[Event "European Championship"] [Site "Skopje MKD"] [Date "2019.03.29"] [Round "11.21"] [White "Mateusz Bartel"] [Black "Igor Viktorovich Kovalenko"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B12"] [WhiteElo "2600"] [BlackElo "2658"] [PlyCount "75"] [EventDate "2019.03.18"] 1. e4 c6 {The Caro Kann Defense: I learn also in researching and chose what is most worthwhile to study.} 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. Be2 {The sequence of white's quiet moves, if black is not aware of the theory. The impact is going to be overwhelming.} Nd7 6. O-O h6 7. a4 {White played first the a4 line but it will be the same sequence later.} a5 8. Nbd2 {Here comes the knight. I really am now liking white's idea on how to handle the Caro-Kann defense. I hope you do too..} Ne7 9. Nb3 Qc7 10. Bd2 g5 11. Rc1 Bg7 12. Qe1 b6 13. c4 Qb7 {Different idea from GM Kovalenko.} 14. cxd5 Nxd5 {We are following a new line, if we compare it to the previous chess blog, this move has a different game plan.} 15. h4 {We have seen this move in Game 1, but only when black castled kingside.} f6 {Wonderful...this is entertaining, both players have unique approach to the position. Black is inviting white to attack the black king at the center.} 16. exf6 Bxf6 {Check the difference of FIDE Rating, black is obviously has no fear. Come what may whoever wins here, global chessplayers are the winners due to this valuable lesson.} 17. Ne5 {Woops, I never expected this move. I see there is a check at h5.} Bxe5 18. dxe5 c5 ({If} 18... Nxe5 19. Bh5+ Nf7 20. g4) 19. hxg5 hxg5 20. Bxg5 {Truly, this is war!!! White is not allowing black to castle. The expense of not castling or not placing the king safe.} Nf8 21. f4 {White's two bishops have too much power, let's see how black will defend.} Ng6 ({If} 21... Qh7 22. Qg3 Ng6 23. Kf2 Kf7 24. Bf3 Qh2 25. Qxh2 Rxh2 26. Nd2 Nh4 27. Bxd5 exd5 28. Rg1) 22. Qg3 Kf7 {King is safe here.} 23. Nd2 {The d6 square is a very nice stop for the knight via c4.} Rag8 24. Nc4 Kf8 25. Nd6 {Each of its own...} Qh7 26. Nxf5 exf5 {Now, it's two bishops versus two knights.} 27. Rcd1 {Strong move!!} Ngxf4 {LET US STOP HERE: KINDLY ANALYZE THIS POSITION. IS IT A SOUND MOVE OR A MISTAKE?} 28. Rxf4 Rxg5 29. Qxg5 Qh2+ 30. Kf2 Qxf4+ 31. Qxf4 Nxf4 {AGAIN: WE REACH AN ENDGAME POSITION: THINK 5 MINUTES AND EVALUATE THE POSITION. IF YOU ARE PLAYING WHITE, WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS?} 32. Rd8+ Kg7 33. Rd7+ Kg6 34. Bc4 {Nice moves... the knight at f5 is misplaced and the e5 pawn poses danger.} Rb8 35. Bf7+ Kg5 ({If} 35... Kg7 36. Kf3 Rf8 37. Kxf4 Rxf7 38. e6) 36. e6 Kf6 37. e7 Nd3+ 38. Rxd3 {Black Resigned:  Due to 38...Kxf7 then simply 39. Rd8 white wins. Fantastic win by GM Mateusz Bartel. You can never tell the difference of rating but the level of GM strength. Thanks GM Bartel for this wonderful game. I hope all chessplayers: from beginners to experts learned from these 2 games. Have a great weekend.. enjoy...} 1-0