[Event "WR Chess Masters 2023"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A57"]
[WhiteElo "2793"]
[BlackElo "2734"]
[Annotator "cahan"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 $5 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Interesting;
persistent;true] Wow $1 You don't see the Benko very often in top grandmaster
chess these days.} 4. cxb5 a6 5. e3 {This variation is supposed to be one of
White's top options, although it hardly constitutes a refutation.} e6 ({
Another surprise. The main line is} 5... g6 {, whereas the text move is
considered inferior.}) 6. Nc3 exd5 7. Nxd5 Be7 8. Nf3 ({There are a couple of
relevant alternatives: a)} 8. Nxe7 Qxe7 9. Nf3 O-O 10. Be2 axb5 11. Bxb5 Na6 ({
or} 11... d5 12. O-O Na6 13. a3 Bf5 14. b4 Nxb4 15. Bb2 Nc2 16. Rc1 Nxa3 17.
Bxf6 Qxf6 18. Rxc5 Qb6 19. Qxd5 Be4 {and Black had a comfortable game in Ansh,
M (2195)-Christiansen,J (2578) Chess.com INT 2022.}) 12. O-O Nb4 13. a3 Bb7 14.
b3 Rfb8 15. Bb2 Bxf3 16. Qxf3 {(White is already much better.)} Nbd5 17. Bc4
Nb6 18. Be2 Nbd5 19. Rfd1 Ra7 20. Rxd5 Nxd5 21. Qxd5 {and Black resigned, 1-0,
in Tregubov,P (2616)-Terrieux,K (2416) Calvi 2014.}) ({b)} 8. Nxf6+ {is
supposed to be best:} Bxf6 9. Qd5 Ra7 10. Qxc5 Rc7 11. Qb4 ({The engine likes}
11. Qd6 Be7 12. Qf4 {when White is supposed to have a decisive advantage.})
11... axb5 12. Bxb5 Na6 13. Qe4+ Kf8 14. Nf3 Bb7 15. Qa4 {and White is clearly
better in Li,B (2361)-Kaminski,V (2247) Chess.com INT 2022.}) 8... O-O 9. b3 $6
{[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({The first new
move, but not a particularly good one. Previously, White had tried} 9. bxa6
Nxa6 ({Black can improve with} 9... Nxd5 10. Qxd5 Ra7 11. a3 Nxa6 {when Black
is only marginally worse.}) 10. Nxe7+ Qxe7 11. Be2 d5 12. O-O Bf5 13. b3 $2 {
[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (13. Bd2 {looks better})
13... Nb4 14. a3 $2 {[%c_effect a3;square;a3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Bc2
15. Qd2 Ne4 16. axb4 Nxd2 17. Bxd2 Rxa1 18. Rxa1 Bxb3 19. bxc5 Qxc5 {and Black
eventually won the game in Ivic,V (2614)-Christiansen,J (2501) Almaty 2022.})
9... Nxd5 10. Qxd5 Qb6 $1 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;persistent;
true]} 11. Bb2 ({The rook on a8 cannot be captured:} 11. Qxa8 Bb7 {and the
queen is trapped.}) 11... Bb7 {Black is already doing fine.} 12. Qf5 axb5 13.
Bd3 g6 {Black doesn't have much of a choice, but I don't think he minded much
what followed.} 14. Qe5 f6 15. Qxe7 ({White takes the offered draw. If White
had been in a fighting mood, the right continuation is} 15. Qg3 {although
Black has little to fear after} Rf7 {.}) 15... Rf7 16. Qe8+ Rf8 17. Qe7 Rf7 18.
Qe8+ Rf8 19. Qe7 {with a draw by repetition.} 1/2-1/2
[Event "Chess.com"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "So, Wesley"]
[Black "Duda, Jan-Krzysztof"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2729"]
[Annotator "cahan"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 c5 4. O-O Nc6 5. d4 e6 6. c4 dxc4 7. Qa4 Bd7 8. Qxc4
cxd4 9. Nxd4 Rc8 10. Nc3 Nxd4 11. Qxd4 Bc5 12. Qh4 Bc6 13. Rd1 Qb6 $4 {
[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} ({Oh dear, Duda doesn't
know his chess history. This opening blunder played a role in securing the
Hungarian's team sensational win in the 1978 Olympiad, leading to the first
win by another team since the Soviets first decided to participate in 1952.
The better option is} 13... Qa5 14. Bxc6+ Rxc6 15. Bh6 O-O 16. Bxg7 Bxf2+ {
(This is the point of 13...Qa5, something that is not available to Black in
the game with the queen on b6)} 17. Kxf2 Kxg7 18. Rd3 Rfc8 ({or} 18... Rc5 19.
Kg2 Rh5 20. Qd4 Qf5 21. g4 Rg5 {and Black had equalized in Csom,I (2510)
-Peters,J (2475) Hastings 1979.}) 19. Kg2 Rc4 20. e4 Qh5 21. Qxh5 Nxh5 22. e5
b5 23. a3 a5 {with no more than a marginal edge for White in Artemiev,V (2699)
-Pridorozhni,A (2564) Sochi 2021.}) 14. Bxc6+ Rxc6 15. Bh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;
square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Boom $3 Duda must have felt the
sudden pain of a Mike Tyson punch to the face when So delicately fired this
move off, realizing that today is not a good day.} Bf8 ({In the stema game of
this opening trap, the Bulgarian grandmaster Radulov went for the
terrible-looking} 15... gxh6 {and was comprehensively crushed:} 16. Qxf6 O-O
17. Ne4 Qb4 18. Qe5 Be7 19. a3 Qb6 20. Rd7 Bg5 21. b3 Qxb3 22. Nxg5 hxg5 23.
Qxg5+ Kh8 24. Rad1 Qc2 25. Qf6+ Kg8 26. R1d4 Qg6 27. Qf3 h5 28. Rxb7 e5 29. Rh4
Rd8 30. Qxh5 Qxh5 31. Rxh5 f6 32. Rxa7 Rd2 33. e3 Rc1+ 34. Kg2 Rdd1 35. Rf5 {
and Black finally resigned, 1-0, in Portisch,L (2630)-Radulov,I (2490) Buenos
Aires 1978.}) ({If} 15... O-O {then} 16. Bxg7 Bxf2+ ({or} 16... Kxg7 17. Qg5+
Kh8 18. Qxf6+ Kg8 19. Ne4 {and White is easily winning.}) 17. Kg2 Kxg7 18. Qg5+
Kh8 19. Qxf6+ Kg8 20. Qxf2 {decides the game in White's favor.}) 16. Rd3 ({
This is stronger than} 16. Rd2 {which was Ribili's choice against Ljubojevic
in their game from that special Olympiad in 1978:} e5 ({A more recent game saw
Black try} 16... Nd5 17. Nxd5 exd5 18. Be3 Bc5 19. Bxc5 Rxc5 20. Qa4+ Rc6 21.
Qa3 Rd6 22. Rad1 {with a large advantage that White was unable to convert
against his much higher-rated opponent in Orlinkov,M (2385) -Sjugirov,S (2562)
Moscow 2009.}) ({A considerably worse try was} 16... a6 17. Rad1 Rc8 18. e4 Qc7
19. e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Ng8 20. Bg5
Ne7 21. Qa4+ Nc6 22. Ne4 h6 23. Bf6 Rg8 24. a3 Be7 25. Bxe7 Kxe7 26. Qc4 {
and Black couldn't muster the energy to continue the punishment, 1-0, Hulak,K
(2450)-Sahovic,D (2460) Nis 1985.}) 17. Be3 Qa6 ({Just last year, another
strong player fell into this trap and tried} 17... Qa5 18. a3 ({here,} 18. Rad1
Be7 19. b4 Qa3 20. Nb1 Qa6 21. Bc5 {would be winning for White}) 18... a6 19.
Qg5 h6 20. Qf5 g6 21. Qf3 Bg7 22. Nd5 Nxd5 23. Rxd5 Qc7 24. Rad1 O-O 25. Rd7 {
and White had a large advantage in Romanov,E (2593)-Zwirs $146 (2481)
Hoogeveen 2022.}) 18. Rad1 Be7 19. Qg5 O-O 20. Qxe5 Bb4 21. Rd8 Rc8 22. Rxc8
Rxc8 23. Qd4 {(White has a decisive advantage, but it took White a while
before his opponent resigned)} Qa5 24. Qxa7 Bxc3 25. bxc3 Qb5 26. Qb6 Qa4 27.
Rd8+ Rxd8 28. Qxd8+ Ne8 29. f3 h6 30. Kf2 Qc6 31. c4 Qa4 32. Qc8 Kh7 33. c5 Qb5
34. a4 Qxa4 35. Qxb7 Qc4 36. Qe4+ Qxe4 37. fxe4 g5 38. c6 f6 39. Bb6 Kg6 40.
Ke3 Kf7 41. Kd4 Ke6 42. Bd8 g4 43. c7 Nd6 44. Kc5 Kd7 45. Kd5 Nb5 46. e5 fxe5
47. Kxe5 Nc3 48. e4 Nd1 49. Kf6 {and Black finally called it quits, 1-0, Ribli,
Z (2585) -Ljubojevic,L (2605) Buenos Aires 1978.}) 16... Nd5 $2 {[%c_effect d5;
square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({Duda is not making himself any
favors. Relatively better is} 16... e5 17. Be3 Qa5 ({or} 17... Qa6 18. Nd5 Nxd5
19. Rxd5 f6 20. Qg4 Rc7 21. Rad1 Qc6 22. Rd8+ Kf7 23. Rc1 {and Black resigned,
1-0, in Plachetka,J (2440)-Lawton,G (2395) Copenhagen 1984.}) 18. Bg5 Be7 19.
Rad1 O-O 20. Bxf6 Bxf6 21. Qe4 Rb6 22. b3 Rb4 23. Qf5 Qa6 24. Nd5 {and White
had a decisive advantage in Topalov,V (2743) -Van Wely, L (2668) Monte Carlo
2003.}) 17. Nxd5 exd5 18. Be3 Qxb2 ({The first new move $1 However, it is not
much of an improvement over} 18... Bc5 {which resulted in another miniature
after} 19. Bxc5 Qxc5 20. Re3+ Kd7 21. Qg4+ Kc7 22. Qxg7 Rf8 23. Rd1 a6 24. Red3
{and Black resigned, 1-0, in Izzat,K (2496)-Sukandar,I (2393) Adelaide 2018.})
19. Bd4 Qb4 20. Rb3 Qe7 21. Qxe7+ Kxe7 22. Rxb7+ Ke6 23. Rb8 {Black has
avoided losing material until now, but after the text move, it is clear that
the pin of the f8-bishop will decide the game in White's favor. So converted
the advantage with a steady hand.} h5 24. Rab1 h4 25. Kg2 Kf5 26. Kf3 hxg3 27.
hxg3 Rc4 28. e3 Rc2 29. R1b5 Kg6 30. Rxd5 Rxa2 31. Rdd8 Rh2 32. Rxf8 Raxf2+ 33.
Ke4 f6 34. Rb7 a6 35. Ra8 Ra2 36. Raa7 Rh7 37. Kf3 Ra5 38. Rb6 Rg5 39. Kg2 a5
40. e4 Rg4 41. Kf3 Rg5 42. Be3 Re5 43. Bf4 Rc5 44. e5 Rh8 45. Rba6 Rd8 46. exf6
gxf6 47. Rxa5 Rc3+ 48. Kg4 {and Black finally resigned.} 1-0
[Event "Chess.com"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Black "Keymer, Vincent"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[Annotator "rafael"]
[PlyCount "201"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
[TimeControl "5400+30"]
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 c6 {The game begins as a
Catalan opening, but now we have a transposition to a line that often occurs
in the Semi-Slav move order where White sacrifices the pawn on c4. This leads
to extremely complicated and risky positions.} 6. O-O b5 7. a4 Bb7 8. Ne5 a6 9.
b3 cxb3 10. Qxb3 Qxd4 11. Bb2 Qb4 12. Qc2 Qc5 13. Qd3 Be7 14. Nd2 {This is all
theory, and it's best not to go too deep in the moves leading to this position
since there's a lot to analyze in the rest of the game. The only thing I can
say is that after the move is played, the advantage is already firmly in
White's hands, so this is a good moment to look for an alternative.} Nd5 $6 {
[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (14... Qb6 {is
better and leads to a complex game after:} 15. axb5 axb5 16. Rxa8 Bxa8 17. Ne4
Nd5 {Wagner-Murphy, Terme Catez 2022.}) 15. Rfc1 {There is a very tempting
alternative as well. Judging by the time Esipenko thought here, it's clear he
was already out of prep.} (15. axb5 axb5 (15... cxb5 16. Nb3 Qd6 17. Na5 {
Black is in trouble.}) 16. Rxa8 Bxa8 17. Ra1 {The a-file will give Black a
headache.} Bb7 18. Bd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;
true]} Qd6 19. Ra7 Qc7 20. Nb3 {and White has a dangerous initiative, for
example:} O-O 21. Na5 c5 22. Rxb7 Qxa5 23. Bxd5 exd5 (23... cxd4 24. Be4 $1 {
[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 24. Rxe7 cxd4 25. Qf5
$1 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with a strong
attack.}) 15... Qb6 16. Nec4 $1 {[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] An excellent knight sacrifice. The queenside is exposed, and
the g- and h-pawns will fall, meaning the black king no longer has a safe
haven.} bxc4 17. Nxc4 Nb4 {This move gives the piece back and has the
appearance of a desperate attempt to get into an endgame, whatever the cost.} (
17... Qd8 {is more natural, but the initiative is very strong after} 18. Bxg7
Rg8 19. Qxh7 Rxg7 20. Qxg7) 18. Qb1 {This is a mystery moment for me. Esipenko
could enter an endgame with a pawn up and great winning chances, but instead
he preferred to play with the initiative in a material-less position.} (18.
Nxb6 {This is a simple move and leads to a nearly winning endgame. I'm not
sure why Esipenko didn't go for this. Granted, he still has a strong attack
with his choice, but 18.Nxb6 is safe and efficient.} Nxd3 19. exd3 Ra7 20. Bxg7
Rg8 21. Bd4 c5 22. Bxc5 {All this is forced. White is a pawn up.} Bxg2 23. Bxe7
(23. Kxg2 {is also good.}) 23... Nc6 24. Bh4 Bf3 25. d4 {The endgame should be
winning for White.}) 18... Qc5 19. Bxg7 Rg8 20. Qxh7 $6 {[%c_effect h7;square;
h7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This is an inaccuracy.} (20. Ne5 $1 {
[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] To be honest, this
move justifies White's decision on move 18. But it's not an easy move to find.}
Qxc1+ $8 (20... Rxg7 $2 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]}
21. Rxc5 Bxc5 22. Nd3 $1 $18 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true]}) (20... Qd6 21. Qxh7 Rxg7 22. Qxg7 $18) 21. Qxc1 Rxg7 22. Qh6
(22. Qe3) 22... Bf8 23. Rd1 $16 {In practice, a decisive advantage here.
There's no way anyone can escape this.}) 20... Rxg7 21. Qxg7 Nd7 {Black's
position remains difficult, but not as much as it was before.} 22. Qh8+ Bf8 23.
a5 $1 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An important
prophylactic move, avoiding a6-a5 and thus leaving the knight on b4 in an
unstable situation.} Rb8 24. Rab1 Bc8 25. Rb2 $1 {[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] I love this kind of move. White wants to bring the
rook to the d-file.} Qg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;
true] The position is very complicated, and mistakes are inevitable. It is
even more difficult to play with Black, as any error is fatal.} (25... Kd8 {
is a better try, although the position is not a bed of roses.}) 26. Rd2 (26.
Nd6+ $1 {[%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The computer
indicates this move as winning on the spot.} Ke7 27. Rd1 {Black is paralyzed.}
Qf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] It's important
to note that this move loses to} 28. Nxc8+ Rxc8 29. Rxd7+ $1 {[%c_effect d7;
square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}) 26... Nd5 27. e4 $6 {[%c_effect e4;
square;e4;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] A natural move but not the best.} (
27. Bxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] leads by
force to a better position for White after:} exd5 (27... cxd5 28. Nd6+) 28.
Nd6+ Ke7 29. Rxc6 $1 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}
Bb7 $1 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A good
resource.} (29... Qxd2 30. Qh5 $3 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Brilliant;
persistent;true] This wonderful move wins.} Kd8 31. Nxf7+ Ke7 32. Nd6 {Black
has no adequate defense to the mating threats.}) 30. f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;
square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bxc6 31. fxg5 Kxd6 {White is much
better in this materially unbalanced position.}) 27... Qh6 $1 {[%c_effect h6;
square;h6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 28. Qa1 $6 {[%c_effect a1;square;a1;
type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Again, not the best continuation.} (28. Qxh6 {
is not great either. Black breathes a sigh of relief in the endgame.} Bxh6 29.
exd5 Bxd2 30. Nxd2 cxd5) (28. Qg8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] Is the most dangerous, as the queen keeps an eye on f7.} Ke7
$1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A difficult move
but the only chance.} 29. exd5 cxd5 30. Qg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] Black is threatening 30...Nf6, winning the queen.
The attack remains very strong.}) 28... N5f6 29. Nd6+ Bxd6 30. Rxd6 c5 {
Black is fully back in the game.} 31. Rb1 (31. e5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;
type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Against this move Black has the knight jump
to g4. For this reason, it makes sense to play a Karpovian h3 here and in
other moments, although this looks too subtle to be true.} Ng4) (31. h3 $5 {
[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;Interesting;persistent;true]}) 31... Rb4 {This is
inaccurate, as the b4-pawn will become a serious weakness.} (31... Rxb1+ 32.
Qxb1 Qh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with the
idea of playing Qe2 at some moment.}) 32. Rxb4 cxb4 33. Rc6 Kd8 {This is
forced.} (33... Bb7 $2 {[%c_effect b7;square;b7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]}
34. Rc7 Bxe4 35. Rc8+ Ke7 36. Qe1 $1 {[%c_effect e1;square;e1;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] Black loses material, as the b4-pawn is under attack.}) 34.
Qb2 Ng4 35. h3 Qf6 $2 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (
35... Nge5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is
necessary.} 36. Rc2 Nd3 37. Qb1 N7c5 {with chances for both sides.}) 36. Rc2 $6
{[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (36. Qd2 $1 {
[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nge5 37. Rc1 {Black
is in serious trouble here, as he needs to defend the b-pawn and also a
possible invasion on the c-file.}) 36... Qxb2 37. Rxb2 Nge5 38. Rxb4 {Both
players can breathe a little now as the fireworks are over. White has the
advantage in this endgame of a rook and two pawns against a pair of knights.
But there are drawing chances.} Nc6 39. Ra4 e5 40. f3 Ke7 41. Bf1 Nc5 42. Ra3
Be6 43. h4 (43. Rc3 $5 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Interesting;persistent;
true] This move is poisonous as it forces Black's king away from the dangerous
h-pawn.} Kd6 44. h4 $1 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]
The position is difficult for Black, for example:} Nxa5 45. h5 Nc6 46. h6 Ne7
47. h7 Ng6 48. f4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]}
exf4 49. gxf4 Nxe4 50. Bd3 $1 {[%c_effect d3;square;d3;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] This sequence seems to be taken from a composition. The
h-pawn continues to force its way to the coronation.}) 43... Nd4 44. Kf2 Bb3
45. Ra1 Bc2 46. g4 Kf6 47. Kg3 Kg6 48. Re1 Ncb3 49. Bxa6 (49. h5+ {is a good
try.} Kg5 (49... Kg7 $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;
true] This is better, according to the computer, but blocking the pawns is
more natural for a player with flesh and bones (and a heart).}) 50. Bc4 f6 51.
Rh1 $1 {[%c_effect h1;square;h1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kh6 52. Bxb3
Nxb3 53. f4 {with good winning chances.}) 49... Nxa5 50. f4 exf4+ 51. Kxf4 {
White has some practical chances, but Black should be able to make a draw.}
Ne6+ 52. Ke3 Nb3 53. Bc4 Nbd4 54. Rf1 Ba4 55. g5 Bb5 56. Rf6+ Kg7 57. Bxb5 Nxb5
58. h5 Nf8 (58... Nxg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;
true] This loses one of the knights after} 59. Rf5) 59. Rc6 Ne6 60. g6 {
The pawns are disappearing from the board, and it is surprising that White
still has real chances to win.} Nbc7 (60... Nbd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;
type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The following lines show how the knights can
be tricky.} 61. Rd6 fxg6 62. hxg6 Nc2+ $1 {[%c_effect c2;square;c2;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true]} (62... Kxg6 $4 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;
Blunder;persistent;true]} 63. Rxd4 Nxd4 64. Kxd4 {with a winning pawn endgame.}
) 63. Kd2 Ncd4 64. Kd3 Nb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true]} 65. Kc4 (65. Rxe6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;
persistent;true]} Nc5+) 65... Nbc5 66. Kd5 Ng5 $1 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;
type;GreatFind;persistent;true] It's impossible to deal with a pair of dancing
knights.} 67. e5 Nd3 {Black finally achieves a draw.}) 61. gxf7 Kxf7 {Once
again, when analyzing a game by Keymer, a player who seems to have a magical
attraction for endgames, I can say: we arrived in a tablebase position, that
technological tool that is the joy of chess commentators. Every time I
indicate a move with an exclamation mark, it means it's the only way to win or
draw. I now focus on the moments where mistakes are made.} 62. e5 Nd5+ $1 {
[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 63. Ke4 Ne7 $1 {
[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 64. Rd6 Nc8 65. Rd1
Ne7 66. Rf1+ Kg7 67. h6+ Kg8 $1 {[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true]} (67... Kxh6 $2 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Mistake;
persistent;true]} 68. Rf6+) 68. Rf6 Ng5+ 69. Kf4 Nh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;
h7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 70. Rd6 Kf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;
type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 71. Kg4 Ke8 72. Kh5 Kf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;
square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 73. Ra6 Nf8 74. Rb6 Nh7 75. Rd6 Nf8
76. Kg5 Nh7+ 77. Kg4 Nf8 $2 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;
true] After so many accurate moves, finally a mistake is made. All the
following moves are enough for a draw, according to the tablebase.} (77... Ng8)
(77... Nc8) (77... Ke8) (77... Kf8) (77... Kg8) 78. Ra6 $2 {[%c_effect a6;
square;a6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A mistake in return.} (78. Rf6+ $1 {
[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is the only winning
move.} Kg8 79. Kh5 Nh7 80. Rf1 Nf8 81. Re1 Ne6 82. Rg1+ Kh7 83. Ra1 $1 {
[%c_effect a1;square;a1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook goes to the
seventh rank with decisive effect.}) 78... Nh7 79. Kf4 Nf8 80. Ke4 Ne6 81. Ra7
Ng5+ 82. Kf4 Nh7 83. Ra6 Nf8 84. Kg5 Nh7+ 85. Kh5 Nf8 86. Rf6+ Kg8 $1 {
[%c_effect g8;square;g8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 87. Rf1 Nc6 $1 {
[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 88. Rf5 Nd7 $2 {
[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] The losing move. Both 88.
..Nb4 and 88...Nb8 are enough for a draw. These types of moves can only be
found through an elimination process. The idea of the two moves is to wait
with a non-committal move and prevent White from advancing his pawns.} (88...
Nb4) (88... Nb8) (88... Ne6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;
persistent;true]} 89. Rf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true]} Ncd8 90. Kg6 Nf8+ {Now White has a nice combination.} 91.
Rxf8+ $1 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Kxf8 92. e6
$1 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nxe6 93. h7 {
and the pawn promotes.}) (88... Nd8 $2 {[%c_effect d8;square;d8;type;Mistake;
persistent;true] I thought this move is a draw, but I was wrong.} 89. Rf6 $1 {
[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Nde6 90. Kg4 {And the
tablebase indicates a win for White here. If it's hard to understand it,
imagine having to play it.}) 89. e6 {Now Esipenko gives no chances.} Nf8 90.
Rc5 Ne7 91. Rc7 Nd5 92. Rg7+ $1 {[%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true]} Kh8 93. e7 $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true]} Nxe7 94. Rxe7 {The rest is easy.} Kg8 95. Kg5 Nh7+ 96. Kf5
Nf8 97. Rg7+ Kh8 98. Rf7 Kg8 99. Kf6 Nh7+ 100. Kg6 Nf8+ 101. Rxf8+ (101. Rxf8+
Kxf8 102. h7) 1-0
[Event "Chess.com"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Praggnanandhaa, R...."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A20"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[Annotator "cahan"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
1. c4 e5 2. g3 c6 3. d4 e4 4. d5 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Qe7 6. Nh3 ({Sound the trumpets:
A novelty has been played. However, it is not clear that it is particularly
better than the previously played move, such as the main line} 6. Nc3 {.}) 6...
Nf6 7. Nc3 cxd5 8. Nf4 Bxc3 9. Bxc3 dxc4 10. e3 (10. Bg2 {is possibly better,
keeping a small edge for White.}) 10... Nc6 11. g4 $6 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;
type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Oh, you thought that White needed to capture
on c4 $2 Well, you don't know Aronian very well, do you $2 However, capturing
on c4 would likely have been better.} h6 (11... Ne5 $5 {[%c_effect e5;square;
e5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] is almost certainly better.}) 12. Bxc4 d6
13. Rg1 Bd7 $6 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({
Here, Black should have played} 13... Ne5 14. Be2 Be6 {with about even chances.
}) 14. Nd5 Nxd5 15. Qxd5 (15. Bxd5 {would have kept an edge for White.}) 15...
O-O-O $2 {[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] When going
through the game with Seirawan in the broadcast, Aronian speculated that Pragg
may somehow have forgotten that this move was possible when he castled.} (15...
Rc8 {would have been more or less okay for Black.}) 16. Qxf7 Qxf7 17. Bxf7 Ne5
18. Bxe5 dxe5 19. Bd5 Bc6 20. Bxc6 bxc6 {This is just a very depressing
endgame for Black, that Aronian thought would be close to impossible for Black
to save.} 21. Rc1 Rd6 22. Ke2 Rhd8 23. Rc2 g5 $6 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;
Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Black is trying to fix White's kingside pawns, but
it seems to help White more than it does Black.} 24. Rgc1 Kb7 25. b3 Rd5 26.
Ke1 R8d6 27. Rc4 Rd3 28. R1c2 Rd1+ 29. Ke2 Rh1 30. Rxe4 Rd5 31. Rec4 (31. Rd2
$1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is better.}) 31...
Rd6 32. Rb4+ Kc7 33. Rb5 $2 {[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;Mistake;persistent;
true]} (33. Rc5 $1 {[%c_effect c5;square;c5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is
the way to go, threating both capturing the pawn on e5 and to playing Ra5.})
33... Re6 $2 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({Here,}
33... Rf6 $1 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a
better practical chance for saving the game} 34. Rbc5 Rxh2 35. Kf1 Re6 {
when White's path to the win would have been somewhat uncertain.}) 34. Ra5 Rxh2
$2 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({Again,} 34... Rf6
$5 {[%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Interesting;persistent;true] was a better try.
After the text move, White is easily winning.}) 35. Rxa7+ Kb6 36. Rf7 e4 37. a4
Rh1 38. b4 Ra1 39. a5+ Kb5 40. Rb7+ Ka4 41. Rb6 Rd6 42. Rd2 Rxd2+ 43. Kxd2 c5
44. bxc5 Kxa5 45. Kc3 Ra2 46. Rf6 Ra4 47. Rb6 Ra2 48. Rb2 Rxb2 49. Kxb2 Kb5 50.
Kb3 $1 {[%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Having seen
the concept of the opposition demonstrated by his veteran opponent, Pragg
didn't need to see anything further and duly resigned the game.} 1-0
[Event "Chess.com"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.02.16"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Gukesh, D...."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "E49"]
[WhiteElo "2780"]
[BlackElo "2718"]
[Annotator "cahan"]
[PlyCount "164"]
[EventDate "2023.??.??"]
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 Nf6 5. a3 ({According to conventional
wisdom, when Black has played an early ...d7-d5 in the Nimzo-Indian, this
Saemisch-style move is a good choice. However, nowadays White has taken a
fancy to the machine-approved} 5. Qa4+ {.}) 5... Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c6 ({An
ugly-looking move which Iranian Maghsoodloo has been playing a bit of late.
Previously, Gukesh had tried a few other moves: a)} 6... c5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. c4
Ne7 9. Nf3 O-O 10. Bd3 Nf5 11. O-O Nc6 12. Bb2 {and White had a large
advantage in Narayanan,S (2658)-Gukesh,D (2614) chess24.com INT 2022.}) ({b)}
6... O-O 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Bd3 b6 9. Ne2 Ba6 10. O-O Re8 11. f3 c5 12. Ng3 Bxd3
13. Qxd3 Nc6 14. Bb2 c4 (14... h5 $5 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;
persistent;true] seems best}) 15. Qe2 h5 {as played in Real de Azua,E (2450)
-Gukesh,D (2547) Sitges 2019, and now} 16. Qf2 $5 {[%c_effect f2;square;f2;
type;Interesting;persistent;true] looks like White's best move as seen in
several grandmaster games.}) 7. Bd3 (7. a4 {also makes a lot of sense to open
for the dark-squared bishop.}) 7... O-O 8. Ne2 e5 $6 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;
type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} ({The better option is the main line} 8... b6
{, e.g.,} 9. f3 Ba6 10. cxd5 cxd5 11. e4 Bxd3 12. Qxd3 Nc6 13. Bg5 h6 14. Bxf6
Qxf6 15. O-O Rac8 {and Black had a good game in Grischuk,A (2745)-Kramnik,V
(2753) Chess.com INT 2022.}) 9. dxe5 Ng4 ({The first new move. Previously
Black had tried} 9... dxc4 10. exf6 Qxd3 11. Qxd3 cxd3 12. fxg7 Rd8 13. Nf4 Na6
14. f3 Nc5 15. Rb1 b5 16. e4 Kxg7 17. Be3 Na4 18. Kd2 {and White was clearly
better in Yang,D (2481) -Dragun,K (2585) New York 2019.}) 10. cxd5 Nxe5 11. e4
f5 12. O-O Nxd3 13. Qxd3 fxe4 14. Qxe4 cxd5 15. Qd3 Bf5 16. Qg3 Nc6 17. Be3 Qe8
18. Rad1 Qf7 19. Rd2 Rad8 (19... Na5 $5 {[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;
Interesting;persistent;true] is possibly better, e.g.,} 20. Nf4 Nc4 21. Rxd5
Nxe3 22. Qxe3 Rae8 23. Re5 h6 {when Black's suffering, despite having lost a
pawn, will probably be felt less than what he had to endure in the game
continuation.}) 20. Rfd1 Rd7 21. Nd4 Bg6 22. Nxc6 bxc6 {White has a clear
advantage. The presence of the opposite-colored bishop counts heavily in
White's favor.} 23. c4 Bh5 24. f3 Re8 25. Bf2 Bg6 26. cxd5 cxd5 27. h3 $1 {
[%c_effect h3;square;h3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] White is not in a
hurry. Black cannot free himself and will have to wait for White to push.} h6
28. Rc1 Kh7 29. Bd4 Bf5 30. Kh2 Re6 31. Rc8 Re8 32. Rxe8 Qxe8 33. Rb2 Qg6 34.
Qe5 Bd3 35. a4 Bc4 {At last, the bishop finds a steady home, but unfortunately
for Black, the bishop is not participating in the defense of the kingside.
Black is hoping to occasionally threaten ...Bf1 to keep White from having too
much freedom to attack.} 36. a5 Qf7 37. Rb8 Re7 38. Qg3 Rb7 39. Rc8 a6 40. Qd6
Qe7 41. Qc6 Qf7 42. Qd6 Qe7 $6 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Inaccuracy;
persistent;true]} ({A natural move. The exchange of the queen is supposed to
lighten Black's defensive burden. However,} 42... Qf5 {may have been better,
for instance,} 43. Rf8 Rf7 44. Qg3 Qd7 45. Ra8 Qf5 {and White has not made
much progress.}) 43. Qxe7 Rxe7 44. g4 Rf7 45. Kg3 g5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;
g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} ({Gukesh commits himself to having his pawns
fixed on dark, the color of White's bishop. It was likely better to play} 45...
Bb5 {first.}) 46. Rh8+ $6 {[%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;
true]} ({Here, White could have tried} 46. Be5 Bd3 47. Rh8+ Kg6 48. f4 gxf4+
49. Bxf4 Rh7 50. Rd8 {and White has excellent winning chances due to Black's
poorly coordinated pieces.}) 46... Kg6 47. Re8 Kh7 48. Re6 Bb5 49. Be5 Rd7 50.
Bd4 Rf7 51. Re3 Kg6 52. Re5 Bc4 53. Re6+ Kh7 54. Re3 Kg6 55. h4 gxh4+ 56. Kxh4
Rf4 57. Be5 d4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A
nice pawn sacrifice to simplify the position and bring Black's bishop to life.}
58. Ra3 Rf7 59. Bxd4 ({Or} 59. f4 Rd7 60. f5+ Kh7 {and Black holds.}) 59... Bd5
$1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} ({Initially,
during the game, I thought that Black had intended} 59... Rd7 $2 {[%c_effect
d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] , but missed that} 60. Be5 Rd3 61.
Ra4 Bd5 62. f4 {gives White excellent winning chances. The game continuation
is much better.}) 60. Kg3 h5 {This is Gukesh's excellent idea behind 57...d4
$1 Now, White has almost no winning chances left although Giri keeps at it for
quite a bit longer.} 61. Rc3 hxg4 62. fxg4 Rd7 63. Be3 Kf6 64. Rc1 Ke6 65. Bb6
Rf7 66. Re1+ Kd6 67. Kh4 Be6 68. Kg5 Rf3 69. Rd1+ Kc6 70. Rc1+ Kd5 71. Rc5+ Kd6
72. Rc2 Kd5 73. Rd2+ Kc6 74. Re2 Kd7 75. Rd2+ Kc6 76. Rc2+ Kd5 77. Bc7 Rf8 78.
Rd2+ Kc4 79. Rd6 Rg8+ 80. Kf6 Bxg4 81. Rxa6 Rc8 82. Ra7 Kb5 1/2-1/2
