Back Cover

Title page
System of Signs

The Best Game of the Preceding Volume

The Most Important Theoretical Novelty of the Preceding Volume

WIJK AAN ZEE 2022 GM Ivan Sokolov

FIDE GRAND PRIX 2022 GM Elshan Moradiabadi
THE CLASH OF GENERATIONS GM Rafael Leitão
THE BERLIN RUY LÓPEZ GM Mikhail Golubev
THE SCANDINAVIAN – Part I GM Nigel Davies
NEW IDEAS IN THE PAULSEN SICILIAN GM Miloš Perunović
KING’S INDIAN, FIANCHETTO – Part II GM Krisztián Szabó
POSITIONAL ZUGZWANG GM Ivan Ivanišević
BISHOP PAIR IN CLOSED POSITIONS GM Michael Prusikin
IDEAS AND PLANS IN ISOLATED QUEEN’S PAWN (IQP) GM Sabina-Francesca Foişor
ROGERS’ REMINISCENCES – Manila Olympiad 1992 GM Ian Rogers
CHAMPION OF THE NEW EPOCH GM Marian Petrov
FROM THE CHESS INFORMANT ARCHIVES Douglas Griffin

Games
Classification of Openings
A00-A24
A25-A99
B00-B24

2
B25-B49
B50-B74
B75-B99
C00-C24
C25-C49
C50-C74
C75-C99
D00-D24
D25-D49
D50-D99
E00-E24
E25-E49
E50-E74
E75-E99
Index

COMBINATIONS IM Goran Arsović

ENDINGS IM Goran Arsović
TOURNAMENTS

3
4
5
6
² white stands slightly better
³ black stands slightly better
± white has the upper hand
µ black has the upper hand
+– white has a decisive advantage
–+ black has a decisive аdvantage
= even
∞ unclear
© with compensation for the material
‰ development advantage
О greater board room
‚ with attack
ƒ with initiative
„ with counterplay
ʘ zugzwang
# mate
! a very good move
!! an excellent move
? a mistake
?? a blunder
!? a move deserving attention
?! a dubious move
∆ with the idea
™ only move
¹ better is
‡ centre
¸ king's side
« queen's side
× weak point
¬ endgame
® bishops of opposite color

7
¯ bishops of the same color
º double pawns
¼ passed pawn
> advantage in number of pawns
† time
86/203 Chess Informant
E 12 Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings
¦ 3/b Encyclopaedia of Chess Endings
N a novelty
(ch) championship
(izt) interzonal tournament
(ct) candidates' tournament
(m) match
(ol) olympiad
corr. correspondence game
RR editorial comment
R various moves
ª with
– see

8
 150/91. C02
Yuriy KRYVORUCHKO 2689 — JohanSebastian CHRISTIANSEN 2609
Struga 2021

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Qb6 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.Bd3 cd4 7.0-0 [7.cd4 – 61/(272)] 7...Bd7 8.Re1 Rc8
[8...Nge7 9.h4 Rc8 (9...h6 – 103/187) 10.Nbd2 dc3 11.bc3 Na5 12.Rb1 Qc7 13.Ba3!? Qc3 14.Nb3
Nb3 15.Rb3 Qa5 16.Qe2©] 9.Nbd2 Nge7

10.Nb3 N [10.Rb1 – 150/(91)] 10...dc3 11.bc3 Na5 [11...Ng6 12.h4!? Qc7 13.Qe2 Be7 14.h5 Nh4
15.Nh4 Bh4 16.Qg4 Ne5 17.Re5 Bf2 18.Kf2 Qe5 19.Bd2 0-0 20.Re1 Qc7 21.Nd4²] 12.Be3 Qc7
13.Na5 Qa5 14.Rb1 b6 [14...Rc7 15.a4! Ba4 (15...Nc6 16.Bd2 Qc5 17.Qe2 Be7 18.Rec1©) 16.Qe2
Nc8 17.Ra1 b5 18.Nd4 a6 19.Bd2 Qb6 20.Reb1±] 15.Qe2 Nf5? [15...Ng6 a) 16.Bd2 Qa4 17.Nd4
Be7 18.Qh5©; b) 16.a4 Bc5 17.Bd2 0-0 (17...Qa4 18.Ra1 Qc6 19.h4©) 18.Ra1 d4! 19.cd4 Bb4=; c)
RR 16.h4 Qa4! 17.c4! dc4 18.Bc2 Qa5 19.Red1 Ba4 20.h5 Ne7 21.Qd2 c3 22.Qd4 Bc6 23.Qg4©
Miloš Perunović; 15...Nc6 16.a4! Be7 17.Bb5 0-0 18.Bd2©] 16.Bf5 ef5

9
17.e6!+– Be6 [RR 17...fe6 18.Ne5 Bd6 (18...Qa4 19.Qh5+–) 19.Qh5 Kd8 20.Bg5 Kc7 21.Nd7 Kd7
22.Qf7 Kc6 23.Re6+– Miloš Perunović] 18.Nd4 Be7 19.Bg5! Qc5 [RR 19...Bg5 20.Ne6 fe6
21.Qe6+– Miloš Perunović] 20.Ne6 fe6 21.Qe6 Rc7 22.Rbd1 Rd7 23.Re5 h6 24.Qg6 Kf8 25.Qf5
Ke8 26.Be7 Re7 27.Rde1
1 : 0 Dragoljub Jaćimović

10
 150/194. E90
Alexandr PREDKE 2666 — Nodirbek YAKUBBOEV 2621
Riga 2021

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 0-0 6.Bg5 Nc6 7.Nf3 h6 8.Be3 e5 9.d5 Nd4 [9...Ne7 –
57/562] 10.Nd4 ed4 11.Qd4 Ng4

12.hg4!! N [12.Qd2 Ne3 13.Qe3 f5©] 12...Bd4 13.Bd4 Kh7 [13...Bg4 14.Rh6 f5 15.Rg6 Kh7
16.Rg7 Kh6 17.ef5 Bf5 18.0-0-0±; 13...f6 14.Rh6 Kf7 15.g5! Rh8 16.Bf6 Qf6 17.gf6 Rh6 18.f4 Kf6
19.Kd2 Rh4 20.Ke3²] 14.Be2 f5?! [14...f6 15.0-0-0 g5 16.f4 gf4

11
17.g5! fg5 18.Rh6! Kh6 19.Rh1 Kg6 20.Bh5 Kh7 21.Bf7 Bh3 22.Rh3#; 14...c5 15.dc6 (15.Be3 Rh8
16.Kd2 Kg7 17.Rh2 Bd7∞) 15...bc6 16.f4! g5 17.Rh5 c5 (17...gf4 18.g5+–) 18.Be3±] 15.ef5 gf5

16.Rh5! Kg6 17.Kd2 [17.g5 hg5 (17...Re8 18.Rh6 Kg5 19.Rh7 Re7 20.f4! Kg6 21.Rh8 Re8 22.Re8
Qe8 23.Kf2+–) 18.Kd2 g4 19.Rah1+–] 17...fg4 18.Rah1 Bf5 19.Rh6 [19.Bd3 Bd3 20.Rh6 Kf7
21.Kd3+–] 19...Kf7 20.R1h5 Ke7 21.Nd1 [21.Bd3 Bd3 22.Kd3 Kd7 23.Rh7 Kc8 24.Rh8+–] 21...c5
22.Bc3 Kd7 23.Ne3 Bb1 24.Bg4 [¹ 24.Kc1 Be4 25.Re6 Re8 26.f3 gf3 27.gf3 Bg6 28.Rg6 Re3
29.Rh7 Kc8 (29...Re7 30.Re7 Qe7 31.Rg7+–) 30.Bf6 Qf8 31.Bd1+–] 24...Kc7 25.f3 [25.Kc1 Be4
(25...Ba2 26.Ba5 b6 27.Rh7 Kb8 28.Bc3 Rf2 29.Be6+–) 26.f3 Bd3 27.Kd2 Bb1 28.Rh1 Ba2 29.Ba5
b6 30.Rh7 Kb8 31.Rd7+–] 25...Qe8 26.Rh1 Bg6 27.Re1 [27.Be6+–] 27...Rg8 28.Be6 Qf8 29.Reh1
Re8 30.R1h4 Re6 31.de6 Qe8 32.Nd5 Kc6 33.Nf6 Qe7 34.Rg4

12
1 : 0 Dejan Pikula

E90

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 0-0 6.Bg5 Nc6 7.Nf3 h6 8.Be3 e5 9.d5

9...Ne7 10.Qd2 1 Kh7 11.g4 Nfg8 2 12.Rg1 f5 13.gf5 gf5 14.ef5 Nf5 15.Bd3 Kh8 16.0-0-0 3 Bd7 17.Rg2±
9...Nd4 10.Nd4 4 ed4 11.Qd4 5 Ng4 12.hg4!! 6 Bd4 13.Bd4 f6 7 14.Rh6 Kf7 15.g5 Rh8 16.Bf6 Qf6 17.gf6 Rh6² 8

1
10.Qc1 Kh7 11.Bd3

a) 11...Nh5 12.g4 Nf4 13.Bf4 ef4 14.Qf4±;

b) 11...c6! 12.0-0

13
b1) 12...b5?! 13.dc6 b4 [13...bc4?! 14.Bc4 Nc6 15.Rd1± Alexander Chernin 2600 – Wolfgang
Uhlmann 2500, Österreich 1993 – 57/562] 14.Nd5 Nc6 15.a3 b3 16.Qc3 Rb8 17.Nb4!²;
b2) 12...cd5 13.cd5 Nfg8 … f5∞; 13...Ne8∞;
10.Bd3 Ne8 11.Qd2 Kh7 12.g4

a) 12...f5 13.gf5 gf5 14.ef5 Bf5 15.Nh4 Qd7 16.0-0-0 Bd3 17.Qd3 Kh8 18.Rdg1 Nf6 19.Qd2 h5
20.Bh6 Rf7 21.Bg7 1 : 0 Tamás Mácsik 2299 – Sándor Vinkovics, Szombathely 2003;
b) 12...c5 13.Rg1 f6 14.Nh4 g5 15.Nf5 Ng6 16.h4± Ziaur Rahman 2493 – Thapa Krishna 2126,
Dhaka 2004
2
11...c5 12.Bd3 a6

14
a) 13.g5 hg5 14.Ng5 Kg8 15.h4±;
b) 13.Ne2 b5 14.Ng3 bc4 15.Bc4 Bd7 16.g5 hg5 17.Ng5 Kg8 18.Be2 Bb5 19.h4± Paulius
Pultinevičius 2501 – Rauf Mamedov 2654, lichess.org (Internet-blitz) 2021
3
16.Ne4 Ne3 17.Qe3 Rf4∞ Jaroslav Ulko 2437 – Pavel Plotnikov 2297, chess.com (Internet-blitz)
2021
4
10.g3 c5 11.dc6

a) 11...bc6!? 12.Nd4 [12.Bg2 c5³] 12...ed4 13.Bd4 Rb8 14.Rb1 Ne4 [14...d5©] 15.Ne4 [15.Bg7?
Re8–+] 15...Re8 16.f3 d5 17.Bg7 Kg7 18.Qd4 Kg8 19.Be2 de4 20.Qd8 Rd8 21.fe4 c5©;

15
b) 11...Nf3 12.Qf3 bc6 13.Rd1 Be6 14.Bc5 Qa5 15.Bd6 Rfd8 16.Qe3 Ne8 17.Qc5 Qb6! 18.Qb6 ab6
19.Be7 [19.Ba3 Rd4³ Zhao Zong-Yuan 2579 – Wen Yang 2585, China 2013] 19...Rd4 20.f3 Ra7
21.Bb4 f5©
5
11.Bd4 Ne4

a) 12.Bg7 Re8 13.Be2 Kg7 14.Qd4 Qf6 15.Qf6 Kf6 16.Ne4 Re4 17.f3 [17.Kd2 Bd7= Tigran
Simonian 2412 – Sergio Díaz Castro 2256, Sevilla 2014] 17...Re7 18.Kf2 a5 19.h4 a4 20.a3 Ra6=
Vladimir Belous 2520 – Jorden van Foreest 2701, chess.com (Internet-blitz) 2021–150/(194);
b) 12.Ne4

b1) 12...Re8? 13.f3 f5 14.Bg7 Kg7 15.Qd4 Kg8 16.0-0-0 fe4 17.fe4 Qg5 18.Rd2 Re5 19.Bd3 Bd7

16
20.Rf1 a6 21.Qf2 Qe7 22.Qf6 Qf6 23.Rf6 Kg7 24.Rdf2 Be8 25.Kd2+– Alessio Valsecchi 2428 –
Alessio De Santis 2282, Padova 2013;
b2) 12...Qh4! 13.g4 Re8 14.Bg2

14...Bf5! 15.0-0 Be4 16.Bg7 Bg2 17.Kg2 Kg7 18.Qd4 Qf6 19.Qf6 Kf6= Nikolaos Sidiropoulos
2112 – Georgios Kanakaris 2403, Thessaloniki 2019
6

12.Qd2 Ne3 13.Qe3 f5 14.0-0-0 a6 15.Bd3 b5 16.ef5 bc4 17.Bc4 Bf5© Alexey Potapov 2399 – Piotr
Goluch 2231, Pardubice 2014
7
13...Bg4 14.Rh6 f5 15.Rg6 Kh7 16.Rg7 Kh6 17.ef5 Bf5 18.0-0-0±;

17
13...Kh7 14.Be2
a) 14...f5?! 15.ef5 gf5

16.Rh5! Kg6
a1) 17.g5 hg5 [17...Re8 18.Rh6 Kg5 19.Rh7 Re7 20.f4! Kg6 21.Rh8 Re8 22.Re8 Qe8 23.Kf2+–]
18.Kd2 g4 19.Rah1+–;
a2) 17.Kd2 fg4 18.Rah1 Bf5 19.Rh6 [19.Bd3 Bd3 20.Rh6 Kf7 21.Kd3+–] 19...Kf7 20.R1h5 Ke7
21.Nd1 [21.Bd3 Bd3 22.Kd3 Kd7 23.Rh7 Kc8 24.Rh8+–] 21...c5 22.Bc3 Kd7 23.Ne3 Bb1
a21) 24.Bg4 Kc7

a211) 25.Kc1 Be4 [25...Ba2 26.Ba5 b6 27.Rh7 Kb8 28.Bc3 Rf2 29.Be6+–] 26.f3 Bd3 27.Kd2 Bb1
28.Rh1 Ba2 29.Ba5 b6 30.Rh7 Kb8 31.Rd7+–;

18
a212) 25.f3 Qe8 26.Rh1+– Alexandr Predke 2666 — Nodirbek Yakubboev 2621, Riga 2021 –
150/194;
a22) 24.Kc1 Be4 25.Re6 Re8 26.f3 gf3 27.gf3 Bg6 28.Rg6 Re3 29.Rh7 Kc8 [29...Re7 30.Re7 Qe7
31.Rg7+–] 30.Bf6 Qf8 31.Bd1+–;
b) 14...f6 15.0-0-0 g5 16.f4 gf4

17.g5! fg5 18.Rh6! Kh6 19.Rh1 Kg6 20.Bh5 Kh7 21.Bf7 Bh3 22.Rh3#;
c) 14...c5 15.dc6 [15.Be3?! Rh8 16.Kd2 Kg7 17.Rh2 Bd7∞] 15...bc6

16.f4! g5 17.Rh5 c5 [17...gf4 18.g5+–] 18.Be3±

8
18.f4 Kf6 19.Kd2 Rh4 20.Ke3²

19
MAGNUS CARLSEN CONVINCINGLY WINS TATA
STEEL MASTERS 2022

For the second year in a row the prestigious TATA Steel Chess Tournament has been held under
COVID-19 conditions. During the tournament there was lockdown in the Nederland so the
tournament was held without the amateur event and spectators.

20
To disappointment of chess fans the Tournament
organisers could not reach an agreement with Alireza
Firouzja so we have to hope that the negotiations will be
successful for the next edition. Also, the Tournament had
unfortunate occurrence in Daniil Dubov contracting
COVID (at some stage) and being forced to withdraw
(influencing final results).
Let's get back to chess. We had many great games played
during the Tournament and making the final selection for
this article was not easy. As usual such a choice is personal and I hope readers will like my selection.
Magnus Carlsen dominated the event winning eventually with one-and-a-half-point margin though it
should be noted that his last round point vs Dubov was a forfeit win. Out of all players from the top
four Mamedyarov got a bit unlucky because he drew Dubov while Rapport and Giri (just like
Carlsen) got a free forfeit point.
Crucial wins vs all his top competitors Magnus scored with the white pieces in the Catalan. In all
three games Carlsen had similar strategy choosing rarely played variations and not really aiming for
an opening advantage but more aiming for unexplored positions banking (in the run of play) to
outplay his opponent. This strategy served him well!

E04
Carlsen, Magnus (2865) - Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2767)
Wijk aan Zee, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.c4 e6 4.g3 dxc4 5.Bg2 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 a5 7.O-O
Black chooses the main line (in this variation). 7...O-O
Some years ago, I have tried the alternative 7...Nc6 8.e3 Rb8

21
The problem for Black is that the idea is not working after 9.Qc1! (My game went 9.Qe2 b5 10.a4
Ba6 11.axb5 Bxb5 12.Bc3 O-O∞ with satisfactory play for Black, and the game later ending in a
draw, Ernst, Sipke 2587 - Sokolov,Ivan 2642, Maastricht 2013) 9...b5 10.a4 Ba6 11.b3! and White
has large advantage. 11...bxa4 12.bxc4±
Similar to his other Catalan games (vs Giri or vs Rapport) Magnus again goes for a sideline.

8.e3!? I doubt Magnus thought that this brings White some opening advantage. I think (similar to his
games vs Giri or Rapport) that he simply wanted to get his opponent into (relatively) unexplored
positions.
White's main moves here are considered to be either 8.Qc2 and play may continue 8...Bxd2 9.Nbxd2

22
b5 10.a4 c6 as for example in Internet game Nepomniachtchi,Ian 2784 - Carlsen,Magnus 2863,
chess24.com (Internet-rapid) 2020, or Wojtaszek,Radoslaw 2622 - Hoffmann,Michael 2477,
Pardubice 2006 - 101/ (409). White can get typical kind of positional compensation for his sacrificed
pawn after 11.b3 cxb3 12.Nxb3
Or 8.Bg5 is considered to be another White's main move here.
Mamedyarov chooses a logical reaction. He removes his rook from the h1_a8 diagonal and prepares
to defend his extra pawn. 8...Ra6 9.Qc2
9.a4 c5∞ is OK for Black, as for example in Internet blitz game Skatchkov,Valery 2242 -
Korobov,Anton 2688, chess.com (Internet-blitz) 2020
9...b5 10.a4 c6 11.Nc3 Black takes principled decision to defend his extra pawn.

11...Rb6 This move indeed keeps the extra pawn, but does have a drawback that the rook can be
pinned (once White plays Ba5). Most probably Mamedyarov already planned exchange sacrifice that
is soon to happen.
Black, however, has satisfactory alternatives to develop his bishop or knight as Black gets good play
in the case White decides to take his sacrificed pawn back. 11...Bb7 Taking his sacrificed pawn back
does not bring White desired result. 12.axb5?! (Most probably best for White is similar to the game
12.e4 Black's logical answer is 12...h6 with sharp play, both sides having something to hope for.)
12...cxb5 13.Nxb5 Rb6 (13...Nbd7 transposing to 11...Nbd7 is also fine.) 14.Nc3 (14.Na3? Be4
15.Qc1 Qd5µ) 14...Nbd7 Black wants ...Qa8, and if somebody is better here, it is Black.
Or 11...Nbd7 12.e4 (Again, Black has excellent play in the case of 12.axb5 cxb5 13.Nxb5 Bb7
14.Na3 Bxa3 15.Rxa3 Qa8) 12...h6∞ with unclear game. White having compensation (for his
sacrificed pawn), but not more.

23
12.e4

12...Be7!? An interesting decision and in its essence an exchange sacrifice.

Black had reasonable alternative in 12...h6∞
13.e5 Nd5

14.axb5!? Magnus delays the exchange grab as he wants the open a-file for his rook.
White could have immediately gone for material win 14.Nxd5 cxd5 (14...exd5? 15.Bxa5 b4 16.b3±)
15.Bxa5 b4

24
This position probably did not look clear to Magnus, and it looks unclear indeed. My Stockfish 14,
however, gives White some advantage after 16.Bxb6! (Black has good compensation in case of 16.b3
Nc6 17.Bxb6 Qxb6©) 16...Qxb6 17.a5! Qa7 18.b3²
14...cxb5 Black stays consequent to his exchange sacrifice decision.
Black could have changed his mind and played 14...Nb4 probably both players thought that White
had some advantage (though ensuing positions look unclear) after 15.Qe4 cxb5 16.Rxa5 (Or 16.Qg4)
15.Nxd5 exd5 16.Bxa5 Nc6 17.Bxb6 Qxb6 Position both players (after 14...cb5) have aimed for.
Magnus correctly judges a rook trade to be good for him.

25
18.Ra8! White will either trade rooks or take the a-file.
18...h6
Pawn grab 18...Nxd4? is wrong, as White gets winning advantage after 19.Nxd4 Qxd4 20.Rd1 Qxe5
21.Rxd5!+- All Black has here is one "empty" check 21...Qe1+ 22.Bf1 Bh3 23.Rxf8+ Bxf8 24.Rd1+-
Black's (probably) best chance was to force an immediate trade of rooks and play 18...Be6 19.Rxf8+
(In case of 19.Rfa1 Black grabs a pawn: 19...Nxd4) 19...Bxf8 20.Qd2 h6 White is better, however
Black has better chances than in the game.
19.Rfa1 Be6 Now Carlsen executes with a computer-like precision!

20.Qd1! Defends the pawn on d4 and also prepares Ne1-c2-e3 (the black pawn on d5 can easily
become a target).
20...b4 If Black would manage to push ...b3, White would not be able to improve his knight with the
Ne1 manoeuvre.

26
21.b3! c3 White's Nf3 needs to be improved, but first the black queen needs to be moved from the
b6-square (so that the d4-pawn does not hang).
22.R8a6! Qc7

23.Ne1! Nc2-e3 is coming.

Black is in a bad shape here and does last ditch counterplay attempt. 23...f6 24.Nd3! fxe5 25.Nxe5
Nxe5 26.Rxe6 c2 27.Qe1 1-0

27
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov vs Magnus Carlsen, Wijk aan Zee 2022; Photo by Jurriaan Hoefsmit Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2022

E05
Carlsen, Magnus (2865) - Giri, Anish (2772)
Wijk aan Zee, 2022

28
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 Be7 5.Bg2 O-O 6.O-O dxc4
Just like in his games vs Rapport and Mamedyarov, Magnus follows on his "Wijk Catalan Strategy"
and chooses (relatively) rarely played line.

7.Na3!?
Anish goes for the most principled approach - 7...Bxa3
Alternatives give White a "safe risk free Catalan type advantage". For example: 7...Bd7 8.Nxc4 Bc6
9.Bf4 Nbd7 10.Rc1 Bd5 11.Nfe5 Bxg2 12.Kxg2 Nxe5 13.Bxe5² Krasenkow, Michal 2525 -
Gagarin,Vasilij 2210, USSR 1989 - 47/(591)
Or 7...c5 8.dxc5 Bxc5 9.Nxc4 Nc6 10.a3 Qe7 11.b4 Rd8 12.Bd2± Romanishin,Oleg 2595 -
Kuzmin,Gennadi 2545, Yerevan (zt) 1981
8.bxa3
Anish Giri is not easily surprised in the opening phase, so he goes (probably) for the best line. 8...Bd7

29
8...b5 Hangs to extra pawn challenging White to prove his compensation, but it is (least to say) risky
for Black! After a (relatively) forced sequence of moves 9.a4 a6 10.Ba3 Re8 11.Ne5 Nd5 12.e4

White has a strong initiative and in "human play" it is not easy for Black, e.g. 12...Ne7 (12...Nb6 runs
into 13.Qh5 f6 14.a5! fxe5 (14...N6d7?? 15.Nf7+- g6 16.Qh6) 15.axb6 cxb6 16.dxe5→; In case of
12...Nf6 White has a typical "Catalan sacrifice". 13.Nxf7! Kxf7 14.e5 Nd5 15.Qh5+ Kg8 16.Be4 g6
17.Bxg6 hxg6 18.Qxg6+ and unfortunately for Black, White has more than a draw. 18...Kh8 19.Rfe1
Nc3

30
Now White has a nice pawn break destroying Black's coordination. 20.d5! (Game itself went 20.Re3
Bb7 White went on to win, but Black could have defended better in Krasenkow,Michal 2525 -
Arbakov,Valentin 2400, USSR 1989 - 47/591) 20...Bb7 21.Rad1+- and one of White's rooks will lift
on the fourth rank, giving White a winning attack.) 13.Qh5 Ng6 14.Rad1 The game being (most
probably) rapid or blitz - I am not sure, Levon Aronian allows (what should have been) a losing
blunder 14...Bb7 (14...Nd7? 15.Nc6 Nf6 (15...Qf6 loses to 16.e5 Qf5 17.Qxf5 exf5 18.Ne7+ Nxe7
19.Bxa8 Nb6 20.Bg2 Nxa4 Black took enough pawns for an exchange, however White has winning
advantage after 21.d5+-) 16.Nxd8 Nxh5 17.e5 Rb8 18.Nc6 Ra8 19.Na5 Rb8 Unfortunatelly for
Black his Nh5 is trapped. 20.Bf3 Bd7 21.axb5 axb5 22.Bb4+- White a had winning advantage,
though Black managed to save the game in Le,Quang Liem 2708 - Aronian,Levon 2758, Khanty-
Mansiysk (m/4-rapid) 2019) 15.f4©
Now Magnus goes for a rarely played move: 9.a4!?
9.Ne5 is considered to be White's main move, however theoretical verdict is Black to be OK after
9...Bc6 10.Nxc6 Nxc6 A dynamic balance being perhaps a fair assessment here.
Players/readers interested in theoretical aspect should/can analyze 9.Qc2!? we have here one Internet
top game, and White player allowed an instructive mistake. 9...Bc6 10.Qxc4 Bd5 11.Qc2 Be4
12.Qb2 Nbd7 13.Bf4 Rc8

31
If choosing a colour, I would prefer to be White here. My engine gives me zeros though. 14.Rac1 Re8
(Your engine will tell you that Black needs to play a "useful move" 14...h6 and to be around zeros.
Obviously, we have many possibilities here and this position can be analyzed further.) 15.Rfd1 Nd5
16.Bg5 f6 17.Bd2² c5 18.dxc5 Nxc5

What to trade, what to keep? White made here an instructive mistake! White needs to keep the light-
squared bishops and had to play 19.Bb4 (White decided for (a wrong trade) 19.Ne1? Bxg2 20.Nxg2
Qb6 21.Qxb6 Nxb6 22.Be3 Nca4³ Black was better and went on to win in Le,Quang Liem 2709 -
So,Wesley 2772, chess24.com (Internet-m/2-rapid) 2021) 19...Na6 20.Bh3ƒ with promising
prospects.

32
9...Bc6 10.Ba3 Re8 11.Qc2 Nbd7
There is no point delaying the c4-pawn loss with 11...Bd5 as White will take it anyway after 12.Rfe1
Nbd7 13.e4 Bc6 14.Bf1± (14.Nd2 is good too.)
12.Rac1

12...a6 One of the advantages of 12...a6 (compared to 12...a5) here is that Black now wants 13...b5,
more or less forcing White's next move.
In a recent Internet game played just after this game, Black wanted to improve on Giri's play by
giving himself ...Ra6 development option. 12...a5!? 13.Qxc4 Nb6 14.Qd3 Be4 (If you are wondering
if Black can grab a pawn with 14...Bxa4 yes, he can. After 15.e4 c6 16.Rfe1© White has a standard
Catalan type compensation. Does he have more, not easy to say.) 15.Qb3 Bd5 16.Qc2 Nc4 17.Bb2
Ra6∞ Black went on to win in Wagner,Dennis 2584 - Bluebaum,Matthias 2642, chess.com (Internet-
blitz) 2022
13.Qxc4 Nb6 14.Qc3 Nxa4 15.Qb3 White has a sufficient compensation here, having a typical
Catalan Rc6 sacrificial idea. Giri, probably, plays (humanly) the best move.

33
15...Qd5!
Your computer engine will be happy with 15...Nb6!?, however after 16.Rxc6! bxc6 17.Ne5 Qxd4
18.Nxc6 Qd2 19.Bf3©

In a human play it is (I think) easier to be White.

White has to follow on his sacrificial idea and we soon reach the critical position! 16.Rxc6! Qxc6
17.Ne5 Qb5 18.Qc2 Critical moment!

34
18...Nd5? A losing mistake.
Black's best was 18...Nb6! after 19.Bxb7 it looks perhaps scarry for Black. However, he has
19...Nc4!= and chances are balanced, e.g. 20.Bxa8 Nxa3 21.Qc6 Qxe2 22.Bb7 Qxa2 23.Bxa6

Black's knight on a3 looks almost trapped. However, White cannot take advantage of it. (23.Ng4 Rf8
24.Nxf6+ gxf6= White does not have enough attacking power to inflict injuries to Black's kingside.)
23...Qc2 24.Ra1 Qxc6 25.Nxc6 Nc2 26.Rc1 Ra8! 27.Bd3 Na1 28.Bc4 Kf8= White cannot take
advantage of Black's trapped knight while Black will liberate it either with ...Ne8-d6 or ...Nd7-b6.
19.Rb1 Now White gets winning advantage.

35
19...Qa5
Magnus goes for the strongest "practical human solution". 20.Bxd5!
20.Nc4?? would have been a terrible blunder due to simple 20...Qc3 21.Qxa4 b5-+
My silicon friend thinks that including 20.Be4 is even stronger.
20...exd5
Arguably, Black's best resistance was to go for 20...Qxd5 21.Qxa4 is easy for computer engine to
suggest. However, the question is not "if", but "when".
21.Rxb7+-

Black's king has no defenders, queen and knight are stranded on the a-file. Black's position looks bad,
and well..... it is even worse than it looks. 21...c5
21...Qe1+ 22.Kg2 Nc3 23.Nf3! Qxe2 24.Qxc3 Rac8 25.Qc6+-;
21...Nc3 22.Bb4+-;
21...Rac8 22.Bb4+-
22.Qf5 Rf8 23.Nxf7

36
Black manages to avoid getting check-mated, but lands in a hopeless endgame. 23...Qd8 24.dxc5 Qf6
24...Qc8 25.Qxd5+-
25.Qxf6 gxf6 26.Nh6+ Kh8 27.c6 Rfc8 28.c7 Nc3 29.Bb2 d4 30.Nf7+ Kg7 31.Nd6

31...Kg6
31...Nxe2+ trying to eliminate the pawn deficit, but it does not help Black after 32.Kf1 Nc3 33.Bxc3
dxc3 34.Ke2+-
32.Kf1 Nb5 33.Nxc8 Rxc8 White is two healthy pawns up.

37
34.a4 Nxc7 35.Bxd4 Ne6 36.Be3 1-0

Playing hall; Photo by Jurriaan Hoefsmit Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2022

38
 Anish Giri vs Magnus Carlsen, Wijk aan Zee 2022; Photo by Lennart Ootes Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2022

E04
Carlsen, Magnus (2865) - Rapport, Richard (2763)
Wijk aan Zee, 2022

1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.g3 dxc4 5.Bg2 Nc6 6.O-O Rb8
We have one popular Catalan line being played in countless top level games. Just like in his games vs
Mamedyarov or Giri Magnus comes up with a rarely played line.

39
7.Be3!? We have just a few games here, and the idea Carlsen follows belongs to Croatian GM
Zdenko Kozul.
We have plenty of top level games in 7.Nc3 or 7.e3 or 7.a4 or 7.Bg5.
I do not think White gets an opening advantage with the 7.Be3 idea and I doubt Magnus believes
White has one either. The idea, however, has a strong practical value, as Black has to deal with a
novel position in over the board play. Most logical for Black is to develop his Bf8, and the only
question being should the bishop go to e7 or to d6. Richard goes for the latter one.
7...Bd6
The aforementioned Kozul's game went 7...Be7 and White went for an idea Magnus is to follow on
8.Qc1 (8.Nfd2 does not bring advantage to White, as after 8...Nd5 9.Nxc4 Nxe3 White has to
recapture with a pawn and Black has good game after 10.fxe3 O-O) 8...b5 White plays idea Magnus
will follow. However, here the black bishop is on e7. (In case of 8...Nd5 White can probably allow
pawn structure damage 9.Qxc4!? Nxe3 10.fxe3 O-O 11.Nbd2² as Black has some problems to
develop.) 9.b3 O-O 10.bxc4 bxc4 11.Qxc4 Nb4 12.Qc1 Ba6 with balanced position, game later
ended in a draw, Kozul,Zdenko 2589 - Farago,Ivan 2367, Karlsruhe (open) 2019;
7...Nd5 was played in one of few games that reached this position. I am not sure as to what is White's
best reaction and will give a few possible "runs of play". In the game White decided to quickly
develop not minding parting with his bishop pair. 8.Qc1 (Interesting variation is 8.Bg5 Be7 (8...f6
9.Bd2) 9.Bxe7 Qxe7 10.Qc1 b5 and Black's queenside needs to be undermined. 11.b3 Ba6

40
12.a4! - and we get interesting materially unbalanced position after 12...Na5 13.axb5 Nxb3 14.Qxc4
Nxa1 15.Qc6+ Qd7 16.Qxa6©; 8.Bd2 Be7 does not looks convincing, as 9.Qc1 (9.a4 looks about
equal.) 9...b5 10.b3 does not achieve its aim as after 10...Ba6 11.a4 b4! 12.bxc4 Nb6µ White does not
have a good way to defend his central pawns.) 8...Nxe3 9.Qxe3 (In case of 9.fxe3?! Black changes
his plans on the Bf8 development. 9...g6! 10.Qxc4 Bh6 Black had (as minimum) satisfactory play in
Janik,Igor 2466 - Leniart, Arkadiusz 2508, Bialystok 2019) 9...Be7 (9...g6? is now not good for Black
as after 10.Nbd2 Bg7 (Being undeveloped, Black cannot afford a move like 10...b5? due to 11.d5 (Or
11.Ne5)) 11.Nxc4 Black has a passive position as White's pawn on d4 is taboo. 11...Nxd4? 12.Rfd1
c5 13.Nxd4 cxd4 (13...Bxd4 14.Qf4+-) 14.Qa3+-) 10.Nbd2 b5 11.b3
Magnus decides to follow plan from the mentioned Kozul's game. 8.Qc1
With the black bishop being developed to d6, White has interesting possibility and most likely
(theoretical) improvement in 8.Nfd2!? Nd5 9.Nxc4 Nxe3

41
Now with the black bishop on d6 White's d4-pawn is not hanging and White can recapture with his
knight. 10.Nxe3² White has some advantage here, as Black's attempt to "liberate" does not work that
well. 10...e5 11.dxe5 Bxe5 12.Nc3 O-O (12...Qxd1 13.Rfxd1 O-O 14.Rac1 Be6 15.Bxc6 bxc6
16.b3±) 13.Qa4ƒ
8...b5 9.b3

9...Bb7 A logical development. However, it is not clear what the best place for this bishop is.
Black could have (like Kozul vs Farago) delayed his bishop development decision and play 9...O-O!?
after 10.bxc4 bxc4 position looks about equal: 11.Qxc4 (11.Nbd2 Na5 12.Nxc4 Nxc4 13.Qxc4
Bb7= (13...Rb4!? 14.Qd3 Bb7=)) 11...Nb4=

42
10.bxc4 bxc4 11.Qxc4 Nb4 White got his pawn back, while Black finished his development. Black's
c-pawn weakness should be of academic value.
12.a3 Nbd5 13.Bg5 O-O 14.Nbd2 Rapport correctly takes White's bishop pair.
14...h6 15.Bxf6 Nxf6 16.Rfc1

And now Black prepares ...c5 to get rid of his c-pawn weakness. 16...Nd7
White wants to slow down Black's "liberation" by attacking his a-pawn. 17.Qa4

17...c5! This should have equalized.

43
18.Qxa7 Bxf3 Black wants his pawn back and possibly to "liquidate".
Black could have played "for compensation" and keep dynamics with 18...Bd5 19.Qa6 Be7= It is
difficult and unthankful to speculate, however this continuation could have been more in Richard
Rapport's dynamic style. Was his choice influenced by the fact that Carlsen was sitting on the other
side of the board?! Perhaps!
19.Bxf3
19.Nxf3 may (at first glance) look more logical, however after 19...Ra8 20.Qb7 cxd4 21.Nxd4 Rxa3
White's initiative is likely to evaporate into a draw.
19...cxd4 20.Ra2 White banks on his passed a-pawn and also has the Qd4 threat (now rook being
moved from the h8-a1 diagonal). Critical moment! Black can hold the equality, but needs to be
precise!

20...Qe7? Mistake that cost Black the game.

Accurate defence was 20...Ne5! Black wants to push d3 should hold the game, as 21.Qxd4 is
answered by 21...Bxa3!=
21.a4! In only one move situation has dramatically changed! White's a-pawn is running fast, while
black d4-pawn hangs as well.
21...Rfd8
21...Rb4 Keeping the pawn runs into other set of problems, as White's a-pawn is simply too strong,
e.g. 22.a5 Bb8 23.Qa6 Nc5 24.Qc6 Ba7 25.Ne4 Nxe4 26.Bxe4+- How bad is Black's situation?
Well.... very bad! In Stockfish language more than plus two.

44
22.Qxd4! White is a sound pawn up while White's a-pawn simply runs away.
22...Rb4 23.Qc3 Nb6 24.a5+- Qa7
24...Nd5 25.Bxd5 exd5 26.a6+- ∆Qxe2 27.a7 Qe8 28.Qc6
25.Qe3 Be7
25...Bb8 26.a6+-

26.Rcc2 Now Black suffers decisive material loses.

26...Bg5 27.Qc5 Be7 28.axb6 Qxa2 29.Qxe7 Qxc2 30.Qxd8+ Kh7 31.b7 1-0

45
 Magnus Carlsen vs Richard Rapport, Wijk aan Zee 2022; Photo by Jurriaan Hoefsmit Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2022

The defending Wijk Champion winner Jorden van Foreest played his usual (full of ideas) combative
chess winning not fewer than five games (!) and sharing 4-7 place with Giri and Karjakin (taking into
account free forfeit point Giri got vs Dubov). In the Dutch derby Jorden van Foreest slaughtered his
compatriot.

E24
Van Foreest, Jorden (2702) - Giri, Anish (2772)
Wijk aan Zee, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3

The Saemisch Variation is making its comeback in the Nimzo, though it likely came as a surprise for
Giri (in this game). I have recently made a course on the Saemisch Nimzo for Chessable and Jorden
actually used some of that work to prepare for this game. Black has many options to fight White's
concept, and Anish chose one of the main lines.
4...Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 b6 6.f3 Nc6 7.e4 Na5 8.Bd3 Ba6 9.Qe2

46
Critical position as Black's decision here will determine the nature of the ensuing fight. Black can
here either decide to focus on White's c4-pawn weakness (not being worried about the potential attack
White might develop), or play 9...Nb3 eliminating White's dark-squared bishop (which somewhat
diminishes White's attacking potential, but also lessens pressure on White's c4-pawn weakness).
Anish choses the former, focusing on White's c4-pawn weakness.
9...d6
In my opening course I recommended 9...Nb3 eliminating White's pair of bishops. It has not been
played much, but certainly has its merits. 10.Rb1 Nxc1 11.Rxc1 Play may continue 11...Qe7 (11...O-
O is also possible for Black, though it gives White 12.f4 possibility.) 12.Nh3

47
12...d6! Most logical for White is to continue taking space (Pawn grab 12...Qxa3? is wrong for Black
as White gets more than "just a compensation". 13.O-O Qe7 14.e5 Ng8 15.Be4 c6 16.Ra1 Bb7 17.f4
due to development advantage, White's initiative is worth much more than a pawn. White went on to
win in Bosiocic,Marin 2562 - Smith,Bryan 2450, Zagreb 2012) 13.f4, however after 13...e5 though
White's position looks very promising, Black has his resources and is difficult for White to prove
anything tangible.

10.f4! A rarely played move - I recommended in my course!

10.Nh3 Qd7 11.Rb1 c5 is likely the line Giri wanted to go for.
10...Qd7 This move does not achieve its aim, however situation is already far from easy for Black!
In the case of move like 10...O-O Black falls under strong attack after 11.e5! Nd7 12.Nf3 (13.Bh7 is
a threat, so Black's decision is more or less forced.) 12...f5

48
13.exf6! This leads to (pretty much) hassle-free (large) advantage for White. (I had this position (as
Black) in a rapid training game with Lucas van Foreest (Jorden's brother) who allowed instructive
mistake. Lucas took 13.exd6? and after 13...Re8! Black was already better. White is momentarily a
pawn up, but will lose his c-pawn and be left with bad dark-squared bishop. The game continued
14.c5 Bxd3 15.Qxd3 bxc5 16.dxc7 Qxc7 White is strategically lost. 17.O-O c4! 18.Qe2 Nf6µ Black
knights are dominating.) 13...Nxf6 14.Ng5 Qd7 15.Nxe6 Rae8 16.f5 now Black can get his pawn
back, but nevertheless lands in a bad position. 16...Bxc4! 17.Bxc4 Qc6 18.O-O Nxc4 19.Bg5± and
the material is equal. White's Ne6 is a nightmare for Black!
"Pre-emptive move" like 10...Nd7 moving away from the e5 tempo, does not equalize, as Black
struggles to find counterplay after a simple 11.Nf3±
In case of 10...c5 Black is in trouble after 11.e5!
11.Nf3 Qa4 12.Nd2

49
In my Chessable Saemisch course, I described this position as a good situation for White. Black has
piled up his pieces on the a-file, while not being able to achieve anything meaningful on the
queenside or able to further increase pressure on the white c4-pawn. White, on the other hand, has
stable situation on the queenside and good attacking prospects on the kingside.
12...e5 13.O-O O-O 14.fxe5 White was not forced to hurry with this capture, but I think initially
Jorden wanted to immediately sacrifice on f6.
White could have also started with 14.Rb1
14...dxe5 White took his time to evaluate Rf6 sacrifice and decided to postpone it. White is now
ready to play Rb4 and free his Nd2 from the c4-pawn defensive duty, while Rf6 idea is still present.
15.Rb1
Immediate 15.Rxf6 was certainly possible, however after 15...gxf6 16.Nf1 Kh8 (16...Bxc4? loses to
17.Bh6 Kh8 18.Qf2! Qc6 19.d5 Qd6 20.Ne3!+- ∆Bxd3 21.Nf5 Qc5 22.Be3 Qxc3 23.Rc1 Qxa3
24.Qh4) 17.Ne3©

50
White has a good compensation, but it is not easy to estimate the size of it.
15...c5 Anish leaves his knight on f6 and now is really "asking for it"!
Depriving White from the sacrificial option 15...Nd7 was possible but after 16.Rb4! Qc6 White's Nd2
can now engage to the kingside (basic idea behind 15.Rb1). 17.Nf3 White obtains a dangerous attack.
17...f6 (17...Rae8 18.Nh4→) 18.Nh4→
Jorden takes a principled decision! 16.Rxf6! gxf6
White continues with the "most human" continuation: 17.Qf3
My Stockfish 14 gives the following line 17.Nb3!? Nxb3 18.Bh6 Kh8 19.Qf3 Qc6 20.d5 Qd6
21.Bxf8 Rxf8 22.Rxb3±

51
and evaluates more than plus one.... humanly... it is obvious that White is clearly better, but it is not
obvious (at least not to me) that Black will not to be able to defend his weaknesses. It is very possible
that Jorden saw this line, but was worried that Black would be able to hold.
17...Qc6 Black hopes to have better defensive chances keeping the position relatively closed.
17...cxd4 18.cxd4 Qc6 was possible, but the position looks (similar to the game) promising for White
after 19.d5 Qd6 20.Nf1±
18.d5 Qd6

19.Nf1! Kh8

52
Black does not have the time to take on c4, as 19...Bxc4?? loses to prosaic 20.Ne3 Bxd3 21.Nf5.
We have a typical Nimzo Saemisch position going bad for Black. A textbook example of Black
having knight stranded on a5 (practically being a piece down), while White having killing attack on
the kingside! 20.Ne3
Also good for White was 20.Ng3 Bc8 21.Nh5 Rg8 22.h3 with Rb2-f2 to follow and White should
win.
20...Bc8 21.Bd2 Rg8 Black does not have any (immediate) counterplay, so White has plenty of time
to improve his pieces.
22.Be1 Rg6 23.Bh4 Rh6 24.Qf2 Bd7 Black is not in time with ...Rg8-g6.
25.Rf1 Kg7 Now comes the final part of the execution. If the light-squared bishops are traded,
White's knight on f5 will be a monster.

26.Be2!+- Rg6 27.h3

Also winning for White was 27.Bh5 Rf8 28.h3 Nb7 29.Bg4+- and Black's position collapses.
Facing difficult choice between allowing Bg4 or losing an exchange, Giri chooses the latter. Black's
position cannot be saved anyway. 27...Bxh3 28.Bh5 Bd7
28...Rh6?? speeds things up: 29.gxh3 Rxh5 30.Bxf6+ Kf8 31.Qg3+-
29.Bxg6 fxg6 30.Bxf6+ Kg8

53
Now we have material equality, while none of Black's problems have been solved.
31.Qh4 Rf8 32.Rf3 Black cannot prevent loss of his e5-pawn.
32...Rf7 33.Qg5 Qf8 34.Qxe5
The rest of the game does not require commentary.
34...Nb7 35.Qf4 Nd6 36.e5 Ne8 37.d6 Nxf6 38.exf6 Qe8 39.Nd5 Qe1+ 40.Kh2 Qd1 41.Ne7+
Kh8 Time control has been reached, so Jorden takes his time and finishes game in style.

42.Rh3!! Giri resigns.

54
42.Rh3 After 42...Bxh3 43.d7 comes with Qb8 to follow;
Less fancy 42.Qe5+- was winning too.
1-0

Anish Giri vs Jorden van Foreest, Wijk aan Zee 2022; Photo by Jurriaan Hoefsmit Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2022

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov played highly imaginative chess. In the following game Shakhriyar showed
that novelties are possible as early as move three!

E00
Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2767) - Esipenko, Andrey (2714)
Wijk aan Zee, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6

It is quite unusual to come up with a novelty (no any GM games played, so in its essence a novelty)
on move three! Nowadays pushing the g-pawn at early stage of the game is popular and in some
internet blitz games I even found 1.d4 Nf6 2.g4!?

55
3.g4!?
I guess in theoretical manuals this will find its place under "Mamedyarov Gambit"! I do not think this
novelty will find many followers, but it is an interesting surprise weapon. Esipenko reacts (arguably)
in the most logical way.
3...d5
There is a saying "The best way to refute a gambit is to accept it!" Black may indeed try 3...Nxg4 and
it was tried at GM level immediately after this game. 4.e4 f5 5.Nc3 Nc6 White here should continue
6.exf5! with sharp play. (Game itself went 6.Nf3?!

56
6...fxe4! 7.Nxe4 Bb4+ 8.Bd2 d5µ Black was better and went on to win in Petrosian,Tigran L 2573 -
Ter-Sahakyan, Samvel 2637, Armenia (ch) 2022)
4.g5 Ne4 5.Bg2
It is perhaps useful to note that idea to "play on the black knight" with 5.f3?? is a suicide for White
after (prosaic) 5...Bb4+ 6.Nd2 Qxg5!-+ and White is already totally lost, e.g. 7.Qa4+ Bd7 8.Qxb4
Qh4+ 9.Kd1 Nf2+ 10.Kc2 Nc6 11.Qxb7 O-O 12.Qxc7 Rfd8-+
We have one internet blitz game where an unusual Tarrasch like position was reached after 5.Nf3
Be7 6.h4 O-O 7.Nc3 c5 8.Bg2 Nc6∞ Zubritskiy,Artyom 2442 - Oparin,Grigoriy 2652, lichess.org
(Internet-blitz) 2021
5...Bb4+ Forcing White to lose his right to castle, though White probably does not mind his king on
f1 here.
Alternative was to accept the gambit 5...Nxg5 White having good compensation after 6.Nc3 Bb4
7.Qb3©
Going for a Tarrasch type position with 5...c5 (with ideas ...Nc6 to follow) looks also OK for Black.
Play may continue 6.cxd5 exd5 7.dxc5 Bxc5 (7...Qa5+!?) 8.Bxe4 dxe4 9.Qxd8+ Kxd8 10.Nc3 Bf5
11.Bf4 Nd7=
6.Kf1

Black is worried about White playing c5 and retreats his bishop. 6...Be7
Accepting a pawn sacrifice is now not a good idea for Black: 6...Nxg5?! White here gets clear
advantage after 7.c5! Black manages to save his bishop, but gets a bad position. 7...c6 8.Qa4 Na6
9.a3 b5

57
10.Qc2! (10.cxb6 Be7∞) 10...Ba5 11.h4 Ne4 12.Bxe4 dxe4 13.b4 Bc7 14.Qxe4±
7.h4 O-O 8.Nh3 Chances in this unexplored position are probably balanced.
8...c6
Reasonable alternative was 8...c5∞
9.Qc2
Going for a pawn with 9.Bxe4 dxe4 10.Nc3 should not worry Black, as he gets good play after
10...e5! 11.dxe5 Bf5©
Esipenko goes for the (arguably) most logical continuation and consequent to his previous (8...c6)
move. 9...e5
My Stockfish suggests a bit strange (anyhow looking strange to me) move 9...Nd6!? 10.Nd2 Na6.
10.Nd2 Nxd2+ 11.Bxd2 exd4
11...e4 12.Nf4² is probably somewhat better for White.
12.cxd5 cxd5 13.Nf4 Be6 Critical position! Mamedyarov takes brave decision that could have
backfired!

58
14.g6?! Exclamation mark is for bravery, question mark is for the quality of the move.
White's best was to collect the black d5-pawn and play 14.Qb3 after logical 14...Nc6 15.Bxd5 Bxd5
16.Qxd5 Qb6 17.Nd3 Rad8= position is about equal.
14...Nc6 15.gxh7+ Kh8 Now White goes for the black d5-pawn.
16.Qb3 Black misses on his chance to get a large advantage.

16...Qd7?
After (relatively simple) 16...Bxh4!µ White is a pawn down, does not have a satisfactory continuation
and can actually lose in a few moves. 17.Bxd5 (Or (perhaps move that worried Esipenko) 17.Qxb7

59
Ne5-+ with winning attack for Black to come very soon.) 17...Bg5! 18.Bxe6 Bxf4-+
Now the game liquidates into an equal ending. 17.Bxd5 Bxd5 18.Qxd5 Rad8 19.Qxd7 Rxd7= Draw
is the most likely outcome here and we reach it pretty quickly.

20.Rc1 Kxh7 21.Nd3 Rd5 22.Bf4 Re8 23.Bg3 Bd6 24.Rg1 Re4 25.f3 Re7 26.Bf2 1/2-1/2
Richard Rapport had a number of interesting games staying true to his original combative style. The
following game was a nice tactical tussle (test your ability to find Mamedyarov's defence).

Rapport, Richard (2763) - Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2767)

Wijk aan Zee, 2022

60
18...a5
After originally treated the opening we got an interesting position. Both kings can easily be in danger.
19.Qf6 O-O 20.h4! b4

At the first glance it may look like Black is faster, but after 21.h5! Suddenly it looks like White to
have all worked out and to be winning! Mamedyarov finds the only defensive resource!

21...h6!!
21...bxc3? loses to 22.h6+- and Black runs out of checks 22...cxd2+ (Or 22...cxb2+ 23.Kxb2 Rb8+
24.Ka1 Qxa3+ 25.Ra2) 23.Kxd2

61
22.axb4 axb4
Rapport finds a way to prolong the game a bit: 23.c4
23.hxg6 leads to a draw by perpetual check. 23...bxc3 24.gxf7+ Rxf7 25.Qg6+ Kf8 26.Qxh6+ Ke7
27.Qh4+ Rf6 28.Qh7+ Rf7=
23...Qg5! White's "advantage" if any will be of academic nature.
24.Qxg5 hxg5 25.hxg6

25...Bb3! 26.Rh5 Bxc4 27.Bxc4 Rxc4+ 28.Kd1 fxg6 29.Rxg5 1/2-1/2

62
Richard Rapport vs Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Wijk aan Zee 2022; Photo by Jurriaan Hoefsmit Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2022

Santosh Vidit had an excellent start but (due to blunders) collapsed towards the end of event.

C54
Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi (2727) - Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2767)
Wijk aan Zee, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.O-O h6 7.Re1 O-O 8.Nbd2 Bb6 9.h3 Ne7 10.d4
A relatively recent development in this line and (arguably) the most direct one.
White players have also tried different "slower" moves here, like 10.Bb3 or 10.a4 or 10.Nf1.
10...Nc6 Placing the knight back to c6-square may look somewhat unusual as Black's basic problem
in the Italian (and the main reason White has some advantage) is the need to improve his Nc6
development. Here, however, Black has direct reason, because with his last move White has provided
Black with a target (d4-pawn). Mamedyarov has experiance in this position and has previously tried a
"more standard Italian development".
10...Ng6 However after 11.Bd3 c6 12.Nf1 Re8 13.Ng3 White had some advantage and went on to
win in Karjakin,Sergey 2750 - Mamedyarov,Shakhriyar 2764, Saint Louis (rapid) 2019.

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11.a4 This is White's idea tried in the last Candidates and can lead to a pawn sacrifice.
Black has nothing to worry about if White decides to try a less combative 11.dxe5 Nxe5 12.Nxe5
dxe5 as seen in recent top level game Sevian,Samuel 2668 - Oparin,Grigoriy 2659, Riga (blitz) 2021
11...exd4N A novelty. Mamedyarov decides to fight versus the isolated pawn.
The mentioned Candidates game went 11...a5 and White sacrificed a pawn 12.Ba2!? after 12...exd4
13.Nc4 dxc3 14.Nxb6 c2 15.Qxc2 cxb6 we had a complex position, White having compensation, but
perhaps not more. The game ended drawn in Alekseenko,Kirill 2698 - Caruana,Fabiano 2842,
Yekaterinburg (ct) 2021
12.cxd4 Now Mamedyarov forces the type of position his was aiming for. 12...d5
Grabbing a pawn is (least to say) risky for Black: 12...Nxd4? 13.Nxd4 Bxd4 14.Nb3 Black does not
have a good retreat for his bishop. 14...Bc5 15.Nxc5 dxc5 16.Qc2± White is clearly better here
having more than just a compensation. 16...Qd4? 17.e5 Nh7 18.Be3+- ∆Qxe5 19.Bxc5;
12...Bxd4 is a better way to capture on d4, but still playing with fire. 13.Nxd4 Nxd4 14.b4©
(14.Ra3©)
13.exd5 Nxd5

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Critical moment (and important one for theoretical assessment on this line). White needs to decide
how to develop and I do not think Vidit choose the best way to do it.
14.b3? This move (White voluntarely depriving himself from Ra3 rook lift) does not look natural
here and now Black has easy play.
The way to put Mamedyarov's idea to more serious test was (in my opinion) 14.Ne4 and after
14...Be6

15.Ra3!ƒ this standard type rook lift, seems to be working for White here. White's prospects look
promising (to me), e.g. 15...a5 (15...Ne3? 16.Bxe3 Bxc4 17.Bxh6 gxh6 18.Qc1+-; 15...Ba5 16.Bd2
Bxd2 (16...Ne3? 17.Raxe3 Bxc4 18.Bxa5 Nxa5 19.Ne5 Bd5 20.Rg3+- White has a winning attack.)

65
17.Qxd2±) 16.Ne5ƒ
14...Be6 15.Ne4 Re8 16.Bb2 White's set-up we sometimes (certainly not often) see in the isolated
pawn positions. However, here it does not seem to be dangerous for Black. Mamedyarov does not
choose the best way to arrange his pieces and White indeed gets strong attack.

16...Na5?
16...Ba5! looks to be equalizing on the spot, since it is difficult for White to avoid move repetition.
17.Re2 (In case of 17.Nfd2?! White's pieces look poorly coordinated and only Black can be better
after 17...Bb4 (Or 17...Nf4)) 17...Nf4 18.Re3 Nd5 19.Re2=
17.Ne5→ Now White stands better. White has "free hand" to develop kingside attack, while is it
difficult for Black to justify his 16...Na5? move - if Black takes on c4, he improves White's pawn
structure, while if he does not take the knight on a5 is out of play.
17...c6 18.Qf3 f6 A risky decision. However, Black wants to chase the white knight of the central
square.
In case of 18...Bc7 19.Rad1 if Black does not want to weaken himself with the ...f6 move, logical
looks 19...Qh4

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White gets decisive attack after 20.Bd3! Black is simply "missing a piece" (terrible position of Na5).
20...Nxb3 (Or 20...Qf4 21.Qe2) 21.Bb1 Na5 22.Bc1! White is combining different elements - Black
exposed his queen and White has a battery threat on the b1-h7 diagonal. For example: 22...Ne7
23.Qd3 Bf5 24.Nf3 Qh5 25.g4 and White has winning advantage. 25...Bxe4 (25...Qxh3 26.gxf5
Qg4+ 27.Ng3 Bxg3 28.fxg3 Qxg3+ 29.Kf1+-) 26.Rxe4 Qxh3 (26...Qg6 27.Rde1+-) 27.Rde1+-
Santosh Vidit chooses a bit conservative approach - 19.Nd3
19.Ng6ƒ looks promising;
19.Ng4! might be just winning for White! 19...Nxc4 (19...f5? loses to 20.Nef6+ gxf6 21.Nxh6+ Kg7

67
22.Rxe6! Kxh6 23.Rae1 It is not surprising that White has a winning attack here. 23...Rxe6 24.Rxe6
Nxc4 25.bxc4 Nc7 26.Qe3+ Kg6 27.Re7+-) 20.bxc4 f5

Now White needs to sacrifice in a different way. 21.Nxh6+! gxh6 22.Nc5 Nc7 23.Nxb7 Qh4 Here
the most precise for White is (23...Qg5 loses to 24.d5 Nxd5 (24...cxd5 25.c5 wins back the piece with
a winning advantage.) 25.a5! Bc7

26.Rxe6! Rxe6 27.cxd5 Rg6 28.dxc6+- The material is (technically speaking) equal, but Black's king
position is hopeless.) 24.Nd6 Re7 25.Rxe6! Rxe6 26.Nxf5 Qg5 27.a5! Rf6 28.g4 White wins the
black bishop, establishes material equality and has a large advantage because his king is safer than
Black's. 28...Raf8 29.Kh1+-

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19...Bf7 20.Re2 Bc7 21.Rae1

21...b6
Perhaps the best defence for Black was 21...a6! with ...b5 to follow disturbing the white bishop.
22.Bc1 Re6 23.Bd2 Nxc4 24.bxc4 Ne7
Vidit goes for (arguably) the most logical continuation. 25.Bxh6
An interesting alternative for White was 25.Bf4!? f5 26.Bxc7 Qxc7 27.Ne5! Rxe5 28.Nf6+ gxf6
29.dxe5 and Black has problems coordinating his pieces.
25...Qxd4
A Computer-type defence and (likely) the way to save the game was 25...Ng6! 26.Bxg7 Kxg7
27.Ng3

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27...Bxg3! 28.Rxe6 Bxe6 29.Rxe6 Bc7 and the position looks very promising for White. However,
my engine is surviving as Black.

26.Qg4?? Horrible blunder destroys Vidit's tournament. I guess White thought to be winning (on the
spot) and somehow (at the end of the long tournament those things happen) missed Black's response.
White had to continue with 26.Bf4 and after (forced) 26...Bxf4 27.Nxf4→ White has excellent
attacking prospects.
26...f5-+ Now White loses the piece without any compensation.
27.Bxg7 Qxg7 28.Qxg7+ Kxg7 29.Ng5 Rxe2 30.Rxe2 Ng6

70
The smoke has cleared and Black is piece up in the ending. Mamedyarov safely brings it home.
31.Ne6+ Bxe6 32.Rxe6 Rd8 33.Rxc6 Bb8 34.Ne1 Ne5 35.Re6 Kf7 36.Rh6 Rd1 37.Kf1 Nxc4
38.Rh4 Ne3+ 0-1

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov vs Santosh Gujrathi Vidit, Wijk aan Zee 2022; Photo by Jurriaan Hoefsmit Tata Steel Chess Tournament
2022

Sergey Karjakin had a very practical approach (including a few quick draws!).

71
This game was played in the last round. Karjakin having lost to Shankland in the previous round was
(most probably) in a peaceful mood. However, he wanted to put his opponent to a small "memory
test" before agreeing to a peace treaty.

C47
Karjakin, Sergey (2743) - Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi (2727)
Wijk aan Zee, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Bb4 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.Bd3 Honestly, I hate this line!
I call it "White is pretending to play for a win" ☺. Unfortunately, White sometimes wins and proves
my theory wrong! During the last couple of years we had many top games in this line. If Black is well
prepared, he has nothing to fear, but needs to be well prepared and to remember his lines!
7...d5 8.Bd2 A new development is this line.
For many years 8.exd5 was considered "a must".
8...O-O 9.O-O Bxc3 10.Bxc3 dxe4 11.Bxf6 Qxf6 12.Bxe4

We had (recently) quite a number of top games here. White is sort of "pressing". Objectively, Black
easily holds (and does hold in most of the games), but should be precise.
12...Qxb2 13.Bxc6 Rb8 14.Rb1 Qxb1 15.Qxb1 Rxb1 16.Rxb1

72
The position White is aiming for in this line. Due to a more active rook White is sitting on a better
side of a draw.
16...Rd8 17.Bf3 Kf8 18.Rb8 We, however, do have quite a number of top games in this position,
Black is easily holding.
18...Re8 19.h4 Ba6
One recent top game went 19...Bf5 White ends a pawn up in a drawn rook endgame. 20.Rb7 Bxc2
21.Rxc7

21...Be4! Black will have no problems holding a pawn down rook endgame. 22.Rxa7 Bxf3 23.gxf3

73
Rc8 24.Kg2 Rc4 25.Kg3 g6 26.Ra5 Kg7 Due to White's damaged kingside pawn structure, Black
easily holds a draw here. 27.f4 Kf6 28.a4 h5 29.Ra7 Ke6 30.Ra6+ Kf5 31.Ra5+ Kf6=
Andreikin,Dmitry 2728 - Matlakov,Maxim 2682, Russia (ch) 2021
20.Rb3

Important moment! We have two top games here, so Vidit most likely knew his position to be OK.
However, here he allowed the first mistake. Vidit is of course strong enough to be able to find a
sufficient defence over-the-board, but mistake(s) happenned and Karjakin got rewarded.
20...Re5?
In one recent top game Black followed the same strategy, but included an important check!
20...Re1+! 21.Kh2 Re5 The white king being placed on h2-square will prove to be important. 22.Rc3
Be2 23.Bxe2 Rxe2 The pawn on f2 hangs. 24.Kg3 Re4 25.Rxc7 Ra4 26.c4 Rxa2= and the game was
soon drawn in Mastrovasilis,Dimitrios 2619 - Grischuk,Alexander 2773, Terme Catez 2021;
20...Be2 is game of Magnus (played two years ago at the same tournament). 21.Bxe2 Rxe2 22.Rc3
Re7 23.f3 Ke8 24.Kf2 Kd7 25.Ra3 Now Black activates his rook. 25...Re5! 26.Rxa7 Rc5= and the
game was drawn soon in So,Wesley 2765 - Carlsen,Magnus 2872, Wijk aan Zee 2020
21.Rc3 Now compared to Grischuk's game White is winning a pawn. Most likely Vidit realized that
the check on e1 was required first and panicked committing a second (this time very important!)
mistake.
21...Re7?
Black should have still followed on Grischuk's plan 21...Be2! 22.Bxe2 Rxe2 23.Rxc7 Black is now a
pawn down, but holds with active play 23...Re4 (The threat is 24... Ra4, so White has to take on a7)

74
24.Rxa7 Rxh4 (The threat is 25...Rc4, so White is forced to place his rook to a passive position)
25.Rb7 (25.c3 Rc4 26.Ra3 h5=) 25...Rc4 26.Rb2 h5 White does not have "free hands" to activate his
king and Black holds a draw. 27.a3 g5 28.Ra2 Ra4=
White is now really dominating. 22.Ra3
My engine prefers 22.Rc5±
22...Re6
22...Be2! was a better defence.
23.Bd5 Rb6 24.Bb3 c5 25.Ra4 g6 26.f3 Rd6 At first glance it looks like White is not able to make
progress, but Karjakin finds the way to win material.

75
27.c4! White wants Ra5, Ba4. 27...Ke7 28.Ra5 Kd8?
Better defence was 28...Rc6 in order to win a pawn White has to allow Black some activity. 29.Ba4
Rb6 30.Rxc5 Rb4 31.Ra5 Bxc4 32.Rxa7+ Kf6 33.a3 Rb2 Black's drawing chances here are much
better than in the game.
29.Rxc5+- White is now a sound pawn up. Karjakin eventually converted it into a win.

Sergey Karjakin vs Santosh Gujrathi Vidit, Wijk aan Zee 2022; Photo by Jurriaan Hoefsmit Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2022

76
 E20
Shankland, Samuel (2708) - Karjakin, Sergey (2743)
Wijk aan Zee, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.f3 c5 5.d5 b5 6.e4 d6

This position always looked to me like a Snake Ben-Oni version with the black bishop already on the
a5-e1 diagonal (which in "Snake" takes Black some time to achieve).
7.Bd2
Other often played move here is 7.Ne2
7...a6 Not the most played move here.
We have quite a number of top level games with 7...exd5 8.cxd5 a6 or 7...Bxc3 8.Bxc3 b4 9.Bd2 O-O
8.a4 White is challenging Black to take decision on the queenside.
8.Nge2 is other move.
8...bxc4 9.Bxc4 Black now sacrifices a pawn in order to speed up his development.

77
9...Nbd7 We are still in a theoretically known (though not much played) position.
10.dxe6 fxe6 11.Bxe6 Ne5 12.Bxc8 Qxc8 13.Bf4
13.Nge2? is not a good idea, as after 13...Nd3+ 14.Kf1 c4ƒ Black has more than enough
compensation, as in Lodici,Lorenzo 2483 - Wojtaszek,Radoslaw 2705, tornelo.com (Internet) 2020
13...c4 14.Bxe5 dxe5 15.Nh3

If White castles here, he is a sound pawn up so Black has to stop him by playing either ...Bc5 or
...Qc5.
15...Bc5

78
15...Qc5 has been already played in a large number of games and Shankland probably had something
in mind, perhaps 16.Nf2 and after 16...Bxc3+ 17.bxc3 Qe3+ 18.Kf1 Qxc3 19.Rc1 Qa3 Black does
not seem to have enough compensation after 20.Rxc4 O-O 21.Qd3±
16.Qe2 Rb8 17.Nf2 Black now gets (what will turn out to be) a losing idea.

17...Qb7? Black is under the impression that his 18...Qb2 is a threat.

Black had to keep the tension with 17...Bd4 18.Rc1 (18.O-O Nh5ƒ looks good for Black.) 18...O-O
19.O-O Rb3 White seems to be better after (19...Nh5 does not work that good due to 20.Nd5! Rxb2
21.Qxb2 Bxb2 22.Ne7+ Kh8 23.Nxc8 Bxc1 24.Rxc1 Rxc8 25.Kf1± and Black has problems
protecting his pawns.) 20.Kh1² but the position remains tense.

79
18.O-O!
My Stockfish 14 wants (move not likely to be chosen by a human) 18.Qxc4!? as now Black has no
good alternative but to enter the game continuation 18...Bxf2+ (18...Qxb2 transposes to the game.
19.O-O! Bxf2+ 20.Kh1+-) 19.Kxf2 If White is precise, Black has just a few "empty checks".
19...Qa7+ (19...Qxb2+ loses to 20.Kg3! Nh5+ 21.Kh4+- Qb6 22.Rab1 Qf6+ 23.Kxh5) 20.Kf1!
(20.Kg3 allows Black to escape: 20...Nh5+ 21.Kh4

21...Qb6! 22.Kxh5 Rf8 23.Kh4 Qf2+! 24.Kh3 Rb6 25.Qc8+ Kf7 and if White wants to play for a
win, he has to give his queen: 26.Qf5+ (26.Qc4+ Ke8=) 26...Kg8 27.Qh5 Rh6 28.Qxh6 gxh6
29.Rhf1²) 20...Rxb2 21.Nd1+-

80
18...Qxb2?
Black could have struggled with 18...Qb4±

19.Qxc4! This must have been a cold shower for Karjakin!

19...Bxf2+ 20.Kh1 Due to his weak king and not coordinated pieces, Black loses some material.
20...Qb3 21.Qc7 Qb6 22.Qxe5+ Kf7 23.Nd5 Nxd5
Arguably best was 23...Rhe8 but White should win ending after 24.Qxe8+ Rxe8 25.Nxb6 Bxb6
26.Rab1+-
24.Qxd5+ Ke7 25.Qe5+ Weak black king proves decisive.
25...Kf7 26.Rac1!
26.Rac1 Black resigned due to 26...Rb7 27.Rxf2 Qxf2 28.Qd5++-
1-0

81
 Sergey Karjakin vs Samuel Shankland, Wijk aan Zee 2022; Photo by Jurriaan Hoefsmit Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2022

One of the pre-tournament favourites Fabiano Caruana had tournament marred with blunders.
Nevertheless, he stayed true to his combative style winning three games.
White played opening phase with ambition. On his part Caruana refused move repetition and we got
the current position on the board. White has a principled decision to make and has three logical
options:a) 23.Nd4 (bringing extra piece to center/queenside)
b) 23.c5 (closing the queenside, aiming to curb Black's counterplay)
c) 23.Ng3 (planning Rd4-g4 and direct attack on the black king)

Praggnanandhaa, Rameshbabu (2612) - Caruana, Fabiano (2792)

Wijk aan Zee, 2022

82
Position assessment? Black is better! White chooses the "a" plan.
23.Nd4
Most challenging was probably 23.Ng3 Black is better, but needs to be precise. 23...bxc4 24.bxc4
Ba6 25.Rd4

Now Black needs to be precise! 25...Red8! (In the case of 25...Bxc4 White has a strong attack after
26.Rg4→) 26.Rg4 dxc4! (The point behind 25...Red8! - the black rook can now penetrate the d-file)
27.Nh5

83
Now Black should not be afraid of any ghosts: 27...Ng6! 28.Rxg6 fxg6 29.Qxg6 Qf7 White simply
does not having enough attacking power (his own pawn on e5 standing in the way). 30.Qh7+ Kf8
31.Nf4 Rd2-+;
23.c5 (closing the position) does not work either 23...bxa4 24.bxa4 Ba6 25.Ng3

Now Black needs to be precise. (25.Nd4? Bc4 with Bc5 to follow.) 25...Rb8!µ (25...Bc4? 26.Rd4→)
26.Rd4 (White cannot move his Bb2 because of ...Ba3 winning an exchange, while "neutral move"
like 26.h3 lands White in a hopeless endgame after 26...Bxc5 27.Qxc5 Qxc5 28.Rxc5 Rxb2µ Black
has large (close to winning) advantage here.) 26...Bxc5 27.Rg4 Now Black kills White's attack with
27...Rb4µ White's attack is running out of steem, while an attempt to establish material equality and

84
hopefully bail out with a draw. 28.Rxb4 (Or 28.Bd4 Bxd4 29.exd4 Reb8) 28...Bxb4 29.Qxc6 fails
after 29...Bc4-+ White's queen is almost trapped, while the white pieces are badly coordinated. Black
is having a winning advantage here, e.g. 30.Bd4 (30.Ne4 Ba3-+) 30...Rb8 31.Ne4 Qd8! 32.Nd6 Bd2
33.Rd1 Be2-+
Caruana now creates a passed pawn. 23...dxc4 24.bxc4 bxa4 25.Qxa4
25.c5 a3µ
25...c5µ 26.Ne2
26.Nb5 does not help White, as his knight does not get to d6 26...Qg5 27.e4 Bc6 28.Qb3 Bxb5
29.cxb5 Red8µ
Black has a clear advantage and Caruana's execution is very precise. First he trades all four rooks!
After trading all the rooks White is left without any counterplay (forget about Rd6 ideas), while
Black's passed a-pawn will be felt (become more important).

26...Red8 27.Qc2 Rxd1+ 28.Rxd1 Rd8 29.Rxd8 Qxd8 The first part of the plan - done!
The passed a-pawn is now really dangerous.
30.Nc3 This allows Black a few more "favourable trades".

85
30...Bxc3! 31.Bxc3 Be4!-+ 32.Qc1 Bxb1 33.Qxb1 Now it is time for the a-pawn.

33...a4 34.h3 a3 35.Kh2 Qa8 36.Qb3 a2 37.Ba1 In essence, White is a piece down. The execution is
easy and swift.
37...Qa5 38.Kg3 g5
38...Ng6-+
While understanding that the position is lost White tries a futile counterplay attempt. 39.h4 gxh4+
40.Kxh4 Ng6+ 41.Kg3 h5

86
On the top of all the trouble White gets problems with his king.
42.Qb2 Qd8 43.f4 Qh4+ 44.Kf3 Qe1 45.Qxa2 Nh4+ 46.Ke4 Qf1 Next to the g2-pawn to be
hanging, Black has a deadly Nf5-g3# threat. 0-1

Fabiano Caruana vs Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, Wijk aan Zee 2022; Photo by Jurriaan Hoefsmit Tata Steel Chess
Tournament 2022

P. S. TATA Steel Challengers was dominated by the young Indian GM Erigaisi Arjun winning the

87
event with two point margin!

Eight-time tournament winner Magnus Carlsen; Photo by Jurriaan Hoefsmit

88
FIDE GRAND PRIX 2022
Nakamura Is (NOT!) The Surprise Winner!

Finally, the final phase of the World Championship cycle started in Berlin, Deutschland. The first
event of a series of three events, which is split between Berlin and Beograd took place from 4 to 17 of
February.
All but two of the qualified players made it to the first leg in Berlin: Ding Liren and Dmitry
Andreikin could not make it due to health safety issues related to COVID-19 protocols (first denied
travel permission and the latter got COVID).
The fight for the two coveted spots at the Candidates Tournament began in four preliminary groups.
Pool C saw Aronian winning the group convincingly with 4 1/2/6. The Armenian super-GM, who has
begun representing US at the international scene, won his group with ease outclassing the rest with a
1 1/2 points margin.

In Pool A, Nakamura showed that all his online rapid and blitz endeavors weren't in vain for the past
two years. The American won the group stage with 4/6 after the last round miraculous save against
Andrey Esipenko.

89
The other two groups saw more heated battles. In group B Wojtaszek started with a win over the
group favorite Richard Rapport. Along the way till the end of the group stage, the Polish top GM had
a number of chances to extend his lead but he eventually conceded to his +1 after making five draws.
On the other hand, Rapport made a comeback after "doubling" Fedoseev tie for the first with
Wojtaszek in the last minute. In the eventual tiebreak it was Rapport who prevailed.

In Pool D, two of the favorites, Wesley So, and Leinier Dominguez, were the main contenders for this
group's spot in the semi-final. Four rounds into the round robin, Wesley So was leading with 3/4
including a win with Black pieces against Dominguez. However, things had a dramatic end when
Dominguez scored back-to-back wins to catch up with So. In a tense tiebreak Dominguez proved
calmer and took the last spot in the semis.

Semi-final was all about Aronian and Nakamura. Aronian got the better of Dominguez after the
Cuban-American failed to make a anything out of his initiative. Aronian's extra material prevailed.
Nakamura also won convincingly against Rapport's QGD and held comfortably with Black.

90
In the final, Aronian had a good chance in the first game with the black pieces but Nakamura
managed to be resourceful and held the game to a draw. In the tiebreak, Nakamura once again showed
his superb talent in faster time control and prevailed with two wins in rapid games.

While many dubbed Nakamura's sensation as phenomenal and unpredictable, it is simply not the case.
Nakamura played countless number of rapid and blitz events and did a lot of chess work during his
twitch streams. He was simply there even though he did not participate in a OTB chess tournament!
His synergy prevailed!

Grischuk, Alexander (2764) - Bacrot, Etienne (2642)

Berlin, 2022

91
20.Rg5?? Both Grischuk and Bacrot did not have a good tournament. This last moment of the game
gives us a better feel of how bad their form was.

20...Qb6?? Returns the favour.

20...Nxe4!! This is not an easy tactic to see, but at this level it is expected! 21.Nxe4 Bxe4 22.Rxc5
dxc5 23.Qe1 Rxd1+ 24.Qxd1 Rxh2
21.Re1

92
21...Rh7? Another tactical oversight.
22.Nd5+! exd5 23.exd5+ Kf8 24.dxc6 Qxc6 25.Qd4+- Grischuk went on to win this game that had
many more serious mistakes.

Alexander Grischuk vs Etienne Bacrot, Berlin FIDE Grand Prix 2022; Photo by WorldChess

A29
Nakamura, Hikaru (2736) - Esipenko, Andrey (2714)
Berlin, 2022

93
This is probably Nakamura's best game in this event.
1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5
6.Bg2 Bc5 This move is becoming trendy these days.
7.O-O O-O

8.Qc2!? A rare move.

8...Nf6 9.a3 Nd4 10.Nxd4 exd4 11.b4
So far the players are following engine's suggestions until 11...Bb6?
11...Be7 12.Na4 Rb8 13.e3 d3 14.Qb1² The slight edge is more pragmatic than the absolute value of
the position.
12.Na4 Now White gets the bishop pair.
12...Re8 13.Nxb6 axb6 14.e3 d3 15.Qc3 Ne4 16.Qc4 Bf5 17.Bb2 Qd7 18.Bxe4!? Bxe4 19.f3 Bc6

94
This position is very dangerous for Black. The c7-pawn is a backward one and weak, while White's
pressure will mount along the a1-h8 diagonal. On top of that, the d3-pawn is a problem too.
20.Rac1 Re7 21.Qf4 f6 22.Rc4 Rd8 23.Rfc1 White's advantage is reaching an overwhelming level.
23...Qe6 And here Nakamura shows a great deal of tactical savviness.

24.b5! Bxb5 25.Re4 Qf7 26.Rxe7 Qxe7 27.Rxc7 Rd7 28.Rc8+ Rd8
28...Kf7 29.Qf5 Bc6 30.Qh5+ Ke6 31.Re8+-
29.Bxf6! gxf6 30.Qg4+ Kf8

95
30...Kf7 31.Qh5+ Kg7 32.Rxd8 Qxd8 33.Qxb5 Qd6 34.a4 Qa3 35.Kf2+-
31.Rxd8+ Qxd8 32.Qb4+ Qe7 33.Qxb5 Qxa3

34.Kf2! The material is equal but all of Black's pawns are weak. Nakamura converted with ease.
34...Qc5 35.Qxd3 b5 36.Qc3 Qe7 37.Ke2 Kg7 38.Qd4 Qf7 39.Qg4+ Kh8 40.Qb4 Qe8 41.Qd6
Qf7 42.Qc5 Qe8 43.g4 Kg7 44.h4 Qd7 45.h5 Kg8 46.h6 1-0

96
Andrey Esipenko vs Hikaru Nakamura, Berlin FIDE Grand Prix 2022; Photo by WorldChess

97
 Hikaru Nakamura, Berlin FIDE Grand Prix 2022; Photo by WorldChess

Nakamura, Hikaru (2736) - Grischuk, Alexander (2764)

Berlin, 2022

Grischuk's attempt to win with Black only backfired. He does not have enough space!
23...bxc5 24.f4! Engines like to begin with c4 but Nakamura is playing the right plan.
24...exf4 25.Bxf4 Bd7 26.c4?!
26.Rf2 Rae8 27.Bg3 f6 28.c4 Rf7 29.Qe3 Bc8 30.Rbf1±
26...Rab8
26...Bf6! 27.Qe3 Rad8 28.Qg3 Bc8 29.g5²
27.Qc3 f6 28.Rb3
28.g5 Maybe a bit more accurate.

98
28...Rb6??
28...Rf7 would have prevented g5.
29.g5! Rf7

30.Bc1! Qd8 31.Bb2 Qf8 32.Kg2 Bd8 Now Nakamura gradually puts Grischuk in Zugzwang.
33.Qf3 Bc8 34.Qe3 Rxb3 35.axb3 fxg5 36.Qc3 Rxf1 37.Qh8+ Kf7 38.Qxh7+ Ke8 39.Qxg6+ Ke7
39...Qf7 40.Qxf7+ Rxf7 41.Bh5+-;
39...Rf7 40.Bh5 Ke7 41.Qxf7+ Qxf7 42.Bxf7 Kxf7 43.h7+-

99
40.Qxg5+ Rf6 41.h7 Kd7

42.Qg8!
42.Qg8 Rf2+ 43.Kg1 Kc7 44.h8=Q+-
1-0

Rapport, Richard (2763) - Fedoseev, Vladimir (2704)

Berlin, 2022

21...Nc1 Rapport's two victories over Fedoseev were key to his comeback.

100
22.Ng4 R8a2 23.Nxf6+ Kf8
23...Kg7 24.Nh5+ Kg6 25.Nf4+ Kg5 26.Kf2!+-

24.Kf2?
24.Bf1! Nd3+ (24...Kg7 25.Ne8+ Kf8 26.Nd6 Ba8 (26...Ba6 27.b5+-) 27.Nc8+-; 24...Ke7 25.Ng8+
Kf8 26.Nxh6+-) 25.Bxd3 Rxd1+ 26.Kxd1 Ra1+ 27.Ke2 Rxh1 28.Nd7+ Ke8 29.Nxb6 Rxh2
30.Kf2+-
24...Rxe2+ 25.Kg3 Rc2 26.Kh4

26...Kg7??

101
26...Rxc4 27.Kh5 Rc2=
27.Nh5+?? Returns the favour.
27.Ne8+ Kf8 28.Nd6 Bc6 29.b5 Be8 30.e5± And Black is tied down.
27...Kg6??
27...Kf8 would have sufficed.
28.Rd8 Now, Black's king is in imminent danger.
28...Ra8 29.Rhd1 Rxc4 30.Rxa8 Bxa8 31.Rd8 Bxe4 32.g4! Kh7
32...Bxf3 33.Rg8+ Kh7 34.Nf6#;
32...f5

102
33.Rd7! fxg4 34.fxg4+- and mate is inevitable.
33.fxe4 e5+- 34.Nf6+ Kg6 35.Rd6 Ne2 36.Ng8+ Kg7 37.Nxh6 Rxe4 38.Nf5+ Kh7 39.Rh6+ Kg8
40.Rxb6 Nf4 41.Kg5 f6+ 42.Kh6 Re2 43.h4 Kf7 44.b5 Rb2 45.Rb8 Nd5 46.h5 e4 47.Nd6+ Ke7
48.Nxe4 Rb4 49.b6 f5 50.gxf5 Rxe4 51.b7 Nf6 52.Rd8 1-0
A simple, yet beautiful game by Aronian.

B13
Aronian, Levon (2772) - Keymer, Vincent (2664)
Berlin, 2022

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nf6 5.h3 Nc6 6.Nf3 Nb4

103
7.Nc3!? The beginning of an interesting concept.
7...g6 8.Ne5 a6!?
8...Nxd3+?! 9.Qxd3 a6 10.Bf4 Bg7 11.Qe3 O-O 12.O-O-O! And White's attack is promising;
8...Bg7 9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.a3 Nc6 11.O-O O-O 12.Re1 is more promising for Black.
9.O-O Bg7 10.Re1 O-O 11.Bg5 Nxd3

12.cxd3! White totally controls the key squares and the open the c-file.
12...Qb6?

104
12...Ne8! 13.Nf3 f6 14.Bf4 e6 15.Na4 Nd6 16.Rc1 Rf7 17.Nc5 Re7∞
13.Nf3 e6? This almost loses by force.
13...h6 14.Bf4 Bd7 and because of the b2-pawn Black is still in the game.
14.Na4 Qd6 15.Qd2 a5 16.Rac1 Bd7 17.Nc5 b6 18.Bf4 Qe7 19.Nxd7 Nxd7 20.Rc7?!
20.Rc6 Rfc8 21.Qc3 is more accurate.
20...Rfc8 21.Rec1 Qd8 22.Qc2 Rxc7 23.Qxc7 Qxc7 24.Rxc7 Rd8 25.Rb7?!
25.Kf1 h6 26.Ke2 g5 27.Bg3 h5 28.Nxg5 Bxd4 29.Bd6 Bf6 30.h4 a4 31.f4 And Black is almost in
Zugzwang.
25...Kf8 26.Bd6+ Ke8 27.Ne5 Bxe5 28.dxe5 Rc8? Black misses his last chance.
28...Nc5 29.Re7+ Kf8 30.Rxe6+ Kg8 31.Re7

31...Rc8! And White wins with only one plan. 32.Rc7 Rxc7 33.Bxc7 Nxd3 34.b3 b5 35.Bxa5 Nxe5
36.a4 bxa4 37.bxa4 Kf8 38.Bc7 Nc6 39.a5 Ke7 40.a6 Kd7 41.Bb6+-

105
29.d4! From now on Aronian wins by demonstrating beautiful technique.
29...Kd8 30.Ra7 Rc4 31.b3 Rc1+ 32.Kh2 h6 33.Kg3 Rc3+ 34.f3 Rc6 35.h4 Rc8 36.h5 Rc6 37.Kh4
Rc8 38.g4 Ke8 39.f4 Kd8 40.hxg6 fxg6 41.g5 h5 42.f5
42.f5 gxf5 43.g6 Ke8 44.Kxh5 Rc2 45.Ra8++-
1-0

106
 Vincent Keymer vs Levon Aronian, Berlin FIDE Grand Prix 2022; Photo by WorldChess

B60
Oparin, Grigoriy (2681) - Rapport, Richard (2763)
Berlin, 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 Qb6 8.Nb3 a6 9.Be2 Be7
10.g4 Qc7 11.O-O-O b5 12.a3 Rb8

107
13.Rhe1?! This does not agree with White's plan.
13.Bxf6!? gxf6 (13...Bxf6?! 14.Qxd6 Be5 15.Qxc7 Bxc7 16.h4 Ke7 17.Rhf1 Ne5 18.f4 Ng6 19.e5
Bb6 20.Kb1 Nxh4 21.f5²) 14.f4 Qb6„
13...O-O 14.f4? White's pieces do not have harmony. Black's counter-attack is much stronger than
White's.
14.Bxf6 Bxf6 (14...gxf6?! 15.Rg1 Kh8 16.h4²) 15.Qxd6 Qb6=

14...b4?!
14...Rd8! This strong prophylactic move avoids Bf6 and lets Black having a strong attack with b4.

108
15.axb4?
15.Bxf6! Bxf6 16.Qxd6 Qb7 17.Nc5∞
15...Rxb4 16.Bxf6 Bxf6 17.g5 Bd4
17...Be7 18.f5 Rd8 19.g6 hxg6 20.fxg6 Bf6 21.gxf7+ Qxf7 22.Rg1 a5 23.Rdf1 Qe7 Engines believe
that Black is much better, but it is not practically easy.
18.Kb1

18...Qb6?
18...Bd7! 19.Na2 Ra4 20.Nc3 Bxc3 21.Qxc3 Rxe4 22.Rd4 Rxd4 23.Nxd4 Qb6µ
19.Na2 Be3 20.Qxd6 Rxe4 21.Rf1 g6 22.Bf3 Bxf4 23.Qd3??
23.Qa3 Rd4 24.Nxd4 Nxd4 25.h4 a5©
23...Re3! 24.Qc4 Rxf3! 25.Rxf3 Bxg5 26.Rff1 Ne7 27.Qb4 Qxb4 28.Nxb4 Nf5 29.Rfe1 Bf4
30.Nc5 Bxh2 31.Nbxa6 g5 32.b4 g4 A hasty decision.
32...Bf4! 33.b5 Nd6 34.b6 Bxa6 35.Nxa6 Rc8-+
33.b5 h5 34.Rh1 g3 35.Rd2 h4?
35...Kg7 36.b6

109
36...Nd6!! 37.c4 Kh6! 38.Rdxh2 (38.Rxd6 g2 39.Rdd1

39...Rd8!! 40.Rc1 gxh1=Q 41.Rxh1 Rd6-+) 38...gxh2 39.Rxh2 Rg8 40.Kc2 Rg4-+
36.b6 Kg7 37.b7 Bxb7 38.Nxb7 h3 39.Rdxh2 gxh2 40.Nbc5
40.Rxh2 Rh8 41.c4=
40...Ng3
40...Ne3! 41.Rxh2 Rh8 42.Ne4 Ng4 43.Rh1 f5 44.Nd2 e5 45.Nc5 h2 46.Nd3 e4-+
41.Rxh2 Rh8 42.Nd3 Nf1 43.Rh1 h2 44.Rxf1 h1=Q 45.Rxh1 Rxh1+= 46.Kb2 Kf6 47.c4 e5

110
48.Nab4 e4 49.Nd5+ Ke6 50.N3f4+ Ke5 51.Ne2 Rh2 52.Nf4 Rf2 53.c5 Rf3 54.Ka2 f5 55.Kb2
Rxf4 56.Nxf4 Kxf4 57.c6 e3 58.Kc2 Kf3 59.c7 e2 60.c8=Q e1=Q 1/2-1/2

Richárd Rapport vs Grigoriy Oparin, Berlin FIDE Grand Prix 2022; Photo by WorldChess

Bacrot, Etienne (2642) - Esipenko, Andrey (2714)

Berlin, 2022

111
19...a5 20.Bc4
20.Rd3! Ba6 (20...Rxd3 21.cxd3 Ba6 22.Rc1 Rd8 23.Bc4! Bxc4 (23...Bb7 24.Kf2 Ke7 25.d4! exd4
26.Bf1 Rd7 27.Nb3 Ne8 28.Nxa5 Ba8 29.Bb5!+-) 24.Nxc4 Rxd3 25.Nxa5 b3

26.Nc4! Nd7 27.a5!+-) 21.Bc4 (21.Nc4?! Rxd3 22.cxd3 Bxc4! 23.Bxc4 c6 24.Kf2 Ke7 25.Ke3
c5=) 21...Rxd3 22.Bxd3! Bb7

23.Rc1! Nd7 (23...Rd8?? 24.Nc4+-) 24.b3 Nc5 25.Kf2 Rd8 26.Ke3 f6 27.Nc4 Ra8 28.g3² with a
pleasant ending for White.
20...Bc6 21.b3 Nd7 22.Be2 Nc5 23.Kf2 f6 24.c3

112
24...Be8?!
24...Nxa4! 25.bxa4 Bxa4 26.Ra1 Rxd2 27.Ke1 Rb2 28.Rxa4 b3 29.Bc4 Rb1+ 30.Kf2 b2 31.Ba2 Rc1
32.Ra3 b1=Q 33.Bxb1 Rxb1 34.Re2 Rb5µ
25.Ke1 Bf7 26.cxb4 axb4 The game should be a draw but Bacrot's passive play led him to a painful
loss.
27.Bc4?
27.Rc1
27...Rd4 28.Rc1 Bxc4 29.Rxc4 Rxc4
29...Ne6 30.g3 c5 31.Rc1 g5 32.Ke2 Rad8 33.Nc4 h5 34.a5 Kg7 35.Kf2 g4µ
30.Nxc4 Rd8 31.g3 Ke7 32.Ke2 Rd4 33.Nd2 g5³ 34.Kd1 h5 35.Kc2 g4 36.f4
36.a5 gxf3 37.Rxf3 Ke6 38.Rf1 with good drawing chances.
36...exf4 37.gxf4 h4 38.a5

113
38...Kd7??
38...Rd8 39.f5 Ra8-+

39.Kd1??
39.f5 Ke7 40.Nc4 c6 41.Nd2 Rd8 42.e5 with a draw being most probable result.

114
39...g3! 40.hxg3 hxg3 41.Kc2 g2 42.Re1 Nd3 43.Ra1 Nxf4 44.a6 Kc6
44...Kc6 45.a7 Rd8 46.Nf3 Kb7 47.Nh4 Ka8-+
0-1

Andrey Esipenko vs Étienne Bacrot, Berlin FIDE Grand Prix 2022; Photo by WorldChess

D20

115
 Aronian, Levon (2772) - Dominguez Perez, Leinier (2752)
Berlin (playoff-m/1-rapid), 2022

1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4 b5 4.a4 c6 5.axb5 cxb5 6.Nc3 Qb6 7.Nd5 This has become a topical
opening discussion these days.
7...Qb7 8.Bf4 e5! 9.Bxe5 Nd7

10.Bf4!
10.Nf3? Ngf6! 11.Bxf6 (11.Nc7+ Kd8 12.Na6 Qxe4+µ) 11...Nxf6 12.Nxf6+ gxf6 13.Be2 Bb4+
14.Kf1 O-Oµ Greenfeld, Alon 2502 - Nguyen,Thai Dai Van 2577, tornelo.com (Internet-m/1) 2021;
10.Bg3 Ngf6 11.Nc7+ Kd8

116
12.f3 (12.Nxa8?? Bb4+-+) 12...Nxe4 (12...Rb8?? 13.Na6+- Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu 2608 -
Abdumalik,Zhansaya 2472, chess24.com (Internet-rapid) 2021) 13.fxe4 Bb4+ 14.Kf2 Nf6 15.Bxc4
bxc4 16.Nxa8 Nxe4+ 17.Kf1 Nd2+ 18.Kf2 Ne4+=
10...Ngf6 11.Nc7+ Kd8 12.Nxa8 Qxe4+ 13.Ne2 Qxa8 14.f3 Nd5 15.Bg5+
15.Bd2 Bd6 16.Nc3 Nxc3 17.bxc3 Nf6 18.Bg5 a5 19.Be2 Re8 20.Kf2 Qd5©;
15.Kf2 N7b6 16.g3 a5 17.Qc1 a4 18.Nc3 Qc6©
15...f6 16.Bd2 Bd6 17.Ng3 Qb8 18.Kf2

18...Re8?! Not a mistake but a wrong path.

117
18...a6!? 19.Be2 Bc7 20.Re1 g6 21.Ne4 Re8„;
18...Bc7! 19.Ne4 Re8 20.Nc3 Ne7! All engine moves. 21.b3 b4 22.bxc4 bxc3 23.Bxc3 Bxh2³ Black
obtained the upper hand, though the position remains complicated.
19.Be2 Bc7 20.Re1

20...Bb6? An unfortunate blunder for Dominguez.

20...a6! 21.Bf1 Qa7! 22.Bc3 (22.Rxe8+ Kxe8 23.Bc3 Ne5∞) 22...Rxe1 23.Qxe1 b4 24.Qe4 Bb7
25.Bd2 c3 26.bxc3 Nxc3 27.Qxh7 Qxd4+ 28.Be3 Bxg3+ 29.hxg3 Ne4+! 30.fxe4 Qxa1 31.Qg8+
Ke7 32.Qxg7+ Kd8 33.Qh8+ Ke7=
21.Kg1 Ne5 22.Kh1 Nc6

118
23.b3! Now it is just an exchange up for White. The rest was a matter of technique for Aronian.
23...c3 24.Bxb5 Bd7 25.Rxe8+ Bxe8 26.Be1 Nxd4 27.Bxe8 c2 28.Qd3 Kxe8 29.Bd2 Qe5 30.Rc1 f5
31.Qc4 Ne3 32.Qc8+ Kf7 33.Qd7+ Kg6 34.f4 Qe6 35.Qxe6+ Nxe6 36.Ne2 Ng4 37.g3 Nc5 38.b4
Nd3 39.Rxc2 Ngf2+ 40.Kg2 Ne4 41.Nc1 1-0

119
 Leinier Domínguez Pérez vs Levon Aronian, Berlin FIDE Grand Prix 2022; Photo by WorldChess

Nakamura, Hikaru (2736) - Aronian, Levon (2772)

Berlin (playoff-m/1-rapid), 2022

120
24...Qg5
A beautiful technical win by Nakamura in the first game of the rapid tiebreak ensured him the victory.
The game is far from perfect, but it has several beautiful moments.
25.Qc5! Qxc5+ 26.Nxc5 The endgame is clearly better for White.
26...Bd5 27.Ra7 c6 28.Nd3 g6 29.Rc7 Ra8 30.Nb4 Kg7
30...Ra1+ 31.Kf2 Rc1 32.Ke3 Kg7=
31.Nxc6 Bxc6 32.Rxc6 Rd8

33.g4?
33.b4! Rd2 34.Rc5 h5 35.h4 f6 36.c3 Rc2 37.Kh2 Kf7 38.Kg3 Kg7 39.Kh3 Kf7 40.g4 hxg4+
41.Kxg4+-
33...Rd2 34.h4 h5 35.gxh5 gxh5= 36.b4 Rd4 37.c3 Rxh4 38.Kg2 Rf4 39.Kg3 Rf5 40.f4 h4+
41.Kxh4 Rxf4+ 42.Kg5 It is hard to imagine Black losing this position but in a game with few
seconds on the clock only one with nerves of steel can prevail!
42...Rf3 43.Kg4 Rd3 44.Rc5 Kf6 45.Kf4 Ke6 46.Ke4

121
46...Rd8?? Not sure why Aronian hanged the pawn.
46...Rh3! 47.Kd4 Rh4+ 48.Kd3 Rh3+ 49.Kc2 Rh2+ 50.Kb3 f5 51.Rxb5 f4 52.Rb8 Kf7! 53.Kc4 f3
54.Kd3

54...Rb2! 55.Rb5 Kf6 56.Rh5 f2 57.Rh1 Ke6 58.Rf1 Kd5 59.c4+ Ke5 60.b5 Kd6 61.Kd4 Rd2+
62.Kc3 Re2 63.Kb4 Rb2+ 64.Kc3 Re2=
47.Rxb5 Rd1 48.Rb6+ Kd7 49.Rf6 Ke7 50.Rf3 Ke6 51.Rd3 f5+ 52.Kd4 Rb1 53.Re3+ Kf6 54.Re8
f4 55.Rb8 Kf5 56.b5 f3

122
57.Ke3?? Nakamura throws away the win.
57.Rf8+ Kg4

58.Ke4!! A hard to see move! 58...Re1+ (58...Rxb5 59.Rxf3 and there is no check.) 59.Kd5 Rb1
60.c4+-
57...Rb3 58.Kd3 Kg4 59.Kc2

123
59...f2?? - and Aronian returns the favour.
59...Ra3 60.Rf8 Kg3 61.b6 Ra2+ 62.Kb3 Ra6 63.Rf6 f2 64.b7 Rxf6 65.b8=Q+ Rf4= White only has a
perpetual check.
60.Rf8 Rxb5 61.Rxf2 Rc5 Black's king is cut a file one too many! 1-0

124
Levon Aronian vs Hikaru Nakamura, Berlin FIDE Grand Prix 2022; Photo by WorldChess

125
THE CLASH OF GENERATIONS

During the first weekend of February we had a historical

little tournament in Sao Paulo. The event was called "The
Clash of Generations" as it confronted 3 retired
competitors against 3 active ones. In the retired group
(nicknamed "red wine") were: GM Giovanni Vescovi, GM
Gilberto Milos and myself. In the active or younger group
(nicknamed "milk") were: GM Alexandr Fier, GM Luis
Paulo Supi and GM Krikor Mekhitarian.
The event was a huge success, as many were curious to see
if the retired players could still move the pieces well. Here in Brazil (and I suspect in the whole world
too) there was a big boost of pupularity for chess due to the pandemic and also the "Queen's Gambit"
Netflix show. Many of the younger fans have never seen the older Brazilian grandmasters playing so
it was no surprise that the online transmission was packed, with usually more than 5000 people
watching it live.
The tournament was also a breeze of fresh air for Brazilian chess and maybe the indication of brighter
days ahead. We were treated wonderfully by the organizers, all our demands were met, as well as
good financial conditions. We even played in an art gallery!
The time control was a curious one: 30 minutes + 20 seconds increment (I had never seen it before)
and members of opposing teams would face each other twice, in a total of 18 games. The result was
pretty one-sided 12 1/2 : 5 1/2 in favour of the "milk team", but that was sort of expected. In this
article I would like to show the best games of this tournament, including some contribution to the
development of the theory in some topical lines.
This game was played in the first round and was met with great expectations. With the white pieces,
GM Supi, the current Brazilian Champion and rising star, with a big legion of followers. He is a great
blitz player with more than 3000 blitz rating at the most popular online chess clubs. With the black
pieces, GM Vescovi, a legend of Brazilian chess, 7 times Brazilian Champion but now retired and
working in a bank.

126
 B48
Supi, Luis Paulo (2581) - Vescovi, Giovanni (2606)
Sao Paulo, 2022

1.e4 c5 Not afraid of a big duel!

2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3 a6

7.g4!? A popular choice nowadays.

7...b5 8.Nxc6 Qxc6 9.Qd2 b4 10.Ne2 Qxe4 In the ancient times taking such a pawn would be
considered a crime, but the engines nowadays show that greed is not such a "capital crime" in the
Sicilian anymore.
11.Rg1 Qc4 12.Nf4 Qc7 13.O-O-O
This is the critical position for the evaluation of the 7.g4 line, at least as far as the current state of
theory goes. We have games from some very strong grandmasters here. Sure, some of those were
played in blitz tournaments online, but should we really ignore those games?

127
13...a5?N
13...Nf6 This is the main move, but not enough for equality.

14.Nh5! The most precise. Black has some problems to solve here. (14.Bg2?! Bb7 15.g5 (15.Bxb7
Qxb7³ Bartel,Mateusz 2597 - Movsesian,Sergei 2627, Riga 2021) 15...Ne4 16.Qd4 Nd6³
Karjakin,Sergey 2758 - Rapport,Richard 2760, Stavanger 2021; 14.Bd4 Bb7 15.Nh5 Nxh5 16.gxh5
Rg8= Varga,Richard 2070 - Horvath,Adam 2501, Zalakaros 2021) 14...Nd5 (14...Bb7 Now White
can create some pressure in different ways. 15.Bb6 (15.Bf4 Qc6 16.Nxf6+ (16.Be5?!

16...Ne4! (16...Nxh5?! 17.gxh5© Ali Marandi,Cemil Can 2542 - Maiti,Milind 2395, Charlotte 2021)
17.Qe3 f6 18.Bd4 e5 19.Bb6 d5 20.Bg2 Rc8=; 16.Bg2 d5 17.Nxf6+ gxf6 18.g5 Bg7 (18...f5=)

128
19.Qxb4∞ Fedoseev,Vladimir 2704 - Pichot,Alan 2625, europe-echecs.com (Internet-blitz) 2022)
16...gxf6 17.g5 f5 18.Be5 Rg8 19.Bf6© with good compensation.) 15...Qc6 (15...Qc8?! 16.Bd4
(16.Nxf6+ gxf6 17.Bd4±) 16...Nxh5 17.gxh5± Razafindratsima,Timothe 2376 - Materia,Marco 2364,
Marseille 2021) 16.Bg2 Qc8 (16...d5?! 17.Bd4 Nxh5 18.gxh5± Rakotomaharo,Fy Antenaina 2391 -
Volokitin,Andrei 2606, Riga (blitz) 2021) 17.Nxf6+ gxf6 18.Bd4 Bxg2 (18...e5? 19.Rde1 Bxg2
20.Rxg2±) 19.Bxf6 (19.Rxg2 Be7 20.g5

20...Rg8!∞) 19...Bf3 20.Bxh8 Bxd1 21.Rxd1² with a more pleasant position for White.) 15.Bd4 Rg8
16.Qd3! An important move, played in a recent high profile game. (16.Bg2 Bb7 17.Rge1 O-O-O
18.Be4 h6 19.Bh7 Rh8 20.Be4 Rg8= Martinez Alcantara,Jose Eduardo 2620 - Materia, Marco 2303,
chess.com (Internet-blitz) 2021; 16.Bd3 Bb7 17.Kb1 (17.Bxh7 Rh8 18.Be4 O-O-O∞ with chances for
both sides.) 17...O-O-O (17...g6 18.Nf6+ Nxf6 19.Bxf6©) 18.Qe2² Motylev,Alexander 2624 -
Alekseenko, Kirill 2710, Russia (ch) 2021) 16...g6 17.Bg2! gxh5 18.Bxd5 Bb7 19.Bxb7 Qxb7 and
now I think White can improve.

129
20.g5!ƒ with a strong initiative. (20.gxh5 Rxg1 21.Rxg1 Qd5∞ was not so clear in Esipenko,Andrey
2714 - Shankland,Samuel 2708, Wijk aan Zee 2022; 20.Qxh7 Rxg4 21.Qxh5 Rxg1 22.Rxg1 Qe4=)
13...Bb7!? Maybe Black should pay some attention to this move, played in only 2 games. 14.Bb6
(14.Nh5 after this thematic move Black can try

14...O-O-O! followed by Ne7) 14...Qc6! An important new move! (14...Qc8?! 15.Nh5 was better for
White. 15...g6 (15...Nf6 16.Nxf6+ gxf6 17.Bd4 Be7 (17...e5 18.g5! exd4 19.Qxd4+-) 18.g5±;
15...Ne7 16.Bd4) 16.Bd4+- (16.Qd4 f6 17.Nxf6+ Nxf6 18.Qxf6 Rg8± Liyanage,Ranindu Dilshan
2353 - Turzo,Attila 2340, chess.com (Internet-blitz) 2022)) 15.Bg2 Qc8 16.Bxb7 Qxb7 17.Nh5
(17.Rge1?! Nf6) 17...Nf6 18.Nxf6+ (18.Bd4 Nxh5 19.gxh5 Rg8 with a good position.) 18...gxf6∞

130
with a complicated game. White certainly has enough compensation for the pawn, but this looks
better than most positions Black gets in this line.

A trait of a good Sicilian player is to play 14.Kb1! at the right moment.

14...a4 15.Nh5 Ra5 16.Bd4 f6 17.g5! White's attack plays easily.
17...Kf7

18.Bd3?!
18.Be2! developing and defending the knight, would be crushing. White is easily winning, for
instance: 18...Bb7 (18...f5 19.Nxg7! Bxg7 20.Bh5+ Kf8 21.Qxb4+ d6 22.Bb6+-) 19.gxf6 gxf6

131
20.Nxf6! Nxf6 21.Bxf6 Kxf6 22.Qd4+ e5 23.Qh4+ Ke6 24.Bg4+ Kf7 25.Bh5+ Ke6

26.Rg6+!! What a nice finish! 26...hxg6 27.Qg4+ Ke7 28.Qg5+ Ke6 29.Qxg6+ Ke7 30.Qf7+ Kd8
31.Qe8#
18...f5 Suddenly things are not so clear anymore.
19.Qe3 Bc5

20.Bxf5!? Supi's favourite player is Leonid Stein. This is enough to say he is not afraid of sacrifices.
20...Bxd4? The fatal mistake. Black had to accept the sacrifice, close his eyes and hope for the best.
Surprisingly, White has no killer blow after it.

132
20...exf5™ 21.Nxg7 (21.g6+!? This move was the one that scared Vescovi. 21...hxg6 22.Rxg6 Bxd4!
(22...Kxg6? 23.Qe8+ Kh7 24.Rg1+-) 23.Qxd4

23...Qe5! (23...Kxg6? 24.Rg1+ (24.Qxg7+ Kxh5 25.Rg1 Qf4 26.Rg3 Qxg3 27.Qxh8+ Nh6
28.hxg3+-) 24...Kf7 (24...Kxh5 25.Qe3+-)) 24.Rxg7+ Ke8 The position is scary, but Black survives.
25.Qd2 Ne7 (25...Nf6 26.f4 Ne4! 27.fxe5 Nxd2+ 28.Rxd2 Rxh5 29.Rg8+ Ke7 30.Rxc8 Rxe5
31.a3=) 26.Re1 Rxh5 27.Rxe5 Rxe5³) 21...Ne7 22.Rge1 Rg8 23.Qe2 Qc6! the only way. (23...Rxg7?
24.Bxc5 Qxc5

25.Rd5!! This hurts. 25...Kf8 26.Rxc5 Rxc5 27.Qd2±) 24.Bf6 Rxg7 25.Bxe7 Qe6 26.Qh5+ Qg6
27.Qe2 Qe6= with a draw by repetition.

133
21.Qxd4+- Now it's game over.
21...Qe5 22.g6+ Kf8 23.Qb6 Nf6 24.Nxf6 Ke7 25.Qxb4+ 1-0

C58
Fier, Alexandr (2583) - Leitao, Rafael (2592)
Sao Paulo, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4

There were many discussions in the Italian during the tournament. I must admit I still don't know
what is wrong with the Ruy Lopez.
3...Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Na5 6.Bb5+ c6 7.dxc6 bxc6 8.Bd3
Here I decided to play a somewhat weaker move as a surprise.

8...Ng4?! I don't think this move is as good as 8...Nd5, but I noticed during my preparations that the
in the main line queens are exchanged. This is useful information against such an agressive player as
Fier.
9.Ne4!
9.Nh3 This is also possible. 9...Bd6 10.Nc3 O-O 11.O-O e4 12.Nxe4 Bxh2+ 13.Kh1 Bc7© Black
seems to have enough compensation.
9...f5 10.Be2! h5 11.h3 fxe4 12.hxg4 Bc5

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13.b4!
13.Nc3 The other option also leads to a queenless position. 13...Qd4 14.O-O O-O 15.Qe1 hxg4 16.d3
exd3 17.Bxd3 Rxf2 18.Qxf2 Qxf2+ 19.Rxf2 g3 20.Ne4 gxf2+ 21.Kf1 Bb6= this position has been
discussed in several correspondence games, with the usual results.
13...Qd4 14.bxc5 O-O 15.O-O Qxa1 16.Nc3 e3! 17.gxh5 exf2+ 18.Rxf2 Rxf2 19.Kxf2 Be6 20.Ba3
Qxd1 21.Bxd1 Rf8+ 22.Ke1

22...g6! I must admit I was following Sethuraman's course where he mentioned this as an important
move. But during the game I was not feeling too confident in my position.

135
23.d3 Now I was out of the book.
23.hxg6 Kg7 this is what I expected.
23...gxh5
23...Kg7 was also possible.
24.Bxh5 Nb7 A logical move, after all a knight on the rim is dim.
24...Kg7 25.Bf3 Salati,Paolo - Pannullo, Umberto, corr 2017
25.Bf3
25.Bb2 Bf5= (25...Nxc5? 26.Ba3 Rf5 27.g4+-)
25.Bc1 Kg7
25...Nd8N
RR25...Rc8 26.Ne4 Bf5 27.Nd2 Be6 28.c4 Bf5 29.Ke2 Bg6 30.Ke3 Kf7 31.g4 Kf6 32.Bg2 Rd8
33.Bf1 Rb8 34.Bb4 a5 35.Bc3 Nxc5 36.Nf3 Nd7 37.g5+ Ke6 38.Nh4 Rg8 39.Bxa5 Kd6 40.Bh3 c5
41.Be1 Bh5=
26.Bc1
26.Bb2 is more precise. 26...Bf5 27.Ne2 Re8 28.Ng3 Bg6 29.Kd2 and White can fight for the
advantage.
26...Kg7
26...Kf7 was another plan, bringing the king to d7.
27.a3?! This is too slow and now I have the chance to improve my knight.

27.Be3

136
27...Bd7! Now my knight goes to e6 and Black's problems are solved. 28.Ne2
28.Be3 could lead to a nice drawing line. 28...Ne6 29.Kd2 Nd4 30.Bxd4 exd4 31.Ne2 Rf5 32.Nxd4
Rxc5

33.Bxc6! Rxc6 34.Nxc6 Bxc6 35.g3=

28...Ne6 29.Bb2 Kf6 30.Kd2?! It was time for White to force a draw.
30.d4 exd4 31.Nxd4 Nxd4 32.Bxd4+=
30...Ng5!

137
30...Nxc5!? 31.d4 Na4 32.dxe5+ Ke6 33.Ba1 c5 34.Nc3³
31.Bh5
31.Ke3!
31...Rh8 32.g4?!
32.Bf3

32...Be8! Now Black is clearly better. Unfortunately my lack of practice, time and confidence
hindered my fighting mood.
33.Ng3
33.Nd4!? Bxh5 34.gxh5 Rb8 35.Nb3 Ke6µ
33...Bxh5 34.gxh5
34.Nxh5+ Ke6 35.Ng7+ Kd5-+
34...Ke6 35.Ke3 Rf8 36.Ke2 Nh3 37.Ke3 Ng5
37...Nf2! I missed this move which wins on the spot. 38.Bc1 Ng4+ 39.Kd2 Rf2+ 40.Kc3 Rh2-+ The
h5-pawn will fall and Black is winning.
38.Ke2 Nh3 39.Ke3 Ng5 1/2-1/2

D30
Leitao, Rafael (2592) - Supi, Luis Paulo (2581)
Sao Paulo, 2022

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 a6 A surprise. I was expecting Supi's favourite King's Indian.

138
4.c5!? The classical retired mentality - "let me try something weird and get out of the normal lines as
soon as possible". As I considered the alternatives I came to the conclusion that playing this move
was forced.
4.Nc3 dxc4 No way I will sacrifice a pawn without preparation;
4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.Bg5 Be6 I tried this once and got nothing. This is as boring as it gets;
4.g3 I have played the Catalan with White only once in my life;
4.e3 Not with my bishop on c1.
4...b6 5.cxb6 c5!
5...cxb6 6.Bf4² is slightly better for White since Black is a little passive.
6.e3 Nf6 7.Nc3 cxd4?! This is slightly innacurate.
7...Qxb6 8.Na4;
7...Nbd7! Is the best path to equaility. Black prepares to capture b6 with the knight and is not in a
hurry to free the c1-bishop. 8.Be2 (8.b3 cxd4 9.exd4

139
9...Ne4! A new move. (9...Qxb6 10.Bd3 Bd6 11.O-O O-O 12.Na4 Qb8 13.Bb2² was slightly better
for White in Vidit,Santosh Gujrathi 2726 - Mamedyarov,Shakhriyar 2782, chess24.com (Internet-
rapid) 2021) 10.Bb2 Bb4 11.Rc1 Qxb6 12.Bd3 Qa5! 13.Bxe4 dxe4 14.Nd2 Bb7 15.O-O Qf5 16.Qe2
Nf6= with an equal position.) 8...Nxb6 (8...Qxb6 9.O-O Bd6 is also possible. 10.Bd2 O-O 11.Na4
Qb8 12.Rc1 cxd4 13.exd4 a5=) 9.O-O Bd6 10.dxc5 Bxc5 11.e4!?

(11.b3 was played in Ernst,Sipke 2480 - Grandelius,Nils 2651, Riga (blitz) 2021, but Black is fine.)
11...dxe4! (11...O-O 12.e5 Nfd7 13.Bg5²) 12.Qxd8+ Kxd8 13.Ng5 Ke7 14.Ngxe4 Nxe4 15.Nxe4
Bd4 Now say hello to my "Fish" and his analysis. 16.Rd1 (16.Bd2 Nd5=) 16...Rd8 17.Bd2 a5
18.Rac1 Bxb2 19.Rb1 Na4 20.Bb5 Bd7 21.Bg5+ f6 22.Rxd7+ Rxd7 23.Be3 Nc3 24.Nxc3 Bxc3
25.Bxd7 Kxd7 26.Rb7+ Kd6 27.Rxg7 Rh8= and after this "obvious" line the game will end in a

140
draw.
8.exd4 Qxb6 9.Bd3 Nbd7 10.O-O Bd6 11.Na4²
The position is already unpleasant for Black. This might surprise some, after all isn't it supposed to be
better to have less "pawn islands"? The problem is that White will land a knight on c5 at some point.
11...Qa7?!

11...Qb8 During the game I thought this was better. But White can keep the initiative. 12.b4!? Qxb4
(12...O-O 13.Rb1² Followed by Nc5 with some pressure.) 13.Rb1 Qa5

14.Ne5! Nxe5 (14...O-O 15.Bf4±) 15.dxe5 Bxe5 16.Nb6 Rb8 17.Qc2 O-O 18.Bd2 Qxb6 19.Rxb6

141
Rxb6 20.Re1 The position is not wasy to evaluate because Black is doing well in material terms, but
White is clearly better due to the activity of his pieces.
12.Be3!± I was really happy with this move, creating an x-ray and preparing Ne5. Happiness is made
of small things.
12...O-O
12...Ng4 13.Bd2±
13.Ne5 Bb7 14.Rc1 Rac8 15.Qe2?! Missing a big chance to increase the advantage.
15.Nxd7! Nxd7

16.Nc5! I finally managed to land the knight on c5. Black is in trouble. 16...Bxc5 (16...Nxc5?
17.dxc5 Bxc5 18.Rxc5! Rxc5 19.b4+-; 16...Rc7 17.b4±) 17.dxc5 Bc6 18.f4± With the bishop's pair
and such an attractive pawn structure, White is much better.
15...Qb8
15...Rxc1 16.Rxc1 Rc8²
16.f4 Rxc1 17.Rxc1 Rc8 18.Rxc8+
18.Bxa6?? Of course, this can't be played. 18...Rxc1+ 19.Bxc1 Qc8-+
18...Qxc8

142
19.Qc2! Another move that made me quite happy. Now I expected the queen exchange and thought I
would be pressing for free in the endgame. The move played in the game came as a surprise.
19...Qd8!?
19...Qxc2 20.Bxc2 Nb8 21.Nc5 Bc8 22.b4±
20.Nc5 Maybe I should have been more patient, but I just couldn't resist this move.
20...Bxc5 21.dxc5 Nxe5 22.fxe5

22...d4? This is losing.

143
22...Ng4! After this move anything could happen. 23.Bd4 Qg5! Attacking the e5-pawn and preparing
Qf4. (23...Qh4? 24.g3) 24.c6 Bc8 I analysed until here and thought I would find some move if the
position arises. Not the best well to calculate, even for a retired player. (24...Qf4? 25.cxb7 Qxd4+
26.Kh1 Nf2+ 27.Qxf2+-) 25.Qc3 f6! Black has to be fast. 26.exf6 e5! 27.Ba7 gxf6 28.h3 Nh6² The
position is slightly better for White but Black is active.

23.c6! This is a winning move.

23...Bc8
23...dxe3 24.cxb7+-;
23...Bxc6 24.Qxc6 (24.Bc1+-) 24...dxe3 25.exf6 gxf6 26.Qxa6+-
24.Bg5 Qa5 25.Qe2?!
25.exf6? Qxg5=;
25.Bxf6! was the simplest path to victory. 25...gxf6 26.exf6 Qe1+ 27.Bf1+- My king is safe and Qf2
is coming. 27...Qe5 28.Qf2 Kf8 29.Bd3 Qd6 30.Qg3+-
25...Nd5 26.Qe4 g6 27.Qxd4 Qe1+
27...Qxa2 28.Bh6!+-
28.Bf1 a5 29.Bd2 Qd1 30.Bc3?!
30.Kf2!+- Preparing Bc4 and White has a simple win. 30...Qc2 31.Bc4 Qf5+ 32.Kg3
30...Qc1 31.Qd2 Qb1 32.a3 a4 33.h3 Kg7 34.Qf2 Qc1 35.Qd2 Qb1 36.Qe1 Nxc3†
We were both down to less than a minute now. I thought I had squandered my advantage at this point,

144
but actually I could still win. The move is not very easy, though, especially if you are low on time.
36...Qc2 37.Bc4+-

37.Qxc3?†
37.Qxb1!! Instead of capturing the knight I should accept the endgame a piece down. Ok, this
description was a little dramatic. White also has some trumps. 37...Nxb1 38.Kf2 Nd2 (38...f6 39.Ke3
fxe5 40.Bd3 Nxa3 41.bxa3+-) 39.Bb5 The a4-pawn falls and the passed pawns will be too much for
Black's pieces. 39...Ne4+ 40.Ke3 Ng3 41.Bxa4+-
37...Ba6 Now it really is a forced draw.
38.Qf3 Qc1 39.Qf6+ Kg8 40.Qd8+ Kg7 41.Qf6+ Kg8 42.c7 Qxc7! 43.Bxa6 Qb6+ 44.Kh2 Qxa6
45.Qd8+ Kg7 46.Qf6+ Kg8 47.Qd8+ Kg7 1/2-1/2

E92
Vescovi, Giovanni (2606) - Supi, Luis Paulo (2581)
Sao Paulo, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.d5
I remember losing to Giovanni in this variation as Black in 1997, when he used some handwritten
analysis to achieve the advantage in the opening. I wonder whether he updated this...
7...a5 8.Bg5 h6 9.Bh4 Na6 10.Nd2 Bd7 11.O-O Nc5!? Supi is always up to date in the modern
opening trends.
11...Qe8 is the most common move.
12.b3?! This is asking for trouble.

145
12.Qc2; 12.f3

12...Nfxe4! A well known sacrifice played by Kasparov, Grischuk and Firouzja among others.
13.Bxd8 Nxc3 14.Qe1

14.Bxc7? This does not work since the bishop is trapped after 14...Nxd1 15.Raxd1 Ra6-+
14...Raxd8!
14...Rfxd8 was played by Kasparov in a blitz game against Kramnik, but the rook is more useful on
f8, supporting the kingside. 15.Nb1 (15.Rc1? Nxa2-+ Kramnik,Vladimir 2710 - Kasparov, Garry

146
2815, Muenchen (blitz) 1994) 15...Nxe2+ 16.Qxe2 e4©
15.Nb1
15.Rc1 e4µ Belous,Vladimir 2524 - Grischuk,Alexander 2777, chess.com (Internet-blitz) 2020
15...Nxe2+ 16.Qxe2 e4 17.Nd2?!
17.Na3! This new move would be the best chance, but I don't like White's position. 17...f5 I would
rather play with the dark-squared bishop, also known as "Gufeld's son". (17...Bxa1 To take or not to
take? That is the question. 18.Rxa1 f5 19.f4∞) 18.Rae1 Rde8 19.Nb5 Bxb5 20.cxb5 b6 21.Qc2∞ I
prefer Black, but having an extra queen helps White.
17...Rde8 18.Qe3?!N
18.Rae1 f5 19.f4 Bd4+³ and Black had the advantage in Mchedlishvili,Mikheil 2604 -
Firouzja,Alireza 2481, Guilan 2016;
18.a3
18...f5 Now Black has a big advantage.
19.f4 exf3 20.Qxf3 Bd4+ 21.Kh1 Bxa1 22.Rxa1 f4 23.Qc3 b6 24.Rf1 g5 25.a3 Re3 26.Qb2
26.Qd4
26...Bf5 27.b4 Nd3 28.Qa1 g4-+ With natural moves Black increased the pressure and is about to
finish the game.
29.c5 Trying to get some counterplay.
29...Re2 30.Qc3 axb4 31.axb4 Re3
31...b5 was probably the simplest. White is totally paralyzed. 32.Kg1 Now Black can slowly improve
the position, for instance: 32...Rf7 33.cxd6 cxd6 34.Kh1 Kh7 35.Kg1 h5 36.Kh1 h4 37.Kg1 h3-+
winning.
32.Kg1 bxc5 33.bxc5 Nxc5 34.Qd4 Bg6 35.h3 Now Supi had to find a very precise move to clinch
the game.
35.Rxf4? Re1+ 36.Nf1 Rxf4 37.Qxf4 Bd3-+

147
35...Rd3?
35...g3!! wins since after 36.Rxf4 Re1+ 37.Nf1 (37.Rf1 Rfxf1+ 38.Nxf1 Bd3 39.Qg4+ Kh7 40.Qxg3
Rxf1+ 41.Kh2 Be4-+) 37...Bd3! Surprisingly White runs out of checks. 38.Rg4+ (38.Rxf8+ Kxf8
39.Qf4+ Ke8 40.Qxg3 Rxf1+ 41.Kh2 Kf7-+) 38...Kf7 39.Rxg3 Rxf1+ 40.Kh2 Bg6 with a winning
material advantage.
36.Qb4= Now White saves the game.
36...gxh3 37.Rxf4 Rxf4 38.Qxf4 hxg2 39.Qxh6 Bf7 40.Qg5+ Kf8 41.Qd8+ Kg7 42.Qg5+ Kf8
43.Qd8+ Kg7 44.Qg5+ Kf8 1/2-1/2

C54
Mekhitarian, Krikor Sevag (2562) - Milos, Gilberto (2575)
Sao Paulo, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Another duel in the Italian.

3...Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.O-O d6 6.c3 a6
Many players nowadays prefer to play with 6...a5 and I think this is what I will try next time.
7.a4 Ba7 8.Nbd2 O-O 9.h3 h6 10.Re1 Re8 11.b4 Be6 12.Bxe6 Rxe6 All sensible moves but now
White has a choice.
13.Bb2
13.Qc2 This is what Krikor played against me in the previous round. 13...Qd7 14.Nf1 Ne7 15.Be3
Bxe3 16.Nxe3 d5 and now it is not clear if White can get an advantage. 17.exd5 (17.a5 Ng6 18.g3
Rd8 19.Kg2 Qc6 20.Nf5 Ne7 21.Nxe7+ Rxe7= was close to equal in Ding,Liren 2791 -
Carlsen,Magnus 2863, chess24.com (Internet-m/2-rapid) 2020; 17.Rab1 Rd8 18.a5 Ng6 19.c4 c6

148
20.g3 and maybe White has a slight advantage. (20.Red1?! Nf4„ Esipenko, Andrey 2716 -
Carlsen,Magnus 2847, Krasnaya Polyana (m/8-blitz) 2021); 17.c4 d4 18.Nf5

18...a5! 19.b5 c5= and Black has no problems, So, Wesley 2770 - Carlsen,Magnus 2847,
chess24.com (Internet-m1/2-rapid) 2021) 17...Nfxd5 18.Nc4 (18.Nxd5 Qxd5 19.d4 exd4 20.Nxd4
Rxe1+ 21.Rxe1 Nc6=) 18...f6= Mekhitarian,Krikor Sevag 2562 - Leitao,Rafael 2592, Sao Paulo 2022
13...Ne7 14.Nf1 Ng6
14...Nh5!? This is also a good move. In general If I see that Ivanchuk has played a move in the
opening, I am willing to repeat it. 15.d4 (15.Ne3 Nf4= Demchenko,Anton 2655 - L'Ami,Erwin 2619,
Douglas 2019) 15...Ng6 16.Ne3 Nf6 17.d5 Re8 18.Nf5 Qd7 19.Qc2 (19.Ng3?

149
19...b5! 20.Qc2 c6µ and Black was better in Pichot,Alan 2630 - Ivanchuk,Vassily 2678, chess24.com
(Internet-blitz) 2020) 19...c6=
15.c4 This is White's plan: he avoids the break d5 and prepares to play d4 at some point. Black should
not sit and wait.

15...Re8?! Too slow. The rook could be useful on the kingside still.
15...Nh7! This is the right move and it gives Black good chances to equalize. 16.Ng3 Ng5 17.Nh2
Nf4 18.d4 was played in Karjakin - Amin, but now the Egyptian GM maybe could have played
18...Rg6 and Black's position looks quite good. (18...a5∞ Karjakin,Sergey 2743 - Amin,Bassem 2680,
Warszawa (rapid) 2021)

150
16.Ng3 c6 17.d4± Now White's position is very comfortable.
17...Qc7 18.Qb3
18.a5±; 18.c5±
18...a5 19.b5 Nd7 20.Nf5 Rad8 21.Rad1 exd4 22.N3xd4 Nc5 23.Qf3 f6 24.Qh5 Ne5

25.Re3! The rook joins the attack and it's over.

25...Kh7 Now White is ready for the final blow.

26.Nxh6! gxh6 27.Nf5 Nf7 28.Bxf6 Rc8 29.Rxd6

151
29.Rg3 Rg8 30.Bg7+- would be faster.
29...Nxe4
29...Nxd6 30.Qxh6+ (30.Rg3+-) 30...Kg8 31.Qh8+ Kf7 32.Qg7+ Ke6 33.Nd4#
30.Be7
30.Ne7 Rxe7 31.Qf5+ Kg8 32.Qg6+ Kf8 33.Qg7+ Ke8 34.Qg8#
30...Nexd6

31.Re6! A really nice finish!

31...Bxf2+ 32.Kh1 Nxf5 33.Qg6+ Kh8 34.Bf6+ 1-0
In the end White prevailed in the Italian debate with 3/4. Let's wait until Aronian shows us how to
play with the black pieces.
I hope this event becomes a tradition. The organizers already have plans for a "revenge" match. Next
time maybe the score will be tighter. But for now we all need to celebrate this inaugural event even
though it cost me dearly. I made a draw in all my 6 games and now I have to survive the jokes that
will only cease when I win a game again.

152
THE BERLIN RUY LÓPEZ [C67]
A Tricky Idea Against The Berlin

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.Re1 Nd6

where the main, normal White's move is the capture on e5.

Instead, 6.Bf1 is an option, which is seldom seldom.
And even when it is utilised, after 6...Be7 White usually takes on e5 anyway, transposing to the main
direction (where Black, if he knows what he is doing, does not have much to worry about).
There is, however, a curious sideline for White, 7.Nc3!?, which was tried by Caruana,Fabiano
against So,Wesley in the 2020 Internet rapid game. As I understood Caruana's concept, the point is
7...O-O 8.d4 exd4?!
8...e4; 8...Nxd4

153
9.Nd5! Where White gets more than enough for two pawns.
Later on this variation occurred in a number of my Internet games.
Golubev,Mikhail - Kaminski,Victor
Black should avoid this, and he can do it in several ways. 8...e4! (instead of 8...ed4) is only a little bit
better for White.
Golubev,Mikhail - Csonka,Balasz
Even cleaner is 7...Nf5!?, played by So in the aforementioned top level game. If Black is looking for
the clarity and equality, this recipe should be recommended.
Caruana,Fabiano - So,Wesley
Black also can protect the e5 pawn by ...f6 followed by ...Nf7. These lines lead to the very
complicated play with chances for both sides.
7...f6!? line is examined in detail in Mamedov,Rauf - Antipov,Mikhail Al, an interesting game,
brilliantly won by White but not because Black's 7th move was bad.
And there is also an immediate 6...f6!?, as played in two email games: Herfurth,Thomas -
Perevertkin,Vladimir and Pessoa,Francisco Azevedo - Lounek,Jan.

C67
Golubev, Mikhail (2461) - Kaminski, Victor (2247)
chess.com (Internet-blitz), 2020

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.Re1 Nd6 6.Bf1 Be7 7.Nc3 O-O

154
8.d4! exd4?!
8...Nxd4? 9.Nxd4! exd4 10.Nd5± Golubev,Mikhail 2461 - Belyakov,Bogdan 2448, lichess.org
(Internet-blitz) 2021; 8...e4; 8...f6
9.Nd5!

9...Re8!
9...Nf5? 10.g4!;
9...Bf6?! 10.Bf4!? h6 (10...Ne8 11.Rxe8 Qxe8 12.Nxc7±) 11.Qd2 b6 12.Bd3! (12.Bxh6? gxh6
13.Qxh6 Bg7 14.Qh5 (Golubev,Mikhail 2461 - Yaniuk, Valentin 2353, lichess.org (Internet-blitz)

155
2021) 14...Bb7∞) 12...Bb7 13.Bxh6 Ne5 14.Nxe5 Bxd5 15.Ng4±
10.Bf4!
10.Qd3!?

10...b6!∞ (10...Bf8?! 11.Ng5 g6 (Golubev,Mikhail 2461 - Przybylski,Wojciech 2321, chess.com

(Internet-blitz) 2021) 12.Bf4!±; 10...h6!? 11.Bf4 (11.Bxh6!? gxh6 12.Rxe7 Nxe7! 13.Nf6+ Kg7!
14.Qxd4

14...Rg8!! Possibly Black can hold.) 11...b6 12.Nxe7+!? Rxe7 13.Rxe7 Qxe7 14.Re1 Qf8 15.Bxd6
cxd6 is slightly better for White.)

156
10...Bf8?
10...h6? 11.Nxd4 Bf8 12.Nxc7 Rxe1 13.Qxe1 Qxc7 (13...Nxd4 14.Nxa8 Nxc2 15.Qd1 Nxa1
16.Bxd6 Bxd6 17.Qxd6 Nc2±) 14.Nf5!±;
10...b6™ 11.Nxd4!? Nxd4 12.Nxe7+ Rxe7 13.Qxd4 Bb7 14.Bxd6 cxd6 15.Qxd6 Re6 16.Rxe6!?
dxe6 17.Rd1 Qxd6 18.Rxd6²
11.Qd3?
11.Rxe8! Nxe8

12.Ng5!! This move is objectively winning for White! 12...Ne5 (Or 12...g6 13.Qf3!; 12...h6
13.Nxf7! Kxf7 14.Bc4) 13.h4! and if (But not 13.Qh5? h6 14.Re1 Nf6 15.Nxf6+ Qxf6) 13...h6
14.Bxe5 hxg5 15.Qh5+-
11...h6

157
12.Nxd4?!
12.Bxd6! Bxd6 13.Rxe8+ Qxe8 14.Re1ƒ
12...Nxd4 13.Qxd4∞

13...Nf5??
13...c6; 13...Re6
14.Rxe8 Qxe8 15.Qd3+- d6 16.Nxc7 Qc6 17.Nxa8 b6 18.Qf3 d5 19.Nc7 Nd4 20.Qxd5 Qxd5
21.Nxd5 Nxc2 22.Rc1 Bf5 23.Ne3 Nxe3 24.Bxe3 Be6 25.Rc7 Bxa2 26.Rxa7 Bd5 27.Bxb6 Bb4
28.Rd7 Be6 29.Rd8+ Kh7 30.Bd3+ g6 31.Bd4 f6 32.Bxf6 Bg8 33.Bc4 Be7 34.Bxg8# 1-0

158
 C67
Golubev, Mikhail (2461) - Csonka, Balazs (2483)
chess.com (Internet-blitz), 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.Re1 Nd6 6.Bf1 Be7 7.Nc3 O-O
7...e4!? 8.Nxe4 Nxe4 9.Rxe4 normally would transpose to 7...0-0 8.d4! e4! after 9...d5 10.Re1 O-O
11.d4
8.d4! e4! 9.Nxe4 Nxe4 10.Rxe4

10...d5! 11.Re1 Bg4

11...Bf5!? 12.Bf4 (12.c3 Bd6 (Seemann,Jakub 2294 - Krivonosov,Oleg 2362, chess.com (Internet-
blitz) 2021) 13.g3!?) 12...Bd6 13.Bg3!? Bxg3 14.hxg3² Golubev,Mikhail 2461 - Krivonosov,Oleg
2362, chess.com (Internet-blitz) 2021
12.c3 Bd6 13.h3 Bh5 14.g4!?
14.Bd3

159
14...h6!= Perez Garcia,Miguel - Hogar,Raif, corr 2016 (14...Qd7? 15.Bxh7+; 14...Bg6 15.Ne5²)
14...Bg6 15.Ne5 Nxe5
15...Qh4!? 16.Bg2 Nxe5 17.dxe5 Bc5 18.Be3 Bxe3 19.Rxe3 c6 20.Qd4 f5!?;
15...Ne7!? 16.Bg2 c6!
16.dxe5 Bc5 17.Be3 Bxe3 18.Rxe3 c6 19.Qd4² Qb6!? 20.Qxb6
20.Rae1!? ∆Qxb2 21.h4©;
20.b4!?
20...axb6 21.a3
21.f4!? Be4 22.Bg2 Bxg2 23.Kxg2 Rfd8

160
21...Ra4! 22.Kg2 Re8 23.Kg3 f6 24.Rae1 Rxe5 25.Rxe5 fxe5 26.Rxe5 Kf8 27.h4 d4 28.cxd4 Rxd4
29.h5 Bf7 30.Re3 Rd2 31.b4 h6 32.Bg2 Bd5 33.Bxd5 Rxd5 34.Kf4 Rd2 35.f3 Kf7 36.Ke4 Kf6
37.f4 Ra2 38.Kd4 b5 1/2-1/2

C67
Caruana, Fabiano (2835) - So, Wesley (2770)
lichess.org (Internet-m/3-rapid), 2020

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.Re1 Nd6 6.Bf1 Be7 7.Nc3 Nf5!? 8.Nxe5 Transposing
to a previously known, calm position.
Instead, 8.d4!?

161
8...Nfxd4! 9.Nxe5 d6 (9...Ne6 10.Nd5©) 10.Nxc6 Nxc6 11.Nd5∞ Be6!? 12.b4 (12.Qh5?! Bxd5
(12...O-O?! 13.Rxe6 fxe6 14.Bd3 g6 15.Bxg6 hxg6 16.Qxg6+= with a draw, Vallejo Pons,Francisco
2705 - Naiditsch,Arkadij 2727, Warszawa 2013) 13.Qxd5 O-O³; 12.Nxe7)
8...Nxe5
8...O-O?! 9.Nd5 Nxe5 10.Rxe5 d6 11.Nxe7+ Nxe7 12.Re1ƒ Cech,Dominik 2172 - Dudin,Gleb 2031,
Spoleto 2017
9.Rxe5

9...d6! 10.Re1 d5

162
10...O-O 11.Nd5!? (11.d4 d5) 11...Bg5=
11.d4 O-O 12.Ne2
12.Bf4 c6!= Smirin,Ilia 2650 - Eljanov,Pavel 2716, Netanya (rapid) 2009;
12.Bd3 c6! (12...Nxd4?! 13.Nxd5! Qxd5 14.Rxe7 Qc5 15.Re1 Bf5 16.Be3 Bxd3 17.Qxd3²; 12...Bf6
13.Bf4!?) 13.Ne2 Re8 14.c3= Zinchenko,Yaroslav 2547 - McShane,Luke 2652, London (rapid) 2016
12...c6= 13.c3 Re8 14.Bf4 Bd6
14...Be6 Yu,Yangyi 2739 - Andreikin,Dmitry 2722, Hengshui (blitz) 2019;
14...Bf8 Ni,Hua 2674 - Andreikin,Dmitry 2721, China 2019
15.Qd2 Bd7 16.Ng3 Qc7 17.Bxd6 Qxd6 18.a4 a5 19.Nh5 Qh6?!
19...Qg6; 19...g6
20.Qxh6 Nxh6 21.Nf4 Nf5 22.Nd3
22.f3!?
22...Nd6 23.Rxe8+ Bxe8 24.f3 b6 25.Kf2 f6 26.h4 Bg6 27.b3 Kf7 28.Rc1 Bxd3 29.Bxd3 c5! 30.h5
f5?!
30...g6

31.Re1! c4 32.Bc2 Rc8 33.Re5

33.bxc4!? ∆Rxc4 34.Bb3
33...cxb3 34.Bxb3 Rxc3 35.Bxd5+ Kf8 36.h6

163
36.Re6!
36...gxh6 37.Re6 Nc4

38.Bxc4?!
38.Rxh6 Ne3!; 38.Ke2!
38...Rxc4= 39.Ke3 Rxa4 40.Rxb6 Kg7 41.Ra6 h5 42.g3 f4+ 43.Kxf4 Rxd4+ 44.Ke5 Rd3 45.Ke4
Ra3 46.Kf4 a4 47.Kg5 Rxf3 48.Ra7+ Kg8 49.Rxa4 Rxg3+ 50.Kxh5 Rf3 51.Ra8+ Rf8 52.Rxf8+
Kxf8 1/2-1/2

C67
Mamedov, Rauf (2673) - Antipov, Mikhail Al (2619)
Riga, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.Re1 Nd6 6.Bf1 Be7 7.Nc3

164
7...f6!? 8.d4 Nf7 9.Nd5
For 9.dxe5 fxe5 see Pessoa - Lounek game.
9...d6?!
Critical can be 9...O-O

10.b4! Bd6!∞
10.Bc4?!∞
Stronger is 10.b4! O-O (If 10...a6 11.c4) 11.b5 Nb8 12.Bc4ƒ while Mamedov's move transposes to a
position, which usually arises through 6...f6 7.d4 Nf7 8.Bc4 d6 9.Nc3 Be7 10.Nd5

165
10...Qd7!? A new move.
An obvious alternative is 10...O-O! with a complex play and many opportunities for both sides. 11.c3
(11.b4!? Re8!? 12.c3! Bf8 13.Ne3∞ Leupold,Volker - Bellegotti,Giorgio, corr 2015/16; 11.Nh4!?∞
is a curious option where 11...Nxd4?? is indeed wrong because of 12.Nxe7+ Qxe7 13.Qxd4+-.
Perhaps, White can also consider the less radical ideas: 11.a4!?; and 11.h3!?) 11...Kh8 (11...Qd7
12.Qc2 Bd8 13.b4 Kh8 14.a4 Ne7 15.Nxe7 Qxe7 16.Bd3 g6∞ Booij,Robert - Hernandez,Angel, corr
2016) 12.b4 (12.Qc2 f5 13.Nxe7 Qxe7 14.Bxf7 Rxf7 15.Bg5 Qe8 16.dxe5 Nxe5 17.Qe2³) 12...Be6
13.Qb3 and 13...Bg4 This is maybe acceptable for White after (Not 13...Qd7?? 14.Nxf6; But an
interesting move is 13...Qb8!? as in Baranowski,Tadeusz - Chen,Frank, corr 2018) 14.Nxc7!?
(14.Nd2?! Bh5! Houdini - Stockfish, chess.com (Internet-rapid) 2019; 14.Nf4 Ng5 15.Nxg5 fxg5
16.Ne6 Bxe6 17.Bxe6 exd4 18.b5 Na5! 19.Qa4³) 14...Qxc7 15.Bxf7 Bxf3 16.gxf3 f5 (16...exd4
17.Bd2!∞) 17.Bd5∞
11.b4 Bd8
11...O-O?! 12.b5 Na5 13.Bd3 Bd8 transposes to the game.
12.b5!? Na5
12...Ne7?! 13.Bb2ƒ
13.Bd3

13...O-O?!
13...c6! 14.bxc6 (14.Ne3 cxb5!) 14...bxc6 15.Ne3 O-O 16.c4∞
14.c4! Re8

166
14...c6 15.Ne3! Bb6!?
15.Qc2
15.dxe5 dxe5 16.Qc2 f5 - 15.Qc2
15...f5™
15...g6? 16.Bxg6 hxg6 17.Qxg6+ Kh8 18.Re4 f5 19.Ng5! Nxg5 20.Bxg5 Bxg5 21.Qxg5 fxe4
22.Nf6!+- Izoria,Zviad
16.dxe5! dxe5 17.Bb2 c6
17...e4? 18.Qc3!

18.Nf4!! cxb5
18...exf4? 19.Bxf5+-;
18...e4 19.Nh5! Ng5 20.Nxg5 Bxg5 21.Qc3 (21.Be2ƒ) 21...Bh6 22.Rad1 Qc7 23.g4!±;
18...Bc7 19.Rad1ƒ
19.Rad1!± Qc6
19...Qc7 20.Nd5
20.Nxe5 Nxe5 21.Rxe5 Rxe5 22.Bxe5 Bg5 23.Bxf5 Bxf5 24.Qxf5 Bxf4 25.cxb5!! Qc4
25...Qxb5? 26.Qe6+ Kh8

167
27.Qe7! (27.Bxg7+ Kxg7 28.Rd7++-)
26.Qxf4+- Qe2 27.Rc1 Rd8 28.h3 Rd1+ 29.Rxd1 Qxd1+ 30.Kh2 Qd7 31.Bc3 b6 32.Qb8+ Kf7
33.a4 h6 34.f4 Nc4 35.Qh8 Kg6 36.g4 Qc7 37.Qe8+ Kh7 38.Qe4+ Kg8 39.Kg3 Nd6 40.Qd5+
Nf7 41.Qa8+ Nd8 42.Qd5+ Nf7 43.Qc6 Qe7 44.Kf3 Qd8 45.Qg6 Qf8 46.h4 Nd8 47.f5 1-0

C67
Herfurth, Thomas - Perevertkin, Vladimir
corr, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.Re1 Nd6 6.Bf1 f6!?
6...e4? is wrong due to 7.d3 Be7 8.dxe4±;
6...Nf5 7.Nxe5 (7.d4 d6! 8.dxe5 dxe5 9.Qxd8+ Kxd8! 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 Bd6=) 7...Be7 leads
to the well known position, which usually arises after 6.Ne5 Be7 7.Bf1 and now 7...Nf5, which is not
the most precise move. White is somewhat better after 8.Nf3!²
7.d4
7.b4

168
7...a6! (7...Nf7 8.b5 Ne7 9.d4 d6 10.Nc3 Nf5∞ Yamaliev,Vil - Isolfsson,Eggert, corr 2019) 8.d4 Nf7
9.a3 d6 10.Nc3 g6! is apparently good for Black, Jonsson,Dadi Orn - Shpakovsky, Aleksandr, corr
2019
7...Nf7 8.dxe5
Instead, 8.Nc3 d6! 9.Bc4 Be7 10.Nd5 or 8.Bc4 d6™ 9.Nc3 Be7 10.Nd5 transposes to Mamedov -
Antipov game.
8...fxe5
8...Ncxe5? 9.Bc4 c6 10.Nxe5 fxe5 11.Bxf7+ Kxf7 12.Rxe5ƒ d5 13.c4! (Szymanski,Pawel - Abolins-
Abols,Donalds, corr 2015/16) ∆13...Bd6

169
14.Bg5!±
9.Bc4 d6™ 10.Bxf7+ Kxf7 11.Ng5+ Ke8
11...Kg6 12.h4 h6 13.h5+ Kf6 14.Qf3+ Bf5 15.Ne4+ Ke6 looks risky for Black.
12.Nc3 Be7
12...Bf5 13.b4!? (13.Nge4 Be7 14.Nd5 - 12...Be7; 13.Nd5 Be7 14.Ne4 - 12...Be7; 13.Qd5 Qd7
14.f4 h6 15.Nf3∞; 13.f4 Be7 14.Nf3 Qd7∞) 13...Be7 14.Nge4 Nxb4!? 15.Rb1 a5 16.a3 Nc6
17.Rxb7 Qc8∞ Stoeckert,Mario - Van Unen,Hans, corr 2018
13.Nd5 Bf5 14.Ne4 Rf8
14...Kf7!? 15.b4 (15.Ng3?! Be6! 16.f4 Rf8 17.f5 Bd7; 15.Qh5+∞ ∆g6 16.Qd1; 15.c3∞) 15...Re8
16.b5 Nd4 17.c3 Bxe4™ 18.Nxe7 (18.Rxe4!? Ne6 19.f4) 18...Ne6 19.Qh5+ Kxe7 20.Qh4+ Kf7
21.Qxe4 and White regains a pawn but will be a bit worse, Olofsson,Dan - Babic,Darko, corr 2018/
19
15.b4

170
Black is most likely no worse and has number of options to consider. 15...a6!? 16.Bb2 Rf7 17.a4
Kf8 18.b5 axb5 19.axb5 Rxa1 20.Bxa1 Nb8!? 21.b6! c6
21...c5 22.Nxe7 Kxe7 23.Ng5 Rf8 24.Bxe5 dxe5 25.Rxe5+ Kf6 26.Rd5!
22.Nxe7 Kxe7
22...Bxe4!? 23.Bxe5 Bd5 24.Nxd5 dxe5=
23.Ng5 Rf8 24.f4! h6
24...Nd7
25.Nf3
25.fxe5 d5! 26.e6 hxg5 27.Bxg7

171
27...Be4! 28.Bxf8+ Qxf8 29.Rf1∞
25...Be6 26.fxe5 d5 27.Bd4!? Nd7= 28.Qb1 Kf7
28...c5? 29.Bxc5+! Nxc5 30.Qb4 Qc8 31.Re3!
29.c3 Kg8
29...c5?! 30.Be3 Kg8 31.Bxh6!
30.Qb4 Qe8 31.Qd6 Qg6 32.Nh4 Qf7 33.Nf3 Rc8!? 34.Bc5! Nxc5 35.Qxc5 Qg6 36.Nh4
36.Nd4?? Bh3
36...Qh5 37.Nf3 Re8 38.Nd4 Bg4 39.Nxc6!? bxc6 40.Qxc6 Kh7
40...Rxe5 41.Rxe5 Qxe5 42.h3=
41.b7 Qg6 42.Qxg6+ Kxg6 43.Rb1 Rb8 44.Kf2 Bf5
44...Kf5 45.h3!

172
45.Rb6+! Kf7 46.Ke3 Ke7 47.Kd4 Kd7
47...Be4?? 48.c4+-
48.Kxd5 Kc7 49.Rb4 Rd8+ 50.Kc5 h5 51.b8=Q+ Rxb8 52.Rxb8 Kxb8 53.Kd6 Kc8 54.Ke7!= Be4
55.Kf7 g5 56.g4 Bd5+ 57.Kg6 hxg4 58.Kxg5 Be6 59.Kf6 Kd7 60.Kg5 Ke7 61.Kh5 Kf7 62.Kg5
Kg7 63.Kh5 Kf8 64.Kg5 Kf7 65.Kh5 Ke7 66.Kg5 Kf7 67.Kh5 Kf8 1/2-1/2

C67
Pessoa, Francisco Azevedo - Lounek, Jan
corr, 2016

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.Re1 Nd6 6.Bf1 f6!? 7.d4 Nf7 8.dxe5 fxe5

173
9.Nc3!? This leads to complex positions with mutual chances where White has more or less
sufficient compensation for the pawn.
9...Be7 10.Bc4
10.Nd5 O-O 11.Bd3 (11.Bc4 Kh8!³; 11.Be3; 11.b4!? Nxb4!? 12.Nxe7+ Qxe7 13.Ba3 c5™ 14.Bxb4
cxb4 15.Nxe5 Nxe5 16.Qd5+ Qf7= Zielasko,Andreas - Costa Trillo,Valentin, corr 2019) 11...d6
12.a4!? (12.Be4 Be6 13.a3!?∞ Ghyssens,Dirk - Leemans,Robert, corr 2014; 12.Be3 - 10.Be3; 12.c4!?
Bg4 13.Be3) 12...a5 (12...Bg4!?) 13.c3 Be6 14.Be4 Kh8 (14...Qd7 15.Qd3∞) 15.Qc2 g6 16.Be3
Bxd5 17.Bxd5 Qd7 18.Rad1© Rhodes,John - Eldridge,Mark, corr 2019;
10.Be3 d6 (10...O-O 11.Nd5 d6 - 10...d6) 11.Nd5 O-O 12.Bd3 Bf6 (12...a5 13.c3 Be6 14.Be4 Kh8
15.Qd2 Qc8 16.c4 Bd8 17.c5 Ne7 18.Nxe7 Bxe7 19.Qd3© Ploscaru,Stelian - Cirulis, Ilmars, corr
2020; Black has many other options such as: 12...Kh8; 12...Be6, etc.) 13.h3 (13.c4 g6 14.Be4 Bg7
15.c5 Bf5 16.Bxf5 gxf5 17.Rc1 f4 18.Bd2∞ Martynov,Aleksandr - Mishin,Anatoly, corr 2017;
13.Rc1!? Szczepanski,Zbigniew - Felicio,Clairton, corr 2016; 13.b4!?) 13...g6 14.Be4 Bg7 15.c4 Kh8
16.Qd3 Nh6 17.Bg5 Qd7 18.c5 dxc5 19.Qe3 Nf5 20.Qxc5 Qf7= Komodo - Stockfish, chess.com
(Internet-rapid) 2019
10...d6 11.Nd5 Bf5
11...O-O?! 12.Nxe7+!ƒ;
11...Bf6 12.b4∞ (12.Be3 Bf5!? 13.Qd2 (13.c3?! O-O 14.b4 Kh8µ Richter,Wolfgang - Wichert,Gerd,
corr 2018/19))
12.b4 a6 13.a4 O-O 14.Bd2 Qd7 15.b5 axb5 16.axb5 Rxa1 17.Qxa1 Ncd8

174
18.Nd4!∞ Bh4!? 19.Nxf5 Qxf5 20.g3 c6! 21.Bd3
21.Ne3 Qg6
21...Qh3 22.Bf1 Qe6 23.Nb6 Be7
23...Ng5∞
24.Bg2 d5 25.c4© d4!? 26.Qb1 g6 27.f4!? Kg7 28.Bf1 Bf6
28...Bc5 29.Na4=

29.c5!= Re8 30.Bd3 Qe7 31.Be4 Ne6 32.bxc6 bxc6 33.Bxc6 Rb8 34.Bb4 d3 35.Nd7

175
35.Qxd3? Rxb6 36.cxb6 Qxb4
35...Rd8 36.fxe5 Nxe5 37.Nxe5 d2 38.Rd1 Bxe5 39.Kh1 Rb8 40.Qe4 Nxc5 41.Qc4 1/2-1/2

176
THE SCANDINAVIAN [B01]
With 3...Qd6 and 5...g6

Part I

One of my favourite books on middlegame strategy is

"Zoom 001: Zero Hour to Operative Opening Models" by
Stefan Zeuthen and Bent Larsen. Zeuthen thought that
good middlegame play is largely a question of pattern
recognition, so collected together 451 games the
Gruenfeld/Catalan structure (kingside fianchetto and then
playing with the d- and c-pawns) and had Bent Larsen
supply pithy but insightful notes. The idea was that the
reader should play through all the games and explanations,
and would then have an improved understanding of these position types. I went through it twice and
started playing "Zoom" type openings in my own games.
There is one slight issue that there did not seem to be a standard way to get this structure against 1.e4,
the Alekhine, Caro-Kann and French Defences will often get there but not all the time. This article
will examine another approach, the Scandinavian with 3...Qd6 and then 5...g6, the precise move
sequence being 1.e4 d5 2.ed5 Qd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 g6!?. It turns out that this has attracted
the attention of some very strong players, with 5...g6 having been adopted by Vladimir Kramnik,
Fabiano Caruana, Sergei Tiviakov, Aleksandr Rakhmanov, Alexander Motylev, Rauf Mamedov,
Boris Chatalbashev, Bojan Kurajica and other GMs. On the whole they seem to adopt it to create a
complicated struggle with winning chances for Black, and are willing to take the inherent strategic
risk involved with accepting a position with less space.
One of the advantages of this line, as with other 3...Qd6 Scandinavian lines, is the flexibility of
Black's position. For example, after the popular choice of 6.Nb5 there are already two queen moves,
6...Qb6 or 6...Qd8. In other lines too Black has several choices at almost every stage, which makes
this a difficult opening to prepare for. My coverage of this line is mainly from Black's point of view,
the material being divided up as follows:
a) 6.Nb5 Qb6
b) 6.Nb5 Qd8
c) 6.g3

177
d) 6.Bc4
e) 6.Others

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 g6

6.Nb5 Qb6

6.Nb5 This attempts to take advantage of Black's omission of either ...c6 or ...a6. One of White's
main ideas is to follow up with c4, taking space.
6...Qb6
This is not the only move, 6...Qd8 seems just as good.

178
7.c4 This is White's most natural continuation, taking space before the knight is driven back.
There are a couple of alternatives to be considered: 7.a4 c6 8.Na3 (8.a5 Qd8 9.Nc3 Bg7 10.Bc4 O-O
11.h3 c5 12.d5 Ne8 13.O-O Nd6 14.Bd3 Na6 15.Be3 Nf5„ gave Black counterplay in Smirin,Ilia
2638 - Kurajica,Bojan 2558, Eilat 2012) 8...Bg7 9.Nc4 Qc7 10.Bd3 O-O 11.O-O c5 12.h3 Rd8
13.dxc5 Na6

14.c6! Nc5 15.cxb7 Bxb7© gave Black excellent compensation for the pawn in Zivkovic,Vjekoslav
2383 - Kurajica,Bojan 2548, Bosna i Hercegovina 2010;
7.Na3 can be met by 7...Be6, for example 8.c3 (8.Nc4 Bxc4 9.Bxc4 Qb4+ does not win a piece for
Black because of 10.Nd2, but then 10...Bh6!?„ secures good counterplay for Black.) 8...Bg7 9.Nc4

179
Bxc4 10.Bxc4 O-O 11.O-O e6 12.Qe2 Nbd7 13.a4 a5 14.Bf4 Rfe8 15.h3 Nh5 16.Bh2 Bh6 17.Ne5
Nxe5 18.Bxe5 Bf4= was OK for Black in Butkiewicz,Lukasz 2429 - Rakhmanov,Aleksandr 2654,
Zalakaros 2016
7...c6 8.Nc3 Bg7 9.Be2 O-O 10.O-O

10...Rd8!? An interesting but logical move, delaying the decision on where to put the c8-bishop.
10...Bg4 is a logical move, targeting a defender of the d4 pawn, but White can then gain the two
bishops with 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Bxf3 (Motylev, Alexander 2677 - Inarkiev,Ernesto 2676, Poikovsky
2009 - 106/(31)) After 12...Rd8 Stockfish actually recommends 13.Qb3 after which (Rather than
Carlsen's 13.d5 as in Carlsen,Magnus 2801 - Kramnik,Vladimir 2772, Moscow (blitz) 2009)
13...Qxb3 14.axb3 Rxd4 15.Be3 Rd3 16.b4ƒ gives White strong pressure against Black's queenside.
11.a3
Chatalbashev has had several other games with 10...Rd8, for example: 11.h3 Bf5 12.Na4 Qc7 13.Be3
Nbd7 14.Rc1 e5 15.d5 Nb6 16.Nxb6 axb6 17.Qb3 c5 18.Nd2 Ne8 19.a3 1/2 : 1/2 Fedorov,Alexei
2618 - Chatalbashev,Boris 2593, Eforie Nord 2010;
11.Na4 Qc7 12.Qb3 Bg4 13.Be3 Nbd7 14.Rfe1 e5 15.Nxe5 Nxe5 16.dxe5 Qxe5 17.h3 Bxe2
18.Rxe2 Qc7 19.Rae1 Re8= brought Black comfortable equality in Dobrev,Nayden 2311 -
Chatalbashev,Boris 2537, Bulgaria 2013
11...Bf5
After 11...Bg4 White can play 12.Be3 as Black's queen is trapped with Na4 should he capture on b2.
(Diamant,Andre 2486 - Kurajica,Bojan 2525, San Cristobal de La Laguna 2010)
Nonetheless saw Black get a good game after 12...Ne8 13.Na4 Qc7 14.Re1 Nd7 15.h3 Bxf3 16.Bxf3

180
Nd6 17.Bg5 Nf5 18.d5 Ne5∞ as his minor pieces have become very active.
12.h3 Ne4 13.Be3 Nxc3 14.bxc3 c5 15.Bd3 Bxd3 16.Qxd3 Nc6 17.Rab1 Qa6„

This move gave Black good counterplay in Collins,Sam E 2436 - Chatalbashev,Boris 2566, Rogaska
Slatina 2011

6.Nb5 Qd8

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 g6 6.Nb5 Qd8 This is a valid alternative.
More popular is 6...Qb6 White's knight on b5 will soon be forced to retreat.

181
7.c4 Bg7 8.Be2 White has tried other moves here too after which I will look at lines where Black
plays actively with ...c5.
8.Bf4 forces Black to play 8...Na6 after which 9.Be2 (9.h3 O-O 10.Be2 c5 11.O-O cxd4 12.Nfxd4
Ne4 13.Bf3 Nac5 14.b4

14...e5!= equalized for Black in Grandelius,Nils 2578 - Tiviakov,Sergei 2657, Wijk aan Zee II 2013)
9...O-O 10.O-O c5!? is interesting, for example: 11.dxc5 Ne4 12.Qc2 Nexc5 13.Rad1 Bf5 14.Rxd8
Bxc2= was about equal in Kobalia,Mikhail 2614 - Ponkratov,Pavel 2631, chess.com (Internet-blitz)
2020;
8.h3 O-O 9.Be2 (9.Bd3 c5 10.dxc5 Na6 11.O-O Nxc5 12.Bc2 Bd7 13.Nc3 Qc7 14.Bg5 Bc6 15.Qe2

182
Ne6³ was already better for Black in Ruiz Sanchez, Orlen 2411 - Tiviakov,Sergei 2650, Panama City
2011)

9...c5!? 10.O-O (10.d5 should be met by 10...Ne4!) 10...a6 11.Nc3 cxd4 12.Nxd4 Qc7 13.Be3 e5
(13...Nc6) 14.Nb3 Rd8= was fine for Black in Alsina Leal, Daniel 2540 - Tiviakov,Sergei 2677,
Groningen 2014
8...O-O 9.O-O Ne8
Another noteworthy idea is 9...Na6 10.h3 Ne4 after which 11.Qc2 Nd6 12.Nxd6 cxd6∞ was not bad
for Black at this stage in Paveto,Kevin 2400 - Cordova,Emilio 2629, Montevideo 2015
10.Bf4 Bg4 11.Qb3
Black also obtains counterplay after 11.Re1 c6 12.Nc3 Nd7 (12...Bxf3 13.Bxf3 Bxd4 14.Qb3² would
be too risky for Black.) 13.h3 Bxf3 14.Bxf3 Nd6„ intending 15...Nf5

183
11...c6
11...Nc6!? is interesting, for example: 12.d5 Na5 13.Qa4 c6 14.dxc6 Nxc6 15.Rfd1 Qc8 is about
equal.
12.Nc3 Bxf3 13.Bxf3 Qxd4 14.Qxb7
14.Bg5 Qd7 leaves White with activity for his pawn, but nothing concrete.
14...Qxf4 15.Qxa8 Be5! 16.Rfe1 Qxh2+ 17.Kf1 Nd6©

This move gave Black compensation for the exchange in Iermito,Sebastian 2462 - Vakhidov,Jahongir
2385, Kocaeli 2013

184
6.g3

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 g6 6.g3

This is White's strongest move against 5...a6, here it is somewhat less well motivated. In fact Black
can annoy his opponent by using the a6 square for his queen!
6...Bg7 7.Bg2

7...Qa6! An awkward move for White to meet because he wanted to castle kingside.

185
8.Bf1 Looking to repeat the position, but Black can avoid this if he's willing to take a risk.
There are a couple of alternatives here: 8.Qe2 O-O 9.O-O Qxe2 10.Nxe2 Bf5 11.c3 Be4 12.Ne5
Bxg2 13.Kxg2 Nbd7 14.Nxd7 Nxd7 15.Be3 a5 16.a4 Nb6 17.b3 Nd5 18.Bd2 Rfd8 19.Rad1 e6
20.Nf4 c5ƒ saw Black take the initiative in Potapov,Pavel 2476 - Rakhmanov,Aleksandr 2647, Doha
2014;
8.Ne2 O-O 9.O-O Rd8 10.Re1 c5 11.c3 Nc6 12.Bf4 Be6 13.Qc1 Bc4→ put White under pressure in
Teran Alvarez,Ismael 2427 - Spraggett,Kevin 2561, Elgoibar 2014
8...Qb6 9.Bg2 Qa6! 10.Bf1 Essentially offering a draw.
White could also play 10.Bf4!?, but Black gets good attacking chances if White tries castling long.
For example: 10...c6 11.Qd2 O-O 12.O-O-O (12.Bh6 Bxh6 13.Qxh6 Bf5 14.O-O-O b5 15.a3 b4→
gave Black a strong attack in Berbatov,Kiprian 2471 - Chatalbashev, Boris 2593, Albena 2010)
12...b5!? 13.a3 b4 14.axb4 Qa1+ 15.Nb1 a5 16.b5 cxb5 17.Ne1 Ra6³ put White in an unenviable
position in Wei,Yi 2638 - Miroshnichenko,Evgenij 2602, Turkiye 2014

10...Qa5!? 11.Bg2 Still looking for the repetition, but Black does not cooperate.
11.Bd2 would have been a better idea, trying to make life awkward for Black's queen.
11...O-O 12.O-O Rd8 13.Bd2 Nc6 14.Ne2 Qa6 15.Re1 Bg4³

186
Position made life difficult for White in Caspi,Israel 2451 - Motylev, Alexander 2655, Eilat 2012

6.Bc4

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 g6 6.Bc4

This natural move is quite popular against every flavour of the Scandinavian Defence, so it's little
surprise that it has appeared here too.
6...Bg7 7.O-O O-O 8.h3 White wants to avoid being pinned with ...Bg4, but it's by no means clear
that Black wants to do this.

187
After the alternative 8.Re1 a6 9.Bg5 (9.a4 Nc6 10.h3 b6

11.b3! Nb4 12.Ba3 c5! 13.Qe2 e6 14.Rad1 (14.a5?! (Schoorl,Rob 2349 - Sasikiran,Krishnan 2680,
Bilbao 2014) and now 14...cxd4 15.Nxd4 bxa5= is at least equal for Black.)) 9...b5 10.Bb3 Bb7
11.Ne5 Nc6 12.Bxf6 exf6 13.Ne4 Qd8 14.Nxf7 (14.Nxc6 Bxc6= gave Black full equality in
Ivanchuk,Vassily 2756 - Kramnik,Vladimir 2772, Moscow (blitz) 2009) 14...Rxf7 15.Nc5
(Akopian,Vladimir 2657 - Huang,Qian 2464, Doha 2014) and now 15...Na5 was the best move, when
16.Bxf7+ Kxf7 17.b4 Qd5 18.Qg4 f5 19.Qg3 Rc8 20.bxa5 Bxd4= equalizes for Black.
8...a6

9.Re1!?

188
9.a4 is probably better, in order to prevent ...b5, but Black can then free his position with 9...c5, for
example (9...Nc6!?) 10.d5 (10.dxc5 Qxc5 11.Qe2 Nc6 12.Rd1 Bf5= was fine for Black in
Dvalishvili,Pavel 2442 - Potapov,Pavel 2486, Moscow 2016) 10...Nbd7 11.Qe2 Nb6 12.Rd1 Nxc4
13.Qxc4 Bf5 14.Be3 Rfc8 15.a5 b5 16.axb6 Qxb6 17.Na4 Qb5 18.Qxb5 1/2 : 1/2 was
Zhigalko,Sergei 2641 - Rakhmanov,Aleksandr 2653, Riyadh (rapid) 2017
9...b5 10.Bb3
10.Bf1 Bb7 11.a3 Nbd7 12.Bg5 c5 13.dxc5 Qxc5 14.Bh4 Rac8 15.Qe2 Rfe8 16.Rad1 e5³ was
already better for Black in Voloshin,Leonid 2409 - Kraus,Tomas 2410, Cesko 2017
White has also tried other bishop moves, but none of them promise him much: 10.Bd3 Bb7 11.a4 b4
12.Ne4 Bxe4 13.Bxe4 Nxe4 14.Rxe4 c5= is more than comfortable for Black.
10...Bb7 11.Bg5

11...c5 The characteristic freeing move, which leaves Black very comfortably placed.
12.dxc5 Qxc5 13.Qe2 e6 14.Rad1 Nbd7 15.Bf4 Rfe8!³

189
Black had an excellent game in Dominguez Perez,Leinier 2734 - Caruana,Fabiano 2772, Tashkent
2012

Other 6th move

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 g6

6.Ne5 The most aggressive looking of White's less common 6th moves, though Black's main problem
may be in finding winning chances.
The two main alternatives can be handled as follows:

190
6.Bg5 Bg7 7.Qd2 O-O 8.O-O-O Bg4 9.Be2 Nc6 10.Bh6 (Black also gets counterplay after either
10.Bf4 Qb4 11.Bxc7 Bxf3 12.Bxf3 Ne8„; or 10.d5 Bxf3 11.gxf3 Nd8 12.Qe3 Qb6 13.Qxe7 Re8
14.Qa3 Qxf2„ etc..) 10...Rfd8 11.Bxg7 Kxg7 12.Qe3 Nb4 13.a3 Nbd5³ was already slightly better
for Black in Rublevsky,Sergei 2651 - Ponkratov,Pavel 2621, Russia (ch-blitz) 2019;
6.h3 c6 makes sense, to rule out Nb5 ideas by White. Game continued 7.Ne5 Bg7 8.Bf4 Nd5 9.Nxd5
Qxd5 10.f3 Qa5+ 11.c3 Be6 12.Nc4 Qd8 13.h4 Nd7= with about equal chances, Saric,Ivan 2661 -
Iordachescu,Viorel 2590, Jerusalem 2015
6...Bg7 7.Bf4
A couple of alternatives have been seen here too: 7.Bc4 O-O 8.O-O Nc6 9.Nb5 Qd8 10.Nxc6 (10.h3
Ne8 11.Bf4 a6 12.Nxc6 bxc6 13.Nc3 Qxd4³ left White struggling to find sufficient compensation in
Mehar,Chinna Reddy C.H 2318 - Rakhmanov,Aleksandr 2623, Dubai 2015) 10...bxc6 11.Nc3 Ne8
12.Ne2 Nd6 13.Bb3 Ba6∞ gave Black active play for his pawn weaknesses in Sergienko, Sergey
2389 - Kovalenko,Igor 2596, Voronezh 2013;
7.Nb5 Qd8 8.c4 O-O 9.Be2 Nbd7 10.Bf4 c6 11.Nc3 Qb6„ gave Black active counterplay in Duman,
Aydin 2244 - Miroshnichenko,Evgenij 2602, Turkiye 2014
7...Nd5 8.Nxd5
White can also play 8.Nb5 after which 8...Qb6 9.Nc4 Qc6 10.Ne5 leaves him hard pressed to avoid a
draw by repetition.
8...Qxd5 9.f3
9.Qd2 Nd7 10.Be2 Nxe5 11.dxe5 Qxg2 12.O-O-O O-O left White with inadequate compensation for
his pawn in Llaneza Vega,Patricia 2262 - Stevic,Hrvoje 2606, Schwarzach 2015
9...O-O 10.Bc4 Qa5+ 11.Qd2 Qxd2+ 12.Kxd2 Nd7 13.Rae1
13.Nxd7 Bxd7 14.c3 e6= was equal in Moskalenko,Alexander 2522 - Rakhmanov,Aleksandr 2654,
Russia (blitz) 2017
13...e6 14.c3 Nxe5 15.Bxe5 Bd7 16.Bxg7 Kxg7=

191
Black had equalized, but did not have much in the way of winning chances in Cherniaev,Alexander
2451 - Rakhmanov,Aleksandr 2655, Russia 2016

192
New Ideas in the Paulsen Sicilian

In this article I will examine the latest trends and ideas in

the Paulsen Sicilian, since the variation made a great
comeback in the repertories of many elite grandmasters. At
the recently finished Wijk aan Zee Tournament, the
Paulsen featured in a few important games, including one
of the World Champion's encounters.
This article will deal with the highly topical White's
attempt 7.g4. For quite a while it was considered dubious
to push g4 if the black knight is not already on the f6-
square.
Nowadays, White plays g4 in order to hinder knight's development to f6.
We will examine two standard replies by Black: 7...b5 and 7...Nd4, both very much in the spirit of the
variation. At the first glance, 7...Nd4 does not look logical and natural, because White moves his
queen and enables long castle in one move - but, it still got its merits. Black is developing his
queenside very quickly thus creating counterplay.
On the other hand, 7...b5 leads to a completely different type of position, and an early pawn sacrifice
on White's part after 8.Nc6 Qc6 9.Qd2. If Black accepts the sacrifice he will be forced to proceed in a
highly precise manner.
In general, the play after 7.g4 is extremely rich, so we can expect many surprises in the upcoming
period.

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3 a6

193
7.g4
This is the topical attempt against the Paulsen Sicilian. Until quite recently it was 7.Qf3 that was most
commonly played.
7...b5
7...Nxd4 8.Qxd4 b5 9.O-O-O Bb7

10.f3 (10.Kb1 White secures his king and threatens Bf4, forcing Black to defend the d7-point.
10...Nf6 11.Rg1 (11.g5 Ng4 12.Bf4 e5 13.Nd5 O-O-O 14.f3 (14.Bxe5 Qxe5 15.Qa7 White is
threatening Rd3-c3 thus forcing Black to settle for a draw. 15...Qb8 16.Nb6+ Kc7 17.Nd5+=)

194
14...exd4 15.Bxc7 Re8 16.Bg3 Bxd5 17.exd5 Ne3 18.Rxd4 Nf5 19.Rd1 Bd6! (19...Nxg3 20.hxg3²
Nepomniachtchi,Ian 2792 - Caruana,Fabiano 2820, chess24.com (Internet-m1/3-rapid) 2021)
20.Bxd6 (20.Bf2 Ne3 21.Rd3 Nxf1 22.Rxf1 h6 23.h4 (23.gxh6 Rxh6©) 23...hxg5 24.hxg5 Rh2©)
20...Nxd6© White is up a pawn, but his pawn structure is compromised thus allowing Black to take
advantage of it. Black should proceed with Re3, followed by h6.; 11.f3

11...h6! A highly important move. Black is preventing g5, so his knight will not be forced to jump to
h5 being in grave danger in view of White's intended Bh3-g4. 12.h4 Rc8 13.Rg1 (13.Bd3 Bc5 A
model move in this type of position. After a couple of exchanges Black manages to relieve his
position. 14.Qxc5 Qxc5 15.Bxc5 Rxc5=) 13...b4 14.g5 hxg5 15.hxg5 Nh5 16.Ne2 Bc5 17.Qxc5
Qxc5 18.Bxc5 Rxc5=) 11...h5 (11...b4? 12.g5 e5 13.Qd3 bxc3 14.gxf6 gxf6

195
15.Bb6! Qc6 16.Ba5± The black king is forced to remain in the centre, under the attack of the white
forces.) 12.h3 hxg4 13.hxg4 d5 14.exd5 (14.g5 Nxe4 15.Nxe4 dxe4∞) 14...Nxd5 15.Nxd5 Bxd5
16.c4 bxc4 17.Rc1 Rc8 18.Bxc4 Bxc4 19.b3 Qb7 20.Rxc4 Rxc4 21.Qxc4 Bd6∞

) 10...Rc8 11.Qd2 Bb4 12.Bd4 f6 13.g5

196
(13.a3 Bd6 14.Kb1 Ne7∞) 13...h6! Black finds a way to develop his kingside pieces. 14.gxh6
(14.gxf6 Nxf6 15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.Rg1 Bc6∞ Black defends the d7-point by prophylactic means, thus
preventing the penetration of the white rook to the 7th rank. He has the Bf8 resource as well at his
disposal.) 14...Nxh6 15.a3 (15.Rg1 Kf8∞) 15...Bxa3! 16.bxa3 (16.Bxb5 Bxb2+ 17.Kxb2 axb5∞)
16...e5 17.Nxb5 (17.Bf2 Qxc3 18.Qxd7+ Kf8 19.Qd3 Nf7∞ Both sides are having their powerful
trumps. White is counting on his mighty bishop pair, while Black seeks advantage in active piece play
and attack on the white pawns (h2, f3, c2, a3).; 17.Ne2 exd4 18.Nxd4 Nf7∞) 17...axb5 18.Bb2

18...Nf7! Correct move. White's knight is coming back to play and allows rook to activate along the
h-file. (18...d5?! Perhaps the World Champion mixed up the moves which could have resulted in
serious difficulties. 19.Bxb5+ Kf8 20.Qb4+ (20.Ba4?! d4∞ Grandelius,Nils 2672 - Carlsen,Magnus

197
2865, Wijk aan Zee 2022) 20...Kg8 21.Qb3±) 19.h4 (19.Bxb5 Bc6 20.Bxc6 Qxc6ƒ White cannot
prevent the activation of the black knight to c4 via d6, or to e6 via g5.) 19...d5 20.Bxb5+ (20.Bh3 Rd8
21.Qg2 d4! 22.Qxg7 Ke7∞ The threat is Rdg8. Black is intending Nd6-c4 manoeuvre.) 20...Kf8
21.exd5 (21.Qb4+ Kg8 22.Rd2 d4 23.Rg2 Rh7∞; 21.Ba4 d4 22.Bb3 Ba6∞ with the Bc4 idea.)
21...Bxd5 22.Ba6 Bxf3∞
8.Nxc6 Qxc6

9.Qd2! A new idea, utilised for the first time in 2021 and with already some 50 games in the
database. White does not waste time for the a3-move, but instead goes for quick development and
sacrifice of the central pawn. Unfortunately, I was one of the first victims of this idea in the game
against Russian GM Alexandr Predke.
9...b4 Most likely, the wisest response is to accept the sacrifice and embark on the adventure.
9...Nf6?! 10.f3 We reached a slightly inferior version of the English attack in the Paulsen Sicilian.
If Black insists on continuing in the "Paulsen" style he can easily end up in trouble: 9...Bb7 10.O-O-O
Nf6 (10...Rc8 11.Bg2 Threatening e5. 11...Bb4 12.Bd4 f6 13.f4±) 11.f3 b4 (11...d5 12.g5 b4 13.gxf6
bxc3 14.Qd4 gxf6 15.Qxf6 cxb2+ 16.Kb1±) 12.Ne2 d5 13.e5 Nd7 14.Nd4 Qc7 15.f4² We have a
typical French position on the board with a great spatial advantage for White on the kingside. He will
soon seize a dangerous initiative.
10.Ne2 Qxe4 11.Rg1 Qc4 A fine multi-purpose move. The queen moves away from a potentially
dangerous square on the long diagonal, preventing White from castling long at the same time. Also,
the black queen is able to return to her "base" on c7.
12.Nf4
12.Ng3 Qc7 Transposing into the main line.

198
12...Qc7 13.O-O-O Nf6 14.Nh5

Now we reach an important crossroads for Black. He must choose one of the following paths:
1. Capture on h5, thus opening the g-file for the white rook, but also allowing the f-pawn to advance
which could prove to be significant in later stage of play.
2. Transfer the knight to d5, followed by g6 chasing away the white knight, relieving the pressure.
3. Continuing development with Bb7, allowing White to ruin our kingside structure.
All three options are correct and lead to highly unclear positions.
White should not rush with 14.g5?! Ne4 15.Qd4 Bb7 16.Bg2

199
16...Nd6! Black returns the pawn transferring his knight to a great f5-square. 17.Qxb4 Bxg2 18.Nxg2
Rc8! (18...Rb8

(Karjakin,Sergey 2758 - Rapport,Richard 2760, Stavanger 2021) 19.Qc5! Qxc5 20.Bxc5 Nf5
21.Bxf8 Rxf8 22.Ne3=) 19.Qa4 Be7³ In view of the Nf5, Qc6 idea;
14.Bg2 Bb7 15.Bxb7 Qxb7 16.f3 d6³ Bartel,Mateusz 2597 - Movsesian,Sergei 2627, Riga 2021
14...Bb7
14...Nd5 15.Bd4 Rg8 16.Qd3 (16.Bd3 Bb7 17.Bxh7 Rh8 18.Be4 O-O-O∞) 16...g6 (16...b3 17.Qxb3
Rb8 18.Qc4 Qxc4 19.Bxc4²) 17.Bg2! gxh5 18.Bxd5 Bb7 19.Bxb7 Qxb7

200
20.g5!? White does not want to exchange major pieces on the g-file, thus leaving the black rook on
g8 out of play with the pawn weaknesses on h7 and h5. (20.gxh5 Rxg1 21.Rxg1 Qd5! Black should
bring his queen close to his own king and create some concrete threats. 22.Bf6 (22.b3 f5 23.Qe3
Qe4∞ Esipenko,Andrey 2714 - Shankland, Samuel 2708, Wijk aan Zee 2022) 22...Qxh5 23.Rg8
Qxh2 A cold-blooded decision! Black takes another pawn keeping control over the d6-square.
24.Qe4 (24.Qd4 threatening Bg7. 24...Rc8! 25.Bg7 Qg1+ 26.Kd2 Qg5+ 27.Kd3 Qb5+ 28.Ke3
Qg5+=) 24...d5 25.Qxb4

(25.Rxf8+ Kxf8 26.Qxb4+ Kg8 27.Qg4+ Kf8=) 25...Qg1+! 26.Rxg1 Bxb4 27.Rg8+ Bf8 28.Rh8
Rc8=) 20...Qb5 21.Qe4 Rc8 22.h4 Rg6 23.Kb1 Qf5 (23...d5 24.Qf3 Bg7 25.Bxg7 Rxg7 26.Qxh5²)
24.Qe2 h6 25.f4!ƒ with a highly dangerous initiative for White.;

201
14...Nxh5!? 15.gxh5 Bb7 16.Bf4 (16.Bd4 Rg8 17.Bd3 g6∞) 16...Qc6 We can conclude that the black
queen always goes to c6. Why? First, she has a much greater activity on c6, and also we wish to
provoke White to develop his light-squared bishop to g2 thus forcing the exchange of the bishops.
With each and every trade Black's position becomes more comfortable. Therefore, we never push d5
if White develops Bg2! 17.Be5 Rg8 18.Bd3 f5 19.Kb1 Qd5 20.f4 Kf7 21.Qe1 (The bishop sacrifice
makes the life much easier for Black, and after a series of forced moves we reach a roughly equal
rook ending. 21.Bxf5 exf5 22.Qxd5+ Bxd5 23.Rxd5 d6! 24.Bxd6 Bxd6 25.Rxd6 Rgd8 26.Rb6 Rdb8
27.Rxb8 Rxb8=) 21...Qc6∞ It is not certain if White can make his initiative any stronger.
15.Bb6
15.Bf4 Qc6 16.Nxf6+ (16.Be5?! (Ali Marandi,Cemil Can 2542 - Maiti,Milind 2395, Charlotte 2021)
16...Ne4! 17.Qe3 f6 18.Bd4 e5 19.Bb6 d5³) 16...gxf6 17.g5 f5 18.Be5 Rg8 19.Bf6 Qd5 (19...a5!?)
20.Qxd5 Bxd5 21.Rxd5! White destroys Black's pawn structure by means of an exchange sacrifice.
21...exd5 22.Bd3 Bd6 23.Bxf5 h5 24.Bh7 Rg6! Black returns the exchange. 25.Re1+ Kf8 26.Bxg6
fxg6 27.h3 Rc8∞ Black has a tad weaker pawn structure, but a great piece activity as decent
compensation.
15...Qc6
15...Qc8?! 16.Nxf6+ gxf6 17.Bd4 Be7 (17...e5 18.g5!) 18.g5 Rg8 19.Bd3 fxg5 20.Bxh7 Rf8
21.Rxg5!±
16.Bg2
16.Bd4 Nxh5 17.gxh5 Rg8 18.Kb1 (18.Bd3 f5∞ (18...Qd5!?)) 18...f5∞
16...Qc8 17.Nxf6+ gxf6 18.Bxb7 Qxb7 19.Bd4 e5 20.Be3 h6 Prophylaxis against g5.
21.f4 a5∞

202
203
KING’S INDIAN, FIANCHETTO [A49]
Part II

In my previous article I examined the line when White

plays with 0-0 and chooses a more solid positional line.
Here, White plays the sharp and more ambitious 0-0-0 idea
trying to prepare for the quick h4-h5 attack. On his part,
Black creates counterplay on the queenside with ... a5-a4.
Black's development is not that easy to execute, as the d7-
knight is pinned and the c8-bishop cannot develop easily.
Let's dig a bit deeper into this intriguing line!

10.0-0-0/11.Kb1

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.b3 O-O 5.Bb2 d6 6.Bg2 e5 7.dxe5 Nfd7 8.Nc3 dxe5 9.Qd2 Nc6
10.O-O-O

10...a5 11.Kb1

204
11...a4! is a typical pawn sacrifice for the attack on the queenside.
11...h6 12.h4 a4 should have been played. (12...Nb6? The endgame usually favours White. 13.Qxd8
Nxd8 14.Nb5± Sredojevic,Ivan 2368 - Ongut,Tamas Gunes 2127, Budapest 2017) 13.Nxa4 Qe7
(13...Rxa4?! 14.bxa4 Qe8 15.h5 Nb6 (15...g5? 16.Nxg5! hxg5 17.Qxg5 Qe7 18.Qe3+-) 16.Rh4! Be6
17.hxg6 fxg6 (17...Nc4

18.Rxc4! Bxc4 19.Qd7+-) 18.Bh3 and White should be better, but practically it is hard to evaluate
this position.) 14.Nc3 (14.h5

205
14...Rxa4! 15.bxa4 Nb6„) 14...Nf6 (14...Nb6!?) 15.h5 Nxh5 16.Nd5 Qc5 17.Nxc7 Ra7 18.e4 Nf6©
12.Nxa4 Rxa4! A great exchange sacrifice with which Black crushes the white king's position.
12...Qe7!?
13.bxa4

13...Qe8! A very accurate continuation, prepares for ...Nb6.

In case of 13...Qe7 White can play 14.Qc3 followed by Ba3. This is the reason why 13...Qe8! is more
precise.

206
14.Ng5
14.e4? Nc5ƒ;
14.a5 Nc5©;
14.Bh3 Nc5 15.Bxc8 Qxc8 16.a5 Qa8„;
14.Ba3

14...e4! 15.Ng5 Nb6 (15...Qe5!? 16.c3 Nc5→) 16.Bxf8 Qxf8 17.Nxe4 Be6→
14...Nb6© In all similar lines Black has a nice pressure for the material.

11.Bh3

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.b3 O-O 5.Bb2 d6 6.Bg2 e5 7.dxe5 Nfd7 8.Nc3 dxe5 9.Qd2 Nc6
10.O-O-O a5 11.Bh3

207
At first sight this is a strange move, because the bishop blocks the h-pawn. White would be happy to
reach an endgame, however Black has another option too.
11.Qg5!? An interesting provoking move. 11...f6 (11...Qxg5+?! The exchange of queens is leading to
a comfortable endgame for White. 12.Nxg5ƒ Gaal,Zsoka 2166 - Fule,Simon 2250, tornelo.com
(Internet-rapid) 2021) 12.Qe3 This is White's idea. He closes the g7-bishop and goes to e3 with his
queen. Nevertheless, this is also quite a double-edged fight. 12...a4 13.Nxa4 Qe7 14.Nc3 (14.Nd2!?)
14...Nb6 15.Kb1 f5©
11...f5

12.Nb5!?

208
12.e4 Nd4 Suddenly, Black is active on d4 and he can continue with ...c5 soon. 13.exf5 gxf5

(13...Nb6!?) 14.Kb1 (14.Nb5?! c5 15.Nbxd4 (15.Nfxd4 exd4∞ (15...cxd4?! 16.f4!)) 15...cxd4

16.Rhe1 (16.Qe2?! a4µ‚ Black has a very strong attack. 17.Rhe1 (17.Nh4 axb3 18.axb3 Nb6 19.f4
e4! 20.Kb1 Be6 21.Qb5 Nd5-+ Mesaros,Florian 2393 - Szabo, Krisztian 2513, Magyarorszag 2015)
17...Kh8µ) 16...a4∞) 14...c5∞
12...a4 13.Ng5 axb3 14.axb3 Ra5
14...Qe7!?
15.Ne6 Qe7 16.Nexc7 Nf6∞

209
11.a4

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.b3 O-O 5.Bb2 d6 6.Bg2 e5 7.dxe5 Nfd7 8.Nc3 dxe5 9.Qd2 Nc6
10.O-O-O a5 11.a4

A logical reply to stop Black's attack. However, it weakens the b4-square, which can be a nice base
for the black knight.
11...Nb4
11...Qe7? allows the temping knight move for White. 12.Nd5 Qc5 13.Qe3 Qxe3+ 14.fxe3± and
White has a comfortable position, as in Ivanisevic,Ivan 2618 - Setyaki,Azarya Jodi 2398, Barcelona
2019
12.Nb5

210
12.h4

12...Qe7 (12...Ra6!? A creative way to bring the rook into the play. 13.e4 (13.Nb5 Qe7„; 13.h5
Rd6∞) 13...Rd6 (13...h5!?) 14.Qe3²) 13.h5 (13.e4 (Schebler,Gerhard 2439 - Horvath, Adam 2437,
Koszeg 1999) 13...Nc5 (13...h5∞) 14.Nd5 Nxd5 15.exd5

211
15...b5! 16.axb5 a4→) 13...e4 14.Nd4 Nc5∞
12...Qe7! 13.Nxc7

13...Nc5!! What a brilliant tactical move!

14.Nd5 White has to simplify the position.
The greedy 14.Nxa8? would be losing, because of 14...Bf5!-+ and suddenly the white king is
undefendable.
14...Nxd5 15.Qxd5 Be6

212
15...Ra6!? 16.Nxe5 (16.Bxe5? Be6µ) 16...Bf5 17.Rd2 (17.Nd3?! Bxb2+ 18.Kxb2 Bxd3 19.exd3
Rb6µ) 17...Rc8 18.Kd1 Nxa4 19.bxa4 Rb6 20.Nc4 Rb4 21.e4 Be6 22.Qd6 Qg5→
16.Qd6 Qxd6 17.Rxd6 Rac8 18.Kb1 Ne4 19.Rb6 Nxf2 20.Rf1∞
20.Rf1 Ne4∞
Maybe Black didn't send his move on time, or draw was agreed, but it is sure that White is not
winning here. Minchev, Valentin - Parushev,Alexandar, corr 2009/10

11.h4/12.g4

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.b3 O-O 5.Bb2 d6 6.Bg2 e5 7.dxe5 Nfd7 8.Nc3 dxe5 9.Qd2 Nc6
10.O-O-O a5 11.h4

The straightforward continuation.

11...h6 Black prepares to close the kingside by ...h5 and ...g5.
12.g4 a4 13.Nxa4
13.g5 axb3!? (13...h5 14.Nxa4 (14.e3?! axb3

213
15.axb3 (15.cxb3? The decisive mistake! Now Black has a winning attack. 15...Qe7 16.Kb1
(16.Nd5? Qc5+ 17.Kb1 Qa7-+; 16.Bh3?! Nb4 17.Bxd7 Rd8 18.a3 Rxd7 19.Qe2 Nc6 20.Rxd7 Bxd7
21.Nd2 Rxa3! The crushing move! 22.Rd1 e4 23.Ncxe4 Ra1+! 24.Bxa1

24...Qa3+! What a nice finish of the game! 0 : 1 Kolev,Atanas 2510 - Polgar,Judit 2595, Budapest
(zt) 1993) 16...Nb6µ) 15...Nb4 16.Bh3 (Dizdar,Goran 2535 - Spasov,Vasil 2575, Yerevan (ol) 1996)
16...Qe7!„) 14...Qe7 see 13.Na4) 14.axb3 (14.gxh6 bxc2) 14...h5∞
13...Qe7
The previous games mentioned sacrifice by 13...Rxa4!? 14.bxa4 Qe8 which was also a possibility.

214
14.g5
14.Kb1? (Radjabov,Teimour 2325 - Zhao,Zong-Yuan, Oropesa del Mar 1998) 14...Rxa4! Black
should have played this typical sacrifice. 15.bxa4 Nb6→ with a strong attack against the white king;
14.Nc3 e4→
14...h5 15.Qe3
15.Qc3?!

15...Nb6! 16.Nxb6 cxb6 17.Kb1 Bf5µ

15...Nb6 16.Nc3
16.Nxb6 cxb6 17.a4 (17.Kb1 Bf5 18.Bh3

215
18...Rxa2!! What a wonderful tactical blow! 19.Bxf5 (19.Kxa2? Bxc2-+ followed by ...Ra8.)
19...Rfa8 20.Qc3 (20.Be4? Nd4! 21.Nxd4

(21.Qd3 Bf8-+) 21...Rxb2+! Another great intermediate move! 22.Kxb2 Qa3+ 23.Kc3 exd4+
24.Rxd4 Rd8 25.Kd3 (25.Rd1 Qc5+-+) 25...Bxd4 26.Qxd4 Rxd4+ 27.Kxd4 Qc5+ 28.Kd3 Qxf2µ
with good winning chances for Black.) 20...gxf5∞) 17...Bf5 (17...Qc7) 18.Bh3 Bxh3 19.Rxh3 Qb4
20.Rd5 Ra5 21.Rxa5 (21.Bc3 Qa3+ 22.Bb2 Qb4=) 21...bxa5©
16...Bf5 17.Kb1 Rfd8
17...Nb4? 18.Nd4!+-;

216
17...Qb4!?
18.Nd2 Nb4 19.Nde4 Rd4 20.f3 c6©

11.h4/12.h5

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.b3 O-O 5.Bb2 d6 6.Bg2 e5 7.dxe5 Nfd7 8.Nc3 dxe5 9.Qd2 Nc6
10.O-O-O a5 11.h4 h6 12.h5

12.a4 Nb4 Similar like in the previous games. 13.Qe3 (13.h5 g5 14.Ne1 Qe7 15.Nd3 Nb6∞)
13...Qe7 14.Nd5 Nxd5 15.Rxd5 c6 16.Rdd1 Re8 (16...f5!?) 17.Kb1

217
17...e4! would be the correct reply, (17...Qc5 18.Qxc5 Nxc5 19.Nd2 Bg4 20.Bf3 Bxf3 21.exf3 b5
22.Ne4 Nxe4 23.fxe4 bxa4 24.bxa4 Rab8 25.c3 Bf8 26.Kc2 h5 (26...Red8?! 27.Rxd8 Rxd8 28.h5±
g5 29.Rd1 Rxd1 30.Kxd1 Bc5 31.Ke2 Kf8 32.f3 Ke8 33.Bc1 Kd7 34.Kd3 Kc7 35.Kc4 Kb6 36.Bd2
Bf8 37.Be3+ Kc7 38.Kd3 Bd6 39.Ke2 Kd7 40.Kf1 c5 41.Kg2

(41.c4) 41...c4! 42.Kh3 Bb4 43.Bd2 Bc5 44.Kg4 Ke6 45.Bc1 f6 46.f4 exf4 47.gxf4

218
47...Bf2!= (47...Bd6? 48.Be3 Bc7 49.Kf3 Bd8 50.Bc5 f5 51.fxg5 hxg5

52.Bd4!+- (52.h6? Bf6 53.Bd4 Bxd4 54.cxd4

219
54...Kf7!= (54...g4+? 55.Ke2 1 : 0 Sindarov,Javokhir 2544 - Setyaki,Azarya Jodi 2389, tornelo.com
(Internet) 2021))))) 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.Nd2 Nf6 20.Nc4 Nd5³ and Black looks nicely placed.
12...g5 13.e4
13.a4 Nb4 is transposing to 12.a4.
13...Nd4 After e4 White always has to calculate with this knight jump followed by the stabilising
...c5.
14.Nd5 c5 15.Nxd4 exd4 16.f4 a4 17.e5 axb3 18.axb3 (Saric,Ante 2528 - Van der Weide, Karel
2445, Sevilla 2012) 18...Nb6 19.Nxb6 Qxb6 20.fxg5 Bg4 21.Rdf1 Ra2 22.g6

220
22...Qa6
22...Rfa8? 23.Bd5 (23.gxf7+? Kf8µ) 23...Qa6 24.Qd3±
23.gxf7+ Rxf7 24.Kb1 Rd7 25.Qd3 Qxd3 26.cxd3 Ra6©

Conclusion

Well, as we have seen from the games all ensuing middlegames are really complicated. Black
sacrifices an exchange on a4 several times (after ...a5-a4, Na4, ...Ra4) and usually he has a decent
compensation for it. At least he has practical chances. The endgame usually favours White, since
Black doesn't really like to play with his d7-knight before a queen move. Theoretical knowledge is
important, not least because of the previously mentioned sharp line. Nevertheless, this line is playable
with both colours.

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POSITIONAL ZUGZWANG

In this article, I will deal with the topic of Zugzwang, a

very popular and attractive motif in which we leave the
opponent without a choice so he is obliged to play a forced
move. Zugzwang is most often seen in endings with a
small number of pieces. It is a real rarity to see this motif
in the middlegame. The reason is the great number of
possibilities due to the larger number of pieces on the
board.
Carlsen's games against Fedoseev at the World Cup
encouraged me to explore this interesting topic. In the mini-match for the third place, Carlsen brought
his rival in positional Zugzwang in the middlegame phase of both games. First, let's look at a few
examples of endings so we can recall the original meaning of Zugzwang.

Basic Example

222
We have a basic king and pawn vs king ending on the board. With accurate play Black will force
White to stalemate him.
1.Ke5 Kd8
1...Ke8?? 2.Ke6 Kd8 3.d7 Black ends up in Zugzwang! He is forced to relinquish the crucial d8-
square and White promotes his pawn. 3...Kc7 4.Ke7+-
2.Ke6 Ke8 3.d7+ Kd8
Now White is in Zugzwang and loses the pawn, or allows stalemate.
4.Kd6 Stalemate. This is the basic example of mutual Zugzwang that leads to a draw.
Zugzwang is one of favourite themes in chess studies.

Prokop, Frantisek
1935

White uses very simple means to leave Black without any good moves.
1.Rf6! The black king and rook cannot move, while the f7-pawn cannot capture on e6 due to the h7
deflection motif!
Therefore, Black must push his e-pawn.
1...e3
1...fxe6 2.h7+ Kg7 3.Rxf8 Kxf8 4.h8=Q++-;
1...Ra8 2.Rxf7+-

223
2.Kf1
White's idea fails in case of 2.Kxe3? Re8!=
2...e2+ 3.Ke1
Black has no more moves with the e-pawn, so he must make a move that leads to a loss.
3...fxe6 4.h7++- and White wins.

Example

White makes use of an extremely awkward position of Black's royal couple in a rather entertaining
manner.
1.Bd2+! b4 2.Bxb4+ Kb5 3.Nd6+ Kb6 4.Ba5+! Kxa5
4...Qxa5 5.Nc4+ Kb5 6.Nxa5 Kxa5 7.Kf4+-
5.Nc4+ Kb5
5...Qxc4 6.bxc4 Ka4 7.Ke4+- Followed by d5 and White is quicker.
6.Kf4!! c5! Making room for the queen.
Zugzwang is reached via different move order as well: 6...f5 7.Kg5!! f4 8.f3 c5 9.d5+-
7.d5 f5 8.Kg5! f4 9.f3!+-

224
The black king is stalemated, so he is forced to make a queen move and lose the game. White's knight
dominates the enemy queen in a really spectacular way!

Reti, Richard
1922

In this olden study we witness a highly accurate manoeuvres by White. In order to win the game
White must involve his king in the pawn hunt. However, straightforward play does not lead to
success, so White must find a nuance and lose a tempo passing the move to Black!
1.Rd2!!

225
A "natural" move does not bring home a full point. 1.Rd1 leads to a draw: 1...d4 2.Kd7 Kd5! 3.Kc7
Kc5! 4.Kb7 (4.Rc1+ Kb4 5.Kd6 d3 6.Kd5 d2= and Black wins a crucial tempo that allows him to
secure a draw.) 4...Kc4 5.Kc6 d3 6.Kd6 Kd4=
1...d4

2.Rd1!! The winning manoeuvre! The black king must move and allow his counterpart to approach.
2...Ke4
On 2...Kd5 3.Kd7 and the black king is in Zugzwang. White will reach either c6 or e6 with his king,
thus cathing the black pawn right on time.
3.Kd6 d3 4.Kc5 Ke3 5.Kc4 d2 6.Kc3+- and White wins.
Take a look at one more example:

Prokes, Ladislav
1951

226
1.Rb2! Rxc7 2.Rb8+ Kf7
2...Kg7 3.Rb7 Rf7 4.Ke6+-
3.Rb7 Re7+ 4.Kd6+- and Black is in Zugzwang so he must take the rook on b7.
As I mentioned earlier these two Carlsen's games against Fedoseev impressed me a great deal. The
Champion managed to put his mighty rival in Zugzwang in the middlegame.
Take a look at the first game.

Carlsen, Magnus (2847) - Fedoseev, Vladimir (2696)

Krasnaya Polyana (m/2) 149/29, 2021

227
All the white pieces are optimally activated, but in order to break the black fortress a sacrifice is
required. Carlsen finds the correct solution.
36.Rxf7! Kxf7
36...Rxf7 37.Qxe6 Qf8 38.d7 Bd8 39.Qe8 Kh7 40.Bxf7+-
37.Qxe6+ Kf8 38.Qf5+ Ke8 39.Qg6+ Kf8 40.Qf5+ Ke8 41.Qg6+ Kf8 42.e6 Qf6™ 43.exd7 Qxg6
44.hxg6 Bd8 45.Be6

Zugzwang! Till the end of the game Black cannot move his king and rook.

228
45...h5 46.Kf2 h4 47.Bg4 b5 48.Kf3 White has two paths to victory at this point. First, he can bring
his king to f5 and offer the bishop trade with Bg5, thus allowing his d7-pawn to promote. Also, White
can bring his king all the way to c8 via d5, winning the black immobile bishop!
48...b4
48...a5 49.Ke4+-;
48...Rh6 49.Bxh6 gxh6 50.Ke4 Kg7 51.Bf5+- The white king can reach c8, or capture all the black
pawns on the queenside.
The outcome is pretty much the same after 48...h3 49.gxh3+-
49.axb4 cxb4 Here Black resigned right away.
49...cxb4 Obviously, Black can make only pawn moves, while White can bring his king to f5 and
force the pawn promotion after Bg5. 50.Ke4 a5 51.Kf5 a4 52.Bg5! Bb6 53.Be7+ Kg8 54.Bf3 Rh6
55.Bd5+ Kh8 56.d8=Q+ Bxd8 57.Bxd8+-
1-0

Fedoseev, Vladimir (2696) - Carlsen, Magnus (2847)

Krasnaya Polyana (m/1) 149/194, 2021

Even though Black is an exchange and pawn down, he has a much easier play with complete
domination over the board. 24...Qc8! Not allowing White to castle!
24...Qd8!? Black wins a pawn but allows White to spring to life. 25.O-O! Qxa5 26.Rb1 Qxc3
(26...b6 27.Qf1∞) 27.Rxb7 Bxe3 28.fxe3 Qe1+ 29.Qf1 Qg3+ 30.Qg2 Qe1+=

229
25.c4
25.O-O Bh3 26.Qh1 Bxf1 27.Kxf1 Qxc3-+;
25.Kd2!? Nc4+ 26.Bxc4 Qxc4 27.Rg1 Be8 28.Qf1™ Qa2+ 29.Kd3 Bb5+ 30.c4 Qb3+ 31.Kd2 Bxc4
32.Qb1™ Qa3 33.Qxb7 Most likely, Black cannot achieve more than a draw.

25...b5! An excellent move which allows Carlsen to open the lines on the queenside.
26.axb6 axb6 27.Qg1 White is trying to activate his pieces with Kf1-g2, or Ng2 followed by f4, but
he does not have sufficient time for that.
27.O-O!? Bh3 28.Qh1 Bxf1 29.Kxf1! (29.Bxf1 Qc5µ) 29...Qa8 (29...Bxe3 30.fxe3 Nxc4 31.Kf2³)
30.Qh3 Qa1+ 31.Nd1 Nxc4 32.Bxc4 Qxd1+ 33.Kg2 Qd4 34.Qe6 Qg7 35.Bb5 Qf8 36.Bc6 Kg7
37.Bb5 Qf6³
27...Qa8! 28.Kf1 Qa2

230
29.Ng2 Qa1+ 30.Ne1 Qb2 31.Ng2
31.Nd3 Nxd3 32.Bxd3 Qc3 33.Be2 Qd2 34.Rh2 Kg7 35.Qh1 Kf6 36.Rh3 e6µ
31...Qc1+ 32.Ne1 Qd2µ Zugzwang! Carlsen's queen manoeuvres are reminiscent to the game of
checkers.
33.Qg2 White cannot move his knight anymore.
33.Ng2 Nd3-+
33...Kg7 34.Rg1 Kf8 35.Qh1 e6 36.Rg3 exd5 37.exd5 Bf5 38.Rg1 Kf7 39.Rg3 Nd7! 40.Rg5 Bxg5
41.hxg5 Ne5 White resigns even though he is still a pawn up. Unfortunately, he cannot activate any
of his pieces. 0-1

Saemisch, Friedrich - Nimzowitsch, Aron

Kobenhavn, 1923

231
This is one of the earliest high class middlegame Zugzwang positions.
25...h6! A truly marvelous picture! With his last move Black took away the g5-square for the white
queen. The threats are R5f3 or R2f3, and White cannot make any move without material loss. 0-1

Alekhine, Alexander - Nimzowitsch, Aron

San Remo, 1930

16.Nxb7! White exchanges his strongest for the rival's worst piece with the idea of seizing control
over the c-file.

232
16...Qxb7 17.a6 Qf7 18.Bb5 N8e7 19.O-O h6 20.Rfc1 Rfc8 21.Rc2 Qe8 22.Rac1 Rab8 23.Qe3 Rc7
24.Rc3 Qd7 25.R1c2 Kf8 26.Qc1 Rbc8 27.Ba4 Threatening b5 and winning the piece.
27...b5 28.Bxb5 Ke8 29.Ba4 Kd8 Black is ready for b5 now, but Alekhine understood well that he
was not obliged to force the matters because Black run out of moves - Zugzwang!
30.h4 h5 31.Kh2 g6 32.g3

32.g3 Nimzowitsch resigned because after 32...Ke8 White pushes 33.b5 In this game Nimzowitsch
falls victim to deadly Zugzwang!
1-0

Karpov, Anatoly (2700) - Unzicker, Wolfgang (2535)

Nice (ol) 17/336, 1974

233
This middlegame position is very famous and deeply explored in many books. Earlier, Karpov
unleashed the spectacular Ba7 move, thus seizing control over the a-file. Curiously, Unzicker
resigned while the board was still full of pieces, having material equality.
38...Kg8 Black is already in a sort of a Zugzwang, but Karpov continues optimising the placement of
his pieces!
39.Ng4 Kf8
39...Bxh5 40.Nxh5 Qf7 (40...Qxh5?? 41.Nxf6+ Bxf6 42.Qxh5+-) 41.Bb6 Rxa3 42.Rxa3+-
40.Ne3 Kg8 41.Bxf7+ Nxf7 42.Qh5 Nd8 43.Qg6 Kf8 44.Nh5

234
Black resigned here, because after the queen trade, White plays Bb6, winning the a-file. Black's
pieces do not have any room for manoeuvring! 1-0

Karpov, Anatoly (2720) - Kasparov, Garry (2700)

Moscow (m/16) 40/202, 1985

This is the famous Karpov - Kasparov World Championship game where Garry essayed an important
novelty, the early d5 sacrificing a pawn. The position on the board is already hopeless for White since
he cannot activate any of his pieces.
27.Qa2 Bg6 28.d6 g4 29.Qd2 Kg7 30.f3 Qxd6 31.fxg4 Qd4+ 32.Kh1 Nf6

235
Now the e4-square is free as well for the black pieces to exploit. White is on the verge of serious
material loss and defeat.
33.Rf4 Ne4 34.Qxd3 Nf2+ 35.Rxf2 Bxd3 36.Rfd2 Qe3 37.Rxd3 Rc1 38.Nb2 Qf2 39.Nd2 Rxd1+
40.Nxd1 Re1+ 0-1
I will conclude this article with one of my own games against GM Benjamin Bok, a young and
promising player at the time.

Ivanisevic, Ivan (2664) - Bok, Benjamin (2212)

Biel (open), 2008

236
18.Bb5! The black queen is forced to abandon the first rank and allow White's rook to join in the
attack on the black king!
18...Qxb5
I offered my rook and bishop with the previous move, and that felt like a natural solution then, even
though I did not calculate all the consequences of that move. If Black captures the rook the mate is
totally inevitable. But, after the bishop capture I was not so sure!
18...Qg6 19.Re1+ Ne6 20.h4 h6 (20...Kd8 21.f4 Qf6 22.Be5 Qe7 23.f5+-) 21.Bd3 Qf6 22.Ne4
Qg6+ (22...Qd8 23.f4+-) 23.Kf2+-;
18...Qxh1 19.Qe5+ Ne6 20.Nxe6 and there is no defence as checkmate follows. 20...f6 21.Nxg7+
Kf7 22.Qe7+ Kg6 23.Bd3+ f5 24.Bxf5+ Kh6 25.Qf6# (25.Bf4#)

19.Qxf7+!!
I proceeded with 19.Re1+ Ne6 20.Qf5 f6 21.Nxe6 dxe6 22.Rxe6+! Kd7! 23.Be7!+- was still
winning, but that move did not occur to me. (23.Bf4 Qc4!= with a draw by perpetual check,
Ivanisevic,Ivan - Bok,Benjamin)
19...Nxf7 20.Re1+ Kd8 21.Nxf7#

Conclusion

It is extremely difficult to reach a Zugzwang position in the middlegame with many pieces on the
board. In order to accomplish Zugzwang one must have much better placed pieces than his rival and
achieve complete domination over the whole board, thus leaving the opponent without any useful
move.

237
Everybody knows the pearl of chess wisdom: "In closed positions the knights are better than the
bishops". It is one of the most quoted and completely false sayings in chess. In fact, when the centre
in closed by pawn chains, the bishops are usually clearly superior, than the knights, because they
easily manage to evade the pawn barrier, while the knights cannot find any good squares in the
middle of the board - just because all of them are occupied by pawns.
Generally speaking, the knights prefer half-open positions where they easily find some long-term
outposts. If the side, which enjoys the advantage of bishop pair, also possesses space advantage, the
combination of these two factors may be even of vital importance. Let us take a look at some practical
examples.

Flohr, Salo - Botvinnik, Mikhail Moisevich

Leningrad (m/6), 1933

Despite the fact, that the centre is closed by pawn chains, the white bishop pair is clearly superior -
the bishops manage to evade the pawn barrier, while at the same time the black knights don't have
any central outposts. As already explained above: White's advantage is beyond all questions due to a

238
huge space advantage and the strong pair of bishops. Flohr converts his advantage in an very
instructive manner.
25.Kf2 Ke7 26.Be3 Kd8 27.Ke1 Kc7 28.Kd2 Nc5 29.b4 Ncd7

30.g3?! White makes the second step before the first one. It is, of course, the right idea to play g3 and
f4, aiming to gain even more space and to bring the light-squared bishop to h3, but first it was
necessary to fix the queenside paws by playing a4-a5.
30.a4!±
30...Nb6
30...b5 31.a4 bxa4 32.Bxa6+-
With the slightly surprising 30...Ng8! and the idea to get some counterplay with f5 Black was
probably able to equalise. For example: 31.a4 (31.Bf1 b5 32.a4 bxa4 33.Bxa6 f5! 34.exf5 Ndf6=)
31...Ne7 32.a5 h6! 33.Kd3 f5 34.Bf1 b5 35.axb6+ Nxb6 36.Bh3 fxe4+ 37.fxe4 Nd7 Black should be
able to hold.
31.Kc2 Nbd7
31...Na4!? 32.b5! a5 33.b6+! Nxb6 34.Bd2 a4 35.Ba5 Nd7 36.Kc3 Kb8 37.Bb5±

239
32.a4! Nb6 33.a5 Nbd7 34.Bc1 An instructive regrouping: the bishop goes to b2, making the e3-
square free for his king.
34...Kd8 35.Bb2 Ne8 36.Kd2 Nc7 37.Ke3 Ke7 38.Bf1! Nb5 39.h4 Nc7 40.Bh3 Ne8 41.f4 f6

42.Bf5! The next step - weakening the opponents kingside.

42...g6
42...h6 43.Kf3+-
43.Bh3 h6 A further, unprovoked weakening, but the position was difficult for Black anyway.

240
44.Bc1! Ng7 45.fxe5 dxe5
45...fxe5 46.Kf3 h5 47.Bg5+ Ke8 48.Bh6+-;
45...Nxe5 46.Bc8+-
46.Kf3 h5 47.Be3 Kd6 48.Bh6 Ne8 49.g4 hxg4+ 50.Bxg4 Nc7 51.Be3 Nb5

52.Ke2 The white king starts marching to c4 and preparing the decisive Bc5.
52...Nc7 53.Kd3 f5 Desperation.
53...Nb5 54.Kc4 Nc7 55.Bc5++-
54.exf5 gxf5 55.Bxf5 Nxd5 56.Bd2+- The outside passed pawn decides the game easily.
56...N7f6 57.Kc4
57.Bc8 Kc7 58.Be6 Kd6 59.Bf7+-
57...Kc6 58.Bg6 b5+ 59.Kd3 Ne7 60.Be4+ Ned5
60...Nxe4 61.Kxe4 Kd6 62.h5+-
61.Bg5 Nh5 62.Bf3 Ng3 63.Bd2 Kd6 64.Bg4 Nf6 65.Bc8 Kc6 66.Be1 e4+ 67.Kd4 Ngh5 68.Bf5
Kd6 69.Bd2 1-0

B92
Efimenko, Zahar (2638) - Bu, Xiangzhi (2691)
Gibraltar, 2008

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.O-O O-O 9.Re1 A rare
line. As usual in all kind of Najdorf setups, White's main idea is to control and to occupy the d5-

241
square.
9...Be6 10.Bf3 Nbd7 11.a4 Rc8 This is the most popular
continuation, but probably not the best one. It seems better
to me to put the rooks on b8 and c8 immediately.
11...Qc7 12.a5 Rfc8 13.Be3 Rab8 14.Nd2 Bd8=
12.a5 Qc7 13.Be3 Rfd8
13...Rb8!? 14.Nd2 Rfc8 15.Qe2 h6 16.Reb1 Qc6=
Astroukh,Vitaly - Osipov,Anatoly, corr 2018/19
14.Nd2² The knight will fight for the d5-outpost.
14...h6 15.Nf1 Bf8 16.h3!?
16.Bd2!? Re8 17.Ne3 g6 18.g3 Bg7 19.b3± looks more logical to me, as in Ostrovskiy,Andrey 2417 -
Grachev,Boris 2601, Pardubice 2007
16...g6

17.Nh2!? Aiming to exchange the defender of the d5-square.

17.Bc1!? b5 18.axb6 Qb7 19.Ne3 Nxb6 20.Ncd5 Bxd5 21.exd5± Hansen,Torbjorn Ringdal 2448 -
Theodorou,Nikolas 2481, Novi Sad 2016
17...h5!
17...Bg7 18.Ng4±
18.Nf1 Bg7 19.Bg5?! This move looks logical and consistent, but it seems to allow an annoying
counterplay.

242
19.Qe2!² was safer.
19...Rb8?! At this point and in the next few moves Bu misses the opportunity to get some
counterplay with the b5 advance.
19...b5! 20.axb6 Qxb6„
20.Ne3 Rdc8 21.Be2?!
21.Qd2 b5 22.axb6 Rxb6 23.Reb1²

21...Qc6?!
21...b5! 22.axb6 Rxb6 23.Rxa6 Rxb2 24.Nb5 Rxb5 25.Bxb5 Nxe4 26.Rc6 Qb8 27.Rxc8+ Qxc8
28.Bh4 Nc3 29.Bxd7 Qxd7 30.Qf3 Qa4=
22.Bd3 Re8?!
22...b5 23.axb6 Qxb6 24.Na4 Qb7 25.f3²
23.Bh4
23.Qd2!? Nh7 24.Bh4 Bf6 (24...Bh6 25.Red1 Nhf6 26.Qe1±) 25.Bxf6 Nhxf6 26.b4±
23...Nh7?!
Allowing the last opportunity for 23...b5 to pass, although here it wasn't sufficient for the equality
anymore: 24.axb6 Rxb6 25.Ncd5! Bxd5 (25...Rxb2 26.Rxa6+-) 26.exd5 Qc7 27.b3²
24.Ncd5 Bxd5 25.Nxd5 Nhf6 26.c4!?
26.Nb4!? Qc7 27.c3±

243
26...Nxd5 27.cxd5! Qc7 Now the same pawn structure as in the previous game has arisen, with
almost the same material. The only difference is that the bishop pair is fighting a bishop and a knight
instead of two knights.

28.Bg5! An extraordinary important move! By playing this modest looking move, Efimenko prevents
the activating/exchanging of the opponent's bishop.
28.b4?! Bh6=;
28.Qd2 Bf6!=
28...Bf6 29.Be3 Rec8 30.Qd2 Qd8 31.b4± With his strong bishops and a huge space advantage
White enjoys a large, almost decisive strategical advantage.
31...Kh7 32.Rac1 Bg7 33.Rxc8 Rxc8 34.Rc1 Rc7 35.g3 Nf6 36.Kg2 Rxc1 37.Qxc1 Qd7 38.Qc2!?
Preventing 38...Qa4.
38...Bh6 39.Bb6 h4

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40.g4! The only move to hold the advantage! Efimenko not only saw the next move by Bu but also
it's refutation!
40...Nxg4 41.Qc7! The g-pawn is just meaningless, the game will be decided on the queenside!
41...Nf6 42.Qxd7 Nxd7 43.Bc7 Kg8
43...Bf8 44.Bxa6! bxa6 45.b5 Nc5 46.Bb6!+-

44.Bxa6! Bd2
44...bxa6 45.b5 Nc5 46.Bb6!+-

245
45.Bxb7 Bxb4 46.a6 Bc5 47.Bc6 1-0
An impressive strategical achievement by the Ukrainian!

A46
Ipatov, Alexander (2630) - Kramnik, Vladimir (2793)
Antalya, 2013

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bg5 Ipatov is a creative player, always seeking for some ways beyond the main
lines.
3...h6 4.Bh4 d6!? A promising set-up. Black is threatening to exchange the opponents dark-squared
bishop.
The immediate 4...g5 5.Bg3 Nh5 is quite dangerous for Black due to 6.Be5! f6 7.Qd3!
5.e3
5.Nbd2 g5 6.Bg3 Nh5 7.e4 Bg7 8.c3 O-O 9.Bd3 Nd7 10.O-O f5 11.exf5 exf5 12.h3 Ndf6∞
Xilogiannis,Dimitrios 2022 - Banikas,Hristos 2599, Aghios Kirykos 2020;
5.c3 Be7 6.Nbd2 Nbd7 7.a4 O-O 8.e3 c5 1/2 : 1/2 Sergeev,Vladimir 2418 - Prusikin,Michael 2517,
Bayerisch Eisenstein 2017;
5.h3!? Nc6 6.Nbd2 g5 7.Bg3 Bg7 8.e4 Nd7 9.c3 f5∞
5...g5 6.Bg3 Nh5 7.Bd3 Bg7 8.Nbd2 Qe7 9.c3 Nd7 10.Qc2 a6 11.O-O-O?! It seems to be the
wrong side.
11.a4 b6 12.O-O Bb7 13.e4 should be completely OK - for both sides! A complex game with mutual
chances would have ensued.
11...b5 12.Nb3

246
12...Rb8!?
12...Nxg3 13.hxg3 c5 14.dxc5 Nxc5 15.Nxc5 dxc5 16.Be4 Rb8! (16...Ra7= Stolte,Alexander 2145 -
Adamski,Jan 2335, Deutschland 2000) 17.Bc6+ Kf8³;
12...Nb6!? looks most convincing: 13.Na5 Bd7 14.e4 O-O 15.Kb1 Rab8 16.Nd2 Na4µ
13.Kb1?!
Missing an interesing and unexpected chance to get some counterplay: 13.d5! Nxg3 14.hxg3 Rb6
(14...exd5 15.Nbd4 Rb6 16.Nf5 Qf6 17.Nxg7+ Qxg7 18.Bf5 Bb7 19.e4„) 15.Nfd4 Ne5³
13...O-O 14.Nfd2 f5?! This is probably redundant at this point.
14...Nxg3 15.hxg3 c5 led to a huge, almost decisive advantage for Black, for example: 16.Na5 Bb7
17.Nxb7 Rxb7 18.f4 Rfb8 19.Nf3 b4-+
15.f3 Nxg3 16.hxg3 c5 17.Na5 Rb6 18.f4?! Some resistence was only possible after
18.e4! c4 19.Bxc4! bxc4 20.Ndxc4 although Black is still clearly better here. For example: 20...Qd8
21.exf5 Rxf5 22.Rhe1 Rxa5 23.Nxa5 Qc7!µ
18...d5

247
19.b4!? An interesing try to get some counterplay.
19...c4! The correct reaction! Kramnik is not afraid of closing the position. He is convinced, that his
space advantage is decisive even without a pawn lever.
19...cxb4 20.cxb4 Qxb4+ 21.Ndb3 Qd6 22.Rc1©
20.Be2 Nf6
The immediate 20...g4! was preferable.
21.Rdf1
21.Nf3!? Ne4 22.Ne5! g4 23.Bf3!! would have been a spectacular attempt, but it barely promises real
chances for salvation. For example: (23.Ng6? Qf7 24.Nxf8 Kxf8 25.Rh2 h5-+) 23...Nd6!
(23...gxf3?! 24.gxf3 Nf6 25.Rdg1 Bd7 26.Rh3 Be8 27.Qh2„) 24.Ng6 Qf7 25.Nxf8 Kxf8 26.Rdg1!
h5 27.Kb2 (27.Be2 Ne4-+) 27...gxf3 28.gxf3 Ne8-+
21...Bd7 22.Qd1
22.Nf3? Ne4

248
22...g4! Now the position is completely closed. There are no open files and seemingly no possibility
for a pawn break, but Kramnik's judgement was deeper - his space advantage and the desolate
position of White's minor pieces allow Black quite an easy win.
23.Kb2 Rf7 24.Qc1 Bf8 25.Kc2 Rh7 26.Rh2 Be8 27.Rfh1 Nd7 28.Qb2 h5 29.Kc1

29...e5!! A very impressive and decisive breakthrough!

30.dxe5 Nxe5 31.fxe5 Qxe5 32.Nf1 Bg7-+ White is not able to protect all his numerous weaknesses.
33.a3
33.Kd2 Bg6 34.Bd1 Bf6 35.Bc2 Re6 36.Qa1 Bg5-+

249
33...Qxc3+ 34.Qxc3 Bxc3 35.Bd1 Re6 36.Bc2 Bg6 37.Nd2 Rxe3 38.Rd1 Bf6 39.Rhh1 d4 40.Rde1
Rhe7 41.Rxe3 Rxe3 0-1
A great game by the former World Champion!

B90
Prusikin, Michael (2540) - Moucheroud, Jeremy (2309)
Mundolsheim, 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bd3

This sideline has recently become quite popular.
6...Nc6 Not the best in my opinion, but surely playable.
6...g6!? 7.f3 Bg7 8.Be3 Nc6 9.Qd2 O-O 10.O-O-O d5!? (10...Bd7 11.g4± Prusikin,Michael 2523 -
Kraemer,Martin 2586, Schweiz 2019) 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Bh6² Moussard,Jules 2626 - Garriga
Cazorla,Pere 2487, Sitges 2020;
6...e5!?
7.Nxc6 bxc6 8.O-O g6 9.b3! Bg7 10.Bb2 O-O 11.Na4 Qc7 12.c4?! An premature commitment.
White's main idea is to destroy the opponent's pawn chain by pushing e5. Here is an example of how
to make it possible. 12.Re1 Rd8 (12...e5 13.Qd2 Be6 14.c4±) 13.Qf3 Bg4 14.Qe3 Be6 15.Qf4 Qa7
16.e5 Nd5 17.Qh4 dxe5 18.Bxe5± Mostowik,Pawel - Cole, Steve, corr 2016
12...c5!N
12...a5
13.Qe2 e5?! Returns the favour.
After the flexible 13...Bd7 14.Nc3 e6 15.f4 Bc6= Black would have been fully OK.
14.Nc3 Nh5 15.Nd5 Qd8

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16.Rad1! The logic behind this move can be explained as follows - if the opponent exchanges the
knight on d5 immediately, White is happy because the resulting position is strategically preferable for
him. On the other hand, if Black doesn't exchange the rook on d1 is perfectly placed on the half open
d-file.
16...Bb7 17.g3 Bxd5?!
17...a5 18.Bc2²
18.cxd5 Qb6
18...Bh6!? 19.a4 Qb6 20.Bc4±

251
19.Rc1! A nice and useful rook manoeuvre. The rook belongs to a4 to bind Black's pieces on the
weak a-pawn.
19...Bh6 20.Rc4 Ra7 21.Bc3 a5 22.Kh1 Preparing to open the second front with f4.
22...Ng7 23.f4 f6 24.Ra4 Rb8 25.Qg4 Ne8 26.Qe6+ Kh8 27.Bc4! Aiming to eliminate every
counterplay with c4 followed by the invasion of the black queen.
27...Bg7 28.fxe5 fxe5 29.Rf7+- By opening the kingside White is going to collect the a-pawn!
29...Nc7 30.Qg4 This move is good enogh.
Unfortunatelly I missed a funny tactical possibility: 30.Qd7! Nb5

31.Qxa7!! Nxa7 32.Bxa5+- and the black queen is suddenly trapped.

30...Rba8 31.Bd2! Kg8 32.Rd7 Re8
32...Rf8 33.Qh3! Ne8 34.Rxa7 Qxa7 35.Rxa5+-
33.Qf3! Rf8 34.Rxg7+! Kxg7 35.Bh6+ 1-0

We will conclude this article with some exercises:

Tukmakov, Vladimir (2575) - Lazarev, Vladimir (2445)

Neuchatel, 2002

252
What is the right plan for White? How to put it into action?

Show/Hide Solution

White needs to push his queenside majority. Tukmakov managed to find a nice way to make this
plan possible:
16.Qc2! g6 17.Qa2! Kg7
17...Nd7 18.Nb5 Ra8 (18...a6? 19.Na7 Rc7 20.Nc6+-) 19.b4±
18.Be2
18.Nb5 Qd7
18...Nd7 19.b4 Nb7

253
20.Bd1! f5 21.Ba4 Rf8 22.Bc6
With the bishop in front of the pawn chain White is now clearly superior. His next step is to prepare
the breakthrough c5:
22...Rb8 23.f3 Nf6 24.Rfd1 Nh5 25.Qd2 Rf7

26.Bxb7!
A perfect centralisation! Now everything is ready for decisive actions:
26...Rxb7 27.c5! bxc5 28.bxc5 dxc5 29.d6 Bf6 30.Na4!+- Kg8 31.Nxc5 Rb8 32.Ne6 Qd7 33.Qd5
Re8 34.Nc5 Qb5 35.Rb1 Qa5 36.Rb7 Rf8 37.Rxf7 Rxf7 38.d7 Bd8 39.Nb7 1-0

254
 Furman, Semen - Kholmov, Ratmir
USSR (ch), 1948

How to convert a large strategical advantage?

Show/Hide Solution

36.Bxe5!
36.Bd2? Game continuation.
36...dxe5
36...fxe5 37.Qxg5+ Kf7 38.Qg6+ Kf8 39.Qxd6+ Kf7 40.Qg6+ Kf8 41.Qf6+ Qf7 42.Qd8++-
37.d6+ Kxd6 38.Qxf6+ Kc7 39.Qxe5+ Kb7 40.Qd5+ Qxd5 41.cxd5+-

255
IDEAS AND PLANS IN ISOLATED QUEEN’S PAWN
(IQP)
Positions from White’s Perspective

My inspiration for this article comes from my childhood

when my dad and I used to work on different positional
themes. While, like most kids, I felt passionate about
attacking chess, most of the time I played better games
when I chose a healthy positional approach.
I remember one of my favorite themes being the Isolate
Queen Pawn (IQP) positions, as it seemed to me that the
side with the weak pawn could often build up a winning
attack. The fondest memory comes from Laszlo Polgar's
Chess Middlegames book, where my dad and I focused specifically on examples with the IQP. I
remember in the beginning, that I was thinking that under normal circumstances the isolated pawn
should be a weakness one would suffer from for the entire game. But, the more we would go through
the examples, the more excited I got about the attacking ideas the isolated queen pawn presented.
And, of course, the excitement kept building up and I wanted more and more to enter the positions
with an isolated pawn, as I thought that as a famous Romanian expression says - "not everything that
flies can be eaten". Basically, I thought that I could win every single IQP position by attacking my
opponent.
It took me quite a while to actually have a nice game, which was the first example I thought of when
creating this article. Before we go through my game selection, I thought I would do a short review of
the advantages and disadvantages of playing with an IQP.
The examples arising with the IQP are ample and remain a common theme nowadays because those
can be reached from many different openings: 1.e4, 1.d4, 1.c4 and, of course, from different more
orders after 1.Nf3 as well. But, every minus has a plus too, so every advantage comes with some kind
of disadvantage. For this article I have only selected examples from the White's side.
Let us start with the disadvantages: of course, first is the fact that having an isolated pawn is a
weakness that will, or should be attacked by the opponent. It is a type of a chronic weakness that is
difficult to get rid of if attacked properly by the opponent. A typical idea that can be utilized is to
blockade it with a knight, keeping it from advancing further, while working on trading minor pieces

256
to give the major pieces space to attack it without being bothered by White's forces. If minor piece
trades are possible, the last step is to triple on the d-file followed by an e-pawn push to bring an
additional threat leading to the pawn capture.
Aside from trading the pieces we can often anticipate an attack on the c-file and a queenside pawn
push with b5-b4. Also, we often find Black blockading the d-pawn with a knight in an attempt to
trade pieces and reach the endgame - sometimes trading the knights on c3 and creating hanging
pawns, that at first sight improve the pawn structure from an IQP position to hanging pawns, but
could also prove to be weaker and harder to defend than a single isolated pawn.
While these ideas are easy in theory, understanding the strengths of having the IQP could help the
side possessing it to maintain activity and even attack the opponent's king. Given its placement in the
centre, the IQP is the type of "nail" in the opponent's position, being the only pawn in the centre, it
controls the e5-square supporting a knight on that square as well.
Further on, given the space behind the isolated pawn, it helps support a rook lift to the 3rd rank,
typically happening via the a, d or 3-files followed by Rg3 to attack the opponent's king. Given its
placement it obviously keeps the opponent somewhat restricted. So White in this case, has more
space, the e5-outpost for the knight and typically a much better and easier development for all of his
pieces, while Black often struggles with the Bc8. With the strong pawn on the d-file and often a
bishop on the a2-g8 diagonal and rook on the e-file White usually has the f4-f5 ideas to attack as well.
I remember a few interesting examples from my childhood that inspired me to this day. Though I am
always excited about this theme, I have been in both situations having to play with the isolated pawn
and against it, and yet I still find these positions to be so complex. Hopefully this review will be
helpful for everyone to start acknowledging the dynamics of the position.
Let us proceed with my game selection.

D60
Botvinnik, Mikhail Moisevich - Vidmar, Milan Sr
Nottingham, 1936

This has been one of the first classical examples of the IQP that I saw and it I have kept it as an
inspiration ever since.
1.c4 e6 2.Nf3 d5 3.d4 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.Nc3 O-O 6.e3 Nbd7 7.Bd3 c5 8.O-O cxd4 9.exd4 dxc4
10.Bxc4

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This is the pawn structure I decided to focus on in this article. Even now, some eighty years later, we
are still playing in similar fashion.
10...Nb6 11.Bb3 Bd7
In a recent game played on chess24.com, Hammer tried 11...Nfd5 in an attempt to trade the dark-
square bishop. 12.Bd2 Of course, White is trying to avoid the trade to keep attacking ideas alive for
later. The dark-square bishop is usually traded for the Nf6 to weaken Black's h7-square. 12...Bd7
13.Ne5 Rc8 14.Qf3

¹14...Bc6 (14...Bf6 15.Rfd1 Bc6 16.Ne4 Be7 The game went on with I found 17.Nc5± to make
Black's position very uncomfortable given the lack of space and, of course, it is difficult to chase or

258
trade those two white knights back. (17.Rac1 Ba4 Now White played 18.Nc5 but one move too late,
giving Black the opportunity to equalize after 18...Bxb3 19.axb3 Rc7 20.Ra1 (20.Ba5? Qc8

Though Black did even get the advantage later, due to the little amount of time on his clock, he
blundered and lost in the end, this position is indeed a dream for Black and White didn't get the
chance to build any kingside threats. 21.Ncd3 Rxc1 22.Rxc1 Qb8 23.Nc5 Bxc5 24.Rxc5 f6 25.Nc4
Kh8 26.g3 Nd7 27.Rxd5 exd5 28.Qxd5 Nb6 29.Bxb6 axb6 30.Nd6 Qc7 31.Qe6 h6 32.d5 Kh7
33.Qf5+ g6 34.Qe6 Qg7= (34...Rd8?? 35.Ne8 1 : 0 Cruz,Cristhian 2557 - Hammer,Jon Ludvig 2635,
chess24.com (Internet-m/4-blitz) 2019)) 20...Qc8 21.Qg3=)) 15.Nxc6 Rxc6 16.Rad1 Bf6=
12.Qd3 Nbd5
¹12...Nfd5 Placing this knight instead seems to give Black a simpler path to equality. 13.Bxe7
(13.Bd2 Nb4 14.Qe2 Bc6=) 13...Nxe7 14.Rad1 Rc8 15.Ng5 Nf5=
13.Ne5 Bc6 14.Rad1

259
14...Nb4?!
14...Nd7! Trying to trade the dark-square bishops has become an important idea in Black's defence
mechanism against attacks on the king. 15.Bc2 g6 16.Nxc6 bxc6 17.Bh6 Re8 18.Nxd5 exd5 19.Ba4
Rc8 20.Rc1 Qb6=
15.Qh3 Bd5 16.Nxd5
16.Ba4?! Bc6 (16...a6? 17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.Nxd5 Nxd5 19.Nd7+-) 17.Nxc6 Nxc6 18.d5! exd5
19.Rfe1©
16...Nbxd5?? The blunder after which Black colapses as it is almost impossible to defend against the
weakening of the e6- and f7-squares.
16...Nfxd5 Not the ideal piece as it seems to weaken the h7-square, yet it keeps the other knight free
to attempts to trade White's Ne5. 17.Bd2 a5 18.a3 Nc6

260
19.Nxf7! Kxf7 (19...Rxf7 20.Qxe6 Nxd4 21.Qxd5 Nxb3 22.Qxb3+-) 20.Rfe1 Qd7 21.Qh5+ Kg8
22.Rxe6 Rad8 23.Bc2 Rf6 24.Qxh7+ Kf8 25.Ree1©

17.f4! A beautiful idea, that has become popular in these types of pawn structures. It cannot to be
stopped by Black.
17...Rc8 18.f5 exf5 19.Rxf5 Qd6 Though this loses right away.
19...a5 allows White to continue the pressure with Rdf1, Qg3, Bh6 leading to a win.
20.Nxf7 Rxf7 21.Bxf6 Bxf6 22.Rxd5 Qc6 23.Rd6 Qe8 24.Rd7 1-0
Recently I have been looking into Smyslov's games and I found next few classical games worth going

261
over.

D42
Smyslov, Vassily - Karpov, Anatoly
USSR (ch) 12/538, 1971

1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e3 e6 6.d4 cxd4 7.exd4 Be7 8.Bd3 O-O 9.O-O Nc6

Now, as opposed to the previous game, White does not have the Bc1 developed yet, but can plan the
support of the knight on e5 with 10.Re1 Nf6
10...Bf6 is the more recent approach taken by Black in these positions. I have selected two interesting
games: 11.Be4! I like this idea by David Howell better than Mamedyarov's 11.Nd5. (11.Nxd5 exd5
Black chose to change the pawn structure, but White still has the e5-outpost for the knight.

262
12.Ne5!? Nxd4 White sacrificed on d4 in order to open up Black's king with the typical: 13.Bxh7+
Kxh7 14.Qxd4 Kg8 15.Bf4 Though the position is quite balanced, Black ended up blundering
towards the end and allowing White to win. 15...Be6 16.Rad1 Qa5 17.a3 Rac8 18.Qe3 Rfe8 19.Qg3
d4 20.h4 Bf5 21.b4 Qd5 22.h5 d3 23.h6 g6 24.Nf3 Re4 25.Rxe4 Bxe4 26.Be5 Bxe5 (26...Bxf3??
27.Bxf6 Bxd1 28.Qh3 Kh7 29.Qxc8 g5 30.Qh8+ Kg6 31.Qg7+ Kf5 32.Qxg5+ Ke6 33.Qxd5+
Kxd5 34.h7 d2 35.h8=Q 1 : 0 Mamedyarov,Shakhriyar 2770 - Halkias,Stelios 2563, chess.com
(Internet-blitz) 2020) 27.Qxe5 Qxe5 28.Nxe5=) 11...Nce7 12.Qd3 h6 13.Ne5 Bd7 (13...Nxc3
14.Qxc3 Nf5 15.Be3 Nd6 16.Bf3 Bd7 Although White didn't get the chance to attack Black's king,
the pressure put on the queenside kept the advantage and led to a win later on.

17.Rac1² Howell,David 2666 - Volokitin,Andrei 2606, Riga (blitz) 2021) 14.Qg3 Bc6 15.Ng4 h5

263
16.Nxf6+ Nxf6 17.Bh6 Ng4 18.Bg5 f6 19.Bd2 Qxd4 20.Rad1∞
11.a3 b6 12.Bc2 Supporting the Qd3 idea with the battery on h7 and making sure the d4-pawn won't
be hanging anytime soon.
12.Bf4!? seems more natural to finish development and get the rook to c1 before planing the queen +
bishop battery. 12...Bb7 13.Rc1 Rc8 14.Bb1 Bd6 15.Bg5 h6 16.Bxf6 Qxf6 17.Ne4 Qe7 18.Qd3 g6
19.Qd2 Kg7 20.b4²
12...Bb7 13.Qd3 Rc8
13...Qc7 allows 14.d5 Rfd8 15.Bg5±;
13...g6 14.Bh6 Re8 15.Rad1² and White is getting ready to get rid of the IQP with d5. There are also
ideas of Ba4 followed by Ne5.
14.Bg5 g6 15.Rad1
15.Bh6 was tried, but White blundered into a worse position a few moments later. 15...Re8 16.Ba4 a6
17.b4 b5 18.Bb3 Bf8 19.Bg5 h6 20.Bxf6 (20.Bh4?? g5-+ Durarbayli,Vasif 2629 - Nakamura,Hikaru
2736, chess.com (Internet-blitz) 2021) 20...Qxf6 21.Ne4 Qg7 22.Rad1 Red8 23.Nc5=
15...Nd5 16.Bh6 Re8 17.Ba4 This is another classical idea - chasing the rook to e8 followed by
pinning the Nc6 to support the Ne5 and exerting pressure on both the Nc6 as well as the weak f7-
pawn.
17...a6?
17...Bf8 has become a must, trading an important attacking piece. 18.Bc1 (18.Bxf8

18...Nxc3! 19.bxc3 Rxf8∞ With two minor pieces traded off the board, Black's king-safety is not a

264
problem anymore and he can focus on putting pressure on White's hanging c- and d-pawns.) 18...Bg7
19.h4 h6 20.h5 g5² White still maintains some advantage, but at least, Black is not in danger of
getting mated.
18.Nxd5 Qxd5 19.Qe3 Bf6 20.Bb3

20...Qh5??
The blunder that led to the devastating loss after the beautiful break!
20...Qd7 allows 21.d5 as well, but after 21...exd5 22.Qxb6 Rxe1+ 23.Rxe1 Bg7± Black at least
avoids the instant loss of material.

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21.d5!! A typical way of getting rid of the IQP while maintaining the advantage. This idea can often
lead to equal endgames, but here White simply dominates.
21...Nd8
21...exd5?? obviously fails to backrank mate. 22.Qxe8+ Rxe8 23.Rxe8#
22.d6
22.Bg5 would have won in an even nicer fashion as once the dark-square bishop is traded off, Black
will colapse with so many weak dark squares. 22...Bxg5 (22...Bg7 23.Qxb6+-) 23.Nxg5+- followed
by Ne4.
22...Rc5 23.d7 Re7 24.Qf4 Bg7 25.Qb8 Qxh6 26.Qxd8+ Bf8 27.Re3 Bc6 28.Qxf8+ Qxf8 29.d8=Q
1-0
The next two games were played during the same candidates match and I found them both to be
beautiful examples of the IQP theme. In the first game White failed to keep the advantage at first and
allowed Black direct play on the queenside. In fact, it was Black who dominated for some time before
blundering into a worse position.

D42
Smyslov, Vassily (2595) - Ribli, Zoltan (2595)
London (m/5) 36/505, 1983

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4 d5 4.Nc3 c5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e3 Nc6 7.Bd3 Be7 8.O-O O-O 9.a3 cxd4
10.exd4 Bf6 11.Qc2
11.Be4 was White's improvement to keep a small advantage and we'll be seeing it in the next game
too.
11...h6 12.Rd1

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12...Qb6?! This move was not the best approach for Black. A more pressing matter is making sure
not to get mated on h7 and developing the Bc8.
12...Re8!? 13.Qe2 Bxd4 14.Nxd4 Nxd4 15.Qe4 Nf5 16.g4 Nf6 17.Qg2 Nh4 18.Qg3 Nd5 19.Bb5
Rf8 20.Be3© Though White has the advantage in development and the bishop pair, Black has an extra
pawn that will take some time recouping.

13.Bc4?!
13.Bh7+! would have been the right approach as follows: 13...Kh8 14.Be4 Rd8 15.g4!→ is my kind
of move, leading to a sharp postion, taking advantage of Black's queenside not being developed and
playing against the h6-hook with the idea of h4 and g5 to attack!

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13...Rd8
13...Nce7!? 14.Ne5 Rd8 15.Qe4 Nxc3 16.bxc3 Bxe5 17.Qxe5 Qc6 18.Qe2 b6=
14.Ne2? A mistake that gave Black sufficient time to develop and take the initiative.
14.h3 Nxc3 15.bxc3 Ne7 16.Qe4 Bd7=
14...Bd7 15.Qe4 Nce7 16.Bd3

16...Ba4? Letting the advantage to slip away.

16...Nf5! 17.g4 (17.Ng3 Ba4 and now 18.Re1 Bxd4 19.Nxf5 Bxf2+ 20.Kf1 exf5 21.Qxf5 g6-+)
17...Nd6 18.Qh7+ Kf8 19.Ng3 Ke7 20.Bf1 Rac8-+ White's checks didn't lead to much and now it is
Black that starts to put pressure on the queenside with Ba4, Rc2.
17.Qh7+ Kf8 18.Re1
18.b3!? Bb5 (18...Qxb3 19.Re1 Qb6 20.Rb1 Qc6 21.Bd2+-; 18...Bxb3 19.Re1 a5 20.Rb1±) 19.a4
Bxd3 20.Rxd3 Ng6 21.h4²
18...Bb5 19.Bxb5 Qxb5 20.Ng3
20.a4 Qb3 21.Ra3 Qb4 22.Bd2 Qb6 23.a5 Qb5 24.Ng3²
20...Ng6 21.Ne5 Nde7?? The blunder that proved fatal, allowing a typical sacrifice.
21...Qa5 would have kept equal material on the board and a safer king. 22.b4 Qc7 23.Be3 Bxe5
24.dxe5 Nxe3 25.Rxe3 Rac8 26.h3±

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22.Bxh6! - after which it was just a matter of technique for White to convert the game.
22...Nxe5 23.Nh5 Nf3+ 24.gxf3 Nf5
24...Qxh5?? 25.Qh8+ Ng8 26.Bxg7++-
25.Nxf6 Nxh6 26.d5 Qxb2 27.Qh8+ Ke7 28.Rxe6+ fxe6 29.Qxg7+ Nf7 30.d6+ Rxd6 31.Nd5+
Rxd5 32.Qxb2 b6 33.Qb4+ Kf6 34.Re1 Rh8 35.h4 Rhd8 36.Re4 Nd6 37.Qc3+ e5 38.Rxe5 Rxe5
39.f4 Nf7 40.fxe5+ Ke6 41.Qc4+ 1-0

D42
Smyslov, Vassily (2595) - Ribli, Zoltan (2595)
London (m/7) 36/506, 1983

White's play in this game was to my liking considering that from a psychological point of view
Smyslov repeated the same opening, but had a nice improvement in the moment he misplayed in the
previous game. This is the type of spirit I enjoy seeing these days and this is the reason I always
encourage everyone reading stories about the classical World Champions and analyzing their games.
It is the right way to learn and improve, in my opinion.
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4 d5 4.Nc3 c5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e3 Nc6 7.Bd3 Be7 8.O-O O-O 9.a3 cxd4
10.exd4 Bf6 11.Be4 Nce7
Still a main line up to here. 12.Ne5
12.Qd3 was a more recent attempt by White, but I still prefer the text move. 12...h6 13.Ne5 Nxc3
14.Qxc3 Nf5 15.Be3= with a balanced position from the game Karpov,Anatoly 2690 - Timman,Jan
2620, Moscow 1981 - 31/459
12...g6

269
12...Nf5 was Svidler's attempt to maintain equality in his game against Artemiev. 13.Re1 Nde7
14.Be3 Nxe3 15.Rxe3 (15.fxe3 Bxe5 16.dxe5 Qa5 and the game eventually ended in a draw after
interesting play on both sides. 17.Qd6 Nf5 18.Bxf5 exf5 19.b4 Qd8 20.Rac1 a5 21.Nd5 Be6 22.Nc7
Qxd6 23.exd6 Rad8 24.Red1 axb4 25.axb4 Rd7 26.Nxe6 fxe6 27.Rc7 Rfd8 28.Rxd7 Rxd7=
Artemiev,Vladislav 2704 - Svidler,Peter 2760, Russia 2018) 15...g6 16.Qf3 Bg7 17.Rd1² is an
interesting approach for White that makes it difficult for Black to finish development due to the
pressure on b7;
12...Ng6 could have been another idea to keep his king safe. 13.Bxd5 exd5 14.f4 Ne7 15.Be3 g6=
13.Bh6 Bg7 14.Bxg7
14.Qd2 b6 15.Nxd5 exd5 (15...Nxd5 16.Rac1 Bb7 17.f3 Bxh6 18.Qxh6 Rc8 19.Bxd5 Qxd5
20.Qf4²) 16.Bf3 Nf5 17.Bf4²
14...Kxg7 15.Rc1 b6
15...Nf6 16.Qe2 Rb8 17.Rfd1 b6 18.Qf3 Nxe4 19.Nxe4 f6 20.Nd3 Rb7=

After the trade of the dark-square bishops and Black managing to cover the h7-square by playing g6
comes a moment when White realizes that the kingside attack is no longer a main goal. Important
decision of combining ideas on the queenside with the central play has to be made at this point.
16.Nxd5
16.Bxd5 Nxd5 17.Nxd5 exd5 (17...Qxd5 18.Rc7) 18.Qd2²
16...Nxd5 17.Bxd5 Qxd5?
17...exd5

270
would have been the right approach. It isn't easy to make this move and leave White's IQP go away,
but in many circumstances it is necessary; this being one of those. 18.Qf3 (18.Qd2 Be6 19.Rfe1 Qf6
20.g4 (20.Rc3 Rac8) 20...Rac8 21.h3 h5 22.Kg2 hxg4 23.hxg4 Rxc1 24.Rxc1 Rh8 25.Qe3²) 18...Be6
19.Qf4 Qf6 20.Qxf6+ Kxf6 21.Rc7 Rfc8 22.Rfc1 Rxc7 23.Rxc7 Rc8 24.Rxc8 Bxc8 25.Kf1² leading
to an endgame that is certainly in White's favour, due to the superior knight vs the bishop, but Black
should be able to hold.

18.Rc7! This is the type of idea I was refering to a few moves earlier before White traded the minor
pieces on d5. This idea is important given that Black is still behind in development.
18...Bb7 19.Qg4 Rad8

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19...Rac8 20.Re7 (20.Rd7 Qe4 21.Qxe4 Bxe4 22.Rxa7 Rc2 23.f3 Bd5 24.b4±) 20...Qe4 21.Qxe4
Bxe4 22.f3 Bd5 23.Rxa7±
20.Rd1 a5 Now that all of White's pieces are active, it is time to open up a new front.

21.h4! Rc8 This is an attempt to trade the active piece, which was, of course, denied by White with
22.Rd7
22.Re7!? Qe4 23.Qxe4 Bxe4 24.b4 a4 25.f3 Bd5 26.b5!±
22...Qe4 23.Qg5 Bc6 24.f3? White has a little bit misplayed here and could have given Black enough
time to push his active pieces back.
24.Re7 Rce8 25.Ra7 Ra8 26.Nxc6 Qxc6 27.h5±

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24...Qf5??
24...h6! would have been an important in-between move leading to piece trades and a more or less
equal rook endgame. 25.fxe4 hxg5 26.Nxc6 Rxc6 27.hxg5 Rc2=
25.Ra7 Ba4
Though it might have bee the reason for Qf5, White wasn't afraid of the queen trade, on the contrary
he would have been happy adding a pawn to g5, while maintaining his "beast" knight on e5.
25...Qxg5 26.hxg5+- and Black's pieces are all passive and unable to get activated in a attempt for
counterplay.
26.Re1 Rc2 27.b4 With all active pieces, White soon converted the game.
27...Bb3
27...h6 28.Qe3 g5 29.d5! exd5 30.bxa5 bxa5 31.Rxa5+-
28.bxa5 bxa5 29.Re4 h6 30.Qe3 Rb2 31.Rg4 g5 32.hxg5 h5 33.Rg3 h4 34.Rg4 h3 35.g6 h2+
36.Kxh2 Rh8+ 37.Kg3 Rxg2+ 38.Kxg2 Qc2+ 39.Qf2 Rh2+ 40.Kxh2 Qxf2+ 41.Kh3 Qf1+ 42.Rg2
Qh1+ 1-0

E32
Foisor, Sabina Francesca (2238) - Baginskaite, Camilla (2267)
USA (ch), 2014

This was probably my first win in IQP that made me believe the lessons learned in childhood had not
gone to waste.
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 O-O 5.Nf3 d5 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bh4

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7.Bxf6 Qxf6 8.a3 Bxc3+ 9.Qxc3 dxc4 10.Qxc4 Nc6=
7...c5 8.e3 cxd4 9.exd4 dxc4?! A rush by my opponent that gave me a lead in development. She had
to wait one more move for the Bf1 to be developed first.
9...Nc6 10.a3 Be7 11.Rd1 b6 12.cxd5 Nxd5=
10.Bxc4 Nbd7 11.O-O Nb6 12.Bb3 Be7 This was my opponent's choice to try to trade the dark-
square bishops. It isn't easy for Black to develop the Bc8 as after
12...Bd7 White continues with a plan we have just seen from the classics as follows: 13.Ne5 Bc6
14.Qd3 Nbd5 15.f4±
13.Rad1 Nfd5

14.Bg3?! A little innacuracy, though it is helpful for White to maintain the dark-square bishop.
Trading would have speed up things as follows: 14.Bxe7 Nxe7 (14...Qxe7 15.Ne5 Bd7 16.Nxd5
exd5 (16...Nxd5 17.Bxd5 exd5 18.Qc7+-) 17.Rfe1 Be6 18.Qd3²) 15.Ne5 Bd7 16.f4→
14...Bd7 15.Qd3 Nb4 16.Qe2
16.Qe4!? was my first thought, but I couldn't find advantage after: 16...Bc6 17.Qg4 a5 18.Ne5 N4d5
19.Nxc6 bxc6 20.Bc2 a4=
16...Bc6?!
16...a5 would have led to a balanced position. 17.a3 a4 18.d5 exd5 19.Nxd5 N4xd5 20.Bxd5 Nxd5
21.Rxd5 Qe8 22.Re5 Be6 23.Nd4 Bf6=
17.a3

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17...Bd5? My opponent's attempt to trade the light-square bishop fails because White has sufficient
time to put the pieces in such manner that supports a kingside attack.
17...N4d5! 18.Ne5 Rc8 19.Rd2 (19.f4? Nxc3 20.bxc3 Ba4 21.Qb2 Bxb3 22.Qxb3 Qd5µ and with the
change in pawn structure, now it is Black that has the initiative.) 19...Nxc3 20.bxc3 Bxa3 21.c4∞
18.Nxd5 N4xd5 19.Ne5 Nd7?
19...g6 20.f4 Bf6 21.Rf3→

20.Rfe1?! Missing a nice tactical stroke.

20.Nxf7! would have worked immediately 20...Rxf7 21.Qxe6 N7b6 (21...N7f6 22.Be5 Kf8

275
23.Rfe1+-) 22.Rde1 Bf6 23.Bd6 Bxd4 24.Bxd5 Nxd5 25.Qxd5±
20...N7f6 21.f4 Qb6 22.Rd3 Rfd8??
22...Rad8 keeps the king safe, but of course, White maintains the advantage having so much control
in the centre after 23.Kh1 g6 24.Bc4 Bd6 25.Qf3±

23.f5! exf5 24.Nxf7 Re8

24...Kxf7 25.Qxe7+ Kg6 26.Bxd5 Nxd5 (26...Rxd5 27.Bc7 Qxb2 28.Rg3++-) 27.Re6+ Kh7
28.Rxb6 Nxe7 29.Rxb7+-
25.Qf3 Kxf7 26.Bxd5+ Kf8 27.Bxb7 - and from here it was just a matter of technique for White to
convert the game.
27...Rab8 28.Bc6 Qxb2 29.Bxe8 Rxe8 30.Qxf5 Bxa3 31.Rxe8+ Kxe8 32.h3 Kf7 33.Be5 Be7
34.Rg3 1-0
And when I thought that I understood well enough these type of IQP positions, I ended up messing up
my next one.

D31
Foisor, Sabina Francesca (2274) - Dhulipalla, Bala Chandra Prasad (2414)
Sitges, 2019

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 a6 4.Bf4 Nf6 5.e3 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.a3 dxc4 8.Bxc4 cxd4 9.exd4 Bd6
9...Be7 has been attempted before, leading with to position with advantage for White after 10.O-O O-
O 11.Ba2² Gustafsson,Jan 2640 - Eichler,Christoph 2286, Deutschland 2017
10.Bg5

276
10.Bxd6 would only lead to equality after 10...Qxd6 11.d5?! exd5 12.Nxd5 Bg4 (12...Nxd5 13.Bxd5
Qe7+ (13...O-O?? 14.Bxf7+) 14.Qe2 O-O 15.Qxe7 Nxe7=) 13.Qe2+ Kf8=
10...Be7
10...O-O would have been an alternative, but Black should eventually play Be7 to unpin himself. So,
most likely it is a move order difference.
11.O-O O-O 12.Ba2
I have considered other approaches in this position, but decided the text move to be the safest choice,
given that b5 is anyway a part of Black's plan to solve development issue of the c8-bishop.
12.Re1 b5 13.Ba2 Bb7 14.Qd3 Rc8=;
12.Qd3 h6 13.Bh4 Nh5 14.Bxe7 Nxe7 15.Ne5 Nf6=;
12.Bb3 b5 13.Qd3 Bb7 14.Bc2 g6=
12...h6
12...b5 13.Qd3 Bb7 14.Rad1 Rc8 would transpose to the above mentioned line.
13.Bh4 b5 14.Qd3 Bb7 15.Rad1

15...Re8? An innacuracy that could have given White a simple play.

15...Nd5? 16.Nxd5 exd5 17.Bxe7 Nxe7 18.Bb1 g6 19.Qe3 Kg7 20.Qe5+ Kh7 21.Rfe1 Nc6
22.Qg3±;
15...b4! 16.Na4 (16.axb4? Nxb4) 16...Nd7 17.Bb1 g6 18.Bg3 (18.Bxe7 Nxe7 19.h4 Qa5) 18...Qa5=
16.Rfe1?! If one does not take advantage of opportunities when they arise, it is possible they may not

277
be there again, and that is exactly what happened to me.
16.Bb1! g6 (16...b4?? 17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.Qh7+ Kf8 19.d5! exd5 20.Nxd5+-) 17.Rfe1 Nd5 (17...b4
18.Na4 Nd5 (18...Nd7? 19.Rxe6!±; 18...bxa3)) 18.Nxd5 (18.Bxe7 Ncxe7 19.Ne5 (19.Ne4 Nf5
20.Ne5=) 19...Nxc3 20.bxc3 Nf5 21.a4 bxa4 22.Bc2∞) 18...Qxd5 19.Bxe7 Nxe7 20.Qd2 Qh5
21.Re5 Nf5 22.Be4 Bxe4 23.Rxe4 Rac8 24.Rc1² and considering that Black's queen remained
somewhat trapped on the kingside, White has some chances in the endgame.
16...b4 17.Ne2?!

17.Bb1?? bxc3 18.Bxf6 Bxf6 19.Qh7+ Kf8 20.d5 Na5 21.d6 (21.dxe6 Rxe6 22.Rxd8+ Rxd8µ)
21...g5µ;
17.Na4 It wasn't easy to make this move, though it was the correct one in this position. The IQP
supports the c5-square too, not just the e5. 17...bxa3 (17...Qa5 18.Bxf6 Bxf6 19.Nc5) 18.bxa3 Qa5
19.Bxf6 Qxa4 20.Bxe7 Nxe7 21.Ne5 Nd5=
17...Nd5! 18.Bg3
18.Bb1?? Bxh4 19.Qh7+ Kf8-+
18...bxa3 19.bxa3 Qa5

278
The most important thing to learn is that not in every position one is able to build up an attack and
you have to remain objective. I failed to do so in this game and messed up the next move. This is an
important position where I had to accept that Black defended well and I had to give up the bishop pair
and keep the equality. Being overly confident is not always the best approach in chess.
20.Rb1??
20.Bxd5 exd5 (20...Qxd5?? 21.Nc3 Qa5 22.Rb1! Ra7 23.d5 exd5 24.Nxd5+-) 21.Qb3 Qb5 22.Qxb5
axb5 23.Nc3=

Here my opponent missed 20...Ncb4, a beautiful idea after which White's position collapses. 21.axb4
Qxa2 22.Ra1 Nxb4-+;

279
Instead, he played Here my opponent missed 20...Ra7? giving me one more chance to reach equality,
which I missed again. The game continued and I ended up losing in the end, but I don't find it helpful
for our topic, so I will not bother our readers with it.
My next three games are an atempt to show how the current World Champion approaches positions
with IQP.

D42
Carlsen, Magnus (2870) - Harikrishna, Penteala (2731)
Kolkata (blitz), 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c5 5.e3 Nc6 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.Bd3 Be7 8.O-O O-O 9.Qe2 cxd4
10.exd4 Nf6 11.Rd1 b6 12.a3 Bb7 13.Bg5 Re8

14.h4!? This seems to be the new trend. White gets ready for a potential g6 defence from Black, but
also supports the bishop on g5.
14.Rac1 reminds of the classics, but allows Black to equalize after 14...Rc8 15.Bb1 h6 16.Bh4 Nd5
17.Bg3 Nxc3 18.Rxc3 Bf6=
14...g6? Black plays right into White's idea.
14...h6 15.Bxf6 (15.Bf4 Rc8 16.Rac1 Bd6=) 15...Bxf6 16.Qe4 g6 17.h5 Na5 18.Qe3 g5 19.Ne5 Rc8
20.Bc2∞
15.Rac1! Rc8 16.Bb1 Na5

280
17.Ne5?
17.Ba2! Nd5 18.Ne4 Rxc1 19.Rxc1 Nc6 20.Re1±
17...Nd7?
17...Nb3! 18.Rc2 Nxd4 19.Qf1 Qc7 20.Nxg6 hxg6 21.Rxd4 Qe5∞
18.b4 Bxg5 19.hxg5 Nb3 20.Rc2 Na1??
20...Nxe5 21.Qxe5 Na1 22.Rcd2 Rxc3 23.d5 Qc7 24.d6 Qc6 25.f3 Nb3 26.Be4 Qc4 27.Qf6 Nxd2
28.d7 Rb8 29.d8=Q+ Rxd8 30.Qxd8+ Kg7 31.Rxd2 Rc1+ 32.Kf2 (32.Kh2? Qc7+ 33.Qxc7 Rxc7µ)
32...Bd5 33.Qf6+ Kg8=

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21.Nxd7! Qxd7 22.Ne4 Bxe4 23.Rxc8 Rxc8 24.Bxe4 Nb3 25.Qe3+- - and the Nb3 is trapped and
after which it was just a matter of technique for Magnus to convert the game.
We rarely see a miniature at such a high level, but it was a rapid game, that hasn't given the strong
Polish Grandmaster sufficient time to find a way to keep his king safe againt the World Champion.

D42
Carlsen, Magnus (2855) - Duda, Jan Krzysztof (2756)
chess24.com (Int.-m/1-rapid) 150/154, 2021

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Nf3 c5 6.e3 cxd4 7.exd4 Nxc3 8.bxc3 Qc7 9.Rb1!? Nd7
10.Bd3N This move was a novelty at the time giving up a pawn to gain the initiative.
10.c4 had been tried before. 10...b6 11.Bd3 Bb7 12.O-O Bd6 13.Rb5 h6 14.Re1 O-O (14...a6?!
15.Rh5 O-O-O (15...Nf6? 16.Rh4 Kf8 17.Ne5 Rd8 18.Qe2 Kg8 19.Rf4 Bb4 20.Rd1 Be7 21.Bb2 g5
22.Rg4 Nxg4 23.Nxg4 h5 24.Ne5 Rh6 25.Re1 Bb4 26.Qe3 Qe7 27.Re2± Salem,A.R Saleh 2682 -
Barp, Alberto 2374, chess.com (Internet-blitz) 2020 - 150/(154)) 16.Bb2 Bb4 17.Re2²) 15.Rh5 Bf4
16.Bxf4 Qxf4 17.Ne5 Nxe5 18.Rhxe5 Rac8=
10...Qxc3+ A bold choice by Black, not fearing White's potential pressure in the centre and on the
kingside.
11.Kf1 Be7

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12.h4! Again, we see Magnus implementing this interesting attacking idea.
12...O-O 13.Rh3! Nf6?? Though a natural decision, it allows White to gain advantage after the text
move.
13...Qc7 14.Qe2 (14.Rg3?! Bd6) 14...Nf6 15.Ne5 Rd8 16.g4→

14.Ne5! Qa5
14...Qc7 15.Rg3 Ne8 16.Bf4 Qd8 17.Bc2 f6 18.Bxh7+ Kxh7 19.Qh5+ Kg8 20.Ng4+-
15.Rg3 Kh8

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15...Ne8 could have been the last attempt to keep the king safe for a few more moves, but after
16.Bh6+- followed by Bb5 to get rid of the g7-defender, Black is probably wondering how did he
remain so much behind in development.
16.Bg5 h6 17.Bxh6 gxh6 18.Qf3 1-0
Finally, I liked So's approach to the IQP in this game, having switched from the IQP to hanging
pawns and back to the IQP.

E41
So, Wesley (2770) - Rapport, Richard (2763)
Paris (rapid), 2021

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 c5 5.Bd3 Nc6 6.Ne2 cxd4 7.exd4 d5 8.cxd5 Nxd5 9.O-O Nf6
10.Bc2 O-O

11.a3!? A move that is often perceived as a waste of time as typically Black is okay to give up the
bishop for the c3-knight. However, when forced to make a decision, the retreat approch is mostly
being considered. In this game Rapport chose to give away his bishop pair and allow White to get rid
of his IQP. The entire idea was in support of the e5-pawn break in the centre to reinstate the IQP and
open up the c8-bishop that we have mostly seen struggling in the previous examples.
11...Bxc3
11...Be7?! Now returning to the type of positions we have seen so far is not ideal because White has
played a3 with a tempo, controlling b4, and is ready for the battery on the b1-h7 diagonal without
having to waste any more time. 12.Qd3 g6 13.Bf4²;
¹11...Ba5 12.Be3 h6

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12.bxc3 e5!? Under normal circumstances, we haven't seen this approach before, as White's knight
was placed on f3 and quite fast taking advantage of the e5-outpost.
12...b6 13.Qd3 h6 14.Qg3 Kh8 15.Re1±
13.Bg5! exd4?! In my opinion, Black chose to simplify a little too soon allowing White to trade his
passive knight on e2 before transitioning back to an IQP position.
13...h6 14.Bh4 Be6 15.dxe5 Nxe5 16.Nd4² White retains some advantage thanks to his bishop pair,
but compared to the game, Black seems to be able to get a good development.
14.Nxd4 Nxd4 15.cxd4 This position is different from what we have focused on so far. Even though
two minor pieces have been traded off (and that should be in Black's favour), White seems to have
remained with the right minor pieces, as it isn't easy for Black to get rid of the pin on the h4-d8
diagonal. Additionally, White's IQP is now a passed pawn as well.
15...h6 Attempting to get rid of the pin, which is of course denied by White.
15...Qd6 would have been another way, but after 16.Qd3 g6 17.Qf3 Nd5 18.Bh6 Rd8 19.Rae1 Be6
20.Re5± Black's position is quite uncomfortable.
16.Bh4 Re8 17.Qd3 Bd7

18.d5?! I think this was pushed a little too soon, as a little regrouping was necessary for White to
maintain advantage.
18.Rab1 b5 19.Rfe1 Rxe1+ 20.Rxe1 making it very difficult for Black to keep his king safe. 20...Kf8
21.Re5²
18...Rc8 19.d6 g5 20.Bg3

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20...Ne4?? Black has freed himself of the pin and thought trading the knight for the bishop to be the
right continuation.
20...Qa5 gives Black the opportunity to trade or chase away White's most powerful piece after
21.Rac1 Qd5∞ followed by Rc5, and White's menacing attacks on the kingside or the passed d-pawn
seem stories of yesterday.

But, 21.Rae1! Rc3 22.Qd1 Nxg3 23.hxg3 Rxe1 24.Rxe1 Be6 25.Qd2 Rxa3 Despite being able to
activate his rook and win a pawn, now that we can see the power of the d-passed pawn in conjunction
with an attack along the b1-h7 diagonal.
26.Rd1 Bd7 27.Qb4 Ra2 28.Qb3 Ra5 29.Qxb7 Kg7 30.Re1 Rc5 31.Qe4 Qf6 32.Qh7+ Kf8 33.Re7

286
Be8 34.Bg6 1-0

287
EYES ON THE BRILLIANCY PRIZE
Manila Olympiad 1992

The entire breakfast room at the Manila Hilton seemed to

fall silent.
"OK, OK," said a panicky Russian Grandmaster Eduard
Gufeld, as he quickly retreated with his arms outstretched
and dozens of pairs of eyes on him. He never troubled me
again.
Leaving breakfast, I was approached by a member of the
Irish Olympic team, who smiled and said "That was more
entertaining than Neighbours!"

Pawn Power

The Manila Chess Olympiad in 1992, the first to be held in Pacific Asia, was a project steered by
Filipino FIDE President Florencio Campomanes.
The spacious Manila Convention Centre was the host for 164 Open and Women's teams from 100
countries, with the Filipino enthusiasm for chess being shown by the large number of volunteers,
spectators and autograph hunters at the venue. (The only disconcerting moment for players came in
the foyer after the entrance to the venue, where a small desk was signposted "Leave your firearms
here".)
The Manila hotels were equally luxurious; the Filipino government was clearly spending lavishly to
make the Olympiad a success.
The Olympiad came at a precipitous time, shortly before President Corazon Aquino handed over to
Fidel Ramos, the first peaceful transfer of power in the Philippines in more than two decades.
(Aquino had displaced dictator Ferdinand Marcos thanks to mass demonstrations after a stolen
election.)

288
Aquino opened the Olympiad with a speech which included: "We all know that the queen is the most
powerful piece on the board. And so it is, in many ways, yet, we do well not to underestimate the
pawn. We won in 1986 not because of Queen Power but because of Pawn Power - what the world
knows today as People Power. And truly it has been Pawn Power more than anything else that makes
the transformation from a dictatorship to a democracy complete."

President Corazon Aquino versus Garry Kasparov, Manila Olympiad 1992

The Lowell Liwat Brilliancy Prize

289
Upon visiting the venue the day before the Olympiad began, I was accosted by Eduard Gufeld, who
told me that he was head of a Mona Lisa Commission to judge the Olympiad brilliancy prize and he
would like me, as a representative of the "fifth continent", to join. I declined, but as Cathy and I left
he added the words "Think about it."
The brilliancy prize in Manila was a big deal, with a sponsor, Lowell Liwat, offering a total of
100,000 pesos (about US$ 4.000) for the top three games. The top 10 games would also receive a 20
kilogram marble chess board.
Liwat was an IT worker (and the King's Gambit fanatic) who had decided to take a year off in 1992
and become a chess entrepreneur. In negotiating with Campomanes to set up an exhibition stall at the
convention Centre, he also agreed to sponsor the Olympiad Brilliancy Prize. Liwat, still a chess fan
today, was thrilled to be able to meet some of the big names on the judging committee.
Indeed Gufeld did manage to attract some very big names for the committee: the Open and Women's
World Champions of the time, Garry Kasparov and Xie Jun, plus, as he told me almost every day, he
wanted to have a Grandmaster from every continent: "I have Timman, I have Seirawan, I have
Anand, I have Sunye. You are the only Australian Grandmaster, you cannot refuse!"
Gufeld's all-GM plan was flawed from the start. At that time Africa did not yet have a GM, while
Raymond Keene, also known as The Penguin, was unavailable to represent Antarctica. My refusal
was based on past experience; I simply did not want to have anything to do with any project which
involved Gufeld.

290
The Good Old Days?!
Geraldine Johns-Putra

Olympiads up until Yerevan 1996 were rather different

from the modern version. Apart from being longer - 14
rounds - and decided by game points not match points, the
playing hall was far larger, with a design which enabled
spectators to get close to almost every game. The
Olympiad players were placed in 5 star hotels - not so
usual in those days - though those who had the luck to be
housed in the Manila Hilton found their credit cards
misused for some strange purchases, including nightclubs
on the island of Mindanao.
The Manila Olympiad had one other unique feature: a
bulletin editor who seemed to regard the female players as
worth judging on appearance and clothes first, chess ability

291
a poor second.
Take the following round three report: "The biggest crowd-drawer in the women's playing hall was
the match pitting the United States against Kazakhstan, and one glance at the American players told it
all. All three are great beauties, most especially Levitan who came in a dainty white but very
revealing mini."
Or in a profile of Malaysian player Geraldine Johns-Putra: "The Filipino male is, historically, no poor
judge of female beauty. (Johns-Putra has) a figure that is either "whistle-bait" or tailor made for a
beauty contest. Whether in dungarees or in shorts and simple shirt, she can have a home anytime in
the heart of the Filipino male."
Try to imagine such references in, say, the 2014 Tromso Olympiad reports and you can be sure that
the writer would be fired after the first such report. The past is indeed a foreign country.

Russia Dominates

The Olympiad progressed as many had done before, with a team mostly from Moscow dominating,
even though in 1992 the Soviet Union (and Jugoslavija) had split into multiple teams. However
Russia, led by Kasparov and with 16-year-old Kramnik scoring 8 1/2/9, was awesome, winning the
event with a round to spare. (Kramnik's later revelation that the Russian team's drinking sessions -
with Kasparov absent, of course - had involved ordering five bottles of gin and 50 bottles of tonic
each night, make his result even more remarkable.)
The following game won one of the marble chessboards for Kramnik.

D44
Van Wely, Loek (2560) - Kramnik, Vladimir (2590)
Manila (ol) 55/422, 1992

1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 c6 3.c4 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 dxc4 6.e4 b5 7.a4 Bb7 8.e5 h6 9.Bh4 g5 10.exf6!?
10.Nxg5 hxg5 11.Bxg5 Nbd7 was then and is now the main line.
10...gxh4 11.Ne5 Nd7

292
12.Qh5!? A new move - and never repeated!
12...Qxf6! 13.Nxd7 Kxd7 14.axb5 cxb5 15.Qxb5+ Bc6 16.Qxc4 Bd6 17.Ra6?! A wonderful idea,
but...
17.Nb5∞ was objectively the best way to continue, with chances for both sides.
17...Rhc8

18.Rxc6!! Rxc6 19.Qa4! Qg5! 20.Bb5 Qxg2!

293
21.d5!? A second rook sacrifice which, if it had succeeded, would probably have earned a brilliancy
prize for Loek van Wely rather than Kramnik!
21.Rf1 a6 is hopeless.
21...Qxh1+ 22.Ke2 Kd8! 23.Bxc6 Rb8 24.Nb5! exd5! 25.Qa5+ Ke7 26.Qxa7+ Kf8 27.Qe3

27...Kg8! Safety at last!

28.h3 Equivalent to resignation.
28.Qxh6 Qe4+ 29.Kf1 Qc4+ 30.Kg1 Qg4+ 31.Kf1 Bf4! finds White's queen trapped on an open
board.

294
28...Bf8 29.Qf4 Qe4+ 30.Qxe4 dxe4 31.Ke3 Rb6 32.Bd7 Rf6 33.b3 Bc5+ 34.Kxe4 Rxf2 35.Kd5
Bb4 36.Nd4 Kg7 37.Kc4 Rf4 38.Kd5 Kf6 39.Bc8 Rf1 40.Bg4 Bc3 41.Nf3 Kg6 42.Nxh4+ Kg5
43.Nf3+ Kf4 44.Nh4 Rf2 45.Bc8 Kg5 0-1

Kasparov, Garry (2780) - Loginov, Valery A (2540)

Manila (ol) 55/601, 1992

Kasparov's score of 8½/10 was also not so shabby and he could even afford to skip the last round to
guarantee his gold medal on board one.
24.f4!!
24.Ng3 would also win the h7 pawn, but after 24...Nb7! 25.Rdh2 Nd8 26.Rxh7 Nf7, Black can hang
on.
24...exf4 25.Rdh2 Re8 26.Nd2 Reb8 27.Rxh7 Rxb2

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28.R2h4!→ The key idea - suddenly White has a winning attack.
28...R2b7 29.Rh8+ Kf7 30.Rxf4+ Ke7 31.Rh7 Rg8 32.Rf6 Be8 33.e5! Rb6 34.Nde4! Nb7 35.exd6+
Nxd6 36.Re6+! 1-0

Off the Hook

On the day of the Bermuda Party - the traditional disco and bar hosted by Bermuda and offered the
night before the Olympiad's middle rest day - I played the following game.

B07
Rogers, Ian (2550) - Milos, Gilberto (2515)
Manila (ol) 55/124, 1992

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d6 3.Nc3 Bg4 4.e4 e6 5.h3 Bh5 6.Qe2!? This is supposed to be White's sharpest
way to play for an advantage, but I don't really trust a plan which involves giving up the bishop pair
for a vague space advantage.
6.Be2 as used by Johansen to draw with Speelman a few rounds later, is less committal.
6...c6 7.g4 Bg6 8.Bg5 Be7 9.Bxf6 Bxf6 10.h4 h6 11.O-O-O Nd7 12.Kb1 Qc7

296
13.Rg1!? As I discovered after the game, this is the first new move. Since play in the centre is not
currently feasible, White intends 14.h5 followed by 15.g5. However, 13.Qe3, as played by Cvitan
against Speelman at the 1990 Novi Sad Olympiad, has the same idea and may be slightly more
accurate. 13...h5!?
On 13...O-O-O 14.h5 Bh7 15.g5 is strong. However now Black's bishop's are shut out of play.
15...hxg5 16.Nxg5 Bg8 looks ugly, but is probably not so bad. Now Black's bishops are pushed out of
play, but this is unlikely to be a permanent state of affairs.
14.g5 Be7 15.d5! e5
A number of commentators have suggested 15...cxd5 16.exd5 e5 as an improvement in order to bring
the bishop on g6 to life. Unfortunately 17.Bh3 poses some tactical problems for Black. Then 17...O-
O-O? is impossible due to 18.Nxe5! dxe5 19.d6 Bxd6 20.Nb5, winning. Black should probably try
17...0-0, although after 18.Nd2, perhaps followed by f4, White's attacking chances remain good.
16.Bh3 O-O-O 17.Nd2 Kb8 18.Nc4 Nb6

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19.Nxb6? A quite inexplicable exchange. In order to keep Black cramped White must keep as many
pieces on the board as possible.
After 19.Ne3! Black can be prevented from gaining any activity, at least in the near future.
19...Qxb6 20.Rd3 The rather weak justification for White's last move, but the threat of 21.dc6 bc6
22.Nd5 is easily avoided.
20...Ka8 21.a3?! White is beginning to lose the thread of the game. He should be thinking about
manoeuvring his knight to e3.
21.Bf5
21...Rdf8 22.Bf5 Bh7 23.Rgd1 g6 I have to agree with Kasparov that the self-immolation of the
bishop on h7 looks awful, but Black is rightly confident that he will eventually be able to break out
with ...f6. Should Black succeed in opening the kingside, all White's pawns on that flank could turn
out to be weak.
Nonetheless, in view of what follows, it would have been better to first close the queenside with
23...c5 and then proceed with kingside play.
24.dxc6! bxc6
24...gxf5 allows a rapid mating attack with 25.Nd5 Qd8 26.Rb3!
25.Bd7!

298
25...Qc7?! Black was expecting 26.Bh3 f6 but when I did not immediately retreat my bishop I could
sense that Milos was becoming nervous, noticing too late the sacrifice which follows.
With hindsight 25...Rb8 26.b3 Qc7 (avoiding 27.Rd6!) was necessary. Originally I believed that
27.Bh3 would keep a large edge for White because 27...f6 is not playable, but I later realised that
27...Rhf8 renews the threat and obliges White to take action quickly.
Ian Rogers in 2021 Here my original 1990 annotations show a surprising degree of pessimism. I
describe 28.f4! as "the only try" whereas in fact it is close to winning, e.g. 28...Qa5!? was my original
suggestion but after (28...exf4

29.e5! d5 (29...Rfd8!? allows 30.exd6 Rxd6 31.Rxd6 Bxd6 32.Bg2! with 33.Nb5 in the air.) 30.Nxd5!

299
cxd5 31.Rxd5→, with a winning attack.
Back then, in 1992, I made a quite extraordinary statement: "It is hard not to feel that it is just a
desperate swindle attempt in a position in which White's pieces point at nothing and his pawn
structure is rather loose... It is easy to laugh at the bishop on g8, but not so easy to keep it from
coming alive."
As should have been obvious even before the days of computers, White has a strong position and
more than one way to proceed. I suppose this only goes to show that it is possible to completely
misjudge a position and still play good moves if you calculate well!) 29.fxe5 Qxe5 (29...dxe5
30.Rf3!) 30.Bd7 Qc5 31.e5! d5 32.Nxd5! cxd5 33.Rxd5 leads to similar positions.
26.Bxc6+!! Once seen, this sacrifice of a bishop for the d5-square is not too difficult to calculate, but
it was a thrill to discover that the text move leads to such a beautiful forced win.
26...Qxc6 27.Nd5 Bd8
27...Qd7 loses more prosaically to 28.Rc3 Rc8 29.Qa6
28.Rc3 Qb7 29.Rb3 Qc6
On 29...Bb6 30.a4! followed by 31.a5 is decisive and 29...Qc8 30.Rdd3 Ba5 31.Rb5 is no better.
30.Rdd3

30...Ba5
Here Milos, seeing the coming rook and queen sacrifice, and also seeing 30...Qc4 31.Rdc3!,
contemplated resigning, but decided that the final moves of the combination deserved to be played
over the board.

300
31.Rdc3! Bxc3

32.Qa6!!
32.Qa6, and 32...Rc8 (32...Qxa6 allows 33.Nc7#) 33.Nb6+ Qxb6 (33...Kb8 34.Nxc8+) 34.Rxb6 Rb8
35.Rxb8+ Rxb8 36.Qc6+ is hopeless for Black. "I think you owe me $500," joked Milos after he
heard the size of my brilliancy prize.
1-0
I submitted my win to Gufeld that afternoon and reasoned that now it was totally inappropriate for me
to be judging my own game. Not so.
In fact Gufeld continued hassling me, asking me to change my mind and join his committee, always
listing Anand, Seirawan and Sunye and telling me I could not refuse. Cathy tried to intervene and her
heartfelt "Leave Ian alone!" plea led to Gufeld approaching the Australian captain Peter Parr at the
Bermuda Party to tell him: "Cathy Rogers - she is crazy woman!"
When Gufeld approached me at breakfast on the morning of the tenth round, it was the last straw. His
visit started by Cathy smiling sweetly to Gufeld and saying, "Hello Eddie. I believe you think I am a
crazy woman?"
Gufeld ignored Cathy and turned to me: "You must be on my committee!" he bellowed, as scores of
Olympiad players turned to see what was happening. "I must have a Grandmaster from every
continent! You are the only Grandmaster from Australia! You cannot say no!"
I had had enough. "Look Eddie," I replied. "If you wanted to have sex with a Grandmaster from every
continent, would I not be permitted to say no?"
A scared look appeared in Gufeld's eyes and he moved back from our table muttering: "OK, OK".
Gufeld seemed to be in shock and never asked again.

301
In his desperation to find an Australian for the judging panel he resorted to asking Parr, who
accepted. (His choice for an African representative was Emmanuel Omuku who had become a FIDE
official after representing Nigeria at five Olympiads.)

Vote 1 Kasparov

Two rounds later, Kasparov wrapped up the individual gold medal on board one with the following
fine game, against the number one from Bosnia - competing as an independent country for the first
time - Predrag Nikolic.

D10
Kasparov, Garry (2780) - Nikolic, Predrag (2635)
Manila (ol) 55/372, 1992

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 e5 4.dxe5 d4 5.Ne4 Qa5+ 6.Bd2! Qxe5 7.Ng3 Qd6 8.Nf3 Nf6 9.Qc2 Be7
10.O-O-O O-O

11.e3! dxe3 12.fxe3!! This is a genuinely brilliant positional idea, intending to place the dark squared
bishop on c3 and launch a kingside attack.
12...Qc7 13.Bc3 Bg4 14.Bd3 Nbd7 15.Bf5! Preparing both 16.Rd7! and a massive attack via 16.Bg4
Ng4 17.Bg7!!
15...Bxf5 16.Nxf5 Rfe8

302
17.Nxg7! Kxg7 18.Qf5! Nf8 19.h4!
19.g4 Kg8! 20.Bxf6 Bxf6 21.Qxf6 Qe7! offers Black reasonable drawing chances.
19...h6 20.g4
20.Qg4+! Kh8 21.Ng5! was even more incisive.
20...Qc8! 21.Qxc8?! Agreeing to reduce his advantage to a slightly better endgame in order to regain
the piece.
21.Rhg1! was the best way to keep the attack going since 21...Qxf5 22.gxf5+ Kh8 walks into
(22...Kh7 is also bad because of 23.Ng5+!→, again with a winning attack.) 23.Rd6! Nh7 24.Ne5 Rf8
25.Rd7! Rae8 26.Rxb7 when Black is completely paralysed.
21...Raxc8 22.g5 Nh7 23.e4 Rcd8
23...Kf8 offered greater resistance.
24.Rdf1 Kf8 25.gxf6 Bxf6 26.e5 Bg7 27.Rhg1 c5 28.Kc2! Black is so tied up that White can afford
to take his time working out the best way forward.
28...Re6 29.Rg4 Bh8

303
30.b4!? A clever way to create a new open file.
Though 30.Rfg1 Ke7 31.Rg8, here or two moves later, was good enough to break down Black's
defences.
30...b6 31.bxc5 bxc5 32.Rb1 Ra6 33.Rb2 Showing a peculiar reluctance to sacrifice a pawn.
Since 33.Rb7 Rxa2+ 34.Bb2!, followed by 35.Rf4, was immediately decisive.
33...Bg7?!
33...Re8

304
34.Rb7! Better late then never.
34...Rxa2+ 35.Kb3 Ra6 36.e6! Rxe6 37.Rxg7 1-0
The next day after a short draw against Israel's Lev Psakhis, Kasparov began lobbying on stage, not
so much for his game but against mine. Yasser Seirawan, in his magazine "Inside Chess", explained
what happened...
"Through three quarters of the Olympiad (Garry and I) never spoke! This was a bit of a feat, as the
USA often played on stage with Russia and we saw a lot of each other.
Thus it came as a surprise to me when, late in the competition as I was on stage watching the US
team, Garry strode up to me and said: "Yasser. I'm deeply disturbed by the game Rogers - Milos." No
hello, no preamble whatsoever - I was so stunned that I didn't know what to say.
My lack of reaction didn't slow Garry down. He expounded: "You know this game is terrible! What is
Black doing? Bishop on h7? Pawn on g6? Is this resistance? This game is a shame! How can this be
brilliant?"
Ahhh! The magic word. Now I understood. Garry was hot and bothered about the Rogers - Milos
game which was widely considered the most brilliant game of the tournament. At least I thought so,
and it had topped my list.
But what was Garry going on about? "You know a game has to have something; it must be special. It
should feature good resistance and must contain something original. Now look at my game versus
Nikolic; that was a brilliant game!" That magic word again.
I told Garry I was certainly impressed by that game too (it was second on my list) and disentangled
myself as best I could. At that point I was unaware that Kasparov was a fellow brilliancy judge and
would soon be chairing our committee meeting!"

Choosing the Winner

That evening Gufeld held a meeting to decide the brilliancy prize winners. Xie and Timman were not
available to attend. Xie submitted a list of her three favourite brilliancies from the tournament, while
Timman missed out entirely. (He later revealed that his top vote would have gone to Alex Shabalov
for the American's attacking win against Ilia Smirin of Israel.)

B64
Shabalov, Alexander (2535) - Smirin, Ilia (2545)
Manila (ol) 55/223, 1992

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 Be7 8.O-O-O O-O 9.f4 h6

305
10.h4!? Nxd4 11.Qxd4 a6
Three years later Kasparov defeated Anand after grabbing the piece with 11...hxg5 12.hxg5 Ng4
13.Be2 e5 14.Qg1 exf4 Anand,Viswanathan 2725 - Kasparov, Garry 2795, Paris (rapid) 1995.
However in 1992 such a policy had led to many defeats for Black and was considered insanely
dangerous.
12.Be2 Qa5 13.Bf3

13...Rd8! At the time this was considered to be Black's best defensive set-up, but Shabalov has a new
attacking plan in mind.

306
14.g4 Bd7 15.Bxh6!! gxh6 16.g5 Ne8 17.Rdg1 h5! 18.Bxh5 Bf8?! Only now does Black do wrong.
On 18...Ng7 Black was probably scared of 19.Bxf7+! Kxf7 20.h5 but after 20...Qc5! 21.Qd1!
(21.Qd2? Nxh5! Black is doing more than surviving.)
19.f5 Qe5 20.Qd2 exf5 21.g6! fxg6
21...f6 loses to 22.g7!
22.Rxg6+ Kh7 23.Rhg1 Setting up a brilliant combination.
The computer prefers 23.Kb1! for reasons that will be seen in the next note.
23...fxe4?
After 23...Nf6! Shabalov was intending 24.Kb1 Be8 25.Qg5, which he believed was winning, but,
incredibly, after 25...Bxg6! 26.Qxg6+ Kh8 27.Nd5 Ng4!, White has no checkmate and Black can
hold.

24.Rh6+!! Bxh6 25.Bg6+!

"An absolutely fantastic, allegorical attacking game," said Timman explaining his number one vote,
"including a known long term bishop sacrifice, followed up by twists, ending in a "zwickmuhle" (a
windmill theme)."
25...Kg7 26.Bxe8+! Kh7 27.Bg6+ Kg7 28.Bxe4+ Kf7 29.Qxh6 White has regained all his material
and with a safer king should win.
29...Rh8 30.Bd5+ Ke7 31.Qd2 Kd8 32.Re1 Qh5 33.Ne4!? Qh6?!
33...Kc7 was better.

307
34.Ng5 Kc7 35.Re7 Rae8 36.Qa5+ b6

37.Qc3+? "At the moment he could close the mating net around the Black king, Shabalov hesitates
and gets confused," added Timman. "After the turmoil is over, he has to sail to many ports to achieve
victory."
37.Qxa6! was winning by force.
37...Kd8 38.Rxd7+ Kxd7 39.Qc6+ Ke7 40.Qc7+ Kf6 41.Qxd6+ Kf5

42.Qd7+ Ke5? Under relentless pressure, Black finally cracks.

42...Kf4! would leave White with nothing better than 43.Qc7+ Kf5 44.Qd7+ and a draw.

308
43.Bf7! Qf8 44.Qd5+ The rest of the game is a continuing king hunt where Black is never given a
chance to get back into the game.
44...Kf6 45.Qf3+ Ke7 46.Qb7+ Kf6 47.Qxb6+ Kf5 48.Qf2+ Ke5 49.Qg3+ Kf6 50.Qf4+ Ke7
51.Qc7+ Kf6 52.Qc6+ Ke5 53.Qd5+ Kf6 54.Qf3+ Ke7 55.Qb7+ Kd8

56.Qb8+ Ke7 57.Qa7+ Kd8 58.Qa8+ Ke7 59.Qa7+ Kd8 60.Qb6+ Ke7 61.Qe6+ Kd8 62.Qb6+!
Ke7 63.Qxa6 Rb8 64.Qa7+ Kd6 65.Qd4+ Kc6

66.Bd5+ Kd7 67.Nf7 Rh6 68.Qg4+ Kc7 69.Qf4+ Rd6 70.Qxd6+ Qxd6 71.Nxd6 Kxd6 72.Bf7 Rf8
73.Bg6 Rf1+ 74.Kd2 Rf2+ 75.Ke3 Rh2 76.h5 Ke5 77.Kd3 Kd5 78.Kc3 1-0

309
 Graf, Alexander (2515) - Wedberg, Tom (2465)
Manila (ol) 55/5, 1992

Had Timman's votes been counted Shabalov's win would have earned third place. Instead that
position went to the following game, later described by Alexander Nenashev (later Graf) as perhaps
the most memorable in his career. (Certainly the entire Olympiad was memorable for the Uzbek who
earned a gold medal on board three, a silver medal with his team, as well as the third brilliancy prize.)
16.a4!! Totally unexpected; White proceeds with positional play while totally ignoring the threat of
16...Qd4.
16...h6 17.Nh3 Qd4+ 18.Rf2 Qxb2 19.Bc3 Bxb4! White had seen this, which rescues the queen and
leaves Black a pawn ahead, and judged correctly that White has ample compensation for the pawn.
20.Bxb4 Qd4
20...Nc8 21.a5 also leaves Black in a bind.
21.g4 Bg6 22.g5 Nh5
On 22...hxg5 Nenashev (Graf) wanted to play 23.Rd1 Qb2 24.a5!, with the idea 24...Nbd7? 25.Rb1
Qa2 26.c3! Qc4 27.Bf1 Qe6 28.Nxg5 and the queen is trapped!
23.Rd1 Qc4 24.Bf1 Qe6 25.Rd6 Qc8?
25...Qa2! was risky but necessary.
26.a5 Nd7 27.gxh6 Nf8
27...gxh6 is well met by 28.Qd2

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28.hxg7 Ne6 29.Bc3 Nef4 30.Nxf4 Nxf4 31.Rfd2 Kxg7

32.Qh4 Kg8 33.Qg5! "The execution of the Black king is swift and painless," said Timman.
33...Kh7
33...Nh3+ 34.Bxh3 Qxh3 loses to 35.Rxg6+.
34.Kh1 b5 35.Bxe5 Nh5 36.Bd4 Rg8 37.Be3 Qf8 38.Bh3 Qg7

39.Rxg6! Qa1+
39...Qxg6 allows 40.Bf5, while 39...fxg6 40.Rd7 also loses the queen.

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40.Qg1 1-0

Kasparov, Garry (2780) - Ivanchuk, Vassily (2720)

Manila (ol) 55/46, 1992

The judging meeting began and Kasparov quickly took over with Gufeld, unusually, saying very
little. Parr reported: "Kasparov showed his genius when various submitted games were suggested by
the panel - he not only remembered all the games but explained what was wrong with them!"
The World Champion had entered three games with the following his favourite.
Black is under considerable pressure but after 38...Bf6 39.Rd7 Kf8, the game is still alive. However
Ivanchuk erred with the more "active" 38...Kf6? and after 39.Rd7!, Black has run out of reasonable
moves.
Ivanchuk went for 39...g5 which lost immediately to 40.Be2! Nxe2
40...Re1 41.Bxh5 is just as bad.
41.Rxd1 Nc3 42.Rd8! Nxe4 43.Bxb6 Nc3 44.Rg8 Nxb5 45.Bd8+ 1-0
Kasparov stressed that his win over Ivanchuk was clearly the best game played at the Olympiad but
only he and Ivanchuk would understand it. So he preferred his game against Nikolic to win the Best
Game Prize. It was pointed out to him that the prize was advertised as a brilliancy prize, not a best
game prize, with Olympiad bulletins being presented as evidence.
Having lost that debate, Kasparov moved on to explaining at length what a brilliancy was: it must
feature something new in the opening, have original ideas and be tactical.
Eventually Anand, who was to challenge Kasparov for the world title just three years later, became

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frustrated and said: "Gazza! We all know what a brilliancy is! You're describing a well played game.
We've made our choices, let's count the votes!"
Kasparov added a few more points but soon the vote was called. Kasparov had voted: 1. Kasparov -
Nikolic, 2. Kasparov - Ivanchuk and 3. Kasparov - Nenashev (Graf). Omuku voted exactly the same
way, as did Gufeld. Seirawan and Parr both voted 1. Rogers - Milos, 2. Kasparov - Nikolic. The
contest was over.

Once Kasparov's victory was secure, ultimately by five votes ahead of me, he and other committee
members departed, leaving Gufeld and Parr to tally the minor votes. They agreed that it would look
bad to give Kasparov - Ivanchuk third place, so it was decided that no player could win more than one
prize.
There was another problem; fewer than 10 games had received votes.
A few of the other entries were placed on the prize list, including the following game which featured
on Timman's (unused) list.

C01
Handoko, Edhi (2390) - Zueger, Beat (2420)
Manila (ol) 55/270, 1992

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.Bd3 Bg4 6.c3 Qf6!? 7.Qe2+ Kd7!?
7...Nge7 was more sober.
8.Be3 Bxf3 9.gxf3 Bd6 10.Nd2 Nge7

11.Ne4! "Imaginative play by White," said Timman. "After his early knight sacrifice, Handoko skips
several opportunities to regain the piece, because he is out for bigger game."

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11...dxe4 12.fxe4 Qh4
12...Rae8, preparing ...Kc8, was safer.
13.e5 Nd5 14.O-O-O
14.exd6? Nxe3 would win for Black.
14...Nxe3 15.fxe3 Be7 16.Rhf1 Rhf8?
It was time to let the f7-pawn go with 16...g6
17.Bf5+! Ke8 18.d5! Nxe5 19.Qb5+ Kd8 20.Rf4 Qh5

21.d6!
Black was hoping for 21.Qxb7 Bd6 22.Qxa8+ Ke7 23.Qxa7 Qxh2, although even here White stands
well after 24.Qd4
21...Bxd6 22.Rxd6+! cxd6 23.Qxb7 Now White wins back the sacrificed material with interest.
23...Qe2 24.Qxa8+ Ke7 25.Qxa7+ Ke8

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26.Rd4! A final flourish!
26...Qxe3+ 27.Kc2 Qf2+ 28.Kb3 Qxf5 29.Qb8+ Kd7 30.Qxd6+ Kc8 31.Qc5+! Kb7 32.Rb4+ 1-0

Chiburdanidze, Maia (2485) - Xie, Jun (2480)

Manila (ol), 1992

Then Gufeld had a brainwave. His former pupil Maia Chiburdanidze had won an important game that
day against the player who had taken her Women's World Championship title in Manila a year earlier.
The game was not a brilliancy, nor had it been entered, but Gufeld happily added it to the top 10 and
Parr agreed.

315
White has given up two pieces for a rook to secure open lines for her pieces, but had Xie played
21...Rc5! then Black would be solid as a rock and ahead on material. Instead 21...Qc7?! 22.Bf1
Kg8?, threw away any Black advantage.
Advantage could still have been claimed after 22...Bb7! 23.Bxc4 Qc6!
23.Rac1

23...Bb7? Now this idea loses by force.

There was still a forced draw available via 23...Rxc1 24.Rxc1 Nc4 25.Qc3 b5 26.a4 Qxe5 27.axb5
Qxc3 28.Rxc3 Bxb5 29.Bxc4 Bxc4 30.Rxc4 Kf8
24.Rxc4 The simplest.
Although 24.Bxc4 Qc6 25.Bd5! was also game over.
24...Nxc4 25.Qb5! 1-0
For me, winning the equivalent of US$ 1.000 was a wonderful windfall - enough to pay for my air
ticket to the Olympiad. Since I had known that any project involving Gufeld was likely to be
corrupted in some way, and I knew that Kasparov was both lobbying and voting for himself, coming
second was no great surprise.
Indeed when I came down to Gufeld's office after the closing ceremony to pick up my 30,000 pesos
and chess board, he waved his finger at me and said: "I told you that you should have been on my
Commission. If you had, you would have won first prize!"

Postscript

What do you do with a beautiful 20kg marble chess board when the airline luggage limit is 20 kgs?

316
My answer was to donate the board to the Australian Embassy in Manila - though it was hard work
just to get it into and out of a taxi. The consulate staff were happy to accept it, but then asked if I was
also providing a set of pieces to go with it! Upon a reply in the negative they declared their intention
to buy some pieces.
In 2003 Campomanes was convicted for failure to account for almost 13m pesos that were supposed
to be spent on the 1992 Manila Olympiad, and sentenced to 22 months in jail. Campomanes stayed
out of jail while his appeal was pending and in 2006 was cleared by the Philippine Supreme Court on
the grounds that as head of an international organisation such as FIDE, he was not bound by Filipino
accounting rules.

317
CHAMPION OF THE NEW EPOCH

Reigning World Champion Steinitz publicly spoke of

retiring. However, the young mathematician Emanuel
Lasker challenged him, so he changed his mind. Initially,
Lasker wanted to play for US$ 5.000 a side and a match
was agreed at stakes of US$ 3.000 a side, but Steinitz
agreed to a series of reductions when Lasker found it
difficult to raise the money. So, and the final sum was US$
2.000 each, which was less than for some of Steinitz's
earlier matches (the final combined stake of US$ 4.000
would be worth about US$ 500,000 at the beginning of the XXI century). Although this was publicly
praised as an act of sportsmanship on Steinitz's part, Steinitz may have desperately needed the money.
The fifth World Chess Championship match was held in New York City (games 1 - 8), Philadelphia
(games 9 - 11), and Montreal (games 12 - 19), and was contested between March 15 and May 26,
1894. There was a great interest for the match because Lasker was considered as one of the best 4
players in the world, but he previously didn't meet in match any of the other top players. Steinitz had
previously declared he would win without doubt, so it came as a shock when Lasker won the first
game. Steinitz responded by winning the second, and was able to maintain the balance until the sixth.
However, Lasker won all the games from the seventh to the 11th. When the match resumed in
Montreal, Steinitz looked in better shape and won games 13th and 14th. Lasker struck back in the
15th and 16th, and Steinitz was unable to compensate for his losses in the middle of the match.
Hence, Lasker won with ten wins, five losses and four draws. Some commentators thought Steinitz's
habit of playing "experimental" moves in serious competition was a major factor in his downfall. So,
the first World Champion Wilhelm Steinitz lost his title to challenger Emanuel Lasker, who was 32
years younger.

C62
Lasker, Emanuel - Steinitz, Wilhelm
New York/Philadelphia/Montreal (m/7), 1894

Emanuel Lasker
1.e4 e5
In the first 6 games White won 4 with 2 draws. So, if anyone could win with the black pieces that

318
could have a huge impact on the final result.
2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 d6 4.d4 Bd7 5.Nc3 Nge7 The reigning
Champion is playing one of his pet lines. This setup is a bit
passive, but very solid.
6.Be3 Ng6 7.Qd2 Be7 8.O-O-O
8.d5 Na5 9.Bxd7+ Qxd7 10.b3±
8...a6 9.Be2
9.Bxc6 Bxc6 10.Qe2 Qc8 is fine for black.
9...exd4 Finally, Black has decided to start trading some pieces. Otherwise, it would be hard to keep
the pressure for long as he needs to castle.
10.Nxd4 Nxd4 11.Qxd4
11.Bxd4 Bg5 12.Be3 is also good.
11...Bf6 12.Qd2 Bc6 Black managed to put his minor pieces in good positions and is ready to castle.
13.Nd5 O-O
13...Bxd5 14.Qxd5 O-O 15.h4 and White has the initiative.

14.g4?
14.h4! It is dangerous for Black to take the pawn as White has strong attack on the h-file after
14...Bxh4 15.g3 Bf6 16.f4 Re8 17.Bf3 Bxd5 18.Qxd5→
14...Re8 15.g5

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15...Bxd5! Probably Lasker has underestimated this move. Now Black gains the initiative.
16.Qxd5?!
Better is 16.exd5 Rxe3 17.fxe3 Bxg5©
16...Re5! Intermediate move which gives Black some edge.
17.Qd2 Bxg5 18.f4 Rxe4 19.fxg5 Qe7 This is the point of the combination. Black now has a clear
advantage.
20.Rdf1?!
20.Bf3 Rxe3 21.Bxb7 Rb8 22.Bxa6 Qxg5µ was more stubborn.
20...Rxe3 21.Bc4 Nh8?! It seems like Steinitz just simply has to do something strange. He was often
bringing his knights in such positions, provoking his opponents.
21...Rf8 is much simpler.
22.h4 c6 23.g6 Looks like desperation.

320
23...d5??
23...hxg6! Steinitz was just a few moves away from striking first win with the black pieces and taking
the lead in the match after 24.h5 gxh5 25.Rxh5 Re5! 26.Rxh8+ Kxh8 27.Bxf7 Qh4-+ and Black is
winning.
24.gxh7+!
Probably Black was hoping for 24.gxf7+ Nxf7-+
24...Kxh7 25.Bd3+ Kg8 26.h5 Suddenly because of the bad position of the black knight knight
White has some compensation.
26...Re8 27.h6 g6 28.h7+ Kg7 29.Kb1
29.Qh2 Qg5
29...Qe5 30.a3 White does not have any active moves so he is waiting.
30...c5 31.Qf2 c4
31...f5! 32.Rfg1 Kf7µ
32.Qh4 This is the only move.
32...f6 33.Bf5
33.Bxg6! Nxg6 34.Rfg1 Kf7 35.Qg4 Qe4 36.Qd7+ Re7 37.Qc8 Re8=
33...Kf7
33...c3 34.Qh6+ Kf7 35.Rhg1 Rg3 36.Bd3 cxb2µ

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34.Rhg1!→ Now White has a strong attack.
34...gxf5
34...c3∞
35.Qh5+ Ke7 36.Rg8 Kd6
36...Kd8 37.Rxf5 Qe6 38.Rxd5+ Kc7 39.Rd4²
37.Rxf5 Qe6?
37...Re1+ Black should have found 38.Ka2 Qe2 39.Rxd5+ Kc6 40.Rc5+ Kb6 41.Qxe2 R1xe2
(41...R8xe2 42.Rxh8 Rxc2 43.Rhc8 (43.Rc6+

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43...Kb5!!=) 43...Rh1)
38.Rxe8 Qxe8 39.Rxf6+ Kc5 40.Qh6! Re7 41.Qh2

41...Qd7?? A terrible blunder in a difficult position.

41...Qd8; 41...Re1+
42.Qg1+ d4 43.Qg5+ Qd5 44.Rf5 Qxf5 45.Qxf5+ Kd6 46.Qf6+ 1-0

323
A Narrow Escape

Between his two matches against Janowski, Lasker arranged another World Chess Championship in
January-February 1910 against Carl Schlechter. Schlechter was a modest gentleman, who was
generally unlikely to win major chess tournaments by his peaceful inclination, his lack of
aggressiveness and his willingness to accept most draw offers from his opponents (about 80% of his
games finished in a draw).
In the beginning, Lasker tried to attack but Schlechter had no difficulty defending, so the first four
games finished in draws. In the fifth game Lasker had a big advantage, but committed a blunder that
cost him the game. Hence, at the middle of the match Schlechter was one point ahead. The next four
games were drawn, despite fierce play from both players. In the sixth game Schlechter managed to
secure a draw being a pawn down. In the seventh Lasker nearly lost because of a beautiful exchange
sacrifice by Schlechter.
In the ninth only a blunder from Lasker allowed Schlechter to draw a lost ending.
The score before the last game was thus 5 : 4 in Schlechter's favour. In the tenth game Schlechter
tried to win tactically and obtained a big advantage, but he missed a clear win at the 35th move,
continuing to take great risk culminating in a painful defeat. So, the match was drawn and Lasker
remained the World Champion.
It has been speculated that Schlechter played unusually risky chess in the tenth game because the
terms of the match required him to win by a margin of two games. But, according to Isaak and
Vladimir Linder, that was unlikely. The match was originally to be a 30-game long affair and
Schlechter would have to win by two games. But they note that according to the Austrian chess
historian Michael Ehn, Lasker agreed to forgot the plus two provision in view of the match being
subsequently reduced to only 10 games. One quoted Schlechter's comment printed in Allgemeine
Sportzeitung (ASZ) of December 9, 1909: "There will be ten games in all. The winner on points will
receive the title of the World Champion. If the points are equal, the decision will be made by the
arbiter."
The match is generally regarded as a World Championship match, but some sources have doubted
this in view of its strange outcome. R.J. Buckley reported in the American Chess Bulletin that the ten-
game match was not for the World Championship, and that its result suggested that "a contest on
different terms, a match for the World Championship" should be played. But at the foot of this article
the editor added that Lasker had told him: "Yes, I placed the title at stake". In the Encyclopaedia of

324
Chess, Anne Sunnucks describes the match as "a so-called championship match". On the other hand,
in its book Le guide des Echecs the author Nicolas Giffard does not express the slightest doubt that
this was a Chess Championship, but points out that in case Schlechter won, he would still need to win
a revenge match before being called the World Champion.
However, a two-point margin for a 30-game match (as opposed to the 10 game match which was
finally played) was agreed upon in 1908: "Conditions of the match with Schlechter have been agreed
upon. Accordingly, it will consist of thirty games. Schlechter will win the Championship of the
world, if his score exceeds mine by two points at least. If the difference between the scores is only
one point the match will be a draw, and a tie match will have to be arranged." Lasker himself wrote
two days before the tenth game, in his report to the New York Evening Post, "The match with
Schlechter is nearing its end and it appears probable that for the first time in my life I shall be the
loser. If that should happen a good man will have won the World Championship". This implies that it
really was a World Title match and that there was no "two-game lead" clause. A report shortly after
the end of the match appears to speculate that Schlechter threw the last game because a narrow
victory for him would not have been in the financial interests of either player, as they would have had
to play another match if Schlechter won narrowly, but they had not been able to get adequate
financial backing for the 1910 match.

D94
Lasker, Emanuel - Schlechter, Carl
Wien/Berlin (m/10), 1910

Carl Schlechter

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 g6 The famous inovation which was named after Schlechter. It is a
quite original mix between few ideas.
5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Bd3 O-O 7.Qc2 Na6 8.a3 dxc4
8...c5 and Black has a good position.
9.Bxc4 b5 10.Bd3 b4
10...c5 11.Nxb5 Bb7©
11.Na4 bxa3 12.bxa3 Bb7?
12...c5 13.Nxc5 Nxc5 14.Qxc5 Bb7©

325
13.Rb1 Qc7 14.Ne5
14.Qc4 Bc8 15.O-O±
14...Nh5? The last few moves look very strange. Maybe
the pressure in this game was too big, but Black's minor
pieces are looking very sad.
15.g4?!
15.O-O Bxe5 16.dxe5 Ng7 17.f4+-
15...Bxe5

16.gxh5? Lasker has a wrong idea to complicate the matters while with "normal" moves he should
have a solid advantage.
16.dxe5 Ng7 17.O-O±
16...Bg7 17.hxg6 hxg6= 18.Qc4 Bc8
How many chances for 18...c5! were missed? 19.Rg1 e6 20.Rxb7 Qxb7 21.Qxa6 Qxa6 22.Bxa6
cxd4=
19.Rg1
19.Bd2±
19...Qa5+
19...Qxh2! 20.Rxg6 Be6 21.Rxe6 fxe6 22.Qxe6+ Kh8∞
20.Bd2 Qd5 21.Rc1 Bb7 22.Qc2

326
22.Nc3 Qxc4 23.Bxc4+-
22...Qh5

23.Bxg6??
23.Qb3! Qxh2 24.Rxg6 Qh1+ 25.Bf1+-
23...Qxh2 24.Rf1 fxg6 25.Qb3+ Rf7 26.Qxb7 Raf8 27.Qb3 Kh8 28.f4 g5
28...e5 29.dxe5 Rd8©
29.Qd3 gxf4 30.exf4 Qh4+ 31.Ke2 Qh2+ 32.Rf2 Qh5+ 33.Rf3 Nc7 34.Rxc6
34.Rh1 Qxh1 35.Rh3+ Qxh3 36.Qxh3+ Kg8 37.Nc5±
34...Nb5 35.Rc4 The critical moment of the game. Black has many good options but we don't know
in the end was he playing for a win or draw...

327
35...Rxf4
35...Nd6 36.Rc5 Nf5³;
35...Rd8 36.Ke1 Qh4+ 37.Kd1 Qh1+ 38.Qf1 Qxf1+ 39.Rxf1 Nxa3³
36.Bxf4 Rxf4 37.Rc8+ Bf8 38.Kf2 Qh2+
38...Qh4+ 39.Kg2 Qg4+ 40.Rg3 Qxc8 41.Qg6+-
39.Ke1

39...Qh1+??

328
39...Qh4+ 40.Kd2 Qh2+= This should have brought the victory in the match! 41.Ke1 Qh4+ 42.Kf1
(42.Kd2 Qh2+=) 42...Qh3+ 43.Kf2 Rxf3+ 44.Qxf3 Qxc8 45.Qh5+ Kg8 46.Qxb5 Bg7³
40.Rf1 Qh4+ 41.Kd2 Rxf1 42.Qxf1 Qxd4+ 43.Qd3 Qf2+ 44.Kd1 Nd6+- 45.Rc5 Bh6 46.Rd5 Kg8
47.Nc5 Qg1+ 48.Kc2 Qc1+ 49.Kb3 Bg7 50.Ne6 Qb2+ 51.Ka4 Kf7 52.Nxg7 Qxg7 53.Qb3 Ke8
54.Qb8+ Kf7 55.Qxa7 Qg4+ 56.Qd4 Qd7+ 57.Kb3 Qb7+ 58.Ka2 Qc6 59.Qd3 Ke6 60.Rg5 Kd7
61.Re5 Qg2+ 62.Re2 Qg4 63.Rd2 Qa4 64.Qf5+ Kc7 65.Qc2+ Qxc2+ 66.Rxc2+ Kb6 67.Re2 Nc8
68.Kb3 Kc6 69.Rc2+ Kb7 70.Kb4 Na7 71.Kc5 1-0
Another interpretation, offered separately by Ludek Pachman and Larry Evans, is that Schlechter
simply did not play the final game well enough. Pachman writes: "Both players were labouring under
such nervous stress that their power of judgment was not working as well as it normally did." Evans
writes: "The truth is Schlechter probably never saw a clear draw! He missed 35...Rd8! with good
winning chances. Later he said he intended 38...Qh4 39.Kg2 Qg4 40. Rg3 Qc8 overlooking 41.Qg6!
Flustered, he then missed a draw - and the title - by 39...Qh4! 40.Kd2 Qh2 41.Ke3 Rf3 42.Kf3 Qh3
43.Ke2 Qc8 44.Qb5, etc. The last hope to hold was 46...Qa2."
Another suggestion is that Schlechter played to win the last game because he was too honourable to
get the title by a fluke, having won the fifth game when Lasker blundered in a better position.

329
Mark Taimanov — Lev Psakhis,
National Tournament of Three Teams, Moscow 1981

Lev Psakhis, pictured in play with the black pieces v. Lev Polugaevsky in the final round of the National Tournament of Four
Teams, Moscow 1981. Among the onlookers are Yuri Razuvaev and Mikhail Tal (Photo: I. Ukhtin, Novosti Press.)

In the previous From the Chess Informant Archives column I presented a personal selection of the
five most memorable games in the history of the publication. One of them featured Lev Psakhis; I

330
indicated at the time that many more of his games were shortlisted for inclusion. This article features
one of them.
In February 1981, in honour of the XXVI Congress of the Communist Party of the USSR, a "National
Tournament of Four Teams" was organised in Moscow. It was a star-studded event, featuring 8-
player USSR "first" & "second" teams, a "senior" team and a "youth" team. The USSR first team was
headed by World Champion Anatoly Karpov; it was here that he faced Garry Kasparov, leader of the
youth selection, for the first time in single combat at the chessboard. Volume 31 of Chess Informant
features many superb games from the competition. Perhaps the finest was one played by Lev Psakhis,
who had recently been crowned Soviet Champion, having shared 1st-2nd place with Alexander
Beliavsky in the 48th USSR Championship in Vilnius. His opponent was the veteran grandmaster
Mark Taimanov.
Psakhis annotated the game for Chess Informant, and many years later he revisited the encounter in
detail in his superb work Shakhmatnaya taktika dlya sovershenstvuyushikhsya (2014). The notes
below are based on these sources.

A04
Taimanov, Mark E (2500) - Psakhis, Lev (2500)
USSR 31/81, 1981

331
 Lev Psakhis, Moscow 1981 (Photo: I. Ukhtin,
Novosti Press.)

1.Nf3 c5 2.b3 Earlier in his career Taimanov was a

specialist in many of the main lines arising after 1.d4, but
in his later days he generally avoided theoretical debates
and often resorted to the set-ups arising from 1.Nf3 and
2.b3.
2...b6 3.Bb2 Bb7 4.e3 Nf6 5.d4 g6 In his later notes,
Psakhis writes that "possibly, this move is not bad, but now
I simply would not be able to lift my hand to play it!".
The reason for this is that the position arising after (5...g6)
6.dxc5!? bxc5 7.Bxf6 exf6 8.c4 Bg7 9.Nc3 f5 10.Rc1,
which he indeed mentions in his notes in Chess Informant,
no longer appealed to him.
6.Be2 Bg7 7.O-O O-O 8.c4 e6 Black is now effectively
playing one of the standard lines in the Reti Opening with
colours reversed (see, for instance, the game Polugaevsky -
Petrosian, Moscow 1971, from this column in Chess
Informant vol. 149!).
A simpler approach is 8...cxd4 followed by 9...d5.
9.dxc5 bxc5 10.Nc3 Qe7

11.Qd2?! The queen is somewhat misplaced here.

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11.Qc2, analogously to the respective line in the Reti Opening, makes a better impression. Then
Black may have had to opt for the restrained ...d6.
11...Rd8 12.Rfd1 d5! With the white queen on d2, this more energetic approach is indicated.
13.cxd5 exd5 14.Rac1?!

"White's provocative play continues", writes Psakhis, who indicates that were he playing with the
white pieces, he would have considered 14.Qc2!?, although admittedly this is psychologically a
difficult move to make, as it is equivalent to an admission that his choice of square for the queen three
moves earlier was not the best.
14...Bh6! An excellent move, incited by the positions of the white queen and rook on the diagonal c1-
h6. The position is strongly reminiscent of the situation that arose in the famous game
Sokolsky,Alexey - Botvinnik,Mikhail, from the Leningrad Semi-final of the 11th USSR
Championship (1938). Psakhis was naturally familiar with that game (which, incidentally, he also
analyses in detail in his 2014 book), and the text move was inspired by it.
15.Na4 Ne4
Avoiding 15...Nbd7? 16.Nxc5! Nxc5 17.Bxf6, etc.
16.Qc2
As Psakhis noted later, 16.Qe1!? or even the optimistic 16.Qa5!? could have been considered here.
16...Nd7 17.b4!? An interesting try. On quieter play by White, Psakhis intended to continue
17...Rac8, with the idea of ...Nb6.
17...d4!? The critical response.

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Of course, White would have been very happy after 17...c4
18.Bd4 ( 18...Qxb4? 19.Rb1 ), when the 'hanging pawns'
would have been safely blockaded.
On 17...cxb4, Psakhis gives 18.Qc7 in his Chess Informant
notes; later he considered that this is well met by
18...Nxf2! 19.Kxf2 Bxe3+ 20.Kf1 Rab8! with dangerous
threats.
Later, he suggested that after the quiet ( 17...cxb4 )
18.Qd3!? White has definite positional compensation for
the missing pawn.

18.bxc5?! White had to choose between the captures on c5

with the knight and with the pawn.
In Chess Informant, Psakhis makes no comment here, but
later he indicated instead 18.Nxc5, although in the position
arising from his main line, 18...Ndxc5 19.bxc5 dxe3 20.c6
exf2+ 21.Kf1 Bxc1 22.cxb7 Rxd1+ 23.Qxd1 Re8 24.b8=Q! (24.Bxc1? Nc3; 24.Qxc1 Ng3+ 25.Kxf2
Nxe2 26.Qc4 Qxb7) 24...Rxb8 25.Qxc1 Qb4! he assesses White's prospects as "fairly bleak".
18...dxe3?! Psakhis writes that here he failed to follow the advice of grandmaster Kotov, and did not
spend the necessary amount of time and effort looking for alternative "candidate moves".
(Incidentally, he describes Kotov's method as being especially popular "in the West"!)
Had he done so, he may have settled on the stronger continuation 18...Nxf2! His analysis may be
summarised as follows: 19.Kxf2 (19.exd4 Nxd1; 19.c6!? Ng4!; 19.Rf1 Be4!) 19...Bxe3+ 20.Kf1
Ne5! 21.c6 (21.Bxd4 Ng4!) 21...Nxf3 22.Bxf3 Ba6+ 23.Rd3 Re8! 24.Rd1 (24.Nc5 Qxc5!) 24...Qh4

334
25.g3 (25.h3 Qf4) 25...Qh3+ 26.Qg2 Qf5-+
19.c6 exf2+ 20.Kf1 Bxc6!?
Psakhis was put off playing the obvious 20...Rac8 on account of the possibility 21.cxb7! Rxc2
22.Rxc2.
21.Qxc6 Bxc1 22.Qxc1 The dust has temporarily settled.

22...Ndf6! Black brings up the reserves.

23.Nc3!? Returning the offside knight to the game.
After the simplifying attempt 23.Bxf6 Nxf6 24.Rxd8+ (24.Kxf2 Ng4+) 24...Rxd8 25.Qc5 Qe6 Black
would have stood somewhat better.
23...Rxd1+ "After the serious mistake on the 18th move Black has run into serious problems in the
struggle for the advantage. All of the weak squares around the white king are reliably defended and
the chances may perhaps be assessed as approximately level" (Psakhis). However, White now went
wrong.
24.Nxd1? Perhaps understandably, the Leningrad grandmaster strives to bring the sensitive e3-square
under control. However, the text move is a mistake.
After 24.Qxd1 Psakhis later indicated the possibility 24...Ng4!? His main line runs (Rather than
24...Rd8, as given in Informant.) 25.Nd5 (25.Qd4? Ne3+!) 25...Qb4 (!) 26.Bc1 Qa5! 27.Bf4 (27.Bc4
Rd8) 27...Rd8 28.Ne7+ Kg7 29.Qc1 Qc3!, when his analysis continues to a drawn endgame.
Also possible was 24.Bxd1 After the move in the text, however, Black is back on top.
24...Ng4! With the terrible threat of ...Qh4! (or ...Qd6) and then ...Qh2!.

335
25.Qf4
On 25.Bd3 Black prettily with 25...Qd6! 26.Qc2 (26.Bxe4 Qa6+) 26...Qxh2! 27.Nxf2 Ng3+ 28.Ke1
Re8+, etc.
On 25.g3, to give the king some breathing space, Psakhis later indicated the following line:
25...Qe6!? 26.Kg2 Rc8 27.Qf4 Nxg3! 28.Bd3 (28.Qd4 f6) 28...f1=Q+ 29.Bxf1 Nxf1 30.Kxf1 Qd5,
with a winning advantage for Black.

25...Re8! "This move demanded from me a fair amount of time and effort: having found it, for a long
time I simply could not believe my eyes!" (Psakhis).
26.Ne5
As Psakhis pointed out in Informant, the capture 26.Qxg4 leads to a truly remarkable mate after
26...Ng3+ 27.Kxf2 Nh1+! 28.Kg1 Qxe2 29.Qd4! (29.Kxh1 Qxd1+ 30.Ng1 Qxg4) 29...Qe1+!
30.Nxe1 Rxe1#
"Frankly speaking, such a mating construction: knight on h1 and rook (or queen) on the back rank, I
have simply never encountered!" (Psakhis).
White simply has no defence against the numerous threats. For instance: 26.Bd3 Ng3+! 27.Qxg3
Qe1+-+, 26.Nd4 Qh4! 27.Bxg4 Nd2+! 28.Qxd2 Re1+ or 26.Be5 Nef6!
26...Qf6! "A simple combination on the theme of deflection" (Psakhis). The white queen cannot take
either black knight on account of an immediate mate delivered by the remaining one! White's reply is
forced.
27.g3 Qxf4 28.gxf4 Nxh2+ 29.Kg2

336
29...Rd8!-+ "A final accurate move" (Psakhis).
30.Nxf2
Alternatively: 30.Nd3 f1=Q+-+ or 30.Kxh2 Rxd1 31.Kg2 Rd2 32.Bd3 f1=Q+! 33.Kxf1 Ng3+ and
34...Rb2
30...Rd2! 31.Nxe4 Rxe2+ 32.Nf2 Rxb2 33.Nd3 Rxa2 34.Kxh2 a5 35.Kg3 a4 and White resigned. 0-
1
"I am very fond of this game" (Psakhis). And no wonder!

Douglas Griffin (Aberdeenshire, Scotland)

Douglas Griffin in Central Chess Club, Moscow
2019
Competitive player since the age of 12, representing Scotland at all levels from Under-14 to senior
international during 1980-1989. Inactive over-the-board since the mid-1990s, but remains a keen
student of chess history, and diligent collector of classic chess literature in the English and Russian
languages. Chess Informant associate.

337
338
339
A00-A24

1. * A07
Giri, Anish (2772) - Shankland, Samuel L (2708)
Wijk aan Zee 151/1, 2022

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.O-O e5 5.d3 Nc6

5...Ne7 - 123/25
6.e4 dxe4 7.dxe4 Qxd1 8.Rxd1 Bg4 9.c3 Nf6 10.Nbd2 O-O-O - 151/1
10...O-ON 11.Re1 Rad8 12.Nc4 Rfe8 13.h3 Bc8 14.b4

14...b5?! (14...Rd3! 15.Bb2 Be6 16.Nfxe5 Nxe5 17.Nxe5 Rd2„) 15.Nb2 a5 16.a4 axb4 17.axb5
bxc3 18.bxc6 cxb2 19.Bxb2 Rd6 20.Nxe5 Nh5 (20...Red8 21.Ra8 Ne8 22.Bf1±) 21.Ra8 Bd7
(21...Rde6±) 22.Rea1+- Bc8 23.R1a7 1-0 (23) Giri, A (2772) -Ding,L (2799) chess24.com (Int.-rapid)
151/(1) 2022
11.Re1 Bh6N
11...Ne8
12.Nc4² Bxc1 13.Raxc1 Bxf3
13...Rhe8 14.Ng5! (14.b4 h6 15.a4²) 14...Re7 15.Ne3 h6 16.Nxg4 (16.Nh7!? Nxh7 17.Nxg4 h5
18.Ne3²) 16...Nxg4 17.Bh3 hxg5 18.Bxg4+ Kb8 19.Rcd1 Ree8 20.Kg2²

340
14.Bxf3 Ne8 15.Rcd1 Nd6 16.Bg4+ Kb8 17.Nxd6 Rxd6 18.Rxd6 cxd6

19.Re3!
19.Be2 Kc7 20.Bc4 f5 21.Kg2 Rf8=
19...Kc7?!
19...h5 20.Be2 f5 21.h4 Kc7 22.Bd3 Ne7 23.Re1 Rf8 24.a4 f4=
20.Rf3² Nd8 21.h4 d5
21...Rf8 22.Rf6±
22.exd5 f5 23.Bh3 Kd6 24.c4 b6 25.g4! Nf7
25...fxg4 26.Bxg4 Re8 27.Kg2+-
26.gxf5 g5 27.Ra3 gxh4 28.Rxa7 Ng5 29.Kg2 Rc8 30.b3 b5 31.Ra6+ Kd7 32.f6+ Nxh3 33.Kxh3
bxc4 34.Rc6 1-0

2. A09
Dardha, Daniel (2541) - Beerdsen, Thomas (2508)
Cappelle-la-Grande 151/2, 2022

1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.b4 g5 4.Qb3

4.h3 - 130/5
4...Bg7 5.Nxg5 h6N
5...e5

341
6.Nf3 e5 7.d3 Ne7
7...a5 8.b5 a4 9.Qa3 Ne7 10.g3 O-O 11.Bg2 Ng6 12.O-O f5 13.Nbd2 Re8 14.Rb1±
8.Nbd2 Be6
8...O-O 9.g3 Be6 10.Bg2 Nd7 11.a4!± (11.O-O b5!?)
9.Bb2 Nd7
9...b5!? 10.g3 Nbc6 11.Bg2 Rb8²
10.g3 b5 11.Qc2 c5
11...Rb8 12.c5 (12.Bg2 c5 13.bxc5 bxc4 14.Nxc4 (14.c6 Nxc6! 15.Nxc4 e4 16.dxe4 O-O 17.O-O
Nb4„) 14...Bxc4 15.c6! Nxc6 16.Qxc4 e4 (16...Qa5+ 17.Kf1 Rxb2 18.Qxc6 Qc5 19.Nh4!?±)
17.Nxd4 Nxd4 18.Bxd4 Qa5+ 19.Kf1 Rb4 20.Bxg7 Rxc4 21.dxc4 Rh7 22.Bd4 f5„) 12...O-O
13.Bg2 Nd5 14.a3²
12.bxc5 Nxc5 13.cxb5
13.Bg2 Rc8 14.O-O Na4 15.Ba3 Nc3 16.e3
13...Rc8 14.Bg2 Nb3

15.Qxc8! Nxc8 16.axb3 O-O

¹16...Nd6 17.O-O Nxb5 18.Ba3! a5 19.Nc4 e4 20.Nfd2 Nxa3 21.Rxa3 e3 22.Ne4 Bxc4 23.bxc4
Bf8 24.c5! f5 25.Nd6+ Bxd6 26.cxd6 exf2+ 27.Rxf2 O-O 28.Rf4 Qe8 29.Bf3 Qe5 30.Ra4²
17.Ba3± Re8 18.Bc5 Qd7 19.O-O Qxb5 20.Rfc1 Qb8 21.b4 Bd5 22.Nh4
22.Ra5 Qb7 23.Ne4 Bxe4 24.dxe4 Bf6 25.Ne1±

342
22...Bxg2 23.Kxg2 Qb7+ 24.f3 Nb6 25.Bxb6
25.Nf5+-
25...Qxb6 26.Ne4+- Ra8 27.Rc4 Bf8
27...a5 28.Ra4! Qb5 29.bxa5 Rxa5 30.Rab4 Qa6 31.g4
28.Rac1 Qd8 29.Nf5 Rb8 30.Rc7 Rb6 31.Rc8 Qd7 32.g4 Rg6 33.Kf2 a5 34.R1c7 1-0

3. A10
Petrosyan, Manuel (2620) - Shahinyan, David (2486)
Armenia (ch) 151/3, 2022

1.Nf3 e6 2.g3 f5 3.Bg2 Nf6 4.O-O d5 5.c4 Be7 6.cxd5 exd5 7.e3
7.b3 - 54/5
7...c6 8.b3 a5N
8...Ne4 9.Bb2 Bf6 10.Nc3 Nxc3 11.Bxc3 Bxc3 12.dxc3 O-O 13.Qc2 Qf6 14.c4²
9.Nc3 Na6
9...O-O 10.a3 Na6 11.Bb2 Nc5 12.Qc2 Qb6 13.Nd4 Nfe4 14.Nce2²
10.d3 Nc5 11.Ne2 O-O 12.Qc2 Ne6 13.a3 Qe8 14.Nf4 Bd6 15.Bb2 Qe7 16.Rfe1 Bd7 17.Qc1 Rac8
18.Bc3 Nc5
18...Ra8 19.Nxe6 Bxe6 20.Qb2 Nd7 21.b4 axb4 22.axb4 Nb6 23.Bd4 Nd7 24.Reb1 Rxa1 25.Rxa1
Bxb4 26.Ng5±
19.Qc2 b6
19...Ne6 20.Bxa5 Bxa3 21.b4 Bxb4 22.Bxb4 Qxb4 23.Reb1 Qc5 24.Qxc5 Nxc5 25.d4 Ne6
26.Rxb7±
20.b4 Na6
20...Ne6 21.bxa5 bxa5 22.Bxa5 Bxa3 23.Ne5 Bd6 24.Bc3±
21.bxa5 b5

343
22.Qa2! Kh8 23.h4 Ng4 24.h5
24.Ng5 Rce8 25.Qb2 Nc5 26.Bb4 Na4 27.Qb3 c5 28.Bd2 c4 29.Qc2 Bxa3 30.Nxd5+-
24...Rce8 25.Bh3 Nh6 26.Rac1 Qf7 27.Qb2
27.d4 Bxf4 28.exf4 Qxh5 29.Bg2 Ng4 30.Bb4 Rg8 31.Rxe8 Rxe8 32.Ne5±
27...Qe7 28.Qa2 Qf7 29.Rcd1 c5 30.Qxd5
30.d4 Bxf4 31.exf4 c4 32.Ne5 Qxh5 33.Nxd7 Qxh3 34.Nxf8 Rxf8 35.Re7+-
30...Qxd5 31.Nxd5 Bc6 32.e4 fxe4 33.Ng5 exd3 34.Rxe8
34.Re6 Rxe6 35.Nxe6 Rg8 36.Nf6!+-
34...Rxe8 35.Rxd3 Be5 36.Bxe5 Rxe5 37.Ne3 b4 38.Rd6 Be8 39.Rxa6 bxa3 40.Re6 a2 41.Nc2 1-0

4. A11
Warmerdam, Max (2607) - L'Ami, Erwin (2622)
Wijk aan Zee II 151/4, 2022

1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.g3 Nf6 4.Bg2 dxc4 5.Qc2 b5 6.O-O

6.b3 - 104/(1)
6...Bb7

344
7.Ne1!?N
7.b3
7...e6
7...Na6 8.a3 Nc5 9.d3 Nb3 (9...cxd3 10.Nxd3 Nxd3 11.Bxc6+ (11.Rd1 Qb6 12.Qxd3 Rd8 13.Qxd8+
Qxd8 14.Rxd8+ Kxd8 15.a4! a6 16.axb5 axb5 17.Nc3 Kc8 18.Bf4©) 11...Bxc6 12.Qxc6+ Nd7
13.exd3 g6 (13...e6 14.d4→) 14.Nc3 Bg7 15.Bf4 O-O 16.Qxb5 a6 17.Qc4 Ne5 18.Bxe5 Bxe5
19.Rac1²)
8.d3 cxd3 9.Nxd3 Be7
9...Nbd7 10.a4 Rc8 11.Be3 (11.Rd1©) 11...a6 12.b4©
10.Rd1 O-O 11.a4 Qc8
11...b4 12.Nd2 Nbd7 13.Nc4 Rc8 14.Nde5 Nd5 15.e4²
12.Bg5
12.axb5 a6!? 13.bxc6 Bxc6=
12...Nbd7 13.axb5

345
13...c5!∞ 14.Bxb7 Qxb7 15.Qa4 Rfc8 16.Nd2 h6 17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.Rdc1 Rcb8 19.Ne4 Qxb5
¹19...Be7 20.Ndxc5 Nxc5 21.Nxc5 Qxb5 22.Nd3 Qxa4 23.Rxa4 Bd8!=
20.Nxf6+ Nxf6 21.Rxc5² Qxa4 22.Rxa4 Rb7 23.Rca5 Nd7 24.f4 Nb6 25.Ra2 g6 26.Kf2 Nd5
27.R2a4 h5 28.Kf3 Kg7 29.h3 Nb6 30.Ra2 Nd5 31.R2a4 Nb6 32.Ra2 Nd5 33.R5a4 Nb6 34.Ra6
Nd5 35.R2a4 Nb6 36.Ra2 Nd5 37.R2a4 Nb6 38.Ra1 Nd5 39.R6a4 Nb6 40.Ra6 Nd5 41.R6a4 Nb6
42.R4a2
42.Rb4 Rab8 43.Rb5 Nd5 44.Rxb7 Rxb7 45.Ra4²
42...Nd5 43.Ra5 Nb4 44.Nxb4 Rxb4 45.Rxa7 Rxa7 46.Rxa7 Rxb2 1/2-1/2

5. A11
Artemiev, Vladislav (2700) - Le, Quang Liem (2709)
chess24.com (Int.-rapid) 151/5, 2022

1.c4 Nf6 2.g3 c6 3.Bg2 d5 4.Nf3 Bg4 5.Ne5 Be6 6.cxd5 Bxd5 7.Nf3 c5 8.Nc3 Bc6 9.O-O e6 10.d4
Nbd7

346
11.e4!?
11.Ng5 - 58/(8)
11...Nxe4 12.Nxe4 Bxe4 13.Re1 Bd5
13...Bxf3 14.Qxf3 (14.Bxf3!? cxd4 15.Qxd4 Qf6 (15...Qb6 16.Be3! Qxd4 17.Bxd4 Bb4 18.Bxg7
Rg8 19.Re4±) 16.Qxf6 gxf6 17.Bxb7 Rb8 18.Bc6 Rb6 19.Bg2 Bc5 20.Re2! Ke7 21.Rc2 Bd4 22.Rb1
Rhb8 23.b3 a5 24.Ba3+±) 14...cxd4 15.Qxb7 Rb8 16.Qxa7 Bc5 17.Qa6 O-O 18.a3 Be7 19.b4 Bf6
20.Bf4! e5 21.Bd2 Bg5 22.Qd3±
14.dxc5 Be7
14...Nxc5 15.b4! Ne4 (15...Na6 16.Bg5 Be7 17.Bxe7 Qxe7 18.Qd4 f6 19.Nh4 Bxg2

347
20.Nf5! e5 21.Kxg2 Qf7 22.Rxe5+! fxe5 23.Qxe5+ Kf8 24.Qd6+ Kg8 25.Ne7+ Kf8 26.Ng6+ Kg8
27.Ne5+-) 16.Ne5±
15.b4 O-O 16.Bb2 a5 17.a3 b6
17...axb4 18.axb4 b6
18.Nd4! Bxg2 19.Kxg2 axb4N
19...bxc5
20.Nc6!± Qe8 21.axb4 Rxa1 22.Qxa1 Bf6 23.Bxf6
23.cxb6 Bxb2 24.Qxb2 Nxb6 25.b5 Qd7 26.Ra1 Qd5+²
23...Nxf6! 24.b5
24.Qa4 bxc5 25.b5 Qd7 26.Rc1 Qd5+²
24...bxc5 25.Qa7 Nd5 26.Ra1 f6 27.Qxc5+- Qh5
27...Rf7 28.b6 Rb7 29.Ra6 h5 30.Na5
28.Kg1 Qe2 29.Nd4 Qb2 30.Re1
30.Rd1 Qc3 31.Qd6
30...Qc3 31.Qxc3 Nxc3 32.Rxe6 Rb8 33.Re3! Nd5 34.Ra3 Rb7 35.Kf1 Nc7 36.Rb3 Kf7 37.Ke2 g6
38.Kd3 Ke7 39.Kc4 Kd6 40.Rd3 Ke5 41.Re3+ Kd6 42.Rd3 Ke5 43.Kc5 Ne6+ 44.Nxe6 Kxe6
45.b6 1-0

6. A13
Ganguly, Surya Shekhar (2627) - Maurizzi, Marc Andria (2502)

348
 Wijk aan Zee II 151/6, 2022

1.Nf3 d5 2.e3 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.Nc3 Be7 5.b3 O-O 6.Bb2 c5 7.cxd5 exd5
7...Nxd5 - 140/2
8.d4 Nc6 9.Be2 Ne4 10.dxc5
10.O-O Bf6 11.Na4 Bg4 12.h3 Bxf3 13.gxf3 Ng5 14.Nxc5 Nxh3+ 15.Kg2 Bxd4 16.Bxd4 Qg5+
17.Kxh3 Qh5+ 18.Kg3 Qg5+ 19.Kh3 Qh5+ 20.Kg3 Qg5+ 21.Kh3=
10...Qa5 11.Rc1 Bf6 12.Nd4 Nxc5 13.Nxc6 bxc6 14.O-O Ne4 15.Qc2
15.Nxe4 Bxb2 16.Rc2 Ba3=
15...Bxc3 16.Bxc3 Nxc3 17.Qxc3 Qxa2 18.Rc2 Qa3 19.Ra1 Qe7 20.Qxc6 Be6 21.Qc5 Qb7N
21...Qxc5
22.Qd4 Qb6
¹22...Rab8 23.Rc3 Qb4 24.Qxb4 Rxb4 25.Rd3 Ra8 26.Bf3 Rb5²
23.b4 Qxd4
23...Rfc8 24.Rxc8+ (24.Rc5±) 24...Rxc8 25.f3 Rc7 26.Kf2 Kf8 27.b5 Qxd4 28.exd4±
24.exd4 Rfb8 25.b5 Rb7 26.Bd3 g5
26...Rc8 27.Rc5 Kf8 28.h4±
27.g3 Re8 28.Re1 Rd8
28...g4 29.Rc5 (29.Rec1 Reb8 30.Rc7 Rxb5 31.Bxb5 Rxb5 32.Rd1 Rb4) 29...Kg7 30.Kg2 Rbe7
31.Re3±

29.Re5 h6 30.f4 gxf4 31.gxf4 Rd6 32.f5

32.Rc6 Rb6 33.Rc7 Bd7 34.Rc5 Kg7 (34...Rf6 35.Rcxd5 Rbd6 36.f5 Kf8 37.Kf2 Rxd5 38.Rxd5 Ke7
39.Re5+ Kd8 40.Ke3 Rb6 41.Rc5 f6 42.Ke4 h5 43.Rc3 Ke8 (43...Bxb5 44.Bxb5 Rxb5 45.Rh3+-)
44.Rc7 Bxb5 45.Bxb5+ Rxb5 46.Rxa7 Rb2 47.Kd5 Rb5+ 48.Kd6 Rb6+ 49.Kc5 Rb2 50.h4 Rh2 51.d5
Rxh4 52.Kc6+-; 34...Kf8 35.Kf2 f6 36.Rexd5 Rxd5 37.Rxd5 Ke7 38.Rc5 Rb8 39.Ke3 Be8 40.Ke4
Kd6 41.Bc4 Bd7 42.Rd5+ Ke7 43.Rh5 Rh8 44.f5 Rc8 45.Bd3 Rh8 46.Rh4 h5 47.Kd5 Rd8 48.Kc5
Rc8+ 49.Kb4 Rh8 50.Rh3 Kd6 51.Bc4 Rb8 52.Ra3) 35.Kf2 Rf6 36.f5 Rfd6 37.Rexd5 Rxd5 38.Rxd5
Rb7 39.Kf3 Kf6 40.Re5 Rc7 41.Rc5 Rb7 42.Ke4 Ke7 43.h4 f6 44.Rc1 Kd6 45.Ra1 Bc8 46.Ra6+ Rb6
47.Rxa7+-
32...Bd7 33.Rc5 Kf8 34.Kf2 f6 35.Rexd5 Rdb6
35...Rxd5 36.Rxd5 Ke7 37.Ke3 Rc7 38.Ke4 Rc8 39.h3 Rg8 40.Rc5±

349
36.Kg3
36.Be2 Be8 37.Kg3 Ke7 38.Rc3 Bxb5 39.Re3+ Kf7 40.Bh5+ Kg7 41.Rd8 Bc4 42.d5 Rb3 43.Kf4
Rxe3 44.Kxe3 a5 45.Kd4 Bb3 46.Ra8 Rd7 47.Rxa5+-
36...Ke7 37.Kf4 Be8

37...h5 38.Be2 h4 39.h3 Be8 40.Rc3 Bxb5 41.Re3+ Kf8 42.Rd8+±

38.Rc1!+- Rd6
38...Bxb5 39.Bxb5 Rxb5 40.Rxb5 Rxb5 41.Rc7+ Kf8 42.Rxa7 Rb3 (42...Rb2 43.h3 Rb4 44.Ke4 Rb3
45.Kd5 Rb5+ 46.Kc6 Rxf5 47.Ra3 Ke8 48.d5 Rf2 49.Ra8+ Kf7 50.d6 Rc2+ 51.Kd7 Rc3 52.h4 f5
53.Rc8 Ra3 54.Kc7 Rc3+ 55.Kd8 Rd3 56.d7 f4 57.Kc7+-) 43.Ke4 h5 44.Rc7 Rh3 45.Kd5 Rh4
46.Rc8+ Kf7 47.Rc2 Rf4 48.Rc7+ Kf8 49.Rh7 Rh4 50.h3 Kg8 51.Rc7 Kf8 52.Rc3 Rf4 53.Kc5 Rxf5+
54.d5 Ke8 55.Kd6+-
39.Re1+ 1-0

7. A13
Iturrizaga Bonelli, Eduardo (2595) - Huschenbeth, Niclas (2611)
chess.com (Int.-rapid) 151/7, 2022

1.c4 Nf6 2.g3 e6 3.Bg2 d5 4.Nf3 d4 5.O-O c5 6.e3 Nc6 7.exd4 cxd4 8.d3 h6 9.Re1 Bd6 10.Na3 O-
O 11.Nc2 a5 12.a3 e5 13.Rb1 a4 14.Nb4
14.b4 - 141/6
14...Re8 15.Nd5 Bf5N
15...Nxd5; 15...Bg4 16.h3 Bh5 17.Nxf6+ Qxf6 18.b4 axb3 19.Rxb3 Ra7 20.g4 Bg6 21.h4„

350
16.Nh4 Bh7 17.b3 axb3 18.Rxb3 Nxd5
18...Nd7?! 19.Bxh6! (19.Qg4 Re6!„) 19...Nc5 (19...gxh6 20.Qg4+ Kh8 21.Rxb7 Ncb8 22.Be4→)
20.Qg4 Bf8 21.Be4 Nxb3 22.Bg5+- ∆Qd6 23.Nf6+ Qxf6 24.Bxh7+ Kxh7 25.Bxf6 gxf6 26.Qf5+
Kg8 27.Re4 Bg7 28.Rg4 Re6 29.Qe4 Nc5 30.Qd5
19.Bxd5 Na5 20.Rb5± Ra7 21.Qh5 b6
21...Qf6

22.g4! Bxd3 23.g5 g6 24.Qg4 hxg5 25.Bxg5 Bf5 26.Qg3+-

22.Nf5 Bf8 23.Qf3 Qd7 24.g4 Bc5 25.Kh1!
25.Bd2!? Bxa3? 26.Rxb6+-
25...Kh8

351
26.Nxh6!+-
26.Bd2 Bg6 27.Reb1 Rc8 28.Qh3!+- ∆Kg8 29.Nxg7! Kxg7 30.Qxh6+ Kg8 31.Qxg6+
26...gxh6 27.Qf6+ Kg8 28.Bxh6 Bf8 29.Qg5+ Kh8 30.Bxf8 Rxf8 31.Qf6+ Kg8 32.Rxe5 1-0

8. ** A13
Lalith, Babu MR (2563) - Nagy, Gabor (2530)
Budapest 151/8, 2022

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 c5 4.O-O e6 5.c4 d4 6.e3 Nc6 7.exd4 cxd4 8.d3 h6 9.Re1 Be7
9...Bd6 - 141/6
10.Na3 O-O 11.Bf4!?
11.Nc2
11...Nd7 - 151/(8)
11...a6?!N 12.Ne5 Bd7 13.Nc2 Rc8 14.Qe2 b5 15.Nxc6 Bxc6 16.Bxc6 Rxc6 17.Be5 bxc4 18.Nxd4
Rc8 19.dxc4 Nd7 20.Bf4 Bf6 21.Nb3± Merzliakov,A-Haemmerle,D corr 151/(8) 2020; 11...Nh5?!
12.Bd2²; 11...Bd6 12.Bxd6 Qxd6 13.Qe2 a6 (13...Re8?! 14.Nb5 Qd8 15.Ne5±) 14.Ne5 Bd7 15.f4
Rfd8 16.Nc2²
12.Nb5 Nc5N
12...Bb4 - 151/(8) 13.Bc7 Qe7 14.a3 Bxe1 15.Qxe1 Qf6 16.Bd6 Rd8 17.b4 b6 18.Bc7 (18.Nc7)
18...Bb7 19.Bxd8 Rxd8= Stefanov,D-Davidov,A corr 151/(8) 2020
13.Bc7!

352
13.b4!? Nxb4 14.Bc7 Qe8 15.Ne5 f6 16.Nd6! Qa4 17.Ng6±
13...Qd7 14.Ne5 Nxe5
14...Qe8 15.Nd6 Bxd6 16.Bxd6 Nxe5 17.Bxc5+-
15.Bxe5 a6 16.Nc7±
16.Nxd4?! f6 17.Nxe6 Nxe6 18.Bc3©
16...Ra7 17.b4 Bd6
17...b6 18.bxc5 Bxc5 19.Nxe6 fxe6 20.Rb1 Bb7 21.a4 Bxg2 22.Kxg2 Qc6+ 23.Kg1±
18.bxc5 Bxc7 19.Qb3 Ra8 20.Bxb7
20.Bxc7 Qxc7 21.Qb6 Qxb6 22.cxb6 Rb8 23.Re4 Rd8 24.f4±
20...Bxb7 21.Qxb7 Rfc8 22.Re4
22.Rab1 Qd8 23.Rb3 Bxe5 24.Rxe5 Qa5 25.Kg2 Qxa2 26.c6 Kh7 27.Rc5+-
22...Rab8 23.Qxa6 Bxe5 24.Rxe5 Rc6 25.Qa5 Qc8 26.Qd2 f6 27.Ree1 Ra6
27...Rxc5 28.a4 Ra8 29.a5 Qa6 30.Qe2 e5 31.Reb1 Rxa5 32.Rxa5 Qxa5 33.Rb7 Qa6 34.Qe4±
28.Reb1 Rxb1+ 29.Rxb1 Qxc5 30.Rb7 Kh7 31.Qf4
31.Qe2 Qc6 32.Rb5 Qa8 33.Rb2 e5 34.h4±
31...f5 32.Qd2
32.Rc7 Qd6 33.Qxd6 Rxd6 34.Ra7 Rb6 35.Rd7 Kg6 36.Rxd4 Ra6 37.c5 Rxa2 38.c6+-
32...Qc6 33.Rb5?!
33.Rb2 Qf3 34.Qe2²
33...Qa8?
33...Qf3! 34.h4 Ra3 35.Rb3 Ra6=
34.Rb2 e5 35.Qe2 Ra5

353
36.h4
36.Qh5! e4 37.Rb6 Qf8 38.Qg6+ Kg8 39.Qe6+ Kh7 40.dxe4 d3 41.Rd6+-
36...e4 37.Rd2! e3 38.fxe3 Re5 39.e4 Qe8?!
39...fxe4 40.dxe4 Rxe4 41.Qd3 Kh8 42.Re2²
40.Qf2! fxe4 41.Qxd4 e3 42.Re2 Qa4 43.Rxe3+- Qd1+ 44.Kg2 Qd2+ 45.Kf3 Qd1+ 46.Kf4 Ra5
47.Qe4+ Kg8 48.Qf3 Qa4 49.Re5 Ra8 50.Qd5+ Kh7 51.Kg4
51.Qe4+ Kh8 52.c5 Qxa2 53.Re8+
51...Rf8 52.Kh3 Qd1 53.Qe4+ Kh8 54.Rf5 Rd8 55.c5 Qc2 56.c6 Qxa2 57.c7 Rc8 58.Rd5 Qa8
59.Rd7 Qa5 60.Qg4 1-0

9. A15
Hungaski, Robert Andrew (2537) - Lima, Darcy (2507)
Montevideo 151/9, 2022

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 b6 4.Bg2 Bb7 5.O-O Be7 6.Nc3 O-O 7.Re1 Ne4 8.Nxe4 Bxe4 9.d3 Bb7
10.e4 c5 11.d4 cxd4 12.Nxd4 d6 13.b3 Nd7
13...a6 - 84/(11)
14.Bb2 a6 15.Qd2 Qc7 16.f4 Rfe8 17.Rad1 b5 18.cxb5 axb5
18...Qb6 19.Kh1 axb5 20.a3 Nf6
19.a3 Qb6 20.Kh1 Nf6N
20...Rec8 21.b4 Nf6 22.Qe3 Rc4!? 23.Nf5 Qxe3 24.Nxe7+ Kf8 25.Rxe3 Kxe7 26.Bxf6+ gxf6

354
27.Kg1 Rac8 28.Rde1 Rc2 29.Bf1 Bc6 (29...d5!? 30.exd5 Bxd5= 31.R3e2 (31.Bxb5?! Rg2+ 32.Kf1
Rxh2→)) 30.R1e2 Rc1 31.Re1 Rxe1 32.Rxe1 Bd7 33.Kf2 e5=
21.b4 Rac8 22.Nb3
22.Bf3 Bf8 23.Qg2 e5! 24.Nb3 h5!?„
22...e5
22...h5!? 23.h3 e5 24.fxe5 dxe5 25.Bxe5 Qe6 (25...Bxb4=) 26.Bxf6 Qxb3 27.Bxe7 Rxe7 28.Re3 Qe6
29.h4 Rec7©
23.fxe5 dxe5 24.Bxe5 Bxb4 25.axb4 Rxe5 26.Nc5
26.Qd4 Qxd4 27.Rxd4

27...Bd5! 28.Nc5 Bc4 29.Kg1 h5=

26...h5 27.h3 Rce8 28.Qf2 Ba8
28...Nxe4!? 29.Rxe4™ Bxe4 30.Nxe4 Qxf2 31.Nxf2 Re1+ 32.Kh2 Rxd1 33.Nxd1 Rd8 34.Nc3 Rd4
35.Nd5 Kf8=
29.Rf1
29.Qf4 Nd5! 30.Qd2 Nf6 31.Qf4=
29...R5e7
29...R8e7!? 30.Rd4 (30.Ra1 Qd8! 31.Rfd1 Qe8µ) 30...Nxe4 31.Rxe4 Bxe4 32.Nxe4 Qxf2 33.Nxf2
Re3 34.Kh2 Rb3³
30.Ra1 Ra7

355
30...Qd8?! 31.Rxa8 Qxa8 32.e5 Nd5 33.Qf3 Nc7 34.Qxh5 Qa2 35.Ne4 Rxe5 36.Ng5 Rxg5 37.Qxg5
Qe2=
31.Qf4 Ree7
31...Rxa1 32.Rxa1 Qd8! 33.Kh2 h4! 34.Qxh4 Qd2ƒ
32.Kh2 Rxa1 33.Rxa1 Ra7 34.Rd1 Ne8?!
34...Ra2! 35.Kg1 Bc6=
35.Qe5! Nf6 36.Rd2 Bc6 37.Qd6
37.Qf5 h4 38.Qc8+ Kh7 39.gxh4²
37...Ne8 38.Qe5 g6 39.Qf4 Re7 40.e5 Bxg2 41.Rxg2 Qc7 42.Re2 Nd6
42...Ng7 43.Ne4 Ne8 44.Nc5 Ng7=
43.Qf6 Nf5 44.Rd2 h4 45.g4 Ne3 46.Kh1 Nc4 47.Ra2
47.e6 Nxd2 48.exf7+ Kh7 49.Qxh4+ Kg7 50.f8=Q+ Kxf8 51.Qf6+ Kg8 52.Qxg6+ Rg7 53.Qe8+
Kh7 54.Qh5+=
47...Re8?!
47...Qd8!= 48.e6 Qd1+ 49.Kh2 Qd6+ 50.Kg2 Qg3+ 51.Kh1 Qe1+ 52.Kh2 Qg3+
48.e6!

48...Ne5?
48...Qe7! 49.g5 Qxf6 50.gxf6 fxe6 51.Ne4 Rd8 52.Ra7 Rd1+ 53.Kg2 Rd5=

356
49.Re2 Nc4 50.Qxh4 fxe6 51.Qf6
51.Ne4! Qb7 52.Kh2 Qc7+ 53.Kg2 Qb7 54.Qg5 Kg7 55.h4 Qe7 56.Qxb5+-
51...Qf7 52.Rxe6 Qxf6 53.Rxf6 Re2 54.g5?!
54.Rxg6+ Kf7 55.Rg5 Rb2 56.Rf5+ Kg8 57.Na6 Ra2 58.Nc7+-
54...Ne5 55.Kg1?!
55.Re6±
55...Rb2 56.Kf1 Rxb4= 57.Ke2 Rc4 1/2-1/2

10. A16
Ganguly, Surya Shekhar (2627) - Zhu, Jiner (2478)
Wijk aan Zee II 151/10, 2022

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.cxd5 Nxd5 4.Nf3 e6

4...g6 - 142/171
5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 c5 7.Bc4 a6 8.a4 b6N
8...Be7
9.O-O Bb7

10.Re1
10.d4! Be7 (10...Bxe4 11.Re1 Bd5 (11...Bg6 12.d5→) 12.Bg5 f6 13.Bxd5 Qxd5 14.c4 Qd6
(14...Qxc4 15.dxc5! Bxc5 16.Rc1 Qa2 17.Re2+-) 15.d5 e5 16.Nxe5! fxe5 17.f4 Nd7 18.fxe5+-)
11.d5±

357
10...Qc7 11.Qe2
11.Qb3 Be7 12.d4 O-O 13.d5 b5 14.Rb1 Bxd5 15.Bxd5±
11...Be7 12.d4! O-O
12...cxd4 13.cxd4 O-O 14.Bb2 Nd7 15.Rac1 Qf4 16.g3 Qb8 17.d5→
13.d5 exd5 14.exd5 Bd6 15.Bd3! Nd7
15...Bxd5? 16.Bxh7+ Kxh7 17.Ng5+ Kg8 18.Qh5+-
16.c4 Rae8

17.Qxe8!±
17.Be3²
17...Rxe8 18.Rxe8+ Nf8
18...Bf8 19.g3! Nf6 20.Bf4+-
19.Bf5 b5
19...g6 20.Bh3!+-
20.axb5 axb5 21.Bd2 b4 22.Bg5 b3 23.Rb1 Ba6 24.Nd2 g6 25.Bh3 f6 26.Bh6
26.Bxf6 Kf7 27.Ra8+-
26...Kf7 27.Re3
27.Ra8+-

358
27...Bxh2+ 28.Kh1 Bf4 29.Bxf4 Qxf4 30.Rbxb3 f5

30...Qxf2! 31.Rbd3 Qh4 32.d6 Bc8 33.Kg1 f5 34.Nf3 Qh6 35.Ne5+ Kg8 36.Re1 Qh4 37.Re2 Qh5
38.d7 Nxd7 39.g4 fxg4 40.Nxd7 Qf5 41.Bf1 Bxd7 42.Re7 g3 43.Rd2 h5 44.Rexd7±
31.Kg1!+- Bxc4 32.g3 Qd4 33.Rb7+ Kg8 34.Nxc4 Qxc4 35.Re8 Qxd5 36.Rbb8 1-0

11. A18
Giri, Anish (2772) - Duda, Jan Krzysztof (2760)
Wijk aan Zee 151/11, 2022

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 Qxf6 7.Nf3 c5 8.Bd3 Bd7 9.Be4
9.Qe2 - 89/4
9...Bc6 10.Qc2 Bxe4 11.Qxe4 Nc6 12.Rb1 O-O-O 13.d4 Qg6
13...Rd7 14.Bf4 Bd6 (14...Qg6? 15.Qxc6+!+-)
14.Qxg6 hxg6 15.Be3 f6N
15...Be7
16.Ke2 g5 17.h3
17.dxc5 e5 18.h3 Na5 19.Nd2 Be7 20.Rb5 Nc6 21.f3 a6 22.Rb2 Na5=
17...Be7 18.dxc5 e5 19.Rbd1 Na5 20.Nd2 Rd7„ 21.Rb1 f5 22.f3 Rhd8 23.Rb2

359
23...Rd3
23...Bf6!? 24.Rc1 Nc6 25.Nf1 Re8„ 26.Nd2 (26.Rd2?! Rde7! 27.Rdd1 f4 28.Bf2 e4µ)
24.Rc2 Bf6 25.g4 g6 26.gxf5 gxf5 27.Rg1= e4
27...f4 28.Bf2 Be7 29.Ne4 R3d7 30.Nxg5 Bxg5 31.Rxg5 Nxc4=
28.Bxg5 Bxg5 29.Rxg5 e3 30.Nb3 Nxc4 31.f4 Na3
31...Rd1 32.Nd4 Rd2+ 33.Rxd2 exd2 34.Rg1 Re8+ 35.Kd1 Re3 36.Nxf5 Rxc3 37.Nd6+ Nxd6
38.Rg8+ Kc7 39.Rg7+ Kc6 40.cxd6
32.Rc1 Nb5 33.Nd4 Rxc3 34.Rxc3 Nxc3+ 35.Kxe3 Nd1+ 36.Kd3 Nb2+ 37.Kc3 Nd1+ 38.Kc4
Nb2+ 1/2-1/2

12. A20
Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2767) - Praggnanandhaa, Rameshbabu (2612)
Wijk aan Zee 151/12, 2022

1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.d4 e4

3...exd4 4.Qxd4 Nf6 5.Bg2 (5.Nc3 - 100/(7), A 23) 5...Na6 6.Nf3 Bc5 7.Qe5+ Be7 8.O-O O-O
9.Nc3 Re8 10.Rd1 (10.Qd4!?) 10...Bb4 11.Qf4 (11.Qd4) 11...Bxc3 (11...d6?! 12.Bd2± (12.Nd4
Bxc3 (12...Nc5 13.Bd2²) 13.bxc3 Nc5=)) 12.bxc3 Nc5=
4.Qa4!?
4.Nc3 - 131/12
4...d5 5.cxd5 b5 6.Qb3 Nf6

360
7.Bg5!?N
7.Bg2?!
7...Qa5+ 8.Nc3 b4 9.Nd1 Nxd5 10.Bh3 Bxh3
¹10...Nd7 11.Rc1 h6 12.Bd2 Be7=
11.Nxh3 Nd7
11...h6!? 12.Bd2 Be7²
12.Rc1 h6?!
12...Rc8 13.f3 exf3 14.e4 Qb5 15.Qxf3²
13.Bd2 Rc8?!
13...Qb5 14.Nf4 N7b6 15.O-O Be7 16.Qc2±
14.f3!
14.Nf4 N7b6 15.Ne3 Nxf4 16.gxf4 Qa4 17.Rg1±
14...N7f6
14...N5f6 15.Ne3 exf3 16.O-O Qb6 17.Qd3 fxe2 18.Rfe1±
15.Nhf2 exf3 16.e4?!
16.Qxf3 Qxa2 17.O-O Be7 18.e4 Nb6 19.Ne3 Qxb2 20.Rfd1±
16...Nb6?

361
16...Qb5 17.Qxf3 Nc7±
17.O-O Be7 18.Ne3 Qa4 19.Qd3
19.Qxa4 Nxa4 20.e5 Nh7 21.Nf5 Nxb2 22.d5 a5 23.dxc6+-
19...Qb5 20.Qxb5
20.Nf5 Qxd3 21.Nxd3 a5 22.Rxf3 Bf8 23.Nc5 g6 24.Nxh6 Rxh6 25.Rxf6 Be7 26.Rf3+-
20...cxb5 21.Rxc8+ Nxc8 22.e5 Nd7 23.Nf5
23.Nd3!? O-O 24.Bxb4 Ndb6 25.Kf2 Rd8 26.Bc3 a5 27.b3+-
23...g6 24.Rc1 Ndb6 25.Nxe7
25.Nxh6!?
25...Nxe7 26.Bxb4?!
26.Rc7 Nbd5 27.Rxa7 Kf8 28.Nd3 Kg7 29.Nxb4+-
26...Nbd5
26...Ned5 27.Bc5 Nc4 28.Ne4 Nxb2 29.Rb1 Nd3 30.Rxb5 Kd7 31.Bxa7+-
27.Bxe7?
27.Bd6 Kd7 28.Ne4 Rc8 29.Rxc8 Nxc8 30.Bc5 Ne3 31.Nf6+ Kd8 32.Kf2 Nd1+ 33.Kxf3+-
27...Kxe7 28.Ne4 g5?!

28...f6 29.Rc5! (29.Nd2? fxe5 30.Re1 Kd6 31.Rxe5 g5 32.Ne4+ Kc6 33.Re6+ Kc7 34.h3 Nb4

362
35.Kf2 Nxa2 36.Nc5 Nb4 37.Kxf3 Rf8+ 38.Ke2 h5 39.Rg6 Re8+ 40.Kd2 g4 41.h4 Nd5 42.Ne6+
Kd7 43.Rg5 Nf6 44.Nc5+ Kd6 45.Rg6 Ke7 46.Rg7+ Kd6 47.Rg5 a5 48.Rf5 Ne4+ 49.Nxe4+ Rxe4
50.Kd3 Re1 51.Rxh5 a4 52.Rxb5 Rg1 53.Ke4 Rxg3=) 29...Rd8 30.Nd2 fxe5 31.dxe5 Nb4 32.Nxf3
Rd1+ 33.Kg2 Rb1 34.Rxb5 Rxb2+ 35.Kf1 a5 36.Rb7+ Kd8 37.Nh4 Rb1+ 38.Kg2 Ra1 39.Nxg6
Rxa2+ 40.Kf1 Ra1+ 41.Kf2 Ra2+ 42.Ke3 Kc8 43.Rb5 Nc6 44.Rc5 Kd7 45.Nf4 Ne7 46.Ke4 Ra1
47.Nd5 Nc6 48.Kf5 a4 49.Nf4 a3 50.Kf6 Rd1 51.Rc2 Rb1 52.e6+ Kd6 53.Ra2 Rb3 54.Rd2+ Kc5
55.Nd3+ Kc4 56.Ne5+ Nxe5 57.Kxe5+-
29.h3?

29.g4! a5 30.Rc6 a4 31.Ng3 a3 32.Nf5+ Kd7 33.Rd6+ Kc7 34.bxa3 Nf4 35.Rf6 h5 36.gxh5 Rxh5
37.Rh6 Rxh6 38.Nxh6+-
29...f6?
29...f5!! 30.exf6+ (30.Nd6 Rf8 31.Kf2 g4 32.hxg4 fxg4 33.Rh1 Nb4 34.Rxh6 Nd3+ 35.Kf1 a5
36.Rg6 Rh8 37.Nf5+ Kd7 38.e6+ Kc7 39.Nh4 Rc8 40.Rxg4 Kd6 41.Nxf3 Kxe6=) 30...Nxf6
31.Nxf6 (31.Rc7+ Ke6 32.Nxf6 Kxf6 33.Kf2 Rd8 34.Rc6+ Kg7 35.Ra6 Rxd4 36.Rxa7+ Kf6
37.Ra6+ Ke5 38.Kxf3 h5 39.Ra3 Rb4 40.Re3+ Kf6 41.b3 g4+ 42.hxg4 Rxg4=) 31...Kxf6 32.Kf2
Rd8 33.Ke3 h5 34.g4 Ke6 35.Rc6+ Kd7 36.Rc5 Rf8 37.Kf2 hxg4 38.hxg4 Rf4=
30.Rc5+- f5 31.Nd2 Rd8 32.Nxf3 b4 33.Kf2 Nb6 34.Rc6
34.g4!?
34...Rc8
34...Rd5 35.Rxh6
35.Rxc8 Nxc8 36.h4 g4 37.Ne1 Nb6 38.Ng2

363
38.Nc2!?
38...Na4 39.Ne3 Nxb2 40.Nxf5+ Ke6 41.Nxh6 Nd1+ 42.Ke1 Nc3 43.Nxg4 Nxa2 44.h5 Nc3
45.Kd2 Ne4+ 46.Kc2 1-0

13. A20
Harutyunyan, Tigran K (2552) - Pashikian, Arman (2606)
Armenia (ch) 151/13, 2022

1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.O-O Be7 7.d4 e4 8.Ne5 f5 9.Nxc6 bxc6
10.Qc2
10.Nd2 - 113/12
10...Bd7
10...Qd7 11.Nc3 O-O 12.f3!?²
11.Nc3 O-O 12.f3N
12.a3
12...exf3
12...Bf6 13.e3 Bg5 14.fxe4 Nxe3 15.Bxe3 Bxe3+ 16.Kh1 Bxd4 17.exf5→
13.Bxf3 Be6
13...Be8
14.Nxd5
14.Qa4 Qe8! 15.Bd2 Rb8 16.b3 Nxc3 17.Bxc3 Bd5=
14...Bxd5 15.Bf4
15.Be3 Qd7 16.Rac1 Bd6„
15...Bxf3 16.exf3 Qxd4+ 17.Kg2

364
17...Bd6!=
17...Bf6 18.b3 a5 19.Rad1 Qb2 20.Qxb2 Bxb2 21.Rf2 Ba3 22.Bxc7 Rfe8 23.Rc2 a4=
18.Rad1 Qf6
18...Qc5 19.Qxc5 Bxc5 20.Rc1²
19.Qc4+ Kh8 20.Rf2 c5 21.b3 a5 22.Rfd2
22.Rd5 Rae8!=
22...Bxf4 23.Qxf4 a4 24.bxa4 Qc6 25.Rc1 Rxa4 26.Rxc5 Qa8 27.Qxc7 Rxa2 1/2-1/2

14. A20
Aleksandrov, Aleksej (2502) - Siniauski, Artsiom (2300)
Belarus (ch) 151/14, 2022

1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.O-O Nb6 7.b3 Be7 8.Bb2 f6 9.Na3 O-O
10.Nc2 Be6 11.e4 Bg4N
11...Qd3 - 142/9
12.d4! exd4 13.Ncxd4 Nxd4 14.Qxd4
14.Bxd4 c5 15.Be3 Qxd1 16.Rfxd1 Rfd8 17.h3 Be6∞
14...c5 15.Qc3
15.Qe3!? c4 16.e5 Qd3 17.Qf4ƒ
15...Qc7 16.a4

365
16.e5!? fxe5 17.Nxe5 Bf6 18.Rac1 Rac8 19.Rfe1 Rfe8 20.Re3±
16...Rad8

17.Rfc1!?
17.h3! Bxf3 18.Bxf3 Bd6 19.Qc2 Be5 (19...Nd7 20.Rad1±) 20.Bxe5 Qxe5 21.Rfd1 Nd7 22.Be2²
17...Nd7 18.b4
18.h3 Bxf3 19.Bxf3 Bd6 20.Be2 Be5 21.Qc4+ Kh8 22.Bxe5 Qxe5 23.Rd1²
18...Qb6?!
18...b6! 19.a5 (19.bxc5

366
19...Bxc5! 20.Ne1 Be6 21.Nd3 Rfe8 22.Nxc5 Qxc5=) 19...Kh8 20.h3 Bxf3 21.Bxf3 Ne5 22.Be2
Qb7„
19.b5² Bd6?
19...Kh8 20.Bf1 Rfe8 21.a5²
20.Qc4+ Kh8 21.a5+- Qc7 22.e5 Nxe5 23.Bxe5 Bxe5 24.Nxe5 Qxe5 25.Qxg4 b6 26.Re1 Qc3
27.axb6 axb6 28.Rac1 Qb2 29.Rb1 Qc3 30.Qe6 Qa5 31.Bc6 f5 32.Rbd1 1-0

15. * A20
Bok, Benjamin (2619) - Schmakel, Sam (2425)
USA 151/15, 2022

1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 c6 4.Nf3 e4 5.Nd4 Qb6 6.e3 d5 7.Nc3 Be7
7...Bg4 - 143/3
8.cxd5 cxd5 9.d3 exd3
9...O-O 10.dxe4 dxe4 11.O-O (11.Nxe4?! Nxe4 12.Bxe4 Bb4+ 13.Bd2 Re8 14.f3 Bc5©) 11...Nc6
12.Nxe4 Nxe4 13.Bxe4± Bh3? 14.Qh5+-
10.Qxd3 O-ON
10...Be6 - 151/(15) 11.O-O O-O Avazkhonov,A (1538)-Karas,M (2303) chess.com (Int.-blitz)
151/(15) 2021 (11...O-O 12.Nf5 Bb4 13.Bd2²)
11.Qb5 Rd8
11...Nc6 12.Qxb6 axb6 13.O-O Bc5 14.Rd1 Bg4 15.Nde2²

367
12.Qxb6 axb6 13.O-O Nc6 14.Rd1
14.Bd2 Bd7 15.Rfc1²
14...Bg4 15.Nde2 Bb4

15...Na5 16.h3 Bxe2 17.Nxe2 Nb3 18.Rb1 Rxa2 19.Bd2 Nxd2 20.Rxd2 g6 21.Nf4²
16.h3! Bf5
16...Bh5?! 17.g4 Bg6 18.Bd2 Rac8 19.Rac1 h6 20.a3 Bf8 21.Be1±
17.Bd2 d4?!
17...h6 18.Rac1²
18.exd4 Nxd4 19.Nxd4 Rxd4 20.Be1± Rxd1 21.Rxd1 h5
21...Rb8 22.g4 Be6 23.a3±
22.a3 Bxc3 23.Bxc3+- Be4 24.Bxf6 Bxg2 25.Kxg2 gxf6 26.Rd6 b5 27.Rxf6
27.Rb6 Ra5 28.h4 Kf8 29.Rxb7
27...b4 28.axb4 Kg7 29.Rb6 Ra2 30.Rxb7 Rxb2 31.b5
31.Rb5 Kg6 32.h4 f6 33.Kf3 Rb3+ 34.Ke4 Rb2 35.f3 Rb3 36.Rb8
31...Rb3 32.b6 Kg6 33.Rb8 Kg7 34.b7 Rb2 35.g4 hxg4 36.hxg4 Rb5 37.f4 f6 38.f5 Rb2+ 39.Kf3
Rb3+ 40.Ke2 Rb2+ 41.Kd3 Rb3+ 42.Kc2 Rb6 43.g5 fxg5 44.f6+ Kxf6 45.Rf8+ Ke5 46.b8=Q+
Rxb8 47.Rxb8 Ke4 48.Kd2 Kf3 49.Ke1 1-0

16. A21

368
 Abdusattorov, Nodirbek (2651) - Esipenko, Andrey (2714)
chess24.com (Int.-rapid) 151/16, 2022

1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Bb4 3.Nd5 Be7 4.e3 Nf6 5.Ne2

5.Nxe7 - 64/20
5...Nxd5 6.cxd5 c6N
6...O-O
7.Nc3 O-O 8.d4 exd4 9.Qxd4
9.exd4 b5 10.Bd3 b4 11.Ne2 Ba6 12.O-O Bxd3 13.Qxd3 Re8∞
9...Bf6 10.Qd1 Re8 11.Bd3 Na6!
11...d6 12.O-O c5 13.Ne4 Be7 (13...Bf5? 14.Nxd6!±) 14.Bd2 Nd7 15.Bc3 Nf6 16.Ng3!²
12.Ne4

12.Bxa6 bxa6 13.O-O Rb8 14.Qd3 Be5 15.f4 Bxc3 16.Qxc3 cxd5→
12...cxd5
12...Be5! 13.O-O cxd5 14.Nc3 b6 15.Nxd5 Bb7 16.f4 (16.Bf5 g6 17.Bg4 Nc7! 18.Nxc7 Qxc7 19.f4
Bf6 20.Qxd7 Re7³) 16...Bf6 17.Qh5 g6 18.Nxf6+ Qxf6³
13.Nxf6+ Qxf6 14.O-O© Nc5 15.Bb5
15.Bc2 b6 16.Qxd5 Bb7 17.Qf5 Qh4„
15...b6 16.Qxd5 Bb7 17.Qd4 Qg6

369
17...Qxd4! 18.exd4 Ba6! 19.dxc5 (19.Bxa6 Nxa6 20.Bd2 Nc7 21.Rfe1

21...f6! (21...Nd5?! 22.Re5!=) 22.Rac1 Nd5³) 19...Bxb5 20.Rd1 bxc5 21.Be3 Re5 22.b3 c4 23.a4
Bc6 24.bxc4 Ra5²
18.f3 Bc6
18...Re6!? 19.e4 d5! 20.exd5 Rd6 21.Bf4 Rxd5 22.Qe3 Ne6=
19.Be2 d5 20.Bd2
20.b4 Ne6 21.Qd2 d4!? 22.e4 (22.exd4?! Nxd4) 22...h5²
20...Ne6 21.Qd3 Qf6 22.Rac1 Rac8
22...Bb7! 23.Bc3 d4! 24.Bxd4 Nxd4 25.exd4 Qe6 26.Rfe1 Qxa2∞
23.Qa3 a5 24.Ba6!² Rc7 25.Qb3 Bb7 26.Bxb7 Rxb7 27.Bxa5±
27.Qxd5 Qe7 28.Qb5±
27...d4 28.Bd2 dxe3 29.Bxe3 Nd4 30.Qc4 Rd7 31.Rfe1 h6 32.Bf2 Red8 33.a4 Rd5 34.b4 Rg5
35.Bg3 h5 36.Kh1 Nf5 37.Bf4
37.Be5! Qg6 38.Qc2+-
37...Rg6 38.Qc7 Ra8 39.Qe5 Nh4 40.Qxf6 gxf6

370
41.g3
41.a5! bxa5 42.b5 Nxg2 43.b6 Nxe1 44.b7 Rf8 45.Rc8 Nxf3 46.Be3+-
41...Nxf3 42.Re3 Ne5 43.Ra3 Ng4 44.a5 bxa5 45.Rxa5 Re8 46.Ra2 Ne5 47.Rd1
47.b5²
47...Rb8 48.Rd4 h4 49.Kg2 hxg3 50.hxg3 Kh7 51.Ra7 Rgg8 52.Ra6 Kg7= 53.Re4 Rb7 54.Rd6 Rc8
55.Rd5 Rc2+ 56.Rd2 Rc4 57.Rdd4 Rxd4 58.Rxd4 Nc6 59.Rd6 Nxb4 60.Bd2 Rb5 61.Bxb4 Rxb4
62.Kf3 Kg6 63.Rd7 f5 64.Ra7 f6 65.Rc7 1/2-1/2

17. A23
Gagunashvili, Merab (2573) - Paichadze, Luka (2566)
Georgia (ch) 151/17, 2022

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.g3 c6 4.d4 e4 5.Bg5 Bb4 6.Bg2

6.Qb3 - 115/7, A 20
6...d5 7.Qb3 Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 Nbd7 9.Nh3 O-ON
9...h6
10.O-O h6 11.Bxf6
11.Bd2 dxc4 12.Qxc4 Nb6 13.Qb4 Bf5
11...Nxf6 12.cxd5 cxd5
12...Qxd5!? 13.f3 (13.e3 Bg4!? 14.Nf4 (14.Qxb7 g5 15.Kh1 Rfb8 16.Qe7 Kg7→) 14...Qxb3
15.axb3 g5 16.h3 gxf4 17.hxg4 f3 18.Bh3 a5³) 13...Qxb3 14.axb3 exf3 15.exf3„

371
13.c4 dxc4 14.Qxc4

14...Bg4! 15.f3
15.e3 Qc8! 16.Qxc8 Raxc8 17.Nf4 g5 18.h3 gxf4 19.hxg4 f3 20.Bh3 Rc6 21.Rfc1 Rfc8 22.Rcb1
R8c7-+
15...exf3 16.exf3 Be6 17.Qb4 Nd5 18.Qd2
18.Qxb7 Ne3 19.Rf2 Qxd4 20.Qb2 Qc5 21.Rc1 Bc4µ
18...Rc8 19.Rac1 Rxc1 20.Rxc1 Qb6 21.Rc2 Rd8 22.Rb2 Qc7 23.f4

372
23...Nb6
23...b6! 24.Nf2 Nf6 25.Rb1 Qd6 26.Rd1 Bd5 27.Bxd5 Qxd5 28.Rc1 h5 29.Rc3 Re8-+
24.Nf2 Qd7 25.Rb4 Nd5 26.Rb1 b6 27.Rd1 Rc8 28.Bf3 f6 29.g4 Qc7 30.f5 Bf7 31.Nd3 Qd6
32.Rc1 Rd8 33.Nf2 Qa3 34.Bg2 a5-+ 35.Rc6
35.Ne4 Nb4 36.Rc7 Qxa2 37.Qc1 Nd5 38.Rb7 Qe2 39.h3 Ne3
35...Qa4 36.Bxd5 Rxd5
36...Bxd5 37.Rxb6 Qa3 38.Qe2 Qc1+ 39.Qd1 Qf4 40.Qe2 Rc8
37.Rxb6 Rxd4 38.Rb8+ Kh7 39.Qc3 Rc4 40.Qd2 Qc6 41.Rb1 Qc5 42.h3 Rc2 43.Qf4 Bxa2 44.Re1
Bd5 45.h4 Rc4 46.Qe3 a4 47.Qxc5 Rxc5 48.g5 hxg5 49.hxg5 fxg5 50.Re7 a3 51.Ng4 a2 52.Nf6+
Kh6 53.Ng4+ Kh5 0-1

373
A25-A99

18. * A29
Nakamura, Hikaru (2736) - Esipenko, Andrey (2714)
Berlin 151/18, 2022

1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.Bg2 Bc5 7.O-O O-O 8.Qc2!?
8.d3 - 149/10
8...Nf6 9.a3N
9.d3 h6„ (9...Bg4!? 10.Bg5 Bxf3 11.Bxf3 Nd4 12.Qc1 Nxf3+ 13.exf3 c6=)
9...Nd4 - 151/18
9...Bg4 10.b4 Bd6 11.e3!² Qd7 12.b5 Na5 13.d4!ƒ; 9...Bb6N 10.e3 a5 11.b3 Bg4 12.Bb2 Qd7
13.Na4 Rfe8 14.d4 Bxf3 15.Bxf3 exd4 16.Rfd1 Ne5 17.Bxb7 d3 (17...c6!?) 18.Bxe5 dxc2 19.Rxd7
Nxd7 20.Bxa8 Rxa8 (20...Nxe5!?) 21.Bb2 Nc5 (21...Bc5) 22.Rc1 Nxb3 23.Rxc2 f6 24.Kf1±
Carlsen,M (2865)-Le,Q (2709) chess24.com (Int.-m1/1-rapid) 151/(18) 2022
10.Nxd4 exd4 11.b4 Bb6?!
11...Be7 12.Na4 Rb8 13.e3 d3 14.Qb1²
12.Na4² Re8 13.Nxb6 axb6 14.e3 d3
RR14...dxe3 15.fxe3 (15.dxe3!?ƒ b5 16.Bb2 c6 17.e4 Be6 18.Rad1 Qe7 19.f4±) 15...b5 16.Bb2 Ra6
17.Rac1±
15.Qc3 Ne4 16.Qc4 Bf5 17.Bb2 Qd7 18.Bxe4!? Bxe4 19.f3 Bc6 20.Rac1 Re7 21.Qf4 f6 22.Rc4
Rd8 23.Rfc1± Qe6

374
24.b5! Bxb5 25.Re4 Qf7 26.Rxe7 Qxe7 27.Rxc7 Rd7 28.Rc8+ Rd8
28...Kf7 29.Qf5 Bc6 30.Qh5+ Ke6 31.Re8+-
29.Bxf6! gxf6 30.Qg4+ Kf8
30...Kf7 31.Qh5+ Kg7 32.Rxd8 Qxd8 33.Qxb5 Qd6 34.a4 Qa3 35.Kf2+-; RR30...Kh8 31.Qb4!+-
31.Rxd8+ Qxd8 32.Qb4+ Qe7 33.Qxb5 Qxa3 34.Kf2! Qc5 35.Qxd3 b5 36.Qc3 Qe7 37.Ke2 Kg7
38.Qd4 Qf7 39.Qg4+ Kh8 40.Qb4 Qe8 41.Qd6 Qf7 42.Qc5 Qe8 43.g4 Kg7 44.h4 Qd7 45.h5 Kg8
46.h6 1-0

19. A29
Fridman, Daniel (2624) - Leenhouts, Koen (2413)
Belgique 151/19, 2022

1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.O-O Be7 7.Nc3 Nb6 8.d3 O-O 9.Be3 Be6
10.a3 a5 11.Rc1 f5
11...a4 - 133/18
12.Na4 Nd5 13.Bc5
13.Nc5!? Nxe3 14.fxe3 Bd5 15.Nxb7 Qb8 16.Nc5 Qxb2 17.Nd2!ƒ
13...Bd6 14.e4! fxe4N
14...Nb6
15.dxe4 Nf6 16.Ng5 Qe7 17.Bxd6
17.Nxe6!? Qxe6 18.Qd3! Rad8 19.Qb5ƒ

375
17...cxd6 18.Nb6 Ra6?!
18...Rad8 19.Nd5 Bxd5 20.exd5 Nd4 21.Bh3! Nxd5 22.Ne6 Nxe6 23.Qxd5 Rfe8 24.Bg2 b5
25.Qxb5 Nd4 26.Qd5+ Kh8

27.Rc4! Rb8 (27...Qa7 28.Be4 Qb6 29.b4²) 28.Qxa5 Rxb2 29.Rb4 Rc2 30.Rb7 Qf8 31.Qa7² Rec8
(31...Ra8? 32.Rf7+-)
19.Nd5± Bxd5 20.exd5 Nd4 21.Re1 h6 22.Qxd4 hxg5 23.Qd2 g4 24.Rc4! Rb6 25.Rec1 Qf7

26.R1c2
26.h4!? gxh3 27.Bxh3 Nxd5 28.Rc8 Ne7 29.Rxf8+ Qxf8 (29...Kxf8 30.Qxa5 Rxb2 31.Qd8+ Qe8

376
32.Qxd6+-) 30.Be6+ Kh7 31.Qg5 Qf6 32.Qxf6 gxf6 33.Rc7+-
26...Rb5 27.a4 Rb3 28.Qxa5+- Rd3 29.Qe1 e4 30.Bxe4 Nxe4 31.Qxe4 Qf3 32.Qxf3 gxf3 33.h4
Rxd5 34.Rc8 Rxc8 35.Rxc8+ Kh7 36.Rb8 Rd1+ 37.Kh2 Rd2 38.Rxb7 Rxf2+ 39.Kg1 Rc2 40.a5
Kg6
40...Kg6 41.a6
1-0

20. A32
Czerw, Dawid (2396) - Noe, Christopher (2530)
Marianske Lazne 151/20, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 c5 4.Nf3 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Qb6 6.Bg2 Bc5 7.e3 Nc6 8.Nb3 Bb4+ 9.Bd2 Ne5
10.Qc2 d5 11.cxd5 Qa6 12.Nc1
12.Bxb4 - 39/67
12...Bxd2+N
12...Nxd5 13.Nc3 O-O 14.Nxd5 Bxd2+ 15.Qxd2 exd5 16.Qe2 Qg6„
13.Nxd2 Nxd5 14.Bf1 Qb6
14...Nb4 15.Qc3 Qc6 16.Qxc6+ Nexc6 17.Rb1 b6 18.a3 Nd5 19.Bb5 Bb7 20.O-O Ke7=
15.Ncb3
15.Bg2 O-O 16.O-O Bd7

17.Nf3 (17.Bxd5?! exd5 18.Qc3 Rfe8 19.Ncb3 Bh3 20.Rfc1 Rac8 21.Qd4 Rxc1+ 22.Rxc1 Qa6³

377
23.Re1 (23.Qxd5? Qe2-+)) 17...Nxf3+ 18.Bxf3 Bc6„
15...Bd7 16.Qc5?!
16.Be2 Bb5!? 17.Qc5 Nd3+ 18.Bxd3 Bxd3 19.Rc1 Ba6=
16...Qxc5 17.Nxc5 Bc6µ 18.e4
18.Bg2 b6 19.Ncb3 Nd3+ 20.Ke2 Nxb2 21.Nd4 Nc3+ 22.Kf1 Bxg2+ 23.Kxg2 Rc8µ
18...Nb4-+ 19.Ke2 O-O-O 20.a3 Bb5+
20...Nbd3 21.Ncb3 Bb5
21.Kd1 Nf3 22.Nb3 Ba4 23.Ke2
23.Rc1+ Kb8 24.Ke2 Nxd2 25.Nxd2 Nd3
23...Rxd2+ 24.Kxf3
24.Nxd2 Nd4+ 25.Ke3 Ndc2+ 26.Kf4 Nxa1 27.axb4 Rd8
24...Bxb3 25.axb4 Kb8 26.Be2 Rhd8 27.Ke3 Rxb2 28.Rhb1 Rdd2 29.Rxb2 Rxb2 30.f4 Bc2 31.b5
Bxe4 32.Rd1 Bd5 0-1

21. A33
Maghsoodloo, Parham (2701) - Deac, Bogdan Daniel (2643)
Riga 151/21, 2021

1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 c5 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Nc6 6.a3 Bc5 7.Nb3 Bb6 8.c5
8.Bf4 - 130/18; 8.e4 d5!? (8...O-O 9.Be2 (9.Bg5 h6 10.Bh4 d6 11.Be2 a5 12.O-O a4„) 9...d6 10.O-O
e5 11.Qd3 h6 12.Be3 (12.Rd1 Bxf2+ 13.Kxf2 Qb6+ 14.Kf1 Qxb3 15.Nd5 Qxd3 16.Nxf6+ gxf6
17.Rxd3 Be6 18.Bxh6 Rfc8„) 12...Be6 13.Rfd1 Rc8 14.Nd5 Bxe3 15.Qxe3 Nd7 16.Nc3 Qb6
17.Nb5 Qxe3 18.fxe3 Nc5 19.Nd2 a6 20.Nxd6 Rcd8 21.b4 Rxd6 22.bxc5 Rd7„) 9.exd5 exd5
10.Nxd5 (10.c5 Bc7 11.Be2 O-O 12.Be3 Be5 13.Nd4 Ne4„; 10.cxd5 Ng4 11.Be3 Nxe3 12.fxe3
Ne5 13.Bb5+ Bd7 14.Qh5 O-O 15.Bxd7 Nxd7 16.O-O-O Bxe3+ 17.Kb1 Qb6„) 10...Nxd5 11.cxd5
O-O (11...Qf6 12.Qf3 Qxf3 13.gxf3 Ne5 14.Be2 Bf5 15.Bf4!?∞) 12.Be2 Qh4 13.O-O Rd8 14.Be3
Be6 15.Bxb6 Rxd5=
8...Bc7 9.Nb5
9.g3 O-O 10.Bg2 b6 11.O-O Be5„; 9.e4 b6 10.Be3 O-O 11.Be2 Rb8 12.Qc2 bxc5 13.Nxc5 Be5„;
9.Bg5 b6 (9...h6 10.Bh4 Be5!? 11.Rc1 b6„) 10.e3 bxc5!? 11.Nxc5 Be5 12.Qd2!? (12.Rc1 h6 13.Bh4
Ne7!?) 12...Qa5 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.N5e4 Bxc3 15.Nd6+ Ke7 16.bxc3 Ba6=
9...O-O 10.Nxc7
10.g3 Ba5+ 11.Bd2 Bxd2+ 12.Qxd2 d5 13.cxd6 Qb6„
10...Qxc7 11.g3

378
11.Bg5 Qe5 12.Qc1 b6 13.Bf4 Qf5„
11...a5!? 12.Bg2N
12.Bf4 e5 13.Bg5

13...a4! (13...Ne4) 14.Nd2 (14.Nc1 Ne4) 14...d5! 15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.Bg2 Rd8 17.e3 Qe7 18.Rc1
(18.Qc2 f5 19.O-O Be6 20.b4 axb3 21.Nxb3 d4ƒ) 18...e4 19.O-O Ne5³
12...a4„ 13.Nd4

13.Nd2 Qe5 14.Qc2 Nd4 15.Qd3 Qxc5 16.O-O d5 17.e3 Nc6 18.b4 axb3 19.Bb2 Rd8 20.Nxb3

379
Qc4³
13...Qe5!?
13...Rd8 14.Nb5 Qa5+ 15.Nc3 d5 (15...Qxc5 16.O-O d5 17.Nxa4 Qa7 18.b3 e5 19.Bg5 Be6
20.Rc1∞) 16.cxd6 Ne8 17.O-O Nxd6 18.Qd3 Nf5 19.Qb5=
14.Be3
14.Nxc6 dxc6 15.Qc2 Qh5 16.O-O e5„
14...Ng4 15.Nxc6 dxc6

16.Qd4!?
16.Bd4 Qg5 (16...Qh5 17.h3 Nf6 18.e4²) 17.h3 e5 18.Bc3 Nh6 19.h4 (19.Qd6 f6 20.Rd1 Qg6 21.O-
O Qh5 22.Qe7 Bxh3 23.Qxb7 Bf5 24.Qxc6 Ng4 25.Rfe1 Kh8 26.Kf1 Nh2+ 27.Kg1 Ng4=)
19...Qe7 20.Qd6 Qxd6 21.cxd6 f6 22.Bb4 Rd8 23.Rd1 Be6 … Rd7, Nf7„
16...Qf5„ 17.Be4
17.O-O Qh5 18.h3 Nxe3 19.Qxe3 f6 20.h4 e5 21.Rfd1 Be6 22.Rd6 Bb3 23.Rc1 Rae8 24.Rc3 f5
25.Rd7 Rf7 26.Rcd3 f4„
17...Qh5 18.h3
18.Bf3 e5 19.Qe4 Re8 20.h3 Nf6 21.Bxh5 Nxe4 22.Bf3 Nf6 23.Rc1 Be6 24.g4 Ra5 25.g5 Nd5
26.Bd2 Rb5³; 18.O-O-O e5 19.Qc3 Bf5 (19...Nf6 20.Bc2 Nd5 21.Qd3 Re8 22.h3∞) 20.Bxf5 Qxf5
21.h3 Nxe3 22.Qxe3 Ra5 23.Rd3 Rb5 24.Kb1 h5∞
18...e5 19.Qd3 Nxe3 20.Qxe3 f5ƒ 21.Bd3

380
21.Bc2 f4 22.Qe4 fxg3 23.fxg3 Be6 … Bd5³
21...Re8
21...f4 22.Qe4 fxg3 23.fxg3 Kh8 (23...Be6 24.O-O-O Bd5 25.Bc4=) 24.O-O-O Be6 25.Qe3 Bd5
26.Be4 Bxe4 27.Qxe4 Qg5+ 28.Kb1 Qxg3 29.Rhg1 Qf4 30.Rg4 Qf6 31.Rh4 h6 32.Rd6 Qf5
33.Qxf5 Rxf5 34.Rb4 Rf7 35.Re6=
22.O-O-O Qf7 23.Kb1
23.Rd2 ∆Qb3 24.Rc2 Be6 25.Qxe5 Qa2 26.Rd1 Rad8 27.Rcd2 Qa1+ 28.Bb1 Ba2 29.Qxf5 g6
30.Qc2 Rd5 31.Rxd5 cxd5 32.Kd2! Bb3 33.Qc1 Bxd1 34.Kxd1©
23...Qb3ƒ 24.Bc2
24.Qd2 Be6µ
24...Qxe3 25.fxe3 Ra5 26.Rc1
26.g4!? Rxc5 27.gxf5 e4 28.Bxa4 (28.f6 gxf6 29.Bxa4 Be6³) 28...Rxf5 29.Bb3+ Kf8 30.h4 g6
31.Rh2 Kg7 32.Bc2 Be6 33.Bxe4 Re5 34.Bd3 Rxe3 35.h5
26...Be6 27.h4?!
27.g4 e4 28.gxf5 Bxf5 29.h4 Re5³
27...g6
27...e4! 28.h5 Kf7µ
28.h5
28.e4 f4 29.gxf4 exf4 30.Bd3 Kg7 31.Rc3 Kf6 32.Rg1 Rg8³
28...Kg7 29.Rh4

29.e4 Rxc5 30.Rhf1 f4! 31.hxg6 hxg6 32.gxf4 exf4 33.Rxf4 g5 34.Rg1 b5 35.Rf2 Rh8µ
29...Rxc5 30.Rxa4 Re7 31.hxg6 hxg6 32.Rh1

381
32...Rc4
32...e4! 33.Rd4 Kf6µ
33.Kc1 Kf6 34.Rxc4 Bxc4 35.Kd2 Rd7+
35...e4 36.Rh4 Kg5µ
36.Ke1 Kg5?!†
36...e4! 37.g4 fxg4 38.Bxe4 Kg5 39.Rg1 Bb3 40.Bd3 c5 41.Kf2 Rd6 42.Rh1 c4 43.Be4 b5 44.Rh8
Rf6+ 45.Kg3 Re6µ
37.e4! f4 38.gxf4+ Kxf4 39.Rg1 g5 40.e3+?†
40.Rf1+! Kg4 (40...Ke3? 41.Rf3+ Kd4 42.Rc3! … e3+-) 41.Rf5 Re7 42.Bd3 Bb3 43.Kf2=
40...Kxe3 41.Rxg5 Be2! 42.Rg1 Bf3-+ 43.Rf1 c5 44.a4 c4 45.a5 Rd6 46.Rf2 Ra6 47.b4 cxb3
48.Bxb3 Rxa5 49.Bd1 Bxd1 50.Re2+ Kf3 51.Rb2 Ba4 0-1

22. A33
Deac, Bogdan Daniel (2643) - Miezis, Normunds (2467)
Riga 151/22, 2021

1.Nf3 c5 2.c4 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.g3 Bc5 7.Nb3 Bb4 8.Bg2
8.Bd2 d5 9.a3 (9.cxd5 Nxd5 10.Ne4 Be7 11.Bg2 O-O=) 9...dxc4 10.axb4 cxb3 11.Qxb3 (11.Bg2
Nd4 12.O-O Nc2„) 11...O-O 12.Bg2 e5„
8...d5 9.cxd5 Nxd5 10.O-O
10.Qc2 Nxc3 11.bxc3 Be7 12.O-O e5 13.Be3 O-O=

382
10...Nxc3 11.Qxd8+ Nxd8
11...Kxd8 12.bxc3 Bxc3 13.Rb1 a5 (13...Kc7 14.Bf4+ e5 15.Rfc1 exf4 16.Rxc3ƒ) 14.Be3 Bb4
15.Rfc1 Ke7 16.Nd4 Bd7 17.Nb5! … a3‚
12.bxc3 Bxc3 13.Rb1© a5
13...Bb4 14.Nd4 a5 (14...Be7 15.Nb5 O-O 16.Nc7 Rb8 17.Bf4±) 15.Nb5 O-O 16.Nc7 Rb8 17.a3
Bd6 18.Nb5 Be5 19.Be3 … Rfd1‚
13...O-O 14.Ba3 Re8 15.Rfc1 Bf6 16.Na5²
14.Nc5
14.Rd1 e5! (14...f6 - 32/75) 15.Be3 Bb4 16.Nc5 (16.a3 Be7 17.Nc5 a4 18.Rbc1 O-O 19.Nxa4 Rxa4
20.Rxc8 Ne6=) 16...Bf5 17.Rbc1 Rc8 18.Nxb7 Nxb7 19.Bxb7 Rxc1 20.Rxc1 Be6 21.Bd5 Kd7=
14...e5!?

14...Bb4 - 29/87
15.Na4N
15.a3!? Bf5 (15...O-O 16.Ne4 Bd4 17.e3 Ba7 18.a4 Bb8 19.Ba3 Re8 20.Rfd1 Ra6 21.Rb5±; 15...Bd4
16.Ne4 Ra6 17.e3 Ba7 18.Bb2 Bb8 19.Bc3²) 16.Ne4 Bxe4 17.Bxe4 O-O 18.Be3 Bd4 19.Bxd4 exd4
20.Rfd1²; 15.Nxb7
15...Bb4 16.a3 Be7 17.Nb6 Rb8 18.Rb5
18.Nxc8 Rxc8 19.Rd1 (19.Rb5 Rc5=) 19...O-O 20.Rd5 Bc5! 21.Bh3 Rc6 22.Rxe5 b6 … Ne6=
18...f6!?

383
18...Bg4 19.Rxe5 Nc6 20.Rd5 Rd8 21.Rxd8+ Bxd8 22.Nd5 O-O 23.Be3² … Rb1
19.Rd1

19.Nxc8 Rxc8 20.Rxa5 Nc6 21.Ra4 Bc5 (21...Nd4 22.Be3 Nxe2+ 23.Kh1 O-O 24.Bxb7 Rc7
25.Bd5+ Kh8 26.Rc4²) 22.Be3 Bxe3 23.fxe3 Ke7 24.Rb1²
19...Bg4! 20.f3
20.Kf1 Nc6 21.Be3 Kf7 22.Bd5+ Be6 23.Nd7 Rbc8 24.Rxb7 Bxd5 25.Rxd5 Nd8 26.Rb3 Nc6=
20...Be6 21.f4 Nc6 22.Bb2
22.fxe5 Nxe5 23.Bf4 Rd8 24.Rxd8+ Bxd8 25.Bxb7 Kf7 26.Be4 g5 27.Bxe5 fxe5 28.Nd5 h5„
22...Kf7
¹22...Na7 23.Rxa5 Nc6 24.Rb5 Na7=
23.fxe5 Nxe5
23...Rhd8 24.Rf1! Nd4 25.exf6 Nxb5 26.fxe7+ Kxe7 27.Bxg7 Rd2 28.Bf6+ Ke8 29.Rf4ƒ
24.Bxe5 fxe5 25.Rxe5
25.Rxa5

384
25...Rhd8! 26.Rf1+ Bf6 27.Rxe5 Rd2 28.Bd5 Re8 29.e3 Bxd5 30.Rxd5 Rxd5 31.Nxd5 Ra8 32.e4
Rxa3 33.e5 Ra5=
25...Rhd8 26.Rf1+ Bf6 27.Rxa5 Ke7†
27...Rd2 28.Nd5 Rxe2 29.Nxf6 gxf6 30.Rb5 b6=
28.Rb5
28.Nd5+ Bxd5 29.Bxd5 Ra8 30.Rb5 Rxa3 31.Rxb7+ Rd7 32.Rfb1 Ra1 33.Rxa1 Bxa1 34.Rb5 Kf6
35.e3 g6=
28...Rd2 29.Bf3
29.Nd5+ Bxd5 30.Bxd5 Rxe2 31.a4 Bd4+ 32.Kh1 b6 33.a5 Rc8„
29...Ra2
29...Rbd8 30.Kg2 Rb2 31.Rb1 Rxb1 32.Rxb1 Rd2 33.Na4 Bc4 34.Rxb7+ Kf8 35.Kf2 Bd4+ 36.Ke1
Ra2 37.Rb4 Be3„
30.a4 Rd8 31.Rc1 Kf8
31...Rdd2 32.Rc7+ Kd6 33.Rxb7 Bd4+ 34.Kg2 Rxe2+ 35.Bxe2 Rxe2+ 36.Kf3 Rxh2„
32.Kg2 Rdd2?

385
32...g5 33.h3 Bd4
33.h4?!
33.Rc7!± ∆Bd4 34.Ra5 Rxe2+ 35.Bxe2 Rxe2+ 36.Kf3+-
33...Bd4! 34.Nd5
34.Rf1 Ke7 35.a5 Bc3=
34...Rxa4 35.Rxb7
35.Nf4 Bd7 36.Rxb7 Ra7 37.Rb8+ Kf7 38.h5²
35...Rxe2+! 36.Kh1 Bxd5 37.Bxd5 Ra1= 38.Rxa1 Bxa1 39.Rf7+ 1/2-1/2

23. A33
Rohde, Michael (2343) - Martinez Alcantara, Jose Eduardo (2615)
New York 151/23, 2022

1.Nf3 c5 2.c4 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.g3 Qb6 7.Nb3 Ne5 8.e4 Bb4 9.Qe2 d6
10.Bd2 O-O 11.f4 Nc6 12.Be3N
12.Bg2 - 95/22
12...Qc7 13.Bg2 Bxc3+ 14.bxc3

386
14...e5
14...b6! 15.Nd4 Nxd4 16.cxd4 (16.Bxd4 e5 17.Be3 Ba6) 16...Bb7 17.d5 (17.Bd2 Qc6! 18.d5 exd5
19.cxd5 Qa4-+) 17...exd5 18.cxd5 Rfe8µ
15.O-O
15.f5 b6 16.g4 Ba6 17.g5 Ne8 18.O-O Ne7∞
15...b6 16.f5 Ba6 17.Bg5 Rfc8! 18.Rfd1
18.Bxf6 gxf6 19.Qh5 Kg7! 20.Rf2 Bxc4 21.Nd2 Na5 22.g4 h6µ
18...Nd8! 19.Bxf6 gxf6 20.Bf1 Nb7 21.Nd2

387
21...Kf8! 22.Kg2 Ke7 23.Rab1 Qc6 24.Rb4 Nc5 25.Qe3 Bb7µ 26.Re1 Rc7
26...h5!? 27.Be2 h4 28.g4 Rh8 29.h3 Rac8→
27.Qh6 Rh8
27...Rg8 28.Re3 (28.Qxh7? Rg4!-+ 29.Qh5 Nxe4! 30.Qxg4 Nxd2+ 31.Kh3 Rc8) 28...Rcc8µ
28.Kh3 Qe8 29.Re3 Qg8 30.Be2 Qg5! 31.Qxg5 fxg5 32.Kg2 Nd7 33.Kf2 Nf6 34.h3 Rc5 35.Ra4
Ra8 36.Bd3 Rc7 37.Rb4 Nd7 38.Re1 Rac8
38...Bc6 39.Be2 Nf6 40.Ke3 h5 41.Ra1 h4 42.g4 Nd7 43.Bd1 Nc5 44.a4 Be8 45.Ke2 f6 46.Bc2
Bf7µ
39.Bf1 Nb8 40.Ra4 Bc6 41.Rb4 Be8
41...h5! 42.Ke3 Be8 43.Be2 f6 44.g4 h4 45.Reb1 Bf7µ
42.Rb2 f6 43.Be2 Bf7 44.Nf1?
44.g4³
44...Bxc4-+ 45.Bxc4 Rxc4 46.Ne3 Ra4 47.Nd5+ Kf7 48.Rd2 Na6 49.h4 g4 50.Ne3 Nc5 51.Nxg4
h5 52.Nxf6 Kxf6 53.Rxd6+ Ke7 54.Rh6 Nd3+ 0-1

24. * !N A34
Abdusattorov, Nodirbek (2651) - Kosteniuk, Alexandra (2516)
chess24.com (Int.-rapid) 151/24, 2022

1.c4 c5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Nc3 Nc7 6.d3 e5 7.Be3 Be7 8.Rc1 Nd7
8...Ne6 - 41/45

388
9.Nf3 O-O 10.O-O b6 11.Qa4 Rb8
11...Bb7

12.Rfd1!N (12.Nh4) 12...Re8?! (12...Rb8 13.Bh3 b5 14.Qc2 f5 15.d4!? (15.Ne4!?) 15...exd4 16.Bxf5
g6 17.Bxg6 dxe3 18.Bxh7+ Kh8 19.Bf5 exf2+ 20.Kxf2 Bc8∞) 13.Nxe5 Bxg2 14.Qxd7 (14.Nxd7)
14...Qxd7 15.Nxd7 Bb7 16.Ne5 Bf6 17.Nc4 Rad8 18.Kf1± Abdusattorov,N (2651)-Volokitin, A
(2681) chess.com (Int.-rapid) 151/(24) 2022
12.Rfd1N
12.a3 a5 13.Nb5=
12...h6 13.a3 a5 14.Nb5 Nxb5 15.Qxb5 Bd6 16.Nd2 Re8
16...Nf6! 17.Nc4 Ne8 18.Qa4 Nf6 19.Qb5 Ne8=
17.Nc4 Bc7 18.b4!± axb4 19.axb4 f5 20.Bd2 Kh8 21.Ra1!
21.Bc3 f4 22.Bb2→
21...Nf8 22.bxc5 bxc5 23.Qxc5 Ne6
23...Be6 24.Ra7 Rc8 25.Bb7+-
24.Qd5 Qf6 25.Ra7?!
25.Rdb1 e4 26.dxe4 Rd8 27.e5!+-
25...Rd8 26.Qf3 e4! 27.Qh5 exd3 28.exd3 Rxd3 29.Re1
29.Bf1! Rd7

389
(29...Rd8 30.Rxc7! Nxc7 31.Bc3 Qe7 32.Qxh6+) 30.Bc3! Qxc3 31.Qe8+ Kh7 32.Rxd7 Bxd7
33.Qxd7+-
29...Bd7
¹29...Rd8 30.Rc1 Rb3²
30.Bf1± Rxd2 31.Nxd2 Qd4 32.Ra2 f4
32...Ng5 33.Bg2
33.Nf3+- Qf6 34.Qd5 Rd8 35.Ra8 Rxa8 36.Qxa8+ Nf8 37.Nh4 fxg3 38.hxg3 Bd6 39.Bd3 g5
40.Ng6+ Kg7 41.Nxf8 Bxf8 42.Qe4 Bc5 43.Re2 Bc6 44.Qh7+ Kf8 45.Rc2
45.Be4 Bxe4 46.Qxe4 Kg7 47.Kg2 h5 48.Qd5
45...Bb6 46.Be4 Bxe4 47.Rc8+ Bd8 48.Qxe4 Kg7 49.Qd5 1-0

25. * A35
Nguyen, Thai Dai Van (2613) - Bjerre, Jonas Buhl (2586)
Wijk aan Zee II 151/25, 2022

1.Nf3 c5 2.c4 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e5 5.d4 e4 6.d5 exf3 7.dxc6 dxc6
7...bxc6 - 144/13
8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.gxf3 g6 10.b3 Bg7 11.Bb2 b6
11...Ke7 12.Ne4 b6 13.O-O-ON (13.Bg2) 13...Bf5 14.Ng3 Be6 15.h4 Rhd8 16.Rxd8 Rxd8 17.h5
Ne8 18.Bxg7 Nxg7 19.hxg6 (19.f4 Nf5 20.Ne4 Nd6 21.Nd2 b5 22.Rg1 Bf5 23.f3 Be6 24.e4 Bd7
25.Rg5²) 19...hxg6 20.f4 Nf5 21.Ne4 Nd6 22.Nc3 a6 23.Bg2 b5 24.cxb5 cxb5 25.Nd5+=
Stremavicius,T (2505)-Talukdar,R (2329) Charlotte 151/(25) 2022

390
12.a4N
12.O-O-O+
12...a5 13.O-O-O+ Kc7 14.Ne4 Nh5

15.Ba3!? Bd7
15...Bf5 16.Be2 Nf6 17.Ng3 Be6 18.h4²
16.Kc2 Rad8 17.Bd3 Nf6 18.Ng3 Bh3 19.Rhg1 Rd7 20.Bb2 Rhd8 21.Be5+ Kc8 22.Be2 Nh5
23.Rxd7 Rxd7 24.f4ƒ Bxe5
24...Nf6 25.Bf3 Kb7 26.Bg2 Bxg2 27.Rxg2 Ne8 28.h4²
25.fxe5 Ng7 26.Kc3 Re7 27.f4 Ne8 28.Ne4± Bf5 29.Ng5 h6 30.Nf3 Ng7 31.Bd3 Bd7 32.e4 Nh5
33.f5 Be8
33...Nf4 34.e6! fxe6 35.fxg6 Rg7 36.e5 Kd8 37.Rg4±
34.Kd2 Rd7 35.Ke3 Kd8 36.Be2 gxf5 37.exf5 f6 38.e6+- Rg7
38...Re7 39.Rg8 Rg7 40.Rh8
39.Rd1+ Ke7 40.Bf1 Rg8 41.Bh3 Rg7 42.Nd2 Ng3 43.Kf2 Nh5 44.Kf3 Rg8 45.Ne4 Ng7 46.Rg1
Bh5+ 47.Kf2 Be8 48.Bf1 Bh5 49.Bd3 Be8 50.Be2 1-0

26. A62
Lei, Tingjie (2505) - Atalik, Ekaterina (2420)
Riga 151/26, 2021

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.Bg2 O-O 8.Nf3 d6 9.O-O Re8 10.Bf4

391
Ne4 11.Nxe4 Rxe4 12.Nd2 Rb4 13.a3 Rxf4 14.gxf4 Bxb2 15.Rb1
15.Ra2 - 32/126
15...Bg7 16.Re1N
16.e4 Nd7∞
16...Bh6 17.e3 Na6 18.Qf3 b6 19.Nc4

19...Nc7
19...Rb8! 20.e4 b5 21.Ne3 Qh4 22.f5 Bd7 23.e5!? (23.Bh3 Bg7∞) 23...dxe5 24.d6 Bf4 25.Nd5
Bxh2+ 26.Kf1∞
20.e4 Ne8
20...b5 21.Na5 (21.Nxd6!?) 21...Qh4

392
22.Qg3! Qxf4 23.e5 Qxg3 24.hxg3 Bf8 25.a4²
21.e5?!
21.Qg3! b5 22.Ne3 Ng7 23.Bf3 a6 24.Rbd1²
21...Bf5 22.Rbd1 Qh4 23.Ne3 Bxf4 24.Nxf5 gxf5 25.e6 Bxh2+ 26.Kf1 Ng7 27.Re2?
27.Qd3! Re8 28.exf7+ Kxf7 29.Rxe8 Kxe8 30.Qa6 Qf4∞
27...f6
27...Be5!µ
28.Qb3 Be5 29.Qb5 Qh5 30.Qc6 Re8 31.Qc7 f4 32.Rd3 Qg6?!

393
32...Kh8 33.Rh3 Qf5 34.Qf7 Rg8∞
33.Be4?!
33.Rh3! Kh8 34.Be4 f5 35.Bf3 Rg8 36.Re1±
33...f5?
33...Qh5 34.Bf3 Qg6=
34.Bg2 Qf6 35.Qxa7 c4 36.Rd1
36.Rh3 c3 37.Bf3 Rc8 38.Rc2±
36...c3 37.Qxb6 Qg6 38.Qb5 Kh8 39.Qd3 Rg8 40.Qf3?
40.Bf3 Nxe6 41.Rxe5 Nc5 42.Qxf5 dxe5 43.Qxe5+ Qg7 44.Qxg7+ Kxg7 45.Rc1 Na4 46.d6 Rd8
47.Bc6 Nb6 48.Rxc3 Rxd6=
40...Nh5 41.Rc2 Nf6 42.Re1 Ng4 43.Qh3 Qg7
43...Bd4! 44.Rd1 f3! 45.Rxd4

394
(45.Bxf3? Ne3+! 46.Ke2 Nxd1-+) 45...f4!! (45...fxg2+ 46.Kg1 f4 47.Rc1 Ne5 48.Rb4!∞) 46.Rc1
Ne5 47.Kg1! (47.e7? Qxg2+ 48.Qxg2 fxg2+ 49.Ke2 f3+ 50.Ke3 Re8 51.Rf4 Rxe7 52.Rf8+ Kg7
53.Rxf3 Nxf3+ 54.Kxf3 Ra7 55.Kxg2 Rxa3-+) 47...c2 (47...Qxg2+ 48.Qxg2 Rxg2+ 49.Kf1
(49.Kh1? Ng4-+) 49...Rh2 50.Kg1 Rg2+=) 48.e7 fxg2 49.Rb4 Qf7∞
44.Bf3™ Ne3+
44...Bd4 45.Bxg4 (45.Qg2 Qf6 46.e7 Be5 47.Bxg4 Qxe7 48.Qf3 fxg4 49.Qxf4 g3∞) 45...fxg4
46.Qd3 f3 47.e7 Be5 48.Rxe5! Qxe5 49.Qxc3 Qxc3 50.Rxc3∞
45.fxe3 Qg1+ 46.Ke2 Qxe3+ 47.Kd1 Qd3+?
47...Rg1 48.Rxg1 Qxg1+ 49.Ke2 Qe3+ 50.Kd1 (50.Kf1? Qd3+ 51.Ke1 (51.Re2 c2-+) 51...Qxc2
52.e7 Qc1+ 53.Ke2 Qe3+ 54.Kf1 Bf6-+) 50...Qg1+=
48.Kc1 Bd4
48...Rb8 49.Qf1+-
49.Bg2?
49.Rh1! Rg7 50.e7! Rxe7 51.Qh6!+- Be3+ (51...Rg7 52.Qe6+-) 52.Kb1 Rb7+ 53.Ka1 Rg7 54.Rb1
49...Rg3?
49...Qa6! 50.Rxc3 (50.Bf1 Qxa3+ 51.Kd1 Qb3 52.Qd3 Qb1+ 53.Rc1 Qb3+ 54.Qc2 Qxd5∞; 50.Ra2
Qc4 51.Ree2 Be3+ 52.Rxe3 fxe3 53.Qxe3 Qxa2 54.Qxc3+ Rg7 55.Bf3 Qf2=) 50...Qa5! 51.Rh1
(51.Kc2 Rxg2+ 52.Qxg2 Qxc3+ 53.Kd1 Qd3+=) 51...Qxc3+ 52.Qxc3 Bxc3 53.Bh3±
50.Qh6 Be3+
50...Qa6

395
51.Ra2!+-
51.Kb1 Rxg2 52.Qf8+ Rg8 53.Qf6+ Rg7 54.e7 Qb5+
54...Qe4 55.Qf8+ Rg8 56.Ka1!+-
55.Ka1 Qe8 56.Rxc3 Bd2 57.Rc8 1-0

27. A87
Korobov, Anton (2684) - Paravyan, David (2642)
Riga 151/27, 2021

1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.O-O O-O 6.b3 d6 7.Bb2 a5 8.c4 a4 9.bxa4
9.Nbd2 - 50/107
9...Ne4 10.Nfd2N
10.Nc3
10...Nxd2
10...Nc5

396
11.a5! Nc6 (11...Rxa5? 12.Bc3+-) 12.e3 Nxa5 13.Qc2 Nd7 14.Nc3 e5 15.dxe5 dxe5 16.Nb5 c6
17.Nd6 Nc5 18.Nxc8 Qxc8 19.Ba3 b6 20.Bxc5 bxc5 21.e4 f4 22.Nf3²
11.Nxd2 e5 12.c5!?
12.dxe5 dxe5 13.Bd5+ Kh8 14.Ba3 Rf6 15.Rb1 c6 16.Bg2 Qc7 17.c5 Be6 18.Qc2 Nd7 19.Rfd1 e4
20.Nc4±
12...e4
12...exd4 13.Qb3+ Kh8 14.cxd6 Qxd6 15.Ba3 c5 16.Nc4 Qe7 17.Nb6 Ra5 18.Rac1 Be6 19.Qc2
Na6 20.Qd2±
13.cxd6 cxd6
13...Qxd6 14.e3 Be6 15.Qc2 Rc8 16.f3! exf3 17.Bxf3 c6 18.a5! Rxa5 19.Nc4 Bxc4 20.Qxc4+²
14.Nc4
14.f3!?²
14...Nc6
14...d5 15.Ne5 Nc6 16.e3 Qa5 17.Qb3 Rd8 18.Rfc1 Bxe5 19.dxe5 Qxa4 20.Qxa4 Rxa4 21.Bf1²
15.Ba3 Bxd4?!
15...Nxd4 16.Rb1²
16.Nxd6 Be6 17.Nxb7 Qd5 18.Bxf8 Bxa1 19.Qxa1 Rxf8 20.Rd1 Qc4
20...Qxa2 21.Qxa2 Bxa2 22.f3! Bb3 23.Ra1 Nd4 24.fxe4 Nxe2+ 25.Kh1 fxe4 26.Nc5+-

397
21.e3 Qxa4

22.Nc5?!
22.Bf1! Qxa2 23.Qc3 Ne7 24.Qe5 Nc6 25.Qd6+-
22...Qxa2 23.Qc3 Qc4 24.Qa3 Ne5?!
24...Qa2! 25.Qc1 Qc4 26.Bf1 Qxc1 27.Rxc1 Nd8!
25.Bf1! Nd3 26.Nxe6 Qxe6 27.Bxd3 exd3 28.Rxd3 Qf6 29.Qb3+ Kh8 30.Rd7+- Qa1+ 31.Kg2
Qa8+ 32.Kh3 Qc6 33.Qb2+ Qf6 34.Qb7 h5
34...h6 35.Rh7+ Kg8 36.Rxh6 Qf7 37.Qc6 Kg7 38.Rh4
35.Kg2 Kg8 36.h4 Qe5 37.Qc6 Rf6 38.Qc4+ Qe6 39.Qc8+ Rf8 40.Rg7+ 1-0

398
B00-B24

28. B07
Bruzon Batista, Lazaro (2636) - Almeida Quintana, Omar (2535)
chess.com (Int.-rapid) 151/28, 2022

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 a6 5.a4 Nf6 6.h3 O-O 7.g4 Nc6
7...e5 - 123/40
8.Bg2 e5 9.Nge2 exd4 10.Nxd4 Re8 11.O-O Nxd4N
11...Bd7
12.Bxd4 Bd7 13.Qd3
13.f4 c5 14.Bf2 (14.Bxf6 Bxf6! (14...Qxf6? 15.e5±) 15.Qxd6 Bd4+ 16.Kh1 Bc6 17.Qxd8 Raxd8
18.e5 Bxc3 19.bxc3 Rd2 20.Bxc6 bxc6=) 14...Bc6 15.Re1 Qb6∞
13...c5 14.Be3 Bc6 15.Rfd1 Qb6„ 16.Rab1
16.Bf4 Rad8 17.Bxd6 h5 (17...Bf8 18.a5 Qb4 19.e5 Rxe5 20.Bxe5 Rxd3 21.Rxd3 c4 22.Rdd1 Qe7
23.Bg3 h6∞) 18.a5 Qb4 19.e5 Nxg4 20.hxg4 Bxe5 21.Nd5 Qxg4 22.Bxe5 Rxd5 23.Qxd5 Rxe5
24.Qd8+ Kg7 25.f3! Bxf3 26.Rd2 Rd5! 27.Qxd5 Bxd5 28.Rxd5 h4 29.Ra3 f5∞
16...Qb4 17.Qxd6
17.Bd2 Qd4=
17...Nxe4 18.Bxe4

399
18.Nxe4 Bxe4 19.Bxc5 Qxa4 20.b3 Qa5 21.Bxe4 Rxe4=
18...Rxe4! 19.Nd5
19.Qxc5 Qxc5 20.Bxc5 Bxc3 21.bxc3 Rxa4 22.Bd4 a5µ
19...Qc4 20.Qxc5 Qe2 21.Rd3?
21.Bd4 Bxd5 22.Qxd5 Qf3 (22...Rae8 23.Bxg7 Kxg7 24.Qxb7 Rf4 25.Qg2 Qxc2 26.Qg3 Rf6 27.b3
Re2 28.Rbc1 Qb2 29.Rb1 Qc2 30.Rbc1=) 23.Bc3! Bxc3 24.Qd3! Qxd3 (24...Qf4 25.bxc3=) 25.cxd3
Rxa4 26.bxc3 b5 27.Rb4 Ra3 28.c4=
21...Re5! 22.Rbd1 Qf3-+ 23.Bg5
23.Bh6 Rxd5 24.Rxd5 Bxd5-+
23...Rxd5 24.Rxd5 Re8 25.c4 h6 26.Be3 Qxh3 27.b3
27.Bf4 Qxg4+ 28.Bg3 h5
27...Re4 28.R1d4 Bxd4 29.Rd8+ Kh7 0-1

29. B08
Bacrot, Etienne (2642) - Grischuk, Alexander (2764)
Berlin 151/29, 2022

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 O-O 6.O-O a6 7.a4 b6 8.Re1 e6
8...Bb7 - 103/65
9.e5 dxe5 10.Nxe5 Bb7 11.Bf3 Qc8 12.Bg5 Nfd7

400
12...Nbd7?! 13.Nc6±
13.Bf4N
13.Bxb7
13...Rd8?!

13...Nxe5 14.dxe5 (14.Bxe5 Nd7 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.Bxb7 Qxb7 17.Qe2²) 14...Nc6 15.Qc1 Rd8
16.h4²
14.Ng4! Rf8
14...Nc6 15.Bh6 (15.d5 Nd4 16.Nh6+ Bxh6 17.Bxh6 e5 18.Bg4 f5 19.Be2 c5 20.Bc4±) 15...Bxh6
16.Nxh6+ Kg7 17.Qd2 Nf6 18.d5! exd5 19.Nxd5 Nxd5 20.Nxf7! Kxf7 (20...Nd4 21.Qxd4+ Kxf7
22.Re5 Qd7 23.Rd1+-) 21.Bxd5+ Rxd5 22.Qxd5+ Kg7 23.Rad1+-
15.d5 h5 16.Ne5
16.Nh6+! Kh7 (16...Bxh6 17.Bxh6 Re8 18.dxe6 fxe6 19.Qd3+-) 17.Nxf7 Rxf7 18.dxe6 Rxf4
19.exd7 Nxd7 20.Bxb7 Qxb7 21.Qxd7+-
16...Nxe5 17.Bxe5 f6
17...Bxe5 18.Rxe5 Nd7 19.Rg5 exd5 20.Bxd5 Bxd5 21.Nxd5±
18.d6
18.Be4 fxe5 19.Bxg6 Nd7 20.dxe6 Nf6 21.Rxe5 Ng4 22.Bf7+ Rxf7 23.exf7+ Kxf7 24.Rxh5±;
18.Bg3! e5 19.Qd3 Qe8 20.d6 Bxf3 21.Qxf3 Ra7 22.Rad1±
18...fxe5 19.d7 Nxd7 20.Bxb7 Qxb7 21.Qxd7 Qc8 22.Qc6 Rf7 23.Rad1 Qe8 24.Qe4?!

401
24.Qc4 b5 (24...a5 25.Ne4±) 25.axb5 axb5 26.Qd3 Rf4 27.Ne4±
24...Rf4 25.Qb7
25.Qe2 Qc6 26.Rd3 Raf8∞
25...Rc4!= 26.Qf3
26.Re2 Qc6 27.Qxc6 Rxc6 28.Rd7 e4 29.Nxe4 Bxb2=
26...Rd8
¹26...Qc6 27.Re4 Rd4 28.Rexd4 Qxf3 29.Rd8+ Rxd8 30.Rxd8+ Qf8 31.Rxf8+ Kxf8 32.Ne4 Ke7=
27.Rxd8 Qxd8 28.Qe2 Rd4 29.Qxa6 Rd2

30.Qc4
30.Ne4! Rxc2 31.Qb5 Qd4 32.Qe8+ Kh7 33.h4 Kh6 34.Qe7 Re2! 35.Rxe2 Qd1+ 36.Kh2 Qxe2
37.Qb4²
30...Qd4 31.Qxe6+ Kh7 32.Qf7 Qf4 33.Qxf4 exf4 34.Rc1 Bxc3 35.bxc3 1/2-1/2

30. *** B12

Hauge, Lars Oskar (2490) - Howell, David (2648)
Terme Catez 151/30, 2021

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.g4 Be4 5.f3 Bg6 6.e6 Qd6 7.exf7+ Bxf7 8.Nc3
8.Nh3 - 133/47
8...Nd7 - 151/30

402
8...e5 - 151/(30) 9.dxe5 Qxe5+ 10.Nge2 Bd6 11.Bf4 Qe7 12.Qd2 Bxf4 13.Qxf4 Nf6 14.O-O-O O-O
15.Nd4 Bg6 16.Bd3

16...Bxd3? (16...Ne4! 17.Qe3 Qg5 18.Qxg5 Nxg5 19.Bxg6 hxg6∞) 17.Rhe1! Ne4 18.Qe3 Qf7
19.fxe4 Bxe4 20.Nxe4 dxe4 21.Qxe4 (21.Nf5! Nd7 22.Qg5! Qf6 (22...Kh8 23.Rxe4 Rae8 24.Rxe8
Rxe8 25.Qxg7+! Qxg7 26.Nxg7+-) 23.Qxg7+! Qxg7 24.Nxg7 Nf6 25.Ne6 Rf7 26.Nc5±) 21...Nd7
22.Qe6 Nf6 23.h3 1/2 (23) Kozak,A (2516)-Deac,B (2643) Romania 151/(30) 2021
9.f4 e6N
9...g5!? - 151/(30) 10.fxg5 O-O-O 11.Be3 Bg7 12.Qd2 e5 13.O-O-O Ne7 14.Nf3 Rhf8 Nihal,S
(2620)-Abdusattorov, N (2634) chess24.com (Int.-rapid) 151/(30) 2021 (14...Rhf8 15.dxe5 Nxe5
16.Bf4 N7g6 17.Bg3ƒ)
10.Be3 - 151/30
10.Nf3N Qc7 11.Bd3 Bd6 12.Ng5 h5 13.Bd2 Nf8 14.Rf1 hxg4 15.Qxg4 Bh5 16.Qg2 Ne7 17.Ne2
Qd7?! (17...Bg6 18.Bxg6+ Nexg6 19.O-O-O O-O-O²) 18.Ng3 Bg6 19.Bxg6+ Nexg6 20.O-O-O O-
O-O? (20...Nh4 21.Qh3 g6 (21...Nhg6 22.Nh5 O-O-O 23.Rde1ƒ) 22.Nh1! … Nf2-g4) 21.f5! Nh4
22.Qh3 e5 23.dxe5 Bxe5 24.Ne6± Grandelius, N (2662)-Keymer,V (2630) Riga 151/(30) 2021
10...h5 11.g5 Ne7 12.Qd2 Qc7 13.O-O-O Bg6 14.Nf3 Nf5 15.Bd3 Bb4 16.a3 Bxc3
16...Ba5!?
17.Qxc3 O-O 18.Bd2 b6 19.Rde1 Rfe8 20.Re2² [×e6] 20...Qd6 21.Rhe1 a5 22.Ne5
22.Bxf5!? Bxf5 23.Nh4 Be4 24.f5 exf5 25.Nxf5 Qg6 26.Ng3²
22...Nxe5 23.Rxe5 Kf7

403
23...c5!? 24.dxc5 bxc5 25.R1e2!? … Be1-f2
24.Qb3 Rab8 25.c3 c5 26.Qa4 Re7 27.dxc5 bxc5 28.Qxa5 c4 29.Bxf5
29.Bc2 Qc6©
29...Bxf5 30.Be3 Reb7 31.Re2 Kg6 32.Bd4 Rc8 33.Qa4 h4?
33...Rcb8„
34.Qd1 Ra8 35.Qe1 Ra6 36.Qxh4 Qf8 37.Qe1

37.Qg3±
37...Kh7?
37...Rxa3! 38.bxa3 Rb1+ 39.Kd2 Rxe1 40.Kxe1 Bg4 41.Rb2 Qxa3 42.Rb7 Kh5 43.Rxg7 Qc1+
44.Kf2 Qxf4+ 45.Kg1 Qc1+ 46.Kf2=
38.g6+! Bxg6 39.Qh4+ Kg8 40.Rg5! Rxa3
40...Qe7 41.Qg4+-
41.Rxg6 Ra1+ 42.Kd2 Qf5
42...Rxb2+ 43.Ke3 e5 44.Bxe5 d4+ 45.Kf2 Rxe2+ 46.Kxe2 d3+ 47.Kf2 d2 48.Qg4 d1=N+
49.Kg3+-
43.Qd8+ Kh7 44.Rh6+! gxh6 45.Qh8+ Kg6 46.Rg2+ Kh5 47.Rg5+! Qxg5 48.fxg5+- Rxb2+
49.Ke3 Kg4 50.h3+ Kxh3 51.Qxh6+ Kg2 52.Qh4 Rf1 53.Qg4+ Kh1 54.Qh3+ Kg1 55.Qxe6 Rff2
56.Qg4+ Kf1 57.Qd1+ Kg2 58.g6 Rb8 59.Qg4+ Kf1 60.Qh3+ Ke1 61.Qh1+ Rf1 62.Qh2 Re8+
63.Be5 d4+ 64.cxd4 1-0

404
 31. B12
Dominguez Perez, Leinier (2752) - Harikrishna, Penteala (2717)
Berlin 151/31, 2022

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nd2 e6 5.Nb3 Nd7 6.Nf3 Qc7 7.Be2 c5
7...f6 - 109/53
8.dxc5 Bxc5 9.Nxc5 Nxc5 10.Be3 Ne7 11.Nd4 a6 12.a4 Rc8 13.f4 Be4 14.O-O Nf5N
14...O-O
15.Nxf5

15.Bf2 Qe7 16.a5 (16.Qd2 O-O 17.b4 Nd7∞) 16...g5! 17.b4 Nd7 18.Bd3 gxf4 19.Qg4 Nxe5
20.Qxf4 Bxd3 21.cxd3 Nxd3 22.Qd2 Nxf2 23.Nxf5 exf5 24.Rxf2 O-O 25.Rxf5 Rc4=
15...exf5! 16.c3
16.c4 d4! 17.Qxd4 (17.Bxd4? Rd8-+) 17...Nb3 18.Qd6 Nxa1 19.Rxa1 h5∞
16...O-O 17.a5 Qc6 18.Bd4 h6 19.Rf2 Ne6 20.Ra4 Qc7 21.Bb6 Qe7 22.Bf3 Rc6 23.g3 f6! 24.Bxe4
24.exf6 Qxf6 25.Rd2 Rf7 26.Rb4 Kh7 27.Bxe4 dxe4 28.Rd5 Nc7 29.Rd8 Ne6 30.Rd5 Nc7=
24...dxe4 25.exf6 Qxf6 26.Qd5 Qf7 27.Rc4 Rxc4 28.Qxc4 Qd7= 29.Be3 Qd1+ 30.Rf1 Qd7 31.Rf2
Qd1+ 32.Rf1 Qd7 33.Rf2 1/2-1/2

32. !N B12
Mamedov, Nidjat (2604) - Suleymanli, Aydin Elshan (2530)
Azerbaijan 151/32, 2022

405
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nd2 e6 5.Nb3 Nd7 6.Nf3 Qc7 7.Be2 a6
7...c5 - 151/31
8.O-O c5 9.c3 c4 10.Nbd2 h6

11.Ne1!N
11.Re1
11...Ne7 12.Nc2 g5 13.Ne3 Bg6 14.b3 cxb3 15.c4!
15.Nxb3 Qxc3 16.Bd2 Qc7 17.Bh5©
15...dxc4
15...bxa2 16.cxd5 Nxd5 17.Nxd5 exd5 18.Rxa2 Be7 19.Re1 O-O 20.Nf1 (20.h4±) 20...Bb4 21.Bd2
Bxd2 22.Rxd2 a5 23.Ne3±
16.Ndxc4± Nc6
16...Bc2 17.Qd2 Nd5 18.Nxd5 exd5 19.Ne3 Nb6 20.axb3 Bxb3 21.Bb2±; 16...Nf5 17.Nxf5 Bxf5
18.Qxb3 Be4 19.Ba3±
17.Bb2
17.d5!? Ncxe5 18.dxe6 fxe6 19.Bb2 Nxc4 20.Bxc4 Rh7 21.Bxe6+-
17...b5 18.Nd6+ Bxd6 19.exd6 Qxd6 20.d5 Nce5 21.Qd4
21.axb3 O-O 22.Qd4 Rfe8 23.f4 gxf4 24.Qxf4 exd5 25.Qxh6 d4 26.Nf5 Qf6 27.Qh3±
21...O-O 22.f4

406
22.axb3 - 21.ab3
22...gxf4 23.Qxf4 Nc4
23...bxa2 24.Rxa2 h5 (24...exd5 25.Qxh6 Rfe8 26.Rf4 f6

27.Rg4!+-) 25.Ba3+-
24.Qxd6 Nxd6 25.dxe6 Rae8 26.Bg4! Nb6
26...fxe6 27.Rfd1+-
27.axb3 f5 28.Rxa6
28.Bf3 Rxe6 29.Nd5 Ne4 30.Rxa6+-
28...fxg4 29.Rxf8+ Kxf8 30.Rxb6 Rxe6 31.Nxg4+- Bf5 32.Ne5 Kg8
32...Ke8 33.Nf3 Be4 34.Nd4 Rg6 35.Ba3
33.h3 Bc2 34.b4 Bb3 35.Kh2 Bd5 36.Ba1 Kf8 37.Nd3 Bc4 38.Nc5 Re1 39.Bc3 1-0

33. B12
Bruzon Batista, Lazaro (2636) - Dragun, Kamil (2579)
Dulles 151/33, 2022

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nd2 e6 5.Nb3 Nd7 6.Nf3 c5 7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.Nxc5 Nxc5 9.Be2 Ne7
10.Nd4 h6N
10...O-O - 147/25
11.Be3 Nd7 12.f4 Be4 13.O-O O-O 14.c3 Nf5 15.Nxf5 Bxf5

407
15...exf5 16.Bf3 Qc8 17.Rf2 Rd8 18.Rd2²
16.Bd4 Qc7 17.Qd2

17.Bg4!? Be4 (17...Bxg4 18.Qxg4 Rae8 19.h3 Nc5 20.f5 exf5 21.Rxf5 Re6 22.Raf1²) 18.Qe1 Nb8
19.f5 exf5 20.Bxf5 Nc6! 21.Bxe4 dxe4 22.Qxe4 Rfe8 23.Rae1 Re6 24.Qf5 Rae8 25.Re4 Nxe5
26.Rfe1 f6=
17...Nb8! 18.g4 Be4 19.f5?!

19.Rae1 Rc8 20.Bf2 Nc6∞

408
19...exf5! 20.gxf5 Nc6 21.f6
21.Qf4 Rae8 22.Bc5 (22.Bg4 Nxe5 23.f6 g5 24.Qg3 - 21.f6) 22...Rxe5 23.Bxf8 Kxf8³
21...g5
21...Nxe5 22.Qf4 Rae8 23.fxg7 Kxg7³
22.Qe3 Nxe5 23.Qg3 Rae8 24.Rae1?!
24.Bg4 Qb8 25.Bf5 Ng6³
24...Kh7 25.Bb5
25.Bh5 Qb8 26.Re3 Nc4 27.Qxb8 Rxb8 28.Re2 Bg6-+
25...Re6-+ 26.Rxe4
26.c4 Qd6! 27.b4 (27.c5 Qb8-+) 27...Nf3+ 28.Rxf3 Bxf3 29.Qxd6 Rxd6 30.Bc5 Rfd8 31.Bxd6
Rxd6-+
26...dxe4 27.Rf5 Rc8
27...Rd8 28.Rxe5 (28.Be2 Rd5) 28...Rxe5 29.Qxe5 Qxe5 30.Bxe5 Rd5
28.Qh3 g4 29.Qh5 Nf3+ 30.Rxf3 gxf3 31.Qf5+ Kh8 32.Kh1 Rg8 33.Bf1 Qd6 34.Bc4 Rg5
34...f2 35.Qxf2 e3
35.Qh3 Kh7 0-1

34. B12
Firouzja, Alireza (2770) - Jobava, Baadur (2582)
Terme Catez 151/34, 2021

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 Ne7 6.O-O h6 7.Nbd2 Nd7 8.Nb3 Bh7 9.a4 a6?!
9...Ng6 - 126/36
10.Bd2 Qc7 11.Rc1 Rd8?!N
11...Nc8
12.Ba5!?
12.c4 dxc4 13.Bxc4±
12...b6 13.Bb4 a5 14.Bd6 Qb7 15.Qd2 Nc8 16.Bxf8 Nxf8 17.Ne1 Ne7 18.Nd3 Nd7 19.Nf4 O-O
20.Rfe1 Rc8 21.c3 Rc7 22.g4 Qb8 23.Qe3

409
23...Qd8?!
23...b5! 24.axb5 (24.Nxa5? bxa4µ) 24...a4 25.Na1 (25.Nd2 cxb5∞) 25...c5!„ (25...cxb5∞)
24.h3 Kh8 25.Nd2 c5 26.Bb5 Nc6 27.Kh2
27.Nf3 Qe7 28.c4²
27...cxd4 28.cxd4 Nb4 29.Rxc7 Qxc7 30.Qc3! Rc8 31.Rc1 Bc2! 32.Qg3 Qd8 33.Bxd7 Qxd7 34.g5
hxg5
34...Bg6! 35.Nxg6+ fxg6 36.Rxc8+ Qxc8 37.gxh6 gxh6 38.Qxg6 Qf8 39.Kh1! (39.Kg2 Qg7
40.Qxg7+ Kxg7©) 39...Qxf2! 40.Qxh6+ Kg8 41.Qxe6+ Kh7 42.Qe7+ Kg6 43.Qf6+ Qxf6 44.exf6
Kxf6 45.Nb1! (45.Kg2 Kf5 46.Kf3 Nc2 47.Nb3 Ne1+ 48.Ke2 Ng2= ×Nb3) 45...Kf5 46.Nc3 Nd3
47.Kg2 Nxb2 48.Kf3!±
35.Qxg5 Qd8 36.Qh5+ Kg8 37.Nf3 g6 38.Rg1?!
38.Qh6! Qf8 39.Qh4→
38...Nc6
38...Kf8! 39.Qh8+ Ke7 40.Qf6+ Ke8 41.Qg7 Qe7∞
39.Qh6 Qf8 40.Qh4 Qg7 41.Nh5 Qh6?

410
41...Qh8! 42.Nf6+ Kg7 43.Qg5 Bf5 44.Ng4 Kf8∞
42.Rg4!! Kf8 43.Qf6 Nd8
43...Kg8 44.Ng5 Rf8 45.Qf4!+- … Nf6, Rh4
44.Rh4 Kg8 45.Ng5 Bd1

46.Qxd8+!!
46.Qxd8+ Rxd8 47.Nf6+ Kg7 48.Rxh6 Kxh6 49.Nxf7++-
1-0

411
 35. B12
Saric, Ivan (2644) - Harikrishna, Penteala (2719)
Cesko 151/35, 2022

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 c5 6.Be3 Qb6 7.Nc3 Nc6 8.O-O Qxb2 9.Qe1 cxd4
10.Bxd4 Nxd4 11.Nxd4 Bb4 12.Ndb5 Ba5 13.Rb1 Qxc2 14.Rb3 Ne7 15.Nd6+ Kf8 16.Nxb7 Bb6
17.Nd6 Bg6
17...Ba5 - 115/42
18.Bd1 Qc1 19.Na4 Kg8 20.Nxb6 axb6 21.Rc3 Qb2N
21...Qf4 22.g3 Qd4 23.Nb5 Qe4 24.Rc7 Nf5 25.Qc3 h5∞
22.Rc7
22.Bb3 h5 23.f3 d4 24.Rc7 Nf5 25.Nc4 Qc3 26.Qxc3 dxc3 27.Nxb6 Ra6 28.Na4 Ne3 29.Re1 Nd5
30.Bxd5 exd5 31.Nxc3 d4 32.Ne4 Bxe4 33.Rxe4 Rxa2 34.Rxd4 Kh7 35.Rxf7 Rc8 36.h4 Rcc2
37.Rdd7 Rxg2+ 38.Kf1 Raf2+ 39.Ke1 Ra2 40.Kf1 Raf2+=
22...Nf5 23.Bb3 h5
23...h6!? 24.Bc2 Kh7 25.Bxf5 exf5 26.Nxf7 Rhc8 27.Rxc8 Rxc8 28.e6 Qf6 29.Qe5∞
24.Bc2 Nxd6
24...Kh7 25.Bxf5 Bxf5 26.Nxf5 exf5 27.Rxf7 Rhe8 28.e6 Kg6∞; 24...Nd4 25.Bxg6 fxg6 26.Nf7
Ne2+ 27.Kh1 Rf8 28.Nxh8 Kxh8 29.f3 Ra8 30.Qa1 Rxa2 31.Qxb2 Rxb2 32.Rd1 Kh7 33.Re7 Nd4©
25.Bxg6 fxg6 26.exd6 Qf6
26...Kh7 27.Qxe6 Rhf8 28.h3 Qf6 29.Qxd5 Ra4! 30.d7 Rd4 31.Qb3 Qf5 32.Qxb6 Rxd7 33.Rxd7
Qxd7 34.Qb3 Qd2 35.a4 Rf4=
27.Re7

412
27...e5! 28.Qxe5 Qxe5 29.Rxe5 Kh7 30.Rxd5 Rxa2 31.Rb1 Ra6 32.g4 hxg4 33.Rbb5 Rd8 34.Rd4
Kg8 35.Kg2 Kf7 36.Kg3 Rd7 37.Kxg4 Ke6 38.Rg5 Kf7
38...b5 39.Rxg6+ Kf7 40.Kg5 Rb6 41.Rf4+ Kg8=
39.Re5 Ra8 40.Rb5 Rb8 41.h4 Ke6 42.Rg5 Rf8 43.Rxg6+ Rf6 44.Kg5 Ke5= 45.Rb4 Rxf2 46.Rb5+
Ke4 47.Re6+ Kd4 48.h5 Rg2+ 49.Kh4 Kc4 50.Rxb6 Kd5 51.Re1 Rd2 52.Re7 Rxd6 53.Rxd6+
Kxd6 54.Rxg7 Ke6 55.Kg5 Rg2+ 56.Kh6 Rh2 57.Kg6 Rg2+ 58.Kh7 Rh2 59.h6 Kf6 60.Rg1 Kf7
61.Rf1+ Ke7 62.Kg7 Rg2+ 63.Kh8 Rg3 64.h7 Rg2 65.Rf5 Rg1 66.Rf4 1/2-1/2

36. B12
Dubov, Daniil (2720) - Keymer, Vincent (2664)
Berlin 151/36, 2022

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 c5 6.Be3 Qb6 7.Nc3 Nc6 8.O-O Qxb2 9.Qe1 cxd4
10.Bxd4 Nxd4 11.Nxd4 Bb4 12.Ndb5 Ba5 13.Rb1 Qxc2 14.Rc1 Qb2 15.Na4 Bxe1 16.Nxb2 Ba5
17.Nd6+ Ke7 18.Nxb7 Bd8 19.Nxd8 Kxd8 20.Rfd1 Rb8N
20...Ne7 - 148/(24)
21.Nc4 g5?!
21...Ne7 22.Nd6 Bg6 23.Rc5 Nf5 24.Nb5 a6 25.Na7 Ne7 26.Bxa6 f6 27.Nc6+ Nxc6 28.Rxc6 Re8
29.exf6 gxf6 30.a4 Kd7 31.Rdc1²
22.Nd6 Bg6 23.Rd4
23.Ba6
23...Ne7 24.g4

413
24...Rb6?
24...Kd7! 25.Ra4 (25.Bb5+ Rxb5 26.Nxb5 Nc6 27.Ra4 Rb8 28.Nd4 Nxe5 29.Rxa7+ Kd6 30.h4 Rb4
31.Ra6+ Kd7 (31...Ke7 32.Ra7+ Kf6 33.f4! Rxd4 34.hxg5+ Kg7 35.fxe5 Rxg4+ 36.Kf2 Rxg5 37.a4
Rf5+ 38.Kg3 Rg5+ 39.Kf4 Rf5+=) 32.Ra7+ Kd6=) 25...Nc6 26.Bb5 Rxb5 27.Nxb5 Rb8 (27...a5
28.Nd4 Nxe5 29.Rxa5 Bd3 30.Ra7+ Kd6 31.Rcc7 h5 32.h3 hxg4 33.hxg4 Bc4 34.a4 Rh3∞) 28.Nd4
(28.Nxa7? Nxe5 29.Ra3 Rb7-+) 28...Nxe5 29.Rxa7+ Kd6∞
25.Bb5! Rb8
25...a6 26.Ba4+-
26.Ra4 Nc8 27.Rxc8+ Rxc8 28.Rxa7+- Rc7 29.Ra8+ Ke7 30.Rxh8 f6 31.Rc8 Ra7 32.Rc6 1-0

37. B13
Aronian, Levon (2772) - Keymer, Vincent (2664)
Berlin 151/37, 2022

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nf6 5.h3 Nc6 6.Nf3 Nb4
6...g6 - 18/ 184
7.Nc3!? g6N
7...Nxd3+; 7...e6
8.Ne5 a6
8...Nxd3+?! 9.Qxd3 a6 10.Bf4 Bg7 11.Qe3 O-O 12.O-O-O!±; 8...Bg7 9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.a3 Nc6 11.O-
O O-O 12.Re1²
9.O-O Bg7 10.Re1 O-O 11.Bg5 Nxd3

414
11...h6 12.Bf4 Nd7 13.Qd2 Nxe5 14.Bxe5 Nxd3 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.Qxd3²
12.cxd3! Qb6
12...Ne8! 13.Nf3 f6 14.Bf4 e6 15.Na4 Nd6 16.Rc1 Rf7 17.Nc5 Re7∞
13.Nf3 e6
RR13...Qxb2? 14.Na4 Qb5 (14...Qa3 15.Nb6 Ra7 16.Rb1 Qxa2 17.Rb3 h6 18.Bxf6 Bxf6 19.Re2
Qa5 20.Qb1+-) 15.Rb1 Qe8 16.Nb6 Ra7 17.Nxc8 Qxc8 18.Rxe7 Re8 19.Qe1+-; 13...h6 14.Bf4
Bd7²
14.Na4 Qd6 15.Qd2 a5 16.Rac1 Bd7 17.Nc5 b6 18.Bf4 Qe7 19.Nxd7 Nxd7 20.Rc7?!
20.Rc6 Rfc8 21.Qc3±
20...Rfc8 21.Rec1 Qd8 22.Qc2 Rxc7 23.Qxc7 Qxc7 24.Rxc7 Rd8 25.Rb7?!
25.Kf1 h6 26.Ke2 g5 27.Bg3 h5 28.Nxg5 Bxd4 29.Bd6 Bf6 30.h4 a4 31.f4+-
25...Kf8 26.Bd6+ Ke8 27.Ne5 Bxe5 28.dxe5 Rc8?
28...Nc5 29.Re7+ Kf8 30.Rxe6+ Kg8 31.Re7

415
31...Rc8! 32.Rc7 Rxc7 33.Bxc7 Nxd3 34.b3 b5 35.Bxa5 Nxe5 36.a4 bxa4 37.bxa4 Kf8 38.Bc7 Nc6
39.a5 Ke7 40.a6 Kd7 41.Bb6+-
29.d4! Kd8 30.Ra7 Rc4 31.b3+- Rc1+ 32.Kh2 h6 33.Kg3 Rc3+ 34.f3 Rc6 35.h4 Rc8 36.h5 Rc6
37.Kh4 Rc8 38.g4 Ke8 39.f4 Kd8 40.hxg6 fxg6 41.g5 h5 42.f5!
42.f5 gxf5 43.g6 Ke8 44.Kxh5 Rc2 45.Ra8++-
1-0

38. B13
Artemiev, Vladislav (2700) - Gunina, Valentina (2471)
Kazan (rapid) 151/38, 2022

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nf6 5.h3 Nc6 6.c3 e5 7.dxe5 Nxe5 8.Nf3
8.Qe2 - 40/153
8...Nxd3+ 9.Qxd3 Bd6 10.O-O O-O 11.Be3 Be6 12.Nbd2 Qd7 13.Qd4N
13.Rfe1
13...Rfe8 14.Bf4 Bxf4
¹14...Bf8 15.Rfe1 (15.Bg5 Ne4! 16.Nxe4 dxe4 17.Qxd7 Bxd7 18.Nd4 h6 19.Be3 a6³) 15...Qb5
16.Nb3 a5∞
15.Qxf4² Ne4
15...h6 16.Rfe1 Bf5 17.Nd4 Bg6 18.Nf1 Re4 19.Qd2 Rae8 20.f3 Rxe1 21.Rxe1²
16.Nd4 f5?!

416
16...Qd6 17.Qxd6 Nxd6 18.Rfe1 a5 19.N2b3²
17.Rfe1 g5?

17...g6
18.Nxe4! gxf4 19.Nf6+ Kf7 20.Nxd7 Bxd7 21.f3+- Kf6 22.Ne2 Kg5 23.Kf2 Bb5
23...Re7 24.h4+ Kxh4 25.Nxf4 Rae8 26.Rh1+ (26.Nxd5? Rxe1 27.Rxe1 Rxe1 28.Kxe1 Kg3 29.Kf1
Be6 30.Nf6 Bxa2 31.Nxh7 Bf7©) 26...Kg5 27.Kg3 Bc6 28.Rh5+ Kf6 29.Rah1 Rh8 30.Rh6+ Kg7
31.Ne6+ Kf7 32.Nd4
24.Nd4
24.h4+!? Kxh4 25.Nxf4 Rxe1 26.Rxe1
24...Bd7 25.Rad1
25.h4+ Kf6 (25...Kxh4 26.Rh1+ Kg5 27.Rxh7) 26.Ne2
25...h5 26.Ne2 Re5 27.h4+ Kxh4 28.Nxf4 Rxe1 29.Rxe1 Re8 30.Rxe8 Bxe8 31.Ne6
31.g3+ Kg5 32.Nxd5 Bf7 33.f4+ Kg6 34.c4
31...b6 32.a3 f4 33.Nxf4 Bf7 34.g3+ Kg5 35.Ke3 Kf5 36.Nd3 Be8 37.Kd4 Bb5 38.Ne5 Ke6
39.Ng6 Kf5 40.Ne7+ Ke6 41.Nxd5 Bc6 42.Nf4+
42.c4
42...Kf5 43.Ke3 Kg5 44.Ne6+ Kf6 45.Nd4 Bd5 46.Kf4 a6 47.Nc2 Ba8 48.Ne3 Bc6 49.Nc4 b5
50.Ne5 Bd5 51.Nd7+ Ke7 52.Nc5 a5 53.Ne4 Bf7 54.Ke5 Bc4 55.f4 1-0

417
 39. B13
Aronian, Levon (2772) - Kosteniuk, Alexandra (2516)
chess24.com (Int.-rapid) 151/39, 2022

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.h3 Qc7 7.Nf3 g6 8.O-O Bf5 9.Bb5
9.Re1 - 109/(57)
9...Bg7 10.Re1 O-O 11.Nbd2 a6 12.Bxc6 bxc6 13.Nb3 Rfe8N
13...Ne4 14.Nfd2 e5 (14...Nd6 15.Nc5²) 15.Nxe4 dxe4 (15...Bxe4 16.Be3 Rfe8 17.Nc5 Bf5 18.dxe5
Bxe5 19.Bd4±) 16.Be3 Rfd8 17.Qe2 a5 18.Rad1²
14.Be3 Ne4

15.Nfd2! e5
15...Nd6 16.Nc5 a5 17.a4²
16.Nxe4 dxe4 17.Qe2 a5 18.Rad1
18.Nc5 exd4 (18...Rad8 19.Rad1 h5 20.a3²) 19.Bxd4 Bxd4 20.cxd4²
18...exd4
18...a4 19.Nc5 exd4 20.Bxd4 Bxd4 21.cxd4²
19.Bxd4
19.Nxd4!? a4 (19...Be6 20.Nxe6 Rxe6 21.Qc4 h5 22.a4²) 20.Qc4 Rec8 21.Nxf5 gxf5 22.Bd4²
19...Bf8

418
19...a4 20.Nc5 Be5 21.Qc4 Bh2+ 22.Kh1 Bd6 23.Be3²
20.Nc5 Bxc5?!
20...Qf4 21.a4 Qh4 22.Qe3 Bd6 23.b4²
21.Bxc5 Qf4 22.Qc4
22.c4 Red8 23.Be3 Qe5 24.Bb6 Rxd1 25.Rxd1±
22...Rad8 23.Be3 Qc7 24.Rd4 Be6 25.Rxd8 Rxd8 26.Qxe4 Bxa2 27.Bd4
27.Bg5 Rc8 28.Qd4 c5 29.Qf6 Qc6 30.Re8+! Qxe8 31.Bh6+-
27...Rf8 28.Bc5 Rb8 29.Qh4 Qd8 30.Qh6+- Be6 31.Bd4 Qf8 32.Qf4 h6

33.Bc5! Qd8 34.Qxh6 Bf5 35.g4 Bc2 36.Be7 Qe8 37.Re3 Qd7 38.Bf6 1-0

40. ** B15
Mammadzada, Gunay (2470) - Krysa, Leandro Sergio (2531)
Gibraltar 151/40, 2022

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Nxf6+ exf6 6.c3 Bd6 7.Bd3 O-O 8.Qc2 Re8+ 9.Ne2 h5
10.Be3
10.O-O h4 11.h3 Nd7 12.Be3 Nf8 13.Rad1 Be6 (13...Ne6 - 140/46) 14.c4 Rc8 15.Rfe1 Ng6 16.c5N
(16.Nc3; 16.b3) 16...Bb8 17.Bxg6 fxg6 18.Bf4 (18.Qxg6 Bxa2 19.Qg4 Bb3 20.Rc1 g5∞) 18...Bf7
19.Bxb8 Rxb8³ Kovacevic,A (2496)-Antal,G (2562) Magyarorszag 151/(40) 2022
10...Nd7 11.O-O-O Nf8
11...b5 - 146/35

419
12.c4 Be6 13.Kb1 Rc8 14.a3 Ng6
14...b5 15.c5 Bc7 16.Nc3

16...Bd5N (16...Bb8 17.d5! (17.Be4) 17...Bxd5 (17...cxd5 18.Bxb5+-) 18.Nxd5 cxd5 19.Bxb5+-)
17.Rhg1 g6 18.Nxd5 Qxd5 19.g4 h4 20.Bf1! Qd7 21.Bg2 Rcd8 22.h3 Ne6 23.Qe4 Nxc5 24.Qxc6+-
Fedorchuk,S (2605)-Bujisho, B (2296) Cappelle-la-Grande 151/(40) 2022
15.h3N
15.Nc3
15...h4 16.f4

420
16...f5! 17.Bc1?!
17.Rhe1 b5 18.c5 Bc7 19.Nc3 Ne7 20.Bf2 Rb8∞
17...b5! 18.c5 Bc7 19.Nc3 Ne7 20.Rhe1 Qd7?!
20...Rb8! 21.Qf2 a5 22.Qxh4 b4µ
21.Qf2
21.d5! Nxd5 22.Nxd5 cxd5 (22...Qxd5 23.Rxe6! Qxe6 24.Bxf5 Qe7 25.Bxc8 Rxc8 26.Rd4 a5=)
23.c6 Qd6 24.Bxb5 Rb8³
21...a5 22.Na2 b4! 23.a4
23.axb4 axb4 24.Nxb4 Ba5 25.Bd2 Ra8 26.Kc1 Bxb4 27.Bxb4 Bb3 28.Bc2 Bxc2 29.Kxc2 Nd5-+
23...Bb3 24.Bc2 Bxc2+ 25.Kxc2
25.Qxc2 Nd5 26.Qf2 Re4 27.Qxh4 Rce8-+
25...Qd5 26.Kb1 Ng6 27.Bd2 Re4 28.Rxe4 Qxe4+ 29.Ka1 Qc2-+ 30.Qf3 Qxa4 31.Kb1 Ne7
31...Rd8 32.Be3 Ne7 33.Nc1 Nd5 34.Bd2 Re8
32.Nc1 Nd5 33.g4 hxg3 34.Rg1 Bd8 35.Qd3 Bf6 36.Qxf5 Rb8 37.Qd3 Nc3+! 38.Bxc3 bxc3
39.Rg2 cxb2 0-1

41. B19
Nepomniachtchi, Ian (2773) - Keymer, Vincent (2664)
chess.com (Int.-rapid) 151/41, 2022

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 e6

421
10.Bf4 Ngf6 11.O-O-O Be7 12.Qe2
12.Nf1 - 146/36
12...Qa5 13.Kb1 O-O 14.Ne5 Rad8 15.Rd3 Qa6N
15...Nxe5 16.dxe5 Nd5 17.Bd2 Qb5 18.Qg4²
16.Rb3 b5?!

16...Qxe2 17.Nxe2 Nxe5 (17...Nb6 18.a4±) 18.dxe5 Ne4 19.Rxb7 Nxf2 20.Rf1 Bc5 21.Nc1 Rb8
22.Rxb8 Rxb8 23.c3 Ng4∞
17.Nxd7
17.Bg5! Nxe5 (17...Qb7 18.Nh5 Nxe5 19.Bxf6 Bxf6 20.Nxf6+ gxf6 21.dxe5 Qe7 22.a3±; 17...Kh8
18.Nh5 Nxe5 19.dxe5 Ng8 20.Bc1±) 18.dxe5 Nd5 19.Ne4 Qa4 20.Rg3±
17...Rxd7 18.Be5 Rfd8
¹18...Qc8 19.Ne4 Nxe4 20.Qxe4 Bd6 21.Rg3 f6 22.Bxd6 Rxd6=
19.Nh5 Nxh5 20.Qxh5 f6 21.Bf4 Rxd4

422
22.Bxh6!? Qa4
22...b4 23.Bc1 Qc4 24.Rg3 Bf8 25.Qf3 Kf7∞
23.Rg3
23.Bc1 f5 24.f4 Bf6 25.Qf3 Qc4 26.Rc3 Qd5 27.Rxc6 Re4 28.Rc7 a5©
23...Bf8 24.b3 Qa3 25.Bc1 Qc5 26.Qf3 Qf5 27.Qe2 Re4 28.Re3 Rxe3 29.Qxe3 Bc5?!
29...Rd5 30.h5 Re5 31.Qd2 Rd5=
30.Qe2 e5 31.f3 a6 32.h5 Kh8 33.g4 Qe6 34.Qe4 Qe8
34...Rd7 35.a3 a5 36.h6 g5 37.Qg6±
35.g5 Rd4
35...fxg5 36.Bxg5 Rd4 37.Qe1 Rd6 38.h6 g6 39.h7±
36.Qf5
36.Qg6! Qxg6 37.hxg6+ Kg8 38.Be3 Rd5 39.c4+-
36...Qd7 37.Qg6 fxg5 38.h6+- Rh4 39.hxg7+
39.Rd1 Rd4 40.hxg7+ Qxg7 41.Qe8+ Bf8 42.Rh1+ Rh4 43.Rg1
39...Qxg7 40.Qe8+ Kh7 41.Re1
41.Rd1 Bd4 42.c3
41...Bb4 42.Rg1 g4 43.fxg4 Qg6 44.Qd7+ Kg8 45.Qd8+ 1-0

423
 42. * B22
Harikrishna, Penteala (2717) - Dominguez Perez, Leinier (2752)
Berlin 151/42, 2022

1.e4 c5 2.c3 Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.Bc4 Nb6 5.Bb3 Nc6

5...c4 - 145/131
6.d4 cxd4 7.cxd4 d5 8.Bc2 Nb4 9.h3N
9.Nc3 - 151/(42) 9...Nxc2+ 10.Qxc2 Bd7N (10...Bg4) 11.Nge2 e6 12.Qd3! Rc8 13.O-O Qh4 14.a4
a6 15.b3 Be7 16.Ba3² Mamedyarov,S (2767)-Vitiugov,N (2726) chess.com (Int.-blitz) 151/(42) 2022
9...Nxc2+ 10.Qxc2 Bd7
10...g6!? 11.Nc3 Bf5 12.Qd1 Rc8 13.Nge2 Bg7 14.O-O O-O 15.b3!²
11.Nc3

11...Qc8!? 12.Qd3
12.Nge2 Bf5 13.Qd1 e6 14.O-O Be7„
12...Bf5 13.Qg3 e6 14.Nge2 Qc4! 15.Be3
15.b3 Qd3 16.Qxd3 Bxd3 17.Kd2 Bxe2 18.Kxe2 a6„
15...Rc8
15...Qa6! 16.b3 (16.O-O Nc4 17.Bc1 Rc8 18.b3 Na5 19.Be3 Nc6 20.Rac1 h5! 21.h4 g6=) 16...h5
17.O-O h4 18.Qf3 Ba3„
16.O-O h5

424
16...Qb4!?
17.Rac1 h4 18.Qf3 Qc6 19.Bg5 Qd7 20.Nf4 Nc4
20...Rc6 21.g4! hxg3 22.fxg3 Nc4 (22...Bxh3? 23.Nxh3 Rxh3 24.Bh4 g5 25.Qg4+-) 23.Rf2±
21.Qe2 Bb4 22.a3 Ba5

23.a4
23.b3! Nxe5 (23...Nxa3 24.Nb5! Bb4™ 25.Rxc8+ Qxc8 26.Nh5 Rxh5 27.Rc1! Qd7 28.Nc7+ Kf8
29.Qxh5 Kg8 30.Qe2²)
23...a6 24.Rfd1 Bd8!³ 25.Bxd8 Qxd8 26.Nd3
26.b3 Na5 27.Qb2 O-O³
26...Qb6 27.Nc5 Qxb2µ 28.Qf3
28.Qxb2 Nxb2 29.Rd2 Nc4 30.Ra2 Rc7µ
28...Bc2!-+ 29.Re1 b6 30.Nxa6 Nd2
30...Nxe5 31.dxe5 Rxc3 32.Qf4 Rc4 33.Qg5 O-O
31.Qe3 Qxc3 32.Qxc3 Rxc3 33.Nb4 Kd7 34.Rxc2 Rxc2 35.Nxc2 Rc8 36.Ne3 Ra8 37.Ra1 Nb3
38.Rb1 Nxd4 39.Rxb6 Nc6 40.Ng4 Rxa4 41.Rb7+ Ke8 42.Rc7 Ne7
42...Rc4 43.Rc8+ Kd7 44.Ra8 Rc1+ 45.Kh2 Re1 46.f4 Re4
43.Kf1 Ng6 44.Rc8+ Kd7 45.Rg8 Nf4 46.Kg1 d4 47.Rb8 d3 48.Ne3 d2 49.Rb1 Ne2+ 50.Kh2 Nc3
51.Rb3 Re4

425
51...d1=Q? 52.Nxd1 Nxd1µ
0-1

43. B23
Fedoseev, Vladimir (2704) - Wojtaszek, Radoslaw (2686)
Berlin 151/43, 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4 Nc6 5.Qd2 g6 6.b3 Bh6 7.f4 f5
7...Nf6 - 148/30
8.Bb2 Nf6 9.O-O-O Rf8!? 10.g3 fxe4N
10...Qa5
11.Bg2 Qa5 12.Nxe4 Qxd2+ 13.Nxd2
13.Rxd2?! Nxe4 14.Bxe4 g5! 15.Ne2 gxf4 16.gxf4 Bf5 17.Bf3 O-O-O 18.Kb1 Ne5 19.Bxe5 dxe5
20.Rxd8+ Kxd8 21.Rd1+ Kc7 22.fxe5 Bxc2+ 23.Kxc2 Rxf3³
13...Ng4
13...g5?! 14.Bxf6 Rxf6 15.Ne4 Rf5 16.Nxd6+! exd6 17.Rxd6 Bg7 18.Rxc6±
14.Ne4 Bf5 15.Rd2?!
15.Nh3 O-O-O 16.Rhe1 d5 (16...Nxh2?!

17.Nhf2! Ng4 18.Rh1 Ne3 19.Rdg1±) 17.Neg5 Nb4 18.Re2 d4 19.Rxd4 Nxa2+ 20.Kb1²
15...O-O-O 16.Ne2 Ne3µ 17.Bf3 d5

426
17...Ne5!? 18.fxe5?! (18.Bxe5 dxe5 19.h4 exf4µ) 18...Bxe4 19.Bxe4 Nf1-+
18.N4c3 d4 19.Nd1 Nxd1 20.Rhxd1 e5 21.h3 exf4
21...e4 22.Bg4 Bg7µ 23.Nxd4?! e3-+
22.gxf4 d3 23.cxd3 Nb4 24.Bg4 Bxg4 25.hxg4 Rxf4 26.Bg7 Bxg7 27.Nxf4 Bh6 28.Ne6 Bxd2+
29.Rxd2 Rxd3
29...Rd6µ
30.Rh2 Rd6 31.Nf8 h5 32.gxh5 gxh5 33.Rxh5 Nxa2+ 34.Kb1 Nb4 35.Nh7 Rd3 36.Kb2 b6 37.Nf6
Kb7 38.Rh7+ Ka6 39.Ne4 Nc6 40.Rh6 Kb7³ 1/2-1/2

44. B23
Shirov, Alexei (2704) - Dominguez Perez, Leinier (2752)
Berlin 151/44, 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4 Nc6 5.Qd2 g6 6.b3 Bh6 7.f4 Nf6 8.Bb2 O-O 9.O-O-O e5
10.g3 Re8
10...a5 - 136/50
11.Kb1 Nd4 12.Bg2 Bg4 13.Rf1 d5 14.h3N
14.exd5
14...Be6 15.g4
15.Nxd5

15...Nxe4! (15...Nxd5 16.exd5 Bf5 (16...Bxd5 17.Rd1! Bxg2 18.Qxg2 Qc7 19.fxe5 Nf5 20.Qf2 Ne3

427
21.Rd2 Rad8 22.Rxd8 Rxd8 23.Nf3²) 17.Ne2 (17.Bxd4 exd4 18.g4 Be4 19.Bxe4 Rxe4 20.Ne2 Bg7
21.f5 a5→) 17...Nxc2 18.g4 Na3+ 19.Ka1 Nc2+=) 16.Bxe4 Bxd5 17.Bxd5 Qxd5 18.Nf3 Rad8
19.Nxd4 exd4 20.h4 Bg7 21.h5 d3 (21...Re3∞) 22.hxg6 dxc2+ 23.Qxc2 fxg6 24.Bxg7 Kxg7
25.Qb2+ Qd4=
15...Nxe4 16.Nxe4 dxe4 17.Bxe4 Rc8 18.Qd3
18.Ne2 Nxe2 19.Qxe2 exf4 (19...Bxf4 20.Bxb7 Rc5 21.Qe4 Bd5 22.Bxd5 Rxd5 23.h4„)
18...Qa5 19.f5

19...Bd5
19...Nxc2!? 20.fxe6 (20.Qf3 Nd4 21.Bxd4 Bxb3! 22.Qxb3 exd4 23.fxg6 Kh8! 24.Ne2 (24.Qxf7?
Qb5+ 25.Ka1 Bg7-+) 24...hxg6 25.Rxf7 Rxe4 26.Qxb7 Qb6+³) 20...Nb4 21.exf7+ Kh8 22.fxe8=Q+
Rxe8 23.a4 Nxd3 24.Bxd3 Qd5 25.Rf3 Bg7 26.Bc4 Qd1+ 27.Ka2 e4µ
20.Rh2
20.Bxd5 Qxd5 21.Ne2 Rxc2 22.Nxd4 (22.Bxd4? Rd2-+) 22...Rxb2+ 23.Kxb2 exd4 24.Re1 Be3©
20...Bxe4 21.Qxe4 Nb5
21...Qa6 22.Re1 Qc6 23.Qxc6 Nxc6=
22.Qxb7 Nd6 23.Qf3 e4 24.Qd1?
24.Qf2! e3 25.Qh4→
24...Nb5µ 25.c4
25.fxg6 hxg6

428
25...Nc3+ 26.Bxc3 Qxc3-+ 27.Rc2
27.Ne2 Qe5
27...Qe5 28.Qd5 Qf6 29.a3 Bg7 30.Ka2 Rcd8 31.Qa5 Rd3 32.Ne2 Rb8 33.b4 Rbd8 34.b5 e3
35.Rfc1 Rd2 36.Kb3 R8d3+ 37.Rc3 Qd6 38.Qxa7 Rxe2 0-1

429
B25-B49

45. B25
Kuzmin, Vyacheslav - Bolz, Barbara
corr 151/45, 2020

1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 d6 3.g3 Nc6 4.Bg2 g6 5.d3 Bg7 6.f4 e6 7.Nf3 Nge7 8.O-O O-O 9.Be3 Rb8 10.Qd2
10.Bf2 - 87/100
10...b5 11.d4
11.Rab1 Nd4 12.Ne2 Nxf3+ 13.Bxf3 a5 14.c3 Nc6 15.d4 cxd4 16.cxd4 Ne7 17.g4 f5 18.gxf5 gxf5
19.b4 fxe4 20.Bxe4 axb4 21.d5 exd5=
11...b4 12.Nd1 d5 13.e5

13...cxd4!?N
13...c4 14.Bf2 Qa5 15.c3 Bd7 16.g4 f5 17.exf6 Bxf6 18.Ne5 Qc7 19.Ne3 bxc3 20.bxc3=; 13...Nxd4
14.Nxd4 cxd4 15.Bxd4 (15.Qxd4 Nf5 16.Qxa7 Rb7 17.Qa6 Nxe3 18.Nxe3µ) 15...Qc7 16.c3 Ba6
17.Re1 bxc3 18.Nxc3 Nf5 19.Bf2 Qe7³
14.Nxd4 Nxd4 15.Bxd4 Qc7 16.Nf2 Nf5 17.c3
17.Rfc1 Nxd4 18.Qxd4 f6 19.Nd3 fxe5 (19...g5 20.a3 gxf4 21.gxf4 fxe5 22.Nxe5 Bh6 23.Nd3 b3
24.cxb3 Qb6 25.Qxb6 Rxb6 26.Rc2 Kh8=) 20.Nxe5 g5 21.Kh1 a5 22.Re1³

430
17...bxc3 18.Bxc3 Ba6 19.Rfc1 Qb7 20.a3 Rfc8 21.Bh3 d4 22.Bxd4 Rd8 23.Bxf5 gxf5 24.Rd1
Rbc8 25.b4 Bf8 26.Qe3 Rc2 27.g4
27.Rd2? Rxd2 28.Qxd2 Qd5-+
27...h5
27...Rxd4? 28.Rxd4 Qc7 29.Rad1+-; 27...Rdc8 28.Rac1 Rxc1 29.Rxc1 Rxc1+ 30.Qxc1 Qd5 31.Qd1
Bb7 32.Kf1 Qg2+ 33.Ke1 Qxh2 34.gxf5 Qxf4 35.Qg4+ Qxg4 36.Nxg4 exf5 37.Nf6+ Kg7 38.Nd7
Be7 39.e6+ Kg8 40.Bf6 Bxf6 41.Nxf6+ Kf8 42.Nxh7+ Ke7 43.exf7=
28.Rac1
28.Rab1 Be2 29.Rdc1 Ra2 30.Rb2 Rxb2 31.Bxb2 Bxg4 32.Rc3 a5 33.Rd3 Rxd3 34.Nxd3 axb4
35.axb4 Bf3µ
28...Rxc1 29.Rxc1 Qd5→ 30.Bxa7 Be7 31.Qg3
31.Rd1 Qxd1+ 32.Nxd1 Rxd1+ 33.Kg2 Bf1+ 34.Kg3 Rd3 35.g5 Rxe3+ (35...Bd8 36.Qxd3 Bxd3=)
36.Bxe3 Bd8=
31...h4 32.Qh3 Kh8 33.g5 Kg7
33...Qa2? 34.Qxh4+ Kg8 35.Qg3²
34.Be3

34.Qxh4 Bb7 35.Qh6+ Kg8 36.Qh3 Ra8µ

34...Rh8! 35.Rd1 Qb5 36.Rc1 Qd5 37.Rd1 Qc4 38.Rc1 Qa2 39.Re1 Bb7 40.Rd1 Qe2 41.Bb6 Qc2
42.Be3 Qa4 43.Rd3 Qc6 44.Rd1 Ra8 45.Rc1 Qd5 46.Rd1 Qc4

431
46...Qb5 47.Bd4 (47.Qxh4 Qc6-+) 47...Qc6-+
47.Ra1?
47.Rd7? Rxa3 48.Qf1 (48.Rxb7? Ra1+ 49.Kg2 Qd5+ 50.Qf3 Rg1+ 51.Kxg1 Qxf3-+) 48...Qc6
49.Rxe7

49...Ra1! (49...Rxe3) 50.Rxb7 Rxf1+ (50...h3-+) 51.Kxf1 Qxb7-+; 47.Rc1 Qa2 (47...Qd5 48.Rd1
Qb5 49.Ra1 Bxb4 50.Qxh4 Rh8 51.Qg3 Ba5 52.h3 Qe2 53.a4 Kg6-+) 48.Rd1 (48.Qxh4 Qd5
49.Qh6+ Kg8 50.Qh3-+) 48...Qc4 49.Qxh4 Qc6 50.Qh6+ Kg8 51.Qh3-+; 47.Qxh4 Qc6 48.Qh3
Rxa3µ
47...Qc3 48.Rc1 Qxa3 49.Rd1 Rd8 50.Rb1 Qa2 51.Rc1 Rh8 52.b5 Qe2 53.Bd4 Qxb5 54.Be3 Rc8
55.Rxc8 Bxc8 56.Qf1 Qd5 57.Qd1 Qc6 58.Qc1 Qf3! 59.Qxc8 h3 0-1

46. * B30
Van Foreest, Jorden (2702) - Praggnanandhaa, Rameshbabu (2612)
Wijk aan Zee 151/46, 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 e6 4.O-O

4.Nc3 - 93/(122)
4...d5 5.Bb5 dxe4 6.Ne5 Qc7 - 151/46
6...Bd7N 7.Nxc6 Bxc6 8.Bxc6+ bxc6 9.Nc3 f5 10.Re1 (10.Qe2 Qd7 11.Rd1 Nf6 12.d3 exd3
13.Rxd3 Nd5 14.b3 Bd6 15.Na4²) 10...Qd7 11.f3? (11.d3 exd3 12.cxd3 Nf6 13.Na4 Kf7 14.Bg5©)
11...Nf6 12.fxe4 Qd4+ 13.Kh1 Ng4-+ Di Nicolantonio,L (2416)-Schrik,R (2211) chess.com (Int.-
blitz) 151/(46) 2022
7.Nxc6N

432
7.Qh5? g6 8.Qg5 f6 9.Qg3 Qxe5 10.Qxe5 fxe5-+
7...bxc6 8.Bc4 Bd6 9.Kh1
9.h3 Ne7 (9...Nf6 10.Nc3 e5 11.d3 exd3 12.Qxd3 O-O 13.Bg5²) 10.Re1 O-O 11.Rxe4 f5 12.Re1
(12.Bxe6+ Kh8 13.Re1 Bxe6 14.Rxe6 f4³) 12...Kh8 13.d3 Nd5 14.Nd2©
9...Nf6 10.Nc3 e5

11.f3! exf3 12.Qxf3 O-O 13.d3© Be6

13...Rb8!? 14.Bg5 Nd5 15.Bxd5 (15.Nxd5 cxd5 16.Bxd5 Bb7=) 15...cxd5 16.Nxd5 Bb7 17.Nf6+
gxf6 18.Qg4 fxg5 19.Qxg5+ Kh8 20.Qf6+ Kg8=
14.Bxe6 fxe6 15.Bg5 Qd7
15...Rab8 16.Qh3 Qd7 17.b3 Nd5 18.Rxf8+ Rxf8 19.Ne4²
16.Bxf6
16.Qe2 Nd5 17.Rxf8+ Rxf8 18.Ne4 Be7 19.Bd2 Nf4 20.Qe1²
16...gxf6
16...Rxf6 17.Qe2 Raf8 18.Ne4 Rf4 19.b3²
17.Ne4 f5
17...Be7 18.Qe3 Rf7 19.Nxc5 Qd5 20.Ne4 f5 21.Nd2 Rd8 22.Rad1 Qc5 23.Qxc5 Bxc5 24.Nf3 Bd6
25.Rde1 Rb8 26.b3 Rb5 27.Re2²
18.Nxd6

433
18.Nd2!? Qc7 (18...Bc7 19.Nc4 Rad8 20.Rae1 Qg7 21.b3²)
18...Qxd6 19.Rae1 f4 20.Re4 Rab8 21.b3 Rb4 22.Rfe1
22.Qg4+ Kh8 23.Rfe1 Rf5 24.a4²
22...Rf5 23.Qe2 Rxe4 24.Qg4+
24.dxe4 Rf8 25.Rd1 Qe7 26.Qg4+ Kh8=
24...Kh8?!
24...Kf7 25.Rxe4 Qd8 26.Qf3 a5 27.Kg1 Qh4 28.Qf2 Qh6=
25.Rxe4 f3?
25...Qf8 26.Qf3 Qh6 27.Kg1 a5 28.Qf2²
26.gxf3 Qf8 27.Qg3 h6 28.Kg2 Qf6 29.Rg4 Kh7 30.Qh4
30.Qf2 h5 31.Qh4 Qf7 32.Rg3 Rf4 33.Qg5+-
30...Qxh4
30...Rxf3 31.Qxf6 Rxf6 32.Rc4+-
31.Rxh4 Rf4 32.Rg4
32.Rxf4? exf4 33.Kh3 Kg6 34.Kg4 e5=
32...h5 33.Rg5 Rf5 34.Rg3 Rf4 35.Kf2 Rf7 36.Rg5 Rf5 37.Rg1 c4 38.dxc4
38.bxc4 e4 39.dxe4 Ra5 40.Ke3 Rxa2 41.Rg5 Kh6 42.Re5+-
38...e4 39.Rg3
39.Ke3 exf3 40.Rf1 Re5+ 41.Kxf3 Kg6 42.Rg1+ Kf5 43.h4 Kf6 44.Rg8 Rf5+ 45.Ke4+-
39...h4 40.Rh3 Kg6 41.Ke3 exf3 42.Rxf3 Ra5 43.a4 Re5+ 44.Kd3 Rg5 45.b4 Rg1 46.b5 c5 47.a5
Rd1+ 48.Ke4 Rd4+ 49.Ke5 Rxc4 50.b6 axb6 51.axb6 Rxc2 52.Rb3 c4 53.Rb1 c3 54.b7 Re2+
55.Kd4 c2 56.Rg1+ 1-0

47. B30
Oparin, Grigoriy (2681) - Fedoseev, Vladimir (2704)
Berlin 151/47, 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 e5 4.Bc4 d6 5.d3 Be7 6.a4

6.Nd2 - 143/37
6...Nf6 7.Bg5 Nd7 8.Bd2N
8.Bxe7 Qxe7 9.Nd5 Qd8 10.c3 O-O 11.Nd2 Nb6 (11...Nf6 12.Nxf6+ Qxf6 13.Nf1²) 12.Nxb6

434
Qxb6 13.Qc2 Kh8 14.O-O f5∞
8...O-O 9.Nd5 Nb6 10.Nxb6 axb6 11.c3 Kh8 12.b4

12...Qe8! 13.b5 Nd8 14.h4

14.O-O f5 15.Bd5 Be6 16.c4 f4∞
14...f5 15.h5 Be6 16.Qb3 Qd7
16...Qf7 17.exf5 Qxf5 18.Bd5 h6 19.Be3 Qf7 20.c4 Bxd5 21.cxd5 Qf5 22.Qc4 Nf7∞
17.Kd1?
17.h6 g6 18.Bd5 Bxd5 19.Qxd5 Bf6 20.Kd1 Ne6 21.Kc2 Rab8∞
17...fxe4 18.dxe4 Bxc4 19.Qxc4 Qg4µ 20.Qd3 c4!
20...Qxg2 21.Ke2 c4 22.Qe3 Qg4-+
21.Qe3
21.Qxc4 Qxg2-+
21...Ne6 22.Rg1 Nf4 23.Kc1 Qxh5
23...Nd3+ 24.Kc2 h6-+
24.Kc2 Qg6 25.g3 Nd3 26.Nh4 Qe6 27.Nf5 Rxf5! 28.exf5 Qxf5-+ 29.g4 Nb4+ 30.Kd1 Qc2+
31.Ke1 Qb2 32.Rc1 Nd3+ 33.Ke2 Rf8 34.f3 e4
34...d5 35.Rb1 Qc2
35.Rh1 d5 36.fxe4 Rf2+ 37.Kd1 Qb3+ 38.Rc2 Qb1+ 39.Rc1 Nxc1 40.Qxf2 Nd3+ 41.Ke2 Qxh1 0-

435
1

48. ** !N B30
Gabrielian, Artur (2464) - Kryakvin, Dmitry (2567)
Chelyabinsk 151/48, 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nd4 4.Nf3 e6 5.O-O a6 6.Bd3 Nc6

7.Nd5!?
7.Be2 - 86/(173)
7...g6
7...Bd6 8.Ne3 Bc7 9.c3 Nf6 10.Bc2 O-ON (10...d5 11.exd5 exd5 12.d4 cxd4 13.Nxd4 O-O - 10...d5
14.Nef5 Re8 15.Bg5 Nxd4 16.Nxd4 (16.Qxd4 Bxf5 17.Bxf5 Re5 18.Bxf6 Qxf6 19.Bg4 Bb6 20.Qd3
h5 21.Bf3 Rd8=) 16...Qd6 17.g3 Bh3 18.Re1 Rxe1+ 19.Qxe1 Bb6=) 11.d4 cxd4 12.Nxd4 (12.cxd4
d6 13.d5 (13.b3 b5 14.Bb2 Ne7 15.Rc1 Bb7 16.d5 e5 17.Nh4 Bb6∞) 13...Nb4 14.Bb3 a5 15.dxe6
Bxe6 16.a3 Na6 17.Bc2 Nc5∞) 12...b5 (12...d5!? 13.exd5 exd5 - 10...d5) 13.f4 Nxd4 (13...Bb7 14.e5
Ne8 15.Kh1 f5„) 14.cxd4 d5 15.e5 Ne4 16.f5 exf5 17.Nxf5² Shahinyan,D (2486)-Mikaelyan,A
(2508) Armenia (ch) 151/(48) 2022
8.Re1 Bg7 9.c3 d6 10.Ne3 Nge7 11.Bc2 e5

436
12.b4!N
12.h4 - 151/(48) 12...O-O 13.h5 b5 14.hxg6 fxg6 15.a4 Rb8 16.axb5 axb5 17.d3 h6 18.Bb3+ Kh8
19.Kh2 Na5 Shahinyan,D (2486)-Martirosyan,H (2621) Armenia (ch) 151/(48) 2022 (19...Na5
20.Ba2 b4 21.Rh1 b3 22.Bb1²)12.d3
12...b6
12...cxb4 13.a3 bxa3 (13...bxc3 14.dxc3 O-O 15.a4 Qc7 16.Ba3 Rd8 17.Bb3©) 14.Bxa3 b5 15.d4©
13.a3
13.bxc5! dxc5 (13...bxc5 14.Rb1 O-O 15.h4 Be6 (15...h6 16.h5 g5 17.a4 f5 18.exf5 Nxf5 19.Nxf5
Bxf5 20.Bxf5 Rxf5 21.d3±) 16.a4²) 14.a4 O-O 15.Rb1 Qc7 (15...Rb8 16.Ba3 Qc7 (16...h6 17.a5
Nxa5 18.Bxc5±) 17.Qe2 h6 18.Bd3±) 16.Qe2 Rd8 17.h4²
13...O-O 14.Bb3 h6 15.Nd5 Kh7
¹15...Ra7 16.d3 Nxd5 17.Bxd5 Ne7 18.Bb3 Kh7 19.a4 f5∞
16.d3 Be6 17.Rb1 Ra7 18.Be3 f5?!
18...Bxd5 19.exd5 Nb8 20.bxc5 bxc5 21.c4²
19.Nxe7 Qxe7 20.Bxe6 Qxe6 21.bxc5 bxc5

437
22.Rb6?!
22.exf5! gxf5 (22...Qxf5 23.Rb6 Qd7 24.Qb3 Ne7 25.Nd2±) 23.d4! Qc4 (23...e4 24.d5+-; 23...Qc8
24.dxc5 dxc5 25.Bxc5 Rd7 26.Qa4+-) 24.Rb6 cxd4 25.cxd4 Rc7 26.d5 Nd4 27.Nxd4 exd4 28.Bf4±
22...f4 23.Bd2
23.Rxc6 fxe3 24.fxe3 Rb8 25.d4 exd4 26.cxd4 Qxe4 27.Rxd6 Rc7©
23...Rb8 24.Rxb8 Nxb8 25.Qc2 Rb7?!
25...Rb7 26.Rb1 Qc8 27.Be1 Bf8 28.Nd2²; 25...c4 26.d4 Rb7 27.Rb1 Qc8 28.Be1 Nd7=
1/2-1/2

49. B31
Caruana, Fabiano (2792) - Carlsen, Magnus (2865)
Wijk aan Zee 151/49, 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.c3 Nf6 6.Re1 O-O 7.d4 d5 8.e5 Ne4 9.Be3
9.Bxc6 - 143/39
9...cxd4 10.cxd4 Qb6 11.Qe2 Bd7 12.Ba4 Rac8 13.Nc3
13.h3 Rfd8 14.Na3 Nb4 15.Bb3 a5∞
13...Nxc3 14.bxc3 Qd8 15.Bb3 Na5 16.Rac1N
16.Bd2 Nc4 17.Bf4 Bg4 18.h3 Bxf3 19.Qxf3 e6=; 16.Rec1 Be6 17.h3 a6 18.Bf4 Qd7∞
16...Nxb3 17.axb3 Qb6

438
17...a5 18.c4 a4 19.bxa4 dxc4 20.Rxc4 Rxc4 21.Qxc4 Qa5 22.Rb1 Rc8 23.Qb3 Bc6∞
18.Qa2 a5 19.Qa3 Rfe8 20.c4 dxc4 21.bxc4 Qa6 22.c5 Bc6
22...e6 23.h4 Bc6 24.h5 b5 25.cxb6
23.Rb1 a4
23...b5!? 24.cxb6 e6 25.d5 Bxd5 26.Ra1 Bf8 27.Qa4 Qc4 28.Nd4 Bb4∞
24.Rec1
24.Nd2 b5 25.cxb6 e6 26.Nb3 Qxb6 27.d5 Qc7 28.dxc6 axb3 29.Rec1 Bxe5 30.Rxb3 Bxh2+ 31.Kf1
Bf4∞
24...Rcd8
24...b5 25.cxb6 (25.Ne1 Qb7 26.f3 f6 27.exf6 Bxf6 28.Nd3 Red8³) 25...e6 26.d5 Bxd5 27.Bc5 Bf8
28.Bxf8 Rxc1+ 29.Rxc1 Rxf8 30.h4 Qxb6 31.Qxa4 Bxf3 32.gxf3=
25.Nd2 Qe2
25...f6 26.exf6 Bxf6 27.Nf3 Qa5∞
26.f3?!

26.Nf3 f6 27.Rb2 Qa6 28.exf6 Bxf6 29.h3 Bxf3 30.Rb6 Qe2 (30...Qa5 31.gxf3 Bxd4 32.Bxd4 Rxd4
33.Rxb7=) 31.Rb2 Qa6=
26...Rxd4! 27.Bxd4 Qxd2 28.Rd1 Qf4µ 29.Qb4
29.Rd3 Bxe5 30.Bxe5 Qxe5 31.Rbd1 Kg7µ

439
29...e6 30.Bc3 Qxb4 31.Bxb4
31.Rxb4 Bf8 32.Bd4 Rd8 33.Rc4 a3 34.Kf2 a2-+
31...Bxe5 32.Ba3 Bf6 33.Kf2 Be7-+ 34.Rb6 Rc8 35.Rd2 f6
35...g5 36.Ke3 Kg7
36.f4 e5 37.fxe5 fxe5 38.Re2 Rf8+ 39.Ke1 Rf5 40.Rb1 e4 41.Rc1 Bh4+ 42.g3 Bg5 43.Rb1 Rf3
44.Bc1 Bf6 45.Rb6 Rf5 46.Ba3 Kf7 47.Rf2 Rf3 48.Rxf3 exf3 49.Kf1 Bd4 0-1

50. * B33
Shankland, Samuel L (2708) - Praggnanandhaa, Rameshbabu (2612)
Wijk aan Zee 151/50, 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Nd5 Nxd5 8.exd5 Ne7 9.c4 Ng6
10.Qa4 Bd7 11.Qb4 Qb8 12.h4 h5 13.Be2
13.Be3 - 145/37
13...a6 14.Nc3 Be7 15.g3

15...b5! 16.cxb5 - 151/50

16.a4N bxc4 (16...a5!? 17.Qb3 bxc4 18.Qxc4 Bd8 19.Ra3 Bb6 20.Rb3 Qd8∞) 17.Qxb8+ Rxb8
18.Bxc4 Bc8 19.a5 (19.O-O f5 20.Rb1 e4∞) 19...f5 20.Rb1 Rb4 (20...e4 21.b4 Bf6 22.Rb3 Ne5
23.Be2 Bd8∞) 21.b3 e4 22.Ba3 Rb8 23.Na4 f4³ Pasti,A (2411)-Lagarde,M (2632) Cattolica 151/(50)
2022
16...axb5 17.Nxb5 O-O 18.a4 f5© 19.Bxh5
19.Ra3 f4 20.Bd2 Bd8! 21.Qxd6 Qxd6 22.Nxd6 Be7 23.Ne4 Bxa3 24.bxa3 Ne7 25.Bb4 Nxd5

440
26.Bc4 Be6 27.Bxf8 Kxf8=
19...Bxb5 20.Bxg6 Bd8 21.Qb3N
21.Bd2 Qb7 22.Qb3 Qb6=
21...Ba5+ 22.Bd2 Bxd2+ 23.Kxd2 Qa7
23...Qb6 24.Qxb5 Qxf2+ 25.Qe2 Qxg3 26.Bh5 Qf4+ 27.Qe3 Qb4+ 28.Ke2 Rac8©
24.Qe3 Qa5+ 25.Qc3 Qb6= 26.Qe3 Qa5+ 27.Qc3 Qb6 28.Qe3 1/2-1/2

51. B33
Murzin, Volodar (2519) - Warmerdam, Max (2607)
Wijk aan Zee II 151/51, 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Bf4 e5 8.Bg5 a6 9.Na3 b5
10.Nd5 Be7 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.c4 Nd4 13.cxb5 Bb7 14.Nc3 O-O 15.Bd3
15.bxa6 Rxa6! 16.Bxa6 (16.Nc4 Bh4! (16...d5 17.exd5 Bxd5 18.Ne3 Bb7 19.Bxa6 Bxa6©) 17.Bd3
(17.g3 f5! 18.Bg2 (18.gxh4 fxe4 19.Bg2 Qf6 20.O-O d5-+) 18...fxe4 19.O-O Kh8µ) 17...f5³)
16...Bxa6© - 99/88
15...axb5 16.Naxb5 d5 17.exd5
17.Nxd4 dxe4 18.Nxe4 Qxd4 19.Nxf6+ gxf6 20.Bf5 Qf4 21.Qg4+ Qxg4 22.Bxg4 Rfb8©
17...e4 18.Nxe4?!N
18.Bc4 Nxb5 19.Bxb5 Qa5 20.Rb1 (20.a4?! Bxc3+ 21.bxc3 Qxc3+ 22.Ke2 Qe5µ) 20...Bxc3+
21.bxc3 Qxc3+ 22.Qd2 Qxd2+ 23.Kxd2 Rxa2+ 24.Ke3 Bxd5 25.Ra1=
18...Nxb5 19.Nxf6+ Qxf6 20.Bxb5

441
20...Ba6?
20...Rfd8! 21.O-O (21.Bc4 Rac8 22.Rc1 (22.b3 Bxd5 23.Bxd5 Rxd5-+) 22...Rxc4 23.Rxc4 Bxd5
24.Rd4 Qe5+ 25.Kf1 Bc4+-+) 21...Rxd5 22.Qb3 (22.Bd3

22...Qc6!! (22...Rad8? 23.Qb3+-) 23.Rc1 Rxd3-+) 22...Rg5 23.g3 (23.f3 Qb6+-+) 23...Rxb5!
24.Qxb5 Qf3-+
21.Bxa6 Qxa6 22.f3 Rfe8+ 23.Kf2 Qb6+ 24.Kg3 Qd6+= 25.Kf2 Qc5+ 26.Kg3 Qd6+ 27.Kf2
Qc5+ 28.Kg3 Ra6 29.Re1 Rg6+ 30.Kh3 Rh6+ 31.Kg3 Rg6+ 32.Kh3 Rh6+ 33.Kg3 Rg6+ 34.Kh3
Rh6+ 35.Kg3 Rg6+ 36.Kh3 Rh6+ 37.Kg3 Rg6+ 1/2-1/2

442
 52. B33
Piorun, Kacper (2623) - Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter (2656)
Deutschland 151/52, 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Bf4 e5 8.Bg5 a6 9.Na3 b5
10.Nd5 Be7 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.c3 Rb8 13.Nc2 Bg5 14.a3 O-O 15.h4 Bh6 16.g4
16.g3 a5 17.Bg2 Ne7 18.Nce3 Bxe3 19.Nxe3 Be6=
16...f6
16...g6 17.g5 Bg7 18.Bh3 (18.Qf3!?) 18...Be6 (18...h5? 19.gxh6 Bxh6 20.Bxc8 Rxc8 21.h5 g5
22.Nce3+-) 19.Ncb4²; 16...Bf4!? 17.Qf3 Be6 18.Nxf4 exf4 19.Qxf4 Ne5 20.Ne3 a5 21.Be2 b4
22.cxb4 axb4 23.a4 Ng6 24.Qg3 (24.Qf3!? Nxh4 25.Qg3 Ng6 26.g5©) 24...Qf6 25.O-O Qxb2
26.Bb5 Qd4 27.h5 Ne5 28.Rad1 Qc5 (28...Qxe4 29.f4ƒ) 29.Kh1 b3 30.f4 Nc4 31.Nf5 b2„
17.Be2

17.Rg1 Kh8 18.Qd3 Ne7 (18...Rf7 19.Qg3 g6 20.g5 fxg5 21.hxg5ƒ) 19.Ncb4 Bb7 20.Rd1 Ng6∞
17...Kh8!?N
17...Ne7 18.Ncb4 Bb7 19.Nxe7+ (19.Qd3 Ng6 20.h5 Nh8!? … Nf7∞) 19...Qxe7 20.Qd3 (20.Nd5
Qf7 21.c4 Kh8=) 20...Bf4 21.Rd1 Qf7 22.Kf1 Rfd8!? 23.Rh3 (23.Nd5 Bxd5 24.exd5 Rf8 … f5)
23...Rbc8 24.Qc2 h5!? 25.gxh5 f5„; 17...a5 18.Qd3 Ne7 (- 89/(109)) 19.Rd1 Bb7 (19...Be6 20.Nce3
Bxe3 21.Nxe3 Rb6 22.h5 h6 23.O-O Qa8!?) 20.Nce3 (20.Bf3? Nxd5 21.exd5 Bc8! 22.Be2 (22.Ne3
Bxe3 23.Qxe3 f5 24.gxf5 Bxf5 25.h5 b4µ) 22...Bd7 23.Ne3 Bxe3 24.fxe3 b4 25.axb4 axb4 26.c4
f5µ) 20...Nxd5 (20...Bxe3 21.Nxe3 Ng6 22.f3 Qb6 23.Ng2 Rfd8 24.h5 Nf8 25.h6 g6 26.Qxb5 Qxb5
27.Bxb5 Bxe4 28.Bc4+ d5 29.fxe4 dxc4 30.Rxd8 Rxd8 31.Ne3²) 21.Nxd5 Kh8 (21...Bc8 22.Rg1ƒ)

443
22.b4 Bc6 (22...Bc8 23.a4!²) 23.Rh3 Bd7 24.Ne3 Bxe3 25.Rxe3 Qc8 26.f3 h5!? (26...axb4 27.cxb4
Rb6 28.Qd2 … Rc3ƒ) 27.Qxd6 Be6! 28.Qc5 Qxc5 29.bxc5 Rfc8 30.Rd6 Bc4 31.Bxc4 bxc4 32.gxh5
Kh7=; 17...Rf7!? 18.Ncb4 (18.Nce3 Bxe3 19.Nxe3 Be6 20.h5 h6 21.O-O Rd7 22.a4 Qc8!?∞)
18...Na7!? (18...Bb7 19.Qd3 a5 20.Nxc6 Bxc6 21.Rd1ƒ) 19.Qd3 a5 20.Nc2 Be6 21.Nce3 Bxe3
22.Nxe3 Rd7 23.h5 Nc8 24.O-O Ne7∞
18.Kf1
18.Ncb4 Bb7 19.Qd3 Ne7 20.Rh3!? a5 (20...Nxd5 21.Nxd5 Bc8 22.Kf1 Be6 23.Rd1 Qc8 24.Rg3
Qc5 25.b4 Qa7 26.c4 g6 27.cxb5 axb5 28.Ne3 Bf4 29.Rh3ƒ) 21.Nxe7 Qxe7 (21...axb4 22.Nd5 bxc3
23.Nxc3 Bc6 24.Nd5 Qd7 25.Kf1²) 22.Nd5 Qf7 (22...Qd8 23.b4) 23.Rd1 (23.b4 f5!?„) 23...Bc8!?
24.b4 axb4 25.cxb4 Be6 26.Nc3!? Bb3 27.Nxb5 Bxd1 28.Qxd1 Rbd8 29.Rd3 Rd7 30.Nxd6 Qe6
31.Nf5 Rxd3 32.Qxd3 Bc1∞
18...Ne7 19.Ncb4 Bb7 20.Nxe7 Qxe7 21.Qd3?!

21.Nd5 Qf7 22.Bf3 g6 23.h5 Kg7∞

21...f5! 22.gxf5 Rxf5 23.exf5 Bxh1³ 24.Nxa6
24.Rd1 Qxh4 (24...Rd8 25.h5 Bb7 26.Nd5 Qf7 27.Bf3 Re8³) 25.Qg3 Qxg3 26.fxg3 Rb6 27.Kf2 Be4
28.g4 g6 29.fxg6 Bxg6 (29...hxg6 30.Bf3=) 30.Nd5 Rb7 (30...Rb8 31.Ne7=) 31.Nb4 Rf7+ 32.Ke1
a5 33.Nc6 Rf6 34.Nxa5 Bf4! 35.Bd3 (35.Bxb5 Bc2µ) 35...e4 36.Bxb5 Bg3+ 37.Kd2 Rf2+ 38.Ke3
Rxb2³
24...Rf8
24...Rg8! 25.Nb4 g6µ
25.Qh3?

444
25.Rd1! d5 (25...Qxh4 26.Qg3 Qe7 27.Qd3 Rf6 28.Nb4 Qf8³) 26.Qg3 Be4 27.Bg4! Bf4 (27...g6
28.fxg6 Bf4 29.Qh3∞) 28.Qh3 Qd6 (28...d4!? 29.Re1 dxc3 30.bxc3 Bb7³) 29.Nb4 h5!? (29...g6
30.fxg6 Qxg6 31.h5 Qg5 32.Nxd5 Bc2©) 30.Bxh5 Bxf5 31.Bg4 Be4 32.f3 Bh7 33.Rxd5 Qh6
34.Kg2 Qb6ƒ … Qe3
25...Be4 26.Bd3
26.Bg4 g6! 27.fxg6 Qa7-+; 26.Nb4 Bxf5 27.Bg4 Be4 28.Re1

28...Qf6! 29.Qg3 (29.Re2 Qf4-+) 29...Bb7 30.Nd3 b4!-+

26...Bxd3+ 27.Qxd3 Qb7
27...Qxh4 28.Re1 g6-+
28.Qxd6
28.Rd1 Qxa6 29.Qxd6 Qa8-+
28...Qh1+ 29.Ke2 Qe4+! 30.Kf1 Qxf5-+ 31.Qc5 Qh3+ 32.Ke1
32.Kg1 Rf4
32...Qh1+ 33.Ke2 Qf3+ 34.Ke1 e4
34...Rd8
35.Nb4 e3 0-1

53. B45
Puranik, Abhimanyu Sameer (2604) - Erigaisi, Arjun (2629)
Sitges 151/53, 2021

445
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 d6 7.Bg3 e5
7...a6 - 60/(185)
8.Nxc6N
8.Nb3
8...bxc6 9.Bc4 Be7 10.Qd3 a5 11.O-O-O a4 12.f4 Qa5 13.a3 O-O 14.f5?!
14.fxe5! dxe5 15.Bh4 Bg4 16.Rdf1∞
14...Bd7
14...Qb6!µ
15.Kb1 Rfb8 16.Ka2 Qc5 17.Ka1?
17.Rb1 d5 (17...Nh5∞) 18.exd5 Bxf5 19.Qxf5 Qxc4+ 20.Ka1 Nxd5 21.Nxd5 Qxd5 22.Qxe5 Qxe5
23.Bxe5 Rb5=
17...d5! 18.exd5

18...Rxb2! 19.Kxb2
19.Bxe5 Rb7 20.Ne4 Nxe4 21.Qxe4 Qxa3+ 22.Ba2 Bd6-+
19...e4?
19...Qxa3+ 20.Kb1 Rb8+ 21.Nb5 (21.Bb5 Bxf5! 22.Qxf5 Qxc3-+) 21...Qb4+ 22.Ka1 cxb5 23.Rb1
Qd6 24.Ba2 Nh5 25.Bf2 b4-+
20.Nxe4 Nxe4 21.Be5!

446
21.Qxe4 Qxa3+ 22.Kb1 Bf6 23.Be5 (23.Rd4 Bxf5! 24.Qf4 Qb4+ 25.Kc1 a3 26.Qxf5 Bxd4-+)
23...Rb8+-+
21...Nf2 22.Qc3 Nxh1?
22...Nxd1+ 23.Rxd1 cxd5 24.Rxd5 (24.Bxd5 Qb6+ 25.Ka1 Rc8 26.Qd3 Bf6! 27.Qd4 (27.Bxf7+ Kf8
28.Bxf6 Qxf6+ 29.Qd4 Kxf7 30.Qxf6+ Kxf6 31.Rxd7 Rxc2=) 27...Bxe5 28.Qxe5 Rxc2 29.Bxf7+
Kf8∞) 24...Qb6+ 25.Ka2 Bxf5 26.Rb5 (26.Bxg7 Bxc2! 27.Qxc2 Kxg7∞) 26...Qf2„
23.d6! Qb6+?
23...Rb8+ 24.Ka2 Qxe5! 25.Qxe5 Bf6 26.Qxf6 gxf6 27.Rf1! (27.Rxh1 Bxf5∞) 27...c5 28.Rxh1 Bxf5
29.Rf1 Bxc2 30.Rf2±
24.Ka1 Bf8

25.Rxh1
25.Bxf7+! Kxf7 26.Qc4+ Ke8 27.Re1 Qf2 (27...Kd8 28.Qg8 Kc8 29.Qxf8+ Qd8 30.Qxg7+-)
28.Bg3+ Qxe1+ 29.Bxe1+-
25...Bxf5
25...Qf2 26.Rb1 Qxg2 27.Rb7+-
26.Bxf7+! Kxf7 27.Rf1
27.Qc4+ Kg6 28.g4 h6 (28...Bd7 29.Rf1+-) 29.gxf5+ Kh7 30.d7+-
27...Qb5 28.Rxf5+ Kg8 29.Rf4 Rd8 30.Qd4 Qe2 31.Rf2 Qe1+ 32.Ka2 Bxd6 33.Qc4+ Kh8
34.Bxg7+! 1-0

447
 54. B45
Rapport, Richard (2763) - Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2767)
Wijk aan Zee 151/54, 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.a3 d5 7.exd5
7.Bb5 - 86/(156)
7...Nxd5 8.Nxd5 Qxd5 9.Nxc6 Qxc6N
9...bxc6
10.Be3 Bd7 11.Qd2
11.Qd4!? Qxc2 12.Bd3 Qb3 13.O-O Bc6 14.Be4 Bxe4 15.Qxe4 Rd8 16.Bxa7 Bd6=
11...Bc5 12.O-O-O Bxe3 13.Qxe3 Rc8 14.c3
14.Bd3 Qc5 15.Qg3 O-O 16.Rhe1 Rfd8=
14...Qc5 15.Qg3 g6 16.Bd3 Ba4 17.Rd2 b5 18.Qf4
18.h4 a5 19.h5 b4 20.hxg6 bxc3 21.gxf7+ Kxf7 22.Qf4+ Ke7 23.Qh4+ Kf7=
18...a5 19.Qf6 O-O 20.h4 b4 21.h5

21...h6!
21...bxc3?? 22.h6 cxd2+ (22...cxb2+ 23.Kxb2 Rb8+ 24.Ka1 Qxa3+ 25.Ra2+-) 23.Kxd2+-
22.axb4
22.hxg6 bxc3 23.gxf7+ Rxf7 24.Qg6+ Rg7 25.Qxe6+ Rf7 26.Qg6+ (26.Bh7+ Kh8 27.Rd8+ Rxd8

448
28.Qxh6 cxb2+ 29.Kb1 Qc1+ 30.Rxc1 bxc1=Q+ 31.Kxc1 Rd1+ 32.Kb2 Rb7+ 33.Ka2 Bb3+ 34.Kb2
Ba4+) 26...Rg7=
22...axb4 23.c4 Qg5! 24.Qxg5 hxg5 25.hxg6 Bb3! 26.Rh5 Bxc4 27.Bxc4 Rxc4+ 28.Kd1 fxg6
29.Rxg5 1/2-1/2

55. * B45
Duda, Jan Krzysztof (2756) - Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter (2651)
Terme Catez 151/55, 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 Qc7 9.f4 Rb8
10.c4 Bb4+ 11.Ke2 O-O 12.a3
12.cxd5 cxd5 13.Nf2 d6 - 145/43
12...Be7 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.Nd6!
14.Nc3? f6! 15.exf6 Bxf6 16.Qd2 (16.Qd3 Ba6! 17.Qxa6 Bxc3 18.bxc3 Qxc3 19.g3 Qxa1 20.Bd2
Qd4 21.Qd3 Qa4! 22.Bg2 Rb3 23.Qc2 Qb5+ 24.Kf2 Qb6+ 25.Ke1 Rb8-+) 16...Bb7 17.Kd1 d4µ;
14.Nd2 f6 (14...d6 15.Nf3 dxe5 16.Nxe5 f6 17.Nf3 Rd8 18.Kf2 Qb6+ 19.Kg3 g5 20.h3 gxf4+
21.Kh2 e5 22.b4 Kh8©) 15.Nf3 fxe5 16.Nxe5 (16.fxe5 d6 17.exd6 Qxd6 18.Ke1 e5 19.Be2 Bg4µ)
16...d6 17.Nf3 Bf6

18.Ke1! (18.Kf2 Bxb2 19.Bxb2 Rxb2+ 20.Be2 (20.Kg3? Qf7!+-) 20...Qb6+ 21.Qd4 Qxd4+
22.Nxd4 Rxf4+ 23.Nf3 g5³) 18...Bxb2 19.Bxb2 Rxb2 20.Qd4 Qa5+ 21.Nd2 Rc2 22.Qb4 Qc7
23.Bd3 a5 24.Qd4 Qc3 25.Qxc3 Rxc3 26.Ke2 e5∞
14...f6
14...Ba6+

449
15.Ke1! (15.Kf3 Bxf1 (15...f6 16.Bxa6 fxe5 17.Nc8! Bd8 18.g3 d4 19.Bd3 Rxc8 20.Re1 d5 21.Kg2
e4 22.Ba6∞) 16.Rxf1 f6 17.Kg3 fxe5 18.fxe5 Bxd6 19.exd6 Qxd6+ 20.Kh3 Rxf1 21.Qxf1 Qe5©
22.Qf4 Rb3+ 23.g3 Qe2 24.Qg4 Qf1+ 25.Kh4 Rd3 26.a4 Qg2 27.h3 e5= 28.Qg5 Qe4+ 29.Qg4
Qg2=) 15...f6 (15...Bxf1 16.Rxf1 f6 17.Qe2! fxe5 18.fxe5 Bxd6 19.exd6 Qxd6 20.g3 Qb6 21.b4 d4
22.Bb2 Rxf1+ 23.Qxf1! ∆Qb7 24.Qe2 Qh1+ 25.Kd2 Qd5 26.Rc1 a5 27.Rc4 e5 28.Kc2 axb4
29.axb4 Rf8 30.Kb1 d6 31.Bc1±) 16.Bxa6 Qa5+ 17.b4 Qxa6 18.Be3 fxe5 19.fxe5 Bxd6 20.exd6
Qxd6 21.Rc1 a5 22.Bc5 Qf4 23.Qd2 Qh4+ 24.Kd1! Rf5 25.Rc2 d4 26.Kc1±
15.Nxc8 Rfxc8N
15...Qxc8 16.exf6 Bxf6 17.Rb1 Qc4+ 18.Kf2!± (18.Qd3? Qa2µ) ∆18...Bd4+ 19.Kf3 Rb3+ 20.Kg4
h5+ 21.Kxh5 Rf6 22.g3! Qc8 23.Kg4 Qe8 24.Kh3+-; 15...Rbxc8
16.exf6 Bxf6 17.Rb1

450
17...g5!?N
17...Qc4+ - 151/(55) 18.Kf2 Bd4+ 19.Kf3 Rb3+ 20.Kg4 Qa4 21.Bd3 Bf6 22.g3 e5 23.Bf5 Rc5
24.Bd2± Can,I (2380)-Tilicheev,V (2503) europe-echecs.com (Int.-blitz) 151/(55) 2021; 17...Qc5
18.h4! Bxb2 19.Bxb2 Qc4+ 20.Kf2 Qxf4+ 21.Qf3 Rxb2+ 22.Rxb2 Qd4+ 23.Kg3 Qxb2 24.Bd3 Qf6
25.Qxf6 gxf6 26.Kf2 Rc3 27.Rh3 Kh8 28.a4 Ra3 29.Bb5 Rxh3 30.gxh3 Kg7 31.Bxd7 Kf7 32.Bc8
Ke7 33.Kf3 Kd6 34.Kf4±
18.Qd3?!
18.Kf3! Bxb2 19.Bd3 Bxa3 20.Bd2!± ∆e5 21.Kg3! gxf4+ 22.Kh3 d6 23.Bf5! Re8 (23...Rxb1
24.Qg4+ Kh8 25.Rxb1 Rg8 26.Qh5 Bc5 27.g3+-) 24.Qh5 Qf7 25.Qg4+ Kh8 (25...Kf8 26.g3+-)
26.Be6!+-
18...Qxc1?
18...gxf4 19.g3 Kh8! 20.Bd2 Qe5+ 21.Kd1 Rxb2 22.Rxb2 Qxb2 23.gxf4 Bd8!? (23...Bd4 24.Bg2
Bc3 25.Bf3 Bxd2 26.Qxd2 Qf6 27.Re1 Rc4 28.Re3 Qa1+ 29.Ke2 Qg1 30.f5 Qxh2+ 31.Kd1²)
24.Ke2 (24.Bg2 Ba5ƒ 25.Bf3 Rc4 26.Be3 Qb5! 27.Bd4+ Kg8 28.Ke2 Rc2+ 29.Ke3 Bd2+³) 24...Rc2
25.Bg2 Ba5 26.Rd1 Rxd2+ 27.Rxd2 Bxd2 28.Qxd2 Qxa3=
19.Rxc1 Rxc1

451
20.Kf3!
20.Qa6? g4! 21.b4 Rbc8 22.Kf2 Bh4+ 23.g3 R8c2+=; 20.fxg5!? Rxb2+ 21.Kf3 Rc3 (21...Bxg5
22.Kg4+-) 22.gxf6! Rxd3+ 23.Bxd3 Rb3 24.Ke3 e5 25.Kd2 e4 26.Bc2 Rxa3 27.Rf1+-
20...Bxb2
20...Rxb2 21.Qe3 (21.fxg5 - 20.fg5) 21...Rc3 22.Bd3 gxf4 23.Kxf4 e5+ 24.Kf5 Bg7 25.Rd1! ∆e4
26.Qxa7 Rxd3 27.Rxd3 exd3 28.Qa8+ Kf7 29.Qxd5+ Ke7 30.Qxd3 Rf2+ 31.Ke4 Rxg2 32.Qh3 …
Qh7+-
21.Kg4
21.Qe3 Rf8 22.g3 gxf4 23.gxf4 Kh8 24.Qd2 Rc3+ 25.Bd3+-
21...gxf4 22.g3+- Kh8 23.Qd2! fxg3 24.hxg3 Ra1 25.Qc2 1-0

56. B47
Grandelius, Nils (2672) - Rapport, Richard (2763)
Wijk aan Zee 151/56, 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.g4 h6

6...a6 - 148/(47)
7.Be3 Nf6 8.f3 a6 9.Qd2 Ne5 10.f4N
10.h4; 10.O-O-O
10...Nc4
10...Nexg4 11.e5 Nxe3 12.Qxe3 Ng4 13.Qg3 h5 14.h3 Nh6 15.O-O-Oƒ

452
11.Bxc4 Qxc4 12.e5
12.g5 hxg5 13.fxg5 Ng4 14.O-O-O Rh3 15.Bg1∞
12...Nxg4 13.Rg1 Nxe3 14.Qxe3 b5 15.O-O-O Bb7 16.Kb1 O-O-O

16...b4 17.Ne4 O-O-O 18.a3!? (18.Rxg7 Bxe4 19.Qxe4 Bxg7 20.Qa8+ Kc7 21.Qa7+ Kc8=; 18.b3
Qc7 19.Nf3 Kb8∞) 18...bxa3 19.Rd3 Kb8 20.Rb3 Ka8 21.Rxg7! Bd5∞; 16...g5!?∞
17.Ne4?!
17.Nb3! Kb8 18.Na5 Qc5 19.Qxc5 Bxc5 20.Nxb7 Kxb7 21.Rxg7 Rhg8! 22.Rxf7 Rgf8 23.Rxf8 Rxf8
24.Ne4 Kc6 25.Nxc5 Kxc5 26.Rxd7 Rxf4 27.b3²
17...Kb8 18.Rd3 Rc8 19.Rgd1?
19.a3 Qd5 (19...Qc7 20.Nd6 Bxd6 21.exd6 Qxd6 22.Rxg7©) 20.Nc3 Qc5 21.Rgd1 Be7 (21...Qb6
22.Qe2©) 22.f5©
19...Be7 20.Rc3 Qa4 21.Rcd3 Bxe4! 22.b3
22.Qxe4 Rxc2µ
22...Qa5 23.Qxe4 Rc7?!
23...f5! 24.Qg2 (24.exf6 Bxf6µ) 24...g5µ
24.f5?!
24.c3! Rxc3 (24...Rhc8 25.b4 Qb6 26.Kb2 f5 27.Qg2 g5 28.Nb3©) 25.Nxe6! Rxd3 26.Rxd3 dxe6
27.Rd7 Qb6 28.Rxe7 Rd8 29.Qh1©

453
24...Rhc8 25.Rg3 Ba3 26.h4 Qb4 27.h5 Rc3?
27...Rxc2! 28.Qxc2 Rxc2 29.Nxc2 Qf4 30.Rgd3 b4 31.Rxd7 Qxe5-+
28.Rxg7?
28.fxe6! fxe6 (28...Rxg3? 29.exd7+-) 29.Rxg7 R3c5 30.Qe3 (30.Rxd7? Rd5! 31.Rxd5 Qc3-+)
30...Rd5³
28...Rh3-+ 29.Qe1

29...Rh1! 30.Rg1
30.Qxh1 Qc3
30...Rxg1 31.Qxg1 Qc3 0-1

57. B48
Esipenko, Andrey (2714) - Shankland, Samuel L (2708)
Wijk aan Zee 151/57, 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3 a6 7.g4 b5 8.Nxc6 Qxc6 9.Qd2 b4
10.Ne2 Qxe4 11.Rg1 Qc4
11...Qb7 - 148/(47)
12.Ng3 Qc7 13.O-O-O Ne7 14.Nh5 Nd5 15.Bd4 Rg8 16.Qd3N
16.Bd3 Bb7 17.Bxh7 Rh8 18.Be4 O-O-O∞
16...g6 17.Bg2 gxh5 18.Bxd5 Bb7 19.Bxb7 Qxb7 20.gxh5
20.g5 Qb5 21.Qe4 Rc8∞

454
20...Rxg1 21.Rxg1 Qd5! 22.b3
22.Bf6 Qxh5 23.Rg8 Qxh2 24.Qe4 d5 25.Qxb4 Qg1+! 26.Rxg1 Bxb4=; 22.Rg8 e5 23.Be3 Qxd3
24.cxd3 Rc8+ 25.Kd2 Ke7∞
22...f5 23.Qe3 Qe4 24.Qd2 Rc8 25.Kb1 f4 26.Qd1 d6 27.f3 Qd5 28.Qd3 Rc7 29.Re1 Re7?!
29...a5 30.Re4 e5 31.Qe2 Be7 32.Bb2 Kf7∞
30.Re4 e5
30...a5 31.Rxf4 Bh6 32.Re4 Kd7 33.Qe2 Rf7±
31.Qxa6 Kf7
31...exd4?? 32.Qc8+ Kf7 33.Rxf4++-
32.Bb2 Qd1+ 33.Bc1 d5 34.Re2
34.Rxb4?? Rc7-+; 34.Qd6 Ra7! 35.Qb8 dxe4 36.Qxa7+ Be7 37.fxe4 f3 38.Qf2 Bg5 39.Qa7+ Be7
40.Qf2=
34...Rc7 35.Rf2 d4?

35...Qd4 36.Rf1 Qc5 37.Qe2 Bg7 38.Bb2±

36.Qb6?
36.Qb5! Ke6 (36...Bg7 37.Qb6 Re7 (37...Rc3 38.Qb7+ Kf6 39.Rg2+-) 38.Qxb4+-) 37.Qe8+ Be7
38.Qg8+ Kd6 39.Qxh7 Bh4 40.Qg6+ Kc5 41.Rg2 Qxf3 42.a3!+-
36...Rc3 37.Qb7+ Be7 38.Qe4 Ke6 39.Qxh7

455
39.Re2 Re3! 40.Qc6+ Kf7 41.Qc4+=
39...Qg1! 40.Qg6+ Qxg6 41.hxg6 Kf6 42.Bd2 Rc8 43.Rg2 Kg7!
43...Rg8? 44.g7! Rxg7 (44...e4 45.fxe4 Ke5 46.Rg4 f3 47.Be1+-) 45.Rxg7 Kxg7 46.Kc1 Kg6
47.Kd1 Kf5 48.Ke2 e4 49.Be1 Ke5 50.h4+-
44.Re2
44.Rg4 Rh8 45.h4 Bxh4 46.Bxb4 Bf2 47.Kb2 Be3 48.Bd6 Rh5 49.a4

49...e4! 50.fxe4 (50.Bxf4 exf3∞) 50...f3 51.Bg3 f2 52.Bxf2 Bxf2 53.b4∞

44...Bd6 45.h4 Rh8!
45...Kxg6? 46.Bxf4!±
46.Be1 Kxg6 47.Kc1 Ra8 48.Kd2 Rxa2 49.Kd3 Kf5 50.h5 Bf8 51.h6 Bxh6 1/2-1/2

58. !N B48
Grandelius, Nils (2672) - Carlsen, Magnus (2865)
Wijk aan Zee 151/58, 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3 a6 7.g4 Nxd4
7...b5 - 148/47
8.Qxd4 b5 9.O-O-O Bb7 10.f3 Rc8 11.Qd2 Bb4 12.Bd4 f6 13.g5

456
13...h6!N
13...Bd6?!
14.gxh6 Nxh6 15.a3
15.Rg1 Kf8∞
15...Bxa3! 16.bxa3
16.Bxb5 Bxb2+ 17.Kxb2 axb5∞
16...e5 17.Nxb5 axb5 18.Bb2 d5?
18...Nf7! 19.h4 (19.Bxb5 Bc6 20.Bxc6 Qxc6∞) 19...d5 20.Bxb5+ (20.Bh3 Rd8 21.Qg2 d4! 22.Qxg7
Ke7∞) 20...Kf8 21.exd5 Bxd5 22.Ba6 Bxf3∞
19.Bxb5+ Kf8 20.Ba4?
20.Qb4+! Kg8 21.Qb3 Nf7 22.exd5 Nd6 23.Rd3!± (23.Bd3 Rh4!„)
20...d4 21.Bb3 Nf7 22.Qb4+
22.h4 Ba6∞
22...Kg8 23.Rd2 Ba6 24.f4 Rb8 25.Qa4 Bb5 26.Qb4 Ba6 27.Qa4 Bb5 28.Qb4 Rh3 29.fxe5 fxe5
30.Rg1?
30.Rf2 Rxb3 31.Qxb3 Bc4 32.Qa4 (32.Qg3? Qb6 33.Rg1 Qxb2+ 34.Kd2 g5-+) 32...Ng5 33.Rg1!
(33.Rg2? Nh3µ) 33...Nh3 34.Rf6 Nxg1 35.Rc6 Qb7 36.Qxc4+ Kh7 37.Qb3 Qxb3 (37...Qxc6
38.Qxb8 Qxe4 39.Kb1∞) 38.cxb3 Rxb3 39.a4∞
30...Be2

457
30...Ba6! 31.Bxf7+

31...Kh8!! (31...Kxf7 32.Rdg2! Rh7 33.Qe1∞) 32.Rg3 (32.Qa4 Qxf7 33.Qxa6 Qa2 34.Qg6 Qxb2+
35.Kd1 Qa1+ 36.Ke2 Rxh2+ 37.Rg2 Rh7-+) 32...Rh6! 33.Bd5 Rxb4 34.axb4 Bc4µ
31.Bxf7+ Kxf7 32.Qa4 Qb7
32...Rhb3 33.Rxe2 Rxb2 34.Rg3! g6³
33.Qb4 Qc7 34.Qa4 Bb5 35.Rdg2!
35.Qb4? Rf3! 36.Rdg2 Rf1+ 37.Rxf1+ Bxf1 38.Rf2+ Kg8 39.Qd2 Bc4-+
35...Rh7
35...Bxa4 36.Rxg7+ Kf8 37.Rxc7 Rxh2=
36.Qb3+ Bc4 37.Qg3 Qb6 38.Qg6+ Qxg6 39.Rxg6 Rc8 40.R6g5?!
40.Kb1=
40...Bd3 41.Rf5+ Kg8 42.Rf2 Rh6 43.Rd1?!

458
43.Rd2 Bxe4 44.Re1 Rh4 45.Rf2³
43...Bxe4?!
43...Rf6! 44.Rxf6 (44.Rfd2 Bxe4 45.Re1 Bg6-+; 44.Rdd2 Bxe4-+) 44...Rxc2+ 45.Kb1 Rd2+ 46.Kc1
Rxd1+ 47.Kxd1 gxf6 48.a4 Bxe4 49.Ba3 Kf7µ
44.Re1 Rh4 45.a4!= Rc5 46.Ba3 Rc8 47.Be7 Rg4 48.h3 Rg2 49.Rxg2 Bxg2 50.Rxe5 d3 51.Bc5 Ra8
52.cxd3 Rxa4 53.Kd2 Bxh3 54.Re4 1/2-1/2

59. B48
Nepomniachtchi, Ian (2773) - Carlsen, Magnus (2865)
chess24.com (Int.-m2/3-rapid) 151/59, 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3 a6 7.g4 Nxd4 8.Qxd4 b5 9.O-O-O Bb7
10.Kb1
10.f3 - 151/58
10...Nf6 11.f3 Rc8
11...h6!
12.g5 Nh5 13.Qd2 Be7?
13...Bb4 14.Bh3 Bxc3 15.bxc3 O-O 16.Bg4 g6 17.Qxd7 Qxc3 18.Qd2 Qc7²
14.Bh3 b4 15.Ne2 d5 16.Bg4 g6 17.Bxh5N
17.Bd4
17...gxh5 18.Nf4 dxe4 19.Nxh5 exf3

459
20.Bf4?
20.Nf6+! Bxf6 21.gxf6 b3 (21...Be4 22.Ka1! Bd5 23.Qxb4 a5 24.Qa3+-) 22.axb3 Be4 23.Ka2!
(23.Ka1? O-O!∞) 23...O-O 24.Rhg1+ Bg6 (24...Kh8 25.Bh6 Rfd8 26.Bg7+ Kg8 27.Bf8+ Kh8
28.Rg8+ Kxg8 29.Qh6 Qa5+ 30.Ba3+-) 25.Bc5! Kh8 26.Bxf8 Rxf8 27.Rg3+-
20...Qd8
20...Qc6! 21.Rhe1 (21.Nf6+ Bxf6 22.gxf6 a5 23.Rhe1 Rg8∞) 21...O-O 22.Nf6+ Bxf6 23.gxf6 Kh8
24.Bh6 (24.Rg1 Qd5 25.Qxb4 f2! 26.Rgf1 Qf3∞) 24...Rg8 25.Bg7+ Rxg7 26.fxg7+ Kg8∞
21.Qe3 Bd5 22.Nf6+?
22.b3 Rg8 23.h4 Qa5 24.Be5 Qc5 25.Qd3 Rg6 26.Rhe1±
22...Bxf6 23.gxf6 Rg8µ 24.Rhe1?
24.Rd2 Qa5 25.b3 Qc5 26.Qd3 Rg6µ
24...Rg2 25.Qa7 Qd7 26.Qd4
26.Qxa6 Rcxc2 27.Be5 Qc6-+
26...Rcxc2 27.Bc1 Rxc1+! 28.Kxc1
28.Rxc1 Bxa2+-+
28...Qc6+ 29.Kb1 Qa4 30.Rd2 Bxa2+ 0-1

60. B48
Demchenko, Anton (2651) - Movsesian, Sergei (2627)
Riga 151/60, 2021

460
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3 a6 7.Qf3 Nf6 8.O-O-O h5 9.Nxc6 dxc6
10.e5!?
10.Na4 - 137/61
10...Qxe5
10...Nd5 11.Bf4 Nxf4 12.Qxf4 f5 13.h4 g6 14.Qg3 Kf7 15.Kb1±; 10...Ng4 11.Bf4 Nxe5 12.Qg3 f6
13.Bd3 Nxd3+ 14.Rxd3 Qf7 15.Bc7 Be7 16.Na4±
11.Bc4N
11.Bf4
11...Nd5
11...Qf5! 12.Qg3 (12.Qxf5 exf5 13.Rhe1 Be6 14.Bg5 Bc5 15.Bxe6 (15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.Bxe6 fxe6
17.Rxe6+ Kf7 18.Re2 Rad8∞) 15...fxe6 16.Rxe6+ Kf7 17.Re5 Bxf2 18.Rxf5 Kg6 19.Rxf2 Kxg5=)
12...Nd5 13.Nxd5 (13.Bxd5 cxd5 14.Qc7 Be7 15.Rhe1 Bd8 16.Qd6 Be7=) 13...cxd5 14.Qc7
(14.Bd3 Qg4 15.Qe5 Bd7∞) 14...Qf6 15.Bxa6!? Rxa6 16.Qxc8+ Qd8 17.Qxb7 Rxa2 18.Qb5+ Qd7
19.Qb8+ Qd8 20.Qxd8+ Kxd8 21.c4 Bd6 22.cxd5 Ke7=
12.Rhe1 Nxe3
12...Nxc3? 13.Rd8+! Ke7 14.bxc3+-
13.Rxe3

13...Qf6?
13...Qc7! 14.Ne4 Be7 (14...b5? 15.Ng5! bxc4 16.Nxf7 Rg8 (16...Qxf7 17.Qxc6+ Bd7 18.Qxa8+
Ke7 19.Qa7 Qe8 20.Re4+-) 17.Ng5 g6 18.Nxe6 Bxe6 19.Rxe6+ Be7 20.Rde1 Rg7 21.Rf6+-) 15.h4!

461
b5 16.Be2 c5 17.Ng5 Bxg5 18.hxg5 Bb7 19.Qf5 (19.Qh3ƒ) 19...O-O 20.Qh3∞
14.Qg3 h4 15.Qc7 Qe7 16.Qb6 g6 17.Qd4 Rh7?
17...Rh5 18.Red3 Rd5 19.Bxd5 exd5±
18.Red3?
18.f4! Bg7 19.Qb6 e5 (19...Bxc3 20.Rxc3 Rh5 21.Rcd3 Kf8 22.Rd8+ Kg7 23.g4 hxg3 24.hxg3+-)
20.Red3! Bf5 (20...Bg4 21.Bxa6!+-) 21.Ne4 Bxe4 22.Rd7+-
18...e5 19.Qb6 Bf5 20.Bxa6! Bxd3 21.Bxb7 Bh6+ 22.Kb1 Rd8 23.Bxc6+
23.Rxd3! Rxd3 24.cxd3 Kf8 25.a4²
23...Kf8 24.cxd3?!
24.Rxd3 Rxd3 25.cxd3²
24...Kg7 25.Qb7 Qc5
25...Qxb7 26.Bxb7 f5 27.a4 Kf6 28.Bc6 Bf8∞
26.Ne4 Qd4 27.Qe7 Kh8
¹27...Rb8 28.b3 Kh8 29.Qf6+ Kg8 30.Qxh4 Rb6∞
28.Ng5??
28.Qf6+ Kg8 29.a4 Rb8 30.Bb5∞
28...Rb8?
28...Qd6 29.Qxd6 Rxd6 30.Nxh7 Rxc6-+
29.b3 Bxg5 30.Qxg5 Kg7?!
30...Qd6 31.Qe3 Kg8 32.Bf3 Rd8 33.Rd2 Kg7³
31.Qe3 Qd6

462
32.d4! Rh5?!
32...Rb6 33.Bf3 exd4 34.Qxd4+ (34.Rxd4 Qxh2 35.Rf4 Rf6 36.Rxf6 Kxf6 37.g3 hxg3 38.Qd4+=)
34...Qxd4 35.Rxd4 h3 36.g4 (36.g3?! Rf6 37.Rd3 g5³) 36...Rh8∞
33.Bf3 Rf5 34.dxe5 Qe7
¹34...Qxe5 35.Qxe5+ Rxe5 36.h3! f5 37.Rd4²
35.e6!
35.Rd5±
35...Qxe6 36.Qxe6 fxe6 37.h3 Kf6 38.Kb2 Rf4 39.Rd2 Rb6 40.Re2 Rd4 41.Be4 e5 42.Kc3 g5 43.f3
Rb8 44.Bd3 Rbd8 45.Bc4 Rd1 46.a4 Ra1 47.Bd3 Rd1 48.Bc2 Rc8+ 49.Kb2 Rd4 50.Be4 Rb8
51.Ka3 Ke6 52.Rc2 Rd1 53.Ra2 Rd4 54.Rb2 Rd1 55.b4 Rbd8 56.a5 R8d4 57.Ra2 Rd7 58.a6 Kd6
59.Ka4 Ra7 60.Ka5 1-0

463
B50-B74

61. B51
Kosteniuk, Alexandra (2516) - Keymer, Vincent (2664)
chess24.com (Int.-rapid) 151/61, 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O e6 6.Re1 a6 7.c4 Be7 8.Nc3 O-O 9.d4 cxd4
10.Nxd4 Ne5 11.Qe2 Qc7 12.Bb3 Re8
12...Bd7 - 147/46
13.Kh1N
13.f4
13...Bd7 14.f4 Nc6 15.Nf3 Rac8
¹15...Na5
16.e5 Ng4 17.Ng5
17.h3 Nh6 18.Bc2 Nb4 19.Be4 Bc6 (19...Qxc4 20.Qxc4 Rxc4 21.exd6 Bxd6 22.Rd1 Nd5 23.Nxd5
exd5 24.Bxd5 Rc7 25.g4²) 20.a3 Bxe4 21.Nxe4 Nc6 22.g4²
17...Bxg5 18.exd6 Qxd6 19.Ne4 Qc7 20.Nxg5 e5 21.c5

21...Nh6
21...Re7! 22.Nxf7 Rxf7 23.Bxf7+ Kxf7 24.h3 Nd4 25.Qd2 Nh6 26.Rxe5 Nhf5³

464
22.Qh5 Bg4 23.Qh4 Nd4 24.Nxf7
24.Ba4 Bd7 25.fxe5 Bxa4 26.Qxd4 Qd7 27.Qxd7 Bxd7=
24...Nxf7 25.Qxg4 Nxb3 26.axb3 Qxc5 27.f5 Qb6 28.b4 Qf6 29.Qe4 Nd6 30.Qd5+ Kh8 31.Bd2
Rcd8
31...Qxf5 32.Bc3 Qe6 33.Rxe5 Qxd5 34.Rxd5 Nb5=
32.Bc3 Nxf5!? 33.Qxb7 Re6 34.Rf1
34.b5 axb5 35.Ra8 h6 36.Rxd8+ (36.Bxe5 Rxa8 37.Qxa8+ Kh7 38.Qe4 Qg6=) 36...Qxd8 37.Qxb5
Nh4∞
34...Qg6!?
34...Ng3+ 35.hxg3 Qh6+ 36.Kg1 Qe3+ 37.Rf2 Rf8 38.Be1 (38.Rf1 Rxf2 39.Rxf2 Qc1+ 40.Rf1
Qe3+=) 38...Ref6 39.b5 Rxf2 40.Bxf2 Qxf2+ 41.Kh2 axb5 42.Qxb5=
35.Rfd1?!
35.Rae1 Nd4 36.h3 h5∞
35...Rde8 36.Rd7 h6
36...Ng3+! 37.Kg1 Ne2+ 38.Kh1 Nxc3 39.bxc3 e4 40.h3 e3ƒ
37.Kg1 Rf6 38.Re1?
38.Qe4 Nd4 39.Qxg6 Rxg6 40.Ra7 (40.Bxd4 exd4 41.Rxd4 Re2 42.g3 Rxb2=) 40...Ree6=
38...Nh4 39.Kh1 Ref8 40.Rdd1
40.Rg1

465
40...Qb1!! 41.h3 (41.Qa7 Rf1-+) 41...Rf1 42.Rxf1 Rxf1+ 43.Kh2 Nf5-+; 40.h3 Qg3 41.Rg1 Nf3-+
40...Rf2?
40...R6f7! 41.Qd5 Rd7-+
41.Rg1 Qh5 42.Qe4?
42.Qe7™ Ng6 (42...Nf3 43.Qxf8+ Kh7 44.Bxe5 Qxe5 45.Qxf3 Rxf3 46.gxf3 Qe2=; 42...Nf5
43.Qxf8+ Kh7 44.Rd3 Ng3+ 45.Rxg3 Rxf8 46.h3=) 43.Qd6 R8f4 44.Rd3 Rg4→
42...Nf3 43.h3 Qxh3+! 44.gxh3 Rh2# 0-1

62. * B51
Druska, Juraj (2493) - Deac, Bogdan Daniel (2639)
Reykjavik 151/62, 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 4.a4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.a5 Bg7 7.O-O
7.a6 - 135/61
7...O-O 8.Re1
8.d3 a6 9.Bc4 b5 10.axb6 Nxb6 11.Bb3 Bb7 12.Re1 e6 13.e5 (13.Bg5 h6 14.Bh4 g5!? 15.Nxg5!?
hxg5 16.Bxg5 Re8 17.Re3 Kf8 18.h4©) 13...dxe5 14.Nxe5 Nfd5„; 8.d4 cxd4 9.Nxd4 Nc5 10.f3 Bd7
11.Be3 Rc8 12.Qd2 Bxb5 13.Ndxb5 a6 14.Nd4 Qc7 … Ncd7„; 8.h3 Qc7 9.d3 a6 10.Bc4 (10.Bxd7
Bxd7 11.Bg5 Bc6 12.Qd2 Rfe8 13.Rfe1 e6∞) 10...b5 11.axb6 Nxb6 12.Ba2 Bb7 13.Bf4 Nh5 14.Be3
h6 15.Qd2 Kh7 16.Rfe1 e6∞
8...a6 9.Bf1

466
9.Bc4 Ng4!? 10.d4 cxd4 11.Nxd4 Nde5 12.Bb3 (12.Bf1 Nc6 13.Nxc6 bxc6 14.h3 Ne5 15.Be3 c5
16.Nd5 Rb8 17.Nb6 Nd7 18.Nxc8 (18.Nc4 Ne5 19.Nb6 Nd7) 18...Qxc8 19.b3!? Rb4!? (19...Bxa1
20.Qxa1 f6 21.Bh6©) 20.Ra2 Bc3 21.Re2 Qb7 22.Qd3 Bg7 23.Re1 Ra8 24.Bd2 c4„) 12...Nc6
13.Nxc6 bxc6 14.Bg5 (14.Qe2 Rb8 15.h3 Ne5 16.Bd2 c5 17.Nd5 e6 18.Nb6 Nd7 19.Nxc8 Qxc8
20.Ra2 Ne5„) 14...h6 15.Bh4 g5 16.Bg3 Ne5 17.h4 gxh4 18.Bxh4 Kh7 19.Bg3 Ng6 20.Ra4 Rb8
21.Qe2 c5∞
9...Ng4!?
9...e5 10.d3 h6 (10...Nb8 11.Bg5 h6 12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.Nd5 Nc6 14.Nd2 Bg7 15.Nc4 Be6 16.g3 f5
17.Bh3²) 11.Nd2 Nb8 12.Nd5 b5 (12...Nc6 13.Nb6 Rb8 14.Nxc8 Qxc8 15.Nc4 d5 16.exd5 Nxd5
17.g3²) 13.axb6 Nxd5 14.exd5 Nd7 15.Nb3 Qxb6 (15...Nxb6 16.c4²) 16.Na5²; 9...b5 10.axb6 Nxb6
(10...Qxb6 11.d3 Bb7 12.Nd2 Ne5 13.Na4 Qa7 14.Nb3 Nc6 15.Be3 Rad8 16.c3²) 11.d3 Bb7
12.Bg5 h6 13.Bd2 e5 (13...e6 14.g3 Nfd7 15.Bg2 Rb8 16.Qc1 Kh7 17.Nb1!? d5 18.Bc3 Qc7
19.Bxg7 Kxg7 20.b3²) 14.Qc1 Kh7 15.Nd1!? Qe7 16.c4 Nh5 17.Nc3²
10.d4N
10.d3 - 151/(62) 10...Nde5 11.h3 Nxf3+ 12.Qxf3 Ne5 13.Qe2 Nc6 14.Bg5 (14.Nd5 Nxa5 15.Nxe7+
Qxe7 16.Rxa5 b5 17.c3 Qc7 18.Ra1 a5„) 14...h6 15.Bh4 Nxa5 16.Bxe7 Qxe7 17.Rxa5 Yuan,Q
(2373) -Kozionov,K (2470) chess.com (Int.-blitz) 151/(62) 2021 (17.Rxa5 Be6 18.Qd2 Qc7 19.Rea1
(19.Raa1 b5³) 19...Rae8 … f5³)10.h3 Nge5 11.Nxe5 Nxe5 12.Nd5 Nc6 13.Nb6 Rb8 14.Nc4
(14.Nxc8 Rxc8 15.c3 Nxa5 16.d3 Nc6 17.Be3 e6³) 14...f5!? (14...Be6 15.d3 Bxc4 16.dxc4 Nxa5
17.e5 Qb6 18.exd6 exd6 19.Bf4 Nc6 20.Rb1 Rfd8 21.Bg5 Rd7 22.c3©) 15.exf5 (15.d3 f4 16.c3 e5³)
15...Bxf5 16.d3 d5 17.Nb6 Qd6 18.g3 e5„
10...cxd4 11.Nxd4 Nge5 12.Be3

467
12.Bg5!? Nc6 13.Nb3 h6 (13...b5 14.axb6 Nxb6 15.Nd5²) 14.Be3 ∆Kh7 (14...Nf6 15.Nd5 Be6
16.c3²) 15.Qd2 Rb8 16.Na4! g5 17.f3²
12...Nc6
12...Nf6 13.h3 Nc6 14.Nb3 Be6 15.Nd5²
13.Nd5!?
13.Nb3 b5 14.axb6 Nxb6 15.Qd2 Nd7 16.Bh6 Bxh6 17.Qxh6 Rb8 18.Qd2 Nc5 19.Nxc5 dxc5
20.Qc1 a5 21.Na4 Nd4 22.Ra3 Qd6 23.Rc3 Ba6„; 13.Nxc6!? bxc6 14.Qd2 Rb8 15.b3 Re8 (15...Qc7
16.Bh6 Bxh6 17.Qxh6 Nc5 18.h4 e5 19.h5 Rb4 20.f3²) 16.Bd4 Ne5 17.Na4 c5 18.Bb2 (… f4)
18...Nc6 19.Bxg7 Kxg7 20.Qc3+ f6 (20...Kg8 21.e5!? Bf5 22.exd6 exd6 23.Rxe8+ Qxe8 24.Bxa6
Nb4 25.Bc4 Nxc2 26.Rd1 Nd4 27.Nb6²) 21.Nb6 (21.Red1!? Qxa5 22.Qxa5 Nxa5 23.Nxc5 Nc6
24.Nxa6 Bxa6 25.Rxa6 Nb4 26.Ra7 Nxc2

27.Rd2! Nb4 28.Rxd6²) 21...Be6 22.Nd5 (22.Bxa6 Nxa5) 22...Qc8 … Qb7, Bf7∞
13...Nxa5!?
13...e6 14.Nxc6 bxc6 15.Nb6 Nxb6 16.Bxb6 Qe7 17.Rb1²
14.Nxe7+
14.Bd2 Bxd4 15.Bxa5 b6 16.Qxd4 bxa5 17.Qd2 Bb7 18.Rxa5 (18.Qxa5 e6 19.Nc3 Qb8 20.Red1
Rc8„) 18...e6 19.Ne3 Bxe4 20.Rea1 Ne5 21.f4 (21.Rxa6 Qg5„) 21...Nc6 22.Rxa6 Rc8 23.b4 d5∞
14...Qxe7 15.Rxa5 Qxe4!?
15...Nc5 16.f3 Qc7 17.Ra3 Bd7 18.Qd2²; 15...Nf6 16.f3 d5!? (16...b6 17.Ra4 Bb7 18.c4²) 17.exd5
Qd8 18.Nb3 b6 19.Ra4 Nxd5 20.Bd4 Ra7 21.Bxg7 Kxg7 22.Rd4 Rd7 23.Qd2 (23.h4 Nc7=)

468
23...Nc7 24.Rxd7 Qxd7 25.Qc3+ Kg8=
16.Bd3
16.g3!? Qe8 (16...Nb6 17.c3²) 17.Bh6 Qd8 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.Rd5 Ne5 (19...Nf6? 20.Rxd6 Qxd6
21.Nf5+ Bxf5 22.Qxd6 Bxc2 23.Bg2+-) 20.f4 (20.Rxd6? Qxd6 21.Nf5+ Bxf5 22.Qxd6 Nf3+)
20...Ng4 21.h3 Nf6 22.Rxd6 Qc7 23.Nf3 b5 (23...Qc5+ 24.Kh2 Be6 25.Re5! (25.Bg2? Bd5µ)
25...Qf2+ 26.Bg2 Nh5 27.Rg5 Rae8 28.c3 Kg8 29.Rd2 Qb6 30.Re5 Ng7 31.Qe1²) 24.Bg2 Qc5+

25.Nd4! (25.Kh2 Bb7 26.Ne5 Bxg2 27.Kxg2 Qc7! 28.c4 Rfd8 29.c5 Rxd6 30.cxd6 Qc5 31.Qb3
Qxd6 32.Qxf7+ Kh8∞) 25...Re8 26.Rxe8 Nxe8 27.Rd8 Bg4 28.Rd5! Qxd5 29.Bxd5 Bxd1 30.Bxa8
Nd6 31.Kf2²
16...Qe8
16...Qh4 17.c3 Ne5 18.Be2 Bg4„
17.Bg5
17.Bh6 Qd8 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.Qd2 (19.Rd5 Nf6) 19...Nf6 20.Bf1 d5 21.Ra3 Ne4 22.Qf4 Re8 23.c4
Qb6 24.Rf3 f5 25.Rd1 Qd6 26.Qxd6 Nxd6 27.c5 Ne4 28.Rc1 Nd2 29.Rd3 Nc4∞
17...Ne5 18.f4

469
18.Bf1 h6 19.Bh4 Qd7 20.c3 Qc7 21.Ra1 Bd7 22.Qd2 Rfe8³; 18.c3 Qd7 19.Bf1 b6 20.Ra1 Bb7
21.f4 Nc6 22.Nxc6 Qxc6 23.Be7 Qc5+ 24.Kh1 Rfe8 25.Qd2 (25.Qxd6 Qf2µ) 25...Bf8³
18...Nxd3!³ 19.Rxe8 Bxd4+ 20.Kf1 Rxe8 21.Qxd3 Bxb2 22.f5?!
22.Qxd6 Be6 23.Kg1 Bc3 24.Ra4 Bf5 25.Rc4 Bg7 26.h3 a5 27.g4 Be6µ; 22.h3 Be6 23.Qxd6 Bg7
(23...Bc3 24.Ra3 Rac8 25.Rxc3 Rxc3 26.Qd4 Rc7 27.Bh6 f5 28.Kg1 Rf7³) 24.Kg1 h6 25.Bh4 Rec8
26.Rc5 a5 27.Rxc8+ Rxc8 28.Qd3 a4 29.g4 (29.Be7 Rc4µ) 29...Rc5 (29...Ra8 30.Be7) 30.Be7 Rd5
31.Qe2 Bd4+ 32.Kg2 b5 33.Qe1 Bb2 34.Qe3³
22...Bxf5 23.Rxf5 gxf5µ 24.c3 Re6 25.h4 Rae8 26.h5
26.Bd2 Ba3 27.Qxf5 Bc5 28.c4 h6 29.g3 a5-+
26...Re1+ 27.Kf2 R1e4 28.Bd2 Ba3 29.Qg3+ Rg4 30.Qf3
30.Qd3 Bc5+ 31.Kf3 Rge4 32.Qd5 Re2 33.h6 Kf8 34.Bf4 R8e6 35.Kg3 Rg6+ 36.Kh3 Rexg2-+
30...Bc5+ 31.Kf1 Ra4-+ 32.Qd1 Rh4 0-1

63. * B51
Adams, Michael (2700) - Vitiugov, Nikita (2731)
England - Rest of the World (m) 151/63, 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 4.d4 cxd4 5.Qxd4 a6 6.Be2 Ngf6 7.O-O e5 8.Qe3 Nc5 9.Nfd2
9.Nc3
9...Be7 10.c4 O-O 11.Nc3

470
11...b5!?N
11...Bd7; 11...Ng4; 11...Ne6 - 145/(50)
12.cxb5 axb5 13.Bxb5 Bb7 14.Bc4 Ne6N
14...Qc8 - 151/(63) 15.b3 Bd8 16.Bb2 Bb6 17.Qe2 Ne6 18.Nb5 Nf4 19.Qf3 Qd7= Caruana,F
(2791)-Korobov,A (2684) Riga (blitz) 151/(63) 2021
15.b3?
15.Rd1! Nd4 16.Qd3 d5 (16...Nxe4 17.Ndxe4 d5 18.Nxd5 Bxd5 19.Be3±) 17.Nxd5 Nxd5 18.exd5
Bxd5 19.Bxd5 Qxd5 20.Nb3 Ra4 21.Be3 Rd8 22.Bxd4 exd4 23.Nc1±
15...Nd4?
15...d5! 16.exd5 Nxd5 17.Bxd5 Bxd5 18.Nxd5 Qxd5 19.Qe4 Qxe4™ 20.Nxe4 f5 21.Nd2 e4 22.Bb2
Rfd8 23.Nc4 Bc5©
16.Qd3±

471
16...Ne6?!
16...Nxe4!? 17.Ndxe4 d5 18.Nxd5 Bxd5 19.Bb2 Bxc4 20.Qxc4 Qb6 21.Rfd1±
17.Rd1 Qc8 18.Bb2
18.a4!? Nf4 (18...Rd8 19.Ba3 Nf4 20.Qf3+-) 19.Qf3 Kh8 20.Ba3+-
18...Nf4 19.Qf3 Kh8!? 20.Rac1?
20.Nf1?? Nxe4! 21.Nxe4 f5 22.Nxd6 Bxd6 23.Qc3 Qc6 24.f3 Rae8→; 20.Ne2!? Ng6 (20...Nxe4
21.Nxe4 f5 22.Nxd6 Bxd6 (22...Bxf3 23.Nxc8 Nxe2+ 24.Bxe2 Bxe2 25.Nxe7 Bxd1 26.Rxd1 e4
27.a4+-) 23.Qc3 Nxe2+ (23...Nxg2? 24.Rxd6+-) 24.Bxe2 Qe6 25.Bc4 Qe7 26.a4+-) 21.Ng3 Nxe4
22.Ndxe4 f5 23.Nxd6 Bxd6 24.Bd5 Bxd5 (24...e4 25.Qc3+-) 25.Qxd5 Be7 26.a4+-
20...Qb8² 21.g3 Nh3+ 22.Kf1
22.Kg2?! Nxe4! 23.Ndxe4 f5 24.Kxh3 fxe4 25.Qg4 Qe8!? 26.Kg2™ h5 27.Qh3™ e3+ 28.Bd5
Rxf2+ 29.Kg1

472
29...Bc8! 30.g4™ Bxg4 31.Qxe3 Rxb2 32.Bxa8 Qxa8 33.Rd2 Rxd2 34.Qxd2 Bd8→
22...Bd8! 23.Na4??
23.Kg2 Ng5 24.Qe2 Nfxe4 25.Ndxe4 f5 26.Nd5 Nxe4 27.f3 Nf6 28.Bc3 Ra3∞
23...Bc8µ
23...h5! 24.Qg2 (24.Ke2 Bc8!-+; 24.Qe2 Ng4 25.f3 Qa7! 26.Kg2 Ne3+ 27.Kh1 (27.Kxh3 Bc8+
28.g4 hxg4+ 29.Kg3 Bg5-+) 27...Nxd1 28.Rxd1 Nf2+ 29.Kg2 Nxd1-+) 24...Ng5 25.Nc3 Bc8!
26.Kg1 Bb6!-+
24.Be2

473
24...Bg4?
24...Be6! 25.Ba3 (25.Kg2 Ng4 (25...Rxa4 26.bxa4 Qxb2-+) 26.Rf1 Bg5 27.Rc2 f5-+) 25...Ng4
26.Kg2 Ngxf2 27.Qc3 (27.Rf1 Bg4-+) 27...Nxd1 28.Rxd1 Qa7-+
25.Qe3∞ Rxa4!?
25...Nxf2 26.Qxf2 Bh3+ 27.Ke1 (27.Kg1?? Rxa4! 28.Kh1 Rxa2 29.Bc3 Bb6 30.Qf3 Ng4-+)
27...Rxa4! 28.bxa4 Qxb2©
26.bxa4 Qxb2 27.Nc4 Qb4 28.Qb3 Qc5
¹28...Bxe2+ 29.Kxe2 Qc5 30.Qe3™ Qc8 31.Nxd6 Qa6+ 32.Qd3 Qa7 33.Qe3 Bb6 34.Qb3 Bd4∞
29.Qe3 Qb4 30.Qb3 Qc5 31.Qe3 1/2-1/2

64. B52
Kryvoruchko, Yuriy (2685) - Shevchenko, Kirill (2655)
Ukraine (ch) 151/64, 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.c4 Nc6 5.d4 cxd4 6.Nxd4 Nf6 7.Nc3 g6 8.Be3
8.f3 - 133/71
8...Ng4 9.Nxc6 bxc6N
9...Nxe3 10.Nxd8 Nxd1 11.Nxf7 (11.Bxd7+ Kxd8 12.Rxd1 Kxd7 13.c5 Bg7 14.cxd6 Bxc3+
15.bxc3 exd6 16.e5 Ke6 17.Rxd6+ Kxe5=) 11...Nxc3 12.Bxd7+ Kxf7 13.bxc3 Bg7 14.Kd2 e6=
10.Bxc6 Nxe3 11.Bxd7+ Qxd7 12.fxe3 Bg7 13.Rc1 O-O 14.b3 e6 15.O-O Qc6 16.Qd3 Qc5
17.Na4 Qb4 18.Rfd1 Rfd8 19.Qd2 Qb7 20.c5

474
20.Nc3 a6 21.Qd3 Qb6©
20...Qxe4
20...Be5!? 21.c6 Qc7 22.g3 d5 23.exd5 (23.Qc2 d4©) 23...Rxd5 24.Qg2 Rad8©
21.cxd6 Bh6 22.Rc3 Rac8 23.Qd3 Qe5 24.Rxc8
24.e4?! Rxc3 25.Nxc3 Bf4³
24...Rxc8 25.e4 Rd8 26.d7 Bf8 27.g3
27.Qd4
27...h5 28.Nc3
28.Kg2 Ba3 29.Qc4 h4∞
28...Bb4 29.Ne2?
29.Na4! h4 30.Kg2 Qh5 31.Qf3 Qe5 32.Qd3=
29...Bc5+ 30.Kg2

30...Rxd7!! 31.Qxd7 Qxe4+ 32.Kh3

32.Kf1 Qh1+-+
32...Qg4+ 33.Kg2 Qxe2+ 34.Kh3 Qg4+ 35.Kg2 h4?
35...Qe4+! 36.Kh3 Qf5+ 37.Kg2 Qf2+ 38.Kh3

475
38...Be3!! 39.Qb5 g5 40.Rd8+ Kg7 41.Qe5+ f6 42.Qc7+ Kg6 43.Rg8+ Kf5 44.Qh7+ Ke5 45.Qc7+
Ke4 46.Qc6+ Kf5 47.Qb5+ Bc5 48.Qd3+ Ke5-+ 49.g4 hxg4+ 50.Kxg4 Qh4+ 51.Kf3 g4+! 52.Ke2
Qxh2+ 53.Kd1 Qg1+ 54.Kc2 f5
36.Qd8+ Kg7 37.Qd3! h3+ 38.Kf1 Be3! 39.Ke1 Qf3 40.Qf1 Qe4 41.Rd3?
41.Qd3! Qe5 (41...Qf3 42.Qf1=) 42.a4! Bg1+ (42...Bd4+ 43.Kd2 Qd5 44.Kc2 e5∞) 43.Kf1 Bxh2
44.Qd4 Bxg3 45.Qxe5+ Bxe5 46.Rd3 h2 47.Kg2 g5∞
41...Bg5+ 42.Kd1
42.Kf2 Be7!-+
42...Qg2 43.Qf3 e5! 44.g4

476
44...Qxa2?
44...Qg1+! 45.Ke2 Bh4 46.Rd2 (46.Qf1 Qxh2+ 47.Kd1 Qg2-+) 46...Qxh2+ 47.Kd3 Qg3 48.Qxg3
Bxg3-+
45.Rd7!„ Bf4 46.Qxh3 Qa1+ 47.Ke2 e4 48.Rd8 Qa6+ 49.Kd1 Qa1+ 50.Ke2 Qb2+ 51.Kf1 Qc1+
52.Ke2 Qc2+ 53.Kf1 Qb1+ 54.Ke2 Qa2+ 55.Kf1 Qa6+ 56.Kg2 Qe2+ 57.Kh1 Qe1+ 58.Kg2 Qe2+
59.Kh1 Qe1+ 1/2-1/2

65. B52
Dubov, Daniil (2720) - Grandelius, Nils (2672)
Wijk aan Zee 151/65, 2022

1.Nf3 c5 2.e4 d6 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.Bxd7+ Nxd7 5.c3

5.O-O - 150/50
5...Ngf6 6.Qe2 e6 7.d4 cxd4 8.cxd4 d5 9.e5 Bb4+ 10.Bd2
10.Nbd2 Ne4 11.O-O Nxd2 12.Bxd2 Bxd2 13.Qxd2 O-O=
10...Bxd2+ 11.Nbxd2 Ng8 12.O-O-ON
12.O-O Ne7=
12...Ne7 13.Kb1 Nc6 14.h4 Qb6 15.Qe3 Rc8 16.h5 h6 17.g4 Qb5 18.Rc1 O-O 19.a3?!
19.g5 Nb4 20.Nb3 Qd3+ 21.Qxd3 Nxd3 22.Rcg1 Kh7 23.Rh2∞
19...Ne7! 20.Nh4 Nb6 21.Ka2?
21.f4 Nc4 (21...Rxc1+ 22.Rxc1 Nc4 23.Nxc4 dxc4 24.g5∞) 22.Nxc4 dxc4 23.g5 Nd5 24.Qg3 c3

477
25.Rc2 hxg5 26.Rg1!∞ g6 27.hxg6 cxb2

28.Nf5!! exf5 29.Qh3 fxg6 30.Rh1 Kf7 31.Qh7+ Ke6 32.Qxg6+ Nf6 33.Rxc8 Rxc8 34.Qxf6+ Kd5
35.Qxf5 Rc1+ 36.Rxc1 bxc1=Q+ 37.Kxc1 Qf1+=
21...Nc4 22.Qb3 Qa6 23.Nhf3 Rc6 24.Qd3
24.Qb4 Re8 25.Nb3 Rb6 26.Qc3 Rc8µ
24...Qb5 25.Qb3 Qa6 26.Qd3 Rfc8 27.Rc3 Nxd2
27...b5-+
28.Qxd2 Rxc3 29.bxc3 Qc4+ 30.Kb2 Qb5+ 31.Ka2 Qc4+ 32.Kb2 Rc6 33.Qc2 Rb6+ 34.Kc1 Ra6
35.Kb2 Rb6+
35...Nc6 36.g5 Rb6+ 37.Kc1 Qa6 38.a4 (38.Kd2 Na5 39.Ke1 Nc4-+) 38...Nb4!-+
36.Kc1 Qb3?
36...Nc6 37.Kd1 Na5 38.Nd2 Qc6 39.Ke2 Nc4 40.Nxc4 dxc4 41.f3 Rb3-+
37.Qxb3 Rxb3 38.Kc2 Rxa3 39.Kb2 Ra4 40.Nd2 Nc6 41.Nb3 b5
41...Na5 42.Nxa5 Rxa5 43.f4 Ra6³
42.Rc1 Na5 43.Nd2?!
43.Nxa5! Rxa5 44.f4 Ra4 45.Rb1 Kf8 (45...a5 46.Kc2 Ra2+ 47.Kd3 Rg2 48.Rxb5 Rxg4 49.f5 a4
50.fxe6 fxe6 51.Ra5 Rh4 52.Ra8+ Kh7 53.Rxa4 Rxh5 54.Ra6=) 46.f5 Ke7 47.Kc2 a6 48.Kb2=
43...b4!

478
44.cxb4?
44.c4! b3 (44...dxc4 45.Nxc4 Nxc4+ 46.Rxc4 a5 47.Rc8+ Kh7 48.Rc7=) 45.cxd5 Rxd4 46.Nxb3
Rxd5 47.Nxa5 Rxa5 48.Rc8+ Kh7 49.Rc7 Ra4 50.Rxf7 Rxg4 51.Kc3 Rg5 52.f4 Rxh5 53.Kd4³
44...Rxb4+-+ 45.Kc3 Nc6 46.Kd3 Nxd4 47.Rc8+ Kh7 48.Rc7 a5! 49.Rxf7 Nc6 50.f4 a4 51.Rc7
Rb6 52.Rc8 a3 53.Ra8 Nb4+?
53...a2! 54.Kc3 (54.Rxa2 Nb4+-+) 54...Rb4 55.f5 (55.Rxa2 Rxf4 56.Ra6 Nxe5 57.Rxe6 Nxg4-+)
55...Rxg4 56.fxe6 Rg5 57.Rxa2 Rxe5-+
54.Kc3 Na6 55.Nb3 a2 56.Na1 Rb1?!
56...Rc6+ 57.Kd2 Nb4 58.f5 Ra6 59.Rd8! (59.Rxa6 Nxa6 60.fxe6 Kg8-+) 59...exf5 60.gxf5 Nc6
61.e6! Ra7µ
57.Nc2?
57.Rxa6! Rxa1 58.Kb2 Rf1 59.Kxa2 Rxf4 60.Rxe6 Rxg4 61.Kb3 Rh4 62.Kc3 Rxh5 63.Kd4 Rh1
64.Kxd5³
57...a1=Q+
57...Nb4! 58.Nd4 (58.Nxb4 a1=Q+ 59.Rxa1 Rxa1 60.f5 Rc1+ 61.Nc2 Kg8-+) 58...a1=Q+ 59.Rxa1
Rxa1 60.Kxb4 Rc1 61.Nxe6 Rc4+ 62.Kb5 Kg8-+
58.Nxa1 Rxa1 59.f5 exf5 60.gxf5 Rc1+ 61.Kd2 Rf1 62.f6
62.Rxa6 Rxf5-+
62...Nc5!

479
62...gxf6? 63.Ra7+ Kg8 64.Rxa6 fxe5 65.Rxh6 Rh1 66.Rd6 d4 67.h6=; 62...Nc7? 63.Ra7 Ne6
64.Re7 Ng5 65.Rxg7+ Kh8 66.Rg6 Rf5 67.Rxh6+ Kg8 68.Rg6+ Kf8 69.h6 Rxe5 70.Kc3 Rf5
71.Kb4! Nh7 (71...Kf7 72.h7! Nxh7 73.Rg7+ Kxf6 74.Rxh7=) 72.Kc5 Nxf6 73.Kd6=
63.Ra7 Kg8 64.Rxg7+ Kf8 65.Rc7 Ne6 66.Rb7 Ng5 67.Ke3
67.Rb8+ Kf7 68.Rb7+ Ke6 69.Re7+ Kf5-+
67...Rf5?
67...Re1+! 68.Kf4 (68.Kd4 Nf3+ 69.Kxd5 Rxe5+ 70.Kd6 Rxh5-+) 68...Ne6+ 69.Kf5 Nd4+ 70.Kg6
Nc6! 71.Kxh6 (71.e6 Rxe6 72.Rh7 Ne7+! 73.Rxe7 Rxe7 74.fxe7+ Kxe7 75.Kxh6 d4 76.Kg7 d3
77.h6 d2 78.h7 d1=Q 79.h8=Q Qg4+ 80.Kh7 Kf7-+; 71.Rf7+ Ke8-+) 71...Nxe5-+
68.Rb8+ Kf7 69.Rb7+ Kf8 70.Rb8+ Kf7 71.Rb7+ Ke8 72.Re7+ Kf8 73.Kd4 Nf7 74.Kxd5 Rxh5
75.Ke4 Rg5 76.Kf4?

76.e6 Nd6+ 77.Kd3=

76...Nh8!!-+ 77.Ke4 Ng6 78.Rh7 Rxe5+ 79.Kd4 h5 80.Rg7 Rg5 81.Rh7 Ne5 82.Rg7 Nf7 0-1

66. B60
Oparin, Grigoriy (2681) - Rapport, Richard (2763)
Berlin 151/66, 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 Qb6 8.Nb3 a6 9.Be2 Be7
9...Qc7 - 28/380
10.g4 Qc7 11.O-O-ON

480
11.Be3
11...b5 12.a3 Rb8 13.Rhe1?!
13.Bxf6!? gxf6 (13...Bxf6?! 14.Qxd6 Be5 15.Qxc7 Bxc7 16.h4 Ke7 17.Rhf1 Ne5 18.f4 Ng6 19.e5
Bb6 20.Kb1 Nxh4 21.f5²) 14.f4 Qb6„
13...O-O 14.f4?
14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Qxd6 Qb7³
14...b4?!
14...Rd8!µ
15.axb4?
15.Bxf6! Bxf6 16.Qxd6 Qb7 (16...Qxd6 17.Rxd6 bxc3 18.Rxc6 cxb2+ 19.Kb1 g5!∞) 17.Nc5∞
15...Rxb4 16.Bxf6 Bxf6 17.g5 Bd4
17...Be7 18.f5 Rd8 19.g6 hxg6 20.fxg6 Bf6 21.gxf7+ Qxf7 22.Rg1 a5 23.Rdf1 Qe7
18.Kb1 Qb6?
18...Bd7! 19.Na2 Ra4 20.Nc3 Bxc3 21.Qxc3 Rxe4 22.Rd4 Rxd4 23.Nxd4 Qb6µ
19.Na2 Be3 20.Qxd6 Rxe4 21.Rf1 g6 22.Bf3 Bxf4 23.Qd3??

23.Qa3 Rd4 24.Nxd4 Nxd4 25.h4 a5©

23...Re3! 24.Qc4 Rxf3! 25.Rxf3 Bxg5 26.Rff1 Ne7 27.Qb4 Qxb4 28.Nxb4 Nf5 29.Rfe1 Bf4
30.Nc5 Bxh2 31.Nbxa6 g5 32.b4 g4

481
32...Bf4! 33.b5 Nd6 34.b6 Bxa6 35.Nxa6 Rc8-+
33.b5 h5 34.Rh1 g3 35.Rd2 h4?
35...Kg7 36.b6

36...Nd6!! 37.c4 Kh6! 38.Rdxh2 (38.Rxd6 g2 39.Rdd1 Rd8!! 40.Rc1 gxh1=Q 41.Rxh1 Rd6-+)
38...gxh2 39.Rxh2 Rg8 40.Kc2 Rg4-+
36.b6 Kg7 37.b7 Bxb7 38.Nxb7 h3 39.Rdxh2 gxh2 40.Nbc5
40.Rxh2 Rh8 41.c4=
40...Ng3
40...Ne3! 41.Rxh2 Rh8 42.Ne4 Ng4 43.Rh1 f5 44.Nd2 e5 45.Nc5 h2 46.Nd3 e4-+
41.Rxh2 Rh8 42.Nd3 Nf1 43.Rh1 h2 44.Rxf1 h1=Q 45.Rxh1 Rxh1+= 46.Kb2 Kf6 47.c4 e5
48.Nab4 e4 49.Nd5+ Ke6 50.N3f4+ Ke5 51.Ne2 Rh2 52.Nf4 Rf2 53.c5 Rf3 54.Ka2 f5 55.Kb2
Rxf4 56.Nxf4 Kxf4 57.c6 e3 58.Kc2 Kf3 59.c7 e2 60.c8=Q e1=Q 1/2-1/2

67. B62
Lagarde, Maxime (2647) - Mamedov, Rauf (2673)
Terme Catez 151/67, 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd3 Bd7 8.O-O-O a6 9.Qg3
9.f4 - 148/60
9...h6 10.Be3 Nxd4 11.Rxd4
11.Bxd4 e5 12.Be3 Rc8 13.Bd3 Rxc3!? 14.bxc3 Qc8©

482
11...e5 12.Rb4!? b5 13.Be2 Rc8 14.Bd2 Qc7N
14...Be6; 14...g6
15.Bd3 Be6 16.Kb1 Be7 17.Qxg7?
17.Nd5!? Nxd5 (17...Bxd5 18.exd5 e4 19.Rxe4! Nxe4 20.Bxe4 Bf6 21.Bb4 Rd8 22.Bd3∞) 18.exd5
Bxd5 19.Qxg7 Kd7 20.Qg3 Be6∞; 17.h4!?∞
17...Rg8 18.Qxh6 Rg6?
18...Qc5! 19.Nd1 (19.a3 Ng4 20.Qh5 Nxf2 21.Rf1 Nxd3 22.cxd3 Rxg2µ) 19...Ng4 20.Qh5
(20.Qh7? Kd7-+) 20...Nxf2 21.Nxf2 (21.Be3 Qxb4 22.Nxf2 Rxg2µ) 21...Qxf2 22.Qd1 Rxg2µ
19.Qe3 Qc5 20.Nd5
20.Nd1 d5 21.Qxc5 (21.exd5 Qxd5 22.b3 Qxg2 23.Qe1 Qc6 24.Rh4∞) 21...Bxc5 22.exd5 Bxb4
23.Bxb4 e4 24.Bxb5+ axb5 25.dxe6 Rxg2 26.exf7+ Kxf7∞
20...Rxg2 21.Nxe7 Kxe7 22.a4?
22.h3 Rxf2 23.a4 Nd5! 24.Qxc5 dxc5 25.Be1 Nxb4 26.Bxf2 Ba2+ 27.Kc1 (27.Ka1? Bb3!µ)
27...Nxd3+ 28.cxd3 bxa4∞
22...Rcg8?

22...Ng4! 23.Qe1 (23.Qg5+ f6 24.Qg7+ Bf7-+; 23.Qh3 Rxf2 24.Qh4+ f6 25.Bc3 (25.Qh7+ Bf7-+)
25...Rxh2! 26.Rxh2 Nxh2-+) 23...f6! 24.Rg1 Rxg1 25.Qxg1 Nxf2-+
23.Qe1! Qxf2 24.Qxf2 Rxf2 25.Be1 Rfg2 26.Bg3 Nh5
26...Bd7!? 27.axb5 Bxb5 (27...axb5 28.Bf1 Rd2 29.Kc1 Rd4 30.Rxd4 exd4 31.Bd3 Bc6 32.Re1²)

483
28.Bh4 Rg1+ 29.Rxg1 Rxg1+ 30.Ka2 Rg4 31.Bxf6+ Kxf6 32.c4 Bc6 33.c5 Bd5+ 34.b3 dxc5
35.Rb6+ Be6 36.Rxa6 Rg2+ 37.Ka3 Rxh2 38.Rc6=
27.axb5 Nxg3 28.hxg3 R2xg3 29.Rc1 axb5 30.Rxb5= Kd7 31.b4 Kc6 32.Ra5 Rb8 33.Ra6+ Rb6
34.Rxb6+ Kxb6 35.Rf1 Rg4 36.Kb2 Rh4 37.c4 Rh2+ 38.Kc3 Rh3 39.Kc2 Rh2+ 40.Kc3 Rh3
41.Kc2 1/2-1/2

68. B66
Grandelius, Nils (2672) - Duda, Jan Krzysztof (2760)
Wijk aan Zee 151/68, 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.O-O-O h6 9.Bf4 Bd7
10.Nxc6 Bxc6 11.f3 Qb6 12.Bc4 Rd8
12...O-O-O - 48/247
13.Bb3 Be7 14.Be3 Qc7 15.Qf2 Qb8N
15...Nd7 16.Qg3±
16.Bb6 Rc8 17.g4 O-O 18.h4 Nd7 19.Bd4 Nc5 20.Rhg1?
20.g5 h5 21.f4 b5 (21...Nxe4? 22.Nxe4 Bxe4 23.Bxg7!±) 22.f5 g6!∞
20...b5 21.h5
21.g5 h5 22.Bf6 Qc7 23.Bxe7 Qxe7µ
21...b4 22.g5
22.Ne2 Nxb3+ 23.axb3 a5 24.g5 Bxg5+! 25.f4 Bxe4 26.Rd2 f6 27.fxg5 fxg5 28.Qe3 Qa8 29.Ng3
Bd5µ
22...Bxg5+ 23.f4 Nxb3+ 24.axb3 f6!
24...bxc3? 25.fxg5 cxb2+ 26.Kxb2 Bxe4 27.c3 Bd5 28.b4 Rc4 29.Qd2±
25.fxg5 fxg5 26.Qe3

484
26...bxc3?
26...Qb7! 27.e5 (27.Na4 Bxe4 28.Rd2 e5 29.Bb6 Rf4µ) 27...dxe5 28.Qxe5 bxc3 29.Qxe6+ Qf7
30.Qxf7+ Rxf7 31.bxc3 Bf3µ
27.Bxg7! cxb2+
27...Kxg7? 28.Rxg5+ hxg5 29.Qxg5+ Kf7 30.Rf1+ Ke8 31.Qg6+ Kd8 (31...Ke7 32.Qg7+ Kd8
33.Rxf8+ Be8 34.bxc3+-) 32.Rxf8+ Kc7 33.Rxc8+ Qxc8 34.h6+-
28.Kxb2
28.Bxb2 e5 29.Rxg5+ (29.Ba3 Qb7 30.Rge1 (30.Rxd6 Bxe4 31.Bc5 Rf3 32.Qd2 Qf7∞) 30...Rf4
31.Bxd6 Bxe4 32.Rd2 Qc6∞) 29...hxg5 30.Qxg5+ Kf7 31.Rf1+ Ke8 32.Rxf8+ Kxf8 33.Qf6+ Ke8
34.Bc3 Bxe4 35.Qe6+ Kf8 36.Qf6+=; 28.Kb1 Kxg7 29.Rxg5+ hxg5 30.Qxg5+ Kf7 31.Rf1+ Ke8
32.Qg6+ Ke7! (32...Kd8? 33.Rxf8+ Kc7 34.Rxc8+ Qxc8 35.h6+-) 33.Qg7+ Kd8 34.Rxf8+ Be8
35.h6 Qb4 36.h7 Qe1+ 37.Kxb2 Rxc2+! 38.Kxc2 Qe2+ 39.Kc3 Qe3+ 40.Kc4 d5+ 41.exd5 exd5+
42.Kxd5 Qxb3+=
28...Kxg7 29.Rxg5+ hxg5 30.Qxg5+ Kf7 31.Rf1+ Ke8 32.Qg6+

485
32...Kd8!
32...Ke7? 33.Qg7+ Kd8 34.Rxf8+ Be8 35.h6 Qc7 36.c3 d5 37.Rf2! Rb8 38.Rg2+-
33.Rxf8+ Kc7 34.Rxc8+ Qxc8 35.h6 Bxe4! 36.Qxe4 Qh8+ 37.Ka2 Qxh6 38.Qc4+ Kb7 39.Qb4+
Kc7 40.Qc4+ Kb7 1/2-1/2

69. B67
Grischuk, Alexander (2764) - Bacrot, Etienne (2642)
Berlin 151/69, 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.O-O-O Bd7 9.f3 Nxd4
10.Qxd4 Be7 11.Kb1 Qc7 12.g4 h5 13.gxh5 Nxh5 14.Bxe7 Kxe7 15.Rg1 Qc5N
15...b5?! - 150/57
16.Qd2 Bc6 17.Bc4 Rad8 18.Bb3 g6 19.f4 Nf6 20.Rg5?

486
20.Rge1 Kf8 21.f5 gxf5 22.exf5 Qxf5 23.Rf1 Qe5 24.Rde1 Rxh2 25.Qc1 Ne4 26.Nxe4 Bxe4
27.Bxe6!∞
20...Qb6?
20...Nxe4!! 21.Nxe4 Bxe4 22.Rxc5 dxc5 23.Qe1 Rxd1+ 24.Qxd1 Rxh2-+
21.Re1 Rh7?
21...Rh4 22.Nd5+ exd5 23.exd5+ Kf8 24.dxc6 bxc6∞
22.Nd5+! exd5 23.exd5+ Kf8 24.dxc6 Qxc6 25.Qd4
25.f5! Ne4 26.Qe3 d5 (26...Nxg5 27.Qe7+ Kg7 28.Qxd8+-) 27.fxg6 fxg6 28.Rf1+ Kg7 29.Qd4+
Nf6 30.h4+-
25...Re8 26.Rgg1?
26.Rd1! d5 27.f5 Rh5 28.h4 Re4 29.Qg1 Rhxh4 30.fxg6 Reg4 31.Qe3 fxg6 32.Rxg4 Rxg4 33.a3+-
26...Rxe1+ 27.Rxe1 d5
27...Kg7! 28.a3 Rxh2 29.Re7 d5 30.Ka2∞
28.a3?!
28.f5! g5 (28...gxf5? 29.Qf4 Rh5 30.a3+-) 29.Qe5 Kg7 30.a3±
28...Rxh2 29.f5

487
29...gxf5
29...g5! 30.Qe5 (30.Re6 fxe6 31.Qxf6+ Ke8! 32.fxe6 Re2 33.Qxg5 Rxe6 34.Bxd5 Re1+ 35.Ka2
Qxc2=) 30...Rh6 31.Qe3 (31.Qb8+ Kg7 32.Re7 a5!„) 31...Ne4 32.Qd3 Nf6=
30.Qf4 Rg2?
30...Rh5 31.Rg1 Ng4 32.Qb4+ Kg8 33.Qd4 Kf8 34.Bxd5 Qd6 35.Qc4 b5 36.Qc8+ Kg7 37.Bb3²
31.Qxf5?
31.Ba4! b5 (31...Qb6 32.Qh6+ Kg8 (32...Rg7 33.Qxf6 Qxf6 34.Re8#) 33.Re8+! Nxe8 34.Qxb6+-)
32.Qh6+ Rg7 33.Rg1+-
31...Kg7 32.Rh1 Qc5 33.Ka2! Rg1 34.Rh3 Rg6 35.Qe5 Qc8 36.Rh1 b5 37.c3 Qe6 38.Qh2 Kf8
39.Qb8+ Ne8
39...Ke7 40.Rh8 Qd6 41.Qb7+ Nd7 42.Bxd5+-
40.Qd8?!
40.Rh8+! Rg8 41.Rh5+-
40...Kg7?!
40...Rh6! 41.Rd1 Qd6 42.Qg5 Rg6 43.Qf5 Rf6 44.Qh3 Rh6 45.Qd3 Nf6±
41.Bxd5+- Qe5 42.Bb3 Qe4 43.Qd1 Nd6 44.Qh5 Kf8 45.Bd5
45.Rh4 Qf5 46.Qh8+ Ke7 47.Qb8+-
45...Qf4 46.Qh8+ Rg8 47.Qh3 Qd2 48.Qh5?!

488
48.c4! bxc4 49.Qd7! Qxd5 (49...Qf4 50.Qd8+ Ne8 51.Re1+-) 50.Qd8+ Kg7 51.Rg1+ Kh6 52.Qh4+
Qh5 53.Qxh5+ Kxh5 54.Rxg8+-
48...Rg5 49.Qh6+ Ke7 50.Bf3 Qe3 51.Qh4

51...Kd7?!
51...Nf5! 52.Qb4+ Nd6 53.Bc6 Qc5 54.Re1+ Kf6 55.Qf4+ Kg6 56.Qf3±
52.Re1 Qc5 53.Qh3+ Qf5 54.Qh1 Qc5 55.Rd1 Kc7 56.Rd4 Qe5 57.Bd5 Rh5 58.Qf3 Rf5 59.Qg2 a5
60.Bb3?
60.Rd1±
60...a4 61.Bd5 Qe1 62.Ba8 Qe6+ 63.Bd5
63.c4 Rc5! 64.Bd5 Qe3 65.Qg7 bxc4 66.Qf6 Nb5 67.Qxf7+ Kb6 68.Qb7+ Ka5 69.Qa8+ Kb6=
63...Qe1 64.Bf3 Qe3
64...Qe6+ 65.Bd5 (65.Ka1 Re5=) 65...Qe1=
65.Bg4 Rf4
65...Rg5 66.Qa8 Qxd4! 67.cxd4 Rxg4²
66.Rd1 Qe4 67.Qd2 Qe5 68.Bh3 Rh4 69.Bg2

489
69...Qc5??
69...Rh5²
70.Qe1!+- Qc4+
70...Rh6 71.Qe7+ Kb6 72.Rd5 Qc4+ (72...Qc7 73.Qe3++-) 73.Ka1 Qf4 74.Qd8+ Ka6 75.Qa8+
Kb6 76.Qb8+ Ka6 77.Rc5+-
71.Ka1 Kd7 72.Bf1 Qe4 73.Qd2 Qf4 1-0

70. B69
Alekseenko, Kirill (2710) - Bacrot, Etienne (2647)
Terme Catez 151/70, 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.O-O-O Bd7 9.f4 Be7
10.Nf3 b5 11.Bxf6 gxf6 12.Bd3 Qa5 13.Kb1 b4 14.Ne2 Qc5 15.f5 a5 16.Nf4 a4 17.Rhe1 Ne5
17...Bd8 - 148/65
18.fxe6 fxe6 19.Be2 Rb8N
19...O-O
20.Nd4 Kf7 21.Rf1 Rhg8 22.Bh5+ Ng6 23.g4 a3 24.Nb3
24.g5!?

490
24...Qc3!! 25.Qxc3 bxc3 26.Nb3 Bb5 27.Rf3 e5 28.Nh3 Kg7 29.gxf6+ Bxf6∞; 24.Nf5!? Qc3!!
25.bxc3 bxc3+ 26.Ka1 cxd2 27.Bxg6+ hxg6 28.Nh6+ Kg7 29.Nxg8 Rxg8 30.Rxd2 Kf7∞; 24.Rf3!
b3! 25.Nxb3 Qe5 26.bxa3 Kg7 27.Bxg6 hxg6 28.h4ƒ
24...Qb5?!
24...Qe5 25.Nd3 Qxe4 26.Rde1 Qd5 27.Qe3∞
25.g5?!
25.h4! Qe5 (25...axb2 26.g5 Ra8 27.Qd4 e5 28.Qd5+ Qxd5 29.Nxd5±) 26.Nd3 Qxe4 27.Qh6 Rg7
28.g5 f5 29.Nbc5! dxc5 30.Rfe1 Qg2 31.Bxg6+ Kg8 (31...hxg6 32.Ne5+ Kg8 33.Nxg6 Rh7
34.Nxe7+ Rxe7 35.Rxd7!+-) 32.Bf7+! Rxf7 33.Rg1 Bf8 (33...Qe2 34.g6+-) 34.Rxg2 Bxh6 35.gxh6+
Kf8 36.Rdg1±
25...Qxg5 26.Nxg6 Qxh5 27.Nxe7 Qe5 28.Nd4 Kxe7 29.Qh6

491
29...Qg5
29...Rg4! 30.Qxh7+ Kd8 31.Qh8+ Kc7 32.Qxf6 Rxe4³
30.Qxh7+ Rg7 31.Qh3 axb2
31...Qe5 32.Qd3 Rh8∞
32.Qd3 Rb6 33.h4 Qxh4 34.e5
34.Nb3 e5 35.Qe3 Rb5 (35...Ra6? 36.Nc5! dxc5 37.Qxc5+ Ke8 38.Rxd7! Rxd7 (38...Kxd7 39.Rd1+
Ke8 40.Qc8+ Kf7 41.Qb7+ Kg8 42.Qxa6+-) 39.Qc8+ Ke7 40.Qxa6+-) 36.Qd2 Rb6 37.Nc5 Bb5
38.Rh1 Qg4∞
34...fxe5 35.Qf3 Rb8 36.Nc6+ Bxc6 37.Qxc6 Rd8 38.Rxd6 Rxd6 39.Qc7+ Rd7 40.Qc5+ Rd6
41.Qc7+ 1/2-1/2

492
B75-B99

71. B75
Shuvalova, Polina (2516) - Maurizzi, Marc Andria (2502)
Wijk aan Zee II 151/71, 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 a6 8.Qd2 h5 9.Bc4 Nbd7 10.a4
10.O-O-O - 147/57
10...Ne5 11.Bb3 Bd7 12.f4 Nc6N
12...Neg4
13.h3 O-O
13...Na5 14.f5 Nxb3 15.cxb3 O-O 16.O-O²; 13...b5 14.axb5 axb5 15.O-O (15.Rxa8 Qxa8 16.Ndxb5
O-O 17.O-O Na5©) 15...Rxa1 16.Rxa1 b4 17.Nd5 O-O 18.Nxf6+ Bxf6 19.f5²
14.O-O Nxd4
14...b5!?
15.Bxd4 Bc6?!
15...Be6
16.Rae1
16.f5±
16...Nd7?
16...e5 17.Be3 Nxe4 18.Nxe4 Bxe4 19.fxe5 Bxe5 (19...dxe5? 20.Qxd8 Raxd8 21.Bb6+-) 20.Bh6
Qb6+ 21.Kh1 Qc6 22.Re2²
17.f5± Bxd4+ 18.Qxd4 Kh7 19.fxg6+
19.Qd2
19...fxg6 20.Rxf8 Qxf8 21.Rf1 Nf6 22.e5 dxe5 23.Qxe5 Rd8 24.Nd5 Bxd5 25.Bxd5 Rd7 26.Be4
Qg7
¹26...Qd8
27.Bd3 Rd5 28.Qb8 Rd7
28...Ne4 29.Bxe4 Qd4+ 30.Kh2 Qxe4 31.Rf7+ Kh6 32.Qf8+ Kg5 33.Rxe7 Re5 34.Rd7±

493
29.Rf3 h4?! 30.Rf4 Qh6 31.Qe5+- a5 32.b3 b6 33.Kh2 Ra7 34.Qd4
34.Rc4!?
34...Rd7 35.Qf2 Qg5 36.Rxh4+ Kg7 37.Rf4?
37.Qg3; 37.Rc4
37...e5! 38.Rc4 e4! 39.Bxe4 Rd2 40.Qe1 Qe5+! 41.Qg3 Qxg3+ 42.Kxg3 Nxe4+ 43.Rxe4 Rxc2
44.Kf3 Rd2?
44...Rb2=
45.g3?
45.b4 Ra2 46.b5+-
45...Kf6?
45...Rd3+ 46.Re3 Rd4=; 45...Kh6=
46.Kg4?
46.b4+-; 46.Rf4++-
46...b5?
46...Rb2=
47.Rf4+ Kg7

47...Ke7 48.b4 (48.axb5 Rd5 49.b6 Rb5 50.Rf3+-) 48...axb4 49.Re4+! Kd7 50.Rxb4 bxa4 51.Rxa4
Ke6 52.Kg5 Kf7 53.Kh6+-

494
48.b4!!+- g5 49.Re4
49.Kxg5?? Rd5+ 50.Kg4 bxa4=
49...axb4 50.axb5 b3 51.Rb4 b2 52.Kf3 Rd3+ 53.Kf2 1-0

72. B76
Anand, Viswanathan (2751) - Mamedov, Rauf (2656)
Baku (rapid) 151/72, 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 Nc6 8.Qd2 O-O 9.O-O-O d5
10.Qe1 e5 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.exd5 Nxd5 13.Bc4 Be6 14.Kb1 f5?!

14...Rb8 - 136/(80); 14...h6 - 136/80

15.Qd2!± e4N
15...Qc7; 15...Qh4
16.Nxd5 cxd5 17.Bxd5 Qxd5 18.Qxd5 Bxd5 19.Rxd5 f4 20.Bc5!
20.Bd4?! e3²; 20.Bd2 e3 21.Ba5±
20...Rfb8
20...Rfe8 21.fxe4 Rxe4 22.Rhd1 Bf8 23.Bf2+-
21.b3 e3 22.Bd6 Rd8 23.c4 g5 24.Kc2 Rac8?!
24...a5 25.Rhd1 Kf7
25.Rhd1 a5

495
¹25...h6
26.Be7+- Rxd5 27.Rxd5 e2 28.Kd2 Rc6
28...Kf7 29.Bxg5 (29.Bd8!?) 29...Re8 30.Bh4
29.Bxg5
29.Bd6!?
29...Re6 30.Bh4 Bb2
30...Re3 31.Rd3
31.Rxa5 Re3 32.Rg5+ Kh8 33.Rf5 Bc3+ 34.Kc2 e1=Q 35.Bxe1 Bxe1 36.Rxf4 Bb4 37.c5!?
37.Re4 Rc3+ 38.Kb2 Rd3 39.a3 Bf8 40.Kc2
37...Bxc5 38.Re4 Rxe4 39.fxe4 Kg7 40.a4 Kf6 41.Kd3 Ke5 42.a5 Bg1 43.h3 Kd6 44.b4 Bf2 45.g4
h6 46.Kc4 Be1 47.a6 Bf2 48.h4 Kc7 49.g5 1-0

73. B77
Tabatabaei, Mohammad Amin (2624) - Mchedlishvili, Mikheil (2571)
Sharjah 151/73, 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 Nc6 8.Qd2 O-O 9.Bc4 Nxd4
10.Bxd4 Be6 11.Bb3 Qa5 12.O-O-O
12.O-O Rac8 13.Rad1 Nd7 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.f4 Nf6 16.Qd4 Qc5=
12...b5 13.Kb1 b4 14.Bxe6
14.Nd5 - 80/210
14...fxe6 15.Ne2 Rfc8
15...Qb5!? … a5∞
16.h4
16.Qd3
16...Rc6 17.h5
17.c3 Rb8 18.cxb4 Rxb4 19.Rc1 Ra6! 20.Rc8+ Kf7 21.Nc1 Qb5 22.Bc3 Rba4∞; 17.g4 Rac8 18.c3
bxc3 19.Bxc3 Qa6 20.h5→
17...e5N
17...Rac8; 17...Ra6
18.Be3 Nxh5 19.g4 Nf6 20.Bh6

496
20.Qd3 … Qb3∞
20...Rac8
20...Bf8! 21.Bg5 (21.Bxf8 Rxf8µ) 21...Qb5 22.Bxf6 exf6 23.Qd3 Qxd3 24.Rxd3 Rac8 25.c3 a5³
21.Bxg7 Rxc2 22.Qh6 b3 23.axb3 Rxe2 24.Bxf6 Rxb2+™ 25.Kxb2 Qc3+ 26.Ka2 Qc2+ 1/2-1/2

74. B80
Safarli, Eltaj (2579) - Korobov, Anton (2699)
Sitges 151/74, 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.g3 e6 7.Bg2 Be7 8.O-O O-O 9.a4 Nc6 10.Nb3
Qc7 11.a5 Nd7
11...Ne5 - 61/240
12.Be3 Nc5?

497
12...b5 13.axb6 Nxb6 14.Qe2 Rb8∞; 12...Nce5∞
13.Nxc5! dxc5 14.Bf4! Qd8N
14...e5
15.Qxd8 Rxd8 16.Na4
16.Bc7! Rd7 17.Bb6±
16...e5 17.Nb6 exf4?!
17...Rb8 18.Be3 Nd4 19.Nd5²
18.Nxa8 Nd4 19.gxf4
19.Nb6 Nxc2 20.Nxc8 Rxc8 21.Ra4±
19...Nxc2
19...Bg4!? 20.Nb6 Nxc2 21.Rac1 Nd4 22.Kh1±
20.Rad1 Nd4 21.Nb6?!
21.f5!±
21...Bg4 22.f3 Be6 23.f5 Bb3 24.Rd2 c4
24...Kf8!?
25.Nd5 Bc5 26.Kh1 Kf8 27.Rc1?
27.f4²

498
27...Nc6! 28.Re2
28.Ra1 Ne7©
28...Nxa5 29.f4 Nc6 30.e5 Nd4
30...b5!?
31.Re3 b6 32.Rh3
32.f6
32...Nxf5 33.Be4?
33.Rxh7 Kg8 34.Rh3=
33...h6µ 34.Rf1?!
34.Nc7
34...b5?!
34...a5
35.Bxf5?
35.Ra1
35...Rxd5-+ 36.Rg3
36.Rc1 a5
36...Rd2 37.Rg2 Rxg2
37...c3!
38.Kxg2 Bd4 39.Rb1 a5 40.Kf3 a4 41.Ke2 b4 42.Rd1 0-1

75. B81
Sjugirov, Sanan (2663) - Yilmaz, Mustafa Enes (2626)
Riga 151/75, 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 e6 7.g4 h6 8.Bg2 Be7 9.Be3 Nc6 10.f4 Nd7
11.O-O O-O 12.Nf3
12.Nce2 - 126/69
12...b5 13.h4 b4 14.Na4 e5!
14...Nc5
15.f5 Nd4 16.Qd2N
16.g5 Nxf3+ (16...hxg5 17.Nxg5∞) 17.Rxf3 hxg5 18.Rh3 (18.Rg3 gxh4 19.Rxg7+ Kxg7 20.Qg4+

499
Bg5™ 21.Bxg5

21...Nf6! 22.Bxf6+ Kxf6 23.Qxh4+ Kg7 24.Qg4+ Kf6=) 18...Re8 (18...gxh4 19.Qh5 Bb7 20.Bf2
Re8 21.Rf1 Bf6 22.Rd1©) 19.c4©; 16.Nxd4 exd4 17.Qxd4 a5 18.g5 hxg5 19.hxg5 Bxg5 20.Bxg5
Qxg5 21.Qxd6 Ra6 22.Qf4 Qe7 23.Rad1 Re8 24.Rd3 Rc6 25.Rf2 Rh6 26.Qc7=
16...Nf6
16...Bxh4 17.Nxh4 Qxh4 18.c3 bxc3 (18...Nb5 19.g5©) 19.bxc3 Nb5 20.Rf3 Nf6 21.Bf2 Qxg4
22.Rg3 Qf4 23.Qe1©
17.Nxd4 exd4 18.Qxd4 Rb8 19.g5 hxg5 20.hxg5 Ng4 21.Bf4 Bd7
21...Bxg5 22.Qxd6 Bd7 23.Bxg5 (23.Qxb8 Qxb8 24.Bxb8 Rxb8 25.b3 Rc8©) 23...Qxg5 24.Qf4
Qxf4 25.Rxf4 Ne5 26.Nc5 Bb5©
22.Nc5
22.Qd1 Ne5 23.Bxe5 dxe5 24.f6 gxf6 25.gxf6 Bxf6 26.Rxf6 Qxf6 27.Qxd7 Rbd8©
22...Bb5!
22...dxc5? 23.Qd1!±
23.Nd3?!
23.Qd1 Ne5³
23...Bxg5
23...Rc8!µ
24.Qxd6 Bxf4

500
24...Rc8! 25.Qxd8 (25.Rf3 Qxd6 26.Bxd6 Rfe8³) 25...Bxd8ƒ
25.Qxf4 Qd4+ 26.Kh1 Ne3 27.Rf2
27.Rf3 Nxg2 28.Kxg2=
27...Rbc8?

27...Rb6! 28.e5 Rh6+ 29.Kg1 Qb6 30.Be4 Bc6ƒ

28.f6!+- Rc6 29.Qg3
29.fxg7 Kxg7 30.Bh3 Rg6 31.Rg1
29...g6?
29...Rxf6 30.Rxf6 Qxf6 31.Qxe3 Bxd3 32.cxd3 Qxb2 33.Rf1
30.Ne5! Qd6
30...Re8 31.Nxg6 Rxf6 32.Rxf6 Qxf6 33.Nf4+ Kh8 34.Qxe3
31.Qg5 Re8?
31...Qc5
32.Nxg6 1-0

76. B84
Kovalenko, Igor (2647) - Inarkiev, Ernesto (2668)
Zagreb 151/76, 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e6 7.Be3 Nbd7 8.O-O b5 9.f3

501
9.a4 - 20/487
9...Bb7 10.a3 Be7 11.Qe1 Rc8 12.Qg3 O-O 13.Rad1 Ne5 14.Kh1
14.f4?! Rxc3! 15.bxc3 Nxe4³
14...Re8N
14...Kh8; 14...Nc4; 14...Qc7
15.Nb3 Qc7 16.Rd2 Ba8 17.Nd4 Rb8 18.Bh6 Bf8 19.Bg5 Nfd7 20.Nd1 f6 21.Be3 Nb6 22.b3 Ng6
23.Bd3 Nd7 24.h4 Nc5 25.b4 Nxd3 26.cxd3 Rbc8
26...Qf7=
27.Nf2 d5 28.Qh3 Qd6?
28...Nf4 29.Qg4 h5 30.Qxf4 (30.Bxf4 Qc1 (30...hxg4 31.Bxc7 Rxc7 32.Nxg4 Rc3©) 31.Qxh5
Qxf1+ 32.Kh2 e5 33.Nf5 exf4 34.Qg6 Kh8=) 30...Bd6 31.Nxe6 Bxf4 32.Nxc7 Bxc7©; 28...e5
29.Rc2 Qb7 30.Rxc8 Qxc8 31.Nf5 d4 32.Bd2 Ne7=
29.h5 Ne5?!
29...Nf4
30.h6?!
30.f4 Nd7

31.e5! Qe7 (31...fxe5 32.fxe5 Qxe5 (32...Nxe5 33.Bf4+-) 33.Ng4 Qd6 34.Rdf2 e5 (34...h6 35.Rf7+-
) 35.Nf5 Qc6 36.d4 e4 37.Qg3+-) 32.Ng4±‚
30...g6 31.f4 Nd7 32.Nf3

502
32.Nb3!?
32...e5?
32...f5 33.e5 Qc7 34.Nd4²
33.fxe5 fxe5 34.Ng4! Be7

35.d4! dxe4
35...Qe6 36.dxe5 Rf8 37.Rdf2+-
36.dxe5+- Qe6 37.Nd4
37.Ng5
37...Qc4 38.Rdf2
38.Rfd1
38...Bd5 39.Nf6+?!
39.Rd1!?
39...Bxf6 40.exf6 Ne5 41.Qg3 Qd3?
41...Bf7 42.Nf5 Nd3 43.Ne7+ Kh8 44.Rf5
42.f7+! Nxf7 43.Qf4 Rf8 44.Ne6
44.Nf5
44...Bxe6 45.Qf6 Nxh6

503
45...Qc3 46.Bd4
46.Qxe6+ Kg7 47.Qe7+ 1-0

77. B84
Brkic, Ante (2621) - Korobov, Anton (2690)
Riga 151/77, 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e6 7.Be2 Be7 8.g4 Nfd7
8...b5 - 147/62
9.a3 O-O 10.Qd2 b5 11.g5 Bb7 12.f4
12.O-O-O; 12.h4
12...Nc6 13.O-O-ON
13.h4
13...Rb8
13...Nxd4 14.Bxd4 (14.Qxd4 Nc5 15.Rhg1 Rc8∞) 14...e5 (14...Nc5 15.Rhf1→) 15.Be3 Nc5
(15...exf4 16.Bxf4 Nc5 17.Qe3²) 16.Bf3 (16.Bxc5 dxc5 17.Qd7?! Rb8 18.Qf5 Qb6 19.Qxe5 b4©)
16...exf4 17.Bxf4 a5 18.Nxb5 Qb6©; 13...Nc5!?
14.Rhg1
14.Rhe1 Nxd4 (14...b4 15.Nxc6 Bxc6 16.axb4 Rxb4 17.Nd5 Rxe4 18.Nxe7+ Qxe7 19.Bd3 Ra4
20.b3 Ra1+ 21.Kb2 Rxd1 22.Rxd1±; 14...Re8!?) 15.Bxd4 Bc6∞; 14.Rhf1
14...b4! 15.Nxc6
15.axb4 Nxb4 16.Nb3 Qc7∞
15...Bxc6 16.axb4 Rxb4 17.Nd5
17.b3 Qb8ƒ
17...Rxe4 18.Nxe7+ Qxe7 19.Rg3
19.Bd3 Rc8!∞
19...d5
19...Ra4!?
20.Bd4! Qd6
20...e5!? 21.fxe5 Nxe5∞
21.Rg4 f5 22.gxf6 Nxf6 23.Rh4 Be8 24.Bf3

504
24.Be5
24...Bg6 25.Rg1?!
25.Bxe4 Nxe4 26.Qa5 Rc8©
25...Rxd4! 26.Qxd4 Rc8
26...Qc7!?
27.f5
27.Bd1!?
27...Bxf5 28.Qxf6 Rxc2+ 29.Kd1 Qc7

30.Rxg7+?
30.Ke1 Rc1+ 31.Bd1 Rxd1+ 32.Kxd1 Qc2+ 33.Ke1 Qb1+ (33...Qc1+ 34.Ke2 (34.Kf2?? Qd2+!
35.Kf3 Be4+ 36.Rxe4 dxe4+ 37.Kxe4 Qe2+-+) 34...Qxg1 (34...Qc2+ 35.Ke1=) 35.Qd8+ Kf7
36.Qd7+ Kf6 37.Qd8+=) 34.Kf2 (34.Ke2?? Qd3+ 35.Ke1 Qe3+ 36.Kf1 Bd3+ 37.Kg2 gxf6-+)
34...Qxg1+ 35.Kxg1 gxf6 36.Rf4 (36.Rb4 Bd3 37.Rb7 d4 38.Kf2 e5 39.Ke1³) 36...Kf7 37.Rf3 Bg4
38.Ra3 Be2 39.Rh3=
30...Qxg7 31.Qd8+ Qf8 32.Qg5+ Kh8-+ 33.Be4 Rc4
33...Bxe4 34.Rxe4 (34.Qe5+ Kg8 35.Rxe4 Qf3+) 34...Qf3+ 35.Kxc2 Qxe4+; 33...Rf2!?
34.Bxf5 Rxh4 35.Qxh4 Qxf5 36.Qd4+ Kg8 37.b4 Qf3+ 38.Kc1 Qh1+ 39.Kb2 Qxh2+ 40.Ka3 Qd6
0-1

78. !N B85
Djokic, Mihailo (2274) - Velickovic, Sasa (2235)

505
 Beograd 151/78, 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 a6 3.Nc3 e6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Qc7 6.Be2 Nf6 7.O-O d6 8.f4 Nc6 9.Be3 Be7
10.Kh1 O-O 11.Qe1 Bd7 12.Qg3 Nxd4 13.Bxd4 Bc6 14.Rae1 b5 15.a3 Rac8 16.Bd3 g6
16...e5 - 150/71
17.f5 e5 18.Be3 Qd8?!
18...Qb7; 18...a5; 18...Nh5; 18...Kg7; 18...Kh8
19.Bh6! Re8

19...Nh5!? 20.Qf2 (20.Qf3 Bg5 21.Bxf8 Qxf8±) 20...Bg5 21.Bxf8 Qxf8±

20.Nd5!N
20.Re3
20...Bxd5
20...Nxd5 21.exd5 Bh4 22.Qf3 Bxe1 23.fxg6 f6 24.dxc6+-
21.exd5 Kh8
21...e4? 22.fxg6 hxg6 23.Bxe4 Nxe4 24.Rxe4 Bf8 (24...Rxc2 25.Re6!+-) 25.Rxf7! Kxf7 26.Rf4+ Qf6
27.Rxf6+ Kxf6 28.Qf4+ Ke7 29.Bg5+ Kd7 30.Qf7+ ∆Be7 31.Qe6+ Kd8 32.Qxd6#; 21...Nh5
22.Qg4 Nf6 23.Qf3 Kh8 24.Qh3 - 21...Kh8
22.Qh3 Rg8
22...e4 23.Bxe4 (23.fxg6 fxg6 (23...exd3 24.gxf7 Rf8 25.Bxf8 Bxf8 26.cxd3+-) 24.Bxe4 Qd7

506
25.Qe3+-) 23...Nxe4 24.Rxe4 Bf6 25.fxg6 fxg6 (25...Rxe4

26.Bg7+!!+-) 26.Rxe8+ Qxe8 27.Qxc8! (27.c3±) 27...Qxc8 28.Rxf6 Kg8 29.h3+-

23.fxg6 fxg6 24.Qe6 Rc5 25.b4 Rc7 26.Be3 Rb7 27.Rf3 Kg7
27...Ne8? 28.Rf7 Rg7 (28...Ng7 29.Qh3+-) 29.Ref1+-
28.Ref1 Rf8 29.Bg5 Rc7 30.Qh3!+- h5†
30...e4 31.Bxe4 Nxe4 32.Bh6+ Kh8 33.Bxf8 Ng5 34.Qh6; 30...Rf7 31.Bh6+! Kg8 (31...Kh8 32.Qe6
Kg8 33.g4+-) 32.Qe6 Qc8 (32...Rb7 33.g4+-) 33.Rxf6 Qxe6 34.Rxe6+-
31.Qe6 Rb7 32.Rg3 e4™ 33.Bxf6+ Rxf6 34.Rxf6 Bxf6 35.Qxe4 Kf8 36.Qxg6 Rg7 37.Qh6 Qe7
38.Qh8+ Kf7 39.Qxh5+ Kg8 40.Rxg7+ Bxg7 41.Qh7+ Kf8 42.Qf5+ Bf6 43.Be4 Kg7
43...Qe5 44.Qxe5 Bxe5 45.c4! Bb2 (45...bxc4 46.a4! Ke7 47.g3 Kd8 (47...Kf6 48.Kg2 Bc3 49.b5
axb5 50.axb5 Ke5 51.Kf3 Kd4 52.b6 Ba5 53.b7 Bc7 54.h4+-) 48.Kg2 Kc7 49.h4 Bc3 50.b5 axb5
51.axb5+-) 46.c5 Bxa3 47.c6 Ke7 48.Bf5 Kd8 49.h4 Bxb4 50.Kh2 Kc7 (50...a5 51.Bd3+-; 50...Ba5
51.g4 Ke7 52.g5 Bb6 53.Bd3+-) 51.g4 a5 52.Bd3 Kb6 53.Bxb5+-
44.g3
44.Qe6!+-
44...Bb2

507
45.Qh7+
45.c4!! Bxa3 (45...bxc4 46.Qh7+ Kf8 47.Qxe7+ Kxe7 48.a4+-) 46.c5! dxc5 (46...Bxb4 47.Qh7+
Kf8 48.Qxe7+ Kxe7 49.c6+-) 47.Qg6+ Kf8 48.d6 Qf7 (48...Qe5 49.d7+-) 49.Qh6+ Kg8 50.Bh7+
Qxh7 51.Qxh7+ Kxh7 52.d7+-
45...Kf8 46.Qxe7+
46.Qf5++-; 46.Qh6++-
46...Kxe7 [NB 6/h] 47.Bf5
47.a4!! Bc3 (47...bxa4 48.c4 a3 49.Bb1 Bc3 50.c5+-) 48.axb5 axb5 49.Bd3 Bxb4 50.Bxb5 Kf6
51.Bd3 Ke5 52.c4 Kd4 53.Bf1 Ke3 54.Kg2+-
47...Kd8™ 48.Bd3
48.a4!! bxa4 49.c4+-
48...Kc7 49.c4??
49.a4!! bxa4

508
50.h4!! (50.Bxa6 Kb6 51.Bc4 Bc3 52.g4 (52.h4 Bxb4 53.Kg2 Kc5 54.Ba2 Kd4 55.g4 Kc3 56.g5
Kxc2=) 52...Bxb4 53.g5) 50...Kb6 51.g4! RRa5! (51...Bc3 52.g5 Bxb4 53.h5 Bd2 54.g6 Bh6
55.Bc4! Kc5 56.Ba2 Kd4 (56...Kb4 57.c4! Ka3 58.c5+-) 57.c4! Ke5 58.Kg2 Kf6 59.Kf3 Kg5 60.c5
dxc5 (60...Kxh5 61.c6+-) 61.d6 Kf6 62.Ke4+-)
49...Kb6 50.cxb5 axb5 51.Kg2
51.h4 Bxa3 52.h5 (52.g4 Bxb4 53.g5 Be1 54.h5 Bd2 55.g6 Bh6 56.Kg2 Kc5=) 52...Bxb4 53.h6 Bd2
54.h7 Bc3 55.Kg2 Kc7 56.Kf3 Kd8 57.Kf4 Ke7 58.Kf5 Kf8=; 51.a4 bxa4 52.h4 Bc3 53.g4 Be1
54.h5 Bxb4 55.h6 Bd2 56.h7 Bc3 57.Kg2 Kc5 58.Kf3 a3 59.Bb1 Kxd5 60.Kf4 Ke6 61.Ba2+ d5
62.Kg5 Kf7=
51...Bxa3 52.h4 Bxb4 53.g4 Kc5 54.g5 Kxd5 55.Kf3 Bd2 56.Bf5 Ke5 57.Kg4 d5 58.h5 Kd6 59.h6
Ke7 60.Kh5 Kf8= 61.Be6 Bc1 62.Bxd5 Bd2 63.Kg6 Bc1 64.Kf6 Bb2+ 65.Kf5 Bc1 66.Kg6 Bd2
67.Kh5 Bc1 68.g6 Bb2 69.Bb3 Bc3 70.Kg4 Bb2 71.Kf5 Bc3 72.Ke6 Bb2 73.Kd7 Bc3 74.Kc6
Bb2 75.Kxb5 Bc3 76.Kc6 Bb2 77.Kd7 Bc3 78.Ke6 Bb2 79.Kf5 Bc3 80.Ke4 Bb2 1/2-1/2

79. B85
Ganguly, Surya Shekhar (2617) - Budisavljevic, Luka (2508)
Riga 151/79, 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 a6 3.Nc3 e6 4.Be2 Qc7 5.O-O Nc6 6.d4 cxd4 7.Nxd4 Nf6 8.Be3 Be7 9.f4 d6 10.a4
O-O 11.Kh1 Nxd4 12.Qxd4 Bd7 13.e5 Ne8 14.Ne4 Bc6 15.Bf3 Rd8 16.c4N
16.Qc3 - 79/205
16...dxe5 17.Qxe5 Qxe5
17...Rc8 18.Qxc7 Nxc7 19.b3 Rfd8 20.Rad1 Ne8=; 17...Nd6 18.Bd4 f6 19.Qxe6+ Kh8 20.Nc5 Bxf3
(20...Ne4 21.Bxe4 Rxd4 22.Bxc6 Bxc5 23.Be4 b6©) 21.Rxf3 Nc8 22.Nb3 Rfe8©; 17...Qc8!?

509
18.fxe5 f6 19.Bb6
19.Bc5 Bxc5 20.Nxc5 Bxf3 21.Rxf3 Rd2 22.Nxe6 Rf7 23.exf6 Rxb2 24.fxg7 Nxg7©
19...Rc8 20.b3 Kh8?!
20...g6
21.Bd4
21.Rae1!?; 21.Bc5!?
21...f5
¹21...Kg8
22.Nc3
22.Nf2!?
22...Bxf3 23.gxf3 Nc7?!
23...g5; 23...Rf7
24.Rfd1 Na8 25.a5± Bb4

25...Kg8!?
26.Na4! Rfe8
26...Bxa5 27.Nc5 Bb4 28.Nxb7 Rc7 29.Nd6 a5 30.Be3±
27.Bb6

510
27.Bc3!?
27...Nxb6 28.axb6 Red8 29.c5 Kg8
29...Bd2 30.Ra2 Bf4 31.Rxd8+ Rxd8 32.c6+-
30.Rxd8+ Rxd8 31.Rc1 Rc8
¹31...Rd5
32.c6
32.Rd1+-
32...bxc6 33.Rxc6 Rb8 34.Rxe6+- Kf7 35.Rc6 Ba5 36.f4 Ke7 37.Kg2 Rb7 38.b4!? Bxb4 39.Rc7+
Rxc7 40.bxc7 Kd7 41.Nb6+ Kxc7 42.Nd5+ Kd7 43.Nxb4 a5 44.Nd3 Kc6 45.e6 Kd6 46.Nc5 Ke7
47.Kf3 h6 48.h4 g6 49.Ke3 a4 50.Kd4 Kd6 51.Nxa4 Kxe6 52.Nc5+ Kf6 53.Nd7+ Ke6 54.Ne5
Kf6 55.Nf3 Ke6 1-0

80. B87
Matlakov, Maxim (2682) - Chigaev, Maksim (2639)
Russia (ch) 151/80, 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bc4 e6 7.Be3 Be7 8.Bb3 b5 9.a3 O-O 10.Qe2
Bb7 11.f3 Nbd7 12.O-O-O
12.g4 - 24/471
12...Rc8 13.Qe1 Nc5N
13...Ne5
14.Ba2 Qc7
¹14...Nfd7
15.Kb1 Ba8 16.g4 Nfd7 17.h4² Nb6?!
17...Ne5
18.g5 Nca4?!
18...Nc4 19.h5!? (19.Ndxb5? axb5 20.Nxb5 Nxa3+ 21.Nxa3 d5©; 19.Bc1±) 19...Rb8 20.Bxc4 bxc4
21.Ka1±
19.Nxa4 bxa4?!

511
19...Nxa4 20.Qd2±
20.g6
20.Nxe6! fxe6 21.Bxe6+ Kh8 22.h5! Qxc2+ 23.Ka1 Nc4 24.Bd4 Bxg5 25.h6+-
20...hxg6 21.h5! g5 22.Rg1+- Qc5?!
22...g4 23.Rxg4 Bf6 24.Rg6!?; 22...Qd8 23.Bxe6 fxe6 24.Nxe6 Qe8 25.Nxf8 Qxf8 26.Bxb6
23.Qd2 Nc4 24.Bxc4 Qxc4 25.Bxg5 f6 26.Bh6 Rf7 27.Bxg7! Rxg7 28.Rxg7+ Kxg7 29.Qg2+ Kf8
30.h6 Ke8 31.h7 Kd7 32.Qg7 f5 33.h8=Q Rxh8 34.Qxh8 Bb7 35.exf5 1-0

81. B88
Artemiev, Vladislav (2699) - Carlsen, Magnus (2855)
chess24.com (Int.-m/3-rapid) 151/81, 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nd4 4.Nf3 a6 5.Bd3 Nc6 6.O-O d6 7.Bc4 e6 8.d4 cxd4 9.Nxd4 Nf6
10.Nxc6
10.Kh1 - 67/322
10...bxc6 11.Re1 e5 12.Bg5 Be7 13.Qd3 h6N
13...Qc7; 13...O-O
14.Bd2
14.Bh4 Qc7 (14...O-O 15.Rad1 g5 16.Bg3 Nh5 17.Qe2 Nxg3 18.hxg3 Kg7 19.Rd2 g4 20.Nd1ƒ)
15.Rad1 g5 16.Bg3 Nh5 (16...h5 17.f3 h4 18.Bf2 g4 19.f4 g3 (19...exf4 20.Bd4±) 20.hxg3 hxg3
21.Qxg3 Nh5 22.Qh2 Bf6 23.f5²) 17.Qe2 Nf4 18.Bxf4 gxf4 19.Qh5 Bf8∞; 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Red1

512
Be7 16.b4 O-O 17.a4 Qb6 18.Rab1 Rb8∞
14...O-O 15.h3 a5! 16.Bb3 Qc7
16...Nh7!? 17.Na4 Kh8∞
17.Rad1 Be6 18.Na4 d5?
18...Bxb3 19.cxb3 (19.axb3 Rfe8=) 19...Qb7=; 18...Kh8!?
19.Qg3
19.exd5 cxd5 20.Qg3 Ne4 21.Rxe4! dxe4 22.Bxh6 Bf6 23.Bxe6 fxe6 24.Rc1±
19...Nxe4 20.Rxe4! dxe4 21.Bxh6 Bf6 22.Bxe6 fxe6 23.Nc5 Rad8 24.Re1 Qf7 25.Nxe4
25.Qg4!?
25...Be7
25...Rd4!?; 25...Rd7!?
26.Re3
26.Kh2!?
26...Kh7?

26...Kh8 27.Rf3 Qg8 28.Bg5 Rxf3 29.Qxf3 (29.gxf3 Rd1+ 30.Kg2 Bd6²) 29...Qe8™²
27.Bg5! Kg8
27...Rd7 28.Bxe7 Qxe7 29.Ng5+ Kg8 30.Qh4 g6 31.Qh6+-; 27...Rh8 28.Bxe7 Qxe7 29.Ra3+-

513
28.Bh6?
28.Rf3 Qe8 29.Bh6 (29.Bf6 Bxf6 30.Nxf6+ Rxf6 31.Rxf6 Rd2 32.Qg4+-) 29...Rf7 30.Qg6+-
28...Kh7? 29.Bg5! Kg8 30.Bh6? 1/2-1/2

82. ** B90
Bharath, Subramaniyam H (2435) - Petrov, Martin (2533)
Plovdiv 151/82, 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Rg1 g6

6...e5 7.Nb3 h5 8.Bg5 (8.h3 Be6 9.Qf3 Be7 (9...d5 - 145/70) 10.Be3 Nbd7 11.O-O-O Rc8N (11...h4)
12.Kb1 (12.Nd5 Bxd5 13.exd5 g6 14.Kb1²) 12...g6 (12...Rxc3! 13.bxc3 Qc7³) 13.Nd5 Nxd5
14.exd5 Bf5 15.Bd3 Bxd3 16.Rxd3 h4 17.Qe2 f5 18.f4 Kf7∞ Bacrot,E (2658)-Palac,M (2517)
Zagreb 151/(82) 2021) 8...Be6 (8...Be7 - 75/(232)) 9.Qd2 Nbd7 10.Bd3 Be7 11.O-O-O b5 12.f4 Qc7
13.Kb1N (13.Nd5) 13...Rb8 14.h3 h4 15.Qe1 b4 16.Nd5 Nxd5 17.exd5 Bxd5 18.Bxe7 Kxe7 19.g3
Giri,A (2777)-Duda,J (2756) chess24.com (Int.-m/ 1-rapid) 151/(82) 2021 (19.g3 hxg3 20.Qxg3 Nf6
21.fxe5 dxe5 22.Rde1 Rh5∞)
7.g4 Bg7 8.g5 Nfd7 9.Be3 b5
9...Nc6 10.Qd2 Nc5 11.O-O-O Bd7 12.f4²
10.h4 b4N
10...Bb7 11.h5 Nc6 12.h6 Bxd4 13.Bxd4 O-O 14.Be2 Rc8 15.a3²
11.Nd5 e6 12.Nxb4 Bb7 13.h5
13.f3?! h5! 14.Qd2 (14.gxh6 Qxh4+ 15.Bf2 Qxh6³) 14...O-O 15.Be2 a5 16.Nd3 Nc6©
13...a5

514
14.h6! Bxd4
14...Be5 15.Nd3 Bxd4 (15...Bxe4 16.Nxe5 Nxe5 (16...dxe5 17.Nb5 O-O 18.Nc3 Bf5 19.Qd6+-)
17.Bb5+ Ke7 18.f4 Nec6 19.Qd2±) 16.Bxd4 O-O 17.f3±
15.Qxd4 Ne5 16.Bb5+! Ke7
16...Nbd7 17.O-O-O axb4 18.Qxd6+-
17.O-O-O+- Qc7 18.f4 1-0

83. B90
Moroni, Luca Jr (2580) - Smirin, Ilia (2616)
Terme Catez 151/83, 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h4 Nc6 7.h5 e5
7...h6 - 134/68
8.Nb3 Be7N
8...h6; 8...Be6
9.Be2 Be6 10.Bf3
10.h6 g6 11.O-O O-O 12.Be3 Rc8=
10...a5 11.a4 Nb4 12.h6 g6 13.Bg5 Rc8 14.O-O O-O 15.Re1 b6 16.Nd2?!
16.Nc1 Nd7 17.Bxe7 Qxe7 18.Qd2 Rfd8 19.Nd3 Nxd3 (19...Nc6 20.Nb5 Nc5∞) 20.cxd3 Nc5∞
16...Nd7

515
16...Ne8! 17.Bxe7 (17.Be3? f5 18.exf5 gxf5-+) 17...Qxe7 18.Nf1 Qh4 19.Rc1 (19.Qc1 f5µ)
19...Qxh6 20.Nb5 Qg5µ
17.Bxe7 Qxe7 18.Nf1 f5
18...Nc5 19.Qe2 Rfd8=
19.Ne3?!
19.Re2 Nf6 20.Rd2 Rfd8 21.Ne3 Rc5 22.exf5 gxf5 23.Ncd5 Nbxd5 24.Nxd5 Bxd5 25.Bxd5+ Kh8
26.Ra3 e4∞
19...Nf6 20.Qd2?!
20.exf5 gxf5 21.Ncd5 Nfxd5 22.Nxd5 Bxd5 23.Bxd5+ Kh8 24.c3 Nxd5 25.Qxd5 f4³
20...f4 21.Ned5 Bxd5 22.Nxd5

22...Nbxd5!
22...Nfxd5 23.c3! Nc2 24.Qxc2 Nf6 25.Red1 g5³
23.exd5 g5 24.b4
24.Be4 Nxe4 25.Rxe4 Qc7 26.c3 Rf6-+
24...Kh8
24...g4 25.Bd1 Qf7 26.bxa5 bxa5 27.Qxa5 Qg6 28.Qb4 Qxh6 29.Ra3 (29.a5 g3-+) 29...Rfd8 30.a5
e4-+
25.bxa5 bxa5 26.Qxa5

516
26.g4 Qd7 27.Qxa5 e4-+
26...g4 27.Bd1 Rg8 28.Ra3 Qf8 29.Qb6 Rd8
29...Qxh6 30.Qxd6 g3 31.fxg3 fxg3 32.Bh5 Rcf8-+
30.a5 Qxh6 31.a6

31...f3! 32.a7 Nxd5 33.Qc6 Nf4

33...Qd2! 34.Rf1 fxg2 35.Kxg2 g3-+
34.g3
34.a8=Q fxg2-+
34...Nh3+ 35.Kf1 Ng5 36.Kg1 Qh3 37.Rxf3 gxf3 38.Bxf3 Nxf3+ 39.Qxf3 Rdf8 0-1

84. * B90
Movsesian, Sergei (2627) - Navara, David (2691)
Riga 151/84, 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.a4 e5 7.Nf3 Be7 8.Bg5 Be6 9.Bxf6 Bxf6
10.Nd5 Nd7 11.Bc4 Rc8 12.b3
12.Qe2 - 147/70
12...Nb6 13.Nxf6+ Qxf6 14.Bxe6 Qxe6 15.O-O O-O 16.Qd3N
16.c4 - 151/(84) 16...Nd7 17.Nd2N (17.Re1) 17...Nc5 18.Re1 f5 19.exf5 (19.Qc2 fxe4 20.Nxe4 d5
21.cxd5 Qxd5 22.Nxc5 Rxc5 23.Qb2 Rf4=) 19...Qxf5 20.f3 Nd3 21.Rf1 Rfd8 22.Ne4 Nf4 23.Ra2 d5
24.cxd5 Rxd5 25.Rd2 Rcd8= 26.Rxd5 Rxd5 27.Qc2 Qd7 28.Rc1 h6 29.Qc8+ Kh7 30.Qxd7 Rxd7

517
31.Kf1 1/2 (31) Firouzja,A (2770) -Vachier Lagrave,M (2763) Riga 151/(84) 2021
16...Nd7 17.Rad1 Nc5
17...Rc6 18.Rfe1 Nc5 19.Qe2 (19.Qe3 b5=) 19...h6=
18.Qxd6 Qxd6
18...f6 19.Rfe1 Qxd6 20.Rxd6 Rfd8 21.Rb6²
19.Rxd6 Nxe4 20.Rb6 f6=
20...Rxc2 21.Nxe5 f6 22.Nf3 Nc5 23.b4 Nxa4 24.Rxb7 Rf7=
21.c4
21.Rxb7 Rxc2 22.Ra7 Rb8 23.Rxa6 h5!³
21...Rfd8 22.h3?!
22.Rxb7 Nc5 23.Rb6 Rb8 24.Rc6 Nxb3 25.Rxa6 Ra8 26.Rxa8 Rxa8 27.Rb1 Rxa4=
22...Rd7
22...Rc7 23.a5 Kf7 24.Re1 Nc5 25.g4 Ne6³
23.a5 Rc6 24.Re1
24.Rxc6 bxc6 25.Rb1 Rd3 26.b4 Kf7µ
24...Rxb6 25.axb6 Nc5 26.b4 Ne6
26...Nd3 27.Rb1 Kf7 28.Kf1 Ke6 29.Ne1 e4³
27.Rc1 Kf7 28.Kf1 Rd3 29.c5 Nd8

518
30.Ne1! Rb3 31.Rd1 Ke8 32.Nc2 Rb2 33.Ne3 Rxb4 34.Nf5 g6 35.Nd6+ Ke7 36.Nc8+ Ke8
37.Nd6+ Kf8 38.Nxb7! Nxb7 39.c6 Ke8
39...Rxb6 40.c7 Rc6 41.Rd8+ Ke7 42.c8=Q Nxd8=
40.cxb7 Rxb6 41.Rd6 Rb1+ 42.Ke2 Rxb7 43.Rxa6 Kf7 44.h4 Kg7 45.g3 f5 46.Kf1 e4 47.Kg2 Rb2
48.Ra7+ Kh6 49.Ra3 Kh5 50.Rc3 Kg4 51.Rc4 Re2 52.Rc5 Rd2
52...e3 53.Rc4+ Kh5 54.Kf3 Rxf2+ 55.Kxe3=
53.Rc4 Ra2 54.Rb4 Rd2 55.Rc4= h6 56.Ra4 Re2 57.Ra6 Kh5 58.Ra5 Kg4 59.Ra6 g5 60.hxg5 hxg5
61.Ra4 Rd2 62.Rb4 Kh5 63.Kf1 Rd6 64.Kg2 Re6 65.Kf1 Re8 66.Ra4 Re6 67.Rb4! Kg6 68.Ra4 Re5
69.Ra6+ Kh5 70.Ra4 e3 71.fxe3 Rxe3 72.g4+ fxg4 73.Kg2
73.Kf2 Re8 74.Ra6=
73...Kh4 74.Ra2 Rd3 75.Rb2 Rd4 76.Ra2 g3 77.Ra8! Kg4 78.Rb8 Rd2+ 79.Kg1 Re2 80.Ra8 g2
81.Ra3 Kf4 82.Rb3 Re3 83.Rxe3 Kxe3 1/2-1/2

85. B90
Firouzja, Alireza (2770) - Saric, Ivan (2665)
Terme Catez 151/85, 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 g6 7.g4 Nc6 8.Be3 Nxd4 9.Qxd4 Bg7
10.O-O-O O-O
10...Be6 - 149/75
11.Qb4
11.e5 Nd7 12.f4 dxe5 13.fxe5 (13.Qb4 exf4 14.Bxf4 e6 15.Bd6 Re8 16.Bg2 Qb6∞) 13...Bxe5

519
14.Qb4 Rb8 15.Ba7 Ra8 16.Bf2 a5 17.Qb3 e6∞
11...a5N
11...b5 12.e5 Ne8 13.Bg2 Rb8 14.Ba7 a5! 15.Qd4 Bb7 16.Be4 (16.Bxb8?! Bxg2µ) 16...b4 17.Na4
Bxe4 18.Qxe4 Rb5∞
12.Qa3
12.Qb6 Qxb6 13.Bxb6 Be6 14.Bb5 Rfc8∞
12...Bd7 13.e5
13.f3 Bc6 14.Kb1 (14.e5?! Nd7 (14...Ne8 15.exd6 Nxd6µ) 15.exd6 exd6 16.Ne4 d5µ) 14...Qb8
(14...Nd7 15.Be2 Qc7∞) 15.g5 Nd7 16.Nb5 Rc8∞
13...Ne8 14.Nd5
14.exd6 Nxd6 15.Nd5 Bc6 16.Bg2 Re8 17.Nxe7+ Qxe7 18.Bxc6 Nc4 19.Qxe7 Rxe7 20.Bg5 Bxb2+
(20...Re5 21.Bxb7 Rb5 22.Rd7 Bxb2+ 23.Kd1 Ra7 24.Rd8+ Kg7 25.Bd5 Nb6∞) 21.Kb1 Rc7 22.Bb5
Bg7∞
14...Bc6 15.Bg5
15.exd6 Nxd6 - 14.ed6
15...Bxd5 16.Rxd5 Bxe5

16...Qc7!? 17.Bg2 (17.exd6?! Nxd6 18.Rc5 Qd7³) 17...e6 18.Rd2 Bxe5 19.f4 Bg7 20.f5 Be5∞
17.Rxe5!? dxe5 18.Bxe7 Qd5 19.Rg1 Qd4 20.Qe3 Qxe3+ 21.fxe3 Nc7 22.Bxf8 Kxf8= 23.Bg2 Rb8
24.Rd1 Ke7 25.g5 b6 26.h4 Rd8 27.Rxd8 Kxd8 28.c4 Ke7 29.Kc2 f6 30.gxf6+ Kxf6 31.Kb3 Ke6

520
32.Ka4 1/2-1/2

86. B90
Eljanov, Pavel (2680) - Delgado Ramirez, Neuris (2588)
Sharjah 151/86, 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.f4 Nc6
8...b5 - 150/76
9.f5 Bxb3 10.axb3 d5 11.exd5 Nd4 12.Bg5 h6N
12...Bb4
13.Bxf6 Qxf6 14.Qd3
14.Qd2 Bb4 15.Bd3 Qb6 16.Ra4 O-O-O 17.Qf2 Kb8∞
14...Qxf5 15.O-O-O O-O-O 16.g4
16.Kb1 Kb8 17.Ne4 Rxd5 18.g4 Qg6 19.Bg2 Rd8 20.Qg3 Qe6∞
16...Qxd3 17.Bxd3 Be7 18.Rhf1
18.Kb1 h5 19.Rhf1 f6 20.g5 Kc7 21.gxf6 gxf6∞
18...Rhf8 19.Kb1 Bh4
19...Kc7 20.Rfe1 Bd6 21.h4 (21.Ne4 Be7 22.Nc3=) 21...h5 22.g5 f5 23.gxf6 gxf6 24.Ne4 Be7∞
20.b4 Be7 21.Na4
21.Rfe1 Bxb4 22.Rxe5 Kc7 23.Re4 Bxc3 24.bxc3 Nb5 25.Bxb5 axb5=
21...b5 22.Nc5 Bxc5 23.bxc5 Rxd5 24.b4 Ne6 25.Kb2

25.Bf5 Rfd8 26.Rxd5 Rxd5 27.Bxe6+ fxe6 28.Rf8+ Kd7 29.Rf7+ Kd8 30.Rxg7 e4 31.Rg6 Ke7 32.c6
Rd1+ 33.Kb2 Kd6 34.c7 Kxc7 35.Rxe6 Rh1=
25...a5 26.Ra1 Rd4!
26...axb4 27.Bf5 Rfd8 28.c6 Kc7 29.Bxe6 fxe6 30.Ra6²
27.Rxa5 Rxb4+ 28.Kc3 Ra4 29.Rxb5 Kc7 30.Bc4

521
30...Nd8?
30...Nd4! 31.Rb6 Ra3+ 32.Kd2 (32.Kb4 Nxc2+ 33.Kb5 Nd4+ 34.Kb4 Nc2+=) 32...Nf3+ 33.Ke2
Nd4+=; 30...Kc6! 31.Rb6+ Kxc5 32.Rb5+ Kd6 (32...Kc6 33.Rxe5 Rc8=) 33.Rb6+ Kc5=
31.Rb6+- Ra3+
31...Ra8 32.Bd5 Ra4 33.Kb3+-
32.Kb4 Ra7 33.Bb5 Rb7 34.Rd1 1-0

87. ** B90
Mukherjee, Ajoy K - Jose Queralto, Daniel
corr 151/87, 2021

1.Nf3 c5 2.e4 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.f4 b5 9.f5 Bc8 10.Bg5
Be7N
10...Nbd7 - 150/76
11.a4 - 151/87
11.Bxf6N Bxf6 12.Qd3 Bg5 13.g3 Bb7 14.h4 Be7 15.O-O-O h5 (15...Nd7 16.g4 Bxh4 17.Qxd6 Be7
18.Qd3 Rc8 19.Kb1 h6∞) 16.f6!? Bxf6 17.Qxd6 Qxd6 18.Rxd6 Ra7 (18...Be7 19.Rb6 Bc6 20.Na5
Rh6 21.Nd5 Bd8 22.Nxc6 Nxc6 23.Rb7 Ra7 24.Rxa7 Nxa7=) 19.Bh3 Be7 20.Rd3 Rh6 21.Rhd1 Bc6
22.Nd5 a5 23.Nxe7 Kxe7= Daubenfeld,N-Olofsson,D corr 151/(87) 2021
11...b4 12.Nd5 Nxd5 13.Qxd5

522
13...Bxg5!
13...Ra7 14.Bxe7 Qxe7 15.O-O-O±
14.Qxa8 Qb6 15.Qd5 - 151/87
15.h4N O-O! (15...Bf4 16.Rh3 O-O 17.a5 Qc7 18.Qd5 Bb7 19.Qd3 Nc6 20.Rf3±) 16.Qd5 Qe3+
17.Kd1 Bf4 18.Qd3 Qa7 19.Qxd6 Bb7 20.Qxb4 Qf2 21.Qe1 Rd8+ 22.Bd3 Qxg2 23.Rg1 Qh2
24.Nc5 Ba8∞ Biedermann, T-Perez Lopez,A corr 151/(87) 2021
15...Nd7© 16.Be2 Nf6
16...Bh4+ 17.Kd1 O-O 18.a5 Qf2 19.Bf3 Nf6 20.Qd2 Qg3 21.Qe1 (21.Qxb4 d5 22.Ra3 dxe4
23.Bxe4 Qg5 24.Nd2 Nxe4 25.Qxe4 Bxf5 26.Qe2 h5©) 21...Qg5 22.Qd2 Qg3=
17.a5
17.Qd3?! O-O 18.a5 Qa7 19.h4 Be3µ
17...Qe3
17...Qc7 18.Qc4 Bh4+ 19.Kd1 Qxc4 20.Bxc4 Nxe4 21.Rf1 Ke7 22.Ra4 Ng3 23.Rf3 d5! 24.Bxd5
Rd8 25.Rd3 e4 26.Bxe4 Nxe4 27.Rxd8 Kxd8 28.Rxb4 Bxf5 29.Nd4 Bd7 30.Nb3 Bc6 31.Nd4 Bd7=
18.Qd3 Nxe4 19.Qxe3 Bxe3 20.Rf1 Nc5 21.Nxc5 Bxc5 22.Bf3 h5 23.c3 Ke7 24.Bc6 Bd7 25.Bxd7
Kxd7 26.Rf3 Rb8 27.Rg3 bxc3
27...bxc3 28.bxc3 Ke7 29.Rxg7 e4=
1/2-1/2

88. * !N B90
Vucinic, Gojko (2349) - Damljanovic, Branko (2504)

523
 Srbija 151/88, 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 e5 7.Nde2 h5 8.Bg5 Be6 9.g3 Be7
9...Nbd7 10.a4 Qc7 11.Bg2 Rc8 12.O-O Be7 13.b3 O-O 14.f4

14...Nb8!N (14...exf4 15.gxf4 Nb8 16.Kh1±) 15.Kh1 b5 16.axb5 1/2 (16) Szabo,G (2531)-Miron,L
(2512) Romania 151/(88) 2021 (16.axb5 axb5 17.f5 (17.Nxb5 Qxc2=) 17...Bd7=)
10.Bg2 Nbd7 11.a4 Rc8
11...O-O - 117/ 74
12.Qd2 O-O 13.O-O Re8
13...Qc7; 13...b5
14.Rfd1 Rc6 15.Nc1N
15.b3 Qc8! 16.Ra2 (16.f4 exf4 17.gxf4 Nf8 18.f5 Bd7³) 16...Bd8 17.a5 b5 (17...Rc5 18.Rda1 Rc6
19.Kh2 Nh7 20.Bxd8 Qxd8∞) 18.axb6 Bxb6 19.Nd5 Bxd5 20.exd5 Rc7∞
15...Nb6 16.Nd3?!

524
16.N1e2 Nc4 17.Qc1 Qc8 18.Kh2 Bd8∞
16...Qc8! 17.Nb4
17.Kh2? Nc4 18.Qc1 Nxb2-+
17...Rc4 18.Bxf6 Bxf6 19.Nbd5 Nxd5 20.Nxd5 Bxd5 21.Qxd5 Rxc2µ 22.b4
22.h4 Bd8 23.a5 (23.Qxd6 Ba5 24.b4 Bc7 25.Qd3 Bb6 26.Rd2 Rc3-+) 23...Rxb2µ
22...h4 23.g4 Re6
23...Bd8!? 24.Qxd6 Bc7 25.Qd3 Bb6 26.Rd2 Rc3 27.Qe2 Re6 28.Rf1 Bd4µ
24.Bf1 Bg5 25.Bd3 Rb2?!
25...Rc3 26.Qa2 g6 27.Qb2 Rf6 28.Qe2 Rf4 29.Ra2 Bd8-+
26.Rab1 Rxb1 27.Rxb1 Rf6 28.Qc4?!
28.Bc4 Qc7 29.Kg2 g6 30.Rb2=
28...Qd8 29.Rb3 Qb6 30.Rb2

525
30...a5
30...Be3! 31.Kg2 (31.fxe3? Qxe3+ 32.Kh2 Qg3+ 33.Kh1 Qxh3+ 34.Kg1 Qe3+ 35.Kh2 Qg3+
36.Kh1 Qe1+ 37.Kg2 h3+ 38.Kh2 Rf3-+) 31...Bd4 32.Re2 Rf4 (32...Bxf2? 33.g5 Rg6 (33...Rf4
34.g6+-) 34.Rxf2 Rxg5+ 35.Kf1 Qe3 36.Qxf7+ Kh7 37.Qf3 Qc1+ 38.Ke2 Qb2+ 39.Ke3 Qd4+
40.Ke2 Qb2+=) 33.f3 g6 34.Qb3 a5 35.b5 Kg7µ
31.Kg2 g6
31...axb4! 32.Re2 g6 33.Bc2 Kg7 34.Bb3 Rf4µ
32.Qb5 Qxb5?
32...Qd4 33.bxa5 Be3! 34.fxe3 Qxe3 35.Bf1 Qxe4+ 36.Kg1 Qd4+ 37.Kg2 d5³
33.Bxb5= axb4 34.Rxb4 Bd2 35.Rc4 Ba5 36.Rc8+ Kg7 37.Bc4 Bb4 38.Bd5 b6 39.Rc7 1/2-1/2

89. B90
De Carlos Arregui, Inigo - Pessoa, Francisco Azevedo
corr 151/89, 2020

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.f3 Be7 9.Qd2 O-O 10.O-
O-O Nbd7 11.g4 b5 12.g5 Nh5 13.Nd5 Bxd5 14.exd5 f6 15.gxf6 Bxf6 16.Na5 Qe8 17.Qb4 Be7
18.Bd3
18.Nc6 - 149/(72)
18...Nf4 19.Be4 Rf7
19...Ng2= 20.Bd2 Nc5
20.Nc6 Nf6N

526
20...Bf8 21.Qd2 g6 22.h4 Nf6 23.Kb1 Qd7 24.Rdg1 N6h5 25.Rh2 Kh8 26.a3 Bg7 27.Ka2 Rff8
28.Rc1 Ng3=
21.Rhf1
21.Kb1 Nxe4 22.fxe4 Qd7 23.c4 bxc4 24.Qxc4 Bd8 25.a3 Qh3 26.Bd2 Nd3 27.Qb3 Nf2 28.Qxh3
Nxh3 29.Rde1=
21...Nd7?!
21...Nxe4 22.fxe4 Qd7 23.Kb1 Bg5=
22.Kb1² Qf8 23.c4 bxc4 24.Qxc4 Bg5 25.Bd2 Nf6 26.Rg1 Nxe4
26...h6?! 27.Bc2 Nh3 28.Bxg5 Nxg1 29.Rxg1 hxg5 30.a3 Nh7 31.Qd3 g6 32.Qxg6+ Rg7 33.Qh5 a5
34.a4 Re8 35.Nxa5 Nf6 36.Qh3 e4+-
27.fxe4 h6 28.Bb4 Nh3 29.Rgf1 Nf2 30.Rde1 Rf4 31.Nxe5 Qf6

32.Nd3! Nxd3 33.Qxd3 Qg6 34.Bc3 Re8 35.Rxf4

35.Qxa6? Rfxe4 36.Rxe4 Qxe4+ 37.Ka1 Bf6=
35...Bxf4 36.Qe2
36.Qxa6?! Rxe4 37.Ka1 Rxe1+ 38.Bxe1 Qe4 39.Qa5=
36...Qg5 37.a4
37.Qxa6 Bxh2 38.a4 h5 39.Ka2 Be5 40.Qc6 Rb8 41.Qc7 Ra8 42.b3 h4 43.Ka3 Qf6+-; 37.a3 Be5
38.Bxe5 Qxe5 39.Qc2 Qd4 40.Ka2 Kh7 41.Re2 a5 42.e5+ Kg8 43.Qe4 Qxe4 44.Rxe4 dxe5 45.Kb3
Kf7+-

527
37...Ra8
37...Be5 38.Bxe5 Qxe5 39.Qxa6 Qxh2 40.Ka2 h5 41.Qb5 Ra8 42.Qc6 Rb8+-
38.e5
38.Ka2 Be5 39.Bxe5 Qxe5 40.Qc4 a5 41.Re2 Qf4 42.Rg2 Rf8 43.Qc3 Rf7 44.Re2 Qf1 45.Rc2 Qf4
46.Qxa5 Qxe4 47.Qa8+ Kh7 48.Qc6 Rf1 49.Qc4 Qf5 50.b3 Rf4 51.Qc6 h5+-
38...dxe5
¹38...Qf5+ 39.Qc2 Qxc2+ 40.Kxc2 dxe5±
39.Qd3+- Rd8 40.d6 Qg4 41.Rd1
41.Bxe5 Bxe5 42.Rxe5 Qxa4
41...Rd7 42.h3 Qe6 43.Qxa6 Qf5+
¹43...Kf7 44.Qc6 Qxh3
44.Ka1 Kh7 45.Qc6 Bg3 46.Qb5 Bf4 47.a5 Qe6 48.Qd5 Qf5 49.Ka2 Qc2 50.Qd3+ Qxd3 51.Rxd3
e4 52.Rd5 e3 53.b4 Bg5 54.Kb3 Bd8 55.b5 e2 56.a6 Bf6 57.Be1 Bd8 58.Re5 Bf6 59.Rxe2 Rxd6
60.a7 Rd3+ 61.Ka4 Rd1 62.b6 1-0

90. B90
Grischuk, Alexander (2775) - Navara, David (2676)
chess.com (ol-rapid) 151/90, 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.f3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.Be3 Be7 9.Qd2 O-O 10.O-
O-O Nbd7 11.g4 b5 12.g5 Nh5 13.Kb1 Nb6 14.Na5 Rc8 15.Nd5 Nxd5 16.exd5 Bxd5 17.Qxd5
Qxa5 18.c4 Nf4 19.Bxf4 exf4 20.h4 Rc5
20...Qa4 - 149/74
21.Qe4! Qc7 22.Bd3 g6 23.cxb5 axb5 24.Rhe1
24.Qxf4 Rc8 25.a3 Bf8 26.Qd2 Qa7 (26...Bg7 27.h5 Qa7 28.Rh4 Rd5 29.Re4 gxh5 30.Rde1 Re5
31.Rb4 Rxe1+ 32.Qxe1 Qb7 33.Qd1 Rc5„) 27.Be4 Qa4 28.h5 b4 29.Qxb4 Qxb4 30.axb4 Rb5
31.hxg6 hxg6 32.Rd4 Bg7 33.Rxd6 Rxb4 34.Rd2 Rb5©
24...Re8
24...Re5 25.Qxf4 Rc8 26.Rc1 Qd8 27.Qd2 Rxc1+ 28.Rxc1 Rc5 29.Re1 Bf8 30.f4 Qa8
25.Qxf4 Rc8 26.Qd2N
26.Qe3 Bf8 27.f4 b4 28.h5 Qb7 (28...b3?! 29.axb3 Qb7 30.Bc4 Ra8 31.Qe4 Qa7 32.Kc2²) 29.Be2
Rc3=
26...d5

528
26...Bf8 27.f4 Qa7 28.Be4 Qa4 29.h5 Bg7 30.Re2 Rc4 31.Rde1 gxh5 32.f5 Be5 33.g6 Rd4∞
27.f4
27.h5 Bd6 28.Qe3 d4 29.Qxd4 Rxg5 30.hxg6 hxg6 31.Qf6 Qd8 32.Qxd8+ Rxd8 33.a3 Kg7=
27...Bd6 28.Rf1
28.Rc1 Rxc1+ 29.Qxc1 Qxc1+ 30.Rxc1 Rxc1+ 31.Kxc1 Bxf4+ 32.Kc2 b4 33.Kb3 Bd2 34.Be2 Be1
35.h5 Kg7 36.Bf3 gxh5 37.Bxh5 f6 38.gxf6+ Kxf6 39.a4 bxa3 40.bxa3 Ke5 41.Bf3=
28...b4 29.h5

29...Qa7
29...b3! 30.axb3 Qa7 31.hxg6 hxg6 32.Rc1 Rxc1+ (32...Ra8 33.Rxc5 Bxc5 34.Bb5 Qa2+ 35.Kc2 Rb8
36.Ba4 Ba3 37.Kd3 Bxb2 38.Rf2 Qb1+ 39.Qc2 Qh1 40.Qxb2 Qe4+ 41.Kd2 (41.Kc3 Qe3+-+)
41...Qxa4 42.bxa4 Rxb2+ 43.Ke3 Rb3+ 44.Kd4 Rb4+ 45.Kxd5 Rxa4=) 33.Rxc1 Rxc1+ 34.Qxc1
Qd4 35.Qc8+ Kg7 (35...Bf8 36.Ba6 Qe4+ 37.Ka2 Qxf4 38.Qd8 Qd4 39.Qd7 Qe5 40.Bb7 Bd6
41.b4 Bxb4 42.Bxd5 Qf4 43.Kb3 Bd6 44.Ka2 Kg7 45.Bb3 Be5³) 36.Qc3 Qxc3 37.bxc3 Bxf4
38.Bb5 Bxg5 39.Bc6 d4 40.cxd4 Bf6 41.d5 Be7 42.Kc2 f5 43.Kc3 g5 44.Kd4 Kf6 45.Ke3 Bc5+
46.Ke2 g4µ
30.hxg6 hxg6 31.b3 Ra5?!
31...Rc3 32.Bxg6 Ra8 33.Bxf7+ Qxf7 34.f5 Rc5 35.Rde1 Re8 36.g6 Rxe1+ 37.Qxe1 Qe7 (37...Qf6
38.Qe8+ Bf8 39.g7 Kxg7 40.Rg1+ Kh8 41.Rh1+ Kg8 42.Rg1+=) 38.Qxe7 Bxe7 39.f6 Bd6 40.Re1
Rc8 41.Re6 Bc5 42.Kc2 Rf8 43.Kd3 Bf2 44.Rd6 Bh4 45.f7+ Kg7 46.Kd4 Rc8 47.Re6 Kf8 48.Rd6
Ra8 49.Rxd5 Be7 50.Rd7 Rc8=; 31...Ra8! 32.a4 bxa3 33.Ka2 Rb8 34.Rb1 Rbc8 35.Qh2 Rc3 36.Rfd1
Qb6µ

529
32.Rc1
32.Qb2! Rc3 33.f5 gxf5 34.Rxf5 Qe3 35.Qe2 Qa7 36.Qb2=
32...Rxc1+ 33.Rxc1 Qd4 34.Qe2?
34.Rf1 Rc5 35.Rf2 Kg7 36.Bc2 Qxd2 37.Rxd2 Bxf4 38.Rd4 Bxg5 39.Rxb4 Be3µ
34...Bxf4 35.Bxg6

35.Rc8+ Kg7 36.Qb2 Qxb2+ 37.Kxb2 Bxg5 38.Rb8 Be7 39.Rb7 Kf6-+
35...Kg7??
35...Be5 36.Bh7+ Kg7 37.Bd3 Qa1+-+
36.Qh5??
36.Rd1 Qe3 37.Qxe3 Bxe3 38.Bh5 d4 39.Rf1 Ra7 40.Rf5 Rd7 41.Rb5 d3 42.Rxb4 Bxg5 43.Bf3=
36...fxg6-+ 37.Qh6+ Kf7 38.Qh7+ Qg7 0-1

91. B90
Stearman, Josiah (2404) - Zhou, Jianchao (2605)
Charlotte 151/91, 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.f3 Be7 9.Qd2 O-O 10.O-
O-O Nbd7 11.g4 b5 12.g5 Nh5 13.Kb1 Nb6 14.Na5 Qc7
14...Rc8 - 149/(74)
15.Nd5 Nxd5 16.exd5 Bf5 17.Nc6 f6 18.h4 Ng3 19.Rh2 Nxf1 20.Rxf1 fxg5

530
20...Rae8 21.f4 (21.Rhf2 fxg5 22.hxg5 Rf7 23.f4 exf4 24.Bxf4 Qd7 25.Be3 Bf8 26.b3 Bg6∞)
21...fxg5 22.hxg5 Bg6 23.Re1 exf4 24.Bxf4 Bd8 25.Rxe8 Rxe8
21.hxg5 Bg6 22.b3 Rae8
22...Rf5 23.Rhf2 Be8∞
23.Kb2 Bd8 24.Rhf2 Qd7

24...Rf5!? 25.f4 exf4 26.Bxf4 (26.Rxf4 Rxg5 27.Qf2 Bf6+ 28.Bd4 Rxd5 29.Bxf6 Qxc6 30.Bxg7
Kxg7 31.Rf7+ Kg8 32.Rf8+ Kg7 33.Qf6+ Kh6 34.Rh1+ Rh5 35.Qf4+ Kg7=) 26...Qd7 27.Be3 Rxf2
28.Rxf2 a5 29.Bd4 Re4∞
25.Ra1! Qh3?!N
25...Qb7 26.f4 exf4 27.Rxf4 Qd7 28.Rxf8+ Kxf8 29.a4 Qf5 30.axb5 axb5 31.Qg2 Bf7 32.Rf1 Qg6
33.Qf3 Kg8 34.Bd2±; 25...a5 26.Nxa5 (26.Re1 a4 27.f4 exf4 28.Rxf4 h5! 29.gxh6 Rxf4 30.Bxf4
Bf6+ 31.c3 Rxe1 32.Qxe1 Qf5 33.Qe6+ Qxe6 34.dxe6 gxh6 35.Bxh6 Be4=) 26...Bxa5 27.Qxa5 Ra8
28.Qb4²
26.a4! b4
26...bxa4 27.Rxa4 a5 28.f4 exf4 29.Raxf4±
27.a5 Rxf3 28.Rxf3 Qxf3 29.Nxb4 Be4 30.c4
30.Bb6 Qf4 31.Qc3 Qxg5 32.Nxa6 Bxd5 33.Bxd8 Rxd8 34.Nc7 Rc8 35.a6 Ba8 36.Qb4±
30...Rf8 31.Nc6 Qg3 32.Re1 Bg6 33.Re2 Qg4 34.Rf2?!
34.Ka3! Re8 35.Rg2 Qh3 36.Rg1±

531
34...Rxf2 35.Qxf2 Bxg5 36.Bxg5 Qxg5 37.c5

37...e4?
37...h5! 38.cxd6 Be8 39.b4 e4 40.b5 e3 41.Qf3 axb5 42.Qe4 Bxc6 43.dxc6 Qf6+ 44.Kb3 Qxd6
45.Qe8+ Kh7 46.Qxh5+ Kg8 47.Qxb5 Qd1+ 48.Kb2 Qd2+=
38.cxd6+- e3 39.Qf3 Bf5 40.Ne7+ Kf7 41.Nxf5 e2 42.Nd4+ 1-0

92. ** !N B92
Lobanov, Sergei (2516) - Makarian, Rudik (2517)
Yerevan 151/92, 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.O-O O-O 9.Qd3 Be6
10.Bd2 a5
10...Nbd7 11.Nd5 Bxd5 12.exd5 Rc8 (12...Re8 - 146/(88)) 13.c4 Ne8

532
14.Na5!N (14.Bc3) 14...Rc7 15.b4 f5 16.Rfd1 Kh8 17.Rac1 Qc8 18.a4 e4 19.Qg3 Bf6 20.c5±
Grinberg,E (2492) -Martinez Alcantara,J (2615) New York 151/(92) 2022; 10...Qc7 11.Nd5 Bxd5
12.exd5 a5N (12...Ne8) 13.a4 b6 14.Be3 Na6 15.c3 Qb7 16.Rfd1 Nc7 17.Bf3 (17.c4?! Na6³)
17...Nd7 18.g4 Qc8 19.Nd2 Qd8 20.Nc4

20...Na6 (20...Ne8!= 21.Be2 (21.Be4 Nef6 (21...g6 22.Bh6 Ng7∞) 22.Bf3 Ne8=) 21...Bg5∞)
21.Kh1 h6 22.Qb1 Rc8 23.Be2 Nac5 24.Qc2 e4 25.Bf4² Bellahcene,B (2508)-Mammadzada,G
(2470) Gibraltar 151/(92) 2022
11.a4 Na6 12.Nd5 b6N
12...Bxd5 - 132/(99)

533
13.Nxf6+
13.f4 Nxd5 14.exd5 Bc8 15.fxe5 dxe5 16.Qg3 Qd6∞; 13.c4 Nxd5 14.cxd5 Bd7=
13...Bxf6 14.Rfd1 Qc7 15.Bc3 Rfd8 16.Qe3 Nb4 17.Bxb4 axb4 18.Bd3

18...Qc6
18...d5! 19.exd5 (19.Nd2 g6 20.b3 Be7³) 19...Bxd5 20.g3 (20.Be4? Bxe4 21.Qxe4 Rxa4!-+)
20...Qc6³
19.Nd2 h6 20.Qe2 Bg5= 21.Bc4 Bxd2
21...d5 22.exd5 Bxd5 23.Bxd5 Rxd5 24.Nc4 Rxd1+ 25.Rxd1 Rxa4 26.Nxe5 Qe6 27.Re1=
22.Bxe6 fxe6 23.Rxd2 Rxa4 24.Rxa4 Qxa4 25.h4 Qa1+ 26.Kh2 Qc1
26...Qxb2 27.Qc4 Qc3 28.Qxe6+ Kh7 29.Qd5=
27.Qe3 Kh7 28.b3= Rd7 29.h5 Rd8 30.Qe2 Rd7 1/2-1/2

93. * B92
Morovic Fernandez, Ivan (2510) - Yilmaz, Mustafa Enes (2626)
Riga 151/93, 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.O-O O-O 9.Be3
9.Qd3 Qc7 10.Bg5 Be6 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.Rfd1 (12.Nd5 - 39/(322)) 12...Be7 13.Nd5 Bxd5 14.Qxd5
Nd7 15.Nd2 b5 16.c3N (16.c4 b4 17.g3 (17.Nf1 Qa7 18.Ne3 Nc5∞) 17...a5 18.Nf1 g6=) 16...Rab8
17.Nf1 Nb6 18.Qd3 Nc4 19.Qc2 Bg5 20.Bxc4 bxc4 21.b4 cxb3 22.axb3 Rb6 23.Rd5 Rfb8 24.Ra3 h5
25.h3 Rb5 26.Rxb5 axb5= 27.Qd3 b4 28.cxb4 Rxb4 29.Ra4 Rb7 30.Ra6 Qc5 31.Rxd6 Rxb3 32.Qxb3
Qxd6 1/2 (32) Kollars,D (2621)-Svidler,P (2694) Riga 151/(93) 2021

534
9...Be6 10.Qd2 Nbd7 11.a4 Nb6 12.a5 Nc4 13.Bxc4 Bxc4 14.Rfd1 Rc8 15.Qe1
15.Bb6 - 113(89)
15...Qe8N
15...Qc7 16.Nd2 Be6 17.Nf1 Qc6 18.Bg5 h6 19.Bxf6 Bxf6 20.Ne3 Bg5=; 15...Rc6
16.Nc1
16.Bg5 Nh5 17.Bxe7 Qxe7 18.Nd2 Be6=
16...Ng4 17.Bb6 f5! 18.h3
18.f3 Nf6 19.exf5 Qd7 20.g4 Qc6 21.Qe3 Nd5 22.Nxd5 Bxd5³
18...Nf6 19.exf5 Qh5 20.b3 Bf7 21.Nd3 Qxf5³ 22.Nb4
22.Ra4 Be6 23.Nb4 Qg6 24.Rd3 h6µ
22...Be6 23.Ne2
23.Rd3 h6 24.Rad1 Rf7 25.Rf3 Qh5³
23...d5 24.Ng3 Qg5 25.Ra4?!
25.Nd3 Nd7 26.Bd4 Rxc2µ; 25.c4 dxc4 26.bxc4 Bxc4 27.Rab1 Bb5³
25...Rfe8 26.h4

26...Qg6!
26...Qxh4? 27.Nxd5 Ng4 28.Nxe7+ Rxe7 29.Nf1 Ree8 30.Rd2²

535
27.Nd3 Bd6-+ 28.h5 Qf7 29.Nxe5 Bxe5 30.Qxe5 Bd7! 31.Qf4 Bxa4 32.bxa4 h6 33.Bd4 Rxc2
34.f3 Rc6
34...Rc4 35.Qf5 Re6
35.Rb1 Qc7 36.Qh4
36.Qxc7 Rxc7 37.Bxf6 gxf6 38.Nf5 Re5
36...Rc1+ 37.Rxc1 Qxc1+ 38.Kh2 Qg5 39.Qxg5 hxg5 40.h6 Kh7 41.hxg7 Kg6 42.Kh3 Rg8
43.Bxf6 Kxf6 44.Kg4 d4 45.Ne4+ Kxg7 46.Nxg5 d3 0-1

94. B94
Hyldkrog, Lars - Konstantinov, Maxim
corr 151/94, 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 Nbd7 7.Qe2 h6 8.Bh4 g6 9.f4
9.O-O-O e5 10.Nb3 b5 11.a3=
9...e5 10.fxe5 dxe5 11.O-O-O Qc7
11...exd4? 12.e5! Bc5 13.exf6+ Kf8 14.Ne4+-
12.Nb3 b5 13.Qf3 Bg7 14.g4 O-O 15.a3 Bb7
15...Rb8 - 129/90
16.Bd3 Rab8 17.g5
17.Bf2 Bc6 18.h4 h5 19.gxh5 Nxh5 20.Nd5 Bxd5 21.exd5 Qd6 22.Kb1 f5 23.Be2 Rbe8 24.Rhg1 e4
25.Qg2 Nf4 26.Qh2 Bxb2 27.Bd4 Bxd4 28.Nxd4 Rf6 29.h5 Nf8 30.Ne6 Rc8 31.Nxf4 Qxa3
32.Nxg6 Qb4+=
17...Nh5 18.gxh6 Bxh6+ 19.Kb1

536
19...Bg7!?N
19...Nb6 20.Rhg1 Nf4 21.Ne2 Nxd3 22.Rxd3 Bg7 23.Nc3 Rbc8 24.Bg5 Na4 25.Qd1 Nxc3+
26.Rxc3=
20.Be7 Rfe8 21.Bb4 Ndf6 22.Ba5 Qc6 23.Rhe1 Nf4 24.h4 Rbc8 25.Bf1 Qe6 26.Qh1
26.Qe3 Bf8 27.Qa7 Ba8 28.Bb4 Bxb4 29.axb4 Re7 30.Qg1=
26...Ba8 27.Rd2 Rxc3 28.Bxc3
28.bxc3 Nxe4 29.Rxe4 Qc6 30.c4 Rc8 31.cxb5 axb5 32.Bg2 Nxg2 33.Ree2 Nf4 34.Qxc6 Bxc6
35.Re1 f5 36.Bc3 Be4 37.Bb4 Bf3³
28...Nxe4 29.Rxe4 Qc6 30.Bg2
30.Bd3 f5 31.Qg1 fxe4 32.Be2 Qf6 33.Nc5 Qb6 34.b4 Qf6 35.Bg4 Nd5 36.Bb2=
30...Nxg2 31.Rg4
31.Ree2 Nf4 32.Qxc6 Bxc6 33.Re1µ
31...Ne3 32.Qxc6 Bxc6 33.Rg1 Nd5 34.Ba5 Bh6 35.Rdg2
35.Rd3 e4 36.Rdg3 Kh7 37.Nd4 Bd7 38.b3 Bc8 39.Rg5 Bxg5 40.hxg5µ
35...Kh7 36.Bd2
36.Rf2 f5 37.h5 Be3 38.Rxg6 Bxf2 39.Rxc6 Bh4 40.Rxa6 f4 41.c4 bxc4 42.Nd2 e4 43.Rd6 Re5µ
36...Nf4 37.Rh2
37.Rf2 f5 38.Rg3 Ba8 39.Nc5 Nh5 40.Rg1 e4 41.Bxh6 Kxh6 42.Rd2 e3 (42...Nf4 43.Rd6 e3 44.Nd3

537
Ng2 45.Kc1µ) 43.Rd6 Nf4 44.Nd3 Ng2 45.Rxa6 Be4 46.Kc1 b4 47.Nc5 bxa3 48.bxa3 Nf4µ
37...f5 38.Rd1
38.Bc1 Ne6 39.Rf2 Bxc1 40.Kxc1 f4 41.Rd2 e4 42.Rd6 Ba8 43.Kd2 e3+ 44.Ke2 Re7 45.Rg4 Kh6
46.Nc1 Kh5 47.Rg1 Be4µ
38...Bf3 39.Rf1 Be2 40.Re1 Bg4 41.Be3
41.Bc1 e4 42.Rd2 Re7 43.Nc5 Bf3 44.Rd6 Ng2 45.Rf1 Nxh4 46.Ne6 e3 47.Bxe3 Bxe3 48.Nf8+
Kh6 49.Nxg6 Nxg6 50.Rxf3 f4 51.Rxf4 Bxf4 52.Rxa6-+; 41.Bc3 e4 42.Rd2 e3 43.Rd7+ Kg8
44.Nd4 Bf8 45.Rg1 e2 46.Be1 Re4 47.h5 Bc5 48.Rd8+ Kf7 49.hxg6+ Kxg6 50.c3 Ne6-+
41...Nh5 42.Bg5 e4 43.Rg2 Nf4 44.Rd2 Bxg5 45.hxg5 Ne6 46.Rd7+ Kg8 47.Rd6 Kf7 48.Rxa6
Nxg5 49.a4
49.Nc1 f4 50.Rg1 Bc8 51.Rc6 f3 52.Rxg5 f2 53.Rcxg6 f1=Q 54.Rg7+ Ke6 55.R5g6+ Kd5 56.Rg1
Qf2 57.R7g2 Qf8-+
49...bxa4 50.Nc5 f4 51.Rxa4 Bf5 52.Nb7 Kf6 53.Kc1 Re6 54.Nc5 Re7 55.Na6
55.Ra6+ Kg7 56.Ra4 f3 57.Nd3 Rc7 58.Kd1 exd3 59.cxd3 Bxd3-+
55...f3 56.Nb4 Rd7 57.Ra3 Ne6 58.Na2 g5 59.Rae3 Nf4 60.Rf1 g4 61.Nc3 Ke5 62.Rfe1 Ng2
63.Rxe4+ Bxe4 64.Rxe4+ Kf5 65.Re8 Nf4 66.Ne4 Ne2+ 67.Kb1 g3 68.Nxg3+ Nxg3 69.Rf8+ Ke4
70.c4 Nf5 71.Re8+ Re7 72.Rd8 f2 73.Rd1 Kf4 74.Ka2 Re1 0-1

95. !N B94
Martinez Ramirez, Lennis (2458) - Grigoryan, Karen H (2634)
Malaga 151/95, 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 Nbd7 7.Bc4 Qa5 8.Qd2 e6 9.O-O-O b5
10.Bd5 b4 11.Bxa8 bxc3 12.bxc3 Qxa2 13.Qe2 Be7 14.f4

538
14.Kd2 - 113/90
14...h6!N
14...d5 15.exd5 exd5 16.Kd2! Ne4+ 17.Ke1²; 14...Qa3+ 15.Kd2 Qc5©
15.Bxf6
15.Bh4?! d5 (15...Qa3+ 16.Kd2 O-O 17.Nb3 d5³) 16.exd5 (16.e5? Ne4-+) 16...exd5 17.Bxf6 Nxf6
18.Bc6+ Kf8 19.Kd2 Ne4+ 20.Ke3 Qa3µ; 15.Kd2!? Qa5 16.Qc4 Nb6 17.Qc6+ Bd7 18.Ra1! Bxc6
19.Bxc6+ Kd8 20.Rxa5 Nc4+ 21.Kd3 Nxa5 22.Ra1 hxg5 23.Rxa5 Nd7 24.Bxd7 Kxd7 25.Rxa6
Rxh2 26.Ra7+ Ke8 27.Nc6 Bf8 28.Ra8+ Kd7 29.Nd4 Be7 30.Ra7+ Ke8=
15...Bxf6 16.Kd2 Qa5 17.Qc4?!
17.Qe3 Qc7 18.Rb1 Qa7 19.Bc6 O-O 20.h4 Qc7 21.Bxd7 Bxd7©
17...O-O 18.Nc6?!
18.Ra1 Qh5 19.Bc6 e5 20.Qe2 Qg6 21.Nf3 exf4 22.Rhb1 Ne5³
18...Qb6 19.Nd4
19.Qb4 Qf2+ 20.Kc1 Nb6 21.Qxd6 Nxa8-+
19...d5
19...Qb8 20.Bc6 d5 21.exd5 (21.Qe2 Qxf4+ 22.Ke1 dxe4 23.Qxe4 Qc7-+) 21...exd5 22.Qxd5
Qxf4+ 23.Ke1 Re8+ 24.Ne2 Bxc3+-+
20.exd5

539
20...Qb8! 21.dxe6
21.g3 Qxa8 22.dxe6 Nb6 23.exf7+ Rxf7 24.Qb3 Nd5-+
21...Nb6
21...Qxf4+ 22.Ke2 Nb6 23.Qc6 Nxa8 24.exf7+ (24.Qxa8 Bxe6-+) 24...Kh7 25.Qe8 Bg4+ 26.Nf3
Qc4+ 27.Rd3 Rxf7-+
22.exf7+ Rxf7 23.Qf1 Qxa8-+ 24.Rb1 Nd5 25.Qf3 Bxd4 26.cxd4 Rxf4 27.Qe2 Bf5 28.Rhe1 Kh7
29.Kc1 Rxd4 30.Qe5 Qc8 31.Rb2 Rc4 32.Re2 Nf4 33.Rd2 Nd3+ 34.Rxd3 Bxd3 35.c3 Rxc3+
36.Kd2 Rc2+ 37.Kxd3 Qc4+ 0-1

96. B97
Gabrielian, Artur (2464) - Shomoev, Anton (2578)
Chelyabinsk 151/96, 2022

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 Qb6 8.Qd2 Qxb2 9.Rb1 Qa3
10.Be2 Nbd7 11.O-O Be7 12.f5 e5 13.Ne6
13.Nb3 - 31/324
13...fxe6 14.fxe6 O-O?!
14...Nf8 15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.Nd5 Qc5+ 17.Kh1 h6! (17...Bxe6 - 45/299) 18.Nb6 Rb8 19.Bh5+ Kd8
20.Rf3 Bxe6 21.Rc3 Qd4 22.Rd3 Qc5 23.Rc3 Qd4=; 14...Nc5!? 15.Rxf6 gxf6 16.Bh5+ Kd8 17.Bxf6
Nxe6! 18.Bxh8 Bg5! (18...Nf4? 19.Bxe5+-) 19.Qe1 Nf4 20.h4 Be7 21.Bf3 Be6 22.Nd5 Nxd5
23.exd5 Bxd5 24.Bxd5 Qc5+ 25.Kh2 Qxd5 26.Rd1 Qe6 27.Bxe5 Ke8 28.Bd4 Qxe1 29.Rxe1 Kd7=
15.exd7 Bxd7 16.Nd5 Bd8 17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.Nxf6+ gxf6N

540
18...Rxf6 19.Rxf6 gxf6 20.Rxb7 (20.Rb3 Qc5+ 21.Kh1 Qd4 22.Rd3 (22.Qxd4 exd4 23.Rxb7 Bb5
24.Bg4 Re8=) 22...Qa1+ 23.Bd1 Bc6 24.Rg3+ Kf7 25.Qe1! Qxa2 26.Bh5+ Ke6 27.Rg7±) 20...Qc5+
21.Kh1 Ra7 22.Rb8+ Kg7 23.Qe1 Qxc2 24.Qg3+ Kh6 25.Qe3+ Kg7 26.Qxa7+-
19.Rxb7?!
19.Rb3 Qc5+ 20.Kh1 Qc7 21.Qh6 Bc6 22.Rxf6±
19...Qc5+ 20.Kh1 Bc6 21.Rc7 Ra7 22.Rxa7 Qxa7 23.Qxd6 Bxe4 24.Bxa6

24.Bf3 Bxf3 25.Rxf3 Qd4 26.Qe6+ Kh8 27.h3²

24...Bxc2?
24...Qd4! 25.Qxd4 (25.Qe6+ Kh8=) 25...exd4 26.Bd3 f5! 27.a4 (27.Bxe4 fxe4 28.Rxf8+ Kxf8
29.Kg1 Ke7 30.Kf2 Kd6 31.a4 Kc5 32.g4 Kb4 33.Ke2 Kxa4 34.g5 Kb4 35.h4 Kc3 36.Kd1 e3
37.h5 e2+ 38.Kxe2 Kxc2 39.g6 d3+ 40.Ke3 hxg6 41.hxg6=) 27...Ra8 28.Ra1 Ra5 29.Kg1 Kf7
30.Ra2 h5=
25.Rxf6 Rxf6 26.Qxf6 Qd4 27.h3 Bb1
27...Bd3 28.Bb7 Bc4 29.Qg5+ Kf8 30.Qf5+ Bf7 31.Kh2+-
28.a3 Ba2 29.Kh2 Bf7 30.Bb5 Bd5 31.Qg5+ Kf7 32.a4 e4 33.Qf4+ Ke7 34.Qc7+ Kf6 35.Qd6+
Kg5 36.Bc6
36.h4+! Kxh4 (36...Kf5 37.Bd7++-) 37.Qf4+ Kh5 38.Be8+ Bf7 39.Bxf7#
36...e3 37.Bxd5 e2 38.Qg3+ Kh6 39.Bf3 Qe3 40.Qh4+ Kg7 41.Qg4+ Kh6 42.Qh5+ Kg7 43.Bxe2
Qf4+ 44.Kh1 Qxa4 45.Qg4+ Qxg4 46.Bxg4 1-0

541
C00-C24

97. C02
Grandelius, Nils (2672) - Caruana, Fabiano (2792)
Wijk aan Zee 151/97, 2022

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Bd7 6.Be2 Nge7 7.O-O Ng6 8.Be3 Be7 9.Nbd2
9.dxc5 - 56/(285)
9...O-O 10.Re1 a5N
10...Rc8
11.a3 a4 12.Bd3 cxd4 13.cxd4 h6 14.Qe2 b5!?
14...f5 15.exf6 Rxf6∞
15.g3 Qb6 16.h4 Rfc8?!
16...Rfb8! 17.Kh1 b4 18.Rg1 Bc8 19.h5 Nf8 20.g4 Ba6 21.g5∞
17.Nf1
17.Kh1! b4 18.Rg1 Rab8 19.h5 Nf8 20.g4±
17...b4 18.N1h2 Rab8 19.h5 Nf8 20.Ng4 bxa3 21.bxa3 Qb2 22.Nd2

22...Kh8!

542
22...Nxd4?! 23.Nxh6+ gxh6 24.Qg4+ Bg5 (24...Kh8? 25.Bxh6+-) 25.Bxg5 f5 26.exf6 e5 27.Qh4
Qxd2 28.Bxd2 Nf3+ 29.Kg2 Nxh4+ 30.gxh4±
23.Qf3 Be8 24.Nf6 Nxd4 25.Qg4
25.Qf4 Qc3 26.Ba6 (26.Qxd4? gxf6µ) 26...Nf5 27.Bxc8 gxf6 28.Rec1 Qxe5 29.Nf3 Qxf4 30.Bxf4
Rb3³
25...Nf5?!
25...Nc6! 26.Bxh6 (26.Nxe8 Rxe8 27.Qxa4 Nxe5µ) 26...Bxf6 27.exf6 Qxf6 28.Bg5 Qd4 29.Qe2
Ne5! 30.Qxe5 Qxe5 31.Rxe5 f6 32.Bf4 (32.Re3 fxg5µ) 32...fxe5 33.Bxe5 Bxh5 34.Bxb8 Rxb8µ
26.Nxe8 Rxe8 27.Bxf5 exf5 28.Qxf5
28.Qxa4 Ne6∞
28...d4 29.Bf4 Ne6 30.Ne4?!
30.Qxf7? Nxf4 31.Qxf4 Bg5-+; 30.Reb1 Qc3 31.Ne4 Qc2 32.Rc1 Qe2 (32...Qb3 33.Rcb1 Qf3
34.Rxb8 Rxb8 35.Qxf7 Nxf4 36.Qxf4∞) 33.Qxf7 Nxf4 34.Qxf4 d3 (34...Qxh5 35.Nd6 Bxd6
36.exd6=) 35.Nf6!„
30...Nxf4 31.Qxf4 d3 32.Rad1?
32.Nd6 Bxd6 33.exd6 d2 34.Red1 Re2³ (34...Qxa1 35.Rxa1 Re1+ 36.Kg2 Rxa1 37.Qxd2 Rxa3 38.d7
Rd8 39.Qe2 Rg8 40.Qd2=)
32...Bxa3-+ 33.Nd6 Bxd6 34.exd6 Rxe1+ 35.Rxe1

35...Qc3?

543
35...Qb5! 36.d7 Rd8 37.Re7 (37.Qxf7 Qxd7 38.Re7 Qg4-+) 37...Qd5!! 38.Re8+ (38.Rxf7 d2-+)
38...Kh7 39.Rxd8 d2-+
36.Rd1?
36.Rc1! d2 37.Rd1 a3 38.Qxd2=
36...Qc2! 37.Qd2
37.Rd2 Rb1+ 38.Kg2 Qc1 39.Kh3 (39.Kf3 Qh1+ 40.Ke3 Re1+ 41.Kxd3 Qd5+-+) 39...Qh1+
40.Kg4 Qd5-+
37...a3 38.d7
38.Qxd3 Qxd3 39.Rxd3 a2 40.Ra3 Rb1+-+
38...a2 39.Qe1
39.Qxc2 dxc2 40.d8=Q+ Rxd8 41.Rxd8+ Kh7-+
39...Qe2
39...d2-+
40.Kg2 Kh7 41.Qxe2 dxe2 42.Ra1 Rd8 43.Kf3 Rxd7 44.Kxe2 Ra7 0-1

98. C11
Nakamura, Hikaru (2736) - Bacrot, Etienne (2642)
Berlin 151/98, 2022

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3 a6 8.a3 cxd4 9.Nxd4 Bc5 10.Qd2
g5!?
10...O-O - 142/95
11.Nf3N
11.f5 Nxd4 12.Bxd4 Bxd4 13.Qxd4 Qb6 14.Qxb6 Nxb6 15.fxe6 fxe6∞; 11.Nxc6 Bxe3 12.Qxe3
bxc6 13.O-O-O gxf4 14.Qxf4 Qc7 15.Re1 Bb7∞
11...d4! 12.Bxd4 Nxd4 13.Nxd4 gxf4 14.Qxf4 Nxe5 15.Nb3?!
15.Nxe6 Bxe6 16.Qxe5 Bd4 17.Qf4 Qb6 18.Na4 Qa7∞; 15.O-O-O Ng6 16.Qe4 Qh4 17.g4
(17.Qxh4 Nxh4 18.g3 Ng6 19.Bg2 Rb8 20.Rhe1∞) 17...O-O 18.Nf3 Qe7∞; 15.Ndb5 f6 (15...axb5
16.Qxe5 Qd4 17.Bxb5+ Kf8 18.Qe2²) 16.Ne4 O-O 17.Nxc5 axb5 18.Be2 Qc7 19.Qd4∞ (19.Qg3+
Kh8 20.Nd3 Rg8 21.Qf2 Nxd3+ 22.cxd3 Rg6∞)
15...Ng6 16.Qf3

544
16...Ba7?!
16...Be7! 17.Be2 O-O 18.O-O (18.h4 Kh8 19.h5 Ne5 20.Qg3 f6µ) 18...Qb6+ 19.Kh1 Bd7³
17.Bxa6 O-O 18.Bd3 Qh4+ 19.Qg3 Qh6 20.h4?
20.Nd2! Bb8 21.Qf2 Qg7 22.Nf3∞
20...f5?!
20...Be3! 21.Rd1 (21.Ke2 Bf4 22.Qf2 Ne5 23.g3 Qh5+ 24.Ke1 Bh6µ) 21...f5 22.Ne2 Ra4µ
21.Nd2! Bb8 22.Qf2 Ba7
22...Qf4!? 23.Qxf4 Nxf4 24.O-O-O Kf7©
23.Qg3 Bb8 24.Qf2 Ba7 25.Qg3 Bb8 1/2-1/2

99. C11
Esipenko, Andrey (2714) - Bacrot, Etienne (2642)
Berlin 151/99, 2022

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3 a6 8.a3 cxd4 9.Nxd4 Bc5 10.Qd2
O-O
10...g5!? - 151/98
11.O-O-O Rb8 12.h4 Bxd4 13.Bxd4 b5 14.Rh3 Qc7N
14...Nxd4 15.Qxd4 Qe7 16.b4²
15.b4 f6 16.exf6 Nxd4 17.Qxd4 Rxf6 18.Ne2

545
18.Rf3 Bb7 19.Bd3 Rc8 20.Kb2²
18...Nb6 19.Rc3 Nc4 20.g3 Bd7 21.Ng1! Be8 22.Re1
22.Nf3 Bh5 23.Re1 Bxf3 24.Rxf3 a5∞
22...a5 23.Nf3 axb4 24.axb4 Qe7 25.Rb3 Ra8 26.Qc5 Qb7 27.Bxc4 bxc4
27...dxc4 28.Rbe3 Rf5 (28...Bg6 29.Nd4 Ra2 30.h5 Bf5∞) 29.Qd4 Rd5 30.Qc3 Ra2 31.Kb1 (31.Rxe6
Bf7 32.R6e5 Rd8∞) 31...Qa8 32.Nd4 (32.Rxe6? Bg6-+) 32...Bg6 33.f5 Rxf5 34.Nxf5 Bxf5 35.R1e2
h5∞
28.Rb1?
28.Rbe3™ Rc8 29.Qa5 Ra8 30.Qc5=
28...Bg6?
28...Rc8! 29.Qe3 (29.Qd4 c3 30.Ne5 Qa6 31.Re3 Qa3+ 32.Kd1 Bb5µ) 29...c3 30.Rb3 d4! 31.Nxd4

31...e5!! 32.Qxe5 (32.fxe5 Ra6 33.Rb1 (33.Rxc3 Qxb4!-+) 33...Qa8 34.Qf3 Qa7 35.Rf1 Bh5!
36.Qxh5 Ra1-+) 32...Bf7 (32...Qa8!?) 33.Nf5 Bxb3 34.Ne7+ Kh8 35.Nxc8 Re6 36.Qxc3 Rxe1+
37.Qxe1 Qxc8³
29.b5 Be4 30.Nd4

546
30...Rc8?
30...e5! 31.fxe5 Rf2 32.b6 (32.e6 h6! 33.e7 c3∞) 32...Qa6 33.b7 (33.Qd6 Qa5 34.Qb4 Qa2 35.Qc3
Ra3 36.Qb2 c3 37.Qxa2 Rxa2=) 33...Rb8 34.Qd6 Qa7 35.Nc6 (35.e6 h6! 36.Qxb8+ Qxb8 37.e7 Kf7
38.Nc6 c3!=) 35...c3! 36.Nxa7 Rxc2+ 37.Kd1 Rd2+ 38.Kc1 Rc2+=
31.Nc6 Rf7
31...Ra8 32.b6 Rf7 33.Na5 Qd7 34.b7 Rb8 35.Rb6+-
32.Ra1 Rfc7 33.Ra6!+- Qxa6
33...h6 34.Qb6 Qxb6 35.Rxb6+-
34.bxa6 Rxc6 35.Qb5 Rc5 36.Qd7 c3 1-0

100. C24
Nevednichy, Vladislav (2514) - Istratescu, Andrei (2478)
Romania 151/100, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.d3 c6 4.Nf3 d5 5.Bb3 Bb4+ 6.Bd2

6.c3 - 122/98
6...Bxd2+ 7.Qxd2 Qd6
7...O-O - 131/105
8.Qg5
8.h3 O-O 9.Nc3 Be6 (9...Nbd7 10.O-O a6 11.Rfe1 b5 12.a4 d4 13.Ne2 Nc5 14.Nexd4 exd4 15.e5
Nxb3 16.cxb3 Qd8 17.exf6 Qxf6 18.Qg5²) 10.O-O Nbd7 11.Ng5 Nc5 12.exd5 Bxd5 13.Bxd5 Nxd5

547
14.Nge4 Qe7=; 8.Nc3 d4 (8...Be6 9.O-O Nbd7 10.exd5 cxd5 11.d4 e4 12.Ng5 O-O 13.Rae1ƒ … f3)
9.Ne2 a5 (9...Bg4 10.Qg5 Nbd7 11.Qxg7 O-O-O 12.Qg5!) 10.a4 (10.c3 a4 11.cxd4 axb3 12.dxe5
Nxe4! 13.dxe4 Qxd2+ 14.Kxd2 bxa2 15.Nc1 Be6 16.Nd4 Nd7 17.f4 g5 18.f5 Bc4 19.b3 c5„)
10...O-O 11.O-O c5 (11...Be6 12.Nexd4!±; 11...Qc7 12.c3 c5 13.Rac1 Qb6 14.Bc4²; 11...Nbd7
12.Ba2 … c3²) 12.Ng3 Nc6 13.Qg5!? h6 14.Nf5 Bxf5 15.Qxf5 Qc7 16.g4ƒ
8...O-O
8...Nbd7!? 9.exd5 (9.Qxg7?! Rg8 10.Qh6 a5!? 11.a4 Nxe4! 12.Qxh7 Ndf6 13.Qh4 Nc5 14.Nbd2
Bf5 15.O-O-O O-O-O³; 9.Nc3 O-O 10.exd5 cxd5 11.O-O d4 12.Ne4 Nxe4 13.dxe4 h6 14.Qg3 Re8
15.c3 dxc3 16.bxc3 Nc5„) 9...cxd5

10.Nh4!? (10.Qxg7 Rg8 11.Qh6 Rxg2 12.Nbd2 (12.Nc3 Rg6! 13.Qh4 d4 14.Ne4 Nxe4 15.Qxe4
Nc5 16.Qd5 Qxd5 17.Bxd5 f6 18.O-O-O Bh3 19.Rhg1 O-O-O³) 12...b5!? 13.a4 Rg6 14.Qe3 d4
15.Qe2 Bb7!? 16.Rg1 (16.axb5 Nh5„) 16...Bxf3 17.Nxf3 Rxg1+ 18.Nxg1 bxa4 19.Bxa4 Kf8
20.Qd2 Rb8 21.Qh6+ Ke7 22.Bb3 e4 23.dxe4 d3 24.Nf3 Qb4+ 25.Kd1 Qxe4 26.Qe3 dxc2+
27.Bxc2 Qxe3 28.fxe3 Nd5=; 10.d4 e4 11.Ne5!? (11.Nh4 Nb6 12.Qxg7 Qf4! 13.Qxh8+ Ke7
14.Nc3 Qxh4 15.Qg7 Bg4∞) 11...O-O 12.Nc3 Nb6 13.f3 Be6 14.O-O-Oƒ Rac8 (14...a5!?) 15.Qd2
a6 16.Rhe1 exf3 17.gxf3 Nfd7 18.h4²) 10...g6 (10...Qb4+ 11.c3 Qb6 12.O-O O-O 13.Nf5 g6 14.d4ƒ)
11.O-O h6 (11...b6 12.d4! Bb7 13.dxe5 Nxe5 14.Nc3 h6 15.Qf4 O-O 16.h3 Kg7 17.Nb5 Qd7
18.Rfe1²) 12.Qg3 (12.Qd2 Kf8 13.d4 Kg7 (13...e4 14.f3!→) 14.Nc3 Ne4 15.Nxe4 dxe4 16.Rad1
exd4 17.f3 e3 18.Qxd4+ Qxd4 19.Rxd4 Nc5 20.g4 b6 21.Ng2 Ba6 22.Re1 Rhd8„) 12...Nh5 13.Qe3
d4 14.Qf3 O-O 15.Nd2 (15.Nf5 Qc7! 16.Nxh6+ (16.Ne7+ Kg7 17.Nd5 Qc6 18.g4 Nf4 19.Nd2
Nxd5 20.Bxd5 Qc7 21.Ne4 f5! 22.gxf5 Rxf5 23.Qg2 Rf4 24.Rae1 Nb6 25.Bb3 a5ƒ) 16...Kh7
17.Nxf7 Ndf6 18.g3 Rxf7 19.Bxf7 Qxf7 20.Nd2 Bg4 21.Qg2 Re8 22.Rfe1 Qc7∞) 15...Nc5
(15...Nf4!? 16.Nc4 Qe7 17.g3 Nh3+ 18.Kh1 a5 19.a4 Nc5 20.Rae1 Ng5 21.Qd1 b6 22.f3 Qc7
23.Rxe5 Qc6„) 16.Rfe1 (16.Ne4 Nxe4 17.Qxe4 Be6 18.Bxe6 Qxe6 19.Rae1 Rac8 20.Nf3 Rxc2

548
21.Nxe5 Rxb2 22.Qxd4 Qb6!„) 16...Be6! (16...Kg7 17.Nc4 Qd8 18.g3 f6 19.c3! (19.Qe2 Kh7
20.f4 a5! 21.f5 Bxf5 22.Nxf5 a4∞) 19...Be6 20.Nd2 dxc3 21.bxc3 Nxb3 22.axb3 Bd5 23.Qg4 Bf7
24.d4²) 17.Nc4 Qd8 18.g3 Bd5 19.Qg4 e4! 20.dxe4 Bxe4 21.Rad1 Nf6 22.Qe2 Nxb3 23.axb3 b5
24.Ne5 Re8„
9.Qxe5
9.exd5 cxd5 10.O-O Nc6 11.Nc3 h6 12.Qh4 Bf5 13.Rfe1 Rfe8 14.h3 Rad8 15.Rad1 d4ƒ; 9.Nc3 Re8
10.O-O Bg4!? (10...dxe4 11.Nxe4 Nxe4 12.dxe4 h6 13.Qh5 Be6 14.Rfd1 Qc7 15.Nh4ƒ) 11.Nd2
(11.Nh4 Nbd7 12.exd5 h6! 13.Nf5 Bxf5 14.Qxf5 Nxd5=) 11...h6 12.Qh4 d4 13.Ncb1 a5 14.a4
Nbd7 15.f4 exf4 16.h3 Be6 17.Bxe6 fxe6 18.Qxf4 Qb4„
9...Qxe5 10.Nxe5 dxe4 11.d4 Nbd7
11...c5 12.dxc5 Nbd7 13.Nxd7 Nxd7 14.c6 bxc6 15.Nc3 Nc5 16.O-O-O Bf5 17.Rd4²; 11...Bf5
12.Nc3 (12.Nd2!? a5 13.a4 Nbd7 14.Nec4 Bg6 15.Ne3 Nb6 16.c3 Nfd5 17.h4²) 12...Nbd7 13.Nc4
b5 14.Ne3 g6!? (14...Be6 15.d5 cxd5 16.O-O-O²) 15.h3 a5 16.a4 b4 17.Ne2 Nb6!? (17...Be6
18.Bxe6 fxe6 19.Nc4 Nd5 20.O-O N7b6 21.Nxb6 Nxb6 22.Rfe1 Rad8 23.b3 Nd5 24.Ng3 e3
25.fxe3 e5 26.Ne4²) 18.Nxf5 gxf5 19.g4 Rfe8 20.gxf5 Kf8 21.O-O-O e3 22.f3 Nfd7 … c5∞
12.Nc3²

12...c5N
¹12...Nb6 13.O-O-O Nbd5 14.Rhe1 (14.Rde1!? Bf5 15.h3 Rae8 16.g4 Nxc3 17.bxc3 Be6 18.g5
Nd5 19.Kb2²) 14...Nxc3 15.bxc3 Bf5 16.h3 h5 17.c4 Rfe8 18.c5 Be6 19.Kb2 Rac8 20.g4 hxg4
21.hxg4 Nh7 22.a4! Ng5 23.a5²
13.Nxd7 Bxd7

549
13...Nxd7 14.O-O-O e3 15.fxe3 b6 16.Bd5 Rb8 17.Ne4+-
14.dxc5!
14.O-O-O cxd4 15.Rxd4 Rfe8 16.Re1²
14...Rac8 15.O-O-O! Bf5
15...Rxc5 16.Nxe4! Nxe4 17.Rxd7 Nxf2 18.Re1 … Ree7+-; 15...Bc6 16.Rhe1 Rfe8 17.Ba4±
16.Bd5 Rxc5 17.Bxb7± Ng4
17...Rb8 18.Rhe1 Re5 19.Ba6 g5 20.Bc4±
18.Rd2 e3 19.fxe3 Nxe3 20.Re1 Nc4 21.Rd5! Rxd5 22.Bxd5 Nb6 23.Bb3 Nc8 24.Re5 g6
25.Nb5+- Kg7 26.Rc5 1-0

550
C25-C49

101. C30
Hauge, Lars Oskar (2513) - Andersen, Mads (2570)
Reykjavik 151/101, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bc4 Nc6 4.d3 Bc5 5.f4 d6 6.Nf3 exf4
6...a6 - 77/ 294
7.Bxf4 O-O 8.Qd2 Be6 9.Bb3 a5! 10.Bg5 h6 11.Bh4 Nd4 12.Rf1N
12.Bf2
12...Nxf3+
12...Nxe4 13.Qf4 Nxf3+ 14.Rxf3 Ng5
13.Rxf3

13...Nxe4!³ 14.Qf4
14.Qxh6 gxh6 15.Bxd8 Nxc3 16.Rg3+ Kh7 17.Bf6 Rg8 18.Bxc3 Rxg3 19.hxg3 d5!³
14...Ng5 15.Ne4
15.O-O-O d5! 16.Rff1 Bd6 17.Qd4 c6µ
15...Bxb3 16.axb3 Nxf3+ 17.gxf3 f6

551
17...Be3! 18.Qg3 f6 19.f4 Bb6 20.O-O-O a4-+
18.O-O-O Qe7
18...g5 19.Qf5
19.d4 Bb6 20.Ng3 g5 21.Nf5 gxf4 22.Nxe7+ Kf7 23.Nd5 Rae8 24.c3 Ke6 25.Nxf4+ Kf5 26.Nd5
Re2 27.Bg3 Rfe8 28.Rf1 h5 29.Nf4 R2e3 30.Nxh5 Rg8 31.Kd2 Re7 32.Nf4 c6 33.Ng2 d5 34.Ne3+
Ke6 35.Kd3 Bc7 36.f4
36.Nxd5 Kxd5 37.c4+ Ke6 38.Re1+ Kd7 39.Rxe7+ Kxe7 40.Bxc7 Rg2 41.Bxa5 Rxb2-+
36...Kd7 37.Rf3 b5 38.Bh4 Re4 39.Bg3 a4 40.bxa4 bxa4 41.Rf2 Rb8 42.Ng4 f5?!
42...Ke7-+
43.Nf6+ Ke6 44.Nxe4 fxe4+ 45.Kc2 Kf5µ 46.Rf1 Bd6 47.Ra1 Rh8 48.Rxa4 Bxf4 49.Ra7 Bxg3
50.hxg3 Rh2+ 51.Kc1 Kg4-+ 52.Rf7 e3 53.b3 Kxg3
53...Rh1+ 54.Kc2 e2
54.Kd1 Rf2 55.Re7 Kf3 56.Ke1 Rb2 0-1

102. C42
Shahinyan, David (2486) - Petrosian, Tigran L (2573)
Armenia (ch) 151/102, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nxe5 O-O 5.Nd3 Bxc3 6.dxc3 Nxe4 7.Nf4
7.Be2 - 94/224
7...Re8 8.Be3 d6 9.Qf3N
9.Be2
9...Nd7 10.O-O-O Ndf6 11.h3

552
11.Qe2?! Nxf2!µ
11...Bd7! 12.c4
12.Bd3 Bc6 13.Qe2 Re5! 14.Rhe1 Qe7 15.f3 Nc5„
12...Bc6 13.Nd5 Bxd5 14.cxd5 c6
14...c5 15.g4 Qa5 16.Kb1 b5 17.Bd3 c4 18.Bxe4 Nxe4 19.Rd4 Nc5 20.g5 Re5 21.Rf4ƒ
15.Bc4 b5
15...Qa5!? 16.Kb1 Re7 (16...cxd5 17.Bb3©) 17.g4 Qb4 18.Bb3 Rae8„
16.Bb3?!
16.Bd3 cxd5 (16...c5!? 17.g4 Qa5 18.Kb1 c4 19.Bxe4 Nxe4 20.Rd4³) 17.Kb1 Rc8=
16...c5µ 17.c3 a5 18.Bc2 a4 19.Rhe1 a3 20.Bf4 axb2+ 21.Kxb2 b4-+
21...Qa5 22.Bxe4 Qa3+ 23.Kb1 b4 24.cxb4 Qxa2+ 25.Kc1 Qc4+ 26.Bc2 Ra1+ 27.Kd2 Qxb4+-+
22.cxb4 Qb6 23.Qb3 cxb4 24.Be3 Nc5 25.Qc4 Rec8 26.Bb3 Qa5 27.Bxc5 Rxc5 28.Qe2 Rc3
29.Rd3 Rxb3+! 30.axb3 Qa2+ 31.Kc1 Rc8+ 32.Kd1 Qb1+ 33.Kd2 Qc2+ 34.Ke3 Re8+ 0-1

103. C42
Noman Khan, Muhammad - Gonen, Barak
corr 151/103, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Bd3 Nf6 6.c3

6.h3 - 94/(224)

553
6...Be7 7.O-O O-O 8.Re1 Re8 9.Bc2 d5 10.d4 Bd6 11.Bg5 Rxe1+ 12.Qxe1 [… Bf6] 12...Be6
13.Nbd2
13.Ne5 h6 14.Bh4 c5 15.dxc5 Bxc5=
13...h6N
13...Nbd7 14.Ne5 c6 15.Ndf3 Qc7 16.h3 Re8∞
14.Be3 Nbd7 15.a4 Ng4 16.h3 Nxe3 17.Qxe3 Nf6 18.a5
18.Ne5 a5 19.f4 b6=
18...b6 19.Qe1 c5 20.axb6 axb6 21.Rxa8 Qxa8 22.Nf1 Qa7 23.Ng3 Qa6 24.Nf5 Bf8 25.Ng3 c4
26.Bf5 b5 27.Bxe6 Qxe6 28.Qa1 b4 29.Ne5
29.cxb4! Bxb4 30.Ne5
29...g6
29...b3!³
30.Qa8
30.cxb4 Bxb4 31.Qa8+ Kg7 32.Ne2=
30...Kg7³ [… Bd6] 31.f4

31.cxb4! Bxb4 32.Qb7 Bd2³

31...b3! 32.f5
32.Qa7 h5µ

554
32...gxf5 33.Ne2 Nh5 34.g4 fxg4 35.hxg4 f6! 36.Qb7+ Kg8!
36...Be7 37.Qd7 Qd6µ
37.Qd7 Ng7 38.Nf4 Qxd7 39.Nxd7 Ba3!
39...f5? 40.Nxf8 Kxf8 41.gxf5 Nxf5=
40.Nxd5?
40.bxa3? b2 41.Kf2 b1=Q-+; 40.Nxf6+ Kf7 41.Nd7 Bxb2µ
40...Ne8! 41.N7b6
41.bxa3? b2 42.Kf2 b1=Q-+
41...Bxb2 42.Nxc4 Bc1 43.Kf1?
43.Ne7+ Kf7 44.Nc8 f5 45.gxf5 Kf6 46.Kf2 h5µ
43...Nd6! 44.Ndb6 Nxc4 45.Nxc4 b2 46.Na3 Kf8 47.c4 Be3 48.Ke2 Bg1 49.Kd3

49...f5! 50.gxf5 h5 51.Kc2

51.c5 h4 52.Ke4 Ke7-+
51...h4 [… h3-+] 52.c5 h3 53.c6 Bh2 54.Kxb2 Bg3 0-1

104. * C42
Grandelius, Nils (2672) - Karjakin, Sergey (2743)
Wijk aan Zee 151/104, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Nc3 Nxc3 6.dxc3 Be7 7.Be3 Nd7 8.Qd3

555
8.Qd2 - 147/94
8...Nc5N
8...O-O - 151/(104) 9.O-O-O Nf6 10.h3 c5 11.Kb1 (11.g4!?) 11...b5!?

12.Qxb5?! (12.Nh4 g6∞) 12...Bd7 13.Qa6 Rb8 14.Bc4 Qc7 15.Bf4 Ne4 16.Rhe1 Nxc3+ 17.Kc1
Bb5? (17...Rb6! 18.Qa3 Nxd1 19.Rxe7 Nxb2µ; 17...Nxd1 18.Rxe7 Nxb2 19.Qxd6 Qxd6 20.Bxd6
Nxc4 21.Bxb8 Bxh3 22.gxh3 Rxb8 23.Rxa7∞) 18.Bxb5 Nxb5 Zhao,J (2638)-Xu,Y (2527) China (ch)
151/(104) 2021 (18...Nxb5 19.c4±)
9.Bxc5 dxc5 10.Qxd8+ Bxd8 11.Bc4 O-O 12.O-O-O Re8 13.Rhe1 Rxe1 14.Rxe1 Bd7 15.h4
15.Ne5 Bg5+ 16.Kb1 Be8=
15...Kf8 16.Ng5
16.Ne5 Be8 17.g3 Be7 18.Bd5 c6 19.Bg2=
16...b5 17.Nxh7+
17.Bd3 h6 18.Nf3 Bf6 19.Ne5 Be8³
17...Kg8 18.Bd3 Bxh4 19.g3 Bd8 20.f4 f6 21.Bg6 c6 22.c4 bxc4 23.c3?!
23.f5 Bc7 24.Re3∞
23...Bc7 24.Re3

556
24...Rd8?
24...Bh3! 25.Re7 Bd6 26.Rb7 a5 (26...Bc8 27.Rf7 Bg4µ) 27.a4 Rd8µ
25.f5! Bc8 26.Kc2 Be5 27.g4 Rd3 28.Re4!
28.Rxd3 cxd3+ 29.Kxd3 Ba6+ 30.Ke3 Bc4 31.a3 Bd5-+ ×Nh7
28...Rd5 29.a4 a5 30.Re2 Bd7 31.Re4 Bd6 32.Re3 Re5 33.Rxe5 Bxe5 34.Kb1 Bf4 35.Kc2 Bc8
36.Kb1 Ba6 37.Ka2 Be3 1/2-1/2

105. C47
Karjakin, Sergey (2743) - Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi (2727)
Wijk aan Zee 151/105, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Bb4 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.Bd3 d5 8.Bd2
8.exd5 - 147/100
8...O-O 9.O-O Bxc3 10.Bxc3 dxe4 11.Bxf6 Qxf6 12.Bxe4 Qxb2 13.Bxc6 Rb8 14.Rb1 Qxb1
15.Qxb1 Rxb1 16.Rxb1 Rd8 17.Bf3 Kf8 18.Rb8 Re8 19.h4 Ba6
19...Bf5 20.Rb7 Bxc2 21.Rxc7 Be4! 22.Rxa7 Bxf3 23.gxf3 Rc8 24.Kg2 Rc4 25.Kg3 g6 26.Ra5 Kg7
27.f4 Kf6 28.a4 h5 29.Ra7 Ke6 30.Ra6+ Kf5 31.Ra5+ Kf6=
20.Rb3

557
20...Re5?!N
20...Re1+! 21.Kh2 Re5 22.Rc3 Be2 23.Bxe2 Rxe2 24.Kg3 Re4 25.Rxc7 Ra4 26.c4 Rxa2=
21.Rc3 Re7?
21...Be2! 22.Bxe2 Rxe2 23.Rxc7 Re4 24.Rxa7 Rxh4 25.Rb7 (25.c3 Rc4 26.Ra3 h5=) 25...Rc4 26.Rb2
h5 27.a3 g5 28.Ra2 Ra4=
22.Ra3
22.Rc5±
22...Re6
22...Be2!
23.Bd5 Rb6 24.Bb3 c5 25.Ra4 g6 26.f3 Rd6

558
27.c4! Ke7 28.Ra5 Kd8?
28...Rc6 29.Ba4 Rb6 30.Rxc5 Rb4 31.Ra5 Bxc4 32.Rxa7+ Kf6 33.a3 Rb2²
29.Rxc5 Bc8 30.Kf2 Rd2+ 31.Kg3 h6 32.h5 Rd6 33.hxg6 fxg6 34.Kf4 g5+ 35.Ke5 Re6+ 36.Kd4
Re2 37.g4 Rd2+ 38.Ke3 Rd6
¹38...Rh2
39.Ra5 Re6+ 40.Kd4 Rf6 41.Bd1 a6 42.Be2 Rf4+ 43.Ke3 Bb7

44.Rf5! Rxf5 45.gxf5 Ke7 46.c5 Kf6 47.Bd3 Ke5 48.Be4 Bc8 49.c6 h5 50.c7! a5

559
RR50...Kd6 51.f6! Ke6 (51...Be6 52.f7 Ke7 53.Bg6 h4 54.Bh5 h3 55.Kf2 Bc8 56.Bg4+-; 51...h4
52.f4 g4 53.f5 h3 54.Kf2 a5 55.Kg3 Kd7 56.Kxg4+-) 52.Bf5+!+- Perunovic,Milos
51.a4 Kf6 52.Kf2!+- h4 53.Kg2 Ke5 54.Kh2 Kf6 55.Bd3 Ke5 56.Bf1! Kf6 57.Bh3 Bd7
57...Ke5 58.f6
58.Bg4 Bc8 59.Kg2 Bd7 60.Kf2 Bc8 61.Ke3 Bd7 62.Kd4 Bc8 63.Kc5 Kf7 64.Kb6 1-0

560
C50-C74

106. C50
Carlsen, Magnus (2865) - Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi (2727)
Wijk aan Zee 151/106, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.d3 Nc6 4.Nf3 Bc5 5.Nc3 h6 6.h3

6.O-O - 50/339
6...a6 7.a4 d6 8.Be3 Bxe3 9.fxe3 Be6 10.b3 O-O 11.O-O d5N
11...Na5
12.exd5 Nxd5 13.Qd2 Nxc3 14.Qxc3 Qd6 15.Nd2 f5 16.Bxe6+
16.Rf2 Rf7 17.Raf1 Raf8 18.Bxe6 Qxe6∞
16...Qxe6 17.Qc4 Qxc4 18.bxc4 e4 19.d4
19.dxe4 Rad8 20.Rf2 fxe4 21.Rxf8+ Kxf8 22.Nxe4 Na5=; 19.Rab1 exd3 20.cxd3 b6=
19...f4
19...Nb4 20.Rac1 b5!? 21.axb5 axb5 22.cxb5 Ra3 23.Rfe1 Rc3©
20.Rxf4 Rxf4 21.exf4 Nxd4 22.Nxe4 Ne2+ 23.Kf2 Nxf4 24.Rb1 b6 25.c5 Rf8 26.cxb6 cxb6
26...Nd5+ 27.Ke2 Nxb6 28.a5 Nc4=
27.c4 Nd5+ 28.Ke2 Re8?
28...Nf6 29.Nc3 (29.Nd6 Nd7=) 29...Nd7 30.Nd5 Re8+ 31.Kd2 a5=
29.cxd5! Rxe4+ 30.Kd3 Rxa4 31.d6 Kf7 32.Re1! Ra5 33.Kd4 Ra2 34.Kd5 Rd2+
34...Rxg2 35.d7 Rd2+ 36.Kc6 Rc2+ 37.Kxb6 Rd2 38.Kc7 Rc2+ 39.Kd8 g5 40.Re7+ Kf8 41.Re6 Kf7
42.Rxh6+-
35.Kc6 b5 36.d7?
36.Re7+! Kf6 (36...Kf8 37.Rc7+-) 37.Re4! Rc2+ 38.Kb7 Rd2 (38...Rxg2 39.Rd4! Ke5 40.Rd1 Rf2
41.d7 Rf8 42.Kxa6!+-; 38...b4 39.d7 Rd2 40.Kc7 Rc2+ 41.Kd8 a5 42.Ke8 Rd2 43.d8=Q+ Rxd8+
44.Kxd8 b3 45.Kd7+-) 39.Kc7 Rc2+ 40.Kd8 Rxg2 41.d7 Rd2

561
42.Re8!! (42.Ke8? g5! 43.d8=Q+ Rxd8+ 44.Kxd8 h5=) 42...Rc2 (42...g5 43.Kc7 h5 44.d8=Q+ Rxd8
45.Rxd8 g4 46.hxg4 hxg4 47.Kd6 Kf5 48.Kd5+-; 42...Kg5 43.Re6 Kh4 44.Kc7 Rxd7+ 45.Kxd7
Kxh3 46.Rg6!+-) 43.Rf8+ Kg5 (43...Kg6 44.Ke7 Re2+ 45.Kd6 Rd2+ 46.Kc6+-) 44.Ke7 Rd2
45.d8=Q Rxd8 46.Rxd8 Kh4 47.Rd3 g5 48.Kf6+-
36...Rc2+ 37.Kb6 Rd2 38.Kc7 Rc2+ 39.Kd8 b4™ 40.Re7+ Kf8 41.Re3 Kf7
41...g6 42.Rf3+ Kg7 43.Re3 Kf7=; 41...g5=
42.Re7+
42.Rf3+ Kg6! (42...Kg8?? 43.Rf5! b3 44.Ke7+-) 43.Ke7 (43.h4

562
43...h5!= (43...a5? 44.h5+! Kxh5 45.Rd3 b3 46.Ke8 b2 47.d8=Q Re2+ 48.Kf8 b1=Q 49.Qd5++-))
43...Re2+ 44.Kf8 Rd2 45.Rg3+ Kf6 46.Rxg7 b3 47.Rf7+ Kg6 48.Ke8 b2 49.Rf1 Re2+ 50.Kf8 Rd2
51.Ke8=
42...Kf8 43.Re5 g6 44.Re6 b3 45.Rf6+ Kg7 46.Ke7 Re2+ 47.Re6 Rxe6+ 48.Kxe6 b2 49.d8=Q
b1=Q 50.Qc7+ Kg8 51.Qd8+ Kg7 1/2-1/2

107. C54
Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2767) - Karjakin, Sergey (2743)
Wijk aan Zee 151/107, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.e5 d5 7.Bb5 Ne4 8.cxd4 Bb6 9.Nc3 Bg4 10.h3
Bh5 11.Be3 O-O 12.g4
12.Qc2 - 147/102
12...Bg6 13.O-O f5 14.exf6N
14.Nxe4? dxe4 15.d5 Ne7 16.Ng5 Qxd5µ
14...Qxf6 15.Bxc6 bxc6 16.Ne5 Qh4 17.Nxe4 Bxe4
17...dxe4 18.Kh2 Rae8 19.Qb3+ Kh8 20.Qa3! Kg8 21.Qb3+ Kh8=
18.Kh2 c5
18...Qe7 19.b4!? (19.Nxc6? Qd6+ 20.Ne5 c5 21.f4 cxd4 22.Bxd4 Rac8 23.Rf2 g5-+) 19...Qxb4
20.f3 Bg6 21.f4∞
19.dxc5
19.f3

563
19...Qe7! 20.Kg2 (20.fxe4? cxd4 21.Rxf8+ Rxf8 22.Bxd4 c5-+) 20...cxd4 21.Bxd4 c5 22.Bc3 d4
23.Qb3+ Kh8 24.Rae1 Qxe5 25.Rxe4 Qd6³
19...Qe7 20.Nc6
20.f4 Bxc5 21.Bxc5 Qxc5 22.Rc1 (22.Nd7? Qb5 23.Nxf8 Qxb2+ 24.Kg3 Qg2+ 25.Kh4 Rxf8-+)
22...Qb4 23.b3 c5³
20...Qd7 21.Ne5
21.cxb6 Qxc6 22.bxa7 Rf3! 23.Rg1™ Rxe3! 24.fxe3 Qf6 25.Qe2 Rxa7∞
21...Qe7 22.Nc6 Qd7 23.Ne5 Qe7 1/2-1/2

108. C54
Erigaisi, Arjun (2632) - Ganguly, Surya Shekhar (2627)
Wijk aan Zee II 151/108, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.e5 d5 7.Bb5 Ne4 8.cxd4 Bb6 9.Nc3 O-O
10.Be3 f6 11.exf6 Nxc3
11...Rxf6 - 149/101
12.bxc3 Qxf6 13.O-O Bg4 14.Be2 Bxf3?!
14...Rae8 15.a4 h6 16.h3 Bf5∞
15.Bxf3² Rad8
15...Ne7!? 16.Bc1 (16.a4 c6 17.Qb3 Ng6 18.a5 Bc7 19.Bg4 (19.Qxb7?? Qd6 20.g3 Rab8 21.Qxa7
Rxf3-+) 19...Rae8!? 20.c4 (20.Qxb7 Re7 21.Qb1 h5!? 22.Be2 Nh4ƒ) 20...h5 21.Bd1 Qh4 22.h3
(22.g3?! Qh3) 22...Nf4 23.cxd5 (23.Qxb7?? Rxe3-+) 23...Nxd5 24.Bc2 (24.Qxb7?? Nxe3-+)

564
24...Re6∞; 16.Qd3 c6 17.Bd1 Bc7 18.Bc2 Nf5 19.Rae1 Rae8 20.Bc1²) 16...c6 17.Ba3 Rfe8 18.Qd3
Nf5 19.g3 Bc7 20.Rae1²
16.Be2 Na5N

16...Ne7
17.a4?!
17.Rb1! c6 18.g3 Bc7 (18...Nc4? 19.Bxc4 dxc4 20.Qe2 Qf7 21.Rb4 Ba5 22.Rxc4±) 19.Bd3 Qf7
(19...b5?! 20.Qh5 h6 (20...g6?! 21.Qg4 Qf3 (21...Qf7? 22.Bh6 Rfe8 23.f4+-) 22.Qxf3 Rxf3 23.Kg2
Rff8 24.Bg5 Rde8 25.a4 a6 26.axb5 axb5 27.Ra1±) 21.h4 Qf7 22.Qg4 Rd6 (22...Kh8? 23.Rbe1 Nc4
24.Kg2 Ba5 (24...Qf6?? 25.Bg5!+-; 24...Rd6 25.Bg5! hxg5 26.hxg5 g6 27.f4 Kg8 28.f5+-; 24...a5
25.Bg6 Qd7 26.Qh5+-) 25.Bf4! Bxc3 26.Re6 Bxd4 (26...b4 27.Rxc6 Bxd4 28.Rc7 Qf6 29.Re1! Rde8
30.Rxe8 Rxe8 31.Qd7 Rf8 32.Qxd5+-) 27.Rfe1!+-) 23.Bf4 Rf6 24.Bxc7 Qxc7 25.f4±) 20.Bc1!? Bd6
21.f4 Rde8 (21...Nc4?! 22.Qc2 h6 23.Bh7+ Kh8 24.Bg6 Qe7 25.Qd3 b5 26.Bd2±) 22.Qa4!? b6
23.Rb2 Qd7 24.Rbf2±
17...c6∞ 18.Bd3 Bc7?!
18...Nc4!? 19.Qc2 (19.Bc1 Ba5 20.Qc2 h6∞) 19...h6 20.Rae1 Nxe3 21.Rxe3 c5 22.Rf3 Qc6
23.Rxf8+ Rxf8 24.dxc5 Qxc5∞
19.Qg4?!
19.Qh5!? g6 (19...h6 20.Rab1 (×Na5) 20...Rde8 21.g3²) 20.Qg4²
19...Rde8 20.Rae1 Bd8?!
20...Qf7 21.Qh3 h6 (21...g6 22.f4→) 22.Qg4 Re6 23.Re2 Rfe8∞

565
21.g3

21.Qh5 g6 22.Qd1!? Re7 (22...Nc4?? 23.Bxc4 dxc4 24.Bh6 Rxe1 25.Qxe1+-) 23.Bc1 Rxe1
24.Qxe1²
21...Qf3?
21...Nc4 22.Bf4 Qf7™ 23.Rxe8 Rxe8 24.Rb1!? Ba5 25.Rb3²
22.Qh3+- g6 23.Be2 Qf5 24.Bg4 Qf6 25.Bf4 h5 26.Bd7 Rxe1 27.Rxe1 Kh7 28.Re6 Qf7 29.Rd6!
Qe7 30.Be6 Rxf4 31.Rd7 Rf6 32.Rxe7+ Bxe7 33.Bc8! Rd6 34.g4 Nc4 35.gxh5 gxh5 36.Be6! Kg7
37.f4 Nd2 38.f5 Rxe6 39.fxe6 Ne4 40.Qxh5 Ng5 41.Qe8 Kf6 42.Qd7 1-0

109. C54
Dominguez Perez, Leinier (2752) - So, Wesley (2772)
Berlin 151/109, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.O-O Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.c3 a5 7.Re1 Ba7 8.Nbd2 O-O 9.h3
9.Nf1 - 147/104
9...Be6 10.Bb5 Ne7 11.d4 Ng6 12.Ba4 Nh5 13.Nf1 Nhf4 14.Ng3 exd4 15.Nxd4 Bxd4 16.cxd4
16.Qxd4 Qg5 17.Qd1 Nh4 18.Bxf4 Qxf4∞
16...d5 17.Qf3 Qf6 18.Bd1N
18.Kh2 Qxd4 19.Bxf4 Qxa4 20.Bxc7 Qd7 21.Bb6∞
18...Qh4 19.Bd2
19.Bxf4 Nxf4 20.Nh5 Nxh5 21.exd5 Nf4 22.dxe6 fxe6∞

566
19...c6 20.Rc1 f5!? 21.exf5
21.e5 Bd7 22.Kh2 Rf7 23.Rc3 Raf8∞
21...Bxf5 22.Nxf5 Rxf5

23.Qg3?!
23.Bc2 Rg5 24.g3 Rf8 (24...Nxh3+ 25.Kf1 Qxd4 26.Bxg5 Nxg5 27.Qe3 Qg4 28.Bd1 Qf5∞)
25.Bxg6 Nxh3+ (25...Rxg6 26.Bxf4 Rxf4 27.Qd3 Qxh3 28.Re8+ Rf8 29.Rxf8+ Kxf8 30.Re1=)
26.Kf1 Rxf3 27.Re8+ Rf8 28.Rxf8+ Kxf8 29.gxh4 Rxg6 30.Rc3 Rg1+ 31.Ke2 Rh1=
23...Qxg3 24.fxg3 Nd3 25.Bc2 Rf2 26.Bxd3
26.Bc3 Rxc2 27.Rxc2 Nxe1 28.Bxe1

567
28...Nf8!µ
26...Rxd2 27.Bxg6?
27.Bf5 Rxb2 28.Rb1 Rb4 29.a3 Rxb1 30.Rxb1 Ra7 (30...b5 31.Be6+ Kf8 32.Bd7 Ne7 33.Rf1+ Kg8
34.Be6+ Kh8 35.Rf7 Ng8³) 31.Be6+ Kf8 32.Rf1+ Ke7 33.Bg8 h6 34.Rf7+ Kd6 35.Rxg7 Ne7µ
27...hxg6 28.Re7
28.Rb1 Rf8 29.Red1 Rff2 30.Rxd2 Rxd2-+
28...Rxb2 29.Rce1 Rf8 30.Rd7 Rff2 31.Ree7 Rxg2+ 32.Kf1 Kh7! 33.h4 Kh6 34.Re5
34.Rxg7 Kh5 35.Rxb7 Rbf2+ 36.Ke1 Rxa2-+
34...Rbf2+ 35.Ke1 Rxa2 36.Kf1 Rh2 37.Kg1 Rag2+ 38.Kf1 Rb2 39.Kg1 Rhd2 0-1

110. C54
Aronian, Levon (2772) - Esipenko, Andrey (2714)
chess24.com (Int.-rapid) 151/110, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.O-O O-O 6.Re1 h6 7.c3 d6 8.Nbd2 Bb6 9.Bb3
9.a4 - 147/105
9...Ng4 10.Re2 Na5!? 11.Bc2N
11.Ba4 f5∞
11...f5
11...c5!? 12.h3 Nf6 13.Nf1 Nc6 14.Ng3 Be6 15.Re1²

568
12.h3 Nf6 13.d4 fxe4 14.Nxe4 Nxe4 15.Rxe4 Bf5

16.Re1?!
16.Rg4!? Bxg4 17.hxg4©; 16.d5! a6 (16...Bxe4 17.Bxe4 Kh8 (17...c5 18.b3+-) 18.b4 Nc4 19.Qe2
Rxf3 20.gxf3 Qh4 21.Kg2 a5 22.a4 axb4 23.cxb4 Bd4 24.Ra2 Nb6 25.Qb5+-) 17.Rb4 Qd7 18.Bxf5
Qxf5 19.Rg4±
16...Bxc2 17.Qxc2 exd4 18.Bxh6
18.cxd4 Qf6 19.Bd2 (19.d5 Qf5∞) 19...Qf5 20.Qxf5 Rxf5∞
18...Rxf3!
18...gxh6? 19.Qg6+ Kh8 20.Qxh6+ Kg8 21.Re6+-
19.gxf3 Qh4

569
20.Bc1??
20.Bd2 d3 (20...dxc3 21.Be3 cxb2 22.Rab1∞) 21.Qxd3 Bxf2+ (21...Qg3+ 22.Kh1 Qxh3+ 23.Kg1
Rf8 24.Qd5+ Kh8 25.Qg5 Nc4 26.Re7 Bxf2+ 27.Kxf2 Qh2+ 28.Ke1 Qh1+ 29.Kf2 Qh2+=;
21...Nc4 22.Qd5+ Kh8 23.Be3 Bxe3 24.fxe3 Qg3+ 25.Kf1 Rf8 26.Qh5+ Kg8 27.Qd5+=) 22.Kg2
Qg3+ 23.Kf1 Qg1+ 24.Ke2 Re8+ 25.Be3 Bxe1 26.Qd5+ Kf8 27.Qf5+ Kg8 28.Qd5+=
20...d3! 0-1

111. C54
Alekseenko, Kirill (2710) - Deac, Bogdan Daniel (2643)
Riga 151/111, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bh4 a6 8.Nbd2 Qe7 9.O-O
9.a4 g5!? 10.Bg3 Nh5 11.Bd5 Ba7 12.Nc4 g4 13.Nh4 Qg5„
9...Ba7 10.b4 Be6
10...g5 - 149/102
11.a4 O-O 12.Kh1
12.Re1 Bxc4 (12...Rfe8 13.a5 Nb8 14.d4 Nbd7 15.d5 Bg4 16.h3 Bh5 17.g4 Bg6 18.Bg3 … Nh4²)
13.Nxc4 Qe6 14.b5 Ne7 15.Bxf6 (15.Qb3 g5!? 16.Bg3 Nd7„) 15...Qxf6 16.Rb1 Qe6 17.b6 (17.a5
axb5 18.Rxb5 Rab8 19.Qb3 Ng6 20.Nb6 Bxb6 21.axb6 c6„) 17...cxb6 18.Nxb6 Rab8 19.c4 Ng6
20.Nd5 f5„
12...Bxc4 13.Nxc4 Qe6 14.b5N
14.Nfd2?! d5³; 14.Ne3 Bxe3 15.fxe3

570
15...Nd7!? 16.Nd2 (16.a5 f5 17.exf5 Rxf5 18.e4 Rf7„) 16...g5 17.Bf2 Ne7 18.d4 Qg6∞
14...Ne7 15.Bxf6 Qxf6 16.Rb1
16.d4 Qe6 17.Qd3 Ng6 18.g3 f5„
16...Qe6 17.b6
17.a5 Bc5∞
17...cxb6 18.Nxb6 Rad8
18...Rab8 19.Qb3 Qxb3 20.Rxb3 Bxb6 21.Rxb6 Rfc8 22.c4²
19.Qb3
19.c4 f5„
19...Qxb3 20.Rxb3 f5 21.exf5
21.Nc4 Rd7 22.Rfb1 b5„ 23.axb5 axb5 24.Rxb5 Bxf2 25.Nfd2 fxe4 26.Nxe4 d5 27.Nxe5 Rc7=
21...Rxf5 22.Nc4
22.c4 d5=
22...Nd5 23.Rxb7
23.d4 exd4 (23...Bb8 24.Ne3 Nxe3 25.fxe3 Rd7 26.Kg1 Rf8 27.g3 Rdf7 28.Kg2²) 24.Rxb7 Rf7
25.Rxf7 Kxf7 26.cxd4 Ke6 27.Re1+ Kd7 28.Ne3 Nxe3 29.fxe3 Rb8 30.h4 Rb4 31.h5 Rxa4 32.Rb1
Kc6 33.Rc1+ Kb5 34.Nh4 Rc4=
23...Rf7© 24.Rxf7

571
24.Rb3 g5 25.Na5 (25.Nfd2 Nf4 26.Nb2 d5©) 25...g4 26.c4 Nf4 27.Nh4 Rdf8 28.f3=
24...Kxf7ƒ 25.Rb1
25.Rc1 Ke6 26.g3 Bxf2 27.Nfd2 Ba7 28.Ne4 Nf6³; 25.d4 e4 26.Nfd2 Nxc3 27.d5 Bc5³
25...Ke6 26.Rb3

26...Rb8! 27.Rxb8 Bxb8 28.Kg1 Nxc3µ 29.Nb2 d5

¹29...Kd5 30.Kf1 Kc5 31.Ke1 Kb4-+
30.Ne1
30.Kf1 Bd6 31.Ke1 Bb4-+
30...Kd6 31.Nc2 Kc5 32.Kf1 Kb6 33.Ke1 Ka5 34.Kd2 Nxa4 35.Nxa4 Kxa4 36.Ne3 Kb3
37.Nxd5 a5-+ 38.Nb6 a4 0-1

112. * C54
Dubov, Daniil (2720) - Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi (2727)
Wijk aan Zee 151/112, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3 d6 6.Bg5 h6 7.Bh4 a5

572
8.Na3!?N
8.Nbd2 - 150/(107)
8...Bxa3 9.bxa3 Qe7 - 151/112
9...Be6N 10.Bb5 O-O 11.O-O∞ Dubov,D (2720)-Tari,A (2660) chess.com (Int. -rapid) 151/(112)
2022
10.O-O Nb8
10...g5 11.Bg3 Bd7 12.Rb1 b6 13.Re1∞
11.d4 Nbd7 12.Rb1
12.Re1 Nf8 13.Rb1 Ng6 14.Bg3 O-O²
12...g5 13.Bg3 Nxe4 14.Qc2 f5
14...Nxg3 15.fxg3 Nb6 16.Bxf7+!? (16.Bb5+ Bd7 17.Bxd7+ Qxd7 18.dxe5 O-O-O∞) 16...Qxf7
17.Nxe5

573
17...Qh7! (17...Qg7? 18.Rf7 Qg8 19.Rxb6! dxe5 (19...cxb6 20.Qa4+ Kd8 21.Qc4+-) 20.Rxc7+-)
18.Qe2 dxe5 19.Qxe5+ Kd8 20.Qf6+ Kd7 21.Rbe1 Ra6 22.Qe6+ Kd8 23.Qf6+=
15.dxe5 dxe5 16.Rfe1 Nxg3 17.hxg3 e4 18.g4! Nc5 19.Nd4 Rf8! 20.gxf5
20.Bb5+ Kf7 21.gxf5 Qe5! 22.Bc4+ Kg7 23.Be6 Bxe6 24.Nxe6+ (24.fxe6 Rf4∞) 24...Nxe6 25.fxe6
Rf4 26.Rxb7 Raf8∞
20...Bxf5 21.Rxb7!

21...Rf6!!
21...Nxb7 22.Bb5+ Kf7 (22...c6 23.Bxc6+ Kd8 24.Nxf5 Rxf5 25.Rxe4+-) 23.Nxf5 Qe5 24.Nxh6+

574
(24.Bc4+ Kf6 25.Nxh6 Qc5 26.Rxe4 Rae8±) 24...Kg7 25.Rxe4 Qd6 26.Re3! Qxh6 27.Rh3 Rxf2
(27...Qg6 28.Bd3 Qe8 29.Rh7+ Kf6 30.Qd1! Nd6 (30...Nc5 31.Qf3+ Ke5 32.Qg3+ Kd5 33.Qxg5+
Kc6 34.Rh6++-) 31.Qf3+ Ke5 32.Qe3+ Kd5 33.c4+ Kc6 34.Re7+-) 28.Qxf2 Qb6 29.Re3±
22.Qb1
22.Rb5 c6 23.Rb6 (23.Nxf5 Rxf5 24.Rxe4 Qxe4 25.Qxe4+ Nxe4 26.Rxf5 Kd7∞) 23...Qc7 24.Reb1
Kf8 25.Bd5 (25.Nxf5 Rxf5 26.Qd2 Rf6∞) 25...Bh7!„
22...Nxb7 23.Qxb7
23.Nxf5 Rxf5 24.Rxe4 Re5 25.Qxb7 Rxe4 26.Qxa8+ Kd7 27.Qd5+ Ke8 28.Qa8+=
23...Rd8 24.Nxf5
24.Nc6? Qc5 25.Nxd8 Qxc4µ; 24.Qb5+ Qd7 25.Qe5+ Qe7 26.Qb5+=
24...Rxf5 25.Rxe4 Rd1+!
25...Re5?? 26.Qc6+ Rd7 27.Qg6+ Kd8 28.Qg8+ Qe8 29.Rxe5+-
26.Kh2 Re5 27.Qc6+ Kd8 28.Qa8+
28.Bb5 Qd6! 29.Qa8+ Ke7 30.Qe8+ Kf6 31.Qh8+ Kf5 32.Qh7+ Kf6 33.Qxh6+ Kf5 34.Qh7+
Kf6=
28...Kd7 29.Bb5+ Ke6 30.Qc8+ Kf6 31.Qh8+ Kf5

32.f3??
32.Qc8+ Kf6 (32...Kxe4?? 33.Qg4+ Kd5 34.Qc4+ Kd6 35.Qc6#) 33.Qh8+ Kf5=
32...Rxe4 33.fxe4+ Kxe4-+ 34.Qa8+ Ke3 35.Bc6 Qe5+ 36.g3 g4 37.Qa7+ Kd2 0-1

575
 113. C54
Esipenko, Andrey (2714) - Giri, Anish (2772)
Wijk aan Zee 151/113, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.c3 O-O 6.O-O d5 7.exd5 Nxd5 8.Re1 Bg4 9.Nbd2 Nb6
10.h3 Bh5 11.Bb3 Qxd3 12.Nxe5 Qf5 13.Nef3 Rfe8
13...Rad8 - 146/106
14.g4 Bxg4 15.hxg4 Qxg4+ 16.Kh1 Ne5 17.Nh2 Qg6 18.Bc2 Nd3 19.Bxd3 Qxd3 20.Ndf3N
20.Nb3

20...Qd5+! (20...Qxd1 21.Rxd1 Bxf2 22.Ng4 Bh4 23.Rg1²) 21.f3 (21.Kg1?! Re6!!µ) 21...Rxe1+
22.Qxe1 Bd6 23.Qe4 Qxe4 24.fxe4 Re8 25.Na5 Rxe4 26.Nf3 Nc4!∞
20...Qxd1 21.Rxd1 Bxf2 22.Bf4 c6 23.Rd2
23.Ng4 Bc5 24.b4 Re4! 25.Be5 Rxg4 26.bxc5 Nd5∞
23...Be3 24.Bxe3 Rxe3 25.Nd4 Nc4 26.Rf2 Rae8 27.Raf1
27.Nf5 Re2 28.Rxe2 Rxe2 29.Rd1 h6 30.b3 Ne3 31.Nxe3 Rxe3∞
27...Nd6 28.Nf5 Nxf5 29.Rxf5 f6 30.Kg2 Kf7 31.Rd1 h5!?

576
32.Rf2?!
32.Rxh5! Re2+ 33.Kg3 Rxb2 34.Rd7+ Re7 35.Rxe7+ Kxe7 36.Ra5 a6 37.Nf3 Kd6³
32...g5 33.Rd7+ R3e7 34.Rd6 Re6 35.Rd7+ R8e7 36.Rd8 g4

36...Kg6³
37.Rh8?!
37.Nf1! h4 38.Rh8 g3 39.Rf4 Re2+ 40.Kg1 g2 41.Nh2 Rxb2 42.Rh7+ Ke8 43.Rxe7+ Kxe7 44.Rxh4
Rxa2 45.Rh7+ Kd6 46.Rxb7 a5 47.Ng4=

577
37...Kg6 38.Rg8+ Rg7 39.Rf8 Kg5 40.Nf1 h4 41.a4 a5 42.b4 b6 43.bxa5 bxa5 44.Ra8 Re5
45.Nd2?
45.Rc8 g3 46.Nxg3! hxg3 47.Rf3 Kh5 48.Rxg3 Rxg3+ 49.Kxg3 Rc5 (49...Re3+ 50.Kf4 Rxc3
51.Kf5! Kh4 (51...Rf3+ 52.Ke4 Rf1 53.Rxc6=) 52.Kxf6=) 50.Kf4 Kg6µ
45...g3! 46.Nf3+ Kf4 47.Rf1
47.Nxe5+ gxf2+ 48.Kxf2 fxe5-+
47...h3+! 48.Kxh3 g2 49.Rf2 Ke3 0-1

114. C54
Aronian, Levon (2772) - Nakamura, Hikaru (2736)
Berlin (playoff-m/2-rapid) 151/114, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.O-O d6 6.c3 a6 7.a4 Ba7 8.Na3 Ne7 9.Nc2 Ng6 10.Be3
Bxe3 11.Nxe3 O-O 12.a5
12.Qc2 - 140/121
12...c6 13.Bb3 h6 14.Bc2N
14.Re1
14...Re8 15.Re1 Qc7 16.d4 exd4 17.Qxd4 c5 18.Qd2

18.Qd1 Bd7 19.c4 b5 20.axb6 Qxb6 21.b3 Bc6 22.Nd5 (22.Nf5 Nxe4 23.Nxd6 Nxd6 24.Qxd6
Nf8=) 22...Nxd5 23.exd5 Bd7=
18...Bg4!

578
18...Nxe4?? 19.Nd5+-
19.Nxg4 Nxg4 20.Qd1
20.h3 Nf6 21.Nh2 Rad8 22.Nf1 d5 23.exd5 Rxe1 24.Qxe1 Nxd5=
20...b5!?
20...N4e5 21.Nd2 Nf4 22.Re3 d5 23.g3 d4 24.gxf4 dxe3 25.fxe3 Nc6 26.Nc4 Rad8 27.Qh5∞;
20...Nf6∞
21.axb6 Qxb6 22.Nd2
22.Ra2! N4e5 23.Nd2 Rad8 24.Nf1²
22...Qxb2! 23.Nc4
23.Bb3

23...c4! 24.Rb1 (24.Bxc4 N6e5 25.Bd5 Rac8=) 24...Qxc3 25.Nxc4 N6e5 26.Nxe5 Nxe5 27.Qxd6=
23...Qxc3 24.Nb6 Rab8 25.Nd5 Qb2 26.Rb1 Qa2 27.Ra1 Qb2 28.Rb1 Qa2 29.Ra1 Qb2 1/2-1/2

115. C54
Mekhitarian, Krikor Sevag (2562) - Milos, Gilberto (2575)
Sao Paulo 151/115, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.O-O d6 6.c3 a6 7.a4 Ba7 8.Nbd2 O-O 9.h3 h6 10.Re1
Re8 11.b4 Be6 12.Bxe6 Rxe6 13.Bb2
13.Nf1 - 146/109; 13.Qc2 - 146/108
13...Ne7 14.Nf1 Ng6

579
14...Nh5!? 15.d4 Ng6 16.Ne3 Nf6 17.d5 Re8 18.Nf5 Qd7 19.Qc2 (19.Ng3? b5! 20.Qc2 c6µ)
19...c6=
15.c4

15...Re8?!N
15...Nh7! 16.Ng3 Ng5 17.Nf5 (17.Nh2 Nf4 18.d4 Rg6³) 17...Nxf3+ 18.Qxf3 Nh4 19.Qg4 Nxf5
20.exf5 Rf6 21.Qf3∞
16.Ng3 c6 17.d4± Qc7 18.Qb3
18.a5±; 18.c5±
18...a5 19.b5 Nd7 20.Nf5 Rad8 21.Rad1 exd4 22.N3xd4 Nc5 23.Qf3 f6 24.Qh5 Ne5 25.Re3! Kh7
26.Nxh6! gxh6 27.Nf5 Nf7 28.Bxf6 Rc8 29.Rxd6
29.Rg3 Rg8 30.Bg7+-
29...Nxe4
29...Nxd6 30.Qxh6+ (30.Rg3+-) 30...Kg8 31.Qh8+ Kf7 32.Qg7+ Ke6 33.Nd4#
30.Be7
30.Ne7 Rxe7 31.Qf5+ Kg8 32.Qg6+ Kf8 33.Qg7+ Ke8 34.Qg8#
30...Nexd6

580
31.Re6! Bxf2+ 32.Kh1 Nxf5 33.Qg6+ Kh8 34.Bf6+ 1-0

116. C54
Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi (2727) - Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2767)
Wijk aan Zee 151/116, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.O-O h6 7.Re1 O-O 8.Nbd2 Bb6 9.h3
9.a4 - 147/105
9...Ne7 10.d4 Nc6 11.a4 exd4N
11...a5
12.cxd4 d5
12...Nxd4? 13.Nxd4 Bxd4 14.Nb3 Bc5 15.Nxc5 dxc5 16.Qc2± Qd4? 17.e5 Nh7 18.Be3 Qxe5
19.Bxc5; 12...Bxd4 13.Nxd4 Nxd4 14.Ra3© (14.b4!?©)
13.exd5 Nxd5

581
14.b3?
14.Ne4 Be6 15.Ra3ƒ a5 (15...Ne3? 16.Bxe3 Bxc4 17.Bxh6 gxh6 18.Qc1+-; 15...Ba5 16.Bd2 Bxd2
(16...Ne3? 17.Raxe3 Bxc4 18.Bxa5 Nxa5 19.Ne5 Bd5 20.Rg3+-) 17.Qxd2±) 16.Ne5ƒ
14...Be6 15.Ne4 Re8 16.Bb2

16...Na5?
16...Ba5! 17.Re2 (17.Nfd2?! Bb4³ (17...Nf4³)) 17...Nf4 18.Re3 Nd5 19.Re2=
17.Ne5→ c6 18.Qf3 f6?

582
18...Bc7 19.Rad1 Qh4 20.Bd3! Nxb3 (20...Qf4 21.Qe2+-) 21.Bb1 Na5 22.Bc1! Ne7 23.Qd3 Bf5
24.Nf3 Qh5 25.g4 Bxe4 (25...Qxh3 26.gxf5 Qg4+ 27.Ng3 Bxg3 28.fxg3 Qxg3+ 29.Kf1+-) 26.Rxe4
Qxh3 (26...Qg6 27.Rde1+-) 27.Rde1+-
19.Nd3?
19.Ng6±; 19.Ng4! Nxc4 (19...f5? 20.Nef6+ gxf6 21.Nxh6+ Kg7 22.Rxe6! Kxh6 23.Rae1 Rxe6
24.Rxe6 Nxc4 25.bxc4 Nc7 26.Qe3+ Kg6 27.Re7+-) 20.bxc4 f5

21.Nxh6+! gxh6 22.Nc5 Nc7 23.Nxb7 Qh4 (23...Qg5 24.d5 Nxd5 (24...cxd5 25.c5+-) 25.a5! Bc7
26.Rxe6! Rxe6 27.cxd5 Rg6 28.dxc6+-) 24.Nd6 Re7 25.Rxe6! Rxe6 26.Nxf5 Qg5 27.a5! Rf6 28.g4

583
Raf8 29.Kh1+-
19...Bf7 20.Re2 Bc7 21.Rae1 b6
RR21...Bd6! 22.Bxd5 (22.Bc1 Bf8∞) 22...cxd5 23.Nxf6+ Qxf6 24.Rxe8+ Rxe8 25.Rxe8+ Bxe8
26.Qxd5+ Bf7 27.Qxa5 Qg6© Perunovic,Milos; 21...a6!∞
22.Bc1! Re6
RR22...Nxc4 23.bxc4 Ne7 24.Bf4² Perunovic,Milos
23.Bd2 Nxc4 24.bxc4 Ne7

25.Bxh6!?
25.Bf4!? f5 26.Bxc7 Qxc7 27.Ne5! Rxe5 (27...Ng6 28.Nc3! Nxe5 29.dxe5+-) 28.Nf6+ gxf6
29.dxe5±
25...Qxd4
25...Ng6! 26.Bxg7 Kxg7 27.Ng3 Bxg3! 28.Rxe6 Bxe6 29.Rxe6 Bc7∞
26.Qg4??
26.Bf4! Bxf4 27.Nxf4±
26...f5-+ 27.Bxg7 Qxg7 28.Qxg7+ Kxg7 29.Ng5 Rxe2 30.Rxe2 Ng6 31.Ne6+ Bxe6 32.Rxe6 Rd8
33.Rxc6 Bb8 34.Ne1 Ne5 35.Re6 Kf7 36.Rh6 Rd1 37.Kf1 Nxc4 38.Rh4 Ne3+ 0-1

117. C54
Esipenko, Andrey (2714) - Karjakin, Sergey (2743)
Wijk aan Zee 151/117, 2022

584
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.O-O h6 7.Re1 O-O 8.h3 a6 9.a4 a5 10.d4 Bb6
10...Ba7 - 140/125
11.Bb3N
11.Be3 exd4 12.cxd4 d5 13.exd5 Nb4∞; 11.Bb5 Bd7 12.Be3 exd4 13.cxd4 Re8 14.d5 Bxe3 15.Rxe3
Nb4∞
11...Re8 12.Bc2 Bd7
¹12...exd4 13.cxd4 (13.Nxd4?! d5!ƒ) 13...Nb4 14.Nc3 Nxc2 15.Qxc2 c6 16.Bf4∞
13.Na3

13...Qc8?!
13...exd4! 14.Nxd4 (14.cxd4 d5! 15.e5 Ne4 16.Bxe4 (16.Nb5 f5ƒ) 16...dxe4 17.Rxe4 Bf5 18.Rf4
Qd7ƒ) 14...d5! 15.Nxc6 Bxc6 16.e5 Ne4 17.Be3 Bxe3 18.Rxe3 Qg5∞
14.Nb5 Na7 15.Na3 Nc6 16.Nb5 Na7 17.c4 Nxb5 18.axb5 exd4 19.Nxd4 c6 20.bxc6 bxc6 21.Bf4
Qa6
21...Bc5 22.e5 dxe5 23.Bxe5 Bxh3 (23...Nh7 24.Qh5 Ng5 25.Nf3 Nxf3+ 26.Qxf3±) 24.Bxf6!
Rxe1+ 25.Qxe1 gxf6 26.gxh3 Bxd4 27.Qe4 Qd8 28.Rd1 c5 29.Qh7+ Kf8 30.Qxh6+ Ke7 31.Re1+
Be5 32.Qe3±; 21...d5 22.e5 Ne4 23.Ra3±
22.Bxd6 Qa7 23.c5! Bxc5 24.Bxc5 Qxc5 25.Qd3 g6 26.Rad1 a4 27.Qe3 Qg5
27...Rab8 28.e5 (28.Qxh6 Rxb2„) 28...Rxb2 29.Bxa4 Rb4 30.Bb3²
28.f4 Qh4 29.Nf3 Qg3 30.Ne5 Qxe3+ 31.Rxe3

585
31...Reb8??
31...Re7! 32.Ra3 Rb8 (32...Be8 33.Rxa4 Rb8 34.b3²) 33.Bxa4 Rxb2 34.Nxd7 Nxd7 35.Bxc6 Nc5
36.e5²
32.Nxd7 Nxd7 33.Rxd7 Rxb2 34.Re2
34.Bd3 a3 35.Bc4 a2 36.Bxf7+ Kf8 37.Bxa2 Raxa2 38.Rg3+-
34...a3 35.Rd1 a2 36.Ra1 c5 37.Kf2 Ra3 38.Ke1 c4 39.Kd2 Rg3 40.Kc1 c3 41.Kd1 h5 42.e5 1-0

118. C54
Nepomniachtchi, Ian (2773) - Esipenko, Andrey (2714)
chess24.com (Int.-m1/3-rapid) 151/118, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.O-O O-O 7.Re1 a5 8.Bg5 h6 9.Bh4 g5 10.Bg3
Nh7 11.d4 Ba7 12.h3 h5 13.Nbd2 h4 14.Bh2 g4
14...exd4 - 148/110
15.hxg4 Bxg4 16.Be2N
16.Bb5
16...Qf6 17.Nc4 Bxf3 18.Bxf3 Ng5 19.Ne3
19.Bg4!? exd4 20.f4 dxc3+ 21.Kh1 cxb2 22.Rb1 Ne6 23.Rxb2©
19...exd4 20.Nd5 Qg7 21.Bg4 dxc3 22.bxc3 Ne5?

586
22...Rae8 23.Bf5 Ne5 24.Kf1 h3 (24...c6 25.Nf4 Qh6∞) 25.Bxe5 Rxe5 26.gxh3 c6 27.Nf4 Rc5∞
23.Bxe5?!
23.Rb1! h3 (23...Rab8 24.Kf1±) 24.Rxb7 Rfb8 25.Bxe5 dxe5 26.Rxc7±
23...Qxe5 24.Bf5 Rae8?
24...c6 25.Qh5 (25.Qg4 Qg3!³) 25...Bxf2+! 26.Kf1 (26.Kxf2 Qg3+ 27.Kg1 cxd5 28.Bg4 Qf4
29.Rf1 Qe3+ 30.Kh2 Nxe4³) 26...f6 27.Qg6+ Kh8 28.Qh6+ Kg8=
25.Qh5
25.Qg4 Qg7 (25...f6 26.Kf1+-) 26.Nxc7 Re5 27.Nd5+-
25...Qg7
25...f6 26.Kf1 Bxf2 27.Kxf2 c6 28.Rh1 Qg3+ 29.Kf1 cxd5 30.Rxh4+-
26.Kf1

587
26...c6?
26...Re6!! 27.Nxc7 (27.Bxe6? fxe6 28.Ne3 Nxe4-+; 27.Rab1 c6 28.Nf4 Rh6 29.Qg4 Ne6 30.Qxg7+
Kxg7 31.Bxe6 fxe6 32.Rxb7+ Kg8∞) 27...Rh6 28.Qe2 Bc5 29.Nd5 Kh8 30.Rab1 b6∞
27.Nf4
27.Ne3! Bxe3 (27...Nxe4 28.Ng4+-) 28.Rxe3 f6 29.Rae1+-
27...d5
27...Ne6 28.Qxh4 Nxf4 29.Qxf4 d5±
28.exd5 Bb8

588
29.Qxh4
29.Rxe8! Rxe8 30.Ne6! Nxe6 31.dxe6 Re7 32.Rd1 Bc7 33.Rd4+-
29...Bxf4 30.Qxf4 cxd5 31.Rad1 Qf6 32.Qg4 Qg7 33.Rxe8?
33.Rxd5 Rxe1+ 34.Kxe1 Qxc3+ 35.Kf1 Qa1+ 36.Rd1 Qg7 37.g3+-
33...Rxe8 34.Rxd5 Ne4?
34...Qh6! 35.Qxg5+ Qxg5 36.Bh7+ Kxh7 37.Rxg5 Rc8 38.Rg3 (38.Rxa5 Rxc3=) 38...Rc4=
35.Qxe4! 1-0

119. C55
Dominguez Perez, Leinier (2752) - Aronian, Levon (2772)
Berlin (playoff-m/2-rapid) 151/119, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Be7 5.O-O O-O 6.Re1 d6 7.a4 Na5 8.Ba2 c5 9.c3 Nc6 10.Na3
Be6 11.Bxe6 fxe6 12.Bd2
12.Nc2 - 100/222
12...a6 13.b4 cxb4 14.cxb4

589
14...d5! 15.Nc2
15.exd5 Qxd5 16.Qe2 Rad8ƒ
15...b5 16.axb5 axb5 17.Rxa8 Qxa8 18.exd5 Nxd5 19.Nxe5 Ncxb4 20.Nxb4N
20.Nd4 Bc5 21.Ndf3 Nc6 22.Qe2 Nxe5 23.Qxe5 Re8∞
20...Nxb4 21.Qb3
21.Qg4 Qa2 22.Re2 Qb1+ 23.Be1 Rf5=; 21.Qb1

21...Bc5! (21...Qa2 22.Qxa2 Nxa2 23.Nc6 Bf6 (23...Kf7?! 24.Rb1±) 24.Rxe6²) 22.Bxb4 (22.d4

590
Bxd4 23.Nf3 Rxf3! 24.gxf3 Qxf3 25.Qe4 Bxf2+ 26.Kf1 Qh3+ 27.Kxf2 Nd3+ 28.Ke2 Nxe1
29.Kxe1 h6=) 22...Rxf2 23.Nf3 Bb6! 24.Ba5 (24.d4? Bxd4 25.Qe4 Qxe4 26.Rxe4 Ba7 27.Nd4 Rf5!-
+) 24...Ba7 25.Kh1 Rxf3 26.Qa2 Bf2! 27.Qxe6+ Kh8 28.Qe8+ Rf8=
21...Qd5! 22.Rb1
22.Qxd5 Nxd5 23.Nc6 Ra8=
22...Qxe5
22...Ra8!?ƒ
23.Bxb4 Bxb4 24.Qxb4 Qe2= 25.Qc5 Qxd3 26.Qxb5 Qxb5 27.Rxb5 Rd8 28.g3 Kf7 29.Kg2 Kf6
30.h4 h6 31.Rb4 1/2-1/2

120. C58
Erigaisi, Arjun (2633) - Gupta, Abhijeet (2628)
India (ch) 151/120, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Na5 6.Bb5+ c6 7.dxc6 bxc6 8.Bd3 Nd5 9.Nf3 Bd6
10.O-O O-O 11.Re1 f5 12.Nxe5 Qf6 13.Nf3 g5 14.c4 Nf4 15.Bf1 g4 16.d4 gxf3 17.Qxf3 Ne6
18.Qc3 Nxd4 19.c5 Bc7 20.b4 Rb8 21.bxa5N
21.f4? - 146/(110); 21.Bb2 - 146/(110)
21...Be6
21...Be5 22.Bc4+ Kh8 23.Qe3 Qg7 24.Nd2 Bf6∞
22.Bc4 Bxc4 23.Qxc4+

23...Rf7

591
23...Kh8! 24.Kf1 (24.Bd2 Bxh2+! 25.Kf1 Be5 26.f4 (26.Rxe5 Qh4!) 26...Qh4 27.Rxe5 Qh1+
28.Kf2 Rg8 29.Qf1 Qh4+ 30.Kg1 Rxg2+! 31.Qxg2 Rg8 32.Re3 Rxg2+ 33.Kxg2 Qg4+=) 24...f4
25.Nd2 f3 26.g3 Ne2 27.Rb1 Rxb1 28.Nxb1 Bxa5 29.Bd2 Qf5 30.g4 Qe5 31.Bxa5 Qxh2 32.Bc3+
Nxc3 33.Qxc3+ Kg8 34.Qc4+ Kh8=
24.Nd2 Rd8?
24...Nc2 25.Qxc2 Qxa1 26.Nf3 Qg7 27.h3∞
25.Bb2 Qh4
25...Bxa5 26.Rad1 Bxd2 (26...Qh4 27.Kh1+-) 27.Rxd2 Nf3+ 28.gxf3 Qg5+ 29.Kh1 Qxd2 30.Bc3
Qxf2 31.Rg1+ Kf8

32.Qf4! Rd3 33.Qh6+ Ke8 34.Re1+ Qxe1+ 35.Bxe1 Rd1 36.Qxc6+ Rfd7 37.Qe6+ Re7 38.Qc8+ Kf7
39.Qxf5+ Ke8 40.Kg2+-
26.Bxd4?
26.Kf1! Bxh2 (26...Bxa5 27.Red1+-) 27.Bxd4 Rxd4 (27...Qxd4 28.Qxd4 Rxd4 29.Nf3+-) 28.Re8+
Kg7 29.Qc3 Qf6 30.Rae1 Rd5 31.Qc2+-
26...Rxd4 27.g3 Rxc4 28.gxh4 Rxc5= 29.Nb3 Rc4 30.Rac1 Rg4+ 31.Kf1 Bxh2 32.Re8+ Kg7
33.Rxc6 f4 34.f3 Rg1+ 35.Kf2 Rb1 36.Re2 Bg1+
36...Bg3+ 37.Kg2 Bxh4 38.Nc5 Rf6 39.Re7+ Kg6 40.Rxf6+ Bxf6 41.Rxa7 Bd4 42.Rc7 Rg1+
43.Kh2 Rf1=
37.Kg2 Be3 38.Nc5 Rf6 39.Rc7+ Kg8
39...Rf7 40.Rxf7+ (40.Rc6 Rf6=) 40...Kxf7 41.Ne4 Kg6=

592
40.Ne4 Rg6+?
40...Rh6 41.Rec2 (41.Kh3 Rh1+ 42.Kg4 R1xh4+ 43.Kf5 R4h5+ 44.Ng5 Rg6 45.Rg2 Kf8=)
41...Rxh4 42.Rc8+ Kg7 43.R2c7+ Kh6 44.Rc6+ Kh5 45.Nf6+ Kg5 46.Ne4+ Kh5=
41.Kh2 Kf8?
41...Bg1+ 42.Kh3 Be3 43.Rg2 Rh1+ 44.Rh2 Rxh2+ (44...Rb1? 45.h5+-) 45.Kxh2 h6±
42.Rxh7 Rgg1 43.Kh3 Rbf1 44.Rc2! Rxf3+ 45.Kh2 Rc1 46.Rb2 1-0

121. C58
Fier, Alexandr (2573) - Leitao, Rafael Duailibe (2592)
Sao Paulo 151/121, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Na5 6.Bb5+ c6 7.dxc6 bxc6 8.Bd3 Ng4?!
8...Nd5
9.Ne4!
9.Nh3 Bd6 10.Nc3 O-O 11.O-O e4 12.Nxe4 Bxh2+ 13.Kh1 Bc7ƒ
9...f5 10.Be2! h5 11.h3 fxe4 12.hxg4 Bc5

13.b4!
13.Nc3 - 141/109
13...Qd4 14.bxc5 O-O 15.O-O Qxa1 16.Nc3 e3! 17.gxh5 exf2+ 18.Rxf2 Rxf2 19.Kxf2 Be6 20.Ba3
Qxd1 21.Bxd1 Rf8+ 22.Ke1 g6! 23.d3 gxh5
23...Kg7

593
24.Bxh5 Nb7
24...Kg7
25.Bf3

25.Bb2 Bf5= (25...Nxc5? 26.Ba3 Rf5 27.g4+-)25.Bc1 Kg7=

25...Nd8N
RR25...Rc8 26.Ne4 Bf5 27.Nd2 Be6 28.c4 Bf5 29.Ke2 Bg6 30.Ke3 Kf7 31.g4 Kf6 32.Bg2 Rd8
33.Bf1 Rb8 34.Bb4 a5 35.Bc3 Nxc5 36.Nf3 Nd7 37.g5+ Ke6 38.Nh4 Rg8 39.Bxa5 Kd6 40.Bh3 c5
41.Be1 Bh5=
26.Bc1
26.Bb2 Bf5 27.Ne2 Re8 28.Ng3 Bg6 29.Kd2
26...Kg7
26...Kf7
27.a3?!
27.Be3
27...Bd7! 28.Ne2
28.Be3 Ne6 29.Kd2 Nd4 30.Bxd4 exd4 31.Ne2 Rf5 32.Nxd4 Rxc5 33.Bxc6! Rxc6 34.Nxc6 Bxc6
35.g3=
28...Ne6 29.Bb2 Kf6 30.Kd2?!

594
30.d4 exd4 31.Nxd4 Nxd4 32.Bxd4+=
30...Ng5!
30...Nxc5!? 31.d4 Na4 32.dxe5+ Ke6 33.Ba1 c5 34.Nc3³
31.Bh5
31.Ke3!=
31...Rh8 32.g4?!

32.Bf3³
32...Be8! 33.Ng3
33.Nd4?! Bxh5 34.gxh5 Rb8 35.Nb3 Ke6µ
33...Bxh5 34.gxh5
34.Nxh5+ Ke6 35.Ng7+ Kd5-+
34...Ke6 35.Ke3 Rf8 36.Ke2 Nh3 37.Ke3 Ng5
37...Nf2! 38.Bc1 Ng4+ 39.Kd2 Rf2+ 40.Kc3 Rh2-+
38.Ke2 Nh3 39.Ke3 Ng5 1/2-1/2

122. C63
Deac, Bogdan Daniel (2651) - Paravyan, David (2642)
Riga (blitz) 151/122, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 f5 4.Nc3 fxe4 5.Nxe4 Nf6 6.Nxf6+ Qxf6 7.Qe2 Be7 8.Bxc6 bxc6 9.Nxe5

595
Bb7!?
9...Qe6 - 113/109
10.d4N
10.O-O O-O-O

11.b3!? (11.d3 Rde8 12.Nc4 h5 13.Qe3 h4!? (13...Kb8 14.Bd2 c5 15.Rae1²) 14.Qh3 (14.Qxa7 c5
15.h3 Qg6 16.f3 Rhf8 17.Na5 Bd5 18.c4 Rxf3 19.Bg5 Qxg5 20.cxd5 Qe3+ 21.Kh1 Rxh3+=)
14...Kb8 15.Bd2 d5 16.Bc3 d4 17.Bd2 Bc8 18.Qf3 Qxf3 19.gxf3 c5© … Bb7) 11...Qf5 (11...Rhe8
12.d4 c5 13.c3 Qf5 14.Qd3 Be4 15.Qe3 Bb7 16.Qf4 Qe6 17.f3 cxd4 18.cxd4 d6 19.Nc4 h5!?
(19...Qd5 20.Qg4+) 20.Bb2 g5 21.Qd2 g4©) 12.Bb2!? (12.Nc4 Rhe8 13.Ne3 Qe5 14.Rb1 Bd6 15.f4
Qe4 16.Qg4 Bc5©) 12...Qxc2 13.Nc4 Rhe8!? (13...Rde8 14.Qh5 Bf6 15.Qc5! Qg6 (15...Kb8
16.Bxf6 d6 17.Rac1!² ∆Qg6? 18.Nxd6!+-) 16.Bxf6 d6 17.Qxa7 c5 18.f3 gxf6 19.Na5 Bd5 20.Qa6+
Kd8 21.Rf2²) 14.Qg4 (14.Qh5 Bf6 15.Qc5 Kb8 16.Bxf6 d6 17.Rac1 Qg6 18.Qg5 gxf6=) 14...c5
15.Rac1 Qd3 16.f3 Kb8!? 17.Qxg7 d5 18.Rce1 Bf8 19.Rxe8 Rxe8 20.Qf7 Rc8 21.Ne5 Qxd2
22.Nd7+ Ka8 23.Nxf8 Qxb2 24.Ne6 Qe5„
10...O-O-O
10...d6!? 11.Ng4 (11.Nd3 O-O (11...Qxd4? 12.O-O±) 12.O-O Qf7 13.Re1 Bf6 14.Be3 Rae8 15.c3
a5!?©) 11...Qg6 12.Bd2!? O-O-O (12...Qxc2 13.O-O O-O-O 14.Qxe7 Qxd2 15.Qxg7 Rhg8 16.Qxh7
Qxd4 17.h3²) 13.O-O-O (13.O-O c5„) 13...Rhe8 14.Rhe1 Bf6 15.Be3 Be7!? 16.f3 h5 17.Nf2 Qe6
18.Ne4 Qxa2 19.Qd3 c5„
11.Be3 c5 12.O-O-O

596
12.O-O Qe6 (12...Ba6 13.c4 cxd4 14.Bxd4 Qf5 15.Ng4 … Ne3±; 12...Rhe8 13.c3 Ba6 14.Qc2!? Bxf1
15.Rxf1 cxd4 16.cxd4 Bd6 17.f4²) 13.Rfe1 Rhf8 14.Nd3 c4 15.Ne5 Qd5 16.Qf1²
12...Qe6! 13.Qc4
13.Kb1 cxd4 14.Bxd4 d6 15.Qc4 Bd5 16.Qa6+ Bb7=
13...Qxc4 14.Nxc4 Bxg2 15.Rhg1 Bf3 16.Rd2 Bd5 17.b3
17.Ne5 d6 18.Nd3 cxd4 19.Bxd4 Rhg8 20.Bxa7 Rdf8 21.Be3 Rf5 22.Nb4 Bf3 23.c4 Rh5„
17...g6
17...cxd4 18.Bxd4 (18.Rxd4 Ba8 19.Rf4 Bf6 20.Bxa7 Rhf8 21.Be3 g5„) 18...Bxc4 19.bxc4 Rhg8
20.Bxa7 Kb7 21.Bd4 Rdf8 22.Rxg7 Bg5 23.Rxh7 Bxd2+ 24.Kxd2 d6 25.h4 Rf4=
18.dxc5 Bxc4 19.bxc4 Kb7 20.Rd3 Rhf8= 21.Rgd1 Kc6 22.Ra3 Bxc5 23.Bxc5 Kxc5 24.Rxa7 Kb6
25.Ra3 Rxf2 26.Rh3 Re8
26...Ra8 27.Kb2 Rf7 28.Rd5 Kc6=
27.Rxd7 Ree2 28.Rc3 Rxh2 29.a4 c6
¹29...Re5 30.Kb2 (30.Rb3+ Kc6 31.Rf7 Rc5 32.Rf6+ Kd7 33.Rd3+ Ke7 34.Rf4 g5³) 30...Rh4
31.Rg7 Rc5 32.Kb3 Ka5 33.Rg8=
30.c5+ Ka6
30...Ka5?? 31.Ra7+ Kb4 32.Kb2 Re8 33.a5 Kb5 34.Rb7+ Ka6 35.Rcb3+-
31.Rd6 Kb7 32.Rd7+ Ka6 33.Rc7

597
33...Re6??†
33...Re5! 34.Rxc6+ Kb7 35.Rf6 Rhe2! 36.c6+ Kc7 37.Rb3 Re6=
34.Rb3+- 1-0

123. C65
Onyshchuk, Volodymyr (2620) - Kryvoruchko, Yuriy (2685)
Ukraine (ch) 151/123, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.Nbd2 O-O 6.c3 d6 7.O-O a6 8.Ba4 Ba7 9.h3 Nh5!?
9...Ne7 - 112/(182)
10.Re1
10.Bxc6 bxc6 11.Nxe5 (11.d4∞) 11...Nf4 12.Nef3 (12.Nxc6 Qg5 13.Qf3 Nxh3+ 14.Kh1 Bg4
15.Qg3 Nxf2+ 16.Rxf2 Bxf2 17.Qxf2 Rae8∞) 12...Nxd3 13.Nc4 Nxc1 14.Rxc1∞
10...f5 11.exf5 Bxf5 12.g4?N

598
12.d4 exd4 (12...Kh8 13.Nf1∞) 13.Nxd4 Nxd4 14.cxd4 Bxd4 15.Nf3 Bb6 16.Bg5 Nf6 17.Nd4
Bxd4 18.Qxd4©; 12.Nf1 h6 13.d4 exd4 14.cxd4 Bg6 15.Be3 Nf4 16.Bxc6 bxc6 17.Bxf4 Rxf4
18.Qc1 Rxf3 19.gxf3 Qh4 20.Qxc6 Rf8=
12...Bxd3
12...Bg6!! 13.gxh5 Bxh5 14.Qb3+ (14.d4 Qf6 15.Bb3+ Kh8 16.Bd5 exd4-+) 14...d5 15.Qxb7 Na5
16.Qb4 Qf6 17.Bd1 Qg6+ 18.Kh1 (18.Kf1 Qxd3+ 19.Be2 Qf5-+) 18...Bxf2 19.Rf1 Qg3 20.Rxf2
(20.Nh2 Bxd1 21.Rxd1 Bd4!-+) 20...Qxf2 21.Qxa5 c6-+
13.gxh5 d5
13...Qd7! 14.Kg2 Bf5 15.Ne4 (15.Rh1 Kh8 16.Nh4 Be6µ) 15...Bxh3+ 16.Kh2 Bg4 17.Nxe5 Bxd1
18.Nxd7 Bxa4 19.Nxf8 Ne5! 20.Kg2 Rxf8µ
14.Bxc6 bxc6 15.Rxe5 Qf6 16.Qe1 Be4 17.Rxe4
17.Nxe4 Qxf3 18.Be3 dxe4 19.Bxa7 Rxa7 20.Rd1∞
17...dxe4 18.Qxe4 Rae8 19.Qc4+ Kh8 20.Kg2 Qd6
20...Re5 21.b3 Rg5+ 22.Kh1 Rf5 23.Ne4 Qe7 24.Bg5 Qe8 25.Ned2 Qxh5 26.Qg4 Qxg4 27.hxg4
Rxf3 28.Nxf3 Rxf3=
21.Ne4?
21.Nf1 Bxf2 (21...Qd1 22.N1h2∞) 22.Kxf2 Qd1 23.Qg4 Qe2+ 24.Kg1 Rxf3 25.Be3™ Rfxe3
(25...Ref8 26.Qg2 Rxe3 27.Nxe3 Qxe3+ 28.Kh1∞) 26.Nxe3 Qxe3+ 27.Kh1 h6∞
21...Qd1 22.Nfg5?

599
22.Neg5 Qe2 23.Qxe2 Rxe2 24.h4

24...Bxf2! (24...Rxf2+? 25.Kg3 h6 26.Ne5! hxg5 (26...Kg8 27.Ngf3∞) 27.Ng6+ Kg8 28.Nxf8
gxh4+ 29.Kxh4 Kxf8=) 25.Kf1 Rc2 26.Bd2 (26.Nd2 Bxh4+ 27.Ngf3 Rxf3+ 28.Nxf3 Rf2+ 29.Kg1
Rxf3 30.Bd2µ) 26...Bxh4 27.Ke2 Bxg5 28.Nxg5 Rxb2µ
22...Qd5!-+ 23.Qxd5 cxd5 24.Nd2 Rxf2+ 25.Kg3 Ree2 26.Ndf3 Kg8 27.Nh4 Rf1 28.Kg4 Rg1+
29.Kf4 c6 30.Kf5 Ree1 31.Ngf3 Rxc1 32.Rxc1 Rxc1 33.Ne5 d4 0-1

124. * C67
Deac, Bogdan Daniel (2643) - Navara, David (2691)
Riga 151/124, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.Re1 Nd6 6.Nxe5 Be7 7.Bf1 Nxe5 8.Rxe5 O-O 9.d4
Bf6 10.Re1 Re8 11.Bf4 Rxe1 12.Qxe1 Ne8 13.Qc3!?
13.Nc3 Bxd4 14.Nd5© - 144/101
13...d5 14.Nd2 Bf5!?N
14...c6 15.Re1 g6 16.b4 (16.a4!? Ng7 17.Nf3 Ne6 18.Be5 Bxe5 19.Nxe5 a5 20.h3 … g4) 16...Ng7
17.Nb3 Ne6 (17...Bf5 18.Be5 Ne6 19.Bxf6 Qxf6 20.a4 Ng5 21.a5 Ne4 22.Qe3 Re8 23.Qf4 g5„)
18.Be5 Bd7 19.Qg3 Bxe5 20.Rxe5 Qf8 21.a3 Rd8 22.Re1 b6 23.c4 dxc4 24.Bxc4 Bc8 25.Qe5
(25.Qf3 Rd6 26.h4 Qd8„) 25...h5!? (25...Qg7 26.Qb8²; 25...Rd6 26.h4 h5 27.Nd2 Qd8 28.Nf3ƒ)
26.h4 Qg7=
15.Re1 c6
15...a5!? 16.Nb3 a4 17.Nc5 b6 18.Na6!? (18.Nd3 c5 19.Be5 Bxd3 20.Qxd3 Bxe5 21.dxe5 Nc7
22.f4 Qe7 23.g3 c4 24.Qd4 Qc5=) 18...c5 19.Be5 c4 20.Nb4 Qd7 (20...Rc8 21.Bxf6 Nxf6 22.g3²)

600
21.g3 Be7 22.a3 (22.Nxd5 Qxd5 23.Bg2 Qa5 24.Bxa8 Qxa8 25.Qxc4 Be4∞) 22...Bxb4 23.Qxb4
Bxc2 24.Qxb6 Bf5 25.Bg2 Be6∞
16.Nb3N
16.Bd3 - 151/(124) 16...Bxd3 17.Qxd3 Nc7 18.Nf3 Ne6 19.Be5 Be7= Tari,A (2642) -Karjakin,S
(2758) Stavanger 151/(124) 2021; 16.b4 Nc7 17.a4 (17.Nb3 Nb5 18.Qd2 b6 19.a4 Nd6∞) 17...Ne6
18.Be5 a5„
16...Nc7 17.Be5
17.Na5 Qc8 18.Be5 Ne8∞
17...Ne6
17...Ne8 18.Nc5 b6 19.Nd3 Rc8 20.Qd2 Bxe5 21.Nxe5 Nd6 22.g4 Be6 23.Bg2 Qc7 24.b3 c5 25.c4
dxc4 26.d5 Bd7 27.bxc4 Re8 28.Qc3 f6 29.Nxd7 Rxe1+ 30.Qxe1 Qxd7 31.Qe2=; 17...Bxe5 18.dxe5
(18.Rxe5 g6 19.h3 Qd6 20.g4 Be6∞) 18...Ne6 19.Qd2 c5 20.c3 a5 21.a4 h6 22.Bb5 Rc8 23.Nc1 d4„
18.Na5! Qe7
18...Bxe5 19.Rxe5 Bxc2 20.Nxb7 Qb6 21.Nc5²; 18...Qd7 19.Bxf6 gxf6 20.Nb3 b6 21.Qd2 Kg7
22.c3 Qd6 23.Nc1 Qf4 24.Re3²; 18...Be7!? 19.Nxb7 Qb6 20.Qb3 Bxc2 21.Qxc2 Qxb7 22.g3 Re8
23.Bh3 Bf8 24.Re3 g6 25.Rb3 Qd7 26.Rc3 c5 27.dxc5 d4 28.Rd3 Qd5„
19.b4
19.Bxf6 gxf6 (19...Qxf6

20.Qb4! b6 21.Nxc6 Bxc2 22.Qd6! Ba4 23.Ne7+ Kh8 24.b3 Rd8 25.Rxe6 Rxd6 26.Rxf6 Rxf6
27.bxa4 Re6 28.Nxd5 Re4 29.Ne3 Rxd4 30.Bc4±) 20.Qd2 Qc7 21.Re3 b6 22.Nb3 Qf4 23.c3 Kh8

601
24.g3²
19...Be4„ 20.Nb3 Rd8 21.a3
21.Bxf6 Qxf6 22.f3 Bg6 23.Re5 h5„
21...Bxe5 22.dxe5 d4
22...h5!?
23.Qd2 Bd5 24.Nc1 c5 25.f4 g6 26.Ne2
26.bxc5 Nxc5 27.Ne2 d3 28.cxd3 Bc4 29.Nc1 Ne6©
26...b6 27.f5
27.Ng3 Qh4ƒ
27...gxf5 28.Ng3 f4 29.Nh5 Qg5 30.Nf6+ Kg7 31.Qf2 Kh8 32.Bd3 h6
32...c4!? 33.Bxh7 Bc6 34.Be4 Bxe4 35.Nxe4 Qg6 36.Nd6 Kg7 37.Kf1 Rh8 38.h3 c3„
33.bxc5 bxc5 34.Nxd5 Rxd5 35.Qe2 f3
35...Kg7 36.Kh1 f3 37.gxf3 Nf4 38.Qd2 Ng6 39.Qxg5 hxg5 40.e6=
36.Qxf3 Rxe5 37.Rxe5 Qxe5 38.Qxf7 Qe3+ 39.Kf1= Qc1+ 40.Kf2 Qe3+ 41.Kf1 Qc1+ 42.Kf2
Qe3+ 43.Kf1 Qc1+ 1/2-1/2

125. C67
Svane, Rasmus (2594) - McShane, Luke J (2675)
Deutschland 151/125, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.Re1 Nd6 6.Nxe5 Be7 7.Bf1 Nxe5 8.Rxe5 O-O 9.d4
Bf6 10.Re2 b6 11.Re1 Re8 12.Bf4 Rxe1 13.Qxe1 Ne8
13...Bxd4?? 14.Bxd6 Bxb2 (14...cxd6 15.Qe4+-) 15.Bxc7 Qf8 16.Nd2 Bxa1 17.Qxa1+-; 13...Bb7?!
14.Bxd6 cxd6 15.c3±; 13...Qe7 - 130/121
14.Nc3 Bb7 15.Qd2N
15.Qe3
15...d5 16.Re1 Nd6
¹16...g6
17.Bd3 c5?
17...Bxd4 18.Bxh7+ Kxh7 19.Qxd4²; 17...Nc4 18.Bxc4 dxc4 19.Be5 Bxe5 20.Rxe5²
18.dxc5 bxc5 19.Nxd5! Bxd5 20.Bxh7+ Kxh7 21.Qxd5 Be7

602
21...Nb5 22.Qxf7 Rc8 23.c3±; 21...Ne8 22.Qxf7 Bxb2 23.Qh5+ Kg8 24.Rd1 Qc8 25.Qd5+ Kh7
26.Qe4+ Kg8 27.Rd3±; 21...Qa5! 22.c3 Re8 (22...Rd8 23.Bxd6 Qb6 24.Qf5+ Kg8 25.Bxc5 Qxb2
26.Qb1! Rb8 27.Qxb2 Rxb2 28.a3±) 23.Rxe8 Nxe8 24.Qe4+ g6 25.Qxe8 Qxa2 26.h4²
22.Re3?!
22.Bxd6 Bxd6 23.Rd1 Rb8„; 22.Kf1!! Rc8 (22...Rb8 23.Rxe7! Qxe7 24.Bxd6+-) 23.Bxd6 Bxd6
24.Rd1 Qf6 25.Qxd6 Qxb2 26.Qd3+ Kg8±
22...Bf8?!
22...Rb8! 23.Bxd6 (23.Rh3+ Kg8 24.Qh5 f6 25.Qh7+ Kf7 26.Qh5+=; 23.g4 Kg8 24.Rh3 Rb6
25.Qh5 f6 26.Qh7+ Kf7 27.Qh5+=) 23...Qxd6 24.Qe4+ Kg8 25.Qxe7 Qxe7 26.Rxe7 Rxb2=
23.Rh3+ Kg8 24.Qh5 f6 25.Qh8+ Kf7 26.Qh5+ Kg8 27.g4 Qe8?
27...Rb8? 28.Bxd6 Qxd6 29.g5 fxg5 30.Qh7+ Kf7 31.Rf3+ Ke8 32.Qf5+-; 27...Nb5? 28.g5 fxg5
29.Bxg5 Qd5 30.c4 Qf5 31.cxb5+-; 27...c4™ 28.g5 Qa5 29.Qh7+ Kf7 30.Bxd6 (30.g6+ Ke7
31.Re3+ Kd7 32.Qg8 Qd2 33.Qe6+ Kc6 34.Bxd6 Bxd6 35.Qxc4+ Bc5=) 30...Bxd6 31.Qh5+ Ke6
32.Re3+ Be5 33.f4 Qd2 34.Qh3+ Kd6 35.fxe5+ fxe5²
28.Qh7+ Kf7 29.Qh5+ Kg8 30.Qh7+ Kf7 31.Re3+- Qc6 32.g5 fxg5 33.Bxd6 Bxd6
33...Qxd6 34.Rf3+ Ke8 35.Qe4++-
34.Qf5+ Kg8 35.Qe6+ Kf8 36.Re5! 1-0

603
C75-C99

126. C77
Van Foreest, Jorden (2702) - Grandelius, Nils (2672)
Wijk aan Zee 151/126, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.c3 g6 7.O-O Bg7 8.Re1 O-O 9.Nbd2 Re8 10.Nf1
b5 11.Bc2 a5!?
11...Bb7 - 99/(229)
12.Bg5N
12.a4; 12.Ne3
12...h6 13.Bh4
13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.a4 b4 15.Bb3 Rb8 16.Ne3 Bg7 17.h3 Bd7∞
13...a4 14.Ne3 Bb7 15.c4 Nb4?!
15...bxc4
16.cxb5 Qd7

17.Bxf6!?
17.Bxa4?! g5 18.Bxg5!? (18.Bg3?! Nxd3 19.Qxd3 Rxa4 20.b3 Bxe4 21.Qd1 Rb4 22.a4 c6„)
18...hxg5 19.Bb3 Qxb5 20.Nxg5 d5™ 21.Qf3∞

604
17...Bxf6?!
17...Nxc2 18.Qxc2 (18.Bxg7?! Nxe3 19.Rxe3 Kxg7 20.d4 Qxb5 21.dxe5 dxe5∞) 18...Bxf6 19.Rac1
Qxb5 (19...Rec8 20.Qd2!? Bg7 (20...Qxb5? 21.Ng4 Bg7 22.Nxh6+ Kf8 23.Qg5+-) 21.Qb4²;
19...Bd8 20.b4!? Qxb5 (20...axb3? 21.Qxb3+-) 21.a3² ×Bd8, a4) 20.Qxc7 Red8 21.Qc4 Qb6
22.Qc2²
18.Bxa4± Nxd3™ 19.Qxd3 Rxa4 20.Nd1!? Rb4™

21.a4?!
21.Nc3! Rxb2 22.a4 c6!? 23.Nd2 Rb4 (23...cxb5?! 24.Nxb5! Bc6 (24...d5 25.Qc3+-) 25.Qc3 Rxb5
26.axb5 Bxb5 27.Qb3+-) 24.Nc4 d5 (24...cxb5? 25.Nb6! Qe6 (25...Qd8 26.a5™ Bc6 27.Ncd5 Rd4
28.Qb3+-) 26.Ncd5 Bxd5 27.Nxd5 Rxa4 28.Nc7 Qd7 29.Nxe8 Qxe8 30.Qxd6 Bg7 31.g3+-)
25.Na5 Ra8 (25...d4?! 26.Nxb7 Qxb7 27.bxc6 Qxc6 28.Nd5 Rb7 29.Rec1 Qd6 30.Rcb1!? Rxb1+
31.Rxb1±) 26.Nxb7 Qxb7 27.a5!? d4 28.bxc6 Qxc6 29.Nd5 Rb7 30.Rec1 Qd6 31.a6 Rba7 32.Qa3
Qxa3 33.Rxa3 Bd8 34.Rc6²
21...d5!?„ 22.Qd2 Qd6™ 23.exd5 e4!?
23...Bxd5?! 24.Ne3 Be6 25.Qxd6 cxd6 26.b3!? Rxb3 27.Nd2 Rd3 (27...Rb4? 28.Reb1 Rd4
29.Ndf1+-) 28.Ne4 Be7 29.Red1 Rxd1+ 30.Rxd1 Ra8 31.Nc3±
24.Qxh6 Qf8?
24...Qxd5!? 25.Ne3 Qd8 26.Ng4 Bg7 27.Qf4 Qe7©
25.Qxf8+ Kxf8 26.Nd2 Bxd5

605
27.Re3?
27.Nc3! Ba8 28.Ra2±
27...Bd4
27...Ra8 28.Rea3 Be5∞
28.Rea3 f5„ 29.g3 g5 30.Ne3
30.a5 f4!? 31.gxf4 gxf4 32.Nc3 Rxb2 33.Nxd5 Rxd2 34.R3a2™ e3!? (34...Bxf2+ 35.Kf1 Rxd5
36.Rxf2 f3 37.a6 Rxb5 38.a7 Ra8 39.Rfa2=) 35.fxe3 fxe3 36.Nxe3™ Bxe3+ 37.Kh1 Rd6³
30...Bxe3
30...Rxb2 31.Nxd5 (31.Rd1 Be6 32.Ndc4 Bxc4 (32...Bc5?! 33.Nxb2 Bxa3 34.Nbc4 Bc5 35.Nd5²)
33.Rxd4 Be2 34.Ra1 f4 35.Nf1 e3 36.fxe3 fxe3© ×Kg1) 31...Rxd2 32.R3a2 Bxf2+ 33.Kf1 Rxd5
34.Kxf2 f4∞
31.fxe3 Rxb2∞ 32.Nf1 Bc4?
32...Ra8©
33.Rc3 Be2 34.Rac1 Ra8
34...Bf3 35.R3c2 Rb4 (35...Rxc2 36.Rxc2+-) 36.Rxc7 Rxa4 37.b6+-
35.R3c2 Rxc2 36.Rxc2 Bf3 37.Rc4
37.Rxc7?? Rxa4©
37...Ke7

606
37...Ra7 38.Nd2+-
38.Rxc7+ Ke6 39.Rc4 Be2 40.Rb4 Rc8 41.Nd2 Bd3 42.b6 Rc1+ 43.Kf2 Rc2 44.b7 1-0

127. C78
Perunovic, Milos (2538) - Grigoriants, Sergey (2546)
Magyarorszag 151/127, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Bc5 6.c3 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.a4 Bg4 9.h3 Bh5 10.d3
10.d4 Bb6∞
10...Rb8 11.axb5 axb5 12.Re1 O-O 13.Nbd2 b4
13...Ra8 - 71/341
14.Ba4 bxc3 15.bxc3 Na7?!N
15...Ne7 16.Nf1 h6 17.Ng3 Bg6 18.Nh4²
16.Nf1
16.Nb3! Bb6 17.Bg5 h6 18.Bh4 g5 19.Bg3 c6 20.d4±
16...Nb5

17.Bd2
17.Bxb5! Rxb5 18.Ng3 Bg6 (18...Bxf3 19.Qxf3±) 19.Bg5 h6 20.Bh4 Bb6 (20...Bh7? 21.Nh5! g5
22.Ra8! Qxa8 23.Nxf6+ Kg7 24.Nxh7 Kxh7 (24...Rh8 25.Nhxg5 hxg5 26.Bxg5+-) 25.Nxg5+ Kh8
26.Qh5 Kg7 27.Qg4+-) 21.d4±
17...Bg6 18.Ng3 c6 19.Qc2?!

607
19.Bxb5! Rxb5 20.Bg5±
19...Qb6 20.Bg5 Nh5 21.Nxh5?!†
21.Nf5 Bxf5 22.exf5

22...Nxc3! (22...h6 23.Bh4!±) 23.Qxc3 Bxf2+ 24.Kh2 f6 25.Bh4 Bxe1 26.Bxe1 Kh8∞
21...Bxh5 22.g4
22.Nh4 Nxc3! 23.Qxc3 Bxf2+ 24.Kh2 f6 25.Reb1 Qxb1! 26.Rxb1 Rxb1∞
22...f6 23.Be3 Bf7 24.Bxb5 Bxe3 25.Rxe3
25.Bc4 Bxc4 26.dxc4 Bc5 27.Reb1 Qc7 28.Kg2=
25...Qxb5 26.Nh4 g6 27.Nf3 d5
27...Qb2 28.Qxb2 Rxb2 29.Ra6 Rc8 30.Ra7∞
28.Kg2 Qc5 29.Qd2 Rfd8 30.Qc1 Rb3 31.d4 exd4 1/2-1/2

128. C78
Deac, Bogdan Daniel (2651) - Shirov, Alexei (2673)
Terme Catez 151/128, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O b5 6.Bb3 Bc5 7.a4 Rb8 8.c3 d6 9.d4 Bb6 10.a5 Ba7
11.h3 Bb7 12.Be3 Nxe4 13.Nbd2!?
13.Re1 exd4 (13...Ne7 14.Nbd2 (14.dxe5 - 150/126) 14...Nxd2 15.Bxd2! O-O 16.dxe5 dxe5 17.Nxe5
Ng6 18.Be3 Bxe3 19.Rxe3 Qg5 20.Qg4²) 14.cxd4 d5 15.Nc3 Ne7 16.Nxe4 (16.Ne5 O-O 17.Nxe4
dxe4 18.Rc1 Bd5 19.Bxd5 Qxd5 20.Rxc7 Rb7 21.Qc2 h6 22.Rd1 Rd8 23.b4 Rxc7 24.Qxc7 Bb8

608
25.Qxe7 Bxe5=) 16...dxe4 17.Ng5 Bd5 18.Nxe4 (18.Bxd5 Qxd5 19.Nxe4 O-O 20.Qc2 Nf5=)
18...O-O 19.Bc2 (19.Bg5 Bxb3 20.Qxb3 h6 21.Bxe7 Qxe7 22.Nc5 Qd6=) 19...Bxe4 20.Bxe4 Nd5
21.Qc2 Nxe3 22.fxe3 Kh8!? 23.Bxh7 (23.b4 Qe7„) 23...c5! 24.dxc5 Qg5„; 13.d5 Bxe3 14.dxc6
Nxf2 15.Qe2 Nxh3+ 16.Kh1 Nf2+ 17.Rxf2 Bxf2 18.cxb7!? (18.Qxf2 Bxc6 19.Nxe5 Bxg2+ 20.Kg1
O-O 21.Nxf7 Qe7∞ - 149/120) 18...Ba7 19.Bd5 Qd7!? 20.Nd4 Qe7 21.Bc6+ Kf8 22.Nf3 Qe6!?
(22...d5 - 149/118) 23.c4 d5 24.cxd5 Qh6+ 25.Nh2 Qc1+ 26.Qf1 Qxb2 27.Ra3

27...e4!„ 28.Rc3 Rd8 (28...e3 29.Nf3 Qb4 30.Rc2²) 29.Ng4 (… Ne5) 29...Qb4! 30.Rh3 Qd4! 31.Nc3
h5 32.Qc1 g5! 33.Ne2 Qg7 34.Qa3+ Rd6 35.Ne3 g4 36.Nf5 Qf6∞
13...exd4!?
13...Nxd2 - 150/125
14.cxd4 Nxd2 15.Qxd2 O-O 16.Rfe1 Qd7
16...d5 17.Bf4 Qd7 18.Rac1 Rbe8 (18...Rfe8? 19.Ne5 Nxe5 20.Bxe5 f6 (20...Rbc8 21.Qg5+-)
21.Rxc7 Qe6 22.f4 fxe5 23.Rxe5 Qg6 24.Rxb7!±) 19.Ne5 Nxe5 20.Bxe5 c6 (… f6) 21.Bxg7 Kxg7
22.Qg5+ Kh8 23.Qf6+=
17.d5© Bxe3 18.Rxe3N
18.Qxe3 Ne5 (18...Nd8 19.Qd3ƒ (19.Qd4 c5!) 19...g6 20.Qd4! Ba8 (20...c5? 21.Qf6+-) 21.Qh4 f6
22.Nd4±) 19.Nxe5 dxe5 20.Qxe5 Rbd8 21.Rac1 Rfe8 22.Qd4 Rxe1+ 23.Rxe1 Qd6 24.Qa7 (24.Qe3
h6=) 24...Bxd5 25.Bxd5 Qxd5 26.Qxa6 h5=
18...Ne7
18...Ne5 19.Nxe5 dxe5 20.Rxe5 Rfe8 21.Rae1 Rxe5 22.Rxe5 Rd8 23.Qe3 Kf8 … Qd6=
19.Rae1

609
19...Nf5!?
19...Ng6 20.h4!? h5 21.Bc2 Rbe8 22.Ng5 Rxe3 23.Rxe3 Ne5 24.Nh7 Re8 25.Qe2 Qe7 26.Qxh5
Bxd5 27.Rg3 (27.Ng5 Qf6 28.Bh7+ Kf8 29.Bf5 Kg8= (29...Ke7? 30.Nh7±)) 27...Be6 28.f4 Bg4
29.Rxg4 Nxg4 30.Qxg4 Qe2 31.Nf6+ Kf8 32.Nd7+ Kg8 33.Nf6+=
20.Rc3 Rfe8 21.Rec1 Rbc8 22.Nd4 Nh4
22...Nxd4 23.Qxd4 Qf5 24.Rxc7 Qg5 25.R1c3²
23.Rg3!?
23.Qg5 Qe7 24.Qxe7 Rxe7 25.Nc6 (25.g3 Ng6 26.f4 h5 27.Nf5 Rd7 28.Re3 Kf8 29.Rce1 h4„)
25...Ree8 26.Bc2 g6 27.Kf1 Kg7=
23...Re4
23...Qd8!? 24.Nc6 Qf6 25.Bd1 Re4 26.Bf3 (26.Bg4 Rce8) 26...Rc4 27.Rxc4 bxc4 28.Be2 Bxc6
29.dxc6 Rb8 30.Rc3 d5 31.Qxd5 Rxb2 32.Qxc4 g6 33.Rb3=
24.Qd3
24.Bd1

610
24...Qe7! 25.Rgc3 (25.Re3 Bxd5 26.g3 Qe5 27.Bg4 f5 28.Nf3 Nxf3+ 29.Bxf3 c6! 30.Bxe4 fxe4³)
25...Re1+ 26.Kh2 Qe5+ 27.f4 Qxd5 28.Rg3 Rxd1! 29.Rxd1 c5 30.Nb3 Qxd2 31.Rxd2 Kf8³; 24.Nc6
Ng6 25.Bd1 Rce8 26.Bg4 f5 27.Bh5 Rc4 28.Rxc4 bxc4 29.Rxg6 hxg6 30.Bxg6 Bxc6 31.dxc6 Qe6=
24...Qe7?!
24...Rce8?! 25.Ne6! R4xe6 26.dxe6 fxe6 27.Rg4 Ng6 28.f4 d5 29.Bc2 Nf8 30.Qd4±; 24...Ree8
25.Bc2 Ng6 26.Nf5 Re5 27.Ne3 f5!? (27...Rce8 28.Qd4 c5! 29.dxc6 Qxc6 30.Kh2 Qc7 31.Bxg6
Qxc1 32.Bxh7+ Kxh7 33.Qh4+ Kg8 34.Qf6 Kf8 35.Rxg7 R8e7 36.Rh7 Ke8 37.Qxd6 f6 38.Rh8+
Kf7 39.Rh7+=) 28.Nxf5 Bxd5 29.Qd2 Bb7 (29...Bf7 30.Ne3 Kh8 31.Kh2©) 30.Nxg7 (30.Nh6+
Kh8 31.Ng4 Rd5 32.Qe1 c5 33.Ne3 Re8 34.Bxg6 hxg6 35.Rxg6 Qe7 36.Qc3 Rg5 37.Rxg5 Qxg5„)
30...Qxg7 31.f4 Qh6 32.Rd1 Re7 33.f5 Qxd2 34.Rxd2 Be4=
25.Ne6! Nf5 26.Rf3ƒ Rb4?
26...Re5 27.Rxf5 fxe6 (27...Rxf5 28.Qxf5 fxe6 29.dxe6 c6 30.Bc2 g6 31.Qg4 Rf8 32.f4 Kh8 33.f5
gxf5 34.Bxf5 c5 35.Be4 Rg8 36.Qf3±) 28.dxe6 (28.Rxe5 dxe5 29.dxe6 Qg5 30.Qf1

611
30...Bxg2! 31.h4 Bxf1+ 32.hxg5 Bc4 33.Bxc4 bxc4 34.Rc3 c5 35.Rxc4 Rc6=) 28...c5 29.Rxe5 c4
(29...dxe5? 30.Rxc5!+-) 30.Qg3 dxe5 31.Bd1! Qxe6 32.Bg4 Qh6 33.Re1 Rf8 34.Qxe5 Qd2
(34...Qf6 35.Be6+ Kh8 36.Qxf6 gxf6 (36...Rxf6? 37.Bxc4) 37.Rd1 Bc8 38.Rd6²) 35.Re2 Qd1+
36.Kh2 Qd8 37.Qe7 Bc8 38.Be6+ Kh8 39.Bd5ƒ
27.Rxf5 fxe6

28.dxe6??
28.Re1! g6 29.Rxe6 Qh4 30.Rff6! Rf4 31.Rxg6+! hxg6 32.g3! Qxh3 33.Qxg6+ Kh8 34.Qg5+-
28...Be4! 29.Rf7 Qg5-+ 30.Qf1 Rxb3 31.Rcxc7 Rxc7 32.Rxc7 Kf8 33.f3 Qe3+ 34.Kh1 Bd3 35.Qa1

612
35.Qg1 Qxg1+ 36.Kxg1 Rxb2-+
35...Qxe6 36.Qc1 Bc4 37.Qf4+ Ke8 38.Qh4 Rxb2 0-1

129. C78
Hansen, Eric (2606) - Praggnanandhaa, Rameshbabu (2612)
chess24.com (Int.-rapid) 151/129, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O b5 6.Bb3 Bc5 7.a4 Rb8 8.c3 d6 9.d4 Bb6 10.a5 Ba7
11.h3 Bb7 12.Re1 O-O 13.Be3 exd4 14.cxd4 Nb4 15.Nc3
15.d5 - 101/242
15...Bxe4!
15...Nxe4? 16.Nxe4 Bxe4 17.Bd2! Bxf3 18.Qxf3 c5 19.Rad1! c4 20.Bxb4 cxb3 21.Qg3±
16.Nxe4 Nxe4 17.Bf4?!N
17.Rc1©
17...d5 18.Rc1
18.Ne5©
18...Rc8 19.Ne5 c5 20.dxc5

20...Nxc5?
20...Bxc5! 21.Rxe4 dxe4 22.Bxf7+ Rxf7 23.Qxd8+ Rxd8 24.Nxf7 Rd5 25.Ne5µ
21.Rc3!„ Qh4?

613
21...f6 22.Nf3„
22.Bg3 Qg5 23.h4?
23.Qd4! Nxb3 (23...Ne4 24.Qxa7 Nxc3 25.bxc3 Rxc3 26.Bd1+-) 24.Qxa7 Ra8 (24...Rxc3 25.bxc3
Na2 26.Nd7 Rd8 27.Qc7+-) 25.Nf3! Rxa7 26.Nxg5 Nxa5 27.Bd6+-
23...Qd8 24.Qg4 Nxb3

24...f6™ 25.Qxb4 fxe5 26.Rec1 (26.Ba2 e4 27.Rec1 Kh8! 28.Be5 (28.Rxc5? Qe7 29.Rxc8 Qxb4µ)
28...Qxh4 29.Bd4 Qh5!∞) 26...Rc7 27.Kh2 Kh8 28.Bxe5 Re7 29.f4ƒ
25.Nxf7!! h5 26.Qh3?
26.Rxc8 hxg4 (26...Qxc8 27.Nh6+ Kh8 28.Qxh5+-) 27.Rxd8 Rxd8 28.Nxd8+-; 26.Nxd8 hxg4
27.Rxc8 Nd3 28.Re7 Bd4 (28...Bxf2+ 29.Bxf2 Nxf2 30.Rcc7+-) 29.Rec7+-
26...Rxc3?
26...Bxf2+! 27.Bxf2 (27.Kh1? Qf6! 28.Rxc8 Bxe1 29.Bxe1 Qf1+ 30.Kh2 Qxe1-+) 27...Rxc3
28.bxc3 (28.Qxc3 Rxf7 29.Qxb3 Nc6³) 28...Qf6! 29.cxb4 Qxf7 30.Qe6 d4³
27.Nxd8 Bxf2+
27...Rxg3 28.Qe6+ Kh7 29.Re5 Rxg2+ (29...Bxf2+ 30.Kh2+-) 30.Kxg2 Rxf2+ 31.Kg3 Rf3+
32.Kxf3 Nd4+ 33.Kg2 Nxe6 34.Nxe6+-
28.Kh1 Rxg3 29.Qe6+ Kh8 30.Re5 g6
30...Be3 31.Nf7+ Rxf7 32.Qxf7+-
31.Nf7+ Kg7 32.Ng5 Rxg5 33.Rxg5 Rf6 34.Qe7+ Rf7 35.Qxb4+- Nd4 36.Qd6 Rf6 37.Qe7+ Rf7

614
38.Qe5+ Rf6 39.Qe7+ Rf7 40.Qd6 Rf6 41.Qd7+ Kh6 42.Qd8 Kg7 43.Rxd5 Bxh4 44.Qd7+ Rf7
45.Rxd4 Rxd7 46.Rxd7+ Kh6 47.Rd6 1-0

130. C80
Van Foreest, Jorden (2702) - Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2767)
Wijk aan Zee 151/130, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.a4 b4 10.Be3
10.a5 - 51/330
10...Be7 11.a5
11.Nbd2
11...O-O 12.Qd3 Nc5 13.Bxc5 Bxc5 14.c3 Ne7N
14...g6 15.Nbd2 (15.Rc1?! Qe7 16.Ra4 Rab8 (16...Rfb8!?) 17.Qxa6 Bxf2+ 18.Kxf2 Qc5+ 19.Ke2
Bg4µ) 15...Kg7=; 14...d4 15.Bxe6 fxe6 16.c4 Qe8 17.Nbd2 Rf4 18.Nb3 Be7 19.Rad1 Rd8 20.Rfe1
Qh5=
15.Nbd2 bxc3 16.bxc3 Ba7 17.Nd4 Bd7 18.N2f3 c5

19.e6!? Be8
19...fxe6? 20.Ng5+-
20.Ng5?!
20.Bc2 f5 21.Ne2∞
20...f5 21.Nf7 Rxf7!

615
21...Bxf7 22.exf7+ Rxf7 23.Ne6 Qd6 24.Ng5 Rf6 25.Rfe1 (… Re7!) 25...c4 26.Bxc4 dxc4 27.Qxd6
Rxd6 28.Rxe7 Rd2 29.Rf1 Bc5 30.Rc7 Bd6 31.Rxc4 Ra2=
22.exf7+ Bxf7 23.Nxf5 c4 24.Bxc4 Nxf5 25.Bxa6 Nd6 26.Qf3 Bc5 27.Bd3 Rxa5 28.Rxa5 Qxa5
29.h4 h5?!
29...g6 30.Rc1 (30.h5 Qxc3) 30...Qd8µ
30.g3 Ne8 31.c4! dxc4 32.Bh7+ Kf8
32...Kxh7 33.Qxf7 Nf6 34.Qxc4=
33.Bg6 Nf6 34.Bxf7 Kxf7

35.Rc1?
35.Qb7+ Kg6 (35...Kg8 36.Qc8+ Kh7 37.Qf5+ Kh6 38.Qf4+=) 36.Qb1+=
35...Qc7 36.Kg2
36.Qf4 Qxf4 37.gxf4 Ng4 38.Kg2 (38.Rxc4 Bxf2+ 39.Kh1 Bxh4-+) 38...Bxf2 39.Kh3 (39.Kf3
Bxh4 40.Rxc4 Be7-+) 39...Ne3-+
36...Bd4 37.Qa8 c3-+ 38.Qa2+ Kg6 39.Qc2+ Kh6 40.Qd3 Qb7+ 41.f3 Qb2+ 42.Rc2 Qb1 43.Qf5
Be3 44.Kh3 Qd1 0-1

131. C83
Shuvalova, Polina (2509) - Girya, Olga (2410)
Russia (ch) 151/131, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.Nbd2 Nc5
10.c3 Be7 11.Nd4!? Nxe5 12.Bc2

616
12.f4 Bg4 13.Qe1 Nc4 14.Nxc4 dxc4 15.Qg3 h5 16.h3 cxb3 17.hxg4 hxg4 18.Qxg4 Qd5∞
12...Qd6!
12...Bg4 13.Qe1 Ned3 14.Qe3 Nxc1 15.Rfxc1 Qd6 (15...Bd7 16.Re1 Ne6 17.Nxe6 Bxe6 18.Nb3 O-
O 19.Nd4ƒ) 16.Re1 Ne6 17.Ne4! dxe4 18.Qxe4 Rd8 19.Qxg4ƒ
13.b4
13.f4 Ng4 14.b4 Na4 15.Bxa4 (15.Re1 Nf6∞) 15...bxa4 16.Nxe6 Qxe6 17.Qxa4+ Qd7 18.Qxd7+
Kxd7 19.Nf3∞; 13.N2b3 - 107/(102)
13...Na4!
13...Ncd7? 14.f4 Nc4 15.f5 Ne3 16.Qe2 Nxf1 17.Nxf1+-; 13...Ng4?! 14.g3 Na4 15.Nxe6 Qxe6
16.Re1 Qd7 17.Nf3 O-O 18.Nd4±
14.Re1N
14.Bxa4 bxa4
14...Bg4!
14...O-O 15.Qh5 Ng6 16.Nxe6 fxe6 17.Re3 e5 18.Rh3 Nf4 19.Qxh7+ Kf7 20.Rf3 Rh8 21.Qf5+ Bf6
22.Rxf4! exf4 23.Nf3ƒ; 14...Bd7 15.N2b3ƒ
15.N2f3 Nxf3+
15...Nxc3 16.Qd2 Ne4 17.Bxe4 dxe4 18.Nxe5 Qxe5 19.Qc2! f5 20.Bb2∞
16.gxf3!?

617
16.Nxf3

16...O-O-O! (16...O-O?! 17.Qd3 g6 18.Bh6 Bf5 19.Qe3 Bxc2 20.Qxe7 Qxe7 21.Rxe7 Rfe8
22.Rae1±) 17.Bxa4 bxa4 18.h3 Bxf3 (18...Bh5 19.g4 Bg6 20.Qxa4→) 19.Qxf3∞
16...Be6!
16...Bd7? 17.Bg5 f6 18.Bh4 Kf7 19.Bb3+-; 16...Bh3? 17.Bg5 f6 18.Bf5! fxg5 19.Bxh3+-
17.Be3 O-O 18.Qd3 g6 19.Bxa4 bxa4 20.Nxe6 fxe6 21.Bc5 Qd7 22.Bxe7 Qxe7 23.Qxd5 exd5
24.Rxe7= c5
24...Rf7 25.Rae1=
25.bxc5 Rac8 26.Rb1 Rf7 27.Rxf7 Kxf7 28.Rb7+ Kg8 29.Rb6 Rxc5 30.Rxa6 Rxc3 31.Rxa4 Rxf3
32.Ra7 Rc3 33.Rd7 Ra3 34.Rxd5 Rxa2 35.Rd7 Rb2 36.Rc7 Ra2 37.Rd7 Rb2 38.Rc7 Ra2 39.Rd7
Rb2 40.Rc7 Ra2 1/2-1/2

132. C88
Sadhwani, Raunak (2609) - Predke, Alexandr (2666)
Riga 151/132, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 Bb7 8.d4 Nxd4 9.Nxd4 exd4
10.e5 Ne4 11.Qf3
11.Qg4 Bg5 (11...c5!?) 12.Bf4 (12.f4 Bh6 13.Nd2 (13.Qf5? d5! 14.Rxe4 g6 15.Qh3 dxe4 16.Qxh6
Qd7µ) 13...Nc5 14.Nf3 Nxb3 15.axb3∞) 12...Bxf4 13.Qxf4 Ng5 14.Qxd4 O-O∞
11...O-O 12.Rxe4 c5 13.c4 f5 14.exf6 Rxf6?N
14...Bxf6 - 85/(321)

618
15.Qe2?
15.cxb5+! Kh8 16.Qe2 Bxe4 17.Qxe4 axb5 (17...Qf8 18.Nd2 Re8 19.Nf3+-) 18.Bd5 Qf8 (18...Raa6
19.Nd2+-) 19.Bxa8 Re6

20.a4! Rxe4 21.Bxe4+-

15...Bxe4 16.Qxe4 d5! 17.cxd5
17.Qxd5+ Qxd5 18.cxd5 c4 19.Bd1 Re8 20.Kf1 (20.Nd2?! Bb4 21.Kf1 Rf5µ) 20...Rf5 21.Bf3 h5∞
17...c4 18.Bd1 Qf8! 19.Bg4! Rxf2
19...Bc5 20.Be6+ Kh8 21.f3 (21.f4!? Re8 22.g4 c3 23.bxc3 dxc3+ 24.Kg2 b4 25.f5 Ba7∞) 21...Re8
22.Bg5 c3! 23.bxc3 dxc3+ 24.Kh1 b4∞
20.Bf3 Rxf3 21.Qxf3
21.gxf3 Re8 22.Qe6+ Kh8 23.Qg4 c3 (23...Bc5 24.Nd2 d3+ 25.Kf1 Qd6 26.Ne4 Qxh2 27.Qg2
Qh5∞) 24.Nd2! cxd2 25.Bxd2 d3∞
21...Qxf3
21...Bc5!?∞
22.gxf3 Rd8 23.Nd2 Rxd5 24.Ne4 b4 25.Kf2 Kf7
25...c3 26.bxc3 bxc3 27.Bf4 Rf5 28.Bd6 Bxd6 29.Nxd6 Rh5 30.Rh1 Ra5 31.Ra1=
26.Bf4 g5 27.Bc7 c3 28.Bb6 Bf8!

619
29.Rd1?
29.Ke1! Bg7 (29...g4 30.bxc3 bxc3 31.Kd1!∞) 30.Bc5 a5 31.bxc3 bxc3 32.Rb1 Kg6 33.Rb6+ Kf5∞
29...c2 30.Rc1 d3 31.Be3 Bg7 32.Nxg5+

32.b3 Bb2 33.Rf1 h6-+

32...Rxg5! 33.Bxg5 Bxb2 34.h4
34.Rf1 a5 35.Bd2 Bd4+ 36.Kg3 Bc3-+; 34.Ke1 Kg6 35.Be3 Bc3+ 36.Bd2 Kf5-+
34...a5 35.Re1 Bd4+ 36.Kf1

620
36.Be3 d2-+
36...Bf6 37.Bc1 Bc3 38.Re2 a4 39.Rxc2 dxc2 40.Ke2 a3 0-1

133. C88
Nakamura, Hikaru (2736) - Aronian, Levon (2772)
Berlin (playoff-m/3-rapid) 151/133, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.h3 Bb7 9.d3 d5 10.exd5
Nxd5 11.a4 Nd4 12.Nbd2 Nxb3 13.Nxb3 Nb4 14.Nxe5 Qd5 15.f3 Bd6 16.d4
16.Ng4 - 143/(116)
16...Rae8 17.axb5 axb5 18.Bd2

18...Nc6?!N
18...Bc8! 19.Ng4 (19.Bxb4 Bxb4 20.c3 Bd6 21.Nd2 c5©) 19...h5 20.Nf2 Bf5 21.Rxe8 Rxe8 22.Bxb4
Bxb4 23.c3 Be7©
19.Bf4 Kh8 20.Bh2
20.Qd2! Nxe5 21.dxe5 Qxd2 22.Nxd2 Bc5+ 23.Kf1±
20...Nxe5 21.dxe5 Bxe5 22.Bxe5 Rxe5 23.Rxe5 Qxe5 24.Qd4 Qg5 25.Qc5! Qxc5+ 26.Nxc5 Bd5
27.Ra7?!
27.Rd1! c6 28.Nd7 Re8 (28...Rd8 29.Nb6±) 29.Nb6 Re2 (29...Be6 30.Rd6 c5 31.Nd5±) 30.Nxd5
cxd5 31.Rxd5 g6 32.Rc5±
27...c6 28.Nd3 g6 29.Rc7 Ra8 30.Nb4 Kg7

621
30...Ra1+ 31.Kf2 Rc1 32.Ke3 Kg7=
31.Nxc6 Bxc6 32.Rxc6 Rd8 33.g4?
33.b4! Rd2 34.Rc5 h5 35.h4 f6 36.c3 Rc2 37.Kh2 Kf7 38.Kg3 Kg7 39.Kh3 Kf7 40.g4 hxg4+
41.Kxg4+-
33...Rd2 34.h4 h5 35.gxh5 gxh5= 36.b4 Rd4 37.c3 Rxh4 38.Kg2 Rf4 39.Kg3 Rf5 40.f4 h4+
41.Kxh4 Rxf4+ 42.Kg5 Rf3 43.Kg4 Rd3 44.Rc5 Kf6 45.Kf4 Ke6 46.Ke4 Rd8?
46...Rh3! 47.Kd4 Rh4+ 48.Kd3 Rh3+ 49.Kc2 Rh2+ 50.Kb3 f5 51.Rxb5 f4 52.Rb8 Kf7! 53.Kc4 f3
54.Kd3 Rb2! 55.Rb5 Kf6 56.Rh5 f2 57.Rh1 Ke6 58.Rf1 Kd5 59.c4+ Ke5 60.b5 Kd6 61.Kd4 Rd2+
62.Kc3 Re2 63.Kb4 Rb2+ 64.Kc3 Re2=
47.Rxb5 Rd1 48.Rb6+ Kd7 49.Rf6 Ke7 50.Rf3 Ke6 51.Rd3 f5+ 52.Kd4 Rb1 53.Re3+ Kf6 54.Re8
f4 55.Rb8 Kf5 56.b5 f3 57.Ke3??
57.Rf8+ Kg4

58.Ke4!! Re1+ (58...Rxb5 59.Rxf3+-) 59.Kd5 Rb1 60.c4+-

57...Rb3 58.Kd3 Kg4 59.Kc2 f2??
59...Ra3 60.Rf8 Kg3 61.b6 Ra2+ 62.Kb3 Ra6 63.Rf6 f2 64.b7 Rxf6 65.b8=Q+ Rf4=
60.Rf8 Rxb5 61.Rxf2 Rc5 1-0

134. C88
Nepomniachtchi, Ian (2782) - Carlsen, Magnus (2855)
Dubai (m/1) 151/134, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.h3 Na5

622
8...d6 - 149/(130)
9.Nxe5 Nxb3 10.axb3 Bb7 11.d3 d5 12.exd5 Qxd5 13.Qf3 Bd6 14.Kf1!?
14.Qxd5 Nxd5 15.Bd2 Ne7! 16.b4 (16.Nc3?! Nf5 17.Rac1 h5³) 16...Rfd8 17.d4 Nf5 18.c3 f6
19.Nd3 g5©
14...Rfb8!
14...Qxe5 15.Qxb7 Qh2 16.Nc3 Rfe8 (16...Nh5 17.g4! Qxh3+ 18.Qg2 Qxg2+ 19.Kxg2 Nf6
20.Kf3±) 17.Be3 Nh5

18.g4! Qxh3+ 19.Qg2 Qxg2+ 20.Kxg2 Nf4+ 21.Bxf4 Rxe1 22.Rxe1 Bxf4 23.Kf3 Bd6 24.Ra1 c6
25.Ne2±
15.Qxd5 Nxd5 16.Bd2 c5 17.Nf3 Rd8 18.Nc3 Nb4 19.Rec1N
19.Rac1 Bf8©
19...Rac8 20.Ne2 Nc6 21.Be3 Ne7 22.Bf4
22.Ng3 Nd5 23.Bd2 Nb4 24.Ne1 Be7©
22...Bxf3! 23.gxf3 Bxf4 24.Nxf4 Rc6 25.Re1 Nf5 26.c3 Nh4
26...g5 27.Re5 (27.Ng2 Rxd3 28.Re5 Ng7 29.Rxg5 Rxf3=) 27...gxf4 28.Rxf5 Rxd3 29.Re1 Rd2=
27.Re3 Kf8
27...g6©
28.Ng2 Nf5

623
28...Nxg2 29.Kxg2 Rcd6 30.Rd1 b4=
29.Re5 g6 30.Ne1 Ng7 31.Re4 f5 32.Re3 Ne6 33.Ng2

33...b4! 34.Ke2 Rb8 35.Kd2

35.Rb1?! a5 36.Kd2 (36.Ra1 Ra6µ) 36...bxc3+ 37.bxc3 a4µ
35...bxc3+ 36.bxc3 Rxb3 37.Kc2 Rb7 38.h4 Kf7
38...Rcb6 39.Ra2 a5 40.Re5 Kf7 41.Ne3 a4 42.Rxa4 Rb2+ 43.Kc1 Rxf2 (43...Rb1+ 44.Kd2 R7b2+
45.Nc2 Rf1 46.Re2=) 44.Nc4=; 38...a5!? 39.Ree1 (39.Rxa5? Nd4+ 40.Kd1 Rb1+ 41.Kd2 Rcb6
42.Ra2 (42.cxd4 cxd4-+) 42...Nb3+ 43.Kc2 Rc1+ 44.Kb2 Rf1-+) 39...Rcb6 40.Ra2 a4 41.Ne3 Ra6
42.h5=
39.Ree1 Kf6 40.Ne3 Rd7
40...Nf4 41.Nc4 Re7 42.Re3=
41.Nc4 Re7 42.Ne5 Rd6 43.Nc4 Rc6 44.Ne5 Rd6 45.Nc4 1/2-1/2

135. C88
Nakamura, Hikaru (2736) - Aronian, Levon (2772)
Berlin (playoff-m/1-rapid) 151/135, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.h3 Bb7 9.d3 d6 10.a3
Qd7 11.Nc3 Nd8

624
12.Nh2!?N
12.d4 - 143/(116)
12...Ne6 13.Ng4 Kh8 14.Nxf6 Bxf6 15.Qg4 Rae8 16.a4 b4 17.Ne2
17.Nd5 Bd8 18.a5 (18.Nxb4?! f5! 19.exf5 Nd4 20.f6 Qxg4 21.hxg4 Rxf6ƒ (21...c5!?ƒ)) 18...f5
19.exf5 Nd4 20.Ba4 Qf7 21.Bxe8 Qxe8∞
17...Qd8
17...Bd8! 18.d4 exd4 19.Nxd4 f5! (19...Nc5 20.Qxd7 Nxd7³) 20.Nxf5 Nc5 21.Ng3 Qxg4 22.hxg4
Bf6³
18.c3 bxc3 19.bxc3 g6 20.Bd5

625
20...Bxd5
20...h5! 21.Qf3 Bxd5 22.exd5 Nc5³
21.exd5 Nc5 22.Bh6!?
22.Qc4 e4! 23.Ng3 exd3 (23...Nxd3 24.Rxe4 Nc5 25.Rxe8 Rxe8 26.Be3=) 24.Be3 Re7 25.Bxc5
dxc5 26.Rxe7 Qxe7 27.Ne4 Re8 28.Nxf6 Qxf6 29.Qxd3=
22...Nxd3
22...Bg7 23.Bxg7+ Kxg7 24.Qc4 e4 25.Nf4 Qf6 26.d4! Nxa4 27.Rxa4 Qxf4 28.Qxc7∞
23.Bxf8
23.Red1? e4 24.Bxf8 h5 25.Qg3 Bh4 26.Qh2 Bxf2+ 27.Kh1 Rxf8-+
23...Nxe1 24.Rxe1?!
24.Bh6 Nd3 25.Qc4 Nc5 (25...e4 26.Qxa6 Bg5 27.Bxg5 Qxg5∞) 26.Be3 e4 27.Bxc5 dxc5
28.Qxa6∞
24...Rxf8 25.Qc4 Qa8 26.Rb1
26.Qxc7 Qxd5 27.Ng3 Bd8 28.Qc8 a5µ
26...Rb8! 27.Rb4
27.Rxb8+? Qxb8 28.Qxa6 Qb1+ 29.Kh2 e4 30.Qc4 (30.Qa7 Be5+ 31.g3 Qc2 32.Nf4 h5-+)
30...Qe1 31.Qxe4 Qxf2-+
27...Kg7

626
27...a5! 28.Rb5 Rxb5 29.Qxb5 e4!µ
28.Ng3 h5 29.Ne4 Bd8 30.a5 Qa7 31.g3 f5 32.Nd2 Rxb4
32...e4 33.Rxb8 Qxb8 34.Qxa6 e3 (34...Qb2? 35.Qc8 Qxd2 36.Qd7+! Kh6 37.Qxd8+-) 35.Nf1 h4∞
33.cxb4 e4 34.Nb3 Bf6 35.Kg2 h4 36.gxh4

36...Kf7?
36...e3! 37.f4 e2 38.Qxe2 Bxh4 39.Nd2∞
37.h5?!
37.Qc6! Kg7 (37...e3? 38.Qd7+ Kg8 39.h5 gxh5 40.Qxf5+-; 37...Bxh4? 38.Qd7+ Kf8 39.Nc5!
dxc5 40.d6 Qb7 41.dxc7 e3+ 42.f3 e2 43.c8=Q+ Qxc8 44.Qxc8+ Kf7 45.Qd7+ Kf8 46.Qd6+ Kf7
47.Qd5++-) 38.h5 gxh5 39.b5 axb5 40.Qxb5±
37...gxh5 38.b5 e3 39.f4
39.Qd3 exf2 40.Qxf5 axb5 41.Qxh5+ Kg7 42.Qe2 b4 43.Qxf2 Qb7∞
39...Qb8! 40.Kf1
40.bxa6 Qg8+ 41.Kh1 Qg3 42.Qf1 e2 43.Qxe2 Qxh3+ 44.Kg1 Qxb3 45.Qe6+ Kg7 46.Qd7+ Kh6
47.Qe6=
40...axb5 41.Qc6 e2+! 42.Kxe2 Qa7 43.a6 Qg1 44.Qxc7+ Kg6 45.Nd2
45.a7 Qg2+ 46.Kd1 Qf3+ 47.Kc2 Qe4+=
45...Qh2+ 46.Kd1 Qxf4 47.a7 Bg5 48.Qa5

627
48.Qc2 Qd4 49.a8=Q Qg1+ 50.Ke2 Qg2+ 51.Kd1 (51.Kd3 Qg3+ 52.Ke2 Qg2+=) 51...Qg1+=
48...b4! 49.Qa2 b3! 50.Qa5
50.Nxb3 Qf1+ 51.Kc2 Qe2+ 52.Kb1 Qf1+=
50...Qe3 51.a8=Q Qg1+ 52.Ke2 Qe3+ 53.Kd1 Qg1+ 54.Ke2 Qe3+ 1/2-1/2

136. C88
Nepomniachtchi, Ian (2782) - Carlsen, Magnus (2855)
Dubai (m/5) 151/136, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.a4 Rb8 9.axb5 axb5
10.h3
10.c3 (- 61/342) 10...d6 11.d4 exd4 12.cxd4 Bg4„
10...d6 11.c3 b4 12.d3 bxc3 13.bxc3

13...d5!?N
13...Nd7; 13...h6 14.Nbd2 Re8²
14.Nbd2
14.exd5 Nxd5 15.Nxe5 (15.Ba4 Ra8! 16.Ba3 Ra6 17.Bxc6 Rxc6 18.Nxe5 Re6 19.d4 Nf4©)
15...Nxe5 16.Rxe5 Be6 17.Bxd5 Bxd5 18.d4 Bf6 19.Re1 Ra8 20.Ra3 Rxa3 21.Bxa3 Re8©; 14.Ba4
dxe4 15.Bxc6 exf3 16.Bxf3 Bd6= Perunovic,Milos
14...dxe4 15.dxe4 Bd6 16.Qc2
16.Ba4 Ra8 17.Nc4 Be6 18.Nxd6 Qxd6 19.Qe2 Ne7 20.Ng5 Bd7 21.Ba3 c5∞; 16.Nc4 Be6 17.Ng5

628
Bxc4 18.Bxc4 Ra8 19.Be3∞ Perunovic, Milos
16...h6 17.Nf1!
17.Nc4 Be6 18.Be3 Ne7
17...Ne7?!
17...Qe8!? 18.Ng3 Be6 19.Ba4 Bd7 20.Be3∞
18.Ng3
18.Nh4 Kh7 19.Ng3 Ng6 20.Nhf5 Be6= Perunovic,Milos
18...Ng6 19.Be3

19...Qe8?!
19...Bd7!? 20.Nf5?!

629
20...Nxe4! 21.Nxd6 Nxd6 22.Qxg6 Rxb3=; 19...Qe7! 20.Nf5 Qd8= (20...Bxf5? 21.exf5 Nh8
22.Bd4+-)
20.Red1?!
20.Nf5!? Nxe4! 21.Nxh6+ gxh6 22.Bxh6 Rxb3! 23.Qxb3 Nc5 24.Qb1 Bd7∞ Perunovic,Milos;
20.c4! Bb4!? (20...c5 21.Ba4 Qe6 22.Bc6; 20...Be6 21.Ba4 Qc8 22.c5 Be7 23.Nf5 Nd5 24.Bxh6!
(24.exd5 Bxf5 25.Qc4²) 24...Nb4 25.Nxe7+ Nxe7 26.Qd2± ƒ) 21.Reb1 c5

22.Ba4! (22.Qc1!? Qc6 23.Bxh6 gxh6 24.Qxh6 Rd8 25.Ng5 Qe8!∞) 22...Qe7 (22...Qe6? 23.Bxc5+-
) 23.Bc6±

630
20...Be6 21.Ba4
21.Bxe6 Qxe6 22.c4 (22.Nf5 Ra8=) 22...Ra8 23.c5 Be7=; 21.c4 Qc6 22.Rab1 Be7= Perunovic,Milos
21...Bd7 22.Nd2
22.Bb3 Be6= Perunovic,Milos; 22.c4 Bxa4 (22...Rb4? 23.Bxd7 Qxd7? 24.c5 Qc6 25.Qd2 Bxc5
26.Qc2 Rb5 27.Rac1+-) 23.Qxa4 Ra8=; 22.Bxd7 Qxd7 23.c4 Qc6 24.c5

24...Be7! (24...Rfd8 25.Qe2! Bf8 (25...Bxc5? 26.Rxd8+ Rxd8 27.Qc2+-; RR25...Be7 26.Rxd8+ Rxd8
27.Ra6 Qb7 28.Qa2! Anand, Viswanathan) 26.Rxd8 Rxd8 27.Ra6±) 25.Qc4 Ra8 26.Ne1! … Nd3-b4
22...Bxa4 23.Qxa4
23.Rxa4 Rb2! 24.Qxb2 Qxa4 25.Ra1 Qc6= Perunovic,Milos
23...Qxa4 24.Rxa4 Ra8 25.Rda1 Rxa4 26.Rxa4 Rb8 27.Ra6!?
27.Nc4 Rb3 28.Nxd6 cxd6 29.Ra6 d5 30.exd5 Nxd5∞
27...Ne8
27...Kf8?! 28.Nf5 Ne8 29.Kf1²; 27...Rb2 28.Nc4 (28.c4 Rc2 29.Ra7 Bb4∞) 28...Rc2 29.Nxd6 cxd6
30.Rxd6 Rxc3 31.Rd8+ Kh7=; 27...Nf4! 28.Bxf4 (28.Nc4 Rb3 29.Nxd6 cxd6 30.Rxd6 Rxc3 31.Bxf4
exf4 32.Ne2 Rc2=) 28...exf4 29.Nf5 Be5=
28.Kf1
28.Nf5 f6= Perunovic,Milos
28...Nf8 29.Nf5 Ne6 30.Nc4 Rd8!
30...Bc5 31.f3! (31.Nxe5 Bxe3 32.Nxe3 Nc5=) 31...Bxe3 32.Nfxe3²

631
31.f3
31.Na5!?

31...Rb8! (31...h5? 32.Nc6 Rd7 33.Ra8 Kf8 34.Nh4±) 32.Nc6 Rb1+ 33.Ke2 f6 … Kf7=
31...f6
31...h5! 32.Ncxd6 cxd6 33.Ra7 Kf8 34.Ke2 Rc8 35.Kd3 Rc6=
32.g4
32.h4 h5 33.g4 g6 34.Nh6+ Kg7 35.gxh5 gxh5 36.Nf5+ Kf7= Perunovic,Milos
32...Kf7 33.h4 Bf8 34.Ke2 Nd6 35.Ncxd6+ Bxd6 36.h5 Bf8 37.Ra5
37.Ra2 Bc5!
37...Ke8 38.Rd5
38.Ng3 Kd7 39.Nh1 Kc6 40.Nf2 Bd6 41.Nd3 Rb8=
38...Ra8 39.Rd1 Ra2+ 40.Rd2 Ra1 41.Rd1
41.Kd3 Kd7 42.Kc4+ Kc6= … Rf1 ×f3
41...Ra2+ 42.Rd2 Ra1 43.Rd1 1/2-1/2

137. C88
Bacrot, Etienne (2642) - Esipenko, Andrey (2714)
Berlin 151/137, 2022

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.a4 b4 9.d4 d6 10.dxe5

632
Nxe5 11.Nxe5 dxe5 12.Qxd8 Rxd8 13.Nd2 Bc5
13...a5 - 13/303
14.Nf3 Re8
RR14...Ng4 15.Be3 Bxe3 16.fxe3 Rd6! 17.h3 Nf6 18.Nxe5 Be6 19.Rad1 (19.Nc4 Rc6=) 19...Bxb3
20.cxb3 Nxe4= Perunovic,Milos
15.Be3 Bxe3 16.Rxe3 Bb7N
16...Be6
17.Rd1 Kf8
RR17...Bxe4 18.Bxf7+ Kxf7 19.Ng5+ Kg6 20.Nxe4 Rad8 21.Rde1 Nxe4 22.Rxe4 c5=
Perunovic,Milos
18.Nd2 Red8 19.f3 a5

20.Bc4
20.Rd3! Ba6 (20...Rxd3 21.cxd3 Ba6 22.Rc1 Rd8 23.Bc4! Bxc4 (23...Bb7 24.Kf2 Ke7 25.d4! exd4
26.Bf1 Rd7 27.Nb3 Ne8 28.Nxa5 Ba8 29.Bb5!+-) 24.Nxc4 Rxd3 25.Nxa5 b3 26.Nc4! Nd7
27.a5!+-) 21.Bc4 (21.Nc4?! Rxd3 22.cxd3 Bxc4! 23.Bxc4 c6 24.Kf2 Ke7 25.Ke3 c5=) 21...Rxd3
22.Bxd3! Bb7 23.Rc1! Nd7 24.b3 Nc5 25.Kf2 Rd8 26.Ke3 f6 27.Nc4 Ra8 28.g3²
20...Bc6
RR20...Nd7! 21.Nb3 Nb6 (21...Bc6!? 22.Red3 Bxa4 23.Nc5 Bxc2 24.Nxd7+ Ke8 25.Rd5 Bxd1
26.Bb5 Bb3 27.Nb8+ Ke7 28.Nc6+ Kf6 29.Rxd8 Rxd8 30.Nxd8 a4 31.Nc6 a3 32.Nxb4 a2 33.Nxa2
Bxa2 34.Kf2=) 22.Rxd8+ Rxd8 23.Nxa5 Ra8 24.Nxb7 Nxc4 25.Rb3 Rxa4= Perunovic,Milos

633
21.b3 Nd7 22.Be2 Nc5 23.Kf2 f6 24.c3

24...Be8?!
24...Nxa4! 25.bxa4 Bxa4 26.Ra1 Rxd2 27.Ke1 Rb2 28.Rxa4 b3 29.Bc4 Rb1+ 30.Kf2 b2 31.Ba2 Rc1
32.Ra3 b1=Q 33.Bxb1 Rxb1 34.Re2 Rb5µ
25.Ke1 Bf7 26.cxb4 axb4 27.Bc4?
27.Rc1
27...Rd4 28.Rc1 Bxc4 29.Rxc4 Rxc4
29...Ne6 30.g3 c5 31.Rc1 g5 32.Ke2 Rad8 33.Nc4 h5 34.a5 Kg7 35.Kf2 g4µ
30.Nxc4 Rd8 31.g3 Ke7 32.Ke2 Rd4 33.Nd2 g5³ 34.Kd1 h5 35.Kc2 g4 36.f4
36.a5 gxf3 37.Rxf3 Ke6 38.Rf1³
36...exf4 37.gxf4 h4 38.a5 Kd7?
38...Rd8! 39.f5 Ra8-+
39.Kd1?
39.f5! g3 40.hxg3 hxg3 41.e5!³
39...g3! 40.hxg3 hxg3 41.Kc2 g2 42.Re1 Nd3 43.Ra1 Nxf4 44.a6 Kc6
44...Kc6 45.a7 Rd8 46.Nf3 Kb7 47.Nh4 Ka8-+
0-1

138. !N C88

634
 Nepomniachtchi, Ian (2782) - Carlsen, Magnus (2855)
Dubai (m/3) 151/138, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.a4 Bb7 9.d3 d6
10.Nbd2 Re8 11.Nf1 h6 12.Bd2 Bf8 13.Ne3 Ne7 14.c4
14.Qb1 - 52/342; 14.g4!? Nh7! 15.h4 c5 16.g5 g6 (16...c4 17.dxc4 Bxe4 18.gxh6 Qd7∞) 17.h5!?∞
14...bxc4
14...c6 15.Nh4!?∞
15.Nxc4

15...Nc6!N
15...Rb8 16.Nfxe5! dxe5 17.Nxe5 Ned5 18.exd5 Bxd5 19.Bxd5 Qxd5 20.Bc3²
16.Rc1
16.Na5 Nxa5 17.Bxa5 Qd7 18.h3 c5 19.Bc3 Bc6 20.Bc4²
16...a5 17.Bc3 Bc8!
17...Nd7 18.d4 exd4 19.Nxd4 Nxd4 20.Qxd4 Qg5 21.Bd2 Qc5 22.Qd3²
18.d4
18.Ne3 Rb8 19.Nd5 Nxd5 20.Bxd5 Nb4=; 18.h3 Bd7 19.Qd2 (19.d4!? exd4 20.Nxd4 Nxe4 21.Rxe4
Rxe4 22.Nxc6 Bxc6 23.Nxa5 Be8 24.Ra1©) 19...Qb8 20.Bc2 Nb4 21.d4 Nxc2 22.Qxc2 exd4
23.Bxd4∞
18...exd4 19.Nxd4 Nxd4 20.Qxd4 Be6 21.h3

635
21.Nxa5?! c5 22.Qd2 Bxb3 23.e5 (23.Nxb3 Nxe4 24.Qc2 Qh4µ) 23...Bxa4 24.exf6 g6 25.Rxe8
Bxe8³; 21.Rcd1 d5! 22.exd5 Nxd5 23.Nxa5 (23.Bxa5 Qb8 24.Qd3 Bb4 25.Bxb4 Qxb4©) 23...Nxc3
24.Qxd8 (24.Qxc3 Qf6 25.Qxf6 gxf6 26.Bxe6 Rxe6 27.Nc4 Rxa4=) 24...Rexd8 25.Rxd8 Rxd8
26.bxc3 Ra8 27.Bxe6 fxe6 28.Nc4 Rxa4=; 21.Qd3 d5 22.Bxf6 (22.exd5 Nxd5 23.Bxa5 Nb4
24.Qxd8 Raxd8 25.Bxb4 (25.Bxc7? Rc8µ) 25...Bxb4 26.Re4 Kf8©) 22...Qxf6 23.exd5 Bd7 24.Qc3
Rxe1+ 25.Rxe1 Rb8 26.Qxf6 gxf6 27.Bc2 Rb4©
21...c6
21...d5!? 22.exd5 Qxd5 23.Qxd5 Nxd5 24.Bxa5 Nf4 25.Rc3 g5©
22.Bc2

22...d5! 23.e5
23.exd5 Nxd5 24.Qe4 g6 25.Be5 Nf6 26.Qf3 Nd7∞
23...dxc4 24.Qxd8
24.exf6 Qxd4 25.Bxd4 Bb4! 26.Re2 (26.fxg7!? Bxe1 27.Rxe1 Bd5 28.Rc1∞) 26...Rad8 27.Bb6 Rb8
28.Bd4=
24...Rexd8 25.exf6 Bb4! 26.fxg7 Bxc3 27.bxc3 Kxg7
27...Rab8 28.Be4 Rd6 29.Rcd1 Rxd1 30.Rxd1 Rb3 31.Rc1 Bd5=
28.Kf1
28.Be4 Bd5=
28...Rab8 29.Rb1 Kf6 30.Rxb8 Rxb8 31.Rb1 Rxb1+ 32.Bxb1 Ke5 33.Ke2 f5= 34.Bc2 f4 35.Bb1 c5
36.Bc2 Bd7 37.f3 Kf6 38.h4 Ke5 39.Kf2 Kf6 40.Ke2 Ke5 41.Kf2 1/2-1/2

636
 139. C90
Perunovic, Milos (2538) - Banusz, Tamas (2610)
chess.com (Internet) 151/139, 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.d3 d6 7.c3 O-O 8.Nbd2 Re8 9.Re1 Bf8
10.Nf1 h6 11.Ng3 b5 12.Bb3 Na5 13.Bc2 c5 14.d4 exd4 15.cxd4 cxd4 16.Nxd4 Bb7 17.b3
17.Bf4 - 129/126
17...Rc8 18.Bb2 Nc6 19.Nxc6 Bxc6 20.Qd3 h5N
20...g6
21.Qf3 Bd7?
21...Bb7 22.Bxf6 Qxf6 23.Qxf6 gxf6 24.Nxh5 (24.Bd3 h4 25.Nh5 Be7 26.g4!?∞) 24...Re5 25.Bd1
f5 26.f4 Re6 27.Bf3 Bxe4 28.Bxe4 fxe4 29.Rxe4 Rc2©
22.Bxf6 Qxf6 23.Qxf6 gxf6 24.Nxh5! Rxc2 25.Nxf6+ Kg7
¹25...Kh8 26.Nxe8 (26.Nxd7 Bg7 27.Rad1 Bc3! 28.Re3 Re7 29.Nb8 (29.Nb6? Bd4) 29...Bd4
30.Rf3 a5©) 26...Bxe8 27.Rac1 Rc5™ 28.e5 Bh6 29.Rxc5 dxc5 30.Rd1 Bg5™ (30...Kg7? 31.Rd8 Bc6
32.Rc8+-) 31.f4 Be7 32.Kf2²
26.Nxd7 Be7

27.Re3?!†
27.Nb6? Bf6 28.Rad1 Bc3 29.Rf1 Rxe4∞; 27.a4 bxa4 (27...b4 28.Rac1+-) 28.bxa4 Bd8 29.a5+-;
27.Kf1 Bd8 28.Re2 (28.Rad1 Rxa2 29.Rxd6+-) 28...Rxe2 29.Kxe2 Rxe4+ 30.Kd3 Re7 31.Nb8+-
27...Bh4 28.Rf1?

637
28.g3 Bg5 29.Ree1 d5 (29...Bd8 30.Rad1 Re6 31.a3+-) 30.exd5 Rd8 31.Ne5 Rxd5 32.Rad1 Rxd1
33.Rxd1±
28...Rxa2 29.Nb6
29.f4 a5∞
29...f5! 30.g3 Bg5 31.Rd3 fxe4 32.Rxd6 e3 33.fxe3 Rxe3
33...Bxe3+ 34.Kh1 Bxb6 35.Rxb6 Ree2 36.Rc1 Rxh2+ 37.Kg1=
34.Rd7+ Kh6 35.Rd6+ Kg7 36.Rd7+ 1/2-1/2

638
D00-D24

140. * D02
Banusz, Tamas (2631) - Gavrilescu, David (2477)
Reykjavik 151/140, 2021

1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 c5 4.e3 Nc6 5.Nbd2 cxd4 6.exd4 Bf5 7.Bb5 Rc8
7...g6 8.Ne5 (8.O-O Qb6 9.a4 Bg7 10.Re1 O-O 11.c3 a6 12.Bxc6 bxc6 13.b4 a5!? 14.Rxe7 axb4
15.Bc7 Qa6 16.cxb4 Ne4„) 8...Qb6 9.c4!? Bg7 (9...Rc8 10.O-O Bg7 11.Bxc6+ bxc6 12.Nb3 O-O
13.c5 Qa6 14.g4ƒ) 10.Qa4 O-O 11.c5 Qd8 12.Nxc6 bxc6 13.Bxc6 Nh5 14.Be3 Rb8 15.Nb3²;
7...Qb6 8.c4 a6 9.Bxc6+ bxc6 10.Qb3!? Nd7 (10...Qa7 11.O-O e6 12.Ne5 Rc8 13.Rac1²; 10...Qxb3
11.axb3 Nd7 12.Ke2 f6 13.Bg3 g5 14.Nf1 dxc4 15.bxc4² … Ne3) 11.O-O e6 12.Qa4!? Be7 13.Rfe1
Ra7 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.Ne5ƒ g5 16.Bg3 Qb5 17.Qxb5 axb5 18.Nc6 Ra6 19.Rac1! (19.Rec1 f6∞)
19...Kf8 (19...Rxa2?! 20.Nf1 Bd3 21.Ra1 Ra4 22.b3 Ra3 23.Ne3ƒ) 20.Nf1 Bf6 21.Ne3 Kg7 22.Nb4
Ra4 23.Nxf5+ exf5 24.Bd6 Bxd4 25.Rc2 Nf6 26.Be7! Raa8 27.Nc6 Bb6 28.Bxf6+ Kxf6 29.Ne7²;
7...e6 8.Ne5 (8.O-O Qb6 9.c4 dxc4 (9...Be7 10.a4 O-O 11.c5²) 10.Qa4 a6 11.Bxc6+ Qxc6 12.Qxc6+
bxc6 13.Nxc4 Nd5 14.Bg3 a5„) 8...Qb6 9.c4! dxc4 (9...Qxd4 10.Nxc6 Qxf4 11.g3! Qd6 12.Nd4+
Kd8 13.Nxf5 exf5 14.O-Oƒ) 10.Bxc6+ bxc6 11.Ndxc4 Qa6 12.Qe2 Bb4+ 13.Bd2 Bxd2+ 14.Nxd2
Qb5 15.b3 O-O 16.Rc1 Qd5 17.Ndf3 Qa5+ 18.Qd2²
8.Ne5
8.c3 - 147/128; 8.O-O e6 9.c3 (9.c4 dxc4 10.Nxc4 Be7 11.Nce5 Qb6„) 9...Be7 10.Ne5 O-O
11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Ba6 Ra8 13.Bb7 Rb8 14.Bxb8 Qxb8 15.Bxc6 Qxb2 16.Nf3 h6 17.Qb3 Ba3
18.Rad1 Rb8©
8...Qb6
8...Bd7 9.Nxd7 (9.Bxc6 Bxc6 10.O-O e6 11.c3 Be7 12.Re1 O-O 13.Re3!? … Rh3ƒ) 9...Qxd7 10.c3
e6 11.O-O a6 12.Bd3 Bd6 13.Bg5 Be7 14.Re1 (14.f4!? O-O 15.Qf3ƒ) 14...Qc7 15.Qf3 O-O
(15...Nd7 16.h4!?) 16.Re2 … Rae1, Qh3ƒ
9.Bxc6+ bxc6 10.Nb3 h6 - 151/140
10...h5!?N 11.O-O (11.Qe2 Ne4 12.f3 Nd6 13.O-O-O Qb5 14.Rhe1 Qxe2 15.Rxe2 Nb7!„) 11...Ne4
12.Rc1 (12.f3 Nd6 13.g4 hxg4 14.fxg4 Be4 15.Bg3 f6 16.Nd3 Nf7 (… e5) 17.Ndc5 Ng5 18.h4 Nh3+
19.Kh2 Ng5 20.Qe2 e6„) 12...g5!? 13.Be3 f6 14.Nd3 (14.c4 Qb8 15.Nd3 e6 16.f3 Nd6 17.cxd5
cxd5 18.Nbc5 Nc4„) 14...Nd6 15.Nbc5 Kf7∞ Olsen,F (2366)-Hector,J (2447) Koebenhavn
151/(140) 2021
11.O-O e6 12.c4

639
12.g4 Bh7 13.c3 Be7 14.Kh1 g5 15.Be3 Qb8!? (15...h5 16.Bxg5 hxg4 17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.Nxg4 Bg5
19.Qe2 Bf5 20.f3 Ke7 21.Rf2 Bf4 22.Ne3 Bh3©) 16.f4 Bd6 (16...h5 17.fxg5 Nxg4 18.Nxg4 hxg4
19.Bf4 Qb5 20.Qxg4 Bf5 21.Qg3 Qd3 22.Rae1∞) 17.f5 O-O 18.Qf3 c5 19.Rae1! (19.Qh3?! cxd4
20.cxd4 Bxe5 21.dxe5 Qxe5µ) 19...c4 20.Nd2 Qxb2 21.h4 Qxc3 22.hxg5 hxg5 23.Qg2 Bxe5
24.dxe5 Qxe5 25.Nf3©
12...Be7

13.c5N
13.Qe2!? Qb7 (13...Qa6 14.g4!? (14.Nc5) 14...Bh7 15.Rfe1 O-O 16.c5 Qa4 17.f3 Bd8 18.h4!?ƒ)
14.g4 Bh7 15.Rfe1 O-O 16.Rac1 (16.c5 Bd8! 17.f3 a5„) 16...Bb4 17.Bd2 Bxd2 18.Qxd2 Ne4
19.Qe3 f6∞
13...Qa6
13...Qb7?! 14.Na5! Qa6 15.Qa4±
14.Qd2
14.f3 g5!? 15.Be3 Nd7 16.Nxd7 Kxd7 17.Bf2 Qd3 18.Qe1 h5 19.Bg3 h4 20.Bd6 Bd8! 21.Rd1 Qb5
22.h3 f6 23.f4 g4 24.hxg4 Bxg4 25.f5! exf5 26.Qe3 Qe2! 27.Rde1 Qxe3+ 28.Rxe3 f4 29.Rxf4 f5
30.Rf2 Re8=
14...Bd8!?
14...g5 15.Be3 Ng4 16.Rfe1 Nxe3 17.Rxe3 f6 18.Nd3 Bd8 19.Rae1 O-O 20.Nbc1 Qb7 (20...Qc4
21.Rxe6 Bxe6 22.Rxe6 Qxd4 23.h3© … Ne2) 21.h3 h5 22.Qe2 Qf7 23.g4 Bg6 24.Rxe6 Be4 25.Rxe4
dxe4 26.Qxe4 f5!? 27.Qe3 Bf6 28.gxf5 Rce8 29.Ne5 Bxe5 30.dxe5 Qxf5∞
15.f3 O-O 16.g4 Bh7 17.g5

640
17.Rf2!? Kh8!? 18.h4 (18.Nc1!?) 18...Ng8∞
17...Nh5!?
17...hxg5 18.Bxg5 Rc7 19.Kh1 Qc8 20.Na5 (20.Qe1 Nh5∞) 20...Ne4!? 21.fxe4 Bxg5 22.Qxg5 f6
23.Qf4 g5„
18.gxh6 Nxf4 19.Qxf4

19...g5™
19...Qb7? 20.hxg7 Re8 21.Kh1 f6 22.Ng4 Qxg7 23.Rg1 Kh8 24.Nh6+-
20.Qg3?!
20.Qg4 Rc7! 21.f4 Bf5 22.Qh5 Kh8 23.fxg5 Bxg5 24.Rxf5 exf5 25.Kh1 Rg8™ 26.Rg1 Be3
27.Rxg8+ Kxg8 28.h7+ Kh8 29.Qxf5 Qe2!=
20...f6!
20...Rc7? 21.f4 f6 (21...Bf5 22.fxg5 Kh7 23.Rxf5 exf5 24.Kf2 Qc8 25.Nd2ƒ … Ndf3+-) 22.fxg5 fxe5
23.Rxf8+ Kxf8 24.g6+-; 20...Kh8 21.f4 Bf5 22.fxg5 Bxg5 23.h7 f6 24.Rxf5 exf5 25.Ng6+ Kxh7
26.Nxf8+ Rxf8 27.Re1 Rf7 28.Kh1 Rg7 29.Qf3 Kg6 30.Rf1 Qc8 31.Qe2∞
21.f4
21.Ng4 Bc7 22.Qg2 Bf5 23.Nc1 Kh7 24.Ne2 Bd3µ
21...fxe5 22.fxg5 Rxf1+?
22...Rf5 23.h4 (23.Rxf5 Bxf5 24.Qxe5 Qb7 25.h4 Kh7 26.Rf1 Qf7-+) 23...Bg6 24.Rxf5 Bxf5
25.Qxe5 Qb7 26.Rf1 Qf7 27.Nc1 Bc7 28.Qe2 e5 29.Nd3 exd4 30.Qf2 Rf8 31.Qxd4 Qe7µ; 22...Bf5

641
23.Rae1 Kh7 24.h4 (24.Qxe5 Qb7 25.h4 Qe7 26.Qd6 Qf7-+) 24...Qb7 25.dxe5 Be7 26.Kh2 Bg6µ
23.Rxf1 Qd3 24.Qxe5© Qg6 25.h4 Be7?
25...Rc7! 26.Na5 Qe8! (26...Rf7? 27.Rxf7 Qxf7 28.Qb8 Qc7 29.Qxc7 Bxc7 30.Nxc6+-; 26...Qe4
27.Qxe4 Bxe4 28.Kh2²) 27.Rf2 (27.Re1 Re7 28.Qf6 Rf7 29.Qxe6 Qxe6 30.Rxe6 Bxa5 31.g6=)
27...Bg6! 28.Re2 Kh7! (28...Re7?! 29.Qf6! Be4 30.Nxc6! Qxc6 31.g6 Qe8 32.h5 e5 33.Rxe4! dxe4
34.d5±) 29.Qxe6 Re7 30.Qf6 Rc7 31.Qe5 Re7 32.Qf6=
26.Rf6!?
26.Na5! Rf8 27.Nxc6 Rxf1+ 28.Kxf1 Bf8 (28...Qb1+ 29.Kf2 Qxb2+ 30.Qe2 Qxe2+ 31.Kxe2 Bf8
32.Nxa7+-) 29.Kf2 Qe8 30.Qc7 Qh5 31.Qf4 Bf5 32.Ne5+-
26...Bxf6 27.Qxe6+ Kf8 28.Qxc8+ Kf7 29.Qc7+ Be7 30.Qf4+ Ke8 31.Nd2

31...Qh5?!
31...Qc2! 32.b4 Bg6 33.Nf3 Be4 34.Qe3 Kd8 35.Nd2 Bg6 36.Kf2 Kd7 37.b5 cxb5 38.Kg3 Bd8
39.Nf3 Bc7+ 40.Ne5+ Bxe5+ 41.dxe5 (41.Qxe5 Qd3+ 42.Kf2 Qd2+=) 41...Be4 42.Qf2 Qd3+=
32.Kf2 Qd1 33.b4± Bd3 34.Qe3 Bf5 35.Nf3 Be4 36.Kg3 Qh1 37.Qf2! Bf5 38.Qg2 Qd1
38...Qxg2+ 39.Kxg2 Be4 40.Kg3 Bd8 41.Ne5 Bc7 42.h5+-
39.Qd2 Qh1
39...Qf1 40.Qf4! Be4 41.Qe3 a6 42.a4 Kd8 43.Nd2 Qg2+ 44.Kf4 Bg6 45.Nf3 Be4 46.b5 cxb5
47.axb5 axb5 48.h7! Bxh7 49.Qe5+-
40.Qf4 Qh3+ 41.Kf2 Be4 42.Qb8+ Bd8 43.Qg3!+- Qh1 44.Nd2

642
44.h7 Bxh7 45.Qe5+ Kf7 46.Qh8
44...Bg6 45.Qg4 Qh2+ 46.Ke3 Ke7 47.Qf4 Qh3+ 48.Nf3 Be4 49.h7 Bxh7 50.Qf6+ 1-0

141. D02
Rozum, Ivan (2549) - Paravyan, David (2629)
Russia 151/141, 2021

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 c5 4.O-O e6 5.d4 cxd4 6.b3!?

6.Nxd4 - 90/315
6...Bc5 7.Bb2 Qe7!?N
7...O-O 8.Bxd4 (8.Nxd4 e5 9.Nf3 e4 10.Nd4 Nc6 11.Nxc6 bxc6³) 8...Bxd4 9.Qxd4 Nc6 10.Qf4∞;
7...Nc6
8.Ne5
8.Bxd4 Bxd4 9.Qxd4 Nc6 10.Qb2 O-O (10...e5 11.c4 d4 (11...dxc4 12.bxc4 e4 13.Nd4 Qe5 14.Rd1
O-O 15.Qb5) 12.e3 dxe3 13.fxe3 O-O 14.Nc3 h6 15.Nh4∞)
8...Nc6 9.Nxc6 bxc6 10.Bxd4 Bxd4 11.Qxd4 e5 12.Qb2?!
12.Qa4 Bd7 (12...O-O!? 13.Qxc6 Bg4 14.Qa6 Rac8©) 13.c4 h5 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.Qa5∞
12...h5! 13.c4 h4 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.Rd1 Bb7 16.Qa3 h3! 17.Bh1?
17.Bf1 d4ƒ
17...Qxa3 18.Nxa3 O-O-O
18...Ke7 19.Nc4 Ke6µ
19.e3 e4
19...g5 20.Rac1+ Kb8 21.Bf3 Rhe8ƒ
20.f3 Kb8 21.Rac1 Nh7 22.g4 Ng5
22...exf3 23.Bxf3 Ng5 24.Bh1 d4 25.Bxb7 Kxb7 26.Kf2 dxe3+ 27.Kxe3 Rhe8+ 28.Kf4 Rxd1
29.Rxd1 f6 30.Rd2 (30.Rd7+?! Kc6 31.Rd2 (31.Rxa7? Re2-+)) 30...Re4+ 31.Kg3 Re3+ 32.Kf2 Rf3+
33.Ke2 Rf4 34.Rd7+ Kc8 35.Rxg7 Rxg4 36.Rg6 Rg2+ 37.Ke3 Rxh2 38.Rxf6 Rxa2 39.Nc4 h2 40.Rh6
Rg2 41.Kf4³
23.Kf2?
23.fxe4 dxe4 24.Nc4³
23...exf3 24.Bxf3

643
24...Rh6!
24...Rd6!
25.Be2 Re8 26.Rd4 Rf6+
26...Rhe6 27.Nc2 Rc8 28.Bd3 Rec6-+
27.Rf4 Ne4+ 28.Kg1
28.Kf1 a6!?µ ×b5 (28...Rxf4+ 29.exf4 d4 30.Nb5 Ng3+ 31.hxg3 h2 32.Kf2 Rc8 33.Rf1 (33.Rd1 Rc2
34.Nxd4 Rd2! 35.Rxd2 h1=Qµ) 33...h1=Q 34.Rxh1 Bxh1 35.Nxd4³)
28...Rxf4 29.exf4 d4! 30.Bb5
30.Bd3 Nc3 31.Rc2 Re1+ 32.Kf2 Rh1 33.Kg3 Rd1 34.Be2 Rg1+ 35.Kxh3 Be4 36.Rd2 Rg2-+
30...Rh8 31.Nb1
31.Be2 Nc3-+
31...Rh4 32.Be2 d3! 33.Bd1 f5 34.Rc4 fxg4 35.Nc3 Nd2 36.Rd4 g3! 37.Rxd3 gxh2+ 38.Kxh2 Nf1+
0-1

142. D10
So, Wesley (2772) - Dominguez Perez, Leinier (2752)
Berlin 151/142, 2022

1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4 b5 4.a4 c6 5.axb5 cxb5 6.Nc3 Qb6

6...a6 - 126/ 121
7.b3 e6 8.bxc4 Bb4 9.Bd2 bxc4 10.Nf3 Ne7

644
10...Nf6
11.Bxc4 O-O 12.O-O a5 13.d5N

13.Na4 Qd6 14.e5 (14.g3!?) 14...Qc7

13...Ba6!
13...Qc7?! 14.Ba2 Na6 (14...exd5 15.Rc1 Qd8 16.exd5±) 15.Rc1±; 13...h6 14.Rc1²
14.Na4
14.Qb3 Bxc4 15.Qxc4 Qa6=; 14.Bxa6 Rxa6 (14...Qxa6 15.Qa4 exd5 16.Nxd5 Nxd5 17.exd5 Rd8
18.Rfd1 Bxd2 19.Nxd2 Nd7 20.Nc4 Nb6 21.Nxb6 Qxb6=) 15.Rb1 exd5 16.Nxd5 Nxd5 17.exd5
Nd7=
14...Qd8!
14...Qb7 15.Bxa6 Qxa6 16.Bxb4 axb4 17.Qd4²
15.Bxa6 Rxa6
15...Nxa6?! 16.Bxb4 axb4 17.dxe6 fxe6 18.Qb3±
16.dxe6 Rxe6 17.Bxb4 axb4 18.Qxd8 Rxd8 19.Nc5 Rc6
19...Rb6!?=
20.Rfc1
20.Rfd1 Rxd1+ 21.Rxd1 g6 22.Rd8+ Kg7 23.Rxb8 Rxc5 24.Kf1 Nc6=
20...Rdc8 21.Nb3 Rxc1+ 22.Rxc1 Rxc1+ 23.Nxc1 f5= 24.exf5 Nxf5 25.Kf1 Nc6 26.Ke2 Kf7

645
27.Kd3 Nd6 28.Ne2 Kf6 29.Ned4 Nxd4 30.Nxd4 Nf5 31.Nf3
31.Nxf5 Kxf5 32.Kc4 Ke4 33.Kxb4 Kd3 34.Kc5 Ke2 35.f4 Kf2 36.Kd6 Kxg2 37.Ke6=
31...Nd6 32.Nd4 Nf5 33.Nf3 Nd6 34.Nd4 1/2-1/2

143. *** D10

Aronian, Levon (2772) - Dominguez Perez, Leinier (2752)
Berlin (playoff-m/1-rapid) 151/143, 2022

1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4 b5 4.a4 c6 5.axb5 cxb5 6.Nc3 Qb6 7.Nd5 Qb7 8.Bf4 e5! 9.Bxe5 Nd7
10.Bf4! - 151/143
10.Nf3?N Ngf6! 11.Bxf6 (11.Nc7+ Kd8 12.Na6 Qxe4+µ) 11...Nxf6 12.Nxf6+ gxf6 13.Be2 Bb4+
14.Kf1 O-Oµ Greenfeld,A (2502)-Nguyen,T (2577) tornelo.com (Int.-m/1) 151/(143) 2021; 10.Bg3N
Ngf6 11.Nc7+ Kd8 12.f3 (12.Nxa8?? Bb4+-+) 12...Rb8?? (12...Nxe4 13.fxe4 Bb4+ 14.Kf2 Nf6
15.Bxc4 bxc4 16.Nxa8 Nxe4+= 17.Kf1 Nd2+ 18.Kf2 Ne4+=) 13.Na6+- Praggnanandhaa,R (2608)-
Abdumalik,Z (2472) chess24.com (Int.-rapid) 151/(143) 2021
10...Ngf6 11.Nc7+ Kd8 12.Nxa8 Qxe4+ 13.Ne2 Qxa8 14.f3
14.Nc3 a6 15.f3 Nd5 16.Bg5+ f6 17.Bd2 Nxc3 18.bxc3 Bd6 19.Kf2 h5 20.Qc2 Qa7 21.Re1 Nb6=
14...Nd5 15.Bg5+N
15.Bd2 - 151/(143) 15...Bd6 16.Nc3 Guseva,M (2372)-Dev,S (2248) chess.com (Int. -blitz) 151/(143)
2022 (16.Nc3 Nxc3 17.bxc3 Nf6 18.Bg5 a5 19.Be2 Re8 20.Kf2 Qd5©)15.Kf2 N7b6 16.g3 a5
(16...Bb7) 17.Qc1 a4 18.Nc3 Qc6©
15...f6 16.Bd2 Bd6 17.Ng3 Qb8 18.Kf2

646
18...Re8?!
18...a6!? 19.Be2 Bc7 20.Re1 g6 21.Ne4 Re8„; 18...Bc7! 19.Ne4 Re8 20.Nc3 Ne7! 21.b3 b4 22.bxc4
bxc3 23.Bxc3 Bxh2³
19.Be2 Bc7 20.Re1 Bb6?
20...a6! 21.Bf1 Qa7! 22.Bc3 (22.Rxe8+ Kxe8 23.Bc3 Ne5∞) 22...Rxe1 23.Qxe1 b4 24.Qe4 Bb7
25.Bd2 c3 26.bxc3 Nxc3 27.Qxh7 Qxd4+ 28.Be3 Bxg3+ 29.hxg3 Ne4+! 30.fxe4 Qxa1 31.Qg8+
Ke7 32.Qxg7+ Kd8 33.Qh8+ Ke7=
21.Kg1 Ne5 22.Kh1 Nc6 23.b3!+- c3 24.Bxb5 Bd7 25.Rxe8+ Bxe8 26.Be1 Nxd4 27.Bxe8 c2
28.Qd3 Kxe8 29.Bd2
29.Rc1!?; 29.Ne2
29...Qe5 30.Rc1 f5 31.Qc4 Ne3
RR31...f4!?
32.Qc8+ Kf7 33.Qd7+ Kg6 34.f4! Qe6 35.Qxe6+ Nxe6 36.Ne2 Ng4 37.g3 Nc5 38.b4 Nd3
39.Rxc2 Ngf2+ 40.Kg2 Ne4 41.Nc1 1-0

144. D12
So, Wesley (2772) - Shirov, Alexei (2704)
Berlin 151/144, 2022

1.c4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.d4 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Be4 7.f3 Bg6 8.Bd2 dxc4
8...Be7 - 147/130
9.Bxc4
9.Nxg6
9...b5N
9...a6; 9...Bh5
10.Bb3

647
10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Bd3²
10...Bd3!? 11.Bc1 Bc4 12.Bxc4 bxc4 13.g3
13.f4 Bb4 14.O-O O-O=
13...c5
13...Nbd7!?
14.Qa4+
14.dxc5!?
14...Nbd7
14...Qd7 15.dxc5 Bxc5 16.Qxc4 Bb6 17.O-O²
15.Qxc4
15.dxc5 Bxc5 16.Qxc4 Rc8 17.Qe2 O-O 18.O-O Bb4 19.Bd2 Ne5©
15...cxd4 16.Qxd4 Bc5
16...Qa5!?; 16...Rb8!?
17.Qc4 Rc8 18.Qe2 Ne5
18...Bb4 19.Bd2 O-O 20.O-O Ne5 21.Rfd1 Qd3©
19.O-O Qd3 20.Qxd3 Nxd3 21.Ng2 Ke7 22.Rd1 Rhd8 23.Kf1 Bb4
23...Ba3!?©

648
24.Ne2
24.Nb5
24...Ne5?
24...g5; 24...Nxc1 25.Raxc1 Rxc1 26.Rxc1 Rd2 27.Rb1 g5!? (27...Nd7 28.a3 (28.f4 Nf6 29.Nd4 Ke8
30.Nb3 Rc2©) 28...Ba5 29.b4 Bb6©) 28.Nd4 Kd7©
25.Rxd8 Rxd8?!
25...Kxd8 26.a3 Ba5 27.b4 Bb6 28.Ne1²
26.Nd4 Bc5?!
26...Rc8±
27.Nb3 Bb6 28.Ke2 Nd5
28...a5!?
29.e4 Nb4 30.Bd2 a5 31.Bc3
31.Ne1!?±
31...Nc4
¹31...Nbc6
32.a4 Nd3 33.Rb1 f6 34.Ne1 Nde5 35.Rc1 g5 36.f4 gxf4 37.gxf4 Ng6 38.Nd3+- Be3
¹38...e5
39.Rf1 Bb6 40.f5 exf5
40...Nge5

649
41.Nf4! (41.Nxe5 Nxe5 42.Nxa5 Bxa5 43.Bxa5 Rd4 44.b3 Rxe4+ 45.Kd2) 41...Ne3 42.Bxa5 Bxa5
43.Kxe3
41.Rxf5 Rd6 42.Rh5 Re6 43.Rxh7+ Kd6 44.Kf3 Kc6 45.Nf4 Nxf4 46.Kxf4 Rd6 47.Rf7 Ne5
48.Rg7 Rd1 49.Nxa5+ Kd6 50.Bb4+ 1-0

650
D25-D49

145. D27
Grischuk, Alexander (2764) - Nakamura, Hikaru (2736)
Berlin 151/145, 2022

1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 dxc4 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5 6.O-O a6 7.Re1 Nc6
7...b5 - 53/(378)
8.Nc3 Be7 9.dxc5 Qxd1 10.Rxd1 Bxc5 11.Bd2 Bd7 12.Rac1 O-O 13.Be2 Ba7 14.Ng5
14.Na4 Rfd8 15.Be1 (15.Nc5 Bxc5 16.Rxc5 Ne4=) 15...Be8=
14...Ne7N
14...Rfd8 15.Nce4 Nxe4 16.Nxe4 Be8=
15.Nce4 Nxe4 16.Nxe4 Bc6 17.Nd6

17...Rfd8!
17...Bb6 18.Nc4 (18.Bf3!?) 18...Bc7 19.Na5 Bxa5 20.Bxa5²
18.Nxb7?!
18.Ba5 Rd7 19.b3ƒ
18...Bxb7 19.Rc7 Bc6

651
19...Be4!? 20.Rxe7 Bc2 21.Rc1 Rxd2 22.Bf3 Bxe3 23.fxe3 (23.Bxa8 Bxf2+ 24.Kh1 g5©) 23...Rad8=
20.Rxe7 Bb6 21.Kf1! a5 22.Rc1! Be4
22...Bxg2+ 23.Kxg2 Rxd2 24.Bf3 Rad8 25.Rc3 Rxb2 26.Rb7©
23.Rc4! Kf8 24.Rxe4 Kxe7 25.Bc3© g5 26.g4 Rac8 27.Ra4 Rd5 28.Kg2 h6 29.h3 Rdc5 30.Kf3
Rxc3 31.bxc3 Rxc3= 1/2-1/2

146. ** D30
Leitao, Rafael Duailibe (2592) - Supi, Luis Paulo (2581)
Sao Paulo 151/146, 2022

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 a6 4.c5 b6

4...Nf6 - 146/134
5.cxb6 c5 6.e3 Nf6 7.Nc3

7...cxd4?!
7...Qxb6 8.Na4; 7...Nbd7! 8.b3N (8.Be2 - 151/(146) 8...Nxb6 (8...Qxb6 9.O-O Bd6 10.Bd2 O-O
11.Na4 Qb8 12.Rc1 cxd4 13.exd4 a5=) 9.O-O Bd6 10.dxc5N (10.b3) 10...Bxc5 11.b3= Ernst,S
(2532)-Grandelius,N (2669) Riga (blitz) 151/(146) 2021 (11.e4!? dxe4! (11...O-O 12.e5 Nfd7
13.Bg5²) 12.Qxd8+ Kxd8 13.Ng5 Ke7 14.Ngxe4 Nxe4 15.Nxe4 Bd4 16.Rd1 (16.Bd2 Nd5=)
16...Rd8 17.Bd2 a5 18.Rac1 Bxb2 19.Rb1 Na4 20.Bb5 Bd7 21.Bg5+ f6 22.Rxd7+ Rxd7 23.Be3 Nc3
24.Nxc3 Bxc3 25.Bxd7 Kxd7 26.Rb7+ Kd6 27.Rxg7 Rh8=)) 8...cxd4 9.exd4 Qxb6 (9...Ne4! 10.Bb2
Bb4 11.Rc1 Qxb6 12.Bd3 Qa5! 13.Bxe4 dxe4 14.Nd2 Bb7 15.O-O Qf5 16.Qe2 Nf6=) 10.Bd3 Bd6
11.O-O O-O 12.Na4 Qb8 13.Bb2² Vidit,S (2726)-Mamedyarov,S (2782) chess24.com (Int.-rapid)
151/(146) 2021

652
8.exd4 Qxb6 9.Bd3 Nbd7N
9...Bd6
10.O-O Bd6 11.Na4² Qa7?!
11...Qb8 12.b4!? Qxb4 (12...O-O 13.Rb1 … Nc5²) 13.Rb1 Qa5 14.Ne5! Nxe5 (14...O-O 15.Bf4±)
15.dxe5 Bxe5 16.Nb6 Rb8 17.Qc2 O-O 18.Bd2 Qxb6 19.Rxb6 Rxb6 20.Re1∞
12.Be3!± [… Ne5] 12...O-O
12...Ng4 13.Bd2±
13.Ne5 Bb7 14.Rc1 Rac8 15.Qe2?!
15.Nxd7! Nxd7 16.Nc5! Bxc5 (16...Nxc5? 17.dxc5 Bxc5 18.Rxc5! Rxc5 19.b4+-; 16...Rc7 17.b4±)
17.dxc5 Bc6 18.f4±
15...Qb8
15...Rxc1 16.Rxc1 Rc8²
16.f4 Rxc1 17.Rxc1 Rc8 18.Rxc8+
18.Bxa6?? Rxc1+ 19.Bxc1 Qc8-+
18...Qxc8 19.Qc2! Qd8!?
19...Qxc2 20.Bxc2 Nb8 21.Nc5 Bc8 22.b4±
20.Nc5 Bxc5 21.dxc5 Nxe5 22.fxe5

22...d4?

653
22...Ng4! 23.Bd4 Qg5! (… Qf4) (23...Qh4? 24.g3) 24.c6 Bc8 (24...Qf4? 25.cxb7 Qxd4+ 26.Kh1
Nf2+ 27.Qxf2+-) 25.Qc3 f6! 26.exf6 e5! 27.Ba7 gxf6 28.h3 Nh6²
23.c6! Bc8
23...dxe3 24.cxb7+-; 23...Bxc6 24.Qxc6 (24.Bc1+-) 24...dxe3 25.exf6 gxf6 26.Qxa6+-
24.Bg5 Qa5 25.Qe2?!
25.exf6? Qxg5=; 25.Bxf6! gxf6 26.exf6 Qe1+ 27.Bf1 (… Qf2) 27...Qe5 28.Qf2 Kf8 29.Bd3 Qd6
30.Qg3+-
25...Nd5 26.Qe4 g6 27.Qxd4 Qe1+
27...Qxa2 28.Bh6!+-
28.Bf1 a5 29.Bd2 Qd1 30.Bc3?!
30.Kf2! (… Bc4!+-) 30...Qc2 31.Bc4 Qf5+ 32.Kg3
30...Qc1 31.Qd2 Qb1 32.a3 a4 33.h3 Kg7 34.Qf2 Qc1 35.Qd2 Qb1 36.Qe1 Nxc3

36...Qc2 37.Bc4+-
37.Qxc3?
37.Qxb1!! Nxb1 38.Kf2 Nd2 (38...f6 39.Ke3 fxe5 40.Bd3 Nxa3 41.bxa3+-) 39.Bb5 Ne4+ 40.Ke3
Ng3 41.Bxa4+-
37...Ba6 38.Qf3 Qc1 39.Qf6+ Kg8 40.Qd8+ Kg7 41.Qf6+ Kg8 42.c7 Qxc7! 43.Bxa6 Qb6+
44.Kh2 Qxa6 45.Qd8+ Kg7 46.Qf6+ Kg8 47.Qd8+ Kg7 1/2-1/2

654
 147. D34
Wojtaszek, Radoslaw (2686) - Oparin, Grigoriy (2681)
Berlin 151/147, 2022

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 c5 3.g3 e6 4.Nf3 d5 5.cxd5 exd5 6.d4 Nc6 7.Bg2 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bc5 9.Nb3 Bb6
10.Na4 O-O 11.Nxb6 axb6 12.Be3 h5 13.O-O h4

14.gxh4!?
14.Bg5 - 141/130
14...Bg4?!N
14...Ng4 15.Bf4 Qxh4 16.Qxd5 Qf6 17.Qd2 Be6 18.Bg3 Ra4©; 14...Qd6!?
15.f3 Bf5 16.Nd4 Bg6
16...Nxd4 17.Qxd4 Re8 18.Rfe1±
17.Qd2 Re8 18.Rfe1 Nh5 19.Bf2² Qf6 20.Qg5
20.Bf1 Ra4 21.Nxc6 bxc6 22.Bxb6 Rxh4 23.Bf2 d4!? 24.Rad1 Re5²; 20.Nxc6 bxc6 21.Bxb6 Nf4
22.Bf1 Qxh4 23.Bf2²
20...Nxd4 21.Qxf6 Nxe2+ 22.Rxe2 gxf6?!
22...Nxf6 23.Rxe8+ Nxe8 24.Bxb6 Nd6²
23.Rxe8+ Rxe8 24.Bxb6± Re2
24...Nf4 25.Bf1 Bd3 26.Rd1±
25.Bd4 Rc2 26.Bf1 Nf4 27.Bxf6 Bd3?!

655
27...Bh5; 27...Bf5
28.Bxd3 Nxd3 29.Rd1+- Nf4
29...Nf2 30.Rd4
30.Kf1 Kh7 31.Be5
31.Bg5
31...Ng2 32.Rd3 Nxh4 33.Rxd5??
33.a4; 33.Ke1
33...Nxf3= 34.Bc3 Kg6 35.h3 f5 36.Rd3 Ng5 37.Rd6+ Kh5 38.Rf6 Ne4
38...Nxh3 39.Rxf5+ Kg4 40.Rf7 Nf4=
39.Rxf5+ Kg6 40.Rb5 Nxc3 41.bxc3 Rxc3 1/2-1/2

148. * !N D37
Iniyan, Panneerseluam (2529) - Postny, Evgeny (2552)
La Nucia 151/148, 2021

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Be7 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Bf4 O-O 6.e3 b6 7.Rc1 Bb7 8.cxd5 Nxd5 9.Nxd5 Qxd5
10.a3 Bd6
10...Qa5+ - 117/136
11.Bxd6 cxd6 - 151/148
11...Qxd6N 12.Qc2 Rc8 13.Bd3 g6 14.Be4 Bxe4 15.Qxe4 Qd5 16.Qxd5 exd5 17.Ke2ƒ Sebenik,M
(2509)-Shengelia,D (2513) Terme Catez 151/(148) 2021
12.Bd3
12.Bc4 Qa5+ 13.Qd2 Qf5 14.Be2 Nc6 15.O-O Rac8 16.Bd3 Qf6 17.Qe2 Nb8 18.Nd2 g6 19.Be4
Ba6 20.Bd3 Bb7=
12...Nd7

656
13.e4!N
13.O-O Nf6∞
13...Qa5+ 14.Qd2 Qxd2+ 15.Nxd2 Rfc8 16.Ke2 Kf8 17.f4 Ke7 18.Ke3 Nf6 19.h3 h6 20.g4
20.Rcf1 Nh5 21.Rhg1 g5„
20...Rxc1 21.Rxc1 Rc8 22.Rg1 Nd7 23.h4 Rh8 24.Nf3 Rc8 25.g5 hxg5 26.hxg5
26.fxg5!?
26...Rh8 27.Kf2 Kd8 28.Kg3 Ke7 29.Rc1 Rc8
29...Kd8 30.Nd2 … Nc4
30.Rh1 e5!? 31.Nh4
31.fxe5 dxe5 32.d5
31...exf4+
31...g6 32.f5 exd4 (32...Rg8 33.f6+ Kd8 34.Nf3+-) 33.fxg6 fxg6 34.Nxg6++-
32.Kxf4 g6 33.Ke3 d5

657
34.Nxg6+!
34.e5 Nxe5 35.Nxg6+ (35.dxe5?? d4+-+) 35...Nxg6 36.Bxg6 fxg6 37.Rh7+ Ke6 38.Rxb7 Rc2
39.Rxa7 Rxb2=
34...fxg6 35.Rh7+ Kd6
35...Ke8 36.e5+-; 35...Ke6 36.e5 Rb8! 37.Bf1 Nxe5 38.Bh3+ Kd6 39.dxe5+ Kxe5 40.Re7+ Kd6
41.Re6+ Kc5 42.Rxg6 d4+ 43.Kd3 Ba6+ 44.Kd2 Rf8 45.Rf6 Rxf6 46.gxf6 Bc4=
36.e5+ Kc6 37.b4! b5
37...Rg8 38.b5+ Kc7 39.e6 Bc8 40.e7+-
38.Bxg6 Nf8 39.Rh6 Nxg6 40.Rxg6+ Kd7 41.Rg7+ Kc6 42.g6 Rh8 43.Rf7 Bc8
43...Rh1 44.Kf4 Rg1 (44...Bc8 45.Kg5+-) 45.Kf5+-
44.g7 Rg8 45.Kf4 Bd7 46.Kg5 Be8 47.Kf6 1-0

149. D41
Keymer, Vincent (2664) - Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi (2727)
Berlin 151/149, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c5 5.cxd5 cxd4 6.Qxd4 exd5 7.e4 dxe4 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.Ng5
Be6 10.Nxe6+ fxe6 11.Bg5 Nc6 12.Bc4
12.O-O-O+ - 147/142
12...Ke7 13.Nxe4 Kf7 14.Bxf6
14.Nxf6 Bb4+ 15.Ke2 Nd4+ 16.Kf1 (16.Kd3 gxf6 17.Bxf6 Kxf6 18.Kxd4 Rhg8 19.g3 Rg4+ 20.f4

658
e5+ 21.Ke3 exf4+ 22.Kf3 h5 23.gxf4 Bd2=) 16...gxf6 17.Bf4 Rhd8=
14...gxf6 15.O-O-O Rd8 16.Rxd8 Nxd8 17.Rd1 Be7 18.Rd7
18.f4 f5 19.Ng5+ Bxg5 20.fxg5 Ke7=
18...f5 19.Nd6+ Kf6 20.Nxb7 Nxb7 21.Rxb7 Bc5

22.Rc7N
22.f3 Rd8 (22...h5=) 23.Rxh7 Be3+ 24.Kc2 Rd2+ 25.Kc3 Rxg2=
22...Bxf2 23.Rc6 Re8 24.b4 Bg1 25.h3 Rb8!?
25...h5 26.Kc2 h4=
26.Rxe6+ Kg5 27.b5
27.Bd3 Rxb4 28.Re5 Rf4 29.g4 Kh4=
27...Rc8 28.Rc6 Rxc6 29.bxc6 Bb6= 30.Kd2 Kf6 31.Bd3 h6 32.Ke2 f4 33.Kf3 Bc7 34.Ke4
34.Kg4 Bd6 35.Be4 Bc7=
34...a5 35.Bc4 Bb8 36.Kd5 Bc7 37.Bd3 Bb8 38.Kc5 Bc7 1/2-1/2

150. D43
Goryachkina, Aleksandra (2596) - Dreev, Alexey (2647)
Russia 151/150, 2021

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 7.e3 g6 8.Be2 Bg7 9.O-O O-O 10.Ne5
10.e4 - 111/(206)

659
10...dxc4 11.f4 Qe7 12.Ne4 b6

13.Rc1!?N
13.Nxc4
13...Bb7 14.Rxc4 c5 15.dxc5 Bd5 16.Rd4
16.b4!? ∆Bxc4 17.Bxc4 bxc5 18.bxc5©
16...Nc6

17.Nxg6! fxg6 18.Rxd5 exd5 19.Qxd5+ Kh7 20.Qxc6 Rac8 21.Qa4 Rxc5?!

660
21...bxc5 22.Rf3!?©
22.Bd3
22.Nxc5? Qxe3+ 23.Kh1 (23.Rf2 bxc5-+) 23...Qxe2 24.Qa6 b5!-+
22...Rd5 23.Bb1© Rc8 24.Qa6 Qd7 25.Qe2 Kh8 26.h3 Rd8 27.b3 Rd1 28.Bc2 Rxf1+ 29.Qxf1 Qc6
30.Qe2 Rc8 31.Bd3 Re8 32.Qc2 Qe6
32...Qxc2 33.Bxc2 Rc8 34.Bd3 Rc1+ 35.Kf2 b5 36.Bxb5 Rc2+ 37.Kf3 Rxa2=
33.Kh2 Qd5?!
33...b5 34.h4 a6∞
34.Ng3 Rxe3
34...Qc5 35.Qxc5 bxc5 36.Nf1²
35.Bxg6ƒ Qe6 36.Qd2
36.Bh5 Re1 37.Bf3 Bd4 38.Ne2²
36...Bf6?
36...Bc3! 37.Qc2 Be1 38.Nh5 Rc3 39.Qd1 Bg3+!? 40.Nxg3 Qxg6 41.Qd8+ Qg8 42.Qh4∞ (42.Qf6+
Qg7 43.Qh4∞)
37.Bf7! Bh4
37...Qe7 38.Nf5+-
38.Bxe6 Bxg3+ 39.Kg1 Re1+ 40.Qxe1 Bxe1

661
41.Kh2!+- Kg7 42.g3 Kf6 43.Bc8 a5 44.Kg2 Kg6 45.Kf3 Kf6 46.Ba6 Kg7 47.Bd3 Kf7 48.g4 Kf6
49.Ke4 Bg3 50.Bc4 Bf2 51.Kd5 Be3 52.Kc6! Bf2 53.Bd3 Be3 54.Bc2 Bf2 55.h4! Bxh4 56.Kxb6
Be1 57.Kb5 Bd2 58.Bh7 Ke6 59.Bg6 Kf6 60.Bh5 Be3 61.a3 Bd2 62.f5 Ke7 63.b4 axb4 64.axb4
Be1 65.Kc5 Bf2+ 66.Kc6 Be3 67.b5 Bf2 68.b6 Bxb6 1-0

151. D45
Praggnanandhaa, Rameshbabu (2612) - Caruana, Fabiano (2792)
Wijk aan Zee 151/151, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Qc2 Bd6 7.b3 O-O 8.Be2 b6 9.O-O Bb7 10.Bb2
Qe7 11.a4
11.Rfe1 - 150/156
11...a5 12.Bd3 Bb4N
12...e5; 12...Rac8; 12...Rfd8
13.Rac1 h6 14.Qe2 Rad8 15.Rfd1 Rfe8 16.Bb1 Bd6 17.Re1 Bb4 18.Red1 Rc8 19.Ne5 Nxe5
20.dxe5 Nd7 21.Qc2 Nf8 22.Ne2
22.f4!?; 22.cxd5 cxd5 23.Qe2= Paunovic,Tomislav
22...b5 23.Nd4
23.Ng3 bxc4 24.bxc4 Ba6 25.Rd4 Red8! (25...Bxc4 26.Rg4→) 26.Rg4 dxc4! 27.Nh5 Ng6! 28.Rxg6
fxg6 29.Qxg6 Qf7 30.Qh7+ Kf8 31.Nf4 Rd2-+; 23.c5 bxa4 24.bxa4 Ba6 25.Ng3

(25.Nd4? Bc4 … Bc5) 25...Rb8!µ (25...Bc4? 26.Rd4→) 26.Rd4 (26.h3 Bxc5 27.Qxc5 Qxc5 28.Rxc5
Rxb2µ) 26...Bxc5 27.Rg4 Rb4 28.Bd4 (28.Rxb4 Bxb4 29.Qxc6 Bc4 30.Bd4 (30.Ne4 Ba3-+) 30...Rb8
31.Ne4 Qd8! 32.Nd6 Bd2 33.Rd1 Be2-+) 28...Bxd4 29.exd4 Reb8µ

662
23...dxc4 24.bxc4 bxa4 25.Qxa4
25.c5 a3µ
25...c5µ 26.Ne2
26.Nb5 Qg5 27.e4 Bc6 28.Qb3 Bxb5 29.cxb5 Red8µ
26...Red8 27.Qc2 Rxd1+ 28.Rxd1 Rd8 29.Rxd8 Qxd8 30.Nc3

30...Bxc3! 31.Bxc3 Be4!-+ 32.Qc1 Bxb1 33.Qxb1 a4 34.h3 a3 35.Kh2 Qa8 36.Qb3 a2 37.Ba1
Qa5 38.Kg3 g5
38...Ng6
39.h4 gxh4+ 40.Kxh4 Ng6+ 41.Kg3 h5 42.Qb2 Qd8 43.f4 Qh4+ 44.Kf3 Qe1 45.Qxa2 Nh4+
46.Ke4 Qf1 [… Nf5] 0-1

663
D50-D99

152. D57
Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter (2644) - Tarlev, Konstantin (2568)
Romania 151/152, 2021

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.e3 h6 7.Bh4 Ne4 8.Bxe7 Qxe7 9.cxd5 Nxc3
10.bxc3 exd5 11.Bd3 c5 12.O-O Nc6 13.Re1
13.h3 Be6 14.Re1 Rfd8 15.Rb1 Rac8 16.e4 (16.dxc5 Qxc5 17.Rxb7 Qxc3 18.Rb3 Qa5 19.Rb2 d4
20.exd4 Rd6 … Rcd8=) 16...cxd4 17.exd5 Rxd5 18.Bc4 Rd6= - 20/563; 13.Nd2 Be6 14.Rb1 b6
15.Qa4 Rfc8 16.Bb5 Na5 17.Rbc1 c4 18.Ba6 Rc7 19.e4 dxe4 20.Nxe4 Bd7 21.Qc2 Re8„; 13.a4!?
Bg4 (13...Be6 14.Re1 - 13. Re1) 14.h3 Bh5 15.Re1 Rad8 16.Rb1 (16.a5!?) 16...b6 17.e4 Qf6 18.e5
Bxf3 19.exf6 Bxd1 20.Rbxd1 Rd6=
13...Be6
13...Rd8 14.e4 dxe4 15.Bxe4 Qf6 16.d5 Ne7 (16...Qxc3 17.dxc6!? Rxd1 18.Raxd1 Be6 19.cxb7 Rb8
20.Ne5©) 17.Qb3!? (17.c4 Bg4 18.Qb3 Bxf3 19.Bxf3 Rab8!? (19...Nf5 20.Qxb7 Nd4!? 21.Be4
Rab8 22.Qc7 Ne2+ 23.Kh1 Qd4 24.f3 Qxc4 25.Rab1 Rbc8 26.Qa5 Qc3 27.Qxa7 Nf4 28.Red1 Qe5
29.Qa6 f5 30.Bd3 Ra8„) 20.Qa3 Nf5 21.Qxc5 Rbc8 22.Qb4 (22.Qxa7 Rxc4 23.Rad1 b5©) 22...Nd4
23.Be4 b5! 24.c5 Ne2+ 25.Kf1 a5 26.Qxa5 Nc3 27.Bf3 Rxc5©) 17...Bf5 18.Bxf5 Nxf5 19.Qxb7
Qxc3 20.Ne5 Rf8 (20...Nd6 21.Qe7²) 21.Rac1 Qb4 22.Qxb4 cxb4 23.Nc6 a5 24.Rc5²; 13...Qd6
14.Rb1 b6 15.e4 dxe4 16.Bxe4 ∆Bg4 17.h3 Bxf3 18.Qxf3 Rac8 19.Bxc6 Rxc6 20.d5 Rc7 21.c4²;
13...Bg4

664
14.h3 (14.e4 dxe4 15.Rxe4 Bxf3 (15...Qd7? 16.d5!±) 16.Qxf3 Qd6 17.Rd1 cxd4 18.cxd4 Rac8„)
14...Bh5 15.e4 dxe4 16.Bxe4 Qd6 17.Rb1 cxd4 18.Rxb7 Rad8 (18...Rae8!? 19.Rb5!? Ne5 20.Rxe5
Rxe5 21.g4 Rxe4 22.Rxe4 Bg6 23.Rxd4 Qc7 24.c4 Re8 25.Nh4 Be4©) 19.g4 (19.Rb5!? Bxf3
20.Qxf3 Rfe8 (20...dxc3?? 21.Bxc6 c2 22.Qc3!+-) 21.Rd1 Ne5! 22.Qf5 (22.Qg3 d3 23.Rd5 Qe6
24.c4 Nxc4 25.R1xd3 Qb6=) 22...g6 23.Qf4 Nc4! 24.Qf3 Qe7 25.Rb7 Ne5 26.Qe2 Qe6 27.Rxd4
Rxd4 28.cxd4 Nc4 29.f3 Nd6=) 19...Bg6 20.Nxd4 Nxd4 21.cxd4 f5!? (21...Qxd4?? 22.Qxd4 Rxd4
23.Bxg6 fxg6 24.Ree7+-; 21...Bxe4 22.Rxe4 Qd5 23.Qb1²) 22.gxf5 Bxf5 23.Bg2 Rf6 24.Rxa7 Rg6
25.Kh1 Qf4 26.Qb3+ Kh7 27.Qe3 Rxd4„
14.a4
14.Rb1 c4 15.Bc2 Qa3 16.Qd2 Rab8 17.e4 Ne7 18.Ne5 b5 19.Re3 (19.f4 f6 20.exd5 Nxd5 21.Nc6
Bf7!? 22.Nxb8 Rxb8„) 19...a5 20.Rg3 Kh8 21.h3 dxe4 22.Bxe4 f5 23.d5 Qc5! 24.Rg6 Nxg6
25.Nxg6+ Kh7 26.Nxf8+ Rxf8 27.dxe6 fxe4 28.e7 Re8 29.Qd7 Rxe7 30.Qxb5 Qxb5 31.Rxb5 e3=;
14.e4 dxe4 15.Bxe4 cxd4 16.cxd4 (16.Bxc6 bxc6 17.Nxd4 Qc5 18.Nxe6 fxe6 19.Re3 Rxf2! 20.Kxf2
Rf8+ 21.Ke2 Qb5+! 22.Rd3 Qb2+ 23.Rd2 Qb5+=) 16...Rad8 17.Rb1 (17.Qa4 b5 18.Qxb5 Nxd4
19.Qa5 Nxf3+ 20.Bxf3 Rd4=) 17...Nxd4 18.Rxb7 Qf6 19.Qa4 Nxf3+ 20.Bxf3 Rd3 21.Rb4 Rfd8
22.Rbe4 Bd7 23.Re8+ Rxe8 24.Rxe8+ Kh7 25.Qe4+ Bf5 26.Qe5=
14...cxd4N
14...Rfd8 15.a5 Rab8 16.Bb5 a6 17.Bxc6! (17.Bd3 Bg4) 17...bxc6 18.Ne5 Qc7 19.Nd3²; 14...b6!?
15.e4 Qd6 16.dxc5 Qxc5 (16...bxc5 17.exd5 Qxd5 18.Qe2 Bg4 19.Qe4²) 17.e5 Rac8 18.Re3 Kh8
19.Rc1 Rfd8 20.h3 (20.Bb1 d4 21.cxd4 Qb4 22.Rd3 Ne7 23.Rxc8 Rxc8 24.h3 Nd5©) 20...Qe7
21.Ba6 Rc7 22.Nd4 Nxd4 23.cxd4 Rxc1 24.Qxc1 Qb4 25.Qd1 Bd7 26.Qf3 Be6 27.Qd1 Bd7=
15.exd4 Qf6 16.Ne5ƒ Rac8 17.Qd2 Bf5

665
17...Nxe5 18.Rxe5 Qe7 19.Re3 Qc7 20.Rg3 Kh8 21.Bc2ƒ; 17...Rc7 18.Rab1 Ne7 19.Re3 Nc8
(19...Rfc8 20.Rbe1 Qg5 21.g3 … h4ƒ) 20.Rbe1 (20.Rf3 Qg5 21.Qe2 Nd6 22.h4 Qd8∞) 20...Nd6
21.Ng6!? Rfc8 22.Rf3 Qg5 23.Nf4ƒ Ne4 24.Bxe4 dxe4 25.Rxe4 Bd5 26.Re5 Bxf3 27.Rxg5 hxg5
28.Nh3! g4 29.Nf4 Be4 30.Qe2 Re8 31.Qxg4 Bf5 32.Qd1 Rxc3 33.h4²
18.Qf4 Ne7
18...Be6 19.Qxf6 gxf6 20.Nxc6 Rxc6 21.Ra3²
19.Rac1 Qg5 20.Qf3 Bxd3
20...Be6!? 21.Bb1 Rc7 22.Nd3 Rfc8 23.Nc5 Bg4 (23...Nf5 24.Rcd1! Nh4 25.Qg3 Qf6 26.Nxe6 fxe6
27.Rd3²) 24.Qg3 Nf5 25.Qe5 Re7! 26.Qxd5 Rce8 27.Ne4 Qf4 28.c4 Re6„
21.Nxd3 Ng6

21...Rc7 22.g3 Rfc8 23.Nf4²

22.a5! Qd8
¹22...Rc4 23.g3 Rfc8 24.Re3 Nh4 (24...Rxc3?! 25.Rxc3 Rxc3 26.Re8+ Nf8 27.Kg2 g6 28.h4±)
25.Qe2 Nf5 26.Re8+ (26.h4 Qd8 27.Re5 Nxd4„) 26...Rxe8 27.Qxe8+ Kh7 28.Qxf7 Nxd4„
23.Nc5² b6
23...Qxa5 24.Nxb7²
24.axb6 axb6 25.Nd3 Qd6 26.Nb4 Rfd8 27.g3 Rc7 28.h4 Re7 29.h5 Rxe1+ 30.Rxe1 Ne7 31.Re5±
f6 32.Re1
32.Re3 … Qe2±

666
32...Rc8 33.Kg2 Kf8 34.Re3 Rc7 35.Qe2 Kf7

35...Nf5 36.Re8+ Kf7 37.Ra8 Ne7 38.Qb5 Qd7 39.Qxd7 Rxd7 40.Nd3 Rc7 41.Nf4!±
36.Qg4!?
36.Qa2 Qd7 37.Nd3 Nf5 38.Rf3 Ra7 39.Qb1 Kg8 40.Qxb6 Nh4+ 41.gxh4 Qg4+ 42.Rg3 Qe4+
43.Rf3 Qg4+ 44.Kh2 Qxf3 45.Qxa7 Qxd3 46.Qa8+ Kh7 47.Qxd5 Qxc3 48.Qe4+ Kg8 49.Kg2±
36...Qd7
36...Kf8 37.Qd1 Qd7 38.Qb3 Rc8 39.Qa3 Kf7 40.Qa6! (40.Nd3 g5!? 41.hxg6+ Nxg6 42.Qa6 Rc6²)
40...Rb8 41.Nd3 Nf5 (41...g5 42.hxg6+ Nxg6 43.Nb4 h5 44.Qe2 Qf5 45.Qb5±) 42.Rf3 Kg8 43.Nf4
Re8 44.Ng6 (44.Qxb6? Nh4+! 45.gxh4 Qg4+ 46.Rg3 Qxf4 47.Qb7 Qe4+=) 44...b5 45.Qa2±
37.Qf3 Qd6 38.Nd3 Kg8
38...Rb7 39.Nf4 Qd7 40.Re6 Rb8 41.Qe2±
39.Nf4 Kf7
39...Rb7 40.c4 Rd7 41.Re6+-
40.Qg4 Rb7
40...Rc6 41.Re1! b5 (41...Rxc3 42.Ne6 g5 43.hxg6+ Nxg6 44.Qh5+-; 41...f5 42.Qf3 Qd8 43.Re5+-)
42.Qe2 Rb6

667
43.Qxe7+!+-
41.Ne6+- g5 42.hxg6+ Nxg6
42...Nxg6 43.f4
1-0

153. D72
Keymer, Vincent (2607) - Grandelius, Nils (2666)
Malmoe 151/153, 2021

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4 Nb6 7.Ne2 c5 8.d5 O-O 9.O-O e6 10.a4
exd5 11.exd5 Na6 12.Nec3 Nc4 13.Na3
13.Nd2 - 80/(468)
13...Ne5 14.h3 Nb4 15.Ne4 b6
15...Ned3 16.Bg5 f6 17.Be3²
16.Bg5!
16.Qb3
16...f6

668
17.Bf4!?N
17.Bd2 Kh8 18.d6 Rb8 19.Bc3 f5 20.f4 Nf7 21.Ng5 Nxg5 22.fxg5 Qxg5 23.Qb3 Qe3+ 24.Kh2
Bxc3 25.Rfe1 Qxe1 26.Rxe1 Bxe1 27.Qe3 Bb7 28.Qe5+ Kg8 29.Qe6+ Kg7 30.Qe5+ Kf7 31.Qe7+
Kg8 32.Qe6+ Kg7 33.Qe5+=
17...Ned3 18.Qb3 Nxf4 19.gxf4 Kh8
¹19...Bh6 20.d6+ Kh8 21.Qg3 (21.Nxc5 bxc5 22.Bxa8 Ba6 23.Bg2 Bxf1 24.Rxf1 Qxd6∞) 21...Bb7
22.Rfe1²
20.Rad1 Bb7 21.Nc4 Qd7 22.Ned6± Ba6 23.Rfe1 Bxc4
23...Bh6 24.Nb5 Bxf4 25.Qf3 Bh6 26.d6±
24.Nxc4 Rae8 25.d6 Qf7 26.f5
26.a5 b5 27.Rxe8 Qxe8 28.Nd2 Qd7 29.Ne4 Na6 30.Qd5+-
26...Bh6 27.fxg6 hxg6 28.Rxe8
28.Qg3 Rxe1+ 29.Rxe1 Qxc4 30.Qxg6 Bg7 31.d7+-
28...Rxe8 29.Qg3 Rd8
29...Qxc4? 30.Qxg6+-
30.b3
30.Re1 Re8 (30...Qxc4? 31.Qxg6 Qf4 32.d7 Rg8 33.Qxg8+ Kxg8 34.d8=Q++-) 31.Rxe8+ Qxe8
32.h4 Nc2 33.Be4! Qxe4 34.d7+-
30...Kh7 31.Re1 Rd7 32.Be4

669
32.Re2 Bf8 33.h4 a6 34.h5 gxh5 35.Bh3 Rd8 36.d7+-
32...Bg7 33.Re2
33.Qh4+ Kg8 34.Bf3 a6 35.Qg3 Bf8 36.Bg4 f5 37.Bh5 Qf6 38.Ne5 Rg7 (38...Bxd6 39.Nxd7!+-)
39.Nxg6+-
33...f5 34.Bg2 Qf6 35.Qe3?
35.Re8 a6 36.Rb8 b5 37.axb5 axb5 38.Rxb5 Qa1+ 39.Bf1 Qd4 40.Rb8+-
35...Qa1+?
35...Bf8 36.Qe8 Qd8 37.Qe6 Bxd6 38.Nxd6 (38.Rd2 Bh2+ 39.Kxh2 Rxd2 40.Nxd2 Qxd2 41.Qf7+
Kh6 42.Qf8+ Kh7 43.Qe7+=) 38...Rxd6 39.Qf7+ Kh6 40.Re7 Qh8 41.Rxa7 Nd3 42.Bf1 Ne5
43.Qe7 Qf6=
36.Kh2?
36.Bf1 Nd5 37.Qe8 Nf6 38.Qe6 Qd4 39.Rd2 Qf4 40.Bg2+-
36...Bh6 37.Qg3 Qf6 38.h4 Bf8 39.Rd2 a6 40.Kh3 Rd8?
40...Qe6 41.h5 b5 42.axb5 axb5 43.hxg6+ (43.Qxg6+ Qxg6 44.hxg6+ Kg7 45.Ne3 Kxg6 46.Bf1
Rxd6 47.Rxd6+ Bxd6 48.Bxb5 Bf4=) 43...Kg7 44.Ne3 f4+ 45.Qg4 Qxg4+ 46.Nxg4 Rxd6 47.Rxd6
Bxd6 48.Bf1 Kxg6 49.Bxb5 Kf5=
41.d7 b5 42.axb5 axb5 43.Ne5 Be7
43...Bd6 44.Qxg6+ Qxg6 45.Nxg6 Bc7 46.h5±
44.f4 Kg7 45.Bf3 c4 46.bxc4 bxc4 47.Rg2
47.Nxc4 Nc6 48.h5 Rh8 49.Kg2+-
47...g5 48.Qe1
48.fxg5 Qd6 49.Qe1 Nd3 50.Nxd3 cxd3 51.Qc3+ Kg8 52.Qc4+ Kh8 53.Bc6+-
48...g4+

670
49.Bxg4! fxg4+ 50.Rxg4+ Kf8 51.Qe4+- Nd3 52.Nxd3 Qc3
52...cxd3 53.Qh7
53.Rg3 Bxh4 54.Kxh4 Qf6+ 55.Kg4 cxd3 56.Rxd3 Qg7+ 57.Kf3 Qf6 58.Qd5 1-0

154. D78
Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi (2727) - Dubov, Daniil (2720)
Berlin 151/154, 2022

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.d4 d5 5.c4 c6 6.O-O O-O 7.Qb3 a5 8.cxd5 a4 9.Qd1 cxd5 10.Nc3
Qa5
10...Ne4 - 145/142
11.Bd2 Nc6 12.e3 Qa6 13.b3N
13.Re1; 13.Ne5
13...axb3
13...a3 14.Ne5 Rd8 15.Nxc6 bxc6 16.Na4²
14.Qxb3 Na5
14...Bg4 15.Rfc1 e6 16.h3 Bxf3 17.Bxf3 Rfc8 18.Be1 Na5 19.Qb1 Ne8 20.Be2 Qd6∞
15.Qb4 Nc6 16.Qb2 Bf5 17.Rfc1 Rfc8 18.Ne5 Qa3
18...e6 19.Bf1 Qa5 20.Ne4 Qd8 21.Nxf6+ Bxf6 22.Nxc6 bxc6 23.Bb4 Qb6∞
19.Qxa3 Rxa3

671
20.g4!? Nxg4
20...Be6?! 21.g5 Ne4 22.Nxc6 Rxc6 23.Nxe4 dxe4 24.Rxc6 (24.Bxe4 Rxc1+ 25.Rxc1 Rxa2 26.Bb4
Bf8 27.h4±) 24...bxc6 25.Bb4 Rxa2 26.Rxa2 Bxa2 27.Bxe7 Bd5 28.h4±
21.Nxg4 Bxg4 22.Nxd5 Rca8 23.Nb4
23.Nc7 R8a4 24.Bd5 (24.Rab1 Rxa2 25.Bc3 Ra7 26.Bd5 R2a4 27.Bb3 Bf5! 28.Bxa4 Bxb1 29.Rxb1
Rxa4 30.Rxb7 Ra7 31.Rxa7 Nxa7=) 24...Rd3 25.Be1

25...Nxd4! 26.exd4 Raxd4 27.Bg2 Rd7 28.Rab1 Bh6! 29.Rc4 Bf5 30.f4™ Ra3 31.Rb2 Bg7 32.Rd2
Rxd2 33.Bxd2 Bd3 34.Rc1 Bd4+ 35.Kh1 Rxa2 36.Bb4 e6©

672
23...Na5
23...Bf6! 24.Nxc6 Rxa2 (24...bxc6 25.Bxc6 R8a7 26.Bd5 Be6!=) 25.Nxe7+ Bxe7 26.Rxa2 Rxa2
27.Be1 b5 28.Bd5 Ra7=
24.Rab1 Bf8 25.Rc7 Be6?
25...e6 26.h3 Be2 27.Be1 Bc4∞
26.d5 Bg4 27.h3 Bf5

28.e4! Bxh3 29.Bc1

29.Bxh3!? Rxh3 30.Nc2 Rd3 31.Bc3 Bg7 (31...e6 32.Ne3±) 32.Be1! Bh6 33.Kf1 f5 34.Rb5 b6 35.e5
Bf4 36.Ke2 Rh3 37.Bxa5 Rxa5 38.Rxa5 bxa5 39.Rxe7±
29...Bxg2 30.Bxa3 Bxe4 31.Re1 Bf5
31...f5 32.Bb2 b6 33.Re3 Rd8 34.Bc3±
32.Nc2! Bxc2 33.Rxc2 Nc4 34.Rxc4 Rxa3 35.d6+- e6
35...exd6 36.Rc8+-
36.Rd1 Rxa2 37.d7 Be7 38.d8=Q+ Bxd8 39.Rxd8+ Kg7 40.Rd7 Ra5 41.Rf4 Rf5 42.Rxf5 exf5 43.f4
1-0

155. * !N D79
Fridman, Daniel (2621) - Saric, Ivan (2653)
Reykjavik 151/155, 2021

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.d4 g6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.c4 c6 6.cxd5 cxd5 7.Nc3 O-O 8.Ne5 b6

673
8...e6 - 133/152
9.O-O Bb7 10.Bf4
10.Qa4 Ne4 11.Rd1 f6?N (11...e6) 12.Bxe4! dxe4 (12...fxe5 13.dxe5 e6 14.f4+-) 13.Qb3+ Kh8
14.Nf7+ Rxf7 15.Qxf7+- Nagy,G (2523)-Shahil,D (2426) Budapest 151/(155) 2021
10...Nc6 11.Rc1 Rc8 12.Qa4 a6 13.Nxc6 Rxc6

14.Nb1!N
14.Qb3; 14.Be5
14...Qa8
14...b5 15.Qb4 e6 16.Nd2 Qb6 17.Rxc6 Bxc6 18.Rc1 Rc8 19.Nb3²
15.Qb4 a5
15...b5 16.Rxc6 Bxc6 17.Nd2 Ne4 18.Nb3 Re8 19.Rc1 Bf8 20.Qa5²
16.Qxe7 Re8 17.Qa3 Rxe2 18.Nc3 Re8

674
19.Nb5! Ba6
19...Bf8 20.Qa4 Qd8 21.Nc7 Rxc1 22.Rxc1 Re7 23.Qb3±; 19...Re2 20.Rxc6 Bxc6 21.Nc7 Qd8
22.Bf3 Re7 23.Rc1!±
20.Nc7 Rxc7 21.Rxc7 Bxf1 22.Bxf1± Qd8 23.Bb5 Re1+
23...Rf8 24.Rc6+-
24.Kg2 Nh5 25.Qc3! Nxf4+ 26.gxf4 Bf8 27.Rc8 Qe7 28.Re8 Qxe8 29.Bxe8 Rxe8 30.Qc6 Re6
31.Qxd5 Rf6 32.f5
32.Qe5 Kg7 33.f5 Bd6 34.Qd5+-
32...gxf5
32...Rxf5 33.Qd8 Kg7 (33...b5 34.d5+-) 34.Qxb6+-
33.Kf3 Kg7 34.Ke2 Bd6 35.h3 f4 36.Qf3 h6 37.Kd3 Bf8 38.Kc4 Kg8 39.Kb5 Bg7 40.Qa8+ Bf8
41.Qg2+ Bg7 42.Qd5 Bf8 43.Qe5 Kg7 44.f3 Bd6 45.Qe4 Re6 46.Qb7 Bb4 47.Qc7 Rf6 48.a3 Bf8
49.Qc1
49.d5 Rd6 50.Qc3+ Kg8 51.Qe5 Kh7 52.Ka6+-
49...Kg8 50.Qc2 Bg7 51.Qe4 Rd6 52.Qe8+ Kh7 53.Qxf7 Rxd4 54.Kxb6 a4 55.Kc5
55.b4 axb3 56.Qxb3+-
55...Rd2 56.Qxf4 Rc2+ 57.Kd5 Rxb2 58.Qxa4 1-0

156. *** D85

Henriquez Villagra, Cristobal (2608) - Volokitin, Andrei (2652)
Riga 151/156, 2021

675
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Bd2 c5 6.Rc1
6.e4 Nxc3 7.Bxc3 cxd4 8.Bxd4 (8.Qxd4 - 58/(504)) 8...e5 9.Bc3N (9.Bxe5) 9...Nc6 - 151/(156)
(9...Qxd1+N 10.Rxd1 Nc6 11.Bb5 f6 12.f4 Bd7 13.Nf3 Be7 14.g3 a6 (14...O-O-O 15.Kf2 Rhf8=)
15.Bc4 Bg4 16.Ke2 Bc5 17.Bd5 Nd4+ (17...O-O-O 18.h3 Nd4+ 19.Bxd4 Bxf3+ 20.Kxf3 Bxd4=)
18.Bxd4 Bxd4 19.Bxb7 Rb8 20.Bc6+ Ke7 21.b3 Rhc8 22.Rc1 Bb2 23.Rc4 Rb6 24.Bd5 Rxc4
25.Bxc4 Rd6 26.h3 Bxf3+ 27.Kxf3 Rd2 28.Re1 Bd4 29.Re2 Rxe2 30.Kxe2 a5= Erigaisi,A (2626)-
Puranik,A (2568) Plovdiv 151/(156) 2021) 10.Qxd8+ Kxd8 11.Nf3 f6 12.Bc4 Bb4 (12...Bc5 13.Rc1
Ke7=) 13.Bxb4 Nxb4 Sakalauskas,V (2330)-Hnydiuk,A (2407) Suwalki 151/(156) 2021 (13...Nxb4
14.Rc1 Ke7 15.Ke2 Bg4=)
6...Nc6 7.dxc5 Bg7 8.Nf3 O-O 9.Qa4N
9.e4 - 151/(156) 9...Ndb4 10.a3 Nd3+ 11.Bxd3 Qxd3 12.Be3N (12.Qe2) 12...Qa6 (12...Bxc3+
13.Rxc3 Qxe4 14.O-O Bg4 15.Qb3 Qe6∞) 13.Qe2 Qxe2+ 14.Kxe2 Be6?! (14...f5! 15.exf5 gxf5
16.Rhd1 e5©) 15.Nd5 Bxb2 16.Rb1 Bxa3 17.Rxb7± Antova,G (2313)-Antipov,M (2607) lichess.org
(Int. -rapid) 151/(156) 2021
9...Be6
9...Nxc3! 10.Bxc3 Bxc3+ 11.Rxc3 b5! 12.cxb6 (12.Qxb5? Rb8 13.Qa4 Rxb2µ) 12...Bb7 13.e3
(13.bxa7 Rxa7 14.Qb3 Qa8 15.a3 Rb8©) 13...axb6 14.Qb3 Na5 15.Qc2 Qd5©
10.a3 a5 11.Nd1
11.e3 Qd7 12.Be2 Rfd8©
11...Qd7 12.e4 Nc7 13.h3 Rfd8© 14.Be2 Ba2
14...Ne5 15.Qxd7 (15.Qc2? Nxf3+ 16.Bxf3 Bb3-+) 15...Nxf3+ 16.Bxf3 Rxd7 17.Nc3 Rad8 18.Be3
Bb3 19.O-O Ne6©
15.Nc3 Qe6 16.Nxa2 Qxa2 17.O-O Bxb2 18.Qc2 Qxa3 19.Rb1 Bg7
19...Nd4 20.Nxd4 (20.Qxb2 Nxe2+ 21.Kh2 Qxb2 22.Rxb2 Ne6 23.Rxb7 N2d4 24.Nxd4 Rxd4
25.Be3 Rc4 26.Rxe7 a4 27.Ra1 Rc3∞) 20...Bxd4 21.Rxb7 Ne6 22.c6 Qc5 23.Qxc5 Nxc5 24.Bf4
Rac8 25.Rxe7 Rxc6=
20.Rxb7 Ne6 21.Be3 Bd4
21...Rab8 22.Rxb8 Rxb8 23.Bc4 Qb4 (23...Ned8=) 24.Bxe6 fxe6 25.Qd3 Rd8 26.Qc2 Rb8=
22.Bb5?
22.Nxd4 Ncxd4 23.Qc4 Qxc5 24.Rc1 a4µ; 22.Rb3 Nb4! 23.Qb1 Qa2 24.Qxa2 (24.Nxd4 Qxb1
25.Rfxb1 Nxd4 26.Bxd4 Rxd4 27.Rc3 Nc6 28.Rb6 Rc8 29.Bb5 Na7=) 24...Nxa2 25.Bc4 Bxe3
26.fxe3 Nb4 27.Bxe6 fxe6=
22...Bxe3 23.Bxc6

676
23.fxe3 Qxe3+ 24.Kh2 Nxc5 25.Bxc6 Nxb7 26.Bxb7 Ra7 27.Bc6 Qf4+ 28.Kh1 Rc7µ
23...Qxc5 24.Qa4

24...Nd4! 25.Nxd4
25.fxe3 Nxc6 26.Kh1 Rab8-+
25...Bxd4 26.Bd5
26.Rxe7 Rac8 27.Re8+ Rxe8 28.Bxe8 Kf8µ
26...Rab8 27.Bxf7+ Kg7
27...Kxf7? 28.Qb3+ Kg7 29.Rxb8 a4 30.Qb1 Rxb8 31.Qxb8 a3 32.Qb3 h5=
28.Rxb8 Rxb8 29.Bd5 Bxf2+! 30.Kh1 Rf8-+
30...Bd4 31.Rf7+ Kh8-+
31.Qd1 Rf6 32.e5 Rf8
32...Rf4 33.e6 a4 34.Qd3 a3
33.Bf3 Bg3 34.e6 Rf6 35.Qe2 a4 36.Qa2 a3 37.Qb3 Bd6 38.Rd1 Qe5 39.Kg1 Qxe6
39...Rxe6 40.Bd5 Qh2+ 41.Kf1 Re5
40.Qxe6 Rxe6 41.Ra1 Re5 0-1

157. D85
Praggnanandhaa, Rameshbabu (2612) - Grandelius, Nils (2672)
Wijk aan Zee 151/157, 2022

677
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Qa4+ Nd7 8.Nf3 O-O 9.Qa3 c5
10.Be2 b6 11.h4N
11.e5 - 144/(148)
11...e5
11...cxd4 12.cxd4 Nc5 13.e5 Ne6 14.Be3 Bb7 15.Rc1 h5∞
12.d5 Nf6 13.Bg5 Qe8
13...h6 14.Bxf6 Qxf6 15.h5²
14.Bxf6! Bxf6 15.h5 Bg4

16.Nd2! Bd7
16...Bxe2 17.Kxe2 Bg5 18.Nf3 Qb5+ 19.c4! Qxc4+ 20.Qd3 Qxd3+ 21.Kxd3 Bf6 22.a4±
17.c4 Qe7 18.Qc3 Bg7 19.Qe3
19.Qg3!? a6 20.hxg6 hxg6 21.Kf1²
19...f5 20.hxg6 hxg6 21.a4² Bf6
21...a5 22.Rb1 Rab8 23.Bd1²
22.a5
22.Qh3 Qg7 (22...fxe4? 23.Bg4+-) 23.g4! f4 24.a5±
22...Bg5 23.Qh3 Qg7 24.Qc3 Qf6 25.Bd3 Qe7
25...Bxd2+ 26.Qxd2 f4 27.Be2±

678
26.Nf3 Bf6 27.Qc2 Rac8 28.axb6 axb6 29.O-O± f4 30.Ra7 Qd6
30...Qg7 31.Nh2 Rf7 32.Be2±
31.Be2 Bd8 32.Nh2 Bc7 33.Rfa1 Kg7 34.Bg4+- Bxg4 35.Nxg4 Rf7 36.f3 Rh8 37.Qb2 Rh5 38.Rb7
Qd8 39.Raa7 Kg8 40.Kf2 Rh1 41.Ra1 Rh4

42.Rxc7! Rxc7 43.Qxe5 Rf7 44.Qe6 Rxg4 45.Qxg4 Kg7 46.Qe6

46.Ra6 Qf6 47.Kg1 Rf8 48.Ra7+
46...Qh4+ 47.Ke2 Qg5 48.Kf1 Qh4 49.Kg1
49.Qe5+ Qf6 50.Qxf6+ Kxf6 51.Ke2
49...Qf6 50.Qxf6+ Kxf6 51.Kf2 Ke5 52.Ke2 Kd4 53.Rd1+ Ke5
53...Kxc4 54.d6 Rd7 55.e5
54.Ra1 Kd4 55.Rd1+ Ke5 56.Kd3 Ra7 57.Kc3 g5 58.Kb3 g4 59.d6
59.fxg4
59...gxf3 60.gxf3 Ke6 61.d7 Rxd7 62.Rxd7 Kxd7 63.Ka4 Kc6 64.e5 1-0

158. D85
Suleymenov, Alisher (2418) - Shomoev, Anton (2578)
Chelyabinsk 151/158, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4 Nxc3 7.bxc3 c5 8.Bb5+ Nc6 9.d5 Qa5
10.Rb1 Bxc3+ 11.Bd2 a6 12.Ba4 Bxd2+ 13.Nxd2 b5 14.dxc6 bxa4 15.O-O Be6 16.Qc1 O-O
17.Nf3 Rfc8N

679
17...Rac8 - 147/(155)
18.Rb7?
18.h4 Rxc6 (18...Kg7 19.Ng5 Rxc6 20.Qb2+ Kg8 21.Qb7 Rac8 22.Nxe6 fxe6 23.Qxe7 Qd8∞)
19.Qh6 f6 20.h5 gxh5 21.Ng5 fxg5 22.Qxg5+ Kf7 23.Qxh5+ Kg7 24.Qg5+ Kf7 25.Qh5+=
18...Rxc6 19.Qh6 Re8?!
19...Qc3! 20.e5 Bd5 21.Ng5 (21.Rc1 Qa3-+) 21...Qxe5 22.Qxh7+ Kf8µ
20.h4
20.e5! c4 21.Rd7! g5 (21...Bxd7? 22.Ng5+-) 22.Nxg5 Qxe5 23.Qxh7+ Kf8 24.Nxe6+ Rxe6 25.Rc7
c3

26.Rc5! Qg7 (26...Qd4 27.Rc4 Qe5 28.g3±) 27.Qc2 Rg6 28.g3±

20...Qc3
20...c4 21.Ng5 Qc3 22.Qxh7+ Kf8 23.Nxe6+ Rxe6 24.h5 gxh5 25.Rc7 Qg7 (25...Rg6 26.Rxc4!
Qxc4 27.Qh8+ Rg8 28.Qh6+=) 26.Qxg7+ Kxg7 27.Rxc4=
21.e5 Bd5 22.Rc1 Qa3 23.Rd1 Bxf3 24.Rxe7! Rcc8?

680
24...Rf8 25.Rxf7! Kxf7 26.Qxh7+ Ke6 27.Qxg6+ Kxe5 28.Qg5+ Rf5 29.Re1+ Be4 30.Qe7+ Re6
31.Rxe4+ Kxe4 32.Qxe6+ Re5 33.Qc4+ Kf5 34.Qf7+ Kg4 35.f3+ Kg3 36.Qg6+ Kf4 37.Qh6+ Kg3
38.Qg7+=
25.Rxf7! Kxf7 26.Qxh7+?
26.Rd6! Kg8 (26...Rxe5 27.Qxh7+ Ke8 28.Qxg6+ Ke7 29.Qf6+ Ke8 30.Qxe5++-) 27.Rd7+-
26...Ke6 27.Qxg6+ Kxe5 28.Qg5+ Ke6=
28...Ke4? 29.Qd5+ Kf4 30.g3+ Kg4 31.Qd7+ Kh5 32.Qf5+ Kh6 33.Rd6+ Kg7 34.Rd7+ Kg8
35.Qh7+ Kf8 36.Rf7#
29.Qg6+ Ke5 30.Qg7+ Ke6 31.Qh6+ Ke5 32.Qg7+ Ke6 33.Qg6+ Ke5 34.Qg3+ Kf5 35.Qg5+ Ke6
36.Qh6+ Ke5 37.Qg7+ 1/2-1/2

681
E00-E24

159. ** E00
Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2767) - Esipenko, Andrey (2714)
Wijk aan Zee 151/159, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g4!? d5

3...Nxg4 4.e4 f5N (4...Nc6) 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Nf3?! (6.exf5!„) 6...fxe4! 7.Nxe4 Bb4+ 8.Bd2 d5µ
Petrosian, T (2573)-Ter Sahakyan,S (2637) Armenia (ch) 151/(159) 2022
4.g5 Ne4

5.Bg2N
5.f3?? Bb4+ 6.Nd2 Qxg5!-+ 7.Qa4+ Bd7 8.Qxb4 Qh4+ 9.Kd1 Nf2+ 10.Kc2 Nc6 11.Qxb7 O-O
12.Qxc7 Rfd8; 5.Nf3 - 151/(159) 5...Be7N (5...c5) 6.h4 O-O 7.Nc3 c5 8.Bg2 Nc6∞ Zubritskiy,A
(2442)-Oparin,G (2652) lichess.org (Int.-blitz) 151/(159) 2021
5...Bb4+
5...Nxg5 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.Qb3©; 5...c5 6.cxd5 exd5 7.dxc5 Bxc5 (7...Qa5+!?) 8.Bxe4 dxe4 9.Qxd8+
Kxd8 10.Nc3 Bf5 11.Bf4 Nd7=
6.Kf1 Be7
6...Nxg5?! 7.c5! c6 8.Qa4 Na6 9.a3 b5 10.Qc2! (10.cxb6 Be7∞) 10...Ba5 11.h4 Ne4 12.Bxe4 dxe4

682
13.b4 Bc7 14.Qxe4±
7.h4 O-O 8.Nh3 c6
8...c5∞
9.Qc2
9.Bxe4 dxe4 10.Nc3 e5! 11.dxe5 Bf5©
9...e5
9...Nd6!? 10.Nd2 Na6
10.Nd2 Nxd2+ 11.Bxd2 exd4
11...e4 12.Nf4²
12.cxd5 cxd5 13.Nf4 Be6 14.g6?!
14.Qb3 Nc6 15.Bxd5 Bxd5 16.Qxd5 Qb6 17.Nd3 Rad8=
14...Nc6 15.gxh7+ Kh8 16.Qb3

16...Qd7?
16...Bxh4!µ 17.Bxd5 (17.Qxb7 Ne5-+) 17...Bg5! 18.Bxe6 Bxf4-+
17.Bxd5 Bxd5 18.Qxd5 Rad8 19.Qxd7 Rxd7= 20.Rc1 Kxh7 21.Nd3 Rd5 22.Bf4 Re8 23.Bg3 Bd6
24.Rg1 Re4 25.f3 Re7 26.Bf2 1/2-1/2

160. E01
So, Wesley (2772) - Harikrishna, Penteala (2717)
Berlin 151/160, 2022

683
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 Bb4+ 5.Bd2 a5 6.Bg2 O-O 7.Qc2 c5 8.cxd5 cxd4 9.Nxd4 Qb6
10.e3 exd5 11.O-O Nc6 12.Nxc6 bxc6 13.Rc1 Rb8 14.Bxb4
14.Nc3 - 146/163
14...Qxb4 15.b3 Be6 16.Nc3 c5 17.Ne2 Rfc8 18.Nf4 c4 19.bxc4 Rxc4 20.Qd1N
20.Qe2
20...Qc5
20...Rxc1 21.Rxc1 Bg4! 22.Nxd5 (22.Qf1 d4 23.exd4 Qxd4=; 22.Qc2 d4 23.h3 Bd7 24.exd4 (24.e4

24...h6! 25.e5 Nh7 26.Bd5 Ng5 27.h4 Nh3+ 28.Nxh3 Bxh3 29.Kh2 Be6=) 24...Qxd4=) 22...Nxd5
23.Qxd5 Be6 24.Qe5 Bxa2 25.Bd5 Bxd5 26.Qxd5 h6 27.Rc7 Qb3= 28.Qxb3 (28.Qxa5?! Qb1+
29.Kg2 Qe4+ 30.Kh3 Rb2→) 28...Rxb3 29.Rc8+ Kh7 30.Rc7 Kg6 31.Ra7=
21.Nxe6
21.Rcb1 Rc8 22.a4 Bg4! 23.Bf3 Bxf3 24.Qxf3 Qc6„
21...fxe6 22.Bf1
22.Bh3!? Kf7 23.Bf1 Rc3 24.Rxc3 Qxc3 25.Rc1 Qb2 26.Rc2 Qb6 27.Qc1²
22...Rc3 23.Rxc3 Qxc3 24.Rc1 Qb2
24...Qe5 25.Bh3! Qe4 26.Qc2± ∆Qxc2? 27.Bxe6+
25.Rc2 Qb6 26.Qc1 e5 27.Rc6 Qd8 28.Qc3 e4 29.a4 Qd7 30.Bb5 Qg4

684
31.Qxa5?!
31.Qc2²
31...Qd1+= 32.Bf1 Rb1 33.Qa6 h5 34.Rb6
34.a5 Kh7 35.Rb6 Ra1 36.Rb2 Qf3 37.Qe2 Qxe2 38.Rxe2 Rxa5=
34...Ra1 35.Rxf6 gxf6 36.Qe6+ 1/2-1/2

161. E03
Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi (2727) - Aronian, Levon (2772)
Berlin 151/161, 2022

1.c4 Nf6 2.g3 e6 3.Bg2 d5 4.Nf3 dxc4 5.Qa4+ Nbd7 6.Qxc4 a6 7.Qc2 c5 8.Nc3 Qc7 9.d4 b5
10.Bf4 Qa7 11.d5 Nxd5 12.Nxd5 exd5

685
13.a4N
13.e4 - 5/29
13...Be7
13...b4 14.e4 d4 15.e5© Be7 16.O-O O-O 17.e6!? fxe6 18.Rae1 Nb6 19.Ne5→
14.axb5 Qb6 15.Ne5
15.bxa6 Rxa6 16.Rxa6 Bxa6 17.O-O O-O„; 15.O-O O-O 16.Ng5 Bxg5 17.Bxg5 Bb7 18.bxa6 Rxa6
19.Rxa6 Qxa6 20.Qf5 Qe6=
15...Nxe5 16.Bxd5 Bb7 17.Qe4 Bxd5 18.Qxd5 O-O 19.Bxe5 Qxb5 20.O-O Rfe8 21.Bc3 a5 22.e3
a4 23.Rfd1 Qb3 24.Ra3
24.Qxb3 axb3 25.e4 Ra2 26.Rac1 Ra4 27.f3 Kf8 28.Rd7
24...Qxd5 25.Rxd5 c4 26.Ra2 Rec8 27.Kf1 a3 28.bxa3 Rxa3 29.Rxa3 Bxa3 30.Ke2 Be7 31.Rd7
Bf6! 32.Bxf6 gxf6 33.Kd2
33.Rd4 Kg7 34.Kd2 c3+ 35.Kc2 h5 36.Rd3 Rc5 37.Rxc3 Rf5 38.f4 Ra5²
33...Ra8= 34.Kc3 Ra3+ 35.Kb2 Rb3+ 36.Kc2 Ra3 37.Kb2 Rb3+ 38.Kc2 Ra3 1/2-1/2

162. E04
Kourkoulos Arditis, Stamatis (2500) - Grigore, George Gabriel (2477)
Romania 151/162, 2021

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 dxc4 5.Bg2 c5 6.O-O Nc6 7.Ne5 Bd7 8.Nxc4 cxd4 9.Bf4 Nd5
10.Nd6+ Bxd6 11.Bxd6 Nde7 12.Nd2 O-O 13.Qb3 b6 14.Nc4 Rc8 15.Rad1N

686
15.Rfd1 - 44/(603)
15...Re8 16.Ba3 Rb8?!
16...Nf5 17.g4 Nh4 18.Be4 f5 19.Bxc6 Bxc6 20.Nd6 Bd5 21.Qa4 e5 22.f4 Bc4 23.Rc1 b5 24.Qa6
Qd7 25.Nxc8 Rxc8©
17.Nd6 Rf8 18.f4! b5
18...Na5 19.Qd3 b5 20.Bc5 Bc6 21.Qxd4 Bxg2 22.Kxg2±
19.Bc5 Qa5

20.e3! dxe3
20...Qa4 21.exd4 Qxb3 22.axb3 Nd5 23.Bxd5 exd5 24.f5 a5 25.g4±
21.Qxe3 Nd5 22.Bxd5
22.Qf2 Nce7 (22...Qxa2? 23.Ra1 Qb3 24.Ra3+-) 23.f5 Qc7 24.b4 a5 25.a3 axb4 26.axb4 Nf6
27.Qf4±
22...exd5 23.f5 f6 24.Rxd5?!
24.Qb3 Kh8 (24...Ne7?! 25.Rfe1+-) 25.Qxd5 Qc7 26.Nf7+ Rxf7 27.Qxf7 Ne5 28.Qd5 Bc6
29.Qd6±
24...Qxa2 25.Rd2 Ne5 26.b4 Qa6 27.g4 Qc6?
27...h6 28.Qg3 Kh8 29.h4 Bc6 30.g5²
28.g5 Kh8 29.Rg2+- Qd5 30.gxf6 Rxf6

687
30...gxf6 31.Qh6+-
31.Rd2! Nc4 32.Rxd5 Nxe3 33.Bxe3 Bc6 34.Rd2 1-0

163. *** E04

Harikrishna, Penteala (2719) - Lupulescu, Constantin (2645)
Polska 151/163, 2021

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 dxc4 5.Bg2 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 a5 7.a3 Bxd2+
7...Be7 - 133/(159)
8.Nbxd2 b5 9.b3 cxb3 10.Qxb3 c6 11.O-O O-O 12.Qb2
12.Rfc1 Bb7 13.Qb2 Nbd7 14.Ne1 Qb8 15.Nd3 Rc8N (15...Re8) 16.Rab1 c5? (16...Qa7 17.Nb3
Nd5 18.Nbc5 Nxc5 19.Nxc5©) 17.dxc5 Bxg2 18.Kxg2 Qb7+ 19.f3 Rab8 20.e4 Qa8 21.Qc3±
Gledura,B (2628)-Jacobson,B (2492) Clayton 151/(163) 2021
12...a4N
12...Bb7 - 151/(163) 13.Ne5 Nd5 14.Rfc1 Ra7N (14...Qe7) 15.Ne4 Qe7 16.Nc5 Ba8 17.e4 (17.Rc2
Nb6 (17...Na6 18.Nb3²) 18.Rac1²) 17...Nb6 18.a4 b4 19.Nb3 Rc8 20.f4© Royal,S (2280)-
Siddharth,J (2331) Budapest 151/(163) 2021; 12...Nbd7
13.Rfc1 Qe7 14.Ne5 Bd7 15.Rc2
15.Nxc6 Nxc6 16.Bxc6 Bxc6 17.Rxc6 Rfb8 18.Rc5 Qb7?! (18...Qd7 19.e3 (19.Rb1

688
19...b4! 20.axb4 a3 21.Qa2 (21.Qa1 Qa4 22.b5 h5³) 21...Qxd4 22.Rc4 Qd7∞) 19...Nd5 20.Nf3 b4
21.Ne5 Qe8 22.axb4 Nxb4 23.Qa3 f6 24.Nf3 Nd5∞) 19.Rb1 Qa7 1/2 (19) Schekachikhin,M (2448)
-Hakobyan,A (2603) Tsaghkadzor 151/(163) 2021 (19...Qa7 20.Qc2 h6 21.Qd3²)
15...Rd8 16.Ne4 Nd5 17.Nxd7 Qxd7 18.Nc5 Qe8 19.Nd3 Ra7 20.Rac1 Rad7 21.e3© f6 22.Rc5
Rd6 23.Qe2 Nb6
23...Na6 24.R5c2 e5 25.Bxd5+ cxd5 26.Nc5©
24.Be4 Kh8 25.Qc2 Nc4

26.Rxc4! bxc4 27.Nb2

689
27.Qxc4 e5 28.dxe5 fxe5 29.Nc5 Rf6 30.Bc2©
27...R6d7
27...c3 28.Qxc3 e5 29.Nc4 Re6 30.Bf3 h6 31.Na5©
28.Nxc4 Ra7 29.Rb1 g6 30.Rb6 Kg7 31.Qb2 Qf8 32.h4 c5 33.Rxe6 cxd4 34.exd4 Re8 35.d5 Nd7
36.Rxe8 Qxe8 37.Qd4 Ra6?!
37...Rc7 38.d6 Rc5 39.Bd5 h5=
38.d6 Qb8?!

38...Ne5 39.Bd5 Nxc4 40.Bxc4 Ra8 41.d7 Qe1+ 42.Kh2 h5 43.Bb5²

39.h5! Qa7
39...g5 40.Qd5+-; 39...gxh5 40.Qd5 Ra7 41.Qxh5 Nf8 42.Qg4+ Kh8 43.Qf5+-
40.Qd5 Nf8
40...Nb6 41.Qd2 Nxc4 42.h6+ Kf8 43.d7 Nxd2 44.d8=Q+ Kf7 45.Bd5+ Re6 46.Qh8+-
41.Qb5+- Qd4 42.Qxa6 Qxe4 43.Qa7+ Kh6 44.Qe7 Qxc4 45.Qxf8+ Kg5 46.Qe7 Qc1+ 47.Kg2
Qc6+ 48.Kh2 Qc2 49.Qe3+ Kxh5 50.Qd4 1-0

164. * E04
Carlsen, Magnus (2865) - Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2767)
Wijk aan Zee 151/164, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.c4 e6 4.g3 dxc4 5.Bg2 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 a5 7.O-O O-O 8.e3!?

690
8.Bg5 - 116/(164)
8...Ra6 9.Qc2N
9.a4
9...b5 10.a4 c6 11.Nc3 Rb6
11...Bb7 12.axb5?! (12.e4 h6„) 12...cxb5 13.Nxb5 Rb6 (13...Nbd7=) 14.Nc3 (14.Na3? Be4 15.Qc1
Qd5µ) 14...Nbd7„; 11...Nbd7 12.e4 (12.axb5 cxb5 13.Nxb5 Bb7 14.Na3 Bxa3 15.Rxa3 Qa8„)
12...h6∞
12.e4 Be7!?
12...h6∞
13.e5 Nd5 14.axb5!? - 151/164
14.Nxd5N - 151/(164) 14...cxd5 (14...exd5? 15.Bxa5 b4 16.b3±) 15.Bxa5 b4 16.Bxb6! (16.b3 Nc6
17.Bxb6 Qxb6©) 16...Qxb6

17.a5! Qa7 Sevian,S (2684)-Mamedyarov,S (2767) chess.com (Int.-blitz) 151/(164) 2022 (17...Qa7
18.b3²)
14...cxb5
14...Nb4!? 15.Qe4 cxb5 16.Rxa5∞ (16.Qg4∞)
15.Nxd5 exd5 16.Bxa5 Nc6 17.Bxb6 Qxb6

691
18.Ra8! h6
18...Nxd4? 19.Nxd4 Qxd4 20.Rd1 Qxe5 21.Rxd5! Qe1+ 22.Bf1 Bh3 23.Rxf8+ Bxf8 24.Rd1+-;
¹18...Be6 19.Rxf8+ (19.Rfa1 Nxd4=) 19...Bxf8 20.Qd2 h6²
19.Rfa1 Be6 20.Qd1! b4 21.b3! c3 22.R8a6! Qc7 23.Ne1! f6 24.Nd3! fxe5 25.Nxe5 Nxe5 26.Rxe6
c2 27.Qe1 1-0

165. E04
Pashikian, Arman (2606) - Martirosyan, Haik M (2621)
Armenia (ch) 151/165, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 dxc4 5.Bg2 a6 6.O-O Nc6 7.Bg5 Be7 8.e3 Bd7
8...O-O 9.Nbd2 e5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.dxe5 Ng4 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 13.Nxc4 Nxe5 14.Nxe5 Qxe5
15.Qd4 Qxd4 16.exd4 Rd8 17.Rfe1 Kf8 18.d5 Bf5 19.Rac1 Rd7 20.Re5 g6= (20...Bg6? 21.Bh3!±)
9.Qc1
9.Nbd2 - 109/131
9...b5 10.b3 cxb3 11.axb3

692
11.Bxf6 gxf6 12.axb3 Nb4 13.Nc3 c5∞
11...Nb4!?N
11...Nd5 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 13.Qd2 O-O 14.Rc1²
12.Ne5 Ra7
12...Rc8 13.Bb7 Rb8 14.Bc6 Bxc6 15.Nxc6 Nxc6 16.Qxc6+ Qd7 17.Rc1²
13.Bxf6 gxf6
13...Bxf6? 14.Qc5!+-
14.Nxd7 Qxd7 15.Rd1
15.Nc3 O-O 16.d5 Nxd5 17.Rd1 Nxc3=
15...c6 16.e4 O-O 17.Nc3 Rd8 18.Ne2
18.Na2 Nxa2 19.Rxa2 a5 20.d5 cxd5 21.exd5 a4=
18...c5 19.d5
19.Qf4 cxd4 20.Rxd4 Qc7 21.Rxd8+ Qxd8 22.Qg4+ Kf8³
19...exd5 20.exd5 Qf5 21.Nc3
21.Nf4 Bd6³
21...Rad7 22.Be4 Qe5 23.f4 Qh5 24.Qb1
24.g4 Qh6 25.Kh1 f5 26.gxf5 Kh8 27.Qe3 Bd6µ

693
24...f5 25.Bxf5 Nxd5
25...Rd6!? 26.Qe4 Bf6 27.g4 Qh3 28.g5 Bd4+ 29.Rxd4 Qxc3 30.Rdd1 Rxd5-+
26.g4
26.Bxd7 Nxc3 27.Qd3 Nxd1 28.Qxd1 Qg6 29.Qg4 Qxg4 30.Bxg4 Rd3 31.Kg2 Rxb3 32.Rxa6 c4
33.Ra8+ Bf8 34.Rc8 c3 35.h4 Rb2+ 36.Kf3 b4-+
26...Qh3-+ 27.Nxd5 Rxd5 28.Rxd5 Rxd5 29.Qc2
29.Qf1 Qxb3
29...Qe3+
29...c4 30.Qg2 Bc5+ 31.Kh1 Qxg2+ 32.Kxg2 cxb3
30.Qf2 Qxb3 31.Qe2 Qc3 32.Re1 Bh4 33.Rf1 Rd2 34.Qe8+ Kg7 35.Bxh7 Rd8 36.Qe4 c4
36...Qh3 37.g5 Rd4 38.Bf5 Bf2+ 39.Kxf2 Qxh2+
37.g5 b4 38.Kh1 Qh3 39.Rg1 Qe6 40.Qb1 Rd4 0-1

166. !N E04
Van Foreest, Lucas (2539) - Bjerre, Jonas Buhl (2586)
Wijk aan Zee II 151/166, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 dxc4 5.Bg2 a6 6.O-O Nc6 7.Nc3 Rb8 8.e4 Be7 9.d5 exd5 10.exd5
Nb4 11.Ne5 Bf5 12.Nxc4 O-O 13.a3 Nd3 14.Be3
14.b4 - 86/459
14...Re8 15.b4 Ng4 16.Ne4

694
16...b5!N
16...Nde5
17.Na5
17.Ncd2?! Nxe3 18.fxe3 Bg6! 19.Qb3 Ne5 20.Rae1 Bd6µ; 17.Qxd3 bxc4 18.Qxc4 Nxe3 19.fxe3
Bxe4 20.Bxe4 Bd6! 21.Rae1 (21.Rf3 Qg5 22.Raf1 g6 (22...Re7©) 23.Rxf7?? Qxe3+-+) 21...Qg5
22.Rf3 h5©
17...Nxe3 18.fxe3 Bxe4 19.Bxe4 Ne5= 20.Nc6
20.Bxh7+ Kxh7 21.Qh5+ Kg8 22.Qxe5 Bf6 23.Qh5 Re5 (23...Bxa1? 24.Qxf7+ Kh8 25.Qh5+ Kg8
26.Nc6+-) 24.Qf3 Qxd5=; 20.Qh5 g6 21.Qxe5 Bxb4 22.Qf4 Bxa5 23.Qxf7+ Kh8 24.Bxg6 hxg6
25.Qxg6 Re7 26.Rf5 Rh7 27.Raf1 Qg8 28.Qc6 Qg7=
20...Nxc6 21.Bxh7+ Kxh7 22.Qh5+ Kg8 23.Qxf7+ Kh8 24.Qh5+ Kg8 25.Qf7+ Kh8 26.Qh5+
Kg8 27.Qf7+ 1/2-1/2

167. E04
Carlsen, Magnus (2865) - Rapport, Richard (2763)
Wijk aan Zee 151/167, 2022

1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.g3 dxc4 5.Bg2 Nc6 6.O-O Rb8 7.Be3!?
7.e3 - 148/169
7...Bd6
7...Be7 8.Qc1 (8.Nfd2 Nd5 9.Nxc4 Nxe3 10.fxe3 O-O=) 8...b5 (8...Nd5 9.Qxc4!? Nxe3 10.fxe3 O-
O 11.Nbd2²) 9.b3 O-O 10.bxc4 bxc4 11.Qxc4 Nb4 12.Qc1 Ba6=; 7...Nd5 8.Qc1 (8.Bg5!? Be7

695
(8...f6 9.Bd2) 9.Bxe7 Qxe7 10.Qc1 b5 11.b3 Ba6

12.a4! Na5 13.axb5 Nxb3 14.Qxc4 Nxa1 15.Qc6+ Qd7 16.Qxa6©; 8.Bd2 Be7 9.a4= (9.Qc1 b5
10.b3 Ba6 11.a4 b4! 12.bxc4 Nb6µ)) 8...Nxe3 9.Qxe3 (9.fxe3?! g6! 10.Qxc4 Bh6„) 9...Be7 (9...g6?
10.Nbd2 Bg7 (10...b5? 11.d5± (11.Ne5±)) 11.Nxc4 Nxd4? 12.Rfd1 c5 13.Nxd4 cxd4 (13...Bxd4
14.Qf4+-) 14.Qa3+-) 10.Nbd2 b5 11.b3©
8.Qc1N
8.Nfd2!? Nd5 9.Nxc4 Nxe3 10.Nxe3² ∆e5 11.dxe5 Bxe5 12.Nc3 O-O (12...Qxd1 13.Rfxd1 O-O
14.Rac1 Be6 15.Bxc6 bxc6 16.b3±) 13.Qa4ƒ
8...b5 9.b3 Bb7
9...O-O!? 10.bxc4 bxc4 11.Qxc4 (11.Nbd2 Na5 12.Nxc4 Nxc4 13.Qxc4 Bb7= (13...Rb4!? 14.Qd3
Bb7=)) 11...Nb4=
10.bxc4 bxc4 11.Qxc4 Nb4 12.a3 Nbd5 13.Bg5 O-O 14.Nbd2 h6 15.Bxf6 Nxf6 16.Rfc1 Nd7
17.Qa4 c5!= 18.Qxa7 Bxf3
18...Bd5 19.Qa6 Be7=
19.Bxf3
19.Nxf3 Ra8 20.Qb7 cxd4 21.Nxd4 Rxa3=
19...cxd4 20.Ra2

696
20...Qe7?
20...Ne5! 21.Qxd4 Bxa3!=
21.a4! Rfd8
21...Rb4 22.a5 Bb8 23.Qa6 Nc5 24.Qc6 Ba7 25.Ne4 Nxe4 26.Bxe4+-
22.Qxd4! Rb4 23.Qc3 Nb6 24.a5+- Qa7
24...Nd5 25.Bxd5 exd5 26.a6+- Qxe2 27.a7 Qe8 28.Qc6
25.Qe3 Be7
25...Bb8 26.a6+-
26.Rcc2 Bg5 27.Qc5 Be7 28.axb6 Qxa2 29.Qxe7 Qxc2 30.Qxd8+ Kh7 31.b7 1-0

168. E05
Carlsen, Magnus (2855) - Nepomniachtchi, Ian (2782)
Dubai (m/6) 151/168, 2021

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.g3 e6 4.Bg2 Be7 5.O-O O-O 6.b3!?

6.c4 - 150/(167)
6...c5 7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.c4 dxc4 9.Qc2!? Qe7N
9...Nc6
10.Nbd2
10.Qxc4 b6! … Bb7= (10...Bd7 11.Bb2 Rc8 12.Qf4 Nc6 13.a3 a5 14.Nbd2 Nd5= Gormally,Daniel)

697
10...Nc6!?
10...cxb3 11.Nxb3 Bd6 (11...Bb6? 12.a4 Qc7 (12...Bc7 13.Nfd4±) 13.Qxc7 Bxc7 14.Ba3 Re8
15.Nfd4²) 12.Nfd4©; RR10...b5!? 11.Ng5! Bb7 12.Bb2 e5∞ Gormally,Daniel
11.Nxc4
11.Bb2 cxb3 12.Nxb3

12...Ba3! Gormally,Daniel
11...b5 12.Nce5 Nb4 13.Qb2 Bb7 14.a3
14.Bg5 h6 15.Bh4 (15.Bxf6 Qxf6 16.a3 (16.Rac1 Rfc8 17.Qd2 Qe7 18.Nxf7!? Qxf7 19.Ne5 Qe7
20.Ng6 Qf7 21.Ne5=) 16...Nd5) 15...g5 16.a3! (16.Nxg5 Bxg2 (16...hxg5? 17.Bxg5 Bxg2 18.Ng4
Nxg4 19.Bxe7 Bxe7 20.Kxg2+-) 17.Nh7 Kxh7 18.Ng4 Nbd5 19.Qc1 (19.Kxg2? Qb7!-+))
16...Bxf3 17.Bxf3 Nbd5 18.Bxg5 hxg5 19.e4 Nxe4! 20.Bxe4 Qf6=
14...Nc6!
14...Nbd5 15.Nd3 Bb6 16.Nfe5∞
15.Nd3 Bb6 16.Bg5 Rfd8 17.Bxf6 gxf6
RR17...Qxf6 18.Qxf6 gxf6 19.Rac1 (19.Nd2? Nd4 20.Bxb7 Nxe2+ 21.Kg2 Rab8µ; 19.Rfc1 Rac8
20.b4 Kf8 21.Nc5 Ba8∞) 19...Rac8= Gormally,Daniel
18.Rac1 Nd4
18...e5!?
19.Nxd4 Bxd4 20.Qa2 Bxg2 21.Kxg2 Qb7+ 22.Kg1 Qe4! 23.Qc2! a5

698
RR23...Rac8 24.Qd2 (24.Qxc8 Rxc8 25.Rxc8+ Kg7 26.Nf4 e5 27.e3 exf4 28.exd4 Qxd4=) 24...Bb6
25.Rxc8 Rxc8 26.Rc1 Rxc1+ 27.Nxc1 (27.Qxc1? Qxe2-+) 27...Qd4 28.Qxd4 Bxd4 29.Nd3=
Gormally,Daniel
24.Rfd1 Kg7 25.Rd2 Rac8
25...b4!?
26.Qxc8 Rxc8 27.Rxc8 Qd5 28.b4 a4 29.e3 Be5 30.h4 h5
30...Bb2!=
31.Kh2! Bb2?
RR31...Qb3! 32.Nxe5 (32.Nc5 Qxa3 33.Rdd8 (33.Rd7 Qxb4 34.Nxe6+ Kg6 35.Rg8+=) 33...f5!
34.Rd7 Qa2 35.Nd3 Bf6 36.Kg2=) 32...fxe5 33.Rd7 Qxa3 34.Rcc7 Kg6 35.Rxf7 Qb2 36.e4 Qe2!=
(36...a3 37.Rf3 a2 38.Rcf7+-)
32.Rc5± Qd6?

32...Qd7 33.Rcc2 Bxa3 34.Ra2! (34.Nf4? Qb7 35.Rd8 Qf3=) 34...e5! 35.e4 (35.Rxa3 e4 36.Rc3 exd3
37.Rcxd3= (37.Rdxd3 Qf5 38.Kg1 Kg6³))
33.Rd1?
33.Rxh5? Bxa3 34.Rxb5 Qd7! 35.Rb6 (35.Rc5 Bxb4-+) 35...e5 36.Rd1 Qc7 37.Ra6 Qc2-+; 33.Rcc2!
Bxa3 34.Nf4! Qf8 (34...Qe7 35.Rc8+-) 35.Rc7 Kg8 (35...Bxb4 36.Nxe6++-; 35...Qxb4 36.Rdd7
Qb1 (36...Qf8 37.Nxe6++-) 37.Rxf7+ Kg8 38.Rg7+ Kf8 39.Nxe6+ Ke8 40.Rc8#) 36.Rdc2!
(36.Rdd7? Bxb4 37.Nxh5 f5 38.Nf6+ Kg7 39.Nh5+ Kg8= (39...Kg6? 40.Nf4+ Kf6 41.Nh3 a3
42.Ng5 Kg6 (42...a2 43.Nh7++-) 43.Rxf7 Qg8 44.Rfd7 a2 45.Ra7 e5 46.Ra6+ Kh5 47.Rh7+ Kg4

699
48.f3#)) 36...Qxb4 37.Rc8+ Kg7 38.Nxh5+ Kh7 39.R2c7 Kg6 40.Nf4+ Kg7 41.Nxe6+ Kg6
42.Rg8+ Kf5 43.Nd4+ Ke5 44.Re8+ Kd6 45.Ree7 Kd5 (45...Qe1 46.Nxb5++-; 45...Qb2 46.Nf5+
Kd5 47.e4#; 45...f5 46.Red7+ Ke5 47.Nc6++-) 46.Red7+ Ke4 47.f3++-
33...Bxa3µ 34.Rxb5 Qd7 35.Rc5 e5
35...Bxb4 36.Rcc1 Be7µ
36.Rc2
36.e4!³
36...Qd5?
36...Bxb4µ
37.Rdd2∞ Qb3 38.Ra2 e4?
38...f5!?∞; 38...Bxb4 39.Rdb2 Qxd3 40.Rxb4²
39.Nc5!+- Qxb4 40.Nxe4?†
40.Rdc2! f5 41.Nxa4 Qxa4 42.Rc3+- Kf6 43.Rcxa3 Qd1 44.Ra5 Kg6 45.Rb5 Qf1 (45...Qf3 46.Rd2
Kf6 47.Ra5 Kg6 48.Rd6+ Kg7 49.Kg1 Qg4 50.Re5 Qf3 51.Rd7+-) 46.Rd5 Kf6 47.Rad2 Kg6
48.Rd8 Kf6 49.R8d6+ Kg7 50.Rc2

50...f6 (50...Qe1 51.Rd5 Qb1 (51...Kg6 52.Kg2+-) 52.Rcc5+-; 50...Kh7 51.Rf6+-; 50...Qb5 51.Rd1
Qb3 52.Rcd2 Qb5 53.Kg2 Kf6 54.Rd6+ Kg7 55.R1d5 Qb8 56.Rc6 Qa8 57.Rcc5+-) 51.Rcd2 Kg6
52.R6d5 Qc4 53.Kg2 Qa6 54.Rc5 Qe6 55.Rd8! (55.Rdd5? f4! 56.exf4 Qe7 (56...e3?? 57.f5+;
56...Qg4? 57.Rg5++-; 56...Qe8 57.f5+ Kh6 (57...Kg7 58.Rc7+ Kh6 59.Rdd7+-) 58.Rd6 e3 59.fxe3
Qxe3 60.Rxf6+ Kg7 61.Rg6+ Kf7 62.Rc7+ Kf8 63.Rf6+ Kg8 64.Re6 Qd2+ 65.Kh3+-) 57.Kh2

700
(57.Rxh5 e3=) 57...e3 58.fxe3 Qxe3 59.Rc2 Qf3=) 55...Kh6 56.Rcc8 Kg6 57.Rg8+ Kh6 58.Rh8+
Kg7 59.Rcd8 Kg6 (59...Qa2 60.Rxh5+-) 60.Rdg8+ Kf7 61.Ra8 Kg6 62.Rhc8 Kh6 63.Rf8 Kg6
64.Rh8 Qb3 65.Rag8+ Kf7 66.Rb8 Qa2 67.Rxh5 (67.Rb7+!?) 67...f4!? (67...Kg6 68.Rbh8 Qe2
69.R8h6+ Kg7 70.Rh7+ Kg8 71.Rh8+ Kf7 (71...Kg7 72.R5h7+ Kg6 73.h5+ Kg5 74.Rg8#)
72.Rxf5+-) 68.gxf4 Qe2 69.Rh7+ Kg6 70.Rbb7 Qg4+ 71.Kh2 Qe2 72.Rhg7+ Kf5 73.Rg2+-
40...Qb3= 41.Rac2 Bf8 42.Nc5 Qb5 43.Nd3 a3 44.Nf4 Qa5 45.Ra2 Bb4 46.Rd3 Kh6 47.Rd1 Qa4
48.Rda1 Bd6 49.Kg1 Qb3 50.Ne2 Qd3 51.Nd4 Kh7 52.Kh2 Qe4?!
52...Bb4! 53.Kg1 (53.Nc2?! Bc3 54.Ne1 Qf1! 55.Rxa3 Bxe1! (55...Bxa1 56.Rxa1=) 56.R3a2 Qc4!
(56...Kg6? 57.Rc1 Kg7 58.Rb2! (58.Rca1? Qc4µ) 58...Kg6 59.Ra1 Kf5 60.Rc1 Ke4 61.Rb4+
(61.Ra1?? Kf3-+) 61...Kf3!? (61...Kf5 62.Rb2=) 62.Rf4+ Ke2 63.Rxf6 Kd2 64.Ra1 Qd3 65.Ra2+
Kc1 66.Rxf7 Qc4 67.Ra1+ Kb2 68.Rfa7 Bxf2 69.R7a2+ Qxa2 (69...Kb3 70.Rxf2+-) 70.Rxa2+
Kxa2=) 57.Rb2 Qc3! (57...Bb4 58.Ra4+-; 57...Bc3 58.Rc1 Qd3 59.Rb3 Qe2=) 58.Raa2 f5 59.Rc2
Qd3 60.Rcb2 Qe4 61.Rc2 Qf3 62.Rcb2 Bc3 63.Rc2 Be5 64.Rd2 Qg4 65.Kg2³) 53...Bd6 54.Nc2
Qb3! 55.Kg2 (55.Nxa3? Be5µ) 55...Kg6=
53.Rxa3!² Qxh4+ 54.Kg1 Qe4
54...Bxg3? 55.fxg3 Qxg3+ 56.Kf1 Qh3+ 57.Ke2 Qg2+ 58.Kd3 h4 59.R3a2 Qg6+ 60.Kc4 h3
61.Rh1+-; RR54...Qh3?! 55.Ra4 h4 56.Nf3! Bxg3! 57.Rf1 Qd7! 58.Rd4 Bd6 59.Rxh4+ Kg7±;
54...Qg4! 55.Ra4 Be5 56.Nc6 Bxa1 57.Rxg4 hxg4= Gormally,Daniel
55.Ra4 Be5 56.Ne2 Qc2 57.R1a2 Qb3 58.Kg2 Qd5+ 59.f3 Qd1 60.f4 Bc7 61.Kf2 Bb6 62.Ra1 Qb3
63.Re4 Kg7 64.Re8 f5 65.Raa8 Qb4 66.Rac8 Ba5 67.Rc1 Bb6 68.Re5 Qb3 69.Re8 Qd5 70.Rcc8
Qh1 71.Rc1 Qd5 72.Rb1

72...Ba7?!

701
72...h4! 73.Rxb6 (73.gxh4 Bd8=) 73...h3 74.Nd4!? (74.Rbb8 h2 75.Rg8+ Kf6 76.Rb6+ Ke7 77.Rh8
h1=Q=) 74...h2 75.Rh6 Kxh6 76.Rh8+ Kg7 77.Rxh2=
73.Re7 Bc5 74.Re5 Qd3 75.Rb7 Qc2 76.Rb5 Ba7 77.Ra5 Bb6 78.Rab5 Ba7 79.Rxf5 Qd3 80.Rxf7+!
Kxf7 81.Rb7+ Kg6 82.Rxa7 Qd5 83.Ra6+
83.Nd4! Qh1 84.Ra6+ Kf7 85.Nf3²
83...Kh7
83...Kf5! 84.Nd4+ Kg4 85.Rg6+ Kh3 86.Rg5 Qg2+ 87.Ke1 Qh1+ 88.Kd2 Kg2! 89.Kd3 Kf2!=
84.Ra1 Kg6 85.Nd4! Qb7 86.Ra2 Qh1 87.Ra6+ Kf7 88.Nf3 Qb1 89.Rd6 Kg7 90.Rd5 Qa2+
91.Rd2 Qb1 92.Re2 Qb6 93.Rc2 Qb1 94.Nd4 Qh1 95.Rc7+ Kf6 96.Rc6+ Kf7 97.Nf3 Qb1
98.Ng5+ Kg7
98...Ke7!=
99.Ne6+ Kf7 100.Nd4 Qh1 101.Rc7+ Kf6 102.Nf3 Qb1 103.Rd7 Qb2+ 104.Rd2 Qb1 105.Ng1!
Qb4 106.Rd1 Qb3 107.Rd6+ Kg7 108.Rd4 Qb2+ 109.Ne2 Qb1 110.e4!? Qh1 111.Rd7+ Kg8
112.Rd4 Qh2+ 113.Ke3

113...h4?!
RR113...Qh1 114.e5 Qh3 115.Rd6 Kg7 116.e6 Kf8= Gormally,Daniel
114.gxh4 Qh3+ 115.Kd2 Qxh4 116.Rd3
116.Rd5 Qf2
116...Kf8 117.Rf3 Qd8+ 118.Ke3 Qa5

702
118...Qb6+ 119.Nd4 Qb2 120.e5 Qc3+ 121.Ke4 Qe1+²
119.Kf2 Qa7+ 120.Re3 Qd7 121.Ng3 Qd2+ 122.Kf3 Qd1+ 123.Re2 Qb3+ 124.Kg2 Qb7?
124...Qd3! 125.e5 Qb1 126.f5 Qb6 127.e6 Ke7! 128.Nh5 Qb5! 129.Rf2 Qe5 130.Ng3 (130.Rf4
Qe2+; 130.Kh3 Qe3+ 131.Kg2) 130...Qd5+ 131.Kh3 Qd3 132.Kg4 Qd4+ 133.Rf4 Qg7+ 134.Kh4
Qf6+ 135.Kg4 Qg7+ 136.Kf3 Qc3+
125.Rd2!±
125.Kf2? Qb6+ 126.Re3 Qd6 127.e5 Qd1 128.f5 Qd4 129.Kf3 Ke7 130.Ne2 Qd5+ 131.Re4 Qd3+
132.Kf4 Qh3 133.Ng3 Qh8²
125...Qb3 126.Rd5 Ke7 127.Re5+ Kf7 128.Rf5+ Ke8 129.e5 Qa2+ 130.Kh3 Qe6?
130...Qc2
131.Kh4!+- Qh6+
131...Qa2
132.Nh5 Qh7 133.e6 Qg6 134.Rf7 Kd8
134...Qxe6 135.Ng7+ Kxf7 136.Nxe6 Kxe6 137.Kg5 (137.Kg4? Kf6 138.Kh4 Kf5 139.Kg3 Kg6
140.Kg4 Kf6=) 137...Ke7 138.Kg6 Ke8 (138...Kf8 139.Kf6+-) 139.Kg7+-
135.f5 Qg1 136.Ng7 1-0

169. *** E05

Carlsen, Magnus (2865) - Giri, Anish (2772)
Wijk aan Zee 151/169, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 Be7 5.Bg2 O-O 6.O-O dxc4 7.Na3!? Bxa3 8.bxa3 Bd7 9.a4!?
9.Ne5 - 100/(380); 9.Qc2!? Bc6 10.Qxc4 Bd5 11.Qc2 Be4 12.Qb2N (12.Qd1) 12...Nbd7 13.Bf4
Rc8 14.Rac1 Re8 (14...h6=) 15.Rfd1 Nd5 16.Bg5 f6 17.Bd2 c5 18.dxc5 Nxc5 19.Ne1? (19.Bb4 Na6
20.Bh3ƒ) 19...Bxg2 20.Nxg2 Qb6 21.Qxb6 Nxb6 22.Be3 Nca4³ Le,Q (2709) -So,W (2772)
chess24.com (Int.-m/2-blitz) 151/(169) 2021
9...Bc6 10.Ba3 Re8 11.Qc2 Nbd7
11...Bd5 12.Rfe1 Nbd7 13.e4 Bc6 14.Bf1± (14.Nd2²)
12.Rac1

703
12...a6N - 151/(169)
12...a5 - 151/(169) 13.Qxc4 Nb6 14.Qd3N (14.Qc3) 14...Be4 (14...Bxa4 15.e4 c6 16.Rfe1©) 15.Qb3
Bd5 16.Qc2 Nc4 17.Bb2 Ra6∞ Wagner,D (2584)-Bluebaum,M (2642) chess.com (Int. -blitz)
151/(169) 2022; 12...Bd5!?N 13.Rfe1 Rc8 14.e4 Bc6 15.Nd2 c3 16.Nb1 Nb6 17.a5 Na4 18.Nxc3
Qxd4 19.Nxa4?! (19.Ne2) 19...Qxa4 20.Qxa4 Bxa4 21.Bb2 b6³ Carlsen,M (2865) -
Nepomniachtchi,I (2773) chess24.com (Int.-rapid) 151/(169) 2022
13.Qxc4 Nb6 14.Qc3 Nxa4 15.Qb3

15...Qd5!

704
15...Nb6!? 16.Rxc6! bxc6 17.Ne5 Qxd4 18.Nxc6 Qd2 19.Bf3©
16.Rxc6! Qxc6 17.Ne5 Qb5 18.Qc2 Nd5?
18...Nb6! 19.Bxb7 Nc4! 20.Bxa8 Nxa3 21.Qc6 Qxe2 22.Bb7 Qxa2 23.Bxa6 (23.Ng4 Rf8 24.Nxf6+
gxf6=) 23...Qc2 24.Ra1 Qxc6 25.Nxc6 Nc2 26.Rc1 Ra8! 27.Bd3 Na1 28.Bc4 Kf8=
19.Rb1 Qa5 20.Bxd5!
20.Nc4?? Qc3 21.Qxa4 b5-+; 20.Be4
20...exd5
20...Qxd5 21.Qxa4
21.Rxb7+- c5
21...Qe1+ 22.Kg2 Nc3 23.Nf3! Qxe2 24.Qxc3 Rac8 25.Qc6+-; 21...Nc3 22.Bb4+-; 21...Rac8
22.Bb4+-
22.Qf5 Rf8 23.Nxf7 Qd8 24.dxc5 Qf6
24...Qc8 25.Qxd5
25.Qxf6 gxf6 26.Nh6+ Kh8 27.c6 Rfc8 28.c7 Nc3 29.Bb2 d4 30.Nf7+ Kg7 31.Nd6 Kg6
31...Nxe2+ 32.Kf1 Nc3 33.Bxc3 dxc3 34.Ke2
32.Kf1 Nb5 33.Nxc8 Rxc8 34.a4 Nxc7 35.Bxd4 Ne6 36.Be3 1-0

170. E05
Fedoseev, Vladimir (2704) - Oparin, Grigoriy (2681)
Berlin 151/170, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 Be7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.O-O dxc4 7.Qc2 b5 8.a4 Bb7
8...b4 - 141/164
9.axb5 a6 10.Nc3 axb5 11.Rxa8 Bxa8 12.Nxb5 Bd5 13.Rd1 c5N
13...Nc6
14.dxc5
14.Nc3!? Na6 (14...Nc6?! 15.e4 Nb4 16.Qe2 Bb7 17.dxc5 Nd3 18.Ne1 Bxc5 19.Nxd3 cxd3
20.Rxd3 Qa8 21.Rd1 Rc8 22.Bg5±) 15.e4 Bb7 16.Qe2 cxd4 17.Nxd4²
14...Qa5
14...Bxc5 15.Nc3 Nc6 16.Bg5 Nb4 17.Qc1 h6 18.Be3 Bxe3 19.Qxe3 Qc7∞ 20.Ne5 Bxg2 21.Kxg2
Rc8=
15.Nfd4 Bxc5 16.Bxd5

705
16.e4 Bb7 17.Qxc4 Rc8 18.e5 Nd5 19.Qb3 Qb6∞
16...exd5

17.b3!² Rc8 18.bxc4 Bxd4 19.Nxd4 Rxc4 20.Qb1

20.Qb2!? Nbd7 21.Be3 h6 22.Nf5→
20...Nbd7 21.Bb2 Qb4 22.Nf5→ h5 23.Ne3 Re4 24.Qa1 h4 25.Bd4 h3 26.f3 Re8 27.Kf2± Qe7
28.Qc3 Qe6 29.Rc1 Qe7 30.Rc2 Rb8 31.Qa1 Re8 32.Qc3 Qd6 33.Qd3 Qb4 34.Qd2 Qb1 35.Rc1
Qg6 36.Qc2!+- Qh6
36...Qxc2 37.Rxc2 Ra8 38.g4
37.Qf5 Nf8 38.Rc2 N6d7 39.Qxd5 Qg6 40.Rc1
40.Rc6 Qb1 41.Qg5 Ng6 42.Qf5 Qxf5 43.Nxf5
40...Qa6 41.Ra1 Qg6 42.Rd1 Qa6 43.Qf5 Qa4 44.Qg4 f6 45.Ra1 Qb5 46.Ra7 Ne6 47.Nf5 Ng5
48.Be3 1-0

171. * E05
Shengelia, David (2513) - Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter (2651)
Oesterreich 151/171, 2021

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 Be7 5.Bg2 O-O 6.O-O dxc4 7.Qc2 b5!? 8.a4 b4 9.Nfd2 Nd5
10.Nxc4 c5
10...Bb7?! 11.Nbd2 c5 12.dxc5 Bxc5 (12...Na6 13.e4 Nf6 14.e5 Bxg2 15.exf6±) 13.Nb3 Be7
(13...Qe7 14.e4 Nf6 15.Bg5 Rc8 16.Qd1+-) 14.Nba5 Ba6 15.Bf4 g5 (15...Nd7 16.Nc6+-) 16.Be3
Bxc4 17.Nxc4 Nc6 18.Rfd1±; 10...Ba6 11.Rd1! (11.b3 Nd7 12.Bb2 c5 13.e4 N5b6! 14.d5 exd5

706
15.exd5 Bxc4 16.bxc4 Bf6 17.Bxf6 Qxf6 18.Nd2 a5∞) 11...c5 (11...Nd7 12.e4 N5f6 13.Nbd2 Rc8
14.b3²) 12.e4 Nf6 13.d5 (13.dxc5 Nbd7 14.Be3 Qc7=) 13...Bxc4 14.Qxc4 Nc6 15.Nd2 exd5
16.exd5 Nd4 17.Nf3 Nxf3+ 18.Bxf3 Bd6 19.Be3 Nd7 20.Qa6!? Qf6 (20...Qc7? 21.Bf4! Bxf4
22.d6!+-; 20...Qb6 21.Be2²) 21.Bg2 Ne5 22.Bg5! Qg6 23.Rac1 h6 24.Bf4 Qf6 25.b3²
11.dxc5

11...Ba6!
11...Na6 12.e4 Nf6 13.Rd1 Qc7 14.Bf4!± Qxc5 15.Nbd2 Bb7 (15...Bd7 16.Nb3± ∆Qc8 17.Qe2
Nc5 18.Nxc5 Qxc5 19.b3 Rfd8 20.Rac1+-) 16.Nb3 Qh5 17.Bd6 Rfe8 18.Nba5! Bxd6 19.Nxd6
Qxa5 20.Nxb7 Qc7 21.Qxc7 Nxc7 22.Rac1 Re7 23.Na5+-; 11...Bxc5 12.e4 (12.Ne3 Bxe3 13.Bxe3
Ba6 14.Nd2 Bxe2 15.Rfe1 Ba6 16.Rad1 Nd7∞) 12...Nb6 13.Ncd2! (13.Nbd2 Ba6) 13...Na6 14.Nb3
Qc7 15.Rd1² ∆Bb7 16.a5 Nd7 17.Bf4 e5 18.Be3 Rfd8 19.Nxc5 Ndxc5 20.Rxd8+ Qxd8 21.Nd2 Ne6
22.Nb3±
12.Ne3
12.Nbd2

707
12...Bxc5! (12...Nd7 13.c6 Nc5 14.Nb3 Rc8 (14...Nxb3 15.Qxb3 Rc8 16.Ne3 ∆Rxc6 17.Nxd5 exd5
18.Bxd5 Rd6 19.Bf3 Bc8 20.a5 Be6 21.Qa4²) 15.Ne5 Nxb3 16.Qxb3 Qd6 17.Bf4 Nxf4 18.gxf4
Bxe2 19.Rfe1 Bh5 20.Qe3! Qc7 21.Nd7 Rfd8 22.Rac1²) 13.Nb3 Nd7 14.Nxc5 (14.e4 N5b6 15.Rd1
Rc8 16.Nca5 Qe7) 14...Nxc5 15.Ne3 Rc8 16.Nxd5 exd5 17.Bh3 Ne6! 18.Qd1 Qf6ƒ; 12.b3 Nc6
(12...Nd7 13.c6 Nc5 14.Rd1 Qc7 15.Ne3²) 13.Rd1 Bxc5 14.Bb2 Qe7 15.e3 Rfd8=
12...Nd7! 13.Nxd5 exd5 14.c6
14.Nd2 Nxc5 15.Nf3 d4 16.Ne5 Rc8³; 14.Be3 Rc8 15.Bh3 Rc7 16.Nd2 Nxc5 17.Nf3 b3 18.Qd1
Bf6 19.Bd4 Ne4 20.Ra3 Rc2„
14...Rc8 15.Bxd5
15.Bf4 Nc5 16.Rd1 (16.c7 Qd7 17.Rd1 (17.Nd2 g5!? 18.Be5 f6 19.Bd4 Rxc7„ - 141/164) 17...d4
18.Bf3 g5!? (18...Ne6 19.Qf5 d3 20.e3 g6 21.Qa5 Nxf4 22.Qxa6 Ne6 23.Qxd3 Qxd3 24.Rxd3
Nc5„) 19.Bxg5 Rxc7 20.Bxe7 Qxe7 21.Qf5 (21.Rxd4?! Nd3µ) 21...Bc8 22.Qf4 Nb3 23.Nd2 Nxa1
24.Rxa1 Rd8∞ - 141/(164)) 16...d4 17.h4!? (17.Nd2 Bxe2 18.Re1 d3 19.Qc4 Ne6 20.Be3 a5∞;
17.Bf3 Ne6 18.Be5 d3 19.exd3 Bd6 20.d4 Bxe5 21.dxe5 Nd4 22.Qe4 Nxf3+ 23.Qxf3 Qg5©)
17...h6!? (17...Re8 18.Nd2 Bxe2 (18...d3 19.exd3 Bxd3 20.Qc1 Bf8 21.Re1 Qf6 22.Rxe8 Rxe8
23.Be3±) 19.c7 Qd7 20.Rdc1²) 18.Bf3 Re8 19.Nd2 d3 (19...Bf8) 20.exd3 Bxd3 21.Qc1 Bf8© 22.Re1
Qf6 23.Rxe8 Rxe8 24.c7 (24.Be3 Rxe3 25.fxe3 Nb3! 26.c7 Nxc1 27.c8=Q Ne2+ 28.Bxe2 Bxe2=)
24...Rc8 25.Qe1 Bd6! 26.Bxd6 Qxd6 27.Rc1 Rxc7 28.Qe8+ Kh7N 29.Qe3 Bf5= Firouzja,A (2804)-
Nihal,S (2662) Warszawa (rapid) 151/(171) 2021
15...Ne5„ 16.Rd1 Nxc6 17.Qe4
17.Bxf7+ Rxf7 18.Rxd8+ Bxd8!© (18...Nxd8? 19.Qd1 Bxe2 20.Qe1! Bc5 21.Bf4 Bg4 22.Nd2)
19.Be3 Nd4 20.Qd1 Nxe2+ 21.Kg2 Bb7+ 22.Kf1 Ba6=

708
17...Bf6
17...Qe8 18.Nd2 Bf6 19.Qxe8 (19.e3 Ne5! 20.Qxb4?! Be2 21.Qb3 Qd7µ) 19...Rfxe8 20.Ne4
Bxe2=; 17...Kh8!? 18.Bf4 (18.Be3 f5 19.Qg2 Ne5 20.Bb3 Qc7 21.Nd2 Bxe2 22.Re1 Ba6 23.Bf4
Bd6 24.Rad1 Rcd8³) 18...Bf6 19.Nd2 Nd4! 20.Nf3 Nxe2+ 21.Kg2 Nxf4+ 22.Qxf4 Bxb2 23.Rab1
Be2! 24.Ng5 Bc1! 25.Qe4 Bxg5 26.Qxe2 Qb6³
18.Be3
18.e3? Ne7 19.Bxf7+ Kxf7 20.Rxd8 Rxc1+ 21.Kg2 Rxd8 22.Qxb4 Bf1+ 23.Kf3 Nc6-+
18...Re8ƒ 19.Qg4N
19.Qg2? Qd7 20.Nd2 (20.Ra2 Bxe2 21.Rd2 Nd4-+) 20...Bxe2 21.Ne4 Bxd1 22.Rxd1 Ne5µ; 19.Qf5
g6 (19...Qe7 20.Nd2 Bxb2 21.Ne4∞) 20.Qf4 (20.Bxf7+ Kxf7 21.Rd7+ Re7 22.Qd5+ Kg7 23.Rxd8
Rxd8 24.Qc5 Rd1+ 25.Kg2 Ne5µ; 20.Qh3 Kh8 21.Qf1 Nd4! 22.Bxd4 Bxe2 23.Qe1 Bxd1 24.Qxd1
Bxd4 25.Qxd4+ f6 26.Nc3 bxc3 27.bxc3 Qe7 28.c4 Qe5 29.Qd1 Rb8µ) 20...Kg7 21.Bb3 Qc7
22.Qxc7 Rxc7³
19...Qe7 20.Bxc6
20.Nd2 Ne5 21.Qh3 Bxe2 22.Re1 Bg4 23.Qf1 Red8 24.Be4 Be6 … Ng4µ
20...Rxc6 21.Rd7

21...Qe6
21...Qe5!µ 22.Qxb4 Rc1+! 23.Bxc1 Qxe2 24.Nd2 Qe1+ 25.Kg2 Bf1+! 26.Nxf1 Qxb4-+
22.Qxe6 fxe6
¹22...Rcxe6 23.Rxa7 Bxb2 24.Ra2 Be5 25.Nd2 Bxe2 26.a5 Bc3 27.Rd7 Bb5 28.Rb7 Bc6 29.Rb6

709
Bd5 30.Rc2 Rxb6 31.axb6 f5³
23.Nd2 Bxb2 24.Rb1 Rc2 25.Bd4
25.Bxa7 Bxe2 26.a5 Ra8 27.Bd4! Rxd2 28.Rxg7+ Kf8 29.Bxb2 Rxb2 30.Rxb2 Kxg7 31.Rxe2=
25...Bxd4 26.Rxd4 Rb8³ 27.e4
27.Kf1 e5 28.Rd7 Bb7 29.Nb3 Rc3³
27...e5 28.Rd6 Bc4?!
28...Be2 29.a5 Bh5
29.Nxc4 Rxc4 30.Rb3
30.Rb2 b3 (30...Rc1+ 31.Kg2 Ra1 32.Rd7 Rxa4 33.Rc2 … Rcc7=) 31.Rd3 Rxe4 32.Rdxb3 Rxb3
33.Rxb3 Rxa4 34.Rb7 e4 35.Kf1 a5 36.Ke2=
30...Rc1+ 31.Kg2 Ra1 32.Rd5?!
32.Rd7 Rxa4 33.Re7 Ra2 34.Rd3 Rf8 35.Kh3! Raxf2 36.Rxa7 R2f7 37.Ra5 Rb8 38.Rb3 Re7 39.Kg4=
32...Ra3! 33.Rf3
33.Rdd3 Rxa4 34.Rd7 Ra6³
33...Rxa4 34.Rxe5
34.Rd7 Rf8! 35.Rb7 Rxf3 36.Kxf3 a5 37.Kg4 Ra2µ
34...b3 35.Re7 Ra6!-+ 36.Rff7 Rg6 37.h4 b2 38.h5 Rh6 39.Rxg7+ Kh8 40.Rb7 Rxb7 41.Rxb7 Rb6
0-1

172. E06
Esipenko, Andrey (2714) - Grischuk, Alexander (2764)
Berlin 151/172, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 Be7 5.Bg2 O-O 6.b3 dxc4
6...a5 - 149/ 173
7.bxc4 c5 8.O-O cxd4 9.Nxd4 a6 10.Ba3
10.Nc3
10...Bxa3
10...Qc7 11.Bxe7 Qxe7 12.Nc3 Rd8

710
13.Na4! e5 (13...Ra7 14.Nb6 Qc7

15.Qb3! Rxd4 16.Nxc8 Qxc8 17.Qb6) 14.Nb6 Rxd4 (14...Ra7 15.Nxc8 Rxc8 16.Nf5±) 15.Qb3±
11.Nxa3 Qc7
11...e5?! 12.Nb3 Qc7 13.c5²; 11...Qe7!?
12.Qc1N
12.Nb3
12...Bd7 13.Rd1

711
13...Ba4! 14.Rd2 Nbd7 15.Rb1 Nc5 16.Nb3 Rad8„ 17.Rxd8 Rxd8 18.Qe3 Nxb3
18...Nfd7!? 19.Nc2 b6 20.Nb4 h6„
19.axb3 Bc6= 20.b4 h6 21.Bxc6 Qxc6 22.f3 b5!?
22...Qd6=
23.cxb5
23.c5 a5! 24.bxa5 Nd5 25.Qf2 Nc3 26.Rc1 b4µ
23...axb5 24.Qc5 Qa6 25.Ra1
25.Rb3 Qa4 26.Qc2 e5³
25...Rc8 26.Qd4
26.Qxb5 Qd6→
26...Qa4 27.Qb2 Nd5 28.Qb1
28.Nc4? Qxa1+! 29.Qxa1 bxc4-+
28...Nxb4 29.Kg2 g6
29...Rb8!? 30.Nc4 Qc2µ (30...Qxa1 31.Qxa1 bxc4 32.Qa7! Re8 33.Qd7 Rf8 34.Qc7 Nd5 35.Qc6
Rd8 36.Kf2 Nf6 37.Qxc4 e5 38.Qc6 Re8=)
30.Qb2

712
30...Nc2?!
30...Rb8! 31.Nc4 Qc2!µ (31...Qxa1? 32.Qxa1 bxc4 33.Qa7 Re8 34.Qd7 Rf8 35.Qb5 Nd5=)
31.Nxc2 Rxc2 32.Qf6= Rxe2+ 33.Kh3 Ra2 34.Rc1 Rc2 35.Ra1 Ra2 36.Rc1 Rc2 37.Ra1 Ra2 38.Rc1
1/2-1/2

173. * E08
Ganguly, Surya Shekhar (2627) - Warmerdam, Max (2607)
Wijk aan Zee II 151/173, 2022

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 Bb4+ 5.Bd2 Be7 6.Bg2 O-O 7.O-O Nbd7 8.a4
8.Qc2 c6 9.Bf4 b6 10.Rd1 Bb7 11.Ne5 Nh5 12.Bd2 Nhf6 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.Nc6 Bxc6 15.Qxc6 Rc8
16.Qb5 Ne8 17.Qa4 (17.Nc3 - 111/(255)) 17...Rc4 18.Qxa7 Nd6N (18...Rxd4) 19.e3 b5 20.Qa3 Ne4
21.Qd3 Nxd2 22.Nxd2 Rc8 23.a3 Rb8 24.Bf1 Nb6 25.b3± Van Foreest,L (2539)-Shuvalova,P (2516)
Wijk aan Zee II 151/(173) 2022
8...a5 9.Qc2 c6 10.Rc1 Ne4 11.Be1 f5 12.e3
12.Nbd2 - 128/167
12...g5
12...Bd6 13.Nfd2 Rf7 14.f3 Nef6 15.Nc3 Bb4 16.Na2 Bf8„
13.Nfd2N
13.Nc3
13...Ndf6

713
13...Rf7!? 14.f3 Nd6 15.c5 Ne8 16.f4

16...Nef6! 17.Nb3 Ne4 18.N1d2 Ndf6„

14.f3
14.Nc3 Nxd2 15.Qxd2 Rf7 16.f3 Rg7∞ 17.e4?! dxe4 18.fxe4 e5!µ
14...Nd6!
14...Nxd2 15.Nxd2 Rf7 16.f4 Rg7 17.Nf3 gxf4 18.exf4 Ne4 19.Ne5∞
15.Rd1
15.c5 Nf7 16.Nc3 e5!³
15...g4
15...b6!? 16.b3 f4! 17.exf4 gxf4 18.g4 Rf7 19.Nc3 h5ƒ 20.g5?! Nfe8 21.h4 Rg7 22.Nf1

714
22...Bxg5! 23.hxg5 Qxg5 24.Qf2 h4 25.Kh2 h3 26.Bxh3 e5 27.Bxc8 Rxc8 28.Kh1 Nf5-+
16.c5 Nde8
16...Nf7 17.f4 h5 18.Nc3 b6„
17.f4 h5 18.Nc3 Ne4 19.Nb3
19.b4!? axb4 20.Na2 b3 21.Qxb3 h4∞
19...Qc7 20.Nc1 Bd8 21.Nd3 N8f6 22.Ne5 Qh7 23.Bf1 Nd7 24.Nxe4 fxe4 25.h3
25.Nxd7! Bxd7 26.b4 axb4 27.Rdb1²
25...Nxe5 26.dxe5 gxh3 27.Qh2 b6!„ 28.b4 axb4 29.Bxb4 Be7 30.Rdc1 Qg6 31.Qxh3 Ba6 32.Ra2
Bxf1 33.Kxf1 Rfb8 34.cxb6 Bxb4 35.Rxc6 Qg4 36.Qxg4+ hxg4 37.Rxe6 Ra6 38.Rg6+ 1/2-1/2

174. E11
Grischuk, Alexander (2775) - Westerberg, Jonathan (2526)
Struga 151/174, 2021

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+ 4.Nbd2 O-O 5.a3 Be7 6.e4 d6 7.Be2 c5 8.d5 Nbd7
8...exd5 - 141/(170)
9.Qc2 Re8N 10.Nf1N
10.O-O; 10.Nb1
10...exd5
10...b5!? 11.dxe6 fxe6 12.cxb5 a6 13.bxa6 (13.e5 dxe5 14.N1d2 Qa5 15.a4 axb5 16.Bxb5 Ba6
17.Bxa6 Qxa6 18.Nc4 e4 19.Ng5 Nb8! 20.Nxe4 Nc6©) 13...Bxa6 14.e5 dxe5 15.Bxa6 Qa5+

715
16.N1d2 Qxa6 17.Nc4 Nd5 (17...e4 18.Nfd2 Nb8 19.Nxe4 Nc6 20.Be3²) 18.O-O²
11.cxd5 Bf8
11...c4 12.Ng3 Nc5 13.Be3 (13.O-O Bf8 14.Bxc4 Ncxe4 15.Re1 Nxg3 16.Rxe8 Qxe8 17.hxg3
Bd7=) 13...b5 14.Bxc5 dxc5 15.a4²
12.Ng3 b5 13.O-O² Rb8 14.a4
14.b3 g6 15.a4 a6² - 14.a4
14...bxa4?!
14...a6 15.b3 g6 16.axb5 axb5 17.h3 Bg7 18.Bf4 Qb6 19.Ra2²
15.Rxa4 Qc7 16.Bd2 Nb6 17.Ra5± Bg4 18.Rfa1 Nc8 19.Bb5
19.Bc3 Nd7 20.Bb5 Bxf3 21.gxf3±
19...Bd7 20.Bf1 Qd8 21.h3 g6 22.Bc3 Bg7 23.Bd3 h5 24.Qd2 Nh7
24...h4 25.Nxh4 Nxe4 26.Nxe4 Qxh4 27.Bxg7 Kxg7 28.Qc3+ Kf8 (28...f6 29.g3+-) 29.g3 Qxh3
30.Nf6 Re5 31.Rxc5!+-
25.Bxg7 Kxg7 26.Qc3+ Qf6

27.e5! dxe5 28.Ne4 Qf4 29.Nxc5 Nf6 30.Nxd7 Nxd7 31.Bb5+- Ncb6 32.Bxd7
32.Rxa7 Rec8 33.Qe3+-
32...Nxd7 33.Rxa7 Nf6 34.d6
34.Rxf7+! Kxf7 35.Ra7+ Re7 (35...Nd7 36.Rxd7+ Kg8 37.Qc6 Qf5 38.Nh4 Qg5 39.Rc7 Rbd8

716
40.Nxg6+-) 36.Nxe5+ Kg8 37.Nxg6+-
34...e4

35.Rxf7+! Kxf7 36.Ra7+ Kg8 37.Qc7 Nd7 38.Qxd7 Qc1+ 39.Ne1! Qh6 40.Qf7+ Kh8 41.Qf6+
Kg8 42.g4
42.Nc2 e3 43.Nxe3 Rxe3 44.d7 Rd3 45.Qe6+ Kh8 (45...Kf8 46.d8=Q+ Rbxd8 47.Qf7#) 46.Qe5+
Kg8 47.Qe8+ Qf8 48.Qxg6++-
42...hxg4 43.hxg4 Rf8 44.Qe6+ Kh8 45.Qe5+ Kg8 46.g5 Qh8 47.Qd5+ 1-0

175. E11
Almeida Quintana, Omar (2535) - Gonzalez Zamora, Juan Carlos (2544)
chess.com (Int.-rapid) 151/175, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+ 4.Nbd2 b6 5.a3 Bxd2+ 6.Bxd2 h6 7.e3 Bb7 8.Bd3 O-O
8...d6 - 40/620
9.O-O d6 10.Qc2 c5 11.dxc5 bxc5 12.b4 Nbd7 13.Rfd1N
13.Rad1
13...Qc7
13...Bxf3 14.gxf3 Ne5 15.Be2 Qe7 16.Bc3 Rac8 17.f4 Ned7 18.b5²
14.Bc3 Rfc8 15.Rac1 a6
15...e5 16.Bf5 Re8 17.Nd2 Nb6 18.Ba1ƒ
16.Nd2 cxb4 17.axb4 Ng4 18.h3 Nge5 19.Bf1± Qc6

717
20.f4! Ng6 21.Nb3 Qc7 22.Qd2 Nb6 23.Na5 Rd8 24.Qd4
24.f5 exf5 25.Qd4 f6 26.c5 dxc5 27.Qxc5 Rdc8 28.Be1! Qxc5 29.bxc5 Nd5 30.Bf2+-
24...e5
24...f5

25.Qxg7+! Qxg7 26.Bxg7 Kxg7 (26...Bf3 27.Bd4!? Bxd1 28.Bxb6 Rdb8 29.Bc7 Ba4 30.Bxb8 Rxb8
31.b5!+-) 27.Nxb7 Rdb8 28.Nxd6+-
25.fxe5 dxe5 26.Qc5!+-

718
26.Qg4 Bc8 27.Qf3 Be6±
26...Rxd1
26...Rdc8 27.Qxc7 Rxc7 28.Nxb7 Rxb7 29.c5 Na4 30.Be1
27.Qxc7 Rxc1 28.Nxb7 Na4 29.Bxe5 Nxe5 30.Qxe5 Nc3 31.Nd6 Rb8 32.Nf5 1-0

176. E12
Zhou, Jianchao (2605) - Gauri, Shankar (2373)
Charlotte 151/176, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.a3 Bb7 5.Bf4 c5

5...Ne4 - 145/168
6.Nc3 cxd4 7.Qxd4 Nc6 8.Qd3
8.Qd1 Rc8 9.e4 Ne7!? 10.Nd2 Ng6 11.Bg3 h5∞
8...Nh5 9.Bg5
9.Be3 Rc8 10.g4 Nf6 11.Rg1 h6 12.h4 d6 13.Rd1 Na5∞
9...Be7 10.Bxe7 Qxe7 11.Nb5 O-O 12.Nd6 Rab8 13.e3 Nf6 14.Be2 Ne8N
14...Rfd8 15.O-O Ne8 16.Nxb7 Rxb7 17.Rfd1 Rc7 18.b4 h6 19.g3 Nf6 20.Rac1 Rdc8 21.Qb1 d6
22.Qd3 d5 23.cxd5 exd5 24.Kg2 Ne5 25.Rxc7 Rxc7 26.Qb3 Nc4„
15.Nxb7 Rxb7 16.O-O² Nf6 17.Rfd1 d5 18.cxd5
18.Rac1!? Rd8 19.b4 dxc4 (19...h6 20.c5±) 20.Qxc4ƒ
18...Nxd5 19.Rac1 Rc7 20.Qb1
20.Qe4!? Rd8 21.Qa4 Na5 22.Bf1 Rdc8 23.Rxc7 Qxc7 24.e4 Nf6 25.b4±
20...Na5 21.Rxc7 Qxc7 22.Rc1 Qb8 23.Qc2± Nb7 24.Nd4 Nd6

719
25.Ba6! Qd8 26.g3 g6 27.Nc6
27.b4±
27...Qg5 28.h4 Qg4 29.Be2+- Qh3 30.Bf1 Qg4 31.Bg2 Nxe3
31...Nf6 32.Qc3+-
32.Ne7+ Kg7 33.Qc3+ f6 34.Qxe3 Rf7 35.Nc6 Rc7 36.Bf3 Qf5 37.Nd4 Rxc1+ 38.Qxc1 1-0

177. * E17
Suleymanli, Aydin Elshan (2530) - Iskandarov, Misratdin (2548)
Azerbaijan 151/177, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Bb7 5.Bg2 Be7 6.O-O O-O 7.Re1 d5 8.cxd5 exd5 9.Bf4 Nbd7
10.Nc3 a6
10...Ne4 - 114/189
11.Ne5
11.Rc1 Rc8 12.Bh3 (12.Ne5!?→) 12...c5 13.Bg5N (13.dxc5) 13...h6 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.dxc5 Rxc5
16.Bxd7

720
16...d4!³ 17.Nxd4 Qxd7 18.e3 Qh3 (18...Re8→) 19.f3 Rd8 20.Rc2 h5 21.Rf2 b5 (21...h4→) 22.a3
Re5 23.Rd2 h4 24.gxh4 Bxh4 25.Ree2 Rxd4!-+ Zaibi,A (2405)-Iskandarov,M (2548) Sousse
151/(177) 2021
11...Re8 12.Qb3 Nf8 13.e4! c6 14.exd5N
14.Bh3; 14.Nxc6!? Bxc6 15.exd5 Bb5 16.a4 Bd3 17.d6 Bxd6 18.Bxa8 Bxf4

19.Bd5! Rxe1+ 20.Rxe1 Bd6 (20...Nxd5?! 21.Nxd5 Bb8 22.Ne7+ Kh8 23.Qxd3+-) 21.Bxf7+ Kh8
22.Nd5±
14...Nxd5?!

721
14...cxd5 15.Na4! b5 16.Nc5±
15.Nxc6! Bxc6 16.Nxd5 Rc8 17.Nxe7+ Rxe7 18.Rxe7 Qxe7 19.d5+- Bb7 20.Qxb6 Qd7 21.Rd1
Ng6 22.Be3 h5 23.h3
23.h4 Re8 24.Bd2 Bxd5 25.Bc3 Ne7 26.Qd4
23...Ne7 24.Qa5 Nf5 25.Bc5 Re8 26.Qd2 Re5 27.Qc3 f6 28.Qd3 Kh8 29.b4 h4 30.g4 Nd6 31.a4
Re8 32.Rb1
32.Bxd6 Qxd6 33.Qg6
32...Nf7 33.b5 Ne5 34.Qf5 Qd8 35.bxa6 Bxa6 36.Qh5+ Kg8 37.Be4 g6 38.Bxg6 Nf3+ 39.Kg2
Ng5

40.Bf7+! Nxf7 41.Qg6+ Kh8 42.Qxf7 Bc4 43.Bd6 Re5 44.Rb8 Bxd5+ 45.Qxd5 Qxb8 46.Bxe5
fxe5 47.a5 1-0

178. E20
Shankland, Samuel L (2708) - Karjakin, Sergey (2743)
Wijk aan Zee 151/178, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.f3 c5 5.d5 b5 6.e4 d6 7.Bd2 a6 8.a4
8.Nge2 - 146/(175)
8...bxc4 9.Bxc4 Nbd7 10.dxe6 fxe6 11.Bxe6 Ne5 12.Bxc8 Qxc8 13.Bf4
13.Nge2? Nd3+ 14.Kf1 c4ƒ
13...c4 14.Bxe5 dxe5 15.Nh3 Bc5N

722
15...Qc5 16.Nf2 Bxc3+ 17.bxc3 Qe3+ 18.Kf1 Qxc3 19.Rc1 Qa3 (RR19...Qb4!?) 20.Rxc4 (20.Qc2)
20...O-O 21.Qd3±
16.Qe2 Rb8 17.Nf2 Qb7?
17...Bd4 18.Rc1 (18.O-O Nh5ƒ) 18...O-O 19.O-O Rb3 (19...Nh5 20.Nd5! Rxb2 21.Qxb2 Bxb2
22.Ne7+ Kh8 23.Nxc8 Bxc1 24.Rxc1 Rxc8 25.Kf1±) 20.Kh1²
18.O-O!
18.Qxc4!? Bxf2+ (18...Qxb2 19.O-O! Bxf2+ 20.Kh1+-) 19.Kxf2 Qa7+ (19...Qxb2+

20.Kg3! Nh5+ 21.Kh4+- ∆Qb6 22.Rab1 Qf6+ 23.Kxh5) 20.Kf1! (20.Kg3 Nh5+ 21.Kh4 Qb6!
22.Kxh5 Rf8 23.Kh4 Qf2+! 24.Kh3 Rb6 25.Qc8+ Kf7 26.Qf5+ (26.Qc4+ Ke8=) 26...Kg8 27.Qh5
Rh6 28.Qxh6 gxh6 29.Rhf1²) 20...Rxb2 21.Nd1+-
18...Qxb2?

723
18...Qb4±
19.Qxc4! Bxf2+ 20.Kh1 Qb3 21.Qc7 Qb6 22.Qxe5+ Kf7 23.Nd5 Nxd5
¹23...Rhe8 24.Qxe8+ Rxe8 25.Nxb6 Bxb6 26.Rab1+-
24.Qxd5+ Ke7 25.Qe5++- Kf7 26.Rac1! Rb7 27.Rxf2 Qxf2 28.Qd5+ 1-0

179. E24
Van Foreest, Jorden (2702) - Giri, Anish (2772)
Wijk aan Zee 151/179, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3 Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 b6 6.f3 Nc6 7.e4 Na5 8.Bd3 Ba6 9.Qe2 d6
9...Nb3 10.Rb1 Nxc1 11.Rxc1 Qe7 (11...O-O 12.f4) 12.Nh3 d6! (12...Qxa3? 13.O-O Qe7 14.e5 Ng8
15.Be4 c6 16.Ra1 Bb7 17.f4ƒ) 13.f4 e5
10.f4!
10.Nh3 Qd7 11.Rb1 c5; 10.Bg5 - 41/634
10...Qd7
10...O-O 11.e5! Nd7 12.Nf3 (… Bh7) 12...f5 13.exf6! (13.exd6? Re8!µ 14.c5 Bxd3 15.Qxd3 bxc5
16.dxc7 Qxc7 17.O-O c4! 18.Qe2 Nf6µ) 13...Nxf6 14.Ng5 Qd7 15.Nxe6 Rae8 16.f5 Bxc4! 17.Bxc4
Qc6 18.O-O Nxc4 19.Bg5±; 10...Nd7 11.Nf3±; 10...c5 11.e5!
11.Nf3 Qa4 12.Nd2 e5N
12...O-O-O
13.O-O O-O 14.fxe5

724
14.Rb1!?
14...dxe5 15.Rb1
15.Rxf6 gxf6 16.Nf1 Kh8 (16...Bxc4? 17.Bh6 Kh8 18.Qf2! Qc6 19.d5 Qd6 20.Ne3!+- ∆Bxd3
21.Nf5 Qc5 22.Be3 Qxc3 23.Rc1 Qxa3 24.Qh4) 17.Ne3©
15...c5

15...Nd7 16.Rb4! Qc6 17.Nf3 f6 (17...Rae8 18.Nh4→) 18.Nh4→

16.Rxf6! gxf6 17.Qf3
17.Nb3!? Nxb3 18.Bh6 Kh8 19.Qf3 Qc6 20.d5 Qd6 21.Bxf8 Rxf8 22.Rxb3±
17...Qc6
17...cxd4 18.cxd4 Qc6 19.d5 Qd6 20.Nf1±
18.d5 Qd6

725
19.Nf1! Kh8
19...Bxc4?? 20.Ne3 Bxd3 21.Nf5
20.Ne3
20.Ng3 Bc8 21.Nh5 Rg8 22.h3 … Rb2-f2+-
20...Bc8 21.Bd2 Rg8 22.Be1 Rg6 23.Bh4 Rh6 24.Qf2 Bd7 25.Rf1 Kg7

26.Be2!+- Rg6 27.h3

27.Bh5 Rf8 28.h3 Nb7 29.Bg4

726
27...Bxh3 28.Bh5 Bd7
28...Rh6?? 29.gxh3 Rxh5 30.Bxf6+ Kf8 31.Qg3
29.Bxg6 fxg6 30.Bxf6+ Kg8 31.Qh4 Rf8 32.Rf3 Rf7 33.Qg5 Qf8 34.Qxe5 Nb7 35.Qf4 Nd6 36.e5
Ne8 37.d6 Nxf6 38.exf6 Qe8 39.Nd5 Qe1+ 40.Kh2 Qd1 41.Ne7+ Kh8

42.Rh3!!
42.Rh3 Bxh3 43.d7 … Qb8; 42.Qe5
1-0

727
E25-E49

180. E32
Rapport, Richard (2763) - Fedoseev, Vladimir (2704)
Berlin 151/180, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 O-O 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.Qxc3 b6 7.Bg5 Bb7 8.Nh3 h6 9.Bh4 d6
10.f3 Nbd7 11.e4 c5

12.Nf2!?N
12.dxc5 - 49/(652)
12...Re8 13.dxc5 Nxc5 14.Bxf6 Qxf6 15.Qxf6 gxf6 16.b4
16.O-O-O Rad8 17.b4 Na6 18.Bd3 Nc7 19.Rd2²
16...Nb3 17.Rd1 a5 18.Rxd6 axb4 19.axb4 Ra1+
19...Red8 20.Rxd8+ Rxd8 21.Bd3²
20.Rd1 Rea8 21.Be2 Nc1 22.Ng4
22.Rd7!?
22...R8a2 23.Nxf6+ Kf8

728
23...Kg7 24.Nh5+ Kg6 25.Nf4+ Kg5 26.Kf2!+-
24.Kf2
24.Bf1! Nd3+ (24...Kg7 25.Ne8+ Kf8 26.Nd6 Ba8 (26...Ba6 27.b5+-) 27.Nc8+-; 24...Ke7 25.Ng8+
Kf8 26.Nxh6+-) 25.Bxd3 Rxd1+ 26.Kxd1 Ra1+ 27.Ke2 Rxh1 28.Nd7+ Ke8 29.Nxb6 Rxh2
30.Kf2+-
24...Rxe2+ 25.Kg3 Rc2 26.Kh4 Kg7?!
26...Ke7
27.Nh5+?!
27.Ne8+ Kf8 28.Nd6 Bc6 29.b5 Be8 30.e5±
27...Kg6??
27...Kf8=
28.Rd8 Ra8 29.Rhd1 Rxc4 30.Rxa8 Bxa8 31.Rd8 Bxe4

729
32.g4! Kh7
32...Bxf3 33.Rg8+ Kh7 34.Nf6#; 32...f5 33.Rd7! fxg4 34.fxg4+-
33.fxe4+- e5 34.Nf6+ Kg6 35.Rd6 Ne2 36.Ng8+ Kg7 37.Nxh6 Rxe4 38.Nf5+ Kh7 39.Rh6+ Kg8
40.Rxb6 Nf4 41.Kg5 f6+ 42.Kh6 Re2 43.h4 Kf7 44.b5 Rb2 45.Rb8 Nd5 46.h5 e4 47.Nd6+ Ke7
48.Nxe4 Rb4 49.b6 f5 50.gxf5 Rxe4 51.b7 Nf6 52.Rd8 1-0

181. E35
Lupulescu, Constantin (2624) - Pavlidis, Antonios (2536)
Terme Catez 151/181, 2021

1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 Bb4 6.e3 h6 7.Bh4 g5 8.Bg3 Ne4 9.Qc2
9.Ne2 h5 10.h4 Nxg3 11.Nxg3 gxh4 (11...Bg4 12.Qa4+ Nc6 13.Ba6! bxa6 14.Qxc6+ Kf8 15.hxg5
Rb8 16.Qf6²) 12.Nxh5 c6 (12...Qg5 13.Qa4+ Nc6 14.Nf4 Bd7 15.Qb5! Nxd4 16.Qxb7 Rd8 17.O-
O-O Bxc3 18.bxc3 Ne6 19.Nxd5²) 13.a3 (13.Qf3 Qg5 14.Be2 Be6 … Nd7∞) 13...Bd6 14.g3 (14.Be2
Qg5 15.Kd2 Nd7 16.g3 hxg3 17.Nxg3 Rxh1 18.Qxh1 Bxg3 19.Rg1 Qh4=) 14...hxg3 15.Qf3 Be6
16.e4 Nd7!? (16...gxf2+ 17.Kxf2! Nd7 18.exd5 Qb6 19.dxe6 fxe6 20.Nf6+ Ke7 21.Nxd7 Kxd7
22.Rxh8 Rxh8 23.Ke1! Rf8 24.Qg2 Be7 25.Ne4 (25.Bc4 Rf4„) 25...Kc8 26.Nc5²) 17.exd5 cxd5
18.Nf6+ Qxf6 19.Qxf6 Rxh1 20.Qf3 gxf2+ 21.Qxf2 a6 22.O-O-O Rh2 23.Bg2 Nb6∞; 9.Qb3 c5
10.Bb5+ (10.Bxb8 Rxb8 11.Bb5+ Kf8 12.Bd3 Bxc3+ 13.bxc3 c4 14.Qb4+ Nd6 15.Bc2 Kg7 16.Qc5
Bf5„) 10...Nc6 11.Ne2 O-O 12.Rd1 (12.dxc5 d4!? 13.O-O-O Nxc5 14.Qc2 Bxc3 15.bxc3 Qa5„)
12...c4 13.Qa4 Bxc3+ 14.Nxc3 Nxg3 15.hxg3 Ne7∞ 16.Rxh6?! Kg7 17.Rh5 a6 18.Rxg5+ Kh6
19.Re5 Be6 20.Bxc4 b5 21.Qc2 bxc4 22.Kd2 Rh8³; 9.Qa4+ - 98/(309); 9.Rc1 - 73/(461)
9...h5 10.f3 Nxg3 11.hxg3

730
11...Be6N
11...Qe7 12.Kf2 Be6 13.a3 (13.Bd3 c6 14.Nge2 Nd7 15.a3 Bd6 16.b4 h4³) 13...Bd6 14.Nb5 c6
15.Nxd6+ Qxd6 16.Bd3 Nd7 17.Ne2 O-O-O 18.b4 Kb8 19.a4 Qe7 20.Rac1 Rc8 21.Qb2 h4 22.gxh4
gxh4 23.b5 c5 24.dxc5 Nxc5 25.Qd4²; 11...Nc6 12.Bd3 Bd6 13.g4!? (13.Qf2 Nb4 14.Bb1 c5„;
13.Nge2 Nb4 14.Qd2 Nxd3+ 15.Qxd3 Be6 16.Qb5+ Kf8 17.O-O-O Kg7 18.Qxb7 Rb8 19.Qxa7
f6!?© … Bf7) 13...Nb4 (13...Bg3+ 14.Kf1 … Nge2ƒ) 14.Qd2 Nxd3+ 15.Qxd3 h4 16.O-O-O c6 17.e4
Be6 18.Nh3²; 11...Qd6 - 49/(666)
12.O-O-O Nd7
12...Nc6 13.g4 h4 14.Nh3²
13.e4
13.g4 h4 14.Nh3 Nb6 … Qe7∞
13...c6 14.Bd3

731
14...Qa5
14...Nb6 15.e5 Qe7 16.f4²; 14...dxe4 15.Bxe4 (15.fxe4 Qa5 16.a3 Bxc3 17.Qxc3 Qxc3+ 18.bxc3 O-
O-O 19.Nf3 f6∞) 15...Qa5 16.d5 cxd5 17.Nxd5 Bd6 18.Nh3!? Qxa2 19.Nxg5 Nc5! (19...Qa1+
20.Kd2 Qa5+ 21.Ke3²) 20.Qc3 Nb3+ 21.Kc2 Rc8 22.Nxe6 Rxc3+ 23.Nxc3 Na1+™ 24.Rxa1 Qxe6
25.Rxa7 Be5 26.Ra8+ (26.g4 Qc4=) 26...Ke7 27.Nd5+ Kd7 28.Rxh8 Bxh8 29.Rxh5 Qe8„
(29...Qa6? 30.Bf5+±) 30.Nc3 Be5 31.g4 Kc8 32.Rh7 Qe7 33.Bd5 Qc5 34.Rxf7 Qf2+ 35.Kb3
Qb6+=
15.a3
15.exd5 cxd5 16.Nge2 Bxc3 17.Nxc3 O-O-O 18.Kb1 Kb8 19.Qd2²
15...Bxc3 16.Qxc3 Qxc3+ 17.bxc3 c5?!
17...O-O-O 18.e5 Rdg8 19.Rh2!? … f4; 17...dxe4 18.fxe4 O-O-O 19.Nf3 f6∞ - 14...de4
18.exd5 Bxd5 19.c4 Bc6 20.d5 Ba4 21.Re1+ Kf8 22.Ne2
22.Nh3! Rg8 (22...f6 23.f4±) 23.Nf2 b5 24.Rxh5±
22...Nb6?!
22...b5 23.cxb5 Ne5 24.Bc2 Bxb5 25.f4 gxf4 26.Nxf4 Re8 27.Ne6+ fxe6 28.Rxe5 exd5 29.Rxd5 Be2
30.Re1 Bg4 31.Rxe8+ Kxe8 32.Rxc5²
23.Kb2 Bd7 24.g4 Na4+ 25.Kc2 h4 26.Ng3± b5 27.cxb5 c4 28.Bxc4 Rc8 29.Kb3 Nb6 30.Re4 Rb8
31.Nf5
31.a4 a6 32.bxa6 Nxa4+ 33.Kc2 Rb2+ 34.Kd3 Nc5+ 35.Kd4 Nxe4 36.Nxe4 Kg7 37.Nc5 Bb5
38.Nd3 Bxc4 39.Nxb2 Bxa6 40.Nd1 … Ne3+-

732
31...Nxc4 32.Kxc4 Rxb5 33.Rhe1 h3 34.gxh3 Rxh3 35.Re7 Rb7 36.R1e3 Rc7+ 37.Kd4 Rh1 38.Ke4
1-0

182. E36
Rapport, Richard (2763) - Praggnanandhaa, Rameshbabu (2612)
Wijk aan Zee 151/182, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 O-O 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.Qxc3 d5 7.Bg5 c5 8.dxc5 d4 9.Qg3 Nbd7
9...e5 - 108/288
10.Nf3 e5 11.Rd1?! Re8 12.b4 a5 13.Nd2 axb4 14.axb4 Kf8N
14...Qc7; ¹14...e4 15.Qd6 (15.f3 e3 16.Nb3 Ne5 17.Bxe3 d3! 18.Nc1 (18.exd3? Nfg4 19.fxg4
Nxg4-+) 18...Ra1µ; 15.e3 h6 (15...d3 16.f3 Ra2 17.Nxe4 Rxe4 18.Bxd3 Re8 19.O-O Qe7³) 16.Bxh6
Nh5 17.Qg5 Ndf6 18.Be2 Kh7³) 15...e3 16.fxe3 dxe3 17.Nb1 (17.Nb3 Ra4 18.c6 bxc6 19.Nc5 Ra2-
+) 17...h6 18.Bxf6 Qxf6 19.Qxf6 Nxf6³
15.Qb3
15.e4!?
15...h6 16.Bh4 e4! 17.e3 d3?!
17...Ne5³
18.h3² g5 19.Bg3 Ne5?!
19...Kg8²
20.Qb2 Qe7
20...Nc6!?
21.Ra1 Rxa1+ 22.Qxa1 Bf5 23.Bxe5 Qxe5 24.Qxe5 Rxe5 25.g4 Bg6 26.Bg2
26.Kd1!?
26...Re8 27.Nb1 Nd7?!

733
27...Ra8
28.Kd2! Ra8 29.Kc3!
29.Nc3 Ne5©; 29.Rd1 Ne5 30.Kc3 h5! 31.gxh5 Bxh5 32.Rg1 Bg6©
29...Ra2 30.Rd1
30.Kd4!?
30...Rxf2
¹30...Ne5
31.Rd2 Rf6?!
31...Rxd2 32.Nxd2 Nf6²; 31...Re2!?
32.Kd4 Re6 33.Nc3
33.Ra2!?
33...Nf6 34.b5 Kg7 35.Ra2+- h5?!
35...Re8
36.gxh5 Bf5 37.Rb2
37.Ra7!?
37...Kh6 38.Rf2 Bh7 39.Nd5
39.b6!?

734
39...Nxh5 40.Rxf7 d2 41.Nc3™ Ng3 42.Nd1 Ne2+ 43.Kd5 Re8 44.Kd6
44.Rxb7
44...Bg6
44...Bg8 45.Rf2 Bxc4 46.Bf1 Bxb5 47.Bxe2
45.Rd7
45.Re7!?
45...Nf4!? 46.Kc7! Nxg2 47.Rxd2 Ne1 48.Kxb7 Nd3 49.c6 Bf5 50.c7 Re5 51.Nb2 Nc5+ 52.Kc6
Nb3 53.Rd8 Rc5+ 54.Kd6 g4 55.hxg4 Bxg4 56.b6 1-0

183. E48
Aronian, Levon (2772) - Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi (2727)
Berlin 151/183, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd3 d5 6.cxd5 exd5 7.a3 Bd6 8.Qc2
8.Nge2 - 43/713
8...c6 9.Nge2 Re8 10.Bd2 b6 11.O-O Ba6N
11...c5
12.Kh1
12.Bxa6 Nxa6 13.Ng3 Qd7 14.Rac1 Rac8 15.Nce2 g6=
12...c5
12...Bxd3 13.Qxd3 Nbd7 14.f3 Qe7=
13.Rad1
13.f3 Qc8 14.g4 Bxd3 15.Qxd3 Nc6 16.Rad1 Qe6=
13...g6?!
13...Bb7 14.f3 Nc6=
14.Qb1
14.Bxa6 Nxa6 15.f3 Qe7 16.Be1! Qxe3 17.Bh4 Qh6 18.g3² ƒ
14...Bb7= 15.Nf4 Nbd7 16.f3
16.b4!?
16...Nf8
¹16...Rc8

735
17.b4! cxd4 18.exd4 Bxf4
18...Rc8!?; 18...Ne6!?
19.Bxf4 Nh5 20.Be5! f6
20...Nd7!?=
21.Bg3 Nxg3+ 22.hxg3 Qc7 23.Ne2 Re3
23...Ne6!?
24.Qa2 Rae8 25.Qd2! Qd6 26.Rc1 R3e7 27.Bb5
27.Qf4!?
27...Rc8 28.Rxc8 Bxc8 29.Qf4 Qxf4
29...Qe6!?
30.Nxf4 Bb7 31.Kg1 Kf7 32.Kf2 Ne6

¹32...f5
33.Rh1! h5
33...Ng5 34.a4²
34.Bd3² Nxf4
34...Nf8!?
35.gxf4 Rc7?

736
35...f5 36.g4
36.f5+- g5 37.Rxh5 Kg7 38.Rh1 Rc3 39.Ke2! Bc6
39...Rxa3? 40.Rc1
40.Ra1
40.b5 Bd7 41.a4
40...Bd7?!
40...a5
41.Kd2 Rc8 42.b5! Rh8 43.g4 Rc8 44.a4 Kf8 45.a5
45.Re1!?
45...Ke7
¹45...bxa5 46.Rxa5 Rc7
46.axb6 axb6 47.Ra7 Rb8 48.Ke3
48.Kc3!?
48...Kd6 49.f4 Re8+ 50.Kf3 gxf4
¹50...Rh8
51.Kxf4 Bxb5?!
51...Rb8 52.Ra1 Rh8
52.Bxb5 Re4+ 53.Kf3 Rf4+ 54.Ke3 Re4+ 55.Kf2
55.Kd3?! Rxd4+ 56.Kc3 Rxg4 57.Rf7 Kc5 58.Bd3 b5
55...Rf4+ 56.Ke1 Rxd4
56...Rxf5 57.Rd7+; 56...Re4+ 57.Be2
57.Ra4 Rxa4 58.Bxa4 Ke5 59.Kd2 Kf4 60.Bd1 d4 61.Kd3 Ke5 62.Kc4 Ke4 63.Bc2+ Ke3 64.Bb1
1-0

737
E50-E74

184. E62
Wojtaszek, Radoslaw (2686) - Rapport, Richard (2763)
Berlin 151/184, 2022

1.d4 d6 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 g6 4.g3 Bg7 5.Bg2 O-O 6.O-O c6 7.Nc3 Qb6 8.h3 Qa6 9.b3 b5 10.Nd2
bxc4 11.Nxc4 Bb7
11...Be6 - 101/(445)
12.Bb2 Nbd7 13.e4 Rfd8
13...d5 14.Ne5 dxe4 (14...e6 15.Qc2 Rac8 16.Na4 dxe4 17.Rac1²) 15.Nxe4 Nxe4 16.Bxe4 Rfd8=
14.Qc2 d5 15.Ne5 dxe4 16.Nxe4 Nxe4 17.Bxe4 Rac8 18.Rfd1N
18.Rac1 Bxe5!? (18...Nxe5 19.dxe5 c5 20.Bxb7 Qxb7 21.Rfe1 e6 22.Qe2 Rd5=) 19.dxe5 Nf8∞
18...c5 19.Bxb7 Qxb7 20.Nxd7 Rxd7
20...cxd4 21.Nc5 Qb6 22.Ba3 d3 23.Qc4 Bxa1 24.Rxa1 e5 25.Rd1 Rd4 26.Qc3 a5∞
21.Rac1

21.dxc5 Bxb2 22.Qxb2 Rxc5 23.Rac1 Rcd5 24.Rxd5 Rxd5 25.Qc2 a5=
21...Qf3

738
21...Bh6! 22.f4 Bg7 23.Kf2 Rcd8 24.Qxc5 Qa6 25.Qc2 (25.a4 Qe6µ) 25...Qa5 26.Bc3 Qb6³
22.Ba1
22.Re1 Rcd8 (22...Bh6 23.Rcd1 Bg7 24.Rc1=) 23.Qxc5 Rxd4 24.Qc3 Qh5 25.h4 Bf6 26.Qe3 Rd3
27.Qe2=
22...h5 23.Qd3 Qxd3 24.Rxd3 h4
24...e5 25.d5 e4 26.Rdd1 Bxa1 27.Rxa1 Rcd8 28.Rac1 Rxd5 29.Rxd5 Rxd5 30.Rc4 Rd1+ (30...f5
31.Ra4 Rd7 32.h4 Kf7 33.Ra6=) 31.Kg2 Rd2 32.Rxe4 Rxa2 33.g4! hxg4 34.hxg4 Kf8³
25.gxh4 Rd5 26.b4?!
26.Rdd1 Rcd8 27.Re1 cxd4 28.Rxe7 Ra5 29.a4=
26...c4 27.Ra3

27...Bxd4
27...Rc7! 28.Ra5 Rxa5 29.bxa5 f5 30.Kf1 Kf7³
28.Bxd4 Rxd4 29.Rxa7 c3 30.Rxe7 c2 31.Kf1 Rxb4 32.Ke2
32.Re2! Rb1 33.Ree1 Rb2 34.a4 Rc3 35.Kg2 Ra2 36.Re2=
32...Rxh4 33.Re3 Ra4 34.a3 Kg7 35.Kd2 Rf4 36.f3 Rfc4 37.Rb3 R4c5 38.a4 Kh6 39.Ra3?!
39.Ke2 Kg5 (39...Rc4 40.a5 Ra4 41.Rb2=) 40.Kf2 f5 41.Rd3=
39...Kg5 40.Ra2?
40.Ke3 f5³

739
40...Rd5+ 41.Ke3 Re8+ 42.Kf2 Rd2+ 43.Kg3 Ree2-+ 44.f4+ Kf5?
44...Kh5! 45.Kf3 Kh4-+
45.Rb2?!
45.Kf3 Rh2 46.Ke3 Rd5 47.Rcxc2 Rxh3+ 48.Kf2 Kxf4µ
45...Rd3+ 46.Kh4 g5+!
46...g5+ 47.fxg5 Re4+ 48.Kh5 Rxh3#
0-1

185. !N E68
Eljanov, Pavel (2680) - Ganguly, Surya Shekhar (2630)
Sharjah 151/185, 2021

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 O-O 5.Nc3 d6 6.Nf3 Nbd7 7.O-O e5 8.e4 exd4 9.Nxd4 Nc5
10.h3 Re8 11.Re1 Bd7 12.Bf4 h6 13.Rb1 a5 14.b3
14.g4 - 69/507
14...a4 15.Kh2 axb3 16.axb3 h5 17.Qd2
17.b4 Ne6 18.Nxe6 (18.Be3 h4! 19.g4 Nxd4 20.Bxd4 c5! 21.bxc5 dxc5 22.Bxc5 Nxg4+ 23.hxg4
Bxc3µ) 18...Bxe6 19.e5 dxe5 20.Bxe5 Bxc4 21.Qxd8 Raxd8 22.Bxc7 Rd3 23.Ne4=
17...Nh7 18.Be3

18...h4!N
18...Ne6

740
19.g4 Ra3
19...Bc6!? 20.f3 (20.Nxc6 bxc6∞) 20...Ra3 21.b4 (21.Qc1 Bxd4 22.Bxd4 Rxb3 23.Nd5 Rxb1
24.Qxb1 Bxd5 25.cxd5 Qg5³) 21...Ne6 22.Nxe6 Rxe6∞
20.f4
20.Qc1 Bxd4 21.Bxd4 Rxb3 22.Qh6 (22.Nd5 Rxb1 23.Qxb1 c6 24.Nb6 Ne6 25.Ba1 c5∞) 22...Ne6
23.Rxb3 Nxd4 24.Rxb7 g5! 25.Reb1 Re6 26.Rb8 Bc8 27.Qh5 Kg7 28.Nd5 Rh6 29.R1b7! Rxh5
30.Rxc7 Qe8 31.Rcxc8 Qe5+ 32.Kh1 Nf6 33.gxh5 Nxd5 34.cxd5 Qf4 35.Rg8+ Kh7 36.Rh8+ Kg7
37.Rhg8+=
20...Bxd4 21.Qxd4 Nxb3
21...Rxb3 22.Rxb3 Nxb3 23.Qd1 (23.Qd3 Bc6 24.Nd5 Nc5 25.Qc2 g5!∞) 23...Nc5 24.e5 (24.g5
Be6 25.Bf1 c6∞) 24...Bc6∞
22.Qd3 Nc5 23.Qc2
23.Bxc5 dxc5 24.Rbd1 Nf8 25.Qc2 Ne6 26.Qc1 (26.e5 Nd4 27.Qc1 Ra6∞ 28.Bxb7 Bc6! 29.Bxa6
Nf3+ 30.Kh1 Nxe1+ 31.Nd5 Qa8 32.Bb5 Bxb5 33.cxb5 Rd8 34.Qxc5 Qa2 35.Nf6+ Kg7 36.Rxe1
Rd3 37.Ne8+ Kg8 38.Nf6+ Kg7=) 26...Rxc3 27.Qxc3 Nxf4 28.Qd2 Nxg2 29.Kxg2 Re7 30.Qg5
Qe8 31.Qxh4 Ba4 32.Rd3 Rxe4 33.Rd8 Rxe1 34.Rxe8+ Rxe8=
23...Bc6 24.Bc1 Ra8?
24...Ba4! 25.Qd2 Rb3 26.Bb2 g5 27.Nxa4 Nxa4 28.Bf6 (28.Ba1 Rxb1 29.Rxb1 gxf4 30.Qxf4 Nc5∞)
28...Rxh3+ 29.Kxh3 Qxf6©
25.g5 f6?
25...Ba4 26.Qe2 Bc6 27.Bb2 Nxg5 28.fxg5 Qxg5 29.Qf3 f5 30.Bc1 Qe7 31.Kg1²
26.Nd5 Bxd5 27.cxd5 fxg5

741
27...Qd7 28.Bb2 Qa4 29.Qc3 Qa5 30.Qe3 Qa6 31.Red1+-
28.e5!+- Qe7 29.Qxg6+
29.Bb2! gxf4 (29...dxe5 30.fxe5+- (30.Bxe5+-)) 30.Qxg6+ Qg7 31.Qxg7+ Kxg7 32.exd6+ Kf7
33.dxc7+-
29...Qg7 30.Qxg7+
30.Qc2 gxf4 31.Rg1! Qg3+ (31...Rxe5 32.Bxf4+-) 32.Kh1 Kh8 33.exd6+-
30...Kxg7 31.e6 gxf4 32.Bxf4 Nd3 33.Rf1 b6?
33...Rf8 34.Bd2 Rxf1 35.Rxf1 Ne5 36.Be1±
34.Be3+- Rf8 35.Rxf8 Rxf8 36.Bd4+
36.Be4 Ne5 37.Rg1+ Kh8 38.Bh6 Rf2+ 39.Kh1
36...Kh6 37.Be3+ Ng5 38.Rf1 1-0

186. E68
Kovalenko, Igor (2651) - Antoniewski, Rafal (2493)
Polska 151/186, 2021

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 d6 3.Nc3 e5 4.Nf3 Nbd7 5.g3 g6 6.Bg2 Bg7 7.O-O O-O 8.e4 exd4 9.Nxd4 Re8
10.Re1 Nc5 11.h3 a5 12.Ndb5 Bd7 13.Qc2
13.Bf4 - 135/189
13...Qc8 14.h4N

742
14.Kh2
14...h6
14...Qb8!? 15.Rd1 Ng4 16.f3 Ne5 17.Be3 b6∞
15.Be3 Ng4 16.Nd5
16.Bxc5 dxc5 17.Rad1 Bxb5 18.Nxb5 Rd8 (18...Ne5? 19.f4 Nc6 20.e5±) 19.Rxd8+ Qxd8 20.Qe2 h5
21.Bh3 c6 22.Nc3 a4! 23.a3 Ne5 24.Rd1 Qb6 25.f4 Nxc4 26.e5 (26.Qxc4 Bd4+ 27.Rxd4 (27.Kg2
Qxb2+ 28.Ne2 Rd8 29.e5 Rd5∞) 27...cxd4 28.Nd1 Qb3 29.Qxb3 axb3∞) 26...Qb3∞
16...Nxe3 17.Rxe3 Bxb5 18.cxb5² Qd8 19.Rd1 h5
19...c6 20.Nf4 cxb5 (20...Qc7 21.Qc4²) 21.Bf1 Qb6 (21...b4 22.Bb5 Re5 23.Bc4±) 22.Nd5 Qc6
23.h5 g5 24.Qe2²
20.Re2 a4 21.Qc4 Kh7 22.Kh2 Rc8 23.f4± c6 24.bxc6 bxc6

25.Nb4
25.Nc3! Qe7 (25...Ra8 26.e5+-) 26.Nxa4 Ne6 27.Qd3±
25...Qe7 26.Rdd2?!
26.e5! dxe5 (26...d5 27.Qc1 f5 28.Rc2 Bf8 29.Qe3±) 27.Nxc6 Qc7 28.Qxc5 exf4 29.Red2±
26...Ne6 27.Nd3
27.e5 dxe5 28.fxe5 (28.Nxc6 exf4 29.Qxf4! Nxf4 30.Rxe7 Nxg2 31.Rxe8 Rxe8 32.Kxg2∞) 28...c5
29.Nd5 Qf8∞
27...Nd4 28.Re1 Qa7 29.Qc1 Qa5 30.Nf2 c5 31.Nh3 Bf6?!

743
31...c4 32.Ng5+ Kg8 33.Re3 Bf6 34.Qd1 Qc5∞
32.Rf1! Kg7 33.Rdf2 Rc7
33...Qd8 34.e5! Be7 35.f5! Nxf5 36.Qc2 dxe5 37.Rxf5 gxf5 38.Qxf5 Bf6 39.Ng5 Rh8 40.Bd5!±
34.f5 Be5 35.Nf4
35.fxg6! fxg6 36.Ng5 Ree7 37.Qc4 Qa7 38.Rf8+-
35...gxf5?
35...Bxf4 36.Qxf4 Nc6 37.Rd2 Ne5 38.Rxd6±
36.Nxh5+ Kh7 37.Bh3
37.exf5 f6 38.Qd1 Kg8 39.Qg4+ Kf8 40.Bd5+-
37...Qa8 38.Rxf5! Qxe4
38...Nxf5 39.Bxf5+ Kg8 40.Qh6 f6 41.Qg6+ Kf8 42.Nxf6 Rg7 43.Qh6+-
39.Qg5 Qc2+ 40.Kh1 Qc4 41.Rxe5! 1-0

187. !N E71
Naymanova, Patricie (1782) - Velickovic, Sasa (2235)
Beograd 151/187, 2021

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 d6 5.e4 Bg7 6.h3 O-O 7.Bg5 e6 8.Bd3 exd5 9.exd5 Re8+ 10.Nge2
Nbd7 11.f4 a6 12.a4 h6 13.Bh4 g5
13...Nf8 - 34/697

744
14.fxg5 Nh5 15.Ne4

15...Rxe4!!N
15...Ne5 16.O-O+-
16.Bxe4 hxg5 17.g4!
17.Bf2 Bxb2©
17...Qa5+!?

17...gxh4 18.gxh5 Bxb2©

745
18.Qd2??
18.Kf1!! Nhf6 19.Be1!! Qd8!? (19...Qb6„) 20.Bd3! (20.Bc2 Ne5 21.b3 Nexg4!! (21...Bxg4!?)
22.hxg4 Nxg4© 23.Kg1 Qf6 24.Qd3 (24.Bh7+ Kf8 25.Ra2 Ne3 26.Bc3 Qf3 27.Bxg7+

27...Ke8!!-+) 24...Qxa1 25.Qh7+ (25.Kf1 Bf5!!-+; 25.Rh8+ Bxh8-+) 25...Kf8 26.Kg2 Qe5
(26...Ne3+ 27.Kf2 Nxc2?? 28.Bc3!!+-) 27.Bd3 Ne3+-+; 20.Bg2 Ne5 21.Qb3 Rb8 22.Nc3 Bd7
23.Bd2 b5!!© 24.axb5 (24.cxb5 axb5 25.a5 b4 26.Ne4 Bb5+ 27.Kg1 Nxe4 (27...Nc4 28.Bxg5 Nxe4!
29.Bxd8 Bd4+ 30.Kh2 Be5+=) 28.Bxe4 Nc4© ƒ) 24...axb5 25.cxb5 (25.Nxb5 Nxc4!-+; 25.Bxg5
bxc4 26.Qc2 Nfxg4!! 27.Qd2 Rxb2!!-+) 25...Nfxg4!! 26.hxg4 Qf6+ 27.Ke1 Nd3+ 28.Kd1

28...c4!! 29.Ne4 (29.Qc2 Bxg4+ 30.Ne2 Bxe2+ 31.Kxe2 Qf2+ 32.Kd1 Qxg2-+) 29...Bxg4+ 30.Kc2

746
cxb3+-+) 20...Ne5„
18...Qxd2+ 19.Kxd2 Nhf6-+ 20.Bf5 gxh4 21.g5 Nh7 22.Bxh7+ Kxh7 23.Raf1 Ne5 24.b3 b5
25.Rf4 Kg8 26.cxb5 axb5 27.Nc3 Ng6 28.Re4 Bf5 29.Re2 bxa4 30.bxa4 Be5 31.Rf2 Ne7 32.Ra1
Bxh3 33.a5 Nxd5 34.Nxd5 Bxa1 35.Ne7+ Kg7 0-1

188. * E71
Erigaisi, Arjun (2634) - Pranav, Anand (2430)
Yerevan 151/188, 2021

1.c4 g6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 O-O 6.Be3 e5 7.d5 Na6 8.g4 Nc5 9.Bg2
9.f3 - 148/193
9...a5 10.Nge2 c6 11.Ng3 Bd7N 12.Qd2
12.g5 Ne8 13.h4 cxd5 14.Nxd5 Rb8 15.h5²
12...a4N
12...cxd5 - 151/(188) 13.exd5 (13.Bxc5 dxc5 14.exd5 Ne8 15.g5 f5 16.gxf6 Qxf6 17.Nge4 Qh4
18.Qe3 b6∞) 13...Ne8 (13...Rc8 14.O-O Ne8 15.g5 f5 16.gxf6 Nxf6∞) 14.g5 f5 15.gxf6 Nxf6 16.f3
Nh5 17.Nge4 Nxe4 18.Nxe4 Bf5 19.Bg5 Qb6 20.Be3 Qd8 21.Bg5 Qb6 22.Be3 1/2 (22) Danada,T
(2308)-Madar,M (2047) Piestany 151/(188) 2021
13.O-O
13.g5 Ne8 14.h4 Qa5 (14...f5 15.exf5 gxf5 16.dxc6 Bxc6 (16...bxc6 17.Bxc5 dxc5 18.O-O-O±)
17.Bd5+ Bxd5 18.Qxd5+ Kh8 19.O-O-O±) 15.h5²
13...cxd5 14.exd5 Qb6?!
14...Ne8 15.Bxc5 (15.g5 Rc8=) 15...dxc5 16.Nge4 b6 17.d6 Rb8 18.g5 f5 19.gxf6 Nxf6 20.Rad1
Nxe4 21.Nxe4 Rf4 22.Qd5+ Kh8 23.Rfe1 Qh4∞
15.g5 Ne8 16.Nce4± f5
16...Nxe4 17.Nxe4 Qd8 18.c5±
17.gxf6 Nxf6 18.Nxc5 dxc5 19.Rfe1 Qd6 20.Bg5
20.b4 axb3 21.axb3 b6 22.h4±
20...b6 21.Re2 Rae8 22.Rae1 Bf5 23.b3 axb3 24.axb3 h5 25.Bh6 Nd7 26.Bxg7 Kxg7 27.Qg5 Kh7
28.Ra1
28.f4! Re7 29.Kh1 Kh8 30.Re3+-
28...Qb8 29.Ne4 Kg7 30.d6 Qd8 31.h4 Rf7
31...Bg4 32.Rea2 Qxg5 33.Nxg5 Rf6 34.f3 Bf5 35.Rd2+-

747
32.Rd2 Nf6 33.Ng3
33.d7 Rxd7 (33...Bxd7 34.Nd6+-; 33...Nxe4 34.dxe8=Q Qxe8 35.Bxe4 Bxe4 36.Rd6+-) 34.Nxf6
Qxf6 35.Rxd7+ Bxd7 36.Ra7 Re7 37.Bc6+-
33...Qd7

34.Bc6! Qxc6 35.Nxf5+ Kh8 36.Ne7

36.Nh6 Rff8 37.Ra7+-
36...Qf3 37.Ra7 Nh7 38.Qxe5+
38.d7 Rfxe7 (38...Rexe7 39.d8=Q+ Kg7 40.Ra8+-) 39.dxe8=Q+ Rxe8 40.Rxh7+ Kxh7 41.Rd7++-
38...Qf6 39.d7 Rd8 40.Qxf6+ Nxf6 41.Nxg6+ Kh7 42.Ne5 Rg7+ 43.Kf1 Kg8 44.Rd6 Ne4 45.Re6
Nd2+ 1-0

189. E71
Kanarek, Marcel (2481) - Bobras, Piotr (2500)
Polska 151/189, 2021

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 O-O 6.Be3 Na6 7.g4 e5 8.d5 Nc5 9.Bg2
9.f3 - 145/191
9...c6 10.Nge2 cxd5 11.cxd5 h5N
11...Bd7; 11...a5
12.Qd2?!
12.g5 Nh7 13.Qd2 f6 14.gxf6 Qxf6 15.b4 Na6∞; 12.f3 Ne8 13.gxh5 Qh4+ 14.Bf2 Qxh5 15.Ng3

748
Qh6 16.h4 f5∞
12...hxg4 13.hxg4
13.Ng3

13...b5! 14.hxg4 b4 15.Nd1 Nxg4 16.Bxc5 dxc5 17.f3 Nf6 18.Ne3 Ne8 19.Nc4 Nd6µ
13...Nxg4 14.Bxc5 dxc5 15.d6 Be6³ 16.Nb5 Qb6
16...Bf6 17.Nc7 Bh4 (17...Bg5 18.Qc3 Qxd6 19.Nxa8 Rxa8³) 18.Ng3 Qf6 19.Nxa8 Rxa8µ
17.Nec3 Rad8 18.Bh3
18.Rd1 Nf6 19.Nc7 Bg4 20.f3 Bh5 21.b3 Qc6 22.N7d5 Qxd6 23.Qe3 b5 (23...c4 24.bxc4 Qa3µ)
24.Nxb5 Nxd5 25.Rxd5 Qa6-+
18...a6 19.Bxg4
19.Nc7 Rxd6 20.N3d5 Bxd5 21.Nxd5 Rxd5 22.exd5 Nf6 23.Bg2 Ne8-+
19...axb5 20.Qg5
20.Bxe6 fxe6 21.Rd1 b4 22.Ne2 c4-+
20...b4?
20...Rxd6 21.Bxe6 Rxe6 22.Nd5 Qd8µ
21.Bxe6 fxe6 22.Qxg6 Rf6
22...Rf7 23.Rh7 Qxd6 24.Rd1 Qe7 25.Rxg7+ Rxg7 26.Rxd8+ Qxd8 27.Qxe6+ Rf7 (27...Kh8 28.Nd5
Qg5 29.Qh3+ Kg8 30.Qc8+ Kh7 31.Qh3+ Kg6 32.Qe6+ Kh5 33.Qe8+ Kh6 34.Qe6+ Rg6 35.Qe8

749
Rg8 36.Qe6+ Rg6 37.Qe8=) 28.Qg4+ Rg7 29.Qe6+=
23.Qh7+ Kf8 24.Rg1 Rd7 25.Rxg7! Rxg7 26.Qh8+ Kf7

27.Ne2?
27.O-O-O! bxc3 28.bxc3 Rxf2 (28...Rg8 29.Qh7+ Rg7 30.Qh8=) 29.Qh5+ Rg6 30.Qh7+ Rg7
31.Qh5+ Rg6 32.Qh7+=
27...Qxd6 28.Rd1 Qf8 29.Qh5+ Kg8-+ 30.Qxe5 Rh6
30...Rxf2 31.Qxe6+ Kh8 32.Qh6+ Rh7
31.Ng3 Qf3 32.Rd8+ Kh7 33.Rd6 Rh1+ 34.Nxh1 Rg1+ 35.Kd2 Rd1+ 36.Kc2

750
36...b3+!
36...b3+ 37.axb3 Qe2+ 38.Kc3 Rc1#
0-1

190. * E73
Nesterov, Arseniy (2512) - Pridorozhni, Aleksei (2564)
Khanty-Mansiysk 151/190, 2021

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 O-O 5.Be2 d6 6.Be3 e5 7.d5 Na6 8.g4 Nc5 9.f3 h5 10.g5 Nh7
11.h4 a5 12.Qd2 f6
12...f5 - 25/736
13.gxf6 Bxf6 14.O-O-O Bxh4 15.Nh3 Kh8 16.Rdg1 Bxh3 17.Rxh3
17.Rxg6 Bd7 18.f4 Rxf4 19.Bxf4 Be8! 20.Bxh5 Bxg6 21.Bxg6 exf4 22.Bxh7 Kxh7 23.Kc2 Qg5
24.Qf2 Rf8 25.Rxh4+ Kg6∞
17...g5?!N
17...Rg8 - 151/(190) 18.f4 exf4 19.Bxf4 Bf6 20.Rhg3N (20.Qe3 Qe7³) 20...g5? (20...h4 21.Rxg6
Rxg6 22.Rxg6 Qe7 23.e5 Bxe5 24.Bxe5+ Qxe5 25.Qh6 Rg8 26.Rxg8+ Kxg8 27.Qxh4 Nf6=)
21.Bxh5 gxf4 22.Rxg8+ Qxg8 23.Rxg8+ Rxg8 24.Kc2 Be5 25.Qf2± Nesterov,A (2482)-Pavlov,D
(2360) Russia (rapid) 151/(190) 2021
18.Kc2 Nd7 19.Bd1 Nb6 20.Qd3 Rf6 21.Kb1 Qd7 22.Rgh1 Raf8 23.c5 Nc8

751
24.c6! bxc6 25.dxc6 Qxc6 26.Bxg5!
26.Nd5!? R6f7 27.f4! exf4 (27...Rxf4 28.Nxf4 exf4 29.Bd4+ Nf6 30.Rxh4 gxh4 31.Rxh4+-)
28.Bd4+ Kg8 29.Rxh4+-
26...Bxg5
26...Nxg5 27.Rxh4 Rh6 28.f4 Rxf4 29.Rxh5 Rxh5 30.Rxh5+ Nh7 31.Qh3+-
27.Rxh5 Rh6 28.Rxh6 Bxh6 29.Rxh6 Ne7
29...Nb6 30.Qd2 Qd7 31.Qh2 Qg7 32.Rh3 Rg8 33.Ne2 Nc4 34.Ng3±
30.Nd5 Qd7 31.Ba4!?
31.Nxe7 Qxe7 32.Rh1 Qf7 33.Qc3±
31...Qd8
31...Qxa4 32.Nxe7 Qd4 33.Qxd4 exd4 34.Rh3 (34.Rg6±) 34...Rf7 35.Nf5±
32.f4! Rf7
32...exf4? 33.Qd4+ Kg8 34.Nxe7+ Qxe7 35.Rg6+ Kf7 36.Qg7#
33.fxe5 dxe5 34.a3 Qg8 35.Nxe7 Rxe7 36.Bb3 Qg1+ 37.Ka2 Qd4 38.Qf3 Kg7 39.Rxh7+
39.Rxh7+ Kxh7 40.Qh5+ Kg7 41.Qg5++-
1-0

191. E73
Nakamura, Hikaru (2736) - Grischuk, Alexander (2764)
Berlin 151/191, 2022

752
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 O-O 6.Be3 e5 7.d5 Na6 8.h4 Nc5 9.Qc2 c6 10.h5 cxd5
11.cxd5 Qa5 12.h6 Bh8 13.f3 Bd7 14.Rb1 Na4 15.Qd2 Nxc3 16.bxc3 Qc7
16...b6 - 148/196
17.g4N
17.c4 b6 18.g4 Bc8 19.Nh3 Nd7 20.Nf2 Nc5∞
17...Bc8 18.Nh3 Nd7 19.Nf2 Bf6 20.O-O Be7 21.Kh2 Nc5 22.Nd3 b6 23.Nxc5 bxc5

24.f4! exf4 25.Bxf4 Bd7 26.c4?!

26.g5 Rae8 27.Qe3 f5 28.gxf6 Bxf6 29.Kg1 c4 30.Rb4 a5 31.Rxc4 Qb8©; 26.Rf2 Rae8 27.Bg3 f6
28.c4 Rf7 29.Qe3 Bc8 30.Rbf1±
26...Rab8?!
26...Bf6! 27.Qe3 Rad8 28.Qg3 Bc8 29.g5²
27.Qc3 f6 28.Rb3
28.g5! Rxb1 29.Rxb1 Bc8 30.Kg1 Rf7 31.Bg3 fxg5 32.e5 dxe5 33.Qxe5 Qxe5 34.Bxe5±
28...Rb6??
28...Rf7
29.g5! Rf7

753
30.Bc1! Qd8 31.Bb2 Qf8 32.Kg2 Bd8 33.Qf3
33.Rxb6 axb6 34.Rf4 Bc8 35.Bf1 Bd7 36.Kg1 Bc8 37.Bg2 Bd7 38.Rf2 Bc8 39.Bh3 Bxh3 40.Qxh3
fxg5 41.Qe6 g4 42.Bg7 Qe7 43.Rf6+-
33...Bc8 34.Qe3 Rxb3 35.axb3 fxg5 36.Qc3 Rxf1 37.Qh8+ Kf7 38.Qxh7+ Ke8 39.Qxg6+ Ke7
39...Qf7 40.Qxf7+ Rxf7 41.Bh5+-; 39...Rf7 40.Bh5 Ke7 41.Qxf7+ Qxf7 42.Bxf7 Kxf7 43.h7+-
40.Qxg5+ Rf6 41.h7 Kd7 42.Qg8!
42.Qg8 Rf2+ 43.Kg1 Kc7 44.h8=Q+-
1-0

754
E75-E99

192. E81
Nikolov, Momchil (2522) - Sethuraman, SP. (2628)
Sharjah 151/192, 2021

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f3 O-O 6.Nge2 a6 7.Be3 b5 8.cxb5 axb5 9.Nxb5 c6
10.Nbc3 Nbd7 11.Nf4
11.Qd2 - 138/(204)
11...e5 12.dxe5 Nxe5 13.Be2 d5 14.exd5N

14.O-O dxe4 15.Qxd8 Rxd8 16.fxe4 g5 17.Nh3 h6 18.Nf2 Be6©

14...g5!
14...Nxd5 15.Nfxd5 cxd5 16.Qxd5 Be6 17.Qxd8 Rfxd8 18.a4²
15.Nd3
15.Nh3 Bxh3 (15...g4 16.fxg4 Nfxg4 17.Bf2 Rb8 18.O-O Nxf2 19.Nxf2 Rxb2³) 16.gxh3 Nxd5
17.Nxd5 cxd5 18.O-O Ng6³
15...Nxd5
15...Nxd3+ 16.Bxd3 Re8 17.Qd2 Rb8 18.O-O Nxd5 19.Nxd5 Rxb2 20.Qc1 cxd5 21.Bxg5 Qb6+

755
22.Kh1 Ba6³
16.Nxd5
16.Nxe5 Nxe3 17.Qxd8 Rxd8 18.Nxc6 Rd6 19.Ne7+ Kf8 20.Nxc8 Rxc8 21.Kf2 Nf5©
16...Qxd5 17.O-O Ba6
¹17...Nc4 18.Bf2 Nxb2 19.Nxb2 Bxb2 20.Qxd5 cxd5 21.Rad1 Be6 22.Rd2 (22.f4 gxf4 23.Bf3
Rfd8³) 22...Rfb8³
18.Nc1! Nc4 19.Qxd5 cxd5 20.Bxg5 Rfe8
20...Bxb2 21.Rb1 Rfe8 22.Bd3 Bd4+ 23.Kh1 Be3 24.Bxe3 Nxe3 25.Rf2 Nd1 26.Rf1 Ne3=
21.Rb1 Nxb2 22.Bxa6 Rxa6 23.Bd2 Rc8= 24.Nb3 Rxa2 25.Rfc1 Nc4 26.Bc3 Bh6
26...Bxc3 27.Rxc3 Rb8 28.Rbc1 Rb4 29.Nd4 Rd2 30.Nb3 Ra2 31.Nd4 Rd2=
27.Ra1 Re2 28.Re1
28.Nd4 Bxc1 29.Nxe2 Be3+ 30.Kf1 Bc5=
28...Be3+ 29.Kh1 Rxe1+ 30.Rxe1 f5 31.g3 Rb8 32.Nd4 Bxd4 33.Bxd4 Rb3 34.Re7 Rxf3 35.Rg7+
Kf8 36.Rxh7 Ne3 1/2-1/2

193. * E90
Martirosyan, Haik M (2633) - Erigaisi, Arjun (2633)
chess.com (Int.-rapid) 151/193, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.h3 O-O 7.Nf3 e6 8.Bd3 exd5 9.exd5 Re8+ 10.Be3
Rxe3+ 11.fxe3 Nbd7 12.O-O Qe7 13.Qd2 b6
13...Nh5 - 142/196
14.Rf2N
14.a4; 14.Qf2
14...Bb7N
14...Ba6 15.Raf1 Ibrahimli,M (2418)-Korchmar,V (2450) chess.com (Int.-blitz) 151/(193) 2022
15...Rf8 16.b3 Ne5 (16...Bh6 17.Qe1 Nh5 18.Re2 Ne5 19.Nxe5 Qxe5 20.Rf3 f5©) 17.Nxe5 Qxe5
18.Rf3 Qe7 19.g4 Bc8©
15.Raf1 Rf8 16.e4 Ne5 17.Nxe5 Qxe5 18.Bc2
18.Qf4 Nd7 19.Nb5 Qxf4 20.Rxf4 Be5 21.g3 a6 22.Nc3
18...Ba6! 19.Qd3
19.b3 Nd7 20.Ne2 Bc8 21.a4 h5 22.Qf4 Qe7©

756
19...h5©
19...Qe7 20.b3 Nd7 21.Kh1 Qg5 22.a4 Bd4© 23.Rc1
20.Rf4?!
20.b3 Nd7 21.Ne2 Qg5 22.a4 Bc8 23.Kh1 h4 24.Qf3 Be5©
20...Nd7 21.Kh1
21.Ba4 Qd4+ 22.Qxd4 Bxd4+ 23.Kh1 Ne5 24.Nb5 Bxb2 25.R4f2 Bd4©
21...Qe7
21...Qd4!? 22.Qxd4 cxd4 23.Nb5 Bxb5 24.cxb5 Bh6 25.R4f2 Ne5³
22.Bb3?!
22.b3 Be5 23.R4f3 Bd4 24.Qd2 Ne5 25.Rf4 Ng4 26.R4f3 Ne5=
22...Be5
22...Ne5 23.Qe2 Qg5 24.a4 Qg3³
23.R4f3 Bd4 24.Qe2 Ne5 25.Rf4 Qg5 26.Nb1?
26.Kh2 h4 27.Kh1 Qg3 28.Nb5 Bxb5 29.cxb5 Qd3³
26...Qg3 27.Nd2 Kg7
27...Bxb2 28.Qf2 Qg5 29.h4 Qh6µ
28.Ba4

757
28...Ng4! 29.Nf3
29.hxg4? Qh4#; 29.Rxg4 hxg4 30.Qe1 Qd3-+
29...Qxf4-+ 30.hxg4 hxg4 31.Nxd4
31.Nh2 Qe5 32.Qxg4 Rh8 33.Qf4 Qxf4 34.Rxf4 Bxc4
31...Qh6+ 32.Kg1 g3 33.Rxf7+
33.Nf3 Rh8
33...Rxf7 34.Nf3 Qc1+ 35.Qf1 Qxf1+ 36.Kxf1 Bxc4+ 37.Ke1 Bxa2 38.Ke2 Re7 39.Ng5 Bxd5
40.Kf3 Re5 1-0

194. E90
Bregadze, Levan (2448) - Matros, Alexander (2372)
Charlotte 151/194, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.h3 e5 7.d5 Nh5 8.Nh2 Qe8 9.Be2 Nf4 10.Bf3 f5
11.g3 Nxh3 12.Bg2 fxe4 13.Nxe4
13.Be3 - 57/(586)
13...Bf5 14.Be3 Nf4! 15.Bf3 Nd7µ 16.Nf1N

16.Qd2 Bxe4 17.Bxe4 Nf6 18.Bf3 (18.Qc2 c6-+) 18...e4 19.O-O-O (19.gxf4 exf3 20.Nxf3 Qe4
21.Qe2 Ng4-+) 19...Nd3+ 20.Kb1 Nxb2-+; 16.g4 Bxe4 17.Bxe4 Nf6 18.Bc2 Ng2+ 19.Ke2 Nxe3
20.fxe3 e4-+; 16.Qc2 Nf6 17.O-O-O Nxe4 18.Bxe4 Bxe4 19.Qxe4 Ne2+ 20.Kb1 Nd4µ
16...b5! 17.cxb5

758
17.b3 Qf7 18.Rh2 a5-+
17...Nf6
17...Bxe4 18.Bxe4 Nf6 19.Nd2 (19.Bf3 e4-+) 19...Qxb5-+
18.Nxf6+ Bxf6 19.gxf4 exf4 20.Qe2 fxe3 21.Nxe3 Bd7
21...Be4 22.Rh3 Bxb2 23.Qxb2 Bxf3 24.Kf1 Qd7 25.Rg3 Rae8-+
22.a4 a6
22...Bxb2 23.Qxb2 Rxf3-+
23.bxa6 Bxb2 24.Qxb2 Rxf3 25.O-O-O Rxa6 26.Qe2

26...Qe5!-+ 27.Qxa6
27.Kd2 Rf4 28.Qxa6 Rxf2+ 29.Kd3 Bf5+ 30.Nxf5 (30.Kc4 Qxe3-+) 30...Rf3+ 31.Kc2 Qc3+
32.Kb1 Qb3+-+
27...Qa1+ 28.Kd2 Qb2+ 29.Nc2 Rxf2+ 0-1

195. !N E90
Lalith, Babu MR (2548) - Tabatabaei, Mohammad Amin (2643)
Cattolica 151/195, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.h3 e5 7.d5 Nh5 8.g3 Na6 9.Be3 f5 10.exf5 gxf5
11.Qd2 Nc5
11...f4 - 125/196
12.O-O-O

759
12...f4!N
12...Nf6 13.Ng5 (13.Qc2 Nfe4 14.Nxe4 Nxe4 15.Nd2 Nc5 16.g4 Qh4∞) 13...h6 14.Ne6 Bxe6
15.dxe6 Qe8 16.g4²; 12...a5 13.Rg1 Nf6 14.g4 fxg4 15.Bxc5 gxf3 16.Be3 Kh8∞
13.Bxc5
13.gxf4 Nxf4 14.Rg1 b6 15.b4 Ncd3+ 16.Bxd3 Nxd3+ 17.Qxd3 Rxf3 18.Qe2 Rf7∞
13...fxg3!
13...dxc5? 14.g4 Nf6 15.Bd3±
14.Be3 Rxf3 15.Be2 Rf5 16.Bg4 gxf2 17.Rhf1 Nf4 18.Bxf5 Bxf5© 19.Bxf4 exf4 20.Rxf2
20.Qxf4 Qf6 21.Qxf2 Bh6+ 22.Rd2 Rf8 23.Qg2+ Qg6 24.Qxg6+ hxg6=
20...Qf6
20...Bh6 21.Rg1+ Bg6 22.h4 Qf8 23.Qd3 Kh8 24.Rxg6 (24.Qd4+ Bg7 25.Qxf4 Bh6 26.Rg5 Qg7=)
24...hxg6 25.Qxg6 Qg7 26.Qxg7+ Kxg7=
21.Rg1 Kh8 22.Ne2

760
22...f3?
22...Re8! 23.Nxf4 (23.Rxf4 Bh6µ) 23...Qd4! 24.Kd1 (24.Qxd4 Bxd4 25.Rgf1 Bxf2 26.Rxf2 Re7=;
24.Qc3 Re7 25.Ne6 Qxf2 26.Rxg7 Qf1+ 27.Kd2 Qf2+=) 24...Bc2+! 25.Kxc2 Qxb2+ 26.Kd1 Qa1+
27.Qc1 Qd4+ 28.Qd2 Qa1+=
23.Rxf3 Bh6 24.Nf4 Be4 25.Rf2 Rf8
25...c6 26.dxc6 bxc6 27.Qc3+-
26.Rgf1 Rg8 27.Kd1+- Qe5 28.Qc3 Qxc3 29.bxc3 c6 30.Re1 Bb1 31.Re6 Bg7 32.Rxd6 Bxc3
33.Ne6 Rg1+ 34.Ke2 Re1+ 35.Kf3 Bf6 36.Rd7 cxd5 37.cxd5 Be4+ 38.Kg4 Rg1+ 39.Kh5 Bg6+
40.Kh6 Be8 41.Rxh7+ 1-0

196. ** !N E92
Bosiocic, Marin (2573) - Ivanisevic, Ivan (2605)
Slovenija 151/196, 2021

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.Nc3 d6 5.e4 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.O-O Bg4 8.d5 a5 9.Bg5
9.Be3 Na6 10.a3 Nh5N (10...Bxf3; 10...Nd7; 10...Bd7 11.Nd2 h5 - 151/196) 11.h3 Bd7 12.Re1 Qe8
13.Nb5 Qd8 14.b4 Nf4 15.Bf1 h6 16.c5 Qe8 17.a4± Yakubboev,N (2621)-Mamedov,R (2673) Riga
151/(196) 2021
9...Na6 10.Nd2 Bd7 11.a3 h6 12.Be3 h5 - 151/196 13.Bg5
13.f3 Kh7!N (13...Nh7 - 147/(197)) 14.Rb1 Bh6 15.Bxh6 (15.Bf2 a4 16.b4 axb3 17.Nxb3 b6 18.a4
Kg7 19.a5 bxa5 20.Nxa5 Qe7=) 15...Kxh6 16.f4 (16.b4 axb4 17.axb4 c5 18.dxc6 bxc6 19.f4 exf4
20.Rxf4 Qe7=) 16...exf4 17.Rxf4 Kg7 18.Nf3 Ng4 19.Qd4+ f6 20.Nh4 Ne5∞ Shmeliov,D (2430) -
Jacobson,B (2514) New York 151/(196) 2021

761
13...Qe8 14.b3 Nh7 15.Be3 Qe7 16.Rb1 f5 17.f3 Bf6 18.b4 Bg5N
18...axb4 19.axb4 Bg5 20.Bf2 Nf6 21.c5²
19.Bf2
19.Bxg5 Nxg5 20.Qc2 (20.exf5 Bxf5 21.Rb2 axb4 22.axb4 h4∞) 20...axb4 21.axb4 h4 22.exf5 Bxf5
23.Bd3 h3 24.g3 c5! 25.dxc6 bxc6 26.b5 cxb5 27.cxb5 Nc5 28.Bxf5 gxf5∞
19...b6 20.bxa5
20.c5!? bxc5 (20...axb4?! 21.cxd6 cxd6 (21...Qxd6 22.Nc4 Qe7 23.d6 cxd6 24.Nd5+-) 22.axb4±)
21.b5 (21.bxa5 Bxd2 22.Qxd2 f4 23.Kh1 g5∞) 21...Nb4! 22.Nc4 (22.axb4? axb4µ) 22...Rfb8 23.Ra1
h4∞
20...bxa5 21.Nb3
21.c5 Nxc5 22.Bxc5 dxc5 23.Nc4 Rab8 24.Bd3 (24.Nxa5?! Be3+ 25.Kh1 Bd4³) 24...h4∞
21...Nf6
21...a4!? 22.Na5 Nc5 23.Nc6 (23.Bxc5 dxc5 24.Nc6 Be3+ 25.Kh1 Bxc6 26.dxc6 Bd4 27.Nd5
Qd6∞) 23...Qg7 24.Nb5 Rae8 25.Bxc5 dxc5 26.Qxa4 Bxc6 27.dxc6 fxe4∞
22.a4?
22.exf5 a4 23.Na5 gxf5 24.Nxa4 h4 25.Nc6 Qf7©
22...fxe4 23.fxe4

23.Nxa5 e3 24.Be1 Nc5 25.Nc6 Qh7µ

762
23...Ng4! 24.Bxg4
24.Bf3 Nxf2 25.Kxf2 Bf4 26.g3 (26.h3 Rf7-+) 26...Bxg3+! 27.Kxg3 (27.hxg3 Rxf3+-+) 27...Qg5+
28.Kf2 Rxf3+ 29.Qxf3 Rf8-+
24...Bxg4 25.Qe1 Nb4 26.Nd1
26.Be3 Rxf1+ 27.Kxf1 Qf7+ 28.Kg1 Nc2-+
26...Nd3 27.Qc3 Be2 28.Re1 Nxe1 29.Qxe1 Bxd1 30.Qxd1 Qf6 31.Rb2 Rab8 32.Re2 Qf4
32...Rb4-+
33.Nxa5 Qxf2+!
33...Qg4 34.h3 Rb1 35.hxg4 Rxd1+-+
34.Rxf2 Be3 35.h4 Rxf2 36.Kh1 Rbb2 37.Qe1 Rbe2 38.Qd1 Rc2 39.Kh2 Bf4+
39...Rxg2+ 40.Kh3 Rh2+ 41.Kg3 Bf4+ 42.Kf3 Rcf2#
0-1

197. !N E92
Cori Tello, Jorge Moises (2655) - Yakubboev, Nodirbek (2621)
Riga 151/197, 2021

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.d5 a5 8.Bg5 h6 9.Bh4 Na6 10.Nd2
Bd7 11.a3 Qe8 12.b3 Nc5 13.O-O g5
13...Nh7 - 148/198
14.Bg3

763
14...h5!N
14...Nfxe4 15.Ndxe4 Nxe4 16.Nxe4 f5 17.Nd2 f4 18.Ne4²
15.f3
15.Bxh5?? g4-+; 15.h4 Bh6 16.b4 (16.hxg5 Bxg5 17.Nf3 Ncxe4 18.Nxe4 Nxe4 19.Nxg5 Nxg5
20.Bxh5 Qe7 21.f4 Ne4 22.Bh2 exf4 23.Bxf4 (23.Rxf4 f5∞) 23...f5∞) 16...Na4 17.Nxa4 Bxa4
18.Qe1 Bd7 19.hxg5 Bxg5∞
15...h4 16.Bf2 Nh5 17.b4 Na4 18.Qc2?!
18.Nxa4 Bxa4 19.Qb1 Nf4 20.Re1 Bd7 21.Bf1 f5∞
18...Nf4 19.Bd3
19.Bd1 Nxc3 20.Qxc3 axb4 21.axb4 Rxa1 22.Qxa1 f5³
19...Nxc3 20.Qxc3 f5µ 21.Rfe1 axb4 22.axb4 Rxa1 23.Rxa1

764
23...h3
23...g4! 24.fxg4 (24.Bxh4 gxf3 25.gxf3 Qh5 26.Bg3 fxe4 27.fxe4 Bh6 28.Rf1 Bh3 29.Rf3 Bg2-+;
24.Bf1 gxf3 25.Qxf3 fxe4 26.Qxe4 Bf5 27.Qe1 Qg6-+) 24...fxe4 25.Nxe4 h3 26.g3 Nxd3 27.Qxd3
Bxg4 28.c5 Qg6µ
24.g3 Nxd3 25.Qxd3 Qg6
25...g4 26.fxg4 f4! 27.gxf4 Rxf4 (27...exf4 28.Bd4 Qg6 29.Kf2 Bxg4³) 28.Qxh3 Rxg4+ 29.Bg3 Bf6³
26.Ra7 g4
26...fxe4 27.fxe4 Qh5 28.Qf1 Bc8∞
27.Rxb7 gxf3
27...Bh6 28.Rxc7 fxe4 29.Qxe4 (29.fxe4 Bxd2 30.Qxd2 Qxe4 31.Qg5+ Kh8 32.Qh5+ Kg8=)
29...Bf5 30.Qe1 Ra8 31.Ra7 Rxa7 32.Bxa7 Bxd2 33.Qxd2 Bd7 34.Kf2 gxf3 35.c5 Qb1 36.Qg5+
Kf7 37.Qh5+ Kg7=
28.Rxc7 fxe4 29.Qxe4 Bf5 30.Qe1 Bh6 31.b5
31.c5 dxc5 32.bxc5 Bd3 33.d6 e4∞
31...Rf7 32.Rxf7
32.Rc6 e4 33.Nf1 e3! 34.Nxe3 (34.Bxe3? f2+! 35.Bxf2 (35.Qxf2 Bd3 36.Rc8+ Kh7-+) 35...Qg4
36.Ne3 Qe4-+) 34...Re7 35.Ra6²
32...Bxd2 33.Qxd2 Kxf7 34.c5 dxc5 35.d6 Be6 36.d7 Qb1+ 37.Be1

765
37...f2+! 38.Qxf2+
38.Kxf2 Qf5+ 39.Kg1 Bxd7=
38...Ke7= 39.Qxc5+ Kxd7 40.Qb4
40.Qxe5 Qc2 41.Qd4+ Ke8 42.Qf2 Qe4=
40...Qd3 41.Qd2 Qd4+ 42.Qxd4+ exd4 43.Kf2 Bc4 44.b6 Kc6 45.Ba5 Bd5 46.g4 1/2-1/2

198. E95
Vescovi, Giovanni P (2606) - Supi, Luis Paulo (2581)
Sao Paulo 151/198, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.d5 a5 8.Bg5 h6 9.Bh4 Na6 10.Nd2
Bd7 11.O-O Nc5 12.b3?!
12.Qc2; 12.f3
12...Nfxe4! 13.Bxd8 Nxc3 14.Qe1
14.Bxc7? Nxd1 15.Raxd1 Ra6-+
14...Raxd8!
14...Rfxd8 15.Nb1 (15.Rc1? Nxa2-+; 15.f3 - 62/(597)) 15...Nxe2+ 16.Qxe2 e4©
15.Nb1
15.Rc1 e4µ
15...Nxe2+ 16.Qxe2 e4 17.Nd2?!

766
17.Na3! f5 (17...Bxa1 18.Rxa1 f5 19.f4∞) 18.Rae1 Rde8 19.Nb5 Bxb5 20.cxb5 b6 21.Qc2©
17...Rde8

18.Qe3?!N
18.Rae1 f5 19.f4 Bd4+³
18...f5µ 19.f4 exf3 20.Qxf3 Bd4+ 21.Kh1 Bxa1 22.Rxa1 f4 23.Qc3 b6 24.Rf1 g5 25.a3 Re3 26.Qb2
26.Qd4
26...Bf5 27.b4 Nd3 28.Qa1 g4 29.c5 Re2 30.Qc3 axb4 31.axb4 Re3
31...b5 32.Kg1 Rf7 33.cxd6 cxd6 34.Kh1 Kh7 35.Kg1 h5 36.Kh1 h4 37.Kg1 h3-+
32.Kg1 bxc5 33.bxc5 Nxc5 34.Qd4 Bg6 35.h3

767
35...Rd3?
35...g3!! 36.Rxf4 Re1+ 37.Nf1 (37.Rf1 Rfxf1+ 38.Nxf1 Bd3 39.Qg4+ Kh7 40.Qxg3 Rxf1+ 41.Kh2
Be4-+) 37...Bd3! 38.Rg4+ (38.Rxf8+ Kxf8 39.Qf4+ Ke8 40.Qxg3 Rxf1+ 41.Kh2 Kf7-+) 38...Kf7
39.Rxg3 Rxf1+ 40.Kh2 Bg6-+
36.Qb4= gxh3 37.Rxf4 Rxf4 38.Qxf4 hxg2 39.Qxh6 Bf7 40.Qg5+ Kf8 41.Qd8+ Kg7 42.Qg5+ Kf8
43.Qd8+ Kg7 44.Qg5+ Kf8 1/2-1/2

199. ** !N E96
Wojtaszek, Radoslaw (2691) - Piorun, Kacper (2655)
Polska 151/199, 2021

1.d4 g6 2.c4 Bg7 3.e4 d6 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Nc3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.O-O h6 8.Re1 Nbd7 9.Bf1
9.Qc2 Re8 (9...Nh7 - 76/543) 10.dxe5 dxe5 11.Be3N (11.h3) 11...Ng4 12.Bd2 c6 13.Na4 - 151/(199)
(13.Rad1 Qe7 14.h3 Ngf6 15.Be3 Nh5 16.Bf1 Nf4∞; 13.h3 Ngf6 14.Na4 Nh5 15.b4 Nf4 16.c5 Nf8
17.Nb2 Nxe2+ 18.Rxe2 Be6 19.Nc4 Bxc4 20.Qxc4 Qc7 21.Be3 Rad8 22.a4 a6 23.Rb1 Ne6 24.b5
axb5 25.axb5 cxb5 26.Rxb5 Rd1+ 27.Re1 Red8 28.Qb3 Qc6 29.Rxd1 Rxd1+ 30.Kh2 Rd7 31.Qc4
Rc7 32.Qd3 Rd7 33.Qb1 Rd1∞ Yilmaz,M (2631) -Sattarov, B (2465) Sousse 151/(199) 2021)
13...Nb6 14.c5 Nxa4 15.Qxa4 Be6 16.h3 Nf6 17.Be3 Nh5 18.Bc4 (18.Rad1 Qf6 19.Nd2 Nf4∞)
18...Nf4 19.Rad1 Qc7 20.a3 b5 21.cxb6 axb6= 22.Qc2 Bxc4 23.Qxc4 Ne6 1/2 (23) Keymer,V
(2602) -Mamedov,R (2654) Reykjavik 151/(199) 2021
9...Re8
9...Nh7 - 32/(700)
10.Rb1 a5 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.Qc2 c6

768
13.Na4!N
13.a3 a4! (13...Nh5?! 14.Be3²) 14.Nxa4 (14.Be3 Qa5 15.h3 Bf8³) 14...Nxe4 15.Rxe4 Rxa4!
16.Qxa4 Nc5 17.Qc2 Nxe4 18.Be3 Nd6 19.Rd1 Qc7∞
13...Nf8
13...Nb6 14.Nxb6 Qxb6 15.c5 Qc7 16.h3 Be6 17.a4 Nd7 18.Be3²; 13...b6 14.Be3 Ng4 15.Bd2 Qc7
16.h3 Ngf6 17.Be3 Bf8 (17...Bb7 18.c5 b5 19.Nb6±) 18.c5 Nxc5 19.Nxc5 Bxc5 20.Bxc5 bxc5
21.Qxc5 Be6 22.b3²
14.c5
14.Be3 Bg4 15.Nd2 Ne6 16.h3 Bh5 17.c5 g5 (17...Nd4 18.Bxd4 exd4 19.Nb6±) 18.Nc4 Nd4
19.Bxd4 exd4 20.Nab6 Rb8 21.Bd3±
14...Bg4 15.Nd2 Ne6 16.Nb3 Nc7
16...Nd4 17.Nxd4 exd4 18.Nb6 Ra7 19.Bf4 Nd7 20.Nxd7 Bxd7 21.Bd6 Be6 22.Rbd1 a4 23.Bc4±
17.Be3± Be6 18.Rbd1 Qe7 19.f3
19.Nb6 a4 20.Nc1 Rad8 21.f3±
19...Nd7 20.Bc4! Nf8
20...Bxc4 21.Qxc4 Red8 22.Rd3 Nf8 23.Red1±
21.Nb6 Ra7

769
22.a4! h5 23.Qc3 Bxc4 24.Nxc4 Nce6 25.Rd6
25.Nbxa5 h4 26.h3 Nf4 27.Kh1 Qg5 28.Rg1±
25...h4 26.h3 Nf4 27.Qd2 N8e6 28.Rd7
28.Nbxa5 Qg5 29.Kh1 Bf8 30.b4! Bxd6 31.cxd6+-
28...Qg5 29.Kh1 Nf8 30.Nd6 Nxd7 31.Nxe8 Qg3
31...Nf8 32.Bxf4 exf4 (32...Qxf4 33.Qd8 Kh7 34.Nxg7 Kxg7 35.Qb8 Ne6 36.Qxa7 Ng5 37.Nd2!
Qxd2 38.Rg1+-) 33.Nxg7 Kxg7 34.Qc3+ Kg8 35.Nxa5 Ne6 36.b4+-
32.Bxf4 exf4 33.Nxg7 Kxg7 34.Qd4+ Kg8 35.Rf1 Nf8 36.Qd8 b5 37.cxb6 Rd7 38.Qc8 Rd3 39.b7
Rxb3 40.b8=Q Rxb8 41.Qxb8 1-0

200. !N E97
Bjerre, Jonas Buhl (2550) - Jones, Gawain C B (2684)
Malmoe 151/200, 2021

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.O-O Nc6 8.d5 Ne7 9.Bg5 Ne8
9...Nh5 - 141/198
10.Nd2 f5 11.exf5 gxf5 12.f4 e4 13.Nb3

770
13...c5!N
13...Nf6
14.dxc6 bxc6 15.c5 Kh8
15...d5?! 16.Nxd5 cxd5 17.Bxe7 Qxe7 18.Qxd5+ Be6 19.Qxa8 Qc7 20.Bb5 Bxb3 21.Bxe8 Bc4
22.Qc6 Bd4+ 23.Kh1 Qxc6 24.Bxc6 Bxf1 25.Rxf1 Bxc5 26.Rd1²
16.cxd6 Nxd6 17.Kh1 Be6 18.Nd4 Qd7 19.Qa4
19.Na4 Nb7! 20.Nxe6 Qxe6 21.Ba6 Nd8 22.Nc5 Qf7 23.Nd7 Rg8 24.Qd6 Nd5 25.Ne5 Qe8
26.Bxd8 Bxe5 27.Qxe5+ Qxe5 28.fxe5 Raxd8 29.Rxf5 Ne3 30.Rf4 Rd4 31.g3 Re8 32.Re1 Nd1
33.Be2 Nxb2 34.Rb1 Na4 35.Rf7 Nc5 36.Rxa7 Rd2 37.Bh5 Red8©
19...Bg8
19...Ndc8!? 20.Rad1 Nb6 21.Qa3 Ned5 22.Nxd5 Nxd5 23.Nxe6 Qxe6 24.Bc4 Rfe8 25.Rfe1 a5∞
20.Rad1 Rac8?!

771
20...Rae8 21.Bxe7 (21.Nc2 Qc7 22.Ne3 Ng6∞) 21...Rxe7 22.Nxc6 Re6 23.Bc4 Rh6 24.Bxg8 Rxg8
25.Nd5 e3 26.Nxe3 Rc8 27.Rc1 Qe8©
21.Qa3?!
21.Nxc6! Nxc6 22.Nb5 Nd8 (22...Bxa2 23.Nxd6±) 23.Rxd6±
21...Nd5 22.Na4?!
22.Nxd5 cxd5 23.Bh4 Nc4 24.Bxc4 Rxc4 25.b3 Rc7=
22...Nb5 23.Nxb5 cxb5 24.Nc3 Bxc3
24...Qb7! 25.Nxd5 Bxd5³
25.bxc3 Qg7 26.Rc1?!
26.Qd6 Nxc3 (26...Ne3 27.Rg1 Nxd1 28.Rxd1 Qxc3 29.Bxb5 Bxa2 30.Bd7 Rb8 31.h3©) 27.Rc1
Qg6 (27...Nxe2?? 28.Rxc8 Rxc8 29.Bf6+-) 28.Qe5+ Qg7 29.Qd6 Qg6=
26...h6 27.Bh4 Rxc3 28.Rxc3
28.Qd6 b4 29.Rg1 Rxc1 30.Rxc1 Rc8!µ
28...Nxc3?
28...b4! 29.Qa4 bxc3 30.Qc6 Kh7-+
29.Bh5 Bd5 30.Qd6 e3 31.Rg1 Ba8 32.h3 Ne4 33.Qe6 Rg8 34.Bf3 Qg6 35.Qe5+ Kh7 36.Kh2
Bc6?!
36...Rg7 37.g4 Bb7 38.Be1 Nd2 39.Bxb7 Rxb7∞

772
37.Rc1 Bd7 38.Rc7 Rg7 39.Rxa7 Nd2 40.Bd5 Ne4 41.g4?!
41.Bxe4! fxe4 42.g4 Qc6 43.Rc7 Qe6 44.Qxe6 Bxe6 45.Rxg7+ Kxg7 46.a3±
41...Nd2! 42.Bf6

42.Qc7 fxg4 43.Qxd7 Rxd7 44.Rxd7+ Kh8 45.Rd8+ Kh7 46.Rd7+ Kh8=
42...fxg4! 43.hxg4 Qc2 44.Qf5+?
44.Kh1 Qb1+ 45.Kh2 Qc2 46.Kh1=
44...Qxf5 45.gxf5 e2-+ 46.Bxg7 e1=Q 47.Rxd7 Qh4+ 48.Kg1 Qg3+ 49.Kh1 Qh3+ 50.Kg1 Qf1+
51.Kh2 Qxf4+ 52.Kh1 Qf1+ 53.Kh2 Qxf5 54.Bc6 Nf3+ 55.Kg3 Qg6+ 0-1

201. !N E99
Tallaksen, Levi Andre (2321) - Yilmaz, Mustafa Enes (2627)
Norge 151/201, 2022

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.O-O Nc6 8.d5 Ne7 9.Ne1 Nd7 10.Be3
f5 11.f3 f4 12.Bf2 g5 13.Rc1 Rf7 14.b4 Ng6 15.c5 Nf6 16.a4 h5 17.a5
17.cxd6 - 63/551
17...g4 18.Kh1 g3! 19.Bg1 gxh2 20.Bf2 h4 21.cxd6 cxd6 22.Nb5 Nh5 23.Nxa7

773
23...Ng3+!N
23...Bd7
24.Bxg3
24.Kxh2 Bd7 25.Rg1 (25.Bb6 Qg5-+) 25...Rxa7! 26.Bxa7 h3 27.Nd3 Qh4 28.Nf2 hxg2+ 29.Kxg2
Bf6 30.Rh1 Qg5 31.Ng4 Bxg4 32.fxg4 Nxh1 33.Qxh1 f3+ 34.Bxf3 Qd2+ 35.Bf2 Nh4+-+
24...fxg3 25.Nxc8 Rxc8 26.f4 Nxf4 27.Bg4
27.Rxc8 Qxc8 28.Nd3 Nxe2 29.Rxf7 Kxf7 30.Qxe2 Bf6-+
27...Rxc1 28.Qxc1 Rc7
28...Qc7! 29.Qd1 (29.Qxc7 Rxc7 30.Nf3 Rc2-+) 29...Qc4 30.Rf3 Bh6-+
29.Qe3 Rc4?

774
29...Bh6 30.Qd2 (30.Qb6 Qe7 31.Be6+ Kg7-+) 30...Kg7-+
30.Rxf4! exf4 31.Be6+ Kf8
31...Kh8 32.Qe2! Qf6 33.Qxc4 Qa1 34.Qe2 f3! 35.gxf3 Bc3 36.f4 Qxe1+ 37.Qxe1 Bxe1 38.Bc8
Kg7 39.a6 bxa6 40.Bxa6 Kf6 41.e5+ dxe5 42.fxe5+ Kxe5 43.Bc8 Bxb4 44.Be6=
32.Qxf4+ Bf6 33.Qh6+= Bg7 34.Qf4+ Bf6 35.Qh6+ Bg7 36.Qf4+ 1/2-1/2

775
776
777
778
779
780
781
CLASSIFICATION

I – Combinations with mating attack

II – Combinations to reach the draw
III – Other combinations

1. Gharibyan, Mamikon (2467) - Harutyunyan, Tigran K (2552)

Armenia (ch), 2022
Ia

1.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

1.Nxf7! Qe3
1...Kxf7 2.f5 g5 3.Qh5+ Ke7 4.Bxb5 axb5 5.Nxd5+ Bxd5 6.Rxd5+-
2.Qg4! Nd7

782
2...Kxf7 3.f5+-
3.f5
3.Bxg6 hxg6 (3...Nf6 4.Bxh7+! Kxf7 (4...Kxh7 5.Qf5+ Kg7 6.Ne5+-) 5.Qg6+ Ke7 6.Rfe1+-)
4.Qxg6+ Bg7 5.Nh6+ Kh8 6.Nf5+-
3...Nf6 4.fxg6 h5
4...Nxg4 5.gxh7+ Kg7 6.h8=Q#
5.Qh4 Be7 6.Rf3 Qe6 7.Nh6+ Kh8 8.Bf5 Qb6 9.g7+ Kxg7 10.Qg5+ 1-0

2. Sanikidze, Tornike (2464) - Gagunashvili, Merab (2573)

Georgia (ch), 2022
Ia

1...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

1...Bxc2+! 2.Rxc2 Rg1+ 0-1

3. Grandelius, Nils (2672) - Rapport, Richard (2763)

Wijk aan Zee, 2022
Id

783
1...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

1...Rh1! 2.Rg1 Rxg1 3.Qxg1 Qc3 0-1

4. Dardha, Daniel (2532) - Shuvalova, Polina (2516)

Wijk aan Zee II, 2022
Id

784
1.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

1.Qxa7+! Qxa7 2.Nc7# 1-0

5. Grandelius, Nils (2672) - Duda, Jan Krzysztof (2760)

Wijk aan Zee, 2022
II a

1.? =

Show/Hide Solution

1.Bxg7! cxb2+
1...Kxg7? 2.Rxg5+ Kh8 (2...hxg5 3.Qxg5+ Kf7 4.Rf1+ Ke8 5.Qg6+ Kd8 6.Rxf8+ Kc7 7.Rxc8+
Qxc8 (7...Kxc8 8.h6+-) 8.h6 cxb2+ 9.Kb1!+- (9.Kxb2?= - 1...cb2)) 3.Rg6+-
2.Kxb2
2.Kb1 Kxg7 3.Rxg5+ hxg5 4.Qxg5+ Kf7 5.Rf1+ Ke8 6.Qg6+ Kd7 7.Qg7+ Kd8 8.Rxf8+ Be8
9.Qf6+ Kd7 10.h6 Qb4 11.h7 Qe1+ 12.Kxb2 Rxc2+! 13.Kxc2 Qe2+ 14.Kb1 Qe1+=
2...Kxg7 3.Rxg5+ hxg5 4.Qxg5+ Kf7 5.Rf1+ Ke8 6.Qg6+ Kd8 7.Rxf8+ Kc7 8.Rxc8+ Qxc8 9.h6
Bxe4!= 10.Qxe4 Qh8+ 11.Ka2 Qxh6 12.Qc4+ Kb7 13.Qb4+ Kc7 14.Qc4+ Kb7 1/2-1/2

785
 6. Lobanov, Sergei (2516) - Alavi, Sayed Javad (2455)
Yerevan, 2022
III a

1.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

1.Ref2!
1.Qf3?! f5 2.exf6 Bxf6 3.b3 Kd8 4.Qf2 Bxh4 5.Qxh4 Kc7∞
1...Qxa4 2.Rxf7 Qa5 3.Bxe7 Nxe7 4.Qh4!+-
4.Rxe7+ Kxe7 5.Qxg6 Qxe5 6.Qf7+ Kd8 7.Rd1 Kc7 8.Nxe6+ Qxe6 9.Qxg7 Qxh3 10.Qd4+-
4...Nf5 5.Nxf5 Kxf7 6.Ne7+ Ke8 7.Nxc8 1-0

7. Genov, Petar (2430) - Artinyan, Remy (2028)

France, 2021
III e

786
1.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

1.Nd6!+- Rxd4 2.Nxc8 Rb4

2...Be5 3.Ne7#
3.Nd6 Kf8
3...Rb6 4.b4 (4.Bb7? Nd7=; 4.Nb7 Nd7 (4...Na6 5.b4+-) 5.Na5 Nf8 6.b3+-) 4...Rxb4 (4...Na6 5.b5
Nc7 6.Ra5 Nxb5 (6...Kf8 7.Nc8+-) 7.Nc8 (7.Rxb5 Rxb5 8.Nxb5+-) 7...Rxc6 8.Ne7+ Kf8 9.Nxc6+-
) 5.Nb5+-
4.Nb5 Rxb2 5.Rxb8+ 1-0

8. Bjerre, Jonas Buhl (2586) - Ganguly, Surya Shekhar (2627)

Wijk aan Zee II, 2022
III i

787
1.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

1.Be1!
1.Bf2? Rh1+ 2.Kg3 Qxb2 3.Qd6 Qc1 4.Qe5 Rf1 5.Qe8+ Kh6 6.Be3 Qc7+ 7.Kg4 Qc4+ 8.Kg3
Qc7+=
1...Qxb2
1...Rxe1 2.g4+ Kh4 3.Qh6#
2.Qe6! Qb8+ 3.Kg1 Qa7+
3...Qg3 4.Kf1+-
4.Kf1+- Rxe1+ 5.Qxe1 Qxa3 6.Qe5 Qa6+ 7.Kg1 Kh6 8.Kh2 Qb6 9.Kg3 Qa6 10.Kg4 Qc8+
11.Kg3 Qa6 12.h4 gxh4+ 13.Kxh4 Qb6 14.f4 Kh7 15.f5 Qh6+ 16.Kg4 Qd2 17.Qe7+ 1-0

9. Nakamura, Hikaru (2736) - Esipenko, Andrey (2714)

Berlin, 2022
III j

788
1.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

1.Bxf6! gxf6 2.Qg4+ Kf8

2...Kh8 3.Qb4!! Qe8 4.Rxd8 Qxd8 5.Qxb5+-
3.Rxd8+ Qxd8 4.Qb4+ Qe7 5.Qxb5 Qxa3 6.Kf2 Qc5 7.Qxd3 b5 8.Qc3
8.Qxh7 Qd5 9.Ke2 b4 10.Qd3+-
8...Qe7 9.Ke2 Kg7 10.Qd4 Qf7 11.Qg4+ Kh8 12.Qb4 Qe8 13.Qd6 Qf7 14.Qc5 Qe8 15.g4+- Kg7
16.h4 Qd7 17.h5 Kg8 18.h6 1-0

789
790
791
 1. Burdalev, Kirill (2374) - Votava, Jan (2492)
Cesko, 2022
§ 3d/1

1...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

1...g5! 2.hxg5 Kxg5 3.Kf2 f5 4.Kg2 f4!-+

4...h4? 5.Kh3 hxg3 6.Kxg3 f4+ 7.Kh3 Kh5 8.Kg2=
5.Kh3 fxg3 6.Kxg3 h4+ 0-1

2. Voge, Tobias (2340) - Genov, Petar (2435)

Deutschland, 2021
§ 8/a

792
1...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

1...b5! 2.cxb5
2.axb5 a4 3.b6 Kd7-+
2...c4 3.Kf1 c3 4.Ke1
4.Ke2 e4! 5.b6 Kd7 6.b7 Kc7 7.d6+ Kxb7 8.d7 Kc7 9.fxe4 f3+ 10.Kxf3 c2-+
4...e4! [×c3, f4] 5.h4
5.fxe4 f3 6.b6 Kd7 7.b7 Kc7 8.d6+ Kxb7 9.d7 Kc7-+
5...exf3 6.b6
6.h5 c2 7.Kd2 f2 8.h6 f1=Q-+
6...Kd7
6...c2 7.Kd2 f2 8.b7 c1=Q+ 9.Kxc1 f1=Q+ 10.Kc2 Qf2+ 11.Kc3 Qb6-+
7.b7 Kc7 8.d6+ Kxb7 9.d7 Kc7 10.d8=Q+ Kxd8 11.h5 c2 0-1

3. Muzychuk, Mariya (2539) - Rosen, Eric S (2356)

Gibraltar, 2022
R 5/d

793
1.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

1.Ra3!
1.Ra1? Ke7 2.Rh1 f3+! 3.Kg1 Rg4+ 4.Kf1 Ra4 5.Kg1 Rg4+=
1...f3+ 2.Kg3! Rh1 3.Ra4 Rg1+ 4.Kxf3 Rh1 5.Kg3 Rg1+ 6.Kh2
6.Kh3 Ke6 7.Rh4 Rg8 8.h7 Rh8 9.Kg4 Kf6 10.f4+-
6...Rg8 7.h7 Rh8 8.Rh4 Ke6 9.Kg3 Kf5 10.Rh5+ Kg6 11.Kg4 Kf6 12.Rh6+ Kg7 13.Kg5 Kf7
14.Rh4 Kg7 15.Rh3 Kf7 16.Kh6 Ra8 17.Rf3+ Ke6 18.Kg7 Ra7+ 19.Kg8 1-0

4. Shuvalova, Polina (2516) - Ganguly, Surya Shekhar (2627)

Wijk aan Zee II, 2022
R 6/b

794
1.? =

Show/Hide Solution

1.Rg7!
1.Kxa6? Ra1 2.Rh8+ Kg4 3.Rxh2 Rxa4+ 4.Kb5 Ra7-+
1...Re1 2.Rh7+ Kg4 3.Rxh2 Re6
3...Kxg3 4.Rh6 f4 5.Kxa6 f3 6.Rg6+ Kh2 7.Rf6 Kg2 8.a5=
4.Rf2 Rf6
4...Re4 5.Rf4+ Rxf4 6.gxf4 Kxf4 7.Kxa6=
5.Rf4+ Kxg3 6.Rxf5! Rxf5+ 7.Kxa6= Rf1 8.a5 Kf4 9.Kb7 Rb1+ 10.Kc6 Ra1 11.Kb6 Ke5 12.a6
Kd6 13.Kb7 Rb1+ 14.Kc8 Ra1 15.Kb7 Kd7 16.a7 Rb1+ 17.Ka8 Kc7 1/2-1/2

5. Gagunashvili, Merab (2575) - Sedlak, Nikola (2503)

Srbija, 2021
R 6/f

795
1...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

1...e5+!!
1...Rb6? 2.h5+- Rb4 3.Rxg6+ Kf7 4.Ke5 Rxa4 1 : 0 Gagunashvili,Merab - Sedlak,Nikola
2.dxe5+
2.Kg3 Kg7-+
2...Kg7 3.Kg5 f4! 4.exf4 e3-+

6. Zhu, Jiner (2478) - Erigaisi, Arjun (2632)

Wijk aan Zee II, 2022
R 7/g

796
1...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

1...f4!
1...Kxa3? 2.Rxf5 b5 3.Kh3 Ka4 4.g4 b4 5.g5 Rb1 6.Rf6 Kb5 7.Rf8 Rg1 8.f4 Kb6 9.Kh2 Rg4 10.Kh3
Rg1=
2.Rf5 Kxa3 3.Rxf4 b5 4.Kh3
4.Rf6 a5 5.f4 b4 6.f5 b3 7.Kg3 Rc2-+
4...b4 5.g4 b3 6.Rf5 Ra2 7.g5 b2 8.Rf6 a5-+ 9.Rb6 Ra1 10.f4 b1=Q 11.Rxb1 Rxb1 12.g6 Rg1 13.f5
Rg5 0-1

7. Giri, Anish (2776) - Abdusattorov, Nodirbek (2634)

Krasnaya Polyana (m/3-rapid), 2021
R 9/h

797
1...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

1...h5! 2.Nxh5
2.h4 Kf7 3.Rxd3 (3.Nxd3 Nd4-+) 3...g5! 4.hxg5 h4+! 5.Kxg4 Ne5+-+; 2.Rxd3 h4+ 3.Kxg4 Ne5+-
+; 2.Nxd3 Nd4! 3.Kf4 Nc2 4.Rg3 h4-+
2...Rd1 3.Kxg4 Nxh2+ 4.Kf4 d2-+ 5.Rd3 Nf1 0-1

8. Heimann, Andreas (2599) - Travadon, Loic (2415)

France, 2021
R 9/h

798
1...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

1...Ng5! 2.Nb3
2.f3 h5 3.Rb2 Rd1 4.Rc2 Nh3 5.Nf1 Re1 6.f4 Kg6-+
2...Rb1 3.Nc1 Nf3 4.Rc7+
4.Rc3 h5 5.h3 Kg6 6.hxg4 hxg4 7.Kf1 Kf5 8.Ke2 Rb2+ 9.Kf1 Nd2+ 10.Ke1 Ne4-+
4...Kg6 5.h3 Ne1+ 6.Kh2 h5-+ 7.hxg4 hxg4 8.Rc3 Kf5 9.Ne2 Nf3+ 10.Kg2 Re1 11.Rc2 Ke4
12.Rb2 Kd3 0-1

9. Acs, Peter (2560) - Balog, Imre (2573)

Magyarorszag, 2022
Q 8/g

799
1...? =

Show/Hide Solution

1...Nb8!
1...e4?! 2.Bxe4 Nb8 3.Bc2±
2.Be4
2.Qe4 Qxc3 3.hxg6+ Kg8! 4.gxf7+ Kxf7 5.Bh5+ Kf8 6.Qg6 Qe1+ 7.Kh2 Qh4+ 8.Kg1 Qe1+=
2...Nd7 3.hxg6+ fxg6 4.Qg3 Nf8 5.Qe3 Qd8 6.c4 Qd1+ 7.Kh2 Nd7
7...Qh5+ 8.Kg3 Nd7 9.a5 bxa5 10.Qa7 Qd1 11.c5 Qe1+ 12.Kh2 Qh4+=
8.a5 bxa5 9.Qa3 Qh5+ 10.Kg1 Qd1+ 11.Kh2 Qh5+ 1/2-1/2

800
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802
803
804
805
806
807
808
Table of Contents
Back Cover 4
Title page 5
System of Signs 7
The Best Game of the Preceding Volume 9
The Most Important Theoretical Novelty of the Preceding Volume 11
WIJK AAN ZEE 2022 GM Ivan Sokolov 20
FIDE GRAND PRIX 2022 GM Elshan Moradiabadi 89
THE CLASH OF GENERATIONS GM Rafael Leitão 126
THE BERLIN RUY LÓPEZ GM Mikhail Golubev 153
THE SCANDINAVIAN – Part I GM Nigel Davies 177
NEW IDEAS IN THE PAULSEN SICILIAN GM Miloš Perunović 193
KING’S INDIAN, FIANCHETTO – Part II GM Krisztián Szabó 204
POSITIONAL ZUGZWANG GM Ivan Ivanišević 222
BISHOP PAIR IN CLOSED POSITIONS GM Michael Prusikin 238
IDEAS AND PLANS IN ISOLATED QUEEN’S PAWN (IQP) GM Sabina-
256
Francesca Foişor
ROGERS’ REMINISCENCES – Manila Olympiad 1992 GM Ian Rogers 288
CHAMPION OF THE NEW EPOCH GM Marian Petrov 318
FROM THE CHESS INFORMANT ARCHIVES Douglas Griffin 330
Classification of Openings 339
A00-A24 340
A25-A99 374
B00-B24 399
B25-B49 430
B50-B74 464
B75-B99 493
C00-C24 542
C25-C49 551
C50-C74 561
C75-C99 604
D00-D24 639

809
D25-D49 651
D50-D99 664
E00-E24 682
E25-E49 728
E50-E74 738
E75-E99 755
Index 776
COMBINATIONS IM Goran Arsović 782
ENDINGS IM Goran Arsović 790
TOURNAMENTS 801

810