[Event "Titled Arena Jan 2nd 2021"] [Site "lichess.org INT"] [Date "2021.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "Iskandarov, Misraddin"] [Black "Naroditsky, Daniel"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B23"] [WhiteElo "2535"] [BlackElo "2621"] [PlyCount "91"] [EventDate "2021.??.??"] 1. e4 c5 {The Sicilian Defense: It starts with this opening but soon transforms in other openings such as French Defense.} 2. Nc3 e6 3. Nf3 d5 { Now it falls to French set-up similar to the previous chess blogs.} 4. d4 cxd4 {Black initiates the exchange, do you think this gains tempo in doing this?} 5. Nxd4 Nf6 ({If} 5... e5 6. Nf3 Nf6 7. Nxe5 Bb4 8. Bb5+ Nbd7 9. O-O Bxc3 10. bxc3 O-O 11. Bxd7 Nxd7 12. Qxd5) 6. exd5 Nxd5 7. Nxd5 Qxd5 8. Be3 Be7 9. c3 O-O 10. Qb3 {I have noticed that GM Iskandarov's strategy is to exchange queens then pressure the center and the b7 pawn.} Qe5 {GM Naroditsky is aware about the consequences of exchanging queens at an early stage in this type of position.} 11. Be2 Nd7 {Key square for the black knight is the d5 square. Unfortunately, the bishop holds captive its own rook for longtime due to its immobility.} 12. O-O Nf6 13. Bf3 {Notice the queen at b3 and the bishop at f3 is pressuring the b7 pawn. The bishop at e3 at the moment has no role but a collateral for exchange.} Nd5 14. Rfe1 {Indeed, again, as we discussed a while ago. The main objective of this Anti_French line is to pressure the center and the b7 pawn. I hope you get the idea now.} Nxe3 15. Rxe3 Qg5 16. Rae1 {True...to the plan.} Bd6 17. g3 {Solidifies the kingside and to place bishop at g2.} Rb8 {GM Naroditsky tries to contain the pressure as white is building its forces to execute its plans.} 18. Bg2 Bd7 19. f4 {Nice...This f4 move will assist the knight to go to g5, lets see...} Qf6 20. Kh1 {Avoiding the diagonal g1 to a7 in case the bishop will go to c5.} Rfd8 21. Nf3 Bc6 22. Qc2 {Yes, the h7 is a sight for the queen acts as enabler for the knight to secure the e4 square.} Bc5 23. R3e2 Bd5 24. Ng5 Bxg2+ 25. Kxg2 g6 26. Ne4 {Indeed, this is the plan. Now, compare the bishop at c5 versus the knight at e4. Notice also, the 3 is to 2 pawn structures at queenside. In the long run, white will create a passed pawn. But how can it be done? Let's find out.} Qe7 27. b4 {The start of pawn rolling...} Bb6 28. a3 Rbc8 29. c4 {Bishop will be congesting black's queenside if allows c5 push.} Bd4 {A must move.} 30. c5 b6 31. c6 {Now, white has a prospect of promoting pawn but needs to secure it.} b5 {Not allowing the b4 pawn to connect to c6 pawn and bishop to post at b6.} 32. Rd1 {I like white's coordinated pieces and sooner it will strike.} Qc7 33. Red2 Bb6 34. Rxd8+ Rxd8 35. Rxd8+ Qxd8 {The exchange of rooks is a plus for white where the combo of queen and knight is difficult to stop to create pressure at kingside.} 36. Qc3 {Its like an x-ray vision towards the black king, unstoppable threat.} f5 37. Nf6+ Kf7 38. Nd7 Ke7 39. Qe5 {The b5 pawn is weak, black can't do much to defend.} Qc7 40. Qxb5 Qd6 {Queen is looking for a perpetual check.} 41. Nxb6 Qd2+ 42. Kf3 axb6 43. Qxb6 {This is too much... GM Naroditsky is too much pressure here.} Qd3+ 44. Qe3 Qd5+ 45. Kf2 Qxc6 46. Qc5+ {Wonderful game by GM Misraddin Iskandarov. The difference of rating has no effect if you prepare well against your opponent. Thank you GM Iskandarov for this fantastic game. To all beginners to experts, I hope you learn something about this very nice Anti-French line. Enjoy your weekend. Cheers...} 1-0