[Event "Tata Steel Chess Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.01.15"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Gukesh, D.."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2725"]
[Annotator "Rafael Leitao"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[TimeControl "6000+30"]
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. e3 O-O 8. Rc1
dxc4 9. Bxc4 c5 10. O-O {This is a popular line of the Ragozin Defense, played
in hundreds of games, including the highest level. As is often the case, the
white player needs to show a new idea in these variations, as the known paths
lead to equality. That's exactly what Giri will do in this game.} cxd4 11. Ne4
(11. Nxd4 {is also possible, but White has been unable to prove an advantage
after} Bd7) 11... Qe7 12. a3 Ba5 13. exd4 {This rare capture was tried in two
high-profile games in 2022. We have a position on the board with one of the
most important structures in chess, the isolated queen's pawn. Every good
chess player needs to know how to play this type of position. Roughly
summarized, White has more space and more active pieces, but needs to play
quickly to build up some attack before Black finishes development.} (13. Qxd4 {
is more popular.}) 13... Rd8 14. Rc2 $5 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;
Interesting;persistent;true] A very interesting theoretical novelty. White
intends to develop the rook on the second rank, either on d2 or e2. These are
the most dangerous novelties, the ones that don't appear in a tactical, forced
variation, moves that aren't the computer's first choices. The idea will work
as a charm.} (14. Ba2 {was played in the two games mentioned previously.} Bd7
15. b4 Bb6 16. Re1 Bc6 17. Qc2 Na6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true]} (17... a5 18. h4 Bxe4 19. Rxe4 Nd7 {with a complicated game
in Mamedyarov-Dominguez Perez, Berlin 2022.}) 18. h4 Nc7 {and Black later won
in Mamedyarov-Erigaisi, FTX Road to Miami 2022.}) 14... Bd7 {The question is
how Black should finish development. Other attempts are also possible.} (14...
Na6 {This weird move has the idea of getting the knight to d5 via c7, but it's
not the most accurate.} 15. Ne5 Nc7 16. Be2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] with the idea of playing Bh5, with unpleasant
pressure.}) (14... Nc6 {This is very natural.} 15. b4 Bb6 16. Rd2 {Here we see
one of the benefits of White's plan. The rook protects the d-pawn and is ready
to support its advance.} Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] This is an important move to fight for equality.} (16... Bd7 {
is dubious because the queen is poorly placed on e7.} 17. Re1 {With advantage
for White.})) (14... Nd7 {I think this is the best move. The idea is to send
the knight to f6 and against 15.d5 the computer helps us find the right way.}
15. d5 (15. Re2 Nf6 {Black has nothing to worry about.}) 15... exd5 16. Qxd5
Nb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17. Qxa5 Qxe4
18. Bb3 Be6 {with equality.}) 15. Re2 Bc6 16. Qc2 {Suddenly the position
becomes dangerous for Black. Themes with the knight jumping to g5 begin to
appear. White might even support this plan by playing h2-h4. The x-ray of the
rook with the queen on e7 is also cause for concern.} Bb6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;
square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The first clear mistake.} (16... Nd7
$2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move loses.} 17.
d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} exd5 18. Neg5)
(16... Bxe4 {This is the best. It's necessary to remove the menacing knight
and develop as soon as possible.} 17. Rxe4 {The most dangerous.} (17. Qxe4 Nc6
18. Bb5 Rac8 19. Rc2 Bb6 20. Bxc6 Rxc6 21. Rxc6 bxc6 {and Black is close to
equality.}) 17... Nd7 18. d5 e5 {White's position still looks threatening, but
objectively Black manages to hold the balance.} (18... Nf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;
square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 19. dxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;
type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nxe4 20. Qxe4 {with a winning attack.})) 17.
Rfe1 {Now White's pieces are ready for a decisive assault and extreme measures
are necessary.} Kh8 $2 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]
The losing move. Gukesh wants to remove the king from the unpleasant a2-g8
diagonal, but he has no time for that.} (17... Bd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;
type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black has to exchange the dangerous opponent's
bishop.} 18. Bxd5 Rxd5 19. Nc3 {This is the problem. White will push the
d-pawn forward.} Rd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;
true]} 20. d5 Nd7 {It's clear that White is better, but the position is not
winning and Black won't be mated anytime soon.}) 18. Neg5 $3 {[%c_effect g5;
square;g5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Giri executes a brilliant
combination to finish the game in style.} hxg5 19. Rxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;
square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The natural continuation of the
previous move. When analyzing a sacrifice, it's usually useful to look at the
relative strength of the pieces left on the board, that is, what they are
actually doing. Notice that Black's rook and knight haven't moved yet. It's
emblematic that a rook and a knight are precisely the pieces sacrificed by
Giri. Of course it's always easier to come up with theories to justify a
combination when it's not our pieces that are being sacrificed.} fxe6 20. Rxe6
{If the queen moves then the g5-pawn is captured and the attack is
irresistible.} Qxe6 (20... Qf7 21. Nxg5 Qh5 22. Rh6+ $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;
h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The cleanest.} Qxh6 (22... gxh6 23. Qh7#)
23. Nf7+ Kg8 24. Nxh6+ Kh8 (24... Kf8 25. Qf5+ Ke7 26. Qe6+ Kf8 27. Qf7#) 25.
Bg8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This one hurts.
} Rxg8 26. Nf7#) 21. Bxe6 Bxf3 22. Qf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] The queen and bishop are enough to create a mating
attack. 23.Qh3 is threatened.} Be4 {A desperate attempt to slow down the
attack.} 23. Qxe4 Rxd4 24. Qf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] The only move, but it's more than enough.} g4 25. Qf8+ Kh7 26.
Bf5+ Kh6 (26... g6 27. Qf7+ Kh8 28. Qf6+ (28. Bc2 {is also easily winning.})
28... Kg8 29. Qxg6+ Kf8 30. Qf6+ Ke8 31. g3 {The attack continues and Black
still cannot move the queenside.}) 27. Bc2 {27.Qh8 is threatened and the
queenside is paralyzed. Gukesh decided to resign. A brilliant game by Giri.}
1-0
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2023.01.14"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Keymer, V.."]
[Black "Magnus, C.."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D91"]
[WhiteElo "2696"]
[BlackElo "2859"]
[Annotator "Petrisor Adrian"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 {Gruenfeld Defence - a top level defense that is
also played among amateurs.} 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bg5 {Not main line here, but
absolutely playble for white.} Ne4 6. Bf4 ({If} 6. cxd5 {then} Nxg5 7. Nxg5 e6
8. Qd2 h6 9. Nf3 exd5 {with no problems for black $1}) 6... Nxc3 7. bxc3 c6 $5
{[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Interesting choice
by Magnus $1 Most certainly a sideline $1} (7... c5 {The main line in this
position :)} 8. e3 O-O 9. cxd5 cxd4 10. cxd4 Qxd5 11. Be2) 8. e3 O-O 9. Qb3 Qa5
10. Be2 $6 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (10. cxd5
{This is probably more precise than Be2 because if Be2 is played while the
pawn is on c4, black will take and we have to lose another tempo with the
bishop. Thus, why not to take first on d5 and then Be2 or Bd3 $2} cxd5 11. Be2
Nc6 12. O-O $14) 10... dxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] The most logical response for Magnus $1} 11. Bxc4 Nd7 12. Bg5
$6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move is the
catalyst for white 's position dropping slightly because black can improve his
position with moves like b5 - Be6 and so on.} (12. O-O {Why not complete
development as soon as possible $6} b5 13. Bd3 Nb6) 12... b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;
square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (12... e6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;
e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Was bad because the bishop will be closed in
on c8 - the only choice remaining to exchange the bishop in a6 in the near
future.} 13. O-O $14) 13. Be2 Re8 14. O-O Nb6 {Black just prepared Be6 with
tempo followed by c5 - a typical break in Gruenfeld $1} 15. e4 $6 {[%c_effect
e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (15. a3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;
square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Was the other possibility - probably
more priceise with the idea to exchange queen`s on b4 after Be6.} Be6 16. Qb4
Qxb4 17. axb4) 15... Be6 16. Qc2 c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] Nice move $1 Just an invitation for d5 and we will get thr
typical Gruenfeld structure with white as well as a majority on the kingside.
Black will posses a majority on the queenside $1} 17. d5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;
square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (17. dxc5 {Probably the best for
equality, but not an easy choice over the board $1} Na4 18. Nd4 Nxc3 19. Nxe6
Nxe2+ 20. Qxe2 Bxa1 21. Rxa1 Qc3 22. Rc1 Qe5 23. Qxb5 Qxe6 24. c6) 17... Bg4
18. Bd2 $2 $17 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (18.
Rac1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The correct
approach, i don`t really see the reason for Bd2 here and is the bishop really
improved on d2 $2} Na4 19. e5 c4) 18... e6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] Another typical idea after white's d5 move $1} 19.
Rab1 $6 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} c4 20. dxe6
Rxe6 21. Nd4 Bxe2 22. Nxe2 a6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] Very nice prophylactic move against Nd4 - now b5 is protected
and everything is safe $1} 23. Nd4 Ree8 24. Rfe1 Na4 {Preparing to put the
knight on the d3 outpost via c5 $1} 25. Nc6 Qc7 26. Nb4 Nc5 27. Nd5 $2 $19 {
[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (27. f3 $1 {[%c_effect
f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Looks to be the only move for
white - keep protecting e4 and try to fight in a worse position. In the long
term White will find it tough because black's majority on the queenside will
be very dangerous $1} a5 28. Nd5 Qc6 29. Be3 Nd3 30. Re2 Rab8 {with b4 ideas
later on $1}) 27... Qc6 28. Bg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;
persistent;true]} Nxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;
true] Carlsen just gave an exchange, but taking the central pawn and c3 pawn (
also a knight ) will be absolutely terrible for white $1} 29. Ne7+ Rxe7 30.
Bxe7 Nxc3 31. Rbc1 a5 32. Bg5 b4 33. Bd2 Rd8 34. h4 Rd3 $5 {[%c_effect d3;
square;d3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} (34... Qd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;
square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Was actually the best} 35. Bxc3 Bxc3
36. Red1 Bd4 {Black will followed up with c3 and eventually a4 - b3 and the
game should be over $1}) 35. h5 gxh5 36. Bxc3 Bxc3 37. Qe2 Qd5 38. Qe8+ Kg7 39.
Re3 h6 $6 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (39... Rd4
$1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Was the best for
Magnus here with the idea of Rg4 $1} 40. Rg3+ Rg4 41. Rxg4+ hxg4 42. Qe2 Qe6
$19) 40. Qe4 Qxe4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]
Going for a winning rook endgame 2 pawns up.} (40... Qd4 $1 $19 {[%c_effect d4;
square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 41. Qxd4+ Rxd4 $19) 41. Rxe4 b3 42.
Rxc4 bxa2 43. Ra4 a1=Q 44. Rcxa1 Bxa1 45. Rxa1 Rd5 $19 {2 pawns down for white,
the endgame is just lost.} 46. Ra4 Kf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] Improving the king - the first thing in endgames
and the most important one $1} 47. Kf1 Ke6 48. Ke2 Rf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;
square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (48... Kd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;
square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Was the best - to continue the run
to b5 to get out the rook and push the a5 pawn $1} 49. Rc4 Rg5 50. g3 Rg4 51.
Rc8 a4 52. Ra8 h4 53. gxh4 Rxh4 $19) 49. f3 Kd6 50. Rc4 Rc5 51. Rf4 Re5+ 52.
Kd3 Ke6 53. Ra4 Kf6 54. Rf4+ Kg6 55. Ra4 Rg5 56. Ra2 Re5 57. Ra4 f6 58. g3 Rg5
59. Ke3 Rxg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Take
g3 pawn, create h5 pawn - a passed pawn, the white king is just cut $1 The
winning plan is to play h4, followed by Rg5 and then rolling the h-pawn wth
the king in tow.} 60. Rxa5 h4 61. Ra8 Kh5 62. Kf2 Rg6 63. Ra5+ Rg5 64. Ra3 h3
65. f4 Rg2+ $19 {Keymer just resigned because the black king will come to
protect the pawn on g4 and then Rg3 followed up by h2 with a clearly winning
position. A magical game by Magnus who improved the position gradually and not
didn't any serious counterplay from Keymer.} 0-1
[Event "Chess.com"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.01.15"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Maghsoodloo, Parham"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2811"]
[BlackElo "2719"]
[PlyCount "158"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[TimeControl "6000+30"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 7. a4 Rb8 8. c3
d6 9. d4 Bb6 10. a5 Ba7 11. h3 O-O 12. Be3 Ra8 13. Nbd2 Bb7 14. Re1 Re8 15. Ng5
Re7 16. Ndf3 h6 17. Nxf7 Rxf7 18. dxe5 Bxe3 19. exf6 Ba7 20. fxg7 Qf6 21. Qd5
Kxg7 22. Qxf7+ Qxf7 23. Bxf7 Kxf7 24. e5 Nxe5 25. Nxe5+ dxe5 26. Rxe5 Rg8 27.
g4 Rd8 28. Rae1 Rd7 29. Kh2 c5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;
persistent;true] The first move where Black finds himself in trouble. Better
here was} (29... Bd5 {which addresses White's active rooks better as it
counteracts any ideas of Re6.}) 30. Rf5+ Kg7 31. Kg3 Bb8+ 32. Kh4 {One of the
reasons why White is better here is that his king can progress further up the
board without being endangered by the bishop pair.} Bc7 33. Re6 $1 {[%c_effect
e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] In hindsight, Maghsoodloo may
have regretted his decision to enable a move like Re6.} Bd5 {Giving up the
pawn in favor of activity is the right idea.} (33... Bxa5 $2 {[%c_effect a5;
square;a5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Black cannot afford to give up tempi
here.} 34. Kh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]
Black's king will soon be squashed.}) 34. Rxa6 b4 35. Kh5 Bf7+ 36. Rxf7+ $1 {
[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A lovely way to
simplify for Ding. He now has adequate compensation for remaining bishop and
will even be abe to press with his passed pawns.} Kxf7 37. Kxh6 $2 {[%c_effect
h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (37. Ra7 {Slight more accurate.
The h6 pawn can be taken at any time and there is no reason why pin pressure
cannot be added here.}) 37... bxc3 38. bxc3 Be5 39. Rc6 Bxc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;
square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] It seems that every time a pawn is
captured in this game it is a mistake $1} (39... Rd8 {Black's idea is to
quickly activate the king and gobble up as many of White's pawns as possible.}
40. Rxc5 Ke6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 41.
Rc6+ Kd5 42. Rb6 Bxc3 {The pawn trade on the c-file still occurs but this time
Black has the initiative.}) 40. Rxc5 Bd2+ 41. g5 Rd4 42. Kh5 Ra4 {Beating
White to the a-file} 43. Rc7+ Kf8 44. Rd7 {Forcing moves are crucial to
White's strategy here. Without them, winning pawns will be a breeze for Black.}
Bc3 (44... Bxa5 $4 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Blunder;persistent;true] This
loses on the spot to} 45. Ra7 {Now White can maintain this pin while the
kingside pawns race up the board towards promotion.}) 45. Kg6 Rxa5 46. h4 Ra6+
47. Kh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Where the
king belongs. The pawns are now ready to march.} Ra4 48. h5 Rf4 $2 {[%c_effect
f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The wrong spot for the rook and now
the position is +5 $1} (48... Ke8 {Forcing moves must be considered at every
touchpoint here to avoid White making progress.}) 49. Rd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;
square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A mistake met with a mistake. Better
here was} (49. Rd8+ Ke7 50. Rd3 Bb2 51. Rd2 Rf7+ 52. Kg6 Rg7+ 53. Kh6 Rxg5 $5 {
[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 54. Rxb2 $1 {
[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] One such winning
position for White though it will still be tough to convert this.} (54. Kxg5 $4
{[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} Bc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;
square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black will easily draw from here.}))
49... Rf7+ 50. Kg6 Rg7+ 51. Kh6 Rc7 52. f4 Rc6+ 53. Kh7 $2 {[%c_effect h7;
square;h7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White felt that g6 wasn't playabale
but it was...} (53. g6 Bf6 54. Rb3 Rc8 55. Rb6 Bc3 56. Ra6 {White is
marginally better.} (56. f5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;
persistent;true] This is completely drawn due to the \"Swiss chess\" on the
dark squares.} Kg8 57. Kg5 {White cannot enter the position without
consequence.} (57. f6 $4 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Blunder;persistent;true]
} Bd2# {This would have been an internet-breaker.}))) 53... Rc7+ 54. Kg6 Rc6+
55. Kh7 Rc7+ 56. Kh6 Rc6+ 57. g6 Bf6 58. Ra3 Rc8 59. Ra6 Bc3 60. Ra7 $2 {
[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A draw is now within
reach for Maghsoodloo, courtesy of a slight slip-up from Ding.} (60. Rd6 {
This move keeps the rook in touch with a potential f5-f6 push.}) 60... Kg8 61.
Kg5 Rc5+ 62. Kg4 Rc6 63. Rd7 Bb2 64. Rd8+ Kg7 65. Rd7+ Kg8 66. Kg5 Rc5+ 67. Kh6
Bf6 {Once the bishop reaches f6, any result but a draw now looks unlikely. The
fortress is almost complete and Ding now runs the risk of being checkmated on
h6 if he misteps (Ding often had less than one minute on the clock throughout
this ending).} 68. Rf7 Rc6 69. Ra7 Rd6 70. Ra8+ Rd8 71. Ra7 Rd6 72. Rb7 Rd8 73.
f5 Rd6 74. Ra7 Rd8 75. Ra6 Rf8 76. Rc6 Bd8 77. Re6 Bf6 78. Rc6 Bd8 79. Re6 Bf6
{Neither player finds a way to make progress here and a draw is agreed.}
1/2-1/2
[Event "Chess.com"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.01.15"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Roebers, Eline"]
[Black "L'Ami, Erwin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C95"]
[WhiteElo "2361"]
[BlackElo "2627"]
[Annotator "3700"]
[PlyCount "91"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]
{[%evp 0,91,16,13,11,25,28,20,24,1,4,6,24,-4,0,-4,11,-13,-13,-13,25,1,-14,-25,
13,24,24,19,37,35,35,35,35,21,37,21,28,17,12,21,28,5,0,-8,0,8,24,31,34,34,34,
35,19,26,26,-31,35,-47,21,50,50,50,191,190,236,226,226,238,240,235,361,373,370,
385,399,429,429,364,374,371,389,206,379,352,361,371,347,214,214,214,214,236,
374,377]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3
d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Nb8 10. d4 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 c5 12. Nf1 Re8 13. Ng3 Bf8 14. Bc2
Qc7 15. Be3 Bb7 16. d5 c4 17. Nh2 a5 18. Nf5 a4 19. a3 Kh8 20. g4 Nc5 21. Qf3
Ng8 22. g5 g6 23. Ng3 Be7 24. h4 Rf8 25. h5 Bc8 26. Qh1 Qd7 27. f4 Qh3 28. Qf3
exf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The first major
error from L'ami in an already difficult position.} (28... Nb3 29. Rad1 f6 {
Black's best bet is to try and open the f-file so that his pieces can engage
with White's.}) 29. Bd4+ $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;
true] Ignoring the pawn temporarily and beginning a nice attacking sequence.}
f6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (29... Bf6 $1 {
[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The surprising best
move $1} 30. Bxf6+ Nxf6 31. gxf6 fxg3 {Black can practically get away with
such a continuation.}) 30. Qxf4 Nd7 31. Re3 {Black is at the mercy of the f6
pin and scrambles to re-route pieces onto relevant scares to combat White's
attempt to trap the queen.} Ne5 32. Nf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] A beautiful move that highlights Black's issues.}
Qxh5 33. Nxe7 Nxe7 34. gxf6 {Although material is equal, the initiative counts
for so much in this position.} g5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;
persistent;true]} (34... Ng8 {An ugly move that L'ami wouldn't have considered
for long after seeing} 35. f7 Ra7 36. fxg8=Q+ Kxg8 37. Qg3 {Black has nothing
to show for the missing minor piece.}) 35. Bxe5 $3 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;
type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Brilliant from Roebers. Spassky clapped for
Fischer in 1972 and he would probably be as fond of a move such as this 51
years later.} gxf4 36. fxe7+ Kg8 37. exf8=Q+ Kxf8 38. Bxd6+ Ke8 39. Bxf4 {
White finishes the combination up by three pawns and with a squadron of
well-placed pieces ready to dominant the board.} Ra7 40. Kh1 $2 {[%c_effect h1;
square;h1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Very nearly throwing away the game as
this allows} (40. Rg3 {Now} Rf7 {Can be met with} 41. Rf1 {and any queen
infiltration can be tackled.} Qe2 42. Bd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qxb2 43. Bh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 40... Rg7 $2 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;
Mistake;persistent;true] Missing his chance.} (40... Rf7 41. Bg3 Qg5 42. Rae1
h5 {and suddenly Black has the initiative.}) 41. Rg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;
g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Roebers understands the assignment and
simplifies to a riskless, winning ending.} Rxg1+ 42. Kxg1 Bg4 43. e5 Bf5 44.
Bxf5 Qxf5 45. Bg3 Qb1+ 46. Nf1 {White's pawns are simply too fast to stop and
are supported by three pieces. Even if black begins gobbling up the queenside
pawns, it is too late.} 1-0