[Event "Chess.com"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.01.28"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Maghsoodloo, Parham"]
[Black "Erigaisi, Arjun"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D85"]
[WhiteElo "2719"]
[BlackElo "2722"]
[Annotator "Rafael"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[TimeControl "6000+30"]
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. h3 {Who would have thought that
after so many years of analysis, the Grunfeld Defense would be refuted by such
an innocent move $2 Of course, I'm kidding. Everything still works fine with
this excellent option for Black. But White's move is still curious, especially
in this move order. We will get a transposition to more conventional lines in
a few moves, and the idea of the pawn advance will become clearer.} O-O 6. cxd5
Nxd5 7. e4 Nxc3 8. bxc3 c5 9. Be2 {Now White's idea is easier to understand.
The pawn on h3 prevents the development of the bishop on g4. Both players
follow a very theoretical line.} Nc6 10. Be3 cxd4 11. cxd4 Qa5+ 12. Bd2 Qa3 13.
d5 Ne5 14. O-O {Sacrificing an exchange that is not accepted by Erigaisi.} Bd7
(14... Nxf3+ 15. Bxf3 Bxa1 16. Qxa1 f6 17. Rb1 {This position has already been
tested. White has the typical compensation with the dark-squared bishop and
the e4-e5 break. Black needs to play carefully.}) 15. Rb1 Ba4 16. Qe1 Nd3 17.
Bxd3 Qxd3 18. Bg5 {All this was played at lightning speed. Now Erigaisi
finally began to think.} Rfe8 {O mais preciso.} (18... Bc3 {Prepares to play
f6 without closing the bishop, but it's insufficient after} 19. Qc1 (19. Qe3
Bc2 20. Qxd3 Bxd3 21. Bxe7 {is also advantageous for White.})) (18... e6 $2 {
[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 19. Be7 {followed by 20.
d6, with a dangerous passed pawn.}) (18... f6 {is an ugly move and one that is
done with tears in our eyes, as it closes the g7-bishop.}) 19. Qb4 {A novelty
played quickly, certainly the result of preparation.} (19. Rxb7 Bb5 20. Bxe7
Qxf1+ 21. Qxf1 Bxf1 22. Kxf1 {This endgame was played in two online games of
strong chess players in 2022, one in rapid and the other in blitz.} Rab8 (22...
Bf8 23. Bxf8 Kxf8 24. Ng5 h6 25. Nxf7 Rab8 26. Rxb8 Rxb8 {The computer
evaluates this ending as equal, but it needs to be studied further to
understand the details of this evaluation.} 27. Ne5 Rb1+ (27... Rb4 {is more
accurate.} 28. f3 Ra4) 28. Ke2 Rb2+ 29. Ke3 Rxa2 30. Nxg6+ {and White's pawns
prevailed in Grischuk-Antipov, Titled Tuesday 2022.}) 23. Rxa7 Bf8 24. Bxf8
Kxf8 25. Ng5 h6 26. Nxf7 Rxe4 27. g3 Re7 28. Rxe7 Kxe7 29. Nxh6 Rd8 30. Ng4
Rxd5 31. Kg2 Ra5 {With a drawn position in Sevian-Vachier-Lagrave, Chess.com
Rapid 2022.}) 19... b5 {Forced.} (19... Bc2 $2 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;
Mistake;persistent;true]} 20. Ne1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true]} Qxe4 21. Nxc2 Qxc2 22. Bxe7 {The d-pawn is too strong.}) 20.
Rbc1 a5 21. Qc5 Qxe4 {Black has options, but this is good enough.} (21... Bb2
22. Bxe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bxc1 23.
Rxc1 {with excellent compensation for the exchange, thanks to the d-pawn and
the dark squares.}) (21... b4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;
persistent;true]} 22. Bxe7 Qxe4 23. d6 Qe6 {with a complicated game and
chances for both sides.}) 22. Rfe1 Qf5 23. g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] Maghsoodloo continues with his fantastic
preparation.} (23. Bxe7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;
true]} Rac8 {It's certainly not what White wants.}) 23... Qc8 {This move is
the computer's first choice, but I think it came as a surprise, as the Iranian
GM finally started to contemplate.} (23... Qxf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;
type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 24. Re3 {loses the queen.}) (23... Qd7 24. Rxe7
Rxe7 25. Bxe7 b4 26. d6 {White retains the initiative, although Black can keep
the balance with accurate play.}) 24. Bxe7 (24. Qxc8 Raxc8 25. Rxc8 Rxc8 26.
Rxe7 b4 {with an even endgame.}) 24... b4 {Erigaisi is a very combative player
and is not afraid of a fight. He gives the queens a chance to stay on the
board, certainly also thinking about his chances of winning.} (24... Qxc5 {
leads to a draw after} 25. Rxc5 Rxe7 26. Rxe7 Bf8 27. d6 Bxe7 28. dxe7 f6 29.
Nd4 b4 30. Nb3 Kf7 31. Nxa5 Kxe7) 25. Qe3 Qb7 26. d6 Rac8 27. Ng5 $1 {
[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move,
pressing the f7 point and also preparing the knight maneuver for e4.} Rxc1 28.
Rxc1 Qd5 {Centering the queen is rarely a bad idea.} 29. Qf4 {We are reaching
the climax of this magnificent battle. This position is great for chess
students who would like to practice calculating variations.} Qxa2 $6 {
[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move gets Black
into trouble. There are safer options.} (29... h6 30. Ne4 f5 31. gxf5 gxf5 32.
Ng3 Bd7 33. Rc7 Be5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]
} 34. Qxh6 Rxe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]
and Black escapes.} 35. dxe7 Bxc7 {White has no more than a draw.}) (29... Be5
{is also possible:} 30. Qe4 Qxe4 (30... Qd2 $6 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;
Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 31. Qc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true]} (31. Qxe5 {is not dangerous after} Qxc1+ 32. Kh2
Bc6) 31... Qf4 32. Qxf4 Bxf4 33. Rc5 {with an unpleasant endgame for Black.})
31. Nxe4 f5 32. Nc5 Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;
true]} 33. Re1 Rxc5 34. d7 Bxd7 35. Bxc5 Bc3 {Black should be able to make a
draw without big problems in this endgame an exchange down.}) (29... Bh6 $1 {
[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a solid option:} 30.
Rc5 Bxg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31. Qxg5
Qxa2 32. Qd5 Qxd5 33. Rxd5 Bd7 34. Rxa5 Rb8 35. Ra7 b3 36. Bf6 Be6 37. d7 Bxd7
38. Rxd7 b2 39. Bxb2 Rxb2 {with a draw.}) 30. Rc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;
type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Cutting off the f7-pawn defense.} f5 $2 {
[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move loses, but the
position is so difficult to calculate that both players are more than forgiven
for not always choosing the best moves.} (30... f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;
type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only way to play.} 31. Ne4 {The most
dangerous reply. Maybe Erigaisi thought he was losing here, missing the
incredible resource showed by the computer.} (31. Ne6 {Black has to play very
accurately after this move.} Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] Forced and good.} (31... Qa1+ $2 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;
type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 32. Rc1 Qe5 33. Qc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;
type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kh8 34. Nd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] and White suddenly creates a decisive attack.}) 32.
Nxg7 (32. Rc5 Qxe6 33. Rxb5 Bf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] Black achieves a draw.}) 32... Qxc4 33. Qxc4+ Bxc4 34. Nxe8
Kf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35. Nxf6 b3
36. Ne4 b2 37. Nd2 Bd3 38. Bd8 Ke6 39. Bxa5 Kxd6 40. Kg2 b1=Q 41. Nxb1 Bxb1 {
With a drawn endgame.}) 31... g5 $3 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Brilliant;
persistent;true] Forced.} (31... Qa1+ $2 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;Mistake;
persistent;true]} 32. Rc1 Qe5 33. Qxe5 fxe5 34. Rc7 {White wins.}) 32. Qc1 $5 {
[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} (32. Nxf6+ Bxf6 33.
Qxf6 Qxc4 34. Qxg5+ Kf7 35. Qf6+ {with perpetual check.}) 32... b3 $1 {
[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black escapes in this
wild position. The narrow path to a draw shows that it is better for Black not
to capture the a2-pawn.} 33. Nc3 (33. Nxf6+ Kh8 34. Rxa4 b2 35. Qc6 $1 {
[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} b1=Q+ 36. Kg2 Qf7 $1 {
[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37. d7 Rb8 {Such an
irrational position is obviously impossible to calculate. Just look at the
following computer line:} 38. Qc8+ Bf8 39. Rb4 $3 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;
type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Unbelievable $1} Qxb4 40. Bxb4 Rxc8 41. dxc8=Q
axb4 42. Ne4 {With a draw.}) (33. Bxf6 b2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34. Bxb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bxb2 35. Qxg5+ Kh8 36. Qd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;
square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qxc4 37. Qxb2+ Kg8 38. Nf6+ Kf7 39.
Nxe8 Bxe8 40. Qb7+ Kg8 41. d7 Bxd7 42. Qxd7 a4 {and White has no more than a
perpetual check.}) 33... b2 34. Nxa2 bxc1=Q+ 35. Nxc1 Bd7 36. Rc7 Rc8 $1 {
[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37. Rxd7 Rxc1+ 38. Kg2
Kf7 39. Ra7 Rd1 {Black still suffers in this endgame, but the draw can be
achieved.}) 31. gxf5 h6 (31... gxf5 32. Qxf5 Qxc4 33. Qxh7#) 32. f6 {Tempting,
but not the best. There are two winning moves, one more difficult than the
other.} (32. Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}
gxf5 (32... Qa1+ 33. Kg2 Qe5 34. Qxe5 Bxe5 35. fxg6 {The endgame is lost for
Black as the f2-pawn is about to be advanced.}) (32... g5 33. Qg4 $1 {
[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a decisive attack.
}) 33. Nf6+ $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bxf6
34. Bxf6 Kf7 35. Bb2 $3 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Brilliant;persistent;
true] Another fantastic move in the analysis of this game $1} Qxb2 (35... Qb1+
36. Bc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and
White's attack is decisive.}) 36. Qxf5+ Kg8 37. Rc7 Re1+ 38. Kg2 {White wins.})
(32. Qe4 Qa1+ $1 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33.
Kg2 Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The black
queen comes back into the game. This line is important to understand the other
winning idea.}) (32. Kg2 $3 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Brilliant;persistent;
true] Another unbelievable computer suggestion. The lines that appeared in the
analysis of this game are some of the most magnificent I have ever seen. This
move is a prophylaxis against the black queen's checks.} hxg5 33. Qe4 $3 {
[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Bringing the queen
into the game with deadly effects.} gxf5 34. Qe6+ Kh8 35. Rh4+ $1 {[%c_effect
h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} gxh4 36. Qxa2 Bc6+ 37. f3 {
with a decisive advantage for White.}) 32... hxg5 33. f7+ Kh7 34. fxe8=Q gxf4
$1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Capturing the
right queen.} (34... Bxe8 $2 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Mistake;persistent;
true]} 35. Bxg5 {with a winning position.}) 35. Qf7 Be8 $2 {[%c_effect e8;
square;e8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The decisive mistake.} (35... Qa1+ $1 {
[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only way to
play.} 36. Kh2 (36. Kg2 Bb3 37. Qxf4 (37. d7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;
Mistake;persistent;true]} Bxc4 38. Qxc4 f3+ $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true]} 39. Kxf3 Qd1+ {and the d7-pawn falls.}) 37... Bxc4
38. Qh4+ Bh6 39. Qxc4 Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true]} 40. Qd3 Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true]} 41. Qg3 Bf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] Another amazing getaway by Black.}) 36... Bb3 $1 {[%c_effect
b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37. d7 Qf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;
square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move to save the game.} 38.
Rxf4 (38. Qxf4 Be5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}
39. Qxe5 Qxf2+ {with perpetual check.}) 38... Bxf7 39. Rxf7 Kg8 $1 {[%c_effect
g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40. Rxg7+ (40. Rf4 $6 {
[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} Qd3 41. d8=Q+ Qxd8
42. Bxd8 Be5) 40... Kxg7 41. Bh4 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] Another forced move $1} 42. d8=Q gxh4 {with a draw.}) 36. Qxf4
b3 37. d7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bxd7 38.
Qf7 {Now White's attack is unstoppable.} Qa1+ 39. Kg2 Bxh3+ 40. Kh2 $1 {
[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The checks are over,
and White gets a decisive material advantage.} (40. Kxh3 $2 {[%c_effect h3;
square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Qh1+) 40... Qe5+ 41. Kxh3 Qf5+ 42.
Qxf5 gxf5 43. Rc7 Kg6 44. Ba3 Be5 45. Rc5 Bd4 46. Rxa5 Bxf2 47. Rb5 {I can't
praise this game highly enough. I will get back to this analysis from time to
time, refining and showing it to friends and students.} 1-0
