[Event "FIDE Grand Swiss 2021"] [Site "Riga LAT"] [Date "2021.11.05"] [Round "9.34"] [White "Peter Svidler"] [Black "Volodymyr Onyshchuk"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B12"] [WhiteElo "2694"] [BlackElo "2622"] [PlyCount "93"] [EventDate "2021.??.??"] 1. e4 c6 {The Caro-Kann defense: this is the 3rd chess blog for this black opening.} 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 {The Advanced variation. I hope that for beginners, you are already familiar with his line.} 4. Nd2 {An early 4. Nd2 move sequence employed by GM Peter Svidler. The standard move is 4. Nf3.} e6 5. Nb3 Nd7 {Yes, black is also delaying kingside development to counter white's expansion at queenside.} 6. Nf3 {Now, we are following the normal white set-up. I think black will do the same.} h6 7. Be2 Ne7 8. O-O g5 9. Bd2 Bg7 10. a4 O-O {I was expecting 10...a5 here not to allow white's next move 11. Bb4. Let's see why?} 11. Bb4 f6 12. exf6 Rxf6 {See what I mean...} 13. Bd6 {Yes, the e5 square needs to be controlled including the diagonal h2 to b8.} Rf7 14. Re1 { White intends to tighten control of the e file too.} Ng6 {The knight at g6 is also putting up with e5 square and black plans to push g5 to g4 to drive away the knight at f3 disrupting the position.} 15. Bd3 {Well, white is not scared, fires back with a 15. Bd3 move. Check the e6 pawn, it's hanging in the air.} Qf6 16. Ne5 {The pawn at f2 is vulnerable to being indirectly attacked by the queen at f6, that is, if black will push g5 to g4 later.} Ngxe5 {This move is diverting to a different plan, it's no longer the e6 pawn is the target.} 17. dxe5 Qg6 18. a5 {So, it shifted to the queenside in an instant, that is what you call "Option B Plan".} Bxd3 19. cxd3 {This d pawn will connect with the e5 pawn to control the center. However, black has a sight on the f file but how will he do it since there is a bishop at d6 not allowing doubling of rooks.} Bf8 {Yes....indeed.} 20. a6 {GM Svidler continues to create weakness at black's queenside. The position is getting complicated and confusing. Sometimes, we can not think like a GM... sometimes only...joke.} b6 {This is forced!!!} 21. Nd4 {Oh, this knight wants to go to b5 in case black will push c6 to c5.} Bxd6 22. exd6 Qf6 {Finally, black enjoys the f file with a threat at f2 pawn, although it is harmless.} 23. Nxc6 {LET'S STOP HERE: ANALYZE THE POSITION. DO YOU SEE A GOOD PLAN FOR WHITE?} Qxf2+ 24. Kh1 Qxb2 {Black is on an eating spree...} 25. Rxe6 {White must take this pawn and this was GM Svidler's Option "A" plan.} Nc5 {Rook at e6 is under attack, it's a pretty messy position now.} ({If} 25... Raf8 26. h3 {beautiful move...}) 26. Re2 { Yes, this queen is super annoying, both are on edge, looking for best moves.} Qf6 27. Ne5 {Nice position for the knight, pushing the d4 pawn now is much nicer...} Rff8 28. Rc1 {Wow, I did not see this...much better move, enticing black to take the d6 pawn..but d4 push is painful..followed by Rc6.} d4 { WE STOP HERE AGAIN. GIVE 5 MINUTES TO ANALYZE THE POSITION. ANY GOOD PLANS YOU SEE FOR WHITE?} 29. d7 Rad8 {Black must block this d7 pawn.} 30. h3 {"Fire Exit"} Nxd7 31. Ng4 {Nice, this knight is well placed tactically. Since c and e files are now open, rook must land at strategic positions like the c7 square. } Qf4 {Black acknowledged what I just stated, and guarded the c7 square.} 32. Re4 Qd6 {My hair-raising here due to excitement... I have a feeling white must have found a "crazy"move to attack the king. Let's see....} 33. Qb3+ Kh8 34. Re6 {This is it....if there is a way, there is a will...} Qf4 35. Rce1 { That's it, now white has the plus position. It's a matter of time, white will initiate the final blow.} Nf6 36. Ne5 {Fantastic Play!!!} Qf5 37. Re7 {What an "itchy-bitchy" move...} Nd5 38. Rxa7 {It's a win for white, just need to be careful of black's tactics.} g4 39. Nxg4 Rde8 40. Rg1 h5 41. Nh6 {That knight is a headache for black!!!} Qe6 42. Qc4 Nf4 ({If} 42... Qxh6 43. Qxd5) 43. Qxd4+ Qf6 44. Qxf6+ Rxf6 45. Rb7 Ra8 (45... Rxh6 {If} 46. a7 {wins}) 46. a7 Nxd3 47. Nf7+ {Black Resigned: Due to 47...Kg8 then simply 48. Rb8 ch. Now if 47...Kg7 then white moves 48. Ne5 ch. wins. This is a game of strategy and tactics. Both fought well, finding the key moves. Thank you to both GMs for this wonderful game. Congrats!! GM Peter Svidler....} 1-0