[Event "Chessable Masters"] [Site "chess24.com INT"] [Date "2020.06.29"] [Round "1.33"] [White "Ding Liren"] [Black "Hikaru Nakamura"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E97"] [WhiteElo "2791"] [BlackElo "2736"] [PlyCount "81"] [EventDate "2020.06.25"] 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. e4 d6 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Nf3 O-O {The King's Indian Defense} 6. Be2 {The Classical variation.} e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 9. b4 {The Bayonet Attack} Ne8 {In Game, GM Keymer successfully break the c7-d6 pawn chain and undermined black's queenside to win. Now, GM Hikaru Nakamura plays 9...Ne8 to early protect the c7-d6 pawn chain while readily push the f7-f5. It is really nice to learn opening theories to use it on your games.} 10. a4 {The idea of a4 is to occupy the a5 square then place bishop at a3 to support push of the c4 pawn to c5.} f5 {Here we go, we all know that the caliber of GM Nakamura with regards to tactical play is superb. Thus, GM Ding Liren is aware about it, he is super solid/defensive player as well.} 11. a5 {That is the way to undermine slowly black's queenside...} Nf6 12. Re1 h6 ({If} 12... fxe4 13. Ng5 c6 14. Ngxe4 cxd5 15. Nxf6+ Bxf6 16. Nxd5 Nc6 17. Bg4) 13. exf5 Bxf5 14. Ra2 { This rook move, plans to go to d2 square to support d5 pawn after c4 to c5 pawn push.} g5 15. h3 {Stops temporarily the black's g pawn.} Qe8 16. Nh2 a6 17. Ng4 {Nice handling by GM Liren in controlling the g4 square.} Bg6 18. Nxf6+ Bxf6 19. Bd3 {The e4 square is great landing point for the knight at c3 after bishops exchange if allowed.} Nf5 20. Ne4 Bg7 21. f3 {GM Ding Liren plays like GM Kramnik... Super Solid moves.} Qf7 22. Rf2 Rad8 23. Bb1 Kh8 24. Bb2 Nh4 25. b5 {Another way to break the pawn chain c7 and d6 via b6 square hitting the c7 pawn.} Bf5 26. b6 Ng6 27. g3 {Is the h3 pawn a bait? Evaluate why it is free?} cxb6 28. axb6 {Mission 1: accomplished..breaking the pawn chain c7-d6.} Ne7 29. Ba3 {GM Ding Liren is really similar to GM Kramnik's moves. "The killing me softly style"...} Nc8 {No other way to protect the d6 pawn.} ({If} 29... Qg6 30. g4 Bxe4 31. Bxe4 Qf6 32. Qd3 {Much better for white...}) 30. Qb3 Bh7 31. Rd1 {Supports the d5 pawn after c4 pawn to c5 push.} Bg8 {Not allowing c5 push. ..} 32. Kg2 Bh7 33. c5 {Now is the time!!!} dxc5 34. Nxc5 Bxb1 35. Rxb1 Rfe8 ({ If} 35... Qxd5 36. Ne6 {wins.}) ({If} 35... Rxd5 36. Nxb7 Qxb7 37. Bxf8 Rb5 38. Bxg7+ Kxg7 39. Qc2 Rxb6 40. Rxb6 Nxb6 41. Qc5 Nd5 42. Rd2) 36. Ne6 {Thats it!!! Knight is such a powerful and annoying piece either at b6 or e6 square.} Rd7 37. Rc1 {Starting to build up pressure at c-file same what happened in Game 1.} Ne7 38. Bxe7 {Of course!!!} Qxe7 39. Rc7 {"Bingo"} Qd6 40. Rfc2 Bf6 ({ If} 40... Qxd5 41. Qxd5 Rxd5 42. Nxg7) 41. Qa4 {Black Resigned: If 41...Rc7 then 42. Qxe8 ch; If 41...Ree7 then 42. Rc8 ch. wins. GM Ding Liren is not only a solid player but tactical as well. I like his games and learned a lot. Thanks.. GM Ding Liren for this wonderful game...} 1-0