[Event "Tata Steel Chess 2024"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.12"] [Round "1"] [White "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E20"] [WhiteElo "2742"] [BlackElo "2780"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "75"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] {[%evp 0,75,31,14,39,4,4,4,28,-62,-52,-21,2,13,6,24,93,84,57,74,69,58,72,64,87,81,80,60,81,75,55,62,74,75,75,85,89,84,87,68,57,57,77,49,49,7,7,13,0,0,6,6,10,0,-7,0,22,24,17,18,16,21,12,-16,-17,-20,-17,-26,-25,-33,-14,-9,-9,-2,-6,-19,-19,-28]} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. f3 d5 5. a3 Be7 6. e4 dxe4 7. fxe4 c5 8. d5 exd5 9. exd5 O-O 10. Be2 a6 (10... Bf5 11. Nf3 a6 12. O-O Bg6 13. Bd3 Re8 14. Ng5 Bd6 15. Bxg6 hxg6 16. Qf3 Nbd7 17. Nce4 Be5 18. Bf4 Qc7 {Keymer,V (2690) -Gelfand,B (2668) Prague 2023}) 11. Nf3 h6 12. Bf4 $146 (12. O-O Bd6 13. h3 Re8 14. Bd3 Nbd7 15. b3 Ne5 16. Ra2 Nxd3 17. Qxd3 Bd7 18. g4 b5 {Erigaisi,A (2701) -Moiseenko,A (2573) Chess.com INT 2023}) 12... Bd6 13. Qd2 Re8 14. O-O Bg4 15. Bd3 Bxf4 16. Qxf4 Nbd7 17. Nd2 Bh5 18. Bf5 Bg6 19. Nde4 Bxf5 20. Qxf5 b5 $5 21. cxb5 {This move leads to simplification.} ({Interesting is} 21. Rad1 bxc4 22. Nd6 Re5 23. Qf3 {followed by taking on c4.}) 21... axb5 22. Nxf6+ Nxf6 23. Nxb5 {[%tqu "En","","","","d8b8","",10,"d8d5","(%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true)",0]} Qb8 (23... Qxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 24. Nc7) (23... Qb6 {[%CAl Rb6g1,Gc5c4,Rb6b2]}) 24. a4 Re5 25. Qf4 Rxd5 26. Qxb8+ Rxb8 27. Rfd1 c4 28. Rxd5 Nxd5 29. Rc1 Ra8 30. Rxc4 Nb6 31. Rc6 Nxa4 32. b3 Nb2 33. Rd6 Rb8 34. Rd2 Rxb5 35. Rxb2 Kf8 36. Kf2 Ke7 37. b4 Kd6 38. Ke3 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.12"] [Round "1"] [White "Donchenko, Alexander"] [Black "Wei, Yi"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "E61"] [WhiteElo "2643"] [BlackElo "2740"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "76"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. e3 O-O 5. Be2 c5 6. d5 e6 7. Nc3 d6 8. O-O exd5 9. cxd5 Bg4 10. Nd2 Bxe2 11. Qxe2 Na6 12. e4 $146 (12. Nc4 Nc7 13. e4 b5 14. Nxd6 Qxd6 15. e5 Qd7 16. exf6 Bxf6 17. Ne4 Bg7 18. Nxc5 Qxd5 {Nepomniachtchi,I (2793)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2736) Chess.com INT 2022}) 12... Re8 13. Nc4 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14. Nxb5 Nxe4 15. Qf3 Qd7 16. a4 Nb4 17. Bf4 Nc2 18. Rad1 Nd4 19. Rxd4 $5 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} (19. Nxd4 cxd4 {is also unpleasant for White.}) 19... cxd4 20. Ncxd6 Nxd6 21. Nxd6 Red8 22. b3 {White has some compensation, but Wei counters strongly to prove that it's not enough:} g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23. Bg3 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Forcing a queen trade.} 24. Qxf5 (24. Nxf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Rf8) 24... Qxf5 25. Nxf5 Bf6 26. Nd6 ({After} 26. d6 Rac8 {White doesn't have a good way to continue.}) 26... h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 27. h3 h4 28. Bh2 Be7 29. Nb5 Bc5 30. d6 Rac8 31. Be5 d3 $5 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Rather inaccurate, but it won't matter.} (31... Kf7) 32. Bf6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({The best chance is} 32. Rd1 Rf8 33. Nd4 {when a long computer line goes} Ba3 34. Rxd3 Rc1+ 35. Kh2 Rxf2 36. d7 Be7 37. Ne6 Rff1 38. d8=Q+ Bxd8 39. Rxd8+ Kf7 40. Rf8+ Kxe6 41. Rxf1 Rxf1 42. Bd4 Rf7 {with winning chances for Black.}) 32... Rd7 33. Bxg5 a6 34. Nc3 Bxd6 35. Ne4 Be7 {Black has consolidated and is close to winning now.} 36. Rd1 $2 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({More stubborn is} 36. Be3) 36... Bxg5 37. Nxg5 d2 38. Kf1 Re7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.12"] [Round "1"] [White "Ju, Wenjun"] [Black "Giri, Anish"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C00"] [WhiteElo "2549"] [BlackElo "2749"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "160"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 Nc6 4. Bg2 Nf6 5. d3 Be7 6. O-O d5 7. Qe2 O-O 8. a4 dxe4 (8... b6 9. Bf4 Ba6 10. e5 Nd7 11. h4 Re8 12. Re1 f6 13. exf6 Bxf6 14. Nc3 e5 15. Ng5 Nb4 {Dardha,D (2625) -Nyzhnyk,I (2644) Saint Louis 2023}) 9. dxe4 e5 10. c3 h6 11. Na3 Qc7 12. Nd2 $146 (12. Nc4 b6 13. Ne3 Na5 14. Nf5 Nb3 15. Rb1 Nxc1 16. Rbxc1 Re8 17. Nd2 Bf8 {Keymer,V (2664)-Ding,L (2799) chess24.com INT 2022}) 12... Bg4 13. f3 Be6 14. f4 a6 15. Nac4 b5 16. Ne3 c4 17. f5 Bd7 18. Nd5 Qd8 19. Kh1 Na5 20. axb5 axb5 21. b4 cxb3 22. Nxe7+ Qxe7 23. Ba3 Qd8 24. Bxf8 Qxf8 25. Rfb1 Bc6 26. h3 Qc5 27. Qd3 Qf2 28. Rb2 Kh7 29. Rab1 Qb6 30. Kh2 Rd8 31. Qe2 Rd6 32. Nxb3 Nc4 33. Ra2 Qe3 34. Qxe3 Nxe3 35. Re2 Rd3 36. Nc5 Rxc3 37. Rb3 Neg4+ 38. hxg4 Rxc5 39. Kh3 Rc4 40. Rbb2 Nxe4 41. Bxe4 Bxe4 42. Rxb5 f6 43. Rb3 ({Simpler is} 43. Rf2 {to prevent 43...Bf3.}) 43... Bc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Unpleasant.} 44. Rxc2 ({The engine shows the lovely idea} 44. Ra3 $5 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} Bd1 45. g5 $3 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] when} hxg5 46. Rh2 {should hold although after} Bh5 47. Rh1 Kh6 48. Kg2 Rc2+ 49. Kg1 Rc1+ 50. Kg2 Rxh1 51. Kxh1 Bg4 52. Kg2 Bxf5 {it's Black who has all the fun.}) 44... Rxc2 45. Rb8 Rf2 46. Re8 Rd2 47. Rf8 Ra2 48. Re8 Rf2 49. Rf8 Rd2 50. Re8 Rd7 51. Kg2 h5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 52. g5 (52. Kh3 $5 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) 52... Rd2+ 53. Kf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (53. Kh3 {is essential:} fxg5 54. Rxe5 {and Black cannot win.}) 53... Rd3+ $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 54. Kg2 fxg5 {This is a much better, and in fact winning, version for Black.} 55. Rxe5 g4 56. Re8 Rd6 57. Rc8 Rf6 58. Rc5 Rf8 59. Rd5 Ra8 60. Rc5 Ra2+ 61. Kg1 Ra3 62. Kg2 Rf3 63. Rd5 Kg8 64. Rd8+ Kf7 65. Rh8 Rxf5 66. Kg1 Ra5 67. Kg2 g6 68. Rh7+ Kf6 69. Kg1 Ra6 70. Kg2 Rd6 71. Kf2 Ke5 72. Kg2 Rd2+ 73. Kg1 Ke4 74. Ra7 g5 75. Ra5 Rd5 76. Ra4+ Ke3 77. Kg2 Rd2+ 78. Kg1 Re2 79. Ra3+ Ke4 80. Ra5 Kf3 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.13"] [Round "1"] [White "Warmerdam, Max"] [Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "D24"] [WhiteElo "2625"] [BlackElo "2769"] [Annotator "rafael"] [PlyCount "58"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/6000+30:3000+30"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 b5 $5 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is an interesting and risky variation which is occasionally chosen by strong grandmasters when they want to play for a win with Black.} 6. e5 Nd5 7. Nxb5 Nb6 {Black's pawn structure is weakened, but his pieces gain potential: the d5-square can be used by a knight, and the bishop has a great diagonal on b7. You need to have the right spirit to play like this, offering a long-term advantage in exchange for dynamism.} 8. Be2 Nc6 9. Be3 (9. O-O {was recently played against Nepomniachtchi in a blitz game.} Be7 10. Be3 (10. Qd2 {was Carlsen's choice in 2021. The idea of this seemingly strange move is to bring the queen to f4. A game between these two legends always deserves to be mentioned.} Bb7 11. Rd1 Qd7 12. Nc3 Nb4 {This is why White sometimes plays a3 early.} 13. a3 N4d5 14. Ne4 Qc6 {with a complicated position. Carlsen-Nepomniachtchi, Carlsen Inv KO rapid 2021.}) 10... O-O 11. a3 Rb8 12. Qc2 Na5 {and Nepomniachtchi later won the game. His results on this variation are very good so far. Robson-Nepomniachtchi, Saint Louis Blitz 2023.}) 9... Be7 10. Nc3 (10. a3 {It's maybe more flexible to play this useful move (preventing Nb4-d5) first and only later decide the fate of the knight on b5.}) 10... Bb7 11. a3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Na5 12. Qc2 Qd7 13. Rd1 {A subtle move. White is not in a hurry to castle.} (13. O-O O-O $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most accurate reply.} (13... f5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 14. exf6 gxf6 15. Nd2 {Black's king is in danger.}) 14. Rad1 (14. Nd2 {is a new move that can be analyzed.}) 14... Qc6 {with chances for both sides in a complex middlegame.}) 13... f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (13... O-O $2 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is a positional mistake now, since White can play} 14. h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] preparing to bring the rook to the attack with Rh3. This is White's idea by delaying castling.}) (13... O-O-O 14. O-O {is also dangerous for Black.}) 14. exf6 gxf6 15. Ne4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This allows the activation of Black's queen, something that Nepomniachtchi certainly knew from his home preparation. White should play either 15.0-0 or 15.Nd2, with a big open fight in both cases.} (15. O-O O-O-O 16. Nd2) (15. Nd2 O-O-O (15... Bxg2 $2 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is horrible:} 16. Rg1 Bb7 17. Bh5+ Kd8 18. Nde4 {with a winning advantage.}) 16. Bf3) 15... Qa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16. Qb1 {The first new move of the game. White should keep the queens on the board.} (16. Qxa4+ $2 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is a mistake.} Nxa4 {with a clear advantage for Black since the queenside is falling: Ostlund-Crevatin, Rilton Cup Stockholm 2022.}) 16... O-O-O 17. Nc5 (17. O-O {is a decent move with equal play.}) 17... Bxc5 18. dxc5 Nd5 19. O-O Rdg8 {The computer continues to indicate equality, and it's difficult to disagree, but what I can say is that it seems easier to play with Black, as his moves are more natural.} 20. g3 $6 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Offering a point of contact for Black and inviting the h5-h4 advance.} (20. Qe4 Qe8 21. Qc2 {\"Equality,\" according to the computer. That's why it's so difficult for a human to replicate the ideas of the machine.}) (20. Rd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Maybe this move is easier to understand. The rook performs a good role on the fourth rank.} e5 21. Rh4 {with chances for both sides.}) 20... h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Nepomniachtchi is in his element in positions with the initiative. In these cases his game is fast, confident, and second to none.} 21. Rd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (21. Nd4 {is a better chance.} h4 22. Qe4 {White's position remains very dangerous, but objectively it's not so bad, for instance:} Kb8 23. c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nxc6 24. Nxe6 Nxe3 25. Qxe3) 21... Qc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The queen forms a battery with the bishop on b7, creating mating themes on the diagonal. Furthermore, the h5-h4 advance is coming, and the c5-pawn is about to fall.} 22. Rh4 (22. Qe1 {is a better try, but after} Nb3 23. Rxc4 Rd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is nearly paralyzed.} (23... h4 {is tempting but not so clear after} 24. Bd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]})) 22... Nxe3 (22... Rg4 {immediately is also very good.}) 23. fxe3 Rg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (23... Qxc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is not accurate:} 24. Qc1 {and White is surviving.}) 24. Qc1 {This makes things even worse, but it's hard to suggest anything.} Rxh4 25. gxh4 Nb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26. Qc3 Nxc5 27. Qxf6 Rg8+ 28. Kh1 (28. Kf2 {loses to} Ne4+) 28... Qe4 29. Rg1 Rd8 {Very convincing play by Nepomniachtchi.} 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.12"] [Round "1"] [White "Van Foreest, Jorden"] [Black "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C13"] [WhiteElo "2682"] [BlackElo "2759"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "74"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Be7 6. Nxf6+ Bxf6 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 8. Nf3 O-O 9. Qd3 Bd7 (9... Nc6 10. O-O-O e5 11. d5 Ne7 12. Qc3 Bg4 13. Be2 c6 14. dxc6 Nxc6 15. Qe3 Rac8 16. Kb1 Rfe8 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2734)-Xiong,J (2681) Saint Louis 2023}) 10. Qe3 Nc6 11. O-O-O Rfd8 12. c3 $146 (12. Ne5 Ne7 13. Bd3 Bc6 14. Nxc6 Nxc6 15. c3 Ne7 16. Qe4 g6 17. f4 Nd5 {Hovhannisyan,R (2570)-Bluebaum,M (2634) Almaty 2022}) 12... Ne7 13. Qe5 Ba4 14. Re1 Qg6 15. b3 Be8 16. Qg5 Nd5 17. Qxg6 hxg6 18. Kb2 Rac8 19. Bc4 c5 20. dxc5 Rxc5 21. Re5 b5 22. Bxd5 Rcxd5 23. Rxd5 Rxd5 24. c4 bxc4 25. bxc4 Rf5 26. Rd1 Kf8 27. Rd8 e5 28. Kb3 e4 29. Nd2 Ke7 30. Ra8 Bc6 31. Rxa7+ Kd6 32. Ra6 Kc7 33. Ra7+ Kd8 34. Kc3 Rxf2 35. Nb3 e3 36. Nd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] With 21 minutes and a 30-second increment left for five more moves, Van Foreest spent just 29 seconds on this seemingly obvious move, which turns out to be losing.} ({The only way is} 36. Kd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} e2 37. Kd2 Bxg2 38. Ke1 Rf4 39. Kxe2 {which should lead to a draw.}) 36... Be4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Keeping the enemy king away, and suddenly it's over.} 37. c5 Rd2 ({The winning idea is} 37... Rd2 38. Rxf7 Rd3+ 39. Kc4 Rxd4+ $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40. Kxd4 e2) 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.12"] [Round "1"] [White "Niemann, Hans Moke"] [Black "Vrolijk, Liam"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C54"] [WhiteElo "2692"] [BlackElo "2573"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "57"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. O-O d6 6. c3 O-O 7. Re1 a5 8. h3 (8. Nbd2 Be6 9. h3 h6 10. Bb5 Qb8 11. Bxc6 bxc6 12. d4 exd4 13. cxd4 Bb6 14. a4 Qa7 15. Nf1 d5 {Wang,H (2702)-Ding,L (2780) Chengdu 2024}) 8... Be6 9. Bb5 Ba7 10. Nbd2 (10. Be3 Bxe3 11. Rxe3 Ne7 12. d4 c6 13. Bf1 Re8 14. Nbd2 Ng6 15. a4 Qc7 {Niemann,H (2667)-Vokhidov,S (2578) Douglas IOM 2023}) 10... Ne7 11. d4 Ng6 12. Ba4 Nh5 13. Nf1 Nhf4 14. Ng3 exd4 15. cxd4 ({Another deviation from one of his own games:} 15. Nxd4 Bxd4 16. cxd4 d5 17. e5 f6 18. Bxf4 Nxf4 19. Nh5 Nxh5 20. Qxh5 f5 21. f4 Qe7 22. a3 c5 {Niemann,H (2667)-Caruana,F (2786) Saint Louis USA 2023}) 15... d5 16. Bxf4 $146 (16. e5 f6 17. Bxf4 Nxf4 18. Qd2 fxe5 19. Rxe5 c6 20. Ne2 Nxe2+ 21. Qxe2 Bf5 {Sevian,S (2698)-Dominguez Perez,L (2745) Chess.com INT 2023}) 16... Nxf4 17. Qd2 dxe4 18. Rxe4 Ng6 19. Bb3 Bd5 ({Niemann suggested} 19... Bxb3 20. axb3 Bb6 21. Rae1 Qd5 22. h4 f5 23. R4e2 {is a better version for Black than in the game.}) 20. Bxd5 Qxd5 21. Rae1 Rad8 22. h4 f5 23. R4e2 {This was all prepared by Niemann.} f4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (23... Bxd4 {seems entirely possible, e.g.} 24. h5 f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25. Ne4 Qxh5 ({or} 25... Ne5 {when Niemann had seen} 26. Nxd4 Qxd4 27. Qxa5 f3 28. Rd2 {in his prep with his a-pawn on b3.}) 26. Nxd4 Qe5 {winning back the piece.}) 24. Ne4 Bxd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (24... h6) 25. Qc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now the threat of 26.Neg5 is too strong, so White wins the c-pawn.} h6 26. Qxc7 Rd7 (26... Rc8 27. Qd6) (26... Qc6 27. Qxa5) 27. Qc2 Qc6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A blunder that ends the game even faster.} 28. Qxc6 bxc6 29. Rd2 ({Winning material:} 29. Rd2 Rfd8 30. Red1 c5 31. Nxc5) 1-0 [Event "Tata Steel Chess 2024"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.14"] [Round "2"] [White "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Black "Maghsoodloo, Parham"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C67"] [WhiteElo "2759"] [BlackElo "2740"] [Annotator "rafael"] [PlyCount "85"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/6000+30:3000+30"] {[%evp 0,85,32,32,32,24,15,15,26,12,30,8,11,11,11,13,12,12,12,12,11,4,19,11,19,11,28,11,3,14,11,-12,-28,-31,-40,-27,-28,-26,33,11,0,0,0,27,27,61,61,76,68,67,62,76,71,63,94,97,83,70,143,152,188,180,190,196,187,233,326,193,194,258,215,347,324,348,397,399,404,425,458,470,553,554,571,571,573,573,573,580]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 {There are many ways to face the Berlin Defense, probably the most reliable variation for Black, along with the Petroff. It's possible to choose a long-term strategic game with 4.d3 to fight in the endgame like how Kasparov got so much headache in his match with Kramnik or look for a computer line in which your opponent needs to remember many moves to make a draw. Firouzja chooses the last option.} 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 (5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 {is the Berlin endgame.}) 5... Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 (6... Nxb5 $4 7. Nxc6+ $18 {[%CAl Rc6d8,Re1e8]}) 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 Re8 11. Bf4 Rxe1 12. Qxe1 Ne8 13. Nc3 $5 {[%mdl 640] [%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting pawn sacrifice that is regarded as equal by opening theory with some long forcing lines.} (13. c3 d5 {leads to calmer play.}) 13... Bxd4 {The best way to refute a sacrifice is by accepting it, as the saying goes.} 14. Nd5 {[%CAl Gd5e7,Re7g8]} d6 15. Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} f6 16. Bh4 Bxb2 (16... g5 {Firouzja himself had to defend Black in this position at the end of 2023. I'm curious to know how he would improve White's game, since perpetual check occurred in that game:} 17. Qe4 Bxb2 18. Re1 Be5 19. f4 gxh4 20. fxe5 dxe5 21. Bd3 Bf5 22. Qxf5 Qxd5 23. Qxh7+ Kf8 24. Qh6+ Ke7 25. Qh7+ Kf8 26. Qh6+ Ke7 27. Qh7+ Kf8 28. Qh6+ {with a draw in Vachier Lagrave-Firouzja, Sinquefield Cup 2023.}) 17. Rb1 Be5 18. f4 Be6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A new move and I guess a memory lapse, as Black is practically lost after it.} (18... c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the right reply. A recent game followed:} 19. fxe5 cxd5 20. exf6 Nxf6 21. Bd3 Bd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22. Qg3 Bc6 23. Bg5 $11 {[%CAl Gg5h6,Rg3g8] The position is objectively equal, but Black must play a series of difficult moves, something that's not easy even for such a magnificent player as GM Navara, who ended up losing: Huschenbeth-Navara, FIDE Grand Swiss Douglas 2023.}) 19. Bc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bd4+ 20. Kh1 Bf7 21. Qe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move refutes Black's play. The queen is centralized and keeps an eye on the h7-pawn.} Bc5 22. Ne7+ Kf8 23. Qxh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bxc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After this move, there's no hope.} (23... Kxe7 {also loses immediately:} 24. Re1+ Kd7 25. Bxf7) (23... d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best chance:} 24. Nxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (24. Bxd5 {is not clear after} Bxd5 25. Ng6+ Kf7 26. Ne5+ Kf8) 24... Bxd5 25. Qh8+ Kf7 (25... Ke7 26. Re1+ Kd6 27. Bxd5 Kxd5 28. Rd1+ Bd4 29. c3 {with a decisive initiative.}) 26. Qh5+ g6 27. Bxd5+ Kg7 28. Qf3 Nd6 {At least Black is not yet losing.}) 24. Re1 Qxe7 {Black is forced to give up the queen to prevent mate.} 25. Rxe7 Kxe7 26. Qe4+ $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important detail: the light-squared bishop is lost.} Be6 27. f5 Rd8 28. g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Firouzja keeps playing with energy. He wants to open the king's position.} c6 29. g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kf8 30. fxe6 Ke7 31. gxf6+ gxf6 32. Qg4 {The queen is heading for g8, and the game is over.} d5 33. Qg8 Bd4 34. Bg3 Be5 35. Bxe5 fxe5 36. h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} e4 37. h5 d4 38. Qf7+ Kd6 39. e7 Rc8 40. Qf4+ Kxe7 41. Qxe4+ Kd7 42. Qxd4+ Nd6 43. h6 {The h-pawn cannot be stopped, for instance:} (43. h6 Ke6 (43... Ke7 44. Qe5+ Kd7 45. Qg7+ Ke6 46. h7 Nf7 47. Qg4+ $18) 44. h7 Nf7 45. Qg4+ $18) 1-0 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.14"] [Round "2.4"] [White "Wei, Yi"] [Black "Gukesh D"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C54"] [WhiteElo "2740"] [BlackElo "2725"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "66"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "CHN"] [BlackTeam "IND"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 a6 8. Nbd2 Ba7 9. O-O g5 (9... Qe7 10. b4 g5 11. Bg3 Nh7 12. Bd5 Nf8 13. Nc4 Ng6 14. Ne3 Qd8 15. h3 h5 16. Qb3 O-O 17. a4 g4 18. hxg4 hxg4 19. Nh2 Qg5 {Caruana,F (2786) -Deac,B (2701) Douglas 2023}) 10. Bg3 Bg4 11. h3 Bh5 12. b4 Qc8 $146 (12... Rg8 13. Kh1 Qd7 14. b5 axb5 15. Bxb5 g4 16. hxg4 Qxg4 17. d4 Kf8 {Praggnanandhaa,R (2727)-Vidit,S (2716) Kolkata 2023}) 13. b5 $5 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Interesting but not critical, according to Gukesh.} axb5 14. Bxb5 O-O 15. Re1 Bg6 16. Rc1 Nh5 17. Bh2 Ng7 18. d4 f6 {Gukesh was happy with his 17th and 18th move, which were aimed to keep the white bishop stuck on h2.} 19. Nf1 Ne7 20. Ne3 h5 21. c4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({Gukesh suggested} 21. Bd3 {when White can continue with g4 and Nf5 ideas.}) 21... exd4 22. Nd5 Qd8 23. Nxd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Only here things really go wrong for White.} ({An amazing engine idea is} 23. Nxe7+ Qxe7 24. c5 $3 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} Bxc5 (24... dxc5 25. e5 {is even worse}) 25. e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} fxe5 (25... dxe5 26. Nxe5 fxe5 27. Rxe5 Qf6 28. Rcxc5) 26. Rxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} dxc5 27. Rxe5 {and all White's pieces come to life.}) 23... Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Overprotecting d6 while opening the a-file. Black is clearly better now.} 24. Nb3 Ba3 25. Nxc7 $6 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({More tenacious is} 25. Rb1 c6 26. Nxe7+ Qxe7 27. c5 cxb5 28. Bxd6) 25... Qxc7 26. c5 {This just doesn't work.} Bxc1 27. cxd6 Qb6 28. dxe7 Rfc8 29. e8=Q+ Nxe8 30. Bxe8 Rxa2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31. Qd5+ Kh8 32. Nd4 Bxe8 33. Bd6 Qa5 0-1 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.14"] [Round "2.7"] [White "Van Foreest, Jorden"] [Black "Warmerdam, Max"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "D02"] [WhiteElo "2682"] [BlackElo "2625"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "80"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "NED"] [BlackTeam "NED"] 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4 Bf5 4. e3 e6 5. Nbd2 Nbd7 6. c4 dxc4 7. Bxc4 Bd6 8. Ne5 Ne4 9. f3 Nxd2 10. Qxd2 Qe7 $146 (10... f6 11. Nxd7 Qxd7 12. e4 Bg6 13. Rd1 Bxf4 14. Qxf4 Bf7 15. Kf2 Qc6 16. Bb3 Qb6 17. Qe3 O-O-O {Abasov $146 (2632) -Carlsen,M (2835) Baku 2023}) 11. O-O-O O-O-O 12. Qa5 Nxe5 13. dxe5 Bc5 14. e4 Bg6 15. a3 Bb6 16. Qc3 Kb8 17. g3 f5 18. exf6 gxf6 19. e5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} Qc5 20. Bxe6 $6 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} fxe5 21. Qxc5 Bxc5 22. Bh6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({Warmerdam expected the game to end in a draw soon after} 22. Bg5 {but he underestimated his position. It turns out that} Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is rather unpleasant for White, whose best chance might be} 23. Rxd4 (23. Bxd8 $2 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Be3+ $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the winning trick}) 23... Rxd4 24. f4 {but after} Be4 25. Rf1 Re8 26. f5 Bd5 27. Bd7 Rg8 28. Be7 e4 {Black has good winning chances.}) 22... Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now the strong threat is 23...Rd6 followed by a check on c6. White is suddenly lost.} 23. Bb3 Rd6 24. Rxd4 (24. Rd2 Rc6+ 25. Kd1 Bh5 {comes with tempo as well:} 26. g4 Rxh6 27. gxh5 Rb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28. Kc2 Rf8 29. Rf1 Rf5 {and White won't save this.}) 24... exd4 25. Bd1 Re8 26. h4 Rc6+ 27. Kd2 Rb6 28. Kc1 Rc6+ 29. Kd2 Rb6 30. Kc1 c5 31. h5 Bd3 32. Bg7 Be2 33. f4 Bxd1 34. Rxd1 Rb3 35. Be5+ Kc8 36. Rg1 Rg8 37. g4 Rh3 38. Kd2 Kd7 39. g5 Ke6 40. b4 c4 0-1 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.14"] [Round "2.6"] [White "Ding, Liren"] [Black "Donchenko, Alexander"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E94"] [WhiteElo "2780"] [BlackElo "2643"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "74"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "CHN"] [BlackTeam "GER"] 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. d4 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O exd4 8. Nxd4 Re8 9. f3 c6 10. Nc2 Na6 11. Kh1 h6 12. Be3 (12. Bf4 d5 13. cxd5 cxd5 14. Nxd5 Nxd5 15. exd5 Bd7 16. Qd2 Qf6 17. Bxa6 Qxa6 {Navara,D (2695)-Rapport,R (2748) Budva 2023}) 12... d5 13. cxd5 cxd5 14. Qc1 $146 (14. exd5 Nb4 15. Bd4 Nbxd5 16. Bb5 Bd7 17. Bc4 Be6 18. Bb3 Nxc3 19. bxc3 Qc7 20. Qd2 Rad8 {Sadhwani,R (2650)-Chigaev,M (2627) Chess.com INT 2023}) 14... dxe4 15. Bxh6 Nc5 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Qg5 exf3 18. Bxf3 Ne6 19. Qe5 Qc7 20. Qxc7 Nxc7 21. Rad1 Rb8 22. Kg1 Be6 23. Nd4 Bc4 24. Rfe1 Ncd5 25. Rxe8 Rxe8 26. Nxd5 Bxd5 27. Bxd5 Nxd5 28. Nf5+ gxf5 29. Rxd5 Re2 30. Rb5 b6 31. a4 Kg6 32. a5 bxa5 33. Rxa5 Rxb2 34. Rxa7 Rb1+ 35. Kf2 Rb2+ 36. Kg1 Rb1+ 37. Kf2 Rb2+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.14"] [Round "2.5"] [White "Beukema, Stefan"] [Black "Roebers, Eline"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B06"] [WhiteElo "2428"] [BlackElo "2381"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "81"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "BEL"] [BlackTeam "NED"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 c5 4. dxc5 Qa5+ 5. Nc3 Qxc5 6. e4 Bg7 7. Nge2 O-O 8. O-O d6 9. Be3 (9. h3 Qc7 10. Nf4 Nc6 11. Nfd5 Qd8 12. Re1 Be6 13. Bg5 Rc8 14. Qd2 Re8 15. Nxf6+ exf6 16. Bh6 Bh8 {Perske,T (2448)-Fonseca Manrique,E (2169) Chess.com INT 2023}) 9... Qc7 10. h3 Nc6 11. Qd2 Ne5 12. Qc1 $146 (12. b3 Bxh3 13. f4 Bxg2 14. fxe5 Nxe4 15. Nxe4 Bxe4 16. exd6 Qxd6 17. Rad1 Qxd2 18. Rxd2 Rfd8 {Randjelovic,B (2290)-Jesenski,T (2230) Becici 1993}) 12... Bd7 13. b3 Rfc8 14. Qa3 Qb8 15. f4 Nc6 16. Nd5 b5 17. Rad1 b4 18. Qc1 Qb5 19. Qd2 Nxd5 20. exd5 Nd8 21. Nd4 Qa5 22. f5 Rc7 23. Rf2 Rac8 24. Rdf1 Bb5 25. Nxb5 Qxb5 26. Be4 Rc3 27. Kh2 Be5 28. Rf3 Qe8 29. Qf2 f6 30. fxg6 hxg6 31. Bxa7 f5 32. Bd3 Nf7 33. Be3 R3c7 34. Rxf5 $3 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} gxf5 35. Qxf5 {There's no defense.} e6 36. dxe6 Nh8 37. Bh6 Ra8 38. Qg4+ Bg7 39. Rf7 Rxf7 40. exf7+ Qxf7 41. Bc4 1-0 [Event "Tata Steel Chess 2024"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.15"] [Round "3"] [White "Donchenko, Alexander"] [Black "Giri, Anish"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "E60"] [WhiteElo "2643"] [BlackElo "2749"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "82"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. d4 d6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. c4 Bf5 (5... O-O 6. Nc3 Bf5 7. Nd2 Nc6 8. e4 Bg4 9. f3 Bd7 10. Nb3 a5 11. a4 e5 {Fedoseev,V (2683)-Andreikin,D (2729) Chess.com INT 2023}) 6. Qb3 Qc8 7. Nc3 Nc6 8. d5 Nd8 {\"Titled Tuesday prep\" - Giri.} 9. O-O O-O 10. Re1 Ne4 11. Nxe4 Bxe4 12. Bd2 b6 $146 (12... e5 13. Qe3 f5 14. c5 Bxd5 15. cxd6 cxd6 16. Qd3 Bxf3 17. exf3 Qe6 {Gharibyan,M (2433)-Bortnyk,O (2598) Chess.com INT 2020}) 13. Bc3 e5 14. dxe6 Nxe6 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. Qc3+ Kg8 17. Nd4 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 Ng5 19. h4 Qh3+ 20. Kg1 Ne4 21. Qf3 Rae8 22. Rad1 a6 23. Nc2 Qe6 24. Ne3 c6 25. Qf4 f5 26. Kg2 Rf7 27. f3 Nf6 28. Nf1 d5 29. b3 Rd7 30. Rd3 Qf7 31. Qd2 Rde7 32. cxd5 Nxd5 33. Rd4 Re5 34. e4 a5 35. Qd3 $6 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({Doing nothing with e.g.} 35. Kg1 {would have kept the balance.}) 35... c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36. f4 (36. Rc4 Nb4 37. Qd2 Nc6) 36... cxd4 37. fxe5 Nb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38. Qb5 Rc8 39. Kg1 f4 40. gxf4 $6 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({The best try was} 40. Qxb6 {when} Nd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (40... f3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 41. Rd1 f2+ 42. Kh2) (40... fxg3 $6 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 41. Nxg3) 41. Rd1 Nxe5 {still leaves Black with a winning position.}) 40... Qxf4 41. Qd7 Rf8 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.15"] [Round "3"] [White "Ju, Wenjun"] [Black "Van Foreest, Jorden"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B06"] [WhiteElo "2549"] [BlackElo "2682"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "74"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. d4 g6 2. e4 Bg7 3. Nf3 d6 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. Qe2 Nc6 6. h3 O-O 7. O-O (7. c3 e5 8. dxe5 Nxe5 9. Nxe5 dxe5 10. O-O Qe7 11. Rd1 c6 12. Nd2 Rd8 {Vachier Lagrave, M (2727)-Nihal,S (2694) Chess.com INT 2023}) 7... Nh5 8. Rd1 $146 (8. c3 e5 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Nxe5 Bxe5 11. Bh6 Qf6 12. Nd2 Re8 {Bachmann,A (2588)-Moussard,J (2672) Chess.com INT 2022}) 8... e5 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Nxe5 Bxe5 11. Nc3 c6 12. Bh6 Re8 13. Qf3 Qf6 14. Qxf6 Nxf6 15. Bd3 b5 16. Rab1 Nd7 17. f4 Bd4+ 18. Kh2 Bb6 19. b4 a5 20. a3 Bc7 21. Kh1 Nf6 22. Bg5 Nd7 23. e5 d5 (23... dxe5 24. Nxb5 cxb5 25. Bxb5) 24. Nxd5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({The engine likes the sacrifice} 24. Bxb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} cxb5 25. Nxd5 {more, with complications that are not worse for White.}) 24... cxd5 25. Bxb5 axb4 26. axb4 Re6 27. Rxd5 Nf8 {Here, Black's extra piece feels stronger than White's three pawns.} 28. c4 Rb6 29. Rbd1 Bb7 30. R5d2 Ne6 31. Bh6 g5 32. f5 Nd4 33. f6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({Not} 33. Rxd4 Rxh6) ({but} 33. e6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] was playable:} Nxf5 34. exf7+ Kxf7 35. Rd7+ Kg6 36. Rxc7 Kxh6 37. Rxb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rxb7 38. Bc6 Raa7 39. Bxb7 Rxb7 40. b5 {and White can probably hold this.}) 33... Bxe5 34. Bxg5 Re6 35. Rxd4 Bxd4 36. Rxd4 Re2 37. c5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Ju spent two of her last two and a half minutes, completely missing that this allows a mate-in-two.} Ra1+ 0-1 [Event "Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands"] [Site "Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands"] [Date "2024.01.15"] [Round "3"] [White "Maghsoodloo, Parham"] [Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "A22"] [WhiteElo "2740"] [BlackElo "2727"] [Annotator "rafael"] [PlyCount "68"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/6000+30:3000+30"] {[%evp 0,68,28,-6,-27,-12,-15,-11,7,24,84,-18,-5,-19,-11,8,14,9,33,27,66,67,67,46,80,100,55,16,-40,-59,-35,-107,-57,-35,8,-37,-19,-92,0,-16,-24,33,-3,27,-83,-83,-83,-83,-44,-79,-94,-125,-134,-134,-175,-336,-133,-178,-73,-88,-263,-272,-329,-333,-339,-456,-357,-432,-379,-539,-526]} 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 e4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A very interesting line that involves a pawn sacrifice. The resulting positions are very much in the style of Abdusattorov.} 4. Ng5 c6 {Black simply ignores the attacked pawn on e4 and prepares to play d7-d5.} 5. Qa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] To my mind, this is White's best reply. I've played hundreds of games online in the English Opening and had to study this move in a desperate attempt to stop being crushed in this line.} (5. Ngxe4 Nxe4 6. Nxe4 d5 7. cxd5 cxd5 8. Ng3 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the main line of this gambit variation. Black's position is very pleasant to play and the sacrifice has good positional justification—the knight on g3 will soon be attacked. The results have been excellent for Black.}) 5... Qe7 (5... b5 $5 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is also possible, continuing in the same gambit spirit.} 6. cxb5 d5 7. bxc6 Qb6 {with big complications.}) 6. f3 {I found only one blitz game with this move.} (6. Qc2 {is the move I intended to play in my blitz games. White is still winning a pawn, as the c8-bishop is unprotected, and this makes d7-d5 less attractive.} b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (6... d5 7. cxd5 Bf5 (7... cxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 8. Nxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the justification of White's play.} Nxd5 9. Qxc8+ $18 Qd8 10. Qxd8+ Kxd8 11. Nxf7+) 8. d6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qxd6 9. Ngxe4 Nxe4 10. Nxe4 Qg6 11. f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (11. d3 Bxe4 12. dxe4 Bb4+ 13. Bd2 Bxd2+ 14. Qxd2 Qxe4) 11... Be7 {Black still has compensation, although maybe less than he's used to.}) 7. cxb5 d5 8. e3 {with a complex fight.}) 6... exf3 {Abdusattorov evidently was not taken by surprise, as he kept blitzing out his moves.} 7. Nxf3 g6 (7... d6 {was played in Isajevsky-Harshavardhan, Chess.com blitz 2023.}) 8. d4 Bg7 9. c5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Right idea, wrong execution.} (9. Bf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} O-O 10. c5 {is the right move order, transposing to the game.}) 9... O-O $6 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (9... b6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] exploits White's innacurate previous move.} 10. cxb6 (10. Bf4 bxc5 11. dxc5 Qxc5 12. Ne4 Nxe4 13. Qxe4+ Qe7 14. Qxe7+ Kxe7 {Black is fine.}) 10... d5 {with excellent compensation.}) 10. Bf4 Na6 $5 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Black should not be worried by trivialities like losing the exchange.} (10... Re8 11. Bd6 {The d6-bishop is worth more than a rook.}) 11. Bd6 Qe3 $6 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (11... Qe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Strange as it may seem, White's knight is better on d1 than on c3. How can this be $2 White needs to finish development and on d1 the knight supports the move e2-e3.} 12. e4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This poses more practical problems than taking the rook.} (12. Bxf8 Bxf8 {Followed by breaking up the pawn structure, with good compensation.}) 12... Nxe4 13. Nxe4 Qxe4+ 14. Kf2 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move. Black desperately needs to develop the c8-bishop.} 15. Qd1 Bb7 16. Qd2 {with unclear play.}) 12. Nd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White should not bother taking the rook, as the bishop is fulfilling a much more important role.} Qe6 (12... Qe4 13. e3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is ready to finish development. The computer evaluates the position as winning.}) 13. Nf2 $2 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This move is wrong because it doesn't really help White's development.} (13. Bxf8 {is again inaccurate:} Bxf8 14. e3 b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with some compensation.}) (13. e3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} b5 {Otherwise Black is simply lost.} 14. Qa3 Nd5 15. Bd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nxe3 16. Kf2 Ng4+ 17. Kg3 {White prepares Re1 and has a big advantage.}) 13... Re8 14. h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A strange move that is also the first choice of the machine. White prepares Rh1-h3 and also supports a knight move to g5.} b6 15. Ng5 (15. Rh3 $5 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) (15. h5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Even this move is interesting. The idea is that if Black takes the pawn with the knight, then White can play e2-e4.} Nxh5 16. e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} bxc5 17. dxc5 {and the computer shows some impossible lines that end in equality.}) 15... Qf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (15... Qe3 $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 16. Rh3 {wins the queen.}) (15... Qd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is forced.} 16. O-O-O (16. e4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Nxe4) 16... bxc5 (16... Qf5 {immediately is also possible.}) 17. dxc5 Qf5 $13 {with complete chaos on board.}) 16. g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qd5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (16... Nxg4 {is objectively better, but it's not looking good for Black after} 17. Nxg4 Qxg4 18. Qb3) 17. O-O-O $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} bxc5 18. dxc5 Nxc5 19. Qc2 $2 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This not only throws away a win, but lands White in a losing position. Another problem is that Black's next move is absolutely forced, so he has no chance of missing it.} (19. Qa3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qc4+ 20. Kb1 {Black's queen is about to be trapped.} Nfe4 (20... Nce4 21. e3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and the queen is lost.}) 21. e3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qa4 22. Qxa4 Nxa4 23. Ngxe4 {White is a piece up and the win is easy.}) 19... Qxa2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now White's king is in great danger.} 20. Bxc5 Rb8 $6 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (20... Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is cleaner. The threat is Rb8 and White cannot defend.}) 21. b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (21. Qb1 {is wrong:} Qa5 22. Bd6 Ba6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23. Bxb8 Rxb8 {with a devastating attack. The g7-bishop is famous for hunting White's king in this type of position.}) 21... Qa3+ 22. Kd2 Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23. Rh3 Re3 $3 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] The best move in the game.} (23... Ne3 $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] doesn't work so well after} 24. Rxe3 Rxe3 25. b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] attacking the queen.}) 24. Nfe4 (24. Nge4 Rxh3 25. Bxh3 Nxb4 {with a strong attack.}) (24. Rxe3 {probably gives better chances of escape:} Nxe3 25. Qd3 (25. Bxe3 $2 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] leads to mate after} Qxb4+ 26. Kd3 (26. Kc1 Bb2+) 26... Ba6+) 25... Qxd3+ 26. Nxd3 Nxd1 27. Kxd1 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important move to open files for the rook.} 28. Bd6 (28. bxa5 Rb1+ 29. Nc1 Ra1 {The pawn on a5 will be captured anyway.}) 28... Ra8 29. bxa5 Rxa5 {with the advantage for Black in this endgame, but at least there are no mating threats against the king.}) 24... Rxh3 25. Bxh3 (25. Nxh3 Nxb4 {with a decisive initiative.}) 25... h6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A strong move before capturing on b4.} (25... Nxb4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 26. Qc1 Qa5 27. Ke3 {The position is not clear in this case. The point is that after} d5 (27... Nd5+ 28. Kf2) 28. Bxb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qxb4 {White has} 29. Qxc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when we can see how useful the knight is on g5.}) 26. Nf3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (26. Nxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best chance, but White can hardly save the game after} Qxh3 27. Nfd6 Ba6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28. Qa2 Bxe2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29. Kxe2 Qxg4+) 26... Nxb4 27. Qc1 Qa5 28. Ke3 d5 (28... Nd5+ {leads to a pretty win after} 29. Kf2 Nc3 $3 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} 30. Nxc3 Qxc5+) 29. Ned2 h5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A creative move that most players wouldn't even consider.} (29... Bb2 {is also winning:} 30. Qxb2 Qxc5+ 31. Nd4 Qe7+ 32. Kf3 c5 {with a decisive attack.}) 30. Kf2 (30. gxh5 Bxh3) 30... hxg4 31. Nb3 Qc7 32. Qd2 gxf3 33. Bxc8 fxe2 34. Kxe2 Qxc8 {An entertaining game by two uncompromising fighters.} 0-1 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.15"] [Round "3.5"] [White "Gukesh D"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C54"] [WhiteElo "2725"] [BlackElo "2780"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "74"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "IND"] [BlackTeam "CHN"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d6 6. a4 a5 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4 Ba7 (8... g5 9. Bg3 Qe7 10. Nbd2 Bd7 11. Qe2 Ba7 12. O-O-O Nh5 13. Bb3 Qf6 {Svidler,P (2689)-Tabatabaei,M (2692) Samarkand 2023}) 9. Na3 {Here Ding was out of his preparation.} Qe7 $146 (9... g5 10. Bg3 Ne7 11. Qb3 O-O 12. O-O-O c6 13. Rhe1 Ng6 {Rakhmangulova,A (2210)-Makropoulou,M (2110) Braila 2018}) 10. Nb5 Bb6 11. Qb3 g5 12. Bg3 O-O {This looks a bit risky, combined with ...g5, but it's the world champion... He must know what he's doing $1} ({At first Ding was planning} 12... Nh5 {but only now he noticed} 13. Nxd6+ $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) ({Decent alternatives to castling kingside were} 12... Be6 {and}) (12... Nd7) 13. O-O-O Nh5 14. d4 exd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] But this is inaccurate for sure.} (14... Kg7) 15. Nbxd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({As suggested by IM Jovanka Houska in the commentary,} 15. Nfxd4 {was a bit better here than the text move. After} Ne5 (15... Qxe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 16. Nxd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 16. Be2 Nf4 17. h4 {White gets play on the kingside.}) 15... g4 16. Nh4 {Ding now decides to call Gukesh's bluff and accepts the pawn sacrifice.} Bxd4 17. cxd4 Qxe4 18. Rhe1 Qh7 19. Rd2 $2 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({Essential was} 19. Bd3 Qg7 {and now} 20. Ng6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nxd4 21. Qd5 Nxg3 22. Nxf8 Kxf8 23. hxg3 {with equality.}) 19... Bd7 20. Bd3 Qg7 21. Bf5 ({Now} 21. Ng6 Rfe8 {doesn't make sense anymore.}) 21... Bxf5 22. Nxf5 Qg5 23. Qb5 Rfe8 24. Re3 Ng7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Simply trading off White's best-placed piece.} 25. Nxg7 Kxg7 {White is left with a bishop that is out of the game and a weak king.} 26. d5 Rxe3 27. fxe3 Nb4 28. Qxb7 Re8 29. Bf4 Qf5 {It's hopeless.} 30. Qb5 Na2+ 31. Kd1 Qb1+ 32. Ke2 Qg1 33. Kd3 Nb4+ 34. Kd4 Qe1 35. Rd3 Qe2 36. Rc3 Qd2+ 37. Kc4 Re4+ (37... Re4+ 38. Kb3 Qd1+ 39. Ka3 Qa1+ 40. Kb3 Qa2#) 0-1 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.15"] [Round "3.6"] [White "Roebers, Eline"] [Black "Korobov, Anton"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B85"] [WhiteElo "2381"] [BlackElo "2663"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "94"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "NED"] [BlackTeam "UKR"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be2 a6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Be3 Be7 9. f4 d6 10. Qe1 O-O 11. a3 Nxd4 12. Bxd4 b5 13. Qg3 Bb7 14. Kh1 Rad8 15. Rae1 Rd7 16. Bd3 g6 17. f5 e5 18. Be3 Kh8 $146 (18... Bd8 19. Qh3 Re8 20. Bg5 Nh5 21. Bh6 Bf6 22. Rf3 d5 {Kalezic,B (2460)-Kalogeris,I (2368) Skopje 2019}) 19. Qh4 Qd8 20. Bg5 gxf5 21. Re3 Ng4 22. Rh3 h6 23. Bxe7 Qxe7 24. Qh5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (24. Rxf5 Qxh4 (24... Rg8 25. Qxe7 Rxe7 26. Rhf3 {threatens 27.h3}) 25. Rxh4 {wins the h-pawn.}) 24... Rg8 25. Qxf5 Rg5 26. Qf3 f5 27. Rh4 Qg7 $6 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (27... h5) 28. Qh3 Kg8 29. Be2 ({Missing another chance with} 29. exf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nf6 30. Ne4 {and White is on top again.}) 29... Rf7 30. Kg1 Bc8 31. Qd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (31. Bxg4 fxg4 32. Qe3 {would have been equal.}) 31... f4 {Now Black is much better.} 32. Bxg4 Bxg4 33. Rf2 Rf6 34. Kf1 Rfg6 35. Ke1 Bc8 36. Qd5+ Kh7 37. g3 Be6 38. Qxd6 fxg3 39. hxg3 Rxg3 40. Nd5 Rg1+ 41. Kd2 Bxd5 42. Qxd5 R6g2 43. Rh2 Rxf2+ 44. Rxf2 Qg5+ 45. Ke2 Qg4+ 46. Rf3 Rg2+ 47. Ke3 Qg5+ 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.13"] [Round "3"] [White "Divya Deshmukh"] [Black "Santos Latasa, Jaime"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E49"] [WhiteElo "2420"] [BlackElo "2615"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "79"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 dxc4 8. Bxc4 c5 9. Ne2 Qc7 10. Bd3 Nc6 11. O-O (11. f4 b6 12. O-O Bb7 13. Ng3 Rfd8 14. Qe2 Rac8 15. Bb2 Na5 16. Rac1 Qe7 {Salem,A (2644)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2766) Almaty 2022}) 11... e5 12. Ng3 Rd8 13. Nh5 Nxh5 $146 (13... Nd5 14. Bb2 exd4 15. cxd4 cxd4 16. exd4 g6 17. Ng3 Nf4 {Nacu,M (2445)-Horvath,A (2450) ICCF email 2007}) 14. Qxh5 h6 15. Rb1 b6 16. f4 exf4 17. Rxf4 Be6 18. Be4 Qd7 19. Bb2 Bc4 20. Qf3 Rac8 21. Bf5 Be6 22. Bxe6 Qxe6 23. Rf1 f6 24. Qg3 Kh7 25. Rg4 Qf7 $6 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({Better was} 25... Rd7 26. e4 cxd4 27. cxd4 Qc4 {when White can choose to move either her d- or e-pawn, but the position remains about equal.}) 26. c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Grabbing the chance to bring the bishop to life, now that the black queen is overloaded.} cxd4 27. exd4 Nb8 28. d5 Nd7 29. Qd3+ Kh8 30. Rg6 Re8 $2 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Missing that White was already threatening to take.} (30... Rf8) (30... Qf8) 31. Bxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A winning combination.} Nxf6 32. Rfxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} gxf6 33. Rxh6+ Kg8 34. Qg3+ Kf8 (34... Qg7 35. Rg6 Rc7 36. h4 {also wins for White.}) 35. Qh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The point. White will always win the black queen.} b5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({Practically speaking,} 35... Rxc4 36. Qxc4 Qe7 {was the best try.}) 36. d6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Removing an escape square for the king.} Qg7 37. Rh8+ Kf7 38. Qh5+ Ke6 39. Rxe8+ Rxe8 40. Qd5+ $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (40. Qd5+ Kd7 41. Qb7+ Kxd6 42. Qxg7) 1-0 [Event "Tata Steel Chess 2024"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.16"] [Round "4"] [White "Ding, Liren"] [Black "Praggnanandhaa R"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C78"] [WhiteElo "2780"] [BlackElo "2743"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "124"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 Bc5 6. O-O b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 h6 9. Re1 O-O 10. Nbd2 Bb6 11. Nf1 Ne7 12. a4 (12. Ng3 Ng6 13. h3 Re8 14. a4 Rb8 15. axb5 axb5 16. d4 c5 17. Bc2 cxd4 18. cxd4 Bb7 {Korobov,A (2658) -Praggnanandhaa,R (2738) Douglas 2023}) 12... Rb8 13. h3 Ng6 14. Ng3 c5 15. Be3 $6 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This allows Black to disrupt the center tactically.} c4 $1 $146 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] If anyone is better now, it's Black.} (15... d5 16. axb5 axb5 17. exd5 Nxd5 18. Bd2 Re8 19. Ne4 Be6 20. Ra6 Ndf4 21. Bxe6 Rxe6 22. Bxf4 Nxf4 {Chen,R (2181)-Jacobson,B (2491) Chess.com INT 2021}) 16. Bxb6 (16. dxc4 Bxe3 17. Rxe3 bxc4 18. Bxc4 Rxb2) 16... Rxb6 17. Ba2 Qc7 18. axb5 axb5 19. Bb1 cxd3 20. Bxd3 Nf4 21. Ne2 (21. Bf1 b4 {is also unpleasant.}) 21... Nxd3 22. Qxd3 Be6 23. Ng3 b4 24. cxb4 Rxb4 25. Rad1 Rb6 26. Qa3 $6 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({More tenacious was} 26. Re2 Rfb8 27. Rc2 Qb7 28. Rdc1 {but at some point Black will push d6-d5.}) 26... Rfb8 27. Rd2 Ne8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now b2 is doomed.} 28. Nh2 Rb3 29. Qa1 Qb6 30. Nhf1 Rxb2 31. Rxb2 Qxb2 32. Qxb2 Rxb2 33. Ne3 g6 34. Ra1 Ba2 35. h4 h5 36. f3 Rb1+ 37. Rxb1 Bxb1 38. Ne2 Ba2 (38... f5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) 39. Kf2 (39. g4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) 39... Kf8 40. Nc3 Bb3 41. Ned5 Bxd5 42. Nxd5 f5 43. f4 $6 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] And this only helps Black.} Kf7 44. exf5 gxf5 45. fxe5 dxe5 46. g3 Ke6 47. Ne3 Nf6 48. Ke2 Ne4 49. Nf1 f4 50. gxf4 exf4 51. Kf3 Kf5 52. Kg2 Nd6 53. Nd2 Nf7 54. Nc4 Kg4 55. Kf2 Kxh4 56. Kf3 Kg5 57. Nb2 Kf5 58. Nd1 Ng5+ 59. Kg2 h4 60. Nf2 f3+ 61. Kg1 Kf4 62. Kf1 Ne4 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.16"] [Round "4"] [White "Giri, Anish"] [Black "Gukesh D"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A28"] [WhiteElo "2749"] [BlackElo "2725"] [Annotator "rafael"] [PlyCount "143"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/6000+30:3000+30"] 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. d3 $5 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting choice by Giri, leading to a position without much forced theory, a Sicilian Defense with inverted colors.} d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 {I always find it difficult to understand well known opening positions with the colors inverted. If I had this position with Black a tempo up, I'd be feeling very comfortable. But looking at White's position, the chances of an advantage don't seem promising to me. It's probably all a matter of perspective and expectation.} 6. g3 {White has other possible and typically Sicilian moves, but developing the bishop on the long diagonal seems the most natural to me.} (6. e4 {A kind of a Sveshnikov Variation.}) (6. e3 {A kind of a Scheveningen Variation.}) 6... Nf6 {Maybe too subtle.} (6... Be7 {is the simplest.} 7. Nxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (7. Bg2 Be6 {offers less chance of an advantage.}) 7... Qxd5 8. Bg2 O-O 9. O-O Qd6 {with an equal position.}) (6... Nxc3 7. bxc3 e4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This pawn sacrifice is not suitable for a classical elite game, but maybe it's worth a try in a Saturday night blitz game.} 8. dxe4 Qxd1+ 9. Kxd1 Bc5 {with some blitz compensation for the pawn, since White's pawn structure is not the best and the king is in the middle.}) (6... Bc5 7. Bg2 O-O 8. O-O h6 {transposes to a position played many times by strong grandmasters.}) 7. Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] I'm generally not a big fan of exchanging a bishop for a knight, but here there's great positional justification, since the white bishop doesn't have such a clear destiny and, after the exchange, the white knights can be annoying, especially after the Nd2-c4 maneuver.} Be7 (7... h6 {White's plan is similar:} 8. Bxf6 Qxf6 9. Bg2 Bd6 10. O-O O-O 11. Nd2 {with a little bit of pressure on the queenside.}) 8. Bg2 O-O 9. O-O h6 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 {Now Giri decides to push the b-pawn. I think that 11.Nd2 is a better attempt for an advantage.} 11. Rb1 (11. Nd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 11... a5 {A useful move to open the a-file after White plays b4.} 12. a3 Nd4 13. e3 (13. Nd2 {is an important alternative, not allowing the knight exchange. A possible continuation is} c6 14. e3 Ne6 15. Qc2 Nc5 16. Nce4 Nxe4 17. Nxe4 Be7 {with equality.}) 13... Nxf3+ 14. Bxf3 c6 15. Qc2 Bf5 {The computer claims the position is fully equal, but what can I say $2 The computer is a machine. For us mere mortals, the game seems more comfortable for White, with the clear plan of a pawn majority on the queenside.} 16. Rfd1 Qd7 17. Na4 Qc7 18. b4 axb4 19. axb4 Rfd8 {It seems to me that Gukesh incorrectly assessed the dangers of the endgame that follows. Perhaps it would be simpler to place the rook on c8, reducing the impact of the b4-b5 advance.} (19... Rfc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 20. b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rxd3 (20... Be7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the computer recommendation. The machine is not too worried in the endgame a pawn down after} 21. bxc6 bxc6 22. Qxc6 Qxc6 23. Bxc6 Ra7 24. Nb2 Ra2 {The pair of bishops and active rooks seems to guarantee the draw.}) 21. Rxd3 Bxd3 22. Qxd3 Rxa4 23. bxc6 bxc6 24. Bxc6 {White keeps pressing and has the kind of position he wanted, but I'm still surprised that Giri could win this position against a chess player of Gukesh's level.} Ra7 (24... Qxc6 $4 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 25. Rb8+ {mates.}) (24... e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best defense, but Black has to evaluate a difficult pawn move later on:} 25. Bxe4 Ra1 26. Rxa1 Bxa1 27. Bd5 (27. h4 g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 27... g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is a difficult but necessary move in order to prevent h4-h5. It feels very unnatural, especially if White's queen can get to g6 with check, but chess in the computer age is based on concrete ideas. This is a technical draw, but obviously White can play on forever in a risk-free attempt to break through.}) 25. Bd5 Qd8 $6 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (25... e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is again the best, although the position is already more difficult to defend after} 26. Qxe4 (26. Bxe4 Ra1) 26... Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now White can choose whether to exchange queens or not, one of the many small things in life that I'm not sure I can give an opinion on.}) 26. h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The kind of pawn advance that the late coach and author Mark Dvoretsky loved so much. White prepares to place the pawn on h5, which would lead Black to be eternally be afraid of a queen and bishop battery of the followed by the invasion on h7.} h5 (26... e4 {is again possible.} 27. Qxe4 Ra1 28. Rxa1 Bxa1 {followed by hours of torture and a possible draw.}) 27. Rb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The position has become dangerous, but not hopeless.} Rd7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Incredible as it seems, this natural pin loses by force.} (27... Kh8 {looks really ugly, but no immediate win exists for White after} 28. Qb1 Qd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) (27... Ra5 {is the safest move. White wins a pawn after} 28. Rxa5 Qxa5 29. Qc4 Qa7 30. Qc8+ Kh7 31. Qf5+ Kg8 32. Qxh5 {but I guess this should be a draw with perfect play—whatever that is $1}) 28. Qb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Threatening Rb8.} Qe7 (28... Qc7 {also loses:} 29. Rb7 Qc1+ 30. Kg2 {The f7-pawn falls.}) (28... Qf8 29. Qb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the idea of Qf5, when the h5-pawn falls and this will be enough for a win with rooks on the board.}) 29. Bc6 $6 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Missing a good chance, but the winning move is far from obvious.} (29. Qb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qd8 {Everything else loses:} (29... Kh8 $2 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 30. Rb8+ Rd8 31. Rxd8+ Qxd8 32. Bxf7 {White wins two pawns.}) (29... e4 30. Bxe4 {the h5-pawn is lost as well.}) (29... Kf8 30. Rb8+ Rd8 31. Qh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] suddenly with a decisive attack.}) 30. Rb8 Rxd5 31. Rxd8+ Rxd8 {If Black were able to solidify his position, this would be a draw. But White arrives first.} (31... Bxd8 {is also not enough:} 32. Qb3 Rd7 33. Qa4 Re7 34. Qd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Re8 35. Qxh5 {with a technical win.}) 32. Qf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The h5-pawn is captured. I have to be completely honest: I don't know how easy it is to win this endgame. The only thing I know, looking at the computer's evaluation, is that it's a win for White.}) 29... Rd6 30. Rb8+ Rd8 (30... Kh7 {is possible, but the defense remains very difficult after} 31. Be8 Re6 32. Bb5 {It's curious that, even with so few pieces on the board and pawns only on the kingside, the position is so difficult to defend. Opposite-colored bishop positions are known for their drawing tendencies, but when one of the kings is in danger, that becomes the dominant factor and the position becomes very difficult to defend.}) 31. Rb7 Qe6 32. Qxe6 fxe6 33. Be4 {White wins a pawn by force.} g5 34. Bh7+ $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kh8 (34... Kf8 35. Bg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Threatening Rf7+.} Be7 36. hxg5 Bxg5 37. Bxh5 {with excellent winning chances, the commentator's favorite phrase when he doesn't know what the true assessment is.}) 35. hxg5 Bxg5 36. Bg6 Rd1+ 37. Kg2 Rd2 38. Kf1 h4 {Changing the pawn structure, but apparently this makes things even worse.} 39. gxh4 Bf6 (39... Bxh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 40. Rh7+ {loses the bishop.}) 40. Rf7 {I can finally say for sure that White is winning. Whtie's bishop is powerful and the e6-pawn will fall sooner or later. With two extra pawns and rooks on the board, the result is not in doubt.} Bg7 41. h5 Rd8 42. Re7 Bf6 43. Rxe6 {The pawn actually falls even sooner than expected.} Rf8 44. Bf5 (44. Kg2 {is simpler. The king arrives on g4 before Black's king is activated.} Kg7 (44... Bh4 45. f3) 45. Kg3 Kh6 46. Kg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 44... Kg7 45. Kg2 Kh6 46. Bg4 Kg5 {Giri has to work more now, but he has superb endgame technique.} 47. Kg3 Rf7 48. Rb6 Rf8 49. Rb7 (49. Be2 {White can try a direct plan than goes as follows:} Rf7 50. f4+ exf4+ 51. exf4+ Kh6 52. Kg4 Kg7 53. Bc4 Rf8 54. Bd3 Bd4 55. Rb7+ Kh8 56. h6 {followed by the advance of the king and a winning advantage.}) 49... Kh6 50. Ra7 Bg7 51. Bf3 Rf5 52. Rb7 Rf8 53. Be4 Rf6 54. Rd7 Rf8 55. Ra7 {Giri takes his time. He surely read the \"Don't hurry $1\" chapter in Shereshevsky's classic \"Endgame Strategy\".} Rf6 56. Ra2 Rf8 (56... Kxh5 $2 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] falls into a mating net.} 57. f4 exf4+ 58. exf4 {followed by Rh2.}) 57. Kg4 Rf6 58. Bf5 Rb6 59. Ra7 Rc6 60. Kf3 Rc4 61. Bd3 Rc6 62. Ke4 Rf6 63. f3 Bh8 64. Bc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The bishop will go to g6. The h-pawn cannot be taken.} Rb6 (64... Kxh5 65. Rh7+ Rh6 66. Bf7+ Kg5 67. f4+ exf4 68. exf4+ {winning the rook.}) 65. Bf7 (65. Kf5 {is also good:} Rf6+ 66. Kg4 Rb6 67. Bf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] followed by Bg6.}) 65... Bg7 66. Bg6 Rb4+ 67. Kf5 Rb3 68. Ra6 {Another pawn sacrifice that cannot be accepted.} Rb8 (68... Rxe3 69. Kg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bf8 70. Be4+ Kg7 71. h6+ Kf7 72. Bg6+ Kg8 73. h7+ Kg7 74. Ra7+ Kh8 75. Ra8 Kg7 76. Rxf8 {and White wins.}) 69. Bf7+ Kh7 70. Kg5 Bf8 71. Bg6+ Kh8 72. Re6 {The last black pawn will soon be captured, so Black resigned.} (72. Re6 Rb5 {If Black tries to defend the pawn than a possible win is:} 73. h6 e4+ 74. Bf5 exf3 75. Re8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.16"] [Round "4"] [White "Wei, Yi"] [Black "Maghsoodloo, Parham"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B12"] [WhiteElo "2740"] [BlackElo "2740"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "137"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. Be2 Ne7 6. O-O c5 7. dxc5 Nec6 8. Bg5 (8. c3 Bxc5 9. Bd3 Bg4 10. Nbd2 Nd7 11. Bb5 O-O 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. h3 Bh5 14. Re1 Qb6 15. Qe2 a5 {Firouzja,A (2777)-Carlsen,M (2835) Chess.com INT 2023}) 8... Be7 9. Bxe7 Qxe7 10. Na3 $146 (10. c4 dxc4 11. Nbd2 c3 12. bxc3 O-O 13. Nc4 Nd7 14. Nd4 Ndxe5 15. Nxe5 Nxe5 16. Nxf5 exf5 17. Qd6 Rfe8 {Paravyan,D (2617)-Tari,A (2660) Chess.com INT 2022}) 10... O-O 11. c4 Rd8 12. Nb5 Qxc5 13. Nc7 dxc4 14. Qc1 Nxe5 15. Nxa8 Nbc6 16. Nxe5 Nxe5 17. Qc3 Rxa8 18. Bxc4 Nxc4 19. b3 b5 20. bxc4 Rc8 21. Rac1 bxc4 22. Rfd1 Kf8 23. Rd4 Bd3 24. Rd7 Ke8 25. Rb7 Be4 26. Rb4 Qg5 27. g3 Bd5 28. Rcb1 f6 29. Qc2 a5 30. Rb5 Qh5 31. Qa4 Kf7 32. Rxa5 Rd8 33. Ra7+ Kg6 34. Qc2+ Kh6 35. Qd2+ Kg6 36. Qc2+ Kh6 37. Qd2+ Kg6 38. Ra3 Qf5 39. Re1 Rb8 40. g4 Qb1 41. h4 Qb6 42. h5+ Kf7 43. Qe3 Qxe3 44. fxe3 Be4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({It was essential to play} 44... f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] to give the king some space, e. g.} 45. gxf5 (45. g5 Rb7) 45... exf5 46. Rd1 Be4 {and with good play this is a draw.}) 45. Ra7+ {Pushing the king to the eighth rank gives White a winning advantage.} Ke8 ({Remarkably,} 45... Kf8 46. Rc1 Bd3 47. Rc3 {doesn't make much of a difference.}) 46. Rc1 Bd3 47. Rc3 (47. Rxg7 Rb2 48. Ra7 {was also fine but Wei doesn't want to allow any activity.}) 47... g5 (47... Rb2 48. Rca3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 48. Rca3 {Doubling on the seventh is decisive. Black is helpless.} Rc8 49. Rg7 Kf8 50. Raa7 c3 51. Raf7+ Ke8 52. Rb7 Kf8 53. Rgf7+ Ke8 54. Rbe7+ Kd8 55. Rb7 Ke8 56. Rfe7+ Kf8 57. Rec7 Rxc7 58. Rxc7 c2 59. a4 h6 60. a5 f5 61. Kf2 Ke8 62. gxf5 exf5 63. Ke1 g4 64. Kd2 Be4 65. a6 g3 66. Ke1 Kd8 67. Rc3 Ke7 68. a7 Kf6 69. Rxc2 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.16"] [Round "4"] [White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"] [Black "Donchenko, Alexander"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "B72"] [WhiteElo "2769"] [BlackElo "2643"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "112"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bd3 g6 7. f3 Bg7 8. Be3 Nbd7 9. Qd2 b5 10. a4 b4 11. Na2 d5 12. exd5 (12. Nxb4 dxe4 13. fxe4 Bb7 14. O-O Ne5 15. Rad1 O-O {Navara,D (2695)-Vitiugov $146 (2712) Budva 2023}) 12... Nxd5 13. Nxb4 Nxe3 14. Qxe3 Qc7 $146 (14... Nc5 15. c3 Nxd3+ 16. Nxd3 Qc7 17. O-O O-O 18. f4 Bxd4 19. cxd4 Rb8 20. Rf2 Rb3 {½Van Leeuwen,E (2486)-Mauritsson,S (2508) ICCF email 2018}) 15. O-O-O Bb7 16. Be4 O-O 17. Bxb7 Qxb7 18. Ndc6 a5 19. Qxe7 axb4 20. Qxd7 Qb6 21. Ne7+ Kh8 22. Nd5 Qf2 23. b3 Rad8 24. Qb5 Qxg2 25. Qf1 Qg5+ 26. f4 Qh5 27. Qc4 Rc8 28. Qxb4 Rxc2+ $3 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A fantastic shot.} 29. Kxc2 Rc8+ 30. Nc3 $6 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Too quickly played, and now Black is getting winning chances.} (30. Kb1 {allows a mate in six starting with} Qf5+) ({After} 30. Kd3 Qxd5+ 31. Ke3 {Black can give a perpetual right away and there's not more than that.}) 30... Qf3 31. Rd3 Qg2+ 32. Kb1 Qxh1+ 33. Nd1 Qxh2 34. Qd2 Qh4 35. Ka2 h5 36. a5 Kh7 {A move that probably needs to be played anyway.} 37. f5 Qf6 (37... g5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) 38. fxg6+ fxg6 39. Nb2 Rc5 40. b4 Rf5 41. Nd1 h4 ({The engine prefers} 41... Qf7+ 42. Ka3 Bh6) 42. Ka3 Rf4 43. Nc3 Rf2 44. Qd1 Rf1 45. Qd2 Qe6 46. Qa2 Qe1 $6 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (46... Qc8) (46... Qg4) 47. Qc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now White is out of the woods again.} Qc1+ 48. Kb3 Rf4 49. Qc7 Rf2 50. Rd7 Qc2+ 51. Ka3 Qc1+ 52. Ka4 Qa1+ 53. Kb5 Qf1+ 54. Ka4 Qa1+ 55. Kb5 Qf1+ 56. Ka4 Qa1+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.13"] [Round "4"] [White "Korobov, Anton"] [Black "Maurizzi, Marc`Andria"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E06"] [WhiteElo "2663"] [BlackElo "2572"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "67"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 c6 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. g3 Be7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O a5 8. Bf4 (8. b3 b6 9. Bb2 Ba6 10. Nd2 b5 11. c5 b4 12. Na4 Nbd7 13. Re1 Bb5 {Duda,J (2732)-Aravindh,C (2646) Samarkand 2023}) 8... dxc4 9. Ne5 Nd5 10. Nxc4 Nd7 11. Rc1 Nxf4 12. gxf4 Nf6 13. e3 Nd5 14. Ne4 g6 $146 (14... f6 15. a3 b6 16. Qh5 Qc7 17. Rfd1 Bd7 18. Bh3 Rac8 {Zander,A-Rauch,H Germany 1996}) 15. a3 Kh8 16. Qb3 Rg8 17. Kh1 Rg7 18. Nc5 Ra7 19. Nd3 a4 20. Qc2 Bd7 21. Nce5 Be8 22. Nc5 Qa5 23. Rfd1 Bxc5 24. dxc5 f6 25. Nd3 g5 26. fxg5 Rxg5 27. e4 Ne7 28. Qc4 Bh5 29. Qxe6 Ng8 30. f3 b5 31. Nf4 Rag7 32. Nxh5 Rxh5 33. Qxc6 Rhg5 34. Qb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (34. Qb6 Qxb6 (34... Qa8 35. Rd8) 35. cxb6 Rxg2 36. b7) 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.13"] [Round "4"] [White "Niemann, Hans Moke"] [Black "Divya Deshmukh"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C54"] [WhiteElo "2692"] [BlackElo "2420"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "107"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. O-O h6 6. c3 d6 7. Re1 O-O 8. Nbd2 Bb6 9. Bb3 Re8 (9... a5 10. h3 Be6 11. Bc2 Re8 12. Nc4 Ba7 13. Ne3 Bxe3 14. Rxe3 d5 15. exd5 Nxd5 16. Re1 Bf5 17. Nd2 Bg6 {Rapport,R (2752)-Svane,R (2646) Douglas 2023}) 10. h3 Be6 11. Ba4 a6 12. Nf1 Nd7 $146 (12... Bd7 13. Ng3 Ne7 14. Bc2 Ng6 15. d4 c5 16. d5 Qc8 17. Be3 Bd8 18. b4 cxb4 19. cxb4 b5 {Hou,Y (2664) -Shen,Y (2402) Xian 2019}) 13. Ne3 Bxe3 14. Bxe3 Nb6 15. Bxc6 bxc6 16. d4 f6 17. b3 Bf7 18. c4 exd4 19. Bxd4 c5 20. Bc3 Bg6 21. Nd2 Qd7 22. f4 Re7 23. f5 Bh7 24. Qg4 Kh8 25. Nf1 Qc6 26. Ng3 Nd7 27. Nh5 Rae8 28. Re3 Rf7 29. Rae1 Ne5 30. Qh4 Qd7 31. Rg3 Rg8 32. Nf4 Re7 33. Bd2 Nf7 34. Nd5 ({Niemann also looked at} 34. Ng6+ Bxg6 35. fxg6 Ng5 36. Rxg5 fxg5 37. Bxg5 Rge8 38. Bxe7 Qxe7 {but wanted \"something more.\"}) 34... Ree8 35. Bc3 Ne5 36. Rf1 Qf7 37. Nf4 Re7 38. Bd2 c6 $6 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] \"Once I provoked ...c6 it was just a matter of technique.\" - Niemann.} 39. Bc3 Rge8 40. Rd1 Rd7 41. Kh2 Ree7 42. Re3 Qe8 43. Kh1 Kg8 44. Re2 a5 45. Qg3 Kh8 46. Red2 Nf7 47. Nh5 Ng5 ({Black cannot go back:} 47... Ne5 48. Qh4 {and d6 will fall, and with it Black's entire position:} Qd8 49. Nxf6 gxf6 50. Qxf6+ Kg8 51. Rxd6) 48. Nxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nxe4 ({After} 48... gxf6 49. Bxf6+ Rg7 {White simply plays} (49... Kg8 $2 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 50. Bxe7 Qxe7 51. h4) 50. Bxg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ({In the post-game interview, Niemann said he was planning} 50. Rxd6 Nxe4 51. Rxd7 Nxg3+ 52. Kh2 {but that allows a perpetual with} Nf1+ $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 53. Kg1 (53. Kh1 Ng3+) 53... Qe3+ 54. Kxf1 Bxf5 55. Rxg7 Bd3+ 56. Rxd3 Qxd3+) 50... Rxg5 51. Qf4 {and once Black's d-pawn falls, White's pawns will be too strong, e.g.} Rdg7 52. g4 Qe7 {(hoping for Rxg4+ tricks)} 53. Rg2 {followed by 54.Rxd6 and the pawns start rolling.}) 49. Nxe4 Rxe4 50. Rxd6 Re3 {Black's last idea is easily refuted:} 51. Qg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bxf5 52. Qxf5 Rxd6 53. Bxg7+ $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kxg7 54. Rxd6 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.13"] [Round "4"] [White "Mendonca, Leon Luke"] [Black "L'Ami, Erwin"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "D36"] [WhiteElo "2608"] [BlackElo "2627"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "142"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bg5 c6 6. Qc2 h6 7. Bh4 Be6 8. e3 Nbd7 9. f3 (9. Bd3 g5 10. Bg3 Nh5 11. Nge2 Qe7 12. O-O Bg7 13. h3 Nxg3 14. Nxg3 O-O 15. Bh7+ Kh8 16. Bf5 c5 17. Rad1 Rad8 {Caruana,F (2795)-So,W (2752) Saint Louis 2023}) 9... Rc8 10. Bd3 c5 11. Nge2 Bd6 12. O-O O-O 13. Qd2 a6 14. Rad1 $146 (14. a3 b5 15. Kh1 Nb6 16. dxc5 Bxc5 17. Nd4 Nc4 18. Qe2 Re8 19. Bxc4 bxc4 20. Rad1 Bd7 {Turaga,M (2334)-Fekih,B (2296) ICCF email 2019}) 14... b5 15. dxc5 Rxc5 16. Nd4 Ne5 17. Nce2 Be7 18. Nf4 Qb6 19. Bb1 Re8 20. b3 Rcc8 21. Kh1 Ned7 22. g4 Nf8 23. Bf2 Rcd8 24. h4 Bc8 25. Rg1 g6 26. g5 hxg5 27. Rxg5 Ne4 28. fxe4 Bxg5 29. hxg5 dxe4 30. Rg1 Bb7 31. Be1 Nd7 32. Qh2 Rc8 33. Kg2 Qc5 34. Qh6 Qf8 35. Qxf8+ Nxf8 36. Nde2 Re5 37. Kf2 ({The engine fearlessly plays} 37. Kh3 Nh7 38. Kh4 f6 39. Nxg6 fxg5+ 40. Kh5 {and claims a winning advantage.}) 37... Nh7 38. Bc3 Rxg5 39. Rh1 Rf5 40. Bb2 g5 41. Rg1 b4 42. Ng3 Rfc5 43. Nfe2 f5 44. Rd1 Nf8 45. Nd4 Ng6 46. Ke2 (46. Rg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] was a difficult move to find, when White is still better.}) 46... Nh4 47. Ne6 Rd5 48. Rxd5 Bxd5 49. Nxg5 Kf8 50. Kd2 Ke7 51. Nh5 Nf3+ 52. Nxf3 exf3 53. Bxf5 Rg8 54. Bd4 Rg2+ 55. Ke1 Rxa2 56. Bc5+ Kf7 57. Bxb4 Bxb3 58. Bd3 a5 59. Bc5 a4 60. Nf4 a3 61. e4 Kf6 62. Nd5+ Ke5 63. Nb4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({White could still draw with} 63. Nc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Ra1+ 64. Kf2 Kf4 65. Bd6+ Kg4 66. Bb5 Be6 67. Be5) 63... Ra1+ $2 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Giving his opponent another chance.} (63... Rg2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 64. Kf2 Kf4 65. Bd6+ ({Easier was} 65. Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} a2 (65... Kxe4 66. Bc6+) 66. Be3+ Kxe4 67. Bc6+ Ke5 68. Nxa2) 65... Kg4 66. Nc6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({Here White had to find} 66. Be5 Rd1 67. Ba6 Be6 68. Nd5) 66... a2 67. Be5 Rc1 68. Bb5 Rc5 69. Bg7 Rxb5 70. Ne5+ Kf4 71. Nxf3 Kxe4 0-1 [Event "Tata Steel Chess 2024"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.18"] [Round "5"] [White "Ju, Wenjun"] [Black "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C01"] [WhiteElo "2549"] [BlackElo "2759"] [Annotator "rafael"] [PlyCount "127"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/6000+30:3000+30"] 1. d4 e6 2. e4 d5 3. exd5 {As it happens with the London System, these days when White plays the Exchange Variation of the French, they might not just be looking to make a draw. Nowadays, it has become a playable option even for those who are fighting for the win.} exd5 4. Nf3 Bd6 (4... Nf6 {is also possible.}) 5. c4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Changing the character of the game.} Nf6 (5... dxc4 6. Bxc4 {This position can arise from a much different move order: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e3 e5 4.Bcx4 exd4 5.exd4 Bd6 6.Nf3. The two openings merge into a position that has been debated in many games.}) 6. c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Whoever says A has to say B. White takes the opportunity to gain space.} Be7 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O {This position has already been reached in more than 100 games.} Bg4 {This move scores well, but 8...b6 is critical.} (8... b6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's very important to note the breaking points in a pawn structure as they can give us a clue as to the correct plan. This is a very natural move since White cannot preserve the pawn chain.} 9. Be3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (9. b4 {is not good due to} a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when a2-a3 is not available.}) 9... bxc5 10. dxc5 a5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] with the idea of Ba6, when Black is close to equality.}) 9. h3 Bh5 (9... Bxf3 {is also possible:} 10. Qxf3 b6 11. cxb6 axb6 12. Nc3 {White has a small advantage due to the bishop pair. This is a more relevant factor than the weak pawn on d4.}) 10. Be3 Nc6 {This is a difficult move, connected with ideas of moving the knight to e4 in some positions, followed by putting pressure on the d4-pawn. But it's not clear that the knight is on the best square on c6.} (10... b6 {is dubious now. It looks like this plan is better with the bishop on c8 because one of the points of the b6 idea is to move the bishop to a6.} 11. Nbd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with an advantage for White.}) (10... c6 {is a bit passive, but totally playable. The plan is Nbd7-Re8-Nf8.}) (10... Ne4 {is interesting:} 11. Nc3 Nxc3 12. bxc3 b6 {with chances for both sides.}) 11. Nbd2 Re8 12. Bb5 {A very concrete move, moving the bishop again to explore the knight's position on c6. Firouzja will react well to neutralize White's idea. 12.a3, in order to play b4, or 12.Re1, to improve the rook, are possible alternatives. 12.Qb3 is also playable.} (12. a3) (12. Re1) (12. Qb3 Rb8 13. Qc3 {with the idea of playing b4 and finally getting rid of the pin on the f3-knight.}) 12... Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the problem with White's plan: it loses control of the e4-square.} 13. Qa4 (13. Bxc6 bxc6 14. g4 Bg6 15. Ne5 {This is an important variation since the pawn on c6 is lost. Black has enough play to claim equality.} Bf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16. Nxc6 Qd7 17. Ne5 Bxe5 18. dxe5 Nxd2 19. Qxd2 h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move.} (19... Rxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 20. f4 {followed by f4-f5, winning the bishop.}) 20. f3 Rxe5 21. Bd4 Re6 {Material is restored, and the position is equal.}) 13... Nxd2 14. Nxd2 Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move to exchange bishops and activate the pieces.} 15. Bxc6 (15. Rae1 {doesn't change much. The game is also balanced after} Bxe3 16. fxe3 Re6) 15... bxc6 16. Rae1 Bxe3 17. Rxe3 {At first, I thought taking with the pawn was more natural since the rook already defends the e3-pawn. But exchanging rooks also has its merits since it's more difficult for Black to defend the weaknesses on the queenside. In either case, the position is equal.} (17. fxe3 Rb8 18. b3 Qd7 {with equality.}) 17... Rxe3 18. fxe3 Qe8 19. Re1 f5 {Firouzja is a very active player, and he follows his style.} (19... a5 {is a subtle move to prevent the queen from going to a5 or a6.} 20. Nb3 (20. e4 dxe4 21. Rxe4 Qd7 {is equal.}) 20... f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21. Nc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (21. Nxa5 $2 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is too dangerous: the pieces are far from the king.} f4) 21... f4 22. Nd3 {The knight is coming to e5. Black needs to play with precision.} Qg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23. Nxf4 Qg3 24. Nd3 Rf8 25. Qxa5 Rf2 $3 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A fantastic move.} (25... Bf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 26. Qd2 {and everything is defended.}) 26. Qa8+ (26. Nxf2 $2 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Bf3 {with mate.}) 26... Rf8 (26... Kf7 $2 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 27. Ne5+ Ke7 28. Nxc6+ Kf7 29. Ne5+ Ke7 30. Qxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The queen saves the day.}) 27. Qa5 Rf2 {I love random lines with move repetition.}) 20. Qa6 (20. Qa5 {is interesting. The point becomes clear after} Qe7 (20... f4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] doesn't work:} 21. Qxc7 fxe3 22. Nf1 e2 23. Ng3 {with a winning position.}) 21. Qa6 {Now the c6-pawn is attacked. This poses some difficult practical problems for the Black, but they are solvable.} Rb8 22. b3 (22. Qxc6 {is dubious:} Rxb2 23. Qxd5+ Bf7 24. Qa8+ Qf8 25. Qxf8+ Kxf8 {The a2-pawn falls and Black has the better endgame.}) 22... Qh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23. Rf1 Qe7 {and apparently, Black has enough counterplay for equality.}) 20... f4 21. Qf1 (21. e4 f3 $5 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An irresistible move.} (21... dxe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 22. Rxe4 {is better for White.}) 22. Nxf3 Bxf3 23. gxf3 Qg6+ 24. Kh2 Qf6 25. Qd3 Qf4+ 26. Kg2 Qg5+ {with perpetual check.}) 21... fxe3 22. Qd3 {This is an importat moment.} (22. Qf4 {is also equal after 22...e2 or 22...Qb8.} e2 (22... Qb8)) 22... e2 $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This lands Black in a difficult position.} (22... Qb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the solution.} 23. Qxe3 (23. Nb3 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the idea of a5-a4.}) 23... Qxb2 24. Nf3 (24. Qe6+ {also leads to equality.} Bf7 25. Qxc6 Qxd4+ 26. Kh1 Rf8 27. Nf3 Qf4) 24... Bxf3 25. Qe6+ Kf8 26. Qe7+ Kg8 {with perpetual check.}) 23. Nf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] White returns the favor.} (23. g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is correct.} Bg6 24. Qxe2 {The position is difficult to defend since the knight will inevitably go to e5 and the c6-pawn is very weak.}) 23... Qf7 $2 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A blunder.} (23... Qe4 {is possible:} 24. Qxe4 dxe4 25. Ne5 {This looks dangerous for Black, but the computer still evaluates it as equal.}) (23... Bxf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the simplest. It's time to eliminate the knight that gives Black so much headache.} 24. Qxf3 a5 25. Rxe2 Qf7 {with only heavy pieces on the board, it's not easy to attack the c6-pawn. Meanwhile, Black wants to play a5-a4 to gain space on the queenside.}) 24. Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] I guess Firouzja missed this move.} Qg6 25. Qxg6 Bxg6 26. Rxe2 $18 h6 27. Nf3 {White will have a monster knight on e5.} Be4 {Black must accept the fate of the c6-pawn. Trying to defend it leads to a hopelessly passive position, for example:} (27... a5 28. Ne5 Be8 29. Kf2 {White can calmly improve the position and attack the queenside whenever she wishes.}) 28. Ne5 a5 29. Nxc6 a4 30. Re3 Ra6 31. Nb4 (31. Ne5 {Returning the knight to its dream position is a good alternative.}) 31... Rg6 32. g3 h5 33. Ra3 $6 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The wrong plan.} (33. a3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is my favorite move, when White can play Na2-c3 or b2-b3, without having to worry about a4-a3.}) 33... Kf8 34. Kf2 Rf6+ 35. Ke2 Rg6 {Pressuring the g3-pawn is the only way to fight against the a4-pawn capture.} 36. h4 (36. Re3 {Maybe it's time to come back with the rook and try the a3-Na2-Nc3 plan.}) 36... Ke8 37. Re3 Kd7 38. a3 Re6 (38... Rg4 {is possible, trying to attack the d4-pawn.} 39. Kd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The king must be ready to go to c3.} g5 40. hxg5 Rxg5 41. Kc3 {White should be able to win the endgame.}) 39. Kd2 $2 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is actually a waste of time.} (39. Na2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] begins the right plan.}) 39... Rf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40. Ke2 Rf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent defensive move, making it hard for White to play Na2-c3.} 41. b3 {Now White gets a passed pawn, but it's a relief for Black not to have to worry about losing the a-pawn.} (41. Na2 Rb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the idea.}) 41... axb3 42. Rxb3 Bg2 $2 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (42... Ra8 $1 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is necessary, preventing the advance of the passed pawn.}) 43. Re3 (43. a4 {is simple and good, but the move played is enough.}) 43... Be4 44. Na2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The knight finally goes to c3.} Rb8 45. Nc3 Rb2+ 46. Ke1 Rb3 47. Kf2 Bh1 48. Nd1 (48. a4 {is more accurate:} Ra3 49. Ke2 {followed by Kd2 with a likely win.}) 48... Rb8 49. Re5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (49. Nc3 {The machine suggests going back and trying the plan mentioned in the previous move.}) 49... g6 $6 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (49... Kc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is a very difficult move to find, to say the least.} 50. Rxh5 Rb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] I'd never consider this to be playable for Black, but the computer shows surprising ideas. The point is that White is not in time to capture on g5 and start rolling the h-pawn, for example:} 51. Rg5 (51. Ne3 Be4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 51... Rd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 52. Ne3 Rxd4 53. Rxg7 Rd2+ 54. Ke1 Ra2 55. h5 d4 {and suddenly Black gets counterplay.}) 50. Re1 $6 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (50. Nc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rb2+ 51. Kg1 Rb3 52. Re3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Be4 53. Kf2 {This actually sort of transposes to a position we saw before in the game.}) 50... Be4 51. Nc3 Rf8+ 52. Kg1 Rf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is the final mistake, perhaps still believing in the old saying that \"all rook endgames are drawn.\"} (52... Kc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 53. Re3 (53. Nxe4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Re8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] followed by capturing the knight with the pawn.}) 53... Rf6 54. a4 Rf8 {It's difficult for White to make progress since she cannot capture the bishop, and the king is cut out of play.}) 53. Nxe4 dxe4 54. Kg2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rxa3 55. Rxe4 Rd3 {This is an interesting endgame. White now plays a series of only moves to win. The most important element in rook endgames is rook activity. Black's problem is that the rook will not be able to maintain its activity for long.} 56. Kf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only way. The problem is that any move by Black with his king or rook worsens the position.} c6 (56... Ra3 57. Re5 {followed by Rg5.}) (56... Kc6 57. Re6+ Kd5 58. Rxg6 Kxd4 59. Rg5 {The h5-pawn is doomed.}) 57. Kg2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Again, the only move. Black is in zugzwang. He would rather pass the move, which is obviously not allowed in chess.} Rd1 (57... Ra3 58. Re5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 58. Kf3 {The king marches, and it's all over.} Rf1+ 59. Ke3 Rf7 {Black's rook has become passive.} 60. Rf4 Rg7 61. Kd3 Ke6 62. Rf8 Ra7 63. Ke4 Ra1 64. Rd8 {The rook goes to d6.} 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.18"] [Round "5"] [White "Praggnanandhaa R"] [Black "Giri, Anish"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D00"] [WhiteElo "2743"] [BlackElo "2749"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "81"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bf4 Bf5 4. e3 e6 5. Bd3 Bxd3 6. cxd3 Bd6 (6... Nc6 7. Qb3 Rb8 8. Nf3 Bd6 9. Bg5 h6 10. Bh4 O-O 11. Rc1 Be7 12. a3 Nh5 {Nakamura,H (2788)-Firouzja,A (2763) Toronto 2023}) 7. Qb3 b6 8. Bxd6 Qxd6 9. Nf3 c6 10. O-O Ng8 $146 (10... O-O 11. e4 Qf4 12. Rfe1 Rc8 13. Rad1 Qc7 14. h3 Nbd7 15. Rd2 Qb7 {½-½ Kindsvogel,R-Schulz,K GER corr 1986}) 11. a4 Ne7 12. a5 b5 13. Na2 Na6 14. Qa3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} b4 {More or less forced.} (14... Qxa3 15. bxa3 {would be a dream position for White, who can continue with Nb4 and doubling on the c-file while Black has no counterplay.}) 15. Qa4 O-O 16. Nc1 Rfc8 17. Nb3 c5 18. dxc5 Nxc5 19. Nxc5 Qxc5 20. d4 {Praggnanandhaa thought he was much better here.} Qd6 21. Ne5 f6 22. Nd3 e5 23. dxe5 fxe5 24. Rac1 Rxc1 25. Rxc1 Rb8 26. h3 h6 27. Qd1 Ng6 28. Rc2 Kh7 29. Nc5 Rb5 30. Nb3 Rb8 31. Rc5 Rd8 32. Qc2 Qf6 33. Rc6 Rd6 34. Rxd6 Qxd6 35. Qf5 Kg8 36. Qc8+ Kh7 37. Qf5 Kg8 38. Qc8+ Kh7 39. Qc5 Qxc5 40. Nxc5 Ne7 41. Kf1 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.18"] [Round "5"] [White "Gukesh D"] [Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D50"] [WhiteElo "2725"] [BlackElo "2769"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "97"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 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. Bb5 (9. Be2 h6 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. Qd2 Be6 12. Rd1 Nc6 13. Nxd5 Bxd5 14. Qxd5 Bxb2 15. O-O Qe7 {Giri,A (2754)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2771) Samarkand 2023}) 9... Nc6 10. Qa4 Bd7 (10... h6 $5 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 11. Bh4 Ne4 12. Bxe7 Nxe7) 11. Rd1 $146 (11. O-O a6 12. Be2 h6 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Nxd5 Bxb2 15. Rad1 Nd4 16. Qb4 Nxe2+ 17. Kh1 Nc3 18. Nxc3 Bxc3 19. Qxc3 Rc8 20. Qb2 Qc7 {Xu,Y (2555)-Petrov, $146 (2585) Moscow 2019}) 11... a6 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. Ne5 Rc8 14. O-O Be8 15. Qxa6 h6 16. Bh4 Ra8 17. Qe2 Ne4 {Gukesh thought his opponent had blundered a pawn, but he had missed this move.} 18. Nxe4 Bxh4 19. Nc3 Bf6 20. Nd3 Qa5 {White wants \"Na4 and b3 and a positional squeeze\" (Gukesh) but that is hard to accomplish.} 21. Rd2 Bd7 (21... Bxc3 22. bxc3 Qxc3 23. Rc2 Qa3 24. Nc5) 22. Rc1 Rfb8 23. Qf3 {Gukesh was happy with this move.} Bc8 24. h3 Ba6 25. Qf5 Bc8 26. Qh5 Be6 27. Nf4 Bd7 28. Qd1 Bf5 29. Nfe2 Bg6 30. Nd4 Ra6 31. b3 Be7 32. Na4 Rc8 33. Qg4 Rc7 34. Rcd1 {Setting a nasty trap...} Bb4 $2 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] ..and Nepomniachtchi falls for it.} 35. Nxc6 $3 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] What a shot $1} Rcxc6 ({Gukesh had seen that after} 35... Raxc6 36. Rxd5 h5 {he should go} 37. Qd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ({not} 37. Qh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 37... Bc5 38. Nxc5 Rxc5 39. Rd8+ Kh7 40. b4) 36. Rxd5 {Always winning back the material. \"The coordination is just very messy.\" (Gukesh)} h5 37. Qf4 Rd6 38. Rxd6 Bxd6 39. Rxd6 Rxd6 40. Qxd6 Qe1+ 41. Kh2 Qxf2 {Black still has some play, but obviously it's not enough.} 42. Nc3 Qc2 43. Qd4 Bd3 44. Nd5 Be4 45. Nf4 g6 46. a4 Bf3 47. Qd3 Qf2 48. e4 Bd1 49. Nxg6 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.18"] [Round "5"] [White "Maghsoodloo, Parham"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C54"] [WhiteElo "2740"] [BlackElo "2780"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "61"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 d6 6. a4 a5 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4 Qe7 (8... g5 9. Bg3 Qe7 10. Nbd2 Bd7 11. Qe2 Ba7 12. O-O-O Nh5 {Svidler,P (2689) -Tabatabaei,M (2692) Samarkand 2023}) 9. O-O Ba7 10. Nbd2 Bd7 11. Rb1 g5 12. Bg3 O-O $146 (12... Nh7 13. d4 Nf8 14. d5 Nd8 15. h3 h5 16. Bb5 c6 17. dxc6 bxc6 18. Be2 g4 19. hxg4 {1/2-1/2 (19) Pascoal,J (2237)-Hering,H (2339) ICCF email 2021}) 13. Re1 g4 14. Bh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} gxf3 15. Qxf3 Kg7 16. Nf1 Rh8 17. Ne3 Raf8 18. Kh1 h5 19. Qg3+ Kh7 20. Nd5 Nxd5 21. exd5 f6 22. dxc6 Bxc6 23. d4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({The engine prefers} 23. Qh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qg7 24. Be6 Qg6 25. f3 ({not} 25. Bf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Bxg2+) 25... f5 26. Bb3 Re8 27. d4 {with some advantage for White.}) 23... Qg7 24. Bd3+ Kg8 25. Re3 exd4 26. Qxg7+ Kxg7 27. Rg3+ Kf7 28. Rg6 Rhg8 29. Rxf6+ Kg7 30. Rg6+ Kf7 31. Rf6+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.13"] [Round "5"] [White "L'Ami, Erwin"] [Black "Beukema, Stefan"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D10"] [WhiteElo "2627"] [BlackElo "2428"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "41"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. cxd5 cxd5 5. Bf4 Nc6 6. e3 a6 7. Be2 Qb6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] An unfortunate move in this position. White can now play the standard maneuver Nc3-a4-c5 with tempo.} (7... Bf5 8. Nf3 e6 9. Qb3 Nh5 10. Be5 Ra7 11. h3 Nf6 12. Nh4 Bg6 {Abdusattorov $146 (2716)-Vidit,S (2716) Hangzhou 2023}) 8. a3 Bf5 9. Na4 Qd8 10. Nf3 Ne4 $146 (10... e6 11. Rc1 Ne4 12. O-O Bd6 13. Bxd6 Qxd6 14. b4 O-O {Vanheirzeele,D (2160)-Bruno,F (2447) Ortisei 2012}) 11. O-O e6 12. Ne5 Nxe5 13. Bxe5 f6 14. Bg3 b5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (14... Rc8 {is equal again according to the engine, so White apparently didn't play the most critical moves.}) 15. Nc3 Bd6 ({Here better is} 15... Nxg3 16. hxg3 Be7 {with an edge for White.}) 16. Nxe4 Bxe4 17. Rc1 {Now White's control of the c-file is very important.} O-O 18. Qd2 Rf7 $6 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 19. Rc6 Bf8 (19... Bxg3 20. hxg3 Rc7 {doesn't solve the problems:} 21. Rfc1 Rxc6 22. Rxc6 Rc8 23. Qc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 20. Rxe6 (20. Rfc1 {is almost as strong and l'Ami said he almost played it instantly, until he thought that taking on e6 at least needs to be calculated...}) 20... a5 $6 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 21. Bxb5 {Beukema had missed that in some lines White has Re8 here.} 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.13"] [Round "5"] [White "Roebers, Eline"] [Black "Niemann, Hans Moke"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B12"] [WhiteElo "2381"] [BlackElo "2692"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "111"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Be3 Qb6 5. Qc1 e6 6. Nf3 Ne7 (6... c5 7. c4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bxb1 9. Rxb1 Bb4+ 10. Kd1 Nc6 11. Nxe6 d4 12. Nxg7+ Kf8 13. Bh6 Nxh6 14. Qxh6 Nxe5 {Tari,A (2656)-Keymer,V (2693) Chess.com INT 2022}) 7. a4 $146 (7. Nbd2 Bg6 8. c4 Nd7 9. c5 Qa5 10. a3 f6 11. b4 Qd8 12. exf6 gxf6 13. Nh4 Bg7 14. g3 Nf5 {Jenni,F (2518)-Riazantsev,A (2621) Dresden 2007}) 7... a5 8. Nbd2 h6 9. Be2 Bh7 10. Nb3 Na6 11. O-O Nb4 12. Bd1 Nf5 13. Bd2 Be7 14. Ne1 O-O 15. c3 Na6 16. Nf3 Bg6 17. h3 $2 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({Better was} 17. Bc2 c5 18. g4 Nh4 19. Nxh4 Bxh4 20. Be3) 17... c5 18. dxc5 Nxc5 19. Nxc5 Bxc5 20. Bf4 Rac8 21. Be2 d4 22. Bb5 Rfd8 23. Qe1 dxc3 24. bxc3 Ne7 25. Qe2 Nd5 26. Bd2 Rc7 27. Rfc1 Rdc8 28. Ne1 Be7 29. Qf3 Bg5 30. Bxg5 hxg5 31. Ra3 Qc5 32. c4 Ne7 33. Qc3 Bf5 34. Nf3 Nd5 35. Qb2 Nf4 36. Rd1 Qe7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({The engine keeps equality with} 36... g4 37. hxg4 Bxg4 38. Rd4 {and now the remarkable move} g5 {when} 39. Nxg5 {fails to} Qxd4) 37. Rd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The moment the game turns around.} Rd8 38. Qd2 Rcc8 39. c5 f6 40. Bc4 fxe5 41. Nxe5 Kh7 42. Re3 Nd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A miscalculation.} ({The best try was} 42... b6) 43. Bxd5 Rxd6 44. cxd6 Qxd6 {This seems to win back the piece, except for...} 45. g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rc5 {There was no way to save the material:} (45... Bc2 46. Rc3) (45... Bb1 46. Qe1) 46. gxf5 Rxd5 47. Qe2 exf5 48. Qh5+ Qh6 49. Qf7 Rd1+ 50. Kh2 f4 51. Qf5+ Kg8 52. Qc8+ Kh7 53. Qc2+ Kg8 54. Rc3 Rd8 55. Qb3+ Kh7 56. Nf7 1-0 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.19"] [Round "6.5"] [White "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Black "Wei, Yi"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D48"] [WhiteElo "2759"] [BlackElo "2740"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "91"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "FRA"] [BlackTeam "CHN"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c5 5. e3 dxc4 6. Bxc4 a6 7. Bd3 Nbd7 8. Qe2 b5 9. O-O Bb7 10. Rd1 Bd6 11. dxc5 Bxc5 12. h3 O-O 13. e4 Qc7 14. Be3 Rac8 15. Rac1 Bxe3 16. Qxe3 Qb6 17. Nd4 $146 (17. Qxb6 Nxb6 18. a3 Rfd8 19. Ne5 Ne8 20. Ng4 Kf8 {Aronian,L (2723)-Gukesh,D (2720) Chennai 2023}) 17... Ne5 18. Be2 Rfd8 19. f3 h5 20. Kf2 h4 ({Something like} 20... Nc4 21. Bxc4 bxc4 22. Nde2 Qc7 {would have been equal.}) 21. Nb3 Qxe3+ 22. Kxe3 g5 (22... Rxd1 23. Rxd1 g5 {is more accurate here.}) 23. Rxd8+ Rxd8 24. Nc5 Bc8 25. a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A strong move.} Nfd7 26. Nxd7 Bxd7 27. axb5 axb5 28. Nxb5 Ng6 $6 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({It's surprising that Wei did not include} 28... Rb8 29. Rc5 {before playing} Ng6 {which is more active, e.g.} 30. Bc4 f6 31. b3 Nf4 {with counterplay that might be enough to hold.}) 29. Rd1 ({Also good was} 29. Nc3 Rb8 30. Rb1) 29... Kf8 30. b4 Ke7 31. Nc3 Rc8 32. Kd2 {This is clearly a better version for White.} Ne5 33. b5 Kd6 $6 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({A more tenacious setup was} 33... Be8 34. Kc2 Rb8 35. Kb3 Kf6 36. Kb4 Nc6+ 37. Kc5 Na5) 34. Kc2+ Kc7 35. Kb3 {Now White has everything he wants.} Rb8 36. Kb4 Be8 37. Na4 Nc6+ 38. Kc5 Ne5 39. Rc1 Rd8 40. Kb4+ Kb7 41. Rc5 f6 42. Rc2 Rd6 43. Ka5 f5 44. Nc5+ Ka7 45. Na6 Bd7 46. exf5 1-0 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.19"] [Round "6.4"] [White "Giri, Anish"] [Black "Maghsoodloo, Parham"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "A07"] [WhiteElo "2749"] [BlackElo "2740"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "126"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "NED"] [BlackTeam "IRI"] 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 Bg4 4. h3 Bh5 5. c4 (5. O-O Nd7 6. d3 e5 7. e4 dxe4 8. dxe4 Bc5 9. Nbd2 Ngf6 10. Qe1 O-O 11. Nc4 Re8 {Praggnanandhaa,R (2690) -Maghsoodloo,P (2719) Ajka 2023}) 5... e6 6. d4 Nd7 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Nc3 Ngf6 9. Ne5 Bd6 10. f4 Bg6 11. O-O Be4 12. Nxe4 Nxe4 13. Bxe4 dxe4 14. Qb3 Bxe5 15. dxe5 $146 (15. fxe5 O-O 16. Qxb7 Nb6 17. Be3 Nd5 18. Bc1 Nb6 19. e3 Qg5 20. Kg2 Nd5 {Yu,Y (2729)-Indjic,A (2641) Chess.com INT 2023}) 15... Nb6 16. Qb4 $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({The natural} 16. Be3 {was best, e.g.} Qd7 (16... Qd5 17. Bxb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and now} Qxb3 $2 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] fails to} 18. axb3) (16... O-O 17. Rad1 Qc7 18. Rd4) 17. Bxb6 axb6 18. Kg2 O-O-O 19. Rad1 Qc7 20. Qa4 {and White picks up the e-pawn with a technically winning position.}) 16... Qd5 17. b3 O-O-O 18. Be3 Qe6 (18... f6 $5 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] was perhaps even stronger.}) 19. Kh2 f6 20. Qxe4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({Here, best was} 20. Qa3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nd5 (20... fxe5 21. f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qd6 22. Qxa7 Nd5 23. Bc5 Qb8 24. Qa4) 21. Bxa7 fxe5 22. f5 Qd6 23. Bc5 Qc7 24. b4 {and White is still doing very well.}) 20... fxe5 21. fxe5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({Here the engine prefers} 21. f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qf7 22. a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] to set up an attack as fast as possible.}) 21... Rd5 {Now the worst is over for Black.} 22. Bd4 Nd7 23. Rf2 Re8 24. Raf1 Qg6 25. Qe3 (25. Rf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 25... b6 26. b4 Nxe5 27. Rf8 Rdd8 28. Rxe8 Rxe8 29. Bxe5 Qh5 30. Qe4 Qxe5 31. Qxc6+ Kb8 32. Rf2 h5 33. h4 g5 34. hxg5 h4 35. Qf3 Rg8 36. g6 Qd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Giving Giri one more chance...} 37. Kh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Giri spent about five minutes on this move, after which he had three and a half left.} hxg3 38. Qxg3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This, however, Giri played almost instantly. It gives away the win.} ({would have yielded an extra half point:} 38. Qf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rxg6 (38... Qd2 39. Qe5+ $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kc8 40. Qe6+ Qd7 41. Qxd7+ Kxd7 42. Rf6) 39. Qh8+ Kb7 40. Rf7+ Ka6 (40... Kc6 41. Qc3+ Kb5 42. Rf5+) 41. Qc8+ Kb5 42. Rf5+ Kxb4 43. a3+ $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kxa3 44. Qc3+ Ka4 45. Qc4+ Qb4 46. Qa2+ Qa3 47. Rf4+ {and wins.}) 38... Qxg3+ 39. Kxg3 Rxg6+ 40. Kf4 Rf6+ {Time control made. Sadly for Giri, Black's active rook (and his own passive one) holds the draw.} 41. Ke3 Re6+ 42. Kd4 Rd6+ 43. Ke5 Rd2 44. a4 a6 45. b5 axb5 46. axb5 Rb2 47. Kd6 Rxb5 48. e4 Rb4 49. e5 Rd4+ 50. Ke7 b5 51. e6 Kc7 52. Rf5 b4 53. Kf8 Re4 54. e7 Kd7 55. Rf7 Kc6 56. e8=Q+ Rxe8+ 57. Kxe8 Kc5 58. Kd7 b3 59. Rf1 Kc4 60. Kd6 b2 61. Ke5 Kd3 62. Rb1 Kc2 63. Rxb2+ Kxb2 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.19"] [Round "6"] [White "Van Foreest, Jorden"] [Black "Gukesh D"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C45"] [WhiteElo "2682"] [BlackElo "2725"] [Annotator "rafael"] [PlyCount "90"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/6000+30:3000+30"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qf6 $5 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Only the fifth-most common move in this position, but still tried in thousands of games, this an interesting alternative to the more popular 4...Nf6 and 4...Bc5. In some lines, for example after 5.Be3 Bc5, there is a transposition. The main merit of Gukesh's queen move is to avoid 4...Bc5 5.Nb3, one of White's most dangerous options.} 5. Nb3 {In the case of 5.Be3 or 5.Nxc6, there is a transposition to important lines that normally start with 4...Bc5. Other knight moves are also possible.} (5. Be3 Bc5) (5. Nxc6 Bc5) (5. Nb5) (5. Nf3) 5... Qg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only way to justify Black's play. The e-pawn is attacked and the knight has the f6-square available again.} 6. f3 {The best way to defend the pawn.} (6. Nc3 {allows the typical pin with} Bb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) (6. Qe2 {is innacurate, as after} Nf6 {White has to play f3 in a worse version, or allow the knight to be pinned again.} 7. f3 (7. Nc3 Bb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 7... a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] threatening a5-a4, with counterplay.}) 6... Bd6 $5 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A creative way to develop the bishop.} (6... Nf6 7. Bf4 {has been tested before and both players certainly know a lot of the theory here.} (7. Nc3 {was Van Foreest-Mamedyarov, Gashimov Memorial Blitz Baku 2023.})) 7. Nc3 Nge7 8. f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A critical move. White has a very favorable score in the few games I've found here. His idea is to simply push in the center and attack the many targets in the way. Black must be very careful and play becomes highly tactical.} Bb4 9. f5 Qf6 10. Bd3 {Van Foreest loves to sacrifice pawns, even in positions much more exotic than this one. Here the sacrifice is so natural that even I could (maybe) play it.} Bxc3+ (10... d5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] led to disaster in the following game:} 11. O-O Bxc3 12. bxc3 dxe4 13. Bxe4 O-O 14. Qh5 {with an overwhelming advantage for White in Ibarra-Kobo, Chess.com Rapid 2022.}) 11. bxc3 Qxc3+ 12. Bd2 Qf6 13. O-O d6 {The position is unclear, as both sides have advantages. White has the pair of bishops, more space, a safer king and attacking prospects. Black is a pawn up and has the e5-square for the knight. I say unclear, but sometimes we think something at first and then the simple act of putting the thought into words makes us think better. Here, for example, when listing the advantages of each side, I could see that White has an advantage in both quantity and quality, which makes his position better, at least in practice.} 14. Kh1 {A new move. White removes the king from any trouble on the g1-a7 diagonal. It must be stressed that Van Foreest plays for the initiative with subtle moves in several moments of this game.} (14. Qe1 Ne5 15. Qg3 h6 {was played in Makridis-Zhorayev, Paracin 2022.}) 14... Bd7 {Not the only way, but a good one.} (14... Ne5 15. Bc3 N7c6 16. Nc1 $5 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is an interesting plan, similar to the game. Maybe the secret for White is to improve the knight, as this piece is heading to d5 or h3. Chess is a difficult game sometimes.}) (14... b6 {is also possible, but I feel that after} 15. a4 a5 {Black's queenside is too weak.}) 15. a4 {Van Foreest probably knew this plan from his computer analysis, as I noticed that the machine suggests this move here and in other similar positions. It's not an easy move for me, but I suppose the idea is to discourage long castling by Black, who may fear the advance of the a-pawn.} Ne5 (15... O-O-O {is possible anyway, but not everyone is as fearless as a computer.}) 16. Qe1 $6 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The machine is critical of this move. It's necessary to understand that one interesting plan for Black is the difficult to play, but easy to understand, g7-g6 $1. This delicate pawn advance solves his main problem: the lack of space on the kingside and discomfort with the queen.} (16. a5 {A pawn advance on the flank must here be replied to with a pawn advance on the... other flank, contrary to what classical writers thought, apparently.} g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now Black will either take on f5 and open the g-file, getting ready to pressure on g2 with ...Rg8 and ...Bc6, or (if White captures on g6), the black queen becomes more active and the g-file is still an issue.}) (16. Qh5 {looks imposing, threatening Bg5, but it's not easy to find a plan after} h6) (16. Qc1 h6 17. Bc3 {This is a human way of playing. The idea is to follow with Nd2-c4, with a balanced game.}) (16. Na5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] After showing the human way of playing, let's compare it to the computer way. Needless to say, it's the better way.} N7c6 {Probably the most practical move.} (16... b6 17. Nc4 {Black's position becomes very dangerous, although it's still playable.} Nxd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (17... N7c6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 18. Ne3 {The knight finally lands on d5.}) (17... Nxc4 18. Bxc4 Nc6 19. Bd5 {with a strong initiative as Black's king has no shelter.}) 18. cxd3 d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19. exd5 O-O $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 20. Ne3 Qd4 21. f6 Nxd5 22. fxg7 Rfe8) 17. Nxb7 (17. Nc4 {is not so strong now:} Nxc4 18. Bxc4 Ne5) 17... O-O 18. Na5 {Material is equal and so is the computer evaluation.}) 16... N7c6 (16... g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is my favorite move, although I'd never play it in a real game. Its merits have already been listed earlier in this analysis.}) 17. Rb1 a5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Gukesh plays actively: he wants to place the knight on b4.} (17... g6 {is interesting again.}) 18. Nc1 $5 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Another subtle move that I like a lot. White wants to improve the knight.} (18. Nxa5 $2 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad:} Nxa5 19. Bxa5 b6 20. Bc3 Rxa4 {with a clear advantage.}) 18... Nb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19. Qg3 h6 20. Ne2 {White is preparing Nf4-h5. Black's position is difficult to handle and the computer suggestion doesn't make it any easier.} g5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This leads to a much worse position.} (20... Bc6 {is the move I'd play in a game.} 21. Bb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The most accurate: White has a strong initiative.} (21. Nf4 {is also playable:} O-O-O {it's not as bad for Black as it looks.} (21... Qg5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 22. Qe1 {with attack.}))) (20... Bxa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This bold capture is the best move, if my computer is to be taken seriously.} 21. Nf4 Qg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 22. Qf2 Qd8 {Scientifically Black survives here, in practice I'm not so sure. In some variations he has to run with the king with Kd7-c8 $1}) 21. fxg6 Qxg6 22. Qf2 $2 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is just a blunder.} ({After} 22. Qe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is much better. Nf4 is coming and Black's king has nowhere to hide.}) 22... Nbxd3 23. cxd3 Nxd3 24. Qd4 Rg8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move probably was missed by Van Foreest. It's forced and good. Black now has a winning advantage.} (24... Ne5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 25. Nf4 {followed by the capture of the pawn on b7, the knight going to d5 and a winning position.}) 25. Ng3 Nc5 {Suddenly Black's position is solid and it's not even clear which king is less secure. With the attack on the g-file reinforced by the bishop coming to c6 with the plan of ...h5-h4, it is likely that White will get mated.} 26. e5 Ne6 (26... Bc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a difficult move, but it's even stronger:} 27. exd6 Qxd6 28. Rbe1+ Kd8 29. Qxd6+ cxd6 30. Rxf7 Bxa4 31. Bxh6 Bb3 {with a winning endgame as the king is more or less protected and the a-pawn is ready to roll.}) 27. Qb2 $2 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (27. Qh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best chance, not allowing Black to castle. But after} dxe5 28. Rxb7 Bc6 29. Rb2 Rd8 {Black is still much better.}) 27... Bc6 28. exd6 O-O-O $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29. dxc7 Rd4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (29... Rd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is cleaner. The threat is to sacrifice the exchange on g3. If White avoids this with} 30. Be1 {then} h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Threatening h4, with a simple win.}) 30. Rbc1 Rh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook joins the attack.} 31. Rc3 Nc5 (31... h5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate.}) 32. Re3 (32. Rxc5 $2 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses:} Rxh2+ 33. Kxh2 Qxg3+ 34. Kh1 Qxg2#) 32... Rxa4 (32... Qg4 {leads to a pretty win:} 33. Kg1 Bxg2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34. Kxg2 Qh3+ 35. Kf2 (35. Kf3 Rxg3+ 36. hxg3 Qxf1#) 35... Rf4+ 36. Ke2 (36. Ke1 Rxf1+ 37. Nxf1 Qxe3+ $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important detail.} 38. Nxe3 Nd3+ 39. Ke2 Nxb2 {with a winning material advantage.}) 36... Rxf1 37. Nxf1 Rg2+ 38. Ke1 Qh4+ 39. Kd1 Qg4+ $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40. Kc1 (40. Ke1 Nd3+ 41. Rxd3 Qe2#) 40... Qc4+ 41. Qc3 Qxf1+ {winning the game due to material and attack.}) 33. Rf6 Qg7 34. Bc3 Qg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move.} (34... Qg4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 35. Rxc6) 35. Qe2 $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (35. Re2 {is the only chance, but the position is sad for White.}) 35... Ne6 36. Rf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (36. Qd2 {is better.}) 36... Bxg2+ $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now it's all over.} 37. Kg1 (37. Kxg2 Qxf5) (37. Qxg2 Qxe3) 37... Qxf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38. Nxf5 Bf3+ 39. Kf2 Bxe2 40. Ne7+ Kxc7 41. Be5+ Kb6 42. Nxg8 Bh5 {The endgame is totally winning.} 43. Nxh6 Nc5 44. Kg3 Ne4+ 45. Kf4 Bg6 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.19"] [Round "6"] [White "Warmerdam, Max"] [Black "Donchenko, Alexander"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E92"] [WhiteElo "2625"] [BlackElo "2643"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "83"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 g6 3. e4 d6 4. d4 Bg7 5. Be2 O-O 6. Nf3 e5 7. d5 a5 8. Be3 $5 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The modern approach.} Ng4 9. Bg5 f6 10. Bh4 Na6 11. Nd2 Nh6 12. f3 (12. Bd3 Nc5 13. Bc2 Bd7 14. f3 Qe8 15. Qe2 a4 16. a3 Ra5 17. O-O-O b5 {Robson,R (2702) -Sevian,S (2687) Saint Louis 2023}) 12... Bd7 13. a3 Qe8 14. Rb1 a4 $146 (14... Nc5 15. Nb5 Bxb5 16. cxb5 f5 17. Bf2 fxe4 18. fxe4 Nf7 19. Rc1 Bh6 20. Rc4 b6 21. a4 Qd7 {Matei,C (2378)-Nicolaescu $146 (2289) ICCF email 2022}) 15. Nb5 Bxb5 16. cxb5 Nc5 17. Rc1 b6 18. Bf2 f5 19. Rc4 Nf7 20. Qc2 Qd7 21. Nb1 fxe4 22. fxe4 h5 23. O-O Ng5 24. Nc3 {Warmerdam had seen all this before the game.} Nb3 25. Rxa4 Nd4 26. Qd3 Rae8 27. Bd1 Re7 $4 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Blunder;persistent;true] Blundering g6 and with it h5.} (27... Bh6) 28. Qg3 Nh7 29. Qxg6 Ref7 30. Bxh5 Rf4 31. Ne2 R4f6 32. Qg4 Qxb5 33. Rxd4 $5 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} (33. Rb4 {is also good but Warmerdam had seen that Black won't get enough for the queen sac that follows:}) 33... exd4 34. Nxd4 Qxf1+ 35. Kxf1 Rxf2+ 36. Ke1 R2f4 37. Qe6+ Kh8 38. Nf5 {This is over.} Nf6 39. Bf3 Re8 40. Ne7 Kh7 41. Qh3+ Bh6 42. Nf5 1-0 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.19"] [Round "6.3"] [White "Korobov, Anton"] [Black "L'Ami, Erwin"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C43"] [WhiteElo "2663"] [BlackElo "2627"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "218"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "UKR"] [BlackTeam "NED"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 Nxe4 4. d4 d5 5. Bd3 Nd7 6. O-O Bd6 7. Nxd7 Bxd7 8. Nc3 Qh4 (8... Nxc3 9. bxc3 O-O 10. Qh5 f5 11. Re1 c6 12. Bg5 Qc7 {Sevian,S (2684)-Andreikin,D (2729) Chess.com INT 2022}) 9. g3 Nxc3 10. Re1+ Kf8 11. bxc3 Qg4 12. Qxg4 Bxg4 13. Rb1 Rb8 $146 (13... b6 14. Bb5 Rd8 15. Bc6 Be6 16. Kg2 h6 17. Re2 Kg8 18. Bd2 Kh7 19. Rbe1 Rhf8 20. h3 Ba3 21. Bf4 {½-½ Sakaev,K (2649) -Rustemov,A (2573) Moscow 2006}) 14. Ba6 Bc8 15. Bb5 Be6 16. Bc6 b6 17. h4 h6 18. h5 Kg8 19. Bf4 Rd8 20. Be5 Kh7 21. f4 Rhf8 22. Kf2 f6 23. Bxd6 Rxd6 24. Bb5 Bf5 25. Re7 a6 26. Be2 Rc6 27. c4 dxc4 28. g4 Bc8 29. Bf3 Rd6 30. Rxc7 b5 31. d5 Rd7 32. Rc5 Ra7 33. Ke3 Rd8 34. Kd4 Kg8 35. a4 Bd7 36. Ra1 Rb7 37. axb5 axb5 38. Ra6 Kf8 39. d6 Rbb8 40. Bd5 Bxg4 41. Rc7 Bxh5 42. Raa7 Rxd6 43. Rxg7 Rxd5+ 44. Kxd5 Rc8 45. Rh7 ({Simpler was} 45. Ke6 Rc6+ 46. Kf5) 45... Kg8 46. Rxh6 Bf7+ 47. Kd4 Kg7 48. Rh1 b4 49. Rd7 b3 50. Kc3 Re8 51. cxb3 cxb3 52. Rh2 Rc8+ 53. Kb2 Ra8 54. Rh3 Kf8 $2 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] No need to allow Rh8.} (54... Kg8) 55. Rh8+ Bg8 56. Rb7 Ra2+ 57. Kc3 Rc2+ 58. Kd4 {This might have been the moment where Korobov finally gave away the win.} (58. Kd3 Rc1 59. Rh6 Rc6 60. f5) 58... b2 59. Rb8+ Kf7 60. f5 Rf2 61. Ke4 Re2+ 62. Kf3 Rc2 63. Kg3 Rc5 64. Rb7+ Kf8 65. Kf4 Rc4+ 66. Ke3 Rc2 67. Rb8+ Kf7 68. Rh4 Rc3+ 69. Kd2 Rc5 70. Rb7+ Kf8 71. Rd4 Bf7 72. Rf4 Rd5+ 73. Kc3 Be8 74. Kxb2 Bd7 75. Rh4 Kg8 76. Rh6 Rd6 77. Rh5 Rd5 78. Rh3 Bxf5 {This is a tablebase draw.} 79. Rg3+ Kf8 80. Rf3 Kg8 81. Ra7 Kf8 82. Kc3 Kg8 83. Kb4 Re5 84. Rg3+ Kf8 85. Rgg7 Be6 86. Rgb7 Bd5 87. Rd7 Bg8 88. Kc3 Re8 89. Kd4 Be6 90. Rh7 Kg8 91. Rag7+ Kf8 92. Rg6 Bf7 93. Rxf6 Re7 94. Rb6 Kg8 95. Rh2 Kg7 96. Rg2+ Kf8 97. Rh6 Re1 98. Rh8+ Ke7 99. Rf2 Be6 100. Rb2 Rd1+ 101. Ke3 Rd7 102. Rb6 Bf7 103. Rh4 Ra7 104. Re4+ Kf8 105. Kf4 Kg7 106. Re3 Ra4+ 107. Ke5 Ra5+ 108. Kd6 Bg6 109. Rg3 Rf5 1/2-1/2 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.19"] [Round "6.6"] [White "Yilmaz, Mustafa"] [Black "Roebers, Eline"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "E94"] [WhiteElo "2665"] [BlackElo "2381"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "170"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "TUR"] [BlackTeam "NED"] 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. d4 O-O 5. e4 d6 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O b6 ({Few KID players allow the Bayonet Attack with} 7... Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 9. b4 {these days as the engines give White too big an advantage.}) 8. Re1 Nc6 9. d5 Ne7 10. b4 a5 11. bxa5 Rxa5 12. a4 Ra8 $146 (12... c5 13. Ra3 Bd7 14. Bd2 Ra6 15. Qc2 Nh5 16. Nb5 Nc8 17. Bg5 Bf6 {Sargissian,G (2681)-Theodorou $146 (2577) Warsaw 2021}) 13. Nd2 Bh6 14. Bb2 Ne8 15. Nb3 f5 16. exf5 Nxf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ({Better than} 16... gxf5 {in this position.}) 17. Bd3 Nf6 18. Ne4 Nh5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 19. Ra3 Nh4 20. Bf1 Bd7 21. a5 bxa5 22. Nxa5 Qe8 23. c5 Qf7 24. cxd6 (24. Nc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would have been very strong.}) 24... Bf5 25. f3 Bxe4 26. Rxe4 Nf5 27. Nc4 $2 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Here it's not good.} (27. d7 $5 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) ({or even} 27. g4) 27... Rxa3 28. Bxa3 cxd6 {Now Black threaten a nasty check on a7.} 29. Qa4 Nf6 30. Re1 Qxd5 31. Kh1 $2 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({White had to play} 31. Rd1) 31... Qd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32. Qb3 Kh8 33. Nxd6 Nxd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (33... Qh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] was winning on the spot.}) 34. Rd1 Bd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 35. Bd3 (35. Qd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 35... e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent find.} 36. Rxd2 exd3 37. Rxd3 Qf2 38. Rd1 Re8 39. Qc3 Re6 40. h3 Nde8 41. Qc5 Qxc5 42. Bxc5 Kg8 43. Rd2 Kf7 44. Ra2 g5 45. Kh2 Kg6 46. g4 Nd5 47. Bf2 Rf6 48. Ra3 Rc6 49. h4 Rc2 50. Kg1 h6 51. Ra6+ Nef6 52. Ra7 Nc7 53. Ra5 Nfd5 54. hxg5 hxg5 55. Rc5 Rd2 56. Ra5 Rd3 57. Kg2 Nf4+ 58. Kg3 Rd2 59. Ra1 Nce6 60. Ra6 Kf6 61. Rb6 Ra2 62. Bd4+ Ke7 63. Rb7+ Kd6 64. Rb6+ Kd5 65. Rb2 Ra3 66. Bf6 Nd4 67. Bxd4 Kxd4 68. Rb5 Nd5 69. Rb7 Ra5 70. Rg7 Nf4 71. Rg8 Re5 72. Rd8+ Ke3 73. Ra8 Ke2 74. Ra2+ Kf1 75. Ra1+ Re1 76. Ra5 Ne2+ 77. Kh2 Kf2 78. f4 gxf4 79. g5 Rg1 80. Kh3 f3 81. Kh4 Nf4 82. Ra2+ Ke3 83. g6 Nxg6+ 84. Kh3 Nf4+ 85. Kh4 Nd3 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.19"] [Round "6"] [White "Niemann, Hans Moke"] [Black "Maurizzi, Marc`Andria"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C24"] [WhiteElo "2692"] [BlackElo "2572"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "102"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 d5 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 f6 8. d4 (8. h3 Be6 9. d4 Ne3 10. Bxe3 Bxc4 11. Nbd2 Bd5 12. dxe5 fxe5 13. Ng5 O-O 14. Qg4 Bxg5 15. Bxg5 Qe8 {Sjugirov,S (2703)-Nihal,S (2688) Sharjah 2023}) 8... Nb6 9. Bb5 O-O 10. Bxc6 bxc6 11. h3 Re8 $146 (11... exd4 12. Nxd4 c5 13. Nc6 Qxd1 14. Nxe7+ Kf7 15. Rxd1 Kxe7 16. Be3 Kf7 {Esipenko,A (2668)-Vidit,S (2710) Mayrhofen 2022}) 12. dxe5 Qxd1 13. Rxd1 fxe5 14. Nxe5 Bf6 15. Nd3 (15. Nxc6 a5 {followed by 16...Bb7 gives Black nice play.}) 15... Bf5 16. a4 Nc4 17. Nd2 Nxd2 (17... Ne5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) 18. Bxd2 Bxd3 19. cxd3 Bxb2 20. Rab1 Bd4 21. Kf1 Rf8 22. f3 Rad8 23. Rdc1 c5 24. Rb7 Rf7 25. Rxa7 {Allowing a black pawn to d3.} ({The alternative was} 25. Rc4 a6 26. Bc3 Bxc3 27. Rxc3 Rd4 28. a5 Rd5 {where Black should hold as well.}) 25... c4 26. Rb7 cxd3 27. a5 Re7 28. Re1 Red7 29. Rb3 Ba7 30. Rb7 Bd4 31. Reb1 Kf7 32. R1b3 c5 33. a6 $6 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Now White is getting into trouble.} (33. Bg5 {would more or less force an equal rook endgame:} Bf6 34. Bxf6 Kxf6 35. Rxd7 Rxd7 36. Ke1) 33... c4 34. Rxd7+ ({Here} 34. a7 $1 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] was a bailout:} Bxa7 35. Rxd7+ Rxd7 36. Rb4 {and the c-pawn drops since} Rc7 {is met by} 37. Bf4) 34... Rxd7 35. Rb7 Ke6 {With 3:25 on the clock, Niemann played his next move six seconds before his flag would fall, and it's a mistake.} 36. Rxd7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (36. Bc3 {was correct with the rooks on the board, e.g.} Be3 37. Ke1 Kd6 (37... Rxb7 38. axb7 Bf4 39. Bd4 Bb8 40. Kd2) 38. Rb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rc7 (38... Kd5 39. Rb5+) 39. Ra4 Kd5 40. Kd1 {and White holds.}) 36... Kxd7 37. Bc3 Be3 38. Bxg7 Kc6 {Now the a-pawn drops and White will be too late with his kingside pawns.} 39. Bc3 Kb6 40. g3 Kxa6 41. f4 Kb5 42. f5 Ka4 43. f6 Kb3 44. f7 Bc5 45. Bd2 c3 46. Ke1 Kc2 47. Bxc3 Kxc3 48. Kd1 d2 49. g4 h6 50. h4 Bf8 51. h5 Bg7 0-1 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.20"] [Round "7.4"] [White "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Black "Giri, Anish"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C42"] [WhiteElo "2727"] [BlackElo "2749"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "119"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "UZB"] [BlackTeam "NED"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. c4 Be7 6. Nc3 Nxc3 7. dxc3 O-O (7... Nc6 8. Be3 Bf5 9. Bd3 Qd7 10. O-O O-O 11. Qc2 Bxd3 12. Qxd3 Rad8 {Erdos,V (2571)-Radjabov,T (2747) Baku 2023}) 8. Bd3 Nd7 9. Be3 Nf6 10. h3 b6 11. Qc2 $146 (11. Nd4 Bb7 12. Qc2 g6 13. Rg1 Re8 14. O-O-O Bf8 {Kuchyna,S (1996) -Stromp,J (2056) Slovakia 2006}) 11... Bb7 12. O-O-O h6 13. Rhe1 Re8 14. Bd4 c5 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Bh7+ Kh8 17. Be4 {White is counting on the fact that his knight will be stronger than Black's bishop.} Bxe4 18. Rxe4 Qd7 19. Nd2 a6 20. Kb1 Bg5 21. Nf3 Bf6 22. Qd3 b5 23. Rxe8+ Qxe8 24. Nd2 Qe6 25. Ne4 Be7 26. Qd5 Rd8 27. cxb5 axb5 28. f4 Kg8 29. f5 Qxd5 30. Rxd5 Kf8 31. b4 Ke8 32. Kb2 Rd7 33. g4 Kd8 {White has built up a dream position and, the second time he plays it in the game, c4 is this time a killer move:} 34. c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} bxc4 (34... cxb4 35. cxb5) 35. bxc5 dxc5 36. Rxd7+ Kxd7 37. Kc3 Kc6 38. Kxc4 {The knight is indeed better than the bishop and that, combined with the passed a-pawn, will be decisive.} Kb6 39. a4 Kc6 40. Nf2 Bd8 41. Ne4 Be7 42. a5 Bd8 43. a6 Be7 44. Nc3 Bg5 45. Nb5 Be3 46. h4 Kb6 47. a7 Kb7 48. h5 Ka8 49. Kd5 Kb7 50. Kd6 c4 51. Kd5 Bxa7 52. Nxa7 c3 53. Nc6 c2 54. Na5+ Kc7 55. Nb3 Kd7 56. g5 Ke7 57. gxh6 gxh6 58. Ke5 f6+ 59. Kd5 Kd7 60. Nc1 1-0 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.20"] [Round "7.5"] [White "Gukesh D"] [Black "Warmerdam, Max"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D32"] [WhiteElo "2725"] [BlackElo "2625"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "131"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "IND"] [BlackTeam "NED"] 1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 c5 4. cxd5 cxd4 5. Qa4+ Bd7 6. Qxd4 exd5 7. Qxd5 Nf6 8. Qd1 Bb4 (8... Bc5 9. Nf3 O-O 10. e3 Qe7 11. Be2 Nc6 12. O-O Rfd8 13. a3 Ne5 {Vidit,S (2737)-Narayanan,S (2677) Samarkand 2023}) 9. Bd2 O-O 10. Nf3 Bxc3 $146 (10... Nc6 11. g3 Qe7 12. Bg2 Rfd8 13. O-O h6 14. Qc2 Rac8 15. Rad1 Be6 {Williamson,D (2390)-Rhodes,J (2387) ICCF email 2018}) 11. Bxc3 Ne4 12. Qd4 Nxc3 13. Qxc3 Qe7 14. e3 Rc8 15. Qd2 Rd8 16. Qc3 Rc8 17. Qd2 Rd8 18. Rd1 Nc6 19. Qd6 Qe8 20. Be2 Be6 21. Qa3 Rxd1+ 22. Bxd1 Bc4 23. b3 Ba6 24. Be2 Qe4 25. Qc1 Qb4+ 26. Qd2 Bxe2 27. Kxe2 Qb5+ 28. Qd3 Qxd3+ 29. Kxd3 Nb4+ 30. Kc3 Nxa2+ 31. Kb2 Nb4 32. Rd1 Rc8 33. Ka3 Na6 34. Ng5 Nc5 35. b4 h6 {Not bad in itself, but it gives White some hope for more than a draw.} (35... f6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 36. bxc5 fxg5 37. Rb1 Rxc5 38. Rxb7 Rc1 {is a slightly better version for Black than the game.}) 36. Nxf7 Kxf7 37. bxc5 Rxc5 38. Rd7+ Kf6 39. Rxb7 Rc1 ({Gukesh thought his opponent had missed} 39... Rc2 40. Rb2) 40. Rb2 g5 41. h3 h5 42. Kb3 Rg1 43. f3 Re1 44. e4 g4 45. hxg4 hxg4 46. Kc4 Rf1 47. Rb8 Ke7 48. Rb3 Ke6 49. Kd4 Rf2 50. Ra3 a5 51. f4 Rxf4 52. Ke3 Rf1 53. Rxa5 Rg1 $2 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The rook was fine on f1, keeping the white king away from the g-pawn.} ({The only move was} 53... Kf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] to keep the rook from g5, and it's a tablebase draw.}) 54. Kf2 Rb1 55. Kg3 Rb2 56. Rg5 Ra2 57. Rxg4 Ke5 58. Rg6 Kxe4 59. Rg5 Ra8 60. Kh4 Ra1 61. g3 Rf1 62. Kg4 Rf8 63. Rh5 Rf7 64. Kh4 Kf3 65. g4 Kf4 66. Rh6 1-0 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.20"] [Round "7.3"] [White "L'Ami, Erwin"] [Black "Santos Latasa, Jaime"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "A13"] [WhiteElo "2627"] [BlackElo "2615"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "104"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "NED"] [BlackTeam "ESP"] 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 d4 5. O-O c5 6. e3 Nc6 7. exd4 cxd4 8. d3 Bc5 (8... Bd6 9. Bg5 h6 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. Nbd2 Qe7 12. a3 a5 13. Ne4 Bc7 {Gukesh,D (2730)-Abdusattorov $146 (2731) Berlin 2023}) 9. Bg5 h6 10. Bxf6 gxf6 $5 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] An interesting choice. Santos: \"My king looks weak but it's not so weak because the dark-squared bishop defends most squares.\"} 11. Nbd2 a5 12. Ne1 $146 (12. Nh4 f5 13. Qh5 Qg5 14. Qe2 Qf6 15. f4 O-O 16. a3 Re8 17. Qh5 Be7 {Heinemann,J (2360)-Schneider,J (2255) Rosenheim 2023}) 12... f5 13. Nc2 Kf8 14. a3 a4 15. b4 axb3 16. Nxb3 Be7 17. Nb4 Na5 18. Nd2 h5 19. Nf3 {A difficult choice, h4 or not h4.} ({The engine does prefer} 19. h4) 19... h4 20. Re1 hxg3 21. hxg3 Bf6 22. Rb1 (22. Ne5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) 22... Bd7 23. Qe2 ({Better was the immediate} 23. Qd2) 23... Ba4 24. Ne5 Qd6 25. f4 Rc8 26. Kf2 Rc5 27. Nf3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] An important moment.} ({The engine spots} 27. Rh1 $1 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rxh1 28. Rxh1 Bxe5 29. fxe5 Qxe5 {and now} (29... Rxe5 30. Qh5) 30. Qd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with, apparently, enough counterplay.}) 27... b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] From here, White never really gets back into the game.} 28. Rbc1 (28. cxb5 Bxb5 29. Ne5) 28... Nb3 29. Rc2 bxc4 30. dxc4 Rc8 31. Ne5 Nc5 32. Rcc1 Bxe5 33. fxe5 Qe7 34. Rh1 Rg8 35. Qd2 Qg5 36. Qxg5 Rxg5 37. Rh8+ Rg8 38. Rxg8+ Kxg8 39. Bf3 Nb3 40. Rg1 Rxc4 41. g4 f4 42. g5 Nd2 43. g6 Rc3 44. gxf7+ Kxf7 45. Ba8 d3 46. Rg4 Ne4+ 47. Bxe4 d2 48. Rxf4+ Ke7 49. Nc6+ Bxc6 50. Ke2 Re3+ 51. Kxe3 d1=Q 52. Bxc6 Qc1+ 0-1 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.20"] [Round "7.2"] [White "Roebers, Eline"] [Black "Salem, A.R. Saleh"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C60"] [WhiteElo "2381"] [BlackElo "2630"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "60"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "NED"] [BlackTeam "UAE"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 5. O-O Bd7 6. c3 g6 7. d4 Bg7 8. h3 Nf6 9. Re1 O-O 10. Nbd2 exd4 (10... Qe8 11. Bc2 h6 12. Nf1 Nh5 13. Ng3 Nxg3 14. fxg3 Qe7 {Robson,R (2699)-Sevian,S (2698) Chess.com INT 2023}) 11. cxd4 Nb4 12. Bxd7 Qxd7 13. Qb3 a5 14. a3 Nc6 15. e5 ({Interesting is} 15. Nb1 $5 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] as the knight really belongs on c3.}) 15... a4 16. Qc2 $146 (16. Qd1 Nd5 17. Ne4 h6 18. Nf6+ Nxf6 19. exf6 Bxf6 20. Bxh6 Rfe8 {Movsesian,S (2640)-Sebastian,D (2452) Germany 2020}) 16... Nd5 17. exd6 (17. b4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) 17... cxd6 18. Qc4 Nc7 19. b3 d5 20. Qd3 {Now all of Black's minor pieces are very good, which cannot be said about White's.} Ne6 21. Bb2 Nf4 22. Qe3 $6 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (22. Qb5 {was a better square.}) 22... Bh6 {This is already quite unpleasant.} 23. Ne5 Qf5 24. Kh1 Kg7 {A somewhat strange choice.} ({The simple} 24... Rfe8 {is hard to meet.}) 25. Ng4 Bg5 26. Ne4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] In a worse position, a tactical solution often fails.} (26. Qc3) 26... dxe4 27. d5+ f6 28. dxc6 Nxg2 29. Qxe4 Nxe1 30. Rxe1 Rae8 0-1 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.20"] [Round "7.1"] [White "Divya Deshmukh"] [Black "Vrolijk, Liam"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A29"] [WhiteElo "2420"] [BlackElo "2573"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "113"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "IND"] [BlackTeam "NED"] 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Bg2 Nf6 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. O-O h6 8. d3 (8. a3 a5 9. b3 Bd6 10. d4 O-O 11. Bb2 e4 12. Nd2 Nxd4 13. Ndxe4 Be5 14. Nxf6+ Bxf6 15. e3 Nb5 {Carlsen,M (2830)-So,W (2752) Toronto 2023}) 8... Bd6 9. a3 O-O 10. b4 a6 11. Bb2 Bf5 $146 (11... Re8 12. Rc1 Bg4 13. h3 Bf5 14. Nd2 Qd7 15. Kh2 Rab8 {Donchenko,A (2657)-Nihal,S (2620) chess24.com INT 2020}) 12. Rc1 Qd7 13. Na4 Bh3 14. Nc5 Bxc5 15. Rxc5 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 Rfe8 17. Qa1 e4 18. dxe4 Nxe4 19. Rcc1 f6 20. Qa2+ Qe6 21. Qxe6+ Rxe6 22. Rfd1 Nd6 23. Nd4 Nxd4 24. Bxd4 Rxe2 25. Rxc7 Nb5 26. Rd7 Nxa3 27. Bc5 Rb8 28. Ba7 Rbe8 29. Rxb7 R2e7 30. Rxe7 Rxe7 31. Bc5 Rb7 32. Ra1 Nc2 33. Ra4 Ne1+ 34. Kf1 Nd3 35. Ke2 Nxc5 36. bxc5 Rb5 37. c6 Rb6 $2 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({It was important to play actively:} 37... Kf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 38. Rxa6 Ke6 39. Ra7 g5 40. Rh7 Rc5 41. c7 g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 38. Rc4 Rb8 39. Kd3 Kf7 40. Rb4 Rc8 41. Rb6 Ke6 42. Rxa6 Rc7 ({The best chance was} 42... Rd8+ {when White had to play} 43. Ke3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (43. Kc4 Rd2) (43. Kc3 Rd1) 43... Rd5 44. c7+ Kd7 45. Rc6 Kc8 46. h4) 43. Ke4 Re7 44. h4 h5 45. Kf4 Kd6 46. Kf5 Re2 47. f4 Re3 48. c7+ Kd7 49. Ra8 g6+ 50. Kxg6 Rxg3+ 51. Kxf6 Kxc7 52. f5 Rg4 53. Ke5 Rg1 54. f6 Re1+ 55. Kd4 Rd1+ 56. Ke3 Rf1 57. f7 1-0 [Event "Tata Steel Masters 2024"] [Site "Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands"] [Date "2024.01.19"] [Round "5.6"] [White "Gukesh, D.."] [Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D50"] [WhiteElo "2725"] [BlackElo "2769"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/rotca247"] [PlyCount "97"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/xu3Tgu2d/4EdQyiwz"] {[%evp 0,97,19,31,14,-14,3,5,0,-3,37,44,24,29,32,-3,41,15,-13,-11,-13,-13,3,-1,8,24,34,34,41,50,68,79,70,68,61,37,32,18,6,23,22,0,0,2,0,0,26,29,-11,-3,14,0,20,35,66,20,17,0,3,10,32,36,22,5,0,5,15,3,13,37,113,109,233,119,120,125,125,121,118,118,136,145,145,145,145,113,171,187,188,171,182,194,234,214,265,233,265,260,260,271]} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c5 {The Semi-Tarrasch.} 5. cxd5 cxd4 6. Qxd4 exd5 7. Bg5 Be7 8. e3 O-O (8... Nc6 9. Bb5 O-O 10. Qa4) 9. Bb5 Nc6 {is a method of transposing back into the variation 8... Nc6} 10. Qa4 Bd7 11. Rd1 $146 {[%csl Rd5][%CAl Gc3d5,Gd1d5,Gg5f6] is a new innovation from Gukesh. The typical move is 0-0. I suppose the unsubtle idea is to ask Black what he will do about the d5 pawn.} (11. O-O {The mainline, but this position has never been seen at the top levels.}) 11... a6 12. Bxc6 bxc6 {[%csl Ra6,Rd7,Rc6] looks ugly but the alternative leads Black struggling with an IQP position. On first glance, this position now resembles a Four Knights Scotch, except that the queen is arguably better placed on a4. White can proceed in the centre, putting pressure on the weak c6 pawn.} (12... Bxc6 13. Qb3 {[%CAl Gb3b7,Gb3d5]} (13. Qf4 h6 14. Bh4 {a blunder according to the computer but I want to investigate the following position. In fact, in this tournament we have seen similar positions with h6-g5 in the quiet Italian.} g5 15. Bxg5 hxg5 16. Qxg5+ Kh8 17. O-O {Surprisingly, White can be patient! The idea is to bait} Rg8 18. Qh6+ Nh7 19. Qh5 $1 {[%CAl Gh5d5,Gh5f7] With Rg8, the f7 pawn is now undefended. White poses a double attack, how should Black proceed?} Qe8 20. Nxd5 f6 21. Qf5 $40 {[%csl Rh8][%CAl Gd1d4,Gd4h4,Gf1c1,Gc1c4,Gc4h4] Putting the computer evaluation aside, White has great attacking chances.}) 13... Rc8 14. O-O {[%CAl Gd1d2,Gf1d1,Bc3e2,Be2f4,Bh2h4] and the game goes on. White's plan is clear, to double the rooks on the d-file. Later, he can manoeuvre the knights around. Eye-catching is Ne2-Nf4, and a kingside attack might be on the books. Meanwhile, Black has to come up with a defence of the d-pawn. Unpleasant but doable.}) 13. Ne5 {[%CAl Ge5c6,Ge5d7,Gg5d8,Gd1d8] does just that.} Rc8 14. O-O Be8 {an ugly move but essential. To see why, let's check out} (14... Qc7 $2 15. Nxd7 {The start of a tactical sequence.} Qxd7 $7 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Nxd5 $1 {[%CAl Gd1d7,Gd5f6] wins a pawn by force. Like we saw in Donchenko - Wei Yi (see Rd 1's recap), the indirect move is stronger than 17.Rxd5! Here, White threatens another discovered attack.} Qe6 18. Nxf6+ Qxf6 19. Rd2 $18 {[%csl Ra6,Rc6] White is clearly winning.}) 15. Qxa6 {White picks up a pawn. However, Black has some dynamic counterplay coming.} h6 16. Bh4 Ra8 17. Qe2 Ne4 18. Nxe4 Bxh4 {Nepo obtains the bishop pair. However, it is not clear in this position whether they are superior. White's knights have powerful outposts available.} 19. Nc3 {[%CAl Ga8a2] It is a pity a2 was undefended, else} (19. Nc5 {would be favourable.} Be7 20. Ned3 {[%csl Re8][%CAl Ga2a3,Gb2b4,Bc5d7,Gc1c6,Gd1c1] and White secures a brilliant outpost on c5. From there, White restricts the activity of Black's light squared bishop and blockades the c6-d5 pawn formation. Meanwhile, White can pile up on the c-file before unleashing the heavy pieces.}) 19... Bf6 20. Nd3 Qa5 21. Rd2 Bd7 (21... Bxc3 22. bxc3 Qxc3 {recovers the pawn, but like previously established, White will jump onto the c5 square.} 23. Rc2 Qa3 24. Nc5 $1 {[%csl Re8,Rf8] Equal but very uncomfortable for Black. Not only is the bishop cut off from any good squares, but it locks in the f8 rook. If Black is not careful, White will overrun him quickly.}) 22. Rc1 Rfb8 23. Qf3 Bc8 {[%csl Rc6][%CAl Gc8a6] Nepo tries to improve his bishop. c6 will always be awfully weak.} 24. h3 {is a quiet improving move. White creates some breathing space while waiting to see what Black does. Once the bishop leaves the c8-h3 diagonal, White can pounce in with Qf5. If Black stays, for instance with} Ba6 (24... Bd7 25. g4 {[%CAl Gd3f4] is now a possibility. Kingside expansion maybe?}) 25. Qf5 Bc8 (25... Bxc3 {My feeling is that Black needed to forcefully equalise. Here is a timely opportunity.} 26. bxc3 {is forced due to ??} (26. Rxc3 $2 Rxb2 $1 27. Nxb2 Qxc3 {and if White does not trade queens, Black may take the advantage.} 28. Qc2 Qxc2 29. Rxc2 Bb5 30. a4 Bxa4 31. Nxa4 Rxa4 32. Rxc6 $10 {Equality.}) 26... Bxd3 27. Qxd3 Qa3 $10 {Stopping the a-pawn from advancing further. With the 2 isolated pawns, White is hard-pressed to prove an advantage. Black has finally equalised.}) 26. Qh5 {[%CAl Gf3f5,Gf5h5] This was a clever triangulation! Gukesh first induces the bishop to retreat to an inferior square before heading to his intended square.} Be6 (26... Bxc3 {It is still not too late!} 27. bxc3 Ba6 $13 {[%CAl Ga6c4]}) 27. Nf4 Bd7 {Nepo is straying ever slightly closer to being confidently worse.} 28. Qd1 (28. Nfe2 {[%CAl Ge2d4,Gd4f5,Ge2g3,Gg3f5,Bd4c6] would have been a nice touch.}) 28... Bf5 29. Nfe2 {and it does appear.} Bg6 30. Nd4 Ra6 31. b3 Be7 32. Na4 {[%CAl Ga4c5] Previously, the knight could access c5 from d3. Now, it's the other knight's turn! White has made obvious progress while Black is forced to passively defend.} Rc8 33. Qg4 {Did Gukesh just blunder the d2 rook?} Rc7 (33... Qxd2 34. Qxc8+ {Oops!} Kh7 {[%CAl Gc8a6]} 35. Ra1 {and Black must find the enterprising} Rxa4 $1 36. bxa4 Bh4 37. Rf1 Bxf2+ 38. Rxf2 Qe1+ 39. Rf1 Qxe3+ 40. Kh1 Qxd4 41. Qxc6 Be4 $10 {[%CAl Gd4e3,Ge3h3] 0.0 by nature of the powerful e5 bishop. White will be too busy defending the checkmate threats to do anything else.}) 34. Rcd1 Bb4 $4 {and Nepo finally slips up after defending for a long while. Can you see why?} 35. Nxc6 {[%CAl Gg4b4] The Qg4 attacks another piece from afar!} Rcxc6 36. Rxd5 h5 37. Qf4 Rd6 38. Rxd6 Bxd6 39. Rxd6 Rxd6 40. Qxd6 $18 {Gukesh reclaims the piece 3 pawns up.} Qe1+ 41. Kh2 Qxf2 42. Nc3 {[%csl Re3]} Qc2 $2 {Whenever we see puzzling moves like this, we should investigate further. Why doesn't Nepo take the free pawn?} (42... Qxe3 43. Nd5 Qf2 {[%CAl Gf2a2,Gg6e4] is the only viable move, threatening a2 and Be5 with mate. This forces White to neutralise the bishop with} 44. Ne7+ Kh7 45. Nxg6 fxg6 46. a4 {2 passed pawns on the queenside! Can Black fight for a draw?! To the human player, this seems dead lost. Armed with a computer, the position suddenly becomes murky. With this knowledge, Nepo should have certainly entered this line.} Qc2 {[%CAl Gc2b3]} 47. Qb8 {[%CAl Gb8g3]} Qa2 {[%csl Ra4][%CAl Rb3b4]} 48. Qb5 Qf2 {[%CAl Bb8h2,Gf4c1,Gf2f4,Gc1f4] Black shuffles between the queenside - attacking the pawns and forcing the White queen away from the b8-h2 diagonal - and f2, terrorising White with a draw by perpetual check.} 49. Qb4 $1 {[%CAl Gb4f4]} Qb2 {[%CAl Gb2e5]} 50. Qb8 Qa2 51. Qb5 Qf2 {White has made no progess. I'm not confident of White's winning plan, if any exists, but let us give it a shot.} 52. Qb8 Qa2 53. b4 $1 Qxa4 54. b5 Qb3 55. b6 g5 $13 {[%CAl Gg5g3]}) 43. Qd4 Bd3 44. Nd5 Be4 45. Nf4 {[%CAl Bf4g2] Black has virtually no more resources.} g6 46. a4 Bf3 47. Qd3 Qf2 48. e4 Bd1 49. Nxg6 {A nice finish to the game. Gukesh strikes back to 50% with 2.5/5. A technical and stylish way to take down a strong opponent.} 1-0 [Event "Tata Steel Masters 2024"] [Site "Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands"] [Date "2024.01.13"] [Round "1.1"] [White "Donchenko, Alexander"] [Black "Wei, Yi"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "E60"] [WhiteElo "2643"] [BlackElo "2740"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/rotca247"] [PlyCount "76"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/xu3Tgu2d/GIXzAtDb"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 {We can't predict what Wei Yi had in mind against Nc3, but both the Grunfeld and King's Indian are possible. Donchenko surprises with a deviation from the mainlines, essaying} 4. e3 $5 O-O 5. Be2 c5 {If Wei Yi is fazed, he doesn't show it. For these top players, transpositions between openings and pawn structures have become instinctual. He enters an arguably inferior for White Benoni (see comment below).} 6. d5 e6 7. Nc3 d6 8. O-O (8. e4 {was Topalov's choice against MVL in 2022. Here, White concedes a wasted move in the form of e2 to e3, and then e3 to e4 finally.}) 8... exd5 9. cxd5 {[%csl Rd6][%CAl Gc1f4] In a typical Benoni, White's dark squared bishop would be on f4 targetting the backward's d6 pawn. Alternatively, White's e-pawn would already be on e4 with h3 played. That structure restricts Black's c8 bishop which often struggles to find a home. Guess Wei Yi's next move?} Bg4 10. Nd2 Bxe2 11. Qxe2 Na6 12. e4 {[%csl Rd6][%CAl Gd2c4,Gc1f4] Finally! White is aiming to put pressure on d6 but Black is sufficiently developed to defend adequately.} Re8 {I can only surmise that Donchenko hoped to stall Wei Yi in the opening, but the time situation paints a different picture. Wei Yi still has 1:40 on the clock while Donchenko is down to 1:17.} 13. Nc4 b5 $1 {Active defence, a typical Benoni idea. The pawn thrust deflects White's knight from defending the central e-pawn. Also interesting is:} (13... Nxe4 $1 14. Nxe4 f5 {[%CAl Ge8e2] exploiting the annoying pin.} 15. Ncxd6 (15. f3 fxe4 16. fxe4 {[%csl Re4][%CAl Gd8e7,Gg7a1] and Black has a few ideas. Bg7 is menacing down the h8-a1 diagonal and Qe7 will do well to pressure e4 (due to a key fork after 17. Bf4 but I'll leave you to explore that). Of course, we can continue in the same enterprising spirit of 13...Nxe4! and go} b5 17. Nd2 Nb4 {[%CAl Gg7d4,Gb4c2,Gc2e3,Gc5c4]} 18. Qxb5 Bd4+ 19. Kh1 Nc2 20. Rb1 Ne3 21. Rf3 Qh4 $36 {A sample line.}) 15... Qxd6 16. Nxd6 Rxe2 17. Nxb7 {[%csl Rb2,Rb7][%CAl Gg7b2,Ge2b2,Ga8b8] Time to count material! White is one pawn up, but only temporarily. Black's bishop and rook on the 7th is menacing while White has a misplaced knight. If anything, Black definitely has the initiative.} Rb8 18. Na5 {Black can reclaim the pawn but I prefer} Rd8 $36 {[%csl Gg7,Rc1] Why rush and trade the great bishop for White's shitty one? Definitely, White should still be fine if he proceeds with energetic counterplay.}) 14. Nxb5 (14. Ne3 {I was curious on what proceeds if White declines the pawn. Still, black can probably get the same type of positions.} Rb8 {threatening both ideas of c4-Nc5/Nc7 as well as b4!} 15. Nxb5 Qb6 16. a4 Rxe4 $15 {and I'm not sure how White should untangle from his undeveloped mess.}) 14... Nxe4 {leaves White's queen still feeling exposed and protects d6. No more tricks for White unlike 14...Rxe4. And what if White responds similarly with 15.Be3?} (14... Rxe4 $2 {does indeed pose a direct question, but we must learn that sometimes a threat can be larger than its execution. This move allows White to defend and develop simultaneously with} 15. Be3 Nxd5 16. Nbxd6 (16. Qf3 $1 {[%CAl Gf3d5] is even stronger.} Nxe3 17. fxe3 {[%CAl Gf3f7]} Re7 18. Nbxd6 Qf8 19. Rf2 $16 {[%csl Rf7][%CAl Ga1f1,Gd6f7,Gf1f7]}) 16... Re6 17. Rad1 {[%csl Rd5,Ra6,Rc5,Ra7][%CAl Gd1d8,Ge3a7] White's moves have been simple and now Black's pieces are the ones looking uncoordinated.}) 15. Qf3 (15. Be3 $6 Qd7 $1 {to provoke} 16. a4 {giving Black an outpost on b4.} Nb4) 15... Qd7 {Same idea!} 16. a4 Nb4 17. Bf4 {[%csl Rd6]} Nc2 18. Rad1 Nd4 19. Rxd4 $1 {Enterprising play!} (19. Nxd4 cxd4 20. Rfe1 f5 {is also very much possible. Both sides have chances. Black has a nice passed pawn but White places pressure on d6.}) 19... cxd4 20. Ncxd6 Nxd6 21. Nxd6 {I'm not sure what type of game Donchenko had in mind but I would be quite happy to get this position against a stronger opponent, especially after his innocuous opening.} Red8 22. b3 {Whilst an exchange down, Donchenko aims to consolidate by securing the Knight on c4, pushing d5-d6 and activating the rook on the e/c-file. Wei Yi must act quickly to reach a position where his material advantage will be overwhelming.} g5 $1 (22... Rab8 {A sample line where Black plays aimlessly.} 23. Nc4 Rbc8 24. d6 Qf5 25. Rd1 $13 {[%CAl Gg2g3,Gh2h4]}) 23. Bg3 f5 $1 {[%CAl Gf5f4] 2 precise moves taking advantage of the fact that Nd6 only has 1 protector.} 24. Qxf5 $7 (24. Nxf5 $4 Rf8 $19 {[%CAl Gf8f3]}) 24... Qxf5 25. Nxf5 {Only 1 trick for Black to avoid!} Bf6 {The position has cleared up with the queens traded. Black stands slightly better by virtue of material but White's knight remains active. The passed pawn of both sides promises dynamic play still! Intuitively, it is still difficult for Black to consolidate an advantage but Wei Yi proceeds skillfully.} (25... Rxd5 $4 26. Ne7+) 26. Nd6 (26. d6 h5 {[%CAl Gh5h4]} (26... Rab8 $2 {and White uncorks} 27. Ne7+ $1 Kf7 (27... Bxe7 $4 {is even worse.} 28. dxe7 Re8 29. Bxb8 Rxb8 $18 {A simple win. Black needs to waste time getting rid of the dangerous e-pawn while White scoops up more pawns.}) 28. Nc6 $10) 27. f3 h4 28. Bf2 Rab8 29. Rb1 Kf7 30. g4 {Not within the computer's top choices but I am seeking to secure the f5 knight.} h3 $5 {[%CAl Gb8c8,Gc8c2,Gc2g2,Bf2a7] apparently secures Black an advantage but that fact is very obscure to me. Still, it's rather instructive to explore by yourself why this is the case. To me, the lines all seem very concrete (and computerish), but h3 is important in lines where the Black rook infiltrates on the 7th.} (30... a6 {placing the a-pawn out of reach of White's bishop is more natural.} 31. b4 Rb7 $2 32. b5 axb5 33. axb5 Ke6 34. Nxd4+ Kxd6 35. b6 $10 {and Black has thrown away his advantage. b6 is too far advanced.})) 26... h5 27. h3 h4 28. Bh2 Be7 29. Nb5 $6 {[%CAl Rb8b3,Ga7a6] is dubious. Why? On first look, Nb5 shields the weak b3 pawn and is more secure than having a loose knight on f5. However, the resource of a6 for Black, kicking away the White knight can be quite critical. Furthermore, Nf5 allows White to have a key check on e7, blocking any funny backrank threats (and prevents Rab8 due to the fork on c6). Of course, this is a stretch to visualise without concrete computer analysis.} (29. Nf5 Bc5 30. d6 {[%CAl Gf5e7,Ge7c6]} d3 31. Rd1 Rf8 (31... Re8 $2 32. Ne7+ (32. Rxd3 $4 Re1#) 32... Kf7 33. Rxd3 $16) 32. g4 $1 hxg3 33. Ne7+ Kh7 {dodging any funny checks from Be5 or Nf5 later on.} 34. Bxg3 $13 {and the game goes on.}) 29... Bc5 30. d6 Rac8 (30... a6 $4 31. Nc7 Rac8 32. Ne6 Rd7 33. Rc1 {[%csl Rc5][%CAl Gc1c8] and it looks like Black drops a piece. Still, it's not over yet!} d3 34. Nxc5 d2 35. Rd1 Rxc5 36. Kf1 $10 {with equality.}) (30... d3 $1 {exposes the flaw of Nb5. Black threatens a6, picking up d6 while keeping his passed pawn.} 31. Rd1 {is met by} (31. Nc7 {and a spectacular line is coming.} Rac8 32. Ne6 d2 $1 33. Nxd8 Bxd6 34. Bxd6 Rc1 $19 {Black's pawn cannot be stopped from queening, game over.}) 31... Re8 {[%CAl Ge8e1]} 32. Kf1 Bb4 {[%CAl Ge8e1,Gb4e1] still threatening Re8.} 33. d7 Re7 $19 {[%CAl Ge7d7] Black is clearly better.}) 31. Be5 {Donchenko is closing in on equality. He threatens Bf6, picking up the g5-h4 pawn chain and also taking on d4+a7.} d3 (31... Kf7) 32. Bf6 $2 {Donchenko makes the final mistake.} (32. Rd1 {I wonder what Wei Yi had in mind in response to this, but White should be able to pick up the d-pawn easily.} Rf8 {[%CAl Gc5f2]} 33. Nd4 Ba3 {[%CAl Gc8c1] threatening a devious exchange of Rc1.} 34. Rxd3 Rc1+ 35. Kh2 Rxf2 36. d7 {The position is doubled edged: White threatens to queen while Black is setting up a mating net with Rff1-Rh1#} Be7 37. Ne6 Rff1 38. d8=Q+ Bxd8 39. Rxd8+ Kf7 (39... Kh7 {is apparently not enough for a win.} 40. Nf8+ Kg8 41. Nd7+ Kh7 42. Nf8+ Kh6 43. Rd6+ Kh5 44. g4+ hxg3+ 45. Kxg3 {and the White king escapes. Black must bail out with perpetual check now!} Rg1+ $10 (45... Rxf8 $4 46. Bg7 $18 {[%CAl Gd6h6]})) 40. Rf8+ Kxe6 41. Rxf1 Rxf1 42. Bd4 {and Black retains a slight edge but there is definitely chances for White to hold this.}) 32... Rd7 33. Bxg5 a6 $19 {[%csl Rd6] The d6 pawn is far more important for White to maintain rather than picking up Black's kingside pawns. Wei Yi must already be certain that the full point is his to take.} 34. Nc3 Bxd6 35. Ne4 Be7 36. Rd1 Bxg5 37. Nxg5 d2 38. Kf1 Re7 $1 {Accurate! White cannot take on d2 due to Rc8. 0-1 A fascinating game full of instructive ideas. Wei Yi navigates the opening skillfully but Donchenko shows why White's half-move advantage gives him so much leeway. Even with an unambitious aim to obtain just a playable position, White still manages to obtain a fighting game. Wei Yi's method of defusing White's threats with g5! and f5! teaches us to be precise, minimising our opponents chances to complicate the game.} 0-1 [Event "Tata Steel Masters 2024"] [Site "Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands"] [Date "2024.01.15"] [Round "2.6"] [White "Ding, Liren"] [Black "Donchenko, Alexander"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E94"] [WhiteElo "2780"] [BlackElo "2643"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/rotca247"] [PlyCount "74"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/xu3Tgu2d/85lEUQeA"] 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. d4 O-O 6. Be2 e5 {The King's Indian Defense. Donchenko has come for a fight!} 7. O-O exd4 {is a trendy choice. Black avoids the book heavy Mar Del Plata and venomous Bayonet Attack among other White options. Black declares his intention to fight in an open centre rather than going for a typical king-side attack.} (7... Nc6 {is by far the most popular move.}) 8. Nxd4 Re8 9. f3 c6 {[%CAl Gd6d5] c6-d5 is a cute idea that is rarely seen in the other variations of the KID.} (9... Nc6 {was Magnus' choice twice. However, this move has fallen out of favour, at least at the super-GM level.} 10. Be3 Nh5 {[%CAl Gh5f4,Gc6d4,Gg7d4]} 11. g4 Be5 $1 12. gxh5 Bxh2+ $10 {is a cute drawing line.}) 10. Nc2 (10. Kh1 {was Ding's previous choice in 2020 against the World Number 1. Let's take a quick look:} d5 11. cxd5 cxd5 12. Bg5 Nc6 13. Bb5 h6 {The position is quickly becoming doubled-edged. However, the tactics are simple for these GMs to navigate.} 14. Nxc6 bxc6 15. Bxc6 hxg5 16. Bxa8 d4 17. Nd5 Ba6 18. Bc6 Re6 19. Rc1 $1 Bxf1 20. Qxf1 g4 {Ding, Liren - Carlsen, Magnus, 1/2-1/2, Chessable Masters Final, 2020, https://lichess.org/5HPzvCPk} (20... Qa5 {is Richard Forster's improvement.})) 10... Na6 (10... d5 $2 {is too early! White will simply hang on to the pawn, and successfully.} 11. cxd5 cxd5 12. exd5 Nbd7 13. d6 $16 {[%csl Rd7,Rc8,Ra8,Rd8]}) 11. Kh1 h6 {[%CAl Gg5d8,Rc1g5] is a suble variation championed by Max Warmerdam, who is coincidentally another participant. The idea is to deny White the option of Bg5, which can lead to an annoying pin on the f6 knight.} 12. Be3 d5 13. cxd5 (13. exd5 $6 {[%CAl Ge8e1] Maintaining the central structure should be preferable as opening the e-file can only be advantageous for Black.} cxd5 14. cxd5 Nb4 $1 {Black threatens to regain the pawn.} 15. Nxb4 Rxe3 $13 {[%CAl Gg7a1,Ga8c8,Bf6e8,Be8d6] This is a critical idea to understand. Even though Black is a pawn down - and a passed pawn - the 2 bishop advantage he possess more than makes up for it. Of course, Black must keep up dynamic play. Next, the knight will be coming to d6, where it can best blockade the pawn.}) 13... cxd5 {By now, Ding is out of his preparation, but he responds with the excellent} 14. Qc1 $1 {A quiet side-step. These types of moves are extremely challenging to find. Only with this resource can White continue to fight for an advantage. Ding forces Donchenko to react, as Rd1 is a looming threat while h6 is hanging too.} (14. exd5 Nb4 {is analysed above.}) (14. Rc1 {If White tries to maintain the tension in the centre, Black can manoeuvre his knights to better squares. Another critical lesson of having patience!} Nc7 15. Bf4 Ne6 16. Bg3 dxe4 17. fxe4 Ng5 $13 {[%CAl Gf6e4,Gg5e4] The Black knights are now well coordinated.}) (14. Qd2 {doesn't have the same effect as Qc1 as Black can always force a trade of the monarchs.} dxe4 15. Qxd8 Rxd8 16. fxe4 $10) 14... dxe4 $7 (14... Qe7 $2 {trying to maintain the threat of Nb4! after exd5 is met by} 15. Bxa6 bxa6 16. exd5 Bb7 17. Bxh6 $14) 15. Bxh6 (15. Rd1 {might have been more trying.} Qc7 16. Bf4 Qc5 17. Bxh6 exf3 18. Bxf3 {[%CAl Gf3a8]} Bg4 {and Black neutralises the powerful White bishop.} 19. Bxg7 Kxg7 20. Qf4 Bxf3 21. Qxf3 $10 {[%csl Ra6][%CAl Ga1f1,Gf1f7,Ga2a4,Gc3b5] This is definitely an equal position, but White's play is easier.}) 15... Nc5 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Qg5 exf3 (17... Nd3 $5 {[%csl Rf2][%CAl Gd3b2,Gd3f2] was what I hoped would appear on the board. Such moves give chances to play for all three results, but GMs tend to play more solidly.} 18. fxe4 (18. Rad1 {appears to be safest but is quite interesting too!} Qb6 19. Bxd3 exd3 20. Rxd3 Bf5 21. Rd2 Qxb2 {[%CAl Gg5d2]} 22. Nd4 $1 {Very concrete blow by blow play.} Qxc3 23. Nxf5+ Kg8 24. Nd6 Re3 25. Rdd1 Re6 26. Nxb7 Rae8 $10 {The pawn deficit is immaterial due to Black's active rooks and the misplaced knight on b7.}) 18... Ng4 $1 19. Bxg4 $4 (19. Qxd8 Rxd8 20. Bxd3 Rxd3 $10 {and Black can argue that the bishop is stronger than a knight.}) (19. Qd5 Ndf2+ 20. Kg1 Qb6 21. Qd4+ Qxd4 22. Nxd4 Nxe4 $13) 19... Qxg5) 18. Bxf3 Ne6 19. Qe5 Qc7 20. Qxc7 (20. Qxf6+ $5 {would been a fancy simplifying move. If Magnus was white, perhaps this would have been his choice to grind Donchenko down.} Kxf6 21. Nd5+ Kg7 22. Nxc7 Nxc7 23. Nd4 {[%csl Gd4][%CAl Gf3a8] White has some pressure with the better development but precise Black play will equalise.} Ne6 (23... Rb8 24. Rac1 Ne6 25. Nb5 Bd7 26. Nd6 {Still 0.0 but the position is very uncomfortable.}) 24. Nb5 Rb8 25. Nxa7 Bd7 26. a4 $13) 20... Nxc7 21. Rad1 Rb8 22. Kg1 {The position still holds much promise for exciting play but both players seem content with a draw. Slightly disappointing from a spectator's perspective.} Be6 23. Nd4 Bc4 24. Rfe1 Ncd5 25. Rxe8 Rxe8 26. Nxd5 Bxd5 27. Bxd5 Nxd5 28. Nf5+ {Clean.} gxf5 29. Rxd5 Re2 30. Rb5 b6 31. a4 Kg6 32. a5 bxa5 33. Rxa5 Rxb2 34. Rxa7 Rb1+ 35. Kf2 Rb2+ 36. Kg1 Rb1+ 37. Kf2 Rb2+ {A clean precise game from both sides. Donchenko must be satisfied with a draw against the World Champion. The game fizzled out near the end, but there were plenty of ungrasped opportunites for both sides to pose questions to their opponent. See 17...Nd3!? for Black and 20.Qxf6!? for White.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Tata Steel Masters 2024"] [Site "Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands"] [Date "2024.01.16"] [Round "3.1"] [White "Ju, Wenjun"] [Black "Van Foreest, Jorden"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B06"] [WhiteElo "2549"] [BlackElo "2682"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/rotca247"] [PlyCount "74"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/xu3Tgu2d/MNbhiZXI"] 1. d4 g6 2. e4 Bg7 3. Nf3 d6 4. Bc4 Nf6 (4... e6 $5 {is advocated in many books on the Modern/Pirc. Black continues with an interesting hippo set-up.} 5. Bb3 b6 6. O-O Bb7 7. Re1 Nd7 8. Nbd2 Ne7 $13) 5. Qe2 Nc6 {Black is not afraid of 6.e5.} 6. h3 {Against a booked-out opponent, Ju avoids tactical complications.} (6. e5 $5 dxe5 7. dxe5 Ng4 8. e6 {appears scary but Black fends off the pawn easily.} Bxe6 9. Bxe6 fxe6 10. O-O (10. Qxe6 Nd4 (10... Nge5 11. Nxe5 Nxe5 12. O-O Qd7 $10 {in Ibarra - Sadhwani is clearly equal.}) 11. Qxg4 Nxc2+ 12. Ke2 Nxa1 13. Rd1 Qc8 14. Qc4 Qf5 {and the computer promises zeroes.}) 10... Qd6 11. c3 O-O-O $13) 6... O-O 7. O-O Nh5 {is a recent improvement from the standard 7...e5. This move unlocks the g7 bishop to recapture on e5.} (7... e5 8. dxe5 Nxe5 9. Nxe5 dxe5 $10 {Equal but Black's dark-square bishop will suffer from awhile, often for the whole game.}) 8. Rd1 e5 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Nxe5 Bxe5 11. Nc3 c6 {[%CAl Gb7b5]} 12. Bh6 Re8 13. Qf3 {[%csl Rf7][%CAl Gc4f7,Gf3f7] I tried to see how White can layoff the direct threats and play with more patience. Unfortunately, moves like 13.Rd2 seem to be too slow as Black advances rapidly on the queenside.} (13. Rd2 $2 b5 14. Bb3 a5 15. a3 Qf6 $15 {[%csl Gg6][%CAl Gh5f4,Gg6g5] Only one side has managed to improve his pieces over the past few moves. Black is now ready for any tactical complications.}) 13... Qf6 14. Qxf6 (14. Rd3 {is worth some consideration! White wants Black to capture on f3 instead.} Qxf3 (14... b5 15. Bb3 a5 16. a3 a4 17. Ba2 $13) 15. Rxf3 {[%CAl Gc4f7,Gf3f7]} Nf6 16. Bg5 (16. Bf4 $6 {is a needlessly interesting computer recommendation. There is no reason for White to give up a pawn, not even for the bishop pair.} Bxc3 17. Rxc3 Nxe4 18. Re3 d5 19. Bd3 {"0.00"}) 16... Kg7 17. Rd1 $13) 14... Nxf6 15. Bd3 b5 {[%CAl Gb5b4,Ge5b2]} 16. Rab1 {[%csl Re5][%CAl Rb5b4,Rc3a4,Gc3e2,Be2d4,Bf2f4] White anticipates the threat of b4, and wants to avoid dooming her knight to the poor square of a4. With the knight on e2 followed by c3, White can significantly blunt Black's dark square control.} Nd7 17. f4 {[%csl Rh6] Expanding moves like 17.f4 are very attractive, the only fear is that the dark squared bishop gets stuck on h6. We will see...} Bd4+ 18. Kh2 Bb6 {[%CAl Ge5d4,Gd4b6] Another instructive manouerve! Van Foreest leaves the a1-h8 diagonal to aim at White's kingside.} 19. b4 a5 20. a3 Bc7 {[%csl Rb1,Rh6][%CAl Gc7h2,Gf7f5,Gc8b7,Gb7g2,Ge8e1] Here, it's fair to conclude that Black's position has progressed over the past few moves. I'm not sure what White has accompished in that time. Among other plans, Black has plans to break through with f5 and doom Bh6 to mediocrity.} 21. Kh1 Nf6 $6 {gives Ju Wenjun some respite. I suspect Jorden missed the following combination.} 22. Bg5 Nd7 (22... Kg7 $2 {is not possible due to} 23. Bxf6+ Kxf6 24. Bxb5 $1 Bd7 (24... cxb5 $4 25. Nd5+ Kg7 26. Nxc7 $18 {[%CAl Gc7a8,Gc7e8] Fork after fork!}) 25. Ba4 $14) 23. e5 $1 {is a inspiring find! The tactics work out perfectly for Ju.} (23. Bh4 {[%CAl Gh4f2] is another option. White wants to reroute the bishop to f2, denying the g1-a7 diagonal for Black.} Kg7 24. g4 axb4 25. axb4 Ra3 26. Be1 d5 27. Bd2 $10 {[%CAl Gd2f4] and everything is defended nicely.} Bxf4 $2 {fails due to} 28. Bxf4 Rxc3 29. Bc1 $1 {[%csl Rc3][%CAl Gc1b2] Rc3 is a fish out of water} Nb6 30. Be3 $1 {[%CAl Ge3d4]} (30. Bb2 {White must be careful to avoid this devious trick.} Na4 $1 31. Bxc3+ Nxc3 32. exd5 Nxd1 33. Rxd1 Bd7 $10) 30... dxe4 31. Bd4+ $14) 23... d5 (23... dxe5 24. Nxb5 cxb5 25. Bxb5 {[%csl Rd7][%CAl Gb5e8,Gg5d8] is the crux of the 23.e5! idea. Nd7 is indefensible.} Bb6 26. Bxd7 Bxd7 27. Rxd7 e4 28. Bf6 $13 {[%CAl Gf6e5,Re8e4] The position is now clarified. The e4 pawn is dangerous and can quickly advance. However, Black's king is in somewhat of a mating net with White a pawn up too.}) (23... axb4 {and there is a forest of variations. The following is only a minor pruning!} 24. axb4 (24. exd6 Bxd6 25. Be4 Rxa3 26. Bxc6 Rxc3 27. Rxd6 Re6 {[%CAl Ge6c6,Gc3c6]} 28. Rxd7 {[%CAl Gd7d8]} Bxd7 $2 (28... Rexc6 29. Rd5 $10 {[%CAl Gb1b4,Gd5b5]}) 29. Bxd7 $16 {and the 2 bishops are incredibly powerful together.}) 24... Ra3 (24... d5 25. Bxb5 cxb5 26. Nxd5 {[%CAl Gd5e7] Forks galore!} Bd8 27. Bxd8 Rxd8 28. Nf6+ Kf8 29. Kh2 {and even one piece down, White has all the time in the world.}) 25. Nxb5 $1 cxb5 26. Bxb5 {[%CAl Gd1d7,Ge5d6] The pressure on the d-file is enormous!}) 24. Nxd5 $2 {Ju slips up. Later on, Black's piece for the 3 pawns will prove too challenging to manage.} (24. Bxb5 cxb5 25. Nxd5 {[%csl Rc7][%CAl Gd5c7] similar to the sub-variation above is the most challenging. White threatens to snap up the hanging c7 bishop as well as Ne7+. Can you spot the idea?} Ra7 26. Ne7+ Kf8 $4 (26... Rxe7 27. Bxe7 axb4 28. axb4 $14 {and Black can still fight.}) 27. Nxc8 {removes the crtical defender} Rxc8 28. Rxd7 {[%CAl Gd7a7,Gd7h7] White is simply 2 pawns ahead with a threatening 7th rank rook.}) 24... cxd5 25. Bxb5 axb4 26. axb4 (26. Rxd5 {[%csl Rd7][%CAl Gb4a3,Ga3a1] is another mess!} bxa3 (26... h6 {is the computer's choice but its too far a stretch for the human player.} 27. Bxh6 bxa3 28. Bxd7 Rd8 $1 29. Bc6 a2 30. Ra1 Ra6 {and the computer analysis will just keep going. I'll leave you to have fun here :)}) 27. Bxd7 Bxd7 28. Rxd7 a2 29. Ra1 Bb6 $13 {Which side would you rather play as?}) 26... Re6 {[%CAl Gb5e8] escaping the pin.} 27. Rxd5 Nf8 28. c4 Rb6 29. Rbd1 Bb7 30. R5d2 Ne6 {[%csl Rf4,Rb5][%CAl Gc7h2,Be6d8,Be6g5,Ga8a3,Ga3h3,Gb7h1] As I drew with the arrows, Black's pieces are simply more threatening. Objectively, White is still standing tall in the fight but Van Foreest's bishops play themselves.} 31. Bh6 $2 {Ju errs right away.} (31. Be7 {[%CAl Ge7c5] was neccessary. How can we find such moves in a game? I'm not quite sure.}) 31... g5 $1 {[%CAl Gb6h6] is very clean by Jorden! He locks the bishop out and attacks it via the rook on b6.} 32. f5 Nd4 $2 {Both players are struggling, but justifiably due to their mutual time trouble woes.} (32... Nf4 33. Bxg5 Bxe5 $15 {and Black's bishops have free reign of the board.}) 33. f6 Bxe5 $17 {Black is clearly winning although there is still work to be done.} 34. Bxg5 Re6 $2 {is hopeless but commendable!} 35. Rxd4 Bxd4 36. Rxd4 Re2 {[%csl Rg2,Rh3][%CAl Ge2g2,Gb7g2,Ga8a1]} 37. c5 $4 (37. Rg4 h5 38. Rg3 $19) 37... Ra1+ {Mate in 3, Ju Wenjun resigns.} 0-1 [Event "Tata Steel Chess 2024"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.21"] [Round "8"] [White "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D40"] [WhiteElo "2759"] [BlackElo "2780"] [Annotator "rafael"] [PlyCount "85"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/6000+30:3000+30"] {[%evp 0,85,14,22,15,-2,-2,-6,-2,6,44,12,10,7,21,19,29,11,-4,-84,-84,-106,-4,-3,20,-9,-9,-17,-17,-12,-18,-64,-6,27,47,22,16,12,202,205,189,198,200,200,210,204,237,237,237,237,234,238,238,254,249,223,257,234,276,278,260,279,283,273,268,284,276,275,322,302,324,303,361,369,358,358,364,364,372,387,387,376,378,381,378,376,378,360]} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c5 5. e3 Nc6 6. a3 {This line yielded an important victory for Ding, with White, against Nakamura in the Candidates Tournament.} dxc4 7. Bxc4 a6 8. Ba2 {A rare retreat.} (8. Bd3 b5 9. dxc5 Bxc5 10. b4 Be7 11. O-O Bb7 12. Bb2 O-O 13. Ne4 Nxe4 14. Bxe4 f5 15. Bb1 Qxd1 16. Rxd1 Rfd8 {with an equal endgame in Ding-Nakamura, Candidates Tournament, Madrid 2022.}) (8. O-O {is the most popular move.}) 8... b5 9. Qc2 $5 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A fresh idea. Firouzja had played this before, but apparently the world champion was not well prepared for it.} cxd4 (9... Qb6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] allows the advance of the d-pawn:} 10. d5 {with the initiative.}) (9... Bb7 $5 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is an interesting pawn sacrifice:} 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. Nxb5 $1 {[%CAl Rc2c5]} Nd7 $11 {with compensation for the pawn due to the good development and the powerful bishop on b7.} ({Stockfish dev-20231116-7970236e:} 11... axb5 $6 12. Qxc5 b4 13. O-O Ra5 14. Qc2 O-O 15. Qe2 h6 16. Rd1 Qa8 17. Bb1 Rc8 18. h3 $14 {[%eval 52,0]})) 10. exd4 (10. Nxb5 $4 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Blunder;persistent;true] loses a piece after} Qa5+ $19 {[%CAl Ra5e1,Ra5b5]}) (10. Nxd4 {Stockfish dev-20231116-7970236e:} Bb7 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. e4 Bd6 13. Bg5 O-O 14. f4 Qc7 15. e5 Bxe5 16. fxe5 Qxe5+ 17. Ne2 Qxg5 18. Qxc6 Rad8 19. Qc1 Qxg2 20. Rg1 Qxh2 $17 {[%eval -78,0]}) 10... Bb7 {[%mdl 32768]} (10... Nxd4 {is a critical move that leads to very complicated positions and strange computer lines. It's impossible to play this move without having analyzed it with the machine.} 11. Nxd4 Qxd4 12. Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qe5+ $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important novelty.} (12... Nxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad:} 13. Qc6+ Ke7 14. Qxa8 Qe5+ 15. Kf1 {with the advantage for White in Firouzja-Nepomniachtchi, St. Louis Rapid 2022.}) 13. Kf1 (13. Be3 {allows Black to capture the bishop in a few moves.} Nxd5 14. Qc6+ Ke7 15. Qxa8 Nxe3 16. Qa7+ Kf6 17. Qxe3 Bd6 {with compensation for the exchange.}) 13... exd5 (13... Nxd5 {is also possible:} 14. Qc6+ Kd8 15. Qxa8 Bc5 16. Bxd5 exd5 17. Be3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bxe3 18. fxe3 {with chaos on board. It seems easier to play with White.}) 14. Qc6+ Kd8 15. Bd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The complications continue, but I will spare the reader the many difficult to understand variations that are pointed out by the machine.} (15. Qxa8 $2 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Bc5 {The computer indicates a decisive advantage for Black. White's king is insecure.})) 11. d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} exd5 (11... Nxd5 {It's difficult to say which capture is better. The problem with this one is that king loses a defender.} 12. Nxd5 exd5 13. O-O Be7 14. Bb1 $5 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A curious move that avoids Black's castling and maintains a dangerous initiative in practice.}) 12. Bg5 {A new move.} (12. O-O Be7 13. Rd1 Na5 14. Bg5 O-O {with equality in Jumabayev-Narayanan, Wch Rapid Almaty 2022.}) 12... Be7 13. Rd1 (13. Bxf6 {is not enough for an advantage:} Bxf6 14. Nxd5 O-O 15. O-O Ne5 {with mass exchanges.} (15... Nd4 {is also good.})) 13... d4 $6 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move leads to a dangerous position. Black wastes precious time and opens the diagonal of the dangerous bishop on a2. The correct way to defend involves the maneuver Na5-c4.} (13... Na5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Nxd5 O-O 16. O-O Nc4 (16... Rc8 {is also possible.}) 17. Bxc4 bxc4 18. Qxc4 Bxb2 {The material balance is restored and Black is safe.}) (13... O-O 14. O-O Na5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the idea of Nc4.}) 14. O-O O-O 15. Rfe1 {All white pieces are playing and Black needs to find an almost impossible move to minimize the damage.} b4 {I considered putting a dubious sign on this move, but considering the difficulty of the correct one I thought that would be unfair.} (15... h6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is a typical mistake:} 16. Bxh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} gxh6 17. Qg6+ Kh8 18. Qxh6+ Nh7 19. Nd5 {with a decisive attack. White's bishop may come to b1 and there are not enough defenders for the black king.}) (15... Qd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the correct way, but this is very hard to find, to say the least. White has many tempting continuations, but no killer blow. A possible variation is:} 16. Ne4 (16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Ne4 Qf4 {and Black escapes.}) 16... Nxe4 17. Qxe4 Bf6 18. Bb1 g6 19. Qh4 Bg7 20. Ba2 {The initiative remains dangerous but Black can defend with good play.}) 16. Bb1 $6 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Once again it is difficult to place a dubious sign, but this time it's necessary.} (16. Ne2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best way: the knight can capture on d4 or go to g3. Firouzja is a very aggressive player and preferred an exchange sacrifice to retreating a knight.}) 16... g6 {The only way to defend.} 17. Rxe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Justifying the previous move.} (17. axb4 Nxb4 18. Qe2 Re8 19. Rxd4 Qb6 {is equal.}) (17. Ne2 Rc8 {is also ok for Black.}) 17... Nxe7 18. Rxd4 Qc7 $2 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A blunder that loses the game immediately. The queen doesn't have a good square, but some knight should go to d5.} (18... Qb6 $2 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses material after} 19. Rxb4 Qc6 20. Bxf6 Qxf6 21. Rxb7) (18... Qe8 $6 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is also bad:} 19. axb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Ned5 20. Nxd5 Nxd5 21. Bh6 {White regains the exchange and maintains the initiative.}) (18... Ned5 {is a good move:} 19. Ne4 {Probably the most dangerous.} (19. Nxd5 Bxd5 20. Bxf6 Qxf6 21. Rxd5 Rac8 {it's clear that this is good for Black, as he is very active.}) (19. axb4 Qb6 {White keeps good compensation for the exchange, but there's no mate in sight.}) 19... Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Another very difficult move. Black is saved by a miracle. The point is that} 20. Rxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} Qxe4) (18... Nfd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the best defense in practice.} 19. axb4 (19. Nxd5 Bxd5 {is not so dangerous.}) 19... Qb6 {I still prefer White, but the position is double edged.} (19... Qc7 {is also possible, but it's necessary to find an unbelievable resource.} 20. Nxd5 Nxd5 21. Qd2 h6 $3 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] The only move. Chess is difficult.} 22. Bxh6 (22. Bh4 Rac8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now the c1-square is unprotected.}) 22... Rfd8 {It looks like Black is saving this.})) 19. Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An insta-killer that was missed by Ding. Black loses material.} Qxc2 20. Nxf6+ Kg7 21. Bxc2 {The two pieces are much stronger than the rook, especially with such a devastating dark-squared bishop.} Rac8 22. Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Ng8 (22... Rxc2 23. Bf6+ Kg8 24. Nh6#) 23. Bb3 bxa3 24. bxa3 Rc3 25. Rb4 {The remainder of the game is easy for Firouzja.} Bxf3 26. gxf3 Rxf3 27. Ne3 {The rook is trapped.} h6 28. Bd1 (28. Bf4 {also wins easily.}) 28... Rxf2 29. Bxh6+ $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nxh6 30. Kxf2 Rd8 31. Ke2 Rd6 32. Bb3 Rf6 33. a4 Rc6 34. Bc4 f5 35. Rb7+ Kf6 36. Rh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Ng4 37. Nxg4+ fxg4 38. Bd3 Rb6 39. Ra7 Rb2+ 40. Ke3 Rxh2 41. Rxa6+ Ke5 42. Ra5+ Kf6 43. Kf4 1-0 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.21"] [Round "8.4"] [White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"] [Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C55"] [WhiteElo "2769"] [BlackElo "2727"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "129"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "RUS"] [BlackTeam "UZB"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. Re1 d6 7. a4 Be6 8. a5 (8. Bxe6 fxe6 9. c3 a5 10. Na3 h6 11. Qb3 Qd7 12. Nc4 b6 13. h3 Rad8 {Caruana,F (2794)-Dubov,D (2710) Samarkand 2023}) 8... Bxc4 9. dxc4 b6 10. Bd2 Nxa5 11. Bxa5 bxa5 12. Rxa5 c6 13. Ra2 $146 (13. b4 Qb8 14. c3 Bd8 15. Ra6 Qb7 16. Qa4 Bb6 {Levacic,P (2350)-Krstic,U (2270) Cannes 1997}) 13... Qc7 14. Nc3 a5 15. Qe2 Nd7 16. b3 Nc5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This might have been an early cause for Black's future problems.} (16... g6 $5 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 17. Rea1 Kg7) 17. Na4 Ne6 18. c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Fixing Black's (worse) structure with a temporary pawn sacrifice.} dxc5 (18... Rfd8 $5 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) 19. Nb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nd4 20. Qd3 Qb8 21. Rea1 Rd8 (21... Bd8 $5 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 22. Nc4 Bc7) 22. g3 Qb4 (22... Nb5 $5 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) 23. Nc4 Nb5 24. Qe3 Qc3 (24... f6 $5 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 25. Nxa5 Rac8 26. Nc4 Bf8) 25. Nfxe5 Rac8 26. Qxc3 Nxc3 27. Rxa5 Nxe4 28. Nb6 Rc7 29. Ra8 f6 30. Rxd8+ Bxd8 31. Ra8 fxe5 32. Rxd8+ Kf7 {Black managed to trade his bad bishop, but his structure is still no fun at all.} 33. Nc4 Ke6 34. Kg2 Nf6 35. Kf3 e4+ $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This helps White, who is winning now.} (35... g5) 36. Kf4 Ke7 37. Rd6 Rc8 38. h3 Ne8 39. Rd1 Nf6 40. Rd6 Ne8 41. Rd2 Nf6 42. Nd6 Ra8 43. Nxe4 Nd5+ 44. Ke5 c4 45. bxc4 Nb6 46. Re2 Nxc4+ 47. Kd4 Na3 48. c4 Rb8 49. Ra2 Ra8 50. Rb2 Ke6 51. Kc3 Ke5 52. Nd2 Ra7 53. Rb3 Ke6 54. Nf1 Kd6 55. Nd2 Ke6 56. h4 Kf5 57. f3 h6 58. Rb6 Re7 59. Ne4 g5 60. hxg5 hxg5 61. Rxc6 g4 62. Nd6+ Kf6 63. Nc8+ Re6 64. Rxe6+ Kxe6 65. f4 1-0 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.21"] [Round "8.3"] [White "Ju, Wenjun"] [Black "Gukesh D"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E11"] [WhiteElo "2549"] [BlackElo "2725"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "103"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "CHN"] [BlackTeam "IND"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Be7 5. Nc3 O-O 6. e4 d5 7. Bd3 (7. e5 Ne4 8. cxd5 exd5 9. Bd3 Nxd2 10. Qxd2 Nc6 11. O-O Bg4 {Yakubboev $146 (2616) -Abdusattorov $146 (2716) Doha 2023}) 7... dxe4 8. Nxe4 c5 $146 (8... Nbd7 9. O-O b6 10. Bc3 Bb7 11. Qe2 c5 12. Rfd1 cxd4 13. Bxd4 Qc7 {Salcedo Perez,P (2193) -Fernandez,V (2011) Medellin 2018}) 9. Bc3 cxd4 10. Nxd4 e5 11. Nf3 Nc6 12. O-O Bg4 13. h3 Bh5 14. Ng3 Bxf3 15. Qxf3 Bb4 16. Bxb4 Nxb4 17. Be4 Nxe4 18. Qxe4 Qc7 19. a3 Nc6 20. Rad1 g6 21. c5 Rfd8 22. b4 f5 23. Qc4+ Qf7 24. Qxf7+ Kxf7 25. Ne2 e4 26. f4 exf3 27. Rxd8 Rxd8 28. Rxf3 a6 29. Re3 g5 30. Kf1 f4 31. Rc3 Rd1+ 32. Kf2 Ne5 {In this difficult position, Ju finds the only way not to get worse:} 33. g3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} f3 34. Re3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Ke6 35. Nf4+ $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kf5 36. Nh5 Rd2+ 37. Kf1 {Now Black's pieces are a bit stuck.} Rd1+ 38. Kf2 Rd2+ 39. Kf1 Rd5 40. g4+ Kg6 41. Ng3 Nc4 42. Rc3 Ne5 43. Re3 a5 44. Nf5 {Black has no way to make use of his pawn on f3.} Kf6 45. Nd6 axb4 46. axb4 Rd1+ 47. Kf2 Rd2+ 48. Ke1 Rb2 49. Ne8+ Ke6 50. Nc7+ Kf6 51. Ne8+ Ke6 52. Nc7+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.21"] [Round "8.5"] [White "Giri, Anish"] [Black "Wei, Yi"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D78"] [WhiteElo "2749"] [BlackElo "2740"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "65"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "NED"] [BlackTeam "CHN"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 c6 4. Bg2 d5 5. Qa4 Bg7 (5... Nfd7 {is another important line, while Mr. Grunfeld recently played}) (5... dxc4 6. Qxc4 Bg7 7. Nf3 O-O 8. O-O Bf5 9. Nc3 Nbd7 10. Re1 Ne4 {Mamedyarov,S (2723)-Svidler,P (2689) Samarkand UZB 2023}) 6. Nf3 ({Giri doesn't go for the main idea behind 5.Qa4:} 6. cxd5 {and Black cannot take with the c-pawn. He had it a few years ago as Black:} Nxd5 7. Nf3 O-O 8. O-O Nb6 9. Qc2 Na6 10. Rd1 Bg4 11. Nc3 Qc8 {Duda,J (2756)-Giri,A (2777) chess24.com INT 2021}) 6... O-O 7. O-O Nbd7 8. cxd5 Nb6 9. Qb3 Qxd5 (9... cxd5 10. Bf4 Bd7 11. Nc3 Rc8 12. Ne5 e6 13. h4 Bc6 14. Rfd1 Nc4 {Yu,Y (2729)-Caruana,F (2766) Chess.com INT 2023}) 10. Qd1 c5 $146 (10... Qh5 11. Nc3 Bh3 12. Bxh3 Qxh3 13. Ng5 Qd7 {Nottola,A (2162)-Djidjeli,S (2213) Barcelona 2021}) 11. Nc3 Qh5 12. dxc5 Qxc5 13. Ne1 Qh5 14. Nd3 Rd8 15. Qe1 $6 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This looks unnatural.} (15. Qb3) 15... Nbd5 16. Nxd5 Nxd5 17. e4 Nb6 18. Nf4 Qe5 19. Nd5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} Be6 $6 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (19... Nxd5 20. exd5 Bf5 {is already looking somewhat better for Black, but Wei is happy with half a point.}) 20. Nxe7+ Kh8 21. Nd5 Nxd5 22. exd5 Bxd5 23. Qxe5 Bxe5 24. Re1 Bxg2 25. Kxg2 Rd5 26. Re2 Kg7 27. Be3 a6 28. Rc1 Rad8 29. g4 f5 30. gxf5 gxf5 31. Rc4 Kg6 32. h3 R8d7 33. Rec2 1/2-1/2 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.21"] [Round "8.3"] [White "Salem, A.R. Saleh"] [Black "Maurizzi, Marc`Andria"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "E01"] [WhiteElo "2630"] [BlackElo "2572"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "118"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "UAE"] [BlackTeam "FRA"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 c6 5. g3 Nbd7 6. Bg2 Bb4 7. Qd3 (7. O-O O-O 8. Qc2 a5 9. Rd1 Re8 10. Bf4 dxc4 11. Ne5 Nd5 12. Nxc4 Nxf4 13. gxf4 Nf8 14. e3 {Dubov,D (2702)-Maghsoodloo,P (2701) Chess.com INT 2022}) 7... O-O 8. O-O b6 9. cxd5 cxd5 10. Bf4 Bxc3 11. Qxc3 Ba6 12. Rfe1 Qe7 13. Qc6 $146 (13. Nd2 Rac8 14. Qb3 Bb7 15. Rac1 Nh5 16. Be3 Nhf6 17. Qa4 a6 {Flom,G (2407)-Xu,G (2123) Orlando 2011}) 13... Rfc8 14. Qa4 Bb7 15. Rec1 a5 16. Qb5 {A surprising and interesting pawn sacrifice.} (16. Rxc8+ Rxc8 17. Rc1) 16... Rxc1+ 17. Rxc1 Ba6 18. Qa4 Bxe2 19. Ne5 Nxe5 20. dxe5 Nd7 21. Rc7 Rd8 {Is the rook on c7 and the pin worth a pawn $2 The engine says yes.} 22. Qc2 Ba6 23. Ra7 Rc8 24. Qb3 Bc4 25. Qa4 Rd8 26. b3 Be2 27. Bd2 ({By doing nothing and keeping the pin, White could have avoided problems, e.g.} 27. Rc7 Qb4 (27... h6 28. h4 Qe8 29. Qc6 Qe7 30. Qa4) 28. Qxb4 axb4 29. Bg5 f6 30. exf6 gxf6 31. Bd2) 27... h6 28. Qd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A big mistake, after which Black is 'liberated'.} (28. Rc7 Qe8 29. Be3 b5 30. Qxa5 Nxe5 31. Qc3 f6 32. Bd4 Qg6 33. h3 {was still OK for White.}) 28... Qc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29. Qh4 Qf8 ({Even better was} 29... Rf8 $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 30. Rxd7 Qc2 {with a winning position.}) 30. Qd4 Nc5 31. Qf4 Rd7 32. Rxd7 Nxd7 33. b4 axb4 34. Bxb4 Qa8 {This should be a technical win as well.} 35. a3 Qa4 36. h3 Qd1+ 37. Kh2 Bf1 38. Bf3 Be2 39. Bg2 Nc5 40. Qh4 Nd3 41. Bc3 Nxf2 42. Qd8+ Kh7 43. Qxb6 Nd3 44. Qe3 Qc2 45. Bd2 Bh5 46. a4 Bg6 47. a5 Nxe5 48. Be1 Nc4 49. Qa7 Be4 50. Bf2 Nxa5 51. Qxf7 Bxg2 52. Kxg2 Qe4+ 53. Kg1 Nc4 54. Qa7 Ne5 55. Qb6 Nf3+ 56. Kg2 Ng5+ 57. Kh2 Qf5 58. g4 Qf3 59. Qb1+ Ne4 0-1 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.21"] [Round "8.5"] [White "Korobov, Anton"] [Black "Mendonca, Leon Luke"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C07"] [WhiteElo "2663"] [BlackElo "2608"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "64"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "UKR"] [BlackTeam "IND"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. Ngf3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. e5 Nfd7 7. N2f3 Nc6 8. Bf4 Be7 9. Bd3 (9. Bb5 Qc7 10. O-O a6 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Bd3 h6 13. Re1 c5 {Matlakov,M (2662)-Bacrot,E (2663) Chess.com INT 2023}) 9... g5 $146 (9... Nc5 10. h4 Nxd3+ 11. Qxd3 h6 12. c3 Bd7 13. h5 Qb6 {Souevamanien,P (1947)-Moreau,E (1862) Albi 2022}) 10. Bg3 Qb6 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. h4 gxh4 (12... g4) 13. Bxh4 Qxb2 14. Bxe7 Kxe7 15. Rb1 Qxa2 (15... Qc3+) 16. O-O Qa4 17. Qd2 Qg4 18. Nh2 Qg7 19. f4 Rg8 20. Rf2 a5 21. c4 Ba6 22. Nf3 Rgc8 23. f5 Qg4 24. fxe6 fxe6 25. Qh6 Rg8 {Korobov has completely outplayed his opponent and has a +7 position here, but starts to play too fast with his opponent being in timetrouble.} 26. Bxh7 ({Simpler was} 26. Nd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the point} Qxd4 27. Qxh7+) 26... Rg7 27. cxd5 Rh8 28. Nh2 $2 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Only here White throws away the win. With 40 minutes on the clock vs. 2:31 for Mendonca, Korobov played this after 29 seconds. The winning move wasn't easy though, and utterly brilliant:} (28. dxc6 Rgxh7 29. Rd2 $3 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]}) 28... Qg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is surprisingly difficult to meet, with an eval of 0.00.} 29. Rb3 $2 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Korobov spent 23 minutes on this move, but it loses.} ({Good for draw was} 29. Qxe6+ Kd8 30. Qxc6 ({even} 30. dxc6 {draws here but it's more complicated}) 30... Rgxh7 31. Rb8+ $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nxb8 32. Qb6+ Kd7 (32... Rc7 33. Qf6+ Kd7 34. Qe6+) 33. Qa7+) 29... Qxe5 {Now Black is winning. What a turnaround $1} 30. d6+ Kd8 31. Qh4+ Kc8 32. Nf3 Qd5 0-1 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.21"] [Round "8.6"] [White "Divya Deshmukh"] [Black "Roebers, Eline"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C15"] [WhiteElo "2420"] [BlackElo "2381"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "59"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "IND"] [BlackTeam "NED"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nge2 Nf6 5. e5 Nfd7 6. a3 Be7 7. f4 c5 8. Be3 b6 (8... Nc6 9. dxc5 Nxc5 10. Qd2 O-O 11. O-O-O Bd7 12. Kb1 b5 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2737)-Rapport,R (2740) Danzhou 2022}) 9. Ng3 cxd4 10. Bxd4 Nc6 $146 (10... f6 11. Qg4 fxe5 12. fxe5 g6 13. Bd3 Nc5 {Kickert,G (1933)-Stroessner,L (1989) Willingen 2009}) 11. Bb5 Qc7 12. Bxc6 Qxc6 13. O-O g6 14. b4 Ba6 15. Rf3 h5 16. Rb1 Bc4 17. Nf1 Rc8 18. Ne3 Qc7 19. Qe1 Rg8 20. Qg3 Kf8 21. Qh3 Nb8 {Once again, Desmukh shows she's a great attacker:} 22. f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} gxf5 23. Nxf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} exf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({Black should play} 23... Nc6 24. Nd6 Nxe5 25. Bxe5 Bxd6 26. Bxd6+ Qxd6 27. Qxh5 {but White is clearly better.}) 24. Qxf5 Rg7 25. e6 f6 26. Qxh5 Nc6 27. Be3 Bd6 28. Qh8+ Rg8 29. Rxf6+ Ke7 30. Rf7+ 1-0 [Event "Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands"] [Site "Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands"] [Date "2024.01.20"] [Round "7"] [White "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"] [Black "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B90"] [WhiteElo "2742"] [BlackElo "2759"] [Annotator "rafael"] [PlyCount "83"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [SourceVersionDate "2021.09.11"] [TimeControl "40/6000+30:3000+30"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 {[%CAl Gc1g5,Gf1e2,Gc1e3,Gf1c4,Gf2f3]} 6. h3 (6. Bg5) (6. Be2) (6. Be3) (6. Bc4) (6. f3) 6... Nc6 {A move that deviates from the typical choice of Najdorf players, who are certainly more attracted to 6...e5 or 6...e6, but which is still perfectly possible, as is 6...g6.} 7. Be3 (7. g4 $144 $5 {is an important alternative.}) 7... e5 8. Nb3 (8. Nxc6 {was tried in an elite game recently:} bxc6 9. f4 {Dominguez Perez-Shankland, Saint Louis rapid 2023.}) 8... Be6 9. Qf3 {[%CAl Gd6d5,Ga8c8,Gc6b4] This square doesn't seem the most comfortable for the queen and the reader may wonder why this piece doesn't go to d2. As is often the case, calculation provides the answer. With the queen on d2 the move 9...d5 is much more attractive for Black.} (9. Qd2 d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move doesn't work well with the queen on f3, as we will see.}) 9... Nb4 (9... d5 10. exd5 {Contrary to what happens with the queen on d2, here Black cannot capture on d5 with the knight.} Bxd5 {An awkward move.} (10... Nxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} 11. O-O-O) 11. Qg3 {This is probably the most unpleasant. White has the initiative.} (11. Nxd5 Qxd5 12. Qxd5 Nxd5 {White can also fight for the advantage in this endgame.})) (9... Rc8 {was played in Wijk aan Zee a few years ago. The famous player with White achieved an advantage after:} 10. O-O-O Na5 11. Bg5 Be7 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. Nd5 Bg5+ 14. Kb1 {Carlsen-Donchenko, Tata Steel Wijk aan Zee 2021.}) 10. O-O-O Rc8 {[%tqu "En","","","","c1b1","(%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true) Once again the principle \'if in doubt, play Kb1\' shows its value.",10,"a2a3","is not so good, as the typical exchange sacrifice on c3 comes in an improved version.",0]} 11. Kb1 $1 {[%CAl Rc8c1] [%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Once again the principle \"if in doubt, play Kb1\" shows its value.} (11. a3 $6 {is not so good, as the typical exchange sacrifice on c3 comes in an improved version.} Rxc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 12. bxc3 Nc6 {[%csl Ga3,Gc2,Gc3] with good compensation for Black. Kasparov once called the sacrifice on c3 \"a matter of culture.\" I must admit that I lack enough culture to know when it's good and when it's bad, since in the game it will be possible too. With the pawn on a3 and the king still on c1, the queenside looks more unprotected than usual. This was played in Erigaisi-Delgado Ramirez, Sharjah Masters 2021.}) 11... Qc7 {[%csl Gb2,Rc7,Rc8][%CAl Gb2c3] We're approaching the critical moment of the game and here I would like to address a typical myth that exists about the games of elite grandmasters, that is, that they know everything in the opening. Judging by the time spent and also by Vidit's comments after the game, both players were already out of preparation, even though the position was tactical, with natural moves that are also suggested by the computer and several games by strong grandmasters. This demonstrates once again, for those who still doubt it, that what wins games even at this level is skill on the board and not memory.} (11... Rxc3 $2 {Here the cultured sacrifice is not so good, apparently.} 12. bxc3 Nc6 13. g4 $16 {The queenside is much better protected and White comes quickly with g5 and h4.}) 12. a3 {This move invites big complications, as Black is forced to sacrifice the knight.} (12. Bg5 $1 {[%CAl Gf3c3,Gb2c3] [%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is objectively stronger and has been tried in a few games.} Be7 13. a3 (13. Bxf6 {is also possible:} Bxf6 14. a3 Nc6 15. Nd5 Bxd5 16. exd5 Na5 17. Nxa5 Qxa5 18. Bd3 {[%csl Rb1,Gd3,Gf6] White's position is more comfortable because his king is safer in this position with opposite-colored bishops.}) 13... Nc6 14. Bd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A new move.} (14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. exd5 Bxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16. Qxd5 Bxg5 $11 {is close to equality: Stukopin-Wang, Chicago op 2015.}) 14... b5 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Nd5 {White has the initiative. If Black plays natural moves the position becomes dangerous very quickly, for instance:} Bxd5 17. exd5 Ne7 18. Nd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Ng6 19. g3 $16 {[%CAl Gd2e4,Gh3h4,Gh4h5] Followed by h4, Ne4 and so on.}) 12... Nxc2 $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only way to justify the previous play.} 13. Kxc2 {[%tqu "En","","","","c7c6","(%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true) Attacking the pawn on e4 and also preparing Qa4.",10]} Qc6 $1 {[%csl Gc2,Gc3,Rc6,Rc8,Rf6][%CAl Rc6e4,Rf6e4,Gf3e4,Rc8c2] [%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Attacking the pawn on e4 and also preparing Qa4.} 14. Nd2 $1 {[%CAl Gd2e4,Gf3e4] [%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (14. Bd3 Qa4 $1 $11 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] regains the piece. The computer still evaluates this as equal.}) 14... Qa4+ $2 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A theoretical novelty and the decisive error of the game. 14...d5 is a practically automatic move and without a doubt Firouzja would have played it in a blitz game. The move played is refuted in more than one way: in addition to what Vidit did, 15.b3 also gives White a big advantage.} (14... d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is necessary, with a chaotic position that has been discussed in some important games.} 15. exd5 Nxd5 16. Nc4 {The safest option, returning material.} (16. Rc1 {is interesting and complicated:} Qa4+ 17. Kb1 Nxc3+ 18. Rxc3 Rxc3 19. bxc3 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important novelty.} (19... Bxa3 {was the choice in all the games but doesn't equalize after} 20. Bd3) 20. Bc4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} (20. Qxb7 $2 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} Qd1+ 21. Kb2 Bxa3+ 22. Kxa3 Qa1+ 23. Kb4 Qb2+ {and the queen is captured.}) 20... Bxc4 21. Qxf5 Qb5+ 22. Ka1 (22. Kc2 Qa4+ {ends in perpetual check.}) 22... Bd3 23. Qc8+ Kf7 24. Nf3 h6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only move $1 Black avoids Ng5+.} 25. Qc7+ Kg8 26. Nxe5 Be4 27. Qf7+ Kh7 28. Nd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Threatening Nf6 mate.} Qf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29. Qxf5+ Bxf5 30. Nxf8+ Rxf8 31. Rd1 {White is a pawn up, but a draw is the most likely result.}) 16... Nxc3 17. Qxc6+ Rxc6 18. bxc3 Bxc4 19. Bxc4 Rxc4 20. Rd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Be7 $11 {The two games I found in this position ended in a draw.} (20... f6 {is too greedy:} 21. Rhd1 Be7 22. Rd7 {with the initiative.})) 15. Kd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best reply.} (15. Kb1 $2 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Rxc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16. bxc3 d5 {Black achieves a dream position with a lot of compensation.}) (15. b3 {is also possible:} Qc6 (15... Qxa3 $2 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} {[%tqu "En","","","","f1c4","Black is totally lost.",10]} 16. Bc4 {Black is totally lost.}) 16. Bg5 Nxe4 {The only way to fight.} 17. Ndxe4 d5 $132 {[%CAl Gf3g3,Ge4g3,Gf1c4] White can certainly gain the advantage in more than one way here, but the game continuation is more convincing.} 18. Qg3 $16 (18. Bc4) (18. Ng3)) 15... Rxc3+ {There's no turning back. Black has to try to open the king position.} 16. bxc3 d5 17. Ke2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Vidit prepares to hide the king on e1. After the game he admitted that he was not sure of the evaluation here (the computer considers White's position to be winning), but he played with excellent accuracy in a complicated position.} (17. exd5 {Stockfish dev-20231116-7970236e:} Bxd5 18. Qf5 Qb5+ ({Stockfish dev-20231116-7970236e:} 18... Be6 19. Qxe5 Nd7 20. Qc7 Qxd1 21. Qc8+ Ke7 22. Qxb7 h5 23. g4 hxg4 24. Bc5+ Kd8 25. Qa8+ Kc7 26. Qa7+ Kd8 27. Qa8+ $11 {[%eval 0,25]}) ({Stockfish dev-20231116-7970236e:} 18... Be7 $4 19. Ke2 O-O 20. Ke1 Qxa3 21. c4 Bc6 22. Be2 Bb4 23. Qd3 Qa5 24. Kf1 h5 25. Qb1 Ba4 26. Nb3 Qc7 27. h4 $18 {[%eval 312,0]}) 19. Kc2 Qa4+ 20. Kd3 {[%eval 0,22]}) 17... dxe4 18. Qg3 $5 {[%CAl Rg3e5]} Nd7 19. Ke1 (19. f4 $18 {This is a good move to free the pieces and could have been played here and in other positions. Stockfish dev-20231116-7970236e:} f5 ({Stockfish dev-20231116-7970236e:} 19... exf3+ 20. Nxf3 f6 21. Ke1 g6 22. Be2 Be7 23. h4 Qxa3 24. Kf2 Nc5 25. Nd2 O-O 26. Kg1 $18 Qxc3 {[%eval 276,22]}) 20. fxe5 Be7 21. Qxg7 Rg8 22. Qxh7 Qc2 23. Qh6 Bb3 24. Rb1 $18) 19... f5 20. Be2 {The good thing about having more material is that you can return some of it and still stay ahead in the count.} g6 (20... f4 21. Bxf4 exf4 22. Qxf4 {with a simple win: the king is safe, the e4-pawn is about to fall and White is an exchange up.}) 21. h4 {[%csl Rh4][%CAl Gh4h5,Rh1h8]} (21. f4 {is another way to finish development.}) 21... Be7 22. Bg5 (22. f4 {is again possible, for instance:} exf3 23. Qxf3 {with a winning position. Black doesn't have enough play to justify being a rook down. If} Bxh4+ 24. g3 $36) 22... f4 23. Bxf4 exf4 24. Qxf4 Rf8 (24... Bd5 {protects the e4-pawn and is the only chance, but White's position is still winning.}) 25. Qxe4 Qxe4 26. Nxe4 Bxa3 27. h5 {The endgame is easily winning for White. He is a full exchange ahead. The rest doesn't require much commentary.} Bf5 28. Rd4 Ne5 29. hxg6 Bxg6 30. Bh5 Nc6 31. Rd5 Ke7 32. Bxg6 hxg6 33. Rh7+ Ke6 34. Rdd7 b5 35. f3 Rc8 36. Rb7 b4 37. cxb4 (37. Rhc7 {is also very good.}) 37... Bxb4+ 38. Ke2 a5 39. Rhg7 Ne5 40. Ke3 Rc6 41. f4 Ng4+ 42. Kd4 1-0 [Event "Tata Steel Chess 2024"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.23"] [Round "9"] [White "Maghsoodloo, Parham"] [Black "Warmerdam, Max"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D32"] [WhiteElo "2740"] [BlackElo "2625"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "113"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 cxd4 5. Qxd4 Nc6 6. Qd1 exd5 7. Qxd5 (7. e3 Nf6 8. Nf3 Bb4 9. Bd2 O-O 10. Be2 Ne4 11. O-O Bxc3 12. Bxc3 Nxc3 13. bxc3 Bg4 14. h3 Bh5 15. Rb1 b6 {Dreev,A (2606)-Fressinet,L (2652) Chess.com INT 2023}) 7... Qc7 8. Nf3 Nf6 9. Qd3 $146 (9. Qb5 Bd7 10. Qb3 Bb4 11. Bd2 O-O 12. e3 Be6 13. Qc2 Ne5 14. Nd4 Bc4 15. Ne4 Nd5 {Yelisieiev,Y (2420)-Fridman,D (2579) Dinkelsbuehl 2023}) 9... Be6 10. e3 a6 11. Ng5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({White should try something like} 11. Be2 Rd8 12. Qb1 Bd6 13. Bd2 O-O 14. Ne4 Nxe4 15. Qxe4) 11... Nb4 12. Qb1 Bc4 13. Nge4 $2 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A big mistake. Perhaps Maghsoodloo had forgotten that 0-0-0 is legal $2} (13. a3 Bxf1 14. Rxf1 Nc6 15. Bd2 Be7 16. Qf5 {was still quite playable.}) 13... O-O-O {Now White is in big trouble.} 14. Nxf6 gxf6 15. Bxc4 Qxc4 16. Qe4 Qxe4 17. Nxe4 f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Accurate.} 18. Ng3 Nc2+ 19. Ke2 Nxa1 20. Bd2 Bg7 21. Rxa1 f4 $5 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} ({Simpler was} 21... Rd5 {and Black should win this.}) 22. Nf5 Bxb2 23. Rb1 Ba3 24. exf4 Rhe8+ 25. Be3 Bf8 $6 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (25... Re6 26. Kf3 Rc6) 26. g4 b5 27. Kf3 Rd3 28. Ng3 Ra3 29. Ne4 Rxa2 30. Nf6 Rxe3+ $6 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Not really necessary.} (30... Re7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31. Nxh7 (31. Bc5 $6 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} Re6) (31. Nd5 Rb7) 31... Bg7 32. h4 Rb7) 31. fxe3 Rxh2 32. Nd5 Kb7 33. Rc1 Bd6 {This is not as good for Black as it looks.} 34. e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rh3+ ({Black would like} 34... a5 35. e5 Bb8 36. Ke4 b4 {of course, but} 37. Ra1 {already loses a pawn.}) 35. Ke2 h6 36. e5 Bb8 37. Rd1 $6 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (37. Rb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 37... a5 38. Ra1 a4 39. Rb1 Kc6 40. Nb4+ Kb6 41. Kd2 Rh4 (41... Rg3 $5 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) 42. Nd5+ Ka5 43. Rc1 Rh2+ 44. Kd3 a3 45. Rc8 Ba7 46. Rc7 Rh3+ 47. Ke4 Bf2 ({The simplest was} 47... Bb6 48. Rxf7 b4) 48. Rxf7 Bc5 (48... b4 49. e6 b3 50. e7 b2 {wins because Black promotes with check.}) 49. Rc7 a2 50. Rc8 Ka4 51. e6 Ra3 $2 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({With 12 minutes on the clock, Warmerdam finds the right idea but chooses the wrong piece.} 51... Ba3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 52. Ra8+ Kb3 53. e7 Bxe7 54. Nxe7 Kb2 {and White can resign.}) 52. Rxc5 a1=Q 53. e7 {It's unbelievable, but Black cannot win this.} Qh8 $2 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] And this even loses.} ({Of course Black can draw this position, even with} 53... h5 {but not with the text move.}) 54. Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A study-like move that completes a turnaround that is rarely seen.} Qh7+ 55. f5 Rg3 56. e8=Q Rxg4+ 57. Ke5 1-0 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.23"] [Round "9.5"] [White "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Black "Van Foreest, Jorden"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C24"] [WhiteElo "2727"] [BlackElo "2682"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "47"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "UZB"] [BlackTeam "NED"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 d5 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 f6 8. Bb3 (8. h3 Be6 9. d4 Ne3 10. Bxe3 Bxc4 11. Nbd2 Bd5 12. dxe5 fxe5 13. Ng5 O-O {Sjugirov,S (2703)-Nihal,S (2688) Sharjah 2023}) 8... a5 ({The main move is} 8... Bg4) 9. c3 Nb6 10. Nh4 $5 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A tricky move...} g6 $6 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] ...to which Van Foreest doesn't find a good answer.} ({The best way to deal with the 11.Qh5+ threat is} 10... Qd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 11. Qh5+ Kd8 {and since White has to do something about 12...a4, Black's next move is 12...Qg4 and most problems are solved.}) 11. a4 {Somehow, the engine really doesn't like Black's two pawn moves on the kingside and evaluates this already as a clear advantage for White.} Bd6 12. d4 Qe7 13. Be3 (13. Bh6 {was also an option.}) 13... Bd7 14. dxe5 fxe5 {Sadly, Black cannot take with a piece because of f2-f4.} 15. Nf3 h6 16. Nbd2 O-O-O 17. Ne4 Bf5 18. Nfd2 Nd7 $6 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 19. Bd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Very unpleasant. Black is virtually lost already.} Nc5 20. Qe2 Nb8 21. Rad1 Nba6 22. Nxd6+ cxd6 (22... Qxd6 23. Nc4) 23. Nc4 Qc7 24. Qd2 ({After} 24. Qd2 {Van Foreest didn't need to see b2-b4 next and resigned, completely busted. A possible line is} Ne4 25. Qe2 Nec5 26. g4 Bd7 (26... Be6 27. Bxe6+ Nxe6 28. Bb6) 27. Nxd6+ $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qxd6 28. Bxb7+ Nxb7 29. Rxd6 {and Na6 is hanging}) 1-0 [Event "Wijk aan Zee"] [Site "Wijk aan Zee"] [Date "2024.01.23"] [Round "9"] [White "Praggnanandhaa R"] [Black "Ju, Wenjun"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C58"] [WhiteElo "2743"] [BlackElo "2549"] [Annotator "rafael"] [PlyCount "65"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/6000+30:3000+30"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 {From time to time, white players spice things up with this old and dangerous knight move, making the game much more fun than the slower positions after 4.d3.} d5 5. exd5 Na5 {This move is more or less automatic in classical elite games, but if you're looking for some fun in your blitz games, you might want to investigate the moves 5...b5 or 5...Nd4.} (5... Nxd5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is dangerous and very well-known.}) (5... b5 $5 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) (5... Nd4 $5 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} 6. c3 b5 (6... h6)) 6. Bb5+ c6 (6... Bd7 $5 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is also interesting, especially because it can catch your opponent by surprise.} 7. Qe2 Be7 {with compensation in a still highly theoretical position.} (7... Bd6)) 7. dxc6 bxc6 8. Bd3 Nd5 (8... Ng4 $5 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is also possible and I have played this move in many online games that I normally lose, but the fault is not with the poor knight but with the inept mind that directs it, since I don't really understand the positions arising in this system—they're too chaotic for my fearful style.}) 9. h4 {Much less common than 9.Nf3, but as it was played by Firouzja in a classical game recently, I imagine Ju knew it.} (9. Nf3 {is the normal approach.}) 9... Qc7 {One of several promising possibilities for Black.} (9... h6 {is regarded as one of Black's best options.} 10. Qh5 Qf6 11. Ne4 Qe6 12. b3 {was Firouzja-Caruana, Sinquefield Cup Saint Louis 2023. That game ended with a spectacular victory for Caruana after many twists and turns.}) (9... Be7 10. Qf3 f5 11. Bxf5 Rf8 12. Qh5+ g6 13. Bxg6+ hxg6 14. Qxg6+ Kd7 15. d3 {With complete chaos. My hand shakes even going over these variations with the mouse—imagine if I were playing.}) 10. b3 {A new move that was played quickly by White.} (10. Nc3 {is generally played. The following drawing line illustrates the possibilities for both sides.} h6 11. Nxd5 cxd5 12. Qh5 Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 13. b4 {Necessary to deflect the bishop from the attack on f2.} Bxb4 14. Nxf7 O-O 15. Nxe5 Rf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 16. Qe8+ Rf8 17. Qh5 {with a draw by repetition. Commentators love random drawing lines, but this one was actually played in a couple of correspondence games.}) 10... h6 {Removing the knight from its dangerous position on g5 is the most natural option.} 11. Ne4 (11. Qh5 $4 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Blunder;persistent;true] doesn't work now that the f7-pawn is protected.} Nf4) 11... f5 {Black continues chasing the knight. There are other interesting options.} (11... Be7 {continues development and is perfectly playable.}) (11... Nf4 {is also interesting:} 12. Bf1 Be7 13. g3 Ne6 14. d3 O-O 15. g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A difficult and necessary move to preserve the knight on e4. The position is difficult to understand and play. My only conviction is that Black has good compensation for the pawn.}) 12. Nec3 Nf6 (12... Nf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is more accurate:} 13. Bf1 Bb7 14. g3 c5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Attacking the rook on h1.} 15. Rg1 Ne6 16. Qh5+ Qf7 17. Qxf7+ Kxf7 {Despite the exchange of queens, Black's compensation for the pawn remains excellent.}) 13. Bb2 (13. Ba3 $2 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] has a good idea behind it—exchanging pieces while a pawn up, but it's too slow:} e4 14. Be2 Bxa3 15. Nxa3 O-O {with excellent compensation for Black.}) (13. Be2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best move, anticipating the attack with the bishop with e5-e4 and preparing a check on h5.} Kf7 (13... Bd6 $6 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 14. Bh5+ {and Black's king is in a somewhat uncomfortable situation.}) (13... g6 14. Bb2 {with chances of an advantage for White.} (14. d4 $5 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is also possible.})) 14. Bb2 {This is an improved version for White compared to the game position.}) 13... Bd6 {Praggnanandhaa said he felt this move was inaccurate. He didn't say which move he considered better, but maybe 13...Bb4 is interesting.} (13... Bb4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The idea is that if 14.a3, then White loses the square for his knight, while 14.Na3 doesn't work in this position.} 14. a3 (14. Na3 $2 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} e4 15. Qe2 $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With the bishop on b4, this attacks both the d3-bishop and the a3-knight: Black wins a piece.}) 14... Bd6 15. b4 Nb7 16. Bc4 {with double-edged play.}) 14. Na3 e4 15. Qe2 O-O (15... Qe7 16. Nc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the point.}) 16. Ba6 $1 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The last moves by both sides were very logical, completing development and removing a piece from an attacked position. Now comes a mistake.} Be6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After this move, Black no longer finds compensation.} (16... Bxa6 17. Qxa6 Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This sequence was necessary. Now White can't finish development thanks to the pressure on the f2-pawn. The main idea of Black's play is that if White defends this pawn with the rook on f1, then the knight goes to h2 and then back to g4, with a draw offer.} 18. Nc4 (18. Rf1 Nh2 19. Rh1 Ng4 {This illustrates with a variation what I've just described in words.}) 18... Nxc4 19. Qxc4+ Kh7 20. Rf1 Nh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21. Rh1 Ng4 {White has nothing better than accepting a move repetition since otherwise Black has a dangerous initiative.}) 17. Nc4 {It's a pity to trade the notoriously bad knight on a5, but let's face it, the white knight on a3 wasn't that great either. Furthermore, exchanging pieces favors the player with a material advantage.} Bb4 (17... Nxc4 18. Bxc4 {is very comfortable for White.}) 18. O-O-O Nb7 $6 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] An attempt to improve the knight, but this makes things even worse.} (18... Rae8 {is better.}) 19. Bxb7 {White has various options, but his choice is a good one.} Qxb7 20. f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rae8 (20... Nh5 {prepares a double attack on g3, but White can simply play} 21. Rhe1 {with a big advantage.}) 21. Ne5 (21. a3 {is also a good option, and maybe even more accurate, but the move chosen works very well in the game.}) 21... c5 (21... Nh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a better attempt, although White is still clearly better after} 22. Qf2) (21... Bxb3 $2 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] It's important to mention that this tactical move doesn't work:} 22. axb3 Rxe5 23. Nxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} fxe4 24. Bxe5 {with a win.}) 22. Rhe1 exf3 (22... Bxb3 {loses again:} 23. axb3 Rxe5 24. Nxe4) (22... Kh7 {is a computer suggestion, but it doesn't make much sense to the human mind. The idea is} 23. fxe4 Bxb3 24. axb3 Rxe5 {Even here White has plenty of good moves to achieve an overwhelming advantage. Edit: after writing these words I watched Praggnanandhaa's post-game interview and he mentioned exactly this line, so maybe I should say the variation doesn't make sense to my mind, but it does to someone who calculates as well as the Indian prodigy.}) 23. gxf3 Nh5 24. Rg1 {White has many good moves. Praggnanandhaa decides to use the g-file.} c4 {This loses another pawn, but I suspect Black didn't have much hope of saving the game at this point.} 25. Nxc4 Qe7 26. a3 Bxc3 27. Bxc3 Qxh4 28. Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The pressure on g7 decides the game.} Qe7 29. Rde1 Qd7 30. Nd6 Re7 31. Qh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An elegant solution.} Nf6 32. Qxh6 Qxd6 33. Bxf6 {The young Indian GM has been showing remarkable progress over the past year. He's coming into the Candidates Tournament as one of the favorites, in my opinion.} 1-0 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.23"] [Round "9.1"] [White "Donchenko, Alexander"] [Black "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D38"] [WhiteElo "2643"] [BlackElo "2759"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "69"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "GER"] [BlackTeam "FRA"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bg5 Bb4 6. Nf3 Nbd7 7. e3 h6 (7... c5 8. Bd3 Qa5 9. O-O c4 10. Bf5 O-O 11. Qc2 Re8 12. Nd2 h6 13. Bh4 Qa6 {Gukesh,D (2758)-Erigaisi,A (2712) Kolkata 2023}) 8. Bh4 g5 9. Bg3 Ne4 10. Nd2 Nxg3 11. hxg3 Nb6 12. Bd3 Be6 13. a3 Bd6 14. Qf3 $146 (14. Qc2 c6 15. Bf5 Qf6 16. g4 Bxf5 17. gxf5 h5 18. O-O-O O-O-O {Diaz Perez,M (2460)-Albornoz Cabrera, C (2563) Santa Clara 2022}) 14... g4 15. Qe2 c6 16. Rh5 Nd7 17. e4 (17. O-O-O) 17... Nf6 18. exd5 cxd5 19. Rh1 Kf8 20. Qe3 Kg7 21. Nb5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} Rc8 $6 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({The surprising retreat} 21... Bf8 {is very good for Black, with 22...Qb6 and 23... Rc8 to follow.}) 22. Nxd6 Qxd6 23. Kf1 Qb6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The queen isn't better here.} (23... Bd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 24. Rb1 Bd7 25. Kg1 Rce8 ({If Black wants to play} 25... Bb5 {it made more sense to do it here because after} 26. Bf5 {he can play} Bd7) 26. Qf4 Bb5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (26... a6) (26... Rc8) 27. Bf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Be2 ({Now} 27... Bd7 {would drop the g-pawn after} 28. Bxd7 Nxd7 29. Qxg4+) 28. Rh4 Qb5 29. Rc1 Bd3 30. Rc5 Qa6 31. Bxg4 Re1+ 32. Kh2 h5 33. Bf3 Rh6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({With just under three minutes on the clock, Firouzja fails to find the correct defense:} 33... Qe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34. Rc7 Bg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the idea} 35. Rxb7 Qc8 {(also looking at c1)} 36. Rc7 Qb8 {with counterplay.}) 34. Rc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rh7 (34... Bg6 35. g4) 35. Bxh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 1-0 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.23"] [Round "9.6"] [White "Wei, Yi"] [Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C24"] [WhiteElo "2740"] [BlackElo "2769"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "81"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "CHN"] [BlackTeam "RUS"] 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 c6 4. Nf3 d5 5. Bb3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Bxd2+ 7. Nbxd2 a5 (7... Nbd7 8. O-O O-O 9. Re1 Qc7 10. d4 exd4 11. exd5 cxd5 12. Nf1 Nc5 {Rapport, R (2752)-Abdusattorov $146 (2732) Dubai 2023}) 8. a4 Nbd7 9. O-O O-O 10. Re1 Re8 11. exd5 cxd5 12. Nb1 b6 13. Nc3 Bb7 14. Nb5 Qb8 15. d4 $146 (15. Nh4 Bc6 16. Nf5 g6 17. Nh6+ Kg7 18. Qd2 Bxb5 19. axb5 Qd6 {Stockova,Z (2383) -Khademalsharieh,S (2324) Tromsoe 2014}) 15... e4 16. Nd2 Bc6 17. c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bxb5 (17... dxc4 18. Nxc4 Bxb5 19. axb5 {is also better for White.}) 18. axb5 Qf4 19. g3 Qf5 20. cxd5 Rad8 ({The issue with} 20... Nxd5 {is} 21. g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 21. f3 exf3 22. Qxf3 Qg5 ({Better was} 22... Qxf3 23. Nxf3 Kf8 {but perhaps Nepo didn't like} 24. d6 Ne4 25. Bxf7 Kxf7 26. Rxe4 {which, however, is OK for Black after} Rxe4 27. Ng5+ Kg6 28. Nxe4 Nf6) 23. Nc4 h5 24. d6 {This has gone wrong for Black.} Kf8 $6 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 25. Re7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The move Black thought he had prevented.} Rxe7 26. dxe7+ Kxe7 27. Re1+ ({Even stronger was} 27. Qe2+ Kf8 28. Nd6 Nd5 29. Re1) 27... Kf8 28. Nd6 Qd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29. Qc3 Qxc3 30. bxc3 {Even without queens this is terrible for Black.} g6 31. h3 a4 32. Ba2 a3 {All of White's pieces are well-placed, but one of them can still be improved. Wei finds the nice plan of activating the king:} 33. Kg2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Ra8 34. Kf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Ra5 35. Kf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Ra8 36. Kg5 Rd8 37. Bxf7 Nb8 38. Kxf6 Rxd6+ 39. Be6 Nd7+ 40. Kxg6 Ne5+ 41. Kf6 1-0 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.23"] [Round "9.5"] [White "Maurizzi, Marc`Andria"] [Black "Divya Deshmukh"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D79"] [WhiteElo "2572"] [BlackElo "2420"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "101"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "FRA"] [BlackTeam "IND"] 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. c3 O-O 6. d4 cxd4 7. cxd4 d5 8. Nc3 Nc6 9. Ne5 e6 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. b3 Re8 12. Bb2 Ba6 13. Na4 $146 (13. Rc1 Nd7 14. Qd2 Rc8 15. Na4 Bb5 16. Nc5 Nxc5 17. Rxc5 e5 18. dxe5 Bxe5 19. Re1 Bxb2 20. Qxb2 Qb6 {Tabatabaei,M (2613)-Puranik,A (2580) Tornelo INT 2021}) 13... Nd7 14. Qd2 Bb5 15. Nc3 Qb6 16. Nxb5 Qxb5 17. Rfc1 a5 18. e3 a4 $2 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This natural-looking move is actually a strategic error.} ({Black should have prepared the other break, which would solve her pawn weakness as well:} 18... Rec8 {e.g.} 19. Rab1 Rab8 $5 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} (19... c5 20. e4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) 20. Ba3 c5 21. dxc5 Nxc5 {and Black is close to equality.}) 19. Bf1 Qb7 20. b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Fixing the c6-pawn.} a3 21. Bc3 Reb8 22. Rab1 Nf6 23. Qc2 Qd7 24. Rb3 Ne4 25. Be1 Rb6 26. Bd3 Nd6 27. Rc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qd8 (27... Rxb4 28. Rxa3) 28. Rb1 Qe8 29. Rc1 Qd8 30. Bd2 Rxb4 ({Perhaps it was smarter to wait $2} 30... Bf8) 31. Rxa3 Rbb8 32. Rxa8 Rxa8 33. a4 {Now White has a passer, the bishop pair, and pressure on c6. That's too much.} Bf8 34. a5 Nc4 35. Bxc4 dxc4 36. Be1 Qd5 37. Qxc4 Qxc4 38. Rxc4 Ra6 39. Kf1 Bd6 40. Ke2 Kf8 41. Kd3 Ke7 42. Rc2 Kd7 43. Kc4 Kc8 44. e4 Bc7 45. Ra2 Kb7 46. e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Smothering the opponent.} Ra7 47. Bb4 Ka6 48. Bc5 Ra8 49. Bb6 {Everything works perfectly.} Bd8 50. Kc5 Rc8 51. Kd6 1-0 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.23"] [Round "9.4"] [White "Roebers, Eline"] [Black "Vrolijk, Liam"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C38"] [WhiteElo "2381"] [BlackElo "2573"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "62"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "NED"] [BlackTeam "NED"] 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Bc4 $5 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Even more courageous than playing 2.f4.} Nc6 4. Nf3 (4. d4 Nf6 5. e5 d5 6. Bb3 Bg4 7. Qd3 Nh5 {occurred in the first game with 3...Nc6 mentioned in the database, Charousek,R-Chigorin,M Budapest 1896.}) 4... g5 5. O-O d6 6. d4 Bg7 7. c3 h6 8. h4 Qe7 (8... g4 9. Bxf4 gxf3 10. Qxf3 Qe7 11. Qg3 Bf6 12. Na3 Kd8 {Cordova,E (2581)-Ruiz Castillo,J (2503) Charlotte 2021}) 9. a4 Bg4 10. b4 $146 (10. Qd3 O-O-O 11. a5 Nf6 12. a6 b6 13. Na3 Kb8 14. Nc2 d5 {Dyda,T (2179)-Szabo,M (2254) LSS email 2014}) 10... Nf6 11. Nbd2 Nh5 {Despite being surprised in the opening, Black has played it perfectly. White has no compensation for the pawn.} 12. Nb3 Nd8 (12... O-O) 13. Re1 Be6 14. Bf1 $6 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Objectively speaking, this is too much.} (14. d5) 14... g4 15. Nh2 Qxh4 16. c4 f3 (16... O-O $19) 17. gxf3 g3 (17... Qg3+ $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 18. Bg2 (18. Kh1 $2 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Qf2) 18... Bxc4 $19) 18. Ra2 gxh2+ $6 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({The engine prefers} 18... Nf4) 19. Rxh2 Qf6 20. e5 dxe5 21. dxe5 Qe7 22. Rxh5 Qxb4 23. Nd4 {Because Black refused to castle earlier, White is now getting some play.} Bf8 $6 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (23... Bd7) 24. Nb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qa5 25. Kh2 Nc6 26. Bd2 Bb4 (26... Nb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 27. Bxb4 Nxb4 28. f4 {Now the situation is completely unclear.} Nc6 29. f5 Rd8 30. Qg4 $4 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Blunder;persistent;true] In big time trouble, Roebers blunders a full rook.} ({The game deserved to continue with e.g.} 30. Qb1 Bc8 31. e6 {and who knows what would have happened.}) 30... Qxe1 31. fxe6 Qxf1 0-1 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.24"] [Round "10.5"] [White "Donchenko, Alexander"] [Black "Gukesh D"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "E48"] [WhiteElo "2643"] [BlackElo "2725"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "108"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "GER"] [BlackTeam "IND"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. cxd5 exd5 7. a3 (7. Nge2 Re8 8. O-O a5 9. Bd2 Na6 10. Rc1 Bf8 11. f3 c5 12. Kh1 b6 13. a3 Nc7 14. Nf4 Ba6 {Abdusattorov $146 (2727)-Narayanan,S (2677) Samarkand 2023}) 7... Bd6 8. Qc2 c6 9. Nge2 Re8 10. Bd2 Nbd7 11. f3 c5 12. h4 Nb6 $146 (12... h5 13. O-O-O a6 14. g4 hxg4 15. fxg4 Nxg4 16. h5 Nf8 17. Rdg1 Nf2 18. dxc5 Be5 {So,W (2778) -Sevian,S (2693) Saint Louis 2022}) 13. g4 Nc4 14. Bxc4 dxc4 15. d5 $6 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (15. O-O-O {was actually quite promising, e.g.} cxd4 16. Nxd4 a6 $6 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 17. h5 b5 18. g5 Nd7 19. g6 {and White's attack comes first.}) 15... Rb8 $1 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] In this position this is a much stronger way to prepare ...b5.} 16. h5 (16. a4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) 16... b5 17. g5 Nd7 18. f4 Bf8 19. h6 g6 20. Rd1 Nb6 21. Kf2 $2 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Already the losing mistake.} ({White had to play} 21. Ng3 Nxd5 22. O-O {but it's hard to believe he has enough compensation.}) 21... b4 22. Ne4 Bf5 23. N2g3 {A nice combination follows:} Rxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 24. Nxe4 Qe7 25. Nf6+ (25. Kf3 Nxd5 26. Qxc4 Nb6 27. Qd3 Qb7 {and ...Re8 next.}) 25... Qxf6 26. e4 Qd4+ 27. Kf3 Qxd5 $3 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This cross-pin is both the strongest and prettiest.} 28. Bxb4 Bxe4+ 29. Qxe4 Qxe4+ 30. Kxe4 cxb4 31. axb4 Bxb4 {In the remainder, Donchenko put up a great fight, but it was never enough.} 32. Rd4 Bc5 33. Rd2 Bb4 34. Rd4 Bc5 35. Rd2 f5+ 36. gxf6 Kf7 37. Ra1 Rb7 38. Rd8 Kxf6 39. Ra6 Re7+ 40. Kf3 Kf7 41. Rh8 Ke6 42. Ra8 Bd4 43. R8xa7 Rxa7 44. Rxa7 Nc8 45. Rc7 (45. Rxh7 Ne7 {traps the rook.}) 45... Nd6 46. Rxh7 Nf7 47. Rg7 Bxg7 48. hxg7 Nh6 49. Ke4 Kd6 50. Kd4 Nf5+ 51. Kxc4 Nxg7 52. Kd4 Nf5+ 53. Ke4 Ke6 54. b4 Ne7 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.26"] [Round "10"] [White "Warmerdam, Max"] [Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "D25"] [WhiteElo "2625"] [BlackElo "2727"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "142"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bg4 5. Bxc4 e6 6. O-O Nbd7 7. Nc3 c6 8. Be2 Be7 9. b3 (9. e4 O-O 10. Be3 Qa5 11. h3 Bxf3 12. Bxf3 e5 13. Qb3 Qb4 14. Rfd1 Rfd8 15. d5 Qxb3 16. axb3 Bc5 {Lysyj,I (2589)-Zubritskiy,A (2459) St. Petersburg 2023}) 9... O-O 10. Bb2 Rc8 11. h3 Bh5 12. Rc1 Nd5 13. Nd2 $146 (13. Ne4 h6 14. Ng3 Bg6 15. a3 f5 16. Qc2 N7f6 17. Ne5 Bh7 18. Qd2 Qe8 19. Bd3 Bd6 20. f4 Rd8 {Heimberger,F (1768)-Lange,W (1785) Ansfelden 2007}) 13... Bg6 14. Nde4 f5 15. Nd2 N7f6 16. Bf3 b5 17. a4 a6 18. Qe2 Bb4 19. g3 Qe8 20. Bg2 Bh5 21. Qd3 Qg6 22. Ndb1 $6 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (22. Nf3) 22... Bd6 23. Ne2 $6 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} Nb4 24. Qd1 f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Refuting White's two sub-par knight moves.} 25. exf4 ({Not} 25. gxf4 $4 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} Bf3) 25... Nd3 26. Rc3 ({On} 26. Rc2 {Black plays} Bxf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when} 27. gxf4 {is again met by} Bf3) 26... Nxb2 27. Qd2 Nxa4 (27... b4 $5 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) 28. bxa4 Bb4 29. g4 Nxg4 30. hxg4 Bxg4 31. Ng3 Bf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (31... Qh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would also pick up the f-pawn.}) 32. Qe3 Bxc3 33. Nxc3 {This is not so clear actually. Warmerdam has defended this strongly.} Bc2 34. Nce4 Bxe4 35. Nxe4 (35. Bxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qf6 36. axb5 cxb5 37. Ne2 {and White is better.}) 35... Qg4 36. Nc5 Rf6 37. a5 Rg6 38. Qe4 Rd8 39. Re1 Rd6 $2 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 40. Kf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent find on the 40th move. Black is in danger of losing this.} b4 41. Nxa6 ({Abdusattorov was more worried about} 41. Bf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 41... Rf6 42. Nxb4 $6 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({Winning was} 42. Nc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rxf4 43. Qe5 Rfxd4 44. a6) 42... Rxf4 43. Qb1 $6 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({White would still be the one playing for a win after} 43. Qe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rdxd4 44. Nxc6 Rd2 45. Qb8+ Rf8 46. Ne7+ Kf7 47. Qc7) 43... Rdxd4 {Now Black is out of the woods again.} 44. Nd3 Rf8 45. Re3 Qg5 46. Bf3 Qxa5 47. Bxc6 Qa6 48. Bf3 Qd6 49. Qb3 Rf6 50. Ke2 h6 51. Be4 Qc7 52. Bg2 Rc4 53. Bh3 Qc8 54. Kd2 Kh8 55. Qa2 Rc6 56. Qb3 Qa6 57. Qb8+ Rc8 58. Qb3 Qa5+ 59. Ke2 Qh5+ 60. Ke1 Rg6 61. Bxe6 Rg1+ 62. Kd2 Rd8 63. Bh3 Ra1 64. Be6 Rf1 65. Kc2 Qg6 66. Kb2 Re8 67. Bc4 $4 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Blunder;persistent;true] In time trouble, after more than six hours of play, Warmerdam stumbles.} (67. Qd5 {or even}) (67. Kc3 {would still be equal.}) 67... Qf6+ $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 68. Ka3 (68. Kc2 {allows} Rxf2+ $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 69. Nxf2 Qxf2+) 68... Ra1+ 69. Kb4 Rb8+ 70. Bb5 Qd4+ 71. Qc4 Rb1+ 0-1 [Event "Wijk aan Zee"] [Site "Wijk aan Zee"] [Date "2024.01.26"] [Round "10"] [White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C84"] [WhiteElo "2769"] [BlackElo "2780"] [Annotator "rafael"] [PlyCount "71"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/6000+30:3000+30"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 {The two chess players continue the theoretical battle in the Ruy Lopez that occurred in their dramatic match for the world championship.} b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. a4 (9. h3 {Nepomniachtchi played this move two times in the match. He seeks a new path for this game.}) 9... Bd7 10. Ba2 $5 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A very rare move, but one once played by GM Peter Svidler, a great expert in the Ruy Lopez with both colors. The idea is to anticipate the typical move 10...Na5 followed by c7-c5, which can occur after 10.Nbd2.} (10. Nbd2 Na5 11. Bc2 c5 {with a typical position.}) (10. Bc2) (10. Re1) 10... h6 11. h3 Re8 12. Be3 {A normal Spanish position on move 12 without any specific theory. This is more or less what white players seek in the difficult art of modern theoretical preparation. The position may be unknown to me, to you, and perhaps even to the world champion, but it was certainly well-known to Nepomniachtchi, as we will see.} (12. Re1 {was played in Svidler-Adams, EU-Cup 2011.}) 12... Rb8 (12... Bf8 {is natural. White can follow up with} 13. Nbd2 {and the computer is already showing lines with g4-g5, an idea that is surprising but very dangerous when the bishop is on a2.}) 13. Nbd2 (13. axb5 {White can consider exchanging on b5 immediately.} axb5 14. Nbd2 {with similar ideas.}) 13... Bf8 (13... bxa4 $5 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Black could now take the opportunity to capture on a4.} 14. Nc4 (14. Qxa4 {allows Black to play} Nb4 15. Qd1 Nxa2 {It's a huge relief when the light-squared bishop is captured.} (15... Nxd3 16. Qc2 {is dangerous.}) 16. Rxa2 Bf8 $11 {with equality.}) 14... Bf8 15. Bb1 Ne7 16. Bc2 Ng6 17. Bxa4 c6 {Preparing d6-d5, with a good position.}) 14. g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The first choice of the computer and still preparation by Nepomniachtchi.} Be6 {A logical idea, since the a2-bishop is a monstrous piece.} (14... Nh7 {[%CAl Gh7g5,Gf7f5] is possible:} 15. axb5 axb5 16. Kh2 {White prepares Rh1-h4-g5 with a complicated position.}) 15. Bxe6 Rxe6 16. axb5 axb5 17. g5 {White goes all-out. It seems strange to me that such a brutal attack can be successful against a protected king, but the computer likes it and indicates equality. Modern chess is chess without prejudices.} hxg5 18. Nxg5 Re8 19. Kh2 {Opening up the g-file for the rook.} d5 {Against an attack on the flank, counterattack in the center. This is the classic advice you'll find in books, whereas the oracle of modernity is not so concerned with pretty and generic words.} (19... Qd7 {is the computer's favorite move, even though it's not so didactic.}) 20. Rg1 d4 21. cxd4 exd4 (21... Nxd4 {is more accurate, followed by c7-c5, with a balanced game. This was suggested by Nepomniachtchi in his post-game interview and he said he had all this checked in his preparation. I'm still amazed at how deep the elite players' opening analysis is—consider the number of alternatives Black had along the way after 10.Ba2.}) 22. Bf4 {White's plan is to play Bg3 and then push the f-pawn. The position becomes strategically dangerous for Black.} Bd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23. Bg3 (23. Bxd6 {is also possible:} Qxd6+ 24. Kh1 Qf4 25. Ndf3 Ne5 26. Rc1 {with a small advantage for White.}) 23... Bxg3+ 24. Rxg3 Qd6 25. Kg1 {It's hard to say if the king is better on g1 or h1.} Ra8 {Nepomniachtchi was critical of this move. He suggested 25...Qf4, which is actually a mistake.} (25... Qf4 $6 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 26. Ndf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black's position is unstable and White has several plans available, even playing Ne1-g2, to drive out the queen.}) (25... g6 {with the idea of playing Nh5 at some point, is an interesting alternative.}) 26. Rxa8 (26. Rc1 {is also logical.} Ra6 {Protecting the knight and helping on the kingside. White's position is more comfortable, but there's a lot of play.}) 26... Rxa8 27. Qb3 {Attacking f7 and b5, but losing the latter pawn is not the end of the world.} Qd7 (27... Nd8 {is also possible. The capture on b5 is not so dangerous:} 28. Qxb5 Qc6 {The queen exchange is good news for Black.} 29. Qxc6 Nxc6 {with good compensation since the rook on g3 is not so well-placed now that there's no direct attack.}) 28. Ndf3 (28. Qxb5 {is not good enough:} Nh5 (28... Rb8 {is also possible.}) 29. Rg4 Nf6 30. Rg2 {Otherwise it's a draw by repetition.} Ra1+ 31. Nf1 Ra5 {with good counterplay. Nh5-f4 will be unpleasant to face.}) 28... Rb8 $2 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Defending the b5-pawn in such a passive way is a bad idea.} (28... Nd8 {This difficult move is one of the computer's suggestions, and it evaluates the position as equal.}) (28... Re8 $5 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a human move, preventing the advance e4-e5. If White takes on b5, Black is able to exchange queens.} 29. Qxb5 (29. Nh4 {is more interesting:} Ne5 30. Qd1 g6 {with chances for both sides.}) 29... Nh5 30. Rg4 Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 31. Qxd7 Nxd7 {The threat is f6. It turns out that White's pieces are not so well-placed on the kingside. Black should be able to equalize.}) (28... Nh5 {is an active idea:} 29. Rg4 Ra1+ 30. Kg2 Na5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Interestingly, the best option is to place the two knights in the corner of the board. As I wrote before: modern chess is chess without prejudices. The position becomes very complicated, with some flashy variations.} 31. Qb4 (31. Qc2 Qc6 {Black should seek a queen exchange in this position, as it's clear by now.} (31... f6 {is tempting:} 32. b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qc6 {Still the best move:} (32... fxg5 33. Qb2 $3 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] A wonderful intermediate move.} (33. bxa5 Nf4+ 34. Kh2 Ne6 {with counterplay for Black, for instance:} 35. Nxg5 Nxg5 36. Rxg5 Qf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The king is insecure on h2.}) 33... Ra4 34. bxa5 Nf4+ 35. Kh2 Ne6 36. Nxg5 Nxg5 37. Rxg5 c6 38. f4 Rxa5 39. Kg3 {with a big positional advantage for White, thanks to his better pawn structure.}) 33. Nxd4 Qxc2 34. Nxc2 Ra2 35. bxa5 Rxc2 36. Ne6 {The complications persist, but a draw is the most likely result.}) 32. Nxd4 Qxc2 33. Nxc2 Ra2 34. e5 Rxb2 35. Nd4 {The b-pawn looks dangerous, but White will push e6 and can create some threats. The position is balanced.}) 31... f6 32. Ne6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qxe6 33. Qxb5 Qf7 {with total chaos on board. White has good compensation for the piece, but no more than that.}) 29. Qc2 $2 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (29. Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is much stronger. The knight is going to f5 and White has an overwhelming attack.} Ne5 (29... Nh5 30. Rf3 Ne5 31. Rf5 {followed by f4 or even Ng6, with a decisive attack.}) 30. Qd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important move, preventing Nh5.} (30. Nf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Nh5) 30... g6 31. f4 Nh5 32. fxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nxg3 33. e6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} fxe6 34. Qf3 Nh5 35. Nxg6 Ng7 36. Qf6 {The queen and two knights combine for a decisive attack.}) 29... Rb6 $6 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (29... Re8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook should go the e-file, preventing e4-e5.}) 30. e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nh5 31. Rg4 Rb8 $2 {[%c_effect b8;square;b8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The decisive mistake.} (31... Qd5 {is necessary.} 32. Qc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Protecting the e5-pawn indirectly.} f6 (32... Nxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 33. Nxe5 Qxe5 34. Re4 {wins for White, as Re8 mate is coming.}) 33. exf6 Nxf6 {White can now choose any square for the rook and maintain the initiative, but Black is still defending.}) 32. Qc5 (32. Ne4 {is also good, preparing Rg5 and a knight move to f6 sooner or later.}) 32... Rd8 33. Ne4 (33. e6 {wins immediately:} fxe6 34. Ne4 Qd5 35. Rg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qxc5 (35... e5 {Stockfish dev-20231116-7970236e:} 36. Rxh5 Qxc5 37. Nxc5 Rd5 38. Ne4 b4 39. Kg2 Ra5 40. Nfd2 ({Stockfish dev-20231116-7970236e:} 40. Rf5 b3 41. Nfd2 Ra2 42. Nxb3 Rxb2 43. Nbc5 Ra2 44. h4 Ra3 $18) 40... Ra2 41. Nc4 $18) 36. Rxc5 {with a double attack on c6 and h5.}) 33... Qe6 (33... Qd5 {was suggested as an improvement by Nepomniachtchi. He mentioned the following line:} 34. Qxd5 Rxd5 35. Rg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nf4 (35... g6 36. Rxh5 gxh5 37. Nf6+ {wins a piece.}) 36. Nf6+ Kf8 37. Nxd5 Nxh3+ 38. Kf1 Nxg5 39. Nxg5 Nxe5 40. Ke2 {and White should gradually win the endgame. The d4-pawn is a weakness and Black will soon be a piece down for only a pawn.}) 34. Rh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rd5 (34... g6 35. Rxh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the thematic idea to win the game in many variations.} gxh5 36. Nfg5 Qxe5 37. Qxc6 {with a material advantage and a decisive attack.}) 35. Qa3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The queen can now go to a8.} g6 (35... Nxe5 36. Qa8+ {wins.}) 36. Nfg5 (36. Rxh5 {is also winning:} gxh5 37. Nf6+ Kg7 38. Nxh5+ Kg8 39. Nf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qd7 40. Qa8+ Kg7 (40... Kh7 41. Ng5+ {with mate soon.}) 41. Nh5+ {with a mating attack.}) (36. Nfg5 {The following variation illustrates why Black resigned:} Qxe5 37. Qa8+ Nd8 38. Rxh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} gxh5 39. Qxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qxd5 40. Nf6+ {winning a piece.}) 1-0 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.24"] [Round "10.4"] [White "Roebers, Eline"] [Black "Maurizzi, Marc`Andria"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B12"] [WhiteElo "2381"] [BlackElo "2572"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "68"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "NED"] [BlackTeam "FRA"] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. dxc5 e6 5. a3 Bxc5 6. b4 Be7 7. Nf3 f6 (7... a5 8. b5 a4 9. c4 dxc4 10. Qxd8+ Bxd8 11. Bxc4 Nd7 12. O-O b6 13. Nbd2 Bb7 14. Be2 Ne7 {Vachier-Lagrave,M (2747)-Anand,V (2754) Dubai 2023}) 8. Bb2 a5 9. b5 Nd7 10. Bd3 Nh6 11. c4 O-O 12. Nbd2 $146 (12. Qc2 fxe5 13. Nxe5 Nxe5 14. Bxe5 Bf6 15. Bxf6 Qxf6 16. Ra2 Bd7 17. O-O Rac8 18. Qb3 Ng4 {Grigorian,S (2444) -Krstulovic,A (2433) Durres 2023}) 12... fxe5 13. Nxe5 Bf6 14. Ndf3 Nxe5 15. Nxe5 dxc4 16. Bxc4 Qc7 17. Qe2 Nf7 18. Nxf7 (18. f4) 18... Bxb2 19. Qxb2 Qxc4 20. Ne5 Qe4+ 21. Kf1 b6 22. f3 Bb7 23. Re1 Qh4 24. Qf2 Qa4 25. Qxb6 Bd5 26. Qe3 Qxb5+ 27. Kf2 Qa4 28. h4 $6 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({Remarkably, the engine prevents ...Qh4+ with} 28. Kg3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when} Rab8 {can be answered by} 29. Rb1 {and White is not worse.}) 28... Rab8 29. h5 ({The problem (which the engine had spotted long before) is that} 29. Rb1 Rxb1 30. Rxb1 {fails to} Qc2+) 29... Rb3 30. Qc5 Qf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Instead of grabbing the pawn, Black plays for the attack.} 31. Rh3 $2 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This loses.} ({The best try was} 31. Qc1 Qd4+ 32. Re3 Rb2+ 33. Kg3) 31... Rb2+ 32. Kf1 (32. Kg1 Qd2) 32... Qg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's over.} 33. Qg1 (33. Rh2 Qg3) 33... Qd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34. Rg3 Bc4+ $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (34... Bc4+ 35. Nxc4 Qd3+ 36. Re2 Qxe2#) 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.24"] [Round "10"] [White "Niemann, Hans Moke"] [Black "Mendonca, Leon Luke"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "A11"] [WhiteElo "2692"] [BlackElo "2608"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "223"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. c4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 Nf6 4. Qc2 g6 5. b3 (5. d4 Bg7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O Bf5 8. Qb3 Qb6 9. Nc3 dxc4 10. Bxc4 Qxb3 11. Bxb3 c5 12. dxc5 Na6 {Wojtaszek,R (2670)-Giri,A (2768) Warsaw 2023}) 5... Bg7 6. Bb2 O-O 7. Be2 Bf5 8. d3 Na6 9. O-O Rc8 10. a3 Nc5 11. Rd1 b5 12. Bd4 Ne6 13. Be5 Bg4 $146 (13... g5 14. Nbd2 h6 15. Nf1 Bh7 16. Rac1 Qd7 17. Qb2 Qb7 18. b4 Rfd8 19. Ng3 a6 {Gurevich,M (2618)-Firat,B (2310) Chalkida 2009}) 14. Nbd2 Nh5 15. Bxg7 Nhxg7 16. Qb2 Nf5 17. h3 Bxf3 18. Nxf3 d4 {Otherwise White goes d3-d4.} 19. e4 Nfg7 20. b4 bxc4 21. dxc4 c5 22. bxc5 {Niemann decides to win a pawn, but Black will get enough compensation.} ({In the old days, an engine would go for material as well, but here it prefers to maneuver longer with e.g.} 22. Rab1 Qb6 23. e5 a6 24. Bf1 Rfd8 25. Qc1) 22... Rb8 23. Qc2 Qc7 24. Nxd4 Nxd4 25. Rxd4 Ne6 26. Rdd1 Nxc5 {Any Grunfeld player will immediately recognize that Black's beautiful knight blocking c4 and keeping the bishop somewhat bad means that he has enough for the pawn here.} 27. Rab1 Rxb1 28. Rxb1 Rd8 29. Bf3 a6 30. Rd1 e6 31. g3 Rxd1+ 32. Qxd1 Qe5 33. h4 Kg7 34. Qd2 h6 35. Kg2 h5 36. Kh2 Kf8 37. Qe3 Kg7 38. Bg2 Qd6 39. e5 Qc7 40. f4 Qa5 41. Kh3 Qb6 42. Bf3 Qc7 43. g4 hxg4+ 44. Kxg4 Qb6 45. Kg3 Qc7 46. h5 gxh5 47. Bxh5 Kf8 48. Bf3 Ke7 49. Qd4 Nd7 50. Kf2 Nc5 51. Kg2 Nd7 52. Bg4 Qc5 53. Qd3 Nb6 54. Be2 Nd7 55. Bh5 Qc6+ 56. Kh2 Qc5 57. Kg2 Qc6+ 58. Kg3 Qc5 59. Kh4 Qf2+ 60. Qg3 Qxg3+ 61. Kxg3 f6 62. exf6+ Kxf6 63. Kf3 Nc5 64. Ke3 Ke7 65. Kd4 Kd6 66. Bf3 a5 67. Bd1 Kc6 68. Bh5 Kd6 69. Be2 Nb3+ 70. Kc3 Nc5 71. Bf3 Na4+ 72. Kd4 Nc5 73. Bd1 Kc6 74. Ke5 Nd3+ 75. Kd4 Nc5 76. Bc2 Kd6 77. Ke3 Kc6 78. Kf3 Kd6 79. Kg4 Ke7 80. Kg5 Nd7 81. Kg6 Nc5 82. Kg7 Nd7 83. Kg6 Nc5 84. Kg5 Nd7 85. Bd1 Nc5 86. Bf3 Nd7 87. Bg4 Nc5 88. Bf3 Nd7 89. Be4 Nc5 90. Bc2 Nd7 91. Kg4 Nc5 92. Kf3 Kd6 93. Ke3 Kc6 94. Bg6 Kd6 95. Bh7 Kc6 96. Kd4 Kd6 97. Bc2 Nd7 98. c5+ Nxc5 99. Kc4 Nd7 100. Kb5 Nf6 101. f5 exf5 102. Bxf5 Nd5 103. Kxa5 Kc5 104. Bd3 Nc3 105. Ka6 Kc6 106. Bf1 Kc5 107. Kb7 Na4 108. Bd3 Nc3 109. Ka6 Na4 110. Ka5 Nc3 111. a4 Nxa4 112. Kxa4 1/2-1/2 [Event "Tata Steel Chess 2024"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.26"] [Round "11"] [White "Wei, Yi"] [Black "Warmerdam, Max"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C27"] [WhiteElo "2740"] [BlackElo "2625"] [Annotator "rafael"] [PlyCount "53"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/6000+30:3000+30"] 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 {The Bishop Variation is normally used to avoid the Petroff, which has proven to be a difficult defense to break, just look at Nepomniachtchi's games. I believe Wei was not so familiar with its nuances, as he will quickly be out of the book.} Nf6 3. d3 Bc5 {3...Nc6 and 3...c6 are also very popular.} 4. Nc3 c6 {Wei said he was surprised by this move. It has been played, however, in hundreds of games, including games by super-grandmasters.} 5. f4 {A brave choice for someone who doesn't know theory.} (5. Nf3 {is safer.}) (5. Qf3 {preventing d5, has also been played by strong GMs.}) 5... d5 {Warmerdam took his time before playing this move. It's likely that he was also out of book here, or at least did not do much analysis of this position.} (5... exf4 {is critical.} 6. e5 (6. Bxf4 d5 7. exd5 Nxd5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] with a good position for Black.}) (6. d4 Bb4 {transposes to a position with some theory, where Black is supposed to be fine.}) 6... d5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 7. exf6 Qxf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (7... dxc4 {is weaker:} 8. Qe2+ Be6 9. fxg7 Rg8 10. Bxf4 {with some initiative for White.}) 8. Qe2+ (8. Bb3 $2 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses to} Qh4+) 8... Kd8 9. Bxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} cxd5 10. Qf3 {with big complications in Najer-Bulmaga, EU-ch Vrnjacka Banja 2023.}) 6. exd5 Ng4 {This move brings chaos to the board. Black has many options.} (6... cxd5 {is not the most accurate move due to} 7. Bb5+) (6... Bxg1 {is possible, taking the knight before it's developed on f3.} 7. Rxg1 O-O 8. fxe5 cxd5 9. Bb3 d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 10. exf6 dxc3 11. bxc3 Qxf6 {Black has excellent compensation.}) (6... O-O {Whenever in doubt, just castle. It's never too bad.} 7. fxe5 Ng4 8. d4 Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Taking a protected pawn and deliberately going into a fork—but it all works because of the check on h4.} 9. Nge2 (9. dxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Qh4+ {taking the bishop on c4.}) 9... Bb6 10. Bb3 Qh4+ 11. Ng3 (11. g3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Qf6 {led to a big advantage for Black in Hauge-Romanov, Norway 2022.}) 11... Re8 12. Nce4 {The position is scary for White, but apparently he is surviving.}) (6... Nxd5 $5 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is a serious possibility:} 7. Nf3 {This move has never been played before.} (7. Nxd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} cxd5 8. Bb5+ Bd7 9. Bxd7+ Nxd7 {with a much better position for Black. His king is much safer.}) (7. Ne4 {is possible, but looks strange.}) (7. Qe2 O-O 8. fxe5 Bd4 {with the initiative.}) (7. Qf3 {was played in a historical game.} Nxc3 8. bxc3 {Here the simple} Nd7 {protects the e5-pawn and gives Black the advantage.} (8... O-O 9. fxe5 {1-0 Spielmann,R-Cohn,E Munich game 1906 was unclear in})) 7... exf4 8. d4 Bb4 9. O-O Bxc3 10. bxc3 O-O 11. Qd3 {with some compensation for the pawn, which eventually should be regained, but Black has a good position.}) 7. Nf3 {White thought for 50 minutes to play this move.} (7. Qf3 $5 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] was considered by Wei and is also interesting.} Nf2 8. Be3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White needs to see this move in advance.} Bxe3 9. Qxe3 Nxh1 10. Qxe5+ Kf8 (10... Qe7 11. d6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qxe5+ 12. fxe5 {An unbalanced position in which White maintains pressure, as his pawns are dangerous, and the h1-knight must be captured sooner or later. But \"equality\" should still be the correct evaluation.}) 11. Nf3 {White has good compensation. We'll see many positions where White appears to be down a rook, but in fact, it's only a \"false rook\" down since the h1-knight will be captured most of the time. However, we cannot say for sure that White is only down an exchange (a rook for a knight or bishop) since, in some cases, the knight actually manages to escape via f2. The life of a commentator, as you can see, is not easy: we have to unravel the chess and, in some cases, the semantics as well. By the way, let's not forget that White also has some pawns to make the assessment even more complicated.}) 7... O-O (7... Nf2 $2 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is too rushed:} 8. Qe2 Nxh1 9. Qxe5+ Kf8 10. Be3 {with an excellent position for White. Again he is a \"false rook\" down.}) 8. fxe5 Nf2 9. Qe2 Nxh1 10. Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Developing the bishop and attacking the queen. It's surprising, but I found three correspondence games in this position.} Qa5 {The only acceptable square for the queen.} (10... Qe8 $2 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is horrible, leaving the queen out of play.} 11. d4 Bb4 12. d6 $18) (10... f6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] It looks crazy to open the diagonal, but the refutation is interesting:} 11. dxc6+ Kh8 12. exf6 gxf6 13. c7 $3 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] An important intermediate move.} Qxc7 14. Bh6 {The point is that there's no Re8 now. White has overwhelming compensation for the false rook.}) (10... Qb6 $2 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The queen is poorly placed here. Black loses the important counterplay with Ba3, as happens in the game.} 11. O-O-O Nf2 12. Rf1 {with the initiative.}) (10... Be7 $2 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] was played in the only over-the-board game in my list.} 11. Bxe7 Qxe7 12. d6 {with a decisive advantage for White in Abdrlauf-Kjolberg, Norway 2019.}) 11. d6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Opening the bishop's diagonal and keeping a dangerous passed pawn on the sixth rank. At this point, the three correspondence games deviate: each had a different move.} Bg4 (11... b5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is the weakest of the three moves.} 12. Bb3 Be6 13. Be7 Nd7 14. O-O-O Nf2 15. Re1 {and according to the machine, White is better. This was played in Jensen-Feco, ICCF email 2015. It's definitely not an easy position to understand, but the e6-square explains some of White's advantage: if Black exchanges bishops, the threat of e6 is very strong. Otherwise, White is the one trading bishops and attacking the pawn on e6.}) (11... Be6 {is interesting. This move is better without the preceding b7-b5, as the queen can help attack the e5-pawn from the side.} 12. Bxe6 fxe6 13. d4 Rxf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14. Qxf3 Bxd4 15. O-O-O Bxc3 16. Qxc3 Qxc3 17. bxc3 Nd7 18. Rxh1 Rf8 {and this endgame later ended in a draw in Andersen-Chmielewski, ICCF email 2020.}) 12. Be7 (12. O-O-O {is an alternative, but White has no advantage after} Nf2 13. Rf1 Nd7) 12... Nd7 $6 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (12... Ba3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This brilliant move was played in one of the games. There are many drawing lines now.} 13. Bxf8 (13. O-O-O Qxc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 14. bxa3 {The game is balanced. A possible line is:} Nd7 15. Bxf8 Rxf8 16. e6 Bxe6 17. Bxe6 fxe6 18. Qxe6+ Rf7 19. Ng5 Qxa3+ 20. Kb1 Qb4+ 21. Ka1 Qc3+ 22. Kb1 Qb4+ {with perpetual check.}) 13... Bxb2 14. e6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bxc3+ 15. Kf1 Bxe6 16. Bxe6 Bxa1 17. Bxf7+ Kxf7 18. Qe7+ Kg8 19. Bxg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bxg7 20. Qe6+ Kf8 21. Qe7+ {with perpetual check in Jensen-Panitevsky, ICCF email 2015. These variations are impossible for a human to calculate during the game, but it's interesting to note that Wei was precise when asked what he thought was the correct assessment during the game: \"Probably equality,\" he said. Correctly evaluating positions is a skill almost as important as calculating well.}) 13. e6 Ba3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Warmerdam finds the important resource, but the position is even more difficult to play now.} (13... Bxe6 14. Bxe6 Nf6 $8 15. O-O-O $14) 14. exf7+ Kh8 (14... Rxf7 $2 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses after} 15. Bxf7+ Kxf7 16. Ng5+ Qxg5 17. Bxg5 Bxe2 18. bxa3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bh5 19. Be3 {The h1-knight is doomed, and White will be left with a material advantage and the initiative after} Ke6 20. Kd2 Kxd6 21. Bf4+ Ke7 22. Re1+ Kf7 23. Rxh1) 15. O-O-O Qxc3 16. bxa3 {The climax of the game. It's simply impossible to find the best move for Black in this position.} Bxf3 $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Correctly pointed out by Wei as the decisive mistake.} (16... b5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] also fails:} 17. Bb3 a5 18. Bxf8 Rxf8 19. Re1 $3 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] An important move, releasing the d1-square for the king.} a4 20. Be6 Qxa3+ 21. Kd1 {The h1-knight is still there, and White has a lot of threats connected to the passed pawns.}) (16... Qxa3+ $6 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Wei suggested this in the post-game interview, but it's not enough for equality.} 17. Kb1 Qb4+ 18. Bb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (18. Kc1 Qa3+ {may end in perpetual check.}) 18... Rxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (18... a5 {doesn't work:} 19. Bxf8 Rxf8 20. Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} a4 21. Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} axb3 22. axb3 {Nearly all of Black's pieces are threatened. White is winning.}) 19. Rxh1 a5 20. Qe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is a real exchange down at this point but he has a pawn, the bishop pair and the strong d6-pawn as compensation.}) (16... a5 $3 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Preparing b5-a4 while keeping an eye on the a3-pawn. This extremely accurate move equalizes the game.} 17. Bxf8 Rxf8 18. Re1 $6 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} Qxa3+ 19. Kd1 Qxd6) 17. gxf3 {The exchange of the bishop for the knight made life much easier for White. The h1-knight will finally be captured, and White will have an overwhelming advantage.} Ne5 (17... Qxa3+ 18. Kb1 (18. Kd2 {is also good:} Qb4+ 19. c3 Qb2+ 20. Ke1 Qxc3+ 21. Kf1 $18 {Followed by Kg2 and capturing the knight.}) 18... Qb4+ 19. Bb3 Rxf7 20. Rxh1 {with a nearly winning advantage.}) 18. Kb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qd4 19. Rxh1 Nxc4 20. dxc4 Qb6+ 21. Kc1 Rxf7 22. Rd1 {The pawn is ready to march to d7.} Rff8 23. d7 Rg8 24. Qe5 {Powerful centralization.} Rad8 25. f4 {Black is paralyzed.} c5 26. Bxd8 Qxd8 (26... Rxd8 27. Qe8+) 27. Qxc5 {An amazing game that will be remembered for generations. I was impressed by the Chinese GM's calmness during the post-game interview. No exaggerated emotions, pure serenity; perhaps that's why he makes so many good decisions in irrational positions. He said he loves playing these types of games, and I hope he plays many more of them.} 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.26"] [Round "11"] [White "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Black "Ju, Wenjun"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C55"] [WhiteElo "2727"] [BlackElo "2549"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "67"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. Bb3 a5 (6... d6 7. c3 h6 8. h3 Nh7 9. Re1 Ng5 10. Nbd2 Kh8 11. d4 Bf6 {Alekseev,E (2575)-Artemiev,V (2701) Sochi 2022}) 7. c4 $146 {\"I knew that this was dubious, but you know, I just freestyled a bit there.\" - Abdusattorov} (7. c3 d5 8. Nbd2 b5 9. a4 b4 10. Re1 bxc3 11. bxc3 Ba6 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Ne4 Rb8 {McShane,L (2655)-Bromberger,S (2535) Germany 2017}) 7... d6 8. Be3 Nd7 9. Ba4 Nb4 ({This looked a bit strange to Abdusattorov, who suggested} 9... Bf6) 10. a3 Na6 11. Nc3 c6 12. Bc2 Nac5 13. b4 Ne6 14. Qd2 Nf6 ({Also here, a better setup was} 14... Bf6 {(preparing ...Nd4)} 15. Ne2 Re8) 15. Na4 axb4 16. axb4 b5 $6 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 17. cxb5 cxb5 18. Nb6 Rxa1 19. Rxa1 Bb7 ({Here,} 19... d5 20. Ra8 Qc7 21. Nxd5 Nxd5 22. exd5 Nf4 23. Bb3 Bb7 24. Ra7 Ra8 {is only slightly better for White.}) 20. Bb3 d5 21. Ra7 dxe4 22. Nxe5 Qc7 23. Nxf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A great shot.} Kxf7 24. Qa2 $2 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This obvious move, however, gives away the advantage.} ({The accurate continuation was} 24. dxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rd8 {and now} 25. Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ({Abdusattorov only mentioned} 25. Bxe6+ Kxe6 26. Qa2+ Qc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and Black is holding}) 25... Qc6 26. Qe2 $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Ke8 27. Nxf6+ Bxf6 28. Bxe6 Qxe6 29. Rxb7 Qxe4 30. Rc7 $1 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a healthy extra pawn.}) 24... Qc6 $2 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({The only move was} 24... Rd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 25. Bxe6+ Kf8 26. Bd5 Rxd5 27. Nxd5 Bxd5 28. Rxc7 Bxa2 29. dxe4 Bxb4 30. f3) 25. Rxb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qxb7 26. Bxe6+ Ke8 ({Abdusattorov mentioned the important point} 26... Kg6 27. g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and White is winning.}) 27. dxe4 {Materially it's about equal, but the attack will continue so this is now winning for White.} Qxe4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (27... Bd8) 28. Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bd8 29. h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice, quiet move to ensure a safe king first.} Rf7 {What else $2} 30. Qa6 Nxd5 31. Qc6+ Kf8 32. Qd6+ Ke8 33. Bxd5 Qe7 34. Qc6+ (34. Qc6+ {and resigned because of} Kf8 35. Bc5) 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.26"] [Round "11"] [White "Gukesh D"] [Black "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "D85"] [WhiteElo "2725"] [BlackElo "2759"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "76"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 c5 8. Be3 Bg4 9. Rc1 O-O 10. Be2 Qa5 11. Qd2 e6 12. h3 (12. d5 exd5 13. exd5 c4 14. O-O Nd7 15. d6 Rad8 16. Bg5 Nf6 17. h3 Be6 {Edouard,R (2652)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2686) Pau 2012}) 12... Bxf3 13. Bxf3 Nc6 14. d5 exd5 15. exd5 Ne5 16. Be2 c4 17. f4 Nd7 18. O-O Nb6 $146 (18... Rac8 19. f5 Rfd8 20. Bg4 h5 21. f6 Bf8 22. Bxh5 Ne5 23. Bf3 Nxf3+ 24. Rxf3 Rxd5 25. Bd4 Rxd4 {0-1 Van Kooten,H-Davies $146 (2515) Vlissingen 1998}) 19. Rfd1 Rfd8 20. Bf3 Rd7 21. f5 Rad8 22. Bg5 f6 23. Bh4 Nxd5 24. Qe1 Kf8 25. Qe6 Nf4 $2 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({Best was} 25... Rd6 {when} 26. Rxd5 Rxd5 27. fxg6 hxg6 28. Bxf6 {can be met by} Qb6+ 29. Qxb6 axb6 30. Bxd8 Rxd8) 26. Qxd7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({Missing the first chance with} 26. Rxd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nxe6 27. fxe6 {and the pawn is too strong:} Re8 (27... Rxd7 28. exd7) 28. Re1 Re7 29. Rd5 b5 30. Kh1 $1 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The first subtle sidestep that engines are so good at...} Qb6 31. Bf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rxe6 (31... Qxf2 $2 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 32. Rd8+ Re8 33. e7+) 32. Bxb6 Rxe1+ 33. Bg1 {and White should win.}) 26... Rxd7 27. Rxd7 Qxf5 $6 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (27... Nd3 28. Rb1 Ne5 29. Rdxb7 Bh6) 28. Rxb7 Nxh3+ 29. Kh1 Nf4 30. Bg3 $2 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (30. Re1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 30... Qg5 31. Bh2 ({Gukesh's second chance was} 31. Bxf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qxf4 32. Rd1 Qh4+ 33. Kg1 f5 {and now the second subtle sidestep} 34. Kf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] when the perpetual is out of the position, e.g.} Bf6 35. Rdd7 Qf4 36. Kf2 Bh4+ 37. Ke2 Qe5+ 38. Kd1 {with good winning chances.}) 31... f5 32. Re1 Qh4 (32... Bxc3) 33. Ree7 Bxc3 34. Rxh7 Qe1+ 35. Bg1 Be5 36. Rxa7 Kg8 37. Rhe7 Qh4+ 38. Bh2 Qe1+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.26"] [Round "11"] [White "Maghsoodloo, Parham"] [Black "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "D37"] [WhiteElo "2740"] [BlackElo "2742"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "74"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. a3 c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. e3 Nc6 9. Qc2 Qa5 10. Rd1 h6 (10... Rd8 11. Nd2 dxc4 12. Bxc4 Be7 13. h3 Bd7 14. O-O Rac8 15. Nb3 Qh5 16. Be2 Qg6 17. Bd3 Qh5 18. Be2 Qg6 19. Bd3 {½-½ Grischuk,A (2732)-Dubov,D (2710) Amsterdam 2023}) 11. Nd2 d4 12. Nb3 Qb6 13. Na4 $146 (13. Nxc5 Qxc5 14. b4 Qe7 15. exd4 a5 16. c5 axb4 17. axb4 Nxb4 18. Qb2 Nfd5 {Sargsyan,S (2654)-Divya,D (2400) Astana 2023}) 13... Bb4+ 14. Ke2 Qa6 15. Nxd4 Nxd4+ 16. exd4 Bd6 17. Nc5 Bxc5 18. dxc5 e5 19. Rd6 Qa5 20. Bxh6 $5 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Very interesting, but in the end, not correct.} (20. Be3 {might still give White a slight plus.}) 20... Qxc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21. Rxf6 Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Fantastic defense by Vidit. The rook on f6 is trapped and White will lose an exchange for some pawns. \"I think it's one of the best moves that I've ever found over the board. \"} 22. Bxg7 $5 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} Kxg7 23. Rf5 ({A better version was} 23. Rf3 Bg4 24. Ke1 Bxf3 25. gxf3 {but Black is likely winning here as well.}) 23... Rd8 24. h4 Bxf5 25. Qxf5 Rd4 26. Ke1 Rad8 27. Be2 Qd6 28. Qg5+ Kf8 29. Qc1 Qg6 30. g3 Rd2 31. Rh2 Rc2 32. Qe3 Rxb2 33. Kf1 Rdd2 34. Qc5+ Kg8 35. Qc8+ Kg7 36. h5 Qb1+ 37. Kg2 Rxe2 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.26"] [Round "11"] [White "Maurizzi, Marc`Andria"] [Black "Vrolijk, Liam"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C88"] [WhiteElo "2572"] [BlackElo "2573"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "73"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 Rb8 9. axb5 axb5 10. Nc3 Nd4 (10... d6 11. d3 h6 12. Ne2 Re8 13. Ng3 Bf8 14. c3 b4 15. Qc2 bxc3 16. bxc3 Bg4 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2736)-Dubov,D (2708) Chess. com INT 2023}) 11. Nxd4 exd4 12. Ne2 Nxe4 13. Nxd4 Nc5 14. Bd5 Bf6 $146 (14... c6 15. Ba2 Bf6 16. Nf3 d6 17. d4 Na4 18. Bb3 Nb6 19. Qd3 Bg4 20. Bf4 Rb7 {Johansson,K-Leonard,M IECG email 1997}) 15. Nf3 Bb7 $6 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] The first mistake, according to Maurizzi.} (15... Ne6) (15... d6) 16. Bxb7 Rxb7 17. d4 Ne6 18. Ra3 $5 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A nice rook switch to the kingside.} (18. d5 Nc5 19. Ra3 {was perhaps even stronger.}) 18... c6 19. Ne5 Re8 20. Rh3 Nf8 {Too passive perhaps.} (20... g6 $5 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) 21. Rhe3 $1 {[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Threatening 22.Nxc6.} Bxe5 (21... Re7 $5 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) 22. dxe5 f6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] \"I think it's a blunder,\" said Maurizzi.} (22... Ra7) 23. exf6 Rxe3 24. f7+ $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kxf7 25. Bxe3 Kg8 (25... h6) 26. Bc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} d5 ({Black would love to play} 26... Ne6 {if} 27. Rxe6 {did not exist...}) 27. Qe2 Rf7 ({Black had to preventing White's next move with} 27... Rb8 {but in the long run he should lose anyway.}) 28. Qe8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qg5 (28... Qf6 29. Re7 Rxe7 30. Bxe7 Qf7 31. Qd8 g6 32. Bc5 Kg7 33. Bd4+ Kg8 34. h4 {and Black is completely stuck.}) 29. Qxc6 Qd2 30. Qe8 Qxc2 31. Qxb5 h6 32. h3 Kh7 33. Qe8 Rf6 34. b4 Qf5 35. Qe5 Qd3 36. Qd4 Qf5 37. Rd1 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.26"] [Round "11"] [White "Mendonca, Leon Luke"] [Black "Yilmaz, Mustafa"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C54"] [WhiteElo "2608"] [BlackElo "2665"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "61"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. Bg5 d6 6. c3 h6 7. Bh4 a6 8. O-O Ba7 9. Nbd2 g5 (9... Qe7 10. b4 g5 11. Bg3 Nh7 12. Bd5 Nf8 13. Nc4 Ng6 14. Ne3 Qd8 {Caruana,F (2786)-Deac,B (2701) Douglas 2023}) 10. Bg3 Nh7 11. Kh1 O-O 12. a4 Kh8 13. b4 h5 14. h3 h4 15. Bh2 g4 16. hxg4 Bxg4 17. Qe1 f5 $146 ({Not a good novelty. Better is} 17... Qf6 18. Ng1 Rg8 19. f3 Bc8 20. f4 Qg7 21. Qe2 Bg4 22. Ndf3 Nf6 {Morcin,T (2203)-Zielinski,S (2280) LSS email 2019}) 18. b5 Na5 19. Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Winning on the spot.} dxe5 20. Bxe5+ Nf6 21. f3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ({A nice point, but White would even have time for} 21. Be6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] e.g.} Qe7 22. exf5 {with a winning position.}) 21... Nxc4 22. Nxc4 ({Not} 22. Qxh4+ $4 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} Kg7 {and Black's rook will land on h8 next.}) 22... Bh5 23. Qxh4 Kg7 24. d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bg6 ({Now after} 24... Rh8 25. Kg1 {White is in time to meet Black's attacking moves.}) 25. Qg5 {White is not even material down here.} Rh8+ 26. Kg1 Rh5 27. Qf4 Qd7 28. Ne3 c5 29. Nd5 Rf8 30. b6 Bb8 31. Nxf6 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.26"] [Round "11"] [White "Beukema, Stefan"] [Black "Niemann, Hans Moke"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "A20"] [WhiteElo "2428"] [BlackElo "2692"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "66"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. c4 e5 2. g3 c6 3. Nf3 e4 4. Nd4 d5 5. cxd5 Qxd5 6. Nc2 Nf6 7. Nc3 Qe5 8. Bg2 Be7 (8... Na6 9. Rb1 h5 10. h3 Bf5 11. Ne3 Bg6 12. b3 Bc5 13. Bb2 Qe6 14. a3 Rd8 {Firouzja,A (2777)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2734) Saint Louis 2023}) 9. Ne3 Na6 10. Qc2 Nb4 11. Qb1 Nbd5 12. Nxe4 Nxe3 13. dxe3 Bf5 14. Nxf6+ Qxf6 15. e4 Bb4+ 16. Kf1 Be6 $146 (16... Bg6 17. h4 h6 18. h5 Bh7 19. Bf4 O-O 20. e5 Qe6 21. Be4 Bxe4 22. Qxe4 Bd6 23. Qe3 Bc7 {Navara,D (2745)-Balogh,C (2635) Achaia 2016}) 17. Bf4 O-O-O 18. Qc2 Rd4 19. e5 Qe7 20. b3 Rhd8 21. h4 h6 22. Bf3 Bd2 23. e3 Rd3 24. h5 Qd7 25. Be2 $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({The obvious move was} 25. Kg2 {when Beukema likely feared} Bd5 26. e4 Rxf3 27. Kxf3 Qf5 {threatening ...Bxe4+ and ...Rd3+ but White has} 28. Rae1 Bxe1 29. Rxe1 Qxh5+ 30. Kg2 {with the better chances.}) 25... Bf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is taking over.} 26. Qc5 b6 27. Qc4 b5 28. Qc5 Rc3 29. Qa3 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is running out of squares and moves.} 30. Rd1 Rc2 31. b4 Qd5 32. e4 Qxe4 33. f3 Qxe2+ $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ({Something like} 33... Qxb4 {was enough as well but this better and prettier.}) (33... Qxe2+ 34. Kxe2 Bxf4+ {and checkmate soon.}) 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.27"] [Round "12"] [White "Van Foreest, Jorden"] [Black "Giri, Anish"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C01"] [WhiteElo "2682"] [BlackElo "2749"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "48"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bd3 Bd6 6. Qe2+ Be7 $5 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} (6... Qe7 7. Nc3 c6 8. Qxe7+ Kxe7 9. O-O Nbd7 10. Re1+ Kf8 11. Ne5 Ne8 {[%CAl Gf7f6]} 12. f4 f6 13. Nf3 Kf7 14. f5 Nc7 15. Ne2 g5 16. fxg6+ hxg6 17. Bf4 Bxf4 18. Nxf4 Nf8 {Carlsen,M (2839)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2771) Chess.com 2023}) 7. O-O O-O 8. h3 c5 9. dxc5 Bxc5 {[%csl Rd5][%mdl 48]} 10. Nbd2 $146 (10. Nh2 Nc6 11. Bg5 h6 12. Bh4 Qd6 13. Kh1 Re8 {Marklund,G (2057)-Wahlbom,M (2286) Stockholm 2011}) 10... Re8 11. Qd1 Nc6 12. Nb3 Bb6 13. Re1 Bd7 14. Bf4 Nb4 15. Qd2 Nxd3 16. Qxd3 Re4 17. Be3 Bxe3 18. Rxe3 Qb6 19. Rae1 Rae8 20. Nfd4 a5 {Here White should just take on e4, and it's equal.} 21. Qc3 $4 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} ({Stockfish dev-20231116-7970236e:} 21. Rxe4 Rxe4 22. Qd2 a4 23. Rxe4 Nxe4 24. Qa5 Qxa5 25. Nxa5 Nd6 26. f3 Kf8 $11) 21... Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] All of a sudden, White is completely lost.} ({No doubt Van Foreest was expecting} 21... a4 22. Nc5) 22. Qd2 (22. Qxa5 Qxa5 23. Nxa5 Rxd4 {and c2 also hangs.} 24. c3 Ra4 $19 {[%CAl Ra4a5,Ra4a2]}) 22... a4 23. Rxe4 Nxe4 24. Qa5 Qf6 $1 {[%CAl Ra4b3,Rf6f2] [%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.27"] [Round "12"] [White "Gukesh"] [Black "Praggnanandhaa"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E31"] [WhiteElo "2725"] [BlackElo "2743"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "79"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] {[%evp 0,79,19,31,14,-14,3,-10,16,16,30,11,21,-33,-33,-31,-31,-13,-19,-44,-5,-6,-11,-11,-14,-15,-10,-34,-11,-32,51,33,38,19,33,8,83,58,73,77,95,81,88,47,25,29,20,-21,68,55,41,11,39,27,40,20,67,9,36,34,100,0,0,-12,14,220,220,268,268,260,266,297,297,272,272,272,272,272,272,285,285,289]} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 O-O 5. Bg5 c5 6. d5 exd5 7. cxd5 d6 8. e3 h6 9. Bh4 Bf5 (9... Nbd7 10. Bd3 Qa5 11. O-O Bxc3 12. bxc3 Nxd5 13. c4 N5f6 14. Nd2 Re8 {Yu,Y (2716)-Niemann,H (2699) Saint Louis 2022}) 10. Bd3 Bxd3 11. Qxd3 Nbd7 12. O-O Re8 13. Ne2 $146 (13. Rfd1 a6 14. Qf5 Qe7 15. Ne2 g6 16. Qh3 Qf8 17. g4 Ne4 {Schmidt,L (2340)-Heigl,R (2215) Potsdam 1997}) 13... a6 14. Qf5 c4 15. Rac1 Rc8 16. a3 Ba5 17. Ng3 Qe7 18. Qh3 Rc5 19. Nf5 Qf8 20. Rfd1 Bd8 21. Rd4 b5 22. Bg3 Ne5 23. Rcd1 Nh7 24. Bf4 Ng5 25. Qg3 Ngxf3+ 26. gxf3 Kh7 27. Qh3 Be7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent defensive move.} 28. Re4 ({After} 28. Bxe5 dxe5 29. R4d2 {Black is in time for} Bd6) 28... Rd8 (28... Nd3) 29. Kg2 ({Perhaps the players considered} 29. Nxe7 Qxe7 30. Bxe5 dxe5 31. Qf5+ g6 32. Qxe5 Qg5+ $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 33. Qxg5 hxg5 34. Red4 Kg7 {a draw $2}) 29... a5 $2 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (29... Ng6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 30. Rdd4 $2 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({Here the players underestimated} 30. Bxe5 dxe5 31. d6 Bg5 (31... Bf6 32. Nxh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} gxh6 33. Qf5+ Kg7 34. Rg4+ Bg5 35. h4) 32. f4 exf4 33. exf4 Bf6 34. d7) 30... c3 $6 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] After this move, both players were under three minutes.} (30... Ng6) 31. bxc3 Rxc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (31... Ng6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 32. Rxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Grabbing the chance.} dxe5 33. Bxe5 f6 34. d6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bxd6 (34... fxe5 35. dxe7) 35. Bxd6 Qf7 36. Rg4 Rg8 37. Bf4 {This should be a winning attack, but the decisive blow is not so easy to find with just a few minutes on the clock.} Qf8 38. Bd6 Qf7 39. Bf4 Qf8 40. Bd6 $4 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Blunder;persistent;true] Unintentionally allowing a three-time repetition. Praggnanandhaa claimed the draw here, intending 40...Qf7.} ({White needed just a few moves of regrouping to win:} 40. Rh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rc6 (40... Rxa3 $4 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 41. Bd6) (40... Qxa3 41. Ng3 $1 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] To close the g-file so that White actually threatens to take on h6.} Qf8 42. Qf5+ Kh8 (42... g6 43. Qd7+ Rg7 44. Rxh6+ Kg8 45. Qd5+ Rf7 46. Rxg6+) 43. Qg6 Rc4 44. e4 {and 45.Bxh6 next.}) 41. e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] To cover the c1-square.} Rc3 42. Kf1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and with the king out of the way, White can finally take on h6 next.}) 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.27"] [Round "12"] [White "Ju, Wenjun"] [Black "Wei, Yi"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "A90"] [WhiteElo "2549"] [BlackElo "2740"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "78"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. d4 e6 2. c4 f5 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 d5 5. Nh3 Bd6 (5... Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Nd2 Nc6 8. e3 a5 9. b3 b6 10. Bb2 a4 11. bxa4 Ba6 {Ju,W (2560)-Vidit,S (2723) chess24.com 2022}) 6. O-O O-O 7. b3 dxc4 8. bxc4 c5 9. e3 Nc6 10. Bb2 $146 (10. Nc3 e5 11. Nb5 cxd4 12. exd4 exd4 13. Nxd4 Nxd4 14. Qxd4 Be7 {Tleptsok,R (2524) -Staroske,U (2535) GER email 2018}) 10... Qb6 11. Qb3 cxd4 12. exd4 Na5 13. Qxb6 axb6 14. Rc1 Bd7 15. Nd2 Rac8 16. Bf1 Rc7 17. Nb3 Ra8 18. f3 Nc6 19. c5 bxc5 20. Nxc5 h6 21. Nxd7 Rxd7 22. Nf2 $6 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (22. Bb5) 22... Ba3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Wei thought his opponent had missed this move.} 23. Rcb1 $6 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({Wei suggested} 23. Bxa3 Rxa3 24. Bb5 {as a better chance to make a draw.}) 23... Bxb2 24. Rxb2 Nxd4 {This is almost impossible to defend for White.} 25. f4 Ra3 26. Rab1 Nd5 27. Nd3 Nc3 28. Ra1 b5 29. Nb4 Nd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Lovely.} 30. Rg2 (30. Rxd1 Nf3+ 31. Kf2 Rxd1 32. Be2 {loses as well, but only because of} Rd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 30... Ne3 31. Rb2 g5 32. fxg5 hxg5 33. Bg2 Rc7 34. Re1 Rc4 35. Bb7 Kg7 36. Kf2 f4 37. gxf4 gxf4 38. Rg1+ Kf6 39. h4 Rxb4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (39... Rxb4 {and resigned because of} 40. Rxb4 Rxa2+ 41. Rb2 Rxb2+ 42. Ke1 Re2#) 0-1 [Event "chess24.com"] [Site "chess24.com"] [Date "2024.01.27"] [Round "12.4"] [White "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"] [Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E51"] [WhiteElo "2742"] [BlackElo "2727"] [Annotator "Bojkov,Dejan"] [PlyCount "153"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "India"] [BlackTeam "Uzbekistan"] [WhiteTeamCountry "IND"] [BlackTeamCountry "UZB"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. e3 O-O 6. Bd2 {Quite a trendy Nimzo-Indian line, named after Rubinstein.} b6 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Rc1 {The position resembles the Tartakower-Makagonov-Bondarevsky Queen's Gambit Declined, but with somewhat unusually placed white pieces. The relatively inactive Bd2 is the compensation for the lost tempi by Black.} Be7 {Relatively rare and full of psychology. Vidit sank into deep thought.} ({Black has also tried recently:} 8... Re8 9. Ne5 c5 10. Bb5 Re7 11. O-O a6 12. Ba4 Bb7 13. a3 Bxc3 14. Bxc3 Ne4 15. Be1 c4 16. f3 Nd6 17. Qd2 f6 18. Ng4 Nd7 19. Bc2 {as in Le,Q (2731)-Sevian,S (2696) Saint Louis 2023}) 9. g3 $5 {[%c_effect g3;square;g3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Quite a rare continuation.} ({The thing is that the Indian GM had already used this line quite effectively as Black. In the following game, he not only equalized, he outplayed his opponent after the common} 9. Bd3 c5 10. Ne5 Bb7 11. O-O Nc6 12. a3 Bd6 13. Ng4 Ne8 14. f4 f5 15. Ne5 cxd4 16. Nxc6 Bxc6 17. exd4 Qd7 18. Qb3 Nc7 19. Rfe1 Kh8 20. Kh1 g6 21. Ne2 Ba4 22. Qa2 Bb5 23. Qb3 Bxd3 24. Qxd3 Ne8 25. Nc3 Nf6 {Bluebaum,M (2643)-Vidit,S (2718) Douglas 2019}) ({To a transposition leads} 9. Ne5 c5 10. Bd3 Bb7 {Sebenik,M (2498)-Esipenko,A (2682) Chess.com INT 2020}) 9... Nbd7 $146 {And Abdusattorov, taken by surprise, produced a novelty. The move chosen in the game is very ambitious. Black wants to capitalize on the weakening of the a6-f1 diagonal.} ({The predecessor saw:} 9... Bb7 10. Bg2 c5 11. O-O Nc6 (11... Na6 $5 {[%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A'la Tiviakov also makes perfect sense.}) 12. Ne5 Rc8 13. a3 Re8 14. Ng4 Nxg4 15. Qxg4 Na5 16. dxc5 Nc4 17. Rfd1 Nxb2 18. Nxd5 Nxd1 19. Rxd1 Bxd5 20. Bc3 Bf6 21. Bxd5 {1/2-1/2 (21) Willmann,B (2277) -Kazimierski,T (2089) LSS email 2015}) 10. Bg2 Ba6 {There it goes. The problem is that the bishop is not stable, thus...} 11. Qa4 Bc4 {Too optimistic $1} ({Black is correctly rejecting} 11... Qc8 12. Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} c5 13. Nxd7 {when the d5-pawn drops.}) ({He could have tried instead} 11... Bb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now normal development like} 12. O-O {leads to a normal position for Black after} ({The critical line is connected with a pawn sacrifice} 12. Ne5 Nxe5 13. dxe5 Nd7 14. Nxd5 {And then Black needs to develop his initiative at once with another sacrifice} Bxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 15. Bxd5 Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This time, of an exchange. True, the rook is hardly edible.} 16. Bxa8 $2 {[%c_effect a8;square;a8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is a bit too much due to} ({The more restraint} 16. Qb3 {can be met with} Qd7 17. f4 ({When again} 17. Bxa8 {is risky due to the simple} Rxa8 ({But Black can claim an equality instead with} 17... Nd3+ {if he wishes so.})) 17... Rad8 {and Black is fine.}) 16... Qxa8 {when the light-square weaknesses are eternal and painful.}) 12... Ne4 {When} ({The machine even suggests} 12... c6) 13. Nxe4 {is nothing to worry about as the white knight lacks a good square after} ({And if} 13. Rfd1 a5 {Black is doing fine too.}) 13... dxe4) 12. b3 {The queen is limited further, but Vidit correctly figured out the space it has would be enough.} Bd3 ({Her majesty is safe after} 12... b5 13. Nxb5 Bd3 14. Nxc7 Nb6 15. Qa5) 13. Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Forces matters.} Nxe5 14. dxe5 Ne4 15. Qd4 Nxc3 (15... Nxd2 $2 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 16. Qxd3) 16. Bxc3 {And it transpires that White should be still gaining a whole pawn.} Bg6 (16... Bf5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] might have been somewhat more useful.}) 17. Bxd5 ({Perhaps} 17. e6 $5 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] would have promised White more after} Bf6 18. Qxd5 fxe6 19. Qxe6+ Kh8 20. Qc6) 17... c6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black's only chance is related to the activity.} 18. Bg2 $1 {[%c_effect g2;square;g2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Vidit avoids greed.} ({Rightly so, it might lead White to trouble after} 18. Bxc6 Rc8 19. Bg2 Ba3 20. Rd1 Qxd4 21. Bxd4 Bc2 {trapping the rook.}) 18... Qc8 19. e6 {Once more forcing, this time an endgame.} ({Instead} 19. O-O Rd8 20. Qa4 {also looks great for White.}) 19... f6 20. Qd7 {Following the same safe script.} ({But there is an argument for} 20. Qc4 Rd8 {Especially if White sees} 21. O-O $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bd3 22. Qxc6 Qxc6 23. Bxc6 Bxf1 (23... Rac8 24. Bd7) 24. Bxa8) 20... Ba3 $1 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An only move, and Abdusattorov keeps fighting.} 21. Rd1 Bf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Missed by White.} 22. Qxc6 ({Or} 22. Bxc6 Bxe6 23. Qxe6+ Qxe6 24. Bd5) 22... Bxe6 23. Qxe6+ Qxe6 24. Bd5 Qxd5 25. Rxd5 Rfc8 26. Kd2 {A solid extra pawn should be enough for the win. After all, the majority of the black pawns are sitting on the color of their bishop, and the white king is active too. However, the Uzbeki GM put up an extremely stubborn resistance.} Rc7 27. Kd3 Rac8 28. Bd4 (28. Bd2 $5 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) 28... Kf7 ({The second rank is defended tactically} 28... Rc2 29. Rd8+) 29. Rd1 $1 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now the second rank would be defended physically.} Ke6 30. e4 Rc2 31. Rd2 Rc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Keeping the energy in the rooks alive is Black's best chance.} 32. f4 Bb4 33. f5+ {Not only grabbing space but also fixing weaknesses on the dark squares.} Ke7 34. Re2 Rd1+ (34... Bd6 $5 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] to try and get rid of the bishop looks like a better idea.}) 35. Ke3 Rcc1 36. e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now the central construction opens against the black king.} fxe5 37. Rxe5+ Kf7 ({If} 37... Kd7 38. Re4 {and the black kingside would suffer.}) 38. g4 Rc7 ({In case of} 38... Rg1 {White has} 39. Rd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and} Rxg4 {is answered with} (39... Rc7 40. Kf3) 40. Rd7+ Kg8 41. h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rg5 42. Kf4 h6 43. h4 Rf1+ 44. Rf2 Rxf2+ 45. Bxf2 Rg2 46. Kf3 {winning.}) 39. Re6 Rd7 ({Not} 39... g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40. Ke4) 40. Be5 {Now the white king is very exposed, but the centralized army keeps it safe.} Rg1 41. Kf3 Rd3+ 42. Kf4 Bd2+ 43. Ke4 Rd7 44. Bg3 Bb4 45. Rc6 Bc5 46. g5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] All the preparation was worth it; Vidit inches closer to the win.} Kf8 {But not comes} ({If} 46... g6 47. Rf6+ Kg7 48. Be5 {is nasty.}) 47. g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] And White builds a mating cage. One more detail, the g7-pawn is blocked again on the color of the black bishop.} hxg6 48. fxg6 Re7+ 49. Be5 ({A curious study-like win is} 49. Kf3 $5 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} Rf1+ 50. Rf2 Bxf2 $2 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({And if} 50... Rxf2+ 51. Bxf2 Bxf2 {White manages to win move-by-move the pawn endgame after} 52. Rc8+ Re8 53. Rxe8+ Kxe8 54. Kxf2 Ke7 55. Kf3 Kf6 56. b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kxg6 57. Ke4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ({Or} 57. b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]})) 51. Rc8+ Re8 52. Bd6+ Kg8 53. Rxe8#) 49... Re8 50. Kf5 Rf1+ {Annoying checks...} ({Since} 50... Kg8 {stumbles into} 51. Bd6 $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rxe2 52. Rc8+) 51. Kg4 Rg1+ 52. Kh5 Be7 53. h4 Rh1 54. Bg3 Rd8 55. Rce6 {It took White a while, but in the end he realized that the win could be achieved with the trade of all the rooks.} (55. Rc7 $5 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] might have been a tad faster.}) 55... Bc5 56. Bc7 Rc8 57. Bf4 Rd1 58. R2e4 a5 59. Kg4 Rg1+ 60. Kf5 Rd8 61. Bg5 Rf1+ 62. Kg4 Rg1+ 63. Kh5 Rc8 64. Rc4 Ra8 65. Rf4+ Kg8 66. Rfe4 Rf8 ({Or} 66... Kf8 67. Re2) 67. Re2 Rgf1 68. Re8 {Invasion time.} Bb4 69. Rxf8+ Kxf8 70. Rc2 Bc5 71. Kg4 Rg1+ 72. Kf5 Rf1+ 73. Ke6 Ke8 74. Re2 Rg1 75. Re5 Kf8 76. Rd5 Re1+ 77. Kf5 ({Abdusattorov did not wait to see his second rook disappear after} 77. Kf5 Re8 78. Rd8 ({Or first} 78. h5)) 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.27"] [Round "12"] [White "Firouzja, Alireza"] [Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B13"] [WhiteElo "2759"] [BlackElo "2769"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "55"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. Nc3 Nf6 2. d4 d5 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 cxd4 5. exd4 a6 6. Nf3 Bg4 (6... Nc6 7. Ne5 e6 8. Nxc6 bxc6 9. Na4 Bd6 10. Bxd6 Qxd6 11. Bd3 O-O 12. O-O a5 {Murzin,V (2627)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2771) Samarkand 2023}) 7. h3 Bxf3 8. Qxf3 Nc6 9. O-O-O e6 10. g4 Bd6 11. Be3 Qa5 12. Kb1 Nb4 $146 {Quite aggressive but probably not good.} (12... Rc8 13. g5 Nd7 14. Bc1 b5 15. h4 Nb4 16. a3 Nc6 17. Na2 Qb6 18. Qd3 Kd8 {Rapport,R (2704)-Nikolic,P (2602) Palic 2014}) 13. Bc1 Rc8 14. a3 Nc6 15. g5 Nd7 16. h4 Qb6 (16... b5 {sees more logical, after losing so much time to lure the white pawn to a3, but} 17. Na2 b4 18. axb4 Nxb4 19. Nxb4 Qxb4 20. h5 {isn't giving Black much on the queenside.}) 17. Bh3 $5 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} (17. h5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) 17... Nxd4 18. Qe3 Be5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] What did Nepomniachtchi miss $2} ({Best is} 18... Nb5 {when} 19. Nxd5 Qc6 20. Qe2 O-O {is quite playable. In fact, according to the engine,} 21. a4 {is the only way to keep an advantage.}) 19. f4 {After this simple reply, Black has to give an exchange.} Rxc3 20. Qxc3 Nb5 21. Qf3 Bd4 {Black doesn't have enough. There's nothing more to it.} 22. Ka2 g6 23. h5 Nc5 24. Bf1 Ne4 25. Bxb5+ axb5 26. hxg6 fxg6 27. Rhe1 (27. f5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 27... Rf8 $2 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Fastening the demise.} (27... O-O) 28. Qd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] If the bishop leaves, White takes the knight. A strange game by Nepomniachtchi.} 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.27"] [Round "12"] [White "Warmerdam, Max"] [Black "Ding, Liren"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "E15"] [WhiteElo "2625"] [BlackElo "2780"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "128"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. Qa4 Bb7 6. Bg2 c5 7. dxc5 bxc5 8. O-O Be7 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Rd1 Qb6 11. Bf4 Rd8 12. Rd2 d6 13. Rad1 h6 14. g4 Nxg4 15. Qb3 Nf6 16. Qxb6 axb6 17. Bxd6 Rxd6 18. Rxd6 Bxd6 19. Rxd6 Nbd7 20. Ne1 Bxg2 21. Kxg2 Kf8 22. b3 Rc8 23. Rd2 Ke7 24. Nc2 Ra8 25. Ne1 g5 26. Nd3 h5 27. Rb2 Ne8 28. Nb5 f5 29. f4 g4 30. b4 cxb4 31. Nxb4 Rc8 32. Rc2 Nd6 33. Nxd6 Kxd6 34. Kg3 h4+ 35. Kxh4 Nf6 36. Kg3 Nh5+ 37. Kf2 Nxf4 38. e3 Ng6 39. Nd3 Ne5 40. Nxe5 Kxe5 41. a4 Ke4 42. Rb2 Rc6 43. Rb3 Rxc4 44. Rxb6 e5 45. Rb2 Rxa4 46. Ke2 Rc4 47. Ra2 Rb4 48. Rc2 Rb1 49. Ra2 Rh1 50. Ra4+ Kd5 51. e4+ $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A nice try...} fxe4 52. Ke3 Rxh2 $2 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] ...and Ding falls for it $1} 53. Ra5+ Ke6 (53... Kd6 54. Rd5+ $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is similar.}) 54. Rxe5+ $3 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] The point. Thanks to this stalemate trick, it's now a draw.} Kf6 55. Ra5 g3 56. Kf4 g2 57. Ra6+ Kf7 58. Ra7+ Ke6 59. Rg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kd5 60. Ke3 Rh3+ 61. Ke2 Ra3 62. Rd7+ $4 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Blunder;persistent;true] With 22 minutes on the clock, Warmerdam played this after only 42 seconds.} ({The only move is} 62. Kf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Ra2+ (62... Kd4 63. Rd7+) (62... Kc4 63. Kxg2) 63. Ke3) 62... Ke5 {Now Black wins again.} 63. Rg7 Kf4 64. Kf2 g1=Q+ 0-1 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.27"] [Round "12.4"] [White "Maurizzi, Marc`Andria"] [Black "Dardha, Daniel"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B90"] [WhiteElo "2572"] [BlackElo "2602"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "116"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "FRA"] [BlackTeam "BEL"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Nf3 Nbd7 7. a4 g6 8. Bd3 $146 (8. a5 Bg7 9. Bc4 O-O 10. O-O b5 11. axb6 Nxb6 12. Bd3 Bb7 13. Qe2 a5 14. Rd1 Nfd7 {Safarli,E (2608)-Averin $146 (2296) Vrnjacka Banja 2023}) 8... b6 9. O-O Bg7 10. Re1 Bb7 11. Bf4 O-O 12. Qd2 Nc5 13. Bh6 Rc8 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. b4 Ncd7 16. Nd5 e5 17. c4 a5 18. h3 axb4 19. Qxb4 Nc5 20. Bf1 Rb8 21. Nd2 Bc6 22. Ra3 Nfd7 23. Nb1 f5 24. exf5 Bxd5 25. cxd5 Rxf5 26. Bb5 Nf6 27. Nc3 Nh5 28. Bf1 Nf4 29. Ne4 Qh4 30. Qd2 $6 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] An exchange sacrifice that doesn't really work.} (30. Qc4) (30. a5) 30... Nxe4 31. Rxe4 Nxh3+ $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 32. Rxh3 Qxe4 33. Qh6+ Kf6 34. Qxh7 {It's Black who is the one attacking:} Qd4 35. Re3 Rc8 $1 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] No fear of White's next move.} 36. Qd7 Rc1 37. Qxd6+ Kg7 38. Qe7+ Rf7 39. Qxe5+ Qxe5 40. Rxe5 Rf5 41. Re7+ Kf8 42. d6 Rd5 43. Rc7 Re1 44. Re7 Ra1 45. Re3 Rxd6 46. f4 Rxa4 47. Rf3 Rf6 48. g3 Ra2 49. Rf2 Rxf2 50. Kxf2 Ke7 51. Ke3 Re6+ 52. Kd4 Re1 53. Bd3 Kf6 54. g4 Rg1 55. g5+ Kg7 56. Kd5 Rd1 57. Ke4 Rxd3 58. Kxd3 b5 0-1 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.27"] [Round "12.3"] [White "Salem, A.R. Saleh"] [Black "Mendonca, Leon Luke"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C11"] [WhiteElo "2630"] [BlackElo "2608"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "110"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "UAE"] [BlackTeam "IND"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3 a6 8. Qd2 b5 9. h4 Bb7 10. Qf2 Qb6 (10... Qa5 11. Bd3 b4 12. Nd1 cxd4 13. Nxd4 Nxd4 14. Bxd4 Bc5 {Vidit,S (2719)-Bluebaum,M (2672) Baku 2023}) 11. Rh3 Qa5 12. h5 Be7 13. Bd2 Qc7 14. Ne2 O-O $146 (14... cxd4 15. Nexd4 O-O 16. Be3 Nc5 17. Nxc6 Qxc6 18. Nd4 Qc7 19. Bd3 Ne4 {Wenzel,A (2325)-Chronopoulos,A (2316) ICCF email 2022}) 15. O-O-O cxd4 16. Nexd4 b4 17. Kb1 a5 18. Nxc6 Bxc6 19. f5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] The start of wild complications.} exf5 20. Qg3 Kh8 21. Nd4 Bc5 22. Nxf5 Qxe5 23. Qg4 Rg8 24. Bd3 Rae8 25. Qh4 h6 26. Rf3 Be7 27. Qf2 Bf6 28. Bc1 a4 29. Re3 Qb8 30. Rxe8 Rxe8 31. Nxh6 {Mendonca had missed this so he was lucky that it's not winning $1} gxh6 32. Qf5 Kg7 33. Qh7+ Kf8 34. Bg6 Ne5 35. Re1 Bg7 36. Bxh6 Bxh6 37. Qxh6+ Ke7 38. Bf5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Only here it goes downhill for White.} ({White should play} 38. Qf4 fxg6 ({or} 38... Kd8 39. Bxf7 Re7) 39. Rxe5+ Kd7 40. Qf7+ Kd8 41. Rxe8+ Bxe8 42. Qxd5+ {with a draw.}) 38... Bd7 39. Qg5+ Kd6 40. Qf6+ Kc5 41. Bxd7 Nxd7 42. Qf2+ Kc6 {The king is safe, and now the extra piece will make the difference.} 43. Rc1 Qe5 44. Qd2 Rb8 45. h6 a3 46. c3 axb2 47. Rc2 bxc3 48. Rxc3+ Nc5 49. Rc2 Qf5 50. Qe2 d4 51. g4 Qd5 52. Qf1 d3 53. Rd2 Ne4 54. Rxd3 Nd2+ 55. Rxd2 Qxd2 0-1 [Event "Tata Steel Chess 2024"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.28"] [Round "13"] [White "Wei, Yi"] [Black "Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D05"] [WhiteElo "2740"] [BlackElo "2742"] [Annotator "rafael"] [PlyCount "75"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/6000+30:3000+30"] {[%evp 0,75,32,18,18,17,17,11,23,-16,-15,-5,1,16,12,12,7,3,19,34,34,34,38,31,46,52,88,78,109,109,109,109,112,117,110,110,147,142,142,133,133,126,126,126,126,143,135,141,113,113,113,113,151,143,167,103,201,188,205,190,283,270,276,271,271,266,569,568,564,607,757,761,887,934,1725,1789,29981,29982]} 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 c5 4. c3 {A curious opening choice for such an aggressive player, but he will find a way to attack even after a seemingly harmless scheme, as we will soon see.} e6 {On the board, there's a Semi-Slav Defense with inverted colors. As I have already written several times, it's very difficult to analyze opening variations with inverted colors, as the goal is not the same when playing Black or White, so the dynamics change, and what can be considered a success with one color can be a failure when with the other.} 5. Bd3 Nbd7 {This is a preventive move against the capture on c5. Black's light-squared bishop is not in trouble since it will be developed on b7.} (5... Nc6 {is also possible, of course.}) 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1 Qc7 $6 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move is inaccurate, as the black queen is not well placed on c7 if the c-file opens. This opinion is not shared by most chess players, as this is the most popular move.} (8... e5 {is natural, when White should open the center and fight for the advantage with} 9. e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) (8... b6 {is possible:} 9. e4 dxe4 10. Nxe4 Be7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with good chances of equalizing.}) (8... c4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] closes the game and apparently is a positional mistake, as it gives a free pass for White to advance e3-e4. Modern chess, however, is chess without prejudice. The computer shows that this move may even be the best of all.} 9. Bc2 b5 10. e4 dxe4 11. Nxe4 Nxe4 12. Bxe4 Rb8 {The bishop is ready to go b7, and the position is equal.}) 9. e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This push is necessary to free White's pieces.} cxd4 (9... dxe4 10. Nxe4 Nxe4 (10... Be7 11. dxc5 {leads to a slightly better position for White with his better development.}) 11. Rxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The same idea we will see later in the game.}) 10. cxd4 dxe4 11. Nxe4 {I see many chess players afraid of playing positions with an isolated queen's pawn, but it's necessary to understand that in chess there are static elements (which are long-term, like an isolated pawn) and dynamic (which are short-term, like free development of pieces and attacking chances). The two elements must constantly be weighed. Here the advantage belongs to White, especially due to the terrible placement of the black queen on c7.} b6 (11... Nxe4 12. Rxe4 $1 {[%CAl Be4h4] [%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is an important idea to understand the position. White wants to capture with the rook to take it to the attack.}) 12. Bg5 {White's moves flow naturally, and his position is very active. A didactic illustration of the advantages of having an isolated pawn on d4.} Nxe4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This move makes things worse.} (12... Be7 {is the machine's recommendation, but White has a strong initiative after} 13. Ne5 (13. Rc1 {is also tempting, although Black is not yet lost after} Qd8) 13... Nxe5 14. Rc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (14. dxe5 {is less precise due to an incredible defense:} Nxe4 15. Bxe4 Bb7 16. Rc1 Qd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and White is unable to win material.} 17. Qxd8 (17. Bxb7 Bxg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 17... Bxd8 18. Bxd8 (18. Bxb7 Bxg5) 18... Bxe4 {with an equal endgame.}) 14... Qxc1 $5 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A queen sac in order to build a fortress.} (14... Qd8 {leaves White with the advantage after} 15. Nxf6+ Bxf6 16. Bxf6 Qxf6 17. dxe5 Qe7 18. Qc2 {threatening the pawn on h7 and a queen invasion on c7.}) 15. Bxc1 Nxd3 16. Qxd3 Bb7 {and is not clear to me if White is able to win, but it's always more pleasant to be a queen up.}) 13. Rxe4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A move that comes naturally to a player with an attacking style. The rook is going to h4.} Bb7 14. Rc1 Qb8 15. Rh4 f5 {Forced.} (15... h6 {is asking for it:} 16. Bxh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} gxh6 17. Qd2 {with a decisive attack.}) (15... g6 16. Qa4 {There's no good way to defend the knight on d7.} (16. Bb5 {is also good and was played in Przepiorka,D-Prokes, Budapest 1929.})) 16. Bc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Attacking the weakness that was created on e6.} Qe8 (16... Bd5 {is also bad:} 17. Bxd5 exd5 18. Rc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is full of weaknesses, and White's rooks play a fundamental role in his overwhelming advantage. When we are learning the basics of chess, we are usually taught that the rooks must be connected, or else \"in love\" for those of a more romantic bent. This is not always true, as the rooks in this position are very far away but still enjoying life.}) 17. Qb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Increasing the pressure on e6.} Kh8 (17... Bxf3 {gives more chances to defend, but the position is still miserable after} 18. Qxf3 Qg6 19. Bf4 Bxf4 20. Rxf4 Rac8 21. Qb3 Kh8 22. Re1 {when the e6-pawn is about to fall.}) 18. Re1 {The e6-pawn is lost. White's position is already winning.} Be4 19. Bxe6 {There are other good moves as well:} (19. Rhxe4 {is not yet necessary, although White is much better after} fxe4 20. Rxe4) (19. Nd2 {also leads to a winning advantage:} Qg6 20. Nxe4 fxe4 21. Qh3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 19... Qg6 20. Bd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best move.} (20. Bxd7 {is also winning, but White has to work on the endgame after} Bxf3 21. Qxf3 Qxg5 22. Rh5 Qg4 (22... Qf4 23. Qh3 h6 24. g3 Qd2 25. Re6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a winning attack.}) 23. Qxg4 fxg4 24. Bxg4) 20... Nf6 21. Ng5 {The knight joins the attack.} f4 22. Rxh7+ $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The exchange sacrifice is very good now.} Nxh7 23. Nxe4 f3 24. g3 Be7 25. d5 {White has two pawns for the exchange plus a deadly bishop on e6 and attacking chances. The final result is not in doubt.} Rad8 26. Qa4 {White has other options, but this move is good enough.} a5 (26... Rfe8 {frees the f8-square for the knight and forces White to play a precise move to maintain the decisive advantage.} 27. Bd7 $1 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (27. Qxa7 $2 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] is bad due to} Nf8) 27... Rf8 (27... Qh5 28. h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (28. Bxe8 $4 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} Qh3 {followed by mate; there's always a way to lose a winning position.})) 28. Qc6 {Preparing the advance of the d-pawn.}) 27. Qc6 {The queenside cannot be protected anymore.} Bb4 (27... Nf6 28. d6 {wins easily.}) 28. Bxb4 axb4 29. h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Avoiding the activity of the black knight with Ng5 and opening up space for the king.} (29. Qxb6 $4 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Blunder;persistent;true] is bad:} Rxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 29... Ra8 30. Nd6 Ra7 (30... Rxa2 {loses to} 31. Nf7+ $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rxf7 32. Qe8+ Nf8 33. Bxf7) 31. Qxb6 Rxa2 32. Qc7 {Preparing Nf7.} Nf6 (32... Rxb2 33. Nf7+ {wins.}) 33. Nf7+ Kh7 34. Ne5 Qh6 35. Qc2+ g6 36. Nxg6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The final blow.} Rfa8 (36... Qxg6 {loses the queen after} 37. Bf5) 37. Ne5+ Kg7 38. Qc7+ {A perfect game from the fantastic Chinese GM. Wei initially appeared as a child prodigy, and I was there when he played in the World Cup in 2013, stunning everyone with his level of play. Let's not forget that he is still very young and could still fight for the world title in the coming years.} 1-0 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.28"] [Round "13.5"] [White "Giri, Anish"] [Black "Warmerdam, Max"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A13"] [WhiteElo "2749"] [BlackElo "2625"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "63"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "NED"] [BlackTeam "NED"] 1. Nf3 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. b3 e6 4. Bb2 Bd6 5. c4 O-O 6. Nc3 c5 (6... Re8 7. Qc2 Nc6 8. a3 Bf8 9. d4 b6 10. Bd3 Bb7 11. O-O-O Na5 {Mamedyarov,S (2723)-Vidit,S (2737) Baku 2023}) 7. g4 Nc6 8. g5 Ne4 9. h4 Re8 $146 (9... Nxc3 10. dxc3 Ne5 11. Nxe5 Bxe5 12. Qc2 f5 13. O-O-O Qa5 14. cxd5 Qxa2 15. d6 Rd8 {Keymer,V (2738)-Iljiushenok,I (2547) Samarkand 2023}) 10. Qc2 Nxc3 11. dxc3 $1 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (11. Bxc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} d4 {is good for Black.}) 11... g6 12. h5 (12. O-O-O) 12... Ne5 13. Nxe5 Bxe5 14. O-O-O Bg7 15. f4 e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best try.} 16. hxg6 hxg6 17. Bd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (17. cxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 17... exf4 18. exf4 Qc7 $2 {[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (18... Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] was apparently better for Black.}) 19. Rh4 dxc4 20. Bxg6 fxg6 21. Qxg6 Kf8 (21... Qc6 $5 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) 22. f5 Qf7 23. Qd6+ Kg8 (23... Qe7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 24. f6 Qg6 $6 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (24... Bf5) 25. Qf4 Qf5 (25... Bf5 $1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26. Qxc4+ Re6 27. fxg7 Rae8 {might still have been good enough to hold.}) 26. Qg3 Be6 (26... Re5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) 27. fxg7 Bf7 28. Rf4 Qe6 29. Qh2 $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Now White is winning.} Kxg7 30. Rxf7+ Qxf7 31. g6 Qe6 32. Rd7+ 1-0 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.28"] [Round "13.2"] [White "Maghsoodloo, Parham"] [Black "Gukesh D"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "D38"] [WhiteElo "2740"] [BlackElo "2725"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "82"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "IRI"] [BlackTeam "IND"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qa4+ Nc6 6. e3 O-O 7. Qc2 b6 (7... Re8 8. Bd2 a6 9. a3 Bd6 10. Rd1 h6 11. h3 Bd7 {Le,Q (2731)-So,W (2752) Saint Louis 2023}) 8. Bd2 Re8 9. a3 Bf8 10. cxd5 exd5 11. Bd3 Ne7 12. Ne5 a6 13. g4 g6 $146 (13... h6 14. O-O-O c5 15. Rhg1 c4 16. Be2 b5 17. h4 Rb8 18. Bf3 Be6 {Mirra,T (2292)-Burmeister,F (2315) ICCF email 2022}) 14. f3 c5 15. O-O-O Nd7 16. Nxf7 $5 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Interesting;persistent;true] As Vidit noted earlier, Maghsoodloo is always good for interesting games no matter the tournament situation. The engine is not a fan of the text move, but between humans it's a different story.} (16. h4) 16... Kxf7 17. h4 b5 18. h5 c4 19. Bf1 Bg7 20. e4 Nf8 21. hxg6+ hxg6 22. Be3 Rb8 23. Qh2 Rb7 24. Be2 b4 25. axb4 Rxb4 26. Bh6 Bxh6+ 27. Qxh6 Qa5 28. Kc2 Qb6 29. Qf4+ Ke6 30. Rb1 ({In this incredibly wild game, this was a key moment as White could have played} 30. b3 $5 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} cxb3+ (30... Rxb3 31. Na4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 31. Kb2 {and it's highly unclear.}) 30... Kd7 31. exd5 Bb7 32. Qf7 Rb8 33. d6 Qxd6 34. d5 Ba8 35. Rh8 Bxd5 36. Nxd5 Qxd5 37. Rxf8 Qe5 38. Kd1 Rxf8 39. Qxf8 c3 40. Ke1 Rxb2 41. Rd1+ Ke6 0-1 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.28"] [Round "13.4"] [White "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Black "Donchenko, Alexander"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B90"] [WhiteElo "2727"] [BlackElo "2643"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "131"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "UZB"] [BlackTeam "GER"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Qd3 Nbd7 7. Be2 g6 8. Bg5 Bg7 9. f4 Nc5 $146 (9... b5 10. Nc6 Qc7 11. Nxe7 Bb7 12. Bxf6 Nxf6 13. Ned5 Nxd5 14. Nxd5 Bxd5 15. Qxd5 Bxb2 16. Qxa8+ Ke7 17. Qxa6 Bxa1 {Firouzja,A (2763) -Vachier Lagrave,M (2731) Toronto 2023}) 10. Qe3 Ne6 11. Nxe6 Bxe6 12. O-O Rc8 13. Rad1 Qa5 14. Kh1 Qc5 15. Qf3 Bg4 16. Qd3 h6 17. Bh4 Bxe2 18. Qxe2 Qh5 19. Qe1 Ng4 20. Rd5 g5 21. Bg3 e6 22. Rxd6 gxf4 23. Rxf4 Be5 24. Rxg4 Bxd6 25. h3 Be5 26. Qf2 Rf8 27. Bf4 Bxc3 28. bxc3 Qc5 29. Be3 Qxc3 30. Bxh6 Qxc2 31. Qf6 Qd1+ 32. Kh2 Qd8 33. Qb2 Qc7+ 34. Bf4 Qe7 35. Rg3 f6 36. Bh6 Rc5 37. Qd4 e5 38. Qa4+ Kd8 39. Qb3 $2 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A blunder, said Abdusattorov, who had missed the next move.} Rf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 40. Bd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rg7 $2 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({Best was} 40... a5 {but, despite what Abdusattorov thought, White still has the better chances.}) 41. Qb6+ Rc7 42. Bb4 {Winning a crucial tempo, after which White can liquidate into a winning queen ending.} Qf7 43. Rxg7 Qxg7 44. Bd6 Kc8 45. Bxc7 Qxc7 46. Qxf6 a5 47. Qf8+ Kd7 48. Qf7+ Kc6 49. Qxc7+ Kxc7 50. h4 Kd6 51. h5 Ke7 52. a4 Kf6 53. g4 b5 54. axb5 a4 55. b6 a3 56. b7 a2 57. b8=Q a1=Q 58. Qd8+ Kg7 59. Qe7+ Kh6 60. Qf6+ Kh7 61. g5 Qb2+ 62. Kg3 Qb4 63. g6+ Kh6 64. Qh8+ Kg5 65. Qxe5+ Kh6 66. Kg4 1-0 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.28"] [Round "1.1"] [White "Wei, Yi"] [Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "A17"] [WhiteElo "2740"] [BlackElo "2727"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "117"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "CHN"] [BlackTeam "UZB"] 1. Nf3 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 b6 5. b3 Bb7 6. Bb2 Nbd7 7. g3 Be7 8. cxd5 exd5 9. Bg2 O-O 10. O-O Re8 11. Rc1 a6 12. Re1 Bf8 13. Ne2 Rc8 14. Nf4 c5 15. d3 b5 16. Re2 Bd6 17. Rec2 Qe7 18. Qd2 Rc7 19. h4 Rec8 20. Bh3 Re8 21. a4 b4 22. h5 c4 23. Bd4 c3 24. Qd1 Nc5 25. Ra2 Ne6 26. Bb6 Nxf4 27. exf4 Rc6 28. a5 Bc8 29. Qf1 Bxh3 30. Qxh3 Bc5 31. Ne5 Rcc8 32. d4 Bd6 33. f3 Qe6 34. g4 Nd7 35. Qf1 Bxe5 36. fxe5 Nxb6 37. axb6 Qxb6 38. Qf2 a5 39. Rca1 f6 40. Rxa5 fxe5 41. Rxd5 exd4 42. Rxd4 Red8 43. Rxd8+ Qxd8 44. Kg2 c2 45. Rc1 Qd3 46. Qb6 Qxb3 47. Qd6 Qc4 48. h6 b3 49. Qd7 gxh6 50. Re1 c1=Q 51. Rxc1 Qxc1 $4 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} ({First} 51... Qe2+ $1 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] would have won the game as there's no perpetual.}) 52. Qe6+ Kg7 53. Qe7+ Kg6 54. Qe6+ Kg7 55. Qe7+ Kg8 56. Qe6+ Kf8 57. Qf6+ Ke8 58. Qe6+ Kd8 59. Qd6+ 1/2-1/2 [Event "https://www.chess.com"] [Site "https://www.chess.com"] [Date "2024.01.28"] [Round "13.5"] [White "Mendonca, Leon Luke"] [Black "Divya Deshmukh"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B45"] [WhiteElo "2608"] [BlackElo "2420"] [Annotator "chessvibes"] [PlyCount "59"] [EventDate "2024.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "IND"] [BlackTeam "IND"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. e5 Nd5 8. Ne4 Qc7 9. f4 Qb6 10. c4 Bb4+ 11. Ke2 f5 12. exf6 Nxf6 13. Be3 Qd8 14. Nd6+ Bxd6 15. Qxd6 Bb7 16. Kd1 (16. Rd1 Rc8 17. Rg1 c5 18. g4 Rf8 19. g5 Ne4 20. Qe5 Qe7 {Kollars,D (2607)-Le,Q (2728) Chess.com INT 2023}) 16... c5 17. Qxc5 Be4 18. Be2 d6 19. Qd4 O-O {It was all theory up till here.} 20. b4 $146 (20. Kc1 Qc7 21. b3 e5 22. fxe5 dxe5 23. Qc5 Qb7 {Vachier Lagrave,M (2749) -Praggnanandhaa,R (2608) Krasnaya Polyana 2021}) 20... Qe8 21. a4 e5 22. Qd2 exf4 23. Bxf4 Bxg2 24. Rg1 Ne4 25. Qd5+ Kh8 26. Kc2 Nf2 27. Rxg2 Qxe2+ $2 {[%c_effect e2;square;e2;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Taking the wrong bishop.} (27... Rxf4 {gives Black a winning advantage.}) 28. Bd2 {Now Black has nothing.} Rac8 29. Re1 Rxc4+ 30. Kb3 1-0