[Event "Goldmoney Asian Prelim"] [Site "chess24.com INT"] [Date "2021.06.28"] [Round "12.1"] [White "Aronian, Levon"] [Black "Dubov, Daniil"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2781"] [BlackElo "2714"] [PlyCount "85"] [EventDate "2021.??.??"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 {The Semi-Slav: This is the 3rd blog in this variation hoping you learned from it.} 5. e3 {Simply direct developing move by white.} Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 {Typical setup by black to castle early.} 7. Bd3 {I prefer placing the bishop at e2 but Super GM Aronian knows more.} O-O 8. O-O dxc4 {GM Daniil Dubov is an attacking player so we can expect fighting moves here.} 9. Bxc4 a6 {Slow but the motive is to play b5, white will take advantage by playing e4 now.} 10. e4 e5 {This is forced otherwise white will take the e5 square.} 11. Rd1 {Always this rook's best square is d1 to penetrate the d-file.} Qc7 12. Bg5 {Black cannot wait but must counter attack, since white is wired up.} exd4 13. Rxd4 Ne5 14. Bxf6 {Here we go.... the first shot... white opens up black's kingside position.} gxf6 ({Other move is:} 14... Nxf3+ 15. gxf3 Bxh2+ 16. Kh1 Qf4 17. Qd2 gxf6 18. Qxf4 Bxf4 19. Rg1+ Kh8 20. Bxf7) 15. Nxe5 Bxe5 16. Rd3 b5 ({Other move is:} 16... Bxh2+ 17. Kf1 Qa5 18. Rad1 Qh5) 17. Bb3 Bxh2+ 18. Kf1 Be5 19. Ne2 f5 ({Other move is:} 19... a5 20. Qd2 a4 21. Bc2 Bg4) 20. f4 {Strong move.. now white controls the center.} Bg7 21. e5 c5 22. Bd5 {Smooth sailing for white...} Rb8 23. Rc1 c4 24. b3 Qe7 25. bxc4 bxc4 26. Bxc4 {Comfortable position for white, the f5 pawn is dead pawn.} Bb7 27. Rh3 Be4 28. Bd3 Rb4 29. a3 Bxd3 30. Qxd3 Re4 31. Qxa6 {White is enjoying the game...pretty under control.} Rd8 {This rook heads to d2 square but...not yet.} 32. Rc8 {Yes, whenever you are up in position and material exchange pieces.} Bf8 33. Rg3+ Kh8 34. Rxd8 Qxd8 {LET US STOP HERE: IF YOU PLAY THE WHITE SIDE, PLAN AND FIND BEST STRATEGY TO WIN. THINK 5 MINUTES.} 35. Rd3 {Yes, white must now allow the queen to control the file.} Qh4 36. Qc8 Qh1+ (36... Rxf4+ 37. Nxf4 Qxf4+ 38. Rf3 Qh6 39. Rh3 Qf4+ 40. Rf3 Qh6 41. Ke2) 37. Kf2 Qh4+ 38. Rg3 Qh6 39. Qd8 {Slowly the white queen is inching closer to the right squares to control the position, not giving black to get a chance to find a perpetual check.} Rc4 40. Rh3 Qg7 41. Nd4 {Now the threat is Nxf5 then Qf6 ch.} Ra4 42. Nxf5 Qg8 43. Rxh7+ {Black Resigns: due to the black king can't avoid mate. Amazing play by Super GM Levon Aronian. After 20. f4, black has no play. This shows how dangerous GMs play when given an opportunity like this..pretty neat!!! Thanks to all, keep safe always. God Bless....} 1-0