[Event "Tata Steel Chess Challengers 2023"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.01.21"] [Round "7"] [White "Vaishali, Rameshbabu"] [Black "Supi, Luis Paulo"] [Result "*"] [WhiteElo "2425"] [BlackElo "2608"] [PlyCount "71"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 Nbd7 7. g4 b5 8. Bg2 Bb7 9. Be3 Rc8 10. g5 Rxc3 11. bxc3 Nxe4 12. Qg4 Ne5 13. Qh4 Qa8 14. O-O Nxc3 15. Bxb7 Qxb7 16. Rfe1 g6 17. f4 Nc4 18. f5 Qe4 19. Qh3 Nxe3 20. Qxe3 Qxe3+ 21. Rxe3 Nd5 22. Ra3 Nc7 23. Rf1 Rg8 24. Rc3 Kd7 25. fxg6 Bg7 26. Rd3 fxg6 27. Rf7 Ke8 28. Rf2 Kd7 29. Rf7 Ke8 30. Rf2 h6 31. gxh6 Bxh6 32. Nc6 Bg5 33. Re2 Kd7 34. Ne5+ Kc8 35. Rg3 Bh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent; true] A huge blunder from Supi who misses an instructive intermezzo.} (35... Bf6 {Black may have enough material to hold the resulting endgame after} 36. Nxg6 Rg7 37. Re4 Rh7 $14) 36. Nxg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind; persistent;true]} (36. Nxg6 Bxg3 {This unfortunately falls to} 37. Nxe7+ $1 { [%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kd7 38. Nxg8 Be5 { Although Black's bishop escapes, he cannot stop the h-pawn from racing up the board.}) (36. Nxg6 Bf6 {Admittance of a mistake doesn't work here either due to a discovered attack.} 37. Nxe7+ $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind; persistent;true]} Bxe7 38. Rxg8+) * [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.01.21"] [Round "7"] [White "Tabatabaei, M. Amin"] [Black "L'Ami, Erwin"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2686"] [BlackElo "2627"] [PlyCount "121"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 Nbd7 6. O-O c6 7. a4 a5 8. Qc2 b5 9. Ne5 Nxe5 10. dxe5 Nd5 11. axb5 cxb5 12. Nc3 Qb6 13. Nxd5 exd5 14. Bxd5 Ra7 15. Qe4 Bc5 16. Bc6+ Bd7 17. Bxd7+ Rxd7 18. Qg4 a4 19. Qxg7 Rf8 20. Qxh7 Bd4 21. Qe4 Qb7 22. Qf5 Qd5 23. Bf4 Bxb2 24. Rad1 Qe6 25. Qb1 a3 26. Rxd7 Qxd7 27. Qe4 Rg8 28. Qa8+ Qd8 29. Qb7 c3 30. h4 {Choosing a starting point for this game was quite difficult as the entireity of it was magical. This moment strikes a chord as both players seem to have contrasting attacking chances. White possesses a rampant queen and bishop combo against an exposed king, while Black has two passed pawns that threaten to promote at the first chance they get.} Rg6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 30... a2 {Black's best chance to cause problems. Passed pawns must be pushed after all $1} 31. Qxb5+ {This doesn't sting as much as White hopes.} (31. e6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Aggression is necessary here.} fxe6 32. Qh7 a1=Q 33. Rxa1 Bxa1 34. Qxg8+ Kd7 35. Qg6 { This bonkers continuation leaves many questions to be answered. Surprisingly, despite the advanced passed pawns for Black here, White is better.})) 31. Bg5 Rxg5 {A wise choice from Black who now has to argue that the b2-bishop is better than the f1-rook.} 32. hxg5 Qd7 33. Qb8+ Ke7 34. Qh8 a2 35. Qf6+ Ke8 ( 35... Kf8 {An alternative.}) 36. Qh8+ Ke7 37. g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6; type;GreatFind;persistent;true] If you're not planning a pawn break you don't have a plan, and here Tabatabaei certainly had one.} fxg6 38. Qf6+ Ke8 39. e6 { The true reason for the g6-pawn gambit. White's e6 pawn is a monster.} Qe7 40. Qh8+ $1 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qf8 41. Qh7 $4 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Blunder;persistent;true] A horrific mistake if Black finds the perfect continuation here.} Qe7 $4 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7; type;Blunder;persistent;true] Too eager to repeat moves, L'ami misses his shot to draw.} (41... Qf6 42. Qd7+ Kf8 43. Qc8+ Kg7 {White should take a draw here with} 44. Qd7+ {Any non-checks leave Black with dangerous play.}) 42. Qg8+ $2 { [%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (42. Qh8+ Qf8 43. Qe5 a1=Q 44. Rxa1 Bxa1 45. Qxb5+ {White} Ke7 46. Qb4+ Ke8 47. Qa4+ {White can pick up the bishop and has a decisive advantage.}) 42... Qf8 43. Qxg6+ Ke7 44. Qe4 Qe8 45. Qb4+ Kf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ( 45... Kxe6) 46. Qd4+ $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent; true]} Kxe6 47. Qe3+ Kf7 48. Qa7+ Kf6 49. Qxa2 {A sigh of relief for White. One less pawn to deal with.} Qxe2 50. Qb3 Ke7 51. Qb4+ $2 {[%c_effect b4; square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (51. Kg2 {Allowing rook activation via h1 was ideal.}) 51... Kd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind; persistent;true]} 52. Kg2 Qc4 $4 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Blunder; persistent;true] A losing move for Black. Drawing chances remained after} ( 52... Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The centralized queen can assist in safeguarding the king.}) 53. Rd1+ Kc6 54. Qe7 c2 $2 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Worth a try at this point.} (54... Kb6) 55. Rd6+ Kc5 56. Rd8+ Kb6 57. Rb8+ Ka5 58. Ra8+ $1 { [%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kb6 59. Qa7+ Kc6 60. Rc8+ Kd5 61. Qd7+ {White eventually sets up a ladder checkmate against Black's king and ends the entertaining encounter.} 1-0 [Event "?"] [Site "?"] [Date "2023.01.21"] [Round "7.7"] [White "Keymer, V.."] [Black "Ding, L.."] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "A17"] [WhiteElo "2696"] [BlackElo "2811"] [Annotator "Petrisor Adrian"] [PlyCount "115"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [SourceVersionDate "2023.01.21"] 1. Nf3 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 b6 {A side line for Black but with clear ideas of putting the bishop on b7, Nbd7, and then castling short as soon as possible.} 5. cxd5 exd5 6. g3 {Very solid, just preparing to castle and then later playing in the center with d4 or d3-e4.} Bd6 7. Bg2 O-O 8. O-O Re8 9. Re1 Nbd7 10. d3 Ba6 (10... a5 {is another option for Black, still with the same idea of Ba6.}) 11. e4 dxe4 (11... Bb7 {another try for Ding and if} 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Rxe8+ Qxe8 14. Nb5 Be7) 12. dxe4 Ne5 $6 $14 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5; type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (12... Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type; GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13. h3 Nge5 14. Nxe5 Bxe5) 13. Nxe5 Bxe5 14. Bf4 { White has a slight advantage now.} Qd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type; Mistake;persistent;true]} (14... Bxc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type; GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best try here.} 15. bxc3 Bb7 16. Qxd8 Raxd8 17. f3 $14 {with a pleasant position for White.}) 15. Qa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4; square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Very precise $1 A tempo gained and Rad1 will gain another.} Bb7 16. Rad1 Qc5 17. Bxe5 {Again very precise.} Rxe5 18. Qd4 Qxd4 19. Rxd4 Kf8 20. f4 {Now White controls the only open file, the d-file, and has a nice center (e4, f4) with the idea to play e5, and Black's knight will be restricted. A clear advantage for Keymer.} Rc5 21. Re2 {Very nice prophylactic move. Now the second rank is safe, so e5 should be soon.} Ng8 22. Red2 Ke8 23. Bh3 $5 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Interesting;persistent; true]} (23. e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is much better for Keymer.} Bxg2 24. Kxg2 Ne7 25. Rd7 a5 26. Kf3 $16 {Follow up with the g4-f5 plan.}) 23... Bc6 24. R2d3 {Threatening b4.} a5 25. a3 a4 26. Rd2 {Now the a4-pawn will be a long-term target.} h5 27. e5 Nh6 28. Bg2 { Exchange the pieces that protect a4.} Nf5 29. Bxc6+ Rxc6 30. Re4 Rg6 31. Nb5 Rc6 32. Kf2 Rc5 33. Rb4 $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent; true] Why allow Rc1 for Black $2} (33. Nc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type; GreatFind;persistent;true]} b5 34. h3 $16 {followed by g4 or even e6.}) 33... Rc1 34. Nc3 Rd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Very precise $1 After this trade, the second rank will not be safe for White.} 35. Rxd8+ Kxd8 36. Re4 Rh1 37. Kg2 Rc1 38. Re2 {Again the second rank is safe, but the rook is not so active on e2 anymore.} Ke7 39. Nxa4 $14 {White has managed to take a pawn, but Black's activity should be enough for the pawn.} Ke6 40. Nc3 Nd4 41. Rd2 Nb3 42. Rf2 Nd4 43. Ne2 Nxe2 44. Rxe2 Rd1 45. Kh3 g6 $4 $18 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Blunder;persistent;true] After Rc2 and b4, White is winning.} (45... c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind; persistent;true] is the best for Ding.} 46. Kh4 Kf5 47. h3 g6 48. Rf2 Rd3 49. g4+ Ke6 50. Rh2 hxg4 51. hxg4 f6 52. exf6 Kxf6) 46. Rc2 $1 $18 {[%c_effect c2; square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Excellent play $1} c5 47. Rc3 $5 { [%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Still winning but not the best.} (47. b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent; true] is the best for White and completely winning.} Kd5 48. Kh4 c4 49. Kg5 $18 ) 47... f6 48. Rb3 $4 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Blunder;persistent;true] Now it`s just a draw.} (48. exf6 $1 $18 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type; GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kxf6 49. Rb3 Rd6 50. Kh4 Kf5 51. Rb5 Rd2 52. h3 Rd6 53. a4 Kf6 54. g4 hxg4 55. hxg4 $18 {And should be winning.}) 48... fxe5 49. Rxb6+ Kf5 {If White takes on e5, Black has a lot of counterplay with Rd2 and then the g5-g4 plan.} 50. Rc6 (50. fxe5 Rd2 51. a4 g5 52. g4+ hxg4+ 53. Kg3 Rd3+ 54. Kf2 Kxe5 55. a5 Kf4) 50... Rc1 51. fxe5 Rc2 52. a4 g5 53. g4+ hxg4+ 54. Kg3 Rxb2 55. e6 Rb3+ 56. Kf2 Rb2+ 57. Ke3 Kf6 58. Rxc5 {Draw agreed. Ding escaped in the endgame because Keymer made two big errors in critical positions.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.01.21"] [Round "7"] [White "Maghsoodloo, Parham"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteElo "2719"] [BlackElo "2766"] [PlyCount "212"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "6000+30"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. Qa4+ Nc6 8. e3 O-O 9. Be2 Qe7 10. cxd5 exd5 11. O-O Be6 12. Rac1 Rfd8 13. a3 Bd6 14. Nb5 a6 15. Nxd6 Qxd6 16. Qb3 Rdb8 17. Ne1 Ne7 18. Nd3 c6 19. Nc5 Bf5 20. f3 a5 21. Qc3 b6 22. Na4 Ra7 23. Rfe1 Rc7 24. Bf1 Qd7 25. e4 Be6 26. b3 Ng6 27. Rcd1 Qe7 28. Qb2 dxe4 29. fxe4 Rd7 30. b4 axb4 31. axb4 Qd8 32. Qc3 Ra8 33. Nb2 b5 34. Qxc6 Rxd4 35. Qxb5 Rc8 36. Qa5 Rxd1 37. Rxd1 Qf6 38. Nd3 Rc2 39. Qb6 Kh7 40. b5 Qc3 41. Ne1 Rb2 42. Qd4 Qb3 43. e5 Nxe5 44. Qxe5 Qxd1 45. Qxb2 Qxe1 46. b6 Bd5 47. h3 f5 48. Qf2 Qb1 49. Kh2 Be4 50. Bc4 Qd1 51. Bf1 Qb1 52. h4 Qb4 53. h5 Qd6+ 54. Kh3 f4 55. Kg4 Bb1 56. Qb2 Qe6+ 57. Kxf4 Qf5+ 58. Ke3 Qxf1 59. b7 Qe1+ 60. Kd4 Qe4+ 61. Kc5 Qe7+ 62. Kb6 Qe3+ 63. Kc7 Qc5+ 64. Kd8 Qd6+ 65. Ke8 Qb8+ 66. Kf7 Ba2+ 67. Qxa2 Qg8+ 68. Ke7 Qxa2 69. b8=Q Qe2+ 70. Kf8 Qxh5 71. Qb1+ Qg6 72. Qf1 h5 73. Qf2 Qe4 74. Kf7 h4 75. Qd2 Qf5+ 76. Ke8 Kg6 77. Qd6+ Kh5 78. Qd1+ Kh6 79. Qd2+ g5 80. Qd4 Kh5 81. Ke7 g4 82. Kd6 Kg5 83. Qg1 Qd3+ 84. Ke5 Qe2+ 85. Kd4 Qd2+ 86. Ke4 Qf4+ 87. Kd3 Qf5+ 88. Kd2 Qd5+ 89. Ke2 Qa2+ 90. Kd3 Qb3+ 91. Kd2 Qb2+ 92. Kd3 Qa3+ 93. Ke2 {Caruana misses a huge chance here $1 Perhaps feeling that the white king was too far away from the g-pawn, he struck too early.} h3 $4 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Blunder;persistent;true] } (93... Qa2+ $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Stockfish utilizes a classic rook-endgame technique, \"king the cutting,\" to find a win.} 94. Kd3 Qd5+ 95. Kc3 Qe5+ 96. Kd3 Qf5+ 97. Kd2 {Now that White's king cannot cross the f-file (due to the Black queen), Black is free to push the h-pawn an progress.} h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind; persistent;true]} 98. gxh3 {It may seem for a moment that White has won a pawn due to the pin but after} Qf4+ $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind; persistent;true] Black can instead push the g-pawn $1} 99. Kd3 g3 {And promotion cannot be stopped.}) 94. gxh3 Qxh3 {This is a technical draw as Black's king doesn't have enough space to hide.} 95. Qf2 Qh7 96. Qg3 Qf5 97. Ke1 Qf6 98. Ke2 Kh5 99. Ke1 Kg5 100. Ke2 Qf4 101. Qxf4+ Kxf4 102. Kf2 {The opposition is taken and the draw confirmed.} g3+ 103. Kg2 Kg4 104. Kg1 Kh3 105. Kh1 g2+ 106. Kg1 Kg3 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.01.21"] [Round "7"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Rapport, Richard"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2859"] [BlackElo "2740"] [PlyCount "71"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "6000+30"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nd3 Nxe4 5. Qe2 Qe7 6. Nf4 c6 7. f3 Nf6 8. d4 Bf5 9. c4 h5 10. Nc3 Na6 11. Kf2 Nb4 12. Qd1 O-O-O 13. Nd3 d5 14. c5 Nxd3+ 15. Bxd3 Ne4+ $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Ah, yet another breath of fresh air from the rambunctious Rapport. The idea itself is not unique. Knight sacrifices on e4 are commonplace in Petrov lines.} 16. fxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The correct choice of course for a world class defensive player.} dxe4 17. Be2 Qf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (17... Qh4+ 18. Kf1 Bxc5 19. Qe1 Qxe1+ 20. Kxe1 Bxd4 {If White can conjure a queen trade at the expense of a few pawns, Black will be sorely missing the extra knight in the endgame.}) 18. Be3 {White's sole objective here is to keep the king safe and stave off any follow-up attacks from Black. Here, Carlsen neglects respect of the discovered check and continues developing.} Bxc5 (18... Be6+ {While this is the best move, White's king will reach a safe haven on g1.} 19. Kg1) 19. Rf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Active defense. White's rook manages to escape before the king commits to the g1-square.} Qh4+ $2 { [%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Lashing out in the wrong way. Now Carlsen's defense comes to the fore.} (19... Bxd4 {Black must go all in here with this move.} 20. Bxd4 Rxd4 21. Qc1 g6 {The position is still slightly better for White but still difficult.}) 20. Kg1 {With a queen trade looming via Qe1. Black must act fast.} Bd6 21. Rxf5 Qxh2+ 22. Kf1 Qh1+ 23. Bg1 g6 24. Rxf7 Rhf8 {To the average player, it still looks as though White is in immense trouble here. One slip and everything falls apart.} 25. Bc4 (25. Rxf8 Rxf8+ 26. Ke1 Bf4 27. Bf1 Qxg1 {Black is now better by the slightest of margins.}) 25... Bh2 26. Kf2 {Classy defense from Carlsen as he holds everything together.} Rxf7+ 27. Bxf7 Rf8 28. Qb3 Bxg1+ 29. Rxg1 Qh4+ 30. Ke2 Qg4+ 31. Kd2 Qf4+ 32. Kd1 Rxf7 {Black wins a bishop back but it is simply not enough.} 33. Ne2 Qf5 34. Qh3 {White will win easily once the queens come off.} Qxh3 35. gxh3 Rf3 36. Rg3 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.01.21"] [Round "7"] [White "Gukesh, D."] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "2725"] [BlackElo "2760"] [PlyCount "68"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "6000+30"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O d5 7. exd5 Qxd5 8. Bc4 Qd8 9. b4 Bd6 10. Nbd2 h6 11. Re1 Re8 12. a4 a6 13. Qc2 Be6 14. Bb2 Qd7 15. Re2 Bf5 16. Rae1 Re7 17. h3 Rae8 18. Ne4 Nh5 19. Bc1 Kh8 20. Nh4 Be6 21. Qd1 Qd8 22. b5 Na5 23. Bxe6 Rxe6 24. Nf5 Bf8 25. Qc2 axb5 26. axb5 b6 27. d4 Nf4 { So found a promising line in the Berlin to challenge Gukesh, lodging a knight on f4 and asking serious questions about White's position.} 28. Rd2 $2 { [%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (28. Bxf4 {The only move that keeps things balanced. Black's center dissipates after this trade.} exf4 29. Qd2 g6 {White may have felt that the knight could not retreat here. However, after the intermezzo} 30. d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type; GreatFind;persistent;true] Black must commit to several trades} Rxe4 31. Rxe4 Rxe4 32. Rxe4 gxf5 33. Rxf4 {The position is close to equal.}) 28... Qd5 { [%c_arrow d5b5;keyPressed;none;from;d5;opacity;0.8;to;b5;persistent;false,d5c4; keyPressed;none;from;d5;opacity;0.8;to;c4;persistent;false,d5b3;keyPressed; none;from;d5;opacity;0.8;to;b3;persistent;false,d5g2;keyPressed;none;from;d5; opacity;0.8;to;g2;persistent;false,d5f5;keyPressed;none;from;d5;opacity;0.8;to; f5;persistent;false] White's queen centralizes and becomes the most powerful piece on the board.} 29. Ne3 $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake; persistent;true] Gukesh panics and gives up the b5-pawn in order to keep activity strong in the White camp.} (29. g4 Nxh3+ 30. Kh2 Nf4 31. Rdd1 Qxb5 32. dxe5 Qxe5 33. Neg3 {It's fair to say that this Stockfish-recommended double pawn sacrifice wouldn't have looked ideal in the moment.}) 29... Qxb5 30. d5 Rg6 31. Ng3 Bc5 32. Qe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent; true]} (32. Nef5 {Psychologically, this is a tough move to play. It's been four moves since the knight came from this square so moving it back feels like regression.}) 32... Bxe3 33. fxe3 (33. Qxe3 $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type; Mistake;persistent;true]} Nc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind; persistent;true]}) 33... Nc4 34. Rf2 (34. exf4 {The only way for White to survive.} Nxd2 (34... Rxg3 35. Rc2 Nd6 36. Qb4 Qxd5 {White has lost too many pawns and gained nothing in return.})) 34... Nd6 {White cannot afford knight forks now.} (34... Nd6 35. Qc2 Nd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind; persistent;true]}) 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.01.21"] [Round "7"] [White "Praggnanandhaa, R."] [Black "Van Foreest, Jorden"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2684"] [BlackElo "2681"] [PlyCount "127"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "6000+30"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bf5 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bd2 e6 7. Qb3 b5 8. c5 Nbd7 9. a4 e5 10. Qa3 b4 11. Qxb4 Rb8 12. Qa3 a5 13. Be2 Be7 14. O-O O-O 15. Rfd1 e4 16. Ne1 Bg4 17. Rdb1 Qc7 18. h3 Bxe2 19. Nxe2 {A classic Slav-style pawn structure through the center of the board. Here, White's plan is generally to break on b4 and target Black's backward pawn on c6 while Black will endeavor to play f5-f4 and rip open White's kingside.} Qa7 $2 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7; type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move is superfluous and inferior to moves which add defenders to the queenside.} (19... Rb7 {Stockfish's suggestion allows moves such as Ra8 and Rfb8.}) 20. b4 {A logical response to Black's passive move. Although White's a-pawn will become isolated, it is a strong one as it is passed and backed by all of White's pieces.} axb4 21. Rxb4 Qa6 22. Rxb8 Rxb8 23. Nc1 Ne8 {To combat the advancing a-pawn Black must bring pieces to the queenside, leaving no time for the aforementioned f-pawn push that is associated with this structure.} 24. Nc2 Nc7 25. a5 Ra8 26. Rb1 Qc4 27. Qb3 Qxb3 28. Rxb3 {Both players probably felt some relief here and it is unclear who the queen trade suited. On one hand, White can now focus on breaking through on the queenside without fear of counterattack though Black's chances of creating a fortress become easier without having to play against White's queen.} Bd8 29. Be1 Kf8 30. Rb7 Ke8 31. Nb4 Nb8 (31... Rxa5 32. Nxc6 Rb5 33. Rxb5 Nxb5 {Black's chances of stopping the c6-pawn are dire.}) 32. f3 {A classic \"French-esque\" pawn break.} (32. Nca2 {Alternative knight moves are offered here with little consequence.}) 32... exf3 33. gxf3 Kd7 34. Nc2 Kc8 35. Rb1 Ne6 36. Kg2 f5 37. Nd3 Bc7 38. h4 Ra7 39. Ra1 Nd8 40. Nc1 h6 $2 { [%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (40... Ne6 {With ideas of playing f4 force White to consider 41.f4, which could have slowed down White's prodding considerably.} 41. f4 g6) 41. f4 h5 {A hole opens up on g5 $1 Although Black has done well to leave limited gaps in his defense, there are now two weaknesses on the board which historically has proven decisive in favor of the aggressor.} 42. Kf3 Na6 43. Nd3 Rb7 {Black's rook poses no threat along the open file yet.} 44. Bd2 Ne6 (44... Rb3 45. Ndb4 {The Black rook is quickly trapped.}) 45. Ke2 Bd8 46. Ne5 Kc7 47. Nb4 $3 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4; type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A brilliant forcing move.} Nb8 (47... Nxb4 48. a6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black's pieces are overworked.} Nxa6 49. Rxa6 {[%c_arrow a6c6;keyPressed;none;from;a6;opacity; 0.8;to;c6;persistent;false,e5c6;keyPressed;none;from;e5;opacity;0.8;to;c6; persistent;false]}) 48. Nf7 Be7 49. Rg1 Nd7 50. Ne5 Nxe5 51. fxe5 Kd7 (51... Bxh4 {Black can't grab this pawn without losing at least one back $1} 52. Rg6 Kd7 53. Nxc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kxc6 54. Rxe6+) 52. Rg6 Rc7 53. Be1 f4 {Black's opening of the position is a sign that the fortress is not solid.} 54. a6 Rc8 $2 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type; Mistake;persistent;true]} (54... Bf8 {The last try to attempt to hold the position.}) 55. a7 fxe3 56. Kxe3 Nd8 57. Na6 Ra8 58. Ba5 {White is not worried about the a7-pawn due to beneficial liquidation.} Rxa7 59. Nb8+ Ke8 60. Bxd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bxd8 61. Nxc6 Ra3+ 62. Kf4 Bxh4 63. Rxg7 {Despite only being down a pawn, Black's king is at the mercy of White's rook and knight. Even if their attack fails to result in a checkmate, White's passed pawns will finish the job.} Ra6 64. Rc7 {Black understands that once White's king journeys to the sixth rank, the game will swiftly end.} 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.01.21"] [Round "7"] [White "Erigaisi, Arjun"] [Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C43"] [WhiteElo "2722"] [BlackElo "2713"] [Annotator "Rafael"] [PlyCount "86"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "6000+30"] {0-} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 Nxe4 4. dxe5 d5 (4... Bc5 {This aggressive move is also possible and leads to very confusing positions in which White's advantage has yet to be proven.} 5. Bc4 Nxf2 6. Bxf7+ Kxf7 7. Qd5+ Kg6 8. Qxc5 Nxh1 9. Nc3 h6 {A recent game ended in perpetual check after} 10. Qc4 Nc6 11. Nd5 d6 12. Nf4+ Kh7 13. Qe4+ Kg8 14. Qd5+ Kh7 15. Qe4+ Kg8 16. Qd5+ Kh7 17. Qe4+ {Anton Guijarro-Vidit, Prague 2022.}) 5. Nbd2 Nxd2 (5... Qd7 {This move is much less common but was played by Nepomniachtchi against Duda in the Candidates Tournament.}) 6. Bxd2 Be7 7. Bd3 c5 8. c3 Nc6 9. O-O {The position is still known by theory. Black has good central control and free piece development, but the advanced pawn on e5 gives White some chances on the kingside.} Bg4 {Usually Black plays 9...0-0 or 9...Bg4. This will be the first time a combination of these two moves is played.} (9... O-O 10. Re1 Be6 11. Qc2 h6 12. Rad1 Qd7 {With roughly in Guseinov-Markus, Olympiad 2022.}) 10. Re1 O-O {This is probably inaccurate due to Erigaisi's following play.} (10... Qd7 11. h3 Bh5 12. Bf4 {was tried in Firouzja-Najer, Riga 2021.}) 11. h3 Bh5 12. Bf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A very unpleasant move to face. The bishop on f5 prevents the normal development of the queen on d7 and supports an e5-e6 advance. If Black plays with Bg6, then it's possible to capture the bishop, with two possible consequences: 1- Black captures with the f-pawn, leaving White with a superior pawn structure; 2- Black captures with the h-pawn, after which White advances e5-e6 and tries to exploit Black's kingside weaknesses.} Kh8 {A difficult prophylactic move. The idea is probably to anticipate a possible e5-e6 advance.} (12... Bg6 13. Bxg6 fxg6 {It's clear that White is better with a superior pawn structure.} (13... hxg6 14. e6 $1 { [%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]})) 13. Qe2 Qb6 14. Bf4 Rae8 15. Rad1 d4 {Play by both sides is quite logical and the tension grows.} 16. g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bg6 17. Qc2 $6 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move doesn't seem to flow naturally with what's expected from White's position and it's the beginning of Erigaisi's problems.} (17. h4 {is logical, but a bit rushed. Black manages to equalize after} h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind; persistent;true]} 18. Ng5 Bxg5 19. hxg5 Ne7) (17. Bg3 $5 {[%c_effect g3;square; g3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a good prophylactic move, taking the bishop off the f-file, which makes the Bxg6 move stronger.}) 17... Rd8 18. h4 Qa6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With his last two moves Abdusattorov sets up the …d4-d3 advance.} 19. cxd4 cxd4 20. Qb3 $6 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (20. Qe4 {is better and White manages to keep the game balanced, for example:} Qxa2 21. Nxd4 Nxd4 22. Rxd4 Qxb2 23. Rxd8 Rxd8 24. Rb1) 20... d3 {Passed pawns must be pushed $1 But if chess were that simple, it probably wouldn't have so many fans.} 21. h5 $6 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (21. Re4 $1 { [%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better try, avoiding Black's following knight move.}) 21... Bxf5 22. gxf5 Nd4 $1 { [%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23. Nxd4 Rxd4 24. Bg3 d2 {With this monstrous pawn on d2 and White's weaknesses on the kingside, Black is already firmly in control of the game.} 25. Re3 Qh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6; square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Attacking the h5-pawn. Abdusattorov plays the rest of the game with great precision.} 26. Qxb7 $2 {[%c_effect b7; square;b7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White is much worse after this move.} ( 26. Rd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is necessary, as eliminating the d2-pawn is a priority.} Rxd3 27. Qxd3 Rd8 28. Qe3 Qxh5 (28... Bg5 29. f4) 29. Rxd2 Rxd2 30. Qxd2 Qxf5 31. Qd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5; square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with excellent drawing chances for White.}) 26... Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop now gives extra support to the passed pawn.} 27. Rc3 Qxh5 28. Qf3 Qh3 {Continuing the attack is a human and natural reaction, but the computer indicates a decisive advantage for Black in the endgame after} (28... Qxf3 29. Rxf3 Re4 30. Kf1 Rc8 31. Rc3 Rxc3 32. bxc3 h5 {The white rook is paralyzed and the bishop isn't much help either.}) 29. Bh2 Rg4+ 30. Bg3 (30. Kh1 Qxf3+ 31. Rxf3 Re4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and there is no defense against rook invasion on e1.} 32. Rg3 Re1+ 33. Rg1 Rxd1 34. Rxd1 Rc8 {followed by 35...Rc1.}) 30... h6 {The computer suggests other moves, but I like this one. It's useful to give the king some air.} 31. Qg2 $2 { [%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Now it's over.} (31. Qh1 $1 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only chance, although it's very hard to defend after} Rxg3+ $5 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3; type;Interesting;persistent;true]} (31... Qxh1+ 32. Kxh1 {is also much better for Black.}) 32. fxg3 Qxf5 33. Qd5 Re8 34. Rf3 Qh3 {The d2-pawn is well defended and the white king is very exposed. The compensation for the exchange should be enough for victory.}) 31... Qh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type; GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32. f3 (32. Qf3 Re8 33. Kf1 Qh3+ 34. Ke2 Rd4 { White's position is close to collapsing.}) 32... Rd4 33. Qh2 Bh4 $1 { [%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34. Kf1 Rfd8 35. Bf2 Re4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A beautiful move. Abdusattorov is implacable in conducting the initiative.} 36. f6 (36. Qh3 Rd5 {The e5-pawn falls.}) 36... gxf6 37. Qh3 Rf4 38. Bxa7 Qxe5 39. Be3 Qb5+ 40. Kg1 Qe2 41. Qf1 Rg8+ 42. Kh1 Qxf1+ 43. Rxf1 Rxf3 {Another masterpiece by Abdusattorov.} (43... Be1 {is also a nice way to win:} 44. Bxf4 d1=Q) 0-1