[Event "Tata Steel-A 73rd"] [Site "Wijk aan Zee"] [Date "2011.01.23"] [Round "8"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B92"] [WhiteElo "2814"] [BlackElo "2751"] [Annotator "Stohl,I"] [PlyCount "73"] [EventDate "2011.01.14"] [EventType "tourn"] [EventRounds "13"] [EventCountry "NED"] [EventCategory "20"] [SourceTitle "CBM 141"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2011.03.17"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2011.03.17"] [SourceQuality "1"] {[%evp 0,73,31,37,52,56,80,67,57,45,31,42,69,34,34,45,47,19,21,10,18,8,16,8,4, -6,4,-32,-25,4,4,-12,0,-6,-6,-44,33,-18,39,45,67,81,89,31,-6,6,49,60,60,51,109, 70,114,71,48,-25,-10,11,9,60,60,334,168,168,537,913,913,913,913,937,937,942, 952,956,952,954]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Be3 {Uma ordem de movimento complicada.} ({Depois de ver o jogo, uma questão legítima é se as brancas não podem jogar} 8. g4 {imediatamente. Isso também não é novidade, já que as pretas ainda não fizeram roque, ele pode se dar ao luxo de jogar} h6 $1 {Após} 9. f4 exf4 10. Bxf4 Nc6 11. h3 Be6 12. Qd2 d5 13. O-O-O dxe4 14. Qe3 Qc8 15. Nxe4 Nxe4 16. Qxe4 {As pretas abriram a coluna, então} O-O {já é apropriado.} 17. Kb1 f5 18. Qe3 Nb4 19. Bd3 fxg4 20. Be4 Bf5 21. Nd4 Bxe4 22. Qxe4 Qc4 23. b3 Qf7 24. Ne6 {Shirov,A (2700)-Van Wely,L (2655)/Tilburg/1997/} {deveria ter levado a um equilíbrio após} Qf5 $1 $11) ({Para o padrão} 8. O-O {veja as notas para Ponomariov-Anand, Wijk aan Zee 2011.}) 8... O-O (8... b5 $6 {enfraquece prematuramente a ala da dama e} 9. a4 $1 b4 10. Nd5 $16 {Causando sérios problemas}) ({No entanto,} 8... Be6 $142 $1 {é mais seguro do que o lance jogado, como agora} 9. g4 (9. O-O O-O {-8.0-0}) {Permitindo} 9... d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxd5 Bxd5 12. O-O Nc6 (12... O-O 13. Nc5 (13. c4 Bc6 14. Qxd8 Bxd8 15. Nc5 {Peresipkin,V-Bukhman,E/Kaliningrad /1972/} a5 $5 {[%CAl Yb7b6,Yb8d7] /\b6, Nd7=}) 13... Bc6 14. Qxd8 Rxd8 15. Rfd1 Re8 (15... Nd7 16. Nxd7 Rxd7 17. Rxd7 Bxd7 18. Bf3 Rc8 19. c3 Bc6 20. Bxc6 Rxc6 $11) 16. c4 a5 17. Rac1 b6 18. Nd3 Nd7 19. a3 Bf8 20. Rb1 Nc5 $11 {Firman,N (2551)-Yilmaz,M (2477)/Kharkov/2011/}) 13. c3 (13. Nc5 Bxc5 14. Bxc5 h5 $13) 13... O-O 14. Qc2 $6 (14. Nc5 $13) 14... Qc7 15. Rad1 Be6 16. f3 Rad8 17. Bd3 g6 $15 {[%csl Rf3,Rg4] ?, Ninclaus, W-Baert,J/Gent/2010/}) 9. g4 $1 Be6 {Por aqui, o surpreso Nakamura começou a pensar.} (9... Nc6 10. g5 Nxe4 11. Nxe4 d5 12. Ng3 d4 13. Bd2 a5 14. h4 a4 15. Nc1 Be6 16. Bd3 Bb4 17. a3 Bxd2+ 18. Qxd2 f5 19. gxf6 Qxf6 20. Be4 Bg4 21. Nd3 Bf3 22. Bxf3 Qxf3 23. Qe2 $18 {Yemelin,V (2530)-Nevostrujev,V (2490)/Kazan/ 2005/}) (9... a5 10. g5 Nfd7 11. h4 a4 12. Nd2 Nb6 13. Bxb6 $1 Qxb6 14. Nd5 Qd8 15. Nc4 Nc6 16. c3 b5 17. Nce3 Rb8 18. Rg1 Kh8 19. a3 f6 20. Bg4 fxg5 21. Bxc8 Rxc8 22. Qg4 Rf4 23. Nxf4 exf4 24. Nd5 Ne5 25. Qe6 Nf3+ 26. Ke2 Nxg1+ 27. Rxg1 $18 {[%csl Gd5] Yemelin,V (2522)-Loginov,V (2499)/St Petersburg/2001/}) ({ Praticamente não há nada melhor do que o lance do texto.} 9... h6 $6 { é suicida:} 10. h4 $1 $40) 10. g5 Nfd7 ({Dolmatov obteve excelentes resultados com esta linha e seus jogos são muito instrutivos, por ex.} 10... Ne8 11. Qd2 Nd7 12. f4 g6 13. O-O-O Ng7 14. h4 Rc8 15. Kb1 f5 16. h5 $40 gxh5 17. Bxh5 fxe4 18. Qh2 Rxc3 19. bxc3 Bf5 20. Bg4 $1 Bxg4 21. Qxh7+ Kf7 22. Rdf1 Bf3 23. Rh6 Rg8 24. fxe5 Nxe5 25. Qxe4 Ke8 26. Rxf3 Nxf3 27. Qxf3 Bxg5 28. Qd5 $1 {1-0,Dolmatov,S (2600)-Zakharov,A (2426)/Linares/2000/ Vejam os comentários de Ftacnik in CBM 75.}) 11. h4 $5 {Esta ordem de movimento extremamente agressiva pode ser na verdade um teste do que a continuação mais comum} (11. Qd2 {and now:} a5 $142 $5 (11... Nb6 12. O-O-O N8d7 {is rather slow, after} 13. Kb1 Rc8 14. h4 Nc4 15. Bxc4 Rxc4 {White has a pleasant choice of attacking continuations:} 16. f3 {[%CAl Yc3d5] /\Nd5} (16. h5 $5 f5 17. exf5 Rxf5 18. Nd5 (18. g6 $14) 18... Bxg5 19. Bxg5 Rxg5 20. Ne3 Rc6 21. Na5 Rb6 22. Nac4 $36) (16. f4 exf4 17. Bxf4 Ne5 18. Nd4 Qc8 19. Nd5 (19. h5 $142 $36 {é semelhante à configuração de Carlsen} Rb4 $2 {corre para} 20. Nf5 $1 Bxf5 21. Nd5 $18) 19... Bxd5 20. exd5 $14 (20. Nf5 $6 Re8 21. Qxd5 Bf8 $132 { Stellwagen,D (2585)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2573)/Wijk aan Zee B /2007/})) 16... Qc7 (16... f5 17. Nd5 $1 {/\} fxe4 18. Na5 $16) 17. h5 b5 (17... Rc8 18. g6 fxg6 19. hxg6 hxg6 20. Nd5 Qd8 21. c3 R4c6 22. Rdg1 Nf8 23. f4 exf4 24. Nxf4 $40 { Rogers,I (2575)-Huebner,R (2595)/Wellington/1988/}) 18. g6 Nf6 (18... b4 $5 19. Nd5 Bxd5 20. Qxd5 Nf6 $14) 19. Rdg1 b4 20. Na4 $1 (20. Bh6 bxc3 21. gxh7+ Nxh7 $8 22. Rxg7+ (22. Qg2 Bg5 23. Bxg5 f6 $13) 22... Kh8 23. Qg2 Bf6 24. Rg1 Qd8 { Williams,B-Frost,L/corr/1997/} 25. Rg3 Rc8 26. Bxf8 Qxf8 $13) 20... Rc6 21. Bh6 Ne8 22. Bxg7 (22. gxh7+ Kxh7 23. Bxg7 Nxg7 24. h6 Ne8 25. Qg2 d5 $1 {/\} 26. Qg7+ Nxg7 27. hxg7+ Bh3 28. Rxh3+ Rh6 $19) 22... Kxg7 23. h6+ Kg8 24. g7 $16 { Hellers,F (2520)-Gavrikov,V (2580)/Brocco/1990/}) 12. f4 (12. a4 Nc6 {[%CAl Yc6b4] O posto avançado em b4 garante às pretas pelo menos razoável contra-jogo, Carlsen em sua coletiva de imprensa pós-jogo admitiu que estava preocupado com os motivos do a5 e queria evitar tais situações.} (12... Na6 { também é possível, só depois} 13. Nd5 {As pretas deveriam jogar} Nb4 $1 $132 (13... Bxd5 $6 14. exd5 Nac5 15. Nxc5 Nxc5 16. h4 Qc8 17. Bb5 Bd8 18. Qe2 Bb6 19. O-O-O Nb3+ 20. Kb1 Nd4 21. Bxd4 Bxd4 22. c3 Bc5 23. Bd3 f5 24. gxf6 Rxf6 25. Qe4 Rh6 26. f4 $36 {[%csl Rc5,Gd3] ^-->,Dolmatov,S (2565)-Ljubojevic, L (2610)/Madrid/1988/ Outro modelo de jogo Dolmatov, em que o ataque dos brancos teve sucesso por causa do melhor bispo apesar da simplificação.})) 13. f4 (13. h4 Nc5 (13... Nb4 14. O-O-O Rc8 15. Kb1 Nb6 16. Na1 f5 17. gxf6 Rxf6 18. Rhg1 Nc4 19. Bxc4 Bxc4 20. h5 Qf8 $13 {Mertens,M (2454)-Tiemann,H (2492)/corr/2006/}) 14. Nxc5 dxc5 15. Qxd8 Raxd8 16. Nb5 Nd4 17. Nxd4 cxd4 18. Bd2 b6 19. Bd3 Rc8 20. Ke2 f5 $15 {Vogt,L (2480)-Balashov,Y (2545)/Halle /1976/ }) (13. Nd5 Nb4 $1 14. Nxa5 $2 Bxd5 15. Qxb4 Be6 16. Bd2 d5 17. Qb5 dxe4 18. Bc4 Bxg5 19. Bb4 e3 $19 {->,Antal,G (2473)-Vajda,L (2537)/Budapest/2003/}) (13. O-O-O Nb4 14. Kb1 f5 $5 15. gxf6 Nxf6 16. Rhg1 Rc8 17. Bh6 Rf7 18. Bf3 Qd7 19. Rg3 d5 $1 $15 {Sheretyuk,A (2426)-Ljubicic,L (2516)/corr/2008/}) 13... f5 ( 13... Nb4 14. f5 Bxb3 15. cxb3 d5 16. exd5 $14 (16. Nxd5 Nxd5 17. Qxd5 Bxg5 18. Bxg5 Qxg5 19. Qxd7 Qh4+ $11)) (13... exf4 $5 14. Bxf4 Bxb3 15. cxb3 Nc5 16. Bc4 Ne5 17. Bxe5 dxe5 18. h4 Qxd2+ 19. Kxd2 Ne6 $11) 14. exf5 (14. gxf6 $5 Bxf6 15. O-O-O) 14... Bxf5 15. fxe5 dxe5 (15... Ndxe5 16. O-O-O Nb4 17. Nd4 Bh3 $13) 16. O-O-O Nb4 17. Rhf1 Be6 18. Rxf8+ Qxf8 19. Rf1 Qc8 20. Bb5 Qc7 21. Bxd7 { 1/2,Khalifman,A (2628)-Gelfand,B (2713)/FIDE WCh Las Vegas/1999/} Qxd7 $11) ( 12. Bb5 Na6 13. O-O-O {Sadvakasov,D (2509)-Ashley,M (2482)/Los Angeles/2000/} Nc7 $132) 12... a4 13. f5 axb3 14. fxe6 fxe6 15. cxb3 Nc6 16. h4 (16. Bc4 Nd4 $1 17. O-O-O Nb6 $132) 16... Nc5 17. Bc4 Na5 (17... Qc8 $5) 18. Bxc5 Nxc4 19. bxc4 dxc5 20. O-O-O Qxd2+ 21. Kxd2 (21. Rxd2 Rad8 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. b3 Kf7 24. Ne2 Kg6 $132 {[%csl Rg5,Rh4] Stefan,C (2111)-Zirek,M (2137)/corr/2002/}) 21... Rad8+ 22. Ke2 Rd4 23. Rhf1 Rfd8 24. b3 h6 $11 25. gxh6 gxh6 26. h5 Bg5 $11 { Dolmatov,S (2550)-Gelfand,B (2585)/Klaipeda/1988/}) 11... Nb6 $6 (11... Nc6 $142 $5 {White can maybe avoid this with} 12. f4 {, but} (12. Qd2 a5 $132 ( 12... Rc8 13. Nd5 f5 $6 14. f3 Kh8 15. O-O-O f4 16. Bf2 Re8 17. Nxe7 Nxe7 18. Qxd6 $16 {Romanishin,O-Marjanovic,S/Yerevan /1971/}) {, agora} 13. a4 {apenas transpõe para o comentário acima.} (13. f4 a4 14. f5 axb3 15. fxe6 fxe6 16. cxb3 Nc5 $13 {/\} 17. O-O-O $2 Rxa2)) 12... f5 {is far from clear.}) (11... a5 12. f4 exf4 (12... a4 13. f5 $36 {é uma versão melhor da linha acima, pois as brancas já jogaram o útil h4.}) 13. Bxf4 Ne5 14. Nd4 Nbc6 15. Qd2 $5 $14 ( 15. Ndb5 f5 16. Nd5 fxe4 17. Nbc7 Bxd5 18. Qxd5+ Kh8 19. Ne6 Qb6 20. Nxf8 Rxf8 21. Bxe5 Qf2+ 22. Kd1 dxe5 23. Rf1 {Delchev,A (2583)-Colovic,A (2385)/Subotica/ 2003/} Qxf1+ 24. Bxf1 Rxf1+ 25. Ke2 Rxa1 26. Qd7 Nd4+ 27. Kf2 e3+ 28. Kg2 (28. Kxe3 Rf1) 28... Bf8 29. Qc8 (29. Qf7 $2 Ne6 $1 30. Qxe6 e2 31. Qf7 Rf1) 29... Kg8 30. Qc4+ $11)) (11... b5 {permite que as brancas lucrem com sua Qd1 com} 12. Bg4 (12. Nd5 $5) 12... Nc5 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. g6 h6 15. Qg4 Qc8 16. O-O-O Na4 17. Ne2 Nc6 18. Kb1 Rf6 19. Rh3 d5 20. Qh5 Bf8 21. Rf3 Rxf3 22. Qxf3 d4 23. Bxh6 $40 {Smagin,S (2535)-Gallagher,J (2445)/Hastings/1990/}) 12. Qd2 ({ Carlsen não gostou do imediato} 12. f4 exf4 13. Bxf4 {devido a} d5 $1 (13... Nc6 14. Nd5 $1 Bxd5 15. exd5 Ne5 16. Qd4 Rc8 17. O-O-O Nbc4 18. Nd2 b5 19. Nxc4 Nxc4 20. Bd3 Re8 21. Kb1 Ne5 22. Bxe5 dxe5 23. Qg4 e4 24. Bxe4 Rc4 25. Qg2 Bd6 26. Bd3 $16 {Dolmatov,S (2600)-Ye Jiangchuan (2593)/Shenyang/1999/}) 14. Nd4 Nc6 15. e5 Nd7 16. Nf3 Qb6 17. Nxd5 Qa5+ 18. Nc3 Ndxe5 $36 {Tseitlin,M (2540) -Degraeve,J (2515)/Budapest/1996/}) (12. Nd5 Nxd5 (12... N8d7 13. Qd3 Bxd5 14. exd5 Rc8 15. Nd2 f5 16. gxf6 Nxf6 17. c4 Na4 18. Qa3 b5 19. cxb5 axb5 20. Bxb5 Nb6 $13 {Milos,G (2620)-Mekhitarian,K (2280)/Guarulhos/2005/}) 13. exd5 Bf5 14. Bd3 Qd7 15. Rg1 a5 16. a4 Na6 17. c3 Nc7 $132 {Schmidt Schaeffer,S (2275) -Gallagher,J (2500)/SIU-chT/1993/}) 12... N8d7 (12... a5 $5 13. f4 (13. a4 Nc6 {Smagin,S (2355)-Rashkovsky,N (2470)/Moscow/1984/} 14. O-O-O Nb4 15. f4 $5 { é uma sugestão de Shipov, que gosta das chances das brancas.}) 13... a4 ( 13... exf4 14. Bxf4 Nc6 15. Nd4 Ne5 16. b3 (16. O-O-O $14 {é melhor, mais tarde as brancas podem chutar o N para longe depois que ele ocupar c4.}) 16... a4 17. h5 axb3 18. cxb3 Nbd7 19. g6 Bh4+ 20. Kd1 Nc5 21. Kc2 Bf6 22. h6 Nxg6 23. hxg7 Re8 24. Be3 Bxg7 25. Bb5 Bg4 26. Qg2 h5 27. Bc4 b5 28. Bxb5 Qa5 29. a4 Rac8 30. Bc4 Nxb3 31. Qf1 Ne5 32. Nxb3 Nxc4 33. Bd4 Ne3+ {0-1 Yevseev,D (2589) -Rashkovsky,N (2510)/Krasnoyarsk 2003/CBM 098}) 14. f5 Nc4 15. Bxc4 (15. Qc1 $6 Nxe3 16. Qxe3 d5 $1 $15) 15... Bxc4 16. Nc1 {[%csl Gf5,Gg5,Gh4][%CAl Yb2b3, Yc3d5] é provavelmente a posição crítica. O cavalo branco em conexão com ideas como b3 e Nd5 poderia dar a ele uma vantagem, se ele conseguir consolidar, mas isso não é tão simples depois} Nc6 {/\} 17. b3 axb3 18. cxb3 d5 $1 19. exd5 Nd4 $1 $44) 13. f4 $5 $146 {[%mdl 8] Uma novidade promissora.} ( {Anteriormente, as brancas jogavam quase exclusivamente} 13. O-O-O {, mas Carlsen queria ter acesso a d4 e de uma vez por todas parar o} a5 $5 {ideas.} ( 13... Rc8 14. Kb1 $36 {leva a uma posição que já consideramos acima na nota a 11.h4 !?}) 14. Kb1 a4 15. Nc1 Rc8 (15... Qc8 16. a3 Nc4 17. Bxc4 Qxc4 18. N1a2 f5 19. gxf6 Nxf6 20. f3 Rf7 21. Nb4 $14 {Horvath,A (2464)-Flumbort,A (2436)/Budapest/2002/}) (15... f5 $5) 16. a3 f5 17. Nd5 (17. f3 $5 {[%CAl Yc1a2,Ya2b4] /\N1a2-b4+/=}) 17... Bxd5 18. exd5 Nc4 $11 {Andersen,M (2020) -Flumbort,A (2499)/Gausdal/2008/}) (13. h5 Rc8 (13... a5 $142 $1) 14. O-O-O Qc7 15. g6 Rfd8 16. Rdg1 d5 {Maslik,W-Kammel,H/corr/1986/} 17. gxh7+ Kh8 18. Bh6 $1 $18) 13... exf4 14. Bxf4 Ne5 15. O-O-O $14 {Ponomariov,R (2723)-Karjakin,S (2678) Corus Wijk aan Zee 2007 (9) 1-0 Agora a posição se assemelha a jogos da linha 6.Be3 e5, em que as brancas foram capazes de jogar f4 de uma vez. Um possível exemplo de modelo do ponto de vista dos brancos é} Rc8 (15... Nbc4 16. Bxc4 $5 (16. Qd4 Rc8 17. Kb1 f6 $5 $132) 16... Nxc4 17. Qd3 $14 {[%CAl Yb3d4,Yd4f5,Yc3d5] /\Nd4-f5,Nd5}) 16. Kb1 Qc7 {Acho que preto não deveria ter hesitado tanto com a N surtida. Aqui} (16... Nbc4 17. Bxc4 Nxc4 18. Qd3 f6 19. Nd4 Bg4 20. Rdg1 fxg5 21. Bxg5 h5 $5 $14 {merece atenção.}) 17. h5 (17. Nd4 Nbc4 18. Bxc4 Nxc4 19. Qd3 Qb6 {força o cavalo a retornar.} 20. b3 {[%csl Ra3, Rb2]}) (17. Ka1 $5 $14) 17... Rfe8 $6 ({Mais uma vez, o preto deveria ter considerado} 17... Nbc4 $5 18. Bxc4 (18. Qd4 $5 Na3+ 19. Kc1) 18... Nxc4 19. Qd3 (19. Qg2 $2 Nxb2) 19... Na3+ 20. Kc1 Qc4 $132) 18. Ka1 $1 {Um bom movimento profilático, projetado para tirar a dor da linha} (18. Nd4 Nbc4 19. Qe1 Qb6 20. Bc1 $2 Na3+ 21. Ka1 Qxd4 $1 $17) 18... Bf8 (18... Nbc4 19. Bxc4 Nxc4 20. Qd3 $14 {is less effective now, but still seems preferable to the text move.}) 19. Nd4 $36 {[%mdl 128] As brancas finalmente ativam seu N e seu |^ cresce inexoravelmente, culminando em um ataque combinatório.} Qc5 ({ No post-mortem Nakamura sugeriu} 19... g6 $5 {/\Bg7 Mas falha para} 20. hxg6 ( 20. h6) 20... hxg6 (20... fxg6 21. Bxe5 dxe5 22. Nxe6 Rxe6 23. Nd5 $18) 21. Bxe5 (21. Nxe6 Rxe6 22. Be3 Bg7 (22... Nbc4 23. Bxc4 Nxc4 24. Bd4 Bg7 25. Qh2 $18) 23. Bd4 $40) 21... dxe5 22. Nxe6 Rxe6 (22... fxe6 23. Qe3 $18 {[%CAl Re3h3,Re2g4,Rd1f1,Rf1f6] > protege tudo que é importante e o branco está pronto para rolar.}) 20. g6 $1 $40 Nec4 (20... fxg6 21. hxg6 Nxg6 (21... h6 22. Nxe6 Rxe6 23. Bxe5 dxe5 (23... Rxe5 24. Qf4 Qc7 25. Bg4 Rb8 26. Rdf1 $18) 24. Bg4 Rxg6 (24... Rd6 25. Bxc8 Rxd2 26. Be6+ Kh8 27. Rxd2 $18 {[%csl Rh8] ?h8}) 25. Bxc8 $16) 22. Nxe6 Rxe6 23. Bg4 Nxf4 24. Qxf4 Rf6 25. Qh2 $16) 21. Bxc4 Nxc4 22. Qd3 {Aqui, Carlsen considerou a posição das pretas além de qualquer salvaguarda - em um jogo prático, certamente é quase impossível defender e Nakamura rapidamente caiu em chamas.} fxg6 ({Um pouco mais resistente era} 22... h6 $5 {, mas após} 23. Qg3 $16 {O branco ainda está claramente no topo.}) (22... b5 23. gxh7+ Kh8 24. h6 g6 25. Nxe6 Rxe6 (25... fxe6 26. e5 $1 $18) 26. Nd5 $16 {/+-}) 23. hxg6 (23. Nxe6 Rxe6 24. Qh3 Rce8 25. hxg6 h6 26. Nd5 {[%CAl Rh3f5,Rf5f7] /\Qf5-f7} Rxg6 27. Qf5 Ree6 28. Rdf1 {[%CAl Rf5f8,Rf4h6]} Ref6 29. Nxf6+ Rxf6 $16 {é promissor, mas a Carlsen já quer mais e não vê necessidade de forçar as coisas.}) 23... h6 24. Qg3 Qb6 (24... Nxb2 25. Kxb2 Qb4+ 26. Nb3 d5 27. exd5 Qa3+ 28. Kb1 $19 {é apenas desespero.}) 25. Bc1 Qa5 $6 {[%CAl Yc8c3,Yc4b2] Brinquedos pretos com ideias como Cb2 e Tc3, mas sua fica fora de jogo.} (25... Ne5 26. Nd5 Bxd5 27. exd5 $40 {dá a ele um ritmo extra em comparação com o jogo, mas o ataque branco ainda é muito forte.}) 26. Rdf1 $1 {Carlsen se abstém de} (26. Nxe6 Rxe6 27. Nd5 $16 {e calmamente aumenta a pressão.}) 26... Ne5 {[%CAl Rc8c3] /\Rc3} (26... Nxb2 27. Nxe6 Qxc3 (27... Rxc3 28. Qf2 $18) 28. Qxc3 Rxc3 29. Kxb2 $18) (26... Qe5 27. Qf2 $1 Qc5 (27... Rc7 28. Nxe6 Qxe6 29. Nd5 Rd7 30. Bxh6 $18) (27... Re7 28. Rh4 $5 $18 (28. Nxe6 Qxe6 29. Nd5 $18 {[%CAl Rc1h6] /\Bh6})) 28. Rhg1 $1 {[%CAl Rc1h6] /\Bh6,g7+-}) 27. Nd5 Bxd5 28. exd5 $18 {[%csl Rh6][%CAl Rd4f5] /\Nf5,>}) 11. Nf3 c5 12. Nb5 Nbd7 13. Bd3 Qb6 14. a4 a5 15. O-O-O h6 16. Bh4 Re8 17. Rhf1 Nh5 18. Kb1 Nf4 19. Rc1 f6 20. h3 Ra6 21. Bc2 Ng6 22. Be1 Qd8 23. g4 Nh8 24. Bg3 Nf7 25. Bd3 Nf8 26. Nfxd4 exd4 27. Nc7 $16 {Dolya, A-Orekhov,V/email/2010/}) 10. Nf3 Bg4 11. h3 Bxf3 12. Qxf3 Nbd7 13. O-O-O Bd4 14. Ne2 c5 15. g4 a5 16. Kb1 Ra6 17. Ng3 g6 18. h4 a4 19. Rh2 Qa5 20. Bd2 Qc7 21. g5 Ne8 22. h5 Rb6 23. Bc1 $40 {Nakamura,H (2789)-Carlsen,M (2872)/Zuerich/ 2014/ In the end in a heavy tactical struggle Black turned the tables - for more details about this game see the notes by Krasenkow in CBM 159.}) 6. bxc3 c5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 ({The double-edged} 7... exd5 8. e3 c4 $5 {was played in the 9th game of the World Championship match Anand-Carlsen in 2013. Lev Gutman annotated the game in detail and devoted a whole article to this line in CBM 158.}) 8. dxc5 Qa5 9. e4 {is the standard continuation, even more recently Black seems to be doing OK after} Nf6 {This was the topic of another theoretical article by Gutman in CBM 159. After} 10. Be3 O-O 11. Qb3 Nfd7 12. a4 (12. Bb5 Qc7 13. Ne2 (13. Qb4 Nc6 14. Bxc6 (14. Qa4 Nce5 $11 (14... Na5 15. Rd1 $1 Nxc5 16. Bxc5 Qxc5 17. Qxa5 a6 18. c4 Rb8 19. Ne2 axb5 20. cxb5 e5 21. Rd5 Qe7 22. Qb4 $14 {Ulibin,M (2506)-Nyback,T (2575)/Stockholm/2007/})) 14... bxc6 15. Nh3 Ba6 16. Qa4 Bb5 17. Qc2 Qa5 18. Kf2 Nxc5 19. Bxc5 Ba4 20. Qd2 Qxc5+ 21. Qd4 Qa5 22. Rhb1 {Pacher,M (2446)-Haba,P (2503)/CZE-chT2/2014/} Bc2 23. Rb7 Rad8 $36) 13... Nxc5 14. Qc4 b6 15. Bxc5 bxc5 16. O-O a6 17. Ba4 Nd7 18. Bxd7 Bxd7 19. a4 e5 20. Ng3 Be6 21. Qe2 g6 22. a5 Rfd8 $15 {Richter,M (2473)-Michalik,P (2584)/Bundesliga/2014/}) (12. Qb4 Qc7 13. Rd1 Nc6 14. Qa4 Nce5 15. Qd4 Nc6 16. Qa4 (16. Qd2 Nce5 17. Qd6 Qa5 $132) 16... Nce5 17. Qd4 Nc6 {1/2, Timman,J (2630)-Karpov,A (2730)/Tilburg/1991/}) 12... Qc7 13. Qa3 b6 14. a5 bxc5 15. a6 c4 16. Qa5 Qxa5 17. Rxa5 Nc6 18. Ra2 Nde5 19. f4 Ng4 20. Bc1 Rb8 21. Nh3 Rb1 22. Kd2 Rb6 23. Bxc4 Nb8 24. Be2 Nf6 25. Nf2 Bxa6 $11 {Wang,H (2743)-Radjabov,T (2745)/Stavanger/2013/}) ({Another new direction in which the 4.f3 system is developing is} 4... O-O $5 5. e4 (5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Nh5 $5 7. Nh3 f5 8. e3 d6 9. Be2 c5 10. O-O Nc6 11. g4 fxg4 12. fxg4 Nf6 13. Nf2 h6 14. e4 e5 15. d5 Ne7 16. g5 hxg5 17. Bxg5 Qe8 18. Qd3 Qg6 19. Qg3 Bd7 20. Kh1 Rf7 21. Qh4 Raf8 $15 {Karjakin,S (2772)-Carlsen,M (2881)/Shamkir/2014/}) 5... d5 6. e5 Nfd7 7. cxd5 exd5 8. a3 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 f6 10. exf6 Qe8+ (10... Qxf6 11. Bd3 Nb6 12. Ra2 Bf5 13. Bxf5 Qxf5 14. Nh3 N8d7 15. O-O Rae8 16. Nf4 c6 17. Re1 Nf6 18. g4 Qd7 19. Nd3 Rxe1+ 20. Qxe1 Nc4 21. Re2 Re8 $11 {Millstone,M (2473) -Hertel,P (2641)/email/2009/}) 11. Qe2 Qf7 $5 $146 (11... Nxf6 12. Qxe8 Nxe8 13. Ne2 Nd6 14. Bf4 Rd8 15. Ng3 Nc6 16. Bd3 Be6 17. Kf2 Bf7 18. Nf5 Bg6 { 1/2, Shmeliov,D (2270)-Kraai,J (2505)/Las Vegas/2007/} 19. Nxd6 $14) 12. fxg7 Re8 13. Be3 Nc6 14. Qd2 Na5 15. Rb1 $1 Nb6 16. Rb4 Nac4 17. Bxc4 dxc4 $6 (17... Nxc4 $142 18. Rxc4 dxc4 19. Ne2 Bf5 20. Kf2 $44) 18. Rb5 Bf5 19. Kf2 (19. Re5 $5) 19... Nd5 20. Rxd5 Qxd5 21. Ne2 a5 22. h4 b5 23. h5 b4 24. cxb4 axb4 25. axb4 {Mamedyarov,S (2757)-Aronian,L (2830)/Khanty-Mansiysk Candidates/2014/} { Now Giri's suggestion} Bd3 $1 {would have still given Black chances to save the game.}) 5. d5 O-O {[%mdl 32] A restrained approach, this Nakamura-Carlsen encounter will be more strategic than their tussle in Zuerich.} (5... b5 6. e4 O-O 7. e5 Ne8 8. f4 exd5 9. cxd5 d6 10. Nf3 c4 11. a4 Nd7 ({Black started to avoid the rather unpleasant} 11... Bg4 12. axb5 Nd7 13. e6 $14 {Shirov,A (2749) -Kramnik,V (2780)/Shanghai/2010/ See the notes to this game in CBM 138.}) 12. Be2 Qb6 13. axb5 (13. Bd2 Nc7 14. Nxb5 Bxd2+ 15. Nxd2 Nxd5 16. Nxc4 Qc5 17. Qd2 dxe5 18. fxe5 Nxe5 19. Nxe5 {1/2, Nenciulescu,S (2179)-Antonov,V (2283)/email/ 2011/} Ne3 20. Nd3 Nc2+ 21. Kd1 Ne3+ $11) 13... Nc7 $5 $146 (13... dxe5 14. fxe5 Bb7 15. Qd4 Nc7 16. Qxb6 Nxb6 17. d6 Nxb5 18. Bd2 Bxf3 19. Bxf3 Rae8 20. Nxb5 Rxe5+ 21. Kd1 Bxd2 22. Nxa7 Bf4 23. Ra6 {Ding,L (2714)-Bacrot,E (2714)/ Biel/2013/} Nd7 $132) 14. Qd4 (14. Ra4 $5 Qc5 $132) 14... Bb7 15. Bd2 Bxc3 16. bxc3 dxe5 17. fxe5 Bxd5 18. Be3 Qxb5 19. O-O Ne6 20. Qh4 Ndc5 (20... a5 $5 $15) 21. Rab1 Nb3 22. Bd1 Qa5 23. Bc2 g6 24. Ng5 Nxg5 25. Bxg5 Qxc3 26. Rf2 (26. Rbd1 $1 $44) 26... Nd4 27. Bh6 (27. Bf6 Qe3 28. Bg5 $11) 27... Nc6 $1 28. Rd1 Qxe5 $15 {Mamedyarov,S (2757)-Karjakin,S (2766)/Khanty-Mansiysk Candidates/ 2014/}) 6. e4 d6 7. Bd2 (7. Nge2 {gives Black's counterplay a faster start with } b5 8. Nf4 (8. Ng3 bxc4 (8... exd5 9. cxd5 a6 10. Be2 Nbd7 11. O-O c4 12. Be3 Re8 13. Kh1 Bc5 14. Bxc5 Nxc5 15. b4 cxb3 16. axb3 b4 17. Nb5 Qb6 18. Nd4 Bd7 19. Qd2 a5 20. Bc4 h6 21. Nc6 $1 Bxc6 22. dxc6 Qxc6 23. Nf5 $16 {Milov,V (2570) -De Firmian,N (2605)/Biel/1995/}) 9. Bxc4 Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 Qa5 $132 {[%CAl Yc8a6] }) 8... a6 $5 (8... e5 9. Nfe2 Nh5 $5 (9... bxc4 10. Ng3 Ba6 11. Bg5 h6 12. Be3 Bc8 13. Bxc4 Nbd7 14. O-O Nb6 15. Be2 Bxc3 16. bxc3 Bd7 17. a4 Rb8 18. a5 Na8 19. Qd2 Qe7 20. f4 $36 {Shirov,A (2610)-Savon,V (2460)/Moscow/1991/}) 10. g4 Qh4+ 11. Kd2 Nf4 12. Nxf4 exf4 13. Kc2 Bxc3 (13... bxc4 14. Bxc4 (14. Bxf4 $142 Qf6 15. Qd2) 14... Ba6 15. Bxa6 Nxa6 16. Bxf4 c4 17. Qd4 Rfc8 18. a3 Bc5 19. Qd2 Qe7 20. h4 Rab8 21. g5 Rb3 $40 {Cheng,B (2440)-Papin,V (2514)/Melbourne/ 2013/}) 14. bxc3 b4 15. Bxf4 Bd7 16. Qd2 $5 (16. Qd3 $6 Ba4+ 17. Kd2 Nd7 18. Be2 f5 $1 19. exf5 Rae8 20. Rae1 Ne5 21. Bxe5 Rxe5 22. f4 Rfe8 $1 $19 {Berkes, F (2702)-Yemelin,V (2574)/Skopje/2013/} {/\} 23. fxe5 Qg5+ 24. Qe3 bxc3+ 25. Kd3 Bc2+) 16... Ba4+ (16... Qe7 $5) 17. Kd3 bxc3 18. Qxc3 (18. Qe3 Qe7 19. Ke2 c2 20. Kf2 Nd7 $13 {Miton,K (2638)-Charbonneau,P (2501)/Montreal/2006/}) 18... f5 19. exf5 Qf2 (19... Na6 20. Bg3 $16) 20. Be3 Qxf3 21. Be2 Qh3 22. Qe1 $1 { [%CAl Re1g3]} Bc2+ 23. Kd2 Be4 24. Rg1 Qxh2 25. Qg3 $16) 9. Be2 (9. Bd2 exd5 10. cxd5 Ba5 11. Be2 Nbd7 12. O-O Ne5 13. Kh1 c4 $132 {is similar to our game, Black was on top after} 14. b3 $6 b4 15. Na4 c3 16. Be3 Bc7 17. a3 a5 18. Bb5 Rb8 19. Qe2 h6 20. Rfd1 Qe7 21. axb4 axb4 $15 {Timofeev,A (2631)-Topalov,V (2751)/EU Cup Eilat/2012/}) 9... exd5 (9... e5 10. Nd3 Nbd7 11. Nxb4 cxb4 12. Nb1 Qb6 13. g4 bxc4 14. Nd2 c3 15. bxc3 a5 16. Nc4 Qc7 17. cxb4 axb4 18. Be3 Ba6 19. Rc1 Bxc4 20. Rxc4 Nc5 21. Qd2 Rfb8 22. O-O b3 $11 {Tritt,M (1896) -Kolanek,R (2098)/email/2008/}) 10. cxd5 Nbd7 11. O-O Ne5 12. Kh1 Bd7 13. Nd3 Nxd3 14. Qxd3 h6 15. g4 Nh7 16. Nd1 Re8 17. Ne3 c4 18. Qd1 Bc5 19. Qe1 Qb6 20. Nf5 Bxf5 21. gxf5 Be3 22. Qg3 Kh8 23. Bxe3 Qxe3 24. Rg1 Rg8 $13 {/=/+, Richter, M (2470)-Babula,V (2583)/Pardubice/2013/}) 7... Nbd7 ({Nakamura himself preferred} 7... Re8 8. Nge2 a6 (8... Na6 9. Ng3 Nc7 10. Be2 a6 11. a4 Bd7 12. O-O Qe7 13. Re1 exd5 14. cxd5 b5 15. Kh1 bxa4 16. Nxa4 Bxd2 17. Qxd2 Reb8 18. Nxc5 dxc5 19. d6 Qe5 20. f4 Qxb2 21. Qxb2 Rxb2 22. dxc7 Rc8 $11 {Volkov,S (2620)-Cekro,E (2441)/EU Cup Rethymnon/2003/}) 9. a4 (9. Ng3 b5 10. dxe6 Bxe6 11. cxb5 d5 12. bxa6 c4 (12... Nxa6 $5) 13. exd5 Bh3+ $2 (13... Nxd5 14. Be2 Nxc3 15. Bxc3 Qb6 $44 {[%csl Re1]}) 14. Nce4 Nxd5 15. Bxb4 Nxb4 16. gxh3 Qa5 17. Kf2 $18 {Steadman,M (2217)-Hansen,S (2603)/Sydney/2011/}) 9... exd5 10. cxd5 Nh5 11. g3 f5 12. Bg2 fxe4 13. Nxe4 Nf6 14. Bxb4 cxb4 15. Qd2 Nxe4 16. fxe4 a5 17. Nd4 Na6 18. O-O Nc5 19. Qf4 Nd3 20. Qd2 Nc5 21. Qf4 Nd3 22. Qd2 Nc5 {1/2, Le Quang,L (2715)-Nakamura,H (2770)/Dortmund/2011/}) ({Carlsen once again simply continues his development and spurns more direct attempts, such as } 7... exd5 8. cxd5 Nh5 $5 (8... a6 9. Nge2 Nbd7 10. Ng3 b5 11. Be2 (11. a4 $1 $14) 11... c4 12. Be3 Bc5 13. Bxc5 Nxc5 14. b4 cxb3 15. axb3 b4 16. Nb5 Qb6 17. Nd4 a5 18. Ngf5 Re8 $15 19. g4 $2 {Khenkin,I (2600)-Dgebuadze,A (2505)/El Sauzal rpd/2007/} Nfxe4 20. fxe4 Nxe4 $40) 9. g3 ({I doubt Nakamura would have repeated Aronian's aggressive reaction} 9. g4 Qh4+ 10. Ke2 Ng3+ 11. hxg3 Qxh1 12. Kf2 Nd7 (12... c4 $5 $17) 13. Bg2 Qh2 14. a3 Bxc3 15. Bxc3 Qh6 16. f4 Qg6 17. Bf3 Re8 18. Kg2 f6 19. Qc2 b5 20. Nh3 Nb6 21. f5 Qf7 22. b3 Nd7 23. Nf4 Ne5 24. Rh1 h6 25. Ne6 $44 {1-0 Aronian,L (2693)-Efimenko,Z (2620)/Warsaw 2005/CBM 108 (49)}) (9. Nge2 f5 10. Qc2 b5 11. O-O-O Bxc3 12. bxc3 fxe4 13. fxe4 $6 (13. Ng3 $132) 13... Bg4 14. Re1 Nd7 15. Ng3 Nxg3 16. hxg3 Ne5 17. Bxb5 c4 $40 { 0-1 Gomez Esteban,J (2425)-Supatashvili,K (2450)/Debrecen 1992/EU-chT (26)}) 9... f5 10. Bg2 $142 (10. f4 $6 Qe8 11. Be2 Bxc3 12. Bxc3 Qxe4 13. Nf3 Re8 14. Kf1 b6 15. Rg1 Qxe2+ 16. Qxe2 Ba6 17. Qxa6 Nxa6 18. Kf2 Nc7 $17 {Bilobrk,F (2390)-Zelcic,R (2519)/Zadar/2013/}) 10... Bxc3 (10... Nf6 $142 $1 {seems promising for Black}) 11. Bxc3 fxe4 12. fxe4 Qe8 13. Ne2 Bg4 14. Rf1 Rxf1+ 15. Kxf1 Nd7 16. Qc2 Ne5 17. Kg1 Nf3+ 18. Kh1 Qg6 19. Rf1 Nxh2 20. Kxh2 Bxe2 21. Qxe2 Nxg3 22. Qe3 Nxf1+ 23. Bxf1 Re8 24. Bg2 $13 {Van Osmael,A-Huybrecht,F/ corr/2002/}) 8. Nge2 Ne5 $146 (8... exd5 9. Nxd5 $6 ({Nakamura would have almost certainly played} 9. cxd5 $142 a6 10. Ng3) 9... Nxd5 10. cxd5 f5 11. Bxb4 cxb4 12. Nd4 Nc5 13. Be2 fxe4 14. O-O Qg5 15. Qc1 Qe5 16. Qe3 exf3 17. Qxe5 dxe5 18. Nxf3 e4 19. Nd4 Bd7 20. Bc4 $132 {Akshat,K (2354)-L'Ami,E (2640)/ Dieren/2013/}) (8... Re8 9. Ng3 a6 10. Be2 exd5 11. cxd5 b5 (11... Qc7 12. O-O Ne5 13. Bg5 Nfd7 14. f4 Ng6 15. f5 $1 Nge5 16. f6 h6 17. Bxh6 Nxf6 18. Rxf6 gxf6 19. Nh5 Qd8 20. Qd2 Ng6 21. Bg7 {1-0, Bobykin,K (2000)-Pilipchuk,A (2172)/ email/2008/}) 12. a4 bxa4 13. Nxa4 (13. Qxa4 $142 Rb8 14. O-O $13 {/+/=}) 13... Rb8 14. O-O Bxd2 15. Qxd2 Rb4 16. Ra2 Ne5 17. Rfa1 h5 18. Qg5 Ng6 19. Nc3 h4 20. Nf5 Bxf5 21. Qxf5 Re5 22. Qh3 Rh5 $1 {[%CAl Rg6f4]} 23. g4 hxg3 24. Qxg3 Re5 25. Kh1 Nh5 $36 {Landgren,A (2220)-Bjork,C (2473)/SWE-chT/2004/}) (8... Nh5 9. Be3 $2 (9. Nf4 $142) 9... Ne5 10. b3 Qh4+ 11. Bf2 Qf6 12. Qc2 b5 $1 $32 13. cxb5 exd5 14. O-O-O Nxf3 $5 15. Rxd5 Ne5 16. Be3 Bb7 17. Rd1 Ng4 18. Bg1 Rfe8 $17 {Skula,E-Krcmar,J/corr/1997/}) 9. Ng3 exd5 10. cxd5 {[%mdl 16] The pawn-structure originates from the Benoni, but the dark-squared bishop is on the queenside instead of the long diagonal. In the Snake Benoni Black plays Bd6-c7-a5; here it's similar, but he didn't allow White to get in the d5-d6 advance (the main problem of most Snake Benoni versions). All in all the position seems very unclear to me.} Bd7 {Carlsen wants to get in a quick b5, but without allowing White to reach a positon such as the one seen in Milov-De Firmian above. However, d7 is an important square also for Black's knights and a few moves later he will feel the bishop should retreat.} (10... a6 11. Be2 b5 12. a4 $5 $14) (10... c4 $5 11. Be3 (11. f4 Nd3+ (11... Ng6 12. Bxc4 Re8 13. Bb5 Bd7 $44 {[%csl Re1]}) 12. Bxd3 cxd3 13. Qf3 Re8 14. O-O (14. Qxd3 Bxc3 15. Bxc3 Nxe4 16. Nxe4 Bf5 $11) 14... Bd7 $13 15. Qxd3 $2 Ng4 $17) 11... Qc7 12. Be2 Bc5 $132) 11. a3 {Nakamura first of all wants to slow down the advancing pawns.} ({Perhaps he didn't like} 11. Be2 {due to} c4 $5 (11... b5 12. Nxb5 Bxb5 13. Bxb5 Qa5 14. Be2 Rab8 15. b3 $14) 12. Be3 Qa5 13. O-O Bc5 14. Qd2 $13) 11... Ba5 12. Be2 b5 13. O-O (13. Nxb5 Bxb5 14. Bxb5 c4 {[%csl Rb5]} (14... Rb8 15. b4 Rxb5 16. bxa5 Nd3+ 17. Ke2 c4 $13) 15. b4 cxb3 16. Rb1 Rb8 17. Rxb3 Qc7 $44 {[%csl Re1]}) (13. b4 cxb4 (13... Bb6 $5 14. Nxb5 Bxb5 15. Bxb5 c4 $44) 14. axb4 Bxb4 15. Nxb5 Bc5 16. Ba5 Qe7 17. Nd4 Ng6 $132) 13... c4 14. Be3 Bb6 15. Qd2 Rb8 (15... a5 16. a4 $5 {and the c4-pawn will be vulnerable:} b4 17. Nb5 Bxb5 18. axb5 g6 19. Rfc1 Rc8 20. Kh1 Bxe3 (20... Re8 21. Bg5 $36) 21. Qxe3 Rc5 22. f4 $14) 16. Nd1 Bc8 $6 {Preparing the knight transfer is rather slow.} ( 16... h5 $5) (16... Re8 $13) 17. Kh1 ({White gradually improves his position,} 17. a4 a6 $13 {achieves nothing tangible.}) 17... Nfd7 {[%CAl Yd7c5,Yc5b3, Yc5d3]} 18. f4 $1 {At the right moment - now Black won't control d3 with both knights.} Ng6 19. Bxb6 (19. a4 a6 20. Nc3 {Zagrebelny} Bc5 $5 {doesn't look too impressive.}) 19... Rxb6 20. Ne3 Nc5 21. Bd1 Nd3 (21... Re8 22. f5 Nf8 23. f6 Nxe4 24. Nxe4 Rxe4 25. Bc2 $44) 22. f5 $1 ({Houdini prefers} 22. a4 a6 23. b3 $14 {, but Nakamura decides to act.}) 22... Ngf4 $8 {More or less forced.} ( 22... Nge5 $2 23. f6 $40 g6 $2 24. Nxc4 {[%CAl Rd2h6]}) 23. a4 (23. Bc2 Qh4 24. f6 $5 g6 25. a4 $36) 23... a6 24. Ng4 {[%CAl Rf1f4]} (24. Bc2 $5 {deserves attention even here.}) 24... h5 (24... Qg5 $2 25. Nh5 $1 $18) 25. Nf2 $5 ({ This is at least as good as the more energetic} 25. Rxf4 Nxf4 (25... hxg4 $5 26. Rxg4 Ne5 {is a safer choice, although White is better after} 27. a5 (27. Rf4 Qg5 $14)) 26. Nh6+ gxh6 (26... Kh8 27. Qxf4 Qf6 28. Nxf7+ Rxf7 29. Bxh5 Rf8 (29... Qxb2 30. Rd1 $18) 30. Bg6 Qxg6 (30... Kg8 31. Qg4 {[%CAl Rg4h5]} Rd8 32. e5 $1 dxe5 33. Qh5 $18 {[%CAl Rg3e4]}) 31. Qe3 Qf6 32. Qxb6 Qxb2 33. Rf1 $16) 27. Qxf4 Qg5 28. Qf2 $16 {[%CAl Rf2b6,Rg3h5] ->}) 25... Qf6 (25... Nxf2+ 26. Qxf2 Nd3 27. Qe3 {[%CAl Rf5f6]} f6 (27... h4 28. f6 $1) 28. a5 Rb7 29. Bxh5 $18 {[%CAl Rh5g6,Re3f3,Rf3h5]}) (25... bxa4 26. Nxd3 Nxd3 27. f6 $18) 26. Nxd3 $2 ( 26. Nxh5 $142 $1 Nxh5 (26... Nxf2+ 27. Qxf2 Nxh5 28. Qxb6 $18) 27. Nxd3 cxd3 28. a5 Rb8 29. Bxh5 $16 {[%CAl Yb2b4,Ya1a3,Ya3d3]}) 26... Nxd3 27. Qe3 (27. Nxh5 Qxb2 $13) 27... Rb7 28. Nxh5 ({This looks like a good moment to flick in} 28. axb5 axb5 29. Nxh5 Qh6 30. Qd4 $5 $36) 28... Qh6 $1 (28... Qxb2 $2 29. f6 Qxa1 30. Qg5 (30. fxg7 {[%CAl Re3h6]} f5 31. gxf8=Q+ Kxf8 32. Be2 $18) 30... Nf2+ 31. Kg1 Nh3+ 32. gxh3 Qd4+ 33. Rf2 $1 g6 34. Ng3 $1 Qxd1+ 35. Kg2 $18) 29. Qxh6 {Nakamura simplifies the position.} ({After} 29. Qd4 {White has to reckon also with} bxa4 $5 $132) 29... gxh6 $44 {/+/=} 30. axb5 axb5 {[%csl Gb5,Gc4] Black has survived the onslaught, without queens his dangerous pawns give him reasonable compensation. In the following phase Nakamura's time trouble plays a crucial role.} (30... Rxb5 $2 31. b3 $16 {/\} cxb3 32. Be2) 31. Bc2 (31. Rb1 $142 $5 Nc5 (31... Ra7 32. Bc2 Nb4 33. Rf2) 32. Re1 $14) 31... Ne5 $6 { Objectively this isn't ideal, but Carlsen is already ambitious.} (31... Nxb2 $142 $5 32. Nf6+ Kg7 33. Nh5+ Kh8 34. Ra6 Rd8 35. Rfa1 b4 36. Rc6 b3 37. Bxb3 cxb3 38. Ra8 Nd3 39. Rcxc8 Rxc8 40. Rxc8+ Kh7 41. Nf6+ Kg7 42. Nh5+ $11 { is an unforced, but plausible sample line.}) 32. Ra6 (32. Ra8 b4 33. Rb1 $14) ( 32. b4 $5 cxb3 33. Bxb3 $14 {/+/-}) 32... Rd8 33. Ng3 $6 $138 (33. Rb1 b4 34. Ra8 $14) 33... Rb8 34. Ra7 b4 35. Ne2 (35. Rb1 $13 {was still playable, the knight transfer doesn't improve White's coordination.}) 35... Bd7 36. Rfa1 $6 ( 36. Nd4 Ra8 $44 37. Rfa1 (37. Rb7 $142 $5) 37... Rxa7 38. Rxa7 b3 39. Bb1 Rc8 40. Ne2 Be8 41. Nc3 (41. Ra1 Nd3 42. Bxd3 cxd3 43. Nc3 Rxc3 44. bxc3 b2 45. Rb1 d2 $19 {[%CAl Re8a4]}) 41... Nd3 $15) 36... Bb5 37. h3 (37. Nd4 b3 38. Bd1 (38. Bb1 c3 39. Nxb5 c2 40. Bxc2 bxc2 $19) 38... c3 39. bxc3 (39. Nxb5 Rxb5 40. bxc3 b2 41. Rb1 Rc8 $19) 39... b2 40. Rb1 Bd3 41. Bc2 Bxc2 42. Nxc2 Rdc8 43. Ra2 Nd3 $5 $19 (43... Rxc3 44. Raxb2 Rxb2 45. Rxb2 Nd3 46. Ra2 Nb4 $17)) 37... Rdc8 $1 $36 {All is ready for the pawn break.} 38. Kh2 $2 (38. Rb1 c3 39. Nd4 b3 40. Nxb3 Bd3 41. Bxd3 Nxd3 42. bxc3 Rxc3 $17) 38... c3 $19 39. Nd4 cxb2 40. Rb1 Rc4 $1 41. Nxb5 Rxc2 42. Nd4 (42. Nxd6 Rd8 43. Re7 (43. Nxf7 Nxf7 44. Rb7 Kh8 $1 { [%CAl Rd8g8]} (44... Nd6 45. Rxb4 Nc4 46. Kg3 $17) 45. Kg3 (45. Rxf7 Rg8 $19) 45... Ne5 46. Rxb4 Rg8+ 47. Kh4 Rgxg2 $19) 43... Rxd6 44. Rxe5 Ra6 45. d6 Rxd6 46. Rd5 Rxd5 47. exd5 Kf8 48. f6 Ke8 $19) 42... Rd2 $6 (42... b3 $1 {[%CAl Re5c4]} 43. Ra3 (43. Nc6 Nf3+ 44. Kg3 Nd2 45. Rxb2 Rxb2 46. Nxb8 Ra2 $19) 43... Nc4 44. Rxb3 Rxb3 45. Nxb3 Na3 46. Nd4 Rd2 $19) 43. Nc6 Re8 44. Ra4 (44. Rb7 Nd3 45. e5 Nxe5 46. Nxe5 Rxe5 47. Rxb4 Ree2 $17 {/-+}) ({A more resilient try, but hardly sufficient, was} 44. Nxe5 Rxe5 45. Ra2 Rxe4 46. Raxb2 Rxb2 47. Rxb2 Kg7 48. g4 Kf6 $17 {/-+}) 44... Nd3 45. Nxb4 Nf2 $1 $19 {[%CAl Re8e4,Rf2d1, Rd1c3]} (45... Rxe4 $2 46. Ra8+ Kg7 47. Nxd3 $11) 46. Ra2 Nd1 47. Rxd1 Rxd1 48. Rxb2 Rxe4 {The rest is a matter of technique, White's pieces are uncoordinated and his pawns are vulnerable.} 49. Nc6 (49. f6 Rf4 $19) 49... Kg7 50. f6+ Kxf6 51. Rf2+ Kg6 52. Nd8 Re8 (52... Re8 53. Nxf7 Rxd5 {[%csl Rf7][%CAl Rg6g7,Re8f8] traps the knight.}) 0-1 [Event "Bundesliga 0607"] [Site "Germany"] [Date "2007.03.31"] [Round "14.4"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Hracek, Zbynek"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D58"] [WhiteElo "2698"] [BlackElo "2614"] [Annotator "Meyer,CD"] [PlyCount "135"] [EventDate "2006.10.28"] [EventType "team-tourn"] [EventRounds "15"] [EventCountry "GER"] [SourceTitle "CBM 118"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2007.05.31"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2007.05.31"] [SourceQuality "1"] [WhiteTeam "Baden-Baden"] [BlackTeam "Werder Bremen"] [WhiteTeamCountry "GER"] [BlackTeamCountry "GER"] {[%evp 0,135,31,27,35,4,6,18,6,26,26,18,24,30,25,9,31,16,29,22,9,9,31,17,27,41, 41,41,36,32,36,24,32,32,32,32,32,32,23,36,36,18,33,33,24,37,39,6,6,1,1,9,22,8, 32,29,45,45,45,39,39,50,50,44,44,44,44,41,81,85,85,82,84,78,78,78,81,81,81,81, 86,86,102,93,93,93,94,94,99,93,93,93,93,107,97,128,129,119,121,117,155,159,217, 217,217,260,260,260,260,260,260,260,260,260,260,260,260,260,260,260,282,323, 352,369,444,444,444,444,466,482,471,479,479,487,683,731,731,1016]} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 O-O 6. e3 h6 7. Bh4 b6 8. Bd3 Bb7 9. O-O dxc4 ({Uma variante secundária do sistema Tartakower: o preto ativa Bb7, se esforça para trocar peças menores por meio de ... Ce4 e espera ser capaz de se libertar com ... c5 em breve.} 9... Nbd7 {é a variante principal frequentemente experimentada e testada. Aqui está um jogo mais antigo e emocionante da Bundesliga pelo tcheco} {sowie eine aktuelle, solide Partie:} 10. Qe2 c5 11. Rad1 (11. Bg3 Ne4 12. cxd5 exd5 13. Rad1 Qc8 14. Rc1 Rd8 15. Rfd1 Ndf6 16. Ne5 Qe6 17. Bh4 Rac8 18. f3 cxd4 19. exd4 Nxc3 20. Rxc3 Rxc3 21. bxc3 Nd7 22. Bxe7 Qxe7 23. Nxd7 Rxd7 24. Re1 Qxe2 25. Rxe2 Kf8 26. Re3 Re7 27. Kf2 Rxe3 28. Kxe3 Ke7 {1/2-1/2 Bacrot,E (2705)-Ivanchuk,V (2750)/Odessa 2007/ CBM 116}) 11... Ne4 12. Bg3 Nxg3 13. hxg3 cxd4 14. exd4 dxc4 15. Bxc4 Nf6 16. Ne5 Bb4 17. f4 Bxc3 18. bxc3 Ne4 19. f5 exf5 20. Nxf7 Rxf7 21. Rxf5 Nf6 22. Rxf6 gxf6 23. Qh5 Qe7 24. Qg6+ Kf8 25. Rf1 Be4 26. Qxh6+ Ke8 27. Re1 f5 28. Rxe4 Qxe4 29. Qg6 Rc8 30. Qxf7+ Kd8 31. Be6 Qe3+ {1/2-1/2 Speelman,J (2603) -Hracek,Z (2610)/Germany 2001/CBM 87}) 10. Bxc4 Ne4 11. Nxe4 ({I} 11. Bg3 $5 Nxg3 12. hxg3 c5 (12... Nd7 {/\c5}) 13. d5 exd5 14. Bxd5 Nc6 15. Qa4 Qc7 16. Rfd1 a6 (16... Rad8) 17. Qf4 $5 $14 {1-0 Van Wely,L (2676)-Borriss,M (2455)/BL 0607 SF Berlin - SG Köln Porz 2007 (40)}) ({II} 11. Bxe7 $6 Qxe7 12. Rc1 (12. Nxe4 Bxe4 $11) 12... Nxc3 13. Rxc3 Rc8 14. Qe2 c5 15. Rfc1 cxd4 16. Nxd4 Nc6 17. Nxc6 Rxc6 18. Ba6 {1/2-1/2 Unzicker,W (2437)-Spassky,B (2548)/Mainz 2005/ CBM 107 ext}) 11... Bxe4 12. Bg3 Nd7 13. Qe2 ({Deve ser notado} 13. Rc1 {/\} Bd6 14. Bb5 Bxg3 15. hxg3 c5 16. Qa4 $1 {S. Atalik/CBM} (16. Bxd7 $2 Qxd7 17. dxc5 Qb7 18. Qe2 Rfd8 $132)) 13... Bd6 14. Rfd1 Qe7 15. Bb5 Rad8 16. Rac1 Bxg3 17. hxg3 c5 18. Nd2 Bd5 $6 ({Verfehlte Provokation, nach} 18... Ba8 $142 19. Bxd7 Rxd7 20. dxc5 bxc5 $13 {/= stünde Schwarz völlig okay.}) 19. e4 Ba8 20. Bxd7 Qxd7 (20... Rxd7 $142 21. dxc5 bxc5 22. Nb3 Rxd1+ 23. Rxd1 Rc8 24. Rc1 $14 {/=}) 21. dxc5 bxc5 22. Nb3 Qa4 23. Rxd8 (23. Nxc5 $142 $14) 23... Rxd8 24. Nxc5 Qxa2 25. Qb5 Kh7 {Alivia a última linha e planeja Rd2.} 26. f3 Rd2 27. Na4 Rd4 $6 ({O "Fritz" taticamente extremamente versado recomenda} 27... f5 $1 {para trazer o Ba8 bloqueado de volta ao jogo:} 28. exf5 a6 $1 29. Qe8 (29. Qxa6 $4 Rxb2) (29. Qb4 Rc2 $1 30. Rxc2 (30. Rd1 exf5) 30... Qb1+ 31. Rc1 Qxc1+ 32. Kh2 exf5 $11) 29... exf5 $11) 28. Nc3 Qc4 29. Qxc4 Rxc4 30. Ra1 Rc7 31. Nb5 Rb7 32. Nd6 Rd7 33. Ra6 {Nesse final de jogo, que é desconfortável para ele, as pretas escolhem uma continuação corajosa dos sacrifícios de peões, que troca as peças menores e dá a ele um tipo de final de torre com melhores chances de empate.} Bb7 $5 ({avançando imediatamente} 33... h5 $5 {o mesmo jogo final temático também foi fácil de alcançar:} 34. b4 (34. Kf2 Bb7 $5 35. Rxa7 Rxd6 36. Rxb7 Rd2+ 37. Kf1 Kg6 $14) 34... Kg6 35. Kf2 (35. Nc4 Rb7 36. Ne5+ (36. b5 Rxb5 37. Rxa7 Bc6 38. Re7 Kf6 39. Rc7 Rc5 40. Nd6 Rc2 41. Rxf7+ Ke5 42. Nb7 Bxb7 43. Rxb7 g6 $14) 36... Kf6 37. Nd3 Rd7 38. Nc5 Rc7 39. Kf2 Bc6 $14) 35... Bb7 $5 (35... f6 $2 36. Nb5 Rb7 37. Nd4 Rxb4 38. Nxe6 Rb7 39. Rd6 Re7 (39... Rb6 $2 40. Nf4+ Kh7 41. Rxb6 axb6 42. Nxh5) 40. Nf4+ Kf7 41. Nxh5 $16) 36. Rxa7 Rxd6 37. Rxb7 Rd2+ $14) 34. Rxa7 Rxd6 35. Rxb7 Rd1+ 36. Kf2 Rd2+ 37. Kf1 Kg6 (37... h5 $5 {ainda era possível, por exemplo,} 38. b4 (38. Rxf7 Rxb2 39. Re7 Rb6 40. Kf2 (40. Kg1 Kg6 41. e5 Kh7 42. Kh2 Kg8 43. Kh3 Kf8 44. Rd7 Rb5 45. f4 Rb2 $14) 40... Kg6 41. e5 Kh7 42. Kg1 (42. Ke3 Kg8 43. Rd7 (43. f4 Kf8 44. Rd7 Rb2 45. Rd2 Rb3+ 46. Rd3 Rb2 $14) (43. Kf4 $6 Kf8 44. Rd7 Rb2) 43... Rb2 44. Rd2 Rb4 $14)) 38... Kg6 39. b5 Rb2 40. b6 Kf6 41. Rb8 (41. Ke1 Rxg2 42. Rc7 Rb2 43. b7 g5 $11) (41. f4 Rb3 42. Kg1 Rb4 43. e5+ Kg6 44. Rb8 Kf5 45. Kh2 f6 46. b7 Rb1 $11) 41... Ke5 42. b7 g6 43. Ke1 f5 $5 44. f4+ Kxe4 45. Re8 Rxb7 46. Rxe6+ Kd4 47. Rxg6 h4 48. gxh4 Ke3 49. Kd1 Rd7+ 50. Kc1 Rc7+ 51. Kb1 Kxf4 $11) 38. g4 $1 {Melhora a mobilidade dos peões brancos do lado do rei.} Kf6 (38... e5) 39. b4 Rb2 40. b5 Rb1+ 41. Kf2 Rb2+ 42. Kg3 $6 ({A marcha para a derrota ficou mais curta:} 42. Ke3 $5 Rxg2 43. Kd4 (43. b6 e5 44. Rd7 Rb2 45. b7 g6 46. Kd3 h5 47. Kc4 h4 48. Kc5 h3 49. Rd6+ Kg7 50. Rb6 Rxb6 51. Kxb6 h2 52. b8=Q h1=Q 53. Qxe5+ $14) (43. e5+ $6 Kxe5 44. Rxf7 Rb2 $11 (44... g5)) 43... e5+ $1 (43... g6 $2 44. e5+ Kg7 45. Ra7 Rb2 (45... h5 46. gxh5 gxh5 47. Ra1 (47. Ra4 h4) 47... Rb2 48. Kc5 h4 49. Rh1 Rc2+ 50. Kb6 Rc4 51. Ka5 Rc5 52. Rxh4 Rxe5 53. Ka6 $18) 46. Kc5 h5 47. gxh5 gxh5 48. Ra4 Rc2+ 49. Kd6 Rb2 50. Kc6 Rc2+ 51. Kb7 $18) (43... Rb2 $2 44. e5+ $1 Kg6 (44... Kg5 45. Kc5) 45. Kc5 $18) 44. Kc5 Rc2+ ({Jedoch nicht} 44... g6 $2 45. Rc7 $1 Rc2+ 46. Kb6 Rb2 ( 46... Rf2 47. Rc6+ Kg5 48. Kc7 Rxf3 49. b6 Rb3 50. b7 Rxb7+ 51. Kxb7 Kxg4 52. Rf6 $18) 47. Ka6 h5 48. b6 h4 49. b7 h3 50. Ka7 (50. Rc6+ $6 Ke7 51. Rb6 Rxb6+ 52. Kxb6 h2 53. b8=Q h1=Q 54. Qxe5+ Kf8 $14) 50... Ra2+ 51. Kb8 Kg5 52. Kc8 Rb2 53. b8=Q Rxb8+ 54. Kxb8 h2 55. Rc1 Kf4 56. Kc7 Kxf3 57. g5 $1 Kxe4 (57... Kg4 58. Kd6 $18) 58. Kd6 $18 Kf4 59. Rh1 e4 60. Rxh2 e3 61. Kd5) 45. Kd6 (45. Kb6 Rf2) 45... Rd2+ 46. Kc7 Rc2+ 47. Kb6 Rf2 (47... g6 $2 48. Rc7 $1 Rb2 49. Ka6 { wie vorher}) 48. Rc7 (48. Ra7 Rxf3 49. Ra5 Re3 50. Ka6 Rxe4 51. b6 Rb4 52. b7 Rxb7 53. Kxb7 Kg5 54. Kc6 Kxg4 55. Kd5 f6 $11) 48... Rxf3 49. Rc5 (49. Rc6+ Kg5 50. Kc7 Kxg4 {e sem a inserção de ... g6 Black é significativamente mais rápido aqui do que na variante 44 ... g6?} 51. b6 Rb3 52. b7 Rxb7+ 53. Kxb7 Kf3 $11) 49... Kg5 50. Kc6 (50. Kc7 Kxg4 51. b6 Rb3 52. Kc6 Rxb6+ 53. Kxb6 Kf4 54. Kc6 Kxe4 55. Kd6 f6 56. Ke6 Kf4) (50. Rxe5+ Kxg4 51. Kc6 f6 (51... h5 52. b6 Rf6+ 53. Kc7 Rxb6 54. Kxb6 h4 55. Re7 Kf3 56. e5 Ke4 57. Kc5 h3 58. Re8 g5 59. Kd6 g4 60. Rh8 Kf4 61. Rh7 Ke3 62. Kd5 Ke2 63. Rxf7 g3 (63... h2 64. Rh7 g3 65. e6 $18) 64. e6 g2 65. e7 g1=Q 66. e8=Q+ $18) 52. Rc5 Rd3 (52... Re3) 53. b6 Rd8 54. b7 Kf4 55. Kc7 Re8 56. Kb6 Rb8 57. Rc8 Rxb7+ 58. Kxb7 Kxe4 $11) 50... Kxg4 51. b6 Rf6+ 52. Kc7 Rxb6 53. Kxb6 Kf4 54. Kc6 Kxe4 $11) 42... e5 $1 43. b6 ({Se as brancas chamarem um rei de volta ao lado da rainha, as pretas têm bastante tempo para preparar o contrajogo usando Rg5 mais g6 e f5:} 43. Kh2 g6 44. Kg1 Kg5 45. g3 f5 $5 46. gxf5 gxf5 47. exf5 Kxf5 48. b6 e4 49. Rb8 Rb1+ 50. Kf2 Rb2+ 51. Ke3 exf3 52. Kxf3 Rb3+ 53. Ke2 (53. Kg2 Kg4 54. b7 Rb2+ 55. Kf1 Kh3 $11) 53... Kg4 54. Rg8+ (54. b7 Kh3 $11) 54... Kf5 (54... Kh5 $4 55. g4+ Kh4 56. Rg6 $18) 55. g4+ Kf6 56. Rb8 Ke5 $1 (56... Kg5 $2 57. b7 Kh4 58. g5 $1 $18) 57. b7 Kd6 $11) 43... g6 44. Rb8 Kg7 ({Com posição ruim do rei branco seria mais atrativo} 44... Kg5 $1 {para tirar proveito de:} 45. Kh2 (45. b7 Rb1 (45... f6 $2 46. Kh2 Rb1 (46... Kf4 $2 47. Rg8) 47. g3 Rb3 48. Kg2 Rb1 49. Kf2 Rb2+ 50. Ke3 Rb3+ 51. Kd2 Rb2+ 52. Kc3 Rb1 53. Kc4 Rc1+ 54. Kd5 Rd1+ 55. Ke6 Rb1 56. Kf7 Rb6 57. Kg7 Rb1 58. f4+ $1 $18 exf4 (58... Kxg4 59. Kxf6) 59. gxf4+ Kxf4 60. Kxg6 Rb6 61. Kxh6) (45... Kf6 46. Kh2 Kg5 47. Re8 Rxb7 48. Rxe5+ Kf6 $14) 46. Re8 (46. Kf2 Kh4 $11) 46... Rxb7 47. Rxe5+ Kf6 $14) 45... Kf4 46. Rf8 (46. Rb7 Kg5 (46... f6 $2 47. Rg7 Kg5 48. b7) 47. Rxf7 Rxb6 $14) (46. b7 $2 Rb1 ) 46... Rxb6 47. Rxf7+ Kg5 $14) 45. Kh2 Kf6 46. Kg1 Ke6 $2 ({O erro decisivo. : Chegou muito tarde agora} 46... Kg5 $2 {z.B.:} 47. g3 $1 (47. Kf1 $2 Kf4 $11) ( 47. b7 $2 Kf4 $14) (47. Rb7 $2 Kf4 48. Kh2 (48. Rxf7+ $2 Kg3 49. Kf1 Rxb6 $11) 48... Kg5 49. Rxf7 Rxb6 $14) 47... h5 $5 (47... Rb1+ 48. Kf2 Rb2+ 49. Ke3 Rb3+ 50. Ke2 Kf6 51. b7 $18) 48. gxh5 Kxh5 49. Kf1 (49. b7 $2 Kg5 50. Kf1 Kf6 51. Ke1 (51. f4 Rb4 52. Kf2 (52. fxe5+ Kg5) 52... Rb3 53. Ke2 exf4 54. gxf4 Kg7 55. e5 (55. f5 gxf5 56. exf5 Kf6 $11) 55... Kh7 56. Kd2 Kg7 57. Kc2 Rb6 58. Kc3 Rb1 59. Kc4 Rc1+ 60. Kb5 Rb1+ 61. Kc6 Rc1+ 62. Kd6 Rd1+ 63. Ke7 Rb1 $11) 51... Rb6 52. Kd2 Rb1 53. Kc3 Rb6 54. Kc4 Rb1 55. Kc5 Rc1+ 56. Kd6 Rd1+ 57. Kc7 Rc1+ 58. Kd8 Rb1 59. Ke8 Kg7 $14 60. f4 (60. Kd7 Kf6) 60... exf4 61. gxf4 Rb4 62. Kd7 Rb1 $11) (49. Rf8 $2 Rxb6 50. Rxf7 Rb1+ 51. Kf2 Rb2+ 52. Ke3 Rb3+ 53. Ke2 Ra3 54. f4 (54. Re7 Ra5 55. Kd3 (55. Kf2 Ra2+ 56. Kf1 Ra1+ 57. Kg2 Ra2+ 58. Kh3 Ra5 59. Rd7 Ra3 $11) 55... Ra3+ 56. Kc4 Rxf3 $11) (54. Rd7 Kg5 55. Rd3 Ra2+ 56. Ke3 Ra5 $14) (54. Rf6 Kg5 55. Re6 Ra2+ 56. Ke3 Ra3+ 57. Kf2 Ra2+ 58. Kg1 Ra1+ 59. Kh2 Ra2+ 60. Kh3 Ra5 $14) 54... exf4 55. gxf4 Ra5 $1 (55... Kg4 $2 56. e5) 56. Rf6 Kg4 57. Ke3 Ra3+ 58. Kd4 g5 59. f5 (59. fxg5 Kxg5 $11) 59... Kf4 $11) 49... Kg5 50. Ke1 (50. b7 $2 Kf6 $11) 50... Kf6 (50... f5 51. exf5 Kxf5 52. b7 Kg5 53. f4+ $1 $18 exf4 54. gxf4+ Kg4 55. f5) 51. Kd1 Ke7 52. Kc1 Rb5 53. Kc2 Kd6 54. Rb7 $1 (54. Kc3 $2 Kc5 55. g4 Rb1 (55... Rxb6 $2 56. Rxb6 Kxb6 57. Kc4 Kc6 58. g5 $18) (55... g5 $2 56. b7 Kc6 57. Re8) 56. Rc8+ Kd6 57. Rd8+ Kc5 58. g5 ( 58. b7 Rxb7 59. Rd5+ Kc6 60. Rxe5 Ra7 $14) 58... Rxb6 59. Rd5+ Kc6 60. Rxe5 Kd7 $14) 54... Kc5 (54... f6 55. Rb8 Kc5 56. b7 Kc6 57. Rf8 Rxb7 58. Rxf6+ Kc5 59. Kd3 $1 $18) 55. Rc7+ Kxb6 56. Rxf7 Kc5 57. Rd7 Kc4 58. Rd6 Ra5 59. Kd2 (59. Rxg6 $6 Ra2+ 60. Kc1 Rf2 61. Rf6 Kd4 62. g4 Ke3) 59... g5 60. g4 $18) ({ A única coisa certa era a perseguição} 46... Rb1+ $8 {, e se as brancas quiserem progredir, então} 47. Kf2 {, então} Rb2+ 48. Kf1 {(Em contraste com a variante após o lance 46, as brancas não têm a opção Re3-d4 mais e5 + aqui.)} Rb1+ 49. Ke2 Rb2+ (49... Kg5 $2 50. g3) 50. Kd3 Rxg2 {(Analyse) e agora:} 51. Kc4 (51. Rc8 Rb2 52. Rc6+ Kg5 53. Kc4 h5 54. gxh5 gxh5 55. Kc5 h4 56. Kd6 h3 57. Kc7 h2 58. Rc1 Rg2 $11 (58... Kf4 $11)) (51. Ra8 Rb2 52. Ra6 Kg5 53. Kc4 h5 54. gxh5 gxh5 55. Kd5 h4 $11) 51... h5 52. gxh5 gxh5 53. Rh8 Rb2 ( 53... Rc2+ 54. Kd5 $18 Rd2+ 55. Kc6 Rc2+ 56. Kd7 Rd2+ 57. Kc8 Rc2+ 58. Kb8 Kg5 59. b7 Rc3 60. Ka7 Ra3+ 61. Kb6 Rxf3 62. b8=Q Rb3+ 63. Kc6 Rxb8 64. Rxb8) 54. Kc5 (54. Rxh5 Kg6 55. Rxe5 Rxb6 $11) 54... Kg5 55. Kc6 Rc2+ 56. Kd7 Rd2+ 57. Kc8 Rc2+ 58. Kb8 f6 59. b7 Kf4 60. Rc8 Rb2 61. Kc7 Kxf3 62. b8=Q Rxb8 63. Rxb8 Kxe4 $11) 47. b7 $1 $18 {Em um sentido superior, as pretas já estão perdidas, já que o rei branco começa a caminhada decisiva para o lado da rainha.} Kf6 ( {Leva a um final de peão perdedor} 47... Kd7 {nach} 48. Rf8 Rxb7 49. Rxf7+ Kc8 50. Rxb7 Kxb7 51. Kf2 Kc6 52. g5 h5 (52... hxg5 53. Kg3 $18) 53. g3 Kc5 54. f4 $18) 48. g3 $1 g5 ({I} 48... Kg7 49. Kf1 {junto com a marcha do rei análoga ao texto}) ({II} 48... h5 49. gxh5 gxh5 50. f4 exf4 51. e5+ Kg7 52. gxf4 $18 h4 53. f5 h3 54. f6+ Kh7 55. e6) 49. Kf1 Rb1+ 50. Ke2 Rb2+ (50... Ke7 51. Kd3 Kd7 (51... Kf6 52. Kc4 Rc1+ 53. Kd5 Rd1+ 54. Kc6 Rc1+ 55. Kd7 Rb1 56. Ke8 Kg7 57. Ke7 {é a mudança de trem para o lote. Rumo a vitória}) 52. Rf8 Rxb7 53. Rxf7+ Kc6 54. Rxb7 Kxb7 55. f4 $18 {novamente resulta em um final de peão ganho para as brancas:} exf4 56. gxf4 gxf4 57. Ke2 {-f3-xf4 usw.}) 51. Kd3 Rb3+ 52. Kc4 Rb1 53. Kc5 Rc1+ 54. Kd6 Rd1+ 55. Kc6 Rc1+ 56. Kd7 Rb1 57. Ke8 Kg7 ({ A primeira e bela imagem do mate é traçada} 57... Rb2 58. Kf8 Rb3 (58... Kg6 59. Ke7 Kg7 60. Kd6 {ver muito}) 59. Rc8 Rxb7 60. Rc6# {ab.}) 58. Ke7 Rb2 59. Kd6 Kf6 ({Para} 59... f6 {a transição para o final do peão vence de qualquer forma:} 60. Re8 (60. Rd8 Rxb7 61. Rd7+ Rxd7+ 62. Kxd7 Kh7 63. Kd6 $18) (60. Rc8 Rxb7 61. Rc7+ Rxc7 62. Kxc7 $18) 60... Rxb7 61. Re7+ Rxe7 62. Kxe7 $18 ) {Agora, no entanto, as brancas ganham de maneira espetacular, entregando um peão para atacar o rei preto} 60. f4 $1 exf4 ({Oder} 60... Rd2+ 61. Kc6 Rc2+ 62. Kd5 Rd2+ 63. Kc4 Rc2+ 64. Kd3 (64. Kb3) 64... Rb2 65. fxe5+ Kg7 66. Kc4 { e o rei se move para e7 e apóia a criação de outro peão passado com e6.}) 61. gxf4 gxf4 62. Rg8 $1 $18 {O ponto decisivo: a torre pode se libertar de sua posição passiva tomando as casas de escape na coluna-g do rei preto e ao mesmo tempo ameaçando e5 #.} Rb6+ 63. Kc7 Rxb7+ 64. Kxb7 f3 65. Kc6 {O motivo fosco acima mencionado reaparece e força o rei negro a aparecer.} Ke5 (65... f2 66. Kd6 f1=Q 67. e5#) 66. Re8+ Kf4 67. Kd5 f6 (67... Kxg4 68. Rf8 $18) 68. Rf8 1-0 [Event "Tata Steel-A 78th"] [Site "Wijk aan Zee"] [Date "2016.01.21"] [Round "5"] [White "Van Wely, Loek"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "D83"] [WhiteElo "2640"] [BlackElo "2844"] [Annotator "Stohl,I"] [PlyCount "78"] [EventDate "2016.01.16"] [EventType "tourn"] [EventRounds "13"] [EventCountry "NED"] [EventCategory "20"] [SourceTitle "CBM 171"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2016.03.14"] [SourceVersion "2"] [SourceVersionDate "2016.03.14"] [SourceQuality "1"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 {At the moment our game was played, Carlsen hasn't yet scored a full point. Going for the complex Grünfeld indicates his ambitions.} 4. Bf4 {On the other hand, van Wely responds with a solid system to minimise the risk.} ({After the analogous} 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bg5 ({For} 5. Qb3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 O-O 7. e4 a6 8. Be2 {see Navara's notes to Navara-Giri, Wijk 2016. }) 5... Ne4 6. Bf4 {Black recently came up with a novel sacrificial idea} O-O $5 ({The standard continuation is} 6... Nxc3 7. bxc3 dxc4 $11 ({or} 7... c5 $132)) 7. Nxd5 (7. e3 c5 8. cxd5 Bf5 $5 $146 (8... Nxc3 {- 6...Nxc3} 9. bxc3 Qxd5 {leads back to the main line.}) 9. Bc4 (9. Qb3 $142 $5 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Be4 12. Bc4 $13 {/+/=}) 9... cxd4 10. exd4 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Be4 12. O-O Bxd5 13. Bxd5 Qxd5 14. Qb3 Qd7 15. Rab1 b6 16. Ne5 Bxe5 17. Bxe5 Nc6 18. Bf4 Na5 19. Qd1 Rac8 20. Qf3 Qc6 $15 {Gelfand,B (2743)-Grischuk,A (2810) Beijing blitz 2014}) (7. cxd5 Nxc3 8. bxc3 Qxd5 9. e3 Qa5 10. Qd2 Nd7 11. Bd3 e5 12. Bg3 Re8 13. e4 b6 14. Rd1 Ba6 15. O-O exd4 16. cxd4 Qxd2 17. Rxd2 Bxd3 18. Rxd3 Rxe4 19. Bxc7 Rc8 20. Bg3 Re2 21. a3 Bf8 22. d5 Bc5 $15 {Wang,Y (2720) -Grischuk,A (2810) Beijing blitz 2014}) 7... c5 8. Bc7 $5 (8. Nc3 $6 Qa5 9. e3 Nc6 10. Rc1 g5 $1 (10... Rd8 11. d5 Nxc3 12. bxc3 Bxc3+ 13. Nd2 e6 14. e4 Nd4 15. Bd3 Bb2 16. Rb1 Qxa2 17. O-O a5 {Gelfand,B (2759)-Grischuk,A (2795) Sochi blitz 2014} 18. Bg5 Re8 19. e5 $1 $36) (10... cxd4 $5 11. exd4 Rd8 $36 { [%csl Rd4]}) 11. Be5 (11. Nxg5 Nxg5 12. d5 Ne4 $40) 11... Nxe5 12. dxe5 Nxc3 13. Rxc3 g4 $17) 8... Qd7 9. Be5 (9. Ne5 Qe8 10. Qc2 e6 11. Qxe4 exd5 $36 {/\} 12. Qxd5 Na6 {[%CAl Ra6c7,Ra6b4]}) 9... f6 10. Bf4 e6 $5 (10... cxd4 11. Qxd4 f5 $44) 11. Nc3 (11. Nc7 g5 $15) 11... f5 $32) 4... Bg7 5. e3 (5. Nf3 O-O 6. Rc1 {Black can play} Be6 $5 {here as well, trying to limit his opponent's options.} ({After the (once) main move} 6... dxc4 {Black must reckon with both} 7. e3 ({and} 7. e4)) {The sortie} 7. Ng5 $6 ({We will deal with the more circumspect} 7. e3 {below.}) {is risky due to White's lag in development:} 7... c5 $1 8. dxc5 (8. Nxe6 fxe6 9. e3 (9. dxc5 d4 10. Na4 Ne4 11. e3 Qa5+ 12. Ke2 Nc6 13. f3 d3+ 14. Qxd3 Rad8 15. b4 Qxb4 {0-1, Lomakin,V (2148)-Kovalev,D (2484) Mukachevo 2012}) 9... Nh5 $5 (9... Qa5 10. Be2 Ne4 11. O-O cxd4 12. Nxe4 dxe4 13. Bg4 $1 $13 (13. Bxb8 $2 Raxb8 14. exd4 Qxa2 15. Qc2 Bxd4 16. Qxe4 Qxb2 17. Rb1 Qc3 18. Qxe6+ Kh8 19. Bf3 Rxf3 20. gxf3 Qxf3 $40 {Stocek,J (2569) -Howell,D (2635) Istanbul olm 2012})) 10. Bxb8 Rxb8 11. Be2 cxd4 12. exd4 dxc4 (12... Nf4 $5) 13. Bxc4 Bxd4 14. O-O {Faghirnavaz,A (2284)-Darini,P (2540) Tabriz 2013} Qb6 $15) 8... d4 9. Nb5 Nc6 10. Nc7 Bf5 $1 11. Nxa8 e5 12. Bd2 e4 13. e3 (13. Qb3 Qe7 14. e3 d3 15. Nh3 Rxa8 16. Nf4 Rd8 17. h3 Ne5 18. Nd5 Qd7 19. Qb5 Nxd5 20. Qxd7 Rxd7 21. cxd5 Rxd5 $44 {|^, Socko,B (2629)-Negi,P (2661) Leiden 2012}) (13. b4 Qe7 14. Bf4 Rxa8 15. Bd6 Qd8 16. b5 e3 17. fxe3 dxe3 18. Qa4 Nd4 19. g3 Ne4 20. Nf3 Nxc5 $1 $19 {Perez Garcia,A (2273)-Csonka,B (2415) Gibraltar 2016}) 13... h6 (13... d3 $5) 14. Nh3 $6 (14. exd4 $5 hxg5 15. d5 $15 {/~~}) 14... Bxh3 15. gxh3 Ne5 $1 16. Bg2 Nd3+ 17. Kf1 Nxc1 18. Qxc1 d3 19. Bc3 Qe7 $2 (19... Re8 $1 $17 {[%csl Gd3,Ge4]}) 20. Nc7 $1 Qxc7 21. Bxf6 Bxf6 22. Bxe4 Rd8 23. Bd5 Qxc5 24. Qd1 $11 {Grischuk,A (2761)-Caruana,F (2770) Moscow 2012 For more details see the notes to this game in CBM 149 by Krasenkow.}) 5... O-O ({A solid alternative is} 5... c5 6. dxc5 Qa5 7. Rc1 dxc4 8. Bxc4 O-O 9. Nge2 ({The more usual} 9. Nf3 Qxc5 10. Bb3 Nc6 11. O-O Qa5 12. h3 Bf5 13. Qe2 Ne4 $11 {doesn't promise White an advantage, most of the lines here are analysed much deeper to almost forced draws. For more details see the notes to Aronian,L (2802)-Svidler,P (2755) Moscow 2011 in CBM 146.}) {Black can avoid the murky sacrificial line with} 9... Nc6 $5 (9... Qxc5 10. Qb3 Nc6 11. Nb5 Qh5 12. Ng3 Qh4 13. Nc7 e5 $13 (13... g5 $5)) 10. O-O (10. Qb3 Nd7 $11 (10... Ne4 $5)) 10... Qxc5 11. Nb5 Be6 12. Bd3 (12. Nc7 $2 Bxc4 13. Nxa8 Bxe2 14. Qxe2 Qa5 15. Nc7 e5 $17) 12... Qb4 13. Nc7 (13. a3 Qb3 14. Ned4 Nxd4 15. Nxd4 Qxd1 16. Rfxd1 Nd5 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. Rc2 Rac8 19. Rxc8 Rxc8 20. Rb1 Nxf4 21. exf4 Rd8 22. Bc4 Kf7 23. b3 Rd2 24. Re1 Bd4 $11 {Lysyj,I (2686)-Svidler,P (2743) Kazan 2014}) 13... Bxa2 14. Nxa8 Rxa8 15. Ra1 Be6 16. Qa4 Nd5 17. Bb5 Nxf4 18. Nxf4 Bb3 19. Qxb4 Nxb4 20. Rac1 a5 21. Rc7 a4 22. Rxb7 Bxb2 23. Be2 Na2 24. Bf3 Rd8 25. Nd5 e6 26. Rb1 a3 27. Rxb3 exd5 28. R3xb2 axb2 29. Rxb2 Nc3 $11 { Tomashevsky,E (2747)-Svidler,P (2739) Chita 2015/ However, we have already indicated Carlsen was not interested in symmetry and equality...}) 6. Rc1 (6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Nxd5 Qxd5 8. Bxc7 Na6 $1 9. Bxa6 Qxg2 10. Qf3 Qxf3 11. Nxf3 bxa6 { is considered innocuous:} 12. Rc1 f6 13. Rg1 Rf7 (13... Bb7 14. Ke2 Rf7 15. Rgd1 e6 16. Ne1 Rc8 17. Bg3 Rxc1 18. Rxc1 e5 19. dxe5 fxe5 20. Nd3 e4 21. Ne5 Bxe5 22. Bxe5 $14 {/=, Lysyj,I (2691)-Rodshtein,M (2654) Sochi 2015}) 14. Ke2 Bd7 15. Nd2 e5 16. d5 Bb5+ 17. Kf3 f5 18. b3 e4+ 19. Kg2 Bb2 20. Rc2 Bd3 21. Rc6 Bb5 22. Rc2 Bd3 23. Rc6 {1/2, Radjabov,T (2700)-Ivanchuk,V (2729) Morelia/ Linares 2006. See the notes to this game in CBM 112 by Krasenkow.}) ({The natural developing move is} 6. Nf3 {and now:} {After the common} c5 ({Even here Black can consider} 6... Be6 $5 {, but the knight move is more useful than Rc1 and he must reckon with} 7. Ng5 (7. Qb3 c5 8. Qxb7 Qb6 9. Qxb6 axb6 10. dxc5 bxc5 11. Ng5 Nc6 12. Nxe6 fxe6 13. Be2 d4 14. Nb5 e5 15. Bg3 e4 16. Nc7 Rab8 17. Nb5 Rb7 18. O-O d3 19. Bd1 Nh5 20. Bxh5 gxh5 $44 {Sakaev,K (2594) -Gelfand,B (2747) Jurmala 2015}) 7... Bf5 8. Qb3 c5 9. cxd5 (9. Qxb7 Nbd7 10. Be2 cxd4 11. exd4 dxc4 12. O-O Qb6 13. Qxb6 Nxb6 14. Be5 Rac8 15. Nb5 Bd7 16. a4 a6 17. Nc3 {Sanikidze,T (2549)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2682) Nancy rpd 2012} Nfd5 $11) 9... cxd4 10. exd4 Nbd7 11. Qxb7 Nb6 12. Bc7 Qc8 13. Qxc8 Raxc8 14. Bxb6 axb6 15. Ba6 Rcd8 16. Bc4 Bc8 17. Nf3 Bb7 18. Ke2 Nxd5 19. Nxd5 Bxd5 20. Bxd5 Rxd5 21. Rhd1 Rfd8 22. Rac1 g5 23. h3 h5 $44 {Simantsev,M (2454)-Rausis,I (2532) Teplice 2013}) 7. dxc5 {Black has a choice:} Ne4 $142 (7... Qa5 8. Rc1 Rd8 9. Qa4 Qxc5 10. b4 Qc6 11. Qa3 $5 dxc4 12. b5 Qb6 13. Bxc4 Be6 14. Bxe6 Qxe6 15. O-O $14 {Ivanchuk,V (2757)-Carlsen,M (2872) London ct 2013. See the notes to this game in CBM 154.}) (7... dxc4 8. Qxd8 $1 (8. Bxc4 Qa5 $11 { - 5...c5}) 8... Rxd8 9. Bxc4 $14) 8. Rc1 Nd7 $5 9. cxd5 Qa5 10. Nd4 (10. Qc2 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Nxc5 12. e4 Bd7 13. Bd2 Qa4 (13... Rac8 $5 {is the main choice in email games, Black scores well here:} 14. c4 Qb6 15. Be3 Ba4 16. Qxa4 Nxa4 17. Bxb6 axb6 18. Rc2 b5 19. Nd2 bxc4 20. Bxc4 b5 21. Bb3 Rxc2 22. Bxc2 Nc3 23. Bb3 Ra8 24. g3 Nxa2 $11 {Sciarretta,R (2141)-Rodriguez,K (2341) email 2013}) 14. Qxa4 Bxa4 15. e5 Bd7 16. Bf4 Bg4 17. Nd4 Rad8 18. f3 Bc8 19. d6 exd6 20. exd6 Rfe8+ 21. Kf2 Be5 22. Bxe5 Rxe5 23. Bc4 Rxd6 $11 {Prohaszka,P (2554)-Bok, B (2532) Stroebeck 2013}) 10... Nxc3 11. bxc3 Qxa2 12. c6 (12. Qb3 Qxb3 13. Nxb3 a5 14. c6 Nb6 $32 {=/+}) 12... Nc5 13. Be2 (13. c4 e5 $1 $40 {[%csl Re1]}) 13... Qxd5 14. Bf3 Qc4 15. Be2 Qd5 (15... Qa2 $5) 16. Bf3 Qc4 17. Be2 Qd5 { ½, Ivanchuk,V (2757)-Gelfand,B (2740) London ct 2013}) 6... Be6 7. cxd5 { Van Wely chooses the simplest continuation.} ({An ambitious alternative is} 7. c5 {and now:} {Possibly the best is the strategic retreat} Bc8 $5 (7... c6 8. Bd3 (8. b4 Nbd7 9. Bd3 Nh5 10. Nge2 (10. Bg5 $142 $5) 10... f6 $1 11. h4 Bf7 12. Bh2 {[%CAl Rg2g4]} f5 $1 {[%CAl Ye7e5]} 13. f4 $6 Nhf6 14. Bg3 Ng4 15. Qd2 Ndf6 16. Nd1 Ne4 17. Bxe4 dxe4 18. a4 b6 19. h5 gxh5 20. Bh4 Bf6 21. Bxf6 Nxf6 22. Nf2 Kh8 23. O-O Rg8 $40 {Ivanchuk,V (2731)-Grischuk,A (2785) Elancourt 2013 }) (8. h3 {[%CAl Yg1f3] frees a square for the Bf4 and prepares Nf3 without allowing Bg4:} {Black seems fine after} Ne4 (8... b6 9. b4 Ne4 10. Bd3 a5 11. Na4 (11. b5 $142 $5 Nxc3 12. Rxc3 bxc5 13. Rxc5 $11 {/+/=}) 11... Nd7 12. f3 b5 $5 13. fxe4 bxa4 14. b5 dxe4 15. Bxe4 cxb5 16. Nf3 Bxa2 17. Qe2 Bc4 18. Rxc4 bxc4 19. Qxc4 Ra7 20. O-O e5 21. Bg5 Bf6 {Jumabayev,R (2525)-So,W (2652) Istanbul olm 2012} 22. Bh6 Bg7 23. Bg5 Bf6 $11) 9. Bd3 Bf5 $5 $13) 8... Bg4 9. Nge2 (9. f3 Bc8 10. Nge2 Nbd7 11. O-O e5 12. Bg5 Qc7 13. b4 Re8 14. Qd2 Nf8 15. Bh4 Nh5 16. g4 Nf6 17. Bg3 N8d7 18. Kg2 Qd8 19. h3 h5 $13 {Kovalenko,I (2637) -Kulaots,K (2568) Vilnius 2014}) (9. Qc2 Nfd7 10. Bxb8 $6 Nxb8 $1 11. h3 Bc8 12. f4 b6 13. Na4 e5 $1 14. dxe5 f6 15. exf6 Qxf6 16. Nf3 Qe7 17. Kf2 b5 18. Nc3 Na6 19. Qd2 Nxc5 20. Bb1 Kh8 21. b4 Nb7 22. Ne2 Nd6 $17 {Wang,Y (2736) -Carlsen,M (2772) Nanjing 2009}) 9... Re8 (9... Bxe2 10. Bxe2 Nbd7 {Spalir,J (2325)-Rogulj,B (2402) Hum na Sutli 2015} 11. Bg3 Re8 12. f4 $1 {() Wojtaszek}) 10. f3 Bc8 11. O-O Nbd7 12. Bg5 e5 13. b4 Nf8 14. Bh4 Bh6 $2 (14... exd4 15. exd4 Bd7 16. b5 Qa5 $132 {Wojtaszek}) 15. f4 e4 16. Bc2 Bg7 17. b5 Bd7 18. Ba4 Qc8 19. h3 Nh5 20. Rb1 f5 21. Qb3 Bf6 22. Bxf6 Nxf6 23. bxc6 bxc6 24. Qb7 $16 { Wojtaszek,R (2733)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2731) Biel 2015. See the notes to this game by Wojtaszek in CBM 168.}) (7... Nh5 8. Bg5 b6 9. b4 a5 10. b5 bxc5 11. dxc5 h6 12. Bh4 c6 13. Nf3 a4 14. Nd4 Bd7 15. Be2 g5 16. Bxh5 gxh4 17. Bf3 e6 18. O-O cxb5 19. Ncxb5 Ra5 20. Be2 Bxb5 21. Nxb5 Nc6 $13 {Buhmann,R (2613) -Rambaldi,F (2517) Vienna 2015}) 8. Bd3 c6 9. Bg5 (9. h3 Nfd7 $1 10. Nf3 e5 11. dxe5 ({White still wants to fight for an edge, but a more circumspect try was} 11. Nxe5 Nxe5 12. Bxe5 Bxe5 13. dxe5 Nd7 14. O-O Nxe5 $11) 11... Nxc5 12. Bb1 ( 12. O-O Nxd3 (12... Nbd7 $5) 13. Qxd3 Bf5 14. Qe2 Nd7 $11) (12. Be2 $5) 12... Nbd7 13. b4 (13. O-O Qb6 14. Qc2 Re8 15. Rfd1 a5 $5 {[%csl Re5]}) 13... Ne6 14. O-O (14. Bg3 Ng5 $15) 14... Nxf4 15. exf4 Nb6 16. Qd4 (16. Re1 a5 $5 $13 {/=/+} ) 16... f6 17. b5 Nc4 (17... fxe5 $142 $1 18. Nxe5 (18. fxe5 $2 Rxf3 19. gxf3 Qg5+) 18... Nc4 $36) 18. bxc6 bxc6 19. Bd3 fxe5 20. Nxe5 $6 (20. fxe5 Rxf3 21. Bxc4 $13 {/\} Bxh3 22. Nxd5 Qg5 23. Nf4+ $11) 20... Bxe5 $1 21. fxe5 Nd2 22. Rfd1 Qg5 23. Qe3 $1 (23. Kh2 $2 Bxh3 $1 24. Kxh3 Nf3 $1 25. gxf3 Rxf3+ 26. Kh2 Raf8 $19) 23... Nf3+ 24. Kh1 Qxe3 25. fxe3 Nxe5 $15 {Gelfand,B (2759)-Grischuk, A (2795) Moscow 2014/ See the notes to this important game in CBM 164 by Krasenkow.}) (9. Nf3 Bg4 $11) (9. b4 $5 b6 (9... Nfd7 10. Nf3 e5 $5 11. dxe5 Re8 $11) 10. Nge2 Nfd7 11. O-O e5 12. Bg3 a5 13. b5 bxc5 14. bxc6 Nxc6 15. Nxd5 Nb4 16. Be4 $36 {Karner,C (2339)-Kreisl,R (2408) Austria 2014}) 9... Re8 (9... Nfd7 10. f4 {Kovalenko,I (2653)-Grigoriants,S (2570) Wroclaw blitz 2014} (10. Nge2 $142 {Wojtaszek}) 10... f6 11. Bh4 e5 $1 12. fxe5 Qe8 $36) (9... b6 10. b4 a5 11. b5 bxc5 12. dxc5 Nbd7 13. bxc6 Nxc5 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Be2 Bxc3+ 16. Rxc3 Ne4 17. Rc2 a4 18. f3 Qa5+ 19. Kf1 Nf6 20. g4 Ba6 21. Kf2 Rfc8 22. Qd4 Rab8 23. Qa7 Rb6 24. g5 Ne8 25. Nh3 Rc7 26. Qa8 Rc8 {½, Duda,J (2663)-Bok,B (2594) Doha 2015}) 10. f4 Bf5 11. Bxf5 gxf5 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. Qh5 e6 14. Nf3 Nd7 15. g4 fxg4 16. Rg1 Kh8 17. Rxg4 Rg8 18. Rg3 Qe7 19. Ke2 $6 (19. e4 $5) 19... Rg6 20. Rxg6 fxg6 21. Qg4 b6 22. b4 a5 $132 {Wojtaszek,R (2734)-Vovk,Y (2617) Berlin blitz 2015}) (7. Nf3 c5 ({Another good way is} 7... dxc4 8. Ng5 Bd5 9. e4 h6 10. exd5 hxg5 11. Bxg5 Nxd5 12. Bxc4 Nb6 13. Bb3 Nc6 14. Ne2 a5 $1 $11 { , this line has already been known for about 15 years.}) 8. dxc5 (8. cxd5 $5 { is rare, but the engines seem to like it:} Nxd5 9. Nxd5 Qxd5 10. Bc4 Qd7 11. Bxe6 Qxe6 12. Rxc5 Qxa2 13. Bxb8 (13. O-O $142 $5 Qxb2 14. Qd3 $36) 13... Rfxb8 14. Qc2 b6 15. Rc4 b5 16. Rc7 a5 17. O-O a4 18. Ne5 Bxe5 19. dxe5 b4 20. Rxe7 Re8 $44 {Lefebvre,H (2286)-Wirig,A (2490) Cappelle-la-Grande 2013}) 8... Nc6 9. Be2 (9. Ng5 Bg4 10. f3 e5 $5 11. cxd5 exf4 12. dxc6 Qe7 {and Black holds his own in the complications:} 13. fxg4 Qxe3+ 14. Be2 Nxg4 15. Nh3 Rad8 16. Qc2 Qe7 $1 17. O-O Qxc5+ 18. Kh1 Ne3 $132) 9... Ne4 10. Nd4 (10. O-O Bxc3 $1 (10... Nxc3 11. bxc3 dxc4 12. Ng5 $14) 11. bxc3 dxc4 12. Nd4 Qd7 $1 (12... Nxc5 $143 13. Bh6 Re8 14. Nxe6 Nxe6 15. Bxc4 Qxd1 16. Rfxd1 $14 {Keres,P-Kavalek,L Marianske Lazne 1965}) 13. Nxe6 Qxe6 14. Qa4 Ne5 15. Qb5 (15. c6 $5 $11) 15... Nd3 $1 ({This is more concrete than} 15... a6 $5) 16. Bxd3 cxd3 17. Qxd3 $6 ( 17. f3 d2 18. Rc2 Rad8 19. Rd1 g5 $1 $15) 17... Nxc5 18. Qd4 Rfc8 19. c4 f6 20. Rfd1 Rc6 21. h3 Rac8 22. Qd5 Kf7 $15 {[%csl Rc4] /-/+, Miralles,G (2472) -Dominguez Perez,L (2753) Rhodes 2013}) 10... Nxd4 11. exd4 Nxc3 12. bxc3 dxc4 13. O-O Bd5 14. Bf3 Qd7 15. Re1 Rfe8 16. Rb1 b6 17. cxb6 axb6 18. Rxb6 Rxa2 19. Bxd5 Qxd5 20. Qf3 Qa5 $5 21. Rbb1 Bf6 22. Qc6 Qa4 23. Qxa4 Rxa4 24. g4 Ra5 25. Rb7 Rc8 26. Kg2 h5 27. h3 Kg7 28. Re3 Rc6 29. Bg3 hxg4 30. hxg4 g5 $11 { L'Ami,E (2606)-Mamedyarov,S (2721) Novi Sad 2009}) (7. Qb3 c5 $1 8. Qxb7 Qb6 9. Qxb6 axb6 $32 {It's practically impossible to finish development and retain the extra material:} 10. Nf3 Nc6 (10... dxc4 11. dxc5 bxc5 12. Ng5 Bd5 13. Nxd5 Nxd5 14. Bxc4 Nxf4 15. exf4 Bxb2 16. Rc2 Bf6 17. O-O Nc6 18. Bd5 Nb4 19. Rxc5 Nxd5 20. Rxd5 Rxa2 {Ding,L (2574)-Le,Q (2681) Manila 2010}) 11. dxc5 bxc5 12. cxd5 Nxd5 13. Nxd5 Bxd5 14. Rxc5 e6 15. Bc4 Bxc4 16. Rxc4 Rxa2 17. O-O Na5 18. Rc5 Nb7 19. Rc7 Rxb2 20. g4 Rb5 21. Kg2 h6 $11 {Malakhov,V (2714)-Svidler,P (2730) Olginka 2011 White's more active pieces give him only a symbolic edge, a draw was agreed shortly.}) 7... Nxd5 8. Nxd5 Bxd5 (8... Qxd5 {is played more often, but leads to a rather boring position Magnus definitely wanted to avoid: } 9. b3 (9. a3 Qa5+ 10. Qd2 Qxd2+ 11. Kxd2 c6 12. Bc4 Bxc4 13. Rxc4 Nd7 14. Nf3 Rfd8 15. Ke2 Nb6 16. Rc2 Rd5 17. g4 Rb5 18. Be5 Nd7 19. Bxg7 Kxg7 20. h3 Re8 { 1/2, Pelletier,Y (2577)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2758) Saint-Quentin 2014}) 9... Qa5+ (9... c6 10. Nf3 Nd7 11. Qd2 Nb6 12. Be2 Rfc8 13. Ng5 Rd8 14. O-O Bf5 15. Bc7 Rf8 16. Bg3 Rfd8 17. Bc7 Rf8 18. Rfd1 Qd7 19. Bg3 Rfd8 20. Qa5 Bg4 21. Nf3 Qe8 22. h3 Be6 {Dominguez Perez,L (2746)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2720) Havana 2015} 23. e4 $36) (9... Nd7 $5 {[%CAl Yc7c5]} 10. Bxc7 Rac8 11. Ne2 Rxc7 12. Rxc7 Qa5+ 13. Rc3 Nf6 14. b4 Qxb4 15. Qc1 Bxa2 16. Qa3 Nd5 17. Qxb4 Nxb4 18. Kd2 Bd5 19. f4 Rd8 20. Rg1 e6 21. g4 a5 $13 {Basso,P (2428)-Boruchovsky,A (2536) Douglas 2015}) 10. Qd2 Qxd2+ 11. Kxd2 c6 12. Nf3 Nd7 (12... Bd5 $5 13. Bd3 (13. Bc4 Bxf3 14. gxf3 e6 15. Ke2 Nd7 16. Bd6 Rfe8 17. f4 Bf8 18. Bxf8 Kxf8 19. Bd3 Ke7 20. Rc2 Nb6 21. a3 Red8 $11 {Basso,P (2438)-Li,D (2389) Doha 2015}) 13... Bxf3 14. gxf3 Nd7 15. Bg5 Rfe8 16. Ke2 Nb6 17. f4 e6 18. Rhd1 a5 19. a4 Nd5 20. f3 Bf8 21. Bh4 Bb4 22. Be1 Bxe1 23. Rxe1 Red8 $11 {Ju,W (2547)-Ding,Y (2435) Taizhou 2015}) 13. Bd3 Nf6 14. Be5 Bd5 15. Ke2 Rfd8 16. Rhd1 a5 17. Bc4 $11 { /+/=} a4 18. b4 Ne4 19. Bxg7 Kxg7 20. Ne5 e6 21. Bd3 Nd6 22. Bb1 Bxg2 23. f3 Bh3 24. Rg1 f6 25. Nd3 e5 26. dxe5 fxe5 27. Nxe5 Be6 28. h4 Kf6 29. Nd3 Nc4 30. Rc3 {Dreev,A (2644)-Bok,B (2607) Wijk aan Zee-B 2016} a3 $5 $132) 9. Bxc7 { Consistent.} (9. Nf3 $143 c6 10. a3 Bxf3 $5 11. gxf3 Nd7 12. Bc4 c5 $1 13. dxc5 Bxb2 14. Rc2 Be5 15. Bxe5 Nxe5 16. Qxd8 Rfxd8 17. Ke2 Rac8 18. Rhc1 Rc7 19. f4 Nc6 20. h4 e6 21. h5 Na5 22. hxg6 hxg6 $15 {Mahmud,S (2315)-Li,C (2710) Jakarta 2011/ While objectively this endgame is probably tenable for White, his inferior pawn structure forces him to tread with care.}) 9... Qd7 10. Bg3 Bxa2 $146 {[%mdl 8] A novelty. While the text move seems to give White a slight pull (in the middlegame a central pawn is worth more, than the Pa2) , it leads to a double-edged fight, which is exactly what Black was trying to achieve.} ({Carlsen immediately regains the sacrificed pawn rather than seek compensation after} 10... Nc6 11. Ne2 e5 (11... Rac8 12. Nc3 Rfd8 13. a3 Qe6 14. Nxd5 Qxd5 15. Be2 Qxg2 16. Bf3 Qh3 17. Bg4 Qg2 18. Bf3 Qh3 {½, Aupi Royo, J (2378)-Mercadal Benejam,J (2359) email 2013}) 12. dxe5 Nxe5 13. Nc3 Rac8 14. e4 Be6 15. Qxd7 Nxd7 16. Be2 Nc5 17. O-O Bxc3 18. Rxc3 Nxe4 19. Rxc8 Rxc8 20. Bf4 Bxa2 21. Ra1 Bc4 22. Bxc4 Rxc4 23. Rxa7 Nc5 24. Be3 Kg7 25. h3 h5 26. Ra5 Ne6 27. Rb5 Rc7 $11 {Sjugirov,S (2678)-Navara,D (2735) Jerusalem 2015}) 11. Ne2 {The best, White simply continues his development.} ({The offside Ba2 can't be trapped:} 11. b3 Qd5 {[%csl Rb3]} 12. Bc4 Qxg2 13. Qf3 Qxf3 14. Nxf3 Nc6 $15 { /\} 15. Ra1 Nb4) 11... Bd5 {Black retains the bishop, but loses time.} ({ An interesting try was} 11... Nc6 12. Nc3 Qe6 $5 (12... Be6 13. Bd3 Rac8 14. O-O $14) 13. Be2 (13. Nxa2 Qxa2 $132) 13... Bb3 14. Qd3 Rfd8 15. O-O a6 $132 { /+/=}) 12. Nc3 Bc6 13. h4 $5 {Van Wely got ambitious, but he started spending a lot a time, which backfires later on. Carlsen was suprised by White's choice, although the text move is fine, a more modest alternative is} (13. f3 a5 14. Bc4 b5 15. Be2 $13 {/+/=}) 13... Rd8 ({Komodo prefers} 13... a5 $5 14. h5 Na6 $13) 14. Qb3 Qf5 ({After} 14... Na6 {[%CAl Ye7e5] White could change his mind with} 15. Bc4 e6 16. O-O $14) 15. h5 e6 ({After} 15... Na6 {the N has nowhere to go, but the engine prefers}) (15... a5 $142 $5 {[%CAl Yb8a6,Ya6b4]}) 16. hxg6 hxg6 17. Qd1 {Rather slow.} ({A more energetic way was} 17. Nb5 $5 Na6 ( 17... Nd7 18. Bd3 $5 (18. Bc7 Rf8 19. Nd6 Qg5 20. Nxb7 Bxg2 21. Rg1 Qd5 (21... Bd5 22. Rxg5 Bxb3 23. Ra5 $16) 22. Qxd5 Bxd5 23. Nd6 $14 {[%csl Gc7,Gd6]}) 18... Qg5 19. Nc7 Bxg2 (19... Rac8 20. Nxe6 Qa5+ 21. Ke2 Bd5 22. Nxd8 Rxc1 23. Nxb7 Bxb3 24. Nxa5 Rxh1 25. Nxb3 $36) 20. Rh2 Bd5 21. Nxd5 Qxd5 22. Qxd5 exd5 23. Rc7 $36) (17... Bd5 18. Qa3 Nc6 19. Nd6 Qg4 20. Nxb7 Nxd4 21. Nxd8 Bxg2 22. exd4 Bxh1 23. Qe7 $16) 18. Nd6 Qa5+ 19. Qc3 Nb4 20. Nc4 $14) 17... Nd7 $6 { This natural reaction could have led to problems.} (17... Qa5 $142 {White can proceed with his kingside play and this results in some very complex computer lines:} 18. Qg4 Nd7 19. Qh4 (19. Qh3 e5 $5 $13) 19... e5 $5 (19... Nf6 20. Be5 Nh5 21. f4 Qb4 22. Rc2 f6 23. Bd3 Be8 24. Qg4 fxe5 25. fxe5 Rd5 26. Be4 (26. Bxg6 Rxe5 27. O-O Ng3 $132) 26... Rxd4 27. exd4 Qxd4 28. Ne2 Qxe5 29. Bxg6 Nf6 30. Qf4 $14) 20. dxe5 Qb6 $5 (20... Nxe5 21. Bf4 $1 Nd3+ 22. Bxd3 Rxd3 23. Qh7+ Kf8 24. Bh6 Bxh6 25. Qxh6+ Ke7 $14 {/~~}) 21. e6 (21. Qh7+ Kf8 22. Bf4 Qxb2 23. e4 Bxe5 24. Rh3 {[%CAl Rf1c4]} b5 25. Qh6+ Ke7 26. Qg5+ Bf6 27. Nd5+ Bxd5 28. Qxd5 Rac8 $132) 21... fxe6 22. b4 (22. Bc4 Bxg2 23. Qh7+ Kf8 24. Qxg6 {[%CAl Rc4e6]} Nf6 $1 25. b4 Bxh1 26. Be5 Rd7 27. Bxf6 Bf3 28. Bxg7+ Rxg7 29. Qf6+ Rf7 30. Qh8+ Ke7 31. Qh4+ (31. Qxa8 $2 Rf8) 31... Rf6 32. Qh7+ $11) 22... Rac8 23. Qh7+ Kf8 (23... Kf7 $2 24. Rh4 $1) 24. Bd6+ Kf7 25. Bd3 Nf8 $13) 18. Bd3 $6 ( 18. b4 $1 {[%csl Ra5][%CAl Yb4b5] takes away a5 from the queen and also threatens b5:} a6 19. Bd3 Qg5 20. Ne4 Qd5 21. f3 Qa2 22. O-O $36 {/\} e5 23. Bc4 Qa3 24. Nd6) 18... Qa5 19. Kf1 Nf6 (19... e5 20. d5 $1 Nc5 $8 (20... Bxd5 $2 21. b4 $18) 21. Be2 $14) 20. Be5 Rac8 ({Carlsen avoids the trap - the natural} 20... Nd5 $2 {runs into} 21. Bxg6 $1 fxg6 22. Qg4 Rd7 (22... Nxc3 23. Qxe6+ Kf8 24. Bxg7+ Kxg7 25. Qe7+ Kg8 26. bxc3 $18) (22... Be8 23. Bxg7 Kxg7 24. Qg5 $18) 23. Qxg6 Nxc3 24. bxc3 $16 {White risks nothing here and has a strong attack.}) 21. Qd2 {Now Black fully consolidates his setup.} ({A more useful move was} 21. Kg1 $142 Qb4 $5 (21... Nd5 $2 {still fails to} 22. Bxg6 ( 22. Ne4 Bxe5 23. dxe5 Nxe3 $1 24. fxe3 Qxe5 $44) 22... fxg6 23. Qg4 Be8 24. Qh4 $1 (24. Bxg7 Nxc3 25. Rh8+ (25. Be5 $2 Ne2+) 25... Kxg7 26. Qh4 Ne2+ 27. Kh2 Bc6 28. Rh7+ Kg8 29. Rh8+ $11) 24... Rd7 25. Rh3 $18) 22. Rc2 Qe7 $13) 21... Ng4 (21... Ne4 22. Bxe4 (22. Nxe4 Qxd2 23. Nxd2 Bxe5 $11) 22... Bxe5 23. Bxc6 bxc6 $5 $11) (21... Nh5 $5 22. Bxg7 Kxg7 $11 {[%CAl Yd8h8,Ya5g5] /=/+ was even more accurate.}) 22. Bxg7 Kxg7 23. f3 Qg5 $6 {[%mdl 512] Carlsen fully realised that this sacrifice is not quite correct, but it's difficult to handle with time running out.} (23... Nf6 24. e4 (24. Kf2 Rh8 25. Ra1 Qg5 $1) 24... Rh8 (24... Nh5 25. d5 Ng3+ (25... exd5 $2 26. Rxh5 gxh5 27. Qg5+ Kf8 28. exd5 Bxd5 29. Re1 $1 $18) 26. Kf2 Nxh1+ 27. Rxh1 Qc5+ 28. Kg3 Qd6+ 29. Kf2 exd5 30. Qh6+ Kf6 31. Qh4+ Kg7 $11) 25. Kf2 Qb4 26. Be2 Rcd8 $11 {leads to a roughly equal position, in which Black's chances to trick his opponent are minimal.}) 24. fxg4 $8 (24. Ke2 Nf6 25. Rcg1 e5 $36) 24... Rxd4 25. Ke1 ({ Also after} 25. Rc2 $5 Rxg4 26. e4 Qf6+ (26... Qxd2 27. Rxd2 Rd8 28. Ke1 Rg3 29. Rh3) 27. Ke1 $16 {Black doesn't have full compensation.}) 25... Qe5 { An attempt to keep more tension.} (25... Rxg4 $5 26. Ne4 Qe7 27. Rc4 Rd8 28. Qc3+ e5 29. Rh2 $14 {/+/-}) 26. Ne2 (26. Kd1 $5 Rxg4 27. e4 $16 {[%CAl Yd1c2, Yc2b1,Rd2h6]}) 26... Rxg4 27. e4 $1 Rxg2 $2 (27... g5 28. Qb4 Rxg2 29. Rc5 Qf6 30. Rf1 Qh6 31. Qd4+ (31. Rxc6 bxc6 32. Rxf7+ Kxf7 33. Qb7+ Kf6 34. Qxc8 Qh4+ 35. Kd1 Qf2 $14) 31... Kg8 32. Qe3 $36) (27... Rg5 $5 $14) 28. Qh6+ Kf6 29. Rc3 $2 $138 {[%mdl 8192] He misses an outright win. Unfortunately for Loek, this won't be his last blunder...} (29. Qh4+ g5 (29... Qg5 30. e5+ Kg7 (30... Kxe5 31. Qd4#) 31. Qh7+ Kf8 32. Qh8+ Ke7 33. Qxc8 $18) (29... Rg5 30. Rg1 $18 { [%CAl Rg1g5,Re4e5]}) 30. Qh3 {[%csl Rg2]} Rxe2+ (30... Rd8 31. Qxg2 Rxd3 32. Qf2+ Kg7 33. Rc5 $18) 31. Bxe2 $18 {and White should gradually convert his extra rook.}) 29... Rd8 30. Qh3 {The moment and the advantage are gone and White has to fight on in a very unclear position with almost no time left.} ( 30. Qh7 Ke7 $13) (30. Qh4+ Qg5 $5 (30... g5 31. Qh3 Bxe4 32. Bxe4 Rxe2+ (32... Qxe4 $2 33. Rf3+ $18) 33. Kxe2 Qxe4+ 34. Re3 Qc4+ 35. Ke1 Qc1+ 36. Kf2 Rd2+ 37. Re2 Rxe2+ 38. Kxe2 Qxb2+ 39. Kf3 Ke7 $14 {/=}) 31. e5+ (31. Qxg5+ Kxg5 $13) 31... Kxe5 (31... Ke7 $4 32. Qb4+ $18) 32. Rc5+ Bd5 33. Qd4+ Kd6 34. Rh7 b6 35. Rc2 e5 $13) 30... Qg5 $13 (30... Rg5 $6 31. Qh4) 31. Rf1+ Kg7 32. Qf3 Rd7 33. Rf2 Rg4 (33... Rxf2 34. Qxf2 Qa5 $11 {is playable, but Black naturally wants to keep pieces on the board.}) 34. Nf4 $6 {White had better moves:} (34. Nd4 { /\} e5 (34... Qh4 35. Nxc6 bxc6 36. e5 $132) 35. Ne6+ fxe6 36. Qf8+ Kh7 37. Rf7+ Rxf7 38. Qxf7+ Kh6 39. Qf8+ Kh7 (39... Kh5 $4 40. Be2 $18) 40. Qf7+ $11) ( 34. Rh2 Rh4 35. Rxh4 Qxh4+ 36. Qg3 $11) 34... Qh4 $36 {[%csl Re4][%CAl Ye6e5]} 35. Be2 $2 (35. Ng2 Qh1+ 36. Ke2 Rxe4+ $1 (36... f5 37. Ne3 Qxf3+ 38. Rxf3 Rh4 39. Ng2 Rh2 40. Rf2 $132) 37. Bxe4 Qd1+ 38. Ke3 Qd4+ 39. Kf4 Bxe4 40. Qe3 Bxg2+ 41. Qxd4+ Rxd4+ 42. Ke3 Re4+ 43. Kd2 Rg4 44. Rc7 Bd5 45. Rfxf7+ Kh6 $15 {/-/+}) 35... Rg1+ 36. Bf1 Kg8 $6 (36... e5 $142 37. Nd5 (37. Nh3 Rg4 $19 {[%csl Re4]}) 37... f5 $1 $19) 37. Ne2 $2 ({The final error; he had to play} 37. Ng2 Qxe4+ 38. Qxe4 Bxe4 39. Ne3 $17 {Although Black has excellent winning chances, he must still work for the full point.}) 37... Rxf1+ $1 38. Kxf1 Rd1+ 39. Kg2 Bxe4 $19 {[%csl Rf3]} 0-1 [Event "FIDE Candidates"] [Site "London"] [Date "2013.03.20"] [Round "5"] [White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D93"] [WhiteElo "2757"] [BlackElo "2872"] [Annotator "Stohl,I"] [PlyCount "113"] [EventDate "2013.03.15"] [EventType "tourn"] [EventRounds "14"] [EventCountry "ENG"] [EventCategory "22"] [SourceTitle "CBM 154"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2013.05.15"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"] [SourceQuality "1"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 ({Easily the most sensational try to dent the Grünfeld in London was} 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. h4 $5 {by Grischuk. Morozevich played this flank sortie in blitz last year, but Carlsen could have hardly expected it and reacted cautiously with} c6 ({In a later game Black already played the more active and straightforward} 5... c5 6. dxc5 Na6 $5 $146 7. h5 O-O 8. hxg6 fxg6 9. Bh6 Bxh6 10. Rxh6 dxc4 11. Rh4 Nxc5 12. Rxc4 b6 13. b4 Qxd1+ 14. Rxd1 Ba6 15. e3 Ncd7 16. Rcd4 Bxf1 17. Kxf1 Rfc8 18. Ne2 Nf8 19. Nf4 Rc2 20. a4 Rac8 21. b5 Ra2 $11 {Morozevich,A (2758)-Mamedyarov,S (2766)/Zug/ 2013/}) 6. Bg5 O-O 7. Bxf6 Bxf6 8. h5 Bf5 9. e3 e6 10. hxg6 Bxg6 11. Bd3 Nd7 12. Qe2 e5 13. Bxg6 hxg6 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. cxd5 cxd5 16. Rd1 Qa5 17. Kf1 Rad8 18. Nd4 Qc5 19. Nb3 Qc6 20. Na5 Qc7 21. Nb3 Qc6 22. Na5 $11 {1/2, Grischuk,A (2764)-Carlsen,M (2872)/London Candidates/2013/}) 4... Bg7 5. Nf3 ({Carlsen would undoubtedly welcome a repetition of his previous Grünfeld encounter with Ivanchuk, when Black easily solved his opening problems and even got a slight edge after} 5. e3 c5 6. dxc5 Qa5 7. Qb3 Na6 $5 8. cxd5 Nxc5 9. Qb5+ Qxb5 10. Bxb5+ Bd7 11. Rd1 Nh5 12. Bxd7+ Kxd7 13. Bg3 b5 14. d6 e6 15. Nf3 b4 16. Nb5 Nxg3 17. hxg3 Rab8 18. Nbd4 h5 19. Rh4 f5 20. Ne2 e5 21. Rc4 Rhc8 22. Kf1 Ne4 23. Rc7+ Rxc7 24. dxc7+ Kxc7 25. Nd2 Nxd2+ 26. Rxd2 a5 $11 {/=/+, Ivanchuk,V (2775)-Carlsen,M (2826)/Moscow/2011/ For more details see the notes to this game in CBM 146 by Ramirez Alvarez.}) 5... O-O 6. e3 c5 7. dxc5 Qa5 {The text move is the main continuation.} ({In round 11 we had the less usual} 7... Ne4 8. Rc1 {with the recent twist} Nd7 $5 ({The older move is} 8... Nxc3) 9. cxd5 Qa5 10. Nd4 Nxc3 $5 (10... Ndxc5 11. Bc4 (11. Qc2 Bf5 $5 12. Nxf5 gxf5 $44) 11... Nxc3 12. bxc3 e5 13. dxe6 Bxe6 14. Bxe6 Nxe6 15. Nxe6 Bxc3+ 16. Kf1 fxe6 17. Qb3 Qa6+ 18. Kg1 Bf6 19. h3 Rad8 20. Kh2 Rd2 21. Rc2 Rxc2 22. Qxc2 Qc6 23. Qxc6 bxc6 24. Rc1 Rc8 25. Bd6 Kf7 $11 {/+/=, Gustafsson,J (2633)-Safarli,E (2630)/Porto Carras/2011/ The endgame is somewhat unpleasant for Black due to his split pawns, but he managed to hold it rather easily.}) 11. bxc3 Qxa2 12. c6 (12. Qb3 Qxb3 13. Nxb3 a5 14. c6 Nf6 15. d6 bxc6 16. dxe7 Re8 17. Nd4 Bd7 18. Bd6 Ne4 19. Ba3 c5 20. Bd3 Rxe7 21. Bxe4 Rxe4 22. Bxc5 Rc8 23. Ba3 f5 $44 { Fridman,D (2655)-Kramnik,V (2799)/Dortmund/2012/ Black drew with ease, his bishops give him full compensation.}) 12... Nc5 13. Be2 (13. c4 $6 {Somogyi,I (2290)-Kun,S (2295)/HUN-chT/1992/} e5 $1 14. dxe6 fxe6 $32 {|^} (14... Qa5+ $5 $40)) 13... Qxd5 14. Bf3 Qc4 15. Be2 Qd5 (15... Qa2 $5 $13 {is an interesting attempt to avoid an immediate draw}) 16. Bf3 Qc4 17. Be2 Qd5 {1/2, Ivanchuk,V (2757)-Gelfand,B (2740)/London Candidates/2013/}) 8. Rc1 Rd8 {Carlsen chooses a rare line, spoiling for a fight. Possibly he wanted to surprise his opponent, who had problems with time management in London. However, Black will soon come under pressure.} ({There has been some recent development in another sideline} 8... Ne4 {Perhaps more testing is} 9. cxd5 (9. Be5 Bxe5 (9... Nxc3 $143 $6 10. Bxc3 Bxc3+ 11. Rxc3 $16 Qxa2 12. Qc1 Qa5 13. cxd5 Nd7 14. Nd2 Rd8 15. Be2 f5 16. f3 Nf6 17. e4 fxe4 18. fxe4 $18 {Korotylev,A (2574)-Tilicheev,V (2366)/ Moscow/2012/}) 10. Nxe5 Nc6 $1 ({This is the new twist.} 10... Nxc3 $2 { is hopeless:} 11. Rxc3 Qxa2 12. Qc1 {[%CAl Rc3a3]} Qa4 13. b3 Qa5 14. cxd5 Nd7 15. Nxd7 Bxd7 16. f3 Rfc8 17. Kf2 Qb4 18. Be2 $16 {Novikov,I (2490)-Epishin,V (2350)/Minsk/1986/}) 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. cxd5 {is critical:} (12. a3 Rb8 13. Qa4 Qxc5 14. b4 Nxc3 (14... Qd6 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. Be2 c5 17. O-O cxb4 18. c5 Qe5 19. axb4 Qb2 20. Rfe1 Rxb4 {Simantsev,M (2549)-Misailovic,N (2301)/Kraljevo/ 2011/} 21. Qa5 $1 $36 {[%csl Gc5]}) 15. Rxc3 Qb6 16. c5 $6 (16. cxd5 cxd5 17. Rc6 Qb7 18. Ba6 Qa8 19. Rc7 d4 $132) 16... Qc7 17. Bd3 Qe5 18. Rc1 d4 19. O-O dxe3 $15 {Docx,S (2426)-Kanep,M (2512)/Caleta/2013/}) 12... Nxc3 13. Qd2 { , but Black has} Rb8 $1 14. Qxc3 (14. Rxc3 Rd8 15. d6 (15. Bc4 cxd5 16. Bb3 Ba6 $44) 15... Qxa2 16. dxe7 Re8 $44) 14... Qxa2 (14... Qxc3+ 15. bxc3 cxd5 16. c4 Be6 $11) 15. Bc4 Qxb2 16. Qxb2 Rxb2 17. dxc6 Be6 $11) 9... Nxc3 10. Qd2 Qxa2 11. bxc3 (11. Rxc3 $5 Bxc3 12. Qxc3 Nd7 $5 $13) 11... Qa5 $13 {, but even this position is not quite clear.}) ({Definitely the main alternative is} 8... dxc4 {but this has a drawish reputation after} 9. Bxc4 Qxc5 10. Bb3 Nc6 11. O-O Qa5 12. h3 Bf5 13. Qe2 Ne4 {After} 14. Nd5 (14. Nxe4 Bxe4 15. Rfd1 h6 $5 (15... Qh5 {Aronian,L (2802)-Svidler,P (2755)/Moscow/2011/ For more details about the whole line see my notes to this game in CBM 146}) 16. Rd7 Rac8 17. Rcd1 Qb4 18. R7d2 (18. Nd2 Bf5 19. Rd5 Rfd8 20. a3 Qb6 $36 21. Rxf5 gxf5 22. Qh5 {Bulatov,R (2208)-Nevostrujev,V (2449)/Pavlodar/2012/} e6 23. Bxh6 Ne5 $17) 18... a6 19. Bc2 Bxc2 20. Rxc2 e5 21. Bg3 Rcd8 (21... e4 $5) 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. Nd2 f5 24. f3 Qd6 25. a3 Kh7 26. Be1 h5 27. Nc4 Qe6 28. Na5 $11 {Shimanov,A (2599) -Areshchenko,A (2710)/St Petersburg/2012/}) 14... e5 {White has lately tried} 15. Bg5 (15. Bh2 Be6 16. Rfd1 Rfd8 17. Qc4 Nf6 18. e4 Rac8 19. Ng5 Nd4 $11 { is a more or less forced draw}) 15... Nxg5 16. Nxg5 Qd8 17. h4 $5 (17. Nf3 e4 18. Nh2 Ne5 19. Rfd1 Nd3 20. Rc2 a5 $36 {Dzagnidze,N (2559)-Lahno,K (2546)/ Gaziantep rpd/2012/}) {, but even here the excitement peters out into perpetuals after} 17... h6 18. g4 Bd7 19. Ne4 Qxh4 20. f3 Kh8 21. Rf2 f5 22. Rh2 Qd8 23. Rxh6+ $1 Bxh6 24. Qh2 Kg7 25. Rxc6 $1 fxe4 (25... Bxc6 26. Qxe5+ Kh7 27. Ndf6+ Rxf6 28. Nxf6+ Kh8 29. Ng8+ Kh7 30. Nf6+ Kh8 31. Ng8+ {1/2, Cmilyte,V (2503)-Lahno,K (2557)/Tbilisi rpd/2012/}) 26. Qxe5+ Kh7 27. Nf6+ Rxf6 28. Rxf6 Be8 29. g5 Rc8 (29... Qd2 30. gxh6 Qxe3+ 31. Kf1 Kxh6 32. Qh2+ Kg7 33. Rxg6+ Kxg6 34. Qd6+ Kh7 35. Qe7+ Kg6 36. Qd6+ Kh7 37. Qe7+ Kg6 38. Qd6+ { 1/2, Jobava,B (2734)-Areshchenko,A (2702)/Burgas/2012/}) 30. Bd5 $2 (30. fxe4 Bxg5 31. Qxg5 Kg7 32. Rf5 $11) 30... Bxg5 $2 (30... Rc1+ 31. Kg2 Qc8 $1 $19) 31. Qxg5 Kg7 32. Rf5 exf3 33. Qg3 Qe7 34. Rxf3 $11 {Nielsen,P (2687)-Nyback,T (2627)/Bundesliga/2012/}) 9. Qa4 {The best way to fight for an advantage. After other moves Black has more than one way to achieve a satisfactory position:} (9. Nd2 dxc4 10. Bxc4 Nc6 (10... Na6 $5 11. a3 Qxc5 12. b4 Qh5 13. Qxh5 Nxh5 14. Bg5 Nf6 15. Ke2 Nc7 16. Rhd1 Be6 17. Bxe6 Nxe6 18. Bh4 {1/2, Vallifuoco,G (2285)-Stone,R (2305)/Dubai olm/1986/}) 11. Bb3 $6 (11. Qb3 $142 $5 $14) 11... Bf5 12. O-O Nb4 13. Bc4 Nd3 14. Bxd3 Bxd3 15. Nb3 {Bykhovsky,A (2405)-Manor,I (2510)/Tel Aviv/1996/} Qa6 16. Re1 Ne4 $17) (9. Qb3 Na6 (9... Ne4 10. cxd5 Nd7 11. Nd4 Ndxc5 12. Qb5 Qxb5 13. Ncxb5 e5 14. dxe6 Nxe6 15. Nxe6 (15. Nc7 $5 $14) 15... Bxe6 16. f3 Nd2 $6 (16... Nf6 $44) 17. b3 a5 18. Nc7 Rac8 19. Bb5 g5 20. Bxg5 $6 (20. Bg3 $1 $16) 20... Rd5 21. Bf4 Nxb3 22. Rb1 Rxc7 23. Bxc7 Rxb5 24. axb3 a4 $36 {Farago,I (2475)-Rajna,G (2405)/HUN-ch/1974/ }) (9... Qxc5 10. Be2 (10. Rd1 Qa5 11. Be2 Na6 (11... Ne4 $1 $11 {/=/+}) 12. O-O Nc5 13. Qb5 Qxb5 14. Nxb5 Bf5 15. Nfd4 dxc4 16. Nxf5 gxf5 17. Bxc4 Nfe4 18. b4 {Tukmakov,V-Dueball,J/Kiev/1970/} Na4 $132) 10... Nc6 11. O-O dxc4 12. Qxc4 (12. Bxc4 $142 $1 {/\} Na5 13. Bxf7+ Kf8 14. Qa4 {[%CAl Rb2b4]}) 12... Qb6 13. Qb5 Qxb5 14. Bxb5 Bd7 15. h3 a6 16. Be2 Bf5 17. Rcd1 Ne4 18. Rxd8+ Rxd8 19. Na4 e5 20. Bh2 Be6 21. b3 Nb4 $36 {De Greif,B-Uhlmann,W/Havana/1963/}) 10. Qb5 Qxb5 11. Nxb5 Bd7 12. Nc7 $6 (12. cxd5 Nxd5 13. Be5 f6 $11) 12... Nxc7 13. Bxc7 Rdc8 14. Be5 Rxc5 15. b4 Rcc8 16. c5 a5 17. b5 Ne4 18. Bd4 f6 19. Nd2 Nxd2 20. Kxd2 e5 21. Bb2 Bf8 22. Ba3 b6 $17 {Portisch,F (2425)-Sax,G (2530)/Budapest/1976/}) 9... Qxc5 {Natural enough.} ({However, White also has to reckon with} 9... Qxa4 10. Nxa4 Nc6 11. Ne5 $5 (11. Nc3 Ne4 $1 12. Be2 $6 Bxc3+ 13. bxc3 dxc4 14. Bxc4 Nxc5 15. O-O Be6 16. Bxe6 Nxe6 17. Bg3 Rac8 18. Nd4 Nc5 19. Rfd1 f6 $15 { Portisch,L (2600)-Adorjan,A (2490)/Frankfurt rpd/1998/}) (11. Bc7 $5 Rd7 12. Bg3) 11... Be6 (11... Nxe5 12. Bxe5 Be6 13. cxd5 Bxd5 14. Nc3 a5 $44) 12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. Bc7 Rd7 14. Be5 (14. Ba5 $5 d4 15. exd4 Rxd4 16. b3 $14) 14... Rad8 15. Be2 dxc4 16. O-O Ne4 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. Rfd1 Rxd1+ 19. Rxd1 {1-0 Mac Kenzie, G-Mondaca,O (2160)/Buenos Aires 1993/EXT 1999 (30)} Rb8 $1 {[%CAl Rb8b4]} 20. Rd4 c3 $36) 10. b4 (10. Qb5 Qxb5 (10... Na6 $5) 11. Nxb5 Na6 12. Nc7 Nxc7 13. Bxc7 Re8 14. Be5 Bd7 15. Be2 Bc6 16. O-O Nd7 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. cxd5 Bxd5 19. Bb5 Red8 20. Rc7 Nb6 21. Rfc1 Kf6 22. h4 Rd6 23. b3 a6 24. Bc4 Bc6 25. Nd4 Nd5 {Orndahl,M (2170)-Li,C (2529)/Taby/2007/} 26. Bxd5 $11) 10... Qc6 11. Qa3 $1 $146 {[%CAl Yb4b5,Ga3e7][%mdl 8] An interesting novelty, judging by the consumption of time Ivanchuk invented it over the board.} (11. Qb3 Ne4 $1 ( 11... a5 12. b5 Qc5 13. a3 a4 14. Nxa4 Qa7 15. Bc7 $1 Rd7 16. Bb6 Qxa4 17. Qxa4 Rxa4 18. cxd5 $18 {[%csl Rc8] Farago,I (2500)-Vadasz,L (2495)/Budapest/1977/}) 12. Be5 (12. Nb5 Na6 13. Bd3 Nac5 (13... dxc4 $1 14. Bxc4 Be6 $15) 14. bxc5 Nxc5 15. Qa3 $4 (15. Qc2 Nxd3+ 16. Qxd3 Bf5 17. Qb3 $14) 15... Bb2 {0-1, Mikhalchishin,A-Vaganian,R/Valencia/1974/}) 12... Bxe5 13. Nxe5 Qf6 (13... Qd6 $2 14. Nxf7 Kxf7 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. c5+ Be6 17. cxd6 Bxb3 18. dxe7 Kxe7 19. axb3 Nd7 20. Bb5 $14 {Urday Caceres,H (2470)-Yermolinsky,A (2590)/Moscow olm/1994/}) 14. Nf3 Nxc3 15. Qxc3 Qxc3+ 16. Rxc3 Nc6 17. b5 Na5 18. cxd5 Rxd5 19. Bd3 Bd7 20. e4 Rd6 21. Ke2 Rd8 22. Ke3 Be6 $11 {Karsa,L (2200)-Sax,G (2530)/Budapest/ 1976/}) ({It's not so simple for Black even after other moves:} 11. b5 Qc5 12. Qb3 (12. Be5 Nbd7 (12... Ne4 13. Bd4 Nxc3 14. Rxc3 {Roeder,M (2365)-Pusch,H/ Porz/1989/} Nd7 15. Be2 $5 $14) 13. Bd4 Qc7 14. cxd5 Nxd5 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. Qa3 Nxc3 17. Rxc3 Qd6 18. Qxd6 exd6 19. Be2 Nc5 20. O-O a6 21. bxa6 Nxa6 22. Nd4 Nc5 $11 {Laux,T-Wild,H/Porz/1989/}) 12... Bg4 13. Na4 (13. Ne5 $5 Be6 14. Na4 Qc8 15. Qa3 d4 16. Be2 $14) 13... Qc8 {Here White would have profited from having his queen already on a3!} 14. Be2 (14. Qa3 Bxf3 15. gxf3 Qf5 16. Nb6 e5 $36) 14... Ne4 15. Rc2 Nd7 (15... e5 16. cxd5 Qf5 17. Bg3 Nxg3 18. hxg3 e4 19. Nd4 Bxd4 20. Bxg4 Qxg4 21. exd4 Nd7 {Lukacs,P (2450)-Sax,G (2565)/Budapest/ 1977/} 22. Rh4 $1 Qg5 23. d6 $16) 16. cxd5 Ndc5 17. Nxc5 Nxc5 18. Qb4 (18. Qa3 $5 b6 19. e4 $14) 18... b6 19. O-O Qf5 20. Rc4 Qxd5 21. h3 Bf5 $11 {Farago,I (2500)-Gulko,B (2585)/Polanica Zdroj/1977/}) (11. Qxc6 bxc6 (11... Nxc6 12. b5 Nb4 $2 (12... d4 $1 13. Nd1 e5 $13) 13. a3 Ne4 14. Be5 Nxc3 15. Rxc3 a5 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 {Petrov,I (2190)-Petkov,V (2375)/Sofia/2004/} 17. Rc1 $1 $16 { [%csl Rb4]}) 12. cxd5 (12. Nd4 Ne4 13. Nxe4 dxe4 14. Bxb8 Bxd4 15. Bc7 Bb2 16. Rc2 Rd7 17. Rxb2 Rxc7 18. Be2 a5 19. bxa5 Be6 20. O-O Rxa5 21. Rc1 Rca7 22. Rcc2 Kg7 $15 {Urday Caceres,H (2480)-Olafsson,H (2525)/Manila olm/1992/}) (12. Bc7 Rd7 (12... Re8 $5) 13. Ba5 Rb7 (13... Ne4 14. Nxe4 dxe4 15. Ng5 c5 16. Nxe4 cxb4 17. Bxb4 Na6 18. Bc3 Bb7 19. Bxg7 Kxg7 20. Nc3 Rad8 $44 {Kortschnoj, V-Stein,L/Moscow/1964/}) 14. cxd5 Bd7 {Sorensen,T (2480)-Loeffler,B (2340)/ corr/1991/} 15. Na4 $5 $36) 12... Nxd5 13. Nxd5 cxd5 14. Bc7 Re8 15. Nd4 e5 16. Nb5 Na6 17. Ba5 Bf8 {1/2, Ruchlin,V (2304)-Stern,W (2551)/corr/1980/} 18. a3 $14) 11... dxc4 {Carlsen senses the danger and resolves the tension.} (11... Be6 12. Nd4 Qe8 (12... Qd7 13. Na4 $36) 13. Ncb5 Na6 14. Nxe6 fxe6 15. Be2 $36) (11... Bf5 12. b5 (12. Nd4 Qd7 13. b5 $14 {[%csl Rb8]}) 12... Qe8 13. cxd5 {/\} Nxd5 (13... Nbd7 $142 $5 $14) 14. Nxd5 Rxd5 15. Bc4 Rd7 (15... Rd8 16. Ng5 e6 17. e4 Bg4 18. h3 h6 19. hxg4 hxg5 20. Bxg5 Rd4 21. Qh3 Rxe4+ 22. Kf1 Nd7 23. Qh7+ Kf8 24. Bh6 Bxh6 25. Qxh6+ Ke7 26. Qg5+ $18) 16. Ne5 Bxe5 17. Bxe5 $40) 12. b5 Qb6 (12... Qe8 $2 13. Bc7 $1 Nd5 (13... Rd7 14. Bxb8 $18) 14. Nxd5 Rxd5 15. Bxc4 Rh5 16. O-O $32 {[%csl Ra8,Rb8,Rc8,Rh5]}) 13. Bxc4 (13. Qxe7 $6 Bf8 14. Qc7 Ba3 $132) (13. Ne5 Qd6 $5 (13... Nbd7 14. Bxc4 Nxe5 15. Bxe5 Bf5 (15... Be6 $2 16. Na4 Qa5+ 17. Bc3 Qc7 18. Bxe6 $18) 16. O-O $14) 14. Qb2 Qb6 15. Nxc4 (15. Bxc4 Be6 16. Qb3 Nbd7 $11) 15... Qc5 16. Be5 Be6 17. Na4 Qd5 $13) 13... Be6 $1 (13... e6 14. O-O $16 {is ideal for White, he has a lead in development, while Black's can't get his queenside pieces out.}) 14. Bxe6 (14. Be2 Nbd7 15. Nd4 Qc5 $11 (15... Bxa2 $5 16. Qxa2 e5 $11)) 14... Qxe6 15. O-O (15. Ng5 Qc4 $1 16. Nce4 Qxb5 17. Qxe7 Qa5+ 18. Kf1 Qb5+ 19. Kg1 Qd7 $1 $11 {/\} 20. Nxf6+ Bxf6 21. Qxf6 $4 Qd1+ 22. Rxd1 Rxd1#) 15... Nbd7 {Black decides to sacrifice a pawn just to get out his forces and swap a few pieces.} ({The resulting endgame will be admittedly difficult to win, but} 15... Bf8 $5 {seems to be objectively better. White must still prove he has anything tangible, in other words Black has chances to gradually neutralise the pressure:} 16. Ng5 (16. Ne2 Nbd7 17. Rfd1 Rdc8 $5 18. Bc7 (18. Rxc8 $6 Rxc8 19. Qxa7 Qc4 20. Ned4 Qd5 { [%CAl Re7e5]}) 18... Nd5 $11) (16. e4 Nbd7 (16... Nxe4 17. Rfe1 Qf5 18. Rxe4 e5 19. Qa4 exf4 20. Rxf4 $40 {[%csl Rf7]}) 17. Rfd1 Nb6 $1 $132) 16... Qf5 $5 ( 16... Qc4 17. e4 $5 {[%CAl Rc3d5]} (17. Qb2 Nbd7 $11) 17... e6 18. Qb2 Qb4 $8 19. Qxb4 Bxb4 20. e5 Bxc3 21. exf6 Bxf6 22. Ne4 Be7 23. Rc7 Nd7 24. Rxb7 Nc5 $14) 17. Qb3 e6 18. f3 {[%csl Rf5]} Nbd7 19. g4 Qc5 20. Nge4 Qa3 $11) 16. Ng5 ( 16. Nd4 Qb6 $11 17. Qxe7 $4 Bf8) 16... Qf5 17. Qxe7 Nh5 18. Rfd1 (18. Qe4 Nxf4 19. exf4 h6 20. Qxf5 gxf5 21. Nf3 Nc5 22. Nd1 $5 $14) 18... Nxf4 19. exf4 Bf8 20. Qe4 (20. Qe3 Nc5 $14 {/<=>}) 20... Qxe4 21. Ncxe4 Nb6 $14 {[%mdl 4352] This is the endgame position Carlsen was aiming for. White has an extra pawn, but it's doubled and his queenside is vulnerable. Converting the small advantage requires superlative technique and maybe even some extra luck, Black proceeds to defend tenaciously and finally saves the game.} 22. g3 (22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. g3 Kg7 $14 {is similar to the game.}) 22... Rxd1+ 23. Rxd1 Be7 24. Nf3 (24. Rc1 $5 Rd8 25. Kg2 $14) 24... Rc8 25. Ne5 Rc7 ({Safe, but engines indicate the direct} 25... f5 $1 26. Ng5 (26. Nd2 Rd8 $11) 26... Rc5 27. Ne6 Rxb5 28. Rc1 Bd6 $11) 26. Kg2 f6 27. Nf3 Kf7 28. h4 Rc2 29. a4 (29. Rd2 Rxd2 30. Nfxd2 Ke6 $132) 29... Ra2 30. Nc3 Ra3 31. Rc1 Nxa4 {Here Carlsen got too optimistic and even declined a draw, later criticising his decision. There was no need to hurry with this capture, now White retains winning chances.} (31... a5 $142 $5 32. bxa6 bxa6 $11) (31... h5 32. Rc2 Ke8 33. Ne2 (33. f5 gxf5 34. Ne2 Rxa4 {/\} 35. Rc7 Kd8 36. Rxb7 $6 Nd7 {[%csl Rb7]} 37. Nfd4 Kc8 38. Rxa7 Rxa7 39. Nc6 Ra2 40. Nxe7+ Kd8 $15) 33... Bd6 34. f5 $5 Kf7 $132 (34... gxf5 35. Ned4 f4 36. Nf5 $14)) 32. Ne4 Rd3 33. Rc7 Ke6 (33... Ke8 $5 34. Rxb7 Rd7 35. Rb8+ Rd8 36. Rxd8+ Bxd8 (36... Kxd8 37. Nd4 {[%CAl Rd4c6,Yf4f5]}) 37. g4 $14 (37. h5 $5 $14)) 34. Rxb7 (34. g4 $142 $1 Nb6 35. f5+ gxf5 36. gxf5+ Kf7 37. Rxb7 Rd7 38. Rxd7 Nxd7 39. Nd4 $36 {gives White more winning chances.}) 34... Rd7 35. Rb8 Rd8 36. Rb7 Rd7 37. Rxd7 Kxd7 {Contrary to the line above, Black has forced a rook swap, while his king remains active.} 38. Nd4 f5 $1 39. Ng5 (39. Nd2 $6 Nc3 {[%csl Rb5][%CAl Ye7c5,Yd7d5]}) 39... Bxg5 (39... h6 $2 40. Nf7 {[%csl Rg6][%CAl Yf7e5]}) (39... h5 $2 40. Nc6 $16 {[%CAl Yc6a7,Yc6e5]}) 40. fxg5 Nc3 41. h5 (41. f4 Kd6 42. h5 gxh5 43. Nxf5+ Kc5 $132) 41... gxh5 $1 ( 41... Kd6 $6 42. Nxf5+ $1 {/\} gxf5 $2 43. g6 hxg6 44. h6 $18) 42. Kh3 Kd6 43. Kh4 Kd5 {Black will use his king to mount a counter-attack on White's pawns.} ( {However, supporting his own passed pawn seems to hold as well after} 43... Kc5 44. Nxf5 Kxb5 45. Ne3 a5 46. f4 a4 47. f5 Ne4 48. f6 (48. g6 hxg6 49. fxg6 a3 50. g7 Nf6 51. Kg5 Ng8 52. Nc2 a2 53. Kxh5 Kc4 54. Kg6 Kc3 55. Na1 Kb2 56. Kf7 Nh6+ 57. Kg6 Ng8 $11) 48... Nd6 49. Nc2 Kc4 50. Kxh5 Kb3 $11) 44. Nxf5 Nxb5 45. Kxh5 Ke4 46. Ne3 (46. Ne7 a5 47. Kh6 a4 48. Nc6 a3 49. Nb4 Kf5 50. f4 Nc3 51. Kxh7 Ne4 52. g6 Nxg3 53. g7 Nh5 $11) 46... Nd6 $1 (46... a5 $2 47. Kh6 a4 48. Nc4 $18) 47. Kh6 Nf7+ {The defence finally triumphs, now the draw is unavoidable.} 48. Kxh7 (48. Kh5 Kf3 49. g6 hxg6+ 50. Kxg6 Kxf2 $11) 48... Nxg5+ 49. Kg6 Nh3 50. Nd1 Kf3 (50... a5 51. f4 Nxf4+ $11) ({Even} 50... Nxf2 $6 51. Nxf2+ Kd4 $1 {[]} (51... Kf3 $2 52. g4 Kxf2 53. Kf5 $1 a5 54. Ke4 Ke2 55. g5 a4 56. g6 $5 a3 57. g7 a2 58. g8=Q a1=Q 59. Qg2+ $18) 52. g4 (52. Nd1 a5 53. Nb2 Kc3 54. Na4+ Kb4 $11) 52... a5 53. g5 a4 $11 {is still a draw.}) 51. Kf5 Nxf2 52. Nxf2 Kxg3 53. Nd1 a5 54. Ke4 a4 55. Kd4 a3 56. Nc3 a2 57. Nxa2 1/2-1/2 [Event "Grand Slam Final 5th"] [Site "Sao Paulo/Bilbao"] [Date "2012.10.12"] [Round "9"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Anand, Viswanathan"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B52"] [WhiteElo "2843"] [BlackElo "2780"] [Annotator "Stohl,I"] [PlyCount "59"] [EventDate "2012.09.24"] [EventType "tourn"] [EventRounds "10"] [EventCountry "BRA"] [EventCategory "22"] [SourceTitle "CBM 151"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2012.11.13"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"] [SourceQuality "1"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ {During the whole tournament Carlsen consistently and mostly sucessfully avoided any heated theoretical debates in the openings, opting for lines such as 2.d3, or a quick exd5 against the French Defence.} ({ Also in this game he avoids the Open Sicilian with} 3. d4 {, his last Najdorf against the World Champion was rather disappointing:} cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. g3 e6 7. Bg2 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Nce2 Qc7 10. b3 e5 $5 11. Nf5 Bxf5 12. exf5 d5 $1 13. Bxd5 Rd8 14. c4 Nxd5 15. cxd5 Qa5 16. Qd2 Qxd2 17. Bxd2 Rxd5 18. Be3 Nc6 {1/2,Carlsen,M (2814)-Anand,V (2810)/Wijk aan Zee/2011/}) 3... Bd7 { The most solid response and the result of our game will hardly change this long-standing verdict.} ({However, there have been some recent developments after the more enterprising} 3... Nd7 $5 {- see the notes to Bologan-Topalov, ECC Eilat 2012.}) 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. c4 {This continuation is White's best chance to fight for an opening edge - he puts his pawns on the light squares, as he has just exchanged the light-squared bishops.} (5. O-O {occurs only rarely in top-level games and is generally considered too soft:} Nf6 (5... Nc6 6. Qe2 g6 7. c3 Bg7 8. Rd1 e5 $5 9. b4 cxb4 10. cxb4 Nge7 11. d4 exd4 12. Bb2 O-O 13. b5 Ne5 14. Nxd4 Rac8 15. Nd2 d5 16. h3 Rfe8 17. Rab1 Qc7 18. Rbc1 Qb6 19. Rxc8 Nxc8 $5 20. exd5 Nd6 21. Qf1 Rc8 $44 {[%csl Rb5,Rd5] Short,N (2698) -Anand,V (2811)/London/2011/}) 6. Qe2 ({Simply boring is} 6. Re1 Nc6 7. c3 e6 8. d4 cxd4 9. cxd4 d5 10. e5 Ne4 11. Nbd2 Nxd2 12. Bxd2 Be7 13. Rc1 O-O 14. Rc3 Rfc8 15. a3 Bd8 16. Qb1 Ne7 17. Rec1 Rxc3 18. Rxc3 Rc8 19. Qc2 h6 20. Rxc8 Qxc8 21. Qxc8 Nxc8 $11 {1/2,Kuzubov,Y (2623)-Areshchenko,A (2691)/UKR-ch Kiev/2012/} ) 6... Nc6 7. Rd1 g6 8. c3 Qg4 9. Re1 Ne5 10. Nxe5 Qxe2 11. Rxe2 dxe5 12. Na3 Bg7 13. Nc4 Nd7 14. d3 O-O 15. a4 b6 16. Be3 Rfd8 17. Rd2 Rac8 18. g4 Nf8 19. f4 exf4 20. Bxf4 Ne6 21. Be3 Bf6 22. Rad1 Bg5 23. Kf2 Bf4 24. h4 h6 $11 { Mamedov,R (2634)-Negi,P (2664)/Istanbul olm/2012/}) 5... Nf6 {Black intends to develop his kingside first and possibly use the c-file before he plays Nc6.} ({ The alternative is} 5... Nc6 6. Nc3 g6 7. d4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bg7 9. Nde2 $5 { seems more testing, as after} (9. Be3 {commits the bishop, Black has reasonable counterplay after} Nf6 10. h3 $5 (10. f3 O-O 11. O-O a6 12. a4 e6 13. Nde2 (13. Rc1 Ne5 14. b3 d5 15. cxd5 exd5 16. Nxd5 Nxd5 17. exd5 Rfe8 18. Bf2 Qxd5 19. Qc2 Qd7 20. Rcd1 Rac8 21. Qb1 Qc7 22. Rfe1 Nd7 $11 {Adams,M (2722) -Dominguez Perez,L (2725)/London/2012/}) 13... Rac8 14. Rc1 Rfe8 15. Bf2 Qe7 16. b3 Nd7 17. Nd4 Nb4 18. Kh1 Nc5 19. Bg1 h5 20. Rb1 Qd8 21. Nde2 Qc7 22. Qd2 Red8 23. Nd1 Nc6 24. Ne3 f5 $5 25. exf5 gxf5 26. Nc2 Qf7 27. Nf4 Ne7 {Tiviakov, S (2656)-Nakamura,H (2775)/Hoogeveen/2012/ (30)} 28. Rfd1 $13) 10... O-O 11. O-O a6 12. a4 Rfc8 13. b3 e6 (13... Qd8 14. Qd2 Nd7 15. Rab1 Nc5 16. Rfd1 Na5 17. Qc2 Rab8 18. b4 Nxc4 19. bxc5 Na3 20. Qb3 Nxb1 21. Nxb1 dxc5 22. Ne6 Qa5 23. Nxg7 Kxg7 24. Nc3 b5 25. axb5 axb5 26. Nd5 Qa4 27. Qb2+ f6 28. Ra1 Qxe4 29. Ra7 {1-0 Spasov,V (2581)-Georgiev,K (2423)/Sunny Beach 2012/CB37_2012}) 14. Rc1 d5 15. Nxc6 bxc6 16. e5 Ne8 17. f4 a5 (17... Qd8 $5 $11 {prevents both a5 and Ne4.}) 18. Ne4 Bf8 19. Rf3 Qd8 20. Nc5 Rcb8 21. Bf2 Nc7 22. Qe2 Rb4 23. Kh2 Be7 $14 {/<=>,Carlsen,M (2826)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2730)/Moscow/2011/}) 9... Nf6 10. f3 O-O 11. O-O a6 12. a4 e6 {White can develop his bishop more actively with} 13. Bg5 h6 14. Bh4 Rfd8 15. Rb1 Qc7 16. Kh1 Rd7 17. Rc1 Re8 18. Nd5 exd5 $6 ( 18... Qd8 $1 19. Nxf6+ Bxf6 20. Bxf6 Qxf6 $11) 19. cxd5 Qb6 20. Bf2 Qxb2 21. dxc6 bxc6 22. Rxc6 Rdd8 23. Rxa6 Qb4 24. Rb6 Qc4 25. Nd4 $14 {/+/-,Caruana,F (2773)-Anand,V (2780)/Sao Paulo/Bilbao/2012/ This game was played earlier. Although Black's position is quite playable, Anand presumably wanted to give the encounter with Carlsen a different character.}) 6. Nc3 g6 (6... Nc6 7. d4 ( 7. O-O g6 8. d4 cxd4 9. Nxd4 Bg7 {[%CAl Rf6e4]} 10. Nde2 Qe6 $5 $13 {Kasparov, G (2851)-The World/Internet/1999/ leads to complications, which Black ultimately doesn't have to fear. See the notes to this game in CBM 74.}) 7... cxd4 8. Nxd4 {and now:} {More often than not Black avoids these complications and simply develops with} g6 {Now White can avoid the continuation from Kasparov-The World with} (8... Qg4 {is an attempt to force quick simplification:} {However, here Black has to reckon mainly with} 9. Qxg4 (9. O-O Qxd1 10. Rxd1 Nxd4 (10... Rc8 11. Nde2 g6 12. f3 Bg7 13. b3 Nd7 14. Be3 O-O 15. Rac1 b6 16. Nd5 Rfd8 17. Nec3 e6 18. Nf4 Nc5 19. Nfe2 a6 20. Rd2 Rd7 21. Rcd1 Bf8 22. Bf4 Rcd8 23. Bg5 Rc8 24. h3 h6 25. Bf4 Rcd8 26. g4 Kg7 27. Kg2 Be7 28. Be3 Rb7 29. Nd4 Rc8 30. Nxc6 Rxc6 31. Bf4 b5 $132 {Rozentalis,E (2623) -Alterman,B (2580)/ISR-chT/2010/}) 11. Rxd4 Rc8 12. Bg5 Nd7 13. Rc1 g6 14. Nd5 h6 15. Be3 Bg7 16. Rdd1 a6 17. b4 e6 18. Nb6 Nxb6 19. Bxb6 Ke7 20. c5 Be5 21. Rd3 Rc6 22. a4 Rhc8 23. a5 dxc5 24. Bxc5+ Ke8 25. Rcd1 Bf6 26. Kf1 Rd8 27. Ke2 Rcc8 $11 {Cheparinov,I (2621)-Lupulescu,C (2546)/EU-ch Warsaw/2005/}) 9... Nxg4 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. Bf4 {A more enterprising try is the sacrificial} g5 $5 (11... Rb8 12. h3 Ne5 13. Bxe5 dxe5 14. Na4 (14. O-O-O e6 15. Na4 h5 16. Rd3 Rh6 17. Rhd1 Rg6 18. g3 Rf6 19. f3 Rg6 20. g4 hxg4 21. hxg4 Rh6 22. a3 Be7 23. Kc2 Rh2+ 24. R1d2 Rh1 25. Rd1 Rh2+ 26. R1d2 Rh1 27. c5 Rb5 28. b4 a5 29. Rb3 $14 { Laznicka,V (2593)-Gashimov,V (2658)/Moscow/2007/}) 14... e6 15. Ke2 Kd7 16. Rhd1+ Kc7 17. Rd3 Be7 18. Rad1 Rhd8 19. Rxd8 Bxd8 20. a3 a5 21. c5 Be7 22. Kd3 f5 23. f3 Rd8+ 24. Kc2 Rb8 25. Kc3 fxe4 26. fxe4 Rf8 27. b4 axb4+ 28. axb4 Bh4 29. Nb6 Rf7 30. Kb3 Bf2 31. Rd6 Bd4 32. Nc4 Rf1 33. Na5 $18 {Ni Hua (2705) -Shengelia,D (2569)/ESP-chT Sabadell/2008/}) 12. Bxg5 Bg7 $5 (12... Ne5 13. b3 Rg8 14. Bh4 Rg4 (14... Bg7 15. Kd2 a5 16. Rab1 a4 17. Nxa4 Bh6+ 18. Kc2 Rg4 ( 18... Rxg2 $142 $132) 19. Bg3 Nxc4 20. bxc4 Rxa4 21. Rb8+ Kd7 22. Kb3 Ra7 23. f3 Rg5 24. e5 dxe5 25. Rd1+ Ke6 26. a4 $36 {Zhang Zhong (2608)-Petrosian,T (2581)/Tiayuan/2005/}) 15. Bg3 Bg7 16. Kd2 Ng6 17. f3 Rg5 18. f4 $142 (18. Rag1 Bd4 19. Rc1 Kd7 20. Ne2 Bb6 21. h4 Ra5 22. Rc2 Rg8 23. Be1 Ne5 24. Nf4 Ra3 25. Ke2 Bd4 $44 26. Bb4 {1/2,Baklan,V (2585)-Atalik,S (2585)/YUG-chT Vrnjacka Banja/1998/}) 18... Rg4 (18... Ra5 19. a4 Rb8 20. Kc2 f5 21. Rae1 Kd7 22. Rhf1 e6 23. exf5 Rxf5 24. Ne4 Rbf8 25. Rd1 d5 26. Nc5+ Kd6 27. Nd3 $14 {/+/-,Soltau, A (2632)-Ugge,A (2567)/corr/2005/}) 19. Raf1 h5 20. Nd1 Bh6 21. Nf2 Bxf4+ 22. Ke2 Rg5 23. Nh3 Rxg3 24. hxg3 Bxg3 25. Ng5 $14 {/~~ Atalik}) 13. Ke2 Rb8 14. Nd1 (14. Rab1 $5 Rg8 15. Bf4 Bd4 $44) 14... Rb4 15. Rc1 Bxb2 16. Rb1 Ba3 17. Rb3 Rxb3 18. axb3 Kd7 19. Ne3 Rg8 20. h4 Nxe3 21. Bxe3 Rxg2 22. Kf3 Rg8 23. Ra1 Bb4 $11 {Jansa,V (2490)-Trapl,J (2340)/Ostrava/1976/}) 9. Nde2 Bg7 10. f3 { - 5...Nc6 , which transposes back to Caruana-Anand, mentioned above.}) 7. d4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bg7 9. f3 ({The other main try is} 9. h3 {, when} Qc7 $5 {has recently become popular:} 10. Qe2 (10. b3 {allows the simplifying operation} Qa5 11. Bd2 Nxe4 $1 12. Nxe4 Qe5 13. Qb1 f5 14. Bc3 Qxe4+ 15. Qxe4 fxe4 16. Nb5 Bxc3+ 17. Nxc3 Rf8 18. Nxe4 (18. O-O Na6 19. Rfe1 Nc5 20. Rad1 Kd7 21. Re3 Rac8 22. Rd4 Rf4 23. Nd5 Rf7 24. Rd2 Rc6 25. b4 Na4 26. Rxe4 e6 27. Ne3 Nc3 28. Red4 e5 29. R4d3 Ne4 30. Re2 Ke6 $11 {Bologan,V (2665)-Naiditsch,A (2712)/ESP-chT Melilla/2011/}) 18... Rf5 (18... Nc6 19. Rd1 Rf5 20. O-O O-O-O 21. f4 Rdf8 22. g3 Kd7 23. Nc3 a6 24. Nd5 b5 $132 {Movsesian,S (2751)-Dominguez Perez,L (2717)/ Wijk aan Zee/2009/}) 19. O-O Kd7 20. Rad1 Na6 21. Rfe1 Raf8 22. Re2 Re5 23. g3 Nc5 $11 {1/2,Movsesian,S (2711)-Svidler,P (2741)/EUCup Ohrid/2009/}) 10... Nc6 11. Nc2 O-O 12. O-O a6 (12... Rfc8 13. b3 a6 14. Bb2 (14. Bd2 $5) 14... Qa5 15. Ne3 Nd4 16. Qe1 Ne6 17. Rb1 Nf4 18. Ba1 b5 19. Ncd5 Qxe1 20. Nxf6+ Bxf6 21. Rfxe1 Bxa1 22. Rxa1 Kf8 23. Kf1 Nd3 24. Red1 Nc5 $11 {Alavkin,A (2460)-Kokarev, D (2603)/Kazan/2009/}) 13. Bd2 e6 14. Rac1 Rfe8 15. Be3 $146 (15. Ne3 Nd4 16. Qd3 Nd7 17. Kh1 Nc5 18. Qb1 Rac8 19. b4 Nd7 20. Qd3 Qb8 21. f4 b5 $132 { /=/+,Malakhov,V (2715)-Hracek,Z (2606)/EU Cup Ohrid/2009/}) 15... Ne5 16. Na3 Rac8 17. b3 Qa5 18. Nab1 d5 19. f4 Nc6 20. e5 Nh5 21. Qf2 $6 (21. g4 Ng3 22. Qf2 Nxf1 23. Bb6 Qb4 24. Bc5 $11) 21... d4 $1 22. Bxd4 Nxd4 23. Qxd4 g5 $1 24. fxg5 Bxe5 25. Qf2 Bf4 (25... Ng3 $1 26. Rfe1 Bd6 $40 {Safarli}) 26. Ne4 Bxc1 27. Rxc1 Qe5 28. Re1 Kh8 29. Nbd2 $36 {Tiviakov,S (2656)-Hou,Y (2623)/ Hoogeveen/2012/}) (9. O-O Nc6 $132 {once again leads to Kasparov-The World.}) 9... Qc7 $5 {With f3 instead of h3 this move is still rare - Black doesn't have the blow on e4 from the previous note!} ({The standard continuation is} 9... O-O 10. Be3 (10. O-O Rc8 11. b3 d5 $1 {is Ivanchuk's brilliant idea, Black easily equalised in the stem game} 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Nxd5 e6 14. Be3 exd5 15. cxd5 Na6 16. Rc1 Rxc1 17. Qxc1 Nb4 18. Qd2 Nxd5 19. Ne2 Qe7 {1/2,Delchev,A (2577)-Ivanchuk,V (2704)/EU-ch Istanbul/2003/}) (10. Bg5 {is rare and for a good reason - here Black easily gets a good position with the accurate} Nc6 $1 (10... Rc8 11. b3 Qd8 12. Qd2 Nc6 13. Nde2 a6 14. a4 Nd7 $132) 11. Nde2 a6 12. a4 Qc7 $1 13. b3 Qa5 14. Qd2 b5 $1 15. cxb5 axb5 16. O-O (16. Nxb5 Nxe4 $36) 16... bxa4 17. bxa4 Rfc8 (17... Nd7 $5 {[%csl Ra4][%CAl Yd7c5,Yd7b6]}) 18. Rfb1 Nd4 19. Nxd4 Rxc3 20. Kh1 Qc5 (20... Rc5 $15) 21. Rd1 Rc4 22. Be3 Qa5 23. Qd3 Rc3 24. Qe2 Nd7 25. h3 Qa6 26. Qe1 Rc4 27. a5 Nc5 28. Rab1 {Gharamian,T (2471) -Savchenko,S (2545)/Metz/2007/} Na4 $15 {[%csl Ra5][%CAl Ra4c3]}) 10... Rc8 ( 10... Nc6 $5 11. O-O a6 12. a4 e6 {transposes to a satisfactory position from the 5...Nc6 lines, mentioned in the above notes.}) 11. b3 a6 12. a4 e6 (12... Nc6 13. O-O Qd8 14. Rb1 e6 15. Nde2 Qa5 16. Qxd6 Ne8 17. Qd2 Rd8 18. Qe1 Rd3 19. Nd1 Qb4 20. Nc1 Rd7 21. Qxb4 Nxb4 22. Nf2 Nc2 23. Bc5 b6 24. Bxb6 Na3 25. Ncd3 Nxb1 26. Rxb1 $14 {Balogh,C (2664)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2705)/Saint Louis/ 2012/}) 13. Rc1 (13. Nde2 Nc6 14. O-O d5 $1 15. exd5 exd5 16. c5 Re8 17. Bf2 Rad8 18. Nd4 Qc7 19. Nxc6 bxc6 20. Bd4 a5 21. Ra2 Rb8 22. Ne2 Qb7 23. Qa1 Nh5 $17 {Laznicka,V (2610)-Wojtaszek,R (2635)/CZE-chT/2007/}) 13... Nc6 14. O-O d5 15. exd5 exd5 16. Nxc6 bxc6 17. cxd5 cxd5 (17... Nxd5 $142 $5 $11) 18. Bd4 Rd8 19. Qd3 Qb7 20. Ne2 Ne8 21. Rc3 Nc7 22. Bxg7 Kxg7 23. Nd4 Ne6 24. Nxe6+ fxe6 25. Rfc1 Rac8 26. Qe3 Rxc3 27. Rxc3 Qe7 28. Rc6 e5 $132 {Ni Hua (2625) -Areshchenko,A (2570)/Moscow/2005/}) (9... Nc6 10. Nde2 {and we are again back in Caruana-Anand.}) 10. b3 Qa5 {Black's idea is to lure the bishop to b2 instead of its usual deployment on the c1-h6 diagonal (e3 or g5).} (10... Nc6 11. Be3 Qa5 12. Rc1 Nh5 13. Nde2 $5 ({White avoids the endgame after} 13. O-O Nxd4 14. Bxd4 Bxd4+ 15. Qxd4 Qc5 $11 {/+/=}) 13... O-O 14. O-O Kh8 15. Qd5 Qa6 16. Qd2 Qa5 17. Kh1 f5 18. exf5 gxf5 19. Nd5 Qd8 (19... Qxd2 $142 $14) 20. Rfd1 Be5 21. Ndf4 Qe8 22. c5 Nxf4 23. Nxf4 dxc5 24. Rxc5 (24. Nd3 $1 $36) 24... Rd8 25. Qe1 Rxd1 26. Qxd1 {Kasparov,S (2500)-Varga,C (2349)/Pardubice/2007/} Bd6 $132) ({A similar type of position arises after} 10... O-O 11. Be3 Qa5 12. Qd2 Nc6 13. Rc1 $11 {/+/=,Loaiza,Y (1902)-Ramirez,H (2089)/Puerto Boyaca/2012/ White's space advantage gives him a slight pull.}) 11. Bb2 (11. Bd2 {also deserves consideration, but} Nc6 {is still fine for Black after} 12. Nd5 (12. Nde2 O-O $132) 12... Qd8 13. Bc3 e6 14. Nxc6 bxc6 15. Nxf6+ Bxf6 16. Bxf6 Qxf6 17. O-O Rd8 $11) 11... Nc6 12. O-O O-O 13. Nce2 $146 {[%mdl 40] Although objectively this novelty is not particularly dangerous, it's in keeping with White's strategy to avoid excessive simplification and retain fighting chances. } (13. Kh1 Nd7 (13... Nxd4 14. Qxd4 Nxe4 15. Qxe4 Bxc3 16. Bxc3 Qxc3 17. Qxe7 a5 $44) 14. Nd5 Rfe8 15. Bc3 Qd8 16. Nb5 (16. Qd2 $142 $5) 16... Bxc3 17. Ndxc3 a6 18. Nd4 Qb6 19. Nc2 Rac8 20. Qd2 Qc5 21. Qe3 Nce5 22. Rac1 b5 23. f4 Ng4 { Bolshagin,V (2061)-Kokarev,D (2583)/Moscow/2011/} (23... Qxe3 24. Nxe3 Nd3 25. Rcd1 bxc4 26. Rd2 Nb4 27. Nxc4 Nb6 $11) 24. Qf3 $13) (13. Nd5 Nxd5 {is simpler: } (13... Qc5 14. b4 Qxc4 (14... Nxb4 15. Nxe7+ Kh8 16. Rf2 $5 Qxc4 (16... Nd7 $5 $132) 17. Qa4 a5 18. a3 Qc7 19. Nxg6+ hxg6 20. axb4 $14) 15. Nxc6 Nxd5 16. Rc1 Qxa2 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. exd5 bxc6 19. Qd4+ $44 (19. dxc6 $44)) 14. exd5 Nxd4 15. Bxd4 Bxd4+ 16. Qxd4 b5 $11 {<=>}) 13... Rfd8 {Anand returns to the idea of pushing d5 either after preparation (e6), or directly as in the game.} (13... Nd7 14. Kh1 (14. Bc3 $6 Qxc3 15. Nxc3 Bxd4+ $15) 14... a6 $13) 14. Bc3 (14. Kh1 $5 {/\} Qb6 (14... Nd7 $5) 15. Qd2 {prevents the following central break. However, Black's position remains solid and he can react differently already on move 14.}) 14... Qb6 15. Kh1 d5 $1 16. Nxc6 ({This is the only way to keep the tension in the position.} 16. exd5 $143 Nxd5 $1 17. cxd5 Rxd5 {wins the piece back and already Black can claim a slight edge:} 18. Qe1 Nxd4 19. Nxd4 Bxd4 20. Bxd4 Rxd4 (20... Qxd4 21. Qxe7 Rd7 22. Qe2 Rad8 $15) 21. Qxe7 Rad8 $15 {[%CAl Ra2h2,Gd8d2]}) (16. cxd5 Nxd5 17. exd5 {-16.exd5}) 16... bxc6 17. Qe1 $1 {[%CAl Rc3a5]} Rdc8 $6 ({Leaving the d-file perhaps isn't a direct mistake, but it's certainly unnatural. The most logical response was} 17... a5 {/\} 18. e5 Nd7 $5 19. e6 (19. cxd5 cxd5 20. Bd4 Qb4 21. Bc3 Qb6 $11) 19... d4 20. Bd2 $5 (20. Bxd4 Bxd4 21. Nxd4 Qxd4 22. Rd1 Qa7 23. exd7 Rxd7 $11) (20. exf7+ Kxf7 21. Bd2 e5 22. Ng3 Kg8 23. Ne4 Nc5 $11 {/<=>}) 20... Nc5 $5 (20... fxe6 21. Nf4 e5 22. Ne6 $44) 21. exf7+ Kxf7 $11) 18. e5 Ne8 (18... Nd7 $143 19. e6 Bxc3 ( 19... fxe6 20. Bxg7 Kxg7 21. Nf4 e5 22. cxd5 $36) 20. Nxc3 Nf6 21. exf7+ Kxf7 22. Rd1 $5 $14 dxc4 23. Ne4 Nxe4 24. Qxe4 cxb3 25. f4 $40 {[%CAl Rf4f5]}) 19. e6 $5 {[%mdl 128] Carlsen possibly felt his opponent's insecurity and goes for a direct attack. His approach pays off with surprising speed, but Black could have defended better.} ({The alternative was} 19. f4 e6 $5 {is safer.} (19... dxc4 20. f5 $1 {[%CAl Re5e6]} (20. bxc4 Qa6) 20... gxf5 21. Rxf5 $44) (19... Nc7 20. f5 e6 21. f6 Bf8 $13)) 19... fxe6 20. Nf4 (20. Bxg7 {is harmless:} Nxg7 21. Nf4 Qc7 22. Nxe6 Qd6 23. Nxg7 Kxg7 $11) 20... Bxc3 21. Qxc3 $44 d4 (21... Ng7 22. Rae1 (22. Qe5 Qb8 $11) (22. c5 Qc7 23. Nd3 $5 $44 {[%csl Re5]} (23. Qxg7+ Kxg7 24. Nxe6+ Kf6 25. Nxc7 Rxc7 $15 {[%csl Gc6,Gd5,Ge7] [+]})) 22... d4 23. Qd2 c5 24. g4 {transposes back to the game}) 22. Qd2 $5 (22. Qe1 c5 23. Nxe6 Rc6 24. Nf4 e6 25. Nd3 a5 $14 {/<=> is pleasant and almost riskless for White. However, here Black's defence is simpler than in the game, so Carlsen ambitiously envisages a different route for his queen.}) 22... c5 23. Rae1 Ng7 24. g4 $1 {[%csl Rf5] Limits Black's knight and prepares the follwing manoeuvre, which is easy to overlook.} Rc6 $2 {And sure enough, Anand goes astray and fails to meet White's most dangerous idea. Black had better options, leading to balanced positions:} (24... Qc6 25. Nh3 (25. Re5 $44 {[%CAl Yh1g2, Yf1e1]}) 25... Rf8 26. Qh6 Rxf3 27. Kg1 Rxf1+ 28. Rxf1 Qe4 29. Qxh7+ (29. Ng5 $4 Qxg4+ 30. Kh1 Qh5) (29. Rf4 Qe3+ 30. Kg2 Qd2+ 31. Kg1 Qe3+ $11) 29... Kxh7 30. Ng5+ Kg8 31. Nxe4 Rc8 32. Ng5 Rc6 33. Rf7 Rd6 34. Kf2 Rd7 35. Rf4 $14 { [%csl Rc5,Re6,Re7,Rg7]}) (24... Rf8 {White would have possibly preferred to change his plan with} 25. Nd3 $44 (25. Nh3 Rf6 $5 (25... Qc6 {-24...Qc6}) 26. Qh6 g5 27. Qxg5 Qc6 28. Ng1 $5 (28. Nf4 h6 29. Qe5 Raf8 30. Re4 Qd6 $36) 28... a5 29. Re5 $13)) (24... Qd6 25. Re4 (25. Nh3 e5 26. Qh6 Ne6 27. Ng5 Nxg5 28. Qxg5 Qf6 29. Qxe5 Qxe5 30. Rxe5 Rc7 $11) 25... a5 $5 (25... Rf8 26. Nd3 $44 ( 26. Kg2 $44)) 26. Rfe1 Rf8 $132 {[%CAl Ya5a4]}) 25. Nh3 $1 $40 {[%CAl Rd2h6, Rh3g5] Suddenly Black is in trouble - his queen joins the defence one move too late.} Ne8 (25... Qd8 26. Qh6 Kh8 27. Ng5 Qg8 28. Re4 {[%CAl Re4f4]} Rf8 (28... e5 29. Rxe5 Ne6 30. Kg2 $16 {[%csl Re7]}) 29. Rg1 $5 {[%CAl Rg1g3,Rg3h3]} Rf6 30. Rg3 Ne8 31. Rh3 Rf7 $8 32. Rxe6 $5 (32. Nxf7+ Qxf7 33. Re2 $14 {/+/-}) 32... Rxe6 33. Nxe6 Nf6 34. Nxc5 g5 35. Rg3 $16) 26. Qh6 Nf6 27. Ng5 d3 $6 { Hastens the end.} (27... Qa6 28. Re5 Qc8 29. Rfe1 Qf8 30. Qxf8+ (30. Qh3 $5 $40 ) 30... Rxf8 31. Nxe6 Rfc8 32. Nf4 $16) 28. Re5 $1 Kh8 (28... Qc7 29. Nxe6 Rxe6 (29... Qxe5 30. Qg7#) 30. Rxe6 $18) (28... Qd8 29. Nxe6 Rxe6 30. Rxe6 d2 31. Rd1 Qd3 32. Qe3 $18) (28... Rd8 29. Nxh7 $1 Nxh7 30. Qxg6+ Kf8 (30... Kh8 31. Rh5) 31. Qxh7 d2 32. Qh8+ Kf7 33. Qh5+ Kf8 34. Rd1 $18 {[%CAl Re5g5,Rh5g6]}) 29. Rd1 $18 {[%csl Rd3,Rd8][%CAl Gg5f7] Here White has no immediate mate, but Black remains completely paralysed, as due to Nf7 he has no access to the d8-square.} Qa6 30. a4 $5 (30. Rxd3 Qxa2 31. Re1 $1 Re8 (31... Kg8 32. Red1 Qa5 33. f4 $1 $18 {[%CAl Rg5h7]}) 32. Red1 Qb2 33. Rd8 Rc8 34. Nxe6 Ng8 35. Rxc8 Rxc8 36. Qe3 $18 {also wins, but Carlsen doesn't want to give Black even the slightest chance.}) (30. a4 Qc8 31. Rxd3 Qg8 32. Rde3 $18 {[%csl Rc5,Re6]}) 1-0 [Event "Tata Steel-A 74th"] [Site "Wijk aan Zee"] [Date "2012.01.16"] [Round "3"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Aronian, Levon"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D31"] [WhiteElo "2835"] [BlackElo "2805"] [Annotator "Stohl,I"] [PlyCount "135"] [EventDate "2012.01.14"] [EventType "tourn"] [EventRounds "13"] [EventCountry "NED"] [EventCategory "21"] [SourceTitle "CBM 147"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2012.03.16"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2012.03.16"] [SourceQuality "1"] 1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Be7 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bf4 c6 6. Qc2 (6. e3 {was featured in no less than 3 games last year between Nakamura and Aronian. The most recent clashes in this line went} Bf5 7. g4 ({For} 7. Nge2 {see Nakamura, H (2758)-Aronian,L (2802)/London/2011/ - annotated in CBM 146.}) (7. Bd3 Bxd3 8. Qxd3 Nf6 9. Nge2 Nh5 10. Bxb8 Rxb8 11. f3 O-O 12. O-O f5 13. a3 a6 14. b4 Qd7 15. Rae1 Rbe8 16. Nc1 a5 17. bxa5 Bxa3 18. Nxd5 Bxc1 19. Nb6 Qe6 20. Rxc1 Qxe3+ 21. Qxe3 Rxe3 22. d5 cxd5 23. Nxd5 Re5 24. Rfd1 Nf6 $11 {Nakamura,H (2774)-Ponomariov,R (2754)/Saint Louis m/2011/ The difference between this game and ours is that Ponomariov didn't weaken his kingside and therefore he could effectively counter White's central expansion with a timely f5.}) 7... Be6 8. h4 Nd7 9. g5 {, avsak aktivna reakcia} ({Nakamura tried the moves} 9. h5 {and}) (9. Bg3 {, but on neither occasion did he get anything out of the opening.}) 9... h6 $5 10. g6 Ngf6 $142 (10... fxg6 11. Bd3 Nf8 (11... Bf7 12. Qc2 {/\} Nf8 13. Nf3 {[%csl Rg6][%CAl Rf3e5]}) 12. Nf3 Bf5 13. Ne5 Nf6 14. Rg1 $44 Ne4 $6 (14... Rg8 $142 $5) 15. Bxe4 Bxe4 (15... dxe4 16. Qb3 $16) 16. Nxe4 dxe4 17. Qb3 Qa5+ 18. Kf1 (18. Ke2 $5 Qa6+ 19. Kd1) 18... Qb5+ 19. Qxb5 cxb5 20. Rc1 Bxh4 21. Bh2 Bd8 (21... h5 $5 22. Rc7 $36) 22. Rg4 Nd7 23. Rxg6 Bf6 24. Rc7 Nf8 25. Rg4 Ne6 26. Rxb7 $18 {Caruana,F (2736)-Melkumyan,H (2620)/Moscow/ 2012/}) 11. gxf7+ Bxf7 12. Bd3 (12. Nf3 Nh5 $13) 12... Nh5 13. Be5 O-O 14. Qg4 Nhf6 15. Qg3 Nh5 {1/2,Morozevich,A (2762)-Giri,A (2714)/Reggio Emilia/2012/} 16. Qg2 Nxe5 17. dxe5 Bb4 18. Nf3 d4 19. Nxd4 Nf4 20. exf4 Qxd4 21. Rg1 Bxc3+ 22. bxc3 Qxc3+ 23. Ke2 Qb2+ 24. Ke3 Qb6+ $11) 6... Nf6 7. h3 {This is a modern wrinkle.} ({White tries to avoid the line} 7. e3 Nh5 $5 8. Be5 (8. Bg3 Nd7 9. Bd3 g6 10. Nf3 O-O 11. Rb1 a5 12. a3 Re8 $2 (12... Nxg3 13. hxg3 Nf6 $132) 13. Nxd5 $1 $16 {Sandipan,C (2628)-Vishnu,P (2392)/New Delhi/2012/} {/\} cxd5 14. Bc7 $18) 8... Nd7 9. Be2 (9. Nf3 Nxe5 10. Nxe5 g6 11. Bd3 Ng7 12. O-O-O Bf5 13. g4 Bxd3 14. Nxd3 Qd7 15. h3 O-O-O 16. Kb1 Kb8 17. Rc1 Bd6 18. Na4 f5 19. Nac5 Qe7 20. gxf5 Nxf5 21. Qb3 Rhf8 $11 {Kalinitschew,S (2431)-Bruedigam,M (2322)/ Berlin/2011/}) 9... Nxe5 10. dxe5 g6 11. Bxh5 gxh5 {The critical move is} 12. O-O-O $5 $13 {, featured in Grishchuk-Aronian and So-Laznicka. Both games were annotated in CBM 143.} (12. Nf3 f6 13. O-O (13. e4 d4 14. exf6 Bxf6 15. O-O-O $13 {-12.0-0-0}) 13... Bg4 14. exf6 Bxf6 15. Nd4 O-O 16. f3 Bd7 17. Rad1 Rc8 ( 17... Qe7 $5 18. Rfe1 Qg7 $13 {[%csl Gd7,Gf6] /=/+}) 18. Rfe1 Bg7 19. e4 c5 20. Nf5 Bxf5 21. exf5 d4 22. Qe4 (22. Qb3+ $13) 22... Qd7 23. g4 Rfe8 24. Qd5+ Qxd5 25. Nxd5 Rxe1+ 26. Rxe1 Rd8 27. Nc7 hxg4 28. fxg4 d3 $36 {Arizmendi Martinez,J (2568)-Sargissian,G (2671)/EU-chT Porto Carras/2011/}) (12. Rd1 f6 13. exf6 Bxf6 14. Nge2 O-O (14... Qe7 15. e4 d4 16. Nxd4 Qg7 17. Nde2 (17. Nce2 $5 Qxg2 18. Rg1 Qxh2 19. Qb3 $44 {/\} Rf8 $2 20. Ne6 $40) 17... Qxg2 18. Rg1 Qxh2 19. Qb3 Rf8 20. f4 Bg4 21. Rxg4 hxg4 22. Qe6+ Be7 23. Rd7 Qh4+ 24. Kf1 Rf7 25. Rxb7 Kf8 26. Qxc6 Rd8 $19 {Aleksandrov,A (2626)-Negi,P (2617)/ESP-chT Melilla/2011/} ) 15. O-O (15. e4 Qb6 $132 (15... Bg4 $5)) 15... Qe8 16. e4 dxe4 (16... Qg6 $13 ) 17. Nxe4 Bg7 18. N2c3 (18. N2g3 $142 $5) 18... Bf5 19. Qb3+ Qe6 20. Qxe6+ Bxe6 21. Rd6 Rae8 22. Re1 b5 23. a3 a5 24. h4 b4 25. axb4 axb4 26. Na4 Bd5 $15 {Aleksandrov,A (2612)-Shimanov,A (2549)/Moscow/2012/})) (7. Nf3 {is considered innocuous mainly due to} g6 $5 8. e3 Bf5 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 Nbd7 11. O-O O-O 12. h3 Re8 13. Rab1 a5 14. Rfc1 Nb6 (14... Bf8 $11 {[%CAl Yf6e4]}) 15. Nd2 Nh5 16. Bh2 Bd6 17. Bxd6 Qxd6 18. a3 Nf6 19. b4 Nfd7 20. bxa5 Rxa5 21. a4 Ra7 22. Rb2 Rea8 23. Qb1 Nxa4 24. Nxa4 Rxa4 25. Rxb7 Ra2 26. Nf3 c5 $11 {Moiseenko,A (2676)-Khairullin,I (2574)/Moscow/2009/}) 7... g6 $146 {[%mdl 8] This novelty is otherwise a typical reaction, but possibly not ideal in our case.} ({ Currently the most promising alternative seems to be} 7... Qa5 $5 8. e3 (8. Nf3 Ne4 9. Bd2 Nxd2 10. Nxd2 g6 11. e3 Bf5 12. Bd3 Bxd3 13. Qxd3 Qd8 14. O-O Nd7 15. Rfc1 O-O 16. Rab1 a5 17. Na4 Nb6 18. Nxb6 Qxb6 19. Nb3 a4 $11 {1/2, Lupulescu,C (2657)-Giri,A (2714)/EU-chT Porto Carras/2011/}) 8... Ne4 9. a3 Bf5 10. Bd3 Na6 11. Rc1 Nxc3 12. Qxc3 Qxc3+ 13. Rxc3 Bxd3 14. Rxd3 O-O-O 15. Nf3 Nc7 16. Ke2 Bd6 17. Bxd6 Rxd6 18. Ne5 Rf8 19. Rc3 Nb5 20. Rc2 Re6 21. Kf3 Nd6 $11 {Turov,M (2645)-Grover,S (2532)/Wijk aan Zee-C/2012/}) ({Another interesting idea is} 7... Na6 $5 8. e3 Nb4 9. Qb1 g6 10. g4 h5 11. a3 Na6 12. Bxa6 bxa6 13. g5 Nh7 14. Be5 O-O 15. f4 Bf5 16. Qa2 f6 17. gxf6 Nxf6 18. Nge2 Ne4 19. Nxe4 Bxe4 20. Rg1 Qd7 $132 {Bosiocic,M (2580)-Brkic,A (2578)/CRO-ch Opatija/2012/ Both games from 2012 were played later, than Carlsen-Aronian, so the theory of the line is constatntly developing.}) (7... O-O 8. e3 {gives White chances of achieving a pleasant version of the Carlsbad structure:} Nbd7 (8... Bd6 9. Bxd6 Qxd6 10. Bd3 Be6 11. Nge2 Re8 12. g4 g6 13. Ng3 Na6 $2 14. Bxa6 bxa6 15. g5 Nd7 16. Kf1 c5 17. Rd1 f5 18. Nge2 c4 19. Nf4 Bf7 20. h4 Nb6 21. Kg2 Rab8 22. Rh3 Qe7 23. Rdh1 Kg7 24. h5 $40 {Kononenko,T (2305)-Sharevich, A (2266)/Vladimir/2004/}) 9. Nf3 Re8 (9... g6 $5 10. Bd3 Nh5 11. Bh2 Ng7 12. O-O Nb6 $132 {[%CAl Yc8f5] Michna,M (2348)-Juszczak,A/Trzebinia/1999/}) 10. Bd3 Nf8 11. O-O Ne6 12. Bh2 g6 13. Rab1 Ng7 14. b4 a6 15. Na4 Bf5 16. Nc5 Bxd3 17. Qxd3 Ra7 18. a4 Nf5 19. Rfc1 Ne4 20. Nxe4 dxe4 21. Qxe4 Bxb4 22. Qd3 a5 23. Ne5 Ra8 24. Qb3 $14 {Matthiesen,A (2349)-Rendboe,J (2199)/Silkeborg/2009/}) (7... Be6 8. e3 Nbd7 9. Nf3 h6 10. Bd3 Rc8 11. Bh2 a6 12. O-O O-O 13. a3 a5 14. Rae1 c5 15. Qd2 c4 16. Bb1 Re8 17. Ne5 Nxe5 18. dxe5 Nh7 19. Rd1 Rc5 20. f4 f5 21. g4 $16 {Kalinitschew,S (2430)-Loeffler,F/Porz/1991/}) 8. e3 Bf5 9. Qd2 $5 { [%CAl Yg2g4] A clever idea. As White hasn't committed his king yet, he can seriously consider developing a kingside initiative with g4 (altogether a typical idea in this line - see the note to move 6).} (9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 O-O $11 {is less impressive.}) 9... h5 {Aronian prevents the aforementioned idea, but was it really worth weakening his kingside?} (9... Ne4 $142 $5 {was less committal:} 10. Nxe4 Bxe4 11. f3 (11. Ne2 Bd6 12. f3 Bf5 13. O-O-O {is similar} ) 11... Bf5 12. O-O-O a5 $132) (9... O-O 10. g4 Be6 11. Bd3 c5 12. Nge2 $13 { /+/=}) 10. Bd3 $1 Bxd3 11. Qxd3 {[%csl Rh5] White has forced a similar position to that after 9.Bd3, but here the extra move h5 hurts Black's chances - it loosens his kingside and also takes away the h5-square for Black's knight (see Nh5 in Nakamura-Ponomariov above).} Nbd7 (11... Bd6 12. Nf3 $5 {[%CAl Rf4d6,Rf3e5] shows another drawback of h5: once White's knight lands on e5, it's much more difficult to chase it away with f6.}) 12. Nge2 {Compared with 7. Nf3, here White can develop his knight more flexibly, which enables him to play in the centre.} a5 {A semi-waiting move, Black wants to clarify the intentions of White's king.} (12... O-O {is more natural, but here also} {also} 13. O-O-O $5 {[%CAl Yd1g1,Yg2g4] deserves some attention.} ({However, instead of risking a double-edged fight, White can also choose the prudent} 13. O-O Re8 14. f3 $14)) 13. O-O O-O 14. f3 $14 {[%csl Ge4][%CAl Ge3e4]} b5 $6 {[%csl Rc6] The opening is almost over and White has built up a promising position: he has a slight and riskless edge. This provokes a nervous reaction from Aronian. Black still had more solid alternatives:} (14... Re8 15. e4 Nf8 $14) (14... h4 15. e4 Nb6 $14) 15. e4 dxe4 16. fxe4 $36 {[%csl Gd4,Ge4][%CAl Yd4d5,Ye4e5] Here White already has a very distinct pull, with both e5 and d5 hanging over Black's position.} Nc5 17. Qf3 (17. Qe3 Ne6 18. Bh6 Re8 19. Rad1 $36) 17... Ne6 (17... b4 18. e5 $5 (18. dxc5 bxc3 (18... Bxc5+ 19. Kh1 bxc3 20. Bg5 $18 (20. Rad1 Nd7 21. Qxc3 $18 {[%CAl Rd1d7]})) 19. Rad1 $1 Qe8 20. Nxc3 Bxc5+ 21. Kh1 $16) 18... Nh7 19. dxc5 $16) 18. Be3 {White already has a choice:} (18. Rad1 $5 Nxf4 19. Nxf4 $36 {Sakaev}) 18... b4 (18... Nh7 $5 {is less committal} 19. e5 ( 19. Bf2 $5) 19... Rc8 $14) 19. Nb1 $5 {[%mdl 4] Instead of putting his knight offside with} (19. Na4 {, Carlsen patiently transfers it to an ideal square. By model play White increases his strategic superiority.}) 19... Nh7 20. Nd2 { [%csl Gc4]} Rc8 (20... Nhg5 21. Qg3 (21. Qf2 f5 $1 $132) 21... Nh7 22. Nc4 (22. Qf2 Bh4 23. g3 Bg5 24. Rac1 $14 {/+/-}) 22... Bh4 23. Qf3 Nhg5 24. Bxg5 Bxg5 25. Rad1 $36) (20... f5 21. exf5 Rxf5 22. Qxc6 $16) ({The text move is not too useful, more to the point was the immediate} 20... Bh4 $5) 21. Rad1 Bh4 22. g3 Bf6 (22... Bg5 $5 23. Nc4 Bxe3+ (23... h4 $5) 24. Qxe3 Qg5 {gives Black more chances to create some counterplay.}) 23. Nc4 Bg7 24. b3 $16 {[%csl Ra5]} Qe7 { [%CAl Re6g5] As White improves his pieces, Black is gradually running out of ideas. Therefeore he decides to lash out.} (24... h4 25. e5 $1 hxg3 26. Nd6 $16 (26. Qxg3 $16)) ({Sakaev prefers} 24... Nf6 $16 {, but it's only an attempt to limit the damage - Black's position remains tough.}) 25. Qg2 {Carlsen is reluctant to commit himself and prefers a prophylactic move.} ({The engine points out the straightforward} 25. e5 $5 {[%csl Rh7][%CAl Yc4d6]} h4 (25... f6 26. Nf4 $1 Nxf4 27. gxf4 {[%csl Gd4,Ge5,Gf4]}) 26. Nxa5 c5 $5 (26... Nhg5 27. Qg4 $16) 27. Nc6 Qd7 28. d5 Neg5 29. Bxg5 (29. Qg2 Rfe8 30. gxh4 Nxh3+ 31. Kh2 Bxe5+ 32. Nxe5 Rxe5 33. Rd3 Rce8 34. Rf3 N3g5 $1 35. hxg5 Nxg5 $14) 29... Nxg5 30. Qe3 Bh6 31. g4 Rxc6 32. dxc6 Qxc6 33. Rd6 $16) 25... Nc7 (25... Neg5 26. e5 $36) (25... Nf6 $142 26. Qf3 $16 (26. Nxa5 Qa7 27. Nxc6 (27. e5 Qxa5 28. exf6 Bh8 $132 {[%csl Ra2,Rf6][%CAl Ye6c7,Yc7d5,Yc8d8,Yf8e8]}) 27... Rxc6 28. e5 Nd8 29. exf6 Bxf6 $14 {/<=>}) (26. d5 $5 $36)) 26. Nxa5 (26. Bf4 $5 $16) 26... Rfe8 (26... Nd5 27. Bd2 (27. Bc1 Nc3 28. Nxc3 bxc3 29. Nc4 c5 30. Ba3 $16) 27... Nc3 28. Bxc3 bxc3 29. e5 $16) 27. e5 Nd5 28. Bd2 {[%CAl Ra5c6]} (28. Nxc6 $2 Qd7 $19 {[%csl Rc6,Re3]}) 28... Red8 29. Nf4 Qa7 $2 {This should have lost quickly. } (29... Qc7 $142 $1 30. Nc4 Ra8 {/\} 31. Nxd5 (31. Be3 $142 $5 Nxe3 32. Nxe3 Qa7 33. Nc2 Bxe5 34. Nxb4 $16) 31... cxd5 32. Nd6 Rxd6 33. exd6 Qxd6 34. Bf4 Qd7 $14 {[%csl Ra2,Rd4][%CAl Yh7f6,Yf6e4]}) 30. Nxc6 Rxc6 31. Nxd5 Rc2 32. Kh1 (32. Qe4 $5 Rxa2 (32... Qxa2 $2 33. Nxb4) 33. Bf4 $1 $18 {/\} Qd7 34. Nxb4 Rb2 35. Nd3 Rxb3 $2 36. Nc5) 32... Bf8 (32... Rb2 33. Nxb4 Qxd4 34. Bc3 Qxd1 35. Bxb2 Qd7 36. Nc6 $18 {is hopeless in the long run, but retains at least some practical chances.}) 33. e6 $1 Qa8 (33... fxe6 34. Qe4 $18) (33... f5 34. g4 $18 {->}) 34. exf7+ (34. e7 $1 Rxd5 35. e8=Q Qxe8 36. Qxd5 Rxa2 37. Rde1 Qa8 38. Qxa8 Rxa8 39. Ra1 $18) 34... Kh8 ({A more resilient try was} 34... Kg7 $142 $1 35. Nf4 Qxg2+ 36. Nxg2 Ra8 $16) 35. Nf4 Qxg2+ 36. Kxg2 $6 {White needlessly prolongs theagony.} ({The text doesn't give away the win, but a more direct way was} 36. Nxg2 $142 $1 Kg7 (36... Rxd4 37. Bc3 bxc3 38. Rxd4 $18) 37. Bf4 Bd6 (37... Be7 38. Be5+ Bf6 39. Nf4 $18) 38. Rde1 Nf8 39. d5 $18 {[%CAl Rf4d6, Rg2f4,Rf4e6]}) 36... Rxd4 37. Rf2 Rd6 (37... Rc6 38. Re1 $18) 38. Bc1 $1 Rxf2+ (38... Rxd1 39. Rxc2 Kg7 40. Ne6+ Kxf7 41. Nxf8 Nxf8 42. Bd2 $18 {[%CAl Rd2b4]} ) 39. Kxf2 Rxd1 {The only chance to fight on.} ({After} 39... Kg7 40. Rxd6 Bxd6 41. f8=Q+ $1 (41. Bd2 Nf6 $16) 41... Nxf8 42. Bd2 $18 {[%csl Rb4][%CAl Rf4d5, Rf4d3] White will be 2 pawns up in a simple endgame.}) 40. Bb2+ Nf6 $8 (40... Bg7 $4 41. Nxg6#) 41. Bxf6+ Kh7 42. Ne6 Bd6 $8 (42... Bh6 43. Ng5+ $1 Bxg5 44. f8=Q $18) 43. Be5 Be7 44. f8=Q (44. Ke2 $5 Rg1 (44... Rd5 45. Bf6 Bd6 46. f8=Q Bxf8 47. Nxf8+ Kh6 48. Ne6 Ra5 49. Kd3 Rxa2 50. Bg5+ Kh7 51. Bd2 $18) (44... Rh1 45. Bf6 Bd6 46. h4 Rh2+ 47. Kd3 {[%CAl Rf6e5]} Rxa2 48. Be5 Be7 49. f8=Q Bxf8 50. Nxf8+ Kh6 51. Ne6 $18 {[%csl Rb4][%CAl Rd3c4]}) 45. Bd4 {/\} Rxg3 $2 46. Bf6 Bd6 47. Be5 $18) 44... Bxf8 45. Nxf8+ Kh6 46. Ne6 $6 (46. Ke2 $142 $1 Rg1 $1 (46... Rd5 47. Bf4+ Kg7 48. Ne6+ Kf6 49. Nc7 Ra5 50. h4 $1 $18) 47. Ne6 (47. h4 g5 $1 48. Bf6 g4 (48... gxh4 49. Bxh4 Rg2+ 50. Kd3 Rxa2 51. Kc4 $18) 49. Bg5+ Kg7 50. Ne6+ Kf7 51. Kf2 $1 Ra1 52. Nd4 Rxa2+ 53. Ke3 {[%CAl Re3d3, Rd3c4]} Ra8 54. Kd3 Rc8 55. Bd2 $18) 47... g5 48. Bd6 Rg2+ (48... Kg6 49. Kf3 $18 {leads to a similar position after} Ra1) 49. Kf3 Rxa2 50. Bxb4 Rb2 51. Nd4 $18) 46... g5 $5 {Aronian tries to get counterchances on the kingside.} (46... Rd2+ 47. Ke3 Rxa2 48. Bf4+ Kh7 49. Kd3 {[%csl Rb4] loses in a straighforward fashion, as the b-pawn falls shortly.}) 47. h4 gxh4 48. gxh4 Kg6 49. Nd4 Rd3 $5 (49... Rd2+ 50. Ke3 Rxa2 51. Kd3 {[%CAl Ye5f4,Yf4g5,Yd3c4] should gradually win after White safeguards his h-pawn. Aronian tries to cut off White's king.}) 50. Nc6 (50. Ke2 Rh3 51. Bd6 (51. Nf3 Kf5 $16) 51... Rxh4 52. Nf3 Rh1 (52... Re4+ 53. Kd3 $18) 53. Bxb4 h4 54. Kf2 Kf5 55. Kg2 Rb1 (55... Ra1 $5) 56. Nxh4+ Kg4 57. Nf3 Rb2+ 58. Nd2 Rxa2 59. Kf2 $18 {is a Tablebase win, Carlsen seeks something more human...}) 50... Rd2+ 51. Ke3 Rxa2 52. Bd6 (52. Nxb4 $2 Ra3 $11) 52... Ra1 (52... Ra6 53. Ne7+ Kf7 54. Bxb4 $18) (52... Rc2 53. Nd4 Rc3+ 54. Ke4 Rh3 $16 {/\} 55. Nf3 Rh1 56. Bxb4 $2 Rb1 57. Nd2 (57. Nd4 Rh1) 57... Rh1 $132 58. Be7 $4 Re1+) 53. Kd4 Rg1 $6 {Now Black loses more or less listlessly.} ({ Shipov points out the far more resilient} 53... Rh1 $1 54. Be7 Rh3 55. Ne5+ ( 55. Kc4 Rc3+) 55... Kf5 56. Nd3 Rg3 57. Kc4 Rg4+ 58. Kb5 Rg3 59. Nc5 Rg4 { Now White has to play for zugzwang to pass the move to his opponent with} 60. Bd8 $3 (60. Bg5 Rxg5 $1 61. hxg5 h4 $11) (60. Ka4 Rg7 61. Bd8 Rg8 62. Nb7 Kg4 63. Kxb4 Rxd8 64. Nxd8 Kxh4 65. Nc6 Kg3 66. Nd4 Kg4 $1 67. Nc2 h4 68. Ne3+ Kf3 69. Nf1 h3 70. Kc5 Kg2 71. Ne3+ Kf2 $11) 60... Rd4 61. Bg5 Rg4 62. Be7 Rd4 $1 ( 62... Rg7 63. Bd8 Rg8 64. Nb7 Kg4 65. Kc4 $1 {/\} Rxd8 66. Nxd8 Kxh4 67. Kd3 Kg3 68. Ke2 h4 69. Kf1 Kf3 70. Nc6 $18) 63. Ka4 Kg6 64. Bg5 Rg4 65. Nd3 Kf5 ( 65... Rxg5 $2 66. Nf4+ Kf5 67. hxg5 Kxg5 68. Nxh5) 66. Nf2 $1 (66. Kb5 Rg3 67. Kc4 Rg4+ 68. Kc5 Rg3) 66... Rd4 (66... Rg2 67. Nd1 $18 {[%CAl Ra4b4]}) 67. Kb5 Ke5 68. Kc5 $22 Rd7 69. Kxb4 Kd4 70. Nd1 Rb7+ 71. Ka3 Kd3 72. Kb2 $16 {/+- White should gradually win, but he still has to overcome some technical problems after} Rf7 {, e.g.,} 73. Ne3 Rf2+ 74. Ka3 Rf8 75. Nd5 Kd4 76. Nf4 Kc3 77. Ka4 Ra8+ 78. Kb5 Kxb3 79. Nxh5 Rc8 $1 $11 {is only a Tablebase draw!}) 54. Kc5 Kf5 (54... Rh1 55. Be7 Rc1+ 56. Kb5 Rc3 57. Nd4 $18) 55. Nxb4 Rc1+ 56. Kd4 Re1 (56... Rb1 57. Kc3 Rc1+ 58. Nc2 $18) (56... Rd1+ 57. Nd3 Rh1 (57... Ke6 58. Bf4) 58. Be7 $18) 57. Nc6 $18 {[%csl Gb3][%CAl Gb3b8] White gives up Ph4, as his passed b-pawn will be too fast.} ({Equally strong was} 57. Nd3 $5 Re4+ 58. Kd5 Rxh4 (58... Re3 59. Nc5 $18) 59. Nf2 $1 {[%csl Rh4][%CAl Rd5c5,Rd6g3]}) 57... Re4+ 58. Kd5 Rxh4 59. b4 Rh1 60. b5 Rb1 61. Nd4+ Kg4 (61... Kf6 62. Kc6 Rc1+ 63. Bc5 $5 h4 64. b6 h3 65. Nf3 $18) 62. Kc6 Rc1+ 63. Kd7 (63. Bc5 $2 h4 $11) 63... Rb1 (63... Rd1 64. b6 Rxd4 65. b7 $18) 64. Kc7 h4 (64... Rc1+ 65. Nc6 Rb1 66. b6 h4 67. b7 h3 (67... Kf3 68. Nb4 $18) 68. Nd4 {and Black's king is cut off.}) 65. b6 Kh3 (65... h3 66. b7 $18 {-64...Rc1+}) 66. b7 Kg2 67. Nf5 h3 68. Nh4+ {Stops Black's passed pawn and forces resignation.} (68. Nh4+ Kg1 69. b8=Q Rxb8 70. Kxb8 h2 71. Nf3+) 1-0 [Event "Nanjing Pearl Spring 3rd"] [Site "Nanjing"] [Date "2010.10.27"] [Round "7"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Anand, Viswanathan"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C67"] [WhiteElo "2826"] [BlackElo "2800"] [Annotator "Stohl,I"] [PlyCount "136"] [EventDate "2010.10.20"] [EventType "tourn"] [EventRounds "10"] [EventCountry "CHN"] [EventCategory "21"] [SourceTitle "CBM 139"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2010.11.18"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"] [SourceQuality "1"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O ({Anand has started playing the Berlin more regularly only recently. In Bilbao Carlsen (after losing to Kramnik in round 1) didn't feel confronting the famous endgame and opted for the quiet} 4. d3 d6 5. O-O Be7 6. c3 O-O 7. Nbd2 Bd7 8. Re1 Re8 9. Nf1 Bf8 10. Ba4 h6 11. Ng3 Ne7 12. Bb3 Ng6 13. d4 c5 14. h3 Qc7 15. a4 a6 16. a5 cxd4 17. cxd4 exd4 18. Nxd4 d5 $1 19. exd5 Rxe1+ 20. Qxe1 Re8 (20... Ne7 21. Bd2 Nexd5 22. Rc1 Re8 $1 $11) 21. Qc3 Qxc3 22. bxc3 Re1+ 23. Kh2 Bd6 (23... Ne5 24. Nc2 Neg4+ $11) 24. Nc2 Rf1 25. Be3 Rxa1 26. Nxa1 Be5 27. Bd4 Bxd4 28. cxd4 Ne7 $11 {Carlsen,M (2826)-Anand,V (2800)/Bilbao/2010/ Is he now going to face the challenge?}) 4... Nxe4 5. Re1 {Having a comfortable lead in the tournament at this point, White doesn't want to bang his head against the (Berlin) Wall.} ({Getting an edge after} 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ke8 { is no mean task:} {The most usual continuation is} 10. h3 (10. Ne2 Ne7 (10... Be7 11. Rd1 Nh4 12. Nxh4 Bxh4 13. Be3 a5 14. a4 Bd7 15. h3 h5 16. f3 Rd8 17. g4 hxg4 18. hxg4 Bc8 19. Kg2 Rxd1 20. Rxd1 Be7 21. Bd2 b6 22. Bf4 Bd8 23. b3 Be6 24. Nd4 Bd7 25. c4 Rh7 26. Rd3 c5 27. Nb5 Be6 $14 {/=,Inarkiev,E (2669) -Jakovenko,D (2725)/Astrakhan/2010/ and Black is still pretty solid.}) 11. h3 Ng6 12. b3 h6 13. Bb2 c5 14. Rad1 Be6 15. Nc3 Be7 16. Nd5 Bd8 17. c4 a5 18. a4 c6 19. Nc3 Be7 20. Ne4 Rd8 21. Rfe1 Rxd1 22. Rxd1 Nf4 23. Ba3 b6 24. Nd6+ Kf8 25. Kf1 g5 26. Bc1 Kg7 27. Bxf4 gxf4 28. Nd2 (28. Ke2 $5) 28... Bxd6 $1 29. exd6 Rd8 30. Ne4 {Efimenko,Z (2683)-Malakhov,V (2725)/Khanty-Mansiysk olm/2010/ Here} Bf5 $1 31. f3 f6 32. Kf2 Kf7 33. Rd2 Ke6 34. Re2 Kf7 $11 {would have drawn the game and won the critical match between the best teams of the olympiad.}) {and} 10... Be7 {to mention just the main ones, played by the elite GM's.} ({Carlsen himself with Black prefers the rather rare} 10... b6 11. Rd1 (11. a3 Bb7 12. Bf4 c5 13. Rad1 Bxf3 14. gxf3 c6 15. Be3 Rd8 16. Ne4 Be7 17. f4 f6 18. Rxd8+ Kxd8 19. Ng3 Nh4 20. Rd1+ Kc8 21. Kf1 c4 22. Ke2 Rd8 23. Rd4 Rxd4 24. Bxd4 c5 25. Bc3 fxe5 26. fxe5 Kd7 27. Ke3 Ke6 28. Ke4 g6 29. a4 a6 30. f4 Nf5 $11 {Radjabov,T (2751)-Carlsen,M (2786)/ECC Kallithea/2008/}) 11... Bb7 12. Bf4 Rc8 13. a4 Ne7 (13... c5 14. a5 Bxf3 15. gxf3 Nd4 16. axb6 axb6 17. Nd5 c6 18. Nxb6 Rb8 {Saric,I (2567)-Efimenko,Z (2683)/Khanty-Mansiysk olm/2010/ } 19. Nd7 $1 $36) 14. a5 c5 15. Nb5 (15. axb6 axb6 16. Nb5 $36) 15... a6 16. Nd6+ cxd6 17. exd6 Nd5 18. c4 Nxf4 19. d7+ Kd8 20. Ne5 Be7 21. axb6 Ne2+ 22. Kf1 Nd4 23. dxc8=Q+ Kxc8 {Polgar,J (2682)-Carlsen,M (2826)/Kristiansund rpd/ 2010/} 24. Re1 Rf8 $1 25. Ng6 $13) ({However, Anand recently played} 10... h5 11. b3 Be7 12. Bb2 Be6 13. Rad1 a5 14. a4 b6 15. Ne4 c5 16. c4 Rd8 17. Rxd8+ Kxd8 18. Rd1+ Kc8 19. Kf1 Rd8 20. Rxd8+ Kxd8 21. Ke2 Ke8 22. Kd3 Bd8 23. Bc1 f6 $5 24. g4 hxg4 25. hxg4 Nd4 $11 {Shirov,A (2749)-Anand,V (2800)/Bilbao/2010/}) ({Here Black has quite a number of moves, which have been tested extensively in the past decade:} 10... Ne7) (10... a5)) 5... Nd6 ({Definitely the main move this time. Two months earlier, Anand was probably surprised by Carlsen's 5-th move and went for the slightly dubious} 5... Nf6 $6 6. Nxe5 Be7 (6... Nxe5 7. d4 $1 $36) 7. d4 O-O 8. Nc3 a6 9. Be2 (9. Ba4 $5) 9... d6 10. Nf3 (10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. h3 $14) 10... Re8 11. Bf4 Bf8 12. Qd2 h6 13. h3 Bf5 14. d5 Ne7 15. a4 Qd7 16. Bf1 Ng6 17. Be3 Ne4 18. Nxe4 Bxe4 19. Nh2 Nh4 20. f3 Bh7 21. Bf2 Ng6 22. a5 Rxe1 23. Rxe1 Re8 24. Rxe8 Qxe8 25. Qb4 Qc8 {Carlsen,M (2826)-Anand,V (2800)/Kristiansund rpd/2010/}) 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 {The more contemporary approach, leaving the Pd2 free to join the fray.} (7. Bd3 {was tested already in the first World Championship match in 1886! After} O-O 8. Nc3 Nxe5 9. Rxe5 c6 10. b3 {already Zuketort found the best defence} Ne8 $1 11. Qf3 (11. Bb2 d5 12. Qh5 Nf6 13. Qh4 h6 14. Rae1 Bd6 15. R5e2 Be6 16. Nd1 Nd7 17. Qh5 Nf6 18. Qh4 Nd7 19. Qh5 Nf6 {1/2,Torre,E (2535)-Gelfand,B (2680)/Moscow olm/1994/}) 11... d5 12. Bb2 Bf6 13. Re2 Nc7 ({Less harmonious is} 13... Nd6 14. Ba3 Be7 15. Qf4 Be6 16. Rae1 Qd7 17. Re5 b6 $6 18. R1e3 Rfe8 {Ni Hua (2629)-Karjakin,S (2645)/Tiayuan/2005/} 19. Rh5 f5 20. Rg3 Nf7 21. Bxe7 Qxe7 22. h3 Qf6 23. Bxf5 g6 24. Qf3 $1 $16) 14. Na4 (14. Ba3 Re8 15. Rae1 Ne6 16. Na4 Bd7 17. Nc5 Nxc5 18. Rxe8+ Bxe8 19. Bxc5 b6 20. Ba3 Bd7 21. Qg3 c5 22. c3 Be6 23. Bb2 Qd7 24. Bc2 Re8 25. h3 b5 26. d4 cxd4 27. cxd4 Rc8 28. Bd3 Bf5 {Steinitz,W-Zukertort,J/ WCh USA/1886/}) 14... Bxb2 15. Nxb2 Ne6 16. c3 Qd6 17. Rae1 Bd7 18. Bb1 Rae8 19. d4 Nf4 20. Re3 g6 $11 {Shirov,A (2710)-Ivanchuk,V (2700)/Monte Carlo blindfold rpd/1995/}) ({Harmless is} 7. Ba4 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Nc4 $1 10. Re1 d5 11. Nd2 Nb6 12. Bb3 Bd6 13. Qh5 Re8 14. Nf3 Rxe1+ 15. Nxe1 c6 16. c3 g6 17. Qf3 Bf5 18. Bf4 Nc8 19. Qg3 Bxf4 20. Qxf4 Qd6 21. Qxd6 Nxd6 22. f3 h5 23. Kf2 a5 24. Rc1 {1/2,Ye Jiangchuan (2670)-Ivanchuk,V (2719)/Shenyang/2000/}) 7... Nf5 {From the 3 plausible options Anand chooses the least usual one.} ( 7... Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. Nc3 {Two rounds later the World Champion went for} Ne8 (9... c6 10. d4 Ne8 11. d5 d6 12. Re1 Nf6 13. Bf4 Bg4 14. Qd2 Qd7 15. Bc4 Rfe8 16. h3 Bh5 17. a4 Bf8 18. a5 Bg6 {Meier,G (2659)-Onischuk,A (2688)/Lubbock/ 2010/} 19. a6 $5 $36) (9... Bf6 10. Re1 c6 (10... Re8 11. Rxe8+ Nxe8 12. Nd5 Bh4 13. g3 {1/2 Vallejo Pons,F (2697)-Ponomariov,R (2734)/Sestao 2010/The Week in Chess 825} c6 14. gxh4 cxd5 15. Qg4 $13 {/+/=}) 11. d4 Nf5 12. d5 d6 13. Ne4 (13. Bf4 Bxc3 14. bxc3 Qf6 15. c4 c5 16. Bd3 Nd4 17. Be3 h6 18. Qh5 Bd7 19. c3 Nf5 20. Bd2 Nh4 21. Re3 Rfe8 22. Rae1 {Fedorov,A (2611)-Sturua,Z (2514)/Dubai/ 2009/} Ng6 $11) 13... Be5 14. c3 Qb6 15. Bc4 Bd7 16. a4 cxd5 17. a5 Qc7 18. Bxd5 Bc6 19. Bxc6 Qxc6 20. a6 Rfe8 21. axb7 Qxb7 22. g3 $14 {Jansa,V (2521) -Bindrich,F (2401)/CZE-chT/2006/}) 10. Nd5 (10. d4 Bf6 11. Re1 d5 $11) 10... Bd6 11. Re1 c6 12. Ne3 Bc7 13. c4 $146 ({This novelty leads nowhere, but also} 13. Nf5 d5 14. Ne7+ Kh8 15. Nxc8 Rxc8 {isn't much - in a symmetrical and relatively closed position with only one open <-> the ^^ doesn't promise White a tangible pull.} 16. d3 Nf6 17. Qf3 Qd6 18. g3 Rce8 19. Bd2 Kg8 20. Bh3 Qc5 $11 {Vallejo Pons,F (2696)-Hansen,S (2552)/EU-chT Novi Sad/2009/}) 13... Nf6 14. b3 d5 15. cxd5 cxd5 (15... Nxd5 16. Ba3 Bd6 $11) 16. Qf3 Be6 17. Ba3 Re8 18. Bb5 Bd7 19. Bxd7 Qxd7 20. Bb2 Be5 21. Bxe5 Rxe5 22. Nc2 Rae8 23. Rxe5 Rxe5 24. Qc3 Re8 25. Qd4 b6 26. f3 Rd8 27. Ne3 Ne8 28. f4 Nc7 29. f5 Ne8 $1 30. Re1 Nf6 $11 {Gashimov,V (2719)-Anand,V (2800)/Nanjing/2010/}) ({Another safe line is} 7... O-O 8. d4 (8. Nc3 Nxe5 9. Rxe5 {-7...Ne5}) 8... Nf5 9. c3 (9. Nf3 d5 { transposes into our game.}) 9... Nxe5 10. Rxe5 (10. dxe5 d6 $11) 10... d6 ( 10... g6 11. Nd2 d5 12. Nf3 c6 13. Re1 Bd6 14. Bg5 f6 15. Bd2 Ng7 16. Bd3 Be6 17. Bh6 Qd7 18. Nh4 Rae8 19. Qc2 Bf7 20. g3 b6 $11 {Al Modiahki,M (2556) -Aronian,L (2737)/Sochi/2008/}) 11. Re1 d5 $1 (11... c6 12. Nd2 (12. d5 $5 Bf6 13. Na3 $13 {is the only attempt to bring some imbalance into the position.}) 12... d5 13. Nf3 Nh4 14. Nxh4 Bxh4 15. Bd3 Bf6 16. Bf4 Be6 17. Qf3 Qd7 18. Be5 Bxe5 19. Rxe5 f6 20. Re3 Rae8 21. Rae1 Bf7 {Ragger,M (2528)-Aronian,L (2741)/ Heraklio EU-chT/2007/}) 12. Bf4 (12. Nd2 Nh4 13. Nf3 Bg4 14. Be2 Re8 15. Nxh4 Bxe2 16. Qxe2 Bxh4 $11 {Neubauer,M (2453)-Sargissian,G (2673)/EU-chT Heraklio/ 2007/}) 12... Bd6 $11 (12... Nh4 $11)) 8. Nf3 $5 {[%mdl 2080] Carlsen indicates he wants to keep more pieces on the board and attempts to develop a pull without any risk. Glancing ahead, he will be surprisingly successful in the positional manoeuvring struggle.} (8. c3 Nxe5 9. Rxe5 d6 10. Re1 O-O 11. d4 d5 $11 {once again transposes into the 7...0-0 line from the previous note.}) 8... O-O (8... Ncd4 9. c3 Nxf3+ 10. Qxf3 Nh4 11. Qe4 Ng6 12. c4 O-O 13. d4 d6 14. Nc3 c6 15. f4 $6 (15. Qc2 $11 {/+/=}) 15... Bf6 16. Be3 Re8 17. Qd3 d5 18. cxd5 cxd5 19. Kh1 Ne7 20. Bg1 Be6 21. Rac1 g6 $15 {Llaneza Vega,M (2514) -Pashikian,A (2652)/EU-ch Rijeka/2010/}) 9. d4 d5 10. c3 (10. g3 {It seems worth forcing c3 after all and after} Bf6 $5 (10... Re8 11. Nc3 Be6 12. Ne2 g5 13. c3 Ng7 14. Bg2 f6 (14... h6 $142) 15. Nd2 Qd7 16. Nf1 Bf8 17. h4 $1 gxh4 18. Nf4 Bf7 19. Rxe8 Rxe8 20. Ne3 hxg3 21. fxg3 $16 {[%csl Rd5] >>, now} 23. Bg5 f6 { wins a tempo.}) 23. Qd1 (23. Nxg7 $2 Kxg7 24. Bh6+ Kf7 25. Qd1 Kg8 $17 { is too inconcrete.}) 23... Qd7 24. Qf3 Re8 25. h4 Bf7 {With hindsight one can recommend the immediate swap} (25... Bxf5 $142 26. Bxf5 Rxe1+ 27. Bxe1 Qe8 { , although even here White can definitely continue probing after} 28. Bd2 $14 ( 28. Qe3 $5)) 26. Rf1 $1 {An excellent move, avoiding simplification is more important than the <->e, on which Black has no points of entry anyway.} Bg6 ({ After some thought Anand discarded} 26... h5 27. g4 $1 hxg4 28. Qxg4 $36 { and decides to eliminate the Nf5 after all.}) 27. h5 Bxf5 28. Bxf5 Qf7 29. Kg2 (29. Bd3 g6 {tranposes, as} 30. g4 $6 Ne6 31. Re1 Re7 {allows Black <=> in connection with Ng5.}) 29... g6 30. Bd3 f5 31. Rh1 {Now Black will have a tactical defence, so this was the right time for} (31. g4 $142 $1 $36) 31... Ne6 32. hxg6 (32. g4 Bf4 (32... fxg4 $5 33. Qxg4 Rf8 34. f3 g5 35. Re1 Nf4+ 36. Bxf4 Qxf4 37. Re7 Qxg4+ 38. fxg4 Rf7 39. Rxf7 Kxf7 40. Bxh7 Bf4 $11) 33. hxg6 { -32.hg6}) 32... hxg6 33. g4 (33. Be3 Qf6 {/\Ng5}) 33... Bf4 $1 (33... f4 34. Qh3 $36) 34. Be3 (34. gxf5 Bxd2 35. fxe6 Qxf3+ 36. Kxf3 Rxe6 $11) (34. Bxf4 $6 fxg4 35. Rh8+ $8 Kxh8 36. Be5+ Kg8 37. Qxg4 Nf8 38. f4 Qh7 $15) 34... fxg4 $6 { After this slip White retains a pull.} (34... Bxe3 $142 {/\} 35. fxe3 (35. Qxe3 $2 fxg4 36. Qh6 Qf3+ 37. Kg1 Ng7 $1 $19) 35... Ng5 36. Qf4 fxg4 $1 37. Rh6 (37. Qxg5 $4 Qf3+ 38. Kg1 Qg3+ 39. Kf1 Rf8+ 40. Ke2 Qg2+ $19) (37. Qxg4 Rxe3 38. Rh6 Qf3+ 39. Qxf3 Nxf3 $11) 37... Qxf4 38. exf4 Re3 39. Bf1 Ne6 40. Rxg6+ Kf7 41. Rxg4 Re1 $11) 35. Qxg4 Kg7 36. Rh5 $1 {[%CAl Rh5f5] Due to the threat Rf5 Black can't maintain his blockade on f4} Bxe3 (36... Kf6 37. Qh4+ g5 38. Qg4 $16 (38. Qh3 $16)) 37. fxe3 Nf8 ({More active was} 37... Rf8 $5 38. Rf5 Qe7 39. Re5 Qf6 40. Qg3 $14 (40. Qxg6+ Qxg6+ 41. Bxg6 Nxd4 $11)) 38. Rh3 (38. Qg5 Qf6 39. Qh6+ Kg8 40. Rh3 Re7 41. Rf3 Qg7 $14) 38... Kg8 $6 $138 {Now Black's coordination gets disrupted even more.} (38... Qf6 $142 39. Rf3 Qd6 40. Qh4 Re6 $5 41. Rh3 Rf6 42. e4 Qf4 (42... dxe4 $2 43. Bc4 $18) 43. Qxf4 Rxf4 $14) 39. Rf3 Qe6 40. Qf4 (40. Qg3 $16 {[%CAl Yd3c2,Ye3e4,Rd3f5] /\Bf5,Bc2,e4|^}) 40... Kg7 ({Not ideal, somewhat better and more resilient was} 40... Qe7 $16) 41. b3 $6 {[%CAl Yc3c4] /\c4} ({Strategically sound, but} 41. Rh3 $142 Qf6 42. Qh6+ Kg8 43. Bxg6 $1 $16 {/+- wins a healthy P.}) 41... Qe7 (41... b5 $6 42. Rh3) 42. c4 Rd8 43. Rh3 (43. c5 $1 {()}) 43... Rd6 44. Qh6+ Kg8 (44... Kf7 $142 45. cxd5 cxd5 46. Rf3+ Kg8 (46... Rf6 $2 47. Qg5 Rxf3 48. Qxd5+ $18) 47. e4 g5 $1 48. Qh5 Kg7 49. exd5 (49. e5 $2 Rh6 50. Qg4 Ne6 $36) 49... Ng6 (49... Rh6 50. d6 $1 Rxd6 51. Rg3 Rd5 52. Rh3 $16) 50. Kf2 $14 {/+/-}) 45. cxd5 cxd5 46. e4 $1 $16 {This break wins more space and gives White a permanent strategic advantage due to his superior P-structure.} Qg7 47. Qe3 Qe7 (47... dxe4 $2 48. Bc4+ Ne6 49. Qxe4 $18) 48. e5 {[%csl Rd5,Ge5,Rg6]} Rc6 49. Qh6 Qg7 50. Qh4 a6 ( 50... Ne6 51. Qg4 {[%CAl Yg2f2,Yf2e3] /\Kf2-e3 forces the N back sooner or later anyway.}) 51. Rf3 Qd7 {Black must temporize.} (51... g5 52. Qh5 Ng6 53. Bxg6 Qxg6 54. Qxg6+ Rxg6 55. Kg3 $18) 52. b4 $5 b5 53. a3 Qc7 54. Kg3 Kg7 55. Bb1 $1 {Getting ready to target > , but after about 5 hours of play it's very difficult to find such computer-like ideas.}) 57. Bb3 Rc1 58. Kh2 Rb1 59. Bc2 Rb2 60. Rc3 $18 {[%csl Rb2] Now the Rb2 is cut off and White is virtually winning...} Qf7 61. Kg3 (61. e6 $1 Qxe6 62. Rc7+ Kf8 63. Qh6+ (63. Qxh7 Qe2+ 64. Kg3 Rb3+ $1 65. Bxb3 Qe3+ 66. Kg4 Qe4+ 67. Kg5 Qf5+ $11 68. Kh6 $4 Qh5#) 63... Ke8 64. Qxh7 $18 {and now there is no perpetual, as Black's K doesn't control g7 anymore.}) 61... Nf8 62. Rf3 Qe6 63. Qd8 $2 (63. Rf6 Qe8 (63... Qg8 64. Rf2 Nh7 (64... Qe6 65. Rh2 Kf7 66. Qh8 Ke7 67. Qg7+ $18 {/\} Qf7 68. Qxf7+ Kxf7 69. Bxg6+) 65. Qe7+ Kh8 66. Qd6 $18) 64. Rf2 Ra2 (64... Qe6 65. Rh2 $18 {-63...Qg8}) 65. Qf6+ Kg8 66. Qd6 $5 (66. Bb3 Rxa3 67. Rf3 Rxb3 68. Rxb3 Ne6 69. Kf2 $1 $18) 66... Rxa3+ 67. Kh2 Ne6 (67... Rc3 68. Bb3 $1 $18) 68. Rf6 Ra2 69. Rxe6 Rxc2+ 70. Kg3 Rc3+ 71. Kh4 g5+ 72. Kxg5 Rg3+ 73. Kf4 Rf3+ 74. Kg4 $1 (74. Kg5 $2 Rf5+ 75. Kxf5 Qh5+ $11) (74. Kxf3 $2 Qh5+) 74... Qf8 ( 74... Qf7 75. Qd8+ Kh7 76. Qh4+ Kg8 77. Qg5+ Kf8 78. Qh6+) 75. Qxf8+ Rxf8 76. Rxa6 $18) 63... Nd7 64. Rf2 $2 (64. Bd3 $5 Rb3 65. Be2 $16 {still keeps White's winning chances alive.}) 64... Ra2 {Now Black has enough <=>, as White's K is vulnerable as well.} 65. Kh2 (65. Rh2 $2 Rxa3+ 66. Kf2 Qf7+ 67. Ke1 Ra1+ 68. Bd1 Nf8 $17) 65... Qg4 $11 (65... Nxe5 66. dxe5 (66. Qf8+ Kh7 67. dxe5 Qxe5+ 68. Kh3 Rxa3+ 69. Rf3 Qh5+ 70. Kg2 Qg5+ $11) 66... Qxe5+ 67. Kh1 ( 67. Kg2 Rxc2 68. Qf8+ Kh7 69. Rxc2 Qe4+ 70. Kf1 Qxc2 71. Qe7+ $11 {and already White has to give a perpetual.}) 67... Qh5+ 68. Kg2 Qg4+ $11) 66. Qe7+ Kh6 67. Qd8 (67. Qe8 Qh4+ $11 {is the same.}) (67. e6 $4 Rxa3 $19) 67... Qh5+ 68. Kg2 Qg4+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "Dortmund SuperGM 37th"] [Site "Dortmund"] [Date "2009.07.10"] [Round "8"] [White "Kramnik, Vladimir"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D37"] [WhiteElo "2759"] [BlackElo "2772"] [Annotator "Stohl,I"] [PlyCount "71"] [EventDate "2009.07.02"] [EventType "tourn"] [EventRounds "10"] [EventCountry "GER"] [EventCategory "20"] [SourceTitle "CBM 131"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2009.07.15"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2009.07.15"] [SourceQuality "1"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 {Again no Catalan from Kramnik, just as in the previous rounds.} Be7 5. Bf4 {Kramnik plays this slightly more often than the other bishop move, Carlsen with White also alternates between the two main lines.} ({Currently the theoretical reputation of the solid line} 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. e3 b6 {remains intact. Although in a recent high-level game White was successful, this was not due to the opening itself:} 8. Be2 Bb7 9. Bxf6 Bxf6 10. cxd5 exd5 11. b4 c5 12. bxc5 bxc5 13. Rb1 Bc6 14. O-O Nd7 15. Bb5 Qc7 16. Qd3 Rfc8 17. Rfd1 Rab8 18. a4 cxd4 19. exd4 Ba8 $6 (19... Bxb5 $142 $11 { Gelfand} 20. Nxb5 $140 Qa5 $1 21. Qf5 Qxa4 22. Qxd7 a6 23. Ne5 Bxe5 24. dxe5 Rd8 25. Qc6 Rxb5 26. e6 $1 $11) 20. Qf5 Qxc3 (20... Rd8 $5 21. Rbc1 $14) 21. Qxd7 Qc7 22. Qf5 Rb6 23. Ne5 $36 {Grischuk,A (2748)-Gelfand,B (2733)/Nalchik/ 2009/ Krasenkow's notes in CBM 130 show that White's minor pieces are stronger than Black's bishop pair, especially the ?a8.}) 5... O-O 6. e3 c5 ({The last time Kramnik had to face this line with Black, he opted for} 6... Nbd7 7. a3 ({ More ambitious is} 7. c5 {, but even here Black can hold his own:} Nh5 (7... c6 8. Bd3 b6 9. b4 a5 10. a3 Ba6 11. O-O Qc8 12. h3 Qb7 13. Rb1 Bxd3 (13... axb4 14. axb4 Rfc8 15. Bxa6 Qxa6 16. Qc2 Bd8 17. Rb2 Qb7 18. Ne1 Bc7 19. Nd3 Ne8 20. Rc1 b5 21. Nb1 f6 22. Bxc7 Nxc7 23. Nd2 Ra6 24. e4 Nf8 25. e5 f5 26. Nb3 Ne8 27. Na5 Qf7 28. Qd2 h6 29. h4 $14 {(),Cheparinov,I (2679)-L'Ami,E (2603)/EU-ch Budva/2009/}) 14. Qxd3 axb4 15. axb4 Ra3 16. Qc2 Rfa8 17. Rfc1 b5 18. Nd2 Bd8 19. Nb3 Ne4 $1 20. Nxe4 dxe4 21. Qxe4 Nf6 22. Qf3 Nd5 $132 {/=/+,Lysyj,I (2593) -Zvjaginsev,V (2677)/Moscow op/2008/}) 8. Bd3 Nxf4 9. exf4 b6 (9... c6 10. O-O b6 11. b4 bxc5 12. bxc5 Qa5 13. Qc2 h6 14. Rfb1 Ba6 15. Bxa6 Qxa6 16. Ne2 Rfb8 17. Ne1 Bf6 18. Nd3 Qa5 19. g3 Bd8 20. Kg2 Bc7 21. Ng1 Rxb1 22. Rxb1 Rb8 23. Rxb8+ Nxb8 24. Nf3 Nd7 25. h4 Qb5 26. Nde5 {Sargissian,G (2678)-Ehlvest,J (2595)/Moscow Aeroflot op/2009/} Bxe5 $11) 10. b4 a5 11. a3 c6 12. O-O Qc7 13. g3 Ba6 14. Re1 Bf6 15. Ne5 Bxe5 16. fxe5 Bxd3 17. Qxd3 Ra7 18. Reb1 b5 19. a4 axb4 20. Rxb4 f6 21. exf6 Nxf6 22. Qe2 Re8 23. Re1 bxa4 24. Rxa4 Rxa4 25. Nxa4 Qa5 26. Nb6 e5 $1 $11 {Krasenkow,M (2620)-Riazantsev,A (2634)/Metz op/2009/}) 7... c5 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. Nxd5 exd5 10. dxc5 Nxc5 11. Be5 Bf5 $5 (11... Bf6 { is played more often, but Kramnik's choice is no less natural.}) 12. Be2 Bf6 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Nd4 Ne6 15. Nxf5 Qxf5 16. O-O Rfd8 17. Bg4 Qe5 18. Qb3 Nc5 19. Qb5 b6 20. Rfd1 Rd6 21. Rd4 a6 22. Qb4 h5 23. Bh3 Rad8 24. g3 g5 $5 25. Rad1 g4 26. Bg2 Ne6 27. R4d3 d4 28. exd4 Rxd4 29. Rxd4 Rxd4 $11 {1/2,Anand,V (2783)-Kramnik,V (2772)/WCh Bonn/ 2008/}) 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. a3 Nc6 9. Qc2 { Aims for a more complex struggle.} ({The other topical continuation is} 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Nxd5 exd5 11. Bd3 Bb6 12. O-O {, here Black has to make an important choice:} {More enterprising is} d4 (12... Bg4 13. h3 Bh5 14. b4 Re8 15. Rc1 a6 16. Bxa6 Rxa6 17. b5 Rxa3 18. bxc6 bxc6 19. Rxc6 Ra7 20. Rd6 Rd7 21. Qxd5 Rxd6 22. Qxd6 Qxd6 23. Bxd6 $11 {/+/= leads to an _|_, in which White has at best only practical winning chances. Although he can push on without risk, ultimately he was successful only in the Leko-Kramnik game from WCh 2004.} Rd8 $5 (23... Bxf3 24. gxf3 Bd8 25. Rb1 Bf6 26. Kg2 g6 27. f4 Kg7 28. Rb7 Re6 29. Rd7 Re8 30. Ra7 Re6 31. Bc5 Rc6 32. Ra5 $14 {Leko,P (2741)-Kramnik,V (2770)/ WCh Brissago/2004/}) 24. Bg3 Bc5 25. Rc1 Bf8 26. Nd4 Bg6 27. Rc7 h6 28. h4 Re8 29. Nb5 Rb8 30. Nc3 Re8 31. Kh2 Bf5 32. Nb5 Rc8 33. Ra7 Bc5 34. Ra1 Rd8 { <=>^^,Karpov,A (2687)-Anand,V (2755)/Moscow rpd/2002/}) 13. e4 Bg4 14. h3 Qf6 ( 14... Bh5 $5 15. g4 Bg6 16. Nd2 f6 $13 {is also playable}) 15. Bh2 (15. Bg3 Bh5 $1 16. Re1 Rfe8 17. Rc1 Bxf3 18. Qxf3 Ne5 19. Qxf6 gxf6 20. Bxe5 fxe5 21. g3 Rac8 22. Kg2 Kg7 23. Kf3 Kf6 24. h4 Rg8 25. Ke2 Ke7 $11 {Christiansen,L (2524) -Onischuk,A (2638)/Minneapolis/2005/}) (15. hxg4 Qxf4 16. g5 Nd8 17. g3 Qg4 18. Kg2 Ne6 19. Rh1 Nf4+ 20. Kf1 Nh3 21. Qd2 Bd8 22. e5 g6 23. Be2 {Beliavsky,A (2641)-Meier,G (2560)/EU-ch Plovdiv/2008/} Nxg5 24. Kg2 Qe4 25. Rae1 Rc8 26. Bd1 Qc6 27. Qxd4 Ne6 28. Qg4 $13 {Beliavsky}) 15... Bxf3 {Here the swap is more justified, as the B on h2 is placed worse, than on g3.} 16. Qxf3 Qxf3 17. gxf3 Na5 18. Rac1 Nb3 19. Rc2 Rac8 20. Rd1 Nc5 21. Bb5 Rfd8 22. Kg2 Ne6 23. Rxc8 Rxc8 24. f4 Rc2 25. f5 Nc5 26. Rxd4 g6 27. Be5 Rxb2 28. Bc4 Rc2 29. Bd5 Kf8 30. Bg3 Ke7 31. Bh4+ f6 32. fxg6 hxg6 33. e5 g5 34. exf6+ Kxf6 35. Bg3 Ne6 36. Rc4 Nf4+ $11 {1/2,Portisch,L (2512)-Beliavsky,A (2648)/Bazna/2007/}) ({ Too sterile is} 9. Be2 dxc4 10. Bxc4 {due to} Nh5 $1 11. Qxd8 (11. Bg5 Be7 12. Bxe7 Qxe7 13. O-O Rd8 14. Qe2 Bd7 15. e4 Nf4 16. Qe3 Ng6 17. e5 Nh4 $1 18. Nxh4 Qxh4 $11 {Nikolic,P (2600)-Georgiev,K (2535)/Dubai olm/1986/}) 11... Rxd8 12. Bc7 Rd7 13. Be5 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Rd8 15. O-O Nf6 16. Rfd1 Bd7 17. Nxd7 Rxd7 18. Rxd7 Nxd7 19. Rd1 Nf6 20. Kf1 $11 {1/2,Topalov,V (2750)-Gelfand,B (2665)/ Vienna/1996/}) ({After} 9. b4 {White must reckon with the sharp sacrifice} Nxb4 $5 (9... Be7 $132 {is fully playable as well.}) 10. axb4 Bxb4 11. Qb3 a5 12. O-O-O Bd7 13. Ne5 (13. Rd4 $2 Qe7 14. Be5 Rfc8 15. Kb1 b5 16. Nxb5 a4 17. Qa2 Bxb5 18. Bxf6 gxf6 19. cxb5 Rc3 20. Rd3 Rac8 $19 {->,Epishin,V (2606)-Short,N (2673)/Malmo/2002/}) (13. Kb1 $5 $13) 13... Rc8 14. Nxd7 (14. Kb1 $5) 14... Qxd7 15. Qc2 Bxc3 16. Qxc3 Ne4 17. Qb2 b5 18. f3 Nd6 19. Bxd6 Qxd6 20. Qxb5 Qa3+ 21. Qb2 Qxe3+ $44 {|^, Denayer,W (2255)-Shishkin,V (2135)/corr/2007/}) 9... Qa5 10. Rd1 {The attention has again focused upon this older move.} ({ Black has found means to disarm the sharp attempt} 10. O-O-O Be7 11. h4 (11. g4 dxc4 12. Bxc4 e5 13. g5 exf4 14. gxf6 Bxf6 15. Nd5 Ne7 $1 $132 {and the defence holds.}) 11... Rd8 12. Nd2 dxc4 (12... a6 $6 13. g4 $1 dxc4 14. Nxc4 Rxd1+ 15. Qxd1 Qd8 16. Qxd8+ Bxd8 17. Bg2 e5 18. Nxe5 Nxe5 19. Bxe5 Nxg4 20. Bg3 Kf8 21. Rd1 Ke8 22. Na4 $16 {1-0 Nielsen,P (2625)-Glud,J (2486)/Silkeborg 2008/CBM 123 Extra (40)}) 13. Nxc4 Rxd1+ 14. Qxd1 Qd8 15. Qxd8+ Nxd8 (15... Bxd8 16. Be2 Nd5 17. Nxd5 exd5 18. Nd6 Bc7 19. Rd1 Bxd6 20. Bxd6 $14 {Peng,Z (2400)-Maric,A (2460)/Groningen/1997/}) 16. Be2 Bd7 17. e4 Bc6 18. f3 Nh5 19. Bc7 Rc8 20. Be5 Bf6 21. Nd6 Ra8 (21... Rc7 $5 {Kramnik}) 22. Bxf6 Nxf6 23. Rd1 Kf8 24. Kd2 Ne8 25. Nc4 f6 26. Ke3 b6 27. f4 Nf7 28. g4 h6 $14 {/=,Topalov,V (2783)-Kramnik,V (2766)/Wijk aan Zee/2007/ In the resulting _|_ White has slight edge due to his space advantage, but the position is symmetrical and in the course of the game Black neutralized any winning attempts with careful defence.}) ({Some years ago Black faced a few problems after} 10. Nd2 {However, then Anand and Nielsen came up with the convincing} Bb4 (10... Be7 11. Bg3 Bd7 12. Be2 Rfc8 13. O-O (13. Rd1 Qd8 14. cxd5 Nxd5 15. Nxd5 exd5 16. Qb1 d4 17. O-O $5 $36 {is Agrest's untested suggestion, which also deserves attention.}) 13... Qd8 14. b4 $14 {()}) 11. cxd5 exd5 12. Bd3 Nh5 $1 13. Bg3 (13. Nb3 Bxc3+ 14. bxc3 Qd8 $11) (13. Bxh7+ Kh8 14. Bd3 Nxf4 15. exf4 Re8+ $36) 13... h6 ( 13... d4 $5 14. Nb3 Bxc3+ 15. bxc3 Qxc3+ 16. Qxc3 dxc3 17. Rc1 Nxg3 18. hxg3 h6 19. Rxc3 Be6 20. Nc5 Ne5 {Jankovic,A (2532)-Saravanan,V (2405)/Kalamaria/2008/ is also good enough, here White should have played the modest} 21. Nxe6 Nxd3+ 22. Rxd3 fxe6 23. Ke2 $11) 14. O-O Bxc3 15. Nb3 Qb6 16. Qxc3 Nxg3 17. hxg3 Rd8 18. Nc5 d4 19. exd4 Nxd4 20. Rfe1 Be6 21. Nxe6 Nxe6 22. Rac1 Rd6 23. b4 Rad8 24. Be4 Ng5 25. Bb1 Rc6 26. Qb2 Rxc1 27. Qxc1 g6 28. Qc3 Qd4 29. Qxd4 $11 { 1/2,Gelfand,B (2727)-Nielsen,P (2646)/Turin olm/2006/}) 10... Be7 {The standard reaction, tested already in the Karpov-Korchnoi matches.} (10... Re8 $6 11. Nd2 e5 12. Bg5 Nd4 13. Qb1 Bf5 14. Bd3 e4 15. Bc2 (15. Bf1 $5 {is risky, but objectively even stronger.}) 15... Nxc2+ 16. Qxc2 Qa6 17. Bxf6 Qxf6 18. Nb3 Bd6 19. Rxd5 $16 {Kortschnoj,V (2665)-Karpov,A (2725)/WCh Baguio City/1978/}) 11. Be2 {Currently White's main try.} ({The older continuation} 11. Nd2 e5 12. Bg5 d4 13. Nb3 {doesn't promise too much and Black even has a choice:} Qd8 ( 13... Qb6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Nd5 Qd8 16. Bd3 g6 17. exd4 Nxd4 18. Nxd4 exd4 19. Nxf6+ (19. O-O Bg7 $1 20. Rde1 Be6 21. Nf4 Bd7 22. Be4 Rb8 23. Nd3 Qc7 24. b3 Rfe8 25. Qd2 a5 $132 {Gelfand,B (2691)-Kramnik,V (2751)/Dos Hermanas/1999/}) 19... Qxf6 20. O-O Bg4 21. f3 Be6 22. f4 Bd7 23. Be4 Bc6 24. Bd5 Rfe8 25. Qd3 Bxd5 26. cxd5 Rac8 27. g3 Kf8 28. Rf2 Re3 29. Qxd4 Qxd4 30. Rxd4 Ke7 $44 { Hansen,C (2505)-Jussupow,A (2590)/Reykjavik/1985/}) 14. Be2 a5 15. Na4 g6 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. O-O (17. c5 Be6 18. e4 Qe8 19. Nb6 a4 20. Nd2 Ra5 21. Bd3 Be7 22. Nxa4 $2 (22. Ndc4 $142) 22... Nb8 23. b3 Bxb3 24. Nxb3 Rxa4 25. Ra1 Qc6 26. O-O Nd7 27. Qe2 Nxc5 28. Rfc1 Ra7 29. Nxc5 Bxc5 $17 {Alterman,B (2615)-Kasparov,G (2825)/Tel Aviv sim/1998/}) 17... Qc7 (17... Bg7 $5 18. c5 Qh4 19. e4 Be6 20. Bd3 f5 $13 {Shneider,A (2495)-Kruppa,Y (2440)/Podolsk/1989/}) 18. c5 Be6 19. e4 Ne7 20. Nd2 Bg5 21. Nf3 Bh6 22. Bc4 Bg4 23. Rd3 Kh8 24. h3 f5 25. Rb3 d3 $1 26. Qxd3 Rad8 $44 {Ftacnik,L (2590)-Kotronias,V (2550)/Thessaloniki olm/1988/}) 11... dxc4 ({Inferior is} 11... Ne4 12. cxd5 Nxc3 13. Qxc3 $5 (13. bxc3 exd5 14. O-O Be6 15. a4 Rac8 16. Rb1 Bf6 17. Rxb7 d4 18. exd4 Nxd4 19. Nxd4 Bxd4 20. Rb5 Qxc3 21. Qxc3 Rxc3 22. Rd1 Rc2 23. Rxd4 Rxe2 $11 {Vorobiov,E (2572) -Mikhalevski,A (2441)/Pardubice/2007/}) 13... Qxc3+ 14. bxc3 exd5 15. Rxd5 Bxa3 16. Nd4 a5 (16... Be7 17. Kd2 Rd8 18. Bf3 $14 Nxd4 $2 19. cxd4 Bb4+ 20. Kd3 Rxd5 21. Bxd5 Kf8 22. Rc1 Ba5 23. e4 Ke7 24. Bc7 $18 {Nyback,T (2655)-Dobrev,N (2366)/FRA-chT Chalons en Champagne/2009/}) 17. Rb5 a4 18. Kd2 Be7 19. Ra1 Ra7 20. Bg5 f6 21. Bf4 Rd8 22. Bc7 Re8 23. Bb6 Ra8 24. Bc4+ Kf8 25. Ne6+ Bxe6 26. Bxe6 Bd6 27. Bd5 Re7 28. Kc2 Rd7 29. Be6 Re7 30. Bd5 Rd7 31. f4 $36 {[%csl Gb6, Gd5] ^^,Sokolov,I (2657)-Meier,G (2608)/EU-ch Budva/2009/}) ({However, a possibly viable idea is} 11... e5 $5 12. Nxe5 (12. Bxe5 $5 dxc4 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Bxc4 Bf5 15. Qb3 $14) 12... Nxe5 13. Bxe5 dxc4 14. Bd4 Bf5 15. Qc1 Rac8 16. O-O Rfd8 17. Rd2 Ne4 18. Nxe4 Bxe4 19. f3 Bf5 20. Rfd1 b5 21. Bc3 Qc7 22. Rxd8+ Rxd8 23. Rxd8+ Qxd8 24. Bd4 a6 25. Qc3 Bf8 26. e4 Be6 27. f4 f6 $11 { Mamedyarov,S (2646)-Nielsen,P (2668)/ESP-chT Sant Lluis/2005/}) 12. Bxc4 $32 { White had to invest a tempo with his B, but Black still has some problems with his << development.} Nh5 {A rare move.} ({However, even the more usual reaction isn't quite ideal:} 12... e5 13. Bg3 Bg4 14. O-O Rac8 15. Nd5 (15. Rc1 $5 a6 16. Ng5 Bh5 17. Nd5 Bg6 18. Nxe7+ Nxe7 19. Qb3 b5 20. Be6 Rxc1 21. Rxc1 Ne4 22. Nxe4 Bxe4 23. f3 Bb7 24. Bh3 Bd5 25. Qc3 Qxc3 26. Rxc3 f6 27. e4 $16 { Rychagov,A (2575)-Aveskulov,V (2495)/Saratov/2006/}) 15... b5 (15... Nxd5 16. Rxd5 (16. Bxd5 $142 $1 $14) 16... Qc7 17. Qe4 Be6 18. Rd2 Bxc4 19. Qxc4 Bf6 20. Rfd1 Rfd8 21. h3 {Werner,D (2376)-Porat,D (2199)/Budapest/2005/} Qe7 $11) 16. Ba2 Nxd5 17. Bxd5 Nd4 18. Qb1 b4 19. Qe4 Bxf3 20. gxf3 Ne2+ 21. Kg2 Nxg3 $2 ( 21... bxa3 22. Qxe5 $14) 22. hxg3 bxa3 23. Rh1 g6 24. Rxh7 $1 Kxh7 25. Qxe5 Kg8 26. Rh1 {1-0,Mamedyarov,S (2646)-Moradiabadi,E (2485)/Abu Dhabi op/2005/}) 13. O-O (13. Bd3 g6 14. Bh6 Rd8 15. O-O Bd7 16. Be2 a6 17. Nd2 Nf6 18. Bf4 e5 19. Bg5 Be6 20. h3 Rac8 21. Bxf6 Bxf6 22. Bg4 {Vallejo Pons,F (2702)-Short,N (2663) /Wijk aan Zee/2009/} Nd4 $5 $132 {/\} 23. exd4 Bxg4 24. hxg4 exd4 25. Nde4 Bg7 26. Qa4 Qe5 27. f4 Qe7 28. f5 dxc3 29. f6 Qc7 $1 30. fxg7 c2 31. Rxd8+ Qxd8 32. Nc3 Qd2 $17) ({White can aspire for a minimal advantage with} 13. Bd6 Bxd6 14. Rxd6 Nf6 15. Qd2 $5 (15. Rd2 Rd8 16. Rxd8+ Qxd8 17. O-O Bd7 18. Rd1 Qe7 19. h3 Rd8 20. Rd2 Be8 21. Rxd8 Qxd8 22. Qd2 Qxd2 23. Nxd2 Kf8 24. f4 Ke7 $11 { Mecking,H (2567)-Short,N (2663)/Wijk aan Zee/2009/}) 15... Rd8 16. Rxd8+ Qxd8 17. Qxd8+ Nxd8 18. Ke2 Kf8 19. e4 Bd7 20. e5 Ne8 21. Rd1 Ke7 22. Ng5 Rc8 23. Ba2 h6 24. Nge4 b6 25. f4 Nb7 26. Nd2 Nc5 27. Nc4 Bc6 28. g3 $14 {(),Eljanov,P (2693)-Chadaev,N (2557)/RUS-chT Dagomys/2009/}) 13... Nxf4 14. exf4 g6 { Frees g7 for the Be7.} ({Another purpose for the text-move can be seen from the following example:} 14... Rd8 $6 15. Rxd8+ Qxd8 16. Rd1 Bd7 17. f5 $1 Qc8 ( 17... exf5 18. Qb3 $40) 18. Qd3 Be8 19. fxe6 fxe6 20. Nd5 Qd8 21. Qe2 $18 { Gupta,A (2569)-Kjartansson,G (2365)/Reykjavik/2009/}) 15. g3 {White makes a useful move and waits to see, how Black intends to unravel his <d.} 18. f5 {[%mdl 512] An interesting pawn sacrifice, but for the time being Carlsen finds the way to hold the balance.} ({Possibly more promising was Shipov's suggestion} 18. Ng5 $5 Qc8 $142 (18... Rc8 $2 19. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 20. f5 gxf5 21. Qxf5+ Kg7 22. Qg4+ Kf7 23. Qe4 $1 Kg7 24. Rxd7 Qxd7 25. Bxe6 {/\Qg4+-}) (18... Qe8 19. Nb5 Rd8 20. Nc7 ( 20. Nd6 Bxd6 21. Rxd6 Qe7 $14) 20... Qf8 21. Rxd7 $1 Rxd7 22. Ncxe6 Qh6 23. Kg2 $1 $40) 19. h4 $36) 18... gxf5 (18... exf5 $6 19. Qb3 Rb8 (19... Qe8 20. Bxf7+ Qxf7 21. Qxb7 Rb8 22. Qxd7 $18) 20. Bxf7+ Kg7 21. Kg2 $5 (21. Be6 Bxe6 22. Qxe6 Qg8 $14) 21... Qc8 22. Ne2 {[%csl Re6][%CAl Ye2f4] /\Nf4|^,>,/\Qf6,Re6} Qc7 24. Qf6+ Kg8 25. Rxe6 Qd8 $8 26. Qxf5 (26. Rd6 $16) 26... fxe6 27. Qxe6+ Bf7 (27... Kg7 28. Qg8+ Kh6 29. Qf8+ Kg6 30. Nd5 $18) 28. Qxf7+ Kh8 29. Qxb7 Na5 30. Qb5 $16) 23. Qh6+ {White repeats moves to gain time before the control.} (23. Rd6 { -25.Rd6}) 23... Kg8 24. Qg5+ Kf8 25. Rd6 Qc7 $2 {[%mdl 8256] A serious error, which White exploits with a decisive piece of tactics.} (25... Rd8 26. Rxe6 $5 Qd4 $142 $1 (26... fxe6 $2 27. Qh6+ Kg8 (27... Ke7 $2 28. Qxe6+ Kf8 29. Qf6+) 28. Qxe6+ Kg7 29. Qg8+ Kf6 30. Qf8+ Ke5 (30... Kg6 31. Ne2 $1 $18) (30... Kg5 31. Ne4+ fxe4 32. h4+ Kg6 33. Qg8+ Kf5 34. Qg5#) 31. Nb5 $1 {[%CAl Rf8g7] / \Qg7+-}) 27. Rf6 (27. Qh6+ Kg8 28. Rf6 Qxc4 29. Qg5+ {-27.Rf6}) 27... Qxc4 28. Rxc6 Qd4 29. Rc4 Qd2 30. Qxf5 Bc6 31. Rxc6 $5 (31. Ne4 Qd1+ 32. Kg2 Qd5 33. Qxd5 Bxd5 34. Rd4 f5 35. f3 fxe4 36. fxe4 Bxe4+ 37. Rxe4 Rd2+ $11) 31... bxc6 32. Qxh7 Rd6 $14 {White is somewhat better (safer K), but the result of the game is far from decided.}) (25... Qc5 $5 {is safer and holds the balance:} 26. Ne4 $5 (26. Qh6+ Kg8 (26... Ke7 $2 27. Nd5+ $1 exd5 (27... Kxd6 28. Qf8+ $18) 28. Rxd5 $18 {/\} Qxc4 29. Qd6#) 27. Rxe6 fxe6 (27... Qxc4 28. Qg5+ $11) 28. Bxe6+ Bf7 29. Nd5 Bxe6 30. Qxe6+ Kg7 $11) 26... Qxc4 27. Nf6 Ke7 $8 28. Rd1 ( 28. Ne4+ Kf8 $11) 28... Nd4 $8 29. Nxe8+ Kxe8 $1 (29... Kf8 30. Qg7+ Kxe8 31. Rxd4 Qc1+ 32. Kg2 Rc8 33. Rh4 $36) 30. Qg8+ Ke7 31. Qxa8 Ne2+ $5 (31... Qd5 32. Rxd4 Qxd4 33. Qxb7+ Kf6 34. Kg2 $11 {/+/=}) 32. Kg2 Qe4+ 33. f3 Nf4+ 34. gxf4 Qe2+ 35. Kg3 Qxd1 36. Qxb7+ Qd7 $11) (25... Qxb2 $2 26. Qf6 Qc1+ (26... Kg8 27. Rxe6 $18) 27. Rd1 Qxa3 28. Bxe6 Kg8 29. Bxf5 Qf8 30. Ne4 $18 {->}) 26. Qh6+ Ke7 $8 (26... Kg8 27. Rxe6 $1 fxe6 28. Bxe6+ Bf7 29. Nd5 $18 {[%CAl Rd5f6] /\Nf6}) 27. Qh4+ {White again repeats moves, here he wants to accurately calculate the winning line.} (27. Nb5 $1 {-29.Nb5!}) 27... Kf8 (27... Kxd6 28. Nb5+ Kd7 29. Nxc7 $18 (29. Bxe6+ $5 fxe6 30. Qxh7+ $18)) 28. Qh6+ Ke7 29. Nb5 $1 Qa5 (29... Qxd6 30. Nxd6 Kxd6 31. Qxh7 Ne5 {was more resilient, but equally hopeless in the long run - the o^h2 will decide after} 32. Be2 $18 {[%csl Gh2]}) (29... Qc8 30. Qxh7 Nd8 (30... Kf8 31. Qh6+ Ke7 32. Qg5+ Kf8 33. Nd4 $1 Nxd4 34. Rxd4 $18) 31. Qh4+ f6 32. Rd1 Qc5 33. Nd4 $1 Bf7 34. Re1 {and White's -> will eventually break thorugh. A nice sample line is} Kd7 35. Bb5+ Ke7 $2 36. Nxf5+ $1 Qxf5 37. Qb4+ Qc5 38. Qxc5#) 30. b4 ({Similar is} 30. Rxe6+ $1 fxe6 31. Qxe6+ Kd8 32. b4 $18) 30... Nxb4 {The only reasonable way to postpone mate, but even now the -> breaks through.} (30... Qb6 31. Rxe6+ $1 fxe6 32. Qxe6+ Kd8 (32... Kf8 33. Qh6+ Ke7 34. Qd6#) 33. Qd6+ Bd7 34. Be6 Nb8 35. Qf8+ Be8 36. Qf6#) 31. Rxe6+ $1 (31. axb4 $2 Qa1+ 32. Kg2 Bxb5 33. Rxe6+ fxe6 34. Qxe6+ Kd8 35. Bxb5 Qd4 36. Qe8+ Kc7 37. Qxa8 Qd5+ $13) 31... fxe6 32. Qxe6+ Kd8 33. Qf6+ {An important move, protecting the a1-square.} Kc8 34. Qxf5+ $5 {Before taking the N, White grabs a P.} (34. axb4 $18) 34... Kd8 (34... Bd7 35. Nd6+ $18) (34... Kb8 35. Qe5+ $18 ) 35. Qf6+ Kc8 36. axb4 $1 {Now Black faces a quick mate, or immense material losses.} (36. axb4 Qd8 (36... Qxb4 37. Be6+ Bd7 38. Qh8+ {mates immediately.}) 37. Be6+ Bd7 38. Qc3+ Kb8 39. Qe5+ Kc8 40. Qc5+ Kb8 41. Bxd7 b6 42. Qd6+ Kb7 43. Bc6+ $18) 1-0 [Event "EU-chT (Men) 20th"] [Site "Reykjavik"] [Date "2015.11.22"] [Round "9.1"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D00"] [WhiteElo "2850"] [BlackElo "2748"] [Annotator "Stohl,I"] [PlyCount "75"] [EventDate "2015.11.13"] [EventType "team-swiss"] [EventRounds "9"] [EventCountry "ISL"] [SourceTitle "CBM 170"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2016.01.15"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"] [SourceQuality "1"] [WhiteTeam "Norway"] [BlackTeam "Poland"] [WhiteTeamCountry "NOR"] [BlackTeamCountry "POL"] 1. d4 (1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. c3 Nf6 6. Bf4 Bg4 7. Qb3 { - B13 is a line resembling our game. Later we will compare the resulting positions, here} Qd7 8. Nd2 e6 9. Ngf3 Bxf3 10. Nxf3 Bd6 11. Bxd6 Qxd6 $11 { has a reliable reputation.}) 1... Nf6 2. Bf4 {This bishop sortie was once the domain of Kamsky, recently more top players have resorted to it in a quest to reach original positions (the foremost being Kramnik, Grischuk and Carlsen). The following notes will concentrate mostly on their recent efforts.} (2. Nf3 g6 3. Bf4 Bg7 4. e3 d6 5. h3 O-O 6. Be2 Nfd7 (6... Nc6 7. Bh2 Nd7 8. a4 e5 9. a5 exd4 10. exd4 a6 11. O-O Re8 12. Nc3 Nf6 13. Re1 h6 14. d5 Ne7 15. Bf1 Nf5 16. Rxe8+ Qxe8 17. Qd2 Bd7 18. Re1 Qf8 19. b4 Re8 20. Rb1 Bc8 21. b5 axb5 22. Nxb5 Nxd5 23. Qxd5 c6 24. Qd2 cxb5 25. Bxb5 Rd8 26. Bd3 Qe7 27. Qb4 Qc7 28. g4 Ne7 29. Qb6 Qxb6 30. Rxb6 Bc3 $11 {Carlsen,M (2850)-Aronian,L (2784) Berlin blitz 2015}) 7. Bh2 e5 8. Nc3 Nc6 9. O-O Re8 10. Re1 a6 11. a4 b6 12. Bc4 Bb7 13. Bd5 Rb8 14. dxe5 dxe5 15. Qe2 Qe7 16. Rad1 Nc5 17. Qc4 a5 18. Nb5 Nd8 19. Bxb7 Ndxb7 20. Na7 Qe6 21. Qxe6 Rxe6 22. b3 f6 23. Nb5 c6 24. Nc3 Nd6 25. Nd2 Bf8 26. f3 Ree8 27. Bg3 Kf7 28. Bf2 Red8 29. Kf1 Na6 30. Ke2 Be7 31. e4 $14 { Carlsen,M (2850)-Radjabov,T (2738) Berlin rpd 2015 White has finally reactivated his bishop and is slightly better.}) 2... d5 {Black's reaction is still a matter of choice.} ({Another solid option is} 2... e6 3. e3 c5 4. Nd2 ( 4. c3 cxd4 (4... b6 5. Nf3 Bb7 6. h3 Be7 7. Nbd2 cxd4 8. cxd4 O-O 9. a3 d6 10. Be2 Nbd7 11. O-O Rc8 12. Bh2 Ne4 13. Nxe4 Bxe4 14. Ba6 Rc7 15. Nd2 Bc6 16. Qe2 Qa8 17. e4 Bb7 18. Bd3 e5 19. Nc4 b5 20. Na5 exd4 21. Bxb5 Ne5 22. Nxb7 Qxb7 23. Rac1 Rxc1 24. Rxc1 Rc8 25. Rd1 Qb6 26. a4 h6 27. Bg3 Qc5 28. Kh2 Bf6 29. f4 Ng6 30. Bd3 $14 {Kamsky,G (2741)-Onischuk,A (2660) Saint Louis 2012}) 5. exd4 Be7 6. Nf3 b6 7. Bd3 Bb7 8. O-O O-O 9. Re1 (9. h3 d6 10. Nbd2 {-4.Nd2}) 9... d6 10. c4 d5 11. Nc3 dxc4 12. Bxc4 Nc6 13. a3 Na5 14. Ba2 Rc8 15. Qd3 Nd5 16. Bd2 Nxc3 17. Bxc3 Bf6 18. Rad1 Bd5 19. Bb1 g6 20. Ne5 Nc4 21. Ng4 {1/2, Pakleza,Z (2498)-Stohl,I (2498) CZE 2015} Bg7 22. Ne3 Nxe3 23. fxe3 f5 $11 {/=/+}) 4... b6 5. Ngf3 Be7 6. h3 Bb7 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O cxd4 9. exd4 Ba6 $5 (9... d6 10. c3 (10. Bh2 Nbd7 11. Re1 Re8 12. c3 a6 13. Rc1 Bf8 14. a4 g6 15. Bf1 Rc8 16. Nc4 Qc7 17. Ne3 Qb8 (17... Ne4 $5 18. Bd3 Ndf6 $132) 18. Nd2 Red8 19. b4 Qa7 20. Qb3 d5 21. Rc2 Nb8 22. b5 axb5 23. axb5 Qa3 24. Qxa3 Bxa3 25. Ra1 Bd6 26. Bxd6 Rxd6 27. Ra7 Rd7 {Grischuk,A (2810)-Aronian,L (2797) Beijing rpd 2014} 28. c4 $14) 10... Nbd7 11. Re1 a6 12. a4 Re8 13. Bh2 Nf8 (13... Qc7 14. c4 a5 15. Nb1 Qd8 16. Nc3 d5 17. b3 Bb4 18. Rc1 Rc8 19. Re3 Nf8 20. Nb5 Ne4 21. Rc2 Re7 22. Qc1 Nd7 23. Na7 Ra8 24. cxd5 exd5 25. Nc6 Bxc6 26. Rxc6 $16 {Kamsky,G (2718) -Tiviakov,S (2648) Montreal 2007}) 14. Nc4 Ng6 (14... Nd5 $5 $11) 15. a5 b5 16. Nb6 Ra7 (16... Rb8 $142) 17. b3 Nd5 18. Nxd5 Bxd5 19. c4 bxc4 20. bxc4 Ba8 21. d5 $1 Bf6 22. Ra3 exd5 23. Rxe8+ Qxe8 24. cxd5 Bxd5 25. Bxg6 Bxf3 26. Bxh7+ Kxh7 27. Rxf3 $14 {Kramnik,V (2777)-Duda,J (2658) Berlin blitz 2015}) 10. Nc4 Qc8 11. Ne3 Bxd3 12. Qxd3 Nc6 13. c3 d5 14. Rae1 Qb7 15. Ne5 Rac8 16. a3 Rfe8 17. N3g4 Ne4 18. f3 Nf6 19. Nxc6 Qxc6 20. Ne5 Qb7 21. Bg5 Nd7 22. Bxe7 Rxe7 23. f4 Rce8 24. Nxd7 Qxd7 25. Re3 Qd6 26. Qe2 f6 $11 {Kramnik,V (2777)-Leko,P (2707) Skopje 2015}) 3. e3 c5 (3... e6 4. Nf3 c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. Nbd2 Bd6 (6... Be7 7. Bd3 Nh5 8. Be5 Nxe5 9. Nxe5 Nf6 10. O-O O-O 11. f4 g6 12. Rf3 Ne8 13. Rh3 f5 14. g4 Nf6 15. g5 Ne4 16. Qe1 Nxd2 17. Qh4 Nf3+ 18. Rxf3 Bd6 19. Rh3 Qc7 20. Nxg6 hxg6 {Fridman,D (2616)-Naiditsch,A (2706) Poznan blitz 2014} 21. dxc5 $1 $18) 7. Bg3 O-O 8. Bd3 (8. Bb5 a6 9. Bxc6 bxc6 10. Ne5 Qc7 11. Nd3 c4 12. Bxd6 Qxd6 13. Nc5 e5 14. b3 cxb3 15. axb3 Re8 16. O-O Ng4 17. g3 Qh6 18. h4 Ra7 19. Kg2 Rae7 20. Nf3 e4 21. Nh2 Nxh2 22. Kxh2 g5 23. Rh1 gxh4 24. Kg1 h3 25. Nxa6 Ra7 26. Nc5 Rxa1 27. Qxa1 Bg4 $36 {Carlsen,M (2850)-Karjakin,S (2762) Berlin blitz 2015}) 8... b6 9. e4 (9. Ne5 Bb7 10. f4 Ne7 11. Qb1 (11. Qc2 c4 12. Be2 Nf5 13. Bf2 Be7 14. Ng4 Nxg4 15. Bxg4 Nd6 16. f5 $6 exf5 17. Bxf5 Nxf5 18. Qxf5 Qc8 19. Qf3 b5 20. h4 a5 21. h5 h6 22. Bh4 Re8 23. Nf1 Qe6 24. Kf2 Bf8 $17 {Andreikin,D (2720)-Karjakin,S (2762) Baku 2015}) 11... g6 12. Bf2 cxd4 13. exd4 Nh5 14. g3 f6 15. Nef3 Qc8 16. O-O Ba6 17. Re1 Ng7 18. Kg2 Rb8 19. a3 Re8 20. Qc2 Bxd3 21. Qxd3 Qd7 22. Re2 a5 23. Rae1 a4 24. h3 b5 $11 {Grischuk,A (2810)-Wang,H (2710) Beijing rpd 2014}) 9... dxe4 $5 (9... Be7 10. e5 Nh5 11. a3 a5 12. Qe2 Ra7 (12... c4 13. Bc2 b5 14. Ng5 Bxg5 15. Qxh5 g6 16. Qe2 f5 17. exf6 Qxf6 18. h4 Bf4 19. Bxf4 Qxf4 20. g3 Qf6 21. f4 Ra7 22. Nf3 h6 23. Ne5 Nxe5 24. dxe5 Qg7 25. Qg4 Rd8 26. O-O-O b4 27. Qxg6 Qxg6 28. Bxg6 Rg7 29. h5 $16 {Kramnik,V (2777)-Zhigalko,S (2656) Berlin rpd 2015}) 13. O-O c4 14. Bc2 b5 15. h4 g6 16. Bh2 Bxh4 17. g4 Ng7 18. Nxh4 Qxh4 19. Kg2 f5 20. exf6 Qxf6 21. Bd6 Rff7 22. f4 e5 23. dxe5 Qh4 24. f5 gxf5 25. Rh1 Qd8 26. Qe3 d4 $1 $132 { Grischuk,A (2774)-Nakamura,H (2816) Skopje 2015}) 10. Nxe4 Nxe4 11. Bxe4 Bb7 12. Qa4 Qc7 13. dxc5 bxc5 14. Qc4 (14. Bxd6 Qxd6 15. Rd1 Qc7 16. O-O Rfd8 17. Qb5 Na5 18. Bxb7 {1/2, Burmakin,V (2565)-Iturrizaga Bonelli,E (2660) Barcelona 2013}) 14... Rad8 15. Qxc5 f5 16. Bc2 f4 17. Bxh7+ Kxh7 18. Qh5+ Kg8 19. Ng5 g6 20. Qxg6+ Qg7 21. Qxe6+ Kh8 22. Qh3+ Kg8 23. Qe6+ Kh8 {½, Baklanov,V (2354) -Aleksandrov,A email 2003}) 4. c3 {In keeping with his style Carlsen opts for the more restrained continuation.} ({After the more concrete and sharper} 4. dxc5 {Black should be able to hold his own in the resulting complications:} Nc6 (4... e6 5. b4 Nc6 6. Bb5 Bd7 7. c3 a5 8. Qb3 (8. Qe2 axb4 9. Bxc6 Bxc6 10. cxb4 d4 11. Nf3 Nd5 12. O-O dxe3 13. Bg5 $6 Be7 14. Bxe7 Qxe7 15. Qc4 Qf6 16. Nd4 e2 17. Re1 Nxb4 (17... Nf4 $1 $19) 18. Nd2 O-O 19. Nxc6 Nxc6 20. Ne4 Qb2 21. Qxe2 Qxe2 22. Rxe2 Ra4 23. Rb1 Rfa8 24. Rxb7 Rxa2 $11 {Savchenko,B (2583) -Motylev,A (2645) Khanty-Mansiysk 2007/ For more details see the notes to this game in CBM 122 by Krasenkow.}) 8... Ne4 9. Ne2 (9. f3 e5 10. fxe4 exf4 11. Ne2 (11. exd5 Qh4+ 12. Kd1 Qf2 13. Ne2 O-O-O 14. exf4 Bg4 15. Re1 Ne7 16. d6 Nf5 17. d7+ Kb8 18. Kd2 Ne3 19. Qxf7 Bxd7 $1 20. Bxd7 Kc7 $19 {Rumyantsev,V (1812) -Bohak,J (2185) email 2010}) 11... Qh4+ 12. g3 fxg3 13. Nxg3 dxe4 14. O-O Be6 15. Qa4 Rc8 16. Nd2 Be7 17. Bc4 O-O 18. Bxe6 fxe6 19. Ndxe4 Ne5 20. Qd1 axb4 21. cxb4 Rxf1+ 22. Qxf1 Ra8 23. Qe2 Bg5 $132 {Sanchez Riera,X-Franco Rincon,D (2142) email 2011}) 9... g5 10. Bxc6 Bxc6 (10... bxc6 $5 11. Be5 f6 12. Bg3 Bg7 $44) 11. Be5 f6 12. Bg3 (12. Bd4 $5) 12... h5 (12... axb4 13. cxb4 b6 $1 $13) 13. f3 h4 14. fxe4 (14. Bf2 $14) 14... hxg3 15. Nxg3 Qc7 16. O-O O-O-O (16... Qh7 $5) 17. Nd2 Be7 18. Nf3 g4 $2 (18... Rxh2 19. Nxh2 Qxg3 20. Rf3 $16) 19. Nd4 Rxh2 20. Rf4 Rdh8 21. Nxe6 Qe5 22. Nd4 $18 {Karjakin,S (2762)-Gajewski,G (2654) Berlin rpd 2015}) (4... Qa5+ 5. Nc3 Qxc5 6. Nb5 Na6 7. Nf3 Bd7 8. a4 g6 9. Be5 Bg7 10. Bd4 Qb4+ 11. c3 Qa5 12. Nxa7 O-O 13. Nb5 Bg4 14. Be2 Nb8 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Qxd5 Nc6 17. O-O Rad8 18. Qa2 Qb6 19. b4 $18 {Stefanova,A (2551) -Harika,D (2515) Khanty-Mansiysk olw 2010}) 5. Bb5 Qa5+ 6. Nc3 a6 7. Bxc6+ bxc6 8. Nf3 (8. Qd4 e6 9. b4 Qa3 10. Nge2 a5 11. Rb1 axb4 12. Rxb4 Ba6 13. O-O Bxe2 14. Nxe2 Be7 15. Bd6 Bxd6 16. cxd6 O-O 17. Ng3 Rfc8 18. Qd2 Rd8 19. e4 dxe4 20. c4 Qxa2 21. Qxa2 Rxa2 22. Rb6 h5 23. Rxc6 h4 $17 {Grischuk,A (2781)-Anand,V (2804) Stavanger blitz 2015}) 8... Ne4 $5 (8... e6 9. O-O Bd7 10. a3 Qxc5 11. Na4 Qa7 12. c4 Be7 13. Rc1 Rc8 14. cxd5 cxd5 15. Rxc8+ Bxc8 16. Qd4 Qxd4 17. exd4 Bd7 18. Nb6 Bd8 19. Nxd7 Nxd7 20. Rc1 f6 21. Rc6 Kf7 22. Rxa6 $16 { Grischuk,A (2771)-Anand,V (2816) Saint Louis 2015 For more details about this game see the notes in CBM 168 by Wagner.}) 9. Qd4 Nxc3 10. bxc3 f6 11. O-O e5 12. Bxe5 fxe5 13. Qxe5+ Kf7 14. Ng5+ Kg8 15. Qe8 (15. Ne6 Bd7 16. Nxf8 Rxf8 $11 ) 15... Qc7 16. Ne6 Bxe6 17. Qxe6+ Qf7 18. Qxc6 Ra7 19. Rfd1 h5 20. Qxd5 Rc7 21. Rab1 Rxc5 22. Qa8 Rh6 23. Rb8 Rb5 24. Rxb5 axb5 25. a4 {1/2, Beecham,C (2499)-Mahling,T (2467) email 2008}) 4... Nc6 5. Nd2 cxd4 {By resolving the central tension Black won't have to worry about dxc5 anymore. Also Wojtaszek has played this line in the recent past.} ({However, the more usual} 5... Bf5 { is also fully playable:} 6. Qb3 (6. Ngf3 Qb6 7. Qb3 c4 8. Qxb6 axb6 $11 9. a3 h6 10. Be2 b5 11. O-O e6 12. Ne5 Nxe5 13. dxe5 Nd7 14. Nf3 Bg4 15. Nd4 Bxe2 16. Nxe2 Nc5 17. Nd4 Ra5 18. Bg3 Be7 19. f3 O-O 20. Rad1 Nd3 21. Rd2 Bc5 22. Bh4 Ra6 23. f4 f6 24. exf6 gxf6 25. Re2 e5 26. fxe5 fxe5 27. Rxf8+ Bxf8 28. Nxb5 Rb6 29. a4 Ra6 30. h3 Rxa4 $17 {Eljanov,P (2717)-Bluebaum,M (2588) Berlin blitz 2015}) 6... Qd7 7. Ngf3 c4 8. Qd1 e6 9. Be2 (9. h3 h6 10. Be2 Bd6 11. O-O O-O 12. b3 b5 13. a4 a6 14. b4 Qc7 15. Bxd6 Qxd6 16. Qc1 Nd7 17. Qb2 Nb6 18. Bd1 Rfb8 19. a5 Nd7 20. Bc2 Bxc2 21. Qxc2 e5 22. dxe5 Ndxe5 23. Rad1 Nd3 24. Ne1 Nce5 25. Ndf3 Nxf3+ 26. Nxf3 Rd8 27. Rd2 Rd7 28. Rfd1 Rad8 29. Ne1 Ne5 $11 {Grachev,B (2654)-Eljanov,P (2742) Moscow blitz 2010}) 9... h6 10. O-O Bd6 ( 10... Be7 11. Ne5 Nxe5 12. Bxe5 O-O 13. Bf3 b5 14. a3 a5 15. Re1 Ne4 16. Bxe4 dxe4 17. a4 Rfc8 18. axb5 Qxb5 19. Qa4 Qd5 20. Bg3 h5 21. h3 h4 22. Bh2 f6 23. f3 Qb7 24. Qc2 exf3 25. e4 $5 $13 {Kamsky,G (2741)-Potkin,V (2647) Khanty-Mansiysk 2013}) 11. b3 (11. Bxd6 Qxd6 $11) 11... Bxf4 12. exf4 cxb3 13. axb3 O-O 14. Ne5 Qc7 15. Qc1 Rfc8 16. Qb2 a6 17. h3 Qb6 18. Rfc1 Rc7 19. Bf1 Rac8 20. Nd3 Nd7 21. Qa3 $2 (21. b4 $5 $13) 21... Na7 $1 22. Qb2 Nb5 $17 { Grachev,B (2673)-Najer,E (2646) Moscow blitz 2014}) 6. exd4 Bf5 7. Qb3 Qc8 8. Ngf3 e6 (8... h6 9. Ne5 g5 10. Bg3 Bg7 11. Be2 O-O 12. O-O e6 13. Rae1 Ne4 14. Nxe4 Bxe4 15. Nd3 Bh7 16. Qd1 Ne7 17. Be5 f6 18. Bd6 Re8 19. Bh5 Bg6 20. Bxe7 Bxh5 21. Qxh5 Rxe7 22. f4 Qe8 23. Qf3 f5 24. fxg5 hxg5 25. g4 $16 {Carlsen,M (2850)-Wagner,D (2575) Berlin rpd 2015}) 9. Nh4 {White wants to at least net himself the bishop pair. Other moves lead to rather sedate play.} (9. Ne5 Be7 10. Be2 O-O 11. O-O Nxe5 12. Bxe5 Nd7 13. Bg3 Nb8 14. a4 Nc6 15. a5 a6 16. Qa4 Qd7 17. b4 {Eljanov,P (2717)-Motylev,A (2649) Berlin blitz 2015} e5 $1 $132 {/\ } 18. dxe5 d4) (9. Be2 h6 10. h3 Be7 11. O-O O-O 12. Rfe1 Bd8 (12... a6 13. a4 Nd7 14. Bf1 Re8 15. Rac1 Na5 16. Qa2 Nb6 17. b4 Nac4 18. a5 Nxd2 19. Nxd2 Nd7 20. Nb3 Nb8 21. Nc5 $14 {Grachev,B (2666)-Motylev,A (2648) Sochi rpd 2015}) 13. a4 Bc7 $11 {½, Grachev,B (2666)-Motylev,A (2648) St Petersburg rpd 2015}) 9... Be4 (9... Bg6 10. Nxg6 hxg6 11. h3 Be7 12. Bd3 Bd8 13. Nf3 Bc7 14. Be3 O-O 15. Qc2 a6 16. h4 e5 17. dxe5 Nxe5 18. Nxe5 Bxe5 19. O-O-O Re8 20. Kb1 b5 21. Bg5 Ne4 22. Bc1 b4 23. Bxe4 dxe4 24. cxb4 Qg4 25. Rhe1 Bf6 26. g3 Rac8 27. Qb3 $14 {Grischuk,A (2774)-Motylev,A (2649) Berlin rpd 2015}) 10. Nxe4 Nxe4 11. Nf3 Bd6 12. Bxd6 ({Radek's previous experience went} 12. Bg3 Nxg3 13. hxg3 Qc7 14. Bd3 h6 15. g4 O-O-O 16. Kf1 Kb8 17. a4 Rhe8 18. a5 Nxa5 19. Qa4 Nc6 20. b4 Qb6 21. g3 e5 22. b5 Nxd4 23. cxd4 e4 $15 {Kamsky,G (2683)-Wojtaszek,R (2737) Sochi 2015/ Black had no problems whatsoever, therefore he was willing to repeat the line even against Carlsen.}) 12... Nxd6 13. Bd3 Qc7 (13... O-O 14. Qc2 h6 { can transpose into games from the following note. I somehow doubt Carlsen would go in for something wild like} 15. g4 (15. O-O-O b5 $15 {[%CAl Yb5b4]}) 15... Re8 16. O-O-O b5 $13 {/=/+}) 14. Qc2 $5 $146 {[%mdl 32] A tricky move order; for the time being Carlsen leaves his king on e1 and wants his opponent to disclose his castling intentions first.} (14. O-O O-O 15. Qc2 h6 (15... g6 16. Rfe1 b5 17. Qd2 Kg7 18. Ne5 Nxe5 19. Rxe5 Rab8 20. h4 Qd8 21. h5 Qf6 22. Rae1 Nc4 23. Bxc4 bxc4 24. R1e3 Rb6 25. Rf3 Qe7 26. Rh3 Rh8 27. Qe2 Rhb8 28. Qe3 Qf6 29. Rf3 Qh4 30. Rh3 Qf6 31. Rf3 $11 {Sandipan,C (2594)-Kasimdzhanov,R (2700) Dubai rpd 2014}) 16. Qe2 Rab8 17. a4 (17. b4 $6 Ne7 18. Rac1 Nec8 19. Bb1 Nc4 20. Qd3 g6 21. Qe2 N8d6 22. h4 Rfe8 23. Ne5 Nxe5 24. dxe5 Nc4 25. Rfe1 h5 $15 {Karlik,V (2248)-Vrana,J (2298) Novy Bor 2010}) 17... Rbe8 18. Ne5 Nxe5 {1/2, Sedlak,N (2538)-Prohaszka,P (2573) Hungary 2012} 19. Qxe5 (19. dxe5 Nc4 $11) 19... Re7 $11 {We have already mentioned a position like this in the very first note, here the strategy is very similar. In the reversed Carlsbad structure White's chances for a successful kingside attack with only one pair of minor pieces are minimal; moreover Black has reasonable queenside counterplay.}) 14... O-O-O {Radek repeats queenside castling from Kamsky-Wojtaszek above, but here the situation is different. While the text move is probably objectively playable, a more circumspect one was} (14... h6 { and we will probably get a position from the previous note. And if Black is too worried, his king can still copy White's castling...}) 15. O-O $13 { Contrary to Kamsky, White can simply castle and a sharp and complex struggle with kings on opposite sides of the board is on.} h6 16. a4 Kb8 17. Rfe1 { A sound positional move. White is in no hurry to push b4 and give Black play against c3.} ({Carlsen is also not interested in the typical, but unclear pawn sacrifice} 17. a5 Nxa5 $5 18. Qa4 (18. Ra4 $5 Nc6 19. Rfa1 $44) 18... b6 $13) 17... Rc8 {[%CAl Yc6b4]} 18. Qd1 (18. Qe2 {seems more natural, but White maybe already anticipated using this square for a different piece later on.} g5 $13 ( 18... Rhe8 $5 $132 {[%CAl Yf7f6,Ye6e5]})) 18... Rhe8 {Starting from this moment onwards kingside expansion would seem natural.} ({However, after} 18... g5 {Black must reckon with} 19. Ne5 $5 {[%CAl Yd1h5]} h5 20. Qf3 Nxe5 21. dxe5 (21. Rxe5 Qd8 $13) 21... Nc4 22. Bxc4 dxc4 23. Rad1 $14 {- here his 18th move has only weakened his setup.}) 19. Bf1 Re7 (19... f6 $5 {[%CAl Yg7g5,Yh6h5]}) 20. Rc1 Rd8 {Restrained manoeuvring.} ({Although it's difficult to evaluate the position unequivocally, the time already seems ripe for} 20... g5 $5 $13) 21. Re2 {This frees e1 for the knight. Although this will work nicely in the game, right now it's not too impressive.} (21. b4 $5 g5 22. Nd2 $13 {[%CAl Yd2b3,Yb3c5]}) 21... Ne4 $6 {This doesn't seem ideal anymore.} (21... g5 $132) 22. b4 $1 Ng5 (22... g5 23. b5 g4 (23... Na5 24. c4 $1 $36) 24. Nd2 Nxd2 25. Qxd2 Na5 26. Qxh6 $14) (22... f5 $142 $5 23. b5 Na5 {is maybe better, but I can understand Black was unwilling to make such a committal move.}) 23. Ne1 e5 {seeking quick central counterplay.} ({White already has a lead in his attack after} 23... f6 24. a5 $5 (24. Nd3 e5 25. a5 e4 26. Nc5 f5 27. Ra2 $36 { [%CAl Yb4b5,Ya5a6] is a line, given by Danny King - also here White's play is more straightforward and dangerous.}) 24... e5 25. a6 b6 26. Nc2 $14 {[%CAl Yc2e3,Yb4b5,Yc2b4] /|^}) 24. b5 Na5 25. Rxe5 Rxe5 26. dxe5 Qxe5 27. c4 $36 { [%csl Gc1,Gd1,Ge1,Gf1] Despite all his pieces on the basic rank, Magnus is pushing! The main reason is Black's forces are uncoordinated, once the game has opened up especially the decentralised knights are a problem.} Ne6 28. Nf3 (28. c5 $5 Rc8 (28... Qd4 29. Nd3 {is similar}) 29. Nd3 $36 {/\} Qd4 30. c6 bxc6 31. Qe1 $40) 28... Qf4 $2 {Gives White's initiative a further boost.} ( 28... Qe4 29. c5 $36) ({However, even after the better} 28... Qd6 $142 29. cxd5 Qxd5 30. Qe1 b6 31. Rc3 ({or} 31. g3 $5 $14 {[%CAl Yf1g2] Black's king is more vulnerable and he is worse.})) 29. cxd5 Rxd5 (29... Nc7 30. g3 Qd6 31. Rc2 $16) 30. Qxd5 Qxc1 31. g3 $1 $16 {[%csl Yf4][%CAl Rf3e5][%mdl 128] A strong multi-purpose move. It gives the king luft, limits the Ne6, prepares Ne5 and frees g2 or h3 for the bishop. Carlsen winds up the attack impeccably.} (31. Ne5 Qc7 32. g3 Qd8 33. Qe4 Qc7 34. Qe3 $36 {is less convincing.}) 31... Qc5 ( 31... Qc7 32. Bh3 Nc5 33. Ne5 $40) ({A more resilient try was} 31... Qc8 $142 $5 32. Bh3 Nc4 $16) 32. Qd7 Qf8 (32... Qc7 33. Qe8+ Qd8 (33... Nd8 34. Ne5 { [%CAl Re5f7]}) 34. Qxf7 $18) (32... Qf5 33. Nd4 $1 {and Black's kingside collapses:} Nxd4 34. Qd6+ (34. Qd8+ Qc8 35. Qxd4 f6 (35... Qf8 36. Qf4+ Ka8 37. Qc7 Nb3 38. Bg2 Qb8 39. Qc3 $18) 36. Qd6+ Ka8 37. Qe7 $18 {[%csl Ra5,Rb7,Rg7]}) 34... Kc8 35. Qxd4 $18 {[%CAl Rd4a7,Rd4g7]}) 33. Ne5 $18 Nc5 34. Qd5 {[%CAl Rd5c5]} Kc7 35. Nxf7 Nxa4 {Trying to keep at least material equal, but this won't last for long.} (35... Qe7 36. Ne5 Nxa4 37. Ng6 Qd6 (37... Qd7 38. Qe5+ Kb6 39. Nf8 $18) 38. Qf7+ $18 {/\} Qd7 39. Qf4+) 36. Qe5+ Kb6 $8 (36... Kc8 37. Bh3#) 37. Nd6 Nc5 (37... a6 38. Bh3 $5 (38. Qe6 Kc7 (38... Ka7 39. bxa6 $18) 39. Ne8+ Kb8 40. bxa6 $18) 38... Nc5 39. Nc8+ Kxb5 40. Bf1+ Kb4 41. Qe1+ $18) 38. Ne8 {[%CAl Re5c7]} (38. Ne8 Qf7 39. Qd6+ $18) 1-0 [Event "London Classic 7th"] [Site "London"] [Date "2015.12.13"] [Round "9"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Grischuk, Alexander"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B51"] [WhiteElo "2834"] [BlackElo "2747"] [Annotator "Stohl,I"] [PlyCount "75"] [EventDate "2015.12.04"] [EventType "tourn"] [EventRounds "9"] [EventCountry "ENG"] [EventCategory "22"] [SourceTitle "CBM 170"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2016.01.15"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"] [SourceQuality "1"] 1. Nf3 c5 2. e4 d6 3. Bb5+ {The World Champion switches his allegiance between the text move and the Open Sicilian with} (3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 a6 { Recently in Qatar he was on both sides of the board after} 6. Be2 ({For the alternative} 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. f3 Nbd7 9. Qd2 b5 10. O-O-O Be7 11. g4 { Carlsen,M (2853)-So,W (2779) Saint Louis 2015 see the notes to this game in CBM 168.}) 6... e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Bg5 Nc6 $5 ({A rare continuation; a far more usual one is} 8... Be6 9. Bxf6 Bxf6 10. Qd3 Be7 11. Nd5 Nd7 12. Rd1 Bxd5 13. Qxd5 Qc7 14. Nd2 O-O 15. O-O b5 16. c3 g6 17. a3 Rab8 18. Rfe1 Rfd8 19. Qa2 Nc5 20. Bf1 Bg5 21. Nb3 Qc6 22. Na5 Qc7 23. Nb3 Qc6 24. Rd5 Nd7 25. Rd3 Nc5 26. Rf3 Rd7 27. Na5 Qa8 28. Qd5 Qxd5 29. exd5 e4 30. Rh3 f5 $132 {Carlsen,M (2834) -Giri,A (2784) Doha 2015}) 9. Qd3 (9. Bxf6 $5 Bxf6 10. Nd5) 9... Nb4 $5 $146 10. Qd2 h6 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Nd5 $6 (12. a3 $142 Bg5 13. Qd1 Nc6 14. Qd3 Be6 $11) 12... Nxd5 13. Qxd5 Qc7 14. O-O-O Be7 15. Kb1 Be6 16. Qd3 O-O 17. f4 exf4 18. Nd4 Bd7 19. Rhf1 Bf6 20. Rxf4 Be5 21. Rff1 Rac8 22. c3 b5 23. Nf3 Be6 $36 { Duda,J (2663)-Carlsen,M (2834) Doha 2015}) 3... Nd7 {This ambitious reaction used to be a favourite of Kasparov, later it was taken up by Topalov. All this is described in a survey in CBM 153; currently the text is experiencing a good level of popularity among other top players as well.} ({One of these is Vachier Lagrave, but in the rapid tiebreak later that day he preferred the more sedate} 3... Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 g6 7. d4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bg7 9. f3 Qc7 (9... O-O 10. Be3 Nc6 11. Rc1 (11. O-O a6 12. Qd3 Ne5 13. Qe2 Rac8 14. b3 b5 15. Nd5 Nxd5 16. cxd5 e6 17. dxe6 fxe6 18. Rac1 Rxc1 19. Rxc1 Rc8 20. Rd1 Nc6 21. Nc2 Qc7 22. Qd2 Rd8 23. Bg5 Rd7 24. Bf4 Qb6+ 25. Be3 Qc7 {½, Safarli,E (2657)-Areshchenko,A (2682) Reykjavik 2015}) 11... Nxd4 (11... a6 $5 12. a4 (12. O-O Nxd4 13. Bxd4 b5 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. cxd5 Bh6 $1 16. Rc2 Rfc8 $11) 12... Rac8 13. b3 e6 14. O-O d5 15. Nxc6 bxc6 16. e5 Ne8 17. f4 f6 $132) 12. Bxd4 Rfc8 13. b3 Nh5 14. O-O Bxd4+ 15. Qxd4 Nf6 16. Rfe1 Rc7 17. Rcd1 Qc6 18. Nb5 Rd7 19. Nxa7 Qc5 20. Qxc5 dxc5 21. Nb5 Rxa2 22. e5 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 Nh5 24. g3 Rb2 25. Rd8+ Kg7 26. Re8 Rb1+ 27. Kg2 Rb2+ 28. Kg1 Rb1+ 29. Kg2 Rb2+ 30. Kh3 e6 31. Re7 Rxb3 {Carlsen,M (2834)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2773) London plof 2015} 32. Nd6 Rxf3 33. Kg2 Rc3 34. Rxf7+ Kg8 35. Rxb7 $36) 10. b3 Qa5 {was Anand's choice against Carlsen 3 years ago, although he lost the game, it remains viable:} 11. Bb2 (11. Bd2 Nc6 12. Nde2 O-O 13. O-O a6 14. Kh1 Rac8 15. Rb1 e6 16. a4 Qc5 17. Be1 Rfd8 18. Bh4 h6 19. Rc1 Qh5 20. Bf2 Qa5 21. Be1 Qb6 22. Bf2 Qa5 23. Be1 Qb6 {1/2, Iordachescu,V (2588)-Wojtaszek,R (2746) FRA-chT Montpellier 2015}) 11... Nc6 12. O-O O-O 13. Kh1 (13. Nce2 Rfd8 14. Bc3 Qb6 15. Kh1 d5 $1 $132 {Carlsen,M (2843)-Anand,V (2780) Sao Paulo/Bilbao 2012. See the notes to this game in CBM 151}) 13... Rfe8 14. Nce2 Nxd4 15. Bxd4 b5 16. cxb5 Qxb5 17. Rc1 Rec8 18. Nc3 Qb7 19. Qd3 Rc6 20. Bxf6 Bxf6 21. Nd5 Rac8 22. Nxf6+ exf6 23. Rxc6 Qxc6 24. h3 Kg7 25. Rd1 Qc2 26. Qxc2 Rxc2 27. a4 Rc6 28. b4 Rc4 29. Rxd6 Rxb4 30. Ra6 Rb7 $11 {Duda,J (2599)-Gajewski,G (2643) Germany 2015}) 4. O-O {We'll check the main alternatives:} (4. d4 cxd4 5. Qxd4 a6 6. Bxd7+ (6. Be2 Ngf6 7. O-O {gives Black a choice between Dragon, Hedgehog and Najdorf setups:} e5 (7... g6 8. Nc3 (8. e5 $5 $32) 8... Bg7 9. Rd1 O-O 10. e5 Nh5 $6 ( 10... Nxe5 11. Nxe5 Nd7 12. Nxf7 Bxd4 13. Nxd8 Bxf2+ 14. Kh1 Rxd8 15. Bg5 $44) 11. Qh4 dxe5 12. Bg5 Nhf6 (12... f6 13. Be3 {[%csl Rh5]} e6 14. Rd6 $32 Kh8 15. Rad1 Qe7 16. Bc4 Nf4 17. Bxf4 exf4 18. Qxf4 e5 19. Qe3 $36 {Fressinet,L (2717) -Cheparinov,I (2682) Dubai blitz 2014}) 13. Bh6 Bxh6 14. Qxh6 Ng4 15. Qh4 Ngf6 16. Qh6 Ng4 17. Qg5 Ngf6 18. Nxe5 Qc7 19. Nc4 b5 20. Ne3 Bb7 21. Rd4 Rfc8 22. a4 Nf8 23. Rh4 bxa4 24. Rc4 Qd8 25. Rcxa4 $36 {1/2-1/2 (56) Krnan,T (2428) -Hansen,E (2583) Guelph 2015}) (7... Qc7 8. c4 e6 9. b3 b6 10. Nc3 Bb7 11. Rd1 Be7 12. h3 Rd8 13. Qe3 O-O 14. Ba3 Rfe8 15. Rac1 h6 16. b4 Rc8 17. Bb2 Qb8 18. Bd3 Nh7 19. Ne2 Ba8 20. e5 Ng5 21. Nxg5 Bxg5 22. f4 Be7 23. Be4 Bxe4 24. Qxe4 Red8 25. Nd4 Bf8 26. Nxe6 $5 fxe6 27. exd6 $44 {Svidler,P (2739)-Grischuk,A (2746) Khanty-Mansiysk 2011}) 8. Qe3 Nc5 (8... d5 9. exd5 Bc5 $2 (9... Nxd5 $142 10. Qd2 (10. Qe4 N5f6 11. Qh4 Be7 $13) (10. Qb3 Nc5 11. Qa3 Qc7 $11) 10... N5f6 $132) 10. Qd2 O-O (10... e4 11. Nd4 {/\} Nxd5 $2 12. Nf5) 11. c4 e4 12. Nd4 Ne5 13. b4 Ba7 14. Nc3 Bg4 15. c5 a5 16. a3 Nxd5 (16... Bb8 17. Rb1 $16) 17. Nxe4 Bb8 18. f3 Nf4 19. Nd6 $1 Bxd6 20. cxd6 Nxe2+ 21. Qxe2 Qxd6 22. Nb5 $18 {Hou,Y (2629)-Giri,A (2750) Biel 2014}) 9. Nc3 Be7 10. b3 O-O 11. Ba3 Ne6 12. g3 Qa5 13. Bb2 Nc5 14. Nd2 Be6 15. a4 Rfe8 16. Nc4 Qc7 17. a5 Rad8 18. Rfd1 Qc6 19. Nd2 h6 20. Bf3 Bf8 $132 {Fressinet,L (2711)-Grandelius,N (2587) Malmo 2014}) 6... Bxd7 7. c4 (7. O-O Nf6 (7... Rc8 8. c4 (8. Bg5 $5 h6 9. Bh4 Nf6 10. Bxf6 gxf6 11. c4 Rg8 12. Qd3 f5 13. exf5 Rc5 14. f6 Bh3 15. Ne1 Bxg2 16. Nxg2 Rcg5 17. Kh1 Rxg2 18. Nc3 e6 19. Ne4 Qc7 20. Rad1 $14 {/~~, Morozevich,A (2711) -Khismatullin,D (2651) Poikovsky 2015}) 8... e5 9. Qd3 Qc7 $5 (9... b5 10. Na3 Qb6 11. cxb5 (11. Be3 Qb7 12. Nd2 Be7 13. Rfc1 Nf6 14. cxb5 Rxc1+ 15. Rxc1 axb5 16. Bg5 Nh5 17. Bxe7 Kxe7 18. g3 Nf6 19. Nc2 Rc8 20. Rd1 Bg4 21. Re1 Be6 22. Nb4 Qb6 23. a3 Qb7 24. Qe3 h6 $11 {Wang Hao (2734)-Wojtaszek,R (2716) Shamkir 2014}) 11... Bxb5 (11... axb5 12. Bd2 Be7 13. Rac1 Rxc1 14. Rxc1 Nf6 15. Bb4 Bc6 16. Bxd6 Nxe4 17. Bxe7 Kxe7 18. Nxe5 Qxf2+ 19. Kh1 Qb6 {Kosintseva,T (2483) -Ushenina,A (2494) Beijing rpd 2014} 20. Qd4 $1 $18) 12. Nxb5 Qxb5 13. Qxb5+ axb5 14. a4 bxa4 15. Rxa4 Nf6 16. Bg5 Be7 17. Rd1 O-O 18. g3 Rc2 {Kravtsiv,M (2623)-Areshchenko,A (2677) Lvov 2015} 19. Rd2 $5 $14) 10. Nfd2 b5 11. b3 Nf6 12. Nc3 Be7 13. Ba3 O-O 14. Rac1 Qb6 15. cxb5 axb5 16. Bb4 Bc6 17. a3 Rfd8 18. Rc2 Nd7 19. Nd5 Bxd5 20. Rxc8 Rxc8 21. Qxd5 Nf6 22. Qd3 Qb7 23. h3 h6 24. Re1 Rd8 {1/2, Kovalenko,I (2682)-Cheparinov,I (2683) Warsaw 2015}) (7... e5 { often only transposes after} 8. Qd3 Rc8 {- 7...Rc8}) 8. Nc3 e5 9. Qd3 h6 10. Nd2 (10. Rd1 Be7 11. Nd2 b5 12. a3 O-O 13. Nf1 Bg4 14. f3 Be6 15. Ne3 Qb6 16. Kh1 Rfc8 17. Qe2 Qc6 18. Bd2 Bd8 19. Be1 Bb6 20. Bh4 Bxe3 21. Qxe3 {Duda,J (2658)-Ponomariov,R (2710) Berlin blitz 2015} Ne8 $11) 10... b5 11. a4 Rb8 12. Rd1 Be7 13. axb5 axb5 14. Nf1 b4 15. Nd5 Nxd5 16. Qxd5 O-O 17. Ne3 Be6 18. Qd3 Qc7 19. Bd2 Rfc8 20. c3 bxc3 21. Bxc3 Qb7 22. Nd5 Bg5 23. h3 Ra8 24. Ne3 Bxe3 25. Qxe3 Rxa1 26. Rxa1 Ra8 $11 {Anand,V (2816)-Topalov,V (2816) Saint Louis 2015}) 7... e5 (7... Nf6 8. Bg5 (8. Nc3 g6 9. O-O Bg7 10. Qd3 O-O 11. a4 Rc8 12. Rb1 Bc6 13. Re1 Nd7 14. b4 Nb6 15. b5 Bd7 {[%csl Rc4]} 16. Nd2 Be6 17. Nd5 Nxa4 18. Ba3 Qd7 19. h3 Rfe8 $17 {Svidler,P (2727)-Karjakin,S (2762) WCup Baku blitz 2015}) 8... e6 9. Nc3 Be7 10. O-O Bc6 11. Qd3 O-O 12. Nd4 Rc8 13. b3 Qc7 14. Nxc6 Qxc6 15. Rac1 h6 16. Be3 Nd7 17. Bd4 Rfd8 18. h3 Qc7 19. Rfd1 Qa5 20. Qd2 Kf8 21. Qb2 Kg8 22. a4 Qh5 23. Ne2 Bf6 24. Rc3 Bxd4 25. Rxd4 Qe5 26. Qd2 $14 {Carlsen,M (2870)-Anand,V (2775) WCh Chennai 2013}) 8. Qd3 b5 9. Nc3 bxc4 10. Qxc4 Be6 (10... Nf6 $5 11. Bg5 Be6 12. Qc6+ Bd7 13. Qc4 Be6 14. Qd3 Be7 15. O-O O-O 16. Rac1 Nh5 17. Be3 Nf6 18. Bg5 Nh5 19. Be3 Nf6 20. Bg5 {1/2, Alekseev,E (2642)-Khismatullin,D (2642) St Petersburg rpd 2015}) 11. Qd3 h6 12. O-O Nf6 13. Rd1 Be7 14. Ne1 O-O 15. Nc2 Qb6 (15... Qb8 16. Ne3 Rc8 17. Ned5 ( 17. b3 $5) 17... Nxd5 18. Nxd5 Bd8 19. b3 Rc6 20. Be3 Qb5 21. Rac1 Rxc1 22. Bxc1 Qxd3 23. Rxd3 f5 24. Ne3 Rc8 25. Rxd6 Rxc1+ 26. Nf1 Kf7 27. exf5 Bxf5 28. Rxd8 Bb1 $15 {Munoz Pantoja,M (2456)-Kulaots,K (2581) Barcelona 2013}) 16. Ne3 Rac8 (16... Rfc8 17. b3 Qb7 (17... a5 18. Bd2 Qa6 19. Be1 Nd7 20. f3 Rc6 21. Qxa6 Rcxa6 22. Ned5 Bd8 23. Nb5 $14 {Carlsen,M (2868)-Anand,V (2783) Stavanger 2013}) 18. Bd2 Bd8 19. Rac1 Bb6 20. Ncd5 Bxd5 21. Nxd5 Nxd5 22. Qxd5 Qxd5 23. exd5 Kf8 24. Kf1 Ke7 25. Ke2 h5 26. f3 Kd7 27. Kd3 f5 28. h3 g6 29. Rxc8 { 1/2, Solozhenkin,E (2464)-Kulaots,K (2574) Jyvaskyla 2015} Rxc8 30. Rc1 $11) 17. Rb1 Rfd8 18. Bd2 Qb7 19. Be1 Rd7 20. f3 Bd8 21. Ncd5 Bxd5 22. Nxd5 Nxd5 23. Qxd5 Bb6+ 24. Kf1 Bd4 25. Qxb7 Rxb7 26. Rd2 Kf8 27. Bf2 Bxf2 28. Kxf2 Ke7 $11 { Cornette,M (2533)-Dorfman,J (2571) Nimes 2014}) (4. c3 Ngf6 5. Qe2 a6 6. Ba4 e5 (6... b5 7. Bc2 Bb7 8. O-O e6 9. d4 Be7 10. a4 O-O 11. Nbd2 cxd4 12. cxd4 Qb6 13. a5 Qc7 14. Bd3 Rfc8 15. Nb3 Nf8 16. g3 Ng6 17. Bd2 Qd8 18. Ne1 Rc7 19. f3 Rac8 20. Ng2 Nd7 21. h4 h6 22. Ne1 Ngf8 23. Ng2 Nh7 24. Kh2 Nhf6 $11 {Wang,H (2729)-Wojtaszek,R (2715) Dubai blitz 2014}) 7. O-O Be7 8. d4 b5 9. Bc2 cxd4 $5 (9... O-O 10. Rd1 Qc7 11. a4 $5 (11. d5 $6 Rb8 12. a4 c4 13. axb5 axb5 14. b4 cxb3 15. Bxb3 Nc5 16. Bc2 Bd7 17. Ba3 Ra8 18. Nbd2 Na4 19. Bxa4 Rxa4 20. Bb4 Rfa8 21. Rxa4 bxa4 22. Nb1 Bg4 23. Na3 Nh5 24. Qe3 Nf4 25. Ra1 f5 $36 { Kryvoruchko,Y (2707)-Carlsen,M (2881) Dubai rpd 2014}) 11... Rb8 12. axb5 axb5 13. Na3 Ba6 14. d5 Qb7 15. b4 Bd8 16. Bd3 Ra8 17. Bg5 c4 18. Bc2 Nh5 19. Bxd8 Rfxd8 20. Nh4 g6 21. Qe3 Qb6 22. Qxb6 Nxb6 23. g3 Nf6 24. Ng2 Ne8 25. Ra2 Bc8 26. Rda1 Bd7 $11 {Caruana,F (2808)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2731) Saint Louis 2015}) 10. cxd4 O-O {was Topalov's choice. He already inserted the swap on d4 with Carlsen in Wijk 2012, but there Black's queen already was on c7, which limits his options.} 11. Nc3 Bb7 12. a3 Rc8 13. Rd1 exd4 14. Rxd4 Re8 15. Bg5 Qc7 16. Re1 Nf8 17. Qd1 Ne6 18. Rd2 Nxg5 19. Nxg5 Qc5 20. Nf3 Bf8 21. h4 h6 22. Rd4 Qa7 23. Bb3 Rc5 24. Qd2 Qa8 25. Qf4 Qc8 26. Red1 a5 27. Nh2 Rxc3 $1 28. bxc3 Rxe4 29. Rxe4 Bxe4 $36 {Kamsky,G (2741)-Topalov,V (2771) Zug 2013}) ({An unusual, but rather harmless try was} 4. a4 Ngf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. a5 Bg7 7. O-O O-O 8. d3 a6 9. Bc4 b5 10. axb6 Nxb6 11. Bb3 Bb7 12. Re1 e6 13. e5 dxe5 14. Nxe5 Nfd5 15. Na4 Nxa4 16. Bxa4 Nb6 17. Qg4 Qd4 18. Qxd4 cxd4 19. Bc6 Rfb8 20. h3 a5 21. b3 Nd5 22. Bxb7 Rxb7 23. Nc4 Rba7 24. Bd2 a4 25. b4 Rb7 26. Reb1 Rb5 27. Nd6 Rb6 28. Nc4 Rb5 29. Nd6 Rb6 30. Nc4 Rb5 {1/2, Giri,A (2778)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2765) EU-chT Reykjavik 2015}) 4... a6 5. Bd3 {The modern way.} (5. Bxd7+ Bxd7 6. d4 {- 4.0-0 transposes to the lines above.}) 5... Ngf6 (5... Ne5 $6 { prematurely compromises Black's pawns:} 6. Nxe5 dxe5 7. a4 Nf6 8. b3 (8. Na3 Be6 9. Qe2 g6 10. Bc4 Qd6 $6 11. Bxe6 Qxe6 12. a5 Bh6 13. d4 Bxc1 14. d5 Qg4 15. Qxg4 Nxg4 16. Rfxc1 Nf6 17. f3 Nd7 18. Nc4 O-O 19. Ra3 f6 20. Rb3 Rab8 21. Rd1 $36 {1-0 (53) Hracek,Z (2638)-Esen,B (2565) Warsaw 2013}) 8... Be6 (8... Qd4 $2 9. Bb2 $1 Qxb2 10. Nc3 {[%csl Rb2][%CAl Ra1a2]}) 9. Bb2 Bxb3 10. Qe2 ( 10. Bxa6 $5) 10... c4 11. Bxc4 Bxc4 12. Qxc4 Rc8 13. Qb3 Qc7 (13... Nxe4 $5 14. Bxe5 Nc5 {gives Black more chances for sufficient counterplay.}) 14. d3 e6 15. Nd2 Nd7 {Carlsen,M (2868)-Svidler,P (2769) Stavanger 2013} 16. a5 $1 {White's superior pawn-structure gives him a long-term advantage.} (16. Nc4)) ({However, the knight swap idea deserves attention in a different form:} 5... g6 6. c3 (6. Re1 Bg7 7. c3 Ne5 $5 8. Be2 Nxf3+ 9. Bxf3 e5 10. d4 $6 (10. d3 Ne7 $11 { hardly gives White anything, but this violent break seems simply incorrect.}) 10... cxd4 11. cxd4 exd4 12. Na3 Ne7 13. e5 dxe5 14. Nc4 Nc6 15. Bxc6+ bxc6 16. Nxe5 Be6 $1 17. Nxc6 Qb6 18. Ne5 O-O 19. b3 Rfd8 20. Bb2 Rac8 21. Rc1 Rc5 22. Rxc5 Qxc5 23. Nd3 Qb5 24. Qd2 Bf5 $17 {Motylev,A (2685)-Wojtaszek,R (2716) Shamkir 2014}) 6... Bg7 7. Bc2 Ne5 (7... c4 $5 8. b3 b5 $13) 8. Nxe5 dxe5 9. a4 b6 10. Na3 Nf6 11. Nc4 Nd7 12. b4 cxb4 (12... Qc7 $5) 13. cxb4 Nb8 14. Bb2 Nc6 15. f4 Nxb4 16. Nxe5 f6 (16... O-O $142 17. d4 $14) 17. Nf3 Nd3 18. Bxd3 Qxd3 19. Qb1 Qxb1 20. Rfxb1 Bb7 21. d3 Kf7 22. Bd4 b5 23. axb5 axb5 24. Rxa8 Rxa8 25. Rxb5 $14 {Kobalia,M (2627)-Motylev,A (2696) Vladivostok 2014}) 6. Re1 { This line is the topic of a more recent survey in CBM 169 by Kr.Szabo.} ({ The main alternative is} 6. c3 b5 (6... g6 $143 7. Bc2 Bg7 8. d4 Qc7 9. a4 O-O 10. d5 b6 11. c4 e6 12. Nc3 exd5 13. cxd5 Re8 14. h3 Rb8 15. Qe2 Ne5 16. Nxe5 Rxe5 17. Be3 Re8 18. Bd3 Bb7 19. Rac1 Re7 20. Qd2 Qd7 21. b3 Bc8 22. Bh6 Bh8 23. Qe2 Re8 24. Rfe1 $36 {Caruana,F (2786)-Topalov,V (2769) Bucharest 2012/ For more details see the notes to this game in CBM 152.}) 7. Bc2 Bb7 8. Re1 { , also analysed by the Hungarian GM. This may (not necessarily) lead to positions, resembling the Ruy Lopez:} {The most popular reaction is} e5 (8... Qc7 9. a4 (9. d4 $6 cxd4 10. cxd4 Rc8 {[%csl Re4]}) 9... b4 10. d3 g6 11. Nbd2 bxc3 12. bxc3 Bg7 13. a5 O-O 14. h3 Bc6 15. d4 (15. Nc4 $5 $11) 15... cxd4 16. cxd4 Rab8 17. Ra2 Rfc8 18. d5 Bb5 19. Nd4 Nc5 20. Nxb5 Rxb5 21. Nc4 Nfd7 (21... Ncxe4 $5 22. Bxe4 Nxe4 23. Rxe4 f5 $15) 22. Bd2 Rcb8 23. Qe2 Ne5 24. Nb6 Ned7 25. Nc4 Ne5 26. Nb6 Ned7 {1/2, Ganguly,S (2619)-Wojtaszek,R (2715) Dubai rpd 2014}) (8... c4 $5 9. a4 e6 (9... e5 10. axb5 axb5 11. Rxa8 Qxa8 12. Na3 Be7 13. Nxb5 O-O 14. Qe2 Rc8 15. d4 cxd3 16. Bxd3 Nc5 17. Nd2 Nxd3 18. Qxd3 Ba6 19. c4 Bxb5 20. cxb5 Qb7 21. b3 Rb8 22. Bb2 Qxb5 23. Qxb5 Rxb5 24. Rc1 Rb8 $14 { /=, Karjakin,S (2762)-Cheparinov,I (2672) Rhodes 2013}) 10. axb5 (10. d4 cxd3 11. Bxd3 bxa4 12. Qxa4 Be7 13. e5 dxe5 14. Nxe5 O-O 15. Nxd7 Nxd7 16. Qc2 Nf6 17. Nd2 Qc7 18. h3 Rfd8 19. Ne4 Nd5 20. Ng5 h6 21. Nf3 Rac8 22. Bh7+ Kh8 23. Be4 a5 24. Qe2 Bf6 $132 {Sebag,M (2483)-Salgado Lopez,I (2616) Montpellier 2015 }) 10... axb5 11. Rxa8 Qxa8 12. Na3 Bxe4 13. Bxe4 Nxe4 14. d3 cxd3 15. Nxb5 Qb7 16. Qxd3 d5 17. Be3 Bc5 18. c4 Bxe3 19. Qxe3 O-O 20. cxd5 Qxb5 21. Qxe4 Nf6 22. Qe2 Qxe2 23. Rxe2 Nxd5 $11 {Stevic,H (2600)-Cheparinov,I (2681) CRO-chT Bol 2015}) (8... e6 9. d4 Be7 (9... cxd4 10. cxd4 Be7 11. Nbd2 O-O 12. Nf1 Rc8 ( 12... Nb6 13. Ng3 Rc8 14. Bd3 Re8 15. Qe2 Nfd7 16. b3 d5 17. e5 Nb8 18. Nh5 Nc6 19. Nxg7 Kxg7 20. Qe3 Rh8 21. Qh6+ Kg8 22. Ng5 Bxg5 23. Bxg5 Ne7 24. Bxe7 { 1-0, David,A (2585)-Kempinski,R (2630) Porto Rio 2015} Qxe7 25. Re3 $18) 13. Ng3 Re8 14. h3 Bf8 15. Bd2 Qc7 16. Rc1 Qb8 17. Ba5 g6 18. Qd2 Qa8 19. a3 Rc4 20. Bd3 Rxc1 21. Qxc1 Rc8 22. Qd2 Qa7 23. h4 e5 24. Bc3 Ng4 25. Bb1 Bg7 26. Ba2 exd4 27. Bxd4 Bxd4 28. Nxd4 Nde5 29. Rd1 $16 {Svidler,P (2740)-Papaioannou,I (2633) Rhodes 2013}) 10. Nbd2 Qc7 $5 (10... O-O 11. e5 Nd5 12. Ne4 Qc7 $5 13. Nfg5 h6 14. exd6 Bxd6 15. Nxd6 Qxd6 16. Ne4 Qc6 17. f3 Rfd8 18. Qd3 cxd4 19. Qxd4 Rac8 20. Bb3 Qb6 21. Bd2 Nc5 22. Nxc5 Rxc5 23. Qf2 Rcc8 24. Rad1 Qxf2+ 25. Kxf2 Nb6 26. Bc1 Bd5 $11 {Rozentalis,E (2606)-Esen,B (2589) Tromso olm 2014}) 11. Nf1 (11. e5 $5 $13) 11... O-O 12. Ng3 Rfe8 13. h3 Rac8 14. Bd3 (14. Re2 Bf8 15. Be3 g6 16. Rc1 Bg7 17. Bb1 e5 18. d5 c4 19. Qd2 Nc5 20. Bh6 Bxh6 21. Qxh6 Qe7 22. Rf1 Qf8 23. Qg5 Nfd7 24. Nh2 Qe7 25. Qd2 Rf8 26. Ng4 Qh4 27. Re3 Nf6 28. Nh2 Rce8 29. Nf3 Qh6 30. Nh2 Bc8 $11 {Havasi,G (2302)-Erdos,V (2621) Hungary 2015}) 14... Bf8 15. Bd2 g6 16. Qe2 Bg7 17. a4 e5 $5 18. d5 c4 19. Bc2 Nc5 20. Nh2 Rb8 21. Ra3 Bc8 22. axb5 axb5 23. Ng4 Bxg4 24. hxg4 Ra8 25. Rea1 Rxa3 26. Rxa3 Qb7 $11 {Hou,Y (2629)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2766) Biel 2014}) (8... Rc8 9. a4 b4 10. a5 Qc7 (10... e6 11. d3 bxc3 12. bxc3 Be7 13. h3 O-O 14. Bf4 Bc6 15. Nbd2 Bb5 16. Bh2 Re8 17. Bb3 Bxd3 18. c4 d5 19. cxd5 exd5 20. e5 c4 21. Bc2 {Nakamura,H (2814)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2705) WCup Baku 2015} Bxc2 22. Qxc2 c3 $15) 11. d3 bxc3 12. bxc3 e6 13. h3 Be7 14. Bf4 O-O 15. Nbd2 Bc6 16. Nc4 Bb5 17. Nfd2 Rfd8 18. Bg3 Ne8 19. Kh2 Rb8 20. Ne3 Ne5 21. Qe2 Nc6 22. Nb3 Ne5 23. Nd2 Nc6 24. Ndc4 Nf6 25. Kh1 Ne5 26. f4 Nxc4 27. dxc4 Bc6 28. Nd1 g6 29. Bh2 Nh5 $132 {/=/+, Nakamura,H (2814)-Grischuk,A (2771) Saint Louis 2015/ Grischuk spoiled a good position in his habitual time trouble; for more details see the notes to this game in CBM 168 by Mokal.}) 9. d4 Be7 10. Nbd2 O-O 11. Nf1 Re8 12. Ng3 Bf8 (12... cxd4 $5 13. cxd4 exd4 14. Nxd4 Bf8 $11 {Mekhitarian}) 13. d5 g6 (13... c4 $142 $132) 14. b3 Nb6 15. Rb1 c4 16. bxc4 Nxc4 17. a4 Qc7 18. axb5 axb5 19. Rxb5 Na3 20. Rb3 Nxc2 21. Qxc2 Nd7 22. Be3 Ba6 23. Ra3 Bb5 24. Rea1 Rxa3 25. Rxa3 Rb8 26. Ra7 Qc8 27. h3 Nb6 28. Qc1 Nc4 29. Bh6 Qc5 30. Nh5 $1 $18 {->, Harikrishna,P (2706)-Nakamura,H (2789) Wijk aan Zee 2014}) 6... b5 { Black usually fights the intended central expansion by flank activity.} ({ However,} 6... g6 7. c3 Bg7 8. Bc2 b5 {is also viable. Compared with Caruana-Topalov above, White has spent time on playing Re1 and the extra tempo gave Black counterplay after} 9. d4 cxd4 10. cxd4 Bb7 11. Nc3 O-O 12. h3 Nb6 13. a3 Rc8 14. Qe2 e6 15. Bd3 Nh5 16. a4 b4 17. a5 bxc3 18. axb6 c2 19. Bxc2 Qxb6 20. Bd3 Bxd4 21. Nxd4 Qxd4 22. Bh6 Rfe8 23. Bxa6 Bxa6 24. Rxa6 Rb8 25. Bc1 {Svidler,P (2745)-Papaioannou,I (2638) EU-chT Reykjavik 2015} Nf6 $132) 7. c4 { The only way to emhasise the difference between the two alternatives on move 6. } (7. c3 g5 $6 (7... Bb7 8. Bc2 {-6.c3 transposes to lines from the previous notes.}) 8. Bc2 g4 9. Nh4 c4 10. a4 Bb7 11. axb5 axb5 12. Rxa8 Bxa8 13. d4 e6 14. g3 Be7 15. Bh6 Rg8 16. Nd2 d5 17. e5 Ne4 18. Ng2 Nb6 19. Ne3 Bc6 20. Nxg4 Na4 21. Nxe4 dxe4 22. Bc1 Nb6 23. Bxe4 Bxe4 24. Rxe4 $18 {Hansen,E (2547)-Pert, R (2434) England 2013 This was an unsuccessful predecessor of the Black's sudden flank attack...}) (7. a4 b4 {after} 8. c3 (8. Bc4 Bb7 9. d3 e6 $11) 8... Bb7 9. Bc2 Qc7 {once again transposes to positions from the 6.c3 line (Ganguly-Wojtaszek above)}) 7... g5 $5 {[%mdl 64] Earlier in 2015 Topalov surprised Carlsen with this tactical sortie and scored a full point. Since then the line has been tested further, especially at the blitz and rapid WCh in Berlin. This time Magnus was obviously prepared...} (7... Ne5 8. Bf1 { Safer is} Bd7 $5 (8... Nxc4 9. a4 Bd7 10. d4 cxd4 11. Nxd4 e5 12. axb5 exd4 13. Bxc4 axb5 14. Rxa8 Qxa8 15. Bb3 Be7 16. Qxd4 O-O 17. Nc3 b4 (17... Bc6 18. Bf4 Re8 19. f3 b4 20. Nd5 Nxd5 21. exd5 Bg5 22. Rxe8+ Qxe8 23. Kf2 Bf6 24. Qe3 Ba4 25. Qxe8+ Bxe8 26. Bxd6 Bxb2 27. Bxb4 $14 {Balogh,C (2648)-Gajewski,G (2650) Budapest 2014}) 18. Qxb4 Rb8 19. Qc4 Be6 20. Nd5 Bd8 21. h3 h6 22. Bf4 Qb7 23. Bc2 $36 {Carlsen,M (2872)-Nakamura,H (2776) Zuerich rpd 2014/ Although Black eventually drew both games, it's obvious he is struggling here.}) 9. Nxe5 dxe5 10. cxb5 (10. Nc3 $5 b4 11. Nd5) 10... axb5 11. d3 e6 12. Be3 Bd6 13. Nd2 O-O 14. Nb3 Qe7 15. Qe2 $11 {½, Brkic,A (2597)-Popilski,G (2500) Bad Gleichenberg 2014}) 8. Nxg5 (8. cxb5 g4 9. e5 (9. Nh4 $5 $13) 9... dxe5 10. Ng5 Bg7 (10... e6 11. Nc3 h5 12. Qe2 Nd5 13. Nxe6 fxe6 14. Bg6+ Ke7 15. d4 Bh6 16. Nxd5+ exd5 17. dxc5 Kf6 18. Bc2 Qe7 19. c6 Bxc1 20. cxd7 Bxb2 21. dxc8=Q Raxc8 22. Rab1 Bd4 23. bxa6 $16 {Mamedov,R (2657)-Anand,V (2803) Berlin rpd 2015}) (10... Nb6 11. Qb3 $14) 11. Qe2 (11. Nc3 O-O 12. bxa6 (12. Qe2 {-11.Qe2}) 12... e6 13. Nge4 Nxe4 14. Bxe4 Rxa6 15. Qe2 f5 16. Bd3 Rd6 17. Bc4 e4 18. d3 Ne5 19. dxe4 f4 $40 {Mamedov,R (2657)-Grischuk,A (2774) Berlin rpd 2015}) 11... O-O 12. Nc3 Nb6 13. bxa6 c4 14. Bc2 Bxa6 15. Qxe5 h6 16. Nge4 Nfd5 17. Qf5 (17. Qh5 $142) 17... Bc8 (17... e6 $1 $36) 18. Qh5 Nf4 19. Qc5 Bd4 20. Qc6 Be6 21. Nc5 Qd6 22. Qxd6 exd6 23. d3 Nxg2 24. Rxe6 (24. Kxg2 dxc5 25. Bxh6 Rfd8 $44) 24... fxe6 25. Nxe6 Bxc3 26. Nxf8 Ne1 27. Bd1 Bf6 28. Ne6 Nxd3 $15 {Bartel,M (2622)-Grischuk, A (2774) Berlin rpd 2015}) (8. e5 Nxe5 9. Nxe5 dxe5 10. Bf1 (10. Qe2 Bg7 11. cxb5 Nd5 $13) 10... b4 (10... bxc4 $5 11. Na3 $5 $13) 11. d3 g4 12. a3 e6 13. axb4 cxb4 14. Bg5 Rg8 15. Be3 (15. Bh4 $1 $36) 15... Bd6 (15... Qc7 $142) 16. Nd2 a5 17. Nb3 (17. c5 $1 Bc7 18. Qa4+ $36) 17... Bb7 18. d4 exd4 19. Nxd4 Ne4 20. Qa4+ Kf8 21. Bh6+ (21. g3 $142 $13) 21... Rg7 22. Bxg7+ $6 Kxg7 $40 { Bartel,M (2622)-Bocharov,D (2560) Berlin rpd 2015}) 8... Ne5 9. Be2 (9. Bf1 { also deserves attention:} Bh6 $5 (9... Rg8 10. cxb5 $5 $14 {/\} Rxg5 $2 11. d4) (9... bxc4 10. d4 $1 cxd3 (10... cxd4 11. f4 $36) 11. f4 Nc6 12. Bxd3 h6 13. Nf3 e6 14. Nc3 Bb7 15. b3 Be7 {1/2, Barski,R (2336)-Borovikov,V (2564) Heusenstamm 2015} 16. Bb2 $36 {This illustrates the main drawback of the enterprising 7...g5!? - if Black's activity peters out, his king remains constantly vulnerable.}) (9... Nxc4 10. Bxc4 bxc4 11. Qa4+ Bd7 12. Qxc4 e6 13. Nc3 $14 {/+/-}) 10. d4 cxd4 11. Qxd4 Rg8 12. f4 Nc6 $14 {/<=>}) 9... bxc4 10. Nc3 $1 $146 {[%mdl 8]} (10. Na3 $143 $6 Rg8 11. Nxc4 $2 (11. d4 cxd3 12. Bxd3 h6 13. Nf3 Nxd3 14. Qxd3 d5 $132 {Kr.Szabo}) 11... Nxc4 12. d4 Nb6 13. Bh5 Nxh5 14. Qxh5 Rg7 (14... Rg6 $142 $17) 15. Nxh7 Qd7 16. dxc5 dxc5 17. e5 $2 (17. Nxf8 Qh3 18. Qxh3 Bxh3 19. g3 Rg8 20. Nh7 f6 21. e5 Rh8 22. Nxf6+ exf6 23. exf6+ Kf7 $11) 17... Qc6 18. f3 Qg6 19. Nf6+ Kd8 20. Qxg6 Rxg6 21. Ne4 Bb7 $17 {/+-, Carlsen,M (2853)-Topalov,V (2816) Saint Louis 2015/ See the notes to this game by Kr.Szabo in CBM 168.}) ({Another interesting untested continuation is} 10. Nf3 Nd3 11. Bxd3 cxd3 12. Nc3 (12. e5 Nd5 $13) (12. Qb3 $5 ) 12... Rg8 13. e5 Ng4 $5 $132 {However, Carlsen's developing move seems both safer and stronger.}) 10... Rb8 $6 {A rather dubious attempt to circumvent White's preparation.} ({More natural is the analogous} 10... Rg8 {, but Grischuk was obviously reluctant to give up his kingside castling rights:} 11. f4 (11. d4 cxd3 12. Bxd3 h6 13. Nf3 Bg4 (13... Nxd3 14. Qxd3 $14 {and contrary to the line above, with the knight on c3 instead of a3 White can fight for an edge.}) 14. Be2 Bxf3 15. Bxf3 Qd7 16. Bf4 Nxf3+ 17. Qxf3 Qg4 18. Qxg4 Rxg4 19. g3 Nh5 20. Be3 Bg7 $132) 11... Nd3 12. Bxd3 cxd3 13. Qa4+ Bd7 14. Qc4 e6 15. Qxd3 Nh5 16. Qf1 $5 h6 (16... Nxf4 17. d4 Qxg5 18. Bxf4 $14) 17. Nh3 Bg7 18. d3 Rb8 $13 {/+/=}) 11. Rf1 {This refined reaction cost Carlsen 20 minutes, so now it's obvious both players are out of their book.} (11. f4 $5 Nd3 12. Bxd3 cxd3 13. Qa4+ Nd7 (13... Bd7 14. Qxa6 $16) (13... Qd7 14. Qc4 h6 15. Qxf7+ Kd8 16. Nh3 $5 Qg4 17. Nf2 $14) 14. Qc4 e6 15. Qxd3 $14 {seems simple and good - Black has yet to prove he has sufficient compensation.}) 11... h6 12. Nf3 Nd3 13. Ne1 $1 {The point behind the 11th move - White immediately swaps the nagging knight.} (13. Qa4+ $6 Qd7 14. Qxc4 Nf4 $36 {[%csl Rg2][%CAl Rh8g8,Rb8b4] is dangerous for White to say the least.}) 13... Nxb2 (13... Rg8 {is an engine suggestion, but it's hardly a radical improvement:} 14. Kh1 $5 $14 {is perhaps the best choice - Black may regret his king in the centre later on.} (14. Nxd3 cxd3 15. Bxd3 Bh3 16. g3 Bg7 $5 (16... Bxf1 17. Qxf1 $14) 17. Re1 Ng4 $44) (14. Bxd3 cxd3 15. Nxd3 Bg7 (15... h5 $5) 16. Nf4 $14)) 14. Bxb2 (14. Qc2 Nd3 15. Nxd3 cxd3 16. Bxd3 Rg8 (16... Bg7 17. Bb2 Nh5 18. Rab1 $14) 17. Ne2 $5 { is perhaps better for White, but the text move is simpler - Magnus exchanges the undeveloped bishop and his remaining pieces have superior coordination.}) 14... Rxb2 15. Bxc4 {[%csl Rb2][%CAl Rc4b3]} Rb4 16. Qe2 {[%csl Ra6]} Bg7 17. Nc2 Rb6 (17... Rb2 $6 18. Ne3 {[%CAl Rc4b3,Re3c4]} Nd7 19. Rac1 $16 {and Black's rook remains misplaced.}) 18. Rab1 $5 {Exchanging one rook reduces Black's chances for effective counterplay; White can then turn his attention to the kingside.} O-O 19. Rxb6 Qxb6 20. Ne3 e6 21. f4 {After a series of natural moves White has good attacking chances.} Kh8 (21... Bb7 22. f5 $16 { [%csl Re6]}) (21... Qc6 $5 $14) 22. f5 (22. e5 dxe5 23. fxe5 {is tempting, but inconclusive:} Nh7 $5 (23... Nd7 24. Ng4 Qc7 25. Nxh6 Bxh6 (25... Nxe5 26. Qh5 Nxc4 27. Rf3 f5 28. Rh3 Bd4+ 29. Kh1 Qg7 30. Ne2 $1 Nxd2 31. Nxd4 Ne4 32. Qe2 Qh7 33. Nc6 Kg7 34. Qb2+ Rf6 35. Ne7 Nf2+ 36. Qxf2 Rxh6 37. Qb2+ Kf7 38. Rxh6 Qxh6 39. Nxc8 $18) 26. Qh5 Kg7 27. Qg4+ Kh8 28. Qh4 Kh7 (28... Kg7 29. Rf6 $1 Rh8 30. Qg4+ Kf8 31. Rxf7+ Kxf7 32. Qxe6+ Kg7 33. Qf7#) 29. Bd3+ Kg7 30. Qg4+ ( 30. Rf6 Rh8 31. Rg6+ $1 Kf8 (31... fxg6 32. Qe7+ Kg8 33. Bxg6 Nxe5 $8 34. Qxc7 $18) 32. Rxh6 Rxh6 33. Qxh6+ Ke8 $14) 30... Kh8 31. Rf5 $1 Nxe5 32. Qh4 f6 33. Qxh6+ Kg8 34. Rxf6 Rxf6 35. Qxf6 Nxd3 36. Qg6+ $16) 24. Ng4 (24. Qh5 Qc7 25. Ng4 Qd7 $132) 24... Qd8 $14) 22... a5 (22... Rg8 $5 23. Kh1 $14) 23. a4 Qd8 24. h3 (24. Ba6 Bd7 25. Bb5 Bc8 26. fxe6 fxe6 27. Nc4 Bb7 $14 {is not too convincing.}) ({Therefore Magnus patiently improves his position, but this move does not only provide breathing space, but also weakens the kingside. Therefore} 24. Qd3 $5 {deserves attention, keeping all the options open.}) 24... Qe7 25. Ba6 Bxa6 {Grischuk seeks kingside counterplay.} (25... Bd7 26. Bb5 Bc8 27. fxe6 Bxe6 (27... fxe6 28. Nc4 $16 {[%csl Ra5][%CAl Re4e5]}) 28. Nf5 $16) 26. Qxa6 Nh5 27. Rf3 $6 {Starts slipping up.} (27. Ne2 $5 $36) (27. Qxa5 Be5 (27... Ng3 28. Rf3 Be5 29. Qb5 {/\} Bxc3 30. dxc3 Nxe4 31. Qd3 d5 32. c4 Ng5 33. Rf1 d4 34. Ng4 $16) 28. fxe6 Qxe6 29. Ne2 $14) 27... Rg8 28. Nb5 $6 { Continues the trend, with two pieces out of the action White will suddenly be in danger.} (28. Qxa5 Qh4 $44) (28. Ne2 Qh4 29. Qd3 (29. fxe6 Qe1+ 30. Nf1 fxe6 31. Qc4 Be5 32. Qxe6 Rxg2+ 33. Kh1 $1 Rh2+ 34. Kg1 Rg2+ $11) 29... d5 $5 (29... Be5 30. Ng4 Rxg4 31. hxg4 Nf6 32. g3 Qxg4 33. fxe6 fxe6 34. Nf4 h5 $44 {<=>}) 30. Ng4 Nf6 $11) (28. fxe6 $142 fxe6 (28... Qxe6 29. Qxa5 $14) 29. Ne2 $14) 28... Be5 $1 29. Ng4 Qh4 {The concentration of Black's forces is alarming.} ({ The text move is more convincing than} 29... Nf4 30. f6 Qf8 31. Kf1 Nxg2 $13) 30. fxe6 $2 {[%mdl 8192] A tactical error, but not the last one...} (30. Nxe5 { allows Black to force a draw, but White had already squandered his advantage.} Qe1+ (30... dxe5 31. Nd6 Nf4 32. Nxf7+ Kh7 33. Nxe5 Rxg2+ 34. Kf1 Rg7 35. Ng6 ( 35. fxe6 $2 Nxh3 $19) 35... Nxg6 36. fxg6+ Rxg6 37. Qc6 Qh5 $11) 31. Rf1 (31. Kh2 $2 dxe5 32. Nd6 Ng3 $19) 31... Rxg2+ 32. Kxg2 Qg3+ $11) (30. Nxd6 Bd4+ $1 31. Ne3 $8 (31. Nf2 $2 Nf4 32. Nxf7+ Kh7 $17) (31. Kf1 $2 Rxg4 32. Nxf7+ Kh7 33. Qb7 Rg7 $17) 31... Qe1+ 32. Qf1 Qxd2 33. Ndc4 Qc3 34. fxe6 fxe6 35. Kh2 Be5+ $13) 30... fxe6 $2 (30... Rxg4 $1 31. hxg4 Qh2+ 32. Kf2 (32. Kf1 Nf4 33. Qa8+ Kg7 34. Ke1 Qxg2 35. Rxf4 Bxf4 36. Qxa5 (36. e7 Qxd2+ 37. Kf1 Bg3 38. Qf8+ Kg6 39. Qg8+ Kf6 40. e5+ dxe5 41. e8=N+ Ke7 $19) 36... Qg1+ 37. Ke2 Qxg4+ $19) 32... Nf4 33. Rg3 Nxe6 34. Rf3 Nf4 $1 (34... Kg7 $40 {D.King} 35. Na3 $5 (35. Nc3 Qh4+ 36. g3 Qh2+ 37. Ke1 Ng5 38. Qd3 Nxf3+ 39. Qxf3 Bxg3+ 40. Kd1 Qg1+ 41. Kc2 Be5 $19) 35... Qh4+ 36. g3 Qh2+ 37. Ke1 Ng5 38. Qd3 Nxf3+ 39. Qxf3 Qg1+ ( 39... Bxg3+ 40. Kd1 Qg1+ 41. Kc2 Be5 42. Nc4) 40. Ke2 Qd4 $17) 35. Rg3 Ng6 36. Rf3 Kg7 {[%CAl Rg6h4]} 37. Nc7 Nh4 38. Ne6+ Kh7 $1 39. Rxf7+ Kg6 40. Rf5 (40. Rf8 Qxg2+ 41. Ke3 Qh3+ 42. Kf2 Qg3+ 43. Ke2 Qxg4+ 44. Kd3 Qh3+ $1 45. Kc2 Qxe6 $19) 40... Qxg2+ 41. Ke3 Qg3+ 42. Ke2 Qxg4+ 43. Ke3 Nxf5+ 44. exf5+ Kxf5 $19) ( 30... Nf4 $2 31. Kf1 $1 {[]} (31. Nxd6 Qe1+ 32. Rf1 Qxd2 33. Nxf7+ Kh7 34. Rf2 Bd4 $19) 31... fxe6 (31... Rxg4 $2 32. exf7 Kg7 33. Qc8 $18) 32. Nxd6 Rxg4 33. Nf7+ Kh7 34. Nxe5 Rxg2 35. Ng4 (35. Rxf4 Qxh3 36. Rh4 Qxh4 37. Kxg2 Qg5+ $11) 35... Rxg4 36. hxg4 Qxg4 37. Kf2 Qg2+ 38. Ke3 Qg1+ 39. Rf2 (39. Kxf4 $4 Qg5#) 39... Qg3+ $11) 31. Nxe5 dxe5 ({A simpler way is} 31... Qe1+ 32. Rf1 $8 (32. Kh2 $2 Nf4 $1 (32... Ng3 33. Nf7+ (33. Ng4 Ne2 $19) 33... Kh7 34. Ng5+ Rxg5 35. Qb7+ Rg7 36. Qxg7+ Kxg7 37. Rxg3+ Kh7 $19) 33. Ng6+ Rxg6 34. Qc8+ Kh7 35. Qc7+ Rg7 36. Qxg7+ Kxg7 37. Rxf4 Qxd2 $19) 32... Rxg2+ 33. Kxg2 Qg3+ 34. Kh1 Qxh3+ $11) 32. Qxe6 Qe1+ $2 {The decisive error.} (32... Qg5 $8 33. Rf2 (33. g4 Nf4 34. Qf5 Qg7 (34... Qe7 35. Na7 $8 Rg5 (35... Rf8 $2 36. Nc6) 36. Qc8+ Rg8 $11) 35. Rxf4 exf4 36. Qxc5 $11) 33... Nf4 34. Qg4 Qxg4 35. hxg4 Rxg4 36. Kh2 Rg6 37. g3 Ne6 $132) 33. Kh2 {[%CAl Re6e5,Re6h6]} (33. Rf1 $142 $1 Qxd2 (33... Qxe4 34. Qxh6+ Qh7 35. Qe3 Qg7 36. g4 $18) (33... Rxg2+ 34. Kxg2 Qxd2+ 35. Kg1 $1 Qe3+ 36. Rf2 $18 {transposes into the game.}) 34. Qxe5+ Ng7 (34... Rg7 35. g4 $18) 35. Rf7 $18) 33... Rxg2+ (33... Qxd2 $142 $5 {was more resilient:} 34. Qxe5+ (34. Rf2 Rxg2+ $1 35. Rxg2 Qf4+ 36. Kh1 Qf1+ 37. Rg1 Qf3+ 38. Kh2 Qf2+ 39. Rg2 Qf4+ $11) 34... Rg7 (34... Kh7 35. Rf7+ $18) 35. Rf8+ Kh7 36. Qf5+ Rg6 37. Rf7+ (37. Qf7+ $5 Rg7 38. Qf2 Qxf2 39. Rxf2 $16) 37... Ng7 38. Qf3 $16) 34. Kxg2 Qxd2+ $6 (34... Qe2+ 35. Rf2 $1 (35. Kg1 Qxf3 36. Qxh6+ Kg8 37. Qe6+ Kf8 38. Qf5+ $18) 35... Nf4+ 36. Kg3 Qxf2+ (36... Nh5+ 37. Kh4 Qxf2+ 38. Kxh5 $18) (36... Qd3+ 37. Rf3 Qxf3+ 38. Kxf3 Nxe6 39. Nd6 Kg7 40. Nc4 Ng5+ 41. Ke3 Nxh3 42. Nxa5 Nf4 43. Nb7 $18 {[%csl Ga4]}) 37. Kxf2 Nxe6 38. Nd6 c4 39. Nxc4 Nc5 40. Kf3 Nxa4 41. Kg4 $5 Nc5 42. Kf5 $18 {The knight endgame is beyond saving, but now Black just remains a rook down.}) 35. Kg1 Qe1+ 36. Rf1 $1 Qe3+ 37. Rf2 Qe1+ (37... Qg3+ 38. Kf1 Qd3+ 39. Ke1 Qxe4+ 40. Kd2 Qb4+ 41. Kc2 Qxa4+ 42. Kb2 Qxb5+ 43. Kc1 Ng7 44. Rf8+ Kh7 45. Qg8+ Kg6 46. Qf7+ Kh7 47. Rg8 $18) 38. Kg2 ( 38. Kg2 Qxe4+ 39. Kh2 {and the checks are over. A dramatic final round with a lucky outcome for Magnus!}) 1-0 [Event "Sinquefield Cup 3rd"] [Site "Saint Louis"] [Date "2015.08.27"] [Round "5"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B90"] [WhiteElo "2853"] [BlackElo "2779"] [Annotator "Stohl,I"] [PlyCount "111"] [EventDate "2015.08.23"] [EventType "tourn"] [EventRounds "9"] [EventCountry "USA"] [EventCategory "22"] [SourceTitle "CBM 168"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2015.09.14"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2015.09.14"] [SourceQuality "1"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 ({Two rounds later Carlsen went for the classical} 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Be3 Be6 9. Qd3 Nbd7 10. Nd5 O-O ({After} 10... Bxd5 11. exd5 O-O {Black must reckon with the sharp} 12. g4 $5) 11. O-O (11. c4 b5 $1 $132) 11... Bxd5 12. exd5 {However, Black has counter-chances in the strategic struggle even without radically changing the position; a reasonable alternative is} Rc8 ({Here the most often played move is } 12... Nc5 13. Nxc5 (13. Qd2 $143 Nfe4 14. Qb4 a5 15. Qb5 Qc7 16. Qc4 Rac8 17. Rfd1 f5 18. c3 Qd8 19. Qb5 b6 20. Nd2 Nxd2 21. Bxd2 Bf6 $36 {Ponomariov,R (2744)-Anand,V (2810) Wijk aan Zee 2011/ For more details see the notes to this game in CBM 141.}) 13... dxc5 14. Bf3 Qc7 15. c4 g6 (15... Bd6 $142 $1 16. g3 Rae8 $132) 16. Rae1 h5 $6 17. Bg5 Ne8 18. Bxe7 Qxe7 19. Qe3 Nd6 20. b3 Rfc8 21. Qxe5 Qxe5 22. Rxe5 $16 {Nakamura,H (2775)-Topalov,V (2793) Thessaloniki 2013/ For more details see the notes to this game in CBM 155.}) 13. c4 Ne8 ( 13... a5 $5 14. Rad1 b6 15. Nd2 Nc5 16. Qc2 Nfd7 17. f3 Bg5 18. Bf2 f5 19. Kh1 Qf6 20. Nb1 Qh6 21. Nc3 {Shirov,A (2718)-Polgar,J (2676) Linares 2001/} Bf4 22. g3 Be3 $132 {For more details see the notes to this game by Ftacnik in CBM 082. }) 14. Qd2 b6 15. Rac1 a5 16. Na1 g6 17. b4 Ng7 18. bxa5 bxa5 19. Bd3 Nc5 20. Bc2 a4 21. Rb1 e4 22. Bxc5 Rxc5 23. Bxa4 Rxc4 24. Bc6 Nf5 25. Qe2 Rc3 26. Qxe4 Ra3 $11 {[%csl Ra2] Carlsen,M (2853)-Grischuk,A (2771) Saint Louis 2015 White can't retain the extra pawn and the position is drawish. Subsequent mistakes even cost Carlsen the full point.}) 6... e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. f3 Nbd7 {Both players have experience with this line with both colours, especially So.} ({ The fashionable continuation here, with many top-level annotated games, is} 8... h5 9. Nd5 Bxd5 10. exd5 Nbd7 11. Qd2 g6 (11... Qc7 12. c4 g6 13. O-O-O Nb6 14. Qa5 Bh6 15. Bxh6 Rxh6 16. Kb1 Nfd7 17. Qd2 Rh8 18. Rc1 Na4 19. Be2 a5 20. Na1 Kf8 21. Nc2 Kg7 22. Na3 {Topalov,V (2771)-Wojtaszek,R (2698) ECC Rhodes 2013} Qd8 23. Nb5 Qf6 $13 {For more details see the notes to this game by Wojtaszek in CBM 157.}) 12. Be2 ({A recent example is} 12. O-O-O Nb6 13. Kb1 ( 13. Qa5 Bh6 14. Bxh6 Rxh6 15. Kb1 Rc8 16. Qb4 Kf8 17. c4 Kg7 18. g3 Rh8 19. Rc1 Qc7 20. Bh3 Rce8 21. Rhd1 Re7 22. a3 Rd8 23. Nd2 {brought White success in Anand-Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 2008 (CBM 122), but Black can improve with} e4 $1 24. fxe4 Nxe4 25. Nxe4 Rxe4 26. Bg2 Re2 27. c5 dxc5 28. Rxc5 Qd6 $132 { Yeremenko,A (2456)-Schmidt,G (2435)email 2009/ I already mentioned this in the notes to So-Dominguez (CBM 161).}) 13... Nbxd5 14. Bg5 Be7 15. Na5 Rb8 16. Bc4 Nb6 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. Qxd6 Qxd6 19. Rxd6 Bd8 20. Rd3 Bc7 21. Bb3 Ke7 22. Rhd1 Rhd8 23. Rxd8 Bxd8 24. Nc4 $11 {Grischuk,A (2771)-Topalov,V (2816) Saint Louis 2015/ The opposite-coloured bishops indicate the point was split shortly afterwards.}) 12... Bg7 (12... Qc7 13. Rc1 Bg7 14. O-O O-O 15. c4 b6 16. Na1 Kh7 17. h3 Ng8 18. g4 Qd8 19. gxh5 Qh4 20. hxg6+ fxg6 21. Bd3 Bh6 22. Rf2 Bxe3 23. Qxe3 Ne7 $44 {So,W (2731)-Dominguez Perez,L (2768) Havana 2014 For more details see the notes to this game in CBM 161.}) 13. O-O (13. Na5 Qc7 14. c4 e4 15. O-O exf3 16. gxf3 O-O 17. b4 Rfe8 18. Rac1 Rxe3 $5 19. Qxe3 Re8 20. Qd2 { Caruana,F (2844)-Gelfand,B (2748) Baku 2014} Qb6+ $1 21. Kh1 Bh6 $44 {For more details see the notes to this game by Kr. Szabo in CBM 163.}) 13... b6 14. Rae1 O-O 15. c4 Rc8 16. h3 Nh7 17. Na1 a5 18. Nc2 Bf6 19. Na3 Bh4 20. Rb1 f5 21. Nb5 f4 22. Bf2 Bxf2+ 23. Rxf2 Nc5 24. Qc2 Qf6 25. b3 Ng5 26. Bd3 Kg7 27. a3 Nf7 28. b4 Nxd3 29. Qxd3 Qf5 30. Qxf5 gxf5 31. Rc2 {So,W (2762)-Wojtaszek,R (2744) Wijk aan Zee 2015} axb4 32. axb4 Kf6 $132 {For more details see the notes to this game by Pavlovic in CBM 165.}) 9. Qd2 ({An alternative is the immediate} 9. g4 {After} b5 {White can even spurn castling and play on the queenside with} (9... Nb6 10. g5 Nh5 11. Qd2 Rc8 ({and even more often} 11... Be7 $13 {is the older main line, which was extensively tested in the past decade.})) 10. g5 b4 11. Nd5 Nxd5 12. exd5 Bf5 13. Bd3 Bxd3 14. Qxd3 Be7 15. h4 O-O 16. a3 bxa3 17. Rxa3 a5 18. Qb5 Qc7 19. Nxa5 Rfb8 20. Qc6 Qxc6 $2 (20... Bd8 $1 $132) 21. dxc6 d5 22. Ra2 Bd8 23. cxd7 Rxa5 24. Rxa5 Bxa5+ 25. Ke2 $16 {Topalov,V (2772) -Wojtaszek,R (2735) Tromso olm 2014/ For more details see the notes to this game by Kr.Szabo; this line is analysed also in the notes to Navara-Grischuk, Tromso olm 2014 in CBM 162.}) 9... b5 10. O-O-O Be7 ({Rare and maybe possible, but definitely more risky is} 10... h5 11. Nd5 Bxd5 12. exd5 Nb6 13. Qc3 Rb8 ( 13... Nfd7 14. Na5 $14 {Repp,H (2497)-Avotins,M (2488) email 2010 This game was quoted already in the notes to the aforementioned game So-Dominguez (CBM161).}) 14. a4 Be7 15. Qc6+ (15. axb5 O-O 16. Bxb6 Qxb6 17. bxa6 Rfc8 18. Bc4 Nd7 $36) 15... Nfd7 16. Na5 Bg5 17. f4 exf4 18. Bd2 O-O 19. Qxd6 Nf6 20. Qxd8 Rbxd8 21. Nc6 Rd7 22. axb5 axb5 23. Bxb5 Nbxd5 24. c4 Nc7 25. Ba4 Ne6 26. Kb1 Ra8 27. Ba5 Rb7 $132 {1/2-1/2, Pereira,N-Cintins,I email 2011}) 11. g4 b4 { Another crossroads and Black opts for a sideline.} ({The main continuation} 11... O-O 12. g5 b4 13. Ne2 Ne8 14. f4 a5 15. f5 a4 {has been around for more than 10 years, with numerous practical, email and engine games creating a complex theoretical labyrinth. Lately White has been trying to get an edge with } 16. fxe6 axb3 17. cxb3 fxe6 18. Bh3 Rxa2 19. Bxe6+ Kh8 20. Ng3 Nc7 21. Bc4 Qa8 22. Rhf1 Rxf1 23. Rxf1 Ra1+ 24. Kc2 Rxf1 25. Bxf1 d5 26. Qf2 g6 27. h4 Qf8 28. Qxf8+ Nxf8 {He has a pull in the resulting endgmae, but Black seems to hold:} 29. Ba7 (29. Kd3 Nfe6 30. exd5 Nxd5 31. Bf2 Ndf4+ 32. Ke4 (32. Kc4 h6 $1 ) 32... Bd6 33. Bc4 Nc5+ 34. Kf3 Nfd3 35. Bxd3 Nxd3 36. Ne4 Be7 37. Bg3 Kg7 38. Nd2 (38. Ke3 Nf4 $1 39. Bxf4 exf4+ 40. Kxf4 Bd8 $44 {should also be enough to hold according to A.Kovacevic.}) 38... Nc5 39. Bxe5+ Kf7 40. Ke3 Ke6 41. Kd4 Kf5 $132 {Lafarga Santorroman,D (2659)-Hefka,V (2571) email 2012}) 29... dxe4 30. Bb8 Nfe6 31. Nxe4 h6 32. Bc4 hxg5 33. hxg5 Kg7 34. Kd3 Kf8 35. Ke3 Bd8 36. Bxe6 Nxe6 37. Bxe5 Nxg5 $11 {Radjabov,T (2726)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2757) Tashkent 2014}) ({Apart from the text move, another less played alternative is } 11... Nb6 12. g5 Nh5 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. exd5 Bd7 15. Na5 Qc7 16. Kb1 O-O 17. Rg1 $5 (17. c4 f6 18. Rc1 b4 $5 19. gxf6 Rxf6 20. Qxb4 Rb8 21. Qd2 Rxf3 22. Be2 (22. c5 $1 $13) 22... Rh3 23. Bxh5 $6 Rxh5 24. Ka1 {Dominguez Perez,L (2726) -Nepomniachtchi,I (2714) Beijing rpd 2014} Bd8 $36) 17... g6 (17... f6 $6 18. g6 $40) 18. c4 f6 19. Rc1 b4 (19... Bf5+ $5 20. Ka1 Bd8 21. Nc6 fxg5 22. Nxd8 Qxd8 23. Bxg5 Qd7 $13 {has been tested in email games; although White scored well, the position remains tense.}) 20. Qxb4 Rab8 21. Qc3 $5 (21. Qd2 Bd8 22. Nc6 Bxc6 23. dxc6 Qxc6 24. Bd3 Qxf3 25. c5 d5 26. Rgf1 Qh3 27. gxf6 Nxf6 28. Bxa6 Qe6 29. c6 Bc7 $14 {/~~, Tossutti,J (2091)-Saglione,E (2474) email 2008}) 21... fxg5 (21... Bd8 22. Nb3 $14) 22. Bxg5 (22. c5 $1 e4 23. Nc6 Bxc6 24. cxd6 Qxd6 25. dxc6 Bf6 26. Qc4+ Kg7 27. Rc2 $36 {[%csl Gc6] Inarkiev}) 22... Bxg5 23. Rxg5 Nf4 24. c5 Bb5 25. Nb3 Rfe8 $6 (25... a5 $132) (25... e4 $5 $13 { Inarkiev}) 26. Bxb5 Rxb5 27. cxd6 Qxd6 28. Qc6 Qd8 29. Nc5 $1 $16 {Inarkiev,E (2675)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2714) Moscow 2015}) 12. Nd5 {Very natural, but White has tried other retreats as well:} (12. Ne2 a5 13. Kb1 h6 14. Ng3 a4 15. Nc1 d5 16. Nf5 Bxf5 17. gxf5 d4 18. Bf2 O-O 19. Rg1 Kh8 20. Bb5 a3 $1 (20... Nc5 21. Nd3 a3 $2 22. Nxe5 axb2 23. Bxd4 Rxa2 24. Kxa2 Qa5+ 25. Kxb2 Qxb5 26. Rxg7 $1 Kxg7 27. Ng4 {Svidler,P (2735)-Sutovsky,E (2697) Mallorca olm 2004}) 21. b3 Nc5 22. Be1 Bd6 23. Bc4 Qe7 24. Nd3 Nxd3 25. cxd3 Nh5 26. Rg4 Nf4 $11 {Rivas Romero,G (2322)-Panduro,R (2163) email 2011}) (12. Na4 {has scored really well, but still lacks more relevant examples. An untested reacton is} Qc7 $5 (12... d5 13. g5 d4 14. Bxd4 Nxe4 15. fxe4 exd4 16. h4 Ne5 {Gyugyi,P (2117)-Francisco, V (2033) email 2003} 17. Nxd4 $36) (12... O-O 13. Qxb4 d5 $44) 13. g5 Nxe4 $1 14. fxe4 Qc6 15. Qxb4 Rb8 16. Na5 Rxb4 17. Nxc6 Rxe4 18. Bd2 Rxa4 19. b3 Rh4 $132) 12... Bxd5 13. exd5 Nb6 14. Na5 (14. Qxb4 Nfxd5 15. Bxb6 Nxb6 16. f4 O-O $142 (16... Qc7 17. fxe5 dxe5 18. Qe4 O-O 19. h4 $1 ({More concrete than} 19. Kb1 a5 20. a4 {1/2-1/2, Morozevich,A (2774)-Dominguez Perez,L (2695) Sarajevo 2008}) 19... a5 20. a4 g6 21. Bb5 f5 22. gxf5 $5 (22. Qg2 f4 23. Nd2 (23. Qf3 $142) (23. h5 $5) 23... Bb4 $1 24. g5 Rac8 25. Nf3 Bc3 $36 {Ponomariov,R (2704) -Bu,X (2637) WChT Beersheba 2005}) 22... gxf5 23. Qg2+ Kh8 24. Rhf1 Bxh4 25. Kb1 Rac8 26. c4 Qf7 27. c5 Qxb3 28. cxb6 $16 {[%csl Gb6,Rh8] Ruiz Vidal,P (2346)-Hervet,G (2357) email 2009}) 17. fxe5 a5 $1 18. Qe1 (18. Qc3 Rc8 19. Qxa5 Qc7 20. Bd3 Ra8 21. exd6 Bxd6 22. Qb5 {1/2-1/2, Zidu,J (2579)-Casabona,C (2598) email 2011} Rxa2 23. Bxh7+ Kxh7 24. Qd3+ Kg8 25. Qxd6 Qb7 $132) (18. Qe4 d5 19. Qf3 a4 20. Nd4 Qc7 21. Kb1 Rab8 22. Bb5 Nc4 23. Bxc4 dxc4 24. Qc6 Qxe5 25. Rhe1 Qg5 26. Qxa4 Bb4 $11 {Dothan,Y (2589)-Lafarga Santorroman,D (2639) email 2007}) 18... a4 19. Nd4 Bh4 20. Qe2 $6 (20. Qe4 $142 a3 21. b3 d5 $13) 20... Qg5+ (20... a3 $5 {/\} 21. b3 Nd5 $36) 21. Kb1 Qxe5 22. Nf3 Qf6 23. a3 ( 23. Nxh4 a3 $1 24. c3 Qxh4 $15) 23... Rab8 24. c3 Nc4 25. Qxc4 Qxf3 26. Bd3 Rfc8 $17 {Morozevich,A (2788)-Anand,V (2798) Mainz rpd 2008}) 14... Nbxd5 ( 14... Nfxd5 $143 $6 15. Nb7 $1 (15. Nc6 Qc7 16. Nxb4 (16. Nxe7 Nxe3 17. Qxe3 Kxe7 18. Qg5+ Kf8 $15 {Roiz,M (2611)-Sutovsky,E (2607) Rishon Le Ziyyon blitz 2006}) 16... Nxb4 17. Qxb4 Rc8 18. Bd3 Nc4 19. Qa4+ Qc6 20. Qxc6+ Rxc6 21. Bf2 {Karjakin,S (2679)-Ponomariov,R (2721) Tomsk rpd 2006} Bg5+ 22. Kb1 Nd2+ 23. Ka1 d5 $132) 15... Qc7 16. Bxb6 Nxb6 17. Nxd6+ Kf8 18. f4 e4 (18... Rd8 19. fxe5 Nc8 20. Bc4 $1 Bxd6 21. Qf4 f6 22. exd6 Rxd6 23. Rxd6 Qxd6 24. Qe4 g5 25. Rd1 $18 {Dzhumaev,M (2529)-Saravanan,V (2394) Rochefort 2009}) (18... exf4 19. Qxf4 f6 20. g5 $1 $40) 19. Nxe4 Rd8 20. Bd3 Nd5 21. f5 Qa5 {Inarkiev,E (2628) -Amonatov,F (2567) Ramenskoe 2006} 22. Kb1 Nc3+ 23. Nxc3 bxc3 24. Qf4 $5 $16) 15. Nc4 {[%mdl 512] Carlsen opts for a positional pawn sacrifice instead of regaining material:} (15. Nc6 Qc7 16. Nxb4 Nxb4 17. Qxb4 O-O 18. Qb6 $142 $1 { makes life far more difficult for Black:} (18. g5 $2 Rfc8 19. Qa4 Rab8 $1 20. Bd3 (20. gxf6 Rb4 $19) 20... Nd7 21. Qe4 g6 22. Bxa6 Rb4 23. Qd3 Rcb8 24. b3 Nc5 25. Bxc5 Qxc5 26. Qd5 Qa7 27. Bc4 Bxg5+ 28. Kb2 Ra4 29. a3 Ra5 30. Qe4 Be3 31. c3 Rxa3 32. Ra1 Ra8 {0-1, Svidler,P (2728)-Karjakin,S (2678) Wijk aan Zee 2007}) 18... Qc8 19. g5 Nd7 20. Qa5 Rb8 (20... Nc5 21. Bc4 Qf5 22. Qd2 Rfc8 23. h4 Rab8 24. Qd5 Rb4 25. b3 a5 26. Rhf1 a4 27. f4 $16 {Inarkiev,E (2656) -Sjugirov,S (2562) EU-ch Budva 2009}) 21. h4 Qb7 22. b3 Qxf3 23. Rh3 Qg4 24. Qxa6 Ra8 25. Qc4 Qxc4 26. Bxc4 Rxa2 27. Rd5 Rc8 28. Rb5 Kf8 29. Kb1 Rxc4 30. bxc4 Ra4 $14 {/=, Cavajda,I (2456)-Norrelykke,S (2346) email 2011}) 15... Nxe3 ({Inserting} 15... h6 16. h4 {is hardly ideal, as Black can now as good as forget about castling kingside:} Nxe3 17. Nxe3 d5 18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. Qxd5 Qxd5 20. Rxd5 Bf6 21. Ra5 Ke7 22. Rxa6 Rxa6 23. Bxa6 Rd8 24. Bd3 Kd6 25. h5 Bg5+ 26. Kb1 $14 {/+/-, Dominguez Perez,L (2695)-Predojevic,B (2651) Sarajevo 2008}) 16. Nxe3 {[%csl Re7,Gf1] White plays for light-square control, with ^- on the board he is the one with the stronger bishop.} ({Less logical is} 16. Qxe3 Qc7 17. h4 O-O 18. g5 Nd7 (18... Nh5 $5 19. Nb6 Nf4 20. Nxa8 Rxa8 $44) 19. f4 f5 20. gxf6 (20. Rh2 $5 $44 {[%CAl Yh2d2]}) 20... Rxf6 21. fxe5 dxe5 22. Qe4 Rd8 23. Bd3 g6 24. Ne3 {Franklin,S (2307)-Burrows,M (2123) England 2013} Rf4 $15) 16... O-O (16... Nd7 17. Nd5 Bh4 18. Qxb4 Nc5 19. Qb6 O-O 20. Qxd8 Rfxd8 21. b4 Ne6 22. Kb2 Kf8 23. c3 a5 24. a3 Ra7 25. Bc4 g6 26. Rhf1 Kg7 {Perez Garcia,R (2432)-Razmyslov,A (2387) Burguillos 2008} 27. Bb3 $14) 17. Bc4 $146 {[%mdl 40] Consistent with the previous move, Carlsen shows a different strategy from his predecessors - White doesn't hurry with his attack and first increases his central control.} (17. h4 a5 18. Kb1 Rc8 19. Bd3 Rc5 20. Nf5 Nd5 (20... g6 21. Qh6 gxf5 22. g5 (22. Bxf5 e4 23. fxe4 Re8 24. g5 Rxf5 25. exf5 Ng4 26. Qh5 Ne5 $13) 22... Ne4 23. fxe4 f4 24. Rdg1 Kh8 25. h5 Rg8 26. g6 Rg7 27. gxf7 Rxf7 28. Bc4 Bg5 $1 29. Rxg5 Rxc4 30. Rhg1 Rxe4 31. Qe6 Rf8 32. Qh6 Rf7 33. Qe6 Rf8 { 1/2-1/2, Papp,P (2254)-Gara,T (2377) Kisvarda 2012}) 21. Rhe1 Kh8 22. Bc4 $6 ( 22. Be4 $11) 22... Nc3+ $1 23. bxc3 Rxc4 24. Nxe7 Qxe7 25. Qxd6 Qxd6 26. Rxd6 Rxc3 (26... f6 $1 $15) 27. Rxe5 Rxf3 28. Rxa5 $11 {Shomoev,A (2571)-Bodnaruk,A (2425) St Petersburg 2012}) 17... Nd7 (17... Rc8 18. Bb3 $5 {retains the tension.} (18. Qxb4 d5 19. Qb7 d4 20. Qxa6 Nd7 $5 $44)) (17... d5 18. Qe2 $5 ( 18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. Qxd5 Qc7 $5 $132 (19... Qxd5 20. Rxd5 Bg5+ 21. Kb1 Bf4 22. Rd7 $14)) 18... d4 19. Nf5 $13 {/+/=}) 18. h4 $1 (18. Kb1 Bg5 $1 19. Qxd6 Bxe3 20. Qxd7 Bd4 $11 {eases Black's task and solves his opening problems.}) 18... a5 (18... Bxh4 $2 19. Qh2 g5 20. Nf5 $16) (18... Nb6 19. Bd5 $5 (19. Qxb4 d5 $132) 19... Rb8 20. Be4 $44) 19. g5 Rc8 20. Bd5 Nb6 21. Kb1 Qc7 $6 {White has a strong bind and it's not so easy to say where Black went wrong. Perhaps this is the moment and the queen shouldn't stray too far from the kingside. Possibly a better alternative is} (21... Rc5 22. Rhf1 Kh8 (22... Re8 23. Be4 $5 $44 (23. f4 exf4 24. Rxf4 Nxd5 25. Nxd5 Bf8 $132 {[%CAl Yd8a8,Ye8e5]})) 23. f4 exf4 (23... f6 24. g6 $5 hxg6 25. f5 $44) 24. Rxf4 f6 25. Rdf1 $44 (25. g6 hxg6 26. Rg4 Qe8 $1 27. Rdg1 Nxd5 28. Nxd5 Qf7 $11)) 22. Rhf1 {[%CAl Yf3f4]} (22. Rhg1 $143 {[%CAl Yg5g6]} Kh8 23. h5 Qd8 24. Qg2 Rc5 $132) 22... Nxd5 (22... Kh8 23. f4 exf4 24. Rxf4 {/\} f6 25. g6 hxg6 26. Rg4 $40 {[%csl Rg6,Rh8]}) (22... Qc5 23. f4 Nxd5 24. Nxd5 Bd8 25. f5 f6 $5 $14) 23. Nxd5 {[%csl Gd5] The B is replaced by a N - any minor piece on d5 is a powerhouse!} Qb7 24. f4 f5 { A natural attempt to curb White's kingside expansion, but it loosens Black's kingside.} (24... f6 25. g6 $5 h6 26. Ne3 $36 {[%CAl Ye3f5]}) (24... exf4 25. Qxf4 $36 {[%CAl Yh4h6,Yg5g6]}) 25. Qe3 e4 (25... Rce8 26. Qh3 {and Black can sooner or later hardly avoid the stabilising e4 advance.} (26. h5 $5 $36) (26. fxe5 dxe5 27. Qxe5 Bxg5 28. Qc7 Qxc7 29. Nxc7 Rc8 30. Ne6 Bxh4 $132)) 26. h5 $36 {[%csl Gg5,Rg8,Gh5]} Rc5 27. h6 g6 (27... Rxd5 $2 28. Qb3 $18) (27... Rf7 28. Qb3 $36 {/\} a4 29. Nxe7+ Qxe7 30. Qxa4 $16 {[%csl Rb4,Rd6]}) ({Komodo initially recommends} 27... gxh6 28. gxh6 Kf7 {, but after} 29. Nxe7 (29. Qd4 Rg8 $13) 29... Kxe7 30. Qd4 Qc6 31. Rg1 $36 {[%csl Rd6,Re7,Rh7] White is on top even without the Nd5 - Black's K and P are vulnerable.} Rxc2 $2 32. Rg7+ Rf7 33. Qa7+ Qc7 34. Qa8 $1 {[%CAl Ra8d5]} Qc4 35. Qb7+ Qc7 36. Qd5 $18) 28. Qb3 Rf7 29. a4 {A generally useful move, but more energetic and concrete was} ( 29. Rf2 {[%CAl Yf2d2,Yd5e3]}) ({or} 29. Rd4 $142 $1 $16 {immediately.}) 29... Bd8 30. Rd4 Kf8 (30... Rc6 $5 31. Rfd1 Qd7 $14 {/\} 32. Ne3 $2 Bb6) 31. Rfd1 Rc6 (31... Rd7 32. Ne3 Be7 33. Nc4 $36 {[%CAl Rc4d6,Rc4e5]}) 32. Ne3 $1 Bb6 33. Nc4 $6 (33. Rxd6 $142 Rxd6 34. Rxd6 Bc7 35. Rd5 $5 {seems simpler} (35. Re6 Bxf4 36. Nd5 Bxg5 37. Qc4 {was pointed out by Ramirez, after} Bxh6 (37... Rd7 38. Qd4 $1 Kf7 39. Rd6 $1 Rxd6 40. Qg7+ $18) 38. Qc5+ Kg8 39. Nf6+ Rxf6 40. Rxf6 $36 {Black has more than enough material, but his pieces are uncoordinated.}) {/\} 35... Bxf4 36. Rxa5 Bxg5 37. Rb5 $16) 33... Bxd4 $6 { [%mdl 64] So misses a good tactical chance} (33... Rxc4 $5 {, when White's advantage is not as convincing, as it was in the game:} 34. Qxc4 $1 (34. Rxc4 Rd7 $1 $15 {[%csl Rc4][%CAl Rd6d5]} (34... d5 $2 35. Rxd5 Qxd5 36. Rc8+ $18)) 34... Bxd4 (34... Qc7 35. Qa6 $1 (35. Qxc7 $6 Bxc7 $14) 35... Qb7 36. Qxb7 Rxb7 37. Rxd6 Be3 38. Rf1 $16) 35. Rxd4 Qd7 (35... Qc7 $2 36. Qa6 $1 {[%CAl Rd4c4, Rd4d6]}) (35... Rc7 36. Qe6 Qc6 37. Qf6+ Kg8 38. Qd8+ Kf7 39. c4 $1 {[%CAl Rd4d6]} Ke6 40. Qf6+ Kd7 41. Rd5 $1 $16) 36. Qd5 $36 (36. Qa6 $5)) 34. Nxa5 Qb6 35. Nxc6 Bc5 (35... Qxc6 36. Rxd4 $18 {[%csl Rb4,Rd6,Rf8]}) 36. Qd5 e3 { Seeking practical chances.} ({Passive defence is disgusting:} 36... Qc7 37. Nd4 $16 (37. a5 Qc8 $16)) 37. a5 Qb5 (37... Qb7 $2 38. Qxc5 $18) ({A more resilient try was} 37... Qc7 $142 38. a6 (38. c3 $5 b3 $8 (38... bxc3 39. b4 c2+ 40. Kxc2 Bxb4 41. Kd3 $1 $18) 39. a6 $16) 38... Qc8 39. Re1 (39. a7 $5 Qa8 40. Qa2 $16) 39... Qxa6 40. Rxe3 b3 $1 41. Rxb3 $1 Qf1+ 42. Ka2 Qa6+ 43. Ra3 $8 Bxa3 44. bxa3 $16) 38. Nd8 $1 $18 Ra7 (38... Re7 39. Ne6+ Ke8 40. Nd4 Qb7 41. Nc6 e2 (41... Rf7 42. Qe6+ Kf8 43. Nd8 $18) 42. Re1 Re4 43. a6 Qf7 (43... Qxa6 44. Qg8+ Kd7 45. Nb8+) 44. a7 $5 Bxa7 (44... Qxd5 45. a8=Q+ Kd7 46. Qd8+ Kxc6 47. Qa8+ $18) 45. Qa5 $1 $18 {and White wins a piece with a continuing attack.} (45. Qxf7+ Kxf7 46. Nxa7 $16)) 39. Ne6+ Ke8 (39... Ke7 40. Nd4 $18 {[%CAl Rd4c6]}) 40. Nd4 $6 {Doesn't squander the advantage, but prolongs the game.} ({ Much simpler was} 40. Nxc5 Qxc5 41. Qg8+ Kd7 42. Qxh7+ Kc6 43. Qxg6 Re7 (43... e2 $2 44. Qe8+) 44. Qg8 $18 (44. Qh5 e2 45. Re1 $18)) 40... Qxa5 41. Qg8+ Kd7 42. Qxh7+ Kc8 43. Qg8+ Kb7 44. c3 $1 bxc3 (44... Qa4 45. Qb3 Qxb3 46. Nxb3 $18 {is similar to the game.}) 45. Qb3+ Qb6 (45... Qb4 46. bxc3 Qxb3+ 47. Nxb3 $18) 46. Qxb6+ ({Carlsen has had enough excitement, but it was tempting to keep the queens on board with} 46. Nb5 $18) ({or} 46. Qxc3 $5 {- here Black's king is still more exposed, than its counterpart.}) 46... Kxb6 (46... Bxb6 {gives White a pleasant choice:} 47. Ne2 $5 (47. Nb5 $16) (47. bxc3 Bxd4 48. cxd4 Kc6 49. Re1 Re7 50. Kc2 Kd5 51. Kd3 Re4 52. Rxe3 Rxf4 53. Rh3 Rxd4+ 54. Ke2 Re4+ 55. Kf2 Re8 56. Rd3+ Kc5 57. Re3 Ra8 58. Re6 Ra2+ 59. Ke3 Ra3+ 60. Kd2 Ra2+ 61. Kc1 Ra1+ 62. Kb2 Rh1 63. Rxg6 f4 64. Rf6 Rh5 65. Rf8 $18 {[%CAl Rg5g6]}) 47... cxb2 48. Rxd6 Ra1+ 49. Kxb2 Re1 50. Nc1 Bc7 51. Rxg6 Bxf4 52. Nd3 Re2+ 53. Kc3 $18) 47. bxc3 $18 {[%csl Gh6] The powerful o^ makes long-term resistance futile.} Bxd4 48. Rxd4 $1 Kc6 (48... e2 49. Rxd6+ Kc5 50. Re6 $18) (48... Kc5 49. Kc2 Re7 50. Kd1 e2+ 51. Ke1 Re3 52. Ra4 Rxc3 53. Ra8 Rh3 54. Kxe2 d5 55. Ra6 Kd4 56. Rxg6 Ke4 57. Rg7 Kxf4 58. h7 $18) 49. Kc2 Ra2+ 50. Kd1 Rf2 51. Ke1 Kd7 52. Ra4 Ke6 53. Ra8 Rh2 54. c4 $5 (54. Rg8 Kd5 55. Re8 $1 $18 (55. Rxg6 $2 Ke4 $132)) 54... Kf7 55. Rb8 $22 Ke6 (55... Rh4 56. Ke2 $18) (55... e2 56. Kd2 $18) 56. Rg8 1-0 [Event "Grand Slam Final 3rd"] [Site "Bilbao"] [Date "2010.10.09"] [Round "1"] [White "Kramnik, Vladimir"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E15"] [WhiteElo "2780"] [BlackElo "2826"] [Annotator "Stohl,I"] [PlyCount "89"] [EventDate "2010.10.09"] [EventType "tourn"] [EventRounds "6"] [EventCountry "ESP"] [EventCategory "22"] [SourceTitle "CBM 139"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2010.11.18"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"] [SourceQuality "1"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. Qa4 {About 40 years ago, when Black's 4-th move was still regarded as only an experiment, this Q-sortie was considered to be the strongest reaction and almost refutation of 4...Ba6. Nowadays things have changed a lot, White tries to build up some pressure without too much risk.} ({The main move is} 5. b3 {, with heavily analysed theory after} Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Nc3 ({and especially} 7. Bg2 {often going on far beyond the opening and even middlegame.})) ({The sharp alternative, connected with a P-sacrifice, is} 5. Qc2 $5 Bb7 6. Bg2 c5 7. d5 exd5 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. O-O {This line has quickly developed in the past 5 years and is still highly topical. However, it hardly suits Kramnik's style, so the ex-champion adopts the more restrained old move. Lately it has become fasionable again and it occurred in quite a few high-level games.}) 5... Bb7 (5... c5 6. Bg2 ({ The usual reaction, as} 6. d5 exd5 7. cxd5 Bb7 {is a rather inferior version of the aforementioned P-sacrifice.}) 6... Bb7 {is only a transposition.}) ({ Interesting and less explored is} 5... c6 6. Nc3 (6. Bg2 {is too soft due to} b5 $1 7. cxb5 cxb5 8. Qd1 Nc6 9. O-O Rc8 10. Nbd2 Be7 11. Nb3 b4 12. Re1 d5 13. Bg5 h6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. e3 O-O 16. Nc5 Bb5 17. Bf1 Bxf1 18. Rxf1 e5 (18... Be7 $11) 19. dxe5 Nxe5 20. Nxe5 Rxc5 21. Nd3 Rc4 $132 {Smejkal,J-Kavalek,L/CS-ch Luhacovice/1968/}) 6... b5 $5 ({This positional sacrifice in the spirit of the Volga/Benko gambit is the main point, otherwise Black risks getting under positional pressure. An old example is} 6... d5 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Ne5 Bb7 9. Bg5 Be7 10. Bg2 O-O 11. O-O h6 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. f4 a5 14. Rad1 Qc8 15. e4 b5 16. Qc2 Na6 17. Rc1 Nc7 18. Rfd1 Qe6 19. Nxd5 $1 Nxd5 20. exd5 cxd5 21. Qc7 Ra7 22. Qc5 $16 {Furman,S-Keres,P/URS-ch Moscow/1948/}) 7. cxb5 cxb5 8. Nxb5 Qb6 9. Nc3 Bb4 10. Bg2 O-O 11. O-O Bxc3 (11... Rc8 12. Bd2 Nc6 13. Qd1 d5 14. Na4 Qb5 15. Bxb4 Qxb4 16. Nc5 Qa5 17. Rc1 Rab8 18. b3 Ne4 19. Qe1 Nxc5 20. Qxa5 Nxa5 21. Rxc5 Nb7 $1 $11 {1/2 Appolonov,S-Berzinsh,R/Alma-Ata 1991/TD (35)}) 12. bxc3 Bxe2 13. Re1 Bb5 14. Qb3 d5 (14... Bc6 15. c4 Na6 16. Bf4 Be4 17. Be5 d5 18. Bxf6 gxf6 19. Qe3 Nb4 20. Qh6 $40 Qd8 21. Nh4 Bxg2 22. Nxg2 Kh8 23. Nf4 Rg8 24. Rab1 Nc2 $2 25. Nxe6 $1 {1-0,Skembris,S (2545)-Timman,J (2620)/Corfu m/1993/}) 15. Ne5 Nbd7 16. Be3 Rab8 17. Rab1 $6 (17. a4 Ba6 18. Qa3 $13) 17... Qa6 18. Qd1 Nxe5 19. dxe5 Nd7 20. Bd4 Bc4 21. Qd2 h6 $15 {Leriche,E (2319)-Gervasio,R (2310)/FRA-chT2/2004/}) 6. Bg2 c5 7. dxc5 {White tries to keep more tension in the position. Nikolic's favourite is} (7. O-O cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bxg2 9. Kxg2 Qc7 10. Rd1 a6 11. Nc3 Qb7+ (11... Be7 12. f3 O-O 13. Bf4 Qb7 14. e4 d6 15. Nde2 Rd8 16. Rd2 Nc6 17. Rad1 Ne8 18. a3 Rdc8 19. h4 h6 20. h5 Na5 21. b3 Qc7 22. e5 Rd8 23. exd6 Bxd6 24. Ne4 Bxf4 25. Nxf4 Rxd2+ 26. Rxd2 Nc6 27. b4 Ne5 28. c5 Nf6 $5 $132 {Browne,W-Andersson,U/Buenos Aires/1978/}) 12. f3 Be7 13. Bg5 h6 (13... Nc6 14. Bxf6 $142 $5 (14. Nxc6 Qxc6 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Qxc6 dxc6 17. Ne4 Ke7 18. Nxf6 Kxf6 19. Rd6 Rhd8 20. Rad1 (20. Rxc6 Rd2 $44 {<=>}) 20... Ke7 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 22. Rxd8 Kxd8 {1/2,Nikolic,P (2630)-Psakhis,L (2565)/ECC Eupen/1997/}) 14... gxf6 (14... Bxf6 15. Ne4 Be7 16. Nxc6 Qxc6 17. Qxc6 dxc6 18. Nd6+ $36) 15. Nxc6 Qxc6 (15... dxc6 16. Ne4 $1 $36 (16. Rd3 O-O 17. Rad1 Rfd8 18. Rxd8+ Rxd8 19. Rxd8+ Bxd8 20. Qd1 Be7 21. Qd4 Qc7 22. Ne4 Qd8 23. Qxd8+ Bxd8 24. g4 Be7 25. f4 Kf8 26. f5 $14 {Molina,R (2322)-Bittencourt,J (2448)/BRA-ch Rio de Janeiro/2007/})) 16. Rd3 (16. Qxc6 dxc6 17. Rd3 $14) 16... Qxa4 17. Nxa4 b5 18. cxb5 axb5 19. Nb6 Ra7 {Chetverik,M (2289)-Gerstner,B (2144)/Bad Wiessee/2006/} 20. Rb3 $14) 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Ne4 Be7 16. Rd3 (16. Qb3 Qc7 17. Rac1 O-O 18. f4 Nc6 19. Nf3 Rfd8 20. Qe3 Rac8 21. g4 d5 22. cxd5 exd5 23. Ng3 (23. Nd4 Qb7 $11) 23... Bc5 24. Qd2 a5 25. a3 Qe7 26. Qd3 Qf6 27. Qd2 Qe6 28. f5 Qe7 $15 { Nikolic,P (2659)-Karpov,A (2696)/Monte Carlo blindfold rpd/2000/}) 16... O-O 17. Rad1 Rc8 18. Qb3 Ra7 19. e3 Qc7 20. a3 {Hoefer,H (1960)-Skrzynski,I (1713)/ corr/2000/} Nc6 $11 {<=>}) 7... bxc5 {An important moment, which defines the character of the ensuing struggle. Taking towards the [+] is natural, but equally logical is the even more often played developing move} (7... Bxc5 8. Nc3 O-O 9. O-O Be7 (9... Ne4 10. Qc2 Nxc3 11. Qxc3 d5 12. Rd1 Nd7 13. Bg5 { Die korrekte Verteidigung bestand in} Be7 $5 (13... Qe8 14. cxd5 Bxd5 15. b4 Be7 16. Bxe7 Qxe7 17. Rac1 Rfd8 18. Nd4 Nf6 19. b5 Bxg2 20. Kxg2 Rd5 21. Nc6 Qd7 22. Qc2 Qb7 23. a4 h6 24. e4 Rc5 25. Qd3 $36 {Dautov,R (2606)-Polgar,J (2656)/Istanbul olm/2000/}) 14. Bxe7 Qxe7 15. cxd5 Bxd5 16. Rac1 Nc5 17. Ne5 $1 (17. b4 Na4 $1 18. Qc2 b5 19. a3 a5 $11 {Dautov}) 17... Bxg2 18. Kxg2 a5 19. Qf3 Rac8 20. h4 (20. Nc4 $5 Qc7 21. Qf4 $14) 20... f6 21. Nc4 Qc7 22. Nd6 Rcd8 23. Nb5 Qe5 24. Nc3 f5 25. Qc6 Qb8 26. Rxd8 Rxd8 27. Rd1 Rxd1 28. Nxd1 Qb7 29. Qxb7 Nxb7 30. Kf3 Nd6 31. Kf4 Kf7 32. Ke5 Ke7 33. Ne3 {Nikolic,P (2652) -Istratescu,A (2561)/EU-ch Ohrid/2001/} b5 $5 {/\Nf7,Kd6=}) 10. Rd1 Na6 11. Bf4 Nc5 12. Qc2 Qc8 {A more recent attempt is} 13. Rd4 $5 (13. Rac1 Nce4 14. Nd4 Nxc3 15. Qxc3 a6 (15... Bxg2 16. Kxg2 a6 17. Qf3 Ra7 18. a4 Qb7 19. Qxb7 Rxb7 20. f3 Rc8 21. e4 d6 22. Ne2 Ne8 23. h4 Kf8 24. b3 Rc6 25. Rd3 Bf6 26. Rcd1 Be7 27. h5 $14 {(),Ftacnik,L (2596)-Sax,G (2568)/ECC Saint Vincent/2005/}) 16. Qb3 Bxg2 17. Kxg2 Qb7+ 18. Qf3 Ne4 $5 ({More enterprising than} 18... Ra7 19. Qxb7 Rxb7 20. f3 Rc8 21. e4 d6 22. Ne2 Ne8 23. b3 h5 24. h4 g6 25. Rd2 Rbc7 26. Rd3 Rc5 27. a4 R5c6 28. Rcd1 Rc5 29. Kf1 Bf8 30. Nc3 Rb8 31. R1d2 Rb7 32. Ke2 $14 { Piket,J (2633)-Chuchelov,V (2518)/NED-chT/2000/ Similar to Ftacnik-Sax above, Black must patiently defend a slightly worse _|_.}) 19. Nb3 f5 20. Nd2 (20. Kg1 Bf6 $132) 20... g5 $1 21. Nxe4 fxe4 22. Qg4 h5 23. Qxh5 gxf4 24. Qg6+ Kh8 25. Qh6+ Kg8 {1/2,Van Wely,L (2654)-Chuchelov,V (2603)/Bundesliga 2003/}) 13... d5 14. cxd5 (14. Rc1 Nce4 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. Ne5 g5 $5 (16... Rd8 17. Rxd8+ Qxd8 18. Rd1 Qe8 19. Be3 h6 20. a3 Rc8 21. b4 Rc7 22. h4 Qc8 23. Qb3 Ba6 24. Rd4 Ne8 25. Bxe4 Bf6 {Timman,J (2591)-Jackova,J (2388)/Marianske Lazne /2009/} 26. Qd3 $5 Bxc4 27. Rxc4 Bxe5 $11 {/+/=}) 17. Be3 $5 (17. Bxg5 Qc5 18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19. Rd7 Bc8 20. Ng4 Bg5 21. b4 $5 (21. Rdd1 f5 22. b4 Qxb4 23. Rb1 Qc5 24. Rb5 Qc7 25. h4 (25. f4 $2 exf3 26. Bxf3 Ba6 27. Re5 Rad8 28. Rxd8 Rxd8 29. Kg2 Bc8 30. h4 Be7 $19 {Koneru,H (2600)-Zhao Xue (2462)/Ulan Bator/2010/}) 25... Be7 26. Bxe4 Rb8 27. Bxf5 exf5 28. Nh6+ Kh8 29. Nxf5 Bf6 $15 {/~~}) 21... Qf5 22. Bxe4 Qxg4 23. Rd4 f5 24. h3 Qxe4 25. Rxe4 Bxc1 26. Qxc1 (26. Rd4 Bg5 $13) 26... fxe4 27. Qg5+ Kh8 $11) 17... Qc7 18. f4 exf3 (18... Bc5 19. Qc3 gxf4 20. gxf4 Bxd4 21. Bxd4 $44 {->,Turov,M (2628)-Filip,L (2470)/Rethymnon/2010/}) 19. Nxf3 h6 $5 $13 {/=/+} (19... e5 20. Qf5 $1 exd4 21. Qxg5+ Kh8 22. Bxd4 Qd8 23. Rd1 $44) ( 19... Bc5 $5)) 14... Nxd5 15. Bg5 Bxg5 16. Nxg5 Nf6 17. Bxb7 Qxb7 18. b4 h6 19. Nf3 (19. Nxf7 Qxf7 20. bxc5 Rac8 $132) 19... Ncd7 20. Nb5 Rfc8 21. Qd2 Rc6 22. Rd1 a6 23. Nd6 Qc7 24. e4 e5 25. Rd3 Rc2 26. Qe1 a5 $132 {Aronian,L (2752) -Leko,P (2740)/Wijk aan Zee/2006/}) 8. O-O Be7 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Rd1 Qb6 ({ After the main alternative} 10... d6 11. Bf4 Qb6 {White faces a choice:} 12. Rab1 $5 {is a more recent idea, here Black is still searching for a reliable road to equality:} ({The older move} 12. Rd2 {is more or less harmless and even gives Black more satisfactory options:} h6 (12... Nc6 13. Bxd6 Bxd6 14. Rxd6 Qxb2 15. Rb1 Qxc3 16. Rxb7 Nd4 17. Qd1 Nxf3+ 18. Bxf3 Qxc4 19. a4 $44 { gives White compensation, but no advantage.}) 13. Rad1 e5 14. Be3 Nc6 15. Qb5 Qc7 16. Qb3 a6 17. Nh4 Rfb8 18. Bxc6 Qxc6 19. f3 e4 {Onischuk,A (2664)-Eljanov, P (2687)/Foros/2008/} 20. Nf5 Bf8 21. Rxd6 $44) (12. Qb3 Rd8 13. Qxb6 axb6 14. Nb5 Ne8 15. a3 h6 16. Rac1 Nc6 17. Ne1 Na5 18. Bd2 Bxg2 19. Kxg2 Nc6 $11 { Vallejo Pons,F (2686)-Anand,V (2786)/Linares/2005/}) 12... Bc6 (12... Na6 13. a3 (13. Nb5 Rfd8 $5 (13... d5 14. Ne5 d4 15. Bxb7 Qxb7 16. e3 dxe3 17. Bxe3 $14 {Pelletier,Y (2525)-Alterman,B (2600)/Elista olm/1998/}) (13... Ne8 14. a3 Be4 15. Rbc1 Rd8 16. b4 Bc6 17. bxc5 Nxc5 18. Qxa7 Qxa7 19. Nxa7 Ba4 20. Re1 Nf6 21. Nd4 Rd7 22. Nac6 $16 {Zhigalko,S (2640)-Franco Alonso,A (2490)/ECC Plovdiv/ 2010/}) 14. Bd2 Nb4 15. a3 Bc6 16. Bxb4 (16. axb4 a6 17. Qa5 Qxa5 18. bxa5 axb5 19. b4 $13) 16... cxb4 17. Qxb4 Be4 18. Rbc1 Rab8 $11) 13... Rac8 14. Qc2 Rfd8 15. e4 Nd7 (15... Bc6 16. Qe2 h6 17. Nd5 $1 Nxd5 (17... exd5 18. exd5 Ba4 19. b3 Bxb3 20. Rdc1 $16 {[%CAl Rf3d2,Re2e7] /\Nd2}) 18. exd5 Bd7 19. dxe6 Bxe6 20. Nd2 Bf8 21. Qd3 Qc7 (21... Nc7 $142) 22. Ne4 Bg4 23. f3 Bh5 24. Bh3 $16 { Giri,A (2677)-Infante,M (2276)/Khanty-Mansiysk olm/2010/}) (15... h6 16. Qe2 Nb8 {Nikolic,P (2629)-Volke,K (2455)/Bundesliga/1999/} 17. b4 $14) 16. Qe2 h6 17. h4 (17. Nb5 Nf8 18. Qe1 Rd7 19. Rd3 Nc7 20. Nc3 Ng6 21. Be3 Qa6 22. Bf1 Ne8 23. Rdd1 Bf6 $11 {Ikonnikov,V (2527)-Volke,K (2450)/Vlissingen/2002/}) 17... Ba8 18. g4 $5 Nf8 19. g5 h5 20. Bg3 g6 21. Rd2 Nb8 22. Qd1 a6 23. Rd3 e5 24. Nd5 Qa7 25. Qd2 Nc6 26. Rd1 Nd4 27. Nxd4 cxd4 28. f4 $14 {Van Wely,L (2668) -Leko,P (2736)/Monte Carlo blindfold rpd/2003/}) (12... Nbd7 13. b4 cxb4 14. Qxb4 $1 $36 (14. Rxb4 Bc6 15. Qa3 Qc5 16. Be3 Qh5 17. h3 Bxf3 18. Bxf3 Qxh3 19. Bg2 Qh5 20. Bf3 Qh3 21. Bg2 Qh5 22. Bf3 {1/2,Lautier,J (2666)-Gelfand,B (2700)/ Enghien les Bains/2003/})) 13. Qa3 (13. Qc2 Rd8 14. e4 Qb7 $132) 13... Rd8 14. b4 cxb4 15. Rxb4 Qa6 16. Rb3 $5 (16. Qb2 Qc8 17. Nb5 Na6 18. Ra4 Qb7 19. Qb1 Nc5 20. Rb4 Be4 $36 {Lysyj,I (2638)-Carron,J (2394)/Zürich /2010/}) 16... Qxa3 17. Rxa3 h6 18. h4 Nh5 19. Be3 a6 20. g4 Nf6 21. g5 hxg5 22. hxg5 Ne8 23. g6 Rc8 24. gxf7+ Kxf7 25. c5 Nd7 26. cxd6 Bxd6 27. Rb3 $14 {Dronov,A (2617) -Mikeshin,S (2591)/corr/2007/}) 11. Bf4 Rd8 {Carlsen keeps his P on d7 and makes a useful move.} (11... d6 {-10...d6 transposes into the lines from the previous note.}) (11... Qxb2 $4 12. Rab1 Qxc3 13. Rxb7 $18 {[%csl Rc3][%CAl Rd1c1,Rf4d2,Rf4e5] /\Rc1,Be5,Bd2}) 12. Rab1 {Kramnik doesn't insist on occupying the <->d with his R and adopts a similar set-up, as we have already mentioned above. His R supports the future b4 advance.} (12. Rd2 d6 (12... d5 $6 13. cxd5 exd5 14. Ne5 Na6 15. Rad1 Nc7 16. e4 Ne6 17. Nxd5 Bxd5 18. exd5 Nxf4 19. Qxf4 Bd6 20. Qf5 $16 {Lautier,J (2672)-Macieja,B (2593)/ECC Saint Vincent/2005/}) 13. Rad1 h6 $142 (13... Ne8 14. Nb5 (14. e4 Bc6 15. Qc2 Qb7 16. Qb3 $6 Qxb3 17. axb3 f6 $1 18. Ne1 Nd7 19. Ra1 Rdb8 20. Ra3 Rb7 21. e5 Nxe5 22. Bxe5 Bxg2 23. Bxd6 Nxd6 24. Kxg2 Nf5 $15 {Gustafsson,J (2603)-Leko,P (2741)/ Dortmund/2008/}) 14... Na6 15. Bg5 $1 $146 Bxg5 16. Nxg5 Bxg2 17. Kxg2 Nac7 18. Qc2 g6 19. Nc3 Nf6 20. Qd3 Nce8 21. Qf3 Rab8 22. Nce4 Qb7 23. b3 Nxe4 24. Nxe4 Qc7 25. Qf4 e5 26. Qh4 $16 {Kramnik,V (2790)-Karjakin,S (2725)/Nice blindfold rpd/2010/}) (13... a6 14. Ng5 $5 Bxg2 15. Kxg2 e5 16. Be3 Qb7+ 17. f3 $1 (17. Kg1 h6 18. Nf3 Nc6 19. Nd5 Nxd5 20. Rxd5 Nb4 21. R5d2 Nc6 22. Rd5 Nb4 23. R5d2 Nc6 {1/2,Leko,P (2751)-Bacrot,E (2728)/Nalchik/2009/}) 17... Ng4 18. Bxc5 Nd7 19. Bg1 Bxg5 20. Rxd6 Ngf6 21. h4 Bh6 22. b3 $16 {Sargissian,G (2675)-Zhigalko, A (2587)/EU-ch Rijeka/2010/}) 14. Qb5 Ne8 15. e4 g5 16. Be3 Nd7 17. h4 g4 18. Ne1 Kg7 $5 (18... Qxb5 19. cxb5 $5 (19. Nxb5 Ne5 20. b3 a6 $11) 19... Bf8 20. Nc2 Ne5 21. Na3 Rdc8 22. Bf4 Bg7 23. Bxe5 Bxe5 24. Nc4 Bd4 25. Ne2 e5 26. a4 Kf8 27. Rc2 {Navara,D (2722)-Leko,P (2724)/Khanty-Mansiysk olm/2010/} Rab8 { Navara,/\} 28. Na5 Ba8 $13 {/+/=}) 19. Bf4 Bc6 20. Qxb6 axb6 21. Nc2 (21. e5 Bxg2 22. exd6 Bf6 23. Nxg2 Bxc3 24. bxc3 e5 25. Be3 Ra4 $36) 21... Ne5 22. Ne3 Nf3+ 23. Bxf3 gxf3 24. h5 Bf6 25. Ng4 Bxc3 26. bxc3 Bxe4 27. Bxh6+ Kh7 28. Bg5 Rd7 29. Bf4 f6 {Wang Yue (2732)-Bacrot,E (2716)/Nanjing/2010/} 30. Bxd6 Rad8 31. Bf4 Rxd2 32. Rxd2 Rxd2 33. Bxd2 Bd3 $11) 12... h6 (12... Na6 13. a3 (13. e4 $14 {/\} Nxe4 $2 14. Ne5 $36) 13... Bc6 14. Qc2 Qb7 15. e4 (15. Bd6 $5) 15... d6 16. Ne1 Rac8 17. e5 dxe5 18. Bxe5 Nb8 $11 {Kantorik,M (2390)-Stefansson,H (2588)/Sarajevo/2010/}) (12... d5 13. cxd5 exd5 14. Ne5 $14 {is still risky for Black, although here it's more justified than with White's R on d2.}) 13. Qb5 $146 {[%mdl 8] This novelty doesn't seem too enterprising.} ({More logical seems to be} 13. a3 {[%CAl Yb2b4] /\b4 , but Kramnik already played this earlier and Carlsen was undoubtedly prepared. However, we can only guess what exactly he had on his mind.} a5 (13... Nc6 14. Nb5 a6 15. Nd6 $14) ({A probably playable alternative is} 13... Bc6 $5 14. Qc2 a5 15. e4 d6 $132) 14. Qb5 Qxb5 15. cxb5 (15. Nxb5 $5 {seems more promising.}) 15... d5 16. Ne5 g5 17. Be3 Nbd7 $132 18. Nc6 Bxc6 19. bxc6 Ne5 20. Na4 Nxc6 21. Bxc5 Bxc5 22. Nxc5 Rab8 23. e4 dxe4 24. Rxd8+ Rxd8 25. Nxe4 Nxe4 26. Bxe4 Nd4 27. Kg2 Nb3 $11 { Kramnik,V (2759)-Bacrot,E (2721)/Dortmund/2009/}) 13... Bc6 {Contrary to the previous note, here Black can force his opponent to swap the L. However, he had other plausible and possibly stronger moves at his disposal:} (13... d5 $5 {seems more to the point now,} 14. cxd5 (14. Nd2 Qxb5 15. Nxb5 Nc6 16. cxd5 Nxd5 $11) 14... Nxd5 (14... exd5 15. Nh4 $1 {[%csl Rd5] >}) 19... Nxd5 (19... exd5 20. a4 $1 d4 21. Nb5 $36) 20. Nxd5 exd5 21. a4 (21. Rxd5 Rxa2 22. e4 Re8 $11) 21... d4 22. e3 dxe3 23. fxe3 b5 24. Rd7 Bf8 $132 {is not too impressive.}) 17. Ne5 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 Rbc8 {[%CAl Yd7d6, Yd7d5] /\d6,d5} 19. e4 {Black had to loses a tempo to cover the c6-square, enabling White to prevent the immediate d5.} ({He needn't worry unduly about} 19. Na4 d6 20. Nxb6 Rb8 $5 (20... dxe5 21. Nxc8 Rxc8 $11) 21. Nc6 (21. Nd5 Nxd5 22. Nc6 Nb4 $15) 21... Rxb6 22. Nxd8 Bxd8 23. b4 cxb4 24. c5 Rb8 25. cxd6 Nd5 $11) 19... d6 20. Nd3 ({More accurate is} 20. Nf3 $1 g4 21. Ne1 h5 22. Rd2 $14 ({or} 22. f4 $5 $14 {and White retains some pressure.})) 20... Kf8 $6 ({ Black should have used his chance to play the active} 20... d5 $142 21. e5 Ne8 22. Nb5 $5 $13) 21. h3 (21. Nb2 $5 $14 {/\Nba4,Nb5+/=}) 21... Nd7 ({Black still could have gained space with} 21... d5 $142 $5) 22. f4 $1 {[%csl Rg5,Rh6] Another drawback of Black's 15-th move is he loosened his >>.} Nb8 {[%CAl Yb8c6,Yc6d4,Ye7f6] /\Nc6-d4,Bf6 This plan is too slow and doesn't achieve the desired result.} (22... Ra8 $142 23. Rd2 $14) 23. Na4 {Forces the N back.} (23. Nb5 Na6 $5 {/\Nc7+/=} (23... Nc6 24. Nb2 {[%csl Rb6,Rd6] /\Na4,Rd2,Rbd1,>>.}) 29. gxf4 d5 $5 {Although this doesn't solve Black's problems, one can understand Carlsen's liberating attempt.} ( 29... Nd4 {is similar to 28...Nd4 and might be safer , but it offers little or no active <=>.}) 30. exd5 exd5 31. cxd5 Rxb5 (31... Nd4 $5 32. Nxd4 cxd4 33. Rxd4 Rxa2 34. R4d2 Rxd2 35. Rxd2 f5 $1 36. Nd1 Bc5 37. Kf3 Kf7 $16 {/+/=}) 32. dxc6 Rc8 33. Ng4 Rxc6 (33... c4 34. bxc4 Ra5 35. Ne5 $16) 34. Ne5 $36 {[%csl Rb5,Ge5] White has achieved his strategic aim and his N dominates in the [+]. This together with the misplaced Rb5 and vulnerable K makes the defence very difficult.} Re6 35. Kf3 (35. Nd7+ Ke8 36. f5 Re4 (36... Rc6 37. Ne5 Rc7 (37... Rf6 38. Nc4 $1 {[%CAl Rd1e1] /\Re1+-->}) 38. Re2 $40) 37. f6 Rd4 $1 38. Rxd4 cxd4 39. Rxd4 Bd8 $14 {[%csl Rd7,Rf6] >}) (36. Rg2 $6 Bf6 $11 {/\} 37. Nd7+ Ke7 38. f5 Ree4) 36... Bf6 37. Nc4 $16) 36. Rg2 {[%CAl Gg1g8,Re5d7] -><->g,/\Nd7} (36. Rg1 f5 (36... f6 37. Rg6 $18) 37. a4 $1 $18) 36... f6 (36... Bf6 37. Nd7+ Ke7 38. f5 $18 {wins an exchange, as here the R can't go to e4.}) (36... f5 37. Rd7 {[%CAl Rd7b7] /\Rb7+-}) 37. Nc4 $1 {Again the strategic approach, Kramnik is in no hurry to win material and tightens the screws.} (37. Rg6 Rxa2 38. Rdg1 Rxe5 39. fxe5 fxe5 40. Rxb6 $18) 37... Ra7 (37... Ra8 38. f5 Rc6 39. a4 $1 $18 {is similar.}) 38. f5 Rc6 39. a4 $1 $18 {[%csl Rb6,Rc5,Re7, Rf6,Rh6] All Black's P are vulnerable and his miserable B has no moves.} Rb7 ( 39... Ke8 40. Rg7 Rac7 41. Rh7 Bf8 42. Re1+ (42. Rxc7 Rxc7 43. Nxb6 $18) 42... Kd8 43. Rxc7 Kxc7 44. Re8 Bd6 45. Ke4 $18) 40. Rg6 h5 (40... b5 41. Na5 $18) 41. Rdg1 {[%CAl Rg6g8,Rg1g7]} Ke8 (41... Kf7 42. Ne5+ $18) 42. Ne5 $1 {The N joins the -> and wraps up the game.} Rc8 43. Rg8+ Bf8 44. Ng6 Rf7 45. Rd1 $22 { The most clinical solution.} ({After} 45. Rd1 Ra8 46. Rd6 Rb8 47. Rh8 {Black is fully paralysed and can't avoid heavy material losses.}) 1-0 [Event "Tata Steel-A 77th"] [Site "Wijk aan Zee"] [Date "2015.01.16"] [Round "6"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B31"] [WhiteElo "2820"] [BlackElo "2862"] [Annotator "Stohl,I"] [PlyCount "78"] [EventDate "2015.01.10"] [EventType "tourn"] [EventRounds "13"] [EventCountry "NED"] [EventCategory "20"] [SourceTitle "CBM 165"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2015.03.11"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"] [SourceQuality "1"] 1. e4 c5 {Magnus is in a fighting mood - no Berlin after beating Aronian the day before!} 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 {On the other hand Caruana lost to Wojtaszek and is in a different frame of mind - no Open Sicilian either!} (3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 {The last game between our 2 protagonists featured} g6 ({Carlsen hasn't played Sveshnikov structures with Black since 2010. In Wijk he faced} 4... e5 5. Nb5 d6 6. c4 Be7 (6... g6 $5 7. Be3 Be6 8. N1c3 a6 9. Na3 Nf6 10. Be2 Bg7 11. Nc2 Rc8 12. Rc1 O-O 13. O-O Ne7 14. Na3 Nc6 15. Re1 Nd4 16. f3 Qb6 17. Rb1 Nxe2+ 18. Rxe2 Qb4 19. Rd2 Rfd8 20. c5 Qa5 21. Rxd6 Bf8 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. Qe2 Bxc5 $15 {Ivanchuk,V (2715)-Jobava,B (2727)/Wijk aan Zee/2015/}) 7. N1c3 a6 8. Na3 Be6 9. Nc2 Bg5 10. Be2 Bxc1 11. Rxc1 Nf6 12. O-O O-O 13. Qd2 Qb6 14. Rfd1 Rfd8 15. b3 h6 (15... Rac8 {is a more standard setup.}) 16. h3 Qa7 17. Bf3 Ne7 18. Ne3 Nc6 19. Bg4 Nd4 20. Bxe6 fxe6 21. Nc2 Nxc2 22. Rxc2 Rd7 23. Qe2 Rad8 24. Rd3 $11 {/+/=, Carlsen,M (2862)-Hou,Y (2673)/Wijk aan Zee/2015/ White has a very slight edge due to his more flexible pawn structure, but he managed to increase his pressure only in the late middlegame.}) 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 d6 7. f3 Nxd4 8. Qxd4 Bg7 9. Be3 O-O 10. Qd2 a5 11. b3 a4 $6 ({Risky, as the pawn will be vulnerable. The solid move is} 11... Be6 12. Rb1 Nd7 13. Be2 Nc5 14. O-O Qb6 15. Rfc1 Rfc8 {then} 16. Kh1 Qb4 17. Bg5 a4 $1 18. Bxe7 axb3 19. axb3 Nxb3 $11 {Van Wely,L (2691)-Iturrizaga Bonelli,E (2627)/Istanbul olm/2012/} {/\} 20. Qd1 Bxc4 21. Bxc4 Qxc4 22. Rxb3 Qxb3 $1 23. Qxb3 Rxc3 {[%CAl Rc3c1,Ra8a1] wins the Q back.}) 12. b4 {[%csl Ra4]} Be6 13. Rc1 Nd7 14. Be2 Nb6 15. Nb5 $5 $146 ({ More ambitious than} 15. Nd5 Nxd5 16. exd5 $14) 15... a3 (15... Rc8 16. Na3 $14 ) 16. Nd4 Bd7 17. h4 $1 h5 18. g4 hxg4 19. fxg4 e5 20. Nb3 (20. Nb5 $5) 20... Bc6 (20... Na4 21. h5 Be6 $14) ({or} 20... Be6 {are engine suggestions, but they seem too passive. Carlsen seeks central counterplay, but doesn't equalise either.}) 21. Bf3 f5 22. gxf5 gxf5 23. Na5 $1 f4 24. Bf2 $36 {[%csl Rd6,Rg8] Caruana,F (2801)-Carlsen,M (2877)/Saint Louis/2014/ For more details see the notes to this game in CBM 162 by Roiz.}) ({Magnus uses the bishop sortie himself:} 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Qc7 (4... e5 5. O-O ({Rather soft; a more critical line is} 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nxe5 Nxe4 7. Nxe4 Qd5 8. Qe2 Qxe5 9. f4 $13) 5... d6 6. d3 Be7 7. Bg5 O-O 8. Bxf6 Bxf6 9. Nd5 Be6 10. Bc4 g6 11. c3 Bg7 12. a3 Kh8 ( 12... Ne7 $5 $11) 13. b4 f5 14. Rb1 b6 $6 {Caruana,F (2774)-Carlsen,M (2864)/ Moscow blitz/2013/} 15. Nxb6 axb6 16. Bxe6 Rxa3 17. bxc5 bxc5 18. Rb3 $14 { [%csl Ge6,Rg7]}) 5. O-O Nd4 6. Re1 a6 7. Bc4 b5 8. Nd5 Nxd5 9. Bxd5 Rb8 10. Nxd4 cxd4 11. d3 e6 12. Bb3 Bd6 13. Qh5 Bb7 14. f4 Bxf4 15. Bxf4 Qxf4 16. Rf1 Qe3+ 17. Kh1 O-O 18. Rf3 Qh6 19. Qe5 a5 20. a4 Bc6 21. axb5 Rxb5 22. Qxd4 Qd2 $11 {Carlsen,M (2862)-Saric,I (2666)/Wijk aan Zee/2015/}) 3... g6 {The most usual move, but in the past Carlsen has slso played other standard alternatives:} (3... e6 {became more fashionable after Anand-Gelfand in 2012} { After} 4. O-O ({Anand preferred} 4. Bxc6 bxc6 5. d3 ({or} 5. b3)) 4... Nge7 { Caruana's specialty is the rare} 5. d4 $5 (5. c3 {is played very often.}) ({ The same goes for} 5. Re1 Ng6 (5... a6 $142 6. Bf1 d5 $132) 6. c3 d5 7. Qa4 Be7 8. d4 O-O $5 9. exd5 Qxd5 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. Nbd2 Be7 12. Nc4 Qd8 13. Bxc6 bxc6 14. Nd4 c5 15. Nc6 Qc7 16. Nxe7+ Nxe7 17. Qa5 Qxa5 18. Nxa5 Ba6 19. Bg5 Rfe8 20. Rad1 h6 21. Bxe7 Rxe7 22. c4 Kf8 23. Rd6 Bb7 24. Red1 Ke8 {Wang,H (2752) -Carlsen,M (2861)/Wijk aan Zee/2013/} 25. a3 $14 {[%CAl Yb2b4]}) 5... cxd4 6. Nxd4 Ng6 (6... Qb6 7. Nxc6 bxc6 8. Bd3 Ng6 9. c4 Be7 10. Nc3 O-O 11. Rb1 Qc7 12. Be3 e5 $6 (12... Nf4 13. Bc2 e5 $14 {/~~ Caruana}) 13. g3 $1 d6 14. b4 Be6 15. Qd2 Rac8 16. b5 Bd8 17. Rfc1 Qd7 18. bxc6 Rxc6 19. Nd5 $36 {Caruana,F (2779)-Gelfand,B (2764)/Elancourt/2013/ For more details see the notes by Caruana in CBM 157.}) 7. Be3 (7. Be2 Bc5 $5 8. Nb3 Bb6 9. c4 d6 10. Nc3 a6 11. Kh1 e5 12. Nd5 Ba7 13. Bg4 O-O 14. Bxc8 Rxc8 15. Be3 Bxe3 16. Nxe3 Nge7 17. Rc1 a5 18. c5 dxc5 19. Nxc5 Nd4 20. Qd3 Qd6 $11 {Caruana,F (2839)-Nakamura,H (2767) /London rpd/2014/}) 7... Be7 8. Be2 O-O 9. c4 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 Bf6 11. Qd2 b6 12. Nc3 Bb7 13. f3 Qe7 14. a4 Rad8 15. Ra3 Be5 16. a5 f5 $6 (16... bxa5 $13 {/\} 17. Rxa5 d5 {[%CAl Re5h2,Re7c7]}) (16... Bd6 17. Rb3 Bc5 $132) 17. axb6 axb6 18. exf5 Rxf5 19. Bd3 Rh5 20. h3 Bb8 21. Bxg6 hxg6 22. Bxb6 Rf8 23. Ne2 Rh4 24. Qd3 Kh7 25. Bf2 $14 {/+/-, Caruana,F (2779)-Radjabov,T (2723) /Bucharest/2013/ For details see the notes to this game by Rogozenco in CBM 157.}) (3... d6 { Nowadays more topical is} 4. O-O (4. Bxc6+ bxc6 5. e5 $5 (5. O-O e5 6. c3 Nf6 7. Re1 Bg4 8. h3 Bh5 ({The simple} 8... Bxf3 {is quite solid:} 9. Qxf3 Be7 10. d3 O-O 11. Nd2 Ne8 12. Nc4 Nc7 13. b4 cxb4 14. cxb4 Ne6 15. Be3 Qd7 16. Rac1 Rfc8 17. Rc2 Rab8 18. a3 Bd8 19. Rec1 Bb6 20. Qg4 {Rublevsky,S (2679)-Tregubov, P (2599)/Krasnoyarsk/2007/} Bxe3 21. fxe3 c5 $11) 9. d4 cxd4 10. cxd4 Nd7 11. Be3 Be7 12. Nbd2 O-O (12... exd4 13. Bxd4 O-O 14. Nf1 $14) 13. Qc2 Qc7 14. Rac1 Rfc8 15. Qd3 Qb7 16. dxe5 dxe5 17. Rc3 Rab8 18. Rec1 {Palac,M (2604)-Tomic,B (2418)/Sarajevo/2012/} c5 $132) 5... Bg4 (5... d5 6. h3 $5 $14 {gives White excellent practical results}) 6. h3 Bh5 7. O-O e6 (7... dxe5 8. g4 e4 $13) 8. Re1 (8. d3 d5 9. Nc3 Ne7 10. Re1 Nc8 $1 11. Qe2 Nb6 12. b3 Be7 13. Bb2 O-O 14. Nb1 a5 15. a4 c4 $1 16. dxc4 dxc4 17. Rd1 Qb8 18. Nbd2 cxb3 19. cxb3 Nd5 20. Rac1 Qb6 $15 {Kabanov,N (2502)-Caruana,F (2767)/EU-ch Plovdiv/2012/}) (8. exd6 $142) 8... Ne7 (8... d5 $5) 9. exd6 Nd5 10. d3 Bxd6 11. Nbd2 O-O {and Black's piece play should compensate for his split pawns:} 12. Nc4 (12. Ne4 h6 13. Ng3 Bg6 14. Ne4 Bh5 15. Ng3 Bg6 16. Ne4 {½, Rabiega,R (2501)-Boensch,U (2540)/ Austria/2002/}) 12... Bc7 13. Qe2 Kh8 14. Bd2 Nb4 15. Bxb4 cxb4 16. Qe3 Qd5 17. g4 Bg6 18. Nfe5 Rfe8 19. Qf3 f6 20. Nxg6+ hxg6 21. Re4 f5 22. gxf5 exf5 23. Rxe8+ Rxe8 24. Qxd5 cxd5 25. Ne3 {Caruana,F (2757)-Gelfand,B (2740)/Zuerich blitz/2013/} d4 $132 {[%CAl Ye8e2]}) 4... Bd7 (4... Bg4 $5 5. h3 Bh5 {is for the more aggressively minded.}) 5. Re1 Nf6 ({After} 5... a6 {Black must also reckon with} 6. Bxc6 $5 Bxc6 7. d4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Rc8 9. c4 Nf6 10. Nc3 Bd7 11. b3 b5 12. Bg5 bxc4 13. Nd5 h6 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. Qf3 h5 16. h3 Bh6 17. Nf5 Bf8 18. bxc4 e6 19. Rab1 Bc6 20. Qc3 $18 {Anand,V (2793)-Nakamura,H (2775)/London blitz/2014/}) 6. c3 (6. h3 e6 7. c3 d5 $5 8. d3 (8. e5 $2 Nxe5) 8... a6 9. Ba4 b5 10. Bc2 dxe4 11. dxe4 e5 12. a4 Be7 13. axb5 axb5 14. Rxa8 Qxa8 15. Bg5 Be6 16. Na3 b4 17. Nb1 $6 (17. cxb4 cxb4 18. Nb5 Qb8 19. Bxf6 gxf6 20. Bd3 O-O 21. Nh4 Rd8 $13) 17... O-O 18. Ba4 h6 19. Bh4 Rd8 20. Nbd2 g5 21. Bg3 Nd7 22. Bb3 Nf8 23. Qc2 f6 24. Nc4 Qa6 {Bologan,V (2732)-Carlsen,M (2837)/Biel/2012/} 25. Nfd2 $11) 6... a6 7. Bf1 Bg4 8. h3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 g6 10. d3 Bg7 11. Be3 Nd7 12. Nd2 O-O 13. Qd1 b5 14. Nf3 b4 15. Qa4 Qc7 16. d4 Rfb8 17. Rab1 e6 (17... Na7 $6 18. cxb4 Rxb4 19. Qc2 Nc6 20. dxc5 dxc5 21. a3 Rb7 22. Rec1 $36 {Efimenko,Z (2649)-Markos,J (2590)/Slovakia/2014/}) (17... a5 $5 18. Rec1 Qb7 19. Qd1 Rc8 20. Bc4 Nb6 21. Bf1 Nd7 22. Bc4 Nb6 {½, Haug,J (2121)-Lissang,C (2273)/ Stockholm/2014/}) 18. Rec1 (18. Qc2 a5 19. a4 Rc8 20. Bb5 bxc3 21. bxc3 cxd4 22. cxd4 Qb7 23. Qd1 Nb4 24. d5 exd5 25. exd5 Qc7 $132 {Partenie,M (2130) -Ulbig,S/email/2011/}) 18... Ra7 19. Qd1 a5 20. Bf4 bxc3 21. bxc3 Rxb1 22. Rxb1 cxd4 23. cxd4 Nxd4 24. Nxd4 Bxd4 25. Qxd4 e5 26. Qd2 exf4 27. Qxf4 $14 { Ottesen,S (2399)-Hansen,L (2182)/email/2010/}) (3... Nf6 4. e5 ({More usual is } 4. Nc3 {- 3.Nc3}) 4... Nd5 5. O-O (5. Nc3 Nc7 $132) 5... g6 6. c3 Bg7 7. d4 cxd4 8. cxd4 Nc7 9. Nc3 Nxb5 10. Nxb5 O-O 11. Bf4 a6 12. Nc3 d6 13. exd6 exd6 14. h3 d5 15. Re1 Be6 16. Qd2 Re8 17. Re2 Qb6 18. Rae1 Nxd4 19. Nxd4 Qxd4 20. Qxd4 Bxd4 21. Nxd5 Rac8 22. Bd6 Kh8 23. Nc7 Red8 24. Nxe6 Rxd6 $11 {Zvjaginsev, V (2636)-Bacrot,E (2722)/Moscow/2009/}) 4. Bxc6 {Caruana mostly plays the text move.} ({The main alternative is} 4. O-O Bg7 5. Re1 (5. c3 Nf6 {is usually just a transposition}) 5... Nf6 6. c3 (6. e5 Nd5 7. Nc3 Nc7 8. Bxc6 dxc6 9. Ne4 Ne6 (9... b6 10. Nf6+ Kf8 11. Ne4 h6 12. d3 g5 $5 (12... Kg8 13. h3 Kh7 $132) 13. Ng3 Be6 14. Qe2 Qd5 15. c4 Qd7 16. b3 f5 17. exf6 exf6 18. Bb2 Re8 19. Qc2 h5 20. Re3 h4 21. Ne4 Rh6 22. Rae1 h3 23. g3 Bf7 $13 {Rapport,R (2693) -Moiseenko,A (2699)/Biel/2013/}) 10. d3 O-O 11. Be3 b6 12. Qd2 Nd4 13. Nxd4 cxd4 14. Bh6 c5 15. h4 Qd5 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Ng3 Bb7 18. f3 Qe6 19. b3 { ½, Bacrot,E (2714)-Moiseenko,A (2699)/W Cup Tromsoe/2013/}) 6... O-O 7. h3 (7. d4 d5 8. e5 Ne4 9. Bxc6 bxc6 10. Nbd2 cxd4 11. cxd4 c5 12. dxc5 Nxc5 13. Nb3 Nxb3 14. Qxb3 Bg4 15. Nd4 Qb6 16. Qxb6 axb6 17. b3 Rfc8 18. a4 Bd7 19. f4 e6 20. Ba3 Bh6 21. g3 g5 22. Ra2 b5 $132 {Vegjeleki,A (2224)-Latronico,N (2441)/ email/2010/}) 7... Qb6 $5 (7... e5 8. d3 d6 9. a3 {[%CAl Yb2b4] is perhaps slightly more promising for White.}) 8. Ba4 (8. Bf1 e5 9. d3 d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Qb3 Qxb3 12. axb3 Rd8 13. g3 f6 14. Nbd2 Nc7 15. Nc4 Bf5 16. Rd1 Be6 17. Be3 Bf8 18. Nfd2 Nd5 19. Re1 Bf7 20. g4 b6 $15 {Kamsky,G (2741)-Christiansen,L (2579)/USA-ch Saint Louis/2013/}) 8... Rd8 9. d3 (9. d4 d5 $1 10. e5 Ne4 $132) 9... d5 10. e5 Nd7 11. d4 Nf8 $1 12. Na3 cxd4 13. cxd4 Bf5 14. Be3 Ne6 15. Qd2 Be4 16. Ng5 $1 (16. Rad1 $2 Bxf3 17. gxf3 Rac8 18. f4 Kh8 19. Bb5 Bh6 20. Be2 Ng7 21. Nb5 Nf5 22. Nc3 e6 23. Bg4 Nh4 24. Kh1 Rg8 $40 {[%csl Rh1][%CAl Yg6g5] Muminova,N (2315)-Hou,Y (2661)/Sharjah/2014/ After thorough preparation Black gradually broke through on the kingside.}) 16... Nxg5 17. Bxg5 f6 $11 {Hou Yifan}) 4... dxc6 (4... bxc6 {is somewhat more risky, as was seen a few rounds later:} 5. O-O Bg7 6. Re1 Nf6 (6... Nh6 7. c3 O-O 8. d4 {also gives White chances to fight for an advantage}) 7. e5 Nd5 8. c4 Nc7 9. d4 cxd4 10. Qxd4 O-O (10... d6 11. Bh6 $1 $36) 11. Qh4 f6 12. Nc3 Ne6 13. Ne4 fxe5 14. Nfg5 Nxg5 15. Bxg5 Qb6 16. c5 $5 Qxb2 17. Rad1 $44 d5 $6 (17... Qxa2 $142 $5 {[%csl Ga7]}) 18. cxd6 exd6 19. Rxd6 Bf5 20. Nf6+ Bxf6 21. Bxf6 Rab8 $2 22. Qc4+ Rf7 23. Red1 Qb1 24. h3 {1-0, Van Wely,L (2667)-Hou,Y (2673)/Wijk aan Zee/2015/}) 5. d3 Bg7 6. h3 Nf6 {[%mdl 32] White has swapped his light-squared B and places his pawns strategically on the light squares, Black continues developing naturally and a positional battle starts.} ({Carlsen is not attracted by} 6... b6 7. O-O e5 8. Be3 Ne7 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. Nc4 f6 11. a3 a5 $2 {[%csl Ra5,Rb6]} (11... Nd5 $142 $1 $13) 12. b4 axb4 13. axb4 Rxa1 14. Qxa1 b5 15. Ncd2 cxb4 16. Qa2+ Kh8 17. Bc5 g5 18. Ra1 Bd7 19. Qa5 Qe8 20. Qxb4 Rf7 21. Ra7 Bf8 22. d4 $16 { Caruana,F (2716)-Kuznetsov,V (2427)/RUS-chT Olginka/2011/}) 7. Nc3 b6 ({ Basically a useful move, but Black usually plays it a bit later, preferring} 7... O-O 8. Be3 b6 9. Qd2 ({Caruana probably would have played} 9. O-O { , transposing to our game.}) 9... e5 10. Bh6 Qd6 11. O-O-O (11. Bxg7 Kxg7 12. g3 $146 a5 13. Nh4 a4 14. a3 b5 15. Qe3 Rb8 16. f4 exf4 17. gxf4 Nh5 {[%csl Re1]} 18. Ne2 Qf6 19. Nf3 Qxb2 20. Kf2 Qf6 21. Rag1 b4 22. Qxc5 {Hansen,E (2577)-Saric,I (2680)/Doha/2014/} Nxf4 23. Nxf4 Qxf4 24. axb4 f5 $1 $36) 11... a5 12. Nh2 (12. Bxg7 Kxg7 13. g4 a4 14. Ne2 b5 15. Ng3 b4 16. Qg5 Re8 17. Nd2 a3 18. bxa3 h6 19. Qe3 Be6 20. Nb3 Rxa3 21. Qxc5 Qb8 $40 {Shirov,A (2697)-Leko, P (2722)/Dortmund/2002/}) 12... a4 13. Ng4 Nh5 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. Ne2 f6 16. g3 a3 17. b3 f5 18. exf5 Bxf5 19. Qe3 Rae8 20. f3 Nf6 21. Nxf6 Qxf6 $132 { Pedersen,H (2527)-Serradimigni,R (2477)/email/2006/}) 8. Be3 ({Black gets in the central advance even after} 8. Bf4 Nd7 9. Qd2 h6 10. a3 e5 11. Be3 Qe7 12. O-O h5 13. Rfb1 a5 14. b3 O-O 15. Bh6 Rd8 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Qe3 Ba6 18. a4 Nf8 19. Ne2 Qf6 20. Ng5 Qd6 21. f4 exf4 22. Nxf4 Qd4 23. Re1 Ra7 24. Kh2 Qxe3 25. Rxe3 Re7 $11 {Chadaev,N (2574)-Alekseev,E (2691)/Irkutsk/2010/}) 8... e5 $6 { Strategically sound, but right now rather careless...} (8... O-O $142 9. O-O ( 9. Qd2 e5 {see 7...0-0 above}) 9... Ne8 (9... e5 $5 {leads back to the game}) 10. Qd2 e5 (10... Nc7 11. Bh6 Ne6 12. Bxg7 Kxg7 13. Ne2 $14) 11. Bh6 f6 12. Nh2 Qe7 13. Bxg7 Nxg7 14. f4 exf4 15. Qxf4 Ne6 16. Qh4 Nd4 17. Rf2 Rf7 18. Raf1 f5 19. Qf4 Be6 20. e5 g5 21. Qd2 c4 22. Rd1 cxd3 23. Qxd3 Rd8 $15 {Veinger,I (2597)-Wills,M (2500)/corr/1996/}) 9. O-O $6 ({White misses an opportunity to play} 9. Nxe5 $1 Nxe4 10. Qf3 $1 f5 11. Bf4 (11. Nxg6 $5 hxg6 12. dxe4 O-O 13. Qg3 $14) 11... Qe7 12. Nxc6 ({A simpler way is} 12. dxe4 Bxe5 13. O-O-O $1 $36) 12... Qe6 (12... Ng5+ $142 $1 13. Nxe7 (13. Qe3 Qxe3+ 14. fxe3 Nf7 {[%csl Rc6]} ) 13... Nxf3+ 14. gxf3 Kxe7 $44) 13. dxe4 Qxc6 14. Nd5 (14. O-O-O $142 $1 $14) 14... Kf7 15. O-O-O fxe4 16. Qxe4 Re8 17. Qf3 Bf5 18. Rhe1 Rad8 19. c4 Qa4 20. Qb3 Qxb3 21. axb3 Be4 22. f3 Bxd5 23. Rxe8 Kxe8 24. Rxd5 Rxd5 25. cxd5 Kd7 26. Kc2 b5 $2 (26... Bf6 {/\} 27. Bb8 Kc8 $11) 27. Bb8 $1 a6 28. f4 $18 {[%CAl Rb8e5] Macieja,B (2430)-Pyda,Z (2305)/Polanica Zdroj/1996/}) 9... O-O 10. a3 { As with Kuznetsov, Caruana concentrates on the queenside.} ({However, White far more often plays} 10. Qd2 Qd6 11. Bh6 Nh5 12. Ne2 (12. Rae1 f6 13. Ne2 Be6 14. Bxg7 Nxg7 15. b3 a5 16. a4 Rfd8 17. Qe3 b5 18. Ra1 Bf7 19. Nh2 c4 $132 { Nijboer,F (2510)-Piket,J (2670)/Amsterdam/1995/}) 12... f6 13. b3 (13. a3 a5 14. Nh2 Ra7 15. Rad1 Be6 16. Bxg7 Rxg7 17. Ng4 Rd7 {½, Vachier Lagrave,M (2458)-Lautier,J (2666)/Val d'Isere/2004/}) (13. Bxg7 Nxg7 14. Nh2 Ne6 $11) 13... Be6 (13... g5 14. Bxg7 Nxg7 15. Ng3 h5 16. h4 $1 Bg4 {Jansa,V (2449) -Zwardon,V (2383)/CZE-chT/2013/} 17. hxg5 {/\} Bxf3 18. g6 $1 $40) ({Lautier's } 13... a5 $5 {deserves attention even here.}) 14. Bxg7 Nxg7 15. Qh6 Rad8 16. Nd2 Bc8 (16... Nh5 $142 $5) 17. f4 exf4 18. Rxf4 Qe5 19. Raf1 Qg5 20. Qxg5 fxg5 21. Rxf8+ Rxf8 22. Nc4 Rxf1+ 23. Kxf1 $14 {Magem Badals,J (2573)-Alsina Leal,D (2531)/Barcelona/2011/}) 10... Qe7 (10... Qd6 $5) 11. Qb1 $146 (11. Qe2 $6 { only helps Black in improving his knight with} Nh5 12. Rfb1 Nf4 13. Qd2 Ne6 $11 {/=/+, Fougerit,V (2233)-Desbonnes,S (2332)/France /2009/}) (11. Qd2 {also prepares queenside activity:} Nh5 12. b4 $1 cxb4 13. axb4 Qxb4 14. Rfb1 $14 { [%CAl Rb1b6,Re3b6] wins the pawn back with an edge.}) 11... Nh5 $5 {Carlsen wants to develop his own play on the opposite flank.} (11... a5 12. Na4 $5 { [%csl Rb6]} (12. b4 axb4 13. axb4 Rxa1 14. Qxa1 cxb4 15. Na4 Nd7 16. Nxb6 Nxb6 17. Bxb6 Bb7 18. Qa5 Ra8 19. Qc5 Qxc5 20. Bxc5 Ra2 $11)) (11... Rd8 $5 { Korotylev, /\} 12. b4 c4 $1 13. dxc4 Ba6 $11 14. Qb3 (14. b5 $2 cxb5 15. cxb5 Bb7) 14... Qe6 15. Nd2 Rxd2 16. Bxd2 Bxc4 $11) 12. b4 f5 $6 {This seems too hasty, as it gives White a free hand on the queenside.} (12... Nf4 $142 $1 13. bxc5 bxc5 $13 {[%CAl Yf4e6,Yf7f5] improves the knight, f5 can come later.}) 13. bxc5 f4 14. Bd2 bxc5 (14... Qxc5 15. Qb3+ Kh8 16. Qb4 $36 {swaps queens and quashes Black's attacking ambitions.}) 15. Qb3+ {Very direct and logical.} ({ The engines recommend} 15. Qb2 Be6 16. Na4 $14 {[%csl Rc5,Re5][%CAl Yb2c3, Ya4b2]} (16. Rfb1 $5 {is also interesting, stopping Rab8.})) 15... Be6 16. Qa4 Rac8 ({After} 16... Qd7 $5 {[%CAl Ye6h3] White should probably play the prophylactic} 17. Kh2 $5 $14 (17. Ng5 c4 18. Qa6 f3 $5 $132)) 17. Qa5 (17. Qa6 $142 $5 g5 18. Rfb1 {[%CAl Yb1b7] forces Black to lose a tempo with} Rf7 19. Na4 g4 20. hxg4 Bxg4 21. Qc4 $36) 17... g5 $1 {[%mdl 640] Carlsen throws caution (and a pawn) to the winds and concentrates on his attack.} ({After} 17... c4 18. Na4 c5 19. Nb2 $14 {Black must defend his weaknesses.}) 18. Na4 ({ Consistent,} 18. Nh2 c4 $132 {is a concession.}) 18... g4 19. hxg4 Bxg4 20. Qxc5 Qf6 21. Nh2 $6 {Gives the attack a new impulse.} (21. Rfb1 Qg6 22. Kf1 Ng3+ $1 23. Ke1 (23. fxg3 fxg3 {/\} 24. Ke2 Qh5 25. Rf1 Qh2 26. Qg1 Rxf3 $1 $19 ) 23... Nxe4 $5 24. Qc4+ Be6 25. Qxe4 Bf5 (25... Qxg2 $2 26. Ke2 Bd5 27. Rg1) 26. Qc4+ (26. Qe2 Qxg2 $44 {|^}) 26... Be6 $11 {and repetition seems to be a logical outcome.}) (21. Rfe1 Rf7 $5 $13 {[%CAl Yg7f8,Yg8h8,Yc8g8]} (21... Qg6 22. Kf1 Ng3+ 23. fxg3 fxg3 24. Ke2 Qh5 25. Kd1 $1 $16)) 21... f3 $1 22. Nxg4 $8 (22. gxf3 $2 Bxf3 $19) (22. g3 $6 Bh3 $36 (22... Qg6 $5 $15 {/-/+})) 22... Qg6 23. Qe7 $1 {[]} ({The queen must quickly return, White can't afford} 23. Ne3 $2 Bh6 $19 (23... Nf4 $19)) 23... fxg2 (23... Qxg4 $2 24. Qg5 $16 {leads to a premature queen swap.}) 24. Rfb1 (24. Rfe1 Qxg4 25. Qg5 Qxg5 26. Bxg5 Nf4) 24... Qxg4 25. Qg5 Qe2 26. Qe3 Qg4 27. Qg5 Qxg5 $1 ({Carlsen spurns} 27... Qe2 $11 {, Black already risks nothing by continuing the fight.}) 28. Bxg5 Nf4 { [%CAl Rf4h3]} 29. Bxf4 $2 {A serious error with disastrous consequences.} ({ The series of forced moves continued with} 29. Kh2 $1 {[]} Kh8 $1 (29... Bf6 30. Bh6 Bg7 $11) (29... c5 $5 30. Rg1 c4 31. Bxf4 exf4 32. Rxg2 cxd3 33. cxd3 f3 $44) 30. Re1 (30. Ra2 c5 31. Bxf4 exf4 32. Kxg2 f3+ $40 {[%csl Ra2]}) 30... h6 31. Bh4 (31. Bxf4 exf4 32. e5 f3 $17) 31... Bf6 $15 {[%csl Gg2] Black holds the initiative, but the game is far from over.}) 29... exf4 30. Kxg2 f3+ 31. Kf1 $6 ({Black should gradually win after} 31. Kh3 Bxa1 32. Rxa1 Kf7 $17 { , as his Pf3 remains very much alive. However, this was still more resilient, as now White's king can't escape the mating net.}) 31... Rf4 $1 32. c3 ({ Caruana most probably overlooked} 32. Ke1 Rd8 $1 (32... Bxa1 $2 33. Rxa1 { [%CAl Ye1d2,Yd2e3,Ya4c5] is actually OK for White}) 33. Kd2 Rxe4 {[%CAl Re4a4, Re4e2]} 34. Nc3 Bh6+ 35. Kd1 Rh4 {with mate to follow.}) 32... Rd8 $1 33. d4 ( 33. Rd1 Rh4 34. Ke1 Bh6 $1 $19 {[%CAl Rh4h1]}) (33. Ke1 Rxd3 $19 {[%CAl Rf4h4, Rf4e4]}) 33... Bh6 {Black already had a choice:} (33... Rxe4 34. Nc5 Rh4 35. Ke1 Bxd4 36. cxd4 Rdxd4 37. Rb8+ Kf7 38. Rf8+ Kxf8 39. Ne6+ Kf7 40. Nxd4 Rh1+ $19) (33... Bxd4 $142 $1 {and taking the bishop leads to mate after} 34. cxd4 Rh4 35. Ke1 (35. Kg1 Kh8 {[%CAl Rd8g8]}) 35... Rxd4 $19) 34. Ke1 Rxe4+ 35. Kd1 c5 $1 $19 {Now the only winning move.} (35... Re2 $143 $6 36. Rb2 $15) 36. Kc2 (36. Nxc5 Re2 37. Nb3 Rde8 $19 (37... Kh8 $19 {[%CAl Rd8g8]})) 36... cxd4 37. Kd3 Re2 38. c4 Rxf2 (38... Rd2+ $142 $1 39. Ke4 Rxf2 $19) 39. Rd1 (39. Rb2 { prolongs White's suffering, his position remains hopeless after} Rxb2 40. Nxb2 Rb8 41. Nd1 Kf7) 39... Re2 {[%CAl Re2e3] Black's passed pawns will soon clinch the point.} 0-1 [Event "Sinquefield Cup 1st"] [Site "Saint Louis"] [Date "2013.09.15"] [Round "6"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Aronian, Levon"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C88"] [WhiteElo "2862"] [BlackElo "2813"] [Annotator "Stohl,I"] [PlyCount "139"] [EventDate "2013.09.09"] [EventType "tourn"] [EventRounds "6"] [EventCountry "USA"] [EventCategory "22"] [SourceTitle "CBM 157"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2013.11.12"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"] [SourceQuality "1"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 ({Aronian has always played exclusively the text move, spurning the Open Ruy Lopez with} 5... Nxe4) ({as well as the Arkhangelsk or Neo-Arkhangelsk with} 5... b5) ({and} 5... Bc5 {respectively.}) 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 {Just like Kasparov, also Carlsen avoids the Marshall. However, contrary to his ex-trainer, he did allow it a few times:} (8. c3 d5 9. exd5 (9. d4 dxe4 10. Nxe5 Bb7 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. Bg5 Nd5 13. Bxe7 Qxe7 14. Nd2 f5 15. f3 e3 16. c4 $2 (16. f4 $1 {/\} Kh8 17. Qf3 $14) 16... Nf4 $1 17. cxb5+ Kh8 {[%CAl Re3e2,Re7e3,Re3f2]} 18. Nc4 e2 19. Qd2 Qg5 20. Rxe2 Nxe2+ 21. Qxe2 Bxb5 22. Qe3 $15 {/-/+,Carlsen,M (2835)-Kamsky,G (2732)/Wijk aan Zee/2012/}) 9... Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Qh4 15. g3 Qh3 16. Bxd5 cxd5 17. Be3 Bxd3 18. Qxd5 Rad8 19. Qf3 Rfe8 20. Nd2 Qf5 21. Qxf5 Bxf5 22. Bd4 f6 23. f3 b4 24. Ne4 Bc7 25. Kf2 bxc3 26. bxc3 Rb8 $44 {Carlsen,M (2548)-Anand,V (2785)/Leon rpd/2005/ A typical Marshall endgame, the bishop-pair makes converting the extra pawn almost impossible.}) ({The immediate} 8. d4 {gives Black a wider choice:} Nxd4 (8... d6 9. c3 Bg4 {-C91 This line is not considered too dangerous for Black.}) 9. Nxd4 (9. Bxf7+ Rxf7 10. Nxe5 Rf8 11. Qxd4 Bb7 $5 $44 12. c4 c5 13. Qd3 Qc7 14. Nf3 bxc4 15. Qxc4+ d5 16. exd5 Bxd5 17. Qe2 Bd6 18. Nc3 Bxf3 19. Qxf3 Bxh2+ 20. Kf1 Rad8 (20... Be5 $5) 21. g3 Nh5 22. Qxh5 Rxf2+ 23. Kxf2 Qxg3+ 24. Ke2 Qg2+ 25. Ke3 Qg3+ 26. Ke2 Qg2+ {1/2, Kamsky,G (2717)-Leko,P (2756)/Jermuk/2009/}) 9... exd4 10. e5 Ne8 11. c3 (11. Qxd4 Bb7 12. c4 c5 13. Qg4 d6 14. Nc3 (14. Bf4 {Short,N (2707)-Fressinet,L (2702)/Bastia rpd/2012/} bxc4 15. Bxc4 d5 $11 {/=/+ }) 14... dxe5 15. cxb5 axb5 16. Nxb5 {Gilabert Mallol,E (2440)-Kyhos,A (2352)/ corr/2010/} Nf6 17. Qf5 Qb6 $132) 11... dxc3 12. Nxc3 d6 13. Qf3 Be6 14. Nd5 Rc8 15. Bf4 Bxd5 $5 (15... dxe5 16. Nxe7+ (16. Bxe5 Bd6 17. Rad1 Bxe5 18. Rxe5 Bxd5 19. Rexd5 Nd6 20. Qf4 Qe7 21. Re5 Qf6 22. Qxf6 gxf6 23. Rc5 Rfd8 24. Rdc1 Re8 25. g3 Re2 26. Rxc7 Rxc7 27. Rxc7 Rxb2 28. Rc6 Ne4 29. Rxa6 Nc5 $11 { Henrichs,T (2483)-Gustafsson,J (2584)/GER-ch Bad Koenigshofen/2007/}) 16... Qxe7 17. Bxe5 Nd6 18. Qc3 Qg5 19. Bxe6 fxe6 20. Rac1 $5 (20. b3 Qg6 21. Qc6 Nf7 22. Bg3 e5 23. Rac1 Qf6 24. h3 Rfd8 {Leko,P (2756)-Aronian,L (2768)/Jermuk/ 2009/}) 20... Nc4 21. Bg3 Rfe8 22. b3 Nb6 23. Qa5 Nd5 24. Rc6 e5 25. Rxa6 c6 26. h4 Qf6 27. a4 $14 {Sievilainen,T (2179)-Laine,E (2234)/corr/2010/}) 16. Bxd5 dxe5 17. Rxe5 Bf6 18. Re2 Nd6 19. Rd1 Bg5 20. Be5 Bf6 21. Bf4 {1/2, Becerra Rivero,J (2598)-Onischuk,A (2670)/Lubbock/2008/}) 8... b4 {Nowadays Black's main reaction.} ({For} 8... Rb8 9. axb5 axb5 10. d3 d6 11. Nbd2 { - see Carlsen-Topalov}) 9. d4 {This alternative has recently been getting more attention.} ({Earlier White used to prefer} 9. d3 d6 10. Nbd2 (10. a5 {was Kasparov's choice and White used it well up to 2006. Nowadays it seems rather tame:} Be6 11. Nbd2 Qc8 12. Qe2 h6 13. h3 Bxb3 14. Nxb3 Re8 15. Nh2 Nh7 16. Ng4 Bg5 17. Ne3 Rb8 18. Kh2 Nf8 19. Nf5 Bxc1 20. Raxc1 Ne7 21. Nxe7+ Rxe7 22. d4 Rb5 23. Rcd1 Ne6 24. Qg4 Qf8 25. d5 Nc5 26. Re3 g6 27. Qe2 Re8 28. Rf3 Nxb3 $11 {1/2,Adams,M (2698)-Bacrot,E (2700)/ESP-chT Linares/2009/}) 10... Na5 (10... Be6 11. Bxe6 fxe6 12. Nf1 ({A typical manoeuvre, but in recent games White has tried other moves:} 12. Nb3 Qe8 13. d4 Nd7 14. d5 Nd8 15. dxe6 Nxe6 16. Qd5 Qf7 17. Na5 c5 18. Be3 Nf6 (18... Nb6 $5 19. Qd3 Nd4 $132) 19. Qc4 Nd4 20. Qxf7+ Kxf7 21. Ng5+ Kg6 22. Rac1 Nd7 23. Nh3 Nb6 24. c3 bxc3 25. bxc3 Ne6 $13 { /=,Caruana,F (2772)-Ivanchuk,V (2757)/RUS-chT Loo/2013/}) (12. c3 Rb8 ({For} 12... d5 $5 {see Bacrot-Tomashevsky, Paris 2013.}) 13. Qe2 Qd7 14. Nc4 bxc3 15. bxc3 Rb3 16. Bd2 Re8 17. h3 Bf8 18. Rec1 Qc8 19. Bg5 Nd7 20. Qa2 Rb8 21. Be3 Nf6 22. Rab1 Qd7 $14 {/=,Dominguez Perez,L (2723)-Almasi,Z (2689)/Havana/2013/ The resulting position is more pleasant for White, but with circumspect defence Black maanged to hold the game.}) 12... Qe8 $5 (12... Qd7 13. Ng3 Nd8 ( 13... Na5 14. d4 exd4 15. Qxd4 c5 16. Qd3 Nc6 17. c3 bxc3 18. bxc3 Kh8 19. h3 Qc7 20. Ng5 Ne5 21. Qe2 Qc8 22. f4 Nf7 23. Nf3 Rb8 24. c4 $36 {[%csl Gc4,Ge4, Gf4] (),Leko,P (2751)-Grischuk,A (2726)/WCh Mexico City/2007/}) (13... h6 14. h3 Nh7 15. c3 bxc3 16. bxc3 Rab8 17. d4 exd4 18. cxd4 d5 19. Ba3 Bxa3 20. Rxa3 Rb4 21. Rae3 a5 22. exd5 Qxd5 23. Ne2 Ng5 24. Nxg5 hxg5 25. Nc3 Qxd4 26. Qh5 { Sedlak,N (2568)-Brkic,A (2558)/Zupanja/2008/} Rb3 $132) 14. c3 bxc3 15. bxc3 c5 16. d4 exd4 17. cxd4 Nc6 (17... cxd4 18. Nxd4 Rc8 $14 {/=}) 18. Ba3 Rac8 19. dxc5 dxc5 20. Qe2 Nb4 $2 (20... Nd4 $5 $13) 21. Qc4 $16 {Carlsen,M (2776) -Svidler,P (2723)/Gjovik rpd/2009/}) 13. Ng3 Kh8 14. c3 (14. b3 h6 15. h3 Rd8 16. Bb2 Nd7 17. Qe2 Bf6 18. Rad1 Qf7 19. d4 Nxd4 20. Nxd4 exd4 21. Bxd4 Bxd4 22. Rxd4 a5 23. Red1 Qf6 24. Rc4 Rc8 25. Rc6 Kh7 26. Ra6 Ra8 27. Nh5 Qc3 28. Rd3 Qa1+ 29. Rd1 Qc3 $11 {Goze,T (2456)-Jansen,J (2467)/corr/2009/}) 14... bxc3 15. bxc3 Na5 (15... Rb8 $5 16. d4 Nd7 $132) 16. d4 Nd7 17. Qd3 c5 18. Rb1 c4 19. Qe2 exd4 20. cxd4 Rc8 21. Be3 (21. Ba3 $5) 21... Nb3 22. Nd2 Nxd2 23. Qxd2 Nf6 24. Rb7 Bd8 25. d5 c3 $132 {Chuprov,D (2577)-Najer,E (2670)/Novokuznetsk/ 2008/}) 11. Ba2 c5 12. c3 Rb8 (12... Nc6 {- see Anand-Grischuk}) 13. d4 $5 ({ Rather slow is} 13. Nc4 Nc6 14. h3 h6 (14... Be6 15. Ng5 Bd7 16. f4 {gives White a slight pull. An important line is} h6 (16... Rb7 17. a5 Qb8 18. Nb6 Be8 19. fxe5 dxe5 20. Be3 Qd8 21. Nf3 Bd6 22. Nd5 Nxd5 23. Bxd5 $14 {Karjakin,S (2782)-Caruana,F (2774)/Moscow/2013/}) 17. Nf3 exf4 18. Bxf4 Be6 19. d4 $5 cxd4 20. cxd4 $36 b3 21. Bxb3 $1 Rxb3 22. Qxb3 Na5 23. Qc2 Bxc4 (23... Nxc4 24. d5 $16) 24. b4 $14) 15. Ne3 (15. d4 cxd4 16. cxd4 exd4 17. Bf4 b3 18. Bxb3 Be6 19. Ba2 d3 $1 20. Qxd3 Nb4 21. Qe2 Nxa2 22. Rxa2 Rc8 23. b3 Nxe4 $1 $15 {Karjakin, S (2780)-Aronian,L (2802)/Wijk aan Zee/2013/ Opening the centre favoured Black. }) (15. Nh2 Be6 16. f4 exf4 17. Bxf4 Rb7 18. Ne3 {Prathamesh,S (2358) -Sethuraman,S (2332)/Dindigul/2007/} d5 $1 $15) 15... Be6 16. Bc4 Bxc4 17. Nxc4 Re8 18. Be3 (18. Bd2 $142 $11 {prevents the following central push}) 18... Bf8 19. Nfd2 d5 $1 20. exd5 Qxd5 21. Qf3 Qxf3 22. Nxf3 Nd5 23. Bd2 f6 24. a5 Kf7 $15 {[%csl Rd3] Caruana,F (2786)-Kasimdzhanov,R (2696)/Tashkent/2012/}) 13... bxc3 (13... Qc7 14. dxe5 dxe5 15. Nc4 b3 $5 ({For} 15... Rd8 {see Caruana-Tomashevsky}) 16. Nxa5 bxa2 17. Nc4 Be6 18. Qe2 Nd7 19. Rxa2 Nb6 20. Nfd2 (20. Nfxe5 Bd6 21. a5 Nxc4 22. Nxc4 Bxh2+ 23. Kh1 Rfe8 24. Ra1 Bxc4 25. Qxc4 Re6 26. Qe2 Rbe8 27. Ra4 Bd6 $44 {Muri,H (2374)-Kayser,P (2055)/corr/2011/ }) 20... Rfd8 21. Ra1 Nxc4 $6 (21... Bg5 $142) (21... a5 $5 $44) 22. Nxc4 Bxc4 23. Qxc4 Qd6 24. Ra2 $6 (24. Rb1 $14) (24. Kf1 $14) 24... a5 25. Be3 h6 26. h3 Qb6 27. Kh2 Qd6 28. Rb1 Qd3 29. Qxd3 Rxd3 30. Kg1 c4 $11 {Karjakin,S (2775) -Grischuk,A (2764)/Moscow rpd/2012/}) 14. bxc3 cxd4 15. cxd4 Nc6 16. Ba3 exd4 ( {Solid is} 16... Nxd4 17. Nxd4 exd4 18. Nf3 Bb7 19. Qd3 d5 20. Bxe7 Qxe7 21. exd5 (21. e5 Ne4 22. Nxd4 $5 {seems more enterprising}) 21... Qd8 22. Rab1 Bxd5 23. Rxb8 Qxb8 24. Bxd5 Nxd5 25. Qxd4 Nf6 26. h3 Qc7 $11 {Dominguez Perez,L (2708)-Pelletier,Y (2569)/Biel/2008/}) 17. Nb3 Bg4 $5 (17... Bb7 {could lead to Pelletier's game.}) 18. Nbxd4 Nxd4 19. Qxd4 Bxf3 20. gxf3 Nh5 21. Rad1 (21. e5 $5 d5 22. Bc1 $14) 21... Qc8 22. Qe3 (22. Bc1 $5 Bf6 (22... Qh3 $6 23. e5 dxe5 24. Qg4 $1 $16 {[%csl Ga2,Gc1]}) 23. Qxd6 Rd8 24. Qa3 Qh3 $44) 22... Qc2 23. Rd2 Qxa4 24. e5 {Cheparinov,I (2681)-Dzhumaev,M (2499)/Istanbul olm/2012/} Nf4 $1 $132 {/\} 25. Rd4 Qa5 26. Rxf4 Bg5 27. Ra1 Bxf4 28. Qxf4 Qxa3 29. Bxf7+ Rxf7 $11) 9... d6 {After the insertion of 8.a4 b4 this modest reaction is Black's best choice.} (9... Nxd4 10. Nxd4 ({In this version also} 10. Bxf7+ $5 Rxf7 11. Nxe5 Rf8 12. Qxd4 Bb7 13. Nd2 $14 {deserves more attention.}) 10... exd4 11. e5 Ne8 12. Qxd4 Bb7 13. Bf4 c5 14. Qe3 d5 15. exd6 Bxd6 16. Nd2 Qc7 17. Be5 Bxe5 18. Qxe5 Qc6 19. f3 Nd6 20. Nc4 Nxc4 21. Bxc4 Rae8 22. Qf4 a5 23. Bb5 Rxe1+ 24. Rxe1 Qd5 25. h3 Bc8 26. Bc4 Qf5 27. Qc7 $16 {Grischuk,A (2719) -Beliavsky,A (2667)/FIDE WCh Tripoli/2004/}) 10. dxe5 {White can't advantageously retain the central tension.} (10. d5 Na5 11. Ba2 Rb8 12. Nbd2 c6 13. dxc6 Qc7 $5 $11 (13... Be6 14. Bxe6 fxe6 15. Qe2 Qb6 16. Nc4 Nxc4 17. Qxc4 d5 18. exd5 exd5 19. Qb3 e4 20. Ne5 Bc5 21. Be3 Bxe3 {Aronian,L (2562) -Minasian,A (2480)/Yerevan/2001/} 22. Qxe3 $16)) (10. c3 bxc3 11. bxc3 exd4 12. Nxd4 Nxd4 13. cxd4 d5 14. exd5 Bb7 15. Bg5 Bxd5 16. Nd2 h6 17. Bxd5 Nxd5 18. Bxe7 Nxe7 19. Nf3 Qd6 20. h3 Rab8 21. Rc1 Rb4 22. Qc2 Nd5 23. Re4 Nf6 24. Re2 Nd5 {1/2,Stein,L-Tal,M/Moscow/1967/}) 10... dxe5 (10... Nxe5 11. Nxe5 (11. Nbd2 Nfd7 $146 (11... Nxf3+ $5 12. Nxf3 Bb7 13. e5 Nd7 14. e6 fxe6 15. Bxe6+ Kh8 16. Bd5 c6 17. Ba2 c5 18. Bd5 Bxd5 19. Qxd5 Nb6 20. Qe6 Bf6 21. a5 Nd7 22. Qd5 Ne5 23. Nd2 Ng4 24. Nf3 Ne5 25. Nd2 Ng4 {1/2,Anand,V (2782)-Naiditsch,A (2574)/ Dortmund/2004/}) 12. Nd4 c5 13. Nf5 Nf6 14. Ne3 (14. Nxe7+ Qxe7 15. Nc4 $14 {/= }) 14... Bb7 15. f3 Ng6 16. Ndc4 d5 17. exd5 Nxd5 18. Nf5 Qc7 19. Nxe7+ Ngxe7 20. Bg5 Nf5 21. c3 (21. Na5 $5) 21... bxc3 22. bxc3 h6 23. Qd3 g6 24. Bd2 Rad8 25. Qe2 Nf4 26. Bxf4 Qxf4 27. Rad1 Bd5 28. Nd2 Bxb3 29. Nxb3 Qxa4 30. Nxc5 { Nakamura,H (2772)-Aronian,L (2813)/Saint Louis/2013/} Qc6 $11) 11... dxe5 12. Qe2 Bc5 ({The most usual move, but maybe Black should consider} 12... Bb7 {, or }) (12... a5 $5) 13. Be3 Qe7 $146 (13... Bd4 $5 14. c3 ({Engines have tested both} 14. Bxd4 Qxd4 15. Rd1 {and}) (14. Qd3 c5 15. c3 {- see the notes to Caruana-Fressinet}) 14... bxc3 15. bxc3 Bxe3 16. Qxe3 Qe7 17. Nd2 Be6 18. h3 Rfd8 19. Bxe6 Qxe6 20. Nf3 Ne8 21. c4 Nd6 22. c5 Nc8 23. Ng5 Qe7 24. Red1 Na7 25. Rd5 Nc6 $11 {Baklan,V (2578)-Pinter,J (2535)/AUT-chT/2005/}) 14. Nd2 Bg4 $6 15. Bxc5 Qxc5 16. Qe3 Qxe3 17. Rxe3 Rad8 18. Nc4 Rfe8 19. Na5 $1 Be6 20. f3 Rd2 21. Rc1 Nd7 22. Bxe6 Rxe6 23. Nb3 Rdd6 24. c3 $1 bxc3 25. Rexc3 $16 {Caruana,F (2779)-Fressinet,L (2708)/Paris/2013/ The lost tempo cost Black dearly, as his queenside crumbles.}) 11. Qxd8 {White wants to profit from the queenside holes in a simplified position.} (11. Nbd2 Bc5 12. Qe2 ({Jansa's} 12. h3 Bb7 $11 { is rather slow.}) 12... Qe7 $5 (12... Bg4 13. h3 Bh5 14. c3 (14. Qf1 $5 Qd7 15. a5 Qe7 16. Bc4 Ra7 17. Nh4 g6 18. c3 bxc3 19. bxc3 Rb8 20. Nb3 Bd6 21. g4 $16 { Zinchenko,E-Manyakhin,A/corr/2006/}) 14... Na5 15. g4 Bg6 16. Bc2 bxc3 17. bxc3 Nd5 $1 18. Nb1 {Grischuk,A (2779)-Caruana,F (2774)/Thessaloniki GP/2013/} Qf6 $5 19. g5 Qe6 20. exd5 Qxh3 21. Nh2 Bh5 22. Qe4 Bg6 23. Qe2 Bh5 $11) (12... Bb7 13. Nc4 {Black must be careful.} Qe7 14. Bg5 h6 15. Bh4 g5 16. Bg3 Nh5 (16... Nd4 $5 17. Nxd4 Bxd4 18. Qf3 Rad8 $132 {Zajontz,R (2492)-Feco,J (2331)/corr/ 2009/}) 17. Ne3 Nxg3 18. hxg3 Bxe3 19. Qxe3 Na5 20. Bd5 Rad8 21. Bxb7 Nxb7 22. Rad1 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 Rd8 24. Rd5 Rxd5 25. exd5 Qc5 $11 {/+/=,Guilloux,J (2046) -De los Reyes,A (1141)/corr/2003/}) 13. Nc4 Bg4 14. c3 bxc3 (14... Nh5 15. g3 Qf6 16. Kg2 Rad8 17. Be3 Bxe3 18. Nxe3 Bxf3+ 19. Qxf3 Qxf3+ 20. Kxf3 Na5 21. Bd5 bxc3 22. b4 c6 23. Ba2 Nb7 24. Rec1 $36 {Inarkiev,E (2693)-Onischuk,A (2667)/Poikovsky/2013/}) 15. bxc3 h6 16. Bc2 Qe6 17. Ne3 Bxe3 18. Qxe3 Na5 19. Nd2 Qc6 20. h3 Be6 21. Qg3 Nd7 22. Rb1 Rfb8 $11 {Grischuk,A (2764)-Svidler,P (2747)/London Candidates/2013/}) 11... Rxd8 12. Nbd2 ({After} 12. Bg5 {Black can play} Rb8 $11 ({, as well as Caruana's provocative} 12... h6 $6 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Bd5 Rd6 {- see Negi-Caruana})) 12... h6 {Black makes a useful move without committing his bishops.} (12... Bc5 13. h3 $5 (13. Bc4 Ng4 14. Re2 Na5 15. Bd5 Rb8 16. Nb3 Nxb3 17. cxb3 h6 18. h3 Nf6 19. Nxe5 Nxd5 20. exd5 $6 (20. Nc6 Nc3 21. bxc3 Rd1+ 22. Kh2 Rb6 23. cxb4 Bd6+ 24. e5 Rxc6 25. exd6 Be6 $1 $11 ) 20... Rxd5 21. Bf4 Be6 22. Rc1 Bd6 23. Bg3 Re8 24. Re3 c5 $15 {[%csl Rb3,Gd6, Ge6] Anand,V (2783)-Adams,M (2727)/Paris/St Petersburg/2013/}) 13... Bb7 (13... Re8 14. a5 Be6 15. Ba4 Bd7 16. Nb3 Bd6 17. Bg5 $14) (13... h6 14. Nc4 Re8 15. a5 Bb7 16. Ba4 Re6 17. c3 Rd8 (17... Rb8 $5) 18. Bc2 Re7 19. Nfd2 Ba7 20. Nb3 Ne8 21. Ne3 Red7 22. Ra4 bxc3 23. bxc3 Nd6 24. Ba3 Ne7 {Inarkiev,E (2669) -Akopian,V (2679)/Elista/2008/} 25. Bc5 $14) 14. a5 (14. Bc4 h6 15. Nb3 Bd6 16. Bd3 $5 (16. a5 Ne7 17. Nfd2 Ng6 18. Bf1 Nf4 19. f3 Nd7 20. Nc4 Be7 21. Be3 Ne6 22. Bf2 Bc6 23. Ne3 Ndc5 24. Bc4 Nxb3 25. cxb3 Bb5 {Bologan,V (2682) -Sargissian,G (2642)/Kallithea/2008/} 26. Nd5 $14 {Bologan}) 16... Bc8 17. Be3 Be6 18. Nfd2 Be7 19. Rad1 Nd7 20. Bc4 $14 {Bologan: Compared with the positions where the pawn is on a5, White controls the very important square b5. }) 14... h6 15. Ba4 Nd7 (15... Nxa5 $5 16. Nxe5 Bd4 17. Nd3 c5 $132) 16. Nb3 Bd6 17. Be3 Ncb8 18. Nfd2 Bc6 19. Nc4 Bxa4 20. Rxa4 Nc6 21. Rd1 Be7 22. Raa1 Kf8 23. f3 Ke8 24. Kf2 Nf8 25. Rd5 f6 26. g3 Ne6 27. f4 $36 {Harikrishna,P (2685)-Kamsky,G (2746)/Istanbul olm/2012/}) ({Black has had more success with the prophylactic} 12... Bd6 13. a5 h6 14. Bc4 Re8 $1 (14... Kf8 15. b3 (15. Nb3 Ke7 16. Nfd2 ({Bologan recommends} 16. Be3 Be6 17. Bxe6 Kxe6 18. Nfd2 {, but} Rab8 {[%CAl Yb8b5] seems about equal.}) 16... Be6 17. Bf1 Nd7 18. Nc4 Nc5 19. Nxc5 Bxc5 20. c3 f6 21. Be3 {1/2,Nisipeanu,L (2684)-Inarkiev,E (2684)/Evry/ 2008/} Bxe3 22. Nxe3 Rd2 $11) 15... Ke7 $6 (15... Bc5 {is the engine move, but why then go to d6 at all?}) 16. Bd5 $1 Nxd5 17. exd5 Na7 18. Nxe5 Kf8 19. Ndc4 Bxe5 20. Rxe5 Nc6 21. Bg5 $1 $14 {Karjakin,S (2721)-Aronian,L (2754)/Nalchik/ 2009/}) (14... Bb7 15. b3 (15. Nb3 Re8 16. c3 bxc3 17. bxc3 Nd8 18. Nfd2 Ne6 19. f3 Bc6 20. Bf1 Reb8 21. Ba3 Kf8 22. Nc1 Bb5 23. Nc4 Bxa3 24. Rxa3 Nd7 25. Rd1 f6 $11 {/=/+,Felgaer,R (2570)-Tomashevsky,E (2730)/Istanbul olm/2012/}) 15... Bc5 16. Bb2 Rd7 17. h3 Re8 18. Ra4 {Kritz,L (2618)-Kaplan,S (2422)/Biel/ 2010/} Nh5 $132 {[%CAl Yh5f4]}) 15. Nb3 (15. b3 Be6 16. Bb2 Nd7 17. h3 f6 18. Nh4 Nc5 19. Nf5 Bf8 20. Ne3 Bxc4 21. Ndxc4 Ne6 22. Rad1 Red8 23. Rd5 Nf4 $11 { Negi,P (2642)-Sargissian,G (2663)/WChT Ningbo/2011/}) (15. Bd3 Nd7 16. Nb3 Nc5 17. Be3 Nxd3 18. cxd3 Be6 19. Nfd2 Nb8 20. Rec1 Nd7 $11 {Sargissian}) 15... Be6 16. Bd3 Red8 17. Bf1 (17. Nfd2 Nd7 18. Bc4 Nc5 19. Nxc5 Bxc5 20. Bxe6 fxe6 21. Nb3 Ba7 22. Be3 Nd4 23. Rac1 Nxb3 24. cxb3 Bxe3 25. Rxe3 c5 $11 {Antipov,M (2462)-Heimann,A (2493)/Athens/2012/}) 17... Kf8 18. Nfd2 Nd7 19. Nc4 Nc5 20. Nxc5 Bxc5 21. c3 f6 22. Be3 Bxe3 {1/2,Carlsen,M (2772)-Leko,P (2756)/Dortmund/ 2009/}) 13. a5 ({Carlsen and Aronian already had this position once.} 13. Bc4 Bd6 (13... Bc5 $5) 14. Nb3 Bb7 (14... Re8 $142 $5 {[%CAl Yc8e6]}) 15. h3 Kf8 16. Bd3 Bc8 17. Be3 Be6 18. Nfd2 Ke8 19. f3 Be7 20. Bc4 Bc8 21. Red1 Bb7 22. Bf2 Nd7 23. Bd3 Nf8 24. Nc4 Ne6 25. Nba5 $16 {Carlsen,M (2776)-Aronian,L (2750) /Nice rpd/2009/ gave White a substantial advantage, but Aronian undoubtedly prepared an improvement here.}) (13. Nc4 Bd6 14. a5 Be6 15. Be3 Rab8 16. Nfd2 Ng4 17. h3 Nxe3 18. Nxe3 Bc5 19. Bxe6 Rxd2 20. Bd5 Bxe3 (20... Nd8 $5) 21. fxe3 Ne7 22. Bc4 Rxc2 23. b3 Rxc4 24. bxc4 Kf8 $44 {Wan,Y (2477)-Tkachiev,V (2662)/ Jakarta/2012/}) 13... Bc5 $146 {Until now Black played mostly} (13... Bd6 { which transposes into the aforementioned 12...Bd6 lines.}) 14. Bc4 {[%CAl Yb2b3,Yc1b2,Yc4d3,Yd2c4] White's long-term plan is to target e5, but the text move is not ideal.} (14. Ba4 Nxa5 15. Nxe5 Ng4 16. Nxg4 Bxg4 $132 {and Black's active pieces give him reasonable counterchances.}) (14. h3 $142 $5 {gives better chances for an edge. Now} Bb7 {leads to Harikrishna - Kamsky above,} ({ while} 14... Re8 15. Nc4 {transposes to Inarkiev-Akopian})) 14... Ng4 15. Re2 Be6 $1 {Swapping the important bishop complicates White's development and gives Aronian the initiative.} 16. Bxe6 ({White has no time for} 16. Bd3 b3 $36 ) 16... fxe6 17. h3 Nf6 18. Re1 Rab8 19. Nc4 Rb5 {[%csl Ra5][%CAl Gb5e5] An excellent outpost for the rook, attacking and defending at the same time.} 20. b3 (20. Ncxe5 $6 Nxe5 21. Nxe5 Bxf2+ 22. Kxf2 Rxe5 $15 {[%csl Re4] /-/+}) (20. Be3 Ne8 $36 {[%CAl Ye8d6]}) 20... Bd4 21. Bb2 (21. Nxd4 exd4 $15 {[%csl Ra5]}) 21... Rc5 $1 {[%CAl Rc5c4]} 22. Ra2 Bxb2 ({After} 22... Ne8 {White can already consider} 23. Bxd4 $5 exd4 24. e5 $132) 23. Rxb2 Ne8 24. Ra2 Nd6 25. Nfd2 Nb7 ( 25... Nd4 $15) ({, or} 25... Nb5 $15 {was probably better, but even here it's not simple to increase Black's pressure.}) 26. Nf3 Kf7 (26... Nbxa5 27. Nfxe5 Nxe5 28. Rxa5 Rxa5 29. Nxa5 Rd2 30. Rc1 $11 {[%CAl Yg1e1]}) ({Aronian is playing for a win and spurns} 26... Nd6 $11) 27. Kf1 Kf6 28. Ra4 Nbxa5 29. Ne3 $5 (29. Nxa5 Nxa5 30. Re2 Rd1+ 31. Re1 Rd6 $5 32. Rxb4 Rxc2 33. Nxe5 c5 $15 { Carslen is not intent on winning the pawn back immediately, this cool retreat leaves Black's kinights sidetracked.}) 29... h5 30. Rea1 Rd4 31. Ne1 Ke7 (31... Rxe4 $6 32. Nd3 {/\} Rb5 33. c4 $1 Nxb3 34. cxb5 axb5 35. Ra6 $14) 32. f3 Rd2 33. Rd1 (33. Nd3 $2 Rxd3 34. cxd3 Nxb3 35. Rd1 a5 $17 {[%csl Ga5,Gb4][%CAl Rc5b5,Rb3c5] /-+}) 33... Rd6 ({Keeps the tension, after} 33... Rxd1 34. Nxd1 $11 {[%CAl Yd1e3,Ye1d3] Black has no obvious way to untangle.}) 34. Rda1 Kd7 ({ Still aiming for more than} 34... Rd2 35. Rd1 $11) 35. Nd1 Rd2 36. Nf2 $5 Kc8 37. Nfd3 Rb5 38. h4 (38. Nxb4 Nxb4 39. Rxa5 Kb7 {is still slightly unpleasant for White. Carlsen was short of time, so he doesn't change the character of the position.}) 38... Kb7 39. R1a2 Ka7 40. Kg1 Kb6 41. Kf1 g6 42. Kg1 Kb7 43. Kf1 Kc8 44. Nf2 Rd8 $6 ({This is already pushing it too far, Black should have resigned himself to} 44... Rc5 45. Nfd3 Rb5 $11) 45. Ned3 $44 {The retreat of the active rook allows White to further improve his piece coordination and put serious pressure on Black's weaknesses. Carlsen realised this was the turning point of the game and somewhere around here he already declined a draw offer. Aronian was late to realise he has to defend accurately and without much resistance.} Kb7 46. Ke2 Kb6 47. Ke3 Kb7 {Awkward.} (47... Ra8 48. Nb2 $1 { doesn't allow the knight to leave a5, but after} Rc5 49. Kd2 Rf8 $14 {Black can still fight on.}) 48. Nd1 (48. Nh3 $5 $14 {is interesting, but White has a different plan.}) 48... Kc8 49. N1b2 Rd6 50. Ra1 $1 {An important finesse, which clearly indicates aggressive intentions.} ({Carslen avoids the immediate } 50. Nc4 Nxc4+ 51. bxc4 Rb8 52. c5 Rd7 53. Rxa6 b3 $1 $11) 50... Kd8 $2 { The decisive mistake, the rook should have left the exposed d6-square as soon as possible.} (50... Rd7 51. Nc4 Nxc4+ 52. bxc4 Rb8 53. Rxa6 Nd4 54. Rc1 $16 { [%csl Re5,Re6] /\} b3 55. c3 Nc2+ 56. Ke2 {[%csl Rb3]}) (50... Rd4 $142 $5 { and the forcing} 51. Nxe5 (51. g3 $5 $36 {[%CAl Yf3f4] is perhaps stronger}) 51... Rxe5 52. Rxa5 Rdxe4+ 53. fxe4 Nxa5 (53... Rxa5 $2 54. Rxa5 Nxa5 55. Kf4 $18 {[%CAl Rf4g5]}) 54. Nd3 Rb5 55. Nf4 Kd7 $14 {gives Black chances for a successful defence.}) 51. Nc4 Nxc4+ 52. bxc4 Rb8 53. c5 Rd7 ({Even after the more resilient} 53... Rxd3+ 54. Kxd3 a5 55. Kc4 $16 {/+- White should graually win.}) 54. Rxa6 $18 b3 {Hopeless, but} (54... Nd4 {was no better:} 55. Ra8 $1 Rxa8 (55... Nxc2+ 56. Kd2 Nxa1 57. Rxb8+ Ke7 58. Rxb4 $18 {[%csl Ra1,Re5]}) 56. Rxa8+ Ke7 57. Nxe5 $5 (57. Nxb4 $18) 57... Nxc2+ 58. Ke2 $18 {[%csl Rd7] and Black's rook is trapped!}) 55. Rxc6 bxc2 56. Ne1 {[%csl Rc2]} (56. Rxe6 $142 $1 $18) 56... Ke7 (56... Rb2 57. Rxe6 {[%CAl Ra1a8]} Rd1 58. Nxc2 $18) (56... Rd1 57. Nxc2 Rxa1 58. Nxa1 Ra8 59. Rxe6 (59. Nc2 $2 Kd7) 59... Rxa1 60. Rxg6 $18) 57. Nxc2 Rb3+ 58. Ke2 Rb2 59. Rc1 Ra2 {Now the Rc6 is temporarily trapped, but Black has no way to attack it and he is already a piece down. The rest doesn't require any comment.} 60. Ke3 Kf7 61. f4 Kf6 62. fxe5+ Kxe5 63. Ne1 Ra3+ 64. Kf2 Rd2+ 65. Kf1 Rd7 66. Nf3+ Kf4 67. Rxe6 g5 68. hxg5 Kg3 69. Rf6 Ra2 70. Ne5 1-0 [Event "London Classic 4th"] [Site "London"] [Date "2012.12.02"] [Round "2"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Aronian, Levon"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C77"] [WhiteElo "2848"] [BlackElo "2815"] [Annotator "Stohl,I"] [PlyCount "117"] [EventDate "2012.12.01"] [EventType "tourn"] [EventRounds "9"] [EventCountry "ENG"] [EventCategory "21"] [SourceTitle "CBM 152"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2013.01.15"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2013.01.15"] [SourceQuality "1"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 {Carlsen is definitely a fan of d3 lines against the Ruy Lopez. They allow him to avoid a heated theoretical struggle in forcing lines, while retaining enough strategic tension to fight for an advantage in the ensuing middlegame.} ({Even after} 3... Nf6 {he has lately avoided the Berlin Wall with} 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 (5. Nc3 d6 6. Na4 Bb6 7. Nxb6 axb6 8. c3 Bd7 9. Ba4 Ne7 10. Bc2 Ng6 11. h3 O-O 12. O-O h6 13. Re1 Re8 14. d4 Bc6 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Qxd8 Rexd8 17. g3 Nd7 18. Be3 Nc5 19. Nd2 Nf8 20. f3 Nfe6 21. h4 Bb5 22. a3 Rd7 23. b4 {Carlsen,M-Anand,V/London/2012/} Bd3 $5 24. bxc5 Bxc2 $11) 5... dxc6 6. Nbd2 Be6 7. O-O Bd6 8. b3 Nd7 9. Nc4 Bxc4 10. bxc4 O-O 11. Rb1 b6 12. g3 f5 13. exf5 Rxf5 14. Qe2 Nc5 15. Be3 Ne6 16. Nd2 Qf6 17. Qg4 Rf8 18. Ne4 Qf7 19. a4 h5 20. Qe2 Be7 21. a5 Qg6 22. axb6 axb6 23. Kh1 Rf3 24. Rbe1 Bb4 25. Ra1 Qg4 26. Qd1 Qh3 $132 27. Bf4 $4 (27. Qe2 Be7 $11) 27... Bc3 $4 (27... R8xf4 $1 28. gxf4 Nxf4 29. Ra8+ Bf8 30. Rg1 Qxh2+ 31. Kxh2 Rh3#) 28. Qxf3 Bxa1 29. Qg2 Qf5 $11 {Carlsen,M (2843)-Aronian,L (2816)/Sao Paulo/Bilbao/ 2012/}) 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 ({While Aronian definitely must have anticipated White's general strategy, Magnus far more often played} 5. O-O Be7 {and only now} 6. Re1 (6. d3 {, when Black has committed his Bf8. After} b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a4 {Black faces a wider choice:} {Lately Aronian has started to favour the less committal} Bd7 {, Black retains the tension and doesn't give away the a-file:} (8... b4 9. Nbd2 (9. a5 O-O 10. Nbd2 Rb8 11. Nc4 h6 12. h3 Be6 13. Be3 Qc8 14. Nfd2 Rd8 15. Qe2 Qb7 16. Ba4 Nd7 17. c3 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2656) -Melkumyan,H (2582)/EU-ch Rijeka 2010/} Na7 $5 $13) 9... Na5 10. Ba2 O-O 11. c3 c5 12. cxb4 (12. d4 cxd4 13. cxd4 Qc7 $132) 12... cxb4 13. h3 $5 (13. Nc4 Rb8 14. Re1 Nc6 15. Ne3 Be6 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. Nc4 Nd7 18. Ncd2 Nc5 19. Nb3 Nxb3 20. Qxb3 Rxf3 21. gxf3 Nd4 22. Qd1 Qf8 23. Kg2 Qf6 $44 {Carlsen,M (2733)-Aronian,L (2739)/Wijk aan Zee/2008/}) 13... Be6 14. Bxe6 fxe6 15. Nb3 Nc6 16. Be3 Qd7 17. Rc1 Rfc8 18. Qd2 Bd8 19. Rc4 $14 {Efimenko,Z (2654)-Stern,R (2501)/Bundesliga/ 2009/}) (8... Rb8 9. axb5 axb5 10. Nbd2 O-O 11. Re1 (11. c3 Nd7 (11... Bd7 $5 { will probably only transpose after the natural} 12. Re1) 12. Re1 Bf6 13. Nf1 Nc5 14. Ba2 (14. Bc2 $5) 14... Bg4 $2 (14... b4 $142 $132) 15. b4 Ne6 16. Ne3 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Bg5 18. Bd5 $1 $16 Qd7 (18... Ne7 19. Bxe6 fxe6 20. Qg4 {[%csl Re6,Rg5]}) 19. Nf5 Ne7 20. Nxg7 $1 $40 {Carlsen,M (2714)-Fressinet,L (2654)/ ECC Kemer/2007/}) 11... Bd7 12. c3 Ra8 13. Rxa8 Qxa8 14. d4 h6 (14... Qb7 $5 15. Nf1 b4 $132) 15. Nf1 Re8 16. Ng3 Qc8 17. Nh4 Bf8 $6 (17... Na5 $142 18. Ba2 Nc4 $13) 18. Ng6 $1 Na5 19. Nxf8 Rxf8 20. Bc2 Re8 21. f4 Bg4 $2 {[%csl Rg4]} ( 21... Qa6 $14) 22. Qd3 exf4 23. Bxf4 $16 {[%csl Gd4,Ge4,Rg8] ->>>, Carlsen,M (2826)-Topalov,V (2803)/Nanjing/2010/ White scored an impressive win in this game, for more details see the notes by Moradiabadi in CBM 139.}) 9. c3 O-O 10. Nbd2 Na5 11. Bc2 c5 12. Re1 Re8 13. Nf1 (13. d4 exd4 (13... cxd4 $5 14. cxd4 Nc6 15. Bb3 h6 $132 16. dxe5 dxe5 17. Nf1 Bg4 18. h3 Qxd1 19. Bxd1 Bxf3 20. Bxf3 Nd4 21. Bd1 Bb4 22. Bd2 Bxd2 23. Nxd2 Rac8 24. axb5 axb5 $15 {Werner,C (2315)-Tseshkovsky,V (2519)/Davos/2008/}) (13... Qc7 $1 {is indicated by Caruana as the simplest equaliser - Black has a good version of the Chigorin.}) 14. cxd4 Bg4 15. h3 Bh5 16. d5 Qc8 17. Nf1 Bd8 18. g4 Bg6 19. Ng3 b4 20. Nh4 b3 21. Bb1 {Caruana,F (2773)-Aronian,L (2816)/Sao Paulo/Bilbao/2012/} c4 $5 $13 { [%CAl Yc4c3]}) 13... Nc6 14. Ne3 b4 15. Bb3 (15. h3 Rb8 16. Nc4 Be6 17. Bb3 h6 18. Be3 bxc3 19. bxc3 d5 $1 20. exd5 Nxd5 $15 {McShane,L (2713)-Aronian,L (2815)/London/2012/}) 15... Na5 16. Ba2 Rb8 17. d4 $6 (17. Nd2 $11) 17... exd4 18. cxd4 Nxe4 19. Nd5 {Kamsky,G (2729)-Leko,P (2747)/Dresden olm/2008/} Bf8 $13 {/=/+}) 6... b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d3 d6 9. a4 {was actually the move-order from Caruana-Aronian above.}) 5... b5 {In 2010 I wrote a 2 part article about the C77 5.d3 Ruy Lopez, which was published in CBM 136-137. Part 1 featured mainly the text move.} ({Part 2 in CBM 137 concentrated on the more restrained, but quite reliable} 5... d6 6. c3 g6 {Carlsen hasn't been able to get anything tangible here after} 7. O-O (7. Nbd2 Bg7 8. Nf1 O-O 9. Bg5 d5 10. Qe2 Qd6 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Ne3 Ne7 13. Bb3 c6 14. h4 Be6 15. Ng5 Bd7 16. Rd1 Rad8 17. Qf3 h6 18. Nc4 dxc4 19. dxc4 Nd5 20. Nh3 h5 21. Qg3 Bg4 22. Rd2 Bxh4 23. Qxh4 Qf6 24. Qxf6 Nxf6 25. Ng5 c5 $15 {Carlsen,M (2810)-Caruana,F (2675)/Wijk aan Zee/2010/ See the notes to this game by Postny in CBM 135.}) 7... Bg7 8. Re1 (8. h3 Bd7 9. Re1 O-O 10. Nbd2 Qe8 11. Nf1 Nh5 12. Bb3 Kh8 13. d4 f5 14. exf5 gxf5 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Be3 e4 17. Ng5 h6 18. Nf7+ Rxf7 19. Qxh5 Rf6 20. Qxe8+ Rxe8 21. Bf4 Ne5 22. Bxe5 Rxe5 23. Rad1 {1-0 Alekseev,E (2683)-Efimenko,Z (2689)/ Germany 2012/CB42_2012 (61)} Bc6 $132) 8... O-O 9. Nbd2 Kh8 (9... b5 $5 { is the more usual choice - Black was doing fine after} 10. Bb3 Na5 11. Bc2 c5 12. Nf1 h6 13. Bd2 Nc6 14. a4 Be6 15. Ne3 Qd7 16. Bb3 Rfb8 17. Bxe6 Qxe6 18. h3 c4 19. Qe2 Na5 20. axb5 axb5 21. Rad1 Rc8 $132 {Areshchenko,A (2694)-Efimenko, Z (2701)/UKR-ch Kiev/2011/}) 10. Nf1 Ng8 11. Bg5 f6 12. Bh4 Qe8 13. d4 Bd7 14. d5 Nd8 15. Bxd7 Qxd7 16. N3d2 Nf7 17. f3 f5 18. c4 a5 19. Bf2 Nf6 20. c5 fxe4 21. Nxe4 dxc5 22. Nxc5 Qxd5 23. Qxd5 Nxd5 24. Rad1 c6 25. Ne3 Rfd8 $11 { Carlsen,M (2814)-L'Ami,E (2628)/Wijk aan Zee/2011/}) 6. Bb3 Bc5 {Aronian opts for the more active developing move.} ({Earlier he preferred} 6... Be7 7. a4 b4 8. Nbd2 O-O 9. Nc4 ({More flexible is} 9. O-O {The resulting positions are similar to those, mentioned above in the note to White's 5th move.}) 9... d6 10. h3 Be6 11. O-O Nd7 12. Be3 Bf6 13. c3 bxc3 14. bxc3 Rb8 15. Rb1 d5 16. Ncd2 Nb6 17. Re1 Re8 18. Qc2 Qd7 19. Bc5 Na5 20. Ba2 Qxa4 21. Qxa4 Nxa4 22. exd5 Rxb1 23. Rxb1 Bxd5 24. Bxd5 Nxc5 25. Ne4 Nxe4 26. Bxe4 $44 {Ivanchuk,V (2786) -Aronian,L (2757)/Dresden olm/2008/}) ({After} 6... Bb7 7. O-O Bc5 {Carlsen already used} 8. Nc3 $5 {with great effect:} d6 9. a4 Na5 10. Ba2 b4 11. Ne2 Bc8 12. c3 bxc3 13. bxc3 Bb6 14. Ng3 Be6 15. d4 Bxa2 16. Rxa2 O-O 17. Bg5 exd4 18. Nh5 dxc3 19. Nh4 Kh8 20. Nf5 {1-0, Carlsen,M (2625)-Beliavsky,A (2626)/ Wijk aan Zee-B/2006/ For more details see the notes to this game by Mikhalevski in CBM 111.}) 7. Nc3 $5 {One of the less usual reactions, but actually I recommended it in CBM 136.} ({More regular is} 7. c3 d6 {, now} 8. Bg5 {led to complex play after} ({The article in CBM 136 concentrated mainly on } 8. O-O h6 $5) 8... h6 9. Bh4 Bb6 ({Black postpones castling, after} 9... O-O 10. O-O g5 {he has to reckon even with the sacrificial} 11. Nxg5 $5 $44 { Note how later on Aronian postpones g5 only after White has castled, but his K is still on e8.}) 10. Nbd2 Rb8 11. Qe2 a5 12. a4 b4 13. O-O g5 14. Bg3 (14. Nxg5 hxg5 15. Bxg5 Rg8 $17) 14... O-O 15. Nc4 Ba7 16. Nfd2 h5 17. h3 h4 18. Bh2 Kg7 19. Kh1 Rh8 20. d4 $6 (20. Ne3 $1 Nh5 $13) 20... bxc3 21. bxc3 exd4 22. e5 dxc3 23. exf6+ Qxf6 {Kramnik,V (2801)-Aronian,L (2820)/Zuerich m rpd/2012/} 24. Ne4 Qe7 25. Ba2 d5 (25... Re8 26. Qh5 Qxe4 27. Nxd6 cxd6 28. Qxf7+ Kh8 29. Qh5+ $11) 26. Nxa5 Nd4 (26... Nxa5 27. Bxd5 $13) 27. Qd3 dxe4 28. Qxc3 $132) (7. O-O d6 {[%CAl Yc6a5] is only a transposition after} 8. c3) 7... O-O {A young Magnus had to face this position with Black.} ({He opted for} 7... d6 8. Nd5 h6 9. c3 O-O 10. O-O Rb8 (10... Bb7 11. a4 (11. Bd2 Nxd5 12. Bxd5 Rb8 13. Qc2 Bb6 14. a4 Ne7 15. Bxb7 Rxb7 16. d4 Ng6 17. Rfd1 Qf6 18. Qd3 Rbb8 19. Be3 Rfd8 20. Qe2 Qe7 21. a5 Ba7 22. dxe5 Bxe3 23. Qxe3 Nxe5 24. Nd4 Re8 $132 {Vallejo Pons, F (2678)-Naumann,A (2538)/Bundesliga/2004/}) 11... Nxd5 12. Bxd5 Rb8 13. axb5 axb5 14. Qb3 b4 15. Be3 Bxe3 16. fxe3 bxc3 17. bxc3 Qe7 18. Qc2 Nd8 19. Rfb1 c6 20. Bc4 Ra8 21. Rxa8 Bxa8 22. Qa2 Ne6 23. Bxe6 fxe6 24. h3 c5 25. Rb6 $14 { Asrian,K (2602)-Fontaine,R (2537)/Moscow/2005/}) 11. Ne3 $6 (11. Re1 $5 { [%CAl Yd3d4] promises White better chances to fight for an opening advantage.}) 11... Bb6 $1 12. Qe2 Ne7 13. Rd1 Ng6 14. Nf5 d5 15. h3 Re8 16. g4 $2 c5 17. c4 bxc4 18. dxc4 d4 19. Ba4 Re6 20. Ne1 Nf4 21. Bxf4 exf4 22. f3 g6 23. Nxh6+ Kg7 24. g5 Nh7 25. h4 Nxg5 $19 {Lahno,K (2500)-Carlsen,M (2625)/Wijk aan Zee-B/ 2006/ For more details about this game see the notes by Mikhalevski in CBM 111. }) (7... h6 8. Nd5 (8. a4 b4 9. Nd5 Na5 $5 10. Ba2 d6 $11) 8... O-O 9. O-O { and Black hardly has anything better than} d6 {, transposing to 7...d6.}) 8. Nd5 Nxd5 {A rare alternative.} (8... h6 9. O-O d6 {still transposes to 7...d6}) 9. Bxd5 Rb8 $146 {[%mdl 520] This novelty, connected with a pawn-sacrifice, is the best reaction.} (9... Qf6 10. O-O h6 11. Be3 Be7 12. d4 $16 {Michelle,C (2052)-Janani,J (1808)/Chennai/2011/}) (9... Bb7 10. O-O (10. Nxe5 $5 Qh4 11. g3 Qh3 12. Qg4 (12. Bxc6 dxc6 13. Qe2 Bd6 14. Nf3 c5 $44 {|^}) 12... Qg2 13. Qf3 Bxf2+ 14. Kd1 Qxf3+ 15. Nxf3 $14) 10... d6 11. Be3 Bxe3 12. fxe3 Na5 13. Bxb7 Nxb7 14. b4 a5 15. c3 d5 $11 {Koski,C (1252)-Yehuda,B (1100)/corr/2009/}) 10. O-O Ne7 $5 (10... Qf6 11. c3 $14 {[%csl Rf6]} (11. Be3 Nd4 $5)) (10... Nb4 11. Bb3 $14 (11. Nxe5 {- 11...Ne7!?})) 11. Nxe5 {White accepts the challenge.} (11. Bb3 d6 12. Be3 Ng6 $5 $11 {seems too soft.}) 11... Nxd5 12. exd5 Re8 ({ Carlsen didn't like this move and preferred} 12... Bb7 $1 13. c4 Bd6 $5 (13... Re8 14. d4 Ba7 (14... bxc4 15. Nxf7 Kxf7 16. dxc5 $14) (14... Bf8 15. b3 { transposes back to the game.}) 15. b3 bxc4 16. bxc4 d6 17. Nf3 (17. Nc6 Bxc6 18. dxc6 Qh4 19. Be3 Qe4 $11) 17... Bc8 18. Bg5 f6 19. Be3 Bg4 20. Rb1 $5 $14) (13... d6 14. Nf3 c6 15. d4 Ba7 16. c5 $5 dxc5 17. Bf4 Rc8 (17... c4 $5 18. Bxb8 Bxb8 $14 {/~~}) 18. dxc5 Bxc5 19. d6 $36 {[%csl Gd6]}) 14. Re1 Re8 15. Nf3 c6 $44) (12... Qf6 $5 13. d4 Bb6 $132 {[%CAl Yf6d6,Yc8b7]}) 13. d4 Bf8 14. b3 Bb7 (14... b4 15. a3 a5 16. axb4 axb4 17. Qf3 f6 18. Nd3 $36 {[%csl Rb4][%CAl Ya1a8]}) 15. c4 (15. Qf3 Qe7 16. Be3 (16. c4 d6 17. Nc6 (17. Nd3 $5) 17... Bxc6 18. dxc6 bxc4 19. bxc4 Qe6 20. d5 Qe4 $11) 16... f6 17. Nd3 Qf7 18. c4 bxc4 19. bxc4 a5 $14 {/<=>}) 15... d6 16. Nf3 (16. Nc6 Bxc6 17. dxc6 bxc4 18. bxc4 d5 19. c5 Qf6 $11 20. Qa4 $6 Bxc5) (16. Nd3 g6 $44 (16... bxc4 17. bxc4 c6 $5 18. dxc6 Bxc6 $44 {[%csl Gc6,Gf8][%CAl Gb8b1,Ge8e1]})) 16... Qf6 17. Be3 Bc8 18. Qd2 (18. Rc1 bxc4 19. bxc4 Bg4 $11) 18... Qg6 {White has consolidated his position, but it's difficult for him to make any progress.} 19. Kh1 h6 20. Rac1 Be7 21. Ng1 {This seems rather artificial.} (21. cxb5 axb5 22. Rxc7 Bb7 $44 { [%csl Rd5]}) ({White's doubled extra pawn doesn't count for much, but perhaps he is slightly better after} 21. Qa5 $14) ({A useful move, suggested by Carlsen, is} 21. Rfe1 $5 $14) 21... Bg5 (21... Bf6 {seems more natural, but Aronian has an interesting idea - exchanging the defensive Be3 activates Black's forces.}) 22. Bxg5 (22. Rfe1 Bf5 $5 $14 {/~~} (22... Bxe3 $6 23. Rxe3 $36 {is a better version of the B swap.})) (22. cxb5 $5 Bd8 23. bxa6 Bxa6 24. Rfe1 Qf5 25. Ne2 Qxd5 26. Nc3 Qf5 27. d5 $14) 22... Qxg5 23. Rfd1 (23. Qxg5 hxg5 24. f3 (24. cxb5 Rxb5 25. Rxc7 Rxd5 26. Rd1 g4 $5 $44) 24... Bf5 (24... bxc4 25. Rxc4 $14) 25. Rf2 $14 {/= is maybe a better way to retain a small plus.}) 23... bxc4 (23... Qxd2 24. Rxd2 bxc4) 24. bxc4 $6 {Only this natural recapture is inaccurate.} (24. Qxg5 $142 hxg5 25. Rxc4 $14 {/= and once again White risks little by playing on.}) 24... Qxd2 25. Rxd2 a5 {[%csl Ra2,Rc4,Gc8, Rd4,Rg1][%CAl Ge8e1,Gb8b1][%mdl 4096] In this endgame Black is definitely OK - he controls the open files and has the better minor piece. White's pawns are vulnerable and Carlsen also thought he wass the one who should be playing with care to maintain equality.} 26. h3 Rb4 27. Nf3 Bf5 28. c5 Kf8 ({Aronian is unwilling to play the weakening} 28... Be4 29. Re2 f5 30. Kh2 $11) 29. Nh2 Reb8 ({However, here} 29... Be4 $1 {was definitely simpler:} 30. Nf1 Bxd5 31. Ne3 Be4 32. cxd6 cxd6 33. d5 Reb8 $11 {/=/+ White is in no position to win here, although he shouldn't lose either.}) 30. Ng4 Rb1 31. Rxb1 Rxb1+ 32. Kh2 a4 ( 32... Bxg4 33. hxg4 Rb5 34. Rc2 Rb4 35. cxd6 cxd6 36. Rd2 Rb5 37. Kg3 Rxd5 38. a4 f5 $11 {is enough for a draw. However, as Aronian admitted after the game, he erroneously thought he had a sizeable plus.}) 33. Ne3 Bg6 34. Kg3 Rb4 (34... a3 35. Kf3 (35. f3 $5) 35... Rb2 36. Nc4 Bc2 37. Nxa3 Be4+ 38. Ke3 Rxd2 39. Kxd2 Bxd5 $11) 35. Kf3 Ke7 36. Ke2 Kd7 37. f3 Rb5 38. Nd1 Rb4 (38... dxc5 39. Nc3 Rb4 (39... Ra5 40. dxc5 Rxc5 41. Nxa4 Rc4 42. Nb2 Rc3 $11) 40. dxc5 c6 41. Ke3 Rc4 $11 {should hold the endgame rather easily. Aronian optimistically continues to overestimate his position and gradually gets into trouble.}) 39. c6+ Kc8 (39... Ke7 40. Nc3 (40. Rb2 $5 Rxd4 41. Ne3 Bd3+ 42. Ke1 f5 43. Rb7 f4 44. Rxc7+ Kd8 45. Rd7+ Kc8 46. Nd1 Rxd5 47. Nc3 Rc5 48. Kd2 $14) 40... a3 41. Ke3 $14 {is similar to the game.}) 40. Nc3 f6 41. Ke3 Rc4 (41... a3 $142) ( 41... h5 $5) 42. Ne2 a3 43. h4 Rb4 $6 (43... Bf7 44. Nf4 (44. Ke4 Bg6+ 45. Ke3 Bf7) 44... g5 45. Kd3 Rc1 46. hxg5 fxg5 47. Ne2 (47. Ne6 $2 Bg6+ 48. Ke3 Rc3+ 49. Ke2 Rc2 $1 $36 {[%csl Ra2]}) 47... Bg6+ 48. Ke3 Rb1 49. Nc3 Rc1 (49... Rb2 {should be tenable as well}) 50. Nb5 Bf7 51. Re2 Kd8 (51... Bxd5 $2 52. Kd2 { [%csl Rc1,Re8]} Rxc6 53. Na7+ $18) 52. Nxc7 $5 (52. Ke4 Bg6+ 53. Ke3 Bf7 $11) 52... Kxc7 53. Kd2 Ra1 54. Re7+ Kc8 55. Rxf7 Rxa2+ 56. Kd3 Rxg2 $11) 44. g4 $1 {Black has shuffled around rather aimlessly, so White improves his position by expanding on the kingside.} Rb1 $2 (44... Rb2 45. h5 Bc2 46. Nc3 {is already better for White, but Carlsen was unsure how he should make progress if Black passes with} Kd8 $14) 45. h5 Bh7 46. f4 $1 {[%csl Rh7][%CAl Yf4f5,Ye2f4,Yf4e6]} f5 (46... Bg8 47. f5 $1 (47. Nc3 Rg1 48. Kf3 Rf1+ 49. Kg3 Rg1+ $11) 47... Re1 ( 47... Bxd5 $2 48. Nc3) 48. Kf2 Rb1 49. Nf4 Rb5 50. Ne6 Rxd5 51. Nxg7 Rb5 52. Ne6 Rb2 53. Ke3 $16 {/+-}) 47. g5 $36 {With the B cut off, Black is on the brink of defeat.} Rh1 (47... Rb2 48. Kd3 Bg8 49. Nc3 $16 {/+-}) (47... Kd8 $5 48. Nc3 (48. Rd3 Rh1 49. Kd2 Bg8 50. Rxa3 Bxd5 51. Ra8+ Ke7 52. Ng3 Rh2+ 53. Ke1 Bxc6 54. Nxf5+ $16) 48... Rg1 49. g6 Bg8 $16 {and White must still find a way to break through.}) 48. Ng3 Rh3 49. Kf3 hxg5 ({More resilient, but still insufficient was} 49... Kd8 50. g6 Bg8 51. Kg2 Rh4 52. Nxf5 Rxf4 (52... Bxd5+ 53. Kg3 Rxh5 54. Nxg7 Rh1 55. f5 Ra1 (55... Ke7 56. Re2+ Kf6 57. Ne8+ Kxf5 58. Nxc7 Bxc6 59. d5 $18 {[%CAl Rg6g7]}) 56. Ne6+ Ke7 57. Nf4 {/\} Bxa2 58. Re2+ Kf6 59. Rxa2 Rxa2 60. Nh5+ Kxf5 61. g7 Ra1 62. Kf2 Rg1 63. Kxg1 a2 64. Ng3+ $1 Kf4 65. Kf2 a1=Q 66. Ne2+ Ke4 67. g8=Q $18) 53. Ne3 $1 (53. Nxg7 Bxd5+ 54. Kg3 Rf3+ 55. Kg4 Rf1 $132) 53... Rh4 54. Rf2 Ke8 55. Nf5 Bxd5+ 56. Kg3 Rh1 57. Nxg7+ Ke7 (57... Kd8 58. Rf8+ Ke7 59. Rc8 Rg1+ 60. Kf2 Rg2+ 61. Ke3 Bxc6 62. Rxc7+ Bd7 63. Ra7 $18) 58. Nf5+ Kd8 59. Ne3 Rg1+ (59... Bxc6 60. d5 $18) 60. Kf4 Bxc6 61. Ng4 $18) (49... Bg8 $2 50. Kg2 $18 {/\} Rh4 51. Nxf5 Rxf4 52. Ne7+ ) 50. fxg5 g6 (50... Kd8 51. Rf2 $5 (51. Re2 Bg8 52. Kf4 Bxd5 53. Nxf5 Rxh5 54. Nxg7 Rh4+ 55. Kf5 Bxc6 56. Ne6+ $16) (51. g6 Bg8 52. Kf4 Bxd5 53. Nxf5 Rxh5 54. Nxg7 $16) 51... Rh4 (51... Bg8 52. Kg2 Rh4 53. Rxf5 $18) 52. Ne2 $1 Rh3+ 53. Kg2 Rxh5 54. Nf4 Rxg5+ 55. Kf3 Rg1 (55... Ke7 56. Re2+ Kf7 57. Ne6 $18) 56. Rh2 Bg6 57. Nxg6 Rxg6 58. Rh8+ Ke7 59. Rc8 $18) 51. Re2 Kd8 $8 52. hxg6 Bxg6 53. Re6 Bf7 (53... Bh5+ 54. Kf4 $5 Rh4+ 55. Kxf5 Bg4+ 56. Kf6 Bxe6 57. dxe6 $18) 54. g6 $1 $18 Bg8 (54... Bxe6 55. dxe6 {[%CAl Rg6g7]} Rh6 56. g7 Rg6 57. Nxf5 Ke8 58. d5 Kd8 59. Kf4 Ke8 (59... Rg2 60. Ng3) 60. Nxd6+ $18) 55. g7 {[%CAl Re6f6,Rf6f8]} f4 (55... Bf7 56. Kg2 Rh4 57. Nxf5 Rh5 58. Rf6 $18) 56. Kxf4 Rh2 57. Nf5 Rxa2 58. Rf6 Re2 59. Rf8+ (59. Rf8+ {After} Re8 60. Nxd6 $1 cxd6 61. c7+ Kxc7 62. Rxe8 a2 63. Re1 Bxd5 (63... Kb6 64. Ke3 Kb5 65. Kd3 Kb4 66. Kc2 Ka3 67. Re3+ $18) 64. Ke3 $18 {[%CAl Ye3b2] White frees his R and converts his passed pawn.}) 1-0 [Event "London Classic 4th"] [Site "London"] [Date "2012.12.07"] [Round "6"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Polgar, Judit"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A33"] [WhiteElo "2848"] [BlackElo "2705"] [Annotator "Stohl,I"] [PlyCount "105"] [EventDate "2012.12.01"] [EventType "tourn"] [EventRounds "9"] [EventCountry "ENG"] [EventCategory "21"] [SourceTitle "CBM 152"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2013.01.15"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2013.01.15"] [SourceQuality "1"] 1. c4 ({Kavalek in his notes indicated that the first one to use White's setup was Ljubojevic almost 40 years ago, albeit against a Sicilian:} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nb5 d6 6. c4 Nf6 7. N5c3 (7. N1c3 {is the usual move, but Ljubojevic wanted to avoid the standard} a6 8. Na3 {, as he didn't like the knight on the edge.} (8. Nd4 {allows} Be7 9. Be2 O-O 10. O-O d5 $1 11. exd5 exd5 12. cxd5 Nxd5 13. Nxc6 bxc6 14. Nxd5 cxd5 15. Be3 a5 16. Bf3 Ba6 17. Re1 Bb4 18. Bd2 Bc5 19. Bc3 d4 20. Bxa8 dxc3 $44 {Ehlvest,J (2589)-Bacrot,E (2649)/Dubai rpd/2002/})) 7... Be7 8. Be2 O-O 9. O-O b6 10. Bf4 Bb7 11. Nd2 ( 11. Re1 {is similar:} Ne5 12. Nd2 (12. Bf1 Ng6 13. Bg3 Qd7 14. Na3 Rfd8 15. Qd2 Ne8 16. Rad1 Bf6 17. Nab5 Qe7 18. Qe3 Bg5 19. f4 Bh6 20. Qf2 Qf6 21. f5 Ne5 22. Qd4 Ng4 23. Qxf6 gxf6 24. Rd3 Ne5 25. Rdd1 Ng4 26. Rd3 {1/2,Ljubojevic,L (2605) -Sokolov,A (2595)/Bugojno/1986/}) 12... Nfd7 13. Bf1 Bg5 14. Bxg5 Qxg5 15. Nf3 Qf6 $5 16. Nxe5 Nxe5 17. Qd2 (17. Qxd6 Rfd8 $44) 17... g5 18. Rad1 Rfd8 19. Qe3 Rd7 20. Rd2 Bc6 21. Red1 Rad8 22. f3 h5 23. Be2 h4 $11 {Ljubojevic,L (2590) -Kasparov,G (2630)/Tilburg/1981/}) {The most usual reaction is the immediate} 11... a6 (11... Ne5 12. Rc1 Rc8 13. a3 {leads to the position from our game, only there Black's bishop took 2 moves to get to e7 and Carlsen had the extra move Re1. After} a6 (13... Qc7 14. Re1 Qb8 15. b4 Qa8 16. Bf1 Rfd8 $13 { is a viable attempt to do without a6.}) 14. Re1 Rc7 15. Be3 Ned7 16. b4 Qa8 17. Na4 Rc6 18. Qb3 Bd8 19. f3 Rc8 20. Kh1 Bc7 21. Bf1 Kh8 22. Qb2 Rg8 23. Nb3 Bc6 24. Nc3 Bb7 25. Na4 Bc6 26. Nc3 Bb7 27. Red1 Qb8 28. Bg1 g5 $132 {Cheparinov,I (2572)-Karjakin,S (2599)/Wijk aan Zee/2005/ Here Black has a typical Hedgehog counterplay, see the notes to this game by Ribli in CBM 105.}) (11... Rc8 12. Re1 Rc7 13. Bf1 Rd7 {seems too artificial:} 14. a3 Qa8 15. Rc1 Ne5 16. Bg3 Ng6 17. Qe2 Rc8 18. f4 Rdd8 19. Kh1 h5 20. Nf3 Re8 21. h3 Ba6 22. b3 d5 23. e5 Ne4 24. Nxe4 dxe4 25. Nd2 h4 26. Bh2 Bb7 27. b4 a5 28. Rb1 axb4 29. axb4 Qa3 30. Nxe4 Bxe4 31. Qxe4 Bxb4 32. Re3 Qa5 33. f5 $1 $40 {Ljubojevic,L (2605) -Bronstein,L (2380)/Buenos Aires olm/1978/}) 12. a3 Nd4 13. Bd3 Nd7 14. Be3 ( 14. Re1 $5 Ne5 15. Bf1 Bg5 16. Be3 Bxe3 17. Rxe3 f5 18. exf5 Nxf5 19. Rh3 $13 { leads to an interesting position. Black has active piece play, but his central pawns are vulnerable and exchanges help his opponent. After} Qg5 (19... Qc7 $5) 20. Nde4 Bxe4 21. Nxe4 Qf4 22. Qe1 d5 $6 23. cxd5 exd5 24. Nc3 Rad8 25. Rd1 d4 26. Qe4 $14 {/+/-,Kavalek,L (2555)-Langeweg,K (2410)/Wijk aan Zee/1975/ White forces an advantageous endgame.}) 14... Bf6 15. Rc1 Ne5 16. Bb1 Nec6 17. Re1 Rb8 (17... Rc8 $5 $11 {seems more natural}) 18. b4 b5 19. Ba2 Ba8 20. Nd5 $5 exd5 21. cxd5 a5 (21... Ne7 22. Nf1 Ndf5 (22... Qb6 23. Ng3 {[%CAl Rg3h5]} g6 24. Rc3 $16) 23. exf5 Nxf5 $11) 22. dxc6 Nxc6 23. Qb3 axb4 24. axb4 Ne5 25. h3 Qe7 26. Qb1 {1/2,Ljubojevic,L (2565)-Karpov,A (2660)/Madrid/1973/} Rfe8 $132 { The final position resembles a Ruy Lopez.}) 1... c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6 (5... Qb6 {is less flexible:} 6. Nb3 e6 7. a3 $5 {[%csl Rb6] } (7. e4 Bb4 8. Bd3 Ne5 9. O-O Qd6 10. Bf4 Bxc3 11. bxc3 Qxd3 12. Bxe5 { 1-0 Le Quang,L (2647)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2658)/Moscow 2010/CBM 135/[Le Quang Liem] (60)} Qxd1 $5 13. Raxd1 (13. Rfxd1 Nxe4 14. Bxg7 Rg8 15. Bd4 b6 16. f3 Nd6 17. c5 Nf5 $11) 13... Nxe4 (13... b6 14. Rd4 $14) 14. Rfe1 Nf6 15. Nd4 Kf8 16. Nb5 $44 {White has compensation, but hardly an advantage after} Ne8) 7... d5 8. Be3 Qd8 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Nxd5 exd5 11. g3 a5 12. Bg2 a4 13. Nd4 Qa5+ 14. Qd2 Qxd2+ 15. Kxd2 Na5 $6 (15... Bc5 $5 $14) 16. Bxd5 Bh3 17. Rhd1 Rd8 18. Ba2 Bc5 19. Ke1 O-O 20. Rac1 b6 21. Nc2 Rb8 22. Bf4 Rb7 23. Ne3 Re8 24. Rc3 $16 { Stohl,I (2525)-Polgar,J (2540)/Amsterdam/1990/}) 6. a3 {Let's check the alternatives:} (6. g3 Qb6 {There have been new developments also after} 7. Nb3 (7. Ndb5 Bc5 (7... Ne5 8. Bf4 Nfg4 9. e3 (9. Qa4 g5 10. Bxe5 Qxf2+ $5 11. Kd1 Nxe5 12. Nc7+ Kd8 13. Nxa8 Qd4+ 14. Kc2 Nxc4 15. Kb3 Nd2+ 16. Kc2 Nc4 17. Kb3 Nd2+ 18. Kc2 {1/2, Carlsen,M (2776)-Dominguez Perez,L (2717)/Linares/2009/}) 9... a6 10. Qa4 $5 $146 {With this White wants to avoid the above line.} { The critical move is probably} Rb8 {when} (10... g5 11. Bxe5 Nxe5 12. O-O-O { Vachier was obviously striving for this position and got a big plus after} Be7 (12... Rb8 13. Nd4 Qc7 14. Be2 Be7 15. Kb1 (15. f4 $5) 15... Nc6 16. Rc1 Qe5 17. Rhd1 h5 18. Ka1 g4 19. Bf1 f5 20. Bg2 Kf7 21. h3 Bf6 22. Qc2 Ne7 23. Nce2 b5 $5 $13 {Aronian,L (2739)-Leko,P (2753)/Morelia/Linares/2008/ See the notes to this game by Marin in CBM 123. Here the actual move order was 9.Qa4 g5 10. Bxe5 Nxe5 11.0-0-0 a6 12.e3.}) 13. Be2 O-O 14. Nd4 Qb4 15. Qxb4 Bxb4 16. f4 gxf4 17. gxf4 Ng6 18. h4 b6 19. h5 Ne7 20. Ne4 d5 21. Rhg1+ Kh8 22. Nf6 Bc5 23. h6 Ng8 24. Nxg8 Rxg8 25. Rxg8+ Kxg8 26. Rg1+ $16 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2686) -Dominguez Perez,L (2725)/Istanbul ol/2012/}) 11. Be2 axb5 12. Nxb5 g5 13. Bxg5 f6 14. Bf4 h5 15. O-O $5 $44 {gives White good compensation.}) {White can probably fight for an edge only with} 8. Bg2 $5 (8. Nd6+ Ke7 9. Nde4 Nxe4 10. Nxe4 Bb4+ 11. Bd2 d5 12. cxd5 exd5 13. Nc3 Be6 14. Bg2 Rhd8 15. O-O d4 $5 ( 15... Kf8 16. Na4 Qa5 17. Bxb4+ Qxb4 18. Rc1 Qe7 19. Nc5 Rac8 20. Qa4 a6 21. Rfd1 $14 {Christiansen,L (2555)-Tolnai,T (2470)/WChT Luzern/1989/}) 16. Na4 Qa5 17. Bxb4+ Qxb4 18. a3 Qb5 19. b4 a5 20. Nc5 axb4 21. axb4 Rxa1 22. Qxa1 { Marin,M (2545)-Nisipeanu,L (2610)/Bucharest/1998/} Bd5 $11) (8. e3 $6 {This is too soft.} O-O 9. Bg2 a6 10. Na3 Bxa3 11. bxa3 Ne5 12. Na4 Qd8 13. Qb3 d5 14. cxd5 exd5 15. O-O b5 16. Nc5 Nc4 17. Qc3 (17. a4 $5) 17... Bf5 18. Qd4 Qe7 19. Nd3 Be4 20. f3 Bxd3 21. Qxd3 Rfe8 22. Re1 Rad8 $36 {[%csl Rc1,Gc4,Gf6,Rg2] Fressinet,L (2702)-Short,N (2707)/Bastia rpd/2012/}) 8... a6 9. Nd6+ Ke7 10. Nde4 Nxe4 11. Nxe4 Bb4+ 12. Kf1 d5 13. cxd5 Rd8 14. Be3 Qb5 15. Nc3 Bxc3 16. bxc3 exd5 17. Rb1 ({Marin suggests} 17. h4 $5 h5 18. Bf3 $14) 17... Qc4 18. Qd3 Qxd3 19. Bc5+ Kf6 20. exd3 b5 21. Ke2 {1/2,Marin,M (2551)-Gashimov,V (2664)/ Reggio Emilia/2008/}) 7... Ne5 8. e4 Bb4 9. Qe2 d6 10. Bd2 (10. f4 Nc6 11. Be3 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Qc7 13. Bg2 O-O 14. c5 (14. O-O b6 15. g4 Ba6 $13 {/=/+ is not without risk, in practice Black has mostly been able to cope with White's attack.}) 14... dxc5 15. Bxc5 Rd8 16. e5 Na5 17. Bd4 Nxb3 18. axb3 Rxd4 19. cxd4 Qc3+ 20. Kf2 Qxd4+ 21. Kf3 Qc3+ 22. Kf2 Qd4+ $11 {is a well-known draw.}) 10... a5 (10... O-O 11. O-O-O a5 12. f4 Nc6 $5 (12... a4 13. fxe5 axb3 14. a3 dxe5 15. axb4 Ra1+ 16. Nb1 Qa6 17. Qd3 {The untested} b5 $5 (17... Qa2 18. Bg2 Re8 19. Bc3 Re7 20. Kd2 $1 (20. Qd8+ Re8 21. Qd3 Re7 $11) 20... Rd7 21. Na3 Rxd1+ 22. Rxd1 $16 {[%csl Ra2] Gulko,B (2589)-Alekseev,E (2625)/Ruschess.com/ 2005/ White has good winning chances, as the Qa2 is completely offside. see the notes to this game by Ribli in CBM 109.}) 18. c5 Nxe4 $13 {seems worth a try.}) 13. Be3 Qa6 14. Nb5 a4 15. Nd2 (15. Nc7 axb3 $1 16. Nxa6 bxa2 17. Kc2 Rxa6 18. e5 dxe5 19. fxe5 Nxe5 20. Bg2 Neg4 21. Ra1 e5 22. Rxa2 Be6 {[%CAl Re6c4]} 23. Kb3 Ba5 24. Bc5 b5 25. Rxa5 Rxa5 26. Qd2 bxc4+ 27. Kb4 Rxc5 28. Kxc5 Rc8+ $44 {Pauwels,C (2541)-Korze,D (2474)/corr/2009/}) 15... a3 16. b3 e5 $5 17. Bg2 (17. Nc7 $2 Qa5 18. Nxa8 Bc5 $1 $19) ({Probably the critical move is } 17. f5 $5 Bc5 18. Bg5 $13) 17... Bg4 18. Bf3 Bxf3 19. Qxf3 Qa5 20. h4 $6 Rfe8 21. f5 h5 $1 22. Rhe1 Bc5 23. Re2 Bxe3 24. Rxe3 Nd4 25. Nxd4 exd4 26. Rd3 Qc5 $17 {Martin Rebollo,L (2106)-Baltasar Perez,A (2022)/corr/2008/}) 11. f4 Nc6 12. Be3 $5 (12. Na4 Bxd2+ 13. Qxd2 Qb4 $11) 12... Qc7 13. Bg2 a4 ({After} 13... Bxc3+ 14. bxc3 {Black is a tempo up, compared to 10.f4. However, the extra move a5 only makes his queenside more vulnerable.}) ({The same goes for} 13... O-O 14. O-O Bxc3 15. bxc3) 14. Nd2 Bxc3 15. bxc3 b6 (15... O-O 16. c5 d5 17. O-O Rd8 18. e5 Nd7 19. Qh5 Ra5 20. g4 f6 21. exf6 Nxf6 22. Qh4 d4 23. cxd4 Nxd4 24. Rad1 Qxc5 25. Kh1 $18 {[%CAl Rd2f3,Rd2e4] D'Costa,L (2411)-Edouard,R (2531) /Palma de Mallorca/2008/}) 16. Rb1 Nd7 17. Qf2 Rb8 18. O-O O-O 19. g4 Ba6 ( 19... f6 {is more circumspect}) 20. Qh4 Rfe8 21. Rf3 Nf8 22. Rh3 b5 $6 (22... Na5 $142 $5 {was consistent:} 23. e5 Nxc4 $13) 23. e5 $1 dxe5 24. Be4 h6 25. f5 $1 f6 26. Bxh6 $1 $40 {Morozevich,A (2748)-Leko,P (2732)/Tashkent/2012/ However, we have indicated Black's play can be improved, only further practice will decide the future of 10...a5.}) (6. Ndb5 d5 7. Bf4 e5 8. cxd5 exf4 9. dxc6 bxc6 10. Qxd8+ Kxd8 11. Rd1+ Bd7 12. Nd6 Kc7 $5 (12... Bxd6 13. Rxd6 Rb8 14. Rd2 Re8 15. g3 f3 16. Kd1 fxe2+ 17. Bxe2 Kc7 $11) 13. Nxf7 Rg8 14. Ne5 Rb8 15. Nxd7 Nxd7 16. g3 (16. Rd2 Bb4 17. g3 Ne5 18. Bh3 {allows Black to force a draw with} Bxc3 19. bxc3 Rb1+ 20. Rd1 Nd3+ $1 21. exd3 Re8+ 22. Kd2 Rb2+ 23. Kc1 Ree2 $11 {Blees,A (2380)-Hegeler,F (2245)/Krumbach/1991/}) 16... Rxb2 17. Bh3 Nf6 18. O-O Bb4 19. Rc1 Rd8 20. Bg2 Rdd2 21. gxf4 Rbc2 22. Ne4 Rxe2 23. Nxf6 gxf6 24. Rxc2 Rxc2 25. Be4 Rxa2 26. Rc1 c5 27. Bxh7 Rd2 $11 {Nakamura,H (2775) -Kramnik,V (2801)/Moscow/2012/ The ^- endgame is drawish, if anybody must tread with care, it's White.}) (6. e4 Bb4 7. Nxc6 bxc6 (7... dxc6 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. e5 Ne4 10. a3 $1 {/\} Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 Nxc3 12. a4 Ne4 13. Be3 b6 14. a5 $44 Rb8 15. axb6 axb6 16. Ra7 Rf8 17. Bd3 Nc5 18. Bxh7 Nd7 19. Bg5+ f6 20. exf6 gxf6 21. Bf4 Rb7 22. Rxb7 Bxb7 23. Bd6 Rh8 24. Be4 f5 25. Bd3 Rh4 26. f4 Nf6 27. O-O $14 {/+/-,Kosten,A (2534)-Don Juan/playchess.com/2007/}) 8. Bd3 e5 ( 8... d5 9. exd5 exd5 10. cxd5 Qe7+ 11. Qe2 Qxe2+ 12. Kxe2 Bxc3 13. bxc3 Nxd5 14. Bd2 (14. c4 $5) 14... O-O 15. c4 Re8+ 16. Kf3 Ba6 $132 {1/2,Stohl,I (2560) -Lautier,J (2580)/Chalkidiki/1992/}) 9. O-O O-O 10. Be3 (10. Bg5 h6 11. Bh4 Bc5 12. a3 a5 13. Qd2 d6 14. Kh1 Be6 15. f4 exf4 16. Rxf4 g5 17. Raf1 Bd4 18. R4f3 Ng4 19. Bg3 Ne5 20. Bxe5 Bxe5 21. R3f2 Qb6 $17 {Christiansen,L (2595)-Ribli,Z (2595)/Bundesliga/1992/}) ({Maybe White should prefer the modest} 10. Bd2 { , but here Black can hardly have problems after} Be7 $11 ({or} 10... d6 $5)) 10... d6 (10... Bxc3 $5 11. bxc3 d6 $11 {was Kasparov's laconic recommendation. However, even his own move was not that bad.}) 11. Na4 $1 d5 12. exd5 cxd5 13. a3 Be7 14. cxd5 Nxd5 15. Bc5 Nf6 (15... Bxc5 $5 16. Nxc5 Nf4 $132) 16. Re1 Bxc5 17. Nxc5 Qb6 18. Qc2 Re8 19. h3 a5 20. Rac1 Rb8 21. Re2 h6 22. Bc4 Re7 23. Rd2 e4 $14 {/<=>,Kramnik,V (2710)-Kasparov,G (2805)/New York rpd/1994/ Black lost the game only after further mistakes.}) 6... Bc5 (6... Qb6 7. Nb3 $14 {- 5... Qb6}) ({However, an equivalent alternative is} 6... Be7 $5 7. e4 O-O 8. Nf3 (8. Be2 d5 $11 {was sufficient for equality even in an inferior version from the note to move 1 - here it easily solves Black's problems.}) (8. Nc2 b6 $11 9. Be2 Bb7 10. O-O Qc7 11. Ne3 a6 12. f4 d6 13. b4 b5 $5 14. cxb5 axb5 15. Bb2 Qb6 16. Qd3 Nd4 17. Bd1 e5 18. Kh1 Rac8 $132 {Agdestein,S (2571)-Carlsen,M (2528)/ Sandnes/2005/}) 8... Qc7 (8... b6 9. Bf4 {prevents the queen from going to c7, but even here} Bb7 10. Be2 d6 11. O-O Rc8 {leads only to a playable Hedgehog from our game (mentioned also in the note to move 1).}) 9. Be2 b6 10. O-O Bb7 11. Bg5 Rad8 {is less forcing:} (11... Ne5 12. Nxe5 (12. Bh4 {Xiu,D (2508) -Edouard,R (2634)/Moscow/2011/} Ng6 $5 13. Bg3 Nf4 14. Nb5 Nxe2+ 15. Qxe2 Qc6 { [%csl Gb7,Ge7] is fine for Black.}) 12... Qxe5 13. Bh4 Bxe4 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Nxe4 Qxe4 16. Bf3 Qxc4 17. Rc1 Qd4 18. Bxa8 Rxa8 19. Rc7 a5 20. Rxd7 Qxb2 21. Qd6 h6 22. Rd1 b5 23. g3 b4 $11 {Van Wely,L (2688)-Dominguez Perez,L (2734)/ ECC Eilat 2012/}) 12. Re1 h6 13. Bh4 d6 14. Bf1 Ne5 15. Nd4 Qb8 16. Bg3 Qa8 17. Qe2 Rc8 18. b3 a6 19. Rac1 Rfe8 20. h3 Ned7 $11 {Kovalyov,A (2593)-Akopian,V (2703)/St Petersburg/2012/}) 7. Nb3 Be7 8. e4 O-O 9. Be2 b6 10. O-O Bb7 ({ Here Black has also} 10... Ba6 $5 {[%csl Rc4] , targetting c4.} 11. f4 (11. Bf4 d6 12. Re1 Ne5 13. Nd2 Rc8 $132) 11... d6 12. Be3 Rc8 13. Rc1 {again allows} ( 13. Bd3 Nd7 $5 14. Rc1 (14. Nd2 Bf6 $132) 14... Nc5 15. Nxc5 bxc5 16. Rf2 Qa5 ( 16... Bb7 $11) (16... Bf6 $5 {/\} 17. e5 dxe5 18. Bxc5 Be7 $13) 17. Bd2 Qc7 18. Qa4 Qa5 19. b4 $5 Qxa4 20. Nxa4 Nd4 21. Be3 Bf6 $2 (21... Rfd8 $11) (21... f5 $5 $132) 22. e5 dxe5 23. Nxc5 {Stohl,I (2580)-Fancsy,I (2345)/HUN-chT/1998/}) ( 13. Kh1 Nb8 14. Nd2 d5 15. cxd5 exd5 16. e5 d4 17. Bxd4 Qxd4 18. exf6 Bxf6 19. Bxa6 Nxa6 20. Nde4 Nc5 21. Nxf6+ {1/2,Stohl,I (2525)-Horvath,J (2540)/Stary Smokovec/1990/}) 13... Nb8 ({Black can also keep more tension on the board with } 13... Re8 14. Bf2 Bb7 15. Nd2 Bf8 16. b4 Ne7 17. Bf3 Ng6 18. g3 h6 19. Re1 Qc7 20. Qe2 Qb8 21. Nf1 Bc6 22. Ne3 a6 23. Nc2 Ba8 $11 {Khairullin,I (2631) -Jakovenko,D (2736)/Tyumen/2012/}) 14. Nd2 d5 $5 15. cxd5 exd5 16. Bxa6 Nxa6 17. Nxd5 Nxd5 18. Rxc8 Qxc8 19. exd5 Rd8 20. Qc1 Nc7 21. d6 {1/2,Papaioannou,I (2600)-Vajda,L (2584)/EU-chT Porto Carras/2011/}) 11. Bf4 {Simple development à la Ljubojevic.} (11. Be3 d6 12. f4 Rc8 13. Bf3 Qc7 (13... Nb8 $143 14. Nd2 Nbd7 15. Qe2 Qc7 16. Rac1 Qb8 17. g4 $1 Ne8 18. g5 Nc7 19. Qg2 Rfe8 20. h4 Bf8 21. h5 g6 22. Rce1 Ba8 23. Qh3 b5 24. Re2 Re7 25. f5 $1 $40 {Stohl,I (2525) -Benjamin,J (2560)/Novi Sad olm/1990/ Black played too passively and White whipped up a strong attack.}) 14. Rc1 Qb8 15. Qe2 Rfe8 16. Rfd1 (16. g4 { is double-edged, as the knight has a comfortable retreat} Nd7 $1 $13) (16. Bf2 Bf8 17. Nd2 {0 Milov,V (2635)-Vettel,M (2205)/Baden/1998/ is similar to what Carlsen played later in the game.}) 16... Bf8 17. Kh1 Ne7 18. Nd2 Ba6 19. b4 Ng6 20. g3 Rc7 21. a4 Rec8 22. Na2 d5 $1 23. e5 Ne4 24. b5 Bb7 $11 {Jakovenko, D (2718)-Bocharov,D (2595)/RUS-chT Olginka/2011/ The typical central break once again gave Black good counterplay.}) (11. f4 d6 {usually only transposes.} ) 11... d6 12. Rc1 Rc8 13. Re1 Ne5 14. Nd2 {[%mdl 32] The extra tempo in comparison with Cheparinov-Karjakin is fine, but it still doesn't change the evaluation - Black is doing reasonably well here. More important for Carlsen is the fact that against an excellent tactician he has achieved a complex position full of various predominantly strategic options and motifs. This allows him to fight for an advantage in the middlegame - something he obviously enjoys much more than preparing computer novelties in irrational lines.} Nfd7 15. Be3 $146 {The first novelty, Carlsen starts the manoeuvring struggle by retreating the bishop to a square, where it could have been since move 11. From here it attacks both flanks and has more perspectives than after} (15. b4 Kh8 16. Bg3 g5 $5 17. Nb3 a6 18. Bf1 Rg8 19. Na4 Bc6 20. Nd4 (20. b5 axb5 21. cxb5 Bb7 $13) 20... Bb7 21. Nb3 Bc6 22. Nd4 Bb7 23. Nb3 {1/2,Van Wely, L (2692)-Gashimov,V (2761)/Wijk aan Zee/2012/}) 15... Qc7 16. b4 Qb8 ({Even here} 16... g5 {deserved attention, but Polgar doesn't want to commit herself yet...}) 17. f4 {And she doesn't get another chance.} Ng6 18. g3 {[%CAl Yh2h4, Yh4h5] White first fortifies his territorial gains.} Rfe8 19. Bf3 Qa8 20. Bf2 Ngf8 21. Qe2 Qb8 22. Red1 g6 $2 {Black's lack of space doesn't matter that much, as long as she has no weaknesses - and the text-move creates a serious one.} (22... a6 {/\Rc7, Rec8 is plausible, Black can proceed to double on the c-file as in Jakovenko-Bocharov above.}) ({Other waiting moves are} 22... Red8 {or}) (22... Ba8) ({If Black wanted to create a luft, Kavalek indicates the stronger} 22... h6 $5) 23. e5 $1 $36 {[%csl Ge5] This pawn will be a thorn in Black's flesh, moreover with the last move he denied his knight the g6-square, from which it could be effectively attacked.} Bc6 (23... Bxf3 24. Nxf3 {or}) ( 23... dxe5 24. fxe5 {are similar.}) 24. Bd4 Red8 25. Bxc6 Rxc6 26. Nf3 (26. exd6 Qxd6 27. Nf3 {/\Ne4 is tempting, but Magnus wants this as an option, preferring to retain the cramping Pe5.}) 26... dxe5 (26... Rdc8 $2 {already runs into} 27. exd6 Bxd6 28. Ne4 Be7 29. Ne5 Nxe5 (29... R6c7 30. Ng4 $18) 30. Bxe5 Qb7 31. b5 $16 {/+- , winning an exchange.}) 27. fxe5 (27. Nxe5 Nxe5 28. Bxe5 Rxd1+ 29. Rxd1 Qb7 30. Ne4 Nd7 $14 {gives Black better defensive chances.} ) 27... Rdc8 {The counterattack fails due to Black's lack of space and weak kingside.} ({After} 27... a5 28. Ne4 axb4 29. axb4 Bxb4 {Kavalek points out the powerful} 30. Qe3 {[%CAl Re3h6]} Kg7 31. Qf4 h6 32. Be3 $18 {/\} g5 33. Nfxg5 $1 hxg5 34. Qxg5+ Ng6 35. Rxd7 $1 Rxd7 36. Qh6+ Kg8 37. Nf6#) ({This is why the computer recommends} 27... h6 {, or even}) (27... g5 $5 {as more resilient. However, I can't believe that in the long run Black can get away with such weaknesses.}) 28. Ne4 {[%csl Rf6,Rg7,Rg8][%mdl 128] White has a promising attacking position, Carlsen will meke the most of his chances.} Qc7 29. Nfd2 {[%CAl Rb4b5]} a6 (29... Nxe5 30. b5 Rc5 31. Nb3 $5 $16 (31. Nxc5 $16) 31... Rxc4 $2 32. Bxe5) 30. Nf2 {[%CAl Yf2g4]} Bg5 {This active move doesn't help, as without the bishop Black can't defend the gaping holes on the dark-squares.} ({More resilient was} 30... f5 $5 31. exf6 Bxf6 {although White is distinctly better after} 32. Bxf6 Nxf6 33. Nde4 $16) 31. Rf1 $1 {[%csl Rf7] [%CAl Gf1f7,Yf2e4] >.} 9. Re1 (9. Qb3 Qc8 10. Be3 b6 (10... Ng4) 11. Nbd2 Ng4 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bxe7 Nxe7 {1/2-1/2 I.Botvinnik-Dydyshko, Minsk 1988}) 9... Qd7 10. Nbd2 Nh5 $5 {deserves attention.} (10... Rae8 {doesn't seem to be urgent here.} 11. a4 d5 (11... a5 12. Qb3 b6 13. Nc4 $14 {with some pressure on the light squares.}) (11... Nh5 $5 12. Nc4 Nf4 13. b4 $14) 12. b4 Bd6 13. b5 Nd8 14. c4 Nf7 15. Bb2 $14 {I.Almasi-Golod, Internet 2000})) (8. Nbd2 Qd7 (8... Nd7 9. d4 Bxb3 10. Qxb3 {This reminds me to the 9...Be6 Ruy Lopez C92.} Qc8 11. Nc4 Bf6 12. Be3 Re8 13. Ncd2 (13. d5 Ne7 14. a4 $14) 13... Nf8 (13... Ne7 $5 {/\ Ng6 improving the bad N's position.}) 14. h3 a6 15. Rfc1 Qd7 16. d5 Ne7 17. c4 $14 {with good prospects on the <<, Gipslis-Radulov, Albena 1983.}) (8... Bxb3 9. Qxb3 $142 (9. axb3 {allows the freeing move} d5 10. Qc2 Re8 11. exd5 Qxd5 12. Nc4 Rad8 $13 {Kim-Kharitonov, St Petersburg 1997}) 9... Rb8 (9... Qc8 10. Re1 Re8 11. Nf1 (11. Nc4 $5) (11. d4 $5) 11... Bf8 12. Ng3 Nd8 13. d4 {White gets the upper hand in the [+].} g6 14. Be3 $16 {Smagin-Averbakh, Moscow 1982}) 10. Re1 Nd7 11. Nc4 (11. Qc2 Bf6 12. Nf1 g6 (12... Nb6 {/\ d5}) 13. Bh6 Bg7 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. d4 $14 {and again White comes first in the [+], Kengis-Klovans, Riga 1981.}) (11. Nf1 {is a bit passive.} Nc5 $1 12. Qc2 d5 {This central push solves Black's problems at once.} 13. Ne3 dxe4 14. dxe4 Qd3 $11 { Dolmatov-Klovans, Moscow 1981}) 11... h6 12. d4 Bf6 13. Be3 exd4 {giving up the [+] is not a good strategy.} (13... Nb6 $5) 14. cxd4 Nb6 15. d5 $16 (15. Ncd2 {again allows the freeing move} d5 $1 16. e5 Be7 17. a3 Qd7 $13 { Dolmatov-Agdestein, Tilburg 1993})) 9. Re1 {- 8.Re1}) (8. Re1 Qd7 (8... Bxb3 9. Qxb3 Na5 (9... Rb8 10. Nbd2 (10. a4 {against b5?} Re8 11. Nbd2 Bf8 12. Nf1 d5 { Here this push is not so effective because of} (12... h6 13. Ne3) 13. Bg5 dxe4 14. dxe4 h6 15. Rad1 $14 {Minasian-Klovans, Podolsk 1990})) 10. Qd1 c5 (10... Re8 {is not consistant.} 11. Nbd2 Bf8 12. Nf1 a6 {is highly useless.} 13. Ng3 g6 14. d4 c6 15. h3 $14 {with an excellent Ruy Lopez type of position for White, Kornev-Kholmov, Tula 2002.}) 11. b4 (11. d4 {is met by the counterblow in the [+] :} exd4 12. cxd4 d5 13. e5 Ne4 14. Nc3 Nc6 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. Rxe4 Qd5 $10) 11... Nc6 (11... cxb4 $5 12. cxb4 Nc6 13. a3 a6 14. Bb2 $14) 12. b5 $14 {Dolmatov-Vasiukov, Moscow 1981}) (8... a6 9. Nbd2 (9. h3 $6 {is not important here.} Qd7 10. Nbd2 Rad8 11. d4 (11. Nc4) 11... Bxb3 (11... exd4 12. cxd4 d5 13. e5 {is a favourable change in the central structure for White.}) 12. Qxb3 Na5 13. Qc2 Nc6 14. d5 Nb8 15. c4 {and here the light-squared B is missing for Black.} c6 16. Nf1 $14 {Psakhis-Geller, Riga 1985}) 9... Qd7 10. Nc4 Rad8 11. Ne3 $14) (8... Nd7 9. d4 Bg4 10. Be3 Bf6 {(Atlas-Dydyshko, Minsk 1987)} 11. d5 $14 {and Black cannot execute easily the freeing move c7-c6.}) 9. Nbd2 (9. Ba4 $5 {provoking some "weakening moves" as in the Ruy Lopez} a6 10. Nbd2 b5 11. Bc2 Bg4 12. Nf1 Rfe8 13. h3 Bh5 14. Ng3 Bg6 15. d4 $14 { Ehlvest-Fridman, Liepaja 2001}) 9... Rfe8 (9... Rae8 {/\ Bd8, Ne7-g6, but this looks a bit sophysticated.} 10. Ba4 (10. h3 Bxb3 11. Qxb3 Na5 12. Qd1 Nc6 { /\ d5} 13. Qb3 {1/2-1/2 Kudrin-Christiansen, Needham 2000}) (10. Nf1 a6 (10... Bd8 $5) 11. Ng3 Bd8 12. Bc2 Qc8 (12... h6 13. d4 $14) 13. d4 Bg4 14. Be3 d5 15. h3 exd4 16. cxd4 dxe4 17. hxg4 exf3 18. Bf5 {White's ^^ becomes dangerous in the opened position.} Nd7 19. g5 $14 {Nunn-Geller, London 1982}) 10... a6 11. d4 exd4 12. Nxd4 $14 {Yudasin} (12. cxd4 {allows the counterplay in the [+].} b5 13. Bc2 Bg4 14. h3 Bh5 15. Nb3 d5 $13 {Yudasin-Murey, Moscow 1991})) (9... Rad8 10. Ba4 a6 11. d4 b5 12. Bc2 Bg4 13. h3 Bh5 14. d5 Na5 $142 (14... Nb8 15. Nf1 c6 16. dxc6 Nxc6 17. Ng3 $14 {and the B is outplaced, Jakubiec-Balashov, Wisla 1992.})) (9... a6 $5 {Yudasin} 10. Nf1 $14) 10. Ba4 a6 11. d4 b5 12. Bc2 Bg4 13. h3 Bh5 14. d5 Na5 15. a4 {The position is a bit similar to the 9.d4 Ruy Lopez.} c6 16. b4 Nc4 17. Nxc4 bxc4 18. dxc6 Qxc6 19. Bg5 $14 (19. a5 Red8 20. g4 Bg6 21. Bg5 h6 22. Bxf6 Bxf6 23. Ba4 $2 Qb7 $15 {Nevednichy-Schuh, Manila 1992}) 19... h6 20. Bxf6 Bxf6 21. a5 Red8 22. Qe2 $14) 8... d5 {Black grabs the |^ in the [+].} (8... Nd7 9. d4 exd4 10. Nxd4 (10. cxd4 d5 $13) 10... Nxd4 11. cxd4 Nb6 12. Nc3 c5 (12... d5 13. e5 $14) 13. d5 Bc8 14. f4 Bf6 15. e5 $5 $14 {Totsky-Golod, Moscow 1991}) 9. Nbd2 dxe4 (9... Re8 10. Re1 Bf8 11. h3 h6 12. Ba4 dxe4 13. dxe4 Nd7 $1 {/\ Nc5, >< d3.} 14. Nf1 Qf6 $5 {/\ Rad8, Nc5} (14... Na5 15. Ne3 c6 16. Bc2 Nc4 17. Ng4 $13 {Lutikov-Tuzovsky, Frunze 1973})) 10. dxe4 Nd7 (10... a5 {is not the most important here.} 11. Qe2 Nd7 12. Rd1 f6 13. Nf1 Bc5 (13... Qe8 $5) 14. Be3 Bd6 {Black's plan clearly failed.} (14... Bxe3 15. Nxe3 $14) 15. Nh4 Ne7 16. Ng3 $14 {Gorelov-Kalinski, Saratov 1981}) 11. Qe2 Qe8 (11... Nb6 {against Nc4 was possible.}) 12. Nc4 {/\ Ne3-d5} f6 13. Ne3 Qf7 14. Rd1 Rfd8 15. Nd5 Rac8 {looks a bit passive.} (15... Nb6 $142 $5 16. Nxe7+ (16. c4 Bc5) 16... Nxe7 {and White's ^^ gives him a very small edge}) 16. Be3 Bf8 (16... Bc5 $2 {is punished by the simple double -> after} 17. Bxc5 Nxc5 18. Qb5 b6 19. b4 a6 20. Qxc6 Rd6 21. Nxf6+ $18 {and the Q comes out of the trap, Malakhov-Carlsen, Khanty Mansyisk 2005.}) 17. Rd2 a6 $6 {There is no time for this move.} (17... Ne7 {improving the bad N's position was required.} 18. Nxe7+ Bxe7 19. Rad1 $14) 18. Rad1 Ncb8 {This looks rather awkward.} 19. h3 (19. Nh4 $5 {looked crisper.}) 19... Re8 {White has the control over the d <->. } 20. b3 {/\ c4 with further advance on the <<.} c6 21. Nb6 $2 {This exchange helps for the party lacking space.} (21. Nb4 a5 22. Nd3 Na6 $14) 21... Nxb6 22. Bxb6 c5 $1 {and the b6 B is suddenly out of place.} 23. c4 (23. Bd3 Rc6 24. Ba7 Nd7 25. Bc4 $1 Rc7 $17) 23... Nc6 {The N comes back to the [+] with a great effect.} 24. Qe3 Nd4 {Black controls now the [+].} 25. Bd3 Qh5 26. Be2 Qf7 27. Ne1 Rc6 28. Ba5 b5 $17 29. cxb5 axb5 30. Bc3 Ra8 31. Nd3 Rca6 32. Nc1 Nxe2+ $6 {This exchange cannot be praized from strategical point of view. However Black can simply do what he wants.} (32... Qg6 $5) 33. Qxe2 c4 $1 34. b4 (34. bxc4 Bxc4 35. Qe3 Ra3 $17) 34... Ra3 $1 35. Rc2 h6 36. Kh2 Kh7 37. Qd2 Qh5 38. f3 Be7 39. Ne2 Qg5 40. f4 $2 {This founders on a tactical blow.} (40. Qxg5 hxg5 41. Rdd2 R3a4 42. Rb2 Rd8 43. Rxd8 Bxd8 44. Bd2 Be7 $17) 40... exf4 41. Nxf4 { [#]} Rxc3 $1 $19 {and White's position collapses.} 42. Rxc3 Bxb4 43. Nxe6 Qe5+ 44. Kh1 Qxe6 45. Rb1 Bxc3 46. Qxc3 Qxe4 47. Rb2 Rd8 48. Kh2 Rd3 49. Qc2 c3 0-1 [Event "London Classic 2nd"] [Site "London"] [Date "2010.12.14"] [Round "6"] [White "Kramnik, Vladimir"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D02"] [WhiteElo "2791"] [BlackElo "2802"] [Annotator "Krasenkow,M"] [PlyCount "171"] [EventDate "2010.12.06"] [EventType "tourn"] [EventRounds "7"] [EventCountry "ENG"] [EventCategory "19"] [SourceTitle "CBM 140"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2011.01.18"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2011.01.18"] [SourceQuality "1"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nf3 Bg4 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bf4 {Quite a harmless continuation.} (5. cxd5 exd5 6. Qb3 $1 {is more aggressive.}) 5... Bd6 (5... Bb4 {is more in the spirit of the Chigorin Defence - see e.g. Graf-Rabiega in CBM 129 (annotations by GM R.Dautov)}) (5... Nf6) (5... Bxf3) (5... dxc4 {have been seen in grandmaster practice, too.}) 6. Bg3 (6. Bxd6 Qxd6 7. cxd5 exd5 8. e3 Nf6 9. Be2 O-O 10. O-O Bxf3 11. Bxf3 Ne7 12. Qc2 c6 13. g3 g6 14. Bg2 h5 15. Na4 b6 16. b3 Rac8 17. Rac1 h4 $132 {1/2 Abramovic,B (2516)-Miladinovic,I (2605)/Herceg Novi 2007/CBM 120 ext (40)}) 6... Nf6 (6... Bxg3 7. hxg3 Nf6 8. e3 Qe7 9. Qb3 Qb4 10. Qxb4 Nxb4 11. Rc1 Bxf3 12. gxf3 O-O-O 13. c5 e5 14. dxe5 Nd7 15. a3 Nc6 16. Bh3 Ncxe5 17. Ke2 $14 {1/2 Janowski,D-Taubenhaus,J/Paris 1905/HCL (49)}) (6... Nge7 7. e3 a6 8. Rc1 Qd7 9. a3 Rd8 10. Bd3 Bxg3 11. hxg3 e5 12. cxd5 Nxd5 13. Be4 Nf6 14. Bxc6 Qxc6 15. Ne2 Qe4 16. Nxe5 Qxg2 17. Rf1 Bxe2 18. Qxe2 c6 19. Qf3 Qxf3 20. Nxf3 Ke7 {1/2 Baumbach,F (2315)-Marszalek,R (2310)/Warsaw 1988/EXT 1997}) (6... Bxf3 7. gxf3 dxc4 8. e3 Nge7 9. Bxc4 O-O 10. Qc2 Nb4 11. Qb3 Nec6 12. Be2 Qd7 13. Rc1 Na5 14. Qd1 f5 15. Bxd6 Qxd6 16. a3 Nd5 17. Nxd5 exd5 18. Qc2 Qe6 $11 {1/2 Ftacnik,L (2559)-Markos,J (2571)/ Prievidza 2009/CBM 130 (33)}) 7. e3 O-O 8. a3 (8. cxd5 Nxd5 $5 (8... exd5 9. Bh4 Be7 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Qxf3 $14 Ne4 $2 12. Bxe7 Qxe7 13. Nxd5 Qd6 14. Bd3 f5 15. Nc3 $16 {1-0 Sokolov,I (2663)-Mann,C (2455)/Germany 2005/CBM 107 (23)}) 9. Be2 Nce7 10. O-O Nxc3 11. bxc3 c5 12. Qa4 Nd5 13. Rac1 Bxg3 14. hxg3 Qc7 15. Bd3 Bxf3 16. gxf3 Nxe3 17. fxe3 Qxg3+ 18. Kh1 Qh3+ {1/2 Shchekachev,A (2539) -Bosiocic,M (2571)/Sibenik 2009/EXT 2010}) 8... Ne7 $146 {A second-rate novelty.} (8... Ne4 9. Rc1 f5 10. cxd5 Nxc3 11. Rxc3 exd5 12. Qb3 Bxf3 13. Bxd6 Qxd6 14. gxf3 Rae8 15. Kd2 Nd8 16. f4 c6 17. Kc1 Qe7 18. h4 Nf7 {1/2 Legemaat, G (2390)-De Waard,J (2380)/ICCF Email Master Norm 0/ICCF CBM 120}) 9. Qb3 b6 10. Ne5 c5 $5 {White is behind in development (Bf1, Rh1) so Black opens up the position, however, rather unsuccessfully.} 11. Nxg4 Nxg4 12. Rd1 $1 Bxg3 13. hxg3 Nf6 14. cxd5 exd5 15. Be2 Qd6 16. Qc2 h6 17. O-O $14 {A position with potential "hanging pawns" on c5 and d5 has arisen. Since two pairs of pieces have been exchanged, it is rather favorable for the opponent, i.e. White.} c4 { And this structure is not so good either as White undermines it at once.} 18. b3 $1 Qxa3 (18... cxb3 19. Qxb3 $14 {[%csl Rd5]}) 19. bxc4 dxc4 $6 (19... Qd6 $142 20. Ra1 $36 {[%CAl Yf1b1]}) 20. Bf3 $1 Rab8 21. Ra1 Qd6 22. Nb5 Qd7 23. Qxc4 a5 24. e4 $16 {[%csl Gd4,Ge4] Black's queenside pawns are blocked, and White's central pawns are mobile and strong.} Rfc8 25. Qe2 Rc6 26. Rab1 Rd8 27. Rfd1 Rdc8 28. d5 Rc2 29. Qe3 R2c5 30. Nd4 Re8 (30... b5 $2 31. Nc6) 31. Qd3 Qd6 32. Qa6 Rb8 33. Nb3 Rc2 34. Nd4 Rc5 35. Nb3 Rc2 36. Qd3 $5 {White continues manoeuvring in order to exhaust his opponent.} (36. Nxa5 {was possible, too:} Qc5 37. Rf1 Ra2 {, and now the simplest course is} 38. Nb3 $1 Qxf2+ 39. Rxf2 Rxa6 40. Nd4 $16) 36... Rcc8 37. Nd2 Ng6 38. Be2 $1 {[%CAl Yf2f4]} Qc5 39. Rb5 Qc3 40. f4 a4 41. e5 Nd7 42. Qxc3 Rxc3 43. Ne4 {[%csl Gd5,Ge4,Ge5]} Rc7 44. Ra1 Ra7 45. d6 Ngf8 46. Nc3 Nc5 47. Nd5 Ra5 48. Rxb6 Rxb6 49. Nxb6 $18 {[%mdl 4096] } Nfe6 50. Bc4 Kf8 51. f5 Nd8 52. Rf1 Ncb7 53. Re1 a3 54. e6 {Just grabbing a piece, although it is not so easy to convert it.} (54. d7 $6 a2 55. Bxa2 Rxa2 56. e6 Nc6 57. e7+ Nxe7 58. Nc8 Rd2 59. Rxe7 f6 {leads to a curious positional draw}) (54. Ba2 $1 {(A.Korotylev) was the simplest way to get a decisive advantage.}) 54... fxe6 55. fxe6 Nxd6 56. e7+ Ke8 57. exd8=R+ Kxd8 58. Rd1 Kc7 59. Ba2 Rg5 60. Nd5+ Kc6 61. Nc3 Rc5 $5 {A curious psychological decision. Black offers White the chance to further simplify the game. White gladly accepts the offer and then fails to overcome unexpected technical problems!} 62. Rxd6+ ({White should, of course, win after} 62. Rd3 Ra5 63. Kf2 {etc. but why not "shorten the journey"?}) 62... Kxd6 63. Ne4+ Kc6 64. Nxc5 Kxc5 65. Kf2 Kd4 66. Kf3 Kd3 67. g4 Kd2 (67... g5 68. Bf7 Kd4 69. Ke2 Ke4 70. g3 Kd4 71. Kd2 Ke4 72. Kc3 Kf3 73. Bh5 $18) 68. Be6 Kd3 (68... Ke1 $144 69. Bc4 Kd2 70. g5) 69. Kg3 $4 {A strange move, after which, apparently, White can't win anymore!} (69. g5 $1 hxg5 (69... Kd4 70. Kf4 $18) (69... Kd2 70. g6 $18) 70. Kg4 Ke3 71. g3 $1 {indicated by GM A.Khalifman} ({but not} 71. Kxg5 Kf2 72. g4 Kg3 73. Bd5 Kh3 74. Kf5 g6+ $1 {- with his pawn on g4 and Black's on g6 White can't win, e. g.} 75. Kf4 (75. Kg5 Kg3 76. Be6 Kf3 $1) 75... Kh4 76. g5 Kh5 $1 {not allowing the white king to f6}) 71... Ke4 (71... Kf2 72. Bd5 Ke3 73. Kxg5 Kf2 74. Kf4 $1 Ke2 75. g4 $18) 72. Kxg5 Kf3 73. Kh4 $1 {White manages to keep his pawn on g3 and wins, e.g.} Kf2 74. Kg4 Ke3 (74... Kg2 75. Kf4 Kh2 76. g4 Kh3 77. g5+ Kh4 78. Kf5 Kh5 79. Ba2 Kh4 80. Bb3 Kh5 81. Be6 Kh4 82. Kg6 $22 $18) 75. Bf7 Ke4 76. Ba2 Ke3 77. Bb1 $22 g6 (77... Kf2 78. Kf4 {[%CAl Yg3g4]} Kg2 79. g4 Kh3 80. g5 Kh4 81. Kf5 Kh5 82. Ba2 Kh4 83. Bb3 Kh5 84. Be6 $18) 78. Ba2 Ke4 79. Bb3 $1 Ke3 80. Bf7 $22 Kf2 (80... Kd4 81. Kf4) 81. Kf4 Kg2 82. Be6 $1 (82. g4 $4 Kh3 $11) 82... Kh2 (82... Kf2 83. g4) 83. Kf3 Kh1 (83... g5 84. Ba2 Kh3 85. Bd5 Kh2 86. Kg4 $18) 84. g4 Kh2 85. g5 $18 {[%CAl Yf3f4,Yf4e5,Ye5f6] - the white pawn can only move forward if this king manoeuvre is guaranteed or if the black pawn can't move to g6. It is far from easy to find all this over the board!}) 69... Ke3 70. Kh4 $2 (70. g5 {was the last chance but Black can probably survive in a study-like manner:} Ke4 (70... Ke2 71. Ba2 Kf1 $2 72. g6) (70... hxg5 $2 71. Kg4 {- see the above annotation}) 71. Kg4 Ke3 72. Ba2 $5 (72. Bf7 Ke4 73. Ba2 Ke3 74. Bb1 Kf2 75. g3 Ke3 76. g6 h5+ $1 {doesn't change much}) 72... Ke4 73. g3 (73. Bb1+ Ke3 74. g6 Kf2 $1 75. Kf5 Kxg2 76. Ke6 h5 $11) 73... Ke3 $1 (73... Ke5 74. Bb1 Kd4 75. Kf5 hxg5 76. Kxg5 Ke3 77. Kg4 $1 {etc. - see above}) 74. Bb1 Kf2 $1 75. g6 (75. Kf4 h5 $1 76. Ba2 Kg2 77. Bd5+ Kh3 78. Kf3 Kh2 79. g4 h4 $1 80. Kf2 Kh3 81. Be6 g6 82. Kf3 Kh2 $11) 75... h5+ $1 76. Kxh5 Ke3 $3 77. Kg5 Kd4 78. Kf5 Kd5 $11 {[%CAl Yd5d6,Yd6e7,Ye7f8] - Black reaches a well-known theoretical fortress.}) 70... Kf2 71. Bd5 g6 72. Kh3 g5 $1 {This move is now timely. The white king can't come out, and the position is drawn.} 73. Kh2 Kf1 74. Be6 Kf2 75. Bc4 Ke3 76. Kg3 Kd4 77. Be6 Ke3 78. Kh2 Kf2 79. Bc4 Ke3 80. Kg1 Kf4 81. Be6 Ke5 82. Bb3 Kf4 83. Be6 Ke5 84. Bb3 Kf4 85. Be6 Ke5 86. Bb3 1/2-1/2 [Event "London Classic 2nd"] [Site "London"] [Date "2010.12.12"] [Round "5"] [White "Howell, David"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B81"] [WhiteElo "2611"] [BlackElo "2802"] [Annotator "Ftacnik,L"] [PlyCount "110"] [EventDate "2010.12.06"] [EventType "tourn"] [EventRounds "7"] [EventCountry "ENG"] [EventCategory "19"] [SourceTitle "CBM 140"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2011.01.18"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2011.01.18"] [SourceQuality "1"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. h3 e6 7. g4 Be7 8. Bg2 Nfd7 9. Be3 Nc6 10. Qd2 {The move of the white queen makes a very sound impression, even though earlier the alternative 10.Qe2 was all the rage. White has enough control on the light squares, so control of the black ones must become a priority.} (10. Qe2 Nxd4 (10... O-O 11. O-O-O (11. O-O Qc7 12. Rfd1 Nce5 13. Bc1 Re8 14. a4 Bf8 15. Qd2 b6 16. b3 Bb7 17. Bb2 Rad8 18. Qf4 Ng6 19. Qg3 Be7 $11 {0-1 Lopez Martinez,J (2505)-Grigoriants,S (2539)/Stepanakert 2005 (49)}) 11... Nxd4 12. Bxd4 b5 (12... Rb8 13. e5 (13. Ba7 Ra8 14. Be3 Rb8 15. f4 b5 16. g5 b4 17. Na4 Qa5 18. b3 Nc5 19. Bxc5 dxc5 20. e5 Qb5 21. Qe3 c4 22. Kb1 Bb7 23. Bxb7 Qxb7 24. h4 {1/2-1/2 Movsesian,S (2718)-Wojtaszek,R (2637)/Warsaw 2009 (40)}) 13... d5 {0-1 Dominguez Perez,L (2719)-Morozevich,A (2750)/Moscow 2009}) (12... Qc7 13. f4 Rb8 14. Ba7 Ra8 15. Bd4 Re8 16. g5 b5 17. a3 Rb8 18. h4 b4 19. axb4 Rxb4 20. h5 Qa5 21. Nb1 e5 22. Bc3 Nc5 23. g6 Be6 24. Qd2 Rc8 25. f5 $2 {0-1 Sandipan,C (2585)-Morozevich,A (2751)/Zuerich 2009 (76)} Qa2 $19 ) 13. e5 d5 14. f4 (14. Nxd5 exd5 15. Bxd5 Rb8 16. Ba7 Rb7 17. Bxb7 Bxb7 18. Rhe1 Qc7 19. Kb1 Nc5 20. Bxc5 Qxc5 21. f4 Bd5 22. Qe3 Qc6 $15 {0-1 Movsesian,S (2716)-Ponomariov,R (2727)/San Sebastian 2009 (51)}) 14... Bb7 15. Qe3 b4 16. Ne2 a5 17. Kb1 a4 18. f5 b3 19. cxb3 axb3 {1/2-1/2 Vuckovic,B (2572)-Zivkovic, V (2413)/Banja Vrucica 2009 (52)}) (10... Qc7 11. O-O-O Rb8 12. f4 O-O 13. g5 Nxd4 14. Rxd4 b5 15. Kb1 Nb6 16. Rf1 e5 17. Rd3 Be6 18. f5 Bc4 19. f6 Bd8 20. Qh5 {1-0 Pirttimaki,T (2244)-Mavritchev,J/Helsinki 2002 (27)}) 11. Bxd4 O-O 12. O-O b5 13. e5 d5 14. a3 Qc7 15. f4 Bc5 16. Qe3 Bxd4 17. Qxd4 Bb7 18. Rae1 Rac8 19. Rf2 Qb6 20. Qxb6 Nxb6 $11 {0-1 Hou,Y (2590)-Wang Hao (2696)/Xinghua Jiangsu 2009 (59)}) (10. Nce2 h5 11. gxh5 Qa5+ 12. c3 Qxh5 13. Qd2 Nde5 14. b3 Nxd4 15. Nxd4 g5 16. Rg1 Bd7 17. f3 b5 18. O-O-O Rc8 19. Kb2 $11 {1-0 Ljubojevic,L (2615)-Ivanovic,B (2440)/Zagreb 1977 (43)}) 10... O-O {The downside of the 10.Qd2 move is the vulnerability of the c4-square. Fortunately Black can even wait before he starts thinking about exploiting it.} (10... Nde5 11. b3 (11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. b3 Ng6 $13) 11... Nxd4 (11... Bd7 12. f4 Bh4+ 13. Bf2 Nxd4 14. Qxd4 Bxf2+ 15. Qxf2 Qa5 16. Qd2 Ng6 17. O-O-O O-O 18. Na4 Qxd2+ 19. Rxd2 Bxa4 20. bxa4 Nxf4 21. Rg1 Rac8 {0-1 Di Natale,R-Salgado,C/Villa Ballester 2003 (50)}) 12. Bxd4 (12. Qxd4 Nc6 13. Qd2 b5 $13) 12... O-O 13. O-O-O (13. f4 Bh4+ $11) 13... b5 (13... Nc6 14. Be3 b5 15. f4 Bd7 $13) 14. Ne2 Bb7 15. f4 Ng6 (15... Nc6 16. Bb2 (16. Be3 a5 $132) 16... a5 17. h4 a4 18. h5 Qa5 $11) 16. Rhf1 (16. f5 $2 Nh4 $1 $17) 16... e5 17. Be3 (17. fxe5 dxe5 18. Be3 Qxd2+ 19. Rxd2 Rad8 $11) 17... exf4 (17... a5 $5 18. f5 Nh4 19. Bh1 a4 $13) 18. Nxf4 Ne5 (18... Rc8 19. Kb1 Nxf4 20. Bxf4 Qc7 21. Rf2 $14) 19. Kb1 Rc8 20. Nd5 {1/2-1/2 Dominguez Perez,L (2717)-Topalov,V (2812)/Sofia 2009/[Ftacnik] (43)}) 11. O-O Nde5 12. b3 Nxd4 13. Bxd4 Ng6 {Carlsen was clearly the favourite in this game and his knight retreat reveals his honest ambitions. From g6 the knight eyes the weak spots f4 and h4.} (13... b5 14. a4 bxa4 15. Nxa4 Bb7 16. Nb6 Rb8 17. Bxe5 {1/2-1/2 Svidler,P (2731)-Ivanisevic,I (2613)/ Khanty Mansiysk 2010}) 14. Be3 (14. f4 $6 Nxf4 15. Rxf4 e5 $15) (14. Na4 Bg5 15. Qb4 a5 16. Qb5 Bd7 $11) 14... Qc7 15. Ne2 (15. Na4 b5 16. Nb6 Rb8 17. Nxc8 Rfxc8 18. Rac1 b4 $15) 15... b5 16. c4 $1 {Howell is a up and coming player from England with an active approach to the game. He may not get very far on the kingside, but is smart enough to play also on the opposite flank.} bxc4 ( 16... Bb7 17. Rac1 Qd7 18. Nf4 Rac8 $11) 17. Rac1 Bb7 18. Rxc4 Qd7 19. Rfc1 Rac8 20. Bb6 {Quite naturally the position is about equal and White is working on forcing the exchanges of majory pieces along the c-file.} (20. Nd4 h6 21. Qa5 Rxc4 22. Rxc4 Rc8 $11) 20... Rxc4 21. Rxc4 Rc8 22. Qc2 Rxc4 23. Qxc4 (23. bxc4 $2 Qc6 $15) 23... Qe8 $5 {Black knows very well that he can not exchange queens and hope for the advantage.} 24. a4 (24. Qc7 Qa8 25. Ng3 h6 26. Bd4 Bc6 $11) 24... Qa8 25. f4 $6 {White is less experienced than his opponent who is sitting on the top of world rating list. Exposing the structure and his own king on the kingside brings no benefit and is dangerous.} (25. Ba5 Bc6 26. Qd3 h6 27. Bd2 $11) 25... h6 26. Bf2 Bh4 27. Be3 (27. Bxh4 Nxh4 28. Bh1 Qd8 29. b4 Ng6 $15) 27... Bf6 28. Qd3 (28. Ng3 Nh4 29. Bh1 d5 30. Qd3 (30. exd5 Bxd5 31. Bxd5 exd5 32. Qe2 d4 $17) 30... dxe4 31. Bxe4 Bxe4 32. Nxe4 Be7 33. Bf2 Qb7 $15 ) 28... Bc6 29. Ng3 (29. g5 hxg5 30. fxg5 Be5 $15) 29... Be7 {The positions has become more pleasant for Black, but making progress is another story.} 30. Nh5 Bf8 31. Bf2 Qb7 32. Qc4 (32. Kh2 e5 (32... Ne7 33. Bd4 d5 34. Qc3 f6 35. g5 $13) 33. f5 Nf4 34. Nxf4 exf4 35. Be1 Be7 36. Bd2 Bg5 37. Qf3 Qb6 38. Bxf4 Bxf4+ 39. Qxf4 Qxb3 40. Qxd6 Qxa4 41. f6 $11) 32... Ne7 33. Qd3 d5 $5 {Both players have understood, that the position will have to be opened at some stage.} 34. e5 (34. exd5 Bxd5 35. Bxd5 Nxd5 $15) 34... d4 (34... Bd7 35. Bf1 Nc6 36. Be2 $11) 35. Bf1 (35. Bxc6 Nxc6 36. Ng3 a5 37. Ne4 Qd7 $15) 35... Bd5 36. Qxa6 $6 {Howell must have been excited by the prospect of eliminating all the queenside pawns. His choice of move keepis the flame of battle burning.} ( 36. Bxd4 $1 Bxb3 37. Qxa6 Qb4 38. Bf2 Bxa4 39. Qc4 $11) 36... Qxb3 37. Qd3 (37. Bxd4 Nc6 38. Bb6 Be7 $17) 37... Qxa4 38. Qxd4 Qa8 39. Qa7 Qc8 40. Qc5 (40. Qa3 Ng6 41. Qb2 Be7 42. Bg2 $15) 40... Nc6 41. Qc3 Qa8 42. g5 $2 {[%mdl 256] White had to think hard about the best way of defending his exposed pawn structure. He decides to lash out into counterplay, but does it at the wrong moment.} (42. Bc4 Nb4 43. Bxd5 Qxd5 44. Kh2 Nd3 $15) (42. Bd3 Bb4 43. Qb2 Be7 $15) 42... Qa4 $1 (42... hxg5 43. fxg5 Qa2 44. Nf4 Bb4 45. Qg3 Nxe5 $17) 43. Qg3 (43. gxh6 Qe4 44. Ng3 Qxf4 45. hxg7 Bxg7 $17) 43... Qd1 {Two precise moves have managed to prove that White has lost the battle. The hanging knight on h5 can not be sensibly defended.} 44. Nf6+ (44. Qh4 Bc4 45. Ng3 Nd4 46. Qg4 Nf3+ 47. Kg2 Bd5 $19) 44... gxf6 45. gxf6+ Kh8 46. Qd3 {After the act of desperation, reality refuses to run away. Due to the pin along the first rank White has to swap the queens.} Qxd3 47. Bxd3 Nb4 48. Bb1 (48. Bf1 Kh7 49. Be3 Kg6 $19) 48... Ba2 49. Be4 Nd5 50. f5 {The game is clearly over. White can not even dream about holding the game with only a pawn for the piece.} (50. Bg3 Bc5+ 51. Kg2 Bc4 52. Kf3 Nc3 53. Bc2 h5 $19) 50... Nf4 51. Kh2 exf5 52. Bxf5 Be6 53. Bg4 (53. Bb1 Nxh3 $19) 53... Bxg4 54. hxg4 Ne6 55. Kg3 Bc5 0-1 [Event "World Cup blindfold"] [Site "Bilbao"] [Date "2007.10.18"] [Round "5"] [White "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B30"] [WhiteElo "2694"] [BlackElo "2714"] [Annotator "Ftacnik,L"] [PlyCount "68"] [EventDate "2007.10.16"] [EventType "tourn (rapid)"] [EventRounds "10"] [EventCountry "ESP"] [EventCategory "19"] [SourceTitle "CBM 121"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2007.11.14"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2007.11.14"] [SourceQuality "1"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. Bxc6 bxc6 5. d3 Ne7 6. Qe2 Qc7 7. Ng5 e5 8. f4 exf4 9. O-O Ng6 10. Qh5 d6 {Carlsen has done his homework and studied this interesting line in some detail. We will have to wait till somebody decides to test 10...Qe5!? with an unpleasant pin for the white queen.} (10... Bd6 11. g3 Ba6 $6 (11... fxg3 $1 12. Rxf7 gxh2+ 13. Kh1 Ba6 14. Nxh7 Kxf7 15. Qf5+ Ke8 16. Qxg6+ Kd8 17. Qxg7 Be5 18. Nf6 Kc8 19. Qxh8+ Kb7 20. Qh6 Bxf6 21. Bf4 Qd8 22. e5 Qg8 23. Nc3 Qg4 {0-1 Cornette,M (2482)-Palac,M (2571)/Dresden 2007 (27)}) 12. gxf4 Rf8 13. e5 Be7 14. Nc3 O-O-O 15. Nge4 f5 16. Ng5 Bxg5 17. Qxg5 d6 18. Be3 dxe5 19. fxe5 Qxe5 20. Rae1 $16 {1-0 Bologan,V (2679)-Lautier,J (2676)/ Reykjavik 2004 (46)}) (10... Qe5 $5 11. Bxf4 (11. Nd2 h6 12. Ndf3 Qf6 $13) 11... Qd4+ (11... Qxb2 12. Na3 Qd4+ (12... Qxa3 $2 13. Nxf7) 13. Kh1 h6 $13) 12. Kh1 Qf6 $1 13. e5 Qf5 14. Qf3 Nxf4 15. Qxf4 Qxf4 16. Rxf4 f6 $15) 11. Bxf4 Nxf4 $1 (11... h6 $6 12. Nxf7 $1 Qxf7 13. Bxd6 Qe6 14. Bxf8 Rxf8 15. Nd2 Bd7 16. Qxc5 Qe7 17. Rxf8+ Kxf8 18. Rf1+ Kg8 19. Qxe7 Nxe7 20. Nb3 Rd8 21. Nc5 { 1-0 Grischuk,A (2710)-Shirov,A (2720)/Moscow 2006 (51)}) (11... f6 12. Nf3 (12. Nxh7 Qf7 13. Bg3 Be6 14. Nd2 O-O-O) 12... Qf7 13. Bg3 Ne5 14. Qxf7+ $14) 12. Rxf4 g6 13. Qf3 (13. Qh4 $2 h6 $1 14. Nxf7 (14. Rf6 Be7 15. Rxf7 Bxg5 $19) 14... Rh7 $1 15. Qg3 g5 $1 16. Nxg5 hxg5 17. Qxg5 Qg7 $19) 13... Bg7 $1 (13... Bh6 $2 14. Rxf7 Qa5 15. Nd2 (15. Nc3 Bxg5 16. Rf1 Be6 17. Rf6 $1 (17. e5 d5 18. Rf6 $1 $16) 17... Kd7 18. Rxe6 $1 Raf8 (18... Kxe6 19. Qf7+) 19. Rxd6+ Kxd6 20. Qg3+ $16) 15... Bxg5 (15... Qxd2 16. Qf6 Bxg5 17. Re7+ Kd8 18. Qxd6+ $18) 16. Nc4 Qd8 17. e5 Bg4 (17... dxe5 18. Re1 Bf5 19. Nxe5 $18) 18. Qf2 dxe5 19. Re1 Bf5 20. Nxe5 $18) 14. Rxf7 (14. e5 $6 O-O $1 (14... Bxe5 $4 15. Rxf7 Qd8 16. Qxc6+ $18) 15. exd6 Qd8 (15... Qxd6 16. Nd2 Qe5 $17) 16. Nxf7 Qe8 $1 $19) (14. Nd2 $5 O-O 15. Rf1 f6 16. Nc4 Rb8 $15) 14... Bd4+ {Both young players must have known some interesting analyses of this sharp position. Each move required attention and exact calculation.} 15. Kh1 (15. Kf1 $5 Qd8 16. Nxh7 Bf5 $1 (16... Qh4 17. c3 Rxh7 18. Rxh7 Qxh7 19. cxd4 Qh6 20. Na3 Qxh2 21. Re1 $16) 17. Rf8+ Rxf8 18. Nxf8 Bg4 19. Qxg4 Qf6+ 20. Qf3 Qxf3+ 21. gxf3 Bxb2 $15) 15... Qd8 $1 16. c3 (16. Rxh7 Rxh7 17. Nxh7 Bxb2 18. e5 Qe7 $3 19. Qxc6+ Kd8 20. Qxa8 Qxh7 $17) (16. Nd2 Qxg5 17. Nc4 Be5 18. Rf1 Be6 $17) (16. Nxh7 $5 Bf5 (16... Bxb2 $2 17. Nc3 $1 Bxa1 (17... Bxc3 18. Rf1 Bf5 19. exf5 Kxf7 20. fxg6+ Kg7 21. Qf7+ Kh6 22. Rf3 $18) 18. Rf8+ Rxf8 19. Qxf8+ Kd7 20. Qf7+ Qe7 21. Nf6+ Kd8 22. Qg8+ Kc7 23. Ncd5+ cxd5 24. Nxd5+ Kd7 25. Nxe7 Kxe7 26. g4 $16) (16... Be6 $5 17. Rf8+ Rxf8 18. Qxf8+ Kd7 19. Qxd8+ Rxd8 20. Nc3 $14) (16... Qh4 $2 17. Rf8+ Rxf8 18. Qxf8+ Kd7 19. Nd2 $18) 17. Rxf5 gxf5 (17... Qe7 $2 18. Nf6+ Kd8 19. Ng8 $1 Rxg8 20. Rf7 $16) 18. Qh5+ Kd7 19. Qxf5+ Kc7 20. Ng5 Rh6 $5 21. Nd2 Qg8 $15) 16... Be5 {After the game it seems, that White is the one playing with fire. There is a strong suspicion, that Black could have tried for an advantage with 16...Qxg5!?} (16... Qxg5 $5 17. cxd4 Qc1+ (17... Bf5 18. Nc3 $1 Kxf7 19. exf5 $44) 18. Qf1 Qxf1+ 19. Rxf1 cxd4 20. Nd2 Ba6 21. Nc4 Ke7 $17) 17. Rg7 $2 (17. d4 $2 cxd4 18. cxd4 Bxd4 19. Rxh7 Rxh7 20. Nxh7 Qe7 $1 (20... Bxb2 $6 21. Nc3 $1 Bxa1 22. Qf8+ Kd7 23. Qf7+ Qe7 24. Nf6+ Kd8 25. Qg8+ Kc7 26. Ncd5+ cxd5 27. Nxd5+ Kd7 28. Nxe7 Rb8 29. h4 Kxe7 $13) 21. Nd2 Qxh7 $19) (17. h4 $1 h6 18. Rg7 $1 Rf8 (18... Qf6 19. Qxf6 Bxf6 20. Rxg6 $14) 19. Rf7 (19. Rg8 $5 Qe7 20. Rxf8+ Qxf8 21. Qxf8+ Kxf8 22. Nf3 Ba6 $11) 19... Rh8 $11) 17... Qf6 $1 {[%mdl 4] An extremely charming refutation of White's spirited attack, as castling short on move 19 will create a mating attack!} (17... Qxg5 $2 18. Qf7+ Kd8 19. Qc7+ $11) (17... Rf8 $2 18. Rg8 $1 $16) 18. Qxf6 (18. Rxh7 Rxh7 19. Nxh7 Qh4 (19... Qh8 $5 20. d4 cxd4 21. cxd4 Bxd4 22. Nd2 Qxh7 $17) 20. Qf8+ Kd7 21. Qf7+ Kd8 22. g3 Bxg3 23. Qf6+ Qxf6 24. Nxf6 Be5 25. Nh7 Rb8 $19) 18... Bxf6 19. Rxh7 O-O $1 20. Na3 (20. Rh6 $2 Bxg5 21. Rxg6+ Kh7 22. Rxg5 Rf1#) 20... Bxg5 21. Rc7 Rf7 {Carlsen already had a pleasant choice. His only task is to coordinate pieces and punish his unfortunate opponent.} (21... Ba6 22. Nc4 (22. Rxc6 Bxd3 23. Rxd6 Bxe4 $19) 22... Bxc4 23. dxc4 Rf2 24. Rxc6 Raf8 $19) 22. Rxc6 Bf4 $1 23. Nc4 Bd7 24. Ra6 (24. Rc7 $2 d5 $19) 24... Bb5 25. Ra5 Bxc4 26. dxc4 Be5 27. Rd1 (27. Kg1 Raf8 28. Rb1 Rf2 29. Rxa7 Re2 $19) 27... Raf8 28. g3 Rf2 {Black is dominating the board and thus can play for a mating attack.} 29. b4 (29. Rb5 Re2 $19) 29... Bxc3 30. Rxa7 Bd4 31. Rd7 Rxa2 32. bxc5 Rff2 $1 ( 32... dxc5 33. Rb1 Bg7 (33... Rff2 34. Rb8+) 34. Kg1 Rc2 $19) 33. Rd8+ (33. Rxd4 Rf1#) 33... Kg7 34. Rd7+ Kh6 0-1 [Event "FIDE World Cup"] [Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"] [Date "2005.12.01"] [Round "2.2"] [White "Amonatov, Farrukh"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "B12"] [WhiteElo "2572"] [BlackElo "2570"] [Annotator "Lukacs,P"] [PlyCount "47"] [EventDate "2005.11.27"] [EventType "k.o."] [EventRounds "7"] [EventCountry "RUS"] [SourceTitle "CBM 111"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2006.04.04"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"] [SourceQuality "1"] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nc3 e6 5. g4 Bg6 6. Nge2 c5 7. Be3 cxd4 (7... Nc6 {- Zambrana-Leitao, Santiago 2004 CBM 100}) 8. Nxd4 Bb4 (8... h5 $6 { Black has completely forgotten about the importance of development.} 9. f4 $1 { /\ f5} hxg4 (9... Ne7 10. f5 $1 exf5 11. Ndb5 $1 {and Black is on the verge of collapse.} Nec6 12. Nxd5 Na6 13. Qd2 fxg4 14. O-O-O Qc8 15. Nd6+ Bxd6 16. exd6 O-O 17. d7 $16 {Cu.Hansen-K.Berg, Esbjerg 1981}) 10. f5 $1 {This is the beginning of the breakthrough in the [+].} exf5 11. Bb5+ Nd7 12. e6 $1 fxe6 13. Nxe6 Qh4+ 14. Bf2 Qe7 15. O-O Ngf6 16. Nxd5 Nxd5 17. Qxd5 Qd6 18. Qg2 $16 { Hetey-Aarland, Aarhus 1993}) (8... Nd7 $6 9. f4 $14) (8... Ne7 9. f4 a6 10. f5 $5 {is crucial here, for example:} (10. Bh3 {/\ f5} Nec6 {/\ Qh4} 11. O-O Nxd4 12. Bxd4 Nc6 (12... h5 $6 {is again met by the devastating} 13. f5 $1 hxg4 14. fxg6 gxh3 15. Ne4 Qh4 16. Qf3 $18 {A.David-Piankov, France 1997}) 13. f5 (13. Bf2 h5 14. f5 Bh7 $13) 13... exf5 14. gxf5 Qg5+ 15. Kh1 Bh5 16. Qd3 Nb4 $1 $13) 10... exf5 11. Qe2 $5 Nbc6 (11... fxg4 12. O-O-O $19) 12. O-O-O Nxd4 (12... fxg4 13. Bg2 $44) 13. Rxd4 fxg4 14. Bg2 Rc8 15. Rhd1 Qc7 16. R1d2 Bf5 17. Bxd5 Nc6 18. Rf4 Qxe5 {(Ziatdinov-Savon, Tashkent 1985)} (18... g6 19. Ne4 $16) 19. Bb6 $1 $16) (8... Nc6 9. f4 (9. Bb5 Nge7 10. f4 a6 11. Ba4 Qc7 12. O-O O-O-O 13. Bxc6 Nxc6 14. Nxc6 Qxc6 15. Qd4 Be7 16. Ne2 (16. f5 $6 {is premature because of} exf5 17. gxf5 Bxf5 18. Rxf5 Qg6+ 19. Rg5 Bxg5 20. Qg4+ Kb8 21. Qxg5 d4 $17) (16. Rad1 $5) 16... h5 17. f5 (17. g5 {gives up all the light squares.} h4) 17... exf5 18. gxf5 Bxf5 $1 19. Rxf5 Qg6+ 20. Ng3 h4 21. Rf3 {1/2:1/2 Van der Wiel-Scheeren, Amsterdam Drachten 1982}) 9... Bb4 (9... Nxd4 10. Bxd4 Ne7 11. Bb5+ Nc6 12. O-O {(Wittmann-A.Ward, Oxford 1998)} Bb4 $5 13. a3 Ba5 $13) 10. a3 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 Be4 12. Rg1 Nge7 13. Bd3 O-O 14. Bxe4 dxe4 15. Nxc6 Nxc6 16. Qxd8 Rfxd8 {White's P structure is not very impressive in the _|_.} 17. Ke2 Ne7 18. Bd4 Nd5 19. f5 Rac8 $11 {Herbrechtsmeier-Chandler, GER-chT 1982}) 9. Qd2 (9. Bb5+ Nd7 10. f4 Qh4+ (10... Rc8 11. O-O $1 {White can bravely sacrifice the P.} Bxc3 12. bxc3 Be4 (12... Rxc3 13. Qd2 $16) (12... a6 13. Bxd7+ Qxd7 14. f5 $16) 13. f5 $40) (10... Be4 11. O-O Bxc3 12. bxc3 a6 (12... Ne7 13. f5 O-O 14. f6 {This -> looks rather dangerous for Black.} Ng6 15. fxg7 Kxg7 16. Bxd7 Qxd7 17. Bg5 $36 {Shabalov-Macieja, playchess.com 2004}) 13. Bd3 {(Serra Pages-Quintas Galeano, ESP 1999)} (13. Bxd7+ Qxd7 14. f5 Ne7) 13... Rc8 $132) 11. Bf2 Qh3 12. Bg3 Nh6 $132) (9. h4 h5 10. a3 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 a6 12. Rb1 Qc7 13. c4 Ne7 $15 {and White's P structure is in ruins, Paragua-Liang Chong, Tagaytay City 2004.}) (9. f4 Ne7 10. Bg2 h5 11. f5 exf5 12. gxf5 Bxf5 13. O-O Bg4 14. Qd3 Nbc6 {1/2-1/2 Conquest-Magem Badals, Pamplona 2004}) 9... Nd7 (9... Ne7 10. a3 Ba5 11. Ndb5 (11. f4 O-O (11... Be4 12. Rg1 O-O) 12. Bg2 Nbc6 13. O-O Nxd4 14. Bxd4 Nc6 $15 {and White had no time for f4-f5.}) 11... O-O 12. Bg2 Nbc6 13. f4 {(Van der Weide-Yevseev, Cappelle la Grande 2006)} f6 $132) 10. a3 (10. Bb5 {is less logical than before.} Rc8 11. O-O h5 $1 $15) (10. f4 $5 { is the other critical continuation.} Nh6 $5 (10... Qh4+ 11. Bf2 Qxg4 12. Rg1 Qh5 {Black has won the g P but lost a couple of tempi.} 13. a3 $44) (10... Be4 11. Rg1 a6 (11... Rc8 12. Ndb5 a6 {(Aswin-Wojtaszek, Kochin 2004)} 13. Nd6+ Bxd6 14. exd6 Qh4+ 15. Bf2 Qxh2 16. Nxe4 dxe4 17. O-O-O $16) 12. a3 Bxc3 13. Qxc3 Qh4+ 14. Rg3 $14) (10... Nc5 11. Bb5+ Kf8 12. O-O $16) 11. h3 Be4 12. Rg1 O-O $13) 10... Qa5 $5 {[#]} (10... Bxc3 11. Qxc3 Rc8 12. Qb4 Nxe5 13. Qxb7 (13. Nb5 $6 {is strongly met by} a5 $1 $17 (13... Rxc2 {is not so impressive:} 14. Nd6+ Kd7 15. Nxb7 Nf3+ 16. Kd1)) 13... Nf6 14. Bf4 (14. Bb5+ Kf8 $13) 14... Nfd7 (14... Be4 15. Bxe5 Bxh1 16. Bb5+ $16) 15. Bxe5 Nxe5 16. Bb5+ Kf8 $13) ( 10... Ba5 $5 $13) 11. Rb1 $6 {doesn't seem to be a successful improvement.} ( 11. Bb5 $142 Bxc3 12. bxc3 $1 (12. Bxd7+ $6 {solving the pin deliberately cannot be good.} Kxd7 13. bxc3 Rc8 14. O-O (14. Rb1 b6 15. Rb3 h5 16. g5 Ne7 $15) 14... Qxc3 $17 {and Black has a healthy extra P, while his K in the [+] cannot be attacked, Shirov-Grischuk, Dubai 2002 CBM 089.}) 12... Rc8 13. Rb1 Rc7 (13... b6 14. Rb4 $1) 14. Rb4 $1 (14. c4 Qxd2+ 15. Bxd2 dxc4 16. Bb4 Be4 17. O-O $13) 14... Qxa3 15. Ra4 {^^} Qxc3 16. Rxa7 Qxd2+ 17. Bxd2 Ne7 $14) (11. f4 $5 Be4 12. Rg1 Ne7 (12... Bxc3 13. bxc3) 13. Ndb5 O-O 14. Nd6 $13) 11... Bxc3 12. bxc3 a6 $15 {Black is not afraid of Rxb7.} 13. Rxb7 (13. f4 Be4 14. Rg1 Qc7 15. Bd3 Ne7 16. Ne2 Bxd3 17. cxd3 h5 18. h3 hxg4 19. hxg4 g5 $5 $15 { completely ruining White's P structure.} (19... Rh2 20. Bf2 O-O-O 21. Bg3 Rhh8 {1/2-1/2 Van Oosterom-Delemarre, Boeblingen 2004})) 13... Qxa3 14. c4 (14. Rxd7 Kxd7 15. c4 $44 Rb8 16. cxd5 Rb1+ 17. Ke2 {Both kings look rather odd.} exd5 18. Bg2 Rxh1 19. Bxh1 Ne7 20. f4 h5 $1) 14... Nxe5 15. f3 Nf6 16. g5 Nfd7 17. cxd5 O-O {Now the black K is in safety, which cannot be said about his colleague.} 18. dxe6 fxe6 19. Be2 Qa1+ 20. Qc1 Qa5+ 21. Qd2 Qa1+ {Black is happa to take the draw by perpetual.} ({Continuing the fight by} 21... Qd5 $17 {was not against all odds.}) 22. Qc1 Qa5+ 23. Qd2 Qa1+ 24. Qc1 1/2-1/2 [Event "Aalborg Fibertex Cup blindfold"] [Site "Aalborg"] [Date "2006.02.04"] [Round "2"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Schandorff, Lars"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B12"] [WhiteElo "2625"] [BlackElo "2521"] [Annotator "Lukacs,P"] [PlyCount "49"] [EventDate "2006.02.03"] [EventType "tourn (rapid)"] [EventRounds "6"] [EventCountry "DEN"] [EventCategory "14"] [SourceTitle "CBM 112"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2006.06.07"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2006.06.07"] [SourceQuality "1"] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nc3 e6 5. g4 Bg6 6. Nge2 c5 7. h4 h5 8. Nf4 Bh7 9. Nxh5 cxd4 10. Nb5 Nc6 (10... Be4 $5 11. Rh3 Nc6 12. Nxd4 Nxe5 $5 {- Antal-Flumbort, Budapest 2002 CBM 89}) 11. Nxd4 Nge7 (11... Nxd4 $6 {- Shirov-Yermolinsky, Wijk aan Zee 1999 CBM 89}) (11... Qc7 $6 {is rather useless now.} 12. Nxc6 Qxc6 (12... bxc6 13. f4 $16) 13. Bd3 Bxd3 14. cxd3 d4 15. O-O {White is not afraid of the h <->, because Black has problems with his development.} g6 16. Ng3 Bg7 17. Re1 {The e5 P is the key of the position.} Qd5 18. Qe2 Rxh4 19. Bg5 Rh3 20. Rac1 $16 {Sax-Berg, Aahus 1993}) ({There is no need to hurry with} 11... Nxe5 12. Bf4 Nc6 13. Bb5 Rc8 14. Qe2 Qd7 (14... Nge7 $5) (14... Nf6 $6 15. Bg5 $1) 15. Bxc6 $1 bxc6 16. Nf5 $1 $36 {with a very complicated tactical battle.} (16. Qe5 Nf6 $1 17. O-O-O (17. Nxf6+ gxf6 18. Qxf6 Rg8 $44) 17... c5 $1 18. Nb3 c4 $13 {Schoenicz-Heinze, Germany 1998})) 12. c3 (12. Rh3 $6 a6 {- Grischuk-Bareev, Corus Wijk aan Zee 2003 CBM 93}) (12. Bb5 $6 {(1/2:1/2 Kreiman-Seirawan, USA-ch Seattle 2002)} a6 $1 {and again White cannot hold his active position.} 13. Ba4 (13. Nxc6 Nxc6) 13... b5 14. Bb3 Nxd4 15. Qxd4 Nc6 16. Qe3 Qc7 17. O-O Na5 18. Qe2 Nxb3 19. axb3 Qxc2 $17 { Svetushkin-Piankov, Ciudad de Ubeda op 2000}) (12. Bg5 Qa5+ (12... Nxe5 13. Nf6+ (13. Bb5+ Nd7 14. Qd2 (14. Qe2 a6 15. Bxd7+ Qxd7 16. O-O-O O-O-O $13) 14... a6 15. Bxd7+ Qxd7 16. Bf6 O-O-O $44) 13... gxf6 14. Bxf6 N7c6 $5 { This is nice, but still White has some advantage after} 15. Bxd8 Nxd4 16. Bf6 Bb4+ (16... Nef3+ 17. Qxf3 Nxf3+ 18. Kd1) 17. c3 Nef3+ 18. Qxf3 Nxf3+ 19. Ke2 $14) 13. c3 Nxd4 (13... Nxe5 $2 {founders on the typical blow} 14. Nf6+ $1 gxf6 15. Bxf6 N5g6 (15... N7g6 16. h5 $16) 16. h5 $16) 14. Qxd4 Nc6 15. Qf4 Qb6 { - Fedorov-Dreev, Moscow Aeroflot op 2003 CBM 94} (15... d4 $6 {This is not a very successful novelty.} 16. Rh3 $1 $16 {Bringing the R into action on the third rank, Fedorov-Belov, Istanbul 2003 CBM 096.})) 12... Nxe5 (12... a6 { - Najer-Dreev, Poikovsky 2006 CBM 112}) 13. Bg5 (13. Bb5+ Nd7 (13... N7c6 $6 14. Bf4 $16 {and the pin is very nasty.}) (13... N5c6 14. Bg5 Qc8 $1 (14... Qb6 15. Qe2 (15. O-O e5 $17) (15. Be3 Qc7 $13) 15... a6 16. Bxe7 axb5 $1 (16... Bxe7 17. Nxg7+ Kf8 18. Ngxe6+ fxe6 19. Bxc6 bxc6 20. Qe5 $16) 17. Bf6 $5 Be4 18. f3 gxf6 19. fxe4 Nxd4 20. cxd4 $40) 15. Bxe7 $142 (15. O-O a6 (15... f6 $5 {deserves serious attention, because the sacrifices do not seem to be correct.} ) 16. Ba4 {- Grischuk-Seirawan, Moscow 2002 CBM 090}) (15. Qe2 $5 {/\ 0-0-0 is another aggressive plan in these type of positions.}) 15... Bxe7 16. Nxg7+ Kf8 17. Nh5 Bg6 $13) 14. Bg5 (14. Bh6 {is parried by the cold-blooded} Rg8) 14... a6 15. Ba4 $5 {was the logical move keeping the tension.} (15. Bxd7+ $2 Qxd7 16. Qe2 O-O-O $15 {- Carlsen-Bareev, Khanty Mansiysk 2005 CBM 111}) 15... e5 ( 15... b5 16. Bc2) 16. Nf5 Bxf5 17. gxf5 b5 18. Bb3 f6 19. Be3 $36) 13... Nd7 { This retreat looks a bit passive.} (13... N5c6 $142 {seems to be more natural.} 14. Bb5 {- 13..Bb5} (14. Bf6 Rg8 {Black has to play without nerves!} 15. Qa4 ( 15. Nxc6 bxc6) 15... Qb6 16. O-O-O O-O-O {and White's |^ vanishes.}) (14. Qa4 Qb6 15. O-O-O O-O-O 16. Nxc6 bxc6 17. Nxg7 $1 Bxg7 18. Bxe7 Rd7 $44)) 14. Bg2 $5 {[%mdl 8]} (14. Bb5 {- 13.Bb5}) 14... Nc5 (14... Qb6 $5 {/\ 0-0-0 is a serious alternative.} 15. Qe2 (15. O-O O-O-O $1 (15... Qxb2 {is too greedy!} 16. Bxe7 $1 Kxe7 (16... Bxe7 $2 {founders on the devastating sacrifice} 17. Nxg7+ Kd8 18. Ndxe6+ $40) 17. Nf4 $44) 16. Qe2 $142 (16. Nxg7 Bxg7 17. Bxe7 { wins the P but loses the activity.} Rde8 18. Bg5 Ne5 $17) (16. Rc1 Ne5 $17) ( 16. Nf4 Nc5 $17) 16... e5 17. Nb3 Kb8 18. Rad1 f6 19. Be3 Qc6 20. c4 $1 $13 { with a very sharp tactical skirmish.}) 15... O-O-O $1 16. Nxg7 (16. O-O { - 15.0-0}) 16... Bxg7 17. Bxe7 Rde8 18. Bg5 Bxd4 19. cxd4 e5 20. Rc1+ Kb8 21. dxe5 f6 $1 22. Bf4 Nxe5 23. O-O Ka8 $13 {with unclear consequences.}) 15. O-O Ne4 $2 {[#] This allows White to blow up the [+].} (15... Qd7 16. Nb3 (16. Be3 O-O-O $5) (16. Bf6 Rg8) 16... Ne4 17. Be3 Bg6 18. c4 $13) (15... Qb6 16. b4 $5 (16. Nb3 O-O-O 17. Nxc5 (17. Be3 Nc6) 17... Qxc5 $13) (16. Be3 $2 Qxb2 $17) 16... Ne4 17. Be3 O-O-O 18. Qa4 a6 19. b5 $13) 16. c4 $1 {This is the point, only the opening of the position counts.} (16. Bh6 $5 {may win the g7 P, but this is not so important.} Rg8 $5 {deserves attention.} (16... Qd6 17. Nb5 $1 ( 17. Nxg7+ Bxg7 18. Bxg7 Rg8 19. Bh6 O-O-O) 17... Qd7 18. c4 O-O-O 19. Be3 $16) (16... Qd7 17. Nxg7+ (17. Bxg7 $5) 17... Bxg7 18. Bxg7 Rg8 19. Be5 Ng6 20. Bg3 Nxg3 (20... O-O-O 21. h5) 21. fxg3 Ne5 22. g5 $16) (16... Qb6 17. Nxg7+ Bxg7 18. Bxg7 Rg8 19. Be5 O-O-O 20. Qb3 $14)) 16... Nxg5 17. hxg5 Qd7 18. cxd5 exd5 $6 {Now Black is unable to finish the development.} (18... Nxd5 19. Bxd5 $1 exd5 (19... Qxd5 20. Qa4+ Qd7 21. Nb5 {and White's lead of development will be decisive.} Bd3 22. Nc7+ Ke7 (22... Kd8 23. Nxe6+ $1) 23. Qb4+ Kd8 24. Qxb7 Rc8 25. Rfd1 $1 $18) (19... Rd8 20. Nxe6 $1 fxe6 21. Bc4 $16) 20. Re1+ Kd8 21. Nf3 $1 Qxg4+ 22. Ng3 $40 {and the K is very vulnerable in the middle of the board.} ) 19. Rc1 Bg6 20. Re1 $18 {The rooks on the opened lines are real killers.} Bxh5 21. gxh5 Kd8 22. g6 Nc6 23. gxf7 Be7 24. Ne6+ Kc8 25. Bxd5 1-0 [Event "Hoogeveen Essent Crown"] [Site "Hoogeveen"] [Date "2004.10.21"] [Round "4"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Stellwagen, Daniel"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B19"] [WhiteElo "2581"] [BlackElo "2512"] [Annotator "Lukacs,P"] [PlyCount "90"] [EventDate "2004.10.17"] [EventType "tourn"] [EventRounds "6"] [EventCountry "NED"] [EventCategory "15"] [SourceTitle "CBM 104"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2005.01.27"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2005.01.27"] [SourceQuality "1"] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5 Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 Ngf6 11. Bf4 e6 12. O-O-O Nd5 13. Bd2 {Black has seemingly won a tempo by Nd5, but his N is vulnerable in the [+].} Nb4 14. Qb3 (14. Bxb4 {- Galdunts-Ruck, Griesheim 2003 CBM 94}) 14... a5 (14... Qb6 15. c4 O-O-O (15... Be7 16. c5 $5 {White wins a piece, although Black gets a lot of pawns for it.} (16. Kb1 {is the safe option.} Na6 (16... c5 17. d5) 17. Qa4 $14 ) 16... Bxc5 17. dxc5 Nxc5 18. Qa3 Nbd3+ (18... Ncd3+ 19. Kb1 $18) 19. Kb1 Nxf2 20. Be3 Nxd1 21. Bxc5 Qxb2+ 22. Qxb2 Nxb2 23. Kxb2 $14 {with three (!) pieces versus a R and four pawns.}) (15... a5 16. a3 Nd5 17. Qc2 {White certainly wants to avoid the exchange of queens.} N5f6 18. Bf4 Be7 19. Rhe1 O-O 20. Ne5 Rad8 21. c5 $14 {Kovalevskaya-Zangiev, St Petersburg 2001}) 16. Ne4 $14 (16. c5 $2 {is already strongly met by the prevoius sacrifice:} Bxc5 $1 17. dxc5 Nxc5 18. Qa3 Ncd3+ 19. Kb1 Nxf2 20. Bxb4 Rxd1+ 21. Rxd1 Nxd1 22. Bc5 Qb5 23. Nd4 Qc4 24. Qxa7 Qd3+ 25. Kc1 Ne3 $17)) 15. Kb1 (15. Ne4 a4 $1 {[#]} 16. Qa3 {is the modest pragmatizm.} (16. Qxb4 $6 {White wants more he can get from this position. The Q sacrifice is beautiful but unlucky as Mary Stuart.} Bxb4 17. Bxb4 Qb6 (17... Qb8 {looks also strong.} 18. Nd6+ Kf8 $19) 18. a3 Qa6 19. Rh3 ( 19. Nd6+ Kf8 20. Nb5+ Kg8 21. Nc7 Qa7 22. Nxa8 Qxa8 $17 {and White still has no adequate compensation for the Q.}) 19... b6 20. Rg3 (20. Nd6+ $2 Kf8 21. Nb5+ c5 $19) 20... Rh7 $1 {This is the precise defence.} (20... c5 21. dxc5 bxc5 22. Rxd7 cxb4 23. Rxg7 Kxd7 (23... Qf1+ 24. Rd1 $11) 24. Nc5+ Ke7 25. Nxa6 Rxa6 26. axb4 $11) 21. Ne5 (21. Nd6+ Kf8 $1) 21... Nxe5 $17 {Shirov-Grischuk, Dubai 2002 CBM 89}) 16... Nd5 (16... Qb6 17. Kb1 Nd5 18. Qd3) 17. Nd6+ Bxd6 18. Qxd6 Qc7 19. Qxc7 Nxc7 20. Ne5 f6 21. Nd3 Kf7 22. g4 Nb5 23. c3 Rhc8 24. Rhe1 Re8 25. Kc2 $11 {Kir.Georgiev-Dreev, Dubai rapid 2002}) (15. a3 a4 16. Qc4 $5 { deserves also attention.} (16. Qe3 Nd5 17. Qe2 {Finally the Q has reached safety.} (17. Qd3 b5 18. Ne5 Nxe5 19. dxe5 Qc7 20. f4 Be7 21. Ne4 O-O $13 { and Black has good counterchances on the << because of the weakness of a3, Sammalvuo-Palo, Gausdal 2004.}) 17... b5 18. Nf5 b4 {Black has to open up lines on the <<.} (18... Qb8 19. c3 {The << is more or less closed and White has good prospects on the other flank.} Qc7 20. g3 Bd6 21. Rh4 N7f6 22. Nxd6+ Qxd6 23. Ne5 Ne7 24. g4 $14 {Karjakin-Turov, Moscow 2002}) 19. Bxb4 Nxb4 20. axb4 a3 21. c3 Qb8 $44 {Vescovi-Erenburg, playchess.com INT 2004})) (15. Rhe1 { is usually only a waste of time here.} Be7 16. Ne4 a4 17. Qxb4 {This Q sacrifice is nice, but not so effective, as we will see it later.} Bxb4 18. Bxb4 Qb8 19. Bd6 Qa7 20. Ba3 Qa6 21. Rd3 b6 22. Rc3 c5 23. Nd6+ Kd8 24. dxc5 bxc5 $19 {Zufic-Saric, Kastav 2002}) 15... a4 (15... b5 16. Ne4 $5 (16. Rhe1 Be7 17. Ne4 Nf6 18. Nxf6+ gxf6 (18... Bxf6 19. Bxb4 axb4 20. Qxb4 {simply winning a P.}) 19. a3 Nd5 20. Qd3 $14 {Pilgaard-Pedersen, Koge 2004}) (16. Ne5 a4 17. Qe3 (17. Qf3 Nxe5 18. dxe5 Qd5))) (15... Be7 16. Ne4 $5 (16. c4 { In the long run White will regret this move when b5! will come.} O-O $1 17. a3 Na6 18. Bf4 (18. Qxb7 Bxa3 19. Qxc6 Rb8 $40) 18... b5 $1 19. cxb5 cxb5 20. Qxb5 Nb6 21. Bd2 Nd5 $15 {Karjakin-Riazantsev, INT 2003})) 16. Qe3 Nd5 (16... Nb6 17. Qe1 N4d5 18. Ne5 Nd7 19. c4 N5f6 20. f4 Qc7 21. Bc3 {Now White has got an almost ideal position.} Be7 22. f5 $16 {Marjanovic-Logothetis, Ano Liosia 2000} ) 17. Qe2 (17. Qd3 $1 {is the precise move here.} b5 (17... Qc7 18. c4) 18. Ne5 $1 Nxe5 19. dxe5 Qc7 20. f4 {This P structure gives White the space advantage in the [+] and the >>, but sometimes even the << can be a target after a well-prepared c2-c4.} O-O-O 21. Qe2 Kb7 22. Ne4 {(Leko-Dreev, Wijk aan Zee 2002 } (22. c4 bxc4 23. Qxc4 Ra8 24. Ne4 Be7 $14) 22... Be7 23. c4 bxc4 24. Qxc4 Ra8 $14 {Leko}) 17... b5 $1 18. Ne5 Nxe5 19. dxe5 Qb6 $1 20. Rh3 {This looks rather sophysticated.} (20. Ne4 b4 21. Qc4 Be7 $5 $13 (21... Qb5 22. Qxb5 cxb5 {The _|_ cannot be worse for Black at all.} 23. c3 bxc3 24. Nxc3 Nxc3+ 25. Bxc3 b4 26. Bd4 Be7 $11 {Landa-P.Nielsen, playchess.com INT 2004})) 20... a3 21. b3 Qd4 22. c3 Qxc3 $1 {This is the point!} (22... Nxc3+ 23. Bxc3 Qxc3 24. f4 $14) 23. Be1 (23. Bxc3 Nxc3+ 24. Kc2 Nxe2 25. Nxe2 Bc5 $15 {and Black has an extra P.}) 23... Qb2+ (23... Qc5 $5 {keeping the queens on the board was also possible, because the white K is not safe.} 24. Ne4 Qb6 25. Nd6+ Bxd6 26. exd6 Qd8 27. Bc3 Qxd6 28. Be5 Qe7 29. Bxg7 Rg8 30. Qc2 c5 $1 $36) 24. Qxb2 axb2 25. Kxb2 Nf4 (25... g5 $5 {The target is >< e5.} 26. hxg6 Bg7 (26... fxg6 {/\ Bg7}) 27. gxf7+ Kxf7 28. Ne4 Bxe5+ 29. Kb1 Ra6 $15 {with active black pieces in the _|_.}) 26. Rh2 (26. Rh4 Nxg2 27. Rg4 Nxe1 28. Rxe1 O-O-O $15 {Black is a P up + White's pawns are weak.}) 26... c5 27. Ne4 c4 28. Kb1 Ba3 29. g3 (29. Rh4 Nd3 30. Nd6+ Bxd6 31. exd6 Kd7 32. bxc4 Ra3 33. c5 (33. cxb5 Rb8) 33... Nxc5 34. Bb4 Ra4 $15) 29... Nd3 {This N becomes a superpower on d3.} 30. Bc3 O-O 31. f4 Rfd8 32. Rhd2 Rd5 (32... b4 $2 {founders on simple tactics:} 33. bxc4 $1 bxc3 34. Rxd3 Rdb8+ 35. Kc2 $18) 33. Ba1 Bb4 34. Bc3 Ba3 35. Ba1 Rd7 $1 {Black certainly wants to continue the fight.} (35... Rad8 36. Nc3 Rc5 (36... R5d7 37. Nxb5) 37. Ne4 Rcd5 $11) 36. Rc2 Rb8 (36... Rad8 37. bxc4 (37. Rdd2 Nb4 38. Rxd7 Rxd7 39. Rd2 Nd3 $15) 37... Nxe5 $1 38. Rxd7 Rxd7 39. Bb2 Bxb2 40. cxb5 Nd3 41. Rxb2 Nxb2 42. Kxb2 Rd4 $15) 37. Nc3 $2 {Now the a1 B will be entombbed.} (37. Bb2 $1 {was the last chance for a successful defence, for example:} Bxb2 (37... Be7 38. Nf2 Kf8 39. Nxd3 Rxd3 (39... cxd3 40. Rc6) 40. Rxd3 cxd3 41. Rc7 $13) 38. Rxb2 cxb3 39. Rxb3 Nxe5 40. Rd6 Rxd6 41. Nxd6 Ng4 42. Rxb5 Rd8 43. Ne4 Rd4 $11) 37... b4 38. Ne4 c3 $19 {Look at the a1 B!} 39. Nd6 Nc5 40. Re2 Nb7 { exchanging White's last active piece.} 41. Re4 Nxd6 42. exd6 (42. Rxd6 Rxd6 43. exd6 Rd8 44. Rd4 Kf8 $19) (42. Red4 Rc8 $1 43. Kc2 Nf5 44. Rxd7 Ne3+ $19) 42... Rb5 43. Rc4 Rxh5 44. Rc7 Rxc7 $1 45. dxc7 Rc5 0-1 [Event "World Cup 2021"] [Site "Sochi"] [Date "2021.08.03"] [Round "50.1"] [White "Carlsen Magnus (NOR)"] [Black "Duda Jan-Krzysztof (POL)"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B52"] [WhiteElo "2847"] [BlackElo "2738"] [Annotator "Carvalho,Carlos"] [PlyCount "148"] [EventDate "2021.??.??"] {[%evp 0,148,80,20,128,48,110,98,98,26,70,14,52,-3,36,-34,17,17,36,21,24,28,28, 17,17,28,28,22,15,12,7,17,13,6,8,14,-5,17,18,11,27,3,21,20,24,-3,24,0,-6,-39,0, 0,-5,0,29,-16,-36,-50,-16,-14,-36,-56,-63,-56,-26,-88,-65,-81,-81,-94,-81,-85, -85,-92,-96,-94,-71,-94,-47,-103,-86,-86,-108,-138,-148,-147,-71,-93,-107,-131, -143,-143,-154,-213,-218,-210,4,-3,3,-72,-11,-40,1,0,0,0,-9,-9,0,-18,0,-95,-15, -30,-12,-15,-12,0,0,0,0,-83,0,0,-33,-129,-146,-148,-121,-155,12,-84,-104,-145, -144,-153,-107,-132,-132,-131,-108,-108,-108,-173,-108,-108,-213,-226,-227, -245,-242]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. O-O Nf6 6. Qe2 Nc6 7. c3 e6 8. d4 cxd4 9. cxd4 d5 10. e5 Ne4 11. Nbd2 Nxd2 12. Bxd2 Bb4 13. Bf4 O-O 14. Qd3 Be7 15. a3 Rac8 16. g3 Na5 17. b3 Qc6 18. Bd2 Qb6 19. Rfb1 a6 20. Kg2 Nc6 21. Re1 Qb5 22. Qb1 Rc7 23. h4 Rfc8 24. Ra2 a5 25. Rh1 a4 26. b4 $2 { After26.Tb2! a?b3 (26 ... B?a3 27.Ta2 Be7 28.b?a4) 27.T?b3 a posição permanece equilibrada, e é provável que a partida prossiga para o empate.} ({ Outra alternativa seria} 26. Rc1 axb3 27. a4 Qb6 28. Rb2 Na5 (28... Nxd4 { Stockfish 10 64 POPCNT:} 29. Rxc7 Rxc7 30. Be3 Bc5 31. Nxd4 Bxd4 32. Rxb3 Qa7 33. Bxd4 Qxd4 34. Rxb7 Rxb7 35. Qxb7 Qe4+ 36. Kh2 g6 37. a5 Qe2 38. Qb6 Kg7 39. h5 gxh5 40. Qe3 Qf1 41. a6 Qxa6 42. Qg5+ Kf8 43. Qd8+ Kg7 {[%eval 0,26]}) 29. Rxc7 Rxc7 30. Bxa5 Qxa5 31. Rxb3 Qxa4 32. Rxb7 Rxb7 33. Qxb7) 26... h6 27. Be3 Na7 {As pretas controlam a coluna C, as brancas não têm contra-ataque - estrategicamente o jogo está decidido. Duda mantém o jogo sob controle por um tempo.} 28. Bd2 Qe2 29. Re1 Qc4 30. Re3 Nb5 31. Rd3 Rc6 32. Rb2 Bd8 { Lance de espera.} 33. g4 {Carlsen acha o lance de computador, Mas não segue o plano correto para empatar.} Bb6 34. Be3 Nc3 35. Qf1 Qb5 36. Rc2 Ne4 37. Rxc6 Rxc6 38. Rd1 Rc4 39. Nd2 Nxd2 40. Rxd2 Qc6 41. Qe2 Rc3 42. Ra2 $2 ({Eis a continuação baseada no lance 33.g4} 42. g5 {Stockfish 10 64 POPCNT: 1)} hxg5 ({Stockfish 10 64 POPCNT: 2)} 42... Qc4 43. Qg4 h5 44. Qxh5 g6 45. Qf3 Rxa3 46. h5 Ra1 47. Rd1 Rxd1 48. Qxd1 Qxb4 49. hxg6 fxg6 50. Qg4 Qe7 51. Qd1 Qe8 52. Qb1 Ba5 53. Qxb7 Bc3 54. Qa7 Bb2 55. Bd2 Ba3 56. Qb7 Be7 57. Bc1 Bf8 58. Qa6 Kh7 59. Qa7+ Kh8 60. Qb7 Qe7 61. Qc6 a3 62. Bxa3 Qxa3 63. Qxe6 Qd3 64. Qxd5 Qf5 65. Qd8 Kg7 66. Qf6+ Qxf6 67. gxf6+ Kf7 68. Kf3 {[%eval -9,34]}) 43. hxg5 Qc4 44. Qf3 Rc1 45. Rd1 Rxd1 46. Qxd1 g6 47. Qxa4 Bxd4 48. Bxd4 Qxd4 49. Qa8+ Kg7 50. Qxb7 Qe4+ 51. Kf1 Qh1+ 52. Ke2 Qh5+ 53. Kf1 Qh3+ 54. Kg1 Qxa3 55. Kg2 Qb2 56. Qe7 Qxe5 57. b5 Qe4+ 58. Kh2 d4 59. Qf6+ Kg8 60. Qd8+ Kh7 61. Qf6 Qb7 62. Qxd4 Qxb5 63. f4 Qd5 64. Qe3 Kg7 65. Kg3 Qc4 66. Kf2 Kg8 67. Kg3 Kf8 68. Qa3+ Kg7 69. Qe3 Qb4 70. Kh2 Kh7 71. Kg2 Qb2+ 72. Kg3 {[%eval -38,35]}) 42... Bd8 43. g5 {Tardiamente} hxg5 44. hxg5 Qc4 {Agora as brancas não podem evitar a troca de damas sem ficar mais inferior ainda} 45. Qxc4 dxc4 {O Branco está desesperado e Carlsen tenta um movimento ativo.} 46. d5 $1 {Lance prático pra quem está perdido, que dá certo.} exd5 47. Rd2 Rd3 $2 {O grande mestre polonês fez um jogo excelente até agora, mas aqui não consegue marcar para o gol vazio. 47 . .. Txa3 48.TxD5 Td3 49.Tc5 c3 50. Rf3 a3 ganha facilmente. Após a jogada, as pretas ainda estão ganhando, mas pode ficar complicado.} 48. Rxd3 cxd3 49. f4 {Nesta posição a parttida está ganha para as pretas. Do ponto de vista humano, dificilmente jogariam o lance vencedor. Como o computador não trabalha com paradigmas (não se deve trocar peões quando tiver um final melhor, ainda mais com peões em casas pretas como neste final) jogariam 49. .. .f6 (Gabriel Miguel)} Kf8 ({Stockfish 10 64 POPCNT:} 49... f6 50. exf6 gxf6 51. Bd2 (51. gxf6 Bxf6 52. Bd2 (52. Bc1 Bb2 {Ganhando})) 51... Kf7 52. Kf3 fxg5 53. fxg5 Kg6 54. Kg4 Bb6 55. Bc1 Bd4 56. Kf3 Kf5 57. Bf4 Bb2 58. Bd2 Kg6 59. Kf4 Bxa3 60. Ke3 Kxg5 61. Bc3 d2 62. Kxd2 Kf5 63. Kd3 Ke6 64. Bd2 Kd7 65. b5 Ke6 66. Be1 Kd6 67. Kd4 Bb2+ 68. Kd3 Kc5 69. b6 a3 70. Kc2 Kc4 71. Bf2 Be5 72. Kb1 d4 {[%eval -600,41]}) 50. Kf3 $2 {Aqui o preto novamente desperdiça o lance vencedor. 50.Bc5 + Re8 51.Rf2 está correto e 51… f6 falha em 52.e?f6 g?f6 53.g6.} (50. Kf1 {Seria o correto para tentar capturar o peão em d3 Stockfish 10 64 POPCNT: 1)} f6 ({Stockfish 10 64 POPCNT: 2)} 50... Bc7 51. Ke1 f6 52. exf6 gxf6 53. gxf6 Kf7 54. Kd2 Kxf6 55. Kxd3 Ke6 56. Kd4 Bb6+ 57. Kd3 Bd8 58. Bd4 Bc7 59. Be3 Kf6 60. Bd4+ Kf5 61. Be3 Kf6 {[%eval 0,44]}) 51. exf6 gxf6 52. Ke1 d4 53. Bc1 Kf7 54. gxf6 Bc7 55. Bb2 Kxf6 56. Kd2 Bxf4+ 57. Kxd3 Ke5 58. Bxd4+ Kd5 59. Bb2 Bg5 60. Kc2 Kc4 61. Be5 Be3 62. Bb2 Bd4 63. Bc1 Bc3 64. Bf4 Bf6 65. Bd2 Kd5 66. Bc3 Be7 67. Bb2 Bg5 68. Bc3 Bf4 69. Bb2 Ke6 70. Bc3 Bc7 71. Bg7 Kd5 72. Bb2 Kc4 73. Bf6 Bf4 74. Be7 Be3 75. Bf6 Bd4 76. Bg5 Be5 77. Be3 Bh8 78. Bd2 {[%eval -9,44]}) 50... Ke7 $2 {Aqui o preto desperdiça a chance de ganhar mais rápido. E joga um lance que empata.} ({Stockfish 10 64 POPCNT:} 50... f6 51. gxf6 gxf6 52. Bd4 Bc7 53. b5 fxe5 54. fxe5 Ke7 55. Ke3 Ke6 56. Kxd3 Bxe5 57. Be3 Bd6 58. Bc1 Be7 59. Kd4 Bf8 60. Kd3 Kd6 61. Bd2 Ke5 62. Bc1 Bc5 63. Bb2+ Kd6 64. Kd2 Kc7 65. b6+ Kxb6 66. Kc2 Bf8 67. Bc1 Kb5 68. Kd3 Kc5 69. Bb2 Kc6 70. Bc1 b5 71. Kd4 Bg7+ 72. Kd3 b4 73. axb4 Kb5 74. Ba3 Bf6 75. Kc2 Be7 76. Kd3 Bxb4 77. Bb2 Bc5 78. Be5 Kb4 79. Bc3+ Kb3 80. Be5 a3 {[%eval -391, 40]}) 51. Bc5+ Ke6 52. Ke3 Kf5 53. Kxd3 g6 ({Se} 53... Kxf4 $4 54. g6 {Ganhando }) 54. Be3 ({Stockfish 10 64 POPCNT:} 54. Ke3 Kg4 55. Bd4 Bc7 56. Ba7 b6 57. Kd4 Kxf4 58. Kxd5 Kxg5 59. e6 fxe6+ 60. Kxe6 b5 61. Kd7 Bf4 62. Kc6 Bc1 63. Kxb5 Bxa3 64. Kxa4 Bb2 65. Kb3 Be5 66. Kc4 Kf5 67. b5 g5 68. Kd5 g4 69. Bc5 g3 70. b6 g2 71. b7 Bh2 72. Be3 Bb8 73. Kd4 Ba7+ 74. Kd3 Bxe3 75. b8=Q g1=Q 76. Qc8+ Kf4 77. Qc4+ Bd4 78. Qxd4+ Qxd4+ 79. Kxd4 Kf5 80. Kd5 Kg6 81. Kc6 Kg5 82. Kc7 Kf4 83. Kd6 Kf3 84. Kc7 {[%eval 0,53]}) 54... Bc7 55. b5 $2 {Durante a invencibilidade única de Carlsen, ele sobreviveu a muitas posições perdidas como se por um milagre. Algo semelhante poderia acontecer neste jogo também, mas de repente ele ficou sem sorte ... O final do peão que surge após 55. Rd4! é empatadado: O norueguês decide melhorar essa ideia movendo o peão passado um passo adiante, mas seu movimento dá às pretas a passagem desejada para um bispo.} ({Stockfish 10 64 POPCNT:} 55. Bc1 Bb6 56. Be3 Bxe3 57. Kxe3 d4+ 58. Kxd4 Kxf4 59. b5 Kxg5 60. Kc5 Kf5 61. Kb6 g5 62. Kxb7 g4 63. Ka6 g3 64. b6 g2 65. b7 g1=Q 66. b8=Q Qc5 67. Qe8 Qd5 68. Kb6 Qe6+ 69. Qxe6+ fxe6 70. Kb5 Kxe5 71. Kxa4 Kd4 72. Kb3 Kc5 73. a4 e5 74. Kc2 e4 75. Kd2 Kb4 76. Ke2 Ka5 77. Ke3 Kxa4 78. Kf4 Kb3 79. Kxe4 Kc3 80. Ke5 Kd2 81. Kd4 Kc2 82. Kc4 Kb2 83. Kb5 Kc3 84. Ka5 Kd2 85. Ka4 Ke2 {[%eval 0,52]}) ({Se} 55. Kd4 Bb6+ 56. Kd3 { Também empata.}) 55... Bd8 56. Kd4 Bb6+ 57. Kd3 Bd8 58. Kd4 Be7 59. Bc1 Ke6 60. Bb2 Bd8 61. Kc5 Ba5 62. Bc1 Bc3 63. b6 ({Stockfish 10 64 POPCNT:} 63. Be3 b6+ 64. Kxb6 d4 65. Bxd4 Bxd4+ 66. Ka5 Be3 67. Kxa4 Kd7 68. Ka5 Bxf4 69. b6 Kc6 70. Ka6 Be3 71. b7 Kc7 72. a4 Kb8 73. Kb5 Bxg5 74. Kc6 Bf4 75. Kd5 g5 76. Ke4 Kxb7 77. Kf5 Kb6 78. Kg4 Ka6 79. Kf5 Ka5 80. Ke4 Kxa4 81. Kd4 g4 82. Ke4 Bc1 83. Kd3 Kb5 84. Ke4 Kc4 85. Kf5 {[%eval -660,34]}) 63... d4 64. Kc4 Kd7 65. Be3 Bb2 66. Bxd4 Bxa3 67. Be3 (67. Kb5 {Stockfish 10 64 POPCNT:} Bc1 68. f5 gxf5 69. Kxa4 Ke6 70. Kb4 f4 71. Kc4 Be3 72. Bc3 Bxb6 73. Kd3 f3 74. Bb2 Bc5 75. Ba1 Kf5 76. Bb2 b5 77. Bc3 Kxg5 78. Be1 Kg4 79. Ke4 f2 80. Bxf2 Bxf2 81. Kd3 Kf5 82. e6 Kxe6 83. Kc3 Bc5 84. Kd3 Ke5 85. Ke2 f5 {[%eval -675,37]}) 67... Bb2 68. Kb4 a3 69. Kb3 Ke6 70. Ka2 Kd5 71. Kb3 Ke4 72. Bd2 Bd4 73. Kxa3 Bxb6 74. Kb4 Bf2 0-1 [Event "FIDE World Cup 2021"] [Site "Krasnaya Polyana RUS"] [Date "2021.07.28"] [Round "6.1"] [White "Bacrot, Etienne"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C88"] [WhiteElo "2678"] [BlackElo "2847"] [Annotator "Carvalho,Carlos"] [PlyCount "88"] [EventDate "2021.07.12"] [EventType "k.o."] {[%evp 0,88,80,48,5,51,5,-20,-7,-16,6,-63,-38,-58,-37,-44,-18,-50,-38,-2,11, -19,41,34,34,40,35,19,44,39,6,33,29,-7,48,47,23,-4,-4,-4,-4,15,15,7,7,30,80,82, 84,83,83,83,86,14,0,-56,0,-135,-82,-64,-64,-69,-69,-69,-65,-65,-65,-65,-59,-59, -55,-52,-111,-165,-103,-132,-122,-166,-114,-173,-145,-218,-164,-178,-154,-287, -242,-232,-205,-260,-255]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. Bd2 {Este misterioso movimento de bispo está crescendo rapidamente em popularidade . A peça de longo alcance em d2 nega ao cavalo preto a casa a5 e ajuda a lutar por casas escuras no lado da rainha. Eu gostaria de compartilhar uma história bastante popular nos círculos de xadrez russos sobre Alexander Lastin jogando este lance contra Valentin Arbakov no Campeonato Russo em Elista em 2001. Ao ver esse lance, Arbakov franziu a testa para seu oponente. Foi um olhar longo e penetrante. A questão é que ambos os jogadores gostavam bastante de beber, e Valentin acreditava seriamente que seu oponente, ainda não totalmente em forma após um banquete no outro dia, confundiu um bispo com um cavaleiro. É claro que ele estava errado, e a ação venenosa do bispo ajudou as brancas a vencer o jogo.} Qd7 {Carlsen faz um movimento neutro que melhora ligeiramente sua posição e a mantém flexível até que o cavalo-b1 se comprometa. Em 10 ... b4, as brancas podem responder por 11.a5 ou 11.c3; 10 ... Cb8 11.a?b5 (11.Ca3 !?) 11 ... a?b5 12.R?a8 B?a8 13.Cc3 c6 14.Ce2 não parece muito atraente para os negros. As pretas também tentaram 10 ... Cd4 11.Chd4 e?d4 12.c3 em alguns jogos.} 11. Nc3 Na5 {Movimentos menos precisos do cavalo podem dar às brancas a iniciativa: 11 ... Cd8 12.a?b5 a?b5 13.R?a8 B?a8 14.d4 ou 11 ... Cd4 12.N?d4 e?d4 13.Ce2 c5 14.Cg3 d5 15. e5 Ne8 16.c3.} 12. Ba2 c5 {O branco está pronto para 12 ... b4 13.Ce2 c5 14.Cg3. Carlsen reorganiza suas peças no modo Chigorin padrão: empurre o bispo inimigo primeiro, depois vá para c5 e prepare-se para d6-d5.} 13. Ne2 Nc6 14. Ng3 d5 {As pretas não têm outras idéias estratégicas úteis: 14 ... Tfe8 15.c3 Bf8 16.Bg5.} 15. exd5 Nxd5 16. c3 {Bacrot jogou a abertura bem rápido, obviamente ainda em sua preparação. Carlsen estava demorando aqui e ali, mas parecia muito familiarizado com o curso geral do jogo. À medida que a iniciativa das brancas evapora após 16. N?e5 N?e5 17.Th5 Bf6 18.Th5 B?b2 19.Tb1 Bd4 20.Cf5 g6, Etienne ainda não pega o peão.} Rad8 {A ideia das brancas transparece em 16 ... f6 17.h4 ?h8 18.h5 com forte iniciativa. No entanto, as pretas tratam esta posição como um Marshall Gambit: com bispos poderosos, forte pressão em d3 e uma oportunidade de derrubar o bispo inimigo em c5-c4, ele está pronto para sacrificar um peão central.} 17. axb5 axb5 18. Nxe5 Nxe5 19. Rxe5 Bd6 { 19 ... c4 agora pode ser alcançado por 20.Bb1 - é por isso que as brancas negociaram em b5.} 20. Re1 Nf4 21. Bxf4 Bxf4 22. Ne4 Qc7 $5 {As pretas podem igualar em 22 ... c4 23.Cc5 B?h2 + 24. Rf1 Dd5 25.C?b7 D?b7 26.Qh5 Bf4 27. d?c4 b?c4, mas Carlsen prefere manter a tensão: o norueguês não precisa das brancas para jogar por um ganhar.} 23. g3 Be5 24. f4 {Bacrot morde a isca e enfraquece consideravelmente seu rei. Melhor é 24.De2 ou 24.Dh5 com a ideia 24… T?d3? 25.Cg5.} Bd6 25. Qh5 {As brancas têm problemas com seu bispo em à2 em muitas linhas, por exemplo, após 25.f5, sugerido por Chessbomb, as pretas podem jogar 25 ... c4 26.d4 Ta8. Portanto, a máquina sugere 25.Tc1 ou 25.Bb1, tentando desamarrar suas peças.} Qc6 {25 ... c4 !?} 26. Qh3 $2 { 26.Tad1 ainda não perde: 26… c4 27.d?c4 g6 28.D?b5! Bc5 + 29. Rf1 T?d1 30.D?c6 B?c6 31.C?c5 Td2 32.Te2. Após a jogada no jogo, o rei branco está em grande perigo.} c4 27. d4 {O bispo em a2 continua a ser uma reprovação viva da estratégia das brancas após 27.Tad1 c?d3 28.T?d3 Bc5 + 29.C?c5 D?c5 + 30.Td4 T?d4 31.c?d4 D?d4 + 32. Rf1 Be4.} Rde8 28. d5 {[#] Os bispos das pretas dominam todo o tabuleiro após 28.Cd2 f5 29. Rf2 Ta8.} Qxd5 { O computador sádico sugere 28 ... Db6 + !? 29. Rf1 Bb8, mantendo a posição dominante. Magnus sacrifica uma rainha, o que leva a complicações incomensuráveis.} 29. Rad1 Rxe4 30. Rxd5 Rxe1+ 31. Kf2 Rfe8 32. Re5 {A torre deve ser abandonada (32.Te5 T8e2 #).} Bxe5 $2 {O tema principal, como sabemos, é restringir o pobre a2-bispo. É difícil prever, mas a continuação mais forte para as pretas é 32 ... T1?e5! 33.f?e5 Bc5 + 34.Rf1 Be4 (você está preso!) 35.Dd7 T?e5 e 36.Q?b5? é ruim em vista de 36… Tf5 + 37.Re2 Bf3 +, ganhando uma rainha. Pegar os peões c3 e b2 parece lógico para um humano - afinal, isso dá às pretas dois peões passados ??conectados. No entanto, também dá a Bacrot a chance de ativar sua rainha.} 33. Kxe1 Bxc3+ 34. Kf1 Bc8 35. Qg2 $2 {Muito mais forte é 35.g4 B?b2 36.Dg2 Bf6 37.Dc6 Td8 38.g5 Bd7 39. Dc7 Be7 40.Bb1, e as peças brancas ganham vida.} Bf5 $2 {O Campeão Mundial está com problemas de tempo e perde o belo 35 ... Td8! E 36.b?c3 perde à força devido a 36 ... Td1 + 37. Re2 Bg4 + 38. Re3 Td3 + 39. Re4 Bf3 + 40. D?f3 f5 +!} 36. Qd5 Be6 37. Qc5 {O peão não pode ser pego: 37.Dd5 Bh3 + 38. ?f2 Bd4 + 39.?f3 Te3 + 40.?f2 Tb3 +.} Bxb2 38. Kg2 Bd7 39. Qd5 $2 {As brancas estão obviamente em grandes problemas, mas sua poderosa rainha pode dar a ele uma saída. Existe um movimento dinâmico forte? Na verdade existe: 39.Dc7! Bf5 40.Db6, atacando o peão-b5 com excelentes chances de empate. Bacrot perde isso, e tudo está piorando a partir daí.} Rd8 40. Qc5 Bf6 41. Bb1 g6 42. g4 {42.Dc7 não salva as brancas: 42 ... Bg4, e os peões pretos estão avançando, enquanto o rei branco está em perigo. Etienne agarra o peão-b5, mas isso lhe custa toda ala do rei.} Bxg4 43. Qxb5 c3 44. f5 g5 { Brancas abandonam.} 0-1 [Event "FIDE World Cup 2021"] [Site "Krasnaya Polyana RUS"] [Date "2021.07.29"] [Round "6.2"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Bacrot, Etienne"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B52"] [WhiteElo "2847"] [BlackElo "2678"] [Annotator "Carvalho,Carlos"] [PlyCount "77"] [EventDate "2021.07.12"] [EventType "k.o."] {[%evp 0,77,5,26,100,79,108,58,65,52,77,4,52,52,36,36,130,62,141,9,-4,-29,-15, -30,-1,-7,31,28,36,47,50,-1,11,11,-1,2,2,37,10,16,24,-3,37,25,7,-1,15,21,52,44, 33,32,52,16,50,52,17,9,81,23,31,11,29,15,60,8,155,96,98,96,98,96,190,94,143,99, 119,105,195,195] O francês começou a segunda parrtida de uma forma muito clássica. Ele manteve o equilíbrio por um longo tempo (embora um empate tenha sido inútil para o resultado geral da partida), mas mais uma vez cedeu sob pressão no momento crítico.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. c4 e5 6. Nc3 Nc6 7. d3 f5 8. exf5 Qxf5 9. Ng5 Be7 10. Nge4 Nf6 11. O-O O-O 12. f4 exf4 13. Bxf4 Nxe4 14. dxe4 Qg6 15. Nd5 Bg5 16. Qd3 Nd4 17. Bg3 Rxf1+ 18. Rxf1 Re8 19. Re1 h5 20. h3 Kh7 21. Bf2 Nc6 22. b3 Ne5 23. Qe2 Bh6 24. Kh2 Nc6 25. Qf3 Ne5 26. Qe2 Rf8 27. Bg3 Nc6 28. Rf1 Re8 29. Re1 Nd4 30. Qf2 b6 31. h4 Rxe4 $2 {Depois, digamos, 31 ... Te6 32.e5 d?e5 33.T?e5 T?e5 34.B?e5 De4 35.Bb8 Cc6 é difícil imaginar qualquer resultado além de um empate.} 32. Ne7 Rxe7 {As pretas ainda podiam lutar: 32 ... De6 33.T?e4 D?e4 34.Df7 Cf3 +! 35.D?f3 (35.g?f3 Qe2 + 36.Rh3 Df1 + com um perpétuo) 35 ... D?e7 36. D?h5, embora as brancas tenham uma vantagem no final do jogo.} 33. Rxe7 Nf5 34. Re2 Nd4 35. Re1 Qd3 36. Bf4 Nf5 37. Bxh6 Nxh6 38. Qf3 Ng4+ {As pretas ficam sem cheques: 38 ... Dg6 39.Tf1 Cg4 + 40.?g1.} 39. Kg3 {e as pretas renunciam, porque a rainha está sendo negociada 39 ... Dg6 40.De4, e uma torre é superior a um cavalo.} 1-0