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Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts) Sun Jun 3, 2012, 05:20 PM Jun 2012

Chess (June): Vishy Retains World Championship; Nakamura wins US Title

The JR Chess Report and Gloat Free Scores theme music: Merrick, The Look Sharp, Be Sharp March (From a broadcast of The Gillette Cavalcade of Spots).

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[font size="4"]Vishy Anand retains World Title in Rapid Tiebreak[/font]

[font size="1"]Photo by Ygrek (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Ygrek) in Wikipedia (Creative Commons License, Attribution/Share Alike)
[/font]
Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand of India retained the title of world champion by defeating challenger Boris Gelfand of Israel by way of Belarus in a four game set of rapid games on Wednesday in Moscow.

Sri Anand won the second of the four games in 77 moves while the other three games were drawn. The playoff was made necessary after the title match of twelve games under classical time control ended in a 6-6 tie with each player winning one game and drawing ten.

The rapid playoff was made necessary when the 12-game match under classical time control ended in a tie with each player winning one game from the other with ten draws.

After losing the seventh game of the match to Gelfand, Anand bounced back the following day to defeat Gelfand in just 17 moves, the shortest game in the history of the world chess championship. The old record was held by Wilhelm Steinitz, who took a game from Johannes Herman Zukertort in just 19 moves in the very first world championship match in 1886.

Sri Anand, a native of Chennai, has held the world title since 2007 when he won an elite tournament in Mexico City. He defended his title in matches against both former world champion Vladimir Kramnik of Russia in 2008 and former FIDE world champion Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria in 2010.

[font size="4"]Nakamura, Krush win US Championships in St. Louis[/font]

[font size="1"]Photo by Daniel Schwen (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User schwen) in Wikipedia (Creative Commons License, Attribution/Share Alike)
[/font]
Hikaru Nakamura, the highest rated American chess master since Bobby Fischer, won the US Chess Championship on Saturday, May 19, when he defeated veteran GM Yasser Seirawan in the eleventh and final round of the championship tournament in St. Louis.

Mr. Nakamura scored 8½ points out of eleven rounds, a full point ahead of his neaerst, defending champion Gata Kamsky. It is Nakamura's third US title.

The showdown came in the tenth round when Nakamura defeated Kamsky, who was going for his third consectutive US title. Kamsky had a half point over Nakamura going into the tenth round, but Nakamura vitory in that game cantapulted him into first place.

International master Irina Krush won the US women's title by defeating Anna Zatonskih in a two-game rapid playoff on Sunday, May 20.

Both Ms. Krush and Ms. Zatonskih finshed with 7 points out of a possible nine. Ms. Krush won both games, taking advantage of a blunder by Ms. Zatonskih at the end the second game.

It is the seventh consecutive year in which one or the other of these two native Ukrainians have taken the US women's title. The last lady other than Ms. Krush or Ms. Zatonskih to hold the tile was Rusudan Goletiani, who had just arrived in the US from Georgia, in 2005. Ms. Goletiani finished third in this year's event.

[font size="4"]Negi, Sukandar take Asian Championships[/font]

[font size="1"]Photo by rorkhete from Wikipedia (Creative Commons License, Attribution/Share Alike)
[/font]
Indian grandmaster Parimarjan Negi and Indonesian WGM Irine Kharisma Sukandar won the 11th Asian Continental Champioships in a tournament ended May 14 held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Sri Negi was awarded the championship on tiebreak points after he and Yu Yangyi of China finished an equal first with 7 points each out of nine. The met in round six, with Yu leading by a half point at the time. Negi, playing Black, won the game and held first place alone until the final round, when he lost to GM Saleh Salem of the United Arab Emirates, who finshed third with 6½ points.

Bu Sukandar lead the tounament with 6 points through seven rounds when she lost to WGM Mary Ann Gomes of India in Round 8, allowing Sushti Gomes to move into first place. However, Bu Sukandar came back and scored a victory in the ninth and final round over Indian IM Eesha Karavade, giving her 7 points, while Sushti Gomes lost to Chinese WGM Tan Zhongyi, who finished in an equal second with Sushti Gomes and two other Chinese ladies, Ding Yixing and Wang Jue, all with 6½ points. Sushti Gomes took second on tiebreaks and Tan Nushi third.

[font size="3"]June Events[/font]

Third Dangzhou Tournament, China 29 May-7 June
French Team Championship, Belfort 31 May-10 June
Seventh Tal Memorial Tournament, Moscow 7-19 June. Aronian, Carlsen, Caruana, Grischuk, Kramnik, McShane, Morozevich, Nakamura, Radjabov and Tomashevsky.
2011/12 Women's Grand Prix, Fourth Leg, Kazan 9-23 June. Cmilyte, Danielian, Galliamova, Hou Yifan, Koneru, N. Kosintseva, T. Kosintseva, Kosteniuk, Lahno, A. Muzychuk, Stefanova and Yildiz.
Sixth King's Tournament, Medias, Romania 23 June-4 July. Anand, Carlsen, Ivanchuk, Karjakin, Nisipeanu and Radjabov.

17 replies

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Highlight:

Chess (June): Vishy Retains World Championship; Nakamura wins US Title (Original Post) Jack Rabbit Jun 2012 OP

May Games Jack Rabbit Jun 2012 #1

World Championship Match, Anand vs. Gelfand, Moscow Jack Rabbit Jun 2012 #2

Anand - Gelfand, Round 8 Jack Rabbit Jun 2012 #3

Gelfand - Anand, Round 7 Jack Rabbit Jun 2012 #4

US Championships, St. Louis Jack Rabbit Jun 2012 #5

Kamsky - Nakamura, General Group, Round 10 Jack Rabbit Jun 2012 #6

Kamsky - Seirawan General Group, Round 9 (Caro-Kann Main Line Theory) Jack Rabbit Jun 2012 #11

Krush - Abrahamyan, Women's Group, Round 5 Jack Rabbit Jun 2012 #12

Zenyuk - Zatonskih, Women's Group, Round 6 Jack Rabbit Jun 2012 #13

Asian Championships, Ho Chi Minh City Jack Rabbit Jun 2012 #7

Yu Yangi - Negi, General Group, Round 6 Jack Rabbit Jun 2012 #8

Gomez - Yu Yangyi, General Group, Round 3 Jack Rabbit Jun 2012 #9

Monguntuul - Sukandar, Women's Group, Round 6 Jack Rabbit Jun 2012 #10

Gomes - Sukandar, Women's Group, Round 8 Jack Rabbit Jun 2012 #14

47th Capablanca Memorial Tournament, Havana Jack Rabbit Jun 2012 #15

Domínguez Pérez - Ivanchuk, Round 7 Jack Rabbit Jun 2012 #16

Domínguez Pérez - Nepomniachtchi, Round 10 Jack Rabbit Jun 2012 #17

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

1. May Games

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Original post)

Sun Jun 3, 2012, 05:23 PM

Jun 2012

Your humble hare acknowledges the assistance of Rybka 4 and Fritz 13 on analysis.

Diagrams on the Jack Rabbit Chess Report are made with Aquarium, a commercially available interface for Rybka.

Diagrams and other images are hosted on [link:http//:imgur.com/|imgur].com.
[center]
BLACK

WHITE
White to move
(This position is a theoretical draw)
[/center]

I would like to thank my impressive and loyal staff: Buccaneer, Spitfire, Desperado, Swashbuckler, Pancho and Robin Hood.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

2. World Championship Match, Anand vs. Gelfand, Moscow

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Reply #1)

Sun Jun 3, 2012, 05:24 PM

Jun 2012

[center]

Red Square, Moscow
[/center][font size="1"]Photo by Adam Baker, flickr (Creative Commons License, Attribution/Share Alike)

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

3. Anand - Gelfand, Round 8

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Reply #2)

Sun Jun 3, 2012, 05:26 PM

Jun 2012

[center]

Vishy Anand
[/center][font size="1"]Photo by Ygrek (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Ygrek) in Wikipedia (Creative Commons License, Attribution/Share Alike)
[/font]

Vishy Anand - Boris Gelfand
World Championship Match, Round 8
Moscow, 21 May 2012

West India Game: Tal-Indian Defense (Sämisch Opening)

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.f3 c5

In game 3, Black (Gelfand) played 3...d5, but White came out of the opening slightly better.

4.d5 d6 5.e4 Bg7 6.Ne2

[font color="red"]6.Nc3 0-0 7.Bg5 e6 8.Qd2 exd5 9.cxd5[/font] transposes into a variation of the Tal-Indian Defense, commonly called the Modern Benoni.

6...0-0 7.Nec3 Nh5 (N)

If [font color="red"]7...e6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]8.Bg5 exd5 9.cxd5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]9...a6 10.a4 Re8 11.Be2 Nbd7 12.0-0 h6 13.Be3[/font] gives White an early advantage in space; Black's Queen's Bishop will be difficult to develop (Arencibia-Gavilanes, Cuban Ch, St. Spiritus, 1989).
[font color="burgundy"]9...Nbd7 10.Be2 h6 11.Be3 Ne5 12.0-0 g5 13.Kh1[/font] is equal (Meesen-Lukkonen, Euro Club Cup, St. Vincent, 2005).

If [font color="darkred"]8.Be3[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]8...exd5 9.cxd5 Ne8 10.Bd3 Nd7 11.Nd2 f5 12.exf5[/font] is equal (Azmaiparashvili-Dr. Nunn, Match, Wijk aan Zee, 1993).
[font color="magenta"]8...Na6 9.Be2 Nc7 10.a4 Nfe8 11.Qd2 f5 12.0-0[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Sadler-Tkachiev, IT, Enghien les Bains, 1999).

8.Bg5

The game is equal.

8...Bf6!?

The proposed exchange of dark-bound Bishops weakens Black's Kingside.
If [font color="red"]8...Nd7 9.Qd2[/font] then:

[font color="red"]9...Re8 10.Be2 Qb6 11.Na3 Qa5 12.Rc1 a6 13.Be3[/font] remains equal.
If [font color="darkred"]9...Ne5 10.Be2[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]10...Bd7 11.0-0 Rb8 12.Na3 a6 13.g4 Nf6 14.h3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.
[font color="magenta"]10...Re8 11.0-0 Bd7 12.Na3 Qb6 13.Rab1 f5 14.exf5[/font] gives White a samll advantage in space

9.Bxf6!

White takes a slight advantage in space and weakens the dark-square complex around Black's King.
[font color="red"]9.Qd2 e5 10.Be3 Na6 11.g3 Nc7 12.Be2[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space.

9...exf6?!

Black volutarily disfigures his Kingside in the hope of getting activity on the open e-file.
[font color="red"]9...Nxf6 10.Be2 e5 11.0-0 Na6 12.Qd2 Nh5 13.g3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

[center]BLACK: Boris Gelfand[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Vishy Anand[/center][center]Position after 9...ef6:B[/center]

10.Qd2!?

White decides to continue with his development, although he has a playable, more aggressive alternative.
If [font color="red"]10.g4![/font] then:

If [font color="red"]10...Ng7[/font] then:

[font color="red"]11.Qd2 11...h5 12.h3 Qe7 13.Na3 Nd7 14.0-0-0[/font] gives White a substantial advantage in space; Black is cramped.
[font color="burgundy"]11.Be2?! Nd7! 12.Na3 f5 13.gxf5 Qh4+ 14.Kd2[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space.

If [font color="darkred"]10...Nf4?! 11.Qd2! g5 12.h4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]12...Nd7 13.Qh2 h5 14.gxh5 Ne5 15.Nd2 Kh7 16.0-0-0[/font] gives White more freedom and Black more space.
[font color="magenta"]12...Ng6 13.hxg5 Ne5 14.Be2 fxg5 15.f4 gxf4 16.Qxf4[/font] gives White a substantial advantage in space.

10...f5

Black plays to eliminate his structural weakness on the Kingside.

11.exf5 Bxf5?!

After the game, Sri Anand said that this was the point at which he began visualizing the final position.
If [font color="red"]11...Re8+ 12.Kd1[/font] then:

[font color="red"]12...Nd7 13.Ne4 Ndf6 14.fxg6 hxg6 15.Nbc3 Nxe4 16.Nxe4[/font] gives White more freedom and space; Black's Knight is poorly placed.
[font color="darkred"]12...Nf6 13.Bd3 a6 14.Re1 Nbd7 15.f4 Rxe1+ 16.Kxe1[/font] gives White an extra pawn and a comfortable advantage in space; Black is cramped.

12.g4!

Of course, Boris Abramovich knew White would play this.

12...Re8+?!

This move turns out to be quite ineffective.
If [font color="red"]12...Qh4+ 13.Kd1 Bxb1 14.Rxb1 Ng7 15.Kc2[/font] gives White a small advantage in space; Black can develop his Knight to e5 via e7.

13.Kd1!

White takes a comfortable advantage in space.

13...Bxb1 14.Rxb1 Qf6??

Black miscalculates by failing to see all of White's possibilities. This is the time to get the Knight out of danger.
If [font color="red"]14...Nf6 15.Kc2[/font] then:

[font color="red"]15...a5 16.g5 Nh5 17.f4 a4 18.Bh3 a3 19.Bg4[/font] continues to give White a comfortable advantage in space.
[font color="darkred"]15...Na6!? 16.a3 Nc7 17.Bd3 a6 18.h4 b5 19.h5[/font] continues to give White a comfortable advantage in space.

[center]BLACK: Boris Gelfand[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Vishy Anand[/center][center]Position after 13...Qd8f6[/center]

15.gxh5!!

White sacrifices the exchange.

15...Qxf3+

There is nothing better. White wins in all variations.

16.Kc2 Qxh1 17.Qf2! 1-0

Black must lose a piece to save the Queen: [font color="red"]17...Nc6 18.dxc6 Qxc6 19.Bd3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]19...Qd7 20.Rg1 Re6 21.Nd5 Rae8 22.Nf6+[/font] wins the Queen.
[font color="darkred"]19...Re5 20.Rf1 f5 21.hxg6 hxg6 22.Nd5[/font] gives White two pieces for two pawns.

Boris Abramovich resigns.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

4. Gelfand - Anand, Round 7

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Reply #2)

Sun Jun 3, 2012, 05:28 PM

Jun 2012

[center]

Boris Gelfand
[/center][font size="1"]Photo by Stefan64 (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stefan64) in Wikimedia Commons (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Boris_Gelfand) (Creative Commons License, Attribution/Share Alike)
[/font]

Boris Gelfand - Vishy Anand
World Championship Match, Round 7
Moscow, 20 May 2012

Semi-Slav Queen's Gambit: Godena Defense

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 a6

This is the Godena Defense, an alternative to the Main Line, 5...Nbd7.
For 5...Nbd7, see Carlsen-Shirov, IT, Biel, 2011.

6.c5

If [font color="red"]6.b3 Bb4 7.Bd2 Nbd7 8.Bd3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]8...0-0 9.0-0 Bd6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]10.Qc2 h6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]11.Ne2[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]11...Re8 12.Ng3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]12...c5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13.cxd5 exd5 14.Bc3 b6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]15.Rfd1 Bb7 16.dxc5 bxc5 17.Rac1 Qb6 18.Qb2[/font] is equal (Navara-Dreev, Greek ChT, Ermioni, 2006).
[font color="burgundy"]15.Rad1 Bb7 16.Qb2 Ne4 17.Bxe4 dxe4 18.Nd2[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (I. Sokolov-Najer, IT, Poikovsky, 2006).

[font color="darkpink"]13.Bc3 b6 14.Ne5 Bb7 15.f4 Rc8 16.Qb2 cxd4 17.exd4 dxc4 18.bxc4 Nxe5 19.fxe5 Bxe5 20.dxe5 Qxd3 21.exf6 Rxc4 22.Rac1[/font] gives White a piece for two pawns. (Eljanov-Rublevsky, IT, Foros, 2006).

[font color="darkorchid"]12...e5 13.cxd5 Nxd5 14.Rad1 exd4 15.Nxd4 Nb4 16.Bh7+[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Gelfand-I. Sokolov, IT A, Wijk aan Zee, 2006).

[font color="#C04080"]11...Qe7 12.Ng3 b6 13.Rad1 Bb7 14.Rfe1 Rfd8 15.e4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Pert-Wang Hao, TM, Liverpool, 2007).
If [font color="darkred"]11.Rad1 e5 12.cxd5 cxd5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13.dxe5 Nxe5 14.Nxe5 Bxe5 15.Ne2 Bg4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]16.f3 Rc8 17.Qb1[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]17...Be6 18.Rc1 Rxc1 19.Rxc1 Qb8 20.f4 Bc7 21.Bc3[/font] is equal (Kharitonov-Svetushkin, Greek ChT, Ermioni, 2006).
[font color="burgundy"]17...Bd7 18.Rc1 Qb6 19.Rxc8 Rxc8 20.Rc1 Re8 21.Qc2[/font] is equal (Sargissian-L. B. Hansenn, Ol, Torino, 2006).

[font color="darkpink"]16.Bb4 Rc8 17.Qd2 Re8 18.h3 Be6 19.Bc3[/font] is equal (Rodshtein-F. Andersson, Rilton Cup 0506, Stockholm, 2005).
[font color="purple"]16.h3 Rc8 17.Qb1 Bd7 18.Bc1 Qe7 19.Bb2 Rfe8[/font] is equal (Nyback-Fridman, Bundesliga 0506, Germany, 2006).

If [font color="magenta"]13.e4 dxe4 14.Nxe4 Nxe4 15.Bxe4 exd4[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]16.Nxd4 Nf6[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]17.Nf3 Nxe4 18.Qxe4 Re8 19.Qd4 Bf8 20.Qf4 Bd6[/font] is equal (Radjabov-Erenburg, World Blitz Ch, Rishon le Zion, 2006).
[font color="hotpink"]17.h3 Nxe4 18.Qxe4 Qe7 19.Qd3 Bc7 20.Nf5 Qe5[/font] is equal (Bindrich-Garnelis, World Jr Ch, Puerto Madryn, Argentina, 2009).
[font color="purple"]17.Nf5 Nxe4 18.Qxe4 Re8 19.Qf3 Bxf5[/font] draw (Frolyanov-Wang Hao, World Jr Ch, Yerevan, 2006).

[font color="darkorange"]16.Bh7+ Kh8 17.Bf5 Qf6 18.Bc1 Ne5 19.Nxd4 Nc6[/font] is equal (Aleksandrov-Fridman, Ol, Torino, 2006).

If [font color="darkred"]a) 10.Rc1 Re8 11.h3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]11...e5 12.dxe5 Nxe5 13.Nxe5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13...Bxe5 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.Ne2[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]15...Ne4 16.Bxe4 dxe4 17.Bc3 Bd6 18.Qd4 Bf8 19.Qxd8 Rxd8 20.Ba5[/font] is equal (Sargissian-Rublevsky, Ol, Khanty-Mansiysk, 2010).
[font color="burgundy"]15...Be6 16.Bc3 Bxc3 17.Rxc3 Qa5 18.Qc2 Rac8 19.Rc1[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Korotylev-Potkin, Russian ChT Rpd, Sochi, 2004).
If [font color="magenta"]13...Rxe5 14.cxd5[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]14...Ba3 15.Rb1 Nxd5 16.e4 Nxc3 17.Bxc3 Re8 18.Kh2[/font] gives White a small advantage in space, but 18.b4! would have rendered Black's Bishop to inactivity for some time (Wojtaszek-Bellón López, Rilton Cup 0910, Stockholm, 2009).
[font color="darkorange"]14...Nxd5 15.e4 Nxc3 16.Bxc3 Rg5 17.Qf3 Be6 18.Rcd1[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Ljubojevic-Caruana, TM, Amsterdam, 2008).

If [font color="magenta"]11...h6[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]12.Qc2 e5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]13.cxd5 cxd5 14.dxe5 Nxe5 15.Nxe5 Bxe5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]16.Ne2 Ne4[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]17.Bxe4 dxe4 18.Bc3 Bxc3 19.Qxc3 Qg5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]20.Ng3 Bd7[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]21.Rfd1?! Bc6! 22.Rd6 Rad8 23.Rcd1 Rxd6 24.Rxd6[/font] is equal (Ftacnik-Iskusnyh, Euro Ch, Dresden, 2007).
[font color="burgundy"]21.Qd4 Bc6 22.Rc5 Qe7 23.Nf5 Qf8 24.Qd6[/font] continues to give White a small advatage with greater activity for his pieces.

[font color="darkpink"]20.Kh2 Bd7 21.Rfd1 Rac8 22.Qd4 Rxc1 23.Rxc1[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (T. L. Petrosian-Vysochin, Euro Club Cup, Ohrid, 2009).

[font color="darkorchid"]17.Be1!? Bb8 18.f3 Nf6 19.Qd2 Qe7 20.Bf2 Bd7[/font] is equal (Malakhov-Fressinet, Aeroflot Op, Moscow, 2006).

[font color="#C04080"]16.Na4!? Ne4! 17.f4 Nxd2 18.Qxd2 Bf6 19.Rfe1 Bd7[/font] is equal.

If [font color="darkorange"]13.Be2 dxc4 14.bxc4 c5[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]15.dxe5 Nxe5 16.Rb1 Qe7 17.Nxe5 Bxe5 18.Bd3[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space.
If [font color="purple"]15.d5 e4 16.Nh4 Ne5[/font] then:

[font color="purple"]17.f4 exf3 18.Nxf3 Nxf3+ 19.Rxf3[/font] is equal.
[font color="hotpink"]17.Be1?! b5! 18.cxb5 c4 19.b6 Rb8[/font] gives Black a fair advantage in space.

If [font color="darkorange"]12.e4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]12...dxc4[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]13.bxc4 e5 14.c5 Bc7 15.Be3 exd4 16.Bxd4 [/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Jakovenko-Vitiugov, IT, Poikovsky, 2010).
[font color="purple"]13.Bxc4 e5 14.d5 cxd5 15.Bxd5 Ba3 16.Rc2 Nb6[/font] is equal (S. Volkov-Motylev, Moscow Op, 2008).

[font color="hotpink"]12...dxe4?! 13.Nxe4 Nxe4 14.Bxe4 c5 15.Be3 [/font] gives Black a fair advantage in space.

If [font color="darkred"]b) 10.e4 dxc4 11.bxc4 e5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]12.c5 Bc7 13.Na4 exd4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]14.h3 Re8 15.Re1[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]15...h6 16.Rb1[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]16...Nf8 17.Qc2[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]17...N6d7!?[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]18.Rbd1 Qf6 19.Nxd4 Ne5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"] 20.Bf1 Bxh3! 21.f4 Bg4[/font] gives Black an extra pawn and stronger pawns; White has a small advantage in space (Rianzantsev-Sakaev, Russian Ch, Moscow, 2008).
[font color="burgundy"]20.Be2! Nfg6 21.Qb3 Rb8 22.Nb6 Bxd6 23.cxb6 Rd8[/font] is equal.

If [font color="magenta"]18.Rb3!? Qf6! 19.Bc4 Ng6[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]20.Nb6? Nxb6 21.cxb6 Bd6[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]22.e5 Bf5! 23.exf6 Bxc2 24.Rb2 d3 25.a4 Ne5 26.Nxe5 Bxe5 27.Ra2 Bxf6[/font] White resigns Braunn-M. Gurevich, IOl, Dresden, 2008).
If [font color="burgundy"]22.a3[/font] then Black wins after [font color="burgundy"]22...Rb8 23.Rbb1 c5 24.Rbc1 Be6 25.a4 Re7.[/font]

If [font color="darkorange"]20.Bc1! Ba5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]21.Bd2! Bxd2 22.Qxd2 Nde5 23.Nxe5 Nxe5[/font] remains equal.
[font color="purple"]21.Rd1?! Nde5 22.Nxe5 Qxe5 23.Bb2 Bc7[/font] gives Black a slight advantage.

[font color="burgundy"]17...Rb8 18.Rb3 Ne6 19.e5 Nd5 20.Re4 Ng5[/font] remains equal (Khaghani-Vysochin, Op, Istanbul, 2006).

[font color="darkpink"]16...Nh7 17.Bc4 Qf6 18.Rb3 Nhf8 19.Bc1 Ng6 20.Nxd4[/font] remains equal (Kasparov-Gelfand, IT, Linares, 1991).

If [font color="magenta"]15...Nf8 16.e5 Nd5 17.Bg5 Qd7 18.Rc1[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]18...Nc3!? 19.Nxc3 dxc3 20.Qc2[/font] is equal (Movsesian-Malakhatko, Euro Ch, Kussdasi, 2007).
[font color="darkorange"]18...Ne6 19.Bd2 g6 20.Bc4 Rd8[/font] continues to give Black a slight edge.

[font color="darkorchid"]14.Bg5?! Re8! 15.Re1 Ne5 16.Nxe5 Rxe5[/font] gives Black a fair advantage in space (Inarkiev-Kryakvin, Russian Ch HL, Novokuznetsk, 2008).

If [font color="magenta"]12.d5 Nc5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]13.Bc2 Bg4 14.h3 Bh5[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]15.Qe2 h6 16.g4 Bg6 17.Rac1 cxd5 18.cxd5 b5 19.a3 Rc8[/font] gives Black a fair advantage in space (Matveeva-Ushenina, FIDE Knock Out W, Nalchik, 2008).
[font color="purple"]15...Nfd7 16.Rab1 Re8 17.Rfd1 Rc8 18.Rb2 Qe7 19.Qe3 f5 20.Rdb1 f4[/font] draw (B. Kelly-Godena, Euro ChT, Plovdiv, 2003).

If [font color="darkorange"]13.Bg5 h6 14.Bh4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]14...Bg4 15.Rc1 cxd5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]16.Bxf6!? Qxf6 17.Nxd5 Qd8 18.Bb1 Rc8 19.Ne3 Bxf3[/font] gives Black better pawns and a fair advantage in space(Sulashvili-Vysochin, Op, Istanbul, 2006).
[font color="purple"]16.cxd5 b5 17.h3 Bd7 18.Re1 b4[/font] gives Black a slight advantage in space.

If [font color="hotpink"]14...g5 15.Bg3 Bg4 16.Re1 Qe7 17.h3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Uhlmann-Ushenina, TM, Marianske Lazne, 2008).

If [font color="darkred"]8...Qe7 9.0-0 0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]10.Qc2 dxc4 11.bxc4 e5 12.Ne4 Bxd2 13.Nxf6+[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13...Nxf6 14.dxe5 Ng4 15.Nxd2 g6 16.Nf3 Nxe5 17.Nxe5 Qxe5[/font] is equal (Mercadal Benejam-Grodzensky, Corres, 1999).
[font color="burgundy"]13...Qxf6 14.Qxd2 exd4 15.exd4 Rd8 16.Rfe1 Nf8 17.Rab1[/font] gives White a styrong advantage in space and Black stronger pawns (Zatonskih-Stefanova, Rpd OpW, Tbilisi, 2012).

If [font color="magenta"]10.Qe1 a5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]11.a3 Bd6[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]12.c5 Bc7 13.e4 e5 14.exd5 cxd5 15.Nb5[/font] gives White the initiative and more space (Koneru-Stefanova, No Urals Cup, Krasnoturinsk, 2008).
[font color="purple"]12.e4 dxc4 13.Bxc4 e5 14.a4 exd4 15.Nxd4 Qe5[/font] forces White to weaken the kingside pawns; Black also has a queenside pawn majority (Hernandez Carmenates-K. Georgiev, IT, Barcelona, 2008).

[font color="darkorange"]11.Bc2 e5 12.a3 Bd6 13.Nh4 g6 14.f4 e4[/font] is equal (Stefanova-I. Sokolov, World Cup, Khanty-Mansiysk, 2005).

6...Nbd7

If [font color="red"]6...b6 7.cxb6 Nbd7[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]8.Bd3 c5 9.0-0 Qxb6 10.b3 cxd4 11.exd4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]11...Bd6 12.Bb2 0-0 13.Qe2[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13...Bb7 14.Na4 Qa7[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]15.Ne5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]15...Rac8 16.Rfd1 Be7 17.a3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]17...Rfd8 18.Nxd7 Nxd7 19.b4[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space (Prohaszka-Martinovic, IT, 1st Saturday November, Budapest, 2008).
[font color="burgundy"]17...Nxe5 18.dxe5 Ne4 19.Bxe4 dxe4 20.Bd4[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space.

[font color="darkpink"]15...Rfc8 16.Rac1 Bf8 17.Nxd7 Nxd7 18.Rc2 Rxc2 19.Qxc2[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Koneru-Cramling, No. Urals Cup, Krasnoturinsk, 2008).

[font color="darkorchid"]15.Kh1!? Be7 16.Rae1 Bb4 17.Rd1 a5 18.a3 Be7[/font] is equal (Kramnik-Dreev, Russian Ch, Moscow, 2005).

[font color="#C04080"]13...a5 14.Na4 Qa7 15.Rac1 Ba6 16.Bxa6 Qxa6 17.Qxa6 Rxa6 18.Rc2[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Kamsky-Navara, Grand Prix, Baku, 2008).

[font color="#C08040"]11...Be7 12.Bf4 0-0 13.Na4 Qa7 14.Rc1 Bb7 15.b4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Gelfand-Feller, Euro Club Cup, Ohrid, 2009).

If [font color="darkred"]8.Na4 Nxb6 9.Bd2[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]9...Nxa4 10.Qxa4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]10...Bd7 11.Ne5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]11...c5 12.Nxd7 Qxd7 13.Qxd7+ Kxd7[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]14.dxc5 Bxc5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]15.Bd3 Rhb8 16.Rb1 Bb4 17.Bxb4 Rxb4[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space (Gagunashvili-Svetushkin, Ol, Torino, 2006).
[font color="burgundy"]15.Rc1 Rhc8 16.Bd3[/font] draw (Kornev-Rublevsky, Russian Ch HL, Krasnoyarsk, 2006).

[font color="hotpink"]14.f3 cxd4 15.exd4 Be7 16.Rb1 Rhb8 17.Kf2 Ne8[/font] is equal (Johannessen-Kempinski, Bundesliga 0607, Germany, 2007).

[font color="purple"]11...Ne4 12.Ba5 c5 13.Nxd7 Qxd7 14.Qxd7+ Kxd7 15.f3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Ponomariov-Topalov, IT, Sofia, 2006).

[font color="darkorange"]10...Qb6?! 11.Rc1! Bd7 12.Ne5 Qxb2 13.Nxd7 Nxd7 14.Bd3[/font] gives White more freedom; he can defend himself much faster than Black can attack (Dr. Euwe-Dr. Alekhine, World Ch Match, Amsterdam, 1935).

[font color="magenta"]9...Nbd7 10.Rc1 Bb7 11.Bd3 Bd6 12.0-0 Qe7 13.Qc2 0-0[/font] gives White more space and more freedom (G. Wood-Najdorf, SX, Barcelona, 1946).

7.Qc2

If [font color="red"]7.b4 g6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]8.Bb2 Bg7 9.Be2 0-0 10.0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]10...Qc7 11.Na4 Ne4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]12.Ne1 e5 13.dxe5 Nxe5 14.f3 Nf6 15.Nb6[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Bologan-Grischuk, IT, Poikovsky, 2004).
If [font color="darkred"]12.Nd2 Nxd2 13.Qxd2 e5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]14.dxe5 Bxe5 15.Bxe5 Qxe5 16.Rad1 Re8[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]17.Rfe1 Rb8 18.Bf1 Nf6 19.Qd4 Bf5 20.Nc3[/font] is equal (L. B. Hansen-D. Blagojevic, Euro ChT, Novi Sad, 2009).
[font color="darkorange"]17.Qd4 Rb8 18.Rfe1 h5 19.Bf1 Nf6 20.f3 Bf5 21.Nc3 Re7 22.Qxe5[/font] draw (Jussupow-Khenkin, Bundesliga 0506, Germany, 2005).

[font color="magenta"]14.Rac1 Re8 15.Bd3 e4 16.Be2 Rb8 17.h3[/font] is equal.

If [font color="darkred"]10...Qe7[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]11.Na4 Ne4 12.Ne5 Rb8 13.Nxd7 Qxd7 14.f3[/font] gives White the initiative and the advantage in space (Danielian-Cramling, Grand Prix W, Istanbul, 2009).
If [font color="magenta"]11.Qc2 e5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]12.Nxe5 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Qxe5[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]14.Nb5 Qe7 15.Nd6 Ne8 16.Nxe8 Rxe8 17.Bxg7 Kxg7[/font] is equal (Esen-Tregubov, Euro Ch, Warsaw, 2005).
[font color="purple"]14.Na4 Qe7 15.Bd4 Ne8 16.Rfe1 Bf5 17.Qb2[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Johannessen-David, Ol, Torino, 2006).

[font color="darkorange"]12.a4 e4 13.Nd2 Ne8 14.Rae1 f5 15.f4[/font] is equal (R. Rodríguez-Alexopolous, Op, New York, 1994).

If [font color="darkred"]8.Bd3 Bg7 9.0-0 0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]10.Na4 Re8[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]11.Bb2 e5 12.dxe5 Ng4 13.e6 fxe6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.e4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]15...e5 16.Re1 Ngf6 17.Bc2 Rb8 18.Qd2 Qc7 19.h3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Pelletier-Godena, Ol, Dresden, 2008).
[font color="darkpink"]15...Rf8 16.h3 Ngf6 17.Re1 Nh5 18.Bf1 Qf6 19.exd5 exd5[/font] gives White a safer King, command of the open file and a small advantage in space; Black has a passed pawn (Ding Liren-Wang Hao, Chinese Ch, Xinghua, 2009).

[font color="purple"]14.h3 Bxb2 15.Nxb2 Ngf6 16.Qc2 Rf8 17.Qc3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (S. Atalik-Hillarp Persson, IT, Malmö, 2006).

[font color="darkorange"]11.h3 e5 12.dxe5 Nxe5 13.Nxe5 Rxe5 14.Bb2[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Markus-M. Gurevich, World Cup, Khanty Mansiysk, 2005).

If [font color="magenta"]10.Bb2 e5 11.dxe5 Ng4[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]12.e6 fxe6 13.h3 Nge5 14.Nxe5 Nxe5 15.Be2 Nf7 16.Qd2[/font] is equal (Danielian-Cramling, Grand Prix W, Nalchik, 2010).
[font color="darkorange"]12.Na4 Ndxe5 13.Nxe5 Nxe5 14.Nb6 Rb8 15.Nxc8 Rxc8[/font] is equal (A. Pokorny-Foltys, IT, Zlin, 1943).

7...b6 (N)

If [font color="red"]7...e5 8.dxe5 Ng4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]9.Na4 Ngxe5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]11.Bd2 Be7 12.Nb6 Rb8 13.Ba5 Bf6 14.Be2[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Koneru-Zhu Chen, Op, Gibraltar, 2012).
[font color="magenta"]11.Nb6 Rb8 12.Bd2 Nd7 13.Nxd7 Bxd7 14.Bc3[/font] is equal (Nyback-A. Vuckovic, Bundesliga 0405, Germany, 2005).

[font color="darkred"]9.e6 fxe6 10.Bd3 Ngf6 11.Ng5 Nxc5 12.Bxh7 Nxh7 13.Qg6+[/font] gives White the initiative a lot more space (Rajabov-Grischuk, Rpd Op, Corsica, 2003).

8.cxb6

White has a small advantage in space, although both sides must still complete their development.

8...Nxb6 9.Bd2

[center]BLACK: Vishy Anand[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Boris Gelfand[/center][center]Position after 9.Bc1d2[/center]

9...c5!

Black's intention is to give White an isolated pawn.
If [font color="red"]9...Bb7 10.Be2 Bd6 11.0-0[/font] then:

[font color="red"]11...c5 12.dxc5 Bxc5 13.Na4 Nxa4 14.Qxa4+[/font] is equal.
[font color="darkred"]11...Qc7!? 12.e4! dxe4 13.Nxe4 Nxe4 14.Qxe4 Nd5[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space.

10.Rc1

White will take on the burden of the isolated d-pawn.
[font color="red"]10.dxc5 Bxc5 11.Rc1 Be7 12.Bd3 Bb7 13.0-0 0-0[/font] is equal.

10...cxd4 11.exd4 Bd6 12.Bg5!?

This should result in a typically equal Queen's Gambit position.
If [font color="red"]12.Bd3 0-0 13.0-0 Bb7 14.Rfe1 Nc4 15.Bg5[/font] continues to give White a small advantage in space.

12...0-0

If [font color="red"]12...h6![/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13.Bxf6 Qxf6 14.Na4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]14...Nxa4 15.Qc6+ Ke7 16.Qxa8 Qg6 17.a3 Nxb2[/font] gives Black a pawn and activity for the exchange.
[font color="magenta"]14...Qd8 15.Qc6+ Bd7 16.Qxd6 Bxa4 17.Qb4 a5 18.Qd2[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

[font color="darkred"]13.Bh4 Bf4! 14.Rd1 0-0 15.Bd3 Bb7 16.0-0 Nbd7[/font] is equal.

13.Bd3

The game is equal.

13...h6 14.Bh4 Bb7 15.0-0

The players have completed their development. White has a slight advantage in space; Black has better pawns.

15...Qb8!?

Black reinforces the Bishop at d6, but the more active move is to attack the Rook at c1.
[font color="red"]15...Bf4 16.Rce1 Nbd7 17.Re2 Qc7 18.Rfe1[/font] remains equal.

[center]BLACK: Vishy Anand[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Boris Gelfand[/center][center]Position after 15...Qd8b8[/center]

16.Bg3

White takes a slight advantage in space.
[font color="red"]16.Bxf6! gxf6 17.Qe2 Rc8 18.g3 Rc6 19.Rc2[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

16...Rc8

If [font color="red"]16...Bxg3 17.hxg3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]17...Rc8 18.Qe2 Qd6 19.Rc2 Rc7 20.Rfc1[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space.
[font color="darkred"]17...Nbd7!? 18.Qe2! Re8 19.Rfe1 Rc8 20.Rc2 Qd6 21.Qe3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

17.Qe2 Bxg3 18.hxg3 Qd6 19.Rc2 Nbd7

[font color="red"]19...Rc7 20.Rfc1 Nbd7 21.Qd2 Rac8 22.Qe3 Rc6 23.Qf4[/font] continues to give White a slight advantage in space.

20.Rfc1 Rab8

If [font color="red"]20...Rc7[/font] then:

[font color="red"]21.Qd2 Rac8 22.Qe3 Qb4 23.a3 Qa5 24.Qd2[/font] continues to give White a slight advantage in space.
[font color="darkred"]21.Qe1!? Rac8! 22.Qe3 Qb6 23.Na4 Rxc2 24.Rxc2[/font] is equal.

21.Na4 Ne4!?

This would be a good move if the Knight were covered by another piece instead of the d-pawn.
If [font color="red"]21...Rxc2 22.Rxc2[/font] then:

[font color="red"]22...Rc8 23.Rxc8+ Bxc8 24.Qc2 Bb7 25.Nc5[/font] continues to give White a slight advantage in space.
If [font color="darkred"]22...Ne4!? 23.Qe3! f6 24.b3[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]24...Bc6 25.Nc5 Ndxc5 26.dxc5 Qd7 27.Nd4 a5 28.g4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.
[font color="magenta"]24...e5?! 25.dxe5 Nxe5 26.Nxe5 Qxe5 27.Qa7![/font] gives White a fair advantage in space.

22.Rxc8+ Bxc8 23.Qc2

If [font color="red"]23.Qe3 Bb7 24.Qf4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]24...Rc8 25.Rxc8+ Bxc8 26.Bxe4 Qxf4 27.gxf4 dxe4 28.Ne5[/font] gives White stronger pawns; Black's pawn at e4 is especially weak.
[font color="darkred"]24...Ndf6 25.Nc5 Qxf4 26.gxf4 Ng4 27.Rc2 f6 28.b4[/font] gives White a comfortable advantage in space.

23...g5?!

Black weakens his kingside light squares.
[font color="red"]23...Bb7 24.Nc5 Rc8 25.b4 Qb6 26.Qa4[/font] gives White the initiative abd a fair advantage in space.

24.Qc7

White invites an exchange of Queens that leaves a heavy piece intruding in Black's position.
If [font color="red"]24.Nc5! f5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]25.b3 Kg7 26.Qb2[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]26...Kg8 27.Nxd7 Bxd7 28.Ne5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]28...a5 29.g4 a4 30.Nxd7 Qxd7 31.gxf5 exf5 32.b4[/font] gives White a passed pawn and command of the b-file; Black has a slight advantage in space.
[font color="darkorange"]28...Nf6 29.Qd2 Rc8 30.Rxc8+ Bxc8 31.Qa5 Kf8 32.b4[/font] gives White a better center and a substantial advantage in space.

[font color="magenta"]26...a5 27.g4 Kg8 28.Qc2 Kg7 29.Nxd7 Bxd7 30.Ne5[/font] gives White a better center, a remote pawn majority and command of the c-file.

[font color="darkred"]25.b4!? Rxb4! 26.Nxe6 Bb7 27.Nd8 Ba8 28.Qc7[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space after Black is forced to bring his forward fighting units back to the rear for defense.

24...Qxc7 25.Rxc7 f6?

Black weakens e6 and takes a flight square away from his Knight.
Better is to retreat the Knight, although [font color="red"]25...Nef6 26.Nc5 Kg7 27.b4 Nxc5 28.bxc5 Ng4 29.a4[/font] gives White more active pieces, especially the Rook and Bishop, a passed pawn and more space.

[center]BLACK: Vishy Anand[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Boris Gelfand[/center][center]Position after 25...f7f6[/center]

26.Bxe4!

White exchanges Black's most active piece.
[font color="red"]26.b3?! Kf8 27.Bxe4 dxe4 28.Nd2 Ke7 29.Nc4[/font] still gives White the overwhelming position, but he still has to win it.

26...dxe4 27.Nd2 f5

[font color="red"]27...Kf8 28.Nxe4 Ke8 29.Nd6+ Ke7 30.Nxc8+ Kd8 31.Ra7[/font] wins for White; Black's a-pawn cannot be held.

28.Nc4 Nf6 29.Nc5 Nd5

If [font color="red"]29...a5 30.a4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]30...Nd5 31.Ra7 Rb4 32.b3 Nb6 33.Nxb6 Rxb6 34.Rxa5[/font] forces Black's Rook to return to the back rank; White's passed pawns triumph.
If [font color="darkred"]30...h5[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkred"]31.Nxe6 Bxe6 32.Rc6 Bxc4 33.Rxf6.[/font]

30.Ra7

[font color="red"]30.Rc6 Kg7 31.Nxe6+ Bxe6 32.Rxe6 Nb4 33.a3 Nd3 34.Rxa6[/font] gives White two connected passers.

30...Nb4

If [font color="red"]30...Nf6[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]31.a4 Nd5 32.Nd6 e3 33.fxe3 Nxe3 34.b3.[/font]

31.Ne5 Nc2 32.Nc6 Rxb2

[center]BLACK: Vishy Anand[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Boris Gelfand[/center][center]Position after 32...Rb8b2:p[/center]

33.Rc7

The Bishop is trapped.
White also wins after [font color="red"]33.Ra8 e3 34.Rxc8+ Kh7 35.Rc7+ Kh8 36.fxe3.[/font]

33...Rb1+ 34.Kh2 e3 35.Rxc8+ Kh7 36.Rc7+

[font color="red"]36.Ne5 Rb5 37.Rc7+ Kg8 38.d5 Rxc5 39.Rxc5[/font] leaves White up by a Rook.

36...Kh8 37.Ne5 e2 38.Nxe6

Black has no satisfactory response to the threat of 39.Ng6+ Kg8 40.Rg7#.
Sri Anand resigns.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

5. US Championships, St. Louis

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Reply #1)

Wed Jun 6, 2012, 01:37 AM

Jun 2012

[center][/center]

[center]St. Louis[/center][font size="1"]Photo by Daniel Schwen (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User schwen) in Wikipedia
(Creative Commons License, Attribution/Share Alike)
[/font]

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

6. Kamsky - Nakamura, General Group, Round 10

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Reply #5)

Wed Jun 6, 2012, 01:40 AM

Jun 2012

[center]

Hikaru Nakamura
[/center][font size="1"]Photo by James F. Perry in Wikipedia (Creative Commons License, Attribution/Share Alike)
[/font]

Gata Kamsky - Hikaru Nakamura
US Championship (General Group), Round 10
St. Louis, 18 May 2012

Open Rat Sicilian Game: Najdorf-Boleslavsky Defense

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.a4

The most important line, although not the only important line, is the Rauzer Opening, 6.Bg5.[/font] See Yu Yangyi-Negi, Asian Ch, Ho Chi Minh City, 2012, elsewhere on this thread.
Also playable is the Opocensky Opening (6.Be2) or the Yugoslav Opening (6.Be3) See Munguntuul-Sukandar, Asian ChW, Ho Chi Minh City, 2012, elsewhere on this thread.

6...e5

If 6...e6, then White can play either the Opocensky Opening (7.Be2) or the Yugoslav Opening (7.Be3) See Munguntuul-Sukandar.

7.Nf3 Be7

If [font color="red"]7...Qc7 8.Be3 Be7 9.a5 0-0 10.Be2[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]10...Nc6 11.Bb6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]11...Qd7[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]12.Nd2 d5 13.Nxd5 Nxd5 14.exd5 Qxd5 15.0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]15...Bf5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]16.c3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]16...e4 17.Nc4 Qe6 18.Ne3 Bd8 19.Bc4 Qg6 20.Nxf5[/font] give White the advantage in space (Chandler-Portisch, IT, London, 1986).
[font color="burgundy"]16...Qe6 17.Nc4 Qg6 18.Ne3 Be6 19.Bc4 Bd8 20.Qb3[/font] is equal (T. L. Petrosian-Yilmaz, Euro Ch, Budva, 2009).

[font color="darkpink"]16.Nc4 Nd4 17.Bd3 Bxd3 18.Qxd3 Bc5 19.Rfe1[/font] is equal (Harikrishna-And. Volokitin, Young Masters, Lausanne, 2005).

[font color="darkorchid"]15...Be6 16.c3 e4 17.Qc2 Bf5 18.Nc4 Bg6 19.Ne3[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (I. Smirin-Kucynski, Ol, Moscow, 1994).

If [font color="darkred"]12.0-0 Bd8[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13.Qd3 Bxb6 14.axb6[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]14...Rd8 15.Nd5 Nxd5 16.exd5 Ne7 17.b4 Qf5 18.Qxf5 Bxf5[/font] is equal (Osmanodja-Lach, World Jr Ch Girls, Chotowa, 2010).
[font color="burgundy"]14...Qd8 15.Na4 d5 16.Rfd1 Qe7 17.Nd2 Nb4 18.Qa3[/font] is equal (So. Polgar-Spiriev, IT, Budapest, 1990).

If [font color="magenta"]13.Nd2 Bxb6 14.axb6[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]14...Nd4 15.Nd5 Nxd5 16.exd5 Qd8 17.Nc4 Bf5 18.Bd3[/font] is equal (Wu Xibin-Zhao Jun, China Chess League, Chengdu, 2011).
[font color="darkorange"]14...d5 15.exd5 Nxd5 16.Nxd5 Qxd5 17.c3 Rd8 18.Nc4 Qe4[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space (Nepomniachtchi-Berg, Euro Club Cup, Plovdiv, 2010).

If [font color="darkred"]11...Qb8 12.Nd5 Nxe4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13.Nc7 Be6 14.0-0 Bd8 15.Nxa8 Qxa8 16.Bxd8 Qxd8[/font] is equal (N. McDonald-A. Tate, Op, London, 2010).
[font color="magenta"]13.Bc7 Qa7 14.Bb6 Qb8 15.Bc7 etc.[/font] draws (seven seperate games)

If [font color="darkred"]10...Nbd7 11.0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]11...b5 12.axb6 Nxb6 13.Nd2[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13...Bb7 14.Bxb6 Qxb6 15.Nc4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]15...Qc7 16.Ne3[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]16...Rfc8 17.Ra4 a5 18.Qa1 Bc6 19.Bb5 Bxb5 20.Nxb5[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Zhong Zhang-Lin Weiguo, China Chess League, Wuxi, 2005).
[font color="burgundy"]16...Rfb8 17.Bd3 Bd8 18.Qf3 Bc8 19.Ncd5 Nxd5 20.Nxd5[/font] gives White more freedom, the initiative and a small advantage in space(Spasov-Zagorskis, Ol, Turino, 2006).

If [font color="magenta"]15...Qc5 16.Ra5[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]16...Qc7 17.Qd3 Rad8 18.Bf3 Rc8 19.b3[/font] gives White a healthy advantage in space.().
[font color="darkorange"]16...Qd4 17.Nd5 Bd8 18.Qxd4 exd4 19.Nxf6+[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space.

If [font color="magenta"]13...a5 14.Bxb6 Qxb6 15.Nc4 Qc5[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]16.Nd5 Nxd5 17.Qxd5 Qxd5 18.exd5 Ba6[/font] is equal (Z. Almasi-Naiditsch, IT, Heviz, Hungary, 2008).
[font color="darkorange"]16.Na4 Qc7 17.Nab6 Rb8 18.Nxc8 Rfxc8 19.Qd3[/font] is equal (Aginian-Huang Qian, World Team ChW, Ningbo, 2009).

If [font color="magenta"]11...Nc5 12.Nd2 Be6 13.Bf3[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]13...Rad8 14.Qe2 d5 15.exd5 Nxd5 16.Nxd5 Bxd5 17.Bxd5 Rxd5[/font] is equal (Erenberg-Milman, USCL, Cyberspace, 2008).
[font color="darkorange"]13...Rfd8 14.Nd5 Bxd5 15.exd5 e4 16.Bxc5 dxc5 17.Bxe4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Areshchenko-S. Gordon, Bundesliga 0910, Bremen, 2009).

8.Bc4

If [font color="red"]8.Bg5 Be6 9.Bxf6 Bxf6 10.Nd5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]10...Nd7 11.Bc4 Rc8[/font] then:

[font color="red"]12.Qe2 Nb6 13.Nxf6+ Qxf6 14.Bxe6 Qxe6 15.b3 0-0 16.Rd1 Rc6[/font] draw (Svidler-Grischuk, World Cup, Khanty-Mansiysk, 2011).

[font color="burgundy"]12.b3 Qa5+ 13.Qd2 Qxd2+ 14.Nxd2 Bg5 15.Kd1 h5[/font] is equal (Kamsky-Topalov, Candidates' Matches, Kazan, 2011).

If [font color="darkred"]10...0-0 11.Bc4 Nd7 12.0-0 Rc8[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]13.Ba2 Nc5 14.Re1 Bxd5 15.Bxd5 Qb6 16.b3[/font] gives White a fair advantage thanks to his well-placed Bishop (Bosch-Klein, Op, Dieren, 2009).

[font color="magenta"]13.b3 Nb6[/font] draw (I. Smirin-Berkes, Aeroflot Op, Moscow, 2004).

8...0-0

If [font color="red"]8...h6 9.0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]9...Be6 10.Qe2 Qc7[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]11.Bxe6 fxe6 12.Nh4 0-0 13.Ng6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]13...Rf7 14.f4 Nc6 15.Qc4 Qd7 16.fxe5 Nxe5[/font] gives Black the advantage; White has the option of either taking the Bishop at e7 with check or taking the pawn at e5 (Wan Yunguo-Wen Yang, Asian Ch, Ho Chi Minh City, 2012).
[font color="darkorange"]13...Re8 14.f4 exf4 15.Bxf4 Nbd7 16.Nxe7+ Rxe7 17.Rfd1[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Kovalev-Broekmeulen, Euro Club Cup, Fügen, 2006).

[font color="magenta"]11.Bb3 0-0 12.Rd1 Re8 13.Be3 Nbd7 14.Nh4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space(Bruzón Batista-Domínguez Pérez, Capablanca Mem, Havana, 2004).

[font color="darkred"]9...Nc6 10.h3 0-0 11.Qe2 Be6 12.Nd5 Bxd5 13.exd5[/font] gives White an early advantage in space (Zdebskaja-M. Brunello, Wuro ChW, Rijeka, 2010).

9.0-0 Be6 10.Bb3 (N)

[font color="red"]10.Qd3 Nbd7 11.Bxe6 fxe6 12.Qc4 Nc5 13.b4 d5[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space (Su. Polgar-J. Marcus, Op, Singapore, 1990).
If [font color="blue"]10.Qe2[/font] then:

If [font color="blue"]10...Qc7 11.Bb3 Rc8[/font] then:

[font color="blue"]12.Rd1 Nbd7 13.Be3 b6 14.h3 h6 15.Nh4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Peng Xiaomin-Li Shilong, China Chess League, Jinan, 2005).
[font color="dodgerblue"]12.Bg5 Nbd7 13.Rfd1 h6 14.Bxf6 Nxf6 15.Nh4 Qd7[/font] is equal (Ponomariov-Bruzón, World Cup, Khanty-Mansiysk, 2011).

[font color="darkblue"]10...Nc6 11.Rd1 Rc8 12.Bb3 h6 13.Be3 Qc7 14.Nd5[/font] is equal (Adams-Andriasian, Euro Club Cup, Ohrid, 2009).

10...Nc6

The game is equal.

11.Bg5 Na5

[font color="red"]11...Rc8 12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.Nd5 Na5 14.Nxf6+ Qxf6[/font] remains equal.

12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.Bd5

[font color="red"]13.Nd5 Nxb3 14.cxb3 Rc8 15.Qd3 Bxd5 16.Qxd5 Qc7[/font] is equal.

13...Rc8

White has the better center; Black has a small advantage in space.

14.Nd2!?

It is difficult for the observer to determine where the Knight should go from here.
If [font color="red"]14.Qd3 Qb6 15.Rfb1 Qc5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]16.h3 Rfd8 17.Ra3 Nc6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]18.Qd2 Rd7 19.Nd1 Bxd5 20.exd5 Na5 21.Ne3 e4[/font] is equal.
[font color="magenta"]18.Na2 Bxd5 19.exd5 Nd4 20.Nc3 Qc4 21.Qd1 a5[/font] gives Black a slight advantage in space.

[font color="darkred"]16.Rd1!? Rfd8 17.Rab1 Nc6 18.Qe3 Nb4 19.Bb3 Bxb3[/font] gives Black a slight advantage in space.

[center]BLACK: Hikaru Nakamura[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Gata Kamsky[/center][center]Position after 14.Nf3d2[/center]

14...Qc7!

Black has a slight advantage in space.
Also good is [font color="red"]14...Qb6! 15.Rb1 Qb4 16.Qe2 Nc6 17.Qc4 Rfe8 18.Rfd1.[/font]

15.Re1 Bg5 16.Nf1!?

Better is to put the Knight back on f3, where it forces Black to decide what to do the the Bishop.
If [font color="red"]16.Nf3 Bd8 17.Rb1 Qb6 18.Qd3 Qb4 19.Nd2 h6[/font] continues to give Black a slight advantage in space.

16...Qb6!

Black now has the initiative and the advantage in space.

17.Rb1 Nc4 18.Qe2

If [font color="red"]18.Bxc4?! Rxc4![/font] then:

[font color="red"]19.Ne3 Rd4 20.Qf3 Qc5 21.Nf5 Bxf5 22.exf5 Bd2[/font] gives Black a better center better pawns, a strong initiative and more space.
[font color="darkred"]19.Qh5 h6 20.Ne3 Rd4 21.Qf3 Rc8[/font] gives Black a fair advantage in space.

18...Bh6 19.h4?!

White tries to maintain his central Bishop, but the Knight at c4 is a real nuisance and could become more annoying in time
The best thing to do is to eliminate the Knight: [font color="red"]19.Bxc4 Rxc4 20.Ne3 Bxe3 21.Qxe3 Qb4 22.Red1 Rd4[/font] continues to gives Black a fair advantage.

19...Qb4 20.g3

Having advanced the h-pawn, the best thing now is keep advancing.
If [font color="red"]20.h5 Rc5 21.Bxc4 Rxc4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]22.Ne3 Bxe3 23.Qxe3 h6 24.Red1 Rd4 25.Qe2 Rc8[/font] continues to gives Black a fair advantage.
[font color="darkred"]22.Ng3 g6 23.Nf1 f5 24.Ne3 Bxe3 25.Qxe3 fxe4[/font] continues to gives Black a fair advantage.

20...Rc7 21.Kg2

If [font color="red"]21.Bxc4 Rxc4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]22.Red1 Qb6 23.Ne3 Bxe3 24.Qxe3 Qxe3 25.fxe3 Rd8[/font] continues to give Black a fair advantage in space.
If [font color="darkred"]22.Ne3 Bxe3 23.Qxe3 f5 24.exf5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]24...Rxf5 25.Red1 Rf7 26.Rd2 Rf8 27.Rd3 Rc6[/font] continues to give Black a fair advantage in space.
[font color="magenta"]24...Bxf5?! 25.Nd5! Qc5 26.Qxc5 Rxc5 27.Ne7+ Kh8[/font] is equal.

21...Nb6 22.Bb3?!

It seems strange that White, who was laboring to maintain his Bishop at d5, should now voluntarily nove it.
If [font color="red"]22.Red1 Nxa4 23.Nxa4 Qxa4 24.c3 Qd7[/font] continues to give Black a fair advantage in space.

[center]BLACK: Hikaru Nakamura[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Gata Kamsky[/center][center]Position after 22.Bd5b3[/center]

22...Bxb3!?

Black fails to take full advantage of White inaccurate play.
If [font color="red"]22...Nc4 23.Bxc4 Rxc4 24.Ne3 Bxe3 25.Qxe3 f5 26.exf5 Rxf5[/font] gives Black a comfortable advantage in space.

23.cxb3 Qxb3 24.a5

If [font color="red"]24.Red1 Nxa4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]25.Nh2 Nb6 26.Ng4 Qe6 27.Rd3 f5 28.Nxh6+ Qxh6[/font] gives Black two extra pawns, but the Queen is out of play ar h6.
[font color="darkred"]25.Ne3?[/font] drops a pawn to [font color="darkred"]25...Bxe3 26.Qxe3 Rc6 27.Qd3 Nxb2.[/font]

24...Na4?!

Black gives White a chance to equalize.
Better is [font color="red"]24...Nc8[/font] when:

[font color="red"]25.Ne3 Bxe3 26.Qxe3 f5 27.exf5 Ne7 28.g4 h5[/font] continues to give Black a fair advantage in space.
[font color="darkred"]25.Nh2 Ne7 26.Ng4 Qe6 27.Nxh6+ Qxh6 28.Rbd1 Qe6[/font] continues to give Black a fair advantage in space.

25.Nh2?!

White prepares for action on the kingside, but leaves a vacuum in the center.
If [font color="red"]25.Nd5! Rc5 26.Ne7+ Kh8 27.Nf5 d5 28.Nxh6 gxh6[/font] is equal.

25...g6!?

Black has little to fear from White's threat of Nh2g4.
If [font color="red"]25...Nxc3 26.bxc3 Qxc3 27.Ng4 Qxa5 28.Nxh6+ gxh6[/font] continues to give Black a fair advantage in space and now gives him three extra pawns.

26.Ng4!

The Knight drives Black's Bishop from the open diagonal. The game is equal.

26...Bg7 27.Nd5 Rc2!

The text is better than [font color="red"]27...Rc4!? 28.Red1 f6 29.Rbc1[/font] when:

[font color="red"]29...Rc5 30.Rxc5 Nxc5 31.h5 Rf7 32.h6 Bh8 33.Nc3[/font] gives White a small advantage with possibilities on the kingside.
If [font color="darkred"]29...Rxc1 30.Rxc1 Qxb2 31.Qxb2 Nxb2[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]32.Rc7 Rf7 33.Rc8+ Rf8 34.Rc7 Rf7 etc.[/font] draws.
[font color="magenta"]32.Rc2 Nd3 33.Rc7 Nc5 34.f3 h5 35.Nh6+ Bxh6[/font] is equal.

28.Qe3 Nc5 29.h5?!

White could have interposed some effective Zwischenzugs before allowing the exchange of Queens.
[font color="red"]29.Ngf6+! Kh8 30.Nd7 Ra8 31.Nxc5 Qxe3 32.Nxe3[/font] with equality.

[center]BLACK: Hikaru Nakamura[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Gata Kamsky[/center][center]Position after 29.h4h5[/center]

29...Qxe3!

Black takes a slight advantage in space.
If [font color="red"]29...f5 30.Qxb3 Nxb3 31.Nge3 Rd2 32.exf5 gxf5[/font] remains equal.
[font color="blue"]29...gxh5 30.Rh1 Qxe3 31.Ngxe3 Rd2 32.Kf3[/font] remains equal.

30.Ngxe3 Rd2 31.Nc4 Rd4 32.Nxd6 Rd8

Black still has a small advantage in space.
[font color="red"]32...Rb8?! 33.Rbd1! Nb3 34.hxg6 hxg6 35.Rxd4 exd4[/font] is equal.

33.b4 Nd3 34.Nxb7 Nxe1+ 35.Rxe1 Ra8

Black has won the exchange, but White has an extra pawn and better minor pieces.
[font color="red"]35...Rd7 36.Nc5 Ra7 37.Rc1 Bh6[/font] is equal.

36.f3?!

White leaves his King open to lateral checks.
If [font color="red"]36.Nc5 Ra7 37.Rh1 Bf8 38.hxg6 fxg6[/font] is equal.

[center]BLACK: Hikaru Nakamura[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Gata Kamsky[/center][center]Position after 36.f2f3[/center]

36...Bf8!

Black's immediate plan is to tie White's pieces to defending weaknesses.

37.Rc1?!

White leaves two pawns hanging.
Correct is [font color="red"]37.Nc5 gxh5 38.Re2 Ra7 39.Rc2 Kg7 40.Kf2 Rd1,[/font] giving Black a comfortable advantage in space.

37...Bxb4!?

While this isn't a disaster, it would be better to take the other loose pawn.
If [font color="red"]37...gxh5 38.Nc5 Rc8[/font] then:

[font color="red"]39.Kh3 f5 40.Rb1 fxe4 41.Nf6+ Kf7 42.Nfxe4 Rc6[/font] leaves Black up by an exchange; White has better pawns.
If [font color="darkred"]39.Nf6+?! Kh8[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]40.Rb1 Kg7 41.Nxh5+ Kg6 42.g4 Rc6 43.Kh3 Rd2[/font] gives Black an active Rook on the seventh rank and the exchange for a pawn; White's pawns are a little stronger.
If [font color="magenta"]40.Nd5 f5 41.Rc3 Rc6[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]42.Rb3 Bxc5 43.bxc5 Rxc5 44.Rb8+ Kg7 45.Rb7+ Kf8[/font] gives Black the exchange and a pawn; White has better pawns.
If [font color="darkorange"]42.Kh3[/font] then Black wins after [font color="darkorange"]42...Kg7 43.Nc7 Bxc5 44.Rxc5 Rxc5 45.bxc5 fxe4.[/font]

38.Rc7!?

If this were a hockey game, then White just took his gaolie off the ice in the hopes of scoring points with the extra man on offense. I've never seen that work. The White King is on his own.
Better is [font color="red"]38.h6[/font] when:

[font color="red"]38...Bf8 39.Rc7 Bxh6 40.Nd6 Rf8 41.Ra7 f5[/font] leaves Black the exchange to the good.
[font color="darkred"]38...Bd2 39.Rc7 Bxh6 40.Nd6 Rf8 41.Nf6+ Kh8[/font] leaves Black with an exchange and, at least for now, a pawn.

If [font color="blue"]38.hxg6? hxg6![/font] then:

[font color="blue"]39.Nxb4 Rxb4 40.Nd6 Ra4 41.Rc7 Rf8 42.Rc5 Rd8[/font] gives Black the exchange and an active Rook.
If [font color="darkblue"]39.Rc7 Ba3[/font] then:

[font color="darkblue"]40.Nc5 Bxc5 41.Rxc5 Kg7 42.Nb6 Rd2+ 43.Kh3 Rh8+[/font] gives Black the exchange and two active Rooks; White's King is in a mating net.
[font color="dodgerblue"]40.Nf6+ Kg7 41.Nd5 Rh8 42.Rc2 Rb8 43.Rc7 Rd2+[/font] leaves Black's King in a mating net.

38...gxh5 39.Kh3?

Hold out allurements to a hostile army, and make it rush to any given point. -- SunTzu
It is a fatal mistake for the King to attack the weak h-pawn. The active White can attack the King from the back rank and ensnared by Black's pawns, Bishop and King from the front.
[font color="red"]39.Nb6 Re8 40.Nd5 Rf8 41.Nc5 Bxc5 42.Rxc5 Rd2+[/font] gives Black the exchange and an extra pawn, but White has two active pieces against one for Black.

39...Kg7?!

Black wins after [font color="red"]39...Bf8 40.Nf6+ Kg7 41.Rc6 Rd3 42.Nxh5+ Kh8.[/font]

40.Kh4?

The defenseless King goes deeper into the pit.
If [font color="red"]40.Nxb4 Rxb4 41.Nd6 Kf6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]42.Nxf7 42...Ra4 43.Nd6 Rxa5 44.Rxh7 Kg6 45.Rc7 Rf8[/font] leaves Black with a comfortable advantage, but now White is not in so deep that he can't back out.

[font color="darkred"]42.Rxf7+??[/font] loses immediately to [font color="darkred"]42...Ke6!.[/font]

40...Ra7!?

Black wins after [font color="red"]40...Bf8 41.Kxh5 Rd3 42.Kg4 h5+ 43.Kxh5 Rxf3.[/font]

41.Kxh5

If [font color="red"]41.Kg5[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]41...Rd3 42.Nxb4 Rb3 43.Nxa6 Rbxb7 44.Rc6 Rb3.[/font]

[center]BLACK: Hikaru Nakamura[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Gata Kamsky[/center][center]Position after 41.Kh4h5:p[/center]

41...Rxd5!!

Black gives back the exchange in order to reach a smplified ending with a passed pawn and a piece to the good.

42.exd5 Bxa5 43.Re7

If [font color="red"]43.Rc2[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]43...Rxb7 44.Ra2 Rb5 45.d6 e4+.[/font]
If [font color="blue"]43.d6[/font] then Black wins after [font color="blue"]43...Bb6 44.Rd7 a5!.[/font]

43...Bb6!

There is nothing White can do to stop Black's a-pawn.

44.d6

White could have resigned here.
Black emphasizes White's impotence in the position by using his remaining moves to either advance the a-pawn or to remove his King from of a harmless check.

44...a5 45.Kg5 a4 46.Kf5 a3 47.Nd8 a2 48.Ne6+ Kh6 49.Ng5 a1Q 50.Nxf7+ Kg7 0-1

Mr. Kamsky resigns.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

11. Kamsky - Seirawan General Group, Round 9 (Caro-Kann Main Line Theory)

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Reply #5)

Sun Jun 10, 2012, 03:28 AM

Jun 2012

Mr. Kamsky was going for his third consecutive US title. This game againt Yasser Seirawan, America's new comeback kid, is a tour de force of good opening preperation.
[center]

Gata Kamsky
[/center][font size="1"]Photo by Frank Hoppe (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Samson1964) in Wikimedia Commons (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Gata_Kamsky) (Public Domain)
[/font]

Gata Kamsky - Yasser Seirawan
US Championship (General Group), Round 9
St. Louis, 17 May 2012

Open Caro-Kann Game: Main Line (Seirawan Opening)

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4
[center]BLACK[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE[/center][center]Open Caro-Kann Game[/center][center]Position after 4.Nc3e4:p[/center]

4...Bf5

The text is the Main Line of the Open Caro-Kann. Black activates his Bishop before playing ...e6. Many connoisseurs of the Caro-Kann believe that not blocking in the Bishop is the best reason to favor the Caro-Kann over the French Game.
[font color="red"](Knight Defense)[/font] If [font color="red"]4...Nf6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]5.Nxf6+[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]5...gxf6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]6.c3 Bf5 7.Nf3 Qc7 8.g3 Nd7 9.Bg2 0-0-0 10.0-0 e6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]11.Qe2 Bd6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]12.c4 c5 13.b4 cxb4 14.c5 Be7 15.Nh4 Bg6 16.Nxg6 hxg6 17.Rb1 Nb8 18.Bf4 Qd7 19.Bxb8 Kxb8[/font] Black resigns without waiting for White to reply (Tal-Bronstein, X Match, Tbilisi, 1982).
[font color="burgundy"]12.b4 Bg4 13.a4 h5 14.Qd3 h4 15.Nxh4 Rxh4 16.gxh4 Bxh2+[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space (Sarfati-Ker, Queen's Birthday, London, 1990).

If [font color="darkred"]11.Nh4 Bg6[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]12.b4 f5 13.a4 Be7 14.Nxg6 hxg6 15.b5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space; Black's position is cramped (Benjamin-Felber, Op, Philadelphia, 1993).
[font color="magenta"]12.f4 Nb6 13.Qf3 Be7 14.a4 Nd5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space; because Black's Knight is at d5 rather than d7, Black's game is less cramped than the main variation (Nykopp-Rosenlund, Politiken Cup, Copenhagen, 1981).

If [font color="darkred"]a) 6.Nf3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]6...Bg4 7.Be2[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]7...Qc7 8.Be3 Nd7[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]9.c4 e6 10.0-0 0-0-0[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]11.Qa4 Kb8 12.Kh1 c5 13.Rad1 Bd6 14.h3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Vogt-Bronstein, IT, Taastrup, Denmark, 1990).
[font color="burgundy"]11.h3 h5 12.Qc2 Bh6 13.Qc1 Bxe3 14.Qxe3[/font] gives White a small advantage (Karpov-Lee, SX, Chichester, England, 1982).

[font color="darkpink"]9.c3 e6 10.Nh4 Bxe2 11.Qxe2 0-0-0 12.0-0-0[/font] is equal (Rellstab-Bilek, Gotha, 1957).

If [font color="magenta"]7...e6 8.Bf4 Bd6 9.Qd2 Qc7[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]10.Bg3 Nd7 11.0-0-0 0-0-0 12.Kb1[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]12...Nb6 13.Qa5 Kb8 14.Bxd6 Rxd6 15.h3 Bf5 16.Bd3[/font] is equal (Jumaa-Faisal, Op, Abu Dhabi, 2001).
[font color="burgundy"]12...Kb8 13.Nh4 f5 14.Bxd6 Qxd6 15.h3 Bxe2 16.Qxe2[/font] is equal (Kalka-Mittelbachert, Op, Recklinghausen, Germany, 2001).

If [font color="darkorange"]10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.0-0-0 Nd7[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]12.Kb1 0-0-0 13.c4 Kb8 14.Qe3 Rhg8 15.g3[/font] gives White a better center and small advantage in space (Tarve-Haag, IT, Tallinn, 1969).
[font color="purple"]12.Rhe1 0-0-0 13.h3 Bf5 14.Nh4 Bg6 15.Nxg6 hxg6[/font] is equal (Rabar-Milic, NT, Ljubljana, Yugoslavia, 1945).

[font color="darkorchid"]6...Bf5 7.c3 e6 8.g3[/font] transposes into the [font color="red"]main line[/font] of this note.

If [font color="darkred"]b) 6.Bc4 Bf5 7.Ne2 e6 8.c3 Nd7 9.Ng3 Bg6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]10.h4 h5 11.Be2 Qa5 12.b4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]12...Qc7 13.Nxh5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13...Bxh5!? 14.Bxh5! a5 15.Qe2[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]15...axb4? 16.Qxe6+! Kd8[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]17.Qxf7? Bd6 18.Bh6 Qa5 19.Bg4 Re8+ 20.Be3 Re7[/font] is equal.(Daoudi-Henderikse, Op, Gibraltar, 2011).
White wins after [font color="burgundy"]17.Bxf7! Kc8 18.Bd2 bxc3 19.Bxc3 Kb8 20.Kf1.[/font]

[font color="darkpink"]15...Be7 16.b5 cxb5 17.Bd2 b4 18.Rc1[/font] gives Black a comfortable advantage in space.

[font color="darkorchid"]13...a5 14.Nf4 axb4 15.Nxg6 fxg6 16.Bd2 bxc3 17.Bxc3[/font] remains equal.

If [font color="magenta"]12...Qd5?! 13.0-0[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]13...Nb6?! 14.a4! Qd8 15.b5 f5 16.bxc6 bxc6 17.Bf3[/font] gives Black better minor pieces and a strong advantage in space (Unzicker-Miles, Bundesliga 8586, Tyskland, 1985).
[font color="darkorange"]13...0-0-0 14.a4 e5 15.Be3 exd4 16.Qxd4 Qxd4 17.Bxd4[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space.

If [font color="magenta"]10.0-0 Qc7[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]11.Re1 0-0-0 12.Qf3 Bd6 13.Bh6[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]13...Rhg8[/font] then after [font color="magenta"]14.b4 f5 15.b5 f4 16.Ne4 Bxe4 17.Rxe4[/font] is equal (Paoli-Bhend, TT, Mont Pelerin sur Vevey, 1955).
If [font color="darkorange"]13...f5?! 14.h4! f4 15.Ne4 Bxe4 16.Rxe4 e5? 17.Bxf7 Nf6 18.Be6+ Kb8 19.Rxe5 Bxe5 20.dxe5[/font] White wins (Grilic-Gombac, Op, Bled, 2001).
[font color="purple"]16...Nf6 17.Rxf4 Bxf4 18.Bxf4 Qd7 19.Bg5[/font] leaves White with active pieces in compensation for a material deficit; it looks pretty grim for Black.

If [font color="darkorange"]11.a4 0-0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]12.Qe2!? h5![/font] (the game is equal) [font color="darkorange"]13.Rd1?! h4! 14.Nf1 Bh5 15.f3 Bd6 16.a5[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]16...Rdg8!?[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]17.b4?[/font] then Black wins after [font color="darkorange"]h3! 18.g3 Bxg3 19.Kh1 Bxh2[/font] when White is tied in knots (Pohla-Bronstein, IT, Parnu, 1971).
[font color="#8D1B15"]17.h3 a6 18.Rd2 f5 19.Qf2 Bg6[/font] Black has more freedom.

If [font color="purple"]16...h3 17.g3 Rdg8[/font] then:

[font color="purple"]18.Kh1 a6 19.b3 f5 20.Ba3 Bxa3 21.Rxa3 Nf6[/font] gives Black more activity.
If [font color="hotpink"]18.a6[/font] then Black wins after [font color="hotpink"]18...Bxg3!! 19.axb7+ Kxb7 20.Kh1 Bxh2 21.Ne3 Qg3.[/font]

[font color="purple"]13.h4 Bd6 14.a5 Bxg3 15.fxg3 Qxg3[/font] remains equal.

[font color="#C00080"]12.a5! h5 13.h4 c5 14.Qe2[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

If [font color="darkred"]5...exf6 6.Bc4 Bd6 7.Qe2+[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]7...Qe7 8.Qxe7+ Kxe7 9.Ne2 Be6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]10.Bd3 Nd7 11.Bf4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]11...Nb6 12.Bxd6+ Kxd6[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]13.b3 Kc7 14.c4 Rad8 15.Kd2 Rhe8 16.Rae1[/font] gives White more space and stronger pawns; Black has a little more freedom (Matulovic-Smyslov, Ol, Siegen, 1970).
[font color="burgundy"]13.Nf4 Rhe8 14.0-0 g6[/font] draw (Gipslis-Bagirov, Moscow Veterans, 1991).

[font color="darkpink"]11...Rhe8 12.0-0-0 f5 13.Rhe1 Nf6 14.Bxd6+ Kxd6 15.Nf4[/font] is equal (Klovans-Kholmov, Soviet ChT, Moscow, 1966).

If [font color="magenta"]10.Bxe6 fxe6 11.Bf4 Bxf4 12.Nxf4[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]12...Nd7 13.0-0-0 Rhe8 14.Rhe1 Kf7[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]15.Re3 e5 16.dxe5 Nxe5 17.h3 Rad8 18.Nd3 Nxd3+[/font] draw (Geller-Petrosian, Candidates' Trmt, Curaçao, 1962).
[font color="purple"]15.Nd3 Rac8 16.Re3 c5 17.Nxc5 Nxc5 18.dxc5 Rxc5 19.Rd7+ Re7 20.Rxe7+ Kxe7[/font] draw (Ivkov-Matulovic, ITZ, Palma de Mallorca, 1970).

[font color="darkorange"]12...Rd8 13.0-0-0 Nd7 14.Rhe1 Kf7[/font] draw (Braga-Hoffman, Op, Alicante, 1992).

If [font color="magenta"]7...Be7 8.Nf3 0-0 9.0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]9...Bg4 10.c3[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]10...Nd7 11.Re1 Re8[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]12.h3 Bxf3 13.Qxf3 Nb6 14.Bb3 Qd7 15.Bf4[/font] gives White an active Bishop pair and a Rook on an open central file; Black controls the d5 square (Kurajica-Kholmov, TM, Skopje, 1969).
[font color="hotpink"]12.Bd2 Nb6 13.Bb3 Qd7 14.Qd3 c5 15.Bc2 g6[/font] is equal (Patterson-Wettstein, World ChT U26, Ybbs, Austria, 1968).

[font color="purple"]10...Bd6 11.h3 Bh5 12.Re1 Nd7 13.g4 Bg6 14.Nh4[/font] is equal (Maroczy-Tartakover, IT, Utrecht, 1920).

[font color="darkorange"]9...Bd6 10.Re1 Bg4 11.Qe4 Bh5 12.Nh4 Nd7 13.Qf5[/font] gives White a clear advantage (Ragozin-Boleslavsky, National Trmt, Sverdlovsk, 1942).

If [font color="darkred"]5.Ng3[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]5...e6 6.Nf3[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]6...c5 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.dxc5 Bxc5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]9.a3 0-0 10.0-0[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]10...b6 11.b4 Be7 12.Bb2 Qc7 13.b5 Na5 14.Ne5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.(Spielmann-Hönlinger, Match, Vienna, 1929).
[font color="burgundy"]10...Qc7 11.b4 Be7 12.Bb2 Rd8 13.b5 Na5 14.Ne5[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space (Michel-Sanguineti, Mar del Plata, 1947).

[font color="darkpink"]9.0-0 Nb4 10.Bb5+ Bd7 11.Qe2 0-0 12.Bg5 Bxb5 13.Qxb5[/font] is equal (Unzicker-W. Lange, NT, Essen, Germany, 1947).

If [font color="magenta"]6...Nbd7 7.Bd3 c5 8.0-0 Be7[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]9.c3 0-0 10.Qe2[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]10...b6 11.Re1 Bb7[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]12.Ne4 Qc7[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]13.dxc5!? bxc5! 14.Nxf6+ Nxf6 15.Ne5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Nickl-Pavasovic, Op, Graz, Austria, 1998).
If [font color="darkorange"]13.h3 Rfe8 14.Bg5 h6[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]15.Bh4?! cxd4! 16.Nxd4 Nxe4 17.Bxe7 Nxc3 18.bxc3 Rxe7[/font] leaves Black with an extra pawn (Coddens-Almer, World Jr ChG, Istanbul, 2005).
[font color="purple"]15.Bxf6! Nxf6 16.dxc5 bxc5 17.Nxf6+ Bxf6 18.Rad1 Red8[/font] remains equal.

If [font color="darkorange"]12.Ne5 cxd4 13.cxd4 Nd5[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]14.Nf3 N7f6 15.a3 Rc8 16.Bd2 Rc7 17.Rad1[/font] is equal (N. Das-Sasikiran, Op, Calcutta, 1999).
[font color="purple"]14.Bd2 Bb4 15.Rac1 Bxd2 16.Qxd2 N7f6 17.a3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Kashdan-Kotov, TM, Moscow, 1946).

[font color="darkpink"]10...cxd4 11.Nxd4 Re8 12.Kh1 Qc7 13.Bg5[/font] is equal (Panov-Veresov, Soviet Ch, Leningrad, 1934).

If [font color="darkorange"]9.b3 0-0 10.Bb2 b6 11.Qe2 Bb7[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]12.c4 Re8 13.dxc5 Bxc5[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]14.Rad1 Qc7 15.Ne4 Be7 16.Rfe1 Rad8 17.a3 h6 18.b4[/font] draw (Chebotarev-Galkin, Russian Ch ½-final, Kazan, 2005).
[font color="hotpink"]14.Ng5 Qe7 15.Rad1 Rad8 16.N5e4 Nxe4 17.Bxe4 Bxe4 18.Nxe4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Tiviakov-Adams. PCA WorldCh Qual, New York, 1994).

If [font color="purple"]12.Rad1 Qc7 13.c4 Rfe8 14.Bb1[/font] then:

If [font color="purple"]14...Rad8 15.dxc5[/font] then:

[font color="purple"]15...Qxc5 16.Ne4 Qc7 17.h3 Nxe4 18.Bxe4[/font] draw (Matanovic-Petrosian, IZT, Biel, 1976).
[font color="#C03030"]15...Nxc5 16.Ng5 h6 17.h4 Qf4 18.Nh3 Qxh4[/font] gives Black an extra pawn (M. Evans-Beach, Wellington Ch, New Zealand, 1976).

[font color="hotpink"]14...Nf8 15.dxc5 Qxc5 16.Ne5 Ng6[/font] is equal (Spassky-Ciric, IT, Moscow, 1961).

If [font color="magenta"]5...h5 6.h4 Bg4 7.Be2[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]7...e6 8.Bg5[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]8...Qb6 9.Bxf6 gxf6 10.f3 Bf5 11.Nxf5 Qa5+ 12.Qd2[/font] is equal (Abdulla-Ermenkov, Op, Dubai, 2000).
[font color="purple"]8...Nbd7 9.Qd3 Qc7 10.0-0-0 0-0-0 11.Bxg4 hxg4 12.N1e2 Be7[/font] is equal (Gvilava-Bacherikov, Moscow Op, 2007).

If [font color="darkorange"]7...Qc7[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]8.Nf3 Nbd7 9.Ng5[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]9...e6 10.Bxg4 hxg4 11.N3e4 Nxe4 12.Nxe4 0-0-0 13.Bg5 f6[/font] gives Black the initiative; White has a bad Bishop and Black has a good one (Rakhmangulova-Thi Nhu Hoang, World Yout Girls, Porto Carras, 2010).
[font color="hotpink"]9...e5 10.Be3 Bd6 11.Bxg4 Nxg4 12.Qf3 Ndf6 13.Nf5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space and a strong presence on the kingside (Huba-Soska, IT, Prievidza, 1973).

[font color="purple"]8.Bxg4 Nxg4 9.N1e2 e6 10.Ne4 Nd7 11.Bf4 Qa5+[/font] is equal (Tal-Rosenberg, Riga, 1953).

[font color="blue"](Karpov Defense)[/font] If [font color="blue"]4...Nd7 5.Ng5 Ngf6[/font] then:

If [font color="blue"]6.Bd3 e6 7.N1f3 Bd6 8.Qe2 h6 9.Ne4 Nxe4 10.Qxe4[/font] then:

If [font color="blue"]10...Qc7[/font] then:

If [font color="blue"]11.0-0[/font] then:

[font color="blue"]11...Nf6 12.Qh4 b6 13.Bg5 Be7 14.Bf4[/font] gives White a healthy advantage in space (Akopian-Shimanov, Euro Ch, Plovdiv, 2012)
If [font color="darkblue"]a) 11...b6 12.Qg4 Kf8[/font] then:

If [font color="darkblue"]13.b3 Bb7 14.Bb2 Nf6 15.Qh4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkblue"]15...Nd5 16.Ne5 g5 17.Qg4 Nf4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkblue"]18.Rfe1 Rg8 19.Qf3 Rd8 20.Rad1 c5 21.Be4[/font] then:

[font color="darkblue"]21...Bxe4 22.Qxe4 f5 23.Qf3 Bxe5 24.dxe5 Kf7[/font] is equal (Gopal-Rodshtein, World Jr Ch, Yerevan, 2007).
[font color="steelblue"]21...Bxe5 22.dxe5 Bxe4 23.Qxe4 Rxd1 24.Rxd1 Ke7 25.h4[/font] gives White more activity, a safer King and a fair advantage in space (So-Harikrishna, Asian Games TT, Guangzhou, 2010).
[font color="slateblue"]20.Be4 f5 21.Bxc6 Bxe5 22.Bxb7 g4 23.Qc6[/font] gives White an extra pawn and a comfortable advantage in space (Hou Yifan-Sasikiran, IT B, Wijk aan Zee, 2009).

[font color="darkcyan"]18.Qf3 Rg8 19.Be4 Rc8 20.g3 Bxe5 21.dxe5 Nh3+[/font] is equal (Hammer-Rodshtein, Euro ChT, Crete, 2007).

If [font color="dodgerblue"]15...c5 16.dxc5 Qxc5[/font] then:

If [font color="dodgerblue"]17.Bd4 Qa5 18.Bxf6[/font] then:

If [font color="dodgerblue"]18...gxf6 19.Be4 Bxe4 20.Qxe4[/font] then:

If [font color="dodgerblue"]20...Rd8 21.Rad1[/font] then:

[font color="dodgerblue"]21...Qh5?! 22.Rd3 Kg7 23.Rfd1 Bc7 24.Rd7 b5 25.h3[/font] gives White stronger pawns, a better center and a comfortable advantage in space (Ganguly-Rodshtein, Op, Gibraltar, 2004).
[font color="#8040C0"]21...Qc5 22.g3 f5 23.Qd4 Qxd4 24.Nxd4 Be7 25.c4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

If [font color="darkcyan"]20...Kg7 21.Rfd1 Rad8 22.Rd3[/font] then:

[font color="darkcyan"]22...f5 23.Qh4 Qc5 24.Rad1 Be7[/font] is equal (Nijboer-Bologan, Euro Ch, Warsaw, 2005).
[font color="slateblue"]22...Bc7 23.Qg4+ Kh7 24.Qe4+ Kg7 25.Qg4+ Kh7 26.Qe4+ Kg7[/font] draw (Hou Yifan-Berkes, IT, Paks, Hungary, 2007).

If [font color="darkcyan"]18...Bxf3 19.Bb2[/font] then:

If [font color="darkcyan"]19...Bc6?! 20.Qd4 Ke7[/font] then:

[font color="darkcyan"]21.Rfd1?! Qh5 22.Qxd6+ Kxd6 23.Be2+ Qd5 24.Bf3[/font] gives White a marginally better game (Smerdon-Speelman, Ol, Palma De Mallorca, 2004).

21.Rae1 Qh5 22.h3 Rad8 23.g4 Qg5 24.Qxg7

[font color="slateblue"]19...Qh5! 20.Qxh5 Bxh5 21.Rfe1 Rg8 22.h3 Re8 23.a4[/font] gives White an active Rook and more space.

If [font color="darkcyan"]17.Bxf6 gxf6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkcyan"]18.Qxf6 Qh5 19.Be2[/font] then:

If [font color="darkcyan"]19...Rg8 20.g3[/font] then:

[font color="darkcyan"]20...Rg6 21.Nh4!? Rxf6 22.Bxh5 Rc8 23.Rad1 Ke7 24.c4[/font] gives White an extra pawn and stronger pawns; Black is compensated with more space (B. Vuckovic-Berkes, Bosnian ChT, Vogosca, 2007).
[font color="steelblue"]20...Be7?! 21.Qf4! Qh3 22.Rfd1 Rg6 23.Bf1 Qh5? 24.Ne5![/font] (Pijpers-Rauw, Op, Groningen, 2009).

[font color="#0040C0"]19...Bxf3 20.h3 Qe5 21.Qxe5 Bxe5 22.Bxf3 Bxa1 23.Bxa8[/font] continues to give White a fair advantage in space (Karjakin-Bologan, IT, Tomsk, 2006).

[font color="slateblue"]18.Be4 Bxe4 19.Qxe4 Kg7 20.Rad1 Rad8 21.c4[/font] gives White stronger pawn and more space (Bindrich-Erenberg, Euro Ch, Kusadasi, Turkey, 2006).

If [font color="dodgerblue"]13.Re1 c5 14.c3 Bb7[/font] then:

[font color="dodgerblue"]15.Qh3 Rd8 16.Be4 Bxe4 17.Rxe4[/font] is equal (Leko-Bareev, Candidates' Match, Elista, 2007).
[font color="darkcyan"]15.h4 Rd8[/font] then:

If [font color="darkcyan"]16.Bd2 Nf6 17.Qh3 Bxf3 18.Qxf3 cxd4 19.cxd4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkcyan"]19...Qd7 20.a4 Be7 21.Bc3 Qd5 22.Qh3 Bd6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkcyan"]23.Re3!? h5 24.Rae1[/font] then:

If [font color="darkcyan"]24...a5 25.Rf3 Rc8 26.Ba6 Rc7[/font] then:

[font color="darkcyan"]27.Rd3 Ng4 28.Rd2 Rh6 29.Be2 Rg6 30.Bd3[/font] is equal (Shirov-Karpov, Amber Blind, Monte Carlo, 1998).
[font color="#0080C0"]27.Be2 Rh6 28.Rd3 Rg6 29.Qf3 Ng4 30.g3 Rf6[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Schoonhoven-Hnatovsky, Corres, 2003).

[font color="#4000C0"]24...Bf4 25.R3e2 Rc8 26.g3 Bd6 27.Qg2 Rc7[/font] is equal.

[font color="#0040C0"]23.Be2 a5 24.Rac1 h5 25.Bf3 Qa2 26.Bc6[/font] gives White a small advantage with a more active Rook.

[font color="steelblue"]19...Be7! 20.Bf4 Qd7 21.Be5 h5 22.Rac1[/font] continues to give Black a fair advantage in space.

[font color="slateblue"]16.h5 cxd4 17.cxd4 Nf6 18.Qh3 Qc6 19.Be3 Qd5[/font] is equal (Lane-Conquest, British Ch, Scarborough, 1999).

If [font color="darkblue"]b) 11...c5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkblue"]12.Qg4 Kf8[/font] then:

If [font color="darkblue"]13.Qh4 b6 14.Be4 Rb8 15.Rd1 c4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkblue"]16.Bc6![/font] then:

If [font color="darkblue"]16...Ba6?! 17.d5 e5 18.a4 Kg8 19.Nd2[/font] then:

[font color="darkblue"]19...g5 20.Qg4[/font] gives White an outstanding advantage (Ivanchuk-Galkin, World Cup, Khanty-Mansiysk, 2007).
If [font color="darkcyan"]19...b5 20.Bg5 Bxe5 21.dxe5 Qxe5 22.Bxf6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkcyan"]22...gxf6 23.Rab1 cxb3 24.Rxb3 a5 is equal.[/font]
[font color="#8040C0"]22...Qxf6??[/font] drops a Rook to [font color="slateblue"]23.Rd8+!.[/font]

[font color="slateblue"]16...Be7 17.Qe4 Bb7 18.Bxb7 Qxb7 19.Qe2 Qd5 20.Ne5[/font] gives White more freedom/

If [font color="dodgerblue"]16.Ne5 Nf6 17.Bf3 Bb7 18.Bxb7 Rxb7 19.b3 cxb3 20.cxb3 Nd5 21.Bf4 Qe7 22.Qg3[/font] then:

If [font color="dodgerblue"]22...Bxe5 23.Bxe5 Qg5 24.Qd3 Rd7 25.Rac1[/font] gives White more freedom and a small advantage in space (Sadvakasov-Karpov, IT, Hoogeveen, 1999).
[font color="slateblue"]22...Nxf4 23.Qxf4 Kg8 24.Qe4 f5 25.Qe3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Timman-Seirawan, IT, Bali, 2000).

If [font color="dodgerblue"]13.Re1 b6 14.c3 Bb7 15.Qh3[/font] then:

[font color="dodgerblue"]15...Rc8 16.Be4 Bxe4 17.Rxe4 Nf6 18.Re1 Kg8 19.Bd2[/font] is equal (Sadvakasov-Galkin, Aeroflot Op, Moscow, 2005).
[font color="darkcyan"]15...Bf4?! 16.Ne5! Bxc1 17.Nxf7 Kxf7 18.Qxe6+ Kf8 19.Qe7+[/font] gives White an obvious advantage (T. L. Petrosian-Galkin, Euro Ch Kusadasi, 2006).

If [font color="dodgerblue"]12.Re1 Nf6 13.Qh4 Bd7[/font] then:

If [font color="dodgerblue"]14.dxc5 Qxc5 15.Be3[/font] then:

[font color="dodgerblue"]15...Qc7 16.Bd4 Be7 17.Ne5 0-0 18.Ng4 Nxg4 19.Qxg4[/font] gives White an overwhelming advantage in space that allowed him to coast to victory (Negi-Lalith, Op, Dubai, 2006).
[font color="slateblue"]15...Qh5 16.Qxh5 Nxh5 17.Rad1 Nf6 18.Bd4[/font] gives White a queenside majority and a comfortable advantage in space.

[font color="darkcyan"]14.Bg5 Be7 15.dxc5 Qxc5 16.Ne5 Bc6 17.Qh3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Ivanchuk-Karpov, IT, Dortmund, 1997).

If [font color="darkblue"]11.Qg4 Kf8 12.0-0 c5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkblue"]13.c3 b6 14.Re1 Bb7 15.Qh3 Ke7 16.Be4 Bxe4 17.Rxe4 Nf6 18.Re1 Rad8 19.dxc5 bxc5[/font] gives White a modest edge in space, a safer King and better pawn structure (Asrian-Sargissian, Armenian Ch, Yerevan 2000).
[font color="dodgerblue"]13.b3 e5 14.dxc5 Nxc5 15.Bf5 Ne6 16.Bb2 h5[/font] is equal (Wang Hao-Wojtaszek, World Jr Ch, Istanbul 2005).

If [font color="darkblue"]10...Nf6 11.Qe2 Qc7 12.Bd2 b6 13.0-0-0 Bb7 14.Ne5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkblue"]14...0-0-0 15.f4 Kb8 16.Kb1 Rhe8 17.Rhf1 Nd5[/font] White's spatial edge is largely dependent on the Kningt at e5, which may be driven off (Carlsen-Agdestein, Norwegian Ch Rapid Playoff, Oslo 2005).
If [font color="dodgerblue"]14...c5 15.Bb5+ Ke7 16.dxc5 Qxc5 17.a3 Qc7 18.Bf4 Nd5 19.Bg3 Rhd8 20.Rd4 Kf8 21.Kb1 a6 22.Rc4 Qe7 23.Nc6 Bxc6 24.Bxc6 Ra7 25.Bxd5 exd5 26.Bxd6 Qxd6 27.Rd4 b5 28.Qd3 Kg8 29.g3 Qe6 30.Rd1 Rad7 31.h4 Rd6 32.Rd2 Qe1+ 33.Ka2 Qe7 34.Qf3 Qe6 35.Re2 Qc8 36.Qd3 Rc6[/font] gives White stronger pawns (Kamsky-Karpov, FIDE World Ch, Elista, 1996).
[font color="darkcyan"]31.f4 Rd6 32.f5 Qe5 33.h4 h5 34.Qf3[/font] White puts Black's kingside through a shblueder (Khruschiov-Escobedo, Ol, Palma de Mallorca, 2004).

If [font color="darkblue"]6.Bc4 e6 7.Qe2 Nb6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkblue"]8.Bd3 h6 9.N5f3 c5 10.dxc5 Bxc5 11.Ne5 Nbd7 12.Ngf3 Qc7 13.0-0 0-0 14.Bf4 Bd6 15.Rfe1 Nc5 16.Rad1 b6 17.c3 Bb7 18.Bc2 Rfd8 19.Rd4 a5 20.b4 Ba6 21.Qe3[/font] gives White the advantage in space (Godena-Malakhov, Montecatini 1997).
[font color="dodgerblue"]8.Bb3 h6 9.N5f3 c5 10.Bf4 Nbd5 11.Be5 Qa5+ 12.Nd2 b5 13.dxc5 Bxc5 14.Ngf3 0-0 15.0-0 Ba6 16.Bxd5 Nxd5 17.Nb3 Qb6 18.Nxc5 Qxc5 19.Bd4[/font] draw agreed (Nunn-Speelman, IT, Reykjavik 1988).

5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4

The text is the Seirawan Opening.

[center]BLACK[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE[/center][center]Open Caro-Kann Game: Main Line (Seirawan Opening)[/center][center]Position after 6.h2h4[/center]

[font color="red"](Flohr Opening)[/font] If [font color="red"]6.Nh3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]6...e6 7.Nf4 Bd6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]8.Bc4 Nf6 9.c3 Nbd7 10.Qf3 Nb6 11.Bb3 Nbd5 12.Nxg6 hxg6 13.Bg5 Be7 14.0-0-0 b5 15.h4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]15...Rc8 16.Kb1 a5 17.a3 a4 18.Ba2 Qc7 19.Rde1[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space (Rublevsky-Dreev, Bundesliga 1112, Bremen, 2012).
[font color="burgundy"]15...Nd7?! 16.Ne4?! N5f6 17.Bd2 Nxe4 18.Qxe4 a5 19.Qg4?! a4![/font] gives Black a slight advantage in space (Rublevsky-Dreev, Op, Elista, 1998).

If [font color="darkred"]8.h4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]8...Qc7 9.Nxg6 hxg6 10.Ne4 Bf4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]11.g3 Bxc1 12.Qxc1 Nd7[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13.Qe3 Ngf6 14.Ng5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]14...Qa5+ 15.c3 Qd5 16.Rg1 Nb6 17.Bg2 Qa5 18.Bf3[/font] is equal (Makropoulou-Molchanova, Euro ChW, Plovdiv, 2008).
[font color="burgundy"]14...Nb6 15.0-0-0 0-0-0 16.Bh3 Rhe8 17.Rhe1 Kb8 18.Qe5[/font] gives White a small adantage in space (Moylan-Connally, OlW, Torino, 2006).

If [font color="magenta"]13.Bg2[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]13...Ne7 14.Qd2 Nf5 15.c3 Nf6 16.Ng5 0-0-0 17.Qe2 Rhe8[/font] draw (Godena-Asrian, Euro Ch, 2001).
[font color="darkorange"]13...Ngf6 14.Qe3 Nxe4 15.Qxe4 0-0-0 16.0-0-0 Nf6[/font] is equal (Makka-Ledger, Euro Ch Rd 2, Plovdiv, 2012).

If [font color="magenta"]11.Qf3 Bxc1 12.Rxc1[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]12...Ne7 13.g3 Nf5 14.c3 Nd7 15.Ng5 Nf6[/font] is equal (Jakovenko-Izoria, World Youth, Oropesa del Mar, 2001).
[font color="darkorange"]12...Nd7 13.g3 Ngf6 14.Bc4 Nxe4 15.Qxe4 Nf6[/font] gives Black the initiative (Stefanov-Kukov, Bugarian ChT, Borovets, 2001).

If [font color="magenta"]8...Bxf4 9.Bxf4 h6 10.c3 Nf6[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]11.h5 Bh7 12.Qb3[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]12...Qb6 13.Qa3 Nbd7[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]14.Bd6 Rc8 15.b4 a6 16.c4 Qd8 17.Be2[/font] gives White an impressive advantage in space (Hajbok-Georgescu, TT, Brasov, Romania, 2011).
[font color="hotpink"]14.0-0-0 a6 15.Bd6 Rc8 16.Rh4 Nd5 17.c4[/font] gives White an impressive advantage in space (Efimenko-Pantsulaia, Euro Ch, Warsaw, 2005).

[font color="purple"]12...Qe7 13.Be2 0-0 14.0-0 a5 15.a4 Nd5 16.Bd2[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Wang Yue-Shyam, Op 1112, Hastings, 2011).

[font color="darkorange"]11.Qb3 Nd5 12.Bd2 Qc7 13.c4 Nf6 14.Qa3[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space (Radjabov-Nisipeanu, IT, Medias, 2011).

If [font color="darkred"]6...Nf6 7.Nf4 e5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]8.Nxg6 hxg6 9.dxe5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]9...Qa5+ 10.Bd2 Qxe5+ 11.Qe2[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]11...Qxe2+ 12.Bxe2 Nbd7 13.0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13...0-0-0 14.Rad1 Nb6[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]15.Bc1 Bd6 16.Rfe1 Kc7 17.h3 Rhe8 18.Bd3[/font] draw (Radjabov-Anand, IT, Linares, 2008).
[font color="burgundy"]15.Rfe1 Bd6 16.Nf1 Kc7 17.g3 Ne4 18.Bc1 Bc5[/font] is equal (Radjabov-Leko, Amber Blind, Nice, 2009).

[font color="darkpink"]13...Bc5 14.Bc3 0-0 15.Bf3 Rfe8 16.Rfe1 Nb6[/font] gives Black a slight advantage in space (Liang Jirong-Li Wenliang, Asian Ch, Calcutta, 2001).

If [font color="magenta"]11...Nbd7 12.Qxe5+ Nxe5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]13.Bc3 Ned7[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]14.Bc4 Rh4 15.Bb3 Nc5 16.0-0-0 Nxb3+ 17.axb3[/font] is equal (Avsalumov-Kasparov, Soviet Union, 1977).
[font color="purple"]14.0-0-0 Bc5 15.f3 0-0 16.Bc4 Nb6 17.Bb3 Rfe8[/font] is equal (Kamsky-Landa, IT 0910, Reggio Emilia, 2010).

[font color="darkorange"]13.Be2 0-0-0 14.Rd1 Bc5 15.0-0 Rhe8 16.h3 Rd4[/font] is equal (Godena-Mamedyarov, Euro Ch Rd 4, Plovdiv, 2012).

If [font color="magenta"]9...Qxd1+ 10.Kxd1 Ng4[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]11.Ne4 Nxe5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]12.Be2 Be7 13.c3[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]13...0-0 14.Kc2 Nbd7 15.Bf4 Nf6 16.Nxf6+ Bxf6 17.h4[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space (Yemelin-Burmakin, Russian Ch, St. Petersburg, 1998).
[font color="hotpink"]13...Ned7 14.Bf4 Nc5 15.Nxc5 Bxc5 16.Bc4 0-0 17.Kc2[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space; Black has to fins a post for the Knight in order to complete his developement while White should cover his f-pawn (Keres-Kalia, Tng Game, Helsinki, 1943).

[font color="purple"]12.Bf4 Nbd7 13.c3 0-0-0 14.Kc2 f6 15.Re1[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Stein-Kholmov, Soviet Ch, Leningrad, 1963).

[font color="darkorange"]11.Ke1 Nxe5 12.f4 Ng4 13.h3 Nf6 14.Kf2[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Zaslavsky-Kantarji, Israeli Ch, Haifa, 2010).

If [font color="magenta"]8.dxe5 Qa5+ 9.c3 Qxe5+[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]10.Be2 Nbd7 11.0-0 0-0-0 12.Qa4 Bc5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]13.Nd3 Bxd3 14.Bxd3 Nb6 15.Qc2[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]15...h5 16.Bf5+ Kb8 17.Bg5 Rde8 18.Qd2 Nc4[/font]gives Black the initiativeand command of the e-file (Sutovsky-Jobava, Euro Club Cup, Rethymnon, 2003).
[font color="hotpink"]15...Nbd5 16.Bd2 h5 17.b4 Bb6 18.Rfe1 Qd6 19.Rad1[/font] is equal (Palac-Jobava, Euro Ch, Kusadasi, 2006).

[font color="purple"]13.Nxg6 hxg6 14.Bf4 Rh4 15.Bxe5 Rxa4 16.Bxf6 Nxf6[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space (N. Guliev-Hoffmann, Bundesliga 0708, Germany, 2007).

[font color="darkorange"]10.Qe2 Nbd7 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.Bf4 Qxe2+ 13.Bxe2 Bc5[/font] is equal (Tiviakov-V. Popov, Euro Ch, Budva, 2009).

6...h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6

If [font color="red"]10...Ngf6 11.Bf4 e6 12.0-0-0 Be7[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13.Ne4 Qa5 14.Kb1 0-0 15.Nxf6+ Nxf6 16.Ne5 Rad8 17.Qe2[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]17...c5 18.Ng6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]18...fxg6? 19.Qxe6+! Kh8 20.hxg6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]20...Ng8 21.Bxh6!! gxh6 22.Rxh6+!! Nxh6 23.Qxe7 Nf7 24.gxf7 Kg7 25.Rd3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]25...Rd6 26.Rg3+! Rg6 27.Qe5+ Kxf7 28.Qf5+ Rf6 29.Qd7#[/font] White wins (Carlsen-Ernst, IT C, Wijk aan Zee, 2004).
[font color="burgundy"]25...Qb6 26.Rg3+! Kh7 27.Qe4+[/font] leads to mate.

If [font color="darkpink"]20...Qb6[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkpink"]21.Qxe7 Ng8 22.Qe4 Rfe8 23.Be5.[/font]

[font color="darkorchid"]18...Rfe8 19.Nxe7+ Rxe7 20.dxc5 Red7 21.Rxd7 Rxd7 22.Be3[/font] leaves White with an extra pawn, but it is weak and Black has more space.

[font color="#C06000"]17...Qb6 18.c3 c5 19.Be3 Nd5 20.Ka1 Qc7[/font] is equal (Anand-Bareev, TM, Moscow, 2002).

If [font color="darkred"]a) 13.Ne5 0-0 14.c4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]14...c5 15.d5 Nxe5 16.Bxe5 Ng4 17.Bxg7[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]17...Kxg7 18.Qe2 Bg5+ 19.Kb1 Nf6 20.dxe6 Qc8 21.e7![/font] gives White command of the center, a passed pawn knocking at the gate and a fair adantage in space; Black will be able to blockade the pawn for a while (Karpov-Dr. Hubner, IT, Tilburg, 1982).
If [font color="magenta"]17...Bg5+ 18.Kb1 Nxf2![/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]19.Qc3? Re8! 20.Rdf1 Nxh1 21.Ne4 e5 22.Bf6 Bxf6 23.Nxf6+ Kg7[/font] gives Black an extra pawn and a strong initiative (Bezemer-Peelen, Op, Amsterdam, 2001).
[font color="darkorange"]19.Qf3 Nxd1 20.Bxf8 Nxb2 21.Kxb2 Qb6+ 22.Qb3 Bf6+[/font] gives Black an extra pawn.

If [font color="magenta"]14...Qa5 15.Kb1 Rad8 16.Qe2[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]16...Qa6? 17.Ng6! Rfe8 18.Nxe7+ Rxe7 19.Nf5 Ree8 20.Nd6[/font] gives White more active pieces and an overwhelming advantage in space (Nikolenko-V. Ivanov, Geller Mem, Moscow, 1999).
[font color="darkorange"]16...Rfe8! 17.Ne4 Nxe4 18.Qxe4 Nxe5 19.Bxe5[/font] is equal.

If [font color="darkred"]b) 13.Kb1 0-0 14.Ne4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]14...Nxe4 15.Qxe4 Nf6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]16.Qe2 Qd5 17.Ne5 Qe4 18.Qxe4 Nxe4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]19.Rhe1 Nf6 20.g4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]20...a5 21.c3 Rfc8 22.f3 b5 23.Nd3 Nd5 24.Bg3[/font] is equal (Bologan-Dreev, IT, Poikovsky, 2005).
[font color="burgundy"]20...Rfd8 21.c4 Rac8 22.Kc2 Nd7 23.b3 Nxe5 24.dxe5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Ganguly-Dao Thien Hai, Asian Ch, Subic Bay, 2009).
[font color="#C06000"]20...Bd6 21.f3 a5 22.a4 b5 23.Ng6 Bxf4 24.Nxf4[/font] is equal (Kotronias-Arutinian, Euro Ch, Kusadasi, 2007).

[font color="darkpink"]19.Be3 Rfd8 20.g4 c5 21.f3 cxd4 22.Rxd4 Rxd4 23.Bxd4 Nd2+[/font] gives Black a small advantage (Fier-Krush, Op, Gibraltar, 2012).

[font color="hotpink"]16.Qd3 Qa5 17.Ne5 Rad8 18.Qg3 Kh8 19.c4 Nd7 20.Nd3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Naiditsch-Akopian, Euro Club Cup, Rethymnon, Crete, 2003).

If [font color="magenta"]14...Qa5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]15.g4 Nxg4 16.Ne5 Ndxe5 17.dxe5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]17...Rad8 18.Qh3 Qb4 19.Qg2 Rxd1+ 20.Rxd1[/font] gives White a grip on d6 (Haba-Polak, Czech Ch, Karlovy Vary, 2004).
[font color=burgundy"]17...f5 18.exf6 Nxf6 19.Rdg1 Nxe4 20.Qxe4 Qf5[/font] is equal (Haba-Gyimesi, Bundesliga 0405, Germany, 2004).

If [font color="darkorange"]15.Ne5 Nxe4 16.Qxe4 Rad8 17.g4 Nxe5 18.Bxe5 Bd6 19.f4 Bxe5 20.fxe5[/font] is equal (Bruzón-Izoria, Ol, Palma de Mallorca, 2004).

11.Bd2

If [font color="red"]11.Bf4 Qa5+ 12.Bd2 Bb4 13.c3 Be7 14.c4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]14...Qc7 15.0-0-0 Ngf6 16.Kb1 0-0 17.Rhe1[/font] then:

[font color="red"]17...a5 18.Bc1 Rfd8 19.Qc2 a4 20.Ne5 Nxe5 21.dxe5 Rxd1 22.Qxd1 Nd7 23.f4 Nc5 24.Ne4 Rd8[/font] is equal (Leko-Ivanchuk, IT, Morelia-Linares, 2008).
[font color="burgundy"]17...Rfd8 18.Qc2 a5 19.a3[/font] gives White the advantage in space (Hou Yifan-Iordachescu, Aeroflot Op, Moscow, 2008).

If [font color="darkred"]14...Bb4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]15.Ne4 Bxd2+ 16.Nfxd2 Ngf6 17.Nd6+ Ke7 18.Nxb7 Qb4 19.Qa3 Qxa3 20.bxa3 c5 21.dxc5 Rhc8 22.Rb1 Nxc5 23.Ke2[/font] gives White an extra pawn (Brandenburg-Pantsulaia, World Jr Ch, Yerevan, 2006).
[font color="magenta"]15.a3 Bxd2+ 16.Qxd2 Qxd2+ 17.Kxd2 Ngf6 18.Kc3 c5 19.dxc5 Nxc5 20.Rhe1 0-0 21.Ne5 Rfc8 22.b4 Ncd7 23.Nxd7 Nxd7 24.Ne4[/font] gives White more space, but with so few pieces on the board the queenside majority may be more important (Mulyar-Figler, Foxwoods Op, Mashantucket, 2007).

11...Ngf6

If [font color="red"]11...Qc7 12.0-0-0 Ngf6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13.Ne4 0-0-0 14,g3 [/font] then:

If [font color="red"]14...Nxe4 15.Qxe4 Nf6 16.Qe2 Bd6 17.Kb1 Rhe8 18.c4 c5 19.Bc3 Qc6 20.Rh4 Rd7[/font] then:

[font color="red"]21.a3 cxd4 22.Nxd4 Qa6 23.Nb5 e5 24.Rhh1[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space (Velimirovic-Akesson, Bela Crkva, 1994).
[font color="burgundy"]21.Rc1 Red8 22.a3 Bc7 23.b4 cxd4 24.Nxd4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Negi-Chabanon, Op, Cappelle-la-Grande, 2010).

[font color="darkpink"]14...Nc5 15.Nxc5 Bxc5 16.c4 Bb6 17.Bc3 Rhe8 18.Kb1 a6 19.Qc2 Re7 20.Ne5[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space (Tal-Miles, IT, Bugojno, 1984).
If [font color="darkred"]13.Kb1 0-0-0 14.c4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]14...Bd6 15.Ne4 Nxe4 16.Qxe4 Nf6 17.Qe2 c5 18.Bc3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]18...cxd4 19.Nxd4 a6 20.g3[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]20...Bc5 21.Ka1 Rd7 22.Nb3 Rhd8 23.Rc1 Qc6 24.Rh4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Berg-Hole, Norwegian ChT, Oslo, 2010).
If [font color="magenta"]20...Rd7 21.Rc1 Kb8[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]22.Nb3 Qc6 23.Rh4 Rhd8 24.c5 Bc7 25.Rc4 Rd3 26.Nd4 Qe4 27.Qxe4 Nxe4[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]28.Nc6+ bxc6 29.Rxe4 Rg8 30.Rg4 Rd5 31.Rh1 Be5 [/font] is equal (Sethuramen-Pakidze, World Jr Ch G, Puerto Madryn, Argentina, 2009).
[font color="purple"]28.Kc2 Nxf2 29.Rf1 Bxg3 30.Ne2 Nd1 31.Rxd1 Rxd1[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space (Sethuraman-Yu Ruiyuan, Asian Ch, Ho Chi Minh City, 2012).

[font color="darkorange"]22.Rh4 Rhd8 23.Qe1 Rc8 24.Nb3 Qc6 25.c5[/font] gives White the initiative and more space (Negi-Postny, Politiken Cup, Helsignør, 2009).

[font color="burgundy"]18...Rhe8 19.g3 Qc6 20.Rh4[/font] transposes.

If [font color="magenta"]14...c5 15.Bc3 cxd4 16.Nxd4 a6 17.Nb3 Be7[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]18.Ba5 b6 19.Bc3 Nc5 20.Qf3 Qb7 21.Qxb7+ Kxb7[/font] is equal (Spassky-Portisch, Candidates' Match, Mexico City, 1980).
[font color="darkorange"]18.Qe2 Nc5 19.Be5 Bd6 20.Rxd6 Rxd6[/font] is equal (Schütze-Cioara, Bundesliga 0910, Munich, 2010).

12.0-0-0 Be7 13.Ne4 Nxe4

If [font color="red"]13...0-0 14.Kb1 c5 15.dxc5 Nxc5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]16.Nxc5 Bxc5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]17.Be3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]17...Qb6 18.Bxc5 Qxc5 19.Qd4 Rac8 20.c3 Qf5+[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Zawadzka-Houska, Mindsports Rpd, Beijing, 2008).
[font color="darkorange"]17...Qxd3 18.Rxd3 Bxe3 19.Rxe3 Rfd8 20.Kc1 Rac8[/font] gives Black a slight advantage in space (Kjurkchiiski-Kreisl, Euro Ch, Plovdiv, 2012).

[font color="magenta"]17.Qe2 Qb6 18.Ne5 Rfd8 19.g4 Bd4 20.Nd3 Nd5 21.g5[/font] is equal; 21.c4! pushes the Knight back and gives White a better game (Garma-Lobron, Ol, Novi Sad, 1990).

[font color="darkred"]16.Nxf6+ Bxf6 17.Qxd8 Rfxd8 18.Be3 Na4 19.Rxd8+ Rxd8[/font] is equal (Kholmov-Nielsen, IT, Azov, 1993).

14.Qxe4 Nf6 15.Qd3

If [font color="red"]15.Qe2 Qd5 16.c4 Qe4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]17.Qxe4 Nxe4 18.Be3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]18...0-0 19.Ne5 Rfd8 20.g4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]20...c5 21.Kc2 cxd4 22.Rxd4 Rxd4 23.Bxd4 a6 24.Re1[/font] gives White more activity and the advantage in space (Zhang-Xiaowen-Hoang Thi Bao Tram, Asian ChW, Subic Bay, 2009).
If [font color="darkred"]20...Rac8 21.f3 Nd6[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]22.b3 b5 23.c5 Ne8 24.Kc2 Bf6 25.f4[/font] gives White a small advantage i space (Anisimov-Rianzantsev, Euro Ch, Rijeka, 2010).
[font color="magenta"]22.Kb1 b5 23.cxb5 cxb5 24.d5 exd5 25.Rxd5[/font] gives White a slim advantage in space (Sukandar-Cheremnova, World Univ ChW, Zürich, (2010).

If [font color="darkred"]18...Nd6 19.b3 b5 20.c5 Ne4 21.Kc2[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]21...Nf6 22.Bf4 Nd5 23.Be5 f6 24.Bg3[/font] is equal (Szczepkowska Horowska-Gunina, World ChTW, Ningbo, 2009).
[font color="magenta"]21...Rc8 22.Ne5 Nf6 23.a4 b4 24.g4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Kulaots-Grant, Euro Ch, Istanbul, 2003).

If [font color="darkred"]17.Be3 b5 18.Rh4 Qh7 19.Ne5 Rc8[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]20.c5 Nd5 21.Rg4 Bf6 22.Bd2 0-0 23.Re1 Rfe8[/font] is equal (Khamrakulov-Margvelashvili, World Jr Ch, Yerevan, 2007).
[font color="magenta"]20.g4 Nd5 21.Rh3 bxc4 22.Qxc4 0-0 23.Nd7 Rfd8[/font] gives Black the initative and a small advantage in space (Nedev-Dreev, World ChT, Yerevan, 2001).

15...0-0 16.Kb1

If [font color="red"]16.g4 Nxg4 17.Rhg1[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]17...f5 18.Qe2 Kh7 19.Ne5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]19...Nxe5 20.dxe5 Rf7 21.Bxh6 Qa5 22.Qc4 Qxe5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]23.Rge1 Qf6 24.Bd2[/font] then:

[font color="red"]24...e5?! 25.f4 b5 26.Qb3[/font] givwes White more tactical opportunities and a safer King (Kuloats-Schroll, Euro Ch, Aix-les-Bains, 2011).
[font color="purple"]24...Rd8 25.h6 Qd4 26.Qxe6 Qd5 27.hxg7 Qxe6 28.Rxe6[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

[font color="darkorange"]23.Bf4 b5 24.Bxe5 bxc4 25.Rg6[/font] gives White more activity and stronger pawns (Spraggett-Oms Pallise, Op, Barcelona, 2011).

[font color="magenta"]19...Qd5 20.Nxg4 fxg4 21.Qxg4 Bg5 22.Bxg5 Qxg5+ 23.Qxg5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

[font color="darkred"]17...Nxf2 18.Qe2 Nxd1 19.Bxh6 Bf6 20.Bxg7 Bxg7 21.h6[/font] is equal (Hovhannisyan-Akopian, Euro Ch, Plovdiv, 2012).

If [font color="blue"]16.Ne5 c5 17.dxc5 Qc7 18.Bc3[/font] then:

[font color="blue"]18...Rfd8 19.Qf3 Bxc5 20.Ng4 Nd5 21.Be5 Bd6 22.Rxd5 exd5[/font] is equal (Butkiewicz-Vuckovic, Op, Cappelle-la-Grande, 2011).
[font color="darkblue"]18...Qxc5 19.Qd4 Qc7 20.Qc4 Rfc8 21.Qxc7 Rxc7 22.Bd4 b5[/font] is equal (R. Mamedov-Izoria, Op, Batumi, 2001).

16...c5 17.g4

[font color="red"]17.Qe2 Qb6 18.Be3 Rfd8 19.dxc5 Bxc5 20.Bxc5 Qxc5[/font] gives Black a slight advantage in space (Ivanchuk-Al-Modiaki, Grand Prix, Sochi, 2008).

17...Nxg4 18.Qe2 Kh8?! (N)

Black's novelty is where he starts getting into trouble.
If [font color="red"]18...Qb6 19.Rhg1 f5 20.Ne5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]20...cxd4 21.Nd7 Qa6[/font] is equal (Pakidze-Girya, World Jr Ch (Girls), Chennai, 2011).
[font color="darkred"]20...Nxe5 21.Qxe5 Bf6 22.dxc5[/font] gives White a slight advantage (Fierro Baquero-Houska, OlW, Dresden, 2008).

[center]BLACK: Yasser Seirawan[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Gata Kamsky[/center][center]Position after 18...Kg8h8[/center]

19.Rhg1!

White has the initiative and a small advantage in space..

19...Nf6?!

Black already has big problems.
A better try is [font color="red"]19...f5 20.dxc5[/font] when:

[font color="red"]20...Qc7 21.Nd4 Rae8 22.Nxe6 Bxc5 23.Qxg4 Rxe6 24.Qf3[/font] gives White more space and freedom; Black has stronger pawns.

If [font color="darkred"]20...Qe8 21.Bc3 Rd8 22.Nd4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]22...e5 23.Ne6 Rxd1+ 24.Rxd1 Rf6 25.Bxe5 Nxe5 26.Qxe5[/font] leaves White with an extra pawn.

If [font color="magenta"]22...Bf6?[/font] then White wins after [font color="magenta"]23.Nxe6 Rxd1+ 24.Rxd1 Rg8 25.f3.[/font]

20.dxc5 Qc7

Black removes the Queen from from discovered attack.
If [font color="red"]20...Bxc5??[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]21.Bxh6!! Qxd1+ 22.Rxd1 gxh6 23.Ne5.[/font]

21.Ne5!

White is focusing on g6.
[font color="red"]21.Bc3?! Rad8! 22.b4 Qf4 23.Rxd8 Rxd8 24.a3 Bf8[/font] is equal.

21...Bxc5?

Black's game is crumbling. He would have had better chances here by providing White with more difficulty in the center.
If [font color="red"]21...Rad8 22.b4 a5 23.a3 Rd5 24.f4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]24...axb4 25.axb4 b6 26.Qg2 Nxh5 27.Qg4[/font] forces further concession from Black on the kingside.
[font color="darkred"]24...Qd8? 25.c4! Rd4 26.Bc3 Rxd1+ 27.Rxd1 Qa8 28.Kb2![/font] gives White enormous pressure in the center and on the queenside while Black is unable to find counterplay anywhere.

If [font color="blue"]21...Rg8? 22.Nxf7+ Kh7 23.Qd3+ g6 24.hxg6+.[/font]

[center]BLACK: Yasser Seirawan[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Gata Kamsky[/center][center]Position after 21...Be7c5:p[/center]

22.Bxh6!!

The key to a successful sacrifice is to be able to flood the neighborhood of the sacrifice with pieces in a coordinated attack.
If [font color="red"]22.Bf4? Qe7 23.Rg6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]23...Kg8 24.Rg3 Kh8[/font] is equal.
If [font color="darkred"]23...fxg6??[/font] then [font color="darkred"]24.Nxg6+![/font] wins the Queen,

22...gxh6 23.Rd7!

This is White's only good move.

23...Qxd7

If [font color="red"]23...Qb8 24.Rg6!![/font] then:

If [font color="red"]24...Ng8[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]25.Qe4 Qe8 26.Nxf7+ Qxf7 27.Rxf7 Rxf7 28.Qe5+.[/font]
If [font color="darkred"]24...fxg6??[/font] then [font color="darkred"]25.Nxg6+ Kg8 26.Qxe6+ Rf7 27.Qxf7#.[/font]

24.Nxd7 Nxd7

No better is [font color="red"]24...Rg8 25.Rxg8+ Rxg8 26.b4 Nxd7 27.Qd2 Rg1+ 28.Kb2.[/font]

25.Qd2 Kh7 26.b4 Rad8

[font color="red"]26...Ne5 27.bxc5 Rg8 28.Rd1 Nc6 29.Qd3+ Kg7 30.Qc3+[/font] continues to give White a material advantage, more activity and more space.

[center]BLACK: Yasser Seirawan[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Gata Kamsky[/center][center]Position after 26...Ra8d8[/center]

27.bxc5

For the first time in the game, Mr. Kamsky had to think. Up to here, he simply followed his home preparation, which he revealed after the game was originally put together before his candidates' match against Topalov in 2009.
The time control in St. Louis was 90 minutes for 40 moves plus a 30 second increment per move. At this point, Mr. Seirawan was in serious time trouble, but Mr. Kamsky actually had more time on his clock than when the game started.

27...Nf6

If [font color="red"]27...Nxc5[/font] then [font color="red"]28.Qf4 Nd7 29.Rd1 Ne5 30.Rxd8 Rxd8 31.Qe4+[/font] wins the Knight.
The rest needs no comment.

28.Qf4 Ne8 29.Qe4+ Kh8 30.Qxb7 Ng7 31.Qxa7 Rc8 32.Rd1 Nf5 33.Rd7 Kg7 34.a4 Kf6 35.a5 1-0

Mr. Seirwan resigns.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

12. Krush - Abrahamyan, Women's Group, Round 5

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Reply #5)

Sun Jun 10, 2012, 02:29 PM

Jun 2012

International Master Irina Krush repeats as US women's champion.
[center]

Irina Krush
[/center][font size="1"]Photo by Frank Hoppe (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Samson1964) in Wikimedia Commons (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Irina_Krush) (Public Domain)
[/font]

Irina Krush - Tatev Abrahamyan
US Championship (Women's Group), Round 5
St. Louis, 13 May 2012

West India Game: King's Indian Defense

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.Nc3 0-0 5.g3 d6 6.Bg2 Nc6 7.0-0 a6

For a survey of this opening up to here and for what follows 8.d5, see Maiorov-B. Socko, Euro Ch, Rijeka, 2010.
In this game, Black does not put a pawn in the center unitl her 17th move, and even then as part of an exchange. She never extablishes a center pawn or either Bishop's pawn permantly on the fourth rank. The serious student should recall Nimzovich's remarks on pawnless advances and how to punish them in My System.

8.Bf4 Rb8 9.c5 (N)

If [font color="red"]9.Rc1 Bd7[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]10.Qd2 b5 11.Nd5 Ne4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]12.Qc2 f5 13.cxb5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13...Rxb5 14.Nc3 Nxc3 15.Qxc3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]15...e6 16.Rfd1 Rb6 17.Qa3 Qb8 18.b3 Nb4 19.Bd2[/font] is equal (Xiu Deshun-Ju Wenjun, Asian Ch, Ho Chi Minh City, 2012).
If [font color="darkred"]15...e5?! 16.dxe5![/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]16...Kh8? 17.a4! Ra5 18.Rfd1 dxe5 19.Nxe5 Rxe5 20.Bxc6[/font] leaves Black without counterplay; White soon won (E. L'Ami-Erdogdu, Euro Ch, Rijeka, 2010).
[font color="magenta"]16...Nxe5 17.Nxe5 Bxe5 18.Bxe5 Rxe5 19.Qxc7[/font] gives White more activity and a lot more space.

[font color="burgundy"]13...axb5!? 14.Nxc7 Qxc7 15.d5 Rfc8 16.dxc6 Be6 17.Ng5[/font] gives White an extra pawn and the initiative (Kanep-O. Simon, Op, Cappelle-la-Grande, 2012).

[font color="darkpink"]12.Qe3 f5 13.Bh6 bxc4 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.Rxc4 Be6[/font] is equal (Grabarczyk-Kasimdzhanov, Bundesliga West, Germany, 2004).

[font color="darkorchid"]10.e4 Re8 11.d5 Na5 12.Qe2 c5 13.e5 Nh5[/font] is equal (Larsen-Dr. Nunn, IT, Tilburg, 1982).

9...b5?!

Black should first cover her hanging pieces.
[font color="red"]9...Bd7 10.Qd2 b5 11.cxb6 cxb6 12.Rfe1 Rc8 13.Bg5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

[center]BLACK: Tatev Abrahamyan[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Irina Krush[/center][center]Position after 9...b7b5[/center]

10.cxb6!

White has a fair advantage in space.

10...Rxb6 11.Rc1!?

[font color="red"]11.d5 Na7 12.Be3 Rb7 13.Rb1 Nb5 14.Nd4[/font] continues to give White a fair advantage in space.

11...Bd7

If [font color="red"]11...Rb8[/font] then:

[font color="red"]12.Qd2 Na7 13.e4 Nb5 14.Nxb5 Rxb5 15.Rfe1[/font] gives White a better center and more space.
If [font color="darkred"]12.Ng5 e5 13.dxe5 dxe5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]14.Be3 Nd4 15.b3 Rb6 16.Qd2 Bf5 17.Nge4[/font] gives White stronger pawns.
[font color="magenta"]14.Bxc6 exf4 15.Qxd8 Rxd8 16.Rfd1 Rd6 17.Na4[/font] is equal.

12.Qd2

If [font color="red"]12.b3!? Na7[/font] then:

[font color="red"]13.Qc2 Nb5 14.Nxb5 axb5 15.Ne1 c6 16.Nd3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space after 16...Nd5!.
If [font color="darkred"]13.Qd3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13...Nb5 14.Nd2 Rb8 15.Rfd1 Ng4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]16.Nxb5 axb5 17.Ne4 Nh6 18.Ng5 Ng4 19.a3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.
If [font color="magenta"]13...Bc6?![/font] loses valuable time; Black gets pushed back after [font color="magenta"]14.d5! Bd7 15.Be3![/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]15...Bf5 16.Qd2 Rb7 17.Nd4 Qc8 18.Nxf5 Qxf5 19.h3[/font] gives White more freedom.
[font color="burgundy"]16.h3 e5 17.Bxe5 dxe5 18.hxg4 Bxg4 19.Nxb5 axb5[/font] is equal.

[font color="darkorange"]15...Rb7 16.Qxa6 Qa8 17.Nd4 Ng4 18.Qd3 Rb4 19.a3[/font] gives White a clear advantage in space

12...e6

Black plays to stop White's center pawns at the frontier line.
[font color="red"]12...Rb4 13.b3 Re8 14.d5 Na7 15.Bg5 Qa8 16.Nd4[/font] continues to give White a fair advantage.

13.e4 Ne7?!

Black tries to provoke White into weakening her center.
If [font color="red"]13...Ng4 14.h3 e5 15.Nd5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]15...Nxf2 16.Nxb6 Nxe4 17.Qe1 cxb6 18.Qxe4 exf4 19.Qxf4[/font] gives White a small advantage with the initiative and more space.; Black as the Bishop pair.
[font color="darkred"]15...exf4 16.Nxb6 cxb6 17.hxg4 fxg3 18.fxg3 b5 19.Kh2[/font] gives White a better center and a substantial advantage in space.

14.b3!

White doesn't take the bait and now has a better center and the advantage in space.
[font color="red"]14.e5!? Nfd5 15.Nxd5 Nxd5 16.Bh6 Bc6 17.Rfd1[/font] leaves White with only a small advantage in space; Black's Knight will be difficult to dislodge from d5.

14...Bc6 15.Rfe1 Qa8

If [font color="red"]15...Re8[/font] then [font color="red"]16.Bg5 Qd7 17.Bh6 Rf8 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.e5[/font] gives White a grip on the dark squares that complements her light-bound Bishop; Black, on the other, is weak on the dark squares.

16.Qc2

White fortifies her pawn center before beginning any definite action.
[font color="red"]16.Bg5! a5 17.Qf4 Nh5 18.Qh4 f6 19.Bd2[/font] leaves Black's position riddled with pawn weaknesses.

16...Nd7?!

Black lets down her guard by taking a piece away from the defense of d5.
If [font color="red"]16...a5 17.Bf1 Qb7[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]18.Bg5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]18...Rb8 19.Bd3 h6 20.Bd2 Rc8 21.Kg2[/font] continues to give a fair advantage in space,
[font color="magenta"]18...h6 19.Bf4 d5 20.e5 Ne4 21.Bd3 g5 22.Be3[/font] continues to gives White a fair advantage in space.

[font color="darkred"]18.a3 Rxb3 19.Nd2 Rb2 20.Qd1 Qa7 21.Nc4 Rbb8[/font] continues to gives White a fair advantage in space.

[center]BLACK: Tatev Abrahamyan[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Irina Krush[/center][center]Position after 16...Nf6d7[/center]

17.d5

This pawn sacrifice isn't objectively the best move, but Ms. Krush probably knew that when she played it.
If [font color="red"]17.Bg5![/font] then:

If [font color="red"]17...Nf6 18.Qd2 Re8 19.d5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]19...exd5 20.exd5 Nfxd5 21.Nxd5 Bxd5 22.Rxe7 Rxe7 23.Bxe7[/font] will soon give White her pawn back with greater activity.
If [font color="burgundy"]19...Bb7?[/font] then White wins after [font color="burgundy"]20.dxe6! fxe6 21.Nd4 Nc6 22.Na4![/font] when the Rook falls.

If [font color="darkred"]17...Bf6?![/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]18.Qd2 Bb7 19.Bh3 Nc6 20.Qe3 Qd8 21.d5[/font] leaves Black with a very cramped position.
[font color="magenta"]18.Bxf6!? Nxf6 19.Qd3 a5 20.Nd2 Rb4 21.a3[/font] gives White a fair advantage.

17...exd5

Black accepts the pawn.

18.exd5 Nxd5

If [font color="red"]18...Bxd5?! 19.Rxe7! Bxf3 20.Bxf3 Qxf3 21.Rxd7[/font] then:

[font color="red"]21...Rc6 22.Qd1 Rxc3 23.Qxf3 Rxf3 24.Rcxc7[/font] gives White two Rooks on the seventh ranks and serious winning chances
[font color="darkred"]21...Qc6?[/font] drops a piece to [font color="darkred"]22.Re7! Bf6 23.Ne4!! Bxe7 24.Qxc6 Rxc6 25.Rxc6.[/font]

19.Nxd5 Bxd5 20.Qxc7!

White gets the pawn back with command of the c-file.

20...Bxf3

However, Black will have her own Queen in the heart of White's position.
[font color="red"]20...Rb7?! 21.Qxd6! Nf6 22.Qa3 Rb5 23.Nh4 Bxg2 24.Nxg2[/font] clearly gives White more activity.

21.Bxf3 Qxf3 22.Qxd7 Bd4 23.Rc2

White brings up a Rook to cover the f-pawn.
If [font color="red"]23.Be3 Bxe3 24.Rxe3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]24...Qd5 25.Ree1 Qd2 26.Qa4 d5 27.Red1 Qb2 28.Qd4[/font] continues to give White a fair advantage.
[font color="darkred"]24...Qa8!? 25.Re7 Qd5 26.Qc7 Rb4 27.Qc6 Rd4 28.Qxd5[/font] gives White better pawns; each sides has an active Rook

23...Bc3?!

This "forces" White to redeply his Rook to a more effective square.
[font color="red"]23...h5 24.Bh6 Rfb8 25.Qa4 Bc5 26.Qf4 Qxf4 27.Bxf4[/font] continues to give White a fair advantage.

[center]BLACK: Tatev Abrahamyan[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Irina Krush[/center][center]Position after 23...Bd4c3[/center]

24.Rec1!

White doubles on the c-file, expellin Black's Bishop.

24...Be5

Black protects her pawn, but her lapse in judgment on move 23 has saddled her with multiple weaknesses.

25.Bh6 Bg7 26.Be3 Rbb8 [26...Rb4 27.Qxd6 Re4 28.Qd1 Qxd1+ 29.Rxd1 Re6 30.Kg2] 27.Qxd6 Rbd8?

White abandons the a-pawn, which is needed if Black is to have any hopes of stopping White's queenside pawns from advancing.
If [font color="red"]27...Ra8 28.Rc7 h5 29.Qc6 Qf5 30.Qd7 Qa5 31.Qd3[/font] continues to give Black fading red waves of counterplay.

[center]BLACK: Tatev Abrahamyan[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Irina Krush[/center][center]Position after 27...Ra8d8[/center]

28.Qc6!

White's winning plan is simple: capture the a-pawn and advance the connected Queenside passers, Any effort Black makes to stop the pawns must come at the expense of the Black King's defense.

28...Qg4

If [font color="red"]28...Qxc6 29.Rxc6 Ra8 30.R1c4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]30...f5 31.Ra4 Rf6 32.Rxf6 Bxf6 33.b4[/font] when Black's a-pawn falls.
If [font color="darkred"]30...Rfb8[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkred"]31.Ra4 a5 32.Rc5.[/font]

29.Kg2 a5 30.h3 Qf5

[center]BLACK: Tatev Abrahamyan[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Irina Krush[/center][center]Position after 30...Qg4f5[/center]

31.Rc5!

The game is in the bag.

31...Qd3

If [font color="red"]31...Qd7 32.Qxd7 Rxd7 33.Rxa5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]33...Rb8 34.Rb5 Rxb5 35.Rc8+ Bf8 36.Bh6[/font] is soon followed by mate.
If [font color="darkred"]33...Rd3 34.Rc7 Bf6 35.Rb7 Kg7 36.Raa7[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]36...Rd5 37.b4 Bd4 38.Bxd4+ Rxd4 39.b5[/font] gives White two unstoppable passed pawns.
[font color="magenta"]36...Bd4 37.Bxd4+ Rxd4 38.a4[/font] leaves nothing Black can do to stop the connected passers.

32.Rxa5 Rd6 33.Qc4 1-0

White's queenside pawns render further resistance futile.
Ms. Abrahamyan resigns.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

13. Zenyuk - Zatonskih, Women's Group, Round 6

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Reply #5)

Mon Jun 11, 2012, 04:36 AM

Jun 2012

[center]

Anna Zatonskih
[/center][font size="1"]Photo by Frank Hoppe (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Samson1964) from Wikimedia Commons (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Anna_Zatonskih) (Public Domain)
[/font]

Iryna Zenyuk - Anna Zatonskih
US Championship (Women's Group), Round 6
St. Louis, 15 May 2012

East India Game: Nimzo-Indian Defense (Rubinstein Opening)

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 0-0 5.Bd3 d5 6.Nf3 c5 7.0-0 Nc6

For moves and varions of the Rubinstein Opening up to here and what follows 7...dxc4, see Bacrot-David, French ChT, Mulhouse, 2011.

8.a3 Bxc3

If [font color="red"]8...Ba5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]9.cxd5 exd5 10.dxc5 Bxc3 11.bxc3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]11...Bg4 12.c4 Ne5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13.cxd5 Bxf3 14.gxf3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]14...Qxd5 15.Be2 Qxc5 16.Bb2[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]16...Rad8 17.Bd4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]17...Qc8 18.Qa4 Rd5 19.f4 b5 20.Qb3 Qh3 21.Bxe5[/font] is equal and soon agreed drawn (Antoshin-Krogius, Chigorin Mem, Sochi, 1964).
[font color="burgundy"]17...Qc6 18.f4 Ng6 19.Bf3 Qe6 20.Qc2 Nh4[/font] gives Black a clear advantage (A. G. Geller-Cherepkov, Soviet Ch ½-final, Leningrad, 1955).

[font color="darkpink"]16...Rfd8 17.Bd4 Qe7 18.Qc1 Nc6 19.Bb2 Rac8[/font] gives Black stronger pawns and more space (Hammer-Hess, Op, Reykjavik, 2011).

[font color="darkorchid"]14...Nxd5 15.f4 Nxf4 16.Bxh7+ Kxh7 17.exf4 Nd3 18.Qf3[/font] gives White a slight advantage; if 18...Nxc5?? then 19.Qh5+! and White wins (Rui Wang-Yu Yangyi, Chinese League, Chengdu, 2011).

If [font color="darkred"]13.Bb2 Nxf3+ 14.gxf3 Bh3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]15.cxd5 Qxd5 16.Bxf6 gxf6 17.Kh1[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]17...Rfd8 18.Rg1+ Kh8 19.Be2[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]19...Qxc5 20.Qa4 Bf5 21.Qh4 Qe7 22.e4 Bg6 23.Bc4[/font] is equal (E. Agrest-Milov, Euro Ch, Antalya, 2004).
[font color="burgundy"]19...Qxd1 20.Raxd1 Rxd1 21.Bxd1 Rc8 22.Bb3 Rxc5 23.Bxf7[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Tal-Portisch, IT, Bled, 1965).
[font color="darkpink"]19.Be4 Bg2+ 20.Kxg2 Qg5+ 21.Kh1 Rxd1 22.Raxd1 Qxc5[/font] is equal (Beliavsky-Tal, Soviet ChT, Riga, 1975).

[font color="darkorchid"]17...Kh8 18.Rg1 Rad8 19.Be2 Rg8 20.Qa4 Qe5 21.Rae1[/font] gives White a small advantage with an attack on Black's a-pawn (Zaiatz-Gaponenko, Russian ChTW, Olginka, 2011).

If [font color="magenta"]15.Re1 Ne4[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]16.Be5 Qg5+ 17.Bg3 Nxg3 18.hxg3 dxc4 19.Bxc4 Qxc5[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Furman-Taimanov, Soviet Ch, Kiev, 1954).
If [font color="darkorange"]16.f4?! Qh4 17.Qf3 Nd2[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]18.Qe2?[/font] then Black wins after [font color="darkorange"]18...dxc4! 19.Bc2 Rad8 20.f3 Qh5 21.Kh1 Nxf3 [/font](Gligoric-Ivkov, IT, Zagreb, 1965).
[font color="purple"]18.Qg3!! Qxg3+ 19.fxg3 Nf3+ 20.Kf2 Nxe1 21.Rxe1 dxc4[/font] leaves Black up by an exchange, but White's game is quite playable.

If [font color="darkred"]11...Qa5 12.Qc2 Qxc5 13.a4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13...Re8 14.Ba3 Qa5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]15.Rab1 Qc7 16.c4 dxc4 17.Bxc4 Be6 18.Bxe6 Rxe6 19.Rfd1[/font] gives White a clear advantage (Timman-Kaplan, IT, Amsterdam, 1974).
[font color="darkorange"]15.Rfb1 Ne5 16.Nxe5 Rxe5 17.Bd6 Re6 18.Rb5[/font] gives White a comfortable advantage in space (J. Balogh-Cuadrado, Corres, 1950).

[font color="magenta"]13...Qa5 14.Rb1 Qc7 15.c4 dxc4 16.Qxc4 Rd8 17.Bb2[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space (Shcherbakov-Petit, Op, Metz, 1994).

If [font color="darkred"]9.h3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]9...Qe7 10.Qc2 dxc4 11.Bxc4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]11...cxd4 12.exd4 Rd8 13.Rd1[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13...h6 14.Bf4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]14...Nd5?! 15.Bg3! Nxc3 16.bxc3 Re8 17.Bd3 Bc7 18.Bh7+[/font] gives White the advantage in space (Wells-S. Gordon, 4NCL, Reading, England, 2011).
[font color="burgundy"]14...Bb6 15.Be3 Bd7 16.Qe2 Rac8 17.d5[/font] leaves White with a small advantage in space.

[font color="darkpink"]13...Bb6 14.Be3 Nd5 15.Nxd5 exd5 16.Ba2 g6 17.Re1[/font] is equal.

If [font color="magenta"]11...Rd8 12.Rd1[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]12...a6 13.Bd3 cxd4 14.exd4 h6 15.Be3 Bd7 16.Rac1[/font] gives White a small advantage in space; Black's game is cramped, but Black's pawns are better and Whitem has no weaknesses to exploit (Djuric-B. Ivanovic, Yugoslav Ch, 1989).
If [font color="darkorange"]12...h6 13.Ba2 b6 14.d5[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]14...Bxc3?! 15.dxc6! Rxd1+ 16.Qxd1[/font] forces Black's Bishop to retreat to a5 (Sedlak-Hölzl, Op, Zadar, Croatia, 2010).
[font color="purple"]14...Nxd5 15.Bxd5 exd5 16.Nxd5 Qb7 17.e4[/font] continues to give White a small advantage.

If [font color="magenta"]9...dxc4 10.Bxc4 h6 11.Qd3 cxd4 12.exd4[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]12...Bc7 13.Rd1 b6 14.d5 exd5 15.Nxd5 Be6 16.Nxc7 Bxc4 17.Qc2[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Potkin-Quesada Pérez, Capablanca Mem, Havana, 2012).
[font color="darkorange"]12...Ne7 13.Re1 Bc7 14.Bd2 b6 15.Rad1 Nfd5 16.Ba2[/font] gives White a small advantage in space(Del Rio Angelis-Predke, Chigorin Mem Op, St. Petersburg, 2009).

9.bxc3 dxc4

This pawn exchange prevents White from slightly weakening Black's center, although not enough to keep Black from having a playable game if she allows it.
If [font color="red"]9...Qc7 10.cxd5 exd5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]11.a4 Re8 12.Ba3 c4 13.Bc2[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13...Ne4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]14.Bxe4 Rxe4 15.Nd2 Re8 16.e4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]16...Be6 17.Re1[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]17...dxe4 18.Nxe4 Bd5 19.Nd6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]19...Re6 20.Rxe6 fxe6 21.Rb1 b6 22.Qh5[/font] is equal (Ugge-García Corada, Corres, 2001).
[font color="burgundy"]19...Red8 20.Nf5 Be6 21.Ne3 f5 22.Qf3 Qa5 23.Rec1[/font] gives White a passed pawn and a slight advantage in space; Black has stronger pawns (Gligoric-Komarov, Yugoslav ChT, Vrnjacka Banja, 1998).

[font color="darkpink"]17...Na5 18.Rb1 Qd7 19.Rb5 b6 20.f3[/font] is equal (Micklethwaite-T. Schmidt, Corres, 2004).

If [font color="darkred"]16...dxe4 17.Nxc4 Nb4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]18.Ne3 Qxc3 19.Qc1 Qxc1 20.Rfxc1 a5 21.Bxb4[/font] gives White a passed pawn and Black stronger pawns (Berkes-Hou Yifan, IT, Paks, Hungary, 2007).
[font color="magenta"]18.Nd6 Qxd6 19.Bxb4 Qd5 20.a5 Bd7 21.Qd2 Rac8 22.Rfe1 Bb5[/font] draw (Alexandrova-Millet, Euro ChTW, Porto Carras, Greece, 2011).

If [font color="darkred"]13...Bg4 14.Qe1[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]14...Bh5 15.Nh4 Ng4 16.g3 Bg6 17.Nxg6 hxg6[/font] then:

if [font color="darkred"]18.Qd2[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]18...Nf6 19.f3 Na5 20.Rab1 Re6 21.Rfe1 Rae8[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]22.g4 Nb3 23.Bxb3 cxb3 24.Rxb3 Nh7 25.Bc1[/font] is equal (Ernazarov-Bokar, Corres, 2006).
If [font color="burgundy"]22.Qf2 b6 23.Re2 Nb3 24.Rbe1 Qc6 25.Bb2 a5[/font] gives Black the initiative against White's a-pawn (Monacell-Rodríguez López, Corres, 2002).

If [font color="darkorange"]18...Na5 19.Rae1 Nf6 20.f3 Nb3 21.Qd1 Qa5[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space (Gelfand-Eljanov, Grand Prix, Astrakhan, 2010).

If [font color="magenta"]18.Qe2 Qd7[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]19.h3 Nf6 20.Kh2 Re6 21.f3 Rae8 22.Bc1[/font] draw (Geller-Matanovic, IT, Bled, 1961).
[font color="darkorange"]19.Rfe1 f5 20.Rab1 b6 21.Rb5 Na5 22.Bb4 Nc6 23.Ba3 Na5 24.Bb4 Nc6 25.Ba3[/font] draw (Lund-Drozdovskij, Op, Copenhagen, 2009).

[font color="magenta"]14...Bxf3 15.gxf3 Qd7 16.Kh1 Qh3 17.Qd1 Nh5 18.Rg1[/font] is equal (KasimdZhanov-Ivanchuk, IT, Skanderborg, Denmark, 2003).

If [font color="darkred"]a) 11.Nh4 Ne7[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]12.g3 Bh3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13.Re1 Ng6 14.Ng2 Qd7 15.f3[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]15...cxd4 16.cxd4 Bf5 17.Bf1 Rfc8 18.Ra2 Qc6 19.Bd2[/font] is equal (Gligoric-Averbakh, TM, Rijeka, 1963).
[font color="burgundy"]15...Bf5 16.Bf1 h5[/font] is equal (Nowak-Balashov, Op, Berlin, 1988).

[font color="darkpink"]13.Ng2 Bf5 14.f3 Bxd3 15.Qxd3 Rac8 16.Bd2 Rfe8[/font] gives Black a slight advantage in space (Gligoric-Larsen, IT, Milan, 1975).

If [font color="magenta"]12.a4[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]12...Re8 13.Ba3 c4 14.Bc2 Ng6 15.Nf5 Ne4[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]16.Bxe4 Rxe4 17.Ng3 Re8 18.Qh5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Portisch-R. Byrne, IT, Bogojno, 1978).
[font color="burgundy"]16.Qh5 Qc6 17.Ng3 Nxc3 18.Bb2 Ne4 19.Nxe4 dxe4[/font] (Knaak-Zilberstein, Keres Mem, Tallinn, 1979).

If [font color="darkorange"]12...c4 13.Bc2[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]13...Re8 14.Qe1 Kh8 15.Ba3 g6 16.g3 Bh3[/font] gives Black a small advantage with the attack on the Rook (Unzicker-R. Byrne, Ol, Haifa, 1976).
[font color="purple"]13...Ng6 14.Nf5 Ne4 15.Ng3 f5 16.Ne2 Be6 17.f3[/font] gives White the initiative (Donner-Pachman, Ol, Varna, 1962).

If [font color="darkred"]b) 11.h3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]11...c4 12.Bc2 Ne7[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]13.Nd2 Bf5 14.a4 Rfe8 15.Ba3 Bxc2 16.Qxc2 Nc6[/font] is equal (Azmapairashvili-Schneider, Soviet Jr Ch, Yurmala, Latvia, 1983).
[font color="burgundy"]13.a4 Bf5 14.Ba3 Ne4 15.Nh4 Be6 16.f4 f6[/font] is equal (Gligoric-Korchnoi, IT, Palma de Mallorca, 1968).

If [font color="magenta"]11...Re8[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]12.a4 c4 13.Bc2 Ne4 14.Bxe4 dxe4 15.Nd2[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]15...Bf5 16.Nxc4 Nxd4 17.cxd4 Qxc4 18.Ba3 Bd7[/font] Is equal (Gligoric-Stojanovic, Yugoslav ChT, Niksic, 1996).
[font color="burgundy"]15...Na5 16.Ba3 b6 17.Bb4 Nc6 18.Qc2 Bb7 19.Rfb1[/font] is equal (Forkin-A. Smirnov, Op, St. Petersburg, 2001).

If [font color="darkorange"]12.Bb2 c4 13.Bc2 Ne4[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]14.Nh2 b5 15.f3 Ng3 16.Re1 Bf5 17.Bxf5 Nxf5[/font] is equal (Gligoric-Abramovic, Yugoslav Ch, Novi Sad, 1995).
[font color="purple"]14.Bxe4 Rxe4 15.Nd2 Re8 16.Qf3 Be6 17.Rfe1 f5[/font] is equal (Kuzubov-Sachdev, Op, Gibraltar, 2007).

10.Bxc4 Qc7 11.Bb2

If [font color="red"]11.Bd3 e5 12.Qc2 Re8 13.e4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13...c4 14.Bxc4 exd4 15.cxd4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]15...Na5 16.Bd3 Qxc2 17.Bxc2 Nxe4 18.Re1 Bf5 19.Bf4 Nd6 20.Ba4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]20...b5 21.Bxd6 bxa4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]22.Re5 Rxe5 23.dxe5 Nb3 24.Re1 Rc8 25.h3 h6[/font] is euqal (Donner-Larsen, Match, The Hague, 1958).
[font color="burgundy"]22.Rxe8+ Rxe8 23.Bc5 a6 24.Re1 Rc8 25.Re5 Bd7[/font] is equal (Miklethwaite-K. Neumann, Corres, 2004).

If [font color="darkred"]20...Rxe1+ 21.Rxe1[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]21...Nac4 22.Bb3 Rc8 23.d5 Kf8 24.Nd4 Bd7 25.Rc1[/font] is equal (Ciocaltea-Matanovic, Ol, Moscow, 1956).
[font color="magenta"]21...Ndc4 22.d5 Nb6 23.Bc7 Nxa4 24.Bxa5 b6 25.Nd4[/font] gives White a passed pawn and a slight initiative (Gual Pascual-Kolev, IT, Badalona, 2001).

[font color="burgundy"]15...Rxe4 16.Bd3 Re7 17.Bg5 Bg4 18.Bxf6 gxf6[/font] is equal (Golz-Rellstab, IT, Gotha, 1957).

If [font color="darkred"]13...exd4 14.cxd4 Bg4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]15.e5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]15...Bxf3 16.exf6 Nxd4 17.Bxh7+ Kh8 18.fxg7+ Kxg7 19.Bb2 Rad8 20.gxf3 Rh8 21.Kh1[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]21...Kf8 22.Qe4 f6 23.Bxd4 Rxd4 24.Qg6 Rxh7[/font] gives Black more active Rooks and stronger pawns (B. Vladimirov-Lisitin, Soviet Ch ½-final, Leningrad, 1955).
[font color="burgundy"]21...Rxh7 22.Rg1+ Kh8 23.Rg3 Qe5 24.Rag1 Qh5 25.R1g2[/font] (Porat Stahlberg, Ol, Amsterdam, 1954).

[font color="darkorange"]15...Nd7 16.Bxh7+ Kf8 17.e6 Bxe6 18.dxc5 Bd5[/font] is equal (Cody-Mary, Corres, 1997).

If [font color="magenta"]15.Qxc5[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]15...Nxe4 16.Bxe4 Rxe4 17.Ng5 Re7 18.Qc2 g6 19.Ne4[/font] is equal (Bronstein-Dr. Euwe, Candidates Trmt, Zürich, 1953).
[font color="darkorange"]15...Bxf3 16.gxf3 Qd7 17.Be3 Nxe4 18.Bxe4 Rxe4 19.fxe4 Qg4+[/font] draw (Sutton-Sarapu, New Zealand Ch, Hamilton, 1966).

11...b6

Black bolsters the c-pawn. Another plan is to strike in the center.
If [font color="red"]11...e5 12.h3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]12...Bf5 13.Qe2 Rad8 14.Ba2 Rfe8 15.d5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]15...Rxd5 16.Bxd5 Nxd5 17.Rfd1 Nb6 18.a4[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Kasimdzhanov-Alekseev, Grand Prix, Elista, 2008).
[font color="burgundy"]15...Ne7 16.c4 Ng6 17.Nd2 Re7 18.e4 Bc8 19.Rfe1[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Mareco-Mahia, Buenos Aires, 2008).

If [font color="darkred"]12...e4 13.Nd2[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13...Na5 14.Ba2[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]14...c4 15.f3 Bxh3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]16.Nxe4 Nxe4 17.fxe4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]17...Qg3 18.Qf3 Qxf3 19.Rxf3 Bg4 20.Rf4 Be2[/font] gives White a better center and command of an open file; Black has better minor pieces, stronger pawns and more space (Cherepkov-Tseshkovsky, Soviet Ch, Alma Ata, 1968).
[font color="burgundy"]17...f6 18.e5 Bd7 19.exf6 Rxf6 20.Rxf6 gxf6 21.Qh5[/font] gives White s slight advantage in space (van den Berg-H. Kramer, Dutch Ch, Amsterdam, 1957).

[font color="darkpink"]16.Qe1 Bf5 17.fxe4 Bg6 18.Qh4 Qc6 19.Bb1 Nb3[/font] gives Black a clear advantage on the queenside (Bronstein-Averbakh, Moscow, 1957).

[font color="darkorchid"]14...Bf5 15.c4 Rfe8 16.d5 Nd7 17.f4 exf3 18.Qxf3[/font] gives White a fair advantage (Kramnik-Tiviakov, IT A, Wijjk aan Zee, 2001).

If [font color="magenta"]13...Bf5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]14.Qe2 Rfe8[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]15.Bb5 a6 16.Bxc6 Qxc6 17.c4 cxd4[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]18.exd4 Nd7 19.Qe3 b5 20.d5 Qd6 21.Rfe1[/font] is equal (E. Agrest-Beliavsky, Bundesliga 0304, Germany, 2004).
[font color="hotpink"]18.Bxd4 Nd7 19.Rfb1 b6 20.Nf1 f6 21.Rb2 Be6[/font] gives Black stronger pawns and the initiative against White's weak pawn on c4 (Iskusnyh-V. Filippov, Russian ChT, Tomsk, 2001).

[font color="purple"]15.Ba2 Rad8 16.Rac1 b6 17.Rfd1 Bg6 18.Qb5[/font] is equal (Savon-I. Smirnov, Ukrainian ChT, Alushta, 2001).

[font color="darkorange"]14.Nb3 b6 15.Qe2 Rad8 16.a4 Ne7 17.Nd2[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Najdorf-Rubinetti, IT, Buenos Aires, 1970).

12.Qe2 e5 13.h3 e4

If [font color="red"]13...Bb7 14.Ba2 Rad8 15.Rfd1[/font] then:

[font color="red"]15...Rfe8 16.Ng5 Re7 17.d5 Nb8 18.c4 Qd6 19.Bb1[/font] is equal (Johannessen-Moen, GMT, Oslo, 2002).
[font color="darkred"]15...Rd7 16.d5 e4 17.Nh4 Ne7 18.c4 Ne8 19.f4[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space (Korotylev-Negi, IT C, Wijk aan Zee, 2005).

14.Nd2 Bb7

[font color="red"]14...Na5 15.Ba2 c4 16.a4 Be6 17.Ba3 Rfe8 18.Rfb1[/font] is equal (Pelletier-Naiditsch, Euro Ch, Aix-les-Bains, 2011).

15.a4 (N)

[font color="red"]15.Ba2 Rad8[/font] then:

[font color="red"]16.Rad1 Qc8 17.d5 Ba6 18.c4 Nxd5 19.Nxe4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space(Cherepkov-Spassky, Soviet Ch, Moscow, 1961).
[font color="darkred"]16.d5 Nxd5 17.c4 Nde7 18.Nxe4 Ng6[/font] gives White the Bishop pair and a small advantage in space (Boleslavsky-Levin, Kiev Ch, 1951).

15...Rfe8

White has a slight advantage in space.

16.Rfd1!?

[font color="red"16.Nb3![/font] (keeping Black's Knight out of a5) [font color="red"]16...Red8 17.Rfc1 Ne7 18.a5[/font] begins to break up Black's queenside pawns. White has a fine game.

16...Na5!

This makes things uncomfortable for White's good Bishop.

17.Ba2

Both sides are having difficulty finding good posts for their respective minor pieces. The a2/g8 diagonal isn't as promising for White's Bishop as it might appear as Black has every square on it covered.
Possibly better is [font color="red"17.Bb5 Red8 18.Nc4![/font] (eliminating the Knight at a5) then:

[font color="red"]18...Nxc4 19.Bxc4 h6 20.a5! 20...bxa5 21.Ba3 cxd4 22.cxd4 [/font] gives White the Bishop pair in an open field, a strong passed pawn and more space; Black has two passers, but they areb't very impressive since both are in the a-file.
[font color="darkred"18...Nc6?! 19.a5! 19...Nxa5 20.Nxa5 bxa5 21.c4[/font] breaks up the queenside pawns and gives White an excellent game.

[center]BLACK: Anna Zatonskih[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Iryna Zenyuk[/center][center]Position after 17.Bc4a2[/center]

17...Bc6

Black takes the opportunity to take a shot at White's weak a-pawn.
If [font color="red"17...Rac8!? 18.c4[/font] (White's light-bound Bishop is entombed) [font color="red"]18...cxd4 19.exd4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]19...Ba6 20.Qe3 Qd6 21.Rdc1 h6 22.Rab1 Nb7 23.c5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.
If [font color="darkred"19...Qf4?! 20.Qe3[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]20...Qxe3 21.fxe3 Bc6 22.Bb1 Bb7 23.Rc1 Ba6 24.Ba2[/font] gives White a strong d-pawn.
[font color="magenta"20...Qd6?! 21.Bc3! Nc6 22.Rab1 Ba6 23.Re1 Qd7 24.d5[/font] makes structural damage to Black's kingside inescapable.

18.Bb1!?

White wantes to bring her Bishop to c2 in order to protect the a-pawn and then finding a better place for the Rook.
If [font color="red"18.Rdc1[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]18...Rac8 19.Nc4 Nxc4 20.Bxc4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]20...Rb8 21.Qc2 Qd7 22.Be2 cxd4 23.cxd4 Rec8 24.Qb3[/font] gives White a passed pawna and a small advantage in space.
[font color="magenta"20...h6 21.Ba6 Bb7 22.Bxb7 Qxb7 23.c4 cxd4 24.exd4[/font] gives White a passed pawna and a small advantage in space.

[font color="darkred"18...Bxa4?! 19.Bxf7+ Qxf7 20.Rxa4 cxd4 21.cxd4 Qd7 22.Qd1[/font] continues to give White a slight advantage in space.

18...Qd7?!

Black could have overprotected her c-pawn
If [font color="red"18...Qe7 19.Bc2 cxd4 20.cxd4 Rac8 21.Ba3 Qe6 22.Bb4[/font] is equal.

19.Bc2!?

On the bright side, White gets a passed pawn, but misses an opportunity to weaken Black's queenside.
If [font color="red"19.dxc5! 19...Bxa4 20.Nb3 Qc6 21.Rd6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]21...Nxb3 22.Rxc6 Bxc6 23.Ra3 Nxc5 24.c4 Nfd7 25.Bc2[/font] gives White the Queen for a Rook, minor piece and pawn, a good Bishop and more space.
If [font color="darkred"21...Qb5?[/font] loses to [font color="darkred"]22.Qxb5 Bxb5 23.Nxa5! 23...bxa5 24.Rxa5 Bc4 25.Rd4!.[/font]

19...cxd4!

Black has equalized the game, with the remote queenside majority even being an endgame asset not far down the road.

20.cxd4 Bd5

Black blockades White passed pawn.
If [font color="red"20...Qd5!? 21.Bc3! 21...Bd7 22.Rdc1 Rac8 23.Bxa5 Qxa5 24.Nc4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

21.Rdc1!?

White's position is starting to look a little bit cramped. She seeks to exchange Rooks.

[center]BLACK: Anna Zatonskih[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Iryna Zenyuk[/center][center]Position after 21.Rd1c1[/center]

21...Rac8!

Black would also like more room to manuever andf takes up the possibility of exchanging Rooks.
[font color="red"21...Qe6 22.Bd1 Rac8 23.Rxc8 Rxc8 24.Qb5 Nc4 [/font] remains equal.

22.Bd1 Rxc1!

Black initiates the Rook exchange.
If [font color="red"22...Qe6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]23.Rxc8 Rxc8 24.Qb5 h6 25.Rc1 Bc6 26.Qe2[/font] remains equal.
If [font color="darkred"23.Qb5 Nc4 24.Nxc4 Bxc4 25.Qg5[/font] remains equal.

23.Rxc1 Rc8 24.Rxc8+ Qxc8 25.Qb5

The dust begins to settle with the game about level.

25...h6 26.Qb4 Qd7!?

The Queen is better posted at a6, where it strikes at more key squares.
[font color="red"26...Qa6 27.Qa3 Nc4 28.Nxc4 Bxc4 29.Qc3 Be6 30.Qc7[/font] remains equal, if a bit wild.

[center]BLACK: Anna Zatonskih[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Iryna Zenyuk[/center][center]Position after 27...Qc8d7[/center]

27.Ba3!

White has a small advantage in space.

27...Qc8!

Black replies with the best defensive move.

28.Qb2 Qc6 29.Be7 Ne8

[font color="red"]30.Bh4 f5 31.Nb1 Nf6 32.Nc3 Bf7 33.Qb4[/font] continues to give White a passed pawn and a slight advantage in space.

30...Nc4 31.Nxc4 Bxc4 32.Qc3 Qd5

[font color="red"]32...Nf6 33.Be2 Nd5 34.Qxc4 Qxc4 35.Bxc4 Nxb4[/font] continues to give White a passed pawn and a slight advantage in space.

33.Bc2 f5 34.Ba3!?

Instead of retreating, White should bring her Bishop to the center by going around the board.
[font color="red"]34.Be7 Kf7 35.Bh4 Nf6 36.Bd1 a6 37.Bg3[/font] continues to give White a slight advantage in space.

34...Kh7!?

Black misses an opportunity to show force in the center.
[font color="red"]34...Nf6! 35.Bd1 Kf7 36.h4 Kg6 37.Be7 Ng4 38.Qa3[/font] still leaves White with a slight advantage.

35.Qb4!?

White gives Black a chance to equalize.
If [font color="red"]35.Be7 Kg6 36.Bh4 Nf6 37.Bd1 a6 38.Bg3[/font] continues to give White a small advantage in space.

[center]BLACK: Anna Zatonskih[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Iryna Zenyuk[/center][center]Position after 35.Qc3b4[/center]

35...Nf6!

The game is equal.

36.Qd6 Qxd6 37.Bxd6 Nd5 38.g4 g6

The game remains equal.
[font color="red"]38...Kg6?! 39.gxf5+! Kxf5 40.Bf8 g5 41.Bxh6[/font] continues to give White a small advantage in space.

39.gxf5 gxf5 40.Kg2?!

The h-pawn is in no danger. This move would be better spent bringing the Bishop to a3 on its way to c1 in order to protect the pawn at e3.
If [font color="red"]40.Ba3 Kg7 41.Bc1 Nb4 42.Bd1 Kf6 43.Bd2 Nd5[/font] remains equal.

40...a6!

White's a-pawn will go no further.

41.Bf4?

White still had time for 41.Ba3. Now Black breaks up the pawn chain and wins.
If [font color="red"]41.Ba3 b5 42.axb5 axb5 43.Bc1 b4[/font] gives Black a dangerous passed pawn.

[center]BLACK: Anna Zatonskih[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Iryna Zenyuk[/center][center]Position after 41.Bd6f4[/center]

41...Nxf4+!

The breaking up of White pawn chain make picking off remaining pawns a simple task.

42.exf4 Kg6 43.d5

If [font color="red"]43.f3[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]43...e3 44.Bb1 b5 45.axb5 axb5 46.d5 Bxd5.[/font]

43...Bxd5 44.Kf1 Bc4+ 45.Ke1 Kh5 46.Kd2

If [font color="red"]46.Bd1+[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]46...Kh4 47.Kd2 Kxh3 48.Ke3 Bf7 49.Kd2 a5.[/font]

46...Kh4 47.Kc3 Be6 48.Kd4 Kxh3 49.Bd1

If [font color="red"]49.Ke3[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]49...h5 50.f3 exf3 51.Kxf3 a5 52.Ke3 Kg3.[/font]

49...Kg2 50.Ke3 b5 51.axb5 axb5 52.f3 exf3 53.Bxf3+ Kg3 0-1

If [font color="red"]54.Be2[/font] then a Black pawn must queen after [font color="red"]54...b4 55.Bd3 h5 56.Ba6 b3 57.Kd3 h4.[/font]
Ms. Zenyuk resigns.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

7. Asian Championships, Ho Chi Minh City

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Reply #1)

Wed Jun 6, 2012, 01:46 AM

Jun 2012

[center][/center]

[center]Rush Hour, Ho Chi Minh City[/center][font size="1"]Photo by Ngô Trung in Wikimedia Commons (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Xe_bu%C3%BDt.JPG) (Creative Commons License, Attribution/Share Alike)
[/font]

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

8. Yu Yangi - Negi, General Group, Round 6

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Reply #7)

Wed Jun 6, 2012, 01:47 AM

Jun 2012

[center]

Parimarjan Negi
[/center][font size="1"]Photo by rorkhete from Wikipedia (Creative Commons License, Attribution/Share Alike)
[/font]

Yu Yangyi - Parimarjan Negi
Asian Championship (General Group), Round 6
Ho Chi Minh City, 10 May 2012

Open Sicilian Rat Game: Najdorf-Scheveningen Defense (Rauzer Opening)

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6

[center]BLACK[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE[/center][center]Open Rat Sicilian Game: Najdorf-Scheveningen Defense (Rauzer Opening)[/center][center]Position after 6...e7e6[/center]

7.f4

If [font color="red"]7.Qd2 Nc6 8.0-0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]8...Bd7[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]9.f3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]9...Rc8 10.Kb1 Be7[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.h4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]12...Qc7 0-0 13.Bf4 Rd8 14.g4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]14...h6 15.Bg2 Nd7[/font]

(Ganguly-Hommeles, Canadian Op, Edmonton, 2009).

[font color="burgundy"]14...b5 15.a3 Qb7 16.Bd3 d5[/font] is equal (Maze-Guilleix, Op, Reykjavik, 2009).

If [font color="darkred"]12...b5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13.Ne2 0-0 14.Nd4 Bb7 15.g4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]15...Qc7[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]16.Bh3 Rfe8 17.Be3 Nd7 18.g5 Ne5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]19.Qe2 Nc4 20.Nxe6 fxe6 21.Bxe6+ Kf8 22.Bd4[/font] gives White more activity and space (Santagata-Bazhenov, Cyberspace, 2004).
[font color="burgundy"]19.Qf2 Nc4 20.h5 Nxe3 21.Qxe3 Qc5 22.Rhg1[/font] is equal (Burger-Borozenko, Corres, 2004).

If [font color="magenta"]15...Nd7 16.Be3[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]16...Ne5 17.g5 d5 18.f4 Nc4 19.Bxc4 dxc4 20.Qg2[/font] is equal (B. Socko-Greenfeld, Euro Club Cup, Izmir, 2007).
If [font color="darkorange"]16...d5 17.f4 Nb6 18.e5 Nc4 19.Qe1 Qc7 20.h5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space, concentrated on the kingside (Li Chao-Brandenburg, World Jr Ch, Yerevan, 2007).

[font color="darkpink"]16.Be3 Nd7 17.g5 Ne5 18.Qg2 d5 19.f4 Nc4[/font] is equal (Kopylov-Barzhenov, Corres, 2004).

If [font color="magenta"]13.Bd3 0-0 14.Ne2[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]14...Qc7 15.h5 Rfd8 16.g4 d5 17.exd5 Bxd5 18.Rhf1 Bc4[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space (Zupe-Kozul, IT, Nova Gorica, 1999).
If [font color="darkorange"]14...Bb7[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]15.Nd4 Nd7 16.Qe3 Ne5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]17.Be2 Qc7 18.f4 Nc6 19.Nxc6 Bxc6 20.Bxe7 Qxe7 21.Bf3[/font] gives White a slight edge (Jakovenko-Timofeev, Russian ChT, Sochi, 2007).
[font color="purple"]17.g4 Qc7 18.Bxe7 Qxe7 19.g5 d5 20.exd5 Nxd3 21.Rxd3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Swinkels-Gupta, IT C, Wijk aan Zee, 2010).

[font color="hotpink"]15.g4 Nd7 16.Ng3 Ne5 17.f4 Nxd3 18.Bxe7 Qxe7[/font] is equal (Sedlak-Kozul, Bosnian ChT, Neum, 2008).

If [font color="darkred"]11.h4 h6 12.Be3 h5 13.Nxc6 Bxc6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]14.Bg5 b5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]15.Ne2 Qc7 16.Nd4 Bd7 17.Bd3 g6[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]18.Rhf1 e5 19.Ne2 Bc6 20.Ka1 Qd8 21.g3[/font] is equal (Z. Almasi-Murariu, Euro Ch, Dresden, 2007).
[font color="burgundy"]18.f4 e5 19.fxe5 dxe5 20.Rhf1 Ng4 21.Bxe7 Kxe7[/font] is equal (Blehm-Izoria, World Jr Ch, Yerevan, 2007).

[font color="darkpink"]15.Bd3 Qc7 16.Ne2 Bb7 17.Rhe1 d5 18.e5[/font] gives White the initiative and the advantage in space (T. Luther-Sameeh).

If [font color="magenta"]14.Ne2 d5 15.e5 Nd7 16.f4[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]16...g6 17.Nd4[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]17...Nc5 18.Bd3 Qb6 19.Ka1 a5 20.Rc1 Bd7 21.Qe2[/font] is equal (Grischuk-Timofeev, Russian ChT, Sochi, 2007).
[font color="purple"]17...Bxh4 18.Bd3 Rg8 19.g4 hxg4 20.Qh2 Rh8[/font] gives Black three extra pawns against White's kingside power (Spraggett-Chandler, IT, San Antonio, Portugal, 2001).

[font color="darkorange"]16...Bb5 17.g3 g6 18.Bg2 Bxe2 19.Qxe2 Qc7 20.Rd3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Ponomariov-Topalov, Rpd IT, León, 2003).

If [font color="darkred"]9...Be7[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]10.h4 h6 11.Be3 h5 12.Bg5 Ne5 13.Kb1[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]13...b5 14.Bd3 Qb6 15.Nce2 b4 16.Rhe1 a5 17.g3 Rc8[/font] is equal (B. Socko-Manik, IT, Warsaw, 2005).
[font color="burgundy"]13...Qc7 14.Bd3 b5 15.Rhe1 b4 16.Nce2 a5 17.Nf4 Qb6 18.Bf1 a4 19.Qe3[/font] is equal (Pdarkredojevic-Kolesar, Op, Pula, 2005).

If [font color="magenta"]10.Be3[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]10...h5 11.Kb1 Qc7 12.Bd3 Ne5 13.h3 h4 14.Bg5 b5 15.f4 Nc4 16.Bxc4 Qxc4 17.e5 b4 18.exf6 gxf6[/font] is equal (Korneev-Swinkels, Op, Maastricht, 2007).
If [font color="darkorange"]10...b5 11.g4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]11...Nxd4 12.Bxd4 b4 13.Ne2 e5 14.Be3 Qa5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]15.g5 Nh5 16.Kb1 Be6 17.b3 0-0 18.Ng3 Nf4 19.h4[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]19...f6 20.Qh2 Rac8 21.Bxf4 exf4 22.Nf5 Bxf5 23.exf5 Rc5[/font] is equal (Ardelean -T. K. Balla, Romanian ChT, Pdarkredeal, 2006).
If [font color="burgundy"]19...d5 20.Nf5 Bc5 21.Bxf4 exf4 22.Qxf4 dxe4 23.fxe4[/font] leaves White a pawn to the good (Domínguez Pérez-Milos, Ol, Torino, 2006).

If [font color="purple"]15.Kb1 Be6 16.Nc1 h6[/font] then:

[font color="purple"]17.g5 hxg5 18.Bxg5 Rc8 19.h4 Rc6 20.Bd3 Nh5[/font] is equal (Koscielski-Krivoshey, Op, Bad Woerishofen, 2004).
If [font color="hotpink"]17.Nb3 Qc7 18.Bd3 d5 19.exd5 Nxd5 20.Bf5 a5 21.Qd3 0-0[/font] is equal (Movsesian-Miton,Aeroflot Op, Moscow, 2004).

If [font color="darkpink"]11...h6 12.h4 Nxd4 13.Qxd4 Qb8 14.Bh3 b4 15.Ne2[/font] gives White a comfortable advantage in space and a lead in development (Shirov-Greenfeld, Op, Pardubice, 1994).

If [font color="darkred"]9.f4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]9...b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.Qe1[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13...Ra7 14.Bd3 h5 15.Qh4 Be7 16.f5 b4 17.Ne2 e5 18.Ng3[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]18...Qf2 19.Rhf1 Qc5 20.Nxh5[/font] leaves White a pawn to the good (Tiviakov-Neelotpal, Op, Dhaka, 2003).
[font color="burgundy"]18...Qe3 19.Nxh5 Qg5 20.Qxg5 fxg5 21.Ng3[/font] White is a pawn up (Pokazanjev-Rombaldoni, Op, Winterthur, 2008).

[font color="darkpink"]13...Be7 14.Bd3 Qc5 15.f5 b4 16.Ne2 e5 17.Ng3 a5 18.Qe2 Rc8 19.b3 0-0 20.Bc4 Kh8[/font] is equal (Adams-Lozul, Euro ChT, Belgrade, 1999).

If [font color="magenta"]9...Be7 10.Nf3 b5 11.Bxf6[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]11...gxf6 12.Kb1 Qb6 13.f5 0-0-0 14.g3 Kb8 15.fxe6 fxe6 16.Bh3 Bc8 17.Qe1 Rhe8 18.Ne2[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]18...Bf8 19.Nf4 Bg7 20.Rf1[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]20...Qc5 21.Rf2 Re7 22.c3 d5 23.Nd4 Nxd4 24.cxd4 Qd6 25.exd5 exd5 26.Re2 Rde8[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]27.Bxc8 Rxe2 28.Nxe2 Rxc8[/font] is equal (Leko-Timman, Op, Wijk aan Zee, 1995).
[font color="burgundy"]27.Rxe7 Rxe7 28.Qf1 Bd7 29.Bxd7 Qxd7 30.Qf3[/font] gives White an active game.

[font color="darkpink"]20...Bh8 21.c3 Re7 22.Rf2 Na5 23.Nd4 Rde8 24.Bg4 Nc4 25.Bh5[/font] gives White the advantagge in space (Adams-Timman, IT A, Wijk aan Zee, 2004).

[font color="darkorchid"]18...Ne5 19.Qc3 Bb7 20.Bxe6 Bxe4 21.Bd5 Rc8 22.Bxe4 Rxc3 23.Nxc3 Nxf3 24.Bxf3 Bd8[/font] is equal (Leko-Groszpeter, Op, Bucharest, 1993).

If [font color="darkorange"]11...Bxf6 12.Qxd6 Be7 13.Qd2 b4 14.Ne2 Ra7[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]15.Kb1 Qb6 16.e5 0-0 17.Nc1 a5 18.Bd3 a4[/font] is equal (Chiburdanidze-Kozlovskaya, Soviet ChW, Tbilisi, 1974).
[font color="purple"]15.Qe3 Qa5 16.b3 Rb7 17.Nd2 Na7 18.Nc4[/font] is equal (Psakhis-Geller, Moscow, 1986).

If [font color="darkred"]8...h6 9.Be3 Be7 10.f4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]10...Bd7 11.Kb1 b5 12.Bd3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]12...0-0 13.h3 Nxd4 14.Bxd4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]14...b4 15.Ne2 Bc6 16.Qe3 Qb8[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]17.Ng3 Re8 18.Bxf6 Bxf6 19.Nh5 Bh4 20.e5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space; Black has an active Bishop pair (Gallagher-Ashley, Op, Cannes, 1998).
If [font color="magenta"]14...Bc6 15.Qe3 Qc7[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]16.e5 dxe5 17.Bxe5 Qb7[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]18.Rhg1 Nd5 Rad8 19.g4 b4 20.Bxf6 Bxf6 21.Ne2 Qc7[/font] is equal (Brodsky-Maiwald, Ciocaltea Mem, Bucharest, 1994).
[font color="burgundy"]17.e5 dxe5 18.Bxe5 Qb7 19.Nd4 Bd5 20.f5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Kukk-Makarov, Corres, 2002).

If [font color="darkorange"]18.Rhf1 Rad8 19.g4 b4 20.Ne2 Bb5 21.g5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]21...Nd5 22.Qg3 hxg5 23.fxg5 Bxd3 24.Rxd3 Qb6 25.Nd4[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Fritz-Nimzo8, Computer Trmt, London, 2000).
[font color="purple"]21...hxg5 22.fxg5 Nd7 23.Bf6 Bc5 24.Qg3 Bxd3 25.Rxd3[/font] gives White the active game (Deep Junior-Deep Fritz, BGN Qual, Cadaques, Spain, 2001).

[font color="darkorange"]16.Rhf1 b4 17.Ne2 e5 18.fxe5 dxe5 19.Qg3[/font] is equal (Aseev-Shirov, Soviet Ch ½-finals, Daugavpils, 1989).

If [font color="magenta"]12...Qc7 13.h3[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]13...Na5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]14.g4 b4 15.Nce2 Nc4 16.Bxc4 Qxc4 17.Ng3[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]17...g6 18.Qd3 Rc8 19.Nf3 Bb5 20.Qxc4 Rxc4 21.Bd4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Wang Zili-Bu Xiangzhi, China, 1999).
[font color="hotpink"]17...a5 18.g5 hxg5 19.fxg5 Nh5 20.Nxh5 Rxh5 21.e5[/font] is equal (Mednis-Csom, IT, Budapest, 1978).

[font color="purple"]14.Qf2 b4 15.Nce2 Nc4 16.g4 Nxe3 17.Qxe3 g5 18.e5[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space; Black has a local advantage on the queenside (Tsheskovsky-Huzman, Op, Biel, 1993).

[font color="darkorange"]13...Nxd4 14.Bxd4 Bc6 15.e5 dxe5 16.fxe5 Nd7 17.Ne4[/font] gives White the advantage in space (Brodsky-E. Ragozin, Op, Polanica Zdroj, 2000).

If [font color="magenta"]10...Nxd4 11.Bxd4 b5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]12.Qe3 Bb7 13.Bxf6 gxf6 14.Bd3[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]14...Qa5 15.Kb1 b4 16.Ne2 Qc5 17.Nd4[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]17...Bc6 18.Rhe1 Bd7 19.f5 e5 20.Nb3 Qxe3 21.Rxe3[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]21...Rg8 22.g3 a5 23.Bc4 a4 24.Nc1 Bc6 25.Bd5[/font] gives White stronger pawns and more space (Adams-San Segundo Carillo, IT, Madrid, 1996).
[font color="burgundy"]21...a5 22.Bc4 a4 23.Bd5 Rc8 24.Na5 Rg8 25.g3[/font] gives White stronger pawns and more space (Junior-Nimzo8, Computer Trmt, Paderborn, 2000).

[font color="darkpink"]17...h5 18.Qe2 a5 19.Bb5+ Kf8 20.Bc4 Qb6 21.g4[/font] gives White a healthy advantage in space (Adams-Serper, IT, New York, 1996).

[font color="darkorchid"]14...Qc7 15.f5 Qc5 16.Qg3 Kd7 17.fxe6+ fxe6 18.Qh3[/font] is equal (Marciano-E. Relange, French Ch, Narbonne, 1997).

If [font color="darkorange"]12.Bd3 Bb7 13.Kb1 0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]14.e5 dxe5 15.fxe5 Nd7 16.Ne4 Bxe4 17.Bxe4 Rc8[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]18.Qe2 Qc7 19.h4 Nc5 20.Bxc5 Bxc5 21.g4[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Tseshkovsky-Kiselev, Russian ChT, Kazan, 1995).

If [font color="purple"]14.Rhe1 b4[/font] then:

If [font color="purple"]15.Na4 Bc6 16.Nb6 Rb8[/font] then:

If [font color="purple"]17.Nc4 Nxe4 18.Bxe4 Bxe4[/font] then:

If [font color="purple"]19.Rxe4 d5[/font] then:

If [font color="purple"]20.Re3?! dxc4![/font] (the game is equal) [font color="purple"]21.Qe2[/font] then:

[font color="purple"]21...Qa5? 22.Qg4! g5 23.fxg5 Qxg5 24.Qe2 Bd6 25.Re4 h5 26.h4 Qh6 27.g4[/font] Black resigns (Dvoirys-Nalbandian, ITZ, Biel, 1993).
[font color="#C04080"]21...Qc8 22.Rg3 f6 23.Re3 Rd8[/font] remains equal.

[font color="darkorchid"]20.Bxg7! Kxg7 21.Rd4 Bf6 22.Ne5 Qc7 23.Re1[/font] gives White strong pawns and more space.

[font color="darkpink"]19.Bxg7 Kxg7 20.Qd4+ Bf6 21.Qxe4 d5 22.Qe2[/font] gives White stronger pawns, more freedom and a small advantage in space; Black cannot take on c4 (Spraggett-I. Smirin, Op, Calgary, Alberta, 1996).

[font color="burgundy"]18.c3 Qc7 19.Rde1 Rfd8 20.Qf2 Bc5 21.Rhf1[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space ( Matulovic-Vuckovic, Serbian Ch, Sabac, 1998).

[font color="burgundy"]17.e5 Rxb6 18.exf6 Bxf6 19.Bxb6 Qxb6 20.Qe3 Qa5[/font] is equal (Santo Román-van der Wiel, Ol, Moscow, 1994).

[font color="hotpink"]15.Ne2 Qc7 16.e5 Nd5 17.Ng3 dxe5 18.Bxe5 Bd6[/font] is equal (Larsen-Benjamin, IT, Buenos Aires, 1992).

7...Nbd7

[font color="red"]7...Qb6[/font] is the Poison Pawn Variation. See Shirov-Hou Yifan, Op, Gibraltar, 2012.

8.Qe2

If [font color="red"]8.Qf3 Qc7 9.0-0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]9...Be7 10.g4 b5 11.Bxf6 Nxf6 12.g5 Nd7[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13.a3 Rb8[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]14.h4 b4 15.axb4 Rxb4 16.Bh3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]16...0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]17.Nf5?! Nc5![/font] then:

If [font color="red"]18.Nxe7+!? Qxe7![/font] then:

[font color="red"]19.h5?! Bb7! 20.h6 Bxe4 21.Nxe4 Nxe4[/font] gives Black a comfortable advantage in space (Minic-Fischer, IT, Rovinj/Zagreb Rd 3, 1970).
[font color="burgundy"]19.Rhe1 Bb7 20.f5 exf5 21.Qf4 fxe4 22.Qxd6 Qxd6 23.Rxd6 Rb8[/font] gives Black a fair advantage in space.

[font color="darkpink"]18.Rd4 a5 19.Nxe7+ Qxe7 20.Rhd1 Qb7[/font] gives Black a slight advantage.

[font color="darkorchid"]17.Nxe6!! fxe6 18.Bxe6+ Kh8 19.Nd5[/font] gives White a comfortable advantage in space (Parma-Browne, IT, Rovinj/Zagreb Rd 8, 1970).

If [font color="darkred"]16...Qc5 17.Nb3 Qb6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]18.h5 Nc5 19.Nxc5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]19...Qxc5 20.g6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]20...0-0 21.gxh7+ Kh8 22.h6 g6 23.Qd3 Qb6[/font] is equal (Szmetan-Quintaros, IT, São Paulo, 1972).

[font color="purple"]20...fxg6 21.hxg6 h6 22.Bg4 Qa5 23.b3[/font] is equal (Planinc-Savon, IT, Mar del Plata, 1971).

[font color="darkorange"]19...dxc5 20.g6 fxg6 21.hxg6 h6 22.Nd5 exd5 23.Bxc8 0-0[/font] gives Black the initiative and command of the b-file (Bellin-Portisch, IT, Teeside, 1972 and Kaplan-Browne, IT, Madrid, 1973).
[font color="magenta"]18.Rhf1 0-0 19.f5 Ne5 20.Qg3 Rd8 21.h5[/font] gives White a comfortable advantage in space (Manik-Navara, Czech League 0001, 2001).

If [font color="darkred"]14.Bh3 Nc5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]15.Rhg1 b4 16.axb4 Rxb4 17.f5 [/font] then:

[font color="darkred"] 17...Qb6 18.fxe6 fxe6 19.Nxe6 Bxe6 20.Bxe6 Nxe6[/font] is equal (Scanavino-Najdorf, IT, Buenos Aires, 1965).
[font color="darkorange"]17...Bd7 18.e5 d5 19.fxe6 fxe6 20.Nxe6 Bxe6 21.Bxe6 Nxe6 22.Nxd5[/font] is equal (Hindle-Gligoric, IT 6465, Hastings, 1964).

[font color="magenta"]15.b4 Na4 16.Rd3 Nb6 17.Nb1?! Bd7! 18.Rc3 Qb7[/font] leaves Black with an extra pawn (Capelan-Tatai, IT, Solingen, 1968).

If [font color="darkred"]a) 13.f5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13...Bxg5+ 14.Kb1 Ne5 15.Qh5 Qd8[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]16.h4 Bf6 17.fxe6 0-0 18.Bh3 fxe6 19.Bxe6+ Kh8 20.Nd5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]20...Nc4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]21.Nc6 Qe8 22.Qxe8 Rxe8 23.Nxf6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]23...Rxe6 24.Nd5 Rxe4 25.Nc7 Bb7 26.Nxa8[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]26...Bxc6? 27.b3 Ne5 28.Rxd6 h5 29.Nc7[/font] wins at least a pawn; Black soon resigns(Guseinov-Akshat, Op, Abu Dhabi, 2005).
[font color="burgundy"]26...Bxa8 27.Nb4 a5 28.Na6[/font] gives Black's pieces more freedom then in the actual game, but the situation is still grim.

If [font color="magenta"]23...gxf6 24.Bxc4 bxc4 25.Rxd6 Bb7[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]26.Re1!? Rac8 27.Nd4[/font] gives White a comfortable advantage in space (Rogers-Stojic, Op, Canberra, 2006).
[font color="darkorange"]26.Rxf6! Rxe4 27.Na5 Rae8 28.a4[/font] gives White an extra pawn.

[font color="burgundy"]21.Nxf6 Qxf6 22.Bd5 Rb8 23.Qg5 Ne5 24.a3 Bg4 25.Rd2[/font] is equal (Holtze-Sadler, Bundesliga 9899, Solingen, 1999).

If [font color="magenta"]20...Ra7?[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]21.Rdf1 g6[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]22.Qd1 Bb7 23.h5 Bxd5 24.Bxd5 Qe8 25.Ne6[/font] White has an easy win (A. Mammadov-Idrisov, Op, Baku, 2006).
[font color="burgundy"]22.Qe2 Bg7 23.h5 Rxf1+ 24.Qxf1 Bxe6 25.Nxe6[/font] gives White complete domination of the board (Shabalov-Fedorowicz, IT, New York, 1992).

If [font color="darkorange"]21.Rh3? g6! 22.Qe2 Qe8 23.Bxc8 Qxc8[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]24.Nf4?! Nc4! 25.Qd3 Be5[/font] gives Black more activity and threats (Del Rio Angelis-O. Berg, Ol, Palma de Mallorca, 2004).
[font color="purple"]24.Rhh1 Ng4 25.Nxf6 Rxf6 26.h5[/font] gives White a comfortable advantage.

If [font color="magenta"]16.Rg1![/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]16...Bf6?! 17.fxe6[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]17...0-0 18.Bh3 g6[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]19.Nd5 Kh8 20.Qe2 fxe6 21.Bxe6[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]21...Ra7?! 22.Rdf1 Bg7 23.h4 Re8 24.Bxc8 Qxc8 25.h5[/font] gives White a safer King and the advantage in space (Efimenko-Steindorsson, Euro ChTU18, Balatonlelle, Hungary, 2000).
[font color="burgundy"]21...Re8 22.Bxc8 Rxc8 23.h4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Matulovic-Georghiu, ZT, Vraca, 1975).

[font color="darkpink"]19.Qe2 Kh8 20.Rgf1 Bg7 21.Qg2 Nc4 22.e5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Matulovic-Quinteros, IT, Wijk aan Zee, 1974).

If [font color="darkorange"]17...g6 18.exf7+ Kxf7[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]19.Qh6[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkorange"]19...Bg7 20.Qf4+ Qf6?[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkorange"]21.Qg3! Qd8 22.Nf5 Bf8 23.Be2!! gxf5 24.Bh5+[/font] when White wins material (Ivanchuk-DeFirmian, IT 8990, Reggio Emilia, 1990).
[font color="purple"]19.Qe2?! Rf8! 20.Qe3 Ng4[/font] gives Black the initiative (Enders-Ftacnik, SX, Germany, 1995).

If [font color="darkorange"]16...h6 17.fxe6 g6 18.exf7+[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]18...Kxf7 19.Qe2 Kg7 20.h4 Bxh4 21.Nf5+[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]21...Kh7 22.Rxd6 Qf8 23.Qh2 Bxf5 24.Qxe5 Qe7 25.Qxe7+[/font] gives White a comfortable advantage (Bronstein-Browne, Op, Reykjavik, 1990).
[font color="purple"]21...Bxf5 22.exf5 Rf8 23.Bh3 Be7 24.Nd5[/font] leaves White to win by stripping the Black King of its protection (Tyagunov-Kelstrup, Corres, 1991).

[font color="hotpink"]18...Kf8 19.Qe2 Rh7 20.Nf3 Qf6 21.Nxe5 dxe5 22.Nd5[/font] White soon wins (Rosin-Noakes, Corres, 1992).

If [font color="magenta"]13...Nc5 14.f6 gxf6 15.gxf6 Bf8 16.Rg1[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]16...h5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]17.a3 Rb8 18.e5[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]18...Bb7 19.Qg3 d5 20.Kb1[/font] gives White a comfortable advanatage in space (Gutsche-T. Schmidt, Corres, 2000).
[font color="burgundy"]18...d5 19.Bh3 b4 20.axb4 Rxb4 21.Nxd5 exd5 22.Bxc8[/font] gives White a comfortable advantage in space (A. de Groot-Mackie, Corres, 1999).

[font color="darkpink"]17.Rg7 b4 18.Nd5 exd5 19.exd5 Nd7 20.Nc6 Bb7[/font] is equal (multiple games).
If [font color="darkorange"]16...Bd7?! 17.Rg7?! Bxg7? 18.fxg7 Rg8 19.e5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]19...0-0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]20.exd6![/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]20...Qb6 21.Ne4 Bc6 22.Nxc6 Qxc6 23.Qc3 Qxe4 24.Qxc5+[/font] gives White an easy win (Pecha-Menzel, Corres, 1996).
If [font color="burgundy"]20...Qb7[/font] then White wins after [font color="burgundy"]21.Qg3 b4 22.Bg2 Qb6 23.Ne4 Nxe4 24.Bxe4[/font](Efimenko-Poletaev, Ukrainian ChU18, Dnipropetrovsk, 1999).

If [font color="hotpink"]19...d5 20.Qf6[/font] then:

If [font color="hotpink"]20...b4 21.Nf5 exf5 22.Nxd5 Qd8 23.Qd6 f6 24.Bc4[/font] is a clear win for White (Lobron-Chandler, Bundesliga, Germany, 1986).
If [font color="purple"]20...Rc8[/font] then White wins after [font color="purple"]21.Bd3 Nxd3+ 22.Rxd3 Qc5 23.Rf3 Qe7 24.Qh6.[/font]

If [font color="darkred"]b) 13.Bh3 b4 14.Nce2[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]14...Bb7?! 15.Kb1 Nc5 16.Ng3 d5 17.f5 dxe4[/font] is equal (Smyslov-Fischer, Candidates' Trmt, Bled, 1959).
If [font color="magenta"]14...Nc5![/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]15.Ng3?![/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]g6?![/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]16.Bg2?! e5! 17.Nde2[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]17...Be6?! 18.Kb1! Qa5 19.Nc1[/font] is equal (Radjabov-Ivanchuk, Ol, Torino, 2006).
[font color="burgundy"]17...a5 18.h4 a4 19.f5 b3[/font] gives Black a fair advantage in space.

[font color="hotpink"]16.Kb1! e5 17.Bxc8 Rxc8 18.Nde2 exf4 19.Nxf4 Ne6[/font] is equal.

If [font color="purple"]15...h6! 16.gxh6 Rxh6 17.Bg2 Bb7 18.Kb1 Rd8[/font] gives Black a comfortable advantage in space.

[font color="darkorange"]15.Qe3 Bb7 16.Bg2 0-0 17.Kb1 g6 18.Nb3 Rfc8[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space.

If [font color="darkred"]9...b5 10.Bd3 Bb7 11.Rhe1 Qb6 12.Nb3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]12...Rc8 13.Qh3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13...Rxc3 14.bxc3 Qc7 15.Kb1 Be7[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]16.e5 dxe5 17.f5 Nd5 18.Bxe7 Kxe7 19.fxe6 fxe6 20.Qg3[/font] leaves White with a small advantage in space (Shirov-Anand, IT, Morelia/Linares, 2008).
If [font color="burgundy"]16.f5 e5 17.g4 Nd5 18.Bd2 Nxc3+ 19.Bxc3 Qxc3[/font] is equal; White has a little more space, but Black's Queen is not easily expelled from c3 (Y. Gruenfeld-Sasikiran, Ol, Khanty-Mansiysk, 2010).

If [font color="darkpink"]13...b4 14.Nb1 a5 15.Qe3 Qxe3+ 16.Rxe3 a4[/font] is equal (Belov-Efimenko, Euro Ch, Plovdiv, 2008).

If [font color="magenta"]12...b4[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]13.Na4 Qc7 14.Nd4 Be7 15.Qh3[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]15...0-0-0 16.f5[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]16...Qa5 17.e5 Nxe5 18.fxe6 Qxa4 19.Nf5 Kb8[/font] gives Black a number of potent threats (Kotronias-Kr. Georgiev, Op, Ano Liosia, 1995).
If [font color="darkorange"]16...Nc5? 17.fxe6! Nxa4 18.exf7+[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]18...Kb8 19.Ne6 Qa5 20.e5 Rc8 21.exf6 gxf6 22.Bf4[/font] leaves White a piece to the good (Timman-Mecking, IT, Wijk aan Zee, 1978).
If [font color="purple"]18...Qd7[/font] then White wins after [font color="purple"]19.Qxd7+ Rxd7 20.e5 dxe5 21.Bf5.[/font]

[font color="darkpink"]15...Nc5!? 16.Nxc5 dxc5 17.Nxe6! fxe6 18.Bc4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Spassky-Tukmakov, Moscow Ch, 1973).

If [font color="darkorange"]13.Nb1 Be7 14.N1d2 Qc7[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]15.Kb1 h6 16.Qh3 Rg8 17.Bxf6 Nxf6 18.f5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Ehlvest-Gelfand, IT, Linares, 1991).
[font color="purple"]15.Qh3 e5 16.Nc4 0-0 17.Nba5 Bc8 18.Qg3 Re8[/font] is equal (Shirov-Karjakin, World Cup, Khanty-Mansiysk, 2007).

8...Qc7 9.0-0-0 b5

If [font color="red"]9...Be7 10.Nf3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]10...e5 11.g4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]11...h6 12.Bxf6 Nxf6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]13.f5 b5 14.a3 Rb8 15.h4 Qb6 16.Nd2[/font] gives White a small advantage in space concentrated on the kingside (Stellwagen-van Wely, IT A, Wijk aan Zee, 2009).
[font color="burgundy"]13.g5 hxg5 14.fxg5 Nh5 15.Nd5 Qc6 16.g6[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Shirazi-Lerner, Op, Philadelphia, 1990).

[font color="darkpink"]11...Qa5 12.Bxf6 Nxf6 13.g5 Nh5 14.f5 Nf4 15.Qd2[/font] is equal (Kurenkov-Amonatov, Moscow Op, 2007).

If [font color="darkred"]a) 10...Nb6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]11.Qe1 Bd7 12.e5 dxe5 13.fxe5 Nfd5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]14.Bxe7 (14.Nxd5 Nxd5 15.Bxe7 Nxe7 16.Bd3[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space.

(Guseinov-Jatautis, World Jr Ch, Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan, 2003).

If [font color="magenta"]11.g4 0-0 12.e5[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]12...dxe5 13.Nxe5 Nfd5 14.Nxd5 Nxd5 15.Bxe7 Qxe7 16.Qe4[/font] is equal (Radulski-B. Lalic, Op, Cappelle=la-Grande, 2012).
[font color="darkorange"]12...Nfd5 13.Bxe7 Qxe7 14.Nxd5 Nxd5 15.f5[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space.

If [font color="darkred"]b) 10...h6 11.Bh4 e5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]12.g3 Nb6 13.Qd3 Bg4 14.h3 Bxf3 15.Qxf3[/font] gives White a potential outpost at d5 and the advantage in space (Negi-Ghaem Magami, Op, Dubai, 2010).
[font color="magenta"]12.Nd5 Nxd5 13.exd5 Bxh4 14.Nxh4 0-0 15.g3 Re8[/font] buries d5 under a White pawn, giving White less of an advantage, if any advantage at all (Safarli-Kuzubov, ITU18, Kirishi, 2007).

10.a3

If [font color="red"]10.f5 e5 11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.exd5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]12...Nb6 13.g4 Be7 14.Bxe7 Qxe7 15.Nc6 Qg5+ 16.Kb1[/font] gives White better development and more space; Black a passed pawn (Guseinov-Afshari, Iranian ChT, Tehran, 2005).
[font color="darkred"]12...Nc5 13.f6 gxf6 14.Bxf6 Rg8 15.h3 Rg6[/font] gives Black a slight advantage in space (Kurnosov-Korobobv, Russian ChT, Sochi. 2012).

10...Be7 11.g4 Rb8

If [font color="red"]11...Bb7 12.Bg2[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]12...h6 13.Bh4 Qc4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]14.Qxc4 bxc4 15.h3 Rc8 16.Rhe1 Nc5 17.Re2[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (N. Kosintseva-Ju Wenjun, OlW, Khanty-Mansiysk, 2010).
[font color="magenta"]14.Qe1 b4 15.Bf1 Qc5 16.Nb3 Qb6 17.axb4 Qxb4[/font] is equal (T. Kosintseva-Sebag, Euro ChW, Rijeka, 2010).

[font color="darkred"]12...Rc8 13.Bh4 Qc4 14.Qxc4 Rxc4[/font] is equal (Savon-Mecking, IZT, Petropolis, Brazil, 1973).

12.Bg2 h6 (N)

If [font color="red"]12...b4?![/font] (a pawn sacrifice that proves unsound) [font color="red"]13.axb4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13...Rxb4?! 14.e5! dxe5 15.Nc6![/font] then:

[font color="red"]15...Bb7 16.Nxb4 Bxb4 17.fxe5 Bxc3 18.exf6 gxf6 19.bxc3 fxg5 20.Bxb7 Qxb7 21.h4[/font] gives White the exchange for a pawn (Ivanchuk-van Wely, IT A, Wijk aan Zee, 2010).
If [font color="burgundy"]15...h6[/font] then White wins the exchange after [font color="burgundy"]16.Bxf6 Nxf6 17.fxe5 Nd7 18.Nxb4 Bxb4.[/font]

If [font color="darkred"]13...h6[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Qd2 Qc4 16.b5 axb5 17.Bf1[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.
[font color="magenta"]14.Bh4 Rxb4 15.Be1 Qb6 16.Bf2 Nc5 17.e5[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space.

13.Bh4

White has a small advantage in space.

13...b4

While this may not be the best move here, it still satisfactory. Black must play this move in most variations of the Open Sicilian, especially the Najdorf Defense.
[font color="red"]13...Bb7 14.Rhg1 Nb6 15.e5 dxe5 16.fxe5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

14.axb4

White has more activity and more space; Black has slightly stronger pawns with a cramped but playable position.

[center]BLACK: Parimarjan Negi[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Yu Yangyi[/center][center]Position after 14.ab4:p[/center]

14...Rxb4 15.Bf2

[font color="red"]15.Be1 Qb6 16.Bf2 Nc5 17.e5 dxe5 18.Nc6[/font] continues to give White a small advantage in space.

15...g5?!

If [font color="red"]15...Nb6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]16.h4 h5 17.e5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]17...Nfd5 18.exd6 Qxd6 19.Nxd5 Nxd5 20.Bxd5 Qxd5[/font] is equal.
If [font color="darkred"]17...dxe5 18.Nc6 Rxf4 19.Bg3 hxg4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]20.Nxe5 Nh5 21.Bc6+ Kf8 22.Bxf4 Nxf4 23.Qe3 Rh5 is equal.[/font]
If [font color="magenta"]20.Bxf4??[/font] then Black wins after [font color="magenta"]20...exf4! 21.Nxe7 f3! 22.Bxf3 gxf3.[/font]

If [font color="darkred"]16.e5 dxe5 17.Nc6 Rxf4 18.Bc5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]18...Nfd5 19.Bxe7 Qxc6 20.Qxe5 Rxg4[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space.
If [font color="magenta"]18...Bxc5?[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]19.Qxe5! Bd6 20.Rxd6 0-0 21.Qxf4 Nc4 22.Rd4[/font] gives White more than enough space and activity to compensate for the pawn.
If [font color="darkorange"]19.Rd8+??[/font] then Black wins after [font color="darkorange"]19...Qxd8! 20.Nxd8 Kxd8 21.Qxe5 Rc4 22.Kb1 Nbd7.[/font]

16.fxg5

[font color="red"]16.h4 Rg8 17.hxg5 hxg5 18.f5 Ne5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

16...Nxg4

If [font color="red"]16...hxg5 17.h3 Ne5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]18.Rhf1 Nfd7 19.Be1 Qb6 20.Nd5 exd5 21.Bxb4 Qxb4[/font] remains equal.
[font color="darkred"]18.Nb3 Qc4 19.Qe3 Qc7 20.Qe2 a5 21.Rd4 Rb8[/font] remains equal.

17.Qxg4 Bxg5+ 18.Kb1 Qxc3 19.Nb3 Qc7 20.Be1

[font color="red"]20.Qg3 Ne5 21.h4 Be7 22.Bd4 Bb7 23.Rd2[/font] remains equal.

20...Rc4

[font color="red"]20...Ra4 21.Qg3 Be7 22.Bc3 e5 23.Qg7 Bf6 24.Qg3[/font] remains equal.

21.Ba5 Qb8

If [font color="red"]21...Qc6 22.Qg3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]22...Ne5 23.h4 Be7 24.Nd4 Qc5 25.Nb3 Qc6 26.Nd4[/font] invites a draw by repetition.
[font color="darkred"]22...Be7 23.e5 d5 24.Rhf1 Bg5 25.Nd4 Qc5 26.h4[/font] remains equal.

22.Qg3 e5?!

Apparently Black does not want White to occupy e5. This move weakens Black's grip on the Sicilian-critical d5 square.
If [font color="red"]22...Bf6 23.Qxd6 Qxd6 24.Rxd6 Rg8 25.Rd2 Bg5[/font] remains equal.

[center]BLACK: Parimarjan Negi[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Yu Yangyi[/center][center]Position after 22...e6e5[/center]

23.h4?!

The game remains equal.
If [font color="red"]23.Qd3! Rc6 24.Bc3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]24...Bd8 25.Bh3 Rg8 26.Bf5 Nf8 27.Qd5[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space.
[font color="darkred"]24...Nc5 25.Qd5 Bb7 26.Bxe5 Rc8 27.Qxd6 Qxd6 28.Rxd6[/font] gives White a subtantial advantage in space.

23...Bf4?!

A better use for the Bishop is to retreat and defend Black's kingside or center.
If [font color="red"]23...Be7 24.Qg7 Bf6 25.Qg4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]25...Nc5 26.Qf3 Be7 27.Nxc5 Rxc5 28.Bc3[/font] is equal.
[font color="darkred"]25...Be7[/font] invites a draw by repetition.

24.Qg7!

White has more activity and more space.

24...Rf8 25.Bd2!?

In a complicated position, White misses the best line.
If [font color="red"]25.Rh3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]25...Ke7 26.Rhd3 Rc6 27.Rf3 Nf6 28.Rxf4[/font] leaves White with a very comfortable advantage in space.
[font color="darkred"]25...Rc6?! 26.Rf3! d5 27.h5 Nf6 28.exd5 Nxh5 29.Qxf8+[/font] gives White two Rooks and the initiative for a Queen and a pawn.

25...Bxd2!

White has a slim advantage in space; the position looks wild.

26.Rxd2 Nc5

[font color="red"]26...a5 27.Nxa5 Rb4 28.c3 Ra4 29.Nc6 Qc7 30.Nb4[/font] is equal.

27.Rhd1 Nb7 28.Na5 Rc7

If [font color="red"]28...Nxa5? 29.Rxd6! Nc6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]30.Rd8+!! Nxd8 31.Rxd8+ Kxd8 32.Qxf8+[/font] then:

[font color="red"]32...Kc7 33.Qxf7+ Kd8 34.Qg8+ Kc7 35.Qxc4+[/font] gives White a clear path to victory.
If [font color="magenta"]32...Kd7[/font] then White wins after [font color="magenta"]33.Qxf7+ Kd8 34.Qg8+ Kd7 35.Qxc4.[/font]

White also wins after [font color="darkred"]30.Bf1 Rc5 31.Rd8+ Nxd8 32.Rxd8+ Kxd8 33.Qxf8+ Kd7 34.Qxc5.[/font]

[center]BLACK: Parimarjan Negi[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Yu Yangyi[/center][center]Position after 28...Rc4c7[/center]

29.Rxd6?!

White allows Black an opportunity to level the game.
[font color="red"]29.Bf3! Nxa5 30.Rxd6 Nc6 31.Bh5 Bh3 32.Qf6 Qc8 33.R1d5[/font] gives White considerable pressure against the d8 square.

29...Nxd6!

Black has equalized.

30.Rxd6 Be6 31.Qxe5 Qc8 32.Bh3 Rc5 33.Qf6?

This is a very subtle, but very definite blunder.
[font color="red"]33.Bxe6 Rxe5 34.Bxc8 Rxa5 35.Rxh6 Rg8 36.b3 Rg6[/font] remains equal.

[center]BLACK: Parimarjan Negi[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Yu Yangyi[/center][center]Position after 33.Qe5b6[/center]

33...Rg8!

It takes some time to get there, but the position is won for Black.

34.Nb7

If [font color="red"]34.c3 Bxh3 35.Nb7 Bd7[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]36.Nxc5 Qxc5 37.Rxa6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]37...Rg1+[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]38.Kc2 Rg2+ 39.Kb1[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]39...Bc8[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]40.Ra8 [/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]40...Rg6 41.Qd4 Rg1+ 42.Kc2 Rg2+ 43.Kc1 Qxd4 44.cxd4 Kd8.[/font]
If [font color="burgundy"]40.Rc6??[/font] then Black wins after [font color="burgundy"]40...Qg1+! 41.Ka2 Qa7+ 42.Kb3 Be6+ 43.Rxe6+ fxe6 44.Qxe6+ Qe7.[/font]

If [font color="darkred"]39...Qg1+? 40.Ka2 Be6+[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]41.Rxe6+ fxe6 42.Qxe6+ Kf8[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]43.Qd6+ Kg7 44.Qe5+ Kg8 45.Qe6+ Kh7 46.Qf5+ Rg6 47.h5 Qa7+ 48.Kb1 Qg1+ etc.[/font] draws by repetition.
[font color="darkorange"]43.Qf6+ Kg8 44.Qe6+ Kh8 45.Qf6+ Kg8 etc.[/font] draws.

[font color="magenta"]41.Ka3? Qc5+! 42.Ka4 Bd7+ 43.Qc6 Rxb2[/font] Black soon gives mate.

If [font color="burgundy"]38.Ka2?[/font] then [font color="burgundy"]38...Qc4+ 39.b3 Qe2+ 40.Ka3 Ra1+ 41.Kb4 Qb5#.[/font]

If [font color="darkred"]37...Bc8 38.Rd6 Qa5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]39.Kc1 h5 40.Rc6 Rg1+ 41.Kd2 Be6[/font] gives Black an easy win.
[font color="magenta"]39.Rd1 Be6 40.c4 Qc7 41.b3 Qb6 42.Qf3 Rg1[/font] gives Black a piece for two pawns and active heavy pieces.

[font color="darkorchid"]36.Rb6 Rc6 37.Nd6+ Rxd6 38.Qxd6 Rg6 39.Qe5+ Re6 40.Rxe6+ Bxe6[/font] leaves Black a piece to the good.

34...Rg1+

If [font color="red"]34...Qxb7??[/font] then Black is embarrassed by [font color="red"]35.Rd8#.[/font]

35.Bf1 Rxf1+ 36.Qxf1 Qxb7

Black emerges with a Bishop for a pawn.

37.Qf6 Rc8 38.Rd4

[font color="red"]38.Qf4 h5 39.Kc1 Rc4 40.Qe5 Qc7 41.Qh8+ Ke7[/font] leaves Black a piece to the good.
If [font color="blue"]38.Qxh6 Qxe4 39.Qc1 Qa4 40.b3 Bxb3 41.Qe3+ Be6[/font] gives Black an extra piece.

[center]BLACK: Parimarjan Negi[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Yu Yangyi[/center][center]Position after 38.Rd6d4[/center]

The rest needs no comment.

38...Qc6 39.c4 Qb6 40.Rd1 Qb3 41.Rd4 Qb4 42.Qh8+ Ke7 43.Qxh6 Rxc4 44.Rd1 Rc6 45.Qe3 Qc4 46.Rd5 Ke8 47.b3 Qc2+ 48.Ka1 Qc1+ 49.Qxc1 Rxc1+ 50.Kb2 Bxd5 51.Kxc1 Bxe4 0-1

Black is a full piece to the good.
Grandmaster Yu resigns.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

9. Gomez - Yu Yangyi, General Group, Round 3

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Reply #7)

Thu Jun 7, 2012, 03:48 PM

Jun 2012

Yu Yangyi, who finished second in the Chinese Championships in April, also finished second in the Asian Continental Championships.

[center][/center]

[center]Yu Yangyi[/center][font size="1"]Photo by Kgolp76 (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:Search/Kgolp76)Kgolp76] in Wikimedia Commons (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Chess_players_from_China) (Public Domain)
[/font]

John Paul Gomez - Yu Yangyi
Asian Championship (General Group) Round 3
Ho Chi Minh City, 7 May 2012

Closed Queen's Gambit: Catalan Opening

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 Be7 5.Bg2 d5 6.Nf3 0-0 7.0-0 c6 8.Qc2 b6 9.Rd1 Nbd7 10.Bf4 Ba6

So far, the game has followed [font color="darkred"]Yavseev-Cvek, Op, Pardubice, 2001[/font] in the notes to Black's ninth move in Sasikiran-Dzagnidze, Op, Gibraltar, 2011.

11.Ne5

If [font color="red"]11.b3 Rc8 12.Nc3 Nh5 13.Bc1[/font] then:

[font color="red"]13...f5 14.Bb2 g5 15.e3 h6 16.a4 Nhf6 17.Rac1 Bb7 18.cxd5 cxd5 19.Qe2[/font] is equal (Yavseev-Cvek, Op, Pardubice, 2001).
If [font color="darkred"]13...Nhf6[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]14.e4 dxc4 15.Bf4 b5 16.bxc4 bxc4 17.Nd2 Qa5[/font] is equal (Rustemov-Mitkov, Euro Club Cup, Halkidiki, 2002).
[font color="magenta"]14.Bf4 Nh5 15.Bc1 Nhf6 16.Bf4 Nh5[/font] draw (Greenfeld-Tkachiev, Euro Ch, Ohrid, 2001).

11...Nxe5

If [font color="red"]11...Rc8 12.Nc3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]12...Bxc4 13.Nxc4 dxc4 14.e4 b5 15.a4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]15...a6 16.axb5 axb5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]17.d5 cxd5 18.exd5 e5 19.Bg5[/font] gives Black a passed pawn and a small advantage in space; Black has a moble queenside majority (Sharafiev-Matlakov, Russian ChT, Sochi, 2012).
[font color="darkorange"]17.Ra6 Nb6 18.Ra7 Ra8[/font] is equal (Caruana-Palac, Euro Ch, Aix-les-Bains, 2011).

[font color="magenta"]15...Qb6 16.d5 cxd5 17.exd5 e5 18.Bg5 b4[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space (Gupta-S. Ernst, Op, Gronigen, 2010).

[font color="darkred"]12...b5 13.Nxd7 Qxd7 14.c5 Nh5 15.Be3 b4 16.Bf3[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

12.dxe5 Nh5

If [font color="red"]12...Nd7?! 13.cxd5! cxd5 14.e4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]14...Rc8 15.Nc3 d4 16.Rxd4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]16...Qc7 17.Rad1 Rfd8 18.h4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]18...h6 19.h5 Bc5 20.R4d2 Be7[/font] then:

[font color="red"]a) 21.a3?! Kf8 22.Rd4 Bc5 23.R4d2 Be7 24.Rd4 Bc5 25.R4d2 Be7[/font] draw (Vitiugov-Tomashevsky, Russian Ch, Moscow, 2008).

[font color="darkorange"]b) 21.Rd4!? Bc5! 22.R4d2[/font] draw (Lastin-Yemelin, Russian ChT, Sochi, 2004).

[font color="purple"]c) 21.Bf3 Kh7 22.Kg2 Bb7 23.Qa4 Nc5 24.Qc4[/font] continues to give White a comfortable advntage in space (Fritz).

[font color="darkpink"]18...Nb8 19.Rxd8+ Rxd8 20.Rxd8+ Qxd8 21.Qa4[/font] gives White a weak extra pawn and a fair advantage (Gelfand-Alekseev, Tal Mem, Moscow, 2008).

[font color="burgundy"]16...Bc5?! 17.Rd2! Bb7 18.Rad1 Bc6 19.h4 Qe7 20.a3[/font] gives White a weak extra pawn and more space (Gelfand-Nakamura, Tal mem Blitz, Moscow, 2010).

If [font color="darkred"]14...d4 15.Rxd4 Bc5 16.Rd1[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]16...g5 17.Bc1 Qe7 18.Qa4 Bc8 19.Nd2 Nxe5 20.Nb3[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space (Tkachiev-Filippov, Euro Club Cup, Fügen, Austria, 2006).

[font color="magenta"]16...Be7?! 17.Rd2! Qc8 18.Qxc8 Bxc8 19.h4 h6 20.h5[/font] gives White an extra pawn and more freedom.

13.Bc1 f5 14.cxd5 (N)

If [font color="red"]14.b3 Bc5 15.e3 g5 16.Nc3 Bb7 17.a3[/font] allows White to push Black into a corner after 17...Qe2 18.b4! (Johannessen-Wells, Op, Queenstown, New Zealand, 2009).

14...cxd5

White has a small advantage in space.

15.Nc3 Qe8?!

Black misses seizing the initiative.
Better is [font color="red"]15...Qc7 16.Be3 Qxe5 17.Qa4 Bc8 18.Bxb6,[/font] although White still has a small advantage.

16.b3?!

White misses the sham sacrifice in the center that give him the advantage.
[font color="red"]16.Nxd5!! exd5 17.Bxd5+ Kh8 18.Bxa8 Qxa8 19.Rd7[/font] gives him a Rook on the seventh rank and a Rook and two pawns for two minor pieces.

16...Rc8!

The game is equal.

17.Bb2?!

White fails to find the most active move and allows Black to seize the initiative.
[font color="red"]17.Rd4! Bxe2 18.Qxe2 Rxc3 19.Bf3 g6 20.Bxh5 gxh5[/font] gives White some enterprising play in excchange for the pawn.

[center]BLACK: Yu Yangyi[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: John Paul Gomez[/center][center]Position after 17...Bc1b2[/center]

17...f4!

Black deals structural damage to White's pawns.

18.Bf3

White has nothing better than to attack the Knight.
If [font color="red"]18.e3 fxe3 19.fxe3 Bc5 20.Qd2 Qg6 21.Ne2 Rf7![/font] gives Black command of important attacking lanes leading to the White King.

18...fxg3 19.hxg3

If [font color="red"]19.Bxh5? gxf2+! 20.Kh1 Qxh5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]21.Rg1[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]21...fxg1Q+ 22.Rxg1 Rf2[/font] when White is soon mated.
If [font color="darkred"]21.b4 d4 22.Qe4 Rxc3 23.Rf1 Rh3 24.Rxf2 Rxf2.[/font]

19...Bc5 20.b4

If [font color="red"]20.Kg2? d4![/font] then:

[font color="red"]21.Ne4[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]21...Qg6 22.Qd2 Bxe2 23.Nf6+ gxf6 24.Bxe2 fxe5.[/font]
If [font color="darkred"]21.Na4 d3[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]22.Rxd3 Bxf2 23.Rc3 Rxc3 24.Qxc3 Nxg3 25.Kxf2 Ne4+[/font] wins the Queen.
If [font color="magenta"]22.Qb1[/font] then Black wins after [font color="magenta"]22...Bxf2!! 23.Kxf2 dxe2 24.Rd4 Bb7.[/font]

20...Bxb4 21.Rd4?

In time pressure with few good moves, White simply gives Black a target.
White's best shot is [font color="red"]21.Kg2 Qf7 22.Rac1 g5 23.Rd4 Rxc3 24.Bxc3 Bxc3[/font] which still leaves him a pawn down with Black's heavy pieces waiting for an opportunity to break through on the f-file.
If [font color="blue"]21.Rac1? Bc5[/font] then:

[font color="blue"]22.Kg2 d4 23.Ne4 Qg6 24.Bxh5 Qxh5 25.Rh1 Qf5[/font] gives White a won game with an extra pawn that is running up the d-file
[font color="darkblue"]22.Qa4[/font] then Black wins after [font color="darkblue"]22...Nxg3!! 23.Qxe8 Rcxe8 24.Rc2 Rf4 25.Rdd2 Nf5.[/font]

21...Bc5!

Black skewers the Rook and f-pawn, gaining at one stroke a vuluable tempo and an important target.

22.Rh4

If [font color="red"]22.Rg4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]22...g6 23.Qd2 Ng7 24.Kg2 Bc4 25.Rh1 h5[/font] puts White's Rook in an uncomfortable spot where it must either give itself up move to h4, where it is out of play; Black still has a great deal of work to do before forcing White to capitulate.
If [font color="darkred"]22...Qf7?! 23.Kg2 g6[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]24.Qd2 Ng7 25.Rh1 Bc4 26.Rf4 Qe7 27.Rf6 Ne8[/font] leaves black with an extra pawn.
[font color="magenta"]24.Rh1! Kh8 25.Nxd5 Bd4[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]26.Bc3 Bxc3 27.Nxc3 Rxc3 28.Qxc3 Bxe2 29.Bxe2 Qxf2+[/font] is level with Black having two pawns for the exchange.
[font color="darkorange"]26.Nc3 Bxc3 27.Bxc3[/font] transposes into the [font color="magenta"]pink line.[/font]

22...Rf5!

The Knight is covered and, as we shall soon see, White's threat of a pawn fork is idle.

23.Qa4

If [font color="red"]23.g4[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]23...Qg6 24.Rxh5 Rxf3!! 25.Qxg6 hxg6 26.exf3 gxh5.[/font]

[center]BLACK: Yu Yangyi[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: John Paul Gomez[/center][center]Position after 23.Qc2a4[/center]

23...Bxe2!!

Black sacrifices the Bishop to pass the d-pawn.

24.Qxe8+

No better is [font color="red"]24.Nxe2 Rxf3 25.Qxe8+ Rxe8 26.Nd4 Bxd4 27.Bxd4 g6[/font] when Black has four extra pawns.

24...Rxe8 25.Bxe2 Nxg3 26.Rh2

[font color="red"]26.Rd1 Rxf2 27.Ba3 Nxe2+ 28.Nxe2 Rxe2+[/font] leaves Black up by four pawns.

26...d4 27.Bd3 dxc3 28.Bxf5 exf5 0-1

[font color="red"]29.Bc1 c2 30.Bb2 Rd8 31.Kg2 Ne2[/font] leaves White unable to prevent greater material loss.
Gomez resigns.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

10. Monguntuul - Sukandar, Women's Group, Round 6

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Reply #7)

Thu Jun 7, 2012, 03:49 PM

Jun 2012

[center]

Irine Kharisma Sukandar
[/center][font size="1"]Photo by Frank Hoppe (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Samson1964) in Wikipedia (Creative Commons License, Attribution)
[/font]

Batkhuyag Munguntuul - Irine Kharisma Sukandar
Asian Championship (Women's Group), Round 6
Ho Chi Minh City, 10 May 2012

Open Rat Sicilian Game: Scheveningen Defense (Yugoslav Four Knights' Opening)

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 d6

One also reaches this position by playing 2...d6 and 4...e6.
The most common move order for the Scheveningen is 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 [font color="red"]Nf6[/font] 5.Nc3 e6, with ...Nc6 being played later. For the conituation 6.g4, the Keres Opening, see Diamant-Robson, Pan Am Jr Ch, Montevideo, 2009.

6.Be3

The text is the Yugoslav Opening, more commonly called the English Opening except against the Dragon Defnese.
[font color="red"](Opocensky Opening)[/font] If [font color="red"]6.Be2 Nf6 7.0-0 Be7 8.Be3 0-0 9.f4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]9...a6[/font] (this could be reached from the Najdorf Defense) [font color="red"]10.a4 Qc7 11.Kh1 Re8 12.Bf3[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]12...Rb8[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13.Qd2 Bd7[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]14.Nb3 b6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]15.g4 Bc8 16.g5 Nd7 17.Bg2 Na5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]18.Qf2[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]18...Nc4 19.Bc1 Bf8 20.Nd4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]20...Na5 21.f5 Ne5 22.Nce2 Nac6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]23.c3 exf5 24.exf5 Nxd4 25.Nxd4[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Jansa-Ftacnik, Czechoslovakian Ch, Prague, 1989).
[font color="darkpink"]23.Ra3 Nxd4 24.Nxd4 exf5 25.Rc3 Qe7[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Mokry-Horvath, Czechoslovakian Ch, Prague, 1989).

[font color="burgundy"]20...Bb7 21.b3 Na5 22.Bb2 Nc6 23.Nf3 g6 24.Rad1 Bg7[/font] is equal (Timoshenko-Lesiege, Op, Koszalin, 1999).

[font color="hotpink"]18...Nxb3 19.cxb3 Nc5 20.Qc2 b5 21.axb5 axb5[/font] is equal (Palac-Ftacnik, IT, Vinkovci, 1995).

[font color="purple"]18.Nxa5 bxa5 19.b3 Bb7 20.Ne2 Rbc8 21.c4 Nc5 22.Bxc5 Qxc5 23.Ng3 Bf8 24.Rae1 Rb8[/font] is equal (Radjabov-Svidler, Amber Blind, Monaco, 2005).

[font color="darkorange"]15.Bf2 Bc8 16.Bg3 Nd7 17.e5 dxe5 18.Rae1 Bb7 19.fxe5 Ncxe5 20.Bxb7 Rxb7[/font] is equal (Topalov-Anand, IT, Linares, 1999).

[font color="magenta"]14.Qf2 Nxd4 15.Bxd4 e5 16.Bb6 Qc4 17.Be2 Qc6 18.a5 exf4 19.Qxf4[/font] gives White the advantage in space (Kuczynski -Jaworski, Polish ChT, Glagow, 2001).

If [font color="darkred"]13.g4 Nxd4 14.Bxd4 e5 15.fxe5 dxe5 16.Ba7 Ra8 17.g5 Rd8 18.Qe2 Ne8 19.Be3 Be6 20.Qf2[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]20...Rdc8[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]21.Rad1 Bc5 22.Bxc5 Qxc5 23.Nd5 Bxd5 24.Rxd5 Qxc2 25.Rxe5[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Thinius-K.Szabo, 1st Saturday Feb, Budapest, 2005).
If [font color="darkorange"]21.Bg4[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]21...Qc6 22.Bxe6 Qxe6 23.Nd5 Bd8 24.Bc5 Rc6 25.Nb4 Rcc8 26.Nd5 Rc6 27.Nb4 Rcc8 28.Nd5 Rc6[/font] draw (Maliangkay-Elwert, Corres, 1998).
[font color="purple"]21...Nd6 22.Bxe6 fxe6 23.g6 hxg6 24.Qg2[/font] gives White healthier pawns and more active pieces (Xie Jun-Arakhamia, FIDE Knock Out W, Groningen, 1997).

[font color="magenta"]20...Qc4 21.Bb6 Rdc8 22.Be3 Bc5 23.Rad1 Bxe3 24.Qxe3 Qb4[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space (Topalov-Kasparov, Ol, Yerevan, 1996).[/il]

If [font color="darkred"]12...Bf8[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13.Qd2[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13...Nd7 14.Qf2 Rb8 15.Rad1 Nb4 16.e5 dxe5 17.fxe5 Nxe5[/font] gives White the advantage in space in compensation for her sacrificed pawn (Hou Yifan-Javakhashvili, Euro Club Cup W, Plovdiv, 2010).
If [font color="magenta"]13...Rb8 14.Qf2 e5[/font] then:

[font color="magenta]15.fxe5 dxe5 16.Nb3 Be6 17.Bb6 Qc8 18.a5 Bxb3 19.cxb3[/font] gives White the advantage in space, but Black has stronger pawns (Hou Yifan-van Wely, Team M, Amsterdam, 2009).
[font color="darkorange"]15.Nde2 b5 16.axb5 axb5 17.f5 Nb4 18.Ng3 Nxc2 19.Bg5 Nxa1 20.Bxf6 Qc5 21.Qd2 Nb3[/font] leaves Black with the material advantage for the moment, but after 22.Qg5 White has the advantage in space and the active game in compensation (Jakovenko-Rublevsky, IT, Poikovsky, 2008).

If [font color="magenta"]13.Nb3 b6 14.a5[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]14...Nd7 15.axb6 Nxb6 16.Nb5 axb5 17.Bxb6 Qb8 18.Rxa8 Qxa8 19.Qe2 b4 20.Ra1 Qb7 21.Be3[/font] gives White the advantage in space (Kovacevic-Stojanovic, TT, Herceg Novi, 2005).
[font color="darkorange"]14...bxa5 15.e5 dxe5 16.fxe5 Rd8 17.Nd4 Nxd4 18.Bxd4 Bb7 19.exf6 e5 20.fxg7 Bxg7 21.Bxb7 Qxb7 22.Ne2 exd4 23.Ng3 Rd5 24.Nf5[/font] gives White a well-posted Knight and stronger pawns in compensation for his pawn minus (Kovacevic-Jakovljevic, Op, Ljubljana, 2005).

If [font color="darkred"]9...e5 10.Nxc6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]10...bxc6 11.Kh1[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]11...exf4 12.Bxf4 Be6[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13.Bf3[/font] then:
If [font color="darkred"]13...Qb8 14.b3[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]14...Qb4 15.Qe1 a5 16.Rd1 Rfe8 17.e5[/font] gives White the advantage in space (Ruan Lufei-Hou Yifan, FIDE Knock Out W, Antakya, 2010).
[font color="burgundy"]14...a5 15.Ne2 c5 16.a4 Ra6 17.Nc3 c4 18.Nb5 Nd7 19.Bg4 Qc8 20.Bxe6 fxe6 21.Qe2[/font] is equal (Kamsky-Zhou Weiqi, World Cup, Khanty-Mansiysk, 2009).

[font color="darkpink"]13...Qb6 14.b3 Rad8 15.Qe1 Rfe8 16.Rd1 Bg4 17.Qe2 Qa5 18.Bd2 Qh5[/font] is equal (Rodriguez-A. Sokolov, Potuguese ChT, Evora, 2006).

If [font color="magenta"]13.Qe1 Nd7 14.Rd1 Qc7 15.Qg3 Ne5 16.Na4 Rad8 17.b3[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]17...Ng6 18.Bc1 Kh8[/font] is equal (Kryakvin-Bukavshin, Russian Ch HL, Irkutsk, 2010).
[font color="darkorange"]17...f6 18.c4 Bf7 19.Bg4[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Sikula-C. Balogh, Hungarian ChT 0809, Budapest, 2009).

If [font color="magenta"]11.fxe5 dxe5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]12.Qe1 Be6 13.Qg3[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]13...Qc7 14.Kh1 Kh8 15.Bg5 Rad8 16.Qh4 Ng8 17.Bg4[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]17...Bxg5 18.Qxg5 f6[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space (Goldberg-Cifka, Bundesliga 0607, Germany, 2007).
[font color="hotpink"]17...Bxg4 18.Qxg4 Bxg5 19.Qxg5[/font] is equal.

[font color="purple"]13...Qb8 14.Rab1 Kh8 15.Kh1 Qc7 16.Bg5 Rad8 17.Bf3 Ng8 18.Be3 Bb4[/font] is equal (Schultze-Pfrommer, Bundesliga 9697, Germany, 1996).

[font color="darkorange"]12.Qxd8 Rxd8 13.Rad1 Be6 14.Bf3 Rab8 15.Rb1 Ng4 16.Bxg4 Bxg4 17.h3 Be6[/font] is equal (Prandsetter-Jansa, IT, Hradec Kralove, 1981).

If [font color="magenta"]10.Nb3 exf4 11.Bxf4 Be6 12.Kh1 d5 13.e5 Nd7 14.Nxd5 Ndxe5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]15.Nxe7+ Qxe7 16.Qe1[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]16...Rad8 17.Qg3 Ng6 18.Bg5 f6[/font] is equal (Klovans-Tshevkovsky, IT, Riga, 1981).
[font color="purple"]16...Ng6 17.Bg3 Rad8 18.Qf2 Bxb3 19.axb3 Rd2[/font] gives Black the initiative (Gashimov-Ibrahimov, Azerbaijani Ch, 1999).

If [font color="darkorange"]15.c4 Bg5 16.Nc5 Bxf4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkorange"]17.Nxe6 fxe6 18.Nxf4[/font] then:

[font color="darkorange"]18...Rf6 19.c5 Qd4 20.Qxd4 Nxd4 21.Nd3 Nc4[/font] gives Black a slight initiative (Kindermann-van der Sterren, Bundesliga 9899, Germany, 1998).
[font color="hotpink"]18...Qe7 19.Qb3 Nd4 20.Qe3 Nxe2 21.Qxe2[/font] gives White a slight advantage with stronger pawns (Dolmatov-Psakhis, GMA Qual Final, Moscow, 1990).
[font color="purple"]17.Rxf4 b6 18.Ne4 b5 19.b3 bxc4 20.Bxc4 Kh8 21.Qh5 Bxd5 22.Bxd5 Qxd5 23.Rh4 h6 24.Rd1 Qa5 25.b4 Qxb4 26.Nf6 Qe7 27.Rf1 Rfd8[/font] White resigns (Geller-Kasparov, Moscow, 1981).

6...Nf6

[center]BLACK[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE[/center]Open Rat Sicilian Game: Scheveningen Defense (Yugoslav Four Knights' Opening)[center][/center][center]Position after 6...Ng8f6[/center]

7.f4

[font color="red"]7.f3[/font] (to prevent the early invitation to a draw 7...Ng4 8.Bc1 Nf6 9.Be3 etc.) [font color="red"]7...Be7 8.Qd2 a6[/font] (this position can be reached from the Najdorf Defense) [font color="red"]9.0-0-0 0-0 10.g4 Nxd4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]11.Bxd4 b5 12.g5 Nd7 13.h4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13...Qc7 14.Kb1[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]14...b4 15.Na4 Bb7[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]16.b3 Bc6 17.Nb2 a5 18.h5 Ne5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]19.Be2 f5 20.gxf6 Bxf6 21.Nc4[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space (Leko-Svidler, IT, Morelia-Linares, 2006).
[font color="burgundy"]19.Qe3 a4 20.Nc4 axb3[/font] draw (Kurmann-Cvitan, Zurich, 2004).

If [font color="darkred"]16.Qxb4 Bc6 17.Nc3 Rfb8 18.Qc4 Ne5 19.Qe2[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]19...Bb5 20.Nxb5 axb5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]21.Qe3 Ra4 22.Qb3 Rba8 23.a3 Nc4 24.Bxc4 bxc4 25.Qe3[/font] gives White an extra pawn (Oleksienko-Thorhallson, Op, Reykjavik, 2009).
[font color="darkorange"]21.c3!? Nc4 22.b3 Qa5 23.Rh2 e5 24.Be3 Na3+[/font] is equal (Iordachescu-Gelfand, IT, Bermuda, 2004).

[font color="magenta"]19...Qa5 20.f4 Ng6 21.Qf3 e5 22.Bf2 Qb4 23.b3 Nxf4 24.Be1[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Anand-Akopian, Corus A, Wijk aan Zee, 2004).

If [font color="darkred"]14...Rb8 15.h5 b4 16.Ne2 Ne5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]17.f4 Nc4 18.Qd3 e5 19.Nc1[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]19...Bg4 20.Qxc4 Qxc4 21.Bxc4 Bxd1 22.Rxd1 exd4 23.Nb3 g6 24.Nxd4[/font] gives White more space and the initiative for the exchange (Tiviakov-van Wely, IT A, Wijk aan Zee, 1994).
If [font color="magenta"]19...Nb6 20.Be3 d5!? 21.exd5[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]21...exf4? 22.h6! g6 23.Qd4 f6 24.Bxf4[/font] gives White the initiative and an impressive advantage in space (Tiviakov-Morozevich, IT, Podolsk, 1993).
[font color="darkorange"]21...Rd8 22.Qe4 Nxd5 23.Bd3 g6 24.hxg6 hxg6 25.fxe5[/font] gives White a substantial advantage in space.

[font color="magenta"]17.Ng1 f5 18.gxf6 Bxf6 19.h6 g6 20.b3[/font] gives White stronger pawns and more space (Aronian-Leko, Morso, 2002).

If [font color="darkred"]13...Bb7 14.Kb1 Rc8 15.a3 Ne5 16.Qe3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]16...Nc4 17.Bxc4 Rxc4 18.Rhg1[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]18...b4 19.axb4 Rxb4 20.Rg2 Ba8 21.b3 a5 22.Bc5[/font] gives White an impressive advantage in space, but Black has more ways to improve his position (Topalov-Kasparov, IT, Novgorod, 1995).
[font color="burgundy"]18...Qc8?! 19.Bf6! Qc7 20.Rd3 Re8 21.Bxe7 Rxe7 22.Qd2[/font] gives White more space on the kingside; Black has his pieces concentrated on the queenside, but has no way to break through (N. Mamedov-Antal, Euro Youth BU16, Halkidiki, 2001).

If [font color="magenta"]16...Nc6?! 17.Bb6[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]17...Qe8? 18.h5! b4 19.axb4 Nxb4 20.h6[/font] leaves Black's kingside being squeezed in a vise (Ponomariov-Morozevich, Tal Mem Blitz, Moscow, 2008).
A better try at survival is [font color="darkorange"]17...Qd7 18.h5 f5 19.Rg1 fxe4 20.Nxe4 Ne5 21.Nf6+.[/font]

If [font color="darkred"]11.Qxd4[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]11...b5 12.g5 Nd7[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]13.h4 Qa5 14.Kb1[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]14...b4 15.Ne2[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]15...Nc5 16.Bd2 Rb8 17.a3 e5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]18.axb4! Qc7 19.Qc3[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]19...Be6? 20.Nc1 Qb7 21.bxc5 Rfc8 22.Nb3 d5 23.Qxe5[/font] Black soon resigns (A. Horvath-J. J. Schultz, Euro Club Cup, Rethymnon, 2003).
[font color="burgundy"]19...Ne6 20.Qd3 Qb7 21.Ng3 g6 22.Bc3 Qc7 23.Qe3[/font] gives White a strong game.

[font color="darkrpink"]18.Bxb4?! Qb6! 19.Bxc5 dxc5 20.Qc3 c4 21.Bh3[/font] gives White only a small advantage in space (Njirjak-Stevic, Op, Djakovo, 2005).

[font color="darkrorchid"]15...Bb7 16.h5 Ne5 17.f4 Ng4 18.Bh3 Nxe3 19.Qxe3[/font] is equal (Adams-Svidler, World Ch Trmt, San Luís, Argentina, 2005).

If [font color="magenta"]14...Ne5 15.f4[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]15...Ng4 16.Bh3 Nxe3 17.Qxe3 b4 18.Ne2 Qc5 19.Nd4[/font] is equal (Z. Almasi-Doric, Bosnian ChT, Vogosca, 2007).
If [font color="darkorange"]15...b4?! 16.Ne2?! Ng4 17.Bg1 e5 18.Qd2[/font] then:

If [font color="darkrorange"]18...Bb7?! 19.Ng3![/font] then:

If [font color="darkrorange"]19...f5?[/font] then:

[font color="darkrorange"]20.Bc4+?! Kh8 21.Be6 fxe4 22.Bxg4 exf4 23.Nh5 e3 24.Bxe3 fxe3 25.Qxe3 Qe5 26.Rhe1[/font] draw (Brodsky-Tseitlin, Op, Cappelle la Grande, 2004).
White has a very strong game after [font color="burgundy"]20.Nxf5!! Rxf5 21.exf5 Bxh1 22.Bg2 Bxg2 23.Qxg2 Rc8 24.Qxg4.[/font]

[font color="hotpink"]19...exf4 20.Qxf4 Ne5 21.Nf5 Rfe8 22.Bd4[/font] gives White the better center, but not yet a winning game.

[font color="purple"]18...f5 19.Nc1 Bb7 20.Bc4+[/font] is equal.

If [font color="magenta"]13.Rg1[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]13...Qa5 14.Kb1 b4 15.Ne2 e5 16.Qd2 Nc5 17.Nc1[/font] is equal (B. Socko-Stevic, Euro ChT, Plovdiv, 2003).
[font color="darkorange"]13...Ne5 14.Rg3 Rb8 15.f4 Nc6 16.Qd2[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Aroshidze-Bach, Euro Ch, Kusadasi, 2006).

If [font color="magenta"]11...Nd7 12.h4 Ne5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]13.Be2 b5 14.Kb1[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]14...Nc6 15.Qd2 Qa5 16.Bd3 b4[/font] is equal (Bindrich-Predojevic, Euro CH, Kusadasi, 2006).
[font color="purple"]14...Bb7 15.Bg5 f6 16.Bc1 Qa5 17.b3 Rac8[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space (Lastin-Askrakov, Moscow Op, 2007).

[font color="darkorange"]13.Rh3 b5 14.h5 Nc6 15.Qd2 Qa5 16.Kb1[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Mastrovasilis-Cvitan, Ol, Torino, 2006).

[font color="blue"]7.Bc4 a6 8.Qd2 Be7 9.Bb3[/font] transposes in the Italian Opening against the Najdorf Defense. See Phillippe-Hracek, IT 0910, Hastings, 2010.

7...Bd7 8.Qf3 Nxd4

If [font color="red"]8...Be7 9.0-0-0 0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]10.Rg1 Nxd4 11.Bxd4 Bc6 12.g4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]12...Qa5 13.g5 Nd7[/font] then:

[font color="red"]14.h4 b5 15.f5 Ne5 16.Qf4 b4 17.f6[/font] gives White the initiative and more space; Black has a local sparial advantage on the queenside (Kupreichik-Korobov, Op, Kramatorsk, 2001).
[font color="burgundy"]14.f5 exf5 15.Qxf5 Ne5 16.Kb1 Bd7 17.Qf2[/font] gives White the advanage in space and an isolatedf Black d-pawn in front of which to park his Knight (Tseshkovsky-Saltaev, Op, Tashkent, 1987).

[font color="darkpink"]12...Nd7 13.Kb1 Qa5 14.f5 Ne5 15.Qg3 Rfe8 16.fxe6[/font] gives White a better center (Hennings-Savon, TT, Orebro, 1966).

If [font color="darkred"]10.Be2 Nxd4 11.Bxd4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]11...Bc6?! 12.g4! Qa5 13.g5 Nd7 14.Rhg1 b5 15.Qh5[/font] gives White a substantial advantage in space (Ostrapenko-Kurkin, Soviet Union, 1970).
[font color="magenta"]11...Qc7 12.Kb1 Rac8 13.Qg3 Bc6 14.Rd2 Qa5 15.Bf3[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space.

9.Bxd4 Qa5

If [font color="red"]9...Bc6 10.0-0-0 Qa5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]11.Bxf6 gxf6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]12.f5 0-0-0 13.Bc4 Qe5 14.a4[/font] gives White a small advantage with more activity for his pieces and stronger pawns; Black has a centralized Queen (Fuchs-Stein, IT, Kislovodsk, 1966).
[font color="magenta"]12.Bc4 0-0-0 13.Bb3 h5 14.f5 Qe5 15.Rhf1[/font] gives White a slight advantage with stronger pawns (Filipenko-Tosic, Geller Mem, Moscow, 1999).

[font color="darkred"]11.Kb1 Be7 12.g4 0-0 13.g5 Nd7 14.Bh3[/font] gives White a comfortable advantage in space (Barle-Larsen, IT, Ljubljana, 1977).

10.e5 (N)

If [font color="red"]10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.0-0-0[/font] then:

[font color="red"]11...0-0-0 12.Kb1 h5 13.Bc4 Kb8 14.Rhe1 f5 15.exf5 Qxf5[/font] gives Black a slight advantage through the potential of her two Bishops (M. Muzychuk-Arakhamia Grant, Euro Club Cup W, Plovdiv, 2010).
If [font color="darkred"]11...Rc8!? 12.Kb1![/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]12...h5?! 13.Be2! b5 14.f5 Be7 15.fxe6[/font] gives White a safe King and a strong center (Kosteniuk-Lahno, Rpd IT, Cap d'Agde, 2008).
[font color="magenta"]12...Kd8 13.f5 Qe5 14.Be2 h5 15.Qh3 Bc6 16.Rhe1[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

10...Nd5

The game is equal.

11.f5!?

White weakens his hold on the kingside dark squares.
[font color="red"]11.Be2 Bc6 12.Qf2 dxe5 13.fxe5 0-0-0 14.0-0-0[/font] remains equal.
[font color="blue"]11.Bd3 Bc6 12.Qf2 Nxc3 13.Bxc3 Qd5 14.Rf1 a6[/font] remains equal.

11...0-0-0!

This is quicker and safer than preparing a kingside castle.
If [font color="red"]11...Be7?![/font] fails to bring the King to safety on the wing after [font color="red"]12.exd6! Bxd6 13.fxe6 Bxe6 14.Bb5+ Kf8 15.Bc4.[/font]

12.fxe6

[font color="red"]12.0-0-0 dxe5 13.Bxe5 Nxc3 14.Qxc3+ Qxc3 15.bxc3 exf5[/font] leaves Black a pawn to the good.

12...Bxe6!

Black has a small advantage in space.

13.0-0-0?!

White should take pre-emptive action in the center.
If [font color="red"]13.exd6 Bxd6 14.Bc4 Nc7 15.Bxe6+ Nxe6 16.Bf2 Qe5+[/font] continues to give Black a small advantage in space.

[center]BLACK: Irine Kharisma Sukandar[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Batkhuyag Munguntuul[/center][center]Position after 13.0-0-0[/center]

13...dxe5!

Black strikes first in the center. White's a-pawn is vulnerable.

14.Bxe5 Bb4

Black has a comfortable game as she drives away the a-pawn's guard.

15.Bc4 Nxc3 16.Bxc3 Bxc4 17.Qg4+ Kb8 18.Qxc4!?

White should drive the King away from the defense of c8. This would give her better chances for counterplay.
If [font color="red"]18.Rxd8+ Rxd8 19.Qf4+ Ka8 20.Qxc4 Bxc3 21.bxc3 a6[/font] continues to give White a comfortable advantage in space.

[center]BLACK: Irine Kharisma Sukandar[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Batkhuyag Munguntuul[/center][center]Position after 18.Qg4c4:B[/center]

18...Bxc3!

Black is threatening White's King position.

19.bxc3

The last minor piece has left the board. Black has stronger pawns and a safer King, but not a totally safe King. White can get counterplay against Black's weak f-pawn and by driving the King to a8.

19...Rc8 20.Qb4

[font color="red"]20.Qf4+ Ka8 21.Qb4 Qxa2 22.Rd7 Rb8[/font] is not a great deal better.

20...Qg5+!?

The a-pawn can and should be taken.
[font color="red"]20...Qxa2! 21.Rd7 Rc7[/font] (forced) [font color="red"]22.Rxc7 Kxc7 23.Qe7+ Kc8[/font] leaves Black with a passed pawn, stronger pawns and a safer King; Black's extra pawn doesn't count for anything..

21.Kb2!

Black has lost a great deal of her edge and can now can claim only to have stronger pawns.

21...Rc6 22.Qe4 Qa5 23.Rd3 Ra6?!

The game is now equal as Black creates an entaglement of pieces and pawns preventing the formation of a luft.
[font color="red"]23...Rhc8 24.Qf4+ Ka8 25.Qd4 a6 26.Rb1 f6![/font] continues to give Black a healthy advantage.

[center]BLACK: Irine Kharisma Sukandar[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Batkhuyag Munguntuul[/center][center]Position after 23...Rc6a6[/center]

24.Qd5!?

White fails to take advantage of Black's mistake.
[font color="red"]24.Qf4+! Ka8 25.Qxf7 Qa4 26.Kc1 Rb8 27.Rf1[/font] gives White the initiative. Black cannot give his King a luft due to the obstruction of the Rook.

24...Qa3+!?

Black fails to untangle her pieces and pawns in front of the King. Let's hope the King isn't a claustrophobe.
[font color="red"]24...Rb6+[/font] (getting the Rook out of the a-pawn's way.) [font color="red"]25.Ka1 Qxd5 26.Rxd5 Rc8 27.Rd3 a6[/font] gives Black a fair advantage in space.

25.Ka1 Rb6?!

While this solves the problem the pieces tripping over each other in front of the Black King, it seems to do so at the cost of a pawn.
Better is [font color="red"]25...Qe7 26.Rf1 f6 27.Rb1 Qc7 28.Qd7 Rc6 29.Re1 Rc8 ,[/font] giving Black a small advantage in space.

26.Rb1?!

White misses the opportunity to take advantage.
[font color="red"]26.Qe5+! Ka8 27.Rb1 Rc8 28.Qxg7 Rxb1+ 29.Kxb1[/font] gives White an extra pawn.

26...Rxb1+!

The game is equal.

27.Kxb1 Re8

[font color="red"]27...Qe7 28.Qd4 f6 29.Qd7 Re8[/font] remains equal.

28.Qd6+?!

White has an active Queen, so she should not be so anxious to force an exchange.
If [font color="red"]28.Re3! Qf8 29.Rxe8+ Qxe8 30.Qd6+ Ka8 31.c4 g6[/font] remains equal.

[center]BLACK: Irine Kharisma Sukandar[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Batkhuyag Munguntuul[/center][center]Position after 28.Qd5d6+[/center]

28...Qxd6!

Black goes to a Rook-and-pawn ending with stronger pawns.

29.Rxd6 Kc7

Black takes the initiative, which gives her greater activity.

30.Rd2

[font color="red"]30.Rd4?! Re2! 31.Rg4 g6 32.Rg3 f5 33.Kb2 Kc6[/font] gives Black a clear advantage.

30...f5 31.Kb2 Kc6

If [font color="red"]31...Kb6!? 32.Rd7! g5 33.Rxh7[/font] then:

[font color="red"]33...Re2 34.g3 f4 35.gxf4 gxf4 36.Rf7 Rxh2 37.Rxf4[/font] is equal.
[font color="darkred"]33...Re4 34.Rg7 g4 35.g3 Re2 36.Rh7[/font] gives White a slight advantage; Black has no targets for her Rook.

32.h4?!

White weakens her kingside.
[font color="red"]32.Rd4 Re4 33.h3 a6 34.Kb3 Re1 35.Rc4+ Kd6[/font] continues to give Black the advantage of stronger pawns and a kingside majority.

32...Re4!

The Rook comes in to attack White's weakend kingside.

33.g3 Rg4

The text is stronger than [font color="red"]33...h5 34.Kb3 f4 35.gxf4 Rxf4 36.Rg2 Rg4[/font] gives Black a fair advantage in space.

34.Rd3 g6 35.Kb3

[font color="red"]35.Kc1 b6 36.Kd2 h5 37.Re3 Kd7 38.Rf3 Kd6[/font] continues to give Black stronger pawns and a more active Rook.

35...h5 36.Re3 Kd6 37.c4 f4

If [font color="red"]37...Kc5[/font] then after [font color="red"]38.Re5+ Kd4 39.Rd5+ Ke4 40.Rd3 b6[/font] White will not be able to stop 41...f4!, leading to a liquidation of White's kingside pawns.

38.gxf4 Rxh4 39.c5+ Kxc5 40.f5 gxf5 41.Re5+

If [font color="red"]41.Re7?[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]41...Kb6 42.Re6+ Kc7 43.Re7+ Kc6 44.Rh7 a5.[/font]

41...Kd4 42.Rxf5 Rh1!?

Black will have time to activate her King.
[font color="red"]42...Rh3+ 43.Kb2 b6 44.Rf7 a5 45.Rf6 h4[/font] continues to give Black the advantage from an advancing passed pawn and the Rook confining the White King to the home ranks.

43.c3+?!

This is not how one takes the opportunity to activate the King.
Correct is [font color="red"]43.Rf4+ Kc5 44.Rf7 a6 45.Rc7+ Kd6 46.Rh7 b6 47.Kc3 Kd5 ,[/font] giving Black only a comfortable advantage in space.

[center]BLACK: Irine Kharisma Sukandar[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Batkhuyag Munguntuul[/center][center]Position after 42.c2c3+[/center]

43...Ke4!

Black keeps her King centralized.
Also good is [font color="red"]43...Ke3![/font] when:

[font color="red"]44.Kc4 h4 45.Rh5 h3 46.Rh7 h2 47.Kc5 Kd3[/font] Black can sacrifice his advanced passer for White's two remaining pawns.
If [font color="darkred"]44.Rf7!? h4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]45.Rh7 Ke4 46.Kc4 h3 47.a4 h2 48.Kc5 Kd3[/font] Black can sacrifice his advanced passer for White's two remaining pawns.
If [font color="magenta"]45.Kc4? Rg1! 46.Rxb7 Rg4+ 47.Kb3 Kf2 48.Rxa7 h3.[/font]

44.Rf7 Kd5?!

This is a departure from a winning procedure. Black's best plan is to advance the h-pawn all the way to h2, then bring to King to the kingside to help push the pawn over. If 45.Rxb7?? then 45...Rb1+! wins immediately.
If [font color="red"]44...h4! 45.Ka4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]45...b6! 46.Rxa7 h3 47.Rh7 Kf3 48.c4 Kg3[/font] leaves Black with a clear advantage.
[font color="darkred"]45...Rg1?! 46.Rxb7! Kf3 47.Rf7+[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]47...Kg2 48.Rxa7 h3 49.Rg7+ Kh1 50.Rh7[/font] draws.
[font color="magenta"]47...Kg3 48.Rxa7 h3 49.Rg7+ Kh2 50.Rd7 Rg6[/font] is equal.

45.Kc2!

The King prevents the Rook from coming to b1 in order to defend the pawn.

45...Kc6 46.Rf6+ Kc5 47.Rf7 Kb6 48.Rh7?!

For now, this is just a waste of time. Once the h-pawn advances further, the Rook will not be able to get off the h-file.
[font color="red"]48.Rf6+ Kb5 49.Rf5+ Ka6 50.Kb3 Kb6 51.Kc4 Rh4+[/font] continues to give Black difficulty making progress; in spite of Black's extra pawn, White has a fair chance of saving a draw.

[center]BLACK: Irine Kharisma Sukandar[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Batkhuyag Munguntuul[/center][center]Position after 48.Rf7h7[/center]

48...h4!

Black's passer again becomes a dangerous weapon. White's Rook cannot leave the h-file.

49.Kb3 h3 50.Rh5 Kc6

[font color="red"]50...h2 51.Kc4 Kc7 52.Rh6 b6 53.a3 a6 54.Rh5[/font] gives Black a near-winning advantage. The White King must stay in front of the c-pawn or else Black's Rook gives check followed by the queening at h1.

51.a4 Kd6

[font color="red"]51...b6 52.Kc4 h2[/font] then:

[font color="red"]53.Rh6+ Kd7 54.Rh5 Kd6 55.Rd5+ Ke6 56.Rd2 Kf5[/font] gives Black more freedom and she probably has enough to win.
If [font color="darkred"]53.Rh3 Kd6 54.Rh5? a6[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]55.Rh6+ Ke5 56.Rh5+ Kf6 57.Rh8 b5+! forces a pawn exchange that can only help Black.[/font]
If [font color="magenta"]55.Rd5+ Kc6 56.Rd2 b5+ 57.axb5+ axb5+ 58.Kd4 Kb6.[/font]

52.Kc4 h2 53.Rh6+ Kc7

[font color="red"]53...Ke5 54.Rh5+ Ke4 55.Rh7 Kf5 56.Kc5 Kf4[/font] continues to give Black a strong game as long as White cannot take his Rook from the h-file or the King from the c-file.

54.Kc5?

This is too slow.
Black's last chance at even hoping to draw is [font color="red"]54.Rh7+ Kc6 55.Rh6+ Kd7 56.Rh7+ Kd6[/font] then:
[font color="red"]57.Rh6+! Ke5 58.Kc5 Kf4 59.a5 Kg3 60.Rg6+ Kf2[/font] gives Black no reserve pawn tempi, making his task more difficult.
If [font color="darkred"]57.Rh5? b6[/font] then:
[font color="darkred"]58.Rd5+ Ke6 59.Rd2 a6 60.Kd4 Kd6 61.Kc4+ Ke5[/font] gives Black the more active King.
If [font color="magenta"]58.Rh6+[/font] then Black wins after [font color="magenta"]58...Ke5 59.Rh3 Kf4 60.Rh8 Kg3 61.Rg8+ Kf2.[/font]

[center]BLACK: Irine Kharisma Sukandar[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Batkhuyag Munguntuul[/center][center]Position after 54.Kc4c5[/center]

54...b6+ 55.Kc4 a6 56.Rh7+

If [font color="red"]56.Rh8[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]56...b5+ 57.Kc5 bxa4 58.Rh7+ Kd8[/font] when:

[font color="red"]59.Kc6 Ke8 60.Rh3 Kf7 61.Rf3+ Ke7 62.Rf2 a3[/font] gfives Black advanced passers on both wings.
[font color="darkred"]59.Kb4??[/font] loses immediately to [font color="darkred"]59...Rb1+!.[/font]

56...Kd8 57.Rh8+

If [font color="red"]57.Rh5 Ke7 58.Rh4 Kd6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]59.Rd4+ Ke5 60.Rd2 Ke4 61.Re2+ Kf4 62.Rd2 Kf3[/font] gives Black the active King.
[font color="darkred"]59.Rh6+ Ke5 60.Rh5+ Ke4 61.Rh6 Ke3 62.Rh4 Kf3[/font] gives Black the active King.

57...Ke7 58.Rh7+ Kf8 59.Rh8+ Kg7

[font color="red"]59...Ke7 60.Rh7+ Kd6 61.Rh6+ Ke5 62.Rh5+ Kf4[/font] gives Black the active King.

60.Rh5 b5+ 61.axb5 axb5+ 62.Kc5

If [font color="red"]62.Kxb5[/font] then [font color="red"]62...Rb1+[/font] allows Black to queen on the following move, leaving her a piece to the good.

62...b4?

This could have been a tragic.
Black wins after [font color="red"]62...Kg6 63.Rh3 b4 64.Rg3+ Kf5 65.Rg2 bxc3 66.Rc2.[/font]

63.cxb4?

White misses her way out of a big mess.
If [font color="red"]63.Rg5+![/font] then [font color="red"]63...Kh6 64.Rg2 b3 65.c4 Kh5 66.Rb2 Kh4 67.Kc6[/font] is equal and will likely end in a draw.

[center]BLACK: Irine Kharisma Sukandar[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Batkhuyag Munguntuul[/center][center]Position after 63.cb4:p[/center]

63...Rc1+!

White could have resigned immediately, but she will play out until it is obvious that she cannot force Black to sacrifice the Rook for her last pawn.

64.Kd6 h1Q 65.Rxh1 Rxh1 66.b5

If [font color="red"]66.Kd5 Kf7 67.Kd6 Rd1+ 68.Kc5 Ke7[/font] then:

[font color="red"]69.Kc6 Rc1+ 70.Kb6 Kd6 71.Kb5 Kc7[/font] is a book win for Black.
[font color="darkred"]69.b5 Ke6 70.b6 Rb1 71.Kc6 Rc1+ 72.Kb5 Kd5[/font] is also found in endgame manuals.

66...Rb1 67.Kc6 Kf7 68.b6 Ke7 69.Kc7 Rc1+ 70.Kb8 Kd7 71.b7 Rb1 0-1

If [font color="red"]72.Ka7[/font] then Black wins after [font color="red"]72...Kc7 73.b8Q+ Rxb8.[/font]
Munguntuul resigns.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

14. Gomes - Sukandar, Women's Group, Round 8

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Reply #7)

Mon Jun 11, 2012, 04:38 AM

Jun 2012

[center][/center]

[center]There is no photo of Mary Ann Gomes available with an internet-friendly copyright[/center]
[font size="1"]Photo by Jon Sullivan from
public-domain-photos.com (Public Domain)[/font]

Mary Ann Gomes - Irine Kharisma Sukandar
Asian Championship, Women's Group, Round 8
Ho Chi Minh City, 12 May 2012

Kia Game: French Defense

1.Nf3

As a first move for White, this has little independent significance. Sooner or later, White must commit to the center (expanded to included the c- and f-files), at which time the opening has transposed into one that could begin with a pawn move. At move 10, when White plays 10.e4, this becomes a King's Indian Attack that could have begun with 1.e4 e6 2.d3 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.g3 c5 5.Bg2, as did Fischer-Myagmarsuren, ITZ, Sousse, 1967. That game was classified as a French in its time.

1...d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 Bf5 4.d3

[font color="red"]4.d4 c6 5.0-0 e6 6.c4 Nbd7 7.Qb3[/font] is the Catalan Opening of the Slav Queen's Gambit. See Sethuraman-Negi (http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=215&topic_id=169348&mesg_id=169480), Indian Ch, New Delhi, 2011.

4...e6 5.0-0 h6 6.Nbd2 Be7 7.b3

If [font color="red"]7.Qe1 c6 8.e4 Bh7 9.Qe2 0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]10.b3 a5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]11.a4 Na6 12.Bb2 Nb4 13.Ne1 Nd7[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]14.f4 Bf6 15.e5 Be7 16.g4 Re8 17.Kh1[/font] then:

[font color="red"]17...f6 18.Ndf3 fxe5 19.Nxe5 Nxe5 20.Bxe5[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Polugaevsky-Addison, IZT, Palma de Mallorca, 1970).
[font color="burgundy"]17...b5 18.c3 Na6[/font] draw (Vukic-Matulovic, Yugoslav Ch, Novi Sad, 1995).

[font color="darkpink"]14.Kh1 Re8 15.f4 Nc5 16.e5 Qb6 17.Ndf3 Nd7[/font] is equal (Miles-Sveshnikov, IT, Wijk aan Zee, 1981).

If [font color="darkred"]11.a3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]11...c5 12.Bb2 Nc6 13.a4 Re8[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]14.Rfe1 Rc8 15.Ne5 Nd4 16.Qd1 Qc7 17.f4[/font] is equal (Malakhov-Potkin, Russian Ch HL, Krasnoyarsk, 2007).
[font color="darkorange"]14.Ne5 Nd4 15.Qd1 Qc7 16.Nef3 dxe4 17.dxe4 Red8[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space (Hug-Spassky, IT, Bath, 1973).

[font color="magenta"]11...Na6 12.Bb2 Nc5 13.Ne5 Qb6 14.Rad1 Rad8 15.Rfe1[/font] is equal (Bradford-Shulman, IT, University of Texas at Dallas, 2006).

If [font color="darkred"]10.e5 Nfd7 11.Re1[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]11...Qc7 12.Nf1 c5 13.h4 Nc6 14.Bf4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]14...Rae8 15.Bh3 Kh8 16.N1h2 Rg8 17.h5 Qd8[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space.(Keene-Fazekas, Op, Ilford, 2009).
[font color="burgundy"]14...Rac8 15.Ne3 Qd8 16.h5 Nd4 17.Qd1 Bg5[/font] gives Black a slight advantage in space (Galliamova-Stanciu, OlW, Novi Sad, 1990).

If [font color="magenta"]11...c5 12.Nf1 Nc6[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]13.h4 b5 14.N1h2 c4 15.Bf4 cxd3 16.cxd3 Nb4[/font] gives Black a comfortable advantage in space (Kapischka-Goldberg, Bundesliga 9899, Germany, 1999).
[font color="darkorange"]13.a3 Qb6 14.h3 Rac8 15.N1d2 Bg6 16.Rb1 Bh5[/font] gives Black more freedom and space.

7...0-0 8.Bb2 Nbd7 9.Qe1

If [font color="red"]9.Re1 c6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]10.c4 Bh7 11.Qc2 a5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]12.a3 Qb6 13.Qc3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]13...Bc5 14.e3 Rfd8[/font] is equal (Tiit-Vepkhvishvili, Saaremaa Karikaturniir, 1987).
[font color="burgundy"]13...Rfd8 14.Rad1 Rac8 15.e4 dxe4 16.Nxe4 Bxe4 17.dxe4[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Navabi-Cua, OlW, Torino, 2006).

[font color="darkpink"]12.Rad1 a4 13.Bc3 axb3 14.axb3 Qb6 15.Ra1 Bc5[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space (Tologontegin-Herath, World Youth BU18, Vung Tau, Vietnam, 2008).

If [font color="darkred"]10.e4 Bh7 11.Qe2 a5 12.a3[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]12...Nc5 13.Ne5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]13...Re8 14.h3 Qc7 15.f4 Rad8 16.Kh1 Nfd7[/font] is equal (Dr. Tartakover-Rubinstein, Polish Ch, Lodz, 1927).
[font color="darkorange"]13...Qc7 14.Rac1 dxe4 15.dxe4 Rad8 16.Nd3[/font] is equal (Stein-Gufeld, Soviet Ch, Tallinn, 1965).

[font color="magenta"]12...Qb6 13.Ne5 Nxe5 14.Bxe5 Nd7 15.Bb2 Bf6 16.e5[/font] is equal (Ankit Gupta-Pamatmat, IT, Berkeley, California, 2011).

9...Bh7 10.e4

[center]BLACK: Irine Kharisma Sukandar[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Mary Ann Gomes[/center][center]Position after 10.e2e4[/center]

10...c5! (N)

If [font color="red"]10...a5 11.a4 c6 12.Qe2 Qb6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]13.Kh1 Qa6 14.e5[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space (Vladimirov-A. Petrosian, Soviet Jr Ch, Alma-Ata, 1977).
[font color="darkred"]13.e5 Ne8 14.Bh3 Nc7 15.Kh1 Rae8 16.Nh4 f6[/font] is equal (Korchnoi-Reshevsky, Candidates' ¼-final Match, Amsterdam, 1968).

11.e5

The game is equal. Bu Sukandar's' novelty is a good one.

11...Ne8 12.Qe2 Rc8

If [font color="red"]12...Qb6[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]13.c4 Nc7 14.Rfc1 Qa6 15.d4 Rfd8[/font] remains equal.
[font color="darkred"]13.Rfb1 Nc7 14.a3 Qa6 15.Rd1 Rae8 16.c4 Bg6[/font] remains equal.

13.c4 Nc7 14.Ne1 f6

[font color="red"]14...Nb8 15.d4 Nc6 16.dxc5 Bxc5 17.Rc1 Nd4[/font] remains equal.

15.f4 fxe5 16.fxe5 Rxf1+ 17.Nxf1 b5 18.Ne3

[font color="red"]18.Nf3 Rb8 19.N1d2 Qc8 20.cxd5 Nxd5[/font] remains equal.

18...bxc4

[font color="red"]18...Nb6 19.cxb5 d4 20.Nc4 Nxb5 21.Be4 Bxe4 22.dxe4 Qd7[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space.

19.dxc4 d4 20.Ng4 Rb8

[font color="red"]20...Bf5 21.Nd3 Bg5 22.Rd1 Rb8 23.Bc6 h5 24.Ngf2[/font] remains equal.

21.Nd3 Na6!?

Black may be planning to maneuver the Knight to b5 and exchange the Knight
If [font color="red"]21...Bg5 22.Rd1 Bf5 23.h4 h5 24.Ngf2 Be3 25.Kh1[/font] remains equal.

[center]BLACK: Irine Kharisma Sukandar[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Mary Ann Gomes[/center][center]Position after 21...Nc2a6[/center]

22.Rf1!

White has a small advantage in space.

22...Nf8?!

Black would have done better to have proceded with her plan without hesitation.
If [font color="red"]22...Nb4![/font] then:

[font color="red"]23.Nxb4 Rxb4 24.Be4 Qe8 25.Nf2 Bg5 26.Bc1[/font] continues to give White a small advantage in space.
[font color="darkred"]23.Be4!? Nxd3 24.Bxh7+ Kxh7 25.Qxd3+[/font] gives White a small advantage in space.

23.Be4!

White dominates the center.

23...Nb4

[center]BLACK: Irine Kharisma Sukandar[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Mary Ann Gomes[/center][center]Position after 23...Na6b4[/center]

24.Bxh7+!?

For this, we might again refer to Igor Smirnov's excellent video (see the bottom of the link)) that teaches to take is a mistake. White can and shoul wait for Black to initiate the exchange when she can reload on e4 with her Queen.
If [font color="red"]24.Nxb4 Rxb4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]25.Nf2[/font] then after [font color="red"]25...Qe8 26.Bxh7+ Kxh7 27.Qe4+ Kh8 28.Nd3[/font] White has the initiative and still dominates the center.
IAlso good is [font color="darkred"]25.h4[/font] when after [font color="darkred"]25...Bxe4 26.Qxe4! Kh8 27.Bc1 Qe8[/font] White's Queen on e4 radiates power.

24...Nxh7!

Black has a little more room to breathe.
[font color="red"]24...Kxh7!?[/font] wastes a tempo and after [font color="red"]25.Nxb4 Rxb4 26.Qe4+! Kh8 27.Nf2 Rb8 28.Nd3[/font] White still has a comfortable game.

25.Nxb4 Rxb4 26.Qd3?!

White leaves her Knight hanging on g4 and a pawn at a2.
Better is [font color="red"]26.Bc1 Kh8 27.Nf2 Nf8 28.Ne4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]28...Rb8 29.Nd6 Bxd6 30.exd6 Qe8 31.Re1 Kg8 32.Qe5[/font] gives White an advanced passed pawn and power in the center.
If [font color="darkred"]28...d3?[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkred"]29.Qg4 Rb7 30.Rf7 Qd4+ 31.Kf1 Qxe5 32.Bd2.[/font]

26...Qe8!

Black prepares to drive away the Knight.

27.Bc1 Qh5?

Black thinks she has time to drive off the Knight with the Queen, but she should make sure her back rank remains guarded.
If [font color="red"]27...Rb8! 28.Bf4 Kh8 29.Nf2 Nf8 30.Qe2 a5 31.Ne4[/font] is equal.

[center]BLACK: Irene Kharisma Sukandar[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Mary Ann Gomes[/center][center]Position after 27...Qe8h5[/center]

28.Qf3!

The Queen covers the Knight and forks penetration points on the back rank.

28...Qg6

If [font color="red"]28...Qe8[/font] (otherwise 29.Nxh6+ wins the Black Queen) [font color="red"]29.Bxh6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]29...Rb8 30.Bf4 Bg5 31.Nf2 Bxf4 32.gxf4 Nf8 33.Ne4[/font] gives White the initiative and an extra pawn.
If [font color="darkred"]29...gxh6? 30.Nxh6+! Kg7 31.Nf7 Ng5 32.Qg4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]32...Qxf7 33.Rxf7+ Kxf7 34.h4 Nh7 35.Qh5+[/font] wins back a piece, giving White a Queen and two pawns against a Rook and a minor piece.
[font color="magenta"]32...Rb6 33.h4 Qxf7 34.Rxf7+ Kxf7 35.Qh5+.[/font]

29.Qa8+ Bf8 30.Nf2 Qc2

Normally, Black would have resigned about now. This game is played in the next-to-last round with first place at stake.
If [font color="red"]30...Qf5[/font] then White wins easily after [font color="red"]31.Ne4 Qxe5 32.Bf4 Qh5 33.Bd6.[/font]

31.Ba3 Ng5 32.Bxb4 cxb4

[center]BLACK: Irine Kharisma Sukandar[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Mary Ann Gomes[/center][center]Position after 32...cb4:B[/center]

33.Nd3

Also good and pleasing is the forced march of the King: [font color="red"]33.Ne4 Nxe4 34.Rxf8+ Kh7 35.Rh8+ Kg6 36.Qe8+[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]36...Kg5 37.Qe7+[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]37...Kh5 38.Qf7+ Kg4 39.Qxe6+[/font] then:

[font color="red"]39...Kf3 40.Qf5+ Ke3 41.Qf4+ Ke2 42.Qf1+ Kd2 43.e6[/font] leaves Black with no reason to play on.
If [font color="darkorange"]39...Kh5[/font] then White wins the Queen after [font color="darkorange"]40.Qf5+ Ng5 41.Qxc2.[/font]

If [font color="magenta"]37...Kg4[/font] then Black is toast after [font color="magenta"]38.Qxe6+ Kf3 39.Qf5+ Ke2 40.Qf1+ Kd2 41.Rf8.[/font]

If [font color="darkred"]36...Kf5[/font] then White wins the Queen after [font color="darkred"]37.Rf8+ Nf6 38.Qh5+ Ke4 39.Qg6+.[/font]

33...Nh3+

If [font color="red"]33...Kh7 34.Rxf8[/font] then:

[font color="red"]34...Qd1+ 35.Kg2 Qxd3 36.Rh8+ Kg6 37.Qe8+ Kf5 38.Rf8+[/font] is an easy win; if [i[38...Kxe5 then 39.Qb8+ Ke4 40.Qf4#.
If [font color="darkred"]34...Qxd3 35.Rh8+ Kg6 36.Qe8+ Kf5 37.Rf8+[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]37...Ke4[/font] then after [font color="darkred"]38.Qg6+ Ke3 39.Qxd3+ Kxd3 40.c5![/font] the pawn must queen.
[font color="magenta"]37...Kxe5 38.Qb8+ Ke4 39.Qf4#.[/font]

34.Kh1 Qxd3 35.Qxf8+ Kh7 36.Qf3 Qc3

[font color="red"]36...Qxf3+ 37.Rxf3 Ng5 38.Rd3[/font] leaves White up by the exchange; Black's pawns fall like ripe summer fruit.

37.Qe4+ Kg8 38.Qa8+ Kh7 39.Qe4+ Kg8 40.Qg4

[font color="red"]40.Qg2 d3 41.Qxh3 Qxe5 42.Qg2[/font] leaves White a Rook to the good.

40...Ng5 41.h4 Qd3 42.Rd1 1-0

If [font color="red"]42...Qe4+[/font] then White wins after [font color="red"]43.Qxe4 Nxe4 44.Kg2 Nc5 45.Rxd4.[/font]
Bu Sukandar resigns.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

15. 47th Capablanca Memorial Tournament, Havana

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Reply #1)

Mon Jun 11, 2012, 04:46 AM

Jun 2012

[center][/center]

[center]Havana[/center][font size="1"]Photo by Gildemax (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benutzer:Gildemax) in Wikimedia Commons (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Streets_in_Havana) (Creative Commons License, Attribution/Share Alike)
[/font]

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

16. Domínguez Pérez - Ivanchuk, Round 7

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Reply #15)

Mon Jun 11, 2012, 04:49 AM

Jun 2012

Ukrainian GM Vassily Ivanchuk won his sixth title in the Capablanca Memorial Tournament series.

This is a particularly exciting game. In a style of play remincent of Viktor Korchnoi, Black lets White have an early initiative that results in a better center, and then Black challenges White to defend his advantage. The tables when White releases tension in the center (19.e5?!), allowing Chuckie to seize the initiative and drive his newfound advantage home.
[center]

Vassily Ivanchuk
[/center][font size="1"]Photo by Stefan64 (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stefan64) in Wikimedia Commons (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Vassily_Ivanchuk)
(Creative Commons License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en), Attribution/Share Alike)]
[/font]

http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1665791
Leinier Domínguez Pérez - Vassily Ivanchuk
47th Capablanca Memorial Tournament, Round 7
Havana, 11 May 2012

Scandanvian Game: Valkyrie Defense (Mieses Variation)

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Bd2 c6

Tal-W. R. Chandler, XG, Knotty Ash, Lancashire, England, 1974.

6.Bd3 Bg4

Engines evaluate this position as quite favorable to White with 7.Nf3 and 7.Nge2 being what is most often recommended.

7.f3

[font color="red"]7.Ne4 Bxd1 8.Nxf6+ exf6 9.Bxa5 Bh5 10.f4 Bd6 11.f5[/font] gives White a small advantage (Kasparov-van Wely, Blitz, Wijk aan Zee, 1999).
If [font color="blue"]7.Nf3 e6[/font] then:

[font color="blue"]8.a3 Nbd7 9.0-0 Qc7 10.Qe2 Bd6 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Qxf3[/font] gives White the Bishop pair and a fair advantage in space (Sastre Vázquez-Ramos Domínguez, Spanish ChU16, Formigal, 2002).
If [font color="darkblue"]8.Ne4 Qd8 9.c3 Nbd7 10.0-0 Be7 11.Re1[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (S. Geller-García Ruíz, Argentine ChU14, Tandil, 2003).

[font color="#008000"]7.Nge2 Nbd7 8.f3 Bh5[/font] transposes into the notes to Black's eighth move after either 9.Ne4 or 9.Nf4 followed by 9...e6.

7...Bh5 8.Nge2 Nbd7

If [font color="red"]8...e6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]9.Nf4 Bg6 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Qe2 Qc7 12.0-0-0[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Calzetta Ruiz-White, Op, Gibraltar, 2005).
[font color="darkred"]9.Ne4 Qb6 10.c3 Nbd7 11.Qc2 Be7 12.0-0-0[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (K. Lie-Gausel, IT, Guasdal, 1999).

9.Nf4 Bg6 (N)

[font color="red"]9...Qc7 10.Nxh5 Nxh5 11.g3 e6 12.Qe2 Be7 13.0-0-0[/font] gives White the advantage in space (Kasparov-Miklos, SX, Frankfurt, 2000).

10.Nxg6!?

Black's novelty is a good one, but White's reply isn't the best as it opens the h-file for Black's Rook.
Better is [font color="red"]10.Qe2! Qc7 11.Bxg6 hxg6 12.0-0-0 0-0-0 13.d5[/font] giving White a fair advantage in space.

10...hxg6!

Of course. White has a small advantage in space.

11.Qe2

White has a small advantage in space.

11...e6

Black must weaken his grip on the dark squares in order to free his Bishop.
If [font color="red"]11...Qc7 12.0-0-0[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]12...0-0-0[/font] then:

[font color="red"]13.Ne4 Nxe4 14.fxe4 e5 15.Rdf1 f6 16.c3[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space.
[font color="magenta"]13.g3 e5 14.dxe5 Nxe5 15.Bf4 Bd6 16.Be4 Rde8[/font] is equal.

[font color="darkred"]12...Rxh2 13.Rxh2 Qxh2 14.Ne4 Nxe4 15.fxe4 e5 16.Bc4[/font] is equal.

[center]BLACK: Vassily Ivanchuk[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Leinier Domínguez Pérez[/center][center]Position after 11...e7e6[/center]

12.Ne4!

White strikes at d6 and discovers an attack on the Queen.

!
12...Bb4?!

Black may be trying to provokle a weakness in White's queenside.
[font color="red"]12...Qb6 13.c3 Nxe4 14.Bxe4 0-0-0 15.Bf4 Be7[/font] is equal.

13.c3!

Unfortunately for Black, White has this resource by which he both gains a tempo and portect the d-pawn.
White has a fair advantage in space.

13...Be7 14.g3 Nxe4?!

White gets a pawn center; Black is counting on being able to undermine it.
[font color="red"]14...0-0 15.Kf2 Rfe8 16.Nxf6+ Nxf6 17.Kg2[/font] gives White a slight advantage in space.

[center]BLACK: Vassily Ivanchuk[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Leinier Domínguez Pérez[/center][center]Position after 14...Nf6e4:N[/center]

15.fxe4!

The resurgence of White's pawn center gives him a fair advantage in space; Black will try to undermine it by attacking e4 or, if that isn't possible, d4.

15...Bg5 16.0-0!?

White's most important asset is the pawn at e4. This doesn't protect it.

...f7f5

If [font color="red"]17...Nf6 18.e5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]18...Nd5 19.Rae1 Qe7 20.Rf2 0-0-0 21.Ref1 Rhf8 22.a4[/font] continues to give White a fair advantage in space.
[font color="magenta"]18...Ng4 19.h4 Qe3+ 20.Qxe3 Nxe3 21.Rf3 Nf5 22.Raf1[/font] gives White a comfortable game; Black's kingside is cramped.

[font color="darkred"]17...Rd8 18.e5 Nb6 19.Rae1 Nd5 20.Rf2 Ne7 21.Be4[/font] continues to give White a fair advantage in space.

16...Bxd2!

Black draws the White Queen from the defense of the e-pawn.

17.Qxd2 c5!

Even with the Queen diverted from the e-file, White's e-pawn is unassailable.
If [font color="red"]17...f5?[/font] loses to [font color="red"]18.exf5! gxf5 19.Qe2 0-0-0 20.Qxe6.[/font]

18.Qf2

[font color="red"]18.Rad1 0-0[/font] (Black must protect the f-pawn.) [font color="red"]19.d5 Ne5 20.c4 Qxa2 21.Qc3 Nxd3 22.Rxd3[/font] is equal.

18...0-0 19.e5!?

White releases the tension in the center and makes d5 available to Black.
If [font color="red"]19.a3 Rac8 20.b4 Qd8 21.Rac1[/font] then:

[font color="red"]21...cxd4 22.cxd4 Nf6 23.e5 Ng4 24.Rxc8 Qxc8 25.Qf4[/font] is equal.
[font color="darkred"]21...Ne5! 22.Be2 cxd4 23.cxd4 Nc6 24.Rcd1 a6 25.Bg4[/font] is equal.

[center]BLACK: Vassily Ivanchuk[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Leinier Domínguez Pérez[/center][center]Position after 19.e5e5[/center]

19...Rad8!?

This is the time to weaken White's center.
If [font color="red"]19...cxd4![/font] then:

[font color="red"]20.cxd4 Qd5 21.Rac1 Nxe5 22.dxe5 Qxd3 23.Rc7 Rac8[/font] is equal.
[font color="darkred"]20.Qxd4?! Rad8! 21.Qe3 Nxe5 22.Be2 f6 23.Rf4 Rd5[/font] gives Black an extra pawn.

20.Be4!

White has a slight advantage in space.

20...cxd4 21.cxd4 Nb8!?

No matter where Black puts the Knight, the pawn is hanging. However, at b8 the Bishop restrains the Knight and if the Knioght goes to b6 he has a future in this game.
If [font color="red"]21...Nb6 22.Bxb7[/font] then:

[font color="red"]22...Qb4! 23.Rac1 Qxd4 24.Rc5 Na4 25.Rb5[/font] is equal.
[font color="darkred"]22...Qb5!? 23.Bg2 Na4 24.Rab1 Rd7 25.Rbd1[/font] gives White a comfortable advantage.

If [font color="blue"]21...Qb6 22.Rac1 Nb8[/font] then:

If [font color="blue"]23.Rc4 Nc6 24.Bxc6 bxc6 25.Rfc1[/font] then:

[font color="blue"]25...Rd5 26.Rxc6 Qxd4[/font] gives White a slight advantage.
[font color="dodgerblue"]25...Rd7 26.Rc5 Rd5 27.b3 Rfd8 28.Rxd5 Rxd5 29.Rc4[/font] gives White a slignt advantage.

[font color="darkblue"]23.Rfd1 Nc6 24.Bxc6 bxc6 25.Rc4[/font] is equal.

22.Rad1!?

The Queen is covering the d-pawn. Black should take advantage of the weakness while it's still a target.
If [font color="red"]22.Bxb7 Qb6 23.Bg2[/font] then:

[font color="red"]23...Qxd4 24.Qxd4 Rxd4 25.Rad1 Rfd8 26.Rxd4 Rxd4 27.Rc1[/font] gives White nothing more than a slight advantage.
[font color="darkred"]23...Rxd4!?[/font] moves into a pin and after [font color="darkred"]24.Rad1! Rfd8 25.Qxf7+ Kh7 26.Rxd4 Rxd4 27.Qf2[/font] White has an extra pawn.

22...Nc6!

The game is again equal.

23.Rd3!?

White opens the door wide enough for Black to take a small advantage.
If [font color="red"]23.Bxc6 bxc6 24.b3 Qb4 25.Rc1 Rxd4 26.a3 Qb6 27.b4[/font] remains equal.

23...Qb6!?

The game remains equal.
If [font color="red"]23...Qxa2! 24.Ra3 Qc4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]25.Bxc6 25...bxc6 26.Rxa7 Qxd4 27.Qxd4 Rxd4 28.Rc1 Rb8[/font] leaves Black with an extra pawn for the moment. If now 29.Rxc6 then after 29...Rxc2! one of White's Rooks must return to the back rank.
[font color="darkred"]25.b3 Qb4 26.Ra4 Qb6 27.Bxc6 bxc6 28.Rfa1 Qxb3[/font] leaves Black with an extra pawn.

[center]BLACK: Vassily Ivanchuk[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Leinier Domínguez Pérez[/center][center]Position after 23...Qa5b6[/center]

24.Rfd1!

The game is level.

24...Rd7 25.Rb3 Qa6 26.Ra3 Qb5

If [font color="red"]26...Qc4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]27.Bxc6 bxc6 28.Ra5 Qb4 29.Qd2 Rxd4 30.Qxb4 Rxb4[/font] remains equal.
If [font color="darkred"]27.Rc3[/font] then Black is slightly better after [font color="darkred"]27...Qxa2 28.Rdc1 Qa6 29.Bxc6 bxc6 30.Rxc6 Qd3.[/font]

27.Bxc6 bxc6 28.Rf1 f5 29.b3?!

Black limits the mobility of the Rook at a3.
If [font color="red"]29.Rc1 Rfd8 30.Rb3 Qa4 31.Ra3[/font] then:

[font color="red"]31...Qb4 32.Rb3 Qe7 33.Qf3[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space.
If [font color="darkred"]31...Qxd4!? 32.Qxd4! Rxd4 33.Rxc6 Rd2[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]34.Rxe6 Rxb2 35.Rd6 Rc8 36.Rd1 Rcc2 37.h4 Rg2+[/font] is equal.
[font color="magenta"]34.Rd6 R8xd6 35.exd6 Rxd6 36.Rxa7 Rd1+ 37.Kg2 Rd2+[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space.

[center]BLACK: Vassily Ivanchuk[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Leinier Domínguez Pérez[/center][center]Position after 29.b2b3[/center]

29...Rfd8!

Black puts pressure on White's center.

30.Ra4?

White tries to cover his d-pawn and liberate his Rook at the same time. The idea is right, but the3 mechanics aren't there.
If [font color="red"]30.Rd1 Qb6 31.d5 Qb5 32.d6 Qxe5[/font] gives Black two extra pawns (the pawn at d6 is dead wood), but there is no immediate win and White can try to get some counterplay against Black's weak pawns.

30...c5!

The time is right to pry open the center.

31.dxc5

If [font color="red"]31.Rd1 Qb6[/font] then:

[font color="red"]32.h4 Rxd4 33.Raxd4 cxd4 34.Qf4 d3+ gives Black an extra pawn, that being a passed pawn running up the d-file.[/font]
If [font color="darkred"]32.Qe2[/font] then Black wins after [font color="darkred"]32...Rxd4 33.Raxd4 Rxd4 34.Rxd4 cxd4.[/font]
[font color="magenta"]32.Rd2 Rxd4 33.Raxd4 cxd4 34.h4 Qc5 35.Qf4 d3+[/font] gives Black an extra pawn and more activity.

31...Rd2!

The Queen must abandon the defense of the c-pawn. The end is near.

32.Qf3 Qxc5+ 33.Kh1 Qc2 34.Rc4 Qxa2

Even stronger is [font color="red"]34...Rxh2+! 35.Kg1 Qxa2 36.Rh4 Rxh4 37.gxh4 Rd4.[/font]

35.Rh4 g5 36.Rh5

If [font color="red"]36.Ra4[/font] then Black wins easily after [font color="red"]36...Rxh2+ 37.Kg1 Qb2 38.Qc6 Kh7.[/font]

36...g4 37.Qc6 Qxb3 38.Rg5 Rd1 0-1

El señor Domínguez resigns.

Jack Rabbit

(45,984 posts)

17. Domínguez Pérez - Nepomniachtchi, Round 10

Reply to Jack Rabbit (Reply #15)

Thu Jun 14, 2012, 01:44 AM

Jun 2012

Leinier Domínguez Pérez, 28, who was the highest rated in the western hemisphere before the ascent of Hikaru Nakamura. He finished second to Ivanchuk in the Capablanca Memorial and then, later in the month, he won his fourth Cuban national championship.
[center]

Leinier Domínguez Pérez
[/center][font size="1"]Photo by Frank Hoppe (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Samson1964) in Wikimedia Commons (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Leinier_Domínguez) (Public Domain)
[/font]

Leinier Domínguez Pérez - Ian Nepomniachtchi
47th Capablanca Memorial, Round 10
Havana, 14 May 2012

Open Norman Sicilian Game: Taimanov Defense (Bastrikov Variation)

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3 a6 7.Qd2 Nf6 8.0-0-0

For a survey of the Taimanov Defense and for what follows [font color="red"]8...Be7[/font or [font color="darkred]8...Bb4,[/font] see Gashimov-Radjabov, IT A, Wijk aan Zee, 2012.

8...b5 9.Nxc6 Qxc6

If [font color="red"]9...dxc6?! 10.Bf4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]10...Qb6 11.e5 Nd5 12.Ne4 Ra7 13.h4[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space (Shirov-Movsesian, IT, Sarajevo, 2005).
[font color="darkred"]10...Qa5 11.Be5 b4 12.Bxf6 gxf6 13.Na4[/font] also gives White a fair advantage in space.

10.f3 Bb7

[font color="red"]10...Bb4 11.Bd4 0-0 12.Kb1 Be7 13.g4 d6 14.g5[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space (A. Tate-Bellón López, Op, Gibraltar, 2010).

11.Bd3!? (N)

[font color="red"]11.Kb1 Rc8 12.Bd4 Bc5 13.g4 Bxd4 14.Qxd4[/font] gives White a small advantage in space (Kobalia-Oral, Capablanca Mem, Varadero, Cuba, 2000).

11...b4 12.Ne2

White has a slight advantage in space.

12...h5?!

[font color="red"]12...Qc7 13.Bf4 Bd6 14.Bxd6 Qxd6 15.Ng3 0-0 16.Rhe1[/font] continues to gives Black a slight advantage in space.

13.Kb1!?

White has a small advantage in space.
[font color="red"]13.Bd4! Be7 14.Kb1 Qc7 15.Qg5 Rh6 16.Qg3[/font] forces the exchange of Queens and give Black a fair advantage in space.

13...Qc7 14.Rhe1 Be7 15.Bf4

If [font color="red"]15.Nd4 Rc8 16.Bg5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]16...Qb6 17.Be2 Qd8 18.e5 Nd5 19.Bxe7 Qxe7 20.f4[/font] gives White a better Bishop and Black pressure on the c-file.
[font color="darkred"]16...Qc5 17.Nb3 Qb6 18.Be2 Qc7 19.Bf1 Rd8 20.e5[/font] gives White command of the d-file and the initiative.

15...Qb6!?

Black gives up his grip on the c-file.
If [font color="red"]15...Qc5! 16.Rc1 h4 17.c3 Qa5 18.cxb4 Bxb4 19.Nc3[/font] continues to give White only a small advanage in space.

[center]BLACK: Ian Nepomniachtchi[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Leinier Domínguez Pérez[/center][center]Position after 15...Qc7b6[/center]

16.Bg5!

White takes a fair advantage; Black cannot move his Knight forward.

16...Bc5?!

The Bishop is more effective as a defensive piece where it is.
If [font color="red"]16...Qc5 17.h4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]17...Rc8 18.Ng3 d5 19.e5 Nd7 20.Qf4 Bxg5 21.Qxg5[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space.
If [font color="darkred"]17...a5 18.Ng3 d6 19.f4 Ng4 20.f5[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]20...Bf6 21.Bxf6 gxf6 22.Be2 0-0-0 23.Bxg4 hxg4 24.h5[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space.
[font color="magenta"]20...f6?! 21.Be3! Nxe3 22.Rxe3 Kf8 23.Be2 e5[/font] gives White a comfortable advantage in space.

17.Bc4!

White assumes a comfortale advantafe in space.
Black may have been expecting [font color="red"]17.Nf4?! Nh7![/font] then:

[font color="red"]18.Nh3 Nxg5 19.Nxg5 f6 20.Nh3 e5! 21.Bc4 0-0-0[/font] with equality.

[font color="darkred"]18.Bh4?! g5! 19.e5 gxh4 20.Bxh7 Rxh7 21.Qxd7+ Kf8[/font] gives Black a small advantage in space.

17...Qc7 18.Nd4 Nh7!?

The Knight is more effective Blocking the Bishop than it is attacking it. It is unlikely that White will extrange his good Bishop just in order to gives Black structural damage on the kingside.
If [font color="red"]18...Rc8 19.Bb3 h4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]20.Ba4 Kf8 21.g4 d5 22.Bxf6 gxf6 23.Bb3[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space.
[font color="darkred"]20.Qd3!? Rh5 21.Bxf6 gxf6 22.f4[/font] gives White a fair advantage in space.

19.Bf4!

White has a substantial advantage with a strong center, more piece activity and the initiative against the Black Queen
Also good is [font color="red"]19.Bh4![/font] then:

[font color="red"]19...0-0 20.Nb3 Bb6 21.Qxd7 Qxc4 22.Qxb7 Rfb8 23.Qd7[/font] continues to gives White a substantial advantage.
If [font color="darkred"]19...Qb6 20.Nb3 Bc6 21.Bg3[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]21...0-0 22.Nxc5 Qxc5 23.b3 e5 24.Kb2 a5 25.Qd6[/font] gives White a clear advantage in space.
[font color="magenta"]21...a5 22.Nxc5 Qxc5 23.b3 Qg5 24.Bf4 Qd8 25.Bd6[/font] gives White more space; Black is cramped.

19...e5 20.Nb3 Rd8?

Black misjudges the the power of the coming sacifice.
If [font color="red"]20...Bf8 21.Bg3 Nf6 22.Bd5 Rb8 23.Bxb7 Rxb7 24.Qg5[/font] gives White more space and the initiative.

[center]BLACK: Ian Nepomniachtchi[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Leinier Domínguez Pérez[/center][center]Position after 20.Ra8d8[/center]

21.Bxe5!!

It's a sham sacrifice, but beautiful nevertheless.

21...Qxe5 22.Bd5!

This is the point. two of Black's pieces are attacked at once.

22...Be7

No better is [font color="red"]22...Bb6 23.Bxb7 a5 24.Bd5[/font] when:

[font color="red"]24...Nf6 25.Nd4 Qxd4 26.Qxd4 Bxd4 27.Rxd4 Ke7 28.Bb3[/font] gives White an extra pawn and an active Rook.
If [font color="darkred"]24...a4[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkred"]25.Nd4 Qxd4 26.Qxd4 Bxd4 27.Rxd4 Rb8 28.Re3.[/font]

23.Bxb7 Qxh2

[font color="red"]23...Bf6 24.Qd4 Ng5 25.Qxe5+ Bxe5 26.Rd5 f6 27.Bxa6[/font] gives White two extra pawns.

24.Rh1 Qc7 25.Rxh5 g6 26.Rh3!?

White's plan is to double on the h-file, but a stronger idea is to exploit his advantage in the center.
If [font color="red"]26.Qd4! Bf6 27.Qc5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]27...Qxc5 28.Rxc5 Ng5 29.Bxa6 Ne6 30.Rcd5 Nc7 31.Ra5[/font] gives White an extra pawn and more space.
If [font color="darkred"]27...Qxb7[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkred"]28.Re5+!! Bxe5 29.Qxe5+ Kf8 30.Qxh8+.[/font]

[center]BLACK: Ian Nepomniachtchi[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Leinier Domínguez Pérez[/center][center]Position after 26.Rh1h3[/center]

26...Qxb7!

This is clearly the only move that gives Black a lease on life.

27.Rdh1 Bf6

Black is hanging by a thread.
If [font color="red"]27...d6 28.g4 Bg5 29.f4[/font] then:

[font color="red"]29...Bf6 30.Rxh7 Rxh7 31.Rxh7 g5 32.Rh6 Bg7 33.Rxd6[/font] keeps Black alive for now.
If [font color="darkred"]29...Be7?[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]30.Rxh7! Rxh7 31.Rxh7 Qxe4 32.Rh8+[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]32...Bf8 33.Rh2 Qc4 34.Re2+ Kd7 35.Re4 Qf1+ 36.Nc1[/font] keeps Black alivwe through the activity of his Queen.
If [font color="burgundy"]32...Kd7?? 33.Nc5+![/font] wins the Queen.

If [font color="magenta"]30.Qe1!?[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]30...Qc8! 31.g5[/font] then:

If [font color="magenta"]31...d5 32.e5[/font] then:

[font color="magenta"]32...Qf5! 33.Rxh7 Rxh7 34.Rxh7 Rc8 35.Qd2 Qe4 36.Nc1[/font] gives Black enough potential counterplay to justify playing longer.
If [font color="hotpink"]32...Qc4?[/font] then White wins after [font color="hotpink"]33.e6! fxe6 34.Qe5 Kd7 35.Nd4.[/font]

[font color="purple"]31...Qc4 32.Rxh7 Rxh7 33.Rxh7 d5 34.e5 Rc8 35.Qd2[/font] looks grim for Black, but he's still got a stiff upper lip.

If [font color="darkorange"]30...Kf8?[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkorange"]31.Rxh7 Rxh7 32.Rxh7 Ke8 33.f5 Qb5 34.Nc1[/font]

28.Rxh7 Rxh7 29.Rxh7 d5

If [font color="red"]29...d6 30.g4 Qb6 31.Nc1 a5[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]32.f4 Kf8[/font] then:

[font color="red"]33.Qd5 Bg7 34.Rh1 Qd4 35.Qxd4 Bxd4[/font] gives White the active Rook, and extra pawn and more space.
[font color="magenta"]33.g5?! Bg7! 34.f5 Qd4 35.Qxd4 Bxd4 36.Nb3[/font] gives White an extra pawn, but little else.

[font color="darkred"]32.Qd5 Rd7 33.f4 Qd4 34.Qxd4 Bxd4[/font] gives White the active Rook, and extra pawn and more space.

30.e5 Bxe5 31.Nc5 Qe7 32.Nd3 Bd6?!

This is the wrong place for the Bishop. Nothing is covering the h8/a1 diagonal. Black's only chance is to let the b-pawn go, which by definition isn't good.
[font color="red"]32...Bf6 33.Nxb4 Qd6 34.f4 Kf8 35.Rh1 Rb8 36.Nd3[/font] gives White an extra pawn; Black's active pieces provide chances for counterplay.
If [font color="blue"]32...a5?[/font] then White wins after [font color="blue"]33.Rh1 Bg3[/font] (preventing 34.Re1! winning the Queen) [font color="blue"]34.Qh6 Qf6 35.f4! Ke7 36.Rh3[/font] when the Bishop is trapped.

33.Rh1!

The threat of 34.Re1! remains potent.
If [font color="red"]33.Qf2[/font] then:

[font color="red"]33...Qf6 34.Qb6 Be7 35.Qa5 Kf8 36.Nxb4 Qd4 37.Nd3[/font] gives White an extra pawn, but the activity of Black's Queen gives Black chances for counterplay in the center and on the back rank.
[font color="darkred"]33...Rc8? 34.Rh8+! Kd7 35.Qa7+ Rc7 36.Qxa6[/font] gives Black an extra pawn and active heavy pieces.

33...Kd7

If [font color="red"]33...Qb7 34.Nf4[/font] then:

If [font color="red"]34...Qb5 35.Qd4 Kd7 36.Nxd5[/font] then:

If [font color="darkred"]36...Qc5 37.Qd3 Kc6 38.Rd1 Kb7 39.Qe4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]39...f5 40.Qxb4+ Qxb4 41.Nxb4 Rh8 42.a3 Bxb4 43.axb4[/font] gives White two extra pawns.
If [font color="darkorange"]39...Kc8?[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkorange"]40.b3 a5 41.Nf6 Kc7 42.Rd5 Qc6 43.c4.[/font]

If [font color="magenta"]36...Kc8[/font] then White wins after [font color="magenta"]37.Rd1 Bc5 38.Qf4 Rd7 39.Rd3 f5 40.Qe5.[/font]

If [font color="darkred"]34...Bxf4[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkred"]35.Qxf4 Qe7 36.Qd4 Qd6 37.Re1+.[/font]

34.Re1 Qh4?

Black looks for an active defense, but there is really not threat to the Rook.
If [font color="red"]34...Qf8 35.Qg5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]35...Re8 36.Rc1 f5 37.Qxg6 Re7 38.Qg5 d4 39.Rh1[/font] leaves Black hanging on, but for how much longer?
If [font color="darkred"]35...Kc6 36.Qf6 Kb7 37.Qd4[/font] then:

[font color="darkred"]37...Be7 38.c3 bxc3 39.Qxc3 Rc8 40.Qb3+ Ka7 41.Qxd5[/font] gives White an extra pawn, active pieces and more space; Black's pieces aren't coordinated.
If [font color="magenta"]37...Bg3 38.Rh1 Bc7 39.Nxb4 Bb6 40.Qf4 g5 41.Qd2.[/font]

35.Qe3!

The Queen aims at a7, where Black would be caught in a vise.
Even better is [font color="red"]35.g4! Bg3 36.Rd1 Qh2 37.Nxb4 Qxd2 38.Rxd2 Bd6 39.Nxd5,[/font] leaving White two pawns to the good.

35...d4 36.Qe2 Kc6

If [font color="red"]36...Qf6? 37.Qe4 Kc7 38.Qd5[/font] then:

[font color="red"]38...Rd7 39.Qc4+ Kb7 40.Re8[/font] gives White the powerful threat of 41.Qc8+.
If [font color="darkred"]38...Kb6[/font] then White wins after [font color="darkred"]39.f4 Rd7 40.Re8 Qf5 41.Qc4 Qb5 42.Qxd4+.[/font]

If [font color="blue"]36...a5?[/font] then:

[font color="blue"]37.f4! Qf6 38.Qe4 Kc7 39.Qd5 Kb6 40.g3[/font] leaves the Black King isolated from its defense.
[font color="darkblue"]37.Ne5+!?[/font] falls just short of the mark after [font color="darkblue"]37...Bxe5! 38.Qxe5 Kc6 39.g3 Qh5 40.Qf6+[/font] because Black's Rook is still tied to the defense of the back rank.

[center]BLACK: Ian Nepomniachtchi[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Leinier Domínguez Pérez[/center][center]Position after 36...Kd7c6[/center]

37.Ne5+!

White has it all worked out. The sacrifice wins.

37...Bxe5

[font color="red"]37...Kb6 38.Nxf7 Rd7 39.Nxd6 Rxd6 40.Qe8[/font] when White is a pawn to the good with more activity.

38.Qxa6+!!

The is a touch of chess acrobatics. White leaves the Rook -- and the threat of a back rank mate -- suspended in air while he juggles the Black King with his Queen.
[font color="red"]38.Qxe5?! Rd7! 39.g4 a5 40.Qe8 Kc7 41.Qe2[/font] gives White only a small advantage in space.

38...Kc7 39.Qa5+ Kc6 40.Qa6+

The immediate 40.Qxe5 is technically more correct.

40...Kc7 41.Qa5+ Kc6 42.Qxe5

White has an extra pawn and his King is safe; Black's King, not so safe.

42...Rd7 43.Qe2 Kb6

[font color="red"]43...Kc5 44.b3 Kb6 45.Qd2 d3 46.Qe3+ Kb5 47.Qe5+.[/font]

[center]BLACK: Ian Nepomniachtchi[/center]

[center][/center]

[center]WHITE: Leinier Domínguez Pérez[/center][center]Position after 43...Kc6b6[/center]

44.Qd2!

White wins a pawn.

44...d3

If [font color="red"]44...Kb5[/font] then White wins easily after [font color="red"]45.a3 b3 46.Qb4+ Kc6 47.cxb3 Qf4 48.Rc1+.[/font]

45.Qe3+ Ka6 46.cxd3 Qd8!

White returns the pawn just won and attacks Black's naked King.

47.Qc5 Rxd3 48.Qc4+ Ka7 49.Qxf7+ Rd7

No better is [font color="red"]49...Kb6 50.Re6+ Rd6 51.Qxg6 Rxe6 52.Qxe6+ Ka5 53.Kc2.[/font]

[center]BLACK: Ian Nepomniachtchi[/center]

[center]http://imgur.com/9YL6r[/center]

[center]WHITE: Leinier Domínguez Pérez[/center][center]Position after 49...Rd3d7[/center]

50.Rd1!

White forces the exchange of Queens, leaving a Rook-and-pawn ending with White majorities on both wings.

50...Rxf7 51.Rxd8 Re7 52.Kc2 Re2+ 53.Rd2 Re3 54.Rd7+ 1-0

Ian Alexandrovich resigns.

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