[Event "Elllobregat op 3rd"] [White "Fedoseev, Vladimir"] [Black "Adarsh, Tripathi"] [Site "Sant Boi de Llobregat"] [Round "1"] [Annotator "IM Adarsh Tripathi"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [Date "2022.11.30"] [ECO "D31"] [WhiteElo "2688"] [BlackElo "2361"] [PlyCount "65"] [GameId "2124059955192988"] [EventDate "2022.??.??"] {This game of mine was played against Super-GM Vladimir Fedoseev. I was paired against him in the first round of the Ellobregat Chess Open, which I played directly after a horrible tournament in Hungary. "Horrible" is actually quite an understatement. I scored 1.5/11 points and lost 65 rating points. Just 2-3 days later, I got paired against Fedoseev. Quite the privilege, but at the time, it was also quite overwhelming. Funny enough, after playing the worst tournament of my life, I immediately followed it up with the best game of my life. It was perhaps the best result of my over-the-board career: a draw against Super-GM Fedoseev (now a 2700 player, though at the time, he was hovering around that mark). On paper, that is an impressive result, but I know something that haunts me to this day. I was completely dominating and winning against him until move 32. At that critical moment, I had a choice: go for the win (which, according to the engine, was over +5 in my favor) or settle for a draw. Under pressure, and influenced by my poor form in the previous tournament, I played the player, not the position, and went for a line I knew would result in a draw. It still haunts me that I could have won the game if I had simply taken the time to think and fight for the win.} 1. d4 {[%eval 17,0]} d5 {[%eval 24,0]} 2. c4 {[%eval 19,0]} e6 {[%eval 27,0]} 3. Nc3 {[%eval 18,0]} a6 {[%eval 41,0]} 4. cxd5 {[%eval 32,0]} exd5 {[%eval 37,0]} 5. Nf3 {[%eval 35,0]} h6 {[%eval 4,0]} 6. Bf4 {[%eval 38,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 48,0]} 7. e3 {[%eval 47,0]} Bd6 {[%eval 43,0]} 8. Be5 {[%eval 36,0]} c6 {[%eval 35,0]} 9. h3 {[%eval 19,0]} Bxe5 {[%eval 17,0]} 10. Nxe5 {[%eval 25,0]} Bf5 {[%eval 34,0]} 11. g4 {[%eval 25,0]} Bh7 {[%eval 22,0]} 12. Qb3 {[%eval 25,0]} Qc7 {[%eval 23,0]} 13. Rc1 {[%eval 1,0]} Nbd7 {[%eval 9,0]} 14. f4 {[%eval 15,0]} Nxe5 {[%eval 5,0]} 15. fxe5 {[%eval 13,0]} Ne4 {[%eval 23,0]} 16. Bg2 {[%eval 16,0]} Nxc3 {[%eval 11,0]} 17. bxc3 {[%eval 3,0]} Bd3 {[%eval 37,0]} 18. Qd1 {[%eval 41,0]} Bc4 {[%eval 31,0]} 19. Bf1 {[%eval 34,0]} Bxf1 {[%eval 17,0]} 20. Rxf1 {[%eval 0,0]} O-O {[%eval 8,0]} 21. Kd2 {[%eval 36,0]} Qe7 {[%eval 13,0]} 22. c4 {[%eval 15,0]} dxc4 {[%eval 15,0]} 23. Rxc4 {[%eval 37,0]} Rad8 {[%eval 19,0]} 24. Ke2 {[%eval 17,0]} Rd5 {[%eval 12,0]} 25. Qc2 {[%eval 14,0]} Re8 {[%eval 15,0]} 26. Rb1 $6 {[%eval -78,0] Inaccuracy. a4 was best.} (26. a4 Rc8) 26... f6 {[%eval -56,0]} 27. Rcb4 {[%eval -65,0]} fxe5 {[%eval 89,0]} 28. Rxb7 {[%eval 96,0]} Qe6 {[%eval -193,0]} 29. Qf5 {[%eval -91,0]} Qxf5 {[%eval -198,0]} 30. gxf5 {[%eval -17,0]} exd4 {[%eval -57,0]} 31. Rg1 {[%eval -84,0]} Rxe3+ {[%eval 65,0]} 32. Kd1 $4 {[%eval -104,0] Blunder. Kd2 was best. This was the moment that required me to be concrete. If I capture the f5 pawn, the game ends in a draw by repetition, as we’ll see in the game. The other option was to continue fighting for a win with ...g5! I saw the move but hesitated because I knew that Rxf5 would lead to a draw. However, I was naive and lacked experience. The spotlight of drawing against a player of Fedoseev’s stature made me settle for a draw instead of thinking about winning. It was the wrong mindset, leading to the wrong result. This was a lifelong lesson learned: play the position, not the player! I really, really underestimated how winning ...g5 was.} (32. Kd2) 32... Rxf5 $4 {[%eval 0,0] Blunder. g5 was best.} (32... g5 33. fxg6 (33. h4 Rxf5 34. Rc7 Rd3+ 35. Ke2 Rc3 36. hxg5 hxg5 37. Rg4 c5 38. Re4) 33... Rb5 $19 {This is game over. I’m offering the trade of rooks. If my opponent hesitates, Black gets Rb1+, skewering the king and the rook.} 34. Rxb5 axb5 {This is completely dominating for Black. The h3 pawn is already under attack and is clearly vulnerable. The g6 pawn will almost certainly fall soon, and the a2 pawn is no prize either. Black’s pawns, on the other hand, are connected passed pawns (b5, c6, d4), and this position is a whopping +5 in favor of Black!}) 33. Rgxg7+ {[%eval 0,0] This now leads to a repetition... Since, after Kf8, White goes Rh7.. and I can simply repeat with ... Rf1+ Rf2+ Rf1+ Rf2+...} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Budapest One Week IM"] [White "Adarsh, Tripathi"] [Black "Flasik, Radoslav"] [Site "Budapest"] [Round "5"] [Annotator "IM Adarsh Tripathi"] [Result "1-0"] [Date "2023.08.24"] [ECO "B23"] [WhiteElo "2286"] [BlackElo "2089"] [PlyCount "57"] [GameId "2124059955197086"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] {This game is quite fun and tactical. The main reason I decided to share it is because of how exciting the sequence was after move 20!} 1. e4 {[%eval 18,0]} c5 {[%eval 25,0]} 2. Nc3 {[%eval 13,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 23,0]} 3. Nge2 {[%eval 25,0]} d6 {[%eval 41,0]} 4. g3 {[%eval 0,0]} Bg4 {[%eval 21,0]} 5. Bg2 {[%eval 24,0]} Nd4 {[%eval 21,0]} 6. d3 {[%eval 8,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 17,0]} 7. h3 {[%eval 7,0]} Bf3 {[%eval 9,0]} 8. O-O {[%eval 6,0]} g6 {[%eval 28,0]} 9. Bxf3 {[%eval 38,0]} Nxf3+ {[%eval 26,0]} 10. Kg2 {[%eval 2,0]} Nd4 $6 {[%eval 97,0] Inaccuracy. Ne5 was best.} (10... Ne5 11. Bg5 Bg7 12. Qd2 Qd7 13. Rae1 Nc6 14. f3 h6 15. Be3 e6 16. a3) 11. Nxd4 {[%eval 99,0]} cxd4 {[%eval 102,0]} 12. Ne2 {[%eval 116,0]} Qb6 {[%eval 123,0]} 13. c3 {[%eval 75,0]} dxc3 {[%eval 76,0]} 14. bxc3 {[%eval 38,0]} Bg7 {[%eval 34,0]} 15. Be3 {[%eval 36,0]} Qa6 {[%eval 4,0]} 16. Rb1 {[%eval 32,0]} O-O {[%eval 39,0]} 17. c4 {[%eval 33,0]} Rac8 {[%eval 34,0]} 18. Nc3 {[%eval 36,0]} b6 {[%eval 33,0]} 19. a4 {[%eval 3,0]} Ng4 $2 {[%eval 155,0] Mistake. Nd7 was best.} (19... Nd7 20. Nd5 Rfe8 21. Bg5 Kf8 22. Qc2 Nc5 23. Rb4 h6 24. Be3 Kg8 25. Rfb1) 20. hxg4 {[%eval 145,0]} Bxc3 {[%eval 145,0]} 21. Rh1 {[%eval 137,0]} Rc7 {[%eval 185,0]} 22. Qc1 $6 {[%eval 92,0] Inaccuracy. Rh2 was best.} (22. Rh2 e6 23. Qb3 Be5 24. Rbh1 d5 25. Rxh7 dxc4 26. Qc2 Qb7 27. dxc4 Rfc8) 22... Bh8 $4 {[%eval 521,0] Blunder. Be5 was best.} (22... Be5) 23. Bxb6 {[%eval 516,0]} Rfc8 {[%eval 568,0]} 24. Qh6 {[%eval 543,0]} Bg7 {[%eval 573,0]} 25. Qxh7+ {[%eval 505,0]} Kf8 {[%eval 576,0]} 26. Bxc7 {[%eval 512,0]} Rxc7 $6 {[%eval 891,0] Inaccuracy. Qxa4 was best.} (26... Qxa4 27. g5 Qa3 28. Qh4 Qxd3 29. Qg4 Re8 30. Ba5 Qxc4 31. Qf3 Rc8 32. Bd2) 27. Rb8+ {[%eval 909,0]} Rc8 {[%eval 912,0]} 28. Rxc8+ {[%eval 917,0]} Qxc8 {[%eval 900,0]} 29. Qh8+ {[%eval 882,0] 1-0 White wins.} 1-0 [Event "Brno Open 2023 - A IM Round Robin"] [White "Flasik, Radoslav"] [Black "Adarsh, Tripathi"] [Site "Bobycentrum hotel, Brno"] [Round "1"] [Board "2"] [Result "0-1"] [Date "2023.11.11"] [ECO "A00"] [WhiteElo "2032"] [BlackElo "2327"] [PlyCount "128"] [GameId "2124059955197088"] [EventDate "2023.11.11"] [EventRounds "9"] [EventCountry "CZE"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. b6 g6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. e4 d6 8. Nf3 O-O 9. h3 Qxb6 10. Be2 a5 11. O-O Ba6 12. Rb1 Bxe2 13. Qxe2 Qa6 14. Qc2 Nbd7 15. Bf4 a4 16. Bh2 Nb6 17. Rfe1 Rfd8 18. Rbd1 Qb7 19. Nd2 Nfd7 20. b3 axb3 21. axb3 Nb8 22. e5 Na6 23. exd6 Nb4 24. Qe4 Bxc3 25. dxe7 Re8 26. d6 Qxe4 27. Nxe4 N4d5 28. Nxc3 Nxc3 29. Rd3 Ne2+ 30. Kf1 Nd4 31. b4 Ne6 32. Rxe6 c4 33. d7 Nxd7 34. Rxg6+ fxg6 35. Rxd7 Kf7 36. g4 Rxe7 37. Rd4 Rc8 38. Bd6 Rd7 39. Rf4+ Ke6 40. Bc5 c3 41. Re4+ Kf7 42. Rf4+ Ke6 43. Re4+ Kd5 44. Rd4+ Kc6 45. Rxd7 Kxd7 46. Ke2 Ra8 47. Kd3 Ra3 48. b5 Rb3 49. b6 Kc6 50. Be3 h5 51. Kc4 Rb1 52. Kxc3 Rh1 53. gxh5 gxh5 54. Kd3 Rxh3 55. Ke4 Rh4+ 56. Kf5 Rg4 57. f3 Rg2 58. Bg5 Kxb6 59. f4 Kc6 60. Kg6 h4 61. f5 h3 62. f6 Rf2 63. f7 Rxf7 64. Kxf7 h2 0-1 [Event "Brno IM 12th"] [White "Adarsh, Tripathi"] [Black "Fiala, Vaclav"] [Site "Brno"] [Round "2"] [Annotator "IM Adarsh Tripathi"] [Result "1-0"] [Date "2023.11.12"] [ECO "B53"] [WhiteElo "2327"] [BlackElo "2253"] [PlyCount "71"] [GameId "2124059955197090"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] {This game was played in the second round of the Brno Open IM Round Robin tournament. Brno is a beautiful city in the Czech Republic, and it’s also where I got my first IM norm! I’ll be absolutely honest, for this game, I was a tad lazy with my preparation, as you’ll see. I was more impressed with the city and in a much more relaxed, "I’ll see when it happens" mood. :p} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 $5 {Interesting choice, not because it is something extraordinary. It’s a well-known sideline, but one that I do not believe I had ever played before this game! (Even if I had, I certainly do not remember it.) I chose this line specifically because I noticed my opponent had responded with 4...a6 in previous games, which I was quite happy to see, theory-wise.} Nc6 {Last work on my part, but since I expected 4...a6 instead, I didn’t really check this. However, when my opponent played this, a lightbulb moment hit me, telling me: it’s time to be inspired by the Carlsen Variation and go for the Qd2 and b3 setup, as they do in that variation! Quite the dubious decision, I must say!} 5. Qd2 {[%CAl Yb2b3,Yc1b2,Yb1c3,Ye1c1] As I mentioned, I played this move in the opening, blocking my own dark-squared bishop, inspired by "The Carlsen Variation" in the Closed Sicilian. The plan in those lines is to go b3, Bb2, and O-O-O (the knight is usually on the c3 square rather than f3 in those variations). An interesting inspiration, but this was a highly dubious practical decision. Why? Because unlike that variation, I cannot go f3 followed by g4 to expand on the kingside like they do there! I have already developed the kingside knight, whereas in that variation, we avoid doing so and instead prioritize developing the queenside knight.} Nf6 6. Nc3 a6 7. b3 b5 8. Bb2 Bb7 9. O-O-O {I wanted fireworks, and I got some fireworks! Clearly, this is the sort of position I had in mind when I went for this. However, at the time, I knew that some extra care was necessary, considering I do not have the usual f3 and g4 attacking ideas that exist, for instance, in a Sicilian Dragon attack.} e6 10. Qe1 $5 {I played this move with the obvious threat of ...e5, as the queen's retreat opened up the pin on the d-file (d6 pawn). However, the queen’s placement now looks more awkward. I originally thought I could move the queen to the kingside, for instance, h4-g4 then Qg1 after the f1 bishop moved.} Qc7 11. Kb1 Be7 12. Bd3 O-O 13. h4 {And here we go! The kingside expansion begins. However, I’ll need to do something special to make it a real challenge for my opponent, considering their rock-solid structure and lack of weaknesses.} Rfc8 14. h5 h6 15. g4 {The original point of my setup with the way I placed my pieces was to sacrifice a pawn on the g-file. This would allow my pieces to occupy that file (once it opens up after they accept the sacrifice) and put pressure on the Black king. It is the most natural plan in these types of positions and dynamics, after all. However, Black should not be too stressed, as they still have a rock-solid structure.} Nxg4 16. Rg1 Nge5 $6 {The computer points out that moving the other knight, the c6 knight, to e5 would have been a better decision, as it opens up the c-file while the g4 knight continues to block the g-file for the White rook. According to the engine, the problem is quite concrete and something I missed.} 17. Nxe5 (17. Nd5 $3 {This stunning sacrifice was possible, relying on the fact that the g7 pawn is loose. I’m sure any elite top GM would have calculated and found it. Unfortunately, I’m not a super-elite top GM, and I missed this move! Here are few example lines.} exd5 (17... Nxf3 18. Rxg7+ Kf8 19. Qc3 e5 (19... exd5 20. Rg8+ Kxg8 21. Qh8#) 20. Nxc7) 18. exd5 {[%CAl Gb2h8,Gd5c6]} Nxf3 (18... Nd8 19. Nxe5 dxe5 20. Bxe5 {[%CAl Ge5c7,Gg1g7,Ge5g7]} Qd7 21. Rxg7+ Kf8 22. Bh7) 19. Rxg7+ Kf8 20. Bh7 {[%CAl Yg7g8]} Ke8 21. Rg8+ Kd7 22. Bf5#) 17... dxe5 18. Qe3 {[%CAl Ye3h6] Getting the queen involved in the attack, finally!} (18. Nd5 {Yet again, this works excellently for the same reason as before.}) 18... Bg5 {Black takes control of the dark squares, and it’s clear they have a strong hold on them at the moment. However, I had this and my follow-up already anticipated!} 19. Rxg5 $1 {Sacrificing the exchange, just like we do in the Dragon style! Black is supposed to be fine, but they are in very dangerous territory and need to be precise. White has the bishop pair, the open g-file, and a vulnerable Black king to work with!} hxg5 20. Qxg5 {[%CAl Gg5g8]} Qe7 $6 {A slight inaccuracy, as it’s a little too slow and allows White to build up an attack while rerouting some pieces to get the attack going!} (20... f6 $1 {This is more precise. In the game, Black played ...Qe7 first, then f6, and then Qf7 after a move, wasting an extra move with Qe7. They could have played f6 and then Qf7 immediately. This was a big miss, as it caused the evaluation to shift from 0.0 to +1 in favor of White!}) 21. Qg3 f6 22. Ne2 {Opening up the b2 bishop's diagonal and hoping to somehow manage to get the knight activated.} Qf7 23. h6 Nb4 24. hxg7 Nxd3 25. cxd3 Qh5 26. Qe3 Rc7 27. Re1 Rxg7 28. Ng3 Qg4 29. Rh1 Rf8 {This position is quite heated. The evaluation is 0.0, but I spent some time understanding what my opponent wanted and realized he planned to play ...Rf7 followed by Rgh7, taking over the g-file and ensuring a trade where Rxh7 would allow the other rook to recapture. However, this allowed me to set up a beautiful tactical shot.} 30. Ba3 Rff7 $4 {Blunder! They fell into my trap with this move. Black should have moved back to c8, but the most obvious move, this one, allows a nice tactical shot. The flaw with this move is that the back rank becomes vulnerable, and I can take advantage of that.} 31. Qb6 {[%CAl Yb6e6,Yb6d8] This was the key tactical shot I had in mind. The queen occupies the weak b6 square, threatening Qd8+ followed by checkmate while putting pressure on the e6 pawn. My opponent does not have a clear way to stop Qd8+ apart from Rd7, which was played in the game. Unfortunately, like other moves, it also loses.} Rd7 32. Nf5 $1 {[%CAl Yf5h6,Yb6e6] Another key part of this tactic. The knight blocks the queen's defense of the e6 pawn, ensuring that Qe6+ followed by checkmate is possible, while also threatening Nh6+, winning the queen. This position is now lost for my opponent. It’s so beautiful to see how all of White's pieces are working in harmony to secure the win!} Qxf5 {[%CAl Yb7h1] A final desperate attempt from my opponent. They’re counting on the pin that the b7 bishop has on the h1 rook. However, in this sequence, I can capture the e6 pawn with my own pawn, after which it becomes deadly.} (32... exf5 33. Qe6+ Rgf7 34. Qe8+ Kg7 35. Qh8+ Kg6 36. Qh6#) (32... Kf7 33. Nh6+ {[%CAl Gh6f7,Gh6g4]}) 33. exf5 Bxh1 34. fxe6 {[%csl Be6] My opponent might have two rooks for the queen, but the pawn on e6 is deadly and will soon promote, as it does in the game!} Rxd3 35. e7 Kf7 36. Qd8 {My opponent resigned, as the promotion of the e-pawn is inevitable.} 1-0 [Event "Brno Open 2023 - A IM Round Robin"] [White "Krzywda, Andrzej"] [Black "Adarsh, Tripathi"] [Site "Bobycentrum hotel, Brno"] [Round "3"] [Board "3"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [Date "2023.11.13"] [ECO "A00"] [WhiteElo "2195"] [BlackElo "2327"] [PlyCount "92"] [GameId "2124059955201188"] [EventDate "2023.11.11"] [EventRounds "9"] [EventCountry "CZE"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6 6. Ndb5 Bb4 7. a3 Bxc3+ 8. Nxc3 d5 9. exd5 exd5 10. Bd3 O-O 11. O-O Bg4 12. f3 Bh5 13. Bg5 Qb6+ 14. Kh1 Ne4 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. Bxe4 Qxb2 17. Qb1 Qb6 18. Qxb6 axb6 19. Rfb1 Bg6 20. Bxg6 hxg6 21. Rxb6 Nd4 22. c3 Nc2 23. Rc1 Nxa3 24. Rxb7 Rfc8 25. h3 Nc4 26. Bf4 Na5 27. Rc7 Rxc7 28. Bxc7 Nc4 29. Bh2 Rc8 30. Bg1 Nd6 31. Bf2 f6 32. Kg1 Kf7 33. Kf1 g5 34. Ke2 Nc4 35. Bd4 Re8+ 36. Kf2 Nb2 37. Ra1 Kg6 38. Kf1 Re6 39. Rb1 Nd3 40. Rd1 Nf4 41. Bf2 Rc6 42. Be1 Ra6 43. Bf2 Ra2 44. c4 Rc2 45. c5 Ne6 46. Re1 Nxc5 1/2-1/2 [Event "Brno Open 2023 - A IM Round Robin"] [White "Adarsh, Tripathi"] [Black "Bures, Jaroslav"] [Site "Bobycentrum hotel, Brno"] [Round "4"] [Board "3"] [Result "1-0"] [Date "2023.11.14"] [ECO "A00"] [WhiteElo "2327"] [BlackElo "2421"] [PlyCount "39"] [GameId "2124059955201190"] [EventDate "2023.11.11"] [EventRounds "9"] [EventCountry "CZE"] 1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 Bg4 4. h3 Bxf3 5. Qxf3 Nf6 6. e5 Nfd7 7. d4 e6 8. Bd3 Qb6 9. Ne2 c5 10. c3 Nc6 11. Qe3 cxd4 12. cxd4 Bb4+ 13. Kf1 Be7 14. g3 Rc8 15. a3 Na5 16. b4 Nc4 17. Qf3 Ndxe5 18. dxe5 Nxe5 19. Qe3 Qxe3 20. Bb5+ 1-0 [Event "Brno Open 2023 - A IM Round Robin"] [White "Vyskocil, Neklan"] [Black "Adarsh, Tripathi"] [Site "Bobycentrum hotel, Brno"] [Round "5"] [Board "4"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [Date "2023.11.14"] [ECO "A00"] [WhiteElo "2299"] [BlackElo "2327"] [PlyCount "32"] [GameId "2124059955201192"] [EventDate "2023.11.11"] [EventRounds "9"] [EventCountry "CZE"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bf4 Bb4 7. Nxc6 bxc6 8. Bd3 d5 9. exd5 exd5 10. Qe2+ Be6 11. O-O O-O 12. Qf3 Bd6 13. h3 Rb8 14. b3 c5 15. Bxd6 Qxd6 16. Rad1 d4 1/2-1/2 [Event "Brno Open 2023 - A IM Round Robin"] [White "Adarsh, Tripathi"] [Black "Valenta, Vit Vaclav"] [Site "Bobycentrum hotel, Brno"] [Round "6"] [Board "2"] [Result "1-0"] [Date "2023.11.15"] [ECO "A00"] [WhiteElo "2327"] [BlackElo "2030"] [PlyCount "87"] [GameId "2124059955201194"] [EventDate "2023.11.11"] [EventRounds "9"] [EventCountry "CZE"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. c3 Be7 7. h3 h6 8. Nbd2 b5 9. Bc2 O-O 10. O-O Re8 11. Re1 Bf8 12. Nf1 Ne7 13. Ng3 Ng6 14. Nf5 d5 15. Qe2 Bb7 16. Nh2 c5 17. Ng4 Re6 18. Qf3 Rc8 19. h4 Kh8 20. h5 Nxg4 21. Qxg4 Ne7 22. Ng3 Ng8 23. f4 Nf6 24. Qh3 exf4 25. Bxf4 dxe4 26. dxe4 c4 27. e5 Bc5+ 28. Kh2 Nd5 29. Rad1 Qe7 30. Nf5 Qf8 31. Bg3 Rd8 32. Nd4 Re7 33. Nf5 Re6 34. Be4 Ree8 35. Qg4 Ba8 36. Qf3 Nb6 37. Rxd8 Rxd8 38. Rd1 Qe8 39. Bxa8 Nxa8 40. Bh4 Bb6 41. Nd6 Qf8 42. Nxf7+ Kg8 43. Rf1 Bc5 44. Nxh6+ 1-0 [Event "Brno Open 2023 - A IM Round Robin"] [White "Nguyen, Alex Dac-Vuong"] [Black "Adarsh, Tripathi"] [Site "Bobycentrum hotel, Brno"] [Round "7"] [Board "5"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [Date "2023.11.16"] [ECO "A00"] [WhiteElo "2337"] [BlackElo "2327"] [PlyCount "2"] [GameId "2124059955205292"] [EventDate "2023.11.11"] [EventRounds "9"] [EventCountry "CZE"] 1. d4 d5 1/2-1/2 [Event "Brno Open 2023 - A IM Round Robin"] [White "Del Rey, Diego"] [Black "Adarsh, Tripathi"] [Site "Bobycentrum hotel, Brno"] [Round "8"] [Board "1"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [Date "2023.11.17"] [ECO "A00"] [WhiteElo "2316"] [BlackElo "2327"] [PlyCount "34"] [GameId "2124059955205294"] [EventDate "2023.11.11"] [EventRounds "9"] [EventCountry "CZE"] 1. d4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Bf4 Nc6 5. e3 Qb6 6. Qb3 c4 7. Qxb6 axb6 8. Nbd2 b5 9. a3 h6 10. Rc1 Bf5 11. h3 Nd7 12. Be2 Nb6 13. Bd1 Na4 14. Bc2 e6 15. Bxf5 exf5 16. Rc2 b4 17. cxb4 Bxb4 1/2-1/2 [Event "Brno Open 2023 - A IM Round Robin"] [White "Adarsh, Tripathi"] [Black "Gramb, Marius"] [Site "Bobycentrum hotel, Brno"] [Round "9"] [Board "5"] [Result "1-0"] [Date "2023.11.18"] [ECO "A00"] [WhiteElo "2327"] [BlackElo "2226"] [PlyCount "55"] [GameId "2124059955205296"] [EventDate "2023.11.11"] [EventRounds "9"] [EventCountry "CZE"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 d5 3. Nc3 c5 4. e3 cxd4 5. exd4 a6 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Ne5 g6 8. h4 h5 9. Qd2 Bf5 10. f3 Bg7 11. Be2 Qb6 12. Nxc6 Qxc6 13. Rc1 Rc8 14. Nd1 Qa4 15. Ne3 Be6 16. a3 Nd7 17. c3 b5 18. O-O Nb6 19. Bd3 Nc4 20. Qe2 Rc6 21. Bg5 Nxe3 22. Qxe3 Qa5 23. Rce1 Qc7 24. Re2 O-O 25. Rfe1 Qd7 26. Bh6 Rb8 27. Bxg7 Kxg7 28. Qe5+ 1-0 [Event "Sunway Formentera op 3rd"] [White "Adarsh, Tripathi"] [Black "Botez, Alexandra"] [Site "Sant Ferran de ses Roques"] [Round "1"] [Annotator "IM Adarsh Tripathi"] [Result "1-0"] [Date "2024.04.09"] [ECO "D01"] [WhiteElo "2304"] [BlackElo "1970"] [PlyCount "51"] [GameId "2124059955205298"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] {This game was played in the Sunway Formentera International Chess Festival 2024, held on the beautiful Formentera Island in Spain. This tournament holds a special place in my memory, though slightly bittersweet. I missed my norm by losing a must-draw position for my second norm in Round 9. To add to the disappointment, while I could have had a chance for a norm if paired against a 2250+, I was instead paired against a much lower-rated opponent. However, the tournament started on an interesting note. In the first round, I had the chance to play against the famous streamer and chess personality, WFM Alexandra Botez. With cameras rolling and thousands of people watching the game live, it was an unique experience. What’s even better (for me!)—I played some rather stunning chess!} 1. d4 {I’m not a 1. d4 player, and 1. d4 is certainly not meant for me! I prefer wildly attacking, dynamic positions when playing White, which is why I’ve been a lifelong 1. e4 player. However, I recently added the Jobava London to my repertoire, a system I sometimes use against lower-rated opponents to achieve a playable middlegame without needing extensive preparation. It holds a special place in my heart, as I secured my first IM norm by winning a must-win situation with the Jobava against a lower-rated opponent! For this game, I was certain that Alexandra and her coach would have something prepared in the French Defense against me. So, I decided to have some fun and go with the Jobava!} Nf6 2. Nc3 {[%CAl Ye2e4] The beginning of the Jobava London. White develops the knight to c3, aiming to create central pressure with a potential e4 push. However, the drawback of this system is that the knight on c3 blocks the c-pawn, limiting its ability to advance. This restriction can hinder the queen’s mobility to optimal squares like c2, b3, or a4 in the future.} (2. Bf4 {This move leads into the classical, traditional London System.}) 2... d5 {Main move in these systems, preventing White from grabbing the center with e4} 3. Bf4 e6 4. Nb5 {[%CAl Yb5c7] This is the key move in the Jobava London, and the reason why White goes for early ...Nc3. No, nobody is expecting Black to allow a fork with Nxc7+ instead; we're expecting Black to make some sort of compromise to defend that pawn. White 'wastes time' by playing the same piece twice for that very reason.} Na6 {[%CAl Yc7c5,Ya6b4,Yb4c6,Ya6b8,Yb8c6,Yc7c6,Ya6c7] The main move, developing the knight to the corner. Chess principles frown upon this move, but usually, this is just a temporary measure Black takes to defend the c7 pawn, and they would at the right time get this cornered knight involved in the game once again with moves like: ...c5, ...Nb8/Nb4 followed by Nc6; or ...c6 followed by Nc7.} (4... Bb4+ {This is an interesting alternative variation, Black gives a check, and then retreats their bishop back to a5 defending the c7 pawn. The difference being that unlike the variation which happened in the game, where the Black knight gets cornered, it's the Black bishop which ends up at a dubious spot. Nonetheless, both variations are equally playable and have their own merits and drawbacks.} 5. c3 Ba5 6. a4 a6 7. b4 {Leads to concrete theory}) 5. e3 Bb4+ {This is not often seen as the other mentioned variations. Black's logic behind this move is to simply trigger the move ...c3, which would take away the c3 square for the b5 knight to retreat to, after it gets kicked out with c6.} (5... Be7 {This move, followed by normal development next with ...O-O, c5, Bd7 or ...c6, Qb6/Qa5 is by far the most popular way to continue in this variation.}) (5... c6 {Another interesting alternative, which was the choice of the one and only Vishy Anand against the man himself, Jobava in World Blitz 2017. But in the Jobava London, White is never really challenging Black from a theoretical standpoint, so many moves are okay}) 6. c3 Be7 7. a4 {This is the main move, but this was not at all opening preparation. Honestly, I never looked at this ...Bb4+ Be7 variation closely, primarily because I do not have detailed files on the Jobava London. I mean, what's the point of having one anyway!? The logic behind this move is quite simple: now, in the event of Black playing the move ...c6 to attack my b5 knight, I could easily retreat my knight to a3, and after Bxa3, I would no longer have to allow my structure to get destroyed and capture bxa3, since I have the superior rook-lifting Rxa3 which would not have been possible without this a4 move.} O-O 8. Bd3 c6 9. Na3 c5 {Nothing surprising so far. From an opening 'analytic' standpoint, I can see only a very limited number of games in the database here, all leading to quite pleasant results for White. I see no reason why White should be worried at all. We have a stable pawn structure, powerful mighty bishops and more space on the queenside. Black, on the other hand, has no major worries either; it's a stable position and structure. They might consider going ...Nb8 followed by Nc6 at some point.} 10. Nb5 {Okay, I know this knight has travelled quite a lot already, but since my opponent left the b5 square behind with their c6-c5 push, I felt it was only right that I occupied this vulnerable square. This move, while being aesthetically pleasant, also has an important purpose: It prevents Black's a6 knight from improving. Black can no longer go ...Nc7 since the knight would simply get captured there, whereas going ...Nb8 now would allow White to play Nc7, winning the trapped a8 rook} c4 11. Bc2 Bd7 {Black's idea with ...c4 and Bd7 is quite logical and easy to understand. They want to trade my knight on b5 with their d7 bishop, doubling up my pawns, ensuring that the pawn when it lands there is weak, and that their knight can then retreat/maneuver to c7/b8. Without ...c4, White would have the ability to capture on b5 whenever that trade happened with Bxb5. However, I was not too concerned about it, since as we'll see in the game, I get plenty of compensation for the doubling of the pawn!} 12. Nf3 {Finishing development!} Bxb5 {Botez pulls the trigger, accurately so. A major part of her counterplay lies upon the b5 pawn now, which she should target as much as possible.} 13. axb5 Nb8 $5 {The computer doesn't dislike this move as much as I do, but I find it too slow. Nc7 seemed much more concrete. Additionally, even if the knight develops to d7, I'm skeptical and confused about where it would go next. I do think this was a strategical mistake on Botez's end, even if the computer finds nothing too odd about this move.} (13... Nc7 {This is the move that I expected during the game, one that also seemed the most logical to me. Black just doubled up my pawns, the b5 pawn just got weakened, so why not put pressure on it? Additionally, I saw a beautiful knight maneuver from e8-d8 which would position the Black knight fantastically.} 14. Qb1 $5 {I would have anyways played this move, as I did in the game, sacrificing the b5 pawn for the initiative on the kingside} (14. Ba4 {This for instance would allow the maneuver with Ne8 that I was talking about.} Nce8 {[%CAl Re8d6]} 15. O-O Nd6) 14... Nxb5 15. g4 $13) 14. Qb1 {[%CAl Yb1h7,Ya1a8,Yf4b8] Activating the queen and getting it involved. I could have pursued an attack immediately, but the Soviet School of Chess has taught me that the more active pieces you involve in an attack, the higher the chance of success! All my pieces, except the rook on h1, are perfectly placed. There's not much I can do about that rook, as I don't want to castle! ;) With this move, all my pieces are ready for action!} Qb6 $6 {This is a slightly dubious move by Botez. While it's true that my b5 pawn is vulnerable and should be attacked, it's just a pawn after all. My move Qb1 had a much more aggressive intention—I wanted to launch an attack on the kingside, which would come quickly after g4. Black should have anticipated this and prepared by developing their pieces, ensuring they could coordinate effectively if things got fiery. For instance, ...Nbd7 seemed like a more logical choice to me.} 15. g4 {[%CAl Gg4g5,Gc2h7] As Yasser Seirawan wisely puts it in his evergreen words: "Push 'em, baby!" I delayed castling for this very reason—to launch an attack at the right moment. The immediate threat of this move is g5, kicking the knight away, followed by Bxh7+. But the real threat? I want to roll my kingside pawns and checkmate the Black king!} Ne4 $6 {Black got slightly intimidated with the ...g5 threat and decided to take matters into their own hands with this move. Black blocks the c2-h7 diagonal that the White bishop together with the queen were pointing towards, and with it, offers a "free pawn" on e4 in the event I willingly give my dynamic bishop. This idea, which is not flawed, should have been implemented after I played g5, and instead, Black should have played ...Nbd7 preventing the knight's escape.} (15... Nbd7 {Once again, I believe it was crucial for Black to activate their pieces and prepare for what might come next. This knight really should have been developed.} 16. g5 Ne4 {The difference between this, and what happened in the game is, the d7 knight is already there and active, meaning that White going Ne5 is no longer effective.}) 16. Ne5 {[%CAl Bf2f3,Bc2h7] An intuitive and accurate decision on my part. Instead of trading down and allowing Black to consolidate their pieces, this move aims to prevent Black's development with Nd7 (hence why Black should have played 15...Nbd7). The primary purpose of this move, however, is to free the f3 square for the White pawn, which will advance there to kick the e4 knight away, making the White bishop a champion piece once again.} (16. Bxe4 $6 {Accepting this trade would most likely equalize the position immediately, as White's attack does not seem particularly relevant.} dxe4 17. Qxe4 Qxb5 {Black should have no trouble developing their pieces, and with Nd7 coming up next, they're fine.}) 16... f5 $6 {[%CAl Yg4f5,Yh1g1,Yg1g8] Another very understandable yet dubious decision by Botez. Her logic is easy to follow: Black now has better control of the e4 square, and the White bishop on c2 has officially been restricted, thanks to the f5-e6-d5 pawn formation. White playing f3 is no longer a significant threat, as the White bishop is not as active, say after a move like Nd6. However, the biggest drawback, a major one, with this move is that after White plays gxf5 (which, obviously, seems natural), White gains control of the entire g-file, aiming directly at the Black king, after White goes Rg1.} 17. gxf5 {Of course! An opportunity like this should not be joked around with. I capture the pawn, and now, all hail the rook as it lands on the g-file} exf5 18. Rg1 {I played it in the spirit of my style.... slightly inaccurate, as Black has one way to ease some pressure, but obviously, White is clearly the one with a slight advantage. I saw the king on g8, and my instinct told me to take over the g-file, so I went for it!} (18. f3 {[%CAl Yf3e4] Kicking the knight and opening up the e1-h4 diagonal (along with Bh4+) is how the computer suggests this position should be played. It aims to simply break through on the queenside and highlights that Black's position and structure are quite weak and vulnerable due to the lack of development and activity. I was skeptical about allowing Bh4+ in hindsight, but now it is clear that b3 offers more strategic domination and is the more accurate way to continue.} Nd6 19. b3 {[%CAl Gb3c4]} Qxb5 20. bxc4 Qxb1+ 21. Rxb1 dxc4 22. Ba4 $18 {White's pieces are extremely active and solid. This is total strategic dominance. Black's pieces serve no real purpose.}) 18... Kh8 $2 {This seems like an automatic move. Black retreats their king to the corner, away from the g-file; however, this comes at the cost of an important tempo, which is why it is a huge mistake and makes the position almost completely lost. Black could have tried to bring more pieces into the attack, but instead, they played a non-useful, passive move that gives White too much time to bring in their pieces and create an attack. Another key concern is that the king on h8 actually aids my tactical ideas, with Ng6 or Nf7 delivering a check, as we'll see in the game.} (18... Qe6 $1 {[%CAl Bb8d7] This is perhaps the only real logical move in the position that could have created better defensive chances for Black. The reasoning follows a theme I have continually mentioned: Black's pieces are NOT coordinated or active. This move is intended to protect the d7 square, allowing Black to play Nd7 next and FINALLY develop the passive knight, bringing it into the game.} 19. Qd1 Nd7 {Black finally gets the knight active, which means Black has more pieces to contribute as defenders. White is still clearly much better, but Black now has a slightly easier defense compared to what happened in the game.}) 19. Bxe4 {My queen on c2 and the bishop on c2 were not delivering anything significant. So, I decided to trade the c2 bishop for Black's (now) strong knight and then get the queen involved in the attack! Both the bishop and queen had already played a huge role in the attack. They essentially forced Botez to compromise her kingside with 16...f5, so their job was fulfilled!} fxe4 20. Qd1 $1 {The only move that leads to a winning advantage, but also very instinctive and principled in my opinion. Since the heaviest piece on the chessboard, the queen, did not have any purpose on the b1 square, it was time to get it involved in the attack. I played this move to maneuver the queen next to h5.} Qe6 {Finally, Botez realized that the knight on b8 really needed to be activated. The knight could either trade with the e5 knight (which would create significant attacking trouble on the kingside, as we'll see in the game) or move to f6, where it would protect the kingside. However, this realization came a bit too late, as White can already bring the queen to the kingside, posing direct challenges and threats. One move can make a huge difference.} 21. Qh5 {Getting the queen finally activated into the game, threatening a fork with Ng6+. Here, we can see the damage caused by Black's Kh8: a) It delayed Nd7 by a move. Had there been a knight on d7, Black could have simply traded it for White's knight on e5, resolving the major immediate threats, or alternatively played Nf6, defending the h7 pawn, attacking the queen on h5, and possibly stabilizing the position. b) With the king on h8, Ng6+ is a huge threat, thanks to the h7 pawn being pinned to the king on h8.} Nd7 $4 {The poor knight finally gets out, but unfortunately, not in time. This allows concrete tactics that win the game immediately. My opponent had probably thought that I could only win an exchange with Ng6+ followed by Nxf8, leaving them down an exchange and still with a slim 1% chance for some counterplay. However, I had something even more devastating up my sleeve!} (21... Rf6 {(or Rf5) were probably the last reasonable defensive chances that Black had. Unfortunately for them, I had a stunning sequence planned either way!} 22. Qe8+ Rf8 {This allows a concrete line that leads to a win!} (22... Bf8 23. Qd8 {Black's pieces are heading for a complete disaster. White has taken over, and this should be an easy win. There’s no way White fails to convert this position within the next 5-10 moves.}) 23. Rg6 $1 hxg6 (23... Qxe5 24. Bxe5 Rxe8 25. Rxg7 $18 {[%CAl Yg7h7,Yg7a7] With a windmill tactic coming up next!}) (23... Rxe8 24. Rxe6 $18 {While the material count is even, it feels like Black has no pieces on the board! All of Black's pieces are completely paralyzed!}) 24. Nxg6+ Kg8 25. Nxe7+ $18) 22. Ng6+ Kg8 23. Qxd5 $3 {Sacrificing the queen for a pawn, attacking the e6 queen, is a simple decoy tactic. If Black captures or accepts the sacrifice, White plays Nxe7+, winning the queen back with an extra move. If not, I still have Qxe6+ and/or Nxe7+ (since the queen is also pinned) as direct threats.} Kf7 {A final attempt to make me "accept" the exchange sacrifice. However, this allows for an even more stunning sequence!} 24. Nh8+ $3 {[%CAl Gg1g7] The most stunning and precise move in the position! I have never in my life played a tactic like this, where, in the middlegame itself, the knight "sacrifices" itself on the corner square of h8! It's easy to spot, I know, but it's just beautiful. A simple tactic designed to open up the g-file, preparing for a brilliant follow-up!} Rxh8 (24... Kf6 25. Qg5#) 25. Rxg7+ $1 {The entire point of why I wanted the knight gone from the g-file. Now, the Black king is either forced to take the rook, allowing the queen on e6 to be captured, or they’ll get checkmated!} Kxg7 (25... Kf6 26. Qg5#) 26. Qxe6 {[%CAl Gf4h6,Ge6e7,Ge6d7] I win the queen, and with that, the game, as my opponent resigned. I was definitely going to win one more piece, as I was threatening a triple fork: Bh6#, Qxe7, and Qxd7. Additionally, at some point, I could also consider going O-O-O, followed by Rg1#.} 1-0 [Event "Slovakia Chess Open PIESTANY 2024 - OPEN A (PRIZEPOOL 10 350€, min. rating 2100)"] [White "Adarsh, Tripathi"] [Black "Salgovic, Simon"] [Site "Balnea Palace Pieštany"] [Round "1"] [Board "34"] [Result "1-0"] [Date "2024.07.09"] [ECO "D00"] [WhiteElo "2340"] [BlackElo "2122"] [PlyCount "55"] [GameId "2124059955209396"] [EventDate "2024.07.09"] [EventRounds "9"] [EventCountry "SVK"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bf4 e6 4. Nb5 Na6 5. e3 c6 6. Nc3 Be7 7. Nf3 O-O 8. Be2 c5 9. O-O Bd7 10. Ne5 c4 11. e4 b5 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Nxd5 exd5 14. Bf3 Be6 15. Nc6 Qd7 16. Nxe7+ Qxe7 17. Re1 Qd7 18. a4 Nb4 19. Qd2 a5 20. axb5 Qxb5 21. Bd1 Ra6 22. Ra3 Bf5 23. Rg3 Re8 24. h4 Rxe1+ 25. Qxe1 Bxc2 26. Qe5 Rg6 27. Bxc2 Nxc2 28. Qf5 1-0 [Event "Slovakia Chess Open PIESTANY 2024 - OPEN A (PRIZEPOOL 10 350€, min. rating 2100)"] [White "Halafov, Ilgar"] [Black "Adarsh, Tripathi"] [Site "Balnea Palace Pieštany"] [Round "2"] [Board "11"] [Result "0-1"] [Date "2024.07.10"] [ECO "A45"] [WhiteElo "1989"] [BlackElo "2340"] [PlyCount "72"] [GameId "2124059955209398"] [EventDate "2024.07.09"] [EventRounds "9"] [EventCountry "SVK"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 c5 3. e3 Qb6 4. b3 e6 5. c3 Nc6 6. Nf3 d5 7. Bd3 Bd7 8. O-O Be7 9. Ne5 O-O 10. Nd2 Nxe5 11. Bxe5 Bc6 12. Qf3 Nd7 13. Qh3 f5 14. Bf4 Bf6 15. Nf3 Rae8 16. Qg3 Qa5 17. Rfc1 Rf7 18. h4 b5 19. a3 c4 20. b4 Qd8 21. Bc2 Nf8 22. h5 a5 23. Ne5 Bxe5 24. Bxe5 Nd7 25. Bf4 Nf6 26. Qh3 Ra7 27. f3 axb4 28. axb4 Qa8 29. Rab1 Ra3 30. g4 Rxc3 31. gxf5 exf5 32. Bxf5 Rxc1+ 33. Rxc1 Qa3 34. Rf1 Qxb4 35. h6 Qe7 36. hxg7 Bd7 0-1 [Event "Slovakia Chess Open PIESTANY 2024 - OPEN A (PRIZEPOOL 10 350€, min. rating 2100)"] [White "Adarsh, Tripathi"] [Black "Sowinski, Pawel"] [Site "Balnea Palace Pieštany"] [Round "3"] [Board "4"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [Date "2024.07.11"] [ECO "B90"] [WhiteElo "2340"] [BlackElo "2433"] [PlyCount "125"] [GameId "2124059955213496"] [EventDate "2024.07.09"] [EventRounds "9"] [EventCountry "SVK"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nf3 Be7 8. h3 Be6 9. g4 d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxd5 Bxd5 12. Bg2 Nc6 13. O-O O-O 14. Bb6 Qxb6 15. Qxd5 Rad8 16. Qe4 Rfe8 17. Rab1 h6 18. c3 a5 19. Qc2 Qc5 20. Rbd1 Qc4 21. Qb1 Qf4 22. Rde1 Bg5 23. Re2 Qf6 24. Nxg5 Qxg5 25. Rfe1 Rd2 26. Rxd2 Qxd2 27. Rd1 Qe2 28. Rd3 e4 29. Re3 Qd2 30. Rxe4 Rd8 31. Bf3 f6 32. Re2 Qd7 33. Qe4 Ne5 34. Qxb7 Qd3 35. Re3 Qb1+ 36. Kg2 Qxa2 37. Qe7 Rf8 38. Be4 Qc4 39. Qd6 Qc8 40. f4 Nf7 41. Qe7 Qb8 42. Kg3 Qxb2 43. Bc6 g5 44. Qxf6 Qc1 45. Kf2 Qd2+ 46. Re2 Qxf4+ 47. Qxf4 gxf4 48. Bd5 Kg7 49. Ra2 Ne5 50. Rxa5 Rb8 51. Ra2 Kf6 52. Bf3 Nd3+ 53. Kg2 Ne1+ 54. Kf2 Nd3+ 55. Kg1 Rb1+ 56. Kh2 Rc1 57. Be4 Rxc3 58. Bxd3 Rxd3 59. Ra5 Rd2+ 60. Kg1 Kg7 61. Rf5 Rd3 62. Kg2 Rd2+ 63. Kf3 1/2-1/2 [Event "Slovakia Chess Open PIESTANY 2024 - OPEN A (PRIZEPOOL 10 350€, min. rating 2100)"] [White "Adarsh, Tripathi"] [Black "Baum, Jonasz"] [Site "Balnea Palace Pieštany"] [Round "4"] [Board "6"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [Date "2024.07.12"] [ECO "C41"] [WhiteElo "2340"] [BlackElo "2425"] [PlyCount "79"] [GameId "2124059955213498"] [EventDate "2024.07.09"] [EventRounds "9"] [EventCountry "SVK"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. Qxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Be7 6. Bb5+ Nc6 7. O-O O-O 8. Bxc6 bxc6 9. Rd1 Bg4 10. Qe3 Nd7 11. h3 Bxf3 12. Qxf3 Bf6 13. Ne2 Re8 14. Nd4 Ne5 15. Qg3 c5 16. Nf5 Ng6 17. Qg4 Qc8 18. f3 Rb8 19. c3 Qa6 20. h4 Qe2 21. Rf1 h5 22. Qg3 Qd3 23. Rf2 Bxc3 24. bxc3 Qxc3 25. Bb2 Rxb2 26. Rxb2 Qxb2 27. Rf1 Qxa2 28. Qg5 Rb8 29. g4 Rb1 30. gxh5 Rxf1+ 31. Kxf1 Qa1+ 32. Kg2 Qb2+ 33. Kh3 Qf2 34. hxg6 Qxf3+ 35. Ng3 fxg6 36. Qxg6 c4 37. Qe8+ Kh7 38. Qc6 c3 39. Qxc7 Qd3 40. Qf7 1/2-1/2 [Event "Slovakia Chess Open PIESTANY 2024 - OPEN A (PRIZEPOOL 10 350€, min. rating 2100)"] [White "Gretarsson, Helgi Ass"] [Black "Adarsh, Tripathi"] [Site "Balnea Palace Pieštany"] [Round "5"] [Board "5"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [Date "2024.07.13"] [ECO "D30"] [WhiteElo "2485"] [BlackElo "2340"] [PlyCount "71"] [GameId "2124059955213500"] [EventDate "2024.07.09"] [EventRounds "9"] [EventCountry "SVK"] 1. Nf3 e6 2. c4 d5 3. d4 a6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. Bxe7 Qxe7 6. Nbd2 Nf6 7. Rc1 O-O 8. g3 b6 9. Bg2 Bb7 10. O-O c5 11. Qb3 b5 12. cxd5 Bxd5 13. Qa3 b4 14. Qa5 cxd4 15. Nxd4 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 Ra7 17. N2f3 Rb7 18. Rfd1 Rd7 19. Rc4 Rd5 20. Qb6 g6 21. Rdc1 e5 22. Rc7 Nfd7 23. Nc6 Nxc6 24. Qxc6 Rd6 25. Qe4 Rb8 26. Ra7 Rb5 27. Rcc7 Kg7 28. e3 a5 29. h4 Rbd5 30. h5 f5 31. Qc4 e4 32. Nd4 f4 33. gxf4 Qh4 34. Rxd7+ Rxd7 35. Qxd5 Qg4+ 36. Kh2 1/2-1/2 [Event "Slovakia Chess Open PIESTANY 2024 - OPEN A (PRIZEPOOL 10 350€, min. rating 2100)"] [White "Druska, Juraj"] [Black "Adarsh, Tripathi"] [Site "Balnea Palace Pieštany"] [Round "6"] [Board "8"] [Result "1-0"] [Date "2024.07.14"] [ECO "B45"] [WhiteElo "2462"] [BlackElo "2340"] [PlyCount "65"] [GameId "2124059955213502"] [EventDate "2024.07.09"] [EventRounds "9"] [EventCountry "SVK"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. e5 Nd5 8. Ne4 Qc7 9. f4 Qb6 10. a3 f5 11. exf6 Nxf6 12. Nxf6+ gxf6 13. Qh5+ Kd8 14. Bd3 Bc5 15. Bd2 a5 16. O-O-O Bd4 17. c3 Rb8 18. b4 Bf2 19. Qf7 axb4 20. Qxf6+ Kc7 21. axb4 Ba6 22. Qe5+ Kb7 23. Qd6 Rhd8 24. Kc2 Ra8 25. Ra1 Ra7 26. c4 Kc8 27. Bc3 Qb7 28. c5 Qa8 29. Rxa6 Rxa6 30. Bxa6+ Qxa6 31. Ra1 Qe2+ 32. Kb3 Kb7 33. Ra7+ 1-0 [Event "Novi Banovci op"] [White "Adarsh, Tripathi"] [Black "Suleymanli, Suleyman"] [Site "Novi Banovci"] [Round "5"] [Annotator "IM Adarsh Tripathi"] [Result "1-0"] [Date "2024.08.05"] [ECO "C02"] [WhiteElo "2368"] [BlackElo "2290"] [PlyCount "59"] [GameId "2124059955213504"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] {This game was played in the tournament where I received my final norm and crossed the rating requirement of 2400, officially becoming an International Master. I had a great start, scoring 4/4 against a decent field. I was paired against the solid Azerbaijani FM Suleymanli Suleyman. Before this round, I had seen his performance in the previous tournament a month earlier (Baku Open), where he defeated multiple 2400-rated players with the Black pieces, and was somewhat impressed. I already had a clear 1-point lead in the tournament, so my strategy was to play something I would be comfortable with, focusing on dynamic, complicated positions considering how great things had gone for me up to that point, but nothing too risky given the tournament situation.} 1. e4 e6 {The French was an expected response. This is his main, and, as far as I can remember, his only one. I had briefly checked the Advance variation, but since the previous day was a double round, just like the day I played this game, I only reviewed it briefly to preserve my energy and went for it.} 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Qb6 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Be2 cxd4 7. cxd4 Nge7 {This was not the move I had checked before the game, primarily because I saw two games (the only ones I could find in the database) of his with ...Nh6 in Titled Tuesday. However, this was not a huge surprise, as it is a popular sideline. I knew I could rely on an idea against this setup from a game I had prepared for 3–4 months ago and went for it!} 8. Na3 {The main move, moving the knight to the corner. This is, however, only temporary, as White's plan is to eventually shift the knight to c2, where it will guard the "vulnerable" d4 pawn and support White's attack on the queenside with b4 in the future.} Nf5 9. Nc2 Be7 10. O-O Bd7 11. Kh1 $5 {So, this was not preparation. It’s not the "main line," but it was part of an idea I had seen in my preparation in a different variation a few weeks ago. This is a multi-purpose move: a) I prepare the idea of Bd2-Bc3, which reinforces the protection of the d4 pawn and gives some sort of purpose to the bishop, no matter how small or passive (I’ll show an illustration soon to explain why Kh1 was helpful in achieving this). b) The king is safer on h1 in case I play g4 or f4 in the future.} (11. Bd3 {This is apparently the main line, and I'm not going to lie, a move that looks much cooler than 11. Kh1. However, from what I can see, the move Kh1 is not an inferior option, at least not when analyzed without extreme depth. White improves the light-squared bishop, pointing out that the d4 pawn is not actually hanging (WARNING: IT'S A TRAP!).} Rc8 (11... Nfxd4 $4 {Grabbing the pawn is a blunder, although I’m sure my opponent would never fall for this, as it is quite typical in this opening/variation.} 12. Nfxd4 Nxd4 13. Be3 {[%CAl Be3d4]} Bc5 14. b4 $1 {wins a piece})) 11... h5 {An understandable decision by my opponent, who wants to prevent any sort of ...g4 push from my side. On the other hand, since they have not castled, they might consider going for a kingside attack. However, at the time of the game, I highly doubted if that was the best approach, as I did not see much potential in their attack.} 12. Bd2 $5 {This was my plan when I played Kh1. Capturing the d4 pawn now would be deadly due to a similar tactic we saw in the 11. Bd3 Nfxd4 variation. I want this bishop to go to c3, where it will ensure that my "under pressure" pawn on d4 is well protected while maintaining potential ...b4 queenside expansion ideas. Needless to say, it’s not like my bishop on the c1-h6 diagonal was much of a prize.} a5 {A reasonable move, gaining space and temporarily preventing b4 ideas.} (12... Nfxd4 $4 13. Nfxd4 Nxd4 14. Be3 {This tactic works now too, but let me illustrate why Kh1 was important to implement this: Had the king remained on the g1 square, Black could have easily captured the e2 bishop, as it would have been a check. This means they would have been up a pawn without any compensation! However, here, Nxe2 simply allows Bxb6, winning the queen!} Bc5 15. b4 $18) (12... Qxb2 $6 {This is a thematic "poisoned pawn" sacrifice. Black accepting it means accepting trouble, as this move is quite dubious. The problem is that the Black queen becomes quite restricted.} 13. Rb1 Qxa2 14. Bd3 {[%CAl Yd1e2,Yf1a1,Yb1a1] Black needs to be extremely precise here. The pawn on b7 can obviously be captured, but White's concrete threat is to play Qe2, followed by Ra1 and Rfb1, after which the Black queen is trapped.}) 13. Bc3 {[%csl Bd4][%CAl Gc3d4,Gc2d4,Gf3d4] The bishop is finally where I wanted it to be. Sure, it looks more like a pawn, but it has the potential to be activated in the near future. Additionally, developing the bishop also allows the other pieces (like the queen and rooks) to activate more easily.} g5 {Not an unreasonable move. In fact, it is the top engine line! Black expands on the kingside, and they already have a decent amount of space, so it makes sense. The good news for White is that there’s nothing really "concrete," allowing White to spend the next few moves coordinating and creating a counter-attack.} 14. Nfe1 {The knight had served its purpose on the kingside. It was going to be kicked out with g4 anyway, so with this move, I force the matters. The knight's only job on f3 was to protect the d4 pawn, but since the bishop is already placed on c3, there’s no need to worry about that now. With this retreat, the idea is to maneuver the knight to the d3 square in the future, helping with the b4 push, although it will need to be an ideal scenario.} g4 15. Rb1 {[%CAl Yb1b7,Yb2b4] Getting the rook onto the b-file, which will help with the entire b4 plan.} Rc8 16. Qd2 {One step closer to the queenside b4 push. White must still be careful before pushing ahead, as ...axb4 followed by a couple of trades would leave the d4 pawn hanging.} Bb4 $5 {A preventive or prophylactic measure meant to stop b4. I found this move a bit dubious when it was played during the game, as I had an immediate response to it. Note that this move also threatens Bxc3, since bxc3 is not possible due to the hanging rook on b1.} 17. Nd3 {This poses a concrete problem for Black. I connect the b1 and f1 rooks so that after ...Bxc3, dxc3 becomes possible. I’m also putting pressure on the b4 bishop, meaning Black needs to consider Nxb4 in their calculations as well.} Ncxd4 $6 {The computer approves this move for concrete reasons, but practically speaking, White has a very strong line that creates tactical issues for Black, making the computer's proposed continuation quite difficult. No, I did not just hang a pawn. I have a clear and concrete way to win it back.} (17... Bf8 $1 {[%CAl Bf8h6] This is a powerful bishop retreat suggested by the computer, and it is indeed quite a powerful move. Black aims to redirect the bishop to a stronger diagonal (h6-c1), where it would have great attacking potential. The good news for White is that a direct queenside expansion with b4 makes the position very unclear.} 18. b4 $13) 18. Ndxb4 {[%CAl Yc3d4,Yc2d4]} Nxe2 19. Nxd5 $1 {The key point is that this is an intermediate move, capturing the d5 pawn instead of the e2 knight (and allowing the knight to be captured with axb4 anyway). However, there is an even more concrete reason for capturing this pawn, as we’ll see shortly.} exd5 20. e6 $1 {This was the key point of the entire sequence with Nd3. I'm threatening the bishop on d7 and the rook on h8. Black must either allow exd7+, which would completely ruin Black's king safety, or lose an exchange by capturing on e6 and allowing Bxh8. It turns out that "sacrificing" the exchange was the most precise continuation.} (20. Qxe2 $2 {This is a mistake because it allows a simple skewer.} Bb5 {[%CAl Yb5f1]}) 20... Nxc3 $2 {My opponent fails to find the best move in the position and crumbles under pressure to balance the material. However, this simply allows White's pieces to shine (such as the White rook taking control of the b-file) while the Black king's safety is completely disrupted after exd7+ ...Kxd7.} (20... Qxe6 $1 {Letting the h8 rook go was the most precise continuation. Interestingly, Black is quite okay here, but spotting all of this is quite a task, so I understand why my opponent did not go for it. Note that Black already has an extra piece due to the events after Nd3, so Bxh8 only makes White an exchange up.} 21. Bxh8 Qe4 {[%CAl Yc8c2]} 22. Ne3 Nxe3 23. Qxe3 Qxe3 24. fxe3 h4 $13 {Black having the c-file means they apparently have enough compensation for this to be equal, according to the computer. Quite the crazy position!}) 21. exd7+ {Capturing the bishop forks the king and the rook, forcing Black to recapture with the king and leaving it absolutely vulnerable, as we'll see in the game!} Kxd7 22. bxc3 {[%CAl Yb2b8] The b-file gets opened up, putting pressure on the b7 pawn.} Qc6 23. Qf4 {[%CAl Yf4f5] The first order of business, as in my previous game, is to activate and involve my queen in the game!} Nd6 24. Nd4 {Sacrificing the pawn on c3 to activate the knight, and even more importantly, for a beautiful and powerful concrete reason.} Qxc3 $4 {Moving the queen somewhere else, a safer square protecting either the d5 pawn or b7 pawn for instance such as qc5 would have been move better. This move allows me to go for a tactical blow in this position!} 25. Rfc1 {Getting the rook active on the c-file and setting up a fatal trap while doing so! This move forces the Black queen to a more awkward square and allows a tactical follow-up, for instance, after 25...Qa3.} Qxc1+ {Unfortunately for my opponent, moving the queen would have allowed the fantastic Rxb7+ blow. This is pretty much game over, with this being a desperate attempt to avoid resignation for a few more moves.} (25... Qa3 {Moving the queen away is the most natural continuation, but it allows a nice tactical sequence!} 26. Rxb7+ $3 {The entire plan all along was to distract the d6 knight so that Qxf7+ becomes a reality!} Nxb7 (26... Ke8 27. Rxc8+ Nxc8 28. Qxf7+ Kd8 29. Ne6#) (26... Kd8 27. Qf6+ Ke8 28. Qe7#) 27. Qxf7+ Qe7 (27... Kd6 28. Qe6#) (27... Kd8 28. Ne6#) 28. Qf5+ Ke8 (28... Kd6 29. Nb5#) 29. Rxc8+ Nd8 30. Ne6 $18) 26. Rxc1 Rxc1+ 27. Qxc1 Re8 28. g3 Nc4 29. Qb1 Nd6 30. h3 {The White king frees itself from any back-rank trouble, and considering the material advantage White has, my opponent decided to resign.} 1-0