[Event "FIDE World Cup 2021"] [Site "Sochi"] [Date "2021.07.30"] [Round "6.2"] [White "Shankland, Sam"] [Black "Karjakin, Sergey"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E05"] [WhiteElo "2709"] [BlackElo "2757"] [Annotator "TA"] [PlyCount "89"] [EventDate "2021.07.12"] [EventType "k.o."] [EventCountry "RUS"] [SourceTitle "playchess.com"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceQuality "1"] {[%evp 21,89,6,13,11,10,4,11,10,11,0,0,0,0,0,5,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0, -8,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,85,85,85,85,85,95,583,583,604,616,627,615,620, 606,589,582,549,521,1347,1229,1878,1812,2565,1745]} 1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 e6 3. Bg2 d5 4. d4 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 {[%csl Gb2,Gb7,Gc3,Gc6,Gd4,Gd5,Ge3,Ge6,Re7, Gf2,Gf3,Gf7,Gg7][%CAl Gd4e5,Gf6g7,Gf6g5,Ge5f4,Gg3f4,Gf3g5,Gf3e5,Gc1g5,Gd4c5, Gd5e4,Gf3g2,Ge4f5,Ge6f5,Gf6e4,Gf6g4,Re4d3,Rd3e2,Re5d6,Rd6e7]} 7. Qc2 (7. Ne5 Nc6 (7... Qd6 $5 {A rare but playable move. In fact, it has already been played a few times in tournament practice in 2017 with decent results for Black.} 8. Na3 {Kramnik thought for about 8 minutes here which means that he had never studied it deeply before or he was recalling his prep.} Rd8 9. Naxc4 Qa6 (9... Qxd4 $2 {is too risky as the queen gets too exposed after} 10. Qb3 { [%CAl Rc1e3]} Qc5 (10... c6 11. Be3 $18) 11. Bxb7 Bxb7 12. Qxb7 Nbd7 13. Be3 $16) 10. Qc2 $5 $146 {A novelty, either produced during the game or at home!} ( {Another queen move was tried years back by another player in the Candidates-Wesley So:} 10. Qb3 Rxd4 11. Bf4 (11. a4 Nbd7 12. Be3 Nxe5 13. Nxe5 Rd8 14. Qb5 {with compensation but nothing more.}) 11... Rd8 (11... Nbd7 12. Rac1 c6 $44 {1/2-1/2 (67) So,W (2674)-Ljubojevic,L (2572) Amsterdam 2010}) 12. Rfd1 Nd5 $11) 10... Rxd4 11. Bg5 ({The main point of the novelty would have been revealed if White had followed up with} 11. a4 $1 Nbd7 $2 (11... Rd8 12. Bg5 Nbd7 13. Rfd1 Nxe5 14. Rxd8+ Bxd8 15. Nxe5 $14 {White has more than enough compensation simply because he has a better version of what happened in the game.}) 12. Be3 Nxe5 13. Nxe5 {[%csl Rc7,Rd4][%CAl Rc2c7] now White has a double attack.} Rd8 (13... Rb4 14. Qxc7 $16 (14. Rfc1 $5)) 14. Qxc7 Qd6 15. Qxd6 Bxd6 16. Rfd1 $14) 11... Nbd7 12. Rfd1 Rxd1+ 13. Rxd1 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Qa5 $1 {Mamedyarov defends actively and accurately, not giving Kramnik a chance to obtain an intiative.} (14... c6 $2 15. Be4 $1 $40 h6 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Bh7+ Kf8 18. Qc5+ Ke8 19. Ng6 $1 {with mate to follow next move.}) (14... Qb6 $2 15. Ng4 $1 $36 {[%csl Re7,Rf6]}) 15. Bf4 Nd5 16. Be4 (16. Bd2 Qc5 $11) 16... g6 (16... h6 $6 {doesn't look right as it allows ideas connected with check on h7 followed by a sac on f7 in the future.}) 17. Bh6 Qc5 18. Qd2 Qb4 19. Qc2 Qc5 { Mamedyarov silently offers a draw.} 20. Qd3 {True to style in this event, Kramnik keeps the game going and tries to fight for more!} Qd6 21. Nc4 Qc5 $1 { Accurate again! On c5, the queen avoids being pinned and keeps watch over the central squares especially d4.} (21... Qd8 $2 22. Bf3 $1 {[%csl Rd5,Rd8][%CAl Ge2e4]} Qe8 23. e4 Nf6 24. Qc3 $1 $40 {[%csl Rc7,Rg7,Rg8]}) 22. Qf3 $5 { White tries to slow down Black's completion of development by making use of nice tactics.} c6 {Safe and solid.} ({Black could also consider a dynamic solution, but that requires taking positional risks after:} 22... Nf6 $5 23. Bxb7 Rb8 $1 (23... Bxb7 24. Qxb7 Re8 25. Rc1 (25. b3 Qh5) 25... Qh5 26. Be3 Qxe2 27. Qxc7 $11) 24. Bxc8 Qxc4 25. Bb7 (25. b3 $2 Qb5) 25... Qxa2 {and it is now White who has to play more accurately.}) ({In the press conference, Kramnik gleefully shared his plan after} 22... Qxc4 $6 23. Rxd5 c6 $1 (23... f5 24. Rd1 fxe4 (24... Qxe4 25. Qc3 $18) 25. Rd8+ Bxd8 26. Qf8#) 24. Qa3 $5 c5 25. Rd1 (25. Rd2 Qxe4 26. Qxc5 Qb1+ 27. Kg2 Qe4+ 28. Kg1 (28. f3 $4 Qxe2+ $19) 28... Qb1+ $11) 25... Qxe2 $1 {and he admitted that this was the problem with this line, after which he wasn't sure if White can continue the attack. Black is actually already the choice of the engine:} (25... Qxe4 26. Qxc5 $18) 26. Bf3 (26. Qa4 b5 $19) 26... Qb5 $1 27. Qc3 (27. Qe3 Bd7 $17) 27... f6 $17) 23. Bd3 Nf6 $1 {Patient and careful. Mamedyarov doesn't rush to bring out his bishop but instead prepares to develop it in the most active way possible.} ( 23... Bd7 $6 {allows us to see Kramnik's idea} 24. e4 Nf6 25. Be2 $5 {and White has a pleasant initiative which Kramnik himself pointed out after the game.} (25. Be3 $1 {retreat moves are often easy to miss} Qh5 26. Qxh5 Nxh5 27. e5 Be8 28. g4 (28. Be2 Ng7 29. Nd6) 28... Ng7 29. Be4 $14 {[%csl Ra7][%CAl Gc4d6,Ga2a4,Ga4a5]})) 24. e4 e5 {[%csl Ge6,Gg4][%CAl Gc8g4] The point. White is now forced to engage in a forcing line to avoid being worse.} 25. Be3 Qb4 26. Nxe5 Qxb2 27. Bf4 (27. Nxf7 $6 Kxf7 {is "too much" according to both players.} 28. Qf4 (28. Bc4+ Ke8 $19) 28... Qb4 $1 $19) 27... Be6 ({Maybe Mamedyarov saw} 27... g5 $5 {but probably thought it's too risky} 28. Nc4 (28. Bc4 gxf4 29. Nxf7 Kg7 30. Qxf4 $13) 28... Bg4 $1 29. Qxg4 (29. Qe3 gxf4) 29... Nxg4 30. Nxb2 gxf4 31. gxf4 Bc5 32. Rd2 $13) 28. Rb1 Qxa2 29. Rxb7 {Here Kramnik felt that he already has a good position or has better chances.} Bc5 30. Kg2 $1 {Without any clear counterplay and counter-tactics involving back-rank checks, White's position is now indeed easier to play.} Re8 $6 ({ The only way to hold the balance for Black was to tie down White's pieces as much as possible:} 30... Bd4 $1 31. Re7 $5 {[%CAl Ge5c6,Gg3g4] with a messy position in which the better calculator will prevail!} (31. h3 $2 Bxh3+ $1 32. Kxh3 Qe6+ $17) (31. Nxc6 $4 Bg4 $19)) 31. h3 $5 {Kramnik likes this slow, controlled move a lot but it underestimates Black's defensive resources.} ({ White must act energetically now with} 31. Bg5 $1 Nh5 32. Nxc6 $16 {Black is in a dangerous position as he cannot stop White's kingside attack.}) (31. g4 $5 h5 (31... Nd5 32. Bh6 $1 $16 (32. exd5 Bxd5 33. Be4 Bxe4 34. Qxe4 Qxf2+ 35. Kh3 Qf1+ $19)) 32. h3 $13) 31... Bxf2 $1 {This tactical sequence is the easiest way to neutralise White's initiative, something which Kramnik missed.} (31... Nh5 32. Bh6 $16) 32. Qxf2 Bxh3+ 33. Kg1 Qxf2+ 34. Kxf2 Rxe5 35. Bxe5 (35. g4 Nxe4+ $1 (35... Nxg4+ $5 36. Kg3 Rc5) 36. Kf3 Bxg4+ 37. Kxg4 Nf2+ 38. Kf3 Nxd3 39. Bxe5 Nxe5+ 40. Kf4 f6 $17) 35... Ng4+ 36. Kg1 Nxe5 {The forcing moves are over and Black has no problems holding the subsequent complex ending due to his pawns.} 37. Be2 Kg7 38. Rxa7 Kf6 39. Ra5 Bd7 40. Kf2 Ke6 41. Ke3 Kd6 42. Ra1 h5 43. Rd1+ Ke7 44. Kd4 f6 45. Kc5 Bh3 46. Ra1 Bg2 47. Ra4 Ke6 48. Rd4 Nf3 49. Rd8 Ng5 50. Bc4+ Ke7 51. Rg8 Nxe4+ 52. Kxc6 Nd6+ 53. Kc5 (53. Bd5 $6 Bxd5+ 54. Kxd5 Nf5 55. Rxg6 $4 (55. Ra8 Nxg3 56. Ra7+ Kf8 57. Ke6 Ne4 58. Kd5 f5 { and it's White who has to be careful.}) 55... Kf7 $19 {Kramnik & Mamedarov}) 53... Nxc4 54. Kxc4 Kf7 {1/2-1/2 (54) Kramnik,V (2800)-Mamedyarov,S (2809) Berlin 2018 CBM 184 [Sadorra,J] A nice fighting game by both players in the last round! The rare 7...Qd6 line seems to hold against the popular 7.Ne5 and we can expect it to be tested out more in future tournaments.}) 8. Nxc6 bxc6 9. Na3 Bxa3 10. bxa3 Ba6 11. a4 (11. Qd2 Rb8 12. Qa5 Rb6 13. a4 Qd6 14. a3 Rfb8 15. e4 c3 16. e5 Qd8 17. exf6 Bxf1 18. Bxf1 c2 19. Ra2 Qd5 20. Qxd5 cxd5 21. Rxc2 gxf6 22. Rxc7 R8b7 23. Rc5 Kg7 24. Kg2 Rb1 25. Bb5 Ra1 26. Rc3 Rb6 27. Bf4 Rb7 28. Kf3 Rd1 29. Be3 Rb1 30. Kg4 Rh1 31. h4 Kg6 32. Bd3+ f5+ 33. Kf3 Rd1 34. g4 {1-0 (34) Mamedyarov,S (2765)-So,W (2763) Riga 2019 CBM 191 Extra [Pelletier,Y]}) 11... Qc8 12. Ba3 Rd8 13. Be7 Rd5 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. Bxd5 cxd5 16. e4 dxe4 17. Qg4+ Kf8 18. Qxe4 Bb7 19. Qxh7 Qd7 20. Qh6+ Ke7 21. Qe3 Qxa4 22. Rab1 Bd5 23. Rb2 Rh8 24. Qc3 a5 25. f3 Kd7 26. Rc1 Ra8 27. Qe3 Rg8 28. Kg2 f5 29. Kf2 Rh8 30. Ke1 Qc6 31. Rc3 Qa8 32. Qe2 Qa7 33. Qd1 e5 34. Qa4+ Kc8 35. Rxc4 Bxc4 36. Qxc4 Rd8 37. Kf1 Qxd4 38. Qa6+ Kd7 39. Qb5+ Ke7 40. Kg2 Rd5 41. Qe2 Kf6 42. Rc2 Qb4 43. Qe3 c5 44. Qh6+ Ke7 45. Re2 Qb5 46. Rf2 Qb8 47. Qg5+ Ke6 48. g4 f4 49. Qf5+ Ke7 50. Re2 Kf8 51. Qf6 Qd6 52. Qxd6+ Rxd6 53. Rxe5 Rd2+ 54. Kh3 Rxa2 55. Rxc5 Ra3 56. Kh4 Rxf3 57. Rxa5 Rf2 58. h3 Rf3 59. Rh5 Ra3 60. Rf5 Rf3 61. Rf6 Kg7 62. g5 Kg8 63. Ra6 Kg7 64. Rf6 Kg8 65. Rh6 Rg3 {1/2-1/2 (65) Jones,G (2640)-Hou,Y (2680) Wijk aan Zee 2018 CBM 183 [Fernandez,D]}) 7... a6 (7... b6 $5 {Mamedyarov always comes with interesting opening ideas, and seeing this move played I became very curious about the next moves, specially because Aronian has faced the Bukavshin Variation recently without success, so I wondered what was he going to try.} 8. Qxc4 {Then I was surprised to realise that basically Aronian had nothing special against it, as this move is harmless for Black.} ({He has tried the most principled move} 8. Ne5 Qxd4 $1 9. Bxa8 Qxe5 {but this position offers good compensation for Black and has scored pretty well} 10. Bf3 Nd5 $1 {preventing Bf4 is more important than material} 11. Qxc4 Ba6 12. Qa4 (12. Qb3 $5 {was a novelty played in the same tournament by Ding Liren, that deserves a serious attention} Nc6 (12... Bf6 $5 {is still an option} 13. Nd2 c5 14. Ne4 Nc6 (14... Be7 15. Nc3 $1 {[%csl Yd5] exchanging the knight is an important point in White's plan, that would allow an easier development}) 15. Nxf6+ Qxf6 16. Qa4 Bb7 $13) (12... c5 $2 {would be bad because of} 13. Nc3 $1 {[%csl Yd5] the Nd5 is an important piece, that prevents White from continuing his development Quintiliano,R: 'exchanging the knight is an important point in White's plan, that would allow an easier development'}) 13. Qa4 $1 {this way the queen's dance has prevented c5} Bb7 14. Nc3 $1 {again the idea of exchanging the strong knight is the best one} Nd4 $1 $13 {Ding Liren (2769)-Caruana,F (2784) FIDE Candidates 2018 (2.2) 1/2-1/2 Caruana finds the only move that keeps Black's chances in a complicated fight, that eventually finished in a draw -} (14... Nxc3 15. bxc3 Qxc3 $2 16. Be3 $18 {[%CAl Ga1c1]}) 15. Bxd5 exd5 16. Bf4 Qf6 17. Rad1 c5 18. Be3 Nf3+ 19. exf3 d4 20. f4 dxc3 21. bxc3 Bf3 22. Rd3 Bc6 23. Qb3 Qf5 24. c4 Be4 25. Rd2 Qh5 26. f3 Bxf3 27. f5 Bc6 28. Qd1 Qh3 29. Rff2 h6 30. Qf1 Qg4 31. Rf4 Qg5 32. Rd3 Qf6 33. Bd2 Ba8 34. h4 Qc6 35. Kh2 Bd6 36. Rf2 Be5 37. Bc3 Bxc3 38. Rxc3 Re8 39. f6 g6 40. Rcc2 Re4 41. Rfe2 Qe6 42. Rxe4 Bxe4 43. Rf2 Bf5 44. Qc1 Kh7 45. Qc3 h5 46. a3 {1/2-1/2 (46) Ding,L (2769)-Caruana,F (2784) Berlin 2018 CBM 184 [Marin,M]}) 12... c5 (12... Bf6 $1 {is stronger as it prevents White from continuing development} 13. Re1 c5 14. Na3 b5 $5 15. Nxb5 Nb6 16. Qa5 Nc4 17. Qa4 Nb6 $11 {Cheparinov,I (2677)-Bacrot,E (2692) ESP-chT Div Honor 2016 (3.3) 1/2-1/2}) 13. Re1 b5 14. Qe4 Nc6 $5 {also gave Black some compensation, even with the exchange of queens White still has some issues to solve in development} 15. Nc3 Rd8 16. Rd1 Qxe4 17. Bxe4 Nd4 18. Bxd5 b4 $3 {Aronian,L (2799)-Hou,Y (2652) FIDE World Cup 2017 (2.3) 1/2-1/2 with this nice intermadiate move, Black managed to keep things equal -}) (8. Rd1 {was also simple for Black} Bb7 9. Qxc4 c5 $1 {Aronian,L (2799)-Hou,Y (2652) FIDE World Cup 2017 (2.2) 1/2-1/2 once Black is able to play this move without losing any tempi and also avoiding weaknesses in his camp, he is ok -}) 8... Bb7 9. Nc3 c5 $5 {Although White has some small advantage after this move, Black should equalise with precise play.} ({in CBM 182 I recommended the Bukavshin Variation against Catalan, and in this position I've analysed} 9... a6 $5 {[%CAl Yb6b5,Yc7c5] which is a pretty fresh move, but detailed analysis shows that it is a realible way to continue Black's development and maybe start some activity on the queenside by means of b5-c5.}) (9... Nbd7 {is the most played, but I think after} 10. Ne5 $1 {White keeps some chances. Then we can see a nice point behind 9...a6: this move wouldn't be as strong if the knight remained on b8 one move more.}) 10. Rd1 {We are now by transposition in the same position that Aronian played against Hou Yifan.} (10. Bf4 $5 $146 {is a natural move that has not yet been tried.}) (10. dxc5 {was played only once} Bxc5 {Antic,D (2478)-Livaic,L (2358) Skopje Karposh op 2016 (7) 1/2-1/2} 11. Bf4 Nbd7 (11... Nc6 $5 {is maybe better}) 12. b4 $5 Be7 13. Rac1 Rc8 (13... a5 $5) 14. Qb3 a6 15. Rfd1 {Black should be ok here, but has still some practical problems in development.}) 10... Nbd7 11. Ne5 ({Previously Aronian played} 11. Bg5 cxd4 12. Rxd4 (12. Nxd4 $5 {[%csl Gc6] is a typical idea in such positions, White aims to control the c6-square, but after} Bxg2 13. Kxg2 Qc8 {Black is ok, for example} 14. Nc6 Qb7 $1 15. f3 Bc5 $1 {[%csl Yc6] and the knight can't be supported on its nice square}) 12... h6 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Rd2 Rc8 {after this move Black not just has solved his problems} 15. Qa4 Bc6 16. Qb4 Bxf3 $1 17. exf3 Bxc3 18. bxc3 Qc7 {[%csl Gc3];Aronian,L (2799)-Hou,Y (2652) FIDE World Cup 2017 (2.2) 1/2-1/2 as his game is even easier -}) 11... Bxg2 12. Kxg2 Qc8 $146 {This seems enough to equalise, although White keeps some small advantage. } 13. Nxd7 (13. Bf4 cxd4 14. Rxd4 Nxe5 15. Bxe5 Qb7+ {[%CAl Ya8c8,Yf8d8]}) (13. Bg5 $6 cxd4 14. Qxc8 Rfxc8 15. Nxd7 dxc3 $1 {is favourable for Black.}) 13... Qxd7 $1 (13... Nxd7 $5 {would be careless} 14. d5 $1 {and White has the initiative.}) 14. dxc5 Qc6+ 15. f3 Qxc5 16. Qxc5 Bxc5 {White can claim some practical chances as he has more space by playing e4 and because Black has some squares to defend on the queenside. In some of Ulf Andersson's classical games, this minimal edge used to be enough to win, but with accurate play Black is ok.} 17. Bf4 Rfd8 18. e4 Ne8 $1 {A good manoeuvre, since the knight became restricted in f6, and now has more useful purposes covering some squares on the queenside.} 19. Kf1 Kf8 20. Ke2 Ke7 {Slightly inaccurate.} ({ During the press conference, Mameyarov pointed out} 20... f6 {as more precise, if} 21. Nb5 a6 {is ok for Black, although then Aronian said} 22. Nc3 {[%CAl Yc3a4] still offers some pressure for White, then both players agreed that despite it Black should be able to equalise with good moves.} g5 $1 23. Be3 Bxe3 24. Kxe3 Ke7 $11 {confirms it.}) 21. Nb5 $1 {Now this move is a bit unpleasant for Black.} Rdc8 (21... a6 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. Na7 $1 {[%CAl Ya7c6] is the point} Ra8 24. Nc6+ Kd7 25. Ne5+ Ke7 26. Nd3 Bd4 27. Rc1 $14) 22. Rac1 a6 23. Nc3 {[%CAl Yc3a4]} b5 24. a4 (24. e5 $5 {[%CAl Yc3e4,Ye4d6] looks a good but counter-intuitive idea: White closes in his dark-squared bishop but clears the path to the manoeuvre Ne4-d6. Another point is that the Ne8 is considerably dominated by the pawn, and Black's position immediately seems unpleasant to defend} h6 (24... Bb6 {was Aronian's suggestion} 25. Ne4 h6 26. Bd2 $1 {transposes}) 25. Ne4 Bb6 26. Bd2 $1 {[%CAl Yd2b4] forcing more weakening moves in Black's camp Quintiliano,R: 'transposes'} a5 27. Be3 $1 Bxe3 28. Kxe3 $14 {[%csl Yc5] White controls the c5-square, which is very sensible in such positions, and enjoys more space while Black's queenside is exposed. This position would be a tough defence for Mamedyarov.}) 24... Bd6 $1 {A good defensive idea, aiming to place the rook on b8.} 25. Be3 (25. axb5 Bxf4 26. gxf4 axb5 27. Nxb5 Rcb8 $11 {[%csl Yb2]}) (25. e5 {is not so strong as one move earlier.} Bb4 $1 {and the pawn on a4 makes all difference}) 25... Rab8 26. axb5 axb5 27. Ba7 {Trying to provoke the conditions for tactical ideas.} (27. f4 f6 28. Kf3 $14 {would keep better chances for White.}) 27... Rb7 28. Bd4 { [%CAl Yc1c8]} Rc4 $6 {Aronian finds a nice idea now.} (28... f6 $11 {was safer, since} 29. Nd5+ Kd8 $1 {remains a bit easier for White, but Black is holding with good play.}) 29. e5 Bc5 (29... Bb8 30. b3 Rcc7 31. b4 $1 $16 {[%CAl Yd4c5] }) 30. Nd5+ $1 exd5 31. Bxc5+ Ke6 32. b3 $6 {But this move loses all the advantage.} ({Both players agreed that after} 32. Bd4 Rbc7 33. Ra1 {would leave Black with an unpleasant defence ahead of him, for example} Ra4 { (Mamedyarov)} 34. b3 Rc2+ (34... Rxa1 35. Rxa1 Rc6 36. Ra7 Nc7 37. Rb7 $14) 35. Ke3 Raa2 36. Rxa2 Rxa2 37. Ra1 $1 {the subsequent BxN endgame is also pleasant for White} Rxa1 38. Bxa1 Kd7 39. f4 g6 40. g4 Ng7 41. Bc3 Kc6 42. b4 $16 { and here Black's defence is also very unpleasant.}) 32... Rxc1 33. Rxc1 Kxe5 34. Kd3 Ke6 $1 {The move that Aronian missed.} (34... Kf5 $6 {was inferior} 35. g4+ Kg6 (35... Kf4 $2 36. Be3+ $1 Kxf3 $4 37. Rg1 $1 $18 {[%CAl Gg1g3]}) 36. Be3 $36 {[%CAl Yc1c6] and White has a pleasant initiative, regaining the pawn is a matter of time and Black will continue under pressure after that.}) 35. Bb4 Kd7 36. Kd4 ({Both players saw} 36. Re1 Nc7 $1 37. Re7+ Kc6 38. Rxf7 Na6 $1 {and Black has no problems} 39. Rf4 $11 (39. Rxb7 $2 Nxb4+ 40. Kc3 d4+ 41. Kxb4 Kxb7 42. Ka3 Kc6 43. Kb2 Kd5 44. Kc2 {seems a draw})) 36... Nc7 {Now White regains the pawn but Black has time to improve the knight, and the position is just equal.} 37. Ba5 Ne6+ 38. Kxd5 Ra7 39. b4 Ra6 $1 {Also improving the rook.} 40. f4 Rd6+ 41. Ke4 Rd4+ {1/2-1/2 (41) Aronian,L (2794)-Mamedyarov,S (2809) Berlin 2018 CBM 184 [Quintiliano,R]} ({Mamedyarov saw a last attempt in} 41... g6 42. Ke5 (42. f5 gxf5+ 43. Kxf5 Rd2 44. Bb6 $1 $132 {[%csl Gf2][%CAl Yf5f6] (Aronian)}) 42... f5 $2 {but realising that White now has} 43. Rc8 $1 $16 { decided not to be over-ambitious.})) (7... b5 8. a4 b4 9. Nfd2 Nd5 10. Nxc4 c5 11. dxc5 Ba6 12. Ne3 Nd7 13. Nxd5 exd5 14. c6 Rc8 15. Bf4 Nc5 16. c7 Qd7 17. Nd2 g5 18. Be5 f6 19. Bd4 Rxc7 20. Qd1 Ne6 21. Nb3 Bc4 22. Na5 Nxd4 23. Qxd4 Kg7 24. Rfc1 Bxe2 25. Rxc7 Qxc7 26. Re1 Bc5 27. Qxd5 Re8 28. Qb7 Qxb7 29. Nxb7 Bf8 30. Bc6 Re7 31. f3 Bc4 32. Rxe7+ Bxe7 33. Kf2 f5 34. Ke3 Bg8 35. Kd3 g4 36. Na5 Bc5 37. Nc4 Bg1 38. Ne3 Be6 39. fxg4 fxg4 40. Ke2 h5 41. Bd5 Bd7 42. Bb3 Bxh2 43. Kf2 h4 44. gxh4 Be5 45. Nc4 g3+ 46. Kg1 Bf4 47. Bd1 Bc6 48. b3 Kh6 49. a5 Be4 50. Kf1 Kg7 51. Kg1 Kf6 52. Kf1 Ke6 53. h5 Kd5 54. a6 Kd4 55. Bg4 Kc3 56. Be6 Bc2 57. Na5 Bc7 58. Nb7 Bd3+ 59. Kg1 Bxa6 {0-1 (59) Ding,L (2805) -Carlsen,M (2875) Zagreb 2019 CBM 191 [Nielsen,Peter Heine]}) 8. a4 (8. Qxc4 b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. Bd2 Be4 11. Qc1 c6 12. a4 Nbd7 13. Nc3 Bg6 14. Nh4 Bh5 15. h3 Nd5 16. axb5 axb5 17. Nxd5 cxd5 18. Bf3 Bxf3 19. Nxf3 Qb6 20. Qc2 Rac8 21. Qd3 Ra8 22. Rxa8 Rxa8 23. Rc1 h6 24. Bf4 g5 25. Ne5 Nxe5 26. Bxe5 b4 27. Qf3 Qd8 28. Qh5 Bf8 29. Rc7 Qe8 30. h4 f5 31. Qf3 g4 32. Qe3 Rc8 33. Ra7 Qc6 34. Bf4 Qb6 35. Qe5 h5 36. Qf6 Rc1+ 37. Bxc1 Qxa7 38. Qxe6+ Qf7 39. Qc8 Kh7 40. Bf4 Kg6 41. Be5 Be7 42. Qc6+ Kh7 43. e3 Bf8 44. Bd6 Bxd6 45. Qxd6 b3 46. Qb6 {1-0 (46) Vidit,S (2707)-Wang,H (2737) Danzhou 2019 CBM 191 [Vidit,S]}) 8... Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 (10. Bf4 Bd6 (10... Nbd7 11. Nc3 Bd6 12. Bd2 a5 13. Qd3 Bb4 14. Rfe1 Re8 15. Qc2 Bxf3 16. Bxf3 c6 17. Red1 Qb6 18. Bg5 h6 19. Bxf6 Nxf6 20. Ne4 Nxe4 21. Bxe4 Rad8 22. e3 Rd6 23. Rd3 Qd8 24. Rad1 Re7 25. Qc4 Red7 26. Bg2 Qe7 27. h4 h5 28. Bf3 g6 29. Bg2 Kg7 30. b3 e5 31. dxe5 Qxe5 32. Rxd6 Rxd6 33. Rxd6 Qxd6 34. Be4 Qf6 35. Kf1 Qa1+ 36. Kg2 Qe5 37. Bf3 f5 38. Qd4 Qxd4 39. exd4 Bd6 40. d5 c5 41. Be2 f4 42. Kf3 fxg3 43. fxg3 Kf6 44. Bd3 g5 45. hxg5+ Kxg5 46. Kg2 b6 47. Kh3 Bb8 48. Be2 Be5 49. Bd3 Bd6 50. Be2 Be5 51. Bd3 Bd6 52. Be2 Be5 {1/2-1/2 (52) Lorparizangeneh,S (2493)-Atalik,S (2509) Paracin 2018 CBM 186 [Atalik,S]}) 11. Bg5 Nbd7 12. Nc3 h6 13. Bc1 a5 14. b3 Qe7 15. Bb2 Rfd8 16. Rac1 Ba3 17. Bxa3 Qxa3 18. Nb5 Qe7 19. Qc2 Bxf3 20. Bxf3 c6 21. Nc3 Nb6 22. e3 e5 23. dxe5 Qxe5 24. Rfd1 g6 25. Rd2 Rd7 26. Rxd7 Nbxd7 27. Rd1 h5 28. Rd4 Nc5 29. h4 Kg7 30. Kg2 Ne6 31. Rd1 {1/2-1/2 (31) Ding,L (2769)-Mamedyarov,S (2809) Berlin 2018 CBM 184 [Fernandez,D]}) 10... Nbd7 (10... Bd5 11. Qc2 Be4 12. Qc1 h6 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Rd1 Nc6 15. Nbd2 Bh7 16. Nb3 Nb4 17. Ne1 c6 18. a5 Qe7 19. f4 g5 20. e4 gxf4 21. gxf4 Rad8 22. Qc3 Kh8 23. Nc5 Rg8 24. Kh1 Nd5 25. exd5 exd5 26. Nf3 Rxg2 27. Kxg2 Qe2+ 28. Kh1 Be4 29. Nxe4 dxe4 30. Ng1 Qf2 31. Rf1 Qh4 32. Rad1 Qh5 33. Qe3 Re8 34. Ne2 Qxa5 35. Nc3 Qb4 36. Nxe4 c5 37. f5 Bg7 38. f6 Bf8 39. Rg1 {1-0 (39) Ju,W (2560)-Dzagnidze,N (2524) Chess.com INT 2020 CBM 196 [Edouard,R]}) (10... h6 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Nc3 Bxf3 13. Bxf3 Qxd4 14. Qxc7 Nc6 15. Qxb7 Na5 16. Qc7 Qd8 17. Qf4 Rb8 18. Rfd1 Qe7 19. Rab1 Rfc8 20. Ne4 Bg5 21. Qd6 Qxd6 22. Rxd6 Be7 23. Rxa6 Nc4 24. Rc1 Nxb2 25. Rxc8+ Rxc8 26. a5 Nc4 27. Ra7 Bb4 28. a6 f5 29. Rb7 fxe4 30. Bg4 Ra8 31. Rxb4 Nd6 32. Bxe6+ Kf8 33. Rb6 {1-0 (33) Mamedyarov,S (2804)-Wei,Y (2743) Wijk aan Zee 2018 CBM 183 [Marin,M]}) 11. Nc3 {Krasenkow,M: 'is the main move.'} (11. Nbd2 {A bit too humble. Black equalizes easily.} h6 (11... Rc8 12. Qc2 h6 13. Bxf6 Nxf6 14. Rfd1 Bb4 15. Rac1 Qd6 16. Nc4 Qe7 17. Nfe5 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 c5 $11 {1/2 (30) Wojtaszek,R (2749)-Giri,A (2780) Shenzhen 2018}) 12. Bxf6 Nxf6 13. Rfd1 a5 { [%csl Gb4]} (13... Rc8 $5 {with the idea to prepare ...c7-c5 after all}) (13... Qd5 $5) 14. Rac1 (14. Ne5 Bxg2 15. Kxg2 Qd5+ 16. f3 c5 17. e4 Qxd4 18. Qxd4 cxd4 19. Nb3 Rfd8 20. Rxd4 Rxd4 21. Nxd4 Rd8 $11 {1/2 (36) Aronian,L (2792) -Kramnik,V (2812) Leuven 2016}) 14... Bd6 (14... Rc8 $5) (14... Qe8 $5 15. b3 Rd8) 15. Ne5 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 c6 (16... Nd5 $5 {[%CAl Yd5b4]}) 17. Nd3 (17. Qb3 { , preventing ...Qb6, is hardly successful in view of} Bb4 {[%CAl Yd8d5]}) 17... Qb6 18. Qb3 Qxb3 19. Nxb3 Rfd8 $11 {White has a space advantage but Black has no weaknesses (his a5 pawn can hardly be considered a weakness) and no bad pieces.} 20. Kf3 Nd5 21. Nbc5 Ra7 22. e4 Ne7 23. Ke3 (23. Ne5 $142 b6 $140 ( 23... Bb8 $142 $11 {[%CAl Yf7f6,Yg8f7]}) 24. Ncd3) 23... b6 {Black weakens his c6 pawn a bit but drives White's knight away to a passive position.} 24. Nb3 Rad7 25. Rd2 f6 26. Rdc2 $6 {White doesn't realize that he must switch to defence.} (26. h4 $142 {to prepare for ...g7-g5:} g5 27. hxg5 hxg5 28. f4) 26... Kf7 (26... Bb8 $1 {[%CAl Re6e5,Yg7g5]}) 27. Ke2 (27. h4 $1) 27... Bb8 28. Ne1 g5 $1 {This move fixes a potential weakness in White's camp: his h-pawn.} 29. Nf3 Bd6 (29... g4 30. Nfd2 {[%CAl Yh2h3]}) 30. h4 $6 {[%mdl 32] White underestimates the danger of his kingside pawns being fixed on dark squares (the squares of the opponent's bishop).} (30. h3 $142) 30... g4 31. Nfd2 (31. Ne1 e5 $5) 31... Bb4 32. Nf1 (32. Nb1 $5) 32... c5 (32... b5 $5 33. Ra1 (33. axb5 cxb5 {[%CAl Ra5a4]}) 33... bxa4 34. Rxa4 c5 $1 35. dxc5 Nc6 $36) 33. dxc5 Rd3 34. Nbd2 $6 {White had a nice defence:} (34. Rc3 $1 Bxc3 35. bxc3 R3d7 $1 ( 35... bxc5 36. Nxc5 Rf3 $8 37. Ne3 $44 {[%csl Rf3]}) 36. Ne3 $1 (36. cxb6 $143 Rb7 37. Nxa5 Rxb6 38. Nc4 Ra6 39. a5 Nc6 40. Nfe3 h5 41. Ra1 Rda8 42. Nc2 Ne5 $5 {, and Black keeps some winning chances}) 36... bxc5 (36... h5 37. cxb6 { [%CAl Re3c4]}) 37. Nxg4 h5 38. Ne3 Rb7 39. Nxa5 Rb2+ 40. Kf3 Ra2 41. Nac4 $1 { , and White should not lose. However, the exchange sacrifice was far from obvious.}) 34... bxc5 $17 {Black has a clear positional advantage (the activity of pieces!) and gradually converts it.} 35. Nc4 Nc6 36. Nfe3 h5 37. Rb1 R3d4 38. e5 (38. f3 gxf3+ 39. Kxf3 Rxc4 $1 40. Rxc4 Rd2 41. Rf1 Rxb2 $19) 38... fxe5 39. Kf1 Kf6 40. Rcc1 e4 41. Ng2 e5 42. Nge3 Ke6 43. Nd1 Bd2 44. Nxd2 Rxd2 45. Nc3 (45. Ke1 R8d3 {[%CAl Rc6d4]} 46. Rxc5 Nd4 47. Ne3 Re2+ 48. Kf1 Rdd2 $19) 45... Kf5 46. Re1 R8d4 47. Re2 Rxe2 48. Kxe2 {[%mdl 4096]} Rb4 49. Ke3 Rb3 50. Rd1 (50. Kd2 Nd4 {was hopeless enough but White's attempt to activate his rook leads to a wonderful zugzwang position.}) 50... Nd4 51. Rd2 $2 ({To} 51. Rb1 {Black has the following plan:} Rb4 52. Kd2 {(otherwise White loses one of his pawns)} (52. Nxe4 Nc2+ 53. Kd3 Rxe4 54. Kxc2 Re2+ $19) 52... Ke6 {, then ...Nd4-f5 and ...e4-e3!}) 51... c4 $22 {0-1 (51) Cheparinov,I (2686)-Esipenko,A (2654) Caleta 2020 CBM 194 Extra [Krasenkow,M]}) 11... h6 12. Bxf6 {E05: Open Catalan: 5 Nf3 Be7.} Nxf6 13. e3 $5 {[%mdl 4] [#] 13.Rfd1 is the modern continuation. A promising side line.} Qd6 $146 ({Predecessor:} 13... a5 14. Rac1 Bxf3 15. Bxf3 c6 16. Rfd1 Qb6 17. Ne4 Nxe4 18. Bxe4 Qb4 19. Qc2 Rfd8 {1/2-1/2 (48) Andreikin,D (2737)-Movsesian,S (2673) Tallinn 2016}) 14. Rfb1 {The position is equal.} a5 15. Qe2 Bxf3 16. Bxf3 c6 17. Rd1 g6 18. h4 h5 19. Qc2 Rfd8 20. Ne2 Kg7 21. Kg2 Qc7 22. Rac1 {[%CAl Ba1c1,Bc1c2,Bc2d2,Bd2d3] [%mdl 32]} Rac8 23. Qb3 Bd6 24. Rc2 Qe7 25. Rcd2 Bb4 26. Rd3 Rd7 27. e4 Rcd8 28. Nf4 e5 29. dxe5 Qxe5 30. Rxd7 Rxd7 31. Nd3 Qe7 32. e5 Nd5 33. Qc2 Nc7 ( 33... Qe6 $11 {keeps the balance.}) 34. Nxb4 $16 axb4 35. Rxd7 Qxd7 36. Qc5 Qd2 $2 {[%mdl 8192] [#] A mistake that costs the game.} (36... Na6 $16 {is a better chance.} 37. Qa7 Kh7) 37. Qd6 $1 $18 {[%CAl Rd6d2] White is clearly winning.} Qxd6 38. exd6 {[%mdl 4096] Endgame KB-KN} Ne6 {[#]} 39. Bxc6 $1 { [%mdl 512]} b6 40. Bd5 {Bxe6 is the strong threat.} Nc5 41. Kf3 Kf6 42. b3 g5 43. hxg5+ Kxg5 44. Ke3 f5 45. Kd4 {Weighted Error Value: White=0. 01/Black=0.26 } 1-0
Embed code:
Game Url: