[Event "WR Chess Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A57"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2734"]
[Annotator "cahan"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 $5 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Interesting;
persistent;true] Wow $1 You don't see the Benko very often in top grandmaster
chess these days.} 4. cxb5 a6 5. e3 {This variation is supposed to be one of
White's top options, although it hardly constitutes a refutation.} e6 ({
Another surprise. The main line is} 5... g6 {, whereas the text move is
considered inferior.}) 6. Nc3 exd5 7. Nxd5 Be7 8. Nf3 ({There are a couple of
relevant alternatives: a)} 8. Nxe7 Qxe7 9. Nf3 O-O 10. Be2 axb5 11. Bxb5 Na6 ({
or} 11... d5 12. O-O Na6 13. a3 Bf5 14. b4 Nxb4 15. Bb2 Nc2 16. Rc1 Nxa3 17.
Bxf6 Qxf6 18. Rxc5 Qb6 19. Qxd5 Be4 {and Black had a comfortable game in Ansh,
M (2195)-Christiansen,J (2578) Chess.com INT 2022.}) 12. O-O Nb4 13. a3 Bb7 14.
b3 Rfb8 15. Bb2 Bxf3 16. Qxf3 {(White is already much better.)} Nbd5 17. Bc4
Nb6 18. Be2 Nbd5 19. Rfd1 Ra7 20. Rxd5 Nxd5 21. Qxd5 {and Black resigned, 1-0,
in Tregubov,P (2616)-Terrieux,K (2416) Calvi 2014.}) ({b)} 8. Nxf6+ {is
supposed to be best:} Bxf6 9. Qd5 Ra7 10. Qxc5 Rc7 11. Qb4 ({The engine likes}
11. Qd6 Be7 12. Qf4 {when White is supposed to have a decisive advantage.})
11... axb5 12. Bxb5 Na6 13. Qe4+ Kf8 14. Nf3 Bb7 15. Qa4 {and White is clearly
better in Li,B (2361)-Kaminski,V (2247) Chess.com INT 2022.}) 8... O-O 9. b3 $6
{[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({The first new
move, but not a particularly good one. Previously, White had tried} 9. bxa6
Nxa6 ({Black can improve with} 9... Nxd5 10. Qxd5 Ra7 11. a3 Nxa6 {when Black
is only marginally worse.}) 10. Nxe7+ Qxe7 11. Be2 d5 12. O-O Bf5 13. b3 $2 {
[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (13. Bd2 {looks better})
13... Nb4 14. a3 $2 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Bc2
15. Qd2 Ne4 16. axb4 Nxd2 17. Bxd2 Rxa1 18. Rxa1 Bxb3 19. bxc5 Qxc5 {and Black
eventually won the game in Ivic,V (2614)-Christiansen,J (2501) Almaty 2022.})
9... Nxd5 10. Qxd5 Qb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;
true]} 11. Bb2 ({The rook on a8 cannot be captured:} 11. Qxa8 Bb7 {and the
queen is trapped.}) 11... Bb7 {Black is already doing fine.} 12. Qf5 axb5 13.
Bd3 g6 {Black doesn't have much of a choice, but I don't think he minded much
what followed.} 14. Qe5 f6 15. Qxe7 ({White takes the offered draw. If White
had been in a fighting mood, the right continuation is} 15. Qg3 {although
Black has little to fear after} Rf7 {.}) 15... Rf7 16. Qe8+ Rf8 17. Qe7 Rf7 18.
Qe8+ Rf8 19. Qe7 {with a draw by repetition.} 1/2-1/2
[Event "Chess.com"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Duda, Jan-Krzysztof"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2729"]
[Annotator "cahan"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 c5 4. O-O Nc6 5. d4 e6 6. c4 dxc4 7. Qa4 Bd7 8. Qxc4
cxd4 9. Nxd4 Rc8 10. Nc3 Nxd4 11. Qxd4 Bc5 12. Qh4 Bc6 13. Rd1 Qb6 $4 {
[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} ({Oh dear, Duda doesn't
know his chess history. This opening blunder played a role in securing the
Hungarian's team sensational win in the 1978 Olympiad, leading to the first
win by another team since the Soviets first decided to participate in 1952.
The better option is} 13... Qa5 14. Bxc6+ Rxc6 15. Bh6 O-O 16. Bxg7 Bxf2+ {
(This is the point of 13...Qa5, something that is not available to Black in
the game with the queen on b6)} 17. Kxf2 Kxg7 18. Rd3 Rfc8 ({or} 18... Rc5 19.
Kg2 Rh5 20. Qd4 Qf5 21. g4 Rg5 {and Black had equalized in Csom,I (2510)
-Peters,J (2475) Hastings 1979.}) 19. Kg2 Rc4 20. e4 Qh5 21. Qxh5 Nxh5 22. e5
b5 23. a3 a5 {with no more than a marginal edge for White in Artemiev,V (2699)
-Pridorozhni,A (2564) Sochi 2021.}) 14. Bxc6+ Rxc6 15. Bh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;
square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Boom $3 Duda must have felt the
sudden pain of a Mike Tyson punch to the face when So delicately fired this
move off, realizing that today is not a good day.} Bf8 ({In the stema game of
this opening trap, the Bulgarian grandmaster Radulov went for the
terrible-looking} 15... gxh6 {and was comprehensively crushed:} 16. Qxf6 O-O
17. Ne4 Qb4 18. Qe5 Be7 19. a3 Qb6 20. Rd7 Bg5 21. b3 Qxb3 22. Nxg5 hxg5 23.
Qxg5+ Kh8 24. Rad1 Qc2 25. Qf6+ Kg8 26. R1d4 Qg6 27. Qf3 h5 28. Rxb7 e5 29. Rh4
Rd8 30. Qxh5 Qxh5 31. Rxh5 f6 32. Rxa7 Rd2 33. e3 Rc1+ 34. Kg2 Rdd1 35. Rf5 {
and Black finally resigned, 1-0, in Portisch,L (2630)-Radulov,I (2490) Buenos
Aires 1978.}) ({If} 15... O-O {then} 16. Bxg7 Bxf2+ ({or} 16... Kxg7 17. Qg5+
Kh8 18. Qxf6+ Kg8 19. Ne4 {and White is easily winning.}) 17. Kg2 Kxg7 18. Qg5+
Kh8 19. Qxf6+ Kg8 20. Qxf2 {decides the game in White's favor.}) 16. Rd3 ({
This is stronger than} 16. Rd2 {which was Ribili's choice against Ljubojevic
in their game from that special Olympiad in 1978:} e5 ({A more recent game saw
Black try} 16... Nd5 17. Nxd5 exd5 18. Be3 Bc5 19. Bxc5 Rxc5 20. Qa4+ Rc6 21.
Qa3 Rd6 22. Rad1 {with a large advantage that White was unable to convert
against his much higher-rated opponent in Orlinkov,M (2385) -Sjugirov,S (2562)
Moscow 2009.}) ({A considerably worse try was} 16... a6 17. Rad1 Rc8 18. e4 Qc7
19. e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Ng8 20. Bg5
Ne7 21. Qa4+ Nc6 22. Ne4 h6 23. Bf6 Rg8 24. a3 Be7 25. Bxe7 Kxe7 26. Qc4 {
and Black couldn't muster the energy to continue the punishment, 1-0, Hulak,K
(2450)-Sahovic,D (2460) Nis 1985.}) 17. Be3 Qa6 ({Just last year, another
strong player fell into this trap and tried} 17... Qa5 18. a3 ({here,} 18. Rad1
Be7 19. b4 Qa3 20. Nb1 Qa6 21. Bc5 {would be winning for White}) 18... a6 19.
Qg5 h6 20. Qf5 g6 21. Qf3 Bg7 22. Nd5 Nxd5 23. Rxd5 Qc7 24. Rad1 O-O 25. Rd7 {
and White had a large advantage in Romanov,E (2593)-Zwirs $146 (2481)
Hoogeveen 2022.}) 18. Rad1 Be7 19. Qg5 O-O 20. Qxe5 Bb4 21. Rd8 Rc8 22. Rxc8
Rxc8 23. Qd4 {(White has a decisive advantage, but it took White a while
before his opponent resigned)} Qa5 24. Qxa7 Bxc3 25. bxc3 Qb5 26. Qb6 Qa4 27.
Rd8+ Rxd8 28. Qxd8+ Ne8 29. f3 h6 30. Kf2 Qc6 31. c4 Qa4 32. Qc8 Kh7 33. c5 Qb5
34. a4 Qxa4 35. Qxb7 Qc4 36. Qe4+ Qxe4 37. fxe4 g5 38. c6 f6 39. Bb6 Kg6 40.
Ke3 Kf7 41. Kd4 Ke6 42. Bd8 g4 43. c7 Nd6 44. Kc5 Kd7 45. Kd5 Nb5 46. e5 fxe5
47. Kxe5 Nc3 48. e4 Nd1 49. Kf6 {and Black finally called it quits, 1-0, Ribli,
Z (2585) -Ljubojevic,L (2605) Buenos Aires 1978.}) 16... Nd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;
square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({Duda is not making himself any
favors. Relatively better is} 16... e5 17. Be3 Qa5 ({or} 17... Qa6 18. Nd5 Nxd5
19. Rxd5 f6 20. Qg4 Rc7 21. Rad1 Qc6 22. Rd8+ Kf7 23. Rc1 {and Black resigned,
1-0, in Plachetka,J (2440)-Lawton,G (2395) Copenhagen 1984.}) 18. Bg5 Be7 19.
Rad1 O-O 20. Bxf6 Bxf6 21. Qe4 Rb6 22. b3 Rb4 23. Qf5 Qa6 24. Nd5 {and White
had a decisive advantage in Topalov,V (2743) -Van Wely, L (2668) Monte Carlo
2003.}) 17. Nxd5 exd5 18. Be3 Qxb2 ({The first new move $1 However, it is not
much of an improvement over} 18... Bc5 {which resulted in another miniature
after} 19. Bxc5 Qxc5 20. Re3+ Kd7 21. Qg4+ Kc7 22. Qxg7 Rf8 23. Rd1 a6 24. Red3
{and Black resigned, 1-0, in Izzat,K (2496)-Sukandar,I (2393) Adelaide 2018.})
19. Bd4 Qb4 20. Rb3 Qe7 21. Qxe7+ Kxe7 22. Rxb7+ Ke6 23. Rb8 {Black has
avoided losing material until now, but after the text move, it is clear that
the pin of the f8-bishop will decide the game in White's favor. So converted
the advantage with a steady hand.} h5 24. Rab1 h4 25. Kg2 Kf5 26. Kf3 hxg3 27.
hxg3 Rc4 28. e3 Rc2 29. R1b5 Kg6 30. Rxd5 Rxa2 31. Rdd8 Rh2 32. Rxf8 Raxf2+ 33.
Ke4 f6 34. Rb7 a6 35. Ra8 Ra2 36. Raa7 Rh7 37. Kf3 Ra5 38. Rb6 Rg5 39. Kg2 a5
40. e4 Rg4 41. Kf3 Rg5 42. Be3 Re5 43. Bf4 Rc5 44. e5 Rh8 45. Rba6 Rd8 46. exf6
gxf6 47. Rxa5 Rc3+ 48. Kg4 {and Black finally resigned.} 1-0
[Event "Chess.com"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Black "Keymer, Vincent"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "201"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 c6 {The game begins as a
Catalan opening, but now we have a transposition to a line that often occurs
in the Semi-Slav move order where White sacrifices the pawn on c4. This leads
to extremely complicated and risky positions.} 6. O-O b5 7. a4 Bb7 8. Ne5 a6 9.
b3 cxb3 10. Qxb3 Qxd4 11. Bb2 Qb4 12. Qc2 Qc5 13. Qd3 Be7 14. Nd2 {This is all
theory, and it's best not to go too deep in the moves leading to this position
since there's a lot to analyze in the rest of the game. The only thing I can
say is that after the move is played, the advantage is already firmly in
White's hands, so this is a good moment to look for an alternative.} Nd5 $6 {
[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (14... Qb6 {is
better and leads to a complex game after:} 15. axb5 axb5 16. Rxa8 Bxa8 17. Ne4
Nd5 {Wagner-Murphy, Terme Catez 2022.}) 15. Rfc1 {There is a very tempting
alternative as well. Judging by the time Esipenko thought here, it's clear he
was already out of prep.} (15. axb5 axb5 (15... cxb5 16. Nb3 Qd6 17. Na5 {
Black is in trouble.}) 16. Rxa8 Bxa8 17. Ra1 {The a-file will give Black a
headache.} Bb7 18. Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;
true]} Qd6 19. Ra7 Qc7 20. Nb3 {and White has a dangerous initiative, for
example:} O-O 21. Na5 c5 22. Rxb7 Qxa5 23. Bxd5 exd5 (23... cxd4 24. Be4 $1 {
[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 24. Rxe7 cxd4 25. Qf5
$1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a strong
attack.}) 15... Qb6 16. Nec4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] An excellent knight sacrifice. The queenside is exposed, and
the g- and h-pawns will fall, meaning the black king no longer has a safe
haven.} bxc4 17. Nxc4 Nb4 {This move gives the piece back and has the
appearance of a desperate attempt to get into an endgame, whatever the cost.} (
17... Qd8 {is more natural, but the initiative is very strong after} 18. Bxg7
Rg8 19. Qxh7 Rxg7 20. Qxg7) 18. Qb1 {This is a mystery moment for me. Esipenko
could enter an endgame with a pawn up and great winning chances, but instead
he preferred to play with the initiative in a material-less position.} (18.
Nxb6 {This is a simple move and leads to a nearly winning endgame. I'm not
sure why Esipenko didn't go for this. Granted, he still has a strong attack
with his choice, but 18.Nxb6 is safe and efficient.} Nxd3 19. exd3 Ra7 20. Bxg7
Rg8 21. Bd4 c5 22. Bxc5 {All this is forced. White is a pawn up.} Bxg2 23. Bxe7
(23. Kxg2 {is also good.}) 23... Nc6 24. Bh4 Bf3 25. d4 {The endgame should be
winning for White.}) 18... Qc5 19. Bxg7 Rg8 20. Qxh7 $6 {[%c_effect h7;square;
h7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is an inaccuracy.} (20. Ne5 $1 {
[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] To be honest, this
move justifies White's decision on move 18. But it's not an easy move to find.}
Qxc1+ $8 (20... Rxg7 $2 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]}
21. Rxc5 Bxc5 22. Nd3 $1 $18 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true]}) (20... Qd6 21. Qxh7 Rxg7 22. Qxg7 $18) 21. Qxc1 Rxg7 22. Qh6
(22. Qe3) 22... Bf8 23. Rd1 $16 {In practice, a decisive advantage here.
There's no way anyone can escape this.}) 20... Rxg7 21. Qxg7 Nd7 {Black's
position remains difficult, but not as much as it was before.} 22. Qh8+ Bf8 23.
a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important
prophylactic move, avoiding a6-a5 and thus leaving the knight on b4 in an
unstable situation.} Rb8 24. Rab1 Bc8 25. Rb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] I love this kind of move. White wants to bring the
rook to the d-file.} Qg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;
true] The position is very complicated, and mistakes are inevitable. It is
even more difficult to play with Black, as any error is fatal.} (25... Kd8 {
is a better try, although the position is not a bed of roses.}) 26. Rd2 (26.
Nd6+ $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The computer
indicates this move as winning on the spot.} Ke7 27. Rd1 {Black is paralyzed.}
Qf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] It's important
to note that this move loses to} 28. Nxc8+ Rxc8 29. Rxd7+ $1 {[%c_effect d7;
square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 26... Nd5 27. e4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;
square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A natural move but not the best.} (
27. Bxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads by
force to a better position for White after:} exd5 (27... cxd5 28. Nd6+) 28.
Nd6+ Ke7 29. Rxc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}
Bb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A good
resource.} (29... Qxd2 30. Qh5 $3 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Brilliant;
persistent;true] This wonderful move wins.} Kd8 31. Nxf7+ Ke7 32. Nd6 {Black
has no adequate defense to the mating threats.}) 30. f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;
square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bxc6 31. fxg5 Kxd6 {White is much
better in this materially unbalanced position.}) 27... Qh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;
square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28. Qa1 $6 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;
type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Again, not the best continuation.} (28. Qxh6 {
is not great either. Black breathes a sigh of relief in the endgame.} Bxh6 29.
exd5 Bxd2 30. Nxd2 cxd5) (28. Qg8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] Is the most dangerous, as the queen keeps an eye on f7.} Ke7
$1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A difficult move
but the only chance.} 29. exd5 cxd5 30. Qg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is threatening 30...Nf6, winning the queen.
The attack remains very strong.}) 28... N5f6 29. Nd6+ Bxd6 30. Rxd6 c5 {
Black is fully back in the game.} 31. Rb1 (31. e5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;
type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Against this move Black has the knight jump
to g4. For this reason, it makes sense to play a Karpovian h3 here and in
other moments, although this looks too subtle to be true.} Ng4) (31. h3 $5 {
[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) 31... Rb4 {This is
inaccurate, as the b4-pawn will become a serious weakness.} (31... Rxb1+ 32.
Qxb1 Qh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the
idea of playing Qe2 at some moment.}) 32. Rxb4 cxb4 33. Rc6 Kd8 {This is
forced.} (33... Bb7 $2 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]}
34. Rc7 Bxe4 35. Rc8+ Ke7 36. Qe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] Black loses material, as the b4-pawn is under attack.}) 34.
Qb2 Ng4 35. h3 Qf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (
35... Nge5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is
necessary.} 36. Rc2 Nd3 37. Qb1 N7c5 {with chances for both sides.}) 36. Rc2 $6
{[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (36. Qd2 $1 {
[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nge5 37. Rc1 {Black
is in serious trouble here, as he needs to defend the b-pawn and also a
possible invasion on the c-file.}) 36... Qxb2 37. Rxb2 Nge5 38. Rxb4 {Both
players can breathe a little now as the fireworks are over. White has the
advantage in this endgame of a rook and two pawns against a pair of knights.
But there are drawing chances.} Nc6 39. Ra4 e5 40. f3 Ke7 41. Bf1 Nc5 42. Ra3
Be6 43. h4 (43. Rc3 $5 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;
true] This move is poisonous as it forces Black's king away from the dangerous
h-pawn.} Kd6 44. h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]
The position is difficult for Black, for example:} Nxa5 45. h5 Nc6 46. h6 Ne7
47. h7 Ng6 48. f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}
exf4 49. gxf4 Nxe4 50. Bd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] This sequence seems to be taken from a composition. The
h-pawn continues to force its way to the coronation.}) 43... Nd4 44. Kf2 Bb3
45. Ra1 Bc2 46. g4 Kf6 47. Kg3 Kg6 48. Re1 Ncb3 49. Bxa6 (49. h5+ {is a good
try.} Kg5 (49... Kg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;
true] This is better, according to the computer, but blocking the pawns is
more natural for a player with flesh and bones (and a heart).}) 50. Bc4 f6 51.
Rh1 $1 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kh6 52. Bxb3
Nxb3 53. f4 {with good winning chances.}) 49... Nxa5 50. f4 exf4+ 51. Kxf4 {
White has some practical chances, but Black should be able to make a draw.}
Ne6+ 52. Ke3 Nb3 53. Bc4 Nbd4 54. Rf1 Ba4 55. g5 Bb5 56. Rf6+ Kg7 57. Bxb5 Nxb5
58. h5 Nf8 (58... Nxg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;
true] This loses one of the knights after} 59. Rf5) 59. Rc6 Ne6 60. g6 {
The pawns are disappearing from the board, and it is surprising that White
still has real chances to win.} Nbc7 (60... Nbd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;
type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The following lines show how the knights can
be tricky.} 61. Rd6 fxg6 62. hxg6 Nc2+ $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true]} (62... Kxg6 $4 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;
Blunder;persistent;true]} 63. Rxd4 Nxd4 64. Kxd4 {with a winning pawn endgame.}
) 63. Kd2 Ncd4 64. Kd3 Nb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true]} 65. Kc4 (65. Rxe6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;
persistent;true]} Nc5+) 65... Nbc5 66. Kd5 Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;
type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's impossible to deal with a pair of dancing
knights.} 67. e5 Nd3 {Black finally achieves a draw.}) 61. gxf7 Kxf7 {Once
again, when analyzing a game by Keymer, a player who seems to have a magical
attraction for endgames, I can say: we arrived in a tablebase position, that
technological tool that is the joy of chess commentators. Every time I
indicate a move with an exclamation mark, it means it's the only way to win or
draw. I now focus on the moments where mistakes are made.} 62. e5 Nd5+ $1 {
[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 63. Ke4 Ne7 $1 {
[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 64. Rd6 Nc8 65. Rd1
Ne7 66. Rf1+ Kg7 67. h6+ Kg8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true]} (67... Kxh6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;
persistent;true]} 68. Rf6+) 68. Rf6 Ng5+ 69. Kf4 Nh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;
h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 70. Rd6 Kf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;
type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 71. Kg4 Ke8 72. Kh5 Kf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;
square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 73. Ra6 Nf8 74. Rb6 Nh7 75. Rd6 Nf8
76. Kg5 Nh7+ 77. Kg4 Nf8 $2 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;
true] After so many accurate moves, finally a mistake is made. All the
following moves are enough for a draw, according to the tablebase.} (77... Ng8)
(77... Nc8) (77... Ke8) (77... Kf8) (77... Kg8) 78. Ra6 $2 {[%c_effect a6;
square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A mistake in return.} (78. Rf6+ $1 {
[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only winning
move.} Kg8 79. Kh5 Nh7 80. Rf1 Nf8 81. Re1 Ne6 82. Rg1+ Kh7 83. Ra1 $1 {
[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook goes to the
seventh rank with decisive effect.}) 78... Nh7 79. Kf4 Nf8 80. Ke4 Ne6 81. Ra7
Ng5+ 82. Kf4 Nh7 83. Ra6 Nf8 84. Kg5 Nh7+ 85. Kh5 Nf8 86. Rf6+ Kg8 $1 {
[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 87. Rf1 Nc6 $1 {
[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 88. Rf5 Nd7 $2 {
[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The losing move. Both 88.
..Nb4 and 88...Nb8 are enough for a draw. These types of moves can only be
found through an elimination process. The idea of the two moves is to wait
with a non-committal move and prevent White from advancing his pawns.} (88...
Nb4) (88... Nb8) (88... Ne6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;
persistent;true]} 89. Rf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true]} Ncd8 90. Kg6 Nf8+ {Now White has a nice combination.} 91.
Rxf8+ $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kxf8 92. e6
$1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nxe6 93. h7 {
and the pawn promotes.}) (88... Nd8 $2 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Mistake;
persistent;true] I thought this move is a draw, but I was wrong.} 89. Rf6 $1 {
[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nde6 90. Kg4 {And the
tablebase indicates a win for White here. If it's hard to understand it,
imagine having to play it.}) 89. e6 {Now Esipenko gives no chances.} Nf8 90.
Rc5 Ne7 91. Rc7 Nd5 92. Rg7+ $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true]} Kh8 93. e7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true]} Nxe7 94. Rxe7 {The rest is easy.} Kg8 95. Kg5 Nh7+ 96. Kf5
Nf8 97. Rg7+ Kh8 98. Rf7 Kg8 99. Kf6 Nh7+ 100. Kg6 Nf8+ 101. Rxf8+ (101. Rxf8+
Kxf8 102. h7) 1-0
[Event "Chess.com"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Praggnanandhaa, R...."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A20"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[Annotator "cahan"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
1. c4 e5 2. g3 c6 3. d4 e4 4. d5 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Qe7 6. Nh3 ({Sound the trumpets:
A novelty has been played. However, it is not clear that it is particularly
better than the previously played move, such as the main line} 6. Nc3 {.}) 6...
Nf6 7. Nc3 cxd5 8. Nf4 Bxc3 9. Bxc3 dxc4 10. e3 (10. Bg2 {is possibly better,
keeping a small edge for White.}) 10... Nc6 11. g4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;
type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Oh, you thought that White needed to capture
on c4 $2 Well, you don't know Aronian very well, do you $2 However, capturing
on c4 would likely have been better.} h6 (11... Ne5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;
e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is almost certainly better.}) 12. Bxc4 d6
13. Rg1 Bd7 $6 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({
Here, Black should have played} 13... Ne5 14. Be2 Be6 {with about even chances.
}) 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. Qxd5 (15. Bxd5 {would have kept an edge for White.}) 15...
O-O-O $2 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] When going
through the game with Seirawan in the broadcast, Aronian speculated that Pragg
may somehow have forgotten that this move was possible when he castled.} (15...
Rc8 {would have been more or less okay for Black.}) 16. Qxf7 Qxf7 17. Bxf7 Ne5
18. Bxe5 dxe5 19. Bd5 Bc6 20. Bxc6 bxc6 {This is just a very depressing
endgame for Black, that Aronian thought would be close to impossible for Black
to save.} 21. Rc1 Rd6 22. Ke2 Rhd8 23. Rc2 g5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;
Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Black is trying to fix White's kingside pawns, but
it seems to help White more than it does Black.} 24. Rgc1 Kb7 25. b3 Rd5 26.
Ke1 R8d6 27. Rc4 Rd3 28. R1c2 Rd1+ 29. Ke2 Rh1 30. Rxe4 Rd5 31. Rec4 (31. Rd2
$1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better.}) 31...
Rd6 32. Rb4+ Kc7 33. Rb5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;
true]} (33. Rc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is
the way to go, threating both capturing the pawn on e5 and to playing Ra5.})
33... Re6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({Here,}
33... Rf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a
better practical chance for saving the game} 34. Rbc5 Rxh2 35. Kf1 Re6 {
when White's path to the win would have been somewhat uncertain.}) 34. Ra5 Rxh2
$2 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({Again,} 34... Rf6
$5 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] was a better try.
After the text move, White is easily winning.}) 35. Rxa7+ Kb6 36. Rf7 e4 37. a4
Rh1 38. b4 Ra1 39. a5+ Kb5 40. Rb7+ Ka4 41. Rb6 Rd6 42. Rd2 Rxd2+ 43. Kxd2 c5
44. bxc5 Kxa5 45. Kc3 Ra2 46. Rf6 Ra4 47. Rb6 Ra2 48. Rb2 Rxb2 49. Kxb2 Kb5 50.
Kb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Having seen
the concept of the opposition demonstrated by his veteran opponent, Pragg
didn't need to see anything further and duly resigned the game.} 1-0
[Event "Chess.com"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Gukesh, D...."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E49"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2718"]
[Annotator "cahan"]
[PlyCount "164"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 Nf6 5. a3 ({According to conventional
wisdom, when Black has played an early ...d7-d5 in the Nimzo-Indian, this
Saemisch-style move is a good choice. However, nowadays White has taken a
fancy to the machine-approved} 5. Qa4+ {.}) 5... Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c6 ({An
ugly-looking move which Iranian Maghsoodloo has been playing a bit of late.
Previously, Gukesh had tried a few other moves: a)} 6... c5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. c4
Ne7 9. Nf3 O-O 10. Bd3 Nf5 11. O-O Nc6 12. Bb2 {and White had a large
advantage in Narayanan,S (2658)-Gukesh,D (2614) chess24.com INT 2022.}) ({b)}
6... O-O 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Bd3 b6 9. Ne2 Ba6 10. O-O Re8 11. f3 c5 12. Ng3 Bxd3
13. Qxd3 Nc6 14. Bb2 c4 (14... h5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;
persistent;true] seems best}) 15. Qe2 h5 {as played in Real de Azua,E (2450)
-Gukesh,D (2547) Sitges 2019, and now} 16. Qf2 $5 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;
type;Interesting;persistent;true] looks like White's best move as seen in
several grandmaster games.}) 7. Bd3 (7. a4 {also makes a lot of sense to open
for the dark-squared bishop.}) 7... O-O 8. Ne2 e5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;
type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({The better option is the main line} 8... b6
{, e.g.,} 9. f3 Ba6 10. cxd5 cxd5 11. e4 Bxd3 12. Qxd3 Nc6 13. Bg5 h6 14. Bxf6
Qxf6 15. O-O Rac8 {and Black had a good game in Grischuk,A (2745)-Kramnik,V
(2753) Chess.com INT 2022.}) 9. dxe5 Ng4 ({The first new move. Previously
Black had tried} 9... dxc4 10. exf6 Qxd3 11. Qxd3 cxd3 12. fxg7 Rd8 13. Nf4 Na6
14. f3 Nc5 15. Rb1 b5 16. e4 Kxg7 17. Be3 Na4 18. Kd2 {and White was clearly
better in Yang,D (2481) -Dragun,K (2585) New York 2019.}) 10. cxd5 Nxe5 11. e4
f5 12. O-O Nxd3 13. Qxd3 fxe4 14. Qxe4 cxd5 15. Qd3 Bf5 16. Qg3 Nc6 17. Be3 Qe8
18. Rad1 Qf7 19. Rd2 Rad8 (19... Na5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;
Interesting;persistent;true] is possibly better, e.g.,} 20. Nf4 Nc4 21. Rxd5
Nxe3 22. Qxe3 Rae8 23. Re5 h6 {when Black's suffering, despite having lost a
pawn, will probably be felt less than what he had to endure in the game
continuation.}) 20. Rfd1 Rd7 21. Nd4 Bg6 22. Nxc6 bxc6 {White has a clear
advantage. The presence of the opposite-colored bishop counts heavily in
White's favor.} 23. c4 Bh5 24. f3 Re8 25. Bf2 Bg6 26. cxd5 cxd5 27. h3 $1 {
[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is not in a
hurry. Black cannot free himself and will have to wait for White to push.} h6
28. Rc1 Kh7 29. Bd4 Bf5 30. Kh2 Re6 31. Rc8 Re8 32. Rxe8 Qxe8 33. Rb2 Qg6 34.
Qe5 Bd3 35. a4 Bc4 {At last, the bishop finds a steady home, but unfortunately
for Black, the bishop is not participating in the defense of the kingside.
Black is hoping to occasionally threaten ...Bf1 to keep White from having too
much freedom to attack.} 36. a5 Qf7 37. Rb8 Re7 38. Qg3 Rb7 39. Rc8 a6 40. Qd6
Qe7 41. Qc6 Qf7 42. Qd6 Qe7 $6 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;
persistent;true]} ({A natural move. The exchange of the queen is supposed to
lighten Black's defensive burden. However,} 42... Qf5 {may have been better,
for instance,} 43. Rf8 Rf7 44. Qg3 Qd7 45. Ra8 Qf5 {and White has not made
much progress.}) 43. Qxe7 Rxe7 44. g4 Rf7 45. Kg3 g5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;
g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({Gukesh commits himself to having his pawns
fixed on dark, the color of White's bishop. It was likely better to play} 45...
Bb5 {first.}) 46. Rh8+ $6 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;
true]} ({Here, White could have tried} 46. Be5 Bd3 47. Rh8+ Kg6 48. f4 gxf4+
49. Bxf4 Rh7 50. Rd8 {and White has excellent winning chances due to Black's
poorly coordinated pieces.}) 46... Kg6 47. Re8 Kh7 48. Re6 Bb5 49. Be5 Rd7 50.
Bd4 Rf7 51. Re3 Kg6 52. Re5 Bc4 53. Re6+ Kh7 54. Re3 Kg6 55. h4 gxh4+ 56. Kxh4
Rf4 57. Be5 d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A
nice pawn sacrifice to simplify the position and bring Black's bishop to life.}
58. Ra3 Rf7 59. Bxd4 ({Or} 59. f4 Rd7 60. f5+ Kh7 {and Black holds.}) 59... Bd5
$1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ({Initially,
during the game, I thought that Black had intended} 59... Rd7 $2 {[%c_effect
d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] , but missed that} 60. Be5 Rd3 61.
Ra4 Bd5 62. f4 {gives White excellent winning chances. The game continuation
is much better.}) 60. Kg3 h5 {This is Gukesh's excellent idea behind 57...d4
$1 Now, White has almost no winning chances left although Giri keeps at it for
quite a bit longer.} 61. Rc3 hxg4 62. fxg4 Rd7 63. Be3 Kf6 64. Rc1 Ke6 65. Bb6
Rf7 66. Re1+ Kd6 67. Kh4 Be6 68. Kg5 Rf3 69. Rd1+ Kc6 70. Rc1+ Kd5 71. Rc5+ Kd6
72. Rc2 Kd5 73. Rd2+ Kc6 74. Re2 Kd7 75. Rd2+ Kc6 76. Rc2+ Kd5 77. Bc7 Rf8 78.
Rd2+ Kc4 79. Rd6 Rg8+ 80. Kf6 Bxg4 81. Rxa6 Rc8 82. Ra7 Kb5 1/2-1/2
[Event "Chess.com"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.17"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"]
[Black "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2734"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd2 {This approach to the
Nimzo-Indian Defense has been popular for some time at the highest levels.
Although it prevents the doubling of White's c-pawns, it's not clear to me
that this is the best possible square for the bishop, but super-GMs seem to
like it.} b6 6. Bd3 d5 (6... Bb7 7. Nf3 d6 {is another possible way to play,
but this is neither here nor there considering our game today.}) 7. cxd5 exd5
8. Nf3 Re8 {The fourth most common move, but it has an illustrious list of
practitioners, including Caruana, So, Liem Le, and Vidit.} ({The main line
runs:} 8... Bb7 9. O-O Nbd7 10. Rc1 a6 11. Ne5 Nxe5 (11... Bd6 12. f4 {will be
very similar to the game.}) 12. dxe5 Nd7 13. f4 Nc5 {and Black is fine in
correspondence games.}) 9. Rc1 Bf8 10. O-O Bb7 11. Ne5 c5 12. f4 Nc6 13. Ne2
Ne4 {This move was just introduced in 2021. Since then, there are six games in
this position.} (13... Rc8 {Abdusattorov mentioned that his opponent mixed up
the move orders and, after the game, said he should have played this.} 14. Be1
Ne4 15. Bxe4 dxe4 16. Nxf7 Kxf7 17. Qb3+ c4 {(Abdusattorov ended the line here
and said it is equal.}) 14. Ng3 ({Abdusattorov considered but rejected:} 14.
Bxe4 dxe4 15. Nxf7 Qd5) 14... Nxd2 $4 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Blunder;
persistent;true] \"This is a mistake, but it's very difficult to see all the
details\" (Abdusattorov). This walks into a Greek Gift sacrifice that should
be thrown into the long list of others in history.} (14... Nxe5 15. fxe5 Qd7 $2
{[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (15... g6 {is better
and would hold off Nh5 or Qh5.}) 16. Nh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rac8 17. Bc3 {White was better but later lost in
the blitz game Rakhmanov,A (2640)-Yoo,C (2535) Chess.com INT 2022.}) (14...
Nxg3 15. hxg3 g6 16. Qg4 Qe7 17. Nxc6 Bxc6 18. f5 Qd7 19. Qf4 Bd6 20. Qh4 Bb5
21. Bxb5 Qxb5 {Black equalized in Rakhmanov,A (2657)-Vokhidov,S (2521) Riga
2021.}) 15. Bxh7+ Kxh7 16. Qh5+ Kg8 17. Qxf7+ Kh8 (17... Kh7 18. Qg6+ Kg8 19.
Nf5 {[%c_arrow f5h6;keyPressed;none;from;f5;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false,
e5f7;keyPressed;none;from;e5;opacity;0.8;to;f7;persistent;false]}) 18. Ng6+ Kh7
{This is hardly a sacrifice as White has gained two pawns and has a perpetual
attack against the black king. It also just works concretely, which makes
things easier for the first player.} 19. Nh5 {[%c_highlight g7;keyPressed;none;
opacity;0.8;square;g7;persistent;false] White threatens Nxf8 and Qxg7#.} Re6
20. f5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A very true
blemish on what would otherwise be a perfect game. Black has a chance and...} (
20. Nxf8+ $2 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Qxf8 {
Now defends the mate.}) (20. Qxe6 {The obvious move happens to be the best.
From plenty of personal experience, I can tell readers this is an embarrassing
moment for all players.} Nxf1 21. Rxf1 {My only guess is that the Uzbek GM
missed the following, but I have no idea. This line was not mentioned in the
interview.} cxd4 (21... Qe8 {This idea is more useful on the next move. Here,}
22. Nxf8+ Qxf8 23. Rf3 {White wins.}) 22. Rf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] I doubt he missed this move because he played a
similar idea in the game. I can't tell you what ghosts he saw.} (22. exd4 $2 {
[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Qe8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;
square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23. Nxf8+ Qxf8 {And Rf3 no longer
works due to Nxd4.} 24. Rf3 Nxd4) (22. Qf5 {also wins.})) 20... Nxf1 ({
Abdusattorov showed:} 20... Rd6 21. Rf4 Qg5 {\"From afar I saw that I have at
least...\"} 22. Nxf8+ Rxf8 23. Qxf8 {\"with a strong attack.\"}) 21. Rxf1 Qg5
$2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] ... misses it.} (
21... Qe8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This
move crops up again. It's the only move. What can I say $2 It is easy for
spectators, armed with Stockfish, to enjoy the strength of this move. There is
one really, really tough resource to find in two moves.} 22. Nf6+ (22. Nxf8+
Qxf8 23. fxe6 Qxf7 24. Rxf7 {\"He was worried about this endgame, which is
fair, but I think after Ba6 he may still have good practical chance to hold
this.\" The engine confirms.} Ba6 {And Black, who has the extra piece, has
much better chances than in the game.}) 22... Rxf6 23. Rf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;
square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Without this move, White loses.} Kh6
$3 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This is the only
move. It is much easier to sit at my computer and criticize, and indeed,
finding it over the board would be a major feat.} (23... Qxf7 $4 {[%c_effect
f7;square;f7;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 24. Rh3+ Kg8 25. Rh8#) 24. Rh3+ Kg5
{And White, who has sacrificed too much by now, must take a draw by perpetual.}
25. Rg3+ Kh6 26. Rh3+) (21... Rd6 22. Rf3 {[%c_arrow f3h3;keyPressed;none;from;
f3;opacity;0.8;to;h3;persistent;false] is similar to the game.}) 22. Qxe6 Qxh5
23. Rf3 {This move is the cruncher, as we have seen in previous lines.} (23.
Qf7 {\"Somehow I was worried about\" (Abdusattorov).} Qe2 24. f6 Qxe3+ 25. Kh1
Qh6) 23... cxd4 24. Qf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;
true][%c_arrow f7h5;keyPressed;none;from;f7;opacity;0.8;to;h5;persistent;false]
[%c_highlight h5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h5;persistent;false]
Setting up a discovery against the queen, and there's no way to defend her
without allowing mate.} ({Of course not} 24. Rh3 $2 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;
type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Qxh3 25. gxh3 dxe3 {Black has many pieces for
the queen and two connected passed pawns in the center. This would be
completely unnecessary.}) 24... Bd6 (24... Qg4 25. Rh3+ Qxh3 26. gxh3 dxe3 27.
Nxf8+ {wins this time.}) 25. Nf8+ Rxf8 26. Qxh5+ Kg8 27. f6 {Although
nominally Black has three pieces for the queen, king safety is still a factor
here.} Ne5 28. Rf5 g6 29. Qg5 dxe3 30. Rxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_highlight g7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;
g7;persistent;false,g6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g6;persistent;false]
One of the greatest joys in chess is sacrificing more material when you hardly
have any pieces left.} Kf7 (30... Bxe5 31. Qxg6+ Kh8 32. Qg7#) 31. Rxe3 Bc5 32.
b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bxe3+ (32...
Bxb4 33. Qh6 {The king is done. If he doesn't take on f6, he gets mated on g7.
If he does, he opens the f-file.}) 33. Qxe3 Re8 34. Qc3 Bc8 35. a4 Bf5 36. h3
Rd8 37. Qd4 Be6 38. g4 Rc8 39. g5 Rc1+ 40. Kf2 Rc2+ 41. Kg3 {Black resigned.
The game can continue in many ways, but the reason he's lost is because his
bishop and rook are unanchored. One will drop. For example:} (41. Kg3 Rc7 42.
Qe5 Rd7 43. h4 d4 44. h5 gxh5 45. g6+ Kxg6 46. Qxe6) 1-0
[Event "Chess.com"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.17"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Gukesh, D..."]
[Black "Praggnanandhaa, R..."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C54"]
[WhiteElo "2718"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 {The Italian is a mandatory guest at all elite
tournaments. This time we won't have a slow maneuvering game, as usually
happens. Complications will set in quickly.} Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. b4 Bb6
7. a4 {The queenside pawn advance is a classic plan, but it hasn't been played
much lately.} a5 8. b5 Ne7 9. O-O Ng6 10. Nbd2 O-O 11. Bb3 c6 12. Nc4 Bc7 13.
Bg5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A rare move,
played in some correspondence games. Gukesh clearly had this move ready as he
played it all so quickly.} (13. Re1 {is the most played.}) 13... d5 $5 {
[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A very interesting
novelty. One of the goals of Bg5 is precisely to make this advance less
attractive, but Black is not afraid to go for complications.} (13... h6 {
The big question is what Gukesh's idea is against this natural move. Capturing
at f6 doesn't seem to offer any advantage. I imagine he would play in his
dynamic style with 14.b6.} 14. b6 $5 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Interesting;
persistent;true]} Bxb6 (14... Bb8 {is also possible, despite appearances.} 15.
Bxf6 Qxf6 16. Ne3 {with a complicated game.}) (14... hxg5 15. bxc7 Qxc7 16.
Nxg5 {A knight on g5 is a constant source of trouble for Black, although
nothing serious is happening at the moment.}) 15. Bxf6 gxf6 16. d4 {White has
compensation for the pawn because of the damaged pawn structure on the
kingside. He went on to win in Goreczny-Luers, email 2015.}) 14. Bxf6 {Played
after lengthy reflection. Gukesh probably hadn't analyzed Black's bold
previous move.} (14. exd5 {The option was to take immediately, avoiding the
idea that will be used in the game.} cxd5 15. Ne3 Be6 {Black is fine as he
doesn't have to worry too much with the double pawns after 16.Bxf6.} 16. Bxf6
gxf6) 14... Qxf6 (14... gxf6 15. Ne3 Be6 {This is an improved version for
White, as the f5-square is controlled with the pawn on e4. Even so, the
position is fully playable for Black.}) 15. exd5 Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;
g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent pawn sacrifice.} (15... cxd5
16. Ne3 {This is good for White, as the knight heads to d5.}) 16. Ne3 Bh5 $5 {
[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Another bold move,
keeping the pin and further complicating the game.} (16... Bxf3 {is enough for
more or less equal play after} 17. Qxf3 Qxf3 18. gxf3 cxb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;
square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19. axb5 Nf4) 17. dxc6 bxc6 18. bxc6
(18. g4 {This is a move no sane human would ever play, although the computer
keeps evaluating this as equal. If I didn't know that, I'd say with confidence
that Black is winning after} e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true]}) 18... e4 {Black has many attacking options in the next few
moves. The position is very rich. I will try to summarize some of the most
interesting alternatives.} (18... Nh4 19. Bd5 {The d5-square is vital for
White, whether for a bishop or a knight.} e4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;
Interesting;persistent;true]} (19... Qf4 {is also very interesting.}) 20. Bxe4
Bxf3 21. Bxf3 Qf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]
This is the idea.} 22. Re1 (22. g3 Qxf3 (22... Nxf3+ $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;
f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 23. Kh1 Qf6 24. Nd5) 23. d4 {leads to a
complex and unbalanced endgame.} (23. gxh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;
Mistake;persistent;true]} Qh3 {with a winning attack.})) 22... Qxh2+ 23. Kf1 {
With an unclear position. Black has compensation for the two sacrificed pawns.}
) 19. dxe4 Nh4 (19... Rad8 {is natural and good. A possible line ends in
perpetual check after:} 20. Nd5 Rxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21. Bxd5 Ne5 22. Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;
type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only way to defend.} Bxd1 23. Nd7 Bxh2+ $1
{[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (23... Qd6 24. Rfxd1
Qxh2+ 25. Kf1 {is better for White.}) 24. Kxh2 Qh6+ 25. Kg1 Bf3 $1 {[%c_effect
f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26. gxf3 Qg5+ 27. Kh1 Qh5+) 20.
Nd5 Qh6 (20... Nxf3+ $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]
loses after} 21. Qxf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;
true]}) 21. Re1 (21. Nxc7 Bxf3 {is very dangerous for White.}) 21... Bxh2+ $1 {
[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] What a phenomenal game
of attack, defense, counterattack, with both chess players showing the best of
their abilities. They keep playing the best moves.} (21... Bxf3 $6 {[%c_effect
f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 22. gxf3 Qg6+ {is tempting, but
the king escapes more or less without scars.} 23. Kf1 Qg2+ 24. Ke2 Qxf3+ 25.
Kd2) 22. Kf1 Ra7 $6 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]
From now on, the balance begins to tip in White's favor.} (22... Kh8 $1 {
[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a subtle move,
defending against a possible knight check on e7.} 23. Qd3 Bxf3 24. gxf3 Rac8 {
I somewhat prefer White, but both players have chances.}) 23. Qd3 Bxf3 24. gxf3
Qxc6 25. f4 {Now the black pieces are displaced on the h-file, and the white
pawns are threatening.} Qh6 26. f5 Rb7 27. Rab1 Rfb8 28. Bc2 Qg5 $6 {
[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (28... Rxb1 {is
better.} 29. Rxb1 (29. Bxb1 $6 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Inaccuracy;
persistent;true]} Qg5 {with counterplay.}) 29... Rxb1+ 30. Bxb1 Qc1+ 31. Ke2 h5
{Black is still fighting well.}) 29. Rxb7 Rxb7 30. e5 Rb2 $2 {[%c_effect b2;
square;b2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (30... Qg2+ 31. Ke2 g6 $1 {[%c_effect
g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the only chance of
survival.}) 31. Ne7+ $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;
true] A nice final combination for such a wonderful game.} Qxe7 32. f6 {
The double attack is fatal.} (32. f6 gxf6 33. Qxh7+ Kf8 34. Qh8#) 1-0
[Event "Chess.com"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.17"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Keymer, Vincent"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2690"]
[BlackElo "2736"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]
1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2 Nc6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bxc6 $5 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;
type;Interesting;persistent;true] This has never been played by someone higher
than 2125 FIDE.} (5. Nf3 {is the most common move, among many other
alternatives. But they have nothing to do with the game, which changes in
nature dramatically in one move.}) 5... dxc6 6. f4 {This move especially
reminds one of the Dzindzi-Indian Defense, except with reversed colors. White
gives up the prized bishop on g2, and with this move 6.f4, locks down the ...
e5 break. He is playing against the bishop on c8, trying to prove it's a bad
piece. The cost is that the white king safety may be compromised in the future,
and Black has the bishop pair.} Bd6 7. Nf3 Bc7 8. d3 e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;
square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Aronian equalizes in the most
straightforward and convincing manner. A temporary pawn sacrifice allows the
light-squared bishop to breathe.} 9. fxe5 Ng4 10. Bf4 Qe7 11. Qd2 O-O (11...
Nxe5 {is possible, but there is no rush. the pawn is doomed.}) 12. Rf1 ({
Judging by the game, it seems Keymer wasn't planning to castle kingside. But a
possible line can be} 12. O-O Nxe5 13. Qe3 Bh3 {And now some mass trades.} 14.
Nxe5 Bxf1 15. Nxc6 Qxe3+ 16. Bxe3 bxc6 17. Kxf1 Bd6 {with an imbalanced but
equal position. White has a pawn and better structure as compensation for the
exchange.}) (12. h3) (12. Rg1) 12... b6 13. e6 $5 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;
type;Interesting;persistent;true] It's a funny game where if you plug in
several moves, the engine still spits out equality. No matter what. This move
attempts to keep the game going by avoiding mass trades on e5.} (13. O-O-O Nxe5
14. Qe3 {Other moves are possible, but all roads lead to zero.} (14. Nxe5 Bxe5
15. Bxe5 Qxe5 16. Qf4 {Equal.}) 14... Re8 15. Nxe5 Bxe5 16. Bxe5 Qxe5 17. Qxe5
Rxe5 {fizzles out to equality.}) 13... Bxe6 (13... Bxf4 {would be unnecessary.}
14. exf7+ Qxf7 15. gxf4 Qxf4 16. Qxf4 Rxf4 17. Kd2 {with files opened against
the black king. White would have better chances than in the game.}) 14. h3 Nf6
15. Ng5 h6 16. Nxe6 {White wins back the light-squared bishop, which is
important. Black could get the upper hand if he is left with the bishop pair.
He also creates a static weakness: an isolated pawn on e6.} fxe6 17. Bxc7 Qxc7
18. Qe3 {White still does have the slightly better pawn structure, with the
isolated e-pawn and doubled c-pawns. The problem is that it's not enough to
prove a concrete advantage.} Nh5 {Black reminds White that his king is still
uncastled, his rooks are disconnected, and he has weaknesses of his own like
g3.} 19. Rg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The
best attempt, keeping pieces on the board.} (19. Rxf8+ Rxf8 20. g4 Nf4 21. Kd2
Qd6 22. Rf1 {and it looks like White is building up some pressure, but after}
Ng2 23. Rxf8+ Kxf8 {I don't think White has good chances to win.}) 19... Rae8
20. O-O-O Qd6 21. Qe4 {I won't call this a mistake, but it misses the one
chance at an edge. From here the evaluation never changes from equal.} ({
There was a chance missed here:} 21. g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qf4 (21... Nf4 22. Kb1 Qd4 23. Qg3 Qe5 24. h4 {
with chances for a win, but the game continues with} b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;
square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With a double-edged game where White
has better chances due to the statically weak c-pawns. In a practical game
between humans, who knows.}) 22. Kd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qxe3+ 23. Kxe3 Nf4 24. h4 e5 25. Ne4 {with a clear
advantage for White.}) 21... Nf6 22. Qg6 e5 23. g4 Re6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;
square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Defending against the threat of g5
in a neat way.} (23... e4 24. dxe4 Qf4+ 25. Kc2 Qg5 {is fancier but not
necessary.}) 24. Rgf1 (24. g5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;
persistent;true]} Nh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;
true]} 25. Qe4 Nxg5 {and Black is a pawn better than he was two moves ago.})
24... e4 25. g5 (25. dxe4 Qe7 26. g5 {The only way forward, but it also ends
in equality.} Nh7 27. Rxf8+ Nxf8 28. Qf5 Qxg5+) 25... Nh7 {...Re6 prepared
this nice move.} 26. Rxf8+ Nxf8 27. Qf5 exd3 28. Rxd3 Qe7 29. gxh6 Rxh6 30. Rf3
Rf6 {The players called it a day, seeing no chances after the rooks get traded.
} 1/2-1/2
[Event "Chess.com"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.17"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2766"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 c5 5. Nge2 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. a3 Nxc3 {
Not the most common, but So's play is very convincing in this game.} (7... Ba5
8. dxc5 Nxc3 9. Qxd8+ Kxd8 {There's some true venom in in this queenless
middlegame. For example, Black already erred on the next move here.} 10. Nxc3
$2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Missing a strong
move.} (10. Bd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]
This pretty much wins on the spot. The black king is extremely unsafe despite
the trade of queens.} Ne4 (10... Nxe2 11. Bxa5+ Ke7 12. Bxe2 {White is up a
pawn with a huge lead in development. Winning.}) 11. Bxa5+ Ke7 12. Rd1 $1 {
[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] There are other
options too.} (12. Rc1) 12... Nxc5 13. Bc7 {Threatening Bd6+.} Na4 {Black also
has options, but here is one line:} 14. Bd6+ Ke8 (14... Kf6 15. Rd4 {with a
decisive attack.}) 15. Nd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true]} (15. b3 {is possible too, but I am showing the most
aggressive way for White to play.}) 15... Nxb2 16. Rb1 Na4 17. Bb5+ Bd7 18.
Bxa4 Bxa4 19. Rxb7 Nd7 20. O-O {The black king is stranded in the center,
decisively.}) 10... Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 Nd7 12. c6 {A similar motif to today's game.
} bxc6 13. e4 {with equality, although Black won this in Milov,V (2595)
-Rodriguez Cespedes,A (2477) Madrid 2002.}) 8. Nxc3 Ba5 9. dxc5 Bxc3+ 10. bxc3
Qxd1+ ({It's possible to keep queens on the board too.} 10... Qa5 11. Be2 O-O
12. O-O Qxc5 13. c4 Qc7 14. Bb2 Nd7 15. Qd4 f6 16. Rfd1 Nc5 17. Qd6 Qxd6 18.
Rxd6 b6 19. Bf3 Bb7 {Black was fine in Shengelia,D (2522)-Stohl,I (2503)
Austria 2018.}) 11. Kxd1 Nd7 12. c6 {This \"simple-looking\" endgame does have
its subtleties.} Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;
true]} (12... bxc6 $6 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]
leaves Black with some coordination issues.} 13. Kc2 Bb7 14. e4 c5 15. f3 {
and it's not clear what the knight is doing or where it's going. White has the
bishop pair with a small pull.}) 13. a4 $146 (13. c7 Kd7 14. e4 Kxc7 15. Bf4 f6
16. h4 Bd7 17. Rh3 Bc6 18. Rg3 Rhg8 19. f3 Kd6 20. Rb1 Rac8 21. Kc2 Ke7 22. Bb5
b6 23. a4 Nd7 24. Be3 Kf7 25. a5 Bxb5 26. Rxb5 Rc6 {Black equalized in
Aleksandrov,A (2612)-Vaibhav,S (2448) Chennai 2012.}) 13... Nxc6 14. a5 e5 {
So did not even use a lot of time by this point; thus, the novelty did not
seem to have any desired effect.} 15. e4 Be6 16. Be3 O-O 17. Kc2 Rac8 18. Kb2
Rfd8 19. Be2 f6 20. Rhd1 Rxd1 21. Bxd1 Kf7 22. Be2 Ke7 23. h4 a6 24. Bc5+ Ke8
25. g3 Nd8 26. Bb4 Nc6 27. Bc5 Nd8 28. Bb4 (28. Bd6 Nc6 {The a-pawn must
constantly be defended. Black, on the other hand, has no such weakness.}) 28...
Nc6 29. Bc5 1/2-1/2
[Event "Chess.com"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.18"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2780"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]
1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. a3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Qc2 Nxc3 7. bxc3 Qd6
$146 {Giri was unhappy with this queen maneuver in the opening, saying he must
have mixed up his opening lines. It seems to be fine.} ({Giri previously played
} 7... Bd6 8. g3 O-O 9. Bg2 f5 10. d3 Kh8 11. O-O Rb8 12. Bb2 Qe8 13. Nd2 b6
14. e3 Bb7 15. Rae1 Na5 16. Bxb7 Rxb7 (16... Nxb7 {would have left the knight
better.} 17. f4 exf4 18. exf4 Qd7 19. Nf3 Nc5 20. d4 Qa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;
square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (20... Ne4 21. c4 {leaves Black
more passive.}) 21. Qe2 Ne4 22. Ne5 (22. c4 Qb3) 22... c5 {with equality.}) 17.
f4 exf4 18. exf4 Qh5 19. Nf3 Rbb8 20. c4 {White was better in Kramnik,V (2753)
-Giri,A (2764) chess24.com INT 2020.}) ({I think Giri may have been thinking
of the following correspondence game, where Black made a similar queen
maneuver to the game.} 7... Qf6 8. g3 Bc5 9. Bg2 O-O 10. O-O Bg4 11. d3 Qg6 {
as in Stephens,M (2267)-Zarate,J (2293) ICCF email 2015.}) 8. g3 Qg6 9. d3 Be7
{Despite his criticism of this queen maneuver, deep engine analysis (depth 50+)
shows Black is totally in the game.} 10. Bg2 O-O 11. O-O Rb8 {A move we've
seen in stem games. Black removes the rook from the long diagonal and defends
the b-pawn in some cases so that the bishop can move. One last point is the
rook defends the bishop on b7 after a possible ...Bb7 later.} (11... b6 $2 {
[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 12. Nxe5) 12. a4 b6 13.
Nd2 Na5 14. Bb2 Bb7 15. Bxb7 Rxb7 {Giri repeats the same capture as in his
previous game with Kramnik.} (15... Nxb7 {is also possible.}) 16. c4 Nc6 17.
Nf3 Bd6 18. a5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]
Rupturing the black pawn structure. White had other moves like 18.Ba3, and
this doesn't promise more than equality.} bxa5 {\"I think I sort of equalized
and expected him to simplify in a position where he's on the good side of a
draw. But he played [in a] very interesting, ambitious way.\" (Giri)} (18...
Re8 {Interestingly, Giri said 18...bxa5 was forced. There were other options,
but our main focus will be on what happens next.}) (18... Qe6) 19. c5 Bxc5 20.
Bxe5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] White goes
for more.} (20. Qxc5 Rxb2 21. Nxe5 (21. Rfc1 {is much less convincing.} Nd4 22.
Nxd4 exd4 23. Qe5 Qb6 {Black really has no problems. Of course, remember this
tactic:} 24. Rxa5 Rxe2) 21... Qf5 22. Qxc6 Qxe5 23. e3 {and a draw is the most
likely result, but only White has some play against the black split pawns.})
20... Bb6 21. Rfc1 Nb4 ({To show White's compensation:} 21... Nxe5 22. Nxe5 Qf5
23. Nf3 {In a position like this, White is not risking losing much because of
his control over the light squares a4 and c4. He can try to press on the black
pawns, although the position is just level. He cannot really win them, but
they also cannot promote.}) 22. Qc4 c5 {Maybe a step in the wrong direction,
as Giri later felt his bishop was bad on b6. On the other hand, \"bad bishops
defend good pawns.\" Although the bishop on b6 looks like a big pawn, it does
defend Black's pawns, which control the white rooks.} ({Better is} 22... Re8
23. d4 h6 {with slow-burning pressure. The bishop on b6 is still open and
active, unlike the game.} 24. h3 c6 {This is how the rook on b7 comes out,
without disrupting the bishop's path. Black is better.}) 23. Bf4 ({The engine
prefers to cut losses with} 23. Qe4 Qxe4 24. dxe4 Re8 {but this looks more
like a depressing, slightly worse endgame than a winning attempt.}) 23... Re8
24. Be3 (24. e4 {[%c_highlight d3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d3;
persistent;false,d4;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;d4;persistent;false] The
engine prefers this to defend the e2-pawn, but I think the fear of the
backward d3-pawn and weak square on d4 would scare most players out of playing
such a committal move.}) 24... Rbe7 25. Nd2 Qh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;
type;GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_arrow b4d5;keyPressed;none;from;b4;opacity;
0.8;to;d5;persistent;false,d5f6;keyPressed;none;from;d5;opacity;0.8;to;f6;
persistent;false,f6g4;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;g4;persistent;
false] Hitting e2 with tempo. The start of a transfer of forces toward the
kingside.} 26. Re1 Nd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;
true] Giri has the right idea, of bringing the knight into the attack with ...
Nf6-g4, but it could have been prepared in a subtle way.} (26... h6 $1 {
[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Giri expressed in his
interview that he couldn't judge whether slow play worked. It did, and this
waiting move clears the back rank (we'll see why this is important) and leaves
White without a good response.} 27. Rac1 {Attacking c5, the only target really.
} Nd5 {And now the maneuver. The point is if White plays as in the game} 28.
Bxc5 Rxe2 29. Rxe2 Rxe2 30. Bxb6 axb6 {[%c_highlight c8;keyPressed;none;
opacity;0.8;square;c8;persistent;false][%c_arrow g8h7;keyPressed;none;from;g8;
opacity;0.8;to;h7;persistent;false] Qc8 is no longer a back-rank mate. All
thanks to h6. Black wins.}) 27. Nf1 $2 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Mistake;
persistent;true] Missing a chance.} ({We go down the same line as on the
previous move, except here Black does not have h6 included.} 27. Bxc5 Rxe2 28.
Rxe2 Rxe2 29. Bxb6 Nxb6 30. Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] The white queen is more active, threatening the back rank and
to undermine the queenside with Qxa7.} h6 31. Ne4 {and White has sufficient
play for the pawn, which he will win back in short order.}) 27... h6 28. Rac1
Nf6 {The wrong move by the engine, but it's completely logical. This is why he
brought the knight to f6.} (28... Re5 {Giri struggled to understand the move
at first when it was brought to his attention. It's a slow move and shows that
Black has plenty of time to increase pressure.} 29. Qa4 (29. Bxc5 $4 {
[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} Bxc5 30. Qxc5 Nf4 {
This is a basic point of placing the rook on e5.} 31. Qc6 Nxe2+ 32. Kg2 Nxc1)
29... Kh7 30. Rc4 Qg6 31. Rec1 f5 32. Qd1 {I spent some time on this position,
and if Giri didn't understand ...Re5 I won't pretend to. Black shuffles for
many moves and, depending on White's responses, may eventually prepare ...f4.
Another thing I notice is that in most lines the knight returns to the
b4-square, but this is very incongruent with the previous ...Nd5.}) (28... Kh7
{is also good apparently, further demonstrating Black's grip on the position.
The engine shows lines where it bafflingly puts the king right back on g8.})
29. Qa4 Ng4 {It turns out the knight is just not effective on the g4-square,
although this is quite unintuitive. In hindsight, it was better on the d5- and
b4-squares.} 30. Rc4 f5 {It's a strange game where Giri plays the most logical
moves, but they just don't work concretely.} (30... Nxe3 31. Nxe3 {gives
nothing.}) (30... Ne5 31. Rh4 Qg6 32. Rc1 {and it feels like Black is losing
the thread, although the engine still gives an edge.}) 31. Qa2 Qf7 32. Ra4 (32.
Rc2 {just works too. White can afford to trade queens and, again, the knight
on g4 is just misplaced.} Qxa2 33. Rxa2 {White is solid enough. Nxe3 is never
a problem.} Nxe3 34. Nxe3 {and White cannot be worse, with this knight against
that bishop.}) 32... Qxa2 {An admission of failure. This leads to a draw.} (
32... Re6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is
possible to keep queens on.} 33. Rc1 Kh7 34. Rc2 {Now Black has a really
interesting way to sacrifice a piece and put White under massive pressure.}
Nxe3 35. Nxe3 c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}
36. Nxc4 Bxf2+ $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]
Black sacrifices the piece for a huge attack. It forces White to find several
only moves.} 37. Kxf2 Qh5 38. Ke1 {Only move.} Qxh2 39. Kd2 {Only move.} Qxe2+
40. Kc3 {Only move.} Qe1+ 41. Rd2 {Only move.} Rb8 (41... Qxg3 $5 {[%c_effect
g3;square;g3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) 42. Rxa5 Rb1 {with \"equality.
\" A possible draw could be:} 43. Rxa7 Rc6 {I admit this gets computerish. But
the general point is that Black has several moves that draw while White walks
a tightrope.} (43... Qc1+ 44. Qc2 Qe1 {Threatening ...Rc1.} 45. Qa2 {Only move.
} Qc1+) 44. Qa5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]
Only move.} Qc1+ 45. Kd4 Qg1+ 46. Kc3 Qc1+) 33. Rxa2 c4 {And mass
simplification.} 34. dxc4 Nxe3 35. Nxe3 Bxe3 36. fxe3 Rxe3 37. Rxa5 1/2-1/2
[Event "Chess.com"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.18"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Praggnanandhaa, R..."]
[Black "Keymer, Vincent"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2690"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. Bd2 {
A curious move, considering we learn early on that it's better to develop
knights before bishops in the opening. White has several more natural moves,
but the bishop on d2 has its uses and the Ruy Lopez is such a well-researched
opening that you have to break the most conventional rules to try to outwit
your opponent.} O-O 9. h3 h6 10. Re1 Rb8 11. a3 Re8 12. Nc3 Bf8 {The last
moves by both sides were all very reasonable.} 13. Nd5 (13. Ba2 {A difficult
and subtle move, played by Carlsen in 2020. The idea of this retreat, I think,
is to prevent the traditional plan of Na5 followed by c7-c5. The position
remained balanced after} Ne7 14. Nh4 g5 15. Nf3 Ng6 16. Nh2 {in
Carlsen-Vitiugov, Wijk aan Zee 2020.}) 13... Nxd5 14. Bxd5 Ne7 15. Bb3 $1 {
[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The right square, as
now White has the plan of playing a3-a4 and using the a-file.} (15. Ba2 {
led to an equal position after} Ng6 16. d4 c5 {Adams-Wahls, Germany 1996.})
15... c5 {A new move that was probably prepared beforehand, as Keymer played
it quickly. It was predictable that this position could happen, since
Praggnanandhaa played all of this in a 2023 game.} (15... Ng6 {was played in
the two previous games:} 16. a4 Be6 17. Bxe6 Rxe6 18. axb5 axb5 19. Ra7 (19.
Qe2 d5 {with equality in Caruana-Carlsen, Almaty (Wch Blitz) 2022.}) 19... Ra8
20. Qa1 {with a very slight advantage for White in Praggnanandhaa-Salem,
Airthings Masters (rapid) 2023.}) 16. a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bb7 {The right way to develop the bishop.} (16...
Be6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move looks
natural, in order to exchange the strong bishop on b3, but the position is
dangerous for Black after} 17. Bxe6 fxe6 18. axb5 axb5 19. Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect
h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Followed by Qg4. This is the same
plan that we will see later in the game. That's why it's so important to
analyze typical ideas in the openings you play. It's quite possible that you
will be able to use them in similar positions.}) 17. Nh4 $5 {[%c_effect h4;
square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Here it is.} Qc7 $6 {[%c_effect c7;
square;c7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Played after a long thought.
Probably Keymer was out of book at this point. It's better to play 17...d5 and
fight for counterplay immediately.} (17... d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18. axb5 axb5 19. exd5 Nxd5 (19... Bxd5 {is also
possible, with equality.}) 20. Qh5 Qc7 {Black is preparing …c5-c4 and has a
decent position.}) 18. axb5 axb5 19. Qg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] Now the position becomes dangerous as there is no
way to defend the h6-pawn.} Qc8 (19... c4 20. dxc4 bxc4 21. Ba4 {This is
similar to the game continuation.}) 20. Qg3 c4 21. dxc4 bxc4 22. Ba4 Bc6 23.
Bxh6 {Without the h-pawn, Black's position seems insecure, even though nothing
serious is happening at the moment.} Rxb2 (23... Bxa4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;
a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is possible to remove the defense of c2.
This involves sacrificing the c4-pawn after} 24. Rxa4 Rxb2 25. Qc3 Qb7 26. Bc1
Rb1 27. Rxc4 {but Black gets enough compensation after} d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;
square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28. exd5 Nxd5) 24. Bc1 $1 {
[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop performs a
dribble. First he expels the rook from b2, which could capture the c2-pawn.
But the plan is to go back to the attack.} Rb7 $6 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;
type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is a serious inaccuracy. Black should
sacrifice the exchange.} (24... Rb4 {is also dangerous after} 25. Bxc6 Qxc6 26.
Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) (24... Bxa4
$1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the move.
I fell in love with this idea when I saw it. For the cost of an exchange,
Black is almost sure not be checkmated. A nice deal, if you ask me.} 25. Bxb2
Bxc2 {With a strong light-squared bishop and the passed c-pawn, the
compensation is adequate. And, more importantly, the character of the game is
changed. I love exchange sacrifices (when I'm not the one playing the game).})
25. Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The
annoying bishop is back.} Bxa4 26. Rxa4 Qc6 $6 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;
Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (26... d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] Black needs to start taking drastic measures to get
active play before it's too late.} 27. Bxe7 Rbxe7 28. exd5 e4 {For the price
of a pawn, the position has become sharp, and the knight on h4 is no longer so
dangerous.}) 27. Ra5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;
true] The right square, preventing …d6-d5.} (27. Ra3 $2 {[%c_effect a3;
square;a3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 27... Qc7 28. Ra6 {Black's position is very
dangerous now, and it will get worse soon.} Nc6 (28... d5 {The computer
indicates this move as a better chance, but it doesn't look so pretty now.})
29. c3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] What an
irresistible move $1 One of the best feelings in chess occurs when we make a
move that makes our opponent's knight sad.} Rb3 30. Nf5 {The white pieces are
concentrated around the black king and are ready for the final assault.} Nd4
31. Bf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Ne6 (31...
Nxf5 32. exf5 {This leads to a winning attack. The threat is 33.Bxg7 followed
by 34.f6.} Kh7 33. Re4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;
true]} gxf6 34. Rh4+ Bh6 35. Qe3 {with mate in four moves.}) 32. Rxd6 $1 {
[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] I love games where
there's a sense of harmony, where one move leads to another naturally. This
game is one of them. Note that when Praggnanandhaa played 15.Bb3, he intended
to bring this rook to life via the a-file with a3-a4. That's exactly what
happened in the game, and the culmination of that plan comes now. Of course,
he didn't imagine that this rook would be sacrificed on d6 on move 32; after
all, you can't predict everything. But the sacrifice did not come out of the
blue; it is a consequence of all the precise previous play by White.} Rxc3 {
A nice move to distract the queen from g3, but this piece will come back in a
moment.} (32... Bxd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]}
33. Nxg7) 33. Qxc3 Bxd6 34. Qg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true]} Bf8 (34... g6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;
persistent;true]} 35. Qh4) 35. Bxe5 {White is a pawn up and the attack
continues. Furthermore, the pawn on c4 is more of a weakness than a strength.}
Qd7 36. Kh2 Qb7 37. Qg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;
true] A good move, preparing either Ne3 or a plan with Re3-g3.} Rd8 38. Rc1 Qa7
(38... Rc8 39. Ne3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]
The result of the game is not in doubt.}) 39. Rc2 {Defending the f2-pawn.} Qc5
{This loses immediately, but it's hard to suggest.} (39... Rc8 40. Nxg7 $1 {
[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bxg7 41. Bxg7 $18) 40.
Nh6+ Kh7 41. Nxf7 Re8 42. f4 Kg8 43. Qg6 1-0
[Event "Chess.com"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.18"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2734"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 O-O ({
Aronian added it's possible to delay castling with something like} 7... Nc6 8.
Qd2 Bd7 9. g4 h5 10. g5 Nh7 {\"It's not a good line.\"}) 8. Qd2 {This is the
popular choice nowadays, over the older Yugoslav Attack.} (8. Bc4 {would be
the Yugoslav Attack, the second main option.}) 8... Nc6 9. g4 $5 {[%c_effect
g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] \"This g4 is not very popular,
but it's kind of tricky. And I'm not sure that my opponent was aware of this
move.\" (Aronian)} ({It's much more common to castle first.} 9. O-O-O d5 10.
exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Bd4 {This is the general approach we see these
days, with a positional approach by White. Perhaps Abdusattorov expected this.}
) 9... h5 {The engine doesn't like this move, but Aronian showed little doubt
that this was the principled way to play. Indeed, when you see the line Black
has to play to stay equal, g5 seems like a decent move for White.} (9... Bd7 {
\"Would make more sense [than the game].\" (Aronian)}) (9... Be6 {\"I've
played like this with Black and I've lost badly, I remember, but it's not an
easy line.\" (Aronian) If we follow the main line, we find a game by Nakamura.}
10. O-O-O (10. Nxe6 fxe6 11. O-O-O Ne5 12. Be2 Qc8 13. h4 Nfd7 14. f4 Nc4 15.
Bxc4 Qxc4 16. h5 Bxc3 17. Qxc3 Qxc3 18. bxc3 Nf6 {Black was fine in Fier,A
(2564)-Lagarde,M (2625) Montesilvano 2021.}) 10... Nxd4 11. Bxd4 Qa5 12. Kb1
Rfc8 {Black had sufficient play in Karjakin,S (2753)-Nakamura,H (2799)
Khanty-Mansiysk 2015.}) 10. g5 {The engine prefers other options, but g5 makes
total sense, gaining space and loosening Black's control of the center.} (10.
gxh5) (10. h3) 10... Ne8 (10... Nd7 11. O-O-O Nde5 12. Be2 {\"It's not clear
where all this is going [for Black].\"} Na5 13. b3 {\"f4 is coming.\" (Aronian)
}) 11. O-O-O Qa5 ({The engine claims equality with the following slow plan.}
11... Nc7 12. Kb1 Bd7 13. Be2 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] Two slow moves followed by a pawn sacrifice.} 14. Ndxb5 {
White should take because ...b4 is coming anyway.} Nxb5 15. Bxb5 Qa5 16. Bxc6
Bxc3 17. Qxc3 Qxc3 18. bxc3 Bxc6 {with full compensation for the pawn due to
White's broken structure and the opposite-colored bishops.}) 12. Nb3 ({Aronian
also considered} 12. Kb1 Nxd4 13. Bxd4 Bxd4 14. Qxd4 Qxg5 15. Bc4 {[%c_arrow
g1g8;keyPressed;none;from;g1;opacity;0.8;to;g8;persistent;false,c4g8;
keyPressed;none;from;c4;opacity;0.8;to;g8;persistent;false] Aronian finished
the line here. This looks extremely dangerous from the human perspective,
although the engine claims equality after.} (15. Rg1 Qc5 16. Nd5 {White has
indisputable compensation for the pawn.}) 15... Kh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;
h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16. Rhg1 Qc5 17. Qd3 Nf6 18. Bb3 {and the
engine claims Black is fine, although it does not look fun at all from the
human perspective.}) 12... Bxc3 {\"Bc3 really surprised me.\" (Aronian)} (12...
Qd8 {He thought Abdusattorov might play this, with ...Be6 next.} 13. Be2 Be6
14. f4 {would still be tremendous for White.}) 13. Nxa5 Bxd2+ 14. Bxd2 f6 $4 {
[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Blunder;persistent;true][%c_highlight g6;
keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g6;persistent;false] \"A big mistake.\"
(Aronian)} (14... Nd4 {Aronian showed the best line:} 15. Bg2 b6 16. Nb3 (16.
Nc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Ba6 17. Ne3 Be2
{Black is better.}) 16... Nxb3+ 17. axb3 Bb7 {\"It's very easy for White to
play, but it's not the end of the world.\" (Aronian)} (17... a5 {first is
slightly stronger, preventing ...b4, but the evaluation remains the same.
Slightly better for White.})) (14... Nxa5 15. Bxa5 f6 16. gxf6 {\"This g6-pawn
is not being compensated.\" (Aronian)}) 15. Nxc6 bxc6 16. gxf6 Nxf6 17. Bh6 Re8
18. Bc4+ Kh7 19. Bg5 {[%c_highlight g6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g6;
persistent;false] The pawn on g6 will remain a permanent weakness, and Black
does not have sufficient play for it.} Kg7 20. Rhg1 a5 21. Rg2 {[%c_arrow g1g6;
keyPressed;none;from;g1;opacity;0.8;to;g6;persistent;false][%c_highlight g6;
keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g6;persistent;false]} (21. a4 {is also
playable, although the game continuation is more convincing.} Ba6 22. Bb3 {
Even this works, as Aronian shows.} ({The engine finds} 22. Bxa6 Rxa6 23. e5 $1
{[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} dxe5 24. Rge1 {
with a massive advantage.}) 22... Be2 23. Bxf6+ Kxf6 24. Rd2) 21... Nd7 22.
Rdg1 {The most straightforward plan, getting ready to attack g6 quickly.} Ba6
23. Bb3 ({Aronian said the following is very close to mating, but it doesn't
work.} 23. Bh6+ $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Kxh6
24. Rxg6+ Kh7 25. Be6 Nf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] The key defensive move.} 26. Bf5 e6 27. Rxf6+ exf5 28. Rxf5 {
And White gets very close but} Re5 {defends.} (28... Kh6 {also works.})) 23...
Nf8 24. Bd2 {[%c_arrow g5d2;keyPressed;none;from;g5;opacity;0.8;to;d2;
persistent;false,d2c3;keyPressed;none;from;d2;opacity;0.8;to;c3;persistent;
false,c3g7;keyPressed;none;from;c3;opacity;0.8;to;g7;persistent;false]
[%c_highlight g7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g7;persistent;false]} Bc8
25. a4 e5 {[%c_highlight d6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d6;persistent;
false] Blocking the long diagonal, but now the d6-pawn becomes a second
weakness.} 26. Bc3 {Every white piece participates in the attack.} Be6 27. Rd2
{[%c_highlight d6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d6;persistent;false]} Bxb3
28. cxb3 Re6 29. Rgd1 {Black has at least three weaknesses: on g6, d6, and a5.
We could talk about more, like king safety, but this is enough to win.} Rd8 30.
f4 {[%c_arrow c3g7;keyPressed;none;from;c3;opacity;0.8;to;g7;persistent;false,
d1d8;keyPressed;none;from;d1;opacity;0.8;to;d8;persistent;false]} g5 31. f5 {
Black loses either the d6-pawn or e5-pawn, and the position will crumble.} ({
Yasser Sierawan also pointed out the tactical finish:} 31. Rxd6 Rexd6 32. Rxd6
Rxd6 33. Bxe5+ Rf6 34. fxg5) 1-0
