[Event "FIDE Grand Prix Leg 3"] [Site "Berlin, Germany"] [Date "2022.03.29"] [Round "7.1"] [White "Shakhriyar Mamedyarov"] [Black "Vincent Keymer"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E00"] [WhiteElo "2776"] [BlackElo "2655"] [PlyCount "73"] [EventDate "2022.03.22"] [Source "Lichess"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 {This game is transposed into the Catalan Opening. White plays solid when black plays like the Nimzo-Indian set-up inviting complicated play.} Bb4+ 4. Nd2 ({Other move is:} 4. Nc3 O-O 5. Bg2 d5 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 dxc4) ({Other move is:} 4. Bd2 Be7 5. Nc3 d5 6. Bg2 O-O 7. Nf3 dxc4) 4... d5 5. Bg2 O-O 6. Ngf3 dxc4 {This is standard play for black to take the pawn at c4. There are several strategies for black to counter white's bishop at g2.} 7. Qc2 {The queen must take the pawn at c4 while it is weak.} a5 8. a3 ({Other move is:} 8. Qxc4 b6 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. O-O Nbd7 11. b3 Qb8 12. Bb2 Rc8) 8... Bxd2+ 9. Bxd2 b5 {Now this pawn at c4 is no longer free, understandably that white expected the position to arise. There must be something on white's agenda that is relevant to the position, let me guess, white is setting up a kingside attack.} 10. a4 {Breaking up the pawn chain forcing black to move c6.} c6 11. h4 {Here we go, White's king is still at the center, well, no rush to castle but checking a small weakness at black's kingside. Let's see how GM Mamedyarov plans to exploit black's position when several queenside pieces are still to develop.} h6 {This move invites or/ either entices the Super GM Mamedyarov to play explosively as required by the position.} 12. g4 {WOW!!! Even me would move this...} Nxg4 13. Ne5 {My lips are sealed here, I am just really gobsmacked by GM Mamedyarov's super tactical capability. What a great imagination....} f5 ({Other move is:} 13... Nf6 14. axb5) ({Other move is:} 13... Nxe5 14. dxe5 (14. f4) 14... Ra7 15. Qc3 f5 16. Be3 Ra6 17. Bc5) 14. Nxg4 fxg4 15. axb5 {White's two bishops are going to dictate the position, tricky as we see it, but white is up here.} Qf6 16. O-O-O {Another offered free pawn at d4 and f2. Both pawns when taken delays black's piece development.} Bd7 17. Rhg1 Ra7 18. b6 {Of course, to avoid exchanges of pieces if bxc6 move.} Ra6 19. Be4 {Now, it's high time for white to attack the g7 pawn by doubling the rooks.} Qxh4 20. f3 g3 21. Rh1 Qe7 22. Rdg1 {Yes, all white's pieces are coordinated towards black's kingside. Any time from now, black will feel the pressure.} Rf6 23. Rxg3 Kf8 24. Rhg1 {Here we go....} Rxb6 25. Bxa5 Rb5 26. Rxg7 {Timely... queen is forced to take the rook at g7.} Qxg7 27. Rxg7 Kxg7 28. Bc7 {The pin at e5 is unpreventable.} Be8 29. Be5 Nd7 30. Bxc6 {Yes....better than Bxf6ch.} Nxe5 31. Bxe8 Nd3+ 32. exd3 Rg5 33. Qxc4 { Black should resign here... even luck is not possible.} Rxf3 34. Qxe6 Rf2 35. Kb1 Rgg2 36. Qe7+ Kh8 37. Qb7 {Black Resigned: GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov's game is a masterpiece. His creativity and imagination is superb. I cannot wait to check his other games just like this... Thanks GM Mamedyarov...} 1-0