[Event "European Individual Chess Championship"]
[Site "Batumi GEO"]
[Date "2018.03.22"]
[Round "6.8"]
[White "Sanan Sjugirov"]
[Black "David Arutinian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B12"]
[WhiteElo "2652"]
[BlackElo "2536"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2018.03.17"]
1. e4 c6 {The Caro-Kann defense: If you have not seen the game: GM Wesley So
vs. GM Alireza Firouzja ( check previous blog/ACC1/ dated 15/11/2021).} 2. d4
d5 3. e5 {The Advanced variation.} Bf5 {It is the best place for the bishop
instead of staying at c8. It's a developing move and controls diagonal b1 to
h7.} 4. Nf3 e6 {Black's set-up is extra solid, similar to the French Defense
pawn structure} 5. Be2 {Other white lines, the bishop goes to d3 to exchange
the bishop at f5 but I prefer this 5. Be2 line to preserve the light bishop
and utilize later.} Ne7 {The smooth coordination of black's pieces at kingside
has one purpose: To disrupt white's kingside.} 6. O-O {But white says: "Who
cares", I am ready..} h6 7. Nbd2 {This is what I like about white's piece
movements, so calm and yet harmless...hmmm.} Nd7 8. Nb3 {Not really harmless..
it's what you call "Deadly Silence".} g5 {Now, black must not go easy but
making sure each move has a purpose "expansionism" indeed.} 9. Bd2 {This 9.
Bd2 move has 2 purposes: 1. Eyeing a5 square to support a pawn push and
checking c1 to h6 diagonal of any unwanted black attacks.} Qc7 {This queen's
attention is on e5 pawn where soon black will strike f7-f6. Let's see.} 10. Rc1
{GM Wesley So played this against GM Artemiev in a strategic fashion, check it
on our previous chess blog (ACC1).} a5 11. a4 {White must block this pawn, but
watch the bishop at d2.} Bg7 {Yes, black is ready to push f7-f6.} 12. c4 {
White must make sure black can not castle at queenside.} O-O {Yes...indeed.}
13. Qe1 {Attacks the a5 pawn but this is just a diversionary tactic. The main
idea is to weaken the c6 pawn.} dxc4 14. Rxc4 b6 {KINDLY WE STOP HERE: PLEASE
HAVE 5 MINUTES TO ANALYZE THE POSITION. IF YOU PLAY WHITE, WHAT IS YOUR PLAN?
THINK 5 MOVES AHEAD.} 15. h4 {Indeed, the minority attack with a follow-up.
This weakens the kingside position.} g4 16. Nh2 {Hits again the g4 pawn, black
must protect the pawn but will expose the black king later.} h5 17. f3 {
This is automatic...} gxf3 18. Nxf3 {Of course, this knight has the option
going g5.} Bg6 19. Ng5 {AGAIN: PLEASE ANALYZE THE POSITION. THIS IS THE CLIMAX
OF THE POSITION OR THE MOST EXCITING PART. WHAT DO YOU FORESEE?} Qa7 {The
queen has x-ray vision on a7 to g1. That is full of radiation...hmmm.} 20. Rc1
{Yes, rook is aware of black's next move b5.} Nf5 {This is going to explode,
there is something going on here...something explosive.} 21. Rxc6 {Taking the
c6 pawn I think is the right move whatever black is intending to do here.} b5
22. Bxb5 Bxe5 {Wow, tactics here, tactics everywhere...} ({If} 22... Nxe5 23.
Ra6) 23. Rxf5 {Nice!!} Bxf5 24. Be3 Bg7 {White is quality down but heaps of
play....} 25. d5 {Attacks the queen at a7} Qb8 26. dxe6 {I see white white is
winning here...GM Sanan Sjugirov is such a visionary chessplayer. He can
foresee more than 7 moves ahead. Well, I can do only 5, hmmm.} fxe6 27. Nd4 {
Now here comes the combo attack...} Ne5 {Attacks the rook at c6 and knight
heading to g4 intending Qh2 ch.} 28. Nxf5 Rxf5 ({If} 28... Ng4 29. Ne7+ Kh8 30.
Ng6+ Kg8 31. Bf4 Qa7+ 32. Kh1 Nf2+ 33. Kh2 Ng4+ 34. Kh3) 29. Rb6 {Timely...}
Qc8 30. Nxe6 {This game is full of tricks and tactics...really enjoyed it.} Bf6
31. Nd4 Bg7 32. Ne6 Bf6 33. Nd4 Bg7 {Black is seeking for move repetition.} 34.
Qb1 {Now, this is as clear as crystal, the light squares expose the black king.
} Rf6 35. Rxf6 Bxf6 36. Qe4 {There is so much substantial interjection of
threats as white enjoys light square advantage even white is quality down,
controls the game.} Ra7 37. Nc6 {Fantastic!!!!! This is sooo entertaining...}
Nxc6 {Forced...} ({If} 37... Rc7 38. Nxe5 Rc1+ 39. Bxc1 Qxc1+ 40. Kh2 Qc7 41.
Qg6+ Kh8 42. Qh6+ Kg8 43. Bc4+) ({If} 37... Re7 38. Nxe7+ Bxe7 39. Qxe5) 38.
Qg6+ Rg7 39. Bc4+ 1-0