[Event "Norway Chess"] [Site "-"] [Date "2023.05.30"] [Round "2"] [Board "4"] [White "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Black "Giri, Anish"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "D37"] [WhiteElo "2731"] [BlackElo "2768"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/loepare"] [PlyCount "68"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. d4 {[%eval 0,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 28,0]} 2. c4 {[%eval 16,0]} e6 {[%eval 23,0]} 3. Nf3 {[%eval 0,0]} d5 {[%eval 17,0]} 4. Nc3 {[%eval 0,0]} Be7 {[%eval 0,0]} 5. g3 {[%eval 5,0]} O-O {[%eval 12,0]} 6. Bg2 {[%eval 19,0]} dxc4 {[%eval 23,0]} 7. Ne5 {[%eval 14,0]} c5 {[%eval 28,0]} 8. dxc5 {[%eval 13,0]} Qxd1+ {[%eval 26,0]} 9. Nxd1 {[%eval 32,0]} Bxc5 {[%eval 17,0]} 10. Ne3 {[%eval 9,0]} c3 {[%eval 8,0]} 11. bxc3 {[%eval 5,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 15,0]} 12. Nd3 {[%eval 12,0]} Bb6 {[%eval 7,0]} 13. Rb1 {[%eval 3,0]} Na5 {[%eval 46,0]} 14. O-O {[%eval 21,0]} Bd7 {[%eval 56,0]} 15. c4 {[%eval 48,0]} Rfc8 $2 {[%eval 176,0] Mistake. Rab8 was best.} (15... Rab8 16. c5 Bc7 17. Bd2 Nc6 18. Bc3 Rfc8 19. Nc4 Nd5 20. Ba1 Na5 21. Nd6 Bxd6 22. cxd6) 16. Ne5 $4 {[%eval 1,0] Blunder. c5 was best.} (16. c5 Bc7 17. Bd2 Nc6 18. Rxb7 Rab8 19. Rfb1 Nd4 20. Rxb8 Rxb8 21. Rxb8+ Bxb8 22. Kf1 Bb5) 16... Be8 {[%eval 2,0]} 17. Ba3 {[%eval 4,0]} Bc5 {[%eval 16,0]} 18. Bxc5 {[%eval 5,0]} Rxc5 {[%eval 15,0]} 19. f4 {[%eval 29,0]} Rb8 {[%eval 2,0]} 20. Rfc1 {[%eval 3,0]} b6 {[%eval 9,0]} 21. Nd3 {[%eval 2,0]} Rc7 {[%eval 7,0]} 22. c5 {[%eval 12,0]} Rbc8 {[%eval 8,0]} 23. cxb6 {[%eval 2,0]} Rxc1+ {[%eval 1,0]} 24. Nxc1 {[%eval 0,0]} axb6 {[%eval 0,0]} 25. Nd3 {[%eval 1,0]} b5 {[%eval 1,0]} 26. Kf2 {[%eval 3,0]} h6 {[%eval 7,0]} 27. Ne5 {[%eval 2,0]} Kf8 {[%eval 4,0]} 28. g4 {[%eval 12,0]} g5 {[%eval 31,0]} 29. Rb4 {[%eval 42,0]} Rc3 {[%eval 57,0]} 30. Nd3 {[%eval 96,0]} Ra3 {[%eval 66,0]} 31. Nc1 $6 {[%eval -37,0] Inaccuracy. fxg5 was best.} (31. fxg5 hxg5 32. h4 gxh4 33. g5 Nh7 34. g6 fxg6 35. Rxh4 Nf6 36. Ng4 Nxg4+ 37. Rxg4 Ke7) 31... Bc6 $2 {[%eval 38,0] Mistake. Nc4 was best.} (31... Nc4 32. fxg5 hxg5 33. Nd3 Rxa2 34. h3 Nd6 35. Nd1 Ke7 36. Bf3 Rc2 37. Kg3 Rc4 38. Rxc4) 32. fxg5 hxg5 33. Bf3 Bxf3 34. exf3 Rxe3 0-1 [Event "Norway Chess"] [Site "-"] [Date "2023.05.30"] [Round "2"] [Board "5"] [White "So, Wesley"] [Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C50"] [WhiteElo "2760"] [BlackElo "2775"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/loepare"] [PlyCount "135"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 {[%eval 36,0]} e5 {[%eval 35,0]} 2. Nf3 {[%eval 29,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 32,0]} 3. Bc4 {[%eval 21,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 29,0]} 4. d3 {[%eval 21,0]} Bc5 {[%eval 9,0]} 5. O-O {[%eval 24,0]} d6 {[%eval 21,0]} 6. c3 {[%eval 17,0]} a6 {[%eval 33,0]} 7. Re1 {[%eval 24,0]} O-O {[%eval 44,0]} 8. Nbd2 {[%eval 12,0]} Ng4 {[%eval 35,0]} 9. Re2 {[%eval 12,0]} Kh8 {[%eval 63,0]} 10. h3 {[%eval 55,0]} Nh6 {[%eval 6,0]} 11. Nb3 {[%eval 37,0]} Ba7 {[%eval 9,0]} 12. d4 {[%eval 37,0]} Qf6 {[%eval 18,0]} 13. Re1 {[%eval 38,0]} Ng8 {[%eval 23,0]} 14. Be3 {[%eval 2,0]} h6 {[%eval 31,0]} 15. Kh2 {[%eval 39,0]} Nge7 {[%eval 29,0]} 16. Bf1 {[%eval 7,0]} Qg6 {[%eval 6,0]} 17. Bd3 {[%eval 42,0]} f5 {[%eval 4,0]} 18. exf5 {[%eval 49,0]} Bxf5 {[%eval 32,0]} 19. Nh4 {[%eval 43,0]} Qf6 {[%eval 34,0]} 20. Nxf5 {[%eval 32,0]} Nxf5 {[%eval 25,0]} 21. Bc2 $2 {[%eval -38,0] Mistake. Bxf5 was best.} (21. Bxf5) 21... exd4 {[%eval -25,0]} 22. cxd4 {[%eval -35,0]} Ncxd4 $6 {[%eval 65,0] Inaccuracy. Bxd4 was best.} (22... Bxd4) 23. Bxd4 $6 {[%eval -36,0] Inaccuracy. Nxd4 was best.} (23. Nxd4 Bxd4 24. Qd3 Bxe3 25. Rxe3 g6 26. Rf3 Qxb2 27. Rb1 Qe5+ 28. Kg1 b5 29. Qd2 Qd4) 23... Bxd4 {[%eval -93,0]} 24. Bxf5 {[%eval -57,0]} Be5+ $6 {[%eval 48,0] Inaccuracy. Bxf2 was best.} (24... Bxf2 25. Bc2 Qf4+ 26. Kh1 Bxe1 27. Qxe1 Rae8 28. Qd1 Re3 29. Nd4 Qf2 30. Qg4 Re1+ 31. Rxe1) 25. f4 {[%eval 79,0]} Bxf4+ {[%eval 52,0]} 26. g3 {[%eval 53,0]} Bxg3+ {[%eval 5,0]} 27. Kxg3 {[%eval 99,0]} Qxf5 {[%eval 62,0]} 28. Qd2 {[%eval 62,0]} Qg6+ $6 {[%eval 0,0] Inaccuracy. Rf6 was best.} (28... Rf6 29. Kh2 Raf8 30. Qe2 Qf2+ 31. Kh1 Rg6 32. Qxf2 Rxf2 33. Nd4 Rg3 34. Re7 Rxh3+ 35. Kg1) 29. Kh2 {[%eval 0,0]} Rf3 {[%eval 0,0]} 30. Qg2 {[%eval 0,0]} Qf6 {[%eval 0,0]} 31. Rf1 $6 {[%eval 99,0] Inaccuracy. Re2 was best.} (31. Re2 Qf4+ 32. Kh1 Rg3 33. Qf1 Rf3) 31... Rf4 $2 {[%eval 14,0] Mistake. Qe5+ was best.} (31... Qe5+ 32. Kh1 Rg3 33. Rf5 Qe3 34. Qf2 Qe4+ 35. Kh2 Re3 36. Nd2 Qe6 37. Qf1 Re2+ 38. Rf2) 32. Rxf4 {[%eval 39,0]} Qxf4+ {[%eval 14,0]} 33. Kh1 {[%eval 11,0]} c6 {[%eval 44,0]} 34. Rg1 {[%eval 3,0]} Rg8 {[%eval 74,0]} 35. Qg3 {[%eval 66,0]} Qf6 {[%eval 58,0]} 36. Qc3 {[%eval 29,0]} Qxc3 {[%eval 28,0]} 37. bxc3 {[%eval 2,0]} Re8 {[%eval 23,0]} 38. Kh2 {[%eval 1,0]} Re4 {[%eval 36,0]} 39. Rg4 {[%eval 19,0]} Re3 {[%eval 26,0]} 40. Rg3 {[%eval 24,0]} Re4 {[%eval 34,0]} 41. Na5 {[%eval 29,0]} Re7 $6 {[%eval 98,0] Inaccuracy. Ra4 was best.} (41... Ra4 42. Nxb7 Rxa2+ 43. Kg1 d5 44. Rg6 Rc2 45. Rxc6 d4 46. c4 d3 47. Rd6 d2 48. Kf1) 42. Rg2 {[%eval 53,0]} c5 {[%eval 41,0]} 43. Rd2 {[%eval 19,0]} b5 {[%eval 2,0]} 44. c4 {[%eval 26,0]} Re3 {[%eval 17,0]} 45. cxb5 {[%eval 9,0]} axb5 {[%eval 12,0]} 46. Nb7 {[%eval 16,0]} c4 {[%eval 5,0]} 47. Nxd6 {[%eval 0,0]} c3 {[%eval 0,0]} 48. Rf2 {[%eval 0,0]} b4 49. Kg2 Kg8 50. Nc4 Rd3 51. Na5 g5 52. Nc6 c2 53. Rxc2 b3 54. axb3 Rxb3 55. Nd4 Rb6 56. Rc6 Rb4 57. Nf5 Rb2+ 58. Kg3 Rb3+ 59. Kg2 Rb2+ 60. Kf3 Rb3+ 61. Kg4 h5+ 62. Kxg5 Kf7 63. Rf6+ Ke8 64. h4 Kd7 65. Kxh5 Rf3 66. Kg4 Rf1 67. h5 Rg1+ 68. Kf4 1-0 [Event "The position after 22.f5."] [Site "?"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "Caruana"] [Black "Carlsen"] [Result "1-0"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "2r3k1/1prbb1pp/pnn1p3/3p1P2/3P4/1P3NP1/P2BN1BP/2R2RK1 b - - 0 22"] [PlyCount "0"] {[%c_arrow f4f5;keyPressed;none;from;f4;opacity;0.8;to;f5;persistent;false,f4c7;keyPressed;alt;from;f4;opacity;0.8;to;c7;persistent;false][%c_highlight f5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f5;persistent;false,c7;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;c7;persistent;false,d2;keyPressed;alt;opacity;0.8;square;d2;persistent;false]} 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.05.30"] [Round "1"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C11"] [WhiteElo "2764"] [BlackElo "2853"] [Annotator "rafael"] [PlyCount "69"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. e4 e6 {The French Defense is rarely played by Carlsen in classical games, although he had beaten Karjakin and Ivanchuk with it a long time ago.} 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3 a6 8. Ne2 {Caruana has played this before in a blitz game, so it hardly came as a surprise. It's also the first move of the engine I used.} (8. Qd2 {is by far the most popular move.}) 8... Qb6 9. Qc1 (9. Rb1 {was played by Caruana in the mentioned game.} Be7 10. c3 O-O {Caruana-Vachier Lagrave, Chess.com (blitz) 2021.}) 9... Be7 10. c3 O-O 11. g3 (11. h4 {is a typical move in the French and it's my computer's favorite. The rook can join the game through the h3-square.}) 11... f6 (11... a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move has been tested in correspondence chess and was tried by Nepomniachtchi.} 12. Qc2 (12. Bg2 cxd4 13. Nexd4 (13. cxd4 Qa6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The point of Black's play becomes clear. The queen becomes active and the knight can go to b4.}) 13... Nc5 {with a playable position for Black.}) 12... f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a complicated game.} (12... cxd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 13. Nexd4 {was better for White in So-Nepomniachtchi, FTX Crypto Cup 2021.})) 12. Bg2 cxd4 13. cxd4 Qa5+ (13... fxe5 {is also possible:} 14. fxe5 Qb5 (14... Qa5+ 15. Bd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (15. Kf2 $6 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is bad due to a nice piece sacrifice:} Ndxe5 16. dxe5 Nxe5 {with excellent compensation for the piece in Van Foreest-Werle, Netherlands 2017.})) 15. Qd1 $5 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} Qxb2 16. O-O {with good compensation for the pawn in Raijmaekers-Terreaux, ICCF email 2020.}) 14. Nc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A new move.} (14. Bd2 Qd8 $2 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (14... Qb5 {is necessary.}) 15. O-O {with advantage for White was played in Vallejo Pons-Danielsen, Porto Carras 2011.}) 14... Nb6 {Carlsen prepares the development of the light-squared bishop.} (14... fxe5 {is not enough to solve the problems after the accurate} 15. dxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the best way to capture.} (15. fxe5 Nb6 {with a better version of the plan implemented in the game.}) 15... Bc5 16. Qd2 Qb6 17. Bf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the advantage for White. This is the type of position that highlights the nightmares of the French Defense: problems with the dark squares and a bad bishop on c8.}) 15. exf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A capture that changes the pawn structure is always a difficult one to choose.} (15. b3 $6 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is not good with the bishop in the a3-f8 diagonal.} Ba3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16. Qd2 Na7 {Followed by Bd7-Rac8 with a good position.}) (15. O-O {is also possible.}) 15... Bxf6 (15... Rxf6 {is a possible alternative.} 16. O-O Bd7 17. Bf2 Rc8 {with a slightly better position for White.}) 16. b3 {Now this move is possible.} Bd7 17. O-O Rac8 18. Qd2 (18. Qe1 {is an interesting computer suggestion.} Nxd4 19. Bxd4 Bxd4+ 20. Nxd4 Qxc3 21. Nxe6 {with advantage for White after the exchange of queens.}) 18... Be7 (18... Nxd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move doesn't work:} 19. Bxd4 Bxd4+ 20. Qxd4 Rxc3 (20... Qxc3 21. Qxb6) 21. b4 {winning a piece.}) 19. Ne2 Qxd2 20. Bxd2 {White has a slightly better endgame. The backward e-pawn is always a concern for Black, but the position is not the end of the world.} Rc7 {The plan is to double rooks on the c-file.} (20... Nb4 21. a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Avoiding Bb5.} Rc2 22. Bh3 {with advantage for White.}) (20... Ba3 21. Bh3 Rfe8 {is also a little better for White.}) 21. Rac1 Rfc8 22. f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A very good move, seizing a tactical chance. The pawn cannot be captured because the c7-rook has no squares.} Ba3 (22... exf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 23. Bf4) 23. Rce1 Bb4 24. Bxb4 Nxb4 25. fxe6 Bxe6 26. Nf4 Bf5 27. Ne5 {A good and natural human move.} (27. Re5 {is the computer suggestion and is probably more accurate.} g6 28. Ng5 h6 29. Nf3 {Black's kingside is weakened. Needless to say, no human plays like this.}) 27... g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Very good defense by Carlsen. The bishop is protected.} (27... Nc2 $2 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad:} 28. Bxd5+ $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (28. Nxd5 {gives some drawing chances after} Nxe1 29. Nxc7 Nxg2 30. Rxf5 Rxc7 31. Kxg2 Nd5) 28... Nxd5 29. Nxd5 Nxe1 30. Rxf5 Nc2 (30... Rc1 $2 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 31. Ne7+ Kh8 32. Nf7#) 31. Nxc7 Rxc7 32. d5 Ne3 33. Rf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nxd5 34. Rd3 {A study-like position. The knight cannot move.} Rc5 35. b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rb5 (35... Nxb4 36. Rd8#) 36. a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] winning the knight.}) 28. g4 Be4 29. Bxe4 dxe4 30. a3 (30. Rxe4 Nxa2 {Black is ok.}) 30... N4d5 (30... Nc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right path to achieve a draw.} 31. Rxe4 Re7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is ready to play 32...Nxd4 and the game is close to a draw.}) 31. Rxe4 Rc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A very high-level game is suddenly decided after this mistake.} (31... Nxf4 {offers Black good drawing chances after} 32. Rexf4 Nd5 33. R4f3 Rc3) 32. Nd7 $3 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A fantastic move that poses unsolvable problems for Black.} Rxb3 $6 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This loses on the spot, but the situation was already very difficult.} (32... Nxd7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 33. Nxd5) (32... Nxf4 33. Nf6+ $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (33. Nxb6 $2 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Nh3+ 34. Kg2 Rd8 {with a probable draw.}) 33... Kg7 34. Rexf4 {with a very difficult endgame for Black.}) (32... Rc1 {Maybe this is the best chance, but White has a winning position with a pawn advantage.}) 33. Nxd5 Nxd5 34. Re5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nc3 (34... Ne3 35. Nf6+ Kf7 (35... Kg7 36. Re7+ Kh6 37. Rxh7+ Kg5 38. h4#) 36. Rxe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only winning move.} Rxe3 37. Nd5+ {White wins a piece.}) 35. Nf6+ (35. Nf6+ Kf7 {White has many ways to win. One possibility is:} 36. Nxh7+ Kg7 37. Re7+ Kg8 38. Nf6+ Kf8 39. Rfe1 {with mating threats and a decisive d-pawn that is ready to march.}) 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.05.30"] [Round "1"] [White "So, Wesley"] [Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C67"] [WhiteElo "2760"] [BlackElo "2775"] [PlyCount "109"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re2 Ne8 $5 $146 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Although the engine claims a small advantage after this move, it's hard to prove. In the game, the advantage disappears quickly.} (10... b6 11. Re1 Bb7 12. Bf4 Ne4 {is the most popular path at the moment, with several games.}) 11. d5 d6 12. Nd2 ({The engine indicates:} 12. h3 Bg5 13. Nc3 Bxc1 {Other moves are possible, but this was played in the game.} 14. Qxc1 {Black's queen cannot jump to g5, followed by Nf6, so his position remains a little cramped. If ...Qh4, Re4 kicks it away.}) 12... Bg5 13. Nc4 Bxc1 14. Rxc1 (14. Qxc1 Qh4 {In the variation given above, White would have Re4 if the knight were on c3. Thus, we see that the Nd2-Nc4 maneuver was perhaps not the most precise.}) 14... Qg5 {Black equalizes.} 15. Qd2 Qxd2 16. Rxd2 Nf6 17. Re1 Bd7 18. f3 h5 19. h4 Rfe8 20. Rxe8+ Bxe8 21. Kf2 (21. Na5 {Black doesn't even need to defend b7.} Bd7 22. Nxb7 Rb8 {and b2 will drop.}) 21... a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Preventing the slightly annoying ...Na5 \"threat.\"} 22. b3 Nd7 23. Na3 Nf6 24. Bb5 Kf8 {Activating the king, ready to defend c7.} 25. Bxe8 Kxe8 26. Nb5 Kd7 27. c4 Ng8 28. Re2 {White has more space, but Black is able to trade the rooks and hold the ensuing knight endgame.} Nh6 29. Re4 c6 30. Nc3 Re8 31. Rxe8 (31. Rf4 {The commentators suggested this could be the way to play for a win, although there is no objective advantage.} Re5 32. g3 {These moves are far from forced. Both sides can play many other moves and still be equal.} Nf5 33. a3 f6 {White may look optically better, but he is not able to improve objectively.}) 31... Kxe8 32. Ne4 {Neither player gets any chances in the knight endgame.} Kd7 33. Ng3 g6 34. Ne4 cxd5 35. cxd5 b5 36. g3 Nf5 37. g4 hxg4 38. fxg4 Nxh4 39. Kg3 g5 40. Nxg5 Ng6 41. Nxf7 Ne7 42. g5 Nxd5 43. Kg4 Ne7 44. Kf4 Ke6 45. Nd8+ Kd5 46. a4 bxa4 47. bxa4 Kc5 48. Nb7+ Kb4 49. Nxd6 Kxa4 50. Nb7 Kb4 51. Nxa5 Kxa5 52. Ke5 Ng6+ 53. Kf6 Nh4 54. g6 Nxg6 55. Kxg6 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.05.30"] [Round "2"] [White "So, Wesley"] [Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C54"] [WhiteElo "2760"] [BlackElo "2775"] [PlyCount "135"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. O-O d6 6. c3 a6 7. Re1 O-O 8. Nbd2 Ng4 9. Re2 Kh8 10. h3 Nh6 {So believes Nakamura mixed up his opening here, but it worked out.} 11. Nb3 $146 (11. Nf1 f5 12. Bg5 Qe8 13. d4 Bb6 14. Bxh6 gxh6 15. exf5 Bxf5 {White would have had a large advantage after 16.Bd5 in Almarzouqi,A-Adhiban,B (2406) Abu Dhabi 2007.}) 11... Ba7 12. d4 Qf6 13. Re1 Ng8 14. Be3 h6 15. Kh2 {[%c_arrow g8f6;keyPressed;none;from;g8;opacity;0.8;to;f6;persistent;false,f6g4;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;g4;persistent;false,g4h6;keyPressed;none;from;g4;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false,h6g8;keyPressed;none;from;h6;opacity;0.8;to;g8;persistent;false,g8e7;keyPressed;none;from;g8;opacity;0.8;to;e7;persistent;false][%c_highlight e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false]} Nge7 {This knight has had quite a journey already, but it ultimately comes to a useful square.} 16. Bf1 Qg6 17. Bd3 f5 18. exf5 Bxf5 19. Nh4 Qf6 20. Nxf5 Nxf5 {At this point, Caruana had joined the commentary team for a few minutes. Here he expressed confidence that Nakamura would hold, and precisely on this move So makes an error.} 21. Bc2 $2 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Objectively it's a mistake, but even more importantly it helps Black liquidate.} (21. Qg4 exd4 22. cxd4 {was probably the most practical try, keeping the pieces on the board. And after} Nb4 23. Bb1 Nd5 {Black is probably still for choice, but we've kept pieces on.}) 21... exd4 22. cxd4 Ncxd4 {\"He probably missed a win or two in the armageddon,\" said So after the game.} (22... Bxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23. Nxd4 Ncxd4 24. Bxd4 Nxd4 {is even more precise since Black will also exchange the knight for bishop (Bd3 is not possible due to ...Qxf2). But this is an armageddon game with limited time and Black only needs to draw.}) 23. Bxd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A mistake. Black is now significantly better.} (23. Nxd4 Nxd4 24. Bd3 {would have preserved the bishop pair for longer.} Nc6 {But don't ask me how White is going to win even after this simple retreat. Black just needs a draw.}) 23... Bxd4 24. Bxf5 Be5+ {A mistake since it loses some of the advantage, but Black only needs to draw.} (24... Qxf5 $4 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 25. Qxd4) (24... Bxf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] was an even more clever in-between move, and Black can now start thinking about winning.}) 25. f4 Bxf4+ 26. g3 Bxg3+ 27. Kxg3 Qxf5 28. Qd2 Qg6+ 29. Kh2 Rf3 30. Qg2 Qf6 31. Rf1 Rf4 32. Rxf4 Qxf4+ 33. Kh1 c6 34. Rg1 Rg8 35. Qg3 Qf6 36. Qc3 Qxc3 37. bxc3 {We enter the key endgame. Black should be able to hold with the three pawns for knight, but things can get tricky with little time.} Re8 38. Kh2 Re4 39. Rg4 Re3 40. Rg3 Re4 41. Na5 Re7 42. Rg2 c5 {Black initiates his counterplay.} 43. Rd2 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A clever tactic.} 44. c4 (44. Rxd6 Re2+ 45. Kg3 Rxa2 {The more pawns get traded, the easier the draw becomes.}) 44... Re3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another strong move, intending ...Ra3 in some positions.} 45. cxb5 axb5 46. Nb7 c4 47. Nxd6 c3 48. Rf2 b4 {So far, so good. The draw is within reach.} 49. Kg2 Kg8 50. Nc4 Rd3 51. Na5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This has a cunning threat that's easy to miss with little time.} g5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Missing that White actually had a threat.} (51... Rd2 52. Nb3 (52. Rxd2 $4 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} cxd2 {queens.}) 52... Rb2 53. Nd4 g5 {Black will continue the plan of exchanging pawns. If they're all traded, it's a draw.}) 52. Nc6 {Surprisingly, there's just no way to defend the pawn. The knight covers d4.} c2 53. Rxc2 b3 54. axb3 Rxb3 {Polgar said by now that the position was already lost. Even if the engine can hold on, in a practical game I agree.} 55. Nd4 Rb6 {I think White will win this endgame most of the time. So I do not mark this as a mistake since one was almost inevitable, but the engine is still able to defend after this move.} (55... Rb4 56. Nf5 h5 57. Ne3 Kf7 58. Rc6 Rb1 {The engine can hold this, although there is no immediate draw. ...g4, intending to trade the pawns, is met with h4. So the plan is to just shuffle and wait for 50 moves, an uninspiring solution to the problem.} (58... g4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 59. h4 {wins.})) 56. Rc6 {A mistake, but it works out in the game.} (56. Rc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Cutting the king.} Rd6 57. Nf5 Rf6 58. Ng3 {White blockades the pawns and will slowly inch toward h6 with either the king, rook, or knight. One possible variation:} Rb6 59. Ne4 Rb2+ 60. Kg3 Rb4 61. Nf6+ Kf8 62. Rh7 {h6 will fall.}) 56... Rb4 57. Nf5 Rb2+ (57... h5 {The only move to hold. We reach the same position covered earlier. Black does not play ...g4 but instead just waits and parries threats as they come.}) 58. Kg3 Rb3+ 59. Kg2 Rb2+ 60. Kf3 {Now the king comes up the board and the pawns are lost.} Rb3+ 61. Kg4 h5+ 62. Kxg5 Kf7 63. Rf6+ Ke8 64. h4 Kd7 65. Kxh5 Rf3 66. Kg4 Rf1 67. h5 Rg1+ 68. Kf4 {Nakamura resigned with four seconds on the clock.} 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.05.30"] [Round "1"] [White "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Black "Gukesh D"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C54"] [WhiteElo "2785"] [BlackElo "2732"] [PlyCount "74"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. O-O d6 6. c3 h6 7. Nbd2 a5 8. Re1 O-O 9. Nf1 a4 10. Bb5 a3 11. b4 Bb6 12. Bc4 {A rare move already. We have only two games here.} Ne7 13. Ng3 $146 (13. Be3 Bxe3 14. Nxe3 c6 15. Bb3 Ng6 16. Qd2 Re8 17. h3 $6 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (17. c4) 17... d5 {Black was better and went on to win in Van Foreest,L (2500)-Anton Guijarro,D (2642) Skopje 2018.}) 13... Ng6 14. h3 c6 15. Bb3 d5 16. exd5 Nxd5 17. Bd2 Be6 18. Nh5 Bc7 19. d4 exd4 20. Nxd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The most natural move misses an opportunity to win material.} (20. Bxh6 $3 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] The commentators were not able to find this move before turning the engine on. Of course when someone tells you the answer, it all looks easier.} gxh6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (20... Ndf4 {is best.} 21. Bxf4 Nxf4 22. Nxf4 Bxb3 23. Qxb3 Bxf4 24. g3 Bd6 {White nabs a free pawn. Both captures are fine.}) 21. Qxd4 {White is winning. ...f6 cannot be played because the bishop on e6 hangs. So Black has to give back the piece one way or the other.}) 20... Qd6 21. Ng3 Rad8 22. Nxe6 fxe6 {This \"ruins\" Black's pawn structure, but he has opened the f-file for the rook. The position becomes very dynamic.} 23. Qg4 Ne5 24. Qe2 Nxb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A discovered attack on the d2-bishop.} 25. Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An incredible response that the commentators praised. Now the players follow the top engine moves for a while.} hxg5 26. cxb4 g6 27. Rad1 Qxb4 28. Bxe6+ $6 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] How unlucky. Again, the most natural move for Firouzja is the wrong one. It turns out the king is just safe on h8 and this loses time.} (28. Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would have put a lot of pressure on Black.} Rxd1 29. Rxd1 Qe7 {is one possible line.} 30. Qe3 Rf5 {Now White regroups his knight to d4, threatening e6.} 31. Ng3 Rf4 32. Ne2 Rb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This square for the following defense:} 33. Nd4 {Now to decline winning the e6-pawn only to win it under better conditions more than five moves later... that's high-level thinking.} c5 34. Nxe6 c4 35. Nxc7 Qxc7 36. Bc2 Rb2 {Black is equal.}) 28... Kh8 29. Rb1 $2 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Mistakes come in pairs. The game is unsalvageable after this.} ({Obligatory was} 29. Rxd8 Rxd8 30. Bb3 Rd2 31. Qe3 Qd4 32. Qxd4 Rxd4 {with some chances to hold with Re2 or Re4, but Black is better without question.}) 29... Qf4 {Black is winning.} 30. Rxb7 Nd3 31. Rd1 Nc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32. Rxc1 (32. Qc2 {leads to a loss after} Rxd1+ 33. Qxd1 Qxf2+ 34. Kh1 Bxg3) 32... Qxc1+ 33. Kh2 Rd2 {Black wins the exchange and the attack continues.} 34. Qe4 Rfxf2 {Despite all appearances, there isn't a single check on the black king. The same cannot be said for the white one.} 35. Rxc7 Rxg2+ 36. Qxg2 Rxg2+ 37. Kxg2 Qd2+ {The e6-bishop will drop off, after which Black has too many pawns and plenty of checks against an open white king.} 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.05.30"] [Round "1"] [White "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Black "Giri, Anish"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E57"] [WhiteElo "2731"] [BlackElo "2768"] [PlyCount "96"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e3 c5 8. Bxc4 cxd4 9. exd4 Nc6 10. O-O O-O 11. Rc1 b6 12. a3 Bb7 13. Bg3 Bd6 14. Ne5 Rc8 15. Bb5 $146 (15. Nxf7 {was played in a correspondence game.} Rxf7 16. Bxe6 Bxg3 17. Bxf7+ Kxf7 18. Qb3+ Kf8 19. hxg3 Na5 20. Qb4+ Kg8 21. Rfe1 {White later won although Black should be fine here, Tseng,W (2361)-Fuhrwerk,K (2213) ICCF email 2011.}) 15... Bb8 16. Qa4 Ne7 17. Nd7 Nxd7 18. Bxd7 Bxg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Playing for the advantage.} (18... Bc6 {Polgar pointed out that if Giri just wanted safety he would have played this simple move.}) 19. Bxc8 Bc6 20. Qc4 Bf4 21. Ba6 Bxc1 22. Rxc1 Qd7 {Black has a slight pull against the isolated pawn, although it's unclear if it's enough to win the game.} 23. h3 Rd8 24. Bb5 Bxb5 25. Qxb5 Nf5 ({The engine finds the hyper-precise} 25... Qxb5 26. Nxb5 a6 27. Nc7 Rxd4 28. Nxa6 Rd2 {would have offered more chances perhaps, but it's still not clear if this is enough to win.}) 26. Qxd7 Rxd7 27. Nb5 Nxd4 28. Nxd4 Rxd4 {Black wins a pawn, but here comes the counterplay.} 29. Rc8+ Kh7 30. Rc7 Kg6 31. Rxa7 Rd1+ 32. Kh2 Rd2 33. Kg3 Rxb2 34. a4 f5 35. a5 bxa5 36. Rxa5 {White achieves a four vs. three rook endgame, which is known to be a draw. Polgar pointed out that if the black pawn were on h4, Black would have some chances, but here Black doesn't have any of the \"extra advantages\" besides the pawn.} Kf6 37. h4 g5 38. hxg5+ hxg5 39. f3 {Three vs. two is even easier to defend than four vs. three.} f4+ 40. Kh3 Rb1 41. Kh2 g4 42. fxg4 e5 43. Ra8 e4 44. Re8 Re1 45. Rf8+ Kg5 46. Rg8+ Kh4 47. g5 f3 48. g6 Kg5 {After 49.gxf3 exf3 we can see 50.Kg3 Re6 with a draw.} (48... Kg5 49. gxf3 exf3 50. Kg3 Re6) 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.05.30"] [Round "2"] [White "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Black "Giri, Anish"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "E06"] [WhiteElo "2731"] [BlackElo "2768"] [PlyCount "68"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. g3 O-O 6. Bg2 dxc4 7. Ne5 c5 8. dxc5 Qxd1+ 9. Nxd1 Bxc5 10. Ne3 c3 11. bxc3 Nc6 $5 $146 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A great opening choice for armageddon. Black only needs to draw and the pawn sacrifice offered by this move leads to an equal position.} (11... Nbd7 {is the only move that has ever been played here, over a dozen times.} 12. Nd3 Rb8 {is the normal continuation.}) 12. Nd3 (12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. Bxc6 Rb8 {Black gets sufficient compensation for the pawn. The c3-pawn in particular becomes weak and Black is first to the open b-file.} 14. O-O Ba6 15. Re1 Rfc8 16. Bf3 Bd6 {with sufficient play for equality, which is all Black needs in the armageddon.}) 12... Bb6 13. Rb1 Na5 14. O-O Bd7 15. c4 Rfc8 $2 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (15... Rab8 {was necessary to avoid the tactics on b7 that we're going to see.}) 16. Ne5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Missing the one and only chance he had this game.} (16. c5 $3 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} Bxc5 17. Bd2 {The tactical point becomes clear. The knight on a5 is undermined and therefore so is b7. And there's no ...Nc4 jump as in the line with 16.Bd2 $1} Bxe3 18. Bxa5 {White wins material and the game.}) (16. Bd2 $2 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] immediately doesn't work because of} Nxc4 17. Nxc4 Rxc4 18. Bxb7 Rb8 {Black is fine.}) 16... Be8 17. Ba3 Bc5 18. Bxc5 Rxc5 19. f4 Rb8 20. Rfc1 b6 21. Nd3 Rc7 22. c5 Rbc8 23. cxb6 Rxc1+ 24. Nxc1 axb6 25. Nd3 {They have played a spectacular and accurate game, but the position is just equal. Not a good sign for Abdusattorov.} b5 26. Kf2 h6 27. Ne5 Kf8 28. g4 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29. Rb4 Rc3 30. Nd3 $6 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (30. f5 Ke7 31. h3 Ra3 32. Rb2 {would have kept more tension on the board, although it's still equal.}) 30... Ra3 31. Nc1 $2 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The last two moves by White were certainly a step in the wrong direction.} (31. Rb2 $2 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is natural but loses.} gxf4 32. Nxf4 Rxe3 {With a fork on c4. We will see this again.}) ({The engine finds attempts at equality, but no more.} 31. fxg5 hxg5 32. Nd1 {This is a nice trick, to win the pawn back with Nc3, but} Rxa2 33. Nc3 Rc2 34. Nxb5 {remember that Black only needs to draw. And g4 even hangs here.} Nxg4+ 35. Rxg4 Bxb5) 31... Bc6 {A mistake objectively but not a mistake in armageddon. Black is at least equal.} (31... Nc4 {was the best move.} 32. fxg5 hxg5 {with the cool point:} 33. Nxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Nxg4+ 34. Ke1 bxc4 {The c-pawn is immune and Ne3 is coming next.} 35. Rxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Ne3 {The bishop on g2 is lost.}) 32. fxg5 hxg5 33. Bf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This loses on the spot, but already it's hard to see how White will steer the game into anything more than equal.} Bxf3 34. exf3 Rxe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a fork on d5.} 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.05.30"] [Round "1"] [White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Black "Tari, Aryan"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D32"] [WhiteElo "2738"] [BlackElo "2642"] [PlyCount "61"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Bg5 Be7 7. Bxe7 Ngxe7 8. e3 c4 9. Be2 O-O 10. O-O Rb8 11. e4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] We can say that White started drifting here. Black has already equalized and White may already need to look for a bailout with ...b5-b4 coming.} (11. b3 {is the engine's favorite move and the position simplified after} b5 12. bxc4 bxc4 13. e4 dxe4 14. Nxe4 Bg4 15. Bxc4 Bxf3 16. Qxf3 Qxd4 {Black was equal in Bartel,M (2624)-Petr,M (2521) Czech Republic 2012.}) 11... b5 12. Qd2 (12. b3 {again is recommended, similarly to move 11.} dxe4 13. Nxe4 cxb3 14. axb3 Bg4 15. Re1 {with close to equality. If Black takes on f3 and d4, he loses a7.}) 12... dxe4 13. Nxe4 Be6 14. Rad1 Bd5 $146 (14... Qc7 15. Nc5 {This is the problem with ...Qc7, that it walks into the threat of Na6.} Qd6 16. Nxe6 fxe6 17. Rfe1 Nd5 {Black was equal in Sorin,A (2460)-Reides,M (2315) Buenos Aires 1998.}) (14... Qc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] intending ...Rd8 and avoiding the fork Nc5-Na6.} 15. Qg5 f6 16. Qc5 Nd5 {would have left Black with a slight advantage.}) 15. Nc3 Qd6 16. Ne5 Rfd8 17. Bf3 Bxf3 18. Nxf3 Nf5 {This allows a strong response to equalize.} ({Black could push White back faster with the committal yet strong} 18... b4 19. Ne2 Nd5 20. Rc1 Na5 {with a slight advantage for Black with the queenside space.}) 19. d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nb4 20. Nd4 {Two powerful moves in a row, playing dynamically to compensate for the weak pawn. b5 and f5 hang for Black, so his hand is forced.} Nxd4 21. Qxd4 a6 22. a4 h6 23. h3 {The engine suggests greater chances with the move ...f5, ...Kh8, or ...Kf8, but it's hard to believe a human would play any of these moves in a game.} Nd3 {Very natural, but now equality comes in a forcing manner.} 24. axb5 axb5 25. b3 {Undermining the pawn structure.} Qb6 (25... b4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 26. bxc4 {The knight on d3 hangs too.}) 26. Nxb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Tactically aware.} cxb3 {And now mass liquidation.} (26... Qxb5 $4 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 27. bxc4 {White would win the knight and then win the game with the two extra pawns.}) 27. Rxd3 Qxb5 28. Rb1 Qb4 29. Qxb4 Rxb4 30. Rdxb3 Rxb3 31. Rxb3 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.05.30"] [Round "2"] [White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Black "Tari, Aryan"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A13"] [WhiteElo "2738"] [BlackElo "2642"] [PlyCount "93"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 Nf6 4. b3 Be7 5. Bb2 O-O 6. g4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] g4 for glory $1} Nxg4 7. Rg1 f5 $146 {A fine move.} (7... Bf6 8. Nc3 Ne5 9. Nxe5 Bxe5 10. Qh5 {with equal chances in Sekar,B (2286)-Tharushi,T (1711) Chess.com INT 2021.}) 8. Nc3 Bf6 9. Qc2 c6 10. d4 a5 11. O-O-O Nd7 12. Kb1 Kh8 13. h3 Nh6 14. h4 Nf7 15. Ne2 a4 16. Nf4 axb3 17. axb3 Re8 18. Nh5 Qa5 19. Ng5 Nh6 20. f3 b5 21. c5 b4 22. Qg2 Qa2+ $4 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Blunder;persistent;true] After accurate play by both sides for a while, a slip by Tari.} (22... Re7 23. Kc2 Qd8 {It was important to keep the queen connected with the kingside, in case of a needed defense.}) 23. Kc2 {Black cannot both save the queen from the threat of Ra1 and also defend the kingside.} Re7 ({Saving the queen loses everything else.} 23... Qa5 24. Nf7+ Nxf7 25. Nxf6 g6 26. Nxe8) 24. Ra1 Qxa1 25. Bxa1 Rxa1 26. Kb2 {Mamedyarov has the extra queen. Here comes the Shakh attack.} Ra3 27. Nxf6 Nxf6 28. Bd3 f4 29. Qd2 Nf5 30. Qxb4 Ra8 31. Ra1 Rxa1 32. Kxa1 h6 33. Qb8 hxg5 34. hxg5 Nh5 35. Qxc8+ {The black pawns will drop like leaves in fall.} Kh7 36. e4 dxe4 37. Bxe4 Nhg3 38. Bd3 Kg6 39. Qxc6 Kxg5 40. Bxf5 Nxf5 41. Qe4 Rd7 42. c6 Ra7+ 43. Kb2 Kf6 44. c7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Using little tactics now to push the pawn forward.} Ne7 (44... Rxc7 45. Qe5+) 45. Qxf4+ Kg6 46. Qd6 Kf7 47. Qxe7+ {You'll take that white queen and put her right back on c8 next move.} 1-0 [Event "-"] [Site "-"] [Date "2023.05.31"] [Round "3"] [Board "1"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C65"] [WhiteElo "2853"] [BlackElo "2760"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/loepare"] [PlyCount "62"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 {[%eval 36,0]} e5 {[%eval 35,0]} 2. Nf3 {[%eval 29,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 32,0]} 3. Bb5 {[%eval 34,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 34,0]} 4. d3 {[%eval 25,0]} Bc5 {[%eval 22,0]} 5. Bxc6 {[%eval 18,0]} dxc6 {[%eval 15,0]} 6. O-O {[%eval 3,0]} Nd7 {[%eval 3,0]} 7. h3 {[%eval 6,0]} O-O {[%eval 29,0]} 8. Nc3 {[%eval 1,0]} a5 {[%eval 3,0]} 9. a4 {[%eval 5,0]} f6 {[%eval 18,0]} 10. Qe2 {[%eval 1,0]} Re8 {[%eval 0,0]} 11. Be3 {[%eval 0,0]} Bd6 {[%eval 28,0]} 12. Nd2 {[%eval 9,0]} Nf8 {[%eval 12,0]} 13. f3 {[%eval 9,0]} Ng6 {[%eval 3,0]} 14. Qf2 {[%eval 3,0]} Be6 {[%eval 8,0]} 15. Ne2 {[%eval 16,0]} Qd7 {[%eval 9,0]} 16. b3 {[%eval 1,0]} Bb4 {[%eval 11,0]} 17. Rad1 {[%eval 2,0]} b6 {[%eval 8,0]} 18. g4 {[%eval 1,0]} b5 {[%eval 0,0]} 19. h4 {[%eval 37,0]} bxa4 {[%eval 23,0]} 20. bxa4 {[%eval 25,0]} Bd6 {[%eval 7,0]} 21. Qh2 {[%eval 61,0]} c5 $6 {[%eval 0,0] Inaccuracy. Nf8 was best.} (21... Nf8 22. Ra1 Reb8 23. Qf2 Rb4 24. Rfb1 c5 25. Nc3 c4 26. Nxc4 Bxc4 27. dxc4 Rxc4 28. Qd2) 22. h5 {[%eval 2,0]} Nf4 {[%eval 9,0]} 23. Ra1 {[%eval 26,0]} Nxe2+ {[%eval 46,0]} 24. Qxe2 {[%eval 35,0]} Reb8 {[%eval 21,0]} 25. c4 {[%eval 47,0]} Rb4 {[%eval 38,0]} 26. Nb1 {[%eval 58,0]} Rxa4 {[%eval 47,0]} 27. Rxa4 {[%eval 4,0]} Qxa4 {[%eval 68,0]} 28. Nc3 {[%eval 49,0]} Qc6 {[%eval 56,0]} 29. Ra1 {[%eval 55,0]} a4 {[%eval 57,0]} 30. Qc2 {[%eval 65,0]} Bd7 {[%eval 49,0]} 31. Ra2 {[%eval 33,0]} Kf7 1/2-1/2 [Event "Norway Chess"] [Site "-"] [Date "2023.05.31"] [Round "3"] [Board "2"] [White "Tari, Aryan"] [Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B30"] [WhiteElo "2642"] [BlackElo "2731"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/loepare"] [PlyCount "92"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 {[%eval 36,0]} c5 {[%eval 32,0]} 2. Nf3 {[%eval 0,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 0,0]} 3. Bb5 {[%eval 37,0]} d6 {[%eval 54,0]} 4. O-O {[%eval 45,0]} Bd7 {[%eval 35,0]} 5. Re1 {[%eval 48,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 65,0]} 6. h3 {[%eval 28,0]} a6 {[%eval 72,0]} 7. Bf1 {[%eval 25,0]} Rg8 {[%eval 71,0]} 8. d3 {[%eval 48,0]} h6 {[%eval 45,0]} 9. b4 {[%eval 36,0]} cxb4 {[%eval 53,0]} 10. a3 {[%eval 48,0]} b3 {[%eval 52,0]} 11. c4 {[%eval 13,0]} g5 {[%eval 55,0]} 12. Qxb3 {[%eval 0,0]} g4 {[%eval 29,0]} 13. hxg4 {[%eval 8,0]} Nxg4 {[%eval 0,0]} 14. d4 {[%eval 15,0]} Qa5 $6 {[%eval 103,0] Inaccuracy. e5 was best.} (14... e5) 15. Nc3 {[%eval 103,0]} Bg7 {[%eval 96,0]} 16. e5 {[%eval 108,0]} dxe5 {[%eval 114,0]} 17. Bd2 {[%eval 115,0]} Qd8 {[%eval 103,0]} 18. d5 {[%eval 98,0]} Nd4 {[%eval 95,0]} 19. Nxd4 {[%eval 85,0]} exd4 {[%eval 81,0]} 20. Ne4 {[%eval 91,0]} Be5 {[%eval 96,0]} 21. f4 {[%eval 81,0]} Bh8 {[%eval 66,0]} 22. c5 {[%eval 47,0]} Kf8 {[%eval 78,0]} 23. Rac1 $6 {[%eval 0,0] Inaccuracy. Rab1 was best.} (23. Rab1) 23... d3 {[%eval 46,0]} 24. Bc3 {[%eval 34,0]} e6 $2 {[%eval 113,0] Mistake. f5 was best.} (24... f5 25. Nd2) 25. c6 {[%eval 100,0]} Bxc3 {[%eval 101,0]} 26. Qxc3 {[%eval 109,0]} Qh4 $4 {[%eval 432,0] Blunder. bxc6 was best.} (26... bxc6) 27. Qc5+ $4 {[%eval 39,0] Blunder. Qb4+ was best.} (27. Qb4+ Kg7 28. Qb2+ e5 29. g3 Qh5 30. cxd7 Rad8 31. Rc7 f6 32. Bxd3 Kh8 33. Nd6 Rg7) 27... Kg7 {[%eval 46,0]} 28. Bxd3 {[%eval 43,0]} Qh2+ {[%eval 43,0]} 29. Kf1 {[%eval 36,0]} Qxf4+ {[%eval 12,0]} 30. Ke2 {[%eval 17,0]} exd5 {[%eval 19,0]} 31. Rf1 $4 {[%eval -195,0] Blunder. Qd4+ was best.} (31. Qd4+ Qe5 32. Qxe5+ Nxe5 33. cxd7 dxe4 34. Bxe4 Nxd7 35. Kf1 Nf6 36. Bxb7 Ra7 37. Bf3 Rd8) 31... Qe5 {[%eval -8,0]} 32. cxd7 {[%eval -7,0]} Rad8 {[%eval -7,0]} 33. Qc3 {[%eval -12,0]} dxe4 {[%eval -91,0]} 34. Bxe4 {[%eval -14,0]} Rxd7 {[%eval -5,0]} 35. Rf4 {[%eval -14,0]} Qxc3 {[%eval -4,0]} 36. Rxc3 {[%eval -3,0]} Ne5 {[%eval -91,0]} 37. Rg3+ {[%eval -188,0]} Ng6 {[%eval -176,0]} 38. Rfg4 {[%eval -121,0]} Re8 {[%eval -115,0]} 39. Kf2 {[%eval -135,0]} Re6 {[%eval -165,0]} 40. Bd3 {[%eval -156,0]} a5 {[%eval -173,0]} 41. a4 {[%eval -147,0]} b6 {[%eval -134,0]} 42. Kg1 {[%eval -261,0]} Rd5 $6 {[%eval -154,0] Inaccuracy. h5 was best.} (42... h5 43. Rg5 h4 44. Rh3 Rd4 45. Bc2 Re5 46. Rxe5 Nxe5 47. Rc3 Kf6 48. Kh2 Kg5 49. Kh3) 43. Bc4 {[%eval -128,0]} Rd1+ {[%eval -115,0]} 44. Kh2 $6 {[%eval -207,0] Inaccuracy. Kf2 was best.} (44. Kf2 Rf6+ 45. Ke2 Rb1 46. Ke3 Ra1 47. Bb5 Ra2 48. Kd4 h5 49. Rg5 Rf4+ 50. Kd5 h4) 44... Ree1 {[%eval -384,0]} 45. Rf3 {[%eval -339,0]} h5 {[%eval -329,0]} 46. Rg5 {[%eval -461,0]} h4 {[%eval -471,0]} 0-1 [Event "Norway Chess"] [Site "-"] [Date "2023.05.31"] [Round "3"] [Board "3"] [White "Gukesh D"] [Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "D32"] [WhiteElo "2732"] [BlackElo "2775"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/loepare"] [PlyCount "142"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. d4 {[%eval 0,0]} d5 {[%eval 27,0]} 2. c4 {[%eval 29,0]} e6 {[%eval 3,0]} 3. Nc3 {[%eval 39,0]} c5 {[%eval 63,0]} 4. e3 {[%eval 12,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 22,0]} 5. Nf3 {[%eval 8,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 15,0]} 6. a3 {[%eval 5,0]} dxc4 {[%eval 19,0]} 7. Bxc4 {[%eval 0,0]} a6 {[%eval 8,0]} 8. O-O {[%eval 9,0]} b5 {[%eval 19,0]} 9. Bd3 {[%eval 15,0]} Bb7 {[%eval 14,0]} 10. Re1 {[%eval 0,0]} Qc7 {[%eval 7,0]} 11. Qe2 {[%eval 13,0]} Rd8 {[%eval 12,0]} 12. Rd1 {[%eval 22,0]} cxd4 {[%eval 28,0]} 13. exd4 {[%eval 32,0]} Be7 {[%eval 19,0]} 14. a4 {[%eval 24,0]} b4 {[%eval 38,0]} 15. Ne4 {[%eval 31,0]} Nxe4 {[%eval 31,0]} 16. Bxe4 {[%eval 43,0]} O-O {[%eval 48,0]} 17. Be3 {[%eval 2,0]} Na5 {[%eval 5,0]} 18. Rac1 {[%eval 44,0]} Qb8 {[%eval 31,0]} 19. Bb1 {[%eval 8,0]} Bd5 {[%eval 28,0]} 20. Ne5 {[%eval 22,0]} Qb7 {[%eval 31,0]} 21. Bd3 {[%eval 35,0]} Ra8 {[%eval 28,0]} 22. Bf4 {[%eval 21,0]} f5 {[%eval 38,0]} 23. Nf3 {[%eval 4,0]} Bd8 {[%eval 33,0]} 24. Re1 {[%eval 25,0]} Nb3 {[%eval 3,0]} 25. Rc2 {[%eval 18,0]} Bb6 {[%eval 17,0]} 26. Qe5 $6 {[%eval 46,0] Inaccuracy. Qe3 was best.} (26. Qe3 Bxf3 27. Qxe6+ Kh8 28. Qxb3 Bxg2 29. Be5 Rad8 30. Rd2 Bh3 31. Be4 fxe4 32. Qxh3 Bc7) 26... Rac8 $6 {[%eval 35,0] Inaccuracy. a5 was best.} (26... a5 27. h4) 27. Rxc8 {[%eval 2,0]} Rxc8 {[%eval 1,0]} 28. Qe2 {[%eval 0,0]} Ra8 {[%eval 24,0]} 29. Qe3 {[%eval 7,0]} Qc6 {[%eval 1,0]} 30. Be5 {[%eval 3,0]} Qd7 {[%eval 29,0]} 31. Ng5 {[%eval 0,0]} Na5 {[%eval 4,0]} 32. h4 {[%eval 4,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 12,0]} 33. Rc1 {[%eval 33,0]} Nxe5 {[%eval 35,0]} 34. Qxe5 {[%eval 48,0]} h6 {[%eval 53,0]} 35. Nh3 {[%eval 62,0]} Rc8 {[%eval 8,0]} 36. Re1 $2 {[%eval -59,0] Mistake. Rxc8+ was best.} (36. Rxc8+) 36... a5 {[%eval -99,0]} 37. Bb5 {[%eval 92,0]} Qc7 {[%eval 85,0]} 38. Qe3 {[%eval 8,0]} Qd6 {[%eval 85,0]} 39. Bd3 $4 {[%eval -122,0] Blunder. Nf4 was best.} (39. Nf4) 39... Ba2 {[%eval -112,0]} 40. Nf4 {[%eval -126,0]} Bxd4 {[%eval -191,0]} 41. Qd2 {[%eval -275,0]} Be5 {[%eval -128,0]} 42. Ng6 {[%eval -114,0]} Bf6 {[%eval -139,0]} 43. Qe2 {[%eval -136,0]} Qd4 {[%eval -299,0]} 44. Rd1 {[%eval -273,0]} Bb3 {[%eval -241,0]} 45. Rd2 {[%eval -233,0]} Rd8 {[%eval -298,0]} 46. h5 {[%eval -114,0]} Qg4 {[%eval -106,0]} 47. Qe3 {[%eval -267,0]} Bd4 $4 {[%eval 85,0] Blunder. Qd4 was best.} (47... Qd4 48. Qe2 Qd6 49. Qf3 Qc5 50. Re2 Bd1 51. g3 Bxb2 52. Nf4 Qd6 53. Bc4 Bxe2 54. Bxe2) 48. Be2 $4 {[%eval -135,0] Blunder. Bf1 was best.} (48. Bf1 Bxa4) 48... Qe4 {[%eval -115,0]} 49. Qxe4 $6 {[%eval -213,0] Inaccuracy. Qg3 was best.} (49. Qg3 f4 50. Qf3 Qxf3 51. Bxf3 Bb6 52. Rxd8+ Bxd8 53. Nxf4 Bf6 54. Nd3 Bxa4 55. Nc5 Bc2) 49... fxe4 {[%eval -219,0]} 50. Kf1 {[%eval -237,0]} Bf6 {[%eval -218,0]} 51. Rxd8+ {[%eval -212,0]} Bxd8 {[%eval -397,0]} 52. Ne5 {[%eval -212,0]} Bxa4 {[%eval -219,0]} 53. Bc4 {[%eval -215,0]} Kf8 {[%eval -211,0]} 54. Bxe6 {[%eval -207,0]} Bf6 $6 {[%eval -295,0] Inaccuracy. Ke7 was best.} (54... Ke7 55. Bc4 Be8 56. b3 Kf6 57. Ng6 a4 58. bxa4 Bxa4 59. Bd5 Bc2 60. Ke2 b3 61. Kd2) 55. Ng6+ {[%eval -235,0]} Ke8 {[%eval -221,0]} 56. b3 {[%eval -224,0]} Bb5+ {[%eval -241,0]} 57. Ke1 {[%eval -262,0]} Bc3+ {[%eval -238,0]} 58. Kd1 {[%eval -234,0]} Bd4 {[%eval -256,0]} 59. Bd5 {[%eval -243,0]} Bxf2 {[%eval -204,0]} 60. Bxe4 {[%eval -205,0]} Bd4 {[%eval -276,0]} 61. Bd5 {[%eval -237,0]} Kd7 {[%eval -294,0]} 62. Nh4 {[%eval -223,0]} Kd6 {[%eval -224,0]} 63. Bg8 {[%eval -392,0]} Bd7 {[%eval -206,0]} 64. Bf7 {[%eval -389,0]} Bf6 {[%eval -377,0]} 65. Nf3 {[%eval -374,0]} Bc6 {[%eval -292,0]} 66. Bg6 {[%eval -389,0]} Bd5 {[%eval -235,0]} 67. Kc2 {[%eval -245,0]} Bc3 {[%eval -391,0]} 68. Bf5 {[%eval -343,0]} Ke7 {[%eval -356,0]} 69. Bg6 {[%eval -391,0]} Kf6 {[%eval -302,0]} 70. Bd3 {[%eval -305,0]} Bf7 {[%eval -391,0]} 71. g4 {[%eval -434,0]} Be6 {[%eval -494,0]} 0-1 [Event "Norway Chess"] [Site "-"] [Date "2023.05.31"] [Round "3"] [Board "5"] [White "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D20"] [WhiteElo "2785"] [BlackElo "2738"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/loepare"] [PlyCount "80"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. d4 {[%eval 0,0]} d5 {[%eval 27,0]} 2. c4 {[%eval 29,0]} dxc4 {[%eval 33,0]} 3. e4 {[%eval 0,0]} e5 {[%eval 5,0]} 4. Nf3 {[%eval 34,0]} Bb4+ {[%eval 17,0]} 5. Nc3 {[%eval 27,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 28,0]} 6. Nxe5 {[%eval 57,0]} b5 {[%eval 36,0]} 7. f3 {[%eval 41,0]} O-O {[%eval 74,0]} 8. a3 {[%eval 31,0]} Ba5 {[%eval 27,0]} 9. a4 {[%eval 23,0]} a6 {[%eval 29,0]} 10. Be2 {[%eval 13,0]} Nfd7 {[%eval 23,0]} 11. Be3 {[%eval 8,0]} c6 {[%eval 6,0]} 12. Nxd7 $6 {[%eval 0,0] Inaccuracy. O-O was best.} (12. O-O) 12... Nxd7 {[%eval 23,0]} 13. O-O {[%eval 3,0]} Bb7 {[%eval 44,0]} 14. Qe1 {[%eval 2,0]} f5 {[%eval 5,0]} 15. exf5 {[%eval 1,0]} Rxf5 {[%eval 0,0]} 16. Bd1 {[%eval 48,0]} Rf7 {[%eval 28,0]} 17. Qg3 {[%eval 45,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 54,0]} 18. Bc2 {[%eval 76,0]} Nd5 $2 {[%eval 81,0] Mistake. b4 was best.} (18... b4) 19. Bg5 $2 {[%eval 34,0] Mistake. Nxd5 was best.} (19. Nxd5) 19... Qb6 {[%eval 16,0]} 20. Qh4 {[%eval 28,0]} h6 {[%eval 0,0]} 21. Bd2 $6 {[%eval 77,0] Inaccuracy. Kh1 was best.} (21. Kh1 Nxc3 22. bxc3 Bxc3 23. Qe4 hxg5 24. Qh7+ Kf8 25. Rae1 Rf6 26. Qh8+ Kf7 27. Qh5+ Kf8) 21... Nb4 $6 {[%eval 19,0] Inaccuracy. b4 was best.} (21... b4 22. Nxd5) 22. Bg6 {[%eval 32,0]} Rf6 {[%eval 34,0]} 23. Bb1 {[%eval 32,0]} Nd3 {[%eval 27,0]} 24. Be3 {[%eval 37,0]} Bxc3 {[%eval 52,0]} 25. bxc3 {[%eval 23,0]} Re8 {[%eval 44,0]} 26. Bf2 {[%eval 57,0]} Nf4 {[%eval -88,0]} 27. Kh1 {[%eval 99,0]} c5 $2 {[%eval 36,0] Mistake. g5 was best.} (27... g5 28. Qg3 Qd8 29. Bg1 Ne2 30. Qf2 Nxc3 31. Qc2 Nxb1 32. Rfxb1 Bc8 33. axb5 cxb5 34. Re1) 28. axb5 $2 {[%eval -75,0] Mistake. dxc5 was best.} (28. dxc5 Qc6 29. Bd4 Nxg2 30. Qg3 Nf4 31. axb5 axb5 32. Bxf6 Qxf6 33. Ra7 Bd5 34. Rxg7+ Qxg7) 28... axb5 $4 {[%eval 41,0] Blunder. Qxb5 was best.} (28... Qxb5) 29. Qg3 $4 {[%eval -45,0] Blunder. dxc5 was best.} (29. dxc5 Qc6 30. Bd4 Nxg2 31. Qg3 Nf4 32. Bxf6 Qxf6 33. Ra7 Bd5 34. Rxg7+ Qxg7 35. Qxf4 Rf8) 29... Nxg2 $4 {[%eval 59,0] Blunder. Ne2 was best.} (29... Ne2) 30. dxc5 {[%eval 2,0]} Qc6 {[%eval 39,0]} 31. Bd4 {[%eval 31,0]} Ne3 $2 {[%eval 164,0] Mistake. Nf4 was best.} (31... Nf4 32. Bxf6 Qxf6 33. Ra7 Bd5 34. Rxg7+ Qxg7 35. Qxf4 Rf8 36. Bf5 Kh8 37. Rg1 Qf6 38. Qe3) 32. Rf2 {[%eval 108,0]} Nd1 {[%eval 152,0]} 33. Rg2 {[%eval 157,0]} g5 {[%eval 177,0]} 34. Be4 {[%eval 174,0]} Rxe4 {[%eval 147,0]} 35. Bxf6 {[%eval 186,0]} Re3 $6 {[%eval 308,0] Inaccuracy. Qxf6 was best.} (35... Qxf6 36. Rxd1) 36. Rxd1 {[%eval 329,0]} Rxf3 {[%eval 324,0]} 37. Qb8+ {[%eval 308,0]} Kf7 {[%eval 308,0]} 38. Bd4 $6 {[%eval 200,0] Inaccuracy. Be7 was best.} (38. Be7) 38... Rf4 {[%eval 206,0]} 39. Rdd2 {[%eval 305,0]} Qf3 $6 {[%eval 436,0] Inaccuracy. Qe4 was best.} (39... Qe4 40. Bg1) 40. h3 $6 {[%eval 208,0] Inaccuracy. Be3 was best.} (40. Be3 Qf1+ 41. Bg1 Bxg2+ 42. Rxg2 Qf3 43. Qxb5 Qd5 44. Qb1 Re4 45. Qb2 Ke8 46. Qf2 Re7) 40... Qxh3+ {[%eval 263,0]} 1-0 [Event "Norway Chess"] [Site "-"] [Date "2023.05.31"] [Round "4"] [Board "1"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C65"] [WhiteElo "2853"] [BlackElo "2760"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/loepare"] [PlyCount "65"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 {[%eval 36,0]} e5 {[%eval 35,0]} 2. Nf3 {[%eval 29,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 32,0]} 3. Bb5 {[%eval 34,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 34,0]} 4. d3 {[%eval 25,0]} Bc5 {[%eval 22,0]} 5. Bxc6 {[%eval 18,0]} dxc6 {[%eval 15,0]} 6. O-O {[%eval 3,0]} Bd6 {[%eval 1,0]} 7. Bg5 {[%eval 3,0]} h6 {[%eval 26,0]} 8. Bh4 {[%eval 2,0]} Qe7 {[%eval 29,0]} 9. d4 $6 {[%eval 27,0] Inaccuracy. Nbd2 was best.} (9. Nbd2 g5 10. Bg3 Bg4 11. Nc4 Nd7 12. h3 Bh5 13. d4 f6 14. c3 O-O-O 15. Re1 Nb6) 9... Bg4 {[%eval 45,0]} 10. Nbd2 {[%eval 37,0]} O-O-O {[%eval 45,0]} 11. Re1 {[%eval 93,0]} g5 {[%eval 95,0]} 12. Bg3 {[%eval -94,0]} Nh5 {[%eval -94,0]} 13. c3 {[%eval 97,0]} exd4 {[%eval -85,0]} 14. cxd4 {[%eval -71,0]} Bb4 {[%eval -89,0]} 15. Qa4 {[%eval -94,0]} Bxf3 {[%eval -46,0]} 16. Nxf3 {[%eval -43,0]} Bxe1 {[%eval -94,0]} 17. Qxa7 {[%eval -38,0]} Qb4 {[%eval -51,0]} 18. Rxe1 {[%eval -42,0]} Nxg3 {[%eval -85,0]} 19. hxg3 {[%eval -98,0]} Qb6 $2 {[%eval 7,0] Mistake. Kd7 was best.} (19... Kd7 20. d5) 20. Qa8+ {[%eval 8,0]} Kd7 {[%eval 0,0]} 21. Qa4 $6 {[%eval 63,0] Inaccuracy. Qa3 was best.} (21. Qa3 Rhe8 22. Ne5+ Rxe5 23. dxe5 Ke8 24. Rf1 Qd4 25. Qb3 Qb6 26. Qc2 Qd4 27. e6 fxe6) 21... f6 $2 {[%eval 78,0] Mistake. Qb5 was best.} (21... Qb5 22. Qc2) 22. d5 $2 {[%eval 59,0] Mistake. e5 was best.} (22. e5 Rhe8) 22... Kc8 $6 {[%eval 47,0] Inaccuracy. Qa6 was best.} (22... Qa6 23. Qc2) 23. e5 {[%eval 63,0]} Kb8 {[%eval 62,0]} 24. exf6 {[%eval 4,0]} cxd5 {[%eval 59,0]} 25. f7 {[%eval 5,0]} Qf6 $6 {[%eval 121,0] Inaccuracy. Rhf8 was best.} (25... Rhf8 26. Re8) 26. Ne5 {[%eval 97,0]} Rhf8 {[%eval 104,0]} 27. Re3 {[%eval 118,0]} Rxf7 {[%eval 157,0]} 28. Ra3 {[%eval 152,0]} c6 {[%eval 104,0]} 29. Qa7+ {[%eval 105,0]} Kc7 $6 {[%eval 262,0] Inaccuracy. Kc8 was best.} (29... Kc8 30. Rf3 Qxe5 31. Rxf7 Qe1+ 32. Kh2 Rd7 33. Qa8+ Kc7 34. Rxd7+ Kxd7 35. Qxb7+ Kd6 36. Qb8+) 30. Rb3 {[%eval 273,0]} Rb8 31. Rf3 Qxe5 32. Rxf7+ Kd8 33. Rf8+ 1-0 [Event "Norway Chess"] [Site "-"] [Date "2023.05.31"] [Round "4"] [Board "4"] [White "Giri, Anish"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "A14"] [WhiteElo "2768"] [BlackElo "2764"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/loepare"] [PlyCount "66"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. c4 {[%eval 23,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 29,0]} 2. g3 {[%eval 13,0]} e6 {[%eval 35,0]} 3. Bg2 {[%eval 15,0]} d5 {[%eval 33,0]} 4. Nf3 {[%eval 22,0]} Be7 {[%eval 3,0]} 5. O-O {[%eval 23,0]} O-O {[%eval 29,0]} 6. d4 {[%eval 22,0]} dxc4 {[%eval 31,0]} 7. Qc2 {[%eval 25,0]} a6 {[%eval 19,0]} 8. a4 {[%eval 35,0]} Bd7 {[%eval 32,0]} 9. Qxc4 {[%eval 2,0]} Bc6 {[%eval 24,0]} 10. Bf4 {[%eval 29,0]} Bd6 {[%eval 23,0]} 11. Nc3 {[%eval 1,0]} Bxf4 {[%eval 25,0]} 12. gxf4 {[%eval 12,0]} a5 {[%eval 14,0]} 13. e3 {[%eval 25,0]} Na6 {[%eval 21,0]} 14. h3 {[%eval 16,0]} Nb4 {[%eval 17,0]} 15. Kh2 {[%eval 13,0]} g6 {[%eval 1,0]} 16. Rg1 {[%eval 7,0]} Qe7 {[%eval 6,0]} 17. Ng5 {[%eval 1,0]} Bxg2 {[%eval 0,0]} 18. Rxg2 {[%eval 0,0]} Rac8 {[%eval 0,0]} 19. Nge4 {[%eval 2,0]} b6 {[%eval 0,0]} 20. Rg5 {[%eval 25,0]} Nxe4 {[%eval 22,0]} 21. Nxe4 {[%eval 29,0]} c5 {[%eval 32,0]} 22. dxc5 {[%eval 37,0]} f5 {[%eval 3,0]} 23. Nc3 {[%eval 37,0]} Rxc5 {[%eval 34,0]} 24. Qe2 {[%eval 76,0]} e5 {[%eval 95,0]} 25. Rag1 {[%eval 99,0]} Kh8 {[%eval 77,0]} 26. Qf3 {[%eval -98,0]} exf4 {[%eval 77,0]} 27. exf4 {[%eval 86,0]} Rd8 {[%eval 85,0]} 28. h4 {[%eval -72,0]} Rd3 $2 {[%eval 0,0] Mistake. Nc2 was best.} (28... Nc2) 29. Qa8+ $6 {[%eval 95,0] Inaccuracy. Qh5 was best.} (29. Qh5 Rc6 30. Rxg6 Rxg6 31. Rxg6 Rf3 32. Qxf3 Qxh4+ 33. Kg2 hxg6 34. Qa8+ Kg7 35. Qa7+ Kh6) 29... Rd8 $6 {[%eval 35,0] Inaccuracy. Kg7 was best.} (29... Kg7 30. h5) 30. Qg2 $4 {[%eval -272,0] Blunder. Re1 was best.} (30. Re1 Qd6 31. Qf3 Nc6 32. Nb5 Qf6 33. Qe3 Rc4 34. Qe6 Qxe6 35. Rxe6 Nd4 36. Nxd4 Rdxd4) 30... Nd3 {[%eval -125,0]} 31. Qf3 $6 {[%eval -214,0] Inaccuracy. Qg3 was best.} (31. Qg3 Rc4 32. Rd1 Nxf4 33. Qe3 Re8 34. Qxe7 Rxe7 35. Rg3 Rb4 36. Rd2 Nh5 37. Rgd3 Rxh4+) 31... Rc4 {[%eval -400,0]} 32. Qg3 $6 {[%eval -487,0] Inaccuracy. Qe3 was best.} (32. Qe3 Qf6 33. Rd1 Rxf4 34. Kg1 Rxh4 35. Rg2 Nf4 36. Rxd8+ Qxd8 37. Qe5+ Kg8 38. Rg3 Kf7) 32... Rxf4 {[%eval -499,0]} 33. f3 {[%eval -409,0]} h6 $6 {[%eval -353,0] Inaccuracy. Rdd4 was best.} (33... Rdd4 34. Rh5 Rxh4+ 35. Rxh4 Rxh4+ 36. Kg2 f4 37. Qxh4 Qxh4 38. Ne4 Nc5 39. Nf2 Qg3+ 40. Kf1) 0-1 [Event "Norway Chess 2023"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.05.31"] [Round "3"] [White "Gukesh D"] [Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "D40"] [WhiteElo "2732"] [BlackElo "2775"] [PlyCount "142"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. e3 Nf6 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. a3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 a6 8. O-O b5 9. Bd3 Bb7 10. Re1 Qc7 11. Qe2 Rd8 12. Rd1 cxd4 $5 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} (12... Be7 13. dxc5 Bxc5 14. b4 Be7 {Lawrence Trent didn't go for the IQP position in Jankovic,A (2554)-Trent,L (2479) Granada 2015.}) 13. exd4 {Nakamura mentioned that he went for this isolated queen's pawn position hoping for an imbalanced fight.} Be7 {Already an almost new position, although thematically it's somewhat familiar.} 14. a4 $146 (14. h3 O-O 15. Be3 h6 16. Rac1 Qb8 {was equal if White played Bb1 or Ne4 in Jonsson,B (2012)-Jonsson,O (1913) Reykjavik 2009.}) 14... b4 15. Ne4 Nxe4 16. Bxe4 O-O 17. Be3 Na5 18. Rac1 Qb8 19. Bb1 {Nakamura wasn't sure about this move after the game, and indeed White could have gone for more.} (19. Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bxe4 20. Nxe4 Nb3 21. Rc2 {White can almost pre-move Nc5 here, which, if captured, will repair the white pawn structure and create a passed pawn. Slight adcvantage.}) 19... Bd5 20. Ne5 Qb7 21. Bd3 Ra8 22. Bf4 f5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Positionally, it's a concession because it creates a weak e6-pawn. But Nakamura also limits the scope of the d3-bishop and gains space.} (22... Nb3 23. Rc2 Nxd4 24. Bxh7+ Kxh7 25. Qh5+ Kg8 26. Rxd4 {would be equa by the engine, although it does look scary for Black if White can play Rd3-h3.} Rac8 (26... Bxg2 $2 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 27. Rd7) 27. Rd3 Bf3 $3 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] And this is the only move to defend. In a practical game, I think this is why you just cannot go for this line.} 28. Rxf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (28. gxf3 Rxc2 29. Rd7 {is the main line with more insanity after} Rc7 30. Nxf7 Rxd7 31. Nh6+ gxh6 32. Qg6+ {And this is how the engine reaches its 0.00 evaluation.}) 28... Qe4 {is the point. Black wins.}) 23. Nf3 Bd8 24. Re1 Nb3 25. Rc2 Bb6 26. Qe5 Rac8 27. Rxc8 Rxc8 28. Qe2 Ra8 29. Qe3 Qc6 30. Be5 Qd7 31. Ng5 Na5 32. h4 Nc6 33. Rc1 Nxe5 34. Qxe5 h6 35. Nh3 Rc8 36. Re1 $2 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After lots of maneuvering, this is where Black begins to take over.} (36. Rxc8+ Qxc8 37. Qe3 {Controlling the key dark squares, White is equal. However, from the human perspective, this doesn't look extremely pleasant. Black has the pair of bishops and a target on d4. Turns out he cannot actually win it or otherwise improve.}) 36... a5 {Defending a hanging pawn.} 37. Bb5 Qc7 38. Qe3 Qd6 {Black controls the open c-file while the e-file is safely protected.} 39. Bd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This loses material for no compensation.} ({Of course the reason White cannot contest the c-file is} 39. Rc1 Rxc1+ 40. Qxc1 Bxd4) (39. Nf4 {Attacking e6.} Be4 40. Ne2 {would have defended d4 although Black still has an edge.}) 39... Ba2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Clearing the d-file to attack the d-pawn.} 40. Nf4 (40. Rc1 Rd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 40... Bxd4 41. Qd2 Be5 42. Ng6 Bf6 {Black is a clear pawn up.} 43. Qe2 Qd4 44. Rd1 Bb3 45. Rd2 Rd8 46. h5 Qg4 47. Qe3 Bd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A critical moment.} 48. Be2 $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White misses the last chance. If he found the brilliant move, he would very possibly have won.} (48. Bf1 $3 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] The players saw and discussed this move after the game. White has a winning advantage now.} Bxa4 {This is the top engine move and I think the hardest for White to play. There are many alternatives too.} (48... Bxe3 49. Rxd8+ Kf7 50. Rf8#) (48... Ba2 49. b3 {traps the bishop.} Kf7 50. Rxa2 Bxe3 51. Ne5+ $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] getting the queen back and winning.}) (48... Qxh5 49. Nf4 {The bishop on d4 drops.}) 49. Qxe6+ Kh7 50. Ne7 Qe4 51. Qf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Threatening Nf5 and avoiding the queen trade. The pawn cannot be defended.} (51. Qg6+ $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Kh8)) 48... Qe4 49. Qxe4 {Nakamura goes on to flawlessly convert the advantage.} fxe4 50. Kf1 Bf6 51. Rxd8+ Bxd8 52. Ne5 Bxa4 53. Bc4 Kf8 54. Bxe6 Bf6 55. Ng6+ Ke8 56. b3 Bb5+ 57. Ke1 Bc3+ 58. Kd1 Bd4 59. Bd5 Bxf2 60. Bxe4 Bd4 61. Bd5 Kd7 62. Nh4 Kd6 63. Bg8 Bd7 64. Bf7 Bf6 65. Nf3 Bc6 66. Bg6 Bd5 67. Kc2 Bc3 68. Bf5 Ke7 69. Bg6 Kf6 70. Bd3 Bf7 71. g4 Be6 0-1 [Event "?"] [Site "?"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "Tari"] [Black "Abdusattorov"] [Result "0-1"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "r2qkbr1/1p1bpppp/p1np1n2/2p5/4P3/5N1P/PPPP1PP1/RNBQRBK1 w q - 0 8"] [PlyCount "0"] {[%c_arrow h8g8;keyPressed;none;from;h8;opacity;0.8;to;g8;persistent;false,g7g5;keyPressed;none;from;g7;opacity;0.8;to;g5;persistent;false][%c_highlight g8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g8;persistent;false]} 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.05.31"] [Round "3"] [White "Tari, Aryan"] [Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B51"] [WhiteElo "2642"] [BlackElo "2731"] [Annotator "rafael"] [PlyCount "92"] [Beauty "7218497857114"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 {Abdusattorov has been playing this variation against the Rossolimo lately.} 4. O-O Bd7 5. Re1 Nf6 6. h3 $5 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting move to prevent Black's bishop from going to g4.} (6. c3 a6 7. Bf1 Bg4 {This is the main line.}) 6... a6 7. Bf1 Rg8 {A bold and risky move that shows how far Abdusattorov is willing to go to play for a win with the black pieces. 7...e6, 7...g6 or 7...e5 are the normal development moves. Black, however, wants to play g5 and start an attack on the kingside.} (7... g6 8. c3 {Black has no good way to counter White's plan of controlling the center with d4.}) (7... e5 8. c3 Be7 9. d4 {with a pawn structure that resembles the Ruy Lopez opening.}) (7... e6 8. c3 Be7 9. d4 cxd4 10. cxd4 d5 11. e5 Ne4 12. Nbd2 {with a slight advantage for White.}) (7... g5 {This has been tried by some very strong players. A recent example followed:} 8. d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} g4 9. d5 gxf3 10. dxc6 Bxc6 11. Qxf3 {with an advantage for White in Carlsen-Nakamura, Airthing Masters 2023.}) 8. d3 {Avoiding g5. This is a new move.} (8. d4 cxd4 9. Nxd4 g5 10. g3 {was played in Saydaliev-Asgari, Konya 2022.}) 8... h6 {Preparing g5 again, not in the most subtle way.} 9. b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The first choice of the computer.} (9. e5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} dxe5 10. Nbd2 {This is the human way of playing, with the idea of Nc4 and then capturing on e5.}) 9... cxb4 (9... Nxb4 10. d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} cxd4 11. c3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} dxc3 12. Nxc3 {White has excellent compensation for the sacrificed pawns with an advantage in development and a safer king.}) 10. a3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} b3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Accurate play by both sides. Considering all these moves are recommended by the machine and that they didn't take long before making all these difficult decisions, it's possible that they were still on preparation.} 11. c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Going for the center.} (11. cxb3 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the desired counterplay.}) 11... g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12. Qxb3 g4 13. hxg4 Nxg4 14. d4 {The position is very sharp, and it will become chaotic in the next moves.} Qa5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] I suppose Abdusattorov's plan was to bring the queen to h5 and then deliver checkmate somehow, but it doesn't work.} (14... e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better:} 15. d5 Nd4 16. Nxd4 exd4 {with a sharp position that can go either way.}) 15. Nc3 Bg7 (15... Qh5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The attack is not as strong as it looks.} 16. Bf4 (16. Ne2 {is also good.}) 16... e5 17. Bg3 {Everything is defended and Black's position will collapse.}) 16. e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} dxe5 (16... Nxd4 $5 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] While watching the game live, I thought Abdusattorov would try this move, whose consequences were not very clear to me. But everything became easier to understand with the click of a button.} 17. Nxd4 Bxe5 18. Rxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move.} dxe5 (18... Qxe5 19. Nf3 {is also better for White.}) 19. Nc2 {An unbalanced position that is better for White because Black's king is vulnerable.}) 17. Bd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qd8 (17... exd4 18. Nd5 Qd8 {Here, White has many moves to develop the initiative. My favorite is} 19. Bf4) 18. d5 Nd4 19. Nxd4 exd4 20. Ne4 Be5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A good try.} 21. f4 Bh8 {At least now the knight is secure on g4, and White can't place a bishop on f4. The computer is very optimistic about White's position, but in practice, things are not so clear.} 22. c5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (22. Nd6+ $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad:} Kf8 23. Nxb7 Qc8 24. c5 d3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop enters the game with decisive effect. This is going to be a recurring theme in the next moves.}) (22. Qxb7 $6 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is too optimistic.} d3) (22. Rab1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move, getting the rook into the game.} Kf8 23. Be2 {Another good prophylactic move, preparing to exchange the dangerous knight. White is better.}) 22... Kf8 23. Rac1 $6 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (23. Rab1 {The rook is better placed on b1, as becomes clear in the following line:} d3 $6 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 24. Qxd3 Bb5 25. Rxb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} axb5 26. Bb4 {With monster compensation for the exchange.}) 23... d3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now this move is good.} 24. Bc3 (24. Qxd3 Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 24... e6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] It's nearly impossible to play well such an irrational position.} (24... f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a good try. Play can continue:} 25. Nd2 Qc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26. Bxh8 Qxf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27. Nf3 d2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28. Bb2 dxc1=Q 29. Bxc1 Qc7 {with great complications, but at least Black is up an exchange and a pawn.}) 25. c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bxc3 26. Qxc3 Qh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a blunder.} (26... bxc6 {is necessary, although Black has to play a sad and probably losing endgame after} 27. dxc6 Qb6+ 28. Qc5+ Qxc5+ 29. Rxc5 Bc8 30. Bxd3 Ke7) 27. Qc5+ $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Another blunder in return.} (27. Qb4+ {wins with a nice geometric motif:} Kg7 28. Qb2+ $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kh7 29. g3 {The queen protects the h2-square and it's all over.}) 27... Kg7 28. Bxd3 Qh2+ 29. Kf1 Qxf4+ 30. Ke2 exd5 31. Rf1 $2 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After this, White is losing. It was still possible to defend with} (31. Qd4+ $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] For instance:} Ne5 32. cxd7 dxe4 33. Qxe4 {with good drawing chances.}) 31... Qe5 32. cxd7 Rad8 $19 33. Qc3 dxe4 34. Bxe4 Rxd7 {Black is two pawns up, and surely Tari knew that he missed good chances in the game. He went down without a fight.} 35. Rf4 Qxc3 36. Rxc3 Ne5 37. Rg3+ Ng6 38. Rfg4 Re8 39. Kf2 Re6 40. Bd3 a5 41. a4 b6 {I have the impression that Abdusattorov's endgame technique is excellent. I can recall several games he won with impeccable play, most notably the queen endgame against Carlsen in the Tata Steel tournament this year.} 42. Kg1 Rd5 43. Bc4 Rd1+ 44. Kh2 Ree1 45. Rf3 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 46. Rg5 h4 (46... h4 {A sudden mating attack decides the game.} 47. Kh3 Rh1+ 48. Kg4 Rd4+ {Bye bye bishop.}) 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.05.31"] [Round "3"] [White "Giri, Anish"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E25"] [WhiteElo "2768"] [BlackElo "2764"] [PlyCount "132"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. f3 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. dxc5 Qa5 9. e4 Ne7 10. Be3 O-O 11. Qb3 Qc7 12. Bb5 Nec6 13. Ne2 Na5 14. Qb4 Nbc6 15. Qa4 Ne5 16. Bd4 Ng6 17. O-O e5 18. Bf2 Be6 19. Rab1 Rfd8 20. Qc2 $2 $146 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A new move and not a good one. the players showed off their opening knowledge for quite some time in this highly theoretical Nimzo-Indian line.} (20. Nd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Giri makes this pawn sacrifice later in the game, but only after losing a pawn.} exd4 21. cxd4 a6 22. Be2 Nf4 23. Rfe1 Nxe2+ 24. Rxe2 Bd7 25. Qd1 {We will get a similar position, Barria Valdes,B (2125)-Ismailov,R (2122) ICCF email 2018.}) 20... a6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21. Ba4 Nc4 {[%c_arrow c4a3;keyPressed;none;from;c4;opacity;0.8;to;a3;persistent;false,d8d2;keyPressed;none;from;d8;opacity;0.8;to;d2;persistent;false] Two threats: one on a3 and the other is ...Rd2, winning a piece. White has to give up a pawn.} 22. Rbd1 Nxa3 23. Qc1 Nc4 {We repeat the position, but the a-pawn has been stolen.} 24. Bb3 h6 25. h4 Qc6 $6 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] In the last few moves, there are tiny improvements here and there. But this is the clearest moment where Caruana could have surmounted a concrete advantage.} (25... a5 {Passed pawns must be pushed.} 26. Rxd8+ Qxd8 27. h5 Nf8 28. Rd1 Qe8 {Black is up an a-pawn and it is passed. It is a clear advantage. This always looks so simple when Stockfish feeds the moves to you, and it's never so obvious in the game.}) 26. h5 Ne7 27. Rxd8+ Rxd8 28. Rd1 Rd7 29. Qa1 Qc8 30. Nd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Sacrificing a piece for just a wall of pawns in the center. It will cost a piece back, and that is why we have equality.} exd4 31. cxd4 b5 32. cxb6 Nxb6 33. d5 Nbxd5 {Black returns the piece immediately.} 34. exd5 Nxd5 35. Ba4 Rb7 36. Rc1 Rc7 37. Rxc7 Qxc7 38. Bb3 {Blac is still nominally better due to the extra pawn, but the presence of opposite-colored bishops makes winning unlikely.} a5 39. Bxd5 Bxd5 40. Qd4 Bb3 41. Qb6 Qc3 42. Qc5 Qa1+ 43. Kh2 Be6 44. Bd4 Qa2 45. Bc3 a4 46. Qd4 f6 47. Qd8+ Kh7 48. Qd3+ Kh8 49. Qd8+ Bg8 50. Bxf6 {White wins the pawn back and the players will draw after many moves.} Qf7 (50... gxf6 51. Qxf6+ Kh7 52. Qg6+ Kh8 53. Qf6+) 51. Bb2 Qxh5+ 52. Kg1 Qg6 53. Qd4 Kh7 54. Kf2 Bb3 55. Qe4 Qxe4 56. fxe4 h5 57. g3 g5 58. Ke3 h4 59. gxh4 gxh4 60. Kd2 h3 61. Be5 a3 62. Kc1 Ba2 63. Kc2 Kg6 64. Kc3 Be6 65. Kc2 Ba2 66. Kc3 Be6 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.05.31"] [Round "4"] [White "Giri, Anish"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "E05"] [WhiteElo "2768"] [BlackElo "2764"] [PlyCount "66"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 e6 3. Bg2 d5 4. Nf3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. d4 dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4 Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bf4 Bd6 11. Nc3 Bxf4 12. gxf4 a5 13. e3 Na6 14. h3 Nb4 $146 {More heavy theory and, here, a new path.} ({Giri does not trade this bishop for knight in the game.} 14... Bxf3 15. Bxf3 c6 16. Rad1 Ne8 17. Na2 Nd6 18. Qc3 g6 {with a long maneuvering game, Ackermann,E (2360)-Doderer,H (2350) ICCF email 2019.}) 15. Kh2 g6 {The game is exactly the same position as the correspondence predecessor, except the bishop hasn't been traded on f3.} 16. Rg1 Qe7 17. Ng5 Bxg2 18. Rxg2 Rac8 19. Nge4 b6 20. Rg5 Nxe4 21. Nxe4 c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Powerful play with the followup in mind.} 22. dxc5 f5 {The point. An in-between move. Caruana said he suspected Giri missed this.} 23. Nc3 Rxc5 {Black has an initiative and wants to play e5 next.} 24. Qe2 $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The queen was better placed on b3 where it at least delayed ...e5 for another move.} (24. Qb3 Kg7 25. Rd1 e5 26. Rgg1 {would still be complicated and would surely have been White's best chance.}) 24... e5 25. Rag1 Kh8 26. Qf3 exf4 27. exf4 Rd8 {Black's heavy pieces beam down every open file.} 28. h4 {Attempting to open the opposite king, but it's too slow.} Rd3 29. Qa8+ (29. Qh5 $3 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] I am only including this move because it's hilarious. It's the engine's favorite and says 0.00.} Rc6 30. Rxg6 Rxg6 31. Rxg6 Rf3 32. Qxf3 Qxh4+ 33. Kg1 hxg6 {Draw. Okay. Not a good result in armageddon.}) 29... Rd8 30. Qg2 $2 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This loses on the spot.} (30. Re1 Qd7 31. Qf3 {would have perhaps kept hope alive.}) 30... Nd3 31. Qf3 Rc4 {It's raining rooks and knights on the white palace.} 32. Qg3 Rxf4 33. f3 h6 {The rook is trapped. Good enough for a draw, I'd say. Jokes aside, Black will win.} 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.05.31"] [Round "3"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "*"] [ECO "C65"] [WhiteElo "2853"] [BlackElo "2760"] [PlyCount "62"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. O-O Nd7 7. h3 O-O 8. Nc3 a5 9. a4 {Several correspondence games have reached this position. But So plays a new move.} f6 $146 {A new move, but the pawn structure is similar to the predecessors.} (9... Re8 10. Nd2 Nf8 11. Nc4 {The following game is the only one I could find with the f3-g4 plan that Carlsen goes for in the game.} b6 12. Bd2 f6 13. Ne3 Ne6 14. Ne2 Qe7 15. b3 Qf7 16. Kh2 Bf8 17. f3 c5 18. g4 {We saw similar pawn play in today's game. Black is equal regardless, Heydt,H (2295)-Demchenko,S (2366) ICCF email 2019.}) 10. Qe2 Re8 11. Be3 Bd6 12. Nd2 Nf8 13. f3 {A rare idea. I was only able to find one correspondence game with this plan.} Ng6 14. Qf2 Be6 15. Ne2 Qd7 16. b3 Bb4 17. Rad1 b6 18. g4 {Gaining space on the kingside. The position is still balanced.} b5 19. h4 bxa4 {The first pawn trade, on move 19.} 20. bxa4 Bd6 21. Qh2 $6 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (21. h5 Nf4 (21... Nf8 22. Ng3 h6 23. Nf5 Rab8 24. Nc4 Bb4 {is also equal. It's a closed position where Black has a slightly worse structure, but he also has the bishop pair.}) 22. Nxf4 exf4 23. Bc5 h6 24. Nc4 {with equal chances.}) 21... c5 {The correct concept, attacking a4, but Black should have addressed the counterplay on the kingside first.} ({The engine claims Black could get a little something, starting with the prophylactic} 21... Nf8 22. h5 {Let's assume Carlsen plays this, as in the game.} h6 23. Ng3 {is logical, aiming for f5.} Rab8 {Controlling the open file and later targeting a4 with the move ...c5.} 24. Nf5 (24. Rb1 c5 {a4 hangs and is annoying to defend.}) 24... Kh7 25. Rb1 c5 {with pressure on a4. It's not clear if this advantage is enough to win the game, but surely Black is better.}) 22. h5 Nf4 (22... Nf8 23. h6 {White is faster than in the variation given above.}) 23. Ra1 {Simply defending a4.} Nxe2+ 24. Qxe2 Reb8 25. c4 (25. Qd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A difficult prophylactic move, defending a4.} Rb4 26. c3 {would have held equality.}) 25... Rb4 26. Nb1 {White gives up the pawn but hopes he has an unbreakable blockade against the a-pawn. A good idea from someone who doesn't believe in fortresses $1} ({This defense is more difficult here because we do not have the option of c3.} 26. Qd1 Rab8 27. Ra3 Be7 28. Kf2 Rb2 29. Qc1 {The engine says that White can defend passively like this, but it is definitely unpleasant.}) 26... Rxa4 27. Rxa4 Qxa4 {Black wins a pawn.} 28. Nc3 Qc6 29. Ra1 a4 30. Qc2 Bd7 31. Ra2 Kf7 {Having reached move 31, So offers a draw. It is accepted, since White is down a pawn.} * [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.05.31"] [Round "4"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C65"] [WhiteElo "2853"] [BlackElo "2760"] [PlyCount "65"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. O-O Bd6 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4 Qe7 9. d4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The opening does not go well for Carlsen and he probably will not repeat this. But it was perhaps worth a shot in an armageddon game.} ({Carlsen has played the same move in two earlier games:} 9. Nbd2 Bg4 10. h3 (10. Nc4 {Firouzja,A (2728)-Nakamura,H (2736) Lichess.org INT 2020.}) 10... Bh5 11. d4 O-O-O 12. Re1 Qe6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (12... g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 13. c4 Bxf3 14. Nxf3 Qxc4 15. dxe5 Bxe5 16. Nxe5 Qb5 17. Nxc6 {White won a pawn and went on to win, Carlsen,M (2855)-Nakamura,H (2736) chess24.com INT 2021.}) 9... Bg4 10. Nbd2 O-O-O 11. Re1 {Objectively not great, but it's hard to make a recommendation. ...g5 is coming anyway.} (11. Qe1 g5 12. Bg3 {is recommended by the engine, but after} Bxf3 13. Nxf3 Nh5 {Black has very good chances to make at least a draw in armageddon.}) 11... g5 12. Bg3 Nh5 {Black is clearly better and he only needs a draw.} 13. c3 exd4 14. cxd4 Bb4 15. Qa4 {Now, Carlsen's attack is not sound, but playing actively was precisely why Carlsen was able to win the game. Stockfish will tell you that Black is winning, but the psychological power of this move should count for something.} Bxf3 16. Nxf3 Bxe1 17. Qxa7 Qb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Defending the b7-pawn for after Qa8+ and generally keeping the queen close to defend the king. So plays all the best moves and is objectively winning.} (17... Nxg3 $4 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 18. Ne5 {White would win.}) 18. Rxe1 Nxg3 19. hxg3 Qb6 {Still good enough for equality, which is all Black needs.} (19... Kd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move, but imagine playing this in an armageddon game with time odds.} 20. d5 Rhe8 21. a3 Qb6 {Qxb2 is the best, but I think this is more human.} 22. dxc6+ Qxc6 {The black king is safe and can start running to the kingside.} 23. Rd1+ $2 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Ke7) 20. Qa8+ Kd7 21. Qa4 f6 22. d5 ({Best was} 22. e5 Rhe8 23. Qc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kc8 24. Qf5+ Kb8 25. exf6 {with a powerful pawn on f6, but it's so difficult to judge this position from afar with little time.} Rxe1+ 26. Nxe1 Qb5 27. Qe6 Qd5 {If you calculated the line, you might stop here (if not earlier).} 28. Qxd5 Rxd5 29. Nf3 Rf5 30. Ne5 Kc8 31. f7 {Sure, once you reach here, you can see why the engine loves White, but it's impossible to calculate this far in a rapid game.}) 22... Kc8 (22... Qa6 23. Qb4 {was better apparently, but the position is already getting a bit out of control.}) 23. e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kb8 (23... Qa6 {Again the engine likes this move, but I wonder how many humans would play it. Especially because it is immediately answered wtih Qg4+ and exf6.}) 24. exf6 {White achieves a similar position to one we looked at on move 22, but he didn't have to trade the rook or queen to bring the pawn to f6.} cxd5 25. f7 Qf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The losing mistake.} (25... Rhf8 {was better to keep the queen around the kingside.} 26. Ne5 Qd6 {Preventing Nd7 and preparing counterplay with ...d4. The position is equal.}) 26. Ne5 {The pawn on f7 is close to heaven. White is winning.} Rhf8 {The same position with the rook on f8, but the queen is also badly placed. Nd7 is in the air on top of checkmating ideas.} 27. Re3 {Here comes a mating attack on the a-file.} Rxf7 28. Ra3 c6 29. Qa7+ Kc7 30. Rb3 {Threatening b7.} Rb8 31. Rf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Playing on two sides of the board.} Qxe5 32. Rxf7+ Kd8 33. Rf8+ {The rook is lost.} 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.05.31"] [Round "3"] [White "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D20"] [WhiteElo "2785"] [BlackElo "2738"] [PlyCount "80"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 e5 4. Nf3 Bb4+ 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Nxe5 b5 7. f3 O-O 8. a3 Ba5 9. a4 a6 {Someone did his homework. This is an improvement over a recent game and the top engine move.} (9... c5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 10. dxc5 Qe8 11. axb5 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Qxe5 13. Qd4 Qc7 {White was better and went on to win in Maghsoodloo,P (2719)-Van Foreest,J (2681) Wijk aan Zee 2023.}) 10. Be2 Nfd7 11. Be3 c6 12. Nxd7 Nxd7 13. O-O Bb7 14. Qe1 f5 15. exf5 Rxf5 16. Bd1 Rf7 {A strong move, bringing the rook to safety.} ({The commentators pointed out that this rook can get trapped in some lines. For example:} 16... Nf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 17. Bc2 Rh5 18. g4) 17. Qg3 Nf6 18. Bc2 Nd5 {there were improvements here and there, but we will skip to a critical moment.} ({At first, the engine gets very excited by} 18... c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19. dxc5 b4 20. Ne4 b3 21. Bb1 Nxe4 {Every move comes with tempo.} 22. Bxe4 Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] X-raying the bishop on e3.} 23. Kh1 Bxe4 24. fxe4 {But then it realizes after} Rd8 (24... Qxe4 $4 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 25. Rxf7 Kxf7 26. Bh6 $3 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} gxh6 {Other moves lose anyway.} 27. Rf1+ {loses the queen.}) 25. c6 {White has enough dynamic counterplay to hold the balance, or at the very least it's super close.}) 19. Bg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Missing an opportunity.} (19. Nxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} cxd5 20. axb5 axb5 21. Qh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} g6 22. f4 {would give White an attack.}) 19... Qb6 20. Qh4 {Now let's skip to a critical moment.} h6 21. Bd2 Nb4 22. Bg6 Rf6 23. Bb1 Nd3 24. Be3 Bxc3 25. bxc3 Re8 26. Bf2 Nf4 27. Kh1 c5 28. axb5 axb5 29. Qg3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Bringing the queen closer to defense, logically.} ({Equality could have been preserved, but I'll admit it's quite computerish. Here's the line:} 29. dxc5 Qc6 30. Bd4 Nxg2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] As in the game.} 31. Qg3 Nf4 32. Bxf6 Qxf6 33. Ra7 Bd5 {The engine recommends simplifying with Rxg7 Qxg7 and Qxf4, but many other moves are possible here. Let's stop and say \"unclear.\"}) 29... Nxg2 $6 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Fantastic but not good enough for an advantage.} (29... Ne2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the intention of going into a better endgame after} 30. Qg4 cxd4 31. cxd4 Qe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The passers on the queenside will be much stronger than the isolated d-pawn. Black has great winning chances.}) 30. dxc5 (30. Kxg2 Rxf3 {crashes through.}) (30. Qxg2 Bxf3 {isn't better.}) 30... Qc6 31. Bd4 {Firouzja unwinds.} Ne3 $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The psychological trend shifts and White is now winning.} (31... Nf4 32. Bxf6 Qxf6 33. Ra7 {We transpose to a line already given earlier.}) 32. Rf2 Nd1 33. Rg2 g5 34. Be4 Rxe4 {Desperation.} (34... Qc8 35. Bxb7 Qxb7 36. Bxf6) 35. Bxf6 Re3 36. Rxd1 {Black is too much material down.} Rxf3 (36... Qxf6 37. Qb8+ {picks up the bishop.}) 37. Qb8+ Kf7 38. Bd4 Rf4 39. Rdd2 Qf3 40. h3 {The players are in a crazy time scramble, so try to ignore the crazy moves. Funnily, White is winning even after 40.h3.} Qxh3+ {Mamedyarov lost on time. This move was played but the game was over.} 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.01"] [Round "6"] [White "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "*"] [ECO "C39"] [WhiteElo "2775"] [BlackElo "2853"] [PlyCount "80"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. e4 e5 2. f4 {The King's Gambit $1} exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5 d6 6. Nxg4 Nf6 7. Nxf6+ Qxf6 8. d3 {An offbeat move.} ({Carlsen mentioned pleasant memories about the following game, which earned him his final GM norm.} 8. Nc3 Nc6 9. Bb5 Kd8 10. Bxc6 bxc6 11. d3 Rg8 12. Qf3 Bh6 13. Qf2 Rb8 14. Ne2 Rxb2 15. Bxb2 Qxb2 16. O-O Qxc2 17. Nxf4 Qxf2+ {½-½ Fedorov (2616) - Carlsen (2552) Dubai op 2004.}) 8... Nc6 9. Qf3 $6 $146 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The first new move. But we have already left grandmaster practice. Black is better now, but White has to take some risk to win on demand here anyway, so I do not mark this a full mistake.} ({White can attempt to equalize with} 9. Nc3 Be6 10. Nd5 Bxd5 11. exd5 Qe5+ 12. Be2 Nd4 13. c3 Nxe2 14. Qxe2 {but this is not going to win an armageddon game.}) 9... Bh6 10. Qf2 Rg8 11. Nc3 Be6 {Black is about to complete development harmoniously. He has won the opening battle.} 12. Bd2 O-O-O 13. O-O-O Qd4 {Black could have played more accurately to preserve an advantage, but he only needs a draw.} 14. Qe1 Qe5 15. Ne2 f5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Cracking the center open.} (15... d5 {was more accurate because it opens the d-file. Let's assume the players follow the same path in the game:} 16. g3 dxe4 17. gxf4 Qh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The black queen would like to enter with Qf3, for example:} 18. dxe4 Qf3 {Black is clearly better after taking on e4. The difference between this and the game is:} 19. Rg1 Qxe4 20. Ng3 $4 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Blunder;persistent;true] is not possible because} Qxe1 {White loses a piece.}) 16. g3 fxe4 17. gxf4 Qf5 (17... Qh5 18. dxe4 Qf3 19. Rg1 Qxe4 20. Ng3 {is only equal now because the d-file isn't open.}) 18. Ng3 (18. Bh3 Qf7 19. Bxe6+ Qxe6 {would preserve equality, but it also simplifies the position and makes Black's task of drawing easier.}) 18... Qf7 19. f5 {Even if the engine doesn't like this, it's hard to recommend a better idea to try to win. The problem lies much earlier, perhaps in the opening choice.} Bxd2+ 20. Rxd2 Bd7 21. Kb1 Ne5 22. Qe3 exd3 23. cxd3 {Avoiding the trade, but White's pawn structure is clearly bad now.} (23. Bxd3 Rde8 (23... Nxd3 {at the very least makes it easy to draw.}) 24. Qf2 Bc6 25. Re1 Ng4 {is even stronger and gives Black an advantage.}) 23... Bc6 24. Ne4 Kb8 {Black has a winning position. Compare the pawn structures and quality of pieces. Both favor Black.} 25. Bh3 Rde8 26. Rc1 Bd5 {Not allowing the exchange sacrifice on c6 and hitting a2.} (26... Nxd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27. Rxc6 Nb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] attacks the rook and a2, winning.}) 27. Re2 (27. b3 Nxd3 {e4 drops.}) (27. a3 Nxd3) 27... Bxa2+ 28. Ka1 Bd5 {The same position, but there's no pawn on a2.} 29. Ng5 Qd7 {Here she comes. The white king feels a cool breeze blow over his kingdom.} 30. Qd4 {Preventing ...Qa4.} Qb5 {Hitting d3.} 31. Kb1 Nc6 32. Rxe8+ Rxe8 33. Qc3 Bb3 {Setting up a back-rank weakness.} 34. Ne4 Qa4 {Threatening mate in one.} 35. Rf1 Nd4 36. Bg4 Bc2+ {The final combination.} 37. Kc1 Qa1+ 38. Kd2 Qxf1 39. Qxd4 Bxd3 40. Nf6 (40. Qxd3 Qf4+ {And Black captures on e4.}) 40... Re2+ ({The most sadistic line is:} 40... Re2+ 41. Kxd3 Qd1+ 42. Kc3 Qc2+ 43. Kb4 c5+ {The pawn roars like a lion.}) * [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.01"] [Round "5"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Tari, Aryan"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D36"] [WhiteElo "2764"] [BlackElo "2642"] [PlyCount "67"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. cxd5 {\"I was just trying to get a very long game with the fixed pawn structure.\" (Caruana)} exd5 5. Nc3 c6 6. Qc2 g6 7. Bg5 Be7 8. e3 Bf5 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 O-O {Carlsen was critical of this move when he was on the broadcast.} (10... Nbd7 {Caruana was surely aware of the top-level encounter} 11. Bh6 Ng4 12. Bf4 Nf8 13. h4 h5 $6 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (13... Ne6) 14. Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qd7 $6 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (14... Bd6) 15. f3 Nh6 16. O-O-O {White was better in Carlsen,M (2864)-Firouzja,A (2778) Miami 2022.}) 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. h4 Na6 13. h5 $146 (13. O-O-O c5 14. dxc5 Nxc5 15. Qxd5 Qb6 {Black had sufficient compensation for the pawn in Brunner $146 (2269)-Korneev,O (2583) Le Touquet 2004.}) 13... c5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] An overreaction.} (13... Qe7 {The engine prefers to connect the rooks with this sly queen move, which also keeps connection with the second rank and kingside.} 14. O-O-O {The engine also gives Kf1.} (14. Kf1 {Since Caruana played this move in the game, who knows what he prepared. White has idea of a minority attack with b4-b5 later, or he can also focus his efforts on the h-file with moves like g3, Kg2, and doubling the rooks.}) 14... Nb4 15. Qe2 a5 {with double-edged play.}) 14. Rd1 Nb4 15. Qe2 Re8 16. Kf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The king will sit safely on g2. Black has no good way of resolving the central tension and will get an isolated pawn on d5.} Rc8 17. hxg6 ({This is all very subtle, but keeping the tension longer would have been stronger. Here is a point:} 17. g3 cxd4 18. Nxd4 Nc6 19. Qf3 Nxd4 (19... Bxd4 20. exd4 {White still has the option to open the h-file, as in the game. Now the bishop is off the board, so this helps the attack.}) 20. exd4 Bg7 21. h6 {We take on d5 next. But the possibility of playing h6 was the reason to delay the capture on g6.}) 17... hxg6 18. g3 Kg7 $6 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Missing a chance.} (18... cxd4 19. Nxd4 Nc6 {Black is in the game. If the knight moves from d4, he punches in ...d4.}) 19. Kg2 cxd4 20. Nxd4 Nc6 21. Qf3 Re5 (21... Nxd4 22. exd4 {The d5-pawn falls. Black can win back d4, but the b7-pawn is also hanging (why the queen is so good on f3).} Rc6 23. Nxd5 Rd6 24. Ne3 Rxd4 25. Qxb7) 22. Nde2 {Caruana does not allow the trade on d4 and the knight re-routes to f4, where it will pressure the isolani.} Rf5 23. Nf4 Bxc3 {A good practical choice, creating a weakness on c3. The downside is that the dark-square protector is gone.} 24. bxc3 Qg5 25. Qe2 $5 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] \"I didn't see a move for him,\" said Caruana. The threat is stronger than the execution.} ({He declined winning the pawn, but it's totally possible.} 25. Rxd5 Rxd5 26. Nxd5 Ne5 27. Qe2 {He said he saw ...Rc4 here and potential counterplay, immediately seeing (after the game, now) that f4 is a big threat. White is either winning or close to it.}) 25... Qe7 {This loses immediately, but it's hard to give a better idea.} ({The engine likes} 25... Rd8 26. Rh4 {Now Black cannot just ignore the buildup on the h-file.} Rh8 27. Rxh8 Kxh8 28. Qb2 {Hitting b7.} b6 29. Qb5 {White wins the pawn, but also threats against the black king hang in the air.} Ne7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Just to show if Black holds onto the material.} 30. c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's not about the pawn anymore. The black king is toast.}) 26. Nxd5 Qe6 27. e4 Re8 {Threatening the pawn and ...Rxd5.} 28. Rhe1 Qc8 {Nc7 had to be addressed.} (28... Re5 29. Nc7) 29. exf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A remarkable finish to the game.} Rxe2 30. f6+ Kf8 31. Rxe2 Qf5 32. c4 {The back rank is perpetually weak and checkmate is coming (or heavy loss of material).} Ne5 33. Rde1 {If the knight moves, one could say Bob's your uncle on e8.} Qf3+ 34. Kg1 {See note on move 33.} 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.01"] [Round "5"] [White "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Black "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "D45"] [WhiteElo "2731"] [BlackElo "2785"] [Annotator "rafael"] [PlyCount "118"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Be2 {This is a fashionable move. How can the bishop be better developed on e2 than on d3 $2 The idea is that after Black's dxc4, White is not forced to capture.} Bd6 (6... dxc4 7. a4 {This is the idea. White avoids b7-b5. Whether this is really good is another question, but it's a fresh idea. Or at least it was when it was played for the first time.}) 7. b3 b6 {As a general rule, in the Semi-Slav it's never too bad if you just play b6, Bb7, and so on, even in worse situations than this.} 8. Bb2 Bb7 9. O-O O-O 10. Qc2 (10. Bd3 {is another popular move, played by many strong GMs and recommended by Shankland in one of his courses. At the risk of being a grumpy old man, I think we're going too far when White has to play the bishop on e2 and move it one square forward just four moves later just because of a few subtleties.}) 10... Re8 (10... Rc8 {If Kramnik plays a move in the opening, I consider it good. I don't care if he is retired. If I played the Semi-Slav I would just follow him.} 11. Rad1 c5 12. cxd5 cxd4 13. Rxd4 Nxd5 14. Bc4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With a good position (unsurprisingly) for Black in Gukesh-Kramnik, Chessable Play In Match (rapid) 2023.}) 11. Rad1 Qe7 {Firouzja decides to develop the rook on d8 instead of c8.} 12. Rfe1 Rad8 13. h3 (13. e4 Nxe4 14. Nxe4 dxe4 15. Qxe4 Bb4 (15... Nf8 {is also possible and was played in Bu-Ding, Yinzhou Cup 2022.}) 16. Rf1 Bd6 {with a tacit draw offer that was played in several games.}) 13... h6 {That's a good strategy: if your opponent plays h3, why not play h6 back $2 Isn't chess supposed to be a game of patience $2} 14. Bf1 (14. e4 {is always possible:} dxe4 15. Nxe4 Nxe4 16. Qxe4 Bb4 17. Nd2 (17. Rf1 Bd6) 17... Nf6 18. Qc2 {Mamedyarov-Duda, Meltwater Final (rapid) 2021.}) 14... Ba3 {This move was only played once in the most prestigious weekly online tournament. When I analyze the opening phase of these elite games, I'm always surprised by how well-prepared and avant-garde the Titled Tuesday crowd is.} (14... c5 15. cxd5 exd5 {is a critical position to assess White's opening strategy.}) (14... Bb4 15. a3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is an important resource for White.} Bxa3 16. Bxa3 Qxa3 17. Ra1 {The a7-pawn is captured, with a slight advantage.}) 15. cxd5 {A new move.} (15. Ba1 Bb4 {with a good position for Black in Baker-Bures, Titled Tuesday (blitz) 2022.}) 15... exd5 {As a rule of thumb, you never want to capture with the c-pawn when the knight is developed on d7 in similar positions.} 16. Bxa3 Qxa3 17. Rb1 a5 {Avoiding the minority attack with b3-b4.} 18. Bd3 Qe7 {White probably can claim a slight advantage in this position, typical of Queen's Gambit Declined pawn structures. The plan is to advance the queenside or to break with e3-e4.} 19. Qb2 (19. e4 {is premature.} dxe4 20. Nxe4 Nxe4 21. Bxe4 Qd6 {with an equal position.}) 19... Ne4 20. Rbc1 Ng5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 21. Nxg5 Qxg5 (21... hxg5 {Capturing with the pawn is also possible.}) 22. Na4 (22. b4 axb4 23. Qxb4 c5 24. Qb2 Re6 {Black's pawns are well protected, and he has an active position.}) (22. Ne2 $5 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] With the idea of placing the knight on f4 is good. The knight is the best friend of the king: The monarch always feel safer with this piece near him. White has a small advantage.}) 22... Re6 23. Qe2 {Abdusattorov brings the queen to the king's aid.} c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The right time to play an active move.} 24. dxc5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Abudasattorov is not someone that shies away from complications, but here he should have been more conservative.} (24. Qg4 Qxg4 25. hxg4 cxd4 26. exd4 {with a safe position, although White doesn't have much after} Rxe1+ 27. Rxe1 Bc6) 24... d4 {This is Black's idea.} 25. Qg4 Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move. Firouzja is in his element when playing with the initiative. 26...Ne5 is threatened.} 26. Bf5 Nf6 27. Qe2 $6 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (27. Qg3 {is better.} Re5 (27... Nh5 28. Qg4 Nf6 {leads to a move repetition.}) 28. c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bxc6 29. Rxc6 Rxf5 30. Nxb6 {Here Black has a few interesting moves, but the position is more or less equal.}) 27... Re5 28. c6 Bxc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29. Rxc6 dxe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30. Kf1 $6 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (30. fxe3 Rxf5 31. Nxb6 Ne4 {Black has a dangerous initiative, but after the computer suggestion} 32. Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rxc8 33. Nxc8 {things are not as bad as it looks.}) 30... Rxf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (30... Re8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate.} 31. Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move.} Rxc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32. Bxc8 Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a very strong attack. This variation is very difficult for humans to see.}) 31. Qxe3 Qd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32. Rcc1 $2 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (32. Qc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is necessary. White is surviving.}) 32... Re8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33. Qxb6 Ne4 {Black has a strong attack. Another good example of the \"a knight on the rim is dim\" rule. One knight is centralized and pointing at the king. The other is at the edge of the board, contemplating the horizon.} 34. Rcd1 $6 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (34. Kg1 {is better, but after} Nxf2 35. Rxe8+ Qxe8 {the attack persists.}) 34... Nxf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This nice tactical move wins the queen and the game.} 35. Rxe8+ (35. Rxd7 Nxh3+ 36. Qf2 Rxf2#) 35... Qxe8 36. Qxf2 {There's nothing better.} Qb5+ 37. Kg1 Rxf2 38. Kxf2 {Black has a technically winning position, and Firouzja has no problem demonstrating it.} Qf5+ 39. Ke3 Qg5+ (39... Qe5+ 40. Kf2 f5 {This is also very good, advancing the pawns with the queen centralized.}) 40. Kf2 Qf4+ 41. Kg1 Qe3+ 42. Kf1 f5 43. Nb2 Qc3 44. Nc4 a4 45. Re1 axb3 46. axb3 Qxb3 47. Ne5 {I must admit I was not so sure that this position was easily winning, but after watching the game and looking at the computer's evaluation, it seems like a walk in the park.} g5 48. Nf3 Kg7 49. Kf2 Kf6 (49... g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more precise.}) 50. g4 (50. g3 {is more stubborn.}) 50... Qb6+ 51. Kg3 Qd6+ 52. Kf2 fxg4 53. hxg4 Qf4 54. Rh1 Kg7 55. Rg1 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 56. Kg2 (56. gxh5 g4 57. Rg3 Kh6 {with the winning endgame of queen against rook.}) 56... hxg4 57. Ne1 g3 58. Rf1 Qe3 59. Kh3 Qf2 {A very elegant final combination.} 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.01"] [Round "5"] [White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Black "Gukesh D"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "A31"] [WhiteElo "2738"] [BlackElo "2732"] [PlyCount "62"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Qb6 6. e3 e6 7. Be2 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. b3 d5 10. Nxc6 Qxc6 11. Bf3 Qc7 12. Nb5 Qd7 $146 {A peculiar place for the queen, but it seems to be just fine objectively.} (12... Qa5 13. Bd2 Qb6 14. a4 dxc4 15. bxc4 Qc5 16. Qc2 a6 17. Nd4 Qc7 18. Rfc1 Nd7 19. c5 Ne5 20. Be4 f5 {½-½ (20) Zubov,A (2597)-Nagy,G (2464) Palma de Mallorca 2018}) 13. Bb2 dxc4 14. bxc4 a6 15. Nd4 Qc7 16. Rc1 Rd8 17. Qc2 Bd7 18. c5 Rac8 {Black completes development and targets the isolated c-pawn. White does have some space on the queenside, but it's not enough for more than equality.} 19. c6 bxc6 20. Nxc6 {White liquidates his weakness. But now we have a symmetrical position.} Bxc6 21. Qxc6 Qxc6 22. Rxc6 Rxc6 23. Bxc6 {White has the bishop pair, but the position is very simplified.} Nd5 24. Rd1 Nb4 25. Rxd8+ Bxd8 26. Bb7 Nxa2 {Now the game is dead.} 27. Bxa6 Nb4 28. Bc4 Nc6 29. Bb5 Ne7 30. Ba3 g6 31. Bxe7 Bxe7 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.01"] [Round "6"] [White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Black "Gukesh D"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "A35"] [WhiteElo "2738"] [BlackElo "2732"] [PlyCount "109"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5 4. g3 g6 5. a3 a5 6. h4 $5 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Gukesh said he missed this move.} h6 7. Bg2 Bg7 8. d3 d6 9. Nd2 Nge7 10. Nf1 Be6 $146 (10... O-O 11. Ne3 Nd4 12. O-O Kh7 13. Rb1 f5 14. Ned5 Nxd5 15. Nxd5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (15. Bxd5) 15... f4 $1 $17 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Kalkhof,S (2221)-Pfretzschner,R (2229) Germany 2015.}) 11. Ne3 O-O 12. Ned5 f5 13. f4 Rb8 14. h5 Nd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A mistake. there was one move to preserve equality.} (14... b5 $3 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 15. Nxb5 (15. cxb5 Nd4 16. hxg6 Nxd5 17. Nxd5 Rxb5 {with equal chances. Black made inroads on the queenside and both kings are equally unsafe.}) 15... Rxb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most accurate. An exchange sacrifice.} 16. cxb5 (16. Nxe7+ Qxe7 17. cxb5 Nd4 {Despite being down the exchange, ...Bb3 and ...Nc2+ are on their way. Black is better.}) 16... Nd4 17. e3 Nxd5 18. exd4 exf4 {The position absolutely explodes and both kings are weak:} 19. hxg6 fxg3 20. Bxh6 Bxh6 21. Rxh6 Nf4 {with chances for both sides. The white king isn't exactly surrounded by defenders either.}) 15. e3 Ndc6 {Not a good sign.} 16. hxg6 Nxg6 17. Qh5 {Mamedyarov does what he does best: attack.} Nce7 18. Bd2 Bf7 19. Qh3 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black needs to act. This is the same idea as earlier, and it's better late than never.} 20. Nxe7+ Nxe7 21. e4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({Now it was time to be materialistic.} 21. cxb5 {followed by a4. It's not clear what Black intended to follow this up with.} Be6 22. a4 {The point is not just the extra pawn, but this also locks up the queenside, so there's less counterplay.}) 21... bxc4 22. fxe5 dxe5 (22... h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would have been strongest to keep the h-file closed, but this is so difficult to actually play for a human.}) 23. Bxh6 Bg6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Losing, but the only move is unbelievable.} (23... cxd3 $3 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 24. Bxg7 $4 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Blunder;persistent;true] The most natural move loses.} ({White preserves \"equality\" with} 24. Nd5 d2+ 25. Bxd2 Bxd5 {and the black king stays in there.}) 24... d2+ {and Black has a winning attack $1} 25. Kf2 Qd4+ 26. Ke2 Bc4+) 24. Bxg7 Kxg7 25. Qh6+ Kf7 26. exf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Super natural. Opening the black king. Objectively, the position is equal again.} (26. O-O-O $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} cxd3 27. exf5 Nxf5 28. Rhf1 Rh8 29. Qe3 {would have preserved an advantage, but the position is very unclear. it's hard to tell from afar how weak the black king really is.}) 26... Nxf5 27. Rf1 Qxd3 28. Bd5+ Ke7 {Mamedyarov plays all the natural moves, but it turns out his own king is the weaker one.} 29. Qxg6 Qe3+ 30. Ne2 Nd4 (30... Rxb2 {would win the game, but Gukesh is just going for the draw. It is an armageddon game.}) 31. Rf7+ Rxf7 32. Qxf7+ Kd6 33. Bxc4 Rxb2 34. Qd5+ Ke7 35. Qxc5+ Kd7 {White will not have more than a perpetual. The game goes on for longer, but the result is not in doubt.} 36. Qd5+ Ke7 37. Qf7+ Kd6 38. Qf6+ Kd7 39. Qg7+ Kd6 40. Qf8+ Kd7 41. Kf1 {Just keeping the game going.} Rxe2 42. Qf7+ (42. Bxe2 Qxe2+ 43. Kg1 Nf3+) 42... Kd6 43. Qf8+ Kd7 44. Qf7+ Kd6 45. Qf6+ Kc5 46. Ba6 Rb2 47. Qe7+ Kc6 48. Qe8+ Kd6 49. Qd8+ Kc6 50. Qc8+ Kd6 51. Qf8+ Kc6 52. Rd1 {the last attempt, bringing the rook into the game.} Qf3+ 53. Qxf3+ Nxf3 54. Bd3 Nh2+ {This leads to a forced draw. Nf3-h2 is a circuit, and the king cannot step to h1 due to ...Rh2#.} 55. Ke1 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.01"] [Round "5"] [White "So, Wesley"] [Black "Giri, Anish"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D50"] [WhiteElo "2760"] [BlackElo "2768"] [PlyCount "71"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c5 5. cxd5 cxd4 6. Qxd4 exd5 7. Bg5 Be7 8. e3 O-O 9. Rd1 Be6 10. Bd3 h6 11. Bh4 Qa5 12. Bb1 Qa6 13. Qd3 Qxd3 14. Bxd3 Nc6 15. O-O g5 $146 {A new idea in this exact position.} (15... Rfd8 16. h3 Rac8 17. Nb5 Bd7 18. Nfd4 a6 19. Nxc6 bxc6 20. Nc3 a5 21. Bg3 Ra8 22. Na4 c5 {with a complicated hanging pawns middlegame, Grandelius $146 (2651)-Nguyen,T (2627) Bydgoszcz 2022.}) 16. Bg3 Nh5 17. Ne2 Nxg3 18. hxg3 {Black gains the bishop pair to compensate for the isolated pawn on d5. The weaknesses around his king are less critical wtih queens off the board.} Bf6 19. Nfd4 Rac8 20. f3 Nxd4 21. Nxd4 Bxd4 {There were other ways to play, but this is the most straightforward way of equalizing.} (21... Kg7 22. Rc1 {could maybe be tried, but I feel it's hard to continue declining ...Bxd4 forever. Black doesn't really have an active plan if he allows this knight to sit on d4.}) 22. exd4 Rfe8 23. Kf2 Bd7 24. Rc1 Rxc1 25. Rxc1 Rc8 26. Rc5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A colinear move that tries for something, but I don't think Black is ever in real trouble.} b6 $5 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This adds a little more spice to the position, but it should be within the realm of equality still} (26... Be6 {This would be the most straightforward way.} 27. Rb5 b6 {is dead equal.}) (26... Rxc5 $4 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 27. dxc5 {the white king will run to the d4-square and start bullying the isolani on d5.}) 27. Rxd5 Be6 28. Re5 Rd8 {The engine gives White a slight edge after this move, but I don't think Black is in real trouble.} (28... Bxa2 29. Re7 a5 30. Rb7 Rc6 {Black will likely hold this.}) 29. Ke3 Bxa2 30. f4 {This liquidates and goes straight to the armageddon tiebreaker.} (30. Re7 {This was the way to continue playing.} a5 31. g4 Rd6 32. Rc7 Kg7 33. Bb5 Kg6 {Going for ...f5.} 34. Bd3+ Kf6 35. Bb5 Kg6 36. Rc8 {After much shuffling, the engine attempts to play Kd3-Bc4 to trade bishops and go for the rook endgame, but even in that endgame I have my doubts whether White can win.}) 30... gxf4+ 31. gxf4 Kf8 32. g4 Re8 33. Bc2 Rc8 34. Bd3 Re8 35. Bc2 Rc8 36. Bd1 {White offers a draw, Black accepts.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.01"] [Round "6"] [White "So, Wesley"] [Black "Giri, Anish"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E48"] [WhiteElo "2760"] [BlackElo "2768"] [PlyCount "85"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. c4 Nf6 2. d4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Nge2 Bd6 8. O-O Re8 9. Bd2 b6 10. Nf4 Bxf4 11. exf4 c5 12. Be3 c4 $146 {The top engine move.} (12... Nbd7 $6 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 13. Qf3 Bb7 14. Rad1 Qc7 15. f5 c4 16. Bc2 Bc6 17. g4 {White was better in Petrosyan,M (2609)-Bhambure,S (2302) Tsaghkadzor 2022.}) 13. Bc2 Nc6 14. Re1 Nb4 15. Bb1 Rb8 16. a3 Nc6 17. f3 b5 18. g4 a5 19. Bf2 b4 20. Rxe8+ Nxe8 21. Ne2 bxa3 22. bxa3 Rb3 23. Kg2 f5 24. Bc2 Rb2 25. Qc1 Rxc2 26. Qxc2 fxg4 27. fxg4 Bxg4 28. h3 Bd7 29. Nc3 Nd6 30. Kh2 Qf6 31. Qd2 {We have a complicated position where Black has an extra pawn and better pawn structure for the exchange.} Nf5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting practical try. The position goes from \"better for Black\" to \"equal,\" but this is armageddon.} (31... Qf7 {Keeping d5 defended would have been sufficient for an advantage.} 32. Rb1 h6 {Black maintains the status quo and ...Nf5 comes next.}) 32. Nxd5 Qd6 33. Nc3 Ncxd4 {Black regains the pawn.} 34. Bxd4 Nxd4 35. Qe3 $4 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Blunder;persistent;true] The position was equal, but this ends the game on the spot.} (35. Qf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Two diagonal squares away from the knight is the safest possible square to guard against forks.} Qe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And it's hard to imagine how White could win this. Black threatens ...Qxh3 and can also improve with ...Bc6-Nf3+ if White sits around.} 36. Qxd4 (36. Qg3 Bc6 {and White's king is in trouble too, although perpetuals are still on the table after f5 and Qb8+.}) 36... Qxh3+ 37. Kg1 Qg3+ 38. Kf1 Qf3+ 39. Ke1 Qh1+ 40. Kd2 Qxa1 41. Qxd7 {White threatens Qe8+.} Qb2+ 42. Kd1 Qxa3 {And White cannot win this either despite the extra piece. If the knight tries to activate, there will surely be perpetuals on the white king.}) 35... Nc2 36. Ne4 Qc6 37. Qa7 Nxa1 38. Qb8+ {The worst part of all is that Black only needs to draw. He's up a piece.} Qc8 39. Qe5 Qe8 40. Qd5+ Qe6 41. Qa8+ Qe8 42. Qd5+ Qe6 43. Qa8+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "lichess.org"] [Site "lichess.org"] [Date "2023.06.03"] [Round "8"] [Board "1"] [White "Gukesh D"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C53"] [WhiteElo "2732"] [BlackElo "2853"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/loepare"] [PlyCount "102"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 {[%eval 36,0]} e5 {[%eval 35,0]} 2. Nf3 {[%eval 29,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 32,0]} 3. Bc4 {[%eval 21,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 29,0]} 4. d3 {[%eval 21,0]} Bc5 {[%eval 9,0]} 5. c3 {[%eval 23,0]} d6 {[%eval 27,0]} 6. Bg5 {[%eval 0,0]} h6 {[%eval 25,0]} 7. Bh4 {[%eval 0,0]} a6 {[%eval 0,0]} 8. Nbd2 {[%eval 9,0]} Ba7 {[%eval 3,0]} 9. O-O {[%eval 1,0]} Qe7 {[%eval 36,0]} 10. b4 {[%eval 18,0]} O-O $6 {[%eval 41,0] Inaccuracy. g5 was best.} (10... g5 11. Bg3 Nh7 12. Bd5 h5 13. h4 g4 14. Ne1 Nf8 15. d4 exd4 16. Bxc6+ bxc6 17. c4) 11. a4 {[%eval 37,0]} Be6 {[%eval 32,0]} 12. Re1 {[%eval 32,0]} Bxc4 {[%eval 28,0]} 13. Nxc4 {[%eval 22,0]} b5 $6 {[%eval 89,0] Inaccuracy. Qe6 was best.} (13... Qe6 14. Ne3 Rfe8 15. Bxf6 Bxe3 16. Rxe3 Qxf6 17. h3 Ne7 18. d4 Ng6 19. d5 a5 20. Nd2) 14. axb5 {[%eval 56,0]} axb5 {[%eval 45,0]} 15. Na5 {[%eval 15,0]} Nxa5 {[%eval 24,0]} 16. Rxa5 {[%eval 14,0]} Bb6 {[%eval 26,0]} 17. Rxb5 {[%eval 36,0]} g5 {[%eval 56,0]} 18. Bg3 {[%eval 47,0]} Nd7 {[%eval 51,0]} 19. d4 {[%eval 61,0]} f6 {[%eval 6,0]} 20. dxe5 {[%eval 58,0]} fxe5 {[%eval 74,0]} 21. c4 {[%eval 76,0]} c6 {[%eval 7,0]} 22. Rxb6 {[%eval 63,0]} Nxb6 {[%eval 59,0]} 23. c5 {[%eval 49,0]} Nd7 $6 {[%eval 121,0] Inaccuracy. dxc5 was best.} (23... dxc5 24. bxc5) 24. cxd6 {[%eval 119,0]} Qe6 {[%eval 132,0]} 25. Qc2 $6 {[%eval 62,0] Inaccuracy. h3 was best.} (25. h3) 25... Ra6 $2 {[%eval 177,0] Mistake. Rab8 was best.} (25... Rab8 26. Qd2) 26. Nxe5 $6 {[%eval 78,0] Inaccuracy. h4 was best.} (26. h4) 26... Ra2 {[%eval 62,0]} 27. Qxa2 {[%eval 4,0]} Qxa2 {[%eval 32,0]} 28. Nxd7 {[%eval 52,0]} Rd8 {[%eval 47,0]} 29. Nf6+ {[%eval 5,0]} Kf7 {[%eval 58,0]} 30. e5 {[%eval 49,0]} Qd2 {[%eval 43,0]} 31. f3 {[%eval 0,0]} Qxb4 $6 {[%eval 98,0] Inaccuracy. Ra8 was best.} (31... Ra8 32. Bf2 Qc3 33. g3 Ra1 34. Rxa1 Qxa1+ 35. Kg2 Qxe5 36. d7 Qe7 37. Bb6 Qe2+ 38. Kg1) 32. h3 {[%eval 74,0]} Ra8 {[%eval 53,0]} 33. d7 {[%eval 0,0]} Qd4+ {[%eval 21,0]} 34. Kh2 {[%eval 0,0]} Ke6 {[%eval 31,0]} 35. Rc1 {[%eval 0,0]} (35. Re2) 35... c5 {[%eval 0,0]} 36. Ne4 {[%eval 6,0]} c4 {[%eval 0,0]} 37. Nd6 {[%eval 23,0]} c3 {[%eval 0,0]} 38. Ne4 {[%eval 0,0]} Kxd7 {[%eval 0,0]} 39. Rxc3 {[%eval 0,0]} Kd8 {[%eval 9,0]} 40. Rc6 {[%eval 2,0]} Qe3 $4 {[%eval 483,0] Blunder. Ke7 was best.} (40... Ke7 41. e6 Qd5 42. Rc5 Qd1 43. Nc3 Qa1 44. Nd5+ Kxe6 45. Nc7+ Kf7 46. Nxa8 Qxa8 47. Re5) 41. Rc3 $4 {[%eval 2,0] Blunder. e6 was best.} (41. e6 Qa7 42. Nf6 Qe7 43. Nd5 Qf8 44. Rd6+ Ke8 45. Rd7 Rc8 46. Be5 Rc6 47. Nf6+ Qxf6) 41... Qd4 {[%eval 11,0]} 42. Rc2 {[%eval 0,0]} Ke7 {[%eval 14,0]} 43. Rd2 {[%eval 9,0]} Qc4 {[%eval 14,0]} 44. Bf2 {[%eval 21,0]} Ra5 {[%eval 23,0]} 45. Bg3 {[%eval 24,0]} Ra1 {[%eval 18,0]} 46. e6 {[%eval 6,0]} Qc1 {[%eval 15,0]} 47. Bd6+ $6 {[%eval 7,0] Inaccuracy. Bf2 was best.} (47. Bf2 Ra6 48. Rd7+ Kxe6 49. Nc5+ Qxc5 50. Bxc5 Kxd7 51. Be3 Re6 52. Bd4 Rc6 53. g4 Ke6) 47... Kxe6 {[%eval 67,0]} 48. Kg3 $4 {[%eval -205,0] Blunder. Bb4 was best.} (48. Bb4 Qg1+ 49. Kg3 Rd1 50. Rxd1 Qxd1 51. Kh2 Qc1 52. Bd2 Qc7+ 53. Kg1 Qb6+ 54. Kh2 Kd5) 48... h5 $4 {[%eval 2,0] Blunder. Qe1+ was best.} (48... Qe1+ 49. Rf2 h5 50. h4 Qh1 51. Nxg5+ Kxd6 52. Rd2+ Kc6 53. Rc2+ Kb6 54. Rb2+ Ka7 55. Re2) 49. Nxg5+ {[%eval 0,0]} Kf5 {[%eval 0,0]} 50. Rd5+ {[%eval 0,0]} Kg6 {[%eval 0,0]} 51. Ne6 $4 {[%eval -402,0] Blunder. Ne4 was best.} (51. Ne4 Qe1+ 52. Kf4 Ra4 53. Rg5+ Kf7 54. Kf5 Qe2 55. Be5 Ra5 56. h4 Qb2 57. Kf4 Qc1+) 51... Qe1+ {[%eval -491,0]} 0-1 [Event "The position after 17.Nd6?. "] [Site "The position after 17.Nd6?. "] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "Firouzja"] [Black "Caruana"] [Result "*"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "1r1k1b1r/pp1b1ppp/2nNp3/3pP3/3N1P2/3QB3/q1P3PP/3RK2R b K - 0 17"] [PlyCount "0"] {[%c_arrow b5d6;keyPressed;none;from;b5;opacity;0.8;to;d6;persistent;false][%c_highlight d6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d6;persistent;false]} * [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.03"] [Round "7"] [White "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C11"] [WhiteElo "2785"] [BlackElo "2764"] [PlyCount "76"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. e4 e6 {\"I surprised him in the opening for sure.\" (Caruana)} 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Qb6 {Caruana goes for the pawn grab.} 9. Qd2 Qxb2 10. Rb1 Qa3 11. Ncb5 Qxa2 {Grabbing a second pawn.} 12. Rd1 Rb8 13. Nc7+ Kd8 14. Ncb5 Nc5 15. Bd3 Nxd3+ 16. Qxd3 Bd7 $146 (16... Qa5+ 17. Kf2 Nxd4 18. Bxd4 Bd7 19. Rb1 Rc8 20. Nd6 {White was better here with this Nd6 move, and this was probably what Firouzja remembered from his preparation. Abergel,T (2413)-Fridman,D (2602) Germany 2014}) 17. Nd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Caruana criticized this move. \"I was happy with a draw, and then he played Nd6.\"} (17. O-O Qc4 {was what Caruana intended.} 18. Qxc4 ({He mentioned} 18. Qd2 Bb4) 18... dxc4 19. Nxc6+ ({He showed some nice lines here:} 19. f5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Nxd4 20. Rxd4 Bc5 21. Rxd7+ Kxd7 22. Bxc5 Kc6 {picks up a piece.}) 19... bxc6 20. Nd6 {Caruana said this looked like a \"safe endgame.\"}) 17... Bxd6 18. exd6 Qc4 19. Qd2 f6 {Paving the way for the king to f7.} (19... Qb4 20. c3 Qxd6 {\"I thought he wouldn't have enough,\" (Caruana) although the engine says there's enough compensation for three pawns.} 21. Nb5 Qe7 22. Qf2 b6 23. Nxa7 Ke8 24. Bxb6 f6 25. O-O {and even here the engine gives an equal evaluation.}) 20. Nxc6+ bxc6 21. Qa5+ Ke8 22. Qxa7 Rb2 23. Qa8+ {Losing, but at least White wins the rook. It's better to die with a full stomach.} (23. Rc1 {is already the engine's best recommendation. It's not inspiring after} Qb4+ 24. Ke2 Rg8 {Defending the rook.} 25. Kf3 e5 {Black is still better. From the human perspective, nobody would go for this with White.}) 23... Kf7 24. Qxh8 Qxc2 {Black is a full rook down, but the white king is unsafe.} 25. Bd2 Qe4+ 26. Kf1 Qd3+ 27. Ke1 c5 {Black also has three pawns for the rook. Look at that pawn chain $1} 28. h4 Bb5 29. Kf2 Rxd2+ 30. Rxd2 Qxd2+ {Black wins material. He has two pawns for the exchange and an attack.} 31. Kg3 Qe3+ 32. Kh2 Qxf4+ {Another pawn.} 33. Kg1 Qd4+ 34. Kh2 Qxh4+ 35. Kg1 Qd4+ {Four pawns for the exchange.} 36. Kh2 Qe5+ 37. Kg1 Qxd6 38. Rxh7 ({Caruana showed:} 38. Qxh7 Be2 {Stopping Qh5.} 39. Kf2 Bg4 40. Rb1 Qc7) 38... Qf8 {Caruana mentioned that Firouzja looked like he missed this move, although the game was lost anyway.} 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.03"] [Round "7"] [White "Gukesh D"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C54"] [WhiteElo "2732"] [BlackElo "2853"] [PlyCount "163"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d6 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 a5 8. O-O Bd7 9. Na3 $146 ({His countryman Arjun tried} 9. Re1 Ba7 10. Nbd2 g5 11. Bg3 Ne7 12. d4 Ng6 13. dxe5 dxe5 14. Nf1 $2 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (14. Bxe5 Bxf2+ 15. Kxf2 Ng4+) 14... Qe7 15. Ne3 O-O-O $17 {Erigaisi,A (2725)-Carlsen,M (2861) chess24.com INT 2022}) 9... Bxa3 10. bxa3 O-O 11. Rb1 Rb8 12. Bb5 Be6 13. d4 Bg4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is the beginning of a pawn sacrifice.} 14. Bxc6 bxc6 15. dxe5 Bxf3 16. Rxb8 Qxb8 17. Qxf3 Nd7 (17... dxe5 18. Bxf6 gxf6 19. Qxf6 {is unacceptable.}) 18. exd6 cxd6 19. Qe2 $6 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({The best way forward was} 19. Bg3 Ne5 20. Qd1 (20. Qe2 $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Qb5) 20... Nc4 {One can understand how it looks like Black has good compensation here.} 21. Qd3 Qb5 22. Rb1 Qc5 23. a4 {But a pawn is a pawn. White has a better version of the pawn-up position than in the game.}) 19... Re8 {Black is in the game.} 20. Bg3 Nf6 21. f3 Nh5 22. Bf2 d5 23. Qa6 dxe4 24. fxe4 Nf6 {Fantastic, active play by Black.} 25. Qxc6 Nxe4 26. Be3 Ng3 27. Re1 (27. hxg3 Rxe3) 27... Re6 (27... Rxe3 28. Rxe3 Qb1+ 29. Kf2 Nh1+ 30. Ke2 Qc2+ 31. Kf3 Qf5+ 32. Ke2 Qc2+ {is a funny draw the engine finds.}) 28. Qd5 Qe8 {Carlsen tries for more than a draw.} 29. hxg3 Rxe3 30. Rxe3 Qxe3+ 31. Kh2 Qxc3 {Material is equal, but Black has a better pawn structure.} 32. Qd8+ Kh7 33. Qd7 f6 34. Qf5+ Kh8 35. a4 Qe5 36. Qc8+ (36. Qxe5 fxe5 37. Kg1 Kh7 38. Kf2 Kg6 {The pawn endgames are lost. White's pawn structure does matter.}) 36... Kh7 37. Qc2+ Kg8 38. Qc4+ Kf8 39. Qc8+ Kf7 40. Qd7+ Kg6 41. Qd3+ Qf5 42. Qb5 h5 43. Qe8+ Kh7 44. Qb5 Qe5 {A practical issue for White: he cannot trade the queens, so there is no immediate resolution to the game.} 45. Kh3 Kh6 46. Kh2 g5 47. Kh3 Qe1 48. Kh2 h4 49. gxh4 Qxh4+ 50. Kg1 Qe1+ 51. Kh2 g4 52. Qc6 Kg5 53. Qb6 Qd2 54. Qc5+ Kg6 55. Kg3 f5 56. Qe5 Qd3+ 57. Kh2 Qd8 58. Kg3 Qd3+ 59. Kh2 {Carlsen is trying to advance his majority on the kingside, but objectively White is always fine here.} Qe4 60. Qxa5 Qf4+ 61. Kg1 Qd4+ 62. Kh2 Qf4+ 63. Kg1 g3 {Creating mating threats.} 64. Qe1 Qd4+ 65. Kf1 Qf4+ 66. Kg1 Kf7 67. a5 Qd4+ 68. Kf1 f4 69. a6 Qd3+ 70. Kg1 Qh7 71. a7 Qh2+ 72. Kf1 Qh1+ 73. Ke2 Qxg2+ 74. Kd1 Qb7 {Really trying here. The game is still equal.} 75. Qe5 g2 76. Qxf4+ Ke6 77. Qe3+ Kd7 78. Qd4+ Kc7 79. Qc5+ Kd7 80. Qd4+ Kc7 81. Qc5+ Kd7 82. Qd4+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.03"] [Round "7"] [White "Giri, Anish"] [Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "B31"] [WhiteElo "2768"] [BlackElo "2775"] [PlyCount "79"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. Bxc6 bxc6 5. O-O Bg7 6. Re1 Qc7 7. d3 e5 8. c3 Nf6 9. d4 cxd4 10. cxd4 exd4 11. Qxd4 O-O 12. Nc3 Qb6 13. Qxb6 (13. e5 Qxd4 14. Nxd4 Ng4 15. Bf4 f6 16. e6 dxe6 17. Nxe6 Bxe6 18. Rxe6 g5 19. Bd6 $16 {Swiercz,D (2647)-Lenderman,A (2607) Saint Louis 2021}) 13... axb6 14. e5 Ne8 15. Be3 Ra6 {Nakamura said his opponent probably hoped he didn't know the theory up to here, but he demonstrably did.} 16. Rad1 f6 17. Bd4 fxe5 18. Bxe5 d5 19. Bxg7 Nxg7 20. Ne5 Bb7 21. a4 (21. a3 Nf5 22. h3 d4 23. Ne4 c5 24. Ng5 Bc8 25. Rc1 Ra7 26. b4 Rxa3 27. bxc5 d3 28. Rcd1 bxc5 29. Nxd3 c4 30. Ne5 c3 {Firouzja,A (2778)-Praggnanandhaa,R (2661) Miami 2022}) 21... Nf5 22. Nf3 c5 {Black has clearly equalized.} 23. Nxd5 Rxa4 24. Nxb6 Rb4 {The players continue to liquidate.} 25. Nd7 Bxf3 26. gxf3 Nh4 27. Nxf8 Nxf3+ 28. Kg2 Nxe1+ 29. Rxe1 Kxf8 30. Re5 Rxb2 31. Rxc5 {No room left to play.} Rb4 32. Rc7 Kg8 33. Kg3 g5 34. Rc5 h6 35. Rc7 Rf4 36. f3 Rb4 37. Re7 Ra4 38. Rd7 Rb4 39. Re7 Ra4 40. Rd7 {Rb} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.03"] [Round "8"] [White "Giri, Anish"] [Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C67"] [WhiteElo "2768"] [BlackElo "2775"] [PlyCount "140"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 Bd7 10. Rd1 Be7 11. g4 Nh4 12. Nxh4 Bxh4 13. Nd2 Be7 {A rare move.,} (13... Kc8) (13... Ke8 {Both of these moves are more common.}) 14. Ne4 Ke8 $146 (14... h6 15. f4 Kc8 16. f5 c5 17. Bf4 $14 {Grischuk,A (2750)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2795) Chess.com INT 2017}) 15. Bf4 Be6 16. b3 a5 17. Rd3 a4 {Gaining space on the queenside.} 18. Rad1 h6 19. Ng3 {One of Black's problems is that he cannot connect his rooks by castling. Therefore:} g6 {Creating a square on g7 for the king, connecting his rooks.} 20. Ne4 Kf8 21. Be3 b6 {Controlling c5.} 22. Nc3 axb3 23. axb3 Kg7 24. Ne2 Bc8 25. c4 Re8 26. Kg2 Bf8 {Pressuring e5.} 27. Kg3 Kg8 28. f4 Bg7 29. h4 b5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This worked out for Nakamura in the game, but this was probably the one moment Giri had a chance. After missing it here, winning chances were hard to manufacture.} ({The engine recommends:} 29... h5 30. gxh5 gxh5 31. Nd4 Bg4 32. R1d2 c5 {and Black is even slightly better with the two bishops and play on the light squares.}) 30. cxb5 (30. Rd8 Be6 31. Rxa8 Rxa8 32. Nd4 Rd8 33. Rc1 {White has pressure on the queenside structure. If} b4 34. Ra1 {White is better, with Ra6 or Ra7.}) 30... cxb5 31. Nc3 c6 {\"When I played this whole b5 c6, all my moves I could play in one second.\" (Nakamura)} 32. Ne4 Be6 33. Nd6 Red8 34. g5 hxg5 35. hxg5 {White has a pretty-lookking structure on the kingside, but it's hard to imagine how he will break through. He must win.} Ra3 36. b4 Rda8 37. Bc5 Bf8 38. Nb7 Bd5 39. Bxf8 Kxf8 {Even with good knight against \"bad bishop,\" the game is a draw. Bad bishops defend good pawns (c6).} 40. Na5 Ra4 41. Rd4 Ke7 42. Kf2 Rh8 43. Kg3 Ra2 44. R1d2 Ra1 {Black is better already.} 45. Rd1 Ra2 46. R4d2 Ra3+ 47. Rd3 Ra2 48. R1d2 Ra1 49. Rd1 Ra2 50. Rxd5 {White has to try something. This doesn't work, but the alternatives aren't better.} cxd5 51. Rxd5 Rc8 52. Kf3 Rc3+ 53. Ke4 Re2+ 54. Kd4 Rd2+ 55. Kxc3 Rxd5 56. Nb7 Kd7 {Nakamura goes on to win with the extra exchange.} 57. Nc5+ Kc6 58. Ne4 Rd1 59. Nd6 Rf1 60. Nxf7 Rf3+ 61. Kd2 Rxf4 62. Nh8 Rxb4 63. Nxg6 Rg4 64. e6 Rxg5 65. Nf4 Kd6 66. Kc3 Rg3+ 67. Kb2 Rg4 68. Ne2 Kxe6 69. Nc3 Kd7 70. Kb3 (70. Nxb5 Rb4+) 70... Kc6 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.03"] [Round "7"] [White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D20"] [WhiteElo "2738"] [BlackElo "2731"] [PlyCount "95"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 e5 4. Nf3 Bb4+ 5. Nc3 exd4 6. Qxd4 Qxd4 7. Nxd4 Nf6 8. f3 Bc5 9. Be3 Nc6 10. Nc2 Bxe3 11. Nxe3 Be6 12. Bxc4 O-O-O $146 {A new move, and the engine's favorite.} (12... Ke7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 13. O-O-O Rhd8 14. Bd5 Na5 {White would have a very large advantage after e5 in Ding,L (2805)-Navara,D (2734) Prague 2019.}) 13. Rd1 Rxd1+ 14. Kxd1 Rd8+ 15. Kc1 Ne5 {A good opening result for Black.} 16. Bxe6+ (16. Be2 Nd3+ 17. Bxd3 Rxd3 18. Re1 Nd7 {is another level position.}) 16... fxe6 {The isolated pawn on e6 covers the d5 and f5 squares, which the knights want to jump to.} 17. Kc2 c5 18. f4 Nfg4 19. Nxg4 Nxg4 20. g3 Kc7 21. Re1 Nxh2 22. Rh1 Nf3 23. Rxh7 Rd7 24. e5 Kc6 25. Rh8 Rd2+ 26. Kc1 Rg2 {By this point, the commentators were getting a little worried for White. But Mamedyarov kept the balance.} 27. Rc8+ Kd7 28. Rxc5 Rxg3 29. Nb5 a6 30. Nd6 Rg1+ ({The engine suggests this crazy line:} 30... g5 31. fxg5 Nxe5 32. Nxb7 Nd3+ 33. Kc2 Nxc5 34. Nxc5+ Ke7 35. Nxa6 {with a slight advantage to Black it says, but this will most likely be a draw.}) 31. Kc2 Rg2+ 32. Kc3 b6 33. Rc4 b5 34. Rc8 Rg3 35. Kb4 Rg4 36. Kc5 Rxf4 37. Ra8 Nxe5 38. Ra7+ Kd8 39. Rxg7 Rf2 40. Nb7+ Ke8 41. Kd6 Nc4+ 42. Kxe6 Re2+ 43. Kf6 Rxb2 44. Nc5 Rf2+ 45. Ke6 Re2+ 46. Kf6 Rf2+ 47. Ke6 Re2+ 48. Kf6 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.03"] [Round "8"] [White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D37"] [WhiteElo "2738"] [BlackElo "2731"] [PlyCount "81"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. c4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. a3 Nbd7 7. Nb5 Ne8 8. e3 dxc4 9. Bxc4 Nd6 10. Nxd6 Bxd6 11. Bg3 b6 $146 (11... Qe7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 12. Bh4 Qe8 13. Qc2 h6 14. O-O e5 15. Bd3 exd4 16. exd4 Nb6 17. Rfe1 Qa4 18. b3 Qa5 19. b4 Qd5 20. Be4 $16 {Lemos,D (2480)-Tica,S (2384) Graz 2017}) 12. Bh4 Be7 13. Bg3 Bb7 14. O-O Bd6 15. Rc1 Bxg3 16. hxg3 c5 17. Bb5 cxd4 18. Nxd4 Ne5 19. f4 Ng6 20. Qa4 Qd5 21. Bc6 Bxc6 22. Nxc6 Qd2 {Although the engine bar only gives a slight advantage, the commentators said this was extremely difficult for Black practically. The knight on c6 is much stronger than its counterpart, and the queen on d2 may be short of squares.} 23. Qb3 Rfc8 24. Rc3 h5 25. Rfc1 Rc7 26. R3c2 Qd6 27. Rc4 Rac8 28. Qc3 Kh7 29. b4 a6 30. a4 Ne7 {This was the most critical moment of the game for Abdusattorov.} 31. Rd4 $4 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} Nd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (31... Rxc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins on the spot} 32. Qd3+ (32. Rxd6 Rxc3 {Black is up a piece.}) (32. Qxc6 Qxc6 33. Rxc6 Nxc6 {Black is up a piece.}) 32... Nf5 33. Rxd6 Rxc1+ 34. Kh2 R8c3 35. Qd2 Nxe3 {with Ng4 coming, Black wins.}) 32. Qd3+ f5 33. b5 axb5 34. axb5 {White solidifies the steed on c6. He's not winning, but it's a pleasant position.} g6 $2 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({The engine recommends sacrificing the exchange, which is very hard to do in a must-draw game.} 34... Rxc6 35. bxc6 Rxc6 36. Rd1 Qc7 {with equality. The knight is not worse than the rooks and the engine already wants to give the exchange back with Rxd5.}) 35. e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} fxe4 36. Rxe4 {White opens lines against the king and also creates a weak pawn on e6.} Rd7 (36... Ra8 {Going for counterplay on the a-file was perhaps the last chance, according to the engine. But after} 37. Qd2 {it wants to just wait passively with Rf8 or Re8. Not possible for a human.}) 37. Rd4 Qf8 (37... Rf7 38. Re1 Rf5 39. Rde4 {would likely not have improved matters in a practical game. The defense is just too difficult. It's also objectively lost.}) 38. Re1 Re8 39. Re5 {Threatening Rxh5.} Kg7 40. Rg5 Kh8 41. Ne5 {The pawn on g6 falls.} 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.03"] [Round "7"] [White "Tari, Aryan"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C89"] [WhiteElo "2642"] [BlackElo "2760"] [PlyCount "103"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d3 Bd6 13. Re1 Bf5 14. Qf3 Re8 15. Rxe8+ Qxe8 16. Nd2 Qe1+ 17. Nf1 Bg6 18. Qd1 {The first move that isn't the absolute number-one most common. The idea is just to trade queens, give back the pawn on d3, and make a draw.} Qxd1 19. Bxd1 Bxd3 20. Bf3 Re8 21. Be3 (21. Bd2 Be4 22. Re1 Nf6 23. Bd1 Kf8 24. Ne3 c5 25. a4 Bd3 26. axb5 axb5 27. Bf3 Ne4 28. Bc1 c4 29. Nf5 Bc5 30. Be3 Bxe3 {½-½ (30) Sychev,K (2547)-Esipenko,A (2692) Ankara 2022}) 21... Be4 22. Bxe4 Rxe4 23. Rd1 f5 24. g3 Kf7 25. Kg2 a5 26. Kf3 a4 27. a3 {By this point the commentators said the position was uncomortable for White.} Be7 28. h4 h6 29. Bc1 g5 30. hxg5 hxg5 31. Ne3 g4+ 32. Kg2 Nxe3+ 33. Bxe3 Ke6 {Black has dreams of bringing the king to b3, and although he's on the better side of the draw, perhaps there isn't enough to play for.} 34. Kf1 Bd6 35. Ke2 f4 36. gxf4 Bxf4 37. Rd8 Bxe3 38. Kd3 Re5 39. Re8+ Kd6 40. Rxe5 Kxe5 41. Kxe3 Kf5 42. Kd3 Kf4 43. Ke2 Ke4 44. Kd2 Kf3 45. Ke1 c5 46. Kf1 Kf4 47. Ke1 Ke5 48. Kd2 Ke4 49. Ke2 Kf4 50. Ke1 Ke4 51. Ke2 Kf4 52. Ke1 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.03"] [Round "8"] [White "Tari, Aryan"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C36"] [WhiteElo "2642"] [BlackElo "2760"] [PlyCount "118"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 d5 4. exd5 Nf6 5. Bb5+ c6 6. dxc6 Nxc6 7. Nc3 Bd6 8. Qe2+ Be6 9. Nd4 O-O 10. Nxe6 fxe6 11. Bxc6 bxc6 12. b3 e5 13. Bb2 Kh8 14. O-O-O a5 15. a4 $146 (15. d4 e4 16. Nxe4 Re8 17. Nxd6 Qxd6 (17... Rxe2 18. Nf7+) 18. Qf3 a4 19. Rhe1 $16 {Sychev,K (2553)-Belyakov,B (2444) Chess.com INT 2022}) 15... Qe7 16. Kb1 Rab8 17. Ne4 Ba3 18. Ba1 Qe6 19. Ka2 Be7 20. Nxf6 Bxf6 21. Rhe1 Rfe8 22. Bc3 e4 23. Bxf6 Qxf6 24. Qc4 Rb4 25. Qc5 Re5 26. Qa7 h6 $4 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Blunder;persistent;true] There were other critical moments before this one, but this was the most critical of both games. White can win on the spot in this position.} (26... Qe7 {offers a queen trade and gains squares for the rook b4.}) 27. d4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (27. c3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook is just trapped.}) 27... exd3 28. Rxe5 Qxe5 29. Rxd3 Re4 30. Qa6 Re1 31. Rd8+ Kh7 32. Qd3+ Qe4 33. Qxe4+ Rxe4 34. Rd2 (34. Kb2 Re2 35. g3 {holds a draw, but that's not good enough.}) 34... g5 {Black is better and only needs to draw.} 35. Rd7+ Kg6 36. Rd6+ Kh5 37. Rxc6 Re2 {Black is objectively winning this race.} 38. b4 axb4 {Still good enough to draw.} ({Black wins the race after} 38... Rxg2 39. b5 f3 40. Rf6 g4 41. Kb3 Rxh2) 39. a5 Rxg2 40. a6 Re2 41. Kb3 f3 42. Rf6 g4 43. Rf8 Re7 {Controlling the a-pawn.} 44. Kxb4 Kh4 45. Kb5 Kh3 46. Kb6 Re6+ 47. Kb7 Re7+ 48. Kb8 Kxh2 {The following is nicely calculated by So.} 49. a7 Rxa7 {The drawing concept. The black pawns will cost White his own rook.} 50. Kxa7 g3 51. Rxf3 g2 52. Rf2 h5 {The tempi all work out.} 53. c4 h4 54. c5 h3 55. c6 Kg3 56. Rxg2+ hxg2 57. c7 g1=Q+ 58. Kb7 Qc5 59. Ka8 Qxc7 {The prettiest and fastest way of finishing.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "chess24.com"] [Site "chess24.com"] [Date "2023.06.03"] [Round "8.1"] [White "Gukesh D"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C54"] [WhiteElo "2732"] [BlackElo "2853"] [Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"] [PlyCount "102"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "India"] [BlackTeam "Norway"] [WhiteTeamCountry "IND"] [BlackTeamCountry "NOR"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d6 6. Bg5 {A topical trend in the Italian. Practically every e2-e4 top player has given this early-pin line a try lately.} h6 {Asking the bishop to choose a diagonal.} 7. Bh4 {In the past White had their concerns about this piece. It would be working from where it is, or would it remain a passive observer of the game until its very end $2 Modern practice has demonstrated that patience may eventually pay dividends as the bishop can later enter the battle.} a6 8. Nbd2 ({There is also the immediate:} 8. a4 Ba7 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. O-O Re8 11. b4 Be6 12. Re1 Nb8 13. d4 Nbd7 14. Qb3 Qe7 15. Rad1 b5 16. Bxe6 Qxe6 17. Qc2 Nh5 {as in Yu,Y (2729)-Harikrishna,P (2704) Chess.com INT 2023}) 8... Ba7 9. O-O Qe7 10. b4 O-O 11. a4 {The most natural plan.} Be6 12. Re1 Bxc4 13. Nxc4 {[#]} b5 $5 $146 {[%mdl 8] [%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is a top novelty. Carlsen improves on Carlsen $1} ({The predecessor is a game of the Norwegian GM that went:} 13... Qe6 14. b5 Ne7 15. Bxf6 Qxf6 16. Rb1 axb5 17. axb5 Ng6 18. g3 {and now the mystery rook move} Rfc8 {promised Black good play in So,W (2770)-Carlsen,M (2847) chess24.com INT 2021}) 14. axb5 {Gukesh spends a valuable half-minute on his clock to decide what to do and chooses a brave approach.} ({Another brave idea is} 14. Ne3 {with the intention to meet} Qe6 {with} ({There is also the calmer approach} 14... Bxe3 15. Rxe3 Qe6) 15. d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and the massive complications seem to favor White. For example,} Nxe4 16. d5 Nxc3 17. Qd2 Bxe3 18. Qxc3 Qxd5 19. fxe3 Qe4 {when the white piece is definitely more attractive than the three black pawns.}) 14... axb5 15. Na5 {That's the plan, White wants the open file.} Nxa5 16. Rxa5 {Doubling with a tempo $2} Bb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A fantastic concept $1 Carlsen wants to lock the enemy rook for as long as he can.} 17. Rxb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And Gukesh accepts the challenge $1} ({Certainly not the timid} 17. Rxa8 Rxa8 18. d4 {when Black has no problems at all after either} Qe6 ({or} 18... Ra3)) 17... g5 {That is an essential part of Black's idea. He needs the knight badly.} ({The immediate challenge of the rook} 17... Rfb8 {Threatening both c7-c6 and Bb6xf2+ fails to impress due to} 18. d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) ({Whereas} 17... Ra6 {is strongly met with} 18. Bxf6 Qxf6 19. d4) 18. Bg3 Nd7 19. d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Both sides have no time to waste.} f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The center needs to be solidified; otherwise, all the efforts would be in vain.} ({As in the line} 19... c6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 20. Rxb6 Nxb6 21. dxe5 {and it all backfires for Black.}) 20. dxe5 fxe5 21. c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White plays for the initiative himself, and this is the right thing to do $1} ({The rook could have been saved with} 21. Rd5 Nf6 22. Rd3 {However, then Black would be in full charge of the situation with, say,} Qe6 23. Nd2 Ra3 {and this would be one of those situations where the white bishop bites the granite.}) 21... c6 22. Rxb6 Nxb6 23. c5 {The point. However, here and a few future moments later, White misses a chance to throw in a preliminary kingside shot.} ({Stronger is to weaken further the kingside with} 23. h4 $5 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Then} Nxc4 {can be met with} 24. hxg5 hxg5 25. Qb3 d5 26. exd5 cxd5 27. Qd3 {with more than enough compensation for the exchange} ({Or also the computer-like retreat} 27. Qd1)) 23... Nd7 ({Safer is} 23... dxc5 24. bxc5 Nd7 ({But not} 24... Qxc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 25. Nxe5)) 24. cxd6 Qe6 25. Qc2 ({A second chance to throw in} 25. h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when after} g4 {the knight would be pushed to a better position} 26. Nh2 h5 27. Nf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 25... Ra6 {Not the most important to defend $1} ({Carlsen could have saved instead the central defender with} 25... Rab8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26. Qc3 Rb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 26. Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another fantastic concept by the young Gukesh $1} ({But it would have worked perfectly with} 26. h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] inserted. Then if Black plays as in the game} g4 27. Nxe5 Ra2 {White has the simple} ({Note that} 27... Nxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] does not win anything} 28. Bxe5 Qxe5 29. Qc4+) 28. Qc4 ({or the game idea, but perfectly executed now} 28. Qxa2 $3 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} Qxa2 29. Nxd7 Rd8 30. Nf6+ Kf7 31. e5 {It is not only the kingside weakening that plays well in White's hands, but the extra \"luft\" for his king that matters. In comparison to the game} Qd2 {can now be met with} 32. Re4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with decisive improvement of the rook, as there is no back-rank checkmate.}) 28... Qxc4 29. Nxc4 Kf7 30. Ne3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} h5 31. Rc1 {with a serious edge for White.}) 26... Ra2 27. Qxa2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] That is the young Indian's point $1 His super-powerful central duo provides him with enough compensation, but is it good for more than a draw $2} ({Without the h2-h4 inserted, Black is safe in the line} 27. Qc4 Qxc4 28. Nxc4 Kf7 29. e5 Ke6) 27... Qxa2 28. Nxd7 Rd8 29. Nf6+ Kf7 30. e5 Qd2 {And it is anyone's game now, especially with both the flags ominously hanging $1} 31. f3 (31. Rb1 {does not save the pawn due to} Rb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 31... Qxb4 ({More cunning seems} 31... Ra8 $1 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] to which White needs to react with} 32. Bf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the idea to meet} Ra2 {with} 33. Ne4) 32. h3 ({Last call for} 32. h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} gxh4 33. Re4 Qb1+ 34. Be1 {and White's perfectly coordinated.}) 32... Ra8 33. d7 {A hasty blitz-move.} ({Carlsen himself would not have missed a chance for a prophylactic} 33. Kh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] move, say} Qd4 34. Ne4 Ke6 35. Re2 {when White is in control.}) 33... Qd4+ 34. Kh2 Ke6 35. Rc1 c5 36. Ne4 c4 {Black is squeezing everything from the position.} (36... Kxd7 37. Nxc5+) 37. Nd6 c3 38. Ne4 Kxd7 39. Rxc3 Kd8 $3 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] It keeps amazing me how fast the top players are, even when seeing from the opponent's eyes.} ({In a time deficit, it is easy to miss a nasty shot like} 39... Ra2 40. Rd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 40. Rc6 Qe3 {A blunder $1} (40... Ke7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is called for}) 41. Rc3 {Gukesh misses a golden opportunity $1} (41. e6 $3 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] would have set a mating net around the black king as it cannot escape with} Ke7 42. Bd6+ Kxe6 43. Bc5+) 41... Qd4 {Now it is back to normal, except that it is easier to play with the queen.} (41... Qe2 {will be met with} 42. Bf2) 42. Rc2 Ke7 43. Rd2 Qc4 44. Bf2 Ra5 45. Bg3 Ra1 {Going for the white king.} 46. e6 Qc1 ({A simple capture like} 46... Qxe6 {should have led to a draw after, say} 47. Rd6 Qc4 48. Rxh6 Qd4 49. Bd6+ Kf7 50. Rh7+ Kg6 51. Re7 Qg1+ 52. Kg3 Qe1+ 53. Nf2 Qd2 54. Ne4) ({And} 46... Kxe6 {might have also led to a split point as in this line} 47. Rd6+ Ke7 48. Rxh6 Qd4 49. Bf2 Qe5+ 50. Bg3 Qd4 51. Bd6+ Kf7 52. Rh7+ Kg6 53. Re7 Qg1+ 54. Kg3 Qe1+) 47. Bd6+ Kxe6 48. Kg3 {A blunder by White $1} (48. Bb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 48... h5 ({Black could have won instantly with} 48... Qe1+ $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 49. Rf2 ({The beauty of Black's idea is revealed in the line} 49. Kh2 g4 $3 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] with the unstoppable threat of an attacking blockade with g4-g3 $1}) 49... Ra4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ({Or} 49... h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 50. Bc5 Rxe4 51. fxe4 Qc3+ {and wins.}) 49. Nxg5+ Kf5 50. Rd5+ ({Objectively, a solidifying move like} 50. Ne4 {would have led to a draw after} Qe1+ 51. Rf2 Ra2 52. Bb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qxb4 53. Rxa2 h4+ 54. Kxh4 Qe7+ 55. Kg3 Qc7+) 50... Kg6 51. Ne6 {The final blunder.} ({It would have likely been a draw after} 51. h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) ({Or} 51. Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 51... Qe1+ 0-1 [Event "lichess.org"] [Site "lichess.org"] [Date "2023.06.04"] [Round "9"] [Board "2"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "A28"] [WhiteElo "2764"] [BlackElo "2738"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/loepare"] [PlyCount "94"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. c4 {[%eval 23,0]} e5 {[%eval 25,0]} 2. Nc3 {[%eval 12,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 32,0]} 3. Nf3 {[%eval 0,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 18,0]} 4. e4 {[%eval 3,0]} Bc5 {[%eval 14,0]} 5. Nxe5 {[%eval 5,0]} Nxe5 {[%eval 6,0]} 6. d4 {[%eval 11,0]} Bb4 {[%eval 0,0]} 7. dxe5 {[%eval 0,0]} Nxe4 {[%eval 15,0]} 8. Qf3 {[%eval 16,0]} d5 {[%eval 46,0]} 9. Be2 {[%eval 45,0]} d4 {[%eval 54,0]} 10. Qxe4 {[%eval 4,0]} dxc3 {[%eval 52,0]} 11. O-O {[%eval 46,0]} O-O {[%eval 87,0]} 12. a3 {[%eval 75,0]} cxb2 {[%eval 73,0]} 13. Bxb2 {[%eval 67,0]} Bc5 {[%eval 56,0]} 14. Bd3 {[%eval 63,0]} g6 {[%eval 48,0]} 15. e6 {[%eval 44,0]} Qe7 {[%eval 52,0]} 16. Rfe1 {[%eval 7,0]} a5 {[%eval 46,0]} 17. Qf4 {[%eval 3,0]} f6 {[%eval 47,0]} 18. Be4 {[%eval 68,0]} Ra6 {[%eval 39,0]} 19. Rad1 {[%eval 44,0]} Rd6 {[%eval 44,0]} 20. Rxd6 {[%eval 42,0]} Bxd6 {[%eval 47,0]} 21. Qh4 {[%eval 5,0]} c6 {[%eval 5,0]} 22. Bd3 $6 {[%eval 7,0] Inaccuracy. Bb1 was best.} (22. Bb1 Bxe6) 22... Bxa3 {[%eval 89,0]} 23. Bxa3 {[%eval 77,0]} Qxa3 {[%eval 71,0]} 24. Qg3 {[%eval 96,0]} Re8 {[%eval 6,0]} 25. Bxg6 {[%eval 67,0]} Rxe6 {[%eval 57,0]} 26. Bd3+ {[%eval 44,0]} Kh8 {[%eval 57,0]} 27. Rd1 {[%eval 54,0]} Qd6 {[%eval 42,0]} 28. Qf3 {[%eval 54,0]} Qe7 {[%eval 45,0]} 29. Bf1 {[%eval 51,0]} Re5 {[%eval 55,0]} 30. h4 {[%eval 47,0]} Be6 {[%eval 35,0]} 31. Rd4 {[%eval 38,0]} Re1 {[%eval 0,0]} 32. Qc3 $6 {[%eval 72,0] Inaccuracy. Qd3 was best.} (32. Qd3 c5 33. Rd8+ Kg7 34. Qg3+ Kh6 35. Qf4+ Kg6 36. Qg3+) 32... Bg8 {[%eval 49,0]} 33. Qd2 {[%eval 89,0]} Qe5 {[%eval -89,0]} 34. Rd8 {[%eval 57,0]} Qa1 {[%eval 57,0]} 35. Qd3 $4 {[%eval -215,0] Blunder. Kh2 was best.} (35. Kh2 b6) 35... Qb1 {[%eval -207,0]} 36. Rxg8+ $6 {[%eval -483,0] Inaccuracy. Qxb1 was best.} (36. Qxb1 Rxb1 37. g4 a4 38. Kg2 a3 39. Ra8 a2 40. Rxa2 Rxf1 41. Rb2 Rc1 42. Rxb7 Rxc4) 36... Kxg8 {[%eval -315,0]} 37. Qd8+ {[%eval -482,0]} Kg7 {[%eval -462,0]} 38. Qc7+ {[%eval -496,0]} Kg6 {[%eval -449,0]} 39. Qg3+ {[%eval -426,0]} Kf5 {[%eval -433,0]} 40. Qh3+ {[%eval -425,0]} Ke5 {[%eval -431,0]} 41. Qg3+ {[%eval -595,0]} Ke6 {[%eval -484,0]} 42. Qg8+ {[%eval -464,0]} Kd7 {[%eval -599,0]} 43. Qf7+ {[%eval -441,0]} Kc8 {[%eval -458,0]} 44. Kh2 {[%eval -431,0]} Qe4 {[%eval -494,0]} 45. Qg8+ {[%eval -412,0]} Kc7 {[%eval -419,0]} 46. Kg1 {[%eval -416,0]} Qd3 {[%eval -568,0]} 47. Qf7+ {[%eval -597,0]} Kb6 {[%eval -594,0]} 0-1 [Event "Norway Chess"] [Site "lichess.org"] [Date "2023.06.04"] [Round "9"] [Board "4"] [White "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Black "Tari, Aryan"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C26"] [WhiteElo "2775"] [BlackElo "2642"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/loepare"] [PlyCount "83"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 {[%eval 36,0]} e5 {[%eval 35,0]} 2. Bc4 {[%eval 0,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 0,0]} 3. d3 {[%eval 0,0]} Bc5 {[%eval 28,0]} 4. Nc3 {[%eval 0,0]} c6 {[%eval 0,0]} 5. Bb3 {[%eval 0,0]} d6 {[%eval 9,0]} 6. h3 {[%eval 3,0]} O-O {[%eval 7,0]} 7. Nf3 {[%eval 23,0]} a5 {[%eval 16,0]} 8. O-O {[%eval 21,0]} Nbd7 {[%eval 26,0]} 9. a3 {[%eval 19,0]} b5 {[%eval 12,0]} 10. Ba2 {[%eval 18,0]} a4 {[%eval 7,0]} 11. Nh4 {[%eval 23,0]} Ba7 {[%eval 13,0]} 12. Qf3 {[%eval 0,0]} Nc5 {[%eval 0,0]} 13. Nf5 {[%eval 1,0]} Bxf5 {[%eval 0,0]} 14. Qxf5 {[%eval 4,0]} Re8 {[%eval 7,0]} 15. Bd2 {[%eval 33,0]} Ne6 {[%eval 37,0]} 16. Ne2 {[%eval 32,0]} d5 {[%eval 23,0]} 17. exd5 $6 {[%eval 82,0] Inaccuracy. Rad1 was best.} (17. Rad1 Qc7 18. exd5 cxd5 19. Rfe1 Rad8 20. c3 Nf8 21. Ng3 Re6 22. Qf3 Ng6 23. Nf5 h6) 17... Nxd5 $6 {[%eval 11,0] Inaccuracy. cxd5 was best.} (17... cxd5 18. Bc3 Bb8 19. Rae1 g6 20. Qf3 Ra6 21. Ng3 Nf4 22. Ne2 e4 23. dxe4 dxe4 24. Qe3) 18. Rae1 {[%eval 12,0]} Qd6 {[%eval 15,0]} 19. Qg4 {[%eval 17,0]} Rad8 {[%eval 7,0]} 20. Ng3 {[%eval 22,0]} Nd4 {[%eval 8,0]} 21. Bg5 {[%eval 28,0]} Rb8 $6 {[%eval 73,0] Inaccuracy. f6 was best.} (21... f6 22. c3) 22. Be3 {[%eval 38,0]} Qg6 {[%eval 5,0]} 23. c3 {[%eval 35,0]} Nxe3 {[%eval 35,0]} 24. fxe3 {[%eval 61,0]} Nb3 {[%eval 55,0]} 25. Ne4 $6 {[%eval 0,0] Inaccuracy. Qh4 was best.} (25. Qh4 Bc5 26. Nf5 Bf8 27. Rf3 Rbd8 28. Ref1 Kh8 29. d4 exd4 30. cxd4 c5 31. Rg3 Qe6) 25... Qxg4 {[%eval 0,0]} 26. hxg4 {[%eval 5,0]} c5 $4 {[%eval 197,0] Blunder. Rbd8 was best.} (26... Rbd8 27. d4) 27. Bxb3 {[%eval 169,0]} axb3 {[%eval 216,0]} 28. c4 {[%eval 197,0]} Red8 {[%eval 131,0]} 29. Rd1 {[%eval 163,0]} Rd7 $6 {[%eval 259,0] Inaccuracy. h5 was best.} (29... h5 30. gxh5 f5 31. Nc3 f4 32. Kf2 b4 33. Nb5 Bb6 34. Kf3 Rf8 35. Ke4 bxa3 36. Nxa3) 30. Kf2 {[%eval 269,0]} h5 {[%eval 285,0]} 31. gxh5 {[%eval 227,0]} f5 {[%eval 204,0]} 32. Nc3 {[%eval 257,0]} b4 {[%eval 278,0]} 33. Nb5 $6 {[%eval 209,0] Inaccuracy. axb4 was best.} (33. axb4) 33... f4 $6 {[%eval 208,0] Inaccuracy. bxa3 was best.} (33... bxa3 34. Nxa3) 34. axb4 {[%eval 287,0]} Bb6 {[%eval 314,0]} 35. exf4 {[%eval 300,0]} cxb4+ {[%eval 301,0]} 36. Kf3 {[%eval 331,0]} exf4 $6 {[%eval 423,0] Inaccuracy. Rbd8 was best.} (36... Rbd8 37. Ke2) 37. d4 {[%eval 396,0]} Rbd8 {[%eval 401,0]} 38. Rd3 {[%eval 434,0]} Rc8 {[%eval 400,0]} 39. Rc1 {[%eval 444,0]} Rd5 $6 {[%eval 595,0] Inaccuracy. Kh7 was best.} (39... Kh7 40. Rdd1) 40. c5 $6 {[%eval 448,0] Inaccuracy. cxd5 was best.} (40. cxd5) 40... Rg5 $2 {[%eval 744,0] Mistake. Rcxc5 was best.} (40... Rcxc5 41. Rxc5 Bxc5 42. Ke4 Rxh5 43. dxc5 Rxc5 44. Nd4 Kh7 45. Rh3+ Kg8 46. Rxb3 Rg5 47. Kf3) 41. Nd6 {[%eval 754,0]} Rc6 {[%eval 772,0]} 42. cxb6 {[%eval 792,0]} 1-0 [Event "Norway Chess"] [Site "lichess.org"] [Date "2023.06.04"] [Round "10"] [Board "1"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Giri, Anish"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E32"] [WhiteElo "2853"] [BlackElo "2768"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/loepare"] [PlyCount "57"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. d4 {[%eval 0,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 28,0]} 2. c4 {[%eval 16,0]} e6 {[%eval 23,0]} 3. Nc3 {[%eval 5,0]} Bb4 {[%eval 25,0]} 4. Qc2 {[%eval 0,0]} O-O {[%eval 0,0]} 5. a3 {[%eval 0,0]} Bxc3+ {[%eval 13,0]} 6. Qxc3 {[%eval 4,0]} d5 {[%eval 4,0]} 7. cxd5 {[%eval 0,0]} Ne4 {[%eval 0,0]} 8. Qc2 {[%eval 26,0]} exd5 {[%eval 27,0]} 9. Bf4 {[%eval 14,0]} Bf5 {[%eval 2,0]} 10. Qxc7 {[%eval 1,0]} Qxc7 {[%eval 22,0]} 11. Bxc7 {[%eval 4,0]} Rc8 {[%eval 9,0]} 12. Bf4 {[%eval 15,0]} Rc2 $2 {[%eval 131,0] Mistake. Nc6 was best.} (12... Nc6 13. f3) 13. f3 {[%eval 104,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 98,0]} 14. g4 {[%eval 95,0]} Be6 $6 {[%eval 212,0] Inaccuracy. Bg6 was best.} (14... Bg6 15. Rc1 Nc6 16. Rxc2 Bxc2 17. Kd2 Bb1 18. e3 Ne4+ 19. Kc1 Nf2 20. Kxb1 Nxh1 21. Ne2) 15. Rb1 {[%eval 209,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 207,0]} 16. e3 {[%eval 218,0]} Na5 {[%eval 200,0]} 17. Bd3 {[%eval 201,0]} Rc6 {[%eval 205,0]} 18. Ne2 {[%eval 198,0]} Nc4 {[%eval 237,0]} 19. Kf2 {[%eval 259,0]} Rac8 {[%eval 287,0]} 20. Rhc1 {[%eval 238,0]} b5 {[%eval 232,0]} 21. Bxc4 $6 {[%eval 164,0] Inaccuracy. h4 was best.} (21. h4 a5 22. Rc2 a4 23. h5 Nd7 24. Kg3 f6 25. Nc1 Bf7 26. Na2 g5 27. hxg6 Bxg6) 21... bxc4 {[%eval 156,0]} 22. b4 {[%eval 167,0]} cxb3 {[%eval 171,0]} 23. Rxc6 {[%eval 159,0]} Rxc6 {[%eval 154,0]} 24. Rxb3 {[%eval 143,0]} Rb6 $4 {[%eval 357,0] Blunder. h5 was best.} (24... h5 25. g5) 25. Rxb6 {[%eval 355,0]} axb6 {[%eval 306,0]} 26. Nc3 {[%eval 307,0]} h5 {[%eval 347,0]} 27. gxh5 {[%eval 367,0]} Kh7 {[%eval 355,0]} 28. Bc7 {[%eval 366,0]} Nd7 {[%eval 352,0]} 29. Kg3 {[%eval 386,0]} 1-0 [Event "The position after 16...a5."] [Site "The position after 16...a5."] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "Caruana"] [Black "Mamedyarov"] [Result "0-1"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "r1b2rk1/1pp1qp1p/4P1p1/p1b5/2P1Q3/P2B4/1B3PPP/R3R1K1 w - - 0 17"] [PlyCount "0"] {[%c_arrow a7a5;keyPressed;none;from;a7;opacity;0.8;to;a5;persistent;false,a8a6;keyPressed;alt;from;a8;opacity;0.8;to;a6;persistent;false,a6h6;keyPressed;alt;from;a6;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false][%c_highlight a5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a5;persistent;false]} 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.04"] [Round "9"] [White "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Black "Tari, Aryan"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C27"] [WhiteElo "2775"] [BlackElo "2646"] [PlyCount "83"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/7200:0"] 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 Bc5 4. Nc3 c6 5. Bb3 d6 6. h3 O-O 7. Nf3 a5 8. O-O Nbd7 (8... b5 9. a3 Re8 10. Ne2 Nbd7 11. Ng3 Nf8 12. c3 Bb6 13. a4 Be6 14. Bc2 b4 15. d4 bxc3 16. bxc3 Ng6 17. Re1 Bc7 $14 {½-½ (35) Nakamura,H (2768)-Firouzja,A (2785) Chess.com INT 2023}) 9. a3 $146 (9. Bg5 h6 10. Bh4 Re8 11. Qd2 Nf8 12. Rfe1 Ng6 13. Bg3 Nh5 $17 {Pardoe,I (1687)-Hackenberg,T (2054) ICCF email 2018}) 9... b5 10. Ba2 a4 11. Nh4 Ba7 12. Qf3 Nc5 13. Nf5 Bxf5 14. Qxf5 Re8 15. Bd2 Ne6 16. Ne2 d5 17. exd5 Nxd5 18. Rae1 Qd6 19. Qg4 Rad8 20. Ng3 Nd4 21. Bg5 {\"I mean, it's hard to judge. I thought maybe I was a little bit worse, but once I got this Bg5 move, I thought maybe it's equal, a little bit better.\" (Nakamura)} Rb8 22. Be3 Qg6 23. c3 Nxe3 24. fxe3 Nb3 25. Ne4 Qxg4 26. hxg4 c5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The position goes from equal to positionally losing in one move, as Nakamura said in his interview.} (26... Rbd8 27. Bxb3 axb3 28. d4 h6 {The difference here is that the bishop on a7 is still an active piece, not staring at its own pawn on c5.}) 27. Bxb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} axb3 28. c4 {The bishop on a7 is out of play now.} Red8 29. Rd1 Rd7 30. Kf2 h5 31. gxh5 f5 {Black sacrifices a pawn for some counterplay, but it's not enough.} 32. Nc3 b4 33. Nb5 f4 34. axb4 Bb6 (34... cxb4 35. Nxa7 Rxa7 36. exf4 {would also be winning.}) 35. exf4 cxb4+ 36. Kf3 exf4 37. d4 {White has two connected passers marching down the board.} Rbd8 38. Rd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Nakamura foresaw this when pushing the d-pawn. It's defended tactically.} (38. d5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} Rc8 {Now the bishop has more scope, even if this is still much better and winning for White.}) 38... Rc8 (38... Bxd4 39. Rfd1 {wins a piece.}) 39. Rc1 Rd5 40. c5 Rg5 41. Nd6 Rc6 42. cxb6 {A nice tactic. If Black takes on c1, the b-pawn queens.} 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.04"] [Round "9"] [White "So, Wesley"] [Black "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D85"] [WhiteElo "2765"] [BlackElo "2786"] [PlyCount "109"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/7200:0"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 c5 8. Rb1 O-O 9. Be2 cxd4 10. cxd4 Qa5+ 11. Bd2 Qxa2 12. O-O Bg4 13. Be3 Nc6 14. Rxb7 Rab8 15. Rc7 Rfc8 16. Rxc8+ Rxc8 17. h3 Bxf3 18. Bxf3 Rd8 19. d5 Ne5 20. Bg5 {Firouzja spent almost 20 minutes before playing a novelty.} (20. Qc1 {is more popular.}) 20... Qa3 $146 {A completely logical move and it's surprising it hasn't been played before.} (20... Bf6 21. Bxf6 exf6 22. Qd4 Rb8 23. Ra1 Rb1+ 24. Rxb1 Qxb1+ 25. Bd1 {Black was fine in Polak,T (2553)-Erdos,V (2614) Tornelo INT 2021.}) 21. Be2 h6 22. Bd2 Qa2 23. Bb4 Bf6 24. Qd2 Qa4 25. f4 {So sacrifices a pawn. Although it works out in the game, it did give Firouzja a chance.} (25. Bd1 Qb5 26. Be2 Qa4 {is a funny repetition that the computer gives.}) 25... Nc6 26. Bc3 Qxe4 27. Bxf6 exf6 28. Rd1 {Worst-case scenario, White has a bailout idea of trading the d-pawn for the a-pawn and holding the three vs. four-pawn endgame. That's what happens in the game.} Ne7 29. Bf3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (29. d6 Nf5 30. d7 Qe7 31. Bg4 {is possible with a more complicated yet equal position. The pawn on d7 is quite strong.}) 29... Qa4 30. Qd4 Qxd4+ $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Missing perhaps the one opportunity of the game to play for more.} (30... Qa6 {This is Firouzja's one chance to play for the win.} 31. Ra1 Qd6 32. Qxa7 (32. Rxa7 $4 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} Nc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 32... Rb8 {Black has a small pull with the better pawn structure, safer king, and stronger minor piece.}) 31. Rxd4 Nf5 32. Ra4 Nh4 33. Kf2 Nxf3 34. Kxf3 Rxd5 {And now a draw. The four vs. three pawns shouldn't be too threatening since two of them are doubled.} 35. Rxa7 Rd3+ 36. Kf2 Kf8 37. Ra8+ Kg7 38. h4 Rd4 39. Kf3 g5 40. hxg5 fxg5 41. fxg5 hxg5 42. g4 Rf4+ 43. Kg3 Re4 44. Kf3 Rd4 45. Ra3 f6 46. Kg3 Kf7 47. Rf3 Ke6 48. Re3+ Kd5 49. Rf3 Ke5 50. Rf5+ Ke6 51. Rf3 Rd6 52. Re3+ Kd5 53. Rf3 Ke4 54. Rf5 Ke3 55. Rf3+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.04"] [Round "10"] [White "So, Wesley"] [Black "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C65"] [WhiteElo "2765"] [BlackElo "2786"] [PlyCount "100"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/600:0"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 Be7 7. O-O d6 8. d4 Bd7 9. Nc3 exd4 10. Nxd4 Nxd4 11. Qxd4 Bxb5 12. Nxb5 O-O 13. Rad1 (13. e5 dxe5 14. Qxe5 c6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (14... Re8) 15. Rad1 Qb6 {White would have been better with 16.Nd4 in Bierwisch,B (2165)-Thielemann,J (2045) Freudenstadt 2002.}) 13... a6 14. Nc3 Re8 15. Rfe1 Qc8 16. a4 Qg4 17. Bg3 Rac8 18. h3 Qg6 19. Bh2 Bf8 20. f4 Nd7 21. Kh1 Qf6 22. e5 Qg6 23. Qf2 {White threatens expansion with f5 and even g4.} f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24. exf6 {The game starts to fizzle out after this.} (24. Qf3 {At multiple points, it is better to maintain the tension. The engine comes up with some subtle ideas here:} c6 25. Rd2 Nb6 26. Nd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The queen will play on both sides of the board.} Nd5 27. Qb3 Qf7 28. Rde2 {with some pressure. Maybe not enough to win the game, but more pieces stay on.}) 24... Nxf6 25. f5 {The bishop on h2 can't stay in prison forever.} Qf7 26. Qf3 c6 27. Rxe8 Rxe8 28. Bxd6 {White wins a pawn but not for long.} Bxd6 29. Rxd6 Re1+ 30. Kh2 Qc7 31. Qg3 Rf1 {Great tactical vision by Firouzja. He wins the pawn back.} 32. Rd3 Qxg3+ 33. Kxg3 Rxf5 34. Rd8+ Kh7 35. Rb8 Nh5+ 36. Kh4 Nf4 37. Rxb7 Nxg2+ 38. Kg3 Ne3 39. Rb6 Nf1+ {Firouzja's method to hold the draw is much more logical. He activates the rook on the second rank.} (39... Nxc2 40. Rxa6 Ne1 41. Rxc6 Rg5+ 42. Kf2 Nd3+ {would also draw, but this is perhaps a more complicated line.}) 40. Kg2 Ne3+ 41. Kg1 Rf1+ 42. Kh2 Rf2+ 43. Kg3 Rxc2 44. Rxc6 a5 45. Rc5 Nd1 (45... Rxb2 {is fine.} 46. Rxa5 $4 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} Rb3 {loses even.}) 46. Rxa5 Nxc3 47. bxc3 Rxc3+ 48. Kg4 Rc4+ 49. Kf3 Rc3+ 50. Kg4 Rc4+ {White cannot go forward without sacrificing the h-pawn, and it's a draw after that too.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.04"] [Round "9"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Giri, Anish"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E05"] [WhiteElo "2853"] [BlackElo "2772"] [PlyCount "78"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/7200:0"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Nc3 {When the knight goes to c3, White is claiming he really does not intend to win the pawn back with Qc2 at some point. Instead, he plays for the center.} (7. Qc2) 7... Nc6 8. e4 a6 9. h4 h6 10. Qe2 b5 11. Rd1 $146 (11. Bf4 $6 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} Bb7 12. Rad1 Na5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (12... Re8) 13. Ne5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (13. d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 13... Bd6 14. g4 Nh7 15. Bg3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Qe8 16. f4 f6 $17 {Predke,A (2584)-Lazavik,D (2453) Almaty 2022}) 11... Bb7 12. Bf4 Re8 13. e5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Carlsen decides to take charge dynamically, but the move doesn't work objectively.} (13. a4 Nb4 14. Ne5 c6 {could have been a complex, interesting, and equal game.}) 13... Nd5 14. Nxd5 exd5 15. e6 Rf8 $2 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This slow move gives White the initiative and compensation for the pawn once again.} (15... f6 16. a4 bxa4 17. Rxa4 Bd6 {White starts to lose his compensation for the pawn.}) 16. a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} fxe6 17. axb5 axb5 18. Rxa8 Bxa8 19. Qxe6+ Kh7 20. Ne5 Qd6 {In the confessional booth, Carlsen mentioned that he had \"blundered\" this move, but it works out for him anyway.} (20... Nxe5 21. dxe5 {, of course, gives White the d-pawn.} c6 $4 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 22. Be4+ $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kh8 23. Bxh6 {wins.}) 21. Qg4 Nxe5 22. Bxe5 Qg6 23. Qd7 {White regains the pawn now.} Bf6 24. Qxb5 Bxe5 25. dxe5 Qf5 26. Qc5 {Defending f2 and keeping an eye on the f8-rook so that Black cannot capture on d5.} Re8 27. Qxc7 Qxe5 28. Qd7 (28. Qxe5 {is also equal.}) 28... Qe6 29. Qb5 d4 30. Bxa8 Rxa8 31. Rxd4 Qe1+ 32. Kg2 Rf8 {Black is a pawn down for now, but he has plenty of activity against the king.} 33. Rf4 Rxf4 34. gxf4 Qe4+ 35. Kg3 Qg6+ 36. Kh2 Qg4 37. Qxc4 Qxh4+ 38. Kg2 Qg4+ 39. Kh2 Qh4+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.04"] [Round "10"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Giri, Anish"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E36"] [WhiteElo "2853"] [BlackElo "2772"] [PlyCount "57"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/600:0"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 d5 7. cxd5 Ne4 8. Qc2 exd5 9. Bf4 Bf5 10. Qxc7 Qxc7 11. Bxc7 Rc8 12. Bf4 Rc2 $2 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This mistake had been played once before. The refutation is the game continuation.} ({Carlsen would have closely followed the recent game by his former challenger.} 12... Nc6 13. f3 Nf6 14. g4 Nxd4 15. Rd1 Ne6 16. gxf5 Nxf4 17. e3 N4h5 18. Ne2 Rc2 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2793)-Esipenko,A (2675) Dusseldorf 2023}) 13. f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nf6 14. g4 Be6 (14... Bg6 15. h4 Rxb2 16. h5 Bc2 17. e3 Ba4 18. Rh2 Rb3 19. Ne2 Nbd7 20. g5 Ne8 21. Nc1 Rb6 22. Na2 Nf8 23. Nb4 Rd8 24. h6 Ne6 25. hxg7 Nxf4 26. exf4 Nxg7 27. Bd3 Ne6 28. f5 Nf4 29. f6 h5 30. Kf2 a5 31. Kg3 Ng6 32. Rxh5 axb4 33. Rah1 bxa3 34. Rh7 {1-0 (34) Morozevich,A (2751)-Alekseev,E (2714) Biel 2009}) 15. Rb1 Nc6 16. e3 {Unlike the Nepomniachtchi-Esipenko game, Black does not win the pawn back.} Na5 17. Bd3 Rc6 18. Ne2 Nc4 19. Kf2 Rac8 20. Rhc1 b5 21. Bxc4 bxc4 22. b4 cxb3 23. Rxc6 Rxc6 24. Rxb3 Rb6 25. Rxb6 axb6 26. Nc3 h5 27. gxh5 Kh7 28. Bc7 Nd7 29. Kg3 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.04"] [Round "9"] [White "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Black "Gukesh D"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D45"] [WhiteElo "2732"] [BlackElo "2736"] [PlyCount "64"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/7200:0"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. g4 {A fighting move for sure.} Nxg4 8. Rg1 Qf6 9. Rxg4 Qxf3 10. h3 $146 {A new move, and the engine approves it's equal. In the confessional booth,Nakamura said he had seen this move before.} ({The main line runs:} 10. Rxg7 Nf6 11. Rg5 Qh1 12. Bd2 Bd7 13. O-O-O Qxh2 14. Rg2 {There are many games in this line.}) 10... Qf6 {Defending the extra pawn.} (10... g6 11. e4 {is similar to the game.}) 11. e4 {Taking the center and threatening e5.} h5 12. Rg2 Bf4 {Black gives the pawn back to simplify the position and avoid the bishop getting blocked in by e5.} (12... Qxd4 13. Be3 Qf6 14. exd5 exd5 15. cxd5 O-O 16. O-O-O {is \"equal,\" but this is probably the kind of position Abdusattorov was aiming for. White has certain attacking chances.}) 13. Bxf4 Qxf4 14. Rxg7 {White regains the pawn now.} dxc4 15. Bxc4 Nb6 16. Bb3 Bd7 17. a4 $6 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] White's king is going to the queenside too, so it is less logical to push pawns on that side of the board. Instead, the trade of queens is extremely strong here.} ({Probably the clearest way for an advantage was missed precisely here.} 17. Qd2 Qf6 18. Qg5 {and the advantage lies in the endgame with a strong center, not in the middlegame.}) 17... c5 (17... O-O-O {is also possible.}) 18. dxc5 Qe5 19. Rg3 Qxc5 20. a5 Nc4 21. Bxc4 Qxc4 22. O-O-O O-O-O {Polgar called out the following move seconds before it was played.} 23. Rd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A strong rook lift.} (23. Rg7 {Black can even play actively with} Bc6 24. Rxf7 Rxd1+ 25. Qxd1 Rd8 26. Qf3 Ba4 {Black has good play for the pawn around the airy white king.}) 23... Qf1+ (23... Qxd4 $4 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 24. Nb5+ {loses the queen.}) 24. Rd1 Qc4 25. Rd4 Qc5 (25... Qc7 {The engine sees no difference between the two moves, but if White plays the move he did in the game, it is indeed a mistake.} 26. Ne2 $6 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} Bc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27. b4 Kb8 {And the engine claims a slight advantage for Black with the safer king and weaknesses to attack (e4 and, when the g-rook moves, ...Qh2 comes to light). Still, it looks like an absolute mess to me.}) 26. Ne2 Qxc2+ 27. Kxc2 e5 28. Rd5 f6 29. f4 {Despite the fiery nature of the opening, the endgame is too equal for the players to outplay one another.} Bc6 30. Rc5 Kb8 31. fxe5 Bxe4+ 32. Kc3 fxe5 {White will regain the pawn on e5 with equality. Black offered a draw already.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.04"] [Round "10"] [White "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Black "Gukesh D"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "E03"] [WhiteElo "2732"] [BlackElo "2736"] [PlyCount "73"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/600:0"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 c5 6. Qa4+ Nbd7 7. O-O {Although it is the most common move, Gukesh said this move was dubious. Especially so in an armageddon, I would add. Gukesh proves equality, and a little more.} (7. Qxc4 a6 {can transpose, but White can choose a move besides castling here.}) 7... a6 8. Qxc4 b5 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. Nc3 $6 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Not a good move, but Black has (at least) equalized by now.} (10. a4 b4 11. Bf4 cxd4 {with ...Rc8 coming, Black has no problems.}) 10... Rc8 11. dxc5 Bxc5 12. Qb3 Qb6 {For an armageddon game, this is quite a comfortable position for Black. He already has a lead in development.} 13. a4 b4 14. a5 Qd8 15. Nb1 {The position is already so bad. Practically speaking, at least this doesn't drop a pawn, but putting the knight back to its starting square is not a good sign.} (15. Na4 Qxa5 16. Bf4 Be7 {is the engine's recommendation, sacrificing a pawn for no compensation.}) 15... O-O 16. Nbd2 h6 17. Rd1 Qe7 18. Ne1 (18. h3 {would have prevented the tactic on the next move. But Black still has a winning advantage.}) 18... Ne5 {This still gives Black a much better position with draw odds.} (18... Bxf2+ $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] wins on the spot due to an incredible followup.} 19. Kxf2 Ng4+ 20. Kg1 Rc3 $3 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Interference. Black prevents e3 from defending.} (20... Qc5+ $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 21. e3 {avoids the immediate loss.}) 21. bxc3 {Giving away the queen is best by the engine, but we know that loses.} Qc5+ 22. Kh1 Nf2+ 23. Kg1 Nh3+ 24. Kh1 Qg1#) 19. Bxb7 Qxb7 20. Ndf3 Nfg4 {Attacking f2. There's no good way to defend it.} 21. Be3 Nxe3 22. fxe3 Qe4 23. Ng2 Nxf3+ 24. exf3 Qxf3 {Black is completely winning.} 25. Qd3 Rfd8 26. Qxd8+ Rxd8 27. Rxd8+ Kh7 28. Rd3 Qe2 29. Rd7 Qxb2 {Black is winning by material and position.} 30. Rad1 b3 31. Rxf7 Qc2 32. Rdf1 b2 33. Rb7 Qe2 34. Rf2 Qd1+ {In a winning position, Gukesh forces a draw, since it is equivalent to winning in armageddon.} 35. Rf1 Qe2 36. Rb3 Qc2 37. Rb7 {And a draw was claimed with the next move 37...Qe2.} 0-1 [Event "chess24.com"] [Site "chess24.com"] [Date "2023.06.04"] [Round "9.2"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "A28"] [WhiteElo "2764"] [BlackElo "2738"] [Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"] [PlyCount "94"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "United States"] [BlackTeam "Azerbaijan"] [WhiteTeamCountry "USA"] [BlackTeamCountry "AZE"] 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. e4 Bc5 {Black challenges his opponent on his own territory $1} 5. Nxe5 Nxe5 6. d4 Bb4 7. dxe5 Nxe4 8. Qf3 d5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A fresh but risky line, according to the Azeri GM.} ({Mamedyarov deviates from a line that served his opponent well in the past, namely:} 8... Nxc3 9. bxc3 Ba5 10. Bf4 O-O 11. O-O-O Qe7 12. Kb2 Rb8 13. Qe3 {Here the black b-pawn went rampant.} ({The Amercian also resisted the opponent's initiative after} 13. Bd3 b5 14. cxb5 Bb7 15. Qh3 g6 16. Qe3 Rfe8 17. Rhe1 Bc6 18. a4 a6 19. Bg5 Bxc3+ 20. Kxc3 Qa3+ 21. Kd2 Qb4+ 22. Ke2 Qg4+ 23. Kd2 Qb4+ 24. Ke2 Qg4+ 25. Kd2 Qb4+ {1/2-1/2 (25) Carlsen,M (2876)-Caruana,F (2812) Douglas 2019}) 13... b5 14. c5 b4 15. c4 b3 16. a3 Bb7 {and Black eventually held in Rapport,R (2745)-Caruana,F (2764) Bucharest 2023}) 9. Be2 {The most reliable answer. White needs to complete his development ASAP.} (9. cxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Qxd5 {only helps Black take over the initiative.}) 9... d4 $5 {[%mdl 4] [%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A promising side line.} ({Black has also tried} 9... O-O 10. O-O Bxc3 11. bxc3 Re8 12. Bf4 f6 {But without much success in the following game} 13. cxd5 fxe5 14. Qxe4 exf4 15. Qf3 Qd6 16. Rab1 a5 17. Bd3 b6 18. Bxh7+ Kf8 19. Bd3 Bd7 20. h4 Qh6 21. Rfd1 Qxh4 22. Bg6 Kg8 23. d6 cxd6 24. Rxd6 {1-0 (24) Cornette,M (2602)-Johansson,L (2468) Germany 2018}) 10. Qxe4 dxc3 11. O-O O-O 12. a3 cxb2 13. Bxb2 Bc5 {This has been seen just once, and Caruana's next logical move turns out to be a novelty.} 14. Bd3 $146 {There are no kingside defenders; therefore, this move is self-explanatory.} ({The predecessor saw:} 14. Rfd1 Qe7 15. h4 f5 16. Qf4 Be6 17. Rd3 Rad8 18. Rad1 Rxd3 19. Rxd3 Rd8 20. Rxd8+ Qxd8 {and Black managed to reduce the opponent's attacking potential, Tratar,M (2461)-Zirkelbach, M (2221) Slovenia 2019}) 14... g6 {A needed weakening, and White wants to capitalize on it at once.} 15. e6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] More or less the only move.} ({Both captures lose instantly} 15... Bxe6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 16. Qe5) ({And} 15... fxe6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 16. Qe5) ({Whereas} 15... f6 {weakens the kingside further and} 16. h4 {would soon build a decisive attack for White.}) 16. Rfe1 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Solving the problem of the a8-rook. If it stays on its initial square, White would practically always have a decisive kingside superiority.} ({Once more, greed is a sin and} 16... Qxe6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] leads to problems due to} 17. Qh4 Qb6 18. Rab1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} f6 19. Ba1 {White is clearly on top.}) 17. Qf4 {Caruana prevents the activation of the black rook. At least for the time being.} f6 {Solid play by Mamedyarov. Being a great attacker himself, he most likely did not even consider pawn-grabbing as an option.} ({White's main threat is demonstrated in the line} 17... Ra6 $2 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 18. Bf6 Qd6 19. Qh6) ({However, this is a moment when Black could finally deal with the annoying pawn once and for all with} 17... fxe6 {After} 18. Qe5 Bxf2+ 19. Kh1 Bxe1 {White has a choice. Either the direct attack with} 20. Qh8+ ({Or the more unpleasant pressure-nagging} 20. Rxe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kf7 21. c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 20... Kf7 21. Qxh7+ Ke8 {When the nasty computer move} 22. Bg7 $3 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] keeps the White's initiative running, say} Bd2 23. Bxg6+ Kd8 24. Bxf8 Qxf8 25. Qh4+ Kd7 26. Rd1 {Although nothing is yet clear after} Ra6) 18. Be4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is in time to force some concession.} Ra6 19. Rad1 {But this does not look optimal.} ({It makes sense to insert first} 19. Bd5 {provoking} c6 ({And if} 19... Kg7 20. Rad1 {seems as an improved version of the game continuation.}) 20. Bf3 {which at least locks up the black rook.}) 19... Rd6 {Black too could have been a tad trickier.} (19... Rb6 {slightly embarrasses White's coordination and leads to an improved game situation after} 20. Bc3 Rd6 21. Rxd6 Bxd6 22. Qh6 Bxa3) 20. Rxd6 Bxd6 {The problem of the black rook is solved; now the ball is in White's court. How to build the initiative $2} 21. Qh4 {No retreat $1} ({The machines prefers} 21. Qc1) 21... c6 {Takes away the d5-square from the white bishop. Mamedyarov is ready to win the e6-pawn.} ({The hasty} 21... Bxa3 $2 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] would have backfired instead, and after} 22. Bxa3 Qxa3 23. e7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Re8 24. Qxf6 {White wins.}) 22. Bd3 ({There is also the tricky} 22. c5 Bxc5 23. Bb1 {In order to support the more valuable central pawn. But since Black has won some material already, he might start thinking about counter-sacrifices, like} Bxe6 $5 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 24. Ba2 Bxa2 25. Rxe7 Bxe7) 22... Bxa3 23. Bxa3 Qxa3 {Mamedyarov has won a pawn but, what's more, has managed to trade another light piece. White needs strong threats, and he needs them now.} 24. Qg3 {The sacrifice on g6 is White's best hope.} ({This time} 24. e7 {leads White nowhere after} Re8 25. Qxf6 Qxd3) 24... Re8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Played after a thorough thought.} ({Black had a valuable alternative} 24... f5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] would have slowed White down significantly. For instance, in the line} 25. h4 Qc3 26. Rd1 Bxe6 $5 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} (26... Qf6 $5 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] also looks great.}) 27. Bxf5 {Black has the strong} Qxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and if} 28. Bxg6 Qg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Rejecting the perpetual.}) ({And even if Black allows the sacrifice, he is still out of any danger and can go for the full point, say} 24... a4 25. Bxg6 Qxg3 26. Bf7+ Rxf7 ({Or} 26... Kg7 27. fxg3 {and now the nice idea} Bd7 $3 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 28. c5 Ra8 ({Or} 28... Be8)) 27. exf7+ Kxf7 28. fxg3 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] it is only Black who can win here.}) 25. Bxg6 {What else $2} Rxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The nice tactical point behind Mamedyarov's idea $1} ({Otherwise, it could have ended in a draw after} 25... Qxg3 26. Bf7+ Kg7 27. fxg3 Re7 28. Ra1 b6 29. c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 26. Bd3+ Kh8 27. Rd1 Qd6 {Black solidifies his position while keeping his extra pawn. Still, since his king is permanently weak, White keeps practical chances.} 28. Qf3 Qe7 ({The immediate} 28... Re5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29. Bc2 Qe7 {is excellent too.}) 29. Bf1 Re5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The ideal position for the rook; the black bishop is finally entering the game as well.} 30. h4 Be6 31. Rd4 Re1 {Very logical, as this move prevents the doubling of the white pieces along the d-file. But as we shall see, it allows Caruana another chance.} ({In case of the obvious} 31... a4 {White gets a chance to infiltrate with his major pieces} 32. Qd1 a3 33. Rd8+ Kg7 34. Ra8 b5 35. cxb5 cxb5 36. Qd3 {and the exposed position of the black king would prevent him from winning, say} b4 37. Qg3+ Kh6 38. Qf4+ Kg7 39. Qg3+ {with a perpetual check.}) ({But perhaps} 31... Bf5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] would be a better try.}) 32. Qc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The queen finds another way to pair with the rook.} Bg8 33. Qd2 Qe5 (33... a4 34. Rd7) 34. Rd8 Qa1 {The culmination of the game.} 35. Qd3 {And a big miss by Caruana $1} ({The amazing study-like resource} 35. Kh2 $3 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] could have saved him. Then, accepting the sacrifice leads to a perpetual} Rxf1 ({Perhaps the American GM was afraid of} 35... Qe5+ 36. Kg1 a4 {but here too, White has a way out, thanks to his active major pieces} 37. Qh6 Qa1 38. g3 $3 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Once more this incredible idea $1 Black is capturing a piece with a check and has plenty of additional checks afterward but no win $1} Rxf1+ 39. Kg2 Rg1+ 40. Kh2 {The threat is Qh6-f8 $1 and since the black queen also has obligations to defend the long diagonal, the perpetual becomes inevitable.}) 36. Rxg8+ Kxg8 37. Qd8+ Kg7 38. Qe7+ Kg6 39. Qe8+ Kh6 40. Qe3+ Kh5 {True, White needs to foresee from afar the key move} 41. g4+ $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] which closes the deal} Kxg4 (41... Kg6 42. Qe8+) ({And not} 41... Kxh4 $4 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 42. Qh3+ Kg5 43. Qh5+ Kf4 44. Qf5#) 42. Qe4+ Kh5 43. Qxh7+ Kg4 44. Qe4+ {and a draw.}) 35... Qb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now everything is covered, and the black king can escape the perpetual.} 36. Rxg8+ ({Alas} 36. Qc3 {does not work} Rxf1+ 37. Kh2 Rh1+ 38. Kg3 Qg6+) 36... Kxg8 37. Qd8+ Kg7 38. Qc7+ ({Or} 38. Qd7+ Kh6 39. Qd2+ Kg6 {and the checks are over.}) 38... Kg6 39. Qg3+ Kf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A bold move, and the king escapes.} 40. Qh3+ Ke5 41. Qg3+ Ke6 42. Qg8+ Kd7 43. Qf7+ Kc8 44. Kh2 Qe4 45. Qg8+ Kc7 46. Kg1 Qd3 47. Qf7+ Kb6 0-1 [Event "-"] [Site "-"] [Date "2023.06.05"] [Round "11"] [Board "1"] [White "Tari, Aryan"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "B51"] [WhiteElo "2642"] [BlackElo "2853"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/loepare"] [PlyCount "127"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 {[%eval 36,0]} c5 {[%eval 32,0]} 2. Nf3 {[%eval 0,0]} d6 {[%eval 0,0]} 3. Bb5+ {[%eval 0,0]} Nd7 {[%eval 24,0]} 4. d4 {[%eval 15,0]} cxd4 {[%eval 19,0]} 5. Nxd4 {[%eval 9,0]} g6 {[%eval 61,0]} 6. O-O {[%eval 27,0]} Bg7 {[%eval 71,0]} 7. Re1 {[%eval 49,0]} Ngf6 {[%eval 68,0]} 8. Bf1 {[%eval 68,0]} O-O {[%eval 67,0]} 9. c4 {[%eval 68,0]} b6 {[%eval 81,0]} 10. Nc3 {[%eval 85,0]} Bb7 {[%eval 102,0]} 11. f3 {[%eval 85,0]} a6 {[%eval 94,0]} 12. Be3 {[%eval 89,0]} Rc8 {[%eval 94,0]} 13. Rc1 {[%eval 97,0]} Re8 {[%eval 92,0]} 14. Qd2 {[%eval 94,0]} h5 {[%eval 112,0]} 15. Qf2 $6 {[%eval 54,0] Inaccuracy. b3 was best.} (15. b3 e6 16. Bg5 Qc7 17. h3 Qb8 18. Kh1 Kh7 19. Rcd1 Qc7 20. a4 Ne5 21. Nc2 d5) 15... e6 {[%eval 61,0]} 16. h3 $6 {[%eval 4,0] Inaccuracy. Nc2 was best.} (16. Nc2 d5) 16... d5 {[%eval 0,0]} 17. cxd5 {[%eval 3,0]} exd5 {[%eval 1,0]} 18. exd5 {[%eval 2,0]} Nxd5 {[%eval 0,0]} 19. Nxd5 {[%eval 1,0]} Rxc1 {[%eval 2,0]} 20. Rxc1 {[%eval 1,0]} Bxd5 {[%eval 1,0]} 21. Bxa6 {[%eval 0,0]} Qe7 {[%eval 0,0]} 22. Bd2 {[%eval 0,0]} Ra8 {[%eval 0,0]} 23. Bb5 {[%eval 0,0]} Rxa2 {[%eval 0,0]} 24. Bc3 {[%eval 0,0]} Nc5 {[%eval 3,0]} 25. Re1 {[%eval 19,0]} Ne6 {[%eval 12,0]} 26. Qe3 {[%eval 18,0]} Qd6 {[%eval 16,0]} 27. Nxe6 {[%eval 6,0]} Bxe6 {[%eval 9,0]} 28. h4 {[%eval 47,0]} Bxc3 {[%eval 44,0]} 29. Qxc3 {[%eval 48,0]} Ra5 {[%eval 63,0]} 30. Bf1 {[%eval 62,0]} Kh7 {[%eval 1,0]} 31. b4 {[%eval 15,0]} Rd5 {[%eval 0,0]} 32. Bc4 {[%eval 0,0]} Qc7 {[%eval 0,0]} 33. Rc1 $6 {[%eval 57,0] Inaccuracy. Qc1 was best.} (33. Qc1 Rd4 34. Bxe6 Qxc1 35. Rxc1 fxe6 36. b5 Rb4 37. Rc6 Rxb5 38. Rxe6 Kg7 39. Rd6 Rb2) 33... Rd8 {[%eval 45,0]} 34. Bf1 {[%eval 86,0]} Qf4 {[%eval 96,0]} 35. Qe1 {[%eval 88,0]} Rd2 {[%eval 92,0]} 36. b5 {[%eval 89,0]} Rb2 $6 {[%eval 3,0] Inaccuracy. Qd4+ was best.} (36... Qd4+ 37. Kh2) 37. Rd1 {[%eval 0,0]} Rc2 {[%eval 1,0]} 38. Qe4 {[%eval 0,0]} Qc7 {[%eval 3,0]} 39. Qe3 {[%eval 26,0]} Bc4 {[%eval 33,0]} 40. Bxc4 {[%eval 33,0]} Rxc4 {[%eval 27,0]} 41. Qg5 {[%eval 31,0]} Kg7 {[%eval 44,0]} 42. Re1 $6 {[%eval -47,0] Inaccuracy. Kh1 was best.} (42. Kh1 Rc5) 42... Qd6 {[%eval -36,0]} 43. Kh1 $6 {[%eval -152,0] Inaccuracy. Re4 was best.} (43. Re4 Rxe4) 43... Rb4 {[%eval -158,0]} 44. Rc1 $6 {[%eval -284,0] Inaccuracy. g3 was best.} (44. g3 Qd7) 44... Qd4 $4 {[%eval 0,0] Blunder. Rf4 was best.} (44... Rf4 45. Re1 Qd4 46. Re4 Rxe4 47. fxe4 Qxe4 48. Kh2 f6 49. Qd2 Qxh4+ 50. Kg1 Qe4 51. Qd7+) 45. Rc6 {[%eval 2,0]} Rb1+ {[%eval 0,0]} 46. Kh2 {[%eval 0,0]} Rd1 {[%eval 0,0]} 47. Qg3 $4 {[%eval -295,0] Blunder. Kg3 was best.} (47. Kg3 Rg1 48. Kh2 Rb1 49. Kg3 Rb3 50. Kh2) 47... Qg1+ $4 {[%eval 21,0] Blunder. Qa1 was best.} (47... Qa1) 48. Kh3 {[%eval 21,0]} Rd5 {[%eval 0,0]} 49. Qf4 {[%eval 0,0]} Rf5 {[%eval 0,0]} 50. Qc4 {[%eval 3,0]} g5 {[%eval 3,0]} 51. hxg5 {[%eval 22,0]} Qh1+ {[%eval 22,0]} 52. Kg3 {[%eval 18,0]} Rxg5+ {[%eval 16,0]} 53. Kf4 {[%eval 18,0]} Qh4+ {[%eval 0,0]} 54. g4 {[%eval 0,0]} hxg4 {[%eval 0,0]} 55. Qd4+ {[%eval 0,0]} Kh7 {[%eval 0,0]} 56. Qd3+ {[%eval 0,0]} Rg6 {[%eval 0,0]} 57. Rxg6 {[%eval 0,0]} fxg6 {[%eval 0,0]} 58. fxg4 {[%eval 0,0]} Kh6 {[%eval 0,0]} 59. Qd4 {[%eval 0,0]} Qg5+ $2 {[%eval 123,0] Mistake. Qh2+ was best.} (59... Qh2+ 60. Kf3 Qh3+ 61. Kf2 Qh2+ 62. Kf1 Qh1+ 63. Ke2 Qg2+ 64. Ke1 Qg3+ 65. Kd2 Qg2+ 66. Ke1) 60. Kf3 $2 {[%eval 0,0] Mistake. Kg3 was best.} (60. Kg3 Kh7 61. Qxb6 Qe5+ 62. Kf3 Qd5+ 63. Ke3 Qg5+ 64. Kd3 Qd5+ 65. Kc3 Qf3+ 66. Kc4 Qxg4+) 60... Qxb5 {[%eval 0,0]} 61. Qh8+ {[%eval 0,0]} Kg5 {[%eval 0,0]} 62. Qd8+ {[%eval 0,0]} Kh6 {[%eval 0,0]} 63. Qh8+ {[%eval 0,0]} Kg5 64. Qd8+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "Norway Chess"] [Site "-"] [Date "2023.06.05"] [Round "11"] [Board "5"] [White "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C65"] [WhiteElo "2731"] [BlackElo "2764"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/loepare"] [PlyCount "124"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 {[%eval 36,0]} e5 {[%eval 35,0]} 2. Nf3 {[%eval 29,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 32,0]} 3. Bb5 {[%eval 34,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 34,0]} 4. d3 {[%eval 25,0]} Bc5 {[%eval 22,0]} 5. Bxc6 {[%eval 18,0]} dxc6 {[%eval 15,0]} 6. O-O {[%eval 3,0]} Bd6 {[%eval 1,0]} 7. Nbd2 {[%eval 29,0]} Be6 {[%eval 31,0]} 8. Nb3 {[%eval 12,0]} b6 {[%eval 21,0]} 9. Ng5 {[%eval 1,0]} Bg4 {[%eval 5,0]} 10. f3 {[%eval 9,0]} Bh5 {[%eval 6,0]} 11. Kh1 $6 {[%eval 64,0] Inaccuracy. d4 was best.} (11. d4) 11... Nd7 {[%eval 37,0]} 12. Nh3 {[%eval 41,0]} f6 {[%eval 41,0]} 13. Be3 {[%eval 55,0]} Qe7 {[%eval 59,0]} 14. Nd2 {[%eval 54,0]} Nc5 {[%eval 9,0]} 15. Nc4 {[%eval 4,0]} Ne6 {[%eval 11,0]} 16. Ng1 {[%eval 32,0]} g5 {[%eval 6,0]} 17. Ne2 {[%eval 16,0]} Bf7 {[%eval 13,0]} 18. Qe1 {[%eval 33,0]} h5 {[%eval 16,0]} 19. Nxd6+ {[%eval 0,0]} cxd6 {[%eval 28,0]} 20. a4 {[%eval 28,0]} h4 {[%eval 3,0]} 21. a5 {[%eval 27,0]} b5 {[%eval 37,0]} 22. h3 {[%eval 39,0]} a6 {[%eval 36,0]} 23. d4 {[%eval 34,0]} c5 {[%eval 38,0]} 24. c3 {[%eval 28,0]} Kf8 {[%eval 34,0]} 25. Rd1 {[%eval 47,0]} Kg7 {[%eval 41,0]} 26. Qf2 {[%eval 56,0]} Rac8 {[%eval 77,0]} 27. Rd2 {[%eval 51,0]} Qc7 {[%eval 6,0]} 28. Ra1 {[%eval 4,0]} Rhd8 {[%eval 56,0]} 29. b4 {[%eval 6,0]} cxd4 {[%eval 65,0]} 30. cxd4 {[%eval 7,0]} Qe7 {[%eval 77,0]} 31. Rad1 {[%eval 55,0]} Rh8 {[%eval 106,0]} 32. Qe1 $6 {[%eval 31,0] Inaccuracy. d5 was best.} (32. d5 Nf8) 32... Rc4 {[%eval 24,0]} 33. dxe5 {[%eval 6,0]} dxe5 {[%eval 4,0]} 34. Rd6 {[%eval 13,0]} Rd8 {[%eval 2,0]} 35. Rxd8 {[%eval 4,0]} Nxd8 {[%eval 8,0]} 36. g3 {[%eval 0,0]} hxg3 {[%eval 0,0]} 37. Nxg3 {[%eval 0,0]} Be6 {[%eval 0,0]} 38. Qd2 {[%eval 31,0]} Nf7 {[%eval 15,0]} 39. Bc5 {[%eval 11,0]} Qe8 {[%eval 31,0]} 40. h4 {[%eval 29,0]} Qh8 {[%eval 0,0]} 41. h5 {[%eval 0,0]} Qh7 {[%eval 2,0]} 42. Kg2 {[%eval 0,0]} Qh6 {[%eval 0,0]} 43. Kf2 {[%eval 0,0]} g4 {[%eval 0,0]} 44. Be3 {[%eval 0,0]} Qh8 {[%eval 5,0]} 45. fxg4 {[%eval 0,0]} Qc8 {[%eval 0,0]} 46. Bc5 {[%eval 4,0]} Bxg4 {[%eval 3,0]} 47. Rf1 $6 {[%eval 61,0] Inaccuracy. Rc1 was best.} (47. Rc1 Rxc1 48. Qxc1 Ng5 49. Be3 Qxc1 50. Bxc1 Kh6 51. Be3 Bxh5 52. Nf5+ Kg6 53. Ne7+ Kf7) 47... Bh3 {[%eval 5,0]} 48. Rg1 {[%eval 66,0]} Kh7 {[%eval 46,0]} 49. h6 $2 {[%eval -17,0] Mistake. Rc1 was best.} (49. Rc1 Qg4 50. Rxc4 bxc4 51. b5 Ng5 52. Qe3 Qf4+ 53. Ke1 axb5 54. Qxf4 exf4 55. Ne2 Nxe4) 49... Qg4 {[%eval -95,0]} 50. Nf5 {[%eval -42,0]} Qxe4 {[%eval -76,0]} 51. Rg7+ {[%eval -45,0]} Kh8 {[%eval -51,0]} 52. Ne3 {[%eval -36,0]} Nxh6 {[%eval -5,0]} 53. Nxc4 {[%eval -153,0]} Kxg7 {[%eval -155,0]} 54. Bf8+ {[%eval -82,0]} Kxf8 {[%eval -99,0]} 55. Qxh6+ {[%eval 89,0]} Kg8 {[%eval -89,0]} 56. Ne3 $4 {[%eval -203,0] Blunder. Qxh3 was best.} (56. Qxh3 bxc4 57. Qd7 Qc2+ 58. Kg3 Qb3+ 59. Kg4 c3 60. Kf5 Qf7 61. Qc8+ Kg7 62. Qxc3 Qg6+) 56... Bf5 {[%eval -205,0]} 57. Qh5 {[%eval -203,0]} Bg6 {[%eval -400,0]} 58. Qh3 {[%eval -225,0]} f5 {[%eval -373,0]} 59. Qh6 {[%eval -474,0]} Kf7 {[%eval -367,0]} 60. Qh8 $6 {[%eval -429,0] Inaccuracy. Qh3 was best.} (60. Qh3 Qxb4 61. Qf3 Qd2+ 62. Kg1 Qd7 63. Kh2 f4 64. Ng2 Kg7 65. Nxf4 exf4 66. Qxf4 Qd3) 60... Qd4 {[%eval -582,0]} 61. Ke2 {[%eval -793,0]} f4 {[%eval -763,0]} 62. Ng4 $2 {[%eval -32743,0] Checkmate is now unavoidable. Nf5 was best.} (62. Nf5 Bxf5 63. Qh5+ Bg6 64. Qh3 Qe3+ 65. Qxe3 fxe3 66. Kxe3 Ke6 67. Kd2 e4 68. Kd1 Ke5) 62... f3+ $6 {[%eval -1072,0] Lost forced checkmate sequence. Bd3+ was best.} (62... Bd3+ 63. Kd1 Bf5+ 64. Ke1 Qc3+ 65. Kf1 Qc1+ 66. Ke2 Bxg4+ 67. Kd3 Qd1+ 68. Kc3 Qd4+ 69. Kb3) 0-1 [Event "Norway Chess"] [Site "lichess.org"] [Date "2023.06.05"] [Round "12"] [Board "1"] [White "Tari, Aryan"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C55"] [WhiteElo "2642"] [BlackElo "2853"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/loepare"] [PlyCount "66"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 {[%eval 36,0]} e5 {[%eval 35,0]} 2. Nf3 {[%eval 29,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 32,0]} 3. Bc4 {[%eval 21,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 29,0]} 4. d3 {[%eval 21,0]} Be7 {[%eval 39,0]} 5. O-O {[%eval 36,0]} O-O {[%eval 29,0]} 6. Nc3 {[%eval 28,0]} d6 {[%eval 4,0]} 7. a3 {[%eval 25,0]} Bg4 {[%eval 17,0]} 8. h3 {[%eval 18,0]} Bxf3 {[%eval 18,0]} 9. Qxf3 {[%eval 27,0]} Nd4 {[%eval 24,0]} 10. Qd1 {[%eval 3,0]} c6 {[%eval 25,0]} 11. Ba2 {[%eval 25,0]} Ne6 {[%eval 31,0]} 12. Ne2 {[%eval 25,0]} d5 {[%eval 2,0]} 13. Ng3 {[%eval 22,0]} Qc7 {[%eval 38,0]} 14. c3 {[%eval 35,0]} Rad8 {[%eval 32,0]} 15. Qf3 {[%eval 36,0]} Rfe8 {[%eval 37,0]} 16. Be3 {[%eval 27,0]} Bc5 {[%eval 45,0]} 17. Nf5 {[%eval 6,0]} g6 {[%eval 9,0]} 18. Qg3 {[%eval 9,0]} Nh5 {[%eval 2,0]} 19. Nh6+ {[%eval 1,0]} Kg7 {[%eval 18,0]} 20. Qg4 $6 {[%eval -83,0] Inaccuracy. Nf5+ was best.} (20. Nf5+ Kh8 21. Qh4 Bf8 22. g3 f6 23. Qg4 gxf5 24. Qxh5 f4 25. gxf4 exf4 26. Bd4 Nxd4) 20... Bxe3 $6 {[%eval 14,0] Inaccuracy. Nhf4 was best.} (20... Nhf4 21. d4 Kxh6 22. dxc5 Kg7 23. exd5 cxd5 24. Rae1 d4 25. cxd4 Nxd4 26. Bxf4 exf4 27. Rxe8) 21. Nf5+ {[%eval 2,0]} Kh8 {[%eval 18,0]} 22. fxe3 {[%eval 22,0]} gxf5 $6 {[%eval 67,0] Inaccuracy. Rf8 was best.} (22... Rf8) 23. exf5 $4 {[%eval -21,0] Blunder. Qxh5 was best.} (23. Qxh5 f4 24. Rae1 dxe4 25. dxe4 Rd2 26. Bxe6 Rxe6 27. Re2 Rxe2 28. Qxe2 Qb6 29. Rf3 Rf6) 23... Nef4 {[%eval -31,0]} 24. exf4 {[%eval -26,0]} Nxf4 {[%eval -43,0]} 25. Qh4 {[%eval -18,0]} Rg8 {[%eval -16,0]} 26. Qf6+ $6 {[%eval -113,0] Inaccuracy. g4 was best.} (26. g4 Rde8 27. Kh1 Qb6 28. Rae1 Nxd3 29. Qf6+ Rg7 30. Re2 e4 31. Bb1 Ne5 32. Bxe4 dxe4) 26... Rg7 {[%eval -108,0]} 27. d4 $6 {[%eval -218,0] Inaccuracy. g4 was best.} (27. g4 Nxd3 28. Rad1 e4 29. Kg2 Rdg8 30. Rxd3 exd3 31. Bb1 d2 32. Qd4 f6 33. Qxf6 Qe7) 27... Nxh3+ $6 {[%eval -119,0] Inaccuracy. Re8 was best.} (27... Re8 28. g4 Nxh3+ 29. Kh1 exd4 30. Qh4 Ng5 31. f6 Rgg8 32. Rf5 Re3 33. Rxg5 Rxg5 34. Bb1) 28. Kh1 {[%eval -102,0]} Ng5 $2 {[%eval -83,0] Mistake. Nf4 was best.} (28... Nf4 29. Qxe5 Qxe5 30. dxe5 Rg4 31. Rf3 Nxg2 32. f6 Rdg8 33. Rh3 Nf4 34. Rh2 R8g5 35. Re1) 29. Rae1 $4 {[%eval -494,0] Blunder. Qxe5 was best.} (29. Qxe5 Qxe5) 29... Rd6 {[%eval -301,0]} 30. Qxe5 $4 {[%eval -32753,0] Checkmate is now unavoidable. Qxg7+ was best.} (30. Qxg7+ Kxg7 31. f6+ Rxf6 32. Rxf6 Kxf6 33. Rxe5 Qb6 34. Rxg5 Qxb2 35. Rg3 Qxa2 36. c4 Qf2) 30... Rh6+ {[%eval -32755,0]} 31. Kg1 {[%eval -32755,0]} Nh3+ {[%eval -32757,0]} 32. Kh1 {[%eval -32757,0]} Nf4+ {[%eval -32755,0]} 33. Kg1 {[%eval -32755,0]} Qxe5 {[%eval -32757,0]} 0-1 [Event "Norway Chess"] [Site "lichess.org"] [Date "2023.06.05"] [Round "12"] [Board "2"] [White "Gukesh D"] [Black "Giri, Anish"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B92"] [WhiteElo "2732"] [BlackElo "2768"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/loepare"] [PlyCount "95"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 {[%eval 36,0]} c5 {[%eval 32,0]} 2. Nf3 {[%eval 0,0]} d6 {[%eval 0,0]} 3. d4 {[%eval 25,0]} cxd4 {[%eval 13,0]} 4. Nxd4 {[%eval 27,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 3,0]} 5. Nc3 {[%eval 21,0]} a6 {[%eval 39,0]} 6. Be2 {[%eval 7,0]} e5 {[%eval 13,0]} 7. Nb3 {[%eval 0,0]} Be7 {[%eval 22,0]} 8. Be3 {[%eval 25,0]} Be6 {[%eval 31,0]} 9. Nd5 {[%eval 21,0]} Nbd7 {[%eval 23,0]} 10. Qd3 {[%eval 22,0]} O-O {[%eval 25,0]} 11. a4 {[%eval 21,0]} Bxd5 {[%eval 2,0]} 12. exd5 {[%eval 27,0]} Nc5 {[%eval 55,0]} 13. Nxc5 {[%eval 57,0]} dxc5 {[%eval 46,0]} 14. c4 {[%eval 52,0]} e4 {[%eval 52,0]} 15. Qd2 {[%eval 2,0]} Bd6 {[%eval 14,0]} 16. a5 {[%eval 14,0]} Qc7 {[%eval 19,0]} 17. h4 {[%eval 14,0]} Nd7 {[%eval 6,0]} 18. g4 {[%eval 57,0]} Rae8 $2 {[%eval 55,0] Mistake. b5 was best.} (18... b5) 19. h5 $6 {[%eval 7,0] Inaccuracy. g5 was best.} (19. g5) 19... Ne5 $6 {[%eval 69,0] Inaccuracy. h6 was best.} (19... h6 20. g5 hxg5 21. Bxg5 f6 22. Be3 Rf7 23. Qc2 f5 24. Bd2 Bf4 25. O-O-O Bxd2+ 26. Qxd2) 20. Kd1 $6 {[%eval 0,0] Inaccuracy. h6 was best.} (20. h6) 20... f5 $6 {[%eval 98,0] Inaccuracy. Nf3 was best.} (20... Nf3 21. Bxf3 exf3 22. Qd3 Bf4 23. h6 g6 24. Qc3 f6 25. Re1 Re4 26. Bxf4 Qxf4 27. Rxe4) 21. gxf5 {[%eval 100,0]} Rxf5 {[%eval 97,0]} 22. Kc2 {[%eval 112,0]} Rb8 {[%eval 146,0]} 23. Rh4 {[%eval 156,0]} b5 {[%eval 186,0]} 24. cxb5 {[%eval 161,0]} axb5 {[%eval 197,0]} 25. Rxe4 {[%eval 198,0]} c4 $6 {[%eval 278,0] Inaccuracy. Nc4 was best.} (25... Nc4 26. Bxc4) 26. a6 {[%eval 293,0]} Nd3 {[%eval 339,0]} 27. a7 {[%eval 288,0]} Ra8 {[%eval 209,0]} 28. Bg4 {[%eval 207,0]} Re5 $2 {[%eval 447,0] Mistake. Rf6 was best.} (28... Rf6 29. Be6+ Kf8 30. Qa5 Qb7 31. h6 Nb4+ 32. Kc1 g6 33. Rd4 Nd3+ 34. Rxd3 cxd3 35. Qc3) 29. Be6+ {[%eval 378,0]} Kh8 {[%eval 412,0]} 30. Rxe5 {[%eval 401,0]} Bxe5 {[%eval 481,0]} 31. Qa5 {[%eval 475,0]} Qe7 {[%eval 506,0]} 32. Qxb5 {[%eval 514,0]} h6 {[%eval 599,0]} 33. Qxc4 {[%eval 593,0]} Nb4+ {[%eval 603,0]} 34. Kd2 {[%eval 600,0]} Bd6 {[%eval 704,0]} 35. Ke2 {[%eval 553,0]} Qe8 {[%eval 584,0]} 36. Rh1 {[%eval 508,0]} Qf8 {[%eval 701,0]} 37. Rh3 {[%eval 565,0]} Qe8 {[%eval 598,0]} 38. Kf1 {[%eval 608,0]} Qa4 {[%eval 623,0]} 39. Kg2 {[%eval 617,0]} Qd1 {[%eval 716,0]} 40. Rh1 {[%eval 703,0]} Qa4 {[%eval 678,0]} 41. Bxh6 $6 {[%eval 473,0] Inaccuracy. Rc1 was best.} (41. Rc1 Rd8 42. Qg4 Rf8 43. Rc4 Qa5 44. Bd4 Qxa7 45. Bxa7 Nd3 46. Bd4 Be5 47. Be3) 41... Qxa7 {[%eval 495,0]} 42. Be3 {[%eval 613,0]} Qe7 {[%eval 789,0]} 43. h6 {[%eval 802,0]} g6 {[%eval 831,0]} 44. h7 $6 {[%eval 611,0] Inaccuracy. Qc3+ was best.} (44. Qc3+ Kh7 45. Qg7+ Qxg7 46. hxg7+ Kxg7 47. Bd4+ Kf8 48. Rh8+ Ke7 49. Rxa8 Nxd5 50. Bxd5 g5) 44... Be5 {[%eval 633,0]} 45. Qe4 {[%eval 635,0]} Bg7 {[%eval 700,0]} 46. d6 {[%eval 678,0]} Qe8 {[%eval 896,0]} 47. d7 {[%eval 855,0]} Qb8 $2 {[%eval 32744,0] Checkmate is now unavoidable. Qd8 was best.} (47... Qd8 48. Bg4 Nc2 49. Qxc2 Qf6 50. Qc8+ Qf8 51. Qc6 Rd8 52. Qd5 Qf6 53. b4 Rf8 54. b5) 48. Rc1 $6 {[%eval 2093,0] Lost forced checkmate sequence. Bd4 was best.} (48. Bd4 Nc6 49. Bxg7+ Kxg7 50. Qxc6 Qe5 51. Qxa8 Qg5+ 52. Kf3 Qf6+ 53. Kg3 Qe5+ 54. f4 Qe3+) 1-0 [Event "Norway Chess"] [Site "lichess.org"] [Date "2023.06.05"] [Round "12"] [Board "3"] [White "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C53"] [WhiteElo "2785"] [BlackElo "2775"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/loepare"] [PlyCount "86"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 {[%eval 36,0]} e5 {[%eval 35,0]} 2. Nf3 {[%eval 29,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 32,0]} 3. Bc4 {[%eval 21,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 29,0]} 4. d3 {[%eval 21,0]} Bc5 {[%eval 9,0]} 5. c3 {[%eval 23,0]} a6 {[%eval 31,0]} 6. Bg5 {[%eval 0,0]} d6 {[%eval 3,0]} 7. Nbd2 {[%eval 0,0]} Ba7 {[%eval 4,0]} 8. O-O {[%eval 3,0]} h6 {[%eval 11,0]} 9. Bh4 {[%eval 7,0]} O-O {[%eval 13,0]} 10. b4 {[%eval 0,0]} g5 {[%eval 8,0]} 11. Bg3 {[%eval 8,0]} Kg7 {[%eval 16,0]} 12. Bb3 {[%eval 13,0]} Nh7 {[%eval 22,0]} 13. Nc4 {[%eval 1,0]} h5 {[%eval 8,0]} 14. h4 {[%eval 0,0]} g4 {[%eval 14,0]} 15. Nfd2 {[%eval 16,0]} f5 {[%eval 21,0]} 16. exf5 {[%eval 14,0]} Ne7 {[%eval 59,0]} 17. f6+ $6 {[%eval 1,0] Inaccuracy. Ne3 was best.} (17. Ne3 Nxf5 18. Nxf5+ Bxf5 19. Nc4 Qd7 20. Ne3 Bg6 21. d4 exd4 22. cxd4 Nf6 23. Bc2 Rae8) 17... Nxf6 {[%eval 12,0]} 18. Ne3 {[%eval 9,0]} Nf5 {[%eval 48,0]} 19. Nxf5+ {[%eval 48,0]} Bxf5 {[%eval 61,0]} 20. d4 $6 {[%eval 28,0] Inaccuracy. Nc4 was best.} (20. Nc4) 20... exd4 {[%eval 41,0]} 21. cxd4 {[%eval 17,0]} Bxd4 {[%eval 28,0]} 22. Rc1 {[%eval 9,0]} Bb2 {[%eval 14,0]} 23. Rc4 $2 {[%eval -92,0] Mistake. Bc2 was best.} (23. Bc2 Bxc1 24. Bxf5 Nd5 25. Bxg4 Ne3 26. fxe3 Bxd2 27. Qa1+ Kg6 28. Qb1+ Kg7 29. Qb2+ Kg6) 23... b5 {[%eval 72,0]} 24. Rf4 {[%eval 81,0]} Bg6 {[%eval -100,0]} 25. Re1 $6 {[%eval -93,0] Inaccuracy. Bc2 was best.} (25. Bc2 Be5) 25... Be5 {[%eval -29,0]} 26. Nf1 {[%eval -55,0]} Qd7 {[%eval -51,0]} 27. Rxe5 {[%eval -68,0]} dxe5 {[%eval -51,0]} 28. Rxf6 {[%eval -47,0]} Qxd1 {[%eval -59,0]} 29. Rxg6+ {[%eval 96,0]} Kxg6 {[%eval -96,0]} 30. Bxd1 {[%eval -94,0]} Rad8 {[%eval -68,0]} 31. Be2 $2 {[%eval -292,0] Mistake. Ne3 was best.} (31. Ne3 Kf6) 31... Rd5 $6 {[%eval -21,0] Inaccuracy. Rf4 was best.} (31... Rf4 32. Bxf4 exf4 33. a3 Kf6 34. Kh1 Ke5 35. Kg1 Kd4 36. Nd2 Re8 37. Kf1 Kc3 38. Ke1) 32. f3 {[%eval -24,0]} gxf3 {[%eval -28,0]} 33. gxf3 $6 {[%eval -154,0] Inaccuracy. Bxf3 was best.} (33. Bxf3 Rxf3 34. gxf3 c5 35. a3 c4 36. Ne3 Rd3 37. Kf2 Kf6 38. Ke2 Rxa3 39. Be1 Ra2+) 33... c5 {[%eval -194,0]} 34. bxc5 {[%eval -152,0]} Rxc5 {[%eval -173,0]} 35. Bd3+ {[%eval -182,0]} Kf6 {[%eval -194,0]} 36. Bf2 $2 {[%eval -241,0] Mistake. Nd2 was best.} (36. Nd2 Rc1+ 37. Kf2 Ke6 38. Ne4 Ra1 39. Ke3 Rxa2 40. Nc5+ Kd5 41. Nd7 Rd8 42. Be4+ Ke6) 36... Rg8+ $6 {[%eval -143,0] Inaccuracy. Rc1 was best.} (36... Rc1 37. Bb6 Ke6 38. Kf2 Rb8 39. Be3 Ra1 40. Ng3 Rxa2+ 41. Ke1 a5 42. f4 exf4 43. Bxf4) 37. Kh2 $6 {[%eval -228,0] Inaccuracy. Ng3 was best.} (37. Ng3 Rc3) 37... Rc3 {[%eval -239,0]} 38. Be4 {[%eval -294,0]} Ra3 {[%eval -236,0]} 39. Bd5 {[%eval -398,0]} Rd8 {[%eval -391,0]} 40. Bb3 {[%eval -374,0]} Rd3 {[%eval -366,0]} 41. Ng3 {[%eval -348,0]} Rdxb3 {[%eval -236,0]} 42. axb3 {[%eval -296,0]} Rxb3 {[%eval -251,0]} 43. Kg2 $6 {[%eval -304,0] Inaccuracy. Nxh5+ was best.} (43. Nxh5+ Ke6 44. Ng3 Rxf3 45. Be1 Rf4 46. h5 b4 47. h6 b3 48. Ne4 b2 49. Nd2 Kf7) 43... Kg6 {[%eval -305,0]} 0-1 [Event "Norway Chess 2023"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.05"] [Round "11"] [White "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "B31"] [WhiteElo "2786"] [BlackElo "2775"] [PlyCount "75"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. Bxc6 bxc6 6. Re1 Qc7 7. Na3 Nh6 {A novelty in an opening Abdusattorov has played before.} (7... d6 8. Nc4 e5 9. c3 Be6 10. Qa4 Ne7 11. d4 cxd4 12. cxd4 exd4 13. Bf4 Bxc4 14. Qxc4 c5 15. Rac1 O-O 16. e5 dxe5 17. Bxe5 Bxe5 18. Nxe5 Nf5 19. Qxc5 Qb7 {Naiditsch,A (2664)-Abdusattorov $146 (2688) Biel 2022}) 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 f6 10. d4 cxd4 11. cxd4 d5 12. Bd2 Qb7 13. e5 Nf7 14. Nc2 Bf5 15. exf6 exf6 16. Rc1 a5 17. b4 a4 18. Bf4 Rfd8 19. a3 Nd6 $6 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The engine advises against allowing the trade with Bxd6. Instead, it makes a variety of other moves. Here is one way to play:} (19... g5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 20. Bg3 h5 21. Re3 h4 22. Bh2 Be4 23. Nce1 Re8 24. Nd3 Bf8 {with similar play to the game, except the bishop on h2 is not a useful piece.}) 20. Ne3 Be6 21. Bxd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rxd6 22. Re2 {White gives away the bishop pair, but in this game the knights will be stronger.} Qb6 23. Qc2 Bd7 24. Rce1 Re6 25. Nd1 Rxe2 26. Qxe2 Bf8 27. Nb2 Qb5 28. Qd2 Bd6 29. Nh2 Qb8 30. Nf1 Kg7 31. Ne3 h5 32. Nd3 {The knights make some funny maneuvers, but the bishops are somehow not so useful with this pawn structure. The knights aim toward outposts such as c5, while pawn pushes by Black only create more outposts.} Qc8 33. h4 Be6 34. Nc5 Bf7 35. Qc2 Ra7 36. Rc1 Bf4 37. Nd3 Bd6 38. Nc5 {Surprisingly, Firouzja offered a draw and it was accepted. The engine does give White a clear advantage, although actually breaking through may be difficult in a practical game.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.05"] [Round "12"] [White "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C54"] [WhiteElo "2786"] [BlackElo "2775"] [PlyCount "86"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 a6 6. Bg5 d6 7. Nbd2 Ba7 8. O-O h6 9. Bh4 O-O 10. b4 g5 {The commentators praised this move, considering Nakamura only needs to draw. He gains space but opens up his king a little.} 11. Bg3 (11. Nxg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] has never been tested before and the engine indicates an advantage for Black.} hxg5 12. Bxg5 Kg7 13. Qf3 Rh8 $1 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This takes away the h4-square from the bishop.} (13... Kg6 14. Bh4) 14. a4 Kg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White cannot maintain the pin. This is why the sacrifice isn't sound.} 15. Qg3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Nh5) 11... Kg7 12. Bb3 Nh7 13. Nc4 h5 14. h4 g4 15. Nfd2 f5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Energetic play by Nakamura, especially considering that he just needs a draw with Black.} (15... Ne7 16. Ne3 Ng6 {was also possible and perhaps more solid.}) 16. exf5 Ne7 17. f6+ $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The position is equal again.} (17. Ne3 Nxf5 18. Nxf5+ Bxf5 19. Ne4 {was a better try, where the black king is still a bit naked, although pieces are being exchanged.}) 17... Nxf6 18. Ne3 Nf5 19. Nxf5+ Bxf5 20. d4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This was the last time White had an advantage in the game. The pawn sacrifice is unsound and it's downhill from here.} (20. Nc4 {With Qd2 and Ne3 coming and probing the weaknesses on the kingside.}) 20... exd4 21. cxd4 Bxd4 22. Rc1 Bb2 {Count the number of safe squares this rook has.} 23. Rc4 b5 24. Rf4 {This rook is going to get trapped.} Bg6 25. Re1 {It's hard to recomend another move considering the match situation. White is worse and needs to win. But this move is losing on the spot.} (25. Bc2 {The engine suggests:} Be5 26. Bxg6 Bxf4 27. Bb1 Bxg3 28. fxg3 Nd5 {hoping for counterplay on the light squares, but I don't believe it any more than Stockfish does.}) 25... Be5 26. Nf1 Qd7 27. Rxe5 dxe5 28. Rxf6 Qxd1 29. Rxg6+ Kxg6 30. Bxd1 Rad8 {Black goes on to win with the extra material.} 31. Be2 Rd5 32. f3 gxf3 33. gxf3 c5 34. bxc5 Rxc5 35. Bd3+ Kf6 36. Bf2 Rg8+ 37. Kh2 Rc3 38. Be4 Ra3 39. Bd5 Rd8 40. Bb3 Rd3 41. Ng3 Rdxb3 42. axb3 Rxb3 43. Kg2 Kg6 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.05"] [Round "11"] [White "Tari, Aryan"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "B51"] [WhiteElo "2646"] [BlackElo "2853"] [PlyCount "127"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/7200:0"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 g6 6. O-O Bg7 7. Re1 Ngf6 8. Bf1 O-O 9. c4 b6 10. Nc3 Bb7 11. f3 a6 12. Be3 Rc8 13. Rc1 Re8 14. Qd2 h5 $146 (14... e6 15. Nb3 Nc5 16. Rcd1 Bf8 17. Bf4 e5 18. Be3 Qc7 19. Qf2 Be7 20. Nd2 $16 {Palac,M (2562)-Rezan,S (2456) Bol 2013}) 15. Qf2 e6 16. h3 d5 {At this point, the commentators only spoke about whether Carlsen would have enough to win after the liquidation.} 17. cxd5 exd5 18. exd5 Nxd5 19. Nxd5 Rxc1 20. Rxc1 Bxd5 21. Bxa6 {Black has sacrificed a pawn but remains in the balance. But how can he win this $2} Qe7 ({The commentators pointed out the line:} 21... Bxa2 22. b3 $6 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (22. Rc8 Qe7 23. Rxe8+ Qxe8 24. Bb5 {is completely equal.}) 22... Nc5 {and Black threatens ...Rxe3 right now.}) 22. Bd2 Ra8 23. Bb5 Rxa2 {Black wins the pawn back, but the position is symmetrical.} 24. Bc3 Nc5 25. Re1 Ne6 26. Qe3 Qd6 27. Nxe6 Bxe6 28. h4 Bxc3 29. Qxc3 Ra5 30. Bf1 Kh7 31. b4 Rd5 32. Bc4 Qc7 33. Rc1 Rd8 34. Bf1 $2 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (34. Bb3 {would be stronger as it's hard for Black to avoid more trades. The bishops face off, whereas in the game, Black does not have to trade.}) 34... Qf4 {Carlsen works his endgame magic.} 35. Qe1 Rd2 36. b5 Rb2 37. Rd1 Rc2 38. Qe4 Qc7 39. Qe3 Bc4 40. Bxc4 Rxc4 41. Qg5 Kg7 {It was important not to give the d-file to Black. Many moves hold the balance.} 42. Re1 $2 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Just like that, Black has a winning advantage. White's pawns on b5 and h4 are targets.} (42. Rd8 Rc1+ 43. Kf2 {It's scary for sure, but Black cannot mount a decisive blow here. Only checks.}) 42... Qd6 43. Kh1 Rb4 44. Rc1 Qd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] There were other places for minor improvements, but this is where the winning position was spoiled.} (44... Rf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best move. The idea is to play ...Qd4 next and capture the pawn with the queen and not the rook.} 45. Re1 (45. Rc6 Qd4) 45... Qd4 46. Re4 Rxe4 47. fxe4 Qxe4 {It will still take work, but it's a winning endgame.}) 45. Rc6 Rb1+ 46. Kh2 Rd1 {Black doesn't have the coordination he needs for the winning advantage anymore.} 47. Qg3 Qg1+ 48. Kh3 Rd5 49. Qf4 Rf5 50. Qc4 g5 51. hxg5 Qh1+ 52. Kg3 Rxg5+ 53. Kf4 Qh4+ 54. g4 hxg4 55. Qd4+ Kh7 56. Qd3+ Rg6 57. Rxg6 fxg6 58. fxg4 Kh6 59. Qd4 Qg5+ 60. Kf3 {Objectively a missed opportunity, but this is a blitz game by now. For what it's worth, this was a winning position for a fleeting moment.} (60. Kg3 Kh7 61. Qxb6 {Tablebases indeed show that White is winning here.}) 60... Qxb5 61. Qh8+ Kg5 62. Qd8+ Kh6 63. Qh8+ Kg5 64. Qd8+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.05"] [Round "12"] [White "Tari, Aryan"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C55"] [WhiteElo "2646"] [BlackElo "2853"] [PlyCount "66"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/600:0"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. Nc3 d6 7. a3 Bg4 8. h3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 Nd4 10. Qd1 c6 11. Ba2 Ne6 12. Ne2 d5 13. Ng3 Qc7 $146 (13... g6 14. Re1 Qc7 15. c3 Rad8 16. Bh6 Rfe8 17. Qf3 Kh8 18. Rad1 Ng8 19. Bc1 $16 {Esipenko,A (2716)-Dubov,D (2714) Krasnaya Polyana 2021}) 14. c3 Rad8 15. Qf3 Rfe8 16. Be3 Bc5 17. Nf5 g6 18. Qg3 Nh5 19. Nh6+ Kg7 {White hasn't achieved an advantage in the opening, and here he needs to make an objectively bad move to avoid the repetition.} 20. Qg4 (20. Nf5+ Kh8 {is only good enough for a draw.}) 20... Bxe3 {Objectively, this misses an opportunity for an advantage, but he only needs a draw.} (20... Nhf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now the knight on h6 is undefended.} 21. Nf5+ $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is the logical move, saving the knight.} Kh8 22. Ng3 {Now the move you'd never spot in a rapid game from far away:} f5 $3 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 23. exf5 gxf5 24. Qxf5 Rf8 25. Qg4 Rg8 {Black has a winning attack. Qd1 is met with Bxe3 and taking on g3. There are other moves, but the tactics all work out for Black.}) 21. Nf5+ Kh8 22. fxe3 gxf5 {Black is temporarily up a piece.} 23. exf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The point of no return.} (23. Qxh5 f4 24. exd5 cxd5 25. d4 {could have kept more tension on the board. The black king is weaker, after all.}) 23... Nef4 24. exf4 Nxf4 25. Qh4 Rg8 {Black has a winning attack. The bishop on a2 is a bystander.} 26. Qf6+ Rg7 27. d4 Nxh3+ 28. Kh1 Ng5 {Technically the engine says White can take on e5 here, but in armageddon he cannot afford to draw.} 29. Rae1 Rd6 {Here comes the rook lift.} 30. Qxe5 Rh6+ 31. Kg1 Nh3+ 32. Kh1 Nf4+ 33. Kg1 Qxe5 {Rxg2 is the mate threat White cannot avoid.} 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.05"] [Round "11"] [White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D20"] [WhiteElo "2740"] [BlackElo "2765"] [PlyCount "93"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/7200:0"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 e5 4. Nf3 Bb4+ 5. Nc3 exd4 6. Nxd4 Nd7 7. Bxc4 Ngf6 8. O-O O-O 9. f3 Ne5 10. Be2 Qe7 11. Bg5 Bxc3 12. bxc3 c5 13. Nc2 Rd8 14. Qe1 h6 15. Bxf6 Qxf6 16. Ne3 Nd3 $146 (16... Ng6 {A correspondence game went:} 17. Nd5 Qe5 18. Rd1 Bd7 19. Qg3 Qxg3 20. hxg3 Kf8 21. Rd2 Ne7 22. Ne3 Be6 23. Rb2 b6 24. g4 {½-½ (24) Kruse,H (2548)-Riccio,E (2620) FICGS email 2020}) 17. Bxd3 Rxd3 18. Nd5 Qd8 19. Qe2 c4 20. Rfd1 Rxd1+ 21. Rxd1 b5 22. a4 {After this move, the balance remains equal for the rest of the game.} (22. Qb2 Qa5 23. Qb4 Qxb4 (23... Qxa2 $4 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 24. Nf6+ gxf6 25. Rd8+ Kh7 26. Qf8 Qb1+ 27. Kf2 Qb2+ 28. Kg3 {White wins.}) 24. Nxb4 a5 25. Nc2 {White has a small edge with play against the queenside.}) 22... a6 23. Qb2 Qa5 24. axb5 axb5 25. h3 Be6 26. Nf4 Rb8 27. Kh1 b4 28. cxb4 Rxb4 29. Qc3 {Black creates a passed pawn, but it's hard to push it past the third rank.} Qb6 30. Nxe6 fxe6 31. Rd7 {In addition, Black has some problems with his king.} Rb1+ 32. Kh2 Qb8+ 33. e5 Qb6 34. Rd4 {Switching back to the c-pawn.} Rc1 35. Qd2 Qb1 36. Re4 {Nicely calculated. It's scary, but White hangs in there.} Kh7 (36... Rh1+ 37. Kg3 {There's no followup check on e1.}) 37. Qd6 Rh1+ 38. Kg3 Qg1 39. Qxe6 Qh2+ 40. Kf2 Qg1+ 41. Kg3 Qh2+ 42. Kh4 {An attempt to keep going, but the draw is inevitable.} Qxg2 43. Qf5+ Kh8 44. Qf8+ Kh7 45. Qf5+ Kh8 46. Qf8+ Kh7 47. Qf5+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.05"] [Round "12"] [White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "A37"] [WhiteElo "2740"] [BlackElo "2765"] [PlyCount "62"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/600:0"] 1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6 4. g3 Bg7 5. Bg2 e6 6. h4 h6 7. a3 Nge7 8. Rb1 d5 9. cxd5 {It seems Mamedyarov mixed something up here. The best move according to the engine is b4, but it doesn't give an an advantage anyway.} (9. d3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} dxc4 10. dxc4 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 {Black was better, but the players agreed to a draw. ½-½ (11) Baron Rodriguez,J (2423)-Hinojar Basa,A (2199) Aragon 2018}) 9... exd5 10. b4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White is \"slightly worse\" after 10.d3, but after this move the engine says he's already losing.} Bf5 11. Rb2 d4 12. Na4 cxb4 {Considering he only needs to draw, this move is fine. It keeps a large advantage.} (12... c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] was the strongest move here. there are many lines that can happen, but the knight on a4 just remains out of play forever. while Black generates a passed pawn on the c-file.}) 13. axb4 b5 14. Nc5 Nd5 15. O-O O-O 16. h5 g5 17. e4 dxe3 18. dxe3 Ndxb4 {Good enough to hold equality.} (18... Nc3 19. Qb3 a5 {is given as best by the engine, but let's remember he only needs to draw. His move is fine.}) (18... Bxb2 19. Bxb2 {would be completely unnecessary, weakening the dark squares around the king.}) 19. Nd4 Nxd4 20. Rxb4 Nc2 {Forcing more trades.} 21. Rxb5 Qxd1 22. Rxd1 Rad8 {Another trade is unavoidable.} 23. Rd5 Bg4 24. Rb7 Ne1 25. Be4 Bf3 26. Rdd7 Rxd7 27. Rxd7 Rc8 28. Ba3 $4 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Blunder;persistent;true] This loses immediately.} Bf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White will lose material.} 29. Bd5 Bxc5 30. Bxf7+ Kf8 31. Bb2 Bc6 {And White loses another piece.} 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.05"] [Round "11"] [White "Gukesh D"] [Black "Giri, Anish"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D12"] [WhiteElo "2736"] [BlackElo "2772"] [PlyCount "116"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/7200:0"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bf5 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nh4 Be4 7. f3 Bg6 8. Bd2 Be7 9. Qb3 Qc7 10. O-O-O dxc4 11. Qxc4 a6 12. Nxg6 hxg6 13. Kb1 b5 14. Qe2 c5 15. dxc5 Nbd7 $146 {The top engine move.} (15... Nc6 16. g4 Bxc5 17. f4 Ne7 18. Bg2 Rd8 19. h4 {White had an advantage and went on to win, Gukesh,D (2732)-Aravindh,C (2633) Sharjah 2023.}) 16. Rc1 Ne5 17. f4 $6 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] It's hard to say how bad this mistake is because the \"refutation\" is pretty computerish. It's not even clear that the correct move achieves a real advantage.} ({The best continuation includes the f4 move, but delays it one turn.} 17. Qe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Moving the queen out of the way to capture the knight on c4 with the bishop.} O-O 18. f4 Nc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 19. Bxc4 bxc4 20. Na4 {The pawn on c5 cannot be captured due to Rxc4 with a deadly pin.}) 17... Nc4 18. Be1 Bxc5 {It would have been more accurate to leave the capture for the queen so that the c-file would be open, but this move is extremely natural.} (18... Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19. Qf3 Nxb2 20. Kxb2 Qxc5 21. Bd2 Qa3+ 22. Ka1 O-O 23. Be2 Nd7 {...Bf6 is coming next, with an attack. The complications continue after e4-e5 to block the diagonal.} 24. e4 Bf6 25. e5 Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26. fxe5 Bxe5 {Two pieces down, Stockfish says Black has good compensation. But this is impossible to judge from eight moves ago.}) 19. Qf3 O-O 20. Bxc4 bxc4 21. Ne4 {The evaluation remained virtually level for the rest of the game.} Be7 22. Nd2 Qd7 23. Nxc4 Qd3+ 24. Rc2 Rac8 25. e4 Qxe4 26. Qxe4 Nxe4 27. Ba5 g5 28. fxg5 Bxg5 29. Rd1 f5 30. Nd6 Rxc2 31. Kxc2 Nf6 32. Re1 Nd5 33. g3 f4 34. gxf4 Bxf4 35. Rxe6 Rf6 36. Rxf6 Nxf6 37. Nb7 Bxh2 38. Nc5 g5 39. Nxa6 g4 {Black will sacrifice a piece for the g-pawn and then win another in return for his own on the queenside.} 40. Kd3 Be5 41. b3 Kf7 42. Bb6 g3 43. Bg1 Bd6 44. Nc5 Bxc5 45. Bxc5 g2 46. b4 Ke6 47. Kc4 Kd7 48. a4 Ne4 49. Be3 Kc6 50. b5+ Kb7 51. Kd3 Ng5 52. a5 Nh3 53. a6+ Kb8 54. b6 g1=Q 55. Bxg1 Nxg1 56. Ke4 Nh3 57. Kd5 Nf4+ 58. Kd6 Nd3 {The white pawns cannot promote, and the black knight cannot win alone.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.05"] [Round "12"] [White "Gukesh D"] [Black "Giri, Anish"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B92"] [WhiteElo "2736"] [BlackElo "2772"] [PlyCount "95"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/600:0"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Be3 Be6 9. Nd5 Nbd7 10. Qd3 O-O 11. a4 Bxd5 12. exd5 Nc5 13. Nxc5 dxc5 14. c4 e4 15. Qd2 Bd6 16. a5 Qc7 17. h4 $5 $146 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} (17. g3 Nd7 18. O-O f5 19. Bf4 Ne5 $14 {Kurmann,O (2433)-Moucheroud,J (2294) Karlsruhe 2019}) 17... Nd7 18. g4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Gukesh pushes both the h- and g-pawns. A daring way to play, but also a good one for armageddon.} Rae8 19. h5 Ne5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A completely natural move, but it does not work concretely.} ({The best move is also extremely difficult to find if you haven't prepared it.} 19... h6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20. g5 (20. Rg1 f6 {is the idea.}) (20. Bxh6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] doesn't work.} gxh6 21. Qxh6 Bf4) 20... hxg5 21. Bxg5 f6 22. Be3 f5 {Black can always defend the g7-point with a rook along the seventh rank, and the h6-push is also not threatening.} 23. h6 g6 {Equal.}) 20. Kd1 f5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After this White gets to tuck his king away in time and will target the weak e-pawn, which didn't look so weak at first.} (20... Nf3 21. Bxf3 exf3 {was the last chance, with again an equal position.}) 21. gxf5 Rxf5 22. Kc2 Rb8 {After this, the game is lost.} (22... Nf3 {The same move as before, but here the white king has had more time to run to shelter. Still, it should have been played.} 23. Bxf3 exf3 24. h6 g6 25. Ra3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Re4 26. Qd3 Ree5 27. Kb1 {White will tuck away his king on a2 and then slowly start to pressure the weak pawn on f3 and sometimes the pawn on c5.}) 23. Rh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The pawn on e4 is gone. Black hopes his counterplay is fast enough, but it isn't.} b5 24. cxb5 axb5 25. Rxe4 c4 26. a6 {White reminds his opponent that a pawn is a pawn.} Nd3 27. a7 Ra8 28. Bg4 Re5 29. Be6+ Kh8 30. Rxe5 Bxe5 31. Qa5 Qe7 32. Qxb5 h6 33. Qxc4 {White is too much material up and the a-pawn is still on the board.} Nb4+ 34. Kd2 Bd6 35. Ke2 Qe8 36. Rh1 Qf8 37. Rh3 Qe8 38. Kf1 Qa4 39. Kg2 Qd1 40. Rh1 Qa4 41. Bxh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Gukesh switches his attention to the king.} Qxa7 (41... gxh6 42. Qd4+ Kh7 43. Bf5+ Kg8 44. Rh4 {will win.}) 42. Be3 Qe7 43. h6 g6 44. h7 Be5 45. Qe4 Bg7 46. d6 Qe8 (46... Qxd6 47. Qxa8+) 47. d7 Qb8 48. Rc1 {Rc8 is coming next.} 1-0 [Event "lichess.org"] [Site "lichess.org"] [Date "2023.06.06"] [Round "13"] [Board "1"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "B40"] [WhiteElo "2853"] [BlackElo "2785"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/loepare"] [PlyCount "103"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 {[%eval 36,0]} c5 {[%eval 32,0]} 2. Nf3 {[%eval 0,0]} e6 {[%eval 34,0]} 3. Bd3 {[%eval 0,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 0,0]} 4. O-O {[%eval 0,0]} g5 {[%eval 0,0]} 5. Bb5 {[%eval 0,0]} Bg7 $6 {[%eval 78,0] Inaccuracy. g4 was best.} (5... g4 6. Ne1 h5 7. c3 d5 8. d3 Nge7 9. exd5 exd5 10. d4) 6. Bxc6 {[%eval 68,0]} bxc6 {[%eval 77,0]} 7. d3 {[%eval 25,0]} g4 {[%eval 75,0]} 8. Nfd2 {[%eval 21,0]} h5 {[%eval 38,0]} 9. Nb3 {[%eval 24,0]} d6 {[%eval 34,0]} 10. f4 $6 {[%eval 3,0] Inaccuracy. Nc3 was best.} (10. Nc3 a5) 10... Ne7 $6 {[%eval 25,0] Inaccuracy. f5 was best.} (10... f5) 11. Bd2 {[%eval 7,0]} Bxb2 {[%eval 9,0]} 12. Ba5 {[%eval 0,0]} Qd7 {[%eval 12,0]} 13. N1d2 {[%eval 8,0]} Bg7 {[%eval 34,0]} 14. Qe1 {[%eval 74,0]} Ba6 {[%eval 62,0]} 15. Rd1 {[%eval 59,0]} f5 {[%eval 27,0]} 16. e5 {[%eval 48,0]} Ng6 {[%eval 29,0]} 17. Nc4 {[%eval 5,0]} Bxc4 {[%eval 54,0]} 18. dxc4 {[%eval 48,0]} d5 {[%eval 23,0]} 19. Nxc5 {[%eval 0,0]} Qc8 {[%eval 11,0]} 20. Nb3 {[%eval 34,0]} O-O $4 {[%eval 139,0] Blunder. Bh6 was best.} (20... Bh6 21. Qe3) 21. Bb4 {[%eval 167,0]} Re8 {[%eval 169,0]} 22. Bd6 {[%eval 107,0]} Qa6 {[%eval 208,0]} 23. Qc3 $2 {[%eval 5,0] Mistake. c5 was best.} (23. c5 Qc4 24. Qd2 a5 25. Nd4 Qxa2 26. Nxc6 Qc4 27. Nxa5 Rxa5 28. Qxa5 Nxf4 29. Qd2 Ne2+) 23... Rad8 $4 {[%eval 231,0] Blunder. c5 was best.} (23... c5 24. Bxc5 Qxc4 25. Qxc4 dxc4 26. Nd4 Rab8 27. g3 Bf8 28. Bxf8 Nxf8 29. Rb1 Red8 30. c3) 24. c5 {[%eval 282,0]} Bh6 {[%eval 269,0]} 25. g3 {[%eval 277,0]} Rd7 {[%eval 295,0]} 26. Nd4 {[%eval 303,0]} Rf7 {[%eval 301,0]} 27. Rb1 {[%eval 343,0]} h4 {[%eval 304,0]} 28. Qd3 {[%eval 301,0]} Qa4 {[%eval 312,0]} 29. a3 {[%eval 305,0]} a5 {[%eval 333,0]} 30. Rfd1 $6 {[%eval 255,0] Inaccuracy. Rf2 was best.} (30. Rf2) 30... hxg3 {[%eval 287,0]} 31. hxg3 {[%eval 245,0]} Bxf4 {[%eval 204,0]} 32. gxf4 {[%eval 225,0]} Nxf4 {[%eval 208,0]} 33. Qb3 {[%eval 237,0]} Qxb3 {[%eval 222,0]} 34. Rxb3 {[%eval 205,0]} a4 $6 {[%eval 304,0] Inaccuracy. Nh3+ was best.} (34... Nh3+ 35. Kg2) 35. Rb4 {[%eval 294,0]} Rh7 $6 {[%eval 412,0] Inaccuracy. Nh3+ was best.} (35... Nh3+) 36. Rf1 $2 {[%eval 228,0] Mistake. Nxc6 was best.} (36. Nxc6) 36... Nh3+ {[%eval 317,0]} 37. Kg2 {[%eval 225,0]} Ng5 {[%eval 378,0]} 38. Nxc6 $6 {[%eval 284,0] Inaccuracy. Rxa4 was best.} (38. Rxa4 Ne4 39. Ne2 Rh3 40. Ra7 Re3 41. Nf4 Rc3 42. Be7 Rxc2+ 43. Kg1 Rb8 44. Bf6 Nxc5) 38... Ne4 {[%eval 375,0]} 39. Rxe4 $4 {[%eval 0,0] Blunder. Ne7+ was best.} (39. Ne7+) 39... dxe4 {[%eval 28,0]} 40. Nd4 {[%eval 16,0]} Rh3 {[%eval 0,0]} 41. c6 {[%eval 0,0]} Kf7 {[%eval 4,0]} 42. c7 {[%eval 0,0]} Reh8 {[%eval 0,0]} 43. Nc6 {[%eval 0,0]} Rh2+ {[%eval 0,0]} 44. Kg3 {[%eval 0,0]} Rxc2 {[%eval 0,0]} 45. Nd8+ {[%eval 0,0]} Kg6 {[%eval 29,0]} 46. Nxe6 {[%eval -76,0]} Rh3+ {[%eval -96,0]} 47. Kf4 {[%eval 92,0]} Rf3+ {[%eval 47,0]} 48. Rxf3 {[%eval -51,0]} exf3 {[%eval 47,0]} 49. Kg3 {[%eval -75,0]} Rg2+ $2 {[%eval 0,0] Mistake. f2 was best.} (49... f2 50. Nf4+ Kh7 51. Kg2 g3 52. Nd3 f4 53. Nxf2 Rxf2+ 54. Kg1 Rc2 55. e6 Kg7 56. Bxf4) 50. Kh4 {[%eval 0,0]} Rh2+ {[%eval 0,0]} 51. Kg3 {[%eval 0,0]} Rg2+ {[%eval 0,0]} 52. Kh4 {[%eval 0,0]} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Norway Chess"] [Site "lichess.org"] [Date "2023.06.06"] [Round "13"] [Board "2"] [White "So, Wesley"] [Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D20"] [WhiteElo "2760"] [BlackElo "2731"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/loepare"] [PlyCount "55"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. d4 {[%eval 0,0]} d5 {[%eval 27,0]} 2. c4 {[%eval 29,0]} dxc4 {[%eval 33,0]} 3. e4 {[%eval 0,0]} e5 {[%eval 5,0]} 4. Nf3 {[%eval 34,0]} exd4 {[%eval 44,0]} 5. Bxc4 {[%eval 24,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 44,0]} 6. O-O {[%eval 2,0]} Qf6 {[%eval 63,0]} 7. Bg5 {[%eval 69,0]} Qg6 {[%eval 61,0]} 8. Nbd2 {[%eval 65,0]} Be7 {[%eval 68,0]} 9. Bf4 {[%eval 61,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 72,0]} 10. Bb5 {[%eval 64,0]} Bd6 {[%eval 63,0]} 11. Bg3 {[%eval 46,0]} Bxg3 {[%eval 91,0]} 12. hxg3 {[%eval 84,0]} O-O {[%eval 61,0]} 13. Rc1 {[%eval 35,0]} Ng4 $6 {[%eval 134,0] Inaccuracy. Nxe4 was best.} (13... Nxe4) 14. Bxc6 {[%eval 156,0]} bxc6 {[%eval 147,0]} 15. Qa4 {[%eval 154,0]} Qh6 {[%eval 119,0]} 16. Rxc6 {[%eval 158,0]} Bd7 {[%eval 152,0]} 17. Rxh6 {[%eval 157,0]} Bxa4 {[%eval 135,0]} 18. Rh5 {[%eval 152,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 188,0]} 19. Ra5 {[%eval 169,0]} Bc2 {[%eval 186,0]} 20. e5 {[%eval 155,0]} Ne4 {[%eval 168,0]} 21. Rc1 {[%eval 127,0]} Nxd2 {[%eval 131,0]} 22. Rxc2 {[%eval 136,0]} Nxf3+ {[%eval 136,0]} 23. gxf3 {[%eval 139,0]} f6 $6 {[%eval 217,0] Inaccuracy. Rad8 was best.} (23... Rad8 24. Kg2) 24. Rxc7 {[%eval 238,0]} Rf7 {[%eval 299,0]} 25. Rxf7 {[%eval 298,0]} Kxf7 {[%eval 282,0]} 26. exf6 {[%eval 309,0]} Rd8 {[%eval 319,0]} 27. Kf1 {[%eval 319,0]} d3 {[%eval 309,0]} 28. Ke1 {[%eval 398,0]} 1-0 [Event "Norway Chess"] [Site "lichess.org"] [Date "2023.06.06"] [Round "13"] [Board "4"] [White "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D20"] [WhiteElo "2775"] [BlackElo "2738"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/loepare"] [PlyCount "55"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. d4 {[%eval 0,0]} d5 {[%eval 27,0]} 2. c4 {[%eval 29,0]} dxc4 {[%eval 33,0]} 3. e4 {[%eval 0,0]} e5 {[%eval 5,0]} 4. Nf3 {[%eval 34,0]} Bb4+ {[%eval 17,0]} 5. Nc3 {[%eval 27,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 28,0]} 6. Nxe5 {[%eval 57,0]} b5 {[%eval 36,0]} 7. f3 {[%eval 41,0]} O-O {[%eval 74,0]} 8. a4 {[%eval 64,0]} c5 $6 {[%eval 124,0] Inaccuracy. c6 was best.} (8... c6 9. Be2 a6 10. Be3 Bb7 11. O-O Nbd7 12. Nxd7 Nxd7 13. Qc2 Nb6 14. Rfd1 Re8 15. Bf2) 9. Be3 {[%eval 69,0]} cxd4 {[%eval 45,0]} 10. Qxd4 {[%eval 77,0]} Qe7 {[%eval 42,0]} 11. axb5 {[%eval 47,0]} Rd8 {[%eval 47,0]} 12. Qxc4 {[%eval 43,0]} Be6 {[%eval 58,0]} 13. Qe2 {[%eval 5,0]} Qc7 {[%eval 33,0]} 14. Nc4 {[%eval 49,0]} Nbd7 {[%eval 51,0]} 15. Ra6 {[%eval 61,0]} Nc5 {[%eval 82,0]} 16. Rc6 {[%eval 4,0]} Qe7 {[%eval 77,0]} 17. Qf2 {[%eval 75,0]} Ncxe4 {[%eval 59,0]} 18. fxe4 {[%eval 69,0]} Nxe4 {[%eval 91,0]} 19. Qf4 {[%eval 68,0]} Nxc3 {[%eval 5,0]} 20. bxc3 {[%eval 109,0]} Bxc3+ {[%eval 71,0]} 21. Kf2 {[%eval 89,0]} Rd5 {[%eval 77,0]} 22. Qe4 {[%eval 57,0]} Qf6+ {[%eval 27,0]} 23. Kg1 {[%eval 11,0]} Rad8 {[%eval 9,0]} 24. Bxa7 {[%eval 0,0]} Rf5 {[%eval 0,0]} 25. Bd3 {[%eval 0,0]} Rfd5 {[%eval 0,0]} 26. Bf1 {[%eval 0,0]} Rf5 {[%eval 0,0]} 27. Bd3 {[%eval 0,0]} Rfd5 {[%eval 0,0]} 28. Bf1 {[%eval 0,0]} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Norway Chess"] [Site "lichess.org"] [Date "2023.06.06"] [Round "13"] [Board "5"] [White "Giri, Anish"] [Black "Tari, Aryan"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E04"] [WhiteElo "2768"] [BlackElo "2642"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/loepare"] [PlyCount "99"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. d4 {[%eval 0,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 28,0]} 2. c4 {[%eval 16,0]} e6 {[%eval 23,0]} 3. Nf3 {[%eval 0,0]} d5 {[%eval 17,0]} 4. g3 {[%eval 2,0]} dxc4 {[%eval 4,0]} 5. Bg2 {[%eval 29,0]} c5 {[%eval 43,0]} 6. O-O {[%eval 42,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 36,0]} 7. Qa4 {[%eval 27,0]} Bd7 {[%eval 13,0]} 8. Qxc4 {[%eval 22,0]} b5 {[%eval 27,0]} 9. Qd3 {[%eval 25,0]} c4 {[%eval 22,0]} 10. Qc2 {[%eval 4,0]} Rc8 {[%eval 12,0]} 11. a4 {[%eval 3,0]} a6 {[%eval 1,0]} 12. axb5 {[%eval 4,0]} axb5 {[%eval 8,0]} 13. Bg5 {[%eval 11,0]} Be7 {[%eval 9,0]} 14. Nc3 {[%eval 6,0]} O-O {[%eval 29,0]} 15. Bxf6 {[%eval 22,0]} Bxf6 {[%eval 26,0]} 16. Nxb5 {[%eval 21,0]} Nb4 {[%eval 56,0]} 17. Qd2 {[%eval 56,0]} Bxb5 {[%eval 59,0]} 18. Qxb4 {[%eval 54,0]} Bc6 {[%eval 63,0]} 19. e3 {[%eval 57,0]} e5 $6 {[%eval 123,0] Inaccuracy. Rb8 was best.} (19... Rb8) 20. dxe5 {[%eval 129,0]} Bxf3 {[%eval 114,0]} 21. exf6 {[%eval 72,0]} Qxf6 {[%eval 94,0]} 22. Qc3 {[%eval 67,0]} Bxg2 {[%eval 73,0]} 23. Qxf6 {[%eval 69,0]} gxf6 {[%eval 96,0]} 24. Kxg2 {[%eval 64,0]} Rfd8 {[%eval 67,0]} 25. Rfc1 {[%eval 63,0]} Rd2 {[%eval 49,0]} 26. b3 {[%eval 36,0]} c3 {[%eval 29,0]} 27. Ra4 {[%eval 39,0]} Rb2 {[%eval 64,0]} 28. Rc4 {[%eval 77,0]} Rb8 {[%eval 85,0]} 29. R1xc3 {[%eval 66,0]} R2xb3 {[%eval 81,0]} 30. Rg4+ {[%eval 88,0]} Kf8 {[%eval 8,0]} 31. Rcc4 {[%eval 95,0]} R3b5 {[%eval 73,0]} 32. Rgf4 {[%eval 88,0]} R8b6 {[%eval 126,0]} 33. Rc8+ {[%eval 125,0]} Kg7 {[%eval 121,0]} 34. Rg4+ {[%eval 122,0]} Rg5 {[%eval 99,0]} 35. Ra4 {[%eval 57,0]} Rf5 $2 {[%eval 229,0] Mistake. Rb2 was best.} (35... Rb2 36. Rf4) 36. g4 {[%eval 263,0]} Rg5 {[%eval 301,0]} 37. h4 {[%eval 306,0]} Rg6 {[%eval 303,0]} 38. Kf3 {[%eval 357,0]} Rb5 {[%eval 395,0]} 39. Raa8 {[%eval 395,0]} Kh6 {[%eval 448,0]} 40. Kf4 {[%eval 388,0]} f5 {[%eval 400,0]} 41. g5+ {[%eval 504,0]} Kh5 {[%eval 495,0]} 42. Rh8 {[%eval 513,0]} h6 {[%eval 502,0]} 43. Rag8 $6 {[%eval 339,0] Inaccuracy. Raf8 was best.} (43. Raf8 Rb7 44. Kxf5 Re6 45. Rxf7 Rxf7+ 46. Kxe6 Rxf2 47. Rxh6+ Kg4 48. Rf6 Rb2 49. Rf4+ Kh5) 43... Ra6 {[%eval 355,0]} 44. Rxh6+ {[%eval 353,0]} Rxh6 {[%eval 343,0]} 45. gxh6 {[%eval 304,0]} Kxh6 {[%eval 341,0]} 46. Rg5 {[%eval 354,0]} Rb4+ $6 {[%eval 554,0] Inaccuracy. Rb2 was best.} (46... Rb2 47. f3 Rb3 48. Rxf5 Kg7 49. e4 Rb1 50. e5 Re1 51. Kg5 Rg1+ 52. Kh5 Re1 53. f4) 47. Kxf5 {[%eval 558,0]} Rxh4 {[%eval 551,0]} 48. Rg3 {[%eval 605,0]} Rh2 {[%eval 634,0]} 49. f4 {[%eval 585,0]} Kh5 $6 {[%eval 815,0] Inaccuracy. Ra2 was best.} (49... Ra2 50. Kf6 Ra6+ 51. Kxf7 Ra7+ 52. Kf6 Ra6+ 53. Kf5 Ra5+ 54. Ke4 Ra4+ 55. Kf3 Ra5 56. e4) 50. Rg7 {[%eval 607,0]} 1-0 [Event "Norway Chess"] [Site "lichess.org"] [Date "2023.06.06"] [Round "14"] [Board "1"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C42"] [WhiteElo "2853"] [BlackElo "2785"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/loepare"] [PlyCount "57"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 {[%eval 36,0]} e5 {[%eval 35,0]} 2. Nf3 {[%eval 29,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 5,0]} 3. Nxe5 {[%eval 34,0]} d6 {[%eval 49,0]} 4. Nf3 {[%eval 35,0]} Nxe4 {[%eval 25,0]} 5. Bd3 {[%eval 17,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 14,0]} 6. O-O {[%eval 11,0]} Be7 {[%eval 13,0]} 7. h3 {[%eval 19,0]} O-O {[%eval 25,0]} 8. Re1 {[%eval 26,0]} Re8 {[%eval 32,0]} 9. Bf1 {[%eval 21,0]} Bf8 {[%eval 42,0]} 10. Rxe8 {[%eval 4,0]} Qxe8 {[%eval 42,0]} 11. d4 {[%eval 42,0]} h6 {[%eval 46,0]} 12. c4 {[%eval 16,0]} Bf5 {[%eval 59,0]} 13. Nc3 {[%eval 65,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 69,0]} 14. Qb3 {[%eval 68,0]} Qc8 {[%eval 79,0]} 15. d5 {[%eval 34,0]} Ne5 {[%eval 34,0]} 16. Nxe5 {[%eval 37,0]} dxe5 {[%eval 36,0]} 17. Be3 {[%eval 31,0]} Nd7 {[%eval 24,0]} 18. Rc1 {[%eval 22,0]} b6 {[%eval 14,0]} 19. Na4 {[%eval 33,0]} Bd6 {[%eval 26,0]} 20. c5 {[%eval 24,0]} bxc5 {[%eval 22,0]} 21. Nxc5 {[%eval 29,0]} Rb8 {[%eval 21,0]} 22. Ba6 {[%eval 4,0]} Qe8 $2 {[%eval 168,0] Mistake. Nxc5 was best.} (22... Nxc5 23. Bxc5 Qd8 24. Qa3 Be4 25. b3 Bxd5 26. Rd1 Bxc5 27. Qxc5 c6 28. Bc4 Qb6 29. Qxb6) 23. Nb7 {[%eval 105,0]} Nb6 {[%eval 164,0]} 24. Rc6 {[%eval 181,0]} Nc8 {[%eval 173,0]} 25. Nxd6 {[%eval 179,0]} Nxd6 {[%eval 173,0]} 26. Qc3 {[%eval 106,0]} Be4 {[%eval 164,0]} 27. Rxc7 {[%eval 183,0]} Qa4 $2 {[%eval 375,0] Mistake. Bxd5 was best.} (27... Bxd5 28. b3 Rd8 29. Rxa7 Nf5 30. Bf1 Qe6 31. Qa5 Rc8 32. Qd2 Nxe3 33. Qxe3 e4 34. Ra5) 28. Bf1 $6 {[%eval 273,0] Inaccuracy. Qxe5 was best.} (28. Qxe5 Qxa6 29. Bd4 Nf5 30. Qxe4 Nxd4 31. Qxd4 Qxa2 32. d6 Rd8 33. d7 Qb1+ 34. Kh2 Qf5) 28... Qxa2 $6 {[%eval 401,0] Inaccuracy. Nb5 was best.} (28... Nb5 29. Qc6 Qd1 30. Rxf7 Qxd5 31. Qxd5 Bxd5 32. Rf5 Bxa2 33. Rxe5 Nc7 34. Ra5 Bf7 35. Bf4) 29. Qxe5 {[%eval 407,0]} 1-0 [Event "Norway Chess"] [Site "chess24.com"] [Date "2023.06.05"] [Round "11.5"] [White "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C65"] [WhiteElo "2731"] [BlackElo "2764"] [Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"] [PlyCount "124"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "Uzbekistan"] [BlackTeam "United States"] [WhiteTeamCountry "UZB"] [BlackTeamCountry "USA"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 {These days it seems as no one enters the main Berlin anymore.} Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. O-O Bd6 ({Also popular is:} 6... Qd6 7. c3 Bg4 8. h3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 O-O-O 10. Rd1 Qe6 11. b4 Be7 12. Nd2 h5 {Duda,J (2724)-So,W (2760) Warsaw 2023}) 7. Nbd2 Be6 8. Nb3 {This is the most topical move currently.} (8. b3 {remains the main line, though.}) 8... b6 $5 {[%mdl 4] [%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A promising side line.} 9. Ng5 $146 {Wow $1 At this tournament, Caruana is fighting against himself $1 This move is another novelty on a game of his own with reversed colors $1} ({He had chosen instead to put the bishop on this square:} 9. Bg5 Qd7 10. Bh4 c5 11. Nbd2 Nh5 12. Ng5 Nf4 13. Nxe6 Nxe6 14. Nc4 f6 15. f3 a5 16. a4 h5 17. Bf2 h4 18. h3 {as in Caruana,F (2766)-Aronian,L (2745) Saint Louis 2023}) 9... Bg4 10. f3 Bh5 11. Kh1 ({The computer suggested} 11. d4 {is not in the spirit of the position and can be answered in various ways, like} Qe7 ({Or} 11... Nd7)) ({Instead} 11. Qe1 {makes sense with the intention to play for f3-f4 when} Nd7 {allows} ({But Black may choose instead} 11... h6 12. Nh3 Nd7) ({Or perhaps even better} 11... a5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] in order to meet} 12. f4 {with} a4 13. Nd2 exf4) 12. Qh4) 11... Nd7 12. Nh3 f6 13. Be3 Qe7 {Caruana keeps his options open.} ({I see nothing wrong with} 13... c5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] followed by the knight transfer to the d4-outpost.}) 14. Nd2 {Abdusattorov also searches for the optimal squares for his pieces.} Nc5 ({Here} 14... c5 {will be likely met with} 15. Nc4 Bf7 16. Nxd6+ Qxd6 17. f4) 15. Nc4 {White often aims for a trade of his knight for this bishop in this line. From one side, he is depriving the opponent of his bishop pair. From another, the dark-squared control would be increased.} Ne6 16. Ng1 {In anticipation of Black's next move.} ({The immediate} 16. Nxd6+ {is possible as well with some light pressure for White after} Qxd6 (16... cxd6 17. d4) 17. Qd2 c5 18. f4) ({The immediate preparation of the f3-f4 break with} 16. Qe1 {would be certainly stopped with} g5) 16... g5 17. Ne2 Bf7 18. Qe1 ({Instead} 18. Ng3 {is only optically aggressive. After} Ng7 {Black would anyway start pushing his h-pawn but with tempi.}) 18... h5 19. Nxd6+ cxd6 20. a4 h4 21. a5 b5 {And as a result a complex, almost completely locked position emerges. The initial impression is that at some point the pawns would constellate, and there will be a peace treaty, but things are far more complicated.} 22. h3 ({If} 22. a6 h3 23. g3 d5 {and Black would first put pressure in the center.}) 22... a6 23. d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Whereas now it is the young Abdusattorov who manages to start grinding first.} c5 ({But not} 23... exd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 24. Nxd4 Nxd4 25. Bxd4 {when the white bishop is significantly better.}) 24. c3 Kf8 {Now a maneuvering phase starts when both players are consistently preparing themselves for the grand opening of the play.} 25. Rd1 {The pressure works well for White and should not be released.} ({Not the hasty} 25. d5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Ng7) 25... Kg7 26. Qf2 ({Also interesting looks} 26. b4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} c4 27. Qf2) 26... Rac8 27. Rd2 Qc7 28. Ra1 Rhd8 29. b4 {More pressure.} cxd4 30. cxd4 Qe7 31. Rad1 {And more preparation.} ({But perhaps this is a good moment for} 31. d5 {instead. Then White has all the chances to get the only open file under control since in the line} Nf8 32. Rdd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rc4 33. Bd2 Rdc8 ({Whereas} 33... Rb8 34. Rdc1 {wins the battle for the open file for White.}) 34. Qb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The white queen infiltrates with unpleasant consequences for the second player.}) 31... Rh8 32. Qe1 ({Here too} 32. d5 {looked strong, especially since} Nf8 {locks the kingside rook temporarily in the battle for the open file. After} ({And} 32... Nf4 33. Bxf4 gxf4 34. Qb6 {is also good for the first player.}) 33. Rc1 Rxc1+ 34. Nxc1 {White looks better.}) 32... Rc4 {Caruana grabs his chance.} 33. dxe5 {Finally, White clears the files.} ({Here} 33. d5 Nf4 {is no longer effective.}) 33... dxe5 34. Rd6 Rd8 {But Black is well prepared.} 35. Rxd8 Nxd8 36. g3 {And Abdusattorov starts to lose patience in the time trouble. The move itself is not yet a mistake.} ({Nevertheless, the moment is gone, and White cannot claim any edge after} 36. Bc5 Qe8 37. Nc1 Ne6) 36... hxg3 37. Nxg3 Be6 38. Qd2 ({If} 38. h4 Nf7) 38... Nf7 39. Bc5 Qe8 40. h4 Qh8 {Caruana is skillfully maneuvering, waiting for his window of opportunity.} 41. h5 Qh7 42. Kg2 Qh6 43. Kf2 g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now it is Black who breaks open the game, and the pressure is on White.} 44. Be3 Qh8 45. fxg4 Qc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black might be maneuvering in his camp, but his long-ranged pieces can well create huge threats from afar.} 46. Bc5 ({It was about time to opt for relieving trades with} 46. Rc1 Rxc1 47. Qxc1 Qxc1 48. Bxc1 Bxg4 49. Be3) 46... Bxg4 47. Rf1 {And this is already too much.} ({It was not late for} 47. Rc1 $5 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) ({But not} 47. Rg1 Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 47... Bh3 (47... Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] might be even better.}) 48. Rg1 Kh7 49. h6 {No, there is not enough play here.} ({The last chance for} 49. Rc1 {is now, eventually gaining counterplay on the queenside with something like} Qg4 50. Rxc4 bxc4 51. b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 49... Qg4 {Caruana chose to play for an attack, and his demoralized opponent's position quickly collapses.} ({Black is significantly better in a possible endgame too} 49... Ng5 50. Qd6 Qd7 51. Qxd7+ Bxd7 {as the overextended white pawns start to drop.}) 50. Nf5 Qxe4 51. Rg7+ Kh8 52. Ne3 Nxh6 ({Another winning line would be} 52... Qf4+ 53. Ke1 Qxh6 54. Rxf7 Qh4+ 55. Qf2 Rc1+ 56. Nd1 Qe4+ 57. Qe3 Qh1+ 58. Qg1 Rxd1+ 59. Kxd1 Qd5+) 53. Nxc4 Kxg7 {A slight slip.} ({The preliminary} 53... Qf5+ $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would be neater when after} 54. Kg3 Kxg7 55. Bf8+ Kxf8 56. Qxh6+ Kg8 57. Qxh3 {Black has the important in-between check} Qf4+ $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 54. Bf8+ Kxf8 55. Qxh6+ Kg8 56. Ne3 {Instinctively, White wants to keep the knight, as it forms such a lovely pair with the queen. But the black bishop is excellent here as well and is an essential defender.} ({Therefore, the last chance is} 56. Qxh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the idea to look for salvation in a pure queen endgame. Then} bxc4 ({And} 56... Qxc4 57. Qg2+ $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kf7 58. Qb7+ Kg6 59. Qxa6 Qxb4 60. Qa8 {might be just a draw, as the distant passer is a huge force in these endgames.}) 57. Qd7 Qc2+ 58. Kg3 {is not yet completely clear.}) 56... Bf5 {All the squares around his king are safe, and Caruana wins with ease.} 57. Qh5 Bg6 58. Qh3 f5 59. Qh6 Kf7 60. Qh8 Qd4 61. Ke2 f4 62. Ng4 f3+ $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.06"] [Round "13"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Gukesh D"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C65"] [WhiteElo "2773"] [BlackElo "2736"] [PlyCount "72"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nbd2 Be6 7. O-O Qd6 8. Kh1 {A rare move.} (8. b3) (8. Qe2) 8... h6 9. a3 Nd7 $146 {A new move and completely sound.} (9... a5 10. b3 O-O 11. Bb2 Nd7 12. Qe2 Rfe8 {Firouzja,A (2778)-Niemann,H (2687) Miami 2022}) 10. b4 Bb6 11. Qe1 a5 {This is the way Black achieves counterplay, as Niemann showed in the earlier game.} 12. Bb2 O-O 13. Bc3 axb4 14. axb4 Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black begins the operation of exchanging.} 15. Bxd4 (15. Nxd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} exd4 16. Bb2 Qxb4) 15... exd4 16. Qb1 b6 17. Qb2 c5 {Exceptional play by Gukesh.} 18. bxc5 bxc5 {White doesn't have a great way of improving, and Black's play comes more naturally.} 19. c3 ({Let's skip a move just to see what Black's \"threat\" is:} 19. Z0 Qb6 20. Qxb6 cxb6 {Black is better and he can improve with ...Ra5 to threaten taking the a-file. For example,} 21. Rfb1 Ra5 22. Rxa5 bxa5 {Black uses one threat to generate another. Now he has an outside passed pawn.} 23. Ra1 Ra8 {with an advantage.}) 19... dxc3 20. Qxc3 Nb6 {Black's pawns look ugly, but so does White's backward pawn on d3.} 21. h3 Rfd8 22. Rxa8 Rxa8 23. Rc1 Rd8 24. Qxc5 Qxd3 25. Kg1 (25. Qxc7 $4 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Blunder;persistent;true] The pawn is defended tactically.} Rc8) 25... Rc8 26. Qd4 Qxd4 27. Nxd4 c5 28. Nxe6 fxe6 29. Rb1 Rc6 30. Nf3 c4 31. Ne5 Rc5 32. f4 Nc8 33. Kf2 c3 34. Nd3 c2 35. Rc1 Rc4 {Black's c-pawn will become weak soon, but he has enough counterplay against White's.} 36. Ne1 {Immediately simplifying.} (36. Ke3 {is logical, but Black has enough counterplay.} Nd6 37. Nf2 Nb5 38. Kd3 Rc3+ 39. Kd2 Rg3) 36... Rxe4 {Gukesh offers a draw and Caruana accepts.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.06"] [Round "14"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "Gukesh D"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C65"] [WhiteElo "2773"] [BlackElo "2736"] [PlyCount "141"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nbd2 Be6 7. h3 Nd7 8. Nb3 Be7 ({Caruana himself played} 8... Bb6 9. Ng5 Bxb3 10. axb3 f6 11. Nf3 Nc5 {Rapport,R (2764)-Caruana,F (2783) Madrid 2022}) 9. Na5 Qc8 $146 (9... Bb4+ 10. Bd2 Bxa5 11. Bxa5 c5 12. Bc3 f6 {Warmerdam,M (2387)-Swinkels,R (2485) Maastricht 2016}) 10. b3 O-O 11. O-O {Getting rid of this knight on a5 is annoying. Black cannot play ...b6 at the moment without blundering the c6-pawn.} c5 {Polgar pointed out how White wanted to provoke this ...c5 move, as it limits the scope of the black knight and bishop.} 12. a4 b6 13. Nc4 {After provoking weaknesses on one side of the board, White turns his attention to the kingside.} f6 14. Nh4 Rd8 15. Qf3 Nb8 16. Qg3 {\"Here I was kind of worried. His plan is super clear.\" (Gukesh)} Nc6 17. f4 Nd4 18. Rf2 Kh8 $2 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is where Caruana begins to have an objective advantage.} (18... Qd7 $3 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] is the most convincing way to hold, but it's very difficult to play such a move in a rapid game.} 19. fxe5 fxe5 {The point is that there's a little tactic.} 20. Nxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (20. Bb2 {is the engine move, but Black can liquidate with} Bxh4 21. Qxh4 Bxc4 {with equality.}) 20... Ne2+ 21. Rxe2 Qd4+ {wins the rook.}) 19. fxe5 Bxc4 20. bxc4 fxe5 21. Nf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ({Polgar instantly spotted this tactic:} 21. Bh6 $6 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Gukesh planned} Rg8 22. Bg5 (22. Rf7 Ne2+) 22... Bxg5 23. Qxg5 {and the position is less clear than in the game, although it's still good for White.}) 21... Bf6 22. Bg5 Bxg5 23. Qxg5 Qd7 24. Raf1 Rf8 25. Kh2 Ne6 26. Qg3 Nf4 27. Qg4 Rf6 28. Ne3 Qd4 29. Nf5 Qd7 30. g3 Ne6 31. Ne3 Raf8 32. Rxf6 Rxf6 33. Rxf6 gxf6 34. h4 Qf7 35. Kg2 c6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Stopping Nd5, but it loses on the spot after the only move} 36. Kf2 (36. h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Threatening h6.} h6 37. Nf5 {There's no good way to defend the h6-pawn.} Qf8 38. Qg6 {White wins.}) 36... Qg8 37. Qf5 Qf7 38. h5 {A difficult position for Black, but it's still hard to crack.} h6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Now White gets the same position we looked at on move 36.} (38... Kg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This was the only way to prevent the move ...h6.}) 39. Qg4 Kh7 40. Nf5 Ng7 {Gukesh had very little time.} (40... Nf8 {would be more resilient, but Caruana would have a similar winning plan to the game. March the king to the queenside and prepare the a5-push.}) 41. Nxg7 Qxg7 42. Qf5+ Kh8 43. Qc8+ Kh7 44. Qxc6 Qe7 45. Kf3 Kg7 46. Qc8 Qf7 47. Kg4 Kh7 48. Kh4 Kg7 49. Kg4 {Caruana is going to now decide on a nice king march to the queenside.} Kh7 50. Qf5+ Kg7 51. Kf3 Qe8 52. Ke3 Qf7 53. g4 Qe8 54. Kd2 Qf7 55. Qc8 Qe7 56. Kc3 Qf7 57. Kb3 Qe7 58. Qf5 {Hesitation.} (58. a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the idea Caruana was angling for, but with little time he didn't want to commit to it.} bxa5 59. Qc6 Kh7 60. Ka4 {is winning, with the king marching to a6 and Qb7 with a winning endgame.} Qg7 61. Qc8 {and the king will enter the game. Black will find it hard to even avoid the queen trade once the king comes to a6.}) 58... Qe8 59. Ka3 a5 {Stopping a5.} 60. Kb3 Qf7 61. Qc8 Qe7 62. Qc6 Qd8 63. Qe6 Qd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] After passive play for a long time, Gukesh generates counterthreats. He wants a perpetual check starting with Qa1.} 64. Qe7+ Kg8 65. Qxf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Objectively, it's a draw now.} ({Of course Caruana would know instantly that the win was there.} 65. Qe8+ Kg7 66. Qg6+ Kf8 67. Qxf6+ Ke8 68. Qxb6 {Taking this pawn is important, not on h6. Black can prevent the perpetuals.} Qa1 69. Qxc5 Qb1+ 70. Kc3 Qe1+ 71. Kb2 {Gukesh showed this Kb2 idea to stop the perpetuals in the interview.}) 65... Qa1 66. Qg6+ Kf8 67. Qxh6+ Kg8 $2 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (67... Kf7 68. Qg6+ Ke7 {Only move.} 69. Qg7+ Ke8 {Apparently this way is the \"correct\" way of drawing, but it doesn't matter. Both players were on just seconds.}) 68. Qg6+ Kh8 69. Qf6+ Kg8 70. Qg5+ Kh8 {Caruana lost on time. He played the move on the board, but wasn't able to hit the clock in time. The game is already a draw though.} 71. Qd8+ (71. Qf6+ Kg8 72. Qd8+ Kg7 73. Qd7+ Kg8 74. Qb5 {White will push his queenside pawns and start generating mating threats. There is no perpetual because of the Kb2 idea shown earlier. Just make sure not to take on b6 when there's Qb1+ available, or you'll blunder your queen.}) 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.06"] [Round "13"] [White "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D20"] [WhiteElo "2775"] [BlackElo "2740"] [PlyCount "55"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 e5 4. Nf3 Bb4+ 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Nxe5 b5 7. f3 O-O 8. a4 c5 9. Be3 cxd4 10. Qxd4 Qe7 11. axb5 Rd8 12. Qxc4 Be6 13. Qe2 Qc7 14. Nc4 Nbd7 15. Ra6 $1 $146 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The top engine move.} (15. Ra4 {The engine's second-favorite.} Bxc3+ 16. bxc3 Nc5 17. Rb4 Nd3+ 18. Qxd3 Rxd3 19. Bxd3 {with an equal but dynamic position in Duda,J (2724)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2742) Warsaw 2023.}) 15... Nc5 16. Rc6 Qe7 17. Qf2 Ncxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight sacrifice is obligatory. Nakamura was hoping that his opponent wouldn't be prepared, but he clearly did his homework.} 18. fxe4 Nxe4 19. Qf4 Nxc3 20. bxc3 Bxc3+ 21. Kf2 Rd5 {Black threatens ...Rf5.} 22. Qe4 {Mamedyarov started to think a bit here, but he was just recalling his opening theory. The commentators showed some natural lines that immediately land in trouble.} Qf6+ $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (22... Rf5+ $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 23. Kg1 Rd8 {Intending ...Rd8.} ({Also notice that the rook on a8 is undefended.} 23... Rxb5 $4 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 24. Rxe6 Qxe6 25. Qxa8+) 24. Bd3 {White has an advantage.}) (22... Rg5) (22... Rad8 $2 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 23. Be2 {If White can unravel the kingside unimpeded like this, he really is just a piece up.}) 23. Kg1 Rad8 24. Bxa7 {These are all the top recommendations by the engine.} Rf5 {Threatening a mate in one.} 25. Bd3 Rfd5 {Threatening the bishop again.} 26. Bf1 (26. Qxh7+ {is playable too but is just a more complicated way to draw.} Kf8 27. Qh8+ Ke7 28. Rc7+ R8d7 29. Rxd7+ Bxd7 30. Ne3 Bd4 {If anything, this looks more dangerous for White than for Black though. The game continuation is prudent.}) 26... Rf5 27. Bd3 Rfd5 28. Bf1 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.06"] [Round "14"] [White "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Result "*"] [ECO "A06"] [WhiteElo "2775"] [BlackElo "2740"] [PlyCount "135"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. Nf3 d5 2. b3 c5 3. e3 Nf6 4. Bb2 g6 5. Bxf6 exf6 6. c3 Bg7 7. d4 Qe7 $146 ({Nakamura has also seen:} 7... cxd4 8. Nxd4 O-O 9. g3 Qe7 10. Bg2 Rd8 11. O-O {Nakamura,H (2750)-Yuan,Q (2373) Chess.com INT 2022}) 8. g3 {This is not a \"great\" opening by the engine, but it certainly keeps the tension and is a reasonable try in a rapid armageddon game.} O-O 9. Bg2 Rd8 10. O-O b6 11. Ne1 Nc6 12. Nd3 Bf5 13. Nf4 Be4 14. Bh3 Bh6 15. Ne2 Bf3 {The position is already not good. Nakamura's move allows a sacrifice, but there was no way to avoid losing material.} 16. Re1 (16. Qd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] defending the pawn on e3 this way doesn't work.} Bxe2 17. Qxe2 cxd4 18. cxd4 Nxd4) (16. Bg2 {Top engine choice:} Bxe2 17. Qxe2 cxd4 18. cxd4 Nxd4 19. Qd3 Nc6 20. a3 {and it wants to continue playing the pawn down.} (20. Bxd5 $4 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} Nb4)) 16... cxd4 17. cxd4 Bxe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A brilliant sacrifice by the Azerbaijani attacker White's pawn chain crumbles and Black will gain three pawns with an attack in the long run,} 18. fxe3 Qxe3+ 19. Kf1 Re8 {Black is winning.} 20. Nd2 Bxe2+ 21. Qxe2 Qh6 22. Qg2 Nxd4 {Black has already won three pawns for the piece.} 23. Bg4 Nc2 24. Bf3 Ne3+ (24... Nxe1 25. Rxe1 Rxe1+ 26. Kxe1 Re8+ {is winning too.}) 25. Rxe3 Qxe3 26. Qf2 Rac8 27. Qxe3 Rxe3 28. Kf2 Rec3 {It's hard to imagine Mamedyarov didn't win this game, but it attests to the practical strength of Nakamura's defensive resilience.} 29. a4 Rc2 30. Ke3 d4+ 31. Kd3 R8c3+ 32. Kxd4 Rc7 33. Nf1 Rd7+ 34. Bd5 f5 35. Rd1 Kg7 36. h4 Re2 37. Ne3 Rb2 38. Rd3 h5 39. Kc4 Rf2 40. Rd4 Re2 41. Rd3 Rf2 {Mamedyarov wants to play ...f4 to simplify the position. He's not playing for the win here but a draw.} 42. Rd4 {Nakamura stops the idea.} Re2 43. Nd1 {Nakamura cannot afford to repeat the position, so he makes an inferior move to keep the game going.} Rc2+ 44. Kd3 Rh2 45. Ke3 Re7+ 46. Kf4 Rd7 47. b4 Re2 48. Kf3 Re1 49. Kf2 Re4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Ensuring more trades. Again, it's hard to imagine Black will lose this.} 50. Rxe4 (50. Rd2 $2 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} f4 {wins.}) 50... fxe4 51. Nc3 f5 52. Ke3 Kf6 53. Kd4 g5 54. a5 gxh4 55. gxh4 bxa5 56. bxa5 a6 {The pawn is now on a light square. At this point, I already saw the seeds of a swindle being planted...} (56... Rd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 57. Ne2 Ra6 {would have eliminated the biggest threat in the position.} 58. Nf4 Rxa5 59. Nxh5+ Kg6 {Black has two extra pawns and only has to worry about one white one now. This defensive task would have been easier.}) 57. Ne2 Rg7 58. Bc4 Rd7+ 59. Bd5 Rg7 60. Bc6 {This objectively loses, and Mamedyarov's move is the winning one, but like I wrote earlier, we can picture how Black loses this game...} (60. Bc4 {attacks the pawn immediately. The players had very little time.}) 60... Rg4 61. Bb7 Rxh4 62. Bxa6 e3+ {The position is now \"equal\" and no longer winning, but White is in a must-win situation also.} (62... Rh1 63. Bc4 Ra1 {keeps the pawn under control. Black is winning with three pawns on the other side.}) 63. Kc5 f4 64. Bb7 {Mamedyarov panics because suddenly the rook looks like it has no way to control the a-pawn. He had under 10 seconds.} Rh2 $4 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} (64... f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Only move.} 65. Bxf3 Ra4 66. Kb5 Ra1 {would hold the draw. Eventually Black can sacrifice his rook for the a-pawn and win a white piece for one of his two pawns.}) 65. Bf3 Rf2 66. a6 {The pawn is unstoppable.} Rxf3 67. a7 Rf2 68. Nc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Himself wtih a minute on the clock, Nakamura makes a mistake, but Mamedyarov loses on time. Mamedyarov played the correct move but his clock was already at 0:00.} (68. a8=Q Rxe2 69. Qa6+ {wins.}) (68. Nc3 Ra2 $3 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Mamedyarov played this move on the board, but too late. His time elapsed.} 69. Nxa2 e2 70. a8=Q e1=Q {Even if Black loses his two pawns, this is a draw because the queen and knight cannot win against a queen.}) * [Event "chess24.com"] [Site "chess24.com"] [Date "2023.06.06"] [Round "13.1"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "B40"] [WhiteElo "2853"] [BlackElo "2785"] [Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"] [PlyCount "103"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 ({A similar position to the one that we shall witness later in the game can be reached via the Rossolimo after} 2... Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. O-O g6 5. Bxc6 bxc6 6. d3) 3. Bd3 {An original move, courtesy of Mr. Grischuk. True, he only played it in blitz…} Nc6 ({In case of the straightoforward} 3... d5 {White can react with} 4. e5 ({Or with} 4. c3 $5 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} dxe4 5. Bxe4 Nf6 6. Bc2)) 4. O-O g5 {Nope, that is not yet a novelty.} ({Grischuk faced:} 4... d5 5. exd5 exd5 6. Bb5 Bg4 7. Qe1+ Be7 8. Ne5 Bd7 9. Bxc6 Bxc6 10. d3 Nf6 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Qe2 O-O 13. Nc3 Re8 {as in Grischuk,A (2764)-Andreikin,D (2724) Chess. com INT 2022}) 5. Bb5 $146 {This is the novelty. Carlsen enters the Rossolimo, down a tempo.} ({The predecessor saw:} 5. Be2 g4 6. Ne1 h5 7. c3 Nf6 8. d3 d5 9. exd5 exd5 10. Bg5 Be7 11. Nc2 Be6 12. Nd2 {and eventually emerged victorious in Firman $146 (2492)-Omelja,A (2509) Kiev 2021}) 5... Bg7 6. Bxc6 bxc6 7. d3 {In comparison to the Rossolimo reference from above, White is indeed down a tempo. But does the move …g7-g5 really help the second player $2} g4 {This is about to be determined soon.} ({In case of} 7... h6 {White may try to use the holes in the opponent's foundation with} 8. e5 Ne7 9. Nbd2) 8. Nfd2 h5 9. Nb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The beginning of a spectacular maneuver.} ({Carlsen is right not to attack at once.} 9. f3 {can be met instead with either of the pawn sacrifices} d5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ({Or first} 9... g3 $5 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 10. hxg3 {and then} d5) 10. fxg4 hxg4 11. Qxg4 Bd4+ 12. Kh1 Nf6 {and Black has rich play for the pawn.}) 9... d6 10. f4 {Now this is good.} Ne7 {And now, ladies and gentlemen...} ({Firouzja correctly avoids} 10... gxf3 11. Qxf3 Qc7 12. Na3 {and there is a decent chance that the black king never leaves the center.}) 11. Bd2 $3 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] White finds a way to bring everyone out at a very low cost.} Bxb2 12. Ba5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Thank you, Nb3 $1} Qd7 13. N1d2 {All the pieces are out. Next, Carlsen will concentrate his efforts against the main dark-square-d6-keeper.} Bg7 ({Firouzja knows that he cannot survive without a single piece to battle for the dark squares. Indeed} 13... Bxa1 $2 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 14. Qxa1 Ng6 15. Qg7 Qe7 16. Nc4 {is plain hopeless for the second player.}) ({But maybe} 13... f5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] was a tad more accurate.}) 14. Qe1 ({The immediate} 14. e5 dxe5 15. Bc3 {also looks great for White.}) 14... Ba6 {The only chance.} 15. Rd1 {Another deep Carlsen move.} ({Against the immediate} 15. e5 {Black has} c4 16. Nxc4 Bxc4 17. dxc4 d5 {still fighting.}) 15... f5 16. e5 Ng6 ({Now} 16... dxe5 17. Bc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qd5 18. Bxe5 Bxe5 19. Qxe5 Qxe5 20. fxe5 c4 21. Nc5 {would have practically smothered the black bishop.}) 17. Nc4 ({There was already a very pleasant choice, like} 17. exd6 Qxd6 18. Nc4) 17... Bxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] At least getting rid of his ugly bishop.} ({After} 17... dxe5 18. Nxe5 Nxe5 19. fxe5 {Black's position should slowly collapse as the light-squared bishop is completely useless.}) 18. dxc4 d5 19. Nxc5 Qc8 20. Nb3 O-O 21. Bb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Re8 22. Bd6 {Firouzja did everything that he could and is... dead lost. His two remaining pieces are no match for the white ones and once White coordinates his major pieces it would be over.} Qa6 {At least activating a piece. And believe it or not, this almost worked.} ({If a move like} 22... dxc4 23. Nc5 Bf8 24. Rb1 {Black has hardly any useful moves.}) 23. Qc3 {A blip in the system $1} (23. c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] was called for, when everything was under control.}) 23... Rad8 {Missing the tactical chance $1} ({Black is correctly avoiding} 23... Qxc4 24. Qxc4 dxc4 25. Nc5) ({However} 23... c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would have now worked as} 24. Nxc5 $4 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Blunder;persistent;true] drops a piece due to the pin} ({Therefore} 24. Bxc5 {would have been needed but then the black pieces would have come back to life} dxc4 25. Nd4 Rad8 {and nothing would be clear anymore.}) 24... Qxd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 24. c5 {Now it is back to normal.} Bh6 25. g3 Rd7 26. Nd4 Rf7 27. Rb1 h4 28. Qd3 Qa4 ({Any endgame is completely hopeless for Black} 28... Qxa2 29. Ra1 Qc4 30. Qxc4 dxc4 31. Nxc6) 29. a3 {This square was good for the rook.} ({Therefore} 29. Rb3 $5 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] was faster and more convincing} Qxa2 30. Nxc6) 29... a5 30. Rfd1 {Overprotecting the knight and preparing the queen trade with Qd3-b3. Firouzja has his last slim chance.} hxg3 ({Instead something like} 30... Rh7 31. Qb3 {is completely hopeless for Black.}) 31. hxg3 Bxf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And Black grabs his chance.} 32. gxf4 Nxf4 33. Qb3 {Carlsen naturally saw the desperate sacrifice but knew that the queens are traded.} Qxb3 34. Rxb3 a4 35. Rb4 Rh7 {That's the last active try.} 36. Rf1 {A solid move in the time trouble.} ({Instead} 36. Nxc6 Ne2+ 37. Kg2 f4 {looks scary for White, but if we prolong the line a bit} 38. Nd4 f3+ 39. Nxf3 gxf3+ 40. Kxf3 {we'll discover that White is still winning.}) 36... Nh3+ 37. Kg2 Ng5 38. Nxc6 Ne4 {This knight is annoying, therefore White took care of it with} 39. Rxe4 {And allowed all the counterplay he wished to prevent $1} ({Instead the other sacrifice} 39. Ne7+ $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would have won on the spot. First and foremost, accepting it means no activity for Black all after} Rhxe7 ({And, second, if the king steps on the seventh rank} 39... Kg7 {White has a pleasant choice of winning moves, like} 40. Nxf5+ $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ({Or} 40. Rb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 40... exf5 41. Rb7+ Kg6 42. Rxh7 Kxh7 43. Rxf5) 40. Bxe7 Rxe7 41. c6 Nc5 42. Rb5 Na6 43. Ra5 {and it should be soon over.}) 39... dxe4 40. Nd4 Rh3 41. c6 Kf7 42. c7 {This pawn is great.} ({If} 42. Rh1 Rxh1 43. Kxh1 f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and it is anyone's game.}) 42... Reh8 {But the black rooks are fabulous too. The white king is in huge danger.} 43. Nc6 Rh2+ 44. Kg3 Rxc2 45. Nd8+ {Just pushing the king where it wants to go.} ({It was not too late to force a draw with} 45. Rh1 $1 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rc3+ 46. Kf4 Rf3+ 47. Kg5 Rg8+ 48. Kh6 Rh8+) 45... Kg6 46. Nxe6 ({Or} 46. Kf4 Rh3 47. Nxe6 {which transposes.}) 46... Rh3+ 47. Kf4 Rf3+ 48. Rxf3 {With just a few seconds on the clock, Firouzja needs to make a decision.} exf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And he chooses right $1} ({The other capture would have allowed White a chance to stop the pawns.} 48... gxf3 49. Kg3 f2 50. Nf4+ Kh7 51. Kg2 e3 52. Nd3) 49. Kg3 Rg2+ {The last episode of the thriller today. And perhaps not believing his luck yet, Firouzja forces a draw.} ({Had Black had a few minutes on the clock, he might have found the pretty finish} 49... f2 $3 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] First and foremost, this is a huge threat, and White does not have the time to promote his queen with} 50. Nc5 ({Second, the pawns cannot be slowed down by the white king} 50. Kg2 g3 51. Nc5 Rc1 52. c8=Q f1=Q+ 53. Kxg3 Rc3+ {as Black mates faster.}) ({Last, but not least, if White tries to bring on the reserves with} 50. Nf4+ {Then Black has the study-like} Kh7 $3 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] when the black passers are unstoppable} ({The straightforward} 50... Kg5 {does not work after} 51. Be7+ Kh6 52. Kg2 ({And not} 52. c8=Q $4 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Blunder;persistent;true] due to the familiar} f1=N+ $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 53. Kh4 Rh2+ 54. Nh3 Rxh3#) 52... g3 {As now White has the amazing} 53. Ne6 $3 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] when the pawns are stopped as both} ({Not} 53. Bh4 Rc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 53... f4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({And} 53... Rc1 $4 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 54. Bg5+ {lose on the spot for Black.}) ({True, Black can still try} 53... Kh5 {But then White should survive after} 54. Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ({Or} 54. Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 54... Rc1 55. Bxf2 gxf2 56. Kxf2) 54. Bg5+) 51. Kg2 g3 52. Nd3 f4) 50... f1=N+ 51. Kf4 (51. Kh4 Rh2#) 51... Rf2#) 50. Kh4 Rh2+ 51. Kg3 Rg2+ ({It is too late to fight for the full point} 51... f2 {can be answered} 52. Nf4+ Kg5 {And now a choice of perpetuals} ({And not} 52... Kf7 $2 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 53. Kxh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ({White, beware $1} 53. c8=Q $4 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} f1=N#) 53... f1=Q 54. e6+ {when White wins.}) 53. Be7+ {White delivers it} ({Or Black delivers the perpetual with} 53. Kxh2 f1=Q 54. Ne6+ Kh5 55. c8=Q Qf2+ 56. Kh1 Qf1+) 53... Kh6 54. Bf8+ Kg5 55. Be7+) 52. Kh4 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.06"] [Round "14"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C42"] [WhiteElo "2853"] [BlackElo "2786"] [PlyCount "57"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Bd3 {Funny. But it's not a joke. Other top players have tried this.} Nf6 6. O-O Be7 7. h3 O-O 8. Re1 Re8 9. Bf1 $146 {One of the top engine moves.} (9. b3 Nbd7 10. Bb2 Nc5 11. Bf1 d5 12. d3 c6 13. Nc3 h6 14. Ne2 Bf5 15. Ng3 Bh7 {Puranik,A (2603)-Nihal,S (2677) chess24.com INT 2022}) 9... Bf8 10. Rxe8 Qxe8 11. d4 h6 12. c4 Bf5 13. Nc3 Nc6 14. Qb3 Qc8 15. d5 Ne5 16. Nxe5 dxe5 17. Be3 Nd7 18. Rc1 b6 19. Na4 Bd6 20. c5 bxc5 21. Nxc5 Rb8 {Carlsen could move his queen, but he played the sharper move, and it provoked a mistake.} 22. Ba6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qe8 $2 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (22... Nxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Polgar called out this move quickly on the broadcast.} 23. Bxc5 {Only move.} Qd8 24. Qa3 Qg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Threatening the rook.} 25. b4 Be4 26. Bf1 Bxd5 {Black has equal chances.}) (22... Rxb3 $4 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 23. Bxc8 {Black loses a piece.}) 23. Nb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The threat is Bxa7, winning the rook.} Nb6 {The position is already lost.} ({The idea is:} 23... Z0 24. Bxa7 Ra8 25. Nxd6 cxd6 26. Bb7 Rxa7 27. Rc8) 24. Rc6 Nc8 25. Nxd6 Nxd6 26. Qc3 {The pawn on c7 is toast.} Be4 27. Rxc7 Qa4 28. Bf1 Qxa2 29. Qxe5 {Firouzja will lose the knight or bishop and therefore resigns.} 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.06"] [Round "13"] [White "So, Wesley"] [Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D20"] [WhiteElo "2765"] [BlackElo "2732"] [PlyCount "55"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 e5 4. Nf3 exd4 5. Bxc4 Nc6 6. O-O Qf6 {A rare move. So said he looked at it just once in his life.} 7. Bg5 $146 {No high-level games have reached this position. This move is a decent choice.} (7. e5 Qg6 8. Ng5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (8. Bd3) 8... Be6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (8... Nh6) 9. Bxe6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Risting,E (2357)-Mitscherling,A (2175) Teplice 2019} ({Winning was:} 9. Nxe6 fxe6 10. Qb3 Nd8 11. Nd2 a5 12. Bd3 Qf7 13. Nf3 Qd7 14. Rd1 Bc5 15. Be3 $18)) 7... Qg6 8. Nbd2 Be7 9. Bf4 Nf6 10. Bb5 Bd6 11. Bg3 $6 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({Better was} 11. e5 Nd5 12. Bg3 Bb4 13. a3 Bxd2 14. Qxd2 Nde7 15. Rac1 O-O {Black's knights are safe but also cannot easily improve. A natural continuation might be} 16. Rfe1 Be6 17. h3 {The black queen finds herself sidelined.} h6 18. Bd3 Qh5 19. b4) 11... Bxg3 $6 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Inaccuracy;keyPressed;undefined;persistent;true]} (11... Nh5 {would have offered Black equal chances.}) 12. hxg3 O-O 13. Rc1 $2 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] So was critical of this move after the game, and rightly so. He recognized the improvement immediately.} (13. Bxc6 bxc6 14. Rc1 {So pointed out the tactical justification:} Nxe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 15. Nh4 Qe6 16. Re1 {Black is in trouble.}) 13... Ng4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] So said this \"bad move\" was responsible for Black's troubles.} (13... Nxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14. Bxc6 (14. Nh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Qg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The difference between 13.Rc1 and 13.Bb5. Here, Black has a double attack on the bishop and knight.}) 14... Nxd2 15. Qxd2 bxc6 16. Nxd4 Rd8 {As compensation for the bad structure, Black is a pawn up. The position is equal.}) 14. Bxc6 bxc6 15. Qa4 Qh6 $6 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] At high depths, the engine evaluates the endgame as lost.} (15... Bd7 {was the \"last chance,\" although Black's prospects are not rosy.} 16. Qxd4 Rfd8 17. Rfe1 Be6 18. Qc5 {White has a large advantage based on the pawn structure.}) 16. Rxc6 {So wins a pawn.} Bd7 17. Rxh6 Bxa4 18. Rh5 Nf6 (18... f5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is an attempt to play dynamically.} 19. Rxf5 Rxf5 20. exf5 d3 21. Rc1 Bc2 22. Re1 {White is still winning, with Re7 on its way. Black's pawns are all quite isolated.}) (18... a5 {preventing Ra5.} 19. b3 Bd7 20. Nxd4) (18... Rfe8 19. Rc1) 19. Ra5 Bc2 20. e5 Ne4 21. Rc1 $6 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] gives one last chance objectively, although practically the position is very hard for Black.} (21. Nxe4 Bxe4 22. Nxd4 Rfd8 23. Nb3 Bc2 24. Nc5 Rd5 25. Rc1 Bf5 26. Nb3 {wins.}) 21... Nxd2 22. Rxc2 Nxf3+ 23. gxf3 f6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A wise grandmaster once said: \"Never play ...f6.\"} (23... Rad8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] sacrificing and pinning all hopes on the d-pawn.} 24. Rxa7 d3 25. Rd2 c5 26. b3 Rfe8 {Black is as active as possible.} 27. Ra5 Rd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (27... Rxe5 $4 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 28. Rxd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 28. f4 g5 {with chances to hold, at least more than in the game.}) 24. Rxc7 Rf7 25. Rxf7 Kxf7 26. exf6 {\"If I can't win this game, I will never ever win a game.\" (So)} Rd8 (26... Kxf6 {So thought this was a \"last chance,\" but there's no good line for Black after} 27. Rd5) 27. Kf1 d3 28. Ke1 {The pawn is stopped and White will have a decisive material advantage.} 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.06"] [Round "13"] [White "Giri, Anish"] [Black "Tari, Aryan"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E04"] [WhiteElo "2772"] [BlackElo "2646"] [PlyCount "99"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 c5 6. O-O Nc6 7. Qa4 Bd7 8. Qxc4 b5 9. Qd3 c4 10. Qc2 Rc8 11. a4 a6 12. axb5 axb5 13. Bg5 Be7 14. Nc3 O-O $146 (14... Qb6 15. Rfd1 h6 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Ne4 O-O 18. Nxf6+ gxf6 19. Qd2 $14 {Illingworth,M (2476)-Ni,H (2689) Sydney 2015}) 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Nxb5 Nb4 $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({The engine's favorite line for full compensation is} 16... Qb6 17. Nd6 Rc7 18. Nxc4 Nxd4) 17. Qd2 Bxb5 18. Qxb4 Bc6 19. e3 {The smoke settles and White is up a pawn. There's still compensation, but White has an edge.} e5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({The better way to go about it was} 19... Rb8 20. Qc3 Bd5 21. Nd2 Bxg2 22. Kxg2 e5) 20. dxe5 Bxf3 21. exf6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Less clean apparently, but with the human eye White is still just a pawn up.} (21. Bxf3 Bxe5 22. Ra6 {was best. White is up a pawn.}) 21... Qxf6 22. Qc3 Bxg2 23. Qxf6 gxf6 24. Kxg2 Rfd8 25. Rfc1 Rd2 {Black should be active enough.} 26. b3 c3 27. Ra4 Rb2 $6 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This gives Giri a chance now.} (27... Kg7 {is good enough, although the engine loves ...Rc5. The point is} 28. Rc4 Rxc4 29. bxc4 c2 {Notice that with the rook on d2, the white king cannot approach the pawn without pushing e4.} 30. e4 (30. c5 Kf8 31. c6 Ke7 {The pawn is controlled.}) (30. Kf1 $4 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} Rd1+) 30... Kf8 31. Kf3 Rd3+ 32. Ke2 Rc3 {with a draw.}) 28. Rc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rb8 (28... Rxc4 29. bxc4 Rb3 30. Kf3 {doesn't work with the rook on b3. White will win.}) 29. R1xc3 R2xb3 30. Rg4+ Kf8 31. Rcc4 {Four against three on the same side has a high probability of a draw, but Giri manages to win it.} R3b5 32. Rgf4 R8b6 33. Rc8+ Kg7 34. Rg4+ Rg5 35. Ra4 Rf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The last mistake.} ({It's getting hard to defend. The engine recommends this difficult continuation:} 35... Rbb5 36. h4 Rg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Only move.} 37. Ra7 f5 38. Rcc7 Rf6) 36. g4 Rg5 37. h4 Rg6 38. Kf3 {The black rook is sidelined on g6.} Rb5 39. Raa8 {White is thinking about mate.} Kh6 40. Kf4 f5 41. g5+ Kh5 42. Rh8 {Mate in one alert $1} h6 43. Rag8 Ra6 (43... Rxg8 44. Rxh6#) 44. Rxh6+ Rxh6 45. gxh6 Kxh6 46. Rg5 {This is now easily winning. A fantastic endgame from Giri.} Rb4+ 47. Kxf5 Rxh4 48. Rg3 Rh2 49. f4 Kh5 50. Rg7 1-0 [Event "lichess.org"] [Site "lichess.org"] [Date "2023.06.08"] [Round "16"] [Board "2"] [White "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Black "Giri, Anish"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C44"] [WhiteElo "2785"] [BlackElo "2768"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/loepare"] [PlyCount "66"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 {[%eval 36,0]} e5 {[%eval 35,0]} 2. Nf3 {[%eval 29,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 32,0]} 3. g3 {[%eval 0,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 0,0]} 4. d3 {[%eval 0,0]} Bc5 {[%eval 0,0]} 5. Bg2 {[%eval 0,0]} d6 {[%eval 0,0]} 6. c3 {[%eval 0,0]} a5 {[%eval 0,0]} 7. O-O {[%eval 0,0]} O-O {[%eval 0,0]} 8. h3 {[%eval 1,0]} h6 {[%eval 21,0]} 9. Na3 {[%eval 24,0]} Bxa3 {[%eval 9,0]} 10. bxa3 {[%eval 19,0]} Be6 {[%eval 11,0]} 11. c4 {[%eval 1,0]} Nd7 {[%eval 8,0]} 12. Nh4 {[%eval 6,0]} Nd4 {[%eval 8,0]} 13. Be3 {[%eval 17,0]} c5 {[%eval 18,0]} 14. Rb1 {[%eval 32,0]} b6 {[%eval 23,0]} 15. Rb2 {[%eval 15,0]} Rb8 {[%eval 19,0]} 16. Qe1 $6 {[%eval 78,0] Inaccuracy. a4 was best.} (16. a4 Qf6) 16... g5 {[%eval 81,0]} 17. f4 {[%eval 71,0]} gxh4 {[%eval 48,0]} 18. f5 {[%eval 55,0]} hxg3 {[%eval 47,0]} 19. Bxh6 {[%eval 66,0]} Qh4 {[%eval 59,0]} 20. Qe3 $6 {[%eval -53,0] Inaccuracy. fxe6 was best.} (20. fxe6 Qxh6 21. Qxg3+ Kh8 22. exd7 Rbd8 23. Qf2 f6 24. Kh1 Rxd7 25. Rxb6 a4 26. Rg1 Rdd8) 20... Rfe8 $6 {[%eval 71,0] Inaccuracy. Bxc4 was best.} (20... Bxc4 21. dxc4 Kh8 22. Bg5 Qh5 23. f6 Rg8 24. h4 b5 25. cxb5 Nf8 26. Bh3 Rxb5 27. Rxb5) 21. Bg5 {[%eval 75,0]} Qh5 $6 {[%eval 0,0] Inaccuracy. Qh7 was best.} (21... Qh7 22. Qxg3 Bxc4 23. dxc4 Kh8 24. Kh2 f6 25. Bc1 Rg8 26. Qe3 Rg7 27. Bh1 Kg8 28. Bf3) 22. Qxg3 {[%eval 16,0]} Kh7 {[%eval 12,0]} 23. fxe6 {[%eval 0,0]} Rxe6 {[%eval 0,0]} 24. h4 {[%eval 23,0]} f6 {[%eval 26,0]} 25. Be3 $2 {[%eval -41,0] Mistake. Bh3 was best.} (25. Bh3 fxg5) 25... Ne2+ $2 {[%eval 0,0] Mistake. Rg8 was best.} (25... Rg8 26. Qh3) 26. Rxe2 {[%eval 3,0]} Qxe2 {[%eval 0,0]} 27. Bh3 {[%eval 5,0]} Rg8 {[%eval 17,0]} 28. Bg5 {[%eval 18,0]} Re7 {[%eval 21,0]} 29. Bf5+ {[%eval 4,0]} Kh8 {[%eval 32,0]} 30. Bg4 {[%eval 6,0]} Qc2 {[%eval 27,0]} 31. Bxd7 {[%eval 29,0]} fxg5 {[%eval 38,0]} 32. hxg5 $4 {[%eval -409,0] Blunder. Bg4 was best.} (32. Bg4) 32... Rxd7 {[%eval -599,0]} 33. g6 {[%eval -578,0]} Rh7 {[%eval -596,0]} 0-1 [Event "Norway Chess 2023"] [Site "Stavanger"] [Date "2023.06.08"] [Round "16.5"] [White "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D36"] [WhiteElo "2752"] [BlackElo "2789"] [Annotator "Saravanan,V"] [PlyCount "115"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [EventType "blitz"] [EventCountry "NOR"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bg5 c6 6. Qc2 h6 7. Bh4 Be7 8. e3 O-O 9. Bd3 Re8 10. Nf3 Nbd7 11. O-O Ne4 12. Bxe7 Qxe7 13. Rae1 Ndf6 14. Ne5 Bf5 15. f3 Nxc3 16. bxc3 Bxd3 17. Nxd3 Qd6 18. Re2 Re7 19. Rfe1 Rae8 20. c4 b6 {Caruana called this as the moment where he gained a slight space advantage and hence a plesant position.} 21. c5 Qc7 22. a4 Re6 23. Qc3 {Around here, White doesn't make any progress with his apparent initiative, and the game remains equal.} g5 24. Nb4 Rc8 25. Rc1 Qe7 26. Qd2 Nd7 27. cxb6 Nxb6 28. e4 {Though it looks powerful and it served White well too, this was not necessarily the correct continuation.} dxe4 $4 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Blunder;persistent;true] The decisive mistake, and Caruana pounces up to exploit it fully.} (28... c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29. dxc5 Rxc5 30. Rce1 dxe4 {and Black is fine here.}) 29. a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} e3 30. Qe1 Qd7 31. axb6 axb6 32. d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] After this, Caruana's win was never in doubt and he went on to pocket the extra half point.} cxd5 33. Rxc8+ Qxc8 34. Nxd5 b5 35. Nxe3 Qc5 36. Kf1 b4 37. Nd1 Qb5 38. Qd2 b3 39. Ke1 Qb6 40. Rxe6 Qg1+ 41. Ke2 Qxg2+ 42. Nf2 fxe6 43. h3 Qg3 44. Qd8+ Kf7 45. Qd7+ Kf8 46. Qxe6 Qb8 47. Qf6+ Kg8 48. Qg6+ Kf8 49. Qxh6+ Kf7 50. Qh7+ Ke6 51. Qg6+ Kd7 52. Qf7+ Kc6 53. Qc4+ Kd7 54. Qd5+ Ke7 55. Qxg5+ Ke6 56. Qg6+ Kd5 57. Qe4+ Kc5 58. Nd3+ 1-0 [Event "Stavanger"] [Site "Stavanger"] [Date "2023.06.08"] [Round "16"] [White "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C67"] [WhiteElo "2703"] [BlackElo "2748"] [Annotator "Saravanan,V"] [PlyCount "72"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [EventType "blitz"] [EventCountry "NOR"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nf5 8. Nf3 O-O 9. d4 d5 10. c3 Bd6 11. Nbd2 Nce7 12. a4 a5 13. Bd3 c6 14. Nf1 g6 15. Bd2 Ng7 16. Ng3 Nef5 17. Qb3 Nh4 18. Nxh4 Qxh4 19. Nf1 Qd8 20. h3 Ne6 21. Bh6 Re8 22. g3 Bd7 23. Nh2 Bf8 24. Bxf8 Kxf8 25. h4 Qc7 26. Nf3 Kg7 27. Ne5 {By and large, the position remained near equal throughout the game, but somewhere around here, Nakamura's defense proved to be not so perfect.} Bc8 $6 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 28. Qc2 c5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({Black still could have retained equality with} 28... Nc5) 29. Bb5 Re7 30. Qd2 Nf8 $2 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (30... h5 {and stopping White's h-pawn was the last line of defense here.}) 31. h5 {White now gains a powerful attack.} c4 32. h6+ Kg8 33. Qf4 {Dark squares around the king prove to be a major liability.} f5 34. Nxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qxf4 35. gxf4 Ne6 36. Nb6 Rb8 {Nakamura resigned, not waiting for White's move.} (36... Rb8 37. Re5 {with a clear win, as Black's pieces are paralyzed.}) 1-0 [Event "chess24.com"] [Site "chess24.com"] [Date "2023.06.08"] [Round "15.4"] [White "Gukesh D"] [Black "Tari, Aryan"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D02"] [WhiteElo "2732"] [BlackElo "2642"] [Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"] [PlyCount "73"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "India"] [BlackTeam "Norway"] [WhiteTeamCountry "IND"] [BlackTeamCountry "NOR"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 d5 3. e3 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Nbd2 O-O 6. c3 b6 7. h4 $5 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] In this particular situation of the London this move is rare. But the whole concept is the key to fighting the Grunfeld setup nowadays.} ({The most natural:} 7. Be2 {was played by Aronian after} Bb7 8. O-O c5 {He went for a queenside expansion with} 9. Qb1 Nc6 10. b4 cxb4 11. cxb4 Nh5 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bh4 g5 14. b5 Na5 15. Ne5 gxh4 16. Bxh5 Bxe5 17. dxe5 {with a huge advantage in Aronian,L (2775)-Niemann,H (2687) Miami 2022}) 7... c5 (7... h5 8. Ne5 {would likely transpose to the game.}) 8. Ne5 Nbd7 ({In an earlier game, White was quickly close to winning after} 8... Nfd7 9. h5 Nxe5 10. Bxe5 Bxe5 11. dxe5 Nc6 12. f4 g5 13. Bb5 {in Burg,T (2525)-Antonio,V (2404) Leiden 2018}) 9. Be2 ({The direct attack was also tempting} 9. h5 {Then, one of the main ideas of the line is to sacrifice the exchange after} Nxh5 10. Rxh5 gxh5 11. Qxh5 Nxe5 12. dxe5 {but Gukesh might have disliked} c4 {[%c_arrow f1d3;keyPressed;none;from;f1;opacity;0.8;to;d3;persistent;false][%c_highlight d3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d3;persistent;false] which blocks his kingside bishop just in time.}) 9... h5 10. Nc6 $146 {An original way to play for domination. Gukesh is trying to buy himself a bit of time to complete the development, while stopping the freeing e7-e5 break.} ({The predecessor saw:} 10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11. g4 {but this is less logical as it helps Black prepare his central counter-attack with} e5 (11... cxd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] first, and only then} 12. exd4 hxg4 13. Bxg4 e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 12. dxe5 hxg4 13. e6 fxe6 14. Bxg4 Qf6 {Koellner,C (2142) -Meyling, L (2072) Cattolica 2022}) ({However, the attempt to keep the e5-point under control with} 10. Ndf3 {does not yield White anything due to the simple} Ne4) 10... Qe8 11. b4 Ng4 {Tari does what needs to be done: e7-e5 is already on the agenda.} ({But perhaps it made sense to add a little charge to the position with} 11... Bb7 $5 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 12. b5 a6 13. a4 {and only then} Ng4) 12. O-O e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Consistent play.} ({Here too} 12... Bb7 $5 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] looked neater, providing Black more resources, as in the line} 13. b5 e5 14. Bg3 Bxc6 15. bxc6 Ndf6 {when the c6-pawn is in trouble.}) 13. Bg3 Qe6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Only this move can be considered a mistake. The queen is too vulnerable in the center.} ({Instead} 13... exd4 14. exd4 Ndf6 {would have been stronger, in order to complete the development after} 15. b5 Qd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ({And not the obvious} 15... Bb7 {when the black queen is indeed in trouble after} 16. Bxg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} hxg4 17. Re1)) 14. b5 Bb7 15. c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White quickly makes use of the qeeen's misplacement.} Bxc6 ({The other captures are no better} 15... dxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 16. d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) ({And} 15... exd4 16. cxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] both lead to White's domination in the center.}) 16. bxc6 Ndf6 ({Perhaps a lesser evil would have been} 16... Qxc6 {although there too, after} 17. cxd5 Qb7 (17... Qxd5 18. Bf3) 18. dxe5 Bxe5 19. Bxe5 Ndxe5 20. Qb3 {White is ready to steamroll the opponent in the center. Once this happens, the black knights would be deprived of stable squares and White would successfully organize a decisive kingside attack.}) 17. e4 $3 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Alekhine would have been proud $1} Nxe4 ({Nothing changes} 17... dxe4 18. d5 Qe8 19. Qb3 {the white passers should decide the game's outcome sooner or later.}) 18. cxd5 Qxd5 19. Nxe4 ({Maybe Tari expected} 19. Bf3 {and hoped to defend after} f5 20. Qc2 Ngf6) 19... Qxe4 20. d5 {The center is stabilized and Gukesh has two huge connected passers. And as the saying goes, two connected on the sixth rank beat a rook.} Nf6 ({The pawns don't need much to demonstrate their rage, one beautiful line being} 20... Rfd8 21. c7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rxd5 (21... Rd7 22. Ba6) 22. Bf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rxd1 23. Raxd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) ({Whereas} 20... Rad8 {would not help due to} 21. Bf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ({But not} 21. c7 $2 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Rxd5) 21... Qf5 22. Re1) 21. Bf3 Qf5 22. d6 {The pawns reach the sixth.} e4 23. Be2 Nd5 24. Rc1 {The simplest. White will soon find a way to support the pawns.} ({Although} 24. Ba6 Bxa1 25. Qxa1 {was possible as well.}) 24... Nb4 ({In case of} 24... Nc3 {White would have likely sacrificed the exchange} 25. Rxc3 Bxc3 26. c7 Bd4 27. Bb5 {and the pawns cannot be stopped.}) ({Since the a6- and b5- squares are good infiltration points for the white pieces, the move} 24... a6 {deserved attention, but White can find a way to infiltrate from the other side too} 25. Qd2 Bd4 26. Qg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and without the queens on the board the pawns become even stronger.}) 25. c7 {They are moving again.} Bd4 26. Qa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The beginning of a winning combination.} a6 27. d7 {One step closer.} b5 28. Bxb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The point $1 White gets access to the defenders of the back rank.} axb5 29. Qxa8 $1 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And reduces their number.} Qxd7 ({Or} 29... Rxa8 30. d8=Q+ Rxd8 31. cxd8=Q+ {when the two pawns cost Black two rooks.}) 30. Qxe4 Nxa2 31. Rce1 Bf6 {Tari blocks the e7-entry, but the major pieces can find another door.} ({After} 31... Nc3 {White would have infiltrated with} 32. Qe7 Qxe7 33. Rxe7 b4 34. Rd7) 32. Rd1 Bd4 33. Qc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Embarassing the knight and practically forcing the queen trade.} Qe6 ({The knight is not moving} 33... Nc3 34. Qxc3) ({Or} 33... Nb4 34. Qxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] loses at once.}) 34. Rfe1 Qc4 35. Qxc4 bxc4 36. Bd6 Rc8 {One last petit combination at the end} 37. Bxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 1-0 [Event "Stavanger"] [Site "Stavanger"] [Date "2023.06.08"] [Round "16.1"] [White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "A21"] [WhiteElo "2738"] [BlackElo "2853"] [Annotator "Saravanan,V"] [PlyCount "92"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [EventCountry "NOR"] 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Bb4 3. g3 Bxc3 4. bxc3 d6 5. Bg2 Nc6 6. a4 Nge7 7. d3 Be6 8. a5 Qd7 9. f4 O-O 10. a6 b6 11. Qa4 Rad8 12. fxe5 Nxe5 13. Qxd7 Bxd7 14. Nh3 {The position appears equal, but Carlsen plays simple and sound moves to gradually outplay Mamedyarov from hereon:} Bc6 15. O-O Bxg2 16. Kxg2 Rfe8 17. Ra2 d5 18. cxd5 Nxd5 19. c4 Nb4 20. Ra4 c5 $15 {Black has a slight edge, as White's pieces seem to lack coordination.} 21. Nf4 Nec6 22. Kf2 Nd4 23. Be3 Rxe3 $5 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Carlsen: \"I thought that made a lot of sense. Thought it was principled.\"} 24. Kxe3 g5 25. Nd5 Re8+ 26. Kf2 Rxe2+ 27. Kg1 {Carslen remarked, \"I had decided beforehand that I was just going to treat this as a normal game and just gonna try and win. So I thought let's not beg for a draw, and go for a principled way, and simply miscalculated here.\"} Nxd3 $6 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({Carlsen said his original idea was to play} 27... Nxd5 28. cxd5 Re5 {with the point:} 29. Rb1 $2 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Ne2+ 30. Kf2 Nc3) 28. Raa1 g4 29. Nf4 Nxf4 ({Carlsen had originally intended} 29... Nf3+ 30. Rxf3 gxf3 {and had overlooked that the black knight is hanging for free on d3 $1} 31. Nxd3) 30. Rxf4 {Carlsen had only around a minute left, and the position became quite unclear and thus out of control.} f5 31. Rf2 Re4 32. Rb2 Kf7 33. Kf2 (33. Rxb6 axb6 34. a7 Re8 35. a8=Q Rxa8 36. Rxa8 Nf3+ 37. Kf2 Ne5 {\"should be completely fine\"-Carlsen.}) 33... Nc6 34. Rd1 Ke6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (34... Rxc4 {was better:} 35. Rd6 Nb4 {threatening a fork on d3.}) 35. Re2 Rxe2+ 36. Kxe2 Nb4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 37. Ra1 $2 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (37. Rd8 {Carlsen felt this was close to lost for him $1} Nxa6 38. Ra8 Nc7 39. Rxa7 {with an advantage for White.}) 37... Ke5 38. Kd2 Kd4 39. Rf1 $4 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} (39. Re1 Nxa6 40. Ra1) 39... Kxc4 40. Rxf5 Kb3 {Black is winning now.} 41. Rf7 c4 42. Rxa7 c3+ 43. Ke2 Kb2 44. Rc7 Nxa6 45. Rc6 b5 46. Rxa6 c2 0-1 [Event "Stavanger"] [Site "Stavanger"] [Date "2023.06.08"] [Round "16.2"] [White "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Black "Giri, Anish"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C44"] [WhiteElo "2785"] [BlackElo "2768"] [Annotator "Saravanan,V"] [PlyCount "66"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [EventType "blitz"] [EventCountry "NOR"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. g3 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bg2 d6 6. c3 a5 7. O-O O-O 8. h3 h6 9. Na3 Bxa3 10. bxa3 Be6 11. c4 Nd7 12. Nh4 Nd4 13. Be3 c5 14. Rb1 b6 15. Rb2 Rb8 16. Qe1 g5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Giri goes for the initiative.} 17. f4 $5 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting reply.} (17. Bxd4 cxd4 18. Nf5 Kh7 {might have been a better try for White, though he is still a little worse.}) 17... gxh4 (17... exf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18. gxf4 gxh4 19. f5 Kh7 20. fxe6 fxe6 {with an advantage for Black.}) 18. f5 hxg3 19. Bxh6 Qh4 {For human eyes, Black seemed to have developed a good initiative.} 20. Qe3 $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (20. fxe6 Qxh6 21. Qxg3+ Kh8 22. exd7 Rbd8 {with a slightly better position for White.}) 20... Rfe8 (20... Bxc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 21. Bg5 Qh5 22. Qxg3 Kh7 23. fxe6 Rxe6 {Once again, the position is level but too complicated to play with just minutes in each player's clock.} 24. h4 ({Better was} 24. Bf3 Nxf3+ 25. Qxf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the point:} Qxg5+ 26. Rg2 Qf4 27. Qh5+ Rh6 28. Rxf4 Rxh5 29. Rxf7+ Kh8 30. Rxd7 {with a slight advantage for White.}) 24... f6 25. Be3 $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({The only move was} 25. Bh3 fxg5 26. Bxe6 Nxe6 27. hxg5 {with a complicated position.}) 25... Ne2+ $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (25... Rg8 26. Qh3 Re7 {and Black has a huge attack on the kingside.}) 26. Rxe2 Qxe2 27. Bh3 $6 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (27. Rf2 Qh5 28. Bh3 {was the correct continuation, with a complicated position.}) 27... Rg8 28. Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Re7 29. Bf5+ Kh8 30. Bg4 Qc2 31. Bxd7 fxg5 32. hxg5 $4 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} (32. h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and incredibly, Black is unable to stop White from achieving a draw through perpetual checks $1} Rxd7 33. Qf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rdg7 (33... Kh7 34. Qf5+) 34. Qf6 Kh7 (34... Qd2 35. Qh6+ Rh7 36. Qf6+ Rgg7 37. Qf8+) 35. Qf5+ Kh6 36. Qe6+ $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kxh5 37. Qh3+ Kg6 38. Qe6+) 32... Rxd7 33. g6 Rh7 $3 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A brilliant resource which wins for Black.} 0-1 [Event "lichess.org"] [Site "lichess.org"] [Date "2023.06.09"] [Round "17"] [Board "3"] [White "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C58"] [WhiteElo "2775"] [BlackElo "2764"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/loepare"] [PlyCount "109"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 {[%eval 36,0]} e5 {[%eval 35,0]} 2. Nf3 {[%eval 29,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 32,0]} 3. Bc4 {[%eval 21,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 29,0]} 4. Ng5 {[%eval 5,0]} d5 {[%eval 12,0]} 5. exd5 {[%eval 13,0]} Na5 {[%eval 11,0]} 6. Bb5+ {[%eval 24,0]} c6 {[%eval 0,0]} 7. dxc6 {[%eval 13,0]} bxc6 {[%eval 13,0]} 8. Bd3 {[%eval 1,0]} Nd5 {[%eval 31,0]} 9. Nf3 {[%eval 14,0]} Bd6 {[%eval 5,0]} 10. O-O {[%eval 3,0]} Nf4 {[%eval 8,0]} 11. Nc3 {[%eval 2,0]} Nxd3 {[%eval 1,0]} 12. cxd3 {[%eval 13,0]} O-O {[%eval 8,0]} 13. b3 {[%eval 1,0]} Re8 {[%eval 1,0]} 14. Re1 {[%eval 13,0]} c5 {[%eval 6,0]} 15. Ba3 {[%eval 19,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 13,0]} 16. Ne4 {[%eval 29,0]} Bf8 {[%eval 21,0]} 17. Rc1 {[%eval 2,0]} f5 $4 {[%eval 194,0] Blunder. Nb4 was best.} (17... Nb4 18. Bxb4 cxb4 19. Nc5 Bf5 20. Nxe5 Rc8 21. Na4 Rxc1 22. Qxc1 Qd5 23. Qa1 f6 24. Nf3) 18. Nxc5 {[%eval 179,0]} Qd5 {[%eval 193,0]} 19. Qc2 {[%eval 172,0]} Rd8 $6 {[%eval 242,0] Inaccuracy. Rb8 was best.} (19... Rb8 20. Qc4) 20. Qc4 {[%eval 217,0]} Qxc4 {[%eval 191,0]} 21. Rxc4 {[%eval 227,0]} Rd5 {[%eval 203,0]} 22. Rec1 {[%eval 202,0]} Bd6 {[%eval 254,0]} 23. Bb2 {[%eval 246,0]} Ne7 {[%eval 231,0]} 24. R4c2 {[%eval 253,0]} Rb8 {[%eval 243,0]} 25. d4 {[%eval 245,0]} exd4 {[%eval 257,0]} 26. Nxd4 {[%eval 254,0]} a5 {[%eval 258,0]} 27. Nf3 {[%eval 254,0]} h6 {[%eval 264,0]} 28. Na4 {[%eval 223,0]} Ba6 {[%eval 229,0]} 29. Nc3 {[%eval 206,0]} Rc5 {[%eval 228,0]} 30. Ba3 {[%eval 109,0]} Rc6 {[%eval 200,0]} 31. Bxd6 {[%eval 196,0]} Rxd6 {[%eval 215,0]} 32. Na4 {[%eval 207,0]} Nd5 {[%eval 195,0]} 33. Rc6 {[%eval 183,0]} Rxc6 {[%eval 203,0]} 34. Rxc6 {[%eval 214,0]} Nb4 {[%eval 278,0]} 35. Rd6 {[%eval 287,0]} Bb7 {[%eval 208,0]} 36. Nc3 {[%eval 216,0]} Re8 {[%eval 208,0]} 37. h4 {[%eval 218,0]} f4 $6 {[%eval 351,0] Inaccuracy. Bxf3 was best.} (37... Bxf3 38. gxf3 Kf7 39. Kf1 Ke7 40. Rd4 Kf6 41. Rd7 Kg6 42. Kg2 Kh5 43. Nd5 Nd3 44. Rxg7) 38. Rd4 $6 {[%eval 272,0] Inaccuracy. Nd4 was best.} (38. Nd4) 38... Rf8 $6 {[%eval 357,0] Inaccuracy. Bxf3 was best.} (38... Bxf3 39. gxf3 Nc2 40. Rxf4 Rd8 41. Rf5 Rxd2 42. Rxa5 Ne1 43. b4 Rc2 44. Nd5 Nxf3+ 45. Kf1) 39. Ne5 {[%eval 336,0]} Re8 {[%eval 337,0]} 40. Nc4 {[%eval 298,0]} f3 {[%eval 359,0]} 41. gxf3 {[%eval 323,0]} Bxf3 {[%eval 287,0]} 42. Kh2 {[%eval 296,0]} Nc2 {[%eval 292,0]} 43. Rd3 {[%eval 298,0]} Ba8 {[%eval 303,0]} 44. Kg3 {[%eval 311,0]} Kh7 {[%eval 311,0]} 45. Ne3 {[%eval 313,0]} Nb4 {[%eval 326,0]} 46. Rd6 {[%eval 341,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 344,0]} 47. Ncd5 {[%eval 334,0]} Rf8 {[%eval 339,0]} 48. Nc7 {[%eval 347,0]} Bb7 {[%eval 365,0]} 49. Ne6 {[%eval 357,0]} Rf7 {[%eval 397,0]} 50. f4 {[%eval 418,0]} Ba8 {[%eval 455,0]} 51. h5 {[%eval 467,0]} Ra7 {[%eval 478,0]} 52. a3 {[%eval 383,0]} Kg8 {[%eval 465,0]} 53. f5 {[%eval 411,0]} Re7 $6 {[%eval 541,0] Inaccuracy. Kf7 was best.} (53... Kf7 54. d4 Ke7 55. Nc4 Rb7 56. Nc5 Rc7 57. Re6+ Kf8 58. Ne5 Ne7 59. Ng6+ Ke8 60. Nxe7) 54. Kf4 {[%eval 514,0]} Ra7 {[%eval 556,0]} 55. d4 {[%eval 604,0]} 1-0 [Event "Norway Chess"] [Site "lichess.org"] [Date "2023.06.09"] [Round "17"] [Board "4"] [White "Giri, Anish"] [Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C60"] [WhiteElo "2768"] [BlackElo "2738"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/loepare"] [PlyCount "71"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 {[%eval 36,0]} e5 {[%eval 35,0]} 2. Nf3 {[%eval 29,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 32,0]} 3. Bb5 {[%eval 34,0]} Nge7 {[%eval 53,0]} 4. d4 {[%eval 46,0]} Nxd4 {[%eval 5,0]} 5. Nxd4 {[%eval 42,0]} exd4 {[%eval 52,0]} 6. Qxd4 {[%eval 4,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 36,0]} 7. Qe3 {[%eval 45,0]} Be7 {[%eval 36,0]} 8. O-O {[%eval 4,0]} O-O {[%eval 36,0]} 9. Nc3 {[%eval 36,0]} Nb4 {[%eval 41,0]} 10. Qd2 {[%eval 5,0]} c6 {[%eval 39,0]} 11. Be2 {[%eval 49,0]} a5 {[%eval 47,0]} 12. Qd1 {[%eval 37,0]} Re8 {[%eval 34,0]} 13. Bf4 {[%eval 17,0]} Na6 $6 {[%eval 8,0] Inaccuracy. d5 was best.} (13... d5) 14. Bxa6 {[%eval 49,0]} Rxa6 {[%eval 51,0]} 15. e5 {[%eval 49,0]} f6 {[%eval 66,0]} 16. exf6 {[%eval 43,0]} Bxf6 {[%eval 58,0]} 17. Bd6 {[%eval 67,0]} Bxc3 {[%eval 78,0]} 18. bxc3 {[%eval 58,0]} Qf6 {[%eval 65,0]} 19. Qd2 {[%eval 42,0]} Re6 {[%eval 58,0]} 20. Rad1 {[%eval 61,0]} c5 {[%eval 75,0]} 21. Bxc5 {[%eval 57,0]} Qf5 {[%eval 8,0]} 22. Be3 {[%eval 56,0]} b5 {[%eval 73,0]} 23. Qd5 {[%eval 66,0]} Qxc2 {[%eval 111,0]} 24. Qxb5 {[%eval 83,0]} Qxa2 {[%eval 73,0]} 25. Bd4 {[%eval 47,0]} h6 {[%eval 65,0]} 26. h3 {[%eval 56,0]} a4 {[%eval 53,0]} 27. Ra1 {[%eval 14,0]} Qc2 $6 {[%eval 73,0] Inaccuracy. Qb3 was best.} (27... Qb3) 28. Qb8 {[%eval 62,0]} Rac6 {[%eval 87,0]} 29. Qa8 {[%eval 5,0]} Rg6 {[%eval 7,0]} 30. Rfe1 {[%eval 46,0]} Kh7 {[%eval 53,0]} 31. Re8 {[%eval 0,0]} Rxg2+ {[%eval 1,0]} 32. Kxg2 {[%eval 0,0]} Qg6+ {[%eval 0,0]} 33. Kh2 {[%eval 0,0]} Qxe8 {[%eval 0,0]} 34. Rg1 {[%eval 0,0]} g6 {[%eval 0,0]} 35. Qxa4 {[%eval 2,0]} Re6 {[%eval 0,0]} 36. Qa8 {[%eval 0,0]} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Norway Chess"] [Site "lichess.org"] [Date "2023.06.09"] [Round "17"] [Board "5"] [White "Tari, Aryan"] [Black "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B51"] [WhiteElo "2642"] [BlackElo "2785"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/loepare"] [PlyCount "109"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 {[%eval 36,0]} c5 {[%eval 32,0]} 2. Nf3 {[%eval 0,0]} d6 {[%eval 0,0]} 3. Bb5+ {[%eval 0,0]} Nd7 {[%eval 24,0]} 4. O-O {[%eval 0,0]} a6 {[%eval 9,0]} 5. Bd3 {[%eval 0,0]} e6 {[%eval 27,0]} 6. c3 {[%eval 29,0]} Ngf6 {[%eval 48,0]} 7. Bc2 {[%eval 29,0]} b5 {[%eval 31,0]} 8. d4 {[%eval 25,0]} Bb7 {[%eval 24,0]} 9. Re1 {[%eval 29,0]} Be7 {[%eval 23,0]} 10. a4 {[%eval 27,0]} cxd4 {[%eval 32,0]} 11. cxd4 {[%eval 25,0]} O-O {[%eval 21,0]} 12. a5 {[%eval 17,0]} Rc8 {[%eval 2,0]} 13. Nbd2 {[%eval 2,0]} Nb8 {[%eval 21,0]} 14. Nb3 {[%eval 25,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 29,0]} 15. Bb1 {[%eval 3,0]} Qc7 {[%eval 31,0]} 16. Bg5 {[%eval 1,0]} h6 {[%eval 24,0]} 17. Bh4 {[%eval 26,0]} e5 {[%eval 22,0]} 18. Bg3 {[%eval 15,0]} Rfe8 {[%eval 4,0]} 19. d5 {[%eval 65,0]} Nb8 {[%eval 43,0]} 20. Nfd2 {[%eval 49,0]} g6 {[%eval 56,0]} 21. f3 {[%eval 44,0]} Nh5 {[%eval 58,0]} 22. Bf2 {[%eval 69,0]} Nf4 {[%eval 9,0]} 23. Bb6 {[%eval 8,0]} Qd7 {[%eval 78,0]} 24. Nc1 {[%eval 72,0]} Bg5 {[%eval 100,0]} 25. Nd3 $6 {[%eval 25,0] Inaccuracy. g3 was best.} (25. g3 Nh3+ 26. Kg2 h5 27. Nd3 Kg7 28. Ra3 Rh8 29. Rh1 Bf6 30. Be3 h4 31. f4 hxg3) 25... Qe7 {[%eval 26,0]} 26. Nf2 {[%eval 6,0]} Nd7 {[%eval 11,0]} 27. Be3 {[%eval 3,0]} Rc7 $6 {[%eval 85,0] Inaccuracy. Nxg2 was best.} (27... Nxg2 28. Bxg5) 28. Nb3 $6 {[%eval 23,0] Inaccuracy. Nf1 was best.} (28. Nf1 Nh5 29. Qd2 Rf8 30. Ra3 Nc5 31. Rc3 Rfc8 32. g3 Bxe3 33. Nxe3 Nf6 34. Kg2 Na4) 28... Nxg2 {[%eval 25,0]} 29. Bxg5 {[%eval 33,0]} Qxg5 {[%eval 35,0]} 30. Nh3 {[%eval 38,0]} Ne3+ {[%eval 19,0]} 31. Nxg5 {[%eval 3,0]} Nxd1 {[%eval 36,0]} 32. Nxf7 {[%eval 4,0]} Nxb2 $2 {[%eval 114,0] Mistake. Kxf7 was best.} (32... Kxf7 33. Rxd1 Rc4 34. Rc1 Rec8 35. Rxc4 Rxc4 36. Bd3 Rb4 37. Bc2 Ke7 38. Kf2 g5 39. Rc1) 33. Nxd6 {[%eval 161,0]} Rf8 $6 {[%eval 226,0] Inaccuracy. Rb8 was best.} (33... Rb8 34. Ra2) 34. Ra2 $6 {[%eval 124,0] Inaccuracy. Ba2 was best.} (34. Ba2 Rxf3 35. Rec1 Rxc1+ 36. Rxc1 Nd3 37. Rc7 Re3 38. Rxd7 Re1+ 39. Kg2 Re2+ 40. Kf3 Rxa2) 34... Na4 {[%eval 113,0]} 35. Rg2 {[%eval 123,0]} Kh7 $6 {[%eval 191,0] Inaccuracy. Rxf3 was best.} (35... Rxf3 36. Rxg6+) 36. Rc1 {[%eval 192,0]} Rxc1+ {[%eval 198,0]} 37. Nxc1 {[%eval 197,0]} Ba8 {[%eval 184,0]} 38. Rc2 {[%eval 199,0]} Nac5 {[%eval 198,0]} 39. Ba2 {[%eval 224,0]} Kg7 {[%eval 286,0]} 40. Nb3 {[%eval 208,0]} Nxb3 {[%eval 274,0]} 41. Bxb3 {[%eval 329,0]} Kf6 {[%eval 347,0]} 42. Rc7 {[%eval 354,0]} Ke7 {[%eval 359,0]} 43. Nc8+ {[%eval 382,0]} Kd8 {[%eval 384,0]} 44. d6 {[%eval 418,0]} Rf6 {[%eval 411,0]} 45. Na7 {[%eval 399,0]} Rxd6 {[%eval 422,0]} 46. Rc8+ {[%eval 415,0]} Ke7 {[%eval 407,0]} 47. Rxa8 {[%eval 418,0]} Rd3 {[%eval 429,0]} 48. Nc8+ {[%eval 432,0]} Kf6 {[%eval 429,0]} 49. Rxa6+ {[%eval 421,0]} Kg5 {[%eval 424,0]} 50. Bd5 {[%eval 418,0]} Ra3 {[%eval 407,0]} 51. Kf2 {[%eval 431,0]} Nc5 {[%eval 405,0]} 52. Rc6 {[%eval 489,0]} Nd3+ {[%eval 459,0]} 53. Kg3 {[%eval 424,0]} Rxa5 $4 {[%eval 32760,0] Checkmate is now unavoidable. Nf4 was best.} (53... Nf4 54. a6 b4 55. h4+ Kh5 56. Bc4 Ra1 57. a7 b3 58. Bxb3 Ne2+ 59. Kf2 Nd4 60. Bd5) 54. h4+ {[%eval 32762,0]} Kh5 {[%eval 32762,0]} 55. Rf6 $6 {[%eval 1192,0] Lost forced checkmate sequence. Be6 was best.} (55. Be6 Nf2 56. Bg4+ Nxg4 57. fxg4#) 1-0 [Event "Norway Chess"] [Site "lichess.org"] [Date "2023.06.09"] [Round "18"] [Board "1"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C42"] [WhiteElo "2853"] [BlackElo "2731"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/loepare"] [PlyCount "184"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 {[%eval 36,0]} e5 {[%eval 35,0]} 2. Nf3 {[%eval 29,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 5,0]} 3. Nxe5 {[%eval 34,0]} d6 {[%eval 49,0]} 4. Nf3 {[%eval 35,0]} Nxe4 {[%eval 25,0]} 5. d3 {[%eval 0,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 13,0]} 6. d4 {[%eval 23,0]} d5 {[%eval 21,0]} 7. Bd3 {[%eval 17,0]} Bd6 {[%eval 25,0]} 8. Qe2+ {[%eval 19,0]} Be6 {[%eval 14,0]} 9. Ng5 {[%eval 22,0]} Qe7 {[%eval 18,0]} 10. Nxe6 {[%eval 26,0]} fxe6 {[%eval 17,0]} 11. c3 {[%eval 18,0]} O-O {[%eval 24,0]} 12. O-O {[%eval 2,0]} e5 {[%eval 18,0]} 13. dxe5 {[%eval 13,0]} Qxe5 {[%eval 33,0]} 14. Qxe5 {[%eval 24,0]} Bxe5 {[%eval 24,0]} 15. Nd2 {[%eval 18,0]} Nbd7 {[%eval 26,0]} 16. Nf3 {[%eval 2,0]} Bd6 {[%eval 22,0]} 17. g3 {[%eval 14,0]} c6 {[%eval 14,0]} 18. Kg2 {[%eval 14,0]} Rae8 {[%eval 19,0]} 19. a4 {[%eval 19,0]} a5 {[%eval 22,0]} 20. Nd4 {[%eval 22,0]} Bc5 {[%eval 16,0]} 21. Bf5 {[%eval 31,0]} Bxd4 {[%eval 52,0]} 22. cxd4 {[%eval 63,0]} Rf7 {[%eval 83,0]} 23. Bd3 {[%eval 66,0]} Nf8 {[%eval 55,0]} 24. Bd2 {[%eval 79,0]} Ne6 {[%eval 95,0]} 25. Bc3 {[%eval 64,0]} b6 {[%eval 52,0]} 26. Rfe1 {[%eval 59,0]} Rfe7 {[%eval 58,0]} 27. b4 {[%eval 44,0]} axb4 {[%eval 47,0]} 28. Bxb4 {[%eval 46,0]} Ra7 {[%eval 41,0]} 29. Bc3 {[%eval 41,0]} Kf7 {[%eval 37,0]} 30. Reb1 {[%eval 39,0]} Nd7 {[%eval 45,0]} 31. h4 {[%eval 44,0]} Rea8 {[%eval 36,0]} 32. Bc2 {[%eval 41,0]} h5 {[%eval 72,0]} 33. Re1 {[%eval 78,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 98,0]} 34. Rab1 {[%eval 92,0]} b5 $6 {[%eval 154,0] Inaccuracy. Rb7 was best.} (34... Rb7 35. Re5) 35. axb5 {[%eval 152,0]} cxb5 {[%eval 155,0]} 36. Bf5 $6 {[%eval 93,0] Inaccuracy. Rxb5 was best.} (36. Rxb5 Rc8 37. Re3 Rcc7 38. Bf5 Rc6 39. Bb2 Nc7 40. Rb4 g6 41. Bb1 Ne6 42. Rb5 Rac7) 36... Re8 $6 {[%eval 193,0] Inaccuracy. Nc7 was best.} (36... Nc7 37. Bb4 Re8 38. Rxe8 Ncxe8 39. Bc5 Rb7 40. f3 g6 41. Bd3 Nc7 42. Kf2 Nd7 43. Bd6) 37. Bb4 $4 {[%eval 0,0] Blunder. Rxb5 was best.} (37. Rxb5 g6 38. Bd3 Rc8 39. Rb6 Nf4+ 40. gxf4 Rxc3 41. Bb1 Rc4 42. Ree6 Ne4 43. Bxe4 dxe4) 37... Nxd4 {[%eval 4,0]} 38. Rxe8 {[%eval 0,0]} Nxe8 {[%eval 4,0]} 39. Bd3 {[%eval 0,0]} Nf6 {[%eval 1,0]} 40. Bc3 {[%eval 0,0]} Ra3 {[%eval 0,0]} 41. Bxd4 {[%eval 0,0]} Rxd3 {[%eval 0,0]} 42. Bb6 {[%eval 0,0]} Ng4 {[%eval 0,0]} 43. Rxb5 {[%eval 0,0]} Rd2 {[%eval 0,0]} 44. Kf3 {[%eval 0,0]} g6 {[%eval 1,0]} 45. Bc5 {[%eval 0,0]} d4 {[%eval 0,0]} 46. Ke4 {[%eval 8,0]} Nf6+ {[%eval 0,0]} 47. Kf3 {[%eval 0,0]} Ng4 {[%eval 0,0]} 48. Rb6 {[%eval 0,0]} Rxf2+ {[%eval 0,0]} 49. Ke4 {[%eval 1,0]} Nf6+ {[%eval 0,0]} 50. Kxd4 {[%eval 0,0]} Rd2+ {[%eval 0,0]} 51. Ke3 {[%eval 0,0]} Rd5 {[%eval 0,0]} (51... Rd4) 52. Bd4 {[%eval 0,0]} Rf5 {[%eval 0,0]} 53. Kd3 {[%eval 0,0]} Rf3+ {[%eval 0,0]} 54. Kc4 {[%eval 0,0]} Rf5 {[%eval 0,0]} 55. Rb7+ {[%eval 0,0]} Kg8 {[%eval 0,0]} 56. Re7 {[%eval 0,0]} Kf8 {[%eval 0,0]} 57. Ra7 {[%eval 0,0]} Kg8 {[%eval 0,0]} 58. Be3 {[%eval 0,0]} Ng4 {[%eval 0,0]} 59. Bg5 {[%eval 0,0]} Kf8 {[%eval 0,0]} 60. Bf4 {[%eval 0,0]} Kg8 {[%eval 0,0]} 61. Kd4 {[%eval 0,0]} Kf8 {[%eval 0,0]} 62. Bg5 {[%eval 0,0]} Kg8 {[%eval 0,0]} 63. Ra8+ {[%eval 0,0]} Kg7 {[%eval 0,0]} 64. Ra7+ {[%eval 0,0]} Kg8 {[%eval 0,0]} 65. Kc4 {[%eval 0,0]} Kf8 {[%eval 0,0]} 66. Bd2 {[%eval 1,0]} Kg8 {[%eval 0,0]} 67. Bc3 {[%eval 0,0]} Kf8 {[%eval 0,0]} 68. Bg7+ {[%eval 0,0]} Kg8 {[%eval 0,0]} 69. Bd4 {[%eval 0,0]} Kf8 {[%eval 0,0]} 70. Rg7 {[%eval 0,0]} Ne5+ {[%eval 0,0]} 71. Bxe5 {[%eval 0,0]} Rxe5 {[%eval 0,0]} 72. Rxg6 {[%eval 0,0]} Kf7 {[%eval 0,0]} 73. Rd6 {[%eval 0,0]} Re3 {[%eval 0,0]} 74. Rd3 {[%eval 0,0]} Re5 {[%eval 0,0]} 75. Rd5 {[%eval 0,0]} Re3 {[%eval 0,0]} 76. Rg5 {[%eval 0,0]} Kf6 {[%eval 4,0]} 77. Kd4 {[%eval 0,0]} Ra3 $4 {[%eval 504,0] Blunder. Re7 was best.} (77... Re7 78. Rxh5 Rg7 79. Rg5 Rxg5 80. hxg5+ Kxg5 81. Ke3 Kf5 82. Kf3 Kg5) 78. Ke4 {[%eval 521,0]} Ra4+ {[%eval 573,0]} 79. Kf3 {[%eval 538,0]} Ra3+ {[%eval 536,0]} (79... Ra2 80. Rxh5) 80. Kg2 {[%eval 525,0]} Ra2+ 81. Kh3 Ra7 82. Rxh5 Kg6 83. Rg5+ Kf6 84. Rg4 Kf5 85. h5 Ra1 86. Rb4 Rh1+ 87. Kg2 Rd1 88. Kf2 Kg5 89. Rh4 Kh6 90. Kf3 Rd3+ 91. Kg4 Rd4+ 92. Kh3 Rd3 0-1 [Event "Norway Chess"] [Site "lichess.org"] [Date "2023.06.09"] [Round "18"] [Board "4"] [White "Giri, Anish"] [Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C60"] [WhiteElo "2768"] [BlackElo "2738"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/loepare"] [PlyCount "127"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 {[%eval 36,0]} e5 {[%eval 35,0]} 2. Nf3 {[%eval 29,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 32,0]} 3. Bb5 {[%eval 34,0]} Nge7 {[%eval 53,0]} 4. d4 {[%eval 46,0]} Nxd4 {[%eval 5,0]} 5. Nxd4 {[%eval 42,0]} exd4 {[%eval 52,0]} 6. Qxd4 {[%eval 4,0]} Nc6 {[%eval 36,0]} 7. Qe3 {[%eval 45,0]} Be7 {[%eval 36,0]} 8. O-O {[%eval 4,0]} O-O {[%eval 36,0]} 9. Nc3 {[%eval 36,0]} Nb4 {[%eval 41,0]} 10. Qd2 {[%eval 5,0]} c6 {[%eval 39,0]} 11. Be2 {[%eval 49,0]} a5 {[%eval 47,0]} 12. Rd1 {[%eval 45,0]} d6 {[%eval 59,0]} 13. a3 {[%eval 52,0]} Na6 {[%eval 53,0]} 14. Qf4 {[%eval 57,0]} Kh8 {[%eval 109,0]} 15. Qg3 {[%eval 100,0]} f5 {[%eval 138,0]} 16. Bf4 {[%eval 137,0]} fxe4 {[%eval 194,0]} 17. Bxd6 {[%eval 144,0]} Bxd6 {[%eval 143,0]} 18. Rxd6 {[%eval 156,0]} Qe7 {[%eval 142,0]} 19. Bxa6 {[%eval 146,0]} Rxa6 {[%eval 104,0]} 20. Re1 {[%eval 147,0]} Bf5 {[%eval 152,0]} 21. h3 $6 {[%eval 84,0] Inaccuracy. f3 was best.} (21. f3) 21... Raa8 {[%eval 88,0]} 22. Nd1 {[%eval 8,0]} Rad8 {[%eval 101,0]} 23. Rxd8 {[%eval 85,0]} Rxd8 {[%eval 89,0]} 24. Ne3 {[%eval 85,0]} Bg6 {[%eval 82,0]} 25. Rd1 {[%eval 99,0]} Rxd1+ {[%eval 79,0]} 26. Nxd1 {[%eval 96,0]} Kg8 {[%eval 129,0]} 27. Qb8+ {[%eval 119,0]} Kf7 $6 {[%eval 191,0] Inaccuracy. Be8 was best.} (27... Be8) 28. Ne3 {[%eval 212,0]} a4 $6 {[%eval 282,0] Inaccuracy. b5 was best.} (28... b5 29. Qb6 Qf6 30. Qxa5 Qxb2 31. Qc7+ Kf8 32. Qd6+ Kg8 33. Qd8+ Kf7 34. Qd7+ Kf8 35. Qxc6) 29. Qa8 {[%eval 294,0]} h6 {[%eval 303,0]} 30. Qxa4 {[%eval 285,0]} Kg8 {[%eval 273,0]} 31. Qd4 {[%eval 257,0]} Kh7 {[%eval 295,0]} 32. a4 {[%eval 276,0]} Qe6 {[%eval 337,0]} 33. b3 {[%eval 317,0]} Qe7 {[%eval 342,0]} 34. b4 {[%eval 336,0]} Qe6 {[%eval 339,0]} 35. c4 {[%eval 338,0]} h5 {[%eval 384,0]} 36. a5 {[%eval 347,0]} Qe7 {[%eval 357,0]} 37. Qb2 {[%eval 302,0]} Qd8 {[%eval 328,0]} 38. Qc3 {[%eval 349,0]} Qd7 {[%eval 353,0]} 39. Kf1 {[%eval 312,0]} Qd8 {[%eval 336,0]} 40. Ke1 $4 {[%eval 138,0] Blunder. b5 was best.} (40. b5 cxb5 41. cxb5 Qd7 42. b6 Qb5+ 43. Kg1 h4 44. Qa3 Qb1+ 45. Kh2 Qb5 46. Qe7 Qxa5) 40... Qd7 $2 {[%eval 325,0] Mistake. Qc7 was best.} (40... Qc7 41. Ke2) 41. Kf1 {[%eval 323,0]} Qd6 {[%eval 347,0]} 42. Kg1 {[%eval 306,0]} Qd7 {[%eval 364,0]} 43. Qb2 $6 {[%eval 268,0] Inaccuracy. h4 was best.} (43. h4 Qc7 44. g3 Qd7 45. Qb2 Qd3 46. b5 cxb5 47. cxb5 Be8 48. a6 bxa6 49. b6 Qd8) 43... Qd8 {[%eval 269,0]} 44. Qb1 {[%eval 226,0]} Qd2 {[%eval 257,0]} 45. Kf1 {[%eval 215,0]} Kg8 {[%eval 232,0]} 46. Qe1 {[%eval 196,0]} Qd3+ {[%eval 238,0]} 47. Kg1 {[%eval 281,0]} Kh7 {[%eval 249,0]} 48. Qc1 {[%eval 259,0]} Qd4 {[%eval 252,0]} 49. g3 {[%eval 294,0]} Bf7 {[%eval 293,0]} 50. b5 {[%eval 342,0]} Be8 {[%eval 396,0]} 51. b6 {[%eval 436,0]} Bd7 {[%eval 506,0]} 52. Kg2 {[%eval 441,0]} Kg6 {[%eval 501,0]} 53. c5 {[%eval 462,0]} Bc8 {[%eval 483,0]} 54. Qc4 {[%eval 483,0]} Qe5 {[%eval 495,0]} 55. Qg8 {[%eval 511,0]} Be6 {[%eval 524,0]} 56. Qf8 {[%eval 495,0]} Qa1 {[%eval 528,0]} 57. Qe8+ {[%eval 525,0]} Kf6 {[%eval 532,0]} 58. Qxh5 {[%eval 522,0]} Qxa5 {[%eval 521,0]} 59. Qh4+ {[%eval 499,0]} Kf7 {[%eval 499,0]} 60. Qf4+ {[%eval 561,0]} Kg8 {[%eval 562,0]} 61. Qb8+ {[%eval 543,0]} Kh7 {[%eval 556,0]} 62. Qxb7 {[%eval 544,0]} Qxc5 {[%eval 542,0]} 63. Qc7 {[%eval 548,0]} Qh5 {[%eval 577,0]} 64. g4 {[%eval 608,0]} 1-0 [Event "Norway Chess 2023"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.09"] [Round "17"] [White "So, Wesley"] [Black "Gukesh D"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D37"] [WhiteElo "2765"] [BlackElo "2736"] [PlyCount "61"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 c5 7. dxc5 Nc6 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. Nxd5 exd5 10. Bd3 Qa5+ 11. Qd2 Qxd2+ 12. Kxd2 Bxc5 13. Rac1 Be7 $146 (13... Bb6 14. a3 Be6 15. Bd6 Rfd8 16. Bc5 Bxc5 17. Rxc5 Rac8 18. Rhc1 $16 {Keglevic,P (2249)-Strniscak,T (2164) Zagreb 2008}) 14. Bb5 Bd7 15. Rhd1 Rac8 16. Ke1 {Black has an isolated pawn on d5 but enough activity to compensate for it.} Bf6 17. Rd2 (17. b3 a6 18. Be2 Nb4 {is equal. a3 is met with Nc2+.}) 17... h6 18. Bxc6 Rxc6 19. Rxc6 Bxc6 {The pawn on d5 is now well-defended.} 20. Ne5 Bxe5 21. Bxe5 d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Liquidating the weakness and attacking g2. Opposite-colored bishops increase the drawish tendency in many endgames.} 22. Rxd4 Re8 23. Bf4 g5 24. Bc7 Bxg2 25. h4 Bf3 26. hxg5 hxg5 27. Rd8 Rxd8 28. Bxd8 g4 29. Kd2 f5 30. a4 Kf7 31. Kc3 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.09"] [Round "18"] [White "So, Wesley"] [Black "Gukesh D"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C65"] [WhiteElo "2765"] [BlackElo "2736"] [PlyCount "112"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/600:0"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 Bg4 8. h3 $146 (8. Nbd2 Bxf3 9. Nxf3 Qd6 10. O-O O-O 11. Bg3 {Ashirova,M-Aebersold,T Malente 2004}) 8... Bxf3 9. Qxf3 Be7 10. Nd2 Nxe4 11. Qxe4 Bxh4 12. Qxe5+ Qe7 13. Qxe7+ Bxe7 14. O-O-O O-O-O {At this point, the commentators were not too optimistic about So's winning chances.} 15. Nf3 Bd6 16. c3 Rde8 17. Rhe1 Kd7 18. d4 Rxe1 19. Rxe1 Re8 20. Rxe8 Kxe8 21. Kd2 c5 22. Kd3 cxd4 23. Nxd4 Kd7 24. g4 g6 25. f3 c5 26. Nb3 b5 27. c4 b4 28. a3 bxa3 29. bxa3 Ke6 30. Na5 Bc7 31. Nb3 Bd6 32. Ke3 f5 33. Na5 Bc7 34. Nb3 Bd6 35. a4 a6 36. Na5 Kd7 37. Nb7 Be7 38. Na5 Bd6 39. Nb3 Ke6 40. Nc1 Kd7 41. Ne2 Kc6 42. gxf5 gxf5 43. f4 Kb6 44. Ng3 Ka5 45. Nxf5 Bf8 46. Kd3 Kxa4 {At this point the commentators thought Black might be going for the win, if anyone.} 47. Kc3 a5 48. Ne3 Bg7+ 49. Kc2 Kb4 50. f5 a4 51. f6 Bxf6 52. Nd5+ Kxc4 {Black loses the bishop but eliminates White's last pawn.} 53. Nxf6 Kd4 54. h4 Ke5 55. Ng4+ Kf4 56. Nxh6 Kg3 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.09"] [Round "17"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Result "*"] [ECO "C01"] [WhiteElo "2853"] [BlackElo "2732"] [PlyCount "116"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d3 Nf6 6. d4 d5 7. Bd3 Bd6 8. Qe2+ Be6 9. Ng5 Qe7 10. Nxe6 fxe6 11. c3 O-O 12. O-O e5 13. dxe5 Qxe5 14. Qxe5 Bxe5 15. Nd2 Nbd7 16. Nf3 Bd6 17. g3 $146 (17. Re1 c6 18. a4 Ng4 19. h3 Nge5 20. Nxe5 Nxe5 21. Bf1 Nd7 {Bacrot,E (2671)-Akobian,V (2625) Douglas 2019}) 17... Rae8 18. Kg2 {Carlsen banks his opes on outplaying his younger opponent with the bishop pair.} c6 19. a4 a5 20. Rb1 Ng4 21. Nd4 Nc5 22. Bf5 Ne5 23. Bc2 Rf7 24. Bf4 Bb8 25. Rbd1 Nc4 26. Bc1 Ne4 27. f3 Nc5 28. Rfe1 Rfe7 29. Rxe7 Rxe7 30. Kf2 g6 31. b3 Ne5 32. h4 Ne6 33. h5 {This is based on a miscalculation. He likely missed the 36th move.} (33. Nxe6 Rxe6 {The engine says this is the better way of pressing for a small advantage, but of course there's plenty of game to be played here.}) 33... Ba7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With this move, Black is able to trade more pieces and give White an isolated pawn on d4.} 34. hxg6 hxg6 35. Kg2 Nxd4 36. cxd4 Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move to stay in the game.} 37. Bxg6 Re2+ 38. Kg1 (38. Kf1 Rf2+ 39. Ke1 Rxf3) 38... Kg7 {Great play by Abdusattorov. He is material down for the moment, but his activity will win it back eventually.} 39. fxg4 Kxg6 40. Bf4 {White is a pawn up, but it's doubled on the g-file.} b5 41. Kf1 Rc2 42. Rd2 Rc3 43. Ke2 bxa4 (43... Rxb3 {also works.}) 44. bxa4 Rc4 45. Be3 Rxa4 46. Rc2 Rc4 47. Rxc4 dxc4 48. Kd2 a4 49. Kc3 a3 50. Bc1 a2 51. Bb2 Kg5 52. Kxc4 Kxg4 53. Kb3 Kxg3 54. Kxa2 Kf3 55. Kb3 Ke4 56. Kc4 Bb6 57. Ba1 Ba7 58. Bb2 Bb6 * [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.09"] [Round "18"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C01"] [WhiteElo "2853"] [BlackElo "2732"] [PlyCount "184"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d3 Nf6 6. d4 d5 7. Bd3 Bd6 8. Qe2+ Be6 9. Ng5 Qe7 10. Nxe6 fxe6 11. c3 O-O 12. O-O e5 13. dxe5 Qxe5 14. Qxe5 Bxe5 15. Nd2 Nbd7 16. Nf3 Bd6 17. g3 c6 18. Kg2 Rae8 19. a4 a5 20. Nd4 {The first new move. In the classical game, Carlsen played Rb1.} Bc5 21. Bf5 Bxd4 22. cxd4 Rf7 23. Bd3 Nf8 24. Bd2 Ne6 25. Bc3 b6 26. Rfe1 Rfe7 27. b4 axb4 28. Bxb4 Ra7 29. Bc3 Kf7 30. Reb1 Nd7 31. h4 Rea8 32. Bc2 h5 33. Re1 Nf6 34. Rab1 b5 35. axb5 cxb5 36. Bf5 Re8 37. Bb4 Nxd4 38. Rxe8 Nxe8 39. Bd3 Nf6 40. Bc3 Ra3 41. Bxd4 Rxd3 42. Bb6 Ng4 43. Rxb5 Rd2 44. Kf3 g6 45. Bc5 d4 46. Ke4 Nf6+ 47. Kf3 Ng4 48. Rb6 Rxf2+ 49. Ke4 Nf6+ 50. Kxd4 Rd2+ 51. Ke3 Rd5 52. Bd4 Rf5 53. Kd3 Rf3+ 54. Kc4 Rf5 55. Rb7+ Kg8 56. Re7 Kf8 57. Ra7 Kg8 58. Be3 Ng4 59. Bg5 Kf8 60. Bf4 Kg8 61. Kd4 Kf8 62. Bg5 Kg8 63. Ra8+ Kg7 64. Ra7+ Kg8 65. Kc4 Kf8 66. Bd2 Kg8 67. Bc3 Kf8 68. Bg7+ Kg8 69. Bd4 Kf8 70. Rg7 Ne5+ 71. Bxe5 Rxe5 72. Rxg6 Kf7 73. Rd6 Re3 74. Rd3 Re5 75. Rd5 Re3 76. Rg5 Kf6 77. Kd4 Ra3 $4 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Blunder;persistent;true] Black needed to keep the king cut on the e-file. The game is drawn, but now White is winning.} (77... Re8) (77... Re7) 78. Ke4 Ra4+ 79. Kf3 Ra3+ 80. Kg2 Ra2+ 81. Kh3 Ra7 82. Rxh5 {White is up two pawns.} Kg6 83. Rg5+ Kf6 84. Rg4 Kf5 85. h5 Ra1 86. Rb4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (86. Rg8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only winning move. The move g4 is next.} Rh1+ 87. Kg2 Rxh5 88. g4+ {The point $1}) 86... Rh1+ 87. Kg2 Rd1 88. Kf2 Kg5 89. Rh4 Kh6 90. Kf3 Rd3+ 91. Kg4 Rd4+ 92. Kh3 Rd3 {Black reaches a drawn position despite being two pawns down. But White loses on time here as well.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.09"] [Round "17"] [White "Giri, Anish"] [Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C60"] [WhiteElo "2772"] [BlackElo "2740"] [PlyCount "71"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/7200:0"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nge7 4. d4 Nxd4 5. Nxd4 exd4 6. Qxd4 Nc6 7. Qe3 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Nc3 Nb4 $146 (9... Re8 10. Rd1 d6 11. Nd5 Bd7 12. Bf1 Ne5 13. a4 Bh4 14. g3 c6 15. Nf4 Be7 {Blomqvist,E (2550)-Nihal,S (2648) Fagernes 2022}) 10. Qd2 c6 11. Be2 a5 12. Qd1 {[%c_arrow d1d4;keyPressed;none;from;d1;opacity;0.8;to;d4;persistent;false,d4e3;keyPressed;none;from;d4;opacity;0.8;to;e3;persistent;false,e3d2;keyPressed;none;from;e3;opacity;0.8;to;d2;persistent;false,d2d1;keyPressed;none;from;d2;opacity;0.8;to;d1;persistent;false][%c_highlight d1;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d1;persistent;false] A strange maneuver by the queen. It moved four times just to end on its starting square.} Re8 13. Bf4 Na6 (13... d5 {seems to be the cleanest equalizer.}) 14. Bxa6 {This exchange may have not been necessary, but White still has an advantage.} Rxa6 15. e5 f6 16. exf6 Bxf6 17. Bd6 Bxc3 18. bxc3 Qf6 19. Qd2 Re6 20. Rad1 {The bishop on d6 is certainly better than its counterpart.} c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Sacrificng a pawn for activity.} 21. Bxc5 Qf5 22. Be3 b5 23. Qd5 Qxc2 24. Qxb5 Qxa2 25. Bd4 (25. Rd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The queen has to go to an awkward square.} Qa3 26. Bd4 {seems to be the best way of keeping winning chances alive.}) 25... h6 26. h3 a4 27. Ra1 Qc2 $6 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] White gets a similar position to the note on move 25, but here the black queen is more active.} (27... Qb3 {would have been completely equal.}) 28. Qb8 Rac6 29. Qa8 Rg6 {Black intends to attack g2, possibly sacrificing on that square, as in the game.} 30. Rfe1 Kh7 31. Re8 Rxg2+ 32. Kxg2 Qg6+ 33. Kh2 Qxe8 34. Rg1 g6 35. Qxa4 Re6 36. Qa8 {The players agree to a draw. Material is level and opposite-color bishops are on the board.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.09"] [Round "18"] [White "Giri, Anish"] [Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C60"] [WhiteElo "2772"] [BlackElo "2740"] [PlyCount "127"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nge7 4. d4 Nxd4 5. Nxd4 exd4 6. Qxd4 Nc6 7. Qe3 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Nc3 Nb4 10. Qd2 c6 11. Be2 a5 12. Rd1 (12. Qd1 {was played in the previous game.}) 12... d6 13. a3 Na6 14. Qf4 Kh8 $2 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Too slow. The knight on a6 needs to return to the action sooner.} (14... Nc5 15. Qg3 {A cool line arises if Black plays} Bf6 16. Rxd6 Qe7 {Counter-attacking e4.} 17. Rxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An exchange sacrifice, but White will have a monster on the dark squares.} (17. Bf3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} Bh4 18. Qf4 Ne6 19. Qd2 Ng5 {and Black is winning many tempi.}) 17... Qxf6 18. Be3 {One can only wonder if Giri had this prepared.}) 15. Qg3 {[%c_arrow d2f4;keyPressed;none;from;d2;opacity;0.8;to;f4;persistent;false,f4g3;keyPressed;none;from;f4;opacity;0.8;to;g3;persistent;false][%c_highlight g3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g3;persistent;false]} f5 16. Bf4 {The way Giri moves his queen in this opening is fascinating.} fxe4 17. Bxd6 (17. Be5 $3 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] is even stronger.} Rg8 (17... Bf6 18. Rxd6) 18. Nxe4 d5 19. c4 {Winning.}) 17... Bxd6 18. Rxd6 Qe7 19. Bxa6 Rxa6 20. Re1 {White pressures the isolated pawn on e4. He has a positional advantage.} Bf5 21. h3 Raa8 22. Nd1 Rad8 23. Rxd8 Rxd8 24. Ne3 {The isolani is blockaded.} Bg6 25. Rd1 Rxd1+ 26. Nxd1 Kg8 27. Qb8+ Kf7 28. Ne3 {The knight is much better than the bishop. Paired with the queen, White has a winning advantage, despite material equality.} a4 (28... b5 29. Qc8 c5 30. Qa6 {The pawns will drop one way or another.}) 29. Qa8 h6 30. Qxa4 {One pawn goes, but it couldn't be defended. Notice how out-of-play the bishop is on g6.} Kg8 31. Qd4 Kh7 32. a4 Qe6 33. b3 Qe7 34. b4 Qe6 35. c4 h5 36. a5 {White tries to create an outside passed pawn.} Qe7 37. Qb2 Qd8 38. Qc3 Qd7 39. Kf1 Qd8 40. Ke1 Qd7 41. Kf1 Qd6 42. Kg1 Qd7 43. Qb2 Qd8 44. Qb1 Qd2 45. Kf1 Kg8 46. Qe1 Qd3+ 47. Kg1 Kh7 48. Qc1 Qd4 49. g3 Bf7 50. b5 Be8 51. b6 Bd7 52. Kg2 Kg6 53. c5 Bc8 54. Qc4 Qe5 55. Qg8 Be6 56. Qf8 Qa1 57. Qe8+ Kf6 58. Qxh5 {Now White wins a pawn on the kingside. He will return to the queenside though, don't worry.} Qxa5 59. Qh4+ Kf7 60. Qf4+ Kg8 61. Qb8+ Kh7 62. Qxb7 {Now the passed pawn is created.} Qxc5 63. Qc7 Qh5 64. g4 {Black will either drop his c6- and e4-pawns or the b-pawn will promote, or both.} 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.06.09"] [Round "17"] [White "Tari, Aryan"] [Black "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B51"] [WhiteElo "2646"] [BlackElo "2786"] [PlyCount "109"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/7200:0"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. O-O a6 5. Bd3 e6 6. c3 Ngf6 7. Bc2 b5 8. d4 Bb7 9. Re1 Be7 10. a4 cxd4 11. cxd4 O-O 12. a5 Rc8 13. Nbd2 Nb8 $146 (13... Qc7 14. Bb1 Rfe8 15. Nb3 Qb8 16. Bd2 Bf8 17. Qe2 Qa8 18. h3 g6 19. Nh2 Bg7 20. f3 e5 21. d5 Nh5 22. Nf1 {Kovacevic,A (2489)-Wojtaszek,R (2682) Vrnjacka Banja 2023}) 14. Nb3 Nc6 15. Bb1 Qc7 16. Bg5 h6 17. Bh4 e5 18. Bg3 Rfe8 19. d5 Nb8 20. Nfd2 g6 21. f3 Nh5 22. Bf2 Nf4 23. Bb6 Qd7 24. Nc1 Bg5 25. Nd3 Qe7 26. Nf2 Nd7 27. Be3 Rc7 28. Nb3 (28. g3 Nh5 29. Nf1 {would leave White with a space advantage.}) 28... Nxg2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A powerful sacrifice, but it's not enough for an advantage.} 29. Bxg5 Qxg5 30. Nh3 Ne3+ 31. Nxg5 Nxd1 32. Nxf7 {All of these moves are forced, and now Firouzja does need to settle for equality.} Nxb2 $2 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (32... Kxf7 {was forced.} 33. Rxd1 Rc4 34. Rc1 Rec8 {Black has control of the open c-file and has a good position.}) 33. Nxd6 Rf8 34. Ra2 {This doesn't seem to spoil anything.} (34. Ba2 {is also winning.} Rxf3 35. Rac1 Rxc1 36. Rxc1 {Black doesn't have a good response to the idea of Rc7, winning a piece.}) 34... Na4 35. Rg2 Kh7 (35... Rxf3 36. Rxg6+ Kh7 37. Nd2 Rf4 38. Rg3 {is also winning.}) 36. Rc1 Rxc1+ 37. Nxc1 Ba8 38. Rc2 {Taking the only open file.} Nac5 39. Ba2 Kg7 (39... Rxf3 40. Nb3 Nxb3 41. Bxb3 Rxb3 42. Rc7 {White will win both the knight and the bishop.}) 40. Nb3 Nxb3 41. Bxb3 Kf6 42. Rc7 Ke7 43. Nc8+ Kd8 44. d6 Rf6 45. Na7 {White is going to win a piece finally.} Rxd6 46. Rc8+ Ke7 47. Rxa8 Rd3 48. Nc8+ Kf6 49. Rxa6+ {White goes on to win with the extra piece.} Kg5 50. Bd5 Ra3 51. Kf2 Nc5 52. Rc6 Nd3+ 53. Kg3 Rxa5 54. h4+ Kh5 55. Rf6 {White threatens Rf5+ $1 followed by Bf7#, a beautiful checkmate.} (55. Rf6 {Just wasting a move here.} Ra4 56. Rf5+ gxf5 57. Bf7#) 1-0 [Event "chess24.com"] [Site "chess24.com"] [Date "2023.06.09"] [Round "17.3"] [White "Nakamura, Hikaru"] [Black "Caruana, Fabiano"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C58"] [WhiteElo "2775"] [BlackElo "2764"] [Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"] [PlyCount "109"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Na5 6. Bb5+ c6 7. dxc6 bxc6 8. Bd3 {\"It's just sometimes fun to pull these old variations out\" (Nakamura) Whatever works should not be fixed. A few years back, Nakamura picked up this line to win the most important final game at the USA championship.} Nd5 ({That game went} 8... Be7 9. Nc3 O-O 10. O-O Rb8 $146 {Black plans a future rook lift via b4, but White simply ignores this idea.} 11. h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important prohylactic move, stopping any ideas connected with Bg4.} c5 (11... h6 12. Nf3 $16 {[%csl Re5] >e5}) 12. b3 Rb4 $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Consistent, but ineffective.} (12... Bb7 $14) 13. Re1 Bb7 14. Ba3 (14. Rxe5 Bd6 15. Re1 $16 {is probably good as well, but it gives Black more swindling chances.}) 14... Rf4 15. g3 Rd4 16. Nf3 Rxd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 17. cxd3 Qxd3 18. Nxe5 Qf5 19. g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qf4 20. d4 $18 {and White soon won the game and the championship in Nakamura,H (2701)-Friedel,J (2516) Saint Louis 2009 [Stohl, Igor]}) 9. Nf3 ({A recent top game witnessed some wild moments after:} 9. h4 Be7 10. Qf3 f5 11. Bxf5 Rf8 12. Qh5+ g6 13. Bxg6+ hxg6 14. Qxg6+ Kd7 15. d3 {Grischuk,A (2745)-Artemiev,V (2701) Krasnogorsk 2023}) 9... Bd6 10. O-O Nf4 {\"This did not completely surprise me\" (Nakamura).} ({But perhaps Caruana would follow the classics next time he faces this line and opt for} 10... O-O 11. Re1 Re8 12. Nc3 Rb8 13. a3 f5 14. b4 e4 15. Nxe4 fxe4 16. Rxe4 Rxe4 17. Bxe4 Nc3 18. Qe1 Nxe4 19. Qxe4 Qf6 {with Black edge in Molner,M (2456) -Bojkov,D (2544) Los Angeles 2011 ;)}) 11. Nc3 Nxd3 12. cxd3 O-O 13. b3 Re8 14. Re1 c5 15. Ba3 Nc6 16. Ne4 Bf8 17. Rc1 {[#]} f5 $146 {Caruana might have messep up something when memorizing his line.} ({In the predecessor Black manage to defend after:} 17... Nb4 18. Bxb4 cxb4 19. Nc5 Qd5 20. d4 Bg4 21. h3 Bxf3 22. Qxf3 Qxf3 23. gxf3 exd4 24. Rxe8 Rxe8 25. Nd3 g6 {Sindarov,J (2587) -Matlakov,M (2691) Tashkent 2021}) 18. Nxc5 Qd5 ({\"I think Fabiano missed\"} 18... Qa5 19. Ng5 $3 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] \"and White is completely winning.\" (Nakamura) For instance} Qxa3 20. Qh5 h6 21. Qxe8 hxg5 22. Qxc6) 19. Qc2 {Simple and effective. White is simply up two pawns. There is not enough compensation.} ({Also good was} 19. b4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} Qxa2 20. Qa4 Qd5 21. b5) 19... Rd8 ({Nothing changes} 19... Rb8 20. Qc4) ({Black cannot deviate from the queen swap with} 19... Kh8 {as after} 20. Qc4 Qd8 (20... Qd6 21. Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 21. Bb2 {it is the black e5 pawn that would be embarrased.}) 20. Qc4 Qxc4 21. Rxc4 {White's pawn remain ugly, but are extra.} (21. dxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] would have lost one of them instead} e4) 21... Rd5 22. Rec1 Bd6 23. Bb2 Ne7 24. R4c2 Rb8 25. d4 {Bringing the pawns into motion soon repairs them.} exd4 ({As after} 25... e4 26. Ne5 {the knight cannot be tolerated for long and} Bxe5 27. dxe5 Rd8 28. d3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] keeps improving for White.}) 26. Nxd4 a5 27. Nf3 h6 {Now comes a beatiful a'la Capablanca maneuver.} 28. Na4 $3 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} ({Certainly there was also} 28. h3 Ng6 29. d4 {but the move in the game is way more effective.}) 28... Ba6 ({It is not the bishop that cannot avoid its trade as} 28... Bf4 29. Ba3 {leaves the black pieces too vulnerable.}) 29. Nc3 Rc5 30. Ba3 {The point. With the disappearence of the bishop pair Black does not even have a hint of a compensation.} Rc6 31. Bxd6 Rxd6 32. Na4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And back to a better square $1} Nd5 33. Rc6 {Time to swap off a rook.} (33. Nc5 $5 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) 33... Rxc6 34. Rxc6 Nb4 35. Rd6 Bb7 ({Or} 35... Be2 36. Nd4 Bh5 37. Nc3 {and White consolidates.}) 36. Nc3 ({There was also} 36. Nd4 Nxa2 37. Nxf5 Nc1 38. Nd4 Re8 39. h3) 36... Re8 {Caruana does not want to give up after such a wonderful tournament, but he would be forced at the end.} ({Nothing changes} 36... Bxf3 37. gxf3) 37. h4 f4 (37... Bxf3 38. gxf3 Kf7 39. Kf1) 38. Rd4 Rf8 39. Ne5 Re8 40. Nc4 f3 {Last chance to create some threats.} 41. gxf3 {The simplest.} Bxf3 42. Kh2 Nc2 43. Rd3 Ba8 44. Kg3 Kh7 45. Ne3 {And once that Nakamura placed all his pieces on their optimal squares after} Nb4 46. Rd6 Nc6 47. Ncd5 Rf8 48. Nc7 Bb7 49. Ne6 Rf7 ({Or} 49... Rf6 50. f4) 50. f4 {White finally started to push the pawns.} Ba8 51. h5 Ra7 52. a3 Kg8 53. f5 Re7 54. Kf4 Ra7 55. d4 1-0