[Event "Lausanne FIDE GP (Women)"]
[Site "Lausanne"]
[Date "2020.03.05"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Kosteniuk, Alexandra"]
[Black "Abdumalik, Zhansaya"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2504"]
[BlackElo "2471"]
[Annotator "Abdumalik,Zhansaya "]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2020.03.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 195"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.04.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.04.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{My first FIDE Women's Grand Prix. I received an invitation a week before the
start of the tournament and of course I was very happy for an opportunity to
be a part of such a strong tournament, so I immediately accepted. At that
moment I was in Moscow participating in a strong tournament, the Aeroflot Open,
A group. To be honest, at this event my games were very unstable and I was a
little worried about the upcoming GP and my shape. Therefore, the plan for the
tournament was to play more safely and wisely, which I think I did quite well 
(except for the second round against Nana Dzagnidze, where apparently I forgot
about my plan). The reason why I chose this game is because it is the first
game with classical control that I did not lose to Alexandra. I have a
terribly bad score against her, it seems to me that I lost everything that was
possible since 2016, so this game was very important for me to stop this black
streak of my life.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 {
I did not prepare this move because her main line was 6. Re1 where White
usually play c3 and d4, so from this moment I understood that she wanted to
play more manoeuvrable positions that do not strongly determine the structure.}
b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 {An interesting line which, fortunately for me, I checked a
little before the tournament. I was not sure with the specific move orders,
but with general knowledge and ideas it was not so difficult to find right
moves.} Bd7 9. c3 O-O 10. Re1 Na5 11. Bc2 c5 12. Nbd2 Qb6 $5 {Easy plan for
Black, pushing pawns on the queenside and controlling the centre. I felt quite
comfortable in this position.} 13. Nf1 b4 14. Ne3 (14. d4 $2 b3 15. Bb1 Qc7 {
/\c4} 16. Ne3 c4 $15 {Black has a good space advantage on the queenside.})
14... Rac8 15. h3 Rfe8 16. Nd2 $1 {/\Ndc4 and the main idea is to take on c4
with a pawn to control the center and block Black's counterplay on the
queenside. Also, White has some ideas of attack on the kingside. So I was not
sure what to do after Ndc4.} Be6 17. Qe2 {Looks strange. I did not really get
the idea of it, so I kept improving my position.} (17. Ndc4 $1 Nxc4 18. dxc4 {
is slightly better for White.}) 17... Bf8 (17... d5 $5 {was possible, but I
did not know how to evaluate my position after 18.c4, so I decided not to
hurry.} 18. c4 $1 {Here I thought that the position was unclear because White
gets an excellent square on d5, and if I try manoeuvre my knight from a5 to d4
White will have some ideas with a5 to activate the light-squared bishop from
c2 to a4.} (18. exd5 Nxd5 19. Nxd5 Bxd5 20. Qxe5 Bf8 21. Qxe8 Rxe8 22. Rxe8 Qc6
$19 {/\Bg2}) 18... dxe4 (18... d4 19. Nd5 Nxd5 20. cxd5 Bd7 21. Nb3 $13) 19.
dxe4 Nc6 20. a5 Qc7 21. Ba4 $13) 18. Qf3 (18. Ndc4 $1 {was possible again. I
am sure that when Alexandra played 16.Nd2 her idea was to play Ndc4, but maybe
then she changed her mind because she thought that her pawn structure might be
weak somehow.}) 18... Qb7 {I was very satisfied with my position, all my
pieces are well coordinated.} 19. g4 $2 {Really unexpected. Too optimistic and
dangerous when the center is not yet defined, also, the white pieces are not
ready for the attack. Again the best move was Ndc4.} h6 20. Kh2 $2 (20. Ndc4 $1
{- the last chance to control the center.}) 20... d5 $1 {Very logical. If you
are attacked on the flank try to open the center, so your pieces will get more
active and you can use the weakness of the opponent king's.} 21. Nf5 Nh7 {
Looks natural to control g5 square and to have ideas with ...g6.} (21... Bxf5
$5 {was also strong to change the knight from active square f5 and continue
pushing the queenside. Even though the g-file opens, my kingside is well
prepared and the counterplay in the center is crushing.} 22. gxf5 c4 $1 23.
exd5 cxd3 24. Qxd3 Qxd5 $17) 22. Qg2 dxe4 (22... c4 $1 {was more concrete:} 23.
dxc4 dxc4 24. Nf3 Nb3 $17) 23. Nxe4 Qd7 {Here I realized that I managed to
consolidate my pieces and now could slowly prepare a counterattack and exploit
white weaknesses on both flanks.} 24. Rg1 Kh8 {Prophylaxis. White still had
some ideas with sacrifices on h6 and opening "g" line, so I though better be
safe.} (24... Nb3 25. Nxh6+ gxh6 26. g5 $13 {- too risky when you are in time
trouble.}) 25. Qg3 Nb3 $1 {I was very happy to change one of her bishops. The
light-squared one defends a key pawn on d3, and the dark-squared one is a key
to White's kingside attacking options.} 26. Bxb3 Bxb3 27. f4 {The rest of the
game was just a matter of technique.} Rcd8 28. cxb4 cxb4 29. fxe5 Qxd3 30. Qxd3
(30. Ned6 Qxg3+ 31. Rxg3 Rxe5 32. Rxb3 Bxd6 33. Nxd6 Rxd6 34. Bf4 Re2+ 35. Kg3
Rde6 36. Rxb4 g5 $19) 30... Rxd3 31. Bf4 Ng5 32. Nxg5 hxg5 33. Bg3 Rc8 34. Rg2
Bd5 35. Re2 b3 36. Rf1 Rc2 37. Rff2 Rd1 0-1

[Event "Candidates sf"]
[Site "Elista"]
[Date "2007.05.27"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2693"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[Annotator "Aronian,L"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2007.05.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 119"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Marin,M} e5 {To give the reader a general picture of my matches 
(assuming of cours ethat he is interseted), I would say that my opponents
surprised me in the opening, by playing lines they had not used before. I
should add that I did not go in for such refinements myself.} 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5
a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 {When I began playing the Marshall, I would usually
hold my breat in this position, and only after seeing the move 6.Re1 would I
quickly play 6...b5 7.Bb3 0-0, practically thinking that the matter was
settled. It would be interesting to know if other devotees of this variation
have experienced similar feelings of euphoria.} 6. d3 {Whereas this is the
very move I used to be afraid of.} b5 7. Bb3 d6 {Here I thought for a long tim,
as I wanted to surprise my opponent with something new.} 8. a4 Rb8 {When
playing 7...d6, I had planned to continue 8...Bd7 now, but then I changed my
mind, in view of 9. c3 0-0 10.Bc2. Probably without good reason, but that is
another story. I played 8...Rb8 because I remembered that some very strong
player had played the same way in a similar position.} 9. axb5 axb5 10. Nc3 {
The knight is needed on c3, to meet the freeing Be6 with Nd5.} O-O 11. h3 {
A useful move. Marin,M: 'Compared to the normal Anti-Marshall systems, White's
early defining of the structure in the centre has allowed Black refrain from ..
.Bb7, which places the bishop on a relatively unfavourable square. First of
all, it hits into the well defended e4-pawn, secondly, it does not contribute
to the annihilation of the white Spanish bishop.'} ({It is probably also
possible to seek some advantage after} 11. Nd5 Nxd5 12. exd5 Nd4 13. Nxd4 exd4
{, although in view of the symmetriacl nature of the position, I believe Black
should be able gradually to equalize.}) 11... Nb4 $5 $146 {I decided on this
move after rejecting Marin,M: 'Aronian spent a considerable amount of time on
this new move. Before playing the planned ...Be6, Black takes the d5-square
under firm control.'} (11... Be6 {because of} 12. Nd5 $1 (12. Bxe6 {Marin,M}
fxe6 13. d4 $6 exd4 14. Nxd4 Nxd4 15. Qxd4 c5 16. Qd3 d5 $11 {Tarrasch,
S-Leonhardt,P/San Sebastian 1912/HCL (1-0, 59)}) 12... Bxd5 (12... Qd7 $6 {
Marin,M} 13. c3) (12... Nd4 {Marin,M} 13. Nxd4 exd4 14. Bd2 $5 Nxd5 15. exd5
Bd7 16. Ra5 Ra8 17. Qa1 $14 {|^<->a Romanishin. The position is almost
symmetrical, but White's position is more active and Black still has to fight
for complete equality.}) 13. exd5 Nb4 14. g4 {This is hardly all that
terrifying, but I preferred not to go in for forcing variations, since Magnus
had been moving fairly quickly.} (14. d4 {Marin,M} e4 15. Ng5 c5 {/\ 16.dc6 d5!
} 16. c3 Nbxd5 17. dxc5 dxc5 18. Nxe4 c4 19. Bc2 b4 20. Qf3 Ra8 21. Rxa8 Qxa8 {
Romanishin,O (2595)-Nunn,J (2615)/Debrecen 1992/EU-chT/[Bulletin] (1-0, 73)}
22. Nxf6+ Nxf6 23. Qe2 $16 {Romanishin})) (11... Nd4 {Marin,M} 12. Nxd4 exd4
13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. exd5 (14. Bxd5 Be6) 14... Bd7 {Ljubicic,F (2407)-Plenkovic,Z 
(2302)/Split 2005/CBM 106 ext (1-0, 72)} 15. Bd2 $14) 12. Ne2 {This typical
Spanish knight manoeuvre is even more natural here, in view of the unwanted
guest on b4. Marin,M: 'Obviously, White will not tolerate the knight on b4 for
too long. It is also noteworthy that the transfer of the knight to g3 is
carried out without the necessity of spending a tempo on Re1 at an early stage.
'} c5 13. Ng3 ({On} 13. c3 {I was considering} Nxd3 14. Qxd3 c4 15. Bxc4 bxc4
16. Qxc4 Be6 17. Qd3 Qc7 {with well-known compensation for Black, although 13..
. Nc6 is in no way worse.}) 13... Be6 14. Bxe6 {Marin,M: 'This exchange
improves Black's control in the centre, but it was not easy to deal with the
tension in the position anyway.'} (14. Bd2 $5 {Marin,M} Nc6 $1 (14... Bxb3 15.
cxb3 Nc6 16. b4 {offers White some initiative, while 15...Nxd3 is impossible
because of 16.Ba5!.}) 15. Bxe6 (15. c3 c4 16. Bc2 d5 $36) 15... fxe6 $11) 14...
fxe6 15. c3 Nc6 {The position reached is very similar to various lines of the
Anti-Marshall. I was happy to reach a middlegame in which I was familiar with
the typical plans and ideas of both sides.} 16. Re1 {This move very much
surprised me, since I had assumed that my opponent had decided to do without
it. Marin,M: 'Finally, White plays this generally useful move anyway. The
short term purpose of the development of this rook is to inhibit ...d5.'} Qd7
$11 {A normal consolidating move in this type of position. Marin,M: 'Black's
novelty has been crowned with success. With his massive pawn centre he has
little to fear. '} 17. d4 $6 {An ambitious decision. Magnus probably did not
imagine that by giving up the centre, Black could get the better chances. I
think he should have preferred some sort of developing move, such as 17.Bd2
Marin,M: 'But this over-optimistic opening of the centre will leave Black with
a dangerous queenside majority.'} exd4 18. cxd4 c4 $1 {Since Black has active
ideas connected with Nb4, giving up the centre is not dangerous for him.} 19.
Bg5 h6 20. d5 {The attempt to ease the problems by exchanges does not bring
the desired result. After the correct Bd2, White is only a tad worse.} exd5 21.
Bxf6 ({After} 21. exd5 Nb4 {Black's initiative is too strong.}) 21... Bxf6 22.
Qxd5+ Rf7 {Marin,M: 'White has managed to weaken some of the central light
squares in Black's camp, but his knights are not well placed for taking
advantage of this relative achievement. Besides, Black's pressure against the
enemy queenside is quite strong. Apart from the obvious ...Bxb2, ...Nb4-d3 is
a strong threat. '} 23. Qd2 ({Unfortunately for White} 23. Nf5 {is refuted by}
Nb4 24. Qxd6 Qxd6 25. Nxd6 Rd7 26. e5 Nc2) 23... Ne5 ({Of course not} 23... b4
{on account of} 24. Rec1 c3 25. bxc3 bxc3 26. Rxc3 Bxc3 27. Qxc3 {and White is
not worse.}) 24. Nxe5 Bxe5 25. Ne2 {After the game, of corse, it is easy to
recommend other moves, but at the time, I also thought that this was the best
move in the position.} Rbf8 26. Rf1 {White only requires a couple of moves in
order to consolidate, but now Black turns out to have a strong resource
available.} Rf3 $3 {It is always nice to be able to make such an impudent move
with impunity. Marin,M: 'A very elegant rook sacrifice, taking advantage of
Black's perfect coordination. Apart from the brutal threat of continuing the
attack with ...Rxh3, Black enables the transfer of the rook to d3 or b3. '} 27.
Ra3 {After this, White is lost.} ({Naturally} 27. gxf3 {is bad because of} Rxf3
{and White is defenceless.}) ({The only way to attempt to cast doubt on
Black's idea was by} 27. Qd5+ Kh7 28. Rad1 {, although after the strong} Qc8 {
Black still has a very strong position. For example, after} 29. Qxb5 {there
follows} Rxh3 30. f4 Rb3 31. Qd5 Bxb2 32. Qxd6 Ba3 {and Black is practically
winning.}) 27... Rxa3 28. bxa3 Qc6 29. Nd4 {More stubborn is 29.Qe3 although
it also looks fairly dismal.} Bxd4 {Since I saw that it was very hard for
White to defend the pawns on a3 and e4, I spared myself the effort of looking
for other moves.} 30. Qxd4 Ra8 31. Ra1 {31.Qb2 was the last chance to muddy
the waters.} c3 32. Qb4 Qc5 33. Qb3+ Kh8 34. Ra2 Ra4 35. Re2 Rxa3 36. Qd1 Ra8
0-1

[Event "GRE-chT 39th"]
[Site "Eretria"]
[Date "2011.07.08"]
[Round "7.6"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Atalik, Suat"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2706"]
[BlackElo "2619"]
[Annotator "Atalik,S"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "2011.07.03"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 143 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.08.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.08.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Chalkidos Palamidis"]
[BlackTeam "Thessaloniki Galaxias"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GRE"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GRE"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 $5 {This little move
came forward in the last years.} b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 $5 Bd7 9. c3 (9. Bd2 Bg4
10. c3 O-O 11. h3 Bd7 $11) 9... h6 $5 ({What was wrong with} 9... O-O 10. Re1
Na5 11. Bc2 c5 12. d4 Qc7 13. d5 c4 $132) 10. Nbd2 Na5 11. Bc2 c5 12. d4 cxd4
13. cxd4 Qc7 14. b3 Rc8 15. Bb1 bxa4 ({The following lines should have been
avoided.} 15... O-O 16. Bb2 Nc6 17. axb5 axb5 18. Qe2 $14) (15... Nc6 16. axb5
axb5 17. Bb2 exd4 18. Nxd4 Nxd4 19. Bxd4 O-O 20. Qf3 $14) 16. bxa4 exd4 $6 {
I am not happy with this meek move.} (16... O-O 17. dxe5 dxe5 18. Bb2 Bd6 19.
Bd3 Rfe8 $14) (16... Nc6 $142 $5) 17. Bb2 O-O 18. Bd3 Nc6 (18... d5 19. e5) 19.
Bxa6 Rb8 20. Qc1 (20. Bb5 Na7 21. Rc1 Qd8 22. Bxd7 Rxb2 23. Bf5 g6 24. Bh3 Rb4
$13) 20... Qa7 21. Bb5 Rfc8 22. Qd1 d3 $6 (22... d5 23. e5 Ne4 24. Nxd4 Nxe5
25. Nxe4 dxe4 26. Qe2 Bf6 $13 27. Qxe4 $140 $2 Nc4) (22... Bd8 $5 {did not
come to my mind!} 23. Rc1 Bb6 24. Nc4 Bc5 $132) 23. Qb1 $1 (23. Qb3 Qb7 24.
Rab1 Na7) 23... Qb7 24. Ba3 (24. Qxd3 Nb4) 24... Ne5 25. Nxe5 Bxb5 26. Qxb5 $5
({It is not clear if he had to play} 26. Nxf7 Kxf7 $1 (26... Bc6 $5 27. Nxd6 (
27. Qa2 Bd5) 27... Qxb1 28. Nxb1 Rc7 $44) (26... Bxa4 $2 27. Qxb7 Rxb7 28. Nxd6
Bxd6 29. Bxd6 Rb2 30. Bf4 $16) 27. axb5 Qxb5 28. Qe1 (28. Qa2+ Kg6) 28... Ra8
29. Qe3 Rc2 30. Rfd1 Kg8 $11 {and White is tied up after all.}) (26. axb5 dxe5
27. Bxe7 Qxe7 28. Qxd3 Rd8 29. Qe2 Qb4 $11) 26... dxe5 27. Qxb7 Rxb7 28. Bxe7
Rxe7 29. f3 Rc2 30. Rfd1 Ra7 $5 (30... Nd7 $142 31. Nb3 Rc3 32. Rab1 Nb6 33. a5
Nc4 $11) (30... Rb7 $6 31. Nf1 $1 $16 (31. Kf2 Nd7)) 31. Kf2 Nd7 32. Ke3 Nc5
33. a5 g6 34. g4 h5 $6 {Too aggressive!} (34... Kg7 35. Rdb1 (35. h4 f5 $1 36.
exf5 gxf5 37. gxf5 Kf6 38. Ne4+ Kxf5 39. Nxc5 Rxc5 40. Rxd3 Raxa5 41. Rxa5 Rxa5
42. Rd6 h5 43. Rh6 Ra3+ 44. Kf2 e4 $11) 35... Ne6 36. Kxd3 Rac7 37. Ra3 Nf4+
38. Ke3 Rd7 39. Rd1 Ng2+ 40. Ke2 Nf4+ $11) 35. g5 (35. gxh5 $5 f5 36. exf5 (36.
f4 exf4+ 37. Kxf4 fxe4) 36... gxf5 37. f4 e4 38. Rdb1 $36 {with a perfect
blockade!}) 35... Rb2 $6 (35... Ne6 $142 36. Kxd3 Rc5 37. Nc4 (37. Nb3 Rb5 38.
Ra3 Rxb3+ 39. Rxb3 Nc5+ 40. Kc4 Nxb3 41. Kxb3 Rxa5 $11) 37... Nxg5 $13) 36. Ra3
Kg7 37. Rb1 (37. Rc1 Rc2) 37... Rxb1 (37... Rc2 38. Rb6 Rc1) 38. Nxb1 Nb7 $2 {
Very bad play by me in this part of the game.} (38... f6 39. gxf6+ Kxf6 40. Nd2
g5 $132) 39. a6 Nc5 40. Ra5 Nxa6 41. Nd2 $16 {With a very nasty pin after all.}
Ra8 (41... h4 42. h3) 42. Nc4 (42. Rxe5 Nc7 (42... Rc8)) 42... Rc8 43. Nd6 (43.
Nxe5 Nb4 44. Ra7 Nc6 45. Nxc6 Rxc6 $14) 43... Rc6 $5 (43... d2 44. Kxd2 Nc5 45.
Ke3 Rc6 46. Ne8+ Kf8 47. Nf6 Ne6 48. h4 (48. Nd7+ Kg7 49. Nxe5 Rc3+ 50. Kd2 Rb3
51. h4 Nd4 52. f4 Nf3+ 53. Nxf3 Rxf3 54. f5 gxf5 55. Rxf5 Rg3 56. Rf4 Kg8 $11 {
Where is the beef?})) 44. Ne8+ Kf8 45. Nf6 Rd6 (45... Kg7 46. h4 (46. Rxe5 Nc7)
46... Nc5 47. Ra8 Rxf6 48. gxf6+ Kxf6 49. Rd8 Ne6 50. Rxd3 g5 51. hxg5+ Kxg5
$11) 46. Kd2 h4 $2 (46... Nc7 47. Rxe5 Ne6 48. h4 Ra6 49. Kxd3 Ra1 50. Rb5 Ra3+
51. Kc4 Rxf3 52. Rb8+ Ke7 53. e5 Nd8 {and Black survives!}) 47. Nd5 $2 $138 {
A very bad move.} ({He had to pick up the pawn.} 47. Rxe5 Nc7 48. Rc5 Ne6 49.
Rc8+ Rd8 50. Rxd8+ Nxd8 51. Nd7+ Ke7 52. Nc5 f6 53. gxf6+ Kxf6 54. Nxd3 g5 55.
Ke3 Nf7 56. h3 $16) 47... h3 48. Ra1 (48. Kxd3 Nc7 $11) 48... Rc6 49. Rb1 $2 {
Another bad move.} (49. Kxd3 Nc5+ 50. Ke3 Ne6 51. Ra8+ Kg7 52. Rg8+ Kxg8 53.
Ne7+ Kg7 54. Nxc6 Nxg5 55. Nxe5 $11) (49. Ra5 $5) 49... Rc2+ 50. Kxd3 Rxh2 51.
Nf6 $2 {and the final mistake!} (51. Ke3 Kg7 52. Nf6 Rg2 53. Ng4 $44) 51... Rg2
$2 $138 {Rejecting to win!} (51... Nc5+ 52. Ke3 Ne6 53. Nd7+ (53. Ng4 Ra2 54.
Nxe5 Nxg5 55. Rh1 Kg7 $19) 53... Kg7 54. Nxe5 Ra2 $1 $19 (54... Nxg5 $2 55. f4)
) 52. Ke3 (52. Rh1 Nc5+ 53. Ke3 Ne6 54. Rxh3 Nxg5 55. Nh7+ Nxh7 56. Rxh7 $15)
52... h2 (52... Nc5 53. Rh1 Ne6 54. Rxh3 Nxg5 55. Nh7+ Nxh7 56. Rxh7 $15) 53.
Rh1 Nb4 54. Nd7+ $1 (54. Ng4 $6 Nc2+ 55. Kd3 Nd4 56. Nxe5 Ne6 57. Ng4 Nxg5 58.
Rxh2 $1 Nxf3 59. Rxg2 Ne1+ 60. Kd4 Nxg2 61. Ke5 $15) 54... Kg7 55. Nxe5 Nc2+
56. Kf4 {Anything draws.} (56. Kd3 Ne1+ 57. Ke3 Rxg5 58. Ng4 f5 59. exf5 gxf5
60. Kf4 $1 $11) 56... Nd4 57. Ng4 Ne2+ 58. Ke5 Ng1 59. Nxh2 Rxg5+ 60. Kf4 Rh5
61. Rxg1 1/2-1/2

[Event "SWE-ch"]
[Site "Skara"]
[Date "2002.07.12"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Cicak, Slavko"]
[Black "Ahlander, Bjorn"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2537"]
[BlackElo "2419"]
[Annotator "Atlas,V"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2002.06.30"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "SWE"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 091"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. O-O d6 8. a4
Rb8 9. axb5 axb5 10. c3 O-O 11. d4 Qe8 12. Re1 Bg4 13. Qd3 Bxf3 14. gxf3 Nh5
15. f4 Nxf4 16. Bxf4 exf4 17. Qf3 Bg5 18. Qg4 Bh6 19. Nd2 Qd8 20. Ra6 Ne7 21.
e5 Kh8 22. exd6 cxd6 23. Qh5 f5 24. Re6 Nc8 25. Bc2 b4 26. c4 Rb7 27. Ra8 Rbf7
28. Nf3 Rf6 29. Rxf6 Qxf6 {[%tqu "En","How should White use the power of his
active pieces?","Exploit the weakness of Black's back rank.","Use your queen!",
"h5f5","This is a nice touch!",4]} 30. Qxf5 $1 {[%csl Rc8,Rf8,Rh8][%cal Ga8h8]
This elegant queen move, exploiting the weakness of Black's back rank, spells
a quick end for Black.} Qg6+ ({Or} 30... Qxf5 31. Bxf5 {, and Black loses his
knight.}) 31. Kf1 (31. Qxg6 hxg6 32. Nh4 {was winning too}) (31. Kf1 {, and
Black resigned, as after} Qxf5 (31... Rxf5 32. Rxc8+ Rf8 33. Rxf8#) 32. Bxf5 {
he cannot save his knight.}) 1-0

[Event "Moscow Aeroflot op"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2002.02.05"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Isaev, Jamshed"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2455"]
[BlackElo "2522"]
[Annotator "Atlas,V"]
[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2002.02.04"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 088"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 O-O 8. e5
Nd5 9. c3 Nb6 10. Bxc6 dxc6 11. Nxd4 c5 12. Nb3 Be6 13. N1d2 Qd5 14. Ne4 Rad8
15. Qxd5 Rxd5 16. f4 Bf5 17. Ng3 Bd3 18. Nd2 Rfd8 19. Nf3 Na4 20. c4 R5d7 21.
b3 Nb6 22. f5 Bc2 23. Kf2 a5 24. Bf4 Rd4 25. Nxd4 cxd4 26. e6 Rc8 27. exf7+
Kxf7 28. Ne4 h6 29. g4 a4 30. Nd2 Nd7 31. Nf3 axb3 32. axb3 Bxb3 33. Nxd4 Bc5
34. Be3 Bxc4 35. Ne6 Be7 36. Bf4 Nc5 37. Nxc5 Bxc5+ 38. Kg3 c6 39. h4 Bd4 40.
Rad1 c5 41. g5 Ra8 42. Bd6 Kg8 43. Re7 Bd5 44. Be5 Ra3+ 45. Kf4 $4 ({A
terrible mistake, allowing Black to gain a decisive material advantage.
Essential was} 45. Kh2) 45... Be3+ $1 ({Certainly not} 45... Rf3+ $2 46. Kg4)
46. Kg4 {[%tqu "En","White's decision to place his king on the fourth rank was
definitely not well deliberated. How would you continue?","Exploit a shaky
position of enemy rooks.","Use your light-squared bishop for the final
strike!","d5f3","The bishop sacrifce yields Black a decisive material
advantage.",4]} Bf3+ $1 {[%csl Rd1,Re7][%cal Gf3d1,Gf3g4,Ge3g5,Gg5e7,Ga3f3]}
47. Kxf3 (47. Kh3 Bxd1 48. Rxg7+ Kf8 {is hopeless for White.}) 47... Bxg5+ 48.
Ke4 Bxe7 49. Rg1 Bf8 50. f6 $2 (50. Bxg7 $1 {was definitely more stubborn.})
50... g6 $1 {Preparing decisive march of Black's king.} 51. Rxg6+ Kf7 52. Rg1
Ke6 $1 {[%csl Re4,Re5,Rh4][%cal Ga3a4,Ga4h4] Threatening 53...Ra4+} 53. Bb2 Rb3
54. Ba1 Rb4+ 55. Kf3 Rxh4 56. Re1+ Kf7 57. Rd1 Ra4 58. Bb2 0-1

[Event "Moscow"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1981.04.??"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Timman, Jan H"]
[Black "Beliavsky, Alexander G"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2620"]
[BlackElo "2620"]
[Annotator "Belov,I"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "1981.04.08"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "URS"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "MCL"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d4 exd4 7. Re1 O-O (7...
b5 $5) 8. e5 Ne8 (8... Nd5 9. Bb3 Nb6 10. Nxd4 Nxd4 11. Qxd4 d5 12. exd6 Bf6 $1
13. Qe4 cxd6 14. Nc3 Bxc3 15. bxc3 d5 16. Qe7 Qxe7 17. Rxe7 Nc4 $10 {
Feistenauer,F-Donev,I/Gotzis/1990/Inf 50/(372)/}) 9. c3 (9. Bf4 $6 b5 (9... d6
$2 10. Bxc6 bxc6 11. Nxd4 Qd7 12. Qf3 d5 13. Nc3 Rb8 {Duric,S-Beliavsky,A/YUG/
1992/0:1 (33) Inf 55/340/} 14. b3 g6 15. Rad1 $16 {Beliavsky/}) (9... f6 10.
Bxc6 bxc6 11. Qxd4 Rb8 12. a3 c5 13. Qc4+ Kh8 14. Nc3 $14 {Przewoznik,J-Lhagva,
G/Naleczow/1982/1:0 (23) Inf 34/411/})) 9... dxc3 (9... b5 10. Bb3 d5 11. cxd4
Bg4 12. Nc3 Bb4 13. a3 Ba5 14. Be3 Bxc3 15. bxc3 f5 $6 (15... Na5 $142) 16. Bg5
$1 {Berkovich,M-Zaitsev,I/Moscow(ch)/1983/1:0 (38)/}) 10. Nxc3 d6 11. exd6 Nxd6
(11... cxd6 12. Nd5 Bf6 13. Be3 (13. Qd3 $142 {/\ Bc2/}) 13... Be6 14. Bb6 Qd7
15. Rc1 Bxb2 16. Rc2 Bf6 17. Nb4 $14 {Cramling,P-Korchnoi,V/London/1982/0,5 
(42) Inf 34/410/}) 12. Nd5 (12. Bf4 b5 13. Bb3 Nc4 14. Nd5 Bd6 15. Bg5 Qd7 16.
Re4 $44 {Romanishin,O-Tukmakov,V/URS(ch)/1981/}) 12... Be6 (12... Bf6 13. Bf4
$16 {/\ Nc7/}) 13. Bxc6 bxc6 14. Nxe7+ Qxe7 15. Ng5 (15. Qc2 $5) 15... Qf6 16.
Nxe6 fxe6 17. Qe2 Rf7 $6 (17... e5 $5 $13) 18. f3 Nf5 $6 (18... Re7 $142) 19.
Qxe6 Qd4+ 20. Kh1 Rb8 (20... Nd6 21. Qb3 Kh8 22. Be3 $16) 21. Qxc6 $16 h6 (
21... Qf2 22. Bf4 Qxb2 (22... Rxb2 $2 23. Re8+ Rf8 24. Qe6+ $18) 23. Re8+ Rxe8
24. Qxe8+ Rf8 25. Qe6+ Kh8 26. Rd1 $16) 22. Qe4 Qf2 23. b3 Rd8 24. Be3 (24. Bf4
$5) 24... Nxe3 25. Qxe3 (25. Rxe3 Rd2 26. Rg1 Rxa2 $10) 25... Qxe3 26. Rxe3 Rd2
27. b4 $6 (27. a3 $142) 27... Rf4 $1 28. a3 Rc4 $44 29. h3 Rcc2 30. Rg1 $8 c5
31. bxc5 Rxc5 32. Re4 Ra2 (32... Ra5 33. Ra1 Rc5 34. Rb1 Rcc2 35. Rg4 $16) 33.
Ra4 a5 $10 34. h4 h5 35. Kh2 Kh7 36. Kh3 Kh6 37. Rb1 Rcc2 38. Rb6+ $5 g6 39. g4
$8 Rh2+ 40. Kg3 Rag2+ 41. Kf4 Rxh4 42. Rxa5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow-ch61"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1983.01.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Berkovich, Mark A"]
[Black "Zaitsev, Igor A"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2445"]
[Annotator "Berkovich,M"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "1983.01.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "17"]
[EventCountry "URS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 O-O (7...
b5 8. e5 (8. Bb3 d6 9. Bd5 Bd7 (9... Nxd5 10. exd5 Ne5 11. Nxd4 O-O 12. a4 {
Honfi-Segi Subbotica 1978}) 10. Nxd4 Nxd5 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. exd5 Bb7 (12... Bd7
$6 13. Qe2) 13. Bg5 f6 14. Be3 {Gipslis-Sturua Tbilissi 1981} (14. Bxf6 $5 gxf6
15. Qh5+ {Georgadze-Ozolinsh 1982})) 8... Nxe5 9. Rxe5 d6 10. Re1 bxa4 11. Nxd4
Bd7 12. Qf3 O-O 13. Nc3 $5 (13. Nc6) 13... Rb8 (13... Re8) 14. Nc6 Bxc6 15.
Qxc6 a3 16. b3 Rb6 17. Qa4 {Baikov-Dolgopolov Orenburg 1980 Berkovich,M:
'Baikov-Dolgopolov/Orenburg 1980 '}) 8. e5 Ne8 9. c3 b5 $5 (9... dxc3 10. Nxc3
d6 11. exd6 Nxd6 12. Nd5 (12. Bf4 {Romanishin-Tukmakov URS-ch48}) 12... Be6 13.
Bxc6 bxc6 14. Nxe7+ Qxe7 15. Ng5 {Timman-Beliavsky Moscow 1981}) (9... d6 10.
exd6 Bxd6 11. Bg5 f6 12. Bh4 d3 13. Re3 Bf5 14. Bxc6 bxc6 15. Nd4 Bg6 $5 16.
Ne6 Qd7 17. Nxf8 Kxf8 18. Bg3 Bc5 {[%cal Ge8d6,Gd6f5] Berkovich,M-Karadimov
Bulgaria 1982}) 10. Bb3 d5 11. cxd4 (11. Nxd4 Nxd4 12. cxd4 Bf5) 11... Bg4 12.
Nc3 Bb4 13. a3 Ba5 (13... Bxf3 14. Qxf3 Nxd4 15. Qxd5 Bxc3 16. bxc3 Nxb3 17.
Qxb3) (13... Bxc3 $5) 14. Be3 Bxc3 (14... Ne7 15. Rc1) 15. bxc3 f5 $6 (15...
Na5 {[%cal Gc7c6,Ye8c7,Yc7e6]}) 16. Bg5 $1 Qd7 (16... Bxf3 $2 17. Bxd8 Bxd1 18.
Bxd5+) 17. h3 Bh5 18. e6 Qd6 19. e7 Rf7 {Berkovich,M: '[#]' [#]} 20. Re5 $1 (
20. g4 fxg4 21. Ne5 Nxe5 (21... Rxf2 22. hxg4 $1) (21... g3 $1 22. Qxh5 (22. f3
$5 {:Laios} Rf5 23. Bh4) 22... gxf2+ 23. Kh2 (23. Kg2 fxe1=N+ $1) 23... g6 $1)
(21... Rf5 $145) 22. Rxe5 (22. dxe5 Qg6 $1) 22... c6 23. hxg4) 20... Bxf3 (
20... Nxe5 21. dxe5) 21. Qxf3 Nxe5 22. dxe5 Qxe5 23. Bxd5 Rb8 (23... c6 24.
Bxc6 $1 Rc8 25. Bd7 $1 Rb8 (25... Rxc3 26. Qa8 $1) 26. Rd1 Rxe7 27. Bxe7 Qxe7
28. Bxf5) 24. Rd1 Nd6 25. Qh5 g6 (25... f4 $2 26. Bxf7+ Nxf7 27. Rd8+ $1 Rxd8 (
27... Nxd8 28. Qe8#) 28. Qxf7+ $1) 26. Qh4 {(/\ 27.Bf6 Qe2 28.Rd4 ->)} Kg7 27.
Qh6+ Kg8 28. Bxf7+ Kxf7 (28... Nxf7 {'>=' Berkovich,M.} 29. Rd8+) 29. Qxh7+ Qg7
30. Qh4 Qxc3 31. Rc1 Qh8 32. Qxh8 (32. Qg3 {[%cal Gg3b3]}) 32... Rxh8 33. Rxc7
Rc8 (33... Re8 34. f4 $1 Ne4 35. Bh4 {'+-' Berkovich,M.} Rh8 $2 36. e8=Q+) 34.
Rd7 Rc6 (34... Ne8 35. Ra7 Rc6 36. Ra8) 35. Rd8 Ne8 36. Ra8 Re6 37. f3 Nf6 $2
38. Bxf6 1-0

[Event "Muenster"]
[Site "Muenster"]
[Date "1992.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Luecke, Norbert"]
[Black "Blatny, Pavel"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2410"]
[BlackElo "2515"]
[Annotator "Blatny,P"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "1992.07.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "8"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 031"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1992.12.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1992.12.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Ernst} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1
b5 8. e5 (8. Bb3 {Ernst} d6 9. Bd5 Bd7 10. Bxc6 (10. Nxd4 {Ernst} Nxd5 11. Nxc6
Bxc6 12. exd5 Bb7 13. a4 O-O 14. axb5 axb5 15. Rxa8 Bxa8 16. Qe2 Bf6 17. Qxb5
c6 $1 18. dxc6 Qc7 $44 {Ivanchuk,V-Blatny,P/Sharjah/1985/}) 10... Bxc6 11. Nxd4
Bd7 12. Nc3 O-O 13. Bf4 Re8 $10 {Matulovic,M-Hecht,HJ/EU-chT Hamburg/1965/})
8... Nxe5 9. Rxe5 (9. Nxe5 {Ernst} bxa4 10. Qxd4 O-O 11. Qxa4 Rb8 $1 12. Nc3
Rb4 13. Qa5 Bb7 14. f3 Rh4 $1 15. a3 Rh5 $17 {Shrentzel-Shvidler/ISR/1985/})
9... d6 10. Re1 bxa4 11. Nxd4 Bd7 12. Qf3 O-O 13. Nc6 Bxc6 14. Qxc6 Rb8 $5 (
14... Nd7 15. Nc3 Bf6 (15... a3 16. b3 Ne5 (16... Bf6 $142 17. Bxa3 Nc5 $10)
17. Qe4 f5 $6 18. Qd5+ Kh8 19. Bxa3 c6 20. Qd2 Qa5 21. Bb2 Bf6 22. Rad1 Rad8
23. Na4 Qc7 $2 (23... Qxd2 $14) 24. Bc3 $16 {Zude-Smejkal, BL 89/90}) 16. Nd5
a3 17. Nxf6+ Qxf6 18. Qxd7 axb2 19. Bxb2 Qxb2 20. Qxc7 $10 {Lanzani-Lukacs,
Roma 1988}) (14... d5 15. Qxa4 (15. Bg5 {Ernst} a3 16. Nxa3 Qd6 17. Qxd6 Bxd6
18. Rad1 Rab8 $1 19. Bxf6 gxf6 20. Rxd5 Rfd8 $1 $15 {Khasanov-Kaidanov/URS/
1985/}) 15... Ne4 16. Nd2 Nc5 17. Qd4 Ne6 18. Qg4 Bf6 19. Nf1 Rb8 20. c3 $10 {
Thiel-Becker, 2.BL 89/90}) 15. Nc3 $146 (15. Qxa4 d5 16. c3 Ne4 17. Qc2 Bd6 18.
Be3 Qh4 19. g3 Qh3 20. Nd2 f5 21. f4 $2 Nxg3 $1 22. hxg3 Qxg3+ 23. Kf1 Rbe8 24.
Qd3 c6 25. Qd4 Rf6 26. Ke2 Bxf4 $19 {Gallego-Morris, Andorra 1991}) 15... a3
16. b3 $8 Rb6 (16... d5 $5 17. Qxa6 $140 Bb4 18. Bd2 $8 Rb6 $36) 17. Qa4 d5 18.
Bxa3 Bxa3 19. Qxa3 Rc6 $1 20. Ne2 $1 (20. Qb4 $2 d4 21. Ne2 Rxc2 {--> game}) (
20. Qb2 Ng4 $40) 20... d4 $5 21. Qb4 $2 (21. Rad1 $2 Re8 {/\Rce6 -/+/-+ פe2})
(21. Qa4 $8 Rd6 {/\c5=/+ () _|_}) 21... Rxc2 $1 22. Qa4 (22. Nxd4 $2 c5 $19) (
22. Qxd4 Rxe2 $1 $19) 22... c5 23. Qxa6 d3 24. Nf4 d2 $19 25. Red1 Re8 {
/\Ne4-c3} 0-1

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 10th"]
[Site "Debrecen"]
[Date "1992.11.??"]
[Round "7.3"]
[White "Romanishin, Oleg M"]
[Black "Nunn, John DM"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2595"]
[BlackElo "2615"]
[Annotator "Bulletin"]
[PlyCount "145"]
[EventDate "1992.11.20"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "HUN"]
[SourceTitle "EU-chT"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Ukraine"]
[BlackTeam "England"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "UKR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ENG"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 (6. Re1 {main line})
6... b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 Rb8 9. axb5 axb5 10. Nc3 d6 11. h3 $5 (11. Nd5) 11...
Be6 (11... Nd4 $142 12. Nxd4 exd4 13. Ne2 (13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. Bxd5 Be6) 13... c5
14. Bg5 Be6) 12. Nd5 $1 Bxd5 $6 (12... Qd7 $6 13. c3) (12... Nd4 13. Nxd4 exd4
14. Bd2 $5 (14. Nb4 Qd7 15. Bd5 c5 $1 16. Nc6 Rbc8) 14... Nxd5 (14... Bxd5 15.
exd5 Nd7 16. Ra5 Nc5 17. Ba2 $5 {/\ b4} (17. Qg4 Bf6 18. Rfa1 Qc8 19. Ra7 $14))
15. exd5 Bd7 16. Ra5 Ra8 17. Qa1 $14 {|^<->a}) 13. exd5 Nb4 14. d4 (14. Nh4 $5
Qd7 $1 (14... g6 15. Bh6 $1 Re8 16. Qf3 Nbxd5 17. Nf5 $1) 15. Qf3 Nbxd5 16. Nf5
Nf4 $1) 14... e4 15. Ng5 c5 {/\ 16.dc6 d5!} (15... Nbxd5 16. Nxe4 Nxe4 17. Bxd5
Nf6 18. Bc6 $5 (18. Qf3 Nxd5 19. Qxd5 Qd7 20. Ra7 $14) 18... d5 19. Qd3 $14)
16. c3 Nbxd5 (16... c4 17. cxb4 cxb3 18. Re1 $16) 17. dxc5 dxc5 18. Nxe4 c4 19.
Bc2 b4 20. Qf3 Ra8 21. Rxa8 Qxa8 22. cxb4 $2 (22. Nxf6+ Nxf6 23. Qe2 $16) 22...
Nxb4 23. Nxf6+ Bxf6 24. Be4 Qa6 25. Rd1 Nd3 $2 (25... Re8 $10) 26. Bxd3 cxd3
27. Qxd3 Qxd3 28. Rxd3 Rc8 29. Rd1 Rb8 30. Re1 $1 g5 $8 (30... h6 31. Re2 Rc8
32. Bf4) 31. Re2 Rc8 32. Bd2 Bxb2 33. Bxg5 $14 Bg7 34. g3 h6 35. Bf4 Kh7 36.
Rd2 Rc6 37. Rd5 Kg6 38. g4 Bf6 39. Kg2 Bg5 40. Bg3 Be7 41. h4 Rc4 42. Rd7 Bf6
43. f4 Rc5 44. Rd6 Kg7 45. Bf2 Ra5 (45... Rc4 $1 46. g5 (46. Kf3 Rc3+ 47. Ke4
Rc2) 46... hxg5 47. hxg5 Bb2 $1 (47... Bxg5 $2 48. Bd4+) (47... Be7 48. Bd4+ {
/\ Rd5}) 48. Kf3 f6 $10) 46. Rd3 $1 Rb5 47. Kg3 Ra5 48. Bb6 Rb5 49. Be3 Bb2 50.
Kf3 Ba1 51. Rd1 Bc3 52. Rc1 Rb3 53. Ke4 Rb4+ 54. Kd3 Bf6 55. g5 hxg5 56. hxg5
Bd8 (56... Bb2 $8) 57. Rc6 $1 $16 Rb3+ 58. Ke4 f5+ $2 $18 59. Kf3 Be7 60. Rc7
Kf8 61. Ke2 Rb2+ 62. Kd3 Rb3+ 63. Kd2 Ke8 64. Bc5 Bd8 65. Rg7 $1 Ba5+ 66. Ke2
Rb2+ 67. Kd3 Rd2+ 68. Kc4 Re2 69. g6 Re4+ 70. Kd3 Rxf4 71. Re7+ Kd8 72. g7 Rg4
73. Rf7 1-0

[Event "BCF-ch 79th"]
[Site "Plymouth"]
[Date "1992.??.??"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Emms, John M"]
[Black "Hebden, Mark"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2455"]
[BlackElo "2510"]
[Annotator "Bulletin"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "1992.08.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 030 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1992.11.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1992.11.01"]
[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. d3
Bb7 9. Nc3 d6 10. a3 Nd4 11. Nxd4 exd4 12. Ne2 c5 13. Ng3 d5 14. e5 Ne8 15. c3
f5 16. cxd4 cxd4 17. Qf3 Kh8 18. Ne2 (18. Bd2 $5 Nc7 19. Ba5 $16) 18... Nc7 19.
Bd2 (19. Nxd4 Bc5 20. Ne2 Ne6 {[ Gives Black some compensation ]}) 19... Ne6
20. Nf4 Nc5 21. Bxd5 Bxd5 22. Qxd5 g5 23. b4 $1 gxf4 24. Qxd8 Rfxd8 25. bxc5
Rd5 26. a4 Rc8 27. axb5 axb5 28. Bb4 f3 29. e6 (29. Ra7 $1 $16 Bxc5 30. Rc1
Rxe5 31. h3 Rc6 (31... Re1+ 32. Bxe1 $18) (31... Bxa7 32. Rxc8+ Kg7 33. Rc7+
$18) 32. Rb7 fxg2 (32... Rb6 33. Rxc5 $18 Rxc5) 33. Rxb5 Bxb4 34. Rb8+ $1 $18 {
[ Commentary room ]}) 29... Rg8 30. g3 Bxc5 31. Bxc5 Rxc5 32. Ra7 Re8 33. h3
Rc2 34. Rf7 Re2 35. Rc1 R2xe6 $10 36. Rcc7 Re1+ 37. Kh2 Rf1 38. Rxh7+ Kg8 39.
Rhg7+ Kh8 40. Rh7+ Kg8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Hoogovens"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "1977.01.25"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Geller, Efim P"]
[Black "Kurajica, Bojan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2590"]
[BlackElo "2530"]
[Annotator "Bulletin"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "1977.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "MCL"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 Be7 $6 7. Re1 f5 8.
dxe5 O-O $6 (8... Nc5 $5) 9. Bb3+ Kh8 10. Nc3 $1 Nxc3 11. bxc3 h6 12. a4 a5 $2
13. Rb1 b6 14. Bd5 Bb7 15. Nd4 Rb8 16. Nb5 Bc5 17. Qh5 Qe8 18. Qxe8 Rfxe8 19.
Nxc7 Rxe5 20. Bf4 Rxe1+ 21. Rxe1 g5 $2 (21... Rf8 $5) 22. Na6 $1 Rc8 23. Nxc5
bxc5 24. Bd6 Kh7 25. c4 Ba6 26. c3 Kg6 27. f3 h5 28. h4 $1 gxh4 29. Kh2 Nd8 30.
Rb1 Rc6 31. Be7 Ne6 32. Bxc6 dxc6 33. Rb6 Bxc4 34. Rxc6 Kf7 35. Bxh4 Bb3 36.
Ra6 Bxa4 37. Rxa5 Bc2 38. Bf2 c4 39. Kg3 Bd3 40. Be3 Kg6 41. Kh4 Bf1 42. Ra1 f4
43. Bd4 Bd3 44. Ra6 Kf5 45. Kxh5 Nxd4 46. cxd4 1-0

[Event "Dilijan FIDE GP (Women)"]
[Site "Dilijan"]
[Date "2013.06.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Kosintseva, Tatiana"]
[Black "Khotenashvili, Bela"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2526"]
[BlackElo "2531"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "169"]
[EventDate "2013.06.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ARM"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[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 Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 b4
9. a5 O-O 10. Nbd2 Rb8 11. h3 h6 12. Nc4 Be6 13. Be3 Qc8 14. Nfd2 d5 15. Ba4
Bd7 16. Bxc6 Bxc6 17. Nxe5 Ba8 18. exd5 Nxd5 19. Ndc4 Rb5 20. Re1 Nxe3 21. Rxe3
Bg5 22. Re1 Qb7 23. Qf3 Qa7 24. Qg3 Qd4 25. Qg4 Qd5 26. Nf3 Bf6 27. Nce5 Rd8
28. Rad1 Rxa5 29. Qxb4 Rb5 30. Qc3 Rc5 31. Qd2 Qb7 32. Ng4 Bxb2 33. Rb1 Bc3 34.
Qf4 Qd5 35. Re7 Rf8 36. Ne3 Qa2 ({Black could have won with} 36... Qd8 {
trapping the rook. Khotenashvili missed this opportunity, but this wasn't the
end of her bad luck in this round.}) 37. Rd1 Bxf3 38. Qxf3 Bf6 39. Re4 Bg5 40.
c4 Qb3 41. d4 Rc6 42. c5 a5 43. h4 Bxe3 44. Rxe3 Qb5 45. Rb3 Qa6 46. Ra3 Rf6
47. Qd3 Qa8 48. d5 Rd8 49. Qc4 h5 50. Rad3 Qc8 51. c6 Qf5 52. Rf3 Qe5 53. Rxf6
Qxf6 54. g3 Qd6 55. Qe4 Ra8 56. Qa4 Qc5 57. Qf4 Qe7 58. Rd4 Rd8 59. Kg2 Rd6 60.
Qd2 Qd8 $4 {This time ...Qd8 is a mistake, since it simplz leaves the a-pawn
unprotected.} 61. Qxa5 g6 62. Qc5 Qa8 63. Re4 Qd8 64. Rd4 Qe8 65. Qc2 Qe5 66.
Qd2 Kg7 67. Rd3 Qe4+ 68. Kh2 Qf5 69. Kg1 Qe5 70. Qd1 Qf5 71. Qa1+ Kh7 72. Qd4
Rd8 73. Kg2 Kg8 74. Rd2 Rd6 75. Kh2 Kh7 76. Kg1 Qb1+ 77. Kg2 Qf5 78. Rd3 Rf6
79. Ra3 Rd6 80. Rf3 Qxd5 81. Qxd5 Rxd5 82. Rxf7+ Kh6 83. Rxc7 Rc5 84. Kf3 Rc2
85. Ke4 1-0

[Event "Poikovsky Karpov 14th"]
[Site "Poikovsky"]
[Date "2013.09.03"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Motylev, Alexander"]
[Black "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2663"]
[BlackElo "2702"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2013.08.28"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 156"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 {Die große neue
Mode.} ({Mit dem Theoriewust nach} 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d5 {
(Marshall-Angriff) mag sich heute kaum noch einer plagen.}) 6... b5 7. Bb3 d6
8. a3 {An dieser Stelle hat Weiß schon fast jeden Zug probiert. Beliebter
sind allerdings 8.c3 oder 8. a4} Bg4 (8... O-O 9. Nc3 Be6 10. Nd5 Nd4 11. Nxd4
exd4 12. Nxf6+ Bxf6 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. Qg4 Qc8 15. f4 e5 16. f5 c5 17. Bg5 Kh8
18. Rf3 c4 19. Rh3 Bxg5 20. Qxg5 Rf6 21. g4 cxd3 22. cxd3 Qc2 23. Rc1 Qe2 24.
Rc7 Qe1+ 25. Kg2 Qe2+ 26. Kg1 Qe1+ 27. Kg2 Qe2+ 28. Kg1 {1/2-1/2 (28) Leko,P 
(2737)-Caruana,F (2796) Dortmund 2013}) 9. Be3 d5 10. h3 Bh5 {N} (10... Bxf3
11. Qxf3 d4 12. Bc1 O-O 13. Nd2 Qd6 14. Qe2 Nd7 15. Nf3 Bf6 16. Nh2 Nd8 17. Ng4
Ne6 18. Nxf6+ Nxf6 19. f4 Nd7 20. fxe5 Nxe5 21. Bd2 Rae8 22. Rf5 Kh8 23. Raf1
f6 24. Bd5 Qe7 25. Be1 g6 26. R5f2 Rc8 27. Qd1 Kg7 28. Qc1 h6 29. Bd2 g5 30.
Qe1 c5 31. h4 Nc7 32. Ba2 Ne6 33. hxg5 hxg5 34. Bxe6 Qxe6 35. Rf5 Ng6 36. Qf2
Nh4 37. Rd5 Ng6 38. Qg3 Rc6 39. Rdf5 Qe7 40. e5 Nxe5 41. Bxg5 Ng6 42. Bd2 Rh8
43. Rd5 Re6 44. Rff5 Rc6 45. Rf4 Qc7 46. Qg4 Rd6 47. Rff5 Rxd5 48. Rxd5 Rd8 49.
Rh5 Qe7 50. Rh6 Qf7 51. Qh5 Rh8 52. Rxh8 Nxh8 53. Qxc5 Qd7 54. Qh5 Nf7 55. Kf2
Ne5 56. Bh6+ Kg8 57. Bf4 Qd6 58. Bxe5 fxe5 59. g4 Qc6 60. Qxe5 Qxc2+ 61. Qe2
Qc1 62. Kf3 Qh1+ 63. Kf4 Qc1+ 64. Kf5 Qe3 65. Qg2 Kg7 66. Qb7+ Kf8 67. Qe4 Kf7
68. g5 Qh3+ 69. Ke5 Qh8+ 70. Kd5 Qa8+ 71. Kxd4 Qa7+ 72. Kd5 Qd7+ 73. Kc5 {
1-0 (73) Chacon,P (2586)-Biedermann,T (2438) ICCF email 2010}) 11. Nbd2 {
Sieht seltsam aus, aber der Le3 kann ja notfalls immer nach g5 ausweichen.} O-O
12. Re1 d4 13. Bg5 h6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Bd5 Qe8 16. Bxc6 (16. Rc1 $5 {hätte
die folgende Kombination im Optimierungssinn vorbereitet.} Rd8 (16... Bxf3 17.
Nxf3 Rd8 18. c3 $14) 17. Bxc6 Qxc6 18. Nxe5 Bxe5 19. Qxh5) 16... Qxc6 17. Nxe5
Bxe5 ({Oder} 17... Bxd1 18. Nxc6 Bxc2 {mit Verwicklungen:} 19. Nb4 Ba4 20. Nd5
(20. b3 Bg5 ({Nicht} 20... a5 $2 21. Nd5 Bg5 22. f4 $18) 21. Nf3 Bxb3 22. Nxg5
hxg5 23. Rec1 {Weiß steht aktiver.}) 20... Bc2 21. Nxc7 Ra7 22. Nd5 Bxd3 23.
Nxf6+ gxf6 24. Nb3 {mit etwas besseren Chancen für Weiß.}) 18. Qxh5 Qxc2 19.
Nf3 (19. Qxe5 Qxd2 20. Rab1 Qxd3 21. Rbd1 Qc2 22. Qxd4 $11) 19... f6 20. Nh4 {
Weiß hat am Königsflügel mehr Raum und nutzt diesen nun zu einem Angriff.
Schwarz übersieht oder überschätzt nun die weiße Drohung.} c5 $2 ({Richig
war der prophylaktische Zug} 20... Rf7 {aber auch dann besitzt Weiß nach} 21.
Nf5 Qxd3 22. Rad1 Qc4 23. Qg4 Kh7 24. f4 Bd6 25. Kh1 d3 26. Qf3 {die
Initaitive.}) 21. f4 Bc7 (21... Bxf4 22. Qd5+ ({Nicht} 22. Ng6 $2 Be3+ 23. Kh1
Rfe8 {und es ist nichts los.}) 22... Kh7 (22... Kh8 23. Ng6+ $18) 23. Qf5+ $18)
22. Nf5 $18 {"Springer auf f5 im Spanier gewinnt."} Rf7 {Nun wäre Dg6 mit der
Idee Sxh6 ein starker Zug. Aber dann käme Lxf4, was den Bauern h6 deckt. Wie
kann man es vorbereiten?} 23. Rf1 {Die zweitbeste Lösung. Es droht auch hier
nun Dg6.} (23. e5 {gewinnt stattdessen sofort.} fxe5 24. Qg6 Kf8 25. fxe5 $18)
23... Raf8 24. Rf3 {Weiß hat auch so starken Angriff. Die schwarze Dame ist
vom Rest seiner Truppen völlig abgeschnitten und spielt nicht mit.} ({Genauer
war allerdings} 24. Qg6 Kh8 25. Rf3) 24... Kh7 25. Raf1 Qd2 $2 ({Besser war} 
25... Qe2 {Weiß muss dann noch arbeiten:} 26. Nh4 c4 27. Qf5+ Kg8 28. Qg6 Kh8
29. Nf5 cxd3 30. Nxh6 Rd7 (30... gxh6 31. Qxh6+ Kg8 32. Rg3+ $18) 31. R3f2 gxh6
$1 (31... Qe3 32. Ng4 $18) 32. Rxe2 dxe2 33. Qxh6+ Kg8 34. Rb1 d3 35. Kf2 $16)
26. e5 $1 {Der etwas verspätete Ausheber entscheidet trotzdem die Partie.} (
26. Rg3 $2 Bxf4) 26... Bxe5 (26... fxe5 27. Rg3 Z0 {gefolgt von} 28. Rxg7+ Rxg7
29. Qxh6+ Kg8 30. Qxg7#) 27. R3f2 Qxd3 28. fxe5 fxe5 29. Rf3 Qd2 30. Nxh6 Rxf3
({Oder} 30... Qxh6 31. Qxh6+ Kxh6 32. Rxf7 Re8 {Die schwarzen Freibauern sind
keine echte Gefahr.} 33. Ra7 Re6 (33... e4 34. Rxa6+ Kh7 35. Rd6 $18) 34. Rff7
Kg5 35. Rxg7+ Kf4 36. Kf2 e4 37. Raf7+ Ke5 38. Rg5+ Kd6 39. Ra7 $18) 31. Nf7+
Qh6 $5 {Eine letzte Falle.} 32. Qxf3 (32. Nxh6 $4 Rxf1+ 33. Kh2 gxh6 $17) ({und
} 32. Qxh6+ gxh6 33. Rxf3 Re8 {kann man auch noch weiterspielen.}) (32. Qxf3
Qe6 33. Qh5+ Kg8 34. Qh8#) 1-0

[Event "Sigeman & Co 21st"]
[Site "Malmo"]
[Date "2013.05.28"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Grandelius, Nils"]
[Black "Sokolov, Ivan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2556"]
[BlackElo "2642"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2013.05.22"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "SWE"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[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 Be7 6. d3 {Heute fast schon
beliebter als der Aufbau mit c3 und d4.} d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Re1 Nd7 9. Bc2 Nb6 10.
Be3 (10. a4 a5 11. Be3 Be6 12. Bxb6 cxb6 13. Na3 Qc7 14. Bb3 Rad8 15. Nc4 d5
16. exd5 Rxd5 17. Ne3 Rd6 18. Nc4 Rd5 19. Ne3 Rd6 {1/2-1/2 (19) Pilnik,H-Keres,
P Gothenburg 1955}) 10... d5 11. Nbd2 d4 12. cxd4 exd4 13. Bf4 Be6 14. Bb3 Nb4
15. Ne5 c5 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. Bg3 Bd6 18. a3 Bxe5 19. axb4 Bxg3 20. hxg3 cxb4
21. Qb3 Qe7 $11 22. Nf3 Rad8 23. Rec1 Kh8 {Schwarz bereitet die Deckung des
Bauern d4 mit e6-e5 vor, was etwas Zeit kostet. Weiß nutz dies, um die
c-Linie zu besetzen.} (23... Qd6 $5 24. Rc2 Rc8) 24. Rc2 e5 25. Rac1 Nd7 $6 {
Erlaubt das Eindringen des schwarzen Turmes.} (25... Rc8 26. Rxc8 Rxc8 27.
Rxc8+ Nxc8 28. Qd5 {kann der Bauer e5 nicht mehr gedeckt werden. Schwarz hat
noch die Ausrede} Nb6 29. Qa5 ({Schlecht ist} 29. Qxe5 Qxe5 30. Nxe5 {wegen}
Na4 31. b3 $2 Nc5) 29... Qc7 ({Ungünstiger wäre} 29... Qd6 {auch wegen der
Gabel auf f7:} 30. Nxe5) 30. Nd2 (30. Nxe5 {erlaubt Dauerschach:} Qc1+ 31. Kh2
Qh6+) (30. Qxb4 Qc1+ 31. Kh2 Qh6+ $11) 30... Qc1+ 31. Nf1 Qc7 32. f4 {mit
weißem Vorteil. Aber Schwarz ist noch im Spiel.}) (25... Qd6 $5) 26. Rc7 (26.
Qd5 $5 {ist hier auch nicht schlecht.}) 26... Qd6 (26... b5 27. Qd5 $18) 27.
Qa4 (27. Rxb7 $4 Nc5) (27. Qa2 $5) 27... h6 $2 {Die Schwäche des Feldes g6
ist eine Einladung für den weißen Springer, hier mit einer Gabel
entscheidend einzugreifen.} ({Besser war} 27... Rf6) (27... Nb6 28. Qa5 $18)
28. Nh4 Rf7 (28... Nb6 29. Qb3 ({Weniger stark ist} 29. Qa5 {wegen} Rc8) 29...
Rc8 (29... a5 30. Rxb7) 30. Rxc8 Nxc8 31. Qd5 Qxd5 32. Ng6+ Kg8 33. exd5 Re8
34. Rxc8 Rxc8 35. Ne7+ $18) 29. Qa5 $6 {Verschenkt einen großen Teil des
Vorteils} (29. Qa2 Qf6 30. f3 g6 31. Qd5 $18) 29... b6 30. Qa2 (30. Qxa6 $2 Nc5
) 30... Qf6 $2 {Schwarz gibt das Geschenk zurück.} (30... Rf6 31. Nf5 Qf8 32.
Qxa6 Nc5 33. Qc4 Rxf5 $5 34. exf5 Qxf5 35. Rd1 Rf8 36. f3 Qg5 {mit Gegenspiel.}
) 31. f4 $18 Kh7 32. R1c6 Qe7 33. Qd5 exf4 34. Nf5 Qf8 35. Rd6 $6 ({Genauer
war das unaufgeregte} 35. gxf4 $18 {wonach Weiß das Feld e5 kontrolliert.})
35... fxg3 36. Nxg3 Qe8 {Es sieht so aus, als ob Schwarz an allen Ecken und
Enden gefesselt und gelähmt wäre. Tatscählich gibt es aber noch eine
versteckte Entlastungsidee.} 37. Nf5 g6 $2 ({Nach} 37... a5 {hat Schwarz noch
Remischancen:} 38. Nxd4 (38. Qxd4 b3 (38... Qe5 39. Rdxd7 Qxd4+ 40. Rxd4 Rxc7
41. Rxd8 a4 42. Rd4 $18) 39. Qd5 (39. Rd5 Qe6 40. Rd6 Qe5 41. Qxe5 Nxe5 42.
Rxf7 Nxf7 43. Rxb6 Rxd3) 39... a4 40. Ra7 b5 41. Qxb5 Qe5 42. Qxe5 Nxe5 43.
Rxa4 Rxd6 44. Nxd6 Rd7 $11) 38... Qe5 $1 39. Qxe5 Nxe5 40. Rxd8 Rxc7 {und
plötzlich liegt Schwarz vorne.}) 38. Nxd4 Kh8 39. Ne6 1-0

[Event "ISL-ch"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2015.05.19"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Arnason, Jon Loftur"]
[Black "Steingrimsson, Hedinn"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2499"]
[BlackElo "2532"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "2015.05.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 166 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.06.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.06.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteClock "0:06:44"]
[BlackClock "0:03:41"]

{GM Arnason played a good tournament and ended splitting the bronze medal
together with GM Stefansson. He made few mistakes and only lost with black
against GM Stefansson after getting into trouble in the opening and then this
game:} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. d3 d6
8. a4 Bd7 9. c3 O-O 10. h3 {white avoids an opening theory battle and prefers
to play in a safe and solid manner} Na5 11. Bc2 c5 12. Nbd2 Re8 13. Re1 Bf8 14.
Nf1 h6 15. Ng3 g6 16. d4 Bg7 17. b3 exd4 18. cxd4 cxd4 (18... bxa4 $5 19. bxa4
cxd4 {was also interesting}) 19. axb5 d3 20. Bxd3 axb5 21. Bb2 Qb6 22. Bd4 Qb7
{[%csl Ge4]} 23. Qc2 Nc6 24. Bc3 Rxa1 25. Rxa1 Ne5 26. Nxe5 dxe5 {Diagram [#]
in a typical Ruy Lopez, the position has been approximately equal for a long
time. Now GM Arnason spots a weakness: the black ...b5 pawn. Attacking this
pawn is a very typical plan in positions of this type, but does it work in
this concrete position?} 27. Ra5 {[%csl Gb5] Attacking the isolated pawn on b5}
h5 $5 {Asks white an important question. Black's plan is obviously to play ...
h4 followed up with .. .Nh5-f4 and some clouds start appearing over the white
king} 28. h4 {white tries to prevent black from gaining space, but is this too
ambitious?} Ng4 {Diagram [#]} 29. Qe2 {when discussing the game at the closing
ceremony, GM Arnason felt that this move was his big mistake. Things are,
however, not as easy as he thought because after his suggested move} (29. Nf1 {
with the idea to answer} Bf6 (29... Rc8 $5) {with} 30. g3 {black has an
another way to attack the white king:} Rc8 $5 31. Qb2 Bd8 32. Ra2 Bb6 33. Be1
Bd4 {white has been playing a series of only moves. Even so, black is much
better here}) 29... Bf6 30. Bxb5 Bxh4 ({another way was:} 30... Bd8 $5 31. Bxd7
Bxa5 32. Bxe8 Bxc3 {the bishop is coming to d4. White can hardy survive with a
knight burried on h1 and thus the threat to the f2 pawn spells trouble for
white}) 31. Nh1 Bd8 32. Bxd7 Qxd7 ({again another option was:} 32... Bxa5 $5
33. Bxe8 Bxc3) 33. Rd5 Qe6 34. Qd1 Bb6 35. Rd6 Qc8 36. Rxb6 Qxc3 37. Rd6 Kg7
38. Rd3 Qc5 39. Rd2 Ra8 40. Ng3 Ra3 41. Nf1 {Diagram [#] white has managed to
fend off an immediate attack and now has hopes to reach a draw after something
like g3, Kg2 followed with f3 and on a good day a white knight would find it's
way to the d5 square via e3 completely leveling the game. The question is: how
can black improve his position in the meantime? This question is not so easy
to answer because it seems that all black's pieces are optimally placed. What
sould black play in this position?} Nf6 $3 {moving the knight back from the
attack in order to relocate it at the square that the attack starting with ...
h5 originally had planned for the knight, namely f4. The knight can also
always jump back to g4 with a devistating effect after which we have a special
case of the saying the threat is stronger than the execution. Some of the most
difficult moves in chess are moves which move the pieces backwards. This is
definitely a key move in the game.} 42. Re2 Qb6 43. Nd2 ({in view of the game
continuation one can safely say that GM Arnason should have tried to defend by
giving up material or the b3 pawn. Here he gets an opportunity to try to
defend with a pawn less:} 43. Re3 $5 Ra2 (43... h4 $5 {is an option that keeps
the attack going}) 44. Re2 Rxe2 45. Qxe2 Qxb3 {black is a clear pawn up and
there is a difficult game ahead for white}) 43... Qd4 44. Qc2 (44. Qf1 {
is answered with} Ng4 $1 {for example} 45. Nf3 Qc3 {the b3 pawn falls and the
attack continues}) 44... Ra1+ 45. Nf1 (45. Nb1 {was no better because of} Ng4
46. Re1 Qa7 {followed up with Ra2. Pawn are going to fall and the attack on
the white king continue}) 45... h4 {Diagram [#]} 46. Re3 {after this move the
black knight finishes its relocation to f4. It is, however, hard to suggest
another move for white} (46. Rd2 {leads to an obviously lost ending after} Qxe4
47. Qxe4 Nxe4) 46... Nh5 47. Qd3 Nf4 48. Qb5 Rb1 (48... Rd1 {right away was
also possible}) 49. Kh2 ({after} 49. Qa5 {what would you play as black?} Ne2+ {
a nice tactical shot} (49... Qd1 {also wins} 50. Qb5 Kh7 51. Qa6 Qg4 (51... Rb2
)) 50. Rxe2 Qd1 51. Qxe5+ Kh7 52. Re1 Qxe1 53. Qb5 Qxe4 {and black wins}) 49...
Qa1 50. Kg1 Rd1 $1 {Diagram [#] white is almost in a Zugzwang. In addition to
that, black has the plan ... Qb1 and ...Nd3.} 51. Rf3 {this move looks like a
mistake, but what should white do? White is almost in a Zugzwang and at the
same time black threatens .. .Qb1 and ...Nd3} ({if} 51. b4 {then black plays}
Qb1 {for example} 52. Qxe5+ Kh7 53. Qb5 Nd3 {and black wins}) ({if white
attempts to free himself with} 51. g3 {then} h3 52. gxf4 Rxf1+ {wins for black}
) 51... Qd4 {black had a winning combination. It is rare to be allowed to play
what follows against a Grandmaster} 52. Re3 Qa1 53. Rf3 Rxf1+ $1 {now black
spotted the combination or in fact just after playing 51...Qd4. White resigned
because after} 54. Qxf1 Ne2+ {white looses his queen and also gets mated a few
moves later. A very important win which kept the lead in the tournament.} 0-1

[Event "Zug FIDE GP"]
[Site "Zug"]
[Date "2013.04.28"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Kamsky, Gata"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2772"]
[Annotator "Caruana,F"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[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. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Be3 {This is not such a common move, but it has been played before by
strong players.} O-O 10. axb5 axb5 11. Nc3 Nb4 $5 {An unusual square for this
knight in the Ruy, but here I think the move makes a lot of sense. I'm just
trying to maintain control over d5.} (11... Na5 {is of course also playable:}
12. Ba2 (12. Nd5 Nxd5 13. Bxd5 c6 14. Ba2 c5 {seems okay for black.}) 12... c5
13. h3 {transposes to the game Sutovsky-Adams, and here instead of 13...b4,
I'm wondering what the problem with} h6 {is.}) 12. Qe2 {It's not easy to find
a move for White.} ({For example, if} 12. d4 $6 Rxa1 13. Qxa1 c5 14. dxc5 dxc5
{the threat of ...c4 is very uncomfortable.}) 12... c6 $5 {A little bit
optimistic and not really necessary.} ({The automatic move is} 12... c5 {
, which leads to approximate equality after} 13. Bg5 Qb6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Nd5
Nxd5 16. Bxd5 Bc6 17. Bxc6 Qxc6) ({I wanted to prepare ...c5 by first
preventing Bg5, but after} 12... h6 13. d4 {I thought my position would be
slightly worse.}) 13. h3 ({In the event of} 13. d4 Rxa1 14. Rxa1 Qb8 {Black's
position is reasonable.}) 13... Rxa1 ({My first intention was} 13... h6 {
, but I got worried about} 14. Rxa8 $1 Qxa8 15. Nh4 d5 (15... Kh7 16. f4 exf4
17. Bxf4 {is dangerous for Black.}) 16. Bd2 Re8 17. Qf3 {, although the
computer shows some moves like ...Qc8 and ...c5 here, I couldn't calculate it
during the game.}) 14. Rxa1 h6 15. Qd2 ({Now I thought my position would be
good after} 15. Nh4 Kh7) ({I mainly considered} 15. d4 Qb8 16. Qd2 c5 17. dxe5
dxe5 18. Nd5 {, when Black has to be accurate:} Nfxd5 ({My intention was} 18...
Nbxd5 19. Bxd5 Qc7 {, but this allows a great resource:} 20. Ra6 $1 {, with
the threat of Bxh6}) 19. Bxd5 Qc7 $1 20. c3 Nxd5 21. Qxd5 Bc6 22. Qxe5 Qxe5 23.
Nxe5 Bxe4 {should end in a draw.}) 15... c5 {I was very happy to get this move
in.} 16. Qe2 $6 {With this move White just gives up 2 tempi. He had to go for
the sacrifice.} (16. Bxh6 $5 {is really the only way to justify 15.Qd2.} gxh6
17. Qxh6 Nh7 18. Qg6+ Kh8 19. Bxf7 Be8 20. Bxe8 Qxe8 21. Qxe8 Rxe8 {I thought
Black would be better here, but after} 22. Ne1 {the ending is just unclear.})
16... Qb6 17. Nh2 Be6 18. Ng4 $6 {This wrecks White's pawns.} (18. Bxe6 fxe6
19. Ng4 {would be more reasonable. White isn't any better but shouldn't be
worse either.}) 18... Nxg4 19. hxg4 Bxb3 20. cxb3 Qb7 21. g3 {Despite White's
mangled pawns, the position is pretty close to equal.} Qd7 ({Gata pointed out
the following variation after the game:} 21... d5 22. exd5 Nxd5 23. Qf3 Rd8 24.
b4 $1) 22. Qf3 Bg5 {I wasn't very happy to make this move, but I didn't see an
alternative.} (22... Rd8 23. Nd5 Nxd5 24. exd5 {looks totally equal to me.})
23. Bxg5 hxg5 ({I also thought about the intermediate} 23... Nc2 $5 {, but I
decided it wouldn't change much.}) 24. Qf5 Qe7 ({The endgame offers nothing:} 
24... Qxf5 25. gxf5 Rb8 26. Ra5 {, with an inevitable draw.}) 25. Kg2 $2 {
This move surprised me, because I didn't see anything wrong with taking the
pawn.} (25. Nxb5 Nc6 (25... Nc2 $2 26. Ra7) 26. Qf3 Rb8 {and here I only
considered 27.Nc3, but the accurate} 27. Ra6 $1 {forces a draw.} (27. Nc3 Nd4
28. Qd1 {should also be fine for white.}) 27... Qd7 28. Qf5 $1 Qb7 29. Nxd6
Qxa6 30. Qxf7+ {, with perpetual.}) 25... g6 26. Qf3 Rb8 {Now White will be
worse for a long time.} 27. Ra5 Kg7 28. Rxb5 ({White could have considered} 28.
Nxb5 Nc6 29. Ra6 Qd7 30. Nc3 Nd4 31. Qd1 {, with good chances to defend.})
28... Ra8 29. Nd5 (29. d4 {is met by} Nc2 $1) (29. Rxb4 cxb4 30. Nd5 Qd8 {
might be a draw in the long run, but white will have to suffer for it.}) 29...
Nxd5 30. exd5 Qa7 31. b4 cxb4 32. Rxb4 Rh8 33. Qe3 $4 {The decisive mistake.} (
33. Qd1 Qc5 34. Rc4 Qxd5+ 35. f3 {is of course much worse for White, but he
has good chances to defend.}) 33... Qa1 34. Kf3 Qd1+ 35. Qe2 Qh1+ 36. Ke3 Qxd5
{There were even more accurate ways to finish the game, but this is enough.
White's king will never find safety.} 37. Qc2 Rh1 38. Qb3 Qg2 39. Qc3 Rf1 40.
Qd2 d5 0-1

[Event "Europa-Meisterschaft"]
[Site "Munich"]
[Date "1942.09.19"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Richter, Kurt Paul"]
[Black "Barcza, Gedeon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "1942.09.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1999"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d4 exd4 7. e5 Ne4 8. Re1
Nc5 9. Bxc6 dxc6 10. Nxd4 Ne6 11. Nf5 Qxd1 12. Rxd1 Bd8 {/Bogoljubov/} 13. Nc3
g6 $2 (13... O-O) 14. Nh6 $1 f6 15. exf6 Bxf6 16. Ne4 Bg7 17. Re1 Kd7 $1 18.
Bg5 (18. Nc5+ $3 Nxc5 (18... Kd6 $1 19. Be3 Bxh6 $1 20. Rad1+ $16) 19. Bg5 Ne6
20. Rad1+ Ke8 21. Rd8#) 18... c5 $1 19. Nxc5+ Nxc5 20. Re7+ Kc6 21. Rxg7 Ne6
22. Nf7 Nxg7 23. Nxh8 Be6 24. Re1 Rxh8 25. Bf6 Bxa2 $1 26. Bxg7 Rg8 $1 (26...
Rd8 $2 27. b3 Rd2 28. Rc1 a5 29. Bc3 Re2 30. Kf1 $18) 27. Bc3 Bf7 28. Re7 Rd8
$1 29. f4 Rd7 30. Re1 Kb5 31. Kf2 c5 32. g4 Kc6 33. Ra1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Europa-Meisterschaft"]
[Site "Munich"]
[Date "1942.09.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Alekhine, Alexander"]
[Black "Barcza, Gedeon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "1942.09.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1999"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Nc3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. Nd5
$1 Bg4 (8... Na5 $142 9. Nxe7 Qxe7 10. d4) 9. c3 O-O 10. h3 $1 Be6 (10... Bh5
11. d3 {nebst g2-g4}) 11. d4 Kh8 12. Re1 (12. Nxe7 Bxb3 13. Nxc6 Bxd1 14. Nxd8
Bxf3) 12... Nd7 13. Bc2 f6 14. a4 $1 Na7 (14... Rb8 15. axb5 axb5 16. Ra6 Nb6
17. Nxb6 Rxb6 18. Rxb6 cxb6 19. d5 $18) 15. axb5 axb5 16. Be3 $1 c5 17. dxc5
dxc5 18. Ra6 $1 Bxd5 $2 19. exd5 Qc8 20. Qa1 Qb7 21. b4 $1 Rfb8 (21... Rfc8 22.
d6 Bd8 23. bxc5 Nxc5 24. Bxc5 Rxc5 25. Be4) 22. d6 Bd8 (22... Nc6 23. Rxa8 Rxa8
24. dxe7 $1 Nxe7 25. Qb1 cxb4 26. Qxb4 Nd5 27. Qd6 Nxe3 28. Rxe3 Ra1+ 29. Kh2
Ra2 30. Be4 Qc8 31. Nh4 Rxf2 32. Rg3 Re2 33. Qe7 Qf8 34. Qb4) 23. bxc5 Rc8 24.
Ra2 e4 25. Bxe4 $1 Qxe4 26. Bd4 Qg6 27. Rxa7 Rxa7 28. Qxa7 Ne5 29. Bxe5 fxe5
30. Nxe5 Qe8 31. Kf1 1-0

[Event "Dortmunder Schachtage-10"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "1982.04.10"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Lobron, Eric"]
[Black "Hort, Vlastimil"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2440"]
[BlackElo "2590"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[EventDate "1982.04.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "MCL"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. d4 d6 8. c3
Bg4 9. h3 Bxf3 10. Qxf3 exd4 11. Rd1 $6 (11. Qg3 O-O 12. Bh6 Ne8 13. Bd5 Qd7
14. Qg4 $1 $14) 11... Ne5 12. Qg3 Nh5 13. Qh2 d3 14. f4 Bh4 $1 15. fxe5 Bg3 16.
Qh1 Qh4 $1 $44 (16... c5 17. Bd5 c4 18. Be3 $13) 17. Rxd3 (17. Be3 Qxe4 18. Bd4
dxe5 19. Nd2 Qc6 $17) 17... Qxe4 $1 (17... Bf2+ 18. Kf1 Ng3+ 19. Rxg3 Qxg3 20.
Ke2 $13) 18. Rd1 (18. Re3 Qf4 19. exd6+ Kd8 20. dxc7+ Kc8 21. Rxg3 (21. Re8+
Rxe8 22. Bxf4 Re1#) 21... Qxc1+ 22. Kh2 Qxh1+ 23. Kxh1 Nxg3+ 24. Kh2 Nf1+ 25.
Kg1 Ne3 $19) 18... Nf4 19. Bxf7+ (19. h4 Qe2 $1 20. Rf1 Qe3+ 21. Bxe3 Ne2#) (
19. Na3 Qe2 $1) 19... Kxf7 20. Bxf4 Bxf4 21. g3 Qe3+ $1 22. Kf1 Bxe5 0-1

[Event "Match Keres-Euwe +6-5=3"]
[Site "Amsterdam"]
[Date "1939.12.29"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Keres, Paul"]
[Black "Euwe, Max"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[PlyCount "120"]
[EventDate "1939.12.24"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[SourceTitle "MainBase"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Be7 6. O-O b5 7. Bb3 d6 (7...
b4 8. Nd5 Nxe4 $13 {Hannak}) 8. Nd5 (8. a4) (8. d3) (8. h3) 8... Na5 (8... Bg4
$6 9. Nxe7 {/\ 10.c3 +/- Thomas-Flohr/Margate/1939/}) (8... Nxe4 9. Nxe7 (9. d4
$40 {Hannak}) 9... Nxe7 $1 $10) 9. Nxe7 Qxe7 10. d4 O-O (10... exd4 11. Qxd4 (
11. e5 dxe5 12. Re1 $146 {|^}) 11... Nxe4 $2 12. Qxg7 $16 {Hannak}) 11. dxe5
dxe5 12. Bg5 Bb7 13. Qe1 Nxb3 14. axb3 h6 15. Bxf6 (15. Bh4 g5) 15... Qxf6 16.
Qe3 {/\ 17.Qc5} Qc6 {/\ 17... Qe4, /\ 17... Qc2} 17. Rfe1 (17. Nxe5 Qxe4 (17...
Qxc2 $15 {White's pawn structure is bad. Schlechte weiße Bauernstellung.}) 18.
Qxe4 Bxe4 $15 {with a strong bishop. Hannak Starker Läufer Hannak}) 17... f6 (
17... Qxc2 18. Re2 $1 (18. Rac1 Qxb2 19. Rxc7 Bc8 20. Nh4 $40 {Hannak}) 18...
Qc6 19. Nxe5 $14) 18. b4 Qc4 (18... Qxc2 $2 19. Rac1 Qxb2 20. Rxc7 $40) 19. c3
Rfd8 20. Nd2 (20. Rad1 $2 Rxd1 21. Rxd1 Bxe4 $17 {Hannak}) 20... Qf7 21. Ra3 {
/\ Nd2-b3-b5 +/-} Rd6 22. Nb3 Rad8 23. Nc5 Bc8 24. h3 {/\ 25.Rea1->} Rd2 25.
Re2 Rd1+ 26. Kh2 Qh5 $1 27. b3 {/\ Ra2} (27. Nxa6 R8d3 $1 $19 {Hannak}) 27...
Rb1 {/\ Rdd1 -+} 28. Nd3 $1 (28. Re1 Rdd1 $19) (28. Rd2 Rxd2 29. Qxd2 Bxh3 30.
gxh3 Qf3 $19) 28... Be6 (28... Qf7) 29. Rd2 (29. Nc5 $2 Rdd1 $40 {-+ Hannak})
29... Rd1 (29... Qg5 30. Qxg5 $1 hxg5 31. Raa2 $1 Bxb3 32. Nc5 $14) (29... Bxb3
$2 30. Nf4 Qe8 31. Rxd8 Qxd8 32. Nd3 $14 {Hannak}) 30. Rxa6 Rxd2 31. Qxd2 Bxb3
(31... Bc4 32. bxc4 bxc4 33. Qa2 $1 $18) 32. Qe3 Qd1 33. Nc5 Bc4 34. Ra7 Rc8
35. Qg3 Qd6 36. Ra6 Qe7 37. Qe3 Rd8 38. Ra7 Kf8 $138 39. Qc1 {/\ 40.Qa3} Qd6 $1
40. Nb7 (40. Qa3 Qd2 {/\ 41... Qf4}) 40... Qd2 (40... Qb6 $2 41. Qa1 Rd2 42.
Nc5 $16 {/\ 43.Ra6 +-}) 41. Qxd2 Rxd2 42. Ra8+ Ke7 43. Rc8 Rxf2 (43... Kd7 $4
44. Rd8+ $18) (43... Rd7 $2 44. Nc5) 44. Rxc7+ Kf8 45. Nd6 Bd3 (45... Rc2 46.
Nxc4 Rxc3 $2 47. Rc8+ Ke7 48. Nb6 $18 {or possibly 48.Nd6 evtl. 48.Nd6}) 46.
Kg3 {Sealed move. Abgabezug} Rc2 (46... Rf4 47. c4 $1 $18 Bxc4 48. Nxc4 bxc4
49. b5 $18) (46... Re2 $6 47. Kf3) 47. Kg4 (47. Kf3 Bc4 48. Nxc4 Rxc3+ 49. Ke2
bxc4 (49... Rxc4 $2 50. Rxc4 $18 bxc4) 50. Kd2 Rg3 51. Kc2 (51. b5 Rb3 $1))
47... Rxg2+ 48. Kf5 Kg8 49. Rc5 $2 (49. c4 $1 bxc4 50. b5 Rb2 51. Kg6 Rg2+ 52.
Kf5 $10) 49... h5 $1 50. c4 (50. Nxb5 Rf2+ 51. Ke6 (51. Kg6 $4 Bxe4+ 52. Kxh5
Rg2 {/\ 53... Bf3 54...g5#}) 51... Bxe4 $17) 50... bxc4 51. b5 Rb2 (51... Bf1
$142 {Hannak}) 52. Kg6 $2 $17 (52. Rc7 Bf1 53. Kg6 Rg2+ 54. Kf5 Rb2 $10 {Hannak
}) 52... Rg2+ 53. Kf5 (53. Kxh5 Be2+ $19) 53... Bf1 $1 54. b6 $2 (54. Ke6 $8) (
54. Rc7 $17 {Hannak}) 54... Rb2 $1 {/\ 56... Rb6} 55. Kg6 (55. b7 $2 Bxh3+ 56.
Kg6 Rg2+ 57. Kxh5 Bg4+ 58. Kg6 (58. Kh4 g5#) 58... Be6+ 59. Kh5 Rh2+ 60. Kg6
Rh6#) 55... Bxh3 $1 $19 {Threatens mate. Droht Matt!} 56. Kxh5 Be6 {Threatens
mate. Droht Matt!} 57. Nf5 Rxb6 58. Rc7 Bxf5 59. exf5 Rb2 60. Rxc4 Rg2 0-1

[Event "London Phillips&Drew"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "1980.??.??"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Short, Nigel D"]
[Black "Kortschnoj, Viktor Lvovich"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2360"]
[BlackElo "2695"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "1980.04.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "13"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1999"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d4 Nxd4 6. Nxd4 exd4 7. e5 Ne4 8.
Qxd4 Nc5 9. Nc3 Be7 10. Qg4 $2 (10. O-O O-O 11. Nd5 $11) 10... Kf8 $1 (10...
O-O 11. Bh6 Ne6 12. Bb3 Bg5 13. Bxg5 Qxg5 14. Qxg5 Nxg5 15. Nd5 $16) 11. O-O d5
12. Qd4 c6 13. Bb3 h5 14. Ne2 Bf5 15. Be3 $2 (15. Qd1) 15... Nxb3 16. cxb3 c5
17. Qd1 d4 18. Bf4 (18. Bc1 Qd5) 18... g5 $1 19. Bc1 h4 $1 20. Re1 (20. f4 $2
g4 {splat!}) 20... Qd5 21. Nc3 Qc6 22. Nb1 g4 23. Bf4 h3 24. f3 Rg8 25. g3 gxf3
26. Kf2 Rg4 $1 27. Rg1 (27. Qxf3 Rxf4 28. gxf4 (28. Qxf4 Qg2#) 28... Bh4+ 29.
Ke2 (29. Kf1 Qb5+) 29... Qxf3+ 30. Kxf3 Bxe1) 27... Rxf4 28. gxf4 Bh4+ 29. Rg3
Bxg3+ 30. hxg3 (30. Kxg3 Qg6+) 30... Qe4 31. Qxf3 Qc2+ 32. Qe2 d3 33. Qd2 (33.
Qxc2 dxc2 34. Nc3 b5) 33... Ke7 34. Kg1 h2+ 35. Kxh2 (35. Qxh2 Qc1+ 36. Kg2
Qxb2+ {costing at least a rook}) 35... Rh8+ 36. Kg1 Be4 0-1

[Event "Helsinki op"]
[Site "Helsinki"]
[Date "1992.??.??"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Dvoirys, Semen I"]
[Black "Frolov, Artur"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2570"]
[BlackElo "2510"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "1992.09.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FIN"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 032"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1993.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1993.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4
Bb7 9. axb5 $146 axb5 10. Rxa8 Qxa8 (10... Bxa8 11. Nc3 Qb8 (11... b4 $2 12.
Nd5 Nxd5 13. Bxd5 O-O 14. Bd2 Qb8 15. Qa1 $16) (11... Na5 12. Nxb5 Nxb3 13.
cxb3 O-O 14. Qc2 c6 15. Na3 $14) 12. Nd5 Nxd5 13. Bxd5 O-O 14. c3 $14) 11. Nc3
b4 12. Nd5 Nxd5 13. Bxd5 O-O 14. Bd2 Nd8 (14... Nd4 $6 15. Nxd4 exd4 16. Qh5
Bxd5 17. Qxd5 Qxd5 18. exd5 Rb8 19. b3 Rb5 20. Ra1 Rxd5 21. Ra8+ Bf8 22. Bxb4
$16) 15. Bxb7 Qxb7 16. Qa1 Ne6 $6 (16... b3 17. cxb3 Qxb3 18. d4 exd4 19. Nxd4
Qd3 20. Bc3 Bf6 21. Qb1 Qxb1 22. Rxb1 $14) 17. Qa4 Rb8 (17... b3 18. Qxb3 Qxb3
19. cxb3 Nc5 20. Rc1 $16) 18. b3 h6 19. Ra1 c5 20. Be3 Bg5 21. Qa7 Kf8 22. Ra6
Qxa7 (22... Ke7 $5 $16) 23. Rxa7 Rd8 24. h4 Bxe3 25. fxe3 h5 26. Nd2 d5 $2 (
26... Ke8 27. Nc4 Rd7 28. Ra6 Ke7 29. Kf2 $16) 27. exd5 Rxd5 28. Nc4 f6 29. Kf2
Ke8 30. Kf3 Rd7 31. Ra6 Kf7 32. Ke4 Nc7 33. Rc6 Nd5 34. Rxc5 Nc3+ 35. Kf3 e4+
36. dxe4 Rd1 37. Rc7+ Kf8 (37... Kg6 38. e5 $18) 38. e5 Rf1+ 39. Kg3 Ne4+ 40.
Kh2 g5 41. Nd6 Nxd6 42. exd6 Rd1 43. Rc4 Rxd6 44. Rxb4 Rd2 45. Rc4 gxh4 46. b4
Ke7 47. b5 Rd5 48. Re4+ Kd6 49. Rd4 1-0

[Event "URS-ch18 Final"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1950.11.12"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Suetin, Alexey S"]
[Black "Petrosian, Tigran V"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[Annotator "ChessBase"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "1950.11.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "17"]
[EventCountry "URS"]
[SourceTitle "URS-ch"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d4 exd4 7. Re1 O-O 8. e5
Nd5 (8... Ne8 $142) 9. Nxd4 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 Nb6 11. Bb3 d5 12. exd6 Qxd6 $2 (
12... Bxd6 $142 13. Qe4 Qf6 14. Nc3 Bd7 15. Qxb7 Bc6) (12... Bxd6 13. Bf4 Qh4
14. g3 Qg4 15. h3 Qf3 16. Nd2 Qc6) 13. Qe4 $1 Bf6 14. Nc3 {[#]} Rb8 (14... Qd4
$142 15. Bf4 Qxe4 16. Nxe4 Bd8 17. Rad1 Bd7 18. Nc5 Bc6 $14) 15. Bf4 Qc5 16.
Qe3 Qc6 (16... Qxe3 17. Rxe3 Bd8 18. Rd1 Bd7 19. h3 {/\ 20.Red3, Rxd8, Bxc7})
17. Qg3 Be6 (17... Bd8 18. Be5 g6 19. Rad1 Bd7 20. Qf4 $40) 18. Bxc7 Rbc8 19.
Be5 Bxb3 20. axb3 Nd7 21. Bxf6 Nxf6 22. Rad1 Rfe8 23. h3 h6 24. Re3 Rxe3 25.
Qxe3 Qc7 26. Qg3 Qxg3 (26... Qc5 $142) 27. fxg3 Kf8 28. Kf2 Ke7 29. Ke3 Ke6 30.
Rd4 Ne8 $2 31. Kd3 Nd6 32. Ne2 g5 33. g4 f5 34. gxf5+ Nxf5 35. Re4+ Kf6 36. Nd4
Nxd4 (36... Rd8 $142) 37. Rxd4 Rc7 38. Rd6+ Kf5 $18 (38... Kg7 39. g4 {/\ Rb6
+-}) 39. Rxh6 Kf4 40. c4 Rd7+ 41. Kc3 Rg7 42. g4 Re7 43. c5 Kg3 44. b4 Re3+ 45.
Kc4 Re4+ 46. Kb3 Re3+ 47. Ka4 Re2 48. Rh5 Rxb2 49. Rxg5 Kxh3 50. Rg7 Kh4 51.
Rxb7 Kxg4 52. Rf7 Ra2+ 53. Kb3 Ra1 54. Kc4 Rc1+ 55. Kd5 Rd1+ 56. Kc6 Rb1 57.
Kb6 Rxb4+ 58. Kxa6 Kg5 59. c6 Kg6 60. Rf1 {[Boleslavsky]} 1-0

[Event "Paris FIDE GP"]
[Site "Elancourt"]
[Date "2013.09.30"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Fressinet, Laurent"]
[Black "Tomashevsky, Evgeny"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2708"]
[BlackElo "2706"]
[Annotator "ChessBase Website"]
[PlyCount "191"]
[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. e4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 4. Ba4 {[%emt 0:00:
05]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:07]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 6. d3 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 7. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:08]}
8. a3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} O-O {[%emt 0:01:10]} 9. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Bg4 {
[%emt 0:00:57]} 10. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:27]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:42]} 11. Bxd4 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} exd4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 12. Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:00:
05]} 13. h3 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Bxf3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 14. Qxf3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} c6
{[%emt 0:00:07]} 15. Nf4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} g6 {[%emt 0:08:17]} 16. g3 $146 {
[%emt 0:01:02]} (16. Qg4 Kh8 17. Ne2 Bf6 18. f4 Bg7 19. Qf3 Rb8 20. e5 dxe5 21.
Qxc6 f5 22. a4 Rb6 23. Qd5 Qc7 24. axb5 Rxb5 25. Qc4 Qxc4 26. dxc4 Rb6 27. fxe5
d3 28. Nf4 dxc2 29. Bxc2 Bxe5 30. Nd3 Bxb2 31. Nxb2 Rxb2 32. Ba4 Nc5 33. Bc6
Rc8 34. Bd5 Rc7 35. g4 fxg4 36. hxg4 Kg7 37. Ra5 Re2 38. Rf3 Re5 39. Kg2 Kh6
40. Rf7 Rxf7 41. Bxf7 Kg5 42. Kf3 Kh4 43. Bg8 h6 44. Bf7 Kg5 45. Bd5 Nb3 {
Ramirez,A (2588)-Tomashevsky,E (2706) Tromso 2013 1/2-1/2}) 16... Bf6 {[%emt 0:
07:53]} 17. h4 {[%emt 0:02:39]} Ne5 {[%emt 0:20:09]} 18. Qe2 {[%emt 0:01:59]}
Kg7 {[%emt 0:07:21]} 19. a4 {[%emt 0:12:20]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:06:20]} 20. Kg2 {
[%emt 0:13:24]} h5 {[%emt 0:01:06]} 21. f3 {[%emt 0:01:40]} Qb7 {[%emt 0:12:16]
} 22. Qf2 {[%emt 0:28:55]} Qb6 {[%emt 0:06:22]} 23. Rh1 {[%emt 0:10:13]} Rh8 {
[%emt 0:07:02]} 24. Ra2 {[%emt 0:10:52]} Rac8 {[%emt 0:21:49]} 25. axb5 {
[%emt 0:04:58]} axb5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 26. Qd2 {[%emt 0:06:06]} Ra8 {[%emt 0:00:
54]} 27. Rha1 {[%emt 0:01:50]} Rxa2 {[%emt 0:07:10]} 28. Rxa2 {[%emt 0:00:16]}
Rb8 {[%emt 0:01:21]} 29. Nh3 {[%emt 0:03:54]} Rb7 {[%emt 0:00:34]} 30. Qa5 {
[%emt 0:03:11]} Qxa5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 31. Rxa5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:
00:04]} 32. Ra6 {[%emt 0:02:47]} Rc7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 33. Ra8 {[%emt 0:01:53]}
Nb6 {[%emt 0:02:22]} 34. Ra5 {[%emt 0:00:45]} Nd7 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 35. f4 {
[%emt 0:00:47]} Nc5 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 36. Ng1 {[%emt 0:00:50]} Rb7 {[%emt 0:01:
57]} 37. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:32]} Nxb3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 38. cxb3 {[%emt 0:00:05]}
c5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 39. Kf2 {[%emt 0:03:09]} Be7 {[%emt 0:01:13]} 40. Ke2 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} f5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. b4 $1 {[%emt 0:07:53] Tomashevsky
decided to use the same line that brought him an easy draw in the Tromso World
Cup in round one. Fressinet didn't really prove any real improvement, but
through some inaccuracies of the Russian he was able to obtain the a-file for
his rook and a little bit of pressure. In time trouble Tomashevsky allowed his
opponent to set up perfectly and after White's 41.b4! he was suddenly in real
trouble as his structure was collapsing.} fxe4 42. dxe4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Bf6 {
[%emt 0:42:40]} 43. e5 {[%emt 0:06:04]} Be7 {[%emt 0:01:05]} 44. exd6 {[%emt 0:
09:30]} Bxd6 {[%emt 0:00:38]} 45. bxc5 {[%emt 0:03:23]} Bxc5 {[%emt 0:04:00]}
46. Ra6 {[%emt 0:00:41]} d3+ {[%emt 0:02:35]} 47. Kxd3 {[%emt 0:01:27]} Bf2 {
[%emt 0:00:03]} 48. Ne5 {[%emt 0:01:10]} Rb6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 49. Rxb6 {
[%emt 0:03:00]} Bxb6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 50. Ke4 {[%emt 0:01:17]} Bf2 {[%emt 0:00:
04]} 51. Kf3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Bd4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 52. Nd3 {[%emt 0:01:18]} Kf6
{[%emt 0:00:31]} 53. Ke4 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Bg1 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 54. b3 {[%emt 0:
02:00]} Ke6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 55. Ne5 {[%emt 0:03:30]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 56.
Nd3 {[%emt 0:01:57]} Ke6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 57. Nc1 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Bf2 {
[%emt 0:02:18]} 58. Ne2 {[%emt 0:00:27]} Be1 {[%emt 0:04:57]} 59. Nd4+ {
[%emt 0:03:16]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 60. Kf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} b4 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} 61. Nc2 {[%emt 0:00:53]} Bc3 {[%emt 0:02:02]} 62. Ke4 {[%emt 0:03:38]} Ke6
{[%emt 0:00:54]} 63. Ne3 {[%emt 0:00:53]} Be1 {[%emt 0:02:32]} 64. f5+ {
[%emt 0:04:27]} gxf5+ {[%emt 0:00:53]} 65. Nxf5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:
01:42]} 66. Kf4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Bc3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 67. Ne3 {[%emt 0:00:22]}
Be5+ {[%emt 0:00:06]} 68. Kf3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:00:26]} 69. Nc4 {
[%emt 0:04:53]} Be7 {[%emt 0:07:29]} 70. Ke4 {[%emt 0:00:51]} Bf8 {[%emt 0:01:
50]} 71. Ne3 {[%emt 0:01:06]} Bc5 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 72. Nd5+ {[%emt 0:06:04]}
Kg6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 73. Nf4+ {[%emt 0:00:31]} Kh6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 74. Kf3 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} Bd6 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 75. g4 {[%emt 0:01:47]} hxg4+ {[%emt 0:00:
05]} 76. Kxg4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Be5 {[%emt 0:00:59]} 77. Nd3 {[%emt 0:00:34]}
Bc3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 78. Nc5 {[%emt 0:00:45]} Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:38]} 79. Ne4 {
[%emt 0:00:11]} Bc1 {[%emt 0:00:54]} 80. Ng3 {[%emt 0:01:49]} Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:
29]} 81. h5 {[%emt 0:02:12]} Bc3 {[%emt 0:00:49]} 82. Nf5+ {[%emt 0:00:18]} Kh7
{[%emt 0:00:01]} 83. Kg5 {[%emt 0:01:05]} Bd2+ {[%emt 0:00:16]} 84. Kf6 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} Bc3+ {[%emt 0:00:40]} 85. Ke6 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:
54]} 86. Kd5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bc3 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 87. Kc4 {[%emt 0:01:42]} Bd2
{[%emt 0:00:07]} 88. Kc5 {[%emt 0:00:35]} Be1 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 89. Kb5 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} Bc3 {[%emt 0:00:33]} 90. Kc4 {[%emt 0:01:45]} Bd2 {[%emt 0:00:
04]} 91. Ne7 {[%emt 0:00:41]} Kh6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 92. Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:03]}
Kxh5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 93. Nxb4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Kg6 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 94. Nd5 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:36]} 95. b4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Bxb4 {[%emt 0:00:
05]} 96. Kxb4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "DSB Kongress-13 Meisterturnier-12"]
[Site "Hannover"]
[Date "1902.08.08"]
[Round "15"]
[White "Pillsbury, Harry Nelson"]
[Black "Janowski, Dawid Markelowicz"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[Annotator "Donev,I"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "1902.07.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "17"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "100 Jahre Schach"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.04.19"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.04.19"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Die Kongresse des Deutschen Schachbundes beinhalteten zu dieser Zeit starke
Turniere, die man wohl heute Internationale Deutsche Meisterschaften nennen
würde. Der wechselhafte Janowski konnte dieses Turnier 1902 gewinnen, wobei
die vorliegende Partie gegen den Hauptkonkurrenten Pillsbury von
entscheidender Bedeutung war.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O
Be7 6. Nc3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. d3 Na5 9. Ne2 {In der modernen Schachpraxis ist
diese Variante der Spanischen Partie ein seltener Gast. Hier eine der seltenen
Proben auf hohem Niveau:} (9. Bd2 Nxb3 10. axb3 Bb7 11. Re1 O-O 12. Ne2 Nh5 13.
c4 c6 14. d4 exd4 15. Nexd4 g6 16. Ba5 {1/2-1/2 Nunn,J-Kosten,A/England 1998/
CBM 64 ext (16)}) 9... Bb7 {Der Plan des Nachziehenden besteht darin den ,,
Spanischen Läufer" abzutauschen und danach den Standarddurchbruch d6-d5
durchzuführen.} (9... O-O 10. Bd2 c5 $6 11. Bxa5 $1 Qxa5 12. a4 b4 13. Ng3 $14
{1-0 Tischbierek,R-Vogt,L/Ost-Berlin 1989/CBM 13 (60)}) 10. Ng3 Nxb3 11. axb3
g6 {Vermeidet Nf5 und es droht wieder der Schlag d6-d5.} 12. c4 {Die logische
Fortsetzung des Planes: Der Anziehende verhindert so die Öffnung des Zentrums
und vermeidet dadurch die Aktivierung des schwarzen Läufers. Falls 12.Re1 und
das ruhige 12...0-0 folgte, käme Weiß sowieso nicht um c2-c4 herum.} Nd7 13.
Ne1 Nc5 14. f4 Ne6 15. f5 Nd4 16. Be3 (16. Nf3 $14) 16... Bg5 17. Bxd4 exd4 18.
Nc2 c5 19. Qf3 O-O 20. f6 Re8 21. h4 $1 {Pillsbury versucht das Spiel zu
beleben.} Bh6 ({Wenn jetzt:} 21... Bxh4 $2 {so} 22. Qf4 g5 $8 (22... Bxg3 23.
Qh6 $18) 23. Qf3 Re6 24. Nh5 $16) 22. Ne2 bxc4 23. bxc4 Qb6 24. Rab1 (24. b4 $2
cxb4 25. Nxb4 Qxb4 26. Rab1 Qd2 27. Rxb7 Be3+ 28. Kh1 Qxd3 $19) 24... Qb3 25.
Na1 Qb4 26. g4 Be3+ 27. Kg2 Qa4 28. Ng3 Re5 29. Rbe1 Bh6 $1 {Es drohte 30.
Rxe3! und Qf3-f4-h6. Jetzt lehnt Pilssbury die Versuchung zum Königsangriff ab
und geht zur Verteidigung über.} 30. g5 Bf8 31. Re2 Bc8 $1 {Der Nachziehende
will, dass der Springer sich von g3 entfernt, um selber den Zug h7-h5 zu
spielen. Er verhält sich mit seinem König auf g8 ruhig und ist selber zum
entscheidenden Gegenangriff bereit.} 32. Nh1 Rb8 33. Nf2 Qd7 34. Qg3 h5 $1 35.
b3 Bb7 36. Ra2 $6 {Mir ist unklar was für ein Ziel dieser Zug verfolgt.
Offensichtlich war} (36. Rfe1 $5 {besser.}) 36... Rbe8 37. Nh3 $2 {[%mdl 8192]
Entscheidender Fehler, der die Partie verliert. Die weiße Stellung wäre
allerdings sowieso schwierig zu spielen gewesen, weil der starke Durchbruch
d6-d5 nicht mehr zu vermeiden war:} (37. Kg1 d5 38. cxd5 Bxd5 39. exd5 Re3 40.
Qg2 Bd6 {[%cal Ye3g3]} 41. Ne4 (41. Nh1 Rh3 42. Re2 Rxh4 $17) 41... R8xe4 42.
dxe4 Rg3 43. Rf3 Rxg2+ 44. Rxg2 Qe8 45. Re2 Qb5 $15) (37. Qf3 d5 $1 38. cxd5
Rxd5 39. exd5 Re3 $19) (37. Nc2 d5 38. cxd5 Bd6 39. Qf3 Bb8 $44) 37... Rxe4 $1
38. dxe4 Rxe4 $19 {[%cal Ye4g4,Ye4e3,Yb7g2] Mittels eines ausgezeichneten
Turmopfers ist das weiße Zentrum vernichtet worden. Plötzlich lebt der Bb7 und
der weiße König steht auf einem gefährlichen Posten.} 39. Kh2 Re3 {[%cal Yd7h3,
Ye3g3,Yf3h3] Die weiße Dame kann nicht gerettet werden.} 40. Qxe3 dxe3 41. Nc2
d5 42. Nxe3 d4 43. Ng2 Bxg2 44. Rxg2 Bd6+ 45. Nf4 Qf5 46. Rgf2 Qg4 47. Kh1
Qxh4+ 48. Kg1 Qg3+ 49. Kh1 Qxb3 50. Kg2 Qxc4 51. Re1 d3 52. Re8+ Kh7 53. Nxd3
Qxd3 54. Rfe2 Qg3+ 55. Kh1 Qh3+ 56. Kg1 c4 57. Rf2 Qg4+ (57... Bc5 $4 58. Rh8+
$1 Kxh8 {Patt!}) 58. Kf1 Bc5 59. Rd2 Qxg5 0-1

[Event "London Classic 11th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.03"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[Annotator "Edouard,R"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2019.12.02"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 Be7 $5 {Recent
fashion!} (6... b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 {is the main line.}) 7. Re1 ({
Practice has shown that} 7. Qe2 {doesn't bring much:} b5 8. Bb3 (8. Nxe5 Nd6 $5
9. Nxc6 dxc6 10. Bb3 O-O 11. Bf4 Nf5 12. c3 c5 13. dxc5 Bxc5 14. Nd2 Bd6 15.
Bxd6 Nxd6 16. Ne4 Bb7 17. Nxd6 Qxd6 18. Rad1 Qg6 $11 {1-0 (59) Shirov,A (2673)
-Dubov,D (2660) Moscow 2016}) 8... d5 9. dxe5 Be6 10. Rd1 O-O (10... Nc5 $5 11.
c4 Nxb3 12. axb3 b4 13. cxd5 Bxd5 14. Rxa6 Rxa6 15. Qxa6 O-O 16. Qb5 Bc4 17.
Rxd8 Bxb5 18. Rxf8+ Kxf8 $44 {0-1 (40) Vokhidov,S (2526)-Khanin,S (2500)
Moscow 2019}) 11. c4 bxc4 12. Bxc4 Bc5 13. Be3 Bxe3 14. Qxe3 Qb8 $1 15. Bb3 Na5
(15... Qb6 $5) 16. Nbd2 Qa7 17. Qxa7 Rxa7 18. Rac1 Rb8 19. Nd4 (19. Nxe4 $5
Nxb3 20. axb3 dxe4 21. Nd4 Bd5 22. Rc5 c6 23. Rxc6 h6 $5 $11) 19... c5 20. Nxe6
fxe6 21. Nxe4 Nxb3 22. axb3 dxe4 $11 {½-½ (73) Smeets,J (2596)-Ernst,S (2553)
Amstelveen 2019}) 7... b5 8. Rxe4 $1 {Definitely the best try.} (8. Bb3 d5 9.
dxe5 Be6 {transposes into a regular Open Spanish with 9.Re1 Be7, which theory
claims is fine for Black.}) (8. d5 Nc5 9. dxc6 (9. Bb3 $5 Na5 10. Nxe5 d6 11.
Nc6 Nxc6 12. dxc6 O-O 13. Nc3 Bf6 14. Nd5 Nxb3 15. axb3 Be6 16. c3 Re8 $11)
9... Nxa4 10. cxd7+ Qxd7 $15 {½-½ (13) Negi,P (2642)-Radjabov,T (2744)
Khanty-Mansiysk 2011}) 8... d5 9. Nxe5 Nxe5 10. Rxe5 bxa4 11. b3 {A natural
move, as White wants to play Ba3, but not the most ambitious one.} (11. Qe2 $1
{could be the best move - see the analysis of the fifth game of that same
match: Vachier Lagrave,M (2780)-Carlsen,M (2872) London 2019, ½-½ (46).}) ({
Practice has shown Black to be fine after other moves so far:} 11. Nc3 O-O (
11... Be6 $2 12. Qh5 $1 g6 $2 13. Qf3 $1 Bf6 14. Rxd5 $1 Bxd5 15. Nxd5 Bg7 16.
Bg5 Qxg5 17. Nxc7+ Kd8 18. Nxa8 {1-0 Lasker,E-Tarrasch,S Berlin 1916}) 12. Re1
(12. Nxa4 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. c3 Qh4 15. g3 Qh3 {would give Black typical
compensation, similar to what we see in the Marshall Gambit.}) (12. Nxd5 Bd6 {
is also quite unclear, since if Black retracts his rook on the e-file Black
has got ...Bxh2+ regaining the pawn.}) (12. Rxd5 Bd6 13. Bf4 Be6 $1 14. Bxd6
cxd6 15. Rh5 g6 16. Rh6 a3 $1 17. bxa3 Rc8 $44 {0-1 (29) Sidorenko,I (2395)
-Mikhalevski,V (2581) Israel 2019}) 12... Bd6 13. Qh5 a3 $5 (13... c6 14. Nxa4
Qa5 15. Nc3 Rb8 $44 {1-0 (39) Preotu,R (2524)-Mikhalevski,V (2581) chess.com
2019}) 14. Nxd5 axb2 15. Bxb2 Rb8 16. Rab1 Re8 (16... Be6 $5 17. c4 g6 18. Qe2
Bxd5 19. cxd5 Qg5 $11) 17. Ne3 Bf4 18. d5 (18. c4 g6 19. Qe2 Bf5 20. Rbd1 Qd6
$44) (18. Qf3 Bxe3 19. fxe3 Be6 $44) 18... Rb4 (18... Re4 $5 19. Qf3 Qe8 {
also makes sense, according to the engine.}) 19. c4 Bxe3 20. Rxe3 Rxe3 21. fxe3
Rxc4 22. Bd4 c5 23. Ba1 f6 24. h3 Qe7 25. Qf3 h6 26. Re1 Re4 $15 {½-½ (68)
Caruana,F (2819)-Carlsen,M (2875) Zagreb 2019}) (11. Qe1 f6 $1 (11... Be6 12.
f4 $40) 12. Re2 (12. Re3 c5 $5 (12... Kf7 $5) 13. Qd1 (13. dxc5 d4 14. Re2 Kf7
$44) 13... O-O 14. Nc3 Rb8 15. b3 cxd4 16. Qxd4 Bd6 $6 {Very inspired - but
probably not correct.} (16... axb3 17. axb3 Bb7 {shouldn't be much for White.})
17. Qxd5+ Kh8 18. Rd3 Qe8 19. Bb2 Be5 20. Nxa4 Rb5 21. Qf3 (21. Qc4 $5) 21...
Bb7 22. Qe3 Be4 $1 23. Rd2 Bxg2 $1 24. Kxg2 (24. f4 $5) 24... Qg6+ 25. Kf1 Bxh2
26. Re1 Rg5 27. Ke2 $2 Re8 28. Kd1 Rg1 $1 $19 {Not a fully correct game from
Black, but an incredibly inspired one! 0-1 (48) Aronian,L (2780)-Mamedyarov,S 
(2820) Batumi 2018}) 12... Kf7 {This leads to drawish positions.} 13. Nc3 Bb4 (
13... Re8 $5 14. Nxa4 Bd7 15. Nc3 Bb4 16. Rxe8 Qxe8 17. Bf4 Qxe1+ 18. Rxe1 Bxc3
19. bxc3 Re8 20. Rxe8 Bxe8 21. Bxc7 Bb5 22. f3 {½-½ Van Kampen,R (2637)
-L'Ami,E (2630) Netherlands 2014}) 14. a3 Ba5 15. Bd2 Bxc3 16. Bxc3 Bf5 17. Bb4
(17. Qd2 Qd7 18. Rae1 Rhe8 19. f3 Rxe2 20. Qxe2 Re8 21. Qxa6 Rxe1+ 22. Bxe1
Bxc2 $11 {½-½ (31) Tari,A (2614)-Ernst,S (2535) Kiel 2018}) 17... Re8 18.
Rxe8 Qxe8 19. Qxe8+ Rxe8 20. Re1 Rxe1+ 21. Bxe1 Bxc2 $11 {½-½ (32) Santos
Ruiz,M (2583)-Vallejo Pons,F (2694) Marbella 2019}) 11... O-O ({So far} 11...
Be6 {didn't prove to be bad either, but the game move looks more natural.} 12.
Ba3 Bxa3 13. Nxa3 O-O 14. Nb1 Qd6 15. Nc3 axb3 16. axb3 c5 17. Ne2 (17. Re3
Rfc8 18. Rg3 Rab8 19. dxc5 Qxc5 20. h3 g6 21. Rxa6 d4 22. Ne4 Qe5 23. Ng5 d3
24. Qxd3 Bf5 25. Qf3 $6 f6 $1 26. Nxh7 Kxh7 27. Ra7+ Rc7 $15 {½-½ (43) Saric,
I (2689)-Kapnisis,S (2456) Greece 2018}) 17... f6 18. Re3 c4 19. Ng3 cxb3 20.
cxb3 g6 21. Qf3 Bf7 $11 {½-½ (43) Nakamura,H (2743)-Caruana,F (2818) Saint
Louis 2019}) 12. Ba3 (12. Rxe7 Qxe7 13. Ba3 Qg5 14. Bxf8 Bh3 $1 15. Qf1 Kxf8
16. Nc3 Re8 17. Kh1 Qd2 $5 18. Nxd5 Bxg2+ $1 19. Qxg2 Re1+ 20. Rxe1 Qxe1+ 21.
Qg1 Qe4+ {½-½ Relange,E (2490)-Benjamin,J (2595) Mermaid Beach 1998}) 12...
Bxa3 13. Nxa3 {The only way White can be better in these positions is to bring
the a3-knight to c5 (Nb1, Nc3, Na4, Nc5) but he never succeeds.} Re8 $1 {
The "clearest" way to equalize.} (13... Qd6 14. Nb1 f6 15. Re3 Bd7 16. Nc3 Rfe8
{was played by Radjabov, and is also very solid.}) 14. Rxe8+ Qxe8 15. Qd2 (15.
Nb1 axb3 16. axb3 Bf5 (16... Qc6 $5) 17. Nc3 Qc6 (17... Qe6 $5) 18. Qd2 Re8 19.
Rc1 Qe6 20. f3 h5 $11 {½-½ (36) Balogh,C (2630)-Radjabov,T (2715) Poland 2013
}) 15... Bf5 16. Re1 (16. Nb1 $2 Bxc2 $15) 16... Qc6 {This setup paralyzes the
white knight on a3. With his next move, White just tries to exchange
everything and forces a draw.} 17. c4 axb3 18. axb3 h6 19. cxd5 Qxd5 20. Nc4
Be6 21. Re5 Qd7 22. d5 Rd8 $1 23. dxe6 (23. Ne3 $2 c6 $17) 23... Qxd2 24. Nxd2
Rxd2 25. g3 fxe6 26. Rxe6 Ra2 27. Rc6 Ra3 28. Rxc7 Rxb3 29. Ra7 Ra3 30. g4 h5
$5 {Not necessary, but anyway a good move to disturb White's pawn chain.} 31.
gxh5 (31. g5 $6 Kh7 $15) 31... Kh7 32. Kg2 Ra5 33. f4 Ra3 34. Ra8 a5 35. Ra6 a4
36. f5 Rb3 $1 {Simplest.} 37. Rxa4 Rb5 38. Rf4 Kh6 39. f6 gxf6 40. Rxf6+ Kxh5
41. h4 Rb2+ 42. Rf2 Rxf2+ 43. Kxf2 Kxh4 1/2-1/2

[Event "London Classic 11th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2019.12.04"]
[Round "1.5"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[Annotator "Edouard,R"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2019.12.02"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 194"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2020.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 Be7 7. Re1 b5 8.
Rxe4 d5 9. Nxe5 Nxe5 10. Rxe5 bxa4 11. Qe2 c6 (11... Be6 12. f4 g6 {The
inclusion of the moves ...f4 and g6 gives White a strong option of sacrificing
an exchange on e5 (when Black plays ...Bd6) after what the black position will
be disastrous on the dark squares.} 13. Nc3 a3 14. b3 Bb4 15. Na4 O-O 16. Bd2 (
16. c3 $5 Bd6 17. Nc5 {may be stronger}) 16... Bd6 17. Nc5 Bf5 18. Bb4 $5 (18.
Rxd5 Re8 $132) 18... Bxe5 19. fxe5 Qh4 20. c3 a5 21. Bxa3 $44 {1-0 (33)
Alekseenko,K (2637)-Ernst,S (2540) Gibraltar 2019.}) 12. Bd2 (12. Nc3 Ra7 (
12... Be6 13. f4 $1 g6 14. Nxa4 $16) 13. Bf4 $1 $146 {This could be a serious
attempt at refuting the whole line.} (13. Nxa4 O-O 14. Bd2 $6 Bd6 $13 {½-½ 
(65) Saric,I (2695)-Ragger,M (2687) St Petersburg 2018}) 13... O-O (13... a3
14. b3 $16) 14. Re1 Be6 (14... Bd6 $2 15. Re8 $1 $18) 15. Re3 a3 16. bxa3 $1
Bxa3 (16... c5 17. Be5 $16) 17. Nxd5 Qxd5 18. Rxa3 Qxd4 19. Be5 $16 {/\Rg3})
12... Be6 (12... a5 $2 13. Nc3 $16) 13. f4 g6 (13... Qb6 $5 {is the other
option:} 14. f5 (14. Bc3 g6 $13) 14... a3 $1 (14... Qxd4+ $2 15. Kh1 Qxb2 (
15... a3 $2 16. Bc3 $18) 16. fxe6 O-O (16... Qxa1 $2 17. exf7+ Kf8 18. Rxe7
Qxb1+ 19. Be1 $18) 17. Bc3 Qc1+ 18. Qe1 $18) 15. Nxa3 (15. Nc3 axb2 16. Re1
Qxd4+ 17. Kh1 O-O 18. fxe6 fxe6 $44) (15. b3 $4 Qxd4+ $19) 15... Qxb2 16. Re1
Qxd4+ 17. Kh1 Bxa3 18. Rxe6+ fxe6 19. Qxe6+ Kf8 20. Bg5 h6 21. Be7+ Bxe7 22.
Qxe7+ Kg8 23. Qe6+ $11) 14. Nc3 a3 15. b3 ({The move chosen by MVL is the most
natural one, but actually} 15. bxa3 $5 {may be stronger. The idea is simple:
play in similar fashion as in the game, while the queenside is already open.
Black will have to castle kingside, and a pawn is pawn, after all.}) 15... Bd6
$1 (15... O-O 16. f5 gxf5 17. Bh6 $40) 16. f5 $1 gxf5 17. Rf1 Bxe5 $6 {A
poisoned gift!} (17... O-O $1 {was the tough but right decision.} 18. Bf4 (18.
Bh6 Qh4 $132) 18... Bxe5 19. Qxe5 Qe8 20. Bh6 f6 21. Qg3+ Qg6 22. Bxf8 Qxg3 23.
hxg3 Kxf8 $11) 18. Qxe5 Rg8 19. Na4 Qb8 20. Qe3 Rg4 (20... Rg6 {followed with .
..Kf8 and ...Kg8 might be playable, but Carlsen's continuation is more human.})
21. Nc5 Re4 22. Nxe4 {That wasn't mandatory. White could also have played 22.
Qh6 right away, for example.} fxe4 23. Qh6 Qa7 24. Qg7 (24. c3 {followed with
Qxh7 would have guaranteed White a great advantage.}) (24. Qf6 $5 {to prevent .
..0-0-0 also made a lot of sense.}) 24... O-O-O 25. Bb4 $6 (25. c3 {was a
better move - the white bishop is more useful on the c1-h6 diagonal, as it may
go to f4 while defending against ...e3.}) 25... Re8 26. Bxa3 h5 27. Bc5 Qd7 28.
Qg5 e3 29. Qxe3 Bf5 30. Qf2 $6 {The white queen should aim at the other side.}
(30. Qd2 $1 Bg6 (30... Be4 31. Qe2 $1 Kb7 32. Qxh5 $18) 31. Qa5 Qb7 32. Bd6 Re2
33. Re1 {and Black's position is just lost.}) 30... Bg6 31. c4 $2 {A huge
blunder, surely missing Black's next move.} (31. h3 {would have kept a clear
advantage.}) 31... Bd3 $1 32. Re1 (32. Rc1 Re2 $44) 32... Rxe1+ 33. Qxe1 dxc4
34. bxc4 Bxc4 35. h3 Qe6 36. Qxe6+ Bxe6 {And the rest was just played for the
audience!} 37. a3 Bd5 38. Kf2 Kd7 39. g3 Be6 40. h4 Bg4 41. Ke3 Ke6 42. Kf4 Kd5
43. Ke3 Ke6 44. Kf4 Kd5 45. Ke3 Ke6 46. Kf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 21st"]
[Site "Saint Vincent"]
[Date "2005.09.18"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Sutovsky, Emil"]
[Black "Stefansson, Hannes"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2674"]
[BlackElo "2579"]
[Annotator "Erenburg,S"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2005.09.18"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "ITA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 110"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.01.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Saransk"]
[BlackTeam "Reykjavik Hellir"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ISL"]

{[%mdl 16]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 d6 5. O-O Be7 {A rare
continuation. Usually Black prefers to fianchetto his dark-squared bishop, as
it is more active on the long diagonal. More popular possibilities are:} (5...
Bd7 {preventing White's possible move 6.d3-d4.} 6. c3 {White has the following
alternatives:} (6. d4 Be7 7. d5 Nb8 8. Bxd7+ Nbxd7 9. Re1 Nc5 10. Nc3 O-O 11.
Nd2 a5 12. Nb3 Ncd7 13. Be3 c6 14. a4 cxd5 15. exd5 b6 16. f4 Qc8 17. fxe5 dxe5
18. d6 Bd8 19. Qf3 $14 {0-1 McShane,L-Harikrishna,P/Tiayuan CHN 2005/The Week
in Chess 557 (80)}) (6. Re1 Be7 7. c3 O-O 8. Nbd2 Re8 9. Nf1 Bf8 10. h3 g6 11.
Be3 Bg7 12. Ng3 Na5 13. Bxd7 Qxd7 14. b4 Nc6 15. b5 Nd8 16. c4 Ne6 17. Ne2 c6
18. bxc6 bxc6 19. Qa4 Qc7 20. Rab1 {1/2-1/2 Rozentalis,E-Onischuk,A/Mallorca
2004/CBM 104 no vc (20)}) 6... g6 {preparing a fianchetto for the dark-squared
bishop.} (6... a6 7. Ba4 g6 8. Nbd2 Bg7 9. Re1 O-O 10. Nf1 Nh5 11. Bg5 Qe8 12.
Bb3 Kh8 13. Ne3 f5 14. Nd5 Rc8 15. exf5 gxf5 16. d4 e4 17. Nh4 Na5 18. Ne7 Nxb3
19. axb3 Ra8 20. f3 Qf7 21. fxe4 fxe4 22. Rf1 Qxf1+ 23. Qxf1 Rxf1+ 24. Rxf1 Rf8
25. Nhf5 Bf6 $15 {1-0 Timofeev,A-Aleksandrov,A/Izmir 2004/CBM 104 no vc (76)})
7. Nbd2 Bg7 8. Re1 O-O 9. Ba4 {White's light-squared bishop has nothing to do
on the a4-e8 diagonal. White transfers it to b3.} Qe8 {The location of the
queen on e8 is very successful, as it creates a quite unpleasant opposition
for White's light squared bishop. It should be noted, that Black's main plan
in this position is carrying out f7-f5. Usually black transfers his kingside
knight to h5, and then pushes his f-pawn forward. In this case, Black's queen
protects the h5 knight.} (9... Nh5 10. Nf1 Qe8 11. Bc2 Kh8 12. d4 f6 13. Ne3
Rc8 14. b3 Nf4 15. Bb2 Nd8 16. Qd2 Nf7 17. Rad1 Rd8 18. c4 c5 19. dxc5 dxc5 20.
Qa5 $16 {1-0 Azarov,S-Aleksandrov,A/Minsk 2000/EXT 2001 (60)}) 10. Bb3 ({
White didn't get anything after} 10. Nf1 {Erenburg} Nh5 11. Ne3 Kh8 12. Nd5 Rc8
13. Bc2 Ne7 14. d4 exd4 15. Nxd4 Nxd5 16. exd5 Qd8 17. Be3 Re8 18. a4 {1/2-1/2
Azarov,S-Aronian,L/Goa 2002/CBM 091 ext (18)}) 10... Nh5 11. Nf1 {transfering
the knight to g3.} ({Another possibility is} 11. Nc4 Kh8 12. d4 Bg4 13. dxe5
Nxe5 14. Ncxe5 dxe5 15. h3 Rd8 16. Qe2 Be6 17. Be3 a6 18. Rad1 Qe7 19. Qc2 $14
{1-0 Palac,M-Marcelin,C/France 2000/EXT 2001 (32)}) 11... Nd8 $146 {Black is
going to bring the knight to f4 via e6.} 12. d4 Ne6 13. Ng3 Nef4 (13... Nxg3
14. hxg3 Kh8 15. Be3 $14) (13... Nhf4 14. Be3 {[%cal Yd4d5]} Qe7 15. d5 Nc5 16.
Bc2 $14) 14. Be3 Qe7 15. Nxh5 $1 Nxh5 16. dxe5 dxe5 17. Qd5 $14 {1-0 Svidler,
P-Almasi,Z/Gothenburg 2005/CBM 109_01/[Erenburg] (49) attacking the pawn b7
and threatening with Bc5.}) (5... g6 6. d4 $5 {White loses the tempo, playing
twice with the same pawn. But, in this particular position White has a
development advantage and he can play aggressively. In this way, Emil gets a
space advantage.} Bd7 7. Re1 Bg7 8. d5 {White gets a space advantage on the
queenside. Actually, in positions with Indian pawn structure, White is
interested to change the light-squared bishops. The alternatives are:} (8. Bxc6
$6 Bxc6 9. dxe5 Nxe4 10. Qd3 dxe5 $1 11. Rxe4 Bxe4 12. Qxe4 Qd1+ 13. Qe1 O-O-O
14. Nc3 Qxc2 $15 {0-1 Guseinov,G-Aleksandrov,A/Batumi 2002/CBM 090/[Wedberg] 
(44)}) (8. dxe5 Nxe5 9. Bxd7+ Qxd7 10. Bg5 O-O 11. Nxe5 dxe5 12. Qxd7 Nxd7 $11
{1-0 Kupreichik,V-Levin,F/Germany 1995/GER-chT2 (58)}) (8. c3 O-O 9. Ba4 Qe8
10. Bc2 Bg4 11. d5 Ne7 12. Nbd2 Nh5 13. a4 Bh6 14. a5 Bxd2 15. Bxd2 f5 $13 {
0-1 Hamdouchi,H-Kayumov,S/Abu Dhabi 2004/CBM 103 (49)}) 8... Ne7 9. Bxd7+ Nxd7
{Black takes with the knight, in order to prepare the counterstrike f7-f5.
White's main plan with such a pawn structure is of course the development of
initiative on the queenside by c2-c4, b2-b4 with following c4-c5. In opposite,
Black creates counterplay on the kingside, pushing forward kingside pawns.} 10.
Be3 $146 {In the previous game White continued} (10. a4 O-O 11. a5 a6 12. c4 h6
13. Ra3 f5 14. b4 Nf6 15. Nbd2 Qd7 16. Qc2 g5 17. h3 Rac8 18. exf5 Qxf5 19. Qa2
$14 {1/2-1/2 Morozevich,A-Georgiev,K/Mallorca 2004/CBM 104 no vc (71)}) 10...
f5 {Black decides to attack wWhite's centre immediately. Other possibilities
are:} (10... O-O 11. c4 h6 12. Qd2 $14 {[%cal Gb1c3]}) (10... h6 11. c4 f5 12.
Nc3 O-O 13. b4 $14) 11. Ng5 $1 {[%cal Gg5e6] emphasizing the drawback of
Black's previous move.} Nf8 12. exf5 gxf5 13. f4 $1 {opening up the game,
using the vulnerable position of Black's king.} Qd7 14. c4 Neg6 {[%cal Gh7h6]
preparing to drive White's knight away from the active position.} 15. Nc3 h6
16. Nf3 e4 {Black closes the centre, althogh his king is not safe yet.} 17. Nd4
h5 $1 {preventing the occupation of the square h5 by White's queen.} {Black's
position is not bad at all from a strategical point of view. But, his monarch
is still in the centre. That's why White should play aggressively.} 18. Ncb5 {
[%csl Yb5][%cal Gd4f5,Gd4e6,Yb5c7]} Kf7 {Otherwise, Black would drive away the
knight from b5 with a7-a6.} 19. Ne6 $1 {White sacrifices the pawn, but this
makes the position of Black's king still more vulnerable.} Nxe6 20. dxe6+ Kxe6
21. Qd5+ $16 {1-0 Sutovsky,E-Kramnik,V/Dortmund 2005/CBM 108_01/[Erenburg] (51)
}) 6. Re1 {White doesn't define the positions of his queenside light pieces
yet, but first strengthens his centre.} ({Another possibility is} 6. Nbd2 O-O
7. Re1 $6 (7. c3 $142) 7... a6 8. Bxc6 (8. Ba4 b5 9. Bb3 Na5 $11) 8... bxc6 9.
d4 exd4 10. Nxd4 Bd7 11. b3 c5 12. Ne2 Ng4 13. h3 Bf6 14. Rb1 Ne5 $11 {1-0
Shirov,A-Navara,D/Prague CZE 2005/The Week in Chess 575 (35)}) 6... O-O {
Black is already threatening with the elimination of White's light-squared
bishop by a7-a6, b7-b5 with the following Na5.} 7. c3 {preparing the c2 square
for the light-squared bishop.} a6 {Other possibilities are:} (7... Bd7 8. Nbd2
Re8 9. Nf1 Bf8 10. Bg5 h6 (10... Ne7 $5 11. Bxf6 Bxb5 12. Bg5 Qd7 13. Ng3 f6
14. Be3 Kh8 15. d4 Qe6 16. a4 Bd7 17. d5 Qf7 $13 {0-1 Marta,M-Spano Cuomo,G/
Palocco 1998/EXT 2001 (40)}) 11. Bh4 Be7 12. a4 Nh7 13. Bg3 (13. Bxe7 Qxe7 14.
Ne3 Nf6 15. a5 a6 16. Bc4 $14) 13... Bg4 14. h3 Bh5 15. N1h2 a6 (15... Ng5 16.
Ng4 Bxg4 17. hxg4 Qd7 18. Nd2 a6 19. Bc4 Nh7 20. Nf1 $14) 16. Bc4 Qc8 17. Qc2
$14 {1-0 Ivanchuk,V-Alekseev,E/Istanbul 2003/CBM 096/[Wedberg] (59)}) (7... Nb8
8. d4 c6 9. Bf1 Nbd7 10. a4 Re8 11. a5 a6 12. Nbd2 Bf8 13. Qc2 Qc7 14. b4 $6 (
14. Nb3 $142 $5 c5 (14... d5 15. exd5 Nxd5 (15... cxd5 16. dxe5 Nxe5 17. Nxe5
Rxe5 18. Bf4 $18) 16. Bd3 $16) 15. d5 $14) 14... d5 15. exd5 cxd5 16. dxe5 Nxe5
17. Rxe5 Rxe5 18. Nxe5 Qxe5 19. Nf3 Qc7 20. Qd3 Bg4 21. Be3 Bxf3 22. Bb6 Qc6
23. Qxf3 Ne4 24. Bd4 Nd2 $11 {1/2-1/2 Timofeev,A-Chuprov,D/Kazan RUS 2005/The
Week in Chess 566 (38)}) 8. Ba4 Re8 {A typical maneouvre for the Ruy Lopez
Defence. Black transfers his rook to e8 in order to press White's centre along
the e-file, while, Black's dark-squared bishop is usually transfered to g7 via
f8.} ({In the game from the match between human players and engines Khalifman
prefered} 8... b5 9. Bb3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. Nbd2 Nc6 12. Nf1 Re8 13. Ng3 Bf8
14. h3 g6 15. a3 Bg7 16. Be3 Qe7 17. b4 Bb7 18. Bb3 $14 {1-0 JUNIOR-Khalifman,
A/Bilbao ESP 2005 (65)}) 9. d4 {Emil immediately takes control over the centre,
that seems for me as the most principled and most ambitious continuation.} ({
Less principled is} 9. Nbd2 Bf8 10. d4 exd4 11. cxd4 b5 12. Bc2 Bg4 13. h3 Bh5
14. Nf1 d5 15. e5 Ne4 16. Ng3 (16. Bxe4 $2 dxe4 17. Rxe4 Rxe5 (17... Nxe5 18.
Rxe5 Rxe5 19. g4 Bxg4 20. hxg4 Re4 21. Ne3 c5 22. d5 Bd6 23. Qd3 $14) 18. Rxe5
Nxe5 19. g4 Nxf3+ 20. Qxf3 Bg6 $17) 16... Nxg3 17. fxg3 Nb4 18. Bb1 c5 19. dxc5
Bxc5+ 20. Kh2 Bg6 21. Bxg6 hxg6 22. a3 Nc6 23. Bf4 $13 {0-1 Vallejo Pons,
F-Cabrera,A/Albox ESP 2005/The Week in Chess 553 (66)}) 9... b5 10. Bc2 {
We've got the theoretical position, when White has carried out d2-d4 by two
moves, but transfered his light-squared bishop to c2 in one tempo.} (10. Bb3 {
leads to C91 with extra tempo for black- Re8 is already played.}) 10... exd4 ({
In case of} 10... Bg4 11. d5 {black's} Na5 {will not attack white's
light-squared bishop.} 12. h3 $14) 11. cxd4 $146 {A novelty in a rare position.
The capture with the pawn is surely much more logical than} (11. Nxd4 $6 Nxd4
$2 (11... Ne5 $142) 12. cxd4 c5 13. Nd2 Nd7 14. Nf3 Bb7 15. Bf4 $14 {1-0
Schoeneberg,M-Brameyer,H/Colditz 1967/EXT 99 (40)}) 11... Bg4 12. Nc3 {After
black has captured on d4, White has got the excellent square c3 for his
queenside knight.} Bf8 13. Bg5 {creating an unpleasant pin.} h6 14. Bh4 g5 {
Otherwise, it is a problem for Black to activate his pieces.} 15. Bg3 Bg7 16.
e5 {Black is very vulnerable on the long diagonal h1-a8 . That's why the
Israeli Grandmster drives Black's kingside knight away and gets the spot e4
for his light-squared bishop.} (16. Qd3 $6 Nb4 17. Qd2 Nxc2 18. Qxc2 Nh5 $132)
16... dxe5 ({An interesting alternative was} 16... Bxf3 17. gxf3 (17. Qxf3 Nxd4
18. Qd3 Nxc2 19. Qxc2 Nh5 $15) 17... dxe5 18. dxe5 Nd7 (18... Nh5 19. Be4 Nxe5
20. Bxa8 Qxa8 21. Bxe5 Rxe5 22. Rxe5 Bxe5 $13) 19. e6 (19. Be4 Ndxe5 20. Bxe5
Nxe5 21. Bxa8 Qxa8 22. Re3 Rd8 {[%cal Ye5c4]} 23. Qe2 Nc4 $15) 19... Rxe6 20.
Rxe6 fxe6 21. Be4 Nce5 22. Bxe5 Nxe5 23. Bxa8 Qxa8 24. Ne4 g4 25. Nd2 gxf3 26.
Qb3 $13) 17. dxe5 Nd7 18. h3 {trying to eliminate the improtant light-squared
bishop, or at least to drive away it from the diagonal c8-h3.} (18. Qd3 Bxf3 $1
19. Qxf3 Nd4 20. Qe4 Nxc2 {-see 18...Bxf3 without white's h2-h3...}) 18... Bh5
({Probably, Black could equalize after} 18... Bxf3 19. Qxf3 Nd4 $1 (19... Ncxe5
20. Qf5 $16) 20. Qd3 Nxc2 21. Qxc2 Nxe5 22. Rad1 Qf6 23. Nd5 Qc6 24. Qf5 Qg6
$11) 19. e6 $1 Rxe6 $2 {Probably, a mistake in calculations... Black should
have continued} (19... fxe6 20. Be4 (20. Qd3 Nf6 21. Qe3 Nb4 $15 {[%cal Yb4d5]}
) 20... Nd4 $13 21. Bxa8 $6 Qxa8 22. Re3 Rf8 23. Ne4 Nb6 $15 {[%cal Yb6d5]})
20. Rxe6 fxe6 21. Be4 Nd4 ({Interesting was} 21... Nde5 $5 {, but after} 22.
Nxe5 $1 (22. Bxe5 Nxe5 23. Bxa8 Qxa8 $15) 22... Bxd1 23. Nxc6 Qd2 24. Rxd1 {
White's chances should be better.} Qxb2 25. Ne7+ Kf8 26. Ng6+ Kg8 27. Bxa8 Bxc3
28. Rd8+ Kg7 29. Be4 $36) 22. Bxc7 $1 {This key move should have been seen
before White was playing 19.e6! Now White is winning an exchange.} Qxc7 (22...
Nxf3+ 23. gxf3 (23. Bxf3 Qxc7 24. Bxh5 Rf8 $132) 23... Qxc7 24. Bxa8 Nb6 25.
Be4 Nc4 26. Rb1 $16) 23. Bxa8 b4 24. Ne2 $1 {driving away Black's knight from
excellent position.} Nxf3+ 25. Bxf3 Bxf3 26. gxf3 Ne5 (26... Bxb2 27. Rb1 $16)
27. Qb3 $16 {White is an exchange up, and Black's king is vulnerable.} Qc4 {
Black is looking for survival chances in the endgame, this seems quite logical.
The problem is that his position is objectively lost..} (27... Qc6 {is met by}
28. Nd4 $16) 28. Qxc4 ({Weaker was} 28. f4 gxf4 (28... Qxe2 29. Qxe6+ Kh7 30.
fxe5 $18) 29. Qxc4 Nxc4 30. Nxf4 Bxb2 $14) 28... Nxc4 29. Rc1 Nxb2 30. Rc8+ Kf7
31. Ra8 $18 {White collects the a-pawn, that makes his position technically
winning.} Nd3 32. Rxa6 Bf8 33. Nd4 {activating the knight.} Nf4 34. Kh2 Bc5 35.
Nc2 Nd5 36. Kg2 Ke7 37. Ra8 {[%cal Ga8h8] threatening to win the h6 pawn.} Nf4+
38. Kf1 {Black's b4 pawn is much more important, than White's h3 pawn.} h5 39.
Rb8 Nxh3 (39... Nd5 {doesn't change too much.} 40. Ke2 $18 {White will bring
the king to the queenside and will collect the pawn b4.}) 40. Nxb4 {Now
nothing can stop White's pawn on the a-file.} Nf4 41. a4 h4 42. a5 h3 43. Kg1
Kd6 44. a6 1-0

[Event "NED-ch47"]
[Site "Eindhoven"]
[Date "1992.03.19"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Knoppert, Erik"]
[Black "Piket, Jeroen"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2345"]
[BlackElo "2615"]
[Annotator "Ernst,T"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "1992.03.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 030"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1992.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1992.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 Be7 7. Re1 (7. Qe2
f5 8. dxe5 O-O 9. c3 d5 10. exd6 Bxd6 11. Nbd2 Qe8 12. Re1 Qh5 13. Nc4 Bc5 14.
Be3 b5 15. Bb3 $16 {Ernst - Pyhälä, Gausdal 1990.}) 7... f5 8. dxe5 O-O 9. Nbd2
Nc5 10. Bxc6 dxc6 11. Nb3 Ne6 12. Nbd4 c5 13. Nxe6 Bxe6 14. Qxd8 Raxd8 15. Bg5
Kf7 $15 16. b3 h6 17. Bxe7 Kxe7 18. Re2 b6 19. Nd2 Rd4 20. Rae1 Rfd8 21. Nf1 c4
22. f3 b5 23. Kf2 c5 24. g3 c3 25. Re3 b4 $19 26. a3 Rd1 27. axb4 cxb4 28. Rxd1
Rxd1 29. Re1 Rxe1 30. Kxe1 Kd7 31. f4 Kc6 32. Ne3 Kc5 33. Kd1 a5 34. Ng2 Kd4
35. Nh4 Ke4 36. Ng6 Bf7 37. Ne7 g5 38. Nc6 gxf4 39. gxf4 Kxf4 40. Nxa5 Bd5 $1
41. e6 Bxe6 42. Nc6 Ke3 43. Nxb4 f4 44. Ke1 f3 45. Nd3 (45. Nd3 Bxb3 $19) 0-1

[Event "Copenhagen Open-02 (Politiken Cup-01)"]
[Site "Copenhagen"]
[Date "1980.06.28"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Poulsen, Allan"]
[Black "Pokojowczyk, Jerzy"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2350"]
[BlackElo "2380"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "1980.06.23"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "DEN"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2000"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.11.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.11.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 b5 8. Bb3
d6 9. Bd5 Nxd5 $2 (9... Bd7 $142 10. Nxd4 Nxd5 11. exd5 Nxd4 12. Qxd4 O-O) 10.
exd5 Ne5 11. Nxd4 O-O 12. a4 $1 (12. f4 $2 Bg4) 12... Bg4 $2 13. Qd2 Bd7 14.
Nc3 Re8 15. b3 b4 16. Ne4 a5 17. Bb2 Bf8 18. f4 Ng4 {/\Nf6} 19. Nf3 $1 Nh6 20.
Neg5 Bf5 21. h3 Qd7 22. Nd4 (22. g4 $2 f6 $1) 22... Rxe1+ 23. Rxe1 Re8 24. Rxe8
Qxe8 25. g4 Bd7 26. Kf2 f6 $1 27. Ngf3 (27. Nge6 c5 $1) 27... Qe4 28. Nb5 c6
29. dxc6 Bxc6 30. Nbd4 Bd7 31. Qe2 Qxf4 32. Qc4+ Nf7 33. Qd5 $1 Qh6 34. Kg2 Qe3
35. Qxa5 d5 36. Qxd5 Bd6 37. a5 h5 $2 38. a6 hxg4 39. hxg4 Bxg4 40. a7 Qh6 41.
a8=Q+ 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-43"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2018.09.28"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2820"]
[Annotator "Ganguly, Surya Sekhar "]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2018.09.24"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 187"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.12.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeam "Azerbaijan"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ARM"]
[BlackTeamCountry "AZE"]

1. e4 {Levon recently started playing 1.e4 thus it was not surprising to see
him coming out with it in one of the most crucial games in the Olympiad.} e5 2.
Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 Be7 $5 {This is an interesting
alternative to the main line b5. Piket has been playing this a lot and
recently it was played by Radjabov a few times. We can be assured about the
source/inspiration Mamedyarov got to enter this line.} (6... b5 {is far more
common} 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 {would be the normal move order for the Open Ruy
Lopez.} Be6) 7. Re1 b5 8. Rxe4 {The most principled approach.} (8. Bb3 {
would transpose to the main Open Spanish but White makes a concession by
committing Re1; thus Black manages to bypass a number of critical systems.} d5
9. dxe5 Be6) 8... d5 9. Nxe5 Nxe5 10. Rxe5 bxa4 {The main tabiya of this line.
Radjabov had this position twice as Black and in both games b3 was played} 11.
Qe1 f6 12. Re3 $146 (12. Re2 {½-½ (22) Van Kampen,R (2637)-L'Ami,E (2630)
Netherlands 2014}) 12... c5 {played instantly} 13. Qd1 O-O {It was only here
that Mamedyarov started to consume more time} 14. Nc3 Rb8 (14... a3 $5 15. b3
cxd4 16. Qxd4 Bb7 {is doable but Mamedyarov was not really in a mood to play
like this after all.}) 15. b3 cxd4 {For his last two moves Mamedyarov thought
40 min. It was a very crucial moment as his next moves would change the nature
of the position drastically.} 16. Qxd4 Bd6 $5 {changing the course of the game
dynamically.} (16... axb3 17. axb3 Bb7 {Once again possible and could easily
be the best in computer or correspondence chess but clearly Mamedyarov didn't
want a position like this where White has zero risk. True to his style he
opted for the most aggressive way and got into a position which might be worse
but gives White much more difficult options to choose from.}) 17. Qxd5+ {
Or else Bd6 is totally justified} Kh8 18. Rd3 {Most natural once again} Qe8 19.
Bb2 {As of now White is a pawn up and the compensation for Black is not that
obvious} Be5 $1 {The most practical approach. By sacrificing the second pawn
Black makes sure that the knight goes out of play. It is of course also based
on heavy calculation and had tremendous practical value.} 20. Nxa4 Rb5 {
According to the computer White is outright winning. During the game such
things make very little impact. Right now, White has two obvious moves Qf3 and
Qc4 and the important thing is to make the correct decision.} 21. Qf3 $6 {
Still fine according to the computer world but I am certain that had Levon
spotted Mamedyarov's upcoming piece sacrifice then he would not have opted for
this.} (21. Qc4 {This actually made a lot more sense as here the tempo would
come from e6 and from that diagonal the black bishop doesn't look so
threatening as compared with b7.} Be6 22. Qh4 Bc7 {[%cal Gb5h5]} 23. g3 $16 {
with the bishop on e6 White gets ample time to consolidate.}) 21... Bb7 22. Qe3
Be4 $3 {With a very deep idea in mind.} (22... Bxg2 $2 {This is however
premature.} 23. Kxg2 Qg6+ 24. Kf1 Bxh2 25. Re1 Rg5 26. Ke2 Re8 27. Kd2 {
The difference! It is astonishing to see the precision of Mamedyarov's
calculation in such a complex position. Why is the king better placed on d2
than d1? We will see that soon as it occurred in the game.}) 23. Rd2 (23. Bxe5
{this could have led to a draw.} Rxe5 (23... Bxd3 24. Bd6 Qxe3 25. fxe3 Rd8 26.
cxd3 Rxd6 27. Rc1) 24. f4 Re7 25. Re1 Rff7 26. Qxe4 Rxe4 27. Rxe4 Re7 28. Rxe7
Qxe7 {should be about equal}) 23... Bxg2 $1 {The sacrifice only works now with
the rook placed on d2.} 24. Kxg2 $6 (24. f4 $1 {Apparently White is still
clearly better here according to the computer, but that really doesn't count
during a tournament game. It is immensely difficult to make the right call
specially in such wild positions with an open king.} Ba8 $1 {Not a good move
says the machine but clearly any human would go for this rather than getting
into some depressing endgame.} (24... Bxb2 {The computers say this is Black's
best move but I am ready to bet any amount that this was not the move which
bothered Levon.} 25. Qxe8 Rxe8 26. Nxb2 $16) 25. fxe5 Qc6 {Would someone get
into this position as White thinking he is winning unless he knows that the
computer says this is winning? If Levon got this position as a problem and not
during the game then surely, he would find the best moves for the white side
but when one doesn't know whether this position is winning or not then things
get incredibly difficult.} 26. Qf4 $3 {[%csl Rf8,Gh2] The only move that keeps
the advantage. It stops both Qh1-K2-Qh2 and Qh1-Kf2-fe5} Rbb8 $5 {[%csl Gf8]
[%cal Gc6h1,Gf6e5]} (26... Rd5 27. Rad1) 27. exf6 Qh1+ 28. Kf2 Qg2+ 29. Ke3
Qh3+ 30. Qg3 Qe6+ (30... Rbe8+ 31. Kf2) 31. Be5 gxf6 32. Nc5 {and White is
winning. Once again…all these lines are very easy to create with computers 
(even there could be some mistakes!) but during a game things look totally
different.}) 24... Qg6+ 25. Kf1 Bxh2 26. Re1 (26. Nc5 {would lead to an equal
position but mostly Levon was ambitious here and most likely he missed Black's
28th move} Re8 27. Ne6 Qg1+ 28. Ke2 Qg4+ 29. f3 Qxe6 30. Qxe6 Rxe6+ 31. Kf1 $11
) 26... Rg5 27. Ke2 $2 {The final mistake!} (27. Nc3 {would still keep White
in the game}) 27... Re8 {Now it becomes clear why including Rd2 was important
when playing 23...Be4. White is forced to play Kd1 now...} 28. Kd1 Rg1 $1 {
Brilliant imagination by Mamedyarov who must have seen this from way back and
perhaps it was this move that Levon spotted a bit too late. Incredible bold
and imaginative play by Mamedyarov.} 29. Be5 (29. Qxe8+ Qxe8 {[%csl Rd1][%cal
Gg1d1] Hence the king should be on d1! The point of including Be4-Rd2 becomes
clear now.}) 29... Bxe5 {Now it gets technical.} 30. Rde2 h5 (30... Rd8+ 31.
Kc1 Qf5 {would have expedited things.}) 31. Qd3 Qg2 32. Nb6 Rxe1+ 33. Rxe1 Qxf2
34. Nd5 Rd8 35. c4 Qxa2 36. Qf3 g6 37. Re3 Kg7 38. Qh3 Qf2 39. Rd3 Qg1+ 40. Kc2
Qh2+ 41. Qxh2 Bxh2 42. Rh3 Be5 43. Kd3 a5 44. Ke4 Kf7 45. Kf3 Rh8 46. Kg2 g5
47. Ne3 Ke6 48. Kf1 f5 0-1

[Event "Bundesliga 1011"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2011.02.05"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Gashimov, Vugar"]
[Black "Najer, Evgeniy"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2719"]
[BlackElo "2657"]
[Annotator "Gashimov,V/Meyer,CD"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2010.10.09"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 141"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.03.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Werder Bremen"]
[BlackTeam "Wattenscheid"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 ({Früher wurde
unsere Partiestellung (nach 10.Be3) oft über die Zugfolge} 6. Re1 d6 (6... b5
$142) 7. c3 O-O 8. d4 Nd7 9. Be3 Bf6 {erreicht (Russische Variante / C87),
also mit einem Mehrtempo für Weiß gegenüber dem Text !?}) 6... d6 7. c3 {
"Anderssen-Angriff"} O-O 8. Re1 Nd7 ({Eine von Keres bevorzugte Fortsetzung.
Häufiger anzutreffen ist die bewährte Alternative} 8... b5 9. Bb3 (9. Bc2 d5)
9... Na5 10. Bc2 c5 {mit Übergang zu C90.}) 9. d4 Bf6 10. Be3 (10. Bc2 Nb6 11.
h3 Bd7 12. b3 exd4 13. cxd4 Nb4 14. Nc3 Nxc2 15. Qxc2 $14 {Shirov - Short, Dos
Hermanas 1997 (ECO/C5)}) 10... Nb6 (10... b5 11. Bc2 Bb7 (11... Nb6) 12. Nbd2
Re8 (12... exd4) 13. d5 Ne7 14. b3 c6 15. c4 g6 16. b4 Qb8 17. dxc6 Bxc6 18.
Rb1 Bg7 19. Bd3 h6 20. c5 $6 (20. Qb3 $13) 20... dxc5 21. bxc5 Qc7 22. Nf1 $2
f5 $17 23. Bc2 fxe4 (23... f4 $17) 24. N3d2 Nf6 $13 {/=, Svetushkin,D (2588) -
Harikrishna,P,(2673), Moscow 2007}) 11. Bxc6 $5 bxc6 12. Nbd2 a5 13. Qc2 a4 14.
dxe5 Bxe5 15. c4 Nd7 16. Nd4 (16. Nxe5 $1 dxe5 (16... Nxe5 17. f4 Ng4 18. Bd4
$36) 17. c5 $14 {Vugar Gashimov (VG)}) 16... Bb7 (16... c5 $1 17. Nb5 (17. Nc6
Qf6) 17... a3 18. Nxa3 Rxa3 19. bxa3 Bxa1 20. Rxa1 $11 {VG}) 17. Rad1 Bxd4 18.
Bxd4 c5 19. Bc3 Re8 (19... f5 $5 20. exf5 (20. e5 Qg5 $13) 20... Qg5 21. f3
Qxf5 22. Qxf5 Rxf5 23. Re7 Rf7 24. Rde1 $14 {VG}) 20. Nf1 f6 21. f3 Qe7 22. Ne3
Qf7 23. b3 axb3 24. axb3 Ne5 25. Nf5 Bc8 26. Ng3 Nc6 27. f4 Bb7 28. Re3 Re6 ({
"?!",} 28... Ra3 $5 {VG}) 29. Rf1 {"!", VG} Qe8 30. Qd1 {"!", VG} Ra2 31. Nh5 {
Den Brennpunkten g7/f6 gilt jetzt erhöhte Aufmerksamkeit!} Nd4 $4 ({Ein grober
Fehler; erforderlich war} 31... Kf8 $8 {, worauf Gashimov} 32. Rfe1 $40 {plante
} ({Nicht} 32. Rg3 {wegen} Re7 33. e5 (33. f5 Nd4 $13 {/=} (33... Rf7 $143 34.
Nf4 $1 Qxe4 $2 35. Ne6+ Kg8 36. Rf4 Qe2 37. Qxe2 Rxe2 38. Rfg4 $18)) 33... Nd4
(33... dxe5 $2 34. fxe5 Nxe5 35. Bxe5 Rxe5 36. Nxg7 $18) 34. Bxd4 cxd4 35. exf6
gxf6 36. Nxf6 Ree2 $1 37. Nxh7+ Kf7 (37... Ke7 $2 38. Re1 Kd8 (38... Rxe1+ 39.
Qxe1+ Kd8 40. Qxe8+ Kxe8 41. Kf1) 39. Rxe2 Rxe2 40. Kf1) 38. Ng5+ Kf8 39. Nh7+
$11 {mit Stellungswiederholung} (39. Nf3 $4 Bxf3))) 32. Bxd4 cxd4 33. Rg3 $16 {
(/+-) Zu allem Unglück muß Schwarz gleich seine Dame für Turm plus Läufer
hergeben und sein Heil in einem schlechten Endspiel suchen.} Qf7 (33... g6 $4
34. f5) 34. Rxg7+ Qxg7 35. Nxg7 Kxg7 36. Rf2 Rxf2 (36... Ra3 37. Qxd4 Rxe4 38.
Qc3 {und vermutlich +-}) 37. Kxf2 c5 $2 ({I} 37... Rxe4 {hätte zäheren
Widerstand geleistet, wenngleich am weißen Sieg wohl nichts geändert. Für
Endspiel-Fans hier ein paar interessante Beispiele:} 38. Qd2 {"!?", VG} (38.
Qg4+ $6 Kf8 39. Qf5 (39. Qd7 $2 d3 $1) 39... d3 40. Qxf6+ Ke8 41. Qh8+ Kd7 42.
Qxh7+ Kd8 43. Qh8+ Ke7 {und es nicht nicht zu sehen, wie Weiß weiterkommen
kann (=). Hier bildet der schwarze d-Bauer ein ausreichendes Gegengewicht}) (
38. Qf3 $5 Kf8 (38... f5 39. h3 (39. b4) 39... Kf6 40. g4 fxg4 41. hxg4 Kg7 42.
f5 h6 43. f6+ Kf7 44. b4 d3 (44... Bc6 45. b5 Bb7 46. Qf5 d3 47. Qd7+ Kxf6 48.
Qxc7 Re2+ 49. Kg3 $18) 45. Qxd3 Kxf6 46. Qf3+ Ke7 47. b5 Kd7 48. Qf5+ Re6 49.
Qh7+ Kc8 50. Qf7 Re4 51. Qf8+ Kd7 52. Qxh6 $18) (38... Kf7 39. Qh5+ Ke7 (39...
Kg7 40. Qb5 Bc8 41. Qb8 $18) 40. Qxh7+ Kd8 41. Qh8+ Kd7 42. Qg7+ Kc8 43. Qxf6
Bc6 (43... d3 $2 44. Qh8+ Kd7 45. Qh3+) 44. c5 d3 45. cxd6 d2 46. Qh8+ Kb7 47.
Qg7 $3 Kb6 48. Qa1 cxd6 49. f5 $18) (38... d3 39. Qxd3 Rxf4+ 40. Ke3 Re4+ (
40... Rh4 41. Qf5 Bxg2 42. Qd7+ Kg6 43. Qxc7 $18) 41. Qxe4 Bxe4 42. Kxe4 c6 43.
b4 $18) 39. b4 Ke7 40. b5 f5 41. Qg3 Kf7 42. h3 Re7 43. Qd3 Re4 44. Qa3 $1 Re7
(44... Rxf4+ 45. Kg3 Re4 46. Qa7 $18) 45. c5 Be4 46. cxd6 cxd6 47. Qxd6 $18 {
. Weiter könnte folgen:} d3 48. b6 h5 49. g3 Re6 50. Qb4 Re7 51. Ke3 Re6 52.
Kd2 Re7 53. Qd4 Re8 54. Qc4+ Kf6 55. Qc3+ Ke6 (55... Kg6 56. Qc7) 56. Qb3+ Kd6
57. Qb4+ Ke6 58. g4) 38... Kf7 (38... c5 $2 39. Qa5 $18) (38... Kg6 $6 39. f5+
$5 Kxf5 (39... Kg7 {CDM}) 40. Qa5+ c5 41. Qc7 Rf4+ 42. Kg1 Be4 43. g3 Rg4 44.
Qxd6 $18 {VG}) 39. b4 $1 (39. Qb4 $6 Bc6 40. Qa5 Re7 41. Qh5+ Kg7 42. Qd1 (42.
b4 $2 d3) 42... Re4) 39... h5 40. b5 c5 41. bxc6 $1 (41. Qa5 $2 d3) 41... Bxc6
42. Kg3 $1 Kg6 (42... Ke7 43. Qa5) (42... Bd7 43. Qb4 Ke7 44. c5) 43. Kh4 d5 (
43... Kf5 44. g3 Kg6 45. Qd3 Kg7 46. Qa3 Re2 47. h3 Re6 48. Qa7+ $18) (43...
Bd7 44. g3 Kg7 45. h3 Bf5 46. Qb4 $18) 44. c5 Bb5 45. h3 d3 46. c6 Re2 (46...
Bxc6 47. Qxd3 d4 48. Qc4 Be8 49. Qg8+ Kf5 50. g3 Bc6 51. Qc4 $18) 47. Qc3 Rc2
48. Qd4 f5 49. c7 d2 50. Qxd5 Ba4 51. g4 $18) ({II} 37... Bxe4 $2 {zu passiv}
38. Qxd4 c5 (38... Bg6 39. g4) 39. Qa1 $18 Bg6 (39... Kg6 40. g4) 40. Qa7+ Bf7
(40... Kg8 41. g4) 41. g4 Re4 42. Kf3 Re6 43. Qc7 {- /\f5, Qxd6 -} f5 44. gxf5
Rh6 45. Kg4 Rf6 (45... Rxh2 46. Qxd6 $18) 46. Qe7 h6 (46... Rh6 47. Qg5+) 47.
h3 $18) 38. Qg4+ {Die Dame dringt sofort verheerend ins schwarze Lager ein.}
Kf7 39. Qh3 $5 ({Noch zielstrebiger war} 39. Qh5+ Kg7 40. e5 $1 dxe5 (40... d3
41. Qg4+ Kf7 42. Qf5 d2 43. Qxh7+ Ke8 44. Ke2 $18) 41. Qg4+ Kf7 42. Qf5 $1 $18)
39... Bxe4 40. f5 Re5 41. Qxh7+ Ke8 42. g4 Bc2 ({Oder z.B.} 42... d3 43. Qh6
Bc6 44. Qxf6 Re2+ 45. Kg3 Kd7 46. Qg7+ Kc8 47. Qg6 Kd7 48. f6 d2 49. Qh7+ Kc8
50. Qd3 Rg2+ 51. Kh3 Kd7 52. f7 Ke7 53. Qf5 Kf8 54. Qg6 $18 {VG}) 43. Qc7 d3
44. Qxd6 Re2+ 45. Kf1 Re7 46. Qb8+ Kd7 47. Qb7+ Kd8 48. Qa8+ Kd7 49. Qd5+ Ke8
50. g5 $1 fxg5 51. f6 Re2 52. Qg8+ Kd7 53. Qh7+ Ke6 54. f7 1-0

[Event "Lvov Cup of Galychina"]
[Site "Lvov"]
[Date "2001.12.22"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Kazakov, Mikhail"]
[Black "Golod, Vitali"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2473"]
[BlackElo "2517"]
[Annotator "Golod,V"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[EventDate "2001.12.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "UKR"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 087"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{I am familiar with Misha Kozakov already more than 20 years.Our games always
pass in sharp and interesting struggle. Did not become exception and this game!
} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 {Misha did not want to play
open variant of the Spanish party.} d6 6. O-O $6 {[%mdl 4]} ({More logically,
from my point of view,to keep the bishop:} 6. c3 $5 {(it's main line).You can
look my commented game: Cao Sang-Golod,V/Ohrid,2001/CBM 84(1-0)(40)}) 6... b5 {
I go on the most basic decision!} 7. Bb3 $140 Na5 {[%csl Rb3]} 8. Nc3 ({
Is a possible continuations of the play:} 8. Re1) (8. Be3) (8. c3) (8. Nbd2) (
8. Qe1) (8. Qe2) ({and} 8. Ne1) 8... Be7 {It is not necessary to hasten to
take away of the bishop "b3".} 9. Ne2 ({Impossibly:} 9. d4 $2 {in view of:}
exd4 10. Nxd4 $140 $2 c5 {[%csl Rb3][%cal Gc5c4]}) ({Also was checked in
practice:} 9. Bd2 $5) (9. h3 $5) ({and} 9. Qe2) 9... O-O {Besides,black has
three principales options:} (9... Bb7 $5 10. Ng3 O-O 11. Qe2 (11. Nf5 $5) 11...
Re8 12. Nf5 Nxb3 13. axb3 Bf8 14. Bg5 $11 {Burn,A-Schlechter,C/Ostende,1907(1/
2-1/2) (52)}) (9... c5 $5) ({and} 9... Nxb3) 10. Ng3 ({In my opinion,worse is:
} 10. Bd2 Nxb3 11. axb3 c5 12. Ng3 Qc7 13. Qe2 Re8 {=/=/+ Gunston,W-Teichmann,
R/London,1904 (0-1)(43)}) 10... Re8 {[%csl Yf8][%cal Ye7f8]} ({Other
possibilities are:} 10... c5 $5) (10... Ne8) (10... c6) ({and} 10... Kh8 {
with success were checked in practice.}) 11. Bd2 $5 $146 ({Was checked in the
previous games:} 11. Qe2 c5 12. Bd2 Bf8 (12... Nxb3 $142) 13. Bxa5 Qxa5 14. a4
b4 15. Ng5 Ra7 16. Nh5 Qd8 17. f4 $36 {Matanovic,A-Zuidema,C/Tel Aviv,1964(1-0)
(41)}) (11. c3) ({and} 11. Re1) 11... Nxb3 12. axb3 {[%mdl 16]} Bf8 $11 13. Qe2
c5 ({Can it was necessary to begin play at the centre:} 13... d5 $5 {[%csl Gd5,
Ge5]}) 14. c4 Bd7 ({It is doubtful to close game on the queen side:} 14... b4
15. Ne1 $13 {/\Nc2-e3 and f4.}) 15. Ne1 {[%cal Ge1c2,Gc2e3]} a5 {[%cal Ga5a4]}
16. Nc2 ({During a game I was afraid:} 16. f4 $5) 16... a4 17. bxa4 ({It
deserves attention:} 17. b4 {[%csl Yb4,Gb5,Yc4,Gc5]} Rc8 $13) 17... bxc4 18.
dxc4 Rxa4 19. Rad1 $6 {My rook now is located much more actively,than rook of
the opponent.} (19. Rxa4 $142 Bxa4 20. Ne3 $11) 19... Qb6 (19... Bg4 $143 20.
f3 $140 Be6 {[%csl Rc4]} 21. Ne3 Qb6 22. Bc3 Qb3 23. Ngf5 $11) 20. Bg5 $5 ({
Weakly:} 20. Bc3 {in view of:} Be6 21. Ne3 Qb3 $15 {[%csl Rc4]}) 20... Bg4 $1 {
The important intermediate move.Much worse at once:} (20... Be6 $2 21. Bxf6
Bxc4 22. Qg4 $14 {[%cal Gg3f5]}) ({Pretty dubiously:} 20... Qxb2 21. Bxf6 gxf6
22. Nh5 $40) 21. f3 $140 Be6 {[%csl Rc4,Ge2,Rf3][%cal Ge6c4]} 22. Ne3 ({
Now wrongly:} 22. Bxf6 $2 Bxc4 23. Qe3 Bxf1 24. Qg5 h6 25. Qg4 Bc4 $1 26. Bxg7
$140 Be6 27. Nf5 Bxf5 {[%csl Ga4,Rg4]} 28. Qxf5 Bxg7 $19) 22... Nd7 23. Nd5
Bxd5 ({Senselessly:} 23... Qb3 $6 {[%csl Rc4] because of:} 24. Rd3 Qb7 (24...
Qxc4 $4 25. b3 {[%csl Ra4,Rc4]}) 25. Qc2 Rea8 {=/=/+}) 24. cxd5 (24. Rxd5 $143
g6 $15 {[%csl Rb2,Rc4]}) 24... Rb8 25. Rf2 $1 {[%csl Rb2,Ye2,Yf2]} Rb4 26. Rd2
g6 {[%csl Yg6][%cal Yg6f5,Yg6h5]} 27. Rc2 Qb5 28. Qe1 $6 {White again
incorrectly evade from exchange.} (28. Qxb5 $142 R8xb5 29. Bc1 {[%csl Rb2,Yc1,
Yc2,Yf2] =/=/+}) 28... c4 $15 {[%cal Gd7c5,Gc5d3]} 29. Be3 $8 {[%csl Ye3]} Nc5
{[%cal Gc5d3]} 30. Bxc5 Qxc5 {[%csl Rg1][%cal Gb4b2]} 31. Qc1 {[%csl Rb2][%cal
Yc1b2,Yc1h6] Differently,my bishop will get on a /^ c1-h6.} h5 $1 {/\Kh7,Bh6}
32. Nf1 Kh7 33. g4 $1 {White are ready to block a diagonal c1-h6.} hxg4 34.
fxg4 Qd4 {[%csl Re4]} 35. Qe3 ({Badly:} 35. Rcd2 {because of:} Bh6 $1 (35...
Qxe4 $5 36. Rxf7+ Kg8 $17) 36. Rxd4 Bxc1 37. Rd1 (37. Rxf7+ $2 Kg8 38. Rd1 Kxf7
39. Rxc1 c3 $19 {[%csl Re4]}) 37... Bf4 $17 {[%csl Gf4]}) 35... R8b7 $6 ({
Can be recommended:} 35... Kg8 {[%csl Rf7][%cal Yg8f7]}) 36. g5 Kg8 {[%csl Rf7]
[%cal Yg8f7] Better late than never!} 37. Rfd2 Qxe3+ 38. Nxe3 c3 39. Rxc3 Rxe4
40. h3 $6 $138 (40. Kf1 $142 Be7 $15) 40... Be7 41. Rc8+ $2 {After this
mistake,I get a big advantage in the endgame.} (41. Rg2 $142 {=/+/-/+}) 41...
Kg7 42. Nc4 Rb4 $1 ({Much worse is:} 42... Bxg5 43. Nxd6 Bxd2 44. Nxb7 Rb4 45.
Nd6 Rxb2 46. Rc7 Be3+ 47. Kh1 Rf2 {=/+/-/+}) 43. Rc2 Rd4 44. Rc7 Bd8 $1 45. Rc6
(45. Rd7 $4 {is refuted by:} Rdxc4 46. Rf2 (46. Rxc4 $140 Bb6+ $1 $19) 46...
Bxg5 47. Rfxf7+ Kg8 48. Rg7+ Kf8 $19) (45. Rc8 $144 Bxg5 46. Nxd6 Rxd5 $19)
45... Bxg5 46. Nxd6 Rxd5 $19 47. Kg2 Be7 ({A little dubiously:} 47... Rbd4 48.
Nc4 $140 f5 {in view of:} 49. b4 e4 50. Ra2 {[%csl Rg7]} f4 $17) 48. Ne8+ Kf8
49. Nc7 (49. Rc8 $143 Rd8 50. Nd6 (50. Rxd8 $143 Bxd8 51. Nd6 Ke7 $19) 50...
Rxc8 51. Rxc8+ Kg7 52. Nc4 e4 $19) 49... Rd3 (49... Rd6 $142 {with idea to
exchange one rook.}) 50. Rf2 $1 Rf4 $6 {The wrong decision,a little bit
complicating realization of advantage.} (50... e4 $142 $1 51. Rxg6 $140 Bh4 {
[%csl Rf2,Rg6]} 52. Na6 Rbb3 $19) 51. Rxf4 exf4 52. Rc3 $1 {[]} f3+ ({Also it
deserves attention:} 52... Rd2+ 53. Kf3 Rxb2 (53... g5 $5) 54. Nd5 (54. Kxf4 $2
Bd6+ 55. Ke4 (55. Kg4 $2 Rg2+ 56. Kf3 (56. Kh4 Be7#) 56... Rg3+ {[%csl Rc3]}) (
55. Kf3 Rh2 $19 {[%csl Rh3]}) 55... Bxc7 56. Rxc7 Rb3 57. h4 Rb4+ 58. Ke5 Rxh4
59. Kf6 Rf4+ 60. Kg5 Rf5+ $19 61. Kh6 $140 Rh5#) 54... Bd6 55. Nxf4 {-/+/=/+})
53. Kf1 $8 ({Loses right away:} 53. Kg3 $4 Bh4+ $1 54. Kxh4 (54. Kh2 Rd2+ 55.
Kh1 Rd1+ 56. Kh2 f2 {[%cal Gf2f1]}) 54... Rxc3 55. bxc3 f2 {[%cal Gf2f1]})
53... Rd7 (53... Rxc3 $2 54. bxc3 Bh4 (54... Bc5 $143 55. Na6 Be3 56. Nb4 $11 {
[%cal Yb4c2,Yc2e1]}) 55. Nb5 {[%cal Gb5d4]} Ke7 56. Nd4 f2 57. Nf3 Bg3 58. Kg2
$15) 54. Na6 (54. Nb5 Rd5 $17 {[%csl Rf3][%cal Gd5f5,Yf5f3]}) 54... Rd6 55. Nc5
$2 ({More stubborn resistance after:} 55. Nc7 $17) 55... Rd1+ 56. Kf2 Rh1 $1 (
56... Bxc5+ $6 57. Rxc5 Rh1 58. b4 Rxh3 59. b5 Rh2+ 60. Kxf3 Rb2 61. Ke4 {
[%csl Rb2][%cal Ge4d4,Gd4c3] with good chance to draw.}) 57. Nd7+ $140 ({
Impossibly:} 57. b4 Bh4+ 58. Kxf3 (58. Ke3 f2 {[%cal Gf2f1]}) 58... Rxh3+ {
[%csl Rc3]}) 57... Ke8 58. Ne5 Bh4+ $1 59. Kxf3 $8 (59. Ke3 f2 {[%cal Gf2f1]})
59... Rxh3+ 60. Ke4 Rxc3 61. bxc3 Bf6 $1 {[%csl Rc3,Re5,Gf6] Final chord!} 0-1

[Event "Grand Slam Final 6th"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2013.10.11"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2795"]
[Annotator "Gormally,D"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2013.10.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[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. d3 d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Re1
b5 9. Bc2 d5 10. Nbd2 d4 11. h3 Nd7 12. Nb3 a5 13. a4 bxa4 14. Nbd2 Nc5 15. Nc4
f6 16. Bxa4 Nxa4 17. Rxa4 dxc3 18. bxc3 Ba6 19. Qb3 Kh8 20. Rd1 Qb8 21. Qc2 Bb5
22. Ra2 Bxc4 23. dxc4 Nd8 24. Be3 Ra6 {Although White's pawn islands on the
c-file may look ugly, they control some useful squares. However in the long
term, Black stands well, as not only can he take aim at these pawns in the
endgame, but he has a powerful passed a-pawn to boot. So at this moment the
game is in the balance. It is a classic situation of better structure vs
short-term initative. Karpov for example used to love defending against these
temporary initatives, if he soaked up the pressure his lasting trumps would
surely prevail. Therefore we can say that if White does not play with energy
and precision over the next few moves there is a great danger he will end up
just being a lot worse.} 25. Qa4 $2 {Adams places his queen on what looks a
very natural square, not only blockading the a-pawn, but also threatening at
any moment to steal into d7, creating havoc in the enemy ranks.  However it
turns out that this is a crucial error, which hands over the initiative to
Aronian, after which he never lets go.} ({In fact the queen was already well
posted on c2, where it keeps a useful eye on the e4-pawn. Much more to the
point was} 25. Rd7 $1 Re8 (25... Nc6 {is possible, but of course the knight
would far rather go to e6} 26. Rd5 $1 {and it is not easy to see how Black can
make any progress against this stubborn rook on d5, while at the same time
White can always re-route his knight from f5 to either f5 via h4, or d2 to b3.
With the knight on e6 the white rook on d5 is only temporarily in charge - it
can always be pushed away with a timely ...c6}) 26. Nh4 $1 {which creates a
serious problem for Black; he can hardly allow the knight into f5, but after}
g6 {his kingside has been appreciably weakened.} 27. Nf3 Ne6 28. Rd5 Qa8 29.
Qa4 Kg7 30. Nd2 $1 {and White is better - it is not at all easy for Black to
alleviate the pressure on his position.}) 25... Ne6 $1 {Just the tiniest of
inaccuracies and the Black forces are co-ordinating perfectly again.} 26. Qb5 (
26. Rd7 $6 {gets nowhere after} Bc5 $1) 26... Qa8 27. c5 {Perhaps Adams was
counting on this move, but if so, Aronian's next two turns would serve as a
rude awakening.} ({In any case White is already worse.} 27. Rda1 Rb8 28. Qd5
Rd8 29. Qb5 c6 30. Qa4 Bc5 {is also unpleasant for White.}) 27... Rb8 28. Qc4
Qc6 $1 {The white position is now bereft of any fun, as Aronian has cleverly
extinguished his initiative. In fact White is now reduced to mere defence, and
not suprisingly given the shift in psychological circumstances, it is not long
before Black's advantage grows to decisive proportions.} 29. Ne1 Nxc5 $17 30.
Rd5 Nb3 31. Qd3 Raa8 32. Nc2 Bf8 33. Na3 Qa4 $1 {Black is winning now. The
white position is too fragile.} 34. Qc4 Qxc4 35. Nxc4 a4 36. Kf1 a3 37. Rd7 Kg8
38. Ke2 Rb7 39. Kd3 Ra4 40. f3 Bc5 41. Bd2 Kf8 42. g4 Ba7 43. Nd6 cxd6 0-1

[Event "Athens Acropolis op-A 24th"]
[Site "Chalkida"]
[Date "2009.08.15"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Mamedov, Nidjat"]
[Black "Mastrovasilis, Athanasios"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2614"]
[BlackElo "2503"]
[Annotator "Grivas,E"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2009.08.10"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 131 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.09.03"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.09.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 d6 5. c3 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Re1 a6 8. Ba4
Nd7 9. d4 exd4 10. Nxd4 ({It looks strange but the text move is a novelty.
White has chosen till now} 10. cxd4 Nb6 11. Bb3 (11. Bxc6 bxc6 12. Qc2 (12. Nc3
a5 13. Be3 f5 14. e5 f4 15. Bc1 d5 $13 {Bachmann Schiavo,A-Beliavsky, A
Dresden 2008}) 12... Bd7 13. Nbd2 {1/2-1/2 Palac,M-Beliavsky,A Murska Sobota
2007}) (11. Bc2 Bg4 12. d5 Bxf3 13. Qxf3 Nd4 14. Qd1 Nxc2 15. Qxc2 c6 16. dxc6
Rc8 17. Qe2 Rxc6 18. Nc3 Bf6 $11 {Papadopoulos,I-Mastrovasilis,A Rhodes 2008})
11... Bg4 12. Nc3 Bf6 13. Be3 Qd7 $13 {Strelnikov,S-Nester,I Evpatoria 2003.})
10... Nxd4 11. cxd4 (11. Qxd4 $6 Bf6 12. Qe3 Nc5 $15 {.}) 11... Nb6 12. Bb3 d5
({I think that} 12... c5 {was the correct follow-up.}) 13. exd5 $1 (13. e5 Bf5
14. Nc3 Qd7 {would allow Black to feel fine.}) 13... Bd6 (13... Bf5 14. Nc3 Qd7
15. Bf4 $14 {.}) 14. Nc3 Bf5 15. Qf3 Qf6 $6 (15... Re8 16. Rxe8+ Qxe8 17. Bd2
Qd7 $14 {was a must.}) 16. Ne4 (16. Bf4 Bg6 17. Bxd6 Qxd6 18. h4 $16 {is an
alternative line.}) 16... Qg6 (16... Bxe4 17. Qxf6 gxf6 18. Rxe4 $16 {cannot
be advisable, as White also gets the bishop-pair.}) 17. Nxd6 cxd6 {At least
now White doesn't have any pressure along the c-file (c7-pawn).} 18. Bf4 Rfe8
19. Rxe8+ ({With handside I would prefer} 19. Bxd6 $1 Be4 20. Qg3 Bxd5 21. Bxd5
Nxd5 22. Re5 $16 {.}) 19... Rxe8 20. Qg3 $6 (20. Bxd6 Be4 21. Qg3 Bxd5 {
was again good.}) 20... a5 $1 {Now Black gets counterplay.} 21. f3 a4 22. Re1
Rxe1+ 23. Qxe1 h6 $1 24. Bxa4 $6 ({White should try to keep the equality with} 
24. Bd1 Nxd5 25. Bg3 {.}) 24... Nxa4 25. Qe8+ Kh7 26. Qxa4 Bh3 $1 27. g4 $2 ({
A tragic blunder. White should have opted for the passive but probably
defensible} 27. Bg3 Qb1+ 28. Kf2 Qxb2+ 29. Ke1 Bxg2 30. Qb3 Qc1+ $15 {.}) 27...
Qd3 $1 {Probably White missed this strong move!} 28. Kf2 g5 $1 {And now Black
wins!} 29. Qd7 (29. Bg3 Qd2+ 30. Kg1 Qg2# {.}) 29... Qf1+ 30. Ke3 Qc1+ 0-1

[Event "RUS-ch Superfinal 60th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2007.12.29"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Black "Tomashevsky, Evgeny"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2674"]
[BlackElo "2646"]
[Annotator "Inarkiev,E"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2007.12.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This game was played in the 10th round. My opponent had played a very good
tournament, and before this game he had +3, only half a point behind the
leader. I had had a very strange tournament; in the first 8 rounds I hadn't
managed to win even one game, despite a lot of chances to do so. In round 9 I
won with Black, and before this game had 50 percent. Obviously, I was no
longer giving much thought to the contest to win the tournament. I just wanted
to win one more game.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6.
Bb3 Bb7 {Arhangelsk variation. This is Evgeny's favourite weapon against 1.e4.}
7. d3 (7. c3) ({and} 7. Re1 {other lines.}) 7... Be7 8. Nc3 O-O 9. Bd2 d6 10.
Ne2 $5 {A rare move. It had been played only in one game before. At the same
time, It couldn't be a surpise for my opponent, because it that game it was
Tomashevsky who was Black.} ({Mainly, White has chosen} 10. Nd5) ({or} 10. a4)
10... Bc8 $6 $146 ({In that single game Black chose} 10... Nd7 {but didn't
equalise.} 11. Ng3 Nc5 12. Bd5 Rb8 13. b4 Ne6 14. c3 $14 {...0:1
Khairullin-Tomashevsky, Russia 2006. It's interesting, that Tomashevsky,
Khairullin and Vitiugov commented on it for the Informant.}) ({They noted that
both the moves} 10... d5 {and 10...Bc8 are worthy of attention.}) 11. c3 Be6 {
Obviously, this is the idea of the previous move. The bishop on b7 was
confined by the d3- and e4-pawns, and as at the same time, the white bishop on
b3 is quite strong, Black trying to trade the bishops.} {White has saved the
tempi on the typical moves a3, h3, and made the transfer of Nb1 to g3 without
the move Re1. Those small subtleties, and some unconcern in Black's previous
play allow White to gain the initiative with:} 12. Bxe6 $1 fxe6 13. a4 {
Threatening a4xb5 followed by Ra8 and Qb3.} Qd7 14. Ng3 Rab8 15. b4 $14 {
The small defect in Black's pawn structure, and an initiative on the queenside,
give White a long-term advantage.} Nd8 $5 {The N is going to f7, freeing the
way for the c-pawn.} ({If} 15... d5 {then} 16. Qb3 Bd6 17. Rfe1 $14) {A
critical moment. White must decide now, what is more important, let Black
exchange a pair of rooks, or let him play c7-c5.} 16. axb5 $1 ({After} 16. Qb3
$5 Nf7 {(/\d5,c5).} 17. axb5 (17. Ra2 {is slow} d5 {(/\c5).}) 17... axb5 18.
Ra7 $1 Ra8 $1 19. Rfa1 Rxa7 20. Rxa7 $14 {White has prevented c7-c5, and it
will be difficult for Black to get any counterplay; however, with one rook on
the board it's possible to defend passively.} d5 21. h3 h6 $5 22. Qa2 Bd6 {
White is better, but Black has his chances.}) 16... axb5 17. Ra6 Nf7 18. Qa1 $1
{This is the point, White takes the a-file avoiding the exchange of rooks.} d5
{(/\c5)} ({The critical continuation is} 18... c5 19. bxc5 $1 {Breaks Black's
pawns.} (19. Qa2 $6 cxb4 $5 (19... d5 $5) 20. cxb4 d5) 19... dxc5 {This is
position, which I had aimed for. I saw, that here I have different
possibilities, and decided, that there should be a way to exploit the
advantages of White's position.} 20. Qa2 $1 {After other moves Black also has
problems, but this move is the strongest.} Qxd3 ({After} 20... Bd6 21. Ra1 {
White's initiative increases.}) 21. Qxe6 ({Not good is} 21. Rxe6 $6 Ra8 22. Qb3
Bd6 $13 {and White has a problem with his rook.}) 21... Rbe8 ({If} 21... Rb7 $6
{then} 22. Be3 $16 {(/\Nf5).}) ({After} 21... Bd6 {White has a choice.} 22. Ra7
$5 {is strong enough.} (22. Bg5 $1 {may be even stronger but it's more
complicated. For example} Rbe8 ({If} 22... b4 {then} 23. Ra7 $1 Rbe8 (23... b3
$2 {is too slow:} 24. Bxf6 gxf6 25. Nf5 $18 b2 26. Nh6+) 24. Qf5 Re7 $5 25.
Rxe7 Bxe7 26. cxb4 cxb4 27. Nxe5 $16) 23. Qf5 $1 Nxg5 24. Nxg5 Re7 25. Qh3 $1 {
(/\Nf5).} b4 26. Rfa1 $1 Qxc3 27. Nf5 Qxh3 28. Nxh3 Nxe4 29. Nxd6 $18) 22...
Rbe8 23. Qa2 {Ng5 is a strong threat.} h6 24. Re1 {(/\Re3).} b4 25. cxb4 cxb4
26. Re3 Qb5 27. Ra5 Qb6 28. Ra6 Qb8 29. Rb3 $16 {The pawn on b4 will fall.}) {
and now} 22. Be3 $1 {(/\Nf5; xc5).} Bd6 ({or} 22... Kh8 23. Ra7 Bd6 24. Qb3 $16
) 23. Qa2 b4 24. Rb1 $1 Kh8 25. cxb4 cxb4 26. Ne1 Qb5 27. Ra7 $16 {It will be
hard for Black to protect both, the b-pawn and the kingside.}) 19. Be3 {
White mechanically stops c7-c5.} ({Interesting also} 19. Qa3 $5 Rfc8 20. Ra7)
19... Ng4 $5 {Black tries to exchange something.} ({If} 19... Rfc8 {then} 20.
Ra7 $14) 20. Ba7 $1 {Winning a tempo, and maintaining control over the
c5-square.} ({If} 20. Bc1 {then Black can just move back} Nf6 $5 {(/\c5).})
20... Ra8 21. h3 Nf6 22. Qa2 Rfc8 23. Ra1 {Maybe White should not give Black a
chance to play c7-c5.} ({The best way to stop it is} 23. Ra3 $5 {excellent
preventive move!} {Now} c5 $2 {is impossible} 24. bxc5 $16 Bxc5 $2 25. Bxc5
Rxa3 26. Bxa3 $18) {It's not obvious whether should White prevent c5 or not,
because after it White also has the initiative.} 23... c5 $5 {It's not easy to
stay passive.} 24. bxc5 Bxc5 25. Bxc5 Rxa6 26. Qxa6 Rxc5 {Again a critical
moment. I went for this position more intuitively, thinking that there should
be an initiative for me, but White must play precisely.} 27. exd5 $1 ({
Promising could be} 27. Qb6 $6 {but after} Rxc3 28. Ra7 {Black has} Rc6 $1 {
and White can gain only a slight edge} 29. Qa5 Qe8 30. exd5 Nxd5 31. Ra8 Rc8
32. Rxc8 Qxc8 33. Qxb5) ({Also not enough is} 27. Ra3 dxe4 $5 28. Qb6 $5 {
An interesting trick, but it simplifies the position} ({If} 28. dxe4 {then
there arises the situation, where Black can successfully contain the activity
of White's knights, and without knights it will be hard to make any progress.}
h6 $5 29. Qb6 Qc6) 28... Rc6 $1 29. Ra8+ Rc8 30. Ra7 Nd5 31. Qa5 Qd8 $1 32.
Nxe4 Qxa5 33. Rxa5 b4 34. cxb4 Nxb4 $14 {White is slightly better, but Black
should make a draw.}) 27... Rxd5 $2 {At the cost of the pawn structure, Black
wants to get some activity.} ({Also bad is} 27... Nxd5 $2 28. Ne4 Rc8 29. c4
$16) ({Just necessary was} 27... exd5 $1 {I planned to play} 28. d4 $5 ({
Probably, objectively stronger is} 28. Qa3 Rc8 (28... Qc7 $2 {loses:} 29. Qa8+
Qc8 30. Nf5 $1 $18 {For example} Kh8 31. Nxe5 $1 Nxe5 32. Ne7 Qe8 33. d4 $1
Rxc3 34. dxe5 Rc1+ 35. Rxc1 Qxa8 36. exf6 gxf6 37. Rc8+ Qxc8 38. Nxc8 $18) 29.
Qb4 $14 {(/\Ra5).}) 28... exd4 29. Nxd4 Nd6 $1 ({Bad is} 29... Rxc3 $2 30. Ngf5
$1 $16 {and White has a strong attack. For example} h6 31. Re1 $1 Ne4 32. Qg6
$1 $40) 30. Nge2 (30. Qb6 $6 {doesn't work} Rxc3 31. Ra7 {because of} Nc8 $1) {
The position looks almost equal, but it is not, White has a good initiative.
For example} 30... h6 31. Qb6 Qc7 32. Ra8+ Kh7 33. Ra6 $1 Nfe8 34. Qxc7 Rxc7
35. Rb6 Rc5 36. g4 $14) 28. c4 $1 $16 bxc4 ({Or} 28... Rxd3 29. cxb5 $16) 29.
dxc4 Rc5 30. Rb1 $1 {It's amazing how quickly White's advantage increases.
Black has to protect the weaknesses, and can't trade some pieces; because of
this Black is forced to put his pieces in worse positions.} Rc8 31. Rb7 Qd1+
32. Kh2 Qd6 33. Qa7 $1 Qf8 (33... Rf8 $2 34. Ng5 $1) {Here we both had less
than 10 minutes, so the next few moves were made in limited time.} 34. Rc7 Rd8
({After} 34... Rxc7 35. Qxc7 {Black loses the pawn.}) 35. Qb6 Re8 ({If} 35...
Qe8 {then} 36. Qe3) 36. Ra7 e4 {This move doesn't look good, but we can hardly
recommend Black to stand and wait.} 37. Nd2 Nd6 38. Ra6 Rd8 39. Qb3 ({Wrong
would be} 39. Ngxe4 $6 Nfxe4 40. Nxe4 Nxc4 41. Qxe6+ Qf7 $16 {and Black would
have good chances to get a draw.}) 39... Rb8 40. Rb6 Rc8 $5 ({Worse is} 40...
Rxb6 41. Qxb6 {(/\c5; xe4,xe6,P"c").}) 41. Qb4 $1 {We had passed the time
control, and after deep thought I realized, that White's c-pawn, is more
important, than both Black's e-pawns.} ({Because of this} 41. c5 $2 {is mistake
} Rxc5 42. Qxe6+ ({or} 42. Rb8 Rc8 43. Qxe6+ Kh8 44. Rxc8 Nxc8 45. Ndxe4 Nxe4
46. Nxe4 Ne7 $16 {and Black has good chances to make a draw.}) 42... Nf7 43.
Ndxe4 Nxe4 44. Nxe4 Re5 45. Qc4 Kh8 $16 {Here White has real chances to win,
but to have achieved such a position is major progress for Black.}) 41... Rd8 (
41... Nxc4 $2 {loses} 42. Nxc4 Nd5 ({or} 42... Qxb4 43. Rxb4 Nd5 44. Nb6 $18)
43. Qa4 $1 {the most simple, taking the c6-square under control} Nxb6 ({If} 
43... Rxc4 $2 {then} 44. Qxc4 Nxb6 45. Qxe6+ $18 {winning the knight.}) 44.
Nxb6 $18) 42. Rc6 h5 {This is the natural wish to create some counterplay, but
this will finally become one more weakness.} 43. Qc5 $1 {Simple and strong.
The queen is going to e5.} (43. c5 $1 {is also strong and if} Nd5 {then} 44.
Qb1 $1) 43... h4 44. Ngf1 Qe7 45. Qe5 $1 {Excellent position for the queen.
Attacking the e4 and e6 pawns, and preparing c4-c5.} Qd7 46. Ra6 Kf8 47. Kg1 {
There's no reason to hurry. I was planning to attack the h-pawn, but Black
made a mistake. Anyway, there's almost no chance for a successful defence.} Ke7
$6 {Trying to protect e6 for the future. Here Black was in time trouble.} 48.
Nb3 $1 {Starting the decisive attack.} Nf7 ({Also bad is} 48... Kf7 49. Nc5 Qe7
50. Ne3 $18 {and Black falls to pieces.}) ({Losing immediately} 48... Nxc4 $2
49. Qc5+ Nd6 50. Ra7 $18) 49. Qa5 {Threatening Ra7} Qd1 50. Qb4+ Nd6 51. Ra1 $1
{Helping to activate last inactive piece.} Qe2 52. Ne3 $18 {Now all White's
pieces are ready to attack the black king, and the black queen is too far from
home. Game over.} Qb2 53. c5 $1 Nc8 54. c6+ Kf7 55. Nc4 Qe2 56. Nd4 $1 {
The final detail.} Qh5 ({If} 56... Rxd4 {then} 57. Ne5+ $1 $18) 57. Qb7+ $1 {
Black resigned.} 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 17th"]
[Site "Gjakova"]
[Date "2016.05.13"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Black "Svetushkin, Dmitry"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2686"]
[BlackElo "2575"]
[Annotator "Inarkiev,E"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2016.05.12"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "KOS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 173"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This game is from the 2nd round. This is start of the tournament, when
there's no pressure of the tournament situation, and players can concentrate
on chess.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3
O-O 8. Nc3 Bb7 {This position more often arises from the Arkhangelsk variation.
} ({In such a move order} 8... d6 {is a more popular move.}) 9. a3 d6 {The
positions from the Ruy Lopez are all similar, but small nuances make the real
difference.} 10. Ba2 $5 {White wants to use the tempo which he usually spents
on h2-h3, and that rook is still on f1.} Qd7 11. Ng5 $5 $146 {This is the point
} ({In previous games one saw} 11. Re1 Rfe8 12. h3 h6 {Fedorchuk,S (2641)
-Hamitevici,V (2443) Vandoeuvre les Nancy 2015, with a typical complex play.})
11... Nd4 {Black is choosing a more solid way.} ({It is more difficult to
assess what's happening after} 11... h6 12. f4 $5 exf4 13. Nh3 g5 $1 {it seems,
that White's attack is not strong enough.} 14. Nxf4 gxf4 15. Rxf4 Ne5 16. Rf5
Kh7 $15) 12. f4 c5 {White has got what he wanted - the f-file is opened, f7 is
under pressure now, but it's not easy to bring the rook on a1 into the game,
and the centre can open in any moment, so the position remains unclear.} 13.
Ne2 {The knight on d4 is the most active black piece. White wants to remove it,
and get better squares for his pieces.} Rae8 ({Of course, Black don't want to
spend a tempo on exchanging the knight, but it was the right idea:} 13... Nxe2+
14. Qxe2 c4 $1 $13 ({After} 14... exf4 15. Bxf4 {White have an easy game.}))
14. Ng3 {White can kick away the d4-knight at any moment, but the white knight
on f5 will have a threatening position.} ({The resources of Black's position
an be seen in the variation} 14. fxe5 dxe5 15. Ng3 c4 $13 16. dxc4 $6 h6 17.
Nf3 Nxe4 $17 18. Nxe5 Ne2+ $1 19. Qxe2 Bc5+ $19) 14... exf4 15. Bxf4 Bd8 16.
Qd2 $14 {Both armies have found their positions, and avoided direct conflict.
White has clear targets for an attack and possibilities to improve the
position. Of course, Black has enough resources, but White has a clear
initiative.} d5 {Logical - Black opens the centre, where all his pieces are.} (
{An interesting alternative is} 16... h6 $5 17. Nf3 Nxf3+ 18. gxf3 d5 $13 {
It looks like White has very dangerous threats on the kingside, but Black has
enough counterplay.}) 17. c3 Nc6 ({White is better after} 17... Ne6 18. Nxe6
Rxe6 19. Rae1 $14) 18. exd5 $5 {Opening squares for the pieces.} (18. Nf5 {
is tempting, but White's ideas here are not strong enough:} dxe4 {for example}
19. Nd6 $6 exd3 $1 $17) (18. Rae1 $5 {Looks strong, making one more useful
move before opening the position,} {but Black can simplify the position with}
h6 $1 {Just in time} (18... dxe4 $2 {is bad:} 19. N3xe4 Nxe4 20. Nxe4 $16) 19.
exd5 Rxe1 $1 (19... hxg5 20. dxc6 $16) 20. Rxe1 Nxd5 21. N5e4 Nxf4 $1 22. Qxf4
Qxd3 $13 {and Black has enough resources for the defence. For example} 23. Nf5
c4 $1 24. Bb1 Qd5 $1 25. Nxh6+ gxh6 26. Qxh6 ({or} 26. Nf6+ Bxf6 27. Qxh6 Bd4+
$1 28. Kh1 f5 29. cxd4 Nxd4 30. Qg6+ Kh8 31. Qh6+ $11) 26... f5 27. Qg6+ Kh8
28. Qh6+ $11) 18... Nxd5 19. N5e4 Nxf4 $1 {Necessary.} ({After} 19... Be7 20.
Bg5 $1 $16 {Black's position collapses:} f6 21. Be3) 20. Qxf4 Ne5 $1 {Again a
necessary move.} 21. Rad1 {Keeping the tension. To control the situation and
avoid any risk, White could take one of Black's bishops.} ({After} 21. Nxc5 Bb6
22. d4 Bxc5 23. dxc5 Qc6 $1 24. Rf2 Qxc5 25. Rd1 {White has a slight
initiative, but the position is very close to equality.}) 21... g6 $2 {After a
long period of thought, Black makes a very bad decision.} (21... Nxd3 {is
dangerous, but it works:} 22. Qxf7+ Rxf7 ({Also possible is} 22... Qxf7 23.
Bxf7+ Rxf7 24. Rxf7 Bxe4 25. Nxe4 Rxe4 26. Rd7 {it seems that this is the end,
but Black has} Bb6 $1 27. Rb7 Re6 28. Rxd3 c4+ 29. Rxb6 Rxb6 $11) 23. Rxf7 Qc6
24. Rc7+ c4 25. Rxc6 Bxc6 26. Rxd3 Bxe4 27. Nxe4 Bb6+ $11) ({A complex game
follows} 21... Qc6 {here both sides must play precisely:} 22. Nf5 c4 $1 23. Qg3
Ng6 24. Ned6 Bb6+ 25. Kh1 Re2 $1 26. Nxb7 Qxb7 27. dxc4 Rxb2 28. c5 $1 {
Black has different options now, for example} Bc7 29. Bd5 Qxd5 30. Rxd5 Bxg3
31. hxg3 Rc2 $13 {The position is still complicated, but objectively equal.})
22. d4 $1 {The activation of the rook is very strong.} ({It was also possible
simply to take the pawn} 22. Nxc5 $5 Bb6 23. b4 $1 Bxc5+ 24. bxc5 Qc6 25. Rd2
$18 {Black can't take on c5, then the advantage is huge.} Qxc5+ 26. d4) 22...
cxd4 ({Also bad is} 22... Bxe4 23. dxe5 Bd3 24. c4 $1 Bc7 25. Qe3 Bxe5 26. Qxd3
$18) 23. Rxd4 Qe7 24. Rxd8 $1 {Eliminating a very important defender. All
White's remaining pieces are taking part in the attack. The sacrifice is
tempting of course, but White has to be very precise.} Rxd8 25. Nf6+ Kg7 26.
Qg5 $1 {The only way to an advantage.} Qc5+ {.} 27. Kh1 Nd3 {[%cal Gd3f2] Now
White faces the last question in the game. Because of the counter-threat ...
Nf2+, White has no time for slow moves.} 28. Nfh5+ $1 {[%cal Ga2f7] It's very
important to let the bishop take part in the attack, without the bishop the
attack wouldn't be effective.} Kg8 29. Qf6 {Now there's mate by force.} Nf2+
30. Rxf2 Rd1+ 31. Nf1 gxh5 32. Bxf7+ Rxf7 33. Qxf7+ Kh8 34. Qe8+ Kg7 35. Rf7+
Kh6 36. Qe6+ {In my opinion this was my most beautiful game in the tournament.}
1-0

[Event "POL-ch 58th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2001.03.19"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Bartel, Mateusz"]
[Black "Blehm, Pawel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2392"]
[BlackElo "2512"]
[Annotator "Konikowski,J"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2001.03.18"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[EventCategory "11"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 082"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.05.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.05.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4
Bg4 9. c3 (9. Be3 O-O 10. Nc3 Na5 11. Ba2 b4 12. Nd5 Nxd5 13. Bxd5 c6 14. Ba2
Rb8 15. d4 exd4 16. Qxd4 Bxf3 17. gxf3 Bf6 18. Qd3 Bxb2 19. Rad1 Be5 20. f4 Qh4
21. fxe5 {1/2-1/2 Dvoirys,S-Romanishin,O/Koszalin 1999/}) 9... Na5 $146 {
[%mdl 8]} (9... O-O 10. h3 Bxf3 (10... Bd7 11. Re1 Na5 12. Bc2 c5 13. Nbd2 h6
14. Nf1 Re8 15. Ng3 Nc6 16. Nh2 Bf8 17. Qf3 b4 18. Nf5 a5 19. g4 Nh7 20. Qg3
Be6 $13 {Zyla,J-Grabarska,B/Swidnica 1999/}) 11. Qxf3 Na5 12. Bc2 b4 (12... c5
13. Qe2 b4 14. f4 Rb8 15. Nd2 Nd7 16. Nf3 bxc3 17. bxc3 Nb3 18. Bxb3 Rxb3 19.
Qc2 Qb8 20. Nd2 Rb7 21. Nc4 Qc7 22. Ne3 Nf6 23. c4 Rfb8 $132 {Lutikov,A-Ryskin,
M/Moscow 1972/}) 13. Nd2 c5 14. Nb3 bxc3 15. bxc3 Nxb3 16. Bxb3 Qa5 17. Bd2
Rab8 18. Rab1 g6 19. Qd1 Nh5 20. Qc2 Qc7 21. Bc4 a5 22. Rb3 Qd7 23. Qa2 Bh4 24.
Rfb1 $16 {Lukin,A-Andreev,K/St Petersburg 1997/}) 10. Ba2 c5 11. Bg5 O-O 12.
Nbd2 Rb8 13. axb5 axb5 14. h3 Bd7 15. d4 Qc7 16. dxe5 dxe5 17. Nxe5 $5 Qxe5 18.
Nf3 Qc7 19. e5 Rb6 20. exf6 Bxf6 21. Re1 Bc8 (21... c4 22. Be3 Re6 $11) 22. Bb1
g6 23. Bh6 Rd8 24. Qe2 Bd7 25. Ba2 (25. Rxa5 $2 Re6 $17) 25... c4 26. Rad1 Re6
27. Qf1 Nc6 28. Bb1 Rde8 29. Rxe6 Bxe6 30. Ng5 Bc8 31. Ne4 Be5 32. Bg5 Bf5 33.
Kh1 Kg7 (33... Nd8 $5 {/\Nd8-e6}) 34. f4 h6 35. fxe5 hxg5 36. Nd6 Rxe5 37.
Nxf5+ (37. Bxf5 $5 gxf5 38. Nxf5+ Kg6 39. Rd6+ Re6 40. Qb1 $36) 37... gxf5 38.
Bxf5 Re3 39. Bb1 (39. Qf2 $142 $5) 39... Qe5 $15 40. Qf2 Re2 $17 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 0405"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2005.01.30"]
[Round "9.3"]
[White "Smagin, Sergey"]
[Black "Socko, Bartosz"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2565"]
[BlackElo "2570"]
[Annotator "Konikowski,J"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2004.11.12"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 106"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Katernberg"]
[BlackTeam "Kreuzberg"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. O-O d6 8. a4
Rb8 9. axb5 axb5 10. c3 O-O 11. Re1 (11. Nbd2 Nd7 12. Re1 Bf6 13. Nf1 Nc5 14.
Bd5 Ne7 15. Ba2 Ne6 16. d4 Ng6 17. Be3 Ng5 18. Nxg5 Bxg5 19. dxe5 Bxe3 20. Nxe3
Nxe5 21. f4 Nd7 22. Qd4 $16 {Xie Jun-Nay Oo Kyaw Tun/Shanghai 2000/}) (11. Qe2
Bd7 12. d4 Ra8 13. Rxa8 Qxa8 14. Rd1 h6 15. Nh4 Re8 16. d5 Na5 17. Ba2 c6 18.
Na3 cxd5 19. exd5 Nc4 20. Nxc4 Qxa2 21. Nb6 Qa7 22. Be3 Qb7 23. Nxd7 Qxd7 24.
Nf3 Ra8 $13 {Du Chattel,P-Houtman,J/Netherlands 1995/}) 11... Bb7 12. Bd2 b4
13. cxb4 (13. d4 $5) 13... Bc8 14. Ra4 Bd7 15. Na3 Nd4 16. Nxd4 Bxa4 17. Bxa4
exd4 18. Bc6 {[%cal Yb4b5]} Nd7 19. f4 d5 20. Nc2 dxe4 21. Rxe4 Rb6 22. b5 Nb8
23. Ba5 Rxc6 24. bxc6 Nxc6 25. Be1 (25. Bd2 $5) 25... Qd5 26. Qe2 Bd6 27. Bf2
$2 {[%cal Rc2d4,Re4d4,Rf2d4,Gc6d4,Gd5d4][%mdl 8192]} (27. g3 $142) 27... f5 $1
28. Re8 Bxf4 29. Qe6+ $2 (29. Nxd4 $142 $5 Nxd4 30. Qe7 Ne6 31. Qxe6+ Qxe6 32.
Rxe6 Rb8 33. Re2 Rb3 34. d4 Kf7 $15) 29... Qxe6 30. Rxe6 Bd6 31. Re2 Rd8 32. g3
(32. Nxd4 Nxd4 33. Bxd4 Bxh2+ 34. Kxh2 Rxd4 $19) 32... Be5 33. Na3 Bf6 34. Nc4
Nb4 35. Rd2 Kf7 36. Rd1 Rb8 37. Be1 Nd5 38. Bd2 Rb3 39. Bf4 g5 40. Be5 Ne3 41.
Rc1 Nxc4 42. Bxf6 Kxf6 43. Rxc4 Rxd3 44. b4 (44. Rxc7 Rd1+ 45. Kg2 Rd2+ $19)
44... Ke5 45. Rxc7 Rd1+ 46. Kf2 Rd2+ 47. Ke1 Rxh2 48. b5 Rb2 49. Re7+ Kd5 50.
Rxh7 (50. Rf7 Ke4 $19) 50... Rxb5 51. Rh5 (51. Re7 Rb2 $19) 51... Ke4 52. Rxg5
Ke3 53. Kf1 d3 0-1

[Event "Olympiad-36"]
[Site "Mallorca"]
[Date "2004.10.15"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Ostos, Julio Eduardo"]
[Black "Socko, Bartosz"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2332"]
[BlackElo "2570"]
[Annotator "Konikowski,J"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2004.10.15"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 104"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Venezuela"]
[BlackTeam "Poland"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "VEN"]
[BlackTeamCountry "POL"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 b5 8. Bb3
d6 9. Bd5 Nxd5 10. exd5 Ne5 11. Nxd4 O-O 12. b3 Bg4 $146 {[%mdl 8]} (12... Bb7
13. Bb2 (13. f4 Nd7 14. c4 Bf6 15. Nc3 Nc5 16. Qd2 bxc4 17. bxc4 Qd7 18. Bb2
Rfe8 19. Nb3 Nxb3 20. axb3 c6 21. Na4 {1/2-1/2 Van der Wiel,J-Smejkal,J/Vienna
1980/}) 13... Bf6 14. Nc3 b4 15. Ne4 Bxd5 16. f4 Ng6 17. Nxf6+ Qxf6 18. Ne6
Qxb2 19. Nxf8 Nxf4 20. Nd7 Bc6 21. Rf1 Qd4+ 22. Qxd4 Ne2+ 23. Kf2 Nxd4 24. Rad1
Ne6 25. Nb6 cxb6 26. Rxd6 Rc8 $19 {Schulz,K-Lane,G/Royan 1989/}) (12... Bf6 13.
Nc3 Bb7 14. a3 Re8 15. Be3 c5 16. dxc6 Nxc6 17. Nxc6 Bxc6 18. Qd3 Rc8 19. Bd4
Be5 20. Rad1 Qg5 21. Ne4 Bxh2+ 22. Kxh2 Bxe4 23. Qg3 Qxg3+ 24. Kxg3 Re6 25. Rd2
Rg6+ 26. Kf4 Bxg2 $19 {Pares Vives,J-Pablo Marin,A/Malgrat del Mar 1991/}) (
12... Bd7 13. Bb2 Bf6 14. Nd2 Ng6 15. Nf1 Be5 16. Ng3 Qb8 17. Rb1 Qb6 18. Ndf5
Bxb2 19. Rxb2 Rae8 20. Rb1 Rxe1+ 21. Qxe1 Re8 22. Qd2 Re5 23. Ne3 f5 $17 {
Holm,T-Stempin,P/Copenhagen 1989/}) 13. Qd2 Re8 14. Bb2 Bh4 15. Nc3 Qf6 16. Ne4
(16. g3 $5 Bg5 17. f4 Bh6 18. Qg2 $14) 16... Qg6 17. Ng3 h5 18. f4 $2 (18. a4
$142 $5) 18... Bxg3 19. hxg3 Nd7 20. Qc3 Nc5 21. Rxe8+ Rxe8 22. Re1 Rxe1+ 23.
Qxe1 Bf5 (23... Qe4 $5 24. Qc3 (24. Qxe4 Nxe4 25. Kh2 Bc8 26. Nc6 Bb7 27. Bd4
g6 28. c4 bxc4 29. bxc4 Bxc6 30. dxc6 Kf8 $17) 24... f6 25. Nc6 Bf5 $17) 24.
Nc6 Kh7 25. Ne7 Qg4 26. Qc3 (26. Nxf5 $5 Qxf5 27. Qd1 $15) 26... Be4 27. b4 Nd7
28. Qe1 f5 29. Bd4 h4 $1 {[%mdl 128]} (29... Bxc2 $4 30. Qe6 Nf6 31. Bxf6 gxf6
32. Qf7+ Qg7 33. Qxh5+ Qh6 34. Qe8 $18) 30. Kh2 h3 $1 31. gxh3 Qf3 32. Qg1 Nf6
33. c3 Kh6 34. Be3 Qh5 35. g4 fxg4 (35... Nxg4+ $142 36. Kg3 Nxe3 37. Qxe3 Qf7
$19) 36. Qg3 Kh7 (36... Bxd5 $5 37. f5+ Kh7 38. Nxd5 Nxd5 $19) 37. Bd4 Qh6 $1
38. Qe3 $4 {[%mdl 8192]} (38. a3 $142 $15) 38... Bf3 $19 39. Qd3+ Ne4 40. Qf1
Qxf4+ (40... Qxf4+ 41. Kg1 Qg3+ 42. Qg2 Qxg2#) 0-1

[Event "RUS-CHN Summit (Women) 4th"]
[Site "Nizhnij Novgorod"]
[Date "2007.08.22"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Kosintseva, Nadezhda"]
[Black "Shen, Yang"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2475"]
[BlackElo "2439"]
[Annotator "Kosintseva,N+T"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2007.08.20"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 119 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.09.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.09.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 {Avoiding the most
well-known theory. The classical Spanish arises after 6.Re1, but the line
chosen by White also contains some interesting ideas.} b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 $5
Bd7 9. Bd2 {Quite a rare continuation. More often the moves 9.c3 or 9.Na3 are
played here.} O-O ({In the second cycle of the match, Shen Yang, playing
against my sister Tatiana, chose a different, although slightly strange
continuation. In that game, there followed} 9... Bg4 {and then} 10. c3 O-O 11.
h3 Bd7 12. Ba2 $14 {White stands well, and it is not clear why Black has
played so many moves with the bishop.}) 10. axb5 axb5 11. Nc3 Rb8 {Black does
not put up any fight for the a-file, and instead invites White to show what
significance the file has in this position.} ({The principled line is} 11...
Na5 {after which White has} 12. Nd5 $1 {, revealing the idea of 9.Bd2.} Nxd5 ({
Black cannot play} 12... Nxb3 $4 {because of} 13. Rxa8 Qxa8 14. Nxe7+ Kh8 15.
cxb3 $18 {with an extra piece.}) 13. Bxd5 c6 14. Ba2 Nb7 15. b4 $14 {
"dominating" the knight on b7, and as Mihail Kobaliia has shown in some of his
games, Black has some problems.} Kh8 16. c4 bxc4 17. Bxc4 Rxa1 (17... Bg4 18.
Rxa8 Qxa8 19. h3 Bh5 20. g4 Bg6 21. Qa1 Rb8 22. Rb1 Nd8 23. Qxa8 Rxa8 24. b5
cxb5 25. Rxb5 h6 26. Rb6 {Kobalia,M-Korotylev,A,2007}) 18. Qxa1 Bg4 19. Qa7
Bxf3 20. gxf3 d5 21. exd5 cxd5 22. Qxb7 dxc4 23. dxc4 Kg8 24. Be3 {Kobalia,
M-Georgadze,G,2007}) ({But also deserving of attention was} 11... Nd4 $5) 12.
h3 {White bides his time for the moment, just making some useful moves.} ({
Previously} 12. Nd5 {was played:} Nxd5 13. exd5 (13. Bxd5 Bf6 {freeing the
square e7 for the knight.}) 13... Nd4 14. Nxd4 exd4 $13) 12... Qc8 {Freeing d8
for the knight, and also preparing Be6.} ({On} 12... Nd4 {I intended} 13. Nxd4
exd4 14. Ne2 c5 15. c3 $5 dxc3 (15... c4 16. dxc4 bxc4 (16... d3 17. Ng3 bxc4
18. Bxc4 $16) 17. Bxc4 Nxe4 (17... dxc3 18. Nxc3 Rxb2 19. Be3 $14) 18. Nxd4
Rxb2 19. Bc1 Rb8 20. Qf3 $14) 16. Bxc3 c4 $140 17. Bc2 (17. dxc4 Nxe4) 17... b4
18. Bd4 $32) ({On the immediate} 12... Be6 {there follows} 13. Nd5 $14) 13. Bg5
$5 Nb4 {Black immediately exploits the bishop's departure from d2, intending
to seize space with the standard Spanish move c5, and also preparing Be6.} ({
After} 13... Be6 {there comes} 14. Nd5 Bxd5 $140 (14... Nxd5 $4 15. exd5 Bxg5
16. Nxg5 $18) 15. exd5 Nb4 (15... Nd4 16. Nxd4 exd4 17. Qf3 $32) 16. Bxf6 $5
Bxf6 17. c3 Na6 18. d4 c5 (18... exd4 19. Nxd4 Nc5 20. Bc2 $14) 19. dxe5 dxe5
20. Re1 $14 Re8 $140 21. d6 $36) ({Not good is} 13... Nd8 {because of} 14. Bxf6
Bxf6 15. Nd5 $16) ({Interesting was} 13... h6) 14. Qe2 (14. Qd2 {looks more
interesting, with the idea of keeping the e2 square for the knight, which can
then go to g3. At the same time, the queen on d2 eyes the Black kingside, thus
giving White some additional tactical possibilities. But here too, Black has
his counterplay:} h6 (14... Be6 15. Bxe6 fxe6 (15... Qxe6 16. d4 $36) 16. d4
exd4 17. Nxd4 Qd7 18. Qe2 c6 19. e5 $36) 15. Be3 Be6 (15... c5 16. Ne2 Be6 17.
Ng3 $5 {not fearing to spoil the pawn structure} Bxb3 $140 (17... c4 $5 18.
Qxb4 cxb3 19. cxb3 Qd7 20. Qd2 Bxb3 21. d4 $36) 18. cxb3 Qe6 19. Nf5 $36 {
followed by Ra7, and Black cannot play} Ra8 $2 {because of} 20. Bxh6 $1 gxh6
21. Qxh6 $18) 16. Ne2 (16. d4 Bxb3 17. cxb3 c5 $13) (16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. d4 (17.
Ra5 Qd7 18. Rfa1 c5 $13) 17... exd4 18. Nxd4 Qd7 19. Qe2 c6 $13) 16... Bxb3 17.
cxb3 d5 $1 (17... c5 18. Ng3) 18. exd5 (18. Nxe5 dxe4 $13) (18. Ng3 Qe6 $13)
18... e4 (18... Qf5 19. Ng3 Qxd3 20. Qxd3 Nxd3 21. Rfd1 Nb4 (21... Nxb2 22. Rd2
e4 23. Nd4 Nd3 24. Nc6 $14) (21... e4 22. Nxe4 $14) 22. Nxe5 Nbxd5 (22... Nfxd5
23. Nd7 $14) 23. Nf5 Bd6 24. Nd7 Nxd7 25. Rxd5 Nf6 26. Rd3 $14) (18... Nfxd5
19. Nxe5 Qf5 20. d4 $14) 19. dxe4 Nxe4 20. Qd1 (20. Qd4 Nf6 $13) 20... Rd8 $132
) 14... h6 ({Deserving attention was} 14... c5 {after which I intended} 15. Nd1
{However, after} Be6 16. Ne3 ({Nothing special is apparent after} 16. Bxe6 fxe6
17. Ne3 Nc6 18. c3 Qd7) 16... Qd7 $5 {taking control of the f5 square, Black
does not have many problems.} ({This is stronger than} 16... Bxb3 17. cxb3 Qe6
({impossible is} 17... g6 {because of} 18. Ng4 Qe6 19. Ra7 Bd8 20. Bh6 Nxg4 (
20... Re8 21. Ng5 $18) 21. Bxf8 Kxf8 22. hxg4 $14) ({and also} 17... Ra8 18.
Rxa8 Qxa8 19. Nf5 Qb7 20. N3h4 $5 $36) 18. Nf5 {with interesting play, eg.} (
18. Ra7 Nc6) 18... Ra8 19. Bd2 Nc6 20. b4 $5 Nxb4 (20... cxb4 $2 21. Rxa8 Rxa8
22. Rc1 Ra6 (22... Rc8 23. d4) 23. d4 Nxd4 24. N3xd4 exd4 25. Nxe7+ Qxe7 26.
Rc8+ Ne8 27. Qxb5 $18) 21. Bxb4 cxb4 22. d4 $36)) ({In the event of the
immediate} 14... Be6 15. Bxe6 Qxe6 (15... fxe6 16. d4 exd4 17. Nxd4 c6 18. e5
dxe5 19. Qxe5 $16) 16. d4 {White seizes the centre:} c6 (16... c5 17. d5 Qd7
18. Bxf6 $5 (18. Ra5 Nh5 $1 19. Rxb5 (19. Bxe7 Nf4 20. Qd2 Qxe7 21. Nxb5 f5 $44
) 19... Bxg5 20. Rxb8 Rxb8 21. Nxg5 Nf4 22. Qd2 h6 23. Nf3 f5 $44) 18... Bxf6
19. Ra5 c4 20. Rfa1 $14) 17. Qd2 $14 {and the knight on b4 is in some trouble.}
) 15. Bd2 Be6 ({Also tempting is} 15... c5 {, preventing d4} 16. Nd1 ({on} 16.
Nh4 {there follows} Be6 17. Bxe6 Qxe6 {and the immediate} 18. Nf5 {does not
work because of} Nxc2 19. Ra7 Rfe8 20. Bxh6 Nd4 $17) 16... Nc6 {and on} 17. Ne3
(17. c3 $5) 17... c4 {is possible:} 18. dxc4 (18. Ba2 Nd4 19. Nxd4 exd4 20. Nf5
(20. Nd5 Nxd5 21. exd5 Bf6 $13) 20... Bxf5 21. exf5 Re8 22. dxc4 d5 $1 {
blocking the bishop on a2} (22... Qxf5 23. cxb5 Qxc2 24. Bc4) 23. cxb5 Qxc2
$132) 18... Nxe4 19. cxb5 (19. Bc1 Nc5 20. Nd5 Nxb3 $132) 19... Nxd2 20. Qxd2 (
20. bxc6 Nxf3+ 21. Qxf3 Bxc6 22. Bd5 (22. Nf5 Bg5) (22. Nd5 Bg5) 22... Bxd5 23.
Nxd5 Bg5 $132) 20... Rxb5 21. Nd5 Be6 22. Nxe7+ Nxe7 23. Qxd6 Bxb3 24. cxb3 Ng6
$11) 16. d4 {White permits his pawns to be doubled, but takes the initiative
in the centre.} Bxb3 17. cxb3 Qe8 $2 {An unfortunate choice, after which the
initiative passes to White.} ({It is interesting to note that} 17... Nc2 {
is based on a tactical idea:} 18. dxe5 (18. Ra7 Nxd4 19. Nxd4 exd4 20. Nxb5 Rb7
21. Rfa1 (21. Rxb7 Qxb7 22. Nxd4 Qxe4 $15) 21... Re8 22. Nxd4 (22. Rxb7 Qxb7
23. Ra7 Qxe4 24. Qxe4 Nxe4 25. Nxc7 Rc8 $15) 22... Bf8 $132) (18. Rac1 $2 Nxd4
19. Nxd4 exd4 20. Nxb5 Qa6 21. Nxd4 Qxe2 22. Nxe2 Nxe4 $17) 18... dxe5 19. Rac1
(19. Ra5 c6) (19. Ra7 Bc5) 19... Nd4 20. Nxd4 exd4 21. Nxb5 (21. Nd5 Nxd5 22.
exd5 Qd7 23. Qe5 (23. Bf4 Bd6) 23... Rbc8 24. Qxd4 (24. Rc6 Rfd8 25. Bxh6 Bf8
$15) 24... Rfd8 25. Bc3 Bf6 $11) 21... Qa6 (21... d3 $5 22. Qxd3 Rd8 23. Nd4 $1
c5 24. e5 Rxd4 25. Qxd4 cxd4 26. Rxc8+ Rxc8 27. exf6 Bxf6 28. Rc1 $13) 22. Nxd4
Qxe2 23. Nxe2 Nxe4 24. Bf4 Rxb3 25. Rxc7 Bf6 $11) ({Similar is} 17... c5 {
, after which Black's pawns prove indefensible.} 18. dxe5 (18. Nxb5 exd4 19.
Bxb4 Qd7 $1 20. Ra5 Bd8 21. Nxd6 Bxa5 22. Bxc5 Bb4 23. Bxb4 Rxb4 24. e5 Rfb8
$13) (18. d5 Nc2) 18... dxe5 19. Nxe5 (19. Nxb5 Qb7 20. Ra7 (20. Nc3 Nc2) 20...
Qxb5 21. Qxb5 Rxb5 22. Rxe7 Nxe4 (22... Nc6 $5) 23. Bxb4 Rxb4 24. Rxe5 (24.
Nxe5 Rxb3 $11) 24... f6 25. Re7 Rf7 26. Re6 Rd7 $11) 19... Nc2 $5 (19... Qe6 $5
) 20. Ra7 Nd4 21. Qe3 (21. Qd3 Qe6 22. Bf4 Rbd8 $132) 21... Qe6 22. Nd3 Ra8 23.
Nf4 Qe5 24. Rxa8 Rxa8 25. b4 Nc2 26. Qd3 Nxb4 27. Qxb5 Rd8 $11) 18. Rac1 $6 {
Played on "autopilot". Of course, the other rook should have gone to c1:} (18.
Rfc1 $1 c5 (18... exd4 19. Nxd4 Qd7 20. Ncxb5 $16) 19. dxc5 dxc5 20. Nxe5 $16)
18... Bd8 ({If} 18... c5 {then} 19. dxe5 dxe5 20. Nxe5 Bd6 21. Nf3 Qc6 22. e5
Rfe8 23. Qd1 Bxe5 24. Nxe5 Rxe5 25. Bf4 $16) (18... exd4 $5 19. Nxd4 Qd7 20.
Qf3 Rfe8 21. Rfd1 $36) 19. d5 Na6 (19... c5 {leads after} 20. dxc6 Nxc6 21.
Nxb5 Qd7 22. b4 $14 {to the loss of a pawn.}) 20. Be3 ({Also good} 20. Ra1 Nc5
21. b4 Nb3 22. Ra6 $16) 20... Rb7 ({Black does not solve his problems by} 20...
c5 21. dxc6 Qxc6 22. Rfd1 Re8 $8 {defending e5} (22... Nc7 23. Nd5 Qb7 (23...
Qd7 24. Nxe5 $18) 24. Nxf6+ Bxf6 25. Rxd6 $16) (22... Nc5 23. Nd5 $16) 23. Nh4
$1 (23. Nd5 Qd7 24. Qd3 Qb7 25. Nxf6+ Bxf6 26. Qxd6 $6 Red8 27. Qa3 Rxd1+ 28.
Rxd1 Ra8 $44) 23... Nc5 (23... Nxe4 24. Nf5 $16) (23... b4 24. Nd5 Nc5 25. Nf5
Nfxe4 26. Qg4 Ng5 27. Nxb4 $18) 24. Nf5 $1 Nxb3 25. Rc2 $44) ({White is also
better after} 20... Nc5 21. Bxc5 dxc5 22. Rfd1 $14) 21. Ra1 Nb4 ({if} 21... Nb8
{then} 22. Ra7 Rxa7 23. Bxa7 $16) 22. Rfc1 c5 {He dare not wait any longer!}
23. dxc6 Nxc6 24. Ra6 $2 {Natural, but not the best continuation. After the
correct reply 24..Qd7, the rook on a6 is vulnerable:} ({Nor does} 24. Nxb5 {
lead to an advantage:} Nxe4 25. Nd2 (25. Bxh6 d5 $44) (25. Qc4 Na5 26. Qxe4
Qxb5 $15) 25... Ne7 $1 (25... Na5 $6 26. Nxe4 Qxb5 27. Qxb5 Rxb5 28. Nxd6 Rxb3
29. Rc2 $36) 26. Nxe4 Qxb5 27. Qxb5 Rxb5 28. Nxd6 Rxb3 29. Nc4 Nf5 30. Bc5 Be7
31. Bxe7 Nxe7 $11) ({But after} 24. Qd3 $1 Na5 (24... Be7 25. Nd5 $14) (24...
Qe6 25. Rd1 (25. Nd5 Nxd5 $1 26. exd5 Nb4 $11) 25... Nb4 (25... Be7 26. Nd5)
26. Qxd6 Qxd6 27. Rxd6 Nc2 28. Ra7 Rxa7 29. Bxa7 b4 30. Nd5 Nxe4 31. Rc6 $16)
25. Nd2 $14 {White's advantage is obvious}) 24... Na5 $2 {Black diverts a
well-placed piece on an unnecessary attack.} ({As already pointed out, correct
was} 24... Qd7 $1 {making it as difficult as possible for wite to develop the
initiative.} 25. Rd1 $5 (25. Nxb5 $2 Nb4) (25. Qd2 b4 26. Nd5 (26. Nb5 Nxe4 27.
Qd5 Ne7 28. Qxe4 Rxb5 $17) (26. Na4 Nxe4 27. Qd3 Nb8 $17) 26... Nxe4 27. Qc2
Nb8 28. Ra4 Nf6 $11) (25. Nd5 $5 Nxd5 26. Raxc6 (26. Rcxc6 $2 Nb4 27. Rxd6 Qe7
$17) 26... Nxe3 (26... Ne7 27. Ra6 f5 28. Qd3) 27. Qxe3 f5 28. exf5 Rxf5 29. b4
$13) 25... Be7 (25... b4 $2 26. Na4 Nxe4 27. Bc5 $1 Nxc5 28. Nxc5 Nd4 29. Nxd4
dxc5 30. Ne6 $16) 26. Nh4 $1 {with a very complicated, but interesting game.} (
26. Bc5 Rc8 27. Nxb5 Nxe4 $1 28. Qxe4 Rxb5 $15) (26. Nxb5 Nxe4 27. Qc4 (27.
Bxh6 $2 Nc5 $17) 27... Nb8) 26... b4 (26... Nb8 27. Rb6 $1) 27. Na4 Nxe4 (27...
Nb8 28. Rb6 $1 (28. Nc5 Qb5) 28... Nxe4 (28... Rxb6 29. Nxb6 Qb7 30. Nf5 Nxe4
31. Qf3 $18) 29. Qc4 $1 Bxh4 (29... Nf6 30. Nc5) 30. Qxe4 Rxb6 31. Nxb6 Qd8 32.
Qxb4 Be7 33. Nd5 $36) 28. Ng6 $1 fxg6 (28... Re8 29. Qc2 $1 (29. f3 Nd4 $5 30.
Nxe7+ $140 (30. Bxd4 Ng3 31. Qe1 fxg6 32. Qxg3 exd4 33. Qxg6 Bg5 $13) 30...
Qxe7 31. Bxd4 Ng3 32. Qe1 exd4 33. Qxg3 Qe2 $19) 29... Nb8 30. Ra8 (30. Nxe7+
Qxe7) 30... Qf5 (30... Nf6 31. Nxe5 $36) 31. Nxe7+ Rbxe7 32. Nb6 $44) 29. Qc4+
Kh7 30. Qxe4 Nd4 $1 (30... Nd8 31. Nc5 Qb5 32. Raxd6 $1 Bxd6 33. Rxd6 Rbf7 34.
Qxg6+ Kg8 35. Ne4 $40) 31. Nb6 (31. Bxd4 $5 Rf4 32. Qd5 exd4 33. Ra8 (33. Nb6
Rf5 $1) 33... Bf8 34. Rxd4 Rf5 $13) 31... Qc6 32. Rxd4 (32. Qxc6 Nxc6 33. Nd5
Rc8 $11) 32... Rxb6 33. Qxc6 Rxc6 34. Rxc6 exd4 35. Bxd4 Rf4 36. Be3 Re4 37.
Kf1 d5 38. Ke2 $13 d4 $2 39. Rc4 $16) ({Nothing comes of} 24... Nb8 25. Rxd6 b4
26. Na4 Nxe4 27. Rdd1 $36) 25. Nd2 b4 $6 {Too optimistic.} ({Better was} 25...
Qe6 26. Nxb5 Nxb3 27. Nxb3 Qxb3 28. Nxd6 Qxb2 29. Rc2 $36 {although even here
the activity of White's pieces promises a lasting initiative.} (29. Qf3 $5))
26. Na4 $6 {The wrong direction.} ({Black faces greater problems after} 26. Nd5
$1 Nxd5 27. exd5 Rc7 28. Ra1 (28. Rxc7 Bxc7 29. Ra7 Qb8) 28... Nb7 29. Nc4 Qb5
30. Qf3 $16 {with a very cramped position for Black.}) 26... Rc7 27. Rd1 Rc6
28. Qd3 {Short of time, I played more modestly.} ({On} 28. Qb5 {Black had
prepared} Rc1 $1) ({Stronger was} 28. Nb6 $1 {and Black's pieces are starting
to "hang".} Bxb6 (28... Qe6 29. Rxa5 (29. Qb5 d5 $1) 29... Bxb6 30. Ra6 d5 31.
Bxb6 Rxb6 32. Rxb6 Qxb6 33. exd5 Nxd5 34. Qxe5 $16) (28... Nb7 29. Ra8 Nc5 30.
Nd5 Nxd5 31. exd5 Rc7 32. Bxc5 dxc5 (32... Rxc5 33. Ne4) 33. Nc4 $16) 29. Rxb6
Rxb6 30. Bxb6 Nb7 (30... Nc6 31. Nc4) 31. Qc4 Qe6 32. Qxb4 $16) 28... Rxa6 ({
Not possible is} 28... d5 29. Bc5 $1 dxe4 30. Qb5 Rxa6 31. Qxa6 {and Black
loses material}) ({On} 28... Qe6 {there follows} 29. Rxc6 Nxc6 30. Qb5 d5 $140
31. Nc5 Qc8 (31... Qe8 32. exd5 Nxd5 33. Nc4 Nxe3 34. fxe3 Bg5 (34... Be7 35.
Nd7 Nb8 36. Ncxe5 $16) 35. Ne4 $36 (35. Nd6 $2 Bxe3+ 36. Kh1 Qa8)) 32. Rc1 ({
Here} 32. exd5 {is less strong:} Nxd5 33. Nc4 Nxe3 34. fxe3 Na7 $1 35. Qxb4 Be7
$13) 32... d4 $140 33. Bxh6 {with very complicated play:} Na7 (33... gxh6 34.
Nb7 Na7 35. Rxc8 Nxb5 36. Rxd8 Rxd8 37. Nxd8 Nc3 38. f3 Ne2+ 39. Kf2 Nf4 40.
Nc6 Nd3+ 41. Ke2 Nf4+ 42. Kd1 Nxg2 43. Nxe5 $16) 34. Qa4 Bb6 35. Qxb4 Bxc5 (
35... Nd7 36. Nxd7 Qxc1+ 37. Nf1 Bc5 38. Bxc1 Bxb4 39. Nxf8 $14) 36. Rxc5 Qa8
37. Bxg7 $5 Kxg7 38. Rxe5 Nc6 39. Rg5+ Kh6 40. Qc5 $36) 29. Qxa6 Qc6 30. Qxc6
Nxc6 31. Nc4 Nxe4 ({Objectively stronger was} 31... Bc7 {after which Black may
have feared} 32. Rc1 {but then there is} (32. f3 Rd8 33. Nab6 Ne7 $11) 32...
Bb8 {preparing to meet} 33. Nxd6 $140 {with} Nd4 34. Bxd4 Bxd6 (34... exd4 35.
Nf5 Nxe4 36. Re1 $1) 35. Bb6 (35. Bc5 Nxe4 36. Bxd6 Nxd6 $11) 35... Nxe4 36.
Rd1 (36. Re1 f5) 36... Be7 (36... Bb8 37. f3 Ng5 38. Bc5 Rc8 39. Bxb4 $14) 37.
Re1 (37. Rd7 Re8) 37... Nd2 38. Rxe5 Rc8 $1 39. Rxe7 (39. Nc5 Ra8) 39... Rc1+
40. Kh2 Nf1+ $11 {As is clear, the whole line is based on various tactical
nuances, which at the board, in conditions of time shortage, were very
difficult to work out fully.}) (31... Be7 32. f3 Rd8 33. Nab6 $14) 32. Nxd6
Nxd6 ({If} 32... Nf6 {White retains an albeit small plus after} 33. Nf5 Re8 34.
Kf1 $5) 33. Rxd6 Na5 34. Rd5 Nxb3 (34... Re8 $5 35. Bc5 Nxb3 36. Bxb4) 35. Rxe5
Bc7 36. Rb5 Rd8 $2 {Black sits on his hands. This move is hard to understand -
why waste a tempo and allow White's king to approach the queenside free of
charge? Now Black's position immediately becomes very difficult.} ({It was
essential to play} 36... Bd6 {although even then White's position is a little
more pleasant, eg} 37. Rd5 (37. Kf1 $5) 37... Bc7 (37... Be7 38. Nb6 $5 (38.
Rd7 Ra8 39. Rxe7 Rxa4)) 38. Kf1 Ra8 39. Nc5 Nxc5 40. Rxc5 Bd6 (40... Bb6 41.
Rb5 Bxe3 42. fxe3 Ra4 43. b3 Ra2 44. Rxb4) 41. Rd5 Be7 42. Ke2 Bf6 43. Bd4) (
36... Rb8 37. Rxb8+ Bxb8 38. Kf1 $14 Be5 (38... Kf8 $2 39. Nc5 $16) 39. Ke2 f5
40. Kd3 f4 41. Bb6) 37. Kf1 $16 Bd6 (37... Rd1+ 38. Ke2 Nd4+ 39. Kxd1 Nxb5 40.
Kc2 $16) (37... Rb8 38. Rxb8+ Bxb8 39. Ke2 $16) 38. Rd5 Bc7 39. Rxd8+ Bxd8 40.
Ke2 Be7 (40... Bf6 41. Kd3 Na5 42. Bd4 Be7 43. Bc5 Kf8 44. Kd4) 41. Kd3 Na1 {
Original stuff. Black voluntarily shuts her own knight out of the game. On the
other hand, it is hard to recommend anything better.} ({For example} 41... Na5
42. Bc5 Kf8 43. Kd4) 42. Nb6 $6 {An inaccuracy, caused by time-trouble.} ({
Stronger was} 42. Bc5 $1 {During the game, it seemed to me that after} Kf8 43.
Kc4 Nc2 {the Black knight could attack the kingside pawns, but this is not
possible after} 44. Bxe7+ Kxe7 45. Nc5 Ne1 (45... g5 46. Nd3 f5 47. Kb3 Nd4+
48. Kxb4 f4 49. Kc5 f3 50. g3 $16) 46. g3 Kd6 47. Kxb4 {and Black has nothing
dangerous, eg} Kd5 48. Kb5 Nf3 49. b4 Nd4+ 50. Ka4 f5 51. Nb3 Ne2 52. b5 f4 53.
Ka5 fxg3 54. fxg3 Nxg3 55. b6 Nf5 56. b7 Ne7 57. Nd4 $1 Kxd4 58. Kb5 $18) 42...
f5 {Black advances on the kingside, hoping either to create pawn weaknesses in
White's position, or else to exchange off as many pawns as possible.} (42...
Bf6 43. Bd4 Bxd4 44. Kxd4 Nc2+ 45. Kc4 Ne1 46. g3 Nf3 47. Nd5) 43. Nd5 Bd6 44.
Bd2 $5 ({Also interesting is} 44. Kc4 $5 b3 (44... Nc2 45. Bd2 $16) 45. Bf4 $1
{driving off the enemy pieces} Bf8 (45... Bxf4 46. Nxf4 Kf7 47. Nd3 Kf6 48. Nc5
Nc2 49. Kxb3 Ne1 50. g3 $18) 46. Nc7 Kf7 (46... Nc2 47. Kxb3 Ne1 48. g3 Bc5 49.
Be3 $16) 47. Nb5 g5 (47... Nc2 48. Bd2 $1) 48. Be5 h5 (48... f4 49. Nd4 Nc2 50.
Kxb3 Ne1 51. Kc4 Nxg2 52. b4 $16) (48... Nc2 49. Bc3 $1 Na1 50. Nd4 $16) 49.
Nd4 f4 (49... Nc2 50. Kxb3 Ne1 51. Kc4 Nxg2 52. b4 g4 53. hxg4 fxg4 54. b5 $18)
50. Nxb3 Nxb3 51. Kxb3 Ke6 52. Bh8 Kd5 53. f3 Be7 54. Kc3 $16) 44... b3 ({On} 
44... Be5 {the intention was} 45. Bxb4 Bxb2 46. Bc3 Bxc3 47. Kxc3 {and the
knight on a1 is lost.}) 45. Bb4 Be5 ({Also bad is} 45... Bxb4 46. Nxb4 Kf7 47.
Kc3 Kf6 (47... Ke6 48. Nc6 Nc2 49. Nd4+ Nxd4 50. Kxd4 $18) 48. Nd3 g5 49. Nc5
Nc2 50. Kxb3 Ne1 51. g3 Nf3 52. Kc4 Ng1 53. b4 Nxh3 54. b5 Ke7 55. b6 Kd6 56.
b7 Kc7 57. Kb5 $18) 46. Bc3 Bd6 47. Ne3 g6 48. Nc4 Bc5 49. f3 g5 ({There is no
help from} 49... Nc2 50. Na5 Ne3 (50... Na1 51. Nxb3 $1 Nxb3 52. Kc4 $18) 51.
Nxb3 Bb6 52. Bd4 $1 Bxd4 53. Nxd4 Nxg2 54. b4 Kf7 55. b5 Ke7 56. b6 Kd7 57. Kc4
Nf4 (57... Kc8 58. Kb5 Kb7 59. Ne6 $18) 58. Kb5 Nd5 59. b7 Kc7 60. Ka6 Ne7 61.
Ka7 Nc8+ 62. bxc8=Q+ Kxc8 63. Kb6 Kd7 64. Kc5 $18) 50. Nd2 Bf2 51. g4 fxg4 52.
fxg4 h5 53. Ne4 hxg4 {Black has had enough of suffering.} (53... Bh4 54. Nf6+
$18) 54. Nxf2 gxh3 55. Nxh3 g4 56. Nf4 Kf7 57. Ke3 Nc2+ 58. Ke4 Ke7 59. Nd5+
Kd6 60. Ne3 1-0

[Event "St Petersburg Chigorin Memorial"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "1909.03.08"]
[Round "16"]
[White "Duras, Oldrich"]
[Black "Vidmar, Milan Sr"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[Annotator "Lasker,Emanuel"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "1909.02.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "19"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2017"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.10.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {1) Lasker:The international congress St.Petersburg 1909. Translation by
R.Teichmann (2) Lasker: Der internationale Schachkongreß zu St.Petersburg.
1909. Berlin.1909. (Nachdruck Olms.1989.)} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6
5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 Bg4 9. a4 Na5 {The advantage of this
flanking movement of the Knight is not clear.} ({Why not} 9... O-O {and
prepare either f5 or d5?}) 10. Bc2 h6 11. d4 Nd7 12. Qe2 O-O $2 {A gross
blunder.} ({He had nothing better than} 12... c6) 13. axb5 axb5 14. Qxb5 Bxf3
15. Rxa5 Rxa5 16. Qxa5 Bg5 17. Be3 ({It is clear that after} 17. gxf3 Bxc1 18.
Rxc1 $2 {Black would win with} Qg5+) ({but with} 17. Nd2 {he would have
avoided the hampering doubled Pawn, which results from this move.}) 17... Bh5
18. Qb5 Bxe3 19. fxe3 Qg5 $2 {He throws his only chance away by despair.} ({
Why did he not play} 19... f6 {preventing White at least for a long time, from
turning his extra Pawn to account?}) (19... Bg6 $142 20. Nd2 Nf6 21. Qc6 Qb8
22. b3 Qa8 23. Qxa8 Rxa8 24. Bb1 Ra3 25. Kf2 d5 $132) 20. Qxd7 $18 Qxe3+ 21.
Kh1 Qe2 22. Qf5 Qxc2 23. Qxh5 exd4 24. Qd1 Qxe4 25. Qxd4 Qxd4 26. cxd4 Rb8 27.
Rf2 Re8 28. Nd2 Re1+ 29. Nf1 Rd1 30. Kg1 Rxd4 31. Rc2 c5 32. Rd2 Rb4 33. Ne3 g6
34. Nd5 Rb3 35. Nf6+ 1-0

[Event "Match Janowski-Mieses +6-6=2"]
[Site "Paris (Cafe de la Regence)"]
[Date "1895.01.07"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Janowski, Dawid Markelowicz"]
[Black "Mieses, Jacques"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[Annotator "Le Matin"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "1895.01.07"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1999"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Be7 6. O-O d6 7. d3 O-O 8. Ne2
Ne8 9. Ng3 f5 {ce coup est faible, car il force les Noirs a echanger le FD, ce
qui est generalement desavantageux au commencement de la partie.} 10. exf5 Bxf5
11. Nxf5 Rxf5 12. Re1 {Pour empecher l'adversaire de se degager par d5 et
menacant en meme temps une attaque par d4.} Rf8 {Le meilleur} ({si} 12... Bf6
13. g4 {gagnerait un echange.}) ({et si} 12... Nf6 13. Ng5 {mieux}) 13. c3 Bf6
{Ce coup coute un pion} ({Mais si} 13... Kh8 {les Blancs obtiendrait une forte
attaque par} 14. d4) 14. Qb3+ Kh8 15. Qxb7 Ne7 16. Ng5 Bxg5 17. Bxg5 Nf6 18.
Qf3 {La meilleure retraite pour la Dame, car elle peut, le coup suivant, se
placer sur la ligne TR.} h6 19. Qh3 Nh7 20. Bh4 Rf4 21. d4 Qf8 22. Bc2 Rb8 23.
Qd3 g6 24. Bg3 {Meilleur que} (24. Bxe7) 24... e4 {Le seul coup pour eviter un
desastre immediat.} 25. Qd2 ({si} 25. Rxe4 Rxe4 26. Qxe4 Rxb2 {etc}) 25... Rf6
26. Bxe4 Nf5 27. Re2 Nxg3 28. hxg3 Ng5 29. Bd3 a5 30. Rae1 Qg8 31. f4 Nh7 32.
c4 Ra8 33. Re7 Rf7 34. d5 Nf6 35. Qc3 Qg7 36. Rxf7 Qxf7 37. Re6 Kg7 38. g4 {
A partir de ce moment tous les coups des Noirs sont forces.} g5 39. fxg5 hxg5
40. Qd2 Kh6 41. Qf2 Rf8 42. Qf5 Qg7 43. Qf3 Qh8 ({si} 43... Qf7 44. Rxf6+ Qxf6
45. Qh3+ {echec et mat le coup suivant.}) 44. Qe4 Qg8 45. Qf3 Qh8 46. Re7 {
Les Noirs abandonnent pour eviter Dh3+ Temps Blancs: 1h 55 Temps Noirs: 2h 25
Analyse Le Matin 1895-01-15} (46. Re7 {le seul coup est} Nh5 47. Qxf8+ Qxf8 48.
Rh7#) 1-0

[Event "CRO-ch 12th"]
[Site "Opatija"]
[Date "2012.01.26"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Brkic, Ante"]
[Black "Sulava, Nenad"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2578"]
[BlackElo "2514"]
[Annotator "Let's Check"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "2012.01.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "CRO"]
[EventCategory "13"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 147"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bb7 7. d3 Be7 8. Nc3
O-O 9. Bd2 d6 10. Ne2 d5 11. exd5 Nxd5 12. Re1 Kh8 13. a4 f6 14. Ng3 Bc5 15. c3
Bb6 16. Bc2 f5 17. Nxe5 f4 18. Nf1 Nxe5 19. Rxe5 f3 $2 (19... Bxf2+ 20. Kxf2
Ne3 $17) 20. gxf3 $16 Qh4 21. d4 c5 $6 (21... Nf4 22. Bxf4 $16) 22. Be4 cxd4
23. Bxd5 $6 (23. Bg5 Qh3 24. Bxd5 $18) 23... dxc3 $16 24. Be3 cxb2 25. Rb1 Bc7
$2 (25... Bxe3 26. Nxe3 Rad8) 26. Re4 $18 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 74th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2012.01.14"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2769"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[Annotator "Let's Check"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2012.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 147"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. Nbd2 Bc5 10. h3 d6 11. c3 Rb8 12. Re1 Re8 13. a5 Ba7 14. Nf1 Ne7 15. Ng3
Ng6 16. d4 h6 17. Bc2 c5 18. dxe5 dxe5 19. Bd3 Be6 20. Bxa6 c4 21. Ra4 Qc7 22.
cxb4 Bxf2+ 23. Kxf2 Qa7+ 24. Be3 Qxa6 25. Kg1 Red8 26. Qc1 Rd3 27. Rd1 Rb3 28.
Qd2 Kh7 29. Kh2 Rb7 30. Qf2 Bd7 31. Ra2 R7xb4 32. Nh5 $2 (32. Bxh6 Kxh6 33.
Nf5+ $11) 32... Bc8 $2 (32... Nxe4 33. Ng5+ Nxg5 $19) 33. Nxf6+ Qxf6 34. Kg1
Bb7 35. Nd2 Qxf2+ 36. Bxf2 Rd3 37. a6 Bxe4 $6 (37... Bxa6 $1 38. Be1 Nf4 $19)
38. Re1 $15 Ba8 39. Ne4 Nf4 40. a7 f6 41. h4 c3 42. Nc5 c2 0-1

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM 40th"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2012.07.20"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2700"]
[BlackElo "2726"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2012.07.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 150"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 d6 7. c4 $5 {The old
Duras system.} O-O 8. h3 Nd7 9. Be3 Bf6 10. Nc3 Nd4 11. Bxd7 $146 (11. Bxd4
exd4 12. Ne2 c5 13. Qd2 b5 {Guseinov,G (2557)-Jenni,F (2522)/Plovdiv 2003/CBM
098 (0-1, 60)}) (11. b4 c6 12. Nh2 a5 13. b5 Nc5 {Bodnaruk,A (2417)-Tarasova,V
(2275)/St Petersburg 2011/CBM 144 Extra (1-0, 59)}) 11... Bxd7 12. Nd5 b5 13.
c5 $5 dxc5 14. Rc1 c6 15. Nxf6+ Qxf6 16. Rxc5 Nxf3+ 17. Qxf3 Qxf3 18. gxf3 Rae8
19. Kh2 f5 $11 {The mutual weaknesses tend to compensate for each other and
the presence of opposite-coloured bishops increases the probability of a draw.}
20. Rg1 Rf6 21. d4 exd4 22. Bxd4 Rg6 23. Rxg6 hxg6 24. Be5 Kf7 25. h4 Rh8 26.
Kg3 Rh5 27. Bf4 fxe4 28. Rxh5 gxh5 29. fxe4 Be6 30. a3 c5 31. Bd6 b4 32. a4 a5
33. Bxc5 Bd7 34. Bb6 Bxa4 35. Bxa5 b3 36. Kf4 g6 37. Bc3 Bd7 38. Kg5 Bg4 39. f4
Bf3 40. f5 Bxe4 41. fxg6+ Bxg6 42. Kf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 3rd"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2015.08.24"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2808"]
[BlackElo "2853"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[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"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:3600+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:06];Caruana,F (2805)
-Carlsen,M (2876) Norway Chess 3rd 2015 (2) 1-0 There is little wonder that
Carlsen avoids the Berlin after the recent defeat by Caruana's hands in} 4. Ba4
{[%emt 0:00:04]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:06] By this moment I
guess Caruana was asking himself whether it would be a Marshall or a Breyer.}
b5 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 6. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:00:06] None of them
in fact! Carlsen chooses the classical Arkhangelsk move order, which has
fallen into oblivion long time ago.} ({Fashion has the neo-Arkhangelsk based on
} 6... Bc5 {more reliable.}) 7. d3 {[%emt 0:01:15] Caruana does not show
himself keen of checking Carlsen's preparation in the main lines and chooses a
setup which is mainly played to avoid the Marshall.} (7. Re1 Bc5 8. c3 d6 9. d4
Bb6 {leads to positional play with reasonable black counterplay.}) (7. c3 {
is more challenging. The most fascinating line goes} Nxe4 8. d4 Na5 9. Bc2 exd4
10. Bxe4 Bxe4 11. Re1 d5 12. b4 Nc4 13. Nxd4 c5 14. bxc5 Bxc5 15. f3 O-O 16.
fxe4 dxe4 17. Rxe4 Qd5 {with certain compensation for Black in view of his
better development and the hanging d4-knight. The last games at high level went
} 18. Qf3 Ne5 19. Qf5 Rae8 20. Nd2 g6 ({Deviating from his slightly earlier
game} 20... b4 21. N2b3 g6 22. Qf1 Qxe4 23. Nxc5 $14 {Ivanov,A (2539)
-Tomashevsky,E (2708) Khanty-Mansiysk 2009 (½-½, 36)}) 21. Qf4 b4 22. Bb2
bxc3 23. Bxc3 Nc6 24. Kh1 Bxd4 25. Rxd4 Nxd4 26. Bxd4 Re2 27. Nf3 f6 28. h3 $14
{Hellers,F (2520)-Shirov,A (2580) Stockholm 1990 0-1 Shirov,A (2719)
-Tomashevsky,E (2708) Khanty-Mansiysk 2009 (1-0, 41). Maybe Shirov was not the
best suited opponent to try this opening against, since two decades ago he
used to be a specialist of it with... Black. See for instance}) 7... Be7 {
[%emt 0:00:09] A bit disappointing - the game now enters the Anti-Marshall
paths, (I find Alejandro Ramirez' description "An Archangel with Be7"
inaccurate, but this is relative, of course.)} ({Long before the
neo-Arkhangelsk story started to take shape, Malaniuk caused some sensation
winning three games with the slightly weird} 7... Bd6 {The idea is to
over-defend the e5-pawn in order to allow an early ...Na5 if needed. The most
famous of his games (of course, I am speaking from the perspective of somebody
who was playing chess at that time) went} 8. a4 ({Neutral play such as} 8. c3
O-O 9. Nbd2 {could eventually transpose to ...Bc5 lines (I do not know how to
baptize them already) when the bishop retreats to f8 a few moves later:} Re8
10. Re1 Bf8 {and so on.}) 8... h6 9. Nc3 b4 10. Ne2 Na5 {Now is when the
bishop proves useful on d6.} 11. Ba2 O-O 12. Ng3 Re8 13. h3 ({The modern
interpretation is} 13. c3 c5 {as for instance in Hovhannisyan,R (2560)-Bartel,
M (2638) Aix-les-Bains 2011 (0-1, 51)}) 13... Bf8 14. Nh2 d5 15. Qf3 c5 $15 {
Adams,M (2505)-Malaniuk,V (2560) Palma de Mallorca 1989 (0-1, 51)}) 8. Nc3 {
[%emt 0:02:22]} O-O {[%emt 0:01:01]} 9. a3 {[%emt 0:01:01] The third most
popular continuation after 9.Bd2 and 9.a4.} d6 {[%emt 0:16:21]} 10. Re1 {
[%emt 0:09:39]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:00:35];Jansa,V (2535)-Smyslov,V (2600) Sochi
Chigorin Memorial 1974 (9) 0-1 The regrouping initiated with this move reminds
me of one of Smyslow's ultra-solid systems in the classical Ruy Lopez} 11. Ne2
{[%emt 0:05:12]} Nd8 {[%emt 0:06:15] Unlike in Smyslow's game, Black can
already regroup with his knight, since there is no pressure on e5.} 12. Ng3 {
[%emt 0:01:06]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:00:32] This position was seen in five earlier
games, which makes Caruana's 30 minute thought a bit surprizing.} 13. Ba2 $146
{[%emt 0:29:44]} ({During my live comments I did not have access at the
"reference" button, nor to the engines, so I wondered what would be wrong with
} 13. c3 c5 14. d4 {After all, this is what the Spanish Opening is all about -
White needs occupying the centre. I must confess that I under-estimated
Black's dynamic potential, based on his better development. White has wasted
quite some time with a2-a3 and d2-d3-d4.} exd4 15. cxd4 {Black has two
playable ways of breaking the centre with ...d6-d5.} c4 (15... d5 16. exd5 Bxd5
17. Bxd5 Nxd5 18. dxc5 Bxc5 19. b4 Bb6 20. Ne5 Qb7 21. Nf5 {White's position
looks threatening but he still is underdeveloped.} Rad8 $1 (21... Ne7 22. Qf3
$1 Qa7 {Horvath,A (2531)-Banusz,T (2598) Gyula 2013 (0-1, 38)} 23. Nxe7+ Qxe7
24. Bb2 $14 {[%csl Rc6,Rg7][%cal Ge5c6,Ga1c1]}) 22. Qg4 Nf6 23. Qh4 Bd4 {
Black's position becomes dominant so White is best adviced to force a draw by
perpetual:} 24. Bg5 Bxa1 25. Rxa1 Nxg5 26. Qxg5 g6 27. Qxf6 {or 27.Nh6+.}) 16.
Bc2 d5 {This is Tomashevsky's specialty.} 17. e5 Ne4 18. Nxe4 ({White does not
get much by rejecting the sacrifice:} 18. Nf5 f6 19. Be3 Bd8 20. exf6 Bxf6 {
with active black play in Jakovenko,D (2711)-Tomashevsky,E (2658) Dagomys 2008
(½-½, 26)}) 18... dxe4 19. Bxe4 Bxe4 20. Rxe4 Qd5 21. Qc2 Rfd8 {This looks
unnatural.} ({But if} 21... Rad8 {Black must have feared} 22. Bd2 {[%cal Gd2b4]
when ...a5 is impossible.}) ({Given this problems, I am actually asking myself
whether there is such a hurry to define the rooks' intentions. Since Black
plans playing ...f7-f5 anyway, I consider} 21... f5 {a serious candidate, for
instance} 22. exf6 Bxf6 23. Be3 Rad8 {with a couple of extra tempi compared to
the game.}) 22. h4 f5 23. exf6 Bxf6 24. Be3 Qf5 25. Re1 Rf8 {The rook returns
to the right square but I am not sure h2-h4 is such a weakening as to allow
wasting two tempi.} 26. Re2 Rad8 {Anyway, Black's blockade is relatively safe
and the game ended in a draw, Shirov,A (2740)-Tomashevsky,E (2658) Dagomys
2008 (½-½, 34) Even if the consequences of 13.c3 are far from clear, I do
not see the point behind Caruana's novelty. White wastes just another tempo
while big part of his army is placed on the initial squares.}) 13... Rfe8 {
[%emt 0:08:03] Black is one step away from completing his development with ...
Rad8, while White is far behind in the process. Besides, he does not have too
much space to deal with that. Little wonder that Caruana decided to exchange
some pieces.} 14. Ng5 {[%emt 0:06:30] Trying to make use of White's best piece
- his Spanish bishop.} ({If} 14. Nf5 Bf8 15. c3 c5 {Black threatens
undermining the white centre with ...c5-c4.}) ({The only reasonable
alternative to the game move is} 14. Bd2 {, without offering a clue to what
White should do with his queen, though.}) 14... d5 $5 {[%emt 0:16:04] Played
after 16 minutes, this is the most principled decision. Allowing an exchange
on e6 looks unappealing, while} (14... Nxg5 15. Bxg5 {would only speed up
White's development, for instance} h6 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Nf5 Kh7 18. Qh5 Rf8 19.
h4 $36 {[%cal Gg2g4,Ge1e3] with a much better version of the game continuation.
}) 15. Nxe6 {[%emt 0:08:59] White needs releasing the tension in order to
clear the g5-square for the bishop. Delaying this exchange would give Black
time to increase his space advantage.} ({The pawn grabbing} 15. exd5 Nxg5 16.
Bxg5 Bxd5 17. Rxe5 Bxa2 18. Rxa2 {should not scare a Marshall Attack player.
The a2-rook is less than undeveloped.} h6 $5 19. Bxf6 (19. Bd2 Bd6) 19... Bxf6
20. Re4 Rxe4 21. Nxe4 Be5 {offers Black plenty of play.}) 15... Qxe6 {[%emt 0:
00:15]} 16. Bg5 {[%emt 0:07:46]} ({For instance} 16. Nf5 Bf8 17. Bg5 c5 18. Qf3
({Or if} 18. Bxf6 Qxf6 19. Ne3 d4 20. Nd5 Qd6 $11 {[%cal Gb7c8,Gc8e6,Ya8c8,
Yc5c4] the beautiful central knight would actually block the own bishop.})
18... c4 19. Nh6+ (19. Bxf6 Qxf6 20. exd5 Rad8 21. dxc4 $2 e4 {[%cal Gf6b2]})
19... Kh8 20. Bxf6 Qxf6 21. Qxf6 gxf6 22. Nf5 Rac8 $11 {Black's activity and
space advantage compensates for the structural deffect.}) 16... h6 $1 {[%emt 0:
04:17] It would be dangerous to delay this thematic move.} (16... c5 17. Bxf6
Bxf6 18. Nh5 Be7 (18... Rad8 19. exd5 Bxd5 20. Nf4) (18... Qd6 19. Nxf6+ gxf6
20. Qh5 $16) (18... Bg5 19. Bxd5 Bxd5 20. exd5 Qxd5 21. Qg4 Qd8 22. f4 $36) 19.
exd5 Bxd5 $2 20. Nf4 $18) 17. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:01:23]} Bxf6 {[%emt 0:01:22]} 18.
Qf3 {[%emt 0:05:51]} (18. Nh5 Bg5 {is safe for Black due to the fact that his
bishop is defended, making the queen incursion after} 19. Bxd5 Bxd5 20. exd5
Qxd5 21. Qg4 {inoffensive, for instance} Qe6 $11) 18... c6 {[%emt 0:03:08]
This ultra ambitious move fails to keep the a2-bishop out of play after
Caruana's active answer.} (18... Rad8 {is more natural, even though the
evaluation remains the same: both sides' chances are even.}) 19. c4 $1 {
[%emt 0:06:36]} Rad8 {[%emt 0:03:30]} 20. cxd5 {[%emt 0:01:05]} ({One
important problem is that the a1-rook needs defending the bishop. For instance
completing the development with} 20. Rac1 {allows} dxc4 $1 (20... bxc4 {
is less clear:} 21. exd5 $1 ({Only not} 21. dxc4 $2 d4 22. b4 c5 $15 {[%csl
Ra2]}) 21... cxd5 22. dxc4 e4 23. cxd5 Bxd5 24. Bxd5 exf3 25. Bxe6 Rxe6 26.
Rxe6 fxe6 $13) 21. dxc4 Bg5 22. Rc2 g6 {[%csl Ra2,Rg3][%cal Ge6a2]}) 20... cxd5
{[%emt 0:00:02]} 21. Nf5 {[%emt 0:00:30] White tris compensating his space
defficit with active piece play.} ({It would be nice to fight for the c-file,
but} 21. Rac1 $2 {loses material to} dxe4 {[%csl Ga2]} 22. Bxe6 exf3) ({Or if} 
21. Rec1 {(not very natural - the rook belongs to e1.)} Rd7 22. Rc5 Qb6 23.
Rac1 Be7 24. R5c2 Bg5 25. Re1 Red8 26. Qg4 Rc7 $11) 21... Bg5 {[%emt 0:22:27]}
22. h4 {[%emt 0:01:00]} Bd2 $5 {[%emt 0:03:54] When I saw this move, I thought
the bishop will finally reach b6, truly in the spirit of the Arkhangelsk. But
my expectations proved wrong...} ({As pointed out by Ramirez,} 22... Bf4 {
"is also possible."} 23. g3 dxe4 24. Qg4 (24. dxe4 $2 Qxf5 $17) 24... Qf6 25.
gxf4 exd3 {"gets crazy, but computers like Black a bit."} 26. fxe5 $2 d2 $19 {
"was something Carlsen missed."}) 23. Re2 {[%emt 0:04:26]} dxe4 {[%emt 0:14:28]
} 24. dxe4 {[%emt 0:05:18]} Qf6 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 25. g3 {[%emt 0:09:41]} Kf8 $3
{[%emt 0:01:45];Carlsen,M (2863)-Anand,V (2792) World Championship 2014 (11)
1-0 The evaluation is not only for the objective merits of the move, but also
for the whole king's moving around initiated now and the depth behind it. The
king manoeuvre reminds me a bit of the somewhat similar issue in the last game
of the return Carlsen-Anand match} ({Carlsen intended to drive the enemy
knight away with ...g6, which would not work with the king on h8 due to Nxh6+.
And if} 25... Kh8 {the f7-square would be vulnerable. White could play a
consolidating move such as} 26. Kg2 (26. h5 Bg5) 26... g6 $6 27. Nd4 Qg7 (27...
Qxf3+ $2 28. Nxf3 Ba5 29. Bxf7 $18) 28. Nb3 f5 29. Nc5 $14) ({The ARkhangelsk
plan should be carried out with care, for if} 25... Ba5 $6 26. Nxh6+ $1 Qxh6
27. Qxf7+ Kh7 28. Qxb7 $16) ({I would probably choose} 25... Kh7 26. Kg2 Ba5
27. Rc1 g6 28. Ne3 (28. Nd4 {does not work so well now, since after} Qxf3+ 29.
Nxf3 {the bishop is not hanging anymore, allowing} f5 $36) 28... Qxf3+ 29. Kxf3
Rd3 {[%cal Ga5b6]}) 26. h5 {[%emt 0:05:10]} ({With the f7-pawn defended,} 26.
Kg2 g6 27. Nd4 Qxf3+ 28. Nxf3 Ba5 {is safe for Black.}) 26... Bg5 {[%emt 0:04:
20] There were no reasons to refrain from occupying the concealed square. The
bishop defends the queen, making ...g6 an issue already, without fearing Nd4
at all.} 27. a4 {[%emt 0:01:14] By now, both players were approaching severe
time trouble. With jis last move Caruana opens a new front, clearing the
a3-square for the queen in order to harass the centralized king.} ({A neutral
move such as} 27. Rf1 {would allow} g6 ({If Black wants more than an immediate
draw he can try} 27... Bc8) 28. hxg6 fxg6 29. Qb3 (29. Nh4 Bxh4) 29... gxf5 30.
Qg8+ Ke7 31. Qh7+ Kf8 {White should take the draw by perpetual since} 32. Qxb7
$2 Re7 {[%csl Gb7] suddenly traps the queen!}) 27... b4 $6 {[%emt 0:01:13]
Carlsen renews the threat, without realizing that White's queenside play is
far from over.} (27... g6 $2 28. hxg6 fxg6 29. Qa3+) (27... bxa4 $1 {would
have absolved Black from any problems:} 28. Qa3+ Kg8 29. Qxa4 Bc8) 28. a5 $3 {
[%emt 0:02:02] Caruana spent most of his remaining time on this fantastic move,
going down to seconds on his clock. White prevents Black's consolidating with .
..a6-a5, endangering the b4-pawn and adding a small tactical detail to the
plot.} Kg8 $5 {[%emt 0:04:23] Typical for Carlsen's lack of pre-concepts. He
does not mind returning with his king now that there was some danger for it.} (
{When playing his precious move Carlsen might have thought that he could
finally carry out his plan, failing to notice that after} 28... g6 29. hxg6
fxg6 30. Qb3 gxf5 31. Qg8+ Ke7 32. Qh7+ Kf8 33. Qxb7 $1 Re7 {the queen has a
choice between} 34. Qxb4 {and the less strong 34.Qb6.}) ({But in principle} 
28... Bc8 {[%cal Gg7g6] would have been safer} 29. Qb3 Bxf5 30. Qxb4+ Kg8 31.
exf5 Qxf5 {[%cal Gf5f3] with some symbolic white advantage only, due to his
more active bishop. For instance:} 32. Qe4 Qxe4 33. Rxe4 Kf8 34. b4 Rd6 {
[%cal Ge8b8,Gg5d2]}) 29. Bc4 $6 {[%emt 0:00:09] Too slow. Besides, White
dismantles his potential battery along the a2-g8 diagonal.} (29. Rc2 $5 Rd7 (
29... Rc8 30. Rc4 Rxc4 31. Bxc4 $14 {[%cal Ga1d1]} Kh8 $6 32. Rd1) 30. Rc4 Kh8
31. Rd1 (31. Rxb4 g6 32. hxg6 fxg6 33. Rd1) 31... Rxd1+ 32. Qxd1 Rd8 33. Qf3 g6
34. Rc7) (29. Qb3 {would mainly transpose to the line above since} Bxe4 {
would be met with} 30. Qxf7+ Qxf7 31. Bxf7+ Kxf7 32. Rxe4 $14) 29... Rd7 $6 {
[%emt 0:00:51] Carlsen still had a few minutes left, but failed to remain
consequent to his curious king manoeuvre.} (29... Kh8 $1 30. Kg2 g6 31. Ne3 (
31. hxg6 $2 fxg6 32. Ne3 Qxf3+ 33. Kxf3 Rf8+ 34. Kg2 Bxe4+ $17) 31... Qxf3+ 32.
Kxf3 Rd4 33. Bd5 Bxd5 34. Nxd5 gxh5 35. Ra4 b3 $13) 30. Ra4 $1 {[%emt 0:00:28]
Suddenly, White's queenside play strongly interfers with Black's planned ...g6.
} Kh8 {[%emt 0:02:15] Carlsen spent most of his remaining time on this move,
joining his opponent for the blitz mode.} 31. Rxb4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} g6 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} 32. hxg6 {[%emt 0:00:01]} fxg6 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 33. Qb3 $1 {
[%emt 0:00:41] The clue.} Bc6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} (33... Bxe4 34. Rxe4 (34. Nxh6
Rd1+ $5 35. Qxd1 Qf3 36. Nf7+ Kg7 37. Rxe4 $8 Qxd1+ 38. Kg2 $14) 34... gxf5 (
34... Qxf5 35. Bd3 $16) 35. Rb6 Rd6 36. Re2 $16 {[%cal Gc4a6]}) 34. Ne3 {
[%emt 0:00:03]} Bxe4 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 35. Bd5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} (35. Bb5 $5 Rb8
36. Rxe4 Rxb5 37. Qc3 {[%cal Ge3c4,Ge3g4]} Qf3 38. Rxe5 $36) 35... Bxd5 {
[%emt 0:01:03]} ({Ramirez:} 35... Qf3 36. Rxe4 $1 (36. Bxe4 Qxe2 37. Rb8 {
Carlsen thought this was "at least a draw" but actually Black is winning after}
Rxb8 38. Qxb8+ Kh7 $1 39. Bd5 Rg7 $1 $18) 36... Qxe2 37. Nc4 Qh5 38. g4 $1 Qh4
39. Nxe5 $1 {with a strong initiative.}) 36. Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Qc6 {
[%emt 0:00:01]} 37. Nc3 $14 {[%emt 0:00:02] White has achieved stability on
light squares, but needs to be careful with his major piece regrouping,
something Caruana failed to do under the time pressure.} Qf3 {[%emt 0:00:06]}
38. Qc2 {[%emt 0:00:03]} ({Even with seconds on the clock, it is strange that
Caruana refrained from the natural} 38. Rb8 $16 {reducing Black's attacking
potential.}) 38... Red8 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 39. Rbe4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} (39. Qe4 $1
$16 Rd1+ $2 40. Nxd1 Rxd1+ 41. Re1 {Ramirez}) 39... Rd2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 40.
Rxd2 $4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} (40. Qb3 Rd1+ $1 41. Qxd1 Rxd1+ 42. Nxd1 h5 $44) ({
It is hard to predict what would have happened after} 40. Qa4 {White would
retain his strategic advantage against any black move with one exception:} Bf4
$3 {leading to perpetual check (either Black, after 41.gxf4 or White after} 41.
Rxd2 Rxd2 42. Qe8+ {But would Carlsen have found it just before the control?})
40... Rxd2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 0-1

[Event "Norway Chess 1st"]
[Site "Stavanger"]
[Date "2013.05.08"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2813"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[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 Be7 6. d3 d6 7. c4 O-O 8. Nc3
Bg4 9. Be3 ({In the past,} 9. h3 {was more popular. Here is an example from a
game between two future grandmasters.} Bxf3 10. Qxf3 Nd4 11. Qd1 c6 12. Be3 Ne6
13. Bb3 Nd7 {Pachman,L-Ciocaltea,V (2470)/Moscow 1956/MCD (1/2, 32)}) 9... Nd4
$146 {Quite a daring knight move. Some would fear that the resulting kingside
majority would offer White chances for an attack. Maybe this would be true if
the game had started with the English Opening move order, meaning that the
bishop would be on g2 rather than a4.} (9... Nd7 10. Bxc6 bxc6 11. h3 Bxf3 12.
Qxf3 c5 13. Qg4 Re8 14. Rae1 $14 {Puc,S-Bozic,A/Ljubljana 1947/EXT 2004 (1-0,
34)}) (9... Nb4 10. d4 exd4 11. Bxd4 {Lheureux,J-Balourdet,L/IECG Email 2000/
Corr 2002 (1-0, 46)}) 10. Bxd4 exd4 11. Nd5 c6 12. Nxf6+ Bxf6 13. h3 Bxf3 14.
Qxf3 g6 15. Rae1 Bg7 16. Qd1 Qb6 17. Qd2 a5 18. f4 Qb4 19. Qc2 Qc5 20. Qf2 Rae8
21. Bd1 f5 22. Bf3 {The bishop has reached the optimal diagonal finally, but
Black is perfectly mobilised, too. If allowed to consolidate with h3-h4
followed by g2-g3, White may retain some advantage. Aronian finds the simplest
way to neutralise White's (still only incipient) attack.} Bh6 23. Qh4 (23. g3
g5 $132) 23... Bxf4 $1 24. Qxf4 fxe4 25. Qg3 exf3 26. Rxe8 Rxe8 27. Qxf3 Qf5
28. Qxf5 gxf5 29. Rxf5 Re2 30. Rf2 Re1+ 31. Rf1 Re2 32. Rf2 Re1+ 33. Rf1 Re2
1/2-1/2

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM 40th"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2012.07.19"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Black "Bartel, Mateusz"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2726"]
[BlackElo "2674"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2012.07.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 150"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Re1
b5 9. Bc2 Nd7 {Despite the lack of tension in the centre, Black starts
regrouping in the spirit of the Keres Variation.} 10. d4 {A rare continuation.
The loss of one tempo is relative. Black has retreated with his bishop
directly to c2, which can be useful sometimes. For instance if White plays
d4-d5 he does not need to fear ...Na5. Having saved on h2-h3 is not a big
achievement, since the pawn is useful on h3 anyway (in fact, White will play
that move at a slightly later stage of the game).} ({White usually delays the
occupation of the centre in order to keep Black in some confusion about his
real plans. True, it could all lead to a transposition.} 10. Nbd2 Nb6 (10...
Bf6 11. Nf1 Ne7 12. d4 {Now that Black has released the pressure against the
d4-square, this looks logical.} Ng6 13. Ne3 Nb6 14. a4 $14 {Sivokho,S (2469)
-Orlov,A (2367)/St Petersburg 2000/EXT 2001 (1-0, 80)}) 11. d4 {White has at
least waited until Black committed his knight.} (11. h3 $5 {deserves attention,
but the following game is not too relevant, since Black played poorly:} Re8 12.
Nf1 h6 13. Ng3 Bf8 14. d4 g6 15. b3 Bg7 16. Be3 exd4 17. cxd4 d5 18. Qd2 h5 19.
e5 $16 {Hanley,C (2418)-Boudre,J (2325)/Donostia San Sebastian 2006 (1-0, 32)})
(11. Nf1 f5 12. exf5 Bxf5 13. d4 Bxc2 14. Qxc2 Bf6 $132 {Romanov,E (2500)
-Howell,D (2471)/Yerevan 2006/CBM 114 ext (1-0, 54)}) 11... Bf6 12. Nf1 exd4 (
12... Bg4 13. d5 Ne7 14. h3 Bd7 15. Ng3 g6 16. Bh6 Re8 17. Qd2 c6 18. dxc6 Bxc6
19. Rad1 Nc4 20. Qc1 Qc7 21. Rd3 d5 22. Ng5 $36 {Zaitsev,I (2450)-Lukacs,P 
(2385)/Szolnok 1975/MCD (1-0, 39)}) 13. Nxd4 (13. cxd4 $6 Bg4) 13... Bd7 14.
Ng3 g6 15. Bh6 Re8 16. Nxc6 Bxc6 17. Qc1 Nc4 $11 {Kobalia,M (2672)-Beliavsky,A
(2619)/Aix-les-Bains 2011/CBM 142 (1-0, 41)}) 10... Bb7 11. Nbd2 ({If} 11. d5 {
as in Horstmann,B-Banik,N/Wewelsburg 1994/EXT 2002 (1/2, 46), the best way to
maintain the flexibility is} Ncb8 12. a4 c6 $132) 11... Bf6 12. Nf1 Re8 13. Ne3
$146 {[%cal Ge3g4,Ge3d5,Ge3f5] Targetting several important squares.} (13. Ng3
{is less active.} g6 14. a4 Na5 15. axb5 axb5 16. Bd3 exd4 17. cxd4 b4 18. Bf4
Nc6 {1/2 Bouaziz,S (2379)-Malupande,L (2338)/Cairo 2001/CBM 084 ext}) 13... Nb6
(13... Ne7 14. Ng4 Ng6 {is likely to transpose above to Sivokho,S (2469)-Orlov,
A (2367)/St Petersburg 2000/EXT 2001 (1-0, 80).}) 14. Ng4 {Quite consistent,
but not the only plan.} (14. d5 $5 {Blocking the centre is always an important
option.} Ne7 15. Ng4 Nd7 (15... Ng6 $2 16. Nxf6+ $16 Qxf6 $2 17. Bg5 $18) 16.
a4 Ng6 17. g3 Be7 18. h4 $5 $14 {Black has serious problems finding good
squares for ALL his minor pieces.}) 14... Bc8 15. h3 {So, White has played
this typical move anyway.} ({Exchanging at once allows Black complete his
development:} 15. Nxf6+ Qxf6 16. h3 Qg6 17. Kh2 Bd7 {Black's position is quite
solid. For White, it is not easy to put his bishop pair to work.}) 15... Bxg4 {
Relatively best.} ({If} 15... Bd7 16. d5 $5 {the knight could not go to e7
already.}) 16. hxg4 $14 {White has the bishop pair, a strong centre and space
advantage on the kingside. In the long run, he might get an attack along the
h-file.} g6 (16... h6 17. d5 Nb8 (17... Ne7 18. g5 $36) 18. a4 $14) 17. d5 Ne7
18. g3 {In the next phase of the game, Ponomariov will dedicate too much
attention to the kingside, where his attacking chances are not too concrete
yet.} ({The absence of Black's light-squared bishop would have made itself
felt after a2-a4, now or slightly later:} 18. a4 $5 $14 {[%cal Gd1e2,Gc2d3]
Apart from weakening the b5-pawn, White would solve the problem of his
queenside development.}) 18... Qd7 19. g5 Bg7 20. Kg2 (20. a4 $5) 20... c6 21.
dxc6 Qxc6 22. Nh2 d5 $132 {Black has improved his position a lot over the past
few moves. He has gained space in the centre and got rid of the backward
d6-pawn. At the same time, White's development is not complete yet.} 23. exd5 (
23. Ng4 {may have been more consequent with the initial plan, although the
position remains unclear after} Rad8 24. Qf3 d4 25. Rh1 $13) 23... Nexd5 24.
Be4 Rad8 25. Qf3 Qe6 {Black's harmonious development compensates for the
slight strategic problems on the kingside.} 26. Ng4 Na4 27. Rd1 Nc7 28. Rxd8
Rxd8 29. Bc2 Nc5 (29... Nd5 $5 {would have made it harder for White to develop
his queenside.}) 30. Be3 {At last White makes some progress with his
development, but this does not guarantee him an advantage since Black is very
active.} Nd3 31. Rd1 e4 32. Nf6+ Bxf6 33. Qxf6 Qxf6 34. gxf6 Nd5 35. Bd4 (35.
Bxd3 Nxe3+ 36. fxe3 Rxd3 $1 $15 37. Rxd3 $2 exd3 38. Kf2 h5 39. Ke1 g5 $19)
35... Nxb2 36. Re1 e3 $5 37. Be4 (37. fxe3 Nxf6 $5 $13 38. Bxf6 $2 Rd2+ $17)
37... exf2 38. Kxf2 h5 $15 {White's bishop pair looks active, but Black's
knights have good squares, too. Black's structure is better not only from the
qualitative point of view, but also numerically!} 39. Kf3 Nc7 40. Bb7 Rb8 41.
Re7 Rxb7 42. Be5 Rb6 43. Rxc7 Nc4 $17 44. Bd4 Re6 45. Kf4 Nd6 46. Ra7 Nf5 47.
Be5 Nxg3 48. Re7 Nf5 49. Rd7 Nh6 50. Re7 Ng4 51. Bd4 Kf8 0-1

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM 40th"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2012.07.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Gustafsson, Jan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2629"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2012.07.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 150"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Re1
b5 9. Bc2 d5 {The most active reaction against the solid, but modest looking
bishop retreat to c2.} 10. Nbd2 {White keeps the position closed, hoping to
outplay his opponent in a middlegame with all the pieces on the board.} ({
The main alternative is} 10. exd5 Qxd5 {In practice, White has not achieved
much, since the queen's vulnerability in the centre is compensated for by
Black's space advantage and the relative weakness of the d3-pawn. Here are two
games between two classic players, from one of the first editions of the
candidates' tournament.} 11. Nbd2 (11. Bg5 Bg4 12. Nbd2 Rad8 13. Qe2 Rfe8 $11 {
Pilnik,H-Geller,E/Helsinki 1952/MCD (1/2, 22)}) 11... Bb7 12. Ne4 Rae8 {
The start of a somewhat clumsy regrouping.} (12... Rad8 13. Be3 Nxe4 14. dxe4
Qe6 $11) 13. Be3 Kh8 {Pilnik,H-Geller,E/Amsterdam 1956/Candidates (1/2, 62)}
14. b4 $5 $14 {[%cal Gc2b3,Ge4c5]}) 10... dxe4 {AIming for plain equality.} ({
The ambitious} 10... d4 {is not popular but worked out well in the following
game:} 11. cxd4 exd4 12. a3 Nd7 13. Nf1 Nde5 14. Nxe5 Nxe5 15. f4 Ng6 16. Ng3
c5 $132 {Efimenko,Z (2682)-Onischuk,A (2684)/Poikovsky 2009/CBM 131 (0-1, 35)})
11. dxe4 Be6 12. Qe2 {Targetting b5 and preparing the knight transfer to g3
without allowing the queen exchange.} ({For} 12. h3 {see Carlsen,M (2823)
-Aronian,L (2807)/Sao Paulo/Bilbao 2011/CBM 145/[Moradiabadi] (1/2, 56)}) 12...
Bc5 $146 {A seemingly active move, which does not seem the most appropriate,
though.} (12... Qb8 13. a4 b4 $5 {Quite a committal move. It is interesting to
see how Black will manage to neutralize White's pressure on the weakened
queenside squares.} (13... Qb7 $5) 14. Nc4 Nd7 15. Ng5 Bxg5 16. Bxg5 Nb6 17.
Nd2 bxc3 18. bxc3 Na5 19. Be7 Re8 20. Bb4 Nbc4 21. Nxc4 Bxc4 22. Qe3 Qb6 23.
Qxb6 cxb6 $11 {Palac,M (2562)-Binder,M (2270)/Oberwart 2010/CBM 137 Extra (1/2,
69)}) (12... Qc8 13. Nf1 $6 {Allowing unfavourable simplifications.} Bc4 14.
Bd3 (14. Qd1 Rd8 15. Bd2 Bc5 $36) 14... Bxd3 15. Qxd3 Rd8 16. Qc2 Qe6 17. Ne3
h6 18. Nf5 Bf8 19. h3 Qc4 20. Qb1 Rd7 21. b3 Qd3 $132 {Motylev,A (2683)
-Smirnov,P (2599)/Sochi 2012/CBM 148 (1/2, 46)}) 13. b4 Ba7 14. a4 Nh5 {
For the time being, it seems that Black has active play, but his initiative
will be extinguished soon. Quite a typical pattern for these almost
symmetrical positions which can arise from the d2-d3 Spanish as well as from
the Gioco Pianissimo.} 15. Nf1 Bc4 16. Qd1 Qf6 {Quite an ambitious move, but
in the long run the queen will be Black's most exposed piece.} ({Playing for
equality with} 16... Qxd1 17. Bxd1 Rfd8 {might have been better.}) 17. Bg5 $5 {
Driving the queen away from the control of the f4-square before gaining the
bishop pair with Nf1-e3.} ({Caruana probably was afraid that after} 17. Ne3
Bxe3 18. Bxe3 Rad8 19. Qc1 Nf4 20. Bxf4 Qxf4 21. Qxf4 exf4 22. e5 {his
advantage would be rather symbolic.}) 17... Qg6 18. Ne3 Bxe3 19. Bxe3 Rad8 $6 {
With hindsight, this looks like the main cause of Black's future problems.} ({
With the queen on g6 the knight move} 19... Nf4 $2 {is simply bad:} 20. Bxf4
exf4 21. axb5 axb5 22. Rxa8 Rxa8 23. e5 $36) (19... Rfd8 {may be better, in
the way that it does not give up the control of the a-file, but after} 20. Qc1
{Black would be short of constructive plans anyway. He probably should play a
generally useful move such as} h6 {, hoping that White will not find an easy
way to imrpove his position.}) 20. Qc1 Rfe8 21. axb5 axb5 22. Ra6 Rd6 23. h3
$14 {An useful move, threatening Nh4-f5 without allowing ...Qg4.} Nd4 $6 {
Black overestimates the dynamic potential of his position.} ({He should have
simply parried the threat, kindly passing to his opponent the turn to come up
with something concrete.} 23... Qf6 $5 $14) 24. Nxe5 $1 ({The best, but
actually, even the simple} 24. cxd4 $6 Rxa6 25. dxe5 {[%csl Gh5] looks
threatening. The h5-knight is in big danger.}) 24... Nf3+ $5 {The only way to
avoid heavy material losses.} 25. Nxf3 Rxa6 26. e5 ({And once again there
seems to be more than one road leading to Rome, but the last move is an
inaccuracy. In this case, Caruana misses the objectively stronger} 26. g4 $5 {
/\e5, /\Nh4, פh5} Ra2 27. Bb1 (27. Nh4 $5) 27... Re2 28. Rxe2 Bxe2 29. Nh4 Qe6
30. Nf5 Nf6 31. Bd4 $40) 26... Qc6 (26... Bd3 27. Bb3 $5) 27. Nd4 Qa8 $2 {
Missing an unexpected chance.} (27... Qd7 $1 28. g4 $6 (28. Bf5 $36) 28... Rxe5
29. gxh5 Qxh3 30. Bf4 {would have allowed a fantastic way of giving perpetual
check after sacrificing all but one of Black's pieces:} Bf1 $1 31. Rxf1 Rg5+
32. Bxg5 Qg4+ 33. Kh2 Rh6 $3 (33... Qxh5+ 34. Kg3 $18) 34. Bxh6 Qh4+ $11) 28.
g4 $16 {Just winning material.} Rxe5 29. gxh5 Rxh5 30. Bf4 {There is no real
counterplay available with the queen on a8.} g6 (30... Rxh3 31. Be4 $16) 31.
Qe3 Ra1 $2 {Missing the next move.} 32. Bd1 $1 $18 {[%cal Gd1h5,Ge3e8]} c5 33.
bxc5 Rxc5 34. Bh6 Rc8 35. Nf5 1-0

[Event "RUS-ch Superfinal"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2006.12.05"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Jakovenko, Dmitrij"]
[Black "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2671"]
[BlackElo "2628"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[EventDate "2006.12.03"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 116"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Re1
Re8 ({This is not a bad move, but generally speaking this is a good moment for
forcing White make a decision about his bishop with} 8... b5 9. Bb3 (9. Bc2 {
is more passive and allows} d5) 9... Na5 10. Bc2 c5) 9. d4 {This might seem as
a loss of tempo if compared to the main lines of the Ruy Lopez, but we shall
see soon that things are far from one-sided.} ({The slower} 9. Nbd2 {is more
consequent with White's opening choice.} Bf8 10. Nf1 (10. d4 exd4 11. cxd4 b5
12. Bc2 Bg4 13. h3 Bh5 14. Nf1 d5 15. e5 Ne4 16. Ng3 Nxg3 17. fxg3 Nb4 18. Bb1
c5 $132 {Vallejo Pons,F (2677)-Cabrera,A (2502)/Albox 2005/CBM 106 ext (0-1,
66)}) 10... Bd7 (10... g6 11. h3 Bd7 12. Ng3 Bg7 13. d4 b5 14. Bc2 Qb8 15. Bg5
h6 16. Be3 a5 17. Qd2 Kh7 18. d5 Ne7 19. b3 c6 20. c4 Nc8 21. Bd3 cxd5 22. cxd5
Nb6 23. Rac1 Nbxd5 24. exd5 e4 25. Nxe4 Nxe4 26. Bxe4 Rxe4 27. Bd4 Rxe1+ 28.
Rxe1 Qd8 29. Qf4 Be8 30. h4 $16 {Ye Jiangchuan (2540)-Graf,A (2565)/Kuala
Lumpur 1993/EXT 98 (1-0, 47)}) 11. Ng3 h6 12. h3 Ne7 13. Bc2 Ng6 14. d4 c5 15.
Be3 Bc6 16. Nd2 (16. d5 Bd7 17. b4 $14) 16... cxd4 17. cxd4 d5 $11 {Dvoirys,S 
(2525)-Arbakov,V (2450)/Smolensk 1991/EXT 2000 (0-1, 55)}) 9... Bd7 (9... b5
10. Bc2 (10. Bb3 {would make White's loss of time quite real compared to C91.
Black has got the generally useful tempo ...Re8 for free.}) 10... Bg4 {This
looks like the most consistent move, but it is not entirely clear whether it
is the best.} (10... exd4 {should be avoided because it helps White clear the
c3-square for his knight.} 11. cxd4 Bg4 12. Nc3 $14 {Sutovsky,E (2674)
-Stefansson,H (2579)/Saint Vincent 2005/CBM 110/[Erenburg] (1-0, 44)}) ({
However, Black could ignore the fact that White has not played h3. After all,
he might have to play it at a later stage anyway, for such purposes of playing
Nh2 and then the loss of tempo could make itself felt.} 10... h6 11. Nbd2 Bf8
12. Nf1 exd4 13. Nxd4 Nxd4 14. cxd4 c5 15. dxc5 dxc5 {1/2-1/2 Schoeneberg,
M-Vogt,L/Erfurt 1973/EXT 99}) 11. d5 Na5 {This position can be reached via C91
move order if Black plays the rare 11...Re8 instead of the more common ...c6.
The loss of time caused by the d-pawn is neutralised by the fact that the
bishop has retreated to c2 in one move only.} (11... Nb8 12. a4 Nbd7 13. h3 Bh5
14. Nbd2 Qc8 15. Nf1 c6 16. dxc6 Qxc6 17. Ng3 Bg6 18. Nh4 $14 {Lutikov,
A-Fahnenschmidt,G/Hamburg 1965/EU-chT (1-0, 38)}) 12. h3 $6 ({After this move,
...Re8 becomes fully justified.} 12. Nbd2 {would be much stronger, intending
to answer} c6 $6 {with} 13. b4 $16) 12... Bd7 {Now, everything is OK for Black.
If he had played ...c6 instead of ...Re8, White could have played 13.Nxe5 now,
because the e7-bishop has no squares to retreat after 13...dxe5 14.d6. This is
why in C91 Black retreats with his bishop to c8 (if he does not want to give
it away with ...Bxf3).} 13. Nbd2 c6 14. dxc6 Bxc6 15. Nf1 Qc7 {1/2-1/2
Schoeneberg,M-Knaak,R (2450)/Goerlitz 1972/EXT 2002}) 10. d5 {In the structure
arising after this move, Black usually looks for counterplay based on the
advance of the f-pawn. Therefore, the rook does not stand too well on e8. If
Black will later play ...Rf8, we could safely state that d2-d3-d4 has
eventually yielded White an... extra-tempo. However, if Black will find a
favourable (useful) way to play ...Kh8 and ...Rg8, things would be more or
less "normal" from the point of view of the consumed tempi.} ({In case of the
more restrained} 10. Nbd2 {Black could put up pressure on the e4-pawn with} Bf8
{, preventing the immediate transfer of the knight to f1-g3. In this case, the
presence of the rook on d8 would be relatively useful. Besides, after} 11. d5 {
Black has} Ne7 {/\...Ng6 already, achieving a comfortable kingside regroupment.
}) 10... Nb8 11. Bxd7 Nbxd7 {If compared with a King's Indian, White will find
it more difficult to carry out his queenside attack with c4-c5, because the
black bishop supports the d7-knight in his efforts to protect the c5-square.}
12. c4 g6 {[%cal Yf6h5,Yh5g7,Gf7f5] The regrouping initiated with this move is
typical for the Old (or Czech) Benoni.} 13. Nc3 Nh5 14. Rb1 Ng7 15. b4 b6 {
This move speaks about Black's desire to play on both wings.} ({Otherwise, he
could have played} 15... f5 {[%cal Yf5f4,Yg6g4,Yg8h8,Ye8g8]}) 16. a4 (16. Nd2
$5 {[%cal Yd2b3,Yc1e3]}) 16... a5 $1 {Now, Black gets some stability on the
queenside.} 17. bxa5 Rxa5 18. Nd2 Nc5 19. Ba3 Nb7 20. Bb4 Ra7 21. Ra1 Qd7 22.
Nb3 Rea8 {Black has regrouped in a harmonious way and should count on equality.
} 23. Qd2 f5 (23... Qd8 $5 {[%cal Ye7g5,Yf7f5]} 24. f4 $5 (24. a5 $6 {loses a
pawn to} bxa5 25. Nb5 Bg5 $1 {because the only ay to maintain the queen on the
e1-a5 diagonal} 26. Qc3 $2 {is bad in view of} axb4 $19) 24... Nh5 {and White
has problems maintaining things under control on the kingside with all his
pieces massed on the other wing.} (24... exf4 $6 25. Nd4 $14)) 24. f4 {The
standard reaction, preventing Black from winningmore space on the kingside.}
Bf6 25. exf5 gxf5 26. fxe5 dxe5 $13 {White has an advantage of space, but the
pair of central pawns offers Black good counterplay in the centre and,
eventually, against the poorly defended white king.} 27. Rf1 Nd6 {The desire
to install this knight on such a stable square is understandable, but maybe it
would have made sense postponing the moment when the c5-square is left without
defenders.} (27... e4 $5 28. Nd4 $2 Bxd4+ 29. Qxd4 c5 $19) (27... Be7 $5) 28.
c5 bxc5 29. Nxc5 Qf7 30. a5 Rb8 31. Rab1 e4 32. a6 Qe7 $2 (32... Be5 33. N3xe4
Nxe4 34. Nxe4 Qh5 35. Ng3 Bxg3 36. hxg3 Rxa6 37. Bc3 $16 {[%csl Gg7][%cal
Ya1h8]}) (32... Nc4 33. Qe2 Bd4+ 34. Kh1 Ne3 $132) 33. N5xe4 $1 Rba8 (33...
fxe4 34. Bxd6 $18 {[%csl Gb8]}) 34. Nc5 $18 Bg5 35. Rfe1 Bxd2 36. Rxe7 Rb8 37.
Ba3 Rxb1+ 38. Nxb1 Ba5 39. Kf1 Nge8 40. Ke2 Bb6 41. Nc3 Nf6 42. Ne6 Nfe8 43.
Na4 Rxa6 44. Bxd6 Nxd6 45. Nxb6 Rxb6 46. Rg7+ Kh8 47. Rxc7 h6 48. Kf3 Rb2 49.
Kf4 Re2 50. h3 Kg8 51. Rg7+ Kh8 52. Rg6 Re4+ 53. Kg3 Re3+ 54. Kh4 Nf7 55. Rf6
Kg8 56. Rxf5 Rd3 57. Nf4 Re3 58. g4 Kg7 59. Nh5+ Kg8 60. Rf6 Kf8 61. Ng3 Kg7
62. Nf5+ Kxf6 63. Nxe3 Ng5 64. d6 1-0

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "2018.03.11"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2767"]
[BlackElo "2799"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2018.03.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 184"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. h3 {Even though generally useful, this move is usually played at a
later stage.} (9. Re1 {and}) (9. Nbd2 {are by far more popular.}) 9... Bb7 ({
Once again not as popular as the alternative} 9... Na5 10. Bc2 c5 {, aiming
for a Chigorin setup.}) 10. Nbd2 Re8 $146 {Strictly speaking a novelty, but
play could have later transposed to familiar paths.} ({Transposing to an old
Breyer tabyia with} 10... Nb8 11. Re1 Nbd7 12. Nf1 Nc5 13. Bc2 Re8) 11. Ng5 Rf8
12. Re1 {Of course, White is not interested in repeating moves so early.} d5 $6
{After the game, Grischuk criticised this move. True, So's initial intention
obviously was playing the Marshall attack, but opening the centre with loss of
time (...d7-d6-d5) is a bit risky.} (12... h6 13. Ngf3 Re8 {would transpose to
known lines, for instance} 14. Nf1 Bf8 15. Ng3 Nb8 16. Nh4 d5 17. exd5 Bxd5 18.
Nhf5 {Kasparov,G (2825)-Svidler,P (2690) Linares 1998 CBM 064 [Hecht,H] (½-½,
64)}) 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Ndf3 {Grischuk was not entirely satisfied with this
move, as he could not find any favourable tactics after it.} ({With hindsight,
} 14. Nde4 {may be, indeed, more precise, sustaining Grischuk's intuitive
evaluation.} h6 (14... Qd7 {allows} 15. Qh5 {, increasing the pressure on e5,
for instance:} h6 16. Nf3 {One point is that} Nf6 {runs into} 17. Nxe5 $1) 15.
Nf3 Qd7 16. a4 ({This is the most precise move order. If} 16. Ng3 Rad8 17. a4 {
Black can play} b4 {as c3 is hanging.}) 16... Rad8 (16... b4 17. a5 $14) 17.
axb5 axb5 18. Ng3 {with certain pressure in the centre.}) 14... Qd7 15. d4 {
The best practical solution. WHite neutralises Black's space advantage and
takes the weak c5-square under control.} ({The pawn is not edible:} 15. Nxe5
Nxe5 16. Rxe5 f6 $15) 15... exd4 16. cxd4 h6 17. Ne4 Rfe8 $6 {This is the main
reason for Black's ulterior difficulties.} ({He should not have given White
the time to build up his attack by increasing the potential pressure on d4
with:} 17... Rad8 18. Bd2 $6 (18. a4 {is probably better, maintaining the
equality.}) 18... Nf6 $1) 18. Bd2 (18. Qd3 $5 {was an interesting alternative,
mainly directed against Black's freeing ...Nf6.} Ncb4 (18... Nf6 $6 19. Bxh6 $1
) 19. Qb1 Rad8 20. a3 Nc6 21. Qd3 $14 {followed by Bd2 and Bc2.}) 18... Nf6 19.
Rc1 $1 {Taking the weakened c-file under control, which will surprisingly
result in the rook's inclusion in the attack.} ({Grischuk refrained from} 19.
d5 Nxd5 20. Bxh6 gxh6 21. Bxd5 {due to} Rad8 $11 {exchanging queens and
neutralising White's initiative.}) 19... Nxe4 {Obviously a concession,
allowing the radical activation of the white king's rook. But it is not easy
to suggest anything better.} ({Now and in the near future the pawn is not
edible:} 19... Nxd4 $2 20. Bxf7+ $5 Kxf7 21. Ne5+) ({It is too late for Black
to complete his development as} 19... Rad8 {allows} 20. Rxc6 $1 {threatening
Ne5 and if} Nxe4 21. Bxf7+ $18 {due to his inaccuracy on move 17 Black is
short of just one tempo to get coordinated.}) 20. Rxe4 Bf6 21. Rg4 Kh8 {
Parrying Bxh6 (at least temporarily) but weakening f7 and giving away another
tempo.} ({If} 21... h5 22. Rf4 {the pawn is vulnerable to Rc5. After} Rad8 {
Grischuk intended} 23. Ng5 $5 $18) ({Taking the pawn once again fails to solve
Black's problems:} 21... Nxd4 22. Nxd4 Bxd4 23. Bc3 c5 24. Bxd4 cxd4 25. Rxd4
Qe7 ({Actually} 25... Re1+ {is somewhat better, with just a "close to losing"
ending after} 26. Qxe1 Qxd4 27. Rc7 Bd5 28. Rd7 Qe4 29. Qxe4 Bxe4 30. Rxf7 $16)
26. Rd7 Rad8 27. Bxf7+ $1 ({Better than Grischuk's suggestion} 27. Rcc7 $16 {
with a similar ending as above.}) 27... Qxf7 28. Rxd8 $18) 22. Rc5 {Grischuk
confessed he did not calculate anything when playing this move, evaluating the
position in an amusing way: "If there is no win, I could simply quit chess!"
This comment is more instructive than So's complaint that things did not work
out for him tactically. Indeed, all White's pieces are targeting the enemy
king and some of them also control important squares in the defensive area,
making it difficult for Black to get counterplay.} Rad8 23. Qc1 ({White is
confident in the strength of his position and does not hurry with the equally
strong} 23. Bxh6 gxh6 24. Qc1 Bg7 25. Rh5 Qd6 26. Ng5 {Grischuk saw all this,
but thought there might be some incertainty. In fact, White is winning after}
Re7 27. Nxf7+ Rxf7 28. Bxf7 {[%cal Gg4g6] The threat Rg6 is decisive and} Nxd4
{allows} 29. Rxd4 Qxd4 30. Rxh6+ Bxh6 31. Qxh6#) 23... Nxd4 {There is nothing
else to do against the threat Bxh6.} 24. Nxd4 Re4 {A desperate attempt at
using White's apparent lack of cordination and severe time trouble. But as
mentioned before his pieces not only put pressure on Black, but also fulfil
defensive jobs.} ({If} 24... Bxd4 25. Bxh6 {"White already threatens mate with
checks, for instance"} Re2 26. Bxg7+ Bxg7 27. Rh5+ Kg8 28. Rxg7+ Kxg7 29. Qh6+
({Personally I calculated} 29. Qg5+ Kf8 30. Rh8# {MM}) 29... Kg8 30. Qh8# {
(Grischuk).}) 25. Rxc7 Qxd4 26. Be3 ({Grischuk's first intention was} 26. Bc3
Rxg4 27. hxg4 Qe4 28. f3 {but then noticed} Bd4+ {. During the analysis, he
showed} 29. Kh1 $18 {, though. But his move is also winning.}) 26... Rxg4 27.
hxg4 {The attacking b3-bishop safely defends the back rank, an essential
aspect when the rook is far away.} Qe4 28. f3 {White simply wins a piece.} Qb4
29. Rxb7 Bxb2 30. Qf1 f6 31. Qf2 Be5 32. f4 Bd6 33. g5 {Karlovich appreciated
Grischuk's sangfroid when playing this in time trouble. He replied that if
White manages delivering mate, then he might not have to play all the moves
until the control!} Qe4 34. Qf3 Qb1+ 35. Qf1 Qe4 36. Qf3 Qb1+ 37. Kf2 Bb4 38.
Qe2 Qe4 39. Qf3 Qb1 40. Kg3 fxg5 41. Kh2 Qf5 ({Against} 41... Bd6 {Grischuk
had calculated} 42. Rd7 Rxd7 43. Qa8+ Kh7 44. Bg8+ Kg6 45. Qe8+ Kf5 46. Qe6#)
42. Rf7 Qg6 43. fxg5 Bd6+ 44. Kh3 1-0

[Event "Reggio Emilia 54th"]
[Site "Reggio Emilia"]
[Date "2011.12.30"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2762"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[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. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4
Bd7 9. c3 ({For the rather unusual} 9. Be3 $5 {see Sutovsky,E (2696)-Adams,M 
(2734)/Porto Carras 2011/CBM 146 [Sutovsky] (1/2, 36)}) 9... O-O {The most
flexible move. As far as I can understand, Black is waiting for Nbd2 in order
to start his counterplay in the spirit of the Chigorin Defence, with ...Na5
and ...c5.} (9... Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 {Pilnik,H-Trifunovic,P Buenos Aires
1955 (1-0, 40)}) ({I do not see the usefulness of} 9... h6 {at this stage of
the game.} 10. Nbd2 ({What about if} 10. Bc2 $5 {as in the main game?}) 10...
Na5 11. Bc2 c5 12. d4 cxd4 13. cxd4 Qc7 {With the knight on b1, this could be
met with Nc3.} 14. b3 ({I would prefer the more radical method, which used to
be part of Tal's and Fischer's arsenal,} 14. b4 $5 Nc6 15. Bb3 {[%cal Gc6b4,
Gb3f7]} O-O 16. Bb2 $36) 14... Rc8 15. Bb1 bxa4 16. bxa4 exd4 17. Bb2 O-O 18.
Bd3 Nc6 19. Bxa6 Rb8 20. Qc1 Qa7 21. Bb5 Rfc8 $13 {Naiditsch,A (2706)-Atalik,S
(2619)/Eretria 2011 (1/2, 61)}) 10. Bc2 $5 {With the clear intention to forget
about ...Na5 and the Chigorin structures once and for ever. However, this move
releases the pressure against the d5-square.} (10. Nbd2 Na5 11. Ba2 c5 {
Svidler,P (2738)-Jakovenko,D (2709)/Moscow 2008/CBM 127/[Knaak] (1-0, 35)})
10... b4 {An ambitious, but slightly committal move, weakening the light
squares.} (10... d5 11. Nbd2 dxe4 12. dxe4 Bd6 13. b4 Ne7 14. Ba3 a5 $11 {
Svidler,P (2726)-Akopian,V (2696)/Nalchik 2009/CBM 130 (1/2, 22)}) (10... Re8 {
also led to entirely satisfactory positions in a series of recent games:} 11.
Nbd2 (11. Re1 Rb8 12. h3 Bf8 13. axb5 axb5 14. Bg5 h6 15. Bh4 g6 16. Nbd2 Bg7
17. Nf1 Ra8 18. Qd2 Rxa1 19. Rxa1 b4 {Timofeev,A (2651)-Karjakin,S (2723)/
Khanty Mansiysk 2009/CBM 134 (1/2, 26)} 20. Ne3 $14 {/=}) 11... Bf8 12. Re1 h6
13. h3 (13. Nf1 d5 14. exd5 Nxd5 15. Ng3 Nb6 16. axb5 {1/2 Fressinet,L (2667)
-Kritz,L (2589)/Biel 2009/CBM 131 Extra}) 13... Ne7 14. d4 Ng6 15. Nf1 c5 16.
d5 Nh7 17. Be3 Be7 18. b4 c4 19. Qd2 Ng5 20. N1h2 Nxf3+ 21. Nxf3 Nh4 22. Nxh4
Bxh4 23. Ra3 a5 $1 $11 {Karjakin,S (2788)-Leko,P (2717)/Ningbo 2011/CBM 144 (1/
2, 30)}) 11. Re1 $146 (11. Nbd2 {allows} d5 12. Re1 bxc3 13. bxc3 Re8 14. Nf1
h6 15. Ne3 Be6 16. exd5 Nxd5 17. Nxd5 Qxd5 18. d4 exd4 19. Be4 Qc4 20. cxd4 Bd5
$11 {/=/+ Bruzon Bautista,L (2622)-Svidler,P (2727)/Dresden 2008/CBM 128 (0-1,
38)}) 11... Re8 ({One important question is whether after} 11... d5 {White can
really take the pawn with} 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Nxe5 Nxe5 14. Rxe5 {Marshall
specialists will know whether this offers sufficient compensation for Black.
However, Morozevich is not one of them. He prefers slow regrouping in the
spirit of the Zaitsev variation, which he plays constantly.}) 12. h3 Bf8 13.
Nbd2 g6 14. Nc4 {/\d4, /\Bb3} bxc3 {It looks logical to create a relative
weakness on c3 before developing the bishop in fianchetto.} (14... Bg7 15. d4
$5 bxc3 (15... exd4 16. cxd4 d5 17. Ncd2 dxe4 18. Nxe4 Nxe4 19. Bxe4 $14) 16.
dxe5 $1 (16. bxc3 exd4 17. cxd4 Nb4 $132) 16... Nxe5 17. Ncxe5 dxe5 18. bxc3
$14) 15. bxc3 d5 {But this does not seem consequent. What did he need ...g6
for if he intended to open the centre anyway?} (15... Bg7 $5) 16. Ne3 $1 (16.
exd5 Nxd5 {[%csl Gc3]}) 16... dxe4 (16... Be6 17. a5 $14) (16... d4 17. Nd5 $14
) 17. dxe4 $14 {The structure is symemtrical, but White's position remains
more pleasant. One important element is his better control in the centre. The
d4-square is well covered, but the d5-square is not.} Na5 18. Qe2 Nh5 19. Rd1
$1 Nf4 20. Qe1 Bd6 {Black tries consolidating his centre, but now ...g6 can
certainly be considered a weakening move.} 21. Rb1 ({A massive central
approach, involving an exchange sacrifice, was possible:} 21. c4 $5 Nc6 22. Nd5
Ne6 23. Be3 Ncd4 24. Nxd4 exd4 {[%cal Gd6e5,Ge5a1]} 25. Rxd4 $5 Nxd4 26. Bxd4
Be5 27. Bxe5 Rxe5 28. Qc3 Re6 29. Rd1 c6 30. Ne3 {[%cal Ge3g4,Ge4e5]} h5 31. c5
Qe7 32. Nc4 $14 {[%cal Gc4d6] The d6-knight will not be weaker than any of
Black's rooks.}) 21... f6 (21... Rb8 $5 {looks like a reasonable attempt to
reduce the pressure.}) 22. h4 $1 $16 {[%cal Gg2g3] Black starts losing ground.}
(22. c4 $5 {remains a possibility.}) 22... Rf8 23. g3 Ne6 24. Nd5 {White has
got the d5-square for his knight, without giving up the control of the
d4-square.} Qe8 25. Qe2 Bxa4 {This pawn costs Black a lot of time.} 26. Bxa4
Qxa4 27. Bh6 Rf7 28. Nh2 $1 Nb3 (28... f5 29. exf5 gxf5 30. Nb6 $1 cxb6 31.
Rxd6 $16) (28... Qe8 29. Ng4 Be7 (29... Qd8 30. Ndxf6+ $1 Rxf6 31. Qa2 Nc6 32.
Bg5 $18) 30. Be3 Kg7 (30... Kh8) 31. h5 $40) 29. Ng4 $16 Nbc5 30. Ngxf6+ Kh8
31. h5 g5 {White should be close to winning by this moment, but Ivanchuk
starts complicating his task.} 32. Rb4 (32. Qg4 $5 {[%cal Gg4f5]}) 32... Qa3
33. Rdb1 $2 (33. Ng4 $5) 33... c6 $1 34. Ng4 $5 (34. Nb6 Rxf6 35. Nxa8 Rxh6)
34... cxd5 35. exd5 Qxc3 $6 {After this, things will gradually re-enter the
previous paths.} (35... Ng7 36. Nxe5 {[%cal Ge5c4,Ge5f7] White has strong
compensation, but possibly not an advantage.} Re7 $8 37. Qf3 Bxe5 (37... Rxe5
$2 38. Rb8+ $3 {[%csl Gf8]} Re8 $8 39. Qf7 $18) 38. d6 Ree8 39. Qxa8 Rxa8 40.
Rb8+ Ne8 41. Rxa8 Qa4 42. Rbb8 Qd1+ $11) 36. dxe6 Nxe6 37. Rc4 Qa5 38. Qe4 Rd8
39. Rc6 $16 {White is a pawn down, but Black's pieces are too vulnerable.} Qd2
40. Qc4 Re7 41. Rbb6 (41. Ne3 $5 Rf7 $140 42. Rf1 $18) 41... e4 42. Kg2 e3 43.
Nxe3 Bxg3 44. Kxg3 Nd4 45. Kg2 Nxc6 46. Rxc6 Qd7 47. Ng4 Qf5 48. Qc3+ Kg8 49.
Nf6+ Kf7 50. Qc4+ Re6 51. Rc7+ Kxf6 52. Bg7# 1-0

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM 36th"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2008.06.29"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2634"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2008.06.28"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 125"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.07.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.07.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 ({Lately, Mamedyarov has faced some
difficulties in his favourite deferred Steinitz variation:} 4... d6 5. c3 (5.
O-O Bd7 6. d4 $5 exd4 7. Nxd4 b5 8. Nxc6 Bxc6 9. Bb3 Nf6 10. c4 $5 {Leko,P 
(2753)-Mamedyarov,S (2760)/Wijk aan Zee 2008/[Marin] (1-0, 27)}) 5... g6 6. d4
Bd7 7. O-O Bg7 8. Re1 b5 9. Bc2 exd4 10. cxd4 Bg4 11. Be3 Nge7 12. Nc3 O-O 13.
Rc1 {Anand,V (2799)-Mamedyarov,S (2760)/Wijk aan Zee 2008/CBM 122/[Marin] (1/
2-1/2, 36)}) 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 ({A more topical move order to reach the game
variation would be} 6. Re1 d6 $5 {etc., a line that has been advocated by
Adams.}) 6... d6 7. c3 Bg4 8. Nbd2 (8. h3 Bh5 9. Re1 Nd7 10. Be3 h6 11. g4 $5 {
Topalov,V (2801)-Mamedyarov,S (2709)/Wijk aan Zee 2006/CBM 111/[Finkel,A] (1/
2-1/2, 46)} (11. Nbd2 Bg5 {Kamsky,G (2705)-Adams,M (2734)/Sofia 2007/CBM 118/
[Marin] (1/2-1/2, 94)}) 11... Bg6 12. Nbd2 Bg5 (12... h5 $5 {Topalov,V (2801)
-Mamedyarov,S (2709)/Wijk aan Zee 2006/CBM 111/[Finkel,A] (1/2-1/2, 46)}) 13.
Nxg5 $5 hxg5 14. Kg2 {Shirov,A (2699)-Adams,M (2734)/Elista 2007/CBM 119/
[Marin] (1-0, 48)}) 8... Nd7 9. h3 Bh5 10. Re1 Nc5 11. Bc2 Ne6 12. Nf1 Bg5 {
An important moment. Black is interested in exchanging (or just activating)
his relatively passive dark-squared bishop.} ({However, a more popular way to
achieve that is} 12... Ng5 {. At some point,} 13. N1h2 {has been recommended,
but Black seems to be doing fine here, too.} (13. Bxg5 Bxg5 14. Ng3 Bxf3 15.
Qxf3 g6 $10 {Topalov,V (2750)-Short,N (2695)/Novgorod 1996/CBM 054/[Short] (1/
2-1/251),}) 13... O-O (13... Nxf3+ $6 14. Nxf3 O-O 15. g4 $5 Bg6 16. d4 exd4 $6
17. Nxd4 $1 $14 {Ivanov,A (2560)-Christiansen,L (2555)/Parsippany 1996/CBM 055/
[Blatny,P] (1-0, 48)}) 14. Ng4 Kh8 15. Be3 Nxf3+ 16. Qxf3 Bg6 17. d4 exd4 18.
cxd4 Nb4 19. Bb1 d5 $132 {Brenjo,S (2485)-Pavlovic,M (2438)/Senta 2007/CBM 119
ext (1/2-1/2, 25)}) 13. Ng3 Bxf3 ({Preserving the light-squared bishop from
exchange with} 13... Bxc1 14. Rxc1 Bg6 {is risky strategically, because White
is well regrouped and g6 is not such a great square.} 15. d4 Nf4 16. Ba4 Qf6
17. Bxc6+ bxc6 18. Re3 O-O 19. Qa4 c5 20. dxc5 dxc5 {Akopian,V (2713)-Filippov,
A (2496)/Khanty-Mansiysk 2007/CBM 122 (1/2-1/2, 55)} 21. Qc4 Rab8 22. b4 $14)
14. Qxf3 O-O (14... Bxc1 15. Raxc1 O-O 16. b4 {[%cal Gc2b3]} (16. a3 $6 {
does not make too much sense.} Ne7 17. Bb3 Ng6 18. Qg4 Ngf4 19. Nh5 Nxh5 20.
Qxh5 Nf4 21. Qf3 g6 $11 {Yu Shaoteng (2516)-Wu Wenjin (2523)/Beijing 2005/CBM
110 (1/2-1/2, 43)}) 16... Ne7 17. Nf5 Ng6 (17... g6 18. Ne3 $14 {[%cal Gc2b3,
Ga2a4]}) 18. g3 $14) 15. Be3 g6 16. Bb3 $146 {It is hard to say whether this
is an improvement over the choice of the 7th World Champion in an old game.
Possibly, both moves are equally good, ensuring White a small, but long
lasting plus.} (16. Ne2 Kg7 17. d4 $14 Bxe3 (17... exd4 $6 18. cxd4 Bxe3 19.
Qxe3 Qf6 20. Rad1 $16 {Smyslov,V-Ragozin,V/Moscow 1940/URS-ch (1-0, 32)}) 18.
Qxe3 Na5 (18... Ne7 19. Rad1 Qe8 20. Qg3 $14) 19. b3 (19. Rad1 Nc4 20. Qg3 Qf6
$11) 19... Qh4 20. d5 Nc5 21. c4 $14) 16... Kg7 17. Ne2 Nc5 {The introduction
to a premature plan.} ({However, it is not easy to suggest a safe way to
equality for Black, for instance} 17... Bxe3 18. Qxe3 Qg5 19. Qxg5 Nxg5 20. Bd5
(20. f4 Ne6 21. g3 Rae8 22. Kg2 f5) 20... Rae8 (20... f5 21. exf5 gxf5 22. d4
$14) 21. b4 f5 22. a4 f4 23. f3 Ne6 24. d4 $36 {[%cal Gd5e6,Gd4d5]} exd4 25. b5
$1 $14) 18. Bc2 f5 $6 (18... Ne6 19. d4 {transposes to Smyslov,V-Ragozin,V/
Moscow 1940/URS-ch (1-0, 32) above.}) 19. Bxc5 $1 dxc5 20. exf5 Rxf5 {[%csl
Ge4]} (20... gxf5 21. Ng3 Qd7 22. Bb3 $36) 21. Qg4 $16 {White's better
structure and the control of the e4-square offer him a stable advantage. The
presence of opposite-squared bishops does not make things easier for Black in
the middlegame.} Bh4 22. Rf1 Kh8 23. Ba4 b5 24. Bb3 Na5 25. Be6 $6 {White did
not need to preserve his bishop from exchange.} ({The centralizing move} 25.
Qe4 {should have been preferred.} Rb8 {Getting the rook out of the reach of
the white queen, in order to free his own queen from its defensive task.} (
25... Nxb3 26. axb3 $16 {[%csl Ga6][%cal Gg2g3,Gg1g2,Ge2g1,Gg1f3]}) (25... c4
26. Bc2 $5 $16 {[%cal Gb2b4]}) 26. g3 Be7 27. Be6 Rf6 28. Qxe5 $16 Qxd3 $2 29.
Rad1 Qc2 30. Bb3 Nxb3 31. Qxe7 $18) 25... Rf8 26. a4 Qf6 27. g3 h5 28. Qxh4
Qxe6 29. Qe4 Qf5 30. Qxf5 gxf5 $14 {Black has managed to trade bishops and
improve his kingside structure. He has good chances for survival now.} 31. axb5
axb5 32. f4 e4 33. dxe4 fxe4 34. Rfd1 Nc4 35. Rxa8 Rxa8 36. Rd7 Ra1+ 37. Kf2
Nxb2 38. Ke3 Nc4+ 39. Kxe4 Re1 40. Kf3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 7th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.06.12"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Black "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2769"]
[BlackElo "2784"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[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"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 Be7 ({A never too
fashionable alternative to the main} 6... b5) 7. Re1 b5 8. Rxe4 d5 9. Nxe5 Nxe5
10. Rxe5 bxa4 {After a series of intermediate moves, the game has reached a
slightly unusual position. White has the better structure, but is slightly
behind in development, while the enemy bishop pair can be dangerous.} 11. b3 $5
(11. Nc3 {is more popular, but after} O-O 12. Rxd5 Bd6 {Black gets
compensation similarly to the Marshall Attack.}) 11... O-O 12. Ba3 $146 (12.
Rxe7 Qxe7 13. Ba3 Qg5 14. Bxf8 Bh3 15. Qf1 Kxf8 $132 {Relange,E (2490)
-Benjamin,J (2595)/Mermaid Beach 1998/CBM 062 ext (1/2, 21)}) 12... Bxa3 13.
Nxa3 Qd6 14. Nb1 f6 15. Re3 Bd7 16. Nc3 Rfe8 {White has reached a position
with the better structure, but the knight manoeuvre has cost him a lot of time.
Black is well regrouped and can prevent the knight's access to c5, which
levels the chances.} 17. Rxe8+ Rxe8 18. Qd2 axb3 19. axb3 Qb4 20. h3 Bb5 {
The knight is almost completely neutralised.} 21. Re1 Rxe1+ 22. Qxe1 Kf7 23.
Qe3 c6 24. Nb1 a5 25. Nd2 a4 {Black even gets some microscopic initiative now.}
26. bxa4 Bxa4 27. c3 Qb2 28. Kh2 Bb5 29. Nf3 g5 30. Ng1 Qc2 31. Qg3 Qe4 32. Nf3
h6 33. Qc7+ Kg6 34. Qd6 Kf7 35. Qc7+ Kg6 36. Qd6 Kf7 37. Qc7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Tata Steel-C 75th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2013.01.26"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Mekhitarian, Krikor Sevag"]
[Black "Gretarsson, Hjorvar Steinn"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2543"]
[BlackElo "2516"]
[Annotator "Mekhitarian,K"]
[PlyCount "141"]
[EventDate "2013.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 153"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 {It is always good
to defend your pawns! It is probably more interesting here than in the move
before, because in that case, Black could choose 5...d6 with g6-Bg7, a good
development for the f8-B, or even 5...Bc5!? With this order, I restrict those
possibilities, allowing, on the other hand, the Open Ruy Lopez (5...Nxe4).} b5
7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 Bd7 9. c3 O-O (9... Na5 {was seen recently:} 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4
Qb8 (11... Nc6 {on the other hand, was seen in 1955:} 12. dxe5 dxe5 13. Qe2 O-O
14. Rd1 Qc7 15. Nbd2 Na5 16. Nf1 c4 17. axb5 axb5 18. Bg5 {Now Ne3 is coming,
and the good control over d5 gives White a decent edge already} Bc6 19. Ne3 $16
{1-0 (40) Pilnik,H-Trifunovic,P Buenos Aires 1955}) 12. axb5 (12. Bg5 $5 Be6
13. Nbd2 O-O $13) 12... axb5 13. b3 Bg4 14. Nbd2 cxd4 15. cxd4 O-O 16. h3 Bh5
17. Bb2 {1/2-1/2 (81) Van Kampen,R (2581)-Melkumyan,H (2656) Basel 2013; and
it feels comfortable for White.}) 10. Bc2 $5 {In the day before, I had
prepared mostly for various Sicilians, that used to be in the taste of my
opponent. He had played some 1...e5 lately, but then I was down for 6.d3 and
just play chess. Accidentally, I bumped into these two Karjakin and Grischuk
games with 10.Bc2, and during the game I thought for a while to try and
understand it - something I did not succeed in doing - but at least avoiding
this typical Na5-c5 plan seemed interesting, so why not give it a try?} Re8 {
As usual, I already started tanking here, because  A) the position is rich,
complex and has many subtleties,  B) I always do that!} 11. h3 Bf8 {Now I
remembered Grischuk had played some Bg5 idea, in a similar position after Bf8
and got a great position, mostly because Kamksy allowed the doubling of the
f-pawns.} 12. Re1 (12. Bg5 {White had Re1 instead of h3, actually} h6 $2 (12...
Rb8 {I wasn't so sure how to react after this, since h6 is coming next}) 13.
axb5 axb5 14. Rxa8 Qxa8 15. Bxf6 gxf6 $14 {The computer says Black has an
acceptable position, but I wouldn't think this is anyhow better than keeping
the g7-P home.}) 12... g6 13. Nbd2 Bg7 14. Nf1 h6 15. Ne3 Kh7 {A bit of a
strange looking move, since I can have Bb3 at some point.} 16. Kh2 {Let me be
perfectly honest - I didn't want to commit to anything and wanted to see what
his next move was. Neither d4, b4, axb5 nor anything seemed fantastic at the
moment. And I didn't see highly constructive moves for him either. I find the
position so interesting because there's nothing clear to do for either side -
everything seems to involve some sort of a concession.} Rb8 17. axb5 $1 {
Now I get something going, the a-file invasion could be highly useful for me.}
axb5 18. Bb3 Be6 (18... Qe7 $5 {was another way to go, not making my
intentions any easier.}) 19. Bxe6 Rxe6 20. Qb3 Nd7 21. Bd2 {Generally I
started to feel I would have some pressure on the some light squares, the a
file, and the N on c6 would be awkard for some time, meaning I was pretty
happy with my opening achievement so far. Besides, I had +1 in the tournament
and needed to fight more than ever to score 2 wins in the last rounds.} Nc5 22.
Qc2 Re8 23. h4 $5 {...with the ghost-threat of h5, and whenever he goes h5, I
could use g5 for some annoying business - maybe Nd5 then and Ne7 is not
possible right away because of Bg5.} (23. b4 Ne6 24. Nd5 {didn't seem much to
me, but could've been played} Ne7 $1 $13 {my feeling was that whenever he gets
to play this and c6 next, there are no clear reasons for him to be worse - ok,
I've got the a-file, but he can fight that.}) 23... Ne6 24. g3 (24. h5 {
after all it didn't seem so clear if it's that bad if he just takes the pawn,
but I probably mis-evaluated it since I can get Rh1 in quickly enough, and Kg1
if there's no time for g3-Kg2, but in fact} Nf4 $1 {would be the main issue,
Black gets some play on the f-file} (24... gxh5 25. Rh1 $1 $16) 25. hxg6+ fxg6
26. Rh1 Qd7 27. Kg1 Kg8 $13 {with Rf8-Qf7 to come.}) 24... Ra8 25. Qb3 {
Oops! I had an eye on the Qf6 threat, but I just forgot it now - luckily
everything is still under control.} Qf6 26. Rxa8 (26. Kg2 $4 Qxf3+ $19) 26...
Rxa8 27. Qd1 $8 Nc5 28. Nd5 Qd8 29. Be3 Ne6 $6 {Too passive, allows me to keep
on attacking the b5-pawn and combine that with a K-side annoyance.} (29... Ne7
$1 $13 {during the game I felt he may have a move like this, because my
remaining N at f3 won't be such an amazing piece, if I exchange a couple of
minor pieces, and the d3-pawn could also get under pressure (that is if I
exchange everything)}) 30. Qb3 Qb8 31. Kg2 {Always useful - now also freeing
h2 for the N.} Qb7 (31... h5 {It was time to avoid h4-h5 once for all. After
which White could be trying to construct something based on d4 at some point -
maybe Rc1 with Qd1, as in the game.}) 32. Rc1 (32. h5 $1 {was good enough
already} g5 33. Nh2 $16 {and apart from these tactical ideas on the a8-h1
diagonal, Black should be suffering positionally after Ng4 (not to mention
Qd1-Qg4 at some point)}) 32... Na5 (32... Ncd8 $5 $14 {trying to regroup with
c6}) (32... Nb8 $5 $14) 33. Qd1 Nc6 {In time trouble already, I had a hard
time deciding whether to play the solid 34.Ra1 or the exciting 34.h5 (since I
noticed he had f5-f4 coming)} 34. h5 $1 {Why not run into complications with 2
minutes on the clock?} g5 35. Nh2 f5 36. Qf3 f4 37. Qg4 $1 {Important detail.
Now there is no satisfactory way for Black to hold his own. For example:} Qc8 (
37... Ncd8 38. gxf4 gxf4 39. Qg6+ Kh8 40. Qe8+ Nf8 (40... Bf8 41. Nf6 $1 fxe3
42. Rg1 $1 $18) 41. Ne7 $1 Kh7 (41... fxe3 42. fxe3 {with a deadly Rf1 coming}
c5 43. Rf1 Nc6 44. Qxc6 Qxc6 45. Nxc6 $16) 42. Ng4 {Nf6 threatened} c5 (42...
c6 {[%cal Gb7e7]} 43. Bb6 $1 $18) 43. Bxc5 $1 {Now we get into some crazy
computer lines, that would involve so much risk during a human game that
anything could happen} dxc5 44. Nxe5 {N5g6 coming with brutal effect. And
whenever Nde6 comes, Qf7 and mate on g8 is kind of unstoppable!} Qa6 45. Nd7 $1
Nb7 46. Nxf8+ Bxf8 47. Qf7+ Bg7 48. Nf5 Rg8 49. Qg6+ $3 Qxg6+ 50. hxg6+ Kh8 51.
Ra1 $16 {cool! it must be nice to be able to calculate like this.}) (37... Nf8
38. gxf4 gxf4 39. Bd2 Qc8 40. Qxc8 Rxc8 41. b4 $16 {with a strong positional
grip - Ra1 and the h2-N is rejoining the battle.}) 38. Qf5+ Kh8 39. Bd2 Nc5 40.
Qg6 $2 {In the 40th move, with less than a minute to play, I lose my way and
miss a nice sequence:} (40. Ra1 $1 {never crossed my mind. Now White wants to
play a move like Nf6! right away} Qxf5 (40... Rb8 41. Ng4 $1 Nxd3 42. Ra6 Nd8
43. Nxh6 Bxh6 44. Qg6 $18) 41. Rxa8+ Qf8 42. Rxf8+ Bxf8 43. Nxc7 Nxd3 44. b4
Na7 45. gxf4 $16 {Ok, it feels like White is good, but it's hard to spot right
away how problematic Black's position is. For example:} gxf4 (45... exf4 46.
Nf3 Bg7 47. Nd4 $1 Bxd4 (47... Nxb4 48. Ncxb5 Nxb5 49. Nxb5 Nd3 50. Nxd6 $16)
48. cxd4 $18 {And after Bc3-d5, with Bd4 ideas, Black's structure may collapse
completely. Now we also note the weak h6-pawn, a nightmare when your opponent
has a dark-squared B}) 46. Ng4 {with a great advantage - for example:} Kg8 47.
f3 Kf7 48. Kf1 Ke7 49. Ke2 Nb2 50. Be1 $1 $16 {and the weaknesses are too many,
White maintains big winning chances.}) 40... Qd7 {The position is so tense
that after missing only one opportunity, I'm already worse! Because the d3-P
can't be defended and my K-side actions aren't really impressive. Now, with
additional 50 minutes on my clock, I had to start from 0 - naturally I spent
41 minutes on this move!} 41. Nf6 (41. d4 {didn't seem enough either} Nd3 42.
Nf6 Bxf6 43. Qxh6+ Qh7 44. Qxf6+ Qg7 45. Qxg7+ Kxg7 46. Rb1 Ra2 $13 {but it
was possible, even though I'm already playing for a draw here.}) 41... Bxf6 42.
Qxh6+ Qh7 43. Qxf6+ Qg7 44. Qxg7+ Kxg7 45. Rg1 $2 {In my 2nd period of time
trouble, I felt like I had to create some practical counterplay.} (45. Rd1 $1 {
had to be played, to answer Nxd3 with Bxf4, and start fighting hard for a draw:
} Nxd3 46. Bxf4 Nxb2 47. Rb1 $132) 45... Rh8 $2 {Worried about the h-pawn, now
Black gives all the chances back.} (45... Nxd3 {plain simple and good, since I
have no real threats on the K-side without my B} 46. gxf4 exf4 $19) 46. gxf4
exf4 (46... gxf4 47. d4 $1 $13) 47. d4 $1 Nxe4 48. Bxf4 Kf6 $2 (48... Nxc3 $1
49. bxc3 gxf4 $11 {/+/=, but White would still be trying something with the
h-pawn, playing either Kf3+ or Kh3+.}) 49. Bc1 (49. Be3 $16 {perhaps stronger,
avoiding the 50...Nf2 trick.}) 49... Kf5 $2 (49... Rxh5 {was still possible,
since:} 50. f3 ({I thought} 50. Ng4+ {was winning during the game, with f3
next, but now Black gets the Nf6 retreat}) 50... Nf2 $1 {and Black is fighting.
}) 50. Nf1 $18 {Besides holding the extra-pawn, White will have direct
pressure against the exposed black king:} d5 51. Rh1 Ne7 52. f3 Nd6 53. Ne3+
Ke6 54. Ng4 Nf7 55. Re1+ Kd6 56. Ne5 $1 {Simplifying into a hopeless endgame
for Black.} Nxe5 57. Rxe5 Rxh5 58. Bxg5 Ng6 59. Be7+ Kd7 60. Rxh5 Nf4+ 61. Kg3
Nxh5+ 62. Kg4 Ng7 63. Bf6 Ne6 64. f4 Ke8 65. Kf5 Kf7 66. Bg5 b4 67. Ke5 c5 (
67... bxc3 68. bxc3 c6 69. Kd6 Ng7 70. Kxc6 Ke6 71. Kc5 Nf5 72. c4 $18 {
would also be an elementary win.}) 68. dxc5 bxc3 69. bxc3 Nxc5 70. Kxd5 Nb7 71.
c4 {With ups and downs, this was an important win for me, and an interesting
game itself with lots of ideas and minor details here and there. After all, I
also won a very tense last game to end up with +3 - 8/11 and a respectable 4th
place in my 1st time in Wijk Aan Zee, playing the Tata C-group, a great
experience in so many ways!} 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 4th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2016.08.07"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2769"]
[BlackElo "2755"]
[Annotator "Mokal,P"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[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. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
Na5 {Ding Liren continues to play his favourite move.} ({The most popular move
here is} 8... O-O) 9. Ba2 c5 10. Nc3 Be6 11. Nh4 {This was Caruana's novelty
at Wijk aan Zee in January 2016. Before that, top level chess had seen two
other moves here, but Black got good play after both of them.} ({Anand's
choice was} 11. Bg5 c4 12. Nd2 $5 O-O 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Nd5 Bxd5 15. exd5 e4
$132 {1/2-1/2 Anand-Ding Liren, Bilbao 2015 (34)}) ({while Topalov and Wei Yi
chose} 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. Ne2 (12. b4 Nc6 13. bxc5 dxc5 14. Bb2 O-O 15. a4 b4
$132 {1/2-1/2 Wei Yi-Ding Liren, Baku 2015 (34)}) 12... Nc6 13. Ng3 O-O 14. c3
Qd7 15. Qe2 Rad8 (15... a5 $5) 16. Rd1 d5 $132 {1/2-1/2 Topalov-Svidler, Baku
2015 (42)}) 11... O-O ({The trend-setting game between Caruana and Ding Liren
went} 11... c4 $5 12. Nf5 Bxf5 13. exf5 O-O (13... Rc8 $5) 14. dxc4 Nxc4 15.
Bxc4 bxc4 16. Bg5 $1 {[%csl Gd5,Ge4] A standard idea, thematically taking
control of the light squares.} Rb8 17. Rb1 $14 {1-0 Caruana - Ding Liren, Wijk
aan Zee 2016 (83)}) 12. Nf5 Rc8 (12... Bxf5 13. exf5 Qd7 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. Bxd5
Rac8 16. Qf3 c4 (16... Nc6 $5) 17. Be3 $14 {0-1 Pavlidis,A (2536)-Kelires,A 
(2464)/Kavala GRE 2016/The Week in Chess 1134 (58)}) (12... Nc6 13. Ne3 (13.
Bg5 Bxa2 14. Rxa2 Ne8 15. Be3 Bg5 16. Nd5 Bxe3 17. Nfxe3 (17. fxe3 $5) 17...
Nf6 {1/2-1/2 Hovhannisyan,R (2632)-Piorun,K (2681)/Gjakova 2016/CBM 173}) 13...
Nd7 14. Nf5 Nf6 15. Ne3 Nd7 16. Ncd5 Bg5 17. g3 Bxe3 18. Bxe3 Kh8 19. b4 Ne7
20. Nxe7 Qxe7 21. c3 f5 $132 {0-1 Timofeev,A (2598)-Matlakov,M (2693)/Sochi
2016/CBM 173 (56)}) 13. Bg5 ({A game that was played after this encounter took
place, but before it was published saw} 13. g4 Nc6 14. f4 exf4 15. Bxf4 Ne8 16.
Nd5 {and here Black missed a tactical point ...} Bg5 $2 17. Bxg5 Qxg5 18. Nde7+
$1 Nxe7 19. h4 {[%csl Re7]} Nxf5 (19... Qf6 20. g5 Qe5 21. Nxe7+ Kh8 22. Bxe6
$16) 20. hxg5 $18 {1-0 Sadzikowski-Banusz, Abu Dhabi 2016 (32)}) 13... Bxf5 14.
exf5 Ne8 (14... Nc6 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Nd5 $14 {White maintains a very tiny
edge.}) 15. Be3 {Making sure that if Black wants to exchange the Bs then at
least White will improve his P-structure.} (15. Bxe7 Qxe7 16. Bd5 Nf6 17. Qf3 {
[%csl Gd4]} Qd7 $11) 15... Bg5 (15... Nf6 16. Nd5 Nxd5 17. Bxd5 $14) 16. Bd5
Bxe3 17. fxe3 Nf6 18. Qf3 Re8 ({Giri considered} 18... c4 {as a good move for
Black, trying to use the b3-square if needed.}) 19. b3 (19. Be4 c4 20. Nd5 cxd3
21. cxd3 Nb3 22. Rad1 Nc5 23. Nxf6+ Qxf6 24. Bd5 Na4 $132) 19... h6 (19... c4
$2 20. dxc4 bxc4 21. b4 $16) 20. Be4 {[%csl Ra5][%cal Gc3d5] It seems that
with his space advantage, better placed pieces and with the N coming to d5,
White is going to strangle Black slowly. But in this grim looking situation,
Ding Liren finds a neat resource...} ({Although White had a tiny edge, making
progress was not easy. Yet the best could probably have been waiting with} 20.
Rf2 $142 {keeping options in hand.}) 20... c4 $1 {The exchange sacrifice that
this move envisages, is the only way for Black to stay in the game. And not
just stay in the game but even look for the initiative if White falters! This
is the trick that Giri missed while going for Be4.} 21. dxc4 Nxc4 $1 (21...
bxc4 $2 22. b4 {[%csl Ra5]} Nxe4 23. Qxe4 Nc6 24. f6 $1 g6 25. Nd5 $18) 22.
bxc4 Rxc4 23. Bc6 Rxc3 24. Bxe8 Qxe8 25. Qb7 Ng4 ({It was worth considering} 
25... Qc6 $5 26. Qxc6 Rxc6 $15 {with evil intentions of torturing White in the
endgame.} 27. a4 {does not work so well} b4 28. a5 (28. Rab1 a5 $15) 28... Nd5
$1 (28... Rxc2 29. Rfb1 Rc4 30. Rb3 {[%csl Rb4,Rd5][%cal Ga1b1,Gb3d3,Gb1d1]}
Nd5 31. Rd3 Rc5 32. e4 Ne7 33. Rxd6) 29. Rfb1 e4 $15) 26. f6 (26. Qxa6 Nxe3 $15
) (26. e4 $5 Qd8 $5 {[%cal Gd8h4]} (26... d5 27. exd5 (27. Qxd5 Rxc2 $36) 27...
e4 28. h3 Ne3 29. Rf2 Nxc2 $13) (26... Qc6 27. Qxc6 Rxc6 28. Rfb1 {[%cal Ga3a4]
}) 27. h3 Ne3 28. Rf2 Qg5 $132 29. Qxa6 Nxg2 30. Rxg2 Qe3+ 31. Kh1 Qxh3+ $11)
26... Nxf6 (26... Nxe3 27. Rf3 {[%cal Ga1e1]} Qe6 28. Re1 Nd5 29. Rxc3 Nxc3 30.
Re3 Nd5 31. Qa8+ Kh7 32. fxg7 Kxg7 33. Rg3+ $16) ({Ding Liren again missed a
chance for a favourable Q exchange.} 26... Qc8 $142 27. Qxc8+ Rxc8 28. fxg7
Nxe3 $15 {with a very tiny edge. For example} 29. Rf3 Nc4 (29... Nxc2 30. Raf1
Rc7 31. Rc1 Rc5 32. Rcf1 $11) 30. a4 Nd2 31. Rd3 Ne4 32. axb5 axb5 33. Rd5 Rxc2
34. Rxb5 Kxg7) 27. Qxa6 Qd7 28. Rab1 Rc5 29. a4 (29. Rb2 $6 Nd5 30. Rfb1 (30.
Rd1 Nxe3 31. Qxd6 (31. Rxd6 Qf5 $19) 31... Qg4 {[%csl Rd1,Rg2]} 32. Rd2 Rd5 $1
$17) 30... Nc3 $15) (29. Rb3 $5 Kh7 (29... Nd5 $6 30. Rd3 {[%csl Rd6]}) 30.
Rfb1 Ng4 31. Rxb5 Rxc2 $132 {[%cal Gd7f5] gives Black enough counterplay.}) (
29. c4 bxc4 30. Rb8+ Kh7 31. Rxf6 gxf6 32. Qa8 Qc6 33. Rh8+ Kg6 34. Qg8+ Kf5
35. Qxf7 $13 {Giri thought that this was a better version for Black because of
the strong c4-P with the major pieces behind it, but he realised during the
post-mortem that this would have been equal because the major pices are also
blocked by the same pawn.}) 29... bxa4 30. Rb8+ Kh7 31. Rxf6 $6 {Objectively a
wrong sacrifice.} ({The best was} 31. Rb7 $142 {when Black would be forced to
find ways to make a draw.} Qe6 (31... Qc8 32. Qxd6 Rxc2 33. Rxf7 Rxg2+ $1 34.
Kxg2 Qg4+ 35. Kh1 (35. Kf2 Ne4+ $19) 35... Qe4+ 36. Kg1 Qg4+ $11) 32. Qxa4 Rc3
33. e4 Qc8 34. Qa7 (34. Rxf7 Qc5+ 35. Kh1 Ra3 $1) 34... Rxc2 35. Rxf6 Qg4 36.
Rf2 Rc1+ 37. Rf1 Rc2 $11) 31... gxf6 32. Qa8 Qc6 $1 (32... Kg6 33. Rg8+ Kf5 34.
g4+ Ke6 35. Re8+ $18) 33. Rh8+ Kg6 34. Qg8+ Kf5 35. Qxf7 (35. Qh7+ Ke6 36. Rf8
Qb7 37. Re8+ Kd7 38. Qxf7+ Kc6 39. Qa2 Qb4 $17) 35... Rxc2 $6 {Ding Liren
misses his chance. He considered it as a draw anyway and so played ...Rc2.} ({
What was called for at this point were bravery and courage...} 35... Ke4 $142
$1 36. Qxf6 (36. Rxh6 Rxc2 37. Rxf6 Kd3 $19 {[%csl Ga4]} (37... Kxe3 38. Rf3+
Kd4 $19)) ({Ding Liren saw 35...Ke4 but he admitted that he had missed that
after} 36. Qg6+ {he had the simple} f5 $19 (36... Kd5 37. Qf7+ (37. Qd3+ Ke6
38. Qg6 $11))) 36... Rxc2 37. Qf3+ Kd3 38. e4+ Kd4 $19 39. Rxh6 Qc5 {[%cal
Gc5d6,Gc5a3]} 40. h4 a3 $19 {and Black's a-P would not fail his king.}) 36.
Qh7+ Ke6 37. Qg8+ Kf5 38. Qh7+ Ke6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-29"]
[Site "Novi Sad"]
[Date "1990.11.19"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Mahdy, Khaled"]
[Black "Mokry, Karel"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2350"]
[BlackElo "2490"]
[Annotator "Mokry,K"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "1990.11.17"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "YUG"]
[SourceTitle "TD"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.03.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Egypt"]
[BlackTeam "Czechoslovakia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "EGY"]
[BlackTeamCountry "CSR"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 b5 8. e5
Nxe5 9. Rxe5 d6 10. Re1 bxa4 11. Bg5 $5 (11. Nxd4 Bd7 12. c4 $5 {N} (12. Qf3
$143) 12... O-O 13. Nc3 Rb8 14. Qf3 Ng4 15. Nf5 Ne5 16. Qe4 Bf6 17. Nd5 c6 18.
Nxf6+ Qxf6 19. Nxd6 Qxd6 20. Qxe5 Rfe8 21. Qc3 $10 {Khaled-Perez, Novi Sad (ol)
1990}) 11... O-O (11... c5 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. c3 $44) 12. Qe2 h6 $1 {N} (12...
Re8 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Nxd4 Bb7 {/\ Bf8}) 13. Bh4 (13. Qxe7 $2 hxg5 $17) 13...
g5 14. Nxd4 (14. Qxe7 Qxe7 (14... gxh4 $143 15. Qe2 $44) 15. Rxe7 Nd5 16. Re4 (
16. Re1 gxh4 17. Nxd4 h3 $17) 16... c5 17. Nxg5 $8 (17. Bg3 f5 $19 {/\ f4})
17... hxg5 18. Bxg5 Bf5 $15) (14. Nxg5 $143 $2 hxg5 15. Bxg5 Be6 $19) 14... Bd7
$8 15. Bxg5 $6 (15. Qxe7 Qxe7 16. Rxe7 gxh4 $17) (15. Bg3 $142 Re8 $15) 15...
hxg5 16. Qxe7 Qxe7 17. Rxe7 c5 $1 18. Nf3 (18. Ne2 Rfb8 19. b3 Be6 20. Nbc3 Kf8
21. Rxe6 (21. Rc7 $143 Ne8 22. Rc6 Bd7 $19) 21... fxe6 $19) 18... g4 $17 19.
Ne1 (19. Ng5 Rfe8 20. Rxe8+ Rxe8 21. Nd2 (21. Nc3 $143 d5 {/\ d4}) 21... d5 $17
) 19... Be6 {צe7} (19... Rfb8 $5 {/\ Be6}) 20. Rb7 $1 (20. Nc3 Rfb8 21. Rd1
Kf8 22. Rc7 (22. Rxe6 fxe6 23. Rxd6 Ke7 $19) 22... Ne8 23. Rc6 Bd7 $19) 20...
Nd5 {/\ Bc8} 21. Nc3 $8 (21. c4 Bc8 22. cxd5 Bxb7 23. Nc3 Rab8 $19) 21... Nxc3
(21... Bc8 $2 22. Nxd5 Bxb7 23. Nf6+ Kg7 24. Nxg4 $15) 22. bxc3 a3 {><a2} 23.
Rb6 (23. Rab1 $2 Bxa2 24. Ra1 Bd5 $19) 23... Rfb8 24. Rxd6 Rb2 25. Rdd1 $2 (25.
Nd3 $142 $17) 25... Rab8 26. Nd3 Rxa2 $19 27. Rac1 (27. Rxa2 $143 Bxa2 {/\ Bc4}
) (27. Nxc5 Rxa1 28. Rxa1 a2 $19) 27... Rab2 28. f4 (28. Ra1 Rxc2 29. Rxa3 Rd2
$1 30. Raa1 Rxd1+ 31. Rxd1 Rd8 32. Nb2 (32. Kf1 Bb3 $19) 32... Rxd1+ 33. Nxd1
Bb3 34. Nb2 c4 $19) 28... R2b5 29. f5 Bxf5 30. c4 Ra5 31. Ne5 a2 32. Nc6 Bxc2
$1 33. Rxc2 Rb1 0-1

[Event "Nanjing Pearl Spring 3rd"]
[Site "Nanjing"]
[Date "2010.10.24"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2826"]
[BlackElo "2803"]
[Annotator "Moradiabadi,E"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2010.10.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "CHN"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{A fine game in "Magnusian style!" The world number one is not seeking a deep
theoretical surprise, rather he chooses to simply outplay his opponent in a
position in which Topalov is even less experienced than he is!} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3
Nc6 3. Bb5 {No more Scotch! After a fine and impressive game against Bacrot
one could expect to see another Scotch, however, I believe that Carlsen is
more interested in avoiding any special preparation and wants to bring the
game as quickly as possible to the phase one might call "fight at the board"!}
a6 {The Berlin is what one might have expected from Topalov.} 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O
Be7 6. d3 $5 {The right decision in my opinion. Carlsen tries to pospone d4 in
order to choose his setup according to black's. There aren't many theoretical
surveys in this position, though statistics show us that black may be safe
here.} b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 Rb8 9. axb5 axb5 10. Nbd2 {An odd though successful
choice first played by Daniel King.} O-O 11. Re1 Bd7 $146 (11... Be6 12. Bxe6
fxe6 13. c3 Qd7 14. d4 exd4 15. cxd4 Ra8 16. Rxa8 Rxa8 17. Nb3 Nd8 {1-0 King,D
(2506) -Krasenkow,M (2643)/Germany 1999/GER-chT (71)}) 12. c3 Ra8 13. Rxa8 Qxa8
14. d4 h6 15. Nf1 Re8 16. Ng3 Qc8 17. Nh4 {Carlsen starts his fight for the
initiative.} Bf8 $6 {An inaccuracy. The bishop on b3 is well-placed and
black's last move offers white the bishop pair with no genuine counter play.} (
17... Na5 18. Bc2 (18. Ba2 Nc4 $5 19. b3 (19. Bxc4 bxc4 20. dxe5 (20. Qe2 exd4
21. cxd4 $2 Nxe4 $1 {and Black would win}) 20... dxe5 21. Nhf5 Bf8 22. Qf3 Qa6)
19... Qa8 20. Qe2 Nb6 (20... Nd5 $2 21. Nhf5 Nxc3 22. Qg4 Bxf5 23. Nxf5 Bg5 24.
Bxg5 hxg5 25. Qxg5 g6 26. Nh6+ Kg7 27. Ng4 {would give White a decisive
winning attack.}) 21. Nhf5 Bf8 22. Bb1 {A rich position in which black is not
at all worse.}) 18... g6 $5) 18. Ng6 $1 Na5 19. Nxf8 Rxf8 20. Bc2 Re8 21. f4 $1
{Of course Magnus does not hesitate and goes straight for the king. Having a
strong pair of bishops and a rock solid center, who could resist the
temptation?} Bg4 22. Qd3 exf4 $2 {Not at any cost! It is understandable that
in a diffiicult position Topalov would seek activity but in my opinion it only
worsens the situation.} (22... Qb8 {was preferable though the position remains
worse.}) 23. Bxf4 Nc4 24. Bc1 $1 {A cool retreat.} c5 {The final mistake in my
opinion, and Black is helpless now.} 25. Rf1 cxd4 26. cxd4 Qd8 27. h3 Be6 28.
b3 Qa5 29. Kh2 {Magnus does not need to complicate things. With his last move
he has prepared the final blow!} Nh7 30. e5 g6 31. d5 Nxe5 32. dxe6 $1 (32.
dxe6 Nxd3 33. exf7+ Kf8 34. Bxh6+ Ke7 35. fxe8=Q+ Kxe8 36. Bxd3 {and not only
does g6 fall, but the knight on h7 is lost as well. Ex:} Qc7 37. Bxg6+ Kd8 38.
Rf7 $18) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-B 74th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2012.01.22"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Motylev, Alexander"]
[Black "Vocaturo, Daniele"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2677"]
[BlackElo "2545"]
[Annotator "Motylev,A"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2012.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "15"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 147"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 $5 {In the evening
before the game I was too lazy to spent some hours going through multiple
spanish variations, so I decided to choose this simple line.} d6 7. c3 O-O 8.
Re1 b5 9. Bc2 Re8 ({The main continuation here is} 9... d5) 10. a4 Bd7 11. Nbd2
Bf8 12. Nf1 g6 $5 {A slightly unusual setup for this line. Other options are} (
12... b4) ({and} 12... h6) 13. Bg5 $5 {White secure the bishop's position on
g5.} (13. b4 $5) 13... Bg7 (13... h6 $2 {is not possible in view of} 14. axb5)
14. Qd2 Qc8 ({If} 14... Bg4 {now then} 15. Bd1 {and Ne3 next.}) 15. Ng3 ({
A different approach would be -} 15. Ne3 $5 Qb7 (15... h6 $2 {isn't possible
again because of} 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. axb5 axb5 18. Rxa8 Qxa8 19. Nd5) 16. b4 $14
) 15... Qb7 ({I think the immediate} 15... Bg4 {was better:} 16. Qe3 (16. b4 {
is not so clear in view of} Bxf3 17. gxf3 Qh3 ({or} 17... Nd8)) 16... Qb7 {
Still White has a slight advantage here, in my opinion.}) 16. b4 Bg4 17. Bb3 $5
{I was completely unafraid of an exchange on f3.} ({In the event of} 17. Qe3
Nd8 18. h3 Bd7 {White has some discomfort with his bishop on g5}) ({so if
White decided not to spoil the pawn structure, then he should prefer} 17. Qd1
$5 Nd8 (17... h6 18. Bd2) 18. h3 Bd7 19. d4) 17... Nd8 (17... Bxf3 18. gxf3 Nd8
{is the same.}) 18. d4 Bxf3 (18... Ne6 {was not bad:} 19. dxe5 dxe5 20. Nxe5
Rad8 21. Qc1 (21. Qa2 Nxg5 22. Bxf7+ Kh8 23. Bxe8 Rxe8 $13) 21... Nxg5 22. Qxg5
Be6 23. Bxe6 Rxe6 $14) 19. gxf3 Ne6 20. Be3 {During the game I was thinking I
have a big advantage, but the computer gives White only a slight plus (may be
it doesn't understand the Ruy Lopez?:)} Nd7 ({Perhaps the cautious} 20... c6 {
was better. White can reply} 21. Red1 ({or} 21. Ra3) ({or} 21. Ra2)) 21. f4 $5
{Again the computer doesn't like my decision, but I don't mind:)} exf4 22. Bxf4
Nxf4 $6 ({As the game shows this exchange is premature. Deserving attention was
} 22... Nf6 23. Bh6 a5 $5 {Probably White can keep a slight plus after} 24.
Bxg7 Kxg7 25. bxa5 (25. e5 Nd5) 25... Rxa5 26. Rab1 Qa8 27. Bxe6 Rxe6 28. d5)
23. Qxf4 Nf6 24. h4 $1 {I spent more than half an hour here and found this
really strong move.} (24. e5 $6 {does not promise much:} dxe5 25. Bxf7+ (25.
dxe5 Nd5) 25... Kxf7 26. dxe5 bxa4 ({or even} 26... g5 $5 27. Qxg5 Qf3)) 24...
Re7 ({If} 24... h5 {then there is the much more dangerous -} 25. e5 $1 (25. Qg5
$5) 25... dxe5 26. Bxf7+ Kxf7 27. dxe5 $40) 25. h5 Rae8 26. axb5 axb5 27. Re3
Qc8 28. h6 $1 (28. Rf3 $5 {was also very good but I like 28.h6 more}) 28... Bh8
({The engine's recommendation} 28... Qg4 $1 {was stronger, but in my view the
endgame after} 29. Qxg4 Nxg4 30. hxg7 Nxe3 31. fxe3 Rb8 32. Bd5 {is close to
winning for White.}) 29. e5 $1 dxe5 ({I was slightly hoping for} 29... Qg4 $4
30. exf6 $1 Qxf4 31. Rxe7 Rf8 32. Rxf7 $1) 30. dxe5 Ng4 $2 (30... Qg4 $4 {
was still losing} 31. exf6 $1 Qxf4 32. Rxe7 Rf8 33. Rxf7 $1) ({The only move
was} 30... Nd7 {but here Black's position is very bad -} 31. Rae1 ({engines
vote for} 31. Ne4 $5 Bxe5 (31... Rf8 32. Rd1 Bxe5 33. Qg5) 32. Qf3 {but it's
not for the human mind}) 31... Nf8 32. Ne4 {this is the normal continuation,
but the computer likes} (32. Nh5 $5 gxh5 33. Rf3 $1 Ne6 (33... Qd7 $142 34. Rd1
Qxd1+ 35. Bxd1 Ng6 $18) 34. Qf5 $1 Rd7 35. Kh2 Qd8 36. Rg1+ Kf8 37. Kh3 $5 $18)
32... Qf5 33. Qxf5 gxf5 34. Ng5 f4 35. Rf3 Ng6 (35... Bxe5 36. Nxf7 $1 Rxf7 37.
Rxf4 $1 Bxf4 38. Rxe8 $18) 36. e6 f5) 31. e6 $1 f5 32. Nxf5 $1 {White had to
foresee this little combination when playing 29.e5.} gxf5 33. Rg3 $1 Be5 ({
This is an oversight, but after} 33... Bf6 34. Qxf5 Kh8 35. Qxg4 {Black's
position is hopeless anyway.}) 34. Qxe5 Rf8 35. Rxg4+ 1-0

[Event "POL-ch 60th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2003.05.04"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Bartel, Mateusz"]
[Black "Krasenkow, Michal"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2443"]
[BlackElo "2609"]
[Annotator "Mueller,Karsten"]
[PlyCount "197"]
[EventDate "2003.04.22"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[EventCategory "12"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 095"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.07.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.07.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. c3 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1
Bd7 9. Nbd2 Re8 10. Nf1 Bf8 11. Ng3 g6 12. h3 Bg7 13. Be3 Qe7 14. Bb3 Qf8 15.
Ng5 Re7 16. f4 h6 17. Nf3 exf4 18. Bxf4 Ne5 19. Rf1 Nh7 20. Qd2 Kh8 21. Nh4 Nf6
22. Rf2 Be6 23. Bxe5 dxe5 24. Raf1 Bxb3 25. Rxf6 Bxf6 26. Rxf6 Bxa2 27. Nxg6+
fxg6 28. Rxf8+ Rxf8 29. Qxh6+ Kg8 30. c4 Rg7 31. Qg5 Re8 32. h4 Bb1 33. h5 Re6
34. d4 exd4 35. Qd5 Rge7 36. hxg6 c6 37. Qd8+ Re8 38. Qxd4 Rxg6 39. Nh5 Re7 40.
Nf6+ Kf7 41. e5 Rg5 42. Ng4 Ke8 43. Kf2 Bg6 44. c5 Rf5+ 45. Kg3 Rd7 46. Qc4 Ke7
47. Nf6 Rd2 48. Qh4 Kf7 49. Qc4+ Ke7 50. Qg8 Rff2 51. Qg7+ Bf7 52. Kh2 Ke6 53.
Ng4 Rxg2+ 54. Kh3 Ke7 55. Qf6+ Ke8 56. e6 Bxe6 57. Qxe6+ Kd8 58. Qf6+ Kc8 59.
Qf8+ Kc7 60. Qf4+ Kc8 61. b4 Rge2 62. Ne5 Rf2 63. Qg3 Rf8 64. Qg4+ Kb8 65. Nd7+
Rxd7 66. Qxd7 Ka7 67. Kg3 Rf1 68. Qd3 Rf8 69. Qa3 Kb8 70. Kg4 Rf1 71. Kg5 Rf8
72. Kg6 Ka8 73. Kg7 Rf4 74. b5 cxb5 75. Qa5 Rc4 76. Qb6 b4 77. Kf7 b3 78. Ke7
b2 79. Kd6 Rc2 $2 {It was more important to bring the rook in the right
position: Es war wichtiger den Turm in die richtige Position zu bringen:} (
79... Rg4 80. Qxb2 Rg6+ 81. Kd5 Rc6 $11) 80. Qb3 Rg2 (80... Re2 {loses to
verliert wegen} 81. c6 bxc6 82. Qb6 Rd2+ 83. Kc7 $18) 81. Kd7 $2 {White misses
his chance and gets no second Weiß verpasst seine Chance und bekommt keine
zweite.} (81. Kc7 {was the way to win: war der Festungsknacker:} Rg7+ 82. Kc8
b1=Q 83. Qxb1 Rg8+ 84. Kc7 Rg7+ 85. Kb6 Rg8 86. c6 bxc6 87. Qh7 $18) 81... Kb8
82. Kd6 (82. c6 Rg7+ 83. Kd8 Rc7 84. Qxb2 Rxc6 $11) 82... Rg6+ 83. Ke7 Rc6 84.
Qxb2 Rxc5 85. Qh2+ Ka7 86. Qf2 b6 87. Kd6 a5 88. Qf8 Kb7 89. Qe7+ Ka6 90. Qd7
Rc1 91. Qe8 Ka7 92. Qe2 Rc5 93. Kd7 Kb7 94. Qf3+ Ka7 95. Kd8 Kb8 96. Qb3 Kb7
97. Qf7+ Kb8 98. Qd7 Ka8 99. Qd6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Bundesliga 1011"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2011.04.09"]
[Round "14.8"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Nyback, Tomi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2674"]
[BlackElo "2635"]
[Annotator "Nyback/Meyer,CD"]
[PlyCount "139"]
[EventDate "2010.10.09"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 142"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.05.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[BlackTeam "Werder Bremen"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 {I played against Arkadij, also with Black, in Wijk
aan Zee 2010. That game went 3...f5, and I actually got quite a nice position
out of the opening, but I was fairly certain he would have something better
prepared this time.} a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 {A sideline, the main move
is 6.Re1. I suppose his main reason for playing this was practical: In
addition to playing the Jaenisch Gambit, I have played like five different
systems in the main line of the Ruy Lopez, all of which need some amount of
preparation. Of course I may be wrong, and he had other reasons for this move.}
b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 Bg4 9. c3 Na5 10. Ba2 c5 11. Na3 $146 {A surprise to me,
and according to my database a novelty, after which I was out of book. I
mainly expected 11.h3 after which Black can choose between taking on f3 and
going for some queenside counterplay with c4 or b4, or two bishop retreats: to
d7 as in the game, or 12...Be6!?.} Bd7 $5 {A bit strange move, moving the
bishop back without White even playing h3. However, I felt that other ways of
protecting b5 also had their drawbacks, and after the pawn is safely protected
White's knight on a3 may turn out to be misplaced.} 12. d4 {My opponent
suggested after the game that White could try something like 12.axb5 axb5 13.
b4 Nc6 14.Nc2 with an advantage, but I'm not so sure.} exd4 13. cxd4 c4 $1 {
The most ambitious, and very interesting way of playing this position. Black
hopes to get a queenside majority, and prove that White's knight and bishop on
queenside are misplaced. This all is fairly risky though, as Black hasn't
castled yet.} 14. e5 {Principal move, White needs to act fast to highlight
negative sides of Black's last move.} Ne4 {Here 14...Nd5 was probably more
solid, but I hadn't seen White's idea with Qe1 yet, and hoped to push d5 and
secure a nice knight in the center of board.} 15. d5 $1 {This prevents Black
from playing d5, and in case of castling he sometimes has to worry about ideas
with an e6 push.} ({CDM: 15.d5?!;} 15. exd6 $5 Nxd6 16. Ne5 $13) 15... dxe5 $2
{Here castling, without fearing any ghosts, certainly was preferable. The game
move helps White to develop his knight on a good square and subjects Black to
a very nasty tactical idea.} ({CDM: Better was} 15... O-O 16. axb5 axb5 17. e6
fxe6 18. dxe6 Be8 $15 19. Bb1 (19. Nd4 $6 b4 20. Bb1 Nxf2) 19... Nc5 (19... d5)
) 16. Nxe5 Bxa3 {Here I noticed to my horror that in case of my intended
castling, White wins a piece by capturing d7 and forking the knights with Qe1.
I thought for quite a while to get any sort of playable position, and while
Black's position after the game move remains bad, at least I have some
practical chances.} ({CDM: 16...Bxa3?; a silicon friend definitely prefers} 
16... O-O $3 {, e.g.} 17. Nxd7 Qxd7 18. Qe1 Rfe8 $1 {This move but with quite
a different point will be also seen later in the game.} 19. Qxa5 Bd8 20. Qe1 (
20. Qb4 Be7 21. Qa5 (21. Qe1 Bc5 $1 {is similar to 20.Qe1 Bb6!}) 21... Bd8 22.
Qb4 Be7 23. Qa5 Bd8 $11 {with repetition of the position}) 20... Bb6 $1 21. Be3
(21. Qd1 $6 Nxf2 $1 22. Qf3 (22. Rxf2 $4 Qf5) 22... Re5 $1 (22... Qxd5 23. Qxd5
Nh3+ 24. Kh1 Nf2+ 25. Kg1 Nh3+ $11) 23. Bb1 (23. Bf4 $2 Rf5) 23... Rae8 24. Bf4
Re2) 21... Nxf2 $1 22. Bxb6 Rxe1 23. Raxe1 Nd3 24. Re2 Qxd5 $13 {and in this
still complicated position the material is approximately balanced.}) 17. bxa3
O-O 18. Nxd7 Re8 $1 {The point. After this move Black will actually not lose a
piece, as the knight is trapped, but he stands worse nevertheless.} 19. Qg4 $1
({CDM:} 19. axb5 $5 axb5 (19... Qxd7 20. b6 $1 Nc3 21. Qd2 Ne2+ 22. Kh1 $16)
20. Qg4 h5 21. Qh3 Ra7 22. Nb6 $1 Qxb6 23. Be3 Nc5 24. Qxh5 $16 (24. Bd4 $16))
19... h5 $1 20. Qh3 Ra7 21. Be3 $6 {During the game I was very relieved to see
this move. I had seen at this point that I'm going to lose material anyway,
but it seemed to me that 21.Nb6 is much more nasty. After 21...Qxb6 22.Be3
Black cannot really give the exchange as he will just get the game position
without the h5 pawn, but 22...Nc5 23.Qxh5 also looks quite bad for Black as he
has a weakened king, lots of pinned pieces and is a pawn down.} ({CDM:} 21. Nb6
$1 Qxb6 22. Be3 Nc5 23. Qxh5 Qd6 24. axb5 axb5 25. Bd4 Raa8 26. Rae1 Rxe1 27.
Rxe1 Nd3 28. Qg4 f6 29. Re3 $1 $16 Qxa3 $2 30. Qe6+ Kf8 31. h4 {/\ Bxf6+-})
21... Rxd7 22. Bb6 Qxb6 23. Qxd7 Nf6 {I felt that Black has reasonable
practical chances here, as White's bishop at the moment is not exactly the
pride of his position, and there is a good chance that he will lose his
d5-pawn in the near future.} 24. Qf5 g6 25. Qf3 Re5 ({CDM:} 25... bxa4 26. Rad1
Qb2 (26... Rd8 27. Rfe1 Qd6 28. Bb1) 27. d6 Kg7 28. Bb1 $16) 26. Rad1 ({CDM:} 
26. axb5 $142 axb5 (26... Nxd5 27. bxa6 Qxa6 28. Rac1) 27. d6 $1 $18 Kg7 (27...
Nd7 28. Rae1) 28. Qc3 Nc6 29. Rae1) 26... Rf5 27. Qg3 Rxd5 ({CDM:} 27... Nxd5
$5 {, e.g.} 28. Bb1 h4 29. Qxh4 Rh5 30. Qg3 Qf6 31. axb5 axb5 32. Be4 Nf4 33.
Qe3 {/\g3+/-}) 28. Rxd5 Nxd5 {My evaluation of position was rather too
optimistic however, as here White gets a strong, probably winning position
with 29.axb5 axb5 30.Qe5! and White's queen is centralized, and the black
pawns weak. However...} 29. Rd1 $2 Qf6 $1 {After this Black's completely back
in business! It turns out that White's last move not only wasted an important
tempo, but makes the threat of a knight's landing on c3 all the stronger. It's
noteworthy that already for a long time White had the choice of exchanging on
b5, and he probably should have done so at some point.} 30. h4 $4 ({CDM:
Tomi's last evaluation seems overoptimistic. I Here White should refrain from
taking on b5:} 30. axb5 $2 axb5 31. Bb1 Nc3 32. Re1 (32. Qd6 $4 Qxd6 33. Rxd6
Nxb1 34. Ra6 c3 $19 (34... Nb3 $19)) 32... Nb3 $13) ({II But} 30. Bb1 $1 Nc3
31. Qd6 $1 {still holds White's advantage:} Qxd6 (31... Kg7 32. Qxf6+ Kxf6 33.
Rd6+ Ke5 34. Rxa6 Nxb1 35. Rxa5 Nd2 36. axb5 $1) 32. Rxd6 Nxa4 (32... Nxb1 $4
33. Rxa6 $1) 33. Rxa6 Nb3 34. Bc2 Kf8 35. Kf1 $16) 30... Nc3 {CDM: With his
last blunder White has lost his advantage and only now Black is really back in
business.} 31. Qb8+ ({CDM: With 31.Qb8+? White has completely ruined his
position; instead} 31. Rd6 {was asked for, e.g.} Ne2+ 32. Kh2 Qe7 33. Rxg6+
fxg6 34. Qxg6+ Kf8 35. Qh6+ Ke8 36. Qxh5+ Kd8 37. axb5 axb5 38. g3 $13 {/=})
31... Kg7 32. Rd2 Nc6 33. Qe8 {Here I realized that im probably not going to
create any serious threats against the white king anyway, as I intended to do
with some ...Nd4, and the free pawn started to seem all the more yummy... Both
players were also in some time trouble here.} ({CDM: If} 33. Qd6 {then} Qxd6
34. Rxd6 Nd4 $1 $19 {, e.g.} 35. axb5 axb5 36. a4 Nxa2 37. Rxd4 c3 38. axb5 c2
39. Rc4 c1=Q+ 40. Rxc1 Nxc1 41. b6 Ne2+ $8 42. Kh2 Nd4 {and wins.}) 33... Nxa4
34. Bb1 Nc3 35. Bc2 ({CDM:} 35. Be4 Nd4 36. Kf1 Ne6 $19 {, e.g.} 37. Bf3 Nb1
38. Rd1 c3 (38... Nxa3) 39. Rxb1 c2 40. Re1 Qc3 41. Qc6 Nc5 42. g3 Qxe1+ 43.
Kxe1 c1=Q+ 44. Ke2 Qxa3) 35... Nd4 ({CDM: better} 35... a5 $1) 36. Qe3 Nxc2 37.
Rxc2 Nd5 38. Qe4 $2 ({CDM:} 38. Qd2 Nf4 39. g3 Nd3 $17) 38... Nf4 $2 {38...
Qa1+ 39.Kh1 Nf6! looks crushing. It's hard to believe that White can survive
the threats to his king connected with Ng4+, and the eventual advance of
Black's pawns. After the game move Black wants to put his knight on the solid
square d3, but there is a clear negative side to this: the c-pawn won't be
able to move.} 39. g3 Nd3 $17 40. Re2 Qd6 41. Qe7 Qd4 {If Black wants to
exchange queens, he shouldn't do it on e7, as in this endgame the white rook
will be well placed on the seventh rank.} 42. Re3 ({CDM: 42.Re3?;} 42. Qe3 {
was necessary}) 42... Qd5 $2 {Here simply 42...c3 was strong. For some reason
I was worried about 43.Rf3 Ne5 44.Qf6+, but actually White has absolutely no
threats there and Black's pawn is simply running.} ({CDM:} 42... c3 $1 43. Qc7
a5 44. Rf3 c2 $1 45. Qxc2 (45. Qxf7+ Kh6 46. Rf6 (46. Qf8+ Qg7) 46... c1=Q+ 47.
Kh2 Qxf6 48. Qxf6 Qb2 49. Qf8+ Kh7 50. Qe7+ Qg7 $19) (45. Rxf7+ Kg8 $19) 45...
Ne1 46. Rxf7+ (46. Qe2 Nxf3+ 47. Qxf3 b4 $19) 46... Kxf7 47. Qc7+ Kg8 48. Qb8+
Kh7 49. Qc7+ Qg7 $19) 43. Qg5 $2 ({CDM:} 43. Qc7 $1 {and e.g.} Qf5 44. f4 {
offers tough resistance.}) 43... Qc6 $2 ({Winning alternatives: I} 43... Qxg5
44. hxg5 a5 45. Kf1 b4 46. axb4 axb4 47. Ke2 b3 48. Kd2 Nb4 $1 $19 {intending
to play ...Na2 and to push the pawns}) ({II} 43... Qd4 44. Qe7 c3 {etc. -+ as
before}) 44. Qd8 $1 {Now I noticed to my horror that White intends Re8 with
some unpleasantness to my king, and decided to swap queens anyway, but in a
much worse version than in the previous move. It was still possible to play 44.
..Qc5-/+, pinning the rook and retaining some advantage.} Qf6 $2 45. Qxf6+ Kxf6
{In this endgame I'd probably rather have my king even on g7 than f6, as in
many lines I will push my queenside pawns and White will have to bring his
king closer to stop them, when I could take f2, if it wasn't for Rf3+...
During the game I thought this endgame still offers good winning chances for
me, but actually it's not even clear if I'm still better here.} 46. Kf1 a5 47.
Ke2 Ne5 48. Re4 Kf5 49. Rd4 ({CDM: 49.Rd4?;} 49. Ke3 c3 50. Kd4 Nc6+ 51. Kd3 (
51. Kd5 Kf6) 51... Ne5+ 52. Kd4 $11) 49... Ke6 {CDM: -/+} 50. Kd1 Nc6 51. Rf4 (
{CDM:} 51. Rd2 $5) 51... Ne7 ({CDM: 51...Ne7?;} 51... c3 52. Kc2 b4 53. axb4
axb4 {/\f5, Kd5 etc. -+}) 52. Re4+ Kd6 53. a4 {CDM: 53.a4!=} Nd5 54. Kc2 f5 55.
Re8 Nc7 $2 {I It was probably time to limit the damage with something like 55..
.Kc5, but Black already has to be careful not to lose. With the game move I
wanted to stop Ra8, keep my queenside pawns and eventually queen one, but this
seems too ambitious.} ({II CDM: Instead of this fateful knight move to c7 -
we'll see it again - Black should advance his b-pawn first:} 55... b4 56. Ra8
Ne7 ({or} 56... Nc3 57. Rxa5 Ne2 {plan Nd4+ plus c3 =}) 57. Rxa5 Nc6 58. Ra6
Kc7 59. a5 Nd4+ 60. Kb1 c3 61. Rb6 b3 62. Rb4 c2+ 63. Kb2 Ne2 64. Rc4+ Kb7 65.
Kxb3 c1=Q 66. Rxc1 Nxc1+ 67. Kc2 Ne2 68. Kd3 Ng1 69. Ke3 Ka6 70. Kf4 Nh3+ 71.
Ke5 Nxf2 72. Kf6 Ne4+ 73. Kxg6 Nxg3 74. Kg5 Kxa5 75. Kf4 $11) 56. Rd8+ Ke7 57.
Rd4 Ne6 58. Rd5 ({CDM: Exposes the rook to a knight's attack. Better was} 58.
Rd1 $1 {, e.g.} b4 59. Rd5 f4 60. Kb1 c3 61. Rxa5 Nd4 (61... Kd6 62. Rb5) 62.
Rd5 $18) 58... b4 ({CDM:} 58... Nc7 59. Re5+ Kd6 60. f4 b4 61. Rxa5 Ne6 62.
Ra6+ Kd5 63. Rb6 Nd4+ 64. Kb1 Kc5 65. Rb7 c3 66. Rc7+ Kd5 67. a5 Nb5 68. Rb7
Kc6 69. a6 Nc7 70. Rxb4 $18) 59. f4 {Fixing Black's kingside pawns and
stopping any pawn breakthrough there. At this point I was already starting to
feel that I might have managed to even lose such a position, but wasn't ready
to believe it yet. CDM: 59.f4? is not the last mistake in this most exciting
game, here it comes from a stereotyped way of thinking which could easily
happen to everyone.} ({CDM: I} 59. Rxa5 $2 {is premature in view to} Nd4+ {
, e.g.} 60. Kb1 Kd6 {and Black's activities are sufficient} 61. Ra6+ Kc7 $1 (
61... Kd5 $2 62. Rb6) 62. a5 c3 63. Rb6 b3 64. Rb4 c2+ 65. Kb2 Ne2 $11 {
followed by a forced exchange to a drawn pawn ending.}) ({II} 59. Kb1 $1 {
(also 59.Kc1!) was asked for:} c3 (59... f4 60. Rxa5) (59... Nc7 60. Rxa5) (
59... b3 60. Kb2) 60. Rxa5 $18 {(} Nd4 61. Rd5 {)}) 59... c3 60. Kd3 Nc7 $2 {
Here 60...g5!! was a good last trick to try in time trouble. It seems that
Black would have some drawing chances, as he will manage to weaken White's
kingside pawns. 60.fxg5 is met by f4 and 60.hxg5 by h4, in both cases with
annoying check on f4 to worry about.} ({CDM:} 60... g5 $3 {not only draws
convincingly but also makes demands on White, e.g.:} 61. Rxa5 (61. hxg5 $4 h4
$19) (61. fxg5 $2 f4 62. Rxa5 f3 $1 63. Rf5 (63. Ra7+ Kf8 $1 64. Ra5 Nd4 $1 65.
Kxd4 c2 66. Rf5+ Kg7 $19) 63... c2 64. Kd2 Nd4 65. Rxf3 (65. Rd5 f2) 65...
Nxf3+ 66. Kxc2 Nd4+ $19 {with the plan to capture the a-pawn with the king and
stop the g-pawn with the knight - zugzwang takes care of the rest:} 67. Kb2 Nc6
68. Kb3 Kd6 69. Kc4 (69. a5 Nxa5+) 69... Ke5 70. Kb3 Kd5 71. Kc2 Kc5 72. g6 Kb6
73. g7 Ne7 74. Kb2 Ka5 75. Kb3 Ng8) (61. Rxf5 gxh4 62. gxh4 Kd6 63. Rxa5 Nxf4+
64. Kc2 Ne6 $11) 61... gxf4 62. gxf4 Nxf4+ 63. Kc2 Ne6 64. Rd5 f4 65. Rd1 f3
66. a5 f2 67. Rf1 Kd7 68. Rxf2 Nd4+ 69. Kd3 c2 70. Rxc2 {again exchanging to a
drawn pawn ending} Nxc2 71. Kxc2 Kc6 72. Kb3 Kb5 73. a6 Kxa6 74. Kxb4 $11) 61.
Rxa5 $18 Kd6 62. Re5 Ne6 63. Rb5 Nc5+ 64. Kc2 Nxa4 65. Rxb4 Nc5 66. Kxc3 Kd5
67. Rb5 Kc6 68. Rb8 Kd5 69. Rb5 {I was hoping for} (69. Rg8 Ke4 70. Rxg6 Kf3 {
with some activity, although in fact White is easily winning here as well.})
69... Kc6 70. Ra5 {It was time to face reality, and try to forget about this
painful game, so Black resigned. This clinched Werder Bremen's match loss,
although even a win would only have been enough for a 4:4, which considering
the situation in the league wasn't really good enough.} 1-0

[Event "Vaujany op-A 2nd"]
[Site "Vaujany"]
[Date "2011.07.17"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Lobzhanidze, Davit"]
[Black "Olivier, Jean Christophe"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2483"]
[BlackElo "2388"]
[Annotator "Olivier,JC"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[EventDate "2011.07.14"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2012"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.11.24"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.11.24"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Re1
Nd7 9. d4 Bf6 10. Bxc6 bxc6 11. Nbd2 a5 12. a4 exd4 13. cxd4 c5 14. d5 (14. e5
Be7) 14... Nb6 ({meilleur est} 14... Ba6 {et si} 15. Nb3 {alors} Bb7 16. Bd2 c6
) 15. h3 (15. Qc2) 15... Bd7 (15... Bb7) 16. Qc2 c6 ({si} 16... Qe8 17. e5 dxe5
18. Qxc5 $14) 17. e5 {un coup interessant} dxe5 18. d6 (18. dxc6 Bxc6 19. Qxc5
{est probalement meilleur}) 18... Nd5 ({preferable est peut-etre} 18... Be6)
19. Qxc5 Nb4 20. Ra3 Na6 21. Qe3 Nb4 22. Qc5 Na6 23. Qc4 Be6 24. Qe2 Bd5 25.
Ne4 Bxe4 26. Qxe4 Qxd6 27. Rc3 (27. Nxe5 {etait plus simple}) 27... Nb4 28. Bg5
(28. Nxe5 Rfe8 29. f4) 28... Rfe8 ({les noirs pouvaient conserver le pion par} 
28... Bxg5 29. Nxg5 Qg6 30. Qxe5 $2 Nd3) 29. Bxf6 Qxf6 30. Nxe5 Re6 31. Rf3 Qe7
32. Rfe3 Re8 (32... f6 33. Qc4 fxe5 34. Rxe5 $18) 33. Qc4 Qd6 34. Ng4 Rxe3 35.
Rxe3 Qd1+ 36. Kh2 Rxe3 37. Nxe3 Qd6+ 38. Kg1 Qe5 39. b3 h5 40. h4 g6 41. g3 Kg7
42. Qc1 Qd4 43. Nc4 Qd5 44. Qc3+ Kg8 45. Qd2 Qxd2 ({la finale de cavaliers est
difficile a tenir.} 45... Kf8 $1 46. Qxd5 (46. Qe3) 46... cxd5 47. Nxa5 Ke7 {
le cavalier blanc est enferme}) 46. Nxd2 c5 47. Kf1 f5 (47... Kf8 48. Ke2 Ke7
49. Ne4 Na6 50. Kd3 $18) 48. Ke2 Kf7 49. Nc4 Nc6 50. Kd3 (50. Ke3 Ke6 51. Kf4
Kf6 52. f3 {est une autre suite}) 50... Ke6 51. Ne3 Ke5 ({apres ce coup la
finale est perdue} 51... Nd4 52. Kc4 f4 53. gxf4 Kd6) 52. Kc4 (52. Ng2 Nd4 53.
Nf4 Nxb3 54. Nxg6+ Kf6 55. Nf4 $18 {Lobzhanidze}) 52... Nd4 53. Ng2 Ke4 54. Nf4
Kf3 55. Nd3 f4 56. Nxc5 ({meilleur est peut-etre} 56. gxf4 Kg4 (56... Nf5 57.
Kxc5 Nxh4 58. b4 $18) 57. Nxc5 Nf5 58. b4 axb4 59. a5) 56... Nf5 57. gxf4 Nxh4
58. b4 axb4 59. a5 Nf5 60. a6 Nd6+ 61. Kd5 Nc8 62. Kc6 h4 63. Kb7 Nd6+ 64. Kc7
Nb5+ 65. Kb6 Nd6 66. Kc7 Nb5+ 67. Kb6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 4th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2016.08.06"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2807"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[Annotator "Pavlovic,M"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[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. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4
Bd7 9. c3 Na5 10. Ba2 $5 {A new idea, previously they went with the bishop to
c2:} (10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 Qb8 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. dxe5 dxe5 15. Qd5 Qc8
16. Nxe5 Be6 17. Qd6 Be7 18. Qd1 Qc7 19. axb5 axb5 20. Nf3 O-O 21. Nbd2 Rad8
22. Qe2 $16 {Black failed to equalise in Khairullin,I (2629)-Gustafsson,J 
(2629) Bangkok 2016.}) 10... c5 11. Bg5 O-O 12. axb5 axb5 13. Na3 Qb8 14. Nc2 {
White has an easy strategical plan taking on f6 and landing a knight on d5.} h6
15. Bh4 (15. Bxf6 $1 Bxf6 16. Ne3 Nc6 17. Qc2 {with typical play where White
has some pressure.}) 15... c4 $1 16. Nb4 Be6 17. Re1 Qb7 18. d4 Bg4 {The
bishop is locked on a2 and that helps Black immensly. In my opinion it is
easier to play with Black than with White.} 19. Bb1 Nb3 20. Rxa8 Rxa8 21. Ba2
$6 Nxe4 $1 {We are entering complications that is evaluated by enignes as a
clear win for Black, but this is a perfect example for the different approach
that humans are taking.} 22. Bxe7 Ned2 23. Bxb3 (23. Qc2 Nxf3+ 24. gxf3 Bxf3
25. Bxd6 Qc8 $1 $19) 23... Nxf3+ 24. gxf3 Bxf3 25. Bxd6 Bxd1 26. Bxd1 exd4 27.
cxd4 Qd7 28. Bg3 (28. Bc5 Ra1 29. f3 Qf5 30. Kf2 Qf4 $19) 28... Qxd4 (28... Re8
29. Rxe8+ Qxe8 30. Kf1 Qe4 31. Nc2 Qd3+ 32. Ke1 Qb3 33. Bd6 Qxb2 34. Bb4 Qb3
35. d5 {According to computers this is also winning for Black, but again to
make such choices is simply not easy.}) 29. Bf3 Qd2 30. Rd1 Qxd1+ {Topalov
wants to clean up the situation, but this doesn't win.} (30... Qxb2 $1 31. Bxa8
Qxb4 32. Rd8+ Kh7 {From a psychological point of view this is not an easy
choice for humans.} 33. Re8 (33. Be4+ g6 34. Kg2 (34. Re8) 34... Qe7 $19) 33...
f5 34. Bd5 c3 35. Bg8+ Kg6 36. Re6+ Kg5 {Black wins according to computers,
but nobody would even bother to calculate such positions, in tournament chess
it is unpractical.}) 31. Bxd1 Ra1 32. Kg2 Rxd1 33. Be5 f6 34. Bc3 Kf7 35. Nc2
g5 36. h3 Kg6 {Better for Black but not enough to win.} 37. Na3 Rd5 38. Kf3 f5
39. Kg3 f4+ 40. Kg2 Kf5 41. f3 h5 1/2-1/2

[Event "EU-Cup 32nd"]
[Site "Novi Sad"]
[Date "2016.11.09"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Black "Vitiugov, Nikita"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2683"]
[BlackElo "2718"]
[Annotator "Pavlovic,M"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[EventDate "2016.11.06"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "SRB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Sveti Nikolaj Srpski"]
[BlackTeam "Mednyi Vsadnik"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "SRB"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 {
In the recently finished match Carlsen-Karjakin we saw Karjakin trying to get
the advantage with 8.a3, but without success.} Bd7 9. c3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4
Qb8 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. axb5 {This line should be closely compared to
games given here but without taking on b5:} (14. dxc5 dxc5 15. Qd5 Qc8 (15...
Nb7 16. axb5 Be6 17. Qc6+ Bd7 18. Qd5 Be6 19. Qd1 axb5 20. Rxa8 Qxa8 21. Na3
Qa5 22. Nxb5 Bc4 23. Nd6+ Nxd6 24. Qxd6 Bxf1 25. Kxf1 $44 {1-0 (61) Navara,D 
(2703)-Caruana,F (2779) Rhodes 2013}) 16. Nxe5 Be6 17. Qd6 b4 $5 ({A possible
improvement over} 17... Be7 18. Qd1 Qc7 19. axb5 axb5 20. Nf3 O-O 21. Nbd2 Rad8
22. Qe2 Nc4 23. e5 g6 24. Rfe1 Rfe8 25. Nxc4 Bxc4 26. Qe3 $16 {1-0 (59)
Khairullin,I (2629)-Gustafsson,J (2629) Bangkok 2016. White is simply better.})
18. Nd2 (18. Nd3 $5 {looks a bit artificial though}) 18... Qd8 19. Qxd8+ Rxd8
20. Ndf3 Bxe5 21. Nxe5 b3 22. Bd1 Nc4 23. Nxc4 Bxc4 24. Re1 Rd2 {Black is
slightly better.}) 14... axb5 15. dxc5 dxc5 16. Qd5 Qc8 17. b4 (17. Nxe5 Be6
18. Qd6 Ra6 $1 {That is a key difference from the game above - taking on b5
allows these tactics.}) 17... Be6 18. Qxc5 Qxc5 19. bxc5 Kd7 20. Na3 Kc6 21.
Rab1 Rhb8 {The entire position is already OK for Black and in such situations
it is now not an easy task for White to find equalising moves. After all Black
has the bishop pair, and as we will see that can never be taken lightly.} 22.
Rfd1 (22. Bd3 Nc4 23. Nc2 Kxc5 {is fine for Black.}) 22... Nc4 23. Nxc4 bxc4
24. Rxb8 Rxb8 25. Ra1 Rb2 26. Bd1 Kxc5 27. Kf1 Bg4 $1 {Black is slightly
better, but it is not easy to attack the f2- or c3-pawn, so therefore Black
must use little tricks:} 28. Ra5+ (28. h3 Bxf3 29. gxf3 Bh4 $15) 28... Kb6 29.
Ra8 Kb7 30. Ra4 Bd7 31. Ra1 Bc6 32. Be2 Bb5 33. Bd1 $6 (33. Ke1 $1 Rc2 34. h4
Rxc3 35. Kd2 Rb3 36. Kc2 {It seems that Black can't progress from here. Of
course such ideas are not easy to evaluate in the game.}) 33... Kb6 34. Ke1 Be7
$1 35. Be2 Rc2 36. Nxe5 Bf6 37. Nxc4+ Kc5 38. Ra7 Bxc3+ 39. Kd1 Rxe2 40. Kxe2
Bxc4+ 41. Kf3 Kd6 42. g3 {Well I saw this game live actually and I thought
that Moroz would save it but I was wrong. Let's see...} Be6 43. Kg2 Ke5 44. f3
g5 45. Rc7 Bd4 46. Rb7 Bc5 47. Rb5 Kd4 48. h3 h5 49. h4 (49. g4 h4 50. Ra5 {
The only winning attempt would be to get the black king to g3, but I don't see
it there.}) 49... Bc4 50. Rb8 g4 51. f4 (51. fxg4 hxg4 52. h5 Bd3 53. Rd8+ Ke3
54. e5 Bf5 55. Rg8 Be4+ 56. Kh2 Kf3 57. Rg7 Bd5 58. h6 Bf2 59. h7 Bxg3+ 60. Kg1
{Another draw.}) 51... Bd3 52. e5 Be4+ 53. Kh2 Ke3 54. Rb5 Bd4 55. Rb3+ Ke2 56.
Rb4 Kd3 57. Rb3+ Ke2 58. Rb4 Ke3 59. Rb3+ Bd3 60. Rb4 Bc5 61. Rb2 Kf3 62. Rb3
Ke2 63. Rb2+ $4 (63. Rc3 Bd4 64. Ra3 Bf2 65. Rb3 {Just waiting would secure
the draw.}) 63... Kf1 $1 {With mate to follow.} 0-1

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 20th"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2015.11.20"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Perunovic, Milos"]
[Black "Stevic, Hrvoje"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2624"]
[BlackElo "2602"]
[Annotator "Perunovic,M"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2015.11.13"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Serbia"]
[BlackTeam "Croatia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "SRB"]
[BlackTeamCountry "CRO"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 {Another
possibilty is 6...d6.} 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3 Na5 {The idea of the Chinese
grandmaster Ding Liren, which was applied in the World Cup in Baku.} ({The
main line is} 8... O-O 9. Nc3 Rb8 $5 (9... Bg4) 10. Be3 (10. Nd5 Nxd5 11. exd5
Nd4 12. Nxd4 exd4 13. a4 Bf6 14. axb5 axb5 $11 {Fressinet,L (2702)-Karpov,A 
(2628) Cap dAdge 2015}) 10... Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. Nd5 c4 13. Nxe7+ Qxe7 14. Qe1
(14. Qd2 Nc6 15. h3 Be6 $13 {Leko,P (2708)-Carlsen,M (2850) Reykjavik 2015})
14... Qc7 15. b4 (15. Bg5 $14) 15... cxb3 16. cxb3 $14 {Bacrot,E (2686)
-Melkumyan,H (2632) Reykjavik 2015. White has the pair of bishops and a
slighty better position.}) 9. Ba2 c5 10. Nc3 Be6 11. Bg5 c4 12. Ne2 $5 $146 (
12. Nd2 O-O 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Nd5 Bxd5 15. exd5 e4 $11 {Anand,V (2803)-Ding,L 
(2782) Bilbao 2015}) (12. d4 Qc7 13. Qd2 O-O $13) 12... O-O 13. Ng3 g6 $6 {
A strange move.} (13... Rc8 {was better.} 14. Re1 (14. b4 cxb3 15. cxb3 b4 (
15... d5 16. b4 Nc6 17. Rc1 dxe4 18. Bxe6 fxe6 19. dxe4 Qxd1 20. Rfxd1 a5 21.
bxa5 Nxa5 22. Rb1 Nc4 23. Rxb5 Bxa3 $11) 16. d4 bxa3 17. d5 Bd7 18. Bc1 Nb7 19.
Bxa3 Bb5 20. Re1 g6 21. Bb1 $13) 14... h6 15. Bd2 Nc6 (15... Nb7 16. d4 $13)
16. Bc3 $13 {with a very complicated position.}) 14. h3 (14. Bh6 Re8 15. Ng5 d5
(15... Bg4 $6 16. Qd2 Qb6 (16... Rc8 $6 17. h3 Bd7 18. f4 $18) 17. Kh1 Bf8 18.
Bxf8 Rxf8 19. f4 $18) 16. Nxe6 fxe6 17. Qe2 $14) 14... cxd3 $6 (14... Re8 15.
Bd2 $5 {with the idea 16.b4 or 16.Ng5} Rc8 (15... Nd7 16. b4 cxb3 17. cxb3 Nc6
18. b4 $14) 16. Ng5 d5 17. Re1 $14) 15. Bxe6 dxc2 $6 (15... fxe6 16. cxd3 $14)
16. Bxf7+ Rxf7 17. Qxc2 {The unharmoniously posted black piecess and the weak
position of the black king give White a solid and lasting advantage.} Qc8 18.
Qd1 Qb7 19. Rc1 Kg7 $2 $18 {The decisive mistake, Black loses material and and
his position is lost.} ({A better way was} 19... Rc8 20. Rxc8+ Qxc8 21. Ne2 $16
{with the idea Nc3-Nd5.}) (19... Nc4 20. Qe2 $16) 20. Bd2 Nc4 (20... Bd8 21.
Ng5 Re7 22. Bxa5 Bxa5 23. Qxd6 $16) 21. Ng5 Raf8 22. Ne6+ Kg8 23. Bh6 Rc8 24.
b3 Nxa3 25. Ng5 b4 26. f4 exf4 27. Rxf4 Rc3 28. Ne2 Rxc1 29. Qxc1 Rg7 30. Bxg7
(30. Qf1 $18) 30... Kxg7 31. Nd4 Qa7 32. Kh1 h6 33. Nde6+ Kh8 34. Rxf6 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 75th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2013.01.14"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2772"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[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. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 {A common approach
nowadays. This way White avoids the Marshall attack and other variations which
have been analysed until the endgame.} b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3 {White wants to keep
his bishop on the important a2-g8 diagonal.} (8. a4 {is more common. I have
had myself several games here as Black, where I played either 8...b4 or 8...
Bd7.}) 8... O-O 9. Nbd2 Re8 $146 {This move hadn't appeared beforehand but, of
course, it is a standard one in these Ruy Lopez positions. However, I find it
as an inaccuracy. White hasn't played c2-c3 followed by d3-d4 yet, therefore
the Pe4 is not a target so far. This means that Black's rook might be not very
useful on e8. Instead, I prefer the plan adopted by Levon Aronian.} (9... Na5
10. Ba2 c5 {White can't really make use of the d5-square. Meanwhile, Black
seizes some space.} 11. Re1 Nc6 12. Nf1 Be6 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. c3 Qd7 $11 {
1/2-1/2 (24) Anand,V (2792)-Aronian,L (2750) Mainz 2007}) (9... h6 10. Re1 Be6
11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. c3 Qe8 13. d4 Nh5 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Nxe5 dxe5 16. Nf3 Bd6 17.
b4 a5 18. Be3 Nf6 19. Nd2 $14 {1/2-1/2 (93) Balogh,C (2641)-Ragger,M (2655)
Austria 2013}) 10. Re1 Bf8 11. Nf1 {The knight is heading to the d5-square.} h6
{Covering the g5-square.} 12. Ne3 Be6 13. Bxe6 Rxe6 (13... fxe6 {is possible,
but then the rook is rather pointless on e8. In such case it should be on f8,
at least on the opened f-file, like in the above-mentioned game Balogh-Ragger.}
) 14. Nd5 Re8 {Black has neutralised the dangerous bishop, but he has lost a
couple of tempi.} 15. c4 Nb8 {In Breyer style.} (15... Nd4 $5 {was an
interesting alternative. In general, simplifications help Black to equalise.}
16. Be3 (16. Nxd4 exd4 $11 {[%cal Gc7c6] The pawn on d4 is not weak at all.})
16... Nxf3+ 17. Qxf3 Re6 18. Rac1 c6 {and White has only a minimal advantage
at best.}) 16. Bd2 Nxd5 17. cxd5 c6 18. Qb3 (18. Rc1 cxd5 19. exd5 Nd7 {
The c6-square gives White nothing special.} 20. Rc6 Nb8 21. Rc3 Nd7 $11) 18...
cxd5 (18... c5 $5 {was an option, getting a different type of structure.} 19.
a4 (19. Qc2 Nd7 20. b4 Rc8) 19... b4 20. a5 Nd7 21. Be3 f5 {In both cases
White should be slightly better, but the position is full of strategical
nuances.}) 19. Qxd5 Nd7 20. Rac1 Qb8 21. Rc3 $6 (21. Rc6 Nb6 22. Qb3 Qb7 23.
Rec1 Rac8 24. Qc2 Rxc6 25. Qxc6 Qb8 {[%cal Ge8c8]} 26. Qc7 Qxc7 27. Rxc7 Rc8
28. Ra7 Na4 29. b4 Rc2 30. Rxa6 Ra2 $11) (21. Ba5 $1 {[%csl Yc7] would be more
troublesome for Black, eyeing the c7-square.} Nf6 22. Qb3 Rc8 23. Rc3 Qa7 (
23... Qb7 24. Rec1 $14) 24. Rec1 $14) 21... Nf6 22. Qb3 Qb7 23. Rec1 Rac8 24.
h3 Rxc3 25. Qxc3 d5 {Black has achieved this favourable advance and is very
close to equalising.} 26. Nxe5 dxe4 27. d4 Qd5 28. Be3 {White still has
chances thanks to his control over the c-file.} Bd6 29. Ng4 Re6 30. Nxf6+ Rxf6
31. Kh1 $5 {I guess this move puzzled Caruana a bit. Now there is the threat
of 32.Qc6, which wasn't possible before, in view of Bd6-h2+.} Be7 {It was more
logical to offer the exchange of bishops straight away, but the move in the
text is not bad either.} (31... Bf4 32. Bxf4 Rxf4 33. Qe3 g5 34. Rc5 Qa2 35.
Rc8+ Kg7 36. Qc3 Rxf2 37. d5+ Rf6 38. Rc6 Qb1+ 39. Kh2 Qf1 40. d6 Qf4+ $11) 32.
Qc7 Re6 33. Qb8+ Kh7 34. Rc8 Bd6 $2 {Only this is the decisive mistake. It was
necessary to swap bishops.} (34... Bg5 35. Rh8+ Kg6 {White doesn't have more
than equality here, for example:} 36. Qf8 Bxe3 37. fxe3 Qg5 38. Rg8 Kh7 39.
Rh8+ Kg6 $11) 35. Rh8+ Kg6 36. Qg8 {[%csl Rh6][%cal Gh8h6] Now Black's
position collapses.} Kf6 37. Rh7 Ke7 38. Qxg7 Qh5 {[%tqu "En","How should
White continue the attack?","","","e3g5","The bishop delivers the final blow.",
5]} 39. Bg5+ $1 {The bishop delivers the final blow.} Kd7 (39... Qxg5 40. Qxf7+
Kd8 41. Qd7#) 40. Qxf7+ Qxf7 41. Rxf7+ ({After} 41. Rxf7+ Ke8 42. Rf6 Rxf6 43.
Bxf6 {two extra pawns are easily enough for a win.}) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 75th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2013.01.17"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2735"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[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. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4
Bd7 {This position has been a frequent guest in top tournaments recently. I
also have experience in this line.} 9. c3 (9. Be3 O-O 10. h3 Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12.
Nc3 b4 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. Bxd5 Bc6 15. Bxc6 Nxc6 16. Nd2 d5 $11 {1-0 (62)
Volokitin,A (2709)-Postny,E (2638) Istanbul 2012}) 9... O-O 10. Bc2 {White
moves the bishop away in advance, not allowing the opponent to play Nc6-a5
followed by c7-c5.} (10. Nbd2) ({and} 10. Re1 {are the standard alternatives.})
10... b4 11. Re1 Re8 (11... bxc3 12. bxc3 d5 {was played twice by another top
Hungarian grandmaster Zoltan Almasi - a big expert in the Ruy Lopez.} 13. Nbd2
(13. h3 Be6 14. Nbd2 dxe4 15. dxe4 Nd7 16. Bb3 Nc5 17. Bxe6 Nxe6 18. Qc2 Nf4
19. Nc4 Qd3 20. Qxd3 Nxd3 21. Rd1 Nc5 $11 {1/2-1/2 (68) Almasi,Z (2717)-Adams,
M (2724) Caleta 2012}) 13... Re8 14. a5 h6 15. h3 Bd6 16. exd5 Nxd5 17. Ne4 Nf6
18. Ng3 Rb8 19. Nd2 Nd5 20. Nde4 Bf8 21. Bb3 Be6 22. Ba4 Bd7 23. Qf3 Re6 24.
Ng5 hxg5 25. Qxd5 $14 {1/2-1/2 (73) Bologan,V (2680)-Adams,M (2724) Caleta 2012
}) 12. Nbd2 Na5 $6 {This allows White to expand the centre comfortably.} (12...
Rb8 13. Nf1 (13. d4 bxc3 14. bxc3 exd4 15. cxd4 Nb4 {This is the point of
keeping the knight on c6.} 16. Bb1 h6 17. e5 Nfd5 {is not frightening for
Black.}) (13. Nc4 Be6 $11) 13... Bf8 14. Bg5 h6 15. Bh4 Be7 16. h3 Nh7 17. Bg3
Ng5 $11 {1-0 (61) Karjakin,S (2775)-Aronian,L (2815) Beijing 2012}) 13. d4 $14
(13. cxb4 $6 Nc6 {[%cal Gc6b4] is Black's dream.}) 13... Bf8 14. h3 h6 15. Bd3
bxc3 16. bxc3 c5 17. d5 {The position is stabilized. White has long-term
pressure thanks to his space superiority.} Qc7 $6 {Logical, but passive.
Probably, Fabiano didn't realize that his position is strategically quite
dangerous.} ({Black's play should be more dynamic:} 17... Nh5 $1 18. Nc4 Nxc4
19. Bxc4 Qf6 20. Rb1 Be7 21. Bf1 Qg6 22. Kh1 Bd8 {I have no doubt that White
is slightly better, but he doesn't have such a free hand as in the game.}) 18.
Nc4 {Of course, White is not going to play c3-c4. The c4-outpost is very
useful for his pieces.} Nxc4 19. Bxc4 Reb8 ({Black can't create any active
play. For instance:} 19... g6 20. Nd2 Bg7 21. Bd3 Rf8 22. Nc4 Nh7 23. a5 $16 {
[%cal Gc4b6,Ga1b1,Gb1b6]}) 20. Nd2 {White is going to change the guard on c4.}
Be8 21. Bd3 Nd7 22. a5 $1 {[%mdl 32]} ({The exchange of knights after} 22. Nc4
$2 Nb6 {would be a relief for Black.}) 22... Nf6 23. Nc4 {[%csl Gc4]} Bb5 24.
Nb6 Ra7 25. Qe2 ({It was also good to keep the bishops by} 25. Bc2 {Now} Nd7 $2
{loses a piece after} 26. c4 {[%csl Rb5]}) 25... Bxd3 26. Qxd3 Nd7 27. Nc4 Rab7
{Black has good control over the b-file, but it's of pretty little use to him.}
28. Bd2 Rb5 29. Rf1 {White is slowly going for the kingside offensive.} Be7 30.
f4 Bf6 31. g3 R8b7 32. Kg2 Nf8 33. Rf2 Ng6 34. Raf1 Qe7 35. Kh2 Rb8 (35... exf4
36. gxf4 Rb8 37. Re2 Re8 38. Rfe1 Bh4 39. Rg1 Bf6 40. e5 $1 dxe5 41. Rxg6 $1
fxg6 (41... e4 $2 42. Rxf6 $1 exd3 43. Rxe7 Rxe7 44. Rxa6 $18) 42. fxe5 Bg5 43.
d6 Qe6 44. Bxg5 hxg5 45. Nb6 {Black is a whole exchange up, but his position
is lost. Just compare those pawns on the g-file to White's connected passers.})
36. Rg2 Qc7 37. Rfg1 {I was amazed to see that Houdini engine evaluates this
position as equal. For a human player White's advantage is quite obvious.} Rb3
{This is the only square where Black's rook can penetrate, but there are no
objects to attack. The mighty Nc4 keeps everything under control.} 38. f5 Nf8
39. h4 Qd7 $2 (39... Nh7 $1 {was the only way to hold.} 40. Kh3 Bd8 41. g4 f6 {
It won't be easy at all for White to break through.}) 40. g4 $1 {Now White's
attack is straighforward and irresistible.} g5 (40... Bxh4 41. g5 $18 {The
knight is missing on h7.}) 41. fxg6 fxg6 (41... Nxg6 42. g5 hxg5 43. Bxg5 Bxg5
44. Rxg5 Kf8 45. h5 Nf4 46. Qg3 $18) 42. g5 hxg5 43. Bxg5 Bg7 (43... Bxg5 44.
Rxg5 $18 {[%cal Gh4h5]}) 44. h5 R8b4 45. hxg6 {A fine positional game by Leko!}
(45. hxg6 Qb5 46. Qf3 Rxc4 47. Qf7+ Kh8 48. Bf6 {mating.}) 1-0

[Event "AUT-chT 1718"]
[Site "Austria"]
[Date "2017.11.17"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Nagy, Gabor"]
[Black "Postny, Evgeny"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2472"]
[BlackElo "2575"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2017.11.16"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "AUT"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Wulkaprodersdorf"]
[BlackTeam "Salzburg Royal"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "AUT"]
[BlackTeamCountry "AUT"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d4 {A rare line. White opens up
the centre before castling.} exd4 6. O-O (6. e5 Ne4 7. O-O Be7 {leads to the
same position by a different order of moves.} (7... Nc5 {is another playable
option.})) 6... Be7 7. e5 (7. Re1 {is another line, which leads to a balanced
position after} b5 8. Bb3 d6 9. Bd5 Nxd5 10. exd5 Ne5 11. Nxd4 O-O {Black's
slightly weakened queenside is compensated for by the pair of bishops.}) 7...
Ne4 8. Nxd4 O-O {Black can also hunt the bishop with the immediate 8...Nc5 or
after the knight swap on d4.} (8... Nxd4 9. Qxd4 Nc5 10. Nc3 O-O (10... Nxa4 $6
11. Qxa4 O-O 12. Bf4 b5 13. Qe4 Rb8 14. Rad1 $14 {1/2-1/2 (29) Nagy,G (2472)
-Bunda,V (2299) Slovakia 2017}) 11. Nd5 d6 12. Nxe7+ Qxe7 13. exd6 Qxd6 14.
Qxd6 cxd6 15. Bb3 Nxb3 16. axb3 Bf5 $11 {1/2-1/2 (36) Mihok,O (2505)-Chirila,I
(2533) chess.com INT 2017}) (8... Nc5 9. Nf5 (9. Bxc6 dxc6 10. Nc3 O-O $11)
9... O-O 10. Qg4 g6 11. Bxc6 dxc6 12. Nxe7+ Qxe7 13. Qg3 {Here White is hoping
to exploit the dark squares, but the knight will cover them from e6.} Re8 14.
Re1 Bf5 15. Nc3 Ne6 $15 {0-1 (59) Pancevski,F (2489)-Ragger,M (2659) Heraklio
2017}) 9. Nf5 d5 10. Nxe7+ (10. exd6 Bxf5 11. dxe7 Nxe7 $11) 10... Nxe7 11. c3
{The structure is now similar to the Open Ruy Lopez.} Nc5 12. Bc2 Bf5 13. Na3
$146 {My opponent had played quickly so far and confirmed after the game that
he had prepared this novelty at home.} (13. Bxf5 Nxf5 14. Qf3 Ne7 (14... Qd7
$15) 15. Qe3 Ne6 16. f4 g6 17. g4 d4 18. Qe4 Nc5 19. Qxd4 Qxd4+ 20. cxd4 Ne6
21. Nc3 Nxd4 22. Be3 {1/2-1/2 (22) Bronstein,D-Antoshin,V Moscow 1956}) 13...
Ne6 ({I considered} 13... Qd7 {but, didn't like} 14. Be3 {though, after} b6 {
Black should be okay.}) 14. f4 Bxc2 $6 {This helps White to bring his knight
into play.} (14... d4 15. Bxf5 Nxf5 16. Qf3 dxc3 17. bxc3 Qe7 {[%cal Ge7c5]}
18. Kh1 Qd7 $1 19. Qxb7 Qd3 20. Qf3 Rfd8 $44) 15. Nxc2 f5 {15...g6 was an
option, but I wanted to block the kingside, or to open the f-file.} 16. exf6 $5
{My opponent decided to open up the position.} ({An engine gives White a
serious advantage after} 16. Nd4 {but, I think, it overestimates the defended
passed pawn on e5. The pawn is safely blocked. After} Qd7 {I would evaluate
the position as close to equal.}) 16... Rxf6 17. g4 Nc5 ({It was possible to
prevent the further advance of white's kingside pawns by} 17... g6 {but, I
didn't want to weaken the dark squares.}) 18. f5 {White is going forward, but
also his king will be vulnerable. The position is getting sharp.} Ne4 19. Nd4 (
19. Bf4 {was more flexible. White keeps an option to put the knight both on d4
or e3. The variations are quite complex. For instance:} Qd7 20. Qd3 g6 21. Be5
Rf7 22. Ne3 $1 (22. Rad1 gxf5 23. gxf5 Rxf5 24. Qxe4 dxe4 25. Rxd7 Rxe5 26.
Rxc7 b5 27. Ne3 Rd8 $11) 22... Re8 23. Rad1 $1 Nxf5 (23... Nc6 24. Bf4 $14) 24.
gxf5 Rxe5 25. Ng4 Rexf5 26. Rxf5 gxf5 27. Nh6+ Kg7 28. Nxf7 Qxf7 29. Qxd5 Qg6+
30. Kf1 Qg4 31. Qe5+ Kh6 32. Rd3 $14) 19... Qd7 20. Bf4 c5 (20... Re8 21. Ne6
g6 22. Nxc7 Rc8 23. Be5 gxf5 (23... Rxc7 24. Bxf6 Nxf6 25. fxg6 Qxg4+ 26. Qxg4
Nxg4 27. gxh7+ Kxh7 $11) 24. Nxd5 Qxd5 25. Qxd5+ Nxd5 26. Bxf6 Ndxf6 27. Rxf5
Nxg4 28. Re1 Ngf6 $11) 21. Nf3 (21. Ne6 g6 (21... Re8 22. c4 $14) ({I was also
considering the exchange sacrifice:} 21... Rxe6 22. fxe6 Qxe6 {with decent
compensation.}) 22. Be5 Nxf5 $1 23. Bxf6 (23. Nxc5 Nxc5 24. gxf5 Rxf5 25. Rxf5
Qxf5 26. Qxd5+ Ne6 27. Rf1 Rd8 28. Qxd8+ Nxd8 29. Rxf5 gxf5 $11) 23... Ne3 24.
Qf3 Nxf1 25. Nxc5 Nxc5 26. Rxf1 Rf8 $11) 21... h5 22. Ne5 Qe8 23. h3 (23. c4 {
is always an option to consider - undermining Black's centre. Again, there is
a number of spectacular lines, which lead to a draw in case of the best play
from both sides.} hxg4 24. cxd5 (24. Qxg4 Nxf5 25. Rae1 Nfd6 26. cxd5 Rxf4 $5
27. Qxf4 g5 28. Qxe4 $1 Nxe4 29. Rxe4 Qh5 30. Nd7 Qh3 31. Re7 Qg4+ 32. Kh1 Qc4
33. Rf5 Qd3 $1 34. Rxg5+ Kh8 35. Rh5+ Kg8 $11) 24... Nxf5 25. Qc2 (25. Qxg4 $6
Qa4 $1 $15 {[%cal Ga4d4,Ga8f8]}) 25... Nfd6 26. Nxg4 Qg6 27. Qg2 Rff8 $13)
23... Rd8 24. Qb3 $2 {The queen is going far away from the kingside, where the
main action is taking place. The threat to the b7-pawn is imaginary.} (24. Qf3
{was the logical move.} hxg4 (24... Nxf5 25. gxf5 Rxf5 26. Rae1 Rd6 27. Qe3
Rxe5 28. Bxe5 Qxe5 29. Re2 Rg6+ 30. Rg2 Rxg2+ 31. Kxg2 $11) 25. hxg4 Nxf5 26.
gxf5 Rxf5 27. Qh3 Rxe5 28. Bxe5 Qxe5 29. Rf5 Qd6 30. Rh5 Qg6+ 31. Kh2 Qd6+ $11)
24... hxg4 25. hxg4 (25. Nxg4 Rxf5 26. Qxb7 Rh5 27. Qxa6 Ng6 {with an
overwhelming position.}) {[%tqu "En","How should Black proceed?","","","e7f5",
"A pretty obvious sacrifice.",10]} 25... Nxf5 $1 $19 {A pretty obvious
sacrifice.} 26. gxf5 Rxf5 27. Rae1 Rxe5 28. Bxe5 Qxe5 {[%csl Rg1] Now Black is
also fine from a material point of view. The rook will join the attack soon.}
29. Qxb7 (29. Re2 Qg3+ 30. Rg2 Qe3+ 31. Kh2 Rd6 $19) 29... Qg3+ 30. Kh1 Qh3+
31. Kg1 Qg3+ 32. Kh1 Rd6 33. Qf7+ Kh7 34. Qf5+ Rg6 35. Re2 Qh4+ 36. Rh2 Ng3+
0-1

[Event "Belgrade RAD 30"]
[Site "Belgrade"]
[Date "1977.01.27"]
[Round "10.3"]
[White "Rajkovic, Dusan"]
[Black "Velimirovic, Dragoljub"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2495"]
[BlackElo "2525"]
[Annotator "Primel,D"]
[PlyCount "143"]
[EventDate "1977.01.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "SRB"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/9000:16/5400:0"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d4 O-O 7. d5 (7. Re1
exd4 8. e5 Ne8 9. c3 dxc3 10. Nxc3 d6 11. exd6 Nxd6 12. Nd5 $44) 7... Nb8 8.
Nxe5 (8. Re1 d6 9. c4 Nbd7 10. Nc3 Ne8 11. Bc2 g6 12. Bh6 Ng7 13. Qd2 Nf6 14.
h3 Kh8 15. Nh2 Ng8 16. Be3 f5 17. exf5 Nxf5 18. Bxf5 gxf5 19. f4 e4 20. g4 Nf6
21. g5 Nh5 22. Re2 c5 {Ermenkov,E (2445)-Velimirovic,D (2525) Moscow 1977 1/
2-1/2 (62)}) 8... Nxe4 9. c4 d6 10. Nd3 Nd7 11. Bc2 Nec5 (11... Ndc5 $143 12.
f3) 12. b4 Nxd3 13. Qxd3 f5 (13... g6 14. Bh6) 14. Bb2 Ne5 (14... Bf6 15. Qxf5)
15. Qb3 {[%cal Gb3g8,Gc4c5]} f4 16. Bxe5 dxe5 17. Nd2 {[%cal Gd2e4]} Kh8 18.
Rfe1 a5 19. a3 Ra6 $5 {[%csl Rb3,Rb4][%cal Ga6b6,Ga5b4] Un plan original} 20.
Rad1 $32 Rb6 21. Rxe5 (21. b5 $5 {Laisse la Rb6 assez mal placée tout en
gardant l'avantage d'espace.} Bf6 (21... Bd6) (21... Bg4) 22. Ne4 {[%csl Rb6]})
21... axb4 22. Rde1 Bc5 $1 {[%cal Gc5f2,Gf4f3]} 23. Qd3 Rh6 {[%cal Gd8h4]} 24.
Ne4 Be7 25. c5 bxa3 26. Qxa3 f3 $1 27. Ng3 (27. g3) 27... Bf6 28. R5e3 fxg2 29.
c6 $6 Bd4 $132 {[%csl Rf2]} 30. Rf3 Rg8 {Un coup bizarre mais les Noirs
veulent éviter l'échange des R} 31. Bf5 Rf6 32. Bxc8 Qxc8 33. Rxf6 Bxf6 34.
Kxg2 bxc6 35. dxc6 Rf8 36. Re3 g6 37. Rf3 Kg7 $15 {Dans cette position ouverte
et des P sur les deux ailes, le B doit dominer le N} 38. h3 Qe6 39. Qc5 Rd8 40.
Re3 Qd5+ 41. Ne4 Rd6 42. Qxd5 Rxd5 43. Ra3 Be5 44. Kf3 h6 45. Ke3 Kf7 46. f4
Bd4+ 47. Kf3 Bb6 $17 {[%csl Gb6,Rf4,Rh3]} 48. Ra8 Rd3+ 49. Kg2 Re3 50. Ng3 Rc3
51. h4 Rc2+ (51... Rxc6 52. h5) 52. Kf3 Rh2 53. Rb8 Rf2+ 54. Ke4 Rc2 55. h5 $1
{Simplifie la position pour tenter d'annuler} gxh5 56. Nxh5 Rxc6 57. Kf5 Bd4
58. Rd8 Bf6 59. Nxf6 Rxf6+ 60. Ke5 Re6+ 61. Kf5 Rd6 62. Rh8 Kg7 63. Rc8 $11 {
Forçant la R noire à occuper une mauvaise place} Rc6 {[%csl Rc6]} 64. Rd8
Rf6+ 65. Ke5 h5 66. f5 Rf8 67. Rd1 (67. Rd7+ Rf7 68. Rd8 h4) 67... h4 68. Rc1
Rc8 69. Rh1 Rh8 70. Rc1 h3 71. Rxc7+ Kh6 72. Rc1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Belgrade RAD 30"]
[Site "Belgrade"]
[Date "1977.01.23"]
[Round "7.2"]
[White "Matulovic, Milan"]
[Black "Smejkal, Jan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2510"]
[BlackElo "2575"]
[Annotator "Primel,D"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[EventDate "1977.01.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "SRB"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.10.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/9000:16/5400:0"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 Be7 (6... b5 {
La grande ligne et cette variante Be7 est un peu douteuse}) 7. Qe2 f5 8. dxe5
O-O (8... Nc5) 9. Nc3 (9. Be3 Kh8 10. Nbd2 Nc5 11. Bxc5 Bxc5 12. c3 Qe7 13. b4
Ba7 14. Rfe1 Nd8 15. Nf1 b5 16. Bb3 Bb7 17. Ne3 Ne6 18. Nd5 Qe8 19. Rad1 Qg6
20. Qd2 Rae8 21. Kf1 Qh5 22. h3 c5 23. Nf4 Nxf4 {Romanishin,O (2595)-Smejkal,J
(2575) Leningrad 1977 1-0 (35)}) 9... Nc5 10. Bxc6 $146 (10. Bb3+ Nxb3 11. axb3
d5 12. exd6 Bxd6 13. Bf4 Re8 14. Qd2 Be6 15. Rad1 Be7 16. Rfe1 Qxd2 17. Rxd2
Bf6 18. Bxc7 Rac8 19. Bf4 h6 20. Rde2 Bf7 21. Be5 Nxe5 22. Nxe5 Bh5 23. f3 Rc5
24. Nd7 Bd4+ {Rabar,B-Longer,M Sarajevo 1951 1-0 (50)}) 10... dxc6 11. Rd1 Qe8
12. Bg5 $1 Ne6 13. Bxe7 Qxe7 14. Nd4 (14. Qc4 $5 {[%cal Gc4g8,Gf3d4] Une
précaution utile pour éviter Qb4 avant de jouer Nd4} Bd7 15. Rd2 (15. Nd4
Rad8)) 14... Qb4 $1 15. Nb3 Nf4 16. Qe3 Ng6 17. Rd4 f4 $1 18. Rxb4 fxe3 19. f3
Nxe5 20. Re4 Ng6 21. Rxe3 b6 22. Rd1 Kf7 1/2-1/2

[Event "URS-ch13 Semifinal Group1"]
[Site "Rostov on Don"]
[Date "1941.06.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Panov, Vasily N"]
[Black "Ragozin, Viacheslav"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[Annotator "Primel,D"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "1941.06.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "URS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 (5. O-O) 5... d6 6. c3 (6. O-O
$143 Bg4) 6... Be7 7. O-O Bg4 (7... O-O {plus courant}) 8. Nbd2 Nd7 $5 {
[%cal Gd7c5,Gc5a4,Gc5d3,Gc5e6,Ge7g5,Ge6g5] le thème de la variante qui permet
а la fois d'échanger le mauvais B par Bg5 tout en recyclant le N en e6. Selon
les bases, RAGOZIN serait le créateur de cette ligne mais il manque beaucoup
de parties de cette époque.} 9. Re1 {Une nouveauté mais en fait, c'est plutôt
une simple interversion de coups après h3} (9. h3 Bh5 10. Re1 Nc5 11. Bc2 Ne6
12. Nf1 Bg5 $1 $11 {[%cal Gg5c1]} 13. Ng3 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 O-O 15. Be3 g6 16. Ne2
Kg7 17. d4 exd4 18. cxd4 Bxe3 19. Qxe3 Qf6 20. Rad1 Rfe8 21. d5 Nb4 22. Bb1 Nc5
23. a3 Qxb2 {Smyslov,V-Ragozin,V/Moscow 1940/URS-ch/1-0 (32)}) 9... Nc5 10. Bc2
d5 {[%cal Gd5d4] Une poussée ambitieuse pour gagner de l'espace par d5d4 mais
qui semble un peu prématurée} (10... Ne6 $142 11. h3 Bh5 12. Nf1 Ng5 $132) 11.
h3 (11. Qe2) 11... Bh5 12. Qe2 d4 13. Nf1 {[%cal Gf1g3]} O-O 14. g4 {[%csl Gf5,
Rh5]} Bg6 15. Ng3 b5 16. Nf5 Bxf5 (16... Bf6) (16... Re8) 17. exf5 Re8 18. cxd4
exd4 19. Bd2 b4 20. Qf1 Qd5 21. Qg2 $1 {[%cal Gf3e5]} a5 (21... Bf6 22. Bf4 {
[%cal Gf4c7]}) 22. Ne5 $14 Qxg2+ 23. Kxg2 {[%cal Gg2f3]} Nxe5 24. Rxe5 f6 {
[%csl Re6]} 25. Rd5 (25. Re2 {[%cal Ga1e1]}) 25... Rad8 26. Rxd8 Bxd8 27. Re1
Rxe1 (27... Kf7 $142 28. Rxe8 Kxe8 29. f4 Kd7 30. Kf3 $14) 28. Bxe1 Kf8 (28...
Kf7 29. f4 $16 {[%csl Gc2,Rd8,Ge1,Ge6]}) 29. f4 Nd7 30. Kf3 $16 {[%cal Gf3d5]
Avec la paire de B et un K centralisé, les blancs ont une bonne finale. Le P
doublé n'est pas trop handicapant pour les blancs car il gêne le K noir en
controlant la case importante "e6" et par ailleurs, les blancs auront la
possibilité de mobiliser la majorité а l'aile-roi par g4g5} Nb6 {[%csl Rb6,Gd5]
[%cal Gb6d5] Empêche le K blancs d'accèder а la case sensible "d5" mais le Nb6
est excentré} 31. Ke4 c5 32. Bb3 $1 {[%csl Gb3,Gc4]} Ke7 33. Bd2 {[%cal Gg4g5]
La paire de B commence а devenir active} Kd6 {[%cal Gd6d5] Libère le N de la
surveillance de la case "d5" mais il sera néanmoins difficile de trouver une
bonne case pour le N} 34. g5 Nc8 35. Bg8 $1 h6 {[%csl Rd8] Un cas d'école avec
tous les P noirs sur la couleur du mauvais B!} 36. Be6 Nb6 37. h4 Ke7 38. Kf3 (
38. a3 $143 {[%cal Gd2a5]} Na4 {[%csl Rb2]}) 38... Bc7 39. Kg4 {[%cal Gg4h5,
Gh5g6]} hxg5 40. fxg5 Be5 $4 $138 {Une gaffe en plein zeitnot juste avant
l'ajournement} (40... fxg5 41. hxg5) 41. g6 $1 {[%csl Ge6][%cal Gh4h6] Un
thème classique en finale et le K noir est impuissant а stopper l'avancée du P
"h"} Nd7 42. h5 Bd6 43. Bxd7 {[%mdl 4096]} (43. h6) 1-0

[Event "Match/City Moscow-Petrograd  14-8"]
[Site "Moscow (Russia)"]
[Date "1922.08.??"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Ilyin Zhenevsky, Alexander"]
[Black "Romanovsky, Peter Arsenievich"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[Annotator "Primel,D"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "1922.08.27"]
[EventType "team-match"]
[EventRounds "2"]
[EventCountry "URS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2010"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Leningrad"]
[BlackTeam "Moscow"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "URS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "URS"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 (5. O-O) 5... d6 6. O-O Be7 7.
c3 {[%cal Ga4c2]} O-O 8. Re1 {[%cal Gb1d2,Gd2f1]} Nd7 9. d4 $146 (9. Be3 {
Duras,O-Maroczy,G San Sebastian 1911 (6) 1/2}) 9... Bf6 10. Bc2 Re8 11. Be3 Nf8
12. Nbd2 g5 $6 {[%csl Gd4] les noirs ont été trop ambitieux dans cette partie
et l'affaiblissement des cases noires se fera ensuite sentir.} (12... exd4 $142
13. cxd4 Ng6 14. Rc1 (14. h3) 14... Bg4 15. h3 $14) 13. d5 $14 Nb8 14. Nf1 Ng6
{[%cal Gg6f4]} 15. g3 {[%csl Gf4,Gh4]} Bg4 (15... Bh3) 16. Bd2 Bh3 17. Kh1 Bxf1
18. Rxf1 Kh8 $6 {Début d'un plan douteux} 19. Ne1 Rg8 {[%cal Gg6f4]} 20. Qh5
Nd7 21. Nf3 {[%csl Rg5]} Ngf8 22. Qxf7 g4 23. Ng1 Ng6 24. Qe6 Ne7 25. f3 (25.
f4 $40) 25... Qe8 26. fxg4 Rg6 27. Nh3 (27. Kg2 $1 Bg5 28. Bxg5 $3 Rxe6 29.
dxe6 Nc5 30. Nh3 (30. Rf7) 30... Nxe6 31. Bf6+ Kg8 32. Bb3 {[%csl Ge6]} Ng6 33.
Ng5 $40) 27... Nf8 $2 {Espérant enfermer la Q mais les blancs vont avoir assez
de compensations} (27... Nc5 $142 $132 {[%csl Re6] force а nouveau le
sacrifice de Q mais il est réalisé dans des conditions moins bonnes pour les
blancs. La différence est le fait qu'en jouant Nc5 au lieu de Nf8, le N n'est
plus en prise après le doublement des R et les noirs ne sont pas obligés de
perdre un tempo important avec Kg7 pour protéger la case "f8"} 28. Qxf6+ $3
Rxf6 29. Rxf6 Qb5 30. Raf1 Qxb2 (30... Ng8 $142) 31. Bh6 $1 Rg8 (31... Qxc2 $2
32. Ng5) 32. Rf8 Nd7 (32... Qxc2 33. Ng5 {[%cal Gg5f7]})) 28. Qxf6+ $1 Rxf6 29.
Rxf6 Kg7 $6 (29... Qb5 $142 30. Raf1 $1 $40) (29... Nfg6 30. Bd3 $1 {[%csl Gb5]
[%cal Ga1f1]} (30. c4 {[%csl Gb5]}) (30. Raf1 Qb5 {[%cal Gb5b2]}) 30... Qa4 31.
Ng5 {[%cal Gg5f7,Ga1f1]}) 30. Raf1 $40 {[%csl Rf8] les blancs ont deux P pour
la qualité perdue et ils ont surtout gardé une forte attaque sur la colonne "f"
} Neg6 31. Ng5 Qb5 32. b3 (32. Rf7+ Kg8 33. b3) 32... Re8 33. c4 Qb6 {[%csl
Rb6] la Q est hors-jeu et elle ne pourra pas défendre l'aile-roi} 34. h4 Qd4
35. R6f2 h6 36. Nf7 $18 Nf4 37. gxf4 Kxf7 38. fxe5+ Kg8 39. exd6 cxd6 40. e5
dxe5 41. Bxh6 Nh7 42. Bg6 Rd8 43. Rf7 Qxg4 44. Bxh7+ Kh8 45. Bg7+ Kxh7 46.
Bxe5+ Kg8 47. Rg7+ {[%mdl 512] Une superbe partie!} 1-0

[Event "Cappelle op 31st"]
[Site "Cappelle la Grande"]
[Date "2015.03.04"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Baklan, Vladimir"]
[Black "Pacher, Milan"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2652"]
[BlackElo "2432"]
[Annotator "RR"]
[PlyCount "169"]
[EventDate "2015.02.28"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2016"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Re1
b5 9. Bc2 (9. Bb3 {La grande ligne} Na5 10. Bc2) 9... d5 {Une ligne secondaire
mais qui a été essayée par le grand spécialiste cote noir, M.BOTVINIK} 10.
Nbd2 d4 (10... dxe4 11. dxe4 Be6 12. Qe2 Nd7 13. b4 Nb6 14. a4 Nxa4 15. Bxa4
bxa4 16. Rxa4 Qc8 17. Bb2 f6 18. Rea1 Nb8 19. b5 Qb7 20. Bc1 Nd7 21. Rxa6 Rxa6
22. Rxa6 Nc5 23. Ba3 Bf7 24. Rc6 Qa7 25. Bb4 Rb8 26. c4 Be8 27. Bxc5 Bxc5 28.
Ra6 Qb7 29. Nb3 Bb4 30. Ne1 c6 31. Nd3 cxb5 32. Nxb4 bxc4 33. Qxc4+ Bf7 34. Nd5
{1/2-1/2 (34) Dominguez Perez,L (2726)-Jakovenko,D (2733) Tbilisi 2015}) 11.
Nb3 $146 (11. a4 Bg4 12. h3 Bh5 13. g4 Bg6 14. Nf1 Nd7 15. Ng3 dxc3 16. bxc3 b4
17. Bb2 Rb8 18. Bb3 Na5 19. Bc2 b3 20. Bb1 c5 21. Nf5 Re8 22. c4 Bxf5 23. exf5
Bf6 24. Re4 Nb7 25. Ra3 Nd6 26. Rxb3 Nxe4 27. dxe4 Nb6 28. Rd3 Qe7 29. a5 Nxc4
30. Bc3 Nb2 31. Bxb2 Rxb2 32. Bc2 Rd8 33. Qc1 Rxd3 34. Bxd3 Rb3 35. Qc4 Ra3 36.
Qxa6 h6 37. Kg2 Qd8 38. Bc4 Rxa5 39. Qb7 Qf8 40. h4 Ra3 {Karjakin,S (2756)
-Aronian,L (2803) Beijing 2013 1/2-1/2}) 11... a5 12. a4 $1 bxa4 13. Rxa4 Nd7
14. Rc4 (14. cxd4 Nb6 $11 {[%cal Gb6a4,Gd8d4]}) 14... a4 15. Nbxd4 {Gagne un P
mais la R Blanche est assez mal placée} exd4 16. Rxc6 dxc3 17. Rxc3 Bb4 18.
Bxa4 Nb6 19. Bg5 f6 $13 {Avec 03 pièces Blanches en prise!} 20. Bb3+ Kh8 21.
Be3 Bxc3 22. bxc3 $16 {Après cette phase tactique, les Blancs semblent avoir
gardé un petit avantage avec la paire de B dans une position ouverte et un
centre fort} Qe7 23. h3 Be6 24. Nd4 Bxb3 25. Qxb3 Ra3 26. Qe6 (26. Qb5 $5 Rxc3
27. Ne2 Rc2 (27... Ra3 28. Bc5 {[%cal Gc5e7,Gc5a3]}) 28. Qb1 Rc6 29. Nd4 Rc5 (
29... Rd6 30. Nf5) 30. Ne6 $40 {[%cal Ge6f8,Ge6c5,Ge3c5]}) 26... Qxe6 27. Nxe6
Rc8 28. Nxc7 $1 Rxc7 29. Bxb6 Rcxc3 30. d4 $44 {La finale est complexe car les
Noirs menacent de doubler les R en 07ème rangée} Kg8 31. Bc5 Rxc5 $5 (31...
Ra2 {[%csl Rf2][%cal Gc3c2] Plus naturel} 32. e5 fxe5 33. Rxe5 Rcc2 34. g4 Rxf2
$4 35. Re8+ Kf7 36. Rf8+) 32. dxc5 Rc3 33. Rd1 Rxc5 34. Rd8+ Kf7 35. Rd7+ Kg6
36. g4 h5 $1 {Après l'échange d'un P, la finale de R avec 3 P contre 2 sera
difficile à gagner pour les Blancs} 37. Kg2 hxg4 38. hxg4 Rc3 39. f3 Rb3 40.
Kg3 Ra3 41. Rd5 (41. Kf4) 41... Ra1 42. Kf4 {Les Blancs ont progressé un peu
avec la centralisation du K mais il y a encore du travail pour obtenir des
chances de gain.} Rg1 43. Rd6 Ra1 44. g5 {Un plan naturel pour tenter de
créer une faiblesse Noire mais il a pour défaut de simplifier à nouveau la
position} Ra5 45. gxf6 gxf6 46. Rd7 Ra4 $1 47. Rb7 Rc4 48. Rb5 Ra4 49. Kg4 Rc4
50. Kf4 Ra4 51. Rb3 Ra5 52. Rd3 Rb5 53. Kg4 Rg5+ 54. Kf4 Rb5 55. Rd5 $1 Rb3 56.
Rd6 Rb5 (56... Rb4 $144) 57. Ke3 Rb1 58. f4 {Continuant de jouer pour le gain
mais le K Blanc est maintenant très exposé} Re1+ 59. Kd4 (59. Kf3 $5 {
Plus souple} Rf1+ 60. Kg3) 59... Rf1 $1 60. f5+ Kg5 $132 61. Kd5 Ra1 62. Rc6
Ra5+ 63. Rc5 Ra8 64. Rc7 Ra5+ 65. Kd6 Kf4 66. Re7 Ra4 67. Re6 Kg5 68. Ke7 Ra7+
69. Kf8 Ra8+ 70. Kf7 Ra7+ 71. Re7 Ra6 72. Kg7 Rb6 73. Kh7 Rb5 74. Kg7 Rb6 75.
Ra7 Rb4 76. e5 $1 {La dernière chance} fxe5 77. f6 e4 78. f7 Rb8 79. Re7 Kf4
80. Re8 Rb7 81. Kg6 Rxf7 82. Kxf7 e3 83. Ke6 e2 84. Kd5 Kf3 85. Rxe2 1/2-1/2

[Event "Cappelle op 31st"]
[Site "Cappelle la Grande"]
[Date "2015.03.05"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Blomqvist, Erik"]
[Black "Lejarre, Ludovic"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2521"]
[BlackElo "2359"]
[Annotator "RR"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2015.02.28"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2016"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 (6. Re1) 6... b5 7.
Bb3 d6 8. a3 $5 {Cette ligne secondaire est devenue assez populaire à haut
niveau depuis quelques années} (8. a4 Bd7) (8. c3 O-O 9. Re1 Na5 {Transpose
sur les grandes lignes}) 8... O-O 9. Nc3 (9. Re1 Bg4 10. c3 {Hou,Y (2557)
-Kosteniuk,A (2510) Wch (Women) Nalchik 2008 (6.1) 0-1}) 9... Bg4 10. Be3 Nd4
11. Bxd4 $1 exd4 12. Nd5 c6 $6 {Le suédois n'avait pas de parties sur cette
ligne 8.a3 dans les bases et le rennais ne ll'a probablement pas préparé.} (
12... Nd7 $142 13. h3 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 c6 15. Nf4 Rb8 16. Ne2 Bf6 17. Qg3 Nc5 18.
Ba2 b4 19. axb4 Rxb4 20. Rfb1 Re8 21. Qf3 a5 22. c3 dxc3 23. bxc3 Rxb1+ 24.
Rxb1 Qc7 25. Qe3 g6 26. f3 Rb8 27. Rxb8+ Qxb8 28. d4 Nd7 29. Qd3 Qb7 30. f4 d5
31. e5 Be7 32. Qc2 Qb6 33. Kh2 Bd8 34. c4 Qb7 35. cxd5 cxd5 36. Nc3 Nb6 37. Qd3
Qc6 38. Qf3 a4 39. Nxd5 Nxd5 40. Bxd5 Qd7 41. Qe4 Kg7 42. Ba2 {Anand,V (2793)
-Adams,M (2745) London 2014 1-0}) (12... c5 $142 13. h3 Be6 14. Nf4 $1 Bxb3 15.
cxb3 $14 {Dominguez Perez,L (2723)-Inarkiev,E (2688) Capablanca Memorial Elite
48th 2013 (2) 1/2}) 13. h3 Bxf3 14. Nxf6+ Bxf6 15. Qxf3 Rc8 $146 (15... a5 16.
a4 b4 17. Qg4 Ra7 18. f4 g6 19. g3 Kg7 20. h4 Qc8 21. Qf3 h5 22. Rae1 Qg4 23.
e5 Be7 24. Qxg4 hxg4 25. f5 dxe5 26. Rxe5 Bd6 27. Re4 Bxg3 28. Rxg4 Be5 29.
fxg6 fxg6 30. Rxg6+ Kxg6 31. Rxf8 Bf6 32. h5+ Kg5 33. h6 Be5 34. Re8 Bf4 35.
Kg2 Kxh6 36. Kf3 Bc1 37. Ke4 Bxb2 38. Ke5 Kg7 39. Rg8+ Kh7 40. Kd6 Rg7 41.
Rxg7+ Kxg7 42. Kxc6 {1-0 (42) Korneev,O (2591)-Kharchenko,B (2483) Taganrog
2015}) 16. a4 $1 $16 {[%csl Gb3,Rf6] Le Bb3 est nettement plus actif que le
Bf6 et c'est d'ailleurs l'idée sous-jacente de cette variante 8.a3} Qd7 17.
Ra2 $1 Rc7 (17... b4 $5 {Peut-être un moindre mal de manière à éviter
l'ouverture de la colonne "a" mais la poussée b4 commence à rendre mauvais
le Bf6}) (17... Ra8 $1 18. Rfa1 Qb7 {La position Noire est un peu passive mais
il n'est pas facile d'améliorer la position Blanche}) 18. axb5 axb5 19. Rfa1
$36 Rb8 20. Ra6 {[%csl Rc6][%cal Ge4e5]} Rbb7 $6 {[%csl Rb7,Rc7] Evite un
éventuel Ra6a7 des Blancs avec pression sur f7 mais les R Noires sont très
passives} 21. Ra8+ Rc8 22. Rxc8+ $1 {En général avec un avantage d'espace,
il vaut mieux éviter les échanges mais la mauvaise position de la Rb7 va
donner des ressources tactiques au GMI} Qxc8 23. e5 $1 dxe5 24. Qxc6 $40 {
La pointe! Non seulement la Rb7 est mal placée mais elle bouche la diagonale}
Rb8 25. Qxc8+ Rxc8 26. Ra7 $1 {[%csl Gb3,Rf7] Une partie modèle pour cette
variante 8.a3 qui vise à maintenir le B sur la diagonale a2g8} Rf8 27. Rb7 g6
28. Rxb5 Re8 29. Kf1 Re7 30. Bd5 $1 Rc7 31. b4 Be7 (31... Rxc2 $2 32. Rb7 Rb2
33. Rxf7) 32. Bb3 Kg7 33. Rb8 (33. Ke2) 33... Bd6 34. Rb6 Be7 35. b5 Bc5 36.
Rb8 Ba7 37. Re8 Kf6 38. Ke2 Re7 39. Rc8 Rb7 40. Kf3 Ke7 41. Ke4 Bb8 42. Bc4 Rb6
43. g4 1-0

[Event "Cappelle op 31st"]
[Site "Cappelle la Grande"]
[Date "2015.03.06"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Kulaots, Kaido"]
[Black "Bachmann, Axel"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2558"]
[BlackElo "2601"]
[Annotator "RR"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[EventDate "2015.02.28"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2016"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:17]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:19]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:17]} 4. Ba4 {[%emt 0:00:
06]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:02:03]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:50]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 6. Bb3 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} Bb7 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 7. d3 {[%emt 0:01:54]} (7. Re1 d6 8. c3
Be7 9. h3 O-O 10. d4 Re8 11. Nbd2 Bf8 12. a3 $5 g6 (12... h6) 13. Ba2 Bg7 14.
d5 (14. b4) 14... Ne7 15. Nf1 c6 $5 $146 16. dxc6 Bxc6 {Kulaots,K (2572)
-Zjukin,S (2373)  EST-20thChT 2005 (1) 1/2}) 7... Be7 {[%emt 0:03:51]} 8. Nc3 {
[%emt 0:03:18]} O-O {[%emt 0:01:05]} 9. a3 {[%emt 0:07:29]} d6 {[%emt 0:03:00]}
(9... Bc5 10. Ba2 h6 11. Be3 d6 12. Bxc5 dxc5 13. a4 b4 14. Nd5 Na5 15. Ne3 Re8
16. g3 Qd7 17. Bc4 Rad8 18. Nd2 Qh3 19. Qe2 Nh7 20. Nb3 Nxb3 21. Bxb3 Ng5 22.
f3 Qd7 23. Bc4 Bc6 24. b3 Qc8 25. h4 Ne6 26. Bxe6 Qxe6 27. f4 exf4 28. Rxf4 Qe5
29. Raf1 Bd7 30. Rxf7 Qxg3+ 31. Ng2 c4 32. bxc4 Bxa4 33. Qe3 Qxe3+ 34. Nxe3 b3
35. cxb3 Rxd3 36. Nd5 Bxb3 37. Ne7+ Kh7 38. Nf5 Bxc4 39. Rxc7 {Ponomariov,R 
(2713)-Harikrishna,P (2729) Tsaghkadzor 2015 1/2-1/2}) 10. Bd2 {[%emt 0:05:31]
Une ligne secondaire} Qd7 {[%emt 0:05:10]} 11. Re1 {[%emt 0:08:36]} Rae8 $146 {
[%emt 0:17:54]} (11... Nd4 12. Nxd4 exd4 13. Ne2 c5 14. Ng3 d5 15. e5 Ne8 16.
c3 dxc3 17. bxc3 Nc7 18. d4 f6 19. exf6 Rxf6 20. Bg5 Re6 21. Bxe7 Qxe7 22. Rxe6
Nxe6 23. Qg4 Rf8 24. Re1 Rf6 25. Bc2 Qf7 26. dxc5 Bc6 27. Nf5 h5 28. Qe2 Nf4
29. Qe5 Re6 30. Qb8+ Be8 31. Rxe6 Qxe6 32. Ne3 Ne2+ 33. Kf1 Nxc3 34. Bf5 Qf7
35. Qe5 Bd7 36. Bxd7 Qxd7 37. Qxc3 d4 38. Qb3+ Kf8 39. Nd5 a5 40. Qf3+ Kg8 41.
c6 {De Vreugt,D (2411)-Van de Oudeweetering,A (2368) Netherlands 2008 1-0}) 12.
a4 {[%emt 0:07:50]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:04:11]} 13. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:01:44]} exd4 {
[%emt 0:00:10]} 14. Ne2 {[%emt 0:01:00]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 15. axb5 {[%emt 0:
02:24]} axb5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 16. Ng3 {[%emt 0:01:11]} Bd8 {[%emt 0:00:59]} (
16... Qc7 {[%cal Gc5c4]}) 17. c3 {[%emt 0:04:56]} dxc3 {[%emt 0:20:12]} 18.
Bxc3 $14 {[%emt 0:00:12]} Bc6 {[%emt 0:04:10]} 19. d4 $5 {[%emt 0:17:57]
Après une longue réflexion, les Blancs décident de sacrifier le Pe4} b4 {
[%emt 0:01:55]} 20. Bd2 {[%emt 0:01:32]} Bxe4 {[%emt 0:00:53]} (20... Nxe4 $2
21. d5) 21. Nxe4 {[%emt 0:01:05]} Rxe4 {[%emt 0:01:39]} 22. Rxe4 {[%emt 0:07:
57]} Nxe4 {[%emt 0:00:38]} 23. dxc5 {[%emt 0:02:07]} dxc5 {[%emt 0:02:23]} 24.
Be3 $44 {[%emt 0:00:57]} Qxd1+ {[%emt 0:00:14]} 25. Rxd1 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Bg5 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} 26. Bxg5 {[%emt 0:13:50]} Nxg5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 27. Rd7 $1 {
[%emt 0:01:28]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:02:17]} 28. g3 {[%emt 0:03:54]} Ra8 {[%emt 0:01:
58]} 29. Bc4 {[%emt 0:00:21]} Ra1+ {[%emt 0:02:07]} 30. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:04]} h5
{[%emt 0:02:45]} 31. h4 {[%emt 0:00:14]} g6 {[%emt 0:00:34]} 32. b3 {[%emt 0:
02:12]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:00:24]} 33. Rb7 {[%emt 0:01:37]} Rc1 {[%emt 0:01:16]} 34.
Ra7 {[%emt 0:00:36] Les deux camps ont du mal à progresser et ils jouent des
coups d'attente pour passer le contrôle de temps} Re1 {[%emt 0:00:26]} 35. Rb7
{[%emt 0:00:11]} Re5 {[%emt 0:01:03]} 36. Ra7 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Re1 {[%emt 0:02:
43]} 37. Rb7 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Rd1 {[%emt 0:03:08]} 38. Ra7 {[%emt 0:00:25]} Rd6
{[%emt 0:00:06]} 39. Kf3 {[%emt 0:02:23]} Kg7 {[%emt 0:02:04]} 40. Ke3 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 41. Rb7 {[%emt 0:03:08]} Rd1 {[%emt 0:04:
22]} 42. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:47]} Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 43. Ra7 {[%emt 0:08:45]} Re8
{[%emt 0:01:03]} 44. Kd3 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Re7 {[%emt 0:00:30]} 45. Ra5 {
[%emt 0:00:45]} Rd7+ {[%emt 0:00:16]} 46. Ke3 {[%emt 0:00:28]} Rd1 {[%emt 0:01:
28]} 47. Ra7 {[%emt 0:01:24]} Rc1 {[%emt 0:04:14]} 48. Rb7 {[%emt 0:01:33]}
Rc3+ {[%emt 0:02:34]} 49. Ke4 {[%emt 0:01:35]} g5 {[%emt 0:00:48]} 50. hxg5+ {
[%emt 0:04:21]} Nxg5+ {[%emt 0:00:11]} 51. Kd5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:
00:15]} 52. Ke4 {[%emt 0:04:25]} Ng5+ {[%emt 0:03:59]} 53. Kd5 {[%emt 0:00:05]}
Rf3 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 54. Kxc5 {[%emt 0:00:28]} Rxf2 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 55. Rxb4 {
[%emt 0:00:32]} Rg2 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 56. Bd5 {[%emt 0:02:08]} Rxg3 {[%emt 0:00:
27] Les chances de gain des Noirs sont assez limitées car le Bd5 contrôle la
case de promotion.} 57. Rh4 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Ne6+ {[%emt 0:02:44]} 58. Bxe6 {
[%emt 0:03:58]} fxe6 {[%emt 0:00:41]} 59. Rxh5 {[%emt 0:00:18]} (59. b4 Kg5 60.
Re4 Kf5 61. Rh4 $11) 59... Rxb3 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 60. Kd4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} e5+ {
[%emt 0:00:16]} 61. Rxe5 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Rb4+ {[%emt 0:00:07]} 62. Kc5 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} Rb5+ {[%emt 0:00:07]} 63. Kxb5 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Kxe5 {[%emt 0:
00:04]} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Tal Memorial 7th"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.06.12"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2835"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[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"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. Nbd2 Bc5 {An interesting idea that was used by Adams against Hunt last
year, and was picked up by Aronian who used it to beat Karjakin earlier this
year in Wijk Aan Zee. The idea is that the bishop is out of the pawn chain,
doing something productive.} 10. Nc4 d6 11. Bg5 {New. White immediately pins
the knight which has no comfortable way of being defended.} h6 12. Bh4 Bg4 13.
Ne3 Bxf3 14. gxf3 $5 {This strange move hopes to capitalize on the light
square weaknesses left by Black's next move.} (14. Qxf3 Nd4 15. Qd1 Nxb3 16.
cxb3 g5 17. Bg3 {looks acceptable for Black.}) 14... g5 (14... Nd4 15. Ng4 Qc8
$5 {with a complex position.}) 15. Bg3 Nd4 16. Bc4 Nh5 17. c3 bxc3 18. bxc3 Ne6
19. Rb1 Nhg7 20. Bd5 Rc8 21. Kh1 Kh8 22. Rg1 Qf6 23. Bc4 a5 {White has some
obvious drawbacks in his position. His bishop on g3 is slightly worse than
useless and his pawn on f3 is permanently weak. However Black has his issues -
a5 is weak, the g7 knight is not doing much and he lacks a clear plan.} 24. Rb5
h5 $5 {Trying to trap that bishop. This comes with a great amount of risk.} 25.
Rxa5 (25. Bxe6 $1 {A surprising exchange that works due to very concrete
reasons.} fxe6 (25... Nxe6 26. f4 $18 {h5 is hanging and with it the game.}) (
25... Qxe6 26. Bxe5 {is a similar version of the trick but better for White
since the f-file is still closed.}) 26. Bxe5 Qxe5 27. d4 Qf6 28. dxc5 {seems
better for White.}) 25... h4 26. Ng4 Qe7 27. Qf1 {Black can't take the g3
bishop just yet, but he doesn't have to. It won't be saved any time soon.} Ra8
(27... Bb6 28. Rb5 Ra8 29. Qh3 Rxa4 30. Bxe6 Nxe6 31. f4 {is, as many lines,
super messy. But Black is the one who has to be careful now.} exf4 $2 32. Bxh4
{and the rook swings to the attack and wins the game.}) 28. Rxc5 $1 {Another
surprising move! Carlsen sacrifices the exchange for the following tactical
reasons:} dxc5 (28... Nxc5 29. Bxh4 {is 'the point'} Nh5 $13 (29... gxh4 $2 30.
Qc1 {and since the e6-knight was distracted to c5 by the rook sacrifice, the
penetration on h6 is unavoidable and decisive.})) 29. Nxe5 (29. Bxe5 f6 {
and the bishop is still trapped, though White has some resources ... like
going back to g3!} 30. Bg3 (30. Bxe6 $1 Nxe6 31. Nxf6 Rxf6 32. f4 Nxf4 33. Rxg5
Kh7 34. Qd1 $1 {A superb resource.} Rg6 35. Rh5+ Nxh5 36. Qxh5+ $11 {and an
unusual perepetual.}) 30... Nh5 31. Nh6 hxg3 32. fxg3 {White only has a few
pawns for that rook, so It wouldn't be surprising that Black is winning, but
Black has coordination and light square problems to fix first.}) 29... Qf6 30.
Qh3 (30. f4 $5 {The idea is to block the f-file, allowing Nd7.} gxf4 31. Nd7
Qh6 32. Bxh4 Qxh4 33. Nxf8 Rxf8 34. Qg2 {White has obvious compensation for
the missing piece, and probably a little bit more.}) 30... Rxa4 31. Bd5 (31. f4
Nxf4 32. Bxf4 Qxf4 33. Nf3 Rxc4 $1 34. dxc4 f6 {finally leads to material
equality, and the position is quite complicated. Both structures are bad and
it seems that the weak nature of both kings will result in a perpetual.}) 31...
Ra6 32. Bc4 Rd6 33. f4 $1 {A well timed strike. Black must take with the
knight, which means that the bishop on g3 is finally not hanging, and Black's
pieces leave something to be desired.} Nxf4 34. Bxf4 Qxf4 35. Nf3 {Now Black
can't really defend the g5-pawn.} Rg6 36. Rg4 Qc1+ 37. Rg1 Qf4 38. Rg4 Qc1+ 39.
Rg1 Qf4 40. Rg4 Qc1+ {Neither side can improve their position beyond this
repetition. Black must always be defending the g5 pawn and White can't give
Black time to consolidate. A wild game, where every move is difficult to
justify. Overall the players did a fantastic job of navigating through the
treacherous waters and staying afloat. At no point was either side winning.}
1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2015.09.25"]
[Round "5.5"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2762"]
[BlackElo "2736"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[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 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 d6 5. O-O Be7 6. c3 O-O 7. Re1 a6 8. Ba4
b5 9. Bc2 d5 10. Nbd2 d4 11. h3 Nd7 12. Bb3 Bb7 13. Bd5 dxc3 14. bxc3 Bd6 15.
Nb3 Nb6 16. c4 Na4 17. Bd2 Qe7 18. Qc2 {White has a very nice advantage. His
pieces are obviously in better squares, he has targets in Black's pawn
structure and Black doesn't have a good plan.} bxc4 19. dxc4 Bb4 {Black's
pieces are so uncoordinated that White has decisive blow already.} 20. Bxc6 (
20. c5 $1 {The pawn is taboo, but also there is no good way of preventing a3!}
Bxc5 (20... Nxc5 21. Bxc6 Nxb3 22. axb3 Bxc6 23. Qxc6 $18) (20... Rab8 21. a3
Bxd2 22. Nbxd2 Nxc5 23. Rac1 {wins a piece anyway.}) 21. Nxc5 Nxc5 22. Rac1 $18
) 20... Bxc6 21. Bxb4 Qxb4 22. Nxe5 Qd6 23. Nxc6 Qxc6 24. Nd4 Qc5 25. Nb3 Qe5
26. Rad1 {White is up a pawn with a good position, but in such fast time
control anything can happen...} Rfe8 27. Re3 Rab8 28. Rd5 Qb2 29. Qxb2 Nxb2 30.
c5 Nc4 31. Re2 a5 32. Rd4 a4 33. Rxc4 axb3 34. axb3 Rxb3 35. Rd2 Kf8 36. f3 Rb5
{It seems like Mamedyarov is hanging on like a champ. The rook endgame is by
no means easy to win. Black is active and if he can somehow trade off the
c-pawns he will be in great shape to hold a 4v3 draw. However, Mamedyarov
flagged! With this loss he was forced to win the next game.} 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2015.09.21"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2816"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[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 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
Na5 9. Ba2 c5 10. Nc3 Be6 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. Ne2 Nc6 13. Ng3 O-O 14. c3 Qd7 15.
Qe2 Rad8 16. Rd1 d5 17. b4 h6 18. Bd2 Rfe8 19. h3 Bd6 20. Be1 Qc7 21. Rdc1 Qd7
22. bxc5 Bxc5 23. a4 bxa4 24. Rxa4 a5 25. Qa2 Bb6 26. c4 dxe4 27. dxe4 Bc7 28.
c5 Qd3 29. Bc3 Qb5 30. Rb1 Qa6 31. Nd2 Rd3 32. Qc2 Red8 33. Nc4 Qa7 34. Nb6 Qa6
35. Qa2 Rd1+ 36. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 37. Kh2 Kf7 38. Bxa5 Qb5 39. Nc4 (39. Qc4 $1) 39...
Nxa5 40. Nxa5 Qxc5 41. Nb3 $2 (41. Nc4 $11 {Black's structure is bad but he is
very active. Svidler should hold.}) 41... Qc3 42. Ra7 $4 {Probably this move
came with a draw offer. Svidler took it, though he is winning:} (42. Ra7 Qe1
43. Rxc7+ Kg6 {White is getting mated and his knight is trapped. For example:}
44. Nf5 Qg1+ 45. Kg3 Nh5+ 46. Kf3 Rd3+ 47. Ne3 Nf4 {and White will soon be
mated on g2.}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Moscow Aeroflot op-A"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2007.02.20"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Jakovenko, Dmitrij"]
[Black "Akopian, Vladimir Eduardovic"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2691"]
[BlackElo "2700"]
[Annotator "Reeh,O"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2007.02.14"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 117"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Re1
b5 9. Bc2 Re8 10. Nbd2 Bf8 11. Nf1 g6 12. Ng3 Bg7 13. a4 b4 14. a5 bxc3 15.
bxc3 Rb8 16. h3 Bd7 17. Bb3 Rb5 $6 18. Ba4 Rxa5 19. Ra3 $1 {All of a sudden
the rook on a5 is in grave danger! Plötzlich schwebt der Ta5 in großer Gefahr!}
Rc5 20. d4 exd4 21. cxd4 Rb5 22. Bxb5 axb5 $16 23. d5 Ne7 24. Bb2 b4 25. Ra7
Nc8 26. Rb7 Nb6 27. Qc2 Ba4 28. Qc1 b3 29. Qa1 Bd7 30. Bd4 Bc8 31. Rb8 Qe7 32.
Rc1 Nfd7 {[%tqu "En","Black has just attacked the white rook on b8 with 32...
Nfd7. What would you play?","Take care of hanging pieces!","The bishop on g7
is hanging, but the immediate 33.Bxg7 would allow 33...Nxb8 when Black can
still struggle.","b8c8","Of course!  This intermediate capture wins a piece.",
10,"De","Schwarz hat gerade mit 32...Sfd7 den Turm b8 angegriffen. Was würden
Sie spielen?","Man achte auf hängende Figuren!","Der Läufer auf g7 hängt, aber
das sofortige 33.Lxg7 würde 33...Sxb8 erlauben, wonach Schwarz noch strampeln
kann.","b8c8","Natürlich!  Dieses Zwischenschlagen gewinnt eine Figur.",10]}
33. Rxc8 $1 {Winning a piece! Gewinnt eine Figur!} (33. Rxc7 {would be less
forceful due to wäre weniger kraftvoll wegen} Bxd4 34. Qxd4 (34. Nxd4 Qf6)
34... Qd8 $1 {and the double attack on both his rooks forces White to give
back the exchange. und der Doppelangriff auf die weißen Türm zwingt Weiß, die
Qualität zurückzugeben.}) 33... Rxc8 (33... Bxd4 34. Rxe8+ {would cost a full
rook. würde einen vollen Turm kosten.}) 34. Bxg7 $18 Ra8 35. Qd4 f5 36. Bh6 Ra4
37. Qb2 fxe4 38. Nd2 Nc5 {[%tqu "En","White is a piece up, but Black has a
strong b-pawn and threatens ...Nd3. What to do?","Open files and diagonals!",
"In only two moves White will have a passed c-pawn!","c1c5","Correct - White's
d-pawn will become a monster now.",10,"De","Weiß hat eine Figur mehr, doch
Schwarz besitzt einen starken b-Bauern und droht ...Sd3. Was ist zu tun?",
"Öffnen Sie Linien und Diagonalen!","Innerhalb von nur zwei Zügen wird Weiß
einen freien d-Bauern haben!","c1c5","Korrekt - der weiße d-Bauer wird jetzt
zu einem Monster werden.",10]} 39. Rxc5 $1 {Now White's d-pawn will come to
life! Wir machen den Weg frei!} dxc5 {[%tqu "En","Show the point of White's
sacrifice on the previous move.","White can uproot the knight b6, using the
fact that the black queen must defend against the mate threat on g7.","",
"d5d6","Yep!",10,"De","Zeigen Sie die Pointe des weißen Opfers im vorigen Zug.
","Weiß kann den Springer b6 entwurzeln, dank der Tatsache, dass die schwarze
Dame die Mattdrohung auf g7 decken muss.","","d5d6","Jawoll!",10]} 40. d6 $1 {
This pawn move opens the diagonal b3-g8 uprooting the knight b6. Black's queen
can't take due to 41.Qg7++. Dieser Bauernstoß öffnet die Diagonale b3-g8 und
entwurzelt den Springer b6. Die schwarze Dame kann ja wegen 41.Dg7++ nicht
nehmen.} Qf7 (40... cxd6 41. Qxb3+ {and the knight on b6 falls. und der
Springer b6 fällt.}) 41. dxc7 c4 42. Qe5 Ra8 43. Ngxe4 Nd7 44. Qd4 1-0

[Event "Bazna Kings 5th"]
[Site "Medias"]
[Date "2011.06.12"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2776"]
[BlackElo "2815"]
[Annotator "Rogozenco,D"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2011.06.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "ROU"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 143"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2011.07.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 (4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7.
dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 {leads to the Berlin Defence, with a lot of games on
the highest level. In spite of White's efforts, in recent years this opening
variation has proved to be very solid for Black.}) 4... d6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1
O-O 7. c3 a6 8. Ba4 b5 9. Bc2 d5 10. Nbd2 ({Black should worry neither about} 
10. d4 Nxe4 11. Nxe5 Nxe5 12. dxe5 f5) ({nor} 10. exd5 Qxd5) 10... dxe4 11.
dxe4 Be6 {The structure is almost similar and there are few fighting resources.
Ivanchuk goes for an interesting plan to exchange the light-squared bishops.}
12. Bb3 {[%csl Gc1,Re7] White's long-term idea is to prove the superiority of
his dark-squared bishop. But with accurate play Carlsen has no difficulties
neutralising it.} Bxb3 ({Carlsen felt that} 12... Qd7 13. Bxe6 Qxe6 14. Qb3
Qxb3 15. Nxb3 {might be better for White.}) 13. axb3 Qd3 14. b4 {An important
move in White's plan: to free the square b3 for the knight and blockade the
weakness on a6. But Black has some pressure in the centre and a lead in
development, which will allow him to play at some moment a6-a5.} Rfd8 15. Qb3
Qd7 ({As pointed out by Magnus, his original intention} 15... Nd7 {runs into
the strong} 16. Qd5 {when the only move is the somewhat ugly-looking retreat.}
Ndb8 {Then after} 17. Qxd3 Rxd3 18. Kf1 {White can claim an edge in the
endgame.}) 16. Qc2 Qe6 17. Qb3 (17. Nb3 {is answered by} Qc4 {(threatening to
take on b4 with the knight)} 18. Nfd2 (18. Re2 $2 {allows a lovely combination:
} Nxb4 $1 19. cxb4 Qxc2 20. Rxc2 Rd1+ 21. Ne1 Rxe1#) 18... Qe6 19. Nf1 Qc4 {
and White is getting nowhere.}) 17... Qd7 18. Qc2 Qe6 {By playing 19.Qb3
Ivanchuk could repeat the position and make a quicker draw, but he keeps on
playing. However, the position is just equal.} 19. h3 a5 20. bxa5 Rxa5 21. Rxa5
Nxa5 22. b4 Nb7 23. Qb3 Qxb3 24. Nxb3 Nd7 25. Be3 Nd6 (25... Ra8 $11) 26. Nfd2
(26. Na5 Nxe4 27. Nc6 Re8 28. Bd4 exd4 29. Rxe4 {doesn't work in view of} dxc3
$1 {(Ivanchuk) .}) 26... Ra8 27. Kf1 f6 28. Ke2 Kf7 29. Kd3 Ke6 30. f3 Ra2 31.
Ra1 Rxa1 32. Nxa1 Nb7 33. Nab3 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 3rd"]
[Site "Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2015.02.04"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Baramidze, David"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2738"]
[BlackElo "2594"]
[Annotator "Roiz,M"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2015.02.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Re1
b5 9. Bc2 {This retreat is definitely the best attempt to pose Black any
problems.} (9. Bb3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 {leads to a well-known theoretical position,
which is quite safe for Black.}) 9... d5 10. Nbd2 dxe4 ({The more ambitious} 
10... d4 {was successfully employed by Levon Aronian, but after} 11. a4 {
Black is under some pressure.}) 11. dxe4 {This symmetrical structure doesn't
guarantee an easy equality, since the q-side pawns chain is compromised.} Be6
12. a4 {Immediately admitting the main drawback of Black's position.} Bc5 $146
{This novelty doesn't help Black to solve his problems.} (12... b4 {looks like
a concession, as White gets control over the c4-square:} 13. Qe2 Qc8 14. Nc4
Nd7 15. a5 f6 16. Ne3 b3 17. Bb1 $14 {1-0 (49) Movsesian,S (2698)-Almasi,Z 
(2713)/Istanbul TUR 2012}) ({It looks like the best way to handle this
position is delivering the queen to b7:} 12... Qc8 $5 13. Qe2 Qb7 14. b4 Rfd8 (
14... Nh5 $5) 15. axb5 axb5 16. Rxa8 Rxa8 {Black had good chances for equality
in 1-0 (32) Movsesian,S (2699)-Matlakov,M (2665)/St Petersburg RUS 2012.}) 13.
Qe2 Ba7 {This awkward move is the best way to maintain the pressure.} ({
As in the above-mentioned note,} 13... b4 {helps White to extend his
initiative on the queenside:} 14. Nc4 Nd7 (14... Ng4 15. Rf1 $14) 15. a5 $14)
14. h3 $1 {This prophylactic move is almost always useful for White in the Ruy
Lopez.} ({After} 14. axb5 axb5 15. Qxb5 Ng4 16. Rxa7 Nxa7 17. Qe2 Qd6 18. h3
Nf6 {White would have sufficient compensation, but hardly more.}) 14... Nh5 ({
Passive defence doesn't suit David:} 14... Qb8 15. Ng5 Bd7 16. Nf1 h6 17. Nf3
$14) 15. Nf1 Qf6 $6 ({The following simplifications should still suit Michael
Adams, but it was much better for Black:} 15... Bc4 16. Qd1 Qxd1 (16... b4 17.
Ne3 Bxe3 18. Bxe3 bxc3 19. bxc3 $14) 17. Bxd1 Nf4 18. Bxf4 exf4 19. N1d2 Be6
20. b4 $14) 16. Bd3 $2 {For some reasons, Michael deviates from opening up the
a-file, though there is no way Black could profit from it.} (16. axb5 axb5 17.
Bd3 $1 ({There is no reason to enter into wild complications after} 17. Qxb5
Bxh3 18. Bg5 Qg6 19. Ba4 Bxg2 20. Kxg2 Nf4+ 21. Kh1 Nh3 {,though it also
should be in White's favoure.}) 17... b4 (17... Bxf2+ 18. Qxf2 Rxa1 19. Bg5
Rxe1 20. Bxf6 Rxf1+ 21. Bxf1 Nxf6 22. Bxb5 $18) 18. Bb5 Bd7 19. Rd1 $16) 16...
Ne7 $2 {This move is connected with a tactical blunder.} ({David Baramidze has
missed a golden opportunity to activate all his pieces at the cost of 1 pawn:} 
16... b4 $1 17. Bxa6 ({Nor does White gets anything special after} 17. a5 Rfb8
18. Bc4 bxc3 19. bxc3 Bxc4 20. Qxc4 Qe6 21. Qxe6 fxe6 22. Be3 Bxe3 23. Nxe3 Rb5
$11) 17... bxc3 18. bxc3 Na5 19. Rb1 h6 20. Bd3 Rfd8 $44) 17. axb5 axb5 (17...
h6 {was also hopeless:} 18. Rxa6 Bb6 19. Be3 $18 {and White is just 2 pawns up.
}) 18. Rxa7 $1 ({The text move is much stronger than} 18. Bxb5 h6 19. Be3 c6
20. Bd3 Bxe3 21. Qxe3 Nf4 $14) 18... Rxa7 19. Bg5 Qg6 20. Qe3 $1 {[%csl Ra7,
Re5,Re7] Perhaps, this quiet move was overlooked by David. Unfortunately for
him, Black cannot avoid a massive loss of material.} f6 21. Qxa7 fxg5 {Black
has too many weaknesses now. White's main task is to prevent any possible
counterplay along the f-file.} 22. Nxe5 (22. Qxc7 Nf4 23. Bxb5 g4 24. hxg4 Qxg4
25. Ne3 Nh3+ 26. Kf1 Qh4 27. Re2 $18) 22... Qf6 23. Ng4 $6 {This inaccuracy
makes the g6-square vacant for the Ne7, so Black gets more chances for
counterplay.} ({A much simpler way was} 23. Qc5 Nf4 24. Bxb5 c6 25. Ba6 Neg6
26. Nxg6 Qxg6 27. b4 g4 28. h4 $18 {and Black is unable to create any threats.}
) 23... Bxg4 24. hxg4 Nf4 $6 (24... Nc6 {was stronger:} 25. Qe3 (25. Qc5 Ne5
26. Bxb5 Nf4 27. Ng3 Ne6 28. Qa7 Kh8 $16) 25... Ne5 26. Bxb5 Nf4 27. Be2 Qe6
28. Ng3 g6 {with definite practical chances for a draw.}) 25. Bxb5 Nxg2 $2 {
This desperate attempt to complicate matters leads to an immediate loss.} ({
Much more resistant was} 25... Neg6 26. Nh2 Ne5 27. Bf1 h6 28. Rd1 {and White
still needs to play precisely in order to neutralise the activity of Black's
pieces and convert his material advantage.}) 26. Kxg2 Ng6 27. Nh2 Nf4+ 28. Kh1
{Now everything is under control. The remaining few moves were just an agony.}
Nh3 29. Qe3 Nxf2+ 30. Kg2 Qe5 31. Bc4+ 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup 5th"]
[Site "Saint Louis"]
[Date "2017.08.04"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2791"]
[BlackElo "2749"]
[Annotator "Roiz,M"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2017.08.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
Na5 9. Ba2 c5 10. Nc3 Be6 11. Nh4 ({Previously, Maxim has sucessfully employed
} 11. Bg5 O-O 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. Nd5 Nc6 ({Possibly,} 13... g6 $5 14. c3 Bg7 15.
Ne3 c4 $132 {offers Black an adequate counterplay.}) 14. a4 g6 15. c3 Bg7 16.
Ne3 b4 17. a5 bxc3 18. bxc3 Nxa5 19. Bxe6 fxe6 20. Qa4 Nb7 21. Rfb1 $36 {
Vachier Lagrave,M - Piorun,K Caleta ENG 2017}) ({There is the quite harmless} 
11. Nd5 Nxd5 12. Bxd5 Bxd5 13. exd5 O-O 14. b4 Nb7 15. c3 Qc7 16. Re1 f5 $132 {
Anand,V -Adams,M Baden-Baden GER 2013}) 11... O-O 12. Nf5 Nc6 13. Nd5 $1 $146 {
An ambitious continuation, which provoked Black to exchange the light-squared
bishop.} (13. Bg5 Bxa2 14. Rxa2 Ne8 15. Be3 Bg5 16. Nd5 (16. Qg4 $5 Bxe3 17.
fxe3 g6 18. Raa1 Kh8 19. Nh4 $14) 16... Bxe3 17. Nfxe3 Nf6 $11 {Hovhannisyan,R
- Piorun,K Gjakova KOS 2016}) (13. Ne3 Nd7 14. Ncd5 Bg5 15. g3 Bxe3 16. Bxe3
Kh8 17. b4 Ne7 18. Nxe7 Qxe7 $11 {Timofeev,A - Matlakov,M Sochi RUS 2016})
13... Bxf5 14. exf5 Nxd5 15. Bxd5 Rc8 {At the moment, White has full control
over the light squares. On the other hand, the unfavourable change of pawn
structure makes it hard to make use of the bishop pair.} 16. a4 $1 {Since
Black's rook has left its initial spot, it definitely makes sense to open the
a-file.} ({A less promising try was} 16. Qh5 Bf6 17. g4 h6 18. Kh1 (18. h4 Bxh4
19. Bxh6 gxh6 20. Qg6+ Kh8 21. Qxh6+ Kg8 22. Qg6+ Kh8 $11) 18... Bg5 19. Be3
Qf6 $132) 16... Bf6 ({Hardly better was} 16... b4 17. Be3 Bf6 18. c4 bxc3 (
18... Ne7 19. Be4 d5 20. cxd5 Nxd5 21. Qb3 Nxe3 22. fxe3 $14) 19. bxc3 Ne7 20.
Bb7 Rc7 21. Bxa6 Nxf5 22. Bd2 $14 {, and White's bishops would support the
passer.}) 17. axb5 axb5 18. c4 $1 {There is a deep strategic idea behind this
move - the stability in the centre favours White, who has a clear attacking
plan on the k-side. At the same time, the d4-spot still doesn't fully belong
to Black's knight.} ({The alternatives were much weaker:} 18. g4 Bg5 19. Be3
Bxe3 20. fxe3 Qg5 21. Qe2 Ne7 22. Bg2 d5 $132) (18. Be3 Nb4 19. Bf3 d5 20. c3
d4 $1 {is by no means worse for Black.}) 18... bxc4 $6 {Opening-up the d-file
would expose the d6-pawn and invite fresh troubles.} ({However, White would be
better in other cases too:} 18... Nd4 19. Qh5 Qe7 20. Ra2 h6 21. Be4 $14) ({Or
} 18... Qd7 19. Qh5 Ne7 20. Be4 d5 21. cxd5 Nxd5 22. Qf3 Rfd8 23. Bd2 $14) 19.
dxc4 Bg5 (19... Nd4 20. Qh5 Nb3 21. Ra6 Nxc1 22. Rxc1 $16) 20. Be3 Kh8 ({
The difference in the effectivity of the bishops is well illustrated in the
following line:} 20... Nd4 $2 21. Bxd4 $1 exd4 (21... cxd4 22. b4 Qd7 23. Qf3
$18) 22. f4 Bf6 23. g4 h6 24. Ra3 $1 Qd7 25. g5 hxg5 26. Rh3 $18 {with a
decisive attack.}) ({Nor does Black's position look attractive after} 20... h6
21. Ra6 Nd4 22. Qg4 $16) 21. Qh5 h6 $2 {Peter is trying to change the
unfavourable course of the game, but Black doesn't get any compensation for
the pawn.} ({The lesser evil was} 21... Bxe3 22. fxe3 f6 23. Rfd1 $1 Qb6 24.
Qf3 Nb4 25. Be4 Rfd8 26. g4 $16 {Black's position lacks any adequate ideas,
whereas White has a clear attacking plan.}) 22. Bxf7 Nd4 23. h4 ({Another
decent way of handling the position was} 23. Bxd4 cxd4 24. b4 $1 e4 25. Be6 Rb8
26. b5 e3 27. fxe3 dxe3 28. Qe2 $18 {, and the b-passer should secure a win.})
23... Bxe3 (23... Qe7 24. hxg5 Qxf7 25. Qxf7 Rxf7 26. g4 hxg5 27. Kg2 Kg8 28.
Rh1 {should be winning for White, though the technical task might not be easy.}
) 24. fxe3 Qf6 25. Ra7 ({There was no reason for rejecting the natural} 25. Bg6
Nc2 26. Rac1 Nxe3 27. Rf3 {, trapping the knight. The play might continue:}
Nxc4 28. Rxc4 d5 29. Rc2 e4 30. Re3 Rb8 31. Qe2 $18 {Despite the powerful
central passers, Black's position is completely hopeless.}) 25... Ne2+ 26. Qxe2
({Another possibility was} 26. Kh2 e4 27. Qxe2 Rxf7 28. Rxf7 Qxf7 29. Qg4 Qxc4
30. f6 $18) 26... Rxf7 27. Rxf7 Qxf7 28. Qg4 {White is a pawn up in a better
position.} (28. g4 $1 {was simpler:} Qf6 29. g5 hxg5 30. Qh5+ Qh6 31. Qxg5 Rb8
32. Rf2 Rb3 33. Re2 Rb4 34. Rc2 Rb3 35. Kf2 $18) 28... Rb8 29. Ra1 $1 Qf6 30.
Qe4 (30. Qg6 Qe7 31. h5 $18) 30... Kh7 {Despite some inaccuracies, White's
position is still winning. Unfortunately, Maxim is committing a blunder and
spoiling all the advantage.} ({The pawn was untouchable:} 30... Rxb2 31. Ra8+
Kh7 32. g4 $18) 31. Ra2 $2 ({The correct move was} 31. h5 $1 Rxb2 32. Ra8 d5 (
32... Rd2 33. Kh2 Rb2 34. Kh3 $18) 33. Qg4 Qg5 34. Qxg5 hxg5 35. cxd5 Rd2 36.
g4 Rxd5 37. Kf2 $18 {, and the resulting rook endgame is completely hopeless
for Black - there are too many weaknesees.}) 31... h5 $1 {Now Black's king is
much safer! It turns out, that there is no way to keep the extra pawn.} 32. Kh2
({The best practical chance was:} 32. g3 Rf8 33. Ra6 Qxf5 34. Qxf5+ Rxf5 35.
Rxd6 Rf3 36. Kg2 Rxe3 37. Rd5 {, but even then after} g5 $1 38. Rxc5 (38. hxg5
Re2+ 39. Kf3 Rxb2 40. Rxc5 Rc2 $11) 38... gxh4 39. gxh4 Kg6 40. b4 Kf5 41. b5
Rb3 42. Rc6 Kf4 {Black is obtaining sufficient counter-play.}) 32... d5 $1 {
Now Black is safe.} 33. Qxd5 (33. cxd5 Rb4 34. Qf3 Qxh4+ 35. Qh3 Qg5 $11) 33...
Qxh4+ 34. Kg1 Qe1+ 35. Kh2 Qh4+ 36. Kg1 Qe1+ 37. Kh2 Qxe3 {The character of
play has drastically changed, so Peter pushes for more.} 38. Qf7 {The simplest.
Now the game ends.} Qf4+ 39. Kh1 Qh4+ 40. Kg1 Qe1+ 41. Kh2 Qh4+ 42. Kg1 Qd4+
43. Kh1 1/2-1/2

[Event "Gashimov Memorial-B 1st"]
[Site "Shamkir"]
[Date "2014.04.24"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Safarli, Eltaj"]
[Black "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2656"]
[BlackElo "2732"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "170"]
[EventDate "2014.03.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/7200:20/3600:900+30"]
[WhiteClock "0:59:26"]
[BlackClock "0:56:56"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:03]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:02]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 4. Ba4 {[%emt 0:00:
08]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:14]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 6. d3 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:46]} 7. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:38]
} 8. a4 {[%emt 0:00:29]} b4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} 9. Nbd2 {[%emt 0:01:07]} (9. h3 d6
10. Nbd2 Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. c3 Nc6 13. Nc4 h6 14. Ne3 Rb8 15. Nd5 Be6 16. Bd2
Bxd5 17. Bxd5 Nxd5 18. exd5 Na5 19. Re1 f5 20. Nh2 bxc3 21. Bxc3 Nb3 22. Ra3
Qb6 23. Nf1 Qb7 24. Ne3 Nd4 25. Qh5 Bg5 26. Qd1 f4 27. Nc4 Qxd5 28. Bxd4 Qxd4
29. Re4 Qd5 30. Qg4 Rfd8 31. a5 Rb5 32. Ra1 Qf7 33. Rae1 Qd7 34. Qd1 Qf5 35.
Qa4 Bf6 36. Na3 Rxb2 37. Qc6 d5 {0-1 (37) Naiditsch,A (2710)-Karjakin,S (2782)
Kiev 2013}) 9... Bc5 {[%emt 0:02:11]} 10. Nc4 {[%emt 0:00:54]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:
06]} 11. h3 {[%emt 0:03:20]} h6 {[%emt 0:05:04]} 12. c3 {[%emt 0:09:06]} Rb8 {
[%emt 0:12:12]} 13. a5 {[%emt 0:27:05]} bxc3 {[%emt 0:13:10]} 14. bxc3 {
[%emt 0:00:05]} Be6 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 15. Be3 $146 {[%emt 0:11:18]} (15. Ba4
Bxc4 16. Bxc6 Bb5 17. Bxb5 Rxb5 18. d4 exd4 19. cxd4 Bb4 20. Bd2 c5 21. e5 dxe5
22. dxe5 Ne4 23. Be3 Qxd1 24. Rfxd1 Bxa5 25. Rdc1 Rfb8 26. Kh2 Bc3 27. Rxa6 Re8
28. Rc6 Bxe5+ 29. Nxe5 Rxe5 30. f3 Ng5 31. R6xc5 Nxf3+ 32. gxf3 Rb2+ 33. R5c2
Rxc2+ 34. Rxc2 Rxe3 35. Kg3 Kh7 36. h4 Kg6 37. Rc5 Kf6 38. Rc7 Re7 39. Rc5 Re5
40. Rc7 Kg6 41. Kg4 Kf6 42. Rc6+ Re6 43. Rc7 g6 44. Ra7 Rd6 {Kobalia,M (2651)
-Jakovenko,D (2713) Khanty-Mansiysk 2013 1/2-1/2 (65)}) 15... Bxe3 {[%emt 0:02:
12]} 16. fxe3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:18:58]} 17. Qc2 {[%emt 0:06:50]}
Ng6 {[%emt 0:01:40]} 18. Rfb1 {[%emt 0:11:48]} Qe7 {[%emt 0:04:41]} 19. Ba2 {
[%emt 0:03:58]} Rb5 {[%emt 0:06:08]} 20. Ncd2 {[%emt 0:02:00]} Rfb8 {[%emt 0:
01:58]} 21. Bxe6 {[%emt 0:00:22]} Qxe6 {[%emt 0:03:14]} 22. c4 {[%emt 0:00:51]}
Rxb1+ {[%emt 0:01:49]} 23. Rxb1 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Qe8 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 24. Rxb8
{[%emt 0:05:27]} Qxb8 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 25. Qb3 {[%emt 0:00:15]} Qxb3 {[%emt 0:
03:19]} 26. Nxb3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 27. Nfd2 {[%emt 0:02:43]}
Nf8 {[%emt 0:03:13]} 28. Nb1 {[%emt 0:01:45]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:00:29]} 29. Nc3 {
[%emt 0:00:12]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:07:36]} 30. Nd5 {[%emt 0:04:34]} Ng8 {[%emt 0:00:
10]} 31. Kf2 {[%emt 0:02:44]} Ne7 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 32. Ke2 {[%emt 0:07:44]} Nc6
{[%emt 0:01:44]} 33. Kd2 {[%emt 0:00:13]} g6 {[%emt 0:07:38]} 34. Nb6 {[%emt 0:
05:51]} Ke8 {[%emt 0:02:34]} 35. Nc8 {[%emt 0:00:31]} Kd7 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 36.
Nb6+ {[%emt 0:00:03]} Kd8 {[%emt 0:01:06]} 37. Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:47]} h5 {
[%emt 0:00:25]} 38. Nf6 {[%emt 0:01:24]} Ke7 {[%emt 0:04:49]} 39. Nd5+ {
[%emt 0:00:21]} Kf8 {[%emt 0:00:22]} 40. Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ned8 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} 41. Nc7 {[%emt 0:05:57]} (41. Kd2) 41... Ke7 {[%emt 0:10:53]} 42. d4 {
[%emt 0:19:28]} exd4 {[%emt 0:04:20]} 43. exd4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:
00:49]} 44. Nxa6 {[%emt 0:00:32]} Ne6 {[%emt 0:00:36]} 45. g3 {[%emt 0:02:33]}
Kf6 {[%emt 0:05:26]} 46. Kd3 {[%emt 0:07:29]} Ke5 {[%emt 0:05:21]} 47. h4 {
[%emt 0:01:10]} f5 {[%emt 0:24:19]} 48. exf5 {[%emt 0:00:48]} Kxf5 {[%emt 0:03:
05]} 49. Ke2 {[%emt 0:02:31]} Kg4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 50. Kf2 {[%emt 0:01:04]} Kh3
{[%emt 0:02:26]} 51. Kf3 {[%emt 0:01:19]} d3 {[%emt 0:02:20]} 52. Nd2 {[%emt 0:
01:33]} Nxa5 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 53. Nb4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nc5 {[%emt 0:01:30]} 54.
Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:27]} Nab3 {[%emt 0:02:35]} 55. Nxb3 {[%emt 0:08:25]} Nxb3 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} 56. Nf4+ {[%emt 0:00:05]} Kh2 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 57. Nxd3 {
[%emt 0:05:34]} Nd2+ {[%emt 0:00:04]} 58. Ke3 {[%emt 0:02:04]} Nxc4+ {[%emt 0:
02:51]} 59. Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:13]} Kh3 {[%emt 0:00:55]} 60. Nf4+ {[%emt 0:00:00]}
Kg4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 61. Nxg6 {[%emt 0:01:51]} Nd2 {[%emt 0:00:00] We join the
game at a point where it is very much equal. White can maintian equality if he
just moves his knight to h8 or even to e7. As things turn out, White blunders
and gives Black chances for a win.} 62. Ke3 $2 {[%emt 0:06:32]} (62. Nh8 $1 {
[%csl Rd6][%cal Gh8f7] The knight intends to come to f7 and attack the d6 pawn
in order for it advance so that the knight gets the e5 square.} Ne4+ 63. Ke3
Nxg3 64. Nf7 $1 d5 65. Kd4 Kxh4 66. Kxd5 Kg4 {The thing that is different from
the game is that the white knight is better placed and Black is a tempo behind.
} 67. Ne5+ Kf4 68. Ng6+ Kg5 69. Ne5 Kf5 70. Kd4 h4 (70... Ne2+ 71. Ke3) 71. Nf3
h3 72. Ke3 $11) (62. Ne7) 62... Nf1+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} 63. Ke4 {[%emt 0:00:08]}
Nxg3+ $19 {[%emt 0:00:00] Surprisingly Black is winning this game. The reasons
for that are the following: the white knight is poorly placed on g6, it
doesn't have the e5 square. Black will gain a tempo when he will take Nh4. You
can see how little things affect the result of this ending.} 64. Kd5 {[%emt 0:
00:07]} Nf5 {[%emt 0:00:46]} 65. Ke4 {[%emt 0:00:08]} d5+ {[%emt 0:05:01]
Sagar Shah: '!' Sagar Shah: 'Deflecting the white king.'} (65... Nxh4 $2 66.
Nf4 $11 {White would be very happy!}) 66. Kxd5 {[%emt 0:01:04]} Nxh4 {[%emt 0:
00:05]} 67. Ne5+ {[%emt 0:03:32]} Kf4 $1 {[%emt 0:00:04] Shouldering the white
king.} 68. Ke6 {[%emt 0:00:57]} (68. Nd3+ Kg3 $19 {The king is best placed
from the knight two squares away on the same file or rank.}) 68... Nf3 $1 {
[%emt 0:01:03]} 69. Ng6+ {[%emt 0:00:15]} Kg5 {[%emt 0:00:11]} 70. Kf7 {
[%emt 0:00:09] How should Black progress now? The knight must be dislodged
from g6. For that we must bring our knight to f4.'} Nd4 {[%emt 0:06:00] Sagar
Shah: '!'} 71. Kg7 {[%emt 0:01:25]} Ne6+ {[%emt 0:00:08]} 72. Kf7 {[%emt 0:00:
14]} Nf4 {[%emt 0:03:18]} 73. Ne5 {[%emt 0:00:22]} Kf5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} (73...
h4 $2 74. Nf3+ $11 {Haste makes waste.}) 74. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:33]} Kg4 {[%emt 0:
00:08]} (74... Ke4 75. Nh4 $11) 75. Ne5+ {[%emt 0:00:35]} Kg3 {[%emt 0:00:03]
Another rule in the knight ending. The black king is best placed one square
away from an opposing knight on a diagonal. From e5, it will take three moves
for the white knight to check the black king.'} 76. Kf6 {[%emt 0:00:08]} h4 {
[%emt 0:00:04] Sagar Shah: 'The pawn finally starts moving! Eltaj must have
really felt helpless.'} 77. Kg5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} h3 {[%emt 0:00:44]} 78. Ng4 {
[%emt 0:00:04] Sagar Shah: 'Now the final trick is to distract the knight from
g4.'} Ne6+ {[%emt 0:01:53]} (78... Nd3 79. Kf5 Nf2 80. Ne3 Kf3 81. Nf1 Kg2 82.
Ne3+ Kg1 $19 {Just like in the last case this would have been the fastest way
to win. You can spot the pattern how the knight came to f4 to distract white
knight from g6 and now to f2, and then the king goes to one square away from
the knight diagonally.}) 79. Kh5 {[%emt 0:00:36]} Nf4+ {[%emt 0:03:03]} 80. Kg5
{[%emt 0:00:02]} Ng6 {[%emt 0:00:35]} 81. Ne3 {[%emt 0:01:04]} Kf2 {[%emt 0:01:
12]} 82. Ng4+ {[%emt 0:00:27]} Kf3 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 83. Nh2+ {[%emt 0:02:21]}
Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 84. Ng4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Ne5 $1 {[%emt 0:00:10] The final
distraction.} 85. Ne3+ {[%emt 0:00:29]} Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:17] A beautiful
endgame effort by Eljanov which enforces the endgame truth that knights really
struggle with the rook pawns.} 0-1

[Event "Abu Dhabi op 23rd"]
[Site "Abu Dhabi"]
[Date "2015.08.23"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Almasi, Zoltan"]
[Black "Rohan, Ahuja"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2700"]
[BlackElo "2389"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[EventDate "2015.08.23"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2016"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.10.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.10.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteClock "0:02:54"]
[BlackClock "0:02:35"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4
Bd7 9. c3 O-O 10. Bc2 b4 11. Nbd2 Rb8 12. Re1 h6 13. h3 Re8 14. d4 bxc3 15.
bxc3 exd4 16. cxd4 Nb4 17. Bb1 d5 18. e5 Nh7 19. Nf1 Nf8 20. Be3 Ne6 21. Ng3 c5
22. Nf5 cxd4 23. N3xd4 Nxd4 24. Bxd4 Bxf5 25. Bxf5 Nc6 26. e6 fxe6 27. Bxe6+
Kh8 28. Rc1 Nxd4 29. Qxd4 Bf6 30. Qxd5 Qxd5 31. Bxd5 Rxe1+ 32. Rxe1 a5 33. g3
Rd8 34. Bc4 h5 35. h4 Kh7 36. Re6 Rd2 37. Be2 Kg6 38. Kf1 Ra2 39. Bb5 Kf5 40.
Bd7 Ra1+ 41. Kg2 Bd4 42. Ra6+ Ke5 43. Rxa5+ Kd6 44. Be8 Ke7 45. Bxh5 Ra2 46.
Rf5 Rxa4 47. Rf4 Rb4 48. Re4+ Kd6 49. Bf7 Kc5 50. f4 Rb2+ 51. Kh3 Rb1 52. Re6
Rh1+ 53. Kg4 Rg1 54. Rg6 Bf2 55. Kf3 Bd4 56. h5 Rh1 57. Kg4 Bf6 {Diagram [#]
White with his two extra pawns should of course be winning but opposite
coloured bishop endings can often be tricky. Almasi finds a very simple and
straight forward way to break his opponent's blockade.} 58. Rxf6 $1 {Not very
difficult to find for a player of Almasi's calibre.} gxf6 59. Kf5 Rh3 60. Kxf6
(60. g4 Rf3 61. h6 Rh3 62. Bh5 $18 {was also winning.}) 60... Rxg3 61. h6 Rh3
62. Kg7 Kd4 63. Bg6 Ra3 (63... Ke3 64. f5 $18 {and the h-pawn queens.}) 64. h7
Ra7+ 65. Bf7 Ra8 66. Bg8 Ra7+ 67. Kg6 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.20"]
[Round "6.2"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 4. Ba4 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:00]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 6. d3 {
[%emt 0:00:22] Once the e4-pawn is defended, Black has to be careful about his
e5-pawn. The threat now is Bxc6 and Nxe5.} b5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 7. Bb3 {[%emt 0:
00:08]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:05] Once the e5-pawn is defended, White has to be
careful about ...Na5, winning his important Ruy Lopez bishop. It's small
points like these that help you to remember complex long lines in the opening.}
8. a3 {[%emt 0:00:13]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:07]} 9. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Bg4 $5 {
[%emt 0:00:05] This came as a big surprise to MVL. The main reason being Levon
has reached this position seven times and six times he has played ...Na5. On
the one occasion where he didn't play ...Na5, he had gone for ...Be6. I like
this move because it is very direct and has a clear threat - ...Nd4!?} (9...
Na5 10. Ba2 Be6 {is one of the main lines.}) (9... Be6 $5 {is also possible.})
10. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:39]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 11. Bxd4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} exd4 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} 12. Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nxd5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} (12... Nd7 {
has been played in 50 games.} 13. h3 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 c6 15. Nxe7+ (15. Nf4 {
is also possible.}) 15... Qxe7 16. Qg3 $36 {With f4 coming up, White can hope
for a slight initiative here. Aronian himself played from the white side of
this position with a good result.} Nc5 17. Ba2 a5 18. f4 Rab8 19. Qf2 Na4 20.
Rab1 c5 21. e5 dxe5 22. fxe5 Qxe5 23. Bxf7+ Kh8 24. Rbe1 Qc7 25. Re4 Nxb2 26.
Qf5 h6 27. Re6 Rb6 28. Bg6 Rg8 29. Re8 Rf6 30. Rxg8+ Kxg8 31. Qd5+ Kf8 32. Re1
{1-0 (32) Aronian,L (2784)-Kovalev,V (2546) Berlin GER 2015}) (12... c5 13. h3
Be6 14. Nf4 Bxb3 15. cxb3 {[%cal Gb3b4] with an interesting and complex
position.}) 13. Bxd5 {[%emt 0:01:02]} (13. exd5 $6 {It looks a bit odd to
block your own bishop} f5 (13... Bf6 $11) 14. h3 Bh5 15. Re1 Bf6 $15 {[%cal
Gg7g5] Black has an edge, the idea of g5-g4 is strong. Moreover White's bishop
is not participating in the game.}) 13... Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:09] The importance
of this move will become clear very soon.} (13... Rb8 {was also possible but
White is better in that case after} 14. a4 $5 $14) 14. h3 {[%emt 0:00:09]} (14.
Bb7 $6 Rb8 15. Bxa6 $4 {and the pawn on a6 is taboo.} Rb6 $19) ({When I saw
this first game of the MVL-Aronian match, I felt like this line was already
dead for White. Because everything seemed just so forced. This was the only
spot where White could improve instead of playing h3. And this MVL did in the
third game!} 14. Bc6 $5 {Not to say that this move gives White an edge, but it
keeps more possibilities in the position.} Bf6 15. a4 Bd7 (15... Rb8 16. axb5
axb5 17. Ra7 Rb6 18. Bd5 c6 19. Bb3 Qb8 20. Ra5 Qb7 21. h3 Bxf3 22. Qxf3 Ra6
23. Rxa6 Qxa6 24. Qg3 c5 25. Bd5 $16 {White got this beautifully placed bishop
on d5.}) 16. Bxd7 Qxd7 17. Qd2 Qc6 18. b3 Rfe8 19. Rfe1 Qc5 20. g4 b4 21. Re2
c6 22. Rae1 g6 23. Kg2 Re6 24. h4 Rce8 25. Ng5 R6e7 26. f4 {1-0 (64) Vachier
Lagrave,M (2804)-Aronian,L (2802) Tbilisi GEO 2017}) 14... Bd7 $1 {[%emt 0:00:
05] Keeping the bishop and controlling the important c6-square.} (14... Bxf3
15. Qxf3 $14 {[%csl Gf7] In this opposite coloured bishop endgame, White would
be happy to press for many moves, thanks to his superior bishop.}) 15. Nxd4 {
[%emt 0:09:57]} c6 $1 {[%emt 0:00:06] Now you can see the usefulness of having
the rook on c8.} 16. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:51]} Bf6 {[%emt 0:00:06] The bishop
attacks the knight and it cannot move as the b2-pawn is left hanging.} 17. c3 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} Bxd4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 18. cxd4 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Qf6 {[%emt 0:
00:04] There is no way the d4-pawn can be defended.} 19. Qd2 {[%emt 0:03:35]
Maxime made this move and offered a draw, which was accepted by Levon. I think
this was a very successful opening innovation by Aronian.} (19. d5 Qxb2 {
White risks being worse here.}) (19. Qd2 Qxd4 20. a4 c5 21. axb5 axb5 22. Qc3
Qxc3 23. bxc3 Ra8 $11) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2016.03.27"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2794"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "231"]
[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. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 {Two games in a row for Caruana against the Ruy
Lopez. These days it is normal to expect the Berlin starting with 3...Nf6. But
Svidler and Aronian both preferred the standard Ruy Lopez.} 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O
Be7 6. d3 {Caruana plays the 6.d3 variation, the same as he did against Levon
Aronian in the previous round.} b5 7. Bb3 d6 {Threatening ...Na5 to win the
b3-bishop now that the e5-pawn is defended.} ({Aronian's} 7... O-O {was met by
8.Nc3 in the previous round.}) 8. a4 Bd7 9. c3 O-O 10. Bc2 b4 11. Re1 Re8 12.
Nbd2 {Leko-Caruana and Karjakin-Aronian are the two main games that reached
this position.} Bf8 $146 {The first new move of the game. But definitely not
prepared at home. Both the players were taking quite a lot of time to make
their moves.} (12... Na5 {had been previously played.} 13. d4 (13. cxb4 Nc6 {
and the b4-pawn falls}) 13... Bf8 14. h3 h6 15. Bd3 bxc3 16. bxc3 c5 17. d5 Qc7
18. Nc4 Nxc4 19. Bxc4 Reb8 20. Nd2 $14 {1-0 (45) Leko,P (2735)-Caruana,F (2781)
Wijk aan Zee 2013}) (12... Rb8 {has also been played.} 13. Nf1 Bf8 14. Bg5 h6
15. Bh4 Be7 16. h3 Nh7 17. Bg3 Ng5 18. N1d2 Bf6 19. a5 bxc3 20. bxc3 Na7 $11 {
1-0 (61) Karjakin,S (2775)-Aronian,L (2815) Beijing 2012}) 13. a5 g6 14. Bb3 (
14. d4 bxc3 15. bxc3 exd4 16. cxd4 Bg7 {is what Black is looking forward to.})
14... Be6 15. Ba4 Bd7 16. Nf1 {Caruana isn't interested in going d4
immediately. Instead he tries to strengthen his position with Ne3.} (16. Bxc6
Bxc6 17. cxb4 {wins a pawn but after} Rb8 {it is difficult to hold on to the
extra pawn.} 18. Qb3 d5 19. exd5 Qxd5 $1 20. Qxd5 Nxd5 21. Nxe5 f6 22. Nef3
Nxb4 $17 {with excellent play.}) 16... h6 {Although Bg5 wasn't such a huge
threat, Svidler prevents it.} 17. Ng3 {At first sight this move looks pretty
illogical as the knight on g3 is sort of dominated by the pawn on g6. The
knight could have been placed better on e3. However, White's idea now would
surely be to break in the centre with d4.} (17. Ne3 {with ideas of going to d5
and c4 looks natural.}) 17... bxc3 18. bxc3 Bg7 19. h3 {Caruana is taking it
slow. He wants to maintain maximum pressure in the position before committing
to anything.} (19. d4 {was of course possible. An illustrative line would go
something like} exd4 20. cxd4 Rb8 21. Bd2 Nb4 22. Bb3 c5 23. Bf4 {[%cal Gf4b8]}
Bb5 $1 {A very nice positional exchange sacrifice.} 24. dxc5 dxc5 25. Bxb8 Qxb8
{[%cal Gb4d3,Gc5c4]} 26. e5 Ng4 27. e6 f5 $13) 19... d5 $6 {Peter loses his
patience and breaks in the centre but this is exactly what Caruana was looking
for. This completely justifies the placement of the knight on g3 as it gets to
the e4-square.} (19... Rb8 {maintaining the pressure was better.}) 20. exd5
Nxd5 21. Ne4 $1 Nb8 (21... f5 22. Nc5 Nxc3 23. Qb3+ Kh7 24. Qxc3 e4 25. Qd2
exf3 26. Bb2 $18) (21... Nce7 22. Bb3 $16) 22. Bb3 (22. Qb3 {was also possible.
} Bxa4 23. Rxa4 Nf6 24. Nxf6+ Qxf6 25. Rc4 $16) 22... Be6 23. Bd2 $6 ({A very
weird but quite strong move was} 23. Nc5 $5 {sacrificing the c3 pawn.} Nxc3 24.
Nxe6 Rxe6 (24... Nxd1 25. Nxd8 Rxd8 26. Nxe5 $18) 25. Qc2 Nd5 (25... Rc6 26.
Nxe5 Bxe5 27. Rxe5 Qd4 28. Re8+ Kh7 29. Bb2 $18) 26. d4 $1 exd4 27. Rxe6 fxe6
28. Qxg6 $18) (23. Bb2 Nd7 $11) (23. Ra3 Nd7 24. d4 $1 $16) 23... Nd7 $1 {
Black has limited the damage by quite some extent by controlling the c5-square.
} 24. Ba4 (24. Qc2 {with the idea of d3-d4 was better way to proceed.} f5 $6
25. Qa2 $16) 24... f5 $1 25. Ng3 (25. Bxd7 Bxd7 26. Nc5 Bc6 $11) 25... c5 {
Black is already doing completely fine.} 26. Bb3 {Repeatedly moving the bishop
from b3 to a4 and back gains nothing.} (26. Bxd7 Bxd7 27. Qb3 Be6 $15) (26. c4
Nb4 27. Bc3 {putting additional pressure on e5 seems like the right way
forward.} Qc7 28. Qd2 {with a very complex position.}) 26... Qc7 27. h4 N5f6 $1
$11 {Black has a comfortable position.} 28. h5 f4 {The human reaction.} (28...
c4 $1 {was an extremely strong positional move.} 29. Bxc4 (29. dxc4 f4 30. Ne4
Nxe4 31. Rxe4 Nc5 $1 32. Re1 Bg4 $19) 29... Bxc4 30. dxc4 f4 31. Ne4 Nxe4 32.
Rxe4 Nc5 33. Re1 g5 $17 {Black's position is clearly to be preferred.}) 29.
Bxe6+ Rxe6 30. Ne4 Nxh5 31. d4 $5 (31. Qb3 c4 $1 32. dxc4 Kh8 $11) 31... Qc6 $1
{What a cool and calm move. Svidler calculates that all the captures lead to
an inferior position and just maintains the tension. He now has the threat of
taking exd4 and at the same time has prevented d4-d5.} (31... cxd4 $2 32. Qb3
$1 Qc6 33. cxd4 exd4 34. Rac1 $16) (31... exd4 $6 32. cxd4 Rae8 (32... c4 33.
Rc1 $16) 33. Nxc5 Rxe1+ 34. Bxe1 Nxc5 35. Rc1 $1 Rd8 36. Bb4 Kh7 37. Bxc5 $16)
32. Qb3 c4 $1 33. Qa4 Qd5 $1 {After a series of accurate moves Black is now
clearly better.} 34. Rad1 Rae8 $2 {A bad mistake by Svidler which changes the
evaluation of the position by 180 degrees.} (34... Rf8 $1 {Not an easy move to
find but this rook had to be brought into the game and the most natural square
is e8. However, Re8 fails tactically and hence Rf8 is the best move.} 35. dxe5
Nxe5 36. Nxe5 Rxe5 $17 37. Bxf4 $2 Rxe4 $1 38. Rxd5 Rxe1+ 39. Kh2 Rxf4 $19) (
34... exd4 $6 35. cxd4 Rxe4 36. Rxe4 Qxe4 37. Qxd7 $14) (34... Qb5 $5 35. Qa2
$13 (35. Qxb5 axb5 $17)) (34... Rc8 $5 {is also not bad.}) 35. dxe5 Nxe5 36.
Nxe5 (36. Bxf4 Nd3 $1 $19) 36... Rxe5 (36... Qxe5 37. Qxc4 $16) (36... Bxe5 37.
Bxf4 Qb5 38. Qxb5 axb5 39. Bxe5 Rxe5 40. f3 $18) 37. Bxf4 $1 Qb5 (37... Rxe4
38. Qxe8+ $1 {This is the move which Svidler saw just in the nick of time. Or
else he would have had to resign!} Rxe8 39. Rxe8+ Kf7 40. Rxd5 $18) 38. Qxb5
Rxb5 39. Bd6 {White is better now as the bishop will sit on b4 defending both
the pawns, while the black pawns on a6 and c4 would be weak.} Kh8 (39... Rxa5
$2 40. g4 $18 {[%cal Ge4f6]}) 40. g4 Nf6 41. Nxf6 Rxe1+ 42. Rxe1 Bxf6 43. Re8+
Kg7 44. Bb4 $16 Re5 45. Rc8 Re6 46. Rc7+ Kg8 47. Rxc4 $16 {Caruana is a pawn
up but as the game shows, the conversion into a win is not at all easy.
However, Svidler was quite depressed at this point, because he had blown a
clearly better position. From this point onwards he began to play quickly and
not really think much about what his opponent would do. He began to just
respond.} h5 48. Kg2 Kf7 49. Rc5 (49. gxh5 gxh5 {the passed h-pawn gives some
counterplay.}) (49. Rc7+ $145 $1 Ke8 50. gxh5 gxh5 51. f4 {is Kasimdzhanov's
proposal in his video.}) 49... hxg4 50. Rc7+ Ke8 51. Rc4 Kd7 52. Rxg4 Be5 53.
c4 Bc7 54. Kf3 Rf6+ 55. Ke3 Re6+ 56. Kd3 Rf6 57. Ke3 Re6+ 58. Kd3 Rf6 59. Rg5
Rxf2 60. Rxg6 Rf3+ 61. Kc2 Rf5 62. Rxa6 {White has won a second pawn but the
a5-pawn will soon fall.} Kc8 63. Kd3 Rh5 64. c5 Kb7 65. Rg6 Bxa5 {Svidler is
ready to defend the rook+bishop vs rook endgame.} 66. Bxa5 Rxc5 {The notorius
bishop+rook vs rook. Svidler defends this well for a while but soon goes
astray.} 67. Bb4 Rc6 68. Bd6 Kc8 69. Kd4 Rb6 70. Kd5 Rb7 71. Rg8+ Kd7 72. Bc5
Kc7 73. Rg6 Kd7 74. Rh6 Kc7 75. Rc6+ Kd7 76. Bb6 Ke8 77. Bd4 Kd7 78. Rd6+ Kc8
79. Ke6 Kc7 80. Ra6 Rb5 81. Ra1 Kc6 82. Rc1+ Kb7 83. Kd6 Ka6 84. Rc6+ Ka5 85.
Bc5 Rb7 86. Kd5 Kb5 87. Bd6 Ka4 88. Ra6+ Kb5 89. Ra1 Kb6 90. Rc1 Kb5 91. Rc6
Ka4 92. Bc5 Kb5 93. Rd6 Ka4 94. Kc6 Rb8 95. Rd3 Rc8+ 96. Kd5 Rd8+ 97. Bd6 Rc8
98. Ra3+ Kb5 99. Rb3+ Ka4 100. Rb4+ Ka5 101. Bc5 Rh8 102. Rb7 Ka4 $2 (102...
Ka6 {is the easiest way to draw} 103. Rb2 Rd8+ 104. Kc4 Rc8 $11) 103. Kc4 $1 {
This is the Philidor position and everything is in place. But can White win
within 116 moves? (The fifty move rule). Svidler said during the game that he
wanted to get up and sit adjacent to his board because that is the way he had
studied this endgame. Sitting at the place where he was did not give the
orientation of the board and pieces when he had worked on this endgame at
home! Peter has asked many players if it is possible to get up and view the
board from the side, but he has not yet received a conclusive answer!} Rh4+
104. Bd4 Rh5 {The enemy rook is already on the first rank so it is time to
take the rook from one side to the other.} 105. Bf2 $2 {This is incorrect. The
right way to remember it is the bishop should be defended by the rook. So you
should play Bf2 when your rook is on b2.} (105. Rb2 $1 Rh3 (105... Ka3 106. Re2
$1 {Threatening a check on c5.} Rh4 107. Re6 Ka2 108. Re1 {and it is game over}
) 106. Bf2 $1 {The rook defends the bishop and the bishop controls the
h4-square. This is the ideal formation.} Rf3 {Once the rook has been forced to
an inferior square on the third rank it is time to improve your bishop with a
tempo.} (106... Ka3 107. Re2 Ka4 108. Re7 Rh5 109. Be1 Ka3 110. Bc3 Rh4+ 111.
Bd4 Ka2 112. Re1 $18) 107. Bc5 Rf4+ 108. Bd4 Rf3 109. Rb4+ $1 {This check is
crucial.} Ka3 (109... Ka5 110. Rb7 {is immediate curtains.}) 110. Rb6 Ka2 111.
Rb2+ $1 {An important intermediate check.} Ka3 112. Re2 {Threatening Bc5+.
Keep an eye on the move counter - it is still not 116 moves!} Ka4 113. Be3 $1 {
Blocking the rook.} Ka3 114. Bc5+ Ka4 115. Ra2+ Ra3 116. Rxa3# {And wins on
exactly the 50th move! This analysis proves that Caruana not only
theoretically had a winning position, but if he made all the accurate moves
then he would have won the game within the 50 moves rule.}) 105... Rg5 {
The rook moves to a better square.} 106. Rh7 $2 {A crucial waste of time.} (
106. Bd4 {transposing back to Philidor is theoretically winning but now it is
impossible to win in 50 moves!}) 106... Rg4+ (106... Rb5) 107. Bd4 Rg5 108. Rh8
Rb5 109. Ra8+ Ra5 110. Rb8 Rh5 111. Bf6 $2 (111. Rb2 {as shown above was the
right way but it is already too late now.}) 111... Ka5 $1 {The king escapes
from the net.} 112. Bc3+ Ka6 113. Bd4 Rh6 114. Be3 Re6 115. Rb3 Rc6+ 116. Kd5 {
So many twists and turns! Just like a Hollywood movie!} 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Tbilisi"]
[Date "2017.09.21"]
[Round "6.3"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2804"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[EventDate "2017.09.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 181"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "1500+10"]

1. e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} e5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nc6 {
[%emt 0:00:04]} 3. Bb5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} a6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 4. Ba4 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 5. O-O {[%emt 0:00:01]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 6. d3 {
[%emt 0:00:02]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 7. Bb3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:02]}
8. a3 {[%emt 0:00:03]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:02]} 9. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Bg4 {
[%emt 0:00:02]} 10. Be3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Nd4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 11. Bxd4 {
[%emt 0:00:01]} exd4 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 12. Nd5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Nxd5 {[%emt 0:
00:02]} 13. Bxd5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rc8 {[%emt 0:00:02] The players repeat all
their moves from the second classical game of yesterday.} 14. Bc6 $5 {[%emt 0:
00:02] This move was played by Alina Kaslinskaya and this move is in my
opinion the only way in which White can deviate from what happened yesterday
and not be dead equal.} Bf6 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 15. a4 {[%emt 0:00:26]} Bd7 {
[%emt 0:00:03]} (15... Rb8 {is also possible.}) 16. Bxd7 {[%emt 0:00:48]} Qxd7
{[%emt 0:00:02]} 17. Qd2 {[%emt 0:00:18]} Qc6 {[%emt 0:01:07]} 18. b3 {[%emt 0:
01:39] I think Maxime has analysed this position in great depth, not move by
move, but by understanding the plans in the position. He realizes that his
knight is much more flexible and will use his kingside pawns to storm Black's
kingside. But first he must stabilise the queenside.} Rfe8 {[%emt 0:00:54]} 19.
Rfe1 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Qc5 {[%emt 0:01:28]} 20. g4 $5 {[%emt 0:02:17] The start
of a nice kingside pawn offensive.} b4 {[%emt 0:00:54]} 21. Re2 {[%emt 0:01:43]
} c6 {[%emt 0:01:27]} 22. Rae1 {[%emt 0:00:34]} g6 {[%emt 0:03:59]} 23. h4 Re6
24. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:39]} Rce8 {[%emt 0:02:08]} 25. Ng5 {[%emt 0:01:22]} R6e7 {
[%emt 0:00:45]} 26. f4 {[%emt 0:00:14] White is just building up the pressure.}
a5 {[%emt 0:00:04]} 27. Nf3 $6 {[%emt 0:03:48]} (27. Kh1 $14 {Getting ready to
transfer the rook to the h-file and later play h5 was much better.}) 27... h5
$1 {[%emt 0:00:10]} ({If Black makes a wasted move White's idea is} 27... Kh8
28. h5 $1 gxh5 29. g5 $16) 28. g5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 29. Rf1
{[%emt 0:00:04]} Qa7 {[%emt 0:00:41]} 30. Qe1 {[%emt 0:00:07]} c5 $6 {[%emt 0:
01:55] This is a crucial waste of time.} (30... Qd7 $1 31. Qg3 d5 32. e5 c5 $11
) (30... d5 $1 31. e5 Qd7 32. Qg3 c5 $11) 31. Qg3 {[%emt 0:00:58]} Qd7 {
[%emt 0:00:40]} 32. Qh3 $1 {[%emt 0:00:24] Now there is no ...d5.} Qc6 {
[%emt 0:01:50]} (32... Qxh3+ 33. Kxh3 {White will break through with f5 at
some point which will give him the advantage.} d5 34. Nd2 $16) 33. f5 {[%emt 0:
02:32]} Ra7 {[%emt 0:02:51]} (33... d5 $1 34. Nd2 dxe4 35. Nxe4 c4 $1 36. bxc4
Rxe4 37. Rxe4 Rxe4 38. dxe4 Qxe4+ 39. Qf3 Qxc2+ 40. Rf2 Qxc4 $13) 34. Nd2 {
[%emt 0:02:37]} Rc7 {[%emt 0:00:49]} 35. Qf3 {[%emt 0:00:34]} Ra7 {[%emt 0:02:
40]} 36. Rfe1 {[%emt 0:01:14]} Qc7 {[%emt 0:01:05]} 37. Nc4 {[%emt 0:00:41]}
Be5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 38. Rf1 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Qd8 {[%emt 0:00:19]} 39. Ref2 {
[%emt 0:00:37]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:28]} 40. Qf4 {[%emt 0:00:35]} Rd7 {[%emt 0:00:
17]} 41. Kg1 {[%emt 0:00:33]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:38]} 42. Qg3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Kg8
{[%emt 0:00:20]} 43. Rf3 {[%emt 0:00:15]} d5 {[%emt 0:01:54]} 44. exd5 {
[%emt 0:00:14]} Rxd5 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 45. f6 {[%emt 0:00:24]} Bf8 {[%emt 0:00:
03]} 46. Re1 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Rxe1+ {[%emt 0:01:05]} 47. Qxe1 {[%emt 0:00:02]}
Bd6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 48. Qe4 {[%emt 0:00:23]} Bc7 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 49. Rf2 {
[%emt 0:00:08]} Qd7 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 50. Re2 {[%emt 0:00:16]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:
12]} 51. Qg2 $6 {[%emt 0:00:29]} (51. Qf3) 51... Qf5 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 52. Re4 {
[%emt 0:01:28]} Rd7 {[%emt 0:00:18]} 53. Qf1 $1 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Qd5 {[%emt 0:
00:06]} 54. Qf3 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Qb7 {[%emt 0:00:12]} 55. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:23]}
Qc8 {[%emt 0:00:02]} 56. Qe2 {[%emt 0:00:05]} Qb7 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 57. Kg1 {
[%emt 0:00:02]} Qd5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 58. Ne5 {[%emt 0:01:00]} Bxe5 {[%emt 0:00:
14]} 59. Rxe5 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Qd6 {[%emt 0:00:09]} 60. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:11]}
Rd8 {[%emt 0:00:14]} 61. Qe4 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Rd7 {[%emt 0:00:10]} 62. Re7 {
[%emt 0:00:17]} Qc7 {[%emt 0:00:07]} 63. Kh3 {[%emt 0:00:49]} Qc8 {[%emt 0:00:
04]} 64. Qe6 {[%emt 0:00:20] An excellent game by Maxime Vachier Lagrave} 1-0

[Event "Berlin International"]
[Site "Berlin"]
[Date "1920.12.06"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Spielmann, Rudolf"]
[Black "Reti, Richard"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[Annotator "Schluricke,R"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "1920.12.04"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2015"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Be7 6. O-O b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4
b4 9. Nd5 Na5 10. d4 Nxb3 11. cxb3 Nxd5 12. exd5 e4 13. Nd2 Bb7 14. f3 exf3 15.
Qxf3 O-O 16. Nc4 Bf6 17. Be3 a5 18. Rac1 Qb8 19. Qg3 Kh8 20. Rf5 Qe8 21. Qf3
Qe7 22. Rf1 Rae8 23. g4 Ba6 24. Bf2 Qe4 25. Qd1 Bc8 26. Re1 Bxf5 27. Rxe4 Bxe4
28. Qd2 Bxd5 29. g5 Bd8 30. Nxa5 f6 31. g6 f5 32. h4 Re6 33. gxh7 f4 34. Nc4
Rg6+ 35. Kf1 Rg2 36. Qd3 Rxf2+ 37. Kxf2 Bxh4+ 38. Kg1 f3 39. Nd2 f2+ 40. Kh2
Bg5 41. Nf1 Rf3 42. Qb5 Bf4+ 43. Kg2 Rg3+ 44. Kxf2 Rg2+ 45. Ke1 Bf3 46. Qd3 Bh5
47. Qe4 Rxb2 48. Qe6 Kxh7 49. Qf5+ g6 50. Qf7+ Kh8 (50... Kh6 $4 51. Qxf4+ $18)
51. Qf8+ (51. Qxf4 $4 Re2+ 52. Kd1 Rf2+ $19) 51... Kh7 52. Qf7+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Terrassa"]
[Site "Terrassa"]
[Date "1991.??.??"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Romanishin, Oleg M"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[BlackElo "2600"]
[Annotator "Schussler,H"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "1991.05.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "12"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 024"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1991.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1991.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d4 exd4 7. Re1 (7. e5
Ne4 8. Nxd4 O-O 9. Nf5 d5 10. Bxc6 bxc6 11. Nxe7+ Qxe7 12. Re1 {12. - f5!? 
(Yusupov).} Re8 13. f3 Nd6 $13) 7... b5 8. Bb3 (8. e5 Nxe5 $1 9. Rxe5 d6 10.
Re1 bxa4 11. Nxd4 Bd7 12. Qf3 O-O 13. Nc6 Bxc6 14. Qxc6 d5 $10 {
Nicholson-Hjartarson, London 1986.}) 8... d6 9. Bd5 Bb7 (9... Nxd5 $5 10. exd5
Ne5 11. Nxd4 O-O $10) (9... Bd7 10. Nxd4 Nxd5 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. exd5 Bb7 {
This transposes to the game.}) 10. Nxd4 Nxd5 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. exd5 Bb7 13. a4
Qd7 $1 (13... O-O 14. axb5 axb5 15. Rxa8 Bxa8 16. Qe2 Bf6 17. Qxb5 c6 18. dxc6
Qc8 $14 {Black has some compensation for the sacrificed pawn,
Nicholson-Hawksworth, England 1986.}) 14. axb5 axb5 15. Rxa8+ Bxa8 16. Nc3 O-O
17. Qe2 Bd8 $1 $10 (17... Bf6 18. Qxb5 Qxb5 19. Nxb5 Bxd5 20. Nxc7 $14) 18. Qd3
b4 19. Nd1 c5 20. dxc6 Qxc6 21. f3 h6 22. Be3 Bf6 23. Bd4 Bxd4+ 24. Qxd4 Qxc2
25. Qxb4 Qc5+ 26. Qxc5 dxc5 27. Kf2 Rd8 28. Nc3 Bc6 29. Re5 Rb8 30. Rxc5
1/2-1/2

[Event "Bayamo"]
[Site "Bayamo"]
[Date "1990.??.??"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Zapata, Alonso"]
[Black "Borges Matos, Juan R"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2480"]
[BlackElo "2500"]
[Annotator "Schussler,H"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "1990.04.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "CUB"]
[EventCategory "8"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 018"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1990.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1990.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 b5 8. e5
Nd5 9. Bb3 Nb6 10. c3 O-O 11. Nxd4 Nxd4 12. Qxd4 d6 13. exd6 Bxd6 14. Bf4 Re8
15. Nd2 Bb7 16. Bxd6 Qxd6 17. Qxd6 cxd6 18. Nf1 Rxe1 19. Rxe1 Kf8 20. Ne3 Rd8
21. f3 d5 22. Nf5 Nc4 23. Re2 Bc8 24. Nd4 Re8 25. Bxc4 dxc4 26. Kf2 Rxe2+ 27.
Nxe2 Ke7 28. Ke3 Kd6 29. Kd4 g6 30. h4 Bd7 31. Ng3 f5 32. Ne2 Bc6 33. Nf4 Be8
34. a4 Bf7 35. a5 Bg8 36. g4 Bf7 37. g5 Bg8 38. h5 Bf7 39. h6 Bg8 40. Ng2 Bd5
41. Nh4 Bf7 42. Ng2 Bd5 43. Ne3 Be6 44. Nc2 Bd5 45. Nb4 Bxf3 46. Nxa6 Bb7 47.
Nc5 Bc6 48. a6 Bd5 49. a7 Ba8 50. b3 cxb3 51. Nxb3 f4 52. Kd3 Ke5 53. Nc1 f3
54. Ke3 f2 55. Kxf2 b4 56. Ne2 {56.cxb4!} bxc3 57. Nxc3 Kf4 58. Nb5 Kxg5 59.
Nc7 Bb7 60. a8=Q Bxa8 61. Nxa8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Interzonal-15"]
[Site "Manila"]
[Date "1990.??.??"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Tal, Mihail"]
[Black "Miles, Anthony John"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2580"]
[BlackElo "2595"]
[Annotator "Schussler,H"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "1990.06.29"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "PHI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 019"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1990.12.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1990.12.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. O-O a6 6. Ba4 Be7 7. Re1 O-O 8. e5
Nd5 (8... Ne8 9. c3 dxc3 10. Nxc3 d6 11. exd6 cxd6 12. Nd5 $13) 9. Nxd4 Nb6 10.
Bb3 Nxd4 11. Qxd4 d5 12. exd6 Qxd6 {This line is considered good for White due
to the move Tal now plays.} 13. Qe4 Bd8 14. Nc3 Bd7 15. Bf4 Qg6 16. Qxg6 hxg6
17. Rad1 Bc6 18. f3 Rc8 19. Ne4 Bh4 20. g3 Be7 21. Bg5 Bd8 22. Bxd8 1/2-1/2

[Event "Interzonal-15"]
[Site "Manila"]
[Date "1990.??.??"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Zapata, Alonso"]
[Black "El Taher, Fouad"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2545"]
[BlackElo "2375"]
[Annotator "Schussler,H"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[EventDate "1990.06.29"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "PHI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 019"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1990.12.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1990.12.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 b5 8. e5
Nxe5 9. Rxe5 d6 10. Re1 bxa4 11. Nxd4 Bd7 12. Qf3 O-O 13. Nc6 Bxc6 14. Qxc6 Nd7
15. Nc3 (15. Qxa4 Bf6 16. Nc3 Nc5 17. Qc4 Rb8 18. b3 Nd7 19. Bd2 {Draw agreed
Perez-Unzicker, Madrid 1957.}) 15... Bf6 16. Nxa4 Ne5 17. Qd5 Qe8 18. Re4 $14
Qd7 19. Bf4 Rab8 20. Rae1 Ng6 21. b3 Rb5 22. Qd3 d5 23. Bg3 Qc6 24. R4e2 h5 25.
h3 h4 26. Bh2 Rb4 27. Qf3 Qd7 28. Nc5 Qc6 29. Nd3 Rb6 30. Rd1 Rd8 31. Ne1 Bc3
32. Qf5 Re8 33. Rxe8+ Qxe8 34. Nf3 c6 35. Qd3 Bf6 36. c4 dxc4 37. Qxc4 Rb5 38.
Rc1 Rd5 39. Qxa6 Bb2 40. Re1 Qd7 41. Qe2 Bf6 42. Qe8+ Qxe8 43. Rxe8+ Kh7 44.
Re4 c5 45. Kf1 Rd1+ 46. Re1 Rd7 47. Rc1 Ra7 48. Rc2 Be7 49. Ke2 Nf8 50. Bf4 Ne6
51. Be3 Ra6 52. Kd3 g5 53. Ke4 f6 54. g4 Kg6 55. Ne1 Nf4 56. Bxf4 Re6+ 57. Kf3
Rxe1 58. Rc1 Re6 59. Be3 Ra6 60. Rc2 Kf7 61. Ke4 Ke6 62. f4 gxf4 63. Bxf4 Ra3
1-0

[Event "Match/Nation YUG-URS"]
[Site "Zagreb"]
[Date "1958.06.22"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Keres, Paul"]
[Black "Gligoric, Svetozar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[Annotator "Shipov,S"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "1958.06.22"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "4"]
[EventCountry "CRO"]
[SourceTitle "MCL"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.07.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Nc3 (6. Re1) 6... b5 (
6... d6 $5 7. Bxc6+ bxc6 8. d4 Nd7 9. dxe5 dxe5 $132 {^^/}) 7. Bb3 d6 {/\ Na5/}
8. Nd5 Bb7 9. Nxf6+ (9. Nxe7 $5 Qxe7 10. d3 Na5 11. Nh4 g6 12. f4 Nxb3 13. axb3
Nxe4 $1 14. Nf3 Nc5 15. fxe5 dxe5 16. d4 $1 Ne4 17. dxe5 Qc5+ (17... O-O $142 {
/\ f6/}) 18. Qd4 $14 {Keres,P-Smejkal,J/Tallinn/1971/1:0/38/}) 9... Bxf6 10.
Bd5 Qc8 11. Re1 (11. c3 O-O 12. d4 Na5 $1 13. Bxb7 Qxb7 14. Qc2 (14. Re1 $5)
14... exd4 15. cxd4 c5 $1 $132 {Sanguinetti,R-Panno,O/Mar del Plata/1958/0,5/
68/}) 11... O-O 12. c3 Ne7 (12... Na5 $142 13. Bxb7 Qxb7 14. d4 c5) 13. Bb3 $1
c5 14. d4 Qc7 15. a4 $1 Bc6 16. axb5 axb5 17. Rxa8 Rxa8 $2 {>< f7/} (17... Bxa8
18. h3 $14) 18. Bg5 $1 c4 (18... Bxg5 $2 19. Nxg5 c4 20. Qh5 $1 cxb3 $2 21.
Qxf7+ Kh8 22. Ne6 $18) 19. Bxf6 gxf6 20. Bc2 $16 {|^ >>/} Ng6 21. h4 $1 Kh8 22.
g3 (22. h5 $2 Nf4 23. Nh4 Rg8 24. g3 Rg5 $1 $13) 22... Rg8 23. Kh2 Qd7 {
/\ Bb7-c8/} 24. Nd2 Bb7 (24... d5 25. Qf3 Qe6 26. exd5 Bxd5 27. Be4 $16) 25.
Qf3 Qe6 (25... Kg7 26. h5 Ne7 27. h6+ $40) (25... Qe7 26. Nf1 $16) 26. d5 Qe7
27. Ra1 $1 Ra8 28. Rxa8+ Bxa8 29. b3 $1 {>< c4,b5/} cxb3 30. Nxb3 Kg7 31. h5
Nf8 32. Bd3 Qd7 33. Qe2 (33. h6+ Kxh6 34. Qxf6+ Ng6 35. Be2 {/\ g4/} Qe7 36.
Qxe7 Nxe7 37. Bxb5 $18) 33... f5 (33... Qc8 34. Bxb5 Qxc3 35. Qg4+ Ng6 (35...
Kh6 36. Qg8 Qxb3 37. Qxf8+ $18) (35... Kh8 36. h6 Ng6 37. Qd7 $1 $18) 36. hxg6
Qxb3 37. gxf7+ Kxf7 38. Qe6+ Kg7 39. Qe7+ $18) 34. Bxb5 Qc8 35. c4 $18 h6 (
35... fxe4 36. Qxe4 f5 37. Qh4 $1 $40) 36. Nd2 Nh7 37. exf5 Nf6 (37... Qxf5
$142 38. Ne4 Nf6) 38. Ne4 (38. g4 $142 $18) 38... Qxf5 39. Nxd6 Ng4+ (39...
Qxh5+ 40. Qxh5 Nxh5 41. Bc6 $1 $18) 40. Kg1 Qxh5 41. f3 Nf6 42. Qe3 $1 1-0

[Event "EU-Cup 29th"]
[Site "Rhodes"]
[Date "2013.10.25"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Navara, David"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2703"]
[BlackElo "2779"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[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 "Novy Bor"]
[BlackTeam "SOCAR"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "CZE"]
[BlackTeamCountry "AZE"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 ({Even the Berlin move} 3... Nf6 {is often met
with} 4. d3 {Nowadays the elite prefers the active reaction} Bc5 (4... d6 5.
O-O Bd7 {allows the Duras setup with} 6. c4 $5 g6 7. Nc3 Bg7 8. Be3 O-O 9. h3
Nb8 $146 (9... Nh5 $5 $13) 10. Qb3 c6 11. Ba4 Qc8 12. Qd1 Na6 13. d4 exd4 14.
Bxd4 Be6 15. Qe2 Re8 16. Rad1 Nc5 17. Bc2 Ncd7 $2 ({Too passive, necessary was
} 17... b5 $142 $1 {/\} 18. cxb5 cxb5 19. Nxb5 (19. Qxb5 Bxh3 20. gxh3 Qxh3 $11
) 19... Ncxe4 20. Bxf6 Bc4 21. Qxe4 Bxb5 22. Qd5 Bxf6 23. Bxg6 hxg6 24. Qxb5
Rb8 25. Qa4 Rxb2 26. Rxd6 Re6 27. Rxe6 Qxe6 28. Qxa7 Rxa2 $14 {/=}) 18. Ng5 Qc7
19. f4 Qa5 20. a3 h6 {Svidler,P (2740)-Andreikin,D (2706)/RUS-ch Nizhnij
Novgorod/2013/} 21. Nxe6 Rxe6 22. Qf2 $16 {[%csl Gc4,Ge4,Gf4][%cal Yb2b4,Yf4f5]
()}) 5. c3 (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 $6 (20. Rg1 $142 $5) 20... Qxa3 21. Rg1
Bxf5 22. gxf5 Bd4 $19 {[%csl Ga4][%cal Ga1g7] Motylev,A (2676)-Kramnik,V (2796)
/RUS-ch Nizhnij Novgorod/2013/}) (5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nbd2 Be6 7. O-O Bd6 8. b3 Nd7
9. Nc4 Bxc4 10. bxc4 O-O 11. Rb1 b6 12. g3 f5 13. exf5 Rxf5 14. Qe2 Nc5 15. Be3
Ne6 16. Nd2 Qf6 17. Qg4 Rf8 18. Ne4 Qf7 19. a4 h5 20. Qe2 Be7 21. a5 Qg6 22.
axb6 axb6 23. Kh1 Rf3 24. Rbe1 Bb4 25. Ra1 Qg4 26. Qd1 Qh3 $132 {Carlsen,M 
(2843)-Aronian,L (2816)/Sao Paulo/Bilbao/2012/}) 5... O-O 6. O-O d6 {Here the
game often gets a Giuoco Piano character, but Black also has to reckon with a
timely Bxc6 swap. Effective top-level examples of such strategy:} 7. Nbd2 a6 8.
Bxc6 bxc6 9. Re1 Re8 10. h3 Bb6 ({Committal is} 10... d5 11. exd5 Qxd5 12. Nb3
Bf8 13. c4 Qd6 14. Be3 Nd7 15. d4 e4 16. Nfd2 a5 17. a4 f5 18. c5 Qg6 $2 (18...
Qe6 $1 $132 {Postny}) 19. Nc4 Nf6 20. Bf4 Nd5 21. Qd2 Be6 22. Nbxa5 Reb8 23.
Ne5 Qf6 24. Bh2 $18 {Carlsen,M (2872)-Grischuk,A (2764)/London Candidates/2013/
For more details see the notes to this game in CBM 154 by Postny.}) 11. Nf1 h6
12. Ng3 (12. Be3 Bxe3 13. Nxe3 c5 14. Qc2 a5 15. Rad1 {Negi,P (2661)-Bok,B 
(2512)/Leiden/2012/} a4 $132 {[%cal Yc8d7,Ya8b8]}) 12... Be6 13. Be3 Bxe3 14.
Rxe3 c5 15. Qc2 Nd7 (15... Bd7 $142 $5 $11 {/+/=}) 16. d4 $1 cxd4 17. cxd4 exd4
18. Nxd4 a5 19. b3 Nc5 20. Rd1 Bd7 21. e5 $1 dxe5 22. Nf3 Nb7 23. Nxe5 $16 {
Svidler,P (2741)-Navara,D (2706)/Prague m/2012/}) 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 {
One of the plausible and fashionable d3 lines, which is currently in the
repertoire of many GMs, starting with Carlsen (see e.g. Carslen-Topalov,
Nanjing 2010).} ({In CBM 157 there is a theoretical article about the
Anti-Marshall line} 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 b4 9. d3 ({The survey deals
also with} 9. d4 {, which was Carlsen's choice against Aronian in St.Louis
2013.})) 6... b5 {While this is the more popular reaction, feasible is also} (
6... d6 {After} 7. c3 (7. c4 {radically prevents b5, but Black can hold his
own after} O-O 8. h3 (8. Nc3 Bg4 9. Be3 Nd4 10. Bxd4 exd4 11. Nd5 c6 12. Nxf6+
Bxf6 13. h3 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 g6 15. Rae1 Bg7 16. Qd1 Qb6 17. Qd2 a5 18. f4 Qb4 19.
Qc2 Qc5 20. Qf2 Rae8 21. Bd1 f5 22. Bf3 Bh6 $132 23. Qh4 Bxf4 $1 24. Qxf4 fxe4
25. Qg3 exf3 26. Rxe8 Rxe8 27. Qxf3 Qf5 28. Qxf5 gxf5 29. Rxf5 Re2 $11 {
Anand,V (2783)-Aronian,L (2813)/Sandnes/2013/}) 8... Nd7 (8... Be6 9. Nc3 Nd7
10. Be3 f5 11. exf5 Bxf5 12. d4 Bf6 13. d5 Na5 $6 14. Nd2 Bd3 15. Qg4 Nb6 16.
Bxb6 cxb6 17. Rfd1 Kh8 18. Nde4 Bxe4 19. Qxe4 g6 20. Bc2 Bg7 21. Bd3 Rf4 22.
Qe2 $16 {[%csl Ra5] Naiditsch,A (2702)-Sokolov,I (2653)/EU-ch Plovdiv/2012/})
9. Be3 Bf6 10. Nc3 Nd4 11. Bxd7 Bxd7 12. Nd5 b5 13. c5 dxc5 14. Rc1 c6 15.
Nxf6+ Qxf6 16. Rxc5 Nxf3+ 17. Qxf3 Qxf3 18. gxf3 Rae8 19. Kh2 f5 20. Rg1 Rf6
21. d4 exd4 22. Bxd4 Rg6 23. Rxg6 hxg6 $11 {Naiditsch,A (2700)-Ponomariov,R 
(2726)/Dortmund/2012/ Here the opposite-coloured bishops are a clear
equalizing factor.}) 7... O-O {there are some transpositional possibilities,
but the game mostly gets a slightly different and independent character, as
after a subsequent ...b5 White already mostly prefers Bc2:} 8. Re1 ({After} 8.
Nbd2 {Black can play} Nd7 $5 {more effectively} (8... b5 9. Bc2 d5 {transposes
to the main line after 10.Re1, but White has also} 10. Qe2 $5 {The chance to
go Rd1 can come in handy especially after a subsequent dxe4.}) 9. Bc2 (9. Re1
Nb6 $5 ({The older} 9... Nc5 {can be met with} 10. Bxc6 $5 (10. Bc2 Ne6 11. Nf1
$11 {/+/=}) 10... bxc6 11. d4 Nd7 $6 (11... exd4 12. cxd4 Nd3 13. Re3 Nf4 $5
14. Nc4 {is perhaps also better for White, but here Black has more counterplay,
than in the game.}) 12. Nc4 exd4 13. cxd4 c5 14. Na5 cxd4 15. Nxd4 Bf6 16. Bf4
Bxd4 17. Qxd4 Qf6 18. Qd2 Rb8 19. b4 $16 {[%csl Rc7,Rd6] Movsesian,S (2659)
-Blatny,P (2486)/AUT-chT/1999/}) 10. Bb3 a5 (10... Kh8 11. d4 exd4 (11... f5 $5
) 12. Nxd4 Bg5 13. N2f3 Bxc1 14. Rxc1 Ne5 15. Nxe5 dxe5 16. Nf5 Qf6 17. Ne3 $14
{Mamedov,R (2647)-Sokolov,I (2667)/Al Ain/2012/}) 11. a4 Kh8 12. d4 exd4 13.
Nxd4 Nxd4 14. cxd4 f5 15. e5 (15. Qe2 $5 fxe4 16. Qxe4 Bf6 17. Nf3 c6 $13 {/+/=
}) 15... dxe5 16. dxe5 Bb4 $132 17. e6 $2 c6 18. Re2 Re8 19. Qc2 Qf6 20. Nc4
Nd5 $15 {Giri,A (2734)-Ivanchuk,V (2733)/Peking/2013/}) (9. d4 Bf6 10. Bxc6
bxc6 11. Re1 c5 12. Nc4 cxd4 13. cxd4 exd4 14. Nxd4 Ne5 15. Ne3 Bb7 16. Nd5 Re8
17. Nf5 Ng6 18. f3 Bxd5 19. Qxd5 Ne7 20. Nxe7+ Qxe7 $11 {Hernandez Guerrero,G 
(2536)-Harikrishna,P (2668)/Merida/2007/}) 9... Nb6 10. d4 $5 (10. Re1 f5 11.
exf5 Bxf5 12. d4 exd4 13. Nxd4 Nxd4 14. cxd4 Bxc2 15. Qxc2 Bf6 16. Qb3+ Kh8 17.
Nf3 a5 (17... Qd7 $5 $11 {[%cal Yd7f5,Yd7f7]}) 18. a4 Qd7 19. Bd2 Qf7 $2 (19...
h6 $142 $13 {[%cal Yd7f7]}) 20. Qxf7 Rxf7 21. Bxa5 $1 Nd5 22. Bd2 $14 {/+/-,
Dominguez Perez,L (2753)-Topalov,V (2771)/ECC Rhodos/2013/}) 10... Bf6 (10...
exd4 11. Nxd4 Nxd4 12. cxd4 f5 13. Bb3+ Kh8 14. e5 f4 15. exd6 Qxd6 16. Re1 f3
$5 17. Nxf3 Bg4 18. Re3 Bh4 19. Qd3 Bxf3 20. Rxf3 Rxf3 21. gxf3 Re8 22. Be3 Nd5
$44 {Karjakin,S (2725)-Carlsen,M (2813)/Nice rpd blindfold/2010/}) 11. d5 Ne7
12. c4 c6 (12... a5 13. b3 Ng6 14. Re1 Be7 15. Rb1 f5 16. exf5 Bxf5 17. Bxf5
Rxf5 18. Ne4 Nd7 19. Be3 b6 20. g3 Ngf8 21. Nfd2 $14 {Salgado Lopez,I (2621)
-Pridorozhni,A (2524)/EU-ch Plovdiv/2012/}) 13. Rb1 Ng6 14. b4 cxd5 15. cxd5
Bd7 16. a4 Rc8 17. a5 Na8 18. Ba4 Be7 19. Qb3 Nf4 20. Bb2 Nc7 21. Bxd7 Qxd7 22.
h3 Nb5 $15 {Efimenko,Z (2689)-Bartel,M (2677)/Lublin/2012/}) 8... b5 9. Bc2 d5
10. Nbd2 d4 $5 ({It's not easy to effectively retain the central tension. This
is the most ambitious response, but more usual is} 10... dxe4 11. dxe4 Be6 (
11... Bc5 12. h3 h6 13. a4 Rb8 14. b4 Bd6 {costs Black a tempo, but the Bd6
supports e5 and White's edge was at best minimal after} 15. Nf1 Ne7 16. Ng3 Be6
17. Be3 Re8 18. Bb3 Qc8 19. Qc2 Ng6 20. Bxe6 Qxe6 21. axb5 axb5 22. Ra6 Ra8 23.
Rea1 Rxa6 24. Rxa6 {/+/=,Smeets,J (2643)-Sokolov,I (2650)/NED-ch Amsterdam/
2013/}) 12. a4 (12. Bb3 Bxb3 13. axb3 Qd3 14. b4 Rfd8 15. Qb3 Qd7 16. Qc2 Qe6
17. Qb3 Qd7 18. Qc2 Qe6 19. h3 a5 20. bxa5 Rxa5 21. Rxa5 Nxa5 22. b4 Nb7 23.
Qb3 Qxb3 24. Nxb3 Nd7 25. Be3 Nd6 26. Nfd2 Ra8 $11 {Ivanchuk,V (2776)-Carlsen,
M (2815)/Medias/2011/}) (12. h3 Nd7 (12... h6 13. Nh2 Nh7 14. Ng4 Bg5 15. Qe2
Qd6 16. Ne3 Rfd8 17. Nf3 Bxe3 18. Qxe3 Qe7 19. Nh2 Nf8 20. Qf3 Rd7 21. Nf1 Nh7
22. Ng3 Rad8 23. Nf5 Qf6 $132 24. g4 $6 Ne7 25. Qg3 Bc4 26. f3 Bd3 27. Bb3 c5
28. Be3 c4 $36 {[%cal Gd8d1] Smyslov,V-Botvinnik,M/Leningrad/Moscow/1941/}) 13.
Nf1 Nc5 14. Ne3 Qxd1 15. Rxd1 f6 16. Nd5 Bd6 17. Be3 Nb7 18. b4 Ne7 19. a4 {
Carlsen,M (2823)-Aronian,L (2807)/Sao Paulo/Bilbao/2011/} Nxd5 $5 20. exd5 Bf7
$132 {[%csl Rd5]}) 12... b4 13. Qe2 Qc8 14. Nc4 Nd7 15. a5 (15. Ng5 Bxg5 16.
Bxg5 Nb6 17. Nd2 bxc3 18. bxc3 Na5 19. Be3 Qd7 20. f4 f6 21. f5 Bf7 22. g4 Qc6
23. g5 Kh8 24. Bd3 Rfd8 $36 {Kamsky,G (2741)-Ivanchuk,V (2768)/WChT Ningbo/
2011/}) 15... f6 (15... Qb7 $142 $5 $13 {Marin}) 16. Ne3 b3 17. Bb1 Bd6 18. Nd5
Bxd5 19. exd5 Ne7 20. Bd3 Qb7 21. Bc4 Nxd5 $6 (21... Kh8 $142 22. Rd1 $14) 22.
Nd4 $1 exd4 23. Qe6+ Kh8 24. Bxd5 c6 25. Qxd6 cxd5 26. cxd4 $16 {[%csl Ra6,Rb3,
Rd5] Movsesian,S (2698)-Almasi,Z (2713)/Istanbul olm/2012/}) 11. h3 {A waiting
move, but more principled is} (11. cxd4 exd4 (11... Nxd4 12. Nxe5 Ng4 $5 13.
Nef3 f5 $44 {is a computer idea.}) 12. e5 $5 (12. a3 Nd7 13. h3 (13. Nf1 Nde5 (
13... a5 $5 14. Bb3 Nc5 15. Bd5 Ra6 16. Qc2 Be6 17. Bxe6 fxe6 18. Bg5 Rxf3 19.
gxf3 Ne5 $36 {Najer,E (2626)-Bruzon Batista,L (2698)/WCup Tromso/2013/}) 14.
Nxe5 Nxe5 15. f4 Ng6 16. Ng3 c5 $13 17. Nf5 Bxf5 18. exf5 Nh4 19. Qg4 Qd7 20.
Bd2 Bf6 21. Bb3 Nxf5 $17 {Efimenko,Z (2682)-Onischuk,A (2684)/Poikovsky/2009/})
13... Nb6 14. Nf1 a5 15. Bb3 a4 16. Ba2 b4 17. axb4 Nxb4 18. Bb1 c5 19. Ng3 Re8
20. Bf4 Be6 21. Bc2 c4 $132 {/=/+,Chirila,I (2528)-Sokolov,I (2650)/Ottawa/
2013/}) 12... Nd5 13. Nb3 Bg4 14. h3 Bh5 15. Bd2 (15. g4 Bg6 16. Nbxd4 Nxd4 17.
Nxd4 Qd7 $13) 15... Ndb4 (15... Qd7 $5 16. Rc1 Rfe8 $13) 16. Bb1 Qd5 17. a3
Bxf3 18. gxf3 Nxe5 19. Rxe5 Qxe5 20. f4 Qf5 21. axb4 Qxh3 22. Nxd4 Bf6 23. Qf3
Qxf3 24. Nxf3 Bxb2 25. Ra2 Bf6 26. Ne5 $36 {[%csl Ra6,Rb5,Rc7] Santamaria
Perez,T (2280)-Vegjeleki,A (2224)/ICCF email/2010/}) 11... Nd7 $5 $146 {
A novelty, Black strives for the positions from the previous note.} (11... Re8
$143 12. cxd4 exd4 13. e5 (13. Nb3 $5) 13... Nd5 14. Nb3 $14 {is a better
version of the previous line}) 12. Nb3 a5 $5 (12... dxc3 13. bxc3 b4 14. Bd2 a5
15. d4 $14) (12... Nb6 13. cxd4 exd4 14. Bf4 $14) 13. a4 $1 (13. cxd4 a4 14.
Nbd2 exd4 15. Nf1 Nde5 16. Nxe5 Nxe5 17. f4 Ng6 $13 {[%csl Rc2][%cal Yc7c5] /=/
+}) 13... bxa4 14. Nbd2 (14. Rxa4 Nb6 15. Ra1 a4 16. Nbd2 Be6 $11) 14... Nc5 (
14... a3 15. Nc4 $5 axb2 16. Bxb2 dxc3 17. Bxc3 $14 {[%csl Ra5,Re5]}) (14...
Nb6 $5) 15. Nc4 (15. Bxa4 Nxa4 16. Qxa4 Bd7 17. Qc2 Qb8 $5 $132 {[%cal Yb8b5]})
15... f6 16. Bxa4 Nxa4 17. Rxa4 dxc3 (17... Be6 $5 18. cxd4 Nxd4 19. Nxd4 Qxd4
20. Be3 (20. Nxa5 Qd7 $11 {[%csl Rd3]}) 20... Qd7 $132 {[%csl Rb2,Rd3,Ge6,Ge7]}
) 18. bxc3 Ba6 19. Qb3 Kh8 20. Rd1 Qb8 21. Qc2 Bb5 22. Ra2 Bxc4 $6 {It's
tempting to split White's pawns, but this activates his pieces and Pa5 will be
vulnerable.} (22... a4 $142 23. Na3 Rd8 $1 24. Nxb5 Qxb5 25. Ba3 Qb3 $1 26.
Bxe7 Qxc2 27. Rxc2 Nxe7 $11) 23. dxc4 Nd8 24. Be3 Ra6 25. Qa4 $6 (25. Rd5 Qa8
26. Qa4 Nc6 (26... Ne6 27. Nd2 {[%csl Ra5]}) 27. Rb2 $36) (25. Rd7 $5 Re8 (
25... Bd6 26. c5 Qc8 27. Rxd8 Rxd8 28. cxd6 cxd6 29. Ra4 $14 {/+/-}) 26. Rd5
$36) 25... Ne6 26. Qb5 (26. Rd5 $6 Qb1+ {[%csl Re4]}) (26. Nd2 $5 $11) 26...
Qa8 27. c5 $2 (27. Rd7 c6 (27... Rb8 $5 28. Qd5 Bf8 $15) 28. Qa4 Bc5 $14) 27...
Rb8 28. Qc4 Qc6 29. Ne1 Nxc5 $17 {Adams,M (2753)-Aronian,L (2795)/Bilbao/2013/}
) 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 Bd7 ({After} 8... b4 9. Nbd2 {White can try to enter the 8.
a4 Anti-Marshall lines without the Re1 move:} Na5 (9... O-O 10. a5 Be6 11. Nc4
Rb8 12. Be3 h6 13. h3 Rb7 (13... Qc8 $142 {see Nepomniachtchi-Melkumyan, EU-ch
Rijeka 2010, annotated in CBM 136.}) 14. Nfd2 Nd7 15. Ba4 Ncb8 $6 16. c3 Bg5
17. d4 Bxe3 18. Nxe3 Nf6 19. Qc2 c5 20. dxe5 dxe5 21. Ndc4 $16 {[%csl Rc5,Re5]
Karjakin,S (2779)-Kotsur,P (2548)/Astana blitz/2012/}) 10. Ba2 O-O 11. c3 $5
Rb8 12. Nc4 Nxc4 13. Bxc4 bxc3 14. bxc3 Qe8 15. Qe2 Bd7 16. Qa2 h6 17. Re1 Bc6
18. h3 Kh8 19. Be3 Nh7 20. Bxa6 f5 21. Qc4 Bd8 22. exf5 Rxf5 23. Bb5 $5 Bxb5
24. axb5 Qxb5 25. Qxb5 Rxb5 26. d4 e4 27. Nd2 d5 28. c4 $36 {Topalov,V (2771)
-Korobov,A (2716)/ECC Rhodos/2013/}) 9. c3 Na5 {Immediate queenside expansion
is rare, but possibly playable. Black usually precedes it with castling} (9...
O-O 10. Nbd2 Na5 11. Bc2 c5 12. Re1 Re8 {This position was already featured in
Caruana's previous practice, but with White. In both cases he was successful:}
13. Nf1 (13. d4 exd4 (13... cxd4 14. cxd4 Nc6 $11 {is fine for Black, Caruana
also pointed out}) (13... Qc7 $5 {with a good version of the Chigorin.}) 14.
cxd4 Bg4 15. h3 Bh5 16. d5 Qc8 17. Nf1 Bd8 18. g4 Bg6 19. Ng3 b4 20. Nh4 b3 21.
Bb1 Nxg4 $2 (21... c4 22. Nhf5 $13 {/+/=}) 22. Nxg6 Nxf2 23. Ne7+ $1 Rxe7 24.
Kxf2 Re5 25. Kg2 c4 26. Nf5 Bf6 27. Qf3 c3 28. Nh6+ Kh8 29. Bd3 Re7 30. e5 $18
{->,Caruana,F (2773)-Aronian,L (2816)/Sao Paulo/Bilbao/2012/}) 13... Nc6 (13...
h6 14. Ne3 Bf8 15. h3 Nc6 16. Nh2 b4 17. Nhg4 Nxg4 18. hxg4 Be7 19. Bb3 Be6 20.
Bd5 Rc8 21. Nf5 Bg5 22. Bc4 Bxc4 23. dxc4 Re6 24. Bxg5 Qxg5 25. Re3 $14 {
Caruana,F (2712)-Jakovenko,D (2716)/Poikovsky/2011/}) 14. Bg5 $5 (14. Ne3 b4 $1
15. h3 Rb8 16. Nc4 $6 ({Safer is} 16. Bd2 $11) 16... Be6 17. Bb3 h6 18. Be3
bxc3 19. bxc3 d5 $5 (19... Qc7 $11 {[%cal Yd6d5] /=/+}) 20. exd5 (20. Ncxe5
$142 Nxe5 21. Nxe5 Rxb3 22. Qxb3 d4 23. Qb7 $5 dxe3 24. Rxe3 $15 {/<=>}) 20...
Nxd5 $15 21. Qc2 $2 e4 $1 22. dxe4 Nxe3 23. Rxe3 Rxb3 24. Qxb3 Na5 25. Nxa5
Bxb3 26. Nxb3 Qb6 27. Nbd2 Qb2 $17 {McShane,L (2713)-Aronian,L (2815)/London/
2012/}) 14... Be6 $5 (14... h6 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Ne3 Ne7 17. Bb3 Rb8 18. axb5
axb5 19. Nd5 Nxd5 20. Bxd5 Be6 21. Bxe6 fxe6 22. Qc2 Ra8 $11 {/+/=,Jakovenko,D
(2741)-Karjakin,S (2775)/Moscow rpd/2012/}) 15. h3 h6 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Ne3 Na5
(17... Ne7 $5 18. Bb3 d5 $132) 18. b4 cxb4 19. cxb4 Nc6 20. Bb3 Nxb4 21. Bxe6
fxe6 22. Qb3 a5 23. axb5 d5 24. Ng4 $14 {[%csl Re5,Re6] Horvath,A (2532)
-Kuljasevic,D (2574)/Mitropa Meissen/2013/}) 10. Bc2 c5 {Consistent.} (10...
O-O 11. d4 Nc6 12. Nbd2 $14 {is pleasant for White.}) 11. d4 Qb8 (11... Nc6 12.
Bg5 (12. dxc5 dxc5 13. Qe2 c4 14. Rd1 O-O 15. Nbd2 Qc7 16. Nf1 Be6 $132) 12...
cxd4 13. cxd4 Bg4 14. dxe5 Nxe5 (14... dxe5 $5) 15. Nbd2 Rc8 16. axb5 axb5 17.
Bb1 O-O 18. h3 Bh5 19. Bf4 Nxf3+ 20. Nxf3 Ra8 21. Rxa8 Qxa8 22. Re1 Rd8 23. Qb3
$14 {Baklan,V (2619)-Gretarsson,H (2512)/Reykjavik/2013/}) 12. Bg5 (12. axb5
axb5 13. b3 Bg4 ({More solid is} 13... O-O $142 $11) 14. Nbd2 cxd4 15. cxd4 O-O
16. h3 Bh5 17. Bb2 Nc6 18. Rxa8 Qxa8 19. Qa1 Bg6 $6 (19... Qb7 $5) 20. dxe5
Qxa1 21. Rxa1 dxe5 22. Bxe5 Rc8 23. Bb2 Bb4 24. Bd3 $16 {Van Kampen,R (2581)
-Melkumyan,H (2656)/Basel/2013/}) 12... h6 13. Bxf6 $146 {Navara doesn't want
to lose a tempo and parts with his bishop-pair instead.} (13. Bh4 Be6 (13...
Bg4 14. dxe5 dxe5 15. h3 Be6 16. Bg3 Nd7 17. Nbd2 O-O 18. Qe2 Nc4 19. Nxc4 Bxc4
20. Bd3 Bxd3 21. Qxd3 Rd8 22. axb5 axb5 23. Rxa8 Qxa8 24. Qxb5 Qxe4 25. Rd1 $16
{[%csl Rc5,Re5] Akopian,V (2684)-Baron,T (2473)/St Petersburg/2013/CB41_2013 
(40)}) 14. Nbd2 (14. dxe5 dxe5 15. Bg3 Nd7 $11 (15... Bd6 $5)) 14... O-O 15. h3
Rc8 16. Bg3 cxd4 17. cxd4 Nh5 $1 18. Bh2 Nf4 19. axb5 axb5 20. Bxf4 exf4 21.
Bd3 Nc4 22. Qe2 Rxa1 23. Rxa1 Bf6 $11 {Ponomariov,R (2742)-Caruana,F (2774)/
Thessaloniki/2013/ In this game Black had no problems at all and it was rather
White who had to tread with care to hold the balance.}) 13... Bxf6 14. dxc5
dxc5 15. Qd5 Nb7 $5 (15... c4 16. axb5 axb5 17. Rd1 Be6 18. Qc5 {[%csl Re8]}
Ra6 19. Na3 $36) ({Apart from Caruana's move, also deserving attention was the
pawn sacrifice} 15... Qc8 16. Nxe5 Be6 17. Qd6 b4 $5 (17... Be7 18. Qd3 O-O 19.
Nd2 $14) 18. f4 (18. Nf3 Nc4 $44) (18. Nd3 Be7 19. Qg3 O-O $32 {~~}) 18... Be7
19. Qd3 Bf6 $5 $132) 16. axb5 {The best.} ({After} 16. Rd1 Be6 {White is
practically forced to play} 17. Qc6+ Ke7 18. axb5 Rc8 19. Qb6 a5 $1 20. Na3 (
20. Nbd2 $143 Kf8 $15 ({Black has no problems whatsoever even after the simple
} 20... Nd6 21. Qxb8 Rcxb8)) 20... Kf8 $13 {White won't lose his trapped queen,
but it's Black who can choose when he will win the exchange. Although the
position is not quite clear, it seems that Black has no real problems. A
sample line is} 21. h3 Bd8 22. Rxd8+ Rxd8 23. Rd1 Rxd1+ 24. Bxd1 Qd6 $5 25.
Qxb7 Qxd1+ 26. Kh2 Re8 27. Qc7 (27. b6 Qd7 28. Qxd7 Bxd7 29. Nc4 Rb8 30. Nfxe5
Bb5 $15) 27... Qc1 28. b6 Qf4+ (28... Qxb2 $6 29. b7 $36) 29. Kh1 Qc1+ $11 30.
Ng1 $2 Qxb2 $17) 16... Be6 $8 (16... axb5 $2 17. Rxa8 Qxa8 18. Nxe5 $18) (16...
Bxb5 17. c4 $5 (17. Ba4 $14) 17... Bd7 18. Nc3 $36 {[%csl Rb7,Rc5,Re5]}) 17.
Qc6+ Bd7 18. Qd5 Be6 19. Qd1 $5 {Navara bravely spurns repetition with} (19.
Qc6+ Bd7 $11 {and decides to play on.}) 19... axb5 20. Rxa8 Qxa8 21. Na3 Qa5 ({
Houdini considers} 21... b4 {safer:} 22. Nb5 (22. cxb4 cxb4 23. Nb5 Qd8 $11)
22... Qd8 $5 (22... Qb8 23. cxb4 O-O $5 $11 (23... cxb4 24. Bb3)) 23. Qxd8+
Kxd8 24. Ra1 Kd7 25. Ra6 b3 26. Bd3 c4 27. Be2 Nc5 28. Ra7+ Kc6 29. Nc7 Rd8 30.
Nxe6 fxe6 31. h3 Nxe4 32. Ra4 $1 $11) 22. Nxb5 $1 Bc4 $6 {[%mdl 514] In a
tense match between the leading teams Black greedily accepts the offered
exchange and gets into trouble.} (22... O-O $142 23. Qe2 c4 24. Na3 Nd6 $44 {
promises reasonable compensation, converting the extra backward pawn is
extremely difficult.}) 23. Nd6+ Nxd6 24. Qxd6 Bxf1 25. Kxf1 Qb5+ (25... Qa1+
26. Ne1 Qa7 27. Bb3 (27. Nd3 $36) 27... Qe7 28. Qb8+ Qd8 29. Qb5+ Qd7 30. Qxc5
$36 {/+/- Material is equal and Black's forces are still uncoordinated.}) 26.
Ke1 c4 27. g3 {[%csl Re8,Rh8] Black's rook is offside and his king is in
danger - and all this for a minimal price.} h5 28. h4 $1 Be7 {Caruana was
already running out of constructive moves, so he sheds pawns to simplify the
position and continue the fight.} (28... Rh6 29. Qa3 Kd8 30. Ba4 Qb7 31. Qf8+
Kc7 32. Qxf7+ Kb8 33. Qf8+ Ka7 34. Nd2 $16 {/\} Qxb2 35. Bc6 $18) (28... Qd7
29. Qb8+ Qd8 (29... Bd8 30. Nxe5 $16) 30. Qb4 {[%cal Rc2a4]} Qe7 (30... Qc7 31.
Ba4+ Kd8 32. Nd2 g5 33. Nxc4 gxh4 34. Nb6 $1 $40 {[%cal Yb6d5,Yb4a5]}) 31. Ba4+
Kf8 32. Qb8+ Qd8 33. Qxd8+ Bxd8 34. Nxe5 $14 {/+/- is similar to the game
continuation.}) 29. Qxe5 Qxe5 30. Nxe5 g5 31. Ba4+ {Hopes to post his bishop
more actively.} (31. hxg5 Bxg5 32. Nxc4 h4 $14 {/+/-}) 31... Kf8 32. hxg5 Bxg5
(32... h4 33. gxh4 Rxh4 34. Bc6 Bxg5 35. Nxc4 {-32...Bxg5 is only a
transposition.}) 33. Bc6 h4 34. gxh4 Rxh4 35. Nxc4 {[%mdl 4096] The resulting
endgame is difficult for Black - White has already a material advantage (3
pawns for the exchange) and can play for a win almost endlessly and without
any risk. His practical winning chances are definitely higher, than Black's
chances to hold.} f5 (35... Rh1+ 36. Ke2 Rc1 {is perhaps more resilient, but
even here after} 37. Ba4 $14 {/+/- White is pushing.}) 36. Ne5 Rh1+ (36... Rh7
37. f4 ({White doesn't have to force matters,} 37. Ke2 $5 fxe4 38. Bxe4 {
also retains good winning chances.}) 37... Bh6 38. exf5 Ke7 39. Ke2 $5 (39. Be4
Bxf4 40. f6+ Ke6 $1 (40... Kxf6 $2 41. Ng4+ Kg5 42. Bxh7 Kxg4 43. Ke2 $18 {
is winning accroding to Tablebases.}) 41. Bxh7 Bxe5 42. Kd2 Bxf6 $11 {is
already insuffcient to win.}) 39... Kd6 40. Be4 Bxf4 41. Nf3 $36) 37. Ke2 Rb1
38. Nd3 fxe4 39. Bxe4 Ke7 (39... Bf6 40. Kd2 {[%cal Yd2c2]}) 40. f4 (40. b4 $5
Bf6 41. c4 $16) 40... Bh6 (40... Bf6 {is perhaps more tenacious.}) 41. b4 Bg7
42. Kd2 Ra1 43. Bd5 (43. c4 $16 {is roughly equivalent.}) 43... Kd6 44. c4 {
The pawns advance gradually, but surely.} Bd4 45. Kc2 Ra3 46. f5 Rc3+ (46...
Bf6 $142) 47. Kd2 Ra3 48. Be4 Ra2+ 49. Kd1 Be3 ({After} 49... Ra3 $5 50. c5+
Ke7 {White should still win with} 51. Kc2 $5 (51. b5 Rb3 $1 (51... Rc3 52. Kd2
Rxc5 53. Nxc5 Bxc5 54. Ke2 $18) 52. b6 Bxc5 53. Nxc5 Rxb6 $11 {TB})) 50. c5+
Ke7 51. Ne5 $1 Rb2 (51... Rh2 $5 {was the last chance to resist.}) 52. Bc2 $1
$18 {[%cal Re5c4,Rf5f6] Limits the rook and coordinates the pieces with the
pawns.} Bg5 (52... Ra2 53. f6+ Ke6 (53... Kxf6 54. Ng4+ $18) 54. Bb3+ Kxe5 55.
Bxa2 Kxf6 56. Kc2 Ke7 57. Kd3 $18 {Tablebases}) (52... Bxc5 53. bxc5 Rb5 54.
Nd3 Kf6 55. c6 $18 {retains both pawns.}) 53. c6 {[%cal Rc6c7]} Ra2 {The rook
must retreat.} (53... Kd6 54. Nc4+) (53... Kd8 54. Nf7+) 54. b5 ({White
already had a choice:} 54. c7 Ra8 55. b5 Be3 (55... Kd6 56. b6 Bf4 57. Nc4+ Kd5
58. f6 Kxc4 59. f7 $18 {[%cal Rb6b7,Rc2f5]}) 56. Nc4 Bf4 57. b6 $18 {/\} Bxc7
58. bxc7 Rc8 59. Nb6) 54... Be3 55. f6+ Kd8 (55... Kxf6 56. c7 Ra8 57. Ng4+ $18
) 56. f7 Bc5 57. b6 {[%csl Gb6,Gc6,Gf7] The pawns are too powerful.} Ra1+ 58.
Ke2 Ra2 59. Kd3 Rb2 60. Nc4 Rb5 (60... Ra2 61. c7+ Kc8 62. Kc3 {[%cal Rc2f5]})
61. Bd1 $1 {[%cal Rc6c7,Rd1g4]} 1-0

[Event "EU-ch 11th"]
[Site "Rijeka"]
[Date "2010.03.11"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Melkumyan, Hrant"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2656"]
[BlackElo "2582"]
[Annotator "Stohl,I"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2010.03.06"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "CRO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 136"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.05.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.05.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. O-O ({White
can even play the immediate} 7. a4 $5 {- by this he avoids some Black
alternatives on move 8, as 8...Bg4 and 8...Bd7!?}) 7... d6 (7... O-O {mostly
only transposes, but it can also have an independent twist after} 8. c3 ({
Mainly for this reason White is in practice more successful with} 8. Re1 {, or}
) (8. a4 $5) 8... d5 $1 9. exd5 (9. Nbd2 {transposes to Morozevich - Bacrot.})
9... Nxd5 10. Re1 {Here we have a Marshall gambit, which White declined with
the innocuous 10.d3 - it's no wonder Black was fine after} Bf6 11. Nbd2 Nf4 12.
Ne4 Nxd3 13. Nxf6+ gxf6 14. Bh6 Nxe1 15. Qxe1 Ne7 16. Rd1 Qe8 17. Nh4 Be6 18.
Qe3 Ng6 19. Bxf8 Qxf8 20. Nxg6 hxg6 21. Bxe6 fxe6 22. Qe4 Qe8 23. g3 Rb8 24. h4
Rb6 25. Kh2 Rd6 26. Rxd6 cxd6 27. Qb7 d5 28. Qxa6 Qd7 $15 {Ponomariov,R (2717)
-Anand,V (2786)/Leon rpd/2007/}) 8. a4 {Only two other moves deserve attention,
as White shouldn't allow the exchange of his Bb3.} (8. a3 O-O (8... Be6 9. Bxe6
fxe6 10. c3 O-O 11. Nbd2 d5 $6 (11... Nd7 $142) 12. Qe2 Qd6 13. b4 Rfd8 14. Rd1
dxe4 15. Nxe4 Nxe4 16. Qxe4 Qd5 17. Bb2 a5 18. Rac1 Qxe4 19. dxe4 Bd6 20. h4
Rf8 21. c4 $1 $36 {Anand,V (2792)-Aronian,L (2750)/Mainz rpd/2007/}) 9. Nbd2
Na5 10. Ba2 c5 11. Re1 Nc6 12. Nf1 Be6 13. Bxe6 (13. Ne3 Bxa2 14. Rxa2 d5 $11)
13... fxe6 14. c3 Qd7 15. Ng3 c4 $5 16. b4 cxd3 17. Qxd3 Nd8 18. c4 Nf7 19. Bd2
Rac8 20. cxb5 Qxb5 (20... axb5 $11) 21. Qb3 Qc4 22. Qxc4 Rxc4 $132 {Anand,V 
(2792)-Aronian,L (2750)/Mainz rpd/2007/}) (8. c3 O-O 9. Re1 Be6 $5 ({An
overwhelming majority of players prefers} 9... Na5 {, as in Movsesian -
Predojevic. However, Black has more than one playable alternative.}) 10. Nbd2 (
10. Bxe6 fxe6 11. Nbd2 Nd7 $5 $11 {/\} 12. d4 Bf6) 10... Bxb3 (10... Qd7 11.
Nf1 Rfe8 12. Ne3 Bf8 13. Bc2 d5 14. Ng5 {Smirin,I (2659)-Carlsen,M (2675)/WCh
blitz Rishon Le Ziyyon/2006/} d4 15. Nxe6 fxe6 16. Ng4 Nxg4 17. Qxg4 dxc3 18.
bxc3 b4 $132) 11. axb3 (11. Qxb3 Nd7 12. Qc2 Nb6 13. Nf1 d5 14. Ng3 Qd7 15. Be3
dxe4 16. dxe4 Nc4 17. Nf5 Rfd8 18. Rad1 Qe6 19. Bc1 Rxd1 20. Rxd1 Rd8 21. b3
Rxd1+ 22. Qxd1 Nd6 $11 {Smyslov,V-Botvinnik,M/Moscow/1947/}) 11... a5 (11... d5
$132) 12. Nf1 Re8 13. Ne3 Bf8 14. Nf5 Ne7 15. Nxe7+ Bxe7 16. d4 Nd7 17. Qd3 c6
18. Be3 Qc7 19. Red1 {Asrian,K (2611)-Beliavsky,A (2630)/EU-ch rpd plof Warsaw/
2005/} Nf6 $132) 8... b4 {While this is the most fashionable choice, it's not
easy to prove an edge for White even after other moves:} (8... Rb8 {gives
White the a <->, but this didn't mean much after} 9. axb5 axb5 10. Nc3 O-O 11.
Nd5 (11. h3 Nb4 $5 12. Ne2 c5 13. Ng3 Be6 14. Bxe6 fxe6 15. c3 Nc6 16. Re1 Qd7
$11 17. d4 $6 exd4 18. cxd4 c4 19. Bg5 h6 $15 {Carlsen,M (2693)-Aronian,L 
(2759)/Elista cm/2007/}) 11... Nxd5 12. exd5 Nd4 13. Nxd4 exd4 14. Bd2 Bd7 15.
Ra5 $5 (15. Ra7 Ra8 16. Qa1 Qb8 17. Rxa8 Qxa8 18. Qa5 Qxa5 19. Bxa5 Rc8 20. Ra1
Ra8 21. Kf1 Kf8 22. Ra2 Ra7 $11 {Topalov,V (2804)-Anand,V (2803)/Leon rpd/2006/
}) 15... Ra8 16. Qa1 Qc8 17. Qa2 Qb7 18. Ra1 Rxa5 19. Qxa5 Rc8 20. Qa7 Qxa7 21.
Rxa7 Kf8 22. Ba5 Bd8 23. Kf1 f5 24. Ke2 Ke8 25. f4 h6 26. Kd2 g5 27. g3 Ke7 $14
{Bacrot,E (2705)-Gustafsson,J (2606)/Bundesliga 0607/2007/ Formally White is
somewhat better, but in the end he didn't manage to break Black's solid
defence.}) (8... Bg4 9. c3 (9. Nbd2 Nd4 $1 $11) 9... O-O 10. h3 {However, even
with the free tempo it's not easy to get anything tangible after} Bd7 (10...
Bxf3 11. Qxf3 Na5 12. Bc2 c5 13. Nd2 (13. axb5 axb5 14. Bg5 Nd7 15. Bxe7 Qxe7
16. Nd2 Nb6 17. Ra2 Ra7 18. Rfa1 Rfa8 19. Qd1 g6 20. Bb3 Qb7 21. Nf1 Nxb3 22.
Qxb3 Rxa2 23. Rxa2 Rxa2 24. Qxa2 Qa8 $11 {Stojanovic,D (2510)-Nikolic,P (2657)/
Sarajevo/2007/}) 13... Nd7 14. Nb3 Nc6 {Svetushkin,D (2568)-Nikolic,P (2674)/
EU-ch Plovdiv/2008/} 15. Qg3 $14) 11. Re1 Na5 12. Bc2 c5 13. Nbd2 Re8 14. Nf1
h6 15. Ne3 Bf8 16. Bd2 Nc6 17. Nh2 Ne7 18. Nhg4 Nxg4 19. hxg4 Be6 20. Nf5 Qd7
21. Be3 {Aveskulov,V (2535)-Sargissian,G (2643)/EU-ch Plovdiv/2008/} Nc6 {
/\d5<=>}) ({This means} 8... Bd7 $5 {is more solid, than the previous line:} 9.
c3 (9. Bd2 b4 $1 {פb1} (9... O-O 10. axb5 axb5 11. Nc3 Rxa1 12. Qxa1 Qb8 13.
Nd5 Nxd5 14. Bxd5 Nd8 15. Be3 c6 16. Bb3 Ne6 17. Qa2 Nc5 18. Bxc5 dxc5 19. h3
g6 20. Ra1 Kg7 21. Qa7 Qd6 $11 {Jakovenko,D (2710)-Aronian,L (2741)/WCup
Khanty Mansiysk/2007/}) 10. c3 O-O 11. h3 Rb8 12. Bc4 Qc8 13. Re1 Be6 14. Bxe6
Qxe6 15. d4 exd4 16. Nxd4 Nxd4 17. cxd4 d5 $1 18. exd5 Qd7 19. Bg5 {1/2,Anand,
V (2799)-Leko,P (2753)/Wijk aan Zee/2008/} h6 $15) 9... O-O 10. Re1 Na5 11. Bc2
c5 12. Nbd2 Re8 13. Nf1 Nc6 (13... h6 14. Ne3 Bf8 {is also OK for Black:} 15.
h3 c4 $5 16. axb5 axb5 17. Nh2 h5 18. dxc4 bxc4 19. Nf5 Qb6 20. Bg5 Nh7 21. Be3
Qxb2 22. Rb1 Qa2 23. Ra1 Qb2 24. Rb1 $11 {1/2,Bruzon Bautista,L (2648)
-Ivanchuk,V (2741)/Merida/2006/}) 14. Ne3 b4 15. Bb3 Na5 16. Ba2 Rb8 17. d4 $5
exd4 18. cxd4 Nxe4 19. Nd5 {Kamsky,G (2729)-Leko,P (2747)/Dresden olm/2008/}
Bf8 $1 $13 {/=/+}) (8... Bb7 9. Nc3 Na5 10. Ba2 b4 11. Ne2 c5 12. Ng3 O-O 13.
Bd2 Rb8 14. Nf5 {The unguarded f5-square is the main reason why nowadays
Black's B doesn't usually leave the c8-h3/^.} Bc8 15. N3h4 Be6 16. Qf3 Ne8 17.
Nxe7+ Qxe7 18. Nf5 Qd7 19. Qg4 Kh8 20. f4 $36 {Topalov,V (2690)-Beliavsky,A 
(2618)/EU-chT Batumi/1999/}) 9. a5 (9. Nbd2 O-O ({Black can go for a different
line with} 9... Na5 10. Ba2 O-O 11. c3 c5 (11... Rb8 12. d4 $5) 12. cxb4 cxb4
13. h3 $5 (13. Nc4 Rb8 14. Re1 Nc6 15. Ne3 Be6 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. Nc4 Nd7 18.
Ncd2 Nc5 19. Nb3 Nxb3 20. Qxb3 Rxf3 21. gxf3 Nd4 22. Qd1 {Carlsen,M (2733)
-Aronian,L (2739)/Wijk aan Zee/2008/} Rc8 $11) 13... Be6 14. Bxe6 fxe6 15. Nb3
Nc6 16. Be3 Qd7 17. Rc1 Rfc8 18. Qd2 Bd8 19. Rc4 a5 20. Ra1 h6 21. Qe2 $13 {
/+/=,Efimenko,Z (2654)-Stern,R (2501)/Bundesliga 0910/2009/}) 10. h3 (10. a5 {
-9.a5}) 10... Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. c3 Rb8 13. Re1 Qc7 14. Nc4 Be6 (14... bxc3 $5
15. bxc3 Be6 $11) 15. Nxa5 Bxa2 16. Rxa2 Qxa5 17. Bd2 bxc3 18. Bxc3 Qc7 19. Nd2
Nd7 20. Qg4 Nf6 21. Qg3 Nh5 22. Qf3 Nf4 23. Nc4 Qb7 24. Bd2 Ne6 25. Na5 Qc7 26.
Nc4 Rb3 27. Bc3 Bg5 $11 {Efimenko,Z (2680)-Postny,E (2674)/Dresden olm/2008/
Although White won this game after a long fight, at this point Black's
position is reasonably safe.}) 9... O-O 10. Nbd2 Rb8 {Can Black do without
this move?} ({More usual is} 10... Be6 11. Nc4 (11. Bc4 Qd7 (11... d5 12. exd5
Bxd5 13. Re1 Bxc4 14. Nxc4 e4 15. dxe4 Qxd1 16. Rxd1 Nxe4 17. Be3 Rfd8 18. Kf1
Rxd1+ 19. Rxd1 Nd6 20. Nfe5 Nxc4 21. Nxc6 Bd6 22. Rd4 Nxb2 23. Bd2 $36 {
Hracek,Z (2593)-Brunello,S (2339)/Turin olm/2006/}) 12. Re1 h6 13. Nf1 Rfe8 14.
b3 Bf8 15. Bb2 g6 16. Bxe6 Rxe6 17. d4 exd4 18. Nxd4 Nxd4 19. Qxd4 Qb5 20. c4
bxc3 21. Qxc3 Bg7 $132 {Kurnosov,I (2602)-Gagarin,V (2392)/Moscow/2009/}) 11...
h6 12. h3 Na7 $6 ({This is dubious. Here Black usually transposes with} 12...
Rb8 {, but}) (12... Qc8 13. Be3 Qb7 $5 {/\Rad8 is possibly worth trying.}) 13.
Be3 c5 14. c3 Nc6 15. Ba4 Qc7 16. Nb6 Rab8 17. Bxc6 Qxc6 18. cxb4 cxb4 19. Qa4
Qxa4 20. Rxa4 b3 21. Rc1 Rb7 22. d4 Nxe4 23. dxe5 Ng5 24. Bxg5 hxg5 25. exd6
Bxd6 26. Nxg5 Be5 27. Nxe6 fxe6 {Papp,G (2509)-Pakleza,Z (2495)/Sitges/2008/}
28. g3 $5 $14) 11. Nc4 h6 (11... Be6 12. Be3 Qc8 13. h3 Nd7 14. Re1 Bf6 15. Qd2
Nd4 $6 16. Bxd4 exd4 17. e5 dxe5 18. Ncxe5 Bxb3 19. cxb3 Bxe5 20. Nxe5 c5 21.
Rac1 $36 {Pogonina,N (2471)-Kovanova,B (2372)/EU-chW Plovdiv/2008/}) 12. h3 Be6
13. Be3 Qc8 14. Nfd2 (14. c3 $6 Qb7 15. Nfd2 d5 $1 16. exd5 Nxd5 $36 {
Perunovic,M (2579)-Sargissian,G (2643)/EU-ch Plovdiv/2008/}) (14. Qe2 Kh8 (
14... Qb7 $142) (14... Rd8) 15. Rfd1 Nh7 $6 16. d4 exd4 17. Nxd4 Nxd4 18. Bxd4
Rb5 19. Ba4 Rb8 20. Bc6 Bd7 21. Bxd7 Qxd7 22. Ne3 Rb5 23. Nd5 c5 24. Be3 $16 {
[%cal Rc2c4] /\c4,Palac,M (2559)-Jovanic,O (2504)/Zagreb/2008/}) (14. Re1 {
transposes into the 8.a4 Anti-Marshall, Black had no problems after} Rd8 15.
Qe2 Bf8 16. Nfd2 Qb7 17. Qf3 Kh7 18. Nf1 Ne7 19. Ng3 Ng6 20. Nh5 {1/2,Svidler,
P (2765)-Aronian,L (2752)/Morelia/Linares/2006/} Nxh5 21. Qxh5 Kg8 $11) 14...
Rd8 (14... Nh7 15. Ba4 Nd8 (15... Qb7 $5) 16. f4 exf4 17. Bxf4 f5 18. exf5 Bxf5
19. Qe2 (19. Ne3 Be6 20. d4 $5 $36) 19... Ne6 20. Be3 Kh8 21. Nb3 Bg6 22. Rxf8+
Nhxf8 23. Nd4 (23. Bc6 Nd8 24. Bf3 $14) 23... Nxd4 24. Bxd4 Ne6 25. Ba7 Ra8 26.
Be3 Bf6 27. Bc6 (27. Qg4 Kh7 28. Bc6 $14) 27... Nd4 $1 28. Bxd4 Bxd4+ 29. Kh1
Rb8 $11 {Hracek,Z (2624)-Howell,D (2597)/Hastings/2010/}) 15. Qe2 Qb7 (15... d5
$6 16. Ba4 $1 dxc4 17. Bxc6 cxd3 18. cxd3 $36 {[%cal Gc1c7] <->c}) 16. Ba4 Nd7
17. c3 d5 $6 (17... Na7 $5 18. d4 bxc3 19. bxc3 exd4 20. cxd4 d5 21. Rfb1 Qa8
$13) 18. exd5 Bxd5 19. f4 $5 exf4 20. Bxf4 $14 {Here White makes good use of
his R still being on f1.} Re8 (20... Bf6 21. Ne3 (21. d4 bxc3 22. bxc3 Nxd4 $13
) 21... Nc5 22. Bxh6 $1 $16 {[%cal Rf1f6] /\Rf6}) (20... Bg5 $5 21. Bxg5 hxg5
22. d4 $14) 21. d4 Bg5 22. Qf2 (22. Ne3 $36 {is interesting, but the text move
is more natural.}) 22... Bxf4 23. Qxf4 Nf6 $2 {Now Black's position quickly
falls apart.} (23... Re2 $142 $1 24. Ne3 $1 Ne7 25. Bxd7 Ng6 26. Qg4 Rxe3 (
26... Rxd2 27. c4 $16 {/\} Bc6 28. Rxf7 $1) 27. c4 Be6 28. Bxe6 Rxe6 29. Nb3
$36) 24. Ne3 $16 {[%cal Re3d5,Ye3f5] Nd5,Nf5} Be6 $6 (24... Re7 25. Qg3 $16) (
24... Rbd8 25. Rae1 $16) 25. Qf3 Bd7 $8 (25... bxc3 26. Bxc6 Qxb2 27. Ndc4 $18)
26. Nd5 $1 Re6 (26... Nxd5 27. Qxf7+ Kh8 28. Qxd5 $18) 27. Ne4 $1 $18 Nxe4 (
27... Nxd5 28. Nc5 Ne5 29. dxe5 Qa7 30. Qxd5 $18) 28. Qxf7+ Kh8 29. Qxd7 Rd6
30. Bxc6 Rxc6 (30... Rxd7 31. Bxb7 bxc3 (31... Rxb7 32. Nxb4 $18) 32. Nxc3 Nxc3
33. Bxa6 $18 {[%csl Ga5] o^a}) 31. Qe7 (31. Nxb4 Rg6 32. d5 Qa7+ 33. Kh2 Qe3
34. Qxc7 $8 Re8 35. Qf4 $18) (31. Rae1 $18) 31... Rd6 (31... bxc3 32. Rf8+ Rxf8
33. Qxf8+ Kh7 34. Qf5+ $1 (34. Ne7 $143 Qb3 35. Nxc6 cxb2) 34... Kh8 35. bxc3
Nf6 (35... Nxc3 36. Qf8+ Kh7 37. Ne7 $18) 36. Re1 Qb8 37. Qg6 Qf8 38. Re2 $22 {
+-}) 32. Rf8+ Rxf8 33. Qxf8+ Kh7 34. Ne7 Nf6 35. Rf1 {[%cal Rf1f6] /\Rf6} 1-0

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 18th"]
[Site "Porto Carras"]
[Date "2011.11.06"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Sutovsky, Emil"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2696"]
[BlackElo "2734"]
[Annotator "Sutovsky,E"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2011.11.03"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Israel"]
[BlackTeam "England"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ISR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ENG"]

{The game was played in the fourth round of European Team Championships. At
the very moment when I saw the pairings, my mind started rechecking memory
archives in a desperate hope to find some fresh idea against Michael's pet
Marshall. It took some time, but then I decided to opt for another way...} 1.
e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 {This slow system has
become more and more popular recently, and not without good reason. Some of
the players choose it just in order to avoid main lines, but there is another
approach to the problem - to try and prove White's advantage in these
seemingly still waters of this Ruy Lopez side line. Well, it used to be a side
line - we see more and more top players opting for this system, and Black
hasn't shown yet the path to equality.} b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 Bd7 {One of the
main possibilities. An important alternative is 8...b4.} 9. Be3 $5 {A rather
fresh idea. The main continuation is 9.Nc3 b4 10.Ne2, trying to play on the
kingside. Well, having spent nearly all my career on the kingsides, I decided
to try a new approach..} O-O 10. h3 {Underlines White's slow strategy. The
following sequence of moves is logical and recommended by the silicon mind,
which evaluates the position after move 16 as equal, but during my preparation
I found this evaluation rather superficial.} Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. axb5 axb5 13.
Nc3 b4 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. Bxd5 Bc6 16. Bxc6 Nxc6 17. Nd2 {I'm not sure about
this move.} ({Another interesting option is} 17. Rxa8 Qxa8 18. Nd2 {as it is
not clear, what Black can achieve on the a-file.}) 17... Rxa1 18. Qxa1 Qa8 (
18... Bg5 {might be a better way, but it also doesn't equalise completely.})
19. Nc4 Qb7 (19... Qxa1 20. Rxa1 Rd8 21. Ra6 {is very unpleasant for Black, so
Michael tries to regroup in order to play ...d6-d5.}) 20. Qd1 Nd8 {A logical
move. My silly-con friend gives 20...Ra8 with total equality, but he will need
to pull a Houdini in order to prove it...} 21. f4 (21. Qg4 Ne6 22. Ra1 Ra8 23.
Rxa8+ Qxa8 24. g3 {is a bit better for White, but I felt it was time to open
the game.}) 21... d5 (21... exf4 22. Bxf4 d5 23. Nd6 Bxd6 24. Bxd6 Re8 {
is playable, but after 25.e5 White preserves some advantage.}) 22. Nxe5 f6 23.
Nf3 dxe4 24. dxe4 Qxe4 25. Re1 {It may seem, that Black has resolved all his
problems, but in fact the weak pawn on c5, and the ugly pawn on f6 secure
White's advantage.} Nf7 26. Bf2 Qb7 27. Qe2 Bd6 28. Qc4 Rc8 {This move
surprised me a bit.} ({I'd expected} 28... Qc7 29. g3 Rd8 30. Rd1 g6 31. Rd5
Kg7 {when White's edge, although tangible, shouldn't be sufficient for a win.})
29. Nd2 h6 {Another surprise, I had again expected 29...Qc7. Now 30.Ne4 looked
quite strong, but I wasn't sure about} 30. Nf3 (30. Ne4 Kh8 31. Qe6 Bf8 {
This looks very good, but I failed to see anything concrete. In fact, I don't
have anything forced here, but after a quiet move like 32.h4 Black's position
is very unpleasant. Still, the move in the game does have some sense, except
for the aesthetic value (he Nf3-d2-f3 manoeuvre is rarely seen in open
positions) - the knight intends to go to h4, and then to f5/g6, and now Black
can't parry this idea with the typical ...g7-g6 move.}) 30... Qc6 31. Re6 {
Wrong one!} ({I should have continued with my plan} 31. Nh4 Re8 32. Rxe8+ Qxe8
{and now simply} 33. b3 $1 {with a strategicaly winning position. Of course,
White has to show good technique in order to convert this one, but Black's
defensive task is almost unbearable.}) 31... Qd7 (31... Re8 32. Nd4 {was
losing on the spot, but after the move in the game, I didn't find anything
convincing - Black creates an unpleasant threat (...Bd6xf4), and I have to
waste precious time, parrying it.}) 32. Qd5 {Another inaccurate move, blowing
the remaining advantage.} ({After the strongest} 32. g3 $1 {Black would still
have to work hard in order to hold he position.}) 32... Rd8 33. Re4 Bf8 34.
Qxd7 Rxd7 35. Re8 Nd6 36. Ra8 {White's advantage has evaporated, and the draw
was agreed. Pity, as I almost managed to outplay such a fine positional player
as Adams on his own ground. Well, probably, I still have to look to the
kingside for my victories :)} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Olympiad-40"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2012.09.09"]
[Round "11.1"]
[White "Sutovsky, Emil"]
[Black "Zhigalko, Sergei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2687"]
[BlackElo "2667"]
[Annotator "Sutovsky,E"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[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 "Israel"]
[BlackTeam "Belarus"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ISR"]
[BlackTeamCountry "BLR"]

1. e4 e5 {Quite a surprise! Sergey almost invariably opts for 1...c5, but here
he decides to try something else. I didn't mind, although I had to choose
between a few systems I employ versus the Ruy Lopez over the board.} 2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 {The fashionable, but still not fully
explored line. It seems as if White is not claiming to obtain an opening
advantage (and the 0.00 evaluation given by engines appears to testify to this)
, but it does contain venom.} b5 7. Bb3 O-O (7... d6 8. a4 Bd7 {as played
against me by Adams is the main alternative.}) 8. a4 b4 9. Nbd2 d6 {Similar
positions occur in the Anti-Marshall, but here White has saved on Rf1-e1,
which gives him a few more options.} 10. Nc4 h6 11. Be3 Be6 12. h3 Rb8 {
After all the natural useful moves were made, I had to decide on my plan.} 13.
a5 ({The usual path} 13. Qe2 Qc8 (13... Nd7 14. Ncd2 Bf6 15. Bxe6 fxe6 16. Nb3
$14) 14. Rad1 {gives White a minimal advantage, but I wanted to try another
plan, with Bb3-a4.}) 13... Qc8 14. Nfd2 Qb7 15. Ba4 Rfd8 {Now Black doesn't
have any active plan, and the d6-d5 idea never works. The problem is, that
White's activity is also restricted...} 16. Qe1 $5 {A slightly enigmatic move
- the idea is to play f2-f4, and then to bring the queen to g3. Here Sergey
spent a lot of time and ... made the strongest move, but with the wrong
intentions!} Nh5 $1 17. Qe2 Nf6 $2 (17... Nf4 {was asking to be played. After}
18. Bxf4 ({a better move is} 18. Qf3 Ng6 19. Rae1 {with roughly equal play})
18... Nd4 $1 {An important intermediate move!} 19. Qe1 exf4 20. c3 bxc3 21.
bxc3 Nb5 22. Nf3 Bf6 {it is suddenly better for Black.}) 18. Kh1 (18. Rae1 Nd7
19. f4 {was another option, but I decided it was useful to remove the king
from checks.}) 18... Nd7 19. f4 exf4 20. Bxf4 (20. Rxf4 Bg5 21. Rf2 Bh4 22.
Rff1 {was another option I considered, and probably it was at least as strong
as the move in the game, but then I opted for capturing with the bishop in
order to establish control over the e5-square.}) 20... Nde5 (20... Nc5 {
was another move I seriously considered. It seemed to me, that after} 21. Bxc6
Qxc6 22. Be3 {White must be better due to his excellent prospects on the
kingside, but my silicon friend disagrees and evaluates the position as equal,
even with a symbolic advantage for Black. Anyway, I'd prefer having White here.
}) 21. Bxe5 {The whole point behind taking on f4 with the bishop. Now the
e5-pawn becomes weak, and Black has to weaken himself.} dxe5 22. Qh5 Bg5 (22...
f6 23. Rf3 {is very dangerous for Black, even if the computer holds it. But
the natural text move is almost losing!} (23. Bb3 Nd4 $1 24. Nxe5 Nxb3 25. Ng6
Nxa1 26. Nxe7+ Kf8 27. Ng6+ Kg8 {leads to a picturesque repetitionof moves.}))
23. Bxc6 $2 {I was looking solely on the queenside and missed the very strong
move} (23. Nb3 {which led to a huge advantage. The threat is Nb3-c5 and Black
has nothing better than to part with his e5-pawn:} Be7 24. Nxe5 Nxe5 25. Qxe5
Qa7 {hoping to hold it. White's edge is indisputable here, but 24.Ne3! with
the idea to continue the attack (Ne3-d5 or Ne3-f5) might be even stronger. All
in all, after 23.Nb3 Black would have found himself in dire straits, now it
gets very unclear.}) 23... Qxc6 24. Nxe5 Qxc2 25. Ndc4 Rxd3 {Natural, but not
the strongest.} ({After} 25... Rb5 $3 {(We, mere human beings tend to miss
such moves...) Black seizes the initiative. The point is} 26. Nxf7 Rxd3 {
and Black has everything under control, whereas the white forces can't create
anything decisive, even in terms of perpetual check...}) 26. Nxd3 Qxd3 27. Ne5
Qxe4 28. Nxf7 Bd5 {Sergey played all his last moves a tempo (hardly a surprise,
as he had about 5 minutes on the clock), and now I had a choice, whether to
play 29.Rf2 or 29.Rf3. Finally, I decided that it is important to have the
Rf2-e2 option, and made the move} 29. Rf2 Bh4 $2 {He spent nearly all his time
here, but made this losing mistake.} ({Of course, we both saw the correct} 
29... Bf6 {but somehow, in the heat of the battle, we misevaluated the ending,
arising after} 30. Re2 (30. Nxh6+ gxh6 31. Qxh6 Bg7 {favours Black}) 30... Bxf7
$1 31. Qxf7+ Kxf7 32. Rxe4 Bxb2 33. Rb1 Bc3 34. Rc4 {when, as we thought,
White is better, and Black fights for a draw. In fact, after} Rb5 $1 35. Rxc7+
Kg8 $1 {it is White who has to show his defensive skills, although it should
not be too difficult.}) 30. Re2 Qd3 31. Nxh6+ $1 (31. Rf1 Qxh3+ 32. Kg1 Bf2+ {
would have been rather painful.}) 31... gxh6 32. Qg4+ $1 {A very important
check. 32.Qh4 Qe2 is great for Black, but now he has to worsen his position.}
Kh7 $6 (32... Kh8 33. Qxh4 {only now!} Qxe2 34. Qxh6+ Kg8 35. Qg5+ Kh8 36. Qxd5
{is hopeless for him.}) (32... Bg5 {was the best chance. Now White had to find
the following sequence:} 33. h4 Qc4 $1 34. Qxc4 Bxc4 35. Re4 $1 Bd3 36. Rg4 $1
(36. Rd4 Bf6 37. Rxd3 Bxb2 {and Black has great compensation for the exchange.}
) 36... c5 37. Re1 $1 (37. hxg5 h5 38. Rf4 c4 39. Rd4 $1 {stopping the black
pawns. Now it looks like the beginning of the technical part, which should not
last too long, but it is just an illusion!} Re8 $1 40. Ra4 $1 c3 41. Rxd3 Re1+
42. Kh2 cxb2 43. Rxb4 b1=Q 44. Rxb1 Rxb1 {and Black might be able to hold this
ending, although one needs to investigate it deeper before coming up with a
verdict.} 45. Rd6 Rb5 46. Rxa6 Rxg5 47. Ra7 Rg4 48. Rb7 (48. a6 Ra4) 48... Ra4
49. Rb5 h4 {and it seems to be a draw.}) 37... Bf5 38. Rg3 c4 39. hxg5 c3 40.
gxh6+ Kh7 41. Rf3 Kg6 42. bxc3 b3 43. h7 b2 44. Rxf5 Kxf5 45. Rb1 {finally
reaching the winning endgame.}) 33. Re5 Rg8 $6 {The final mistake, although
even the computer's suggestion} (33... Rb5 34. Rd1 Bxg2+ 35. Kxg2 Qc2+ 36. Qe2
Qxe2+ 37. Rxe2 Bf6 {could hardly save the game. After} 38. Rd7+ Kg6 39. Rxc7
Rxa5 40. Rc6 {White will be able to convert it, although not before showing
some Soviet-school technique.}) 34. Qd7+ Kh8 35. Qxd5 {Now it is over, and all
the rest doesn't require any comments.} Qc2 36. Qe4 Qxb2 37. Rf1 b3 38. Re8 Bf6
39. Rd1 h5 40. Rxg8+ Kxg8 41. Qe8+ Kg7 42. Qxh5 Be7 43. Qg4+ Kh8 44. Qc8+ Kh7
45. Qxc7 Qe2 46. Rd7 1-0

[Event "Poikovsky Karpov 15th"]
[Site "Poikovsky"]
[Date "2014.05.12"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Motylev, Alexander"]
[Black "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2687"]
[BlackElo "2719"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2014.05.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 161"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
O-O 9. Nc3 Bg4 10. Be3 Nd4 11. Bxd4 exd4 12. Nd5 Nd7 13. h3 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 c6
15. Nf4 Rb8 16. Qd1 a5 $146 {A logical novelty by Morozevich.} ({Only a day
before Almasi played} 16... Nc5 17. Ba2 a5 18. g3 a4 19. h4 b4 20. Bc4 b3 $13 {
with a double-edged fight, Bruzon Batista-Z.Almasi, Havana 2014.}) 17. Ne2 {
The N wasn't so useful on f4 and he frees the f4-square for his P too.} ({
In a similar position Bruzon played} 17. g3 {followed by h4.}) 17... Bf6 18. a4
$6 {An inaccuracy, because White should hold the queenside and he should try
to play on the kingside by f4.} ({The immediate} 18. f4 $6 {could have been
met by} a4 19. Ba2 b4 {and Black looks nicely placed.}) ({Probably the deep} 
18. Ba2 $142 {was the most exact reply,} b4 (18... a4 19. Qd2) 19. Qd2 Nc5 20.
axb4 axb4 21. Nc1 {and White can hold his queenside.}) 18... Nc5 $1 {Now Black
has unpleasant pressure on the queenside.} 19. Nc1 Qc7 (19... Re8 $142 {
was more accurate, because} 20. axb5 $6 a4 $1 21. Bxa4 Ra8 $17 {and the a4 B
is lost.}) 20. axb5 $1 Rxb5 ({Now} 20... a4 {is not so strong as in the
previous comment, as} 21. Bxa4 Ra8 22. b6 $1 {This is the point!} Qxb6 23. b3 {
and White is safe.}) 21. Ra3 $6 (21. Bc4 {was better:} Rb4 (21... Rxb2 $6 {
is too dangerous, because of} 22. Nb3 {and the R is trapped.}) 22. b3 Rd8 23.
Qf3 {and d5 is always a threat, but still White can hold.}) 21... Rfb8 (21...
Rd8 $1 {was more stronger, because Black wants to play for d5 and the b3 B is
out of play. For example:} 22. Ba2 d5 23. Nb3 Ne6 {and White's pieces are very
strange on the queenside, Black is slightly better.}) 22. Ba2 ({Still} 22. Bc4
{was possible} Rxb2 23. Nb3 d5 24. exd5 cxd5 25. Bxd5 a4 26. Nd2 Qd7 {and
Black's position is more comfortable, but White has some chances to survive.})
22... a4 23. b3 axb3 24. Nxb3 Ne6 25. g3 $6 (25. f4 {was more powerful} d5 26.
Qf3 dxe4 27. Qxe4 {and White hasn't got any problem.}) 25... d5 $1 26. Nd2 Be7
$1 {A great plan by Morozevich. He would like to play Bb4 where the B is
really unpleasant for White.} 27. Rb3 Bb4 28. exd5 cxd5 29. Nf3 Qa5 30. Rb2
R5b6 ({The computer suggests} 30... Qa3 31. Qb1 Qc3 32. Kg2 Qc5 {, but still
it is not clear why it is so dangerous for White.}) 31. Bb3 ({The simple} 31.
Qe2 Bc3 32. Rxb6 Rxb6 33. Bb3 {equalises.}) 31... Bc3 32. Ra2 Qc5 33. Qe2 Nc7
34. Nh4 Re8 35. Qg4 g6 36. Qg5 Rbe6 {Black regroups his pieces and now he is
ready to penetrate on the e-file.} 37. Ba4 Re5 38. Qf6 R8e6 39. Qd8+ Kg7 40.
Kg2 Rf6 41. Bd7 (41. Nf3 Re2 (41... Ref5 42. Nh4 Re5 {is only a repetition})
42. h4 {and White looks safe.}) 41... Re2 42. Nf3 Qd6 43. Ra7 Ne6 44. Qc8 Nf8
45. Ba4 Bd2 46. Nxd4 $2 {A decisive mistake, after this Black has a strong
attack.} ({The pretty} 46. Be8 {was a nice move. Black's f7 P is under
pressure, so White also gets some counter-chances.}) 46... Re1 $1 47. Qc7 Rxf1
48. Kxf1 Qb4 $1 {Now White is in big trouble.} 49. Qe5 Bc3 $1 50. Be8 Qxd4 51.
Rxf7+ Kg8 {The engine gives only -/+, but practically speaking this is a
losing position for White, so he resigned.} (51... Kg8 52. Qxd4 Bxd4 53. Rxf6
Bxf6 54. Bc6 d4 $19) 0-1

[Event "Candidates Tournament"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2013.03.21"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2747"]
[BlackElo "2872"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2013.03.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 {A very popular move
nowadays. White would like to avoid some critical lines.} b5 (6... d6 {is
another main move.}) 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 b4 ({The other possibilities are} 8... Rb8
) ({and} 8... Bd7) 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. a5 Be6 11. Nc4 Rb8 {Both players are
following theory. The upcoming positions are considered to be nicely playable
for both sides. All the pieces are on the board, which ensures a complicated
game where the stronger player might try to outplay his opponent with either
colour.} 12. c3 {Svidler had already two games for this. White wants to play
d4 at a good moment, but of course, this requires long preparation.} (12. h3 {
and}) (12. Re1 {was also tried.}) 12... bxc3 13. bxc3 h6 {Typical prophylaxis
against N or Bg5.} (13... Na7 {looks a little weird and could have been met
effectively by} 14. Ng5 $1 Bg4 15. f3 Bh5 (15... Bd7 {would have been met with}
16. f4 $1 $36 {which gives a strong initiative for White.}) 16. Qc2 Nd7 17. Nh3
$1 {Black has managed to avoid the f4 idea, but his bishop on h5 is out of
play, while the knight on h3 is just temporarily misplaced, as it will soon be
improved through f2.} Kh8 18. Ne3 $14 {Svidler-Sargissian, Ningbo 2011}) 14.
Re1 {From the 12th move, White prepares for d4. This time he protects the e4 P.
} Qc8 {Also a usual move, preparing for Rd8.} 15. Bc2 $146 {The first novelty
of the game, White would like to go back with his knight to e3 and then, d4
finally becomes possible.} (15. Ba3 {is the most common move.}) (15. Ba4 {
was played recently in a top game:} Bxc4 16. Bxc6 (16. dxc4 Nxa5 {This is the
difference. That is why Svidler went to c2 with his bishop.}) 16... Bb5 17.
Bxb5 Rxb5 {and Black's position is completely solid. Leko-Adams, London 2012})
15... Rd8 {This is the standard setup and the idea of the previous Qc8 move.
Black would like to play Bf8 and be ready to push d5 at a good moment.} (15...
Bxc4 {was also interesting. Black gives up his strong B to destroy White's P
structure. It is difficult to judge which factor has bigger importance.} 16.
dxc4 Qe6 17. c5 $5 {probably Svidler wanted to play this P sacrifice and play
on the light squares. Black is really missing his bishop here, but on the
other hand, he is a pawn up.} (17. Qe2 Nd7 $1 {and Black drives his N to c5
and it looks nicely placed.}) 17... dxc5 18. Qe2 Rb5 19. Ba4 (19. Bd3 Rxa5 20.
Rxa5 $6 Nxa5 21. Bxa6 $2 c4 22. Bb5 c6 23. Ba4 Nb3 {is forces the take on b3
and Black gains a very unpleasant advanced P.}) 19... Rxa5 20. Nd2 {now the R
can be trapped.} c4 21. Nxc4 Rc5 22. Bb3 Rb8 {and Black has no problem.}) 16.
Qe2 ({In the event of} 16. Ne3 {Black can play immeditely} d5 $1 {with a
promising position.}) 16... Bf8 (16... Bxc4 17. dxc4 Nd7 {was an option again,
but Carlsen preferred to keep his B pair.}) 17. Ne3 $6 {This seems like an
inaccuracy. The last preparation for d4, but this allows Black's strong reply.}
({Immediately} 17. d4 {would have still been too early. Black can play} exd4
18. cxd4 d5 $1 $15 {with a slight advantage.}) ({Probably} 17. h3 {was the
best waiting move, because Black also has difficulties finding a useful move.}
Bxc4 18. dxc4 Nd7 {similar to the previous line.} 19. Ba4 Ne7 20. Be3 Ng6 {
with a double-edged fight.}) 17... d5 $1 {Excellent timing by Carlsen. White's
last N move left the pressure from the important e5 P, so Black can
immediately start the action.} 18. exd5 Nxd5 19. Nxd5 Rxd5 {Black keeps the e5
pawn protected and, at the same time, attacks the pawn on a5.} ({Maybe} 19...
Bxd5 {was slightly better, as the e5 pawn is not really hanging.} 20. Nxe5 Nxe5
21. Qxe5 Re8 $5 ({Black can also force a draw by} 21... Bxg2 22. Kxg2 Re8 23.
Qxe8 Qg4+ 24. Kf1 Qh3+ 25. Kg1 Qg4+ $11) 22. Qxe8 Qg4 $1 {White has to
sacrifice his Q with} 23. Qe4 $1 (23. Re4 $2 Rxe8 $19) (23. f3 $2 Bxf3 $1 $19)
23... Bxe4 24. Rxe4 {Only Black can be better.}) 20. h3 $2 {This typical move
is a mistake. White would like to open the back rank and avoid the pin after
Bg4. The initiative passes to Black and Carlsen does not let it slip away
anymore.} (20. d4 $6 {is not so good, because} exd4 21. Qe4 g6 {and Black has
avoided everything, White cannot continue the attack. For example:} 22. cxd4
Qd8 23. Ra4 Bb4 $15) (20. Ba4 Rxa5 ({after} 20... Nxa5 21. Nxe5 Nb3 22. Bxb3
Rxb3 23. c4 Rd8 {Black is also OK here.}) 21. Bd2 (21. Bxh6 $6 {White would
like to protect the a1 R and threaten Bxc6, but after} Rxa4 $1 22. Rxa4 gxh6
23. Nxe5 Nxe5 24. Qxe5 Bg7 $17 {Black is much better.}) 21... Rc5 22. Bxc6 Rxc6
23. Nxe5 Rcb6 $15 {Thanks to the pair of Bs and passed P, Black looks very
nicely placed.}) (20. c4 Rxa5 21. Rxa5 Nxa5 22. Nxe5 Nb3 23. Bb2 c5 $132 {
and the N goes to d4.}) (20. Qe4 {is an interesting alternative. White would
like to provoke a weakness on the kingside with the threat of d4.} g6 ({On} 
20... f5 {White simply answers} 21. Qe2 {and the e5 P become vulnerable.}) 21.
Ba4 $1 Nxa5 22. Nxe5 Bg7 23. Bf4 $14 {Now the exchange of the a5 pawn for the
e5 one favours White. White seems to have an edge here.}) 20... Bf5 $1 {
A very strong move! Black prevents d4 and can exert pressure on the d3
weakness and soon, the a5 P will be hanging as well.} 21. Rd1 Qe6 22. Bb1 {
Svidler tries to activate his B from a2.} Qd7 $1 {Keeping the pressure on the
d3 P.} (22... Rxa5 {allows some counterplay for White.} 23. Rxa5 Nxa5 24. Ba2 {
getting back the e5 P.}) 23. Be3 e4 $1 (23... Rxb1 {not the best, because} 24.
Raxb1 Bxd3 {and White has} 25. Qa2 $1 {to attack the d5 R.} Rxa5 26. Qxa5 $1
Nxa5 27. Nxe5 Qf5 28. Nxd3 {The two R will give unpleasant counterchanches for
White.}) 24. Nd4 Nxd4 25. Bxd4 $2 {This allowed a tactical blow, which
actually Carlsen judged too risky.} (25. cxd4 {also led to Black's advantage
after} exd3 26. Bxd3 Bxd3 27. Qxd3 Rbb5 $1 $15 {White has serious problems
with the a5 P. Black is clearly better.}) 25... exd3 ({The computer immeditely
finds the strong} 25... Bxh3 $1 26. dxe4 (26. gxh3 {is not possible.} Qxh3 27.
Be3 Bd6 $1 $19) 26... Rg5 27. g3 {This was the critical position where I think
Carlsen missed a winning combination or just did not want to risk a
miscalculation. Black wins after a fantastic tactical blow:} Bg4 $1 28. f3 Rb2
$3 29. Qxb2 Bxf3 {and Black has too many threats. Rxg3, Qh3 and the simple
Bxd1.} 30. Qf2 (30. Rd3 Rxg3+ 31. Kf2 Rg2+ $19) 30... Bxd1 $19 {with an extra
P and a strong attack.}) 26. Bxd3 Bxd3 27. Rxd3 c5 28. Be5 $1 {This was
Svidler's plan, when he took back with the B on d4, but unfortunately for him,
it does not solve the problems.} Rxd3 29. Bxb8 c4 $1 {A great positional move!
Black protects the d3 R, fixes c3 and frees the c5 square for his B, where it
puts very strong pressure on f2. The additional weaknesses on c3 and a5 are
too much for White to hold the position.} 30. Be5 (30. Qe1 {was slightly better
} Bc5 31. Kh2 {followed by Bg3.}) 30... Bc5 31. Rb1 Qd5 $1 {Carlsen activates
his pieces.} (31... Rd2 {was too early} 32. Qxc4 {and Bxf2 is only a check.
There is no reason for Black to hurry with this plan.}) 32. Rb8+ Kh7 33. Qh5 {
Svidler tried the last trap with the threat of Rh8 Kxh8 Qxh6 and mate on g7,
but of course, this doesn't work on this level.} (33. Re8 {was the best chance,
although Black has various ways to remain better here as well.} Qd7 (33... f5 {
is also good to prevent Qe4.}) 34. Ra8 Qe6 {The following line is forced:} 35.
Qe4+ f5 36. Rh8+ $1 Kg6 $1 ({Of course not} 36... Kxh8 $2 37. Bxg7+ $1 $18) 37.
Qf4 Rd1+ 38. Kh2 Bxf2 $1 $17 {and Black is better.}) 33... Qe4 $1 {A cool
defence against the Rh8 and it also creates some threats of destroying White's
position.} 34. Rb2 (34. Rh8+ Kxh8 35. Qxh6+ Qh7 $1 $19) 34... Rd5 $1 {White
cannot avoid losing a piece.} 35. Re2 Qb1+ 36. Kh2 f6 0-1

[Event "Poikovsky Karpov 15th"]
[Site "Poikovsky"]
[Date "2014.05.17"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Motylev, Alexander"]
[Black "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2687"]
[BlackElo "2732"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2014.05.11"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 161"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.07.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.07.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
O-O 9. Nc3 Bg4 10. Be3 Nd4 11. Bxd4 exd4 12. Nd5 c5 13. a4 Be6 14. Nxf6+ Bxf6
15. Bxe6 fxe6 16. Qe2 $146 {A novelty by Motylev.} (16. e5 {was too optimistic}
Bxe5 17. Qe2 Qf6 18. Qe4 Bf4 19. Rfe1 Rae8 20. axb5 axb5 21. Ra6 b4 $15 {
and Black looks nicely placed, Visser-Van der Werf, Netherlands 2008.}) 16...
Qd7 17. b3 Qc7 18. Rfe1 (18. e5 {was an alternative, but afterwards the
position simplifies quickly,} dxe5 (18... Bxe5 19. axb5 (19. Nxe5 dxe5 20. Rfe1
c4 $11 {should be an equal endgame.}) 19... axb5 20. Rxa8 Rxa8 21. Ng5 $1 Re8 {
otherwie Qe4 is a double attack.} 22. f4 Bf6 23. Nxh7 Qf7 24. Ng5 Bxg5 25. fxg5
Qg6 {and Black also appears to equalise the position.}) 19. Rfe1 c4 20. Nxe5
cxb3 21. cxb3 Qxe5 22. Qxe5 Bxe5 23. Rxe5 Rfc8 24. axb5 axb5 25. Rxa8 Rxa8 {
with a drawish R endgame.}) 18... Be5 $6 {A questionable move. Black tries to
block White's e5, but if White reaches f4 the B can be in trouble.} (18... e5 {
was more solid, but of course Black can't activate his f6 B.}) 19. g3 {The
start of a nice plan. White prepares for Nh4-g2 followed by f4.} h6 20. Nh4 Qf7
21. Ng2 {A very careful reply.} ({Probably the immediate} 21. f4 $1 {was more
exact} Bf6 22. Nf3 e5 23. f5 $14 {and White has a comfortable middlegame.})
21... Bf6 22. Ra2 {A logical decision, White prepares for Rea1 and he tries to
gain the a-file.} e5 23. Rea1 Rac8 ({The engine suggests the ugly} 23... b4 $5
{without any hesitation} 24. Rf1 Rae8 {and he tries to hold his kingside.
Probably this was the best choice for Black, but in human eyes this is a
strange move.}) 24. axb5 axb5 25. Ra7 Rc7 26. Rxc7 Qxc7 27. Ne1 {A pretty plan
by Motylev. The N wasn't useful on g2, so White would like to play for Qg4
then Nf3.} (27. h4 $5 {was an interesting option too.}) 27... Qc6 $6 {Black
wants to exchange the Rs by Ra8, but this move allows White's strong answer.} (
27... Qd7 {was more logical to avoid Qg4.} 28. Ra6 g6 {followed by h5. White's
position is more comfortable, but Black is solid, it is not so easy to find
any weakness in his position.}) 28. Qg4 $1 {The right move. The Q is very
powerful from g4 and now Black has to face a few threats.} d5 $6 {Black would
like to play actively, but it just helps White, because the e1 N is ready to
go to the e4 square by f3-d2.} ({The solid} 28... Re8 {was tougher} 29. Ra7 c4
{and Black tries to create some counterchance on the queenside.}) 29. exd5 Qxd5
30. Nf3 c4 31. bxc4 bxc4 32. Nd2 {Brilliant positional play by White! The N
from g2 finally gains the important e4-square.} c3 ({In the event of} 32...
cxd3 33. cxd3 Qf7 34. Ne4 {Black's position is also unpleasant, he has to face
a long period of torture.}) 33. Ne4 Qb7 34. Kg2 Kh8 35. h4 Ra8 36. Rxa8+ Qxa8 {
Black has exchanged the Rs, but it isn't much help for him either.} 37. Qf5 Qd5
38. Qg6 Bd8 39. Qe8+ Kh7 40. h5 $1 $18 {Another strong move. White gains the
g6-square too, he has many threats. Black has no hope.} Bg5 41. Kh3 $1 {
White avoids the pin, now he is ready to attack with his N too.} Qa2 42. Nd6 $1
{Black can't avoid Nf7 followed by Qh8 mate, so he resigned. A great victory
by Motylev!} 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 78th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2016.01.23"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Ding, Liren"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2787"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "165"]
[EventDate "2016.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
Na5 {Ding Liren's favourite move.} (8... O-O {is the main continuation.}) 9.
Ba2 c5 10. Nc3 Be6 11. Nh4 $146 {A novelty by Caruana.} ({Ding Liren had a
game for} 11. Bg5 c4 12. Nd2 O-O 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Nd5 Bxd5 15. exd5 e4 16. Rb1
exd3 17. cxd3 c3 18. bxc3 Bxc3 $13 {Anand-Ding Liren, Bilbao 2015}) ({and} 11.
Bxe6 fxe6 12. b4 Nc6 13. bxc5 dxc5 14. Bb2 O-O 15. a4 b4 $132 {Wei Yi-Ding
Liren, Baku 2015, with a double-edged middlegame.}) 11... c4 $5 {An ambitious
reaction, Black would like to close out the a2-bishop.} (11... O-O {was the
natural move,} 12. Nf5 {and the N has reached f5.}) 12. Nf5 Bxf5 (12... O-O {
was the alternative to ignore the N on f5, but} 13. Bg5 $14 {and White looks
more comfortable.}) 13. exf5 O-O (13... Rc8 $5) 14. dxc4 Nxc4 15. Bxc4 bxc4 16.
Bg5 Rb8 17. Rb1 Nd7 $6 {Black wants to avoid Bxf6, Nd5, however this move
doesn't solve his problem either.} ({Inthe event of} 17... Qd7 18. Bxf6 Bxf6
19. Qf3 $14 {followed by Nd5.}) 18. Bxe7 Qxe7 19. Nd5 Qd8 20. Qg4 $1 {A strong
move, which wins the c4-P.} Rb5 (20... Rc8 {could have been met by} 21. f6 $1
Nxf6 22. Qxc8 $1 Qxc8 23. Ne7+ $16 {and White is an exchange up.}) 21. Qxc4 Nb6
22. Nxb6 Qxb6 23. b4 {White is a healthy P up and his position is better;
however, it will be a long game.} d5 24. Qb3 Qc6 25. Rfe1 d4 26. a4 Rd5 27. h4
({The straightforward} 27. b5 $1 {was more accurate} axb5 28. axb5 Qb7 29. b6
$16 {and White is better.}) 27... Rb8 28. Qf3 f6 29. Red1 Qc4 30. Qd3 Rc8 31.
Rb2 Rd6 32. b5 Rb6 33. Ra1 h5 34. Ra3 Qd5 35. Rab3 e4 36. Qd1 Rd8 $6 {An
inaccuracy.} (36... axb5 {was important,} 37. axb5 (37. Rxb5 Rxb5 38. axb5 d3
$132) 37... Qe5 38. Qxh5 e3 {with some practical counter-chances for Black.})
37. bxa6 $1 {The right reply!} Rxa6 38. Rb5 $6 {A tempting move, but not the
best.} (38. Qxh5 $1 {was correct,} Rxa4 39. Rb7 $18 {and Black can't avoid
White's dangerous attack.}) 38... Qd6 39. a5 d3 40. cxd3 exd3 41. Rd2 $6 {
A little bit passive.} (41. Rb6 {was more accurate} Rxb6 42. axb6 $14 {and
White is slightly better.}) 41... Rc6 $6 {An inaccurate move, which allows
White's subsequent reply.} ({The engine suggests} 41... Qd7 $1 42. Qb3+ Kh7 43.
g3 Rc6 $132) 42. Rb3 Qc7 43. Rb1 Qxa5 $2 {A decisive mistake!} ({Black should
protect his d3-P with} 43... Rcd6 $1 {. Nevertheless} 44. Ra1 $1 (44. Qxh5 Qxa5
$44) 44... Qc3 45. a6 Ra8 46. Rb1 {is still difficult for Black.}) 44. Rxd3
Rdc8 45. Qxh5 $18 {White is two Ps up, Black's position is hopeless.} Qe5 46.
Rbd1 Rc1 47. Qf3 Rxd1+ 48. Rxd1 Qe8 49. g3 Rc5 50. Ra1 Qd7 51. Ra8+ Rc8 52. Ra5
Kh7 53. Rd5 Qe8 54. Kg2 {Caruana improves his position. He wins the game one
move at a time.} Rc7 55. Ra5 Qf7 56. Qd5 Qxd5+ (56... Qe7 57. Ra8 $18 {and
mate soon.}) 57. Rxd5 Rc4 58. Rd2 Kg8 59. f3 Kf8 60. g4 Rc1 61. Kg3 Rg1+ 62.
Rg2 Ra1 63. g5 Kf7 64. Kg4 Ra4+ 65. f4 fxg5 66. hxg5 Ra1 67. Rb2 Rg1+ 68. Kh3
Rf1 69. Rb7+ Kf8 70. Kg4 Rh1 71. f6 gxf6 72. g6 $1 {A nice solution, but this
was not the only one.} Ra1 73. Kf5 Ra6 74. Rf7+ Kg8 75. Re7 Ra4 76. Re4 Ra6 77.
Re6 Ra4 78. Rxf6 Ra5+ 79. Kg4 Kg7 80. Rd6 Ra1 81. Kg5 Rg1+ 82. Kf5 Kh6 83. Rd8
1-0

[Event "St Petersburg International Preliminary"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "1914.04.22"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Tarrasch, Siegbert"]
[Black "Janowski, Dawid Markelowicz"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[Annotator "Tarrasch,S"]
[PlyCount "146"]
[EventDate "1914.04.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "Tarrasch"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Be7 ({Hier ist} 5... Bc5 {
nicht ganz unbedenklich, wegen des Scheinopfers} 6. Nxe5 {, jedoch völlig
korrekt. Nur muß nach der gebräuchlichsten und gefährlichsten Fortsetzung}
Nxe5 7. d4 Bd6 8. O-O O-O 9. f4 {der Springer nach} Nc4 {gehen.} ({Nicht nach} 
9... Nc6) ({und auch nicht nach} 9... Ng6)) 6. O-O b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 {Eine
der Stellungen, in denen die Stärke der der Verteidigung a7-a6 zur Geltung
kommt. Der weiße Königsläufer steht gefährdet.} ({Der natürlichste und
kräftigste Entwicklungs- und Angriffszug,} 8. d4 {, darf nicht geschehen, da
nach} Nxd4 9. Nxd4 exd4 10. Qxd4 c5 11. Qe3 c4 {der Läufer verloren geht.}) ({
Bei einer zahmen Fortsetzung wie} 8. d3 {aber hat Weiß keine Aussichten auf
ein Angriffsspiel.}) {Andererseits droht Schwarz mit Na5 den Läufer
vorteilhaft zu tauschen. Der Turmbauernzug soll beide Gefahren beseitigen,
aber auch er scheint nicht gut zu sein; das damit verbundene Opfer des
Königsbauern ist nicht ganz korrekt.} 8... b4 {Die beste Antwort.} 9. Nd5 Bg4
{Ein neuer und starker Zug, der entwickelt und die Korrektheit der ganzen
Spielweise a2-a4 in Frage stellt.} ({Den Pe4 sofort zu schlagen, wäre nicht
so gut,....} 9... Nxe4 {, da Weiß durch} 10. d4 {den Bauern mit
Angriffsvorteil zurückgewinnt.}) 10. Nxf6+ ({Sonst kommt nur noch der
Verteidigungszug} 10. c3 {in Betracht, der in der später gespielten Partie
Tarrasch - Capablanca in Anwendung kam, aber eben noch schlechter ist, eben
weil der Königsbauer dann mit gutem Spiel für Schwarz geschlagen werden kann.
}) 10... gxf6 ({Schlägt der Läufer} 10... Bxf6 {, so kann} 11. Bd5 {
geschehen, ohne daß Schwarz von dem Qualitätsopfer} Nd4 {viel hat.}) 11. c3 (
{Jetzt würde} 11. Bd5 {mit} Nd4 {beantwortet werden können; Schwarz gewinnt
die geopferte Qualität immer mit Vorteil zurück, z. B.} 12. Bxa8 Qxa8 $1 13.
c3 Nxf3+ 14. gxf3 Bh3 (14... Bh3 15. Z0 {droht Matt in wenigen Zügen} Rg8+ 16.
Kh1 Bg2+ 17. Kg1 Bxf3#) 15. Kh1 Bxf1 16. Qxf1 f5) 11... Rg8 12. Bd5 Qd7 13. Kh1
Rb8 14. d3 {Im 14.Zuge kommt Weiß endlich dazu, den Damenbauern zu ziehen! Da
müssen schwere Fehler in der Eröffnung begangen sein, denn sonst darf etwas
derartiges nicht vorkommen. Schwarz ist schneller und besser entwickelt und
hat den Angriff. Besonders die Fesselung des Springers ist für Weiß höchst
lästig.} Nd8 15. Rg1 (15. Rg1 Z0 {um die Fesselung mit} 16. h3 Bh5 17. g4 {
beseitigen zu können, ohne ein Opfer gewärtigen zu müssen.}) 15... c6 16.
Bc4 Qb7 17. h3 Bh5 (17... Bh5 18. Z0 {Der Unglücksläufer ist durch} d5 {
bedroht; ging er dann nach} 19. Ba2 ({ging er nach} 19. Bb3 {, so war die
Situation nach} bxc3 {für Weiß noch fataler.}) {, so wurde er durch} 19... b3
{abgesperrt.}) 18. cxb4 d5 19. Ba2 Bxb4 20. Qe2 Ne6 21. Be3 {Weiß
entschließt sich so spät wie möglich und nur ungern zu dem Zuge g2-g4, der
zwar den Läufer auf g6 einsperrt, aber die später folgenden gefährlichen
Angriffe auf der h- und g-Linie ermöglicht.} d4 22. Bc1 Be7 23. g4 Bg6 24. Nh4
Rh8 25. a5 {Um sich wenigstens in dem Pa6 einen Angriffspunkt zu schaffen.
Allerdings wird der Pa5 später selber schwach.} Kd7 {Schwarz kann alle
möglichen Evolutionen ausführen, ohne daß Weiß in seiner eingeengten und
bedrohten Stellung etwas dagegen unternehmen kann.} 26. Bc4 Ng5 27. Bxg5 {
Ein für Schwarz vorteilhafter Tausch, da mit der Beseitigung des Doppelbauern
auch die Einsperrung des Bg6 aufhört. Aber Weiß kann doch nicht angesichts der
Drohung h7-h5 und Rbg8 den Bauern h3 beständig mit dem König decken!} fxg5 28.
Nf3 {Hier spielte Zeitnot eine Rolle.} ({Es kam natürlich auch} 28. Nf5 {
in Betracht, was besser war, da nunmehr der Springer überhaupt nicht mehr auf
einen halbwegs guten Posten gelangt.}) {Freilich hätte Schwarz dann den b-
und f-Bauern für den a-Bauern gewinnen können, das wäre jedoch wegen des
entstehenden Freibauern für ihn unvorteilhaft gewesen.} 28... f6 29. b3 h5 30.
Kg2 Bb4 31. Qa2 Ke7 32. Rh1 Rh7 33. Rh2 Rbh8 34. Rah1 {Diese passive
Verteidigungsstellung ist immer die Strafe für den Harakiri-Zug g2-g4.} Be8 35.
Ng1 {Um den Pg4 im Notfalle noch mit dem f-Bauern decken zu können. Zugleich
soll der Springer nach e2 und g3 gespielt werden.} c5 {Schwarz will den Be8
nach b5 ziehen, um nicht beständig den Pa6 mit der Dame gedeckt halten zu
müssen. Der Zug hat nur das Bedenkliche, daß er den Bb4 ganz aussperrt.} ({
Aber wenn er ihn nach} 35... Bd6 36. Z0 {und dann} c5 {spielte, war er ganz
eingesperrt.}) {Es war also nur die Wahl zwischen Aussperrung und Einsperrung.}
36. Ne2 h4 {Damit verzichtet Schwarz auf jede Fortsetzung des Angriffs in der
h-Linie. Aber sonst kam der Springer nach g3 und von dort, wenn Bb5 geschah,
nach f5.} 37. Ra1 {Jetzt hat Weiß nicht mehr viel zu fürchten und das Spiel
sollte remis werden.} Bb5 38. Rhh1 Rf8 (38... Rf8 39. Z0 {droht} f5 {.}) 39.
Kh2 Bc6 {Schwarz droht immer noch, durch Opfer den Angriff, der an einem toten
Punkt angelangt ist, wieder aufzufrischen.} 40. Qc2 Qc8 41. Rhf1 Rg7 42. f3 {
Ein sehr bedenklicher Zug. Durch irgend einen Bauern, den f- oder den g-Bauern,
muß den König in der Flanke geschützt sein, sonst ist er später schutzlos
allen Angriffen preisgegeben, wie sich auch hier zeigt.} Kd6 43. Ra2 Ra7 ({
Nur auf der a- und b-Linie,} 43... Ra7 44. Z0 {nach} Bb5 45. Z0 Bxc4 46. Z0 {
und} Bc3 {kann noch etwas passieren.}) 44. Raa1 Qd7 45. Kg2 Rb8 46. Rfb1 Bb5
47. Ra2 Rab7 48. Bd5 Ra7 49. Kf1 Qd8 50. Rba1 Qc7 51. Kg2 Rd8 52. Kf1 Ke7 ({
Nach} 52... Ke7 53. Z0 {droht die Qualität zu opfern} Rxd5 54. exd5 Qd6 55. Z0
{und dann mit} Qxd5 56. Z0 f5 {den Königsangriff zu erneuern.}) 53. Bc4 Rb7
54. Kf2 Bxc4 55. bxc4 Rdb8 56. Kg2 {Weiß ist gegen die einzige Drohung Bc3
völlig gerüstet.} Qd8 (56... Qd8 57. Z0 {droht nach} Bc3 58. Nxc3 dxc3 59.
Qxc3 {mit dem Turm nach} Rb3 {einzudringen.}) 57. Rb1 {Pariert die Drohung.}
Ke6 ({Auf} 57... Bxa5 {würde Weiß nach dem Turmtausch} 58. Rxb7+ Rxb7 {durch}
59. Qa4 {den Bauern zurückzugewinnen.}) 58. Qa4 {Eine gänzlich unmotivierte
Veränderung der Aufstellung. Weiß sollte den König ziehen, ...} ({am besten
} 58. Kh2 {, dann könnte Schwarz schwerlich etwas ausrichten.}) 58... Qc7 59.
Rab2 Ke7 60. Kf2 {Ermüdung beider Spieler.} Bd2 ({Beide übersehen, daß} 
60... Be1+ {die Qualität erobern würde.}) {Aber auch dieser Zug ist stark
genug. Der Läufer kommt damit an eine dominierende Stellung.} 61. Rxb7 Rxb7
62. Qa2 Be3+ 63. Kf1 Qb8 64. Rxb7+ Qxb7 {Nun ist Schwarz Herr der Partie. Auf
der offenen Linie, die er beherrscht, kann er ins gegnerische Spiel eindringen,
der Pa5 muß fallen und der Springer spielt dem Läufer gegenüber eine
klägliche Rolle.} 65. Qc2 Qb4 66. Qa2 Kd6 67. Kg2 Kc7 68. Kf1 Kc8 69. Kg2 Qe1
70. Qb2 Qf2+ 71. Kh1 Qxf3+ 72. Kh2 Qf2+ 73. Kh1 Bf4 0-1

[Event "St Petersburg International Final"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "1914.05.12"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Tarrasch, Siegbert"]
[Black "Capablanca, Jose Raul"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[Annotator "Tarrasch,S"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "1914.05.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "Tarrasch"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Be7 6. O-O b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4
b4 9. Nd5 Bg4 {Bezüglich der Eröffnung vergleiche man die Partie Nr. 10,
Tarrasch - Janowski, mit de diese Partie bis hierher identisch ist.} 10. c3 {
Das ist besser als der in der anderen Partie gewählte Tausch auf f6, aber auch
nicht völlig genügend.} Rb8 {Nicht gut; der Zug bedroht zwar den den bb3, läßt
aber den a-Bauern ungedeckt.} 11. Bc4 Nxe4 12. d4 {Im zwölften Zuge erst den
damenbauern zu ziehen, ist in der Königsbauerneröffnung mindestens eine
Anomalie, die auf eine vorausgegangene Inkorrektheit schließen läßt. Die ganze
von Weiß hier angewandte Spielweise ist verdächtig: im Anhange soll sie noch
näher beleuchtet werden.} bxc3 13. bxc3 O-O 14. Bxa6 ({Keinen Vorteil kann
Weiß erzielen mit} 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Nxe5 Bxd1 16. Nc6 Qd7 17. Ndxe7+ Kh8 18.
Rxd1 {Nach} Rfe8 {Weiß kommt wegen der unsicheren Stellung der beiden Springer
bald in Nachteil.}) 14... exd4 15. cxd4 Nb4 16. Nxb4 Rxb4 {Das Spiel steht
ziemlich gleich, aber Weiß hat einen starken Freibauern.} 17. Bb5 {Weiß
spielt auf die Eroberung des ausgesperrten Rb4.} Bxf3 {Die beste Antwort, die
aber dennoch nicht genügen sollte.} 18. gxf3 ({Weiß hängt zu konsequent an
seinem Plane und kommt dadurch in nachteil. Er mußte ihn sofort aufgeben und
einen anderen fassen, nämlich} 18. Qxf3 $1 Rxd4 19. Be3 Rb4 20. Bc6 {und der
a-Bauer käme zur Geltung, eine furchtbare Macht und wahrscheinlich gar nicht
aufzuhalten.}) 18... Ng5 {Damit dreht Schwarz das Spieß um, und gleich um
volle 180 Grad, denn er droht Rxd4 und Nxf3+. Der Rb4 erweist sich als
gefährlicher Gefangener.} 19. Ra3 {Um den Turm zum Angriff auf den
Königsflügel zu führen. Jede Verteidigung des Pd4 wäre nutzlos.} Bf6 20. f4 ({
Auf} 20. Be3 $2 Qa8 {mit den Drohungen auf f3 oder b5 zu schlagen.}) 20... Ne6
21. Rh3 Rxd4 22. Qh5 h6 23. Rg3 Kh8 {Das ist nicht gut und hätte dem Weißen
ermöglicht, den Angriff zu behaupten.} ({Schwarz sollte den Ph6 aufgeben.} 
23... Nxf4 24. Bxf4 Rxf4 25. Qxh6 Rh4 {würde aber den Angriff abschlagen.}) 24.
Qf5 {In größter Zeitnot.} ({Der rettende Zug war} 24. Rg4 {Danach ließ sich
der Angriff in aller Ruhe verstärken, etwa mit Turmverdoppelung in der g-Linie.
}) {Jetzt reißt der Schwarze den Angriff an sich.} 24... Bh4 25. Rh3 Qf6 26.
Qg4 Bg5 $1 {Damit wird der Angriff völlig gebrochen und Schwarz gewinnt einen
zweiten Bauern.} 27. Be3 Nxf4 28. Bxd4 Nxh3+ 29. Kh1 Qe6 30. Qf3 $2 ({Die
einzige Chance, und sogar eine sehr gute, war es} 30. Qxe6 {die damen zu
tauschen und} fxe6 31. a5 {den Freibauern vorzurücken. Aber der 30. Zug! 
[Gemeint ist die Zeitkontrolle!]}) 30... Bd2 {Um den gefährlichen Freibauern
aufzuhalten.} 31. Qd3 (31. Bc6 {war weit besser: Es deckt den Königsflügel,
hindert den d-Bauer am Vorrücken und beide Läufer zusammen können vielleicht
doch etwas bewirken.}) 31... Ba5 32. Bc6 d5 {Schwarz führt die Partie nun in
wenigen eleganten Zügen zum Schluß.} 33. Rc1 Nf4 34. Qe3 Bd2 {Der Gnadenstoß!
Die weiße Dame muß das Schach ihrer schwarzen Widersacherin auf e4 verhindern.}
35. Qa3 (35. Qxe6 Nxe6 {mit Angriff auf Bd4 und Rc1.}) (35. Qxd2 Qe4+ 36. f3
Qxf3+ 37. Kg1 Nh3#) 35... Rb8 {Eine von Capablance nicht völlig richtig, aber
doch sehr gut gespielte Partie.} 0-1

[Event "Australian op"]
[Site "Canberra"]
[Date "2001.01.06"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Pisk, Petr"]
[Black "Volzhin, Alexander"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2400"]
[BlackElo "2556"]
[Annotator "Volzhin,A"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "2000.12.30"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "AUS"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2004"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d4 {This old line doesn't promise
White any advantage.} exd4 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 b5 8. e5 Nxe5 9. Rxe5 d6 10. Re1
bxa4 11. Bg5 $6 (11. Nxd4 Bd7 12. Qf3 O-O 13. Nc6 Bxc6 14. Qxc6 {with
approximately equal chances}) 11... O-O ({An attemp to keep extra pawn gives
White excellent compensation after} 11... c5 $6 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. c3 $1) 12.
Qe2 h6 (12... Re8 $5 {also deserves attention:} 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Nxd4 Bb7 15.
Qh5 Bf8 16. Nc3 Re5 17. Nf5 Qe8 18. Rxe5 Qxe5 19. Nxa4 Qe4 {with good play for
Black, Machulsky,A-Timoshchenko,G/USSR 1981}) 13. Bh4 (13. Qxe7 $2 hxg5 $17)
13... g5 14. Nxd4 {The only move. The alternatives are insufficient:} (14. Qxe7
Qxe7 (14... gxh4 15. Qe2 $44) 15. Rxe7 Nd5 $1 16. Re4 (16. Re1 gxh4 17. Nxd4 h3
$17) 16... c5 17. Nxg5 $8 (17. Bg3 f5 $19 {/\ f4}) 17... hxg5 18. Bxg5 Bf5 $15)
(14. Nxg5 $2 hxg5 15. Bxg5 Be6 $19) 14... Qd7 $1 $17 {N  In my opinion, this
move is the clear refutation of the whole line. Black wants to develop his
light-squared bishop to a8-h1 diagonal where it will be much more active than
on d7.} ({The well-known alternative to the text} 14... Bd7 {is not bad either,
for example:} 15. Bg3 Re8 16. Nc3 Bf8 17. Qd3 (17. Qd2 Bg7 18. f4 Nh5 19. Rxe8+
Qxe8 20. Re1 Qb8 21. fxg5 Nxg3 22. hxg3 Qb6 23. Re4 Re8 24. Rxe8+ Bxe8 25. Nce2
$15 {Petrushin-Seredenko, Aktjubinsk 1985}) 17... Bg7 18. a3 Rb8 19. Rxe8+ Qxe8
20. f4 Rxb2 21. Re1 Qd8 22. fxg5 hxg5 23. Qd2 Rb8 24. Qxg5 Ng4 $15 {
Petrushin-Dorfman, Tallinn 1983}) 15. Nc3 (15. Qxe7 $4 Re8 $19) (15. Bg3 Re8 {
/\c5, Bb7 -/+}) 15... Re8 16. Qf3 {An attemp to complicate.} (16. Bg3 Bb7 {
/\c5-/+ is clearly better for Black.}) 16... d5 17. Bxg5 $5 (17. Bg3 c5 18.
Nde2 Bb7 $19) 17... hxg5 18. Re5 $1 $44 {Now Black has to find a way how to
parry this sudden attack.} Nh7 $1 {The only move. White's initiative is really
very strong as the following variations prove:} (18... Bb7 $2 19. Rxg5+ Kf8 20.
Nf5 Nh7 21. Qh3 $1 Bxg5 22. Qxh7 $18) (18... Ng4 $2 19. Rxd5 Bd6 20. Rxg5+ Kf8
21. Nf5 $1 $18 (21. Qxa8 $2 Bxh2+ 22. Kh1 Qxd4 $17) 21... Qe6 22. g3 Be7 23.
Rxg4 Rb8 (23... Qxf5 24. Rf4) 24. Rf4 Bg5 25. Nd4 Qg6 26. Re4 $18) (18... g4 $6
19. Qf4 Nh7 20. Nxd5 $40 Bd6 $140 $2 21. Nf6+ $1 Nxf6 22. Rg5+ Kf8 23. Qxf6 $18
{->}) 19. Rae1 $6 {Allows Black to complete the development.} ({Natural} 19.
Nxd5 $5 {should be played and Black has to find} Bc5 $1 {[]} (19... Bd8 20.
Rxe8+ Qxe8 21. Nxc7 Bxc7 22. Qxa8 $16) 20. Rxe8+ Qxe8 21. Nxc7 Qd7 22. Qxa8 (
22. Nxa8 Bxd4 23. Rd1 Bb7 24. Qd3 Qc6 $19) 22... Bxd4 23. Nd5 Kg7 {/\Bb7} 24.
Ne7 Qxe7 25. Qxc8 a3 $1 {with huge edge.}) 19... Bb7 $1 20. Qe2 Kf8 21. Qh5 Bf6
$1 $19 {Now the game is over.} 22. Qh6+ Bg7 23. Qxh7 Rxe5 24. Rxe5 Bxe5 25. Nf5
Qe6 0-1

[Event "Chigorin Memorial 07th"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "1999.11.06"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Dvoirys, Semen I"]
[Black "Shinkevich, Vitaly"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2590"]
[BlackElo "2428"]
[Annotator "Wedberg,T"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "1999.11.02"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 074"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
Rb8 9. axb5 axb5 10. Nc3 (10. Re1 d6 11. c3 h6 12. Nbd2 Nh7 13. d4 Bf6 14. Nf1
Bg4 15. d5 Ne7 16. h3 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Bg5 18. Ne3 $14 {1-0 Morozevich,A-Korneev,
O/Elista 1997/CBM 59 (65)}) 10... d6 11. h3 (11. Nd5 Nxd5 12. exd5 Nd4 13. Nxd4
exd4 $11 {1/2-1/2 Zagrebelny,S-Dovlatov,S/Abu Dhabi 1999/EXT 2000 (42)}) 11...
Be6 12. Nd5 Bxd5 13. exd5 Nb4 14. d4 e4 15. Ng5 c5 16. dxc6 {[%mdl 8]} (16. c3
Nbxd5 17. dxc5 dxc5 18. Nxe4 c4 19. Bc2 $14 {1-0 Romanishin,O-Nunn,J/Debrecen
1992/EU-chT/[Bulletin] (73)}) 16... d5 {Is the N trapped on g4?} 17. f3 exf3 (
17... h6 $5 {is the principal answer.} 18. fxe4 hxg5 19. exd5 Nbxd5 (19...
Nfxd5 $2 20. c3 Nxc6 21. Qf3 $1 $18) 20. Bxg5 Qb6 21. Rf5 Rbd8 22. c3 Qxc6 23.
Qf3 $36) 18. Nxf3 Nxc6 19. Ne5 $36 {Black is clearly on the recieving end here.
} Qb6 20. Nxc6 Qxc6 21. Bg5 Rbd8 22. Rf5 Rfe8 23. Qf3 Rd6 24. Bf4 Rd7 25. Be5
Bd8 26. Rf1 Qe6 27. Qg3 Kh8 28. c3 Rg8 29. Qf3 b4 (29... Ne4 30. Bxd5 $1 $18)
30. Bxf6 Bxf6 31. Bxd5 Qb6 32. Be4 Re7 33. Bc2 bxc3 34. bxc3 Rge8 35. Qd3 Re1
36. Rxf6 1-0

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 12th"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "1999.12.01"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Beliavsky, Alexander G"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2690"]
[BlackElo "2618"]
[Annotator "Wedberg,T"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "1999.11.06"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 074"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.02.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Bulgaria"]
[BlackTeam "Slovenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "BUL"]
[BlackTeamCountry "SLO"]

{[%mdl 1] An excellent game by Topalov against one of the most renowned
experts of the black side of the Ruy Lopez.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4.
Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bb7 7. d3 Be7 8. Nc3 d6 9. a4 Na5 10. Ba2 b4 11. Ne2
c5 (11... O-O 12. c3 bxc3 13. bxc3 d5 14. Nxe5 dxe4 15. d4 c5 16. Ng3 cxd4 17.
cxd4 Bd5 18. Nf5 Re8 19. Bg5 $36 {1-0 Dvoirys,S-Polovodin,I/St. Petersburg
1998/CBM 67 ext (61)}) 12. Ng3 O-O (12... Bc8 13. Nh4 O-O 14. Ngf5 (14. Nhf5)
14... Ne8 15. Bd5 Rb8 16. Nxe7+ Qxe7 17. Qh5 Be6 18. Nf5 Qd7 19. Bg5 f6 20.
Bxe6+ Qxe6 $11 {1-0 Jedryczka,K-Nurkiewicz,M/Czestochowa 1998/EXT 2000 (38)})
13. Bd2 {This is quite an important move in this line. The idea is to always
be ready for Bxa5 when Black tries b3.} Rb8 14. Nf5 Bc8 15. N3h4 Be6 16. Qf3
Ne8 17. Nxe7+ (17. Bxe6 fxe6 18. Nxe7+ Qxe7 19. Qh3 Nc6 20. c3 bxc3 21. bxc3
Rb2 $11 {1-0 Galdunts,S-Michalczak,T/Schwaebisch Gmuend 1995/CBM 45 ext (25)})
17... Qxe7 18. Nf5 Qd7 19. Qg4 Kh8 (19... b3 20. Bxa5 bxa2 21. b3 $16) 20. f4
$40 {[%mdl 4] Topalovs handling of this position is a nice model for the White
side in this anti-arkhangel. Seemingly without effort he gets a strong attack
on the K-side.} Nc6 (20... g6 21. Bxe6 fxe6 22. Nh4 $16) 21. fxe5 Nxe5 22. Qg3
Bxa2 23. Rxa2 b3 {Black finally manages to get b3 in, but it turns out to be a
hollow victory, since White gets a new strong post for his B on c3.} 24. cxb3
Rxb3 25. Bc3 $16 f6 26. Raa1 Nc7 27. d4 $1 cxd4 28. Nxd4 Rbb8 29. Nf5 g6 {
Weakening everything, but the N was difficult to stand on f5, attacking both
d6 and g7.} 30. Ne3 Rf7 31. Rad1 Qc6 32. h3 Re8 33. Qh4 Kg7 34. Kh1 Re6 35. Nd5
$1 Qxa4 36. Nf4 Re8 37. Rxd6 Qc4 38. Nh5+ $1 {The brilliant point of the
sequence leading up to this position.} gxh5 39. Rfxf6 $18 Nb5 (39... Kg8 40.
Bxe5 $18) 40. Qg5+ Kf8 41. Qh6+ Kg8 42. Bxe5 (42. Bxe5 Rxe5 43. Rd8+ $18) 1-0

[Event "Hoogovens"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "1994.01.??"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Smirin, Ilia"]
[Black "Piket, Jeroen"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2615"]
[BlackElo "2605"]
[Annotator "Wedberg,T"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "1994.01.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "14"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 040"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.06.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.06.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 Be7 7. Re1 b5 8.
Rxe4 d5 9. Nxe5 Nxe5 10. Rxe5 (10. Bxb5+ axb5 11. Rxe5 O-O 12. Nc3 c6 13. Re1
$14 {/\Bf4 Parma}) 10... bxa4 11. c4 dxc4 12. Qxa4+ Bd7 13. Qxc4 O-O 14. Nc3
Bd6 15. Bg5 Qb8 $146 16. Re2 Re8 17. d5 (17. Rae1 $2 Qxb2 $1 18. Rxb2 $2 Rxe1+
19. Qf1 Bxh2+ 20. Kxh2 Rxf1 $19) 17... Rxe2 18. Qxe2 Qb4 19. Re1 a5 20. h3 h6
21. Bc1 Re8 22. Qd1 Re5 23. Rxe5 1/2-1/2

[Event "RUS-Cup03 Geller Memorial"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "1999.02.09"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Balashov, Yuri S"]
[Black "Isanbaev, Ramil"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2578"]
[BlackElo "2344"]
[Annotator "Wedberg,T"]
[PlyCount "211"]
[EventDate "1999.02.10"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 070"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 d6 7. c3 O-O 8. Re1
b5 9. Bc2 Re8 10. Nbd2 Bf8 11. Nf1 g6 (11... h6 12. h3 Bb7 13. Ng3 d5 14. Qe2
g6 15. a4 b4 16. a5 Qe7 17. Ba4 dxe4 18. dxe4 Red8 19. Bd2 bxc3 20. Bxc3 Nd4
21. Qe3 c5 $132 {0-1 Hernandez,Y-Baron Rodriguez,J/Zaragoza 1996/EXT 97 (29)})
12. Ng3 Bg7 13. h3 d5 $6 {Maybe a bit too early. Black is not developed.} 14.
Bg5 $1 h6 (14... d4 15. Qd2 $14) 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. exd5 Qxd5 17. d4 $1 $36 Bb7
18. Be4 Qd6 19. dxe5 Bxe5 20. Nxe5 Rxe5 21. Qxd6 cxd6 22. f4 Re7 23. Bf3 Rae8
24. Rxe7 Rxe7 25. Rd1 Na5 26. Kf2 Bxf3 27. Kxf3 Nb7 28. Ne4 $14 {White has a
pleasant endgame, with a clear weakness to probe. But Black's position is
defendable, since there is only one serious weakness.} f5 $1 29. Nf6+ (29. Nxd6
Rd7 $17) 29... Kf7 30. Nd5 Rd7 31. g4 Ke6 32. Nb6 Re7 33. b4 Kf7 34. gxf5 gxf5
35. Nd5 Re8 36. a4 {White needs another weakness to make any progress.} bxa4
37. Ra1 Rc8 38. Ke3 Re8+ 39. Kd3 Re4 40. Rxa4 $2 (40. c4 $142) 40... a5 $2 {
The 40th move is always difficult.} (40... Nc5+ $1 41. bxc5 Rxa4 42. cxd6 (42.
c6 Ra5 43. Kd4 Rc5 $19) 42... Ra5 43. Nc7 (43. Kd4 Ke6 $19) 43... Ra1 44. Kd4 (
44. Kc2 a5 45. c4 a4 46. c5 a3 47. d7 Ke7 48. c6 a2 49. Kb2 Rc1 $19) 44... a5
45. c4 a4 $17) 41. Ra3 axb4 42. Ra7 (42. cxb4 Ke6 $15) 42... bxc3 43. Kxc3 $2 (
43. Rxb7+ $1 Ke6 44. Nc7+ Kd7 (44... Kf6 45. h4) 45. Na6+ Ke6 46. Rb4 $18)
43... Ke6 $11 44. Nc7+ Kd7 45. Rxb7 Kc6 46. Nb5 Rxf4 47. Rb8 Rh4 48. Nd4+ Kd5
49. Nxf5 Rxh3+ 50. Kd2 Ke4 51. Nxd6+ Ke5 52. Rd8 h5 53. Ke2 h4 54. Nc4+ Ke4 55.
Nd2+ Kf4 56. Rf8+ Kg4 57. Rg8+ Kf4 58. Nf3 Rg3 59. Rf8+ Ke4 60. Nxh4 Ra3 {
This ending is a dead draw. Black must either blunder his R or play his K
voluntarily to a corner for White to win. White can never force Black´s K to a
corner.} 61. Re8+ Kd4 62. Nf3+ Kd5 63. Re5+ Kc4 64. Rh5 Rc3 65. Ne1 Kd4 66.
Rh4+ Kd5 67. Nd3 Rc8 68. Nb4+ Kc5 69. Kd3 Rg8 70. Kc3 Rg3+ 71. Nd3+ Kd5 72.
Rh5+ Kd6 73. Kd4 Rg4+ 74. Ke3 Ra4 75. Nc5 Rb4 76. Ne4+ Ke6 77. Kf4 Rd4 78. Re5+
Kd7 79. Kf5 Kc6 80. Rc5+ Kb6 81. Rc1 Rd8 82. Ke5 Rh8 83. Nf6 Kb5 84. Kd4 Rh4+
85. Kd5 Rf4 86. Nd7 Kb4 87. Ne5 Rf5 88. Ke4 Rh5 89. Nf3 Kb5 90. Kd4 Kb6 91. Ne5
Rh4+ 92. Kd5 Rh5 93. Rb1+ Kc7 94. Rb5 Rh1 95. Rc5+ Kb7 96. Rc2 Rd1+ 97. Kc5 Rh1
(97... Ka8 $2 {The only none-blundering move to lose.} 98. Rb2 {This is i a
won position for White. It takes 26 moves to win it according to the engame
cd-roms.} Rc1+ 99. Kd6 Rc8 100. Nc6 Rg8 101. Kc5 Rg5+ 102. Kb6 Rg2 103. Rb5 Rg5
104. Ne5 Rg7 105. Rd5 Rb7+ 106. Kc6 Re7 107. Nd7 Re6+ 108. Kc7 Ka7 109. Rd4 Rh6
110. Ra4+ Ra6 111. Rh4 Rg6 112. Ne5 Rg7+ 113. Kc6 Ka8 114. Rh1 Re7 115. Nd7
Re6+ 116. Kc7 Ka7 117. Nc5 Re7+ 118. Kc6 Ka8 119. Ra1+ Ra7 120. Na6 Re7 121.
Nc7+ Kb8 122. Ra8#) 98. Rg2 Rh7 99. Kd6 Rh6+ 100. Ng6 Kc8 101. Kc6 Kb8 102. Kd7
Kb7 103. Rb2+ Ka6 104. Ne7 Rb6 105. Ra2+ Kb5 106. Nc6 1/2-1/2

[Event "Sigeman & Co 07th"]
[Site "Malmo"]
[Date "1999.06.15"]
[Round "7"]
[White "De Firmian, Nick E"]
[Black "Hector, Jonny"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2610"]
[BlackElo "2542"]
[Annotator "Wedberg,T"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "1999.06.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SWE"]
[EventCategory "14"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 072"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bb7 7. d3 Be7 8. Nc3
O-O 9. a3 d6 10. Bd2 {De Firmian aims for a slow game and steers clear of all
theoretical questions.} (10. Nd5 Nxd5 11. Bxd5 Bf6 12. Be3 Qc8 13. Ba2 Nd4 14.
Nxd4 exd4 15. Bd2 d5 $132 {1/2-1/2 Spassky,B-Morovic Fernandez,I/Vina del Mar
1989/EXT 97 (31)}) 10... Nb8 (10... Nd4 $5 11. Nxd4 exd4 12. Ne2 c5 $13) 11.
Ne2 Nh5 12. h3 c5 13. Nc3 Nf6 14. Qe2 Nbd7 15. Nh2 Rc8 16. a4 Qb6 17. Ng4 c4 (
17... b4 18. Nd1 $14) 18. dxc4 bxc4 19. Bxc4 Nxe4 20. Nxe4 d5 21. Bb3 dxe4 22.
Nh6+ $1 {This is the refutation of Black´s central attack.} gxh6 23. Qg4+ Kh8
24. Qxd7 Rc7 $2 (24... Bg5 25. Bxg5 hxg5 26. Rad1 $14) 25. Qf5 $16 {[%cal
Yf5e5,Ye5c7,Ye5h8] Black cannot protect all his weaknesses.} Bc5 26. Bxh6 $1
Rg8 27. Qxe5+ f6 28. Qf4 Rg6 29. Rad1 Rc8 30. a5 e3 (30... Qxa5 31. Bf7 $18)
31. axb6 $18 Rxg2+ 32. Kh1 Rxf2+ 33. Bd5 Rxf4 34. Bxf4 e2 35. Bxb7 Re8 1-0

[Event "UKR-ch 73rd"]
[Site "Kharkov"]
[Date "2004.08.25"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Kuzmin, Gennadi P"]
[Black "Malaniuk, Vladimir P"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2518"]
[BlackElo "2555"]
[Annotator "Wedberg,T"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2004.08.03"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "UKR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 103"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bb7 {White has an
array of possibilities in this position. They can be divided into two
categories: the slow and the ambitious.} 7. Nc3 {This belongs to the slow
category and it has a good track record.} (7. c3 {Quite ambitious.}) (7. Ng5 {
Too ambitious.} d5 8. exd5 Nd4) (7. Re1 {Slow, but it allows the sharp
Arkhangel variation.} Bc5) (7. d3 {Slow.}) (7. d4 {Ambitious.}) (7. Qe2 {
Fairly slow.}) 7... Be7 8. d3 O-O 9. Bd2 d6 10. a4 Na5 11. Ba2 b4 12. Nd5 (12.
Ne2 {allows Black to break free.} d5 $1 13. exd5 Bxd5 14. Bxd5 Qxd5 15. Ng3
Rfe8 16. Re1 Bf8 17. Qe2 Nc6 $11 {0-1 Adorjan,A-Planinec,A/Wijk aan Zee 1974/
MCD (46)}) 12... Nxd5 (12... c5 13. Nxe7+ Qxe7 14. Nh4 Ne8 (14... d5 $5) 15.
Nf5 Qd7 16. f4 $36 {1-0 Chandler,M-Rodriguez Cespedes,A/Minsk 1982/MCL (28)})
13. exd5 c5 14. c3 (14. dxc6 Nxc6 15. Bd5 $6 Qa5 $1 16. Ba2 d5 $15 {0-1
Bologan,V-Shirov,A/Moscow 1991/CBM 26 (61)}) 14... bxc3 15. Bxc3 Bc8 16. Qe1
Nb7 17. a5 $6 {This has been played before. It loses a P but White hopes for
active play against the black K.} (17. Nd2 $5 Bf5 18. Qe2 Qd7 19. Nc4 Bd8 20.
a5 Re8 21. Bb3 Re7 22. Ba4 Qc8 23. Bc6 $16 {1-0 Mohr,G-Prein,M/Wuerzburg 1991/
EXT 97 (28)}) 17... Bg4 18. Nd2 Nxa5 19. f4 exf4 20. Rxf4 Bh5 21. Qg3 (21. Ne4
Nb7 22. Bc4 Bg6 23. Rxa6 Rxa6 24. Bxa6 Qb6 25. Bc4 Ra8 26. h4 Qd8 $13 {1/2-1/2
Short,N-Malaniuk,V/Baku 1983/MCL (64)}) 21... g6 $6 {Weakening.} (21... Bg6 $5
22. h4 f6) 22. Ne4 f5 $2 {Now disaster strikes.} 23. Nxc5 $1 $16 Bf6 (23...
dxc5 24. d6+ c4 25. dxe7 Qxe7 26. Bxa5 $18) 24. Ne6 Qb6+ 25. Rf2 Nb3 (25... Rf7
26. Bxa5 Qxa5 27. Qxd6 $16) 26. Bxb3 Qxb3 27. Bxf6 (27. Nxf8 Bxc3 28. d4 $1 $18
) 27... Rxf6 28. Qxd6 Qb8 29. Qc5 Qe5 30. Rxa6 $1 Rb8 31. Rc6 1-0

[Event "FRA-ch"]
[Site "Meribel"]
[Date "1998.08.18"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Chomet, Pascal"]
[Black "Bacrot, Etienne"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2405"]
[BlackElo "2555"]
[Annotator "Wedberg,T"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "1998.08.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 067"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.11.30"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.11.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{[%mdl 984] Playing all out to win often means taking risks. To win sometimes
you need to pass through a lost position, as the swedish grandmaster Thomas
Ernst so eloquently once put it. Bacrot is a fighter and masters this concept
brilliantly in this game. The opening plan is dubious though.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3
Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bb7 7. d3 Be7 8. Nc3 d6 9. a4 Nd4
$146 {Aggressive, but also risky. The play leads to patterns similar to the
Bird variation, 3. - Sd4.} (9... b4 10. Nd5 Nxd5 11. Bxd5 Na5 (11... Rb8 12.
Be3 O-O 13. Nd2 Na5 14. Bxb7 Rxb7 15. f4 exf4 16. Bxf4 Bf6 $15 {0-1 Djuric,
S-Oblitas,C/Buenos Aires 1991/TD 91\09 (64)}) (11... O-O 12. a5 Nxa5 13. Rxa5
c6 14. Bxf7+ Rxf7 15. Ra1 Qd7 16. Ng5 Bxg5 17. Bxg5 c5 18. c3 a5 19. Be3 Ra6 {
1/2-1/2 Sznapik,A-Pedzich,D/POL 1991/EXP 22 (19)}) 12. Bxb7 Nxb7 $11 {1/2-1/2
Tal,M-Timman,J/Brussels 1987/CBM 02 (42)}) (9... Na5 10. Ba2 b4 11. Ne2 O-O (
11... c5 12. Ng3 Bc8 13. c3 bxc3 14. bxc3 O-O 15. d4 Qc7 16. h3 Rb8 17. Re1 c4
18. Ba3 Re8 19. d5 Nb7 $11 {1/2-1/2 Djuric,S-Tseshkovsky,V/Tivat 1995/EXP 48 
(24)}) 12. Ng3 Rb8 13. Bd2 c5 14. Nf5 Bc8 15. N3h4 Be6 16. Qf3 Ne8 17. Bxe6
fxe6 18. Nxe7+ Qxe7 19. Qh3 $14 {1-0 Galdunts,S-Michalczak,T/Schwaebisch
Gmuend 1995/EXP 45 (25)}) 10. Nxd4 (10. axb5 Nxb3 11. cxb3 axb5 12. Rxa8 Bxa8
13. Nxb5 O-O $44 {Whites b-pawns are weak.}) 10... exd4 11. Ne2 c5 12. Ng3 h5
$6 {A move often seen in the Bird. In a single game surely playable, but in
analysis I think Blacks position is dubious.} (12... O-O {is safer, but} 13.
Nf5 {must be +/=.}) 13. Nf5 Bf8 14. Bg5 {This natural move is perhaps not the
best.} (14. Qe2 $5 {/\e5} Nd7 (14... Qd7 15. Bg5 $16) (14... Ng4 15. h3 Ne5 16.
f4 Ng6 17. e5 $16) (14... g6 15. e5 $40) 15. Bd5 Qc8 16. Bf4 Ne5 17. Bxb7 Qxb7
18. axb5 axb5 19. Rxa8+ Qxa8 20. c3 $16) 14... g6 15. e5 $5 (15. Nh4 Be7 $13
16. f4 $140 Ng4 $132) 15... dxe5 16. Qe2 Bd6 17. f4 e4 18. dxe4 (18. Nxd6+ Qxd6
19. f5 Ng4 20. Bf4 Qc6 $13) 18... gxf5 19. e5 c4 20. exd6+ $2 (20. Bxf6 Bc5 21.
Kh1 (21. Bxd8 d3+ 22. Qf2 Bxf2+ 23. Rxf2 Rxd8 $17) 21... Qd5 (21... Qxf6 22.
exf6+ Be4 23. Ba2 Rg8 24. Rf3 $18) 22. Bxh8 cxb3 23. cxb3 O-O-O 24. Bf6 Rg8 25.
Bg5 d3 $40) 20... Be4 $17 21. d7+ Qxd7 22. Bxf6 Rg8 23. Rf2 cxb3 24. cxb3 Rg6
25. Bg5 d3 26. Qxh5 Qd4 27. Rc1 d2 28. Rcf1 (28. Rd1 Rc8 $19) 28... Rc8 29. Qe2
Rd6 30. Rd1 Rc1 0-1

[Event "EU-ch 5th"]
[Site "Antalya"]
[Date "2004.05.18"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Gashimov, Vugar"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2565"]
[BlackElo "2716"]
[Annotator "Wedberg,T"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2004.05.15"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 101"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. O-O Be7 7. e5 (7. Re1 {
is the main line.}) 7... Ne4 8. Nxd4 O-O 9. Nf5 d5 10. Bxc6 bxc6 11. Nxe7+ Qxe7
12. Re1 Re8 13. f3 Nc5 {Black has excellent results with this retreat as well
as with Nd6. So its a bit unclear why white players steers for this line.} 14.
b3 Ne6 15. Qd2 Qc5+ 16. Qf2 (16. Kh1 Qd4 17. c3 Qxd2 18. Nxd2 a5 19. Ba3 Ba6
20. g3 c5 21. f4 Bd3 22. Re3 c4 {with a good game for Black in Nataf,
I-Collange,P/Paris 1993/0-1 (58)}) 16... Qd4 {The ending is pleasant for Black
due to his active possibilities on the Q-side. White has a well protected P on
e5, but it is blocked and it limits the scope of his own B - all in all Black
should be prefered.} 17. Qxd4 Nxd4 18. Na3 Bf5 19. Be3 Ne6 20. Rad1 h5 {
Holding White's K-side down.} 21. Rd2 a5 22. Nb1 Rad8 23. Bf2 d4 24. Na3 c5 25.
Nc4 a4 26. Bg3 Ra8 27. Rc1 Ra6 $1 {Preparing to double on the a-file before
taking on b3 - an old trick.} 28. c3 $6 {Its understandable that White wants
activity, but now the Q-side P:s are all weak.} Rb8 29. cxd4 axb3 30. axb3 cxd4
31. Bf2 Rxb3 32. Bxd4 {Superficially this looks almost OK for White, but with
a few sharp moves Ivanchuk proves that notion to be wrong.} Rc6 $1 {[%cal
Yc6c1]} 33. Bb2 Bd3 $1 {[%mdl 2048] The white pieces are overburdened - he
must lose material.} 34. Rxd3 (34. Ne3 Rxb2 $1 $18) 34... Rxd3 35. Kf1 Rb3 0-1

[Event "Munich SKA"]
[Site "Munich"]
[Date "1993.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Hjartarson, Johann"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2625"]
[BlackElo "2630"]
[Annotator "Wedberg,T"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "1993.05.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "16"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 036"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1993.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1993.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. d4 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. Nbd2 Re8 $146 (9... Bg4 10. h3 Bh5 11. d5 Na5 12. Bc2 c5 13. dxc6 Nxc6
14. Re1 Rc8 15. Nf1 Bg6 16. Ng3 {+/= Tal-Lutikov, URS 1963}) 10. a3 Bf8 11. Re1
g6 12. Bc2 Bg7 13. d5 Na5 14. b4 Nb7 (14... Nc4 15. Nxc4 bxc4 16. Nd2 $16) 15.
c4 Bd7 16. Bb2 $14 c6 17. dxc6 Bxc6 18. Rc1 Qd7 19. Bb3 Rac8 20. h3 Nd8 21. c5
Nb7 22. cxd6 Nh5 (22... Qxd6 $2 23. Ng5 Re7 24. Ndf3 $36) 23. Nf1 (23. Ng5 Nxd6
$13) 23... Qxd6 24. Ng5 Rf8 25. Qxd6 Nxd6 26. Red1 Nc4 $132 (26... Nb7 $6 27.
Ne3 h6 28. Ne6 $5 fxe6 29. Bxe6+ Kh7 30. Bxc8 Rxc8 31. Nd5 Bd7 32. Nc7 $16) 27.
Bxc4 bxc4 28. Rxc4 Nf4 29. Ne3 f6 30. Rd6 Bb5 31. Rxc8 Rxc8 32. Ne6 Nxe6 33.
Rxe6 Rc6 34. Re7 $6 (34. Rxc6 Bxc6 35. f3 $14) 34... Kf8 35. Ra7 Bh6 $1 {
<=> ץb2} 36. Nd5 (36. Rxh7 $4 Bxe3 37. fxe3 Rc2 $19) 36... Rc2 37. Bc3 Bg5 38.
a4 (38. Rxh7 $2 Bc4 39. Rc7 Bxd5 40. exd5 Rc1+ 41. Kh2 Bd2 $17) 38... Bd3 39.
b5 Bxe4 (39... axb5 40. Bb4+ Kg8 41. Ra8+ Kf7 42. Ra7+ Kg8 43. Ra8+ $10) 40.
Bb4+ Kg8 41. Rc7 (41. Ne7+ $2 Kh8 42. b6 Rc1+ 43. Kh2 Bf4+ 44. g3 Rh1#) 41...
Ra2 42. h4 $8 Bxd5 43. hxg5 Rxa4 44. Rc8+ Kg7 45. Rc7+ Kg8 46. Bc3 Rc4 $10 47.
Rxc4 Bxc4 48. b6 Bd5 49. gxf6 e4 50. g4 h6 51. Kh2 Kf7 52. Kg3 Ke6 53. Kf4 Bb7
54. Ke3 a5 55. Bxa5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Dos Hermanas"]
[Site "Dos Hermanas"]
[Date "1997.04.11"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Short, Nigel D"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2690"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[Annotator "Wedberg,T"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "1997.04.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 059"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Shirov tries a new idea in the opening, but still needs a blunder from Short
to win.} 1. e4 {Hecht} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Be7 5. Re1 d6 6. c3 O-O
7. d3 a6 8. Ba4 Nd7 9. d4 Bf6 10. Bc2 Nb6 11. h3 Bd7 12. b3 $146 {An
interesting decision. Shirov allows the exchange of his white squared B for a
N. Interestingly he allows the same trade in the game Shirov-Piket, Madrid
1997.} (12. Na3 {The N is not well placed here} Ne7 13. Be3 Ng6 14. Qd2 Qe7 15.
Rad1 Rad8 16. Qc1 h6 $13 {0-1 Nunn,J-Morozevich,A/Amsterdam Donner 1995/CBM 49
(41)}) 12... exd4 13. cxd4 Nb4 14. Nc3 Nxc2 15. Qxc2 {White has gotten a nice
center as compenastion.} c6 16. Ba3 Be7 17. Rad1 Re8 18. d5 cxd5 19. exd5 Rc8
20. Qd3 h6 {Black is a little cramped, but should be OK.} 21. Ne4 Bf5 22. Qd4
Bf8 23. Ng3 Rxe1+ 24. Rxe1 Bh7 25. Nh5 Nd7 $2 (25... Rc2 $5 26. Ra1 $11 (26.
Bb2 Nxd5 (26... f6 $6 27. Nf4 {><e6}) 27. Nxg7 (27. Qxd5 Rxb2 $17) 27... Rxb2
28. Nh5 Rxa2 29. Qxd5 Bg6 30. Nf4 Qb6 31. Re3 Qc5 $17)) 26. Bxd6 $1 $16 Qb6 (
26... Bxd6 $4 27. Qxg7#) 27. Bxf8 Qxd4 28. Nxd4 Kxf8 29. d6 Rd8 30. Re7 Nc5 31.
b4 Ne4 32. Nxg7 $1 Nxd6 (32... Rxd6 33. Ndf5 Rd1+ 34. Kh2 Nd6 35. Rd7 (35. Re5
Nxf5 36. Nxf5 Rd2 $132) 35... Nxf5 36. Rxd1 Kxg7 37. Rd7 b5 38. Ra7 $14) 33.
Rc7 Bb1 34. a3 Ne8 35. Nxe8 Kxe8 {Hecht; schlechte schwarze K-Position bei
schlechter Bauernstruktur; Beweglicher Springer} 36. Ne2 Be4 37. Ng3 Bc6 38.
Nf5 Rd1+ 39. Kh2 Rd2 40. Kg3 Rd3+ 41. f3 Rxa3 42. Nxh6 Bd5 43. Nf5 b5 44. h4
Kd8 45. Ra7 a5 46. h5 Be4 47. Kf4 axb4 48. h6 Bxf5 49. Kxf5 Rxa7 50. h7 1-0

[Event "St Petersburg-ch"]
[Site "St Petersburg"]
[Date "2002.04.20"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Yemelin, Vasily"]
[Black "Klimov, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2522"]
[BlackElo "2433"]
[Annotator "Wedberg,T"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2002.04.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[EventCategory "9"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 089"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.08.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.08.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4
Bb7 9. Nc3 Na5 10. Ba2 b4 11. Ne2 c5 (11... O-O 12. c3 bxc3 13. bxc3 d5 14.
Nxe5 dxe4 15. d4 c5 16. Ng3 cxd4 17. cxd4 Bd5 18. Nf5 Re8 19. Bg5 $36 {1-0
Dvoirys,S-Polovodin,I/St. Petersburg 1998/CBM 67 ext (61)}) 12. Ng3 O-O 13. Nf5
(13. Bd2 Rb8 14. Nf5 Bc8 15. N3h4 Be6 16. Qf3 Ne8 17. Nxe7+ Qxe7 18. Nf5 Qd7
19. Qg4 Kh8 20. f4 $40 {1-0 Topalov,V-Beliavsky,A/Batumi 1999/CBM 74/[Wedberg]
(42)}) 13... Bc8 14. N3h4 Ne8 15. Nxe7+ Qxe7 16. Bd5 Rb8 17. Nf5 $5 {[%mdl 8]}
(17. Qh5 Be6 18. Nf5 Qd7 19. Bg5 f6 20. Bxe6+ Qxe6 $11 {1-0 Jedryczka,
K-Nurkiewicz,M/Czestochowa 1998/EXT 2000 (38)}) 17... Bxf5 (17... Qf6 18. f4
exf4 19. Rxf4 Bxf5 20. Rxf5 Qd4+ 21. Kh1 $16 {and now} Nf6 $2 22. c3 $1 bxc3
23. bxc3 Qxc3 24. Bd2 $18) 18. exf5 Nc7 19. Bf3 d5 20. g4 $1 $40 {[%cal Yg4g5]
The logical continuation. White needs to prove that he can create something
with this P-formation.} Qh4 (20... Nc6 21. c3) 21. Bg2 g5 {Black tries to
block the white P:s at any cost, but in the process white gets to open the
position for his B:s.} 22. fxg6 fxg6 23. f4 $1 Nc6 24. Be3 Qe7 25. Qd2 d4 26.
Bf2 Qd7 27. Bg3 Nd5 28. fxe5 Ne3 29. Rf6 $16 Rxf6 30. exf6 Re8 31. Re1 (31. h3
$14) 31... Ne5 32. h3 Qxa4 33. b3 Qd7 34. Ra1 Qe6 35. Qf2 {Black must have
lost on time here. A pity in such an interesting position.} (35. Qf2 Nf7 $13 (
35... Nxg2 36. Bxe5 Ne3 37. Rxa6 $16)) 1-0

[Event "USA-ch sf1"]
[Site "Chandler"]
[Date "1997.09.03"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Benjamin, Joel"]
[Black "Kaidanov, Gregory S"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2580"]
[BlackElo "2600"]
[Annotator "Wedberg,T"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[EventDate "1997.08.??"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "USA"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 061"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1997.11.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Kaidanov plays a strong and logical novelty in a slightly obscure line. But
he fails to follow it up in the most aggressive manner. In the equal, but not
uninteresting ending, he blunders big time.} 1. e4 {Benjamin} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3.
Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. Nc3 b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. d3 d6 8. Nd5 Na5 9. Nxe7 Qxe7 10. O-O
O-O 11. Bg5 (11. Bd2 Nxb3 12. axb3 Re8 13. Bg5 {1/2-1/2 Spassky,B-Short,N/
Thessaloniki olm 1988/TD 88\06}) 11... h6 12. Bh4 g5 $1 $146 {This is always 
(almost at least) good in positions like this, compare with the 4 N:s or the
Arkhangelsk , given that the sacrifice on g5 isn't giving White a winning
attack.} (12... Bb7 13. Nd2 Rae8 14. Bxf6 Qxf6 15. Bd5 Bxd5 16. exd5 c5 $11 {
1/2-1/2 Spassky,B-Short,N/Linares 1990/CBM 17 (28)}) 13. Bg3 (13. Nxg5 hxg5 14.
Bxg5 Nxb3 15. axb3 {White has some chances on the kingside and two P:s for the
piece, but Black must be better here} Qe6 $17) 13... Bg4 (13... Nh5 $5 {
This looks like the logical follow up to g5} 14. d4 (14. Nxe5 $2 Nxg3 15. Ng6
Qf6 16. Nxf8 Nxf1 $19) (14. Nd2 Nf4 15. Bxf4 gxf4 16. Qh5 Qg5 17. Qxg5+ hxg5
$15) 14... exd4 15. Qxd4 Nxg3 16. fxg3 c5 17. Qd2 Nxb3 18. axb3 Bb7 $15) 14. h3
Bh5 15. Qe2 Kg7 16. Qe3 Nd7 17. Nd2 Nb6 18. c3 Nxb3 19. axb3 a5 $11 (19... f5
20. exf5 Rxf5 21. d4 $1 $14 (21. f4 $6 Nd5 22. Qe4 exf4 23. Qxf5 Ne3 24. Qe4
Qxe4 25. Nxe4 Nxf1 26. Rxf1 fxg3 27. Nxg3 Bg6 $15)) 20. d4 f6 21. Qd3 c6 22. f3
Bf7 23. Rfd1 Rfb8 24. Bf2 Be6 25. b4 a4 (25... Nc4 26. Nxc4 Bxc4 27. Qd2 $11)
26. Qe2 Qc7 27. Be3 Nc4 28. Nxc4 Bxc4 29. Qf2 Qe7 30. Rd2 Bb3 31. h4 Rg8 32.
dxe5 fxe5 (32... dxe5 33. Bc5 Qc7 34. Rd6 Rad8 $13) 33. hxg5 hxg5 34. Qg3 Kf7
35. Kf2 Rg7 36. Rh1 Qf6 37. Rh5 Rag8 38. Bb6 Ke8 39. Kg1 Qf4 (39... g4 40. Rf5
Qh6 41. f4 Rh8 42. Kf2 exf4 43. Rxf4 Rf7 44. Be3 $13) 40. Qxf4 gxf4 41. g4 $1
d5 $2 (41... Rb7 $8 42. Bf2 Rg6 $11) (41... fxg3 $2 42. Rxd6 $36 (42. Rxd6 {
Benjamin} Rg5 43. Rd8+ Kf7 44. Rxg8 Rxh5 (44... Rxg8 45. Rxe5) 45. Rxg3)) (
41... Rg6 $2 42. Bc7 $16) (41... Kd7 {Benjamin} 42. Bc5 Rg6 43. Bxd6 (43. Rh7+)
43... Rxd6 44. Rh7+ $18) 42. Rxe5+ $18 Re7 43. Rxe7+ Kxe7 44. Rd4 $1 {
Unfortunately the f-P is lost as well.} Kd7 45. e5 Rf8 46. e6+ Kxe6 47. Bc7 Re8
48. Bxf4 Kf6 49. Kf2 Rh8 50. Rd2 Rh1 51. Be3 d4 52. Bxd4+ Kg6 53. Kg3 Bd5 54.
f4 Re1 55. Rh2 Rd1 56. f5+ Kf7 57. g5 Rf1 58. Rf2 Rg1+ 59. Kf4 Re1 60. g6+ Ke7
61. f6+ Ke6 62. f7 1-0

[Event "POL-ch 59th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2002.05.08"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Tomczak, Rafal"]
[Black "Socko, Bartosz"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2384"]
[BlackElo "2564"]
[Annotator "Wedberg,T"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2002.04.29"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 089"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.08.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.08.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. O-O Be7 7. e5 {Perhaps
not the most ambitious line for White.} (7. Re1 {is the main alternative.})
7... Ne4 8. Nxd4 O-O {This move is considered to give Black the best chances
to fight for more than a draw.} ({The seemingly natural} 8... Nc5 {is
considered inexact, but it all depends on the following sequence} 9. Nf5 $5 (9.
Bxc6 dxc6 $11) 9... O-O (9... Nxa4 $2 10. Nxg7+ Kf8 11. Bh6 Kg8 12. Qg4 Nxe5
13. Qxa4 $16) 10. Qg4 g6 11. Nxe7+ Qxe7 12. Bxc6 dxc6 13. Qg3 {and White is
better according to some sources, but Black looks at least OK after} Re8 $132)
(8... Nxd4 {is good for a draw.} 9. Qxd4 Nc5 10. Nc3 O-O 11. Nd5 (11. Bg5 Bxg5
12. Qxc5 Be7 13. Qe3 d5 $11) 11... d6 12. Nxe7+ Qxe7 13. exd6 Qxd6 14. Qxd6
cxd6 15. Bb3 Nxb3 16. axb3 Bf5 $11) 9. Nf5 d5 10. Bxc6 bxc6 11. Nxe7+ Qxe7 12.
Re1 Rb8 $6 {Not a very precise move since White normally plays b3 anyway in
this line.} (12... Re8 {is more useful:} 13. f3 Nd6 $1 {this is the point} 14.
b3 f6 15. Bb2 Nf7 16. f4 fxe5 17. fxe5 Bf5 18. Nd2 Rad8 $13 {1/2-1/2 Leskovar,
M-Korneev,O/Malaga 2001/EXT 2002 (64)}) (12... Bf5 13. f3 Nc5 14. b3 Ne6 15.
Ba3 c5 16. Nc3 (16. Qxd5 Rfd8 17. Qc4 Rd4 $36) 16... c6 17. Qd2 Rfd8 18. Na4
Qa7 $13 {1/2-1/2 Vujakovic,B-Karpov,A/Sochi 1968/EXT 99 (26)}) 13. f3 Nc5 14.
b3 Ne6 15. Ba3 c5 16. Nc3 (16. Qxd5 $5 {look's better here than in the
previous comment.}) 16... Rd8 17. Qd2 Bb7 18. Rad1 Kh8 19. Qf2 Bc6 20. f4 f5
21. exf6 Qxf6 22. Bxc5 d4 23. Rxe6 $1 Qxe6 24. Bxd4 Qf5 25. Re1 Re8 26. Be5 $16
{White has a strong position and Black is without counterplay.} Ba8 27. Re3 Re6
28. Ne2 Re7 29. Ng3 Qf8 30. f5 Rbe8 31. Qf4 Kg8 32. Nh5 $40 Qf7 33. f6 Qd5 34.
Qg4 Qe6 35. Qe2 $18 Qxe5 36. fxe7 Qd4 37. c3 Qc5 38. Kh1 Qf5 39. h3 g6 40. Qc4+
Kh8 41. Qd4+ Kg8 42. Qg7# 1-0

[Event "Lvov Vasylyshyn Memorial-A 14th"]
[Site "Lvov"]
[Date "2017.12.02"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Skawinski, Arkadiusz"]
[Black "Zakhartsov, Viacheslav V"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2432"]
[BlackElo "2543"]
[Annotator "Zakhartsov,Vi"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2017.11.29"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "UKR"]
[EventCategory "7"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 182"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2018.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 {I decided to change from my habitual 1...c5 for several reasons.} 2.
Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 {Quite logically trying to avoid
main lines in order not to face a surprise.} b5 7. Bb3 Bb7 8. Nc3 O-O 9. Nd5 {
After this move Black has absolutely no problems. Other attempts:} (9. a3 Nd4 {
!?} (9... d6) 10. Nxe5 (10. Nxd4 exd4 11. Nd5 Nxd5 12. exd5 c5 13. dxc6 dxc6
14. Re1 c5 {Vachier Lagrave-Carlsen, Paris (rapid) 2016, with excellent play
for Black.}) 10... Nxb3 11. cxb3 d5) (9. a4 Nd4 {!?} (9... b4 10. Nd5 Na5 11.
Nxe7+ Qxe7 12. Ba2 d5 13. exd5 Bxd5 {with equality}) 10. axb5 Nxb3 11. cxb3
axb5 12. Rxa8 Qxa8 13. Nxe5 b4 14. Ne2 d5) 9... Na5 10. Nxe7+ Qxe7 11. Bg5 h6
12. Bh4 Nxb3 13. axb3 d6 14. Qd2 Qe6 15. Bxf6 {Otherwise Black is ready to
play ...Nd7 and push ...f5.} Qxf6 16. c4 Qe7 17. g3 $1 {Preparing to face ...
f5 by means of the move Nh4.} bxc4 {Going to sacrifice an exchange.} ({The
computer approves} 17... Rfb8 18. Nh4 Bc8 19. f4 bxc4 20. bxc4 Bh3 21. Rf2 exf4
22. Qxf4 Rb3 {and Black is completely OK.}) (17... f5 18. Nh4 fxe4 19. Ng6 Qe6
20. Nxf8 Rxf8 21. dxe4 Bxe4 22. f4 bxc4 (22... exf4 23. Rxf4 Rxf4 24. Qxf4 {
and compared to the game} bxc4 {is not good:} 25. Re1 d5 26. bxc4) 23. fxe5
Rxf1+ 24. Rxf1 cxb3 25. exd6 cxd6 26. Rc1 d5 {was quite possible.}) 18. bxc4 f5
19. Nh4 fxe4 20. Ng6 Qe6 21. Nxf8 Rxf8 22. dxe4 (22. Ra3 {!?} exd3 23. Qxd3 Bf3
{looks scary, but after} 24. Re1 {Black does not have immediate mating threats
and White keeps a minimal material edge.}) 22... Bxe4 23. f4 (23. Rxa6 Bf3 24.
Ra3 Qh3 (24... Kh8 25. Rfa1 Qh3 26. Rxf3 Rxf3 27. Ra8+ Kh7 28. Qc2+ Qf5 29.
Qxf5+ Rxf5 {with an equal endgame}) 25. Rxf3 Rxf3 26. Qd5+ Rf7 {is equal.})
23... exf4 24. Rxf4 Rxf4 25. Qxf4 Qxc4 {Now with 2 pawns for the exchange
Black is fine.} 26. Rc1 Qd4+ 27. Qf2 Qd3 28. Re1 ({After} 28. Rxc7 {Black may
choose either} Qd1+ (28... Qb1+ 29. Qf1 Qxb2 30. Re7 d5 {with slightly better
chances}) 29. Qf1 Qd4+ 30. Qf2 Qd1+ {with repetition.}) 28... d5 29. Qe3 Qc2
30. Re2 $2 (30. Qf2 {was necessary.}) 30... Qd1+ $2 (30... Qb1+ $1) 31. Re1 Qc2
32. Re2 $2 (32. Qf2 $142) 32... Qb1+ {Now White is forced to give up the
b2-pawn.} 33. Kf2 Bd3 34. Qe8+ Kh7 35. Re7 (35. Rd2 $4 Qf1+ 36. Ke3 Qe1+ $19)
35... Qxb2+ 36. Ke3 Qc3 {Black is winning.} 37. Qf8 c5 38. Kf2 Qd2+ 39. Kg1
Qd1+ 40. Kg2 Be4+ 41. Kf2 Qd2+ 42. Kf1 Qg2+ 43. Ke1 Qg1+ 44. Qf1 Qxh2 45. Qf2
Qh1+ 46. Kd2 Qb1 47. Qf4 Qb2+ 48. Kd1 c4 0-1

