it is more positional than usual. Goganov lashed out with a quick e6-d5
which had never been tried before, and probalby for good reason. Despite
Black's slight compensation, he was after all just down a pawn. Kramnik
consolidated his pawn and proceeded to outplay Goganov in a technical endgame.
} 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2 g6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Bg7 6. e4 O-O 7. Nc3 Nc6 8.
Nde2 e6 (8... d6 {is the normal move.}) 9. O-O d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxd5 exd5
12. Qxd5 Qxd5 13. Bxd5 Nb4 14. Bb3 Bh3 15. Re1 Bf5 16. c3 Nd3 17. Rd1 Rfe8 18.
Nf4 Nxc1 19. Raxc1 Bh6 20. Rd4 Rad8 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 22. Rd1 Rxd1+ 23. Bxd1 Be4
24. f3 Bc6 25. Kf2 Kf8 26. Bc2 f5 27. h4 Ke7 28. Bb3 Kf6 29. Bg8 Kg7 30. Bc4
Kf6 31. a3 b6 32. Ba6 Bf8 33. b4 h6 34. Ne2 g5 35. Bc8 Bd5 36. f4 gxh4 37. gxh4
Be4 38. Ng3 Bc2 39. Ba6 Bd6 40. Ke3 Ba4 41. Bc8 Bc2 42. Bd7 Kg6 43. Ne2 Bb1 44.
Nd4 a5 45. Be8+ Kf6 46. h5 axb4 47. axb4 Be4 48. Bc6 Bb1 49. Ba4 Ba2 50. Bb3
Bb1 51. Bc2 Bxc2 52. Nxc2 Ke6 53. Nd4+ Kf6 54. Nb5 Bb8 55. c4 Ke6 56. Nd4+ Kf6
57. c5 bxc5 58. bxc5 Ba7 59. c6 Bb6 60. Kf3 Ba5 61. Nb5 Ke6 62. Ke3 Bb6+ 63.
Kd3 Ke7 64. Nd4 Kf6 65. Kc4 Bc7 66. Ne2 Ke6 67. Kc5 Ke7 68. Kb5 Kd8 69. Nd4 Bd6
70. Kb6 Kc8 71. Ne6 Kb8 72. Kb5 1-0

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.14"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Motylev, Alexander"]
[Black "Shomoev, Anton"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2676"]
[BlackElo "2579"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. O-O Ngf6 5. Re1 a6 6. Bf1 b6 7. c4 Ne5 8. d4
Nxf3+ 9. gxf3 cxd4 10. Qxd4 g6 11. Be3 Bg7 12. Nc3 Rb8 13. Rad1 O-O 14. Qd2 Be6
15. b3 Nd7 16. Bd4 Ne5 17. Qe3 f6 18. Nd5 g5 19. Kh1 Rf7 20. Bxb6 Qd7 21. Bd4
f5 22. Bxe5 f4 23. Nxf4 gxf4 24. Bxf4 Rbf8 25. Bh6 Rxf3 26. Qg5 R8f7 27. Be2
R3f6 28. Bxg7 Rxg7 29. Qh4 Qa7 30. Rxd6 Qc7 31. Rd3 Bf7 32. Rg1 Bg6 33. f3 Qa5
34. Qg5 Qxa2 35. Rd8+ Rf8 36. Qd5+ Rgf7 37. Rxf8+ Kxf8 38. Qd8+ Kg7 39. Qd4+
Rf6 40. Bd1 Qa5 41. f4 e5 42. fxe5 Re6 43. Bh5 Qxe5 44. Qxe5+ Rxe5 45. Bxg6
hxg6 46. Ra1 a5 47. Kg2 Kf6 48. h4 Rh5 49. Kf2 Rxh4 50. Rxa5 Rxe4 51. Rc5 g5
52. b4 g4 53. b5 Ke7 54. b6 Kd6 55. Rc7 1-0

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.05"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Motylev, Alexander"]
[Black "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C66"]
[WhiteElo "2676"]
[BlackElo "2695"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[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 Nf6 4. d3 d6 5. O-O Bd7 6. c3 g6 7. Re1 Bg7 8. Nbd2
O-O 9. Ba4 Re8 10. Nf1 h6 11. Ng3 d5 12. h3 b6 13. Bb3 Be6 14. Ba4 Bd7 15. Bb3
dxe4 16. dxe4 Qe7 17. Qe2 a5 18. a4 Nd8 19. Be3 Nb7 20. Qc2 Red8 21. Bc4 Nd6
22. Bf1 Bc6 23. Nd2 Nh7 24. b4 Nf8 25. Nb3 axb4 26. a5 bxc3 27. Qxc3 Bxe4 28.
axb6 Rxa1 29. Rxa1 cxb6 30. Bxb6 Rc8 31. Qb4 Bc2 32. Bc5 Bxb3 33. Bxd6 Qe6 34.
Ra7 Bc4 35. Re7 Qd5 36. Bxc4 Rxc4 37. Qb8 Qd1+ 38. Kh2 Rc1 39. Ne4 Qh1+ 40. Kg3
Rg1 0-1

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.12"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Motylev, Alexander"]
[Black "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B42"]
[WhiteElo "2676"]
[BlackElo "2706"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Bd3 Bc5 6. Nb3 Ba7 7. O-O Ne7 8.
Qe2 Nbc6 9. c4 O-O 10. Nc3 d6 11. Be3 e5 12. Bxa7 Rxa7 13. Rfd1 Be6 14. Qe3 b6
15. Bf1 Qb8 16. Rd2 Rd8 17. Rad1 Rb7 18. Nd5 a5 19. Nc3 Ra7 20. Nb5 Rad7 21.
Na1 f5 22. exf5 Nxf5 23. Qe4 Nb4 24. Nc2 Na6 25. Qe1 Nc5 26. Ne3 Ne7 27. f3 Kh8
28. Nc3 Nc6 29. Nb5 Ne7 30. Nc3 Nc6 31. Nb5 Ne7 32. Nc3 1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.07"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Motylev, Alexander"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C48"]
[WhiteElo "2676"]
[BlackElo "2762"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Nd4 5. Bc4 Bc5 6. Nxe5 Qe7 7. Nf3 d5 8.
Bxd5 Bg4 9. d3 O-O-O 10. Be3 Nxd5 11. Nxd5 Rxd5 12. exd5 Re8 13. c3 Nxf3+ 14.
gxf3 Qh4 15. Kd2 Rxe3 16. fxe3 Qf2+ 17. Kc1 Bxf3 18. Qe1 Bxe3+ 19. Kb1 Bxh1 20.
Qxh1 Qe2 21. a4 Qxd3+ 22. Ka2 Qc4+ 23. Kb1 Qd3+ 24. Ka2 Qc4+ 25. Kb1 1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.09"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Motylev, Alexander"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C48"]
[WhiteElo "2676"]
[BlackElo "2796"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[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 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Nc3 O-O 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. Bg5 Qd6 8.
Qd2 a5 9. h3 Re8 10. Nh4 a4 11. a3 b5 12. O-O Nh5 13. Ne2 Bb6 14. g4 h6 15. Be3
Nf4 16. Nxf4 exf4 17. Bxf4 Qf6 18. Nf5 Qxb2 19. Kh2 h5 20. Rab1 Qxa3 21. Rg1
Bxf5 22. gxf5 Bd4 23. Bh6 Qd6+ 24. Kh1 Kf8 25. Bf4 Qc5 26. Be3 a3 27. Bxd4 Qxd4
28. c3 Qf6 29. f3 Red8 30. d4 c5 31. d5 c6 32. Qe3 cxd5 33. Qxc5+ Kg8 34. Qe3
a2 35. Ra1 dxe4 36. fxe4 Ra3 37. Rg3 h4 38. Rf3 b4 39. Qc5 Rxc3 40. Rxc3 Qxc3
0-1

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.08"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Motylev, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A11"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2676"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 c6 3. Nc3 d5 4. e3 e6 5. b3 Bd6 6. Bb2 O-O 7. Be2 b6 8. Qc2
Bb7 9. cxd5 exd5 10. O-O Re8 11. a3 Nbd7 12. b4 c5 13. bxc5 bxc5 14. d4 c4 15.
Nd2 Rc8 16. Bf3 Ne4 17. g3 Ndf6 18. Bg2 Qe7 19. Rfe1 Nxd2 20. Qxd2 Ne4 21. Nxe4
dxe4 22. Bf1 Bd5 23. Rec1 Qc7 24. Bc3 Rb8 25. Bb4 Rec8 26. Bh3 Re8 27. Rc2 g6
28. Bf1 Rec8 29. Bxd6 Qxd6 30. Qa5 Rb6 31. Rac1 Rbc6 32. Rc3 h5 33. h4 Qe6 34.
Bh3 f5 35. Bf1 Ra6 36. Qb4 Rac6 37. a4 Rb6 38. Qa5 Ra6 39. Qb5 Rb6 40. Qa5 Ra6
41. Qb4 Rb6 42. Qa5 1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.06"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2706"]
[Annotator "Friedel,J"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 {This line is more active than the more common 3...
Bf5, as it immediately puts pressure on White's center. It often leads to
French-like structures, which suits a player like Andreikin who has the French
as his main weapon.} 4. dxc5 (4. c3 {Attempting to treat this position like an
Advance French is not so threatening, since Black has the option of developing
his light-squared bishop.} Nc6 5. Nf3 Bg4 {and black has a comfortable game.})
4... Nc6 (4... e6 {is the other main line, and now} 5. a3 Nc6 6. Nf3 {would
transpose to the game.}) 5. a3 {This move is quite rare and a bit sneaky. 5.
Nf3 and Bb5 are the most common moves.} e6 {This is a safest option, and the
game transposes into well known territory.} (5... Nxe5 {is the most principled
move, which leads to unclear play.} 6. b4 g6 7. Bb5+ Bd7 8. Qe2 Bg7 9. Bb2 Bxb5
10. Qxb5+ Qd7 11. Qxd7+ Kxd7 12. Ke2 Bf6 13. Nd2 b6 14. Rd1 bxc5 15. Bxe5 Bxe5
16. Ngf3 Bg7 17. Ne4 e6 18. Nxc5+ Ke7 19. Nd4 Nf6 20. Nc6+ Kd6 21. Na5 Rhc8 22.
Rd3 Nd7 23. Rb1 Ne5 24. Rh3 h5 25. Rd1 Nc6 26. Nxc6 Kxc6 27. Rf3 Rc7 28. Na6
Re7 29. Rb3 Rc8 30. Kd3 Rd7 31. Nc5 Rdd8 32. Ke2 Bf8 33. Rc3 Kb5 34. Kd3 Bxc5
35. bxc5 Kc6 36. Kd4 Rb8 37. Rf3 Rb7 38. Rdd3 Rdd7 39. Rb3 Re7 40. Ke5 Red7 41.
Rxb7 Rxb7 42. h4 a5 43. Kd4 a4 44. c4 Rd7 45. Rf6 dxc4+ 46. Kxc4 Rb7 47. Rf4
Rd7 48. Rf6 Rb7 49. Rf4 Rd7 50. g3 Rb7 51. Rf3 Rd7 52. Rf6 Rb7 53. Rf4 Rd7 54.
Rf3 Rb7 55. Rf4 Rd7 56. Rf6 Rb7 57. f3 Rb3 58. Rxf7 Rxa3 59. Ra7 Rxf3 60. Rxa4
Rxg3 {1/2-1/2 (60) Najer,E (2637)-Landa,K (2639) Germany 2012}) 6. Nf3 Bxc5 7.
b4 Bb6 8. Bb2 {This is the main idea of playing an early a3. White grabs some
space on the queenside and defends the potentially weak pawn on e5.} Nge7 9.
Bd3 Ng6 10. O-O O-O 11. Re1 {This type of position is extremely common in
these lines, even if this exact position has only been reached in a handful of
games. Black has to put pressure on White's center quickly, or else he'll
simply get overrun.} a5 {Black decides to force White's hand on the queenside.}
12. b5 Nce7 {This is technically a novelty, though I find it is by far the
most logical place for the knight.} (12... Nb8 {was played previously, but
this loosens Black's grip on the center, which should allow White to get an
easy advantage with the typical break c4.} 13. c4 Nd7 14. Nbd2 (14. cxd5 exd5
15. Bxg6 hxg6 16. Nc3 {and White is nearly winning.}) 14... Nc5 15. Bf1 Bd7 16.
g3 Qc7 17. Bg2 Rfd8 18. Qe2 Be8 19. Nd4 Rac8 20. h4 Nd7 {1/2-1/2 (20) Fercec,N
(2492) -Bodiroga,P (2405) Sens 2008}) 13. a4 {Up until now, play has been
fairly normal. This is where I believe Black starts to go astray.} Bc5 $6 {
I don't like this idea at all.} (13... f6 {is the standard break in this kind
of position. It looks a bit loose, but I still think Black should give it a
try, as slower plans simply give White time to improve his position.} 14. exf6
gxf6 15. c4 Nf4 (15... e5 {looks nice, but after} 16. cxd5 Nxd5 17. Bc4 Be6 18.
Nc3 {Black has some issues, for example if} Ngf4 19. Nxd5 Bxd5 (19... Nxd5 20.
Qb3 Rc8 21. Rad1 $18) 20. Nxe5 $1 fxe5 21. Qg4+ Ng6 22. Red1 $18) 16. Bf1 e5 {
and Black is at least getting some play.}) 14. Nbd2 Qb6 15. Rf1 {Black has
forced White's rook to f1, but the queen and bishop look ridiculous now.} Qc7
16. Nb3 b6 17. Re1 {Now that the pressure is off, the rook simply moves back
and it is clear Black's position has only worsened.} Bb4 $2 {Black tries to
force a concession out of White, but this really just loses time.} (17... Bb7 {
I prefer this simple developing move, although Black's position is far from
pleasant.}) 18. c3 Bc5 {White's bishop is blocked, but the pawn on e5 is
difficult to attack anyway and the d4 square will make a nice home for White's
knight.} 19. Rc1 (19. h4 {already looked quite strong, but there is no huge
rush.}) 19... Bb7 20. Nbd4 {The computer doesn't like this approach, but White
simply wants to prevent any ideas of f6. If Black can't get this freeing move
in, an eventual kingside assault will be the end.} Rae8 21. Rc2 {White wants
to get his dark-squared bishop in the game by means of Bc1.} Nf4 22. Bf1 Nf5 {
Black's knights look active, but this is just an illusion, and they get chased
back in short order.} 23. Bc1 Ng6 24. Bd3 {Black's flurry of activity is over,
and now it is White's turn.} Bc8 25. g3 {White prepares the final assault.
Black is helpless..} h6 (25... f6 26. exf6 gxf6 27. Bxf5 exf5 28. Bh6 {does
not help Black's cause.}) (25... Bd7 {trying to play f6 was perhaps Black's
only try, but it looks grim.}) 26. h4 {Now Black has absolutely no defense.}
Qd8 27. h5 Nge7 28. Nb3 $1 {Nepomniatchi is precise to the last. He won't
allow Black to trade any pieces, and now g4 will simply win the knight.} Nxg3 {
Black is desperate, and there was nothing better.} 29. Nxc5 Nxh5 30. Nh2 bxc5
31. Qxh5 {Black has no compensation for the piece and is still getting
attacked. It is only a question of when Andreikin wants to end the suffering.}
c4 32. Bf1 Nf5 33. Ba3 d4 34. Bg2 d3 35. Rd2 Ne7 36. Qg4 {It isn't often you
see a player as strong as Andreikin lose without a fight. Black played too
slowly and once White improved his position enough it was basically over. An
impressive win!} 1-0

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.14"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A34"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2796"]
[Annotator "Friedel,J"]
[PlyCount "153"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 g6 7. h4 {White is
playing an early h4 in every opening now, but especially the Grünfeld. Pretty
soon modern theory will progress to playing h4 on move two or three.} Bg7 8. h5
Bf5 {This is kind of a clever, move, not committing his king while developing
a piece. Also, Nb4 ideas are always in the air.} 9. Qb3 Ndb4 10. Kf1 {This
looks kinda sad, but what else? Also keep in mind that since the h1 rook is in
the game, this kind of king move isn't nearly as ugly.} Be6 11. Qa4 Qa5 12.
Qxa5 Nxa5 {Somehow I can't believe this ending can be problematic for Black.
Look at his active pieces!} 13. Ng5 Bd7 14. h6 {This is an interesting try,
attempting to run Black's bishop out of squares.} Bd4 15. Rb1 (15. d3 {I much
prefer, trying to finish his development with Bd2.}) 15... f6 16. Nge4 f5 (
16... c4 {looks simple and strong.}) 17. Nxc5 (17. Ng5 {looks much better than
the text, though after} Bf6 18. d3 Rc8 {followed by Bc6 it is clear Black is
doing fine.}) 17... Bxc5 18. a3 Nd3 $1 {An excellent concept, pitching a pawn
to entomb White's queenside.} 19. exd3 Nb3 {White's opening has been rather
uninspired.} 20. Rh4 Bc6 {Trading these bishops is logical from a positional
point of view, but it also takes up some time.} (20... e6 {was the main
alternative, preventing Bd5 and keeping Black's options open. Now if} 21. Bxb7
Rb8 22. Ba6 Be7 {White either has to retreat the rook into nothingness or sac
an exchange after} 23. Rc4 Nc5 24. Rxc5 Bxc5 25. b4 Bd4 {and I think Black is
definitely better.}) 21. Rc4 Bxg2+ 22. Kxg2 Kf7 23. Ne2 Rhd8 24. Rc3 Nd4 25.
Rxc5 Nxe2 26. Re5 Nd4 27. b4 {Nepomniachti has defended well, and now he's
more or less OK.} Nc6 28. Re3 Rd5 29. Bb2 Rad8 30. Bc3 a6 31. a4 Na7 32. Rbe1
R8d7 33. Re5 Nc6 34. Rxd5 Rxd5 35. Rb1 g5 {White is up a pawn, but as d3 and
h6 are both rather weak, I prefer Black.} 36. Re1 e6 37. Re3 Ne7 38. Be5 Nc6
39. Bc3 e5 40. Re1 g4 41. Rb1 Kg6 42. b5 axb5 43. axb5 Nd8 44. f3 {I'm not
sure about the objective value of this move, but it makes the game messy,
which is usually better for the defender.} gxf3+ 45. Kxf3 Rxd3+ 46. Ke2 e4 47.
Be5 Ne6 (47... Kxh6 {was a simpler continuation, and would have spared Black a
lot of grief.}) 48. Bf4 Rf3 (48... Nxf4+ {is safest but simply isn't enough to
win. Now after} 49. gxf4 b6 (49... Kxh6 50. Rh1+ Kg6 51. Rg1+ Kf6 52. Rh1 Rd7
53. Rh5 {and Black can't make any progress.}) 50. Rc1 Kxh6 51. Rc6+ Kh5 52.
Rxb6 Kg4 53. Rh6 Rb3 54. Rxh7 Rxb5 55. d3 Kxf4 56. dxe4 Rb2+ 57. Ke1 fxe4 58.
Rh3 {with a Philidor draw.}) 49. b6 Nd4+ 50. Ke1 Nc2+ 51. Ke2 Nd4+ 52. Ke1 Rb3
{At this point Kramnik realized he had to win, but even if not I'm sure he'd
have played on.} 53. Rc1 Rxb6 54. Rc8 Ne6 55. Be3 Rd6 {Black is up a pawn, but
winning will be rather difficult, especially since h6 can't be easily won now.}
56. Rg8+ Kf6 57. Rb8 Rd7 58. Kf2 Ke5 59. Ra8 Kf6 60. Rb8 Rf7 61. Ra8 Kg6 62.
Rg8+ Kh5 {Kramnik decides to go for it. I don't see how he could try to make
progress otherwise.} 63. Re8 Nf8 64. Kg2 Kg4 65. Rb8 Ng6 66. Rg8 Rd7 67. Kf2
Kh3 {It looks like Black is making progress, but in fact he has to be very
cautious. Rg7 must always be watched, and the b-pawn isn't so dangerous yet.}
68. Bg5 Ne5 69. Rg7 {I bet Black wishes he took that h6 pawn when he had the
chance.} b5 $2 {As normal as it looks, this move was a major error.} (69... Rd3
{Black had to give up on the h-pawn and start counterplay in the center.} 70.
Bf4 Ng4+ 71. Ke1 Nf6 72. Bg5 Ng4 73. Rxh7 Rxg3 74. Bf4 Rg1+ 75. Ke2 Rg2+ 76.
Kd1 Rf2 {Now Black should draw comfortably, for instance if} 77. Rg7 (77. Bg5
Kg3 78. Rxb7 Rh2 79. h7 f4 80. Rg7 e3 {is also drawn.}) 77... Rxf4 78. h7 Nf2+
79. Ke2 Rh4 80. Kxf2 f4 {it is an easy draw, since White can't support his
h-pawn.}) 70. Ke2 $1 b4 71. Bf4 {This is the problem. Black's pieces are badly
placed and the h-pawn will be a monster.} Nf7 (71... Rd5 {would have resisted
a bit better, though I think White should still win with best play. The
following is one possible continuation.} 72. Rxh7 b3 73. Rb7 Ng6 74. Be3 Rd8
75. Rxb3 Kxg3 76. Bg5+ Rd3 77. Rxd3+ exd3+ 78. Kxd3 Kg4 79. Bf6 Nf8 80. Bg7 Nh7
81. Ke2 Kf4 82. Kf2 {and Black is lost here. The plan for White is to for
Black to go after the d-pawn with his king, and then White will move up his
king to take the f-pawn. After this, despite only having the h-pawn left, the
knight on h7 is trapped.} Ng5 83. Kg2 Nh7 84. Kh3 Kg5 85. d4 Kg6 (85... f4 86.
d5 Kf5 87. d6 Ke6 88. Be5 $1 $18) 86. Kg3 Ng5 87. d5 Nf7 {Black can try to
reposition the knight, but it won't help.} 88. Kh4 Nd6 89. Be5 $1 Ne4 90. Bf4
Nc5 91. d6 {and White can win now by marching the king over to support the
d-pawn.}) 72. Rxh7 b3 73. Kd1 $1 {Once White covers the b-pawn with the king,
the h-pawn will simply start running.} (73. Be5 Rd5 $1 {gives Black some
counterchances.}) 73... e3 74. Bxe3 Rc7 75. Bd4 Kg2 76. Bc3 Kf2 77. Kc1 {
and Black resigned, as once White plays Kb2 he can play Rg7 and h7 at his
leisure. As a result, Nepomniatchi managed to catch Svidler. What a finish!} (
77. Kc1 Kxg3 78. Rg7+ Kf3 79. h7 $18) 1-0

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.11"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Vitiugov, Nikita"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B47"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2729"]
[Annotator "Friedel,J"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. f4 {An early f4 has
been a growing trend against the Paulsen. The move is rather committal, but
the idea is quite simple, which is to prepare e5 in response to Nf6.} a6 7.
Nxc6 Qxc6 8. Bd3 b5 9. Qe2 Bb7 10. Bd2 Bc5 11. O-O-O Ne7 {All of these logical
developing moves have been played many times.} 12. a3 {This move is the latest
development. The idea is rather simple, which is to discourage b4.} (12. Qh5 g6
13. Qg5 {is another possible continuation, but not everyone wants to go on a
quest with their queen so early.}) 12... O-O (12... O-O-O {has also been tried,
though it isn't for the faint of heart.}) 13. Qh5 {A novelty, and a logical
one. White wants to provoke pawn weaknesses on the kingside.} f6 {Black wants
to respond to e5 with f5 without allowing en passant, but this allows White
another plan of attack.} 14. g4 {The queen on h5 is no prize now, but there is
also no good way to take advantage of it.} Rac8 15. Rhe1 {I'm not sure the
rook does anything special here, but he simply wants to move it off of the
long diagonal.} Qb6 16. Kb1 Bd4 {Both sides have been slowly improving, and
with Bd4 Black hints at an exchange sac on c3.} 17. Ne2 Bf2 {I'm not sure the
rook stands worse on f1 than on e1.} (17... Bc5 {might have been my preference,
planning to play b4.}) 18. Rf1 Rf7 19. Qh3 {White finally decides to extricate
his queen.} Ng6 20. Bc1 {This move strikes me as quite passive.} (20. Bc3 {
threatening e5 looks better to me, and if Black plays d6 then he's weakened
the light squares, in particular e6.}) 20... Bc5 $2 {This is a logical
improving move, but it allows White to play e5.} (20... a5 {Preparing b4 with
this move looks better, as now after} 21. e5 $2 (21. b3 {is likely best,
preparing to answer b4 with a4, with an unclear game.}) 21... fxe5 22. f5 (22.
fxe5 {gives White no threats, so Black can simply push on with} b4 {and the
threat of b3 is actually quite strong.}) 22... exf5 23. gxf5 Nf8 {and I don't
think White has very much compensation. The bishop on f2 is actually quite
annoying!}) 21. e5 $1 {Now White has taken over the initiative.} b4 $6 {
This move doesn't deal with White's main threat.} (21... fxe5 22. fxe5 {
is quite different now, as without the bishop blocking the f-file White
actually has some ideas, the main one being Nf4.}) (21... Qc6 {looks better,
giving Black the defensive resource of Qg2. However, after} 22. exf6 Rxf6 23.
Ng3 $1 {White has a strong attack.}) 22. axb4 Bxb4 (22... Qxb4 {is the better
defense, but after} 23. f5 exf5 24. Rxf5 Be4 {(Black's idea)} 25. Bxe4 Qxe4 26.
Nc3 Qc6 27. exf6 {and Black's position is in shambles due to his pawn
weaknesses and king.}) 23. f5 exf5 24. Bxf5 (24. Rxf5 {Might have been even
stronger, preparing to double rooks and/or play Rh5.}) 24... Nf8 25. exf6 g6 {
Black's only try.} 26. Bd3 Rxf6 27. b3 $1 {White brings his worst piece, the
dark-squared bishop, to the long diagonal where it will be deadly.} Rxf1 28.
Rxf1 Ne6 29. Bb2 Rf8 {Now there are several major errors, I'm guessing due to
time pressure.} 30. Rd1 $2 {Giving up the f-file was completely unnecessary.} (
30. Bf6 {was clearly best, keeping Black passive and preparing g5 next move to
cement the bishop. Keep in mind that Bxg6 is always in the air.}) 30... Rf3 $1
31. Qh4 $2 (31. Ng3 {maintains some advantage, but White's pieces are pretty
awkward now.}) 31... Bc6 $4 (31... Qf2 $1 {and Black is right back in the game.
The idea is that after} 32. Ng3 Rxd3 $1 33. cxd3 (33. Rxd3 Be4 $1 {and Black
may even take over. The bishop is immune to capture due to the stupid queen
hanging on h4.}) 33... Qf3 34. Kc2 Qf2+ 35. Kb1 Qf3 {with a draw.}) 32. Bc4 (
32. Nd4 {was immediately crushing, with the idea that after} Nxd4 33. Bxd4 Qa5
(33... Qxd4 34. Bc4+ $18) 34. Re1 $3 {and White's threats of Re8 and Re5 are
deadly. For example, if} Bf8 (34... Bxe1 {is impossible on account of} 35. Qe7
$1 Rf7 36. Qe8+ Rf8 37. Bc4+ d5 38. Qe5 Kf7 39. Qf6+ Ke8 40. Qxc6+ {and Black
will lose everything with check.}) 35. Re5 Qd2 36. Bc4+ d5 37. Rxd5 Rf1+ 38.
Bxf1 Bxd5 39. Qf6 $18) 32... Bb5 (32... d5 {was best, but after} 33. Rxd5 $1
Bxd5 34. Bxd5 Rf1+ 35. Nc1 {and White's monstrous bishops matter far more than
Black's exchange.}) 33. Nd4 {Now it is over.} Rf7 34. Nxe6 Bxc4 35. Ng5 Re7 36.
Qh3 $1 {The final touch. White threatens Qf3 as well as the simple bxc4 since
the 3rd rank is covered.} (36. bxc4 Bc3 {would not be advised.}) 36... Be2 37.
Qg2 $1 {White threatens a deadly back rank check on a8 in addition to the one
played in the game.} Re8 38. Qd5+ {and Black resigned, seeing that Re6 would
be met with Qxd7 with checkmate soon to follow. Despite the inaccuracies late
in the game, the attack was nicely conducted by Nepomniatchi and it enabled
him to hop over Vitiugov in the standings.} 1-0

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.06"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Shomoev, Anton"]
[Black "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E54"]
[WhiteElo "2579"]
[BlackElo "2695"]
[PlyCount "180"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 c5 6. Nf3 cxd4 7. exd4 d5 8. O-O
dxc4 9. Bxc4 b6 10. Bg5 Bb7 11. Ne5 Be7 12. Qe2 Nc6 13. Rad1 Rc8 14. Rfe1 Nb4
15. Nxf7 Rxf7 16. Bxe6 Rc7 17. d5 Rd7 18. d6 Rxd6 19. Bxf6 gxf6 20. Rxd6 Bxd6
21. Bxf7+ Kxf7 22. Qe6+ Kf8 23. Rd1 Nd3 24. Rxd3 Bxh2+ 25. Kxh2 Qxd3 26. Qxf6+
Ke8 27. Qe5+ Kd7 28. Nb5 Qd5 29. Qg7+ Kc6 30. Nc3 Qf5 31. Qd4 Kc7 32. a4 Bc6
33. f3 Qh5+ 34. Kg1 Qg5 35. Kf2 Qg6 36. Qe5+ Kb7 37. Qe7+ Kb8 38. Qd8+ Kb7 39.
Qe7+ Kb8 40. Qe5+ Kb7 41. Qe2 Qf6 42. Qc4 a6 43. b4 b5 44. axb5 axb5 45. Qc5
Qh4+ 46. Ke2 Qh2 47. Qg5 Qd6 48. Nxb5 Qxb4 49. Qg7+ Kb6 50. Nd4 Qb2+ 51. Ke3
Qc1+ 52. Kf2 Qd2+ 53. Ne2 Qc2 54. Ke3 Bb5 55. Qf6+ Kb7 56. Qe7+ Kb6 57. Qd6+
Kb7 58. Qd5+ Bc6 59. Qe5 Qb3+ 60. Kf2 Qc2 61. Kg3 Qg6+ 62. Kh2 Kc8 63. Nf4 Qf7
64. Qe6+ Qxe6 65. Nxe6 Bd5 66. Nf4 Bb3 67. Kg3 Kd7 68. Kg4 Ke7 69. Kg5 Kf7 70.
Nh5 Bc2 71. Kh6 Ke6 72. Kg5 Kf7 73. Ng3 Bd3 74. Ne4 Kg7 75. g3 h6+ 76. Kf5 Bc2
77. f4 Bb3 78. Nd6 Ba2 79. Nb5 Kf7 80. Nd4 Bc4 81. Nf3 Bd3+ 82. Ke5 Kg6 83. f5+
Bxf5 84. Nh4+ Kg5 85. Nxf5 h5 86. Ke6 Kg6 87. Ke5 Kg5 88. Nd4 Kg4 89. Ne2 h4
90. gxh4 Kxh4 1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.13"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Shomoev, Anton"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A41"]
[WhiteElo "2579"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 g6 2. e4 d6 3. c4 Bg7 4. d4 Bg4 5. Be2 Nc6 6. Be3 Bxf3 7. Bxf3 e5 8. d5
Nd4 9. Bxd4 exd4 10. Nd2 Ne7 11. O-O O-O 12. Nb3 c5 13. dxc6 bxc6 14. c5 Rb8
15. Rc1 dxc5 16. Rxc5 Qd6 17. Rc2 d3 18. Rd2 Rfd8 19. Nc1 Bxb2 20. Rxd3 Bd4 21.
Qe2 c5 22. e5 Qc7 23. e6 c4 24. exf7+ Kxf7 25. Rd2 c3 26. Rc2 Be5 27. Be4 Bxh2+
28. Kh1 Be5 29. Nd3 Bf6 30. Rfc1 Kg8 31. g3 Qd6 32. Nf4 Rbc8 33. Kg2 Be5 34.
Nd3 Bg7 35. Nf4 Qe5 36. Qf3 Qd6 37. Re1 Be5 38. Nd3 Rf8 39. Qe2 Bg7 40. Nf4 Nf5
41. Qg4 Rc5 42. Nd3 Ra5 43. Nf4 Rc5 44. Nd3 Nh6 45. Qe2 Rg5 46. Rd1 Nf5 47.
Bxf5 Rgxf5 48. Nf4 Qc6+ 49. Kg1 Re8 50. Qd3 Rfe5 51. Kh2 Rb5 52. Rdc1 Rc5 53.
Rb1 Bh6 54. Ng2 Bd2 55. Rb4 Rf8 56. f4 Rh5+ 57. Nh4 Qc5 58. Rd4 Bxf4 59. Rxc3
Rxh4+ 60. Kg2 Qg5 61. Qc4+ Kh8 62. Rf3 Rg4 63. Kf1 Rxg3 64. Rfxf4 Rg1+ 65. Ke2
Qg2+ 0-1

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.11"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Shomoev, Anton"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E52"]
[WhiteElo "2579"]
[BlackElo "2762"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 b6 5. e3 Bb7 6. Bd3 O-O 7. O-O d5 8. cxd5
exd5 9. Ne5 Nbd7 10. f4 c5 11. Bd2 a5 12. Bf5 g6 13. Bxd7 Nxd7 14. a3 Bxc3 15.
Bxc3 c4 16. f5 Nf6 17. Qf3 Ne4 18. fxg6 hxg6 19. Qh3 Bc8 20. g4 Kg7 21. Qg2 f6
22. Nf3 Qe7 23. Rae1 Be6 24. g5 fxg5 25. Nd2 Rxf1+ 26. Rxf1 Nxc3 27. bxc3 Rh8
28. Rf3 g4 29. Rf1 Rh3 30. e4 Rxc3 31. exd5 Bf5 32. Qf2 Rc2 33. Qf4 c3 34. Nc4
Qe4 35. Qe5+ Qxe5 36. dxe5 Bd3 37. d6 Bxc4 38. d7 Rd2 0-1

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.08"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Shomoev, Anton"]
[Black "Vitiugov, Nikita"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E28"]
[WhiteElo "2579"]
[BlackElo "2729"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 d6 7. Ne2 e5 8. Ng3
Re8 9. Bd3 e4 10. Bb1 b6 11. f3 Ba6 12. Nxe4 Nxe4 13. Bxe4 Rxe4 14. fxe4 Qh4+
15. g3 Qxe4 16. O-O Bb7 17. d5 Qxc4 18. e4 Nd7 19. Qd4 Ba6 20. Bf4 Qxd4+ 21.
cxd4 Bxf1 22. Kxf1 Nf6 23. Rc1 Nxe4 24. Rxc7 g5 25. Bc1 h6 26. Ke2 Kg7 27. Kd3
Nf6 28. Bd2 Kg6 29. a4 Nxd5 30. Rd7 Nf6 31. Rxd6 Kf5 32. h3 h5 33. g4+ hxg4 34.
hxg4+ Nxg4 35. Rd5+ Kf6 36. Bxg5+ Ke6 37. Rb5 f6 38. Bf4 Rd8 39. a5 Nf2+ 40.
Kc4 Rc8+ 41. Kb3 Nd3 42. Bd2 bxa5 43. Rxa5 Rc7 44. Be3 f5 45. d5+ Kd6 46. Bxa7
Nc5+ 47. Bxc5+ Rxc5 48. Rxc5 Kxc5 49. Kc3 Kxd5 50. Kd3 Ke5 51. Ke3 f4+ 52. Kf3
Kf5 53. Kf2 Kg4 54. Kg2 f3+ 55. Kf2 Kf4 56. Kf1 Ke3 57. Ke1 f2+ 58. Kf1 Kf3
1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.13"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Vitiugov, Nikita"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A33"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2729"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e6 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Ndb5 d5 7. Bf4 e5 8.
cxd5 exf4 9. dxc6 bxc6 10. Qxd8+ Kxd8 11. O-O-O+ Bd7 12. Nd6 Bxd6 13. Rxd6 Ng4
14. Nd1 Kc7 15. Rd4 g5 16. g3 fxg3 17. hxg3 h5 18. Bg2 Rae8 19. Ra4 Kb6 20.
Rb4+ Kc7 21. Ra4 Kb6 22. Rb4+ Kc7 23. Ra4 1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.11"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Motylev, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D43"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2676"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 e6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. e3 g6 8. Be2
Bg7 9. O-O O-O 10. e4 Rd8 11. e5 Qe7 12. c5 b6 13. b4 a5 14. a3 Ba6 15. Qc2 Qb7
16. Rfc1 Nd7 17. h4 Ra7 18. g3 Rda8 19. Rab1 axb4 20. axb4 Bxe2 21. Nxe2 Ra2
22. Qd1 R2a3 23. Nf4 R8a4 24. Kg2 Qa8 25. Ne2 Ra7 26. Qc2 Ra2 27. Qd3 Bf8 28.
Qd1 Rb7 29. Nc3 Raa7 30. Qc2 Ra3 31. Rb2 Nb8 32. Ne1 Nd7 33. Nd3 h5 34. Rcb1
Rba7 35. Rb3 Rxb3 36. Rxb3 Ra1 37. Nf4 bxc5 38. bxc5 Qa6 39. Qd3 Qxd3 40. Nxd3
Ra7 41. Nb4 Rb7 42. Rb1 f6 43. f4 fxe5 44. fxe5 Rc7 45. Ra1 Nb8 46. Ra8 Rb7 47.
Na6 Nxa6 48. Rxa6 Rb2+ 49. Kf1 Bh6 50. Rxc6 Be3 51. Rxe6 Bxd4 52. c6 Rf2+ 53.
Ke1 Rf5 54. Re8+ Kf7 55. c7 Bxc3+ 56. Ke2 1-0

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.08"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C66"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2706"]
[Annotator "Friedel,J"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Somehow I always end up annotating Andreikin's games.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3.
Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 d6 5. O-O Bd7 6. c4 {This space grabbing system has been played
quite a few times in recent years.} g6 7. Nc3 Bg7 8. Be3 O-O 9. h3 {The pieces
have all developed to their logical squares, and now Black has to make a
decision.} Nb8 {This move is new, but the idea is a typical one in these
positions. Black offers the bishop trade in order to free up some space.} ({
Another possibility was} 9... Nh5 {trying to play in King's Indian style.}) 10.
Qb3 $5 {White tries to force Black's hand on the queenside, though this move
looks a bit awkward to me.} (10. Rc1 {improves White's position while keeping
the tension, and would probably be my choice.}) 10... c6 (10... Bxb5 11. cxb5 {
and the open c-file would favor White.}) (10... c5 11. Bxd7 Qxd7 {These
positions typically give a slight edge to White, since the e3 bishop is more
active than the g7 one.}) 11. Ba4 Qc8 {The queen ends up being rather
misplaced here.} (11... Qc7 {looks better to me, though it is less forcing
since Bxh3 isn't an idea now.}) 12. Qd1 Na6 13. d4 {White chooses the proper
moment to expand in the center.} exd4 14. Bxd4 Be6 {If White can consolidate,
he'll simply be better. Black's best chance is to take advantage of White's
temporarily awkward pieces.} 15. Qe2 Re8 16. Rad1 Nc5 17. Bc2 {White has
nearly consolidated, and if he succeeds he will have a large advantage due to
the extra space and the weak d6 pawn. Black needs to act immediately.} Ncd7 $2
(17... b5 $1 {was definitely the best chance.} 18. cxb5 cxb5 19. Nxb5 (19. Qxb5
Bxh3 $1 {This shot always has to be covered.} 20. gxh3 Qxh3 21. Qe2 Ncxe4 22.
Nxe4 Qg4+ 23. Kh2 Qh5+ 24. Kg2 Qg4+ $11 {with a perpetual.}) (19. b3 a6 {
and Black should be fine.}) 19... Ncxe4 {and now the position is a complete
mess. I've given a few sample variations.} 20. Bxf6 (20. Bxe4 Bc4 $36) 20...
Bc4 21. Qxe4 $1 Bxb5 (21... Rxe4 22. Nxd6 Qb8 23. Nxe4 Bxf1 (23... Bxf6 24.
Nxf6+ Kg7 25. Nd7 Qxb2 26. Bd3 Bxd3 27. Rxd3 {and White has too many pieces.})
24. Rd8+ Qxd8 25. Bxd8 Bxg2 26. Kxg2 Rxd8 27. b3 {and I think White should
have good winning chances once his pieces get organized.}) 22. Qd5 Bxf6 23.
Bxg6 hxg6 24. Qxb5 Rb8 25. Qa4 Rxb2 26. Rxd6 Re6 27. Rxe6 Qxe6 28. Qxa7 Rxa2 {
and while White can press, Black should draw this comfortably.}) 18. Ng5 $1 {
Now Black is close to lost.} Qc7 19. f4 Qa5 20. a3 h6 21. Nf3 $6 (21. Nxe6 {
This is a simpler way to do it.} Rxe6 22. Qf2 {and White has too much. For
example, if} Rae8 23. b4 $1 Qc7 (23... Qxa3 {Grabbing this pawn gets the queen
trapped.} 24. f5 gxf5 25. exf5 R6e7 26. Ra1 Qxb4 27. Ra4 $18) 24. c5 $1 dxc5
25. bxc5 $18 {Now that the d-pawn has been swept away, a combination of e5 and
f5 will crush Black.}) 21... Nh5 $6 {This active try actually frees White a
bit.} (21... Rad8 {looks more resilient, and I don't see a clear way to
proceed. The problem is that f5 can't be played due to the e-file pin, and the
queen can't go to f2 because c4 is hanging. The computer wants to play Qd3 for
this reason, but you don't have to be an art critic to see why that move isn't
pretty.}) 22. Bxg7 Kxg7 23. Qd2 {and now we see the problem: c4 can't be
captured due to Qd4+.} Qb6+ 24. Rf2 $1 {Most accurate.} (24. Kh2 Bxc4 {is now
with tempo.}) 24... Bxc4 {This loses right away, but Black was busted anyway.}
(24... Qxb2 {was a good practical try, but after the accurate} 25. Qd4+ $1 (25.
f5 gxf5 26. exf5 Bxc4 27. Qd4+ Nhf6 28. Qxc4 Qxa3 {and while Black should
almost certainly get mated, at least White would have to do some work here.})
25... Nhf6 (25... Kg8 26. f5 {is curtains.}) 26. e5 dxe5 27. fxe5 {and Black
has to give up a piece, since if the knight moves Bf5! will be a killer.}) 25.
Na4 Qc7 (25... Qa6 26. Qc3+ Kg8 27. Rxd6 {and Black can resign, since all of
his pieces are bad and his king is weak.}) 26. Qc3+ Nhf6 27. Qxc4 b5 {Svidler
is accurate from here on out.} 28. Qb4 bxa4 29. Rxd6 Rab8 30. Qd2 Red8 31. e5
Ne8 32. Qc3 $1 Nb6 33. Rxc6 Qb7 34. f5 Nd5 35. Qc5 Qxb2 36. fxg6 f6 37. Nd4 {
and Black resigned seeing that he's in no position to stop any of White's
threats, the most important of which being Ne6+.} 1-0

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.07"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Shomoev, Anton"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E12"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2579"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 b6 3. Nc3 Bb7 4. d4 e6 5. a3 d5 6. Qa4+ Bc6 7. Qc2 dxc4 8. e3
b5 9. a4 b4 10. Nb1 b3 11. Qxc4 Bd5 12. Qb5+ Nbd7 13. Nc3 Rb8 14. Qd3 Bb4 15.
Bd2 c5 16. dxc5 Nxc5 17. Qd4 O-O 18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. Bc4 Bxd2+ 20. Nxd2 Qa5 21.
O-O Rfd8 22. Bb5 Nf6 23. Qxc5 Rxd2 24. Rad1 Rxd1 25. Rxd1 h6 26. h3 Nd5 27. Qc4
Qb4 28. Qxb4 Nxb4 29. Rd4 a5 30. Kf1 Rc8 31. Rc4 Rd8 32. Ke2 g5 33. Rc5 Na2 34.
Bc4 Nc1+ 35. Ke1 Kg7 36. Be2 Na2 37. Rxa5 Rc8 38. Bd1 Rc2 39. Rb5 Rxb2 40. Rxb3
Rxb3 41. Bxb3 1-0

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.05"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A34"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[Annotator "Gormally,D"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e3 Nxc3 6. bxc3 g6 7. h4 Bg7 8.
h5 Nc6 9. Rb1 Qc7 10. d4 Bd7 11. Bd3 Rd8 12. Qc2 ({White missed the chance to
play the daring} 12. Ng5 $1 $36 {which may have already been very strong. This
impudent knight is not so easy to deal with.} Qa5 (12... O-O 13. hxg6 hxg6 14.
Bd2 {with the makings of a dangerous kingside attack}) 13. h6 Bf6 14. Ne4 cxd4
15. Rb5 Qxa2 16. exd4 b6 17. O-O O-O 18. Re1 {with a very nice intiative in
return for a small material investment - the presence of the pawn on h6
ensures that the black king will always be in danger.}) 12... Bg4 13. Ng5 cxd4
14. Qb3 e6 15. exd4 {White has played the opening phase with great aggression,
but such an approach is not without its risks. Black's position retains great
dynamic potential, and over the next few moves, "Nepo" is able to wrest the
initiative.} (15. cxd4 $4 {would of course be most unfortunate after} Qa5+)
15... Rd7 ({Another way of meeting the threat to the b-pawn was with} 15... b6
{which also seemed perfectly sound.} 16. h6 $5 Bf6 17. Ne4 Be7 18. O-O O-O 19.
f3 Na5 20. Qc2 Bf5 21. Qe2 e5 $1 {when Black has excellent counterplay.}) 16.
Ne4 O-O 17. hxg6 ({It was not easy to assess the position after the
continuation} 17. h6 Bh8 18. O-O Bf5 {but Black's game seems if anything
easier to play - he has obvious counterplay pending with the move ...e5, while
by contrast it is not so easy to see how White should develop his initiative.})
17... hxg6 18. Bg5 f6 $1 19. Be3 Na5 20. Qc2 b6 21. f3 ({There is no way that
White can affect easy control over the position anymore; for example} 21. O-O
f5 22. Ng5 f4 23. Bc1 Qd8 {also leads to a situation where Black has excellent
chances.}) 21... Bf5 22. Rc1 Nc4 $1 {Obvious, but strong.} 23. Bf2 Rc8 24. Qe2
e5 25. O-O (25. g4 $5 Be6 26. Nc5 bxc5 27. Bxc4 Bxc4 28. Qxc4+ Rf7 29. dxc5 e4
30. Kf1 {also leads to something of a mess, but one where White seems to have
the better of it.}) 25... Rdd8 26. Bh4 $1 {By taking a stab at an Achilles
heel in the black armour, White forces the rook into a passive position.} Rf8
27. g4 Be6 28. f4 $6 {Perhaps this move could be criticised for being too
cavalier, but Svidler did not get to where he is without taking risks.} (28.
Nc5 {was the bail-out option.} bxc5 29. Bxc4 Qf7 30. Bxe6 Qxe6 31. dxe5 fxe5
32. Rcd1 e4 $1 {and Black is absolutely fine.}) 28... exf4 29. Nc5 Bf7 30. Ne6
Qd6 31. Nxf8 Bxf8 {White has won the exchange, but the resulting position
offers Black clear compensation. The white king is exposed, and the black
knight has access to the e3-square, a potential source of great attacking
influence.} 32. Qh2 Qe6 $2 {Up to this point Nepo had played a great game, but
now he errs, perhaps decisively. In fact you could even argue this was the
pivotal moment of the whole tournament, as Svidler was eventually to beat Nepo
in the play-off, to yet again become Russian champion.} ({I'm sure Kasparov,
who was known for his liking for "Octopus" knights, would not have hesistated
to play} 32... Ne3 $1 {here} 33. Rxf4 (33. Qxf4 Nxf1 {and Black is on top})
33... Bh6 $1 (33... g5 $2 34. Bg3 {and the weakness of the h7 square proves
crucial}) 34. Re4 Qxh2+ 35. Kxh2 Bd5 {and Black regains the exchange} 36. g5
Bxe4 37. Bxe4 fxg5 38. Bg3 Kf7 $1 {and although the game is still quite likely
to end in a draw, White will have to suffer a while, given the obvious
activity of Black's remaining forces.}) 33. Qxf4 {Now, by contrast, White is
well on top.} Bd6 $2 (33... g5 34. Bxg5 (34. Qf5 Qxf5 35. Bxf5 Re8 36. Bf2 Nd2
37. Rfd1 Nf3+ 38. Kg2 Bd5 39. c4 $1 {is also good for White}) 34... fxg5 35.
Qxg5+ Bg7 36. Rce1 Qh6 37. Qxh6 Bxh6 38. Re7 Nd6 39. Rf3 {and White is better
in the ending as his rooks are so powerful, but it's far from over.}) 34. Bxc4
$1 Rxc4 35. Qf3 g5 36. Rce1 {Black has little compensation for the exchange,
as his own king now becomes a target.} Qd7 37. Bg3 Be7 38. Rf2 Bd8 39. Re3 b5
40. Qe4 $2 {White is still winning after this,} ({But with} 40. Rh2 $1 {
he could have made his task considerably easier:} Bd5 (40... Kg7 41. Qh1 $1 {
is the point, where White infiltrates}) 41. Qf1 Qxg4 42. Qd3 {with a decisive
material gain after the forced} f5 43. Re8+ Kg7 44. Rxd8 $18) 40... Kg7 41. Qf5
(41. Rh2 Bg6 $1) 41... Qxf5 42. Rxf5 b4 43. Rc5 Rxc3 44. Rexc3 bxc3 45. Rxc3
Bxa2 46. Ra3 Be6 47. Rxa7+ Kf8 48. Bc7 Be7 49. Bb6 Ke8 50. Bc5 Bd8 51. Kf2 Bxg4
52. d5 Bc8 (52... f5 53. Ra8 Kd7 54. Ke3 Bh5 55. Ra7+ Kc8 56. d6 {is also
winning.}) 53. Rg7 f5 54. Rg8+ Kd7 55. Rg7+ Ke8 56. Rg8+ Kd7 57. Rf8 f4 58. Kf3
Ba6 59. Ke4 Bf1 60. Rf7+ Ke8 61. Rf8+ Kd7 62. Rf7+ Ke8 63. Rh7 $18 Bf6 64. d6
Bb5 65. Kf5 Bc3 66. Re7+ 1-0

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.14"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Vitiugov, Nikita"]
[Black "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E39"]
[WhiteElo "2729"]
[BlackElo "2706"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. Nf3 c5 6. dxc5 Na6 7. g3 Nxc5 8.
Bg2 b6 9. O-O Bxc3 10. Qxc3 Bb7 11. b3 d5 12. cxd5 Nxd5 13. Qd4 Qe7 14. Ba3
Rfd8 15. Rac1 Rac8 16. Bxc5 Rxc5 17. Rxc5 bxc5 18. Qb2 Nb4 19. Rc1 Qd6 20. h4
h6 21. a3 Na6 22. Qc3 Rb8 23. Nd2 Bxg2 24. Kxg2 Nc7 25. Qe3 Nd5 26. Qxc5 Nf4+
27. gxf4 Qxd2 28. Qe5 Rxb3 29. Rc8+ Kh7 30. Qe4+ g6 31. Rc7 Kg8 32. h5 Qd6 33.
Qc2 Rb7 34. Rxb7 Qd5+ 35. f3 Qxb7 36. hxg6 Kg7 37. gxf7 Qxf7 38. Qe4 Kg8 39. a4
Qg7+ 40. Kh2 Qf7 41. a5 Qh5+ 42. Kg2 Qxa5 43. Qxe6+ Kg7 44. f5 1-0

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.06"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Vitiugov, Nikita"]
[Black "Motylev, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D12"]
[WhiteElo "2729"]
[BlackElo "2676"]
[PlyCount "137"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bf5 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nh4 Bg6 7. Nxg6 hxg6 8. Bd3
Nbd7 9. Bd2 Bd6 10. h3 Qe7 11. Qb3 Rb8 12. Qc2 a6 13. a3 e5 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15.
cxd5 cxd5 16. Ne2 O-O 17. Bc3 Rbc8 18. Rd1 Rfd8 19. O-O Bb8 20. Qb1 Nc4 21. g3
Ne4 22. Bxe4 Qxe4 23. Qxe4 dxe4 24. Rxd8+ Rxd8 25. Rc1 Be5 26. Bxe5 Nxe5 27.
Nd4 Nf3+ 28. Nxf3 exf3 29. g4 Rd2 30. b4 Ra2 31. Rc8+ Kh7 32. Rc7 f6 33. g5 f5
34. Rxb7 Rxa3 35. Kh2 a5 36. b5 Rb3 37. Kg3 a4 38. Kxf3 a3 39. b6 a2 40. Ra7
Rxb6 41. Rxa2 Rb1 42. Kg2 Kg8 43. Ra8+ Kf7 44. Ra7+ Kf8 45. Ra4 Re1 46. Ra3 Rb1
47. Ra4 Re1 48. h4 Rb1 49. f3 Rb3 50. Kf2 Kf7 51. Ra7+ Kf8 52. Ra5 Kg8 53. Re5
Rb1 54. Kg2 Kf7 55. h5 gxh5 56. Rxf5+ Kg6 57. Re5 h4 58. Re7 Rb3 59. f4 Kh5 60.
Kf3 Rb1 61. Rxg7 Rf1+ 62. Ke2 Ra1 63. Kf3 Rf1+ 64. Ke2 Ra1 65. g6 Rh1 66. f5
Kg5 67. Rf7 Rg1 68. g7 Kh6 69. f6 1-0

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.12"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Vitiugov, Nikita"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A34"]
[WhiteElo "2729"]
[BlackElo "2796"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. g3 g6 6. Bg2 Bg7 7. Ng5 e6 8.
Nge4 Na6 9. d3 O-O 10. O-O b6 11. Bg5 f6 12. Nxd5 exd5 13. Nc3 Be6 14. Bf4 Qd7
15. d4 Rad8 16. Rc1 cxd4 17. Qxd4 g5 18. Bd2 Nc5 19. Qb4 d4 20. Ne4 d3 21. e3
Nxe4 22. Bxe4 Bxa2 23. b3 Qe6 24. Rc4 f5 25. Bg2 f4 26. exf4 gxf4 27. Re1 Qd6
28. Qa4 fxg3 29. hxg3 b5 30. Qxb5 Qb6 31. Qxb6 axb6 32. Rb4 Bd4 33. Re4 Bxf2+
34. Kh2 Rf6 35. Bg5 d2 36. Bxf6 d1=Q 37. Rg4+ Kf7 38. Bxd8 Bg1+ 39. Kh3 Qxd8
40. Rbf4+ Ke7 41. Re4+ Kf6 42. Ref4+ Ke7 43. Re4+ Kd6 44. Rd4+ Bxd4 45. Rxd4+
Ke7 46. Rxd8 Kxd8 47. Be4 Bxb3 48. Bxh7 b5 49. Kg4 Ke7 1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-ch 66th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2013.10.09"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Vitiugov, Nikita"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E34"]
[WhiteElo "2729"]
[BlackElo "2762"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2013.10.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. cxd5 Qxd5 6. Nf3 Qf5 7. Qd1 O-O 8.
e3 Ne4 9. Bd2 Nxd2 10. Qxd2 Nd7 11. Bd3 Qa5 12. Qc2 h6 13. O-O c5 14. a3 Bxc3
15. Qxc3 Qxc3 16. bxc3 b6 17. a4 Bb7 18. a5 Rfc8 19. Rfb1 Kf8 20. Kf1 Ke7 21.
Ra3 Bc6 22. Ba6 Rc7 23. Bd3 Rcc8 24. Ba6 Rc7 25. Bd3 1/2-1/2

