[Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.01.29"] [Round "13"] [White "Giri, Anish"] [Black "Rapport, Richard"] [Result "*"] [WhiteElo "2764"] [BlackElo "2740"] [PlyCount "77"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 g6 {Already a surprise. This is the sixth move.} (6... e6 7. Qd2 a6 8. O-O-O Bd7 9. f3 { This move f3 is popular nowadays, as opposed to the older 9.f4. It was tried as recently as the 2022 World Rapid Chess Championship, in Carlsen-Maghsoodloo, which the world champion won.}) 7. Bxf6 exf6 8. Bb5 (8. Bc4 {is the main move.} Bg7 9. Ndb5 O-O 10. Qxd6 a6 {was played in one correspondence game, where Black held.} 11. Qxd8 Rxd8 12. Nc7 Ra7 13. N7d5 b5 14. Bb3 f5 15. O-O-O Nd4 16. Rhe1 fxe4 17. Nxe4 Bb7 18. Nef6+ Bxf6 19. Nxf6+ Kg7 20. Ne4 Nxb3+ 21. axb3 Rxd1+ 22. Kxd1 f5 23. Nd6 Bxg2 24. Nxf5+ gxf5 25. Rg1 {Pappier,C (2409)-Hryniw, M (2189) ICCF email 2007.}) 8... Bd7 9. Bc4 {A clever approach. White is not going to win the d6-pawn any time soon. He intends to control the d5-square, double on the d-file, and pile up on the pawn in the long term.} Bg7 10. Nxc6 ( 10. Ndb5 {is tempting to win a pawn.} O-O 11. Nxd6 f5 {Black has enough play for the pawn. White is still equal, but I think it's more fun to be Black with the two bishops and kingside attack potential.} 12. O-O Ne5 13. Bb3 f4 14. Nc4 Rc8 15. Nxe5 Bxe5 16. Qd3 Bc6 17. Rad1 Qh4 {The dark-squared bishop provides the compensation for the pawn. It participates in the attack and blockades the e-pawn.} 18. Nd5 Kg7 19. g3 Qg4 20. c3 h5 21. Kh1 f3 22. Rd2 h4 {While not a completely clean game, Black's attack broke through.} 23. Bd1 hxg3 24. fxg3 f5 25. Bxf3 fxe4 26. Bxg4 exd3 27. Re1 Bxd5+ 28. Kg1 Rce8 29. Rxd3 Bd4+ {0-1 (29) Kiolbasa,O (2376)-Vaishali,R (2414) chess24.com INT 2021}) 10... Bxc6 {One point behind spending a tempo to induce ...Bd7-c6 is that the bishop no longer supports the ...f5 pawn break for counterplay.} 11. O-O O-O 12. Qd3 {Giri is well prepared. Svidler tried 12.Nd5 in an online game against Dubov, but 12. Qd3 is the top engine choice.} (12. Nd5 b5 {Playing the same plan without ... Rc8 seems to be the right plan. Black must play energetically.} (12... Rc8 $6 { [%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 13. c3 b5 14. Bb3 Re8 15. Qd3 a5 16. a3 Rb8 17. Rad1 {White was better and went on to win. Svidler,P (2683)-Dubov,D (2720) Lichess.org INT 2022.}) 13. Bb3 a5 14. a3 Re8 15. Qd3 f5 {Trading the f-pawn for the b2-pawn, Black is fine.} 16. exf5 Bxb2 17. Rab1 Bg7 18. Ne3 Be4 19. Qxb5 Rb8 20. Qa4 gxf5 {with extremely active pieces for Black to compensate for all the shattered pawns.}) 12... Rc8 13. Nd5 {Note that the b5-counterplay we saw in earlier lines has been prevented here.} Re8 (13... a6 14. c3 b5 15. Bb3 a5 16. a3 {with Rad1 and Rfe1 coming, White has a stable advantage with the outpost on d5.}) 14. c3 Bd7 15. Bb5 Bc6 16. Bc4 Bd7 17. Rfe1 f5 18. Bb3 fxe4 19. Rxe4 Bf5 20. Rxe8+ Qxe8 21. Qd2 {While the engine still says +=, Black has freed their position. Yes, they have an isolated pawn on d6, but the piece activity is ideal, especially with the two bishops open.} Be6 22. Rd1 Qd7 23. h3 b5 24. Qf4 ({Let's try to win the d6-pawn right away.} 24. Ne3 b4 {Active counterplay, trading d for c.} 25. Bxe6 Qxe6 26. c4 {fixing the pawn on d6 still, defending the c-pawn.} Bh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type; GreatFind;persistent;true] Black avoids a good knight vs. bad bishop endgame, and the resulting position is equal after the trade on e3.}) 24... Rc5 25. Ne3 Be5 26. Qe4 Kg7 27. f4 {Extremely logical.} ({The engine prefers} 27. Bxe6 fxe6 28. Ng4 Qc7 29. Qe3 Kf7 {and here it starts to shuffle with Qf3$18Qe3 or Nh6$18Ng4 before playing g3 and playing for a long squeeze. From the human perspective, I can see how one stops calculating here and isn't sure of the evaluation.}) 27... Bf6 28. g4 h6 29. Bd5 {A natural move but a mistake. This gives up the advantage.} (29. Bxe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind; persistent;true] The immediate attack worked.} fxe6 (29... Qxe6 30. Qxe6 fxe6 31. Rxd6 {just drops the pawn.}) 30. h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type; GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kf7 {Vacating the g7-square for the bishop to retreat to.} (30... Bxh4 $4 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Blunder;persistent; true]} 31. Qd4+ Bf6 32. Qxc5 {wins.}) 31. g5 Bg7 32. h5 $3 {[%c_effect h5; square;h5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]} gxh5 33. Qh7 hxg5 34. Rf1 {with a huge, engine-approved attack.}) 29... Bxd5 30. Nxd5 Rc4 31. Qf3 Qe6 {Black is active enough to compensate for the powerful knight on d5.} 32. f5 gxf5 33. Nf4 Qe5 34. Nh5+ Kg6 $4 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;Blunder;persistent;true] How unfortunate: the only king move that loses. Giri stared at the board in utter disbelief when this was played. He couldn't believe it.} (34... Kh8 35. Rf1 Bh4 {There are other moves, but this is my favorite. The bishop is no longer attacked by the knight, so the queen is freed.} 36. Qxf5 Qe3+ 37. Kg2 Qe2+ 38. Kh1 Qe4+ 39. Qxe4 Rxe4 40. Rxf7 Re1+ 41. Kg2 Re2+ {with a draw.}) 35. Rxd6 $1 { [%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kg5 (35... Qxd6 36. Qxf5#) 36. Rd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qe1+ 37. Kg2 {There is no defense for the f5-pawn and, with that, the king.} Be7 38. Rxf5+ Kh4 39. Qg3+ ({A possible finish could be:} 39. Qg3+ Qxg3+ 40. Nxg3 {White threatens Rh5#.} Rc5 41. b4 Rxf5 42. Nxf5+ {White wins the bishop.} ) * [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.01.29"] [Round "13"] [White "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Black "Van Foreest, Jorden"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B48"] [WhiteElo "2713"] [BlackElo "2681"] [Annotator "Rafael"] [PlyCount "98"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 {The Sicilian Taimanov is one of my favorite defenses, and I'm happy whenever I see it in elite tournaments.} 6. Be3 a6 7. Qf3 {A modern move and currently considered one of the most dangerous ways to face the Taimanov.} h5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5; type;Interesting;persistent;true] Only Black's eighth most popular move. Once again van Foreest lives up to his reputation as a creative player and a finder of new ideas even in well-known openings. This pawn advance is usually played only after 7...Ne5 8.Qg3.} 8. O-O-O (8. Qg3 d6 9. f4 b5 10. a3 Bb7 {with chances for both sides in Kuybokarov-Predke, Abu Dhabi 2022.}) 8... b5 9. Qg3 $146 (9. Nxc6 Qxc6 10. Bd3 Bb7 11. Rhe1 Be7 12. Bd4 b4 (12... Nf6 {is possible. }) 13. Nd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} exd5 14. Bxg7 Rh6 15. exd5 Qxd5 16. Qxd5 Bxd5 17. Bxh6 Nxh6 18. Be4 Bxe4 19. Rxe4 { with a slight advantage for White in Hakobyan-Kavutskiy, Las Vegas 2022.}) 9... Qxg3 10. hxg3 {White is usually better in this type of endgame, and I think this position is no exception. There are two breaking points that will be constant sources of concern for Black, the g4 advance and the a4 advance.} Bc5 11. g4 {Other moves are also possible.} (11. Kb1 {As I always say to my students, the Kb1 move is almost never bad after long castling.} Nxd4 12. Bxd4 Bxd4 13. Rxd4 Ne7 14. Be2 Nc6 15. Rd2 {White has a tiny advantage.}) (11. Nf5 $5 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} Bxe3+ 12. Nxe3 Nf6 13. f3 {The position is more or less equal.}) (11. Be2) 11... Bb7 12. f3 ( 12. gxh5 Nf6 {Black regains the pawn due to the threat of 13...b4 followed by capturing on e4.}) 12... g6 (12... h4 $5 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type; Interesting;persistent;true] This is the favorite move of the machine, which considers the position OK for Black. The move is hardly human, as the pawn seems to be abandoned to its own luck.}) 13. Nf5 (13. a4 $5 {[%c_effect a4; square;a4;type;Interesting;persistent;true] We will see this typical move in many lines. It creates weaknesses in Black's queenside and should always be considered.} b4 14. Nce2 d6 15. Kb1 Nf6 16. Bg5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5; type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nh7 17. Bh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type; GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is under pressure since} hxg4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] fails to} 18. Bg7) 13... Bxe3+ 14. Nxe3 Ke7 15. Be2 d6 16. g5 (16. a3 Nf6 17. g5 Nd7 18. f4 f6 19. gxf6+ Nxf6 20. Bf3 {with an even position.}) 16... f6 17. f4 {A risky move, as the pawn structure will be damaged. But White tactically justifies his plan.} (17. gxf6+ Nxf6 {with an equal position.}) 17... fxg5 18. fxg5 Ne5 19. Rd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A good move, setting up the counterplay with a2-a4.} Rd8 $6 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Inaccuracy; persistent;true] This move order is imprecise.} (19... Nc6 20. Rd2 Ne5 { may lead to move repetition and a draw, something van Foreest usually avoids.}) (19... Nf7 20. Rhd1 (20. a4 $6 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Inaccuracy; persistent;true] Is not so good here, since the a8-rook comes into play after White captures on b5.} Nxg5) 20... Rd8 21. a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type; GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nxg5 22. e5 Nf7 23. axb5 axb5 24. exd6+ Rxd6 25. Nxb5 Rxd4 26. Nxd4 {with a likely draw.}) 20. Rhd1 $6 {[%c_effect d1;square;d1; type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (20. a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type; GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the correct move to exploit Black's inaccuracy.} Nc6 21. Rd2 b4 22. Ncd1 {The knight goes to h3, defending the g5-pawn, while the other knight can go to c4. White has the advantage.}) 20... h4 $6 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Too ambitious.} (20... Nc6 21. R4d2 Ne5 {With a probable move repetition.}) (20... Nf7 21. a4 { leads to the variation seen above.}) 21. Ng4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type; Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (21. a4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type; GreatFind;persistent;true] Again this move leads to an advantage for White.} Nc6 22. R4d2 b4 (22... bxa4 23. Nc4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind; persistent;true] and the d-pawn falls.}) 23. Na2 {Black will have a hard time defending the weaknesses on the queenside.}) 21... Nc6 22. R4d2 (22. R4d3 { This move gives White additional options after} Rh5 23. e5 d5 {since now the rook can move across the third rank, either to h3 or c3.} 24. Ne4 (24. Rh3 $5 { [%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) 24... Bc8 25. Ngf6 Rh8 26. Rc3 $5 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] This is a difference compared to the game.} Nxe5 27. Rc7+ Bd7 28. Nxd5+ $1 { [%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} exd5 29. Rxd5 Ke6 30. Rcc5 Nc6 31. Bg4+ Ke7 32. Rxd7+ Rxd7 33. Rxc6 Rd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4; type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 34. Re6+ Kf7 35. c3 {with excellent compensation for the exchange.}) 22... Rh5 23. e5 d5 24. Ne4 $1 {[%c_effect e4; square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Abdusattorov shows his great tactical vision and manages to activate the knight in a creative way.} Bc8 ( 24... dxe4 {This seems to be losing for Black, but the computer finds some incredible resources.} 25. Rxd8 Nxd8 26. Nf6 {Many (if not all) humans would rule out this variation for Black here, but the machine plays along.} Rxg5 $1 { [%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (26... Nxf6 $2 { [%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 27. exf6+ Ke8 28. Bxh5 gxh5 29. g6 {and the pawns decide the game.}) 27. Rd7+ Kf8 28. Rxd8+ Kf7 $1 { [%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 29. Rxg8 e3 $1 { [%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and the computer continues with incredible variations showing a draw.}) 25. Ngf6 $6 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (25. Ngf2 $1 {[%c_effect f2; square;f2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a difficult move and better than the one played in the game.} Rh8 (25... dxe4 26. Rxd8 Nxd8 27. Bxh5 gxh5 28. Nxe4 {White has some advantage in this unbalanced endgame.}) 26. Nd6 Nxe5 27. Nxc8+ Rxc8 28. Re1 {With good compensation for the pawn, as Black has difficulties defending the central pawns.}) 25... Rh8 26. Nxg8+ Rdxg8 27. Nf6 Rd8 28. Re1 h3 $6 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ( 28... Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads to an advantage for Black:} 29. Bxb5 h3 $1 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type; GreatFind;persistent;true] This move was probably missed by van Foreest.} 30. Bd3 (30. gxh3 $2 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Nf3) ( 30. Rxe5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} h2 $19) 30... h2 31. Rh1 Bb7 {with a clear advantage.}) 29. gxh3 Rxh3 30. Bg4 $6 { [%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (30. Bd3 $1 { [%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better.} Rdh8 (30... Kf7 $6 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 31. Rf2 Kg7 32. b3 {Black has no active plan since} Rdh8 $2 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type; Mistake;persistent;true]} 33. Ref1 $1 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind; persistent;true]} Nxe5 {loses to} 34. Ng4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type; GreatFind;persistent;true] with the idea:} Nxg4 35. Rf7+ Kg8 36. Rf8+ Kg7 37. R1f7#) 31. Bxg6 Rg3 32. Nh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind; persistent;true]} Bd7 {and the game will likely end in a draw, for instance:} 33. Rd3 Rxd3 34. Bxd3 Rg8 35. g6 Rg7 36. Nf6 Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5; type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 37. Nxd5+ Kd6 38. Nf4 Nxd3+ 39. cxd3 e5 $1 { [%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The g-pawn falls and the players can shake hands.}) 30... Rh4 31. b3 Rdh8 32. Kb2 Rh2 33. Ree2 Rxe2 34. Rxe2 a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The position is very unpleasant for White because of the weaknesses on g5 and e5. Black's move is intended to activate the bishop.} 35. a3 Ba6 36. Re1 b4 37. a4 $6 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (37. axb4 { Gives better drawing chances.} Nxb4 (37... axb4 {This is also possible, but in this case it's clear that the pawn exchange was helpful for White, as usually the case when defending a worse endgame.}) 38. Be2 Bxe2 39. Rxe2) 37... Nd8 $1 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent move. The knight heads to f7, attacking both weaknesses.} 38. Be2 $6 {[%c_effect e2; square;e2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (38. Bf3 {is a better try, with the idea of sacrificing the bishop on d5 if the knight goes to f7.}) 38... Bxe2 39. Rxe2 Nf7 {Now the pawns fall, and the position is undefendable.} 40. c3 bxc3+ 41. Kxc3 Nxg5 42. b4 Rh3+ {The rest is easy.} 43. Kb2 axb4 44. Rc2 Nf3 45. Ng4 Nd4 46. Rc8 Rb3+ 47. Ka2 Ra3+ 48. Kb2 Rxa4 49. Nf6 b3 {A heartbreaking loss for Abdusattorov and a great victory for van Foreest, a player whose games are always entertaining.} 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.01.29"] [Round "13"] [White "Erigaisi, Arjun"] [Black "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "2722"] [BlackElo "2859"] [PlyCount "112"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"] 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 b6 {A return of the Queen's Indian, despite losing an earlier game to Giri in this opening $1} 3. Bg2 Bb7 4. O-O g6 5. c4 Bg7 6. d4 O-O 7. d5 Na6 8. Nc3 Nc5 9. Nd4 e5 10. Nc2 a5 11. b3 d6 12. e4 Bc8 13. Na3 $146 {Clearly prepared. It's the other top engine move next to 13.Rb1.} (13. Rb1 Bd7 14. a3 a4 15. b4 Nb3 16. Bb2 h5 17. h4 $6 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;Inaccuracy; persistent;true]} (17. Na1 {Challenging the b3-knight would have been better, not touching the kingside.}) 17... Ng4 18. f3 Nh6 19. Qd3 f5 20. Ne2 f4 { Black was already much better and went on to win in Vidit,S (2707)-Rapport,R (2736) Hengshui 2019}) 13... Ne8 14. Nab5 Bd7 15. Rb1 {An attempted improvement over Vidit's 13.Rb1 game. The knight stands better on b5 than c2.} f5 16. f3 f4 {Black plays energetically on the kingside.} 17. a3 ({Already White's position is harder to play. The engine hilariously opts to wait for a few moves, provoking Black's pawns forward, before pushing with a3-b4.} 17. Ne2 g5 18. Nec3 h5 19. Bd2 Bf6 20. a3 Rf7 21. b4 {and although Black is still better, White gets counterplay, but try asking a human to allow g5-h5 voluntarily.}) 17... g5 (17... a4 18. Nxa4 Nxa4 19. bxa4 Bh6 {would have been stronger, understanding that the a-pawns will fall in the long term.}) 18. b4 Nb7 {This is why 17...a4 would have been better. The black knight is not great on b7.} 19. g4 h5 20. h3 Rf7 {Now a maneuvering phase as Carlsen shifts his pieces toward the kingside and his rook to the h-file.} 21. Kf2 Bf8 22. Rg1 Rh7 23. Bf1 Nf6 24. Ke1 Qc8 25. Rb2 Nd8 {White already has an extremely difficult position, and here he makes a mistake.} 26. Qd3 $2 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3; type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({It's hard to suggest a satisfactory move.} 26. bxa5 Rxa5 27. Rgg2 Nb7 28. Kd2 Kf7 {The engine is fine defending this position over many moves, but it is not so easy for a human to defend both flanks (a- and h-files) over a long period of time.}) 26... Nf7 (26... hxg4 {Immediate action would have worked, but Carlsen keeps the tension.} 27. hxg4 axb4 28. Rxb4 {Keeping the a-file closed.} Kg7 {With easy play coming: Nb7-c5-Be7-Qh8 and then take a look around. Black is much better.}) 27. Kd1 Be7 28. Kc2 axb4 29. axb4 hxg4 30. hxg4 {The white king comes to the queenside, but is he much safer there $2} Ra1 31. Rb1 Rh2+ 32. Rg2 {For the time being, White has defended all the threats.} Rxg2+ 33. Bxg2 Rxb1 34. Kxb1 Nxg4 $3 {[%c_effect g4; square;g4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] The attack isn't over. Imagine having lost two games and having the whole world waiting for your third loss to the promising Erigaisi. This fearless move deserves praise given the circumstances.} 35. fxg4 Bxg4 36. Bf3 {The position is \"equal,\" but Erigaisi has to reckon with connected passers.} Bh3 37. Bh5 g4 38. Ne2 Bf1 39. Qd1 Bg2 40. Bg6 Ng5 41. Nbc3 Bf3 42. Qf1 $2 {[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Mistake; persistent;true] A mistake, but it's so hard to understand every subtlety in this position already.} (42. Qa4 $1 {[%c_effect a4;square;a4;type;GreatFind; persistent;true] The idea is to get the queens off ASAP.} Kf8 43. Bf5 Qe8 44. Nxf4 {None of this is forced, and there are otherpossible ideas, but if White wants to equalize on the spot he can give the piece back for two pawns.} exf4 45. Qxe8+ Kxe8 46. Bxf4 {with a likely draw.}) 42... Kg7 {The point is that the black queen enters via h8 and White loses his chance to trade the queens.} 43. Bf5 Qh8 44. Nxf4 exf4 45. Bxf4 {White gives back the piece, but the queens are still on.} Bf6 46. Qc1 Nf7 47. Nb5 Qa8 {Now coming around to the other side. Black threatens Qa4 for starters.} 48. e5 $2 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5; type;Mistake;persistent;true] Desperation, but it doesn't work.} (48. Qa3 { Getting the queens off is imperative.} Qxa3 49. Nxa3 Nh6 50. Be6 Be5 51. Be3 g3 {Probably Erigaisi saw this and thought the g-pawn is too strong. It's hard to evaluate this perfectly from afar.} 52. Nb5 {but White gets just enough counterplay, capturing nearly all of Black's other pawns.} Bxe4+ 53. Ka2 Nf5 54. Bxf5 Bxf5 55. Nxc7 g2 56. Bxb6 {with a likely draw.}) 48... dxe5 (48... Bxe5 {is possible too, but the game move doesn't throw away the sizeable advantage.}) 49. Bd2 Nd6 {Black is a pawn up and happens to be the best converter of advantages in the world.} 50. Bh6+ Kf7 51. Nxd6+ cxd6 52. Bg5 Qh8 53. Be3 e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Giving the pawn back to open the dark-squared bishop.} 54. Bxb6 Qh2 55. Bg1 Qe2 56. b5 Qd3+ {Now the engine announces mate in eight.} (56... Qd3+ 57. Ka2 Bd1 58. Be6+ Ke7 {There is no good way to meet Qb3#. The engine wants to play Qxd1 now.}) 0-1 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.01.29"] [Round "13"] [White "Aronian, Levon"] [Black "Maghsoodloo, Parham"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "2735"] [BlackElo "2719"] [PlyCount "118"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Be3 Be6 9. O-O Nbd7 10. a4 Rc8 11. a5 O-O 12. Bf3 {Over 100 games played in this position, and Maghsoodloo finds a novelty $1} Ne8 $146 (12... Qc7) (12... Rc4) (12... Re8) 13. Qd2 {Preventing Bg5.} h6 {Making g5 a possibility again.} 14. h3 Nef6 {A curious turn of events. Black gives up on Bg5 as he does not want to enter the endgame. Still lots of tension remain in the position, and he's provoked two moves: Qd2 and h3.} (14... Bg5 15. Bxg5 Qxg5 16. Qxg5 hxg5 17. Rfd1 {White would be slightly better with pressure on the backward pawn.}) 15. Rfd1 Re8 16. Qe1 Rc6 17. Nd2 Nf8 18. Nf1 Ng6 19. Ng3 Qc8 {How deep was the preparation $2 Provoking h3 seems justified now as Black concentrates his forces on the white king and also prevents Nd5 due to pressure on c2.} 20. Rd2 Nh4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Attacking the f3-bishop but also preventing White from playing Nf5.} 21. Be2 Rxc3 $1 { [%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The engine is not astounded by this move, but it does not change the evaluation. It is a classic Sicilian exchange sacrifice.} 22. bxc3 d5 23. f3 (23. exd5 Nxd5 {would give Black too much play on the doubled pawns on top of winning the bishop pair.}) 23... Qxc3 24. Bf2 {White consolidates.} d4 25. Rdd1 Qc7 26. c3 $6 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (26. Bd3 Ng6 27. Ne2 Rc8 28. Rdc1 {In hindsight, this would have been more solid, but it is a passive way of playing.}) 26... dxc3 {Black wins a pawn and holds on to it. Now he has two pawns for the exchange, although only one of them is passed.} 27. Bb6 Qc6 28. Rdc1 Rc8 29. Bd1 Nd7 30. Ba4 Qc4 31. Bf2 Bb4 (31... Bg5 {is better. The following line isn't the only way to play it for Black, but it is the most beautiful I think.} 32. Be3 (32. Rc2 Bd2 {is clearly enough compensation. The engine recommends giving the exchange back already.}) 32... Bxh3 $1 { [%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Someone call Shirov $1} (32... Ng6 {is totally playable for an edge too.}) 33. Bxg5 hxg5 34. Qf1 Qd4+ 35. Qf2 Nc5 $3 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] with many things hanging. I think this move is a bit inhuman.} 36. gxh3 Nxf3+ 37. Kg2 Nh4+ 38. Kg1 Nxa4 39. Qxd4 exd4 40. Rxa4 d3 {Black is down a full rook but still significantly thanks to the connected passers.}) 32. Nf1 Ng6 33. Ne3 $2 { [%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (33. Bxd7 $1 { [%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the proper order of operations.} Bxd7 34. Ne3 Qc7 35. Nd5 Qd6 36. Nb6 Rc7 37. Rd1 Qc6 38. Nd5 c2 39. Qxb4 cxd1=Q+ 40. Rxd1 Rc8 41. Nb6 Rc7 42. Na8 Rc8 43. Nb6 {with a draw by repetition.}) 33... Qc7 34. Bxd7 Qxd7 {What's the difference $2 White can't play Nd5 here $1} 35. Rcb1 (35. Rd1 Qc7 36. Nd5 {Here White gets the knight to d5 but loses to the c-pawn.} Bxd5 37. exd5 Qc4 38. Qe4 c2 {with Nf4 (threatening Ne2) coming, Black is winning.}) 35... Bf8 36. g3 c2 37. Rc1 Bb3 { The c-pawn is a bone in the throat.} 38. Qe2 Rc6 39. Kg2 Bb4 40. Rxc2 { Desperation, but this is not good enough to hold.} (40. Be1 Bxe1 41. Rxe1 Rd6 { with Rd2 or Rd1 coming, Black wins.}) 40... Bxc2 41. Nxc2 Bc5 {Black is now up a pawn, but White's king safety is a permanent factor to boot.} 42. Rb1 Bxf2 43. Qxf2 Rd6 44. Re1 Qd8 (44... Rd2 45. Re2 Rxe2 46. Qxe2 Qd8 {works too, but keeping the heavy pieces on the board with a weak white king is understandable. }) 45. Ne3 Rd2 46. Re2 Rxe2 47. Qxe2 Qxa5 {Now Black is up two pawns.} 48. Nd5 Qa3 49. Qd2 Ne7 50. Ne3 Nc6 51. Nf5 Nd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type; GreatFind;persistent;true] Ending all dreams of a white counterattack with queen and knight.} 52. Nxd4 exd4 53. Qxd4 Qa2+ 54. Kg1 a5 {Well evaluated by Maghsoodloo. The a-pawn marches without a hitch.} 55. h4 a4 56. h5 Qb1+ 57. Kg2 Qc2+ 58. Kh3 a3 59. g4 a2 0-1 [Event "?"] [Site "?"] [Date "2023.01.29"] [Round "13.13"] [White "Keymer, V..."] [Black "Gukesh, D..."] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "E51"] [WhiteElo "2696"] [BlackElo "2725"] [Annotator "Petrisor Adrian"] [PlyCount "46"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [SourceVersionDate "2023.01.29"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 {The Nimzo-Indian today.} 5. e3 $5 { [%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Just a quiet move, not the main one, of course. Preparing Bd2, Bd3, 0-0, and trying to get e4 later on should be the main plan for White.} O-O 6. Bd2 b6 7. cxd5 ({If} 7. Bd3 {then Black takes on c4 and we have to take again with the bishop, and Black seems to be just good.} dxc4 8. Bxc4 Bb7 9. O-O c5) 7... exd5 8. Bd3 Re8 9. O-O Bd6 10. Re1 {Preparing e4 soon.} Bg4 $2 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Mistake; persistent;true] After this move, White has a clear advantage suddenly.} (10... Bb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is better: to stop the e4-plan, of course.}) 11. h3 Bh5 12. e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square; e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Very good and precise by Keymer. Now Black seems to be in trouble.} dxe4 13. Nxe4 Nbd7 14. Bg5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square; g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true]} (14. Rc1 $1 {[%c_effect c1;square;c1; type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the best for Keymer and now if} Nxe4 15. Bxe4 Rb8 16. Bxh7+ Kxh7 17. Rxe8 Qxe8 18. Ng5+ Kg8 19. Qxh5 Nf6 20. Qd1 $16 {with a pawn up and good position as well.}) 14... Qc8 $2 {[%c_effect c8; square;c8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (14... h6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6; type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the best try for Gukesh.} 15. Bh4 g5 16. Nxd6 Rxe1+ 17. Qxe1 cxd6 18. g4 gxh4 19. gxh5 Nxh5 20. Qe4 $13) 15. Bxf6 $2 { [%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] After this move, Black is okay again.} (15. Qb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent; true] is the best try here.} Nxe4 16. Bxe4 Rb8 17. g4 Bg6 18. Bc6 $18) 15... Nxf6 16. Nxf6+ gxf6 17. Be4 Rb8 18. Qd3 Bg6 19. Nh4 Qe6 $1 {[%c_effect e6; square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Forcing White to take with the knight on g6 and get an opposite-color bishop`s endgame. It should be around equal already.} 20. Nxg6 hxg6 21. Qc3 {d7} Qc4 {Threatening Bxg6, just a little trap. Kg7} 22. Bc6 Rxe1+ $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind; persistent;true]} 23. Rxe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind; persistent;true] Qf5 g3 Rh8 h4 Qg4 Re4 Qh3 Qxh3 is bad because of Be8 followed up by Qxf7, and White is better.} Qf1+ {Qc8 Qe2 f5 Re8 Rxe8 Qxe8 Qxe8 Draw agreed.} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.01.29"] [Round "13"] [White "Donchenko, Alexander"] [Black "Ivic, Velimir"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2627"] [BlackElo "2585"] [PlyCount "107"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. cxd5 cxd5 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bf4 Bf5 7. e3 e6 8. Qb3 Bb4 9. Bb5 O-O 10. Bxc6 Bxc3+ 11. Qxc3 Rc8 12. Ne5 Ng4 13. Nxg4 Bxg4 14. Qb4 Rxc6 15. Qxb7 Qc8 16. Qxc8 Rfxc8 17. O-O {All of this has been played by top players before, but here is where the number of games starts to dwindle.} f6 18. h4 $146 {Creating luft and preventing g5.} (18. b4 a6 19. a4 Bf5 20. h3 Rb6 21. Rfc1 Rc4 22. b5 axb5 23. axb5 Rxc1+ 24. Rxc1 Rxb5 25. Rc8+ Kf7 26. Rc7+ Kg8 27. Rc8+ Kf7 28. Rc7+ Kg8 {½-½ (28) Zhang,P (2638)-Zhou,W (2563) Xinghua Jiangsu 2009}) 18... Be2 19. Rfe1 Rc2 20. b3 R8c6 21. Bb8 Ra6 22. a4 Rb6 23. Bxa7 Rxb3 {The trade of the a- for b-pawn favors White, who now has a passed a-pawn. Black is not lost, of course, but the defense is not easy.} 24. a5 Bc4 $6 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({A cleaner way to hold was:} 24... h5 25. Reb1 Ra2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind; persistent;true] with ...Ba6 to stop the pawn any time it's needed after.}) 25. Bc5 Rbb2 (25... Ba6 26. Reb1 Ra2 $1 {[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind; persistent;true]} 27. Rxb3 Rxa1+ 28. Kh2 h5 29. Rb8+ Kf7 30. Bb4 Ra4 {The game turns into something similar.}) 26. Reb1 $1 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type; GreatFind;persistent;true] The key defensive move. After this, I'm not sure if Black can hold.} Ba6 (26... Rxf2 27. Rxb2 Rxb2 28. a6 {wins.}) 27. Ba3 Rxb1+ 28. Rxb1 Ra2 29. Rb8+ Kf7 30. Ra8 (30. Bb4 {should have been tried.}) 30... Rxa3 31. Ra7+ Kg6 32. Rxa6 Kf5 33. Ra7 {with so many pawns left on the board, Black's defensive task is harder. For example, even a five vs. four pawns on the same side promises winning chances.} Kg6 34. a6 $2 {[%c_effect a6;square; a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] There was a more forcing way.} (34. Re7 e5 35. dxe5 Ra1+ 36. Kh2 Rxa5 37. exf6 gxf6 38. Rd7 {with great chances to win.}) 34... e5 35. Ra8 exd4 36. exd4 Kf5 37. a7 Kg4 38. Rh8 Rxa7 39. Rxh7 Kf5 40. h5 Ra1+ $4 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;Blunder;persistent;true] The losing move, as Donchenko pointed out in his interview.} (40... Kg5 {latching onto the h-pawn and freeing the a7-rook.} 41. g3 Ra4 {Black is objectively equal, although I understand getting your king cut on the g-file isn't the most rosy of pastures.}) 41. Kh2 g6 42. g4+ $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;GreatFind; persistent;true]} Kg5 (42... Kxg4 43. hxg6 Ra8 44. Rf7 Kg5 45. g7 Rg8 46. Rd7 Kg6 47. Kg3 {with an eventual win once White brings his king to g4 and takes on d5.}) 43. Rg7 Kxg4 44. h6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;GreatFind; persistent;true]} Ra8 45. Rxg6+ Kf5 46. Rg7 Rh8 47. h7 Ke4 48. Kg3 Kxd4 49. Kf4 {Equal pawns, but White has the better king, rook, and passed pawn. Winning.} Kd3 50. Re7 d4 51. Kf5 Kc2 52. Kxf6 d3 53. Kg7 d2 54. Rc7+ {White will win the black rook, sacrifice his own rook for the d-pawn, and promote the f-pawn to win.} 1-0