[Event "Chennai Grand Masters 2023"] [Site "Chennai"] [Date "2023.12.15"] [Round "1"] [White "Maghsoodloo, Parham"] [Black "Eljanov, Pavel"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C65"] [WhiteElo "2742"] [BlackElo "2691"] [Annotator "Saravanan,V"] [PlyCount "122"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [EventCountry "IND"] [WhiteTeam "IRI"] [BlackTeam "UKR"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nbd2 Be6 7. O-O Qd6 8. b3 a5 9. Bb2 Nd7 10. Ng5 a4 11. Ndf3 f6 12. Nxe6 Qxe6 13. d4 exd4 14. Nxd4 Bxd4 15. Qxd4 O-O 16. Rfe1 {A new move, played after a long think of 15 minutes. White seems to have a token advantage, typical of playing a principled opening position.} c5 17. Qd3 Ne5 18. Qg3 b5 19. f3 (19. Rad1 {would have preserved an advantage.}) 19... b4 20. h4 c4 21. Bxe5 fxe5 22. bxc4 Ra5 23. Rad1 Rc5 24. Rd5 Rxc4 25. Re2 Re8 {The position can be considered level here.} 26. Red2 h6 27. h5 Kh7 28. Rd7 Rg8 29. Kh2 Rc6 30. R7d5 Re8 31. Rd7 Rg8 32. Qh3 Qf6 (32... Re8) 33. Qg4 ({White could have tried to press for an advantage with} 33. Qf5+ Qxf5 34. exf5 Rf8 35. g4 {in view of Black's isolated e-pawn.}) 33... Rc3 34. Kg3 Rf8 35. Qh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A subtle error, and Eljanov quickly pounces on it.} Qxh4+ 36. Kxh4 Rf4+ 37. Kg3 Rxe4 38. Rxc7 Rxc7 39. fxe4 Rc3+ $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] It was Black's turn to err now.} ({Black had to play} 39... Rc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40. Kf3 a3 {and Black's pieces are paralyzed, allowing Black to bring his king out of his shell and aim to capture the h5-pawn. A sample variation:} 41. Ke3 Rc3+ 42. Ke2 Kg8 43. Rd8+ Kf7 44. Kd2 Rg3 45. Rb8 Rxg2+ 46. Kd3 Rh2 47. Rb7+ Kg8 48. Rb8+ Kh7 49. Rxb4 Rxh5 {and Black's connected pawns should give him an advantage in the ending.}) 40. Kg4 Ra3 41. c4 {A nice trick.} Rc3 (41... bxc3 $4 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 42. Rc2 {and the black rook on a3 is bottled up $1}) 42. Kf5 Rxc4 43. Kxe5 b3 44. axb3 axb3 45. Rb2 Rb4 {This looks like a level ending.} 46. Kd5 Kg8 47. Kc5 Rxe4 48. Rxb3 Rg4 {Though the position looks better for Black, he has more than one way to hold the draw.} 49. g3 Kf7 50. Kd5 Kf6 51. Re3 $4 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Blunder;persistent;true] White had to act decisively here.} ({The best way for White was to give up one of the pawns immediately:} 51. Rb1 Rxg3 (51... Kg5 52. Ke5 Kxh5 53. Kf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} g6+ (53... Rxg3 $4 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 54. Rh1+) 54. Kf6 {is a draw}) 52. Ke4 Rh3 (52... Kg5 53. Rh1 $1 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and Black cannot make progress towards capturing the h5-pawn:} Rg4+ 54. Ke5 Rh4 55. Rg1+) 53. Rb6+ Ke7 54. Rb5 {is a draw.}) 51... Rg5+ 52. Kd4 {Now, not only Black wins the pawn, but his king remains cut-off from the kingside too.} ({The problem for White was that he could not continue} 52. Ke4 Re5+ 53. Kf3 Rxe3+ 54. Kxe3 Kg5 {as this is a winning ending for Black.}) 52... Rxh5 53. Ra3 Re5 {Black is winning now.} 54. Rf3+ Rf5 55. Ra3 Kg5 56. Ke3 Kg4 57. Ke2 g5 58. Rb3 h5 59. Ra3 Kh3 60. Rb3 Kg2 61. Re3 Rf2+ 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.12.15"] [Round "1"] [White "Harikrishna, Pentala"] [Black "Erigaisi Arjun"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D50"] [WhiteElo "2696"] [BlackElo "2727"] [Annotator "rafael"] [PlyCount "121"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"] {[%evp 0,121,30,30,35,15,15,20,12,11,34,40,52,30,30,30,30,14,30,6,4,13,13,16,21,22,19,25,19,19,16,27,69,65,82,86,114,112,118,120,114,124,137,142,141,110,110,102,102,100,109,109,109,104,105,104,104,104,109,104,107,103,103,103,105,103,97,97,97,75,96,96,96,93,105,109,131,131,130,157,144,144,144,144,144,144,144,144,144,144,144,139,189,189,169,183,232,238,205,61,52,25,261,261,251,261,283,261,371,371,427,376,787,787,935,992,1002,1002,1002,992,897,952,992,654]} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bg5 dxc4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 5. e3 c5 6. dxc5 {The game quickly takes a path with little opening theory. I don't like the move played in the game, since Black has no problems in this endgame. 6.Bxc4 and 6.Bxf6 is more ambitious.} (6. Bxc4) (6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. d5) 6... Qxd1+ 7. Rxd1 Bxc5 8. Bxc4 a6 9. Nge2 Nbd7 10. Bd3 b5 {Black has easy equality already.} 11. Ne4 {A new move.} (11. Be4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] was played before, but Black was much better after} Nxe4 12. Nxe4 Bb4+ 13. N2c3 f6 {in Rodrigue Lemieux-Stremavicius, Wch U18 Mamaia 2022.}) 11... Bb4+ 12. N2c3 Nxe4 13. Bxe4 Ra7 14. O-O f6 (14... Bxc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the right time to capture the knight, as we will see.} 15. bxc3 (15. Rc1 Rc7) 15... Bb7 {with comfortable play for Black.}) 15. Bf4 Bxc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Arjun clearly missed White's surprising next move.} (15... Ke7 {is better, with a good position.}) 16. Rc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move, changing the character of the game. White is better now due to the pair of bishops and good pawn structure.} e5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Mistakes never come alone.} (16... Nb6 17. Rxc3 Kf7 {is better, although Black's position is unpleasant.}) 17. Rxc3 Ke7 18. Bg3 Nb6 19. f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Opening the position for the bishops.} exf4 20. exf4 Kf7 21. Rfc1 $16 Re7 22. Rc7 Rhe8 23. Bxh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Very well calculated . This is not an easy move, since everybody fears losing the bishop after g7-g6.} g6 24. R1c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kg7 (24... Rxc7 25. Rxc7+ Nd7 26. f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop escapes the trap.}) 25. Rxe7+ Rxe7 26. Rxb6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A very instructive moment.} (26. Bh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the most accurate move. It's all a matter of achieving the best possible pawn structure in the opposite-color bishops endgame.} Kxh7 27. Rxb6 Re6 (27... Re4 28. Bxf6 Rxf4 29. Rd6 {with excellent winning chances.}) 28. Rxe6 Bxe6 29. Bxf6 Bxa2 30. b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With this pawn structure White is winning. A possible plan is to bring the king to g5 and then play f5 or h5 in order to achieve two passed and united pawns.}) 26... Re6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27. Rb8 (27. Rxe6 Bxe6 28. Bxg6 Kxg6 29. a3 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with this pawn structure the endgame is a draw, since White cannot break the fortress. Yes, chess is a difficult game, and that's why we like it.}) 27... Rc6 28. Bxg6 Kxg6 29. Be1 Kf5 30. Bc3 Kxf4 {Black has drawing chances now, but the endgame remains difficult to defend.} 31. Kf2 f5 32. a3 Ke4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The king goes the wrong way.} (32... Kg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's not easy for White to push the h-pawn.}) 33. a4 (33. h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is even better.}) 33... Rc5 (33... bxa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Exchanging pawns is usually the way to go if you are defending an endgame.} 34. Rb4+ Kd5 35. Rd4+ Ke6 36. Rxa4 {Black still has a lot of suffering ahead, but there are drawing chances.}) 34. a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} f4 35. Rb6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (35. h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is stronger.}) 35... Rc4 36. h4 b4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (36... Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only defense $1 The h-pawn has to be stopped. Black has excellent drawing chances.} 37. Rxa6 {is not dangerous due to} b4) 37. Bd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is winning now.} (37. Rxb4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Rxb4 38. Bxb4 Bg4 {leads to a fortress.}) 37... Kf5 (37... Bg4 38. b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only winning move.} Rd4 39. Be1 {There's no adequate defense for the a-pawn.}) 38. h5 Rc2 39. Ke2 (39. Ke1 $2 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] allows} Rxb2 40. h6 Rb1+ $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and the rook is back into the game.} 41. Kf2 Rh1) 39... Kg5 40. h6 Bg4+ 41. Ke1 Rxb2 42. g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bf5 43. gxf4+ (43. Bxf4+ {is also easily winning:} Kg4 44. Be5) 43... Kg4 44. Bxb4 Kf3 45. Kd1 Bd3 46. Bd2 Rb1+ 47. Bc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (47. Rxb1 $4 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} Bxb1 {with an easy draw.}) 47... Be4 48. Rxa6 Rb5 49. Ra7 $4 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Blunder;persistent;true] A dramatic blunder $1} (49. f5 {is the easiest way, securing the pawn on h6.} Rxf5 (49... Bxf5 50. Rf6) 50. Bd2 {White keeps both passed pawns and achieve the win.}) 49... Rh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 50. f5 Rxf5 $4 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Blunder;persistent;true] The last mistake.} (50... Rh1+ $1 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 51. Kd2 Rxh6 {leads to a draw, since the f-pawn also falls.}) 51. a6 {The rest is simple.} Rf6 52. Bg5 Rd6+ 53. Kc1 Bg6 54. Ra8 Kg4 55. Be3 Re6 56. Rg8 Kf3 57. a7 Be4 58. h7 Rc6+ 59. Kb2 Rc2+ 60. Kb3 Rh2 61. h8=Q 1-0 [Event "Chennai"] [Site "Chennai"] [Date "2023.12.16"] [Round "2"] [White "Aronian, Levon"] [Black "Maghsoodloo, Parham"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E21"] [WhiteElo "2723"] [BlackElo "2742"] [Annotator "Saravanan,V"] [PlyCount "61"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [EventCountry "IND"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 O-O 5. Bg5 c5 6. d5 h6 7. Bh4 d6 8. e3 g5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An almost new concept, showing disrespect for safety of the kingside and thus complicating the game.} 9. Bg3 Ne4 10. Qc2 f5 11. Nd2 Bxc3 12. bxc3 Nxg3 $6 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This looked risky, as the white rook on h1 gets his route opened on the file.} 13. hxg3 Kg7 {Maghsoodloo was taking his time for executing his moves until this point, whereas Aronian was blitzing out his moves.} 14. Bd3 Qf6 15. f4 {White clearly has the upper hand now.} (15. g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] might have been even stronger.}) 15... e5 16. e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Opening up the position. Though White's king is still in the center, an even more important factor is that Black's pieces aren't yet developed fully.} exf4 17. O-O-O $2 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Curiously, this natural move is not the best in the position.} ({Incredibly, the best move in the position is} 17. O-O $5 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] White wants to apply pressure on the f-file here.} Nd7 (17... fxg3 $6 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 18. exf5 {with Ne4 to follow.}) 18. gxf4 {and White has a huge attack.}) 17... Nd7 18. gxf4 fxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the difference: this would not have been possible if White had castled short earlier.} 19. Nxe4 Qxf4+ 20. Kb1 {White still has compensation for the pawn.} Ne5 21. Rhf1 Qe3 22. Rfe1 Qf4 {An almost tacit draw offer.} 23. g3 {Aronian wants to fight.} Qf3 24. Nxd6 Qxg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Incredibly, Maghsoodloo comes up with the best defense in such a difficult looking position.} 25. Ne4 Qf4 26. Rf1 Nf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Maghsoodloo continues his incredible defense.} (26... Qe3 27. Rxf8 Kxf8 28. Qh2 Nf7 29. Kb2 {might give White a slight advantage.}) 27. Nxc5 (27. Nd2 $2 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 27... Qe3 28. Qe2 ({Aronian could have tried} 28. Bh7 {to let Maghsoodloo find many complicated defensive choices.} Nd2+ (28... Qxc5 29. Qg6+ Kh8 30. Rxf3 Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move.} (30... Bd7 $4 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 31. Rf7 {wins.}) 31. Qxh6 (31. Rf7 Rxf7 32. Qxf7 Rf8 {even wins for Black.}) 31... Qb6+ 32. Qxb6 axb6 33. Rxf8+ Rxf8 34. Rg1 {with dynamic equality.}) 29. Kb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nxf1 30. Qg6+ Kh8 31. Qxh6 Rf2+ 32. Bc2+ Kg8 33. Qh7+ Kf8 {and incredibly, White doesn't have a win anymore.}) 28... Qxe2 29. Bxe2 g4 30. Kc1 b6 31. Nd3 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chennai"] [Site "Chennai"] [Date "2023.12.16"] [Round "2"] [White "Eljanov, Pavel"] [Black "Sjugirov, Sanan"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "A07"] [WhiteElo "2691"] [BlackElo "2703"] [Annotator "rafael"] [PlyCount "126"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"] 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O Bg4 5. h3 Bh5 6. d3 e6 7. c4 {Eljanov has a classic, positional style and these slow variations usually work well for him.} dxc4 8. dxc4 Nbd7 (8... Qxd1 {Exchanging queens is a good alternative. Black has no particular problems after} 9. Rxd1 Nbd7) 9. Nc3 Qc7 10. Bf4 e5 11. Be3 Bc5 12. Bxc5 (12. Qc1 {is an interesting alternative.}) 12... Nxc5 13. b4 Ne6 14. Qc1 O-O 15. Nd2 a5 16. a3 {Black has a good position, but it is possible to improve on his next moves, as White will get a small advantage.} axb4 {Opening the a-file is not that advantageous for Black.} (16... Rfd8 17. Qb2 Nd4 18. e3 Ne2+ 19. Nxe2 Bxe2 {with equality.}) 17. axb4 Rxa1 18. Qxa1 Qb6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (18... Rd8 {is better.}) 19. Qb2 Ra8 20. Rc1 Qa6 21. e3 (21. b5 {leads to a small advantage for White after:} Qb6 22. Ra1 Rxa1+ 23. Qxa1) 21... Bg6 22. Nf3 Nd7 23. Rd1 Nef8 24. Nh4 {[%c_arrow a6c4;keyPressed;none;from;a6;opacity;0.8;to;c4;persistent;false] This pawn sacrifice is not bad, but I believe that the best White can do is recover it and achieve a draw. The alternatives likely lead to a draw:} (24. b5 Qa3) (24. Nd2) 24... Qxc4 25. Nxg6 hxg6 26. Bf1 (26. b5 {offers enough compensation for equality.}) 26... Qe6 27. Ne4 Nb6 28. Ng5 (28. b5 {is again possible, with enough compensation after} Nd5 29. bxc6 bxc6) 28... Qe7 29. h4 Nh7 30. Nxh7 $2 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a mistake and now White is in danger.} (30. Ne4 {is better:} Nf6 31. Ng5) 30... Kxh7 31. b5 c5 {The c-pawn becomes very dangerous.} 32. Qc2 e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's important to close the b1-h7 diagonal and take the e4-square from White's queen.} 33. Qd2 Qe6 (33... Qe5 {is more accurate.}) 34. Qd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (34. h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is a great move by the computer, offering drawing chances. The idea is very hard to understand at first.} gxh5 35. Qd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now if Black continues as in the game, we can understand why h5 was important:} Qxd6 36. Rxd6 c4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 37. Bg2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Threatening to capture the e4-pawn with check.} f5 38. Bh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with counterplay.}) 34... Qxd6 35. Rxd6 c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move, but good enough. Now Black wins the exchange after a forced sequence.} 36. Rxb6 c3 37. Rxb7 Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38. Ra7 c2 39. Ra1 c1=Q 40. Rxc1 Rxc1 41. Kg2 {With the b-pawn it would be possible to think that White has good chances for a draw, but the pawn structure on the kingside is very unfavorable. Black can endeavor to attack the f2-pawn, and if White moves the pawn before this happens, then his structure remains bad.} g5 (41... Kg8 {It's hard to say without detailed analysis which move is better and whether this actually makes any difference.}) 42. hxg5 Kg6 43. b6 {White decides not to wait passively.} Rc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only winning move.} (43... Rb1 $2 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 44. Bc4 Rxb6 45. Bd5 {with a draw.}) 44. b7 Rb6 45. Ba6 Kxg5 {The bishop is badly placed.} 46. f4+ $6 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This makes things worse, but the endgame should be lost anyway.} exf3+ 47. Kxf3 Kf5 48. Bd3+ Ke5 49. Be4 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 50. Bc6 Kd6 51. Be8 Rxb7 {White is not in time to exchange the e-pawn for the f-pawn.} 52. Kf4 Ke6 53. e4 Rb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 54. Bc6 Kf6 55. Kf3 Rb3+ 56. Kf2 Rb6 57. Ba8 Rb8 58. Bc6 Rb2+ 59. Kf3 Rc2 60. Bb7 Rc7 61. Ba8 Rc3+ 62. Kf2 Kg5 63. exf5 Kg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The last accurate move.} (63... Kxf5 $4 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 64. Bf3 {leads to a draw, since White has a fortress.}) 0-1 [Event "Chennai"] [Site "Chennai"] [Date "2023.12.17"] [Round "3.2"] [White "Sjugirov, Sanan"] [Black "Aronian, Levon"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C67"] [WhiteElo "2703"] [BlackElo "2723"] [Annotator "Saravanan,V"] [PlyCount "79"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [EventCountry "IND"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 Re8 11. c3 Rxe1 12. Qxe1 Ne8 13. Bf4 d5 14. Nd2 g6 15. h3 Ng7 16. Nf3 c6 17. Qd2 h5 $6 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] As Aronian admitted later, he had mixed up his preparation over the board.} (17... Bf5 18. Re1 Qf8 19. Ne5 Re8 {had been seen earlier in Firouzja,A (2759) - Mamedyarov,S (2782) Chess24.com 2021}) 18. Re1 Bf5 19. Ne5 h4 {Black's position looks doubtful, but Aronian had played quite fast over the board until this point, indicating that it was all part of his preparation.} 20. Bd3 Bxe5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 21. dxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Suddenly, Black has weak squares on the kingside.} Bxd3 22. Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop on d3 isn't going anywhere, and White captures the dark squares on the kingside and threatens an assault against the black king.} Qd7 23. Bf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White again ignores the recapture of 23.Qxd3 and continues his attack on the kingside threatening to invade with Qd2-h6.} Kh7 24. Qxd3 Qf5 25. Qd2 $4 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Blunder;persistent;true] White loses most of his advantage here.} (25. Qd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} g5 26. Qb4 b6 27. Qe7 {and White makes inroads into Black's position.}) 25... Ne6 26. Bxh4 g5 27. Bg3 {White has an extra pawn, but Black starts his counterplay.} Rd8 28. f3 c5 29. Bf2 b6 30. b4 a5 31. bxc5 bxc5 32. Qd1 Qf4 33. Qd3+ Kg8 34. a3 Qa4 35. Qf5 d4 36. cxd4 cxd4 37. Qd3 Nf4 38. Qf5 Ne6 39. Qd3 ({White can still play for an advantage with} 39. Qg4 $16) 39... Nf4 40. Qf5 {Suddenly faced with counterplay due to Black's passed d-pawn, White loses his nerve and accepts a draw.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chennai"] [Site "Chennai"] [Date "2023.12.17"] [Round "3"] [White "Harikrishna, Pentala"] [Black "Eljanov, Pavel"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C67"] [WhiteElo "2696"] [BlackElo "2691"] [Annotator "Saravanan,V"] [PlyCount "68"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [EventCountry "IND"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. Nc3 Ne8 10. Nd5 Bd6 11. Re1 c6 12. Ne3 Be7 13. c4 Nc7 14. d4 d5 15. cxd5 Bb4 16. Bd2 Bxd2 17. Qxd2 Nxd5 18. Nxd5 Qxd5 19. Re5 Qd6 20. Bc4 Bd7 21. Rae1 Rad8 22. Qc3 Bc8 23. d5 b5 24. Bd3 $5 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} (24. Bb3 c5 {would have preserved a slight advantage for White, due to the strength of the d-passer.}) 24... cxd5 25. Qd4 a5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Setting up a small trap.} 26. Bxh7+ $4 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Blunder;persistent;true] And it looked like Harikrishna fell for it $1} Kxh7 27. Qh4+ Kg8 28. Rh5 f5 29. Rh8+ ({The variation which justifies 25...a5 is} 29. Re7 Qxe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30. Qxe7 Rde8 {and now White loses, as he doesn't have the b4-square to prevent the subsequent checkmate on the e1-square by the black rook.}) 29... Kf7 30. Qh5+ Kf6 $4 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Blunder;persistent;true] An incredible counter-blunder $1} (30... Qg6 31. Re7+ {and now, Eljanov confessed that he had overlooked} Kf6 {winning for Black.}) 31. Rh6+ gxh6 32. Qxh6+ Kf7 33. Qh7+ Kf6 34. Qh6+ Kf7 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chennai"] [Site "Chennai"] [Date "2023.12.17"] [Round "3"] [White "Erigaisi Arjun"] [Black "Predke, Alexandr"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B33"] [WhiteElo "2727"] [BlackElo "2689"] [Annotator "rafael"] [PlyCount "141"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Nd5 Nxd5 8. exd5 Ne7 {8...Nb8 is much more popular, but this is also commonly played. Arjun faced this move in 2023 in a game against Dubov.} 9. c3 $5 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} (9. c4 {is the main move:} Ng6 10. Qa4 Bd7 11. Qb4 Qb8 12. h4 h5 13. Be2 Be7 14. g3 a6 15. Nc3 b5 16. cxb5 axb5 17. Nxb5 O-O $13 {/= with good compensation for the pawn: Arjun-Dubov, Global Chess League Dubai rapid 2023.}) 9... Nf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the best route for the knight now.} (9... Ng6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is a clear mistake. White can now use the c4-square for the queen.} 10. Qa4 Bd7 11. Qb4 Bf5 (11... Qb8 12. Qc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is also bad.}) 12. Qc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] creating the annoying threat of Nc7+.}) (9... f5 {is also possible, but looks risky.}) 10. a4 Be7 11. Bd3 O-O 12. O-O {This is well-known opening theory, with more than 200 games played in this position.} Nh4 {A good move, but there are alternatives. The plan is to push the f-pawn and start to move the kingside majority.} (12... a6 13. Na3 Bg5 {is insufficient for equality after} 14. f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} exf4 15. Bxf4) (12... Bd7 $5 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a flexible move, completing development and leaving the knight a little longer.}) 13. f4 a6 14. Na3 exf4 15. Bxf4 Ng6 16. Bxg6 $6 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This exchange makes things easier for Black. It's better to preserve the bishops with 16.Bg3 or 16.Be3, when White can fight for the advantage.} (16. Bg3) (16. Be3) 16... hxg6 17. Nc4 Qc7 18. b3 b6 {A new move. Predke probably wanted to prevent a4-a5. He could, however, ignore White's idea and activate his bishop instead:} (18... Bf5 19. a5 Be4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with equal chances.}) 19. Be3 {This move doesn't look very good, since the bishop was already well-placed on f4. Getting it to d4 isn't so important for the position. Anyway, it's difficult to prove an advantage for White.} (19. Re1 Bf5 {A difficult move. At first I thought 19...Rd8 was forced, but then White has some initiative.} (19... Rd8 20. Qf3) 20. Rxe7 Qxe7 21. Bxd6 Qa7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22. Qd4 (22. Bxf8 {is bad due to} b5+ $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23. Kh1 bxc4 24. Ba3 cxb3 25. Qxb3 Re8 {with good counterplay}) 22... Rfe8 23. Nxb6 Re4 24. Qc5 Rae8 {with a tense position where both sides have chances.}) (19. Qd4 {is also possible:} Rb8 20. Rfe1 Rd8 21. Qe3 Bf8 22. a5 bxa5 23. Nxa5 Bd7 {Black is close to equality.}) 19... Rb8 20. Bd4 Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Activating the bishop.} 21. Nd2 {The knight was ready to be attacked by b6-b5. Now it can go to e4 or f3.} Re8 22. c4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] White's position becomes unpleasant now. It's important to fight for control of the e-file with} (22. Re1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 22... Be3+ 23. Bxe3 Rxe3 24. Re1 Qc5 25. Kh1 Bf5 26. Nf3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move loses a pawn.} (26. Rxe3 Qxe3 27. Qe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (27. Nf1 Qc3 $15) 27... Qd3 {with the initiative for Black.} (27... Re8 {is not very accurate:} 28. Qxe3 Rxe3 29. a5 bxa5 30. Kg1 {with an equal endgame.})) 26... Bg4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Now White achieves a comfortable endgame.} (26... Rd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is much better. White has some practical compensation after} 27. Qe2 Rxb3 28. Qe7 Rf8 {but here it's more a question of whether Black is able to win or White has enough counterplay for a draw.}) 27. Rxe3 Qxe3 28. Qd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qxd4 29. Nxd4 Bd7 30. a5 {I believe this move was played in order to prevent a6-a5, when it's difficult to crack Black's position, but this decision is double-edged.} (30. Kg1 {Black can choose between a5 or g5.} a5 (30... g5)) (30. h4 {This is the typical move that would please the late coach Mark Dvoretsky. He loved pawn moves to prevent counterplay in the endgame. Black cannot now play g6-g5, so he should move the other pawn:} a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31. Re1 Re8 32. Rxe8+ Bxe8 {The computer says White is slightly better and maybe Carlsen is able to win this endgame, but it seems really difficult to make progress.}) 30... b5 31. cxb5 Bxb5 32. Kg1 Bd3 33. Ra4 {Preventing Rb4 and Be4, but the rook is misplaced.} (33. Kf2 {likely ends in a draw after} Be4 34. Rc1 Bxd5 35. Rc7) (33. Rc1 {is also equal:} Rb4 34. Nf3 f6 35. Rc6 Rxb3 36. Rxd6) 33... Re8 $6 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (33... f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] prepares Be4, when Black has the initiative.}) 34. Rb4 Re1+ 35. Kf2 Re5 (35... Ra1 {is more accurate:} 36. Rb6 Rxa5 37. Rxd6 Be4 38. Rd8+ Kh7 39. d6 Rd5 {with equality.}) 36. Nc6 Re2+ 37. Kf3 Ra2 $2 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (37... g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is necessary:} 38. Rb8+ Kh7 39. Rd8 Rb2 40. Rxd6 Rxb3 41. Ke3 Bb5+ 42. Kd4 Rb2 {with good drawing chances.}) 38. Rb8+ Kh7 39. Rd8 $2 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This gives Black hope again.} (39. Nb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better:} Be2+ 40. Ke3 Rb2 41. Rb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with excellent winning chances.}) 39... f5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (39... Bf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The pawns should be attacked immediately.} 40. Rxd6 Bxg2+ {Black should escape with accurate play.}) 40. Rxd6 Be4+ 41. Kf4 Rxg2 $6 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (41... Bxg2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better, although the position is quite difficult to defend. The idea is to have more space for checks with the rook and a clear path for the f-pawn to advance.} 42. Rd8 Rf2+ {with good drawing chances.}) 42. Rd8 g5+ 43. Ke5 Rxh2 44. Nd4 {The d-pawn is ready to advance and Black is lost.} Ra2 45. b4 g4 46. d6 g3 47. d7 {A simple and human way of winning. The computer indicates an alternative that leads to a much more difficult win.} (47. Rc8 g2 48. Rc1 Rf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 49. d7 Rf1 50. Rc3 $3 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] The only way to win.} (50. d8=Q $2 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Rxc1 51. Ne2 Bf3 {Black escapes with a draw.}) 50... g1=Q 51. Rh3+ Kg6 52. d8=Q {Black has no checks and White's attack will prove decisive.}) 47... g2 48. Rh8+ Kxh8 49. d8=Q+ Kh7 50. Qg5 Ra1 51. Ne2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight prevents the g-pawn from promoting.} Rb1 52. Ke6 Rxb4 53. Qh4+ Kg8 54. Qd8+ Kh7 55. Kf7 Rb7+ 56. Kf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The king crosses the whole board and helps the attack.} f4 57. Qh4+ Kg6 58. Nxf4+ Kf5 59. Nxg2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With the capture of the g-pawn, victory becomes a matter of time.} g5 (59... Bxg2 60. Qf2+ {Black is unable to set up any kind of fortress.}) 60. Ne3+ Kf6 61. Qh6+ Ke5 62. Qxg5+ Kd4 63. Qf4 Rb5 64. Ke7 Kd3 65. Ng4 Bd5 66. Ne5+ Kc3 67. Qe3+ Kb4 68. Kd6 Rxa5 69. Nd3+ Kc4 70. Nb2+ Kb4 71. Qd2+ 1-0 [Event "Chennai"] [Site "Chennai"] [Date "2023.12.18"] [Round "4.1"] [White "Gukesh D"] [Black "Predke, Alexandr"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B30"] [WhiteElo "2720"] [BlackElo "2689"] [Annotator "Mueller,Karsten"] [PlyCount "87"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e5 4. O-O Be7 5. Re1 Nd4 6. Nxd4 cxd4 7. c3 Nf6 8. cxd4 exd4 9. d3 O-O 10. Nd2 d5 11. e5 Nd7 12. Nf3 Qb6 13. Ba4 Nc5 14. Bc2 Bg4 15. h3 Bh5 16. g4 Bg6 17. Nxd4 Ne6 18. Nf3 (18. Nf5 $5 $11) 18... Rac8 19. Bb3 Qb5 20. d4 Bb4 (20... Rfd8 $5) 21. Re3 Nf4 $2 ({The prophylactic retreat} 21... Be7 $11 {was called for.}) 22. Bd2 $2 {Too slow.} (22. Nh4 $1 Rfd8 23. Nf5 {gives Gukesh a very strong attack.}) 22... Nxh3+ $6 {Black plays with fire.} (22... Be7 $11 {was safer.}) 23. Kg2 Nf4+ 24. Kg3 Ne6 $6 (24... Bxd2 25. Qxd2 Ne6 {is more precise.}) 25. a4 ({The direct} 25. Bxb4 $1 Qxb4 26. Bxd5 {is objectivly better and better for White as now} Rcd8 {can be met by} 27. Qb3 Qxb3 28. Bxb3 Nxd4 29. Nxd4 Rxd4 30. Rc1 h5 31. gxh5 Bxh5 32. f3 Kh7 33. Rc7 $16) 25... Qa5 26. Bxb4 Qxb4 27. Bxd5 Rc2 $2 {In the end this leads nowhere.} ({The deep} 27... Rcd8 $3 28. Rb3 (28. Qb3 Qxb3 29. Bxb3 Nxd4 30. Nxd4 Rxd4 31. Rc1 h5 32. gxh5 Bxh5 33. f3 Rb4 $11) 28... Qe7 29. Rxb7 Qe8 {is given by the enignes and gives Black good compensation.}) 28. b3 {A really cool move.} Rd8 29. Bc4 Nxd4 30. Nxd4 Rd2 31. Qe1 $1 {Pin and win.} R8xd4 32. e6 {The ram opens the gates.} (32. Ra2 $18 {was also very strong and is favored by the engines.}) 32... Qd6+ $6 {The wrong order of moves.} ({First} 32... Rxc4 {had to be played:} 33. bxc4 Qd6+ 34. f4 ({Now} 34. Kh3 $2 {can be met by} fxe6 35. Rxe6 Qf4 $11) 34... fxe6 35. Rxe6 Rd3+ 36. Re3 h5 {with more counterplay. But White should win also here.}) 33. Kh3 $1 {The right hiding place.} h5 $6 {Now White is just quicker.} (33... fxe6 {is more tenacious due to} 34. Rxe6 R2d3+ 35. Kg2 Rxc4 36. Rxd6 Rxg4+ 37. Kf1 Rxd6 38. Rd1 $18 {White should win in the long run.}) 34. e7 Rxg4 ({After} 34... hxg4+ {White's king can find shelter with} 35. Kg2 Qc6+ 36. Kg1 $18) 35. e8=Q+ Kh7 36. Bxf7 Qf6 (36... Bxf7 37. Qxf7 Rg5 38. Qb1+ Rg6 39. Qbf5 $18) 37. Bxg6+ Kh6 38. Qh8+ {Gukesh comes first.} Kxg6 39. Re6 Rh4+ 40. Kg2 Rg4+ 41. Kf1 Rxf2+ 42. Qxf2 Qxe6 43. Re1 Qa6+ 44. Re2 {Black has no check and it is over.} 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.12.18"] [Round "4"] [White "Gukesh D"] [Black "Predke, Alexandr"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B30"] [WhiteElo "2720"] [BlackElo "2689"] [Annotator "rafael"] [PlyCount "87"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e5 4. O-O Be7 $5 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A rare idea in a well-known position.} 5. Re1 (5. Bxc6 {This is a critical move. After} dxc6 6. Nxe5 Qd4 7. Nf3 Qxe4 8. Re1 Qg6 9. Ne5 {White scored three wins in three correspondence games, not a bad feat.}) 5... Nd4 {Already a new move. A novelty on the fifth move of such a mainstream opening as the Rossolimo is an impressive accomplishment.} 6. Nxd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is not the best way to fight for the advantage.} (6. Bf1 {Is not very dangerous either:} Nxf3+ 7. Qxf3 Nf6 8. Nc3 O-O {with equality.}) (6. Bc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best chance. After} Nxf3+ 7. Qxf3 Nf6 8. Nc3 O-O 9. d3 {White can fight for the initiative, although the weakness of the d5-square is not as worrying as it was thought in the pre-Sveshnikov era.}) 6... cxd4 7. c3 Nf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is Black's excellent idea: to play with doubled pawns and follow up with the …d7-d5 advance. I imagine this was well-studied beforehand by Predke, since at first glance it seems positionally dangerous for Black.} 8. cxd4 exd4 9. d3 O-O 10. Nd2 d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 11. e5 Nd7 12. Nf3 Qb6 {The black pieces have good potential and the bishop on b5 is in an uncomfortable situation, all of which compensates for the doubled pawns. Black can even sacrifice one of these pawns, as we will see.} 13. Ba4 (13. a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better move. After} a6 14. Bxd7 Bxd7 15. a5 Qb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (15... Qa7 $6 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 16. Qb3 {with the advantage for White.}) 16. Bd2 Qb5 17. Nxd4 Qxd3 18. Bc3 Qxd1 19. Raxd1 Rac8 {Black is close to equality.}) 13... Nc5 14. Bc2 {The white bishop is horrible on this square, but he will still have his redemption in this game.} Bg4 (14... Ne6 {is also perfectly playable and Black is fine.}) 15. h3 Bh5 16. g4 {White can´t live with the pin on the f3-knight.} Bg6 17. Nxd4 Ne6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move is the justification for the pawn sacrifice.} (17... Nxd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses a pawn without any counterplay after} 18. Bxd3 Qxd4 19. Bxg6 Qxd1 20. Bxh7+ Kxh7 21. Rxd1) 18. Nf3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] White's position starts to become dangerous after this move.} (18. Nxe6 {is also good for Black:} fxe6 19. Be3 Qxb2 20. Rb1 Qxe5) (18. Nf5 {is a better alternative, keeping the game balanced.} Bc5 (18... Bxf5 {is also possible:} 19. gxf5 Nd4 20. Be3 Bc5 {with equality.}) 19. Be3 {with an even game.} (19. d4 {is also playable.} Nxd4 20. Nxd4 Bxd4 21. Be3 Bxe3 22. Rxe3 Qxb2 23. Bxg6 hxg6 24. a4 {White's compensation should be enough for a draw.})) 18... Rac8 {Black has two tempting alternatives.} (18... Bc5 19. Be3 (19. d4 Bxc2 20. Qxc2 Bxd4 {with a slight advantage.}) (19. Re2 $6 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This thematic push gives Black the initiative.}) 19... Bxe3 20. Rxe3 d4 21. Re1 Qxb2 {Black regains the pawn and has a comfortable position.}) (18... f5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is also very interesting:} 19. exf6 Bxf6 {with excellent compensation.}) 19. Bb3 Qb5 {This is an inaccuracy. Black has several interesting alternatives, all of which offers compensation for the pawn.} (19... Rfd8) (19... Bc5) (19... Qa6) 20. d4 Bb4 {I'm also not a big fan of this move.} (20... Be4 {This seems to me to be the natural continuation.} 21. Be3 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22. exf6 Bxf6 {with an unclear game.}) (20... Rc7 {is another possible plan, doubling on the c-file, but it seems a bit slow.}) 21. Re3 (21. Bd2 Be4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The d4-pawn becomes weak after the exchange of dark-squared bishops.}) 21... Nf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (21... Be4 {is the best continuation.} 22. Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This difficult move is White's best; we will see this idea later in the game as well.} Qb6 23. Nf5 g6 24. Ng3 Nxd4 25. Nxe4 dxe4 26. Rxe4 Bc5 27. Be3 Nxb3 28. Qxb3 Qxb3 29. axb3 Bxe3 30. Rxe3 a6 {White is a pawn up, but Black has good drawing chances.}) 22. Bd2 $6 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is enough for an advantage, but not the best.} (22. Kh2 {is fine, but there's an even better move.}) (22. Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the best. White defends the pawn on h3 and prepares to land the knight on f5. After} Bd3 23. Bd2 {Black has no compensation and the computer already considers white's position winning.}) 22... Nxh3+ 23. Kg2 Nf4+ 24. Kg3 Ne6 (24... Bxd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more precise:} 25. Qxd2 Ne6 26. Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the initiative for White.}) 25. a4 (25. Bxb4 {immediately is also possible.} Qxb4 26. Bxd5) 25... Qa5 26. Bxb4 Qxb4 27. Bxd5 Rc2 $6 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move allows White to stabilize the bishop.} (27... Qxb2 {is not so good:} 28. Rb3 Qc2 29. Qxc2 Bxc2 30. Rxb7 {with a clear advantage.}) (27... Rfd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best chance.} 28. Rb3 Qf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29. Bxe6 fxe6 {The light-squares offers Black some compensation.}) 28. b3 Rd8 29. Bc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nxd4 {A tactical attempt to recover material, but it doesn't work.} 30. Nxd4 Rd2 31. Qe1 R8xd4 32. e6 {This natural move is practically irresistible, but one thing I learned from analyzing with the computer is not to underestimate the power of candidate moves.} (32. f4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is too slow:} Bd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) (32. Rd1 $2 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] looks natural as well, but there's a fantastic refutation:} Qxc4 $3 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 33. bxc4 Rxd1 34. Qb4 Rg1+ {Black suddenly has counterplay enough to equalize the game.}) (32. Ra2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a brilliant move and the most accurate way of winning.} a5 33. e6 fxe6 34. Rxd2 Qxd2 35. Bxe6+ Kh8 (35... Kf8 36. Rf3+ Ke7 37. Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a decisive attack.}) 36. Rf3 h5 37. Qxd2 Rxd2 38. gxh5 Bxh5 39. Rf5 {the a5-pawn falls and White has an easily winning endgame.}) 32... Qd6+ (32... fxe6 33. Rxe6 Kf8 {Here White wins with:} 34. Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a decisive attack.}) (32... Rxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best chance:} 33. bxc4 Qd6+ 34. f4 fxe6 35. Rxe6 Rd3+ 36. Re3 h5 {The game keeps going, but White should win with careful play.}) 33. Kh3 h5 (33... fxe6 {is the last chance:} 34. Rxe6 R2d3+ 35. Bxd3 Rxd3+ 36. Kg2 (36. Re3 {is also possible.}) 36... Qf4 37. Qe2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a winning position.}) 34. e7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White promotes another queen and black's attack is not fast enough.} Rxg4 35. e8=Q+ Kh7 36. Bxf7 Qf6 37. Bxg6+ Kh6 38. Qh8+ Kxg6 39. Re6 Rh4+ 40. Kg2 Rg4+ 41. Kf1 Rxf2+ 42. Qxf2 Qxe6 43. Re1 Qa6+ 44. Re2 1-0 [Event "Chennai"] [Site "Chennai"] [Date "2023.12.18"] [Round "4"] [White "Maghsoodloo, Parham"] [Black "Sjugirov, Sanan"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D38"] [WhiteElo "2742"] [BlackElo "2703"] [Annotator "Saravanan,V"] [PlyCount "67"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [EventCountry "IND"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bf4 Ne4 7. Rc1 Nc6 8. e3 g5 9. Bg3 h5 10. h4 Nxg3 11. fxg3 Qd6 {[%c_arrow d8d6;keyPressed;none;from;d8;opacity;0.8;to;d6;persistent;false] Strangely, this natural move hasn't been played before.} ({A heavyweight game from the position went} 11... gxh4 12. Bb5 Qd6 13. gxh4 Qg3+ 14. Kf1 Rg8 15. Rg1 Bxc3 16. Rxc3 Bd7 17. Rc5 a6 18. Ba4 Qd6 19. Bxc6 Bxc6 20. Ne5 Bb5+ {with initiative for Black in Carlsen-Giri, Skilling 2020}) 12. Kf2 g4 13. Nb5 Qe7 14. Ne1 Bxe1+ $2 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This looked like a strange decision.} ({Better was} 14... a6 15. Nc3 Be6 {with a complex position.}) 15. Qxe1 Bf5 16. Rc5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Imaginative use of the rook. Maghsoodloo develops a smooth attack on the black king.} O-O-O 17. Nc3 Be4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (17... Qf6 18. Kg1 Ne7 {was a better defense, though White is still slightly better.}) 18. Bb5 Nb8 19. Nxe4 Qxe4 20. Qa5 {Now White develops a dangerous initiative, and soon wins material.} c6 21. Qxa7 Rh6 22. Rc3 Qe7 23. Kg1 Re6 24. Bd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rxe3 25. Kh2 {White has a nearly winning position now.} Rd6 26. Rf1 Rxd3 27. Rxd3 Re6 28. Qa3 Qe8 29. Rd2 f6 30. Rf5 Re3 31. Qd6 Nd7 32. Rc2 Re1 33. Rxd5 Nb6 34. Rdc5 1-0 [Event "Chennai, India"] [Site "Chennai, India"] [Date "2023.12.19"] [Round "5"] [White "Sjugirov, Sanan"] [Black "Gukesh D"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C54"] [WhiteElo "2703"] [BlackElo "2720"] [Annotator "rafael"] [PlyCount "80"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. Nbd2 O-O 6. O-O d6 7. c3 a6 8. a4 Ba7 9. h3 h6 10. Re1 Re8 {A very important position for the modern theory of the Italian Opening.} 11. Nf1 (11. b4 {is critical.} Be6 {Many games have been played by the best chess players in the world in this position.}) 11... Be6 12. Bxe6 Rxe6 13. b4 d5 14. Qc2 Ne7 $5 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting move that has been tested in correspondence chess.} (14... Qd7 {is more popular.}) 15. exd5 {This is a new move. Analysis shows that this capture is not dangerous for Black.} (15. Rb1 {is the preferred move in correspondence chess.}) (15. Be3 {has also been tried.}) 15... Nfxd5 (15... Qxd5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 16. c4 {is clearly wrong due to}) (15... Nexd5 {is also enough for equality.} 16. Nxe5 (16. Rxe5 Rc6 {This rook lift will be typical in the next moves.} (16... Rxe5 {is also playable:} 17. Nxe5 Nxc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]})) 16... Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (16... Nxc3 $6 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Here this idea doesn't work:} 17. Nxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (17. Qxc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Bd4) 17... Kxf7 18. Rxe6 Kxe6 19. Qxc3 {and White remains a pawn up.}) 17. d4 Nd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This difficult move justifies Black's previous play.} 18. Bd2 Nxe5 19. dxe5 Rxe5 {with equality.}) 16. Nxe5 (16. Rxe5 Rc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is simpler. Black regains the pawn with a good position.}) 16... Ng6 17. d4 (17. Nf3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} Rc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] By now we're used to this. Black is fine.}) 17... Nxe5 (17... Qe8 {here and on the next move is a simple route to equality.} 18. Bd2 Nxe5 19. dxe5 Rxe5) 18. dxe5 (18. Rxe5 Rxe5 19. dxe5 Qe8 {The e5-pawn cannot be protected and the position becomes equal.}) 18... Qe7 (18... Qe8 {is possible again. The point is to have the a8-rook protected after} 19. Qe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Nxc3 20. Qxb7 Bd4) 19. Qe4 c6 (19... Nxc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is no longer good:} 20. Qxb7 {and the rook is under attack.}) 20. Bd2 Re8 21. Qg4 {An interesting position.} f6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move is not the most accurate to equalize the game.} (21... Rxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses a pawn after} 22. Rxe5 Qxe5 23. Re1 Qb8 24. Bxh6) (21... f5 {This is a natural idea:} 22. Qh5 f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with good counterplay.}) (21... Qf8 $5 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a computer suggestion:} 22. Qg3 Bb8 23. f4 f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24. c4 Nb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25. exf6 Qxf6 {with enough activity to equalize.}) 22. c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An unpleasant reply.} (22. exf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad for White after} Qxf6 {It's difficult to protect the f2-pawn.}) (22. Ng3 {is a natural move, but it doen't offer an advantage.} fxe5 23. Ne4 (23. Nf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] looks tempting, but it's not tactically justified:} Qf7 24. Nxh6+ Rxh6 25. Bxh6 Bxf2+ 26. Kh2 Nf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black wins material.}) (23. c4 Nf6 {with a balanced game.}) 23... Qf7 {with equality.}) 22... f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move.} (22... Nxb4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses after} 23. Bxb4 Qxb4 24. exf6) 23. Qf3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (23. Qe2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best chance to fight for an advantage.} Nf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (23... Nxb4 $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 24. Bc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White plans Nh2-f3, when the passed pawn on e5 becomes very strong.}) 24. Ng3 Rxe5 25. Qxe5 Qxe5 26. Rxe5 Rxe5 27. Bc3 Re6 28. Nxf5 Bxf2+ $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is close to equality.}) 23... Nxb4 24. Qb3 $6 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] White's position goes downhill very quickly.} (24. Qxf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} Rf8) (24. Ng3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Nc2) (24. Bxb4 Qxb4 {is better for Black.}) (24. Rac1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move, with equal chances.}) 24... a5 25. Ng3 Qh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26. c5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (26. Kh1 {is correct, when by a miracle White is able to hold the position, for instance:} Rxe5 (26... Bxf2 27. Nxf5) (26... f4 27. Re4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 27. Rxe5 Rxe5 28. Rf1) 26... Bxc5 27. Be3 $6 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Another mistake.} (27. Re2 {is a better chance.}) 27... Bxe3 28. Rxe3 f4 29. Re4 Nd5 30. Qxb7 $2 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (30. Nf1 {is necessary, although the position is already beyond salvation.}) 30... Qg5 31. Nf1 Rg6 {The white queen is out of the game and Black's attack, with all the pieces taking part, is quickly decisive.} 32. g3 Qf5 33. Rae1 Qxh3 34. Qb3 fxg3 (34... Rf8 {is also very strong, with the idea of f4-f3.}) 35. Nxg3 (35. fxg3 {is better.}) 35... Rf8 36. R1e3 Rf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook is heading to h5.} 37. Qd1 Nxe3 38. Rxe3 Rf8 39. Qd3 Qe6 40. Kf1 Rg4 0-1 [Event "Chennai"] [Site "Chennai"] [Date "2023.12.19"] [Round "5"] [White "Harikrishna, Pentala"] [Black "Maghsoodloo, Parham"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E15"] [WhiteElo "2696"] [BlackElo "2742"] [Annotator "Saravanan,V"] [PlyCount "101"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [EventCountry "IND"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. Nbd2 d5 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Bg2 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Re1 Bb7 10. b3 Nbd7 11. Bb2 Rc8 12. Rc1 c5 13. dxc5 bxc5 14. Nh4 g6 15. e4 d4 16. Nhf3 Re8 17. e5 Nd5 18. Nc4 N7b6 19. Nfd2 Rc7 $6 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Black probably overlooked White's reply here.} (19... Ba8 $1 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A cute little resource.} 20. Nd6 Bxd6 21. exd6 Rxe1+ 22. Qxe1 Qxd6 23. Ne4 Qe7 {The difference between the game continuation and this position is that, the queen on e7 defends the a7-pawn—the point of 19...Ba8.}) 20. Nd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bxd6 21. exd6 Rxe1+ 22. Qxe1 Qxd6 23. Qe8+ $6 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Harikrishna misses an opportunity to press for an advantage.} (23. Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qf8 24. Qa5 {and White has a considerable advantage.}) 23... Qf8 24. Qxf8+ Kxf8 25. Ne4 Nd7 {Maghsoodloo took a long think here and found a way to equalize.} 26. Nxc5 Nxc5 27. Rxc5 Rxc5 28. Ba3 d3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29. Bxc5+ Ke8 30. Kf1 d2 31. Ke2 Nc3+ 32. Kxd2 Nb1+ 33. Kc1 Bxg2 34. Kxb1 a6 {Reaching an opposite-colored bishop ending and holding the game.} 35. Kb2 Kd7 36. Kc3 h5 37. Kd4 Kc6 38. Bf8 Bd5 39. Ke5 Be6 40. f3 Kd7 41. Kf4 Bd5 42. g4 Ke6 43. Bb4 h4 44. Be1 h3 45. Kg3 f5 46. g5 Kd7 47. Kxh3 Bxf3 48. Kg3 Bd1 49. Kf4 Kc6 50. Ke5 Be2 51. h4 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chennai"] [Site "Chennai"] [Date "2023.12.19"] [Round "5"] [White "Erigaisi Arjun"] [Black "Aronian, Levon"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C45"] [WhiteElo "2727"] [BlackElo "2723"] [Annotator "Saravanan,V"] [PlyCount "109"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [EventCountry "IND"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. Qe2 {A rare variation of the Scotch Opening.} Rb8 7. e5 Nd5 8. c4 Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Nf4 10. Qe3 Ne6 11. Bxb4 Rxb4 12. b3 {An important factor: the black rook on b4 remained a concern for Black almost through the game.} f6 13. Be2 fxe5 14. Qxe5 O-O 15. O-O d6 16. Qe3 Qg5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A surprising decision—Black decides to exchange into an inferior endgame, with a considerably inferior pawn structure.} (16... d5 {looked natural, aiming to activate the b4-rook, as well as opening up the game to generate dynamism in a strategically inferior position.}) 17. Qxg5 Nxg5 18. Nc3 Bf5 19. Rfe1 Ne4 20. Nxe4 Bxe4 21. Bh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bg6 22. Bxg6 $6 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] After this exchange, White has a small advantage in the rook endgame.} (22. Bf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] was even better, keeping up the pressure by retaining the bishops.}) 22... hxg6 23. Re7 Rf7 24. Re3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This came for great praise by Giri, noting that the rook will ultimately move to g3 to garget the g6-pawn.} a5 25. Rg3 a4 26. Re1 d5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({Better was} 26... axb3 27. axb3 Rb8 {aiming to hold the position.}) 27. Rxg6 dxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({Better was} 27... axb3 28. axb3 Rxb3 29. Rxc6 Rb2 30. f3 d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and Black generates counterplay.}) 28. Rg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} axb3 29. axb3 Rxb3 30. Rxc4 {A defined ending where White has a huge advantage.} Rf6 31. Rec1 Rb2 32. f3 Rg6 33. R4c2 Rxc2 34. Rxc2 Kf7 35. g4 Ke7 36. h4 Kd6 37. Kf2 c5 38. h5 Rf6 39. Kg3 Kd5 40. g5 Rb6 41. Kg4 c4 42. f4 Kd4 43. f5 $4 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Blunder;persistent;true] White blunders in a winning position.} (43. Kf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} c3 44. Rc1 Kd3 45. h6 gxh6 46. g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rb2 47. Rg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins for White.}) 43... c3 44. h6 gxh6 45. g6 Rb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The resource overlooked by Arjun.} 46. Rc1 Rg2+ 47. Kf3 Rg5 48. Kf4 c5 {White cannot make any progress now.} 49. Rd1+ Kc4 50. Ke4 c2 51. Rf1 Kc3 52. f6 Rg4+ 53. Kf5 Rg5+ 54. Ke4 Rg4+ 55. Kf5 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chennai"] [Site "Chennai"] [Date "2023.12.19"] [Round "5"] [White "Predke, Alexandr"] [Black "Eljanov, Pavel"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "E32"] [WhiteElo "2689"] [BlackElo "2691"] [Annotator "Saravanan,V"] [PlyCount "111"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [EventCountry "IND"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. e4 d5 6. e5 Ne4 7. Nf3 c5 8. Bd3 cxd4 9. Nxd4 f5 10. exf6 Nxf6 11. cxd5 exd5 12. Be3 Ng4 13. O-O-O Kh8 14. a3 Bxc3 15. Qxc3 Nxe3 16. fxe3 Bg4 17. Rdf1 Nd7 18. Rxf8+ Qxf8 19. Rf1 Qe8 20. Kb1 $5 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} Rc8 (20... Qxe3 21. Re1 Qf2 22. h3 Nc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (22... Bh5 23. Re7 {and White gains inroads into the black position, the aim of the pawn sacrifice offered on the 20th move.}) 23. hxg4 Nxd3 24. Rd1 {with a complex position.}) 21. Qd2 Ne5 22. b3 $2 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White weakens his kingside, and Black gradually takes over.} (22. Bc2 {preserving the bishop and aiming to focus on the d5-pawn was better.}) 22... Nxd3 23. Qxd3 Bh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Bringing the bishop to an important diagonal. Black has a long-term advantage here.} 24. Kb2 Bg6 25. Qd2 Qe5 26. g3 h6 27. Rc1 Re8 28. a4 Kh7 29. a5 Rf8 30. Ka3 Rf6 31. Rc8 Qe7+ 32. Kb2 Qd7 33. Qc3 Qe7 34. Qd2 b6 35. a6 Qf7 36. Qb4 Rf2+ 37. Ka3 Rxh2 38. Qf8 Qxf8+ 39. Rxf8 Rh1 $6 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Black errs during conversion.} 40. Kb2 Rh2+ 41. Ka3 $2 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({White had an amazing resource in} 41. Ka1 Bd3 42. Ne6 Bxa6 43. Ra8 {and White has good chances to save the game.}) 41... Bb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Eljanov finds the correct way to progress the second time round.} 42. Rd8 (42. Kb4 Ra2 {and Black ultimately picks up the a6-pawn.}) 42... Ra2+ 43. Kb4 Rxa6 {Black is winning, and his victory was never in doubt after this.} 44. Rxd5 Ra2 45. Rd7 Rg2 46. Rxa7 Rxg3 47. Re7 h5 48. Ne2 Rg5 49. Nf4 h4 50. Kc4 Rg3 51. Re5 Bg6 52. Kb5 Bf7 53. Re7 Bxb3 54. Kxb6 h3 55. Re5 Bf7 56. Rf5 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.12.20"] [Round "6"] [White "Maghsoodloo, Parham"] [Black "Erigaisi Arjun"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "D44"] [WhiteElo "2742"] [BlackElo "2727"] [Annotator "rafael"] [PlyCount "80"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"] {[%evp 0,80,25,-33,16,14,17,25,28,25,29,6,-4,11,1,-11,-15,-7,-4,-4,-4,0,0,0,0,-10,-10,-12,-9,-40,0,-19,-29,-28,-45,-44,-46,-60,-61,-69,-46,-69,-46,-76,-46,-44,-26,-48,-49,-51,-51,-43,-51,-60,-53,-127,-173,-229,-229,-234,-212,-208,-208,-208,-211,-279,-277,-317,-333,-488,-506,-528,-547,-650,-722,-1683,-1827,-2038,-2465,-29987,-29984,-29985,-29986]} 1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 d5 4. d4 c6 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. a4 {A much rarer move than 6.e4, but it also has its poison.} b5 $5 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An active move, giving the pawn back immediately. Arjun had played 6...Bb4 in a blitz game in 2021.} (6... Bb4 7. e4 c5 {with a lot of opening theory: Martirosyan- Erigaisi Arjun, Chess.com blitz 2021.}) 7. g3 {Very rare, but the game will later tranpose to a position that is known to theory.} (7. axb5 cxb5 8. Nxb5 Qb6 9. Na3 Bxa3 10. Qa4+ Nc6 11. Qxa3 Ne4 12. e3 f6 13. Bf4 Nb4 14. Rc1 Ba6 {with counterplay for Black in Martirosyan-Erigaisi Arjun, Menorca 2022.}) 7... Bb7 8. Bg2 a6 9. O-O Be7 {White's compensation for the pawn is doubtful, so it's possible to say that this opening experiment was not the best.} 10. Ne5 (10. e4 {was played in a high-profile classical game:} h6 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. axb5 axb5 13. Rxa8 Bxa8 14. Qa1 Nd7 15. Qa7 O-O {with the advantage for Black in Andreikin-Shirov, RUS-chT 2013.}) 10... O-O (10... Nd5 {is also possible.}) 11. axb5 axb5 12. Rxa8 Bxa8 13. Qa1 Qxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is a new move.} (13... Nbd7 {leads to great complications:} 14. Qa7 Nxe5 15. dxe5 Nd5 16. Nxd5 (16. Bxe7 Qxe7 17. Qxe7 Nxe7 18. Ra1 {white's compensation is enough for equality.}) 16... Bxg5 17. Nb6 Qd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a complex game and the typical computer evaluation of 0.00: Nguyen-Sandipan, Qinhuangdao op 2011.}) 14. Nxf7 {Sacrificing the knight before capturing the bishop on a8. This tactical theme is known as \"desperado.\"} (14. Nf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This apparently wins a piece, but Arjun has a clever idea.} Qb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now the queen gets trapped in case of} 15. Qxa8 $2 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Na6 16. Be3 c5) (14. Qxa8 Qxe5 15. Bf4 {This is a critical option. Black has several moves with the queen and even 15...Nbd7 is interesting. The simplest is} Qc5 16. Bxb8 b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (16... Qb6 $2 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 17. Qa7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) (16... Nd7 17. Qxc6 Nxb8 18. Qxb5 {with an equal position.}) 17. Na4 (17. Ne4 Nxe4 18. Bxe4 Qb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] the bishop is captured since Black can reply} 19. Qa7 {with} Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 17... Qb5 18. Qa7 Rxb8 19. Bxc6 Qxc6 20. Qxb8+ Bf8 {With a strong queenside and the badly placed knight on a4, Black has excellent compensation for the exchange.}) 14... Kxf7 (14... Bb7 {leads to balanced game:} 15. Be3 Qd7 16. Ng5) 15. Qxa8 Qb6 16. Qa1 $6 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (16. Be3 {is a better chance:} Bc5 17. Bxc5 Qxc5 18. Ra1 Kg8 19. Bh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White has enough resources to fight for equality.}) 16... Nbd7 17. Qb1 h6 18. Bf4 {The other bishop retreats are not better, but maybe capturing the knight on f6 makes sense.} (18. Be3 Bc5) (18. Bd2 Rd8) (18. Bxf6 {with a slight advantage for Black.}) 18... Nd5 19. Ne4 N7f6 (19... Nxf4 {is a bit premature, as the knight is very strong on d5.} 20. gxf4) 20. Be5 Rd8 (20... Ng4 21. Bf4) 21. Bh3 $6 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (21. Bf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop is better placed on f3, according to the machine. It's not easy for Black to convert the extra pawn.}) 21... c5 (21... Nd7 {is a good alternative:} 22. Bf4 Bf6 {with the advantage.}) 22. Nd2 (22. Bxf6 {White again should consider capturing the knight:} Bxf6 23. e3 {The e4-knight is strong and the light-squares around Black's king are weak, so White has some compensation for the pawn.}) 22... Nd7 23. Nf3 Bf6 24. Bxf6 N5xf6 25. Qc2 Qa5 (25... Nf8 {is also possible, controlling the d-file.}) 26. Rc1 {A strange move, but White is waiting for Black to demonstrate some active plan.} (26. Rd1 Nf8 {helps Black, as he is the one seeking piece exchange.}) 26... g5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] What a move $1 I'd never think about it even in a million years, but the modern play should be without prejudice and Arjun knows better than anyone how to break the rules of positional play at the right time. The move is very interesting. Black prepares g4, winning a piece or moving the knight. Of course, it also has its drawbacks, as the king becomes more vulnerable.} 27. Rf1 $2 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] I don't understand this move at all. It loses immediately.} (27. Bg2 {is the natural reaction.} g4 28. Nd2 Nf8 $5 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Protecting the king.} (28... Nb6 29. Ne4 Qa4 30. Qb1 {is unconvincing.}) (28... Ne5 {looks good, but after} 29. Ne4 {it's not easy to demonstrate an advantage for Black.}) 29. Ne4 N8h7 {with only a slight advantage for Black.}) (27. Nd2 {is also possible.}) 27... Qa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This accurate move decides the game.} (27... g4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad:} 28. Bxg4 Nxg4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 29. Qh7+) 28. Qd2 (28. Qxa4 bxa4 {The endgame is completely hopeless for White.}) (28. Qb1 c3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29. bxc3 g4 {the queen on a4 becomes very useful.}) 28... g4 {Now Black is simply a pawn up and the game is essentialy over.} 29. Bxg4 Nxg4 30. h3 Ngf6 31. Qxh6 Rg8 32. g4 Qc2 33. Qf4 Ke7 34. Qg3 Qxb2 35. Rd1 Qxe2 36. Qd6+ Kf7 37. Kg2 Nxg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The final touch.} 38. Ng5+ (38. Qxd7+ Kf6 {The checks are over.}) 38... Rxg5 39. Qxd7+ Kf6 40. Qd8+ Kf5 0-1 [Event "Chennai"] [Site "Chennai"] [Date "2023.12.21"] [Round "7"] [White "Predke, Alexandr"] [Black "Maghsoodloo, Parham"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "D35"] [WhiteElo "2689"] [BlackElo "2742"] [Annotator "Saravanan,V"] [PlyCount "44"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [EventCountry "IND"] [WhiteTeam "SRB"] [BlackTeam "IRI"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Nbd7 (4... Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bf4 Ne4 7. Rc1 Nc6 8. e3 g5 9. Bg3 h5 10. h4 Nxg3 11. fxg3 Qd6 12. Kf2 g4 13. Nb5 Qe7 14. Ne1 Bxe1+ 15. Qxe1 Bf5 {with an edge for White, in Maghsoodloo-Sjugirov, Chennai Grand Masters 2023.}) 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bf4 Bb4 8. e3 Ne4 9. Qc2 g5 10. Bg3 h5 11. h4 Nxg3 12. fxg3 {Curiously, Maghsoodloo himself was involved in a game against Sjugirov in a similar position in the fourth round.} gxh4 13. Bd3 $5 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Predke's home preparation, which Maghsoodloo confessed he had not prepared. Incredibly, White sacrifices two pawns for the initiative here.} (13. gxh4 Qe7 14. Bd3 Nf6 15. O-O c6 16. e4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] was Predke-Martirosyan, EU-Tch 2023.}) 13... hxg3 14. O-O Nb6 15. e4 {Opening up lines to target the black king.} Bg4 16. Ne2 $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (16. exd5 O-O $5 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 17. Ne4 {with a complex position with chances for both the sides.}) 16... dxe4 17. Bxe4 c6 18. Ne5 Qh4 {After the game, Maghsoodloo considered this position equal, but it looked slightly better for him. With both the kings being in danger, Black's attack looked more potent than White's.} 19. Rf4 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Incredibly, this provides Black with a shelter for his king on the f-file, an incredible resource by Maghsoodloo.} (19... O-O-O 20. Nxc6 $5 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] leads to extreme complications.}) 20. Bxc6+ {White is forced to sacrifice the piece.} (20. Bf3 O-O-O 21. Nxc6 Rhe8 $3 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] with amazing complications.}) (20. Bxf5 Qh2+ 21. Kf1 Nd5 22. Bg6+ Kd8 {and Black's attack is stronger.}) 20... bxc6 21. Qxc6+ Kd8 22. Qb7 $4 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Blunder;persistent;true] An unfortunate blunder by Predke.} ({Maghsoodloo gave the best line he had considered over the board as} 22. Nf7+ Ke7 23. Ne5 {as his best consideration here, but} Rhc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24. Ng6+ Kd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25. Qxc8+ Rxc8 26. Nxh4 Bxe2 {is a winning position for Black.}) 22... Rh7 $3 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} ({The point behind this rook offer is that, after} 22... Rh7 23. Qxh7 (23. Nc6+ Ke8 24. Qa6 Qh2+ 25. Kf1 Bxe2+ 26. Qxe2+ Re7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins for Black.}) 23... Qh2+ 24. Kf1 Bxe2+ 25. Kxe2 Qxg2+ 26. Kd3 Qd2# {ends in checkmate.}) 0-1 [Event "Chennai, India"] [Site "Chennai, India"] [Date "2023.12.21"] [Round "7"] [White "Erigaisi Arjun"] [Black "Sjugirov, Sanan"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E24"] [WhiteElo "2727"] [BlackElo "2703"] [Annotator "rafael"] [PlyCount "113"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/5400+30:1800+30"] {[%evp 0,75,21,28,26,11,11,10,33,-21,6,-5,-3,-2,22,-4,39,-5,5,-9,-10,0,10,-10,-12,-13,-11,-30,-11,-11,0,-19,-2,-3,2,-5,14,6,2,3,29,4,12,20,38,4,46,28,48,31,53,48,82,19,53,53,56,69,72,57,104,93,128,110,128,128,211,134,165,116,127,97,122,58,114,119,165,191]} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. f3 {An extremely dynamic, creative and risky opening system, matching Arjun's playing style.} c5 (4... d5 {is the most popular choice.}) 5. a3 (5. d5 {is more common.}) 5... Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Nc6 7. e4 d6 {A typical Nimzo-Indian pawn structure. I've always liked Black in this type of position.} 8. Ne2 h6 {This move prevents the pin with Bg5, but for me it's not clear that it's necessary. Black could castle or immediately begin his traditional plan on the queenside with b6-Ba6.} (8... O-O) (8... b6) 9. Ra2 {We saw a similar maneuver in the now famous match game between Ding Liren and Nepomniachtchi. I must admit that I already had difficulty understanding the move in that game and I have even more difficulty understanding it in this one. In fact, I must admit that Arjun's moves in general are incomprehensible to me—perhaps that's why he is my favorite chess player nowadays.} (9. Ng3 {A game by Magnus Carlsen deserves to be mentioned, even if it was blitz.} e5 10. dxc5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} dxc5 11. Qxd8+ Kxd8 12. Be2 b6 {with an advantage for Black in Carlsen-Keymer, blitz 2021.}) 9... Qa5 (9... O-O 10. g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to the kind of irrational position White is looking for, even more so with the rook on a2 ready to slide into the kingside.}) (9... b6 {is possible, but White can try to give some sense to the rook with} 10. d5 Na5 (10... exd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 11. cxd5 Na5 12. Ng3 {with a clear advantage.}) 11. dxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} fxe6 (11... Bxe6 12. Nf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 12. Rd2 {although it's still unclear after} O-O (12... Nxc4 $4 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 13. Qa4+) 13. Rxd6 Qc7) (9... Na5 {is very logical, following the traditional plan in the best possible way.} 10. Ng3 b6 {with chances for both sides.}) 10. Kf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black was threatening to capture on d4.} Qc7 {It's open for discussion whether sending White's king to f2 is such a great achievement. The standard presumptions do not apply to this position.} 11. d5 Ne5 {This is inaccurate.} (11... Na5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best square, proving once again that this position should not follow traditional precepts, including the old maxim that a knight is better in the center than in the corner. The reason for this is that the knight fulfills an important function on a5, attacking the c4-pawn, while the knight is unstable on e5 and can be attacked with the advance of the f-pawn.}) 12. Ng3 O-O 13. a4 {Useful to prevent a possible break on b5, which could be dangerous with the white king in the center. Observing breaks in a pawn structure is very important to understand your plan and that of your opponent. The opening was a success for White.} Qa5 {The queen makes a surprising return to this square.} (13... exd5 14. cxd5 c4 {This is a traditional way of seeking counterplay.} 15. Be3 {White retains the initiative.}) (13... b6 {doesn't work so well now due to} 14. f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Neg4+ $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (14... Ned7 {is better.}) 15. Kg1 {Followed by h2-h3.}) 14. Qc2 Qa6 (14... exd5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is again a possible attempt to create counterplay.} 15. cxd5 c4 16. Be3 Nfd7) 15. Ra3 {As I humbly wrote before and reaffirm now: Arjun's moves are difficult to understand, since he plays chess without prejudice. I'd never in a thousand years think about this move.} (15. Be2) 15... Re8 (15... exd5 {Possible again:} 16. cxd5 c4) 16. Qa2 Qa5 17. Be2 Ng6 18. Rd1 {Considering that Black can close the center, perhaps it would be better to leave the rook on h1 and develop the bishop first, so the h2-h4 advance could be accomplished.} (18. Be3 e5 19. h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 18... e5 {With the center closed, players can maneuver without haste. White needs to prepare the pawn advance on the king's flank.} 19. Bd3 Nh7 (19... Nf4 $5 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] changes the character of the game and must be considered.} 20. Bxf4 exf4 21. Ne2 g5 {with sharp play.}) 20. Nf5 Qd8 (20... Bxf5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is not so bad:} 21. exf5 Nf4 22. Bf1 {White has only a small advantage.}) 21. g3 Ne7 22. Kg2 h5 {I don't like this advance.} (22... Nxf5 {is more to my taste:} 23. exf5 Nf6) 23. Ne3 Rf8 24. Qb1 Bd7 (24... g6 {preparing f7-f5, can be considered risky, and it is, but at least Black gets an active position.}) 25. Ra2 (25. Qxb7 $4 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Blunder;persistent;true] leaves the queen in danger after} Rb8 26. Qxa7 Qc8) 25... h4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A serious positional mistake that helps White's attack.} (25... Kh8 {is better, making a useful defensive move while waiting for White to advance.}) 26. Nf5 (26. f4 {is very interesting, with the point of sacrificing a pawn for a decisive attack after} hxg3 27. f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 26... Nxf5 27. exf5 Qf6 28. g4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This gives Black a good chance to fight back.} (28. gxh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best way. The attack is very strong after} Qxh4 29. Kh1) 28... Rab8 $2 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a critical moment of the game.} (28... g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best defensive reaction.} 29. Qxb7 (29. fxg6 {This is not good because Black is able to demonstrate the weakness of the f3-pawn.} h3+ $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with counterplay.}) 29... Qd8 {Black is threatening Rb8 and if the queen returns he can play f7-f6, finally closing the kingside.}) 29. Rf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is strategically lost now.} Kh8 (29... g5 {This move no longer works.} 30. fxg6 fxg6 31. h3 {[%CAl Bf3f4]} (31. Bxg6)) 30. h3 Rg8 31. a5 {White is not in a hurry.} (31. f4 {is also very good.}) 31... Qe7 32. Rb2 (32. f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] decides the game immediately.} Nxf6 33. Bg5 {with the idea of Qe1.}) 32... Bc8 33. Be3 (33. f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nxf6 34. Bg5) 33... Qd8 34. Qe1 Qxa5 35. f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (35. Qxh4 Qxc3 {is not so clear.}) (35. g5 {is also good.}) 35... g6 (35... g5 36. Bxh7 {The cleanest way to win.} Kxh7 37. Bxg5 Rxg5 38. Qxh4+ Kg6 39. Qh8 $1 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with mate on g7.}) 36. Rb5 {Another move that would never cross the mind of most chess players.} (36. Qxh4 Qxc3 37. Rd2 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is unclear.}) (36. Bh6 {is the computer's recommendation.} Nxf6 37. Qxh4 Nh7 38. Bg5 Rg7 (38... Re8 39. Bf6+ Kg8 40. g5 {followed by Qh6.}) 39. Bf6 Kg8 40. Bxg7 Kxg7 41. Qe1 {White prepares f4, when the extra rook will be felt.}) 36... Qa3 (36... Qd8 {is the best chance, but the position remains difficult after} 37. g5 Bf5 38. Be4 a6 39. Rb2 b5 40. Qxh4) 37. Bc1 Qa1 38. Kh1 {Until the end of this analysis I will bother the impatient reader with my admiration for the surprising moves made by White. This is another one of them, and one of the computer's first choices. I suppose a more conventional player would think about taking the h4-pawn straight away.} (38. Qxh4) 38... Bd7 39. Rb3 Qa5 {The queen must go back before it's trapped.} 40. Qxh4 Qd8 41. g5 (41. Bg5 {is even better, according to the machine. The plan is to play f4 next.}) 41... Bf5 42. Be2 {Calmly refusing the exchange and keeping an eye on the b5-break, probably the main reason why the bishop didn't go to e4.} a6 43. Rg1 $3 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Another deep move, the idea of which is related to a rook sacrifice on g4.} (43. f4 {is an alternative way of playing.}) 43... b5 (43... Qd7 {Let's see what happens if Black prepares b7-b5 without rushing:} 44. Rb2 b5 45. cxb5 axb5 46. Rg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Threatening Qxh7 and mate.} Bxg4 47. hxg4 {The e2-bishop will move and White is ready to execute the queen sacrifice on h7.}) 44. cxb5 axb5 45. Bxb5 (45. Rb2 {It's also possible to follow the slow execution of the rook sacrifice on g4, although it's complicated.} Qa5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 46. Rg4 Bxg4 47. hxg4 Qxc3 48. Bd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qxb2 (48... Rg7 49. fxg7+ Kxg7 50. Qh6+ Kg8 51. Rh2 Qe1+ 52. Kg2) 49. Bxb2 {White is winning because Black's pieces can hardly move and the pawns on the queenside cannot move too far, but this evaluation is not immediately understood.} c4 50. Be2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] stopping the pawns.}) 45... Qa5 46. c4 Ra8 47. Bc6 Rab8 48. Ra3 Qb4 49. Ra7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Arjun finds a new way to pose problems to Black's position. Honestly, I cannot praise this game highly enough.} Rbf8 50. Kh2 {Many moves lead to a win, so why not play another mysterious one $2} Qc3 51. Qf2 e4 {Desperately trying some counterplay, but now the bishop joins the game.} 52. Bf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} exf3 53. Bxd6 Rb8 54. Bb5 (54. Bxb8 {Taking the rook is too simple, but for the sake of truth and science, I must say that it's quite effective.} Rxb8 55. Bb5) 54... Rbe8 $6 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (54... Ra8 {is the only chance.}) 55. Bxe8 Rxe8 56. Re7 Ra8 57. Rge1 {This game is a delight, an enigma that needs to be analyzed multiple times until it's better understood and appreciated. This is the next level of chess understanding and I'm sure that Arjun Erigaisi will be a strong contender for the world title in the coming years.} 1-0