[Event "Paris GCT Rapid"] [Site "Paris"] [Date "2021.06.18"] [Round "3"] [White "Radjabov, Teimour"] [Black "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2765"] [BlackElo "2759"] [PlyCount "95"] [EventDate "2021.??.??"] [EventType "rapid"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 {The Semi-Slav variation.} 5. Bg5 { Best to bring out the bishop and pin the knight if you want complicated game.} h6 6. Bxf6 {This line is a less complicated variation for white, but depends on the player's style.} ({Other variations are:} 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 (7... b5 8. e5 g5 9. exf6 gxh4) 8. Bg3 b5) 6... Qxf6 7. e3 Nd7 8. Rc1 {Yes, the other line is 8. Bd3. The obvious idea about this move is to penetrate the c file in the long run.} g6 9. Bd3 Qe7 10. O-O Bg7 11. Qc2 {GM Radjabov likes to control the center by placing rook at d1 or e1 will create pressure on blacks center.} O-O 12. Rfd1 dxc4 13. Bxc4 c5 14. d5 {Here we go, white is slowly pressuring the center, obviously black's weakness having an undeveloped bishop at c8.} Nb6 15. b3 {Many times I discuss to my students which is better, the bishop or knight in the middle game? Judging by the outcome of either close or open position you will determine which needs to be retained either the bishop or knight.} Nxc4 16. bxc4 {Notice: Two knights versus two bishops is left in a position where white is much developed.} b6 17. e4 exd5 18. Nxd5 {The knight at d5 creates pressure in the center but how will white create weakness at queenside?} Qb7 19. h3 {This is necessary to avoid the bishop at c8 going to g4 square to exchange the knight at f3.} Be6 20. Rd2 Rfe8 21. Rcd1 {Yes, the rooks piled up but nothing is clear here. Maybe white will move a2 to a4...} Rad8 22. Qa4 Bd7 23. Qc2 Bc6 24. Nh2 Kh8 25. Ng4 {The knight at g4 is enticing black to push the pawns, let us see how the smoke gets clearer...} h5 {A reaction that cannot take back. That's what white wants....} 26. Nh2 Rd7 27. Nf3 {Now, the g5 square is another post for the knight at f3 to annoy.} Qa6 28. Rb1 Qa4 29. Rb3 {White cannot afford the exchange of queens due to the e4 pawn hangs.} Bb7 {Bishop plans to go to a6 square to attack the c4 pawn.} 30. e5 { LET US STOP HERE: GIVE 5 MINUTES TO ANALYZE THE POSITION. WHAT IS WHITE'S PLAN HERE? WHY GIVES UP THE e5 PAWN?} Ba6 31. Nf6 {Clearly, white wants to attack black's kingside. Also, the rook at b3 is waiting for its turn to contribute} Rxd2 32. Qxd2 Rf8 33. Rd3 {The rook at d3 threatens to go to d8 square where a follow-up Qd6 is possible next move.} Bxc4 34. Rd8 Qc6 {Making sure white's queen will not post at d6.} 35. Rxf8+ Bxf8 36. Qd8 {Chess is a game of risk. But the brave always get the reward. Black is not ok here. GM Radjabov's tactics work well due to the bishop at f8 being trapped.} Kg7 37. Nd7 Bd6 38. Qf6+ Kg8 39. Qxd6 Qxd6 {Forced!!!} ({Other move:} 39... Qc8 40. Ng5 Bxa2 41. Qe7 Kg7 42. e6) 40. exd6 {Pretty dangerous d pawn...} Bxa2 41. Nxb6 {This is game over for black...} Kf8 42. Nd7+ Ke8 43. Nxc5 a5 44. Nd4 Bd5 45. f3 g5 46. Kf2 Kd8 47. Ke3 h4 48. Kd3 {Black Resigns: This game illustrated the "The Power of Patience". There is a reward for a person who is patient as demonstrated by Super GM Teimour Radjabov. I hope you enjoyed these chess blogs.... keep safe always. God Bless you all...} 1-0