[Event "chess.com Speed 2019"] [Site "chess.com INT"] [Date "2019.??.??"] [Round "3.10"] [White "So, Wesley"] [Black "Artemiev, Vladislav"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B12"] [WhiteElo "2767"] [BlackElo "2746"] [PlyCount "115"] [EventDate "2019.??.??"] 1. e4 c6 {The Caro-Kann Defense: If you are unprepared dealing with this opening, expect a hard fight.} 2. d4 d5 3. e5 {The Advanced variation} Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 {Notice: it is similar with French defense but bishop is out, thou game plan to strike d4 with c5.} 5. Be2 {The move 5. Be2 has a class of its own. It does not bite early, waits for black's intent then strikes.} h6 {Creating a safe haven (h6 square) for the bishop. But actually the other motive is pawn and piece expansion at kingside.} 6. O-O {GM Wesley So has no fear. He knows what to expect. The only thing is, does his opponent know what to expect from GM So's deep opening preparation.} Ne7 {The start of black's piece mobility...} 7. Nbd2 {GM Wesley So's style is like a calm and quiet midst of air but you are never going to expect a big storm to come. So better buckle up!!} Nd7 8. Nb3 g5 {Black's game plan. To all Beginners and Experts: Always have a game plan, you have to think 5 or 7 moves ahead to plan strategically or tactically. } 9. a4 a5 10. Bd2 {Look at the strategy of GM So, pieces are directed at queenside but aware of what is happening at kingside.} Qc7 11. Rc1 {Yes, it's like hmmm, come on...reveal your intentions!!!} Bg7 12. c4 {Wesley is making sure, black will not castle at queenside. But it's time to explode!!!} O-O { See what I mean...castles kingside....} 13. h4 {Now!! time to hit...} g4 14. Ne1 {White is creating a small hole to widen it later...} f6 {Black said "I am not afraid..man!!"} 15. exf6 Nxf6 16. g3 {Yes.. look at f4 square, exactly for the knight to hop in.} dxc4 17. Bxc4 Ned5 {Wow, this is an exciting match... black's pieces are well coordinated. Let's see how white will outwit black.} 18. Qe2 {The Queen is watching over the e5 square or connecting with the bishop at c4 to exchange to the bishop at f5. Let's see.} Ne4 19. Ng2 {Here.. the knight wants to position at f4 or e3.} Nxd2 20. Qxd2 Qf7 21. Rfe1 {Look at c5 square and the e6 pawn, something GM So must look on and plan but also, exchanging the bishops is also a good plan.} b6 {Yes, black maybe heard me saying c5 square.} 22. Re2 Rad8 23. Rce1 {Of course, the e6 pawn is weak.} Kh8 24. Ne3 Rd6 25. Nxf5 Qxf5 {NOW: PLEASE STOP HERE: THINK 5 MOVES AHEAD, IF YOU ARE WHITE, WHAT ARE THE KEY SQUARES FOR WHITE'S PIECES STRATEGICALLY?} 26. Bd3 {I see a long range scope hitting close the black king...} Qf7 27. Bb1 { Setting it up...black must prevent it.} Nb4 {Yes, avoiding link between the bishop and queen.} 28. Qe3 Qf3 29. Qxf3 Rxf3 {LET'S ANALYSE THE POSITION: 1. Black has weak g4 and e6 pawns. 2. White knight is hanging at b3 3. d4 pawn is weak : Now, collectively plan how you execute the right moves for white, think 5 moves ahead.} 30. Nd2 {Yes, this is must move.} Rf8 31. Rxe6 Rxd4 32. Ne4 { Now, we are in a position where both sides are planning a better strategy. My opinion, white is slightly advantageous here.} Rfd8 {Yes, black wants to exchange rooks via d1 and also attacks the bishop at b1. But GM Wesley So knows best.} 33. Kg2 {White is enticing black to move 33...Rd1} Kg8 {This is a must move.} ({If} 33... Rd1 34. Rxd1 Rxd1 35. Re8+ Bf8 (35... Kh7 36. Ng5#) 36. Nc3) 34. Nf6+ Bxf6 35. Rxf6 R4d6 36. Ree6 Rxe6 37. Rxe6 h5 {AGAIN, WE REACH A VERY INTERESTING ENDGAME. FIND THE WEAKEST LINK FOR BLACK AND PLAN HOW YOU PENETRATE IT. THINK 5 MOVES AHEAD.} 38. Bg6 {Yes, h5 is the weakest link.} Rd5 39. b3 {Fixing the b pawn same as the bishops color.} Kg7 40. Be4 {White tries to hustle black to gain an important tempo.} Rc5 41. Rg6+ Kf7 42. Rh6 Kg7 43. Rh7+ Kf6 44. f4 {Now, looks like the b3 pawn to be taken here in exchange for white's kingside pawns to advance. Let's find out.} gxf3+ 45. Bxf3 Kg6 46. Rh8 Rc2+ 47. Kh3 Rc5 48. Be4+ Kg7 49. Rh7+ Kf6 50. Rh6+ Kg7 51. Rg6+ Kf7 52. Rg5 { This is the perfect timing GM Wesley is waiting for. Although the queenside pawn structure is 3 to 2, there is no worry for white because the white bishop can prevent black pawn from promoting.} Rxg5 53. hxg5 {This is easy endgame now for white.} b5 54. Kh4 bxa4 55. bxa4 c5 56. Kxh5 c4 57. Kh6 Kg8 58. Bh7+ { Black Resigned: due to 58...Kh8 then 59. g6 mate in 1 later. The experience, talent, combined with hard work makes GM Wesley So who he is now. Consistent Top 10 in FIDE Rating and many times US Champion deserves an accolade. THANK YOU KABAYAN (Countryman) FOR SHARING YOUR IDEAS...MABUHAY KA!!! (Long Live, GM Wesley So).} 1-0