CONTENTS

Back Cover
Title page
System of Signs

The Best Game of the Preceding Volume

The Most Important Theoretical Novelty of the Preceding Volume

22nd EUROPEAN TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP GM Ivan Sokolov

FIDE WORLD CUP 2019 GM Danilo Milanović
HAMBURG FIDE GRAND PRIX GM Ivan Ivanišević
EUROPEAN CLUB CUP GM Dragoljub Jaćimović
THE LAST MAN STANDING ON THE ISLE OF MAN GM Ivan Ivanišević
DANNY'S CHESS DIARY GM Daniel Gormally
GOING FOR THE KILL GM Rafael Leitão
SAINT LOUIS WINTER CLASSIC GM Sabina-Francesca Foişor
THE REHABILITATED CARO-KANN – Part III GM Aleksander Delchev
THE FOUR KNIGHTS SICILIAN GM Miloš Perunović
FIGHTING AGAINST THE FIANCHETTO KNIGHT GM Michael Prusikin
FROM THE CHESS INFORMANT ARCHIVES Douglas Griffin

Games
Classification of Openings
A00-A24
A25-A49
A50-A74
A75-A99
B00-B24
B25-B49

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

Combinations GM Branko Tadić

Endings IM Goran Arsović
Endgame Blunders IM Zoran Petronijević
Studies FM Branislav Đurašević
Correspondence Chess CCM Vladimir Tašić
Tournaments

3
4
5
6
7
SISTEM ZNAKOVA • СИСТЕМА ЗНАКОВ • SYSTEM OF SIGNS •
ZEICHENERKLÄRUNG • SYSTÈME DE SYMBOLES • SISTEMA DE
SIGNOS • SPIEGAZIONE DEI SEGNI • TECKENFÖRKLARING •

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
¯ bishops of the same color
º double pawns
¼ passed pawn
> advantage in number of pawns

8
† 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

9
 141/20. A57
Alexander GRISCHUK 2766 – Maxime VACHIER-LAGRAVE 2775
Riga (m/2) 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.h4?! c5! 4.d5 b5 5.cb5 a6 6.e3 [6.ba6 Bg7 7.Nc3 0-0 8.e4 d6 9.Nf3 Qa5
10.Bd2 Ba6©] 6...Bg7 [6...ab5 7.Bb5 Qa5 8.Nc3 Bb7 9.Bd2 Qb6 10.Bc4 e6 11.de6 (11.e4 Ne4
12.Ne4 ed5„) 11...de6 (11...Bg2? 12.ef7 Kd8 13.Rh2+–) 12.Nf3²] 7.Nc3 N [7.a4 0-0 8.Nc3
Bb7 9.Nf3 e6 10.de6 de6 11.Qd8 Rd8=] 7...0-0 8.Nf3 d6 9.a4 Bg4! 10.Ra3 ab5 [10...Nfd7!?]
11.Bb5 Na6 12.e4 Nb4 13.Be2 Nd7 [13...h6 14.0-0 Qc8∞] 14.0-0 Qb6!? 15.Re1 Qb7 [×e4,
d5] 16.Bg5 Bf3 17.gf3 [17.Bf3 Ne5 18.Be2 c4©] 17...Ne5 18.Rf1† [18.Na2!? f5 (18...Na6!?)
19.Nb4 cb4 20.Rb3² fe4 21.fe4 Ra4„] 18...c4 [18...f5!?„] 19.b3 Rfc8 20.Bd2 [20.Be3]
20...Nbd3 21.f4

21...Qb4!? [21...Nb2 22.Qc2 Ned3 23.a5∞] 22.Nb1 [22.Nb5 c3 a) 23.fe5 cd2! 24.Bd3 Rc1!
25.Qf3 (25.Qe2? Re1) 25...Be5!© 26.Be2 (26.Ra2 Rac8 27.Be2 Re1 28.Qd3 Bf4µ) 26...Re1
27.a5 (27.Ra2 Rc8µ) 27...f5 28.Ra4 Qc5 29.Rc4 (29.ef5? Qc1–+) 29...Qb5 30.Qd3 (30.Rc8? Rc8
31.Bb5 Rcc1–+) 30...Rf1 31.Bf1 fe4 32.Qd2 Qa5 33.Qa5 Ra5 34.Ra4!³; b) 23.Bc3!? Rc3 24.fe5
Nb2 (24...Nc5 25.ed6 ed6 26.Bc4 Ne4 27.Qe2 Nd2 28.Nc3 Bc3 29.Ra2 Nf1 30.Kf1 h5„)
25.Qd4 Rb3 26.Qb4 Rb4 27.ed6 ed6 28.Nd6 Be5 29.Nb5 Re4 30.Bf3 Rh4? 31.d6 Rb8 (31...Rd8
32.a5±) 32.d7±; 30...Rea4=] 22...c3 23.fe5!? [23.Bc3 Rc3 24.fe5 Nb2 25.Qd2 Rb3 26.Qb4 Rb4
27.ed6 ed6³] 23...Nb2! 24.Qc2 cd2 25.Qb2 [25.Qd2? Qe4–+ 26.Qb2 Be5! 27.Qd2 Rc2]
25...Qe4 26.Qd2 Rc2 27.Qd3 [27.Bf3? Qf3 28.Qc2 Qg4 29.Kh2 Qh4 30.Kg2 Qg4 31.Kh1
Qh3 32.Kg1 Be5 33.Rc1 (33.Re1 Rc8!–+) 33...Bh2 34.Kh1 Bf4 35.Kg1 Qh2 36.Kf1 Bc1–+;

10
27.Qe3 Re2 28.Qe4 Re4³] 27...Re2 28.Qe4 Re4 29.ed6 ed6 30.Nd2?! [30.Rd1 Rg4 31.Kf1 Rh4
32.Kg2„; 30.Kg2! Rh4 31.Rd1=] 30...Rg4 31.Kh1 Rh4 32.Kg2 Rd4 33.Nf3?! [33.Nc4 Rd5³;
33.Ra2! Rd5 34.b4„] 33...Rg4 34.Kh3 Rb4 35.Rb1 Rc8!µ 36.Kg2 Rc3 37.Ng1 Rc2 38.Nf3 Rg4
39.Kf1 Rf4 40.Kg2 Rg4 41.Kf1 Rf4 42.Kg2 g5!–+ 43.Rf1 Rg4 44.Kh1 Rc3 45.Rg1 Rf4 46.Nh2
Rf2 47.Rg5 Rcc2
0 : 1 Miša Pap

11
 141/90.B97
Teimour RADJABOV 2759 – Ian NEPOMNIACHTCHI 2775
Dortmund 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cd4 4.Nd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 Qb6 8.Qd2 Qb2 9.Rb1 Qa3
10.f5 Be7 11.fe6 Be6 12.Ne6 fe6 13.Bc4 Nbd7 14.Be6 Nc5 15.Bc4

15...b5! N [Miloš Perunović; 15...Nce4?! – 140/95] 16.0-0 [16.Bd5 Nd5 17.Qd5 Qc3 18.Bd2
Qc2 19.Qc6 Kf7 20.Qd5 Ke8=; 16.Bb3 Nce4 17.Ne4 Ne4 18.Qd5 Qb4 19.c3 Qc3 20.Kd1 Nf2
21.Ke2 Bg5 22.Qa8 Kd7 23.Qb7 Kd8=; 16...Rc8!?] 16...bc4 17.Bf6 Bf6 [17...gf6 18.Nd5 Ne4
19.Qd4 Qc5 20.Qc5 Nc5 (20...dc5 21.Rbe1 Rd8 22.Ne7 Ke7 23.Re4 Kf7 24.Rc4²) 21.Rfe1²]
18.Qd6 Qc3

12
19.e5! Qe3 20.Kh1 Ne4= 21.Qc6 [21.Qe6 Kf8 22.Qc6 Kf7 – 21.Qc6] 21...Kf7 22.ef6 gf6
23.Qd7 Kf8 24.g3 [24.Qf5 Re8 25.Rbe1 Qc5 26.Re4 Qf5 27.Re8 Ke8 28.Rf5 Kf7 29.Rc5 Rb8
30.Kg1 Rb2 31.Rc4 Ra2] 24...Nf2 25.Kg2 [25.Rf2 Qf2 26.Qd6 Kg7 27.Qd7 Kg6 28.Qg4]
25...Ne4 26.Rb7 Qd2 27.Qd2 Nd2 28.Rf6 Kg8 29.Rff7 h5 30.Rg7 Kf8 31.Rgf7 Kg8 32.Rg7
Kf8 33.Rgf7
1/2 : 1/2 Goran Arsović

B97

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cd4 4.Nd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 Qb6 8.Qd2 Qb2 9.Rb1 Qa3 10.f5 Be7 11.fe6
Be6 1

12.Rb7 Nbd7 13.Be2 Rc8 14.Ne6 fe6 15.Rb3 Qa5 16.0-0 2 0-0 3 17.Nd5 Qd2 18.Ne7 Kf7 19.Bd2 Rc2
20.e5 Rd2= 4
12.Ne6 fe6 13.Bc4 5 Nbd7 14.Be6 6 Nc5 15.Bc4 b5 7 16.0-0 8 bc4 17.Bf6 Bf6 9 18.Qd6 Qc3 19.e5 Qe3
20.Kh1 Ne4= 10
15.Bb3 Rc8 11 16.0-0 12 Nb3 17.Rb3 Qc5 18.Be3 Qc4 19.Rf4 13 Nh5 20.Rf2 14 Nf6= 15
15.Bf5 g6 16.Bh3 16 Nfe4 17.Ne4 Ne4 18.Qd4 Qc3 19.Qc3 Nc3 20.Be7 Ke7= 17

13
11...fe6?! 12.Bc4
a) 12...d5 13.ed5 Qc5 [13...Bb4 14.Rb3 Ne4

15.Ne4! Bd2 16.Bd2 Qe7 17.0-0 b5 18.Bg5 bc4 19.Rb6 Qg5 20.Ng5 ed5 21.Nde6 Be6 22.Ne6
Nd7 23.Nc7 Kd8 24.Na8 Nb6 25.Nb6 Re8 26.Nd5+– Vladimir Staratorzhsky – Antonio
Sánchez Ródenas, corr.2006] 14.Bb3 Nd5 [14...ed5 15.0-0 Nc6 16.Be3 Qd6 17.Rf6! Bf6
18.Nd5 Bd7 19.Nc6 Qc6 20.Bb6 Bd8 21.Qe3 Be6 22.Ba4 1 : 0 Svetozar Stojić 1807 – Achim
Gunter Hoffmann 2066, Canberra 2005] 15.Nd5 ed5 16.0-0!+– Anton Fridh – Ulrich Steiner,
Veselí nad Moravou 1967 – 4/577;
b) 12...h6

14
b1) 13.Be6 Nc6 14.Nc6 bc6 15.Bc8 Rc8 16.Be3 0-0 17.0-0 Ng4³ Jürgen Mazarov 2167 –
Dominik Spisla 1873, Deutschland 2011;
b2) 13.Be3! d5 14.ed5 b5 15.Bd3 0-0 16.0-0 Nd5 17.Nd5 ed5 18.Bh6!+– Heikki-Pekka Innala –
Paul Morant, Suomi 1991;
c) 12...e5 13.Ne6 Be6 14.Be6 Nbd7 15.Bd7 Kd7 16.Rb7 Ke8 17.Nd5 Bd8 18.Bf6 gf6
19.Qh6+– Tomaž Kostanjevec – Milan Gavrilović, corr.2006;
d) 12...0-0 13.Ne6 Be6 14.Be6 Kh8 15.0-0 [15.Rb7±] 15...Nc6 16.Rb7 Rab8 17.Rb3 Qc5
18.Be3 Qe5 19.Rb8 Rb8 20.Bd5± Viktoriya Zakharova 1769 – Galina Kuteneva 1906,
Novokuznetsk 2013
2
16.Bh5 g6 17.Bf3 Ne5 18.0-0 Nc4 19.Qc1 0-0 20.Kh1 Ne5 21.a3 Rf7 22.Bd2 Nf3 23.gf3 Qc5
24.Be3 Qh5 25.Qd2 Nd7µ Heraclio Vera – Sebastian Böhme, corr.2010
3
16...Nc5 17.Rbb1 Ncd7 18.Rb3 Nc5 19.Rbb1 Ncd7 1/2 : 1/2 Harshit Raja 2377 – Jean-Noél Riff
2493, Warszawa 2017
4

15
20...de5 21.Rd1 [21.Bh5 g6 22.Bh6 gh5 23.Rb7 Rd8 24.Bg5 Ke8 25.Bf6 Nf6 26.Rf6 Rd1 27.Rf1
Rdd2 28.Rfb1 Rg2 29.Kf1 Rcf2 30.Ke1 Ra2 31.Kf1 Raf2 32.Ke1 Rc2 33.Kf1 Rh2 34.Kg1 Rhg2
(Orlando Husbands 2327 – Lu Shanglei 2640, Paramaribo 2017) 35.Kh1=] 21...Nc5 [21...Ke7
22.Bb4 Kf7 23.Bd3 Rfc8 24.Bc2 Rc2 25.Be1²] 22.Nc6 Nb3 23.Ne5 Kg8 24.ab3 Ne4 25.Nc4²;
20...Rd2 21.ef6 Re2 [21...gf6 22.Nc6 Re2 23.Rb7 Ke8 24.Ra7 Ra2 25.Ra8 Kf7 26.Ra7=] 22.fg7
Kg7 23.Rg3 Kh6 24.Rh3 Kg7 25.Rg3=
5
13.e5?! de5 14.Bf6 gf6 15.Ne4

a) 15...Qa2 16.Rb7 Qa1 17.Kf2 Qd4 18.Qd4 ed4 19.Bc4 f5 20.Nd2 Nd7 21.Re1 Nc5 22.Rb6
Kd7 23.Nf3 Bd6 [23...Kc7 24.Reb1 Rab8 25.Rb8 Rb8 26.Rb8 Kb8 27.Nd4 Kb7 28.Ne6 Ne4
29.Ke2 Kb6 30.Ng7 f4 31.Ne6 Bd6 32.Bd3 Nf6= Roman Khaetsky 2373 – Ante Brkić 2565,
Pardubice 2017] 24.Nd4 Rhb8 25.Rb8 Rb8 26.Ne6 Ne4 27.Ke3 Rb4 28.Bb3 Rb3 29.cb3 Ke6³;
b) 15...Nc6! 16.Be2 0-0 17.0-0 Qa4 18.c4 f5µ

16
6
14.Be3 Nc5 [14...d5!?] 15.Bc5 Qc5 16.Be6 Qe5 17.Bh3 d5 18.0-0 0-0 19.ed5 Bc5 20.Kh1

20...Bb4! 21.Rb4 Nd5 22.Rbb1 Nc3 23.Rbe1 Ne4 24.Qe2 [24.Qd1

24...Rf2!µ Vladimir Gulyaev – Boris Panyushkin, corr.2010] 24...Rf1 25.Qf1 Rf8 26.Qc4 Kh8
27.Kg1 Qf6 28.Qe2 Ng5³
7
15...Nce4?! 16.Ne4 Ne4

17
17.Bf7! Kf7 [17...Kf8? 18.Be7 Ke7 19.Rb7 Kd8 20.Qd4 Qc1 21.Ke2 Qc2 22.Kf3 Ng5 23.Kf4
Nf7 24.Rf7 Qc5 25.Qc5 dc5 26.Rd1 Ke8 27.Rdd7±] 18.Qd5 Ke8 19.Qe4 Qa5 20.Kd1 Qg5
21.Rb7
a) 21...Qe5 22.Re1±;
b) 21...d5 22.Qe6 Rf8 [22...Qf6 23.Re1 Qd4 24.Kc1 Qa1 25.Rb1 Qf6 26.Qf6 gf6 27.Rb7±]
23.Re1 Rf7 24.Re7 Re7 25.Qc6 Kd8 26.Qa8 Kd7 27.Qb7 Ke8 28.Re7 Qe7 29.Qa8 Qd8
30.Qa6±;
c) 21...Rf8 22.Re1 Rf7 23.Re7 Re7 24.Qa8 Kf7 25.Rf1 Kg6 26.Qa6 Qe5 27.Qd3 Kh6 28.g3
[28.c3 Qh2 29.Qd2 Kg6 30.Rf4 (Fabiano Caruana 2819 – Maxime Vachier-Lagrave 2779,
Stavanger 2019 – 140/95) 30...Qh5 31.g4 Qe5 32.a4 h5 33.gh5 Qh5 34.Kc1 Qe2! 35.Qd6
Kh5„] 28...g6²;
15...Rc8 16.0-0 Ncd7 17.Rf5ƒ
8
16.Bd5 Nd5 17.Qd5 Qc3 18.Bd2 Qc2 19.Qc6 Kf7 20.Qd5 Ke8=;
16.Bb3 Nce4 [16...Rc8!?] 17.Ne4 Ne4 18.Qd5 Qb4 19.c3 Qc3 20.Kd1 Nf2 21.Ke2 Bg5
22.Qa8 Ke7 23.Qb7 Kd8 24.Qa8=
9
17...gf6 18.Nd5 Ne4 19.Qd4 Qc5 20.Qc5 dc5 [20...Nc5 21.Rfe1²] 21.Rbe1 Rd8 22.Ne7 Ke7
23.Re4 Kf7 24.Rc4²
10
21.Qc6 Kf7 22.ef6 gf6 23.Qd7 Kf8 24.g3 [24.Qf5 Re8 25.Rbe1 Qc5 26.Re4 Qf5 27.Re8 Ke8
28.Rf5 Kf7 29.Rc5 Rb8 30.Kg1 Rb2 31.Rc4 Ra2=]

18
24...Nf2!= Teimour Radjabov 2759 – Ian Nepomniachtchi 2775, Dortmund 2019 – 141/90
11
15...0-0-0 16.0-0 Rd7 17.Kh1 Re8 18.Bf7 Rf8 19.Bc4 Nfe4 20.Rf8 Bf8 21.Ne4 Ne4 22.Qf4 d5
23.Bd5 Ng5 24.Qg5 Kb8 25.Qf5 Qd6 26.c4 g6 27.Qf3 b6 28.a4 Be7 29.Qf2 Bd8 30.g3² Olaf
Herden – Hans-Dieter Pässler, corr.2013
12
16.Bf6 Bf6 17.Nd5

17...Nb3! 18.Nf6 gf6 19.Rb3

a) 19...Qc5 20.Rf1 0-0 21.Rb7 Rf7 22.Rf7 Kf7 23.Kd1 Ke7 24.g3 [24.Qd3 Rb8 25.g3 Rb1
26.Ke2 Qh5=] 24...Qc4 25.Qf2 Ke8=;
b) 19...Qa2 20.Qd5 Qa1 21.Ke2 Qe5= Sergej Zielinski – Marcel van Tricht, corr.2009
13
19.Nd5 Nd5 20.ed5 Bf6 21.Bg5 0-0 22.Bf6 Rf6 23.Rf6 gf6 24.Rg3 (1/2 : 1/2 Tatyana

19
Shchebenyuk – Natalya Churakova, corr.2013) 24...Kf7 25.c3 Re8=
14
20.Rf3 Nf6 21.a4 [21.Rb7 Qc3 1/2 : 1/2 Henri Louis Muller – Sebastian Böhme, corr.2011]
21...0-0 22.Rb7 Qc3 23.Qc3 Rc3 24.Re7 Rc2 25.Bf4 d5= Aleksandr Khmelevskih – Natalya
Churakova, corr.2014
15
21.Bd4 b5 22.Bf6 Bf6 23.Nd5 Bd4 24.Ne3 Qc5 25.Rf5 Be5 26.Qf2 g6 27.Rf3 Bd4 28.h3 Rc7
29.Rd3 1/2 : 1/2 Colin Beveridge – Karsten Kjeldsen, corr.2012;
21.Rf4

21...Nh5! 22.Rf1
a) 22...Rf8 23.Re1 b5 24.Nd5 Qc2 25.Qd4 Nf6 26.Qa7 Nd5 27.ed5 Rc7 28.Qa6 Kf7! 29.h3
[29.Rc1 Qe2 30.Qb5 Rc1 31.Bc1 Qa2=] 29...Kg8 30.Rc1 Qc1 31.Bc1 Rc1 32.Kh2 Bf6 33.Re3
[33.Qd6 Re1! 34.Qc5 Be5 35.g3 Re2 36.Kg1 Re1=] 33...Bd4 34.Qd6 Be3 35.Qe6 Kh8 36.Qe3
Rc7 37.d6 Rd7 38.Qe5 Rfd8 39.Qb5 Rd6= Ilan Rothman – Francisco Pessoa, corr.2010;
b) 22...Nf6 23.Rf4 1/2 : 1/2 Raymond Burridge – Heinz Hausdorf, corr.2015
16
16.0-0 gf5 17.Rf5 Rf8 [17...Nfe4? 18.Ne4 Ne4 19.Qd4 0-0-0 20.Qe4+–; 17...0-0-0 18.Bf6 Bf6
19.Rf6 Rhe8 20.Qd4±] 18.Bf6 Bf6 19.Nd5 0-0-0 [19...Ne4 20.Re1 Qc5 21.Qf2 Qf2 22.Rf2 Be5
23.Rf8 Kf8 24.Re4 Rc8 25.c4 b5 26.Nb6 Re8 27.Nd7 Kf7 28.Ne5 de5 29.cb5 ab5 30.a4 1/2 :
1/2 Wen Yang 2596 – Li Chao 2725, China 2018]

20
a) 20.Nf6 Ne4 21.Qd4 Nf6 22.Qa7 Rde8! 23.Qb7 Kd8 24.Qb6 Ke7 [24...Kd7 25.Qb7=]
25.Qd4 Nd7 26.Qh4 Rf6 27.Re1 Kd8 28.Re8 Ke8 29.Rf6 Nf6 30.Qf6 Qe3 [30...Qc1 31.Kf2
Qc2 32.Kg3 Qd3 33.Qf3 Qb1 34.Qe2 Kd7 35.h3 Qf5 36.Qg4 1/2 : 1/2 Hermann Rösch – Jorge
González, corr.2009] 31.Qf2 Qc1=;
b) 20.Rf6 Ne4 21.Ne7 Kb8 22.Qd5 Qe3 [22...Qc5 23.Qc5 dc5 24.Rh6 Rd2 25.Rh7 Nc3 26.Nc6
Kc8 27.Na7 Kd8 28.Nc6 Kc8=] 23.Kh1 Nf2!= Wei Yi 2732 – Sandipan Chanda 2575,
Chengdu 2017 – 132/103
17
20...Nb1?! 21.Bf6 Rf8 22.Bb2±;
20...Ke7

a) 21.Rb7 Kf6 22.0-0 Kg5 23.g3

a1) 23...Rab8 24.Rc7 Nd5 (Wei Yi 2721 – Maxime Vachier-Lagrave 2774, chess.com (m/20-
blitz) 2019) 25.Rc6 Ne3 26.Re1 Nf5 27.Bf5 Kf5 28.Rd6²;

21
a2) 23...Rae8! 24.Rc7 [24.Rd7 Re2 25.Rd6 Rc2 26.Ra6 Rd8=; 24.Bg2 h5 25.h4 Kh6 26.Rf6 Re1
27.Kh2 Re2 28.Rd6 Ne4! 29.Re6 Ng3 30.Re2 Ne2=] 24...Ne2 25.Kg2 Nd4 26.Rf2 [26.c3 Nc2
27.Kg1 Re2=] 26...Rhf8 27.Rf8 Rf8 28.c3 Nf3 29.Rh7 Ne1 30.Kg1 Nf3 31.Kh1 Ne5 32.Be6
Rf3=;
b) 21.Rb3 Ne4 22.Rb7 Kf6 23.0-0 Kg5 24.g3 Rab8 25.Ra7 Rb2 [25...Nc5 26.Bg2 h5 27.h4 Kh6
28.Rd1 Rb6= Leonid Ovcharenko – Aleksandr Guberna, corr.2015] 26.Bg2 d5
b1) 27.Rd7 Kh6 28.Rd5 Re8 [28...Nc3 29.Rd7 Ne2 30.Kh1 Rc2 31.Rff7 Rc1 32.Bf1 Nc3
33.h4²] 29.Re1 Rc2! 30.Ra5 Re6 31.Be4 Rc4 32.Kg2 Rce4 33.Re4 Re4 34.Ra6 Re2 35.Kg1
Kg5=;
b2) 27.h4 Kg4 28.Kh2
b21) 28...Ng3?! 29.Bh3! Kh4 30.Rf4 Kg5 31.Kg3± Wei Yi 2736 – Ian Nepomniachtchi 2773,
Moscow (m/3-rapid) 2019 – 140/96;
b22) 28...Rc2! 29.Rf4 Kh5 30.Kh3 [30.Rd7 Kh6 31.Rd5 Re8 32.g4 Re7=] 30...Nf2 31.Kh2
Ne4=

22
22nd European Team Championship took place in
Batumi, Georgia 24th October – 2nd November 2019. In
this survey my focus was on the Open section.
8th seed Ukraine (playing without Korobov) played
excellent, but came short to win gold due to Vassily
Ivanchuk spoiling his winning advantage (to a draw) vs
Ivan Šarić in their last round match Croatia.
First seed (though missing quite some number of their
top players in the squad) Russia took the advantage (of this) and won the gold.
Many great games have been played and my selection is based on my personal taste and (also)
limited space I have.
I will start with a few interesting endgames.

ENDGAME MISTAKES

First one being Sargissian – Tari, former junior World champion letting drawn ending turn into a
loss.

Sargissian, Gabriel (2690) - Tari, Aryan (2630)

Batumi, 2019

23
White has better placed king, strong d-passed pawn, Black’s d4-pawn is likely to fall. Black has
only one trump-strong h-passed pawn. Can Black keep the balance and draw this ending? The
answer is: "Yes"!
35.Kf3 Bb4
35...f5? being in a hurry to improve Black's king is mistake as White wins after simple 36.gxf6
Kf7 37.Bh4+-
36.Ke4 Bc5 37.f3 Kf8 38.Bf2

Black looks to be in trouble. White is about to collect black d4-pawn, while being in time (in the
case of a bishops trade) to catch (with his king) black h-pawn. Black however can make a draw
using his only trump-strong h-pawn!

24
38...Ke8?
Active defence 38...Bd6! 39.Bxd4 h4! was securing a draw. 40.Bg1 h3 41.Bh2

Now is time for Black to activate his king. 41...f5+! 42.gxf6 Kf7 43.Bg3 Kxf6 White's bishop is
very passive. 44.Ke3 (In the case of 44.Bh2 Kf7 White loses his f-pawn. 45.Ke3 (45.Bg3?? g5-
+) 45...g5 46.Kf2 gxf4 47.Kf1 White's winning plan is to bring his king to h2 and collect black
h-pawn. 47...Ke8! (47...Be5 is also a draw, however after 48.Bg1 Bc3 49.c5 bxc5 50.Bxc5 Black
still needs to be a bit careful.) 48.Bg1 Bb4! 49.Bd4 Bd2 Black cuts white king off - 50.Be5
Be3=) 44...Kf5 45.Kf2 Bc5+ 46.Kf1= and neither side can improve his position.
39.Bxd4+-

Now White has winning advantage and Sargissian skilfully brings it home.
39...Bb4 40.f5 Bd2 41.f4 Bb4 42.f6 Bd2 43.Be3 Be1 44.Kf3 Kd7 45.c5 bxc5 46.Bxc5 a5 47.f5

25
Bb4 48.fxg6 fxg6 49.Bf2 Bd2 50.Be3 Be1 51.Ke2 Bb4 52.Bd2 h4 53.Bf4 Bc3 54.Kf3 Bb4
55.Kg4 Be1 56.Be5 Bf2 57.Bc3 Bb6 58.Kxh4 Kd6 59.Kg4 Kxd5 1-0

In the following ending we have Alexander Moiseenko (in an equal rook ending) having an
illusion to be "the side that is pushing", only to find himself in (a bit unusual) mating net.
Melkumyan, Hrant (2650) - Moiseenko, Alexander (2635)
Batumi, 2019

Position is about equal. Black cannot take advantage of his passed a-pawn and draw is the most
likely result.
32.h4 c5 33.Ke2 cxd4

26
There was no particular reason for Black to open the c-file. Perhaps more logical was 33...a4
34.Kd3 Rd8 and most probably the best for White is to force a draw with 35.Rb1+ Kc6
36.Rba1= ("Active" 36.Kc4? is a mistake and puts White in trouble after 36...cxd4 37.cxd4 Rad7
38.Rd1 e5)
34.cxd4 Black is under the illusion to be playing for a win.
34...a4 Probably not a mistake yet, but (step in the wrong direction) connected to a bad idea.
Better was to stabilize the position with 34...Rd8 35.Ke3 Rd5 and draw will likely soon be
agreed - 36.Rb1+ Kc6 37.Ra4= (or 37.Rc1+ Kd6 38.Ra4=)
35.Kd3

Black continues playing for a win.

35...Kb4? This active move turns out to be a losing mistake!
Black had to continue with 35...Rd8 36.Rc3 Ra5! to be able to hide black king behind his rook
and not lose the a-pawn. 37.Rb1+ Ka6 38.Rc6+ Ka7 39.Rc7+ Ka6 White can try to play for a
win with 40.Rxf7 however position is probably equal after 40...e5 41.Rf6+ Ka7=
36.Rc3+- Suddenly black ''active'' king has run in all sorts of trouble! Black's position cannot be
saved.
36...Rd8 37.Rb1+ Ka5 38.Rc5+ Ka6 39.Rb4 a3 40.Rc3 Ka5

27
41.Rxa3+ This wins, however it was not White's best here.
Strong and elegant was 41.Rb1! Ka4 42.Rc4+ Ka5 43.Rc5+! Ka4 (43...Ka6 44.Rc3+-) 44.Kc3!
a2 (44...Rxd4 45.Kxd4 a2 46.Rc4+ Ka3 47.Rc3+ Ka4 48.Ra1+-) 45.Rb4+ Ka3 46.Rb3+ Ka4
47.Rc4+ The sheer power of white rooks! 47...Ka5 48.Ra3+ Kb6 49.Rb4++-
41...Kxb4 42.Rxa7 f5 43.Rb7+ Ka5 White is a pawn up, while black king is badly placed.
Position is easily won for White, Black is to lose another pawn.
44.Rh7 Kb4 45.Rxh5 Ra8 46.Rh6 Ra3+ 47.Ke2 Ra6 48.Rh8 Kc4 49.Rd8 Ra3 50.h5 f4 51.gxf4
Rh3 52.Rh8 Kxd4 53.h6 Ke4 54.h7 Rh2 55.f5 Ke5 56.fxe6 1-0

Shengelia, David (2531) - Jones, Gawain (2688)

Batumi, 2019

In our third (and final) endgame we have top grandmaster Gawain Jones making an instructive
mistake to lose a basic "book ending".

28
42.e5 Many strong players (including the great Garry Kasparov) have lost this ending. Important
for White is that he did not push his pawn to h4, so he has Kh3, Kg4, Kg5 idea. For quite some
time Jones defends well. The reduction in number of pawns helps the defending side.
42...h4! 43.Kh3 hxg3 44.hxg3 Ra1 45.Kg4 Rg1 46.Rc7+ Ke6 47.Rc6+ Ke7 48.Ra6 Rh1
49.Ra7+ Ke6 50.Ra2 Ke7 51.Ra6 Rg1 52.Ra7+ Ke6 53.Ra6+ Ke7 54.Ra3

White defends his g3-pawn in order to be able to bring his king to g5-square (the only way for
White to improve his position here).
54...Ke6?? Incredible mistake. Gawain allows White to march with his king to g5!
54...Rh1 preventing White's king march (due to ...Rh5) was an easy draw.
55.Kg5+- Now this ending is won for White.

29
55...Rh1 56.Ra6+ Ke7 57.Ra7+ Ke6 58.Ra6+ Ke7 59.g4 Rb1 60.Ra7+ Ke8 61.Kf6 Rb4
62.Ra8+ Kd7 63.f5 Rf4 64.Ra7+ Ke8 65.Re7+ Kd8 66.Rxf7 Rxg4 67.fxg6 Ke8 68.Re7+ Kd8
69.Ra7 1-0

Blunders/missed chances

Upsets often happen in the event of this type and top English GM David Howell was lucky to
avoid one in the very first round.
Howell, David (2694) - Blohberger, Felix (2448)
Batumi, 2019

Game has been balanced. Position is about equal, but now unusual things start to happen!
30.Ned6
30.Nbd6 leads to equality 30...Rxb1 31.Qxb1 f5 32.Nb7 Qa2 33.Qxa2 Bxa2 34.Ned6=
30...Qb6 31.h4
Black decides to trade the light squared bishop. A reasonable idea in itself, however not executed
the right way. 31...Bd5? This is a pawn blunder.
In order to trade light squared bishops, Black needed to first make sure that white rook is on b2-
square, so cannot be defended with Nb5 jump: 31...Ba2 32.Rb2 Bd5 (32...Be6=) 33.Bxd5 Nxd5
and now 34.Nxf7?! loses a piece, however (surprisingly) not the game, as after 34...Nc3
35.Nfd6 Na7 White needs to understand that his knight will be lost, however Black will not be
able to unpin and calmly play 36.e4! Naxb5 37.Nxb5 Nxb5 38.Qc4+ Kh7 39.Kg2= Black
cannot unpin his knight and position is equal.

30
32.Bxd5 Nxd5

33.Qc4?
33.Nxf7!± now simply wins a pawn.
33...Nce7 34.Rc1 Qd8 35.Qc5 Qd7³

White's king is weak, Black is already a bit better and White needs to be careful here! Not
sensing any danger White plays 36.Ra1??
36.Qa7 Qh3+ 37.Kg1 Ne3 (Black can play for a win with 37...Rf8³) 38.Qxb8+ Kh7 39.Qb7
N7d5 40.fxe3 Qxg3+ 41.Kh1 Qh3+=
36...Qh3+ 37.Kg1

31
ELO difference (between the two opponents) often plays important psychological role and here
we see Black willing to ''secure (at least) a draw".
37...Ne3??
37...Nf6! was an easy win, as White's king is in a mating net. The only way for White to avoid
the immediate mate is 38.Ne4 - however it (for a few moves) only delays the inevitable after
simple 38...Ng4 39.e3 dxe3 40.fxe3 Qh2+ 41.Kf1 Nf5-+
38.fxe3 Qxg3+ 39.Kh1 Now comes rather strange Black's decision. Black refuses to grab any of
white pawns and remains fixated on ''draw against higher rated opponent'' - 39...Qh3+
39...Qxh4+ collecting two white pawns (to start with) was logical way to go (as white king is not
going anywhere) 40.Kg2 Qg4+ 41.Kh1 (41.Kh2?? Qxe2+-+) 41...Qh3+ 42.Kg1 Qxe3+ 43.Kf1
Qh3+ 44.Kg1 Qg3+ 45.Kf1

32
We have material equality (white knight vs black 3 pawns), Black can still make a draw by
perpetual check or safely play a ''few more moves'' (as perpetual check possibility will remain for
a while). Beautiful computer type solution is 45...Rb6!→ (more obvious 45...Ng6→ also looks
promising) 46.Qxb6?? as black rook is taboo 46...Nd5 and White cannot avoid check mate
47.Qd8+ Kh7 48.Nc4 Ne3+ 49.Nxe3 dxe3-+
40.Kg1 Qg3+ 41.Kh1 Time control has been reached and Black can still change his mind,
collect White's pawns and than ''have another look'' at the position. Nope... Black is really
focused on his much desired draw!
41...Qh3+? 42.Kg1 Qg3+ 1/2-1/2

Nederland vs Greece, Batumi 2019; Photo: Official site

OPENING IDEAS

During a tournament like this one (many top players involved) we usually witness interesting
(novel) opening ideas.
I start my selection with a novelty by Jorden van Foreest in the Slav Exchange already on move
8th!
D14

33
 Halkias, Stelios (2530) - Van Foreest, Jorden (2621)
Batumi, 2019

1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.c4 c6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Bf5 7.e3 e6 8.Rc1
It is difficult to believe that in an opening as explored as the Slav Exchange variation (and one of
the main lines!!) is possible to produce a (sensible) theoretical novelty as early as move 8!
Well... Jorden van Foreest – managed!

8...Nd7!? I assume the idea behind the move is to close the a4-e8 diagonal making Bb5 pin less
effective. Idea is interesting, however given the mistake that Jorden is soon to make... this might
easily be an ''over the board'' inspiration.
8...a6 is (arguably) the most played for Black here and we have many top players opting for this
line trusting Black's resources.
9.Qb3
9.Bb5 White does not really have a good follow-up (as black Nd7 covers the e5-square).
9...Qb6
9...Na5 is inferior as White has advantage after 10.Qa4 Nc6 11.Bb5 (or 11.Qb5)
10.Nb5

34
The most straight forward move putting Black to a test. 11.Nc7 threat looks really dangerous to a
human, however not to a computer! Silicon brain is not worried at all about check on c7,
however Jorden was and that may indicate 8...Nd7!? being an ''over the board inspiration''.
10...Bb4+? This logical check (speeding up) Black's development should have been the losing
mistake.
The correct reaction was 10...Rc8 11.Be2 aiming for an ending (hoping that bishop pair will
prove advantage) (11.Nd6+ can transpose to the main line after 11...Bxd6 12.Bxd6 Qxb3
13.axb3 a6; 11.Nc7+ is indeed not dangerous for Black as after 11...Kd8 White has to retreat his
knight and after 12.Nb5 Black is doing ok after 12...Nf6 (or 12...Bb4+)) 11...a6! forcing White
to take a decision with his knight (11...Bb4+?? blunders into 12.Qxb4+-) 12.Nd6+ (12.Nc7+
forces material imbalance ending - 12...Kd8 13.Qxb6 Nxb6 14.Nxa6 bxa6 15.Bxa6 Kd7 R + 2§
vs B + N. Black should be (at least) OK here.) 12...Bxd6 13.Bxd6 Qxb3 14.axb3 Bg4! stopping
Nh4 ideas. (14...h5 15.O-O h4 16.h3 f6 looks also principled for Black, however White has
better chances after 17.Rc3! Kf7 18.Rfc1) 15.b4 Nb6= position is probably about equal.
11.Kd1! Suddenly Black is in a terrible trouble as 12.Bc7 (also) appears to be a strong threat.
Jorden van Foreest was probably hoping for 11.Nd2? e5! 12.dxe5 O-Oƒ and Black has taken
over the initiative.
11...Rc8
11...O-O?? blunders a queen - 12.Bc7 Qa6 13.Nd6+-
12.Bd6 Winning a pawn, however (probably) more accurate was to win the exchange.
12.Bc7! Rxc7 13.Nxc7+ Ke7 (or 13...Qxc7 14.Qxb4+-) 14.a3 Ba5 15.Qxb6 Bxb6 16.Nb5+-
and White (easily) wins this ending.
12...a6

35
13.Qxb4! (the point behind the 12.Bd6)
13...axb5 14.Qxb5 f6 15.Qxb6 Nxb6 16.Bb5 White is a sound pawn up, but matters are not as
simple as it may look! Black now sacrifices a pawn creating counterplay: 16...Kd7! 17.Bc5 Nc4
18.Bxc4 dxc4 19.Rxc4

19...Be4?
Black had to size the momentum and sacrifice one more pawn! 19...b6! 20.Bxb6 Rb8 now in
order to keep the advantage White needs to decide for 21.d5! exd5 22.Rxc6 Kxc6 23.Nd4+
Kxb6 24.Nxf5²
20.Rc3 Ra8 21.Nd2 Bd5 22.a3+-

36
Now Black does not have any compensation for his material deficit. However, White allowed
some mistakes and Black managed to draw.

Serbian grandmaster Aleksandar Inđić is known for his aggressive style and we see him taking
on QGA (Queen’s Gambit Accepted) by trying to improve on Mamedyarov’s pawn sacrifice
idea.
D28
Indjic, Aleksandar (2638) - Georgiev, Kiril (2577)
Batumi, 2019

1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.c4 dxc4 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5 6.O-O a6 7.Qe2

White has recently found new dynamic ideas in this variation and we are to see one of those in
this game too.
7...b5
7...Nc6 are two other main Black's responses here; or 7...cxd4
8.Bd3
8.Bb3 has been played at high level too.
8...cxd4

37
Now we are to see White's opening preparation.
8...Nbd7 were other Black's responses, though Black had problems to equalize; or 8...Bb7
9.a4!? This dynamic idea belongs to Shakhriyar Mamedyarov. Aleksandar Indjic wants a bit
different version of it.
The original version went 9.Rd1 Be7 10.a4!? bxa4 11.Rxa4 dxe3 12.Bxe3 for his sacrificed
pawn, White has lead in development. 12...Nbd7 13.Nc3 O-O 14.Bg5 Bb7 15.Rd4 Bxf3
16.Qxf3 Ne5 17.Qe3 (17.Qh3 leads to equality - 17...Qxd4 18.Bxf6 Qxd3 19.Rxd3 Bxf6=)
17...Qb8 18.Bf4 A critical moment!
Players interested in the theoretical aspect of this variation are advised to analyze 18...Nfg4!
(18...Neg4 19.Qe2 now White has more than just a ''compensation''. 19...e5 20.Bg3± and White
went on to win in Mamedyarov,Shakhriyar 2791 - Navara,David 2726, Hersonissos 2017 -
134/131) 19.Qg3 (19.Qh3 f5! is good for Black.) 19...h5 (19...Bc5!?) 20.h3 g5!∞ and now in the
case of 21.hxg4 gxf4 22.Rxf4? Black closes the kingside with 22...h4µ
9...bxa4
9...b4 gives away some squares and leads to White's advantage. 10.exd4 Be7 11.Nbd2 Bb7
12.Nb3 Nbd7 13.Bf4 O-O 14.Rfc1 Nd5 15.Bg3 a5 16.Bb5± Jia,Haoxiang 2340 - Estrada
Nieto,Julian 2262, Budapest 2013

38
10.Rxa4N Technically speaking this move is a novelty. I assume Aleksander's reasoning was
''ok, Ra4 move has to be played, while Rd1 I can play later (or do something else instead)". I
have to say, that this logic has a point.
10.Rd1 has been played at GM level and after 10...Nc6 11.Rxa4 Nb4 (11...Bd7!?) 12.Bd2 Nxd3
13.Rxd4 Black could have equalized with 13...Qb6 (13...Qc7 has been played in the actual game
14.Qxd3 Be7 15.Rc4 Qb6 16.Bb4 Bxb4 17.Rxb4 Qc7 18.Rc4 Qe7 19.Qa3 Qxa3 20.Nxa3 O-O
21.Ne5² White had pressure and went on to win in Stocek,Jiri 2581 - Cernousek,Lukas 2451,
Slovensko 2018) 14.Qxd3 Bb7 (14...Be7?? blunders into 15.Bb4+-) 15.Nc3 Be7=
10...Be7
Now in the case of 10...Nc6 I assume White's plan was to immediately capture on d4 11.Nxd4²
In the case of 10...dxe3 11.Bxe3© we can get play similar to (or transpose to) Mamedyarov -
Navara game.
11.Rxd4 Qb6 12.Nc3
Another interesting idea for White is to develop his knight to c4: 12.Nbd2 Nc6 13.Rh4 Nb4
14.Nc4 Qc7 and now part with his bishop pair in order to increase lead in development 15.e4!?
12...Nc6 13.Rh4 Nb4 14.Bc4 Bb7 15.e4 Rc8 16.b3 O-O 17.Rh3 Qc7

39
One of the critical moments in this game. White invests two tempi in order to create a
''sacrificing target". 18.Ng5!?
Less inventive, but perhaps quite good for White was 18.e5 and White's attacking chances look
promising - 18...Nfd5 (18...Nd7 19.Re1ƒ) 19.Ne4→
18...h6 19.Nf3 Sacrificing target on h6 has been created!
19...Rfd8 20.e5 Nd7

Now White executes his idea that started with 18.Ng5!?

21.Bxh6! gxh6
21...Bxf3!? probably leads to equality - 22.Qxf3 Nxe5 23.Qg3 Ng6=

40
Here White has enterprising idea in 24.Qxg6!? ("Boring" 24.Bg5 leads to approximate equality
24...Qxg3 25.Rxg3 Kf8=) 24...fxg6 25.Bxe6+ Kf8 26.Bf4 Bd6 and there is no mate, so White
has to get some material back; 27.Bxd6+ Qxd6 (or 27...Rxd6 28.Rh8+ Ke7 29.Rxc8=) 28.Bxc8=
we probably have a dynamic balance here.
22.Qe3 Bf8
22...Bxf3!? could lead to another position which could be labeled as unusual, this time White
being the side with ''the queen". 23.Qxh6 Qxe5 24.Rg3+ Qxg3 25.fxg3 Bg4 26.h3

26...Rxc4! 27.bxc4 Bf5∞ a difficult to assess (or play) position. My computer engine gives me
around 0.00, but the game is very sharp, so it is very easy to make mistakes here.
23.Rg3+ Kh8

41
24.Ng5! Nc5 25.Qf4 Rd7

26.Nh7! Bg7! 27.Nf6 Qd8

42
What should White do? To call it a day and force a draw or continue playing for a win? 28.Rh3?
Brave, but not smart.
28.Rxg7! was necessary and to settle for perpetual check 28...Kxg7 29.Nh5+ Kg6 30.Nf6 Kg7
31.Nh5+ Kh7 32.Nf6+=
28...Qf8µ 29.Ng4 Kh7 30.Nf6+ "Indeed go for" 30...Kh8
30...Bxf6! was winning for Black, as after 31.exf6 Ncd3 32.Qe3 Rc5!-+ Black is not only a
piece up, but also (with now excellently coordinated pieces) builds an attack of his own, e.g.
33.Rd1 Re5 34.Qg3 h5! 35.f4 Nxf4! 36.Rxd7 (36.Qxf4 Qc5+-+) 36...Qc5+ 37.Kh1 Re1+
38.Qxe1 Bxg2#
31.g4

31.Ng4 was absolutely needed and to see if Kiril would after 31...Kh7 32.Nf6+ indeed go for

43
32...Bxf6!
31...Rd3!-+ Now game is over. Black is material up and has an attack.
32.Bxd3 Ncxd3 33.Qd4 Qc5 34.Qxc5 Rxc5 35.Na4 Rxe5 36.Nh5 Rg5 37.Rg3 Bd4 38.h4 Re5
39.g5 Re4 40.Rh3 0-1
I will close this selection with (important) novel (pawn sacrifice) idea by Nisipeanu. His victim
was Nikita Vitiugov.

C91
Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter (2656) - Vitiugov, Nikita (2732)
Batumi, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 O-O 9.d4 Bg4
10.Be3 exd4 11.cxd4 Na5 12.Bc2 Nc4 13.Bc1 c5 14.b3 Nb6 15.Nbd2 Rc8 16.h3 Bh5 17.a4
17.g4 Grischuk,Alexander 2702 - Sokolov,Ivan 2684, Bled (ol) 2002 - 86/359
17...bxa4

18.d5!N A novelty and probably a good one! White advances his d-pawn getting a Ben-Oni type
of pawn structure. There is a price tag however to achieve this - a pawn sacrifice. Facing a novel
idea (in over the board play), Vitiugov takes principled decision - we have Ben-Oni pawn
structure and in Ben-Oni structure it is often a good idea for Black to trade his light squared
bishop for White's knight.
Theoretical discussions were battled in 18.bxa4 cxd4 position, Black having satisfactory play.
18...Bxf3 This capture is however not one of the top computer moves, so it can well be that for
Nisipeanu the game started right here.
In case of 18...axb3 19.Nxb3 White's knight will be well placed on a5: 19...Nfd7 (19...Bxf3

44
20.Qxf3 Nfd7 21.Na5© (21.Rxa6² getting material back and enjoying space advantage is
another option.)) 20.g4 Bg6 21.Na5ƒ
The top computer choice (for my engine at least) is 18...Nfd7 however White's situation looks
promising 19.bxa4 Bf6 20.Rb1 a5 21.g4! Bg6

Here White has an interesting pawn sacrifice idea often (initially) underestimated by computer
engines. 22.Kg2 (22.Nf1 is a non-sacrifice choice.) 22...h6 23.h4! Bxh4 24.Nxh4 Qxh4 25.Rb3!
Rfe8 26.Rh3 Qe7 27.Nf3→
19.Nxf3 axb3 20.Bxb3 Ra8

Now Nisipeanu plays arguably the most logical move, missing the tactical resource Black has!
21.e5?!

45
Most likely White here has to play for the long term compensation (based predominantly on the
space advantage) 21.Bc2 g6 (21...Nfd7 22.Qd3 g6 (22...c4?! is always risky for Black allowing
White's knight jump traveling to c6 square 23.Qa3ƒ) 23.Bh6 Re8 now White can get his material
back and enjoy space advantage 24.Rxa6²) 22.Bd3 Qc8

We have many different moves/ideas here. I am just showing one possible line of play: 23.Bf4
Re8 24.Qb1 Nfd7 25.Ra3© White has space advantage, while Black has problems with the
coordination of his pieces. White's compensation should be worth more than a pawn here.
21...Nfd7? Vitiugov did not spot the defensive resource he had.
21...c4! was on solving all Black's problems on the spot, and forcing White to think about
keeping the equality. White has numerous options, but all of them promise him ''drawing
compensation'' at best. Arguably White's best is: 22.exf6 (22.Bc2 looks like a ''consequent
continuation'', however White's compensation is rather dubious after 22...dxe5 23.Nxe5 Qc7 (or

46
23...Nbxd5). The other option is 22.Nd4 cxb3 23.Nc6 Qc7 24.Nxe7+ Qxe7 25.exf6 Qxf6
26.Rb1 it is obvious that White wants his material back and to make a draw (which he will
probably succeed in).) 22...Bxf6 23.Ra3 cxb3 24.Qxb3 White probably has enough for a draw,
but certainly not more.
22.e6± fxe6 23.dxe6 Nf6 24.Ng5 d5

Vitiugov likely thought: "OK White's e-passed pawn is (for the time being anyhow) under
control, I have two strong passed pawns, and well I am also a pawn up, so can't be that bad".
Problem is that Black's position is (much) worse than it may look at first glance. Black's king
will be weak, White's knight on f7 a monster and Black will have problem coordinating his
pieces. White has large advantage here.
25.Nf7 Qc7 26.Bc2 d4 27.Bg5
Stronger (and perhaps also more logical) was to bring-in another attacker 27.Ra3! c4 28.Rg3 d3
29.Bh6 in order to prevent mate, Black has to part with his queen: 29...Qxg3 (or 29...Ne8
30.Bxd3 cxd3 31.Bxg7 Qxg3 now strongest for White is to supress the greed (to take the black
queen) and continue with attack 32.Bxf8! (32.fxg3 Nxg7±) 32...Qh4 33.Bxe7 Qxe7 34.Qxd3+-
Black's pieces are poorly coordinated and White wins very soon. 29...g6

47
30.Bxd3! (30.Bxf8 also looks like winning, but is only a draw - 30...dxc2 31.Qxc2 Bxf8
32.Rxg6+ hxg6 33.Qxg6+ Bg7 34.Nh6+ Kh8 35.Nf5 Nbd5 36.e7

Looks like ''game over'', but Black has a resource 36...Rg8! and White cannot deliver checkmate
on the h-file, so has to settle for draw. 37.Nh6 Re8 38.Nf7+ Kg8 39.Nh6+=) 30...Rfd8 31.Qc2
again (like in other lines here) Black is forced to give his queen 31...Qxg3 32.fxg3 cxd3
33.Qb3+-) 30.fxg3 dxc2 31.Qxc2 gxh6 32.Nxh6+ Kh8 now White brings an extra attacker and
puts this story to an end - 33.Re5!+- with 34.Nf7 to follow.
27...g6
27...Nbd5 was Black's best and we get lines similar to 27.Ra3! move (Black having a better
version of it) 28.Ra3 c4 29.Rg3 d3 30.Bxd3 cxd3 31.Bh6 Ne8 32.Bxg7

48
Black has to give his queen. 32...Qxg3 33.fxg3 Nxg7 34.Qxd3 Black's problem is that he is
poorly coordinated. 34...Nc7 35.Qd7 Bc5+ 36.Kh2 Ncxe6 37.Nh6+ Kh8 38.Rxe6 Ra7 39.Qd5
Nxe6 40.Qe5+ Rg7 41.Qxe6 Be7 42.Qxa6± White has to work a bit, but should win this
position.
28.Qf3 Nh5 29.Bh6 Ng7 30.Rab1 c4 31.Bf4 Qa7 32.Nh6+ Kh8 33.Nf7+ Kg8 34.Be5 d3
35.Nh6+
Simple 35.Bd1+- was easily winning (as Qg3, Bf3 will follow and Black's position will
collapse).
35...Kh8 36.Nf7+ Kg8 37.Bxd3! Exclamation mark is for the bravery and good judgment that
piece sacrifice fully works. It was however not necessary to sacrifice the bishop.
37.Bd1+- - similar to 35.Bd1
37...cxd3 38.Nh6+ Kh8 39.Nf7+ Kg8 40.Qxd3+-

49
Black is a piece up, White does not have any immediate win, however Black's situation is utterly
hopeless. White combines his a1-h8 diagonal threats with Black's poor piece coordination.
40...Rac8
40...Na4 was not saving Black after 41.Ba1! and Q + B battery on a1-h8 diagonal decides the
game. 41...a5 42.Qe2 Nc5 43.Qb2 Ncxe6 44.Nh6+ Kh8 45.Rxe6 Bg5 46.Ng4+- and White
soon wins.
41.Bd4 Bc5 42.Nh6+ Kh8 43.Nf7+ Kg8 44.Nh6+ Kh8 45.Bxc5 Rxc5 46.Qd6

White gets his piece back and will be up a pawn plus mating attack.
46...Rcc8 47.Rxb6 Rfe8 48.Nf7+ Kg8 49.Nh6+ Kh8 50.e7 Qc7 51.Nf7+ Kg8

50
Nisipeanu chooses the most elegant finish: 52.Qxc7
Computer engines prefer 52.Qf6+-
52...Rxc7 53.Nd6 1-0

RUSSIA

This brings us to the Russian team. 22nd European gold medallists had a hiccup in the first round
almost losing to Denmark. Russians lost two games in this match, as their young star Kirill
Alekseenko lost (seemingly dull equal position) to Danish veteran Sune Berg Hansen.

Hansen, Sune Berg (2573) - Alekseenko, Kirill (2674)

Batumi, 2019

51
Position is about equal (the white pawn on b2 being a target compensates for Black’s weakness
on c4), some trades are to be expected and draw the most likely result.
21.Nh4 Bxg2?! A step in the wrong direction, though still does not altering the assessment
(position being equal).
White's knight on h4 is poorly placed and was no need to improve it. More logical was simple
21...g6=
22.Nxg2 Na4 23.Rd2

Both sides have a weak pawn of their own to defend. However, accuracy (for Black) is needed as
white knight will (thanks to Black's 21...Bg2) jump to f4 and than to h5 or d5 posing threats.
Alekseenko does not sense danger and plays a useless move effectively wasting a tempo.

52
23...Qb4?
Accurate was (arguably the most logical choice here) 23...Rab8 and after 24.Ree2

Force trades and a draw with 24...c3! 25.bxc3 Qc6 26.c4 Rfe8! (26...Qxc4 27.Ne3²) 27.Qf5
Rxe2 28.Rxe2 Qxc4 29.Nf4 Nc3 30.Re7 (30.Re1 g6 and we can have a draw by perpetual check
after.) 30...g6 31.Qe5 Rb1+ 32.Kg2 Qf1+ 33.Kf3 Qd1+ (33...Qh1+?? 34.Kg4) 34.Kg2=
24.Ree2± Interestingly enough, Black is now in a bad shape since White's knight quickly
improves it's position, while Black is not able to force the trades.
24...Rab8
Most likely, Alekseenko simply blundered that 24...c3? loses to 25.Rd4+- as this looks to me the
only way to explain the 23...Qb4?
25.Nf4 Rb5? A move difficult to explain. Black is inviting White's knight (to come with a
tempo!) to central d5-square while weakening his own back rank.
25...c3±; 25...Qc5±
26.Nd5+- White's knight (only a few moves ago stranded on h4) is now a monster!
26...Qa5 27.Qd6 Due to weak back rank Black is forced to give the exchange: 27...Rb7 28.Ne7+
Rxe7 29.Rxe7 c3 30.bxc3 Nxc3 31.Re5 Nb5 32.Qd7 a6 33.Re8 g6 34.Qd8 Qa3 35.Rxf8+ Qxf8
36.Qf6 1-0

53
 Russian team in Batumi; Photo by Artem Pugachev and Vladimir Potkin

DANIIL DUBOV

Daniil Dubov saved the day (for Russians) and signalled what is to be "his championship"!
Daniil Dubov was head and shoulders above everyone else in Batumi, playing energetic and
dynamic chess coupled with daring opening ideas.
Daniil played many great games in Batumi, out of which I have selected three for this article.
Enjoy!
C88
Bjerre, Jonas Buhl (2506) - Dubov, Daniil (2699)
Batumi, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O Not being interested
in theoretical dischussion White opts for positional play in Anti-Marshall.
8.a4

54
Well... Black says: "I don't think so!" 8...d5!? This provocative decision brings back memories!!
I was the first player (at grandmaster level) to try this risky gambit versus Nick de Firmian at
invitational group Donner Memorial A 1996! A couple of days later Alex Shabalov playing in
the open group of the same tournament followed on my idea. Back then computer engines were
not strong, so I relied on my general feeling and surprise factor. I got sufficient compensation for
equality, but not more. Later, due to a blunder, I lost that game and probably the game outcome
persuaded me not to try it again. My conclusion at the time was that White does not have a clear
road to advantage, while Black's ''full compensation" also being questionable. Now after almost
23 years (and being able to analyse with a strong computer engine), I would say that the verdict
is pretty much same. A surprise factor plays a role here and I am curious if Dubov will try it
versus top level oposition.
9.exd5
My aforementioned game versus Nick went 9.Bxd5 Nxd5 10.exd5 Nd4 11.Nxd4 exd4 12.axb5
Bb7

55
(12...Bd6 was Shabalov's choice a few days later, game ending in a draw Garcia,Gildardo 2495 -
Shabalov,Alexander 2565, Amsterdam 1996) 13.c4 (13.Qg4?! neglects development and was
kind of a White's mistake I was hoping for when choosing this line. 13...Qxd5! 14.bxa6
(14.Rxe7? loses for White due to weak back rank 14...Rae8 15.Rxe8 Rxe8-+) 14...Bxa6µ White
is undeveloped and has problems with the coordination of his pieces. 15.Rxe7 Bc8 16.Rxa8
Bxg4µ 17.Ree8?? Qxa8-+) 13...dxc3 (13...axb5!? is something Black should explore further on.
14.Rxa8 Bxa8 15.d3 bxc4 16.dxc4 c6 17.dxc6 Bxc6©) 14.dxc3 axb5 15.Rxa8 Bxa8 16.Qd3
Bxd5 17.Qxb5 Bd6©

Black has compensation for equality, but not more De Firmian,Nick 2575 - Sokolov,Ivan 2670,
Amsterdam 1996 - 67/441
If White really wants to challenge Black's gambit, I assume he has to go for 9.axb5 dxe4 10.bxc6
exf3 11.Qxf3

56
Now, the next Black's move is not exactly forced, but definitely better than the alternatives:
11...e4 White has two options, both of them probably leading to some White's advantage.
However, there are many possibilities in this complicated position and in a practical play Black
definitely has his chances. I expect this to become the main line here and would like to see this
position tested at 2700+ level! (11...Bc5 12.d3 (12.Nc3 is also possible.) 12...Bg4 (12...e4
13.dxe4 Ng4 14.Rf1+-) 13.Qg3 e4 Black's fancy play simply does not work here - 14.Ra4±;
11...Be6 with the idea to quickly open the f-file (though inventive), but it does not seem to work.
12.Bxe6 fxe6 13.Nc3 Bc5 14.Qe2 Now, the only way for Black to create some mess seems to be
14...Ng4!? (14...Qd6 15.Ra4! Qxc6 16.b3±) 15.Qxg4 Bxf2+ 16.Kf1 Qe8! (16...Bxe1+ 17.Kxe1
Qf6 18.Qe2+-) 17.d3 Qxc6 18.Ke2 Bxe1 19.Kxe1 Qc5

Now White again activates his rook with 20.Ra4! Black does not have enough attacking potential
here and is fighting for his life.) 12.Qe2 (The other option is 12.Qc3 with 13.d4 to follow.)

57
9...Na5! Kills White's bishop and damages his pawn structure!
10.Nxe5 Nxb3 11.cxb3
In case one wonders what's the problem with 11.Nc6? well... it's 11...Bg4! 12.Nxd8 Bxd1µ
11...Bb7 12.Nc6 Bxc6 13.dxc6 Bc5 Objectively, Black has compensation for equality, but not
more.

14.d3 This move is not exactly a mistake, however it does give Dubov a possibility to set ''fire on
the board', a possibility he takes with both hands!
14.d4 was definitely a safer choice, though not bringing White advantage: 14...Bxd4 15.Nc3
(15.axb5 also leads to equality - 15...Ne4! 16.Be3 Bxe3 17.Qxd8 Rfxd8 (17...Raxd8? 18.fxe3
axb5 19.Ra7±) 18.fxe3 axb5=) 15...b4 16.Ne2 Ba7= Black has active play and certainly enough
for equality, but not more. (16...Re8 leads to a drawish endgame 17.Nxd4 Qxd4 18.Rxe8+ Rxe8
19.Be3 Qxb2 20.Bd4 Qe2 21.Bxf6 gxf6=)
14...Bxf2+! 15.Kxf2 Qd4+

58
Critical moment! 16.Be3? The losing mistake.
King retreat was leading to a draw, for example: 16.Kf1 Ng4 17.Re2

17...Rad8! Black does have a big threat 18...Nh2, 19...Qg1 with 20...Rd3 to follow and White has
to settle for a draw. (17...Rae8 willing to play 18...Re6 is not precise due to 18.h3!) 18.g3
(18.Nc3? b4µ) 18...Qd5 19.Kg1 Qd4+=
My computer engine also gives 0.00 evaluations to the ''less human'' move 16.Kf3= or 16.Kg3=
16...Ng4+ 17.Kf3 Nxe3 18.Rxe3

59
Black rook is needed on the e-file. But, which one? 18...Rae8!-+ 19.Re2
In the case of 19.Re1 we see the importance of the "right rook choice" after 19...Re6!-+
19...Qf6+!
19...Re6?? 20.g3∞
20.Kg3 g5 21.Rf2 Qd6+ 22.Kh3
22.Kg4 loses to a number of moves, the most direct perhaps being 22...f5+ 23.Kxg5 h6+ 24.Kh5
Qxh2+ 25.Kg6 Re6#
22...Qh6+ 23.Kg4 Qh4+ 0-1

D78
Dubov, Daniil (2699) - Dastan, Batuhan Muhammed (2577)
Batumi, 2019

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.d4 c6

The main idea behind this Black's move order is an assumption that a pawn sacrifice (played by
Dubov in this game) does not work for White.
5.O-O Nf6 6.c4 dxc4

60
Daniil Dubov now options for (what was decades long considered) a risky pawn sacrifice.
7.Nc3!?
7.a4 with idea to regain the pawn is the main line here and has been tried at the top level.
7...O-O 8.e4 This pawn sacrifice has been considered suspicious for White and rarely played at
top level. In my database I have (next to this game) only one 2600+ game played in this line.
8...Bg4
That game continued 8...b5 9.Qc2 (9.Re1 Lesiege,Alexandre 2325 - Kozul, Zdenko 2575,
Toronto 1990 - 49/526) 9...Bg4 (9...Nfd7 10.Bg5 h6 11.Be3 Nb6

Black's knight is not well placed on b6-square and White's play can be here improved with
12.a4! (Game itself went 12.a3 a5 13.h4 h5∞ Zhao,Jun 2589 - Lou,Yiping 2333, China 2008)
12...b4 (In the case of 12...a6 13.a5 N6d7 14.e5± White is clearly better as Black has problems

61
in development.) 13.a5 Nd5! and White's strongest is probably 14.Nd1! and Black has problems.
14...Nc7 now White has strong exchange sacrifice after (In case of 14...b3 15.Qc1 Black loses
either h6 or c4 pawn, White having a clear advantage. (15.Qxc4!? is the exchange sacrifice
which should be considered as well.)) 15.Qxc4! (15.Qd2² not sacrificing the exchange should
also bring White some advantage.) 15...Ba6 16.Qxb4 Bxf1 17.Bxf1ƒ Black's pieces coordinate
poorly, White has more than just a compensation.) 10.Be3 Nbd7 11.Ne5 Nxe5 12.dxe5 Ne8
13.f4ƒ White had initiative and went on to win in Turov,Maxim 2630 - Shankland,Samuel 2539,
Dresden 2011
9.h3 Bxf3 10.Bxf3

Black does not want to allow White to take more space (though this will later happen anyhow).
10...e5
In case of 10...Qc8 White is better after 11.e5! Nd5 12.Qe2 (12.Nxd5 cxd5 13.Bxd5 is not
precise, as Black has counterplay after 13...Nc6 14.Be3 Qxh3 15.Qf3 Qd7=) 12...Rd8 13.Rd1
White will collect the black c4-pawn (regaining sacrificed material) and have advantage.
13...Na6 (13...b5 14.a4±; 13...h5 14.h4±) 14.Bg4 Qc7 15.Qxc4±
11.dxe5 Nfd7 12.e6! fxe6 13.Be3 Ne5 14.Be2 Qe7 15.f4! Nd3 16.e5N²

62
Black's knight on d3 is excellently placed, however lacks ''support forces", so its power is
deceptive. White has advantage here.
16...Na6 Dubov calmly improves his position. 17.Ne4 Rfd8 18.Qc2 b5 19.a3 Nc7

The time has come for White to ''usurp the base" of Black's well placed knight. The moment
when Black's knight on d3 cannot be sustained, Black's position will collapse.
20.b3± Nd5 21.Bd2 Nb6
An attempt to tactically solve Black's problem with 21...cxb3 22.Qxd3 Nxf4 does not really
work, as after 23.Qf3 Nxe2+ 24.Qxe2 b2 25.Rae1± Black's king will be weak.
22.bxc4 bxc4 23.Bf3 Rab8 24.Kh1 Rd7

63
Base of the black Nd3 (pawn-c4) has been shaken. Now the defender of the ''base'' (black Nb6)
has to be chased away.
25.Be3 Black has no counterplay, so White takes his time.
Immediately 25.a4 worked too.
25...Nd5 26.Bg1 Nb6 27.h4
27.a4+-
27...Rf8 28.Bg2 h6 29.Bh3 Rd5

30.a4!+- Nb4 31.Qe2 Rd3 A blunder in a lost position.

31...Nd3 does not change the outcome 32.Qg4 Kh7 33.a5 Nd7 34.Qxe6
32.Bc5 1-0

64
 D80
Moiseenko, Alexander (2635) - Dubov, Daniil (2699)
Batumi, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bg5 Ne4 5.Bh4

5...g5!? An interesting but little played move, I analysed when preparing for the Wijk aan Zee
Tata Steel tournament 2013. I never got it on the board myself and later advised A. R. Saleh
Salem to try the idea in 2014 (and he successfully did so vs Husein Aziz Nezad at Arab
Championship in Amman, Jordan). While writing this article, I noticed that Polish GM Jacek
Tomczak recently played many games as Black in this line (and with success). In my opinion
5...g5!? is a viable line and we will see more of it!
6.Bg3
My own conclusion 7 years ago was that the critical line (for the assessment of 5...g5!?) was
6.Nxe4 dxe4 7.Bxg5 Bg7

65
I advise theoretically minded readers to investigate into this direction.
6...h5! White's bishop should not be left undisturbed!
6...Bg7 leads to White's advantage after simple 7.cxd5 Nxc3 8.bxc3 Qxd5 9.e3 as is highly
questionable as what did Black achieve by including 5...g5 6.Bg3 moves (compared to the
regular line).
7.f3 Moiseenko's choice looks risky, but White does not have "easy decisions" here.
Aforementioned Salem's game went 7.Nxe4 dxe4 8.h4

8...e5 (8...c5!?∞ is also interesting.) 9.a3 (9.e3!? Bb4+ 10.Ke2∞ is a computer-like solution.
However, this is rather unusual position, so perhaps unusual ideas are needed here!) 9...exd4
10.Be5 Rh6 11.Qxd4

66
11...Qxd4! (11...Bd7?! Black has lead in development and not trading the queens here has
certainly it's logic, but there seems to be a tactical problem - 12.hxg5! and Black is in trouble
(The Salem's game went 12.O-O-O Nc6 13.Qc3 Nxe5 14.Qxe5+ Re6 15.Qc3 g4 16.e3 Qf6µ
Black was better and went on to win in Nezad,Husein Aziz 2396 - Salem,A.R. Saleh 2586,
Amman 2014) 12...Nc6 (12...Qxg5 13.Qxe4±) 13.Qe3! Rg6 14.Bc3± Black does not have
enough for his sacrificed pawn) 12.Bxd4 g4 Black had (at least) equal game and went on to win
in Meshkovs,Nikita 2513 - Tomczak,Jacek 2583, Berlin (blitz) 2018
7...h4N
7...Nxg3 8.hxg3 Qd6 was also possible after (8...e6?! 9.e3 Bd6 10.f4 gxf4 11.gxf4± Sabuk,Piotr
2382 - Tomczak, Jacek 2588, Katowice (rapid) 2017) 9.cxd5 (9.Kf2?! h4ƒ) 9...Qxg3+ 10.Kd2∞

Sharp position, difficult to assess, many possibilities here.

8.Bf2 Nxf2 9.Kxf2

67
Black has here (in my opinion) a choice of four equally playable moves. Dubov chooses
(arguably) the most "Gruenfeld like" one 9...c5
Also playable was 9...c6; 9...e6 or 9...e5!?
10.cxd5 Bg7 11.dxc5 Na6 12.e3 Nxc5

This pawn sacrifice idea we see in 4.Bg5 Bg7 line.

13.Bb5+ Kf8 14.Nge2 a6 15.Bd3 g4 16.b4 Nd7 Most likely Dubov already had the ensuing
piece sacrifice in mind.
The alternative was 16...Nxd3+ 17.Qxd3 h3©
17.fxg4
17.f4 trying to ''keep the matters closed" has it's logic, but Black has good game after 17...Nf6

68
17...Ne5 Preparing a piece sacrifice.
The alternative option was 17...h3!?© with good compensation.
18.h3

18...Bxg4! 19.hxg4 Nxg4+

69
Not willing to tempt the fate, Moiseenko calls it a day! 20.Kf3
The alternative was 20.Kg1 Nxe3 21.Qe1 Rg8© but perhaps not smart versus the in-form
Dubov.
20...Ne5+ 21.Kf2 Ng4+ 22.Kf3 Ne5+ 1/2-1/2

Moiseenko vs Dubov, Batumi 2019; Photo from Official site

70
71
TEIMOUR RADJABOV SHINES IN KHANTY-MANSIYSK
Winner Teimour Radjabov and runner-up
Ding Liren, Khanty-Mansiysk 2019; Photo
from Official site
After a whole month of exhausting chess duels the
former chess prodigy, Teimour Radjabov, won the
biggest chess tournament of his illustrious career. His
victory is one of the greatest surprises in modern chess
era, as all of his rivals and chess fans were stunned by
his magnificent result and over-the-board tenacity. Of
course, no one ever doubted the enormous talent of the
Azeri star, but over the last 5 years he played rarely and
without much ambition. After winning the U-18
European Championship at the tender age of 12 and
clinching an amazing win over Kasparov in Linares
2002 when he was 15! Teimour's journey to the very top
was both steady and fast, culminating in participation at
both Kazan (2011) and London (2013) Candidates
Tournaments. However, after a terrible score in London a slump in his career began. Apparently,
it has taken a few years for Teimour to overcome that, so now we can only guess how this
glorious World Cup triumph will affect his career in years to come.
The Tournament itself was well organized, as one of the qualifying stages in the world
championship cycle. Nearly all the strongest players took part in the World Cup (except former
World Champion Viswanathan Anand, the current Champion Magnus Carlsen, and his
challenger, Fabiano Caruana, who already qualified for the Candidates next year). Eventually,
Teimour Radjabov and Ding Liren reached the finals, thus qualifying for the Candidates
Tournament. The World Cup remains the only event in the chess calendar where the runner-up
gets the major prize!
128 players from 47 countries participated in the Tournament organized as a series of knock-out
matches. There were 28 Russian players, followed by a great number of Indians (10) and
Chinese (7). A grand total of 436(!!!) games were played including two Armageddon encounters
over four weeks of chess duels.

72
Of course, it is not possible to mention all the significant details in a short article, but we hope
that you will find our selection of games and fragments both pleasing and instructive!

ROUND 1

Navara, David (2724) - Yuffa, Daniil (2577)

Khanty-Mansiysk (m/2), 2019

Since he lost the first game of the mini-match, the Czech champion had to win the second
encounter against the talented young rival from Russia. In the current position Navara put high
hopes in his powerful bishop pair trying to generate some activity on the queenside. However,
Yuffa found a really efficient tactical solution and liquidated material: 25...d4! 26.Bxd4 Bxg2+
27.Kxg2 Qd5+ 28.Rf3 Qxb5 29.Qd3 Qc6µ Yuffa obtained a clear advantage and managed to
convert it later on. Therefore he advanced to the second round dispatching a strong favourite.
Gan-Erdene, Sugar (2407) - Nepomniachtchi, Ian (2776)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/1), 2019

One of the top seeds, Ian Nepomniachtchi, began his campaign with a nice victory.

73
23...b3! 24.c3
White loses right away in case of 24.cxb3? Nb4 25.Qd2 Rcd8 26.Nb5 Qc6 27.Qe2 Qe4+-+
A bit more stuborn is 24.axb3 Nb4 25.Qd2 Bxd6 26.c3 (26.Qxd6 Qxc2+ 27.Ka1 Qxb3-+)
26...Qc6 (Also, Black is clearly better after 26...Bc5 27.Bxc5 Qxc5 28.cxb4 axb4) 27.cxb4
Bxb4³
24...bxa2+ 25.Kxa2
25.Ka1 Rcd8 26.Bc5 (26.Nb5 Qb7 27.Qc4 a4-+ With threats of Na5 and Rb8) 26...Rd7µ
25...Bxd6 26.Qxd6 Nb4+! 27.cxb4 Qc4+ 28.Ka1 axb4 29.Qd5 Qc2 30.Qa5 Ra8 31.Ba7 b3
32.Qa3 Rfc8 33.Rge1 h6 34.f3 Rc7 35.Bc5 Rxa3+ 36.Bxa3 Ra7 37.Rd8+ Kh7 0-1

Bok, Benjamin (2640) - Saric, Ivan (2667)

Khanty-Mansiysk (m/3-rapid), 2019

The diagram position was reached in the 3rd game of the match (rapid). Curiously, Ivan Šarić, a
renowned theoretician, makes the same mistake Vinay Bhat made seven years ago.

74
19...Bxf3? 20.gxf3 Ne5

21.Qc3!+- Saric overlooked a neat deflection motif and lost a piece very quickly.
21...Qc7 22.Rxd8+ Qxd8 23.Nxg7 Kxg7 24.Qxe5+ Qf6 25.Qxb5
[1 : 0 - occurred in Shankland,Samuel 2597 - Bhat,Vinay 2511, San Francisco (rapid) 2012]
25...h5 26.Qb4 Re8 27.Qc3 Qxc3 28.bxc3 1-0
Jakovenko, Dmitrij (2681) - Martinez Alcantara, Jose Eduardo (2596)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/1), 2019

75
24.g4! hxg4?
Black could have hoped for a bit better saving chances after 24...Nxg4 25.Bxg4 hxg4 26.h5 Ne5
27.hxg6 Rxh1 28.Rxh1 Nxg6 29.Qxg4±
25.h5 gxh5 26.Ne6! Qb6
26...fxe6 27.Qg5+ Kf8 28.Rhf1+ Nf6 29.Rxf6+ Nf7 30.Rdf1 exd5 (30...e5 31.Rh6! Rg8
(31...Rxh6 32.Qxh6+ Ke7 (32...Kg8 33.Qxh5+-) 33.Rxf7+! Kxf7 34.Qh7++-) 32.Qxh5+-)
31.Bd3 Re7 32.Bg6+-
27.Qg5+ Ng6

28.Bxg4! Ne5
28...hxg4? 29.Rxh8+ Kxh8 30.Qh6+ Kg8 31.Qg7#

76
29.Qf6 fxe6 30.Bxe6+ Rxe6 31.dxe6 Qc6 32.Rhe1 Kh7 33.e7 d5 34.Qf5 Qd6 35.Qxh5+ Kg7
36.Qxh8+ 1-0

Amin, Bassem (2699) - Tabatabaei, Mohammad Amin (2642)

Khanty-Mansiysk (m/1), 2019

One of the biggest upsets in the 1st Round was the Tabatabaei’s victory against Amin. The
young Iranian had the opportunity to take the lead in the very first game with the black pieces.
Clearly, the Italian Game resulted in the diagram position when both rivals missed the win for
Black.

23...g6?
Black wins the piece by force after 23...h5! 24.Qxf4 (24.Qxh5 g6 25.Nh6+ Kg7-+) 24...g5!-+
24.d4 h5 25.Qh4 Qxh4 26.Nxh4= and the game ended in a draw.

Nabaty, Tamir (2658) - Sethuraman, SP. (2624)

Khanty-Mansiysk (m/4-rapid), 2019

We witnessed a very interesting clash in the first round of the competition between the Israeli
GM Tamir Nabaty and one of the more experienced participants from India GM S. P.
Sethuraman. All four games were decisive! With some luck, Nabaty needed only a draw in the
4th game (rapid) in order to advance to the 2nd round.
However, the current position offered just enough hope to Sethuraman to continue with cautious
play and try to level the score.

77
22...Qc6 23.Qd3!? Nabaty is not satisfied with passive defence and goes for activity in order to
keep the balance!
23.Nd2 Qd7³
23...Qxe4? Unfortunately, Sethuraman was not patient enough and accepts the pawn sacrifice.
Black would continue pressing after 23...Qc7
24.Qd8+ Bf8 25.Bc2 Qc6 26.Ng4 Kg7 27.Nf6!?
Also, White would have a slight edge in case of 27.Nxh6 f6 (27...Qd5? 28.Qe8) 28.Ng4²
27...Qc8
Taking on f6 - 27...Kxf6 - makes position of the black king even more vulnerable. 28.Qxf8±
28.Nh5+ Kh8
If 28...Kg8 White should be able to cruise to the next round with much ease 29.Qd3!? Ng6
30.Ne5 c4 31.Nf6+ Kg7 32.Nh5+=

78
29.Ne5! f5?! Black is aware of the fact that in case of the queen swap he loses all the chances to
play for a win, but ...
29...Qxd8 30.Nxf7+ Kg8 31.Nxd8 Bd5 32.Nf6+ Kh8 33.Be4 Bb3 34.Nd7 Bg7 35.a5²
30.Qd6 Bd5 31.c4 Bc6 32.Nf7+ Kh7 33.Nd8! Kg6

Risky play by Sethuraman offered Nabaty the opportunity to sacrifice two knights and score a
crushing win. 34.Nxe6! Kxh5 35.Ng7+! Bxg7 36.g4+ fxg4
36...Kxg4 37.Bd1+ Kh4 38.Qh2#
37.Qh2# 1-0

ROUND 2

79
It seems like the Azeri star is finding his great form once again. In the second round of theWorld
Cup he won a really great game against Kasimdzhanov.

Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2767) - Kasimdzhanov, Rustam (2657)

Khanty-Mansiysk (m/1), 2019

Once again, Mamedyarov shows his amazing class handling the initiative. 23.Bxf7! Kxf7
24.Ne2 Qf5 25.Ng3 Qf4 26.Ne5+ Ke6?
Black could resist a bit more after 26...Kg7 27.Nd7! - surely Mamedyarov saw this knight move
before he sacrificed the bishop! 27...Be7 28.Re1 Rhe8 29.Rd4 Qc7 30.Rc1 Bc6 (30...Qd8
31.Nxf6 Bxf6 32.Rxd8 Bxa1 33.Rd7+±) 31.Ne4! Nxe4 32.Rxe4+ Kg8 White slowly advances
with checks regaining the piece and reaching a winning endgame being up a pawn: 33.Qa2+
Kg7 34.Qb2+ Kg8 35.Qb3+ Kg7 36.Qc3+ Kg8 37.Qxc6 Qxc6 38.Rxc6±
27.Qa2+ Bd5 28.Rxd5 Nxd5 29.Nd3 Qd4 30.Ne2 Qg4 31.Nef4+ Kf6 32.Nxd5+ 1-0

Korobov, Anton (2679) - Le, Quang Liem (2708)

Khanty-Mansiysk (m/1), 2019

Le Quang Liem was very close to winning the first game of the mini-match against Korobov.

80
At the first glance Black has an easily winning position being two pawns up. However...
59...Kc6?
Black should win after 59...Ne6+! controlling the queening d8 square. For example: 60.Kf7
Nd8+ 61.Ke8 Nb7 62.Na5 (62.d8=Q Nxd8 63.Kxd8 Kd4-+) 62...Ned6+ 63.Kf8 (63.Ke7?
Nxa5 64.d8=Q Nc6+) 63...a3-+
60.d8=N+!=

Apparenly, Black overlooked this important resource!

60...Kc5 61.Nb7+ Kb4 62.Nba5 Kc5 63.Kf7 Nd5 64.Nxd5 Kxd5 65.Nb6+ Kc5 66.Nxa4+
Kb5 67.Nb2 Kxa5 68.Nc4+ Kb4 69.Nxe5 fxe5 70.Ke6 Nd6 71.Kxe5 1/2-1/2
Anton Korobov survived this game with quite a bit of luck. But, Le Quang Liem played very

81
good in the second game and deservedly advanced to the next round.

Undoubtedly, the biggest surprise in the second round was a confident win by Nisipeanu against
Nakamura.
Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter (2656) - Nakamura, Hikaru (2745)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/1), 2019

Nisipeanu Stuns Nakamura; Photo from

Official site
In the first game Nisipeanu opted for the Catalan, and in
the diagram position he undertook a fine queen sacrifice
trying to gain the initiative: 12.exf6!?N
Until this game White always proceeded with 12.Bd2
and 12.Qc2
12...Rxd1 13.Rxd1 Bd6 14.Bf4 e5? A really big
mistake! Nakamura forgot about the weakness of his
back rank.
Apparently, White must satisfy himself with the
repetition after 14...Qa5 15.Bd2 Qb6 16.Be3 Qa5=
15.Nxd6 cxd6 16.Bxe5! Qa5 17.Rxd6 Bg4 18.Bc3 Qc7
19.Rad1 g6

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20.Bxb7! Nisipeanu exploits Black's weak back rank with great efficiency!
20...Rf8 21.Bf3 Bxf3 22.exf3+- and the black position is hopeless due to the poorly placed king.
Sarin Nihal, the rising star of Indian chess, was very close to reaching the 3rd round of the World
Cup.

Nihal, Sarin (2610) - Safarli, Eltaj (2593)

Khanty-Mansiysk (m/1), 2019

Safarli chose the Breyer variation of the Ruy López, allowing Sarin to execute fine positional
strangulation culminating in a really powerful tactical blow: 31.Ngf5! gxf5 32.Nxf5 Qc7
33.Nxg7 Kxg7 34.Bxh6+! Kxh6 35.Rxf6+ Kg5 36.Rf5+ Kh6 37.Qe2 1-0
Sarin needed only a draw to advance to the 3rd round and face Mamedyarov. It seems like he

83
drifted away thinking about that encounter...

Safarli, Eltaj (2593) - Nihal, Sarin (2610)

Khanty-Mansiysk (m/2), 2019

32...Rg6?? A really terrible blunder by Sarin allowed Safarli to force tie-break games in which
the young Indian was severely punished for his mistakes. So, it was Safarli who faced his friend
and compatriot in the next round!
Black should hold after 32...Raf8
Or even claim a slight advantage with a bit more aggressive approach 32...Qe2! with the idea of
33.Rd7 Bd4!ƒ
33.Rxf2 Kh7 34.Nf3 Re8 35.Qb1 Re3 36.Rb4 Qe6 37.Rf1 1-0

ROUND 3

The European Champion, Artemiev, lost in the tie-break portion of his encounter with Le Quang
Liem. After losing the 5th game of the mini-match he went all in trying to win the 6th game (10
minutes rapid).

84
 Artemiev, Vladislav (2746) - Le, Quang Liem (2708)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/6-rapid), 2019

The key moment of the game! White intends to activate his knight in order to put pressure on the
enemy king. However, it proved to be rather slow in view of Black’s dangerous passer.
50.Ne3?
Le Quang would have to endure quite a lot in case of 50.Rxg7+! Kxg7 51.Rb7+ And Black
would be forced to find a series of "only moves" in order to survive 51...Kg8! (51...Kh6?
52.Qc1+ (or even more effective 52.g4!!+-) 52...f4

85
53.g4!! hxg4 (53...g5 54.Qb1+-) 54.Qc3 Rg8 (54...g3 55.Nxg3! fxg3 56.Qe3++-) 55.Nh2 g3
56.Ng4+ Kh5 57.Nf6+ Qxf6 (57...Kxh4 58.Rh7+ Kg5 59.Nxe4++-) 58.Qxf6 gxf2+ 59.Kf1+-)
52.Qb1 Re2 53.Qa1! Qf8 54.Qe5 Re8 55.Qc7 Qf6 56.d6 Re1 (56...e3 57.d7 exf2+ 58.Kg2 Rf8
59.Rb8+-) 57.d7 Rf8 58.Kg2 (58.Rb8? Rd1-+) 58...Rxf1! 59.Kxf1 a3 60.Ra7 e3!! 61.Qxc5 f4
62.Rxa3 (62.Qd5+ Kh8 63.Qg5 e2+ 64.Kxe2 Qb2+ 65.Kf1 Qb1+ 66.Kg2 Qe4+ 67.Kh2 fxg3+
68.Qxg3 Qd4 69.d8=Q Rxd8 70.Rxa3 Qxc4=) 62...fxg3 63.Qxe3 Qxh4 64.Qxg3 Qxc4+ 65.Rd3
Kh7 66.Qd6 Rd8 67.f3 Qf7 68.Kg2 Kg7=
50...Qe5 51.Ng2 a3 52.Nf4 Rb2-+

ROUND 4

Ding Liren won the mini-match against the talented young Russian Kirill Alekseenko and
qualified for the quarter-final stage. The first rapid game in tie-break was decisive.

Ding, Liren (2811) - Alekseenko, Kirill (2671)

Khanty-Mansiysk (m/3-rapid), 2019

86
It seems like Black does not have any significant problems in the current position. However, his
e5N is rather restricted which proves to be sufficient for the winning sequence: 16.Bxf6! Bxe2
16...Bxf6 17.f4 Bxe2 18.fxe5 Bxf1 19.exf6 Qg4

(19...Rxe1 20.Qh6 Bxg2+ 21.Kxg2+-) 20.Ne4!! A powerful inbetween move which prevents the
black queen from reaching d4! (20.Qh6? Qd4+ 21.Kh2 Qxf6-+) 20...g5 21.Kxf1+-
17.Bxg7 Bxf1 18.Qh6 f6 19.Qh8+ Kf7 20.Bxf8 Nf3+ 21.Bxf3 Rxe1 22.Bh6! Bd3+ 23.Kh2
Qe7 24.c5 1-0

87
 Alekseenko in encounter against Ding Liren, Khanty-Mansiysk 2019; Photo from Official site

In the 4th round we witnessed the real chess "classico" and battle between friends. After five
draws, Radjabov won the rapid game (10 minutes) which proved to be decisive.

Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2767) - Radjabov, Teimour (2758)

Khanty-Mansiysk (m/6-rapid), 2019

88
Mamedyarov executed one of his trade mark sacrifices trying to complicate the matters even
further: 35.Nxf7!? Kxf7 36.f5 Bf6?
A highly double-edged position arises after 36...Rxe4! 37.fxg6+ Kg8 38.Rxe4 hxg6 39.Rff4∞
37.fxg6+ Kg7

38.gxh7? Is the mistake that decided the duel of Azeri's. Radjabov does not miss the opportunity
to convert his advantage.
Shakh should have continued with the natural 38.h6+! Kxh6 (38...Kg8? 39.Bd5+!+-) 39.gxh7+-
with the mating attack on the bare black king.
38...Qg3 39.Rf3 Qh4+ 40.Rh3 Rxe4! 41.Rf1 Rb3 42.Rxh4 Rxh4+ 43.Kg1 Bxd4+ 44.Rf2 Rb2 0-
1

89
 Radjabov in encounter against Mamedyarov, Khanty-Mansiysk 2019; Photo from Official site

SEMI-FINALS

A34
Radjabov, Teimour (2758) - Vachier Lagrave, Maxime (2774)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/2), 2019

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e3 Nxc3

90
6.dxc3!? It was Radjabov himself who introduced this line in tournament practice with his nice
win against Svidler at the Geneve Grand Prix (2017) - 133/(21)
6...Qc7
Curiously, in the variation without queens on the board Vachier Lagrave managed to defeat
Carlsen 6...Qxd1+ 7.Kxd1 Bf5 8.Nd2 etc. Carlsen,Magnus 2822 - Vachier Lagrave,Maxime
2789, Saint Louis 2017 - 133/21
7.e4 e6 Black does not develop the knight to c6 prefering some other kind of piece arrangement,
trying to respond to the schematic Nd2-c4.
Last year against Giri, Vachier Lagrave continued with 7...Nc6 8.Be3 e6 9.Nd2 Bd6!? (9...Be7
being the standard reply.) 10.Nc4 Be7 11.Qg4 O-O 12.Qg3 Qxg3 13.hxg3 b5 14.Nd2 Rb8 and
the game ended in a draw without much content after 31 moves.
8.Bd3!?N
Usually White responded with 8.Be3 followed by Nd2 and then transferring the queen to the
kingside.
8...Be7 9.Qe2 Black continues with a developing move waiting for White to castle.
9...Bd7 10.O-O Apparently, Vachier Lagrave assumed that White did not have any attacking
intentions after castling short.
10...O-O?!
Instead, he should have continued developing 10...Bc6 11.Nd2 Nd7 etc.

91
11.e5! Black underestimated this possibility.
11...Bc6
After 11...Nc6 12.Qe4 g6 13.Bh6 Rfd8 14.Rfe1→ we reach a typical position where White has
all the initiative, while Black finds it almost impossible to generate any kind of counter-play.
White will trade the h-pawns after h4-h5 and move the queen to g4 threatening Bg6.
12.Ng5 h6
If Black options for 12...g6 White should prepare the attack 13.Re1! (Also, very interesting is
13.Nxh7 c4! being a tricky inbetween move which saves Black - 14.Bc2 Kxh7 15.Qh5+ Kg8
16.Bxg6 fxg6 17.Qxg6+ Kh8 18.Qh5+ Kg8 19.Bh6 Bc5! so, thanks to 13...c4 White's attack has
no effect.)

13.Bh7+! Kh8 14.Bc2 Most definitely Black misses the b8 knight in play. 14...c4

92
The black pawns come under fire after 14...g6 15.Nh3 (Also, it is tempting to try 15.Nxe6!? fxe6
16.Bxg6 Rg8 17.Qh5 Bf8! but, Black would be able to defend himself and launch a powerful
counter-attack after 18.Bxh6? Qh7!-+) 15...Kg7 16.Nf4 Nd7 17.Re1± with the threat of Bg6.
15.Re1 Qd8 16.Nh3 Qd5 17.Nf4 Qc5 It seems like Black might be able to consolidate, but
Radjabov finds a very beautiful way to strengthen his attack!

18.Bb1! Freeing the c2 square for the queen.

18...Bg5
18...Nd7? 19.Qc2+-
19.Nxe6!?
The most precise is 19.b4! cxb3 (19...Qe7 20.Qxc4) 20.Qd3 g6 21.axb3± threatening Ba3.
19...fxe6 20.Bxg5 Qd5 21.Qg4 Nd7
Black would not be able to find any relief after 21...Qxg2+ 22.Qxg2 Bxg2 23.Kxg2 hxg5
24.Bg6 Nc6 25.Rad1±
22.Be4 Nxe5 23.Qh5 Qb5 24.Bxh6 Bxe4 25.Bf4+ Kg8 26.Qxe5 Bd5
Black would retain some practical drawing chances after 26...Qxe5 27.Bxe5 Bd5±
27.Re2 Rf5 28.Qe3 Qe8 29.f3

93
The black bishop is totally restricted. After the transfer of the white bishop to e5 and major
pieces to the kingside Black's position becomes unbareable. 29...Qg6 30.h4 Raf8 31.Bg5 a6
32.Rd1 Qe8 33.Rd4 Qc6 34.Rg4 Kh7
It was much better to prevent the bishop from coming to e5 - 34...e5 Allowing White to make
use of his domination over dark squares in the following manner: 35.Qc1! Re8 36.Qe1 Kh7
37.Qg3±
35.Bf4 R8f7 36.Be5 b5 37.Qf2 Qd7 38.Qg3 Rh5 39.Bd4 Qc7 40.Re5 Rhf5 41.Rg5 After the
exchange of one pair of rooks White will be able to advance the pawns on the kingside.
41...Kg8 42.h5 Rxg5 43.Qxg5 Qe7 44.Qg4 Rf5? Vachier Lagrave blunders in a totally hopeless
position.
45.Qxf5 1-0

94
 Vachier-Lagrave in encounter against Radjabov, Khanty-Mansiysk 2019; Photo from Official site

FINAL

The final match consisted of four games. In case of 2 : 2 score, it continues with rapid games,
and finally (if necessary) blitz games. In the first game Radjabov did not even try to make use of
the white pieces, pretty much similar to their encounter in Shamkir earlier this year. In the
second game, Radjabov optioned for passive play with the black pieces allowing Ding to obtain
the initiative for a pawn. That proved to be very costly!

95
 A19
Ding, Liren (2811) - Radjabov, Teimour (2758)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/2), 2019

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.e4 c5 4.e5 Ng8 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.d4 cxd4 7.Nxd4 Nxe5 8.Ndb5 a6 9.Nd6+
Bxd6 10.Qxd6 f6 11.Be3 Ne7 12.Bb6 Nf5 13.Qb4
13.Qc5 d6 14.Qa5 Qd7 15.f4 Nc6 16.Qa3 Nce7 17.O-O-O Qc6 18.Qb3 Bd7 19.Rg1
(Psakhis,Lev 2575 - Greenfeld,Alon 2515, Israel 1991 - 54/19) 19...h5 20.Kb1©
13...Nc6 14.Qc5 Qe7 15.O-O-O d6!? Teimour decides to complicate the play even further,
leaving the queens on the board he allows Ding to activate his forces.
A more solid option was 15...Qxc5 16.Bxc5 d6 17.Bxd6 (In the game commentary Ding showed
a line which offered Black a quite decent play: 17.Ba3 e5 18.Nd5 Kf7 19.Nb6 Rb8 20.g4 Nfd4
and the d6-pawn cannot be taken 21.Bxd6? Bxg4µ) 17...Nxd6 18.Rxd6 Ke7 19.c5²
Kortschnoj,Viktor 2610 - Timman,Jan 2630, Bruxelles (m/4) 1991 - 52/24
16.Qa3 O-O

17.g4!ƒ Nh6 by attacking the g4 pawn Black gains time to defend his d6 weakness. However,
White invades space and slowly increases the pressure 18.Rg1 Nf7 a novelty compared to
Grant,Jonathan 2249 - Eggleston,David 2368, Edinburgh 2009
in the aforementioned game Black continued with 18...f5 but White was still able to increase his
advantage after 19.g5 Nf7 20.f4±
19.f4 Bd7 20.h4 a5 21.g5 Kh8 Black is trying to organise defence, so he moves his king to a
more secure place. However, this could have been the right moment to initiate counter-play,
using the h8 square for rerouting the knight to a better square!
Black had an intriguing option to shift the play to the queenside 21...Nb4!? 22.Qb3 d5 23.a3

96
fxg5! forcing White to solve a few difficult questions along the way 24.hxg5 (24.axb4 axb4
25.Nb5 Ra6µ) 24...Nh8! White retains the initiative after 25.Nb5! (25.axb4 axb4 26.Nb5 Ra1+
27.Kc2 Rxd1 28.Kxd1 dxc4 29.Bxc4 (29.Qxc4?! Bxb5 30.Qxb5 Rf5! 31.Qc4 Qd6+) 29...Bxb5
30.Bxe6+ (30.Bxb5 Qd6+) 30...Nf7∞) 25...dxc4 26.Bxc4 Nd5 27.Nc7 Nxc7 28.Bxc7 Rfe8
(28...Rfc8? 29.Rxd7+-) 29.Kb1ƒ
22.Qb3 Rfc8 23.Kb1 e5 weakening the e5 square.
23...a4 24.Qa3 Na5 25.Re1! Nxc4 (the inbetween move 25...fxg5 does not solve Black's
problems because of 26.Bxa5! Rxa5 27.hxg5 Qf8 28.Bd3± with a strong attack along the h-file
to come.) 26.Bxc4 Rxc4 27.Nd5 Qf8 28.gxf6 g6 29.Nc7±
24.Nd5 Bf5+ 25.Ka1 Qe6 26.gxf6 gxf6 27.a3
Ding does not accept the exchange because that would allow Black to gain counter-play after
27.Nc7 Rxc7 28.Bxc7 Nb4
27...Rab8?! Radjabov options for a very slow play which does not suit the position at all.
In the postmortem analysis, Ding underlined the following alternative outcome: 27...Nb4
28.Nxb4 axb4 29.Qxb4 exf4 30.Bd4 Ne5 and the f-pawn should be enough compensation for
the weaknesses in Black's structure. Still, Black cannot fully consolidate after 31.Bc3 Rg8
(31...f3 32.Rxd6 Qe7 33.c5 Rg8 34.Rxg8+ Rxg8 35.Qf4 Rg1 36.Qxf5 Rxf1+ 37.Ka2 Qf7+ 38.b3
Rf2+ 39.Ka1! Rf1+ 40.Kb2 Rf2+ 41.Kc1 Rf1+ 42.Kd2 Rf2+ 43.Ke1 Re2+ 44.Kf1+-) 32.Rxg8+
Rxg8 (32...Kxg8 33.Rxd6 Qe7 34.c5±) 33.Rxd6 Qe7 34.Rxf6! Qxf6 35.Qb5±
28.Bg2 Rg8

29.Ne3! Nd4
The white bishop pair dominates after 29...Ne7 30.Bc7 Rbc8 31.Bxa5 exf4 32.Nxf5 Nxf5
33.Bd5 Qe7 34.c5!±

97
30.Bxd4 exd4 31.Nxf5 Qxf5 32.Bd5 and White has a decisive advantage thanks to his dominant
bishop and poorly placed Black's king 32...Rxg1 33.Rxg1 Nh6 34.Qb6 Qd7 35.Qxd4 Qe7
36.Ka2 Nf5 37.Qc3 b6
37...Re8 38.h5 Ne3 39.Qxa5 Nxd5 40.Qxd5+-
38.h5 Re8

39.h6! Ne3
39...Nxh6 40.Re1+-
40.Re1 1-0
A truly crushing win for Ding. It was very hard to believe in Radjabov's come back!

98
 Ding Liren in encounter against Radjabov, Khanty-Mansiysk (m/2) 2019; Photo from Official site

After the loss in the second game Radjabov had to find the way to attack the Chinese star player.
Ding repeated the Marshall line he used in his previous black games. Of course, no need to
change the most efficient antidote!
C89
Radjabov, Teimour (2758) - Ding, Liren (2811)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/3), 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5
10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Bf5 14.Qf3 Qh4 15.g3 Qh3

99
16.Be3
It was quite obvious that Radjabov did not have a clear plan in the first game of the final.
Therefore he repeated the game he played against Ding in Shamkir 2019. 16.Nd2 Rae8 17.Ne4
Bg4 18.Qg2 Qxg2+ 19.Kxg2 f5 20.h3 Bh5 21.Bf4 Bxf4 22.gxf4 fxe4 23.dxe4 Bf3+ 24.Kxf3
Rxf4+ 25.Kg3 Rfxe4 26.Rxe4 Rxe4 27.a4 was the first new move compared to the Shamkir
game. In actual fact, it did not change much in the course of the game (27.f3 Re2 28.c4 bxc4
29.Bxc4 Rxb2 30.Bxa6 g5 31.Bc4 Kg7 32.Bxd5 cxd5 33.a4 h5 34.h4 Kg6 35.a5 Rb7=
Radjabov,Teimour 2756 - Ding,Liren 2812, Shamkir 2019) 27...Re2 28.axb5 axb5 29.Bxd5+
cxd5 30.Rd1 Rxb2 31.Rxd5 Rb3 32.f3 Rxc3 33.Rxb5 1/2 : 1/2 Radjabov,Teimour 2758 -
Ding,Liren 2811, Khanty-Mansiysk (m/1) 2019
White usually proceeds with 16.Bxd5 cxd5 17.Qxd5 Rad8 18.Qg2 and if Black does not intend
to complicate the play the equality should be reached after 18...Qxg2+ (also, it might be
intertesting to try 18...Qh5 Paravyan,David 2525 - Swiercz,Dariusz 2645, Moscow 2017 -
131/126) 19.Kxg2 Bxd3© and the bishop pair should guarantee enough compensation for the
pawn. Usually, a draw is reached in the opposite-coloured bishop endings after the exchange of
Black's dark-squared bishop for the knight.
16...Bxd3 17.Nd2 Qf5 18.Bd4 Rfd8 Ding used the same continuation on several occasions,
most recently against Karjakin only a month prior to the World Cup. He managed to draw that
game with no trouble.
Levon Aronian usually options for 18...Rae8 and manages to defend the position quite easily.
19.a4 h6 20.h4 Rac8
In a recent correspondence game White posed some problems after 20...Bf8 21.axb5 axb5
22.Rxa8 Rxa8 23.g4! Qxf3 24.Nxf3 f6 25.Re6 but, Black can still hold after 25...Kh7! 26.Nd2 (a
forced draw is reached after 26.Rxc6 Be4 27.Nd2 Ra1+ 28.Kh2 Rh1+ 29.Kg3 Rg1+ 30.Kh2

100
Rh1+=) 26...h5∞ Perry,Dan - Schakel,Corky, corr 2018

21.Qxf5N
Ding Liren played some notable games after 21.axb5 axb5 22.Bxd5 cxd5 23.Ra5 (23.Qxf5 Bxf5
24.Ra5 b4 25.Rxd5 Be6 26.Ra5 bxc3 27.Bxc3 Rb8© So,Wesley 2799 - Ding,Liren 2769, Berlin
(ct) 2018) 23...Qxf3 24.Nxf3 Re8 25.b4 f6 26.Ra6 Bf8 27.Ra7 Ra8= Karjakin,Sergey 2750 -
Ding, Liren 2805, Saint Louis 2019
21...Bxf5 22.Ne4 White did not exchange a-pawns trying to attack the a6-pawn soon 22...Bf8
On his part, Ding chooses a more quiet move.
After the game Radjabov remarked that Black could have reached the equality after 22...c5!
23.Nxd6 (23.Bxd5 cxd4 24.Bb7 Rb8 25.Bxa6 bxa4 26.Rxa4 dxc3 27.bxc3 Bf8©) 23...Rxd6
24.Be5 Rd7 25.axb5 axb5 26.c4 Nb4 27.cxb5 c4 28.Ba4 Nd3 29.Re3 Nxe5 30.Rxe5 g6=
23.Nc5 Nb4 24.Re5 g6

101
25.axb5!
It is necessary to capture on b5, as the following variation proves it: 25.Ne6 Bxe6 26.Rxe6 fxe6
27.Bxe6+ Kh7 28.Bxc8 Nc2! and White cannot play Rc1.
25...cxb5
25...axb5 26.Ra7ƒ
26.Ne6!
White does not gain much in case of 26.Nxa6 Nc6 27.Rxb5 Nxd4 28.cxd4 Rxd4 29.Rb7 Rd7©

26...Bxe6 27.Rxe6 fxe6 28.Bxe6+ Kh7 29.Bxc8 Rxc8

Obviously, White should have a slight edge in the opposite-coloured bishops ending, but still the
game is much closer to a draw 29...Nc2!? 30.Rc1 Nxd4 31.cxd4 a5 32.Rc7+ Bg7 33.Ba6 b4

102
34.b3 Rxd4 35.Bc4
30.cxb4 Rc4

At this point, White had more than an hour of advantage on the clock. Radjabov was well
prepared, but it seemed like Ding was caught by surprise in a way. Now, Radjabov thought for a
while and made the right decision 31.Bf6!
31.Be5 Bg7 32.Bxg7 (32.Bd6 Rc6=) 32...Kxg7 33.Rxa6 Rxb4 and if White decides to defend the
pawn, his rook will end up being passive for a long time 34.Ra2 Kf6=
31...Bg7 32.Be7 Rc6?!
Once again DIng postpones the concrete solution which would lead to a drawish conclusion:
32...Bxb2 33.Rxa6 Bc3 34.Rb6 Bxb4 35.Bf6 Kg8! 36.Rxb5 Bc5 37.Rb2 Kf7²
33.Ra2 Kg8
White retains some winning chances after 33...Bd4 34.b3 Rc3 35.Kg2 (35.Rxa6 Rxg3+)
35...Rxb3 36.Rxa6 Rb2 37.Kf3 Rxf2+ 38.Ke4± the active king may play a vital role in this
endgame, especially with the b-pawns still alive on the board.
34.Bc5 Kf7? Ding makes yet another inacurrate move. The black king stands better on g7, and
the game continuation proves it.
Instead, Black should have gone for the rook ending after 34...Bf8!

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35.Ra3 (or 35.Kg2 Kg7! Black must defend his pawns before the bishop swap (35...Bxc5
36.bxc5 Rxc5 37.Rxa6 Kg7 38.Rb6+-) 36.Ra1 Bxc5 37.Rc1 Kf6 38.Rxc5 Rd6 with a drawish
conclusion) 35...Bxc5 36.bxc5 Kf7 37.b4 Ke6 38.Rd3 a5 and Black should be very close to a
draw.
35.Kg2 Ke6
In view of the unprotected pawns on the 6th rank Black cannot force the following line: 35...Bf8
36.Kf3 Bxc5 37.bxc5 Rxc5 38.Rxa6 Rc2 39.h5! gxh5 40.Rxh6 Rc5 (40...Rxb2 41.Rxh5+-)
41.b4+-
36.b3 h5 37.Kf3 Kf5 38.Rd2! Be5
38...a5 39.Rd5+ Ke6 40.Rg5+-
39.Rd5

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39...Ke6?
¹39...Kf6 40.Ke4 Re6 41.Kd3 There is no concrete win after 41...Kf7 (41...Re8 42.f4 Bb2
43.Rd6+! (43.Bd4+ Bxd4 44.Kxd4 Re6 45.Kc5 Re3) 43...Kf5 (43...Re6? 44.Bd4+! Bxd4
45.Rxe6+ Kxe6 46.Kxd4+-) 44.Rxa6 Rg8 with at least some counter-play after Kg4) 42.f4 Bf6±
40.Ke4 Bf6 41.f4 Bc3 42.f5+ Kf7 43.Rd7+ Kg8
43...Ke8 44.Rh7 gxf5+ 45.Kxf5 Rf6+ 46.Kg5 Rf3 47.g4 hxg4 48.Re7+ Kd8 49.Kxg4+-
44.Bd6 gxf5+ 45.Kxf5 Bg7 46.Kg5 Obviously, Ding played way below his usual standard. He
made way too many small mistakes in a slightly inferior position thus allowing Radjabov to level
the score. 1-0
After the rapid portion of the match the score was still even, so the players resumed their battle in
blitz games.
In the diagrammed position a draw seemed very close. White had 10 seconds left on the clock,
while Black had only 6 (2 seconds increment per move). However, Ding lost his concentration
and that proved to be decisive...

Ding, Liren (2811) - Radjabov, Teimour (2758)

Khanty-Mansiysk (m/9-blitz), 2019

52.Kb5?? Being short on time, Ding did not see that his g-pawn is about to drop. The game is
therefore lost.
52.g4 h4 53.Kd6 g5 54.Bd7 Ng6 55.e4 Ne5 56.Bb5 Nf3 57.Ba4 - since the knight cannot
release the blockade over the e5 square in view of the dangerous e-pawn draw is inevitable -
57...Ne5=

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White had a much better way of taking the a-pawn: 52.Kb6 Nd5+ 53.Kxa5 Nc3 54.e3 Ne4
55.Kb4 Nxg3 and the white king is close enough, securing a draw - 56.Kc4=
52...Nf5 53.Kxa5 Nxg3 54.Bb5
White retains reasonable drawing chances after 54.e3!
54...g5 55.Kb4 Ke5 56.Kc3 Kf4

57.Kd2
57.Kd4!
57...Ne4+ 58.Ke1 Kg3-+ 59.Bd7 h4 60.e3 Nf2 61.Kf1 Nxh3 62.e4 Nf4 63.e5 h3 64.Bc6 h2
65.Bb7 g4 66.Bc6 Kh3 67.Bb7 g3 68.Bc8+ Kh4 69.Bb7 Kg5 70.Be4 Kg4 71.e6 Nxe6 72.Kg2
Nf4+ 73.Kh1 Nh3 74.Bf3+ Kf4 75.Kg2 Nf2 76.Kf1 Kxf3 0-1

106
Radjabov in encounter against Ding Liren, Khanty-Mansiysk (m/3) 2019; Photo from Official site

107
The Russian star Alexander Grischuk has beaten Jan-Krzysztof Duda in the final round to win
the Hamburg FIDE Grand Prix and (almost certainly) clinch a place in the 2020 Candidates
Tournament.
Actually, it was the young player from Poland who won the first game of the tie-break with the
white pieces, but the more experienced Grischuk managed to return into the match and win it!
Grischuk himself described the final showdown as "incredible" expressing the feelings in his
well know humorous fashion: "First, I want to thank Jan-Krzysztof for this incredible match. I
enjoyed every moment of each game all three days. All the games were very tense, and it was a
huge fight with no short draws or anything. I was getting a feeling that Jan plays a little bit like
an old computer, not exactly Stockfish, but like some Fritz without an opening database, without
an opening book, because every game – White/Black – he plays some "s..t" basically, but then
he's playing incredibly. I remember when I was young, the computers were not as strong, and
you could try to compete with them, but still, they were beating you. And I was getting the same
feeling today, but then twice I got just too much of an advantage to save even for Fritz or for
Jan."
For Grischuk the victory and the 10 Grand Prix points that came with it put him on the verge of
qualifying for the 2020 Candidates Tournament. He is not playing in the final Grand Prix in
Jerusalem from 11–23 December, but his 20 points mean he would have to be very unlucky not
to finish in the top two. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov are both playing
in Israel, and at this point it looks like one of them would have to settle for 3rd place in the
overall standings, thus missing the Candidates 2020.
Here we present some of the best games and most interesting moments of the Tournament with
instructive commentary by GM Ivan Ivanišević.

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 Hamburg FIDE Grand Prix 2019, playing venue; Photo by Valeria Gordienko

ROUND 1

In the 1st Round of the event we witnessed a really gruelling battle between the World Cup
winner and the best player of the Russian squad at the recent European Teams Championship.
Radjabov was obliged to win the last blitz game in order to reach the Armageddon conclusion,
but his focus went downhill deep into the ending. As a result, the young Russian advanced to the
2nd Round.

Dubov, Daniil (2676) - Radjabov, Teimour (2767)

Hamburg (m/8-blitz), 2019

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57...b3??
A rather easy win would ensue after: 57...e2 58.Kd2 b3 59.Bd4 Ne3 (or 59...Nb6-+) 60.Bc3 b2
61.Bxb2 Nc4+ 62.Ke1 Nxb2-+
Quite an unexpected present for Dubov, the one he warmly embraced! 58.Bxe3!
58.Bxe3 Nxe3 (58...b2 59.Kc2=) 59.Kc3=
1/2-1/2

ROUND 2

A semi-retired legend of the game, Veselin Topalov, caused a minor upset dispatching Hikaru
Nakamura in the first round. Playing against Vachier-Lagrave in the second round, Topalov went
for 1.d4 with the white pieces evading any sort of "Sicilian battle" with the Frenchman.

Topalov, Veselin (2736) - Vachier Lagrave, Maxime (2777)

Hamburg (m/1), 2019

110
Vachier-Lagrave managed to get the hold of the position move-by-move, obtaining very good
prospects. White is under serious pressure. 29.Bf3! On his part, Topalov does not want to
abandon the central pawn, and instead goes for the exchange sacrifice: 29...Bxe3 30.Bxe3 Rc8
31.Qd4 Qe5 32.Qa7© Be8 33.g3 Rc3?! Probably too ambitious. 34.Bd4?!
Here, Topalov misses the chance to mud the waters even further: 34.Bf4! Qf6 35.Qb8! forcing
Black to execute a whole series of difficult moves in order to secure a draw: 35...Rxf3 36.Qxe8+
Kg7 37.e5 Qf5 38.exd6 Qxd5 39.d7 Qd1+ 40.Kg2 Rxf4™ 41.gxf4 and the perpetual check
saves the day: 41...Qd5+ 42.Kg1 Qd1+ 43.Kh2 Qd2 44.Kg3 Qd3+ 45.f3 Qd1 46.Qe5+ Kg8=
(46...f6?? 47.Qe7+ Kh6 48.Kh4!+-)
34...Qg5 35.Be2 Qd2

36.Bf1?

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Topalov must have considered 36.Bxb5? but, Black is faster after 36...Qd1+ 37.Kh2 (37.Kg2
Qf3+ 38.Kg1 Rc1+ 39.Bf1 Qe2-+) 37...Rc1-+
The only way for White to continue fighting was by securing his king position in view of
dangerous mating threats: 36.Kh2!! Rxb3 (36...Qxe2?? 37.Qe7+-) 37.Bxb5! Ra3 38.Qb6 Ra8
39.Be3 Qd1 40.Bxe8 Rxe8 (40...Ra1?

since White is the one who mates by force: 41.Bxf7+! Kg7 (41...Kxf7 42.Qc7+ Ke8 43.Qc8+
Kf7 44.Qe6+ Kg7 45.Qe7+ Kg8 46.Qe8+ Kg7 47.Bh6+!! Kxh6 48.Qf8+ Kh5 49.g4+ Kg5
50.f4+ Kh4 51.Qh6#) 42.Bd4+ Kh6 43.Bxa1+-) 41.Qxd6© and Black must continue with
extreme caution in order to clinch a draw.
The rest of the game Vachier-Lagrave plays with great precision. 36...Rxb3-+ 37.Kg2
37.Bf6 Rf3-+
37...Ra3 38.Qb6 Ra6 39.Qxa6 Qxd4 40.Qc8 Qxe4+ 41.f3 Qe3 42.Bxb5 b3 43.Bxe8 Qe2+
44.Kg1 Qd1+ 0-1

SEMI-FINALS

In the first game of the semi-final encounter, Vachier-Lagrave did not feel like pressing with the
white pieces in the Ruy López, so an early draw was agreed after 27 moves.
In the second game, Grischuk made a great choice by opting for the same line Radjabov used to
beat Vachier-Lagrave at the World Cup. A really wise decision!

A34
Grischuk, Alexander (2764) - Vachier Lagrave, Maxime (2777)
Hamburg (m/2), 2019

112
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e3 e6
In the aforementioned World Cup game, Vachier lost after 5...Nxc3 6.dxc3 Qc7 7.e4 e6 8.Bd3
Be7 9.Qe2 Bd7 10.O-O O-O?! 11.e5! Bc6 12.Ng5→ Radjabov,Teimour 2758 - Vachier
Lagrave,Maxime 2774, Khanty-Mansiysk (m/2) 2019
6.Bc4 Be7
Also, there is curious possiblity of transposition into the IQP positions usually arising from the
Alapin Sicilian or the Caro-Kann Panov! 6...Nb6 7.Bb3 Be7 8.O-O O-O 9.d4 cxd4 10.exd4 Nc6
7.O-O O-O 8.Qe2
An interesting alternative is 8.Bxd5 exd5 9.d4
8...Nc6 9.Rd1 b6 10.d4 Nxc3 11.bxc3 Qc7 12.e4 Rd8 13.Be3 Na5 14.Bd3 Bb7

15.h4! Invading space on the kingside!

15...b5 With the idea of Nc4.
16.Bxb5
After playing 15.h4, it was reasonable to proceed with 16.e5!? Nc4 17.Ng5ƒ However, Grischuk
choose a risk-free, technical play.
16...Bxe4 17.dxc5 Bxf3?!
17...Bxc5 18.Bxc5 Bxf3 19.Qxf3 Qxc5 20.Rd7! Rf8 21.a4²;
17...Bd5!? 18.Rab1 Bxc5
18.Qxf3 Bxc5 19.Bf4!? For the time being, White does not intend to exchange the bishop,
hoping to use the pair of bishops to his advantage. Even though, he could have gained a slightly
better position after the exchange (the same as in the 17...Bg5 subvariation), thanks to his

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dominant (remaining) bishop for the knight and well positioned rook on the 7th rank.
Even more active is 19.Bg5!
19...Qb7 20.Qe2 Qe7 21.h5 Bd6 22.Bxd6 Rxd6 23.Rxd6 Qxd6 24.Rd1± White is in full control
over the d-file, has a much better bishop compared to the enemy knight. Quite a big advantage
with so few pieces left on the board.
24...Qc5 25.Rd7
25.h6!?
25...Qxc3

26.Qd1?
After 26.Qe4! Rf8 27.h6! g6 28.Bf1+- Black cannot save the a5N!
26...h6 27.g3² Even though Grischuk lost some of his advantage, he still has the initiative due to
a really poor placement of the black knight.
27...Rf8 28.Rxa7 Nc6 29.Rd7 Ne5 30.Rd8 Qc7
Black could have improved his piece coordination and secure the position of his king after:
30...Rxd8 31.Qxd8+ Kh7 32.Qd1 f5 33.Kg2 Qb4 34.a4 Qc3∞ both the queen and knight are
well placed, so White is not able to advance his a-pawn. In actual fact, Black is in position to
generate some counterplay on the kingside.
31.Rxf8+ Kxf8 32.a4 Ke7 33.Be2 Qc3 34.Qb1 Nc6 35.Qb7+ Kf6 36.Bf1
White could have achieved the advancement of his a-pawn in the following manner: 36.Bb5 Ne5
37.Kg2 g5 38.hxg6 fxg6 39.Qa8±
36...Na5 37.Qd7 Black's position is very hard to play from the practical standpoint. White

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combines attacks on the enemy king with a possible advance of his a-passer.
37...g5 38.hxg6 Kxg6 39.Kg2 Kg7 40.Bb5 Qe5 41.Qd3 Qc5 42.Qf3 Qd4 43.Be8! Qd5
44.Qxd5 exd5 45.Kf3

Now, with no queens on the board, Black's position seems hopeless. 45...Kf6 46.Kg4 Ke7
46...Ke6 47.Bb5! Ke5 48.Kh5 Nc4 49.Kxh6+-
47.Bb5 Kf6
47...Kd6 48.Kf5 Nc4 49.Bxc4 dxc4 with the most precise play Black may reach the queen
ending, but still without any realistic drawing chances. For example: 50.Ke4 Kc5 51.a5 Kb4
52.a6 c3 53.Kd3 Kb3 54.a7 c2 55.a8=Q c1=Q 56.Qb7+ Ka3 57.Qxf7+-
48.Kh5 Kg7 49.Bf1 Nb3 50.Bg2 d4 51.Bf1 Nd2 52.Bd3 Nb3 53.Bf1 Nd2 54.Bd3 Nb3
55.Bb5 f6
55...Kf8 56.Kxh6 Ke7 57.f4 Kd6 58.Kg7+-;
55...f5 56.Bc4 Na5 57.Bd3 f4 58.g4 f3 59.g5 hxg5 60.Kxg5 Nb3 61.Kf4 Kf6 62.Bc4 Na5
63.Bb5 Ke7 64.Ke5 Nb7 65.Kxd4+-
56.Bf1 Na5 57.Ba6 Nb3 58.Bb5 Na5 59.Kg4 Nb7 60.Kf4 Nc5
60...Nd6 61.Bc6 Nc4 62.Bd5 Nb6 63.Bb3 d3 64.a5 Nc8 65.Ke3 Kf8 66.Bd5+-
61.a5 d3 62.Ke3 d2 63.Be2 1-0
We can safely conclude that Grischuk has improved the technical aspect of his play quite
dramatically! He performed really well during the whole Grand Prix cycle.

115
 Alexander Grischuk vs Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Hamburg 2019; Photo by Valeria Gordienko

Now we shall examine the position reached in the 4th game of the semi-final duel. Dubov won
the previous game and was content with a draw in this game in order to advance to the final.

Dubov, Daniil (2676) - Duda, Jan Krzysztof (2748)

Hamburg (m/4-rapid), 2019

116
 Dubov vs Duda, Hamburg 2019; Photo by
Valeria Gordienko
The rook endgame seems to be roughly balanced, but
Duda went all in trying to prolong the match. He bravely
sacrificed the pawns hoping to benefit from the active
position of his king. In the process, Dubov lost his
temper and focus, thus allowing the black monarch to
reach the crucial b2 pawn.
68.Re5+?
Obviously, Dubov overlooked the important resource of
defending the 2nd rank via h2 square! 68.Rxh5! Ke3
(68...Kd3 69.Rh2) 69.Rh2 Rg8 70.d5 Rd8 71.g4 Kf4=
Black did gain activity, but that should be enough only
for a draw.
68...Kd3 69.d5 Kc2 70.Re2+ Kd1 71.Re5 Kc1 72.Re4
72.Re2 Rd8-+
72...Rd8-+ White is hopeless, and the rest is "the matter of technique". 73.Rxc4 Rxd5 74.Rd4
Rc5 75.c4 Kxb2 76.Rd5 Rxc4 77.Rxh5 Kc3 78.Rh1 b2 79.Kh3 Kb3 80.Rb1 Rc1 81.Rxb2+
Kxb2 82.Kg4 Kc3 83.Kf5 Rf1+ 84.Ke5 Rg1 85.Kf4 Kd4 0-1
Unfortunately, Dubov could not recover after this painful loss, so Duda managed to win the 10
minutes game next, and advance to the final duel!

FINAL

The final duel was a really hard-fought chess struggle! After two draws in the classical portion,
the players went on to the rapid (25 minutes) games.
In his "white" game, Duda demonstrated a really great treatment of the English opening, which
allowed him to come very close to the title!

A29
Duda, Jan Krzysztof (2748) - Grischuk, Alexander (2764)
Hamburg (m/3-rapid), 2019

1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.g3 Bb4 4.Bg2 O-O 5.Nf3 Re8 6.O-O e4 7.Nd4 Nc6 8.Nc2 Bxc3 9.bxc3
d5 10.cxd5 Qxd5 11.Ne3 Qh5 12.f3 Ne5!? Grischuk continues in a highly aggressive manner.
However, Duda is up to the challenge!
12...exf3 13.exf3 Ne7

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13.fxe4 Neg4 14.Nxg4 Bxg4 White gives back the pawn, but obtains the initiative in return.
15.Qc2! Bxe2 16.Rf5 Bd1
Black would be under severe pressure after 16...Qg6 17.d4 Nd7 (17...Ba6 18.Rg5 Qh6 19.e5
Nd7 20.Bd5+-) 18.e5 Bc4 19.Be4±
17.Qb1 Qe2 18.Rf2! Qh5
White would successfully consolidate his position in case of the black queen sacrifice: 18...Qe1+
19.Rf1 Qe2 20.Bf3 Qxf3 21.Rxf3 Bxf3 22.d3+-
19.Rf5 Qe2 20.Rf2 Qh5 21.h3 Rad8 22.d4

White managed to release the pressure. Now, he is in possession of the bishop pair and full
centre which should be enough for a win.
22...Ba4 23.Qxb7
It was even stronger to interpose 23.e5 Nd5 (23...Nd7 24.Qxb7+-) 24.g4 Qg6 25.Be4+-
23...Qa5
A bit more dynamics would derive from 23...Qd1+ 24.Rf1 Qc2±
24.e5 Nd5 25.Bd2+-
When it comes to handling difficult, sharp positions with only seconds left on the clock there is
no stronger player than Alexander Grischuk. No matter how alarming the time scramble might
be, he plays with great composure and self esteem.
He was obliged to with this game in order to force additional two games. The position got pretty
tough, but Grischuk handled it well, using a great trump card in the make-or-break situation! In
the deeply explored Queen’s Indian variation, he managed to launch a fresh idea. (Even though,

118
he might have consulted some important correspondence games while preparing.)

E15
Grischuk, Alexander (2764) - Duda, Jan Krzysztof (2748)
Hamburg (m/4-rapid), 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Ba6 5.b3 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 Be7 7.Bg2 d5 8.O-O O-O 9.Ne5 c6
10.Bc3 Nfd7

11.Nd3!? This move was seen only once before in tournament practice.
11...dxc4 12.Nb4 cxb3? This is a bit strange reaction. Now, White is able to reach a risk-free
position being a pawn up!
In the great majority of correspondence games that reached the same position, Black optioned for
the passive defence: 12...Qc8 13.Nxa6 Qxa6 14.Nd2 cxb3 15.axb3 Qb7 16.b4 b5 17.Nb3ƒ I am
sure that Grischuk had in mind this exact position which yields him a stable initiative. White did
sacrifice a pawn, but has quite a decent compensation for it.
13.Nxa6 Nxa6 14.Bxc6 Rb8
I believe that the following continuation suits Duda's style even better: 14...Rc8 15.Bb7 Rxc3
16.Nxc3 b2 17.Rb1 Qc7 18.Bxa6 Qxc3 19.Qb3 Qxb3 20.axb3 Nb8 21.Bb7! Ba3 22.b4!± and
the black bishop will lose the a3 stronghold after the rook manoeuvre from f1 to d3.
15.axb3 Nb4 16.Bxb4 Bxb4 17.Rxa7 Nf6 18.e3± The players reached the position which has
predominant technical aspects. Black has no active counterplay for the pawn deficit. On his part,
Grischuk demonstrates outstanding technique in conversion.
18...Rc8 19.Bg2 Re8 20.Nd2 Re7 21.Rxe7 Bxe7 22.Nc4 Bf8 23.Qa1 b5 24.Ne5 Qb6 25.Rc1
Rxc1+ 26.Qxc1 Qa7 27.Qc8 b4 28.Bb7! Cutting off the black queen from the kingside, making
it impossible for Duda to defend!

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28...Qa1+ 29.Kg2 Qa5 30.Bc6 Qa7

Once again, Grischuk keeps his composure on the highest level, solving the tactical aspect of the
conversion in time scramble: 31.Be8! Nxe8 32.Nd7!! Duda resigned facing the loss of both his
pieces. 1-0

Grischuk vs Duda, Hamburg 2019; Photo by Valeria Gordienko

120
After the previous game, Grischuk must have felt enormous relief, being able to stay in the
match. He continued in style and won the following encounter as well (10 minutes).

D30
Grischuk, Alexander (2764) - Duda, Jan Krzysztof (2748)
Hamburg (m/5-rapid), 2019

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bd3 Nbd7 6.b3 b6 7.O-O Bb7 8.Bb2

8...dxc4?! Obviously, Duda wants to avoid well explored paths, so he prematurely begins with
play in the centre neglecting development.
It is very instrucitve to recall two excellent wins by Kramnik against Van Wely: 8...Be7
Kramnik,Vladimir 2766 - Van Wely,Loek 2683, Wijk aan Zee 2007 - 99/301;
8...Bd6 Kramnik,Vladimir 2788 - Van Wely,Loek 2676, Dortmund 2008 - 103/282
9.bxc4 c5?

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10.d5! Precise and principled! The similar motifs are very common in the Queen's Indian lines
with the bishop on g2. However, in this situation Black is having hard time since he has not
castled yet.
10...exd5 11.cxd5 Bxd5 12.e4 Bc6

13.Re1! Grischuk demonstrates impeccable feel for this position, anticipating the events to
come!
13...Qe7
Black is not in time to complete his development and castle short after: 13...Be7 14.e5 Nd5
15.e6! fxe6 16.Bxg7 Rg8 17.Nd4! Rxg7 (17...cxd4?? 18.Qh5#) 18.Qh5+ Rf7 19.Nxc6 Nf4
20.Nxd8 Nxh5 21.Nxf7 Kxf7 (21...Bf6 22.Nd2 Bxa1 23.Ng5! Bc3 24.Rxe6+ Kd8 25.Nde4+-)
22.Nd2+-

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14.Nc3 O-O-O Duda was forced to castle on the queenside. Now, his king will be a target of the
attack conducted by Grischuk in great style.
15.Nd5! Qe8 16.a4 Bd6 17.Ba6+ Kb8 18.Qb3
Black's position would very quickly collapse in case of: 18.Bb5! Ne5 (18...Bb7 19.Nxf6+-)
19.Bxe5 Bxe5 20.Nxe5 Bxb5 21.axb5 Qxe5 22.Qa4+-
18...Nxe4 19.a5 Bc7 20.axb6 axb6 21.Bb5 Bb7 22.Qa4 Qe6

23.Bc6!! Astonishing technical decision!

23...Bxh2+
23...Qxc6? 24.Qa7+ Kc8 25.Ne7#; 23...Bxc6? 24.Qa7+ Kc8 25.Qxc7#
24.Nxh2 Qxc6 25.Qa7+ Kc8 26.Ne7+ Kc7 27.Nxc6 Ra8 28.Rxe4 Rxa7 29.Rxa7 Kxc6
30.Re7+- and after a few moves of prolonged suffering Duda resigned.
In this final game of the match Duda did not have enough energy for a bit stronger resistance.
Grischuk won the final encounter with 3½ : 2½ and the Hamburg Grand Prix 2019!

123
The fourth seeds "Obiettivo Risarcimento" Padova won
the prestigious title after seven rounds of gruelling duels
in Ulcinj (Montenegro). The members of the Italian
squad were: Richárd Rapport, Michael Adams, Péter
Lékó, Francisco Vallejo Pons, Gawain Jones, Ivan Šarić,
Daniele Vocaturo and Sabino Brunello – a great mixture
of experience and creativity! However, the most
important feature was the consistent performance by all
the team members which allowed them to win the title.
The match against the top seeds "Alkaloid" Skopje proved to be the crucial one, with only one
decisive game (Kovalev – Vocaturo, which will be discussed in great detail in this article), when
the "home player" in the Italian Club managed to outwit his rival. In the final standings, the
Champions were the only team with all seven match wins, so there can be no dispute whether the
title came into right hands. Congratulations!
By the way, "Alkaloid" missed on the title for the second time in a row, even though they were
the top rated team on both occasions. This year they had a formidable squad once again
(Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Dmitry Andreikin, Sam Shankland, Ernesto Inarkiev, Yuriy
Kryvoruchko, Vladislav Kovalev), but the aforementioned duel against Padova turned into a very
painful loss. They finished 4th in the final standings which is surely a very disappointing result.
But, "Alkaloid" will surely return with vengeance.
The silver medal was won by "Ave Nový Bor". The Czech team is having almost the same roster
for years now (Pentala Harikrishna, David Navara, Santosh Gujrathi Vidit, Markus Ragger,
Mateusz Bartel, Krishnan Sasikiran, Vlastimil Babula), and that proves to be a very good
practical decision by the team leadership.
The bronze was won by the team of "Bronze Horseman" (how adequate!) who were the
defending champions. However, the strong team from Saint Petersburg was missing Peter
Svidler so that might have proved to be crucial. Nevertheless they had a really strong line-up in
Ulcinj as well (Leinier Domínguez Pérez, Maxim Matlakov, Kirill Alekseenko, Vladimir
Fedoseev, Maxim Rodshtein, Pavel Ponkratov, Aleksey Goganov).
We bring you a selection of games from the 2019 European Club Cup with instructive analysis
by Grandmaster Dragoljub Jaćimović who was the Team Captain of the Alkaloid. We hope that
both the annotations and lucid remarks by players themselves will be to your linking.
We expected something special before the following game, but we were not sure what that might

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be!

E20
Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2772) - Ponomariov, Ruslan (2648)
Ulcinj, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 c5 5.g3

This variation is quite often seen both in Mamedyarov's games and tournament practice in
general.
5...cxd4 6.Nxd4 O-O 7.Bg2 d5 8.Nc2 Shakhriyar chose a rare move.
Usually White captures on d5: 8.cxd5 Nxd5 9.Qb3 Nc6 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.O-O Qa5 (In this
position I prefer 11...Rb8! Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime 2789 - Aronian,Levon 2764, Stavanger
2018 - 137/176) 12.Ne4 Ba6 13.Qc2= Carlsen,Magnus 2877 - Naiditsch,Arkadij 2709,
Deutschland 2014 - 121/ 180
8...Bxc3+ 9.bxc3 Qc7
9...dxc4?! 10.Ba3 Re8 11.Qxd8 Rxd8 12.Ne3±
10.cxd5 Nxd5 11.Nb4 Curiously, there are only two previous games that reached the same
postion, but Ponomariov chose a different approach compared to both of them.
11...Qxc3+
11...Nxb4 12.cxb4 Rd8 13.Qb3 Nc6 14.O-O Nd4 15.Qb2 e5² Yu,Yangyi 2736 - So,Wesley
2775, Doha 2015
12.Bd2 Qc5N
A novelty in comparison to the previously played correspondence game where Black proceeded
with: 12...Qa3
13.Rc1

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13...Qb5
Mamedyarov: "This move came as a surprise. I thought that Black was obliged to go 13...Qd6
allowing me to return the pawn with 14.Nxd5 exd5 15.Qb3 The position is around equal, but I
fancy playing with the bishop pair."
14.a4 Qd7 15.O-O
Mamedyarov: "The queen is a bit awkwardly placed on d7, so there is no rush to force the
events". 15.Nxd5 exd5 16.Be3 Nc6 17.Qxd5 Qxd5 18.Bxd5 Bg4 19.f3 Be6 20.Bxe6 fxe6
21.Kf2²
15...Re8 16.Qb3
16.Nxd5 exd5 17.Be3 Nc6 18.Bxd5 h6 19.Bf3 Qxd1 20.Rfxd1 Bf5 21.a5²
16...Nb6 17.Rfd1
17.Rc2 Qxa4 18.Qxa4 Nxa4 19.Rfc1 Nd7 20.Na6 Rd8 21.Ba5 Ndb6 22.Ra2 Rd7 23.Nc7 Rb8
24.Nb5 Re7 25.Bb4 Rd7 26.Bd6 Ra8 27.Rac2±
17...Qxa4 18.Qb1 N8d7
18...Qb5! 19.Qa1 Qxe2 20.Bc3©
19.Bc3 a5 Quite an optimistic move. Ponomariov was already short on time and it was very hard
to choose the right continuation because the position is rather rich.
20.Na2 Nd5 21.Bb2
21.Bd4 e5 22.Ba1 N5f6∞
21...Qg4
21...Qb3 22.Qa1;

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21...Ra6 22.Bxd5 exd5 23.Nc3 Qb3 24.Nxd5 Rc6 25.Rd3 Qa4 (25...Qb5 26.Nc7) 26.Ra3 Rxc1+
27.Qxc1 Qc6 28.Rxa5 (28.Rc3)
22.Rd4 Qg6 23.e4

Mamedyarov: "I was very pleased at this point. The black queen is not a problem any more,
while all of my pieces are full of energy... the position is ripe for precise calculation and decisive
action".
23...Nb4?!
23...N5f6 24.Nc3 Nc5 25.Ba3 e5 26.Rd2 Ne6 27.Nb5 Bd7 28.Nd6 Bc6© (28...Reb8 29.Nf5)
24.Nxb4 axb4 25.Rxc8
25.Qd3 Qf6 (25...Ne5 26.Rd8) 26.Rc7±
25...Raxc8 26.Rxd7 Red8

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27.Qd1! Qg5 28.h4 Rxd7
28...Qe7 29.Qg4 f5 (29...Qf8 30.Rxb7±) 30.Rxd8+ Rxd8 31.exf5+-
29.Qxd7 Rd8 30.Qc7 Qd2
30...Rd1+ 31.Kh2 Qd8 32.Qe5 f6 (32...Qf6 33.Qc5 Qd8 34.Qxb4±) 33.Qxe6++-
31.Bf3 Kh8†
31...Qd6! 32.Qxb7 (32.Qa5 h6 33.Kg2 Rc8 34.Qa1 White is significantly better, but it should
take him a while to convert.) 32...Qc5
32.Kg2 Rg8 33.Ba1 b3 34.Qxb7 Qa5 35.Bb2 Qa2 36.Bd4
Mamedyarov: "It is important to create weaknesses around Black's king". Shakhriyar is making
all the correct technical moves and targets both the b3 pawn and the black monarch.
36...f6 37.e5 f5 38.Qb6 Qd2 39.Bc6 f4 40.g4 Qd1 41.Bf3 Qd3 42.h5 h6 43.Bb2 Qc4 44.Ba3
Black executed all the moves he could staying put, but now after the time control it became
evident that he did not have any good moves.
44...Rc8
44...Re8 45.Qb7 (45.Qd6) 45...Qc2 46.g5 hxg5 47.h6 Qh7 (47...Qg6 48.Bh5) 48.Qd7 Qg6
49.hxg7+ Kh7 50.Be2+-
45.Qd6 Kg8 46.Bb7 Re8 47.Bc6 Rc8 48.Bd7 Qe4+ 49.Kh2 Qe2 50.Bc5 1-0
The power of the bishop pair! Mamedyarov created a really nice technical game against the
former FIDE World Champion.

128
 Shakhriyar Mamedyarov vs Ruslan Ponomariov, Ulcinj 2019; Photo from Official site

Now we shall analyse a game played in the penultimate round of the Championship. This very
game signaled that the Obiettivo Padova team became a favourite for the title.
D86
Rodshtein, Maxim (2653) - Jones, Gawain (2663)
Ulcinj, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Bc4 c5 8.Ne2 O-O 9.O-O
Nc6 10.Be3 b6

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Jones opts for the continuation which has a very good reputation and is often played in the elite
events.
11.Rc1
The alternatives are: 11.dxc5; 11.Qd2; 11.Rb1
11...Bb7 12.Qd2
Black has a great activity after 12.d5 Ne5 13.Bb3 Ba6 (13...c4)
12...Qd7 13.Bb5 There are very few games that reached this position, at least in the database.
13.Rfd1
13...Rad8 14.d5 Qc7N
14...Qc8
15.Bxc6 Bxc6 16.Bh6 White playes too straightforward trying to exchange the bishops even
though the g7B is still not that powerful. Instead, he should have reinforced his position in the
centre.
16.c4 e6 17.Bf4!? (17.Rfe1 exd5 18.exd5 (18.cxd5 Bb5 19.Nc3 Bc4 20.Bf4 Qd7 21.Bh6 Bxh6
22.Qxh6 f6 23.f3±) 18...Rfe8 19.Bf4 Qc8 20.Nc3 Bd7 (20...Rxe1+ 21.Rxe1 Bd7 22.Ne4±))
16...e6 17.Bxg7 Kxg7 18.c4 exd5 19.cxd5
It was also possible to go for 19.exd5, though the game continuation seems principled and retains
the edge.
19...Bb7 20.Rfd1

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Now both players started thinking fresh. All the previous moves were quite natural. A very
significant distinction of the most prominent players is their capability to position the major
pieces with great accuracy. Also, it was possible to go for Rcd1, or Rfe1. The game plan should
be decisive factor.
20.Rfe1 Qe7 21.Nf4 Qe5 22.h4
20...Qe7 21.f3 Kg8 22.Nf4 Qe5 23.a4 Rd6 24.Nd3
24.h4 Ba6 25.Re1
24...Qd4+ 25.Kh1 f5

26.Qa2! Qg7
26...Qe3 27.Nb2 … Nc4

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27.a5 g5 28.a6
28.Qc4 It is the matter of taste whether to maintain the tension on the queenside too, or to release
it and stop worrying about that side of the board.
28...Ba8 29.Nb2?! White is a bit anxious trying to advance his central pawns. Instead, he should
have played a few sophisticated preparatory moves.
29.Qe2 Re8 30.Nf2 Kh8 31.Qb5 Red8 32.exf5 Bxd5 33.Ne4 Bc6 34.Rxd6 Rxd6 35.Qb3∞;
29.Qc4 Qh6 30.Rf1 g4 31.Rce1²
29...fxe4 30.Nc4 Rdf6
30...Rxd5? 31.Ne3+-
It is also possible to go 30...Rh6 31.fxe4 Rh4„
31.fxe4 Rf2
31...Rf4 32.Qb1 Qh6 33.Kg1 Rh4 34.h3 g4 35.Rc3 Qf4 36.Qc1±
32.Qa1 Qg6?
32...Qxa1 33.Rxa1 b5 34.Nd6 b4 35.Rac1 (35.Kg1 b3 36.Rab1 b2 37.Nc4 Rc2 38.Ne3 Re2
39.Re1 Rd2=) 35...b3 36.Rb1 b2
33.Re1 Qh5 34.Ne5
34.Ne3 g4 35.Nf1±
34...R8f4
34...Qh4 35.Nd3 Rxg2 36.Kxg2 Qg4+ 37.Kh1 Qf3+ 38.Kg1 Qg4+
35.Qc3
35.Nd3?? Rxg2! 36.Kxg2 Qf3+ 37.Kg1 Rg4#;
35.Rc3! Re2 36.Rf3±
35...g4 36.Kg1
36.Nd3 g3 37.h3 R4f3 38.Qc4 Kg7 39.Rcd1 Re3 40.Qc1 Rxe1+ 41.Rxe1 Rf6 42.Qc3+-
36...Ra2 37.Ra1 Raf2 38.Rac1 Ra2 39.Ra1
39.Nd3 Rf8 40.Rf1 Rxg2+ (40...Rf3 41.Rxf3 gxf3 42.Nf4 f2+ 43.Kh1 Qf7 44.Qf3 b5 45.Rf1 b4
46.Qg4+ Qg7 47.Qc8+ Qf8 48.Qc7 b3 (48...h6 49.Ne6 Qf6 50.Qb8+ Kh7 51.Qxa7+ Kg8
52.Qxa8++-) 49.Ne6+-) 41.Kxg2 Qh3+ 42.Kg1 Qe3+ 43.Nf2+-
39...Raf2 40.Rad1 Ra2 41.Rf1 Rxe4 42.Nd7

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After a series of semi-accurate moves White still has a bit better position. However, the play is
extremely sharp. Obviously, that played into Jones' hands since he is a very skilful tactician.
42...Rxg2+ The only practical chance.
43.Kxg2 Re2+ 44.Rf2 Bxd5+ 45.Kg1 Rxf2 46.Kxf2 Qxh2+

47.Ke1?? The time scramble is long gone, so only a series of precise moves is needed and the
Russian team would be quite close to the trophy, however...
47.Ke3 Qg3+ (47...Qh6+ 48.Kd3 Bf3 49.Qc4+ Kh8 50.Rd2+-) 48.Kd2 Qxc3+ 49.Kxc3 Bf3
50.Re1 Bc6 (50...h5 51.Nf6++-; 50...Kf7 51.Ne5++-) 51.Nf6++-
47...Bf3 48.Qc4+ Kg7 49.Qc3+ Kg8 50.Nf6+ Kf7 51.Rd7+ Kg6 52.Rg7+ Kf5 53.Qd3+ Kxf6

133
54.Rxh7?? White was obliged to force a draw now, but instead he managed to lose the game.
A draw by force ensues after: 54.Qc3+ Ke6 55.Qe3+ Kd6 56.Qe7+ (56.Qd3+ Bd5 57.Qe3)
56...Kd5 57.Qf7+ Kd4 - not so easy to spot - 58.Rxg4+ Bxg4 59.Qf4+! Qxf4 stalemate!
54...Qg1+ 55.Kd2 Qd1+ 56.Kc3 Qc1+ 57.Kb3
57.Qc2 Qxc2+ 58.Kxc2 Be4+-+
0-1
The following game features two players who were inspired to battle it out and secure important
victory for their teams.

C28
Nabaty, Tamir (2639) - Inarkiev, Ernesto (2665)
Ulcinj, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nc6 3.d3 Nf6 4.a3 This move may be suspicious, but it is too early to critisise.
4...Bc5 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3

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Chess would be a very simple game if we could neglect some of the general principles such as:
centre, development...
6.Nf3; 6.Be3 d6 7.Nge2
6...d6 7.Nge2 b5N
7...Be6 8.Ng3 h6 9.O-O Qd7∞ Markovic,Miroslav 2448 - Lajthajm,Borko 2407, Srbija 2018;
Also, possible is 7...O-O
8.Ba2 Be6

Inarkiev: "This is the proper moment for such move. Obviously, White does not want to spare
another move for the bishop and allow Black to open the f-file for strong action".
8...O-O 9.O-O Rb8

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9.O-O O-O 10.Kh1 White wishes to get some sort of activity, e.g. f4 pawn push. However, the
rook which will end up being on a2 will remain a spectator thus allowing Black to gain the
initiative.
10.Bxe6 fxe6 11.b4 Bb6 12.Be3 d5 13.Bxb6 cxb6 14.Ng3∞
10...Bxa2 11.Rxa2 d5 12.f4 exf4

13.e5
Inarkiev: "The position after 13.d4 f3 (13...Bb6 14.e5 Ne4³) 14.gxf3 Ba7∞ would offer a very
rich play to Black, since the white king is exposed. After Nh5 and f6 that would become even
more obvious. For example: 15.e5 Nh5 16.f4 Qh4 17.Kh2 Nxd4!µ
13...Nh5 14.d4 Bb6 15.Bxf4 f6³ 16.Bh2 fxe5 17.Rxf8+ Qxf8 18.dxe5
Black has a more pleasant game after 18.Nxd5 Rd8 (Or 18...Nf6 19.Nxb6 Ne4 20.Bg1 Rd8!?
21.Qe1 cxb6 22.Ra1 exd4) 19.Nxb6 cxb6
18...Rd8 19.Nxd5?
19.Ra1 d4 20.Na2 (20.Ne4 Nxe5 21.Bxe5 Qf5 22.N2g3 Nxg3+ 23.Bxg3 Qxe4µ)
19...Qf7µ

136
The white queen and poor a2R are both under direct attack.
20.c4
20.Nec3 b4 21.axb4 Nxb4µ
20...bxc4 21.Nec3 Bd4 22.Qe2
22.e6 Qxe6 23.Nxc7 Qe7 24.Qf1 Ne5 25.N7d5 Qh4
22...Nxe5 23.Bxe5
White is forced to pay the price for his bad a2R after: 23.Ne7+ Qxe7 24.Qxh5 Nd3 25.Bg3 Qe3
26.Ne2 Bxb2-+
23...Re8 24.Qxc4 Bxe5 25.Ra1 Way too late! 25...Kh8 26.Kg1 c6 27.Qxc6
27.Nb6 Qf6 28.Ne2 Bd6 29.Nd7 Qe7-+
27...Qa7+ 28.Nb6 Bd4+ 29.Kh1 Ng3+ 30.Kh2

137
30...Qb8! 0-1
The checkmate cannot be prevented. A very beautiful game by Inarkiev who played according to
general principles of the game. The initiative proved to be decisive factor!

Finally, we shall see the last round game which decided the title of the European Club
Champion.

C07
Kovalev, Vladislav (2674) - Vocaturo, Daniele (2615)
Ulcinj, 2019

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.Ngf3 cxd4 5.exd5 Qxd5 6.Bc4 Qd7 For the second time during this
event Kovalev faces the same variation. Apparently, this setup becomes very popular for Black.
7.O-O Nc6 8.Nb3 Nf6
8...a6 9.Nbxd4 Nxd4 10.Nxd4 Qc7 11.Qe2 Bd6 12.Re1 Ne7 13.Nf3 O-O 14.Bd3 Ng6 15.g3 b5
(Black can proceed with 15...Bd7; or 15...Re8) 16.Ng5 h6 17.Bxg6 fxg6 18.Nxe6 Bxe6
19.Qxe6+ Kh7 20.Be3 Rae8 White would retain the some advantage after 21.Qd5 (21.Qb3?!
Bc5! 22.Qc3 Bxe3! 23.Rxe3 (23.Qxc7 Bxf2+ 24.Kg2 Bxe1µ) 23...Qxc3 24.Rxc3 Re2 25.Rf1
Rd8 26.a4 Rdd2= Kovalev,Vladislav 2674 - Goganov,Aleksey 2565, Ulcinj 2019) 21...Re5
22.Qd2²
9.Nbxd4 Nxd4 10.Nxd4 a6 11.Re1 b5 12.Bb3 Bb7 13.Bg5 Ne4 14.Bh4??
14.Bf4 Bc5 15.c3 O-O 16.Bc2 Nf6=

138
This bishop retreat leads to defeat. From this point on everything is more or less forces.
Curiously, Kovalev played in the same manner back in against Illya Nyzhnyk and won the game.
Unfortunately, he did not recall that, or did not explore the line any deeper since then. However,
someone else did!
14...g5 15.Bg3 Nxg3
15...Bg7 Kovalev,Vladislav 2523 - Nyzhnyk,Illya 2635, Legnica 2013
16.hxg3 O-O-O 17.c3 h5→ Even optically Black's attack looks rather dangerous. All the black
pieces will be soon attacking the enemy king.
18.Re3?N A new move in already desperate situation.
18.a4 h4 19.axb5 axb5 20.Bc2 (20.Qg4 Mista, Aleksander 2578 - Edouard,Romain 2620, Le
Lamentin 2016 - 128/91) 20...hxg3 21.fxg3 Bc5µ
18...h4 19.Qg4
19.gxh4 gxh4 20.Qg4 Bd6 21.Qh3 Rdg8 22.Nf3 Bc5 23.Rd1 Qc7 24.Red3 Qg3
19...hxg3 20.fxg3 Bc5 21.Rf1 Qc6 22.Re2

139
22...f5! 23.Qf3 Qb6-+ White could have already resigned here.
24.Bxe6+ Kb8 25.Qxf5 Rxd4 26.cxd4 Bxd4+ 27.Rff2 Qc6 0-1
A very swift and beatiful win by the Italian grandmaster which ruined all the hopes for the
Tournament favourites "Alkaloid" to win the prestigious title!

140
THE LAST MAN STANDING ON THE ISLE OF MAN
Rejuvenated Wang Hao wins the FIDE Grand Swiss
Winner Wang Hao with Isle of Man chief
minister Howard Quayle MHK; Photo by
John Saunders
The Chinese Grandmaster Wang Hao is the shock
winner of the 2019 FIDE chess.com Grand Swiss. His
triumph might be surprising, but is a richly deserved
one. In the final round he beat David Howell to take the
trophy on tiebreaks ahead of Fabiano Caruana.
However, the bigger prize was a place in the 2020
Candidates Tournament, which in the end he would have
claimed even with a draw. Wang Hao was not among
the Pre-Tournament favorites, but he managed to
outclass a really strong competition and clinch the
trophy! As a matter of fact he did not have high hopes
being exhausted after the World Cup: "Before this
tournament I was even thinking to withdraw because I was really tired from the World Cup."
Luckily, he did not withdraw! His rivals, round-by-round were: 1. Esipenko, 2. Mamedov, 3. Bu
Xiangzhi, 4. Caruana, 5. Maghsoodloo, 6. McShane, 7. Aronian, 8. Carlsen, 9. Vitiugov, 10.
Anand and 11. Howell. It could not have been any tougher!
Even though he lost the 7th round game against Aronian he kept on fighting till the very end with
enormous energy and perseverance.
Magnus Carlsen had to settle for joint 3rd after an exciting draw with Levon Aronian, surpassing
Ding Liren's 100-game unbeaten streak in the process. A few young and upcoming stars played
exceptionally well, most notably Alekseenko and Antón Guijarro, while Harika Dronavalli took
the trophy for the best female player.
Overall, the event was a hard fought one and highly unpredictable. We can assume that the
Opens of this quality will become even more popular since the excitement level is much higher
than in the closed elite tournaments.
Here we present some of the best games and most interesting moments of the Grand Swiss

141
Tournament with lucid commentary by GM Ivan Ivanišević.
The last round game which proved to be decisive in the final standings.

The moment David Howell resigned, giving Wang Hao first place in the Douglas 2019; Photo by John Saunders

Wang, Hao (2726) - Howell, David (2694)

Douglas, 2019

18...Bd5? Howell himself admitted after the game that he could not cope with the pressure of the

142
last round game. In a roughly equal position he sacrificed the queen for the rook and piece, thus
allowing the Chinese star to win the Tournament and qualify for the 2020 Candidates!
Black should be able to keep the balance in several ways. For example: 18...Be6 19.Qb5 (19.Bg2
Bxb2=) 19...Bh3 20.Re1 (20.Bg2 Bxg2 21.Kxg2 Bd4 22.Bh6 (22.Rd1?! Qa8+ 23.Kg1 Bxe3
24.fxe3 Qf3³) 22...Bg7=) 20...Bd4= 21.Rd1 (21.Bh6 Bg7) 21...Qc7=
19.Rd1 Bxb7 20.Rxd8 Rxd8 21.f4!+- I believe that we can safely conclude that only White can
play for the full point from this moment on...
21...Bxb2 22.Qa7 Rd7 23.Qxb6 Ba1 24.Qb5 Rd1+ 25.Kf2 Bh1 26.Qe8+ Kg7 27.Bc5 h5
28.Bf8+ Kf6 29.Qe7+ Kf5 30.Qxf7+ Bf6 31.Be7 Rd2+ 32.Ke3 Rxh2 33.Qxf6+ Kg4 34.Qxg6+
Kh3 35.f5 Bd5 36.f6 Kg2 37.Qc2+ 1-0

B51
Mamedov, Rauf (2645) - Wang, Hao (2726)
Douglas, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 4.c3 Nf6 5.Qe2 a6

6.Ba4 b5 7.Bc2 e5 8.O-O Be7 9.d4 O-O 10.Rd1 Qc7
Pawn structure wise the position assumed the shape of
the Spanish.
11.d5 c4 12.Nbd2 Nc5 13.b3
If 13.b4 Black can option for a highly interesting pawn
sacrifice 13...Nd3!? 14.Bxd3 cxd3 15.Qxd3 Nh5© with
f5 pawn push to follow.

13...a5! Wang does not want to release the tension with cb3. Instead, he invades space on the
queenside, securing the c5 outpost for his knight, indirectly protecting the c4 pawn.

143
14.bxc4 bxc4 15.Nf1
15.Nxc4?! Ba6 16.Nfd2 Ncxe4! Giving back the pawn, saddling White with the weak pawn
structure. 17.Bxe4 Nxe4 18.Qxe4 f5 19.Qe2 Rac8µ
15...Ba6 16.Ng3
16.N3d2 Nfd7 17.Ne3 g6 18.Ba3∞ with a highly unclear position.
16...Rfb8 17.Ba3 g6 18.Qe3

18...Nd3 A slight inaccuracy which allowed White to gain some counter chances.
18...Nfd7
19.h3
However, White misses the opportunity to obtain counter-play: 19.Bxd3! cxd3 20.c4! Qxc4
21.Nxe5 dxe5 22.Bxe7 Nd7 23.h4„
19...Nd7³ 20.Rab1 Rxb1 21.Rxb1 Rb8 22.Nd2 Rxb1+ 23.Bxb1 N7c5 24.Bc2 Bb5 25.Ngf1
Na4 26.Nb1 Kg7 27.Nfd2 h6 28.Nf3 Bd8 29.h4 h5 30.Bxd3?!
Instead, White should have captured the other knight 30.Bxa4 Bxa4 31.Nbd2³
30...cxd3µ 31.Bc1 Kg8 32.Qh6 Nc5 33.Nbd2 Nd7 The knight will jump to f6 defending the
king. The strong d3 pawn and White's crippled queenside should decide the matters.
34.Ba3 Nf6 35.Nxe5 dxe5 36.Qf8+ Kh7 37.c4 Ba4 38.Bd6 Qd7 39.Nf3 Nxe4 40.Bxe5 f6
41.Bf4 Qe8 42.Qa3 Bb6 43.Kh2 White resigned. 0-1

A23
Anton Guijarro, David (2674) - Grischuk, Alexander (2759)
Douglas, 2019

144
1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 Bc5 4.Nc3 c6 5.Nf3 e4 6.Nh4 d5 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.d3 Ng4 9.O-O g5
10.d4!?
So far, the most common continuation in practice was 10.dxe4 gxh4 11.exd5 hxg3 12.hxg3© and
White was able to obtain compensation, even though he ended up losing the game, in
Khismatullin,Denis 2617 - Paravyan,David 2528, Saint Petersburg 2016
10...Be7 11.h3

11...Nxf2N A new move.

11...gxh4 12.hxg4 It might interesting to consider 12...Nc6!? (12...hxg3 13.Qb3!? gxf2+
(13...Nc6 14.Nxd5 Be6 15.Bxe4 gxf2+ 16.Rxf2 Qd7 17.Bf4 Rg8 18.e3²) 14.Rxf2 Be6 15.Qxb7
Qd7! 16.Qxa8 O-O 17.Bh6 Rd8 18.Nxe4 Nc6 19.Nc5 Bxc5 20.Qxd8+ Qxd8 21.dxc5 Ne5∞)
12.Rxf2 gxh4 13.Qb3 hxg3 14.Rf4 Nc6 15.Qxd5 f5 16.Bxe4

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16...fxe4?
16...Qxd5 17.Bxd5 Bd7 (17...h5 18.Nb5 Kd8 19.Rf1 Bd7 20.Bf4²) 18.Rf1∞ with a rather
unclear position. Still, White is for choice thanks to the very good king safety.
17.Qh5+ Kd7

18.Be3!+- Development above all!

18...Qg8
18...Rf8 19.d5 Na5 (19...Rxf4 20.dxc6+ Ke6 21.Bxf4 Qd4+ 22.e3 Qd2 23.Ne2+-) 20.Rxf8
Qxf8 21.Rf1 Qe8 22.Rf7 Nc4 23.Nxe4+-
19.d5 Nd8 20.Nxe4 Qg6 21.Qe5 Nf7 22.Rxf7 Qxf7 23.Rc1 Rf8 24.Bg5 1-0
A really spectacular win by the young Spaniard against the renowned rival. Later, it came to light
that Guijarro had the game position after 13 moves well cooked in his preparations, but
nevertheless his performance was truly excellent!

E51
Najer, Evgeniy (2635) - Anand, Viswanathan (2765)
Douglas, 2019

The ex-World Champion Anand started the Tournament poorly, which made it very hard for him
to fight for the top later in the event. The experienced Russian Grandmaster Najer displayed a
really brilliant play in the topical Nimzo line and scored a well deserved victory.
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3
We can enter the same line with 4.Bd2 and Black usually replies with 4...O-O
4...O-O 5.Bd2 d5 6.Nf3 b6 7.Rc1

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Curiously, we witnessed 4 games in the tournament where the very same line was applied! In my
humble opinion, this must be the critical line against the Nimzo at the present state of theory.
7...Bb7 8.cxd5 exd5 9.Bd3 Be7
Black can also try 9...Nbd7 10.O-O a6 with the idea of placing the bishop on d6.
10.O-O Nbd7
10...c5 11.Ne5 Nc6 was seen in the rest of the games, and it should be considered as the most
solid option for Black.
11.Ne5 Nxe5 12.dxe5 Nd7 13.f4 Nc5 14.Bb1 d4 15.Nb5 d3

16.Nd4!?
16.Bc3 Idani,Pouya 2583 - Efimenko, Zahar 2637, Turkiye 2018 - 137/188

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16...a5 17.Qg4 g6N
White was not aggressive enough after 17...Kh8 18.Rcd1 g6 19.Bc3 Be4 20.b3 Rg8 21.Qh3 Qc8
22.Qxc8 Rgxc8 23.Nf3 Kg8³ Salemgareev,Tagir 2412 - Alekseev,Evgeny 2645, Russia 2019
18.f5 Ne4?!
18...Qd5 19.f6 h5 (19...Bd8 20.Rxc5! bxc5 (20...Qxc5 21.e6+-) 21.Nf3+- The queen will reach
h6 and there will be no defence, a swift checkmate follows) 20.Qh3 Bd8 21.Rf5!?ƒ (21.Rxc5!?
bxc5 22.Nf3∞)
A bit better is 18...h5! 19.Qh3 Bg5∞ with mutual chances.

Najer does not miss the opportunity to sacrifice a piece and launch powerful attack on the black
king. 19.Bxd3! Nxd2 20.fxg6 fxg6 21.Bxg6± Kh8
Anand could have defended a bit better, but anyway, White would gain large advantage after
21...Bc8 22.Rf5! Rxf5 (22...Bxf5 23.Bxf5+ Kh8 24.Ne6+-; 22...Bg5 23.Qh5! h6 24.Bf7+ Kh8
25.Rf6 Rxf7 26.Rxf7 c5 27.e6+-) 23.Bxf5+ Kh8 24.Bxc8 Qxc8 25.Nf5 Bf8 26.Rd1 Qd7 27.e6
Qxe6 28.Rxd2±

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22.Bxh7!+- White decisively crushes Black's pawn shelter!
22...Rxf1+ 23.Rxf1 Bg5
A quick mate ensues in case of 23...Nxf1 24.Qh5 and there is no defence against Bg6 and Ne6.
24.Nf5 Qd3 25.Re1 Bxe3+ 26.Kh1 Bh6

27.Qg6? Up to this moment, Najer conducted a really excellent game. However, now he allows
Anand to find salvation.
White would easily win after 27.Bg6! Qf3 (27...Ne4 28.Qh4 Qd2 29.Qxh6+ Qxh6 30.Nxh6+-)
28.Nxh6 Qxg4 29.Nxg4+-
27...Bxg2+! 28.Kxg2 Qd5+?
On his part Anand misses the chance to stay in the game 28...Qf3+ 29.Kg1

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29...Qf4!!= - an extremely difficult to play move was the only hope for Black! 30.Qxh6 Nf3+
31.Kf2 (31.Kf1 Ng5+ 32.Kg1™ Nf3+=) 31...Nxe1+! 32.Qxf4 Nd3+ 33.Kg3 Nxf4 34.Kxf4
Kxh7 35.e6 Re8 36.Ke5 Kg6 37.Nh4+ Kg7 38.Nf5+ Kg6=
29.Kh3 Qd3+ 30.Kh4 1-0
A really astonishing win for Najer against the real legend of the royal game. Even the "harmless"
Nimzo-Indian line may prove to be full of venom!
Also, dear readers, I would take this opportunity to refer you to a little bit different analysis of
this highly instructive game by my colleagues GM Rafael Leitão and IM Renato
Quintiliano Pinto, elsewhere in this Informant volume.

150
 Viswanathan Anand vs Evgeniy Najer, Douglas 2019; Photo by John Saunders

Quite an interesting knight endgame occurred in the final round. White is certain to win a pawn,
which should secure him the full point. However...

Kasimdzhanov, Rustam (2657) - L'Ami, Erwin (2619)

Douglas, 2019

44.Nc5 Now it becomes clear that White will win the a6-pawn, thus moving very close to

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victory in the ensuing knight ending.
44...Nf6 45.e4
45.Nxa6 Nd5∞
45...h5 46.Nxa6 Nd7 47.h4 White's plan is rather straight-forward:
- Transfer the king to the queenside
- Reroute the knight via c5
47...Kd6
And the famous "electric" pawns are impossible to stop after 47...Kb7?? 48.Nc5+ Nxc5 49.bxc5
Kc6 (49...Ka6 50.c6+-) 50.a6+-
48.Ke3 Kc6 49.Kd2 Kd6 50.Kc1 Kc6 51.Kc2 Nf8
51...Kd6 52.Kb2 Kc6 53.Nc5! and the white king assumed the perfect position for the upcoming
pawn endgame - 53...Nxc5 54.bxc5 Kxc5 55.Ka3+-
52.Nc5 White completes the second part of his plan.
52...Kc7 53.Kd2 Kc6 54.Ke3 g6 55.Kf3 Kc7 56.g4 Kc6

We reached a highly interesting position. The white knight still does not have a clear route to
start jumping.
57.a6 Kb6 58.Nb7 Kxa6 59.Nd6 Kb6 60.Nf7 Nd7 61.Nh8 hxg4+
61...Nf8? 62.Nxg6 Nxg6 63.gxh5+- and the white king penetrates.
62.Kxg4 Nf6+ 63.Kf3 Kc7 64.Nf7
64.Nxg6 Kd6! Once again, the white knight cannot hop into action!

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64...Nd7 65.Ke3 Kc6 66.Kf2 Kc7 67.Kf3 Kc6 68.Kg4 Nf6+ 69.Kg5 The only reasonable
winning attempt.
69...Nxe4+ 70.Kxg6 Nxc3 71.h5

71...Ne2! 72.h6 c3 73.Nxe5+

73.h7 c2 74.h8=Q c1=Q 75.Qe8+ Kc7 76.Qxe5+ Kb6 77.Qb8+ Ka6 78.Qa8+ Kb6 79.Qa5+
Kc6 80.Qa6+ Kd7 81.Qd6+ Kc8 82.Qe6+ Kc7 83.Qxe2 Qb1+ 84.Kf6 Qxb4=
73...Kd5 74.Ng4 Ke4 75.Nf2+ Kf3 76.Nd3 Ke3 77.Nc5 c2 78.Nb3 Kd3 79.h7 Kc3 80.Nc1
Nxc1 81.h8=Q+ Kb3 82.Qg8+ Kxb4 83.Qc8 Kb3 84.Qe6+ Ka3 85.Qa6+ Kb2 86.Qf6+ Kb1
87.Qc3 b4 88.Qxb4+ Nb3 89.Qxb3+ Ka1 90.Qxc2 1/2-1/2
We witnessed an extremely instructive endgame. Apparently, White did not have a clear path to
victory at any point!

Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi (2718) - Tari, Aryan (2630)

Douglas, 2019

153
15.Qb3 Qa6?
In case of 15...Rac8 we reach the same position that occurred in Shomoev,Anton 2543 -
Short,Nigel 2683, Cha-Am 2017;
15...Na5

16.Nxf7! Kxf7
Deeper analisys showed that Black can put greater resistance after ¹16...Bxf7 17.Bxc6 Qxc6
18.Rxe7 Rd7± with a healthy pawn advantage for White.
17.Rxe6! The black king begins his stroll across the board. 17...Kxe6 18.c5+ Kd7
18...Nd5 19.Bxd5+ Rxd5 20.Re1++-

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19.Bf1
A much more concrete is 19.Re1! Kc8 20.Qf7 Nd7 21.Rxe7 Nxe7 22.Qxe7 Qf6 23.Qe1+- and
there is no defence against Ne4 and Nc4.
19...d3 20.Bxd3 Nd4 21.Bxa6 Nxb3 22.Bb5+ Kc8 23.Nxb3 Nd5 24.Re1 a5 25.Be5+- And
Vidit was able to convert the advantage later on.

Saric, Ivan (2667) - Rakhmanov, Alexander (2621)

Douglas, 2019

In the rook endgames the activity of the pieces is often more important than material.
Rakhmanov proved that to be correct in the game against Šarić.

155
36...Qxf2+ 37.Rxf2
White should involve his king in the action as soon as possible 37.Kxf2 f4 38.b4=
37...Kg5„ Black is a pawn down, but his king is very active and he is in possession of the
protected passer. Anyway, the position should be equal with precise play on both sides.
38.Re2?
A bit better is 38.Kf1
38...Kf4 Now, White is in trouble.
39.Rf2+
Now, it is already to late for 39.Kf2 as after 39...Rg8 follows Rg3± with clear advantage for
Black.
39...Ke3 40.Rxf5 Kd2 41.Rf2+ Kd3-+ 42.Rf4 e3 43.d5

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The Russian Grandmaster finds quite a nice way of opening line for his rook. 43...b5! 44.cxb5
Rc8 And now the e-pawn is unstoppable.
45.Rf1 e2 46.Ra1 Kd2 0-1
D43
Matlakov, Maxim (2716) - Najer, Evgeniy (2635)
Douglas, 2019

We are living in times of enormous wealth of information. All the elite players collect games of
interest on daily basis, so it becomes very hard to surprise opponents early in the game. So,
Matlakov chooses a slight improvisation in the opening using a motif that is often seen in some
other lines.
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Qd3!? dxc4 6.Qxc4 b5 7.Qd3 a6

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8.g4!? The idea brought to light by the Hungarian Grandmaster Berkes.
8.Bg5 Szabo,Gergely-Andras-Gyula 2560 - Vykouk,Jan 2440, Budapest 2018 - 135/141
8...Bb7
The stem game continued with 8...c5 9.g5 c4 10.Qb1 Nd5 11.e4 Nb6 12.Be3 Bb7 13.Bg2 N8d7
14.a3∞ Berkes, Ferenc 2654 - Froewis,Gerhard 2432, Minsk 2017;
8...Nxg4 9.Rg1 (9.Bg5!?) 9...Nf6 10.Bf4© and after the queenside castling White should have
decent compensation for the pawn. (The alternative being 10.e4©)
9.g5 Nh5 10.Bh3
Also, it could be interesting to try 10.Bg2 c5 11.O-O²
10...c5 11.Bg4 g6
¹11...cxd4 12.Bxh5 Nc6! 13.Nd1 g6 14.Bg4 Nb4 15.Qd2 Rc8 16.O-O h5∞
12.Bxh5 gxh5 13.Ne4 c4 14.Qe3∞

Aronian, Levon (2758) - Wang, Hao (2726)

Douglas, 2019

Tournament winner Wang Hao suffered the only loss against Aronian in the 7th round. Black’s
saving chances are quite decent as long as there are two pairs of rooks on the board. If one pair
gets exchanged White would have a much easier task, unless Black positions his remaining rook
behind the white a-pawn.

40.Rcd5
40.Rdc2 Rb4+ and the white king must step back, whilst the black rook reaches the desired a4

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square behind the white pawn.
40...Ke6
40...Rb4+ 41.R2d4 and Black cannot avoid the rook swap.
41.Kg5! Aronian decides to activate his king giving away a pawn.
41...Rba7 42.Kh6! Rxa5 43.Rd6+ Ke7 44.Kg7 R5a6 45.R6d5 Ra5 46.Rxa5
46.f4! And Black ends up in some sort of a zugzwang: 46...R5a6 (46...Rxd5 47.Rxd5+-) 47.Rd8
Ra2 48.Rf8!
46...Rxa5 47.Rb2 Ra7 48.Rb5 Ra2 49.Rb7+ Ke6 50.Rxf7 Rxf2 51.Rf6+ Ke5 52.Rxg6 Rf3
53.Kh6 Rxe3 54.Kxh5

54...f4?! Black intends to create the f-passer, but in the process his king stays out of play.
It was more precise to proceed with 54...Rd3 55.Rg7 Rb3 56.Kh6 f4! 57.g4 Ke4 58.g5 Rh3 59.h5
Kf5!= with Kg4 coming next.
55.g4 f3 56.Kg5

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56...Ra3?
A study-like draw would ensue after 56...Rd3!! 57.Rf6 Rd8 58.Rf5+ Ke4 59.h5 Rd5! 60.Rxd5
Kxd5 61.h6 f2 62.h7 f1=Q 63.h8=Q Qc1+!= and the white king cannot escape from checks.
57.Rf6 Ra8 58.Rf5+ Ke4 59.h5+-

Levon Aronian vs. Wang Hao, Douglas 2019; Photo by John Saunders

160
There is a huge difference between open and closed tournaments, since there is a burden of
winning as many games as possible in the open chess events. That is the only way to stay in
contention for the trophy and prizes. In this game, Vitiugov played much sharper than usual,
opting for risky approach against the German Grandmaster Bl«baum.

Vitiugov, Nikita (2732) - Bluebaum, Matthias (2643)

Douglas, 2019

15...Qa6?!
It makes more sense to develop the pieces as quickly as possible. For instance: 15...Na6
16.Re3!? c6 17.Qb3 Nc5 18.Qa3 Ne6 19.Rae1∞ Nxd4?? 20.Qxf8+! Kxf8 21.Re8#
16.Bd5?!
White develops strong initiative after 16.Nb5 Qa5 17.Re7 Nc6 18.Bxc6 bxc6 19.Nxc7 Rb8
20.Qd4±
16...c6

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Black accepts the challenge and forces White to carry on with the piece sacrifice.
17.Bxf7+! Kxf7
17...Rxf7 18.Re8+ Rf8 19.Rxf8+ Kxf8 20.Qf3+ Kg8 21.Re1 Bd7 22.Re7 Qxc4 23.Qg3+-
18.Qh5+ Kg8 19.Re8

19...Qxc4?
Unfortunately, Black misses an excellent defensive move 19...Qa3! which would force White to
justify the sacrifice. 20.c5! Qxc3 (Most likely the game would end in a draw after 20...Nd7
21.Nf5 g6 22.Nh6+ Kg7 23.Nf5+ Rxf5 24.Re7+ Rf7™ 25.Rxf7+ Kxf7 26.Qxh7+ Kf6 27.Qh8+
Kf5 28.Qh3+=) 21.Rxf8+ Kxf8 22.Rd1©
20.Rxf8+ Kxf8 21.Re1 Bd7 22.Qg5 Qxc3 23.Qd8+ Kf7 24.Nf3! h6 25.Ne5+ Ke6 26.Kf1 Kd6
27.Nxd7+-

162
Who’s copying whom?

Chess fans worldwide were stunned witnessing a truly bizarre, yet entertaining spectacle in the
8th round. In both Alexei Shirov – Yu Yangyi and Sergey Karjakin – Aleksey Dreev the
identical position was reached after 19 moves and via same move order. Okay, that happens you
might say. But, those games were played one next to the other, on adjacent tables!
Developments became even more intriguing when Karjakin made a serious mistake on move 18,
but Shirov copied the move nevertheless. Curiosuly, Yu who was first to reply did not find the
antidote and played a bad move. As you might guess by now, Dreev copied Yu’s move!
Apparently that was the moment when the arbiter Alex Holowczak decided to move the Shirov
– Yu game to the other playing hall.

Karjakin and Shirov with identical position, Douglas 2019; Photo by John Saunders

To disrupt players during a game you must have a very good reason, since it also means
disruption for many other participants. Arbiter Holowczak explained: "The important thing to
make absolutely clear is that we are not suspecting anybody of doing anything wrong. It is just
very noticeable on the last couple of moves I think Shirov and Yangyi were the second players
to move in both cases. In particularly I saw Yangyi look quite nervous when he looked over to
Dreev, who had made the move maybe a minute or so before, so I thought that just in the
interests of everybody feeling comfortable with the game that it was better to move it into the

163
second hall then nobody can accuse anybody of anything and it’s a lot better for everybody. The
players can concentrate more, they will not get distracted. I think that is just better for them."
A really astonishing episode ended in Karjakin’s win, while Shirov – Yu finished in a draw.
Sergey’s own words cast some further light on the matter: "Funny accident today when we had
the same position like Shirov against Yu. I actually confused the moves with g4, forgetting my
own game against... Yu (RR played 4 years ago)! So in the end Shirov followed me, I followed
Shirov, Dreev followed Yu, and Yu believed in my preparation! That is how it works!!!
B45
Karjakin, Sergey (2760) - Dreev, Alexey (2662)
Douglas, 2019

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
Qb6 10.c4 Bb4+ 11.Ke2 f5 12.exf6 Nxf6 13.Be3 Qd8 14.Nd6+ Bxd6 15.Qxd6 Bb7

16.g4?!
Black can obtain quite decent counter-play after 16.Rg1 Ne4 17.Qe5 c5 18.Qxg7 Qh4!„ Since
his king is poorly placed in the centre White cannot achieve efficient piece coordination.
19.Qxh8+? Kf7 20.Qxa8 Bxa8µ;
16.Rd1 being the main theoretical continuation.
16...c5 17.Rg1 Ne4 18.Qe5?
18.Qd3

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18...Qh4?
18...O-O! - the white queen is in a grave danger while his king is in a really precarious position.
In actual fact, White's position is beyond repair. For example: 19.Bg2 d6 20.Qxe6+ Kh8
21.Bxe4 Rf6! (Black should not go for 21...Re8? 22.Qxe8+ Qxe8 23.Bxb7 Rb8 24.Bd5 Rxb2+
25.Kf3+-) 22.Qxf6 Qxf6 23.Bxb7 Qxb2+-+
19.Bg2 Qxg4+

20.Kd3
Now playing in a different playing hall, Shirov proceeded with 20.Bf3!? Nc3+ 21.Kd3 Qxf3
22.Kxc3± Shirov,Alexei 2664 - Yu,Yangyi 2763, Douglas 2019
20...Nf2+ 21.Bxf2 Bxg2 22.Bxc5 Rc8 23.Rae1 Kf7 24.Re2 Qf3+ 25.Be3+- Even though he
dodged a couple of close bullets, Karjakin managed to obtain a clear advantage and eventually

165
win the game.
You can read a bit more about the theoretical status of the variation in GM Perunovic's column
elsewhere in this Informant volume.

Shirov vs. Yu Yangyi in the other playing hall, Douglas 2019; Photo by John Saunders

166
THE ART OF TIME MANAGEMENT

Watching the action at the recent Sinquefield cup,

perhaps the most intriguing player was Ian
Nepomniachtchi. Ian played incredibly fast and won
several games at the event by overwhelming his
opponents with the sheer speed and brilliance of his
play.
What serves as a strength can also be a weakness though
however; and in many critical situations he played too
quickly and made horrible blunders, often losing games on the spot.
The reason I mention all this is because at the recent Northumbria Masters which I took part in,
two things occurred to me, both connected. One is that if you play too fast it throws you out of
rhythm, and you are unable to slow down later when it might help you. And, the second point is
because you are playing too fast it seems to me that you are less likely to play with any patience.
This factor of playing too quickly and without any patience is a long term weakness of mine, and
it cost me at the event.
The perfect solution for a chess player is to combine the ability to play with direction and speed
while at the same time retain patience. Not an easy thing to do.
In the first round I struck with power.

Gormally, Daniel (2509) - Holland, Christopher (2143)

Newcastle, 2019

167
22.d5 This move is the prelude to an immediate attack. I decided there was no point waiting
around anymore.
Of course I could build up with something like 22.Nf3 but perhaps that would give Black time to
bolster his defences.
Watching Michael Adams analyse at the recent British championships, it occured to me that
players of his level regard "time" as an important factor in chess. Adams often talked about
whether this is a "fast" position and if it is then perhaps a slower move is not called for. This left
a deep impression on me as I think it's a subject that has been underrated in chess. The ability to
play the position quickly or slowly, and I'm not referring to clock management.
22...Nec5

23.g5! This is the idea. The white knight gains access to g4, leading to a sharp attack.

168
23...fxg5 24.Ng4 Bg7 25.dxc6!? Not bad, just missing something even stronger.
A pity that I had originally intended 25.e5! but when we reached this position, I failed to invest
enough time and didn't see an important tactical shot. 25...dxe5

26.Bxe5!! A nice shot! (I only saw 26.d6? Qe6 27.Qxg5? Rxd6 where White lacks
compensation, and I gave up on this line.) 26...Bxe5 27.Nh6+ Kg7 28.Rxf7+ Kxh6 29.Rxe7
Rxe7 30.h4± When White has a close to decisive edge.
The reason I didn't see this Be5 idea is because I didn't invest enough time. I could have used up
another five minutes calculating that line, and the fact that I didn't shows that something wasn't
quite right. I was out of kilter. Later, this was to cost me.
25...h5
25...bxc6 26.Bxd6 is also good for White.
26.Nd5 Bxd5 27.Qxd5+

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27...Qe6?
During the game I became very concerned about 27...Kh8! and wasn't sure if I had messed up or
not - although I "felt" that the position should be good for White. Fortunately my instincts were
right and White still has a path to the advantage. 28.Bxd6! (But not 28.Rf7? which is the move
my opponent feared, because of the interposition 28...bxc6!) 28...Rxd6 29.Qxd6 Qxd6 30.Rxd6
hxg4 31.cxb7± is very good for White.
28.Nf6+ Bxf6 29.Rxf6 Qxd5 30.exd5+- White is winning, as the two bishops combined with
the threats against the Black king are too powerful.
30...bxc6
30...Kg7 31.Rdf1 bxc6 32.dxc6 with a threat of taking on d6.
31.Rxg6+ Kh7 32.Rxg5 cxd5 33.Rdxd5 Nxa4 34.Rxh5+ Kg6 35.Rdg5+ Kf6 36.Bh4 Ke6
37.Rh6+ 1-0
This theme of playing without sufficient patience was also to rear it’s head in my round four
game.

C42
Mannion, Stephen R (2285) - Gormally, Daniel (2509)
Newcastle, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Nc3 Nxc3 6.dxc3 Be7 7.Be3 O-O 8.Qd2 c5 Very
interesting. Computer engine Stockfish was trying this idea. The idea is to go for quick
developent with ...Be6 and ...Qa5, which can be very dangerous for White if he doesn't pay
attention.
8...Nd7 (- 141/100) has been played a lot recently, most notably by Fabiano Caruana. The idea is
to go ...c6 and ...d5. Black's approach to this whole line has been revised of late, and it used to be

170
thought that you had to play ...Nc6, followed by ...Be6 and then castle queenside as Black, which
was a bit dull.
Fortunately more funky ways to test White's set-up have been found.
9.O-O-O Be6 10.c4

10...b5!?N

This is a novelty, thought up over the board. Perhaps it shows a lack of patience. This move
screams "I can't be bothered to manoeuvre around. I want to blow you out of the water and get to
the next game."
I was vaguely aware that 10...Nc6 was the move the computer had played against me on
lichess.org. This looks fairly sound for Black. I went back and had a training game against it and
tried 11.h4 which is a typical idea, preparing an attack on the kingside. (11.Kb1 Qb6 12.h4 Qa6!

171
13.b3 Nb4 14.a4 Qb6 15.Bd3 d5 16.cxd5 Bxd5 was another rather headless chicken training
game on my part, where already I was getting thoroughly routed.) 11...Ne5!? showing that
Stockfish doesn't fear the transposition to the ending.
11.Bg5! Played after a 40 minute think, and it turns out my opponent had invested his time
wisely. White is seeking to undermine the defence of the d6 pawn.
11.cxb5 a6! 12.bxa6 Nxa6 and it looks like a Benko gambit, where White has castled queenside;
11.Bf4 bxc4 12.Bxd6 c3! is a trap White should definitely avoid. 13.bxc3 Qa5!-+;
11.Ng5 Bxc4 12.Bxc4 bxc4 13.Qd5 Nd7 looks good for Black.
11...f6
I thought about 11...Re8 briefly, but it looked too pretentious. Besides it seemed he could now
grab the pawn. 12.Bxe7 Rxe7 13.cxb5! and with the removal of the bishop on e7, Black has to
continually watch out for the d6 pawn dropping, so I doubt my compensation.
12.Bf4 bxc4 13.Bxd6 Bxd6
13...c3 14.Qe3! This was the point of Bg5 - to weaken Black's bishop on e6. 14...cxb2+ 15.Kb1
Qd7 which would be very interesting, and a big mess, if it were not for 16.Bb5! Bxa2+ - what
else? 17.Kxa2 b1=Q+ 18.Rxb1 Qxd6 19.Rhd1→ with a big attack on the light squares.
14.Qxd6 Qb6 15.c3

15...Bf7?? A really shocking move, that I feel deserves two question marks, and it's an
indication that my psychology was all wrong here. Trying to avoid an endgame where I'm
somewhat grovelling, I end up with much worse.
As soon as I played ...Bf7 I realized what was wrong with the move, and while I was waiting for
him to put the boot in said to myself "Why oh why didn't I just go" 15...Nd7! which was my

172
original intention in the first place. It's so natural that it should be played without thinking.
16.Qxb6 Nxb6 is slightly better for White without much risk of losing, although there's still
plenty of play ahead.
This is a very common phenomenon in chess. A player sees a variation that he doesn't like (in
this case I see a worse ending) and comes up with a "back-up variation", he fails to calculate the
back-up variation sufficiently, and ends up in a bad spot.
16...axb6? 17.Rd6 was the reason I switched to Bf7 - as I wanted to be able to take back on b6
with the pawn. 17...Kf7 18.Bxc4! and White grabs a clean pawn.
16.Qf4! This was the problem and I now realized I was completely lost.
16...Nc6 A sad admission.
16...Qa6 17.Nd2! was what I missed in my calculations earlier. (17.a3 Nc6 and Black is happy,
with ...Na5 coming and a rook to b8.) 17...Qxa2 18.Bxc4 Bxc4 19.Qxc4+ Qxc4 20.Nxc4± with
an almost resignable endgame for Black.
17.Bxc4 Na5 18.Bxf7+ Rxf7 19.Rhe1
19.Nd2 Rb8 20.b3 feels like consolidation.
19...Rb8 20.Rd2 Qb5 21.Rc2 Rd8 22.Rd2† Rb8 23.Rc2 Rd7 24.Rd2 1/2-1/2
Of course White should play on and not agree to the repetition, but my opponent was short of
time and was down to seven minutes plus increment for the rest of the game (you did not get any
extra time after move forty).

The tournament itself was very well run and took place
in the "Novotel Newcastle Airport Hotel", near
Newcastle. The only issue I would have with the hotel
was the service in the restaurant wasn’t very good. On
the final night I ordered the main course and then when
I finished was sitting around for what seemed like
hours, waiting to order my inevitable dessert, looking
for that sugar rush. Nobody bothered to come over to encourage my diabetes. Then again the
Hotel was more or less deserted at this point (desserted?!) rather resembling the overlook in the
Shining, so perhaps serving a grouchy grandmaster with obesity issues wasn’t high priority.
Tim Wall and the rest of the team who organised the Northumbria Masters were very
enthusiastic. They even put together day trips away to various locations around the north east,
like Bamburgh. (Bamburgh was recently voted the best beach in England and it has a
spectacular looking castle.) As there were generally two games a day in the tournament, this
seemed problematic, so anyone competing who wanted to take in some local culture would have
to take a bye. And titled players like myself who were recieving conditions, couldn’t take byes

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in any case. I personally believe that if you have a tournament with nine rounds over five days
then regardless of who you are you should be able to take at least one bye. There is a limit
though.
One of the players who was competing in the tournament and was over 2400 rating took several
byes. The question in my mind is whether it’s right that a player who is up there in contention to
win the tournament, is able to take a bye in round eight. For me that doesn’t feel right. It goes
against the spirit of competition. Especially when that player has the morning off and is fresh for
the afternoon game, against a potentially exhausted opponent. All this while the grandmasters
are unable to take a bye at all. I understand that we were getting conditions and the other players
weren’t, but there needs to be some kind of common sense applied here in my view.
Around about the middle of the tournament I was still in reasonable shape and not too tired and
was able to play a decent game against Gourlay, even if I missed a chance to create a near
masterpiece.

Gormally, Daniel (2509) - Gourlay, Iain (2349)

Newcastle, 2019

18.Rd3? I spent some time here because I couldn't decide where to put the rook. Clearly the rook
lift is correct but which is the right square? In the end I chose badly as I missed a subtle point
later.
If I had invested even more time than I had, then I might have noticed all the little details and
realized that 18.Rd4! was the way to go. 18...f6 (18...Bc8 is a somewhat desperate defence.
19.Bxd5 exd5 20.Bh6!! gxh6 21.Re3 and Black is not holding. 21...f6 22.Rg3+ Kf7 23.Qh5+
Ke7 24.Rg7+ Kd8 25.Rxd5+ with mate to follow.) 19.Qxe6+ Kh8 (19...Rf7 20.Bxf6! with
carnage.) 20.Rh4 fxg5

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21.Rxh7+! Kxh7 22.Bd3+ Kh8 23.Qh3+ Kg8 24.Bh7+ Kf7 25.Qe6# would have been a
beautiful and fitting finish.
18...f6 19.Qxe6+ Kh8 20.Bd2
The horrible truth dawned on me that 20.Rh3

was no longer working. 20...Bc8! was what I had missed earlier. Oh, how I wish I had invested
more time!
20...Qxc5
20...Ba6? would be a good move, if it didn't lose immediately. 21.Bxa6 Qxa6 22.Rxd5+-
21.Bxd5
21.Bb3 felt too slow 21...Bc8 22.Qe4 Bd7 and Black is beginning to consolidate.

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21...cxd5 22.Rg3ƒ I'm lucky in a way to have this choice and I realized that I was still better,
because Black has a difficult practical problem to solve.

22...Qb5?? Originally Ian had planned to play another move, but then saw something he didn't
like, and as in my game with Mannion the "back-up", or "band-aid" variation turns out to be
much worse.
We spent some time analysing this afterwards in the bar, and I suggested that he should aim to
grovel in the ending with 22...Bc8! 23.Qe7 Qxe7 24.Rxe7 g6 25.Bxb4 and while worse, this is
probably holdable for Black.
22...Rg8!? 23.Qe7±
23.Qe7 Rg8 24.Bh6! 1-0
Against Justin Tan I got extremely lucky. Justin is a young improving player who recently did
very well in the British chess championships and has a very high blitz rating on chess.com,
according to Simon Williams, who knows about everything chess.comish. As usual Justin
effortlessly outplayed me in the middle game. Just when it looked like I was going to get crushed
again, he overlooked something big – and consequently failed to assess the resulting positions
very well, believing that he had blundered and that he was much worse.
It was interesting going over the game later with an engine because the computer doesn’t believe
that White has blundered at all, and it throws up some incredible resources that we both missed
during the game. Which makes me think that computers aren’t materialistic at all and in fact
probably never where – they only care about the current position on the board!

Tan, Justin (2503) - Gormally, Daniel (2509)

Newcastle, 2019

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40.Bh5!? I think my opponent felt this was a blunder, as he had missed my next, but in fact
things aren't so simple.
I had been expecting 40.Bg4! when I felt that my position was fairly grim. 40...Re7 and the
engine feels that Black is slightly worse but holding, which just goes to show how pessimistic I
am.
40...Ra3! 41.Qd1
41.Qe2!! would have lead to very interesting complications, where Black is in as much danger as
White.
This part of the game reminds me of the excellent article in the previous Chess Informant by
Leitao (RR Volume 141), where he talks about "impossible moves". Indeed finding some of the
resource around here are very difficult, even if you have more time. 41...Rxg3? (41...Qc7!∞ is
objectively the strongest, but who could refuse a whole piece over the board? I very much doubt
I would have played this. The engine now gives the bizarre 42.Kh2! Rxg3 43.Qd1! with good
play for White, as being one possible continuation.) 42.Rd8+ Kh7 43.Bf7 Rxh3+ (The natural
43...Re7 is quickly flattened by White 44.Bd5 Qc7 45.Bg8+ Kg6 46.Rf5!+-) 44.gxh3 Qxe4+
45.Kh2 Re7 46.Qxe4+ Bxe4 47.Be8! and b5 falls.
41...Rxg3 42.Rd8+ Kh7 43.Bf7 Re7 44.Bg8+
44.Bd5 now no longer works because of 44...Ne3! hitting the queen on d1, which is why it was
better to put it on e2 earlier. (Boris Spassky said you should always put your queen on e2.
Perhaps he had this game in mind;
It almost goes without saying that I had missed everything here and was intending to make the
lazy reply 44...Qc7?? 45.Bg8+ Kg6

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46.Rf5! and I can resign, with a beetroot expression. Followed by waddling off to the bar for
more dessert.) 45.Bxc6 Nxd1-+
44...Kg6 45.Kh2

45...Rg5
45...Ne3!? might have been more accurate, but of course I wasn't seeing much here and was just
playing on nerves.
46.h4? Judging by his body language it was clear that Justin felt he was just losing after ...Na3,
and didn't see his chances.
46.Bxc4!∞ was something we both missed. 46...bxc4 47.h4! Qxe4 48.hxg5 Qh4+ 49.Kg1 hxg5
would have been a complete mess, especially with both of us short of time.
46...Qxe4 47.hxg5 Ne3-+ Now Black is just winning - the attack is too strong.

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48.Qe2 Qh4+ 49.Kg1 Ng4 50.Qd3+ e4 51.g3 Qh3
51...Qh1+! The "Petrosian" finish, would have also sufficed.
52.Qc3 e3 0-1
In round seven I managed to gain a fairly smooth draw against the top seed and previous years
winner, Alexander Donchenko.
In the game I followed a piece of opening analysis that was given in Informant by the Hungarian
grandmaster Berkes (RR Volume 140).
E90
Donchenko, Alexander (2618) - Gormally, Daniel (2509)
Newcastle, 2019

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 O-O 5.d4 c5 6.d5 d6 7.h3 e6 8.Bd3 exd5 9.exd5 Re8+
10.Be3 Rxe3+!© This was Berkes recommendation. I have actually tried this idea before, but
badly. This time I had Berkes to guide me.
Black gives up a full exchange, but has fantastic compensation on the dark-squares in return, and
as my opponent said to me after the game, it is hard for White to gain winning chances. Black's
position is just so hard to break down.
11.fxe3 Qe7 12.O-O Nbd7 13.Qd2

13...Nh5! The important idea that I had neglected to play before. Black immediately frees the
bishop on g7, while getting ready to annoy White with moves like ...Ng3.
14.Qf2 Ne5 15.Be2 Nf6? As usual my failing memory lets me down - I couldn't recall anymore
of Berkes analysis.
15...Nxf3+ 16.Bxf3 Nf6© Was given by Berkes. Black has decent play, and it's interesting that

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after the game my opponent gave this line as an improvement, despite the fact that he had not
done any preparation for this variation.
16.Nxe5 Qxe5 17.e4N
17.Qf4 Qe7 18.Rf2 was another way to play, intending to bring the other rook to f1.
17...Bd7 18.Qf4 Qe7 19.Rae1 Ne8 20.Bg4 Bd4+ 21.Kh1 Be5 22.Qf3 Bxg4 23.Qxg4 Nf6

24.Qd1? Missing a decent chance.

After the game we went to the bar and briefly went over the game. It was interesting to go over
the game with Donchenko, because he analyses like a good player. I tend to cut off my variations
and try to move on to quickly, thinking "that will do," but by contrast he would want to take the
lines that bit further.
In fact thinking about that now it reminds me once again of that Leitao article. About how he
said that you need to avoid being superficial. And how a quick player can become very strong,
but will never be a great player. Very insightful words.
The way you act in an analysis situation is not unlike how you will play in an actual game; it's
the same thought process. You can get away with it only so often, but eventually a lack of depth
to your analysis will come back to haunt you. And as we shall see, I didn't have to wait long.
24.Qg5 Nxd5 25.Qxe7 Nxe7 26.Nd5² is obviously better for White, although Black remains
very solid.
24.Qf3! Nh5 25.Ne2 Bxb2

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26.Nc3!± This was one of the variations that Donchenko saw afterwards. I wanted to stop here,
because with the bishop marooned it looks bad for Black, but Donchenko wanted to go further.
24...Nh5 25.Rf3 Ng3+ Black sets up a perpetual check mechanism, and White will have to take
serious risks to avoid a draw.
26.Kg1 Bd4+ 27.Kh2
27.Rf2? Qe5 28.Qd2 Re8µ
27...Be5 28.Kg1
28.Rxg3 h5!ƒ And Black will regain the rook, and will be better, as the bishop on e5 dominates
the position.
28...Bd4+ 29.Kh2 Be5 30.Kg1 1/2-1/2
So far so good, and I went into the game against Pruijssers in round eight on a twenty five game
unbeaten streak. I must make the point though about these scenarios because there has been a lot
of talk about the long unbeaten runs of Magnus Carlsen, and Ding Liren.
Yes they are impressive, but it must also be taken into account that often when players have a
long run of being unbeaten it’s because they’ve become afraid to take any risks. I think the whole
notion of being unbeaten in chess being impressive is a fallacy, and it breeds a negative
defensive attitude.
A lot of my draws in chess is because I agree to a draw early on. Against Pruijssers, I think my
early draw offer put me on tilt for the rest of the game.

A80
Gormally, Daniel (2509) - Pruijssers, Roeland (2534)
Newcastle, 2019

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1.d4 f5 2.Bg5 g6 3.Nd2 Bg7 4.e4 fxe4 5.Nxe4 d5 6.Ng3 I believe this is the most challenging
move for Black to face. The knight is well placed on g3, supporting any play on the kingside.
6...Nf6
6...c5 is a reasonable option but my opponent opts for a safe line, Atalik,Suat 2535 -
Mozes,Ervin 2415, Romania 1996 - 66/62
7.Nf3 O-O 8.Be2 Nc6 9.c3 Qd6 10.h3N
10.O-O
10...Nd7 11.O-O e5 12.dxe5 Ndxe5 13.Nxe5 Nxe5 14.Qd2

14...b6! Black is already fine. With ...b6 he is solving his final problems with development, the
bishop will go to b7 connecting the rooks, and eventually Black will look to dominate the center
with ...c5 and potentially ...d4.
15.Bh6 Bxh6 16.Qxh6 Bb7 17.Rad1?! Played rather too quickly; an indication of a superficial
mindset. I'm not endeavouring to make any inroads into the secrets of the position.
17.f4! was what I originally intended, but for some strange reason I changed my mind, possibly
believing that I would have a chance to play this move in any case. 17...Nf7 18.Qh4

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18...Rae8∞ leads to interesting complications. Sometimes the rook will invade to e3.
17...Qf6! A move that would have been very easy to anticipate if I had bothered to use any time
on the previous move. Now I realized that f4 was no longer possible, and felt embarrassed. Sadly
this rude awakening made no impact on my general outlook; I carried on playing too quickly.
18.Qd2
18.f4 Nf7! was the prophylatic idea behind Black's previous move. In fact when your opponents
are making all these sort of Karpov like decisions, shutting down your play, it's obvious that they
are playing at a decent level. Most players don't make these kind of high-class positional
decisions.
18...Qf4 19.Qxf4 Rxf4 20.Rfe1 Re8 21.Bf1 Kf8 22.Re3 I hurriedly play this and offered a draw.
Why? Because I was afraid to lose. Why else would someone offer a draw when there is so much
play left?
My thought process was something like this: if I drew this game, then I could get a decent
pairing in the last round, win that and get me to 7/9, which would mean a reasonable prize. As
per usual I was almost completely skint, so money concerns were at the top of my priorities.
They shouldn't be. When you are playing a chess game what prize you might win should be the
least of your thoughts.
Most of all though I was afraid of the psychic pain that would be inflicted if I lost. The fact that I
had fallen off the wagon and been boozing, and not exercising, had put me in a state of
heightened anxiety. Not a good state to be in when facing a decent opponent.
22...Nf7 23.c4!? I played almost immediately, and with some anger, after he eventually turned
down my limp draw offer (he thought for some time.) This move is essentially saying - "you dare
to turn down my draw offer? I will show you! I will force a draw, if I have to!"
At this stage of the game it is clear that patience has gone out of the window and although this

183
move isn't actually that bad, it does put the onus on White to play very accurately over the next
few moves, and with my scrambled mindset that was always unlikely to happen.
23.Ne2 Rf6 24.Rxe8+ Kxe8 25.g3 would have lead to approximate equality.
23...dxc4 24.Rd7

24...Nd6!„ I had missed this in my earlier calculations - despite it being a very obvious move-
which just goes to show I simply didn't invest enough time thinking about 23.c4.
25.Rxh7
25.Rxe8+ Nxe8 (25...Kxe8 26.Rxh7 Rf7 27.Rh6 Rg7! slightly favours Black.) 26.Rxh7 Rd4
Looked dangerous in the game - with the idea of Rd2, ravaging the queenside. 27.Ne2 Rd1
28.Nc3 Rc1 29.Ne2 Rb1 30.Nc3 Rxb2 (30...Rc1=) 31.Bxc4! Again these variations weren't
particularly difficult but they demanded calculation - something which takes time - and I was still
blitzing out the moves, perhaps emotionally affected by the draw refusal earlier.
25...Rxe3 26.fxe3 Rf7! 27.Rh4
27.Rxf7+ Kxf7³ looked grim as the Black king is heading for e5, while Black has a clear plan of
advancing his pawns on the queenside. Nevertheless even this is probably holdable, but in my
negative mindset I assessed this as "clearly hopeless".
27...b5 28.b3 Bd5µ 29.e4? My opponent criticised this later. I had stormed off after the game to
the retail park in search of the McDonalds, and he caught me up and we briefly discussed some
variations. In fact I had seen his next trick, but was so desperate for counterplay that I allowed it
anyway! A clear sign that my mental state wasn't stable at this moment.
29.bxc4 Bxc4 30.Bxc4 Nxc4 felt very difficult, as in the long run Black has a 3 to 1 majority on
the queenside.
29...cxb3! 30.axb3 Bxb3 31.e5 Nc4 32.Ne4 Nxe5! The practical choice. Up till this point my

184
opponent had played a very strong game. In fact I believe that he is better than his rating and
retains 2600 potential - not that 2530 is something to be sniffed at in any case.
32...a5!?
During the game I even feared 32...Rxf1+ 33.Kxf1 Nxe5∞ although this is clearly worse than
what he did - this ending is very unclear.
32...Re7 33.Nc5 Ba2 34.Re4 Kg7! was a worthy alternative to what he played though.
33.Bxb5 Ke7 34.Nd2 Bc2 35.Nc4 Kf6 36.Ne3 Bd3
36...Bf5 37.Ra4 c6µ
37.Ng4+!

37...Nxg4?! I believe this complicates the task.

37...Kg5! was what I feared in the game. 38.Nxe5 Rf1+ 39.Kh2 Bxb5 40.Rg4+ Kf6 41.Nxg6
a5µ This looks very bad for White, probably lost, as my remaining pieces are going to struggle to
do anything about his passed pawns.
37...Kg7 38.Nxe5 Rf1+ 39.Kh2 Bxb5 retaining the g6 pawn, is also good.
38.Bxd3 Ne5 39.Bc2 Now White has realistic chances to save the game, as my bishop combines
well with my rook, and in many situations his pawn on g6 is weak. However shorn of any
confidence I failed to put up much resistance in the ending and also made the mistake of
exchanging my h-pawn for his g-pawn.
Black won sometime later. Completely despondent, I put up feeble resistance against Alan Merry
in the final round, a game which took place only an hour or so after this one, and was losing after
just a few moves when I played a pawn sacrifice with no preparation whatsoever. That meant I
didn't win a prize.

185
Incidentally Alan Merry is probably the last player you want to face just an hour after losing a
tough game. He's a dangerous player with supreme confidence. I even thought before playing
that game about withdrawing, to save some rating points, such was the poor state of my mind,
but that would have been ridiculous when I could still win some prize money.
I think looking back on the event it's clear now that I struggle with two games a day now that I'm
in my forties. I was probably just running on empty on the final day (or Mcflurries.)
I also think at some point during this Pruijssers game my nerve went. Perhaps that's another
negative about growing old, your nerves get worse.
Nevertheless there were some positive things to take from the event if you ignore the final day.
When you get tournaments like this one you just have to think, maybe next time I put myself up
there perhaps things will turn out differently. A player can't have bad fortune forever.
39...Rd7 40.Ra4 c6 41.Be4 c5 42.Ra6+ Kf7 43.Ra5 Rc7 44.Kf2 Ke7 45.Kg3 g5 46.h4 gxh4+
47.Kxh4 Nc4 48.Ra6 Nd6 49.Bc2 c4 50.Ra5 c3 51.g4 Nc4 52.Ra1 Kf8 53.Kg3 Ne3 54.Be4 c2
55.Rc1 Rd7 56.Bxc2 Rc7 57.Ra1 Nxc2 58.Ra4 Ne3 59.Kf4 Rc4+ 0-1

186
GOING FOR THE KILL
Diego Flores, Buenos Aires 2019; Photo
from Campeonato Argentino Superior 2019
One of the most difficult tasks in chess is to win a
winning position. Every chess player has his own
personal horror story about this. Everytime you start
thinking like "I can't believe I'm really going to beat this
guy" or "this game is over, I better start thinking about
the next one" or even "what am I going to do with all
this prize money" remember you actually have to win
the game!
There are many types of winning positions: often you
have a technical position that requires endgame
knowledge to be converted; sometimes your opponent comes up with a desperate counter-attack,
so you should keep you composure and find all the correct defensive moves. But I am going to
deal with another type of winning position in this article: attacking positions where you must
deliver the killer blow.
All the chess players enjoy being on the attacking side, especially when you feel the attack is
truly winning. However, you must be precise in order to prevent the dead coming back to life.
And sometimes that is not easy at all. You might have many attractive continuations when it's
not easy reach decision with so many possibilites. Or, maybe you feel anxious to finish the game
and your opponent keeps on showing stubborn resistance.
Sometimes your opponent is stronger than you, so you start seeing all kinds of ghosts and cannot
calculate properly.
Let's analyze some recent examples. By solving these exercises and watching the drama in these
games I hope the reader will understand how hard it is to conduct an attack to it's logical
conclusion!
GM Diego Flores won the Argentinean Championship for the time, once again displaying his
usual combative chess. He has a great feel for dynamics as the next two games will show.

187
 E32
Krysa, Leandro Sergio (2519) - Flores, Diego (2602)
Argentina (ch), 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2

4...b6!? A provocative move that is much better than it looks.

5.e4 c5 6.d5 The best reply.
6.e5 cxd4 7.a3 Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 Ng8 9.cxd4 Bb7 and Black has very good results in this position.
6.a3 Bxc3+ 7.bxc3 Bb7 8.Bd3 b5! 9.Qb1 cxd4 10.cxd4 (10.cxb5!? could be an interesting try:
10...dxc3 11.Ne2 d5 (11...Qa5 12.O-O©) 12.Nxc3 Nbd7 13.O-O Nc5 and Black should be OK,
but the position is still very complex.) 10...bxc4! 11.Qxb7 cxd3 12.Qxa8 Qb6 with
compensation, as shown in a few games.
6...Qe7 7.Ne2 exd5 8.exd5 O-O 9.Bg5
9.Bd2 is a critical move. (Rakhmanov,Alexander 2676 - Rozum,Ivan 2599, Russia 2017 -
133/172) 9...d6 10.O-O-O Ng4 11.Be1 Nd7 12.Ng3 Ndf6 13.h3 Ne5 14.f4 Ng6 15.Bd2±
Zhou,Jianchao 2597 - Wei,Yi 2743, China (ch-blitz) 2017
9...h6 10.Bh4 d6 11.O-O-O Re8 12.f3

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12.h3 was tried in Rasmussen - Granda Zuniga who is a real South American chess legend. Let's
see how he demonstrated Black's chances. 12...Nbd7 13.g4 Ne5 14.Bxf6 (14.a3?! Bxc3
(14...Ba5?! 15.Bg2 (15.Bxf6 Qxf6 16.Ne4∞) 15...Nxc4! 16.Bxf6 Qxf6 17.Ne4 Rxe4 18.Bxe4
b5© with excellent compensantion, as in Rasmussen,Allan Stig 2540 - Granda Zuniga,Julio
2656, Kollafjordur 2017) 15.Nxc3 (15.Qxc3 Nxd5!µ) 15...Nf3!³) 14...Qxf6 15.Ne4∞;
12.Nb5!? is a daring move and could lead to some very interesting variations: 12...Ba5!
Computer-like precision. (12...g5? 13.Bg3 Ne4 14.Nec3±; 12...a6 13.Bxf6 Qxf6 14.Nc7 Re7
15.Nxa8 Bf5 16.Qb3 Bh7 17.g3 This is all similar to the main line. Amazingly, it seems that
White is able to escape.) 13.Bxf6 Qxf6 14.Nc7? This reflects the point of Black's play. 14...Re7
15.Nxa8 Bf5 16.Qb3

(16.Rd3 Nd7-+) 16...Bh7! Preparing a deadly battery. 17.g3 Be4→ with a winning attack.
(17...Qf5? 18.Nc3)
12...Nbd7 13.Ne4 g5 14.Nxf6+ Qxf6!
14...Nxf6 15.Bf2 is better for White - the knight should be heading to e5.
15.Bf2

189
15...b5! Opening lines for the attack. With rupture points on both flanks, the position will soon
become very messy.
16.h4
16.cxb5 a6ƒ;
16.Ng3! was a more precise reply. 16...bxc4 17.Bxc4 Rb8 18.Nh5 Qh8 19.h4 g4 with a
complete mess on the board.
16...g4!?
16...bxc4 was also possible. 17.Ng3 (17.hxg5 Qxg5+ 18.f4 Qg7 19.Ng3 Nf6„) 17...c3∞
17.Ng3 bxc4 18.Bxc4 Rb8 19.Qf5?

This is already a losing mistake. Actually, it is s usual price to be paid in these "irrational"

190
positions: a single error could be the last. How would you play with the black pieces?
19.Ne4 White should have played the most natural move. Surely he was afraid of the exchange
sacrifice. 19...Rxe4! 20.fxe4 Ne5 The position looks great for Black, but if White plays with
computer accuracy (not so easy) he might fight for an advantage. 21.Rhf1 Nxc4 (21...Qg7
22.Be2±; 21...Qf4+ 22.Kb1 Nxc4 23.Qxc4 Bf5 24.Ka1 Qxe4 25.Qc1²) 22.Qxc4 Qe5 23.Qd3!
(23.Qc2 Ba6©) 23...Ba5 24.Qc2 Ba6 25.Be1! Bxf1 26.Bxa5²
19...Qh8!! An excellent move! Black sacrifices in order to keep the queens. It's not everyday that
we see a queen on h8 being the decisive piece on move 19.!
19...Qg7 20.Qxg4 (20.Nh5 Qh8) 20...Qxg4 21.fxg4 Ne5µ Black's position is also very good
here but obviously it is better to go for checkmate.
20.Qxg4+ Kf8 21.Bb3 Now we reach the type of exercise that is the main aim of this article.
Black has a great position with many options so he must be precise in conducting the attack.
What is the best move?
21...Ne5? A natural move but not the best. It's very hard to make the correct decision when you
have many tempting continuations. Actually, Black has two winning moves here. As I have
already mentioned in previous articles, the most important technique for complex calculation is
the "Candidate Moves" technique. Also, we should also be constantly comparing the variations.
Alas, that is easier said than done.
21...Bc3! Both winning moves are sacrificing this poor bishop. 22.bxc3 Qxc3+ 23.Bc2 (23.Kb1
Rxb3+ 24.axb3 Qxb3+ 25.Kc1 Qc3+ 26.Kb1 Ba6-+) 23...Ne5 24.Qf4 Nc4! 25.Qxh6+ Ke7-+
and White is running out of checks.
21...Ba3! wins with similar lines. 22.Rd2 (22.bxa3 Qc3+ 23.Bc2 Ne5 24.Qf4 Nc4 25.Qxh6+
Ke7-+) 22...Ne5-+
22.Qf4 c4 Is very tempting, but now White can escape if he finds the right retreat of the bishop.
22...Ba6 23.Be3!±
23.Ba4?
23.Bc2! After this move I think the game is a draw. 23...Nd3+ 24.Bxd3 Ba3! 25.Rd2 (25.Bd4
Bxb2+ 26.Kc2 Bxd4 27.Qxd6+ Kg8 28.Qxb8 cxd3+ 29.Rxd3 Bd7©) 25...Rxb2 26.Bd4 Rb6+
27.Kc2 (27.Kd1 cxd3 … 28.Bxh8?? Rb1#) 27...cxd3+ 28.Rxd3 Rb2+ 29.Kd1 Rb1+=

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Again, Black has two winning moves in this position. Can you spot at least one of them?
23...Ba3!-+
23...Bd7! Also wins, but you would have to spot a really fantastic continuation 24.Bxd7

What is Black's winning move now? 24...Bd2+!! 25.Rxd2 Nd3+-+ … 26.Rxd3? Qxb2+ 27.Kd1
Qb1+ 28.Qc1 Qxd3+ 29.Qd2 Rb1#
24.Bd4
24.bxa3? Nd3+ 25.Rxd3 Qb2+ 26.Kd1 Qb1+ 27.Qc1 Qxd3+ 28.Qd2 Rb1#
24...Rxb2! Yet another spectacular move!
24...Bxb2+ 25.Kc2 Re7 also wins.
25.Bxe8

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25.Bxb2 Nd3+ 26.Rxd3 Qxb2+ 27.Kd1 Qb1+ 28.Kd2 Qxd3#

It's clear that the position is winning for Black. What is the best continuation? Remember:
Candidate Moves!
25...c3!! A deadly "calm" move and the only winning continuation. Black is not in a hurry since
White's king isn't going anywhere.
26.Ba4

26.Bxc3 Rb4+-+
26...Bd7
26...Ba6! was even better, for instance: 27.Qf5 (27.Bxe5 Rd2+ 28.Kb1 Bd3+ 29.Ka1 Bb2#;
27.Bxc3 Rb4+-+) 27...Qg7! 28.Bxc3 Rb3+ 29.Kc2 Rxc3+! 30.Kxc3 Nxf3+ 31.Kb3 Qb2#

193
27.Bb3
27.Bxd7 Rd2+ 28.Kb1 c2+-+
27...Rxb3+
27...Rxa2+ 28.Kb1 Rb2+ 29.Ka1 Rxb3→ with the winning attack.
28.Kc2 Rb2+ 29.Kxc3 Ke7! Who said a piece is badly placed in the corner? Look at the
potential of Black's queen, ready to come to c8 now.
30.Bxe5

After playing some fantastic chess Diego starts now to lose the thread of the game. This shows
how chess can be so difficult - it is important to remain alert until the end. 30...Qc8+? This move
spoils all the previous efforts and allows White to escape with a draw. It's tempting to bring the
queen to the attack but there was no hurry.
30...dxe5-+ was winning immediately. Such an attack for almost no material sacrificed! 31.Qc4
Qb8!→ with a winning attack.
31.Kd3 Qc2+ 32.Ke3 Qf2+
32...Bc5+ is also a draw. 33.Bd4 Qf2+ (33...f5? 34.Rhf1+-) 34.Ke4 Qc2+ (34...Bxd4 35.Rxd4
Qc2+ 36.Ke3 Qf2+ 37.Ke4=) 35.Ke3=
33.Ke4 Qc2+ 34.Rd3? A losing blunder. I don't know whether Krysa was too optimistic or if he
saw some "ghost" after 34.Ke3. Anyway, the result would be a draw.
34.Ke3=
34...Rb4+ 0-1

C76
Pichot, Alan (2600) - Flores, Diego (2602)

194
 Argentina (ch), 2019

Alan Pichot is the rising star and the future of Argentina’s chess. He was World Champion in the
U-18 category. He has a rich dynamic style and good opening repertoire. But in this game Flores
imposed his trademark style.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 d6 5.O-O Bd7 6.c3 g6 7.d4 Bg7 8.d5 I suspect this is not
the best way to get an opening advantage, but I will leave this to 1.e4 experts.
8...Nce7 9.Bxd7+ Qxd7 10.c4 h6 11.Nc3 f5 12.exf5
12.Ne1 is the main move, Rozentalis,Eduardas 2505 - Smagin,Sergey, Voronezh 1987 - 44/400
12...gxf5 13.Ne1
13.Nh4 was played in a high level game: 13...Nf6 14.f4 e4 15.Be3 O-O 16.Ne2 c6 Black is fine,
Adams,Michael 2745 - Carlsen, Magnus 2863, Shamkir 2015.
13...Nf6 14.f4 e4 15.Nc2 Black must fight against Nd4-e6 now.

15...b5!?N Knowing Diego well, I suspect this novelty was an over-the-board inspiration. This
move is typical of his style - he likes to create a complicated position and is not afraid to make
positional concessions.
15...c5 16.dxc6 Qxc6= Huebner,Robert 2630 - Sosonko,Gennadi 2580, Deutschland 1982
16.cxb5
16.Nd4? bxc4 17.Ne6 Rg8 18.Nxg7+ Rxg7 19.Qd4 Kf7 20.Qxc4 Rag8µ
16...axb5 17.Be3 O-O 18.Nb4 Kh7 19.h3 Rg8ƒ White's position is already unpleasant. 20.Qe2
20.Rc1 Bh8 21.Rc2 was a bit better.
20...Bh8! 21.Rad1 Ng6 22.Qf2?!

195
22.Kh1 Nh4 23.Rg1 Ng4! 24.hxg4 Rxg4 25.g3 Rag8ƒ
22...Nh5→ The attack is decisive.
23.Kh1 Bf6 24.g3

Black's position is every attacking player's dream. There are many tempting moves. You should
list your candidate moves and compare them. How would you proceed?
24...Nh4? A creative move, but Black had an immediate killer.
24...Nxg3+ would also be strong. 25.Qxg3 Nh4 26.Qe1 (26.Qf2 Nf3-+) 26...Qf7-+ the attack is
winning.
24...Ne5! Would be the prettiest and cleanest path to victory. 25.fxe5 Nxg3+ 26.Kh2 Bxe5
27.Bf4 e3! Probably Diego missed this important move. 28.Qxe3 (28.Qf3 Nxf1+ 29.Rxf1 Qg7
30.Ne2 Bxf4+ 31.Nxf4 Qxb2+ 32.Ne2 Qe5+-+) 28...Nxf1+ 29.Rxf1 Qg7 and White gets
checkmated.
25.gxh4 Rg3 26.Kh2 Rag8 27.Rg1 Bxh4 28.Qe2 Qf7 29.Nxb5? Too optimistic. The knight
should have headed to defence.
29.Nc2! and the game would be open to all results. 29...b4! (29...Rf3 30.Rxg8 Qxg8 31.Rg1
Qf7∞; 29...Qg6 30.Qf1! and White should hold.) 30.Nxb4 Qg6 31.Qf2! it still looks very scary
for White, to be honest, but at least not losing.
29...Qg6 30.Qf2
30.Qf1 Rxg1 31.Qxg1 Qf6-+
30...Rxg1
30...Qf6! is the simplest solution 31.Qe2 Rxe3! 32.Qxe3 Bg3+ 33.Rxg3 Rxg3 34.Qxg3 Nxg3
35.Kxg3 Qxb2 36.Rd4 e3-+

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31.Rxg1
31.Qxg1 Qf6-+
31...Bxf2 32.Rxg6

A difficult question arises - what's the best move for Black?

32...Bxe3? The wrong way.
32...Rxg6 Would also be very good and is surely a more "human" move. 33.Bxf2 Nxf4 Now the
pawns are ready to roll. 34.Be3 (34.Bg3 Ne2) 34...Ng2 35.Nc2 f4 36.Bg1 Nh4 37.Ne1 Black is
winning but still needs to find some precise moves.
32...Rb8! This is a very difficult move to find (but not with the engine turned on). 33.Bxf2 Rxb5
34.Rg2 Rxb4 35.Be1 (35.Be3 Nf6-+) 35...Ra4 36.b3 Ra7 The endgame is winning. 37.Bc3 Rb7!
White is helpless against the threat of 38...Rb5. If 38.b4 Ra7!-+
33.Rxg8 Kxg8 34.a4„ Now White has counterplay and the game is balanced. I will show how
the game ended with some brief comments.
34...Bxf4+ 35.Kh1
35.Kg2!= was better.
35...Bd2 36.Nc3 f4
36...Kf7
37.Nc2?
37.a5 Nf6 38.a6 Be3 39.Nc6 (39.Nb5 f3 40.Kh2!=) 39...f3 White can save the game now with a
prophylactic move.

197
40.Kh2!!= (40.a7? Bxa7 41.Nxa7 e3 42.Kg1 Nh5! 43.Ne4 e2 44.Kf2 Nf4-+)
37...Nf6 38.a5 Bxc3 39.bxc3 Nxd5 40.c4 Ne7 41.Nd4?
41.Nb4! Kf7 42.Nd5 Nc6 43.a6 Ke6 44.Nxf4+ Ke5 45.Nd5 Kd4 46.Kg2 Kxc4 47.Nxc7 d5
48.Kf2 d4 49.Ke2 with some drawing chances.
41...Kf7 42.a6 Nc8 43.Kg2 Kf6-+
43...c5! 44.Nc6 Ke6 45.a7 Nxa7 46.Nxa7 d5 47.cxd5+ Kxd5-+
44.Nc6 Nb6 45.a7 Ke6 46.Nd4+
46.Nb4!
46...Kd7 47.Nf5 Kc6 48.Nxh6 Kb7 49.h4 Nxc4 50.Ng4 d5 51.h5 Nd6 52.Ne5 Nf5 53.Nc6
f3+ 54.Kf2 Ka8 55.Nb4 d4 56.Nd5 d3 57.Ne3 d2 0-1

E15
Cheparinov, Ivan (2670) - Mareco, Sandro (2634)
Douglas, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Ba6 5.b3 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 Be7 7.Bg2 d5 8.cxd5 exd5 9.O-O O-O
10.Nc3 Re8 11.Ne5 Bb7 12.Rc1
A few days before Cheparinov beat Iturrizaga Bonelli with 12.Bc1. Mareco and Iturrizaga are
friends and obviously some improvement was prepared for Black in this line.
12.Bc1 Nbd7 13.Bb2 Bd6 14.f4 c5 15.e3∞ Gelfand,Boris 2734 - Inarkiev,Ernesto 2730, Magas
(m/6) 2016 - 129/173
12...Nbd7 13.Rc2
13.Bf4 Sakaev,Konstantin 2560 - Aseev,Konstantin 2530, Russia 1996 - 66/(445)

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13...Nf8 14.Bc1 All this manoeuvering is more or less typical in this line.
14...Ne6 15.Bb2 a6 16.e3 Bd6N
16...Ra7
17.h4 is not an easy move to make.
17.Ng4!? Nxg4 (17...Ne4) 18.Qxg4 Bf8²;
17.f4!? c5 (17...Rc8 is also possible.) 18.Ng4! Nxg4 19.Qxg4 cxd4 20.Nxd5 with some pressure
for White.
17...Rc8 18.Ng4 Be7 19.Nxf6+ Bxf6 20.b4
20.Rd2=
20...c6 21.Rd2

21...a5! Now, Black is able to achieve a good game.

22.a3
22.bxa5 b5 23.a3 Qxa5 24.e4=
22...axb4 23.axb4 Nc7! 24.e4?
24.b5!? Nxb5 25.Nxb5 cxb5 26.Ba3 Rc4 27.Rb2=
24...Ba6! 25.Re1 Bc4 26.Qh5?! Be7 27.exd5 Bxb4µ 28.Re5 Sandro played a great game so far
and achieved a winning position.
28...Nxd5
28...Bxc3 This simple move would have left White in a hopeless position. 29.Bxc3 Bxd5-+
(29...Nxd5-+)

199
29.Nxd5 Rxe5? Sandro becomes too greedy.
29...cxd5-+
30.dxe5

30...Bxd2?
30...Bxd5? 31.e6 fxe6 32.Be4!+-;
30...cxd5 31.e6! Qe7 (31...fxe6? 32.Be4) 32.exf7+ Qxf7 33.Bxd5 Bxd5 34.Rxd5 Qxh5 35.Rxh5
with a draw.
31.e6!+- fxe6 32.Qg4!
32.Qe5 Qf8 33.Nxb6 Ba6 is also winning for White, but much more complex.
32...Bh6
32...Bg5 was the best practical chance. How should White play now?

200
33.Ne3! The only winning move. (33.Nxb6?! Qxb6 34.Qxc4 Rf8; 33.Qxe6+ Kh8) 33...Bf6
(33...Bb3 34.hxg5+-) 34.Nxc4 Bxb2 35.Qxe6+ Kh8 36.Nxb2 Qe8 37.Qf5+- when White
manages to coordinate his pieces the attack will be deadly.
33.Qxe6+ Kf8
33...Kh8 34.Qxh6+-

Cheparinov managed to turn the game around and is now clearly winning. How to clinch the
game?
34.Be5?
34.Ba3++- c5 35.Qf5+ Kg8 36.Qxc8! Qxc8 37.Ne7+ Kf7 38.Nxc8;
34.Qf5+ Kg8 (34...Ke8 35.Nxb6+- (35.Qe4++-)) 35.Qxc8 Qxc8 36.Ne7++-

201
34...g6 Now Black escapes.
35.Bd6+ Kg7 36.Be5+ Kf8 37.Bd6+ Kg7 38.Be7 Qe8 39.Bf6+ Kf8 40.Qd6+ Kf7 41.Nxb6
Be6 42.Nxc8 Qxc8 43.Bd4 Bg7 44.Bxg7 Kxg7 45.Bxc6 This position is a technical draw.
45...Bf7 46.Qe5+ Kg8 47.Be4 Qe6 48.Qd4 Qc4 49.Qe5 Qe6 50.Qf4 Kg7 51.g4 Qf6 52.Qg3 h6
53.g5 hxg5 54.hxg5 Qd4 55.Qf4 Be6 56.Kg2 Bf7 57.Kg3 Qc3+ 58.Bf3 Qa1 59.Qe3 Qb2
60.Be4 Qb3 61.Bd3 Qc3 62.Kh4 Qa1 63.Be4 Qe5 64.Kh3 Kf8 65.Kg2 Kg7 66.Kf3 Qb2
67.Qc5 Qa1 68.Kg2 Qb2 69.Qd6 Qc3 70.Bf3 Qb2 71.Bg4 Qb7+ 72.Kg3 Qb3+ 73.Kh4 Qb2
74.Qc5 Qa1 75.Qe3 Qb2 76.Qc5 Qa1 77.Bh3 Qa4+ 78.Kg3 Qb3+ 79.f3 Qb2 80.Qe3 Qb8+
81.Kg2 Qb2+ 82.Kg1 Qa1+ 83.Kh2 Qb2+ 84.Bg2 Kg8 85.f4 Qb3 86.Qe5 Qd3 87.Kg1 Qg3
88.Qd4 Qe1+ 89.Kh2 Qh4+ 90.Bh3 Qe1 91.Kg2 Qe2+ 92.Kg3 Qe1+ 93.Kf3 Qe7 94.Kf2
Qa3 95.Bg4 Qa2+ 96.Be2 Qe6 97.Qe5 Qb6+ 98.Kg2 Qb3 99.Bf3 Qd3 100.Kf2 Qd2+
101.Be2 Qb4 102.Bb5 Qd2+ 103.Kg3 Qd1 104.Be2 Qg1+ 105.Kf3 Qh1+ 106.Ke3 Qc1+
107.Kd4 Qg1+ 108.Kc3 Qe1+ 109.Kc2 Qb4 110.Bd3 Qb3+ 111.Kd2 Qb4+ 112.Ke2 Qb6
113.Bb5 Qa5 114.Qb8+ Kg7 115.Bd3 Qa2+ 116.Ke3 Qg2 117.Be2 Qg3+ 118.Kd2 Qb3
119.Qe5+ Kg8 120.Bd3 Qb4+ 121.Ke2 Qb6 122.Be4 Qa6+ 123.Kf2 Qa2+ 124.Kg3 Qb3+
125.Kg2 Qa2+ 126.Kh3 Qb3+ 127.Kh4 Qe3 128.Bg2 Qd2 129.Kg3 Qd3+ 130.Kf2 Qd2+
131.Kg3 Qd3+ 132.Kf2 1/2-1/2
To finish the article I would like to show a great game from the FIDE Grand Swiss event. Najer
is a very dangerous player and can beat even the best of the best.

E51
Najer, Evgeniy (2635) - Anand, Viswanathan (2765)
Douglas, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O 5.Bd2 d5 6.Nf3 b6 7.Rc1 Bb7 8.cxd5 exd5 9.Bd3 Be7
10.O-O Nbd7 11.Ne5 Nxe5 12.dxe5 Nd7
12...Ne4 13.Nxe4 dxe4 14.Bc4= was equal in Alzate,Dario - Purdy,Cecil John Seddon, Siegen
(ol) 1970
13.f4 Nc5 14.Bb1 d4 15.Nb5! d3
15...dxe3? 16.Bxe3±
16.Nd4
16.Bc3 was played in Idani,Pouya 2583 - Efimenko,Zahar 2637, Turkiye 2018 - 137/188
16...a5 17.Qg4 g6N
17...Kh8 was played in Salemgareev,Tagir 2412 - Alekseev,Evgeny 2645, Russia 2019
18.f5!ƒ and Black is in trouble.
18...Ne4?

202
18...Qd5 19.f6 h5! 20.Qh3 Bd8 21.Rf5!ƒ and White has a lot of pressure, for instance:
21...Qxg2+ 22.Qxg2 Bxg2 23.Kxg2 gxf5 24.Rf1±;
18...h5! seems to be Black's best chance 19.Qh3 Bg5!∞

How should White continue the attack?

19.Bxd3!! Of course! Why should we care for pieces when we can play for checkmate?
19...Nxd2 20.fxg6 fxg6 21.Bxg6! Kh8
21...hxg6? 22.Qxg6+ Kh8 23.Nf5! Rf7 24.Qxf7+-;
21...Bc8 22.Rf5! (22.Rxf8+ Qxf8 23.Bf5+ Kh8 24.Rxc7 is also good.) 22...Rxf5 (22...Bxf5
23.Bxf5+ Kh8 24.Ne6+-) 23.Bxf5+ Kh8 24.Bxc8 Qxc8 25.Nf5! Bf8 26.Rc2! Qd7 27.e6 Qd3
28.Qd4+ Qxd4 29.exd4 Re8 30.Rxd2 Rxe6 31.Kf2 with a technical win.
22.Bxh7! Rxf1+ 23.Rxf1 Bg5
23...Qd5 24.Bg6! Qxg2+ (24...Nxf1 25.Qh5+ Kg8 26.Qh7+ Kf8 27.Qh8+ Qg8 28.Ne6#)
25.Qxg2 Bxg2 26.Rf7!+-
24.Nf5 Qd3 25.Re1 Bxe3+ 26.Kh1! Bh6

203
Up to this point Najer played in superb fashion, and he is close to winning the game. It's time for
the knockout blow. 27.Qg6? An unfortunate slip. Now Black has an incredible way to save the
game.
27.Bg6! Ne4 (27...Rg8 28.Qh5+-) 28.Qh5 Qd2 29.Qxh6+ Qxh6 30.Nxh6+-
27...Bxg2+™ 28.Kxg2

Can you find the saving sequence for Black?

28...Qd5+?
28...Qf3+! 29.Kg1 Qf4! Most likely Vishy missed this move. 30.Kg2 (30.Nxh6? Nf3+)
30...Qf3+ (30...Nf3? 31.Re4+-) 31.Kg1 Qf4=
29.Kh3! Qd3+ 30.Kh4

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30.Kh4 Nf3+ 31.Kh5+-
1-0

205
A Brief Look at the States of the Game in the States

I might be biased when I say that visiting the Saint Louis Chess Club is like a dream come true,
but I challenge anyone to go experience it by themselves and tell otherwise. The vibrant
environment, the classes, or simply a walk-in player who comes in to play a game of chess all are
evidence of a great operation going on. Aside from the amateur chess player who is welcomed to
visit or play at the club, it feels that life at the club doesn’t slow down when Grand Chess Tour
events or US Championships are not taking place there. The club has made it its mission to
promote chess at different levels. Every season (Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter), the club has
made it a tradition to organize strong Round-Robin invitational events. Aside from the handsome
prizes, these events give the opportunity to talented American titled players to gain experience
competing against international players of similar or higher levels in order to improve their game
(where they can play one game a day). Further, also providing a great prize fund of over $30,000
among two categories is a bonus.

206
 Sabina interviews Jeffery Xiong, Saint Louis 2019; Photo by Crystal Fuller

SAINT LOUIS WINTER CLASSIC

The Winter Chess Classic was the final event rounding up the year 2019 and thankfully I was
working at the chess club during the period. This was the first time trying my skills as a
commentator for such a prestigious event. The production team was led by Ben Simon, Isaac
Schrantz, Tony Chen and Danny Machuca, while I joined the club’s own national master Caleb
Denby. We started the live transmission two and a half hours after the start of the games and we
would usually go on for about one hour and a half. I am grateful to announce that we managed to
interview 19 of the 20 players. It wasn’t intentional, just the circumstances didn’t allow for the
20th player to be interviewed. For those interested, the live transmission has been recorded and is
available on Youtube, but enough about the commentary, let me tell you a little bit about these
events.
Players from nine different countries have competed during November 10th and November 18th
in the two events – A and B Groups. I am not sure on which part of the spectrum I would rather
be: the player or the commentator. As a commentator you are more free to let yourself be guided
by instincts while as a player you are second guessing yourself a lot to make sure you are making

207
the best possible decisions. Many of the games in both tournaments were exciting, and I think
sometimes it is hard to give everyone credit for their tough play, for coming back into the
tournament or for beautiful moves, opening novelties or amazing endgame techniques.
Sometimes as a commentator you are suffering with the players and are surprised just as much as
they are by their blunders. Some blundered material, others mates, others let the time trouble
affect their calculation, others saved worse games, but such is chess, a beautiful game that keeps
us all in check!
The Group A was won by the American Grandmaster Jeffery Xiong, while the B group by
Grandmaster Emilio Córdova, from Peru.
In the A group Grandmasters Jeffery Xiong and Rinat Jumabayev were leading throughout the
event allowing for the final day to decide their faith. In their direct encounter in round 6 the
standings changed in the favor of the latter putting him in sole lead with one point from the rest
of the field. In a complex position the young American made a few inaccuracies, which gave
Jumabayev the opportunity to convert his advantage and win the game. After Jumabayev
stumbled in round 8, going into round nine, we could have expected a play-off had the two
players both drawn or won their final rounds. Although in a better position, Jumabayev
blundered a piece unexpectedly and ended up losing his second game in a row. Moments later,
Grandmaster Jeffery Xiong drew his last round, being crowned the winner of the A Group of the
Winter Chess Classic.
The B group was mostly led by Belorussian Grandmaster Sergei Azarov, but with a draw in the
last round allowed Grandmaster Córdova to overpass him and finish sole winner. After losing in
round two blundering a pawn very early into the game against young International Master
Christopher Yoo, Grandmaster Emilio Córdova has had an amazing come back scoring 5½ out of
this final 6 rounds, which shows incredible determination and fighting spirit; for sure a deserved
winner of the event.
There were so many interesting games throughout both events that it was hard for me to narrow
it down. I have decided to choose form 11 games as follows: four games that had interesting
opening ideas and could benefit the reader with new ideas, potentially novelties unless someone
gets to play them before the publish, five interesting tactical moments, one instructive game and
an endgame. I will let the positions talk for themselves.
A13
Sarana, Alexey (2664) - Akobian, Varuzhan (2627)
Saint Louis A, 2019

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 e6 4.c4 dxc4!? Sarana has a well rounded repertoire, so I think
Akobian decided to avoid the Catalan not wanting to test his opponent's knowledge in the main
lines with d4.
5.Qa4+ Nbd7 6.Qxc4

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6.O-O a6 7.Qxc4 b5 leads pretty much to the same
position.
6...a6 7.Qc2 c5

8.O-O?! Somewhat too quiet. I think this is a critical moment in this position where White has to
try to find a way to push for advantage.
8.Nc3 Qc7 9.d4 Ding's oppening choice against Carlsen at the Saint Louis Sinquefield Cup's
Qualifier gives white better chances. (9.O-O b5 10.a4 b4 11.Nd1 Bb7 12.Ne3 Be7 13.d3 O-O
14.a5² and White can claim a symbolic edge.) 9...b5! (9...cxd4?! allows White to maintain the
advantage after 10.Nxd4 Bc5 11.Nb3 Bd6 12.O-O O-O 13.Rd1 Be5 14.Be3 Nd5 15.Bxd5 exd5
16.Rac1± Ding,Liren 2805 - Carlsen,Magnus 2882, Saint Louis (blitz) 2019 - 141/4) 10.Bf4 Qa7
(10...Qb6 11.Ne5 Bb7 12.Nxd7 Nxd7 13.d5 Nf6 14.O-O-O!?ƒ) 11.d5!? A typical move for this
structure. (11.a4?! Bb7 12.d5 exd5 (12...b4?! 13.dxe6 fxe6 14.Nb1 Be4 15.Qd1²) 13.e4
(13.axb5?! d4 14.Nb1 Qb6³ (14...Be4? 15.Qa4 a5 16.O-O Qb7 17.Nbd2 Nb6 (Gledura,
Benjamin 2461 - Mareco,Sandro 2598, Graz 2015) 18.Qa3 Be7 (18...Bd5 19.e4 Be6 20.Ng5+-)
19.Nxe4 Nxe4 20.Nd2+-)) 13...dxe4 14.Nh4©) 11...Nxd5! (11...exd5?? 12.e4! d4 (12...dxe4
13.Nxe4 Bb7 14.Nxf6+ Nxf6 15.O-O-O+-) 13.Nd5+-) 12.Nxd5 exd5 13.a4! (13.e4?! d4 14.e5
Be7 15.O-O Bb7 16.Rfe1 Nf8µ Szabo,Laszlo - Keres,Paul, Winnipeg 1967 - 5/29) 13...b4 14.e4
The most challenging for Black by far. (14.O-O Be7 15.Rfd1 Bb7 16.Nh4!? Bxh4 17.gxh4 d4
with a balanced position; 14.Rd1 Bb7 15.O-O Be7 16.Nh4 Bxh4 17.gxh4 d4 18.Bh3 Qb6
(18...Bc6?? 19.Rxd4+-; 18...Rd8 19.Bd6 Qb6 20.Bxd7+ Rxd7 21.Bxc5 Qg6+= leads to a
drawish ending.) 19.e3 Qc6 20.f3 O-O 21.exd4 c4 22.d5∞; 14.O-O-O!? Bb7 15.Nh4 d4 16.Bxb7
Qxb7 17.e3 b3 18.Qe2 O-O-O 19.exd4 cxd4 20.Nf5 Nc5 21.Nxd4 Bd6=) 14...d4 15.e5 Bb7
(15...Be7 16.O-O Transposes.) 16.e6 fxe6 17.O-O Be7 18.Rae1 Nf8 19.Re5© Despite the extra
two pawns for Black, the position remains double-edged.
8...b5! Akobian had the best response which led to a typical middlegame for this Neo-Catalan

209
line, where Black does not seem to have any problems.
9.b3 Bb7 10.Bb2 Be7 11.d3 O-O 12.Nbd2 Qb6 13.e4 Not the most common line.
13.Rac1 is the main line, but it does not offer White so much here as after 13...Rac8 14.Qb1 both
14...Rfd8 (and 14...Rfe8 give Black a good position. 15.Qa1 Bd6 16.Rc2 e5 17.Rfc1 Rcd8
18.Ng5 Bxg2 19.Kxg2 Qb7+ 20.Kg1 Nd5 21.a3 h6 22.Nge4 Bf8³ Can,Emre 2557 -
Cheparinov, Ivan 2685, Djakovica 2016) 15.Qa1 Qa7 16.Rc2 Qa8 17.Rfc1 Bf8 18.a3 h6 19.Nf1
Nd5 20.N1d2 N5b6 21.h4 a5 22.a4∞ Martinez Duany,Lelys 2547 - Gonzalez Vidal,Yuri 2565,
Cuba (ch) 2019
13...Rfd8 14.Rac1 Rac8 15.Rfd1 Nb8 It does not seem that White made any mistakes, but due to
the lack of space White is lacking a good plan, while Black has time to improve the position of
his pieces; now bringing the knight towards d4 and b4.
16.Ne5 Nfd7 17.Nxd7 Rxd7 18.Nf3 Nc6 19.a3 Nd4
19...a5!? with the idea of Nd4 would have been better. Black has no need to rush.
20.Nxd4 cxd4 21.Qd2 Rdc7 22.Rxc7 Rxc7 23.Rc1 e5 24.f4 h6 25.Rxc7 Qxc7 26.Bh3?!
26.Qc1 Qb6 27.b4 a5 28.bxa5 Qxa5 does not solve White's problems either, but was a better try.

26...Bc8! Surprisingly very strong. Suddenly White's position exposes too many threats.
27.Bxc8 Qxc8 Now the b2 bishop is restricted forever, so Black has to find the right plan to
breakthrough.
28.fxe5? A decisive error, which costs Sarana the game.
28...Bg5 29.Qe2 Be3+ 30.Kf1 a5 31.a4 b4 Now White plays with a bishop down, it is still not
easy to progress, but Akobian, had his plan set: bringing the king to capture the e5 pawn and find
a way for his queen to enter and start capturing some of White's weaknesses.

210
32.Kg2 g6 33.Qd1 h5 34.Qe2 Qe6 35.Qd1 Kg7 36.h3 Kh7 37.Qc2 Kg7 38.Qd1 Qc8 39.Qe2
Kf8 40.Qd1 Ke7 41.Qe2 Ke6
White is lost, but Sarana makes life much easier for Akobian with: 42.Qf1??
Any waiting move like 42.Kh2 could have been tried, and now Black has to find a way to
capture e5 withought losing material. Maybe going back with the king to g8 to avoid checks and
then playing Qe6 (of course making sure that the queen is sent away from controling e3 first),
then capturing Qe5 and some entrance on the f-file.
42...Qc2+ 43.Kh1 Kxe5 44.Ba1 Qxb3 45.h4 Qc2 0-1

A27
Harutyunian, Tigran (2542) - Cordova, Emilio (2570)
Saint Louis B, 2019

1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nc6 3.Bg2 Bc5 4.Nc3 d6 5.Nf3 Nge7 6.e3

6...a6?! Things did nott exactly start smoothly for Cordova, after a blunder in the 2nd round, his
experiment with the innovative play could go severely wrong, had his opponent taken advantage
of all the inaccuracies.
6...Bg4!? In my opinion a6 is not as important in this English line, as is development. 7.h3 Bh5
8.g4 Bg6 9.d4 Bb6 10.d5 Nb8 11.e4 Nd7∞
7.d4 Ba7 8.dxe5! dxe5 9.Qxd8+ Kxd8 10.O-O
10.b3! This move seems to put a lot of pressure on Black, leading to never-ending problems for
them. 10...f6 (10...Ke8 11.Ba3 f6 12.Nd2!± and after Nd5, 0-0, and f4 White has an annoying
initiative.) 11.Ba3 Be6 (11...Bd7 12.Nd2 Kc8 13.Nd5 Re8 14.Ne4 a5 15.Nxe7+ (15.Rc1 f5
16.Nec3 Nxd5 17.cxd5 Nb4 18.O-O Kb8 19.Rfd1 Bc5 20.Bf1 Bd6 21.Bb5 Rd8 22.Rd2 Bc8
23.Bb2 g6²) 15...Nxe7 16.O-O² Black cannot develop his pieces with ease)

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10...f6 11.b3 Ke8 12.Nd5?!
12.Ba3 Transposes to the above mentioned line and would have yielded much more for White.
12...Nxd5 13.cxd5 Nb4 14.Rd1 Nc2 15.Rb1 e4 16.Nh4 Bg4 17.Rf1?!
17.Bb2!? g5 (17...Bxd1 18.Rxd1 Nb4 19.Bxe4 Rd8 20.a3 Nc6 21.Nf5 and White's initiative is
more than just a compensation. 17...Rd8 18.Rd2 Nxe3 19.Bxe4 Rd7 20.d6! cxd6 21.Bd4 Bxd4
22.Rxd4 g5 23.Re1! gxh4 24.Rxe3 Kf8 25.Bd5 Bh5 26.Be6 Rc7 27.Rxh4 White recoups the
material with a much better ending.) 18.Rdc1 Nxe3 19.Rxc7 Nxd5

20.Rc4! A hard to see move! 20...Kf7 21.Bxe4 Ne7 (21...Rad8 22.Bxd5+ Rxd5 23.Rxg4±)
22.Bxb7 Be6 23.Bxa8 Rxa8 24.Ba3 Bxc4 25.bxc4 Rb8 26.Rxb8 Bxb8 27.Nf3² with good
winning chances for White in the endgame.
17.Rd2! Nxe3 (17...Ne1?? 18.Bxe4+-) 18.fxe3 Bxe3+ 19.Kf1 Bxd2 20.Bxd2 g5 21.Re1! Kf7
22.Rxe4 f5 23.Rc4 gxh4 24.Rxc7+ Kg6 25.h3 Bh5 26.d6!± ∆hxg3 27.Bd5 and White dominates
the board, however it is not easy to see such a complex line from afar.
17...Nb4 18.Bxe4 Rd8

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19.Bf5? White erred in a bad fashion, allowing Black to steal the initiative.
19.d6 Rxd6 20.Bxb7² still leaves White with some, though diminished, advantage.
19...Bxf5 20.Nxf5 g6 21.Nh6 Rxd5 22.Bb2 Rf8³ From here on, Cordova gradually outplayed
his opponent.
23.e4 Rd6 24.e5 fxe5 25.Bxe5 Rd2 26.Bf4 Rxa2 27.Rbd1 Rxf2 28.Rxf2 Bxf2+ 29.Kxf2 g5
30.Re1+ Kd7 31.Rd1+ Kc8 32.Kf3 c6 33.Kg4 gxf4 34.gxf4 Nd5 35.Rd4 a5 36.f5 b5 37.Kg5
Kc7 38.Ng4 Kd6 39.Re4 Kc5 40.Ne5 h6+ 41.Kxh6 Rxf5 42.h4 Kd6 43.Ng4 Nf4 44.Kg7 Kd5
45.Re1 Kd4 46.Nh6 Rh5 47.Rf1 Ke4 48.Rc1 c5 49.Ra1 Rxh4 50.Rxa5 Ne6+ 51.Kg6 Nd4
52.Nf7 Kd5 53.Ng5 b4 54.Ra8 Nxb3 55.Nf3 Rf4 56.Rd8+ Ke4 57.Ng5+ Ke3 58.Ne6 Re4
59.Kf6 c4 60.Rb8 c3 0-1
With 1 out of 3 some might have counted out Cordova, but this was for sure a nice fight back
into the tournament and from 1/3 he went on to scoring 5½/6 being the sole winner of the Winter
Classic B Group!

After losing to Jumabayev with the white pieces, a rebound was the much needed thing for
Xiong keeping his hopes alive to sharing the first place!

D24
Erdos, Viktor (2613) - Xiong, Jeffery (2712)
Saint Louis A, 2019

1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.e4 b5 Quite risky!

6.e5 Nd5 7.Nxb5 Nb6 8.Be2 Be7 9.O-O Nc6 10.Qd2 Bb7 11.Rd1 Qd7 A topical theoretic line
in 2019, since it has been played four times in over the board games.

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12.Qf4?! Logical but it is not engines' only choice.
Others include: 12.Nc3!? Nb4 13.Qf4 (13.a3!? N4d5 14.Ne4 Qc6 15.Qc2 Nb4 16.Nf6+ Bxf6
17.axb4 Be7„) 13...f5 14.Qg3 (14.exf6?! was tried unsuccessfully in the game 14...gxf6 15.d5
e5 16.Qh4 O-O-O 17.Bxc4 Nxc4 18.Qxc4 Nxd5 19.Nxd5 Bxd5 20.Qa6+ Bb7 21.Rxd7 Bxa6
22.Rxd8+ Rxd8 23.Be3 Kb7³ Li,Di 2523 - Narayanan,S.L 2616, Changsha 2019 (23...Rd5³))
14...O-O (14...g5!? 15.d5 N4xd5 16.Nxd5 Nxd5 (16...Bxd5

17.b3! cxb3 18.axb3 h6 19.Nd4 and it is hard to find a safe haven for Black's king. 19...O-O
20.Bb5 Qc8 21.h4 Rf7 22.hxg5 hxg5 23.Bc6ƒ) 17.Bxc4 O-O-O 18.b4 Bxb4 19.Bxg5 Rdg8
20.Rab1∞) 15.h4ƒ Ding,Liren 2805 - Caruana,Fabiano 2818, Saint Louis (rapid) 2019;
12.Nc3!? O-O-O 13.Qc2 Nb4 14.Qb1 Qc6 15.Be3 g5 16.Ne1! N4d5 17.Nxd5 Nxd5 18.Rc1
Both Leela and Fat Fritz believe that White has decisive advantage here. Something that is hard
to contemplate with naked eyes, though it seems that White's pressure on Black's weakned pawn

214
structure surpasses Black's attack on the kingside.
12.b3 cxb3 13.axb3 Nb4 14.Nd6+ cxd6 15.Qxb4 O-O 16.Ba3 Nd5 17.Qd2 Rfc8=
12...g5!
12...Nb4 13.Nc3 N4d5 14.Qg3 is not really that advisable.
13.Nxg5 Bxg5 14.Qxg5 Ne7! Strong move!
15.d5! Also engine approved and it makes sense, as White fights for space.
15...Nbxd5 16.a4
16.Nd4? while it seems natural it leads to a crazy position where Black seems to be under
control - 16...Rg8 17.Qh4 Rxg2+ 18.Kxg2 Ne3+ 19.Kg1 Nxd1 20.Bg5 (20.Bxd1 O-O-O-+)
20...Nxb2µ;
16.Na3 does not help White much either as tactical threats on g2 are still very annoying. 16...Rg8
17.Qh5 Rxg2+ 18.Kxg2 Ne3+ 19.Kg1 Nxd1 20.Bxd1 Qc6 21.f3 c3 22.b4 O-O-O 23.Be2 c2
and Black's initiative is much higher than the piece he has sacrificed.
16...Rg8 17.Qd2 Is seemingly forced.
17...a6 18.Nd4 O-O-O If they had told me that after 18 moves, I can have advantage in
development with clear attack against my opponent's king, I would made that opening my main
line on the spot. It is not easy to pinpoint were White really went wrong, but I think Qf4 was not
a good move, and Nc3 was a much better choice.
19.f3
19.Nf3 was the last chance for a long fight.
19...Ng6 20.Bxc4

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20...c5! Accurate and to the point. Black is winning.
21.Nc2 Nh4 22.Ne1 Rxg2+ 23.Qxg2 Nxg2 24.Nxg2 Qc7 25.Bh6 Qxe5 26.Rac1 Rg8 27.Bf1
Qf6 28.Rxc5+ Kb8 Certainly a nice victory by Xiong, narrowing the gap between him and the
leader at the stage of the event, Rinat Jumabayev. 0-1

Erdñs vs Xiong, Saint Louis Winter Classic 2019; Photo by Crystal Fuller

Sethuraman has been the talk of the tournament. After a disastrous start with 0/3, he scored 3
points in a row, drew the next and won again getting close to catching the leaders and sharing the
first place. This game, unfortunately, was not going to end in his favor...

C89
Sarana, Alexey (2664) - Sethuraman, SP. (2634)
Saint Louis A, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5
10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d3 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3 15.Qf3 Bf5 16.Be3 Bxd3
17.Nd2 Bf5 18.Bxd5 cxd5 19.Qxd5 Rfd8 20.Qg2 Qxg2+ 21.Kxg2 b4 22.Bd4

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22...bxc3?! A memory lapse, or Sethuraman may have already forgotten his prep. One of the
difficulties with the Marshall Gambit is that if you forget your line you end up being down a
pawn.
22...Bf8 23.Re5!? (23.Nb3 Be6 24.Bb6 Rdb8 25.Ba5 bxc3 This line has stand the test of practice
so far, but there are other lines to consider. I have a feeling that we might see more of this line
being played very soon and more new developments in it, 1/2 : 1/2 Navara,David 2703 -
Vitiugov,Nikita 2751, Hamburg (m/1) 2019) 23...Bd7 24.Rae1 f6 25.R5e3 Bc6+ 26.Kg1 a5
27.Nc4 a4= and Black's activity on light squares should give him enough to make a draw.
23.Bxc3 Be6 24.Ne4 Bf8 25.a3² Now White is up a pawn and Black should concede to a long
suffering.
25...h6
25...Bd5 26.f3 f5 27.Ng5 (27.Nf2!? Rac8 28.Rad1 Bc6 29.Rxd8 Rxd8 30.Re6 Bb5 31.h4²)
27...Re8 28.Rad1 Rxe1 29.Rxe1 g6 30.Rd1 Rd8 31.Rd2 Be7 32.Nh3 Bc4² would control White's
advantage but it is far from full-equality.
26.Re3 Rac8 27.Rae1 Rc6 28.f3 Be7 29.h4 Rd5 30.R1e2 h5?! Now White's advantage is
consolidated. He just needs to improve his rook on e2 and the knight on e4, then he is simply a
pawn up.
31.Nf2!? Rerouting the knight to either f4 or e5.
31...Bc5 32.Re5
32.Re4 Bxa3 33.Bxg7² was another option.
32...Rxe5 33.Rxe5 Bxa3 34.Rxh5 Be7 35.Ra5 Bc4 36.Ra4 f6 37.Ng4 Kf7 38.h5 Bb5 39.Rf4?!
39.Re4 looks more solid.

217
39...Re6 40.h6

40...gxh6? The tragedy of the "40th move".

40...Re2+ 41.Kg1 g5 42.Re4 (42.h7 Kg7 43.Bxf6+ Bxf6 44.Rxf6 Kxh7 45.b3 Kg7=) 42...Bc5+
43.Kh1 Rxe4 44.fxe4 Kg6=
41.Nxh6+ Kg6 42.Nf5 Bd6 43.Nxd6 Rxd6 44.Re4 Bc6 45.Rc4 Re6
45...f5!? and Black can try to build a fortress with Bb5 and Re6. At least this move forces White
to take some serious measures with g4, making the game more straightforward.
46.Kf2 Bb5 47.Rg4+ Kf7 48.Rf4 Kg6 49.g4 Now the pawn on f6 is a fixed target.
49...Rd6 50.Kg3 Bd7 51.Re4 Bc6 52.Rc4 Bd7? It was the last chance to play f5.
52...f5
53.f4! Rd3+ 54.Kh4 Rd1 55.f5+ Black loses a pawn and his king is stuck in an upcoming
mating net.
55...Kf7 56.Rc7 Rh1+ 57.Kg3 Rg1+ 58.Kf4 Rf1+ 59.Ke3 Rd1 60.Ra7 Rd6 61.Bb4 Rd5
62.Rxa6 Bb5 63.Rb6 Re5+ 64.Kf4 And the f6 pawn falls as Black's last standing barrier. 1-0

C00
Gabuzyan, Hovhannes (2616) - Akobian, Varuzhan (2627)
Saint Louis A, 2019

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 e6 4.O-O Be7 5.d3 c5 6.Nbd2 Nc6 7.Re1 e5 8.e4 d4 9.Nc4 Nd7
10.a4 O-O 11.Bh3 Qc7 12.a5 Nf6 13.Bf5 g6 14.Bxc8 Rfxc8 15.c3 b5 16.axb6 axb6 17.Rxa8
Rxa8 18.Qb3 Nd7 19.Bh6 Qa7 20.cxd4 This was for sure an important moment in the game for
Akobian.

218
20...cxd4? Gives White the advantage.
20...Nxd4 21.Nxd4 exd4 seems to give Black a solid position. 22.e5! is for sure a nice idea for
White, but after 22...Qa4 he cannot really avoid the trade of queens and the endgame seems to be
balanced - 23.Qxa4 (23.Qa3?! b5 24.Qxa4 Rxa4 25.b3 Ra2³) 23...Rxa4 24.f4 b5=
21.Rc1 Bc5? Unfortunately for Akobian, the blacking of the c-file does not hold.
21...Qb7!?
22.Nxb6! Rb8?
22...Qxb6 was maybe the last try for Black - 23.Qxb6 Bxb6 24.Rxc6 f6 25.Nd2± - but with the
pawn down and the knight coming to c4 it will for sure be very difficult for him to hold.
23.Ng5 Nd8
Upon finishing the game Gabuzyan came to the studio and confessed he did have a scare in this
position having forgotten about the response from his opponent, but thankfully 24.Qd5! is way
too strong and 24...Bxb6?? was the final blunder. But, at that point there was not much for
Black to do.
24...Rxb6 25.Rxc5 Qb7 (25...Rxb2 26.Rc8 (26.Qxf7+ Nxf7 27.Rc8+ Nd8 28.Rxd8+ Nf8
29.Rxf8#)) 26.Nf3+-;
24...Nxb6 25.Qxe5 (25.Qxc5+- also wins.) 25...Ne6 26.Nxe6 fxe6 27.Qxe6+ Qf7 28.Qxf7+
Kxf7 29.Rxc5
25.Qd6 Bc5 26.Rxc5 Qxc5 27.Qxd7 Qb5 28.Qe7 And the mate is innevitable. 1-0

219
 Gabuzyan vs Akobian, Saint Louis Winter Classic 2019; Photo by Austin Fuller

C45
Xiong, Jeffery (2712) - Sethuraman, SP. (2634)
Saint Louis A, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.Bd3
6.e5 is the most played line in this position, but Xiong decided to start the tournament with
another interesting idea. 6...Qe7 7.Qe2 Nd5 8.c4 Nb6
6...d5 7.exd5 cxd5 8.O-O Be7 9.c4!?
9.Nc3 is the alternative here. 9...O-O 10.h3 Rb8 11.b3 c5 12.Re1 c4 13.bxc4 Bb4 14.Bd2 dxc4
15.Bxc4 Qd4 16.Bxf7+ Rxf7 17.Re3 Bf5 18.Rf3 Bg6 19.Rb1 Rd8 20.Be3 Qxd1+ 21.Nxd1 a5
22.Rc1 Ba3 23.Bb6 Bxc1 24.Bxd8 Rd7 25.Bxf6 Rxd1+ 26.Kh2 gxf6 27.Rxf6 Bb2 28.Rb6 Be5+
29.g3 Be4 0 : 1 Khamrakulov,Djurabek 2503 - Sai Krishna GV 2409, Pro Chess League
(Internet-rapid) 2019
9...O-O
9...d4 During the live commentary I assumed that continuation gave Black better chances, but at
the time, I was not familiar with Giri's games from the World Cup. 10.Bg5 O-O 11.Nd2 a5
12.Nb3 h6 13.Bh4 g5 14.Bg3 c5 15.Nd2 Bd6 16.Ne4 Nxe4 17.Bxe4 Rb8 18.Qh5 Kg7 19.f4
Rb6 20.Bd5 Be6 21.Bxe6 fxe6 22.Qg4 Qf6= Najer,Evgeniy 2635 - Giri,Anish 2780, Khanty-
Mansiysk (m/6-rapid) 2019

220
10.cxd5 Bb7
10...Nxd5 11.Qf3 Be6 12.Rd1 Qd7 13.Nc3 c6 14.h3 Rab8 15.Nxd5 Bxd5 16.Be4 Rfd8 17.Bxd5
cxd5 18.b3 Bf6 19.Rb1 d4 20.Qd3 Rb5 21.Bd2 Bg5 22.Rbc1 h5 23.Rc4 Bxd2 24.Rxd2 Rd5=
Najer,Evgeniy 2635 - Giri,Anish 2780, Khanty-Mansiysk (m/3-rapid) 2019
11.Nc3 Nxd5 12.Bd2 Nxc3 13.Bxc3 To me this was the critical moment from where it started
going downhill for Sethuraman.

13...Bf6?! While trading the dark square bishops might seem like a good idea, the game proved
the opposite.
13...Qd5 had to be played 14.Qg4 Qg5 15.Qxg5 Bxg5 16.Rfe1 Rfe8 17.Bc4 Bf4 18.Rad1 Bd6
19.Bd5 Rxe1+ 20.Bxe1 Rb8 21.Bc3² Nisipeanu,Liviu Dieter 2656 - Parligras,Mircea Emilian
2629, Khanty-Mansiysk (m/2) 2019
14.Bxf6 Qxf6 15.Qc2! g6 16.Qxc7

221
16...Qxb2??
16...Bd5 17.b3 Rac8 18.Qxa7 (18.Qa5 Qd8 19.Qxd8 Rfxd8 20.Rfd1 Be6 21.Kf1 a5 22.Be4
Rxd1+ 23.Rxd1 a4 24.Bd5 Bxd5 25.Rxd5 Rc1+ 26.Ke2 Ra1 27.Rd2 axb3 28.axb3 Rb1 29.Rd8+
Kg7 30.Rb8 Kf6 31.h4 Rb2+ 32.Ke3 Kf5 and Black has serious drawing chances, though
White's chances to win are equally good.) 18...Bxg2=
17.Rab1 Qd4 18.Rfd1!
18.Rxb7 Qxd3 19.Rxa7 Qd5 allows Black some drawing chances.
18...Bd5
18...Be4 19.Bc2! (19.Bxe4 Qxe4) 19...Bxc2 20.Rxd4 Bxb1+-
19.Bxg6 Qc4 20.Bxh7+ Kxh7 21.Qe5 Be6 22.Rd4 Qc2 23.Re1 Kg6

222
24.h3!? I really liked Xiong's final touch - prophilaxis, though during the post game commentary
he seemed to have prefered a more direct approach.
24.Qg3+ Kf6 25.Rd3 Rg8 26.Qe5+ Ke7 27.Qd6+ Kf6 28.Rf3+ Kg7 29.Qd4+ Kf8 30.Qb4+
Kg7 31.Rxe6! allows for a nice touch as well.
24...Rae8 25.Rh4 Bf5 26.Qg3+ Kf6 27.Qd6+ Be6
27...Kg7 28.Qh6+ Kg8 29.Qh8#;
27...Re6 28.Rxe6+ Bxe6 29.Qxf8+- ∆Qc1+ 30.Kh2 Qc7+ 31.g3 (31.f4)
28.Re3 1-0

Xiong vs Sethuraman, Saint Louis Winter Classic 2019; Photo by Crystal Fuller

TACTICS ALERT

In my opinion, this has to be the most elegant tactic of the event. Can you find what Oparin
missed?

Oparin, Grigoriy (2657) - Gabuzyan, Hovhannes (2616)

Saint Louis A, 2019

223
25.Qa4
25.Qf6!! Qc5+ (25...Rbxf6 26.exf6 Qc5+ 27.Bd4 Qxd4+ 28.Rxd4 Bxf6 29.Rd2+-; 25...Rfxf6
26.exf6 Qc5+ 27.Bd4+-; 25...Bxf6 26.exf6 Qd8 27.f7+ Rf6 28.Bc6 and White mates soon.)
26.Bd4 Qxd4+ 27.Rxd4 Bxf6 28.exf6 hxg5 29.hxg5+- and mate along the h-file comes sooner or
later.
25...hxg5 26.Qa3

26...Qxa3?
26...c5 would have kept Gabuzyan's hope alive.
27.bxa3 gxh4 28.Ba5! Ra6 29.Bxc7 Now the e-pawn decides the game.

224
29...Re8 30.Bd6 Bf8 31.Bxf8 Rxf8 32.e6 Re8 33.e7 Kg7 34.c5 Kf6 35.Bc4 Rxa3 36.Rd6+ Kg5
37.Bf7 Rxe7 38.Rxe7 Rc3 39.Bxg6 Rc1+ 40.Kf2 Bxg6 41.Rg7 Rc2+ 42.Kg1 1-0
Things did not start well for Sethuraman in this tournament, and in this position he is already
down an exchange for a pawn, but Jumabayev proved that Sethuraman’s misery does not end
here.
Sethuraman, SP. (2634) - Jumabayev, Rinat (2641)
Saint Louis A, 2019

22...Bxd4! Deflection motif!

23.Nf3
23.Bxd4 Qf4+ 24.Kg1 Qxd2-+ White loses even more material.
23.g3 Qf6-+
23...Rxf3! 24.Bxd4
24.gxf3 Bxe3 and capture or check on f2 are both deadly.
24...Rff8?!
24...Qf4+ 25.Kg1 Qf7-+ (25...Rd3 and the Bg7 is annoying.)
25.Qd7 Qf4+ 26.Kg1 Qf7 27.Qc6 Rab8 28.Rc1 Rb4 29.Be3 Re8 30.a5 Rbxe4 31.Qxc7 Qe6
32.Qb6 d5 33.Qxe6 R8xe6 34.Kh2 Rc4 35.Rb1 Kg8 Black managed to consolidate his
advantage, and Jumabayev went on to convert it very smoothly.
36.Rb8+ Kf7 37.Rd8 Rce4 38.Bb6
38.Rxd5 R4e5 39.Rxe5 Rxe5 40.Bb6 Re4 is technically winning but it was White's best shot. He

225
can try to build a fortress, and at least Black should try hard to break White's fortress. For
example: 41.g3 (41.g4 g5 42.Kg3 Ra4 43.Kg2 Ke6 44.Bd8 Kd7 45.Bb6 Ra2 46.Kg3 Rb2 with
the threat of Rb6, for which White has no remedy. 47.h4 (47.Bc5 Rb5 48.Bb6 Rxb6-+) 47...Rxb6
48.axb6 a5 49.hxg5 a4 50.f4 a3 and White is too slow) 41...g5 42.Kg2 Ra4 43.Kf3 Ke6 44.Bd8
Kf5 45.Bb6 h5 46.Bd8 Ra3+ 47.Kg2 g4 48.hxg4+ hxg4 49.Bb6 Ke4 50.Bc7 Ra2 51.Bb6 Kd3
52.Bd8 Ke2 53.Bc7 Ra3 54.Bb6 Rf3 55.Ba7 Rf8 56.Bc5 Rf5 57.Bb6 Re5 58.Bc7 Rd5! 59.Bb6
Rf5 and now White should give up f3. 60.Kg1 Kf3 61.Kf1 Re5 is the last zugzwang. White
should give up on a5 and the game.
38...R4e5 39.g4 Re8 40.Rd7+ R8e7 41.Rd6 Rb7 42.Rd8 Ke7 43.Rh8 Re4 44.Rxh7 Kf7 45.Kg3
d4 46.Kf3 d3 47.Be3 Rbe7 48.Bd2 Re2 49.Bc3 Kg8 50.Rh5 Rd7 0-1

ENDGAME TRAGICOMEDY

Gabuzyan was losing right out of opening, but he managed to swindle his opponent into this
drawish ending, though a tragicomic finale was expecting him.

Gabuzyan, Hovhannes (2616) - Sethuraman, SP. (2634)

Saint Louis A, 2019

42.Nxg5! Bf5 43.Nf7+?! Not a mistake but a bad sign of overconfidence.

43.Qb8 Bxd3 44.Ne6 Qf6 45.h4 (45.Nxf8?? Qf1#; 45.Qxf8+?? Qxf8 46.Nxf8 a4-+) 45...Qf1+
(45...e4 46.Nxf8 Qf1+ 47.Kh2 Qf2+ 48.Kh1 Qf1+) 46.Kh2 Qf2+ 47.Kh1 (47.Bg2 Bf1
48.Qxe5+ Kg8 49.Nf4 Bxg2 50.Nxg2 Qf7 51.Qg5+ Kh8 52.Qe5+ Qg7 53.Qe8 Qe7 54.Qa8
Qf6 55.Qe8= White has no problem maintaining balance.) 47...Qf1+ 48.Kh2 Qf2+=
43...Kg7 44.Qb6 Qf6 45.Qc7 Be7

226
46.Qb8?? Blundering mate, as White had only one way out.
46.h4! Bxd3 (46...a4 47.Qb8 Now, the repetition will follow - 47...Bf8 48.Qc7=; 46...Bg6
47.Ng5! (47.Nxe5?? Qd6 48.Qxd6 Bxd6 and a-pawn is decisive.)) 47.Ng5 a4 48.Ne4 Bxe4+
49.Bxe4 a3 50.Qa5 would have maintained the balance.
46...Bh3+! 47.Kxh3 Qf1+
47...Qf1+ 48.Bg2 (48.Kg4 h5+ 49.Kxh5 Qh3#) 48...Qf5+ 49.g4 Qxd3+ 50.Bf3 Qxf3#
0-1

227
 Gabuzyan vs Sethuraman, Saint Louis Winter Classic 2019; Photo by Crystal Fuller

C11
Sethuraman, SP. (2634) - Akobian, Varuzhan (2627)
Saint Louis A, 2019

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 11.h4 Nxd4 12.Bxd4 b5 13.O-O-O

228
13...Rb8?! The right plan, even though it seems a bit inaccurate.
13...Bxd4 14.Qxd4 Qe7 15.Bd3 Bb7! I think this is the accurate move order. Black needs his
other rook on b8 so that he can push the pawns. (15...Rb8 16.b4! Bb7 17.h5 is considered equal
according to the engines but I am not convinced that Black can earn full equality here.) 16.h5
Rfb8! A mysterious rook move! 17.h6 (17.Rh3 Bc6 18.Na2 a5 19.h6 g6 20.c3 Nc5 21.Bc2 now
White is threatening f5 or g4-gf5 so it is time for immediate action. 21...Na6! … b4) 17...g6 18.g4
Bc6 19.b4 a5 20.Kd2
14.Bxc5 Nxc5 15.Qd4 Qc7 16.h5

16...Bd7?? This was decisive blunder. Missing what Sethuraman has cooked up.
16...h6 17.Rh3 Qb6 (17...Bd7 18.b4! Nb7 19.f5+- with decisive attack.) 18.b4 Nd7 19.g4 Qxd4
20.Rxd4²
17.h6 This pawn should not be allowed here anyways!
17...g6 18.b4! Na4™
18...Nb7 19.Nxd5 exd5 20.e6 f6 21.exd7 Qxd7 22.g3+-
19.Nxa4 bxa4 20.Bxa6 Bb5 21.Bxb5 Rxb5 22.Rh3
22.Kb2 Rc8 23.c4 is more straightforward - 23...Qxc4 24.Qxc4 Rxc4 25.Rc1 Rxc1 26.Rxc1 Rb8
27.Rc7 and the b-pawn is unstoppable.
22...Rc8 23.Rd2 Rb6

229
24.c4! A beautiful move stopping Black's attack and liquidating into a winning endgame!
24...Qxc4+ 25.Qxc4 Rxc4+ 26.Rc2 Rbc6 27.Rxc4 Rxc4+ 28.Kb2 Kf8 29.Rc3! Very accurate
play by the Indian player.
29...Rxf4
29...Rxc3 30.Kxc3 Ke7 31.b5 Kd7 32.Kb4 Kc7 33.Kxa4+-
30.b5 Ke8 31.b6 Rf2+ 32.Kb1 Rf1+ 33.Kc2 Kd7
33...Rf2+ 34.Kd3 Rb2 35.Rc8+ Kd7 36.Rc7+ Kd8 37.Rxf7 Rxb6 38.Rxh7+-
34.Rc7+ Kd8 35.Kd3 Rf2 36.Ke3 Rf1 37.Ke2 Rh1
37...Rf5 does not change anything - 38.Rc5 Rxe5+ 39.Kd3 Re1 40.b7 Rb1 41.Rc8++-
38.Rxf7 Kc8 39.Rxh7 Kb8 40.Kd3 Rd1+ 41.Kc2 Rh1 42.Kc3 Rh4 43.g3 1-0
A highly instructive game.

230
 Harutyunian, Tigran (2542) - Khachiyan, Melikset (2493)
Saint Louis B, 2019

37.Be4? A decisive tempo.

37.Kg2 Nd5! 38.Kf3 Nf6 it seems that Black has a fortress, but White has resources to break it
nevertheless - 39.Ke3 Kc5 40.f3 Kb4 41.Bf7 (41.Kd3 Kb3=) 41...Kc5 42.Kd3 Kb4 43.b3 Kc5
(43...Kb5 44.Kc3 e4 45.f4 gxf4 46.gxf4 Kc5 47.b4++-) 44.Kc3 g4 (44...e4 45.f4 gxf4
46.gxf4+-) 45.b4+ Kd6 46.fxg4 Nxg4 47.Kd3+-
37...Kc5 38.Kf1 Kd4 39.Bb1 e4 40.Ke2 Nc6= 41.Bc2 Nb4 42.Bb1 Nc6 43.f3 exf3+ 44.Kxf3

231
Ne5+ 45.Ke2 Nc6 46.Bh7 Ne5 47.Bf5 Nc6 48.Bd7 Nb4 49.Be8 Nd3 50.Kf3 Nxb2 51.Kg4
Ke5 52.Kxg5 Nc4 1/2-1/2

232
THE REHABILITATED CARO-KANN

PART III
Fight the Advance Variation with 3...c5

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5

I prefer the direct 3...c5 only for one very important practical reason - It is far simpler for Black
to build a repertoire as White's choice of continuations is much more limited than after 3...Bf5.
Line I - 4.c3 which obviously cannot be dangerous - as long as Black does not play e6 -
transposing to the French Advanced line being a clear tempo down;
Line II - 4.c4 Recently went out of fashion because of the simple 4...cxd4! 5.Nf3 (5.Qxd4?!
Nc6 6.Qxd5 Bf5!©) 5...e6! I played succesfully Bg4 against Vallejo and Cheparinov but I think
5...e6 is even safer. 6.Nxd4 Bc5!= and Black has definitely solved all of his opening problems.
Line III - 4.Nf3 cxd4 5.Nxd4 e6 6.Nd2 I think this to be White's most valuable alternative to 4.
dc5, and the one which caused me some serious problems. White's play is very easy to handle
being very simple and straighforward. For the moment I could not find a game where Black
clearly equalised.

233
Line IV - I believe that only 4.dxc5! can pose some problems for Black. 4...e6!

Line IVa - 5.a3 Bxc5! - looks pretty complicated but is in no way worse for Black.
Line IVb - 5.Nf3 Bxc5 6.Bd3 is the classical way White can get a position from the French
Defence (1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.dc5) with a tempo up. However, I do not think that this line
can be dangerous for Black at all.
Line IVc - 5.Be3! I believe this should be White's best choice and recently the most popular
option amongst the top players. 5...Nd7! 6.Nf3 Bxc5 Theoretically most important game is Ter
Sahakyan,Samvel - Ponomariov, Ruslan, Skopje 2019, where White got some advantage.
However, in this article I offer a clear improvement for Black which may change the evaluation
in Black's favour.

Line I 4.c3

234
4.c3 Nc6!
In my opinion taking on d4 is rather premature as it gives White the c3 square for the knight.
White's game can be more difficult if Black postpones 4...cxd4 5.cxd4 Nc6 6.Nc3 Bf5

7.h4! Is very strong: It might be interesting to try a move which has not yet been used in practice
7...Rc8!? (7...Qb6?! 8.Nxd5 Qa5+ 9.Nc3 O-O-O (9...Rd8 10.Be3 Nxe5 11.Qb3ƒ) 10.Be3 and
Black remains underdeveloped after the pawn capture - 10...Nxe5 11.Nf3±; 7...h6 8.g4 Bd7
(8...Bh7?! 9.e6 fxe6 10.Nf3) 9.Be3 e6 10.Nf3²; 7...h5 8.Bd3² brings White a typical long term
advantage. Check the classical game Gulko,Boris 2615 - Karpov,Anatoly 2740, Dos Hermanas
1994 - 60/122) 8.h5 h6 9.g4 Bd7 10.Nxd5 (10.Bh3 e6 11.Nge2²) 10...Be6 11.Ne3 Qxd4
12.Qxd4 Nxd4 13.Bd2²
5.Nf3

235
5.Be2!? Bf5 6.Nf3 e6 7.O-O Bg6! (7...Nge7 8.dxc5!; 7...cxd4 8.Nxd4!?) 8.a3 cxd4 9.cxd4 Nge7
10.Nc3 Nc8 (10...Nf5!? 11.g4 Nh4 12.Nxh4 Qxh4 13.f4 (Bodnaruk,Anastasia 2431 -
Ushenina,Anna 2442, Russia 2019) 13...h5!∞) 11.Be3 Nb6 12.b3 Be7 13.Ne1 (13.Bd3 Bxd3
14.Qxd3 O-O=) 13...Rc8 14.Qd2 O-O 15.Nd3 Nd7 (15...Na5! 16.Rfb1 Nd7) 16.Rfd1 (16.b4
Nb6! 17.Nf4 Bf5 18.g4 Bg6 19.Nxg6 fxg6 20.Kg2 a5„) 16...Na5 17.Qb2 Qb6„
Kryvoruchko,Yuriy 2691 - Prohaszka,Peter 2593, Djakovica 2016;
5.f4 cxd4 6.cxd4 Nh6=;
5.a3;
5.dxc5 Nxe5 6.Nf3 Nxf3+ 7.Qxf3 Nf6
5...cxd4! As I mentioned before taking early on d4 is always a concession, but after 5.Nf3 it is
the most precise move.
5...Bg4 6.dxc5! leads to a very sharp position which, in my opinion, is more promising for
White.
6.cxd4 Bg4 7.Be2
7.Bb5 Rc8 8.O-O e6 9.Nbd2 Ne7∞
7...e6
7...Bxf3 8.Bxf3 e6 9.O-O Nge7
8.Nbd2
8.O-O Nge7 9.Be3 Nf5 10.Nbd2 Be7 11.Nb3 O-O 12.h3 Bh5 (12...Bxf3 13.Bxf3 a5 14.Bg4
Nxe3 15.fxe3 Qb6 16.Rb1 Bg5³) 13.g4 Nxe3 14.fxe3 Bg6³;
8.Nc3?! Qb6
8...Qb6! 9.h3 Bh5 10.O-O Nge7=

236
The pressure on d4 put White in a very difficult situation.
11.a3
11.Nb3 Bxf3 12.Bxf3 a5 13.Be3 Nf5
11...Rc8 12.Ra2
12.b4?! Nxd4
12...Bxf3
12...a5!?
13.Nxf3 Nf5 14.Be3
14.Kh1 Nfxd4 15.Be3 Qb3µ;
14.b4!? Nfxd4 15.Nxd4 Qxd4 16.Bd3 Be7 17.Re1 a5 18.bxa5 O-O∞
14...Nxe3
14...g6 15.b4 Bg7 16.Bd3 Nxe3 17.fxe3 O-O 18.Raf2 f6∞
15.fxe3 g6 16.b4 Bg7 17.Rc2 O-O 18.Qd2 f6=

237
I believe that only White experience many problems in this line.

Line II 4.c4

4.c4 cxd4 5.Nf3

5.cxd5?! Qxd5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Nc3 Qd8! is more precise (than 7...Qa5 8.Nxd4 Qxe5+ 9.Be3 e6
10.Bb5∞) 8.Nb5 a6 9.Nbxd4 Nxe5 10.Nxe5 Qa5+µ;
5.Qxd4?! Nc6! 6.Qxd5 Bf5! 7.Nf3 (7.Qxd8+ Rxd8 8.Nf3 Nb4 9.Na3 e6 10.Be3 a6 (10...Nd3+
is not that precise, as in Martinez Martin,David 2395 - Bolado Saez,Sergio 2361, Espana 2012;
11.Bxd3 Bxd3 12.c5!) 11.Nd4 Be4! 12.f3 Bg6 13.Be2 Bc5 14.Nf5 Bxe3 15.Nxe3 Ne7©) 7...e6

238
8.Qb5??

8...Bc2!! is a very nice trick which is easy to overlook. White's queen is trapped - the threat is a
simple a6. 9.Nfd2 Qc7 10.c5 Qxe5+ 11.Be2 O-O-O-+ Tate,Alan 2170 - Zatonskih, Anna 2462,
Gibraltar 2009
5...e6!
In my opinion White is somewhat better in the sharp line starting with 5...Bg4 6.cxd5 Qxd5
7.Nc3! Bxf3 8.Nxd5 Bxd1 9.Nc7+ Kd7 10.Nxa8 Bc2 11.Bd2 Nc6 12.Rc1 d3 13.h4 e6 14.Rh3²
Kosteniuk,Alexandra 2491 - Girya,Olga 2463, Geneve 2013
6.Nxd4

6...Bc5! I prefer this move over 6...Bb4 played by Jobava against Caruana in European club cup
2015. Although Jobava got a fine position after the opening, I think that exchanging the dark-

239
squared bishops is in White's favour.
With Bc5 Black is intending to increase the pressure over the central squares d4 and e5. In many
lines the e5 pawn apears to be too far advanced and is in serious danger of being lost for no
compensation. Aslo, in many lines the f2 point becomes weak. 6...Bb4+ Caruana,Fabiano 2796 -
Jobava,Baadur 2683, Skopje 2015 - 126/34
7.Nb3! This is White's only competitive move, as other continuations give Black an easy game.
7.Be3 Ne7 8.Nc3

8...Bb6! The idea of this move is to avoid the Ne6 trap! (8...O-O?! 9.Nxe6 Bxe6 10.Bxc5±;
8...Bxd4!? 9.Bxd4 Nbc6 10.cxd5 Nxd5 11.Nxd5 exd5 might be just enough for the equality.)
9.Bd3 (9.Qg4?! this attacking attempt is easily refuted - 9...O-O 10.Rd1 (10.Bd3 dxc4 11.Bxc4
Ng6 12.Qe4 Qc7) 10...Nbc6 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.c5 Bc7 13.Bd3 (13.Qh5 Ng6 14.Bd3 Bxe5!
15.f4 (15.Bxg6 Bxc3+ 16.bxc3 hxg6-+) 15...Bf6-+ Perunovic,Milos 2614 - Wang,Hao 2712,
Baku (m/4-rapid) 2015) 13...Bxe5 14.Bxh7+ Kxh7 15.Qh5+ Kg8 16.Qxe5 f6 17.Qh5 Rb8
18.Bc1 e5µ) 9...dxc4 10.Bxc4 O-O (10...Qc7 11.Ndb5) 11.O-O Qc7! 12.Bd3 Qxe5 13.Nf3
Qh5µ Black is a healthy pawn up.
7.Nc3 Ne7! (7...Qb6?! 8.Ndb5) 8.cxd5 exd5 9.Bb5+ Nbc6 10.O-O O-O 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Bd3
Bf5 13.Bxf5 Nxf5 14.Na4 Bd4 15.Qd3 Qd7 16.g4?! Nh4µ;
7.cxd5 Qxd5 8.Be3 Ne7 (8...Qxe5 9.Nf3 Qc7³) 9.Nc3 Qxe5 10.Bb5+ Nbc6 11.Nf3 Qd6 12.O-
O O-O I see no compensation for the central pawn.
7...Bb6 8.Nc3 All the other moves are much weaker.
8.c5 Bc7 9.f4 Ne7 10.Nc3 O-O 11.Bd3 b6! 12.O-O (12.Qe2 bxc5) 12...Ba6! and after the
exchange of the light-squared bishops Black is doing more than fine.
8.cxd5 exd5 (8...Qxd5 as usual in this line the endgame is playable for Black: 9.Qxd5 exd5

240
10.Nc3 Ne7 11.Bg5 Be6 12.Nb5 Nbc6 13.Nd6+ Kf8 14.Nxb7 Rb8) 9.Nc3 Ne7 10.Bb5+ Nbc6
11.O-O O-O 12.Re1 (Karthikeyan,Murali 2498 - Swapnil, S. Dhopade 2497, India (ch) 2015)
12...f6³ and Black is holding the initiative.
8...Ne7 9.Bg5
9.Qg4?! O-O 10.Bg5 Nd7 11.Bd3 f6! (11...Nxe5? 12.Bxh7+ Kxh7 13.Qh4+; 11...Re8!?)
12.exf6 Nxf6 13.Qe2 h6 14.Bh4 dxc4 15.Bxc4 Ned5 (15...Nf5!? 16.Bxe6+ Kh7©) 16.Rd1 Qe8
17.Bg3 Nxc3 18.bxc3 Nd5 19.Rd3 Bd7 20.O-O Rc8„

9...Nbc6! When the knight is on b3 White lacks comfortable defence of the e5 pawn.
9...dxc4 10.Nd2 h6 11.Bxe7 Qxe7 12.Nxc4 O-O;
9...O-O!? 10.Qh5 h6 11.Bh4 Nbc6 12.O-O-O Bd7∞
10.cxd5
10.Qh5 Qc7
10...exd5 11.Bxe7 Qxe7 12.Nxd5 Qxe5+ 13.Qe2 O-O³ Nijboer,Friso 2492 - Van
Foreest,Jorden 2641, Hilversum 2018

Line III 4.Nf3

241
4.Nf3 cxd4 5.Nxd4 e6!

5...Nc6 is, in my opinion, less precise.

242
I have in mind that after 6.c4! e6 7.Nc3 Bc5 is not as strong as without the inclusion of Nc6 Nc3.
For example, White has at least two unpleasant continuations 8.Nxc6! bxc6 9.cxd5 (and the
natural 9.Be2 Ne7 10.O-O Ng6 11.Na4 Be7 12.f4 O-O 13.Be3 f6 14.exf6 Bxf6 15.Bd3² led to
White's advantage in So,Wesley 2765 - Navara,David 2738, Saint Louis (rapid) 2019) 9...cxd5
10.b4!ƒ Naiditsch,Arkadij 2710 - Khenkin, Igor 2605, Dortmund 2013 - 118/(39)
6.Nd2! We arrived to the position which is more typical for the French Defence. White is
planning to reinforce the strong e5 pawn and the outpost on d4 by N2f3. White needs only a
couple of moves to complete his development and to stabilize his central domination by Bd3, 0-
0, Re1, Bf4.
6...Nc6
6...Bc5?! is not good here because of 7.N2b3 Bb6 8.Qg4!ƒ; 6...Ne7!?
7.N2f3!
7.Nxc6 bxc6 8.Nf3 (Of course not 8.Bd3?! Qg5) 8...Ne7 9.Bd3 Ba6 (Be aware of White
attacking chances after 9...Ng6?! 10.h4! Ne7 11.h5 h6 12.O-O c5 13.c4 Bd7 14.Qe2 Bc6 15.b3
Qc7 16.Ba3 dxc4 17.bxc4 Nf5 18.Bxf5 exf5 19.e6!→ Inarkiev,Ernesto 2679 - Arutinian,David
2564, Turkiye 2011) 10.O-O Bxd3 11.cxd3 c5 should be quite satisfactory for Black.
7...Nge7
After 7...Bc5 8.c3! f6 9.Be3ƒ is very strong.
It is too early for 7...f6 8.Bb5!;
7...Bd7 8.Bd3 Nge7 can be just a transposition.
8.Bd3

243
8...Ng6!? This move was played only once in the game Bologan - Khenkin, Hrvatska 2010. It
forces White to take on c6 as there is no other way to defend the e5 pawn.
8...Nxd4 9.Nxd4 Nc6 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.O-O Qc7! is a good attempt to minimize White's
advantage. However, Black should find a few more strong moves to equalize. (11...Be7?!
12.Qg4!) 12.Re1 Rb8! The idea is to play g6, Bg7, but should also avoid possible Be3-c5. For
example: 13.c4! (13.c3 g6! 14.Qe2 Bg7 15.Bf4 O-O=; 13.Qg4 g6! 14.c4 Bg7 15.Qg3 O-O
16.b3 c5; 13.Rb1 g6 14.Be3 Bg7 15.f4 c5 16.c4 O-O=) 13...Ba6 (13...Bb4 14.Re3 dxc4
(14...Bc5) 15.Bxc4 Bc5 16.Rg3; 13...Be7 14.Qg4 g6 15.Bh6 Rxb2) 14.cxd5 (14.Qg4 Bxc4
15.Bxc4 dxc4 16.Qxc4 Bb4 17.Re2 O-O; 14.b3 Bb4 15.Re3 dxc4 16.bxc4 Bc5 17.Re1 O-O)
14...Bxd3 15.Qxd3 (15.d6 Qa5 16.Bg5 Qd5 17.Re3 Bg6∞) 15...cxd5 16.Bf4 Qb7 17.Qg3 g6
18.Bg5 Bg7 19.Bf6 O-O³
9.Nxc6
9.Qe2 Ngxe5
9...bxc6

244
I think the best option for White is the aggressive 10.h4!?
10.O-O a5 (… Ba6) (10...Be7 Bologan,Viktor 2690 - Khenkin,Igor 2614, Hrvatska 2010 - 110/
61) 11.Qe2! (11.c3 Ba6; 11.c4 Ba6; 11.g3 Ba6 12.h4 Bc5 13.h5 Ne7 14.h6 gxh6 15.Bxh6 Bxd3
16.cxd3 Nf5 17.Bf4 Qb6 18.Qd2 h5ƒ) 11...Be7! 12.g3 (12.c4 O-O) 12...Bb7 13.h4 Nf8 14.c3
Nd7 15.Re1 Qb6 16.Bg5 h6 17.Bxe7 Kxe7 18.Rac1 c5„
10...Qc7 11.Qe2 f6!
11...Ne7 12.O-O c5 13.c4 Rb8 14.b3 Nc6 15.cxd5 exd5 16.e6→
12.exf6
12.Bxg6+?! hxg6 is excellent for Black.
12...gxf6 Of course, this position needs deep investigation but I believe that there should be
dynamic equality.
13.h5
13.c4 e5∞
13...Nf4 14.Bxf4 Qxf4 15.c4 Rb8 16.Kf1

245
16...Be7! Black has strong centre and the bishop pair, but he should focus on finding a safe
shelter for his king. For example: 17.Rh4
17.Re1 O-O; 17.Qc2 f5 18.Re1 Bf6 19.b3 O-O
17...Qd6 18.h6 e5 19.Rd1 O-O∞

Line IVa 4.dc5/5.a3

4.dxc5 e6 5.a3
5.Bf4 Bxc5 6.Bd3 (6.Qg4 Ne7! Black is not afraid of losing Pg7, as in the French main lines.

246
7.Qxg7 (7.Nd2 Ng6 8.Nb3 Qb6 9.Nh3 Nc6 10.Bd3 Qb4+ 11.c3 Ncxe5 12.Qg3 Nxd3+
13.Qxd3 Nxf4 14.Nxf4 Bxf2+-+ Hamdouchi,Hicham 2555 - Khenkin,Igor 2600, Bruxelles
(rapid) 1998) 7...Rg8 8.Qxh7 Qb6µ) 6...Nc6 7.Nf3 f6! 8.Nbd2 fxe5ƒ Shirov,Alexei 2718 -
Kramnik,Vladimir 2772, Wijk aan Zee 2001 - 80/94
5...Bxc5 6.Nf3 In recent time White usually postpones b4 push because Black strikes back later
on by means of a5!
6.Qg4?! Ne7 7.Qxg7 (7.b4 h5! 8.Qxg7 Rg8 9.Qh7 Bd4) 7...Ng6 … Bf8;
6.b4 Bb6

7.Qg4! (After 7.Nf3?! a5! is very strong! 8.Bb2 axb4 9.axb4 Rxa1 10.Bxa1 Na6 11.Bc3 Ne7
12.Bd3 Bd7!? (12...d4 13.Bxa6 bxa6 14.Bxd4 Bb7 15.Bxb6 Qxb6 16.c3 O-O 17.O-O Rd8=
Nastase,Robert-Paul 2313 - Bai,Jinshi 2556, Manavgat 2018) 13.O-O Ng6 14.g3 Qe7 15.Qd2
O-O 16.Re1 (16.h4 d4) 16...Rc8 17.Na3 d4 18.Nxd4 Bxd4 19.Bxd4 Qxb4 20.Qxb4 Nxb4
21.Be4 Nc6=) 7...Ne7

247
8.Nf3! (8.Qxg7 Rg8 9.Qxh7 Bd4 10.Ra2 Bxe5© I prefer Black with strong pawn centre and
much better piece activity. (×Ra2) 11.Nf3 Bf6 12.Bb2 Even better is (12.c4 a5! (12...e5 13.Nc3
Rh8 14.Qc2 (Campos Olaya, Israel 2189 - Debray,Christopher 2358, Sants 2017) 14...Bf5
15.Qb3 e4 16.Bg5!∞) 13.b5 Nd7 14.Nbd2 b6 15.h4 Bb7 16.Ng5 Ne5µ) 12...Nd7!
(Bocharov,Ivan 2568 - Iljiushenok,Ilia 2534, Russia 2019) (12...Bxb2 13.Rxb2 Nbc6 (13...Qc7
14.h4 Qf4 15.Nbd2 Nbc6 16.Qd3 e5 17.Qc3 e4 18.g3 Qd6 19.Nd4 Nxd4 20.Qxd4 Nf5)
14.Bb5 Qd6! 15.g3 (15.c4 e5 16.Nxe5 Qxe5+ 17.Re2 Qg5) 15...e5!µ Kosteniuk,Alexandra 2501
- Khotenashvili,Bela 2504, Beijing (blitz) 2012) 13.Nbd2 e5 14.Bb5 Rh8 15.Qd3 e4ƒ) 8...Ng6!
is more precise than: (8...O-O 9.Bd3 Ng6 (9...f5 10.exf6 Rxf6 11.Qh5!) 10.Bb2 f5 (10...Nd7
11.O-O f5„ Colin,Vincent 2382 - Rausis,Igors 2651, Sautron 2018) 11.exf6 e5 12.Qh5∞ (…
Ng5) Nemeth,Miklos 2488 - Doric,Darko 2467, Hrvatska 2019) 9.Bb2! (If White plays 9.Bd3
then Black has a pleasant choice between 9...f5!? (9...Nc6 10.Bb2 a5!? is the main line.) 10.exf6
Qxf6 11.Qh5 Nc6 12.O-O Bd7 13.Bg5 (13.Be3 O-O-O 14.Nbd2 Nf4 15.Qg5 Bc7) 13...Qf7
14.Bxg6 (14.Nbd2 Nge5 15.Qxf7+ Nxf7 16.Rfe1 e5 17.c4 O-O 18.cxd5 Nxg5 19.Nxg5 Bxf2+
20.Kh1 Bxe1 21.Rxe1 Nd4 22.Bxh7+ Kh8∞) 14...Qxg6 15.Qxg6+ hxg6 16.Rd1 Nd8 17.c4
dxc4 18.Nbd2 c3 19.Ne4 Nf7 20.Nxc3 Bc6=) 9...Nc6 (Black can start with 9...a5 10.h4 (10.Bd3
Nc6) 10...h5 11.Qg3 Nc6 12.Bd3 Nce7=) 10.Bd3

248
10...a5! This typical counterplay against the b4-pawn helped Black to gain the initiative: 11.h4!
(11.b5 (Sammed Jaykumar,Shete 2382 - Lei,Tingjie 2545, Hanoi 2018) 11...h5! 12.Qg3 Nce7
13.Nc3 (13.Nbd2 Nf5µ) 13...a4 14.O-O-O (14.O-O Nf5 15.Bxf5 exf5 16.e6 Bxe6 17.Rfe1 Rh6
18.Rad1 f4) 14...Bd7 15.Ne2 Bc5 (15...h4 16.Qg4 Nf5) 16.Ned4 Qb6 17.Rhe1 Ra5! 18.Rd2
(18.Kb1 Bxb5) 18...Bxb5 19.Nxb5 Rxb5 20.Bxb5+ Qxb5©; 11.O-O axb4 12.axb4 Rxa1
13.Bxa1 Qe7 14.Bc3 d4 15.Bd2 Bc7 16.Re1 Nxb4 17.Bxg6 hxg6 18.Qxd4 Nc6) 11...h5 12.Qg3
Nce7 13.Ng5 (13.b5 Nf5!; 13.Nc3 axb4 14.axb4 Rxa1+ 15.Bxa1 Nf5 16.Bxf5 exf5„) 13...Nf5
(13...axb4) 14.Bxf5 exf5 15.e6!? as otherwise Black is better. (15.Nc3 f4→ 16.Qd3 Nxh4
17.Nxd5 Bxf2+ 18.Kxf2 Qxg5 19.Nc7+ Kf8 20.Rxh4 Bf5 21.Qd6+ Kg8 22.Nxa8 Qxh4+
23.Kg1 Kh7!; 15.Nd2 f4µ) 15...fxe6 16.Ne4 Rh6 17.Bxg7 Kf7 18.Bxh6 dxe4 Black has a very
good compensation for the exchange. For example: 19.Bg5 Qh8 20.Ra2 axb4 21.O-O Bd7©
6...Ne7 7.Bd3
7.b4 Bb6 8.Bb2 a5!
7...Ng6! 8.O-O
8.b4 Be7 9.O-O a5 10.b5 Nd7„ Movsesian,Sergei 2637 - Sadzikowski,Daniel 2523, Reykjavik
2019
8...Nc6 9.b4
9.Re1 Qb6 10.Qe2 O-O 11.b4 Nd4 12.Nxd4 Bxd4 13.Be3 Bxe3 14.Qxe3 Qxe3 15.Rxe3 Bd7=
with equal endgame in Green, Andrew 2102 - Nikolaidis,Konstantinos 2264, Hastings 2008/09
9...Bb6 10.Bb2 O-O 11.Re1
The immediate 11.c4 dxc4 12.Bxc4 Qxd1 (12...Bc7) 13.Rxd1 Bc7 let to a slightly more pleasant
endgame for Black in Sebag, Marie 2521 - Girya,Olga 2467, Khanty-Mansiysk (m/1) 2012;
11.Nbd2 Nf4 12.Nb3 f6!

249
11...f6! Undermaining the strong pawn on e5 is the only way to achieve equality!
12.exf6 gxf6 13.c4 dxc4
13...Nf4 14.c5!? Bc7 15.Nc3∞
14.Bxc4 Qxd1
In the endgame Black's activity is sufficient to compensate for the structural problems. If you
want to take risk then an interesting idea could be 14...Qc7!?
15.Rxd1 Kg7

16.Nc3
16.b5 Na5 17.Nbd2 Nxc4 (17...e5 18.Ba2 Bf5 19.Nf1 Rad8) 18.Nxc4 Bc5 19.Rac1 b6 20.Ng5
Nf4 21.Rd2 a6 22.bxa6 Bxa6 23.g3 Kg6 24.gxf4 fxg5³ Sonis,Francesco 2448 - Hobber,Anders

250
2268, Ballerup 2018;
16.Nbd2 e5 (Nijboer,Friso 2488 - Timman,Jan 2549, Spakenburg 2019) 17.Ne4 Bg4 18.h3 Bxf3
19.Rd7+ Kh8 (19...Kh6 20.gxf3 Nf4 21.Rd6) 20.gxf3 Bd4∞
16...e5 17.Nd5
17.Ne4 Bg4; 17.h3 Nd4
17...Bg4 18.Nxb6 axb6
[Karjakin,Sergey 2753 - Adhiban,Baskaran 2683, Astana 2019]
19.h3 Bxf3 20.Rd7+ Kh8 21.gxf3 Nf4 22.Rxb7 Nxb4 23.axb4 Rxa1+ 24.Bxa1 Rc8 25.Bxe5
fxe5 26.Bb5 Nxh3+ 27.Kh2 Nf4 28.Rxb6 Rg8=

Line IVb 4.dc5/5.Nf3

5.Nf3 Bxc5 6.Bd3 Lukacs: "The position now resembles some of the French Steinitz structures".
6...Nc6 7.O-O
7.c3 Nge7 8.O-O (8.Bf4 Ng6 9.Bg3 O-O 10.O-O f5 11.exf6 gxf6 12.c4 dxc4 (12...f5 13.cxd5
Nb4) 13.Bxc4 Qe7 14.Qe2 f5→) 8...Ng6 9.Re1 O-O 10.Be3 Be7 11.Bd2 f6ƒ
7...f6

251
This is the typical "French" method.
I believe that Black can try also the more positional approach 7...Nge7 8.Bf4 Ng6 9.Bg3 O-O
10.Nbd2 f5 (10...Nb4) 11.exf6 gxf6 (11...Qxf6 12.Bxg6) 12.c4 f5 13.cxd5 Nb4 (13...exd5!?
14.Nb3 Bb6 15.h3 f4 16.Bh2 Bf5 (16...Nh4 17.Be2 Kh8 18.Qd2 Rg8 19.Nxh4 Qxh4) 17.Bxf5
Rxf5∞) 14.Nb3 Bb6 15.h3 f4 16.Bh2 Nxd3 17.Qxd3 Qxd5 18.Qxd5 exd5 19.Rac1 Bf5∞
8.exf6 This move brings the black knight to f6 and voluntarily opens the f-file, which will benefit
the black h-rook after castling.
8.Bf4? allows Black to grab the initiative after 8...g5! 9.Bg3 (9.b4?! gxf4! 10.bxc5 fxe5 11.Bb5
Qf6 12.c4 e4 13.cxd5 exd5 14.Qxd5 exf3 15.Re1+ Ne7 16.Bxc6+ bxc6 17.Qh5+ Kf8 18.Nd2
Rg8 19.Qxf3 Bg4-+ Henris,Luc 2250 - Khenkin,Igor 2565, Nederland 1998) 9...g4µ 10.Nh4 f5!;
8.Bb5 Ne7 9.exf6 gxf6 10.c4 a6 11.Bxc6+ bxc6∞
Instead, 8.Qe2 is worthy of a bit deeper investigation, to keep control of the e5 square as a way
of trying to stop Black from developing smoothly. For instance: 8...fxe5 9.Nxe5 White is not
well-developed to organise a successful blockade on e5, or d4. 9...Nxe5 10.Qxe5 Nf6 11.c4
(11.Bb5+ Kf7 12.Nd2 (12.c4 a6 13.Ba4 Bd6 14.Qe2 dxc4 15.Nc3 Qc7 16.h3 b5µ) 12...Bd6
13.Qe2 a6 14.Bd3 e5→) 11...O-O 12.Nc3 (Shirov,Alexei 2718 - Agdestein, Simen 2591, Bergen
(rapid) 2001) 12...b6! 13.h3 Qd7 14.Bg5 Bb7 15.Rad1 Rad8∞
8...Nxf6 9.c4 O-O 10.Nc3 h6!
10...Kh8 11.Bg5 Qd6 12.Bh4²;
10...Nb4 11.Bg5²;
10...Qd6 11.h3! a6 12.a3 Ba7 13.Re1²
11.Qe2 The position is very sharp and even a small inacuracy may give Black a decisive attack.

252
11.cxd5 exd5 12.h3 a6 13.Bf4 Be6 14.Re1 Qd7 with the idea of 15.Na4 Ba7 16.Rc1 Bxh3!-+;
11.Bf4 d4 (11...Nh5 12.Bd2!) 12.Ne2 Qe7 13.Be5 (13.Re1 e5 14.Ng3 Bg4 15.h3 Bb4) 13...Ng4
14.Bg3 e5 15.Be4 (15.Qb1 Nf6) 15...Bf5 16.Bd5+ Kh8„;
11.a3 a6 (11...Ng4!? 12.h3 dxc4) 12.b4 Ba7 13.Bb2 Ng4 14.Ne2!

(14.cxd5? Nd4 15.Ne4 Nxf3+ 16.gxf3 Nxh2 17.Kxh2 exd5µ) 14...e5! 15.cxd5 Rxf3! 16.gxf3
Nxh2 17.Be4!= and Black must be content with the perpetual check: (17.Kxh2 Qh4+ 18.Kg1
Qg5+ 19.Kh1 (19.Kh2 Qh5+) 19...Qh5+ 20.Kg1 Bh3-+) 17...Qg5+ 18.Kxh2 Qh4+ 19.Kg1
Qg5+ 20.Kh2= (20.Ng3?? Qxg3+-+)
11...Qc7 12.h3 a6 13.Bd2 Bd7 14.Rae1 Rad8∞

Black enjoys great activity and excellent attacking prospects!

253
Line IVc 4.dc5/5.Be3

5.Be3!
The classical continuation 5.Qg4 well known ever since the Tal - Botvinnik World
Championship rematch (1961) is out of fashion because of: 5...Nc6 (5...h5! 6.Qg3 (6.Qf4 Bxc5
7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Nf3 Nb4 9.O-O Nxd3 10.cxd3 Ne7=) 6...Nc6 7.Nf3 h4 8.Qg4 (8.Qf4 Bxc5 9.Bd3
h3„) 8...Nh6 9.Bxh6 Rxh6 10.Bb5 Rg6 11.Qh3 Bxc5„; 5...Nd7 Tal,Mikhail -
Botvinnik,Mikhail, Moscow (m/6) 1961) 6.Nf3 h5 (6...Qc7 Tal, Mikhail - Botvinnik,Mikhail,
Moscow (m/8) 1961) 7.Qf4 Bxc5 8.Bd3 Nb4 9.O-O Nxd3 10.cxd3 Ne7 11.d4 Ng6 12.Qe3∞
5...Nd7!
5...Ne7 6.Nf3 Nf5 is the other option, but I think that White should have advantage after 7.Bg5
Qc7 8.Bd3²
6.Nf3
6.f4 Nh6 7.Nf3 (7.Bb5 Nf5 8.Bf2 Qa5+ 9.Nc3 a6) 7...Nf5 8.Bf2 Bxc5 9.Qd2 (9.Bxc5 Nxc5
10.Bd3 Nxd3+ 11.Qxd3 Qb6) 9...Qb6 10.Bxc5 (10.c3 (Kritz,Leonid 2611 - Quan,Zhe 2427,
USA 2012) 10...Bxf2+ 11.Qxf2 Nc5=) 10...Nxc5 11.Nc3 O-O 12.O-O-O Bd7=;
6.Bb5 Ne7! 7.Nf3 Nf5 8.Bd4 (8.b4?! a6 9.Ba4 Nxe3 10.fxe3 a5 11.c3 g6 12.Nbd2 Bg7 13.O-O
O-O 14.Bxd7 Bxd7 15.a3 b6 16.cxb6 Qxb6©) 8...Qa5+ 9.Nc3 a6 10.Bxd7+ Bxd7 11.O-O Nxd4
12.Nxd4 Qxc5 13.Qg4 is the position reached in the game Petenyi, Tamas 2428 -
Cheparinov,Ivan 2681, Jerusalem 2015

254
Black could have chosen the more precise 13...h5!? 14.Qf4 g5 15.Qe3 g4 16.Rad1 Bh6 17.Qe2
O-O-O 18.Rd3 Kb8µ with strong initiative for Black.
Another interesting try is 6.c4!? where the best continaution should be 6...Bxc5 7.Bxc5 Nxc5
8.cxd5 exd5 (Reshef,Omer 2482 - Sedlak,Nikola 2604, Budapest 2018) 9.Qd4

9...Qa5+! 10.b4 (10.Nc3 Nb3 11.Qxd5 Qxd5 12.Nxd5 Nxa1 13.Nc7+ Ke7 14.Nxa8 Nc2+
15.Kd2 Nb4 16.Nc7 Nh6) 10...Ne6 11.bxa5 Nxd4 12.Na3 Ne7 13.Nb5 Nc2+ 14.Kd2 Nxa1
15.Nc7+ Kd8 16.Nxa8 Bf5 17.Bd3 Bxd3 18.Kxd3 Kd7 19.Nf3 Rxa8 20.Rxa1 Rc8=
6...Bxc5 7.Bxc5 Nxc5

255
This is the most critical line for the evaluation of the whole 3...c5 system. White manages to
exchange Black's good bishop and hopes to enjoy the typical long term advantage. The
possession of the d4 square and spatial advantage are important factors, but Black may create
counterplay on the c-file and put pressure on e5 and b2 spots. I believe that after the exchange of
the queens White's advantage is only of symbolic nature.
8.Qd4!
8.Bd3?! Qb6 is quite unpleasant - 9.Qc1 Bd7 10.O-O Ne7 11.Nbd2 Nxd3 12.cxd3 Rc8ƒ;
8.Nbd2 Qb6 9.Nb3 Ne4 (9...Ne7 10.Nxc5 Qxc5 11.c3 Bd7 12.Bd3 Bb5 13.Bc2 Rc8 14.Qd2)
10.Qd4 Ne7 11.Qxb6 (11.Bd3 Nc6 12.Qxb6 axb6 13.a3 Nc5) 11...axb6 12.Bd3 Nc5 13.Nbd4
Nc6 14.Kd2 f6 15.Rhe1 Bd7 16.c3 Nxd3 17.Kxd3 Ke7 18.a3 Raf8„
8...Qb6
8...Qc7 9.Nc3 a6 10.Bd3 Ne7 11.O-O Bd7²

256
9.a4! Fighting for the dark squares.
9.Nbd2 Ne7 10.Nb3 Ne4 11.Bd3 Nc6=
9...Ne7 10.a5 Qc7 11.Qc3!
11.Na3 Nf5 12.Qc3 Qe7 13.Nb5 Ne4 14.Qa3 O-O
11...Bd7 12.b4 Na6 13.Qb2
13.Qxc7 Nxc7 14.Nbd2 f6=
13...O-O! Hoping to exploit the advantage in development.
13...Rc8 14.Bd3 Ng6 15.O-O Nf4 16.Qd4 Nxd3 17.cxd3 O-O 18.h3 Nb8 19.Nbd2 Bb5
20.Qxa7 Bxd3 21.Rfc1!± was played in Anton Guijarro,David 2642 - Stefanova, Antoaneta
2486, Gibraltar 2019
14.Bd3
14.Ra3 f6 15.Rc3 Qb8
14...Ng6 15.O-O Nf4 16.Ra3 Rfc8!

257
17.Nbd2
17.Rc3 White is fighting for the c-file, as otherwise Black should not have any problems.
17...Nxd3! This improvement is changing the evaluation - now it is Black who is playing for
advantage! (17...Qd8 occurred in Ter Sahakyan,Samvel 2590 - Ponomariov, Ruslan 2667,
Skopje 2019, where White can exchange the bishop for the knight and get advantage. 18.Bxa6
(Ter-Sahakyan proceeded with 18.Na3) 18...bxa6 19.Re1²) 18.cxd3 (18.Rxc7?! Nxb2 19.Rxd7
Rxc2 20.Rxb7 Nd3 21.Ne1 Nxe1 22.Rxe1 Rb2µ) 18...Qd8! - the threat is b6 - undermining
White's blockade on the queen side - 19.Nd4 Rxc3 (19...b6 20.b5 Rxc3 21.Nxc3 Nc5=) 20.Nxc3
(20.Qxc3?! Rc8 21.Qb2 Qe7µ) 20...b6 21.Qa3 (21.b5 Nc5 22.axb6 (22.Rd1 bxa5µ) 22...Qxb6
23.Qb1 Na4!µ; 21.axb6 Qxb6³; 21.Nce2

21...Qb8! Very strong move which retains the advantage! 22.axb6™ Qxb6 23.Rb1 Rb8 24.Nc2
White pieces have all gone backwards which is a good sign for Black. 24...Ba4 25.Ned4 h6

258
26.g3 Bxc2 27.Nxc2 Rc8 28.b5 Nc5³) 21...bxa5 22.bxa5 Qf8! 23.Qa1 (23.Qxf8+ Kxf8 - of
course, the endgame is good for black - 24.f4 Nc5 25.Rd1 Rb8 26.Kf2 Rb2+ 27.Kf3 Ke7)
23...Nc5 24.Rd1 Rb8³

Black has a full control of the position and may exert pressure for a long time!
17...Nxd3 18.cxd3 Nb8
18...Qc2!? 19.Qd4 h6„
19.b5 Qc2 20.Qb4 Qc5„

259
NEW IDEAS AND DEVELOPMENTS

In this article we will focus our attention on another

highly topical variation very often seen at modern-day
elite chess events.
In the great majority of games this variation is used in
order to reach the Sveshnikov proper. So, we should ask
ourselves what are the benefits of entering the
Sveshnikov via this move order?
First, White has the option of 6.Nc6 instead of 6.Ndb5,
with really sharp complications on the board. On his part, Black makes some positional
concessions which are usually compensated by rich tactical play in the attack on the white king
since he is stuck in the centre for the time being. We reach the main crossroads on move 16 for
White when the proper evaluation of position is required.
Also, the obvious pluses of the move order we recommend in this article are numerous. First of
all, White might intend to reach the Sveshnikov after 6.Ndb5 d6, especially aiming for the
popular 7.Nd5 line (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cd4 4.Nd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Nd5 which
is in the focus ever since Fabiano Caruana used it against Magnus Carlsen in the World
Championship match). Also, after 6.Ndb5 Black has two very interesting options at his disposal.
He can go for 6...Bb4 which is considered to be very solid and demands great knowledge on
White's part if he wishes to claim any advantage. Also, Black might choose the more active
6...Bc5 which is in focus of our attention in this article. The crucial test of the 6...Bc5 line is
surely 7.Bf4 followed by Bc7. We devoted our analysis to 12...Ne7 aiming for interesting and
rich play with mutual chances.
In this article we did not explore any of White's alternatives, but only 6.Nc6 and 6.Ndb5 since
none of those pose any serious problems for Black and usually transpose in some other Sicilian
lines.

260
 Caruana vs Carlsen, FIDE World Championship 2018; Source FIDE

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6

261
6.Nc6

6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 Qc7 9.f4 Qb6 10.c4 Bb4+ 11.Ke2 f5

12.exf6
12.Nf2 Ba6 13.Kf3 Ne7 14.Be3 Bc5 15.Bxc5 Qxc5 16.Qd6

The current position is a rather complex one. From the strategic point of view, White should
have the upper hand thanks to significant space advantage, stronger pawn structure, a bit better
bishop and Black's backward pawn on d7. On his part, Black will try to use a slightly exposed
position of the white king on f3. In order to achieve that he must undermine the white pawn
structure by means of quick g5 push, and then activate the pieces (Rg8, Ng6). 16...Qb6
(16...Qa5!? 17.Be2 (17.h4 c5 18.Kg3 Rd8∞) 17...g5 18.Rhd1 g4+ 19.Kg3 Qd8 20.h4 (20.h3
Rg8∞ Libiszewski, Fabien 2481 - Lagarde,Maxime 2604, Gibraltar 2019 - 139/55) 20...Ng6

262
21.Rh1 Qb6 22.Nd1 c5 23.Qxb6 axb6=) 17.b3 (17.b4 c5! 18.b5 (18.bxc5 Bb7+ 19.Kg3 Qb2
20.Rd1 Bc6©) 18...Bb7+ 19.Ke3 g5!„) 17...c5 18.Rd1 (18.Be2 Bb7+ 19.Ke3 g5 20.Nd3 Rc8
21.Bh5+ (21.Qxb6 axb6∞) 21...Kd8 22.Rhd1 Rc6 23.Qb8+ Rc8 24.Qd6 Rc6=) 18...Bb7+
19.Ke3 (19.Kg3 Qxd6 20.exd6 Ng8! 21.Nd3 Rc8 22.Be2 Nf6 23.Kf2 O-O 24.Rhg1 a5„ After
the a4 pawn advance Black achieves counter-play on the queenside, while White must take good
care of his d6 pawn.) 19...Kf7 (19...Qxd6 20.exd6 (20.Rxd6 g5 21.fxg5 f4+! 22.Kd2 O-O-O!?©
with Rdg8 and Nf5 idea in mind.) 20...Ng6 (20...Ng8 21.Rg1 Nf6 22.g4!²) 21.Nd3 Rc8 22.h4 h5
23.Be2 Be4 24.Ne5 Nxe5 25.fxe5 a5=) 20.Qxb6 axb6 21.Rxd7 Bc6 22.Rd2 g5 23.fxg5 h6
24.Nh3 Ng6©

The Benko Gambit on the kingside! Chandler,Murray 2585 - Kasparov,Garry 2715, Hamburg
(sim) 1985
12...Nxf6 13.Be3 Qd8 14.Nd6+ Bxd6 15.Qxd6 Bb7

263
16.Rd1

Is the main continuation in this position. White is pressurising the d7-pawn, and at the same time
prevents Black's Ne4, Qh4 idea.
16.g4?! c5 17.Rg1 Ne4

18.Qd3 (18.Qe5? A really peculiar situation happened at the Isle of Man FIDE Grand Open.
After 18.Qe5 the same position occurred in Shirov - Yu and Karjakin - Dreev with those two
games taking place one next to other! A truly bizarre occurrence! The intrigue became even
greater when both Yu and Dreev made the same, imprecise move 18...Qh4?

264
Instead, they missed the opportunity to gain decisive advantage after 18...O-O! (18...Qh4? see
Isle of Man article in this volume of CI) 19.Bg2 d6 20.Qxe6+ (20.Qh5 Qb6 21.b3 a5-+ with the
idea of a4.) 20...Kh8 21.Bxe4 Rf6! 22.Bxb7 (22.Qxf6 Qxf6 23.Bxb7 Qxb2+-+) 22...Rxe6
23.Bxa8 Qxa8 24.f5 Re8-+) 18...Qh4 19.Bg2 (19.Rd1? O-O 20.h3

20...Rxf4! 21.Qb3 Rf2+ (21...Rb8 22.Bxf4 Qf2+ 23.Kd3 Qxf4-+) 22.Bxf2 Qxf2+ 23.Kd3 Qxg1
24.Qxb7 Rf8 (24...Qg3+ 25.Kc2 Qh2+-+) 25.Qxe4 Rxf1-+ Navara,David 2703 - Ris, Robert
2454, Ulcinj 2019) 19...Qxh2 20.Kd1 Nf2+ 21.Bxf2 Bxg2 22.Bxc5 Rc8 23.Bxa7 (23.Qd6 Bf3+
24.Kc1 Kd8! 25.Re1 Rxc5! Black has several possible continuations at his disposal. However,
after 25...Rc5 he is able to overtake the initiative in a rather interesting and instructive manner.
26.Qxc5 Qxf4+ 27.Kc2 h5ƒ) 23...O-O! 24.Qe2 Qxf4 25.Qxg2 Rxc4ƒ

265
Black have a strong iniative for sacrificed piece!;
16.Kd1 c5

17.Qxc5 (17.Bxc5 Ne4 18.Qe5 Nxc5 19.Qxc5 Qf6 (19...Rf8!?) 20.Qe5 O-O 21.Qxf6 Rxf6
22.Rg1 Rxf4ƒ; 17.Bd3 Rc8 18.Kc2 (18.Bxc5 Be4! 19.Ba3 Rc6 20.Qd4 Bxd3 21.Qxd3 Qc7ƒ)
18...Qb6! After the queen swap Black is able to solve all the problems - 19.Qxb6 axb6 20.a4
(Czarnota,Pawel 2532 - Navara,David 2724, Polska 2019) 20...O-O 21.Rhg1 Ng4 22.Bd2 Nf2=)
17...Be4! A highly effective way of restricting the white f1-bishop. Also, Black is stopping
White's king transfer to the queenside safety zone, whilst threatening d7-d6 followed by short
castle - all of the black pieces are activated! 18.Qd6 (18.Rg1 d6 19.Qd4 O-O 20.Be2 Qe8© with
the idea of e5, as in Tari,Aryan 2603 - Vidit,Santosh Gujrathi 2707, Malmoe 2018 - 136/60)
18...Rc8 19.Bxa7 Rc6 20.Qb8 (20.Qa3 d6 21.Ke1 O-O³) 20...Rc8 21.Qd6 (21.Qe5?! O-O
(Najer,Evgeniy 2627 - Khairullin,Ildar 2554, Plovdiv 2008) 22.b4 Bg6µ) 21...Rc6=;

266
16.Rg1 Ne4 17.Qe5 but Black is able to generate counter-play by executing highly concrete
moves: 17...c5! 18.Qxg7 Qh4!

19.Kd3 (19.Qxh8+? Kf7 20.Qxa8 (20.Qe5 d6-+) 20...Bxa8-+; 19.g3 Qxh2+ 20.Rg2 Qh1
21.Rg1 Qh5+ 22.g4 Qh2+ 23.Rg2 Ng3+ 24.Ke1 (24.Kd3? (Salimova,Nurgyul 2260 -
Videnova,Iva 2345, Pleven 2018) 24...Be4+! 25.Kc3 Bxg2 26.Bxg2 O-O-O-+) 24...Bxg2
25.Bxg2 O-O-O (25...Qxg2 26.Qxh8+ Ke7 27.Qg7+ Ke8 28.Qg8+ Ke7=) 26.Bf3∞) 19...O-O-
O 20.Be2 Rhg8 21.Qe5 d6 22.Qxe6+ Kb8©
16...c5!? The most concrete solution. Black sacrifices a pawn (sometimes even two pawns) in
order to open the lines and diagonals towards the enemy king. The ensuing position is rather
complex in nature and requires very precise play from both sides.
16...Rc8 is Black's main reply which leads to complicated play and forced continuations.
Perhaps, Black does not stand any worse, but he is forced to play with extreme precision and find
some not so intuitive answers. 17.Rg1 c5 18.g4 Rc6 (18...Qe7 19.Bg2 Bxg2 20.Rxg2 Nd5)
19.Qe5 O-O 20.g5 Nh5 21.Bh3 d6 22.Qxe6+ Kh8 23.Rgf1 Rb6 24.b3 Ra6 25.Qd7 (25.Rd2 d5
26.Qe5 (26.Qd7 Qb8∞) 26...Re8 27.cxd5! Rxe5 28.fxe5 Bxd5 29.Bg2 Rxa2 30.Bxd5 Rxd2+
31.Bxd2 Nf6 32.Bc4 Nd7∞) 25...Rxa2+ 26.Rd2 Rxd2+ 27.Bxd2 Qa8 (with the idea of Bg2)
28.Qg4 (28.Qxd6 Bg2„) 28...Qe8+ 29.Kd1

267
(29.Kf2 Nxf4 30.Bxf4 h5 31.gxh6 gxh6∞) 29...Qe4! Black sacrifices the knight in order to
achieve full activity! 30.Qxh5 Qd3 and it is not quite clear whether White will be able to make
use of his material advantage. Black should have decent compensation in light of White's poorly
placed king and weak pawns. For example: 31.f5 Qxb3+ 32.Ke1 g6 33.Qe2 (33.fxg6 Qb1+
34.Ke2 Qe4+=) 33...Qxh3 34.Qe7 Qh4+ 35.Rf2 Qe4+ 36.Qxe4 Bxe4=
17.Qxc5

17.Bxc5 Ne4 18.Qe5 Nxc5 19.Qxc5 Rc8 20.Qb4 (20.Qd4?! O-Oµ; 20.Qxa7?! Qc7 21.Qe3
Qxc4+ 22.Kf2 Qxa2³) 20...Ba8© (20...Qc7©)
17...Kf7!? A completely new plan for Black! The idea is to play Re8 followed by e5 or d5.
Some of the games continued with 17...Rc8 18.Qxa7 (18.Qb4 Qc7 19.Ke1 d5©) 18...Qc7
(18...Be4 19.Bc5! (19.Ke1 O-O 20.Rg1 Qe8 21.Be2 e5©) 19...Kf7 20.Ke3 Bc6 21.Bd3) 19.Ke1

268
(19.Qb6 Qxb6 20.Bxb6 Rxc4 21.Bd4 O-O©) 19...O-O 20.Be2 (20.Qb6 Qb8) 20...d5 21.Bf3
Qe7©
18.Rg1
18.Qd4 Rf8 19.h3 Kg8 20.Kf2 Ne4+ 21.Kg1 Ng3© (21...d6©)
18...Re8 19.g4 d5 20.g5 Ne4 21.Qd4 Kg8©

Black did invest a pawn, but in return he has a much safer king!

6.Ndb5

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Ndb5

269
6...Bc5!?
A more common continuation is 6...Bb4 or transposition to the Sveshnikov variation 6...d6 7.Bf4
e5 8.Bg5 a6 9.Na3 etc.
7.Bf4
7.Nd6+ Ke7 8.Bf4 (8.Nxc8+ Rxc8 9.Bd3

9...Rg8!? This is a modern treatement of the position. Actually, it is quite similar to White's idea
of Rg1 and g4 in many different lines, since Black is able to play a6 with the idea of Re8, Kf6
and d6 to follow. 10.O-O g5 11.Kh1 (11.Qe2 Ne5 (11...Nd4 (Velicka,Petr 2425 - Navara,David
2717, Cesko 2019) 12.Qe1!? with the idea to play Kh1 and f4) 12.Kh1 g4„) 11...Qf8 12.f4 gxf4
13.Bxf4 Qg7 14.Qd2 Nh5∞) 8...e5 9.Nf5+ Kf8 10.Bg5 (10.Be3 Bb4∞) 10...h6 11.Bxf6 Qxf6
12.Nd5 Qd8 13.Bc4 g6 14.Nfe3 Kg7∞ Ivanov,Sergey V 2075 - Pridorozhni,Aleksei 2564, Saint
Petersburg 2018
7...O-O 8.Bc7
8.Bd6 Qb6 9.Bxc5 Qxc5 10.Qd6 Qb6 11.Qc7 Qc5 12.Qd6 Qb6=;
8.e5!? a6 9.Nd6

270
(9.exf6?! Qxf6 10.Bg3 axb5 11.Bxb5 d5³) 9...Ne8 (9...Bxd6?! 10.Qxd6 Ne8 (10...Qb6?

11.exf6! Qxb2 12.Kd2 Qxa1 13.Bh6! Re8 14.fxg7 Ne7 15.g4+- Dubov,Daniil 2703 - Basso,Pier
Luigi 2521, Skopje 2019) 11.Qd2²) 10.Nce4 Bd4 11.Nxe8 Rxe8 12.Qh5 (12.c3 Bxe5 13.Bxe5
Nxe5 14.Nd6 Rf8© White does have some compensation, but I am not sure if it is quite enough
for a whole pawn.) 12...Qa5+ (12...Bxb2? The b2-pawn is a "poisoned" one, so White is able to
develop a crushing attack if the pawn is captured. 13.Ng5 h6 14.Qxf7+ Kh8 15.Qg6 hxg5
16.Bd3 Kg8 17.Bxg5+-) 13.c3 Bxe5 (13...Nxe5 14.Qg5 h6 15.Qg3 Ng6 16.Nd6 Nxf4 17.Qxf4
Bxc3+ 18.bxc3 Qxc3+ 19.Ke2 Qxa1 20.Qxf7+ Kh7 21.Nxe8 b6= and White is not able to
avoid the perpetual check.) 14.Ng5 Bxc3+ 15.bxc3 Qxc3+ 16.Ke2 Nd4+ 17.Kd1 Qc2+
(17...Qxa1+?? 18.Bc1+-) 18.Ke1 Qc3+=
8...Qe7 9.Bd6 Bxd6 10.Qxd6 Qd8 11.O-O-O
11.Qg3?! If White retreats his queen from the blockading d6 square Black should be able to gain

271
the initiative very quickly.
11...d5 12.O-O-O a6 13.exd5 exd5 14.Nc7 (14.Nd4 Re8ƒ) 14...Nh5 15.Qf3 Qxc7 16.Qxh5
Qf4+ƒ Mauritsson,Sebastian 2362 - Grachev,Boris 2608, Ulcinj 2019 (16...d4 17.Nd5 Qd6ƒ)`
11.Be2 a6 12.Nc7 Ra7 13.e5 Nxe5 14.Qxe5 b6 15.N7d5 (15.Nxe6 fxe6 (15...dxe6 16.O-O Qc7
17.Qxc7 Rxc7=) 16.O-O-O Rc7∞; 15.N7b5 axb5 16.Nxb5 Ra4∞) 15...Nxd5 16.Nxd5 exd5∞
Baron,Tal 2531 - Dubov,Daniil 2699, Douglas 2019
11...a6 12.Nd4

12...Ne7!? A very interesting idea in the spirit of the Paulsen variation. Black intends to
complete development with b5, Bb7, Rc8 and then to expel the white queen by means of Ne8. Of
course, in the mean time White is able to gain some activity on the kingside leading to a highly
complex position. Overall, the position is rich in ideas for both players.
12...Na5!? Another move worthy of deeper investigation was played in Pulpan, Jakub 2414 -
Plischki,Sebastian 2420, Praha 2019;
Tournament practice showed that after 12...Qb6 Black achieves a roughly equal position.
13.h4
13.e5 Ne8 14.Qb4 b5 15.Bd3 Bb7 16.f4 d6∞ (16...Rc8∞);
13.g4 b5 14.g5 Ne8 15.Qg3 b4 16.Nce2 (16.Na4 Qa5 17.b3 d6 with Bd7 idea in mind.)
16...Bb7 17.Bg2 a5 18.h4 a4∞;
13.Qg3 b5 (The alternative is 13...d5 14.e5 Nd7 with the pawn structure resembling the French
defence.) 14.e5 Nfd5 15.Nxd5 (15.Ne4 Qb6!? Stopping White from developing the bishop to
d3. (15...Bb7) 16.Nd6 f6„) 15...Nxd5 16.Bd3 (16.Nf5 exf5 17.Rxd5 (Nevednichy, Vladislav
2531 - Navara,David 2734, Greece 2019) 17...Bb7 18.Rd4 Qb6 19.Rxd7 Qa5 20.a3 Rad8©)
16...Bb7∞

272
13...b5 14.h5 Ne8 15.Qb4
15.Qg3 b4 16.Nb1 h6∞
15...Bb7
15...h6!? 16.g4 Bb7 17.f4 Rc8 18.Rg1 e5 19.fxe5 Nc6 20.Nxc6 Qg5+ 21.Kb1 dxc6∞
16.h6 g6 17.a4

17...e5
17...Nc6 18.Qc5 bxa4 19.Nxa4 Rc8„ Sarana,Alexey 2655 - Dreev,Aleksey 2662, Russia (ch)
2019
18.Nb3 Nc6 19.Qc5 d6 20.Qe3 bxa4 21.Nxa4 Rb8„

273
274
We always talk about the merits of fianchetto bishop, a mighty piece, able to protect its own
army and to attack the opponent's king at the same time. Much less known is his "younger"
brother – the fianchetto knight. Of course, there is a good reason why we rarely mention it even.
Unlike his older brother the fianchetto knight is usually a weak and clumsy peace, difficult to
bring back into the battle. Would you like to see it with your own eyes? Sure, let us explore some
instructive examples!
E11
Ondozi, Murtez (2405) - Prusikin, Michael (2523)
Schweiz, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 Qe7 5.Nc3

5.g3!?
5...O-O 6.a3?! Is a bit too slow.
In this position I prefer 6.Qc2 Burmakin, Vladimir 2505
- Ikonnikov,Vyacheslav 2540, Werfen 1996 - 67/(571),
E 32
6...Bxc3 7.Bxc3 Ne4
7...b6 Dzindzichashvili,Roman 2570 - Larsen,Bent 2590, Lone Pine 1980 - 30/580
8.Qc2 Nxc3 9.Qxc3 d6= 10.e3
10.g3!? Nd7 11.Bg2 e5 12.O-O e4!? (12...Re8) 13.Nd2 Nf6=
10...Nd7 11.Be2 e5

275
12.dxe5?! White played the opening in a very unambitious manner, but this pawn exchange is
the first real mistake. He should not have given up his centre.
12.O-O=
12...dxe5 13.O-O

13...c5!N An important over-the-board novelty.

The idea is to prepare e5-e4 without allowing the white knight to reach d4, for example: 13...e4?!
14.Nd4 Qg5 (14...c5?! 15.Nf5²) 15.c5!²;
13...Re8= Bachtiar,Arovah - Parma,Bruno, Siegen (ol) 1970
14.Rfd1
14.e4?! f6³ aiming to transfer the knight to d4.

276
14...e4

15.Ne1? My opponent probably tried to bring the knight to d5, but that dream never came true.
15.Nd2 was called for 15...a5!? 16.Qc2 f5 17.Nb1 Ne5 18.Nc3 Be6 19.Nd5 Bxd5 20.Rxd5 b6
21.Rad1 Rf6 with mutual chances.
15...a5!? In my opinion it looked logical to prevent b4.
15...b6!? 16.b4 Bb7³
16.Rd2?!
16.b4!= and maybe White would still have a playable position.
16...Ra6!? 17.Rad1 a4 18.Qc2 Nf6 19.Qc3 h5 20.g3
20.h4 Ng4! 21.g3 Rf6! 22.Bxg4 (22.Bf1 Qc7!µ) 22...Bxg4 23.Rc1 Rd8µ also looks very
unpleasant for White.
20...Bh3 21.Ng2

277
21...g5!µ This is the most important move of the game! Now this unlucky knight is forever
trapped in the fortress (g2-e1-c2) without any hope of escape.
22.Ne1 h4 23.Ng2 hxg3 24.fxg3 Kh7 25.Rf1 Kg6 26.Rfd1 Rh8 27.Ne1 Qc7 28.Ng2 Re6
29.Qc2 Qc8
29...Bg4!-+
30.Rf1 Kg7 31.Qc3 Qc7 32.Rd5 Kg6 33.Rd2

33...Qe5!-+ - the clearest way to make progress. A slightly open position of the black king does
not matter much in the endgame. Actually, Black's position is completely winning.
33...Rd8!?-+
34.Qxe5 Otherwise, the black queen on e5 would dominate the board.

278
34.Qc2 Rb6
34...Rxe5 35.Rd6 Re6 36.Rd2
36.Rxe6 fxe6! (but not 36...Bxe6?! 37.h4!„) 37.Rd1 Bg4! 38.Bxg4 Nxg4 39.h4 Ne5 40.Rd6
gxh4 41.Nxh4+ Kf6 42.Rb6 Rb8
36...Rb6 37.Rf2

37...Nd7! Improving the knight even further!

38.Ne1 Be6
38...Ne5 39.Rd5
39.Rc2 Ne5 40.Ng2 Rd8 41.Rf1
41.h4 f6!
41...Bh3 42.Bd1 Rbd6 43.Be2 Rd2 44.Rxd2 Rxd2 45.Rf2 Kg7 Now it was a good time to
resign.
45...Rxb2?? 46.Bh5+
46.Bh5 Rxf2 47.Kxf2 Bxg2 48.Kxg2 g4 49.h3 Nxc4 50.hxg4 Nxb2 51.Kf2 b5 52.Ke2 b4
53.Kd2 Nc4+ 54.Kc1 Nxa3 55.g5 Nc4 56.Be2 Nxe3 57.Bb5 a3 58.Bc6 Nc4 0-1
B85
Geller, Efim P (2590) - Mikhalchishin, Adrian (2460)
USSR (ch), 1978

This game was published in Chess Informant 26, game 476, annotated by Efim Geller.
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e6 7.O-O Be7 8.f4 O-O 9.Kh1 Qc7
10.a4 b6 11.Bf3 Bb7

279
12.e5!?N An important novelty back in a day, and still a subject of rich theoretical discussions.
12...Ne8?!
12...dxe5! 13.fxe5 Nfd7 14.Bxb7 Qxb7 15.Bf4 Nc6 16.Qf3 Rfc8= Kovchan,Alexander 2558 -
Volokitin,Andrei 2677, Ukraine (ch) 2011; also see Timoshenko,Georgy 2510 - Suba,Mihai
2520, Baile Herculane 1996 - 68/211
13.Be3! Nc6 14.Qe2! g6!
14...Nxd4 15.Bxd4 Bxf3 16.Rxf3 dxe5 17.fxe5 Bc5 was called for, even though White is still
clearly better after, for example: 18.Bxc5 Qxc5 19.Raf1²;
14...dxe5 15.fxe5 Nxd4 (15...Nxe5? 16.Bf4± Geller,Efim) 16.Bxd4²
15.Rad1! Simple chess! Geller just kept on bringing all of his pieces into the game!
15...dxe5 16.fxe5 Ng7
16...Nxe5? 17.Bxb7 Qxb7 18.Bh6+-

280
17.Nxc6!
Was much stronger than the alternative: 17.Qc4? Nf5! 18.Nxf5 gxf5 and black is okay despite
his open king position.
17...Bxc6 18.Qc4 Rfc8
Now 18...Nf5 does not help: 19.Bc1! Rfc8 20.Qxc6 Qxc6 21.Bxc6 Rxc6 22.g4 Ng7 and the
knight is trapped again - 23.Rd7+-
19.Qxc6 Qxc6 20.Bxc6 Rxc6 21.Rd7 Re8

22.g4!+- A familiar picture: the knight is "arrested" - Black is lost.

22...h5 23.h3 hxg4 24.hxg4 b5 25.axb5 axb5 26.Ne4! Rxc2

281
27.Nf6+! The black knight "dies in prison".
27...Bxf6 28.exf6 Rxb2 29.fxg7 f5 30.Rf3 fxg4 31.Rf4 Rc8 32.Bc5 1-0
B42
Akopian, Vladimir (2685) - Gajewski, Grzegorz (2616)
Moscow, 2012

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Bd3 Nf6 6.O-O Qc7 7.Qe2 Bc5 8.Nb3 Be7 9.c4 d6
10.Nc3 Nbd7 11.f4 b6 12.Bd2 Bb7 13.Rae1 O-O

14.e5!? It seems to be a bit impatient choice.

White could have opted for the rook lift first, transfering the piece into the attack 14.Rf3!? with
the idea of Rh3.

282
14.Kh1!? g6 15.Nd4 Rfe8 16.Nf3 Rad8 17.b4!² Naiditsch,Arkadij 2665 - Predojevic,Borki
2634, Srbija 2008 - 103/112
14...dxe5?N
14...Ne8= leads to a full equality.
15.fxe5 Ne8 16.Bf4 g6

17.Be4! An important exchange, aiming to get the knight to e4.

17...Ng7
17...Bxe4 18.Nxe4! Nxe5 19.Nd4! Ng7 20.Kh1! (preparing Nf3) 20...Nh5 (20...Rad8 21.Nf3 f6
22.Nxf6+ Bxf6 23.Nxe5±) 21.Bxe5 Qxe5 22.Nc6 Qc7 23.Nxe7+ Qxe7 24.g4!± and Black is
facing a difficult defensive task.
18.Bxb7 Qxb7 19.Ne4 Rac8 20.Bg5? A logical move, but a way too direct.
20.Nd4± improving the worst piece, as White secures a large advantage.
20...Bxg5 21.Nxg5 b5?!
21...Qc7! should easily equalize: 22.Nd2 Nf5=

283
22.c5! A nice positional pawn sacrifice, overlooked by Gajewski, I suppose.
22...Qc7?
22...Nxc5! accepting the gift was the right way to go: 23.Nxc5 Rxc5 24.Ne4 Rc4 25.b3 Rcc8
26.Qd2 Qb6+ 27.Kh1 Nf5 28.g4! Nd4 29.Qh6 Qb7 30.Kg1 f5 31.exf6 Rc2 32.Rf2 Rxf2
33.Kxf2 e5 and Black seems to be able to hold the position.
23.Ne4!± Ne8
23...Qxe5 24.Nf6+ Qxf6 25.Rxf6 Nxf6 26.Qf3±;
23...Nf5 24.Nd6 Nxc5 25.Rxf5! Nxb3 (25...exf5 26.Rc1+-) 26.Rff1 Nd4 27.Qf2 Nf5 28.Nxc8
Qxc8 29.Rc1±
24.Nd6+- - and the rest should be simple enough - 24...Nxd6 25.exd6 Qa7 26.Qf2
26.Rc1+-
26...a5 27.Rc1 Qa8 28.Rc2 a4 29.Nd2 Qd5 30.b4 Ne5 31.Qe3 f5 32.Nf3 Nc4 33.Rxc4 bxc4
34.Qd4 Qxd4+ 35.Nxd4 Kf7 36.d7 Rc7 37.c6 e5 38.Nxf5 Rd8 39.Ne3+ Ke6 40.b5 Kd6
41.Nxc4+ Kc5 42.Nxe5 Kxb5 43.a3 Kc5 44.Rd1 1-0
Carlsen, Magnus (2843) - Anand, Viswanathan (2780)
Sao Paulo/Bilbao, 2012

284
24.g4! is well known motif, but a new implementation.
A much less clear option would have been to double the rooks, even though a rather tempting
one: 24.Re5 a5! Here it is, the counterplay! 25.Rfe1 Qb4 26.Qe2 a4„ and Black should be able
to survive.
24...Rc6
24...a5

25.Nh3!! is the main idea of 24.g4! - 25...a4 26.Qh6+-

25.Nh3! Ne8 26.Qh6+- Nf6 27.Ng5 d3 28.Re5 Kh8 29.Rd1 Qa6 30.a4 1-0

Fischer, Robert James - Taimanov, Mark

Vancouver (m/2), 1971

285
In this famous position Fischer enjoys a full compensation for the sacrifised pawn, but is it
enough for more than equality? 25.b4! Yes, by applying the famous fianchettoed-knight-
restriction-method!
25...a5?! Weakening the b6 pawn without any reason.
26.Bd5! Kb8™
26...axb4?? 27.Re7+!+-
27.a3 The old fashioned solution;
But in this particular case a concrete continuation seems to be even stronger: 27.bxa5! bxa5
28.c4 with the idea of bringing one rook to the b-file. Fighting agains a strong bishop pair
supported by the rooks Black is facing difficult times.
27...Rfd8
27...Rc3 28.Re8+ Rxe8 29.Rxe8+ Rc8 30.Rxc8+ Kxc8 31.Bxf7±
28.Bxf7?!
28.Be3!±
28...Bc3 The right square, but the wrong piece!
28...Rc3! 29.Re3 axb4 30.axb4

286
30...Rc7! 31.Bd5 Bc3 leads to equality.
29.Bd2± And Fischer converted the advantage to a win after a long and not completely flawless
fight.
Also see Chess Informant 11, game 302.

287
Svetozar Gligorić (Jugoslavija) v. Vassily Smyslov (USSR), IBM Tournament,
Amsterdam 1971

Between 1961 and 1981, IBM organised a series of international tournaments in Amsterdam.
These gradually came to be among the strongest events in the chess calendar. The line-up of
participants in the 1971 edition featured ex-World Champion Vassily Smyslov and Paul Keres
from the USSR, leading grandmasters Lajos Portisch (Magyarorszcg) and Svetozar Gligorić
(Jugoslavija), and the 19-year-old Jan Timman from the home nation. First place was ultimately
taken by Smyslov, a point clear of Keres, Portisch and Walter Browne (USA). In the 1st round of
the event (played on 13th July), Smyslov faced Gligorić with the black pieces. The Soviet
grandmaster sprang a surprise as early as the 2nd move, choosing the rare Chigorin Defence to
the Queen's Gambit. After some uncertain opening play by Gligorić, Black achieved a promising
position. Smyslov gradually increased the positional pressure and won a fine game that was
eventually included in his autobiographical collection V Poiskah Garmonii – In Search of
Harmony (В Поисках Гармонии, Moscow, 1979).

288
 The opening moves of the Gligorić v. Smyslov encounter. (Photo credit: J. Evers, via www.nationaalarchief.nl.)

D07
Gligoric, Svetozar - Smyslov, Vassily
Amsterdam, 1971

1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nc6 3.Nc3 dxc4 4.d5 Ne5

Gligorić – Smyslov 1st round, IBM

289
 Tournament, Amsterdam, 13th July 1971
The game appears in Volume 12 of Chess
Informant with notes by Smyslov.
This was a new continuation at the time.
Previously, 4...Na5 was played in this position. Having
been surprised in the opening, Gligoric avoids the
critical 5.f4 in favour of a quieter approach.
5.Bf4 Ng6 6.Bg3 e5 7.dxe6 Bxe6 8.Nf3
In his notes from 1979, Smyslov indicates that 8.Qxd8+
Rxd8 9.Bxc7 Rd7 permits Black to obtain the better
development with level material.
8...Nf6 9.Nd4 Bd7 10.e3 Bb4 11.Bxc4 O-O "The
results of the opening are quite promising for Black.
While White is regaining the pawn, Black has time to
complete development. Now he threatens 12...Ne4,
which before castling was bad on account of Bf7 and
Qb3" - Smyslov, in V Poiskah Garmonii. 12.Qc2 c6

13.h3 White preserves the dark-squared bishop from exchange. However, in doing so he loses
more time. It was more expedient to castle.
13...Qe7 14.O-O Bxc3 15.bxc3 As a result of his 13th move, this recapture is forced.
15.Qxc3? Ne4
15...Ne4 16.Bh2 c5 17.Nf3
In Chess Informant, Smyslov suggests the alternative 17.Nb5 Bc6 18.f3 In his later notes, he
continues the variation 18...Bxb5 19.Bxb5 Nd6 20.Bxd6 Qxd6, when Black retains a good

290
position. After the move in the text, Black already stands clearly better.
17...Bc6 18.Bd3 f5
Cleverly seeing through White's idea. On 18...Rfe8 there would have followed 19.Ne5!, when
White frees himself.
19.Rad1 Rad8 20.Be2 Qf6 Tethering the white pieces to the defence of the pawn at c3.
21.Rxd8 Rxd8 22.Rc1 h6 23.Bd3 White plans to eject the knight from e4 after Ne1 and f3. In
preparation, he prevents the possible invasion of the black rook at d2.
23...Kh8 24.Ne1

Smyslov considers his reply to 3.Nc3, as

grandmaster Borislav Ivkov (Yugoslavia)
looks on. (Photo credit: J. Evers, via
www.nationaalarchief.nl.)
24...c4! 25.Bxe4
On 25.Bxc4 there follows 25...Rd2
25...fxe4 26.Qe2 b5 "Black has achieved a clear positional advantage; he possesses a lot of
space, controls the d-file - on which he has the outpost d3, whereas White cannot transfer the
knight via c2 to d4 on account of the threat to the c3-pawn" - Smyslov.
27.Bg3 Ne7 28.Qb2 Nd5 Maintaining the pressure on c3.
29.Qa3 a5! 30.Kh2
After 30.Qxa5 Ra8 the queen is unexpectedly lost!
30...h5 31.h4 Qf8 32.Qb2 Smyslov points out that as well as offering a favourable exchange of
queens, the move 31...Qf8 was aimed at preventing the possible manoeuvre Qa3-c5.

291
32...Nf6 33.Kg1 Ng4 34.Qe2 Qf6 "Black holds the c3-
pawn under fire. He can later strengthen the pressure
with ...Rd7 and ...Qd8, preparing the invasion of the
rook at d2. The useful moves for White are becoming
fewer and fewer. Therefore Gligori~c tries to recapture
at least a little space, but in so doing compromises his
king's flank" - Smyslov.

Svetozar Gligorić, Amsterdam IBM 1971

(Photo credit: J. Evers, via
www.nationaalarchief.nl.)
35.f3 exf3 36.gxf3 Ne5 37.e4 Nd3 38.Rc2 Nxe1 "The
simplest and clearest solution. Now the rook firmly
establishes itself at the square d3, while the opposite-
coloured bishops only strengthen Black's attacking set-
up" - Smyslov.
39.Bxe1 Rd3 40.Kg2 Qg6+ 41.Bg3 Kh7!

292
 Vassily Smyslov, Amsterdam IBM 1971
(Photo credit: J. Evers, via
www.nationaalarchief.nl.)
This move was sealed by Smyslov. White is essentially
in zugzwang - 42.Kh2 fails to 42...Rf3 43.Qf3 Be4,
while on 42.Qe1 Qf6 White cannot defend the c3- and
f3-pawns simultaneously. Finally, on 42.Rd2 there
follows Be4 43.Rd3 cd3!
42.Rc1 Qf6 43.Be1 Qf4 White resigned. The rook at c1
is attacked, and in addition, Black threatens 44...Rf3
45.Qf3 Be4. A strategic masterpiece! 0-1

293
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.

294
295
PARTIJE • ПАРТИИ • GAMES • PARTIEN • PARTIES • PARTIDAS •
PARTITE • PARTIER •

KLASIFIKACIJA OTVARANJA • КЛАССИФИКАЦИЯ ДЕБЮТОВ •

CLASSIFICATION OF OPENINGS • KLASSIFIZIERUNG DER
ERÖFFNUNGEN • CLASSIFICATION DES OUVERTURES •
CLASIFICACIÓN DE LAS APERTURAS • CLASSIFICAZIONE DELLE
APERTURE • KLASSIFIKATION AV ÖPPNINGAR •

296
297
A00-A24

1. A01
Jobava, Baadur (2617) - Howell, David (2694)
Douglas 142/1, 2019

1.b3 d5 2.Bb2 Bf5 3.e3 e6 4.h3 h6 5.Nc3 Nf6

5...Bh7 - 120/(1)
6.d4 c5 7.Nf3N
7.g4 Bh7 8.Bd3 cxd4 9.exd4 Nc6 10.Bxh7 Nxh7∞
7...Nc6 8.Bb5 Rc8 9.O-O a6 10.Bxc6+ Rxc6 11.a4 Bh7 12.Ne5 Rc8 13.a5 Be7

14.Na4!? cxd4 15.Qxd4 Rxc2 16.Rfc1 O-O

16...Qxa5? 17.Rxc2 Bxc2 18.Rc1+-
17.b4
17.Rxc2 Bxc2 18.Rc1 Bxb3 19.Nb6 Re8 (19...Bc4 20.Nexc4 dxc4 21.Rxc4©) 20.Rc3 (20.Rc8
Qd6 21.Ng4 Rxc8 22.Nxc8 Qc7 23.Nxe7+ Qxe7 24.Nxh6+ gxh6 25.Qxf6 Qxf6 26.Bxf6=)
20...Bc4 21.Nexc4 dxc4 22.Rxc4©
17...Qe8 18.Rxc2 Bxc2 19.Nc5 Qb5!
19...Bxc5 20.bxc5 Qb5 21.c6! bxc6 22.Nd7 c5 23.Nxf6+ gxf6 24.Qxf6 d4 25.Ba3 (25.Bc1 Qd3
26.Qxh6 Qc3 27.Qg5+ Bg6 28.Rb1 Qc2 29.Ra1 Qc3= (29...d3 30.e4 Qc3 31.Ra3 Qe1+ 32.Kh2
Qxe4 33.Rc3 Qf5 34.Qxf5 Bxf5 35.Rxc5=)) 25...Qxa5 26.exd4 cxd4 27.Bb2 Qg5 28.Qxd4²

298
20.Rc1 Bh7

20...Bf5³
21.Ncd7! Rd8 22.Rc7?!
22.Nxf6+ Bxf6 23.Qb6 Qxb6 (23...Qe2 24.Bd4∞) 24.axb6 Bxe5 25.Bxe5 f6 26.Bg3 e5 27.Rc7
d4 28.exd4 Rxd4 29.b5 axb5 30.Rxb7 Rd6 31.Rb8+ Kf7 32.f4 (32.b7? ∆Rb6 33.Rh8? Rxb7
34.Rxh7 Kg8-+) 32...b4 33.fxe5 fxe5 34.Bxe5 b3 (34...Rd5 35.Rb7+ Ke6 36.Bxg7 Be4 37.Rb8
Kd7=) 35.Rb7+ Ke6 36.Bxg7 Bd3=
22...Ne8 23.Nxf7 Rxd7
23...Kxf7!? 24.Nc5 Qc4 25.Qe5 d4 26.Bxd4 Rxd4 27.Qh5+ Bg6 28.Qf3+ Bf5 29.Rxe7+ Kxe7
30.Qxb7+ Kf6 31.exd4 Qxd4µ
24.Nxh6+ Kf8 25.Qf4+ Nf6 26.Rc8+ Rd8 27.Rc7?
27.Bxf6 gxf6 (27...Bxf6?? 28.Rxd8++-) 28.Rxd8+ Bxd8 29.Qd6+ Be7 30.Qxe6 Qe8µ
27...Rd7
27...Qxb4 28.Qxb4 Bxb4 29.Bxf6 gxf6 30.Rf7+ Ke8 31.Rxh7∞; 27...d4! 28.Bxd4 (28.exd4
Qe2-+) 28...Qxb4 29.Bxf6 Rd1+ 30.Kh2 Qxf4+ 31.exf4 gxf6-+
28.Rc8+ Rd8 29.Rc7 Qd3?
29...d4!-+ - 27...d4
30.Bd4?
30.Bxf6! gxf6 31.Rxe7! Kxe7 32.Qc7+ Rd7 33.Qc5+ Rd6 (33...Ke8 34.Qc8+=) 34.Qc7+ Rd7=
30...Qb1+ 31.Kh2 Qe4 32.Qg3 Nh5?

299
¹32...gxh6 33.Rxe7 Kxe7 34.Qc7+ Nd7 35.Bf6+ Kf7! 36.Bxd8 Qe5+-+
33.Bxg7+! Ke8?
33...Nxg7 34.Rxe7 Kxe7 35.Qxg7+ Kd6 36.Nf7+ (36.Qxb7 Rd7 37.Qb6+ Ke7 38.Qc5+ Kd8
39.Ng4©) 36...Kc7 37.Ng5+ Rd7 38.Qc3+ Qc4 39.Qe5+ Kc6 40.Qxe6+ Kc7 41.Qe5+ Kc6
42.Qe6+=
34.Rxe7+! Kxe7 35.Qg5+ Kd7 36.Qxh5 Bg6 37.Qg5 Kc8
37...Re8 38.Bd4 Qc2 (38...e5 39.f3+-) 39.Ng4+-
38.Be5 Be8 39.Bd4
39.Bg3 d4 40.Ng8 d3 41.Qc5+ Bc6 42.f3+-
39...Qh7 40.Ng4 Bc6 41.Qe5 Qf7
41...Qf5 42.Qg3+- (42.Qxf5 exf5 43.Nf6+-)
42.Ba7 Qe7
¹42...Qf8 43.Qxe6+ Bd7 44.Qxd5+-
43.Bc5 Qf7 44.Nf6
44.Bb6 Rf8 45.Qd6 d4 46.Ne5 Rg8 47.f3+-
44...Rh8 45.g4 Qg7 46.Ba7 Qc7 47.Qxc7+ Kxc7 48.Bd4 Kd6
48...Kd8 49.Kg3 Rf8 50.h4+-
49.Bc5+ 1-0

2. ** A11
Santos Latasa, Jaime (2581) - Shirov, Alexei (2666)

300
 Espana (ch) 142/2, 2019

1.Nf3 d5 2.e3 Nf6 3.c4 c6 4.Nc3 Nbd7 5.Qc2 e5 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.a3
7.d4

7...Bd6!? (7...exd4 - 90/5) 8.dxe5 Nxe5 9.Nxe5 Bxe5 10.Qe4 Qe7 11.Nxd5 cxd5 12.Bb5+ Kf8
13.Qxd5 g6

14.O-ON (14.Bd2 Kg7 15.Qxe5+ Qxe5 16.Bc3 Qxc3+ 17.bxc3 Be6 18.Ke2 Rac8 19.Rhc1 Rc5
20.Bd3 Rhc8=) 14...Kg7 15.Bd2 Rd8 16.Qxe5+ Qxe5 17.Bc3 Qxc3 18.bxc3 Be6© Wei,Y
(2581)-Topalov, V (2666) Abidjan (blitz) 142/(2) 2019
7...Bd6

301
8.Be2
8.d4

8...O-ON (8...exd4) 9.Bd3 h6 (9...N5f6 10.O-O Qe7∞) 10.O-O exd4 11.Nxd5 cxd5 12.Nxd4
Nc5∞ Nakamura,H (2581)-Topalov,V (2666) Abidjan (rapid) 142/(2) 2019
8...O-O 9.O-O Nxc3N
9...f5 10.d3 Nxc3 11.Qxc3 Kh8 12.b4 Qe7 13.Bb2∞
10.bxc3
10.dxc3!? a5 11.b3 Qe7 12.Nd2 Nf6 13.Nc4 Bc7 14.a4∞
10...f5 11.d4 e4 12.Nd2 Nf6 13.a4 Bc7 14.Ba3 Re8 15.Rab1
15.Nc4 Be6 16.g3 Ng4∞

302
15...f4 16.exf4 Bxf4 17.Nc4
17.f3 e3 18.Ne4 (18.Nc4? Nh5µ; 18.Bc4+ Be6 19.Bxe6+ Rxe6 20.Qf5 Qe8∞) 18...Nxe4
19.fxe4 Qh4 20.g3 Bxg3 21.Bc4+ Be6 22.Rf8+ Rxf8 23.Bxe6+ Kh8 24.hxg3 Qh6 25.Bxf8 Rxf8
26.Bf5 g6∞
17...Nd5 18.g3 Bh3!?
18...Bc7∞
19.Rfe1
19.gxf4? Nxf4 20.Kh1 Qg5-+; 19.Rxb7 e3 (19...Bxf1 20.Bxf1 Rb8 21.Rxa7 e3 22.a5∞) 20.gxf4
(20.fxe3 Nxe3 21.Qb3 Nd5 22.Rxf4 Rxe2 23.Ne5∞) 20...Nxf4 21.fxe3 Qg5+ 22.Kf2 Nxe2
23.Kxe2 Qh5+ 24.Ke1 Bxf1 25.Ne5 (25.Kxf1?! Rf8+! 26.Bxf8 Rxf8+ 27.Ke1 Qh4+ 28.Kd1
Rf1+ 29.Kd2 Rf2+µ) 25...Rxe5 26.dxe5 Bc4∞
19...e3

19...b6 20.Bc1 Bc7∞

20.Bh5?!
20.Bd3! Kh8 21.Rxb7 Qc8 22.Rbb1 Qg4 23.f3! (23.Qe2 Qg5©) 23...Qxf3 24.Qe2 Qxe2
25.Bxe2 Bg5²
20...Nxc3! 21.Bxe8 Nxb1 22.Rxb1?
22.gxf4 Nxa3 (22...Qd5 23.Bxc6 bxc6 24.fxe3 Nxa3 25.Nxa3 Kh8∞) 23.Nxa3 Qd5 24.Bxc6
exf2+ 25.Kxf2 bxc6 26.Qc4∞; 22.Bf7+ Kxf7 23.Rxb1 Qd5 24.Rxb7+ Kg8 25.Nxe3 Bxe3
26.fxe3 Kh8∞
22...Qd5 23.Nxe3 Bxe3 24.fxe3

303
24.Bf7+ Qxf7 25.fxe3 Rd8µ
24...Rxe8 25.Rxb7??
25.Qb3 Rxe3 26.Qxd5+ cxd5µ
25...Qf3 26.Qa2+ Kh8 0-1

3. * A13
Sarana, Alexey (2664) - Akobian, Varuzhan (2627)
Saint Louis 142/3, 2019

1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 e6 4.c4 dxc4!? 5.Qa4+ Nbd7 6.Qxc4 a6 7.Qc2 c5 8.O-O?!
8.Nc3 Qc7 9.d4 (9.O-O b5 10.a4 b4 11.Nd1 Bb7 12.Ne3 Be7 13.d3 O-O 14.a5²) 9...b5!
(9...cxd4?! 10.Nxd4 - 141/4) 10.Bf4 Qa7

(10...Qb6 11.Ne5 Bb7 12.Nxd7 Nxd7 13.d5 Nf6 14.O-O-O!?ƒ) 11.d5!? (11.a4?! Bb7 12.d5
exd5 (12...b4?! 13.dxe6 fxe6 14.Nb1 Be4 15.Qd1²) 13.e4 (13.axb5?! d4 14.Nb1 Qb6³
(14...Be4? 15.Qa4 a5 16.O-O Qb7 17.Nbd2 Nb6 18.Qa3 Be7 (18...Bd5 19.e4 Be6 20.Ng5+-)
19.Nxe4 Nxe4 20.Nd2+-)) 13...dxe4 14.Nh4©) 11...Nxd5! (11...exd5?? 12.e4! d4 (12...dxe4
13.Nxe4 Bb7 14.Nxf6+ Nxf6 15.O-O-O+-) 13.Nd5+-) 12.Nxd5 exd5 13.a4! (13.e4?! d4 14.e5
Be7 15.O-O Bb7 16.Rfe1 Nf8µ - 5/29) 13...b4 14.e4 (14.O-O Be7 15.Rfd1 Bb7 16.Nh4!? Bxh4
17.gxh4 d4∞; 14.Rd1 Bb7 15.O-O Be7 16.Nh4 Bxh4 17.gxh4 d4 18.Bh3 Qb6 (18...Bc6??
19.Rxd4+-; 18...Rd8 19.Bd6 Qb6 20.Bxd7+ Rxd7 21.Bxc5 Qg6+=) 19.e3 Qc6 20.f3 O-O
21.exd4 c4 22.d5∞; # 14.O-O-O!? Bb7 15.Nh4 d4 16.Bxb7 Qxb7 17.e3 b3 18.Qe2 O-O-O
19.exd4 cxd4 20.Nf5 Nc5 21.Nxd4 Bd6=) 14...d4 15.e5 Bb7 16.e6 fxe6 17.O-O Be7 18.Rae1
Nf8 19.Re5©
8...b5! 9.b3 Bb7 10.Bb2 Be7 11.d3 O-O 12.Nbd2 Qb6

304
12...Rc8 - 126/8
13.e4
13.Rac1 Rac8 14.Qb1

14...Rfd8 (14...Rfe8 15.Qa1 Bd6 16.Rc2 e5∞) 15.Qa1 (15.a3 - 65/ (7)) 15...Qa7 16.Rc2 Qa8
17.Rfc1 Bf8 18.a3 h6

305
19.Nf1N (19.Ne1) 19...Nd5 20.N1d2 N5b6 21.h4 a5 22.a4∞ Martinez Duany,L (2664)-
Gonzalez Vidal,Y (2627) Cuba (ch) 142/(3) 2019
13...Rfd8 14.Rac1 Rac8 15.Rfd1N
15.Qb1
15...Nb8! 16.Ne5 Nfd7 17.Nxd7 Rxd7 18.Nf3 Nc6 19.a3 Nd4
19...a5!?
20.Nxd4 cxd4 21.Qd2 Rdc7 22.Rxc7 Rxc7 23.Rc1 e5 24.f4 h6 25.Rxc7 Qxc7 26.Bh3?!

26.Qc1 Qb6 27.b4 a5 28.bxa5 Qxa5³

26...Bc8! 27.Bxc8 Qxc8 28.fxe5? Bg5 29.Qe2 Be3+ 30.Kf1 a5 31.a4 b4 32.Kg2 g6 33.Qd1 h5
34.Qe2 Qe6 35.Qd1 Kg7 36.h3 Kh7 37.Qc2 Kg7 38.Qd1 Qc8 39.Qe2 Kf8 40.Qd1 Ke7

306
41.Qe2 Ke6 42.Qf1??
42.Kh2µ
42...Qc2+ 43.Kh1 Kxe5 44.Ba1 Qxb3 45.h4 Qc2 0-1

4. ** A13
Halkias, Stelios (2553) - Sandalakis, Angelos (2429)
Greece 142/4, 2019

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 d4 5.e3 c5 6.exd4 cxd4 7.O-O Nc6 8.d3 Bd6 9.Bg5!
9.Na3 O-O 10.Nc2 e5=
9...h6 10.Bxf6 Qxf6 11.Nbd2

11...Qe7
11...O-O?! 12.Ne4 Qe7 13.Nxd6 Qxd6 14.Re1! Bd7 (14...e5?! 15.b4! Bg4 16.c5 Qf6 17.b5±)
15.a3 a5 16.Rc1 b6 17.Nd2 e5 18.c5 bxc5 19.Ne4 Qg6 20.Nxc5±; 11...Qd8 12.a3! (12.Ne4 -
141/6) 12...a5 13.Rc1! O-O 14.c5! … Nc4, Nfd2-e4 14...Be7! (14...Bc7 15.Re1 Bd7 (15...e5
16.Nc4) 16.Rc4! Qf6 (16...a4 17.Nxd4) 17.b4ƒ) 15.Qa4! (… b4ƒ) 15...Rb8 16.Qb5 (16.Nc4!?
Bxc5 17.Nxa5) 16...Bd7 17.Qb6 Qxb6 (17...Qc8 18.Nc4 a4 19.Nfd2 Bd8 20.Qb5 Ne5 21.c6
Nxc6 22.Ne5ƒ) 18.cxb6 Rfc8 19.Nc4 f6 20.Nfd2 e5 21.f4ƒ
12.a3 a5 13.Ne4
13.Nb3 e5 14.Re1 Be6=
13...Bc7! 14.c5!?
14.b4!? axb4 (14...f5? 15.Nh4!) 15.axb4 Rxa1 16.Qxa1 Qxb4 (16...Nxb4?! 17.Qa4+!; 16...e5?!
17.b5) 17.Rb1 Qe7 18.Nxd4 Nxd4 (18...O-O 19.Nb5 Be5) 19.Qxd4 O-O=

307
14...O-O

14...f5!? 15.Ned2! (15.Nh4 O-O!; 15.Nd6+ Bxd6 16.cxd6 Qxd6 17.Nd2 O-O 18.f4© (18.Nc4
Qc7 19.Re1 Bd7 20.Rc1 Ra6 21.Re2 Re8 22.Qe1 Qb8 23.f4 b5!? 24.Nd2 a4 25.b4 Qd6 26.Nf3
Rc8 27.Rec2 Ra7 28.Ne5

28...Rac7?? (28...Ne7 29.Rc5 Rac7 30.R1c2©) 29.Nxc6 Bxc6 30.Qe5!+- Gukesh,D (2533)-
Cornette,M (2553) France 142/(4) 2019)) 15...O-O (15...Qxc5 16.Rc1 Qb5?? 17.Nxd4+-)
16.Qa4 (16.Rc1 a4∞) 16...Qxc5 17.b4 b5∞ 18.bxc5 bxa4 19.Nh4! (19.Nxd4 Nxd4 20.Bxa8 Ba6
21.Bg2 Bxd3 22.Rfd1 Ne2+ 23.Kh1 Be5∞) 19...Ra6 20.Nc4 Kf7 21.Rab1©
15.Nfd2

308
15...e5N
15...f5 - 142/(4); 15...Bd7N - 142/(4) 16.Nc4 a4 17.Ned6 Bxd6 18.cxd6 Qd8 19.Rc1 b5 20.Nd2
Ra6 21.Qh5 Rb6 22.Qc5 Qb8∞ Pereira,E-Wurtinger,R corr 142/(4) 2018; 15...a4 16.Nc4 Ne5
17.Rc1 Bd7 18.Re1 Nxc4 19.Rxc4 e5 20.Nd2 Bb5 21.Bxb7 Bxc4 22.Nxc4 Ra7 23.c6©
16.Nc4 a4?!
16...Be6 17.Rc1ƒ
17.Ned6 Bxd6
17...Be6 18.Rc1 Bxc4 (18...Na5 19.Nxa5 Rxa5 20.Nxb7 Rb5 21.Qxa4 Rxb2 22.Na5±) 19.Rxc4
Bxd6 20.cxd6 Qxd6 21.Rxa4²
18.cxd6
18.Nxd6ƒ
18...Qd8 19.Qh5 Be6?! 20.Bxc6 bxc6 21.Qxe5± Qf6 22.Qxf6 gxf6 23.Rac1 Rfd8

309
24.Rfe1?!
24.Rc2 Kg7 (24...Rab8 25.Na5±) 25.Rfc1 c5 26.Nd2 Rxd6 27.Rxc5±
24...Rab8 25.Re2
25.Rc2 c5 26.Nd2² (26.Rec1 Kg7 27.Nd2 Rxd6 28.Ne4 Rdb6 29.Nxc5 Rxb2 30.Rxb2 Rxb2
31.Nxa4 Ra2 32.Nc5 Bh3©)
25...Rb3?
¹25...c5
26.Na5 Rxd3

27.Nb7! Rb8 28.Nc5 Bg4

28...Rf3 29.Rd2+-

310
29.Re4 Bf3 30.Rf4 1-0

5. !N A13
Delchev, Aleksander (2564) - Spyropoulos, Nikolaos (2409)
Anogia 142/5, 2019

1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 Nf6 4.Nf3 d4!? 5.O-O c5 6.e3 Nc6 7.exd4 cxd4
7...Nxd4?! 8.Nxd4 Qxd4 (8...cxd4 9.d3 Bd6 10.b4!²) 9.d3 Be7 10.Nc3 O-O 11.Be3 Qd6
12.Qe2 e5 13.h3 Be6 14.Rfe1²
8.d3 Bd6
8...Be7 9.Re1 O-O 10.Na3²; 8...h6 9.Bd2!? a5 10.Na3 ×b5
9.Bg5
9.Na3 O-O 10.Nc2 e5=
9...h6 10.Bxf6 Qxf6 11.Nbd2 Qe7 12.a3 a5 13.Ne4
13.Nb3 e5 14.Re1 Be6=
13...Bc7 14.c5
14.Rc1! f5 (14...O-O 15.c5) 15.Ned2²
14...O-O

15.Rc1!N
15.Nfd2 - 142/4
15...e5
15...Bd7 16.Re1 Rad8 (16...Rab8 17.Nfd2 Ne5 18.Qe2 Bc6 19.f4 Nd7 20.b4²) 17.Nfd2 Ne5

311
18.Qe2 Bc6 19.b4² (19.Nd6 Bxg2 20.Kxg2²)
16.Re1!
16.Nfd2 f5 17.Qb3+ Kh8 18.Nd6 Bxd6 19.cxd6 Qxd6 20.Nc4 Qf6 21.Qb5 f4„
16...Be6
16...a4 17.Nfd2 Be6 (17...Ra6 18.Nc4!ƒ) 18.Nd6! ∆Bxd6 19.cxd6 Qxd6 20.Ne4 Qe7 21.Nc5²
17.Qe2!
17.Nfd2 f5 18.Nd6 Bxd6 19.cxd6 Qxd6 20.Qa4 Bd5 21.Nc4 Bxc4 22.Qxc4+ Kh7 23.Qc5
Qxc5 24.Rxc5©
17...Rac8
17...Rfe8 18.Nfd2 f5 19.Nd6 Bxd6 20.cxd6 Qxd6 21.Bxc6 bxc6 22.Qxe5 Qxe5 23.Rxe5 Bd5
24.Rxf5 Rab8 25.b3 Re2 26.Nf3²
18.Nfd2! f5 19.Nd6 Bxd6 20.cxd6 Qxd6 21.Bxc6 Rxc6 22.Rxc6 bxc6
22...Qxc6?! 23.Qxe5 Bd5 24.Qxd4±
23.Qxe5 Qxe5 24.Rxe5 Bd5 25.b3!?
25.b4 axb4 26.axb4 Rb8 27.Rxf5 Rxb4 28.Kf1=
25...Rb8
25...f4! 26.Kf1 fxg3 27.hxg3 Rb8 28.Ke2 Kf7 29.f4 Kf6 30.g4 g6 31.Kf2 Rb5=
26.Rxf5 Bxb3
26...Re8 27.Kf1 Be6 28.Rh5 Bg4 29.Rh4 h5 (29...Be2+ 30.Kg2) 30.Ne4 Re5 31.h3 Bd1 32.Rf4
Bxb3 33.Nd2 Be6 34.g4 hxg4 35.hxg4 c5 36.Re4 Rxe4 37.Nxe4 c4 38.dxc4 Bxc4+ 39.Ke1²
27.Rxa5 Bc2 28.Nf3 Bxd3 29.Nxd4 Be4 30.f3
30.Kf1 Rd8 31.Nf5 Bf3 32.Ne3
30...Bd5 31.Rc5 Rb2 32.Rc3 Rd2!
32...Ra2 33.h4 Kf7 34.h5 Ke8 35.g4 Kf7 36.Kf1 (36.Nc2 c5 37.Kf2) 36...Ke7 37.Ke1 Kf7
38.Nc2±
33.Nxc6 Bxc6 34.Rxc6 Rd3 35.a4

312
35...Rxf3?!
35...Ra3 36.Rc4 Rxf3 37.a5 Ra3 38.Rc5 Kf7=
36.a5 Ra3 37.a6 Ra2
37...h5 38.Kf2 Kf7 (38...Kh7? 39.h4 g6 40.Rc7++-) 39.Ke2 g5 (39...Ra2+ 40.Kd3 Rxh2 41.Rc2
Rh1 42.Ra2) 40.Kd2 h4!=
38.g4!?
38.h4 h5!
38...Kh7
38...Kf7! 39.h3 (39.h4 Ra4) 39...g6 40.Kf1 h5=
39.h3!?
39.h4 Ra4=
39...Kg8?†

313
39...Ra3? 40.Kg2 Ra2+ 41.Kf3 Ra3+ 42.Ke4 Rxh3 43.a7 Ra3 44.Rc7 Kg6 45.Kd5 Kf6 46.Kc6
g6 47.Kb6 h5 48.gxh5 gxh5 49.Rc5+-; 39...Rb2!
40.h4!+- h5
40...Ra4 41.Kf2+-; 40...g5 41.h5 Kg7 42.Rc7+ Kf6 43.Rh7 Ke5 44.Rxh6 Kf4 45.Rb6 Kxg4
46.h6+-
41.gxh5 Kh7 42.Kf1 Ra4 43.Ke2 Rxh4 44.a7 Ra4 45.Rc7 Kh6 46.Kd3 g5 47.hxg6 Kxg6
48.Kc3 1-0
6. * A18
Vitiugov, Nikita (2732) - Bluebaum, Matthias (2643)
Douglas 142/6, 2019

1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4 5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 Qxf6 7.d4 e5 8.Nf3 exd4 9.Bg5 Qe6+
10.Be2 Be7 11.Nxd4
11.cxd4 - 132/9; 11.Bxe7 d3 12.Qxd3 (12.O-O - 35/26) 12...Qxe7 13.O-O O-O

314
14.Rab1N (14.Rfe1 Rd8 (14...Na6?! 15.Qxh7+ Kxh7 16.Bd3+ Kg8 17.Rxe7²) 15.Bf1! Be6
16.Qb1 c5 17.Bd3 h6 18.Bh7+ Kh8 19.Be4 Nc6 20.Bd5²) 14...Nd7 15.Rfe1

15...Nc5 Koziol,K (2307)-Lisowski,K (2188) Suwalki 142/(6) 2019 (15...Nc5 16.Qd2 Be6
17.Qf4 Rad8 18.Nd4 Rfe8 19.Bf1∞)
11...Qe4 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 13.O-O O-O 14.Re1 Qf6 15.Bf3 Qa6?!N

315
15...c6 16.Qe2 Nd7 17.Rab1 Nc5 18.Qe3²; 15...Na6 16.Re3!? c6 17.Qb3 Nc5 18.Qa3 Ne6
19.Rae1∞ Nxd4?? 20.Qxf8+! Kxf8 21.Re8#
16.Bd5?!
16.Qb3 c6 (16...Nd7 17.Nf5ƒ) 17.Qb4! Qb6 18.Qd6ƒ; 16.Nb5 Qa5 17.Re7ƒ
16...c6 17.Bxf7+?
17.Bf3 Qxc4³
17...Kxf7 18.Qh5+ Kg8 19.Re8

19...Qxc4?
19...Nd7? 20.Nf5+-; 19...Qa3! 20.c5! (20.Rae1 Nd7 21.Ne6 (21.Nf5 Nf6 22.Ne7+ Qxe7!-+)
21...Nf6 22.Qa5!? Bxe6! 23.Qxa3 Rfxe8µ) 20...Qxc3 (20...Nd7 21.Nf5 g6 22.Nh6+ Kg7

316
23.Nf5+ Rxf5 24.Re7+ Rf7™ 25.Rxf7+ Kxf7 26.Qxh7+ Kf6 27.Qh8+ Kf5 28.Qh3+=)
21.Rxf8+ Kxf8 22.Rd1©
20.Rxf8+ Kxf8 21.Re1 Bd7 22.Qg5 Qxc3
22...Na6 23.Re7+-
23.Qd8+ Kf7

24.Nf3! h6 25.Ne5+
25.Re7+! Kg6 26.Ne5+ Kh7 27.Rxg7+! Kxg7 28.Qe7++-
25...Ke6 26.Kf1 Kd6 27.Nxd7 Qd3+ 28.Kg1 Nxd7 29.Qxa8 Qd2 30.Rf1 Qxa2 31.Qxb7 Qa4
32.Qb2 Nf6 33.Re1 Qa5 34.Qd4+ Nd5 35.Qe5+ 1-0

7. A19
Ding, Liren (2811) - Radjabov, Teimour (2758)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/2) 142/7, 2019

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.e4 c5 4.e5 Ng8 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.d4 cxd4 7.Nxd4 Nxe5 8.Ndb5 a6 9.Nd6+
Bxd6 10.Qxd6 f6 11.Be3 Ne7 12.Bb6 Nf5 13.Qb4
13.Qc5 d6 14.Qa5 Qd7 15.f4 Nc6 16.Qa3 Nce7 17.O-O-O Qc6 18.Qb3 Bd7 19.Rg1 h5 (19...d5
- 54/19) 20.Kb1©
13...Nc6 14.Qc5 Qe7 15.O-O-O d6?!
¹15...Qxc5 16.Bxc5 d6 17.Bxd6 (17.Ba3 e5 18.Nd5 Kf7 19.Nb6 Rb8 20.g4 Nfd4 21.Bxd6?
Bxg4µ) 17...Nxd6 18.Rxd6 Ke7 19.c5² - 52/24
16.Qa3 O-O

317
17.g4!ƒ Nh6 18.Rg1 Nf7N
18...f5 19.g5 Nf7 20.f4±
19.f4 Bd7 20.h4 a5 21.g5 Kh8
21...Nb4!? 22.Qb3 d5 23.a3 fxg5! 24.hxg5 (24.axb4 axb4 25.Nb5 Ra6µ) 24...Nh8! 25.Nb5!
(25.axb4 axb4 26.Nb5 Ra1+ 27.Kc2 Rxd1 28.Kxd1 dxc4 29.Bxc4 (29.Qxc4?! Bxb5 30.Qxb5
Rf5! 31.Qc4 Qd6+) 29...Bxb5 30.Bxe6+ (30.Bxb5 Qd6+) 30...Nf7∞) 25...dxc4 26.Bxc4 Nd5
27.Nc7 Nxc7 28.Bxc7 Rfe8 (28...Rfc8? 29.Rxd7+-) 29.Kb1ƒ
22.Qb3 Rfc8 23.Kb1 e5
23...a4 24.Qa3 Na5 25.Re1! Nxc4 (25...fxg5 26.Bxa5! Rxa5 27.hxg5 Qf8 28.Bd3±) 26.Bxc4
Rxc4 27.Nd5 Qf8 28.gxf6 g6 29.Nc7±
24.Nd5 Bf5+ 25.Ka1 Qe6 26.gxf6 gxf6 27.a3

318
27.Nc7?! Rxc7 28.Bxc7 Nb4„
27...Rab8?!
27...Nb4 28.Nxb4 axb4 29.Qxb4 exf4 30.Bd4 Ne5 31.Bc3 Rg8 (31...f3 32.Rxd6 Qe7 33.c5 Rg8
34.Rxg8+ Rxg8 35.Qf4 Rg1 36.Qxf5 Rxf1+ 37.Ka2 Qf7+ 38.b3 Rf2+ 39.Ka1! Rf1+ 40.Kb2
Rf2+ 41.Kc1 Rf1+ 42.Kd2 Rf2+ 43.Ke1 Re2+ 44.Kf1+-) 32.Rxg8+ Rxg8 (32...Kxg8 33.Rxd6
Qe7 34.c5±) 33.Rxd6 Qe7 34.Rxf6! Qxf6 35.Qb5±
28.Bg2 Rg8

29.Ne3! Nd4
29...Ne7 30.Bc7 Rbc8 31.Bxa5 exf4 32.Nxf5 Nxf5 33.Bd5 Qe7 34.c5!±
30.Bxd4 exd4 31.Nxf5 Qxf5 32.Bd5 Rxg1 33.Rxg1 Nh6 34.Qb6 Qd7 35.Qxd4 Qe7 36.Ka2

319
Nf5 37.Qc3 b6
37...Re8 38.h5 Ne3 39.Qxa5 Nxd5 40.Qxd5+-
38.h5 Re8

39.h6! Ne3
39...Nxh6 40.Re1+-
40.Re1 1-0

8. * A20
Ding, Liren (2811) - Yu, Yangyi (2763)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/1) 142/8, 2019

1.c4 e5 2.g3 c6 3.Nf3 e4 4.Nd4 d5 5.d3

5.cxd5 - 132/(10)
5...Bc5 6.Nb3 Bb4+ 7.Bd2 Bxd2+ 8.Qxd2 dxc4 9.dxc4 f5

320
9...Qe7N 10.Nc3 f5 11.Rd1 Nh6 12.Qd6 Qxd6 13.Rxd6 Na6

14.e3?! (14.f3∞) 14...Nf7 15.Rd2 Ne5 16.Be2 Be6 17.Nd4 Ke7 18.O-O Rhd8 19.Rfd1 g6 20.b3
Nc5 21.b4 Na6 22.Nxe6 Rxd2 23.Rxd2 Kxe6 24.a3 Nc7³ Sydoryka,V (2247)-Gazik,V (2546)
Mumbai 142/(8) 2019
10.Nc3N
10.Qxd8+ Kxd8 11.Nc3
10...Qxd2+ 11.Kxd2
11.Nxd2 Nf6 12.f3 exf3 13.exf3=
11...Nf6 12.f3

321
12...Nbd7! 13.fxe4 Ne5 14.c5 fxe4 15.Bg2 Bf5
15...Nc4+!? 16.Kc1 Bf5 17.Nd4 Bg6 18.Bh3 e3ƒ
16.Raf1 Nc4+ 17.Kc1 Ne3

18.Rf4! O-O
18...g5? 19.Rxf5 Nxf5 20.Rf1 Ne3 21.Rxf6 Nxg2 22.Nxe4±; 18...Nh5 19.Rf2∞
19.Nd4
19.Bxe4? Nxe4 20.Nxe4 Ng2 21.Rxf5 Rxf5 22.Nd6 Re5 23.Nxb7 Ne3 24.N7a5 Rc8³
19...Nxg2
19...Bg6 20.Bh3∞

322
20.Rxf5 Ne3 21.Re5 Rae8 22.Rxe8 Rxe8 23.Nc2 Nf5
23...Nfg4 24.Nxe3 Nxe3 25.Nd1=
24.Na3 Ne3 25.Nc2 Nf5 26.Na3 Ne3 27.Nc2 1/2-1/2

9. * A20
Caruana, Fabiano (2812) - Sevian, Samuel (2654)
Douglas 142/9, 2019

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!?N
9.Qc1 - 142/(9) 9...O-O 10.Rd1 Qe8

11.d4N (11.Nc3) 11...exd4 (11...e4 12.Nfd2 f5 13.Nc4 Nd5∞) 12.Nxd4 Nxd4 13.Bxd4 c6

323
14.Nc3 Be6 15.Qe3 Ba3 Badelka,O (2383) -Ushenina,A (2442) Russia 142/(9) 2019 (15...Ba3
16.Bc5 Bxc5 17.Qxc5ƒ)9.d4 - 125/5
9...Be6 10.Nc2 O-O 11.e4!
11.d4 e4 12.Nd2 f5∞
11...Qd3 12.Re1 Rad8
¹12...Bg4 13.Ne3 Bxf3 14.Qxf3 (14.Bxf3 Bb4 15.Nd5 Nxd5 16.exd5 Nd4³) 14...Qxd2 15.Re2
Qa5 16.a3©
13.Bf1 Qd7 14.d4 exd4 15.Ncxd4 Bg4 16.Qc2 Nxd4 17.Nxd4 Rfe8 18.Rac1
18.f3!? Bh5 (18...Bh3?! 19.Bxh3 Qxh3 20.Qxc7±) 19.Rad1 Qc8 20.a4²
18...c6

19.b4ƒ
19.Nf5? Bb4 20.Bc3 Bxc3 21.Qxc3 Qd2„; 19.f3!?
19...Kh8 20.b5 c5 21.Nf5 Bf8 22.h3 Bxf5
¹22...Bh5 23.a4ƒ
23.exf5± Rxe1 24.Rxe1 c4 25.a4 Bb4 26.Re4 Qd2 27.Qxd2 Bxd2 28.Bxc4 Nxa4 29.Ba3 Nb6
29...Ba5 30.Re7 Bb6 31.Rxb7+-
30.Bb3 Nc8 31.Bd5
31.Ra4!+- … Be6
31...a6 32.b6
32.Bxb7 axb5 33.Bc5±

324
32...Nxb6 33.Bxb7 a5 34.Bc5 Na8 35.Rc4 Bb4 36.Be3 h6 37.h4 Kh7 38.g4 Rb8 39.Be4 Nb6
40.Rc7 Na4?!
¹40...Nc8 41.g5 (41.Rd7 Nb6 (41...a4? 42.g5 hxg5 43.hxg5 Ne7 44.Bf4 Rf8 45.g6+ Kg8
46.Rd4+-) 42.Rc7 Nc8 43.g5 - 40...Na4?!) 41...hxg5 42.hxg5 Ne7 43.Bd4 Rf8 44.g6+ Kg8
45.Bc5 Bxc5 46.Rxc5 Re8 47.Rxa5±
41.g5 Nc3 42.Bf3 Nb5 43.Rd7 hxg5 44.hxg5 Kh8
44...fxg5 45.f6 Kg6 46.fxg7 Rg8 (46...Bc3 47.Be4+ Kh6 (47...Kf6 48.Bd5+-) 48.g8=Q Rxg8
49.Rh7#) 47.Be4+ Kh6 48.f4 Rxg7 49.fxg5+ Rxg5+ 50.Kf2+-
45.g6 Nc3 46.Bd2 a4

47.Rd3! a3
47...Rc8 48.Bxc3 Bxc3 49.Bd5+-
48.Bxc3 Bxc3 49.Bd5! Bd2 50.Rxd2 Rb1+ 51.Kg2 a2 52.Bb3
52.Rxa2 Ra1 (52...Rg1+ 53.Kh2+-) 53.Re2 Re1 54.Re6 Rg1+ 55.Kh2+-
52...Rg1+ 53.Kf3 1-0

10. ** A21
Ding, Liren (2811) - Yu, Yangyi (2763)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/4-rapid) 142/10, 2019

1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Bb4 3.Nd5 a5 4.Nf3 d6 5.a3 Bc5 6.e3 Nf6 7.d4 Nxd5 8.cxd5

325
8.dxc5 Nf6 9.cxd6 cxd6∞ - 135/(15)
8...exd4 9.exd4 - 142/10
9.Nxd4N O-O 10.g3 Nd7 11.Bg2 Bxd4 12.Qxd4 Nc5 13.Qc3 Vorobiov,E (2566)-Popov,I
(2581) Moscow 142/(10) 2019 (13.Qc3 a4∞)
9...Bb6 10.Bg5 f6 11.Be3 O-O

12.Bd3 f5 - 142/10
12...c6?N 13.Qc2 f5 14.O-O h6 15.Rfe1 Kh8 16.dxc6 bxc6 17.d5 Bxe3 18.Rxe3 c5 19.Rae1 Ra7
20.Bb5± Anton Guijarro,D (2643) -Praggnanandhaa,R (2532) Praha II 142/(10) 2019
13.Qc2

326
13...Nd7!?N
13...h6!? 14.O-O f4 15.Bd2 Bg4 16.Bh7+ Kh8 17.Be4 Nd7∞
14.Bxf5 Nf6 15.Bd3 h6 16.Nh4
16.Qc4 Qe8 17.O-O Qh5 18.Rfe1 Bf5=
16...Nxd5! 17.Bh7+ Kh8 18.Ng6+ Kxh7 19.Nxf8+ Kg8 20.Ng6 Qf6© 21.Qe4 Be6 22.O-O
22.Nf4 Nxf4 23.Bxf4 Bxd4©
22...Re8 23.Nh4
23.Nf4 Nxf4 24.Qxf4 Qxf4 25.Bxf4 Bxd4∞
23...Bf7 24.Qg4 h5 25.Qg3 Re4 26.Bg5 Qe6?!
¹26...Qxd4! 27.Nf5 (27.h3 Qxb2) 27...Qe5 28.Qf3 (28.Nh6+?? gxh6 29.Bf4+ Qg7-+; 28.Ne3
Qxb2) 28...Nf4ƒ
27.h3 Bxd4 28.Nf3 Bxb2 29.Rab1 Re2 30.Bd2
30.Bc1! Bf6 (30...Bxc1 31.Rfxc1±; 30...Qf6 31.Bxb2 Rxb2 32.Rxb2 Qxb2 33.Ng5ƒ) 31.Rxb7
Qc8 32.Ra7!?²
30...Qf6 31.Bxa5 Nf4 32.Bxc7! Rc2 33.Kh2 h4?
33...Rxc7 34.Rxb2 Qxb2 35.Qxf4 Qf6 36.Qd2²; 33...Nxg2! 34.Kxg2 Rxc7©
34.Qg5 Rxc7?

327
34...Ba2 35.Qxf6 gxf6 36.Bxd6 Bxb1 37.Rxb1 Nd3 38.Nxh4 Rxf2 39.Nf3±
35.Rxb2! Qxg5
35...Qxb2 36.Qd8++-
36.Nxg5+- Bc4 37.Re1 g6 38.Re4 Nd3 39.Rc2 Rc5 40.Rcxc4 Rxg5 41.Re7 Nc5 42.Rxh4 Rf5
43.f3 1-0
11. A23
Anton Guijarro, David (2674) - Grischuk, Alexander (2759)
Douglas 142/11, 2019

1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 Bc5 4.Nc3 c6

4...O-O - 138/10
5.Nf3 e4 6.Nh4 d5 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.d3 Ng4 9.O-O g5

328
10.d4!?N
10.dxe4 gxh4 11.exd5 hxg3 12.hxg3©
10...Be7 11.h3 Nxf2
11...gxh4!? 12.hxg4 Nc6!? (12...hxg3 13.Qb3!? gxf2+ (13...Nc6 14.Nxd5 Be6 15.Bxe4 gxf2+
16.Rxf2 Qd7 17.Bf4 Rg8 18.e3²) 14.Rxf2 Be6 15.Qxb7 Qd7! 16.Qxa8 O-O 17.Bh6 Rd8
18.Nxe4 Nc6 19.Nc5 Bxc5 20.Qxd8+ Qxd8 21.dxc5 Ne5∞)
12.Rxf2 gxh4 13.Qb3 hxg3 14.Rf4 Nc6 15.Qxd5 f5 16.Bxe4!

16...fxe4?
¹16...Qxd5 17.Bxd5 Bd7 (17...h5 18.Nb5 Kd8 19.Rf1 Bd7 20.Bf4²) 18.Rf1∞
17.Qh5+ Kd7

329
18.Be3!+- Qg8
18...Rf8 19.d5 Na5 (19...Rxf4 20.dxc6+ Ke6 21.Bxf4 Qd4+ 22.e3 Qd2 23.Ne2+-) 20.Rxf8
Qxf8 21.Rf1 Qe8 22.Rf7 Nc4 23.Nxe4+-
19.d5 Nd8 20.Nxe4 Qg6 21.Qe5 Nf7 22.Rxf7 Qxf7 23.Rc1 Rf8 24.Bg5 1-0

330
A25-A49

12. A25
Ding, Liren (2811) - Alekseenko, Kirill (2671)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/3-rapid) 142/12, 2019

1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nc6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Bg2 d6 5.e3 Bg7 6.Nge2 h5 7.h4 Be6
7...Nge7 - 95/10
8.b3

8...Nf6N
8...Nge7
9.d4 exd4 10.exd4 Bg4 11.O-O
11.Bg5 Qd7 12.Qd2 O-O 13.f3 Bf5 14.O-O Bh3 15.d5 Bxg2 16.Kxg2 Ne5 17.Rae1²
11...Qd7 12.Bg5 O-O 13.Qd2 Rae8 14.Rae1 a6 15.d5! Ne5?

331
15...Ne7 16.Nd4 Bh3 17.Qd3²
16.Bxf6! Bxe2
16...Bxf6 17.f4 Bxe2 18.fxe5 Bxf1 19.exf6 Qg4

(19...Rxe1 20.Qh6 Bxg2+ 21.Kxg2+-) 20.Ne4!! (20.Qh6? Qd4+ 21.Kh2 Qxf6-+) 20...g5
21.Kxf1+-
17.Bxg7 Bxf1 18.Qh6 f6 19.Qh8+ Kf7 20.Bxf8 Nf3+ 21.Bxf3 Rxe1

332
22.Bh6! Bd3+ 23.Kh2 Qe7 24.c5 1-0

13. A27
Harutyunian, Tigran K (2542) - Cordova, Emilio (2570)
Saint Louis II 142/13, 2019

1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nc6 3.Bg2 Bc5 4.Nc3 d6 5.Nf3 Nge7 6.e3 a6?!
6...Bg4!? 7.h3 Bh5 8.g4 Bg6 9.d4 (9.d3 f6„ … Bf7, d5) 9...Bb6 10.d5 Nb8 11.e4 Nd7∞
7.d4 Ba7

8.dxe5! dxe5N
8...Nxe5 9.Nxe5 dxe5 10.Qxd8+ Kxd8 11.b3²
9.Qxd8+ Kxd8 10.O-O

333
10.b3! f6 (10...Ke8 11.Ba3 f6 12.Nd2!±) 11.Ba3 Be6 (11...Bd7 12.Nd2 Kc8 13.Nd5 Re8
14.Ne4 a5 15.Nxe7+ Nxe7 16.O-O²)
10...f6 11.b3 Ke8 12.Nd5?!
12.Ba3
12...Nxd5 13.cxd5 Nb4 14.Rd1 Nc2 15.Rb1 e4 16.Nh4 Bg4

17.Rf1?!
17.Bb2!? g5 (17...Bxd1 18.Rxd1 Nb4 19.Bxe4 Rd8 20.a3 Nc6 21.Nf5ƒ; 17...Rd8 18.Rd2 Nxe3
19.Bxe4 Rd7 20.d6! cxd6 21.Bd4 Bxd4 22.Rxd4 g5 23.Re1! gxh4 24.Rxe3 Kf8 25.Bd5 Bh5
26.Be6 Rc7 27.Rxh4±) 18.Rdc1 Nxe3 19.Rxc7 Nxd5 20.Rc4! Kf7 21.Bxe4 Ne7 (21...Rad8
22.Bxd5+ Rxd5 23.Rxg4±) 22.Bxb7 Be6 23.Bxa8 Rxa8 24.Ba3 Bxc4 25.bxc4 Rb8 26.Rxb8
Bxb8 27.Nf3±; 17.Rd2! Nxe3 (17...Ne1?? 18.Bxe4+-) 18.fxe3 Bxe3+ 19.Kf1 Bxd2 20.Bxd2 g5
21.Re1! Kf7 22.Rxe4 f5 23.Rc4 gxh4 24.Rxc7+ Kg6 25.h3 Bh5 26.d6! hxg3 27.Bd5±
17...Nb4 18.Bxe4 Rd8 19.Bf5?
19.d6 Rxd6 20.Bxb7²
19...Bxf5 20.Nxf5 g6 21.Nh6 Rxd5 22.Bb2 Rf8³ 23.e4 Rd6 24.e5 fxe5 25.Bxe5 Rd2 26.Bf4
Rxa2 27.Rbd1

334
27...Rxf2! 28.Rxf2 Bxf2+ 29.Kxf2 g5 30.Re1+ Kd7 31.Rd1+ Kc8µ 32.Kf3 c6 33.Kg4 gxf4
34.gxf4 Nd5 35.Rd4 a5 36.f5 b5 37.Kg5 Kc7 38.Ng4 Kd6 39.Re4 Kc5 40.Ne5

40.h4 b4 41.f6 a4 42.bxa4 b3 43.Ne5 Nxf6 44.Nd3+ Kd5 45.Rb4 Ne4+ 46.Kh6 Nd2-+
40...h6+! 41.Kxh6 Rxf5-+ 42.h4 Kd6 43.Ng4 Nf4 44.Kg7 Kd5 45.Re1 Kd4 46.Nh6 Rh5
47.Rf1 Ke4 48.Rc1 c5 49.Ra1 Rxh4 50.Rxa5 Ne6+ 51.Kg6 Nd4 52.Nf7 Kd5 53.Ng5 b4
54.Ra8 Nxb3 55.Nf3 Rf4 56.Rd8+ Ke4 57.Ng5+ Ke3 58.Ne6 Re4 59.Kf6 c4 60.Rb8 c3 0-1

14. A29
Dubov, Daniil (2699) - Firouzja, Alireza (2702)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/1) 142/14, 2019

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 Bb4 5.Nd5 e4 6.Nh4 d6 7.Bg2 g5 8.Qa4 gxh4

335
8...Bd7 - 59/(54)
9.Nxb4 Bd7 10.Nxc6 Bxc6

11.Qa5N
11.Qc2
11...Qd7 12.b3 h3 13.Bf1 Rg8 14.Bb2 b6 15.Qc3 Rg6 16.Qe3 Qe6

17.Qf4! e3?!
17...O-O-O? 18.Bxf6 Qxf6 (18...Rxf6 19.Bxh3! Qxh3 20.Qxf6+-) 19.Bxh3+ Kb7 20.Qxf6 Rxf6
21.b4±; ¹17...Nd7 18.O-O-O O-O-O∞
18.f3 exd2+ 19.Kxd2 d5
19...O-O-O? 20.Bxf6!±

336
20.Qe5 dxc4 21.Qxe6+ fxe6 22.bxc4
22.Rc1! O-O-O+ 23.Ke1±
22...O-O-O+
22...Ng4 23.e4 Rd8+ 24.Ke2 Nf2 25.Rg1±
23.Ke1 Ng4 24.Bxh3 Ne3 25.Kf2 Nxc4 26.Bc3
26.Rhc1 Nxb2 27.Rxc6²
26...Kb7 27.g4? [×Bh3]
27.Rac1²
27...e5 28.Rac1 b5 29.Rhd1 Rf8 30.a4 a6 31.axb5 axb5 32.Bb4 Rf7 33.Rc3 e4 34.Kg3 h5!
35.f4 hxg4 36.Bg2 e3

37.Rd5!? Ka6
37...Kc8!? 38.Rh5 Bxg2 39.Kxg2 Rb6 40.Kg3 Nd2 41.Kxg4 Ne4 42.Rh8+ Kb7 43.Rxe3 Rg6+
44.Kh5 (44.Kf3 Ng5+-+) 44...Re6µ
38.Rc1 Bxd5 39.Bxd5 Rd7
39...Rh7 40.f5 Rf6 41.Kxg4 c6 42.Bxc4 bxc4 43.Rxc4 Kb5 44.Bc3! Kxc4 45.Bxf6 Rxh2 46.Kf3
Rf2+ 47.Ke4 Rxe2 48.Bd4 Rg2 49.Bxe3 Rg8

337
50.Bf4! (50.f6? Re8+! 51.Kf3 (51.Kf4 Re6-+) 51...Rf8 52.Bg5 Kd5-+) 50...Re8+ 51.Be5 Kb3
52.f6 c5 53.Kd5=
40.Be4 Rf6
40...Rh6 41.Bc5 Nb2 42.Ra1+ Na4 43.f5∞
41.Bc5 Nb6 42.f5 Nd5 43.Rd1 c6 44.Ra1+ Kb7 45.Ra7+ Kc8 46.Ra8+ Kb7 47.Ra7+ Kc8
48.Ra8+ 1/2-1/2

15. A34
Grischuk, Alexander (2764) - Vachier Lagrave, Maxime (2777)
Hamburg (m/2) 142/15, 2019

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e3 e6

5...Nxc3 6.dxc3 Qc7 - 142/16
6.Bc4 Be7
6...Nb6 7.Bb3 Be7 8.O-O O-O 9.d4 cxd4 10.exd4 Nc6 - B 22
7.O-O O-O 8.Qe2!?
8.Bxd5 exd5 9.d4²
8...Nc6 9.Rd1 b6
9...Nb6 - 131/17
10.d4 Nxc3 11.bxc3 Qc7 12.e4 Rd8N
12...Bb7
13.Be3 Na5 14.Bd3 Bb7

338
15.h4!ƒ b5 16.Bxb5
16.e5!? Nc4 17.Ng5ƒ
16...Bxe4 17.dxc5 Bxf3?!
17...Bxc5 18.Bxc5 Bxf3 19.Qxf3 Qxc5 20.Rd7! Rf8 21.a4²; 17...Bd5!? 18.Rab1 Bxc5
18.Qxf3 Bxc5 19.Bf4!?
19.Bg5!
19...Qb7 20.Qe2 Qe7 21.h5 Bd6 22.Bxd6 Rxd6 23.Rxd6 Qxd6 24.Rd1± Qc5 25.Rd7
25.h6!?
25...Qxc3

339
26.Qd1?
26.Qe4! Rf8 27.h6! g6 28.Bf1+- ×Na5
26...h6 27.g3² Rf8 28.Rxa7 Nc6 29.Rd7 Ne5 30.Rd8 Qc7?
¹30...Rxd8 31.Qxd8+ Kh7 32.Qd1 f5 33.Kg2 Qb4 34.a4 Qc3∞
31.Rxf8+ Kxf8 32.a4 Ke7 33.Be2 Qc3 34.Qb1 Nc6 35.Qb7+ Kf6 36.Bf1
36.Bb5 Ne5 37.Kg2 g5 38.hxg6 fxg6 39.Qa8±
36...Na5
¹36...Qc5 37.Bg2 Nd4 38.Qe4 Qc1+ 39.Bf1 Qc3±
37.Qd7
37.Qa8 Nc6 38.Bb5 Nd4 39.Kg2 Qc7 40.Be8 Nf5 41.Bc6 Nd4 42.Bf3 Nb3 43.Qe4 Qa5
44.Qh4+ g5 45.hxg6+ Kxg6 46.Qc4+-
37...g5 38.hxg6 Kxg6 39.Kg2 Kg7 40.Bb5 Qe5 41.Qd3 Qc5 42.Qf3 Qd4 43.Be8 Qd5
44.Qxd5 exd5 45.Kf3+-

45...Kf6 46.Kg4 Ke7

46...Ke6 47.Bb5! Ke5 48.Kh5 Nc4 49.Kxh6+-
47.Bb5 Kf6
47...Kd6 48.Kf5 Nc4 49.Bxc4 dxc4 50.Ke4 Kc5 51.a5 Kb4 52.a6 c3 53.Kd3 Kb3 54.a7 c2
55.a8=Q c1=Q 56.Qb7+ Ka3 57.Qxf7+-
48.Kh5 Kg7 49.Bf1 Nb3 50.Bg2 d4 51.Bf1 Nd2 52.Bd3 Nb3 53.Bf1 Nd2 54.Bd3 Nb3
55.Bb5 f6

340
55...Kf8 56.Kxh6 Ke7 57.f4 Kd6 58.Kg7+-; 55...f5 56.Bc4 Na5 57.Bd3 f4 58.g4 f3 59.g5 hxg5
60.Kxg5 Nb3 61.Kf4 Kf6 62.Bc4 Na5 63.Bb5 Ke7 64.Ke5 Nb7 65.Kxd4+-
56.Bf1 Na5 57.Ba6 Nb3 58.Bb5 Na5 59.Kg4 Nb7 60.Kf4 Nc5
60...Nd6 61.Bc6 Nc4 62.Bd5 Nb6 63.Bb3 d3 64.a5 Nc8 65.Ke3 Kf8 66.Bd5+-
61.a5 d3 62.Ke3 d2 63.Be2 1-0

16. A34
Radjabov, Teimour (2758) - Vachier Lagrave, Maxime (2774)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/2) 142/16, 2019

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e3 Nxc3 6.dxc3!? Qc7
6...Qxd1+ 7.Kxd1 Bf5 8.Nd2² - 131/21
7.e4 e6

8.Bd3!?N
8.Be3
8...Be7 9.Qe2 Bd7 10.O-O O-O?!

341
¹10...Bc6 11.Nd2 Nd7
11.e5! Bc6
11...Nc6 12.Qe4 g6 13.Bh6 Rfd8 14.Rfe1→
12.Ng5 h6
12...g6 13.Re1!→ (13.Nxh7 c4! 14.Bc2 Kxh7 15.Qh5+ Kg8 16.Bxg6 fxg6 17.Qxg6+ Kh8
18.Qh6+ (18.Qh5+ Kg8 19.Bh6 Bc5!) 18...Kg8 19.Qg6+=)
13.Bh7+! Kh8 14.Bc2 c4
14...g6 15.Nh3 (15.Nxe6!? fxe6 16.Bxg6 Rg8 17.Qh5 Bf8! 18.Bxh6? Qh7!!-+) 15...Kg7
16.Nf4 Nd7 17.Re1± … Bg6
15.Re1 Qd8 16.Nh3 Qd5 17.Nf4 Qc5

342
18.Bb1! Bg5
18...Nd7? 19.Qc2+-
19.Nxe6!?
19.b4! cxb3 (19...Qe7 20.Qxc4) 20.Qd3 g6 21.axb3± … Ba3
19...fxe6 20.Bxg5 Qd5 21.Qg4 Nd7
21...Qxg2+ 22.Qxg2 Bxg2 23.Kxg2 hxg5 24.Bg6 Nc6 25.Rad1±
22.Be4 Nxe5 23.Qh5 Qb5 24.Bxh6 Bxe4 25.Bf4+ Kg8 26.Qxe5 Bd5
¹26...Qxe5 27.Bxe5 Bd5±
27.Re2 Rf5 28.Qe3 Qe8 29.f3 Qg6 30.h4 Raf8 31.Bg5 a6 32.Rd1 Qe8 33.Rd4 Qc6 34.Rg4 Kh7
¹34...e5 35.Qc1! Re8 36.Qe1 Kh7 37.Qg3±
35.Bf4 R8f7 36.Be5 b5 37.Qf2 Qd7 38.Qg3 Rh5 39.Bd4 Qc7 40.Re5 Rhf5 41.Rg5 Kg8 42.h5
Rxg5 43.Qxg5 Qe7 44.Qg4

343
44...Rf5?
44...Kf8 45.Rg5+- … h6
45.Qxf5 1-0

17. * !N A37
Carlsen, Magnus (2876) - Kasimdzhanov, Rustam (2657)
Douglas 142/17, 2019

1.c4 c5 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.Nc3 Nc6 5.Nf3 e6 6.h4 Nf6

6...h6 7.e3 (7.d3 - 112/(22)) 7...Nge7 8.d4 cxd4 9.Nxd4

9...d5N (9...O-O) 10.cxd5 Nxd4 11.exd4 Nxd5 12.O-O O-O 13.Qb3 Ne7 14.Rd1 Nf5 15.Ne2
a5 16.Bf4 a4 17.Qa3 Qb6∞ Carlsen,M (2861)-So,W (2754) Abidjan (blitz) 142/(17) 2019

344
7.d4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 O-O 9.O-O d5 10.cxd5 Nxd5

11.Bg5!N
11.Nxc6 - 133/25
11...Qa5 12.Nb3 Nxc3 13.Nxa5 Nxd1 14.Nxc6 Nxb2 15.Ne7+ Kh8 16.Rac1 Bd7
16...h6 17.Be3 (17.Nxc8 hxg5 18.Bxb7 Rb8=) 17...Na4 18.Rfd1 Nc3 19.Rd2 Re8 20.Nxc8
Raxc8 21.Bxb7 Rc7 22.Ba6²
17.Bxb7 Rab8 18.Rc7 Bb5 19.Bf3 a6 20.Rfc1 h6 21.Be3 Rbd8 22.Kg2 Kh7 23.Nc6 Rc8
24.Na7 Rxc7 25.Rxc7 Kg8 26.Nxb5 axb5 27.h5 g5 28.Rb7 Nc4 29.Bc5 Ra8

30.Be4
30.Rxb5! Rxa2 31.Rb8+ Kh7 32.Rb7 Kg8 (32...Ne5 33.Be4+ f5 34.Bd4 Ra5 35.Bc2 Kg8

345
36.Bb3+-) 33.Be4 Be5 (33...f5 34.Bd3 Ne5 35.Rxg7+ Kxg7 36.Bd4 Ra5 37.f4+-; 33...Ra8
34.Rb4+-) 34.Rd7 Rxe2 35.Bd3 Rd2 36.Bb4 Ne3+ (36...Rd1 37.Bh7+ Kxh7 38.Rxd1±) 37.Kf3
Rxd3 38.Rxd3 Nd5 39.Bc5±; 30.Ba7
30...Be5 31.Bb1 Bd6! 32.Ba7 Bf8 33.f4 gxf4 34.gxf4 Na5 35.Rd7 Nc6 36.Bf2 Nb4 37.f5
37.Rd2 Nd5 38.Kf3 b4=
37...exf5 38.Rd2 Be7 39.Be1 f4 40.Rd7 Bf8 41.Kf1 Bc5 42.Rb7 Nxa2 43.Rxb5 Bd4 44.Rb3
Kg7 45.Rd3 Bf6 46.Bd2 Ra4 47.Rd7 Kg8 48.Rc7 Rd4

49.Bxa2
49.Bd3 Kg7 50.Bg6 (50.Bc4 Kh8 51.Rxf7 Bg5 52.Bd3 f3 53.Bxg5 fxe2+ 54.Kxe2 hxg5=)
50...Be5 51.Rxf7+ Kg8 52.Ke1²
49...Rxd2 50.Bxf7+ Kf8 51.Bc4 Bg5 52.Kf2 Rc2 53.Kf3 Rc3+ 54.Ke4 f3 55.exf3 1/2-1/2

18. A46
Delchev, Aleksander (2564) - Moiseenko, Vadim (2519)
Anogia 142/18, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bf4 Nh5!?

3...c5 - 141/18
4.Bg5 Be7 5.Bxe7 Qxe7 6.Nc3!?

346
6...b5N
6...d5 7.e4 dxe4 8.Nxe4 O-O (8...Qb4+? 9.c3 Qxb2 10.Ne5+-) 9.c3²; 6...f5 7.e4ƒ
7.d5!?
7.g4 Nf6 8.g5 Nd5 9.Nxd5 exd5 10.Qd2 O-O 11.O-O-O d6∞; 7.a3 a6 8.g3 Bb7 9.Bg2 O-O
10.O-O Nf6∞; 7.e3 a6 8.Bd3 Bb7 9.O-O Nf6²
7...a6 8.a4 b4 9.Ne4 d6
9...f5 10.Ng3 Nf6 11.dxe6 dxe6 12.e3 O-O 13.Bc4 Kh8∞
10.e3 Nf6
10...Bb7 11.Bc4 O-O 12.O-O Nd7 13.dxe6 fxe6 14.Nfg5 Bxe4 15.Bxe6+ (15.Nxe4 Nhf6=)
15...Kh8 16.Qxh5 Bg6 17.Qg4 Nf6 18.Qh3 Bxc2∞
11.Nxf6+ Qxf6 12.Bc4!? Qxb2 13.O-O© Qc3 14.Qe2
14.Qd4 Qxd4 15.exd4 O-O 16.Rfe1 exd5 17.Bxd5 c6 18.Bc4 d5 19.Bd3 Nd7 20.a5©
14...O-O

347
15.Ng5!
15.dxe6 fxe6 16.Ng5 d5 17.Bd3 h6³
15...Qf6™
15...e5 16.Ne4+-; 15...exd5 16.Bxd5 c6 17.Qh5+-
16.f4 h6?!
16...exd5 17.Bxd5 c6 18.Qd3 Bf5 (18...g6 19.Bxf7+ Rxf7 20.Nxf7 Kxf7 21.e4 Ra7 22.Qc4+∞)
19.Be4 Bxe4 20.Qxe4 Qg6 21.Qxb4∞
17.Ne4?!
17.dxe6! hxg5 (17...fxe6 18.Qh5 Nc6 19.Bd3→) 18.fxg5 Qxg5 19.Qf3 d5 (19...Ra7 20.Qh3+-)
20.Bxd5 c6 21.exf7+ (21.Bc4 Ra7) 21...Kh7 22.Be4+ g6 23.h4 Qg4 24.h5 Qxf3 25.Rxf3 Kg7
26.Rg3 Kxf7 27.Rxg6 Rh8 28.Rf1+ Ke7 29.g4±
17...Qe7 18.Ng3
18.dxe6 Bxe6 19.f5 Bxc4 20.Qxc4 Nd7µ
18...exd5 19.Bxd5 c6 20.Bb3?!
20.Bf3 a5 21.Qd2 d5 22.e4µ
20...Nd7 21.e4
21.a5 Nc5 22.f5 Re8
21...Nc5 22.f5 Qf6
22...Qe5 23.Rad1 a5 24.Qd2 Ba6 25.Rf2 Rfd8 26.f6„
23.Rad1

348
23.a5 Re8! 24.Rad1 d5µ
23...a5 24.Nh5
24.Rf4 Ba6 25.Qd2 Rad8 26.Rg4 Kh8 27.Nh5 Qc3µ
24...Qe5 25.Rf4 d5 26.Rg4

26.Bxd5 cxd5 27.Rxd5 Qb2 28.Rxc5 Qd4+ 29.Qf2 Qd1+-+; 26.Qe3 Nxe4 27.Ng3 Re8 28.Re1
Bd7 29.Nxe4 Bxf5! 30.Nd6 Qxe3+ 31.Rxe3 Rxe3 32.Nxf5 Re5µ
26...g5! 27.Ng3 Nxe4 28.Nxe4 Bxf5 29.Bxd5 cxd5 30.Rxd5 Bxg4 31.Qxg4 Qf4 0-1

349
A50-A74

19. A57
Del Rio de Angelis, Salvador Gabriel (2488) - Perunovic, Milos (2569)
Barcelona 142/19, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.e3 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.a4 O-O 8.e4 Bb7 9.e5 Ne8 10.Nf3
axb5
10...d6 11.e6! (11.Bf4 - 28/143) 11...fxe6 12.Ng5 (12.h4!?) 12...Nc7 13.b6 Nxd5 14.Nxe6
(14.Bc4 Nxc3 15.Bxe6+ Kh8 16.bxc3 Bxc3+ 17.Bd2 Bxd2+ 18.Qxd2 Qxb6 19.Qc3+ Rf6 20.O-
O Nc6∞) 14...Nxc3 15.Nxd8 (15.bxc3 Bxc3+ 16.Bd2 Bxd2+ 17.Qxd2 Qxb6 18.Nxf8 Kxf8©)
15...Nxd1 16.Nxb7 Nxb2 17.Ra2 Bc3+ 18.Ke2 Nc4 19.Rc2 Nxb6 20.Rxc3 Nc6∞
11.Bxb5
11.h4!? b4 12.Nb5 (12.Ne4 d6 13.h5 dxe5 14.hxg6 hxg6 15.Nxc5 Bxd5 16.Bh6 Bxh6 17.Rxh6
Qd6µ) 12...d6 13.e6 fxe6 14.h5 Bxd5 (14...exd5 15.hxg6 hxg6 16.Bh6∞) 15.hxg6 hxg6
16.Bd3∞
11...d6 12.Bf4 Nd7

13.Bxd7?!N
13.exd6 Nxd6 14.Bxd6 (14.Be2 Qb6 15.Qd2 Qb4©) 14...exd6 15.O-O Ba6 16.Nd2 (16.Bxa6
Rxa6 17.Nd2 Qh4© (17...Nb6©)) 16...Bxb5 17.axb5 Rxa1 18.Qxa1 Nb6©
13...Qxd7 14.O-O dxe5
¹14...Qf5 15.Bg3 (15.exd6 Nxd6 16.Bg3 Nc4 (16...Bxc3 17.bxc3 Qxd5=) 17.Qe2 Ba6©)

350
15...dxe5 16.Re1 f6 17.Ne4 Rc8 18.a5 Qd7 19.Nfd2 Qxd5 20.a6 Ba8 21.f3©
15.Bxe5
15.Nxe5 Qf5 16.Qg4 Qxg4 17.Nxg4 h5 (17...Bxc3 18.bxc3 Bxd5 19.Rfb1²) 18.Ne3 Ba6
19.Rfe1 Nd6©
15...Nf6 16.Qd2 Rfd8 17.Rad1
17.Rfd1 Qf5 18.Qe1 Nxd5 (18...Bxd5 19.Nxd5 Nxd5∞; 18...Bf8!?) 19.Nxd5 Rxd5 20.Rxd5
Bxd5 21.Bxg7 Kxg7 22.Qxe7 (22.Qc3+ Qf6∞) 22...Bxf3 23.gxf3 Qxf3=
17...Qf5 18.Rfe1?!
18.Qc1 Nxd5 (18...e6!? 19.Bxf6 Bxf6 20.dxe6 Qxe6 21.Rxd8+ Rxd8©) 19.Nxd5 Bxd5 20.Bxg7
Bxf3 (20...Kxg7 21.Qxc5 Rxa4 22.Qxe7 Rb8=) 21.Rxd8+ Rxd8 22.Bh6!=
18...Nxd5 19.Qd3
19.Bxg7

19...Nf4! 20.Qe3 Qg4 21.Rxd8+ Rxd8 22.Nh4 (22.g3 Nh3+ 23.Kf1 Bxf3-+) 22...Nxg2 23.f3
Qxh4 24.Kxg2 Kxg7-+
19...Qxd3 20.Rxd3 f6 21.Red1?

351
21.Nxd5 Bxd5 22.Bc3 e6³
21...c4! 22.Rxd5?
22.R3d2 e6 (22...Bh6 23.Rxd5 Bxd5 24.Bc7 Rd7 25.Nxd5 Kf7 26.Bb6 Rxa4 27.Kf1∞) 23.Bd4
Nxc3 24.Bxc3 Rxd2 25.Rxd2 Rxa4µ
22...Bxd5 23.Bc7 Rd7 24.Nxd5 Kf7-+ 25.Bb6 Rxa4 26.Kf1
26.Be3 Rxd5-+
26...Ra6 27.Be3
27.Rd2 e6 28.Nxf6 Rxd2 29.Nxd2 Bxf6 (29...Rxb6 30.Nxc4 Rb4 31.Ne4 Ke7-+) 30.Nxc4
Bxb2-+
27...Rad6 28.Rc1 Rxd5 29.Rxc4 e5 30.g4 Rb5 31.Rc2 Rdb7 32.Bc1 Bf8 33.Re2 Rc7 34.Be3 Bc5
35.g5 e4 0-1
20. A58
Buckels, Valentin (2469) - Hracek, Zbynek (2572)
Deutschland 142/20, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 e6!? 6.Nc3 exd5 7.Nxd5 Be7!
7...Nxd5 - 24/(141)
8.e4
8.e3 O-O 9.Ne2 Nxd5 10.Qxd5 Rxa6 11.Nc3 Rd6 12.Qf3 Nc6 13.Be2 Bb7©; 8.Nxe7 Qxe7
9.Bf4 (9.e3 O-O 10.Nf3 d5 (10...Rxa6!? 11.Be2 (11.Bxa6 Bxa6 12.Ng1! d5 13.Ne2 d4 14.O-O
Rd8©) 11...Ne4©) 11.Be2 Bxa6 12.O-O Nc6©) 9...d5 10.e3 O-O 11.Nf3 Rd8 12.Be2 Bxa6 13.O-
O Nc6 14.Bxa6 Rxa6©

352
8...O-O
8...Nxe4? 9.Qf3 Nd6 10.Be3+-; 8...Nxd5 9.Qxd5 Nc6 10.Nf3 (10.Bc4 O-O 11.Ne2 Bxa6
12.Bd2 (12.O-O?? Nb4-+) 12...Qb6 13.O-O Bxc4 14.Qxc4 Qxb2=) 10...O-O (10...Bxa6
11.Bxa6 Qa5+ 12.Bd2 Qxa6 13.Ne5 O-O 14.Nc4 (14.Nxc6?! dxc6 15.Qh5 Bf6³) 14...Bf6!
15.O-O (15.Qxc5? Rfc8-+) 15...Bd4 16.Rfc1! Rae8 17.a3 Re6©) 11.Ne5 Bxa6 12.Nxc6 dxc6
13.Qxd8 Rfxd8 14.Bxa6 Rxa6©
9.Nf3
9.Nc3 Nxa6 10.e5

(10.Nf3 Bb7 11.Bd3 Nb4©) 10...Bb7!! 11.exf6 Bxf6 12.Nf3 d5 13.Be2 d4 14.Nb5 Nb4 15.Bc4
Re8+ 16.Kf1 d3 17.Bd2 Re4©
9...Nxe4 10.Bf4N

353
10.Be2
10...Bd6!
10...Nxa6 11.Bc4 Bb7 12.O-O Bd6 (12...Nb4?! 13.Bc7 Qe8 14.Nb6²) 13.Qd3 Bxf4 14.Qxe4
Bd6 15.Qd3²; 10...Nf6!? 11.Nc7 (11.Bc7 Qe8 12.Bxb8 Rxb8 13.Nc7 Qd8 14.a7 Qxc7
15.axb8=Q Qxb8©) 11...Ra7 12.Nb5 Ra8 13.a7 (13.Nc7 Ra7=) 13...Nc6 14.Be2 d5 15.O-O
Bb7∞
11.Bd3?!
11.Bxd6 Nxd6 12.Be2 Nxa6 13.O-O Bb7=
11...Bxf4 12.O-O
12.Bxe4?! Re8 13.O-O Rxe4 14.Qd3 Bxh2+ 15.Kxh2 Re6µ; 12.Nxf4?! Qa5+³
12...Nf6 13.Nxf4 d5³ 14.Qd2 Nxa6 15.Rfd1 Bb7 16.Rac1 Qd6 17.a3 Rfd8
17...Rfe8 18.b4 cxb4 19.Bxa6 Bxa6 20.Qxb4 Qd7∞; 17...d4! 18.b4 Bxf3 19.gxf3 cxb4 20.Bxa6
Qxa6 21.axb4 Rfd8³
18.Nh3?!
18.b4 cxb4 19.Bxa6 Bxa6 20.Qxb4 Qxb4 21.axb4=
18...Nc7?!
18...h6!³
19.Qc2 Ne6 20.Nhg5 Nxg5 21.Nxg5 h6

22.Bh7+! Kf8 23.Ne4 Nxe4 24.Bxe4 Kg8 25.Bf3 Rac8 26.Rd2 Ba8 27.b4 c4 28.Rd4 Bc6
29.Rcd1 Ra8 30.Qc3

354
30.b5 Bxb5 31.Rxd5 Qb6=
30...Qf6 31.g3 Rd7 32.Qe3?!
32.Kg2 Rda7 33.Ra1∞
32...Re7
32...g5!?
33.Qf4 Qxf4 34.Rxf4 Rxa3?!
34...c3! 35.Rc1 Rxa3 36.Rd4 Bb7 37.Rd3 Rd7³ 38.Rdxc3?? Rxc3 39.Rxc3 d4 40.Rd3 Bxf3
41.Rxf3 d3-+
35.Bxd5= Rd7 36.Rfd4 Bxd5 37.Rxd5 Rxd5 38.Rxd5 1/2-1/2

21. * A58
Svane, Rasmus (2592) - Lagarde, Maxime (2657)
Barcelona 142/21, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.e4 O-O 8.a7 Rxa7 9.Be2 e6 10.Nf3
d6!?
10...exd5 - 127/33
11.dxe6 fxe6

11...Bxe6
12.O-ON
12.e5 - 142/(21) 12...dxe5 13.Qxd8 Rxd8 14.Be3 Rb7 15.Bxc5?! (15.Rd1∞) 15...Rxb2 16.Be7

355
16...Nd5! 17.Bxd8 Nxc3 18.Bc4 Nc6ƒ Halvax,G (2408)-Lagarde,M (2599) Teplice 142/(21)
2019
12...Nc6 13.Bb5 Rc7 14.Be3 Ne7 15.Qe2 Bb7 16.Ng5 Qc8 17.Rad1
17.Bc4! d5 18.Bf4! Rc6 (18...dxc4 19.Bxc7 Qxc7 20.Nxe6 Qe5 21.Nxf8 Kxf8 22.Rad1+-;
18...Rd7 19.exd5 exd5 20.Qe6+ Kh8 21.Bb5 Bc6 22.Bd6+-; 18...Nxe4 19.Ncxe4 Rxf4 20.Nd6
Qd7 21.Qxe6+ Qxe6 22.Nxe6+-) 19.exd5 Nfxd5 20.Bd2±
17...h6

18.Rxd6! hxg5 19.Bc4 Kh7 20.Bxg5

20.Bxe6 Qb8 21.Qf3 Nh5 22.Qh3 Bc8 23.g4 Be5 24.Rfd1! Bxd6 25.Rxd6→
20...Nc6 21.Nb5

356
21.Qe3 Nd4 22.Qh3+ Nh5 23.f4 Bf6 24.Bxf6 Rxf6 25.e5 Qf8! 26.g3 (26.Bd3 Kg8∞) 26...Rf5
27.Bd3 Rg7∞
21...Nd4! 22.Nxd4 Nxe4?
22...cxd4 23.Bxe6 Qe8 24.Qf3 (24.Qd3 Bxe4 25.Qxd4 Rc6³) 24...Bxe4 (24...Rc5!?) 25.Qf4
Bd3 26.Rd8! Qxe6 27.Rxf8 Bxf1 (27...Rc6 28.Rxf6 Bxf6 29.Bxf6 Qxf6 30.Qxf6 Rxf6 31.Rd1=)
28.Bxf6 Bxf8 29.Qxc7+ Kg8 30.Bxd4 Bc4 31.h3 Bxa2=
23.Bxe6 Qb8 24.Qg4?!
24.Nb5 Nxg5 25.Nxc7 Qxc7 26.Rfd1±
24...Nxg5 25.Qxg5
25.Qh4+ Bh6 26.Nf5 Rxf5 27.Bxf5 Rg7 28.Rxg6 Rxg6 29.f4 Nf3+ 30.Rxf3 Bxf3 31.Qe7+ Bg7
32.Bxg6+ Kxg6 33.f5+ Kh6 (33...Kxf5 34.Qxg7=) 34.Qe6+ Kh7 35.Qg6+ Kh8 36.f6 Bf8
37.f7 Bg7 38.gxf3=
25...Bh6 26.Qg4 Rf4
26...cxd4? 27.Bf5! Rg7 (27...gxf5 28.Qh5 Kg8 29.Rxh6+-) 28.Rxg6 Rxf5 29.Rxg7+ Bxg7
30.Qxf5+ Kg8 31.Re1+-
27.Qg3 Rxd4

28.Bf7
28.Bg8+! Kxg8 29.Rxg6+ Kh7 30.Rf6 Bg7 (30...Bf4 31.Rxf4 Rg7 32.Rh4+ Rxh4 33.Qxh4+
Kg8 34.f3∞) 31.Qh3+ Kg8 32.Qe6+ Kh7 33.Qh3+=
28...Rxd6 29.Qxd6 Be4 30.Re1 Qb7 31.Rxe4 Rxf7
31...Qxe4 32.Bxg6+ Qxg6 33.Qxc7+ Bg7 34.g3=

357
32.Rg4 Rg7 33.b3 Qe7
33...Qc8 34.h3 Qf5³
34.Qxe7 Rxe7 35.g3 Bg7
35...Re2 36.b4=
36.b4 cxb4 37.Rh4+ Kg8 38.Rxb4 Re2 39.a4 Ra2 40.h4 1/2-1/2
22. A58
Matviishen, Viktor (2490) - Perunovic, Milos (2578)
Magyarorszag 142/22, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bxa6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.g3 d6 9.Bg2 Nbd7
10.O-O O-O
10...Nb6
11.Qc2 Qa5 12.Rd1 Nb6
12...Rfb8 - 73/(81)
13.Nd2?!
13.Bd2 Nc4 14.Be1 Rfb8 15.b3 (15.Rab1 Nd7©) 15...Na3 16.Qc1 Nb5©
13...Rfb8

14.Nb3N
14.e4 Nbd7 (14...Nc4 15.Nxc4 Bxc4 16.Bd2 Nd7 17.b3 Ba6©) 15.Nf3 Ng4©; 14.Rb1 Bc8
15.b3 Ng4 16.Bb2 Ne5©
14...Qb4 15.a3 Qg4 16.h3 Qd7 17.Na5?!

358
17.e4 Nc4 (17...Na4!? 18.Na5 Nxc3 19.bxc3 Bb5 20.Nc6 Ba4 21.Nxb8 Bxc2 22.Nxd7 Nxd7
23.Rd2 Bxc3 24.Rxc2 Bxa1∞) 18.Rb1 Qb7 19.Nd2 Nxd2 20.Bxd2 Qb3©
17...Bxe2 18.Qxe2 Rxa5 19.Bd2 Ra7 20.Re1

20...h5?!
20...Na4! 21.Nxa4 Qxa4 22.Bc3 (22.b4 cxb4 23.axb4 (23.Bxb4 Nxd5 24.Bxd5 Bxa1 25.Qc4
(25.Qf3 e6 26.Bxd6 Rd8-+) 25...e6 26.Bxe6 fxe6 27.Qxe6+ Rf7 28.Bxd6 Bd4!-+) 23...Qxa1
24.Rxa1 Rxa1+ 25.Kh2 Ra2µ) 22...Ne8 23.Bxg7 Nxg7 24.Be4 (24.b4 cxb4 25.axb4 Qxa1
26.Rxa1 Rxa1+ 27.Kh2 Kf8µ) 24...Ne8³
21.Rab1?!
21.b3! Qf5 22.Ra2 Nc8 23.Nb5 Rab7 24.a4 Na7 25.Nc3 Ne8∞
21...Na4 22.Nxa4 Qxa4 23.Kh2?

359
23.Bc3 Ne8³; 23.b4 Qxa3 24.bxc5 Rxb1 25.Rxb1 dxc5³
23...Rab7??
23...Qb3 24.Qf3 Nh7 25.Qxb3 Rxb3 26.Bc1 Bd4 27.Re2 Nf6µ; 23...Rb3 24.Bc3 Ne8 25.Bxg7
Kxg7µ
24.b4! Qxa3
24...h4 25.Qd3 hxg3+ 26.fxg3 cxb4 27.axb4 Rc7∞
25.Ra1 Ng4+?!
25...Qb2 26.bxc5 dxc5 27.d6 exd6 28.Bxb7 Qxb7 29.Rab1 Qxb1 30.Rxb1 Rxb1∞
26.hxg4 Bxa1 27.gxh5 gxh5?
27...Kg7 28.bxc5 Be5 29.c6 Rb2 30.hxg6 Rh8+ 31.Kg1 f5∞; 27...Bc3 28.hxg6 (28.bxc5 Bxd2
29.Qxd2 Rb2 30.Qh6 Qd3 31.hxg6 Qxg6 32.Qxg6+ fxg6 33.c6=) 28...Bxd2 29.Qxd2 (29.gxf7+
Kxf7 30.Qh5+ Kf8 31.Bh3 (31.Qh8+ Kf7 32.Qh5+=) 31...e5 32.Qh8+ Ke7 33.Qh4+=)
29...Kg7 30.bxc5 Rh8+ 31.Kg1 Qb4 32.Qxb4 Rxb4 33.gxf7 dxc5 34.Rxe7 Rf8 35.Rc7 Rxf7
36.Rxc5 Rb2 37.f4 Re7=
28.bxc5 Be5 29.c6 Rb2 30.Qxh5
30.c7! Rc8 (30...Ra8 31.Rc1+-) 31.Qxh5 Rxc7 32.Rxe5 dxe5 33.Be4+-
30...Ra8
30...Qd3 31.Be3 Qh7 32.Qxh7+ Kxh7 33.Bh3+-; 30...Rxd2 31.Qg5++-
31.Re4
31.Rxe5! dxe5 32.Be4+-

360
31...Bg7 32.Rxe7 Rf8 33.Be4 1-0

23. * A61
Kozul, Zdenko (2593) - Cheparinov, Ivan (2679)
Zagreb 142/23, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.Nc3 exd5 6.cxd5 g6 7.Bf4 Bg7 8.h3 O-O 9.e3 Na6
10.Bc4 Nc7 11.a4 a6 12.O-O Rb8 13.a5 b5 14.axb6 Rxb6 15.Ra2
15.Qc2

15...Qe7N (15...Rb4 16.Nd2 Re8∞) 16.Rfe1 Re8 17.Nd2 Bd7∞ Stefanova,A (2479)-Danielian,E
(2385) Douglas 142/(23) 2019
15...Re8

361
15...Rb4 - 129/29
16.Qd2N
16.Re1 Rb4 17.Qd3 Nb5!? 18.Nxb5 axb5 19.Bxb5 Bf5 20.Qf1 Rf8©
16...Rb4 17.b3 Nb5 18.Na4 Ne4 19.Qc1 g5
19...Bf5!?
20.Bh2 Bf5
20...g4!? 21.hxg4 Bxg4 22.Bf4 Qf6ƒ
21.Kh1 g4
21...a5 22.Nd2 Nbc3 23.Nxc3 Nxc3 24.Ra3 Bg6ƒ
22.hxg4 Bxg4 23.Nd2 Nec3 24.Nxc3 Nxc3 25.Rxa6
25.Rc2 Nb5 26.f3 Bf5 27.e4 Bc8∞
25...Qh4 26.Qe1 Qh5 27.f3 Be5 28.g3
28.f4 Bf6 29.Nf3 (29.Rxd6? Bh4 30.g3 Be7 31.Ra6 Nxd5µ) 29...Ne4 30.Kg1 Rb7ƒ
28...Bh3 29.Rg1
29.Rf2
29...Kh8
¹29...Bd7 30.Qf2 Bb5∞
30.Qf2 f5 31.Ra7 Rg8?
31...Qh6! 32.Bd3

362
(32.g4 fxg4 33.Bxe5+ Rxe5 34.Qh2 Rh5 35.fxg4 Bg2+ 36.Rxg2 Rxh2+ 37.Rxh2 Qg6 38.Ra8+
Kg7 39.Ra7+ Kg8 40.Ra8+=) 32...Rd4!! 33.exd4 (33.Bc2 Nxd5 34.f4 Bg4 35.exd4 (35.fxe5
Nxe3 36.Nf1 Nxf1 37.Qxf1 Rd2 38.Rg2 Rxe5-+) 35...Bxd4 36.Re1 (36.Qf1? Qh5-+)
36...Rxe1+ 37.Qxe1 Qh5 38.Qf1 Ne3 39.Qf2 Nd1 40.Qg2 Nf2+ 41.Kg1 Nd1+=; 33.Bc4 Bf6
34.exd4 Bxd4 35.Re1 Qh5 36.Rxe8+ Qxe8 37.Ra8 Qxa8 38.Qe1∞) 33...Bxd4 34.Re1 Ne4
35.Qe2 (35.Rxe4? fxe4 36.Qe2 c4 37.Bxe4 Bxa7µ) 35...Nxg3+ 36.Bxg3 Rxe2 37.Rxe2 Bf1+
38.Rh2 Bg2+ 39.Kxg2 Qxd2+ 40.Kh1 Qxd3∞
32.g4?
32.Bd3! Bg7 33.Nc4 (33.g4 fxg4 34.Qg3 Nxd5 35.Nc4±) 33...Nb5 (33...Rxb3 34.Nxd6 Rf8
35.Rxg7! Kxg7 36.g4 fxg4 37.Qc2 Ra3 38.Nf5+ Kh8 39.Qb2+-) 34.Rb7 Rxb3 35.Nxd6 Nxd6
36.Rxb3 c4 37.Rb6 cxd3 38.Rxd6±
32...fxg4 33.Bxe5+ dxe5
33...Qxe5? 34.Qh4+-
34.Qh2
34.fxg4 Bxg4+ 35.Qh2 Bf3+ 36.Nxf3 Qxf3+ 37.Rg2 Qd1+ 38.Rg1 Qf3+=; 34.Rg3 Rb6 35.d6
(35.Qh2 Rbg6∞) 35...Rf8 36.Qh2 Rxd6 37.fxg4 Bxg4 38.Rxg4 Qxh2+ 39.Kxh2 Rxd2+
40.Kh3∞
34...gxf3 35.Rxg8+ Kxg8

36.d6+??
36.Qg3+ Bg4+ 37.Qh2 Bh3=
36...Rxc4 37.bxc4
37.d7 Bg2+ 38.Kg1 f2+ 39.Kxg2 Rg4+ 40.Kf1 Rg1+ 41.Qxg1+ fxg1=Q+ 42.Kxg1 Qg4+

363
43.Kh2 Qe2+ 44.Kh3 Qxe3+ 45.Kh4 Qxd2 46.Ra8+ Kf7 47.d8=Q Qh2+ 48.Kg4 h5+ 49.Kg5
(49.Kf3 Qe2+ 50.Kg3 Ne4+-+) 49...Ne4+ 50.Kh6 Qf4+ 51.Kh7 Nf6+-+
37...Bg2+ 38.Kg1 Ne2+ 0-1

24. A61
Nyback, Tomi (2565) - Papaioannou, Ioannis (2645)
Batumi 142/24, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.Nc3 exd5 6.cxd5 g6 7.Bf4 a6 8.a4 Bg7 9.h3 O-O 10.e3
Ne8 11.Be2 b6

11...Nd7 - 140/26
12.e4N
12.O-O
12...Nd7 13.Qd2 Ne5 14.Nxe5 dxe5 15.Be3 f5 16.f3 Nd6 17.h4 Bd7 18.h5
18.a5²
18...f4 19.Bf2 g5 20.a5 bxa5 21.Bxc5 Qc7 22.Bf2 Rfb8 23.Na4 g4 24.Rc1 Qd8 25.Bh4 Qe8
26.Nc5 Rb4 27.h6 Bxh6?
27...Bf8
28.Bf6 Bg7 29.Bxg7 Kxg7

364
30.Nxd7?
30.Nd3 Rd4 31.Qxa5 Nc4 32.Qc7 Rc8 33.Qa7±
30...Qxd7 31.Rc6 Nf7 32.Qc3 Rab8 33.Rc7 Qd6 34.Rh4 Rxb2 35.Rxg4+ Kf8

36.Qxa5??
36.Rc6 Qb4 37.g3 h5 38.Rgg6 Qxc3+ 39.Rxc3 fxg3 40.Rxg3 a4 41.Rg6 h4³; 36.Bd1! Qb4
37.Qxb4+ axb4 38.Rh4 Rxg2 (38...h6 39.Rh5 Kg8 40.Rf5 Nd6 41.Rf6 Nb5 42.Rg6+ Kf8
43.Rf6+=) 39.Rxh7 Rg7 40.Rxg7 Kxg7 41.Kd2=
36...h5 37.Rh4
37.Rc6 Rb1+ 38.Bd1 (38.Kf2 hxg4!-+) 38...Qb4+ 39.Qxb4+ R8xb4 40.Rgg6 Rd4-+
37...Qg6-+ 38.Qc5+ Kg8 39.Rc8+ Rxc8 40.Qxc8+ Kg7 0-1

365
 25. A62
Harikrishna, Penteala (2748) - Durarbayli, Vasif (2617)
Douglas 142/25, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nc3 g6 7.Bg2 Bg7 8.Nf3 O-O 9.O-O Re8
10.Re1 a6 11.a4 Nbd7 12.Bf4 Ng4
12...Qc7 - 138/(33)
13.a5

13...Qe7N
13...Nde5 14.Ne4 h6 15.Nxe5 Nxe5 16.Nd2 Bd7 (16...b5 17.axb6 Qxb6 18.Bxe5 Bxe5 19.Nc4
Qb4 20.Ra4 Qb5=) 17.Bxe5 Bxe5 18.Nc4 Qe7 19.Nxe5 Qxe5=
14.Na4 Rb8 15.Rb1 Nge5 16.b4 cxb4 17.Bd2?!

366
17.Rxb4 Nxf3+ 18.Bxf3 Ne5 19.Bg2 Bd7∞
17...b5! 18.Nb2
18.axb6 a5 19.Be3 Nc4 20.Bd4 Ndxb6 21.Nxb6 Nxb6 22.Ra1 a4 23.Bxg7 Kxg7 24.Qd4+ Qf6
25.Qxb4 Rxe2!µ
18...Nc5 19.Bxb4
19.Nxe5 Bxe5 20.Bxb4 Qf6ƒ
19...Bf5
19...Ng4 20.Nd3 Qa7 21.Rf1 Bf5³; 19...Ne4³
20.Nxe5 Qxe5 21.e4

367
21...Nxe4!?
21...Bd7 22.Re3 (22.Nd3 Qd4³) 22...Rbc8³
22.g4 Nxf2
22...Qd4 23.Qxd4 Bxd4 24.Kf1 (24.gxf5 Bxf2+ 25.Kf1 Bxe1 26.Bxe1 gxf5ƒ) 24...Bc3 25.Bxc3
Nxc3 26.gxf5 Nxb1 27.Rxb1 Rec8ƒ
23.Rxe5 Nxd1 24.Rxe8+ Rxe8 25.Rxd1
25.gxf5 Bd4+ 26.Kf1 Ne3+ 27.Kg1 Nc2+ 28.Kf1 Nxb4-+
25...Bxg4 26.Rd2 Re1+ 27.Kf2 Rb1 28.Nd3 Bd4+
28...Rxb4 29.Nxb4 Bc3 30.Rc2 Bxb4 31.Rc6 Bxa5 32.h3 Bf5 33.Rxd6∞
29.Kg3 Bf5 30.Bxd6 Rb3?!
¹30...Bc3 31.Re2 (31.Rc2 b4 32.Bxb4 Bxb4 33.Nxb4 Rxb4 34.Rc6 Bd3 35.d6 Rd4 36.Kf2 Bb5
37.Rb6 Kg7 38.Rxb5 axb5 39.a6 Rxd6 40.a7 Ra6 41.a8=Q Rxa8 42.Bxa8 f5∞) 31...Bxd3
32.Re8+ Kg7 33.Bf8+ Kf6 34.Be7+ Ke5 35.Bc5+ Kf6 36.Be7+=
31.Bf1 Be4 32.Kf4 Bxd5 33.Be5 Bg1? 34.Bf6! h6 35.Ke5 Bc4?!
35...Be3 36.Rc2 Bc4 37.h4 Kh7 38.Kd6±
36.h4
36.Kd6! Kh7 (36...Rb1 37.Bg2 Bxh2+ 38.Kc6+-) 37.Kc6 g5 (37...Bxh2 38.Kb6+-) 38.Ne5!
Bxf1 39.Rd8 Rc3+ 40.Kb7 Bg2+ 41.Kb8+-
36...Kh7 37.Ke4?!
37.Kd6! g5 (37...Be3 38.Rd1 g5 39.Ne5 Bf4 40.hxg5 hxg5 41.Bxc4 Bxe5+ 42.Kxe5 bxc4
43.Kf5+-) 38.hxg5 hxg5 39.Ne5 Bxf1 40.Rd1+-
37...Be6 38.Ke5
38.Ne5 Rb4+ 39.Kf3 Rd4 40.Bd3±
38...Rb1?!
38...Ra3! 39.h5 Bc4 40.Kd6 Be3 41.Rd1 gxh5²
39.Bg2 Bh2+ 40.Nf4 Rc1 41.Rd8 Rc8 42.Rxc8
42.Bb7 Rxd8 43.Bxd8±
42...Bxc8 43.Bd5?!

368
43.Ke4²
43...Kg8?
43...Bf5! 44.Bxf7 Bc2 45.Be7 b4 46.Bxb4 g5 47.Bd2 gxf4 48.Bxf4 Bg1 49.Bc4 Bf2 50.Bd2
(50.h5 Be1=) 50...Bxh4 51.Bxa6 Bd8=
44.Ke4 Kf8 45.Kf3 Bg1 46.Nd3 g5 47.h5+- g4+ 48.Kg3 Be3 49.Ne5 Bd2 50.Nxf7 Bxa5
51.Nxh6 Be1+ 52.Kg2 b4 53.Nf7 Bc3 54.Ne5 Bf5 55.h6 a5 56.Bb3 Ke8 57.Kg3
57.Bg8+-
57...Bd2 58.Nc4 Kf7 59.Bg7 Be1+ 60.Kf4 Bh7 61.Nxa5+ Ke7 62.Kxg4 Kd6 63.Nb7+ Ke7
64.Nc5 Bc3 65.Na4 Be1 66.Nb6 Bd3 67.Nd5+ Kd6 68.Bf8+ Ke5 69.Bxb4 1-0

26. A62
Adhiban, Baskaran (2639) - Harikrishna, Penteala (2748)
Douglas 142/26, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nc3 g6 7.Bg2 Bg7 8.Nf3 O-O 9.O-O Re8
10.Bf4 Bf5 11.Nh4 Bg4
11...Bc8 - 139/27
12.Qd2 b5! 13.Nxb5 Rxe2 14.Qc1 Ne4

369
15.Bxe4N
15.Qc4
15...Rxe4 16.Nxd6 Rd4
16...Rb4
17.Re1 Nd7

18.Bg5?!
18.Re8+ Qxe8 19.Nxe8 Rxe8 (19...Rd1+?? 20.Qxd1 Bxd1 21.Nc7+-) 20.Qf1 Rxd5 21.h3 Be6
(21...Be2 22.Qg2 Nb6∞) 22.Nf3 Bxb2 23.Re1 Bf6∞; 18.h3! Bxh3 19.Kh2 Bg4 20.f3 Nf6
(20...Bh5 21.Re8+ Qxe8 22.Nxe8 Rxe8 23.Qf1±) 21.fxg4 Rxd5 22.g5 (22.Ne4 Nxg4+
(22...Nxe4 23.Rxe4 g5 24.Nf5 gxf4 25.Qxf4 Bf8 26.Rae1±) 23.Kg2 h6 24.Qc4 (24.Nf3 g5
25.Be3 Qd7©) 24...g5 25.Nd6 Rxd6 26.Bxd6 gxh4 27.Qf4 Qg5 28.Qxg5 hxg5 29.gxh4 gxh4

370
30.Re2²) 22...Ng4+ 23.Kg2 Rxd6 24.Bxd6 Qxd6 25.Qf4 Qxf4 26.gxf4 Bxb2 27.Rab1 Bd4
28.Re7²
18...Qb8
¹18...Qb6 19.Ne8 (19.Nc4 Qb7 20.Ne3 Bh3 21.Nf3 Rc8µ) 19...Bh8 20.Bf4 Nf6 21.Nxf6+
Bxf6 22.d6 Rd8³
19.Be7?
19.Re8+ Qxe8 20.Nxe8 Rxe8 21.Be3 (21.Qf1 Rxd5∞) 21...Rd1+ 22.Qxd1 Bxd1 23.Rxd1 Bxb2=
19...Rxd5

20.Qf4
20.Nxf7!? Kxf7 21.Qc4 Be6 22.Rxe6 Kxe6 23.Re1+ Be5 (23...Ne5 24.Nf3 Qb4 25.Rxe5+
Bxe5 26.Ng5+ Kxe7 27.Qxd5 Qxb2 28.Qe6+ Kd8 29.Qd5+=) 24.Nf3 Qxb2 (24...Nb6 25.Qf4
Qh8 26.b4! cxb4 27.Bxb4©) 25.Ng5+ Kxe7 26.Qxd5 Rf8 27.f4 Qd4+ 28.Qxd4 cxd4 29.Nf3 d3
30.Re3 Rc8 31.Nxe5 Nxe5 32.Rxe5+ Kd6 33.Kf2 Rc2+ 34.Ke3 Rxh2 35.Kxd3 Rxa2³
20...Nf6 21.Bxf6 Qxd6 22.Qxd6 Rxd6 23.Bxg7 Kxg7 24.f3?!
24.Ng2 Rd2 25.Ne3 Be6 26.b3 Rb8 27.Rec1 Rb5∞
24...Be6 25.Re2 Rad8 26.a3?
26.Rc2 Rd3 27.f4 (27.Rxc5 Rd2 28.b3 Bh3µ) 27...c4³
26...Rd2 27.Rae1 R8d3 28.Rxd2 Rxd2 29.Rc1 c4 30.Ng2

371
30...g5
30...Bd5! 31.Rc3 Rxb2 32.Ne3 (32.Nf4 Ba8 33.Rxc4 Bxf3µ) 32...Bxf3 33.Nxc4 Rg2+ 34.Kf1
Ba8µ
31.Ne3
31.h4! Kf6! (31...gxh4 32.gxh4 Rxb2 33.Nf4 Rb3 34.Nxe6+ fxe6 35.Rxc4 Rxf3³; 31...h6
32.hxg5 hxg5 33.Ne3 Rxb2 34.Nxc4 Rb3 35.Kf2 Bxc4 36.Rxc4 Rxa3 37.f4³) 32.hxg5+ Ke5
33.Re1+ Kd4 34.Re4+ Kc5 35.Re5+ Kc6 36.Nf4 Rxb2 37.Ne2 (37.Nxe6? fxe6 38.Rxe6+ Kd5
39.Re1 c3-+) 37...Kd6 38.f4 Rd2µ
31...Rxb2 32.Nxc4 Ra2 33.Rc3 Bxc4 34.Rxc4 Rxa3 35.Kf2?
35.Kg2 Ra2+ 36.Kh3 h6 37.Rd4 Kg6 38.f4µ
35...Ra2+ 36.Ke3 Rxh2 37.Ra4 h5 38.Ra5
38.Rxa7 Rg2-+; 38.g4 Rh4! 39.Kf2 hxg4 40.fxg4 a6 41.Kf3 (41.Kg3 f5!-+ (41...Rh6 42.Ra5
Rg6 43.Rc5µ)) 41...Rh6 (41...f5? 42.Ra5! fxg4+ (42...Rxg4 43.Rxf5=) 43.Kg3=) 42.Ra5 Rf6+
43.Kg3 Kg6-+
38...Kg6 39.f4
39.g4 h4 40.Rxa7 Rb2 41.Ra6+ f6 42.Ra8 h3 43.Rh8 h2 44.Rh3 f5 45.Rh8 Kg7 46.Rh5 Kf6
47.Kd4 (47.Rh8 Rb3+ 48.Kd4 (48.Kf2 Rb1-+) 48...Rxf3-+) 47...Rg2 48.Ke3 Ke5 49.gxf5
(49.Rh8 f4+ 50.Kd3 Rf2-+) 49...Kxf5 50.Rh8 Kf6 51.Rh7 Kg6 52.Rh8 Ra2 53.Kd3 (53.Rh3 g4-
+) 53...Ra3+ 54.Ke2 Ra1-+
39...g4 40.f5+ Kg5 41.Rxa7 f6 42.Ra5 Rg2 43.Ke4 Re2+
43...Rxg3-+
44.Kd4 Re1 45.Rb5 h4 46.gxh4+ Kxh4 0-1

372
 27. A65
Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2772) - Indjic, Aleksandar (2646)
Ulcinj 142/27, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.Nge2 e6 7.Ng3 exd5 8.cxd5 h5 9.Be2 a6 10.a4
Qe7 11.Bg5 Qe5 12.h4!?N
12.Qd2 - 105/22
12...Nh7
12...Bg4!?
13.Be3 Qe7 14.Qd2 Nd7 15.f4 Ndf6 16.e5 dxe5 17.d6 Qe6

18.O-O
18.Bxc5! exf4 19.Qxf4 O-O 20.O-Oƒ
18...exf4 19.Bxf4 O-O 20.Rae1 Qb3 21.Be5 Be6 22.Bf3?!
22.Bd1 Qb4 (22...Qb6 23.Nce4 Nxe4 24.Rxe4 Bxe5 25.Rxe5©) 23.Nge4 Nd7 24.Bxg7 Kxg7
25.Rf4 Qd4+ 26.Qxd4+ cxd4 27.Ne2 Rad8 28.Nxd4 Bd5 29.Nc3 Ndf6³
22...Rad8
22...Bc4 23.Bd1 Qb4 24.Rf4 Bh6 (24...Rae8 25.d7 Rxe5 26.Rxe5 Rd8 27.Nxh5! gxh5 28.Bc2
Nf8 (28...Rxd7 29.Bxh7+ Kf8 (29...Kxh7 30.Qf2→) 30.Qe1∞) 29.Rxf6! Bxf6 30.Rg5+ Ng6
31.Bxg6 Be6 32.Bf5+ Kf8 33.Bxe6 fxe6 34.Rxh5∞) 25.Nxh5! gxh5 26.Bc2©
23.Qf4
23.Nge4 Nxe4 24.Rxe4 Bxe5 25.Rxe5 Qb4³
23...Bc4 24.Be2?!

373
24.Rf2³
24...Bxe2 25.Rxe2 Rfe8µ 26.Rf3
26.Nce4 Nxe4 27.Rxe4 Rxe5 28.Rxe5 Bxe5 29.Qxe5 Qxa4 30.Qe7 Qd7 31.Rxf7 Qxe7 32.Rxe7
Rxd6µ
26...Qe6 27.a5 Qd7
27...Qg4! 28.Nge4 (28.Na4 Qxf4 29.Bxf4 Nd5µ) 28...Qxf4 29.Bxf4 Nxe4 30.Rxe4 Bd4+
31.Kf1 Nf6µ
28.Qc4 Ng4?!
28...Re6 29.Na4 (29.Qxc5 Rc8 30.Qb4 Bf8 31.Rd3 Rc6µ) 29...Rde8 30.Nxc5 Qc6 31.d7
(31.Bd4 Rxe2 32.Nxe2 Qxd6µ) 31...Nxd7 32.Bxg7 Qxc5+ 33.Qxc5 Nxc5 34.Rxe6 Nxe6
35.Bc3 f5µ; 28...Qe6µ
29.Bxg7 Rxe2 30.Ngxe2 Kxg7 31.Ne4

31...Ne5?
31...Qe8! 32.N2g3 (32.Qc3+ Kg8 33.N2g3 f5 34.Qc4+ Kg7µ) 32...f5 33.Qc3+ Qe5 34.Nxc5
Qxc3 35.Rxc3 Rxd6µ
32.Qc3 Re8 33.Rd3 Nf6
33...Kg8 34.Rd5 (34.Nxc5 Qc6 35.d7 Nxd7 36.Nxd7 Rxe2 37.Qxc6 bxc6 38.b4∞) 34...Ng4
35.Nxc5 Qc6 36.d7 Rd8 37.Qd4 Nf8∞
34.Nxf6
34.N2g3 Nxe4 35.Nxe4 c4 (35...f6?! 36.Nxc5 Qf5 37.d7 Rd8 38.Rd1±) 36.Rd5 f6 37.Rc5 Qf5
38.Rc7+ Kf8 39.d7 Nxd7 40.Nd6 (40.Qb4+ Kg8 41.Qxc4+ Kh8∞) 40...Qb1+ 41.Kf2 Ne5

374
42.Nxe8 Kxe8∞
34...Kxf6 35.Rd5
35.Nf4 Kg7 36.Rd5 f6 37.Qxc5 Qg4∞
35...Qf5 36.Ng3
36.d7 Rd8∞
36...Qf4 37.Rxc5 Rd8 38.Ne2 Qe4 39.Ng3 Qf4 40.Rd5 Ke6 41.Qb3 Nf3+
41...Kf6 42.Rd1 (42.Qc3 Ke6=) 42...Kg7 43.Qc3 f6∞
42.gxf3 Qxg3+ 43.Kf1 Qh3+?!
43...Kf6! 44.d7 (44.Qc3+ Ke6 45.Rd3 Rxd6 46.Qc8+ Kf6 47.Qc3+ Ke6=) 44...Rxd7 45.Qb6+
Ke7 (45...Kg7?? 46.Qd4++-) 46.Rxd7+ Kxd7 47.Qxb7+ Ke8 48.Qxa6 Qxf3+=
44.Kg1?!
44.Ke2
44...Qg3+ 45.Kf1 Qh3+ 46.Ke2 Qh2+ 47.Kd3 Kf6

47...Rxd6 48.Rxd6+ Kxd6 49.Qxb7+-

48.Qb4! Rd7
48...Kg7 49.d7 Qh1 50.Qxb7! Qxf3+ (50...Qd1+ 51.Kc3 Qe1+ 52.Kb3 Qe3+ 53.Kb4 Qe7+
54.Kc4 Qe2+ 55.Kc5+-) 51.Kc4 Qe3 52.Qb6 Qe7 53.Qd4+ Kh7 54.b4+-
49.Kc3?
49.Qd4+ Ke6 50.f4! Qh3+ 51.Kc4 f6 (51...Qf1+? 52.Kb4 Qe1+ 53.Ka4 Qa1+ 54.Kb3 f6
55.Qc4+-) 52.Qe4+ Kf7 53.Rd2 Qe6+ (53...Qf1+ 54.Rd3+-) 54.Qxe6+ Kxe6 55.Kc5 Kf5

375
56.Re2 Kxf4 57.Re7 Rd8 58.d7 g5 59.Kd6 gxh4 60.Kc7 Rxd7+ 61.Rxd7+-
49...Kg7 50.Qd4+ Kh7 51.Kb3 Qe2?
51...Qg3 52.Qf6 Qe1 53.f4 Qf1 54.f5 (54.Rxh5+ gxh5 55.Qf5+ Kg7 56.Qxd7 Qd3+=)
54...Qf3+ 55.Kc4 Qg4+ 56.Qd4 gxf5∞
52.Qe4!+- Qxe4
52...Qh2 53.Rxh5+ Kg7 54.Qe8 gxh5 55.Qxd7+-
53.fxe4 f6 54.Kc4 Kg7 55.Rd3 Kf7 56.Kd5 Rd8 57.Rc3 1-0

28. A70
Van Wely, Loek (2610) - Ivanisevic, Ivan (2598)
Deutschland 142/28, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.h3 O-O 7.Nf3 e6 8.Bd3 Nbd7 9.Bg5 exd5
10.cxd5 Re8
10...a6 - 110/(46)
11.O-O h6 12.Be3 g5 13.Re1
13.Nd2 Ne5 14.Bb5 Rf8∞
13...a6 14.a4 g4 15.hxg4 Nxg4 16.Bf4

16...Nf8N
16...Nde5 17.Bg3 h5 18.Nxe5 Nxe5 19.Be2 h4 20.Bh2∞
17.Bg3 Ng6 18.Qd2 h5 19.Qg5
19.e5!? N4xe5 20.Nxe5 Nxe5 (20...dxe5? 21.Bxg6 fxg6 22.d6±) 21.Bxe5 Rxe5 (21...dxe5

376
22.d6ƒ) 22.Rxe5 Bxe5 23.Qh6 Qf6 (23...Bg7 24.Qxh5 Qf6 25.Ne4 Qf4 26.Re1ƒ) 24.Bh7+ Kh8
25.Bg6+ Kg8 26.Bh7+=
19...Qxg5
19...Bf6?! 20.Qxh5 N4e5 (20...Kg7 21.e5! dxe5 (21...N4xe5 22.Nxe5 Bxe5 23.Bxe5+ dxe5
24.Bxg6 fxg6 25.Qh2±) 22.Bf5 Bxf5 23.Qxf5 Qc8 24.Qxc8 Raxc8 25.Rad1±) 21.Nxe5 Nxe5
22.Qe2 Kg7 23.f4 Bg4 24.Qd2±
20.Nxg5 N4e5
20...Rd8! 21.Nf3 Bf6 22.Nh2 N4e5 23.Bf1 h4 24.Bxe5 Nxe5ƒ
21.Be2 h4
21...Bg4 22.f3 Bd7 23.a5 Rab8∞
22.Bh2 Bd7 23.a5 Re7 24.Ra3 c4 25.Nd1 Bh6 26.f4 Ng4
26...Nd3! 27.Bxd3 cxd3 28.Rxd3 f6 29.Ne6 (29.Nh3 Rae8 30.Nc3 f5=) 29...Bxe6 30.dxe6 Bxf4
31.Bxf4 Nxf4 32.Rxd6 Rxe6=
27.Bxg4 Bxg4

28.Ne3
28.Nf2! Bd7 29.f5 Bxf5 (29...Bxg5 30.fxg6 Bd2 31.Bxd6 Bxe1 32.Bxe7 Re8! 33.gxf7+ Kxf7
34.Bxh4 Bxf2+ 35.Kxf2 Rxe4²) 30.Nf3 (30.Bxd6 Bxg5 31.Bxe7 Bxe7 32.exf5 Bxa3 33.bxa3
Nf4=) 30...Bd7 31.Bxd6 Ree8 32.e5²
28...Bxg5 29.fxg5?!
29.Nxg4 Bxf4 (29...Nxf4 30.Rf3 Nd3 31.Rf5 f6 32.Re2²) 30.Bxf4 Nxf4 31.Nh6+ Kh7 32.Nf5
Rd7 33.Rf3 Nd3 34.Ree3ƒ

377
29...Rxe4 30.Bxd6 Rae8 31.Kf2 Bd7
31...Ne5 32.Bxe5 R8xe5 33.Nxg4 Rxe1 34.Nxe5 Rxe5 35.d6 Rxg5 36.Ra4 Rd5 37.Rxc4 Rxd6
38.b4=
32.Rd1
32.Rc1 Ne5 33.Bxe5 R8xe5 34.Rxc4 Rxc4 35.Nxc4 Rxd5 36.Nb6 Rd6 37.Nxd7 Rxd7 38.Rb3=
32...Ne5 33.Bxe5 R8xe5 34.Rc3 Rf4+ 35.Kg1 Rxg5 36.Rxc4
36.Nxc4 h3 37.Rd2=
36...Rf3 37.Re4?!
37.Rc7 Rxe3 38.Rxd7 Re2³; 37.Re1 h3 38.Rc7 Bb5 39.Rxb7 Rgg3 40.d6 Rxe3 41.Rxe3 Rxe3
42.d7 Bxd7 43.Rxd7=
37...h3 38.Rd2

38...Rgg3?!
38...Kf8! 39.Kh2 (39.b4 f5 40.Re5 Rf4 41.d6 Rxb4 42.Nd5 (42.Re7?! f4! 43.Rxd7 fxe3 44.Rd8+
Kf7 45.Rf8+ Kxf8 46.d7 Rxg2+ 47.Rxg2 Ke7-+) 42...Rbg4µ; 39.d6 hxg2 40.Nxg2 Rfg3
41.Ree2 Rg8µ) 39...hxg2 40.Rxg2 (40.Nxg2 Rh3+ 41.Kg1 Rhh5µ) 40...Rh5+ 41.Kg1 Bh3
42.Rd2 (42.Rc2 Rf6 43.Rb4 (43.b4 Rg6+ 44.Kf2 Bf5 45.Nxf5 Rh2+ 46.Ke3 Rxc2µ) 43...Rg5+
44.Kh2 Rh6 45.Rcc4 Bd7+ 46.Rh4 Rxh4+ 47.Rxh4 Re5µ) 42...Rf6 43.b4 Rg5+ 44.Kh2 Rh6
45.Rdd4 Be6+ 46.Rh4 Rxh4+ 47.Rxh4 Bxd5µ
39.Nc4 Bb5 40.Kh2 hxg2 41.Rxg2 Rxg2+ 42.Kxg2 Rd3
42...Rb3 43.Nb6 Rxb2+ 44.Kg3 Kf8 45.Rd4 Ke8 46.Re4+ Kd8 47.Kf4 f6 (47...Ra2 48.Ke5
Rxa5 49.Kd6ƒ) 48.d6 Rd2 49.Re6=

378
43.Nb6 Kf8 44.b4 f6 45.Kf2 Kf7 46.Re3 Rd4 47.Rc3 f5 48.Rc7+ Kf6 49.Rxb7 Ke5 50.Re7+
Kf4 51.Re6 Rxb4 52.d6 Rd4 53.d7 Bxd7 54.Nxd7 Rxd7 1/2-1/2

29. * A73
Erdos, Viktor (2613) - Gabuzyan, Hovhannes (2616)
Saint Louis 142/29, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nf3 g6 7.Nd2 Bg7 8.e4 O-O 9.Be2 Na6
10.O-O Ne8 11.Nc4 f5 12.Bf4
12.exf5 Bxf5 13.Bf4 Nb4 (13...Qd7) 14.Qd2 Qd7 15.Ne3

15...Nd3?!N (15...Nc2 16.Nxc2 Bxc2 17.Rfe1 Bf5∞; 15...Bd3 - 48/122) 16.Bg3 Ne5 17.Rae1
(17.Rad1 ∆Nc7 18.Bxe5 Bxe5 19.g4 Qe7 20.gxf5 Qg5+ 21.Kh1 Qf4 22.Ng4+-) 17...Nc7

18.Kh1 Sevian,S (2657)-Gabuzyan,H (2616) Saint Louis 142/(29) 2019 (18.Kh1 Rae8∞)

379
12...fxe4
12...g5 - 50/95
13.Qd2

13...Qe7N
13...Qf6 14.Bg5 Qd4 15.Qxd4 cxd4 16.Nxe4 Rf5 17.Rfe1²
14.Rae1 Nac7 15.Bg5 e3
15...Bf6 16.Bh6 Bg7 17.Bxg7 Nxg7 18.Bd1 b5 19.Na5 Nf5 20.Nxe4 Qf7²
16.Bxe7
16.Bxe3 b5 17.Na5 b4 18.Nc6 Qd7 19.Ne4²
16...exd2 17.Rd1 Bxc3 18.Bxf8 Kxf8 19.bxc3 Nb5?!
19...Nxd5 20.Rxd2 Nxc3 21.Bf3 d5 22.Bxd5 (22.Rc1 d4 23.Na5 Nf6∞) 22...Nxd5 23.Rxd5 Be6
24.Rxc5 b6 25.Re1 Bf7 26.Rc6 Bd5 27.Ne5 Bxc6 28.Nxc6=
20.Rxd2 Nxc3 21.Rc1 Nb5
21...Nxe2+ 22.Rxe2 b5 23.Rxe8+! Kxe8 24.Nxd6+ Ke7 25.Nxb5±
22.Na5
22.Nb6 axb6 23.Bxb5 Nc7 24.a4 Nxb5 25.axb5 Bd7²
22...Nd4 23.Bf1 Nf6 24.Re1 b6
24...Nxd5? 25.Nb3! Nxb3 26.axb3 Nb6 27.Rxd6 Bd7 28.Re5+-
25.Nc6 Nf5 26.f3 Bd7

380
27.g4?!
27.Ba6! Re8 28.Rxe8+ Kxe8 29.Nxa7±
27...Bxc6 28.dxc6
28.gxf5 Bxd5 29.fxg6 hxg6 30.Bb5 Rc8 31.Red1 Be6 32.Rxd6 Ke7²
28...Nd4 29.Rxd4
29.Kf2 Rc8∞
29...cxd4 30.Re6 Ne8 31.f4

31...Rd8
¹31...Rc8 32.Bg2 (32.f5 gxf5 33.gxf5 d5 34.Kf2 Nc7 35.Rh6 Kg7 36.Rd6 Ne8=) 32...b5
33.Kf2 a5 34.Ke2 b4 35.Kd3 a4 36.Kxd4 Rb8„

381
32.f5
32.g5 Kf7 33.f5 gxf5 34.Rh6 Rc8 35.Bg2 (35.Rxh7+ Kg6! 36.Rh8 Kxg5 37.Ba6 Rxc6 38.Rxe8
Kf4„) 35...Kg7 36.Kf2²
32...Nc7?
32...Ng7? 33.Ba6! Nxe6 34.fxe6 d3 35.Kf2+-; 32...gxf5 33.g5 (33.gxf5 Nc7 34.Re4 d5 35.Rxd4
Rd6=) 33...Rc8 34.Bg2 b5 35.Kf2 a5 36.Rh6 Rc7„
33.Rf6+ Ke7 34.g5 Rg8
34...gxf5 35.Rh6 d5 36.Bd3+-
35.h4 gxf5 36.Bd3 Rf8

36...Rg6 37.Rxf5 h6 38.Rf2 Rg8 39.Re2+ Kd8 40.g6+-

37.Rxf5?!
37.Rxf8! Kxf8 38.Bxf5 Kg7 39.h5+-
37...Rxf5?!
37...Rc8 38.Kf2 Ne6 39.Be4 Nd8 40.Bd5±
38.Bxf5+- h6 39.gxh6 Kf6 40.h7 Kg7 41.Kf2 b5 42.Ke2 a5 43.Kd3 a4 44.Kxd4 b4 45.Kc4
b3 46.a3 b2 47.Kc3 1-0

382
A75-A99

30. A80
Delchev, Aleksander (2568) - Beerdsen, Thomas (2482)
Anogia 142/30, 2019

1.d4 f5 2.Bg5 h6 3.Bh4 g5 4.e3 Nf6 5.Bg3 d6 6.h4 Rg8

6...g4?! 7.h5 Bg7 8.Ne2 Be6 9.Nf4 Bf7 10.Nd2 O-O (10...e5 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.Ng6) 11.Bd3
Qd7 12.c3 Nc6 13.Qc2 e6 14.O-O-Oƒ
7.hxg5 hxg5 8.Nc3
8.c4 c5!? 9.dxc5 e5 10.Qe2! (10.cxd6 f4∞) 10...Be6 11.cxd6 Nc6 12.Nc3 Qa5 13.O-O-O O-O-
O 14.f4 Bxd6©
8...e6 9.Qd2
9.f3 - 66/61
9...Qe7
9...a6 10.O-O-O b5 11.f3 Bb7 12.Bd3 Qe7 13.e4 b4 14.Nce2 fxe4 15.fxe4± Nxe4? 16.Qxb4+-
10.f3! Nc6 11.O-O-O Bd7
11...Nd8 12.e4 f4 13.Bf2 Nf7 14.g3 e5 15.gxf4 gxf4 16.Bh4 c6 17.Bc4±
12.e4² f4?!
12...O-O-O 13.exf5 exf5 14.Bc4 Rg6 15.Nge2²; ¹12...fxe4 13.fxe4 O-O-O 14.Kb1! Kb8
(14...Bg7 15.Be2! Rh8 16.Nh3 g4 17.Nf4²) 15.Nf3 g4 16.Nh4∞ Bg7?! 17.e5!ƒ
13.Bf2 a6
13...O-O-O?! 14.d5
14.Nge2!

383
14...Bg7N
14...O-O-O 15.d5 exd5 16.exd5 Ne5 17.Qd4→
15.g3! [×Ke8]
15.d5 Nd8 16.dxe6 Nxe6 17.Nd4 Nxd4 18.Bxd4 O-O-O²
15...e5
15...fxg3 16.Nxg3 O-O-O (16...g4 17.f4) 17.d5 exd5 18.exd5 Ne5 19.Qe3→
16.gxf4 gxf4
16...exf4 17.Rg1 Bh6 18.Nxf4! gxf4 19.Nd5! Rxg1 20.Nxe7 Rxf1 21.Rxf1 Kxe7 22.e5+-
17.dxe5
17.Nd5 Nxd5 18.exd5 Nxd4 (18...Nd8 19.Nxf4) 19.Nxd4 exd4 20.Re1 Be5 21.Bh4 Qf8
22.Qxd4 Kf7 23.Qe4+-
17...Nxe5!
17...dxe5?! 18.Nd5 Nxd5 19.exd5 Nd8 20.Nc3 Nf7 21.Bh4±
18.Nxf4 O-O-O

384
19.Qe3!+- c5 20.Be2
20.Ncd5 Qf7 21.Bh4 Kb8 22.Bxa6 bxa6 23.Qb3+ Bb5 24.a4+-
20...Bc6 21.Nfd5 Qf7 22.Bh4 Bxd5 23.exd5
23.Bxf6 Bxf6 24.Nxd5+-
23...Rde8 24.Qd2 Nh5 25.Ne4 Kc7 26.Bg5 Nxf3 27.Qa5+ b6 28.Qxa6 Ra8 29.Qb7+?†
29.Qb5 Nxg5 30.Nxg5 Qf4+ 31.Kb1 Qxg5 32.Qc6++-
29...Kxb7 30.Nxd6+

30...Kc7?
30...Kb8!! 31.Nxf7 Nxg5 32.Bxh5 Nxf7 33.Bxf7 Rf8²

385
31.Nxf7 Nxg5 32.d6+ Kd7 33.Bb5+ Kc8 34.d7+ Kc7 35.Nxg5
35.d8=Q+ Rgxd8 36.Nxd8 Rxd8 37.Rxh5
35...Bxb2+ 36.Kxb2 Rxg5 37.Rhe1 Rd8 38.Re6 Nf4 39.Rc6+ Kb7 40.Rdd6 Nd5 41.Rc8 1-0

31. A80
David, Alexandru Vasile (2428) - Nester, Ihor (2361)
Arad 142/31, 2019

1.d4 f5 2.Bg5 g6
2...h6 - 138/39
3.Nc3 Bg7 4.h4!?
4.e4 fxe4 5.Nxe4 d5 6.Nc3 (6.Ng3 - 142/32) 6...Nh6 7.Nf3 Nf7 8.Bh4 (8.Be3 Nc6 9.Qd2 Bf5
10.Be2 Qd7 … 0-0-0∞) 8...O-O 9.h3 c6 (9...Nc6 10.Bb5 Nd6 11.Bxc6 bxc6 12.O-O Rb8
13.Re1!? Nf5 14.Bg5 Qd6 (14...Rxb2 15.g4 Qd7 16.Na4ƒ) 15.Qd2!? (15.Na4 h6 16.Be3 g5
17.c3 g4„) 15...Rxb2 16.Na4 Rb5 17.a3©) 10.Bd3 Qb6 11.O-O e5„; 4.f3!? Nc6 5.e3 Nf6
(5...Nh6!? 6.Qd2 Nf7 7.Bh4 O-O 8.O-O-O a6 9.h3 b5 10.Kb1 Rb8 11.g4 Nd6∞) 6.Qd2 e6
(6...d5 7.O-O-O Be6 8.h3 Bf7 9.g4²) 7.O-O-O h6 8.Bh4²
4...c6

4...h6 - 97/(46); 4...d5 - 69/71; 4...Nc6!? 5.Nf3 (5.d5 Ne5 6.e4 d6 7.Nf3 c6 (7...Nxf3+ 8.Qxf3
fxe4 9.Nxe4 c6 10.O-O-O±) 8.exf5 Qb6! (8...Bxf5 9.Nd4 Bd7 10.Qd2² … 0-0-0) 9.Nxe5 Bxe5
10.Rb1 Bxf5 11.Bd3 Bxd3 12.Qxd3 Nf6=; 5.e4 Nxd4 6.exf5 (6.h5 Ne6 7.Bd2 fxe4 8.Bc4 Nf8
9.f3 d6∞) 6...Nxf5 7.Bd3 d6 8.h5 h6 9.Bd2 g5 10.f4 Qd7!? 11.fxg5 Qe6+ 12.Nge2 hxg5 13.Ne4
Bxb2 14.Nxg5 Qf6 15.Rb1 Be5∞) 5...h6 6.Bf4 d6 (6...Nf6 7.d5 e5 8.Bh2 Ne7 9.d6 cxd6
10.Qxd6±) 7.e4 (7.Qd3!?) 7...e5!? 8.dxe5 fxe4 9.Nxe4 Bf5 10.Bd3 dxe5 11.Bd2 Nf6 12.Qe2

386
Qe7 … 0-0-0∞
5.e4N
5.e3 d6 6.Bc4 Nd7 7.Nge2 h6 8.Bf4 e5„; 5.Qd2 h6 (5...Qa5 6.Nh3 b5 7.Nf4 b4 8.Nd1 Nf6
9.f3²; 5...d5 6.O-O-O Nd7 (6...Be6 7.f3²) 7.f3 (7.Nh3 h6 8.Be3 b5 9.Nf4 Nb6! 10.Qe1 Nc4∞)
7...h6 8.Bf4 Ngf6 9.Nh3 b5 10.e3 a5 11.Bh2² … Nf4) 6.Bf4 (6.Be3 d5 7.Nh3 Be6 8.Nf4 Bf7
9.O-O-O Nf6 10.f3 Nbd7∞) 6...Nf6 7.f3 b5 8.Nh3 d6 9.a3 Nbd7 (9...Qa5 10.e4 b4 11.Na2 fxe4
12.axb4 Qb6 13.Be2²) 10.e4!? fxe4 (10...e5 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.Bh2 f4 13.Qd6 Bb7 14.Nxf4! exf4
15.e5ƒ) 11.Be3 (11.fxe4 e5=) 11...exf3 12.gxf3©; 5.Qd3!? d5 (5...h6 6.Bf4 Nf6 7.Qg3 Kf7
8.Bc7! Nh5 9.Qh2 Qf8 10.Bxb8 d6 11.Bxd6 exd6 12.O-O-O±) 6.O-O-O Nf6 (6...Be6 7.Nh3 h6
8.Bd2 Nf6 9.Nf4 Bf7 10.h5! g5 11.Ng6 Bxg6 12.hxg6 e6 13.f3± … e4) 7.f3 (7.Bxf6 Bxf6 8.f4
(8.e3 Nd7 9.h5 e5„) 8...b5 9.Nf3 b4 10.Na4 Qa5 11.b3 Ba6„) 7...Nh5 (7...b5 8.Bxf6 Bxf6
9.e4²) 8.Nh3 O-O (8...Ng3 9.Rg1 O-O 10.e4²) 9.e4 h6 10.Be3 dxe4 11.fxe4 f4 12.Bf2 Qe8
13.Be2²
5...fxe4 6.Nxe4 d5 7.Ng3
7.Nc5 b6 8.Nd3!? (8.Nb3 Nf6 9.h5 Nxh5 10.Rxh5 gxh5 11.Qxh5+ Kd7 12.Bf4 Qf8 13.Qh2
Na6 14.O-O-O e5 15.dxe5 Kc7∞) 8...Bxd4 9.Nf3 Bg7 10.h5 h6 11.Be3 g5 12.Nde5 Qd6
13.Bd4 (13.Ng6?! Bxb2 14.Nxh8 Bxh8µ) 13...Nf6 14.Ng6 Rg8 15.Bd3 (15.Be5 Qb4+ 16.c3
Qe4+ 17.Be2 Ba6 18.Nd4 Nbd7∞) 15...Qe6+ 16.Be5 Ng4 17.Qe2 (17.Nd4 Qf7∞) 17...Nxe5
18.Nfxe5 Kd8!? (18...Nd7 19.Nxc6 Qxe2+ 20.Kxe2 Bxb2 21.Ncxe7 Rxg6 22.Nxg6 Bxa1
23.Rxa1 Nc5 24.Ke3²) 19.c4 Bxe5 20.cxd5 cxd5 21.Nxe5 Nd7 22.Ng4 Qxe2+ 23.Kxe2 Rh8
24.Rac1 Nc5 25.Ne5 Rf8=
7...Qb6 8.c3!
8.Nf3 Bg4 (8...Qxb2 9.Rb1 Qc3+ 10.Bd2 Qa3 11.h5±) 9.Be3 (9.c3 Qxb2 10.Rc1 Nd7∞)
9...Qxb2 10.Rb1 Qc3+ 11.Bd2 Bxf3 12.gxf3 Qxd4 13.Ne2 Qa4 14.Nf4 Nd7 15.Ne6 Be5 16.h5
Kf7 17.Bh3 Ngf6 18.Ng5+ Ke8 19.Rxb7 Qa6∞
8...Be6
8...Qxb2 9.Rc1 Nd7 (9...e5 10.dxe5 Bxe5 11.Bd3 Nf6 12.h5ƒ; 9...Nh6!? 10.h5 Nf7 11.Rc2 Qa3
12.Bc1 Qd6 13.Bd3©) 10.Nf3 (10.h5 e5 11.Rc2 Qa3 12.Bd3!? e4 13.Bxe4 dxe4 14.Nxe4 Ndf6
15.h6 Nxh6 16.Bxf6 Bxf6 17.Nxf6+ Kf7 18.Ne4 Bf5 19.Nh3 Kg7 20.f3 Ng4! 21.Qd3 Rae8
22.O-O Rhf8∞) 10...e5

387
(10...Nh6 11.h5ƒ) 11.Bd3! e4 12.Bxe4 dxe4 13.Nxe4© Kf8 14.O-O Ngf6 (14...h6 15.Ne5! Bxe5
(15...Nxe5 16.dxe5 Bxe5 17.Qd8+ Kg7 18.Qe8!+-) 16.dxe5 hxg5 17.Qd6+ Kg7 18.e6+-)
15.Nd6 Qa3 16.Bf4→ ∆Nb6 17.Qe2 Nbd5 18.Bh2 b5 19.Nxc8 Rxc8 20.Qe6 Rd8 21.Qxc6±;
8...c5!? 9.Bd3 cxd4 10.h5! dxc3 11.bxc3 Nh6 (11...Bxc3+ 12.Kf1 Nd7 13.Rb1 Qd6 14.Qc2±)
12.Bxh6 Bxh6 13.Qc2 Nc6 14.hxg6 hxg6 15.Rb1 Qc5 16.N1e2! (16.Bxg6+ Kd8 17.N1e2
Kc7∞) 16...Ne5 17.Bxg6+ Kd8 18.Rh5 Bg7 19.Nf4²
9.Qc2 Nd7 10.Bd3ƒ Bf7
10...O-O-O 11.Nf3 Bg4 12.Nh2 Be6 13.O-O±; 10...c5 11.Nf3 c4 (11...Bg4 12.Nh2 Be6
(12...Qe6+ 13.Kd2 c4 14.Rae1 cxd3 15.Rxe6 dxc2 16.Nxg4+-) 13.O-O O-O-O 14.Rfe1+-;
11...Ngf6 12.h5±; 11...cxd4 12.O-O! dxc3 13.bxc3 Bg4 14.Rab1 Qd6 15.Nd4±) 12.Bxg6+!
hxg6 13.Qxg6+ Kf8 14.Nf5 Bxf5 15.Qxf5+ Ke8 16.Qxd5 Qc6 17.Qf5±
11.Nf3
11.h5 O-O-O 12.hxg6 hxg6 13.Rxh8 Bxh8 14.Nf3 c5 15.Kf1! Rf8 16.Re1±
11...Ngf6 12.O-O O-O-O 13.Bf4
13.Rfe1±
13...Ng4 14.Rae1± Bf6
14...e5 15.dxe5 Rhe8 16.Nf5! Bxe5 (16...gxf5 17.Bxf5+-) 17.Nd6+ Bxd6 18.Bxd6±
15.Ng5
15.Re2 … Rfe1±
15...Bg8
15...Bxg5 16.Bxg5 e6 17.Qe2 h5 18.f3 Ngf6 19.b4 … a4+-

388
16.Ne6! Bxe6 17.Rxe6 Bxh4 18.Qe2 Ngf6 19.a4! Rdf8 20.b4+- Bxg3
20...Ne4 21.Nxe4 Rxf4 22.Nc5+-
21.a5 Qd8

22.Rxc6+! 1-0

32. A80
Gormally, Daniel (2509) - Pruijssers, Roeland (2534)
Newcastle 142/32, 2019

1.d4 f5 2.Bg5 g6 3.Nd2 Bg7 4.e4 fxe4 5.Nxe4 d5 6.Ng3 Nf6

6...c5 - 66/ 62
7.Nf3 O-O 8.Be2 Nc6 9.c3 Qd6

389
10.h3N
10.O-O
10...Nd7 11.O-O e5 12.dxe5 Ndxe5 13.Nxe5 Nxe5 14.Qd2

14...b6! 15.Bh6 Bxh6 16.Qxh6 Bb7 17.Rad1?!

17.f4! Nf7 18.Qh4 Rae8∞
17...Qf6! 18.Qd2
18.f4 Nf7!
18...Qf4 19.Qxf4 Rxf4 20.Rfe1 Re8 21.Bf1 Kf8 22.Re3 Nf7 23.c4!?
23.Ne2 Rf6 24.Rxe8+ Kxe8 25.g3=
23...dxc4 24.Rd7

390
24...Nd6!„ 25.Rxh7
25.Rxe8+ Kxe8 (25...Nxe8 26.Rxh7 Rd4 27.Ne2 Rd1 28.Nc3 Rc1 29.Ne2 Rb1 30.Nc3 Rxb2
(30...Rc1=) 31.Bxc4!ƒ) 26.Rxh7 Rf7 27.Rh6 Rg7!³
25...Rxe3 26.fxe3 Rf7! 27.Rh4
27.Rxf7+ Kxf7³
27...b5 28.b3 Bd5µ 29.e4?
29.bxc4 Bxc4 30.Bxc4 Nxc4³
29...cxb3! 30.axb3 Bxb3 31.e5 Nc4 32.Ne4 Nxe5!
32...Rxf1+ 33.Kxf1 Nxe5∞; 32...Re7 33.Nc5 Ba2 34.Re4 Kg7!µ; 32...a5!?
33.Bxb5 Ke7 34.Nd2 Bc2 35.Nc4 Kf6 36.Ne3 Bd3
36...Bf5 37.Ra4 c6µ
37.Ng4+!

391
37...Nxg4?!
37...Kg5 38.Nxe5 Rf1+ 39.Kh2 Bxb5 40.Rg4+ Kf6 41.Nxg6 a5µ; 37...Kg7 38.Nxe5 Rf1+
39.Kh2 Bxb5µ
38.Bxd3 Ne5 39.Bc2 Rd7 40.Ra4 c6 41.Be4 c5 42.Ra6+ Kf7 43.Ra5 Rc7 44.Kf2 Ke7 45.Kg3
g5 46.h4 gxh4+ 47.Kxh4 Nc4 48.Ra6 Nd6 49.Bc2 c4 50.Ra5 c3 51.g4 Nc4 52.Ra1 Kf8
53.Kg3 Ne3 54.Be4 c2 55.Rc1 Rd7 56.Bxc2 Rc7 57.Ra1 Nxc2 58.Ra4 Ne3 59.Kf4 Rc4+ 0-1

33. A89
Navara, David (2703) - Vitiugov, Nikita (2751)
Hamburg (m/4-rapid) 142/33, 2019

1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 g6 4.g3 Bg7 5.Bg2 O-O 6.O-O d6 7.Nc3 Nc6 8.d5 Ne5?!
¹8...Na5
9.Nxe5 dxe5 10.c5 Kh8 11.Qb3 h6 12.Rd1 g5 13.a4!?
13.Bd2 - 111/37
13...a6 14.a5 Qe8 15.d6

392
15.Ra4!? e4 16.f3 e5 17.Rb4 Qf7 18.fxe4 (18.Bd2 f4 19.Be1 e3 20.Qc4 (20.Ne4 Nxe4 21.Rxe4
Bd7 22.Bc3 Rae8 23.Qxb7 Bb5ƒ) 20...Rd8 21.c6 bxc6 22.Qxc6 Bf5∞) 18...f4 19.Rf1 fxg3
20.hxg3 Qh5 21.Nd1 Ng4 22.Rxf8+ Bxf8 23.Qc3∞
15...exd6?!N
¹15...c6 16.Na4 Rb8 17.Nb6ƒ
16.cxd6 cxd6
16...c6 17.Na4 f4 18.Nc5ƒ
17.Rxd6 Qh5?
17...Qf7 18.Qxf7 Rxf7 19.Be3±
18.Nd5 Ne4

393
18...Qxe2 19.Nxf6 Bxf6 (19...Rxf6 20.Rxf6 Bxf6 21.Be3 Qh5 22.Qb6 Qf7 23.Rd1 e4 24.Rd6
Bg7 25.Rxh6+ Bxh6 26.Qxh6+ Qh7 (26...Kg8 27.Bf1 Be6 28.Bd4+-) 27.Qxg5+-) 20.Bd2!+- …
Re1, Bc3, Qb6
19.Bf3
19.Bxe4! fxe4 20.Ne7 Kh7 (20...Bh3 21.Ng6+ Kh7 22.Nxf8+ Rxf8 23.Qc2+-) 21.Nxc8 Raxc8
22.Qxb7 Qxe2 23.Be3+-
19...Qf7 20.Bxe4 fxe4 21.Qb6 Qh5 22.Bd2
22.Ne7!+-
22...Bg4
22...Bh3 23.Nc3±
23.Bc3 Rae8 24.Nf6 Rxf6 25.Rxf6 Bxe2?
¹25...Bxf6 26.Qxf6+ Kh7

394
27.f3! exf3 28.exf3 Bc8 (28...Bxf3? 29.Bxe5 Qg6 30.Qxf3 Rxe5 31.Qxb7+ Kh8 32.Rc1+-)
29.Bxe5 Qg6 30.Rd1±
26.Re6+- Kh7

26...Rxe6 27.Qxe6 Bf3 28.Bxe5 Bxe5 29.Qxe5+ Kg8 30.Rc1+-

27.Bxe5! Bxe5 28.Qxb7+ Kh8 29.Rxe8+ Qxe8 30.Qxe4 Qb5 31.Re1 1-0

395
B00-B24

34. * B01
Vuckovic, Bojan (2581) - Saric, Sinisa (2410)
Srbija 142/34, 2019

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Bc4 Bg4 6.f3
6.Ne2 Nc6 7.Bd2 O-O-O 8.f3 Be6 9.Bxe6+ fxe6 10.O-O e5

11.d5?!N (11.dxe5) 11...Nxd5 12.Qc1 Qb6+ 13.Kh1 e6 14.Ne4 Be7 15.c3 Qa6³ Lopez
Gonzalez,A (2355)-Munoz,M (2511) Sitges 142/(34) 2019
6...Bf5 7.Ne2
7.Bd2 Qb6 8.Nge2 (8.Qe2?! Nc6 9.Na4 Qxd4 10.Bc3 Qh4+ 11.g3 Qg5 12.Nc5 Bc8 13.Nd3 e6
14.f4 Qf5³) 8...e6 9.O-O (9.g4 Bg6 10.h4 h6 11.Nf4 Nc6 12.Nxg6 fxg6 13.Ne2 e5=) 9...a6
10.Be3 Nc6 11.a3 O-O-O 12.b4 e5 13.Na4 Qa7 14.Bxf7 b5 15.Ng3 Bg6 16.Bxg6 hxg6
17.Nb2²
7...e6 8.O-O Nbd7 9.a3 c6 10.Ng3 Bg6

396
11.f4N
11.Qe2
11...O-O-O?!
¹11...Bd6 12.f5 exf5 (12...Bxf5 13.Nxf5 exf5 14.Qe1+ Kf8 15.Qh4ƒ) 13.Qe2+ Kf8 14.Bf4
Qc7 (14...Bxf4 15.Rxf4 Re8 16.Qf1 Qb6 17.Bb3ƒ) 15.Qd2 Nb6 16.Bb3 Rd8 17.Bxd6+ Qxd6
18.Nce2∞
12.f5 exf5 13.Bf4→ Re8 14.b4 Qd8 15.b5 Nb6

15...c5 16.b6! a6 (16...Nxb6? 17.Nb5 Nxc4 18.Nxa7+ Kd7 19.Rb1! Re6 (19...Qa8 20.dxc5++-)
20.Rxb7+ Ke8 21.Rb8+-) 17.Qf3 Qxb6 18.Rab1 Qa7 19.Nd5 cxd4 20.c3! (20.Nxf6 gxf6
(20...Nxf6 21.Kh1→) 21.Bd5 b6 22.c3 Ne5∞) 20...dxc3+ (20...d3+ 21.Kh1→) 21.Kh1→

397
16.bxc6! Nxc4 17.Qd3 Nd6?

17...Nb6 18.c7 (18.a4±) 18...Qe7 19.Nb5!? (19.Rfb1 Qe6 20.Nb5 a6 21.Na7+ Kd7 22.c4→)
19...a6 20.Na7+! (20.Nd6+?! Qxd6 21.Bxd6 Bxd6 22.Nxf5 Bxc7∞) 20...Kd7 21.Qf3 Ne4
22.Qb3 Qe6 23.c4±
18.Rab1!!+- Re7 19.cxb7+ Nxb7 20.Nb5 Qa5 21.Qc4+ Kd8 22.Nd6 Nxd6 23.Bxd6 Rc7
23...Rb7 24.Rxb7 Bxd6 25.Qc6 Qd5 (25...Bc7 26.d5+-) 26.Rd7++-
24.Rb8+ Kd7 25.Bxc7 Qxc7 26.Qb5+ Ke6 27.Nxf5 Ng4 28.Re1+ Kf6 29.Ng3 1-0

35. B07
Nabaty, Tamir (2658) - Sethuraman, SP. (2624)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/4-rapid) 142/35, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d6 3.Nbd2 g6 4.e4 Bg7 5.c3 O-O 6.a4

6.Be2 - 95/50
6...c5 7.dxc5 dxc5 8.Be2 Nc6 9.O-O Qc7 10.Qc2

398
10...b6N
10...Nh5
11.Nc4 Bb7 12.Bg5 Rad8 13.Rfd1 h6 14.Bh4 Nh5 15.Ne3 g5 16.Nd5
16.Bg3 Nxg3 17.hxg3 e6³; 16.Ne1 Nf4 (16...gxh4 17.Bxh5 e6∞) 17.Bg3 e6 18.Nf3 Nxe2+
19.Qxe2 Qe7 20.h4∞
16...Qc8 17.Bg3 Nxg3 18.hxg3 e6 19.Ne3 Ne7 20.Rxd8 Rxd8 21.Rd1 Rxd1+ 22.Bxd1 Qc6
22...Qd7³
23.Qd3!?
23.Nd2 Qd7³
23...Qxe4
¹23...Qc7³
24.Qd8+ Bf8 25.Bc2 Qc6 26.Ng4 Kg7

399
27.Nf6!?
27.Nxh6! f6 (27...Qd5? 28.Qe8+-) 28.Ng4²
27...Qc8
27...Kxf6 28.Qxf8±
28.Nh5+ Kh8
28...Kg8 29.Qd3!? Ng6 30.Ne5 c4 31.Nf6+ Kg7 32.Nh5+=
29.Ne5! f5?!
29...Qxd8 30.Nxf7+ Kg8 31.Nxd8 Bd5 32.Nf6+ Kh8 33.Be4 Bb3 34.Nd7 Bg7 35.a5²
30.Qd6 Bd5 31.c4 Bc6 32.Nf7+ Kh7

400
33.Nd8! Kg6 34.Nxe6! Kxh5 35.Ng7+! Bxg7 36.g4+ fxg4
36...Kxg4 37.Bd1+ Kh4 38.Qh2#
37.Qh2# 1-0

36. * B12
Anton Guijarro, David (2642) - Stefanova, Antoaneta (2486)
Gibraltar 142/36, 2019

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.dxc5 e6 5.Be3 Nd7 6.Nf3 Bxc5 7.Bxc5 Nxc5

8.Qd4!
8.Bd3?! Qb6 9.Qc1 Bd7 10.O-O Ne7 11.Nbd2 Nxd3 12.cxd3 Rc8ƒ; 8.Nbd2 Qb6 9.Nb3 Ne4
(9...Ne7 10.Nxc5 Qxc5 11.c3 Bd7 12.Bd3 Bb5 13.Bc2 Rc8 14.Qd2) 10.Qd4 Ne7 11.Qxb6
(11.Bd3 Nc6 12.Qxb6 axb6 13.a3 Nc5) 11...axb6 12.Bd3 Nc5 13.Nbd4 Nc6 14.Kd2 f6 15.Rhe1
Bd7 16.c3 Nxd3 17.Kxd3 Ke7 18.a3 Raf8„
8...Qb6 9.a4! Ne7 10.a5 Qc7 11.Qc3
11.Na3 Nf5 12.Qc3 Qe7 13.Nb5 Ne4 14.Qa3 O-O
11...Bd7 12.b4 Na6

401
13.Qb2N
13.Bxa6
13...Rc8 - 142/36
13...O-O!N 14.Bd3 Ng6 15.O-O Nf4 16.Ra3 Rfc8 17.Rc3

(17.Nbd2 Nxd3 18.cxd3 Nb8 (18...Qc2!? 19.Qd4 h6„) 19.b5 Qc2 20.Qb4 Qc5„) 17...Qd8 Ter
Sahakyan,S (2590)-Ponomariov,R (2667) Skopje 142/(36) 2019 (17...Qd8 18.Bxa6 bxa6
19.Re1²; 17...Nxd3! 18.cxd3 (18.Rxc7?! Nxb2 19.Rxd7 Rxc2 20.Rxb7 Nd3 21.Ne1 Nxe1
22.Rxe1 Rb2µ) 18...Qd8! 19.Nd4 Rxc3 (19...b6 20.b5 Rxc3 21.Nxc3 Nc5=) 20.Nxc3
(20.Qxc3?! Rc8 21.Qb2 Qe7µ) 20...b6 21.Qa3 (21.b5 Nc5 22.axb6 (22.Rd1 bxa5µ) 22...Qxb6
23.Qb1 Na4!µ; 21.axb6 Qxb6³; 21.Nce2 Qb8! 22.axb6™ Qxb6 23.Rb1 Rb8 24.Nc2 Ba4
25.Ned4 h6 26.g3 Bxc2 27.Nxc2 Rc8 28.b5 Nc5³) 21...bxa5 22.bxa5 Qf8! 23.Qa1 (23.Qxf8+
Kxf8 24.f4 Nc5 25.Rd1 Rb8 26.Kf2 Rb2+ 27.Kf3 Ke7) 23...Nc5 24.Rd1 Rb8³)

402
14.Bd3 Ng6 15.O-O Nf4 16.Qd4 Nxd3 17.cxd3 O-O 18.h3 Nb8 19.Nbd2 Bb5 20.Qxa7 Bxd3
21.Rfc1± Qe7 22.Qb6 Na6 23.b5 Nc5 24.Nd4 f6 25.exf6 Qxf6 26.Rxc5 Qxf2+ 27.Kh1 Rxc5
28.Qxc5 Qxd2 29.Nxe6 Rf5 30.Qe7 1-0

37. * B12
Takacs, Laszlo (2239) - Murzin, Volodar (2429)
Ulcinj 142/37, 2019

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.h4 h5 5.Bg5 Qb6 6.Bd3 Bxd3

6...Qxd4 7.Nf3 Qg4 8.Bxf5 (8.O-O Bxd3 9.Qxd3 e6 10.Nbd2 Be7 11.Rad1 Nd7 12.c4 Bxg5
13.Nxg5 Ne7 14.Nde4! Nf5 15.f4 O-O 16.cxd5 cxd5 17.Nd6 g6 18.Rc1 b6 19.b4©) 8...Qxf5
9.O-O e6 10.c4 Nd7

11.Nc3N (11.cxd5) 11...Ne7 12.Qb3 Nc5 13.Qb4 Ng6?! (13...Nc8! 14.cxd5 (14.Be3 a5!µ)
14...exd5 15.Be3 Qg4!³) 14.Rad1

403
14...Nf4? (14...f6∞) 15.Nd4 Qg4 16.Bxf4 Qxf4 17.cxd5 Qxe5 (17...exd5 18.Nxd5 cxd5
19.Qb5+ Kd8 (19...Nd7 20.Qxb7 Rb8 21.Qxd5 Be7 22.Nc6 Nb6 23.Qb5+-) 20.b4+-) 18.Rfe1
Qc7 19.dxc6 bxc6 20.Qc4 Be7 21.b4 Nb7 22.Ncb5 Qb6 23.Qxc6+ Kf8 24.Qf3 Bf6 25.Nd6!+-
Morozevich,A (2659)-Pershin,D (2408) Saint Petersburg (rapid) 142/ (37) 2019
7.Qxd3 Qxb2?!
7...Qa6 - 112/176; 7...e6 - 141/33
8.e6!

8...Qxa1
8...f6 9.Bf4! (9.Bd2? Qxa1 10.Qb3 Qxd4 11.Qxb7 (11.Be3 Qe4 12.Qxb7 Qxe6 13.Qxa8 d4
14.Qxb8+ Kf7µ) 11...Qe5+ 12.Ne2 Qxe6 13.c4 (13.Qxa8 Qc8 14.c4 e6µ) 13...d4 (13...Kf7
14.Qxa8 Nd7 15.cxd5 cxd5 16.Qxa7 Qg4 17.O-O Ne5 18.Nd4 Qd7³) 14.Qxa8 d3 15.Qxb8+

404
Kf7 16.O-O dxe2 17.Re1 Nh6 18.Nc3 Nf5 19.Rxe2 Qd7³) 9...Na6 (9...g5!? 10.Bc7! Rh6
11.Ne2 Na6 12.Ba5 Qb5 13.Qa3 g4 14.c4! Qxc4 15.Nd2 Qc2 16.O-Oƒ) 10.Nf3! Nb4 11.Qg6+
Kd8 12.O-O Qxa1 13.c3! Nxa2 14.Qc2 Nh6 15.Qb3 b5 16.Qa3 a5 17.Nfd2 Nf5 (17...Nc1
18.Qxa1 Ne2+ 19.Kh1 Nxf4 20.c4! bxc4 21.Nxc4! dxc4 22.Qa4ƒ) 18.Nb3 Nc1™ 19.Qxa1
Nxb3 20.Qa2 a4 21.Na3²; 8...fxe6 9.Nf3 Nd7 10.O-O Qxa1 11.Qb3 O-O-O 12.Bd2 (12.Nc3
Qxf1+ 13.Kxf1 Nh6 14.Ne2 Re8 15.Qa3±) 12...e5 13.Bc3 Qxc3 14.Nxc3 exd4 15.Rb1 b6
16.Nxd5! cxd5 17.Qxd5 Nb8 18.Qa8 Rd7 19.Ne5±
9.Qb3! Qxd4?
9...b5! 10.Nf3 Nf6 (10...a5 11.O-O±) 11.O-O Ne4 12.Bc1 Nc5 (12...a5? 13.Bb2 a4 14.Qa3 b4
15.Qxb4 Qxa2 16.Ne5+-) 13.dxc5 Qf6 14.Re1±
10.Be3

10.Qxb7 fxe6 11.Be3 Qa4 12.Qxa8 Qa5+ 13.Nd2 Qd8 14.Ngf3±

10...Qc4N
10...Qe5 11.Qxb7 Qxe6 12.Qxa8 Qe5 13.Nf3 Qb2 14.O-O Nf6 15.Nbd2+-
11.Qxb7 Kd8
11...fxe6 12.Nf3±
12.Qxa8
12.Bxa7! Qe4+ 13.Kf1 Qxe6 14.Qxa8+-
12...Kc8

405
13.Qxa7?
13.Nf3! Qb5 14.Nc3 Qb7 15.Qxb7+ Kxb7 16.Ne5+-
13...Qa6 14.Nf3 fxe6 15.Qxa6+ Nxa6 16.Ne5 Nf6 17.Nxc6?!
17.Nd2 g6 18.Nxc6 Kc7 19.Ne5 Bg7 20.Nxg6 Ra8 21.Nb3²
17...Ng4∞ 18.Bd4 Kd7 19.Ne5+ Nxe5 20.Bxe5 Nb4?!
¹20...Rg8 21.Nd2 g6 22.Ke2 Bh6∞
21.Kd2?
21.Nd2 Nc6 (21...Nxc2+?! 22.Ke2± ×Bg7, Rh8) 22.Nf3 Rg8 23.Ke2±
21...Nc6 22.Bb2 e5µ 23.Rh3 e6 24.Rg3 Rg8 25.Ba3 g6
25...Bxa3 26.Nxa3 (26.Rxa3 g5µ) 26...Nd4µ
26.Bxf8 Rxf8 27.Ke1 Ne7 28.Rb3 Nf5 29.g3 Nd4 30.Rb2 Nf3+
30...Ra8µ
31.Ke2 e4 32.c4 d4?
32...Kd6µ
33.Nd2 Nxd2 34.Rxd2 e5

406
35.Rb2?
35.a4! Kc6 36.Ra2 Kb6 (36...Kc5 37.a5„) 37.Ke1! (37.a5+? Ka6 38.Ke1 Rb8! 39.c5 Rb1+
40.Kd2 Rf1 41.Ke2 Rc1-+) 37...Ka5 38.c5 d3 (38...Rc8 39.Re2 Kxa4 40.Rxe4 Rxc5 41.f4=)
39.Ra1!! Rc8 40.Rc1 Kxa4 41.Kd2 Kb5 42.Re1 Rxc5 43.Rxe4 Rd5 44.Re3 Kc4 45.Re4+=
35...Ra8 36.f3 exf3+
36...e3-+
37.Kxf3 Ra3+ 38.Ke4 Kd6 39.c5+ Kxc5 40.Kxe5 Rxg3 41.Rc2+ Rc3 42.Rg2 Re3+ 43.Kf6 d3
44.Kxg6 Re5 0-1

407
B25-B49

38. B31
Vachier Lagrave, Maxime (2774) - Radjabov, Teimour (2758)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/1) 142/38, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.Bxc6 bxc6 5.d4 cxd4 6.Qxd4 f6

7.Qa4!?N
7.O-O - 141/44
7...Bg7 8.O-O Nh6 9.c4 Qb6
9...O-O 10.c5!?ƒ; 9...c5!? 10.Be3 Bb7! 11.Bxc5 (11.Nc3 Bc6 12.Qc2 d6∞) 11...Qc7!
(11...Bxe4? 12.Re1 Bc6 13.Qa3±) 12.Qa3 d6 13.Be3 Bxe4 (13...f5!?) 14.Nd4 Nf5 15.Re1
(15.Ne6 Qc6∞) 15...Nxd4 16.Bxd4 Qxc4 17.Qe3 d5 18.Nc3 O-O∞
10.Nc3 O-O 11.Re1 Nf7 12.Be3 Qb7

408
12...Qxb2?? 13.Rab1 Qxc3 14.Bd4 Qd3 15.Rbd1+-
13.Qb3?!
13.b4 f5 14.Rac1 Bxc3 15.Rxc3 fxe4 16.Ng5 d6 (16...d5?! 17.Nxf7 Rxf7 18.cxd5 cxd5 19.Rec1
Bd7 20.Qb3ƒ) 17.Qb3 Nxg5 18.Bxg5 e5∞; 13.Rac1 d6 14.c5 Bg4 (14...f5 15.cxd6 exd6
16.Bd4²) 15.Nd2²
13...Qxb3
13...Rb8!? 14.Qxb7 Rxb7 15.b3 f5 16.Bd4 e5 17.Bc5 d6 18.Ba3 Be6∞
14.axb3 Rb8 15.Rxa7 Rxb3 16.Na4 Rb7 17.Rxb7 Bxb7 18.Nb6 d6 19.c5

19...e5! 20.b4
20.Ra1 dxc5 (20...Rd8 21.Ra7 dxc5 22.h3 Bc8 23.Nd2 h5 (23...Bf8 24.Rc7 Ba6 25.Nd7ƒ)

409
24.Rc7 Ba6 25.Rxc6 Rd6 26.Rxd6 Nxd6 27.Bxc5 Bh6 28.Be3 (28.Bxd6 Bxd2²) 28...Bxe3
29.fxe3²) 21.Bxc5 Rd8 22.h3 Bf8 23.Bxf8 Kxf8 24.Ra7 Rd1+ 25.Kh2 Nd8∞
20...Ba6! 21.Ra1 Bb5 22.Nd2 Rd8 23.Ra8 Rxa8 24.Nxa8= Bf8 25.Nc7 dxc5 26.Nxb5 cxb5
27.bxc5 Nd8 28.Nb3 Nc6 29.Kf1 Kf7 30.Ke2 Ke6 31.g4 1/2-1/2
39. B31
Caruana, Fabiano (2812) - Fedoseev, Vladimir (2664)
Douglas 142/39, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.c3 e5 6.d4 cxd4 7.cxd4 exd4 8.Bf4 Nge7 9.Bd6 O-
O 10.Nbd2 a6
10...b6 - 22/375
11.Qa4 Ra7
11...b6!? 12.Qa3 Bb7 13.Bxc6 Nxc6 14.Bxf8 Bxf8 15.Qa4²
12.Bd3 b5

13.Qc2N
13.Qa3
13...Bb7 14.a4 bxa4 15.Rxa4 a5 16.h4
16.Rfa1!? Ra8 17.Bc4ƒ
16...Ba6
16...Nc8!? 17.Bxf8 Bxf8 18.Re1 Nb6 19.Raa1²
17.Bxa6 Rxa6 18.b4 Na7 19.Qc5 Nac8 20.Bc7 Qe8 21.b5 d6 22.Qc4

410
22...d5?!
22...Nb6! 23.Bxb6 Rxb6 24.Rxa5 Qd7 (24...Qc8 25.Rb1ƒ) 25.Qd3 (… Nc4) 25...d5 26.e5 Rfb8
27.Nxd4 Bxe5 28.N2f3 Bf6 29.Rc1²
23.Qc5!
23.exd5? Nd6 24.Bxd6 Rxd6„
23...dxe4 24.Nxe4 d3?!
24...Nf5 25.bxa6 Qxa4 26.Re1! Qb4 (26...d3 27.a7+-) 27.Qxa5 Qxa5 28.Bxa5 Na7 29.g4 Ne7
30.Bb4 Nac6 31.Bxe7 Nxe7 32.Nc5±
25.Ra3 Re6
25...Ra7 26.b6 Rb7 27.Rb1±
26.Nfg5 Nf5 27.Nxe6 Qxe6 28.Ra4! Re8 29.b6+- Qd7 30.Qxa5 Nxb6 31.Bxb6 Qc6 32.f3 d2
33.Bf2 Bh6 34.Ra3 Qc2 35.Qd5 Qc1 36.Ra7 Rf8 37.Ra1 Ne3 38.Bxe3 Bxe3+ 39.Kh1 Qc7
40.Qd3 Bh6 41.Qd4 Rd8 42.Nf6+ Kh8 43.Nd5+ Kg8 44.Ra8! 1-0
40. B33
Alekseenko, Kirill (2650) - Kuzubov, Yuriy (2671)
Turkiye 142/40, 2019

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 Bf5 12.h4 h5 13.Bg5 Qb8 14.Be2 a6 15.Nc3 Qc7
15...Nf4 16.Bf1 Be7 17.Bxe7 Kxe7 18.g3 Ng6 19.Be2²
16.g3 Be7 17.Be3

411
17.Bxe7 Nxe7 18.O-O Bg6 19.Qa4+ Qd7 20.c5!? Qxa4 21.Nxa4 O-O-O 22.Rac1 dxc5 23.Nxc5
Kb8 24.Rc3 Nf5 (24...Rxd5 25.Bf3) 25.Bc4 Nd4∞
17...Nf8N
17...e4 - 140/54
18.a4 Nd7 19.a5 O-O 20.Bxh5 Bd3 21.Be2 Bxe2 22.Kxe2 f5

23.f3
23.h5!? f4 (23...e4 24.h6 g6 25.g4 fxg4 (25...f4? 26.Bb6 Qc8 27.h7+ Kh8 28.Nxe4 Nxb6
29.axb6 Qxg4+ 30.Kd2+-) 26.h7+ Kh8 27.Nxe4ƒ) 24.gxf4 exf4 25.Bb6 f3+ 26.Kd2 Nxb6
27.Qxb6 Qxc4 28.Ra4ƒ
23...Nf6

412
¹23...Rac8 24.b3 Bf6 25.Rad1 e4 26.f4 Nc5 27.Na4 Nd3 28.Qd2 Qf7 29.h5 g6 30.Rdg1 gxh5
31.Qd1!? Kg7 32.Kd2 Rh8

33.g4! hxg4 34.Rxg4+ Kf8 (34...fxg4? 35.Qxg4+ Qg6 36.Qd7+ Qf7 37.Rg1+ Kf8 38.Qxc8+
Qe8 39.Qg4±) 35.Rxh8+ Bxh8 36.Rg5²
24.Kd2
24.h5!? ∆e4 25.h6 (25.f4 Ng4) 25...exf3+ 26.Kxf3 g6 27.h7+ Nxh7 28.Rh6→
24...Rac8 25.b3 Nh5
25...e4 26.f4 Ng4 27.Bb6 Qd7 28.Qa4ƒ
26.Rag1 Bd8 27.Kc2 Qd7 28.Rh2 Rf7 29.Bg5
29.g4!? Nf4 (29...fxg4 30.fxg4 Nf4 31.h5±) 30.h5±
29...f4?! 30.gxf4 exf4 31.Ne4± Ng3
31...Bc7 32.Rhg2 Re8 33.Kb2±
32.Qxd6 Qf5 33.Qe6 Bxg5 34.hxg5 Qxe6 35.dxe6 Re7 36.Nxg3 fxg3 37.Re2+- Rc5 38.Rxg3
Rxa5 39.Kc3 Rf5 40.Re4 Kh7 41.g6+ Kh6 42.Kd4 1-0

41. *** !N B33

Sarana, Alexey (2655) - Carlsen, Magnus (2876)
Douglas 142/41, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Bg5 a6 8.Na3 b5 9.Bxf6
gxf6 10.Nd5 Bg7 11.Bd3 Ne7 12.Nxe7 Qxe7 13.c4 f5 14.O-O O-O 15.Qh5

413
15...d5!?
15...Rb8 - 106/43; 15...Qb7 - 114/51
16.cxd5 Qd8 - 142/41
16...Rd8?!N 17.f3? (17.exf5 Bb7 18.Qxh7+! (18.f6 Qxf6 19.Qxh7+ Kf8 20.Nc2 Bxd5
21.Ne3±) 18...Kxh7 19.f6+ Kg8 20.fxe7 Rxd5 21.Be4 Rd7 22.Bxb7 Rxb7 23.Rad1±) 17...f4

18.g4 Mazur,S (2441) -Gordievsky,D (2603) Skopje 142/(41) 2019 (18.g4 fxg3 19.hxg3 Rd6
20.Qh2 Qg5 21.Qf2 Rh6→; 18.Rac1 Rd6 19.Rc6 Rxc6 20.dxc6 Be6µ)
17.exf5

414
17.g4? fxg4 18.Nc2 Rb8 19.h4?

(19.Rac1 Rb6 20.Ne3 Rh6 21.Rxc8™ Qxc8 22.Qg5 Rg6 23.Qe7 Bf6 24.Qb4 Bg5 25.Nf5 Kh8µ)
19...Rb6!N (19...Kh8) 20.Qg5 Qxg5? (20...Qd7! 21.Qd2 (21.Ne3? Rg6 22.Qh5 Rh6 23.Qg5 f6-
+; 21.h5 Rh6 22.Ne3 f6 23.Qh4 Qf7-+) 21...Bh6 22.Ne3 Bf4 (… Rh6‚) 23.Kg2? g3 24.Rh1
gxf2 25.Kxf2 Qa7!-+) 21.hxg5 Rg6 22.a4 Rxg5 23.axb5 axb5 24.Ne3= 1/2 (24) Druska,J
(2460)-Kraus,T (2473) Blansko 142/(41) 2019
17...Qxd5 18.Rad1 - 142/41
18.Qe2N Bb7 19.f3 e4 20.Bxe4 Qd4+ 21.Rf2 Bxe4 22.fxe4 Rfe8 23.Re1 Bf8 24.f6 Kh8© Tari,A
(2623)-Vorobiov,E (2556) Teplice 142/(41) 2019
18...e4
18...Bb7 19.Qh3 Qc6 (19...Bf6 20.Bb1 Qc5 21.Nc2±) 20.f6 Bh6 21.Nc2 Kh8 22.Ne3 Rg8

415
23.Kh1 Qxf6 24.f3 Bc8 25.Ng4 Bxg4 26.fxg4 Qg7 27.Bf5ƒ
19.Bxb5 Qxf5 20.Qxf5 Bxf5 21.Bd7 Bxd7 22.Rxd7 Bxb2 23.Nc4 Bg7

24.g3!?N
24.Rfd1 Rac8 (24...f5 25.g3 Rab8 26.R1d5 Rb5 27.Ne3 f4 28.Rxb5 axb5 29.gxf4 Rxf4 30.Rb7
Rf7 31.Rxb5 Ra7 32.Rb4 Rxa2 33.Rxe4²) 25.Ne3 Rc5 26.R7d5 (26.g3!?) 26...Rxd5 27.Rxd5 Rb8
28.g4 Rb1+ 29.Kg2 Rb2 30.Ra5 Bd4 31.Kg3 f6!? 32.Rxa6 Be5+ 33.Kg2 Bd4 34.Ra3 Rd2
35.Kf1 Kf7=
24...Rfd8 25.Rfd1 Rxd7 26.Rxd7 Rc8 27.Nd6 Rc1+
27...Rc2
28.Kg2 Rc2 29.Nxe4
29.Rd8+ Bf8 30.Nxe4 Rxa2 - 29.Ne4
29...Rxa2 30.Rd8+ Bf8 31.Nf6+ Kg7 32.Nh5+ Kg8 33.g4! a5 34.g5 a4 35.h4 Rb2 36.Nf6+
Kg7 37.h5
37.Nxh7 Be7 38.Re8 (38.Rd7 Bc5) 38...Rb7 (38...Bc5 39.Nf6 Rxf2+ 40.Kg3 Rxf6 41.gxf6+
Kxf6 42.Ra8 a3=) 39.Nf6 Bxf6 40.gxf6+ Kxf6 41.Ra8=
37...Rb5!
37...h6?? 38.gxh6+ Kxh6 39.Rxf8 Kg7 40.Rg8+ Kxf6 41.h6+-; 37...a3 38.h6+ Kg6 39.Rxf8
Kxg5 40.Ne4+ Kxh6 41.Ra8+-
38.f4 h6 39.Ng4!

416
39.gxh6+ Kxf6 40.Rxf8 Rxh5=
39...Ba3!
39...Be7? 40.gxh6+ Kh7 41.Rd7+-
40.Nxh6
40.gxh6+ Kh7 41.Rd7 Rf5 42.Rd4 Ra5 43.Rd7 Rf5=
40...Be7 41.Rd7 Bxg5 42.Nxf7 Rb2+ 43.Kf3 Bxf4 44.Ne5+ Kh6 45.Kxf4 a3 46.Rd5 Rb4+
47.Kg3 a2 48.Ra5 a1=Q 49.Rxa1 Kxh5 50.Ra5 Rb1 51.Kf4 Rf1+ 52.Nf3+ 1/2-1/2

42. ** B40
Aronian, Levon (2758) - Dreev, Alexey (2662)
Douglas 142/42, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.g3 d5 4.exd5 exd5 5.Bg2!?

5.d4 Nc6 6.Bg2 Bg4 7.O-O cxd4 8.h3 (8.Re1+ - 108/(50)) 8...Bxf3 9.Qxf3 Nf6 10.Bg5 Be7
11.Nd2 O-O 12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.Qxd5 Qxd5 14.Bxd5

417
14...Rac8N (14...Rfd8) 15.a3 Na5 16.Rac1 Rfd8 17.Be4 d3 18.c3 b5 19.Rfd1 g6 20.Rb1 Rc7=
Khismatullin,D (2618)-Dreev,A (2657) Russia 142/(42) 2019
5...Qe7+
5...Nf6 - 89/129
6.Kf1 Nc6 7.d4

7...Qd8!?N
7...Bg4 - 142/(42) 8.c3 cxd4 9.h3

418
9...Bxf3?! (9...Be6 10.Nxd4 Nf6 11.Be3 Qd7 12.Nd2 Bd6∞) 10.Bxf3 Qf6 11.cxd4 Qxd4
12.Kg2ƒ Mareco,S (2643)-Dreev,A (2657) Cattolica 142/(42) 2019; 7...Nf6
8.c4 dxc4 9.d5 Nb4 10.Nc3 Nf6 11.Ne5 Bd6 12.Nxc4 Bf5 13.Ne3?!
13.Qa4+ Kf8 14.Kg1 a6 15.Nxd6 Qxd6 16.Bf4 Qd8 17.Be3 b6∞; 13.Nxd6+ Qxd6 14.Qe2+
Kf8 15.Bf4 Qd7 16.Rd1 Re8 17.Qc4 b6∞
13...Bg6 14.a3 Nd3 15.f4

15.Ne4 Qe7! (15...Nxe4 16.Bxe4 Nxc1 17.Rxc1 O-O 18.Bxg6 fxg6!? 19.Kg2 Qf6∞) 16.Qa4+
Kf8 17.Nxd6 Qxd6³
15...O-O?!
15...Qd7! 16.h4 Nxc1 17.Rxc1 O-O 18.Nc4 (18.h5 Rae8 19.Nc4 Bf5³) 18...Rad8³

419
16.f5 c4 17.fxg6 fxg6© 18.Bf3
18.Nxc4 Ng4+ 19.Ke2 Ndf2 20.Qd4 Rc8 21.Nxd6 Qxd6 22.Kd2 (22.Rf1 Qa6+ 23.Kd2 Rc4-+)
22...Nxh1 23.Qxg4 h5 24.Qe4 Rce8 25.Qa4 Nxg3! 26.hxg3 Qxg3 27.Kc2 (27.Be4? Rf2+
28.Ne2 Qf4+ 29.Kd3 Rf3+-+) 27...Qxg2+ 28.Bd2 Qf2³
18...Nd7 19.Kg2
19.Nxc4 N7e5 20.Kg2 Nxc4 21.Qxd3 Ne5 22.Qe4 Nxf3∞
19...N7e5 20.Nxc4
20.Rf1 Rxf3 21.Rxf3 Nxf3 22.Kxf3 Qf6+ 23.Kg2 Qf2+ 24.Kh3 Bc5 25.Nxc4 (25.Ng4? Qf5-+)
25...Qd4 26.Be3 Qxc4 27.Bxc5 Nxc5∞
20...Rxf3
20...Nxc4 21.Qxd3 (21.Ne4 Nxc1 22.Qxc1 b5∞) 21...Ne5 22.Qe2 Nxf3 23.Rf1 Nd4 24.Rxf8+
Qxf8 25.Qd1 Bc5∞
21.Nxe5

21...Rf2+?
21...Nxe5 22.Bf4 Qb6 23.Qe2 (23.Ne4?! Qxb2+ 24.Qd2 Qxd2+ 25.Bxd2 Rd3! 26.Bf4 g5!³)
23...g5! 24.Bxe5 (24.Bxg5 h6 25.Bf4 Rxf4 26.gxf4 Ng6 27.Qe6+ Kh8 28.Qxg6 (28.Ne2
Qxb2ƒ) 28...Qxb2+ 29.Kh3 Qxc3+ 30.Kg4 Qd2 31.Qxd6 Qg2+ 32.Kf5 Qc2+=) 24...Re3
25.Qc2 (25.Qxe3 Qxe3 26.Bxd6 Qd2+ 27.Kh3 Qxb2 28.Be5 Re8 29.Bd4 g4+! 30.Kxg4 Qg2ƒ)
25...Bxe5∞
22.Kg1 Qb6
22...Nxb2 23.Qb3 Qf6 24.Be3 Rf8 25.Ne4 Rf1+ (25...Qxe5 26.Bxf2 Qxe4 27.Qxb2+-) 26.Kg2
Qxe5 27.Nxd6 R1f3 28.Rhe1 b5 29.Rac1+-

420
23.Be3 Qxb2
23...Qxe3 24.Qxd3+-
24.Nxd3 Rg2+ 25.Kf1 Rf8+ 26.Bf4 1-0

43. * !N B45
Navara, David (2703) - Grachev, Boris V (2608)
Ulcinj 142/43, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4 Bb7 9.Be2
c5 10.O-O Qc7 11.Nd6+ Bxd6 12.exd6 Qc6 13.f3 c4 14.Qd4 O-O 15.Bxc4 Qxd6 16.b3
16.Rf2 - 84/(143); 16.Rd1 Rfc8 17.b3 (17.Bd3) 17...Qb6 18.Qxb6 Nxb6 (18...axb6 19.a4!²)
19.Bd3 d5

20.a4!N (20.Bb2 - 76/(176)) 20...Nd7 21.a5 a6 (21...Nc5 22.a6 Bc6 23.Bf1²) 22.Bb2 Nc5
23.Bf1² Vachier Lagrave,M (2774)-Kovalenko,I (2674) Khanty-Mansiysk (m/1) 142/(43) 2019
16...Qb6 17.Qxb6

421
17...Nxb6N
17...axb6 18.Bd2 Rfc8 19.a4²
18.Bd3 Rfc8 19.Bb2
19.Bd2²
19...a5 20.Rfd1
20.c4 d5 21.cxd5 Nxd5 22.Rac1 Rd8 23.Be4 a4∞
20...Nd5?!
20...Ba6! 21.Bxa6 (21.c4 d5 22.Rac1 (22.cxd5 Bxd3 23.Rxd3 Nxd5∞) 22...dxc4 (22...f6) 23.Be4
Nd5 24.Bxd5 exd5 25.Rxd5 cxb3 26.Rxc8+ Rxc8 27.axb3=) 21...Rxc2! 22.Bb7 Rb8 23.Bd4
Rxb7 24.Rac1 Rxc1 25.Rxc1 f6 26.Rc5 Nd5 27.Rxa5 Rc7∞
21.c4 Nb4

422
22.Bxh7+!?
22.Be2 d5 23.a3 Nc2 24.Rac1 Ne3 25.Rd2 dxc4 26.Kf2 c3 27.Rxc3 Nd5 28.Rcc2²
22...Kxh7 23.Rxd7 Bc6 24.Rxf7 Rg8 25.Rd1 Nxa2
25...Rad8?! 26.Rxd8 Rxd8 27.Rxg7+ Kh6 28.h4 Rd1+ 29.Kh2 Rb1 30.Bf6 Nxa2 31.Rc7 Nb4
(31...Be8 32.g4+-) 32.Be7+-; 25...a4!?
26.Rd6 Be8 27.Re7

27...Rb8?!
27...Nb4 28.Rd4 Nc6 29.Rh4+ Kg6 30.Rg4+ (30.Rxe6+ Kf7 31.Re1 Rd8∞) 30...Kf5 31.Rexg7
(31.h4 g5!∞) 31...Rxg7 32.Bxg7 e5∞
28.Rd4! Rxb3 29.Rh4+ Kg6 30.Rg4+ Kf5 31.Bxg7 Bh5 32.Rh4 Kg5

423
32...Bxf3 33.gxf3 Rxf3 34.Kg2 Rd3 35.Rh6 Nc3 36.Rf6+ Kg5 37.Rfxe6±
33.Re4 Rxg7 34.Rxg7+ Kf6 35.Ra7 Nc3?
35...Bg6 36.Re1±
36.Rh4?
36.Rf4+! Kg5 (36...Ke5 37.Rf8 Kd4 38.Rxa5+-) 37.Rf8 Bg6 (37...a4 38.h4+ Kh6 (38...Kxh4
39.Rg7+-) 39.g4+-) 38.Rxa5+ Kh6 39.h4+-
36...Bg6?!
36...Rb1+! 37.Kf2 Rb2+ 38.Ke3 Bg6 39.Kd4 (39.g3 e5 40.Ra6+ Kf7∞) 39...Ne2+ 40.Kc5 Nc1
41.g3 Nb3+ 42.Kc6 Rc2∞
37.Rh8 a4 38.h4 a3 39.h5 Bc2 40.Kh2?
40.Rf8+ Ke5 41.Ra5+ Kd6 (41...Kd4?! 42.c5 a2 43.c6 Ke3 44.Rxa2! (44.c7? Rb1+ 45.Kh2 Na4
46.c8=Q a1=Q∞) 44...Nxa2 (44...Ne2+ 45.Kh2 Rb5 46.g4 Rc5 47.h6+-) 45.c7 Rc3 46.c8=Q
Rxc8 47.Rxc8+-) 42.Rfa8 a2 43.Kh2±
40...a2 41.f4 Kf5 42.h6 Rb7??
42...Kxf4 43.h7 Bxh7 44.Rhxh7 Rb1 45.Rh3 a1=Q 46.Rxa1 Rxa1 47.Rxc3 Ke4 48.c5 Kd4
49.Rc2 Kd3=
43.Rf8+ Kg6
43...Ke4 44.Rxb7 a1=Q 45.h7 Ne2 46.h8=Q Qg1+ 47.Kh3 Qh1+ 48.Kg4 Qxg2+ 49.Kh5
(49.Kh4? Qg3+ 50.Kh5 Nxf4+ 51.Rxf4+ Qxf4²) 49...Nxf4+ 50.Rxf4+ Kxf4 51.Rf7+ Bf5
52.Qd4+ Qe4 53.Qxe4+ Kxe4 54.Rd7+-
44.Rxb7 a1=Q

424
45.h7+- Ne2 46.Rg8+ Kf5 47.Rf7+ Ke4 48.h8=Q Qg1+ 49.Kh3 Qh1+ 50.Kg4 Qxg2+ 51.Kh4
Qf2+ 52.Kg5 Qg1+ 53.Kh6 Qh2+ 54.Kg7 Qg1+ 55.Kf8 Qc5+ 56.Re7 Qf5+ 57.Kg7 Nxf4
57...Qg4+ 58.Kf7 Qf5+ 59.Qf6 Qh5+ 60.Kxe6+-
58.Qh7 Nh5+ 59.Kh8 Qxh7+ 60.Rxh7 Nf6 61.Rh4+ Ke5 62.Rd8 Bf5 63.c5 Nd5 64.c6 Ne7
65.c7 Kf6 66.Rh6+ Kg5 67.Rh7 Bxh7 68.Kxh7 1-0

44. ** B45
Karjakin, Sergey (2760) - Dreev, Alexey (2662)
Douglas 142/44, 2019

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
Qb6 10.c4 Bb4+ 11.Ke2 f5 12.exf6 Nxf6 13.Be3 Qd8 14.Nd6+ Bxd6 15.Qxd6 Bb7

16.g4?!N
16.Rg1 Ne4 17.Qe5 c5 18.Qxg7 Qh4!!„ 19.Qxh8+? Kf7 20.Qxa8 Bxa8µ; 16.Rd1 - 142/(43)
16...c5 17.Rg1

425
17...Ne4

18.Qe5? - 142/44
18.Qd3N Qh4 19.Rd1? (19.Bg2 Qxh2 20.Kd1 Nf2+ 21.Bxf2 Bxg2 22.Bxc5 Rc8 23.Bxa7
(23.Qd6 Bf3+ 24.Kc1 Kd8! 25.Re1 Rxc5! 26.Qxc5 Qxf4+ 27.Kc2 h5ƒ) 23...O-O! 24.Qe2 Qxf4
25.Qxg2 Rxc4ƒ) 19...O-O 20.h3 Rxf4! 21.Qb3 Rf2+ (21...Rb8 22.Bxf4 Qf2+ 23.Kd3 Qxf4-+)
22.Bxf2 Qxf2+ 23.Kd3 Qxg1 24.Qxb7

426
24...Rf8 (24...Qg3+ 25.Kc2 Qh2+-+) 25.Qxe4 Rxf1-+ Navara,D (2703)-Ris,R (2454) Ulcinj
142/ (44) 2019
18...Qh4?
18...O-O!! 19.Bg2 d6

20.Qxe6+ (20.Qh5 Qb6 21.b3 a5-+ … a4) 20...Kh8 21.Bxe4 Rf6! (21...Re8? 22.Qxe8+ Qxe8
23.Bxb7 Rb8 24.Bd5 Rxb2+ 25.Kf3+-) 22.Qxf6 (22.Bxb7 Rxe6 23.Bxa8 Qxa8 24.f5 Re8-+)
22...Qxf6 23.Bxb7 Qxb2+-+
19.Bg2 Qxg4+

427
20.Kd3 - 142/44
20.Bf3!?N

20...Nc3+ 21.Kd3 Qxf3 22.Kxc3± Shirov,A (2664) -Yu,Y (2763) Douglas 142/(44) 2019
20...Nf2+?
20...d6! 21.Bh1! (21.Bxe4 dxe5 22.Rxg4 O-O-O+ 23.Kc3 Bxe4 24.Bxc5²) 21...dxe5 22.Rxg4 O-
O-O+ 23.Kc2±
21.Bxf2 Bxg2 22.Bxc5 Rc8 23.Rae1 Kf7 24.Re2 Qf3+ 25.Be3+- d6 26.Qd4 e5 27.Qxa7+ Ke6
28.Rgxg2 Rxc4 29.Kxc4 Rc8+ 30.Kb4 Qe4+ 31.Bd4 1-0

45. !N B45
Czarnota, Pawel (2532) - Navara, David (2724)
Polska 142/45, 2019

428
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
Qb6 10.c4 Bb4+ 11.Ke2 f5 12.exf6 Nxf6 13.Be3 Qd8 14.Nd6+ Bxd6 15.Qxd6 Bb7 16.Kd1
c5 17.Bd3
17.Bxc5 Ne4 18.Qe5 Nxc5 19.Qxc5 Qf6 (19...Rf8!?) 20.Qe5 O-O 21.Qxf6 Rxf6 22.Rg1 Rxf4ƒ;
17.Qxc5 Be4! 18.Qd6 (18.Rg1 d6 19.Qd4 O-O 20.Be2 Qe8©) 18...Rc8 19.Bxa7 Rc6 20.Qb8
(20.Qa3 d6 21.Ke1 O-O³) 20...Rc8 21.Qd6 (21.Qe5?! O-O 22.b4 Bg6µ) 21...Rc6=
17...Rc8 18.Kc2

18.Bxc5 Be4! 19.Ba3 Rc6 20.Qd4 Bxd3 21.Qxd3 Qc7ƒ

18...Qb6!N
18...Rc6 19.Qe5 O-O 20.Rhe1 (20.Bxc5 d6 21.Qxe6+ Kh8 22.Bd4 d5ƒ) 20...d5∞
19.Qxb6 axb6 20.a4 Bxg2
¹20...O-O 21.Rhg1 Ng4 22.Bd2 Nf2=
21.Rhg1 Be4 22.Rxg7?!
22.a5 bxa5 23.Bxe4 Nxe4 24.Kd3 Nd6 25.Rxa5 Kf7 26.Rxc5²
22...Bg6 23.f5?!
23.Bxg6+ hxg6 24.Rg1 Rxh2+ 25.Kc1 Ra8 26.b3=
23...Nh5 24.Bh6?
24.Rxg6 hxg6 25.fxe6 dxe6 26.Bxg6+ Kd7 27.Rd1+ Kc7 28.b4 cxb4 29.Bd4 Nf4 (29...Rh6?
30.Be5+ Kb7 31.Rd7+ Kc6

429
32.Be8!! Kc5 33.Kb3 Nf6 34.Bd4+ Kc6 35.Rh7+ Rxe8 36.Rxh6±) 30.Be5+ Kb7 31.Rd7+ Ka6
32.Bxh8 Rxh8=
24...Nxg7 25.Bxg7 Rg8 26.fxg6 Rxg7 27.gxh7 Rg2+ 28.Kc3 Rxh2µ 29.a5?!
29.b4 Rh3 30.Rg1 Kf7 31.Rf1+ Ke7 32.Rg1 Rh8µ
29...bxa5 30.Rxa5 Ke7 31.b4 Rf8 32.bxc5 Rf3 33.c6 Rxh7 34.c5

34.c7 Rh8-+; 34.Ra7 Kd6 35.cxd7 Rxd7 36.c5+ Kc6 37.Rxd7 Kxd7 38.Kd4 Rh3 39.Be4 Rh4
40.Ke5 Ke7-+
34...Rhh3-+ 35.c7 Rxd3+ 36.Kc4 Rc3+ 37.Kb4 Rb3+ 38.Ka4 Ra3+ 39.Kb4 Rhb3+ 40.Kc4
Rxa5 41.c8=Q Rab5 42.c6 R5b4+ 43.Kc5 d6# 0-1

46. B45

430
 Palac, Mladen (2550) - Dreev, Alexey (2671)
Zagreb 142/46, 2019

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
Qb6 10.c4 Bb4+ 11.Ke2 f5 12.exf6 Nxf6 13.Be3 Qd8 14.Nd6+ Bxd6 15.Qxd6 Bb7 16.Rd1
Rc8 17.Rg1 c5 18.g4 h6
18...Rc6 - 139/56
19.Bg2
19.h4 Qc7 (19...Qb6 20.Qe5) 20.Qxc7 Rxc7 21.Bg2 (21.g5 Ne4 22.gxh6 Rxh6 23.Rxg7 Rxh4∞)
21...Ba6 22.b3 Nxg4 23.Bf3 Nxe3 24.Bh5+ Kd8!? 25.Kxe3 Bb7 26.Rxg7 d5 27.Rdg1 d4+
28.Kd3 Rxg7 29.Rxg7 Bc6∞; 19.f5 Rc6 20.Qf4 d5 21.Bg2 O-O∞; 19.Qe5 O-O 20.g5 hxg5
21.Bh3 (21.Qxg5?! Rf7³) 21...g4 22.Bxg4 Qc7 23.Qxc7 Rxc7∞
19...Bxg2 20.Rxg2 Qb6 21.Qxb6
21.Bc1 Rb8 (21...Qb7!? 22.Kf1 Rc6 23.Qd3 O-O 24.Kg1 d5„) 22.b3 Qxd6 23.Rxd6 Rb6
24.Rd1 d5∞
21...axb6

22.g5N
22.Rd6 Rb8 23.f5 Kf7 24.fxe6+ (24.Bf4 exf5 25.gxf5 Rhe8+ 26.Kd3 b5∞) 24...dxe6 25.Kf3
Rhd8 26.Rxd8 Rxd8=
22...hxg5 23.fxg5 Nh5 24.Rd6 Rb8 25.Kf3 g6 26.Rgd2 Rb7 27.b4 Ng7 28.R6d3?!

431
28.bxc5 Rh3+ 29.Kf4 (29.Ke4 bxc5 30.Bxc5 Rh4+ 31.Kd3 Nf5 32.Rb6 Rc7³) 29...Nh5+
30.Ke4 Rh4+ 31.Kd3 bxc5 32.Bxc5 Rc7 33.Be3 Rhxc4∞
28...Nf5
28...cxb4! 29.Rb3 Nf5 30.Bf4 (30.Bg1 Rh3+ 31.Ke2 Rc3 32.Rxb4 Rc7 33.Bxb6 R7xc4³)
30...Rh3+ 31.Bg3 (31.Ke4 Rxb3 32.axb3 Ra7µ) 31...Rh5 32.Bf4 Ke7 33.Rxb4 d6³
29.bxc5 Rh3+
29...Nxe3 30.Rxe3 bxc5 (30...Rh3+ 31.Ke4 Rxe3+ 32.Kxe3 bxc5 33.a4 Rb3+ 34.Rd3 Rb2
35.Rd2 Rb3+=) 31.Re5 Rc7∞; 29...bxc5 30.Bxc5 Rc7 31.Bg1 Rh3+ 32.Ke2 Rh5∞
30.Ke4 bxc5
30...Rh4+ 31.Ke5! (31.Kf3?! bxc5 32.Bxc5 Rxc4µ) 31...Rxc4 (31...Nxe3 32.Rxe3 Rxc4
33.Rh3∞) 32.Kf6! (32.cxb6 Nxe3 33.Rxe3 Ke7³) 32...bxc5 33.Rb3 Rbb4 34.Kxg6∞
31.Bxc5 Rh4+ 32.Ke5 Rxc4 33.Ba3 Ra7
33...d6+ 34.Bxd6 Kf7 35.Rb3 Rd7 36.Rb8 Rxd6 37.Rb7+ Kf8 38.Rb8+=
34.Kf6 Rf4 35.Kxg6 d5 36.Bb2
36.Rh3 Nh4+ 37.Kh6 Nf5+ (37...Kf7 38.Rb2 Nf5+ 39.Kh5 Ng7+ 40.Kh6 Nf5+=) 38.Kg6
Nh4+=
36...Nh4+ 37.Kh6 Kf7 38.Kh5 Ng6
38...Nf3 39.g6+ Kg8 40.Rxf3 Rxf3 41.Kh6 Ra4 (41...Rh3+ 42.Kg5∞) 42.Bd4 e5 43.Bxe5 Rg4
44.Bg3 d4 45.a4 d3 46.a5 Rf6 47.Rxd3 Rfxg6+ 48.Kh5=
39.Rd4 Rf3?

432
39...Rxa2 40.Rxf4+ Nxf4+ 41.Kh6 (41.Kg4 e5∞) 41...e5 42.h4 d4∞
40.h4 Rxa2 41.Rb4 Ra7

42.Kg4?
42.Bf6 e5 (42...Rd7 43.Kh6+-) 43.Rdb2 Rxf6 (43...Rc7 44.Rb7 Rc3 45.Rxc7+ Rxc7 46.Rf2 Nf4+
47.Kg4+-) 44.gxf6 Nf4+ 45.Kg5+-; 42.Kh6+-
42...Rf1 43.h5
43.Kh5 e5 44.Rxd5! Ke6 45.Kxg6 Kxd5 46.Rb5+ Kc4 47.Rxe5±
43...Rg1+ 44.Kf3 Rxg5 45.hxg6+ Kxg6 46.Rf4 e5 47.Rg4 1/2-1/2

47. *** B45

Nevednichy, Vladislav (2531) - Navara, David (2734)
Greece 142/47, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Ndb5 Bc5 7.Bf4 O-O 8.Bc7 Qe7 9.Bd6
Bxd6 10.Qxd6 Qd8 11.O-O-O
11.Qc7?!

433
11...d5! 12.exd5 (12.Qxd8 - 109/(93)) 12...exd5

13.O-O-ON (13.Qxd8) 13...d4

434
14.Ne2 - 142/(47) (14.Na4N Qd5 15.Kb1 Bf5 16.Qd6 Rfd8 17.Qxd5 Nxd5ƒ Sadikhov,U
(2502)-Navara,D (2703) Ulcinj 142/ (47) 2019) 14...Qd5 15.Nexd4

15...Qxa2 (15...Bg4!? 16.f3 Nxd4 17.Rxd4 Qxa2 18.fxg4 Qa1+ 19.Kd2 Rfe8 20.Bc4 Qxh1
21.Bxf7+ Kh8 22.Bxe8 Rxe8 23.Kc3∞) 16.Nb3 Qa4 Martin Duque,J (2353)-Tilicheev,V (2482)
Guimaraes 142/(47) 2019 (16...Qa4 17.N5d4∞)
11...a6 12.Nd4

435
12...Ne7

13.Qg3N - 142/47
13.e5 Ne8 14.Qb4 b5 15.Bd3 Bb7 16.f4 d6∞ (16...Rc8∞)13.g4 b5 14.g5 Ne8 15.Qg3 b4
16.Nce2 (16.Na4?! Qa5 17.b3 d6³ … Bd7) 16...Bb7 17.Bg2 a5 18.h4 a4∞; 13.h4N b5 14.h5
Ne8 15.Qb4 (15.Qg3 b4 16.Nb1 h6∞) 15...Bb7 (15...h6!? 16.g4 Bb7 17.f4 Rc8 18.Rg1 e5
19.fxe5 Nc6 20.Nxc6 Qg5+ 21.Kb1 dxc6∞) 16.h6 g6 17.a4

436
17...Nc6 (17...e5 18.Nb3 Nc6 19.Qc5 d6 20.Qe3 bxa4 21.Nxa4 Rb8„) 18.Qc5 bxa4 19.Nxa4
Rc8„ Sarana,A (2655)-Dreev, A (2662) Russia (ch) 142/(47) 2019
13...b5
13...d5 14.e5 Nd7∞
14.e5 Nfd5 15.Nxd5
15.Ne4 Qb6!? (15...Bb7) 16.Nd6 f6„
15...Nxd5 16.Nf5!?
16.Bd3 Bb7∞
16...exf5 17.Rxd5 Qa5
17...Bb7 18.Rd4 Qb6 19.Rxd7 Qa5 20.a3 Rad8©
18.a3 Bb7

437
19.Rd4!
19.Rxd7 Rad8 20.Rxd8 Rxd8 21.Bd3 b4©
19...Rae8
19...Qe1+!? 20.Rd1 Qa5 21.f4 Rac8∞
20.f4 Re6?!
¹20...Bc6
21.Bd3 Rg6 22.Qe1?!
22.Qe3 Rxg2 23.Bxf5ƒ
22...Qxe1+ 23.Rxe1 Rxg2 24.Bxf5 Rxh2 25.Bxd7 Bc8 26.f5 Bxd7 27.Rxd7 Rf2 28.e6 fxe6
29.Rg1 g6
29...Rf7 30.fxe6 Rf1+ 31.Rxf1 Rxf1+ 32.Kd2 Kf8 33.Rd8+ Ke7 34.Rd7+ Kf8=
30.fxg6 Rf1+ 31.Rxf1 Rxf1+ 32.Kd2 hxg6 33.Rd6 Kf7 34.Rxa6 g5 35.Ra5 Rf5 36.a4 bxa4
37.Rxa4= Kf6 38.Ke3 Rf1 39.Ra8 Kf7 40.b4 g4 41.c4 Rf3+ 42.Ke4 Rb3 43.b5 g3 44.Ra2 Kf6
45.Rg2 e5 46.b6 Rxb6 47.Rxg3 1/2-1/2

48. ** !N B48
Buhmann, Rainer (2574) - Maiwald, Jens Uwe (2439)
Oesterreich 142/48, 2019

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 Rb8
8...Be7 - 141/51
9.Be2!

438
9.Qg3 Qxg3 10.hxg3 Ng4 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Ba7 Rb7 13.Be2 Rxa7 14.Bxg4 Bc5∞; 9.Nxc6
bxc6 10.e5 Nd5 11.Bd4 Be7 12.Ne4 Qa5∞
9...Bb4 10.Nxc6
10.e5!N Bxc3 (10...Nxe5 11.Qg3 Kf8 (11...O-O 12.Bh6 Ne8 (12...g6 13.Qh4 Be7 14.Bg5 Qd8
15.Ne4 Nd5 16.Nxe6! fxe6

17.Rxd5! Nc6 18.Rd6±) 13.Bxg7! Nxg7 14.Nd5 exd5 15.Nf5 Nd3+ 16.Rxd3 Qxg3 17.Rxg3 d6
18.Rxg7+ Kh8 19.Rg5±) 12.Nf3 (12.Ncb5 axb5 13.Nxb5 Nd3+ 14.Rxd3 Qxg3 15.hxg3±)
12...d6 (12...Bxc3 13.bxc3 d6 14.Nxe5 dxe5 15.c4±) 13.Nxe5 dxe5 14.Rd4 Be7 (14...Bxc3
15.Rc4 Qd8 16.Rxc3+-) 15.Rc4 Qa5 16.Rd1±) 11.exf6 Bxd4 12.Bxd4 Nxd4 13.Rxd4 Qe5
14.fxg7 Rg8 15.Rhd1± Tan,J (2513)-Willow,J (2343) Great Britain (ch) 142/(48) 2019
10...bxc6 11.Bd4
11.Bg5 Qa5 12.h4 (12.Bxf6 gxf6 13.Qxf6 Rg8©; 12.Qg3 d6∞) 12...Bxc3 13.bxc3 e5 14.Bxf6
Qa3+ 15.Kd2 Qd6+ 16.Bd3 gxf6∞
11...Bd6

439
12.g3?!N
12.g4?! - 142/(48) 12...c5!

13.Be3?! (13.Bxf6 Bf4+ 14.Kb1 gxf6³) 13...Be5! 14.g5 Ivic,V (2518) -Arsovic,Z (2393) Bosna
i Hercegovina 142/(48) 2019 (14.g5 Rxb2! 15.Kxb2 (15.Bf4 Bxf4+ 16.Kxb2 Bxg5-+)
15...Qb7+ 16.Kc1 Bxc3 17.Rd3 Nxe4-+)12.Kb1 e5 13.Ba7 Rb7 14.Qg3! O-O 15.Be3∞;
12.Qd3; 12.Bc4
12...e5 13.Ba7 Rb7 14.Qe3
14.Be3 Be7 15.Bxa6 (15.Bc4 O-O 16.Bb3 a5ƒ) 15...Rxb2! 16.Bxc8 (16.Kxb2 Bxa6µ) 16...Rb8
17.Bxd7+ (17.Ba6?! Qa5µ) 17...Nxd7³
14...Be7 15.Bc5 d6 16.Ba3 O-O
16...d5!? 17.exd5 (17.Bxe7 d4 18.Bxf6 dxe3 19.Rd8+ Qxd8 20.Bxd8 Kxd8 21.Bxa6 Rd7

440
22.Bxc8 Kxc8 23.fxe3 Rhd8³) 17...Bxa3 18.bxa3 O-O 19.Bxa6 cxd5 (19...Rb8 20.d6 Qa5
21.Bxc8 Rfxc8©) 20.Bxb7 Bxb7©
17.Bxa6?!
17.f4 Ng4 18.Bxg4 Bxg4 19.Rd3 Qa5ƒ
17...Rb8?!
17...Ra7! 18.Bxd6 (18.Bxc8 Rxa3 19.bxa3 (19.Bh3 Rxc3! 20.Qxc3 Nxe4 21.Qf3 d5µ)
19...Rxc8³) 18...Bxd6 19.Bxc8 Bb4 20.Bh3 Bxc3 (20...Rb8³) 21.Qxc3 Rxa2³
18.Bxc8
18.Bc4 Ra8©
18...Rfxc8 19.Rd3?!

19.f4 d5 20.Bxe7 Qxe7 21.fxe5 Qb4 22.exf6 (22.b3 Ng4©) 22...Qxb2+ 23.Kd2 d4 24.Qg5
Qxc3+ 25.Ke2 g6∞
19...d5! 20.Bxe7 Qxe7
20...d4 21.Qe2 Qxe7 22.Nb1 c5 23.c4 Ne8 24.Nd2 Nd6ƒ
21.Qe2?!
21.exd5 cxd5 (21...Qb4 22.dxc6 Qxb2+ 23.Kd2²) 22.Nxd5 Qb7 23.Qxe5 Re8 24.Nxf6+ gxf6
25.Qd5 Qxb2+ 26.Kd2 Qb6 27.Qd4 Qa5+ 28.Qc3 Qf5©
21...Qb4 22.Nd1 Qc4?

441
22...Nxe4µ
23.Re3! Qa4
23...Qxe2 24.Rxe2 Nxe4 25.f3 Ng5 26.Rxe5 Nxf3 27.Re3 Ng5=
24.Ra3 Qxe4 25.Qxe4
25.Re1 Qxe2 26.Rxe2 e4 27.f3∞
25...Nxe4 26.Re1 f6 27.b3
27.f3 Nc5 28.b3 Ne6³
27...Rc7
27...Ng5³
28.Ra5 Kf7 29.f4 Ke6 30.Ne3 g5 1/2-1/2

442
B50-B74

49. B51
Hansen, Eric (2611) - Saric, Ivan (2667)
Douglas 142/49, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O e6

5...a6 - 138/81
6.c4!? Nxe4N
6...Be7
7.Re1 Nf6 8.d4 cxd4 9.Nxd4 Be7 10.Rxe6! fxe6 11.Nxe6 Qa5 12.c5! dxc5

13.Bf4?
13.Na3! Qb4 (13...Kf7? 14.Nc4 Qb4 15.Bb3! Kxe6 16.Bd2 Qb5 (16...Kf7 17.Bxb4 cxb4
18.Nb6++-) 17.Qe2++-) 14.Bf4 (14.Bd2 Qe4 15.Nb5 Nd5 16.Qh5+ (16.Nxg7+!?∞) 16...g6
17.Qh3 Qxa4 18.Nec7+ Nxc7 19.Nxc7+ Kd8 20.Ne6+ Ke8 21.Nc7+=) 14...a6 15.Bb3
(15.Nc7+ Kf8 16.Ne6+ Ke8=; 15.Rc1 b5 16.Bb3 Bb7 17.Nc2 Qe4 18.Nxg7+ Kf8 (18...Kd8
19.f3 Qg6 20.Nd4 cxd4 21.Bc7+ Kc8 22.Bd6+ Kd8=) 19.Ne6+ Ke8) 15...b5 16.Nc2 Qe4
17.Nxg7+ Kf8 18.Ne6+ Ke8 19.f3 Qg6 20.Nc7+ Kf8 21.Ne6+ Ke8=
13...c4?
13...Kf7 14.Ng5+ (14.Nc3 Nb6 15.Ng5+ Kf8-+) 14...Kf8 15.Ne6+ Kg8 16.Nc7 (16.Bb3 c4!
17.Bxc4 Nb6-+) 16...Nb6-+

443
14.Nc3?
14.Nd2 Kf7 15.Nxc4 Qd5 16.Ng5+ (16.Bb3!? Qxd1+ 17.Rxd1©) 16...Kf8™ 17.Qe2 Nc5™
(17...Nb6? 18.Re1 Ne4 19.Nxb6 axb6 20.Bb3 Qf5 21.g3 Bxg5 22.Qd3! Be7 23.Rxe4±) 18.Re1
Nce4 19.Nxe4 Qxe4 20.Qxe4 Nxe4 21.Rxe4©
14...Kf7 15.Ng5+ Kf8

16.Qe2
16.b4! Qf5! (16...Qxb4 17.Nd5 Qxa4 18.Ne6+ Kf7 19.Ng5+ Kf8=) 17.Bc2 Qg4 18.f3 Qh5
19.g4 (19.Qd4 Nb8! 20.Qxc4 Nc6µ) 19...Qe8 20.Ne6+ Kg8 21.Nc7 Qf7 22.Nxa8 Bxb4
23.Qd2 Ne8! 24.Re1 Nf8 25.a3 Bxc3 26.Qxc3 h5³
16...Nb6 17.Re1 Qc5 18.Be3?!
18.Nce4 Nxe4 19.Nxe4 Qd4 (19...Qf5 20.Nd6 Qe6 21.Qd2 Qd5 22.Qe2 Be6 23.Rd1 Nxa4
24.Rxd5 Bxd5 25.Qe5©) 20.Nd6 (20.Rd1 Bg4!-+) 20...Be6! (20...Nd5?! 21.Bg5!→) 21.Qxe6
Qf6µ
18...Qe5 19.f4
19.Nf3 Bg4 20.Nxe5 Bxe2 21.Bxb6 axb6 22.Rxe2 g6µ
19...Qc7-+ 20.Nb5 Qd7 21.Bxb6 axb6 22.Rd1 Qc6 0-1

50. ****** B51

Brkic, Ante (2600) - Djukic, Nikola (2518)
Hrvatska 142/50, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 4.O-O a6 5.Bd3 Ngf6 6.c3 b5 7.Bc2 Bb7 8.Re1 c4 9.a4 e6
10.d4 cxd3 11.Qxd3 Nc5 12.Qe2 bxa4 13.Be3
13.e5 dxe5 14.Nxe5

444
14...Qd5! (14...Be7 - 139/(61)) 15.f3 (15.Qf1 Be7 16.Na3 O-O 17.Nac4 Qd8∞) 15...Bd6
(15...Nb3

16.Rxa4?!N (16.Bf4!? Qb5 (16...Bc5+? 17.Kh1 Nxa1 18.Bxa4+ Kf8 19.b4 Nb3 (19...Be7
20.Rd1+-) 20.bxc5 Nxc5 21.Rd1 Nxa4 22.Rxd5 Nxd5

445
23.Qd1!+-) 17.c4 Qb6+ 18.Be3 Qc7 19.Rxa4 Qxe5 20.Bxb3∞) 16...Nxc1 17.Rxc1 Bd6³
Ziska,H (2533)-Firouzja,A (2682) France (ch-rapid) 142/(50) 2019) 16.Nd2 Bxe5 17.Qxe5
Qxe5 18.Rxe5 Nfd7

19.Rh5N

446
(19.Rg5) 19...g6 - 142/(50) (19...f5N 20.Nc4 O-O 21.Na5 Rab8 22.Rh4 Ba8

23.Rb4?! (23.Bxa4 Nxa4 24.Rhxa4 Nc5=) 23...Rb5³ Kalyan,A (2482)-Bharathakoti,H (2489)

Sants 142/(50) 2019) 20.Rh4 Ke7 21.Bxa4 Nxa4 22.Rhxa4∞ Radnakrishnan,V (2353)-
Demuth,A (2512) Iraklion 142/(50) 2019
13...Nfd7 - 142/50
13...Nfxe4!? 14.Nbd2 Nxd2 (14...Be7 15.Nxe4 Nxe4 16.Bd4 Nf6 17.Bxa4+ Kf8 18.Ng5 e5
19.Bb3 Bd5 20.Bxd5 Nxd5 21.Nxf7 Kxf7 22.Qc4 exd4 23.Qxd5+ Kf8 24.Rxe7 Kxe7 25.Re1+
Kf8= 26.Qf3+ Kg8 27.Qd5+ Kf8=) 15.Nxd2

447
15...Rc8N (15...Nd7 16.Rxa4 Be7 17.Rg4©) 16.Bxc5 Rxc5 17.Bxa4+ Ke7∞ Amin,B (2704)-
So,W (2754) Abidjan (rapid) 142/ (50) 2019; 13...Bxe4N 14.Bxc5 Bxc2

15.Qxc2! dxc5 16.Qxa4+ Qd7 17.Ne5 Qxa4 18.Rxa4 Bd6 19.Nc4 Bc7 20.Nbd2 Ke7 21.Rea1
a5 22.Nb3² Nakamura,H (2741)-Giri,A (2776) Kolkata (rapid) 142/ (50) 2019
14.Bxc5 Nxc5 15.Rxa4 Be7

448
16.Rd4

16...O-ON
16...a5N - 142/ (50) 17.e5 d5 18.Nbd2 a4 19.h4 a3 20.bxa3 Rxa3 21.Qb5+ Qd7 22.Qb1 Qc7 1/2
(22) Mulligan,B-Salcedo Mederos,P corr 142/ (50) 2019; 16...Qc7 - 139/ 61
17.e5

449
17...d5
17...Bxf3! 18.Qxf3 d5 19.c4 (19.b4 Nd7∞; 19.Nd2) 19...Qa5 20.Red1 dxc4 21.Nd2 Qb4
22.Nxc4 Rad8∞
18.Nbd2 a5 19.Rg4 Rb8
19...Kh8 20.Qe3 h6 21.Rg3→
20.Qe3 Kh8 21.Nd4
21.Ng5 g6 22.h4 Ne4 23.Ndxe4 dxe4 24.h5→
21...Ne4 22.Nf1?!
22.Nxe4 dxe4 23.Re2 Bc5 24.Bxe4 Bxd4 25.cxd4 Bxe4 26.Qxe4 Rb4©
22...Bh4
22...Bg5! 23.Qe2 (23.f4 Be7 24.Ng3 g6³) 23...g6 24.Ng3 Nc5³
23.Ng3

450
23...h5??
23...Nxg3 24.hxg3 Be7 25.Kh2 g6 (25...Ba8? 26.Rh1 Rxb2 27.Bxh7 Kxh7 28.Kg1+ Kg8
29.Rxg7++-) 26.Bxg6!? (26.Rh1 Rg8 27.Kg1→) 26...fxg6 27.Nxe6 Qd7 (27...Qe8? 28.Nxf8
Bxf8 29.e6+-) 28.Rxg6 Rf7 29.Qh6 Rg8 30.Rxg8+ Kxg8 31.f3ƒ; 23...Bg5 24.Qe2 Be7 25.Nxe4
dxe4 26.Bxe4 Bxe4 27.Rxe4 Qb6 28.b3 Bc5©
24.Rf4! Bg5
24...Nxg3 25.hxg3 Bg5 26.Nxe6 fxe6 27.Rxf8+ Qxf8 28.Qxg5+-
25.Nxh5+- Bxf4 26.Qxf4 Ba8
26...Qg5 27.Rxe4 Qxf4 28.Rxf4+-
27.Bxe4
27.Nf6+-
27...dxe4 28.Nf6 1-0
51. ** B52
Bacrot, Etienne (2669) - Kozul, Zdenko (2593)
Zagreb 142/51, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.Bxd7+ Nxd7 5.O-O Ngf6 6.Qe2 Rc8
6...Qc7!? 7.Rd1 Rc8 8.c4 Ne5 9.Nc3 e6 10.b3

451
10...Nxf3+N (10...a6) 11.Qxf3 Be7 12.d4 cxd4 13.Rxd4∞ Wang,H (2735)-Korobov,A (2687)
Hengshui (blitz) 142/(51) 2019
7.c3 e6 8.d4 cxd4 9.cxd4 d5 10.e5 Ne4 11.Be3

11...Qb6?!
11...Be7 12.Ne1 f5 13.f3 Ng5 14.Nd3 O-O 15.Nc3 Qb6

452
16.Rfc1N (16.Rac1) 16...Nf7 17.Rc2 Rc6 18.Na4 Qa6 19.Rxc6 Qxc6 20.b3 Ba3 21.Bc1 Be7
22.Bd2² Ju,W (2580)-Stocek,J (2592) Praha II 142/(51) 2019
12.Ne1 h6N
12...f6?! - 100/123
13.Nd3 Be7 14.f3 Ng5 15.Nc3 O-O 16.Rac1 Rc6 17.f4 Ne4 18.Nxe4 dxe4 19.Nf2 Qa5
19...Qa6 20.Qxa6 Rxa6 21.Nxe4 Nb6 22.a3 Nd5²
20.Nxe4 Qxa2 21.Nc3

21.Ra1 Qb3 22.Rxa7 Rc2 23.Rxb7 Rxe2 24.Rxb3 Rb8 25.Rxb8+ Nxb8 26.Rf3 Rxb2©
21...Qb3?!

453
¹21...Qc4 22.Qf3 (22.Qxc4 Rxc4 23.d5 Bc5 24.Bxc5 Nxc5 25.Rcd1 Rb4„; 22.Qg4 f5! 23.exf6
Nxf6 24.Qg6 Nd5„) 22...Nb6 23.f5 f6„
22.f5?!
22.d5 exd5 23.Qd1 Qxd1 24.Rfxd1²; 22.Rcd1²
22...exf5 23.d5 Rg6„
23...Rcc8 24.d6 (24.Rxf5 Ba3! 25.bxa3 (25.Rcf1 Qxb2 26.Qxb2 Bxb2 27.e6 fxe6 28.dxe6 Rxf5
29.Rxf5 Nf6³) 25...Rxc3 26.Rxc3 Qxc3∞; 24.Bd4 Qc4) 24...Bd8 25.Rxf5 Qe6 26.Rcf1 Nxe5
27.Bd4 f6 28.Bxe5 Bb6+ 29.Kh1 fxe5 30.Rxf8+ Rxf8 31.Rxf8+ Kxf8 32.Ne4∞
24.Rxf5

24...a6?!
24...Bb4 25.Qd1 (25.Qf3 Ba5 26.Rf1 Re8∞) 25...Qxd1+ (25...Qxb2? 26.Rf2+-) 26.Rxd1 Re8
27.d6 (27.Bxa7 Nxe5∞) 27...Bxc3 28.bxc3 b6∞; 24...Re8!?
25.Rd1 Re8 26.Bd4 Bc5
26...Bd8 27.Rdf1 (27.Qf2 Bb6 28.Rxf7 (28.Bxb6 Qxb6 29.Rxf7 Qxf2+ 30.Rxf2 Rxe5∞)
28...Nxe5 29.Rf4 Rg4∞) 27...Bb6 28.Bxb6 Qxb6+ 29.Kh1 Rf6 30.Rxf6 Nxf6∞
27.Bxc5 Nxc5 28.d6
28.Rf3! Na4 29.Nxa4 Qxa4 30.Re3±
28...Kh7?
28...Rge6 29.Qf2 Nd7 30.Rxf7 Nxe5 31.Rc7 Rf8 32.Qg3 (32.Qd4 Qxb2∞) 32...Qb6+ 33.Kh1
Nf7 34.d7 Rd6 35.Rxd6 (35.Rc8 Rxd1+ 36.Nxd1 Nd8³) 35...Nxd6 36.Qxg7+ (36.d8=Q?!
Qxc7!µ) 36...Kxg7 37.d8=Q+ Qxc7 38.Qxc7+ Rf7=; 28...Rg5!?

454
29.Qf2 Nd7
29...Na4 30.Rd4±
30.Rxf7 Nxe5 31.Re7 Ng4 32.Qd4 Rd8
32...Rxe7 33.dxe7 Qe6 34.Nd5+-
33.Ne4?!
33.d7! Qxb2 (33...Qc2 34.Ne2+-) 34.Nd5 Qxd4+ 35.Rxd4 Rd6 36.Rxg4 Rxd5 37.Rgxg7+ Kh8
38.h4 a5 (38...h5 39.g4 hxg4 40.Rh7+ Kg8 41.h5+-) 39.g4 a4 40.g5 hxg5 41.h5+-
33...Qc2?!
33...Qe3+ 34.Qxe3 (34.Nf2 Qxf2+ 35.Qxf2 Nxf2 36.Kxf2 Rgxd6=) 34...Nxe3 35.Rd2 Nc4
36.Rd4 Nxd6 37.Rxd6 Rdxd6 38.Nxd6 Rxd6 39.Rxb7=
34.Qd2 Rgxd6?

34...Qc6 35.Qe2 Qb6+ 36.Kh1±

35.Ng5+!+- Kg8 36.Re8+ Rxe8 37.Qxc2 hxg5 38.Qc4+ 1-0
52. B52
McShane, Luke J (2682) - Adhiban, Baskaran (2639)
Douglas 142/52, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.Bxd7+ Nxd7 5.O-O Ngf6 6.Qe2 e6 7.d4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 a6 9.c4
Rc8
9...g6 - 71/198; 9...Be7 - 83/(174)
10.b3 g6 11.Bb2 Bg7 12.Nc3 O-O 13.Rad1 Qc7

455
14.Kh1N
14.f4
14...Rfd8
14...Rfe8 15.f4 e5 16.fxe5 Nxe5∞; 14...d5!? 15.exd5 exd5 16.cxd5 (16.Nxd5 Nxd5 17.cxd5
Rfe8 18.Qd3 Red8©) 16...Rfe8 17.Qf3 (17.Qd2 Qd6 18.Nf3 b5©) 17...Qd6©
15.f4 Qb8 16.Nf3
16.g4!? e5 17.fxe5 dxe5 18.Nf3 b5 19.g5 Nh5 20.Nd5²
16...Nh5?
16...b5 17.e5 (17.cxb5 axb5 18.Qxb5 Ng4 19.Qxb8 Nxb8 20.Rc1 Nc6 21.h3 Nf6©) 17...Nh5
18.Ne4 Nxf4 19.Qf2 bxc4 (19...dxe5 20.Nd6 Nc5 21.Nxc8 Rxc8 22.Nxe5 Bxe5 23.Bxe5 Qxe5
24.Qxf4 Qxf4 25.Rxf4²) 20.Nxd6 Nd3 21.Rxd3 cxd3 22.Ng5 Rf8 23.Nxc8 Qxc8 24.Ba3 Nxe5
25.Bxf8 Qxf8©
17.f5
17.Ng5!

456
17...b5 (17...h6 18.Nxf7! Kxf7 19.f5 Kg8 (19...Ndf6 20.fxe6+ Kg8 21.g4+-; 19...Nhf6
20.fxe6+ Kxe6 21.Nd5+-) 20.fxe6 Ne5 21.Nd5 Re8 22.e7+-) 18.Nxf7! Kxf7 19.f5 Kg8
20.fxe6 Ndf6 21.g4±
17...Re8 18.fxe6 fxe6 19.e5! Nxe5 20.Nxe5 Bxe5?!
20...dxe5 21.Ne4 Rf8 (21...Nf4? 22.Rxf4! exf4 23.Bxg7 Kxg7 24.Rd7++-) 22.Ba3 Rxf1+
23.Rxf1²
21.Ne4 Bxb2 22.Qxb2 d5?!

¹22...Rf8 23.Rxf8+ (23.g4 Rxf1+ 24.Rxf1 Rf8 25.Re1 d5 26.gxh5 dxe4 27.Rxe4 Qd6∞)
23...Rxf8 24.Qd4 Qd8 25.Nxd6²
23.g4! dxe4 24.gxh5 e5?

457
24...Qc7 25.hxg6 hxg6 26.Qg2 Qg7 27.Qxe4 Rf8 28.Qxe6+ Kh8±; 24...Rf8 25.hxg6 Rxf1+
26.Rxf1 Rf8 27.gxh7+ Kxh7 28.Rg1 Rg8 29.Qf6 Rxg1+ 30.Kxg1±
25.hxg6 hxg6 26.Qg2 Rc6 27.Rd7 Rd6
27...Rd8 28.Rdf7 Qc8 29.Qf2 g5 30.Rf6 e3 31.Qxe3 Qg4 32.R6f5 Rg6 33.Rxe5+-; 27...Rf8
28.Rfd1 Rcf6 29.Qh3 R6f7 30.Qh6+-
28.Rdf7
28.Rff7 Rd1+ 29.Rxd1 Kxf7 30.Qf2+ Ke6 (30...Ke7 31.Qh4+ Ke6 32.Qh7+-) 31.Qb6+ Ke7
32.Qxg6+-
28...Qc8 29.R7f6 Rxf6 30.Rxf6 Re7 31.Rxg6+ Kh8 32.Qg5 Qf8 33.Qh5+ Rh7 34.Qxe5+ Rg7
35.Qxg7+ Qxg7 36.Rxg7 Kxg7 37.Kg2 1-0

53. B62
Ponomariov, Ruslan (2648) - Edouard, Romain (2635)
Ulcinj 142/53, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd3 Qb6 8.Nb3 a6 9.Qg3N
9.Be2 - 78/214
9...Qc7
9...Be7 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 (10...gxf6 11.O-O-O²) 11.Qxd6 Be5 12.Qc5 Qxc5 13.Nxc5 b5©
10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Be2 h5 12.Qh4
12.O-O-O
12...Bg7 13.Bxh5?!

458
13.O-O-O
13...Kf8!
13...b5 14.Qg3 Kf8 15.Be2 Bb7©
14.f4 Ne7
14...b5!?
15.Qh3 d5 16.O-O?
16.exd5
16...dxe4 17.Nxe4 f5! 18.Ng5 Nd5 19.Nxf7
19.Qf3 Nxf4! 20.Qxf4 Qxf4 21.Rxf4 Rxh5 22.Nf3 Bxb2-+
19...Qxf7 20.Bxf7 Rxh3 21.Bxe6 Rxb3
21...Bxe6!? 22.gxh3 Bxb2-+
22.Bxd5 Rxb2 23.Rad1 Rxc2-+ 24.Bb3 Re2 25.Rd8+ Re8
25...Ke7!? 26.Rfd1 Re1+ 27.Rxe1+ Kxd8
26.Rd6 b5 27.Bd5 Rb8 28.Rc1 Rb6 29.Rxb6 Bd4+ 30.Kf1 Bxb6 31.Rc6 Bd4 32.h4 a5 33.h5
Rd8
33...Bb7!? 34.Rd6 Ke7! 35.Re6+ Kd7 36.Rxe8 Bxd5 37.Rf8 Bxa2
34.Bb3 a4 35.Bc2 Ke7 36.h6 Be6 37.h7 Bc4+ 38.Ke1 Bc3+ 0-1

54. * B62
Sarana, Alexey (2655) - Vovk, Andrey (2618)
Douglas 142/54, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd3 a6 8.Nxc6 bxc6 9.O-O-O
Be7
9...Qa5 10.Qg3 d5?!

459
(10...Rb8 - 140/66) 11.Qf4?!N (11.Be2! Bb4 12.Bd2 O-O (12...d4 13.Qxg7 dxc3 14.Be3 cxb2+
15.Kb1 Rf8 16.Qxf6+-) 13.a3 Bxc3 14.Bxc3 Qd8 15.f4±) 11...Be7 12.e5 Bartel,M (2612)-
Czarnota,P (2532) Polska 142/(54) 2019 (12.e5 Ng8∞)
10.Qg3 e5

11.Bc4N
11.f4; 11.Be2
11...h6 12.Bd2 g5?!
12...Nh5 13.Qf3 Nf6∞
13.h4 g4

460
14.f4! gxf3
14...Qc7 15.fxe5 dxe5 16.Rhf1 Rh7 17.Be3 Rb8 (17...Bd7 18.Na4! Nxe4 19.Rxd7 (19.Qe1!?)
19...Nxg3 (19...Qxd7 20.Qxe5 Nd6 21.Bd3+-) 20.Rxc7 Nxf1 21.Bxf1+-) 18.Bd4+-
15.gxf3± Rg8 16.Qf2 Bf8 17.Be3
17.f4!? Ng4 18.Qe2±
17...Be6 18.Qe2
18.Bb3!?
18...Qc8 19.Bxe6 Qxe6
19...fxe6 20.f4 exf4 21.Bxf4 e5 22.Be3±
20.f4
20.Kb1!?
20...exf4
¹20...Ng4
21.Bxf4 Nd7 22.Rhf1 a5 23.Qd2 Rg6 24.h5 Rf6 25.Rg1 Ne5 26.Rg8

461
26...Nc4
26...O-O-O!?
27.Qh2 a4?!
27...O-O-O
28.Qg3
28.Bxd6 Nxd6 29.e5 Rf5 30.exd6+-
28...a3
¹28...O-O-O
29.b3+- Ne5 30.Ne2 Nd7 31.Nd4 Qxe4 32.Re1 Rxf4 33.Rxe4+ Rxe4 34.Qxd6 Rc8 35.Nf5 f6
36.Rh8 Rd8

462
37.Rxf8+
37.Qe7+ Rxe7 38.Nd6#
1-0

55. B62
Nabaty, Tamir (2658) - Westerberg, Jonathan (2546)
Batumi 142/55, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd3 a6 8.O-O-O Be7
8...Bd7 - 139/(64)
9.Nxc6 bxc6 10.Qg3 e5

11.f4 Qa5N

463
11...Nh5 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 (12...Nxg3 13.Bxd8 Nxh1 14.Bh4±) 13.Qd3 Nxf4 14.Qxd6 Bd7
15.Qc7 Rc8 16.Qa5 O-O 17.Rd2±; 11...exf4 12.Qxf4 Qb6 13.Bc4 Qc5 14.Bb3²
12.fxe5
12.f5 Rb8 13.Bc4 Nh5 14.Qh4 Nf6 15.Bb3±
12...Nh5
12...dxe5 13.Bc4 Qc5 14.Bb3 Nh5 15.Qh4 Nf4 16.Kb1 Bxg5 17.Qxg5 O-O²
13.Qh4 Bxg5+ 14.Qxg5 Qxe5 15.Qxe5+ dxe5 16.Rd6 Bd7 17.Bc4 Ke7 18.Rhd1 Nf6 19.h3
Ra7 20.g4?!
20.R6d3²
20...h6?!
20...g5! 21.Na4 (21.R6d3 h5ƒ) 21...Nxe4 22.Rh6 Kf8 23.Re1 f5 (23...Kg7 24.Rh5 Nd6
25.Rxg5+ Kf6 26.Rh5 Nxc4 27.b3 Nd6 28.Rh6+ Ke7 29.Rxe5+ Be6 30.Nc5∞) 24.Rxe4!? fxe4
25.Nc5 Kg7 26.Rd6©
21.R6d3 Rc8?!
21...a5²
22.Na4 c5
22...Nxe4 23.Nb6 Rcc7 24.Re3 Nd6 25.Rxe5+ Kf6 26.Rc5±
23.Nb6 Rcc7

24.Rd5! Nxd5 25.Nxd5+ Ke8

25...Kd8 26.Nxc7 Kxc7 27.Bxf7±

464
26.Nxc7+ Rxc7 27.Bxa6 c4
27...Bc6 28.Bc4 Bxe4 29.Re1 Bg2 30.Rxe5+ Re7 31.Rh5±
28.Rd5 f6 29.Bb5 Bxb5 30.Rxb5 Ra7 31.Kb1
31.Kd2 Rxa2 32.Kc3+-
31...Kf7 32.Rc5 Ra4 33.Rc7+ Kg6 34.c3 Kg5 35.Rxg7+ Kf4 36.Rg6 Ra6 37.Rxh6 Rd6 38.Rg6?
38.a4!

38...Ra6 (38...Kxe4 39.g5 Rd1+ 40.Kc2 Rg1 41.gxf6 Rg2+ 42.Kb1 Rg1+ 43.Ka2+-; 38...Kg5
39.Rh5+ Kf4 40.Rf5+ Kxe4 41.Kc2 Ra6 (41...Ke3 42.g5+-) 42.h4 Kd5 43.h5 Ke6 44.b3+-)
39.Rg6 Kxe4 40.g5 Rxa4 41.Rxf6+-
38...Kxe4 39.g5
39.a4 Ke3! 40.g5 Rd1+ 41.Ka2 (41.Kc2 Rd2+ 42.Kc1 fxg5 43.Rxg5 Rd5=) 41...fxg5 42.Rxg5
e4 43.a5 Kf4 44.Rg7 e3 45.Rf7+ Ke4 46.a6 e2 47.a7 Rd8 48.b4 cxb3+ 49.Kxb3 Kd3 50.Re7
Kd2 51.Kb4 Ra8=; 39.Kc1 Rd3 40.Rxf6 (40.h4 Rh3=) 40...Rxh3=; 39.b4 Kd3 40.Kb2 e4 41.g5
e3 42.gxf6 e2 43.f7 Rxg6 44.f8=Q e1=Q 45.Qd8+ Ke3 46.Qe8+ Kd2=
39...Rd1+ 40.Kc2 Rg1 41.Rxf6 Rg2+ 42.Kd1 Rxg5 43.Rf2
43.a4 Rg1+ 44.Ke2 Rg2+ 45.Rf2 Rg1=
43...Rg1+ 44.Kd2 Rh1 45.Re2+ Kf4 46.b3 Ra1?
46...e4 47.bxc4 Rxh3 48.Rf2+ (48.a4 Rd3+ 49.Kc2 Kf3 50.Re1 Rd8=) 48...Ke5 49.Kc2 Rh8=
47.bxc4 e4
47...Rxa2+ 48.Kd3 Ra1 49.Rf2+ Kg3 50.Rf5 Ra5 51.Ke4 Rc5 52.Rxe5 Rxc4+ 53.Kd3+-

465
48.Rf2+ Ke5 49.Rf8 Rxa2+ 50.Ke3 Rc2 51.Re8+ Kd6
51...Kf5 52.Kd4 Rd2+ 53.Kc5 Rd1

54.h4! (54.Kc6? Rd3 55.c5 Rxc3 56.h4 Rc1 57.h5 Re1 58.Kb6 e3 59.c6 e2 60.Kc7 Kg5=)
54...Kf4 (54...Rc1 55.Kd5+-) 55.Kb6 Rb1+ (55...e3 56.c5+-) 56.Kc6 e3 (56...Rc1 57.c5 Rxc3
58.h5 Rh3 59.h6! Rxh6+ 60.Kd5 e3 61.Kd4+-) 57.c5 Kf3 58.Kd5 Rd1+ 59.Kc4 e2 60.c6 Rd8
61.Re7+-
52.h4 Rxc3+ 53.Kd4 Rd3+ 54.Kxe4 Rh3 55.Rh8 Kc5 56.h5 1-0

56. B63
Vallejo Pons, Francisco (2678) - Cori Tello, Jorge (2686)
Espana 142/56, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 d6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 h6 8.Bxf6 gxf6 9.O-O-O
a6 10.f4 Qb6
10...Bd7 - 68/175
11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Bc4 Be7

466
12...Rb8 13.Bb3²
13.Rhe1N
13.f5
13...a5 14.Bb3² Rb8 15.Kb1 Qb4?!
15...c5 16.Ka1 c4 (16...Bd7 17.Qe2!?±) 17.Ba4+ Bd7 18.Bxd7+ Kxd7 19.Rb1²
16.a3 Qb6 17.f5 c5 18.Ka1
18.fxe6!? fxe6 19.Qe2±
18...Bd7
18...c4 19.Ba4+ Bd7 20.Bxd7+ Kxd7 21.Rb1±
19.Rb1 h5
19...Qa6!?
20.Qd3± Qb7 21.Bc4 Qc8

467
21...h4!?
22.Ne2! Rg8
22...exf5?! 23.Nf4!+-
23.Nf4 Rg4 24.Nxh5 Rxg2?!
24...e5 25.Qd5 Kd8 26.Qd2!?+-
25.Rg1! Rxg1
25...Rg5 26.h4! Rxg1 (26...Rxh5 27.Rg8+ Bf8 28.Qxd6) 27.Rxg1+-
26.Rxg1+- Qb7 27.Qc3
27.Rg8+ Bf8 28.Qc3
27...Bb5
¹27...Kd8
28.Ng7+
28.Rg8+ Kd7 (28...Bf8 29.Bxe6! fxe6 30.fxe6 Bc6 (30...Qe7 31.Nxf6+ Kd8 32.Qxa5+ Kc8
33.Nd5) 31.Qxf6) 29.fxe6+ fxe6 30.Rxb8 Qxb8 31.Qb3
28...Kd7 29.fxe6+ fxe6 30.Bxe6+ Kc7 31.Bd5 Qa6 32.Nf5 Bf8 33.Qxf6 Bd7 34.e5!?
34.Rg8
34...Bxf5 35.Qxf5 Qe2
35...Rd8
36.Qf7+ Kb6 37.Qd7

468
37.Rg8!
37...Qb5 38.Qxb5+ Kxb5 39.e6 c4 40.Rg4
40.Rg8!?
40...c3 41.bxc3 Kc5 42.Bb3 Be7 43.Rc4+ Kb6 44.Rf4 Rh8 45.Rf7 Bg5 46.Rf2 Rh4 47.a4 Re4
1-0

57. B66
Yu, Yangyi (2736) - Zhou, Jianchao (2608)
Changsha 142/57, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.Nxc6 bxc6 9.O-O-O
e5
9...Be7 - 126/62
10.f4N
10.Bc4
10...h6 11.Bh4 Be7 12.fxe5
12.Bxf6 Bxf6 (12...gxf6 13.f5 Rb8 14.Bc4 Qb6 15.b3²) 13.Qxd6 Qxd6 14.Rxd6 Bb7 15.f5²
12...dxe5 13.Qxd8+ Bxd8 14.Bc4 Be7 15.Rhf1 Be6 16.Bxe6 fxe6 17.Bg3 Ng4 18.Rf3 h5
18...Bg5+ 19.Kb1 Ne3 20.Rg1²
19.h3 h4
19...Bg5+ 20.Kb1 Ne3 21.Re1 Nc4 22.Rd3²
20.hxg4
20.Be1 Nf6 21.b3²
20...hxg3 21.Rxg3 Bg5+ 22.Kb1 Rd8 23.Rxd8+ Bxd8 [R 9/i] 24.a3 Rh1+ 25.Ka2² Re1 26.g5
26.Rd3!?
26...Ba5
¹26...Bb6
27.b4
27.Na4! Rxe4 28.b4 Bd8 29.Nc5 Re2 30.Kb3±
27...Bb6 28.Na4 Bg1 29.Rg4 Kf7
29...Re2 30.Kb3 Re3+ 31.c3 Bf2 32.g6²
30.g6+

469
30.Nb2!?
30...Kf6 31.Kb3 Rb1+ 32.Kc4 Rc1 33.c3 Ra1?!
33...Bf2
34.Kb3 Rf1 35.Kc4 Ra1

36.Nc5! Bxc5
36...Rxa3 37.Nd7+ Ke7 38.Nxe5+-
37.Kxc5 Rxa3 38.Rg3+- a5 39.Kxc6 axb4 40.Rf3+ Kxg6 41.cxb4 Ra2 42.Rb3 Rxg2 43.b5
Rc2+ 44.Kd7 Kf6 45.b6 Rd2+ 46.Ke8 Rh2 47.b7 Rh8+ 48.Kd7 Kg5 49.b8=Q Rxb8 50.Rxb8
Kf4 51.Kxe6 g5 52.Kd5 1-0

58. * !N B67
Saric, Ivan (2667) - Vovk, Andrey (2618)
Douglas 142/58, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.O-O-O Bd7 9.f4 b5
10.Bxf6 gxf6
10...Qxf6? 11.e5 dxe5 12.Ndxb5
11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nce2 h5 13.h4 O-O-O 14.Rh3 Kb8
14...Na5

470
15.Rd3N (15.Nb3 Nc4 16.Qc3 d5 17.Qxf6 Rh6 18.Qxf7 Nd6 19.Qg8 Nxe4©) 15...Kb8 16.Qe1
Be7 17.f5

17...e5? Sadhwani,R (2447)-Rahmanidis,P (2207) Paleochora 142/(58) 2019 (17...e5 18.Nc3!

exd4 19.Nd5 Qa7 20.Qxa5+-; 17...Nc4 18.fxe6 fxe6 19.Nf4 d5 20.exd5 e5 21.Ng6±)
15.Nxc6+ Bxc6 16.Rb3 d5 17.Nd4 Bb7 18.e5 fxe5 19.fxe5 Rg8

471
20.a4!N
20.g3
20...b4 21.g3 Rg4
21...Bc5 22.Be2 Rh8 23.c3±; 21...a5 22.Be2 f6 23.Qe3 (23.exf6 e5 24.f7 Rg7 25.Nf3 Rxf7
26.Nxe5 Rf5 27.Nd3²) 23...Bg7 24.Bb5 Rc8 (24...fxe5?! 25.Nc6+ Kc7 26.Nxd8 Qxe3
27.Nxe6+ Kd6 28.Rxe3 Kxe6 29.c4±) 25.exf6 Bxf6 26.Nxe6±
22.Be2 Re4 23.Bxh5 Rd7 24.Rf3

24...Bg7
24...Bc5 25.Nb3 Be3 26.a5 Qa7 27.Qg2 d4 28.Qf1 Bd5 29.Bxf7 Rxe5 30.Bg6±
25.Rxf7 Rxf7 26.Bxf7 Bxe5 27.Nxe6 b3 28.cxb3 Bxg3 29.Nf8 Re7 30.Bxd5 Bc8 31.h5 Bg4

472
32.Qg5 Qb4 33.Ne6 Re8 34.Nd4 1-0

59. * B67
Idani, Pouya (2568) - Krzyzanowski, Marcin (2500)
Tegernsee 142/59, 2019

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 b5
10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.f5 Qc5
13...h5 14.fxe6 fxe6 15.Bd3 (15.Qe1 - 141/59) 15...O-O-O!? 16.Ne2

16...Qc5?!N (16...Bh6 17.Qc3²) 17.Rhf1 (17.Qa5!?) 17...Qe5? Anand, V (2764)-Caruana,F

(2819) Paris (blitz) 142/(59) 2019 (17...Qe5 18.Qa5! Bb7 19.a4±; 17...Bg7 18.Nf4ƒ)
14.fxe6
14.Bd3 - 40/242
14...fxe6 15.Ne2!?

473
15...Rc8N
15...h5; 15...Bxe4 16.Nd4 (16.Ng3 Bg6 17.Bd3©) 16...e5 (16...Kf7 17.Be2 e5 (17...Rg8 18.Qe3
d5 19.Qh3 Re8 20.Rhe1©) 18.Bf3 Bxf3 19.Nxf3©) 17.Ne6 Qc8 18.Nxf8 Rxf8 19.Bd3 Bxd3
20.Qxd3 Qc7 21.Rhf1©
16.Nd4 Kf7 17.Be2 h5
17...Bxe4? 18.Bg4±; 17...Rg8 18.Qe3 Qe5 19.Bf3²
18.Rhf1 Bxe4 19.Rde1
19.Bf3 Bg6 20.Ka1 Bh6 21.Qf2 f5 22.c3©
19...Bh6

20.Bxh5+! Qxh5 21.Qf2 Bxc2+

474
21...Bf5 22.Nxf5 exf5

23.g4! Qxg4 (23...Qg6 24.gxf5 Qh5 (24...Qg7 25.Qa7+ Kf8 26.Qd4 Kg8 (26...Rd8 27.Re6 Bg5
28.Rfe1+-) 27.Qxd6 Rc7 28.Rg1 Bg5 29.Re8+ Kh7 30.Rxh8+ Kxh8 31.h4+-) 25.Qa7+ Kg8
26.Rg1+ Bg5 27.Qb7 Re8 28.h4! Rxe1+ 29.Rxe1 Bh6 (29...Bxh4 30.Qc8+ Kg7 31.Re7++-)
30.Rg1+ Kf8 31.a3 Qe8 (31...Qf7 32.Qb8+ Qe8 33.Qxd6+ Kf7 34.Qd5+ Kf8 35.Rg6+-)
32.Rg6 Qd8 33.b4+-) 24.Qa7+ Kg6 (24...Kf8 25.Qd7 Ra8 26.Rg1+-) 25.Rg1±
22.Ka1?

22.Nxc2 Qg6 23.Qa7+ Kg8 24.Re2 Rh7 (24...Qd3 25.Qd7 Qxe2 26.Qxc8+ Kg7 27.Qd7+ Kg6
28.Re1∞) 25.Qd4 Rhc7 26.Rxf6 Qg7 27.Qf2 Rxc2 28.Rxc2 Rxc2 29.Kxc2 Qc7+ 30.Kd1 Qc1+
31.Ke2 Qxb2+ 32.Kf1=
22...f5?

475
22...Qg6! 23.Rxe6 Bg7 24.Qe2 (24.Qf3 Rc5 25.Rxd6 Re8-+; 24.Rxd6 Rhe8-+) 24...Bd3
25.Re7+ Kf8 26.Qe6 Re8 27.Re1 Rxe7 28.Qxe7+ Kg8-+
23.Nxc2 Bg7
¹23...Rhe8 24.Ne3 Rc5 25.h4∞
24.Nd4

24.g4 Qxg4 25.Qa7+ Kf8 26.Qd7 Qc4 (26...Rxc2?? 27.Qxe6 Bxb2+ 28.Kb1+-) 27.Qxd6+ Kf7
28.Qd7+ Kf8=
24...Be5?
24...Qh4 25.Nxf5 (25.Qxh4 Rxh4 26.Nxe6 Be5 27.Ng5+ Kf6 28.Ne4+ Ke7³) 25...Qxf2
(25...exf5?? 26.Qxf5+ Bf6 27.Re4+-) 26.Nxd6+ Kg8 27.Rxf2 Rc6 28.Ne4 Rxh2∞
25.Nf3! Bf6
25...Rhg8 26.Nxe5+ dxe5 27.Rxe5 Qxh2 28.Qd4 Rcd8 29.Qc5²
26.Qa7+ Be7??
26...Kg8 27.Qxa6 Rc2 (27...Qe8 28.Qxd6 Rh6 29.Kb1±) 28.Qxd6 Rxg2 (28...Qf7 29.Nd4 Rd2
30.Rd1 Rxd4 31.Rxd4 Bxd4 32.Qd8+ Kg7 33.Qxd4+ Qf6 34.Qd7+ Kg6 35.h3±) 29.Rxe6 Qxf3
30.Qb8+ Kh7 31.Qa7+ Rg7 32.Qxg7+ Kxg7 33.Rxf3 Rxh2 34.Rf1±
27.Nd4
27.g4! Qxg4 28.Qd7 Qg6 29.Rxe6 Qxe6 30.Ng5++-
27...Qh6
27...Rh6 28.Nxf5 exf5 29.Rxe7+ Kg8 30.Qb7 Rf8 31.Qd5+ Rf7 (31...Kh8 32.Qd4+ Rhf6

476
33.Rf3+-) 32.g4+-; 27...Rc5 28.Qd7+-
28.Nxe6 Rhe8 29.Nc7 Red8 30.Nd5 Re8 31.Rxe7+ Kg6 32.Kb1 1-0
60. B67
Volokitin, Andrei (2627) - Vallejo Pons, Francisco (2694)
Douglas 142/60, 2019

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 b5
10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.Qe1 Be7 14.Bd3 a5 15.f5

15...a4!
15...b4 - 74/245
16.a3N
16.Ne2
16...b4 17.axb4 Qxb4 18.Nb5 Qxe1 19.Rhxe1 Ra5 20.c4
20.Nd4 Bd7
20...Rg8
20...Bxb5 21.cxb5 a3 22.Rc1 Kd7 23.Rc6ƒ
21.g3 Kf8 22.Bf1

477
22...Rg4
22...Kg7 23.fxe6 fxe6 24.Bh3 Bxb5 25.cxb5 Kf7=; 22...e5!? 23.Nxd6 Kg7©
23.fxe6 fxe6
23...Bxe4+ 24.Ka1 Bf3 25.Rc1 Re4=; 23...Rxe4 24.exf7 d5 25.Nc3 Rxe1 26.Rxe1 dxc4 27.Bxc4
Rc5 28.Be6 a3©
24.Bh3
24.Nxd6 Rgg5=
24...Rxe4 25.Bxe6 Rxe1 26.Rxe1 Bxb5 27.cxb5 Rxb5 28.Ka2 Re5 29.Rxe5 dxe5 30.Bd7= Kg7
31.Bxa4 f5 32.Kb3 Bc5 33.Kc4 Bg1 34.h3 h5 35.Bd7 Kf6 36.g4 fxg4 37.hxg4 h4 38.Kd5 1/2-
1/2

61. B69
Karjakin, Sergey (2760) - Demchenko, Anton (2655)
Douglas 142/61, 2019

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.f5 Qb6 13.Qh6 O-O-O 14.Qh5 Rhf8 15.Kb1 Kb8 16.Bd3

478
16...Bc8N
16...Ne5 - 142/62
17.Rhe1
17.Qxh7? Rh8 18.Qxf7 Rdf8 19.Qg7 Rfg8 20.Qf7 Qb7-+ … Nd8
17...Qc7 18.Bf1 Na5?!
18...Ne5!?; 18...b4!?
19.fxe6
19.Nd4!?
19...fxe6 20.Nd4² Nc6?

479
20...Bd7
21.Ncxb5! axb5 22.Qxb5+ Bb7 23.Nxe6 Qa5 24.Qxa5 Nxa5 25.Re3 Rc8 26.Nxf8 Bxf8
27.Bd3
27.a3!?
27...Nc4 28.Rf3 Bh6?!
28...f5 29.Bxc4 Rxc4 30.Rxf5 Be7 31.e5 Be4 32.Rf2±
29.Rh3 Bf4 30.Rxh7 Be5
30...Nd2+ 31.Ka1 Re8 32.g3 Be3 33.c3±; 30...Ne5!?
31.c3 Ne3
31...Ba6 32.g3 Nxb2 33.Kxb2 Rxc3 34.Bxa6! Rc7+ 35.Kb3 Rxh7 36.Rd2+-
32.Rd2 Nc4
32...d5!?
33.Re2 Ba6 34.Ka1+- Rc6 35.h4 Rb6 36.Bxc4 Bxc4 37.Re3 d5 38.exd5 Ra6 39.a3 Rd6 40.h5
Rxd5 41.Re1 Rd8 42.Re7 Rh8 43.Rh1 Bd5 44.h6 Bxg2 45.Rg1 Be4 46.h7 1-0
62. ** B69
Huschenbeth, Niclas (2624) - Ponomariov, Ruslan (2675)
Douglas 142/62, 2019

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.f5 Qb6 13.Qh6
13.g3 - 141/ 62
13...O-O-O 14.Qh5 Rhf8

480
15.Kb1 Kb8 - 142/62
15...Kb7N 16.Bd3 Qc5 17.Rhe1 Rc8 18.Bf1 b4 19.Ne2 Na5 20.Rc1 e5 Florstedt, J (2352) -
Maki,V (2357) Ulcinj 142/(62) 2019 (20...e5 21.Nd2²; 20...exf5 21.Qh4ƒ)
16.Bd3

16...Ne5 - 142/62
16...Rc8 17.Ne2 (17.Qxh7 Rh8 18.Qxf7 Rcf8 19.Qg7 Rfg8 20.Qf7=) 17...Nb4 18.Nf4 e5 19.c3
exf4 20.cxb4 d5! 21.exd5 Bxb4∞; 16...Qc5N 17.Ne2 Rc8 18.Nf4 Nb4

481
19.fxe6 (19.c3 Nxd3 20.Nxd3 Qc4 21.Rhe1² (21.fxe6 fxe6 22.Rhe1∞ (22.Qxh7 Rce8∞)))
19...Qxh5 20.Nxh5 fxe6∞ Gajewski,G (2619)-Henriquez Villagra,C (2594) chess24.com (Int.-
m/ 8-blitz) 142/(62) 2019
17.Ne2N
17.Rhe1
17...b4
17...Nxd3 18.Rxd3 Bc6
18.fxe6
18.Nf4 Nxd3 19.Rxd3 (19.cxd3 b3 20.a3 d5∞) 19...Bb5 20.Rdd1 d5 21.e5!?∞ (21.exd5 e5 22.d6
Rxd6 23.Nd5 Qb7 24.Nxe7 Qxe7∞)
18...fxe6 19.Nxe5 dxe5 20.Qxh7

482
20...Qc5! 21.Bxa6 Rh8= 22.Qf7 Rdf8 23.Qg7 Rfg8 24.Qf7 Rf8 25.Qg7 Rfg8 26.Qf7 Rf8 1/2-
1/2

63. B70
Le, Quang Liem (2708) - Korobov, Anton (2679)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/2) 142/63, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 d6 3.Nge2 Nf6 4.g3 g6 5.d4 cxd4 6.Nxd4 Bg7 7.Bg2 O-O 8.O-O Nc6 9.Nde2
Rb8 10.a4 b6 11.h3
11.Re1 - 61/224
11...Ba6

11...Bb7 - 46/(270)

483
12.Be3N
12.Bg5; 12.f4; 12.Re1
12...Nd7 13.Re1 Bxe2! 14.Rxe2 Bxc3 15.bxc3 Qc7 16.f4 b5?!
16...Na5; 16...Rbc8
17.Kh2 Rfc8?!
17...bxa4 18.Rxa4 Nb6 19.Ra6ƒ; 17...b4!?
18.Rd2
18.e5 dxe5 19.Rd2 Nf6 - 18.Rd2
18...Nf6
18...bxa4 19.e5²; 18...Na5 19.axb5 Nc4 20.Rxa7 Qd8 21.Re2 Nxe3 22.Rxe3 Rxb5 23.c4²
19.e5! dxe5 20.fxe5 Qxe5
20...Nxe5 21.axb5²
21.Bf4 Qxc3 22.Bxb8 Rxb8 23.Qe1!?
23.axb5 Rxb5 24.Ra6±
23...Nd4
¹23...b4
24.Rad1± e5?!

24...Nf3+ 25.Bxf3 Qxf3 26.Rd8+ Rxd8 27.Rxd8+ Kg7 28.axb5±

25.Rf2! Qxe1 26.Rxe1 Kg7 27.Rxe5 bxa4 28.Ra5 Rc8 29.Rxa4 Rxc2 30.Rxf6

484
30.Rxc2 Nxc2 31.Kg1±
30...Kxf6 31.Rxd4 [R 8/g6] 31...h5?!
31...Ra2
32.Rd6+ Ke7 33.Ra6 Rc7 34.Be4+- Kf8 35.Kg2 Kg7 36.Ra3 Re7 37.Kf3 Kh6 38.Kf4 Kg7
39.Kf3 Kh6 40.Bd3 Kg7 41.Ra6 Kh6 42.Kf2 Kg7 43.Be2 Kh6 44.Ra3 Kg7 45.Ke1 Rd7
46.Bf3 Kf8 47.Ke2 Kg7 48.Ke3 Kf6 49.Ra5 Kg7 50.Bd5 Kf6 51.Kd4
51.Kf4
51...Rc7 52.Ra3 Re7 53.Kc5 a5 54.Kd6 Ra7 55.Bc6 Kg5 56.Ra4 Kf6 57.Re4 Kg7 58.Kc5
58.Re7?? Rxe7 59.Kxe7 f5! 60.h4 g5=
58...Kf6
58...f5!?
59.Kd6 Kg7 60.Re3 Kf6 61.Rf3+ Kg7 62.Ra3 Kf6 63.Re3 Kg7 64.Kc5 Kf6 65.g4
65.Kb6 Re7
65...hxg4?
65...Rc7
66.hxg4 g5
66...Rc7 67.Re8
67.Kb6 Re7 68.Rf3+ Kg6 69.Kxa5 Re5+ 70.Kb6 Kg7 71.Bd7 Rd5 72.Kc6 Rd4 73.Ra3 Kf6
74.Ra5 Ke7 75.Re5+ Kf6 76.Rd5 Ra4 77.Kd6 Ra6+ 78.Bc6 Kg6 79.Rf5 1-0

64. B72
Yu, Yangyi (2752) - Lu, Shanglei (2610)
China 142/64, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Nf3 g6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Bg7 6.Be3 d6 7.Qd2 Nf6 8.Be2 Ng4 9.Bxg4
Bxg4 10.O-O O-O 11.Nd5 Rc8 12.c4 Bd7
12...Nxd4 - 43/265
13.b3

485
13...Bxd4N
13...f5; 13...a6; 13...e6
14.Bxd4 b5 15.cxb5 Nxd4 16.Qxd4 Bxb5 17.Qxa7!?
17.Rfe1 Qd7 18.e5! Bc6 19.exd6 Bxd5 20.dxe7 (20.Qxd5 e6=) 20...Rfe8 21.Rad1 Rc2 22.a4²
17...Ra8™ 18.Nxe7+ Kg7 19.Qd4+ f6 20.Nd5 Bxf1 21.Kxf1² Qb8
21...Qc8!?
22.g3 Rf7 23.Kg2 Qa7 24.Qxa7
24.Qb2!?
24...Rfxa7 25.a4 Kf7 26.Nb6
26.f3!?
26...Rb8
¹26...Re8
27.a5 Rxa5 28.Rxa5 Rxb6 29.Ra7+

486
29...Ke6
29...Kg8²
30.Rxh7 g5 31.h4
31.Ra7!? Rxb3 32.Ra5
31...gxh4 32.Rxh4
32.gxh4!? ∆Rxb3 33.Rh5!±
32...Rxb3 33.Rh5 Ra3 34.Rb5 Rd3 35.Ra5 Rb3 36.f3 Rd3 37.Kf2 Rc3 38.Ke2 Rb3 39.Rd5 Ra3
40.Rb5 Rc3 41.Ra5 Rb3 42.Rf5 Ra3 43.Kf2 Rd3 44.Rb5 Ra3 45.g4 Rd3 46.Kg3 Rc3 47.Kf4
Ra3 48.Rh5 Ra8 49.Rh6 Ra5 50.Kg3 Kf7 51.Rh7+ Ke6?

51...Ke8²

487
52.f4!+- Ra3+ 53.Kh4 Re3 54.Kh5 Rxe4 55.f5+ Kd5
55...Ke5 56.Re7+ Kf4 57.Rxe4+ Kxe4 58.g5
56.Rf7 1-0

488
B75-B99

65. B80
Carlsen, Magnus (2872) - Vachier Lagrave, Maxime (2780)
London (m/1) 142/65, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f3!?

7.f4 Qb6 - B 97
7...h6 8.Be3 b5 9.a3 Nbd7 10.Qd2 Bb7 11.O-O-O h5 12.Kb1 Be7 13.Qe1 Rc8

14.Rg1N
14.h3
14...Qc7

489
15.g3
15.Bg5!? Nxe4 16.Ncxb5 axb5 17.Bxe7 Kxe7 18.fxe4 Qc5∞
15...Ne5 16.Rg2
16.h3 d5 17.f4 Nc4 18.e5 Ne4 19.Nxe4 dxe4 20.Bxc4 Qxc4∞
16...O-O 17.h3 d5
17...b4 18.axb4 d5 19.f4 (19.b5?! axb5 20.Ndxb5 Qd8³) 19...Nc4 20.e5 Bxb4 (20...Nd7
21.g4„) 21.exf6 Nxb2 22.fxg7 Bxc3 (22...Rfe8 23.Qe2 Bxc3 24.Qxh5 f6 25.f5→) 23.Qe2
(23.gxf8=Q+?! Kxf8 24.Rdd2 Nc4 25.Nb3 d4 26.Bxd4 Bxg2 27.Bxc4 Qxc4 28.Bxc3 Qxc3³)
23...Nxd1 24.Qxh5 Kxg7 25.Qg5+ Kh8 26.Qh5+=
18.f4 Nc4 19.e5 Nxe3
19...Ne4 20.Nxe4 dxe4 21.Bxc4 Qxc4 22.g4 h4 23.f5 Bd5∞
20.Qxe3 Ne4 21.Nxe4 dxe4 22.Re2

490
22...Bd5
22...b4! 23.axb4 (23.a4 Rfd8³) 23...Bxb4 24.Bg2 Rfd8 25.c3 (25.Bxe4? Bxe4 26.Qxe4 Qb6
27.Rd3 Rc4-+) 25...Ba5 26.Rc2 (26.Bxe4?! Bxe4+ 27.Qxe4 Bxc3! 28.Rc2 (28.bxc3 Qxc3-+)
28...Qb6³) 26...Qb6³
23.Bg2 Qc4
23...b4 24.a4! Bc5 25.Bxe4 Rfd8 26.Red2 g6©
24.Nb3 Bc5
24...b4 25.axb4 Qxb4 26.Bxe4 Bc4 27.Rd4 Rfd8 28.Red2 g6©
25.Nxc5 Qa2+
25...Rxc5 26.b3 Qc3 27.Bxe4 Qxe3 28.Rxe3 Bxe4 29.Rxe4 Rc3 30.Rd3 (30.Rg1 h4=) 30...Rfc8
31.Red4 Rxc2 32.Rd8+ Kh7 33.Rxc8 Rxc8 34.Kb2 h4! 35.gxh4 (35.g4?! g5!µ) 35...Kg6„
26.Kc1 Rfd8 27.c4
27.Qd4? Rxc5 28.Qxc5 Qa1+ 29.Kd2 Bc6+ 30.Ke3 (30.Qd6 Rxd6+ 31.exd6 Qxb2µ) 30...Qxd1
31.Kf2 Rd2µ; 27.Bxe4 Qa1+ 28.Kd2 Bxe4+ 29.Nd3 Bxd3 30.Rxa1 Rxc2+ 31.Ke1 Rxe2+
32.Qxe2 Bxe2 33.Kxe2=
27...bxc4

491
28.Red2!?
28.Na4 Bc6 29.Rxd8+ Rxd8 30.Nc3 Qa1+ 31.Nb1 Rd3 32.Qg1! (32.Qc5 Bd5 33.Re3 c3!
34.bxc3 Qa2 35.Bxe4 Bxe4 36.Rxe4 Rxg3 37.Nd2 Rg2∞) 32...Rb3 33.Qd4 (33.Qd1 Bd5©)
33...c3 34.Bxe4 g6 35.Qc4 (35.Bxc6 Rxb2 36.Qd8+ (36.Qe4 c2 37.Rxc2 Rxb1+ 38.Kd2
Qxa3∞) 36...Kh7 37.Qd3 c2 38.Qxc2 Rxc2+ 39.Rxc2 Qd4∞) 35...Bxe4 36.Qxe4 Kg7©
28...Qa1+
28...Rxc5 29.Qxc5 Rb8 30.Bxe4 Bxe4 31.Rd8+ Rxd8 32.Rxd8+ Kh7 33.Qb4 Qb1+ 34.Kd2
Qc2+ 35.Ke1 Qg2 36.Qc3 Qg1+ 37.Ke2 Qg2+=
29.Kc2 Qa2 30.Kc1 Qa1+ 31.Kc2 Qa2 32.Kc1 1/2-1/2
66. B82
Iljiushenok, Ilia (2532) - Timofeev, Artyom (2595)
Khanty-Mansiysk 142/66, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Qe2!? Bd7 8.O-O-O a6 9.f4
b5?N

492
9...Rc8 - 123/71
10.e5! b4
10...Nxd4 11.Bxd4 dxe5 12.fxe5 Nd5 13.Ne4 Be7 14.Qg4 O-O 15.Bd3±
11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.Qc4 Bd7 13.exf6
13.Qxb4 dxe5 14.Qc4 exf4 15.Qxf4 Be7 16.g4 Rb8„
13...bxc3 14.Qxc3
14.fxg7! cxb2+ 15.Kb1 Bxg7 16.Rxd6 O-O (16...Rc8 17.Qxa6 O-O 18.Bd3±) 17.Bd3 Qc8
18.Qxc8 Bxc8 19.Bd4±
14...Qxf6 15.Qd2 Be7 16.Bd4 Qh6

493
17.g4!
17.Bc5 Bc6 18.Bxd6 Rd8 19.Qb4 Rxd6 20.Rxd6 O-O 21.Qd4 Bxd6 22.Qxd6 Be4©
17...O-O 18.g5 Qh4 19.Rg1 Bb5
19...e5! 20.fxe5 dxe5 21.Bf2 Qxh2 22.Rg2 (22.Bg2 Bf5 23.Bxa8 Rxa8©) 22...Qh5 23.Be2 Qh3
24.Rg3 Qf5 25.Bg4 (25.Qxd7 Qxf2∞) 25...Bxg5 26.Be3 Bxe3 27.Qxe3 Qxg4 28.Rxg4 Bxg4∞
20.Rg3
20.Qe3±
20...Bxf1?!
20...e5 21.Be3 (21.fxe5 dxe5 22.Bxe5 Bxf1 23.Rxf1 Qc4 24.Qf4 Qxa2∞) 21...d5 22.Qg2 exf4
23.Rg4 Qh5 24.Bxf4 Bxf1 25.Rxf1 Rac8„
21.Rxf1 Rfc8 22.Qe2 e5 23.Be3?!
23.Bc3! Rab8 24.Kb1±
23...d5! 24.Qf3 exf4
24...e4 25.Qg2 f5 26.Rh3 (26.Bd4 Rc4 27.c3 Rf8∞) 26...Qg4 27.Qxg4 fxg4 28.Rg3 Bc5 29.Rd1
Bxe3+ 30.Rxe3 Rc5²
25.Bxf4 Rc4 26.Bd2 Rf8 27.Qxd5 Rc5
27...Rd4 28.Qg2
28.Qd3 Rd8 29.Qb3 Rf8?!
29...Qh5 30.g6 (30.Rgf3 Bxg5 31.Bxg5 Qxg5+ 32.Kb1 Rf5!∞; 30.Rd3 Rxd3 31.Qxd3 Bxg5
32.Kb1 h6∞) 30...Qe2 31.gxf7+ (31.Qxf7+? Kh8 32.Rd1 Bg5 33.Rxg5 Rxg5µ) 31...Kf8 32.Rd1
Rcd5 33.Qc3 (33.Rd3 Rxd3 34.cxd3 Qxd3 35.Qxd3 Rxd3=) 33...Bf6 34.Qb4+ R8d6∞
30.Rgf3 Rb5 31.Qd3 Bxg5?!

494
31...Rd8! 32.Qe2 Bxg5 33.Bxg5 Qxg5+ 34.Kb1 Qc5∞
32.Rh3! Bxd2+ 33.Kb1 Rxb2+™ 34.Kxb2 Qb4+ 35.Ka1
35.Qb3 Qd4+ 36.c3 Qd7 37.Rhf3 Bg5∞
35...Bh6 36.Rxh6?!
36.a3 Qc5 37.Ka2 Rc8 38.c3 a5 39.Rb1±
36...gxh6 37.Qg3+ Kh8 38.Qe5+ f6 39.Rxf6 Rxf6 40.Qxf6+ Kg8 41.c3
41.Qe6+ Kg7 42.Qb3²
41...Qc4 42.h4 Qe2 43.Kb1 Qd1+ 44.Kb2 Qd2+ 45.Kb1 Qd1+ 46.Kb2 Qd2+ 47.Kb3 Qd1+
48.Kb4 Qb1+ 49.Ka3 Qc1+ 50.Kb3 Qb1+ 51.Ka3 Qc1+ 52.Kb3 Qb1+ 1/2-1/2

67. B82
Firouzja, Alireza (2702) - Cori Tello, Jorge (2671)
Hoogeveen (m/3) 142/67, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Bd3 d6 6.O-O Nf6 7.Nc3 Be7 8.Kh1 Nc6
8...b5 - 12/338
9.Nb3 O-O 10.a4!?
10.f4 b5 11.Qf3 Bb7 12.a3 Rb8 13.Be3∞
10...b6 11.f4 Bb7 12.Qf3 Nb4 13.Qh3N

495
13.Be3 Nxd3 14.cxd3 Rc8
13...Nxd3
13...Nd7! 14.Be3 (14.f5 exf5 15.Rxf5 Ne5 16.Rh5 Qc8!³ 17.Rxh7? Qxh3 18.Rxh3 Bc8 19.Rg3
Bh4 20.Re3 Nexd3 21.cxd3 Nc2µ) 14...Nxd3 15.cxd3 Nc5 16.Nxc5 dxc5 17.Rad1 f5ƒ
14.cxd3 Rc8
14...b5!?
15.Nd4 Re8
15...Nd7 16.Be3 Nc5 17.Rad1 Bf6 18.f5 Qe7∞
16.Be3 Bf8 17.Rad1 g6 18.f5 exf5 19.Bg5 Bg7 20.exf5
20.Nxf5? gxf5 21.Rxf5 Rc5-+
20...Qd7 21.Qh4
21.Nde2 Nd5 22.Ne4 Re5 (22...Bc6!? 23.N2g3 f6 (23...Bxa4?! 24.b3 Bb5 25.fxg6 hxg6
26.Qxd7 Bxd7 27.Nxd6²) 24.Bh6 Bxa4 25.Bxg7 Kxg7 26.Rde1©) 23.Nd4 Ne7 24.Bf6 (24.Bh6
Nxf5 25.Bxg7 Kxg7 26.Nxf5+ Rxf5 27.Rxf5 Qxf5 28.Qxf5 gxf5 29.Nxd6 Rd8 30.Nxb7
(30.Nxf5+ Kg6 31.Ne3 Re8=) 30...Rd7=) 24...Rxe4 25.Bxg7 Rxd4 26.Bxd4 Nxf5©
21...Nh5 22.f6 h6 23.Bd2
23.fxg7 hxg5 24.Qxg5 Rc5 25.Qh4 (25.Qh6 Nxg7∞) 25...Kxg7∞
23...Nxf6
23...Qd8 24.Nf5 gxf5 25.Rxf5 Rc5 26.Qxh5 Rxf5 27.Qxf5 Qxf6 28.Qxf6 Bxf6 29.Bxh6 b5©
24.Rxf6

496
24...Rxc3?!
24...g5! 25.Bxg5 (25.Qf2 Rxc3 26.Bxc3 Bxf6 27.Qxf6 Bxg2+ 28.Kxg2 (28.Kg1 Qg4 29.Qf5
Qxd1+ 30.Kxg2 Re3∞) 28...Qg4+ 29.Kf2 Qh4+ 30.Kf1 Qh3+=) 25...hxg5 26.Qxg5 Qe7
27.Rf5 Rc5 28.Qxe7 (28.Qg3 Qe3 29.Qxe3 Rxe3©) 28...Rxe7 29.Rxc5 dxc5 30.Nf5 Rd7
31.Nxg7 Kxg7©
25.bxc3 Bxf6 26.Qxf6 Bxg2+ 27.Kxg2 Qg4+ 28.Kf2 Qxd1 29.Bxh6 Qe1+ 30.Kg2 Qe5
31.Qf3
31.Qh4 Qe1
31...b5 32.axb5 axb5 33.Bf4 Qc5 34.Qc6 Re2+?!
34...Rc8 35.Qxc5 (35.Qxb5 Qxc3 36.Nf3 Qc6=) 35...Rxc5 36.Ne2 f6 37.h4 Kf7∞
35.Kg3 Re1?!
35...Qxc6 36.Nxc6 f5 37.Nb4 (37.Nd4 Rb2 38.Bxd6 Rd2 39.Nxb5 Rxd3+ 40.Kf4 Rh3 41.Ke5
Kf7 42.Kd5 Rd3+ 43.Kc4 Rh3∞) 37...Kf7 38.h4 Ke6 39.Kf3 Rb2 40.Ke3²
36.Qxd6± Qxc3
¹36...Re3+ 37.Kf2 Qxd6 38.Bxd6 Rxd3 39.Nxb5±
37.Nf3
37.Qd8+! Kg7 38.Nf3 Re6 39.Bd6 g5 40.Qf8+ Kg6 41.Qg8+ Qg7 42.Ne5+ Rxe5 (42...Kf6
43.Nd7+ Kg6 44.Nf8++-) 43.Qxg7+ Kxg7 44.Bxe5++-
37...Re8 38.Qd7?
38.Be5 Rxe5 39.Nxe5 Qe1+ 40.Kf3 b4 41.Nc4+-
38...Qc8 39.Qxb5 f6 40.h4 Qe6 41.d4 Rd8 42.Qa5 Rd7 43.Qa8+ Kg7 44.Qb8 Qe7 45.Bc1

497
Kh7
45...Qd6+ 46.Qxd6 Rxd6²
46.Bd2 Qf7 47.Bb4 Kg7 48.Bd6 Qe6??
48...Rb7 49.Qa8 Rb3²
49.Qf8+ Kh7

50.Be5! g5
50...Rf7 51.Ng5++-
51.h5 1-0

68. B84
Sasikiran, Krishnan (2675) - Volokitin, Andrei (2627)
Douglas 142/68, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e6 7.O-O Be7 8.a4 Nc6 9.Be3 Bd7
10.Qd2
10.f4 - 100/158
10...Nxd4 11.Bxd4 Bc6 12.Qe3 O-O 13.Rfd1

498
13...Qb8N
13...Nd7; 13...Qc8 14.a5 b5 (14...e5 15.Bb6 Qe6 16.Qd3²) 15.axb6 e5 16.Nd5 Bxd5 17.exd5
exd4 18.Qxe7 Re8 (18...Qxc2 19.Rac1! Qxb2 20.Rb1 Qa2 21.b7 Rab8 22.Bf3²) 19.b7 Rxe7
20.bxc8=Q+ Rxc8 21.Bd3 Nxd5 22.Rxa6 Nb4 23.Rxd6 Nxd3 24.cxd3²
14.a5?!
14.Qd3!?; 14.f3!?
14...b5! 15.Bf3 Rc8 16.Na2 Qb7
16...e5!?
17.Bxf6! Bxf6 18.c3 Qc7 19.Nb4 Bb7 20.g3 Rd8 21.Bg2 Qc5= 22.Qe2 Qc7 23.Qe3 Qc5
24.Qe2 Qc7 25.Qe3 Be7 26.h4
26.e5!?
26...h6 27.Rd3 Qc5 28.Qd2 Rac8 29.Kh2 Qa7 30.Nc2 Rc4 31.Rd4 d5?!
31...Rxd4 32.cxd4 Bf6 33.Rd1 Rc8ƒ; 31...Qa8!?ƒ
32.exd5
32.Rd3
32...Bxd5?!

499
32...Rxd4 33.Qxd4 Qxd4 34.Nxd4 Bxd5 35.Bxd5 Rxd5ƒ
33.Rd3! Qc7 34.Bxd5 exd5?
34...Rxd5 35.Rxd5 exd5 36.Qxd5 Rxh4+ 37.Kg2 Rc4 38.Re1 Kf8 39.Qd3²
35.Ne3 Rxh4+ 36.Kg1! Rh5
36...d4 37.gxh4 dxe3 38.Rxd8+ Bxd8 39.Qxe3+-
37.Nxd5+- Qb7 38.Nxe7+ Kh7 39.f3 Qxf3 40.Rxf3
40.Qxh6+
40...Rxd2 41.Rf2 Rd3 42.Rg2 Rc5 43.g4 Rc4 44.g5 hxg5 45.Rxg5 g6 46.Rf1 Kg7 47.Rg2 Rd7
48.Nf5+ Kg8 49.Ne3 Ra4 50.Ng4 Kg7 51.Nf6 Rd3 52.Rh2 g5 53.Nh5+ Kf8 54.Rg2 Rxa5
55.Rxg5 Ra2 56.Nf6 Ke7 57.Nd5+ Kf8 58.Nb4 1-0
69. B85
Navara, David (2703) - Laznicka, Viktor (2667)
Deutschland 142/69, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 d6 7.O-O Nf6 8.f4 d5!?
8...Bd7 - 88/211
9.e5
9.Nxc6 bxc6 10.e5 Nd7 11.Kh1 Be7∞; 9.exd5 exd5∞
9...Bc5N
9...Nxd4
10.Be3 Nxd4 11.Bxd4 Qb6 12.Bxc5 Qxc5+ 13.Kh1 Ne4 14.Nxe4 dxe4

500
15.Qd6?!
15.c4 Bd7 16.Qb3 (16.Qd6 Qxd6 17.exd6 f5∞) 16...Bc6 17.Rad1 Rd8 18.Rxd8+ Kxd8 19.Qc3
(19.Qg3 g6∞) 19...a5 20.f5 Kc7∞; 15.Qd2 Bd7 (15...e3 16.Qc1 Bd7 17.Bf3²) 16.b4 Qd5
17.Qe3 b5 18.Rfd1 Qb7 19.Rd6 O-O 20.Rad1 Bc6 21.h3²
15...Qxd6 16.exd6 b6 17.Rad1 f5 18.Rd4 Kd7 19.Rfd1
19.Rc4 Kxd6 (19...g5!? 20.fxg5 Kxd6 21.Rd1+ Ke5∞) 20.Rd1+ Ke7 21.Rc7+ Kf6 22.Rd6 b5
23.Kg1©
19...Bb7 20.Rb4 b5 21.c4?!

21.a4 Rhc8 22.c3 (22.axb5 Rxc2 23.bxa6 Bd5 24.Re1 Kxd6 25.h4 g6³) 22...Bc6 23.axb5 axb5
24.Bxb5 Bxb5 25.Rxb5 Rcb8 26.Rxb8 Rxb8 27.Rd2 Rb5 28.Kg1 Rd5 29.Rxd5 exd5 30.Kf2
Kxd6 31.Ke3 Kc5 32.b3=

501
21...Rhc8! 22.a4
22.cxb5 a5 23.Rc4 (23.Rbd4 Rc2 24.R4d2 Rac8µ) 23...Bd5 24.Rc7+ (24.Rcc1 Bxa2µ) 24...Rxc7
25.dxc7 Kxc7 26.a4 (26.b3 a4µ) 26...Kb7 27.Rc1 Rd8 28.Kg1 Ba2 29.Rd1 Rd5µ
22...Rc5
22...Rab8! 23.axb5 Ba8 24.Kg1 axb5 25.cxb5 Rc2 26.Kf2 Bd5 (26...g5!?) 27.Ke3 Kxd6µ
23.cxb5 a5
23...Rd5 24.Rc1 Rd2 (24...Rxd6 25.Kg1∞) 25.Rc7+ Kxd6 26.Rxb7 Rxe2 27.h4! (27.h3 g5!
28.fxg5 Ke5µ) 27...axb5 28.R4xb5 Rxa4 29.R7b6+ Ke7 30.Re5 Kf7 31.Rbxe6 Ra7 32.Rb6=
24.Rc4 Rac8 25.b3 Bd5 26.Rxc5 Rxc5 27.Bc4 g5
27...Kxd6 28.Kg1=; 27...Bxc4 28.Rc1 e3 29.Kg1! e5 30.g3 exf4 31.gxf4 g5 32.Rxc4 Rxc4
33.bxc4 gxf4 34.c5 f3 35.b6 Kc6=; 27...e3 28.Kg1=
28.g3 gxf4 29.gxf4 Kxd6
29...Bxc4 30.Rc1 Rc8 (30...Kxd6 31.Rxc4=) 31.bxc4 Kxd6 32.Kg1 Kc5 33.Kf2 Rd8 34.Ke2=
30.Kg2 Rc7 31.Kf2 Rg7 32.Rc1 Bxc4
32...Rg4 33.Ke3 Rh4 34.Bxd5 Rh3+ 35.Kd2 Rxh2+ 36.Kc3 exd5 37.b4∞
33.Rxc4 e5?!
33...Kd5 34.Rc8 Kd4=
34.fxe5+

34...Kxe5?
34...Kd5! 35.Rc1 f4 36.b4! Kxe5 (36...axb4? 37.b6 Kd4 38.e6+-) 37.b6 (37.bxa5 f3 38.Ke3 Rg2

502
39.Rc5+ Kd6 40.Rf5 Ke6 41.Rf8 Ke5 42.Re8+ Kd5 43.Rd8+=) 37...f3 38.Ke3 Rd7! 39.Rc5+
Kd6 40.Rb5 (40.Rxa5 Rf7 41.Rb5 Kc6 42.b7 Rxb7 43.Rc5+ Kd6 44.Rc4 f2 45.Kxf2 Kd5=)
40...Kc6 41.bxa5 Rf7 42.Rb1 Kb7 43.Kxe4 f2 44.Rf1 Rf8 45.Ke3 Ra8 46.Rxf2 Rxa5=
35.b4!+- Kd5
35...f4 36.b6 Rd7 (36...f3 37.Ke3+-) 37.bxa5 Rd2+ 38.Ke1 e3 39.b7 Rb2 40.a6 f3 41.Rc1 Ke4
42.Kf1!+-; 35...axb4 36.a5 Kd5 (36...f4 37.b6 f3 38.Ke3 Kd5 39.a6 Kxc4 40.a7+-) 37.Rxb4
Kc5 38.Rb1 f4 39.b6 Rb7

40.Kf1!+-
36.Rc5+ Kd4 37.b6 e3+ 38.Kf3 Re7 39.Rc7 Re8 40.bxa5 e2 41.Rc1 1-0
70. **** B90
Delchev, Aleksander (2561) - Roiz, Michael (2602)
Ulcinj 142/70, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 a6 3.Nf3 d6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nf3 Be7 8.Bc4 Be6 9.Bb3 Nbd7
9...O-O - 141/(76)
10.O-O
10.Bxe6 fxe6 11.Ng5 Nf8 12.O-O h6 13.Nf3 Ng6=
10...Rc8 11.Qd3N
11.Nh4 - 142/(70) 11...Nc5

503
12.Bxc5N (12.Nf5) 12...Rxc5 13.Re1 Qd7 14.g3?! (14.Qd3 O-O 15.Nf5 b5„) 14...O-O 15.Ng2

15...Bd8! 16.Qd3 Ba5 17.Rad1 Rd8 18.Re3 Bxc3 19.bxc3 b5± Karjakin,S (2754)-Giri,A (2776)
Bucuresti (rapid) 142/(70) 2019; 11.Qe2N

504
11...Qc7 - 142/(70) (11...Nc5N - 142/(70) 12.Bxe6 Nxe6 13.Rfd1 Qc7 14.Bg5 Nxg5= 15.Nxg5
O-O 16.a4 Qb6 (16...b5 17.axb5 axb5 18.Nxb5 Qxc2 19.Rd2 Qc5 20.Nc3 Qc4=) 17.Ra3?!
Moiseenko,V (2519) -Zharkov,N (2067) Yekaterinburg 142/(70) 2019 (17.Ra3 Qxb2! 18.Rb3
Qxc3 19.Rxc3 Rxc3 20.Rb1 Rfc8 21.Rb2 R8c7³; 17.Ra2 Qb4∞); 11...b5N 12.Bxe6 fxe6 13.Ng5
Nf8 14.a4 b4 15.Na2 h6 16.Nf3 a5 17.c3 bxc3 18.Nxc3 N8d7 19.h3 O-O 20.Rfd1 Qe8∞
Salonika,S (2051)-Bulatova,K (2181) Mumbai 142/ (70) 2019) 12.Rfd1 Qc6 13.Bg5 O-O
14.Rac1 Qb6 15.h3 Qb4!? 16.Nd2 h6 17.Bxf6

17...Bxf6 (17...Nxf6!?=) 18.a3 Qc5 19.Nf3 Nb6∞ Gopal, G (2594)-Keymer,V (2513) Biel
(open) 142/(70) 2019
11...Qc7 12.a4 O-O 13.Bxe6 fxe6 14.Ng5

505
14...Qc4! 15.Qxc4 Rxc4 16.Nxe6 Rfc8 17.Ng5
17.Rad1 h6 (17...Rxc3!? 18.bxc3 Nxe4 19.Rd3 Kf7 20.f3! Nxc3 21.Ng5+ Bxg5 22.Bxg5 Ke6©)
18.f4 Kf7 19.fxe5 Kxe6 20.exf6 Bxf6 21.Nd5 (21.Bd2?! Nc5ƒ) 21...Bxb2 22.Nf4+ Ke7
23.Nd5+ Ke6=
17...h6 18.Nf3 Nxe4 19.Nxe4 Rxe4 20.c3 Rec4 21.Nd2 R4c6 22.f4 Nf6
22...d5 23.fxe5 Nxe5 24.Bd4 Nd3 25.Rab1 Re6=
23.Rae1 Bd8 24.fxe5 dxe5= 25.Bf2 Re6
25...Bc7 26.Re2 Rd8=
26.Re2 Bb6 27.Bxb6 Rxb6 28.Nf3

28...Rc4

506
28...Re8 29.h3 e4 30.Nd4 Kf7 31.Nf5 Rd8=
29.a5 Re6 30.Nd4
30.Nxe5 Rc5 31.Rfe1 Rxa5=
30...Re8 31.Nf5 Re6 32.Nd4 Re8 33.Nf5 Re6 34.Rd1 Rc7 35.Rd8+ Kh7 36.Nd4 Ree7 37.Nf5
Re6 1/2-1/2

71. B90
Sarana, Alexey (2664) - Gabuzyan, Hovhannes (2616)
Saint Louis 142/71, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.f3 h5 9.Nd5 Bxd5
10.exd5 Nbd7 11.Qd2 g6 12.O-O-O Rc8
12...Bg7 - 138/(101)
13.Kb1 Bg7 14.Be2 Qc7 15.c4 b6 16.h4 Nc5 17.g4 Ra8 18.Qc2

18...a5N
18...Qc8 19.Rdg1 Ra7 20.Nd2 Kf8 21.g5 (21.Ne4±) 21...Nfd7 22.f4 exf4 23.Bxf4 Ne5 24.Rg3±
19.a3 a4

507
20.Nc1!
20.Nd2!? Qd7 21.g5 Nh7 22.Bf1 O-O 23.Bh3 Qc7 24.Ne4±
20...Qd7
20...O-O 21.Rhg1 Rac8 22.Bg5 hxg4 23.Bxf6 Bxf6 24.Rxg4±
21.Rdg1 Rc8 22.Na2±
22.g5!? Ng8 23.Bf1! Rb8 24.Bh3 Qc7 25.Na2 Nb3 26.Nb4±
22...Nb3 23.Nc3 Nd4 24.Qd1 O-O 25.Bd3
25.Bxd4 exd4 26.Ne4 Rfe8 27.Nxf6+ Bxf6 28.Bd3 (28.gxh5 Qf5+ 29.Bd3 Qxh5∞) 28...Kf8
29.f4±
25...Rfe8
25...b5 26.g5 Ne8 27.Nxb5 Nxb5 28.cxb5 Nc7 29.Qxa4 Nxd5 30.Bd2 Nb6 31.Qb3 d5 32.Rd1±
26.g5 Nh7 27.Nxa4 Qd8 28.Nc3 Nf8 29.Bxd4 exd4 30.Ne4+- Rc7 31.f4 Rce7 32.Qc2 Kh8

508
33.f5! gxf5 34.Nf6! Ng6 35.Qd1 Nf4 36.Rf1 1-0

72. B90
Engel, Luis (2507) - Sethuraman, SP. (2624)
Tegernsee 142/72, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.g4 h6
8...b5 - 141/73
9.Bg2 Nbd7 10.a4 Nf8!

11.f4N
11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.exd5 Ng6 13.Be4 O-O 14.Bxg6 fxg6 15.Be3 Bg5³
11...Ng6 12.f5?!

509
12.fxe5 dxe5 (12...Nxe5 13.Nd4 O-O 14.O-O Be6 15.Nf5 Re8 16.Be3 Rc8∞) 13.Qxd8+ Bxd8
14.Be3 Nh4 15.Bf1 h5ƒ
12...Nh4 13.Qe2 b6 14.O-O Nxg2 15.Qxg2 Bb7 16.g5
16.Be3 Rc8 17.Nd5 Nxd5 18.exd5 Bg5 19.Rae1 h5µ
16...hxg5 17.Bxg5 Rc8 18.Bxf6 Bxf6 19.Rad1 Rh4µ 20.Rd3

20.Rfe1 Kf8 21.Re2 Rc4 22.Rd3 Qc7 23.Nd2 Rb4 24.b3 Rd4µ
20...Rxc3! 21.Rxc3 Bxe4 22.Qe2 Bb7 23.Rd1 e4
23...Qd7 24.Rf1 Rxa4-+
24.Rg3
24.Re3 Be5 25.Rf1 Qg5+ 26.Kf2 Qxf5+-+
24...Be5 25.Qe3
25.Rg2 Rxh3-+
25...Qf6 26.Qxb6
26.Nd4 Bxg3 27.Qxg3 Qh6 28.Kh2 Rh5 29.Ne2 Ke7-+
26...Bxg3 27.Qxb7 Qxf5 28.Qb8+ Ke7 29.Qc7+ Qd7
29...Kf6 30.Rf1 Rf4 31.Qxd6+ Kg5 32.Rxf4 Bxf4-+
30.Qxd7+ Kxd7 31.Kg2 Be5 32.Nc5+ Kc6 33.Nxa6 Bxb2 34.Rb1 Bc3 35.Nb8+ Kc5
35...Kd5 36.Rb5+ Kc4 37.Rb7 Rf4-+
36.Rb7 Rf4 37.Rc7+ Kd4-+ 38.a5

510
38...e3
38...Bxa5! 39.Nc6+ Kc5 40.Nxa5+ Kb6 41.Re7 Kxa5 42.Kg3 g5 43.h4 Rxh4 44.Rxf7 Kb4-+
39.Nc6+ Ke4?!
¹39...Kd5 40.Ne7+ Ke4 41.Rc4+ (41.Rxc3 e2 42.Rc4+ Ke5 43.Ng6+ fxg6 44.Rc8 e1=N+-+)
41...Bd4 42.Nc6 Rf2+ 43.Kg3 Kd5 44.Rxd4+ Kxc6 45.Rd3 Rf5 46.Rxe3 Rxa5µ
40.a6?
40.Re7+! Be5 41.Nxe5 dxe5 42.a6 Rf2+ 43.Kg1 Rf6 (43...Rxc2 44.Rxf7 Ra2 45.Kf1! Rxa6
46.Rxg7=) 44.a7 Ra6 45.Rxf7 Ra1+ 46.Kg2 g5 47.Rg7 e2 48.a8=Q+ Rxa8 49.Kf2 e1=Q+
50.Kxe1 Ke3 51.Kf1 Rf8+ 52.Ke1 Rf5 53.Rc7=
40...Rf2+ 41.Kg3 Rxc2 42.a7 Ra2
42...Be1+ 43.Kg4 Rg2+ 44.Kh5 g6+ 45.Kh6 Ra2-+
43.Re7+ Be5+
43...Kd5! 44.Rxe3 Kxc6 45.Rxc3+ Kd7-+
44.Nxe5 dxe5 45.Rxf7 Ra1?!
45...g6 46.Rb7 Ra1 47.Rb4+ Kd5³
46.Rxg7= Kd3 47.Rd7+ Ke2 48.Kg2 Ra2 49.h4 Ke1+ 50.Kf3 e2 51.Re7 Kf1 52.Rxe5 Rxa7
53.Rxe2 Rf7+ 54.Ke3 Re7+ 55.Kf4 Kxe2 56.h5 Kd3 57.h6 Kd4 58.Kf5 Kd5 59.Kg6 Ke6
60.h7 1/2-1/2

73. * B90
Carlsen, Magnus (2876) - Ganguly, Surya Shekhar (2658)
Douglas 142/73, 2019

511
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.g4 h6

8...b5 - 141/73
9.Be3 Nbd7 - 142/73
9...b5N 10.a4 bxa4 (10...b4 11.Nd5 Nbd7 12.Nxe7 Qxe7 13.Bc4 Bb7 14.f3 d5 15.Na5 (15.exd5
Qd6∞) 15...d4 (15...dxc4?! 16.Nxb7 O-O 17.Qd6±) 16.Bd2 Bc8 17.Qe2²) 11.Rxa4 Bd7 12.Ra1
Nc6

13.Nd5 (13.Rxa6 Rxa6 14.Bxa6 Nb4 15.Bd3 O-O 16.O-O Qc7©) 13...O-O 14.Nb6 Rb8
15.Nxd7 Qxd7 16.Bg2 a5 17.O-O Bd8∞ So,W (2760)-Carlsen,M (2870) Kolkata (rapid) 142/
(73) 2019
10.a4 b6 11.f3 Qc7 12.h4

512
12...Nf8N
12...Bb7
13.Rg1 Be6

14.g5! hxg5 15.hxg5 N6d7 16.Nd5² Qc6

16...Bxd5? 17.Qxd5 Qc8 18.Bc4 Ne6 19.g6+-
17.Qd2 Ng6
17...Bxd5 18.exd5 Qb7 19.O-O-O±
18.a5 b5 19.O-O-O Rc8 20.Kb1² Nc5
20...Rh4 21.Be2 Bxd5 22.exd5 Qc7 23.Rh1²

513
21.Be2
21.Nxc5 dxc5 22.c4 Bd8 23.b3²
21...Bd8

21...Nxb3 22.cxb3 Bd8 (22...Bxd5 23.exd5 Qb7 24.f4±) 23.b4²

22.Nxc5! dxc5 23.f4± exf4 24.Bxf4 Be7
24...Rh4 25.Bg3 Rh3 26.Bf3±
25.Nxe7 Kxe7
25...Nxe7 26.Be5+-
26.Bd6+! Ke8 27.Qc3
27.Bg4 Bxg4 28.Rxg4+-
27...Rh7 28.Bg3 b4 29.Qd3+-
29.Qf3 c4 30.Rd6 Qc5 31.Rf1+-
29...c4

514
30.Qd6! Qxe4?
30...b3 31.cxb3 Qxe4+ 32.Ka1 cxb3 33.Bxa6 Qa4+ 34.Qa3 Qxa3+ 35.bxa3 Rc5 36.a4+-
31.Rd4
31.Rde1 Qc6 32.Qxb4 Ne7 33.Bg4+-
31...Qb7
31...Qc6 32.Qxc6+ Rxc6 33.Bf3 Rc5 34.Bd6 Rf5 35.Bc6+ Kd8 36.Bxb4++-
32.Qb6! Qa8 33.Rgd1 Rh1 34.Be1! Ne5 35.Bxb4 Rxd1+ 36.Rxd1 Qc6 37.Qe3
37.Qd4 Qb5 38.Qd6 Ng6 39.Bf3+-
37...Qb5 38.Bc3 Rc5 39.b4! Nd3 40.cxd3 Rd5 41.dxc4 1-0

74. B90
Lagarde, Maxime (2657) - Navara, David (2717)
Batumi 142/74, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.f4 b5
8...exf4 - 139/83
9.f5 Bc8

515
10.g4N
10.Bg5 Bb7 11.Qf3 Nbd7 12.O-O-O Be7 13.Kb1 Rc8„
10...b4
10...Bb7 11.Bg2 b4 12.Nd5 Nxd5 13.exd5 Be7 14.O-O a5∞
11.Nd5 Nxe4 12.Qf3 Qh4+ 13.Ke2 Ng3+ 14.Kd1 Nxh1

15.Be3!
15.Nc7+ Kd8 16.Nxa8 h5! (16...Qf2 17.Qxh1 Bb7! 18.Qxb7 Qxf1+ 19.Kd2 Qf2+ 20.Kd3
Qf1+ 21.Ke3 Qe1+=) 17.Qxh1 hxg4 18.Nb6 gxh3 19.Nxc8 Kxc8³
15...Ng3™
15...Nd7 16.Nc7+ Kd8 17.Qxa8 Nf2+ (17...Kxc7 18.Qa7+ Kd8 19.Na5+-) 18.Kd2 Kxc7

516
19.Qa7+ Kd8 20.Bxf2+-
16.Bf2 e4?

16...Ra7 17.Bxg3 (17.Bxa7 Nxf1 18.Qxf1 (18.Bxb8 Nh2 19.Qg2 Nxg4! 20.hxg4 h5 21.Nb6
Kd8 22.Nxc8 Kxc8 23.Ba7 Qxg4+ 24.Qxg4 hxg4 25.Ke2 Rh2+ 26.Kd3 Rh3+ 27.Ke4 Rh2
28.Kd3=) 18...Bb7 19.Qf3 (19.Nc7+ Kd7 20.Bxb8 Be7 21.Nxa6 Qg3ƒ) 19...Bxd5 20.Qxd5
Nd7 21.Qa8+ Qd8 22.Qxd8+ Kxd8 23.a3 bxa3 24.Rxa3 g6 25.Rxa6 gxf5 26.gxf5 Rg8=)
17...Qd8 18.a3 bxa3 19.Rxa3 Be7 20.Na5²
17.Qe3?
17.Qf4! Bb7 (17...Ra7 18.Bxg3 (18.Bxa7 Bb7 19.Bxb8 Bxd5 20.Bxa6 Qxh3 (20...Bc6 21.Bxd6
Qd8 22.Qe5+ Be7 23.Qxe7+ Qxe7 24.Bxe7 Kxe7 25.Kd2+-) 21.Bb5+ Kd8 22.Bxd6 Qh1+
23.Kd2 Qh2+ 24.Ke3+-) 18...Qd8 19.Qxe4+ Re7 (19...Be7 20.Qd4+-) 20.Qxb4 Bb7 21.Nxe7
Bf3+ 22.Ke1 Bxe7 23.Kf2) 18.Bxg3 Qd8 19.Qxe4+ Be7 (19...Kd7 20.a3+-) 20.f6+-
17...Qd8 18.Bxg3 Nc6 19.Qxe4+ Ne5 20.Bg2
20.Ke2 Ra7 21.Bxe5 dxe5 22.Qxe5+ Re7 23.Nxe7 Qxe7 24.Qxe7+ Bxe7 25.Bg2 h5 26.Re1
hxg4 27.hxg4 Rh2 28.Kf1 Kf8 29.Nd4²; 20.Bxe5 dxe5 21.Qxe5+ Be7 22.Bg2 Bb7 23.Qxg7
Rf8 24.Qe5 f6 25.Qe6 Qd6 26.Qxd6 Bxd6 27.Nxf6+ Rxf6 28.Bxb7 Ra7 29.Bc6+ Ke7 30.Ke2²
20...Bb7 21.Qxb4 Rb8
21...Bxd5 22.Qa4+ (22.Bxd5 Be7 23.Qa4+ Kf8∞) 22...Qd7 23.Qxd7+ Kxd7 24.Bxd5 Re8∞
22.Qa4+ Qd7
22...Bc6 23.Nf6+ (23.Qxa6 Be7 24.a4 Qd7∞) 23...gxf6 24.Bxc6+ Nxc6 25.Qxc6+ Qd7
26.Qe4+ Qe7 27.Qc6+ Qd7=
23.Qxd7+

517
23.Qd4 Bxd5 24.Bxd5 Qd8 25.Bxe5 dxe5 26.Qa4+ (26.Qxe5+ Be7³) 26...Qd7 27.Qxd7+ Kxd7
28.Bxf7 g6∞
23...Kxd7³ 24.Ke2 h5
¹24...f6 25.Rd1 Be7 26.c3 h5³
25.Rd1?!
25.Nc5+! dxc5 (25...Kd8 26.Nxb7+ Rxb7 27.b4 hxg4 28.hxg4 Nxg4∞) 26.Bxe5 Bxd5 27.Rd1
Bd6 28.Rxd5 Rb6 29.Bxg7 Re8+ 30.Kf2 hxg4 31.hxg4 Rg8 32.Bf6 Rxg4∞
25...Re8
¹25...hxg4 26.Nc5+ (26.hxg4 Re8 27.g5 Nc4+ 28.Kf2 Bxd5 29.Bxd5 Ne3 30.Rd2 Nxd5
31.Rxd5 Rc8 32.c3 Rh5µ) 26...Kc8 27.hxg4 Bxd5 28.Bxd5 Rh3³
26.Kf2
26.g5 Nc4+ 27.Kf2 Bxd5 28.Bxd5 Ne3 29.Rd3 Nxd5 30.Rxd5 Be7 31.h4 Rc8 32.c3 Rc4³
26...hxg4
26...Bxd5! 27.Bxd5 hxg4 28.Bxe5 Rxe5 29.hxg4 Be7µ
27.Nc5+ dxc5 28.Nf6+ Ke7 29.Bxe5?
29.Nxe8 Bxg2 30.Bxe5 gxh3 (30...Kxe8 31.Kxg2 gxh3+ 32.Kf3 f6 33.Bf4 Be7³) 31.Nxg7
Bxg7 32.Bxg7 Rh5 33.f6+ Ke6³
29...gxf6-+ 30.Bd6+
30.Bxb7 fxe5-+
30...Kd7 31.Bxf8+ Kc8 32.Bxb7+ Kxb7 33.Bxc5 gxh3 0-1

75. **** B90

Adams, Michael (2694) - Giri, Anish (2780)
Batumi 142/75, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bd3 e5 7.Nde2 Be7 8.O-O Be6
8...O-O 9.Ng3 Be6 10.Nd5 Bxd5 11.exd5 g6

518
12.a4N (12.c4 - 140/(86)) 12...Nbd7 13.a5 b5 14.c4 b4 15.b3 Nc5 16.Bc2 Nfd7 17.Bd2 Rb8
18.Qe1 Rb7 19.Ne2 Bg5

20.Bxb4 (20.f4 exf4 21.Bxf4 Bxf4 22.Rxf4 Re8 23.Qd2 f5∞) 20...Qb8 21.Ba3 Nxb3 22.Bxb3
Rxb3 23.Nc3 f5³ Van Foreest,J (2632)-Volokitin,A (2633) Deutschland 142/(75) 2019
9.Ng3
9.f4 O-O 10.a4 exf4 11.Nxf4 Nc6 12.Be3 Ne5 13.a5

519
13...Re8N (13...Rc8 - 142/ (75) 14.Bd4

14...Nfd7N (14...Qd7 - 141/(74)) 15.Ncd5 Bg5 (15...Re8 16.Nxe7+ (16.b3 Bh4 17.Qe2 Bg5=)
16...Qxe7=) 16.b4 Re8 17.Rb1 Nc6 18.Ba1 Nce5 19.Kh1

520
19...Nf6 (19...Bxf4 20.Nxf4 Bc4 21.Bd4 Nf6„) 20.Bxe5 dxe5 21.Nxe6 fxe6 22.Nxf6+ Bxf6
23.Qe1 Bh4 24.g3 Bf6 25.b5 axb5 26.Rxb5 Rc7 27.Qb4² Sasikiran,K (2675)-Cheparinov,I
(2670) Espana 142/(75) 2019) 14.Bd4 Rc8 15.Kh1 Nfd7 16.Ncd5 Bg5 17.c3 Nc5 18.Bc2 Bg4
19.Qe1 Bh4 20.Qc1 Bg5∞ Nguyen,T (2535)-Bronstein,O (2384) Bratislava 142/(75) 2019
9...Nc6

10.Nh5N
10.a3

521
- 142/(75) 10...Rc8N (10...h6; 10...O-O) 11.Re1 h6 12.Nf1 d5 13.exd5 Nxd5 14.Nxd5 Qxd5
15.Ne3 Qd7

16.Qh5 (16.Be4 Qxd1 17.Rxd1 g6=) 16...g6 17.Qd1 O-O 18.Nc4 Bxc4 19.Bxc4 Qxd1 20.Rxd1
Nd4 21.Bd3 Nxc2 22.Bxc2 Rxc2 23.Bxh6 Rfc8µ Nepomniachtchi,I (2776)-Ding,L (2811)
chess.com (Int.-m/11-blitz) 142/(75) 2019
10...Nxh5
10...O-O 11.Nxf6+ Bxf6 12.a3 Bg5 (12...Ne7!?) 13.Nd5 Bxc1 14.Rxc1 Rc8 15.Re1 Ne7=
11.Qxh5

522
11...Nb4! 12.Rd1
12.Qd1 Rc8 13.Re1 Nxd3 14.Qxd3 Qb6„
12...Qd7 13.Qe2 Rc8 14.a3 Nxd3 15.Qxd3 O-O 16.Be3 Rc7= 17.a4 Rfc8 18.a5 Rc4 19.f3 h6
19...f5 20.Nd5 fxe4 21.fxe4 Bxd5 22.Qxd5+ Kh8 23.c3 Qc6 24.Qf7 Qe8 (24...Bf8? 25.Rf1 h6
26.Rf3! Rxe4 (26...Qxe4 27.Raf1? R4c7 28.Qe6 Be7 29.Bb6+-) 27.Bxh6 gxh6 28.Rg3+-)
25.Qd5 Qc6=
20.Bf2 Kh8 21.Qe3 Bd8 22.Rd3 R4c6 23.Qe1 b5 24.axb6 Bxb6 25.Bxb6 Rxb6 26.Na4 Rbc6
27.Nc3 Qb7
27...Rb6=
28.Rb1 a5 29.h3 a4 30.Kh2 Qb4 31.Qd2 a3 32.bxa3 Qxa3

523
33.Nd1!=
33.Nd5 Qa2 34.Qd1 Rxc2 35.Ne3 R2c3µ
33...Qa7
33...Qa7 34.Ne3=
1/2-1/2
76. ** B90
Svidler, Peter (2729) - Vachier Lagrave, Maxime (2774)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/2) 142/76, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Nb3 Nbd7 7.Be3

7.g4 h6 8.Bg2 b5 9.h4 b4 10.Nd5 Nxd5 11.exd5 Ne5 12.g5 hxg5

524
13.hxg5?N (13.Bxg5

- 142/(76) 13...g6N (13...Bg4 - 128/(75)) 14.Qe2 Bg7 15.Nd4 Bg4 16.f3 Bh5

525
17.Bh3? (17.O-O-O Qc7 18.Kb1 O-O∞) 17...Qa5µ Haznedaroglu,K (2461) -Yilmaz,M (2605)
Turkiye (ch) 142/(76) 2019) 13...Bg4! 14.Qd4 (14.f3 Nxf3+! 15.Bxf3 Rxh1+-+) 14...Rxh1+
15.Bxh1 Bf3 16.Qh4 Qc7 17.Nd4 Qc4 18.Be3 Bxd5µ Muedder,M (1905)-Dylag,E (2006)
Bratislava 142/ (76) 2019
7...h5N
7...b5
8.a4 g6 9.a5 Bg7 10.Be2 b5 11.axb6 Nxb6 12.h3 Qc7 13.Qd4
13.O-O O-O 14.Na5 Be6 15.f4 Nc4 16.Nxc4 Bxc4 17.Bxc4 Qxc4 18.Ra4 Qc6 19.Qd3²
13...Rb8 14.Bxa6
14.O-O O-O 15.Qd3 Be6 16.Qxa6 Rfc8 17.Rfe1 (17.Nb5 Qd7! 18.Bxb6 Rc6 19.N3d4 Rcxb6³)
17...Nc4©
14...O-O 15.Qd3 Bxa6 16.Rxa6 Nc4 17.Bc1 e6© 18.O-O Nd7
18...Rfc8 19.Ra2 Rb4 20.Qe2 Nd7©
19.Rd1 Rfc8 20.Qe2 Rb6ƒ 21.Rxb6 Qxb6 22.Qd3 Nde5 23.Qe2 Nd7= 24.Qd3 Nde5 25.Qg3
25.Qe2=
25...Nc6 26.Ne2 Nxb2 27.Rxd6

526
27...Qb4! 28.Nd2 Nc4?!
28...Ne5! 29.Rd4 Qb5 30.Bxb2 (30.Nc3 Qb6µ; 30.c4 Nexc4 31.Nxc4 Nxc4µ) 30...Qxb2 31.c3
Ra8! 32.Qe3 Ra1+ 33.Kh2 Rd1µ
29.Nxc4 Qxc4 30.Qd3 Qxd3 31.Rxd3 1/2-1/2

77. * B90
Mazur, Stefan (2457) - Ftacnik, Lubomir (2521)
Slovensko 142/77, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 e5 7.Nde2 h5 8.g3 Be7 9.Bg2 b5
10.Nd5 Nbd7 11.Nec3 Bb7
11...Nxd5 12.Nxd5 h4

527
13.a4N (13.Be3 Bb7 14.O-O Rc8 15.c3 Bxd5 (15...Nc5) 16.Qxd5 Nb6 17.Qb7 (17.Qd3 Bg5
18.f4 (18.Bxg5 Qxg5 19.Qxd6 Rh6³) 18...Bh6„) 17...Nc4 18.Qxa6 (18.Bc1 hxg3 19.fxg3
Qb6+ 20.Qxb6 Nxb6=) 18...O-O 19.g4 Qc7 20.Qa7 Qxa7 21.Bxa7 Bg5∞) 13...bxa4 14.Rxa4
Nb6 15.Ra3 Nxd5 16.Qxd5 Be6 17.Qa5 Qb8 18.Qa4+ Bd7 19.Qb3 O-O³ Alekseenko,K (2715)
-Shankland,S (2679) Ulcinj 142/(77) 2019
12.Nxe7 Qxe7 13.Bg5 Qe6 14.h4
14.Nd5 - 117/73
14...O-O

15.Bh3N
15.a3 a5 16.Qe2 (16.O-O Bc6∞) 16...b4 17.Nb5 Ba6 18.a4 Nc5 19.b3 Bb7! 20.Nc7 (20.Bxf6
Qxf6=) 20...Qc8 21.Nxa8 Ncxe4! 22.O-O Nc3 23.Qd2 Bxg2 24.Kxg2 Qxa8+ 25.f3 Nfd5
26.Qd3 Qc6©
15...Qc4 16.f3
16.Qd3 Nxe4 17.Qxc4 bxc4 18.Nxe4 Bxe4 19.Rf1 Nb6 20.O-O-O d5 21.f3 Bg6 22.Be7 Rfe8
23.Bc5 Rab8 24.Rfe1 f6 25.Bxb6 Rxb6 26.Rxd5 Reb8 27.b3 cxb3 28.axb3 Rc6 29.Rd2 a5=
16...b4 17.Qe2
17.Na4 d5³
17...Qc7 18.Nd1 d5³ 19.Ne3?!
19.Nf2 a5 20.O-O Ba6 21.Nd3 dxe4 22.fxe4 Nh7 23.Be3 Ndf6³
19...dxe4 20.fxe4
20.f4 a5 21.O-O-O a4µ

528
20...Nxe4 21.Rg1 Ndf6 22.g4 Rad8
22...Rfd8 23.Bxf6 Rd2 24.Qxd2 Nxd2 25.gxh5 Nf3+ 26.Ke2 Qc6 27.Rxg7+ Kf8-+
23.Bxf6

23...Rd2! 24.Qxd2 Nxd2 25.gxh5 Nf3+ 26.Ke2 Rd8?

26...g6 27.Raf1 (27.hxg6 Qc6 28.gxf7+ Kxf7-+) 27...Qd6-+
27.Rxg7+ Kf8 28.Rh7!= Rd2+ 29.Kf1 Nh2+ 30.Ke1 Nf3+ 31.Kf1 Nh2+ 32.Ke1 1/2-1/2

78. B91
Puranik, Abhimanyu Sameer (2571) - Robson, Ray (2670)
Douglas 142/78, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.g3 e5 7.Nde2 Be7 8.Bg2 Be6 9.a4 Nbd7
10.O-O O-O 11.b3
11.Be3 - 129/82
11...b5 12.axb5 axb5 13.Rxa8 Qxa8 14.Nxb5 Nxe4

529
15.Qe1N
15.Nc7 Qc6! (15...Qb7 16.Nxe6 fxe6 17.Bh3 (17.Qe1 d5=) 17...Rf6 18.f3 Qb6+ 19.Kg2 Nec5
20.Nc3²) 16.Nxe6 fxe6 17.c4 (17.Bh3 d5³) 17...Ndf6 18.Qc2 (18.Nc3 Nxc3 19.Bxc6 Nxd1
20.Rxd1 Rb8 21.Ba4 Ne4=) 18...d5=
15...Qb8
15...d5!? 16.Bxe4 (16.Nc7 Qc6 17.Nxe6 Qxe6 18.c4 Nef6 19.cxd5 Nxd5 20.Nc3 Nb4 21.Qd1
Nf6=) 16...dxe4 17.Nc7 Qc6 18.Qc3 Qd6 19.Nxe6 Qxe6∞
16.Nbd4
16.Bxe4 Qxb5 17.Nc3 Qc5 18.Be3 Qc7 19.Nd5 Bxd5 20.Bxd5 Qxc2 21.Bc4 Nf6 22.Bg5∞
16...exd4 17.Bxe4 Bh3 18.Bg2 Bxg2 19.Kxg2 Bf6= 20.Qd2
20.Nf4 Qa8+ 21.f3 Rc8 22.Rf2 Ne5 (22...Be5=) 23.Qd1 Ng4 24.Re2 Ne5 25.Rf2=
20...Rc8 21.Rd1 Qb7+ 22.Kg1

530
22...d3! 23.Qxd3 Ne5 24.Qd5
24.Qxd6 Nf3+ 25.Kf1 Nxh2+ 26.Kg1 Nf3+ 27.Kf1 Nh2+= (27...h5 28.Qd5 Qxd5 29.Rxd5
Rxc2=)
24...Qxd5 25.Rxd5 Rxc2 26.Kf1 Nf3 27.h4 h5
27...Nd4 28.Nxd4 Rxc1+ 29.Ke2 Rb1 30.Rxd6 h5=
28.Rxd6 Nd4! 29.Nxd4 Rxc1+ 30.Kg2 Rb1 31.Ne2 1/2-1/2
79. B91
Vachier Lagrave, Maxime (2777) - Wei, Yi (2724)
Hamburg (m/1) 142/79, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.g3 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.Bg5
8.Bg2 - 136/87
8...Nbd7
8...Bg4 9.Qd3 Nc6 10.Bg2 O-O 11.O-O Rc8 12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.Nd5 Bg5
9.a4

531
9...h6N
9...b6 10.Bc4 O-O 11.O-O Bb7 12.Qe2 Qc7 13.Rad1 Rfc8 14.Nd2 h6 15.Bxf6 Nxf6 16.Rfe1²
10.Be3 b6
10...O-O 11.a5 b5 12.axb6 Nxb6 13.Na5 Qc7 14.Bg2 Nc4 15.Nxc4 Qxc4∞
11.Bc4 Bb7 12.Nd2 O-O 13.O-O Qc7 14.Qe2 Rfc8 15.Rad1 Nc5 16.Bxc5
16.f3 Ne6 17.Bb3 Bc6„
16...Qxc5
16...bxc5 17.Nf3 g6 18.Nh4 Kg7 19.f4±; 16...dxc5 17.Rfe1 Bf8 18.Nf3 g6 19.Rd2²
17.Rfe1 g6 18.Bb3 Kg7 19.Qc4!² Qxc4
19...Rf8 20.Qxc5 bxc5 21.Nc4 Rad8 22.a5 Ne8 23.Nb6 Nc7 24.Bd5²
20.Nxc4 Rc6 21.Nd5
21.Ne3 Rc5 22.Ncd5 (22.Bd5!? Nxd5 23.Ncxd5 Bd8 24.c3²) 22...Bxd5 23.Nxd5 Nxd5
24.Bxd5 Rb8 25.c4²
21...Nxd5 22.exd5 Rc7

532
23.Nxe5!
23.Nxb6 Rb8 24.a5 Bc8 25.Ba4²
23...dxe5
23...Bf6 24.Nc4 Rd8 25.c3 b5 26.axb5 axb5 27.Na5²
24.d6 Rd7
24...Bxd6 25.Rxd6 e4 26.Rxb6 Rd8 27.Kf1±
25.dxe7 Rxe7 26.Rd6
26.f4 e4 27.Kf2 Rc8 28.Rd6 Bc6 29.Ke3²
26...b5
26...Bf3 27.Kf1 b5 28.a5²
27.a5! Rc8 28.c3
28.f4! e4 29.Kf2 Rc6 30.Rd4 Rc5 31.c3±
28...Bf3?!
28...Rcc7 29.Kf1²
29.Rxa6 Rd8 30.Rb6± Rd2 31.Rxb5 Rxb2 32.a6?!
32.Ra1 Rc7 33.c4±
32...Rc7

533
32...Be2! 33.c4 Ra7 34.Ra1 e4 35.Ba4 Rd2 36.Ra5 Bxc4 37.Bb5 Bxb5 38.Rxb5 Rd6 39.Rba5 f5=
33.Bc4! Rxb5
33...Rc2 34.Bf1 Ra2 35.Rbxe5 Rxc3 36.R1e3 Rxe3 37.Rxe3±
34.Bxb5 Rxc3 35.Bf1 Rc5 36.Ra1 Ba8 37.Be2 e4 38.Kf1 Kf6 39.Ke1 Ke5 40.Kd2 f5 41.Rb1
g5 42.Rb5 Kd4?
42...Rxb5 43.Bxb5 f4 44.Kc3 Kd5 45.gxf4 gxf4 46.Bd7 Kd6 47.Bf5 Kc5 48.Bc8 Kb6 49.Kd4±
43.Rxc5 Kxc5 44.Ke3+- Bc6 45.Bh5 Kd5 46.a7 Ke5 47.f4+! 1-0

80. * B91
Abdusattorov, Nodirbek (2608) - Sarana, Alexey (2655)
Douglas 142/80, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6 4.Nc3 cxd4 5.Nxd4 a6 6.g3 e5 7.Nde2 Be7 8.Bg2 O-O 9.O-O
Nbd7
9...b5 10.Nd5 Nbd7 11.Nec3 Bb7 12.a4 Nxd5 13.Nxd5 Bxd5 14.exd5 b4 15.a5

534
15...Bg5N (15...Rb8 - 138/(105)) 16.Bxg5 Qxg5 17.f4 Qd8 18.Bh3 (18.fxe5 Nxe5 19.Rf4 Rb8∞)
18...Re8

19.Bxd7?! (19.fxe5 Nxe5 20.Qd4 Rb8∞) 19...Qxd7 20.Qd3 Qa7+ 21.Kh1 Qc5 22.fxe5 Rxe5µ
Schroeder,J (2572)-Chandra,A (2513) Saint Louis (open) 142/ (80) 2019
10.a4 b6 11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.Qxd5 Qc7 13.Nc3
13.Qxa8 - 128/83
13...Bb7 14.Qd3 Nf6 15.Bg5 Ng4! 16.Bd2
16.Bxe7 Qxe7 17.Rfd1 Rfd8 18.Qe2 Nf6=
16...Nf6

535
17.Rfd1N
17.Bg5
17...h6 18.Be3 Bc6 19.Nd5
19.h3 Qb7= … b5
19...Nxd5 20.exd5 Bd7 21.Qb3 b5 22.axb5 axb5 23.Bf1

23...Bg5!?
23...Ra5!? 24.Bd2 Ra7 25.Rxa7 (25.Be3 Ra5=) 25...Qxa7 26.Bxb5 Rb8 27.c4 Bxb5 28.cxb5 Qc5
29.Rc1 Rxb5 30.Rxc5 Rxb3 31.Rc8+ Kh7 32.Bc3=
24.Bxg5 hxg5 25.Bxb5 Bxb5
25...Rab8 26.c4 Bxb5 27.cxb5 Qb6 28.Qb4 Rfd8=

536
26.Qxb5 Rab8 27.Qc6 Rfc8= 28.Ra6 Rxb2 29.Qxc7
29.c4 Qxc6 30.Rxc6 Rxc6 31.dxc6 Rc2 32.Rxd6 Rxc4=
29...Rxc7 30.Rc6 Rxc2
30...Rxc6 31.dxc6 Rxc2 32.Rxd6 g6=
31.Rxd6 Kf8 32.Ra6 f6 33.Ra8+ Kf7 34.Rd8 Ke7 35.Rg8 Kd6
35...Kf7 36.Rd8 Ke7=
36.Rd8+ Rd7 37.Rxd7+ Kxd7 38.Ra1 Kd6 39.Ra6+ Kxd5 40.Ra7 g6 41.Rg7 Ke6 42.Rxg6 Kf7
43.Rh6 Kg7 44.Rh5 Rc8 45.g4 Rc4 46.f3 Rf4 47.h4 gxh4 48.Kg2 e4 49.fxe4 Rxg4+ 50.Kf3
Rg3+ 51.Kf4 Rh3 1/2-1/2

81. B92
Parligras, Mircea Emilian (2629) - Xiong, Jeffery (2708)
Douglas 142/81, 2019

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 Nbd7 11.Nd5 Bxd5 12.exd5 Ne8
12...Nc5 - 132/99
13.Na5

13...Qc8N
13...Nc5 14.Qa3 f5 15.Be3 Qc7 16.f3 Nf6 17.b4 Ncd7 18.c4 f4 19.Bf2 e4 20.Bd4 e3 21.Rac1²
14.b4 Bd8 15.Nb3

537
15...e4! 16.Qxe4
16.Qe3 Bb6 17.Qh3 Nef6 18.c4 Ne5∞
16...Nef6 17.Qc4 Qxc4 18.Bxc4 Ne5 19.Bd3
19.Be2 Rc8! (19...Nxd5 20.c4 Nf6 21.f4 Ng6 22.g3²) 20.c3 Nc4 (20...Nxd5 21.Rfc1 Nb6=)
21.Rfc1 Re8 22.Bf3 Ne5 23.Be2 Nc4=
19...Nxd3 20.cxd3 Nxd5 21.Rfe1 Bf6 22.Rac1 Rfc8 23.Na5 b5 24.Nb7 Be7 25.Na5 Kf8³
26.Kf1
26.g3 f5 27.Nc6 Bf6³
26...Bf6 27.Nb7 Rxc1 28.Rxc1 Ke7 29.Ke2 Kd7 30.Kf3 Re8
30...Bb2! 31.Rb1 (31.Rc2?! Ba3 32.Ke4 Ne7 (32...Nxb4? 33.Rc3 Bb2 34.Rb3+-) 33.Na5 Re8
34.Kf3 Nd5µ) 31...Bc3 32.Bxc3 (32.Ke2 Re8+ 33.Kd1 Re6µ) 32...Nxc3 33.Rb2 f5 34.a3 Nd5
35.Rc2 Re8µ
31.Na5 Bd4 32.Nb3 Bb2 33.Rb1 Bf6 34.Rc1 Re6 35.Rc2

538
35...Bd8! 36.Nd4 Rf6+ 37.Ke4 Ne7 38.Bg5 d5+ 39.Ke3 Rg6!µ 40.Nf3 f6 41.Bf4 Rg4 42.g3 g5
43.Bxg5
43.Be5 Rxb4-+
43...Nf5+ 44.Kd2 Rxg5 45.Nxg5 fxg5 46.h3 Bb6 47.Ke1 Nd4 48.Rc1 h5 49.a3 Bc7
49...a5 50.bxa5 Bxa5+ 51.Kf1 Bb6µ
50.Rc5 Kd6 51.Rc1 Ne6 52.Kf1 Kd7 53.Re1 Bd6 54.Rc1 Nd4 55.Rc3

55...h4!-+ 56.gxh4
56.Kg2 hxg3 57.fxg3 Ne2 58.Rc2 Nxg3 59.Kf3 Nf5-+
56...gxh4 57.Kg2
57.Rc1 Ne6-+

539
57...Ne2 58.Rc2 Nf4+ 59.Kf3 Nxd3 60.Kg4 Ne5+ 61.Kxh4 d4 62.Kg5 d3 63.Rc1 Nc4 64.Rb1
d2 0-1

82. B92
Abdusattorov, Nodirbek (2608) - Saric, Ivan (2667)
Douglas 142/82, 2019

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 Be6
10.Qd2 Nbd7 11.a4 Rc8 12.a5 Qc7 13.Rfc1 h6
13...Qc6 - 86/ 253
14.f3 Rfd8 15.Nd5

15...Bxd5N
15...Nxd5 16.exd5 Bf5 17.Ra4 Re8 18.Rb4 Bg6 19.c4 Bd8∞
16.exd5 Nc5 17.Ra3! Nxb3
17...Re8 18.c4²
18.Rxb3² Nd7
18...Re8 19.Rc3 Qd7 20.Rxc8 Qxc8 21.c4 e4 22.f4 Ng4 23.Bxg4 Qxg4 24.b4²
19.Rc3 Qb8 20.Rxc8 Rxc8 21.Bd3
21.c4 Bg5! 22.Bxg5 hxg5 23.b4 (23.Qxg5 b6! 24.Qf5 Rc7 25.b4 bxa5 26.bxa5 g6 27.Qg5 Kg7
28.Kf1 (28.Qe7 Rb7©) 28...Nc5©) 23...b6 24.axb6 Qxb6+ 25.Kf1 Rb8 26.Rb1 a5 27.b5 g4
28.fxg4 a4©
21...Rc7
¹21...Bg5 22.Bxg5 hxg5 23.Bf5 (23.Qxg5 Qa7+ 24.Kh1 Nf6 25.c4 Qd4 26.Qf5 Rc7 27.Rb1 g6

540
28.Qxf6 Qxd3 29.Rg1 Rxc4 30.Qxd6 Qe3 31.h3 Rc1=) 23...Rc7 24.b3²
22.b4 Qd8 23.g3 Qf8
23...Bg5 24.f4 exf4 25.gxf4 Bf6 26.c4²
24.c4 f5 25.Kg2 Kh8 26.h4± Rc8
26...Qf7 27.Bf2±
27.Qc2
27.Bb1!? f4 (27...h5 28.Bg5±) 28.Qd3 (28.gxf4 Bxh4 29.Qd3 Qg8 30.Qf5 exf4 31.Bxf4±)
28...Qg8 29.Qf5±
27...f4

28.Bf5! fxe3
28...Rd8 29.gxf4 Bxh4 (29...exf4 30.Bf2 Ne5 31.Qe4±) 30.fxe5 Nxe5 31.Qe4 Bf6 32.Be6+-
29.Bxd7 Rb8 30.Qg6 e4
30...Qf6 31.Qxf6 Bxf6 32.c5+-
31.Qxe4+- b6 32.axb6 Rxb6 33.b5 axb5 34.cxb5 Rb8 35.Qxe3 Bd8 36.Rc4 Bb6 37.Qe6 Bc5
38.Rf4 Qg8 39.h5
39.Rf7+-
39...Rf8 40.Rxf8 Qxf8 41.f4
41.Qg6 Bd4 42.Bf5 Kg8 43.Be6+ Kh8 44.f4+-
41...Qa8 42.Qf7 Qg8 43.Be6 Qxf7 44.Bxf7 g6 45.hxg6 Kg7 46.g4 Kf6 47.Kf3 Bb6 48.Ke4
Bc5 49.g5+ hxg5 50.fxg5+ Ke7 51.Be6 Kf8 52.Bc8 1-0

541
 83. *** B92
Ganguly, Surya Shekhar (2658) - Vazquez Igarza, Renier (2556)
Espana 142/83, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.O-O
8.Be3 Be6 9.Bf3 O-O 10.O-O Qc7 11.a4 Rc8 12.a5 Nbd7 13.Re1 h6 14.Re2 (14.Nd2 b5
15.axb6 Nxb6 16.Ra5

(16.Nf1 a5 17.Ng3 Bf8∞) 16...Bd8N (16...Qb7 17.Qa1 Bd8 18.h3 Nbd7 19.Ra3 Bb6∞) 17.h3
Nc4 18.Nxc4 Bxc4 19.Ra4 Rab8 20.Qa1 Qb7 21.b3 Bb5 22.Ra2 Bc6 23.Qd1 Qb4 24.Bd2 Qb7
25.Qe2 a5 26.Qd3 Bb6 27.Be3 Bxe3 28.Rxe3 Qb4∞ Narayanan,S (2611) -Cheparinov,I (2670)
Douglas 142/(83) 2019; 14.h3 - 110/(125)) 14...b5 15.axb6 Nxb6 16.Na5 Nc4 17.Nxc4 Bxc4
18.Rd2 Rab8

542
19.Rb1N (19.Na4) 19...a5 20.h3 Rb4„ Bilguun,S (2482) -Narayanan,S (2616) Changsha 142/
(83) 2019
8...O-O 9.Be3 Be6 10.Re1 Qc7 11.Bf3 Rc8 12.a4 Nbd7 13.h3 h6 14.Nd2
14.Nc1 - 134/82
14...Qc6

- 142/83
14...Nf8N 15.a5

15...Ng6 (15...Qc6! 16.Nf1 (16.Na4 Bd8!) 16...Ng6∞) 16.Na4! Nd7 17.c4 Bg5 18.Bxg5 hxg5
19.Bg4 Bxg4 20.Qxg4 Nf6 21.Qxg5 Qxa5 22.c5 dxc5 23.Nc4 Qb4 24.Ncb6 Rab8 25.Nxc8
Rxc8 26.h4ƒ Aulia,M (2362)-Sukandar,I (2384) Ulaanbaatar 142/(83) 2019

543
15.Nf1N
15.a5
15...b5 16.axb5 axb5 17.Nd5
17.Rxa8 Qxa8 18.Bc1 (18.Nxb5?! Qb8³) 18...Qb7 19.Ne3 b4 20.Ncd5 Bxd5 21.exd5 Ra8
22.Nf5 Bf8∞
17...Bxd5
17...Nxd5!? 18.Rxa8 Qxa8 19.exd5 Bf5 20.c3 Nf6„
18.exd5 Qb7∞ 19.Rxa8 Qxa8 20.Ng3 Bf8
20...Qa2 21.Bc1 Nb6 22.Nf5 Bf8 23.Ne3 e4 24.Be2 Nbxd5 25.Bxb5 Nxe3 26.Bxe3 (26.Rxe3
d5³) 26...Qxb2 27.c4 d5 28.Bd4 Qb4 29.Bxf6 gxf6 30.Qg4+ Kh8 31.Qxc8 Qxe1+ 32.Kh2 Kg8
33.Qg4+=
21.c3 Qb7
21...g6 22.Qd3 Qa5 23.Ne4 b4∞
22.Qb3 Nc5 23.Bxc5 Rxc5 24.Ra1 g6 25.Ra5 h5 26.h4
26.Ne4 Nxe4 27.Bxe4 Kg7=
26...Qe7 27.Rxb5 Rxb5 28.Qxb5 e4„ 29.Be2 Qe5 30.Nf1
30.c4? e3 31.Qb6 exf2+ 32.Qxf2 Bh6µ
30...Bh6
30...Qxd5 31.Qxd5 Nxd5 32.Bc4 Nb6 33.Ne3 Bh6 34.Bb5 d5=
31.c4

544
31.g3 Qxd5 32.Qxd5 Nxd5=
31...Bc1! 32.Qb8+
32.b4 e3 33.f3 Qd4 34.g3 Qc3 35.c5! dxc5 36.bxc5 Nxd5 37.Kh1 Kg7 38.Qc4 Qxc4 39.Bxc4
Ne7=
32...Kg7 33.c5!= e3
33...Qxd5 34.Qxd6 Bxb2 35.Ne3=
34.f3 Qxd5 35.cxd6 Qd4 36.g3 Bxb2 37.Qb3 Bc3 38.Kg2
38.Qc4=
38...Bd2 39.Qd3 Qxd3 40.Bxd3 Kf8 41.f4 Bb4 1/2-1/2

84. B93
Yu, Yangyi (2763) - Adhiban, Baskaran (2639)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/4-rapid) 142/84, 2019

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.f4 Qc7 7.Bd3 g6 8.Nf3 Bg7 9.O-O Nbd7
10.Qe1 O-O 11.Kh1 e5 12.a4 Nc5
12...b6 - 43/320
13.Qh4 exf4 14.Bxf4

14...Be6N
14...Nxd3 15.cxd3 Be6 (15...Nh5?! 16.Nd5 Qd8 17.Bg5 f6 18.Be3±) 16.Ng5 Qd7 (16...h5?!
17.Qg3 Ne8 18.Nxe6 fxe6 19.Qxg6+-) 17.h3 Rae8 18.Be3 h5 19.Nf3²
15.e5

545
15.Ng5 h5 16.Nxe6 Nxe6 17.Bg3 Qe7 18.Rae1²
15...Nh5!
15...dxe5 16.Bxe5 Qd8 17.Ng5 Nh5 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.Nxe6+ Nxe6 20.Qe4²
16.exd6 Qd8 17.Bg5 f6 18.Be3
18.Bd2 Nxd3 19.cxd3 Qxd6 20.Ne4 Qd5 (20...Qxd3? 21.Nc5 Qd6 22.Nxe6 Qxe6 23.g4 Nf4
24.Bxf4 g5 25.Bxg5 fxg5 26.Qxh7+ Kxh7 27.Nxg5+±) 21.Bc3 (21.g4? f5µ) 21...Rf7 22.Nd4
Bd7∞
18...Qxd6?
18...Nxd3 19.cxd3 Qxd6 20.Ne4 (20.Rad1 f5 21.Bd4 Bxd4 22.Nxd4 Bd7³) 20...Qxd3 21.Bc5
Rfd8 22.Be7 Re8 23.Nxf6+ Nxf6 24.Bxf6 Bxf6 25.Qxf6 Qf5=
19.Bc4± Rae8
19...Bxc4? 20.Qxc4+ Ne6 21.g4+-; 19...Nd7?! 20.Rad1 Qc6 21.Bd5 Bxd5 22.Nxd5 Rae8 23.g4
Nf4 24.Bxf4 g5 25.Qh5! gxf4 26.Nd4+-
20.Rad1 Qc7 21.Bd5
21.Rfe1! Nd7 (21...Bf7 22.Bxf7+ Rxf7 23.Nd5 Qc8 24.Bxc5 Rxe1+ 25.Qxe1! Qxc5 26.g4+-)
22.Bxe6+ Rxe6 23.Nd5 Qc6 24.Qb4 Rfe8 25.Qb3+-
21...Bxd5
21...Bf7 22.Bxc5 Qxc5 23.Bxf7+ Rxf7 24.Ne4 Qxc2 25.Nd6+-
22.Nxd5 Qc6 23.Qc4?!
23.Qb4! Ne4 (23...Rxe3 24.Nxe3+-) 24.Ne7++-

546
23...Ne6 24.Qb3
24.Qxc6 bxc6 25.Nb6 (25.Nb4 f5 26.b3²) 25...Ng5 26.Bc5 Rf7 27.Rfe1²
24...f5 25.Nd4?!
25.Rfe1 Kh8 26.c3 b5 27.axb5 axb5 28.Nb4 Qc8 29.Qd5²
25...Nxd4 26.Bxd4 Kh8 27.Bxg7+ Nxg7
27...Kxg7! 28.c4 Re4 29.Qc3+ Nf6 30.b3 Kg8=
28.Rde1 g5
¹28...Rxe1 29.Rxe1 Rd8 30.c4 (30.Nf4 Qc7=) 30...b5 31.axb5 axb5 32.Ne3 bxc4 33.Nxc4 Qd5
34.Qc3 Qd4=
29.c4 f4
29...Rxe1 30.Rxe1 Re8 31.Rf1 h6 32.Qc3²
30.a5 Rxe1 31.Rxe1 Re8= 32.Rxe8+ Qxe8 33.Qc3 Qe2 34.h3 Kg8 35.Qf6 Qe1+ 36.Kh2 Qg3+
37.Kh1 Qe1+ 38.Kh2 Qg3+ 39.Kh1 Qe1+ 40.Kh2 1/2-1/2

85. B94
Christiansen, Johan Sebastian (2558) - Wojtaszek, Radoslaw (2739)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/2) 142/85, 2019

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 e5
10.fxe5 dxe5 11.O-O-O Qc7 12.Nb3 b5 13.Rxd7 Nxd7 14.Nd5 Qb8 15.Na5 Bc5
15...Bb7 - 133/97
16.Qd2

547
16...g5N
16...Bb7 17.Be2 Bd4 18.Nxb7 Qxb7 19.c3 Bc5 20.b4! (20.Bg4) 20...g5 (20...Bb6 21.Rd1 g5
22.Bg3 O-O-O 23.Bg4±) 21.Bg3 Be7 22.Bh5±
17.Bg3 Qd6 18.Be2© O-O 19.Rf1 f6
19...Kg7 20.Qc3 (20.h4 f5! (20...f6 - 19...f6) 21.hxg5 f4 22.Bh4 Nb6³) 20...f6 21.b4 Bb6
22.Nc6 Qe6 23.Nce7ƒ
20.h4 Kg7 21.hxg5 fxg5?!
21...hxg5 22.Bg4 (22.Nb3 Ba7 23.Bg4 Rf7∞) 22...Ra7 23.b4 Bb6 24.Nb3 a5 25.Bf2 Bxf2
26.Qxf2 Nb6! 27.Nxb6 (27.Bxc8 Nxc8 28.bxa5 Ra6∞) 27...Bxg4 28.Nc8 Rxc8 29.Qxa7+ Rc7
30.Qxa5 Rc4 31.Qa7+ Kg6∞
22.Rxf8 Nxf8?!

22...Qxf8? 23.Nc7±; 22...Kxf8 23.Qc3 Kg8 (23...b4 24.Qd3 Qg6 25.Nc4±) 24.a3 Bb6 25.Nc6
Bb7 26.Nxb6 Qxc6 27.Qb3+ Kg7 28.Nxa8 Bxa8 29.Bg4±
23.b4! Ba7 24.Qc3 Ng6 25.Nc6 Bb8 26.Nxe5
26.Bh5 Bb7 27.Nde7+-
26...Nxe5 27.Qxc8 Ra7

548
28.Bf2!+- Rf7 29.Bc5 Rf8
29...Qg6 30.Qxb8 Qxe4 31.Ne3 Nd7 32.Qd6+-
30.Qb7+ Rf7 31.Qc8 Rf8 32.Qh3 Qc6 33.Bxf8+ Kxf8 34.Kb1
34.Qf5+ Kg7 35.Bh5 Nd3+ 36.Kb1+-
34...Kg7 35.Bd3 Ba7 36.Qf5 Bd4 37.a3
37.Be2 Nc4 38.c3 Ne3 39.Qf2!+-
37...Qd6 38.Be2 Qc6 39.Bd3 Qd6 40.Be2 Qc6 41.Bh5 Qd6 42.Qc8 Nc4?!
42...Qf8 43.Qxf8+ Kxf8 44.Be2 Ke8 45.Ka2 Kd7 46.c3 Bf2 47.a4+-
43.Nc7
43.Nc7 Nxa3+ 44.Ka2 Qxb4 45.Qd7+ Kh8 46.Qe8+ Kg7 47.Ne6+ Kf6 48.Qf7+ Ke5 49.Qf5+
Kd6 50.Qf8++-
1-0

549
C00-C24

86. * C01
Wen, Yang (2586) - Ganguly, Surya Shekhar (2644)
China 142/86, 2019

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.Nc3 Bb4

5...Bg4 6.Bb5 Bb4 7.h3 Bh5 8.g4 Bg6 9.Ne5 Ne7

10.Nxg6N (10.Be3) 10...hxg6 11.a3 Bxc3+ 12.bxc3

12...Nc8!?∞ Bacrot,E (2671)-Jumabayev,R (2630) Douglas 142/(86) 2019 (12...Qd7∞)

550
6.Bd3 Nge7 7.O-O Bg4 8.a3
8.h3 - 136/91
8...Bxc3
8...Bd6 9.Nb5 a6 10.Nxd6+ Qxd6 11.c3²; 8...Ba5 9.Ne2!? Bxf3 10.gxf3 Qd7 11.c3 Ng6 12.a4
a6 13.b4 Bb6 14.a5 Ba7 15.Kh1²
9.bxc3 Qd7 10.h3 Bf5

¹10...Bh5 11.a4 (11.Rb1 O-O-O 12.Re1 f6∞) 11...O-O-O 12.a5 a6 13.Bf4 Rde8∞
11.a4!?N
11.c4 Bxd3 12.Qxd3 dxc4 13.Qxc4 O-O=
11...f6?!
11...O-O 12.a5²
12.a5 O-O
12...O-O-O 13.a6 b6 14.Bb5 g5 15.Ba3 Ng6 16.Re1 g4 17.hxg4 Bxg4²
13.a6 b6 14.Ba3 Rfe8?!
14...Bxd3 15.cxd3 Rfe8 16.Re1 Nf5∞
15.Bb5 g5?

551
15...Ng6 16.Ne1
16.c4! Rad8 17.Re1 Be6 18.c3 Ng6
18...dxc4 19.Bxe7 Rxe7 20.Qa4 Bd5 21.Rxe7 Qxe7 22.Bxc6+-; 18...Qc8 19.cxd5 Rxd5 20.c4+-
19.Qa4 Bxh3 20.Bxc6 Qg4 21.Bxd5+ Rxd5 22.Qxe8+ Kg7

23.Bf8+! Nxf8 24.Re7+ 1-0

87. ** !N C02
Jones, Gawain C B (2683) - Howell, David (2676)
Great Britain (ch-m/1) 142/87, 2019

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.Be2 cxd4 7.cxd4 Nh6 8.Bxh6!?
8.Nc3 Nf5 9.Na4 (9.Bb5 Bd7 10.Bxc6 Bxc6 11.O-O Bb4 12.a4 O-O

552
13.Ne2?! (13.g4! Ne7 14.Na2 f5 (14...a5 15.Nxb4 axb4 16.Bg5 Ng6 17.b3ƒ) 15.Nxb4 Qxb4
16.b3! Qb6 (16...fxg4 17.Ba3 Qb6 18.Ng5 Rfe8 19.Bc5 Qd8 20.Qxg4²) 17.Ba3 Qd8 18.Kh1ƒ)
13...Qa5N (13...Rac8) 14.Bf4 b5 15.axb5 Qxb5 16.Ng3 a5∞ L'Ami,E (2619)-Shirov,A (2664)
Douglas 142/(87) 2019) 9...Qa5+ 10.Kf1 (10.Bd2 - 105/ (247)) 10...Bd7 11.Bd2 Qd8 12.Bg5
Qa5 13.b3N Movsesian,S (2654) -Gavrilescu,D (2451) Douglas 142/(87) 2019 (13.Bd2; 13.b3
h6 14.Bd2 Qd8 15.Bc3 Be7 16.g3 O-O∞)
8...Qxb2 9.Nbd2
9.Bd2 - 30/ (206)
9...gxh6 10.O-O
10.Rb1 Qxa2 11.O-O
10...Nxd4

553
11.Rb1!
11.Nxd4 Qxd4 12.Bb5+ Bd7 13.Qe2 (13.Qb3 Qb4³) 13...Rd8 14.Rfc1 Be7³; 11.Qa4+!? Nc6
12.Rab1 Qa3 13.Qg4 (13.Qf4?! Bg7µ) 13...a6 14.Rfc1 (14.Rfe1!?) 14...Bd7 15.Nf1 Rc8 16.Ng3
Ne7 17.Rxc8+ Bxc8 18.Nh5³
11...Nxe2+ 12.Qxe2 Qa3

12...Qxa2 13.Qb5+ (13.Rfc1!?) 13...Bd7 14.Qxb7 Rc8 (14...Rd8? 15.Ra1 Qc2 16.Rfc1 Qd3
17.Rc7 Qb5 (17...Be7 18.Rxa7+-) 18.Qxa7 Be7 19.Nd4 Qd3 20.N2f3+-) 15.Rfc1 (15.Nb3 Be7
16.Ra1 Qe2 17.Nbd4 Qc4 18.Rxa7 Rd8∞) 15...Rxc1+ 16.Rxc1 Be7 17.Rc7 Qa1+ 18.Nf1 Qa4
19.Qb8+ Bd8 20.Rxa7 Qc6 21.Qb4ƒ
13.Nd4!N
13.Qb5+ Bd7 14.Qxb7 Rd8³
13...a6 14.Rfc1 Bg7?!
14...Qxa2 15.Qe3 Qa3 16.Rc3 Qe7 17.Nf1 Bg7 18.Ng3 O-O (18...f6?! 19.Qc1 O-O 20.Nh5
fxe5 21.Rg3 Rf7 22.Nf3 Kh8 23.Qb2±) 19.Nh5 Qh4 20.Qe2 (20.Nxg7 Kxg7 21.Qd2 Kh8
22.Rh3 Qg5 23.f4 Qg6 24.Rc1©) 20...Qxd4 21.Rg3 Kh8 22.Rxg7 Bd7 23.Rd1 Bb5 24.Qc2 Qe4
25.Qc1 Qe2 26.Qb1 Qe4 27.Qc1=; 14...Be7 15.Rc7 (15.Nf1 Bd7 16.Ng3 Rc8 17.Rxc8+ Bxc8
18.Nh5©) 15...Bd8 16.Rc2 O-O 17.Rb3©
15.Nf1 Qe7 16.Ng3 f6??
16...O-O 17.Nh5 Kh8 18.Nxg7 Kxg7 19.Qd2 (19.g3!?²) 19...Qg5 20.f4 Qd8 21.Rc3²
17.Qh5+ Kd8
17...Kf8 18.Rb6 fxe5 19.Ndf5! exf5 (19...Qe8 20.Qxe8+ Kxe8 21.Nxg7++-; 19...Qg5
20.Rc7!+-) 20.Rxc8+ Rxc8 21.Qxf5+ Ke8 22.Qxc8+ Qd8 23.Qxb7+-

554
18.f4?
18.Ngf5 exf5 19.e6 Bf8 (19...Bxe6 20.Re1+-) 20.Qxf5 Rg8 21.Qxd5+ Ke8 22.Qh5+ (22.Nf5
Bxe6 23.Nxe7 Bxd5 24.Nxd5 Kf7 25.Rxb7+ Kg6 26.Rc6+-) 22...Rg6 23.Nf5 Qd8 24.Nh4+-;
18.Qh4 Rf8 (18...fxe5 19.Rxc8+! Rxc8 20.Nxe6+ Ke8 21.Qh5+ Kd7 22.Rxb7+ Kxe6
23.Qg4++-) 19.Rb6 fxe5 20.Rxc8+ Rxc8 21.Rd6+ Ke8 22.Rxe6+-
18...fxe5 19.fxe5 Rf8 20.Rb6 Bd7 21.Rd6 Qxd6
¹21...Rc8 22.Nxe6+ Qxe6 23.Rxc8+ Kxc8 24.Rxe6 Bxe6 25.Ne2±
22.exd6 Bxd4+ 23.Kh1 Rc8

24.Re1?!
24.Rf1! Rxf1+ 25.Nxf1 Rc4 (25...Be3 26.Nxe3 Rc1+ 27.Nd1 Be8 (27...Ba4? 28.Qh4++-)
28.Qh4+ Kc8 29.Qd4 Bg6 30.Qd2+-) 26.Qxh6 Bb5 27.Qxe6+-
24...Rc4
24...Be3! 25.Qh4+ Bg5 26.Qb4 b5±
25.Qxh6 Re8 26.Qxh7?!
26.Nh5 Kc8 27.Nf6 Bxf6 28.Qxf6 e5 29.h4! e4 30.Qf7 Rc5 31.h5+-
26...Bc5?!

555
26...Kc8±
27.Nh5?!
27.Nf5!! Kc8 (27...Bf2 28.Ng7! Bxe1 29.Nxe8 Rc1 30.g3 Kc8 31.Qg8 Ba5+ 32.Kg2+-)
28.Ne7+ Kb8 29.Ng6 Bb5 30.d7 Rd8 31.Ne5+-
27...Bxd6 28.Nf6 Re7 29.Qg8+ Kc7 30.Nxd7 Kxd7 31.Rb1
31.g3
31...Kc7 32.g3 d4 33.Qa8 Kc6 34.Qf8 e5 35.Qd8 Rc7 36.a4?
36.Qe8+! Kd5 37.Qg8+ Kc5 38.Qg6 b5 (38...Kd5 39.Re1±) 39.g4 Rc6 40.g5±
36...d3 37.a5 Kc5 38.Qg5 Kd4 39.Re1 e4 40.Qg6
40.Qe3+ Kd5 41.Qg5+ Kd4 (41...Kc6 42.Qg8 Kc5 43.Qg5+=; 41...Be5 42.Qd8+ Bd6
43.Qg5+=) 42.Qe3+=
40...Kd5 41.Rf1 Be5 42.Rf8?
42.Qg5 Kd4 43.Rb1
42...R7c6 43.Qg5
43.Rd8+ Rd6 44.Rxd6+ Bxd6-+
43...Kd4-+ 44.Re8 R6c5 45.Kg2
45.Rd8+ Kc3 46.Qc1+ Kb3 47.Qb1+ Bb2
45...Rc2+ 46.Kh3 d2 47.Qd8+ Kc3 48.Rxe5 Rxe5 49.Qc7+ Kb3
49...Kd3 50.Qxe5 (50.Qd7+ Ke2 51.Qg4+ Ke1) 50...d1=Q 51.Qd5+ Ke2 52.Qxe4+ Kf2
53.Qf5+ Kg1

556
50.Qxb7+ Rb5 51.Qf7+ Kb2 52.Qf6+ Kb1 53.Qd4 e3 54.Qd3 Rxa5 55.Qb3+ Rb2 56.Qd3+
Ka1 57.Qf1+ Rb1 58.Qf6+ Ka2 59.Qf7+ Rb3 60.Qf3 Rd3 61.Qd1 Kb2 62.Kg2 Ra1 63.Qe2
Kc3 64.Qh5 d1=Q 65.Qc5+ Kb2 0-1

88. * C02
Shirov, Alexei (2666) - Valmana Canto, Jaime (2416)
Espana (ch) 142/88, 2019

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Bd7 6.Be2 Nge7 7.O-O Ng6 8.g3 Be7 9.h4 cxd4
10.cxd4 O-O 11.h5
11.Nc3 f6 12.exf6 Bxf6 13.Be3 - 55/273
11...Nh8 12.Nc3
12.Bd3!? Nb4

13.Nc3N (13.h6) 13...Nxd3 14.Qxd3 f6 15.Bf4 Nf7 16.Rfe1?! Vitiugov,N (2727)-Gorodetzky,D

(2461) Riga (blitz) 142/(88) 2019 (16.Rfe1 Ng5!³; 16.exf6 Bxf6 17.Rfe1∞)
12...f6 13.Be3 Nf7 14.exf6 Bxf6 15.Rc1 Nd6 16.Bd3 Be8

557
17.Kg2N
17.g4 e5!? (17...Nc4!?) 18.dxe5 Nxe5 19.Nxe5 Bxe5 20.f4ƒ
17...Bxh5

18.Bxh7+?!
18.Rh1 Bh4 (18...g6 19.Rxh5!? gxh5 20.Qe2 Qe8 21.Rh1©) 19.Bf4 Rxf4 20.gxf4 Qf6 21.Ne2
Bxf3+ 22.Kxf3 Rf8©
18...Kxh7 19.Rh1

558
19...g6?!
19...Bh4! 20.Ng5+ (20.Rxh4 Qxh4 21.gxh4 Bxf3+ 22.Qxf3 Rxf3 23.Kxf3 Nf5µ; 20.Qd3+ Kg8
21.Nxh4 Nb4 22.Qb1 Nc4µ) 20...Qxg5 21.Bxg5 Bxd1 22.Rcxd1 Kg6 23.gxh4 Nf5³
20.g4 Kg7 21.gxh5 g5 22.Ne2 Nf5 23.Ng3 Kh8 24.Qd3 g4 25.Nh2 Ncxd4?
25...Nh4+ 26.Kf1 Rg8 27.Qd1 Bg5 28.Nxg4 Bxe3 29.Nxe3 Qg5µ
26.Bxd4 Nxd4 27.Qg6?!
27.Qe3 Nf5 (27...Qd7 28.Qh6+ Qh7 29.Qxh7+ Kxh7 30.Rc7+ Kh6 31.Nxg4+ Kg5 32.Nxf6
Rxf6 33.Rxb7 Raf8 34.Rf1 a5∞) 28.Nxf5 exf5 29.Qh6+ Kg8 30.Qg6+ Kh8 31.Qh6+=
27...Bg5 28.Rcd1
28.Nxg4 Rg8 (28...Bxc1 29.Rxc1©) 29.Qd3 Bf6 30.Nxf6 Qxf6 31.Rc7 Nf5³
28...Rg8?

559
28...e5 29.Nxg4 Qe7 30.Rxd4 (30.h6 Rg8 31.Qh5 Raf8-+) 30...exd4 31.h6 Rg8 32.Qf5 Raf8
33.Qxd5 Be3!µ
29.Rxd4! Rxg6 30.hxg6 Kg8 31.Rxg4 Bf6?!
31...Bh6 32.Nf3 Qf8 (32...Bg7 33.Rh7 Rc8 34.Nh5 Rc7 35.Ng5+-) 33.g7! Qf6 34.Rh3 Rc8
35.Rgh4 (35.Nh5±) 35...Bxg7 36.Nh5 Qxb2 37.Rg3 Rc7 38.Rhg4±
32.Nf3 Qe7
32...Qd6 33.g7 Kf7 34.Rh6 Rg8 35.b3 Ke7 36.Nh5 Bc3 37.Ng5+-
33.Rh7 1-0

89. *** C07

Demchenko, Anton (2655) - Durarbayli, Vasif (2617)
Douglas 142/89, 2019

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.Ngf3 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Nxc6 bxc6 8.Bd3 Qc7 9.Qe2
Ne7 10.b3
10.Nf3 - 140/98; 10.g3!? Ng6 11.f4

560
11...Bc5N (11...Be7) 12.Nb3 Bb6 13.Be3∞ Smirin,I (2599) -Akobian,V (2618) Saint Louis
142/(89) 2019
10...Ng6 11.g3

11...Bd6 - 142/ (89)

11...Be7; 11...Bb4N 12.Bb2

561
12...Ne5?! (12...O-O 13.f4 c5 14.a3 (14.c4 f5!„) 14...Bxd2+ 15.Qxd2 c4 16.bxc4 dxe4 17.Bxe4
Bc6©) 13.exd5 Nxd3+ 14.Qxd3 O-O 15.O-O Bxd2 16.dxe6 Bxe6 17.Qxd2² Quparadze,G
(2457) -Koykka,P (2381) Batumi 142/(89) 2019
12.f4 O-O 13.Bb2

13...f5N
13...a5 - 142/ (89) 14.a4 c5 15.e5 Be7 16.h4 c4 17.bxc4 dxc4 18.Nxc4 Bb4+ 19.Kf2 Bc5+

562
20.Kg2 (20.Kf1?! Bc6³) 20...Bc6+ 21.Be4 Rab8 22.Rhb1 Rb4 23.Ba3 Bxe4+ 24.Qxe4 Nxh4+
25.gxh4 Rxc4 26.Qxc4 Qc6+ 27.Kh3 Qf3+ 28.Kh2 1/2 (28) Richter,W-Byrne,M corr 142/(89)
2019; 13...c5 14.h4 c4 15.bxc4 Rab8 16.Rb1 dxe4 17.Bxe4 (17.Nxe4?! Ba3³) 17...Bc6„
14.exf5 exf5 15.O-O-O a5 16.a4 Rae8 17.Qg2
17.Qf2
17...Bc5 18.h4 Nh8 19.h5 Nf7 20.Nf3 Qd6 21.Kb1 Be3
21...Ba3 22.Ba1
22.Rhe1 Bb6 23.Ne5 Nxe5 24.fxe5 Qb4 25.h6 g6

26.e6!? Bxe6
26...Rxe6 27.Rxe6 Bxe6 28.Qe2 Qd6 29.Ba3! c5 30.Bc4 Bf7 31.Qf3 Rd8 32.Bc1→

563
27.g4 Qxg4
27...fxg4 28.Bxg6 (28.Rf1 Rxf1 29.Qxf1 Qf8 30.Qe1 d4∞) 28...hxg6 29.h7+ Kf7 30.Ka2
(30.Qh1 Bf5 31.Rxe8 Rxe8 32.h8=Q Rxh8 33.Qxh8 Bxc2+ 34.Kxc2 Qe4+ 35.Kc1 Be3+ 36.Rd2
Bxd2+ 37.Kxd2 Qf4+=) 30...Qd6 31.Rf1+ Bf5 32.Qxg4 Be3 33.Rxf5+ gxf5 34.Qg7+ Ke6
35.Re1 f4 36.Rh1 Qe7 37.Rh6+ Kd7 38.Qg6 Qe6 39.Qg7+ Qe7=
28.Qh2 Bf7?!
28...Bc8 29.Ba3 f4 30.Bxf8 Rxf8©
29.Qd6 Rxe1
29...Qh4 30.Rxe8 Rxe8 31.Qxc6 Bd4 32.Bxf5! Bxb2 33.Bd7 Rf8 34.Kxb2 Qxh6 35.Qc7±
30.Rxe1 Bd4 31.Ba3 c5 32.Bxc5 Bxc5 33.Qxc5 Qh4 34.Qxa5 Qxh6 35.Qb4
35.Qb6 Qh4 36.Rf1 Qh2 37.a5±
35...f4 36.a5 f3 37.a6 f2 38.Rf1?
38.Rc1 Qe3 39.Qb7±
38...Qe3 39.Qb7 Qe1+ 40.Kb2 d4
40...Qe5+ 41.c3 (41.Ka3 d4=) 41...Rb8 42.Qa7 d4 43.Qxd4 Rxb3+ 44.Kc2 Qxd4 45.cxd4 Ra3=
41.Qc6 Kg7 42.Qc5 Qc3+?
42...Rd8! 43.Qc7 (43.a7 Rd5! 44.Qc4 Qa5 45.Qc6 Qxa7 46.Rxf2∞) 43...Rf8 44.a7 Qc3+
45.Qxc3 dxc3+ 46.Kxc3 Bd5 47.b4 (47.Kd2 Bg2 48.Ra1 g5 49.Bf1 Bxf1 50.Rxf1 g4 51.Ke3 g3
52.a8=Q Rxa8 53.Kf3=) 47...g5 48.Kd4 Bg2 49.b5 g4 50.Rxf2 (50.b6 g3 51.Ba6 Rf7=)
50...Rxf2 51.Be4 Bxe4 52.Kxe4 Rf8 53.b6 g3 54.b7 g2 55.a8=Q Rxa8 56.bxa8=Q g1=Q=
43.Qxc3 dxc3+ 44.Kxc3 Bd5

564
45.Kd4?
45.Kd2! Bg2 46.Ke2 Bxf1+ 47.Kxf1 Kf6 (47...Re8 48.b4 Kf6 49.b5 Ke5 50.b6+-) 48.Be4+-
45...Bg2 46.Ke3 Bxf1 47.Bxf1 Kf6 48.Kxf2 Ke5+ 49.Ke1 Ra8 50.b4 h5 51.Be2
51.b5 Kd6 52.Bg2 (52.b6? Re8+ 53.Kf2 Kc5 54.b7 Kb6-+) 52...Ra7 53.Bb7 Kc5 54.c4 Kb6
55.Kf2 g5 56.Kg3 Kc5=
51...Kd6 52.c4 Ra7
52...Rxa6?? 53.c5++-
53.c5+ Kc6 54.Kd2 h4 55.Ke3 Kd5
55...Re7+ 56.Kf2 h3 57.Bg4 h2 58.Kg2 Kb5 59.Kxh2 Kxa6 60.Kg3 Kb5 61.Kf4=
56.Kf4 Kc6 57.Kg4 g5
57...Rd7 58.Kxh4 Rd4+ 59.Kg5 Rxb4 60.Bf3+ Kxc5 61.a7 Ra4=
58.Bf1 Rf7 59.Bg2+ Kb5 60.Bb7
60.Bb7

565
60...Kxb4! 61.a7 Rf8 62.c6 Kc5 63.c7 (63.a8=Q Rxa8 64.Bxa8 Kb6=) 63...Kb6=
1-0
90. ** C07
Kovalev, Vladislav (2674) - Vocaturo, Daniele (2615)
Ulcinj 142/90, 2019

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.Ngf3 cxd4 5.exd5 Qxd5 6.Bc4 Qd7 7.O-O Nc6 8.Nb3 Nf6
8...a6 9.Nbxd4 Nxd4 10.Nxd4 Qc7 11.Qe2 Bd6 12.Re1 (12.h3 - 135/ (102)) 12...Ne7 13.Nf3
O-O 14.Bd3 Ng6

15.g3N (15.h4) 15...b5 (15...Bd7; 15...Re8) 16.Ng5 h6 17.Bxg6 fxg6 18.Nxe6 Bxe6 19.Qxe6+
Kh7 20.Be3 Rae8

566
21.Qb3?! (21.Qd5 Re5 22.Qd2²) 21...Bc5! 22.Qc3 Bxe3! 23.Rxe3 (23.Qxc7 Bxf2+ 24.Kg2
Bxe1µ) 23...Qxc3 24.Rxc3 Re2 25.Rf1 Rd8 26.a4 Rdd2= Kovalev,V (2674)-Goganov,A (2565)
Ulcinj 142/(90) 2019
9.Nbxd4 Nxd4 10.Nxd4 a6 11.Re1 b5 12.Bb3 Bb7 13.Bg5
13.Bf4 Be7 (13...Rd8 14.Be5 Be7∞) 14.c3 (14.Nxe6!? fxe6 15.Rxe6 Nd5 (15...O-O-O
16.Qe1→) 16.Qh5+ g6 17.Qe5 Rf8 18.Re1 Rf5 19.Qh8+ Rf8 20.Qe5 (20.Rxe7+!? Nxe7 21.Qg7
O-O-O 22.Qc3+ Nc6 23.Be6 Qxe6 24.Rxe6 Rd1+ 25.Re1 Rxe1+ 26.Qxe1 Rxf4 27.Qe6+ Kc7
28.f3∞) 20...Rf5=) 14...Bd5 15.Be5 O-O∞
13...Ne4 14.Bh4??

14.Bf4 Bc5 (14...Nc5 15.Be5 h5∞) 15.c3 O-O 16.Bc2 (16.Be5 Bd6 17.Bxd6 Qxd6 18.Qg4 Nf6
19.Qh4=) 16...Nf6=

567
14...g5! 15.Bg3 Nxg3 16.hxg3
16.Nxe6 fxe6 17.Qg4 (17.Rxe6+ Kd8 18.hxg3 (18.Qg4 Ne4-+) 18...Qxd1+ 19.Rxd1+ Kc7µ)
17...h5 18.Qxg3 Rh6µ
16...O-O-O 17.c3 h5→

18.Re3?N
18.a4 - 142/(90) 18...h4 19.axb5 axb5 20.Qg4 (20.Bc2 hxg3 21.fxg3 Bc5 22.Be4 Kb8µ)
20...hxg3

21.Nxe6N (21.fxg3 Bc5-+ - 128/91) 21...gxf2+ 22.Kxf2 Bc5+-+ 0-1 (22) Ganguly,S (2658)-
Peralta,F (2566) Espana 142/(90) 2019
18...h4 19.Qg4

568
19.gxh4 gxh4 20.Qg4 Bd6 21.Qh3 Rdg8 22.Nf3 Bc5 23.Rd1 Qc7 24.Red3 Qg3; 19.g4 h3
20.gxh3 e5 21.Nf3 Qc6-+
19...hxg3 20.fxg3 Bc5 21.Rf1 Qc6 22.Re2

22...f5!
22...Rh7-+
23.Qf3 Qb6-+ 24.Bxe6+ Kb8 25.Qxf5 Rxd4 26.cxd4 Bxd4+ 27.Rff2 Qc6 0-1
91. * C07
Popov, Ivan (2625) - Predojevic, Borki (2621)
Ulcinj 142/91, 2019

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.Ngf3 cxd4 6.Bc4 Qd6 7.O-O Nf6 8.Nb3 Nc6
9.Nbxd4 Nxd4 10.Nxd4 Be7 11.c3 O-O 12.Re1
12.Qf3 Qc7 13.Bb3 a5!?

569
14.Bg5N (14.a4) 14...a4 15.Bc2 Ra5! 16.Bh4 Bd7∞ Gukesh,D (2536)-Bluebaum,M (2610)
Karlsruhe 142/(91) 2019
12...Bd7 13.Qf3 Qc7 14.Bd3 Rad8

14...Rfe8 - 45/(315)
15.Bg5N
15.Bf4
15...Nd5 16.Bxe7 Nxe7 17.Rad1

570
17...Ng6
¹17...Nd5 18.Qe4 (18.Bc2 Nf6∞) 18...Nf6 19.Qe5 Qxe5 20.Rxe5 Rc8∞
18.g3 Rfe8
18...Ba4 19.Rc1 (19.b3 Qxc3 20.Bxg6 Qxf3 21.Nxf3 Rxd1 22.Rxd1 fxg6 23.Ne5 Be8=) 19...e5
20.Nf5 Bc6 21.Qe3 Rfe8∞
19.Bc2 Qb6 20.Re2
20.h4!? Qxb2 21.h5 Nf8 22.h6 Bc6 23.Nxc6 (23.Qe3 gxh6 24.Bb3 Ng6 25.Rd2 Qa3
26.Qxh6©) 23...bxc6 24.Be4©; 20.b3 Ne7 (20...Bc6 21.Nxc6 bxc6 22.h4²) 21.c4 Bc6 22.Qe3²
20...e5

21.Bb3!?

571
21.Nf5 Bc6 22.Rxd8 Rxd8 23.Qg4 Qa5∞
21...exd4??
21...Nf4 22.gxf4 exd4 23.Rxe8+ (23.Re5 Bc6 24.Qh5 Rf8=) 23...Bxe8 24.cxd4 Rxd4 25.Rxd4
Qxd4 26.Qxb7 Qxf4 27.Qc8 Kf8=
22.Qxf7+ Kh8 23.Rxe8+ Rxe8 24.Qxd7 Rd8

25.Re1!+- Rf8 26.Re8 Qf6 27.Rxf8+ Qxf8 28.cxd4 b6 29.Qxa7 Qd8 30.Qf7 Ne7 31.Ba4 Ng8
32.Qe8 1-0
92. ** C10
Iordachescu, Viorel (2602) - Lupulescu, Constantin (2643)
Batumi 142/92, 2019

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4 5.Nxe4 Nbd7 6.Nf3 h6 7.Nxf6+ Nxf6 8.Be3 Bd6

572
9.Qe2N
9.g3; 9.c3; 9.Bd3 O-O 10.Qe2 b6 11.O-O-O Bb7 12.Ne5 Nd5 (12...c5 - 131/96) 13.Bd2 Qh4
14.Nf3 Qf6 15.Qe4 Qf5

16.Qh4N (16.Qe1) 16...Qf6 17.Qe4 Qf5 18.Qxf5 exf5 19.Bxf5 Nf4 20.Bxf4 Bxf4+ 21.Kb1 g6
22.Bd3 Rad8© Vocaturo,D (2630) -Nisipeanu,L (2674) Deutschland 142/(92) 2019
9...O-O - 142/92
9...b6!N 10.Ne5 (10.O-O-O Bb7 11.Ne5 (11.Rg1!?) 11...O-O 12.Rg1 (12.h4 Qe7 13.Rh3 c5„)
12...Nd5 13.g4 f6 14.Ng6 Bxh2 15.Rh1 (15.Rg2 Qd6 16.Nxf8 Nf4 17.Bxf4 Qxf4+ 18.Kb1
Kxf8³) 15...Qd6 (15...Nxe3 16.Qxe3 Bxh1 17.Qxe6+ Rf7 18.Bc4 Qe8 19.Rxh1 Qxe6 20.Bxe6
Bd6 21.f4²) 16.Bg2 Rfe8 17.Kb1©; 10.g3!? Bb7 11.Bg2 O-O 12.O-O Qc8 13.c4 c5∞) 10...Bb7
11.Qb5+ Nd7 12.O-O-O a6 13.Qe2 Nf6∞ Perunovic,M (2564)-Meier,G (2628) chess24.com
(Int. -m/2-blitz) 142/(92) 2019

573
10.O-O-O b6

11.g4! Nxg4?
11...Bb7 12.g5 Nd5 13.gxh6 Nf4 14.Bxf4 Bxf4+ 15.Kb1 Bxh6 16.Rg1 c5 17.Ne5∞
12.Bd2 Bb7?
12...Nf6? 13.Rg1 Kh8 14.Ne5 Bb7 15.Qe3! Ng8 16.Bd3+-; 12...f5 13.h3 (13.Rg1 Kh7 14.Ne5
Bxe5 15.dxe5 Qd4! 16.Bg2 Rb8 17.h3 Qxf2 (17...Nxe5 18.Bh1!+-; 17...Qxe5 18.Qxe5 Nxe5
19.Bf4 Ng6 20.Bxc7 Rb7 21.Bxb7 Bxb7 22.Rd8±) 18.Qxf2 Nxf2 19.Rdf1 Nxh3 20.Bxh3 Bb7²)
13...Nf6 14.Rg1 Kh7 15.Ne5 Bb7 16.Qe3! Rg8 17.Bc4 Bd5 18.Bxd5 Nxd5 19.Rxg7+ Rxg7
20.Qxh6+ Kg8 21.Qxe6+ Kh8 22.Qxd5
13.Rg1 Qf6
13...Nxh2 14.Nxh2 Bxh2 15.Rxg7+! Kxg7 16.Qg4+ Kh8 17.Qh5 Bf3 18.Qxh6+ Kg8 19.Bd3
f5 20.Bc4+-; 13...Bxf3 14.Qxf3 h5 15.h3 Qf6 16.Qg2 Nh6 (16...Nxf2 17.Bg5 Bf4+ 18.Bxf4
Qxf4+ 19.Rd2+-) 17.Kb1 Nf5 18.Bd3 g6 19.d5+-
14.Bg2 Nxh2
14...Rab8 15.h3 Nh2 16.Ne5 (16.Ne1±) 16...Bxg2 17.Rxg2 Bxe5 18.dxe5 Qf3 19.Qxf3 Nxf3
20.Bxh6 Kh7 21.Bxg7 Rg8 (21...Rfd8 22.Bf6 Rxd1+ 23.Kxd1±) 22.Rg3 Rxg7 23.Rxf3±;
14...Rfb8 15.h3 Nh2 16.Ne1! Bxg2 17.Rxg2±
15.Nxh2 Bxh2 16.Bxb7 Bxg1 17.Rxg1 Rad8 18.c3+- Rfe8 19.Bc6 Re7 20.Qh5 Rd6

574
¹20...Kf8 21.f3+-
21.Be4
21.Bxh6! Rxc6 (21...g6 22.Qh1+-) 22.Qh1! Rd6 23.Bxg7 Qxg7 24.Qa8+ Kh7 25.Rh1+ Kg6
(25...Qh6+ 26.Rxh6+ Kxh6 27.Qf8++-) 26.Qg2+ Kf6 27.Qf3+ Kg6 28.Qh5+ Kf6 29.Qe5++-
21...e5 22.Qg4 Re8 23.d5 Kf8 24.Rg3 g5 25.Rf3 Qg7 26.c4 a5 27.c5 Rf6 28.d6 cxd6 29.cxb6
d5 30.Bxd5 e4 31.Rxf6 Qxf6 32.Be3 Qd6 33.Qf5 Re7 34.b7 Rc7+ 35.Kb1 Rxb7 36.Qc8+ 1-0
93. C10
Volokitin, Andrei (2627) - Meier, Georg (2628)
Batumi 142/93, 2019

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Nf3 Ngf6 6.Nxf6+ Nxf6 7.Be3 Bd6 8.Bd3 O-O
9.Qe2 b6 10.O-O-O Bb7 11.Kb1 c5 12.Bg5 h6 13.Bh4 Rc8

575
14.Bb5!?N
14.Rhe1 - 140/101
14...Be7 15.dxc5 Qc7 16.Ne5 Qxc5 17.Nd7
17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.Nd7 Qe7 (18...Qb4 19.Nxf6+ gxf6 20.Rd7 Rc5 21.a3 Qxb5 22.Qxb5 Rxb5
23.Rxb7²) 19.Nxf8 Qxf8 20.c3 Bxg2 21.Rhg1 Bd5 22.Bd3 Qc5©
17...Nxd7 18.Bxe7 Qxe7 19.Rxd7 Qg5 20.f3 Rb8
20...Bc6!? 21.Bxc6 Rxc6 22.Rxa7 Rd6©
21.h4
21.Rhd1
21...Qf6 22.b3 Rfd8 23.Rhd1! Qxh4 24.Qe5

576
24...Ra8!
24...Rbc8 25.R1d4! ∆Qh1+ 26.Kb2 Rxd7 27.Bxd7 Rf8 28.Rg4 g5 29.Bb5±; 24...Qf6 25.Qxf6
Rxd7 26.Qxg7+ Kxg7 27.Rxd7±
25.R1d4
25.Qc7 Rxd7 26.Rxd7 Rf8 27.Bc4 (27.Qxb7 Qe1+ 28.Kb2 Qe5+ 29.Ka3 Qxb5 30.Qxa7∞)
27...Bd5 28.Bxd5 exd5 29.Qxa7 Qe1+ 30.Kb2 Qe5+ 31.Kb1=
25...Qh1+ 26.Kb2 Rxd7 27.Bxd7 h5! 28.Bxe6!?
28.Rf4 Bd5 29.Qg5 Qe1 30.Qxh5 f5 31.Rh4 Qe5+=
28...fxe6 29.Qxe6+ Kh8 30.Qf7 Bc6
30...Qxg2 31.Rd5! Bxd5 32.Qxh5+ Kg8 33.Qxd5+ Kh7 34.Qxa8±
31.Rd6 Be8??
31...Rc8 32.Rg6 Rg8 33.Rxc6+-; 31...Qh2™

577
32.Rxc6 (32.g3 Rc8 (32...Qxg3 33.Qxh5+ Kg8 34.Rxc6±) 33.Qf5 (33.Rh6+ gxh6 34.Qf6+=)
33...Bb7 34.Rd7 Bxf3 35.Rd4 Bg4 36.Rxg4 Rxc2+ 37.Qxc2 Qxc2+ 38.Kxc2 hxg4=) 32...Qe5+
33.c3 Qe2+ 34.Ka3 Qa6+ 35.Kb2 Qe2+=
32.Qb7+- Qh2 33.Qxa8 Qe5+ 34.Kc1 Qxd6 35.Qxe8+ Kh7 36.Qxh5+ Kg8 37.Qe8+ Kh7
38.Qe4+ Kh6 39.f4 Qc5 40.Kb2 b5 41.g4 1-0
94. ** C11
Shankland, Samuel (2679) - Stojanovic, Mihajlo (2496)
Ulcinj 142/94, 2019

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3 a6 8.Ne2! Be7
8...Qb6 9.Rb1 cxd4 (9...Qa5+ - 139/106) 10.Nexd4

10...Nc5N (10...Nxd4 11.Nxd4 Qc7 12.Be2 Be7 13.O-O O-O 14.a4!? b6 15.Rc1²) 11.c3 Nxd4

578
12.Bxd4 Qc7 13.b4 Ne4 14.Bd3² Van Foreest,J (2612)-Barua,D (2393) Pardubice 142/(94)
2019
9.c3

9...cxd4?!N
9...a5N - 142/(94) 10.g4!? (10.Ng3) 10...h5 11.gxh5 cxd4 12.cxd4 Rxh5 13.Ng3 Bh4 (13...Rh8
14.h4 Nb6 (14...Bxh4?! 15.Bf2 Rh6 16.Rxh4 Rxh4 17.Nxh4 Qxh4 18.Nh5±) 15.b3∞) 14.Nxh4
Rxh4 15.Qd2² Wei,Y (2741)-Xu,Y (2548) China 142/(94) 2019; 9...b5 - 138/123
10.Nexd4 Nc5 11.Nb3!?
11.Be2²
11...b6 12.Be2 O-O 13.O-O Bb7
13...a5 14.Nbd4 Nxd4 15.Nxd4 Qc7 (15...Ba6?! 16.Bxa6 Rxa6 17.f5±) 16.Rc1²
14.Qe1 a5 15.Nbd4 Ne4
15...g6 16.Nxc6 Bxc6 17.Nd4 Bd7 (17...Bb7 18.Rf3²) 18.c4 dxc4 19.Bxc4²
16.Bd3 Bc5 17.f5

579
17...exf5?!
17...Nxd4 18.Nxd4 (18.cxd4 Bb4 19.Bd2 Nxd2 20.Nxd2 Qg5 21.Rd1 exf5 22.Bxf5 Bc8∞)
18...exf5 19.Nxf5 Qc7 20.Bxc5 Qxc5+ 21.Kh1 Rae8!? (21...Qc7?! 22.Qh4 f6 (22...Qxe5?
23.Bxe4 dxe4 24.Ne7+ Kh8 25.Rf5 Qe6 26.Rh5 h6 27.Nf5 Kh7 28.Rd1+-) 23.e6±) 22.Bxe4
dxe4 23.Qg3 g6 24.Nh6+ Kg7 25.Nf5+ Kg8 26.Nd6 Re7∞
18.Nxf5 Qd7?
18...Ne7 19.Bxe4 dxe4 20.Bxc5 Nxf5 (20...bxc5 21.Rd1 Qc7 22.Ng5 Nxf5 23.Rxf5 h6 24.Nxe4
Bxe4 25.Qxe4 Rad8 26.Rdf1±) 21.Nd4! bxc5 (21...Nxd4 22.Bxf8 Ne6 23.Bd6 Ba6 24.Qxe4
Bxf1 25.Rxf1±) 22.Nxf5±; 18...Bxe3+ 19.Qxe3 Ne7 20.N3d4 Nxf5 21.Nxf5±
19.Bxc5 bxc5
19...Qxf5 20.Bxf8 Rxf8 21.Qe3+-
20.Bxe4 dxe4 21.Ng5 Nxe5
21...f6 22.exf6 Rxf6 23.Qxe4+-; 21...h6 22.Nxe4 Nxe5 23.Nxc5+-
22.Rd1 Qc7
22...Nd3 23.Qg3 f6 24.Qh3+-
23.Qg3 Ra6

580
24.Ne6! Nf3+
24...fxe6 25.Nh6++-
25.Rxf3 Qxg3 26.Nh6+ Kh8 27.Nxf7+ Kg8 28.Nh6+ gxh6 29.Rxf8# 1-0

95. C11
Sethuraman, SP. (2634) - Akobian, Varuzhan (2627)
Saint Louis 142/95, 2019

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...Nxd4 - 79/(258)
11.h4 Nxd4 12.Bxd4 b5 13.O-O-O

581
13...Rb8?!
13...Bxd4 14.Qxd4 Qe7 15.Bd3 Bb7! (15...Rb8 16.b4! Bb7 17.h5∞) 16.h5 Rfb8! 17.h6 (17.Rh3
Bc6 18.Na2 a5 19.h6 g6 20.c3 Nc5 21.Bc2 Na6! … b4„) 17...g6 18.g4 Bc6 19.b4 a5∞
14.Bxc5
14.g4
14...Nxc5 15.Qd4 Qc7

16.h5N
16.Bd3
16...Bd7??
16...h6 17.Rh3 Qb6 (17...Bd7 18.b4! Nb7 19.f5→) 18.b4 Nd7 19.g4 Qxd4 20.Rxd4²
17.h6 g6 18.b4! Na4™
18...Nb7? 19.Nxd5! exd5 20.e6 f6 21.exd7 Qxd7 22.g3+-
19.Nxa4 bxa4 20.Bxa6 Bb5 21.Bxb5 Rxb5 22.Rh3
22.Kb2 Rc8 23.c4 Qxc4 24.Qxc4 Rxc4 25.Rc1 Rxc1 26.Rxc1 Rb8 27.Rc7+-
22...Rc8 23.Rd2 Rb6

582
24.c4! Qxc4+ 25.Qxc4 Rxc4+ 26.Rc2 Rbc6 27.Rxc4 Rxc4+ 28.Kb2 Kf8 29.Rc3! Rxf4
29...Rxc3 30.Kxc3 Ke7 31.b5 Kd7 32.Kb4 Kc7 33.Kxa4+-
30.b5 Ke8 31.b6 Rf2+ 32.Kb1 Rf1+ 33.Kc2 Kd7
33...Rf2+ 34.Kd3 Rb2 35.Rc8+ Kd7 36.Rc7+ Kd8 37.Rxf7 Rxb6 38.Rxh7+-
34.Rc7+ Kd8 35.Kd3 Rf2 36.Ke3 Rf1 37.Ke2 Rh1
37...Rf5 38.Rc5 Rxe5+ 39.Kd3 Re1 40.b7 Rb1 41.Rc8++-
38.Rxf7 Kc8 39.Rxh7 Kb8 40.Kd3 Rd1+ 41.Kc2 Rh1 42.Kc3 Rh4 43.g3 1-0

96. C11
Sasikiran, Krishnan (2660) - Van Haastert, Edwin (2439)
Ulcinj 142/96, 2019

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Qb6 9.Qd2 Qxb2
10.Rb1 Qa3 11.Bb5 Nxd4 12.Bxd4 a6 13.Rb3 Qe7 14.Ba4 Qd8
14...b5 - 111/128
15.Bb6 Qh4+ 16.g3 Qh3

583
17.Ne4N
17.Rf1!?©
17...Be7
17...dxe4?? 18.Rc3 Bb4 19.Rxc8+ Rxc8 20.Bxd7+ Ke7 21.Qxb4+ Kxd7 22.Ba5! Rxc2
(22...Ke8 23.Qxb7+-; 22...b5 23.Qd6+ Ke8 24.Bb4+-) 23.Qxb7+ Ke8 24.Bb4 Kd8 25.Be7+
Ke8 26.Bg5 Rc1+ 27.Kf2 Rc2+ 28.Ke3+-; 17...Qf5 18.Re3! Be7 19.Nc5 Bxc5 20.Bxc5 b5
21.Ba3±
18.Nc5 Bxc5 19.Bxc5 b5 20.Ba3 Nb6?

20...bxa4?? 21.Qb4 Kd8 22.Qe7+ Kc7 23.Qd6+ Kd8 24.Rc3+-; 20...f6™

584
21.Qb4 (21.g4 Qh4+ (21...Qxg4? 22.Rg3 Qh4 23.O-O bxa4 24.Rxg7±) 22.Rg3 fxe5 (22...bxa4?
23.Qb4 fxe5 (23...Kf7 24.Qe7+ Kg6 25.Qxe6+-) 24.g5 Kd8 25.Qe7+ Kc7 26.O-O+-) 23.f5
exf5 24.Qxd5∞) 21...Kf7 22.Qe7+ Kg6 23.g4 Qg2 24.Rf1 h6! (24...bxa4? 25.f5+ exf5 26.gxf5+
Kh5 27.Rg3 Qe4+ 28.Kf2 g6 (28...Qxf5+ 29.Kg1 Qxe5 30.Qxg7+-) 29.Qg7 Nxe5 30.Rh3+
Kg4 31.Qh6 Qxf5+ 32.Kg1+-) 25.Rg3 Qe4+ 26.Kd1 bxa4 27.Bb2 (27.c3!?) 27...Qc4™ 28.f5+
(28.Rfg1 Qxf4 29.exf6 Rg8! (29...gxf6? 30.h4 Rb8 31.h5+ Kg5 32.Rh3+-; 29...Nxf6? 30.g5
Nh5 31.R3g2 Qf3+ 32.Kc1 Nf4 33.gxh6+ Nxg2 34.Rxg2+ Qxg2 35.Qxg7++-) 30.g5 h5
31.fxg7∞) 28...Kh7 29.Rff3 Rb8! 30.g5 fxg5 31.Rxg5 Rg8 32.Rg6 exf5 33.Rxh6+ Kxh6
34.Bc1+ Kg6 35.Rg3+ Kh7 36.Rh3+=
21.Qb4
21.Rxb5!! Nxa4 (21...axb5 22.Qb4 Ra7 23.Qxb5+ Rd7 (23...Nd7 24.Qc5 Kd8 25.Qxa7+-)
24.Qxb6+-) 22.Qb4 Ra7 23.Qxa4+-
21...Ra7 22.Bxb5+?!
22.Qd6! Rd7 (22...Qg2 23.Qxb6 Qxh1+ 24.Kd2 Rb7 25.Bxb5+ axb5 26.Qc6+ Kd8 27.Rc3+-)
23.Qxb6 bxa4 24.Rc3 Bb7 25.Rc7 Qg2 26.Rxd7 Qxh1+ 27.Kd2 Qg2+ 28.Kc3! d4+ 29.Rxd4
Qc6+ 30.Qxc6+ Bxc6 31.Rd6±
22...axb5 23.Qxb5+
23.Kf2!?→
23...Nd7 24.Rc3?!
24.Qc6 Rxa3 25.Rxa3 O-O 26.Ra8 Qg2 27.Rf1 Qe4+=
24...f6?
24...Kd8 25.Qb4 Re8 26.Qd4 Rxa3 27.Rxa3 Qg2 28.Rf1 Qxc2µ

585
25.Rxc8+ Kf7 26.Rxh8 Qg2 27.Rf1 Qxc2 28.Bb2 Qxh2 29.Qe2 1-0

97. * C13
Adams, Michael (2701) - Harvey, Marcus (2412)
Great Britain (ch-m/5-blitz) 142/97, 2019

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4 5.Nxe4 Be7 6.Bxf6 gxf6 7.Qd2 f5
7...a6 8.O-O-O f5 9.Nc3 b5 10.Nf3 Qd6 11.Ne5 Nd7 12.f4 Bb7 13.Rg1

13...Nxe5N (13...b4) 14.fxe5 Qb6 15.g4∞ Adams,M (2701) -Harvey,M (2412) Great Britain
(ch-m/1) 142/(97) 2019
8.Ng3!?
8.Nc3 - 124/94
8...a6 9.O-O-O b5

586
10.Nh5?!N
10.Nh3 Nd7 (10...Bb7 11.d5! Bxd5 (11...Rg8?! 12.c4!ƒ) 12.Nxf5 Bf6 (12...c6 13.Nxe7 Qxe7
14.Nf4²) 13.Nf4 c6 14.Qe3→ (14.Nh5!? exf5! 15.Qe3+ Kd7 16.c4 bxc4 17.Bxc4 Kc7 18.Bxd5
cxd5 19.Qf4+ Kb7 20.Qb4+ Kc7=); 10...Rg8 11.Be2 Bb7 12.Rhe1 Nd7 (12...Bxg2 13.Nf4 Bg5
(13...Bd5 14.Nxd5 Qxd5 15.c4! bxc4 16.Qc2±) 14.Bh5 Qd6 15.Re5±) 13.d5 Bxd5 14.Nxf5²)
11.d5 Nb6 (11...Nf6 12.Qc3 b4 13.Qf3 Bb7 14.Bc4 Nxd5 15.Nxf5ƒ) 12.Nh5 Rg8∞
10...Rg8 11.Be2 Bb7„ 12.Bf3?
12.Nf4 Rxg2 13.Qe3 Rg8∞ (13...Bg5 14.Ngh3ƒ)
12...Bg5 13.Nf4

13...Qd6?
13...e5! 14.Re1 (14.Bxb7 Bxf4 15.Qxf4 exf4 16.Bxa8 c6µ) 14...Be4! 15.Ngh3 Bxf4 16.Nxf4

587
exf4 17.Bxe4 fxe4 18.Rxe4+ Kf8 19.Rhe1 Nd7 20.Qb4+ Kg7 21.Rxf4 Re8µ
14.g3 Bxf4 15.gxf4
15.Qxf4 Qxf4+ 16.gxf4 Bxf3 17.Nxf3=
15...Bxf3?!
15...Bd5! 16.Qe3 Nc6 17.Ne2 O-O-O³
16.Nxf3 Nd7 17.d5! O-O-O 18.Ng5 Qxd5 19.Qxd5 exd5 20.Rxd5
20.Nxf7 Rdf8 21.Ng5 Nf6=
20...f6 21.Nf7 Rdf8 22.Nh6 Rg2 23.Nxf5 Nb6
23...Re8 24.Rd2
24.Rd2 Rg4 25.Rd4 Rg2 26.Rd2 Rg4 27.b3!?
27.Rd4=
27...Rxf4 28.Ng3 Rd8
28...Re8 29.Kd1 c6 30.Re1 Rxe1+ 31.Kxe1 Nd5ƒ
29.Re2 Nd5 30.Kb2 b4 31.a3
31.Ne4 f5 (31...a5 32.Rg1=) 32.Nc5 Nc3 33.Re7 a5 34.Rxh7 Rxf2 35.h4=
31...Nc3 32.Ree1 a5 33.axb4 axb4 34.Rhf1?
34.Ne2 Rf3 35.Nxc3 bxc3+ 36.Kc1 Rd2 (36...Rxf2 37.Re3 Rdd2 38.Rxc3 Rxh2 39.Rf1 Rd6
40.Rcf3=) 37.Re3 Rdxf2 38.Rxf3 Rxf3 39.Kd1 Rf2 40.h4³
34...Rd2 35.Re8+ Kb7 36.Re7 Rfxf2?!
36...h5! 37.f3 (37.Nxh5? Rfxf2 38.Rxf2 (38.Rc1 Rf5-+) 38...Rd1-+) 37...Rxh2 38.Ne4 Re2µ
37.Rxf2 Rxf2 38.Rxh7?
38.Ne4! Re2 39.Nc5+ Kc6 40.Rxe2 Nxe2 41.Na6³
38...Nd1+?
38...f5! 39.Re7 Rxh2-+
39.Kc1 Ne3 40.Rh4 c5
40...Rxc2+ 41.Kb1 Rf2 (41...c5 42.Ne4 f5 43.Rh3! fxe4 44.Rxe3 Rxh2 45.Rxe4=) 42.Rxb4+
Kc6 43.Re4 Nd5³
41.Re4?

588
41.Ne4!
41...Nxc2?
41...Rxc2+ 42.Kb1 Rc3 43.Ka2 c4! 44.bxc4 Nxc4-+
42.Re2!= Rxe2 43.Nxe2 Ne3 44.h4 Kc6 45.Kd2 Ng4 46.Nf4 Kd6 47.Kd3 Ke5 48.Ne2 Kd5
49.h5 f5 50.Nf4+ Ke5 51.Ng6+ Kf6 52.Kc4 Ne5+?
52...Kg5 53.Kxc5 Kxh5 54.Nf4+ Kg5 55.Nd3=
53.Nxe5 Kxe5 54.Kxc5 f4??†
54...Kf6 55.Kd4 Kg5 56.Ke5 f4 57.h6 f3 58.h7 f2 59.h8=Q f1=Q±
55.Kc4??†
55.h6 Kf6 56.Kd4 Kg6 57.Ke4 Kxh6 58.Kxf4+-
55...Kf5
55...f3 56.Kd3 Kf4 57.h6 Kg3 58.h7 f2 59.h8=Q f1=Q+=
56.Kd3 Kg5 57.Ke4 Kxh5??
57...Kg4 58.h6 f3 59.h7 f2 60.h8=Q f1=Q±
58.Kxf4 Kg6 59.Ke5 Kf7 60.Kd5 Ke7 61.Kc5 Kd7 62.Kxb4 Kc6 63.Ka5 Kb7 64.Kb5 Kc7
65.Ka6 Kb8 66.Kb6 Ka8 67.b4 Kb8 68.b5 Ka8 69.Kc7 Ka7 70.b6+ Ka6 71.b7 1-0

589
C25-C49

98. C28
Nabaty, Tamir (2639) - Inarkiev, Ernesto (2665)
Ulcinj 142/98, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nc6 3.d3 Nf6 4.a3

4.Nc3 Na5 - 97/202
4...Bc5 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3?! d6 7.Nge2 b5N
7...Be6 8.Ng3 h6 9.O-O Qd7∞
8.Ba2 Be6
8...O-O 9.O-O Rb8
9.O-O O-O 10.Kh1
10.Bxe6 fxe6 11.b4 Bb6 12.Be3 d5 13.Bxb6 cxb6 14.Ng3∞
10...Bxa2 11.Rxa2 d5 12.f4 exf4 13.e5?!
13.d4 f3 (13...Bb6 14.e5 Ne4³) 14.gxf3 Ba7∞ 15.e5 Nh5 16.f4 Qh4 17.Kh2 Nxd4!µ
13...Nh5 14.d4 Bb6 15.Bxf4

15...f6!³ 16.Bh2 fxe5 17.Rxf8+ Qxf8 18.dxe5

18.Nxd5 Rd8 (18...Nf6 19.Nxb6 Ne4 20.Bg1 Rd8!? 21.Qe1 cxb6 22.Ra1 exd4³) 19.Nxb6
cxb6³

590
18...Rd8 19.Nxd5?
19.Ra1 d4 20.Na2 (20.Ne4 Nxe5 21.Bxe5 Qf5 22.N2g3 Nxg3+ 23.Bxg3 Qxe4µ)
19...Qf7µ 20.c4
20.Nec3 b4 21.axb4 Nxb4µ
20...bxc4 21.Nec3 Bd4 22.Qe2

22.e6 Qxe6 23.Nxc7 Qe7 24.Qf1 Ne5 25.N7d5 Qh4

22...Nxe5! 23.Bxe5
23.Ne7+ Qxe7 24.Qxh5 Nd3 25.Bg3 Qe3 26.Ne2 Bxb2-+
23...Re8 24.Qxc4 Bxe5 25.Ra1 Kh8 26.Kg1 c6 27.Qxc6
27.Nb6 Qf6 28.Ne2 Bd6 29.Nd7 Qe7-+
27...Qa7+ 28.Nb6 Bd4+ 29.Kh1 Ng3+ 30.Kh2 Qb8! 0-1
99. * C42
Parligras, Mircea Emilian (2629) - Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter (2656)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/1) 142/99, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nd3 Nxe4 5.Qe2 Qe7 6.Nc3 Nf6 7.Nf4
7.b3 - 138/(132)
7...c6 8.f3

591
8...Qxe2+N
8...d5 - 142/(99) 9.d4 Bf5 10.Nd3 (10.Be3² ∆Bxc2?! 11.Kf2 Bf5 12.g4 Be6 13.Re1ƒ) 10...Na6
11.g4?! (11.Bg5∞) 11...Bxd3 12.Qxe7+ Bxe7 Gavrilescu,D (2464)-Kummer,H (2285) Wien
142/(99) 2019 (12...Bxe7 13.Bxd3 Nb4 14.Kd2 Nd7 15.a3 Nxd3 16.Kxd3 h5³)8...g5 9.Nd3
Be6 10.b3 Bg7 11.Bb2 Nbd7 12.O-O-O²; 8...h5!? 9.b3 d5 10.Bb2 Qxe2+ 11.Bxe2 Bd6 12.g3
Bf5=
9.Bxe2 d5 10.d4 Bd6 11.Kf2 Nbd7 12.Bd3 O-O
12...Nf8!? 13.Re1+ Ne6 14.Bf5 O-O 15.Nxe6 fxe6 16.Bxe6+ Bxe6 17.Rxe6 Ng4+„
13.h4
13.g4 Ne8 14.Ng2!? a5 15.h4 b5 16.Bf4²
13...Ne8
13...h5!? 14.Nh3 Ne8 15.Bf4 Ndf6 16.Ne2 Bxh3 17.Rxh3 Bxf4 18.Nxf4 Nd6 19.Rhh1²
14.Nfe2 Nb6
14...h5 15.Nd1 g6 16.Bf4²; 14...f5 15.Bf4 Ndf6 16.g3 Nh5 17.Be5 g6 18.Rhe1 b6 19.Ng1²
15.a4 a5 16.b3 Bd7 17.Bf4 Nc8 18.Nd1 Nc7 19.Ne3 Re8 20.c4
20.g4²
20...dxc4 21.bxc4

592
21...Na6?!
21...Bxf4 22.Nxf4 c5 23.h5!? (23.dxc5 Na6 24.g4 Nxc5 25.Bc2 Bc6 26.Nfd5 Rd8 27.Rad1²)
23...Nb6! (23...cxd4 24.Ned5ƒ) 24.d5 (24.Nfd5 Nbxd5 25.Nxd5 Nxd5 26.cxd5 cxd4 27.Rh4
Reb8 … b5=) 24...Na6!∞ (24...Nxa4? 25.h6! Nb2 (25...g6 26.d6 Na6 27.Ned5+-) 26.hxg7
Nxd3+ 27.Nxd3 Na6 28.Rab1+- (28.Rxa5?? Nb4!-+))
22.c5
22.Bxd6 Nxd6 23.c5² Nb4 24.Rhd1 Nxd3+ 25.Rxd3 Nf5 26.Rb1ƒ
22...Nb4
22...Be7 23.Bxa6 Rxa6 24.h5²
23.Bc4 Bxf4 24.Nxf4 Ne7 25.Rhd1
25.Rad1²
25...Ng6
25...Nf5 26.Nxf5 Bxf5 27.g4 Bc2 28.Rd2 h6 29.Ng2 Re7 30.Ne3 Bh7 31.Be2²
26.Nxg6 hxg6 27.Rd2 Rab8 28.Bb3 b6 29.cxb6 Rxb6 30.Nc4 Ra6 31.Nd6 Re7 32.Rc1 Bf5
33.Bc4 Ra8 34.g4
34.h5!? Rd8

593
35.Nxf7!? Rxf7 36.g4 Nd5! 37.gxf5 gxh5 38.Bd3 Rfd7 39.Be4 (39.Rxc6 Nb4 40.Bc4+ Kf8=)
39...Ne7 40.Ke3 h4 41.Rc5 Nd5+=
34...Be6 35.Bxe6 Rxe6 36.Ne4 Rd8 37.Rc5 Rd5 38.Rc4 1/2-1/2
100. C42
Mannion, Stephen (2285) - Gormally, Daniel (2509)
Newcastle 142/100, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Nc3 Nxc3 6.dxc3 Be7 7.Be3 O-O 8.Qd2 c5
8...Nd7 - 141/100
9.O-O-O
9.h4!? Nd7! 10.Ng5 Nf6 11.f3 d5

594
12.O-O-O (12.g4 Qa5 13.c4 (13.a3 b5 14.O-O-O Qb6ƒ; 13.Kf2 Bd6ƒ) 13...Qxd2+ 14.Bxd2
dxc4 15.Bxc4 a6=) 12...Qa5 13.Kb1 Bd7 14.g4 Bc6 15.Bd3 Rae8 16.Qf2 Bd6„ 17.h5 h6
18.Nh3 Rxe3! 19.Qxe3 d4 20.cxd4 cxd4 21.Qxd4 Be5 22.Qe3 Bxb2 23.Kxb2 Qb4+ 24.Kc1
Qa3+ 25.Kd2 Qa5+=
9...Be6 10.c4

10...b5!?N
10...Nc6 11.h4 (11.Kb1 Qb6 12.h4 Qa6! 13.b3 Nb4 14.a4 Qb6 15.Bd3 d5 16.cxd5 Bxd5³)
11...Ne5!? 12.Ng5 Bf5 13.Bxc5 Rc8 14.Qf4 Bg6 15.Qxe5!? dxe5 16.Rxd8 Bxc5 17.Rxf8+
Rxf8∞
11.Bg5!
11.Bf4? bxc4 12.Bxd6 c3! 13.bxc3 Qa5!-+; 11.Ng5 Bxc4 12.Bxc4 bxc4 13.Qd5 Nd7µ; 11.cxb5
a6! 12.bxa6 Nxa6→
11...f6
11...Re8 12.Bxe7 Rxe7 13.cxb5!²
12.Bf4 bxc4 13.Bxd6 Bxd6
13...c3? 14.Qe3! cxb2+ 15.Kb1 Qd7 16.Bb5! Bxa2+ 17.Kxa2 b1=Q+ 18.Rxb1 Qxd6 19.Rhd1→
14.Qxd6 Qb6 15.c3

595
15.Qf4! ∆c3 16.bxc3 Bxa2 17.Rd6 Qc7 18.Bc4+ Bxc4 19.Qxc4+ Kh8 20.Rhd1±
15...Bf7??
15...Nd7! 16.Qxb6 Nxb6∞ (16...axb6? 17.Rd6 Kf7 18.Bxc4!±)
16.Qf4! Nc6
16...Qa6 17.Nd2! Qxa2 18.Bxc4 Bxc4 19.Qxc4+ Qxc4 20.Nxc4±
17.Bxc4 Na5 18.Bxf7+ Rxf7 19.Rhe1
19.Nd2 Rb8 20.b3±
19...Rb8 20.Rd2 Qb5 21.Rc2 Rd8 22.Rd2† Rb8 23.Rc2 Rd7 24.Rd2 1/2-1/2
101. C42
Nakamura, Hikaru (2745) - Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter (2656)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/2) 142/101, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Nc3 Nxc3 6.dxc3 Be7 7.Be3 O-O 8.Qd2 c5!?
8...Qe8!? 9.h4!? (9.Bd3 Nc6 10.h4 Ne5 11.Ng5 f5 12.O-O-O h6 13.Bc4+ (13.Nh3?! Qf7!
14.Kb1 Nxd3 15.Qxd3 Bxh4³) 13...Nxc4 14.Qd5+ Kh8 15.Qxc4 Qc6 16.Qf4 Bf6∞; 9.O-O-O
Qa4 10.Kb1 Nc6 11.h4 Be6 12.b3 Qa3 13.Ng5 Bf5 14.Qd5 (14.Bd3 Bf6! 15.Bxf5? Nb4!µ)
14...Ne5! (14...Bxc2+ 15.Kxc2 Qxa2+ 16.Kc1 Bf6 17.Ne4 Qa1+ 18.Kd2 Qb2+ 19.Ke1 Bxc3+
20.Nxc3 Qxc3+ 21.Ke2 Rae8 22.Qd3±) 15.Bc1 Qc5 16.Qxc5 dxc5 17.f3 h6 18.Re1 Ng6 19.g4
Bd7 20.h5 Bxg5 21.Bxg5 Rae8 22.Be3 Nf4„) 9...Nc6 (9...Qa4 - 141/99) 10.O-O-O Ne5
11.Nxe5 dxe5 12.Qd5²
9.O-O-O Be6

596
10.a3
10.Kb1!? d5 (10...Nc6 11.h4 Qa5 12.a3 f6 13.Bd3 d5 14.Qe2 Bf7 15.c4 dxc4 16.Bxc4 Qa4
17.Bxf7+ Rxf7 18.h5²; 10...Qa5 11.a3 d5 12.h4 Nd7 (12...f6 13.Re1 Bf7 14.h5 Nc6 15.g4ƒ)
13.Ng5 Rac8 14.Nxe6 fxe6 15.c4 Qxd2 16.Bxd2²) 11.Ng5 Bxg5 12.Bxg5 f6 (12...Qb6 13.h4 f6
14.Bf4 Nc6 15.h5 Rad8 16.h6 g6 17.Bd3²) 13.Be3 Qa5 14.a3 Nc6 15.f4 Bf7 16.Bd3²
10...d5N
10...Nd7 11.Ng5 (11.h4 Nf6 12.Ng5 Bd5 13.f3 Bc6 14.Bd3 Re8 15.Qf2 b5„) 11...Bf5 12.h4
Nf6 13.f3 Bd7 14.Bd3 Bc6 (14...b5 15.Ne4²) 15.c4 h6 16.g4ƒ ∆d5 17.cxd5 Bxd5 18.c4 Bc6
19.Nh7! Nxh7 20.Bxh7+ Kh8 21.Qe2 Qc7 22.Bc2 Rad8 23.g5²
11.h4

11.Ng5 Bxg5 12.Bxg5 f6 (12...Qb6 13.f4 f6 14.Bh4 Nc6 15.Bf2²) 13.Be3 (13.Bh4 Nc6 14.Qe3

597
Qe7 15.Bd3 Rfe8 16.Rhe1 c4 17.Be2 Bf7 18.Qg3 Kh8=) 13...Qe7 14.h4 Nc6 15.h5 h6 16.f3
Rfd8 17.Qf2 d4!? 18.cxd4 c4„
11...f6! 12.h5 Nc6 13.Nh4
13.Bf4 Qd7 14.c4 d4 15.Bd3 Rae8„
13...Qd7 14.f3
14.f4 Rad8 15.h6 g6 16.f5!? Bxf5 17.Nxf5 Qxf5 18.Kb1 (18.g4 Qe6! 19.Kb1 Ne5 20.Bf4 Nxg4
21.Bg2 d4 22.cxd4 cxd4 23.Rhe1 Ne3 24.Bxb7 f5∞) 18...d4 19.cxd4 cxd4 20.Bf2 Bc5 21.Bd3
Qd5∞
14...Rad8 15.g4 d4„ 16.Bf4 Ne5
16...dxc3? 17.Qxd7 Rxd7 18.Rxd7 cxb2+ 19.Kxb2 Bxd7 20.Bc4+ Rf7 21.Ng6+-; 16...c4!?
17.Nf5 Bc5 18.cxd4 Bxd4 19.h6 g5„
17.Qe1?!

17.Nf5 Nxf3 (17...Rfe8 18.Bxe5 fxe5 19.Bd3; 17...Rf7 18.Nxe7+ Rxe7 19.Bxe5 fxe5 20.Bd3
Bd5 21.Rhf1∞) 18.Qg2 Ne5 19.cxd4 cxd4 20.Qg3 Nc6 21.Bg2 Bc5 (21...Bxf5 22.gxf5 Qxf5
23.Rhg1©) 22.Rhe1 Bxf5 23.gxf5 Bd6 (23...Qxf5? 24.Bh3+-) 24.Bxd6 Qxd6 25.Qb3+ Kh8
26.Qxb7 Ne5∞
17...Qd5! 18.b3
18.Bxe5? Qa2 19.Bxd4 f5!-+; 18.c4 Nxc4 19.b3 Ne5 20.Ng6 Rfe8! (20...hxg6? 21.Bc4! Nxc4
22.hxg6+-) 21.Bxe5 fxe5 22.Nxe7+ Rxe7 23.Bd3 Rf8 24.Qe4 Qxe4 25.Bxe4 Rf4µ
18...c4! 19.Rxd4 Qa5µ 20.Bxc4 Bxc4 21.bxc4
21.Rxc4 Nxc4 22.Qe6+ Rf7 23.Qxc4 Qxa3+ 24.Kb1 Qc5

598
21...Bxa3+ 22.Kd1 Bb4!?
22...Rfe8 23.Rxd8 Qxd8+ 24.Qd2 Qb6 25.Qd5+ Nf7-+
23.Rxd8 Rxd8+ 24.Ke2 Bxc3
24...Qa2 25.Kf1 Qxc2 26.Rh2 Qd3+ 27.Qe2 Qxc3-+
25.Qb1 Bd2 26.Bg3 Bg5 27.Be1
27.Rd1 Rd2+ 28.Rxd2 Qxd2+ 29.Kf1 Bxh4 30.Bxh4 Nxc4-+
27...Qc5-+ 28.Qb3 Bxh4 29.Bxh4 Nxc4 30.Re1 Re8+
30...Re8+ 31.Kf1 Rxe1+ 32.Bxe1 Qd5
1/2-1/2
102. ** C42
Kasimdzhanov, Rustam (2657) - Lei, Tingjie (2469)
Douglas 142/102, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Bd6 7.O-O O-O 8.c4 c6 9.Nc3 Nxc3
10.bxc3 dxc4 11.Bxc4 Bf5 12.Bg5 Qa5

13.d5N

599
13.Nh4 - 142/(102) 13...Be6 14.Bxe6 Qxg5 15.Nf3 Qa5 16.Bb3 Nd7 17.Qd3 Nf6 18.g3 g6
19.Rae1 Rae8 20.Kg2 Kg7 21.h4 h6

22.Rh1N (22.c4 - 138/(134)) 22...Qd8 23.c4 Rxe1 24.Rxe1 c5 25.Bc2 Re8 26.Rb1 Qc7 27.d5
b6= Sasikiran,K (2675)-Banusz,T (2619) Espana 142/(102) 2019
13...Qc7N
13...Be4 - 142/ (102) 14.dxc6 Bxf3 15.Qxf3 Nxc6 16.Bd5 Ne5 17.Qe4 Rae8∞ Le,Q (2708) -
Deac,B (2613) Douglas 142/(102) 2019
14.Re1 h6 15.Bh4 Bg6 16.Bd3 Bh5 17.h3 c5 18.g4 Bg6 19.g5 h5
19...Bh5!? 20.gxh6 Nd7 21.hxg7 Kxg7 22.Re4 Rg8 23.Qe2 Nf6 24.Bxf6+ Kxf6+ 25.Kh1
Qd7∞

600
20.Bxg6 fxg6 21.Re6

21...Kh7??
21...Nd7! 22.Rxg6 Rfd8 (22...Rf5!?) 23.Re6 (23.c4!? Nf8 24.Rxd6 Qxd6 25.Bg3 Qg6 26.Rb1©)
23...Nf8 24.Re3 (24.Qe2 Nxe6 25.Qxe6+ Qf7 (25...Kh8? 26.Qg6+-) 26.Qxf7+ Kxf7 27.g6+
Kxg6 28.Bxd8 Rxd8∞) 24...Bf4 25.Re4 Ng6 26.Qd3 Qf7©
22.Qd3 Rf5

22...Qf7 23.Rxd6 Qxf3 24.Qxg6+ Kg8 25.Re1+-

23.Rxg6! Kxg6 24.Re1+- Bh2+
24...Nd7 25.Re6+ Nf6 26.gxf6 Rf8 27.f7+ Kxf7 28.Qxf5++-
25.Nxh2 Qf4 26.Bg3 c4 27.Qc2 1-0

601
 103. C43
Carlsen, Magnus (2876) - Shirov, Alexei (2664)
Douglas 142/103, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 Nxe4 4.Bd3 d5 5.Nxe5 Nd7 6.Nc3 Nxe5 7.dxe5 Nxc3 8.bxc3 Be7
9.O-O
9.Qh5 - 99/211
9...O-O 10.f4 f5 11.Be3 c5

12.Be2!?N
12.c4
12...Be6 13.Bf3 Qd7 14.a4 Rad8 15.Qe2 Qc7 16.Rfb1 b6
16...Rd7 17.a5²
17.Rd1 g5!?
17...Rd7 18.a5 Rfd8 19.axb6 axb6 20.Qb5 g5 21.Ra6 d4 22.Bf2 (22.cxd4? cxd4 23.Bf2 Bc4
24.Qxb6 Bxa6 25.Qxa6 Qxc2³) 22...dxc3 23.Rda1ƒ
18.h3 Rd7 19.Rd2 Rfd8 20.Rad1 gxf4?!
20...h6 21.Kh1 gxf4 22.Bxf4 Bg5 23.Qe3 Bxf4 24.Qxf4 Kh7 25.Rd3ƒ
21.Bxf4 d4

602
21...Qc6? 22.c4! Qxa4 23.Bxd5 Bxd5 24.e6!+-; 21...c4 22.Kh2 Kh8 23.Rd4 Qc6 (23...Bc5
24.Bg5ƒ) 24.Qe3!? Rg8 (24...Bc5? 25.Bg5!±) 25.Qd2±
22.Qf2! Kh8
22...dxc3? 23.Rxd7 Rxd7 24.Qg3+ Kh8 (24...Kf8 25.Rxd7 Qxd7 26.Bh5 Qd4+ 27.Kh1 Bf7
28.Bh6+ Ke8 29.Qg8++-) 25.Rd6!+-
23.Kh1 Qc8 24.Kh2 Rg8
24...Qc7²
25.cxd4 cxd4

26.Rxd4! Rxd4 27.Rxd4 Bc5 28.c3 Bxd4 29.cxd4 Qd7 30.Qd2 Bd5 31.e6! Qxe6
31...Bxe6 32.Be5+

603
32.Be5+ Rg7 33.Qc3!
33.Bxg7+?! Kxg7 34.Qg5+ Kf7²
33...Bxf3 34.Qxf3 Qe8?
34...h5 35.Qa8+ (35.Qg3 Qe7 36.d5 Kh7 37.Bxg7 Qxg7 38.Qf4 (38.Qxg7+?? Kxg7 39.Kg3
a6! 40.Kf4 Kf6 41.d6 a5! (41...b5? 42.axb5 axb5 43.d7 Ke7 44.Kxf5 h4 45.Ke4=) 42.h4 Ke6
43.d7 Kxd7 44.Kxf5 b5-+) 38...Kg6=) 35...Kh7 36.Bxg7 Kxg7 37.Qxa7+ Kg6 38.Qc7±
35.Qxf5 Kg8 36.Bxg7 Kxg7 37.Qg5+ Kf8 38.Qf4+ Ke7
38...Qf7 39.Kg3! ∆a6 (39...h5 40.Qxf7+ Kxf7 41.Kf4 a6 42.g4 hxg4 43.hxg4 Ke8 44.g5 b5
45.axb5 a5 46.b6+-) 40.Qb8+ Kg7 41.Qxb6+-; 38...Kg7 39.d5 a6 40.d6 h6 41.h4 b5 42.axb5
axb5 43.Qd4+ Kf7 44.h5+-
39.Qe4+ Kf8 40.Qxh7 Qxa4 41.Qf5+ Kg7 42.Qe5+ Kf7 43.h4 1-0

104. **** C45

Chigaev, Maksim (2640) - Predke, Alexandr (2632)
Russia 142/104, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.e5 Qe7 7.Qe2 Nd5 8.c4 Ba6 9.b3 g6
10.Ba3

10...Nb4!
10...d6 11.exd6! Qxe2+ 12.Bxe2 Bg7 13.cxd5 Bxe2 14.Kxe2 Bxa1 15.Rc1 O-O-O

604
(15...cxd6 16.Nd2 Be5 17.Rxc6 O-O 18.Nc4 Rfe8 19.Kf3²) 16.f4! (16.Rxc6 Rd7 17.f4N Idani,P
(2604) -Sevian,S (2642) Astana 142/(104) 2019 (17.f4 Re8+ 18.Kd3 Re1 19.Nd2 Kd8ƒ; 17.Bc5
- 142/(104) 17...Re8+ 18.Kd3 Re5= Idani,P (2604)-Wei,Y (2733) Astana 142/(104) 2019
(18...Re5 19.Kc4 Re4+ 20.Kd3 Re5=))) 16...c5 (16...Rhe8+ 17.Kd3 Bg7 18.Rxc6 Rd7 19.Nd2
Re1 20.Bc5ƒ; 16...cxd6 17.Nd2 Rhe8+ 18.Kd3 Bg7 19.Rxc6+ Kb7 20.Nc4²) 17.Bxc5 Kb7
18.Nd2 cxd6

19.Be3N

605
(19.Bb4) 19...Bf6 - 142/(104) (19...Bg7N 20.Nc4 Ka6 21.a4² Chigaev,M (2637)-Lobanov,S
(2513) Russia 142/(104) 2019) 20.Nc4 Ka6 21.a4 Rd7 22.b4² Fakhrutdinov,T (2485)-
Pashikian,A (2616) Skopje 142/ (104) 2019; 10...Qxa3 11.Nxa3 Bb4+ 12.Qd2 Bxd2+ 13.Kxd2
Nb4 14.g3 O-O-O 15.Bh3²; 10...Qg5 11.Bxf8 (11.g3?! - 60/(308)) 11...Rxf8 12.Qb2 Nb6
13.Nd2 f6 14.Nf3 Qf4 15.Be2²; 10...Qh4!? 11.Bb2 Bb4+ 12.Nd2 (12.Kd1?! Nf4 13.Qe4 O-O-
O!ƒ (13...Qxf2 - 69/(298))) 12...Nc3 13.Qe3 Ne4 14.g3 Bxd2+ (14...Qg4 15.f3 Bxd2+ 16.Qxd2
Qxf3 17.Qg2 Qe3+ 18.Qe2 Qxe2+ 19.Bxe2²) 15.Qxd2 Nxd2 16.gxh4 Nxf1 17.Rxf1²
11.Bb2 Bg7 12.a3 Nd5 13.Nd2
13.g3 O-O 14.Bg2 Rfe8 (14...Rab8!? 15.Nd2 Nb6 16.Rb1 d5∞) 15.O-O Bxe5 16.Bxe5 Qxe5
17.Qxe5 Rxe5 18.cxd5 Bxf1 19.Kxf1 cxd5³
13...O-O 14.O-O-O Rfe8

606
14...Rab8!? 15.Kc2 Nb6 16.f4 d5 17.exd6 Qxe2 18.Bxe2 Bxb2 19.Kxb2 cxd6∞
15.Qf3!?N
15.g3; 15.Qg4
15...Nb6 16.Ne4

16...Bxe5! 17.Bxe5 Qxe5 18.Nf6+ Kf8 19.Nxe8 Qa1+ 20.Kc2 Qa2+ 21.Kc1
21.Kc3? Rxe8 22.Bd3 Bxc4! 23.Bxc4 (23.bxc4 Na4+ 24.Kb4 Rb8+ 25.Ka5 Qxa3-+) 23...Nxc4
24.bxc4 Re2 25.Qxe2 Qxe2-+
21...Qa1+ 22.Kc2 Qa2+ 23.Kc1 Qa1+ 24.Kc2 Qa2+ 1/2-1/2

105. ** C47
Xiong, Jeffery (2712) - Sethuraman, SP. (2634)
Saint Louis 142/105, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.Bd3!? d5 7.exd5 cxd5 8.O-O Be7
9.c4
9.Bf4 - 134/(106)
9...O-O
9...d4!∞
10.cxd5 Bb7
10...Nxd5

607
11.Qf3! Be6 12.Rd1 Qd7N (12...c6) 13.Nc3 c6 14.h3 Rab8 15.Nxd5 Bxd5 16.Be4 Rfd8
17.Bxd5 cxd5 18.b3² Najer, E (2635) -Giri,A (2780) Khanty-Mansiysk (m/3-rapid) 142/(105)
2019
11.Nc3 Nxd5 12.Bd2 Nxc3
12...Nb4 13.Be4 Bxe4 14.Nxe4 Qd4 15.Bxb4 Qxb4 (15...Qxe4 16.Bxe7 Qxe7 17.Rc1²)
16.Qc2²; 12...Nf6 13.Bf4²
13.Bxc3

13...Bf6?!N
13...Qd5 - 142/(105) 14.Qg4 Qg5 15.Qxg5 Bxg5 16.Rfe1

608
16...Rfe8N (16...Rad8 17.Be4 Bxe4 18.Rxe4²) 17.Bc4² Nisipeanu,L (2656) -Parligras,M (2629)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/2) 142/(105) 2019
14.Bxf6 Qxf6 15.Qc2 g6
15...h6 16.Qxc7 Bd5 17.b3²
16.Qxc7 Qxb2??
16...Bd5 17.b3 a5 18.Qc5 Be6 19.Be4²; 16...Ba6 17.Bxa6 Qxa6 18.a3²
17.Rab1 Qd4
17...Qa3 18.Rb3+-
18.Rfd1 Bd5
18...Be4 19.Bc2! Bxc2 20.Rxd4 Bxb1 21.Qa5+-; 18...Bc8 19.Bxg6 Qg7 20.Be4 Bg4 21.Bxa8
Bxd1 22.Rxd1 Rxa8 23.Rd8++-
19.Bxg6 Qc4

609
20.Bxh7+! Kxh7 21.Qe5 Be6
21...Be4 22.Rb3 Kg8 23.Rh3 f6 (23...Bh7 24.Qg5+ Bg6 25.Qh6+-) 24.Rg3+ Kh8 25.Qf4+-;
21...Rad8 22.Rd4+-
22.Rd4 Qc2 23.Re1 Kg6
23...Qf5 24.Rh4+ Kg6 25.Qg3+ Qg5 26.Rxe6+ fxe6 27.Rg4+-; 23...Rad8 24.Rxd8 Rxd8
25.Qh5+ Kg7 26.Qg5++-
24.h3! Rae8
24...Rh8 25.Re3 Qc1+ 26.Kh2 Rh5 27.Rg3+ Rg5 28.Qe4+ Kg7 29.Qxa8+-
25.Rh4 Bf5 26.Qg3+ Kf6 27.Qd6+ Be6 28.Re3 1-0

106. C47
Di Nicolantonio, Lucas (2408) - Narayanan, SL. (2626)
El Prat de Llobregat 142/106, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.Bd3 d5 7.exd5 cxd5 8.O-O Be7 9.c4
O-O 10.Nc3!? d4 11.Ne4 Ng4

610
12.Re1?N
12.Bf4 f5 13.Ng3 g5 14.Bd2 Ne5 (14...f4 15.Nf5! Ne5 16.Nxe7+ Qxe7 17.Be4 Rb8 18.Re1²)
15.Qe2 Nxd3 16.Qxd3 Rb8 17.b4 f4 18.Ne4 Bf5ƒ; 12.Ng3 Rb8 13.h3 Nf6 14.Re1 c5∞
12...f5! 13.Nd2
13.Ng3 Bb4 14.Re2 (14.Bd2 Qh4 15.h3 Nxf2! 16.Kxf2 Bxd2 17.Qxd2 Bb7! (17...f4?! 18.Be4
fxg3+ 19.Kg1∞) 18.c5 f4µ) 14...f4 15.Nf1 Qf6µ
13...Bh4 14.g3

14.Rf1 Bxf2+ 15.Rxf2 Qh4 16.g3 Nxf2 17.gxh4 Nxd1-+

14...f4! 15.gxh4?
15.Rf1 fxg3 16.fxg3 (16.hxg3 Rxf2! 17.Rxf2 (17.gxh4 Qxh4-+) 17...Nxf2 18.Kxf2 Bxg3+!

611
19.Kxg3 Qg5+ 20.Kh2 Qh4+ 21.Kg1 Qg3+ 22.Kh1 Qxd3-+) 16...Bg5 17.Rxf8+ Qxf8µ
15...Qxh4-+ 16.Nf3
16.Qf3 Qxh2+ 17.Kf1 Ne3+ 18.fxe3 Bh3+-+
16...Qxf2+ 17.Kh1

17...Nxh2! 18.Nxh2 Bb7+ 19.Re4

19.Be4 Rae8
19...Rae8 20.Qf3 Bxe4
20...Rxe4 21.Bxe4 Qe1+ 22.Kg2 Bxe4
21.Bxe4 Qe1+ 22.Kg2 Rxe4 23.Ng4 Re2+ 24.Nf2 Rxf2+ 25.Qxf2 f3+ 26.Kg3 Qe5+ 27.Kh3
Rf5 0-1
107. C48
McShane, Luke J (2682) - Caruana, Fabiano (2812)
Douglas 142/107, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bb5 Bd6 5.d3 O-O 6.O-O h6

612
7.Kh1!?N
7.a3 - 127/(113)
7...Re8 8.Bxc6 bxc6 9.Ng1 Bf8 10.f4 exf4 11.Bxf4 d5 12.e5 Bg4 13.Qd2 Nh5 14.Rae1 Rb8
15.h3 Nxf4 16.Qxf4 Bh5 17.Nd1 Rb4 18.Qf2 c5 19.b3 Rb6 20.Nf3 Rbe6
¹20...f6 21.Qh4 Bf7∞
21.Ne3 Qd7?!
21...f6
22.g4 Bg6

23.Ng2! c4 24.Nf4 cxd3 25.cxd3 Bb4 26.Rd1 R6e7 27.Qxa7 Bh7 28.Qd4 c5 29.Qxd5 Qa7
30.Qc4!

613
30.a4 Bc3!„ ×e5
30...Qxa2 31.g5 hxg5 32.Nxg5 Qa8+ 33.Kg1 Qc6 34.d4 Bf5 35.Nd5
35.d5 Qh6„
35...Rd7

36.Ne3
36.Nf6+! gxf6 37.d5 Qc7 (37...Qb6 38.Rxf5 Rxe5 (38...fxg5 39.Rxg5+ Kf8 40.Qh4+-) 39.Rxe5
fxe5 40.Qg4+-) 38.Rxf5 Rxe5 (38...fxg5 39.Rxg5+ Kf8 40.Qh4+-) 39.Qg4! Rxf5 40.Ne4+ Kf8
41.Qxf5 Qe5 42.Qxd7 Qxe4 43.Qc8+ Kg7 44.Qg4++-
36...Bg6 37.d5 Qc7 38.Ng4 Qd8 39.e6 fxe6 40.Nxe6 Qb8 41.d6 Rxd6 42.Nc7+ Rde6 43.Rd7
Kh8 44.Qf4 Qb6 45.Nxe6 Qxe6 46.Rd6 Qe4 47.Qg5 Kh7 48.Qh4+ Kg8 49.Qg3 Kh7 50.Nf2
Qc2 51.Nd3 Be4 52.Qg5 Qe2 53.Nxb4?!
53.Nc1! Qb5 (53...Qc2 54.Qh5++-) 54.Rf4+-
53...cxb4 54.Rd2 Qa6 55.Qh5+ Qh6 56.Qxh6+ Kxh6 57.Re1 Re5 58.Kh2
58.Rd4 Rg5+ 59.Kf2 Rf5+ 60.Kg3 Bd5 61.Re3+-
58...Rd5 59.Rxd5 Bxd5 60.Re3 g5 61.Kg3 Kg6

614
62.Kf2?
62.Kg4! Bf7 (62...Kf6 63.Kh5+-) 63.Re5 Bxb3 64.Rxg5+ Kf6 65.Rb5+-
62...Kf5 63.Rg3 Be6 64.Ke2 Bd5 65.Kd2 Be6 66.Rf3+ Ke5 67.Re3+ Kf6 68.Kc2 Bf5+
69.Kc1 Be6 70.Kd2 Bd5 71.Kc2 Be6 72.Kb2 Bf5 73.Rg3 Be6 74.Rd3 Ke5 75.Re3+ Kf6
76.Re4 Bxh3 77.Rxb4
77.Kc1 g4 78.Kd2 g3 79.Ke3 Be6 80.Rxb4 g2 81.Kf2 Bd5=
77...g4 78.Re4 g3 79.Kc3 Kf5 80.Re1 Kf4 81.b4 Kf3 82.b5 Kf2 83.Kd2 g2 84.b6 Bc8 85.Re2+
1/2-1/2
108. C49
Nepomniachtchi, Ian (2776) - Tomashevsky, Evgeny (2718)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/5-blitz)142/108, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bb5 Bb4 5.O-O O-O 6.d3 Bxc3 7.bxc3 d6 8.Bg5 Qe7 9.Re1
Nd8 10.d4 Ne6 11.Bc1 Rd8 12.Qe2
12.Bf1 - 63/273
12...Nf8 13.Nh4

615
13...h6N
13...Ne8
14.a4 c5 15.h3 cxd4 16.cxd4 exd4 17.Ba3 Qc7 18.Bd3 Bd7 19.Qd2
19.Qf3!? Re8 (19...Bxa4? 20.Nf5 Ng6 21.Nxh6+; 19...Be6 20.Nf5 Bxf5 21.exf5²) 20.Qg3 Qc6
21.Qxd6 Nxe4 22.Qxd4 Nf6 23.a5²
19...Rac8 20.Bb2 d5 21.exd5 Nxd5 22.Bxd4 Qf4 23.Qxf4 Nxf4 24.Bxa7 Nxd3 25.cxd3 Be6
26.d4 Nd7 27.d5 Bxd5 28.Nf5 Ra8
28...Kh7! 29.Ne7 Ra8 30.Nxd5 Rxa7=
29.Bd4 Kh7 30.Re7
30.Nxg7 Rg8 31.Re7 Nf8 32.Rd1 Rxa4 33.Bc3 Bb3 34.Rd8 Ng6 35.Rxg8 Nxe7 36.Rb8 Nd5
37.Be5 Re4 38.Bb2 Re2 39.Bd4 Rd2 40.Nf5 Bc2 41.Rh8+ Kg6 42.Nh4+ Kh5 43.Nf3²
30...Nb8 31.Bb2 Nc6 32.Rc7 Rac8 33.Rxc8 Rxc8 34.Rd1
34.Nxg7 Rg8 35.Rd1 Ne7 36.Re1 Nc6=
34...Bb3 35.Rd3 Bc4
35...Bxa4 36.Nxg7±; ¹35...Bc2 36.Rg3 g6 37.Nd6 Rd8 38.Nxf7 Rd1+ 39.Kh2 Bxa4=
36.Rg3 Rg8
36...g6?? 37.Nd6-+
37.Nxg7± Ne7 38.Re3 Nd5 39.Re4 b5 40.Nh5 Rg5 41.g4 f5 42.Rd4 fxg4 43.hxg4 Be2?

616
43...Bb3 44.axb5 Rg6! 45.Kh2! ∆Rb6 46.Rxd5 Bxd5 47.Nf6+ Kg6 48.Nxd5 Rxb5 49.Ne7+
Kg5 50.Bc1+ Kxg4 51.Kg2 (51.Bxh6?? Rh5+) 51...Kh5 (51...h5?? 52.f3+ Kh4 53.Ng6#;
51...Rb6 52.Ng8 h5 53.Nh6+! Kh4 54.Nf5+ Kg4 55.Ne3+ Kh4 56.f4+-) 52.Ng8 Rc5 53.Be3
Rb5 54.Nxh6+-
44.Rxd5!+- Rxg4+
44...Rxd5 45.Nf6+ Kg6 46.Nxd5+-
45.Ng3 bxa4 46.Rd7+ Kg8 47.Kg2 h5 48.f3 Rg6 49.Kf2 Bb5 50.Ra7 Rc6 51.Be5 h4 52.Nf5
Rc2+ 53.Ke3 h3 54.Nd4 Rc5 55.Rg7+ Kh8 56.Bf6 h2 57.Rg2+ Kh7 58.Rxh2+ Kg6 59.Nxb5
Kxf6 60.Nd4 1-0

617
C50-C74

109. C54
Kasimdzhanov, Rustam (2657) - L'Ami, Erwin (2619)
Douglas 142/109, 2019

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 a6 9.a4 Re8
10.Nf1 Ba7 11.Ng3
11.h3 - 140/(120)
11...Be6 12.Bxe6 Rxe6 13.b4 d5 14.Qc2 Qd7

15.Ba3N
15.h3
15...b5 16.Bb2 Rd8 17.h3 Bb6 18.Nf5 Ree8 19.Rad1 Qe6 20.Ng3 dxe4 21.dxe4
21.Nxe4 Nh5 22.Kh2 f5 23.Nc5 Bxc5 24.bxc5 Qd5 25.axb5 axb5 26.c4 Qxc5 27.d4 exd4
28.Rxe8+ Rxe8 29.Nxd4 Re4 (29...Nxd4 30.Bxd4 Qxc4 31.Qxf5©) 30.Nxc6 Qxc6 31.Rd8+
Kh7 32.Qd1 Nf4 33.cxb5 Qxb5 34.Qd7! Qxd7 35.Rxd7 Ne6 36.Re7!=
21...Qc4 22.Rxd8 Rxd8 23.Rc1 Ne8?!
23...bxa4! 24.Qxa4 Nxe4 25.Nxe4 Qxe4 26.Qxa6 Qf4ƒ … e4
24.Nd2
24.a5 Ba7 25.Qe2 Nd6 (25...Qxe2 26.Nxe2 Nd6 27.Nd2 f6³) 26.Nd2 Qa2 27.Rc2 Ne7³

618
24...Qd3 25.Qxd3 Rxd3 26.Nf3 Nd6 27.a5 Ba7 28.Kf1 Nc4 29.Ba1 Ne7 30.Ke2 Rd8 31.Nf1
c5 32.N1d2 Nxd2 33.Nxd2 c4 34.Rc2 f5 35.Bb2 Kf7 36.exf5 Nxf5 37.Ne4 Ke6 38.Bc1 Rd5
39.Rd2 Ne7 40.Kf3 Ng8 41.Rxd5 Kxd5 42.Be3 Bxe3 43.fxe3 Kc6 44.Nc5 Nf6 45.e4
45.Nxa6 Nd5∞
45...h5 46.Nxa6 Nd7 47.h4 Kd6
47...Kb7?? 48.Nc5+ Nxc5 49.bxc5 Kc6 (49...Ka6 50.c6+-) 50.a6+-
48.Ke3 Kc6 49.Kd2 Kd6 50.Kc1 Kc6 51.Kc2 Nf8
51...Kd6 52.Kb2 Kc6 53.Nc5! Nxc5 54.bxc5 Kxc5 55.Ka3+-
52.Nc5 Kc7 53.Kd2 Kc6 54.Ke3 g6 55.Kf3 Kc7 56.g4 Kc6 57.a6 Kb6 58.Nb7 Kxa6 59.Nd6
Kb6 60.Nf7 Nd7 61.Nh8 hxg4+
61...Nf8? 62.Nxg6 Nxg6 63.gxh5+-
62.Kxg4 Nf6+ 63.Kf3 Kc7 64.Nf7
64.Nxg6 Kd6!= ×Ng6
64...Nd7 65.Ke3 Kc6 66.Kf2 Kc7 67.Kf3 Kc6 68.Kg4 Nf6+ 69.Kg5 Nxe4+ 70.Kxg6 Nxc3
71.h5

71...Ne2! 72.h6 c3 73.Nxe5+

73.h7 c2 74.h8=Q c1=Q 75.Qe8+ Kc7 76.Qxe5+ Kb6 77.Qb8+ Ka6 78.Qa8+ Kb6 79.Qa5+
Kc6 80.Qa6+ Kd7 81.Qd6+ Kc8 82.Qe6+ Kc7 83.Qxe2 Qb1+ 84.Kf6 Qxb4=
73...Kd5 74.Ng4 Ke4 75.Nf2+ Kf3 76.Nd3 Ke3 77.Nc5 c2 78.Nb3 Kd3 79.h7 Kc3 80.Nc1
Nxc1 81.h8=Q+ Kb3 82.Qg8+ Kxb4 83.Qc8 Kb3 84.Qe6+ Ka3 85.Qa6+ Kb2 86.Qf6+ Kb1
87.Qc3 b4 88.Qxb4+ Nb3 89.Qxb3+ Ka1 90.Qxc2 1/2-1/2

619
 110. *** C54
Aronian, Levon (2772) - Karjakin, Sergey (2754)
Bucuresti (rapid) 142/110, 2019

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 Bg4 11.h3 Bh5 12.Qc2 Nxc3
12...Bg6 - 138/139; 12...Ba5 - 140/122
13.bxc3 f6 14.exf6 Qxf6 15.Be2 Rae8 16.O-O

16...h6
16...Kh8
17.Rae1

620
17...Qd6N
17...a6 - 142/(110) 18.a4 Re7 19.Qa2 Kh8 20.Nh2 Bxe2 21.Qxe2

21...Na5?! (21...Qg6 22.Ng4 h5 23.Nh2=) 22.Ng4 Qe6 23.Qd1² Nenneman,D-Caliguire,J corr

142/(110) 2019
18.Bc1 - 142/110
18.Nd2N Bxe2 19.Rxe2 Na5 20.g3 Qd7 21.Kg2 c6 22.Rfe1 Bc7 23.Qd3 b5 24.f4 Nc4 25.Bf2
Rxe2 26.Rxe2 Re8∞ Giri,A (2776)-Karjakin,S (2754) Bucuresti (blitz) 142/(110) 2019
18...Ba5

- 142/110
18...Re6N

621
19.Nh4 (19.Bd1!? Bg6 20.Rxe6 Qxe6 21.Qd2 Be4∞) 19...Bxe2 (19...Bxd4!? 20.Bxh5 Bxf2+
21.Qxf2 Rxf2 22.Kxf2∞) 20.Rxe2 Aronian,L (2772) -Karjakin,S (2754) Bucuresti (blitz)
142/(110) 2019 (20.Rxe2 Rfe8=)
19.Qd2!?
19.Bd1? Rxe1 20.Rxe1 Bxf3 21.Bxf3 Nxd4-+; 19.Qb3 Rxe2! 20.Rxe2 Rxf3 21.gxf3 Bxf3
22.Qc2™ Bxc3!→
19...Re4 20.Bd1 Bxf3 21.Bxf3 Rxd4 22.Qc2 Rc4 23.Ba3!

23...Bb4?
23...Nb4! 24.Qd1 (24.Qd2? Rxf3 25.Bxb4 Bxb4 26.cxb4 (26.gxf3 Qg6+ 27.Kh2 Qf5→ … Rh4)
26...Rfc3µ) 24...Rxc3 25.Bxb4 Bxb4 26.Bxd5+ (26.Qxd5+ Qxd5 27.Bxd5+ Kh8 28.Bxb7 Rc2³)
26...Kh8 27.Re6 Qf4 28.Re4 Qd6 29.Re6 Qf4=

622
24.Qd3!+- Rxf3 25.Qxf3 Bxa3
25...Ne5 26.Qf5 Bxa3 27.Rxe5 Qf8 28.Qd3 Bd6 (28...c6 29.Rfe1) 29.Qxd5+ Kh8 30.Qxc4
Bxe5 31.Re1
26.Re8+ Kh7 27.Qf5+
27.Qf5+ Qg6 28.Rh8+
1-0

111. * C54
Wang, Hao (2726) - Bu, Xiangzhi (2721)
Douglas 142/111, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.c3 O-O 6.O-O d5 7.exd5 Nxd5 8.Nbd2
8.a4 - 140/124
8...Nb6 9.Bb5 f6
9...Bd6 10.a4 a6 11.Bxc6 bxc6 12.a5 Nd5 13.Re1 Re8 14.Nc4 f6

15.Nfd2N (15.Nh4) 15...Be6 16.d4 exd4 17.Nxd6 cxd6 18.cxd4 Bf7 (18...Rb8!? … Rb4)
19.Rxe8+ Qxe8 20.Nc4 Nc3 21.bxc3 Bxc4= Wang,H (2737)-Inarkiev,E (2693) Danzhou
142/(111) 2019
10.d4 exd4

623
11.Nb3N
11.Ne4
11...Qd5!
11...Bd6 12.c4 (12.Nbxd4 Nxd4 13.Nxd4 c5 14.Qb3+ Kh8 15.Ne6 Bxe6 16.Qxe6 Qc7∞)
12...Be5 13.c5 Nd5 14.Bxc6 bxc6 15.Nbxd4 Bd7 16.Re1² Perunovic,Milos
12.Bf4 Bg4 13.Bxc7 Rf7 14.Bg3 Ne5
14...Rd8 15.c4!? (15.Bxc6 bxc6 16.Nxc5 Qxc5 17.cxd4 Qd5©) 15...Qf5 16.h3 Bxf3 17.Qxf3
Qxf3 18.gxf3 Bf8 19.c5 Nd7 20.Rfc1²; 14...Bf8 15.Bxc6 bxc6 16.Nbxd4 (16.cxd4 Re8©) 16...c5
17.Nb5 Qc6 18.Na3 Re8 19.Ne5 Bxd1 20.Nxc6 Bh5©
15.Bxe5 fxe5 16.Be2 Rd8?

624
16...Raf8!? 17.Rc1! (17.c4 Qd6 18.Ng5 Bxe2 19.Nxf7 (19.Qxe2 Rxf2! 20.Rxf2 d3-+) 19...Bxd1
20.Nxd6 Bxb3 21.Nxb7 Bxc4 22.Nxc5 Bxf1 23.Kxf1∞) 17...e4 (17...Rxf3 18.Bxf3 Rxf3
19.Nxc5+-; 17...d3 18.Qxd3 Bxf3 19.gxf3 Qc6 (19...Qxd3 20.Bxd3 Be7 21.Be4±) 20.Nxc5
Qxc5 21.Rcd1±) 18.Nfxd4 Bxe2 19.Qxe2 Bxd4 20.Nxd4 Qxa2 21.Ra1 Qd5 22.Rxa7±
17.c4! Qd6
17...Nxc4 18.Bxc4 Qxc4 19.Rc1+-
18.Ng5 Bf5
18...Bxe2 19.Qxe2 Rc7 20.Ne4+-
19.Nxf7
19.Bd3!+-
19...Kxf7 20.Bd3 e4
20...Bxd3 21.Qxd3 Kg8 22.Qf3+-
21.Nxc5 Qxc5 22.Qh5+ Kf6 23.Bxe4 Na4 24.b4 Qe5 25.f4 Qxe4 26.Rae1 1-0

112. C54
Matlakov, Maxim (2716) - Aronian, Levon (2758)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/2) 142/112, 2019

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 Kh8!?
11...Qxd3 - 142/113
12.Ne4 Be7
12...Bd6
13.Ng3 Bxf3 14.Qxf3 f5 15.a4 a5

625
16.d4N
16.Bd2?! e4 17.Qd1 Qxd3 18.Bf4 Bd6; 16.Qe2
16...f4
16...exd4 17.Nh5! Qd7 (17...dxc3 18.Qg3 Bf6 19.bxc3±) 18.Nf4ƒ; 16...e4 17.Qh5 … Ne2-f4ƒ
17.Nh5!
17.Ne2 Bd6 18.Bd2 Qh4 19.Rad1²
17...g6

17...Bd6!?
18.dxe5?!

626
18.d5! Nb8 19.Rxe5 N8d7 (19...Bd6 20.Re6 gxh5 21.Qxh5→; 19...gxh5 20.Rxh5→) 20.Rxe7
Qxe7 21.Nxf4 Rae8 (21...Qe1+?! 22.Kh2± g5? 23.Be3! Qxa1 24.Bd4+ Kg8 25.d6+ Rf7
26.Qh5+-; 21...g5 22.Qe2±) 22.Qe3!±
18...gxh5 19.Qxh5 Qd3 20.Bf7 Rxf7
20...Rad8 21.e6 Nd5µ
21.Qxf7 Rf8 22.Qh5 Bc5
¹22...Rf5 23.Qe2 (23.Qe8+? Kg7-+ ×Bc1, Ra1) 23...Qd5ƒ
23.Qf3! Qxf3 24.gxf3 Rf5 25.Re4
25.e6 Kg8 26.Re4 Bd6µ
25...Nxe5 26.Bxf4 Bd6 27.Kg2 Nd5 28.Bg3 Ng6 29.Rd1 Kg7

30.h4
30.Bxd6 cxd6 31.Kf1∞
30...Kf7 31.Rd2 Nf6 32.Red4 Nf4+ 33.Kh2 Ne6 34.Rc4 Bxg3+ 35.fxg3?
35.Kxg3 Ke7 36.b4 Ne8³
35...Rxf3 36.Kg2 Re3 37.g4?
37.b4 Ne4 38.Rd7+ Kg6 39.bxa5 Rxg3+ 40.Kh2 Re3 41.Re7 Nf6µ
37...Ke7! 38.Rf2 Ne4 39.Rf5
39.Rf3 Rxf3 40.Kxf3 Nd2+-+
39...Nd6 0-1

113. ***** C54

627
 Vachier Lagrave, Maxime (2774) - Jakovenko, Dmitrij (2681)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/4-rapid) 142/113, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 O-O 6.O-O d5 7.exd5 Nxd5 8.Re1
8.a4 - 140/124
8...Bg4 9.Nbd2 Nb6 10.h3 Bh5 11.Bb3 Qxd3 12.Nxe5 Qf5
12...Bxd1?! 13.Nxd3 Bxb3 14.axb3 Be7 15.b4

15...a6N (15...Rfe8) 16.Ne4 Nd7 17.Bf4 Rac8 18.Rad1² Giri,A (2797)-Harikrishna,P (2723)
Shenzhen 142/(113) 2019
13.Nef3

13...Rad8N

628
13...Bg6 14.Ne4 (14.Qe2 Be7 15.Nf1 Rad8 16.Ng3 Qc8∞) 14...Rad8 15.Bd2 Be7∞
14.Qe2N

14.g4!? - 142/(113) 14...Bxg4 15.hxg4 Qxg4+ 16.Kh1 Qh3+ - 142/(113) (16...Bxf2N 17.Re2
Alok,S (2205) -Basso,P (2539) Forni di Sopra 142/(113) 2019 (17.Re2 Qg3 18.Qf1 Rxd2!
19.Nxd2 (19.Bxd2? Qxf3+ 20.Kh2 Qh5+ 21.Kg2 Bc5→) 19...Qh4+ 20.Kg2 Qg3+=; 17.Re4
Qh3+ 18.Nh2 Bg3 19.Qg1 Rfe8 20.Qg2∞)) 17.Nh2 Bd6 18.f4 Bxf4 19.Re2∞ Michalik,P (2565)
-Shirov,A (2667) Praha II 142/(113) 2019
14...Nd5 - 142/113
14...Qc8N 15.Qb5 Nd7 16.Bc2 Rfe8 17.Rxe8+ Rxe8 18.Bf5 a6 19.Qc4 Bd6 20.Qh4 Bg6
21.Bxg6 hxg6 22.Ne4 Nce5= Radjabov,T (2758)-Mamedyarov,S (2767) Khanty-Mansiysk
(m/3-rapid) 142/(113) 2019

629
15.Qe4 - 142/113
15.Ne4N Bxf3 16.Qxf3 Qxf3 17.gxf3 Bb6 18.Kf1 Nde7 19.Bg5 h6 20.Bxe7 Nxe7 21.Nf6+
gxf6 22.Rxe7 Rd2 23.Re2 Rfd8 24.Rae1 Kf8= Vachier Lagrave,M (2774) -Aronian,L (2758)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/2) 142/(113) 2019
15...Qxe4 16.Nxe4 Bb6 17.Bg5 f6 18.Rad1 Bf7 19.Bc1 Nde7 20.Bc2 Rxd1 21.Rxd1 Rd8
22.Re1 Ng6 23.b3

23...Nge5
23...a5!
24.Nxe5 Nxe5 25.Bf4 Bg6 26.Bxe5 fxe5 27.Re2 Bxe4 28.Bxe4 c6 29.g3 g6 30.b4

30...Kf7

630
¹30...Rd1+ 31.Kg2 Rc1 32.Bc2 Kf8 33.h4 a5=
31.a4 a6 32.Kg2 Rd7 33.Rb2 Bd8 34.h4 Rc7 35.c4 Ke6 36.b5 cxb5 37.cxb5 Rd7 38.b6 a5
39.Rb5 Rd6 40.Rxa5 Rxb6 41.Ra7 Rb2 42.a5

42...Kf6?
42...Kd6! 43.Bxb7 Bxa5=
43.Bxb7 Bxa5? 44.Bd5!+- Rxf2+ 45.Kg1 e4 46.Ra6+ 1-0
114. * C54
Brkic, Ante (2600) - Onischuk, Vladimir (2616)
Batumi 142/114, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.O-O a5 7.Re1 O-O 8.h3 h6 9.Nbd2 Be6
10.Bb5 Qb8 11.Bxc6 bxc6 12.d4 exd4 13.cxd4 Bb6

631
13...Bb4 - 139/120
14.a4N
14.b3

- 142/(114) 14...Re8N (14...d5) 15.Qc2 Bd7 16.e5 Nd5 17.Ne4∞ Vocaturo,D (2620)-Anton
Guijarro,D (2674) Batumi 142/(114) 2019
14...Qa7 15.Nf1 d5 16.Ng3 c5?

632
16...Nxe4 17.Nxe4 dxe4 18.Rxe4 Rad8 (18...Bd5 19.Rh4∞) 19.Rh4 (19.Bxh6!? gxh6 20.Qd2
Rd6 21.Qxh6 Bf5 22.Qg5+ Bg6 23.Rae1© (23.h4©)) 19...Rd6∞
17.e5?
17.Bxh6! gxh6 (17...dxe4 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.Qd2 Nh7 20.Rxe4+-) 18.exd5 Nxd5 (18...Bxd5
19.Qd2 Kh7 20.Ng5+ Kg8 21.Nf5+-) 19.Nh4 c6 (19...c4 20.Ngf5 Nf6 21.Qd2 Bxf5 22.Nxf5
Bxd4 23.Qxh6 Nh7 24.Re4 Qb6 25.Rxd4+-) 20.Qh5 Bd8 (20...Rfe8 21.Ngf5 Bxf5 22.Nxf5 Re6
23.Rxe6 fxe6 24.Nxh6+ Kf8 25.Ra3 Bd8 26.Rf3+ Bf6 27.Ng4+-) 21.Nhf5 Bxf5 22.Nxf5 Bg5
(22...Bf6 23.Nxh6+ Kg7 24.Nf5+ Kg8 25.Ra3 Nf4 26.Rg3+ Ng6 27.Re6!+-) 23.h4 Nf6
(23...Qd7 24.Qg4+-) 24.Qf3+-
17...Ne4 18.Nxe4
18.Rxe4!? dxe4 19.Bxh6 (19.Nh4 cxd4 20.Nhf5 Bxf5 21.Nxf5 e3 22.Qg4 g6 23.Nxh6+ Kg7
24.Nf5+ Kg8 25.Nh6+ Kg7=) 19...exf3 (19...gxh6) 20.Qxf3 gxh6 21.Nh5 f5™ (21...Rfd8?
22.Qf6 Kf8 23.Ng7 Bd5 24.Nf5+-; 21...Rfe8? 22.Qf6 Kf8 23.Nf4 Kg8 24.Qxh6+-) 22.Qg3+
Kf7 23.Nf4 Rg8 24.Qh4 Bb3 25.Qf6+ Ke8 26.d5 c6 27.Qxc6+ Kf8 28.Qf6+=
18...dxe4 19.Rxe4 cxd4 20.Bxh6! gxh6 21.Qd2 Kg7
21...d3 22.Qxh6 Bxf2+ 23.Kh1 Bf5 24.Nh4 Bxe4 25.Qg5+ Kh7 26.Nf5 Bxf5 27.Qxf5+ Kg7
28.Qg5+=
22.Rh4 Rh8 23.Ng5 Kf8 24.Nxe6+ fxe6 25.Rxh6 Rxh6 26.Qxh6+ Ke7 27.Qf6+ Kd7 28.Qf7+
Kc8 29.Qxe6+ Kb8 30.Qg8+ Kb7 31.Qd5+

633
31...Kb8
31...c6 32.Qd7+ Kb8 (32...Bc7?! 33.Ra3 Qb6 34.Qf7 Qc5 35.Rb3+ Kc8 36.Qe6+ Kd8
37.Qg8+ Ke7 38.Qg7+ (38.Qxa8 Qc1+ 39.Kh2 Qf4+ 40.Rg3 Bxe5=) 38...Kd8 39.Rf3 Kc8
40.Qf8+ Qxf8 41.Rxf8+ Bd8 42.e6 Kb7 43.f4±) 33.Qe8+ (33.Qxc6 Qc7 34.Qb5 Ka7 35.Re1∞)
33...Kb7 34.Qd7+=
32.Qd8+ Kb7 33.Qd5+ Kb8 34.e6?!
34.Qd8+=
34...Qb7 35.Qe5
35.Qd8+ Ka7 36.e7 c5µ
35...Qc6 36.e7 Ka7 37.b4 Qc3 38.Re1 Re8 39.bxa5 Qxa5 40.Qe4 Qb4
40...d3! 41.Rd1 (41.Rb1 d2-+) 41...Qc5 42.Qf3 Qxe7 43.Qxd3 Rf8-+
41.Re2 Bc5
41...Qd6 42.a5 (42.Qd3 Rxe7-+) 42...Bc5 43.a6 c6-+
42.Qc6 Bd6 43.g3 Qb1+
43...d3! 44.Qxe8 dxe2 45.Qa8+ Kxa8 46.e8=Q+ Ka7 47.Qxe2 c5-+
44.Kh2 Qb8 45.Qd5 Qb6 46.Rd2 Rxe7?!
46...c5 47.a5 Qb8 48.a6 Rxe7-+
47.Qxd4 Bc5?
47...Bb4! 48.Rd1 (48.Qxb6+ Kxb6-+) 48...Qxd4 49.Rxd4 c5 50.Rc4 Kb6 51.f4 Ka5 52.f5 Kxa4
53.g4 Kb3-+

634
48.Qf4 Qc6 49.Qc4 Re1 50.Rd5
50.Qd5 Qxd5 51.Rxd5 Bxf2 52.Kg2 Be3 53.Kf3 Kb6µ
50...Rc1 51.Qxc1
51.Qe4 Rf1-+
51...Qxd5 52.h4 Qd4 53.f4 Qd5 54.Qc2 Bb6 55.Qg6?
55.Qg2 Qc4 (55...Qf5 56.Qc6∞) 56.f5 c5 57.Qf3∞
55...c5 56.h5
56.f5 c4 57.f6 c3 58.f7 Bc5 59.Qg7 Qa2+ 60.Kh3 Qe6+ 61.Kg2 Qe2+ 62.Kh3 Qf1+ 63.Kg4
Qc4+ 64.Kh3 Kb6 65.f8=Q Bxf8 66.Qxf8 c2-+
56...c4 57.h6 Bd4 58.f5 c3 59.f6

59...Qe6??
59...Qa2+ 60.Kh3 Qe6+ 61.Kh2 Qe2+ 62.Kh3 c2-+
60.Qg7+??
60.Qh7+ Kb6 61.f7 Bc5 (61...Qf6 62.Kg2 Qf2+ 63.Kh3=) 62.Qh8 Qe2+ 63.Kh3 Qf1+ 64.Kg4
Qd1+ 65.Kh3=
60...Kb6 61.h7 Qxf6 62.Qd7 Qh6+ 0-1

115. C54
Ragger, Markus (2684) - Nyback, Tomi (2565)
Batumi 142/115, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.O-O d6 6.c3 h6 7.Re1 O-O 8.h3 a5 9.Nbd2 Be6

635
10.Bb5 Qb8 11.Nf1 Qa7 12.d4
12.Be3 - 139/(120)
12...exd4 13.Bxc6 bxc6 14.cxd4

14...Bb6?!N
14...Bb4 15.Re2!? ∆d5 16.e5 Ne4 17.Be3ƒ
15.Ng3 Rfe8 16.Be3

16...d5?
16...Bd7 17.Nh4! Nxe4 18.Ngf5 Ng5 (18...Nf6 19.Qf3 Bxf5 20.Nxf5±) 19.Kh2! (19.Qh5 Bxf5
20.Nxf5 a4 21.Bxg5 Rxe1+ 22.Rxe1 Qa5 23.Ne7+ (23.Re5 dxe5 24.Bxh6 Qe1+ 25.Kh2 Qxf2
26.Bxg7 Qf4+ 27.Kh1 Qf1+=) 23...Kf8 24.Re3 Qxg5 25.Qxg5 hxg5 26.Nxc6=) 19...Re4

636
20.Qh5 Rae8 21.Rad1±; 16...a4 17.Qc1±
17.e5 Ne4 18.Nh5 c5 19.Qc1
19.Bxh6 gxh6 20.Qc1 Kf8 (20...Kh7 21.Qf4 Rg8 22.Rxe4! dxe4 23.Nf6+ Kg7 24.d5 exf3
25.dxe6 fxe6 26.Ng4+-) 21.Qxh6+ Ke7 22.Rxe4! dxe4 23.d5 Bxd5 24.Rd1! Rad8 25.Nf6 c6
(25...Be6 26.Ng8+!+-; 25...exf3 26.Nxd5+ Rxd5 27.Rxd5+-) 26.Nh4+-
19...Kf8

19...cxd4 20.Bxh6 d3 21.Rxe4 Bxf2+ 22.Kh1 dxe4 23.Qg5+-

20.Nxg7! Kxg7 21.Bxh6+ Kh7 22.Rxe4 dxe4 23.Qg5 Rg8 24.Qh5 Rg6 25.Ng5+
25.Bg5+ Kg8 26.Bf6 Kf8 27.Ng5 Bd5 28.Qh8+ Rg8 29.Nh7+ Ke8 30.Qxg8+ Kd7 31.Qg4++-
25...Kg8 26.Nxe4 Bf5 27.Nf6+ Rxf6 28.exf6 Bg6 29.Qh4 cxd4 30.Bg7 Bh7 31.Qg5
31.Bf8!

637
31...Kxf8 (31...Bc5 32.Qg5+ Bg6 33.Bxc5+-; 31...Qb8 32.Qg5+ Bg6 33.Be7+-) 32.Re1+-
31...Bc5
31...d3 32.Bh8+ Kf8 33.Qg7+ Ke8 34.Qxh7 Bxf2+ 35.Kh1 Qe3 36.Qg8+ Kd7 37.Qxa8 d2
38.Qd5+ Kc8 39.Qxa5+-
32.Bh8+ Kf8 33.Re1 1-0

116. * C65
Narayanan, SL. (2611) - Anton Guijarro, David (2674)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/3-rapid) 142/116, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.Bxc6 dxc6 6.Nbd2 Nd7 7.Nc4 O-O 8.Ne3
8.Rg1!?N Re8 9.g4 a5 (9...b5!? 10.Ne3 Nf8∞) 10.Bg5 Be7 11.Bxe7 Qxe7 12.Qd2 a4 13.Ne3
Nc5 14.Nf5 Qf8 15.O-O-O b5 16.Kb1 Rb8 17.Qb4

638
17...f6 (17...Ne6∞) 18.g5 Bxf5 19.exf5 Nd7 20.Qh4→ Anand,V (2756) -Grischuk,A (2759)
Amsterdam (blitz) 142/(116) 2019; 8.O-O Re8 9.Bd2 (9.Kh1 - 117/96) 9...f6 10.Nh4 Nf8
11.Ne3 Ne6∞
8...Re8

9.g4!? Bxe3
9...Nf6!? 10.h3 a5∞
10.Bxe3 Nf8N
10...Qe7 11.Qe2 c5=
11.Rg1 Qd6 12.Qd2 a5 13.Nh4 Ne6 14.Nf5 Qb4 15.c3 Qb5 16.O-O-O c5 17.f4
17.h4 a4 18.h5ƒ

639
17...exf4 18.Bxf4 a4
18...Ra6!?
19.a3² Qc6?!
19...Ra6 20.Be5 Qb3 21.Rdf1→
20.Be5 Ra6 21.Rdf1 Qd7

22.Nh6+!?
22.g5! … Nh6‚
22...gxh6 23.Qxh6 f6?!
23...Qe7 24.g5 Qf8 25.Bf6 Qxh6 26.gxh6+ Kf8 27.Rf3 Nd8 28.e5 Nc6 29.Rg7 Nxe5 30.Bxe5
Rxe5 31.Rgxf7+ Ke8 32.Rf8+ Kd7 33.R3f7+ Ke6 34.Rxh7±
24.Bxf6 Qxd3 25.Rf5 Qxe4 26.Rgf1+- Qd3 27.Rg5+ Kf7 28.Qh5+
28.Re1 (… Rg7) 28...Rg8 29.Rf5
28...Kf8 29.Bg7+ Ke7 30.Qf7+ Kd6 31.Rd1 Qxd1+ 32.Kxd1 Nxg5 33.Qxe8 Bxg4+ 34.Kc1
Ne6 35.Bf6 c4 36.Be7+ Ke5 37.Qb5+ Kf4 38.Qxc4+ Kf5 39.Qd3+ Kf4 40.Qg3+ Kf5
41.Qd3+ Kf4 42.Qxh7 Ra5 43.h3 Bf5 44.Qh4+ Kf3 45.Qb4 Re5 46.Qxb7+ Kf4 47.Bh4 Re2
48.Qb4+
48.Qb5+-
48...Kf3 49.Qb7+ Be4 50.Qb4?

640
50.Qc8 Rc2+ 51.Kd1+-
50...Nf4!= 51.Qf8 Rc2+ 52.Kd1 Rxb2 53.Bg5 Rb1+ 54.Kd2 Rb2+ 55.Kc1 Rb1+ 1/2-1/2

117. ** C65
Ivanchuk, Vassily (2691) - Deac, Bogdan Daniel (2623)
Forni di Sopra 142/117, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.Bxc6 dxc6 6.Nbd2 O-O
6...Be6 - 140/129
7.Nc4 Nd7 8.h4!?
8.Qe2 Re8 9.Bd2 b5 10.Na5 Qf6 11.a4 Bb6 12.Nb3 a5„
8...Re8 9.h5

641
9.Bg5 f6 10.Be3 b5!? (10...Bb4+ 11.Bd2 Bf8 12.h5 Nc5 13.Ne3²) 11.Bxc5 Nxc5 12.Ne3 a5
13.h5 a4∞
9...b5!?N

9...f6 10.Nh4 Nf8 11.Be3 Bxe3 12.Nxe3 Ne6 13.Qd2 c5 14.O-O-O²; 9...Nf6 10.Be3 Bxe3
11.Nxe3 Ng4 12.Qd2 h6 13.O-O-O a5„
10.Ne3 Nf8 - 142/117
10...Nf6!? 11.h6 g6 12.Bd2 (12.Qe2 Bf8; 12.a4 Ng4 13.Nxg4 Bxg4 14.Be3 Qd6 15.Qd2 Bxf3
16.gxf3 Bb6 17.Ke2 a5∞) 12...Qd6 13.Rh4 Bxe3 14.Bxe3 (14.fxe3 a5∞) 14...Qb4+ 15.Nd2
Qxb2 16.Nb3 a5 17.Bc1 Qc3+ 18.Bd2 Qb2=; 10...Nb6N 11.Nh4 Be7 12.Nhf5 Bg5 13.Qg4
Qf6 14.Qg3 Bf4 15.Ng4 Qxf5 16.Nh6+ Kh8 17.Nxf5 Bxg3 18.Nxg3² Deac,B (2613) -
Georgiadis,N (2528) Batumi 142/(117) 2019; 10...Bf8N 11.g4 h6 (11...c5!? 12.h6 g6 13.b3 a5

642
14.a4 (14.g5 a4 15.Bb2 Bd6∞) 14...bxa4 15.bxa4 (15.Rxa4 Nb6 16.Ra2 a4 17.Bb2 f6 18.g5 f5∞)
15...f6 16.Nd2 Nb6 17.Qf3 (17.Ndc4 Nxc4 18.Nxc4 Be6 … Qd7∞) 17...Be6 18.Bb2 Bd6
19.Bc3 Rf8 … Qd7) 12.Nf5 (12.Bd2!? a5 13.Rg1 Nf6 14.a4²) 12...Nf6 13.Rg1 Nh7 (13...Bxf5
14.gxf5 Kh8 15.Qe2 c5 (15...a5 16.a4 Bc5 17.Nh2²) 16.b3²) 14.Be3

(14.g5 Bxf5 15.gxh6 Kh8 16.exf5 e4„) 14...f6 (14...Kh8 15.Kf1 a5 16.a4²) 15.N3h4 Ng5
16.Kf1 Be6 17.Kg2 c5 18.a4 (18.Ng6 c4 19.Bxg5 fxg5 20.Qf3 cxd3 21.Rad1ƒ) 18...a6 Ivic,V
(2510)-Balogh,C (2587) Greece 142/(117) 2019 (18...a6 19.Ng6²)
11.Bd2
11.h6 g6 12.Bd2 a5 13.a4 Bxe3 14.fxe3 (14.Bxe3 Bg4„) 14...b4 15.b3 c5 16.Bc1 c4!? 17.bxc4
Nd7© 18.Bb2 f6 19.d4 exd4 20.Qxd4 Bb7 21.O-O-O Bc6 22.e5 fxe5 23.Nxe5 Rxe5 24.Qxe5
Nxe5 25.Rxd8+ Rxd8 26.Bxe5 Bxa4 27.Rf1 b3=
11...Rb8!?
11...h6 12.Nh4 a5 13.a4 b4 14.b3 Ne6 15.Nhf5 Nd4 16.g4²
12.a3
12.h6 g6 13.b4 (13.O-O Qe7 14.a3 Bxe3 15.fxe3 c5 16.Bc3 Nd7 17.Nh2 Rb6∞) 13...Bd6
14.Bc3 (14.a4 a6 15.O-O Ne6∞) 14...Qe7 15.a3 f6∞
12...Bd4 13.c3 Bc5 14.Qc2 Qf6 15.O-O-O!?
15.h6 g6 16.b4 Bd6 17.Kf1!? (17.c4 bxc4 18.dxc4 Qe6 19.Qa4 a5! 20.Qxa5 f5 21.exf5 gxf5©;
17.a4 a6 18.axb5 axb5 19.d4 Qe7 20.dxe5 Bxe5 21.Nxe5 Qxe5 22.f3 Qg3+ 23.Kf1 Be6 24.c4
Nd7 25.cxb5 cxb5 26.Qc3 f6 27.Be1 Qd6∞) 17...Ne6 (17...Be6 18.c4 bxc4 19.Nxc4 Bg4
20.Bg5 Qh8 21.Ncd2 Bd7 22.Be3 Ne6 23.Rc1²) 18.Ng4 Qh8 19.Re1 c5 (19...a5 20.bxa5 Ra8
21.d4 exd4 22.e5 d3 23.Qb2 Be7 24.c4±) 20.Kg1!? (20.g3 a5! 21.bxa5 c4„) 20...Nf4 21.Ne3²
15...h6 16.d4 exd4 17.cxd4

643
17.e5 d3 18.Qxd3 Qe6„
17...Bxd4 18.Nxd4 Qxd4

19.Bb4
19.Ba5 Qa4!? 20.Bxc7 Rb7 21.Qxc6 Qxe4=; 19.Bc3 Qc5 (19...Qxe4 20.Qxe4 Rxe4 21.Rd8 Ra8
22.Nf5 Bb7 23.Rhd1 c5 24.Rxa8 Bxa8 25.Rd8 Bc6 26.Bxg7 Re8 27.Rxe8 Bxe8 28.Bxh6²) 20.g4
a5! 21.Bxa5 Ne6„
19...Qe5 20.f3 Qg5 21.Bd2 Qf6 22.Kb1 Be6 23.Bc3
23.Nf5 Bxf5 24.exf5 c5!? 25.Qxc5 (25.Bc3 Qb6 26.Rh4 Nh7! 27.Rg4 Nf6 28.Bxf6 Qxf6
29.Qxc5 Re2 30.Rdd4 Rbe8³) 25...Re5 26.Qxc7 Qxf5+ 27.Qc2 Ne6=
23...Qg5 24.Qf2!?
24.Bd2=
24...Rbd8 25.Rxd8 Rxd8
25...Qxd8 26.Qg3 f6 27.Rd1 Qe7 28.Ba5 Rc8 29.Nf5 (29.Qf4 c5 30.Nf5 Qf7 31.g4 Bb3 32.Rc1
b4³) 29...Bxf5 30.exf5 Qe2 31.Rd2 Qe8 32.Qf2∞
26.f4 Qe7 27.Qf3?!
27.Qg3 f6 28.f5 Bb3 29.Bxf6 Qxf6 30.Ng4 Bc2+ 31.Kxc2 Qg5 32.f6 Ne6∞
27...f6
27...Nh7!? 28.e5 c5 29.Rd1 (29.f5 Bb3µ) 29...Rxd1+ (29...Bb3 30.Nf5 Qe8 31.Rxd8 Qxd8
32.Kc1 Be6 33.g4∞) 30.Qxd1 b4 31.Be1 Nf8³
28.f5 Bf7 29.Ng4

644
29.e5 fxe5 30.Qxc6 Nh7 31.Qxb5 Qg5 32.Qe2 Nf6! 33.Bxe5 Nd5³
29...Nd7 30.Re1 Qd6 31.Rd1 Qe7 32.Qg3 Kh7 33.Re1 Bxh5µ 34.e5 Bxg4
¹34...fxe5 35.Nxe5 Nxe5 36.Qxe5 Qg5!-+
35.Qxg4 Nxe5 36.Bxe5 fxe5 37.Qg6+ Kh8 38.Qxc6 b4!?
38...Qf6 39.Qe6 Rd6 40.Qe8+ Kh7 41.Rxe5 c6µ
39.axb4 Qf6
¹39...Rd6 40.Qc5 Kh7 41.Rxe5 (41.Qxe5?? Rd1+-+) 41...Qd7³
40.Qxf6 gxf6 41.Rc1 Rd7 42.Rc6 Kg7 43.g4 Rf7

44.Rc4!?
44.b5 h5 45.gxh5 Kh6 46.Ra6=
44...h5 45.gxh5 Kh6 46.Rg4 Kxh5 47.Rg6 e4 48.Kc2 Rd7 49.Rxf6 Kg4 50.Rf8
50.b5 Kf4 51.Kc3 Ke5 52.Rf8=
50...e3
50...Kf3 51.f6 Rd6 (51...e3 52.Re8 e2 53.Re5! Rf7 54.Kd3 Rd7+ (54...Rxf6 55.Re3+!=) 55.Kc3
Kf2 56.Rf5+=) 52.b5! e3 53.f7 Rd7 54.Rh8! Rxf7 55.Kd1 Kf2 56.Rh2+ Kf1 57.Rh1+ Kg2
58.Rh8 Rf2 59.Rh7 Rxb2 60.Re7=
51.f6 e2 52.Re8 Kf3 53.Re5! a6 54.Kc3= c6 55.Kc2 Kf2 56.Rf5+ Kg3 57.Re5 Kf3 58.Kc3
Kf2 59.Rf5+ Ke1 60.Kc2 Rd2+ 61.Kc1 Rd1+ 62.Kc2 Rd2+ 63.Kc1 Rd1+ 64.Kc2 Rd2+ 1/2-
1/2

118. **** C67

Grandelius, Nils (2691) - Adams, Michael (2694)

645
 Batumi 142/118, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.Re1 Nd6 6.Nxe5 Be7 7.Bf1 Nf5 8.Nf3 O-O 9.d4
d5 10.Nc3
10.c3 - 111/(146)
10...Nh4
10...Bb4

11.h3N (11.Bf4 Nce7 12.a3 Bd6=; 11.a3

11...Ba5N (11...Bxc3) 12.b4 Bb6 13.Ne2 Re8 14.c3 Nce7 15.a4 c6 16.a5 Bc7 17.Nf4∞
Haldorsen,B (2440) -Pashikian,A (2599) Batumi 142/(118) 2019) 11...Nce7 - 142/(118)
(11...Nh4N 12.Ne5 Ng6 13.Nxg6 fxg6 14.a3 Be7 15.Be3= Ivic,V (2531)-Andreikin, D (2733)

646
Ulcinj 142/(118) 2019) 12.Bd3 c6 13.a3 Ba5 14.Bd2 Ng6∞ Wei,Y (2737)-Rapport,R (2735)
China 142/(118) 2019
11.Nxh4 Bxh4 12.Ne2

12...Bf5N
12...Re8
13.c3

13...Qd7N
13...Re8 - 142/(118) 14.g3 Bf6 15.Be3 Ne7 16.Nf4² Grandelius,N (2691)-Sargissian,G (2681)
Helsingor 142/ (118) 2019
14.g3 Bd8?!

647
14...Bf6 15.Nf4 Rae8 16.Rxe8 (16.Be3 Nd8 17.Bg2 c6=) 16...Rxe8 17.Bg2 Be4 18.Bh3
(18.Bxe4 Rxe4 19.h4 Nd8 20.Kg2 c6∞) 18...Qd8 (18...Bf5 19.g4 Be6 20.Nxe6 Qxe6 21.Bd2²)
19.Nh5 Be7 20.Be3∞
15.Nf4 Ne7 16.Nd3
16.b3 Re8 (16...Nc8 17.c4! dxc4 18.bxc4²) 17.Ba3 c6 18.Qh5 g6 (18...Ba5?! 19.Rxe7 Rxe7
20.Bxe7 Bxc3 21.Rc1 Bd2 22.Ba3 Bxc1 23.Bxc1±) 19.Qh6²
16...b6?!
16...c6 17.Nc5 Qc8 18.Bf4²
17.Ne5 Qc8 18.b3 f6 19.Nd3 Qd7 20.Ba3 Re8
20...Rf7 21.c4 c6 22.Bg2
21.Nf4 c6 22.Qe2?
22.Qf3 Rc8 (22...Bc7? 23.Rxe7 Rxe7 24.Bxe7 Qxe7 25.Nxd5+-) 23.c4±
22...Bc7

23.Qxe7?
23.Bxe7 Bd6=; 23.Ng2∞
23...Rxe7 24.Rxe7 Qc8
24...Qd8?! 25.Ne6 Qxe7! (25...Bxe6 26.Rxe6 Qd7 27.Re7 Qd8 28.Rae1±) 26.Bxe7 Bxe6=
25.Nh5 Bg6 26.Rxg7+ Kh8 27.Re1 c5?

648
27...Bxh5 28.Ree7 Qf5 29.Rxc7 Re8 30.Rxa7 Bg6µ
28.Ree7?
28.Rxg6!? hxg6 29.Nxf6 Qf5 30.Ne8 Qf7 31.Bb5³; 28.c4! Bxh5 (28...dxc4 29.Bb2!©; 28...Bd6
29.Rxg6! hxg6 30.Nxf6©) 29.Ree7 Bg6 (29...Bd6?? 30.Rxh7+ Kg8 31.Reg7+ Kf8 32.Bg2+-)
30.Rxc7 Qg4 31.dxc5 Qf3 (31...Qd1?! 32.Rxg6 hxg6 33.c6©) 32.Rxg6 hxg6 33.cxd5 Qxd5
34.c6³
28...Bd6 29.Rb7
29.Rd7 Bf8 30.Rc7 Qf5-+
29...Qf5 30.Be2
30.dxc5 Be5-+
30...Re8 31.Bg4 Qxg4
31...Qb1+ 32.Kg2 Be4+ 33.Kh3 (33.f3 Bd3 34.Kh3 Re2-+) 33...Qf1+ 34.Kh4 Qxf2-+
32.Rxh7+ Bxh7 33.Rxh7+ Kxh7 34.Nxf6+ Kg6 35.Nxg4 Re2 36.Kg2 Rxa2 37.Bc1 Rc2 0-1

119. * C67
Gukesh, Dommaraju (2520) - Leko, Peter (2670)
Douglas 142/119, 2019

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.Nc3 Bxd4 14.Nd5 d6 15.Bg5 f6 16.Bh4

649
16...g5!?N
16...Bxb2 - 141/113
17.Qe4 Bxb2 18.Re1 Be5 19.f4!?
19.Bd3 f5 20.Qc4 gxh4 (20...Kh8 21.f4 gxh4 22.fxe5 Be6 23.exd6 Bxd5 24.Qxd5 Nxd6
25.Qd4+ Kg8 26.Qd5+ Kh8=) 21.Nxc7+ Kg7 22.Nxa8 Bd7 23.Qb4 b6 (23...Qxa8 24.Rxe5
dxe5 25.Qe7++-) 24.Qa3 a5 25.Rxe5 dxe5 26.Nxb6 Qxb6 27.Qe7+ Kg6 28.Qxd7 Qb1+ 29.Bf1
Nf6 30.Qa4 Qb4 31.Qc6=
19...gxh4 20.fxe5 dxe5 21.Bd3 Bf5
21...Kf8!?
22.Qxf5 Qxd5

650
23.Qxh7+
23.Re4!? Ng7 24.Rg4 Qd4+! 25.Kf1 Kf7 (25...e4 26.Qxe4 Qxe4 27.Rxe4 (27.Bxe4 c6 28.Rxh4
h5 29.Bf3=) 27...Re8 28.Rxh4 h5 29.Ra4 a6 30.Rb4 b5 31.a4 c6 (31...c5 32.Rf4 c4 33.Bg6 Rf8
34.Rd4²) 32.axb5 axb5 33.c4 bxc4 34.Bxc4+ Kf8 35.Rb6=) 26.Rxg7+ Kxg7 27.Qxh7+ Kf8
28.Qh8+ Ke7 29.Qxa8 Qf4+ 30.Ke2 Qg4+ 31.Kd2 Qf4+ 32.Kd1 Qg4+ 33.Kc1 (33.Be2 Qd4+
34.Kc1 Qa1+ 35.Kd2 Qd4+ 36.Ke1 Qg1+=) 33...Qf4+ 34.Kb2 Qb4+=
23...Kf8

24.Qh6+ - 142/119
24.Kh1!?N Rd8 25.Qh6+ Ke7 26.Qh7+ Kf8 27.Qxh4 Qg8 28.Qb4+ Nd6 29.Qc5 Qf7 30.Qxa7
e4 31.Bf1∞ Guseinov,G (2660)-Georgiadis,N (2528) Batumi 142/(119) 2019
24...Ke7 25.Qh7+ Kf8 26.Qh6+ Ke7 27.Qh7+ Kf8 1/2-1/2

120. C68
Shankland, Samuel (2679) - Plat, Vojtech (2570)
Ulcinj 142/120, 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.O-O Qd6 6.Na3 Be6 7.Qe2 f6 8.d4!? exd4 9.Rd1
c5?!
9...Bg4! 10.c3 (10.Be3 Ne7 11.Nc4 Qd7 12.Rxd4 Qe6∞) 10...Ne7! (10...Qe6 11.Nxd4 Bxe2
12.Nxe6 Bxd1 13.Nxc7+ Kf7 14.Nxa8 Bxa3 15.bxa3 Ne7 (15...Bc2 - 110/183) 16.Nb6²;
10...O-O-O 11.Rxd4 Qe7 12.Rxd8+ Qxd8 13.Nc4²) 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Qxf3 Qe6 13.cxd4 O-O-O∞
10.c3

651
10...d3N
10...g5!? 11.e5 (11.cxd4 g4 12.Nh4 cxd4 13.Nf5 Bxf5 14.exf5+ Qe7 15.Qxg4 O-O-O∞)
11...Qd5 12.exf6 O-O-O
11.Rxd3 Qc6

12.b4! Ne7 13.bxc5 Qxc5 14.e5 f5 15.Nd4

15.Ng5!?
15...Bd5 16.c4 Be4 17.Rd1 Ng6 18.f3?!
18.Ne6 Qxe5 19.Nxf8 Rxf8 20.Bb2 Qe7 21.Qe3 Kf7³; 18.Nb3 Qxe5 (18...Qb6 19.Nc2 Be7
20.Be3 Qe6 21.f4∞) 19.f3 Bd6! (19...Bc6? 20.Qxe5+ Nxe5 21.Re1±) 20.Rxd6 cxd6 21.fxe4 O-
O 22.Bb2 Qe7∞

652
18...O-O-O! 19.Be3
19.Bb2 Nf4 20.Qe3 Nd3
19...Qxa3 20.fxe4 Bc5 21.Nb3
21.Kh1 f4 22.Bg1 Rhe8µ
21...Rxd1+ 22.Rxd1 Nf4 23.Qf2 Bxe3 24.Qxe3 Qxa2 25.Qxf4 Qxb3 26.Qxf5+ Kb8 27.Qd7
27.Rd7? Qb6+ 28.Kf1 Re8µ
27...Qxc4 28.e6 Qc6 29.Qe7?!
29.Qxc6! bxc6 30.Rd7

30...Re8 (30...g6 31.Rf7 Kb7 32.e7 Re8 33.Rxh7 a5 34.Kf2∞) 31.Rxg7 Rxe6 32.Rxh7 Rxe4∞
29...Ka7 30.Rd7

653
30...Qc1+?
30...Qb6+! 31.Kf1 Rc8 32.Qf7 c5 33.g3 Rc6! 34.Kg2 Qb3! (34...Rxe6 35.Rxb7+ Qxb7 36.Qxe6
a5µ) 35.Re7 a5µ
31.Kf2 Qf4+ 32.Kg1 Qc1+ 1/2-1/2

654
D00-D24

132. D11
Delchev, Aleksander (2561) - Varga, Zoltan (2424)
Srbija 142/132, 2019

1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 c6 3.c4 dxc4 4.e3 Be6?! 5.Nc3

5.Ng5?? Qa5+-+
5...b5
5...h6?! 6.Be2 Nf6 7.O-O Nbd7 8.e4 Nb6 9.a4 a5 10.Be3 Bg4 11.Ne5 Bxe2 12.Qxe2 e6 13.d5!;
5...Nf6 6.Ng5 Qc8 7.Be2 h6 8.Nxe6 Qxe6 9.O-O Nbd7 10.Qc2 Nb6 11.e4 Qd7 12.Be3 e6
13.a4 Bb4 14.a5±
6.Be2!
6.Ng5 Bd7 7.b3 e5„; 6.a4 b4 7.Ne4 Nf6!„ - 94/(282)
6...Nf6
6...h6 7.O-O Nf6 8.Ne5±
7.O-O
7.Ng5 Bd7 8.a4 h6 9.Nf3 b4=
7...g6
7...Nbd7 8.Ng5 Bf5 9.e4 Bg6 10.e5 h6 11.Nh3 Nd5 12.Nxd5 cxd5 13.Nf4 e6 14.Nxg6 fxg6
15.a4 a6 16.Bg4±
8.Ng5! Bd7!
8...Qd7?! 9.e4 (9.Nxe6 Qxe6 10.Bf3) 9...Bg7 10.e5 Nd5 11.Nxe6 Qxe6 12.a4±; 8...Bc8?! 9.a4!
ƒ
9.a4
9.b3!?
9...h6N

655
9...a5!? 10.axb5 cxb5 11.e4 h6 (11...b4 12.Bxc4+-) 12.Nf3 (12.Nxf7 Kxf7 13.e5) 12...Bg7
13.e5 Nh7 14.d5 O-O 15.Nd4 b4 16.Ne4ƒ
10.Nge4!
10.Nf3 b4 11.Nb1 Bg7 12.Bxc4 O-O 13.Ne5 e6 14.Nd3 a5 15.Nd2 Bc8 16.b3 Nbd7 17.Bb2
Bb7 18.Rc1 Rc8 19.Nc5 Nxc5 20.dxc5 Qe7 21.Qc2 Rfd8 (21...Qxc5 22.Bxf6 Bxf6 23.Qxg6+±)
22.Rfd1²
10...b4
10...a5 11.Nc5±; 10...Nxe4 11.Nxe4 Bg7 12.b3! cxb3 13.Qxb3ƒ
11.Nxf6+ exf6 12.Ne4
12.Nb1 Bg7! 13.Bxc4 O-O 14.Nd2 a5 15.Nb3 f5 16.Bd2 Na6 17.Qc2 Nc7 18.Nc5 Re8 19.Rac1
Ne6²
12...Be6

656
13.Qc2!
13.Nd2 Bg7 14.Nxc4 f5! 15.a5 O-O 16.Bd2 c5!? (16...Qe7 17.Qa4 c5 18.dxc5 Na6„) 17.dxc5
Na6 18.Nd6 Nxc5 19.Bxb4 Nb3 20.Ra3 Rb8„
13...f5 14.Nd2
14.Nc5?! Bxc5 15.dxc5 Nd7 16.Bxc4 Qe7 17.Bxe6 Qxe6 18.b3 O-O 19.Bb2 Rad8 20.Rad1
Nf6=
14...Bg7 15.Bxc4 Bd5?!
15...Bxc4 16.Qxc4 a5 17.Nb3² (×c6) 17...O-O 18.Bd2 Qb6 19.Rfc1 Rc8 20.Rc2 Nd7 21.Rac1
Qd8 22.Qe2 Nb6 23.Nc5 Bf8 24.b3 Nd5 25.Nd3²
16.a5!
16.Nb3 a5 17.Bxd5 Qxd5 18.f3 O-O 19.e4 Qe6 20.Be3 Nd7 21.Rac1 Rfe8„
16...O-O 17.Nb3± [×b4, c6] 17...Bxc4 18.Qxc4 Qd5 19.Qc2?!
19.Qxd5 cxd5 20.Nc5 Rc8 21.Bd2 Nc6 22.Rfc1 Bf8 23.Nd3! Bd6 24.Rc2 Ne7 25.Rxc8+ Rxc8
26.Bxb4 Bxb4 27.Nxb4 Rb8 28.Ra4±
19...Na6 20.Bd2 c5!
20...Rfd8 21.Rfd1 c5 22.dxc5 Qd3 23.Qxd3 Rxd3 24.Nd4!±; 20...Rac8 21.Rfc1 c5 22.dxc5 Rfd8
23.Be1²
21.dxc5 Rfc8!
21...Rac8 22.Rfc1 Rfd8 23.Be1 Qd3 24.Nd4 Qxc2 25.Rxc2 Bxd4 26.exd4 Rxd4 27.c6±
22.Rac1 Nxc5! 23.Nxc5 b3 24.Qd1 Rxc5 25.Rxc5 Qxc5 26.Qxb3 Rc8 27.Rd1 Qc7

657
27...Qc2 28.Qxc2 Rxc2 29.b4 Rb2 30.Kf1 Bf8 31.Bc3 Rb3 32.Bf6!+-
28.Be1 Rb8?

28...Be5 29.Qa2 Bxh2+ 30.Kf1 Be5 31.b4²

29.Rd7!+- Rxb3 30.Rxc7 a6 31.Rc8+ Kh7 32.Rc6 Rxb2 33.Kf1 g5 34.Rxa6 Ra2 35.Rc6 g4
36.a6 h5 37.g3 Bf8 38.Bc3 1-0
133. !N D11
Grischuk, Alexander (2764) - Duda, Jan Krzysztof (2748)
Hamburg (m/5-blitz) 142/133, 2019

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bd3 Nbd7 6.b3 b6 7.O-O Bb7 8.Bb2 dxc4?!
8...Bd6 - 103/282
9.bxc4 c5?

658
10.d5!N
10.Nbd2; 10.Nc3
10...exd5 11.cxd5 Bxd5 12.e4 Bc6 13.Re1! Qe7
13...Be7 14.e5 Nd5

15.e6! fxe6 16.Bxg7 Rg8 17.Nd4! Rxg7 (17...cxd4?? 18.Qh5#) 18.Qh5+ Rf7 19.Nxc6 Nf4
20.Nxd8 Nxh5 21.Nxf7 Kxf7 (21...Bf6 22.Nd2 Bxa1 23.Ng5! Bc3 24.Rxe6+ Kd8 25.Nde4+-)
22.Nd2+-
14.Nc3 O-O-O 15.Nd5! Qe8 16.a4 Bd6 17.Ba6+ Kb8 18.Qb3
18.Bb5! Ne5 (18...Bb7 19.Nxf6+-) 19.Bxe5 Bxe5 20.Nxe5 Bxb5 21.axb5 Qxe5 22.Qa4+-
18...Nxe4 19.a5 Bc7 20.axb6 axb6 21.Bb5 Bb7 22.Qa4 Qe6

659
23.Bc6!! Bxh2+
23...Qxc6? 24.Qa7+ Kc8 25.Ne7#; 23...Bxc6? 24.Qa7+ Kc8 25.Qxc7#
24.Nxh2 Qxc6 25.Qa7+ Kc8 26.Ne7+ Kc7 27.Nxc6 Ra8 28.Rxe4 Rxa7 29.Rxa7 Kxc6

30.Re7+- Rd8 31.Nf3 b5 32.Rxf7 b4 33.Rxg7 Kb6 34.Ra1 Bxf3 35.gxf3 Nf8 36.Rg8 c4 37.Bg7
Ne6 38.Rxd8 Nxd8 39.Rc1 Kb5 40.f4 Ne6 41.Be5 Nc5 42.Kf1 Nd3 43.Rd1 Kc5 44.Ke2 Kd5
45.Rh1 Nc5 46.Rxh7 c3 47.Bxc3 bxc3 48.Rc7 c2 49.Kd2 Ne4+ 50.Kxc2 Nxf2 51.Kd2 Ke4
52.Ke2 Ng4 53.Rc4+ Kf5 54.Kf3 Nh2+ 55.Kg2 Ng4 56.Kg3 Ne3 57.Rc5+ Kf6 58.Kf3 Nf5
59.Ra5 Kg6 60.Ra6+ 1-0

134. D14
Halkias, Stelios (2530) - Van Foreest, Jorden (2621)
Batumi 142/134, 2019

660
1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.c4 c6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bf4 Bf5 7.e3 e6 8.Rc1
8.Qb3 - 140/147
8...Nd7!?
8...a6
9.Qb3N
9.Bb5; 9.a3
9...Qb6
9...Na5 10.Qa4 Nc6 11.Bb5 (11.Qb5)
10.Nb5 Bb4+?

10...Rc8 11.Be2 (11.Nd6+ Bxd6 12.Bxd6 Qxb3 13.axb3 a6; 11.Nc7+ Kd8 12.Nb5 Nf6
(12...Bb4+)) 11...a6! (11...Bb4+?? 12.Qxb4+-) 12.Nd6+ (12.Nc7+ Kd8 13.Qxb6 Nxb6
14.Nxa6 bxa6 15.Bxa6 Kd7) 12...Bxd6 13.Bxd6 Qxb3 14.axb3 Bg4! (14...h5 15.O-O h4 16.h3
f6 17.Rc3! Kf7 18.Rfc1) 15.b4 Nb6=
11.Kd1!
11.Nd2? e5! 12.dxe5 O-Oƒ
11...Rc8
11...O-O?? 12.Bc7 Qa6 13.Nd6+-
12.Bd6
12.Bc7! Rxc7 13.Nxc7+ Ke7 (13...Qxc7 14.Qxb4+-) 14.a3 Ba5 15.Qxb6 Bxb6 16.Nb5+-
12...a6

661
13.Qxb4! axb5 14.Qxb5 f6 15.Qxb6 Nxb6 16.Bb5 Kd7! 17.Bc5 Nc4 18.Bxc4 dxc4 19.Rxc4
Be4?
19...b6! 20.Bxb6 Rb8 21.d5! exd5 22.Rxc6 Kxc6 23.Nd4+ Kxb6 24.Nxf5²
20.Rc3 Ra8 21.Nd2 Bd5 22.a3+- b6 23.e4 bxc5 24.exd5 Nxd4 25.Rxc5 e5 26.Nc4 Rhb8
27.Re1 Ra6 28.Re3 Nb3 29.Rc6
29.Rxb3 Rxb3 30.Kc2 Rb7 31.b4
29...Rxc6 30.dxc6+ Kc7
30...Kxc6? 31.Rxb3 Rxb3 32.Na5+
31.Rc3
31.Rg3 g6 32.Rf3 Rd8+ 33.Ke1 Rd4 34.Ne3
31...Rd8+ 32.Ke1 Nd4 33.Na5 f5 34.Rc5 e4 35.b4 f4 36.Re5?
36.a4+-
36...f3 37.Re7+ Kc8 38.gxf3 exf3

662
39.Kf1
39.Rd7!
39...Nc2! 40.Rd7 Rxd7 41.cxd7+ Kxd7 42.Nc4 Kc6 43.a4 Nxb4 44.Ne5+ Kb6 45.Nxf3 Nd5²
46.Ng5 Nf6 47.Ne6 g6 48.Ke2 Ka5 49.Kf3 Kxa4 50.Kf4 Kb5 51.f3 Kc6 52.Kg5 Nd7
53.Kh6 Kd6 54.Ng5 Ke5 55.Nxh7 Kf4 56.h4 Kxf3 57.Kxg6 Kg4 58.h5 Ne5+ 59.Kf6 Kxh5
60.Kxe5 1/2-1/2

135. D23
Dubov, Daniil (2676) - Duda, Jan Krzysztof (2748)
Hamburg (m/2) 142/135, 2019

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qb3 dxc4 5.Qxc4 Bf5 6.g3 e6 7.Bg2 Be7 8.O-O O-O 9.Qb3 Qb6
10.Nbd2 Nbd7 11.Nc4 Qxb3
11...Qa6 - 102/295
12.axb3 Be4 13.Bf4 c5 14.Rfc1 Rfc8
14...cxd4
15.Nd6
15.Bd6 Kf8!=
15...Bxd6 16.Bxd6 cxd4 17.Nxd4 Bxg2 18.Kxg2 a6 19.f3 Ne8 20.Bb4

663
20...g6N
20...Nb6 21.e4!? (21.Ba5)
21.e4
21.Bc3!?
21...e5 22.Ne2 Rxc1
22...Nc7 23.Rd1 Nb8 24.Bd6 Nc6 25.Nc3 Nb5=; 22...Nf8!?
23.Rxc1 f6 24.Rd1 Nf8 25.f4 exf4 26.Nxf4 Rc8 27.Kh3?!
27.Rd2 g5 28.Nd5 Ng6 29.Ne3ƒ; 27.Kf3!?
27...g5 28.Nh5 Ne6
28...Rc2!?
29.Rf1 Nc5

664
29...Rc6!?
30.Nxf6+
30.Kg4!? Kf7 (30...Nxe4 31.Re1! N8d6 32.Bxd6 Nxd6 33.Nxf6+ Kg7 34.Re6²) 31.e5 Nd7
32.Bc3 h6=
30...Nxf6 31.Rxf6 Nxe4= 32.Re6 Nf2+ 33.Kg2 1/2-1/2
136. **** D24
Erdos, Viktor (2613) - Xiong, Jeffery (2712)
Saint Louis 142/136, 2019

1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.e4 b5 6.e5 Nd5 7.Nxb5 Nb6 8.Be2 Be7 9.O-O Nc6
10.Qd2 Bb7
10...O-O - 138/161
11.Rd1 Qd7 12.Qf4?!

665
12.b3 cxb3 13.axb3 Nb4 14.Nd6+ cxd6 15.Qxb4 O-O 16.Ba3 Nd5 17.Qd2 Rfc8=
12...g5!
12...Nb4 13.Nc3 f5N

(13...O-O-O; 13...N4d5 14.Qg3ƒ) 14.exf6?! - 142/(136) (14.Qg3N O-O (14...g5!? 15.d5 N4xd5
16.Nxd5 Nxd5 (16...Bxd5 17.b3! cxb3 18.axb3 h6 19.Nd4ƒ O-O 20.Bb5 Qc8 21.h4 Rf7
22.hxg5 hxg5 23.Bc6ƒ) 17.Bxc4 O-O-O 18.b4 Bxb4 19.Bxg5 Rdg8 20.Rab1∞) 15.h4ƒ Ding,L
(2805) -Caruana,F (2818) Saint Louis (rapid) 142/(136) 2019) 14...gxf6 15.d5 e5 16.Qh4 O-O-O
17.Bxc4 Nxc4 18.Qxc4 Nxd5 19.Nxd5 Bxd5 20.Qa6+ Bb7 21.Rxd7 Bxa6 22.Rxd8+ Rxd8
23.Be3 Kb7³ Li,D (2523) -Narayanan,S (2616) Changsha 142/(136) 2019 (23...Rd5³)
13.Nxg5
13.Qg3

666
13...Bxg5 14.Qxg5 Ne7! 15.d5! Nbxd5N
15...O-O-O - 142/(136) 16.Nc3 Nexd5 17.Qh5 Rdg8 18.Bf3 f5 19.exf6 Nxf6 20.Bxb7+ Kxb7
21.Rxd7 Nxh5 Lokander,M (2397)-Hillarp Persson,T (2562) Sverige (ch) 142/(136) 2019
(21...Nxh5 22.Rd4±)
16.a4N
16.Nc3? - 142/(136) 16...Rg8 17.Qd2 Rxg2+! 18.Kxg2 Nxc3+ 19.f3 Nxd1 20.Qxd7+ Kxd7
21.Bxd1 Ng6µ Zabolotnov,E (2255)-Kardashevskiy, E (2428) Saint Petersburg 142/(136) 2019;
16.Nd4? Rg8 17.Qh4 Rxg2+ 18.Kxg2 Ne3+ 19.Kg1 Nxd1 20.Bg5 (20.Bxd1 O-O-O-+)
20...Nxb2µ; 16.Na3 Rg8 17.Qh5 Rxg2+ 18.Kxg2 Ne3+ 19.Kg1 Nxd1 20.Bxd1 Qc6 21.f3 c3
22.b4 O-O-O 23.Be2 c2∞
16...Rg8 17.Qd2 a6 18.Nd4 O-O-O 19.f3?
19.Nf3
19...Ng6 20.Bxc4 c5! 21.Nc2 Nh4 22.Ne1 Rxg2+ 23.Qxg2 Nxg2 24.Nxg2 Qc7 25.Bh6 Qxe5
26.Rac1 Rg8 27.Bf1 Qf6 28.Rxc5+ Kb8 0-1

667
D25-D49

137. D27
Topalov, Veselin (2736) - Nakamura, Hikaru (2741)
Hamburg (m/2) 142/137, 2019

1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e3 Nf6 4.Bxc4 e6 5.Nf3 a6 6.O-O c5 7.Bb3 Nbd7 8.e4 cxd4
8...Nxe4 - 94/304
9.e5 Ng4 10.Re1 Nc5N
10...h5
11.h3 Nh6 12.Nxd4
12.Bxh6 gxh6 13.Nbd2 b5 14.Ne4 Nxe4 15.Rxe4 Qb6 16.Qe2 Bc5∞; 12.Bg5!? Be7 13.Bxe7
Qxe7 14.Nxd4 Nxb3 15.axb3 O-O 16.Na3ƒ
12...Nxb3
12...Nf5!?
13.axb3
13.Nxb3 Qxd1 14.Rxd1 Nf5 15.N1d2 Bd7 16.Nc4 Ba4=
13...Nf5 14.Be3
14.Nxf5 Qxd1 15.Rxd1 exf5 16.Na3 Be6 17.Nc4 Be7=
14...Nxd4
14...Nxe3 15.Rxe3 Be7 16.Na3 O-O=
15.Bxd4 Bd7 16.Nc3 Bc6 17.Re3
17.Qg4!?
17...Qh4 18.Bb6 Be7 19.Rg3

668
19.Ne4!? O-O (19...Bxe4?! 20.Ra4±) 20.Qd3 Kh8=
19...Bd8?!
19...g6 20.Rg4 Qh5 21.Qd4 Rc8 22.Ne4 Bxe4 23.Rxe4 O-O=; 19...Qf4!?
20.Bc5
20.Be3!?
20...Bc7 21.Rg4 Qh5 22.Bd6 Rd8
22...Bxd6 23.Qxd6 (23.exd6 Qe5=) 23...Rd8 24.Qc5 g6 25.b4ƒ
23.Rxg7
23.Qd4!?
23...Qxd1+ 24.Rxd1 Bxd6 25.exd6 Rd7
25...Rd7 26.Rg3²; 25...h5!?
1/2-1/2

138. D28
Indjic, Aleksandar (2638) - Georgiev, Kiril (2577)
Batumi 142/138, 2019

1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.c4 dxc4 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5 6.O-O a6 7.Qe2 b5 8.Bd3
8.Bb3 - 72/358
8...cxd4 9.a4!?
9.Rd1 Be7 10.a4!? bxa4 11.Rxa4 dxe3 12.Bxe3 Nbd7 13.Nc3 O-O 14.Bg5 Bb7 15.Rd4 Bxf3

669
16.Qxf3 Ne5 17.Qe3 (17.Qh3 Qxd4 18.Bxf6 Qxd3 19.Rxd3 Bxf6=) 17...Qb8 18.Bf4 Nfg4!
(18...Neg4 - 134/131) 19.Qg3 (19.Qh3 f5!) 19...h5 (19...Bc5!?) 20.h3 g5!∞ 21.hxg4 gxf4
22.Rxf4? h4µ
9...bxa4

9...b4 10.exd4 Be7 11.Nbd2 Bb7 12.Nb3 Nbd7 13.Bf4 O-O 14.Rfc1 Nd5 15.Bg3 a5 16.Bb5±
10.Rxa4N
10.Rd1 Nc6 11.Rxa4 Nb4 (11...Bd7!?) 12.Bd2 Nxd3 13.Rxd4 Qb6 (13...Qc7 14.Qxd3 Be7
15.Rc4 Qb6 16.Bb4 Bxb4 17.Rxb4 Qc7 18.Rc4 Qe7 19.Qa3 Qxa3 20.Nxa3 O-O 21.Ne5²)
14.Qxd3 Bb7 (14...Be7?? 15.Bb4+-) 15.Nc3 Be7=
10...Be7
10...Nc6 11.Nxd4²; 10...dxe3 11.Bxe3©
11.Rxd4 Qb6 12.Nc3
12.Nbd2 Nc6 13.Rh4 Nb4 14.Nc4 Qc7 15.e4!?©
12...Nc6 13.Rh4 Nb4 14.Bc4 Bb7 15.e4 Rc8 16.b3 O-O 17.Rh3 Qc7 18.Ng5!?
18.e5 Nfd5 (18...Nd7 19.Re1ƒ) 19.Ne4→
18...h6 19.Nf3 Rfd8 20.e5 Nd7

670
21.Bxh6! gxh6
21...Bxf3!? 22.Qxf3 Nxe5 23.Qg3 Ng6 24.Qxg6!? (24.Bg5 Qxg3 25.Rxg3 Kf8=) 24...fxg6
25.Bxe6+ Kf8 26.Bf4 Bd6 27.Bxd6+ Qxd6 (27...Rxd6 28.Rh8+ Ke7 29.Rxc8=) 28.Bxc8=
22.Qe3 Bf8
22...Bxf3!? 23.Qxh6 Qxe5 24.Rg3+ Qxg3 25.fxg3 Bg4 26.h3 Rxc4! 27.bxc4 Bf5∞
23.Rg3+ Kh8 24.Ng5! Nc5 25.Qf4 Rd7

26.Nh7! Bg7! 27.Nf6 Qd8 28.Rh3?

28.Rxg7! Kxg7 29.Nh5+ Kg6 30.Nf6 Kg7 31.Nh5+ Kh7 32.Nf6+=
28...Qf8µ 29.Ng4 Kh7 30.Nf6+ Kh8
30...Bxf6! 31.exf6 Ncd3 32.Qe3 Rc5! 33.Rd1 Re5 34.Qg3 h5! 35.f4 Nxf4! 36.Rxd7 (36.Qxf4

671
Qc5+-+) 36...Qc5+ 37.Kh1 Re1+ 38.Qxe1 Bxg2#
31.g4

31.Ng4 Kh7 32.Nf6+ Bxf6!

31...Rd3!-+ 32.Bxd3 Ncxd3 33.Qd4 Qc5 34.Qxc5 Rxc5 35.Na4 Rxe5 36.Nh5 Rg5 37.Rg3
Bd4 38.h4 Re5 39.g5 Re4 40.Rh3 0-1
139. D30
Andreikin, Dmitry (2733) - Adams, Michael (2692)
Ulcinj 142/139, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e3 O-O 6.Qc2 c5

6...h6 - 137/139
7.dxc5 Qa5+

672
8.Nbd2N
8.Nc3
8...Qxc5 9.Rc1 h6 10.Bh4 Bd7 11.cxd5
11.a3 Rc8 12.Bd3 dxc4 13.Nxc4 b5 14.Nce5 Qd5 15.Qb1 Rxc1+ 16.Qxc1 Nc6=; 11.Be2!?
11...Qxc2 12.Rxc2 Nxd5
12...exd5 13.Bd3 Nc6 14.a3 Rfd8=
13.Bxe7 Nxe7 14.Ne5 Rc8 15.Rxc8+ Nxc8
15...Bxc8 16.Be2 Nbc6 17.Nxc6 Nxc6=
16.g3 Nd6 17.Bg2

673
17...Bb5! 18.Ne4 Nxe4 19.Bxe4 Nd7 20.Nxd7 Bxd7= 21.Kd2 Rd8 22.Kc3 Rc8+ 23.Kd2 Kf8
24.Rc1 Rxc1 25.Kxc1 b6 26.f4 Ke7 27.Kd2 Kd6 28.a3 f6 29.Bg2 Bb5 30.Kc3 Kc5 1/2-1/2

140. D34
Duda, Jan Krzysztof (2748) - Dubov, Daniil (2676)
Hamburg (m/1) 142/140, 2019

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 c5 3.Nf3 e6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 exd5 6.d4 Nc6 7.Bg2 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bc5 9.Nxc6
9.Nb3 - 141/130
9...bxc6 10.O-O O-O 11.Bg5 h6 12.Bxf6 Qxf6

13.Rc1N
13.Nxd5 cxd5 (13...Qxb2 14.Nf4 (14.Rc1 cxd5 (14...Bxf2+? 15.Rxf2 cxd5 16.Rb1! Qa3
17.Bxd5±) 15.Rxc5 Be6 16.a4²) 14...Ba6 15.Rc1 (15.Rb1 Qf6 (15...Qxa2? 16.Ra1 Qc4 17.Ra4!
Bb4 (17...Qb5? 18.Qa1+-) 18.Nd3 c5 19.Bxa8 Rxa8 20.Qa1 Bb7 21.Rxa7 Rxa7 22.Qxa7 Qe4
23.f3 Qe3+ 24.Nf2+-) 16.Qc2²) 15...Rad8 16.Qc2²) 14.Qxd5 Bxf2+ 15.Rxf2 Qxb2 16.Rxf7
Qb6+ 17.Kh1 Be6 18.Rb7 Bxd5 19.Bxd5+ Kh8 20.Rxb6 axb6 21.Bxa8 Rxa8²
13...Bb6 14.e3
14.b4!?
14...Ba6
14...Rd8!?
15.Re1 Rad8 16.Qc2 d4
16...Rfe8!? 17.Na4 Ba5 (17...d4 18.Nxb6 dxe3 19.fxe3 axb6 20.Bxc6 Re5©) 18.Nc3 (18.Red1
d4 19.Qxc6 dxe3 20.fxe3 (20.Qxf6?! gxf6 21.Rxd8 Rxd8 22.fxe3 Bd2µ) 20...Qxc6 21.Bxc6
Rxe3ƒ) 18...Bc8ƒ

674
17.Ne4
17.exd4 Qxd4 18.Bxc6 Qd2 19.Ne4 Qxc2 20.Rxc2 Bd3 21.Rcc1 Bxe4 22.Rxe4 Rd2 23.Rf4
Rxb2=
17...Qf5 18.exd4 Rxd4 19.Nc5™ Qxc2 20.Rxc2 Bc4 21.Nb3 Bxb3 22.axb3 Rb4= 23.Bxc6
Rxb3 24.Bd5 Rd3 25.Bc4 Rd7 26.Rce2 Rfd8 27.Re8+ Rxe8 28.Rxe8+ Kh7 29.b3 1/2-1/2

141. D36
Navara, David (2717) - Ivanchuk, Vassily (2686)
Batumi 142/141, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 c6 6.e3 Be7 7.Bd3 Nbd7 8.Nf3 O-O 9.Qc2 Re8
10.h3 Nf8 11.Bf4 a6
11...Ne6 - 121/135
12.O-O Ng6 13.Bh2 Bd6

14.Rae1N
14.Rab1; 14.Bxd6
14...Bxh2+ 15.Nxh2 b6 16.b4 Ra7!? 17.Nf3 Rae7 18.Na4 Bb7 19.Rd1 Ne4 20.Ne5 Nxe5
21.Bxe4 Ng6
21...dxe4 22.dxe5 Qc7 23.Rd6 Rxe5 24.Rfd1 R5e7 25.Qc3©
22.Bf5 Nf8 23.a3 g6 24.Bd3 Ne6 25.h4?!
25.Rc1!?
25...Ng7
25...f5!?

675
26.g3 Nh5 27.Be2 Nf6
27...Nxg3!? 28.fxg3 Rxe3 29.Bf3 Bc8! 30.Qf2 Rxa3∞
28.Bf3 Ne4 29.Kg2?!

29.Rc1
29...Bc8! 30.Qxc6?!
30.Rc1=
30...Bd7 31.Qc2 Bb5³ 32.Bxe4
32.Rfe1 Rc7µ; 32.Rc1!?
32...dxe4!?
32...Bxf1+ 33.Rxf1 dxe4 34.Rc1³
33.Rg1 Rc7 34.Nc3 Qc8 35.Rc1 Qf5 36.Qd2 Bd7 37.Rh1 Rec8µ

676
38.Na2?!
38.h5!?
38...Rxc1 39.Nxc1 Qf3+ 40.Kh2 Ba4-+ 41.Qe2 Qf6 42.Rf1 Bb5 43.Qg4 Rxc1
43...Rc2
44.Rxc1 Qxf2+ 45.Kh3 h5! 46.Qc8+ Kg7 47.d5 Be2 48.Qc3+ Kh7 0-1
142. D37
Cheparinov, Ivan (2670) - Fridman, Daniel (2637)
Batumi 142/142, 2019

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bf4 O-O 6.e3 Nbd7 7.Be2 dxc4 8.O-O c5 9.dxc5
Nxc5 10.Bxc4 Qxd1
10...a6 - 82/(372)
11.Rfxd1 b6 12.Ne5 Bb7 13.f3 Rfd8 14.e4 a6

677
15.a4N
15.Bf1
15...Rac8 16.Be2
16.Rxd8+ Bxd8 (16...Rxd8 17.Be2 Nfd7 18.Nc4 Nb3 19.Rd1 Bc6 20.Kf2 Kf8=) 17.Be3 Bc7
18.Nd3 Nxd3 19.Bxd3 Kf8 20.Be2 Ke7=
16...Nb3
16...Nfd7 17.Nc4 Nb3 18.Rab1 Bc6=
17.Rxd8+ Rxd8
17...Bxd8 18.Rd1 Bc7 19.h3 Kf8 20.Bh2ƒ
18.Rd1 Rxd1+ 19.Bxd1 Nc5 20.Nc4 Nd3?!
20...Nfd7
21.Be3 Bc5
21...Nd7!?
22.Bxc5 bxc5 23.Be2 Nb4

678
24.a5!? Bc6 25.Ne5 Nd7 26.Nxc6 Nxc6 27.Bxa6 Nxa5 28.Na4² c4?!
28...Nc6 29.Bb5 Ncb8 30.f4²
29.Kf2 Ne5 30.Ke3± g5 31.Kd4 f6 32.Nb6 g4 33.f4 Ng6 34.Nxc4
34.g3+-
34...Nc6+?!
34...Nb3+ 35.Ke3 Nh4 36.g3 Nf3 37.h3 Nh2 38.h4+-
35.Kc5 Nb8 36.Bc8+- Nxf4 37.g3 Nd3+ 38.Kd6 Nf2 39.Kc7 Kf7 40.b4 Nxe4 41.b5 1-0

143. D37
Duda, Jan Krzysztof (2748) - Grischuk, Alexander (2764)
Hamburg (m/2) 142/143, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bf4 O-O 6.e3 Nbd7 7.Rc1 c5 8.dxc5 Nxc5 9.cxd5
9.a3 - 87/(368)
9...Nxd5 10.Nxd5 exd5 11.a3 Bd7

679
12.Qxd5N
12.Nd4; 12.Bd3
12...Rc8 13.e4

13...Qb6
13...Qe8!?
14.b4™ Rfd8
14...Be6!? 15.Qd4 (15.bxc5 Bxc5 16.Qd2 (16.Rxc5? Rxc5 17.Qd4 Rd8 18.Qb4 Qc6-+)
16...Bxa3 17.Rxc8 Rxc8 18.Qd1 Rd8µ) 15...Rfd8 16.Qe3 h6!?→
15.bxc5
15.Be3!?

680
15...Bxc5 16.Be2 Bb5! 17.Rxc5 Rxc5 18.Qb3 Qc6 19.Be3™ Bxe2
19...Qxe4!?
20.Bxc5 Bxf3 21.Qxf3 Qxc5 22.O-O= b5 23.h4 h6 24.Rb1 a6 25.Rb3 Qe5 26.g3 Rd4 27.Re3
a5 28.Qg4 b4 29.axb4 axb4 30.Qc8+ Kh7 31.Qb7
31.Qf5+ Qxf5 32.exf5=
31...f6 32.Kg2 Rc4 33.Qd5 Qxd5 34.exd5 Rd4 35.Rb3 Kg6 36.Kf3 h5 37.Ke3 Rxd5 38.Rxb4
1/2-1/2
144. D38
Navara, David (2703) - Grischuk, Alexander (2764)
Hamburg (m/2) 142/144, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.Qa4+ Nc6 6.e3 O-O 7.Qc2 Re8 8.Bd2 Bf8 9.a3 e5
10.dxe5 Nxe5 11.cxd5 Nxf3+
11...Nxd5 - 109/(252)
12.gxf3 Nxd5 13.Bd3 Nxc3 14.Bxc3 Qh4 15.O-O-O

15...g6N
15...Be6
16.Be4
16.Rhg1 Bg7 17.Bxg7 Kxg7 18.Kb1 Qh5 19.f4 Bg4 20.Rde1ƒ
16...Bg7 17.Qa4
17.Bxg7 Kxg7 18.Rd4 c5 19.Qxc5 Qxf2 20.Qc3 Kg8=

681
17...Qe7
17...Rf8!?
18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.h4
19.Kb1
19...Qc5+ 20.Kb1 Bf5= 21.h5?!
21.Rc1
21...b5! 22.Qa6?
22.Qd4+ Qxd4 23.Rxd4 c5 24.h6+ Kf8 25.Rd5 Rxe4 26.Rxf5 gxf5 27.fxe4 fxe4³
22...Rxe4! 23.h6+ Kf8 24.fxe4 Bxe4+ 25.Ka1 Bxh1 26.Qf6?

26.Rxh1 Qb6 27.Qxb6 axb6µ

26...Bc6!-+
26...Qc6? 27.Qh8+ Ke7 28.Qe5+ Kf8=
27.e4 b4! 28.axb4 Qb5 29.b3 a5 30.Kb2 axb4 31.Rd2 Qc5
31...Qa5
32.Rd3 Re8 33.Qg7+ Ke7 34.Rf3 Kd8 35.Rxf7 Bxe4 36.Qf6+ Kc8 0-1

145. D38
Xu, Xiangyu (2576) - Grischuk, Alexander (2759)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/1) 142/145, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 d5 5.Qa4+ Nc6 6.e3 O-O 7.Qc2 b6

682
7...Re8 - 139/156
8.Bd2 Bb7 9.a3 Bd6 10.cxd5 exd5 11.Bd3 a6

12.Ne2N
12.O-O
12...Ne7 13.Bc3

13...Ne4! 14.Bxe4 dxe4 15.Ng5 Nd5! 16.Nxe4 Qh4 17.N4g3 Nxc3

17...Bxg3!? 18.Nxg3 Nxc3 19.Qxc3 Bxg2 20.Nf5 Qh3 21.Rg1 Rfe8 22.O-O-O g6µ
18.Nxc3 Bxg2 19.Rg1 Bf3 20.Nf5 Qxh2 21.Rxg7+ Kh8 22.Ne4 Bh5! 23.Nf6
23.Rg5 f6 24.Rxh5 Qxh5 25.Nexd6 cxd6 26.Qe4 Rae8 27.Qd5 Qh2µ

683
23...Bg6 24.O-O-O Be7?

24...Qh3! 25.Rxh7+ Bxh7 26.Nxh7 Qxh7 27.Qe4 Rae8 28.Qf3 Rg8 29.Rh1 Bh2-+
25.Qc6?
25.Rxh7+! Bxh7 26.Nxh7 Qxh7 27.Qe4 Bd6 28.Rh1 Bh2 29.Qg2+-
25...Bxf5-+ 26.Rdg1 Bg6 27.R1xg6 hxg6 28.Rh7+ Qxh7 29.Nxh7 Kxh7 30.Kd2 Bd6 31.e4
Rad8 32.Ke3 Rfe8 33.f4 Re6 34.e5 Kg7 35.Qb7 c5 36.d5 Re7 37.Qxb6 Bxe5 38.fxe5 Rxe5+
39.Kf3 Rexd5 0-1

146. * D43
Matlakov, Maxim (2716) - Najer, Evgeniy (2635)
Douglas 142/146, 2019

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Qd3 dxc4 6.Qxc4 b5 7.Qd3 a6 8.g4!?

684
8.e4 - 39/(514)
8...Bb7N
8...c5 - 142/(146) 9.g5 Nd5N (9...c4 10.Qb1 Nd5 11.e4 Nb6 12.Be3 Bb7 13.Bg2 N8d7∞)
10.Nxd5 (10.dxc5 Bb7 11.Nxd5 Qxd5 12.Qxd5 Bxd5 13.Be3 Nc6 14.Bg2 h6!? (14...Nb4 15.O-
O Nc2 16.Rac1 Nxe3 17.fxe3²) 15.O-O∞ (15.gxh6 g6∞)) 10...Qxd5 11.Bg2 Bb7∞ Sedlak,N
(2557)-Kjartansson,G (2459) Batumi 142/ (146) 2019; 8...Nxg4 9.Rg1 (9.Bg5!?) 9...Nf6
10.Bf4© (10.e4©)
9.g5 Nh5 10.Bh3
10.Bg2 c5 11.O-O²
10...c5 11.Bg4 g6
¹11...cxd4 12.Bxh5 Nc6! 13.Nd1 g6 14.Bg4 Nb4 15.Qd2 Rc8 16.O-O h5∞
12.Bxh5 gxh5 13.Ne4 c4 14.Qe3∞ Be7 15.Bd2 Nc6 16.O-O-O?!

685
16.Rg1! Nb4 (16...Rg8 17.O-O-Oƒ) 17.Nf6+ Bxf6 18.Bxb4 Bg7 19.Ne5ƒ
16...Qd5! 17.Nc3
17.Nf6+ Bxf6 18.gxf6 c3 19.Qxc3 Qxa2 20.Qa3 Qxa3 (20...Rc8!? 21.Qxa2 Nb4+ 22.Kb1
Be4+ 23.Ka1 Nc2+ 24.Kb1 Ne3+ 25.Ka1=) 21.bxa3 O-O-O∞
17...Qf5
17...Qd7 18.Ne4 O-O-O∞ (18...Qd5=)
18.d5
18.Nh4! Qg4 19.d5 Qxh4 (19...Nb4 20.Qb6±) 20.Qb6!ƒ
18...Nb4?!
18...exd5 19.Qb6 Rb8 20.Be3 Bd8 21.Rxd5 Bxb6 22.Rxf5 Ne7 23.Rf6 Bxe3+ 24.fxe3 O-O³
19.Nd4 Qg6
19...Nxd5 20.Nxf5 Nxe3 21.Nxe3 Bxh1 22.Rxh1 Bxg5 23.Nxc4±
20.f4ƒ Rg8?

686
20...Nxd5 21.Nxd5 Bxd5 22.f5 Qxg5 23.Qxg5 Bxg5 24.Bxg5 Bxh1 25.Rxh1 Rg8 26.Bf6²
21.f5! exf5 22.Rhf1+- Nxd5 23.Nxd5 Bxd5 24.Nxf5 Qe6 25.Nxe7
25.Nxe7 Qxe7 (25...Qxe3 26.Bxe3; 25...Kxe7 26.Bb4+ Ke8 27.Qc5 Bb7 28.Rf6) 26.Qxe7+
Kxe7 27.Bb4+ Ke6 28.Rf6+ Ke5 29.Bc3+ Ke4 30.Rd4+
1-0
147. D43
Anton Guijarro, David (2674) - Saric, Ivan (2667)
Batumi 142/147, 2019

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 7.e3 Nd7 8.Qd2 Bb4
8...g5 - 102/(336)
9.a3 Bxc3 10.Qxc3 O-O 11.Rc1 Re8

687
12.b4N
12.Be2; 12.h3; 12.cxd5
12...dxc4
12...e5 13.dxe5 Nxe5 14.cxd5 Nxf3+ 15.gxf3 Qxc3+ (15...Qxf3?! 16.Rg1 g6 17.Rg3 Qh5
18.dxc6 bxc6 19.Qf6²) 16.Rxc3 cxd5 17.Bb5 Rd8 18.Ke2ƒ; 12...Qg6!?
13.Bxc4 a5

14.b5
14.O-O axb4 15.axb4 e5 16.Bb3ƒ; 14.Ne5!?
14...c5 15.O-O b6 16.dxc5 Qxc3 17.Rxc3 Nxc5 18.Ne5 Bb7= 19.Be2 Rad8 20.Bf3?!
20.Nc4 Na4 21.Rcc1=

688
20...Bxf3 21.gxf3 Rd5 22.Nc6 a4³ 23.Rc4 Nb3?!
23...Rd3 24.Ra1 Rb3 25.f4 f6³
24.Rxa4 Rxb5= 25.Rb1
25.f4!?
25...Rg5+ 26.Rg4 Rc5 27.Rxb3 Rxc6 28.Rgb4 Ra8 29.Rxb6 Rxb6 30.Rxb6 Rxa3 31.Kg2 1/2-
1/2

148. D44
Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2767) - Kasimdzhanov, Rustam (2657)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/1) 142/148, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Bg5 dxc4 5.e4 b5 6.a4 c6 7.Nc3 Qb6 8.Be2
8.Bxf6 - 100/329
8...Nbd7 9.d5

9...exd5N
9...b4
10.exd5 b4 11.dxc6 Qxc6 12.Nb5 Bc5 13.O-O
13.Nfd4 Qxg2 14.Nc7+ Kf8! 15.Bf3 Qh3 16.Bxa8 Ne5µ
13...Bb7 14.Nbd4 Qd5?!
14...Qc7 15.Bxc4 O-O∞
15.Rc1 c3 16.bxc3 bxc3
¹16...O-O

689
17.Bxf6! Nxf6 18.Bb5+ Kf8 19.Rxc3± g6
19...Bxd4 20.Rd3! g6 21.Rxd4±
20.Bc4! Qd6 21.Rd3 Qf4 22.Qa1
22.Qb3 Bxf3 23.Nxf3±; 22.g3! Qg4 (22...Bxf3

23.Qa1! Qxd4 24.Rxd4 Bxd4 25.Qxd4+-) 23.Qa1+-

22...Kg7

23.Bxf7!
23.g3 Bxd4! 24.Nxd4 Qe4 25.f3 Qe7∞; 23.Ne6+ fxe6 24.Rd7+ Kh6 25.Rxb7 Rab8∞
23...Kxf7 24.Ne2 Qf5 25.Ng3 Qf4 26.Ne5+

690
26.Ne2=
26...Ke6?

26...Kg7 27.Nd7 Be7 28.Rd4! Qxd4 29.Qxd4 Rhd8²

27.Qa2+! Bd5?
27...Kxe5 28.Re1+ Ne4 29.Qb2+! Ke6 30.Rf3+-; 27...Nd5 28.Nf3± ‚
28.Rxd5! Nxd5 29.Nd3+- Qd4?!
29...Qc7 30.Re1+ Kf6 31.Ne4+ Kg7 32.Nexc5
30.Ne2! Qg4 31.Nef4+ Kf6 32.Nxd5+ 1-0

691
D50-D99

149. D54
Li, Chao (2687) - Ma, Qun (2629)
China 142/149, 2019

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e3 h6 6.Bh4 O-O 7.Rc1 b6 8.cxd5 Nxd5 9.Nxd5 exd5
10.Bxe7 Qxe7 11.Ne2 Rd8 12.Nf4
12.Qc2 - 2/506
12...c5 13.Be2 Bb7 14.O-O c4 15.Bf3

15...Rd6N
15...b5
16.Qa4 Bc6 17.Qa3 Kf8?!
17...Qc7 18.b3 b5 19.Be2! (19.bxc4 bxc4 20.Rc2 Nd7 21.Rb1 Nf6 22.Rcb2 Rdd8∞) 19...Rf6
(19...Nd7 20.e4! dxe4 21.bxc4 bxc4 22.Bxc4 Qb8 23.Rfd1²) 20.bxc4 bxc4 (20...dxc4 21.d5±)
21.g3 Nd7 22.e4 dxe4 23.Bxc4 Qd6 24.Qc3 Nb6 25.d5 Bd7 26.Bb3²
18.Rfe1± f5?!
18...Rd8 19.Qxe7+ Kxe7 20.e4 dxe4 21.d5! Bb5 (21...Bb7 22.Rxe4+ Kf8 23.Rexc4±) 22.Rxe4+
Kd6 23.Ne2 Na6 24.Nd4 Bd7 25.Nc6!±
19.b3
19.Bh5! Be8 (19...g5 20.Ng6+ Rxg6 21.Qxe7+ Kxe7 22.Bxg6 Kf6 23.Bh5 g4 24.f3+-; 19...Qf6

692
20.Ng6+ (20.Bg6 Bd7 21.Bxf5 Bxf5 22.Nxd5! Qd8 23.Rxc4 Be6 24.Rc3 Bxd5 25.Rc8 Qxc8
26.Qxd6+ Ke8 27.Qxd5 Nd7 28.Qg8+ Nf8 29.Qxg7±) 20...Kg8 21.Ne5 Bb7 22.f4±) 20.Bxe8
Kxe8 21.f3±
19...b5 20.bxc4 bxc4

20...dxc4? 21.e4 Bxe4 22.Bxe4 fxe4 23.Rxe4 Qxe4 24.Qxd6+ Kg8 25.Ne6+-
21.Qa5
21.Bh5! Nd7 (21...Kg8 22.Bg6 Qf6 23.Bxf5+-) 22.Ng6+ Rxg6 23.Qxe7+ Kxe7 24.Bxg6 Kf6
25.Bh5 Nb6 26.Bf3+-
21...Qd7 22.Rb1 Kf7
22...g5 23.Nh5 Kg8 24.Rb5! Kf7 (24...Bxb5 25.Bxd5+ Rxd5 26.Nf6++-) 25.Rc5±
23.Rb2 g5 24.Nh5 Qd8 25.Qa3 Qe7
25...Kg8 26.Reb1 Qf8 27.Ng3±
26.Ng3! Rf6 27.Qa5 Qd6 28.Nh5
28.Rb5! Kg6 (28...Bxb5 29.Qxb5+-) 29.Bxd5 Bxd5 30.Rxd5+-
28...Re6 29.g4! Nd7

693
29...fxg4 30.Bxg4 Re4 (30...Re7 31.e4 dxe4 32.Qf5+ Kg8 33.Nf6++-) 31.f3+-
30.Ng3!
30.gxf5 Re7 31.Ng3 Nf6 32.Reb1±
30...fxg4 31.Bxg4
31.Nf5 Qf8 32.Bxd5 Bxd5 33.Qxd5 Nb6 34.Nxh6+ Qxh6 35.Rxb6 axb6 36.Qxa8+-
31...Rf6 32.e4! dxe4 33.Nxe4
33.d5! c3 (33...Bxd5 34.Rd1 Nc5 (34...Nb6 35.Nxe4+-) 35.Rb5+-) 34.Qxc3 Bxd5 35.Rd2+-
33...Bxe4 34.Rxe4 Kg8 35.Rbe2 Kh8
35...Nf8 36.Qc3 Rb8 (36...Qc6 37.d5+-) 37.Qxc4+ Kg7 38.Re8±
36.Qc3
36.d5! Raf8 (36...Rf4 37.Rxf4 gxf4 38.Re6+-) 37.Re7+-
36...Raf8 37.Qxc4 Nb6 38.Qc5 Nd5 39.Re8 Rxe8 40.Rxe8+ Kg7 41.Qxa7+ Rf7 42.Qb8!
42.Qc5? Qxc5 43.dxc5 Nf6µ
42...Qxb8 43.Rxb8 Rf4 44.h3 Nf6
44...Rxd4 45.Rd8 Kf6 46.Bf3 Rd3 47.Bxd5 Ke7 48.Rh8 Rxd5 49.Rh7+!+-
45.Rb7+ Kg6

694
46.Bd1!+- Rxd4
46...Ne4 47.Bc2 Kh5 48.Bxe4 Rxe4 49.Rb4+-
47.Bc2+ Kh5 48.a4 Rc4 49.Bb3 Rc1+ 50.Kg2+- g4 51.hxg4+ Kxg4 52.a5 Kf5 53.Rb5+ Kg6
54.Rb4 Rc7 55.a6 Ra7 56.Bc2+ Kg5 57.Rb5+ Kg4 58.Bd3 h5 59.Be2+ Kf4 60.Rb7 Ra8 61.a7
h4 62.Rf7 Ke5 63.Bf3 1-0

150. D59
Bok, Benjamin (2640) - Grischuk, Alexander (2759)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/4-rapid) 142/150, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 O-O 7.e3 b6 8.cxd5 Nxd5 9.Bxe7 Qxe7
10.Nxd5 exd5 11.Be2 Be6 12.Rc1
12.O-O - 6/628
12...c5 13.dxc5 bxc5 14.O-O Nd7 15.Qa4 Rfb8 16.Bb5 a5 17.Bxd7
17.Rfd1 Nf6 18.b3
17...Bxd7 18.Qa3 Rb4=

695
19.Qc3N
19.Rfd1 Be6 20.Rd2 Qf8 21.h3 a4=
19...Rc8 20.b3 a4 21.Rfd1 Be6³ 22.Nd2 axb3 23.Nxb3
23.axb3 d4 (23...Qb7 24.Qd3 Qb6³) 24.exd4 cxd4 25.Qg3 Rd8 26.Qc7 Qxc7 27.Rxc7 g5³
23...Ra4 24.Qb2 Qa7
24...c4 25.Nd4 Rca8 26.Rd2 Qf6³
25.Rd2 c4 26.Nd4 Rb8 27.Qa1
27.Qc2 Ra8 28.Nb5 Qb8 29.Nc3 Ra3 30.h3∞
27...Qa5 28.Rcc2 Rab4 29.Rd1

696
29...Bd7! 30.Rdc1 Ra4 31.Rd1
31.h3 Ra8 (31...Qb4ƒ) 32.Rb1 Qa6 (32...Rxa2?? 33.Rxa2 Qxa2 34.Rb8++-) 33.Rcb2 Qg6ƒ
31...Ra3 32.Rdd2?!
32.Rb1 Ra8 33.Rb7 Ba4 34.Rc1 Qd2µ
32...c3-+ 33.Rd3
33.Re2 Qc5 34.h3 Ba4 35.Rc1 Qc4-+
33...Rb2
33...Ba4 34.Rc1 (34.Rcxc3 Rxc3 35.Rxc3 Qxc3-+) 34...Rb2 35.Rdxc3 Raxa2
34.Rdxc3 Rbxa2 35.Rxa2 Rxa2 36.Qe1 Ra1 0-1
151. * !N D76
Cori Tello, Jorge (2671) - Firouzja, Alireza (2702)
Hoogeveen (m/4) 142/151, 2019

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 O-O 5.O-O d5 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.Nc3 Nc6 8.d4 Nb6 9.e3 Re8
10.Re1 a5 11.Qe2 Be6 12.Nd2 a4
12...Nb4 13.Rd1 c6 14.a3 N4d5 15.Nce4 Qc8 16.Nc5 Bg4 17.f3 (17.Bf3 - 112/245) 17...Bh3
18.Nde4 Bxg2 19.Qxg2N (19.Kxg2 Qc7 20.Nd3 Nd7 21.Nef2 e5 22.dxe5 Nxe5=) 19...Nc4
20.Qe2 Nd6 21.Nd3 Nf5∞ Lazavik,D (2368)-Stoyanov,T (2377) Corum 142/(151) 2019
13.Rd1 Ra5

13...f5 - 112/(245)
14.f4!N

697
14.Rb1
14...Qc8 15.Bf3 Nb4 16.Nde4 Bc4 17.Qg2 Nd3 18.Be2
18.Rb1 Nxc1 19.Rbxc1 c6 20.Nc5 Rd8 21.Qc2²
18...Nxc1 19.Raxc1 Qe6
19...Bxe2 20.Qxe2 Rd8 21.Nc5 c6 22.a3²
20.Re1
20.Qf2 Bxe2 (20...Bxa2? 21.Nc5±) 21.Qxe2 c6 (21...Nc4 22.Kf2²) 22.Nc5 Qc8 23.Qc2²
20...Bxe2
20...Bxa2 21.Bf3 Bd5 (21...Bb3 22.Nc5 Rxc5 23.dxc5 Nc4 24.Bxb7 Rb8 25.Bd5 Qa6 26.Qe2²)
22.Nxd5 (22.Nc5 Bxf3 23.Qxf3 Qc6∞) 22...Nxd5 23.Nc5 Rxc5! 24.dxc5 Nb4©
21.Rxe2 Nd7
¹21...c6 22.Nc5 Qc8 23.Qf2 Rd8 24.a3 e6 25.N3e4²
22.Ng5! Qc4
22...Qc6 23.Qxc6 bxc6 24.Nce4 c5 25.dxc5 (25.Nf3 Rb8 26.Rcc2 cxd4 27.exd4²) 25...Rb8
26.Rcc2 Rab5 27.c6 Nf8 28.Nc5²
23.Qxb7± Rb8 24.Qe4
24.Qg2 Nf6 25.Rcc2 Qa6 26.Nce4±
24...e6 25.Nf3 Nf6 26.Qc2 Nd5 27.Nxd5 Qxd5 28.Qxc7 Rab5 29.Kf2
29.Qc6 Qxa2 30.Qc4 Rb3 31.Rec2²
29...Rxb2 30.Rcc2 Rb1 31.Qc6 Qf5 32.Nd2 Ra1 33.Qc7 Bf8 34.Rc1
34.Nf3 Qb5 35.g4 a3 36.Ne5
34...Rxc1 35.Qxc1 Qd5 36.Nf3 a3 37.Ne5

698
37...Bd6?
37...Kg7 38.Qc6 Rb4 39.Qd7 Qxd7 40.Nxd7
38.Nd7!+- Kg7 39.Nxb8 Bxb8 40.Qb1
40.Qxa3 Qh1 41.h4 Qh2+ 42.Kf3 Qh1+ 43.Rg2 Qd1+ 44.Kf2
40...Bd6 41.h4 Kh6 42.Qb6 f5 43.Qd8 Qc6 44.h5! Kg7 45.hxg6 hxg6 46.Qh4 Bb4 47.g4 Qc1
48.g5 Bf8 49.Qh6+ Kf7 50.Qh8 Bg7 51.Qa8 Qd1 52.Qb7+
52.Qxa3
52...Kg8 53.Qc6 Kh7 54.Qxe6 Qh1 55.Rd2 Bf8 56.Qf7+ Bg7 57.Qe7 Qh2+ 58.Ke1 Qg1+
59.Ke2 Qg2+ 60.Kd3 Qf1+ 61.Kc3 Qa1+ 62.Kb3 Qb1+ 63.Ka4! Qb6 64.Rh2+ Kg8 65.Qe8+
1-0

152. D77
Banusz, Tamas (2619) - Plat, Vojtech (2573)
Slovensko 142/152, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 d5 5.c4 dxc4 6.O-O O-O 7.Na3 Na6 8.Nxc4 c5 9.b3 Be6
10.Bb2 Rc8 11.Rc1 cxd4

699
11...Rc7 - 66/394
12.Qxd4N
12.Nxd4
12...Bxc4
12...Qxd4 13.Nxd4 Bxc4 (13...Bd5 14.Nb5 Bxg2 15.Kxg2²) 14.Rxc4 - 12...Bc4
13.Rxc4
13.bxc4 Qxd4 14.Nxd4 Nc5 15.Rfd1 Nfe4 16.e3 Rfd8 17.Ba3 e6=
13...Qxd4
13...Rxc4?! 14.Qxc4 Qd5 15.Qxd5 Nxd5 16.Ne5 e6 17.Rd1±
14.Nxd4
14.Bxd4 Rxc4 15.bxc4 b6 16.Ne5 Ng4! 17.Nxg4 Bxd4 18.Rd1 Bc5 19.Rd7 Nb4 20.Rxa7 Rd8
21.Ne5 Rd2 22.e3 Rxa2=
14...Rxc4 15.bxc4 Nd7
15...Nc5! 16.Nb3 Nfe4 17.Bxg7 Kxg7 18.f3 Nxb3 19.axb3 Nd2 20.Ra1 Nxb3 21.Rxa7 Nc5
22.f4 Rd8 23.Ra5 b6 24.Rb5 Rd6 25.Kf2 f5=
16.e3 Nac5?!
16...Ndc5 17.Rb1 Rd8 18.f4 Rd7∞
17.Ba3² Rc8 18.Rb1 Kf8

700
18...e6 19.Nb5 Bf8 20.Nxa7 Ra8 21.Nb5
19.Bh3! f5
19...e6? 20.Rxb7+-; 19...Rc7? 20.Nb5 Rc6 21.Rd1 (21.Nxa7 Ra6 22.Nb5±) 21...Ke8 22.Bg2
Rc8 23.Nxa7 Ra8 24.Nb5±
20.g4!± Bxd4?
20...fxg4 21.Bxg4 Rc7 22.Nb5 Rc6 23.Nxa7 Ra6 24.Nb5±
21.exd4 Ne6
21...Ne4 22.Rxb7 Rxc4 23.Rxd7 Rc3 24.Bb4 Rxh3 25.Rxe7 Kg8 26.gxf5 gxf5 27.d5+-
22.Rxb7+- Rxc4 23.Rxd7 Rc3 24.Bb4 Rxh3 25.Rxe7 Ng5 26.f4 1-0

153. D79
Georgiev, Kiril (2577) - Rodshtein, Maxim (2684)
Batumi 142/153, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 d5 5.c4 c6 6.cxd5 cxd5 7.O-O O-O 8.Ne5 Ng4 9.f4 Nc6
10.Nc3 Ngxe5 11.fxe5 e6 12.e4 Qb6
12...dxe4 - 46/(604)
13.Be3!
13.exd5 Qxd4+ 14.Qxd4 Nxd4 15.Bf4 exd5 16.Nxd5 Be6∞
13...Qxb2 14.Rc1 dxe4N

701
14...Bd7 15.exd5 Nb4 (15...exd5 16.Nxd5 Be6 17.Rf2±) 16.d6±
15.Nxe4! Ne7
15...Qxa2 16.Nf6+ Bxf6 (16...Kh8 17.Qg4±) 17.Rxf6 Qb2 (17...Ne7 18.Bh6 Rd8 19.Rf2 Qa6
20.Bg5 Rd7 21.Rfc2±) 18.Rf2 Qa3 19.Bg5 (19.Bh6 Rd8 20.Qc2 Qe7 (20...Nxd4? 21.Rd2 Qe7
22.Rcd1+-) 21.Bxc6 bxc6 22.Rcf1 Rd7 23.Rxf7 Qxf7 24.Rxf7 Rxf7 25.Qxc6 Bb7 26.Qxe6 Rd8
27.Qa2 Bd5 28.Qa5 Rfd7 29.g4±) 19...a5 20.Qg4 Qb4 21.Bh6±
16.Rf2 Qa3 17.Bg5 Nd5 18.Qd2 Bd7 19.Rf3
19.Rb1 b6 20.Bh6 Rac8 21.Nf6+ Bxf6 22.Bxf8 Kxf8 23.exf6±
19...Qb4
19...Qa4 20.Nc5 Qc6 21.Rb3 b6 22.Ne4 Qa4 23.Nf6+ Bxf6 24.Bxf6±
20.Qxb4 Nxb4 21.Be7 Nd5 22.Bxf8 Bxf8
22...Rxf8 23.Ra3 Bc6 24.Rb1±
23.Rb3 Bh6
23...Bc6 24.Nf6+ Kg7 25.Bxd5 exd5 26.Rf1±
24.Rc5 Be8 25.Nf6+ Nxf6 26.exf6+- Rd8 27.Bxb7 Bd7 28.Ra5 1-0

154. D80
Moiseenko, Alexander (2635) - Dubov, Daniil (2699)
Batumi 142/154, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bg5 Ne4 5.Bh4 g5!?

5...c6 - 134/151

702
6.Bg3
6.Nxe4 dxe4 7.Bxg5 Bg7∞
6...h5!
6...Bg7 7.cxd5 Nxc3 8.bxc3 Qxd5 9.e3²
7.f3

7.Nxe4 dxe4 8.h4 e5 (8...c5!?∞) 9.a3 (9.e3!? Bb4+ 10.Ke2∞) 9...exd4 10.Be5 Rh6 11.Qxd4
Qxd4! (11...Bd7?! 12.hxg5! Nc6 (12...Qxg5 13.Qxe4±) 13.Qe3! Rg6 14.Bc3±) 12.Bxd4 g4∞
7...h4N
7...Nxg3 8.hxg3 Qd6 (8...e6?! 9.e3 Bd6 10.f4 gxf4 11.gxf4±) 9.cxd5 (9.Kf2?! h4ƒ) 9...Qxg3+
10.Kd2∞
8.Bf2 Nxf2 9.Kxf2 c5
9...c6!?; 9...e6!?; 9...e5!?
10.cxd5 Bg7 11.dxc5 Na6 12.e3 Nxc5 13.Bb5+ Kf8 14.Nge2 a6 15.Bd3 g4 16.b4 Nd7
16...Nxd3+ 17.Qxd3 h3©
17.fxg4
17.f4 Nf6©
17...Ne5
17...h3!?©
18.h3

703
18...Bxg4! 19.hxg4 Nxg4+ 20.Kf3
20.Kg1 Nxe3 21.Qe1 Rg8©
20...Ne5+ 21.Kf2 Ng4+ 22.Kf3 Ne5+ 1/2-1/2

155. * D85
Yu, Yangyi (2763) - Vachier Lagrave, Maxime (2774)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/6-blitz) 142/155, 2019

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.Bg5
9.Be2 Nb6 10.Qb4 Qd6 11.O-O Bd7N (11...Bg4 - 134/153; 11...Qxb4) 12.Be3 Qxb4 13.cxb4
Bc6 14.Nd2 (14.d5 Ba4! 15.Rac1 c6 16.dxc6 Bxc6 17.Nd2 Rfc8³) 14...f5 (14...Ba4!?) 15.f3
Rfd8 16.b5 Be8 17.Nb3 Bf7 (17...c6! 18.bxc6 Bxc6 19.d5 (19.e5 Nd5 20.Bd2 b6=) 19...Bxd5
(19...Bd7∞) 20.exd5 Bxa1 21.Rxa1 Nxd5 22.Bg5 Rac8∞) 18.Rac1 fxe4 19.fxe4 Bxb3 20.axb3
Bxd4 21.Bxd4 Rxd4 22.Rxc7² Yu,Y (2763)-Wei,Y (2721) Khanty-Mansiysk (m/1) 142/(155)
2019
9...c5 10.Rd1
10.Rc1 - 112/ (249)
10...cxd4 11.cxd4 Nf6 12.d5N
12.Bd3; 12.Qa3
12...Bd7 13.Qb4 Qb6 14.Qxb6 axb6 15.e5?
15.Bd3 Rxa2 16.O-O Rc8³
15...Ng4! 16.e6 fxe6 17.Bc4

704
17.h3 Ne5 18.Nxe5 Bxe5 19.Bc4 Ba4-+
17...Ba4!-+ 18.Rc1 b5 19.Be2 exd5 20.Bxe7
20.O-O e5 (20...Nf6) 21.Rc7 (21.h3 Nf6 22.Nxe5 Ne4 23.Nf3 b4-+) 21...b4 22.Rxb7 e4
20...Rfe8 21.Bg5
21.Bb4 Re4 22.a3 Rae8
21...b4 22.Kf1

22...Rxe2! 23.Kxe2 Bb5+ 24.Ke1 Bc3+ 0-1

156. * !N D85
Nyback, Tomi (2565) - Cheparinov, Ivan (2670)
Batumi 142/156, 2019

705
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 c5 8.Bb5+ Nc6 9.Rb1
9.O-O - 104/(123)
9...O-O 10.d5 a6 11.Be2 Ne5 12.Nxe5 Bxe5 13.O-O

13...e6!N
13...Bxc3 - 142/(156) 14.Be3N (14.Qc2) 14...Qa5 15.h4 (15.Rb3 Bg7 16.Qc2 Bd4 17.Bxd4
cxd4 18.Qb2 b5 19.Ra3 Qb6 20.Rd3 e6 21.Rxd4 exd5 22.exd5 Qd6∞; 15.Qc2 Bd4 16.Bxd4
cxd4 17.Qc4 b5 18.Qxd4 Bd7∞) 15...Rb8 16.h5 Bd7 17.f4 Qxa2 18.hxg6 hxg6 19.Bg4 f5
20.Bh3 Qa4? (20...Bb4µ 21.e5) 21.Qxa4 Bxa4 22.Bxc5 Rf7∞ Yu,Y (2763)-Nepomniachtchi,I
(2776) Khanty-Mansiysk (m/2) 142/(156) 2019
14.Be3
14.c4 exd5 15.exd5 (15.cxd5 Re8 16.Qc2 Qc7 17.g3 b5 18.Be3 Bh3 19.Rfc1 c4 20.f4 Bd6∞)
15...Qd6 16.h3 b5„
14...exd5 15.Qxd5
15.Bxc5 Bxh2+! 16.Kxh2 Qc7+ 17.Kg1 Qxc5 18.exd5 Qxc3∞
15...Qxd5 16.exd5

706
16...b5! 17.c4
17.Bxc5 Bf5! 18.Bxf8 (18.Rb3 Rfc8 19.Bb4 Be4 20.d6 Rd8 21.c4 Bxd6 22.cxb5 axb5 23.Bxd6
Rxd6=) 18...Bxb1 19.Rxb1 Kxf8 20.c4 Ke7! 21.c5 (21.g3 Kd6=) 21...Rc8 22.Rc1 Bd4 23.c6
Kd6 24.a4 (24.Bf3 a5=) 24...bxa4 25.Bxa6 Rc7=
17...Bf5 18.Rbc1 Bd6 19.cxb5 axb5 20.Bxb5 Rxa2 21.Bxc5 Bxc5 22.Rxc5 Ra5!= 23.Rfc1 Rb8
24.Bf1 Rxc5 25.Rxc5 Rb1 26.Rc3 Rd1 27.f3 Rxd5 28.Kf2 Kg7 29.h4 h5 30.Be2 Rd6 1/2-1/2

157. D85
Grischuk, Alexander (2759) - Pultinevicius, Paulius (2503)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/2) 142/157, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 c5 8.Be3 Bg4 9.Rc1
Qa5 10.Qd2 Nd7 11.d5 O-O 12.c4 Qa3 13.Be2 Nf6

707
13...Bxf3 - 121/(160)
14.e5N
14.Bd3 e6 15.Rc3 Qa4 (15...Qa5 16.Rb3 Qxd2+ 17.Nxd2 exd5 18.exd5²) 16.O-O (16.Bxc5?!
exd5 17.Bxf8 Bxf8µ) 16...exd5 17.exd5 Bxf3 18.gxf3 b6∞; 14.Qc2!? Qa5+ 15.Bd2 Qc7 16.O-
O²
14...Nd7

14...Ne4!? 15.Qc2 Bf5 16.Qb3 Qb4+ 17.Kf1²

15.e6! fxe6 16.Ng5 Ne5
16...Bxe2 17.Kxe2 b5 18.cxb5 (18.Nxe6 bxc4! 19.Nxf8 (19.Nxg7 Qd3+ 20.Qxd3 cxd3+
21.Kxd3 Kxg7∞) 19...c3 20.Qc2 Rxf8 21.Rhd1 Ne5 22.Kf1 (22.Qxc3?! Qa6+ 23.Rd3 Qxa2+
24.Qc2 (24.Rc2 Qa4 25.Bxc5 Qe4+ 26.Re3 Qxg2 27.Rxe5 Qxh2µ) 24...Nxd3! 25.Qxa2 Rxf2+!
26.Kxd3 Rxa2 27.Bxc5 Bf6³) 22...Nc4©) 18...Rab8 19.Nxe6 Rf5 20.Rhd1 Rxb5 21.Rc2²
17.Bxg4
17.f4 Bxe2 18.Kxe2 exd5 19.Qxd5+ (19.fxe5 d4 20.Bf4 Rf5! 21.g4 Rxf4! 22.Qxf4 Rf8 23.Qd2
h6 24.Rhf1 Rxf1 25.Kxf1 hxg5©) 19...Nf7 20.Ne6 Qxa2+ 21.Kf3 b6 22.Nxf8 Rxf8©
17...Nxg4 18.Nxe6 Nxe3 19.fxe3 Rf5
19...Rf6 20.Rc3 (20.Rf1 Rb8 21.Rxf6 Bxf6 22.Kf2 b5∞) 20...Qa4 21.Rc2 Bh6 22.Ke2²
20.Rf1 Re5 21.Rf3 Bh6 22.Kf2 b5
22...Rc8 23.Rc2 Qa6 24.Qd3²; 22...Qb4 23.Qd3 b5 24.a3 bxc4 25.Rxc4 Qb6 26.e4²
23.cxb5 Rb8 24.Rc3?!

708
24.Rxc5? Rxe6 25.dxe6 Qxc5-+; 24.Rc2! Qa4 (24...Rxb5 25.d6!+-) 25.Rxc5 Qh4+ 26.Kf1
Qxh2 (26...Qe4 27.Qc3 Rf5 28.Rxf5 gxf5 29.a4+-) 27.Qc2+-
24...Qb4 25.a4?!
25.Qd3 Rc8 (25...Rxb5? 26.Rb3 Qh4+ 27.Kf1 Rxb3 28.axb3+-) 26.h3 Qh4+ 27.Kg1±
25...Qxa4?
25...Rc8 26.h3 Qh4+ (26...Qxa4 27.Nxc5 Qa1 28.Rc4 Rd8 29.Rd4 Bg7∞) 27.Kg1 Qxa4
28.Nxc5 Qb4 29.Nd7 Qxc3 30.Qxc3 Rxc3 31.Nxe5 Bxe3+ 32.Kf1 Rc1+ 33.Ke2 Bb6=
26.Rxc5 Qh4+ 27.Kf1 Qxh2
27...Qe4 28.Qc3 Rf5 29.Kf2 Qh4+ 30.Kg1 Qe4 31.Rf4! Qe5 32.Rxf5 Qxc3 33.Rxc3 gxf5
34.Rb3±
28.Qc3?!
28.Qc2! Rf5 (28...Qh1+ 29.Kf2 Rf8 30.Nxf8 Rg5 31.g3 Rh5 32.Ke2 Rh2+ 33.Rf2+-) 29.Rxf5
gxf5 30.Qxf5 Qh1+ 31.Kf2 Qh4+ 32.Kf3+-
28...Rf5 29.Rc8+
29.Rxf5 gxf5 30.Rc4 Qg3 (30...Kf7 31.Qc2 Qe5 32.Nd4±) 31.Qd3±
29...Rxc8?
29...Kf7 30.Rxf5+ (30.Rxb8 Qxb8 31.Qd3 Rxf3+ 32.gxf3 Qh2=) 30...gxf5 31.Rxb8 Qxb8
32.Qd3 Qe5=
30.Qxc8+ Kf7 31.Rxf5+ gxf5

32.Nd8+!+- Kg7 33.Qxf5 Qh1+ 34.Kf2 Bxe3+ 35.Ke2

709
35.Kxe3 Qe1+ 36.Kf4 Qf2+ 37.Ke5 Qe3+ 38.Qe4
35...Qxg2+ 36.Kxe3 Qg1+ 37.Ke2 Qg2+ 38.Kd3 Qg3+ 39.Kc4 Qc7+ 40.Nc6 1-0
158. ** D85
Sorokin, Aleksey (2513) - Harutyunian, Tigran K (2542)
Saint Louis 142/158, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 c5 8.Be3 Qa5 9.Qd2 O-
O 10.Rc1 Nd7 11.Bd3 e5 12.d5
12.dxe5 Nxe5 13.Nxe5 Bxe5 14.Bc4 Be6 15.Bxe6 fxe6 16.O-O Qc7 (16...Rad8 17.Qe2 Qc7
18.g3 Qc6N (18...c4) 19.Qc4 b6 20.Rfd1 Rd7 (20...Rxd1+ 21.Rxd1 Rf7 22.a4 (22.Rd8+ Rf8=)
22...Rd7=) 21.Rxd7 Qxd7 22.a4 Rf7 23.Kg2 h5 24.Rc2 Qc6 25.Rd2 Rd7 26.Rxd7 Qxd7 27.f4
Bf6 28.Kf2 Kf7 29.Ke2 Qc6= 30.Kd3 Qd7+ 31.Kc2 Qc6 32.Kb3 Qd7 33.Kc2 Qc6 34.Kb3
Qd7 1/2 (34) Lenderman,A (2648)-Artemiev, V (2746) Douglas 142/(158) 2019) 17.h3N (17.g3
- 137/ (156)) 17...c4 18.Rfd1 Rfd8 19.Qc2 b5 20.a4 a6 21.Bg5 Rxd1+ 22.Qxd1 Qc6 23.axb5
axb5 24.Qe2 Ra7= Tunik,G (2358)-Drygalov,A (2499) Chelyabinsk 142/(158) 2019
12...Nf6
12...f5 - 139/168
13.c4 Qc7 14.O-ON
14.Bh6
14...Ng4 15.Bg5 f6 16.h3 fxg5 17.hxg4 Bxg4 18.Nh2
18.Nxg5? Qe7 19.f3 Bh6 20.fxg4 Bxg5 21.d6™ Bxd2 22.dxe7 Be3+ 23.Kh2 Rf7µ
18...Bd7 19.Qxg5 Rf4! 20.g3
20.Qg3 Raf8 21.Qe3 Bh6³
20...Bf6 21.Qh6 Bg7 22.Qg5 Rf7
22...Bf6=
23.Be2 Bf6 24.Qe3 h5 25.Qh6 Rg7
25...Raf8 26.Qxg6+ Rg7 27.Qxh5 Rh7 28.Qg6+ Rg7=
26.Bxh5

710
26...Qd8!= 27.Bxg6
27.Bg4 Bxg4 28.Nxg4 Bg5 29.Qh1 Bxc1 30.Rxc1 Rh7 31.Qf3 Qg5 32.Ne3 (32.Nf6+?! Kh8
33.Rc3 Rf8 34.Nxh7 Rxf3 35.Nxg5 Rxc3 36.Nf7+ Kg7 37.Nxe5 Kf6 38.Nd7+ Ke7 39.Ne5
g5µ) 32...Qh6³
27...Bg5 28.Qh5 Bxc1 29.Rxc1 Qf6 30.Bf5 Bxf5 31.exf5 Rg5 32.Ng4
32.Qf3 Qxf5 33.Qxf5 Rxf5 34.Ng4 Kf8
32...Qg7
32...Qxf5 33.Nh6+ Kf8 34.Nxf5 Rxh5 35.g4 Rh3 36.Kg2 Ra3 37.Rh1 Kf7 38.Rh7+ Kg6
39.Rxb7 a5 40.Re7 a4 41.d6 Rxa2 42.Re6+ Kf7 43.Re7+ Kf6 44.Ng3 a3 45.Ne4+ Kg6 46.Re6+
Kf7 47.Re7+ Kg6
33.f6! Rxh5
33...Qg6? 34.Qxg6+ Rxg6 35.f7+! Kg7 36.Nxe5+-
34.fxg7 Kxg7 35.Re1 Rg5 36.Re4
36.Nxe5 Re8 37.f4 Rxg3+ 38.Kf2 Ra3 39.d6 Rh8 40.Rg1+ Kf6 41.d7 Rd8 42.Rd1 Rxa2+
43.Ke3 Ke6 44.Rh1 Rg2 45.Rh6+ Kf5 46.Rh5+ Kf6 47.Rh6+
36...Re8 37.Kg2 Kf7 38.Nh2 Kf6 39.Ng4+ Kf7 40.Nh2 Kf6 41.Ng4+ 1/2-1/2

159. D85
Esipenko, Andrey (2624) - Svidler, Peter (2729)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/2) 142/159, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 c5 8.Be3 Qa5 9.Qd2 O-
O 10.Rc1 Nd7 11.Bd3 e5 12.d5 Nf6 13.c4 Qc7 14.h3N

711
14.Bh6
14...Ne8 15.O-O Nd6 16.Qe2 f5 17.Bd2

17...fxe4
17...Bd7! 18.Bc3 (18.Ng5 Rae8 19.Rfe1 b6∞) 18...Rae8 (18...fxe4 19.Bxe4 Rae8 20.Rfe1 Qd8∞)
19.Nd2 Bh6„
18.Bxe4 Nxe4 19.Qxe4 Bf5 20.Qe2
20.Qh4 Rae8 21.Bh6 e4 22.Nd2 (22.Bxg7 Qxg7 23.Nh2 e3 24.fxe3 Rxe3∞) 22...Bf6 23.Bg5
Bd4∞
20...e4
20...Rae8 21.Nh2 e4 22.Ng4 Bd4∞
21.Ng5
21.Nh4 Rae8 22.Nxf5 gxf5 23.g3 b6 24.Bf4 Be5=
21...Rae8 22.Be3
22.g4 h6 23.gxf5 hxg5 24.Qg4 (24.fxg6? Rf3-+) 24...gxf5 25.Qxg5 Qe7=
22...Bd4
22...h6 23.Ne6 Bxe6 24.dxe6 Rxe6 25.Rfd1 Rf5 26.Rd5©
23.Rcd1 Qe5
23...Qe7 24.Ne6 Bxe6 25.dxe6 Bxe3 26.Qxe3 Qxe6 27.Qxc5 b6 28.Qd5=
24.Qd2 h6 25.Ne6 Bxe6 26.dxe6 Rxe6 27.Bxd4
27.Bxh6 Rf7 28.Be3 Rd6∞

712
27...cxd4 28.Qxd4 e3= 29.Qxe3 Qxe3 30.fxe3 Rxe3 1/2-1/2

160. * D85
Miljkovic, Miroslav D (2483) - Vuckovic, Bojan (2581)
Srbija 142/160, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4 Nxc3 7.bxc3 c5 8.Be3 Qa5 9.Qd2 O-
O 10.Rc1 Rd8 11.h4 Nc6 12.d5 e6 13.h5 exd5 14.hxg6 hxg6 15.Bh6 Bh8 - 142/160
15...dxe4 16.Bxg7 Kxg7 (16...Rxd2? 17.Bf6+-) 17.Qh6+ Kf6 18.Qh4+ Kg7 19.Ng5+-;
15...Re8N 16.Bxg7 Rxe4+ 17.Be2 Kxg7 18.Ng5 Re8 19.Rh7+ Kg8 20.Rxf7 (20.Kf1!? Qd8
21.Qf4 Bf5 (21...Qe7 22.Bf3 Be6 23.Re1±) 22.Qh4±) 20...Bg4 21.f3 Re5 22.fxg4 Qd8 23.Rxb7
Qxg5 24.Qxg5 Rxg5 Predke,A (2650)-Artemiev,V (2757) Russia (ch) 142/ (160) 2019
(24...Rxg5 25.Kf2 c4 (25...Ne5 26.Kg3 Nf7 27.Bf3 Re5 28.Rc7 c4 29.Rd1±) 26.Bf3 Rd8
27.Rcb1±)
16.Bg5± Re8?!N

16...Bg7 - 134/155
17.Rxh8+! Kxh8 18.Bf6+ Kh7 19.Ng5+ Kg8 20.Qf4+- Qa3 21.Rc2 Qa4 22.Qh2!
22.Qh4 Rxe4+ (22...Qxe4+ 23.Nxe4 Rxe4+ 24.Re2!+-) 23.Nxe4 Qxe4+ 24.Re2! Qb1+ 25.Kd2
Qb2+ 26.Ke3 d4+ 27.Kf4 Qc1+ 28.Re3+-
22...Rxe4+ 23.Nxe4 Qxe4+ 24.Be2 1-0
161. * D85
Melkumyan, Hrant (2650) - Svidler, Peter (2729)
Douglas 142/161, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4 Nxc3 7.bxc3 c5 8.Be3 Qa5 9.Qd2 O-

713
O 10.Rc1 Rd8 11.h4 cxd4 12.cxd4 Qxd2+ 13.Bxd2 Bg4 - 142/ 161
13...Na6 - 141/156; 13...Nd7N 14.Bb4 Nb6 15.Be2 (15.Rc7 Bg4 16.Bxe7 (16.Rxb7 Bxd4
17.Be2 Rac8 18.O-O Bxf3 19.Bxf3 e6= 20.Rxa7?! Nd5 21.Ra4 Nxb4 22.Rxb4 Rc2 23.a4 Bc5
24.Rbb1 Kg7³) 16...Rdc8 17.Rxb7 Rc2ƒ) 15...Bg4 16.d5 (16.Bxe7 Re8 17.Rc7 Rab8 18.Ng5
Na8 19.Bxg4 Nxc7 20.Bd6 Rbc8 21.Bxc8 Rxc8 22.e5 Nb5 23.Rh3 Nxd4 24.Rd3 Rc4∞) 16...e6
17.dxe6 Bxe6 18.a3 a5 (18...Rac8 19.O-O (19.Rxc8 Rxc8 20.O-O Bg4³) 19...Bc4³) 19.Bd2 Bb2
20.Rb1 Na4 21.Bb5 Ba2 22.O-O Bxb1 23.Rxb1 Bc3 24.Bg5 Nc5 (24...f6 25.Bxa4 fxg5
26.Nxg5 Rd4 27.Bb3+ Kh8 28.Bd5 Rb8³) 25.Bxd8 Rxd8 26.e5 Kf8= Gharamian,T (2590)-
Ivic,V (2525) Batumi 142/(161) 2019
14.d5 Na6

15.Bb5N
15.Bxa6 bxa6 16.Bg5 (16.Bf4 Rac8 17.Kd2 Bxf3 18.gxf3 e6„) 16...Rac8 17.Kd2 f6 18.Be3
Bd7 19.Rxc8 Rxc8 20.Rb1 f5 21.e5 Bb5∞
15...Rac8 16.Rxc8 Bxc8
16...Rxc8!? 17.Nh2 h5 18.Nxg4 (18.f3 Nc7 19.Ba4 b5 20.Bb3 (20.fxg4 bxa4∞) 20...Bd7∞)
18...hxg4 19.Bd3 Nc5 20.Bb1 Na4∞
17.Bxa6
17.Bg5 Kf8 18.h5 f5 19.hxg6 fxe4 20.Nd2 (20.gxh7? exf3 21.h8=Q+ Bxh8 22.Rxh8+ Kf7
23.Rh1 (23.Rxd8?? fxg2-+) 23...fxg2 24.Rg1 Bh3µ) 20...hxg6 21.Rh7 Rxd5 22.Bxe7+ Kxe7
23.Bc4 Rc5 24.Rxg7+ Kf6 25.Rf7+ Ke5 26.Re7+ Kf5 27.Rxe4 b5=
17...bxa6 18.Bb4

714
18...Rd7!
18...e6!? 19.Be7 Rd7 20.d6 Bb7 21.Nd2 Bf8 22.Bxf8 Kxf8 23.e5 Bxg2 24.Rg1 Bd5∞
19.O-O f5
19...Bb7 20.Re1 f5 (20...a5 21.Bxa5 f5 22.Nd2 fxe4 23.Nxe4 Bxd5=) 21.exf5 gxf5 22.Bxe7
Bxd5 23.Rd1 Kf7 24.Bc5 Bf6=
20.e5 Rxd5 21.Rc1 Bb7= 22.Bxe7 Bxe5 23.Nxe5 Rxe5 24.Rc7 Bd5 25.a3 Re1+ 26.Kh2 Re2
27.Kg1 Re1+ 28.Kh2 Re2 29.Kg1 Re1+ 30.Kh2 Re2 1/2-1/2
162. * D85
Sargissian, Gabriel (2690) - Tari, Aryan (2630)
Batumi 142/162, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4 Nxc3 7.bxc3 c5 8.Be3 Qa5 9.Qd2 O-
O 10.Rc1 Rd8 11.Be2 Nc6 12.d5 e6 13.O-O
13.Bg5 - 108/ (120)
13...exd5 14.exd5 Bg4 15.Rfd1 Bxf3 16.Bxf3 Ne5 17.c4 Nxf3+ 18.gxf3 Qa3N
18...Qc7 19.Bf4 Qd7 20.Kg2N (20.Rb1 Re8 21.Re1 Bd4 22.Kg2 b6= (22...f6)) 20...b5?!
(20...Re8 21.Re1 b6 22.Rb1 Bd4∞) 21.Be3 (21.cxb5 Bd4 22.d6 Qxb5 23.Re1 Rd7 (23...Re8?!
24.Rxe8+ Rxe8 25.Re1±; 23...Qa6 24.Re4 Rxd6 25.Bxd6 Qxd6 26.Qh6 Bg7 27.Qg5 Bd4
28.Rce1²) 24.Re4²) 21...Rac8 22.Qa5 bxc4 23.Rxc4 Bd4! 24.Bxd4 Qxd5 25.Rc3 Qg5+ 26.Kf1
Qf5= 27.Kg2 Qg5+ 28.Kf1 Qf5 29.Kg2 Qg5+ 1/2 (29) Petrosyan, M (2613)-Khlebovich,A
(2398) Saint Petersburg 142/(162) 2019
19.Qc2 Rd7 20.Kg2 Rc8 21.Rb1 Qa6 22.Bf4 Bd4 23.a4 Qf6 24.Bg3 h5 25.h4 Re8 26.Re1
Rde7?!

715
26...Rxe1 27.Rxe1 Qd8 28.Qd2 b6 29.Re4²; 26...Qd8 27.Re4²
27.Qd2
27.Rxe7! Qxe7 (27...Rxe7? 28.d6 Rd7 29.Qe4+-) 28.a5 f5 29.Qd2±
27...Bc3 28.Rxe7 Rxe7 29.Qg5
29.Qf4 Qxf4 (29...Kg7 30.Qxf6+ Kxf6 31.Bd6 Rd7 32.Bxc5 b6 33.Be3 Rc7 34.Rc1! ∆Bb4
35.Kf1 Kf5 36.Ke2²) 30.Bxf4 b6 31.Rb3 Bd4 32.Be3²
29...Qxg5 30.hxg5 b6 31.Rb3 Bd2 32.f4 Re4 33.Rd3 Rd4 34.Rxd4 cxd4= 35.Kf3 Bb4 36.Ke4
Bc5 37.f3 Kf8 38.Bf2

38...Ke8?
38...Bd6! 39.Bxd4 h4 40.Ke3 (40.Bg1 Ke7=) 40...h3 41.Kf2 Bxf4 42.c5 Ke7! 43.cxb6 axb6
44.Bxb6 Kd6=
39.Bxd4+- Bb4
39...Bxd4 40.Kxd4 Kd7 41.Ke3 Kd6 42.f5 gxf5 43.f4+-
40.f5 Bd2 41.f4 Bb4 42.f6
42.fxg6 fxg6 43.f5 Kf7 44.Be5 Bd2 45.Bf4
42...Bd2 43.Be3 Be1 44.Kf3
44.f5
44...Kd7 45.c5 bxc5 46.Bxc5 a5 47.f5! Bb4
47...gxf5 48.g6
48.fxg6 fxg6 49.Bf2 Bd2 50.Be3 Be1 51.Ke2 Bb4 52.Bd2 h4 53.Bf4 Bc3 54.Kf3 Bb4 55.Kg4

716
Be1 56.Be5 Bf2 57.Bc3 Bb6 58.Kxh4 Kd6 59.Kg4 Kxd5 1-0

163. D85
L'Ami, Erwin (2619) - Cheparinov, Ivan (2670)
Batumi 142/163, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 c5 8.Be3 Qa5 9.Qd2 O-
O 10.Rc1 Bg4 11.Be2 Nd7 12.d5 b5 13.O-O Rad8

14.h3N
14.Rfe1 - 141/154
14...Bxf3 15.Bxf3 c4 16.Qb2
16.Rc2 a6 17.Rb1 Qa3∞
16...Rb8 17.Qb4 Qxb4 18.cxb4 Ra8 19.Rc2
19.a4?! bxa4 20.Rxc4 a3³
19...a5 20.Rb1 axb4 21.Rxb4 Rfb8 22.Be2 Be5 23.f4 Bd6 24.Rb1 Bc5 25.Kf2
25.Bxc5 Nxc5 26.e5 Kg7 27.Kf2 f5 28.Ke3 Ra3+ 29.Kd4 Na6∞
25...f6 26.h4
26.Bg4 Ra3 27.Bxc5 Nxc5 28.Rxc4 Rxa2+ (28...bxc4 29.Rxb8+ Kf7 30.Ke2 Nxe4 31.Be6+
Kg7 32.Rb7 Kf8 33.Rb8+ Kg7=) 29.Ke3 Ra3+ 30.Ke2 Ra2+=
26...Kg7 27.Re1
27.Rcb2 Ra3 (27...c3 28.Rc2 b4 29.g4∞) 28.Bxc5 Nxc5 29.Bxc4 Nxe4+ (29...Rc8 30.Bxb5
Nxe4+ 31.Kg1 Nc3 32.Re1 Nxd5³) 30.Kg1 f5 31.Bxb5 Nc3 32.Bc6 Ne2+ 33.Kf1 Rxb2
34.Rxb2 Nxf4³

717
27...Ra3
27...f5!? 28.e5 (28.exf5 gxf5 29.Bf3 Bd6µ) 28...Ra3 29.Bxc5 Nxc5µ
28.Bg4
28.Bxc5? Nxc5 29.e5 Rd8 30.Rd1 Ne4+ 31.Ke1 fxe5 32.fxe5 Nc3-+
28...f5
28...Bb4! 29.Rb1 Nc5! 30.Ke2 (30.Bxc5 Bxc5+ 31.Kf1 Bd6 32.f5 Re3µ) 30...Nd3 31.Bd7 Ne1!
µ
29.exf5

29...Rxe3! 30.Rxe3 Ra8³ 31.Ke2

31.fxg6 Nf6 32.Be6 Ra3 33.Re2 hxg6³
31...Bxe3 32.Kxe3 Ra3+ 33.Ke2 Nf6
33...Nb6 34.fxg6 Nxd5 35.Bd7 hxg6µ
34.Bf3 gxf5 35.Rb2 Ra5 36.Ke3 Ne8 37.Kd4 Nd6 38.Kc5 Ra3 39.h5 Kf7 40.h6 Re3 41.a4
Rb3! 42.Ra2 b4 43.Bh5+?!
43.a5 Ra3 44.Rb2 b3 45.Kb4 Ra2 46.Rb1 Kg6µ
43...Kf8-+ 44.g4
44.a5 Ra3-+
44...c3 45.g5 Rb2 0-1

164. D87
Rodshtein, Maxim (2653) - Jones, Gawain C B (2663)

718
 Ulcinj 142/164, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Bc4 c5 8.Ne2 O-O 9.O-O
Nc6 10.Be3 b6 11.Rc1 Bb7 12.Qd2
12.d5 Ne5 13.Bb3 Ba6„ (13...c4!?)
12...Qd7
12...Rc8 - 27/(635)
13.Bb5 Rad8 14.d5

14...Qc7N
14...Qc8
15.Bxc6 Bxc6 16.Bh6?!
16.c4 e6 17.Bf4!? (17.Rfe1 exd5 18.exd5 (18.cxd5 Bb5 19.Nc3 Bc4 20.Bf4 Qd7 21.Bh6 Bxh6
22.Qxh6 f6 23.f3±) 18...Rfe8 19.Bf4 Qc8 20.Nc3 Rxe1+ 21.Rxe1 Bd7 22.Ne4ƒ)
16...e6 17.Bxg7 Kxg7 18.c4 exd5 19.cxd5
19.exd5!?
19...Bb7 20.Rfd1
20.Rfe1 Qe7 21.Nf4 Qe5 22.h4∞
20...Qe7 21.f3 Kg8 22.Nf4 Qe5 23.a4 Rd6 24.Nd3
24.h4 Ba6 25.Re1²
24...Qd4+ 25.Kh1 f5

719
26.Qa2! Qg7
26...Qe3 27.Nb2ƒ … Nc4
27.a5 g5 28.a6 Ba8 29.Nb2?!
29.Qe2 Re8 30.Nf2 Kh8 31.Qb5 Red8 32.exf5 Bxd5 33.Ne4 Bc6 34.Rxd6 Rxd6 35.Qb3∞;
29.Qc4 Qh6 30.Rf1 g4 31.Rce1²
29...fxe4 30.Nc4 Rdf6
30...Rxd5? 31.Ne3+-; 30...Rh6!? 31.fxe4 Rh4„
31.fxe4 Rf2
31...Rf4 32.Qb1 Qh6 33.Kg1 Rh4 34.h3 g4 35.Rc3 Qf4 36.Qc1±
32.Qa1 Qg6?
32...Qxa1 33.Rxa1 b5 34.Nd6 b4 35.Rac1 (35.Kg1 b3 36.Rab1 b2 37.Nc4 Rc2 38.Ne3 Re2
39.Re1 Rd2=) 35...b3 36.Rb1 b2∞
33.Re1 Qh5 34.Ne5
34.Ne3 g4 35.Nf1±
34...R8f4?†
34...Qh4 35.Nd3 Rxg2! 36.Kxg2 Qg4+ 37.Kh1 Qf3+ 38.Kg1 Qg4+=
35.Qc3
35.Nd3?? Rxg2! 36.Kxg2 Qf3+ 37.Kg1 Rg4#; 35.Rc3! Re2 36.Rf3±
35...g4 36.Kg1†
36.Nd3! g3 37.h3 R4f3 38.Qc4 Kg7 39.Rcd1 Re3 40.Qc1 Rxe1+ 41.Rxe1 Rf6 42.Qc3+-

720
36...Ra2 37.Ra1 Raf2 38.Rac1 Ra2 39.Ra1
39.Nd3 Rf8 40.Rf1 Rf3 (40...Rxg2+ 41.Kxg2 Qh3+ 42.Kg1 Qe3+ 43.Nf2+-) 41.Rxf3 gxf3
42.Nf4 f2+ 43.Kh1 Qf7 44.Qf3 b5 45.Rf1 b4 46.Qg4+ Qg7 47.Qc8+ Qf8 48.Qc7 b3 (48...h6
49.Ne6 Qf6 50.Qb8+ Kh7 51.Qxa7+ Kg8 52.Qxa8+) 49.Ne6+-
39...Raf2 40.Rad1 Ra2 41.Rf1 Rxe4 42.Nd7 Rxg2+! 43.Kxg2 Re2+ 44.Rf2 Bxd5+ 45.Kg1 Rxf2
46.Kxf2 Qxh2+

47.Ke1??
47.Ke3 Qg3+ (47...Qh6+ 48.Kd3 Bf3 49.Qc4+ Kh8 50.Rd2+-) 48.Kd2 Qxc3+ 49.Kxc3 Bf3
50.Re1 Bc6 (50...h5 51.Nf6++-; 50...Kf7 51.Ne5++-) 51.Nf6++-
47...Bf3 48.Qc4+ Kg7 49.Qc3+ Kg8 50.Nf6+ Kf7 51.Rd7+ Kg6 52.Rg7+ Kf5 53.Qd3+ Kxf6

54.Rxh7??

721
54.Qc3+ Ke6 55.Qe3+ Kd6 56.Qe7+ (56.Qd3+ Bd5 57.Qe3) 56...Kd5 57.Qf7+ Kd4 58.Rxg4+
Bxg4 59.Qf4+! Qxf4=
54...Qg1+ 55.Kd2 Qd1+ 56.Kc3 Qc1+ 57.Kb3
57.Qc2 Qxc2+ 58.Kxc2 Be4+-+
0-1

165. D90
Sargissian, Gabriel (2690) - Hansen, Eric (2611)
Douglas 142/165, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.Nc3 d5 5.h4 dxc4 6.e4 c5 7.d5 O-O 8.Bxc4 b5 9.Bxb5 Nxe4
10.Nxe4 Qa5+ 11.Nc3 Bxc3+ 12.bxc3 Qxb5 13.h5 Qc4 14.hxg6 fxg6 15.Rh4 Bg4?N

15...Qxc3+= - 130/165
16.Nd2! Qxc3
¹16...Bxd1 17.Nxc4 Ba4 (17...Bc2 18.Bh6 Rf6 (18...Rf7 19.Ne5 Rf5 20.f4±) 19.Ne3 Bf5 20.O-
O-O Rf7 21.f3±) 18.Bg5 Rf5 19.Bxe7 Rxd5 20.Ne3 Rd7 21.Bg5±
17.Qxg4 Qxa1 18.Qe6++- Kh8
18...Rf7 19.Rf4 Qg7 20.Bb2 Qf8 21.Rh4 Nd7 22.Qxg6+! Rg7 (22...Qg7 23.Rxh7!+-) 23.Qe6+
Qf7 24.Bxg7+-; 18...Kg7 19.Nb3 Qf6 20.Bh6+ Kh8 21.Bxf8 Qxh4 22.Bxe7 Qh1+ 23.Ke2
Qh5+ 24.g4+-
19.Qxe7 Qxc1+ 20.Ke2 Rxf2+ 21.Kxf2 Qxd2+ 22.Kg1!
22.Kg3?? Qc3+ 23.Kh2 Qg7 24.Qe8+ Qg8 25.Qe5+ Qg7=
22...h5

722
22...h6 23.Qf6+ Kh7 24.Kh2! h5 (24...Qxd5 25.Qe7+ Kg8 26.Rxh6 Qf5 27.Rh7 Qf4+ 28.Kh3
Qf5+ 29.Kg3 Qd3+ 30.Kh2+-) 25.Qf7+ Kh6 26.Qf8+ Kg5 (26...Kh7 27.Rf4+-) 27.Rh3 h4
(27...Qf4+ 28.Rg3++-) 28.Qe7+ Kf5 29.Qe6+ Kg5 30.Qe5+ Kg4 31.Re3+-
23.Qf8+! Kh7 24.Re4?!
24.Rf4 Qe3+ 25.Kh2 Qe5 26.Kh3 Qc3+ 27.g3+-
24...Nc6 25.Qxa8 Qxd5

26.Qe8! c4
26...Kg7 27.Kh2 Qd6+ 28.g3+-
27.Qe6 Qc5+ 28.Kh1 1-0

166. D90
Prohaszka, Peter (2610) - Ivic, Velimir (2525)
Batumi 142/166, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.h4 dxc4 6.e4 c5 7.d5 b5 8.h5 O-O 9.hxg6 fxg6 10.d6
e6N
10...exd6 - 136/151
11.Bg5
11.Nxb5 Qa5+ 12.Nc3 Nxe4 13.Bd2 Nxd2 (13...Nxc3 14.bxc3 Bxc3 15.Bxc4 Nc6 16.O-O
Bxd2 17.Nxd2 Nd4∞) 14.Qxd2 Nc6 15.Ng5 Rf5ƒ; 11.e5 Ng4 (11...Nfd7 12.Ng5 (12.Nd5 Nc6
13.Bg5 Qa5+ 14.Bd2 Qd8=) 12...Nxe5 13.Nxh7 Rf5∞) 12.Rxh7 Rf5 (12...Kxh7? 13.Ng5+ Kg8
14.Qxg4 Rf5 15.Qh4±) 13.Rh3 Nc6 14.Nxb5 Ngxe5 15.Nxe5 Rxe5+ 16.Be3 Rd5 17.Qc2 Ne5∞
11...Qe8

723
11...Qa5 12.Bd2 (12.Bxf6 Rxf6 13.Be2 Nc6 14.a4 Nd4! 15.axb5 Nc2+ 16.Qxc2 Qxa1+ 17.Nd1
Qa5+ 18.Kf1 Qxb5 19.Bxc4 Qe8³) 12...Qb6 13.e5 Nfd7 14.Ng5 Rf5 (14...Nxe5 15.f4 Qxd6
16.fxe5 Qxe5+ 17.Qe2 Qg3+ 18.Kd1 Nc6∞) 15.Rxh7 Rxe5+ 16.Be3 Bb7 17.Qg4 Nf6
18.Rxg7+ Kxg7 19.Nxe6+ Kf7 20.Ng5+ Kg7 21.Ne6+=
12.a4 b4 13.Nb5 c3
¹13...Nxe4 14.Bxc4 Bxb2 15.Nc7 Qf7 16.Ra2 Bd4 (16...Nxg5 17.Rxb2 Nxf3+ 18.Qxf3 Qg7!
19.Qe2±) 17.Bh6 Bc3+ (17...Nc6 18.Bxf8 Qxf8 19.Nxa8 Nc3) 18.Kf1 Rd8 19.Nxa8 Nc6
20.Re2 Nxd6 21.Bg5 Bf6∞
14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.e5
15.bxc3! a6 16.e5 Qf7 17.exf6 axb5 18.Bxb5 bxc3 19.Rc1 Qxf6 20.Qd3²
15...cxb2 16.exf6
16.Rb1 Bh8! (16...Bg7 17.Nc7 Qf7 18.Rxb2 Nd7 19.Rxh7!±) 17.Nc7 Qf7 18.Nxa8 (18.Rxb2
Nc6 19.Nxa8 Nxe5 20.Rd2 Nxf3+ 21.Qxf3 Qxf3 22.gxf3 Bc3∞) 18...Nc6 19.Nc7 Nxe5
20.Be2 c4∞
16...bxa1=Q 17.Qxa1 Qf7?
17...Qd8 18.Ng5 (18.Nc7 Nc6 19.Nxa8 Qxd6 20.Bc4 Bb7³) 18...Qxf6 19.Qxf6 Rxf6 20.Nc7
Rf5 21.f4! b3 22.Nxa8 Rxf4 23.Kd2 Rxa4 24.Rxh7 b2 25.Kc2 Ra1 26.Kxb2 Rxf1 27.Rxa7 Nd7
28.Rc7 Rf8 29.Ne4²
18.Nc7 Bb7 19.Ng5 Qxf6 20.Qxf6 Rxf6 21.Rxh7± Rf5 22.Nxa8 Bxa8 23.d7
23.Rxa7 Bd5 24.Nf3±
23...Nc6

24.Bb5?

724
24.Re7! Re5+ (24...Rxg5 25.Rxe6 Rd5 26.Bc4+-) 25.Be2 b3 26.Re8+ Kg7 27.Nxe6+ Kf6
28.Nc7! b2 (28...Bb7 29.Kd2 b2 30.Kc2+-) 29.Rb8! c4 30.f4 Re4 31.Rxb2 Ke7 32.Kd2+-
24...Rd5 25.Rh3?!
25.f4 b3 26.Rh3 b2 27.Rb3 Rxd7 28.Rxb2 Re7³
25...Rxd7 26.Nxe6
26.Re3 Re7 (26...e5 27.Bc4+ Kf8 28.Ne6+ Ke7 29.Nxc5 Rd4µ) 27.Rxe6 Rxe6+ 28.Nxe6 Nd4
29.Nxc5 Bxg2µ
26...Re7 27.Re3

27...Nd4!-+ 28.Nxd4 Rxe3+ 29.fxe3 cxd4 30.g3

30.exd4 Bxg2
30...dxe3 31.Ke2 Kf7 32.Kxe3 Ke6 33.Kd4 a5 34.Kc5 Ke5 35.Bc4 Be4 36.Bb3 g5 37.Kb5
Bd5 38.Bd1 b3 0-1
167. !N D90
Mirzoev, Emil (2478) - Delchev, Aleksander (2564)
Anogia 142/167, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.h4 c6 6.Bg5 O-O 7.Bxf6 Bxf6 8.e3

725
8.h5 g5 9.h6 g4 (9...Bf5 - 120/167) 10.Ne5 dxc4!∞
8...h5!N
8...Bg4
9.Qc2
9.Qb3 e6 10.O-O-O a5„
9...Kg7 10.O-O-O Qa5! 11.Be2
11.e4 dxe4 12.Qxe4 Bf5 13.Qe3 Na6 14.a3 c5 15.d5 Nb4→; 11.Nd2 Na6 12.a3 Rb8 13.Kb1 b5
14.cxb5 cxb5 15.Nxd5 Bf5 16.e4 Rfc8→; 11.Kb1 Na6 12.a3 dxc4 13.Bxc4 b5→
11...Na6 12.a3
12.Nd2? Bf5µ
12...dxc4!µ 13.Nd2
13.Bxc4 b5 14.Ba2 c5µ
13...b5 14.g4 hxg4
14...c5! 15.gxh5 Bf5 16.Nce4 cxd4 17.exd4 Rac8
15.h5 g5?!

726
15...Bf5 16.e4 Be6 17.hxg6 fxg6 18.Rdg1 Bxd4 19.Bxg4 Bxc3µ
16.Rdg1
16.Qe4! Rb8 17.Bxg4 Bb7 18.Qf5 c5 19.Nce4 Bc8 20.Qf3 Bb7=
16...c5 17.Bxg4
17.Nce4 cxd4µ; 17.Qe4!? Nc7∞
17...cxd4 18.exd4 b4 19.Nxc4 Qd8!-+ 20.Ne4 bxa3 21.bxa3
21.Bxc8 a2 22.Nxg5 Bxg5+ 23.Rxg5+ Kh8
21...Kh8!
21...Qxd4? 22.h6+ Kh8 23.Rd1 Qa1+ 24.Kd2 Qd4+ 25.Ke1
22.Nxf6 exf6 23.Bf3 Rb8 24.Rd1 Qc7 25.Rhe1 Qf4+ 26.Re3 Bf5 27.Qc3 Rfc8 28.Be2 Nc7 0-1

168. ** D90
Wang, Yue (2677) - Li, Chao (2687)
China 142/168, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.h4 c6 6.cxd5 cxd5 7.Bf4 Nc6 8.e3 O-O 9.Qb3 a6
9...Na5 - 141/159
10.Be2

727
10.Ne5 Nxe5N (10...Ng4! 11.Nxg4 Bxg4 12.Qxd5 Qb6 13.Qb3 Qxb3 14.axb3 e5 15.dxe5
Nxe5 16.Be2 Be6 17.b4 Nc4 (17...Rfd8©) 18.O-O (18.Bxc4 Bxc4 19.h5 Rfd8ƒ) 18...Nxb2
19.Ne4 Bc4 20.Bxc4 Nxc4 21.Ra2 Rfc8=) 11.Bxe5 e6 12.Be2 h5 13.a4 b6 14.g3 Bb7 15.Rc1
Ne8 16.O-O² Sorokin,A (2531)-Chirila,I (2566) Saint Louis II 142/(168) 2019
10...Na5!?
10...b5
11.Qd1 Bg4 12.O-O Rc8 13.Ne5 Bxe2 14.Qxe2N
14.Nxe2 - 142/(168) 14...Nd7 15.Nf3 Nf6 (15...e6 16.Rc1 Qe7=) 16.Nc1 b6 17.Nd3 Qd7
18.Qe2 Qb7 19.Rfb1 Nc6 20.a3 Ra8 21.a4 Na5 22.Nfe5 Rfc8 23.Qe1 Nd7= Fedoseev,V
(2672)-Ragger, M (2669) Ulcinj 142/(168) 2019
14...Nc4 15.Nxc4
15.Nd3 e6 16.Nc5 Nd7 (16...Qe7=) 17.Nxd7 Qxd7=
15...Rxc4 16.Rac1 Nh5 17.Bh2 e6 18.g4 Nf6= 19.g5 Nh5 20.b3 Rc6 21.Na4 Qd7 22.Rxc6
22.Nc5 Qe7 23.Nd3 Rfc8=
22...Qxc6 23.Nb2 Rc8 24.Nd3 Qb5
24...Qc2 25.Rc1
25.Rc1 Rxc1+ 26.Nxc1 Qxe2 27.Nxe2 Bf8 28.Kg2 Ba3 29.Be5 Kf8 30.Ng3 Nxg3 31.Kxg3
Ke7 1/2-1/2

169. D90
Predke, Alexandr (2657) - Nepomniachtchi, Ian (2776)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/2) 142/169, 2019

728
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Qa4+ Bd7 6.Qb3 dxc4 7.Qxc4 O-O 8.Bf4 Na6 9.e4
c5 10.e5 Nh5 11.Be3 Nb4 12.O-O-O
12.Rc1 - 112/255
12...b5 13.Qb3
13.Qxc5? Nxa2+ … Rc8
13...a5N
13...Be6
14.dxc5 Qc8 15.Bxb5 Bxb5 16.Nxb5 Rb8 17.a4 Qg4

17...Qf5 18.Qc4 Rbc8 19.Rhe1±

18.h3! Qf5
18...Qxg2 19.Bd4 Nf4 20.Rh2+-
19.Qc4 Rfc8
19...Bxe5 20.Nxe5 Qxe5 21.g4 Nf6 22.Bf4 Qe4 23.Qxe4 Nxe4 24.Bxb8+-
20.Nbd4
20.Rhe1 Bxe5 21.Nxe5 Qxe5 22.f4 Qf6 23.g4 Ng7 24.Kb1±
20...Qe4

729
21.Qxf7+! Kh8
21...Kxf7 22.Ng5++-
22.Qc4 Nf4 23.Bxf4 Qxf4+ 24.Kb1 Nc6 25.Qe6?
25.Qe2 Nxe5 26.g3 Qf6 27.Nxe5 Qxe5 28.Qxe5 Bxe5 29.Nb5 Rxc5 30.Rc1+-
25...Nxe5 26.Nxe5 Bxe5 27.g3™ Qe4+
27...Rxb2+ 28.Ka1 (28.Kxb2 Bxd4+-+) 28...Rb1+! 29.Kxb1 Rb8+ 30.Kc2 Qxf2+ 31.Rd2 Rb2+
32.Kxb2 Qxd2+ 33.Kb3 Qb4+ 34.Kc2 Qxc5+ 35.Kb3 Qb4+ 36.Kc2 Qxa4+ 37.Qb3 Qxd4
38.Rf1 h5∞
28.Ka1 Rxc5 29.Rhe1 Qb7 30.Nb5 Bf6
30...Bxb2+ 31.Kxb2 Rxb5+ 32.axb5 Qxb5+ 33.Kc3 Qb2+ 34.Kd3 Rb3+ 35.Ke4 Qc2+ 36.Ke5
Qc3+ 37.Kf4 Qf3+ 38.Ke5 Qc3+ 39.Kf4 Qf3+=
31.Rd7 Qf3
31...Qc8!? 32.Rd2 Qxe6 (32...Rc1+ 33.Ka2 Rxe1 34.Qxe1 Qxh3=) 33.Rxe6 Rc4 34.Kb1 Rxa4
35.Nc7=
32.Qe3?
32.Rd2 Rbc8 (32...Bg5 33.Rde2 Rd8©) 33.Kb1 Bg5 34.Nd4 Qg2 35.Rde2 Bf6 36.Rd2 Rc4©
32...Qf5! 33.Red1?
33.Qd3 Qxf2 34.Re2 Qf1+ 35.Ka2 Rc1³
33...Qc2-+ 34.Qa3 Rc4 35.R7d2 Qxa4 36.Rd8+ Kg7 37.Rxb8 Qxd1+ 0-1

170. D94
Wei, Yi (2721) - Yu, Yangyi (2763)

730
 Khanty-Mansiysk (m/4-rapid) 142/170, 2019

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 a6 5.e3 g6 6.Be2 Bg7 7.O-O O-O 8.a4 e6
8...Bg4 - 115/163
9.b4

9...Ne4N
9...Nbd7
10.Nxe4
10.Qc2 Nxc3 11.Qxc3 Nd7 12.Bb2 Re8 13.Rfd1²
10...dxe4 11.Nd2 f5
11...e5 12.Nb3 exd4 (12...Qg5 13.Qc2 Bf5 14.Bb2 Nd7 15.Rfd1²) 13.exd4 Qe7 14.Be3 f5
15.Qd2²
12.c5
12.Bb2 Nd7 13.Nb3 Nf6 14.Qc2 Qe7 15.Rfd1²
12...Nd7 13.Nc4 Nf6 14.f3 Bd7
14...exf3 15.Bxf3 Nd5 16.Qb3 Bd7 17.g3²
15.Nd6
15.fxe4 Nxe4 16.Bd3 Nc3 17.Qd2 Nd5 18.Bb2 Bf6 19.Rae1²
15...exf3 16.Bxf3 Qc7 17.Qb3 Kh8 18.Bd2 g5 19.g3
19.b5 axb5 20.axb5 Qb8 21.g3±

731
19...Nd5 20.Bxd5
20.Qd3! Be8 21.e4 fxe4 22.Bxe4 h6 23.Rae1±
20...exd5
20...cxd5 21.Rac1 Bf6 22.b5 axb5 23.axb5 Be7 24.Nxb7! Qxb7 25.c6 Bxc6 26.Rxc6±
21.Qd3 Be6 22.Rf2 Rf6 23.Raf1 Raf8 24.Nxf5 Qd7 25.g4 h5 26.h3 Kg8 27.e4?
27.Kg2 Bxf5 28.Rxf5 Rxf5 29.Rxf5±
27...dxe4
27...hxg4! 28.hxg4 dxe4 29.Qxe4 Bxf5 30.gxf5 (30.Rxf5 Rxf5 31.Rxf5 Rxf5 32.gxf5 Bxd4+
33.Kg2 Bf6 34.Be3 Kg7=) 30...R6f7 31.Bc3 Re8 32.Qd3 Bf6©
28.Qxe4 Bxf5 29.gxf5 R6f7 30.Bc3 Bf6
30...Re8! 31.Qf3 g4! 32.hxg4 Bxd4 33.Bxd4 Qxd4 34.g5 Re3 35.Qf4 Qxf4 36.Rxf4 Rg3+
37.Kh2 Rxg5=
31.Kh1 Re8 32.Qf3

32...g4! 33.Rg2?!
33.hxg4 hxg4 34.Qxg4+ Rg7 35.Qf3 (35.Qf4 Qd5+ 36.Qf3 Re4ƒ) 35...Bxd4 36.Bxd4 Qxd4
37.Rg2 Rxg2 38.Qxg2+ Kf8 39.f6 Qe4 40.Rd1 Qh4+ 41.Kg1 Re1+ 42.Rxe1 Qxe1+ 43.Kh2
Qh4+ 44.Kg1 Qxf6=
33...Bg5 34.Qf2?
34.hxg4 Re3 35.gxh5! Rxf3 36.Rxg5+ Rg7 37.Rxg7+ Qxg7 38.Rxf3 Qg4 39.Re3 Qxf5 40.Kg2
Qxh5³

732
34...Re3-+ 35.Rg3 Qd5+ 36.Kg1
36.Kh2 Rxf5 37.Qxf5 Re2+ 38.Qf2 Rxf2+ 39.Rxf2 Bh4-+
36...Rxf5! 0-1

171. !N D97
Indjic, Aleksandar (2638) - Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2767)
Batumi 142/171, 2019

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Qb3 Nb6 6.d4 Bg7 7.e4 O-O 8.Be3 a5
8...Bg4 - 132/165
9.Be2
9.Rd1
9...a4 10.Qc2 f5 11.Rd1!N
11.Qd2 fxe4 (11...Nc6 12.e5 Nb4 13.a3 (13.Rc1; 13.h4!?) 13...N4d5 14.Bh6 f4 15.Bxg7 Kxg7
16.Ne4 Bf5 17.Nc5 Qc8 18.O-O²) 12.Nxe4 Nc6 13.O-O Bg4„
11...fxe4 12.Ng5 Na6

13.a3
13.d5! Bf5 (13...h6 14.Ngxe4 Bf5 15.a3±) 14.a3 Qd7 15.O-O Rad8 16.Rfe1 h6 17.Ngxe4±
13...c6 14.h4
14.Nxa4!? Nd5 (14...Nxa4 15.Qxa4 Nc7 16.Qb3+ Nd5 17.Nxe4 Qa5+ 18.Rd2 Bf5 19.Nc3²)
15.O-O Nac7 16.Qb3 Bf5 17.Nb6 Ra7 18.Nxd5 Nxd5 19.g4 Bc8 20.Nxe4²; 14.Qxe4 Bf5
15.Qh4 h6 16.Nf3 e6 17.Qg3 Nc7 18.Ne5 Kh7 19.O-O²

733
14...Nd5 15.h5
15.Qxa4 Nxc3 16.bxc3 Nc7 17.Qb3+ Nd5 18.Nxe4 Bf5 19.Bf3 Qa5∞
15...h6
15...gxh5 16.Rxh5 Bf5 17.Ncxe4 Qa5+ 18.Rd2±
16.Ngxe4 Nxe3 17.fxe3 Nc7 18.g4 Nd5 19.Nxd5?!
19.Qd3! Qe8 (19...e5 20.dxe5 Bxe5 21.Nxd5 cxd5 22.Qxd5+ Qxd5 23.Rxd5 Bxb2 24.Rd6±)
20.hxg6 Qxg6 21.Kd2! Bxg4 22.Bxg4 Nxc3 23.bxc3 Qxg4 24.Rdg1 Qe6 25.Rg2²
19...cxd5 20.Nc3 g5 21.Nxd5

21...Bxg4! 22.Qe4 e6!

22...Bxe2 23.Nxe7+ Kf7 24.Qg6+ Kxe7 25.Qxg7+ Rf7 26.Qe5+ Kf8 27.Qh8+ Ke7 28.Qxd8+
Rxd8 29.Kxe2²
23.Ne7+
23.Bxg4?! exd5 24.Qg2 (24.Be6+ Kh8 25.Bxd5 Qc7µ) 24...Qa5+ 25.Qd2 Qc7 26.Qh2 Qe7
27.Qe2 Qe4 28.Rh3 Rae8³
23...Qxe7 24.Bxg4 Kh8
¹24...Qc7 25.Rd2 Rae8 26.Be2 Rc8 27.Bd3 Rf6∞
25.Rf1 Qc7
25...Rxf1+ 26.Kxf1 Qf6+ 27.Ke2 Rf8 28.Bf3²
26.Rxf8+ Rxf8 27.Be2
27.Qxe6 Qg3+ 28.Kd2 Rf2+ 29.Be2 Qf3 30.Re1 Qxh5 31.Qc8+ Kh7 32.Qf5+! Rxf5 33.Bxh5

734
Rb5 34.Kc2 Bf6²
27...Qc6 28.Bd3
28.Qxc6 bxc6 29.Rc1 e5! 30.Rxc6 exd4 31.exd4 Bxd4 32.Rxh6+ Kg7 33.Ra6 Bxb2 34.Rxa4 Rf4
35.Ra6 g4=
28...Qxe4 29.Bxe4 g4 30.Ke2 g3= 31.Rf1 e5
31...Rxf1 32.Kxf1 Bf6 33.Bxb7 Bg5 34.Ke2 Kg7 35.Bc6 Kf6 36.Bxa4 g2 37.Kf2 Bxe3+
38.Kxg2 Bxd4
32.Rxf8+
32.d5 Rxf1 33.Kxf1 Kg8 34.Kg2 Kf7 35.Kxg3 Ke7 36.Kg4 (36.d6+ Kxd6 37.Bxb7 e4)
36...Bf6 37.Kf5 Bg5 38.Kxe5 Bf6+! 39.Kf5 Bxb2
32...Bxf8 33.Bxb7 exd4 34.exd4 Bg7 35.Kd3 Kg8 36.Bg2 Kf8 37.Kc4 Ke7 38.d5 Bxb2
39.Kb4 Kd6 40.Kxa4 Kc5 41.Kb3 Be5 42.Kc2 Kc4 43.Kd2 Bd6 1/2-1/2

172. * D97
Yu, Yangyi (2763) - Vachier Lagrave, Maxime (2774)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/1) 142/172, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Qb3 dxc4 6.Qxc4 O-O 7.e4 Nc6 8.Be2 e5 9.d5 Nd4
10.Nxd4 exd4 11.Qxd4 c6 12.Qc4 b5 13.Qxc6 Bd7 14.Qd6 Re8 15.e5N
15.Bg5 - 141/160
15...Ng4 16.e6 fxe6 17.h3 - 142/172
17.dxe6N Bxe6 18.Qxd8 Raxd8 19.O-O b4 20.Nb5 (20.Ne4 Bf7 21.Ng3 Nf6 22.a3 (22.Bd1
Ne4 23.Nxe4 Rxe4©) 22...b3©) 20...Bd7 21.Bc4+ Be6 22.Be2 Bd7 23.Bc4+ Be6 24.Bxe6+
Rxe6 25.h3 Ne5 26.Bg5

735
26...Nf3+! 27.gxf3 Rd5 28.Be3 Rxb5= 29.Rac1 (29.Rab1 Ra6 30.a3 bxa3 31.bxa3 Rxb1 32.Rxb1
Rxa3 33.Rb8+ Kf7 34.Rb7+ Kg8 35.Rxa7 Rxa7 36.Bxa7=) 29...Bxb2 30.Rc8+ Kf7 31.Rb1
(31.Rc7+!?) 31...Bf6 32.Bxa7 Ra6 33.Bc5 Rxa2 34.Rxb4 Rxb4 35.Bxb4 Bd4 1/2 (35) Lysyj,I
(2596)-Ponkratov,P (2644) Hrvatska 142/ (172) 2019
17...Ne5 18.dxe6
18.Be3 Nf7 19.Qf4

19...b4! 20.dxe6 (20.Qxb4 Rb8 21.Qa3 exd5 22.Rd1 Rxe3! 23.fxe3 Qh4+ 24.Kf1 Ng5 25.Kg1
Qg3 26.Nxd5 Rxb2 27.Nf4 Ne4 28.Rxd7 Qf2+ 29.Kh2 Qg3+=) 20...Rxe6 21.Nd1 (21.Qxb4?!
Rb8 22.Qa3 Rxe3! 23.fxe3 Qh4+ 24.Kf1 Ng5 25.Kg1 Qg3 26.Qc5 Bxh3 27.Qd5+ Kh8 28.Rf1
Qxe3+ 29.Rf2 Be6 30.Qd3 Bd4µ) 21...Bc6 22.Bc4 Bd5 23.Bxd5 Qxd5 24.O-O a5©
18...Bxe6 19.Qxd8 Raxd8 20.Bxb5

736
20...Bc4! 21.Bxe8 Nd3+ 22.Kf1
22.Ke2 Rxe8+ 23.Be3 Rd8 24.Kf3 Rf8+ 25.Kg3 Be5+ 26.Kh4 (26.f4 Nxf4 27.Bxf4 Bxf4+
28.Kh4 Be3 29.Kg3 Bf4+=) 26...Nxf2 27.Rhe1 Nd3 28.Bh6 Nxe1 29.Rxe1 Re8©
22...Bxc3! 23.bxc3 Nxc1+ 24.Kg1 Ne2+ 25.Kh2 Rxe8 26.Rhe1
26.Rhb1 Re7 27.Rb4 Bf7=
26...Bf7
26...Kf7 27.Rab1 Re7=
27.c4 Bxc4 28.Rac1= Bb5 29.Rc7 a6 30.Ra7 Re4 31.Rd1 Rd4 32.Rxd4 Nxd4 33.a4 Bxa4
34.Rxa6 Bb3 35.Ra7 Bf7 36.Kg3 1/2-1/2

737
E00-E24

173. * E01
Durarbayli, Vasif (2626) - Smirin, Ilia (2599)
Saint Louis 142/173, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 c5 4.Nf3 cxd4 5.Nxd4 d5 6.Bg2 e5 7.Nf3 d4 8.O-O Nc6 9.e3 Be7
10.exd4 exd4 11.b4
11.a3 - 136/155
11...Bxb4
11...Nxb4 12.Nxd4 O-O 13.Bb2 Bg4N (13...Qb6 14.Nd2 Rd8 15.N2b3 Bf8∞) 14.Qb3 Bc5
15.h3 Bxd4 16.Qxb4 Bxb2 17.Qxb2 Be6 18.Rc1 Rb8 19.Nd2 b6 20.Nb3 Rc8 21.Nd4 Rxc4
(21...Rc5 22.Nxe6 fxe6 23.a4 Qc7=) 22.Nxe6 Rxc1+ 23.Rxc1 fxe6 24.Qe5 Kh8 25.Qxe6 h6
Tahbaz,A (2484)-Schitco,I (2426) Moscow 142/(173) 2019 (25...h6 26.h4 Re8 27.Qf5²)
12.Nxd4 O-O
12...Nxd4 13.Qa4+ Bd7 14.Qxb4 Nc2 15.Qc3 (15.Qxb7 Rb8 16.Qxa7 O-O 17.Bf4 Rc8 18.Nd2
Nxa1 19.Rxa1 Bc6³) 15...Nxa1 16.Ba3 Qc7 17.Re1+ Be6 18.Qxa1 (18.Nd2?! O-O-Oµ) 18...O-
O-O (18...Qa5 19.Re5 Qa6 20.Rb5±) 19.Nc3 Bxc4 20.Rc1 Rhe8 21.Nb5 Bxb5 22.Rxc7+ Kxc7
23.Bb2ƒ
13.Nxc6 Qxd1N
13...bxc6! 14.Qa4 a5 15.a3 (15.Bxc6? Bh3 16.Bg2 Bxg2 17.Kxg2 Qd4 18.Qb3 Qxa1 19.Bb2
a4!-+) 15...Bc5 16.Qxc6 (16.Nc3 Be6 17.Bg5 Qd4 18.Bxf6 Qxf6 19.Ne4 Qe5 20.Nxc5 Qxc5
21.Qxc6 Rac8 22.Qxc5 Rxc5 23.Rfc1 Rxc4=) 16...Bxf2+! 17.Rxf2 Qd1+ 18.Bf1 (18.Rf1?
Qd4+µ) 18...Bd7 (18...Ra6 19.Qc5 Ne4 20.Nc3 Qxf1+! 21.Rxf1 Nxc5=) 19.Nc3 Qxf1+
20.Rxf1 Bxc6=
14.Rxd1 bxc6

738
15.Ba3!
15.Bxc6 Bg4 16.Bxa8 Bxd1 17.Bd2 Bc5 18.Nc3 Bg4 19.Bb7²
15...Rb8
15...a5 16.Bxc6 Bg4 17.Bxb4 axb4 18.f3 Rac8 19.fxg4 Rxc6 20.Rd4²
16.Bxc6 Bh3
16...Be6 17.Bxb4 Rxb4 18.Bd5 h6 19.Nc3²; 16...Bf5 17.Bb5 Bxa3 18.Nxa3²
17.Bxb4 Rxb4 18.Nd2
18.Rd4 h5 19.Nc3 Be6 20.Bb5²
18...h5
18...Rc8 19.a3 Rb6 20.Bf3 Kf8 21.Rac1²
19.Rab1 Rfb8

739
20.Rb3!
20.Bg2 Bf5 21.Rb3±
20...R8b6 21.Bf3± Ra4
21...Be6 22.Rdb1 a5 23.Rxb4 axb4 24.a4±
22.c5 Rba6
22...Rbb4 23.Rc3 Rd4 24.c6+-
23.c6+- Rxa2 24.Ne4
24.c7 Rc2 25.Ne4 Rxc7 26.Rd8+ Kh7 27.Ng5++-
24...Nxe4 25.Bxe4 g6 26.c7 Kg7 27.Bg2 Bc8 28.Rb8 Rd6 29.Rf1 Be6 30.c8=Q Bxc8 31.Rxc8
Rdd2 32.Rc5 a5 33.Bd5 Ra3 34.Rb1 Rad3 35.Bc6 Ra3 36.Rc4 Raa2 37.Rf4 f5 38.h4 Rac2 1-0
174. * E04
Harikrishna, Penteala (2748) - L'Ami, Erwin (2619)
Douglas 142/174, 2019

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 dxc4 5.Bg2 c5 6.O-O Nc6 7.Na3 cxd4 8.Nxc4 Be7
8...Bc5 - 107/(274)
9.b3 O-O 10.Bb2 d3 11.e3 Bd7N
11...h6 - 142/(174) 12.Nfe5 Nxe5 13.Nxe5 Rb8 14.Bd4 (14.Rc1 Qa5 15.Qxd3 Qxa2 16.Bd4
Qa5 17.Ra1 Qd8 18.Rxa7±) 14...Nd7 15.Nxd7 Qxd7 16.Bxa7 Ra8 17.Bd4 Bf6 18.Bxf6 gxf6
19.Qg4+ Kh8 20.Rfd1 Rd8 21.Rd2± Gelfand,B (2686) -Lu,S (2602) Khanty-Mansiysk (m/3-
rapid) 142/(174) 2019; 11...Ne4; 11...a5
12.Qxd3 Nb4 13.Qe2 Bb5 14.Rfd1 Qc7 15.Nd4

740
15.Nfe5 Rfd8 16.a3 Nc6 17.a4 Ba6 18.Nxc6 bxc6 19.Qc2²
15...Ba6 16.a4
16.Rdc1 Rac8 17.a3 Nc6 18.Nxc6 bxc6 19.Qe1²; 16.a3! Nbd5 (16...Bxc4 17.Qxc4 Qxc4
18.bxc4 Na6 19.Rab1 Nc5 20.Bxb7! Nxb7 21.Nc6±; 16...Nc6 17.Nxc6 bxc6 18.Rac1±)
17.Rac1 Rac8 18.a4±
16...Bxc4 17.bxc4 Rac8 18.a5 a6
18...Qxc4 19.Qxc4 Rxc4 20.Bxb7 a6 21.Ba3±
19.Rab1
19.Ba3! Nc6 (19...b6 20.axb6 Qxb6 21.Rdb1±) 20.Nxc6 Bxa3 21.Rxa3 bxc6 22.c5±
19...b6 20.axb6 Qxb6 21.Nb3 Qc7

21...Rfd8 22.Bd4 Qc7 23.c5±

22.c5! a5
22...Bxc5? 23.Nxc5 Qxc5 24.Bxf6 gxf6 25.Qg4++-
23.Qb5
23.Ra1! Nc6 (23...Bxc5 24.Bxf6 gxf6 25.Rxa5±) 24.Bc3±
23...Nfd5 24.e4 Nf6 25.Rbc1 Nc6 26.Bc3 Rfd8 27.Rxd8+ Bxd8 28.Rd1?!
28.e5! Nd5 (28...Nxe5 29.c6!±) 29.Bxd5 exd5 30.Nxa5±
28...Rb8 29.Qa4 Qb7 30.Nd4 Nxd4 31.Rxd4 Bc7 32.Rd1?!
32.Bxa5! Qa6 33.Be1! Qe2 34.Qd1±

741
32...h6 33.Bxf6 gxf6 34.Rd7 Qb4?
34...Qb1+ 35.Bf1 Be5! 36.c6 (36.Qxa5 Qxe4=) 36...Qc1 37.Qc4 Rb1 38.Qxc1 Rxc1 39.f4 Bb2
40.c7 Kg7=
35.Qxb4 axb4 36.Rxc7 b3 37.Bf1 b2 38.Bd3 Rb3 39.Bb1 Rc3 40.Kg2! Rc1 41.Bd3 Rc3
42.Rb7 Rxd3 43.Rxb2 Rc3 44.Rb8+ Kg7 45.Rc8 Kg6 46.c6 f5 47.exf5+ Kxf5 48.h4+- e5 49.c7
h5
49...f6 50.g4+! Ke4 (50...Kf4 51.g5!+-) 51.h5 Rc6 52.Rf8 Rxc7 53.Rxf6+-
50.g4+! Kf6
50...hxg4 51.h5+-
51.f3
51.gxh5 Kg7 52.f3 Kh7 53.Kf2+-
51...hxg4 52.fxg4 Kg7 53.g5 e4 54.Kf2 Kh7 55.Ke2 e3 56.h5 Kg7 57.h6+ Kh7 58.Kf3 1-0
175. E04
Grischuk, Alexander (2759) - Ding, Liren (2811)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/1) 142/175, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 dxc4 5.Bg2 a6 6.O-O Nc6 7.e3 Rb8 8.Nfd2 e5 9.Bxc6+ bxc6
10.dxe5 Ng4 11.Nxc4 Be6 12.Qe2
12.Qc2 - 73/556
12...h5! 13.Rd1 Qc8 14.Qf3?!N

14.Nbd2 h4 15.Nf1 hxg3 16.hxg3 Rb5!µ (16...Rb4?! 17.b3 Bd5∞)

742
14...Rb6?
14...Bd5! 15.Rxd5™ cxd5 16.Qxd5 Qf5 17.Qc6+ Kd8! 18.f3 Qc2µ (18...Nxe5 19.Nxe5 Qxe5
20.Qxa6 Bd6µ)
15.Nxb6 cxb6 16.h4
16.Nc3 Be7 17.h4 (17.Qg2 h4! 18.f3 Nxe5©) 17...Nxe5 18.Qf4 f6©; 16.Qf4 Be7 17.h3 g5
18.Qd4 c5 19.Qe4 Bf5 20.Qd5 Be6 21.Qh1 Nxe5©
16...Nxe5 17.Qf4 Ng6 18.Qe4 Be7© 19.Nc3 Bf5
19...O-O 20.Qh1 (20.Ne2 Bf5 21.Qh1 Ne5©) 20...Ne5 21.f3 Bc5©
20.Qh1 Ne5 21.f3 Bc2?!
21...Bc5 22.Kg2 Bc2 23.Rd2 Bg6 24.e4 O-O 25.Re2 f5©
22.Rd2 Bg6 23.Qg2
23.e4 O-O 24.Re2 f5 25.Bf4 Nd3 26.Qh3±
23...O-O 24.Rd1 Qf5 25.Rf1 Qe6 26.Ne2! Nd3 27.Kh2 Rd8
27...Bc5 28.Nf4 Nxf4 29.gxf4±
28.e4
28.Rd1! Kh7 29.e4 f5 30.Rxd3! Rxd3 31.Nf4 Qd7 32.Nxd3 Qxd3 33.exf5 Qxf5 34.Qe2+-
28...f5 29.exf5
29.Nf4 Nxf4 30.Bxf4 fxe4 31.fxe4 Bxe4 32.Qe2²
29...Qxf5 30.Nf4 Bf7
30...c5 31.Nxd3 Rxd3 32.Qe2²
31.Nxd3 Rxd3 32.Bf4

743
32.Bg5 Bxg5 33.hxg5 Qxg5 34.Rad1 Rxd1 35.Rxd1 Bxa2 36.Qf2 Qf5=
32...Bxh4! 33.Rad1
33.Qh3 Qxh3+ 34.Kxh3 Bf6=
33...Rxd1 34.Rxd1 Bf6 35.b3 g5 36.Bc7 Bd5 37.Qe2 g4= 38.Qd3 Qxd3 39.Rxd3 gxf3 40.Bxb6
Be5 41.Bd4 Be4!
41...Be4 42.Rd1 Bxd4 43.Rxd4 f2 44.Rd1 Bd3 45.Kg2 f1=Q+ 46.Rxf1 Bxf1+ 47.Kxf1 Kf7=
1/2-1/2

176. * E08
Matlakov, Maxim (2716) - Akobian, Varuzhan (2625)
Douglas 142/176, 2019

1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 Nf6 4.d4 Bb4+ 5.Bd2 Be7 6.Nf3 O-O 7.O-O Nbd7 8.Qc2 Ne4 9.Bf4 c6
10.h4 b6
10...Ndf6 11.Nc3 (11.Nbd2 - 136/166) 11...Nxc3 12.bxc3N (12.Qxc3) 12...b6 13.Ne5 Bb7
14.a4 Nd7 15.Nd3 (15.a5 Nxe5 16.Bxe5 Bd6 17.Bxd6 Qxd6 18.Rfb1²) 15...Qc8 (15...dxc4
16.Nb2 Qc8 17.Nxc4 c5∞) 16.cxd5 cxd5 17.Rfc1 h6 18.c4 dxc4 19.Qxc4 Bxg2 20.Kxg2²
Xiong,J (2708)-Akobian,V (2625) Douglas 142/(176) 2019
11.Nbd2 Nxd2 12.Nxd2 Bb7 13.e4 Rc8 14.Rac1N
14.Rfd1
14...Nf6 15.e5 Nh5 16.Be3² g6 17.cxd5 cxd5 18.Qa4 a6
18...a5 19.Rxc8 Bxc8 (19...Qxc8 20.Nf3 Bc6 21.Qb3 Qa6 22.Rc1 Bb5 23.Qc2²) 20.Rc1 Bd7
21.Qb3²

744
19.Qb3
19.Rxc8 Qxc8 20.Qb3 Qc7 (20...b5 - 19.Qb3) 21.Nf3 Rc8 22.Rc1 Qd8 23.Rxc8 Bxc8 24.Bg5±
19...b5
19...Bc6 20.Rc2 Bb5 21.Rfc1 Rxc2 22.Qxc2²
20.Rxc8 Qxc8

21.Bg5!± Re8 22.Qe3 Qc2

22...Bxg5 23.hxg5 Qc2 24.g4 Ng7 25.Rb1 Qa4 26.a3 b4 (26...Rc8 27.Nb3±) 27.Bf3 bxa3
28.bxa3 Bc6 29.Qc3±
23.g4 Ng7 24.Bxe7 Rxe7 25.Qh6 Ne8
25...Qxb2 26.Nf3 Ne8 27.Ng5 f6 (27...f5 28.h5+-) 28.Nxh7! Rxh7 29.Qxg6+ Ng7 30.exf6+-
26.Nf3! f5
26...a5 27.h5 b4 28.Ng5 f6 29.Nf3 f5 30.Rc1 Qxb2 31.hxg6 fxg4 32.gxh7+ Rxh7 33.Qg6++-
27.exf6 Nxf6 28.Ne5+-
28.Qg5 Kg7 29.Ne5 Rc7 30.Re1 Rc8 31.Qf4 Qc7 32.h5+-
28...Qc8
28...Rg7 29.h5+-
29.h5
29.Nxg6! Rg7 (29...hxg6 30.Qxg6+ Rg7 31.Qxf6 Rxg4 32.Re1+-) 30.Rc1 Qe8 31.Ne5 Nxg4
32.Nxg4 Rxg4 33.Rc7+-
29...Rg7 30.hxg6

745
30.Rc1 Qe8 31.f3+-
30...hxg6 31.Re1
31.g5 Ne4 32.Bxe4 dxe4 33.Ng4 Qb8 34.Qh4 b4 35.Nf6+ Kf7 36.Rc1+-
31...Qe8 32.Re3 Bc8 33.Rc3
33.Qh4 g5 34.Qh6 Nd7 35.Rh3 Nxe5 36.dxe5 Kf7 37.Bf1+-
33...b4 34.Rf3 Nh7 35.Bf1 Nf8 36.Bd3 a5 37.Rf6
37.g5! Rh7 38.Ng4! Rxh6 39.Nf6+ Kf7 40.Nxe8+ Kxe8 41.gxh6+-
37...Qe7 38.Nxg6 Nxg6 39.Rxg6 Rxg6 40.Qxg6+ Kf8 41.Qh6+ Ke8 42.g5 Kd7 43.Qh7
43.g6+-
43...Qxh7 44.Bxh7 Ba6 45.Kg2 Kd6 46.Kg3 a4 47.Kf4 a3 48.b3 1-0

177. !N E11
Ondozi, Murtez (2405) - Prusikin, Michael (2523)
Schweiz 142/177, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 Qe7 5.Nc3 O-O 6.a3?!
6.Qc2
6...Bxc3 7.Bxc3 Ne4
7...b6 - 30/580
8.Qc2 Nxc3 9.Qxc3 d6= 10.e3
10.g3!? Nd7 11.Bg2 e5 12.O-O e4!? (12...Re8) 13.Nd2 Nf6=
10...Nd7 11.Be2 e5 12.dxe5?!
12.O-O=
12...dxe5 13.O-O

746
13...c5!N
13...e4?! 14.Nd4 Qg5 (14...c5?! 15.Nf5²) 15.c5!²; 13...Re8=
14.Rfd1
14.e4?! f6³
14...e4 15.Ne1?
15.Nd2 a5!? 16.Qc2 f5 17.Nb1 Ne5 18.Nc3 Be6 19.Nd5 Bxd5 20.Rxd5 b6 21.Rad1 Rf6„
15...a5!?
15...b6!? 16.b4 Bb7³
16.Rd2?!
16.b4!=
16...Ra6!? 17.Rad1 a4 18.Qc2 Nf6 19.Qc3 h5 20.g3
20.h4 Ng4! 21.g3 Rf6! 22.Bxg4 (22.Bf1 Qc7!µ) 22...Bxg4 23.Rc1 Rd8µ
20...Bh3 21.Ng2

747
21...g5!µ 22.Ne1 h4 23.Ng2 hxg3 24.fxg3 Kh7 25.Rf1 Kg6 26.Rfd1 Rh8 27.Ne1 Qc7 28.Ng2
Re6 29.Qc2 Qc8
29...Bg4!-+
30.Rf1 Kg7 31.Qc3 Qc7 32.Rd5 Kg6 33.Rd2 Qe5!-+ 34.Qxe5 Rxe5 35.Rd6 Re6 36.Rd2
36.Rxe6 fxe6! (36...Bxe6?! 37.h4!„) 37.Rd1 Bg4! 38.Bxg4 Nxg4 39.h4 Ne5 40.Rd6 gxh4
41.Nxh4+ Kf6 42.Rb6 Rb8-+
36...Rb6 37.Rf2 Nd7! 38.Ne1 Be6 39.Rc2 Ne5 40.Ng2 Rd8 41.Rf1
41.h4 f6!
41...Bh3 42.Bd1 Rbd6 43.Be2 Rd2 44.Rxd2 Rxd2 45.Rf2 Kg7
45...Rxb2?? 46.Bh5+
46.Bh5 Rxf2 47.Kxf2 Bxg2 48.Kxg2 g4 49.h3 Nxc4 50.hxg4 Nxb2 51.Kf2 b5 52.Ke2 b4
53.Kd2 Nc4+ 54.Kc1 Nxa3 55.g5 Nc4 56.Be2 Nxe3 57.Bb5 a3 58.Bc6 Nc4 0-1
178. E11
Vitiugov, Nikita (2732) - McShane, Luke J (2682)
Batumi 142/178, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 c5 5.Bxb4 cxb4 6.e3 O-O 7.Bd3 d6 8.O-O
8.Qc2 - 46/(674)
8...b6 9.a3 bxa3 10.Nxa3 Bb7 11.Nb5N
11.b4
11...a5

748
11...a6 12.Nc3 Nc6 13.d5 Nb4 14.e4 e5 15.Ne1²
12.Ne1!? Na6 13.Nc2 Qe7
13...d5 14.b3²
14.Qe2 d5 15.Nc3
15.b3 Nb4 16.Nxb4 axb4 17.Qb2 Bc6 18.cxd5 Bxb5 19.Bxb5 Nxd5 20.Bc6 Ra3∞
15...dxc4
15...Nb4!? 16.Nxb4 (16.Rfc1 Nxd3 17.Qxd3 Ba6 18.b3 Rfc8 19.Na3 Qb4³) 16...axb4 17.Nb5
dxc4 18.Bxc4 Bc6∞
16.Bxc4 Rfc8 17.Rfd1 Nb4 18.Na3 Ne4 19.Nxe4 Bxe4∞ 20.Rac1
20.f3 Bc6 21.e4 Rd8 22.Qe3 Rac8∞
20...Qg5 21.f3 Bd5
¹21...Bc6 22.Nb5 (22.e4 Ba4 23.Rf1 (23.b3?? Bxb3-+) 23...b5 24.f4 Qd8 25.Nxb5 Bxb5
26.Bxb5 Qxd4+ 27.Kh1 Rxc1 28.Rxc1 h6=) 22...Rd8∞
22.e4 Bc6
22...Bxc4 23.Rxc4 (23.Nxc4 Qb5∞) 23...Rxc4 24.Nxc4 Qb5 25.Kf2 Rc8 26.Nd6 (26.Ne3
Qxe2+ 27.Kxe2 Kf8=) 26...Qxe2+ 27.Kxe2 Rc6 28.Nb5 Kf8=
23.Qd2 Qxd2 24.Rxd2 Kf8 25.Rc3 Rc7

26.Bf1!² Rac8
26...f6 27.Nc2! Na2 28.Ra3 Nb4 29.Nxb4 axb4 30.Rxa8+ Bxa8 31.Bd3 Rc1+ 32.Kf2²
27.Nc4 Be8

749
27...Rb8 28.Ne5 f6 29.Nxc6 Rxc6 30.Bb5 Rd6 31.Kf2 Rbd8 32.Ke3²
28.d5! exd5 29.exd5± Rb8 30.d6 Rcb7 31.Ne5 Rd8
31...f6 32.d7 fxe5 33.d8=Q Rxd8 34.Rxd8+-
32.d7 Bxd7 33.Bb5 Bxb5
33...Ke7 34.Nxd7 Rdxd7 35.Bxd7 Rxd7 36.Rxd7+ Kxd7 37.Kf2±
34.Rxd8+ Ke7 35.Rd1 f6

35...Ke6 36.Nc4 Nd5 37.Rc2 Bxc4 38.Rxc4±

36.Re3!+- g5
36...Kf8 37.Rd8+ Ke7 (37...Be8 38.Nd7++-) 38.Nc6+ Kf7 39.Nxb4 axb4 40.Re4+-
37.Nc4+ Kf8 38.Rd8+ Kg7 39.Nd6 1-0

179. ** E15
Cheparinov, Ivan (2670) - Mareco, Sandro (2634)
Douglas 142/179, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Ba6 5.b3 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 Be7 7.Bg2 d5 8.cxd5 exd5 9.O-O O-O
10.Nc3 Re8 11.Ne5 Bb7 12.Rc1
12.Bc1 Nbd7 13.Bb2 Bd6 14.f4 c5 15.e3 cxd4 16.exd4 a6N (16...Bb4 - 129/173) 17.g4 b5∞
Cheparinov,I (2670)-Iturrizaga Bonelli,E (2626) Espana 142/(179) 2019
12...Nbd7 13.Rc2
13.Bf4 - 66/ (445)
13...Nf8 - 142/179

750
13...Bf8N 14.Bf4 c5 15.Nxd7 Qxd7 16.dxc5 bxc5 17.Bg5 d4 18.Bxb7 Qxb7 19.Bxf6 gxf6
20.Na4 Re5 21.Nb2 Rae8 22.Nc4 Re4 23.e3² Grischuk,A (2764)-Duda,J (2748) Hamburg (m/1)
142/(179) 2019
14.Bc1 Ne6 15.Bb2 a6 16.e3 Bd6N
16...Ra7
17.h4
17.f4!? Rc8 (17...c5 18.Ng4! Nxg4 19.Qxg4 cxd4 20.Nxd5²)17.Ng4!? Nxg4 (17...Ne4)
18.Qxg4 Bf8²
17...Rc8 18.Ng4 Be7 19.Nxf6+ Bxf6 20.b4
20.Rd2=
20...c6 21.Rd2

21...a5! 22.a3
22.bxa5 b5 23.a3 Qxa5 24.e4=
22...axb4 23.axb4 Nc7! 24.e4?
24.b5!? Nxb5 25.Nxb5 cxb5 26.Ba3 Rc4 27.Rb2=
24...Ba6! 25.Re1 Bc4 26.Qh5?! Be7 27.exd5 Bxb4µ 28.Re5 Nxd5
28...Bxc3 29.Bxc3 Bxd5-+ (29...Nxd5-+)
29.Nxd5 Rxe5?
29...cxd5-+
30.dxe5 Bxd2?

751
30...Bxd5? 31.e6 fxe6 32.Be4!+-; 30...cxd5 31.e6! Qe7 (31...fxe6? 32.Be4) 32.exf7+ Qxf7
33.Bxd5 Bxd5 34.Rxd5 Qxh5 35.Rxh5=
31.e6!+- fxe6 32.Qg4!
32.Qe5 Qf8 33.Nxb6 Ba6+-
32...Bh6
32...Bg5 33.Ne3! (33.Qxe6+? Kh8-+; 33.Nxb6?! Qxb6 34.Qxc4 Rf8) 33...Bf6 (33...Bb3
34.hxg5+-) 34.Nxc4 Bxb2 35.Qxe6+ Kh8 36.Nxb2 Qe8 37.Qf5+-
33.Qxe6+ Kf8
33...Kh8 34.Qxh6+-
34.Be5?
34.Ba3+ c5 35.Qf5+ Kg8 36.Qxc8! Qxc8 37.Ne7+ Kf7 38.Nxc8+-; 34.Qf5+ Kg8 (34...Ke8
35.Nxb6+- (35.Qe4++-)) 35.Qxc8 Qxc8 36.Ne7++-
34...g6 35.Bd6+ Kg7 36.Be5+ Kf8 37.Bd6+ Kg7 38.Be7 Qe8 39.Bf6+ Kf8 40.Qd6+ Kf7
41.Nxb6 Be6 42.Nxc8 Qxc8 43.Bd4 Bg7 44.Bxg7 Kxg7 45.Bxc6 Bf7= [Q 8/i] 46.Qe5+ Kg8
47.Be4 Qe6 48.Qd4 Qc4 49.Qe5 Qe6 50.Qf4 Kg7 51.g4 Qf6 52.Qg3 h6 53.g5 hxg5 54.hxg5
Qd4 55.Qf4 Be6 56.Kg2 Bf7 57.Kg3 Qc3+ 58.Bf3 Qa1 59.Qe3 Qb2 60.Be4 Qb3
60...Qe5+ 61.Kg2 Qb2
61.Bd3 Qc3 62.Kh4 Qa1 63.Be4 Qe5 64.Kh3 Kf8 65.Kg2 Kg7 66.Kf3 Qb2 67.Qc5 Qa1
68.Kg2 Qb2 69.Qd6 Qc3 70.Bf3 Qb2 71.Bg4 Qb7+ 72.Kg3 Qb3+ 73.Kh4 Qb2 74.Qc5 Qa1
75.Qe3 Qb2 76.Qc5 Qa1 77.Bh3 Qa4+ 78.Kg3 Qb3+ 79.f3 Qb2
79...Qb8+ 80.f4 (80.Kg2 Qf4) 80...Qb3+ 81.Kh2 Qb2+=

752
80.Qe3 Qb8+ 81.Kg2 Qb2+ 82.Kg1 Qa1+ 83.Kh2 Qb2+ 84.Bg2 Kg8 85.f4 Qb3 86.Qe5 Qd3
87.Kg1 Qg3 88.Qd4 Qe1+ 89.Kh2 Qh4+ 90.Bh3 Qe1 91.Kg2 Qe2+ 92.Kg3 Qe1+ 93.Kf3
Qe7 94.Kf2 Qa3 95.Bg4 Qa2+ 96.Be2 Qe6 97.Qe5 Qb6+ 98.Kg2 Qb3 99.Bf3 Qd3 100.Kf2
Qd2+ 101.Be2 Qb4 102.Bb5 Qd2+ 103.Kg3 Qd1 104.Be2 Qg1+ 105.Kf3 Qh1+ 106.Ke3
Qc1+
106...Qg1+ 107.Kd2 Qb6=
107.Kd4 Qg1+ 108.Kc3 Qe1+ 109.Kc2 Qb4 110.Bd3 Qb3+ 111.Kd2 Qb4+ 112.Ke2 Qb6
113.Bb5 Qa5 114.Qb8+ Kg7 115.Bd3 Qa2+ 116.Ke3 Qg2 117.Be2 Qg3+ 118.Kd2 Qb3
119.Qe5+ Kg8 120.Bd3 Qb4+ 121.Ke2 Qb6 122.Be4 Qa6+ 123.Kf2 Qa2+ 124.Kg3 Qb3+
125.Kg2 Qa2+ 126.Kh3 Qb3+ 127.Kh4 Qe3 128.Bg2 Qd2 129.Kg3 Qd3+ 130.Kf2 Qd2+
131.Kg3 Qd3+ 132.Kf2 1/2-1/2

180. E16
Cheparinov, Ivan (2670) - Jobava, Baadur (2617)
Douglas 142/180, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Bb7 5.Bg2 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 Bxd2+ 7.Qxd2 d6 8.O-O O-O 9.Qf4
9.Nc3 - 92/(488)
9...c5 10.Rd1 Qe7 11.dxc5N
11.Nc3
11...dxc5 12.Ne5 Bxg2 13.Kxg2 Qb7+ 14.Qf3 Qxf3+ 15.Kxf3
15.exf3!? Rc8 16.Nc3 Nc6 17.Nxc6 Rxc6 18.Rd3²
15...Rc8 16.Nc3 Nc6?!
16...Ne8 17.a4! f6 (17...a5 18.Rd2 f6 19.Nd7±) 18.a5! b5! (18...fxe5? 19.axb6+-) 19.Nd7 bxc4
20.Ra4 Nxd7 21.Rxd7 Rc6 22.Rxc4 Nd6 23.Rg4 Nf7 24.Kg2²
17.Nxc6 Rxc6 18.e4
18.Rd2 Kf8 19.Rad1 Ke7 20.Ne4 (20.g4²) 20...Rc7 21.Nxf6 gxf6²
18...e5?!
18...Rc7 19.b3 (19.e5 Nd7 20.Re1 Kf8 21.Rad1²) 19...Kf8 20.Ke2 Ke7 21.e5 Nd7 22.f4²
19.Rd3± Kf8 20.Rad1 Ke7

753
21.g4! h6 22.h4 a6 23.Nd5+ Nxd5 24.Rxd5 Ke6 25.Rd7 b5 26.Rb7
26.b3 bxc4 27.bxc4 Rac8 28.Rb7±
26...bxc4 27.Rdd7 Rf8 28.Ke3 Kf6 29.a4 g5

30.h5!+- a5
30...Kg7 31.a5 Rf6 32.Rb6+-
31.f3 Ke6 32.Kd2 Rd6+
32...Rcc8 33.Kc3 Rcd8 34.Rxd8 Rxd8 35.Kxc4 Rd4+ 36.Kxc5 Rxa4 37.Rb6++-
33.Rxd6+ Kxd6 34.Rb6+ Ke7 35.Kc3 Rd8 36.Kxc4 f6 37.Kxc5 Rd3 38.Rb5
38.b4 axb4 39.Kxb4 Rxf3 40.a5+-

754
38...Rxf3 39.Rxa5 Re3 40.Ra7+ Ke6 41.a5 Rxe4 42.a6 Rxg4 43.b4 Rg2 44.Ra8 Ra2 45.a7 Kf5
46.b5 1-0

181. E20
Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2772) - Ponomariov, Ruslan (2648)
Ulcinj 142/181, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 c5 5.g3 cxd4 6.Nxd4 O-O 7.Bg2 d5 8.Nc2
8.cxd5 Nxd5 9.Qb3 Nc6 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.O-O Qa5 (11...Rb8!? - 137/176) 12.Ne4 Ba6
13.Qc2= - 121/180
8...Bxc3+ 9.bxc3 Qc7
9...dxc4?! 10.Ba3 Re8 11.Qxd8 Rxd8 12.Ne3±
10.cxd5 Nxd5 11.Nb4 Qxc3+
11...Nxb4 12.cxb4 Rd8 13.Qb3 Nc6 14.O-O Nd4 15.Qb2 e5² - 127/129
12.Bd2 Qc5N

12...Qa3
13.Rc1 Qb5
13...Qd6 14.Nxd5 exd5 15.Qb3
14.a4 Qd7 15.O-O
15.Nxd5 exd5 16.Be3 Nc6 17.Qxd5 Qxd5 18.Bxd5 Bg4 19.f3 Be6 20.Bxe6 fxe6 21.Kf2²
15...Re8 16.Qb3
16.Nxd5 exd5 17.Be3 Nc6 18.Bxd5 h6 19.Bf3 Qxd1 20.Rfxd1 Bf5 21.a5²

755
16...Nb6 17.Rfd1
17.Rc2 Qxa4 18.Qxa4 Nxa4 19.Rfc1 Nd7 20.Na6 Rd8 21.Ba5 Ndb6 22.Ra2 Rd7 23.Nc7 Rb8
24.Nb5 Re7 25.Bb4 Rd7 26.Bd6 Ra8 27.Rac2±
17...Qxa4 18.Qb1 N8d7
18...Qb5! 19.Qa1 Qxe2 20.Bc3©
19.Bc3 a5 20.Na2 Nd5 21.Bb2
21.Bd4 e5 22.Ba1 N5f6∞
21...Qg4
21...Qb3 22.Qa1; 21...Ra6 22.Bxd5 exd5 23.Nc3 Qb3 24.Nxd5 Rc6 25.Rd3 Qa4 (25...Qb5
26.Nc7) 26.Ra3 Rxc1+ 27.Qxc1 Qc6 28.Rxa5 (28.Rc3)
22.Rd4 Qg6 23.e4 Nb4?!
23...N5f6 24.Nc3 Nc5 25.Ba3 e5 26.Rd2 Ne6 27.Nb5 Bd7 28.Nd6 Bc6© (28...Reb8 29.Nf5)
24.Nxb4 axb4 25.Rxc8
25.Qd3 Qf6 (25...Ne5 26.Rd8) 26.Rc7±
25...Raxc8 26.Rxd7 Red8

27.Qd1! Qg5 28.h4 Rxd7

28...Qe7 29.Qg4 f5 (29...Qf8 30.Rxb7±) 30.Rxd8+ Rxd8 31.exf5+-
29.Qxd7 Rd8 30.Qc7 Qd2
30...Rd1+ 31.Kh2 Qd8 32.Qe5 Qf6 (32...f6 33.Qxe6++-) 33.Qc5 Qd8 34.Qxb4±
31.Bf3 Kh8†

756
31...Qd6! 32.Qxb7 (32.Qa5 h6 33.Kg2 Rc8 34.Qa1±) 32...Qc5
32.Kg2 Rg8 33.Ba1 b3 34.Qxb7 Qa5 35.Bb2 Qa2 36.Bd4 f6 37.e5 f5 38.Qb6 Qd2 39.Bc6 f4
40.g4 Qd1 41.Bf3 Qd3 42.h5 h6 43.Bb2 Qc4 44.Ba3 Rc8
44...Re8 45.Qb7 (45.Qd6) 45...Qc2 46.g5 hxg5 47.h6 Qh7 (47...Qg6 48.Bh5) 48.Qd7 Qg6
49.hxg7+ Kh7 50.Be2+-
45.Qd6 Kg8 46.Bb7 Re8 47.Bc6 Rc8 48.Bd7 Qe4+ 49.Kh2 Qe2 50.Bc5 1-0

757
E25-E74

182. E32
Krysa, Leandro Sergio (2519) - Flores, Diego (2602)
Argentina (ch) 142/182, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 b6!? 5.e4 c5 6.d5

6.e5 cxd4 7.a3 Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 Ng8 9.cxd4 Bb7∞ - 138/192; 6.a3 Bxc3+ 7.bxc3 Bb7 8.Bd3 b5!
9.Qb1 cxd4 10.cxd4 (10.cxb5!? dxc3 11.Ne2 d5 (11...Qa5 12.O-O©) 12.Nxc3 Nbd7 13.O-O
Nc5∞) 10...bxc4! 11.Qxb7 cxd3 12.Qxa8 Qb6∞ - 126/174
6...Qe7 7.Ne2 exd5 8.exd5 O-O 9.Bg5
9.Bd2 Bxc3 - 133/172
9...h6 10.Bh4 d6 11.O-O-O Re8 12.f3
12.h3 Nbd7 13.g4 Ne5 14.a3?! (14.Bxf6 Qxf6 15.Ne4∞) 14...Ba5 (14...Bxc3 15.Nxc3
(15.Qxc3 Nxd5!µ) 15...Nf3!³) 15.Bg2 (15.Bxf6 Qxf6 16.Ne4∞) 15...Nxc4! 16.Bxf6 Qxf6
17.Ne4 Rxe4 18.Bxe4 b5©; 12.Nb5!? Ba5! (12...g5? 13.Bg3 Ne4 14.Nec3±; 12...a6 13.Bxf6
Qxf6 14.Nc7 Re7 15.Nxa8 Bf5 16.Qb3 Bh7 17.g3) 13.Bxf6 Qxf6 14.Nc7? Re7 15.Nxa8 Bf5
16.Qb3 (16.Rd3 Nd7-+) 16...Bh7! 17.g3 Be4→ (17...Qf5? 18.Nc3)
12...Nbd7 13.Ne4N
13.Bf2
13...g5 14.Nxf6+ Qxf6!
14...Nxf6 15.Bf2
15.Bf2

758
15...b5! 16.h4
16.cxb5 a6ƒ; 16.Ng3! bxc4 17.Bxc4 Rb8 18.Nh5 Qh8 19.h4 g4∞
16...g4!?
16...bxc4 17.Ng3 (17.hxg5 Qxg5+ 18.f4 Qg7 19.Ng3 Nf6„) 17...c3∞
17.Ng3 bxc4 18.Bxc4 Rb8 19.Qf5?

19.Ne4 Rxe4! 20.fxe4 Ne5 21.Rhf1 Nxc4 (21...Qf4+ 22.Kb1 Nxc4 23.Qxc4 Bf5 24.Ka1 Qxe4
25.Qc1²; 21...Qg7 22.Be2±) 22.Qxc4 Qe5 23.Qd3! (23.Qc2 Ba6©) 23...Ba5 24.Qc2 Ba6
25.Be1! Bxf1 26.Bxa5²
19...Qh8!!
19...Qg7 20.Qxg4 (20.Nh5 Qh8) 20...Qxg4 21.fxg4 Ne5µ

759
20.Qxg4+ Kf8 21.Bb3 Ne5?
21...Bc3! 22.bxc3 Qxc3+ 23.Bc2 (23.Kb1 Rxb3+ 24.axb3 Qxb3+ 25.Kc1 Qc3+ 26.Kb1 Ba6-+)
23...Ne5 24.Qf4 Nc4! 25.Qxh6+ Ke7-+; 21...Ba3! 22.Rd2 (22.bxa3 Qc3+ 23.Bc2 Ne5 24.Qf4
Nc4 25.Qxh6+ Ke7-+) 22...Ne5-+
22.Qf4 c4
22...Ba6 23.Be3!±
23.Ba4?
23.Bc2! Nd3+ 24.Bxd3 Ba3! 25.Rd2 (25.Bd4 Bxb2+ 26.Kc2 Bxd4 27.Qxd6+ Kg8 28.Qxb8
cxd3+ 29.Rxd3 Bd7©) 25...Rxb2 26.Bd4 Rb6+ 27.Kc2 (27.Kd1 cxd3 28.Bxh8?? Rb1#)
27...cxd3+ 28.Rxd3 Rb2+ 29.Kd1 Rb1+=
23...Ba3!-+
23...Bd7! 24.Bxd7 Bd2+!! 25.Rxd2 Nd3+-+ 26.Rxd3? Qxb2+ 27.Kd1 Qb1+ 28.Qc1 Qxd3+
29.Qd2 Rb1#
24.Bd4
24.bxa3? Nd3+ 25.Rxd3 Qb2+ 26.Kd1 Qb1+ 27.Qc1 Qxd3+ 28.Qd2 Rb1#
24...Rxb2!
24...Bxb2+ 25.Kc2 Re7-+
25.Bxe8

25.Bxb2 Nd3+ 26.Rxd3 Qxb2+ 27.Kd1 Qb1+ 28.Kd2 Qxd3#

25...c3!! 26.Ba4

760
26.Bxc3 Rb4+-+
26...Bd7
26...Ba6! 27.Qf5 (27.Bxe5 Rd2+ 28.Kb1 Bd3+ 29.Ka1 Bb2#; 27.Bxc3 Rb4+-+) 27...Qg7!
28.Bxc3 Rb3+ 29.Kc2 Rxc3+! 30.Kxc3 Nxf3+ 31.Kb3 Qb2#
27.Bb3
27.Bxd7 Rd2+ 28.Kb1 c2+-+
27...Rxb3+
27...Rxa2+ 28.Kb1 Rb2+ 29.Ka1 Rxb3→
28.Kc2 Rb2+ 29.Kxc3 Ke7! 30.Bxe5 Qc8+?
30...dxe5 31.Qc4 Qb8!→
31.Kd3 Qc2+ 32.Ke3 Qf2+
32...Bc5+ 33.Bd4 Qf2+ (33...f5? 34.Rhf1+-) 34.Ke4 Qc2+ (34...Bxd4 35.Rxd4 Qc2+ 36.Ke3
Qf2+ 37.Ke4=) 35.Ke3=
33.Ke4 Qc2+ 34.Rd3?
34.Ke3=
34...Rb4+ 0-1

183. E60
Goganov, Aleksey (2565) - Sychev, Klementy (2578)
Ulcinj 142/183, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.f3 Nc6 4.d5 Ne5 5.e4 d6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.f4 Ned7 8.Nh3 O-O 9.Be2 Nc5
10.Nf2 e5 11.dxe6 fxe6 12.Be3 Qe7N
12...b6 - 126/187
13.Qc2 Nfd7 14.O-O-O Nb6
14...b6 15.h4²
15.h4 e5 16.Bxc5 dxc5 17.f5! gxf5 18.exf5 e4?!
18...Bxf5 19.Nfe4 Be6 (19...Kh8 20.g4 Be6 21.b3∞) 20.Ng5 Bf5 21.Bd3 Bxd3 22.Rxd3 Bh6
23.Kb1©
19.g4 e3 20.Nfe4
20.Qe4!? Qe5 (20...Qxe4 21.Nfxe4 h5 22.f6! Bxf6 23.Nxf6+ Rxf6 24.gxh5 Bf5 25.Rdf1±)
21.Qxe5 Bxe5 22.Nfe4 h5 23.Rhg1 Kh8 24.Nxc5±

761
20...Bd7 21.Ng5
21.Nd5 Nxd5 22.cxd5 b6 23.Bc4 Kh8 24.Ng5 b5 25.Be2 h5 26.Kb1 hxg4 27.Bxg4±
21...h6 22.Nge4
22.Rxd7! Qxd7 (22...Nxd7 23.Nd5 Qd6 24.Ne6±) 23.Ne6 Qd2+ 24.Qxd2 exd2+ 25.Kxd2 Rf7
26.Bd3 c6 27.g5±
22...Rae8

23.Rhg1!± Bc6?!
23...Qxh4? 24.f6 Bxf6 25.Rh1+-; 23...Kh8 24.Ng3! Qe5 (24...Qxh4? 25.g5! Be5 (25...Qxg5
26.Nh5+-) 26.Rh1! Qxg3 27.Rxh6+ Kg8 28.f6+-) 25.Nh5±
24.g5
24.f6 Bxf6 25.Nxf6+ Qxf6 26.g5 Qe5 27.gxh6+ Kh8 28.Rg7 Rf5 29.Bd3 e2 (29...Rf2 30.Rh7+
Kg8 31.Rg1+ Kf8 32.Qd1+-) 30.Qxe2 Qxe2 31.Nxe2+-
24...Bxe4 25.Nxe4 Qxe4 26.Qxe4?

762
26.gxh6 Qxc2+ 27.Kxc2 Re7 28.Rg5 Kh8 (28...Kh7 29.hxg7 Rxg7 30.Rdg1 Rxg5 31.hxg5+-)
29.hxg7+ Rxg7 30.f6! Rh7 31.Rxc5+-
26...Bxb2+!= 27.Kxb2 Rxe4 28.gxh6+ Kh8 29.h5
29.Rg7 Rxh4 30.Kc3 Rh2 31.Re1 Rxf5 32.Rxc7 Rff2 33.Bd3 Rxa2 34.Rh7+ Kg8 35.Rg1+ Kf8
36.Rh8+ Ke7 37.Rh7+ Kf8 38.Rh8+ Ke7=
29...Rd4
29...Nxc4+ 30.Bxc4 Rxc4 31.Rd7 Rb4+ 32.Kc2 Rb6 33.Rxc7 Rxh6 34.Rxb7 Rxh5 35.Rxa7
Rfxf5 36.Ra8+ Kh7 37.Ra7+=
30.Rxd4?!
30.Kc3 Rfd8 31.f6 Rxd1 32.Bxd1 (32.Rxd1 Rxd1 33.Bxd1 Nd7 34.f7 Kh7 35.Bg4 Nf8 36.Kd3
Kxh6 37.Kxe3 Kg5 38.Bf3 c6 39.Ke4 Kf6 40.Bg4 Nh7=) 32...Nd7 33.Kd3 Nxf6+ 34.Kxe3
Rd4=
30...cxd4 31.Rg7
31.Rg4 c5 32.Rg7 Na4+ 33.Kb3 Nc3 34.Bd3 e2 35.Re7 Rf7! 36.Re5 Kh7 37.Re6 e1=Q 38.Rxe1
Kxh6³
31...Rxf5?
31...Na4+! 32.Kc2 Rxf5 33.Rxc7 Nc5-+
32.Kb3 Rf6
32...Re5 33.Rxc7 d3 34.Bxd3 e2 35.Rh7+ Kg8 36.Rg7+ Kh8 37.Rh7+=
33.Rxc7 Rxh6 34.Rxb7 Re6?

763
34...Rd6! 35.c5 d3 36.Bg4 Nd7! 37.cxd6 e2 38.Rxd7 e1=Q 39.Rxa7 d2 40.d7 d1=Q+ 41.Bxd1
Qxd1+ 42.Kc4 Qc2+=
35.Rxa7
35.Rb8+! Kg7 36.Rd8 Re4 37.Rd6+-
35...d3 36.Bxd3 e2 37.Bxe2 Rxe2 38.c5 Nd5 39.c6?!
39.a4 Re4 40.Rb7±
39...Re8?
39...Re6! 40.Rd7 (40.c7 Re3+! 41.Kc4 (41.Kb2 Re8 42.Rb7 Re2+ 43.Kb3 Re3+ 44.Ka4 Rc3
45.Rb8+ Kg7 46.c8=Q Rxc8 47.Rxc8 Nb6+=) 41...Nxc7 42.Rxc7 Ra3=) 40...Nb6 41.c7 Rc6
42.Re7 Kg8 43.Re8+ Kh7 44.Rb8 Kh6 45.a4 Kxh5 46.a5 Nc4 47.c8=Q Rxc8 48.Rxc8 Nxa5+
49.Kb4 Nb7=
40.Kc4+- Ne7 41.Kc5 Nc8 42.Rd7 1-0

184. * E60
Oparin, Grigoriy (2657) - Gabuzyan, Hovhannes (2616)
Saint Louis 142/184, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.g3 O-O 5.Bg2 d6 6.O-O Ne4 7.Qc2
7.Nbd2 - 63/(489)
7...f5 8.Nbd2 Nxd2 9.Bxd2 e5 10.dxe5 dxe5 11.Bb4 Re8 12.Rad1 - 142/184
12.Rfd1N Qf6 13.Bc3 Nc6 14.b4 Qe7 15.b5 Nd8 16.a4 (16.e4 Nf7 17.exf5 gxf5 18.Qb2²)
16...a5 (16...e4 17.Bxg7 Kxg7 (17...exf3? 18.Bb2 fxg2 19.Qc3+-) 18.Nd4²) 17.e4 f4 18.Qd2
(18.gxf4 exf4 19.e5 Bf5 20.Qd2 Ne6 21.Nd4 (21.Bxa5 g5©) 21...Nxd4 22.Qxd4 Qxe5 23.Bxb7
Qxd4 24.Bxd4 Rab8 25.Bc6 Re2 26.Rac1²) 18...Bg4 19.gxf4 Ne6! 20.f5 (20.Bxe5 Bxe5 21.fxe5
Rf8 22.Qc3 Nf4 23.Bf1 Rae8ƒ) 20...Nf4 21.Qe3 Bh6 22.Qe1 Qg7µ Lai,H (2463)-Kerigan,D
(2378) Amsterdam 142/(184) 2019
12...Qf6 13.Bc3 Qe7N
13...Nc6 14.b4 Qe7 15.b5 Nd8 16.e4 Nf7 17.Rfe1²
14.e4 f4 15.gxf4 exf4 16.e5
16.Bxg7 Qxg7 17.Qd2 Qf7 18.Qc3 Nc6 19.Rfe1 Qg7 20.e5 g5∞
16...Nc6 17.Rfe1 Be6 18.h4!? Rf8

764
18...Bxc4? 19.Ng5! Rad8 20.e6 Bxc3 21.Qxc3 Qb4 22.Qxb4 Nxb4 23.Rxd8 Rxd8 24.Re4 b5
25.b3+-; 18...Bh6 19.b3 Rad8∞
19.Ng5! Bg4
19...Bxc4? 20.e6 Bxc3 21.Qxc3+-
20.Bd5+ Kh8 21.f3
21.Rd2! Rf5 (21...Bf5 22.Qc1 h6 23.e6! hxg5 24.Bxc6 bxc6 (24...gxh4 25.Rd7 Qg5+ 26.Kh2
Bxc3 27.Qxc3+ Qf6 28.e7 Qxc3 29.exf8=Q+ Rxf8 30.bxc3 Bxd7 31.Bxd7+-) 25.Rd7+-;
21...Nb4 22.Qb3 Nxd5 23.cxd5+-) 22.e6 Rxg5 23.Bxg7+ Kxg7 24.Qc3+ Kh6 25.hxg5+ Qxg5
26.f3! Bxf3+ 27.Kf1 Bh5 28.Bxc6 bxc6 29.Rd7+-
21...Bf5 22.Qb3± h6
22...Rab8 23.e6 h6 24.Bxg7+ Qxg7 25.Nf7+ Kh7 26.e7 Rxf7 27.e8=Q Rxe8 28.Rxe8±
23.Qxb7 Rab8
23...hxg5 24.Qxc6 gxh4 25.Rd2+-
24.Qxc6 Rb6

765
25.Qa4
25.Qf6!! Qc5+ (25...Rbxf6 26.exf6 Qc5+ 27.Bd4 Qxd4+ 28.Rxd4 Bxf6 29.Rdd1 hxg5 30.hxg5
Bxg5 31.Be4+-) 26.Bd4 Qxd4+ 27.Rxd4 Bxf6 28.exf6 hxg5 29.hxg5+-
25...hxg5 26.Qa3?!
26.Qxa7 g4 (26...gxh4 27.a4 Bc8 28.a5 Ra6 29.Qf2±) 27.Re2±
26...Qxa3
26...c5 27.b3 gxh4 28.Qb2 Kh7 29.Kh2²
27.bxa3 gxh4 28.Ba5 Ra6 29.Bxc7 Re8 30.Bd6 Bf8
30...Be6 31.Bxe6 Rxe6 32.c5+-
31.Bxf8 Rxf8 32.e6 Re8 33.e7?!
33.c5! Bxe6 34.c6 Kg7 35.c7+-
33...Kg7
¹33...Rd6 34.Rd4 Kg7 35.Rxf4 h3 36.Kh2±
34.c5 Kf6 35.Bc4!+- Rxa3 36.Rd6+ Kg5 37.Bf7 Rxe7 38.Rxe7 Rc3 39.Bxg6 Rc1+ 40.Kf2
40.Kg2?? h3+ 41.Kf2 h2 42.Bxf5 h1=Q 43.Rg7+ Kxf5 44.Rf7+ Ke5 45.Re7+=
40...Bxg6 41.Rg7 Rc2+ 42.Kg1 1-0
185. E61
Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi (2722) - Asadli, Vugar Afgan Oglu (2513)
Ulcinj 142/185, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 O-O 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.e3 d6 7.Nge2 e5 8.d5

766
8.O-O - 133/184
8...Nb8
8...Na5 9.b3 a6 10.O-O Bd7 11.a4 Re8 12.e4²
9.Rb1N
9.O-O
9...Nh5 10.e4 f5 11.exf5 gxf5
11...Bxf5 12.Ra1 a5 13.O-O Na6 14.h3 Nf6 15.g4 Bd7 16.Ng3 Nc5 17.Be3²
12.f4² Nd7
12...e4 13.Nd4 Nf6 14.Bh3 Ne8 15.Be3 c5 16.dxc6 Nxc6 17.O-O²
13.O-O e4
13...exf4 14.Nxf4 Nxf4 15.Bxf4 Ne5 16.Qb3 Ng6 17.Ne2!? (17.Bd2 Bd7 18.Rbe1²) 17...Re8
18.Rbe1 Qf6 19.Bc1²
14.Nd4 Nb6
14...Nc5 15.Be3 Nf6 16.Bh3! Ne8 17.b4 Nd3 18.Qd2²
15.b3 Bd7 16.Be3 Nf6

17.Bh3! Qc8
17...Ne8 18.Qd2 c5 19.dxc6 bxc6 20.Nc2 Rf7 21.Bd4²
18.a4! a5 19.Rc1± c5 20.dxc6 bxc6

767
21.Nxf5! Bxf5 22.Bxf5 Qxf5 23.Bxb6 Qh3
23...Rab8 24.Bd4 Rfe8 25.Kg2 h5 26.h3 Rb7 27.Re1±
24.Rc2 c5 25.Nb5+- Ra6 26.Qxd6 Kh8 27.Qc7 Qe6 28.Bxc5 Rc8 29.Qe5! Qh3 30.Bd4
30.Nd6 Ne8 31.Qd5 Nxd6 (31...Rxc5? 32.Nf7+ Kg8 33.Nh6+ Kf8 34.Qf7#) 32.Bxd6+-
30...Re6 31.Qg5 e3 32.f5 1-0
186. * E61
Zajic, Milan (2477) - Mamedov, Rauf (2645)
Batumi 142/186, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.Nc3 O-O 5.Bf4 d6 6.e3 Nc6 7.Be2 Nd7 8.h3 e5 9.Bh2 f5 10.O-
O g5
10...e4 - 100/434
11.dxe5 dxe5 12.Rc1N
12.a3 - 142/(186) 12...e4 13.Nd4 Nxd4 (13...Nde5 14.Nxc6 bxc6∞) 14.exd4 Nf6 (14...b6!?
15.Rc1 Bb7 16.b4 Kh8∞) 15.Be5 Be6 16.Nb5 Rf7 17.d5 Bc8 18.Qd4 (18.d6! cxd6 (18...c5
19.b4±) 19.Nxd6 Re7 20.Qd4 Qf8 21.c5±) 18...a6 19.Nc3 Qf8 20.c5 Nd7 21.Bxg7 Qxg7
22.Qxg7+ Kxg7 23.b4 Nf6 24.Rfd1² Rodrigues,A (2134)-Rocha,S (2353) Cruz Quebrada-
Dafundo 142/(186) 2019; 12.Qd5+; 12.Nd5
12...e4 13.Nd4
13.Nd2 Nde5 14.Nb3 (14.Qb3 Kh8 15.Rfd1 Qe7 16.Nd5 Qf7∞) 14...Be6 15.Nd5 b6∞
13...Nde5 14.c5
14.Nxc6 bxc6 (14...Nxc6?! 15.Qxd8 Rxd8 16.Nd5 (16.Bxc7?! Rd2©) 16...Bxb2 17.Rcd1±)

768
15.Qa4 Qe8 16.Rfd1 a5∞
14...Kh8 15.Qb3
15.Nxc6 Qxd1 16.Rfxd1 bxc6∞
15...Nxd4! 16.exd4 Nc6 17.d5
17.Nb5 f4 18.d5 a6! (18...Ne5 19.d6 cxd6 20.Nxd6 Qe7 21.Nxe4) 19.dxc6 axb5 20.Bxb5 Qf6
21.cxb7 Bxb7 22.c6 Bc8³
17...Nd4 18.Qd1 f4³ 19.Bc4

19.Nxe4 Qxd5 20.f3 Nxe2+ 21.Qxe2 Qxa2µ; 19.Bh5 Bf5³

19...g4! 20.Re1
20.hxg4 f3 21.g3 (21.Nxe4 Bxg4 22.Re1 Qh4 23.Bg3 Qh5-+) 21...e3! 22.fxe3 Bxg4 23.Rf2 Nf5
24.e4 Ne3 25.Qd3 Nxc4 26.Qxc4 Qg5µ
20...gxh3 21.Nxe4 hxg2 22.Rc3 Qh4-+ 23.f3 Bh3
23...Bf5 24.Nf2 Rae8 25.Rxe8 Rxe8 26.Kxg2 b5 27.cxb6 axb6 28.Qd2 Be5-+
24.Qd2 Rae8 25.Rd3

769
25...Nc2! 26.Rc1 Ne3 27.Rxe3 fxe3 28.Qxe3 Rxe4! 29.fxe4 Qg5! 0-1

187. E61
Schitco, Ivan (2492) - Van Foreest, Jorden (2621)
Batumi 142/187, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.e3 O-O 5.Be2 d6 6.Nc3 Bf5 7.Nd2 e5 8.d5 e4 9.g4 Bc8 10.g5
10.Ndxe4 Nxe4 11.Nxe4 f5 12.Ng3 (12.gxf5?! Bxf5 13.Ng3 Bh3µ) 12...fxg4 13.Bxg4 Bxg4
14.Qxg4 Qd7!? (14...Nd7©) 15.Qxd7 Nxd7©
10...Nfd7 11.Ndxe4 f5 12.gxf6 Nxf6 13.Ng3 Bh3 14.Bd2N
14.e4 - 138/198
14...Na6 15.Qc2
15.f4 Qe7 (15...Nd7 16.a3 Qh4©) 16.Qc2 Rae8 17.O-O-O Ng4 18.Bxg4 Bxg4 19.Rde1 c6©
15...Ng4©
15...c6!? 16.dxc6 bxc6 17.f4 Rb8 18.Nd1 Nd7 19.Bc3 Bxc3+ 20.Qxc3 (20.Nxc3?! Nb4 21.Qd2
Nc5 22.b3 Re8³) 20...Ndc5©
16.Nce4
16.f4 Qh4 17.Bxg4 Qxg4 18.Nce2 Rae8 19.O-O-O Qd7 20.Kb1 c6 21.dxc6 bxc6©
16...Qh4ƒ 17.Rg1
17.f4 Bg2 18.O-O-O Bxh1 19.Rxh1 Rae8 20.Bf3 Nc5³
17...Rae8 18.O-O-O
18.f3 Rxe4! 19.O-O-O (19.Qxe4?! Nc5 20.Qc2 Nxh2-+; 19.fxe4 Bh6 20.O-O-O Nxe3µ)

770
19...Rxe3! 20.fxg4 Re5 (20...Bd4µ) 21.Ne4 Bh6µ
18...Nxf2 19.Nxf2 Rxf2µ 20.Be1 Rxh2 21.Nf1

21...Rxe2! 22.Qxe2 Qe4 23.Nd2

23.Qc2 Qxc2+ 24.Kxc2 Bf5+ 25.Kc1 Nc5 26.b3 h5µ
23...Qxe3 24.Qxe3 Rxe3 25.Nf1
25.Nb3 Re4 26.Bc3 Rxc4 27.Na5 Bh6+ 28.Kb1 Bf5+ 29.Ka1 Re4 30.Nxb7 Nb4 31.Bxb4
Rxb4µ
25...Re4
25...Re2 26.Bd2 (26.Bc3 Bxc3 27.bxc3 Rxa2 28.Ne3 Nc5-+) 26...Nc5 27.Ng3 Rf2-+
26.b3 Re2 27.Bd2 Nc5 28.Ng3 Rf2 29.Kc2 a5
29...Be5 30.Rde1 Bf4 31.Ne2 Bh2 32.Rh1 Bf5+ 33.Kd1 Rg2-+
30.Rde1 Be5 31.Nf1
31.Kd1 Bg4+ 32.Ne2 h5-+
31...Bf5+ 32.Kd1 Bb1-+ 33.Rxe5
33.Re2 Bc2+ 34.Kxc2 Rxe2-+
33...dxe5 34.Ne3 Bxa2 35.Rg2 Bxb3+ 36.Kc1 Rxg2 0-1
188. E62
Jumabayev, Rinat (2630) - Berkes, Ferenc (2666)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/2) 142/188, 2019

1.d4 d6 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 g6 4.g3 Bg7 5.Bg2 O-O 6.Nc3 c6 7.O-O Bf5 8.Ng5 e5

771
8...d5 - 136/187
9.d5 a5 10.e4N
10.dxc6 bxc6 11.Nge4 Nxe4 12.Nxe4 Bxe4 13.Bxe4 Qc7 (13...Qd7 14.Be3 f5 15.Bg2 e4
16.Qd2²) 14.Be3 f5 15.Bd5+ Kh8 16.Bg2 Nd7∞
10...Bg4 11.Qb3 Na6 12.Be3 cxd5 13.cxd5 Nd7

14.Ne6! fxe6 15.dxe6 Nac5 16.e7+ Nxb3 17.exd8=Q Rfxd8 18.axb3 Nc5
18...Be6 19.Rfd1 Nc5 20.Nd5 Nxb3 21.Ra3 Bxd5 22.Rxd5 Nc5 (22...a4 23.Bf1 Nd4 24.Bxd4
exd4 25.b3 axb3 26.Rxb3 Rd7 27.Rb6 Ra1 28.Kg2 Re1 29.Bd3²) 23.Bxc5 dxc5 24.Rxa5!²
19.Bg5
19.Bxc5 dxc5 20.Nd5 Kh8 21.Rfc1 Bf8 22.f3 Bd7 23.Bf1²; 19.Ra3 Be6 20.Rd1 Bxb3 21.Bxc5
Bxd1 22.Bb6 Bg4 23.Bxd8 Rxd8 24.Rxa5 Bd7 25.Bf1 Bh6 26.Bc4+ Kf8 27.Nd5 Bc6 28.b4²
19...Rf8
19...Rdb8!? 20.h3 Be6 21.Rad1 Ra6 22.Nd5 Bxd5 23.Rxd5 Rb6 24.Rc1 Nxb3 25.Rc2 Nd4
26.Be3 a4 27.Bf1 Rb4 28.Rc4 Rxb2 29.Rxa4 b5 30.Ra7 Nf3+ 31.Kg2 Ne1+=
20.Ra3 Be6
20...Ne6 21.Be7 Rf7 22.h3 Rxe7 23.hxg4 b6 24.b4²
21.Rd1 Nxb3 22.Rxd6 Nd4 23.Rb6 Rf7 24.Nb5!² Nc6 25.Rd3
25.Ra1 Bf8 26.Be3 Rd7 27.Bf1²
25...Bf8 26.Be3 a4
26...Bb4 27.Bf1 Re7 28.Rd1 Kg7 29.Rc1²

772
27.Bf1! Ra6
27...Bc4 28.Rd1 Bxf1 29.Kxf1 Na5 30.Rc1 Rd8 31.Kg2 Rfd7 32.Na3 Rd1 33.Rc2±
28.Rxa6 bxa6

29.Rc3! Nb4 30.Nc7 Bb3 31.Nxa6 Nc2 32.Bc5 Nd4

32...Ne1 33.Bxf8 Rxf8 34.Be2 Nc2 35.Nc5 Nd4 36.Kf1+-
33.Kg2 Kg7 34.Bc4+- Rf6 35.Bxf8+ Rxf8
35...Kxf8 36.Nc5+-
36.Bxb3 axb3 37.Nc5 Rb8 38.Nd3 Kf6 39.Rc5 Re8 40.Rd5 Nc2 41.Kf1 g5 42.Nc5 g4
43.Nd7+ Ke6 44.Nxe5 Rc8 45.Nxg4 Rc4 46.f3 h5 47.Rxh5 Nd4 48.Re5+ 1-0

189. E62
Shtembuliak, Evgeny (2548) - Kadric, Denis (2558)
Saint Louis II 142/189, 2019

1.d4 d6 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 g6 4.g3 Bg7 5.Bg2 c6 6.O-O O-O 7.Nc3 Bf5 8.Ng5 e5
8...d5 - 136/187
9.d5 Qc7N
9...a5; 9...c5
10.dxc6
10.e4 Bd7 11.h3 (11.dxc6 bxc6 12.Qd3 Rd8 13.Rd1 Bg4 14.f3 Bc8 15.Be3 (15.c5?! d5³)
15...Na6∞) 11...Na6 12.Be3 cxd5 13.cxd5 Nc5 14.Rc1 a5∞
10...bxc6 11.b4 h6 12.Nge4

773
12.Nf3 Rd8 13.Ba3 d5³; 12.e4 Bg4 13.Nf3 Rd8 14.Qe2 Nbd7 15.Rd1 Rab8 16.Rb1 a5 17.a3
axb4 18.axb4 Be6 19.Nd2 Nb6³
12...Nxe4 13.Nxe4 Rd8 14.Nc3?!

14.Be3! Bxe4 (14...Be6 15.Rc1 f5 16.Nc3 e4 (16...Bxc4? 17.Nd5!±) 17.f3 exf3 18.Bxf3²)
15.Bxe4 f5 16.Bg2 e4 17.Rc1 Nd7 18.Qd2 Kh7 19.f3 exf3 20.exf3²
14...Be6! 15.Qb3
15.Qd3 Nd7 16.Be3 f5 17.b5 e4 18.Qd2 Kh7³
15...f5µ 16.b5
16.Na4 Qf7 17.Nb2 e4µ
16...e4 17.Bb2 Qf7 18.Qa4 Nd7!
18...Bxc4 19.bxc6 d5µ
19.bxc6 Nb6 20.Qc2 Nxc4 21.Rac1 Rac8 22.Ba1 Rxc6-+ 23.Nb5 Bxa1 24.Rxa1 Rc5 25.Nd4
Ne3 26.Qd2 Nxf1 27.Bxf1 Kh7 28.e3 Bc4 29.Bxc4 Qxc4 30.Rb1 Rd7 31.Kg2 Qd5 32.Rb8
Rb7 33.Rd8 h5
33...f4! 34.gxf4 (34.exf4?? e3+) 34...Qh5 35.h3 Qh4 36.Ne6 Rh5 37.Nf8+ Kg8 38.Ne6+ Kf7-+
34.a4 Rcc7 35.Qe2 Rb1 36.Nb5 Rc6 37.Rd7+ Kh6 38.Nd4 Rcb6 39.Rxa7 R1b2 40.Qe1 Qa2
41.a5 R6b4
41...Rxf2+! 42.Qxf2 Rb2 43.Qxb2 Qxb2+ 44.Kf1 Qd2-+
42.a6 f4?!
42...Rxd4! 43.exd4 Re2 44.Qc1+ e3 45.Kh3 (45.Kg1 Qd2-+) 45...Rxf2 46.Qxe3+ f4-+

774
43.gxf4 Rxd4! 44.exd4 Re2 45.Qg1 Qd2?

45...Qb3 46.Rb7 Qd3 47.a7 h4! 48.h3 Qg3+ 49.Kf1 Re1+ 50.Kxe1 Qxg1+ 51.Ke2 Qa1-+
46.Rf7?
46.Ra8! Qd3 (46...Qxf4 47.Kf1 Qc1+ 48.Kxe2 Qxg1 49.a7 Qg4+ 50.Ke1 Qg1+ 51.Ke2=)
47.Rh8+ Kg7 48.a7 Rd2 (48...Rb2 49.Rg8+ Kh7 50.Rh8+=) 49.Rg8+! Kh7 50.Rh8+ Kxh8
51.a8=Q+ Kg7 52.Qe1 Qf3+ 53.Kg1 Rd1 54.Qxe4 Qxe4 55.Qxd1 Qxf4=
46...Qd3 47.a7 Ra2 48.Qf1 Qf3+ 49.Kg1 e3 50.fxe3 Qxe3+ 51.Kh1 Qe4+ 52.Kg1 Qxd4+
53.Kh1 Qd5+ 54.Kg1 Qxf7 0-1

190. * E63
Moroni, Luca Jr (2553) - Obgolts, Erik (2352)
Saint Petersburg 142/190, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 O-O 5.Nc3 d6 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.O-O Bf5 8.Nh4 Bd7 9.f4
9.e4 - 37/(640)
9...Ng4
9...e5 10.fxe5 dxe5 11.d5²; 9...Na5 10.b3 c5 11.dxc5 Ng4N (11...dxc5) 12.Bd2 dxc5 13.Qe1
Nc6 14.e3 Qc8 15.h3 Nf6 16.Kh2² Christiansen,J (2554)-L'Ami,A (2296) Hell 142/ (190) 2019
10.d5
10.Nf3
10...Na5 11.h3 Nf6 12.Qd3 c6 13.dxc6N
13.Kh2 cxd5 14.cxd5 Rc8 15.Rb1 Nc4 16.b3 Na3! 17.Bxa3 Rxc3³

775
13...Nxc6
13...Bxc6!?
14.e4 Rc8 15.Be3 a6 16.Rfd1² Nb4 17.Qe2 Qc7

18.c5! Rfe8
18...dxc5? 19.e5 Ne8 20.a3 Nc6 21.Nd5+-
19.Rac1± Nc6 20.Qf2
20.cxd6 exd6 21.Qd2±
20...Qb8 21.Nd5
21.cxd6 exd6 22.g4±
21...Nxd5 22.exd5 Nd8 23.b4 Ba4 24.Re1 e6 25.dxe6 fxe6 26.Bd4 Bxd4 27.Qxd4 dxc5
28.Rxc5 Rxc5 29.bxc5 Bc6 30.Nf3
30.Qe3!± ∆Qc7 31.Bxc6 Nxc6 32.f5→
30...Nf7 31.Qc3 Qd8 32.Nh2 Bxg2 33.Ng4
33.Kxg2 Qd5+ 34.Kg1 Rc8 35.Ng4 Qxc5+ 36.Qxc5 Rxc5 37.Rxe6 Rc1+ 38.Kf2 Rc2+ 39.Re2
Rxe2+ 40.Kxe2 Nd6=
33...Bc6= 34.Nf6+ Kf8 35.Nxh7+ Kg8™ 36.Nf6+ Kf8 1/2-1/2

191. E63
Puranik, Abhimanyu Sameer (2571) - Korobov, Anton (2679)
Douglas 142/191, 2019

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.O-O O-O 5.d4 d6 6.c4 Nc6 7.Nc3 a6 8.h3 Bf5

776
8...Rb8 - 120/192
9.d5 Na5 10.Nd4 Bd7 11.Qd3 c5 12.dxc6 Nxc6 13.Nxc6 Bxc6 14.e4 Nd7N
14...Qa5
15.Bg5
15.Be3 b5 16.cxb5 axb5 17.Bd4 (17.Qe2 Nc5=) 17...Bxd4 18.Qxd4 Qb6=
15...b5 16.cxb5 axb5 17.Qd2 b4
17...Re8 18.Nd5 Bxd5 19.exd5 Nc5 20.Rfe1 Qd7∞
18.Nd5 Bxd5! 19.exd5 Qb6!?
19...Re8 20.Be3 Qa5 21.Rfc1 Nc5∞
20.Rfe1
20.Bxe7 Rfe8 21.Bg5 Qd4©
20...Rfc8 21.Be3
21.Rxe7 Ne5 22.Rc1 Rxc1+ 23.Qxc1 h6! 24.Bxh6 (24.Bd2 Qd4 25.Be3 Qc4©) 24...Bxh6
25.Qxh6 Qd4©
21...Qb5 22.Bd4 Bxd4
22...Ne5!?
23.Qxd4 Ne5
23...Rc2! 24.Rxe7 Ne5 25.Qf4 b3 26.a4 Qc5³
24.f4 Qd3 25.Qe4?!
25.Rad1 Nf3+ 26.Bxf3 Qxf3 27.Rd3 Qh5 28.Kg2 Rc7 29.g4 Qh4 30.Re2=
25...Qxe4 26.Rxe4 Nd3³ 27.Bf1 Nxb2 28.Rxb4 Na4!
28...Rc2? 29.a4±
29.Rb7 Kf8
29...Rc3 30.g4 Kf8 31.Re1 Nc5 32.Rbxe7 Rxa2³
30.Re1 Nc5 31.Rbxe7 Rxa2 32.Bb5

777
32.R1e2 Ra1³
32...Ne6! 33.dxe6
33.Rb7? Nd4-+; 33.Re8+? Rxe8 34.Bxe8 Nd4-+
33...Kxe7 34.exf7+ Kf6 35.Bc6

35.Bc4 Raa8 36.Bd5 Ra3µ

35...Rb8! 36.Bb7 Rf8! 37.Bd5 Rd2 38.Re8 Kg7 39.Be6 Rb2 40.Bd5 Rb5 41.Bc4 Rc5 42.Be6
Ra5!-+ 43.g4
43.Kf2 Ra8-+
43...Ra8 44.Rxf8 Kxf8 45.Kf2 Ke7 46.f5 g5 47.h4 gxh4 48.g5 Ra3 0-1

778
 192. E64
Grandelius, Nils (2681) - Lopez Martinez, Josep Manuel (2567)
Ulcinj 142/192, 2019

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.Nc3 O-O 5.Bg2 d6 6.d4 Nbd7 7.Bf4!? c5 8.d5 a6 9.a4 Rb8
9...Ng4 - 139/193
10.O-O Ne8 11.e4 Nc7 12.Qd3 f6 13.Be3N
13.h4
13...Qe8
13...Ne5 14.Nxe5 fxe5 15.a5 b5 16.axb6 Rxb6 17.Rfb1²
14.Rab1 g5
14...f5 15.exf5 Ne5 16.Nxe5 Bxf5 17.Be4 Bxe5 18.Bxf5 Rxf5 19.b4 cxb4 20.Rxb4±
15.b4 g4
15...cxb4 16.Rxb4 a5 17.Rbb1 Na6 18.Qe2 Qh5 (18...Ndc5 19.Nd4±) 19.h3²
16.Nh4 cxb4 17.Rxb4 a5 18.Rbb1 Na6 19.Nb5 Ne5 20.Qe2± f5
20...Bd7 21.Rfc1 Nc5 22.Nf5 Bxf5 23.exf5 Nxa4 24.Ra1 Nc5 25.Bxc5 dxc5 26.Rxa5±
21.Nxf5 Bxf5 22.exf5 Rxf5
22...Qc8 23.Ba7 Ra8 24.c5! Nxc5 (24...dxc5 25.d6 exd6 26.Rfd1 Qd7 27.Qe4±) 25.Bxc5 dxc5
(25...Qxc5 26.Rfc1 Qb6 27.Nc7+-) 26.d6 exd6 27.Nxd6 Qc7 28.Rfd1 Rab8 29.Rd5±
23.Nd4 Rf7 24.Rb5
24.f4 gxf3 25.Nxf3 Nxf3+ 26.Bxf3 Qxa4 27.Bh5 Rf6 (27...Rxf1+ 28.Rxf1 Nc5 29.Qg4+-)
28.Bg5 Nc5 29.Bxf6 Bxf6 30.Rb5+-
24...Qc8 25.Rc1 Nc5 26.Qd1
26.Rxa5 Ncd3 27.Rc3+-
26...Ned3 27.Rc2 Bxd4 28.Bxd4 Qf5 29.Re2 Rbf8 30.Qd2
30.Rxa5+-
30...h5

779
31.Re6!+- Nxf2 32.Rh6 Rg7 33.Rh8+! 1-0

193. * E71
Iturrizaga Bonelli, Eduardo (2639) - Gukesh, Dommaraju (2529)
Ho Chi Minh City 142/193, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 O-O 6.Be3 Na6 7.Nf3 c5 8.Be2
8.d5 - 134/196
8...cxd4 9.Nxd4 Nc5 10.Qc2 b6 11.O-O-O!?N
11.O-O - 142/(193) 11...Bb7 12.Bf3 Rc8 13.Rad1 Qc7 14.b3 Qb8 15.Qb1N (15.Rfe1) 15...Rfe8
16.Rfe1 a6 17.a4 e6∞ Cramling,P (2454)-Gukesh,D (2533) France 142/(193) 2019
11...Bb7 12.f3 Nh5 13.g4
13.h4 Rc8 14.g4 Ng3 15.Rh3 Nxe2+ 16.Qxe2 Ne6 17.Nxe6 fxe6 18.h5 g5!∞
13...Ng3 14.Rhg1 Nxe2+ 15.Qxe2 Rc8?!
15...a6 16.Kb1 (16.h4 b5 17.h5 e6 18.hxg6 fxg6 19.Rh1 Rf7∞) 16...b5 17.Nf5!? (17.cxb5?! axb5
18.Ndxb5 Qa5µ) 17...Bxc3 (17...gxf5? 18.gxf5 Kh8 19.Bxc5±) 18.Bxc5 Be5∞
16.h4 Ba6
16...a6 17.h5 b5 18.Rh1 g5∞
17.Kb1 Na4
17...Ne6 18.b3 Nxd4 19.Bxd4 Bxd4 20.Rxd4 b5 (20...Rc5 21.a4±) 21.Nxb5 Bxb5 22.cxb5 Qb6
23.Rgd1 Rc5 24.Rd5 Rc3 25.Rc1 Rfc8 26.Rxc3 Rxc3 27.Kb2±
18.Ncb5

780
18.Nxa4 Rxc4 19.Qd2 Rxa4 20.b3 Bxd4 (20...Rxd4 21.Bxd4 e5 22.Be3±) 21.Bxd4 Ra5 22.h5±
18...d5 19.exd5 Bxb5 20.cxb5 Qxd5 21.Nf5 Qc4 22.Qxc4 Rxc4 23.Nxg7
23.Nxe7+ Kh8 24.Rd7 Bxb2 (24...Rb4 25.b3 Nc3+ 26.Kc2 Nxa2 27.h5! gxh5 28.Nf5±)
25.Nd5! Rfc8 26.Rxa7 Nc3+ 27.Nxc3 Bxc3 28.a3±
23...Kxg7

24.Rd7
24.Rd4! Rfc8 (24...Rxd4 25.Bxd4+ f6 26.Rc1 e5 27.Bf2+-) 25.Rxc4 Rxc4 26.b3 Rb4 27.Rc1
Rxb5 28.Rc7+-
24...e5?!
24...Rb4 25.Bd4+ Kg8 26.h5±
25.Rc1?!
25.a3! Ra8 (25...Rfc8 26.Rxa7+-) 26.h5 Nc5 27.h6+ Kf8 28.Rc7+-
25...Rb4 26.b3 Rxb5 27.Rxa7 Nc5 28.Bxc5 bxc5 29.Rc7 Rb4 30.R7xc5
30.R1xc5 Rf4 31.Rxe5 Rxf3 32.Re4±
30...Rf4 31.Rxe5 Rxf3 32.Re4

781
32.g5 Rf4 33.a4 (33.Rc4 Rxc4 34.bxc4 Rc8 35.c5 f6 36.Re7+ Kf8 37.gxf6 Rxc5 38.Rxh7 Rc4
39.Kb2 Rf4=) 33...Rxh4 34.a5 h6 35.gxh6+ Kxh6±
32...Rh3?
32...f5! 33.Rc7+ (33.gxf5 gxf5 34.Re7+ Kf6! 35.Rxh7 Kg6 36.Rd7 Rh3„) 33...Rf7 34.Rxf7+
Kxf7 35.gxf5 gxf5 36.Rc4 Ke6 37.Kb2 (37.b4 Kd5 38.Rc5+ Kd4 39.Kb2 f4=) 37...Rf2+ 38.Rc2
Rf4 39.a4 Rxh4 40.a5 Rg4 41.Ka3 f4 42.b4 f3 43.a6 Kd6 44.b5 (44.Ka4 Rg2 45.Rc8 Ra2+
46.Kb5 f2 47.Rf8 Ke5 48.Kb6 Ke4 49.b5 h5=) 44...f2! 45.Rxf2 Kc5 46.Rf5+ Kb6=
33.g5 h6
33...Ra8 34.Rc2+-
34.Kb2
34.b4 hxg5 35.hxg5 Rg3 36.b5 Rxg5 37.Rb4 Rb8 38.b6 Ra5 (38...Rb7 39.a4+-) 39.b7 Ra7
40.Rc7 g5 41.a4 Kg6 42.a5+-
34...hxg5 35.hxg5 Rg3 36.Re5 Rb8
36...f5 37.gxf6+ Kxf6 38.Rf1+ Kxe5 39.Rxf8 Rg2+ 40.Ka3 g5 41.b4 g4 42.b5 Kd6 43.Rc8 Kd7
44.Rc6 Rd2 45.Rg6 Kc7 46.Kb3 g3 47.a4 g2 48.Kb4+-
37.Rc3 Rg2+ 38.Rc2 Rg3 39.Ra5 Rb7 40.Ka3 Rb8?
40...f5 41.gxf6+ Kxf6 42.Rc4 g5 43.Ka4 g4 44.b4 Rg2 45.a3±
41.Rc4 Rg2 42.b4 Re8 43.Kb3 Ree2 44.a3 Rb2+ 45.Ka4 Rg3 46.Rcc5 Rbb3 47.Kb5 Rxa3
48.Rxa3 Rxa3 49.Kc6+- f6 50.gxf6+ Kxf6 51.b5 Ke7
51...g5 52.b6 Ra8 53.b7 Re8 54.Kb6 g4 55.Rc8 Re1 56.b8=Q Rb1+ 57.Kc5 Rxb8 58.Rxb8 Ke5
59.Rg8 Kf4 60.Kd4 Kf3 61.Kd3 (61.Rf8+? Ke2=) 61...g3 62.Rf8+ Kg2 63.Ke2+-

782
52.b6 Ra6 53.Kc7 Kf6 54.b7 Ra7 55.Kb6 1-0

783
E75-E99

194. E90
Gukesh, Dommaraju (2520) - Saric, Ivan (2667)
Douglas 142/194, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 O-O 6.Be3 c6 7.Nf3 Na6 8.Nd2 Nd7
8...Nc7 - 75/(507)
9.g4 c5 10.d5 e6 11.Be2N
11.a3 Nc7 12.Be2 exd5 13.cxd5 (13.exd5 Qe7³) 13...f5 14.gxf5 gxf5 15.exf5 Nb6ƒ
11...Re8
11...Nc7 12.a4 f5 13.gxf5 exf5 14.exf5 Rxf5∞ (14...gxf5 15.Bf4 Ne5„)
12.Nb5
12.dxe6 Rxe6 13.Qb3 Nb4 14.O-O-O Nc6„
12...exd5 13.cxd5 Nf6 14.Nc3 Rb8∞ 15.h4

15.g5 Nh5! 16.Bxh5 gxh5 17.a3 b5 18.Qxh5 b4 19.Nd1 bxa3 20.Rxa3 Qd7 21.O-O Nb4∞
15...b5! 16.g5 Nh5
16...b4! 17.gxf6 bxc3 18.fxg7 (18.bxc3 Bxf6 19.Qc2 Bxh4 20.Nc4 Nc7µ) 18...cxd2+ 19.Qxd2
Rxe4µ

784
17.Nxb5 Qd7 18.a4 Bxb2?!
18...Nb4 19.Nc4 (19.Kf1 Bxb2 20.Rb1 Bg7 21.Kg2 f5 22.gxf6 Nxf6 23.Bf3∞) 19...Rxe4
20.Nbxd6 Rxc4! 21.Nxc4 Nxd5©
19.Rb1 Bg7 20.Na3
20.Bxh5 gxh5 21.f3 Nc7 22.Nc4²
20...Nb4! 21.Bb5

21.Kf1 f5 22.gxf6 Nxf6 23.Bf3 Ba6+ 24.Nb5 Rxb5! (24...Bxb5+ 25.axb5 Qxb5+ 26.Kg2 c4³)
25.axb5 Bxb5+ 26.Kg2 Bd3µ
21...Rxb5! 22.axb5
22.Nxb5 a6 23.Na3 f5 24.gxf6 Nxf6 25.Qf3 Qxa4-+
22...f5
22...Bc3! 23.Qf3 (23.f3 Nxd5!-+) 23...f5! 24.gxf6 Nxf6 25.O-O Bxd2 26.Bxd2 Rxe4-+
23.gxf6 Nxf6 24.Nc2?!
24.Qf3 Nd3+ 25.Kf1 Ng4 (25...Rf8 26.Qe2 Ne5ƒ) 26.Qe2 Nxe3+ 27.Qxe3 Nxf2 28.Qxf2 Rf8
29.Nf3 Qg4 30.Rb3 Qxe4 31.Qe2 (31.Re3 Qf4µ (31...Qxd5µ)) 31...Qxd5³
24...Nxe4-+ 25.Nxe4 Rxe4 26.Nxb4 cxb4 27.Qe2 Qf5 28.Rd1 b3
28...Bc3+ 29.Kf1 Bd7-+
29.Rd3 b2 30.Kd2 Rb4
30...Rxh4-+
31.Rb1 Bd7 32.Qd1 Bxb5 33.Ra3 Rxh4 0-1

785
 195. E90
Zontakh, Andrey (2485) - Kovalenko, Igor (2674)
Saint Petersburg 142/195, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.h3 O-O 7.Nf3 e6 8.Bd3 Na6 9.O-O e5 10.a3
Ne8 11.Bg5
11.Rb1 - 122/(192)
11...Qc7N
11...f6 12.Bh4 ∆Bh6 (12...Qc7 13.Rb1 f5 14.Nd2²) 13.Rb1²; 11...Qd7
12.Re1 f5 13.exf5 gxf5 14.Nh4 Qf7 15.Bc2
15.Qd2!?
15...Bf6 16.Nf3
16.Bxf6 Qxf6™ 17.g3 Ng7 (17...f4 18.Qh5 Qg7 19.Ng2 fxg3 20.fxg3 Nf6 21.Qh4±) 18.Kh2
Bd7 19.Rb1²
16...Kh8„
16...e4 17.Bxf6 Nxf6 (17...exf3? 18.Be7+-) 18.Nh2²
17.Ba4 Nac7 18.Qd2 Rg8 19.Bxf6+
19.h4 ∆e4 20.Nh2 Qg7 21.f3
19...Nxf6³ 20.Ng5?
20.Kh1 a6 (20...f4 21.Rg1 Qh5 22.Nh2 a6ƒ) 21.Bc2 b5 22.b3 Bd7³
20...Qg6 21.f4 e4µ 22.Nb5 Nxb5 23.Bxb5 a6 24.Ba4

786
24...b5! 25.Bb3
25.cxb5 h6 26.Ne6 Nxd5-+
25...h6 26.Ne6 Bxe6 27.dxe6 bxc4 28.Bxc4 d5 29.Bf1 Rae8
29...d4 30.b4 d3 31.bxc5 Nd5 32.c6 Rg7-+
30.Qc3 Rxe6 31.Qxc5 Qg3 32.Qe3 Qxe3+ 33.Rxe3 Nh5-+ 34.Rd1 Nxf4 35.Kh2 Rd6 36.g4
fxg4 37.hxg4 Rxg4 38.Rxe4 Rdg6 39.Re8+ Kg7 40.Bh3 Rh4 41.Re3 Rg2+ 42.Kh1 Rxb2
43.Rg1+ Kf6 44.Rf1 d4 45.Re6+ 0-1
196. ** E90
Donchenko, Alexander (2618) - Gormally, Daniel (2509)
Newcastle 142/196, 2019

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 O-O 5.d4 c5 6.d5 d6 7.h3 e6 8.Bd3 exd5 9.exd5 Re8+
10.Be3 Rxe3+!© 11.fxe3 Qe7 12.O-O
12.Kf2 Nbd7N (12...Nfd7 13.Rf1 Ne5 14.Nxe5 Bxe5 15.Qf3 Nd7 16.Kg1 Bg7 17.Qf4 Ne5
18.Be2 Bd7©) 13.Qe2 a6 14.a4 Ne5 15.Nxe5 Qxe5 16.Qf3 Bd7 17.Qf4 Qe7 18.Rhe1 Nh5
19.Qf3 Be5 20.Kg1 f5 21.Ne2 Re8© Bryakin,M (2426)-Pantsulaia,L (2597) Pro Chess League
(Int.-rapid) 142/(196) 2019
12...Nbd7 13.Qd2 Nh5! 14.Qf2
14.Ne2 - 140/199
14...Ne5 15.Be2 Nf6?
15...Nxf3+! - 142/ (196) 16.Bxf3 Nf6 17.Qh4 Bd7 18.Rae1 Re8 19.Qf4 h5 20.Qg5 Qf8 21.Bd1
Nh7N (21...Re5) 22.Qh4 Be5 23.Bc2 Qg7 24.Re2 f5© 25.Qe1 Qe7 1/2 (25) Sumets,A (2585)-
Andreev,E (2433) Llucmajor 142/(196) 2019
16.Nxe5 Qxe5 17.e4N
17.Qf4!? Qe7 18.Rf2²
17...Bd7 18.Qf4 Qe7 19.Rae1 Ne8 20.Bg4 Bd4+ 21.Kh1 Be5 22.Qf3 Bxg4 23.Qxg4 Nf6

787
24.Qd1?
24.Qg5 Nxd5 25.Qxe7 Nxe7 26.Nd5²; 24.Qf3! Nh5 25.Ne2 Bxb2 26.Nc3!±
24...Nh5 25.Rf3 Ng3+ 26.Kg1 Bd4+ 27.Kh2
27.Rf2? Qe5 28.Qd2 Re8µ
27...Be5 28.Kg1
28.Rxg3 h5!ƒ
28...Bd4+ 29.Kh2 Be5 30.Kg1 1/2-1/2

197. E90
Cheparinov, Ivan (2670) - Pancevski, Filip (2490)
Batumi 142/197, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 O-O 6.Be3 Na6 7.Nf3 e5 8.d5 Nc5 9.Nd2 a5
10.Be2 Bd7 11.g4 c6 12.h4 a4
12...cxd5 - 130/198
13.g5 Ne8 14.h5 Nc7 15.a3 cxd5 16.exd5 N7a6 17.Kf1N
17.Nde4 Bf5 18.Ng3 Nb3 19.Nxf5 gxf5 20.h6 Bh8∞
17...Bf5 18.Bf3
18.Kg2 e4 19.Rb1 Qe7! 20.Nxa4 (20.Nf1 Be5∞) 20...Nxa4 21.Qxa4 Nc5 22.Qc2 Nd3
(22...Be5©) 23.Bxd3 exd3 24.Qd1 Rae8©; 18.Bg4 e4 19.hxg6 fxg6 20.Bxf5 Rxf5 21.Ndxe4
Nxe4 22.Nxe4 Bxb2 23.Rb1±
18...Qc8

788
¹18...Rc8 19.Nce4 (19.Rh4?! Bh6! 20.hxg6 Bxg5 21.gxh7+ Kh8³; 19.Nxa4 Nxa4 20.Qxa4
Nc5 21.Qb4 (21.Bxc5?! Rxc5 22.Rg1 b5 23.cxb5 Rc2³) 21...e4 22.Be2 Be5©; 19.Be4 Nxe4
20.Ncxe4 Qd7∞) 19...Nxe4 20.Bxe4 Nc5 21.Bxf5 gxf5 22.Bxc5 Rxc5 23.Qxa4 e4©
19.Rh4 Bd3+
19...f6! 20.hxg6 Bxg6 21.gxf6 (21.Kg2 f5 22.Qe2 e4 23.Bh5 Qd7∞) 21...Bxf6 22.Rg4 Kh8
23.Kg1 Rg8∞
20.Kg2 f5 21.gxf6 Bxf6 22.Rg4² Bf5

22...g5 23.Nce4 Bxe4 24.Bxe4 h6 25.Rg3²

23.Nde4! Nxe4
23...Bxg4 24.Bxg4 Qc7 25.hxg6 (25.Nb5 Qg7 26.h6 Qe7 27.Nbxd6±) 25...Qg7 (25...hxg6
26.Be6+ Nxe6 27.dxe6 Nc5 28.Nd5+-) 26.Bf5 hxg6 27.Be6+ Nxe6 28.dxe6±; 23...Be7 24.hxg6
hxg6 25.Qe2! Kg7 26.Rg1! (26.Rh1 Rh8 27.Rg3²) 26...Rh8 27.Kf1 Nxe4 (27...Bxg4? 28.Bxg4
Qf8 29.Bh5+-) 28.Nxe4±
24.Nxe4± Bxg4?!
24...Bxe4 25.Bxe4 g5 26.h6 (26.Bxg5?! Bxg5 27.Rxg5+ Kh8²)
25.Bxg4 Qxc4 26.Nxd6 Qc7 27.Be6+ Kg7 28.Ne4+- gxh5 29.Qxh5 Kh8 30.Rh1 Rg8+
31.Kf3
31.Kf1 Qc4+ 32.Ke1 Qxe4 33.Bf5 Qxh1+ 34.Qxh1+-
31...Raf8 32.Bxg8 Kxg8 33.d6
33.Kg3 Kh8 34.Bh6 Rg8+ 35.Kf3+-
33...Qf7 34.Qxf7+ Rxf7 35.Ke2 Bg7 36.Rg1 Kf8 37.Ng5 1-0

789
 198. *** E90
Parligras, Mircea Emilian (2629) - Harika, Dronavalli (2495)
Douglas 142/198, 2019

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 O-O 6.Be3 c6 7.Nf3 Na6 8.Be2 e5 9.d5 Nh5 10.g3 -
142/198
10.Nd2 Nf4 11.Bf1 f5 12.g3 Nxd5N (12...Ne6 - 142/(198) 13.dxe6N (13.exf5 - 132/195) 13...f4
14.Qe2 fxe3 15.Qxe3 Nc5 16.Be2 Nxe6 17.Bg4 a6 18.O-O-O b5µ Munoz,F (2308) -Coro,L
(2315) Asuncion 142/(198) 2019) 13.cxd5 f4 14.Bxa6 (14.Nc4 fxe3 15.Nxe3∞) 14...fxe3
15.fxe3 bxa6 16.dxc6 Be6 17.Nd5 Bxd5 18.exd5 Qg5 19.Ke2 Mendonca,L (2446)-Ganguly,S
(2633) Sharjah 142/(198) 2019 (19.Ke2 Bh6! 20.Qb3 Rab8 21.Qc3 Qxg3µ; 19.Ne4 Qxe3+
20.Qe2 Qd4³)10.a3N f5 (10...Nf4 11.O-O cxd5 12.cxd5 Nxe2+ 13.Qxe2 f5„) 11.exf5 gxf5
12.Nxe5 (12.Bg5 Nf6∞) 12...Bxe5 (12...f4 13.Bd2 dxe5 (13...Ng3 14.fxg3 Bxe5 15.O-O fxg3
16.Be3²) 14.Bxh5 Nc5 15.O-O Qg5 16.Bg4 e4©) 13.Bxh5 Bxc3+ 14.bxc3 f4 15.Bc1 Qe7+
16.Kf1² Aleksandrov,A (2577) -Popov,M (2399) Saint Petersburg 142/(198) 2019
10...cxd5 11.Nxd5
11.cxd5 f5 12.exf5 gxf5 13.Bg5 (13.Nh4? f4! 14.Bxh5 fxe3 15.fxe3 (15.f3 Nc5-+) 15...Qg5µ)
13...Nf6∞
11...Nc7N
11...Nc5 12.Nd2 Nf6 13.Qc2 Bd7 14.Bxc5 dxc5∞
12.Nd2
12.Nc3 Ne6 13.Nb5 (13.O-O f5ƒ) 13...Nf6 14.Nxd6 Nd4! 15.Bxd4 exd4 16.e5 Nd7 17.Qxd4
Nxe5! 18.Nxe5 Qa5+ 19.b4 Bxe5 20.bxa5 Bxd4 21.Rc1 Rd8 22.Nxc8 Raxc8=
12...Nf6
12...Nxd5!? 13.cxd5 Bd7 (13...f5 14.exf5 gxf5 15.Bxh5 f4 16.Qe2 fxe3 17.Qxe3 Qa5∞)
14.Bxh5 gxh5 15.Qxh5 f5©
13.Qb3

790
13.Nxc7 Qxc7 14.h4 h5 15.f3 Be6∞
13...Ne6! 14.O-O-O Nd4³ 15.Qd3
15.Bxd4 exd4 16.Nxf6+ (16.Kb1 a5³) 16...Qxf6 17.f4 Bd7 18.Bd3 a5³
15...Nxd5 16.cxd5 f5
16...a5 17.Bxd4 exd4 18.Kb1 b5³; 16...Nxe2+ 17.Qxe2 f5³
17.Bxd4 exd4 18.Kb1 Bd7 19.f4 Rc8
19...Re8! 20.g4 Qf6 21.gxf5 gxf5 22.Bf3 Kh8³
20.Bf3?
20.Qb3 Qa5ƒ
20...Qb6 21.Qb3 Qa6!-+ 22.Rc1 Ba4 23.Qa3 d3
23...Rc3! 24.bxc3 (24.Qb4 Qd3+ 25.Ka1 Qxd2-+) 24...Bc2+ 25.Rxc2 (25.Kb2 dxc3+-+)
25...Qxa3-+
24.b3

791
24...Rc2! 25.Nc4
25.Rxc2 dxc2+ 26.Kc1 (26.Kxc2 Rc8+ 27.Kd1 Qd3-+) 26...Qd3 27.Qxa4 Bc3-+
25...b5! 26.Rxc2 dxc2+ 27.Kxc2 bxc4 28.Qxa4 cxb3+ 29.axb3 Rc8+
29...Qb6-+
30.Kd2 Bc3+ 31.Kc2 Qb6 32.Rh2 Bf6+ 33.Kd2 Qg1 34.Rh1 Qxg3 0-1
199. * E97
Yakovenko, Oleg (2212) - Mueller, Markus (2124)
Deutschland 142/199, 2019

1.Nf3 g6 2.e4 Bg7 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 7.O-O Nc6 8.d5 Ne7 9.b4 a5
10.Ba3 axb4 11.Bxb4 b6 12.a4 Re8 13.Qd3 Nf5
13...Nd7 - 83/ 574
14.a5 bxa5 15.Rxa5

792
15...Bd7!
15...Rb8?! 16.Nb5 Nd4 17.Nfxd4 exd4 18.f3 Nh5 19.Bd2! f5N (19...Qh4) 20.Nxd4 Qh4 21.f4
fxe4 22.Qe3 Bd7 23.Bc3 Nf6 (23...Ra8±) 24.Ra7 Ra8 25.Rxc7 Ra2 26.Rf2† Rb8 1/2 (26)
Yakovenko,O (2246)-Mueller,M (2107) Landau 142/(199) 2018 (26...Rb8 27.Nb5+-)
16.Rxa8
16.exf5 e4 17.Qd1 exf3 18.Bxf3 Qb8 (18...Bxf5 19.Nb5 Qd7 (19...Re7) 20.h3 h5=) 19.Nb5
(19.Rxa8 Qxa8 20.Nb5 Bxb5 21.cxb5 Rb8=) 19...Rxa5 20.Bxa5 Bxb5 21.cxb5 Qxb5 22.Bxc7
Qd7 23.Bb6 Qxf5=; 16.Rfa1 Rb8 17.Nb5 Nd4 18.Nfxd4 exd4 19.f3 Nh5 20.g3 (20.Bd2 f5)
20...f5 (20...Be5∞) 21.Ra7 Bh6∞
16...Qxa8 17.Nb5N
17.exf5 e4 18.Nxe4 (18.Qd1 exf3 19.Bxf3 Rb8 20.Nb5 Bxb5 21.cxb5 Rxb5=) 18...Nxe4
19.fxg6 hxg6©
17...Bxb5 18.cxb5 Nd4 19.Nxd4 exd4 20.b6!?

793
20...cxb6?
20...Qb8! 21.Qb5 (21.Qa6 cxb6 22.Bb5 Rd8=; 21.bxc7 Qxc7!= (21...Qxb4? 22.Rc1 Rc8 23.Qa6
Rxc7 24.Rxc7+-)) 21...cxb6 22.f3 Bh6 23.Qc6 Be3+ 24.Kh1 Rd8=
21.f3 Qd8
21...Qd8 22.Qc4 (22.Rc1 Nh5 23.g3 Be5 24.Qd2 Qf6© 25.Bd1 Nxg3 26.hxg3 Bxg3=) 22...Qb8
23.Rb1 Nd7 24.Qc6 Nc5 25.Bxc5 dxc5 26.Rxb6 Qe5=; 21...Qb8 22.Qa3 (22.Qb5 Bh6 23.Qc6
Bf4 24.g3 Rc8=) 22...Nxd5 (22...Rd8 23.Rc1 Bh6 24.Rc6 Be3+ 25.Kf1 Ne8 26.Qa6²) 23.Bb5
Nxb4 24.Bxe8 Qxe8 25.Qxb4²
1/2-1/2
200. E97
Inarkiev, Ernesto (2693) - Karthikeyan, Murali (2617)
Khanty-Mansiysk (m/2) 142/200, 2019

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.b4 Nh5
10.a4 Nf4 11.c5 h6
11...f5 - 141/199
12.Nd2N
12.Bc4
12...f5 13.Nc4 g5
13...dxc5 14.bxc5 fxe4 15.Ne3 Nxe2+ 16.Qxe2²
14.Ba3 Rf6 15.a5 Neg6 16.b5 Bf8 17.b6
17.exf5 Bxf5 18.cxd6 cxd6 19.g3 Nxe2+ 20.Qxe2 Rc8 21.Rac1²

794
17...dxc5
17...axb6 18.axb6 dxc5 19.bxc7 Qxc7 20.Re1 Nxe2+ 21.Qxe2
18.bxc7 Qxc7 19.Re1 Nxe2+ 20.Qxe2 Qg7
20...f4 21.d6 Qg7 22.Nd5 Rf7 23.f3 Be6 24.Bxc5²
21.exf5 Bxf5 22.g3 Bh3?!
22...Nf4? 23.gxf4 gxf4+ 24.Kh1 f3 25.Qxf3 Bg4 26.Qxg4! Qxg4 27.Rg1+-; 22...Qf7 23.Rad1
(23.Ne4!? Bxe4 24.Qxe4 b5 (24...Rxf2? 25.Rf1 Rxf1+ 26.Rxf1 Qg7 27.d6+-) 25.axb6 axb6
26.Rab1→) 23...Rd8 24.d6²
23.Ne4 Rf7 24.f3± Rd8 25.Rad1 g4?!

26.f4! exf4 27.Bb2 Qh7

27...f3 28.Qc2 Qh7 29.Nf6+ Rxf6 30.Bxf6+-
28.Nf6+ Rxf6 29.Bxf6+- Rd7 30.Qe6+ Qf7 31.Bc3 f3 32.Kf2 b5 33.axb6 axb6 34.d6
34.Qxf7+ Kxf7 35.Re6 b5 36.Rf6++-
34...Qxe6 35.Rxe6 Nf4 36.Nxb6
36.gxf4? g3+ 37.hxg3 Bxe6 38.Nxb6 Rxd6 39.Rxd6 Bxd6=
36...Rd8 37.Re4
37.Rf6 Nh5 38.d7 Bg7 39.Re6+-
37...Ne2 38.Be5 c4 39.Rxc4 Re8 40.d7 Rxe5 41.d8=Q Nc3 42.Re1 1-0

795
796
REGISTAR • ИНДЕКС • INDEX • REGISTER • REGISTRE • REGISTRO
• REGISTRO • REGISTER •

797
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CLASSIFICATION

I – Combinations with mating attack

II – Combinations to reach the draw
III – Other combinations

1. Giri, Anish (2780) - Xiong, Jeffery (2707)

Khanty-Mansiysk (m/4-rapid), 2019
Ib

1.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

1.Qg7+
1.Rd5!! Bxd5 (1...exd5 2.Qg7+ Ke8 3.exf5 d4 4.Re1+ Be3 5.Rxe3+ dxe3 6.Qg8+ Ke7 7.f6+
Kd6 8.Qg3++-; 1...Bxc1 2.Rxf5+ exf5 3.Qg7+ Ke8 4.Qg8+ Ke7 5.Bxc1 Rxg2+ (5...Rh5
6.Ba3+ d6 7.e5+-) 6.Kxg2 Bxe4+ 7.f3+-) 2.cxd5 Bxc1 3.dxe6+! dxe6 (3...Ke8 4.exf5 Rxg2+
5.Kxg2 Bxb2 6.Qg8+ Ke7 7.Qf7+ Kd6 8.Qf8+ Kd5 9.e7+-; 3...Ke7 4.Qg7+ Kd6 5.exf5+-)

805
4.Qg7+ Ke8 5.Qxc7+-
1...Ke8∞

2. Nakamura, Hikaru (2741) - So, Wesley (2760)

Kolkata (blitz), 2019
Ib

1.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

1.Qd8?
1.Nh7! Qb5 (1...Nxh7 2.Qc4+ Kf8 3.Qc8+ Kf7 4.Qe6+ Kf8 5.Qe8#) 2.Nxf6+ gxf6 3.Qd8+
Kh7 (3...Kg7 4.Re7+ Kg6 5.Qg8+ Kh5 (5...Kf5 6.Qh7+ Rg6 (6...Kg4 7.Re4+ Kf3 8.Rf4+ Ke2
9.Qc2++-) 7.g4+ Kg5 8.h4++-) 6.Qf7+ Kg4 7.Re4+ Kf3 8.Re3+ Kg4 9.Qxf6+-) 4.Qxf6+-
1...Rf5 2.Ng6+
2.Ne6+ Kh7 3.Nf8+ Kg8=
2...Kh7 3.Nf8+ Kg8! 4.f4? Qc3?
4...Ng4! 5.Nd7+ Kh7-+
5.Ng6+ Kh7 6.Nf8+ Kg8 7.Nd7+ Kh7 8.Nxf6+ Rxf6=

3. Sorokin, Aleksey (2513) - Wang, Justin (2459)

Saint Louis II, 2019

806
 Id

1.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

1.Re8!! Nxe8 2.Rxe8! Qxg4

2...Rxe8?? 3.Qg7#
3.Qg7+?
3.Rxg8+! Qxg8 4.d6 Bf5 5.Bh3+-
3...Qxg7 4.fxg7+ Kxg7 5.h6+ Kh8 6.Re7!=

4. Hakobyan, Aram (2550) - Mikhalevski, Victor (2578)

Saint Louis II, 2019
Ig

807
1.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

1.Ne5+!
1...fxe5 2.Bxe6+ Kg7
2...Kxe6 3.Qxg6+ Ke7 4.Bg5#; 2...Ke7 3.Bg5+ Ke8 4.Qxg6+ Nf7 5.Rxc8++-
3.Bxe5+ Kh7 4.Bxd7 Qxd7 5.Qc7+-
1-0

5. Sethuraman, SP. (2624) - Nabaty, Tamir (2658)

Khanty-Mansiysk (m/1), 2019
Ih

808
1...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

1...Rxf1+! 2.Kxf1 Rd1+ 3.Kf2 Qf4+ 4.Ke2 Rc1 5.Qb3

5.Qb2 Qe4+ 6.Kd2 Rb1-+
5...Qe4+ 6.Kd2 Rb1
6...Rb1 7.Qa2 Qxg2+-+
0-1

6. Svidler, Peter (2729) - Albornoz Cabrera, Carlos Daniel (2581)

Khanty-Mansiysk (m/2), 2019
Ii

809
1.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

1.Bf4! Nxf4
1...Qxf4 2.Qd7#
2.Nb5 Qb6 3.Nd4! 1-0

7. Tqeshelashvili, Sopio (2269) - Quparadze, Giga (2462)

Tbilisi (rapid), 2019
II f

810
1.? =

Show/Hide Solution

1.Rxe7+! Kxe7 2.Re1+ Kd8 3.Qxf8+ Kc7 4.Rc1+?

4.d6+! Qxd6 5.Rc1+ Bc6 6.Qxa8 Qd2 7.Qa7+ Kd8 (7...Kd6 8.Qc5+ Ke6 9.Qe5+ Kf7
10.Qf5+=) 8.Qb8+ Ke7 9.Qe5+=
4...Bc6!-+ 5.Qxa8?
5.Qe7!? b2 6.Qe5+ d6 7.Qg7+ Kb8 8.Rb1 Bb7-+
5...b2 6.d6+ Kxd6 7.Qf8+ Kc7 8.Rb1 Be4!

8. Nepomniachtchi, Ian (2773) - Ding, Liren (2801)

Kolkata (blitz), 2019
III d

1...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

1...Rxg2+! 2.Qxg2
2.Kxg2 Bxe4+-+
2...Qxc6 3.Rxd3 Rxa4 4.Kh2 Qa6 5.Rd2 Kh7 6.Rc2 Qf6 7.Qg3 Ra1 8.Rg2 Rc1 9.Qb3 Qh4?
9...Rc3! 10.Qb7 Re3-+

811
10.Qf3?
10.Rxg7+!! Kxg7 11.Qb7+ Kf8 12.Qb8+ Kf7 13.Qb3+! Ke8 14.Qb5+ Kd8 15.Qd5+ Ke8
(15...Kc7 16.Qa5+ Kc6 17.Qa6+ Kc5 18.Qa3+ Kb5 19.Qb2+ Ka6 20.Qa3+! Kb7 21.Qb2+
Kc6 22.Qxc1+ Kd7 23.Qc2=) 16.Qb5+ Kf8 17.Qb8+ Kg7 18.Qb7+ Kf8 19.Qb8+=
10...Rc3-+

9. Yip, Carissa (2425) - Chen, Ryo (1957)

Irving, 2019
III i

1.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

1.Qd4! Qxd4
1...Qxc2 2.d8=Q+ Bxd8 3.Qxd8+ Kg7 4.Qxa5+-
2.Nxd4 Kf8 3.Nc6+-

812
813
814
 1. Gelfand, Boris (2686) - Nihal, Sarin (2610)
Douglas, 2019
NB 5/d

1.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

1.Bf4!
1.Ke3? Ke6 2.Bf4 Kd5=; 1.Kc3? Ke6 2.Bf4 Kd5 3.Be3 Nc5=
1...Ke6
1...Nc5 2.Kc3 Na4+ 3.Kxc4 Nxb2+ 4.Kb5 Nd1 5.a4 Nxf2 (5...Nc3+ 6.Ka5 Ke6 7.Bd2 Ne4
8.Be3+-) 6.Ka6+-
2.Be3 f4 3.Bxa7 fxg3 4.fxg3 Nb4
4...Nc7 5.a4 Nd5 6.Kc2 Kd6 7.Bd4+-
5.Kc3! Nxa2+ 6.Kxc4 Nc1 7.b4 Kd7 8.Be3 Ne2 9.Bf4+-
9.Bf2+-
9...Kc6 10.Kd3 Ng1 11.Ke3 Kb5 12.Bd6 Nh3
12...Kc6 13.Bf8 Nh3 14.Bh6 Kb5 15.Kf3 Ng1+ 16.Kf2 Nh3+ 17.Kg2
13.Be7 Kc6 14.Kf3 Kd7 15.Bf6 Ke6 16.Kg2 1-0

815
 2. Radovanovic, Mihajlo (2479) - Dragun, Kamil (2584)
Batumi, 2019
NB 5/d

1...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

1...a4!
1...Ne4 2.Bxe4 Kxe4 3.a4 Ke5 4.Kd3 Ke6 5.e4 Ke5 6.exf5 Kxf5 7.Ke3 Ke5=
2.Kf2 Ne8! 3.Bg2
3.Bd5 Nd6 4.Bg8 Ne4+ 5.Kg2 Nc3 6.Kf2 Ke4-+
3...Nd6 4.Bf1 Ne4+ 5.Kg2 Nc3-+ 6.Bd3 Nd1 7.Bf1 Nxe3+ 8.Kf2 0-1

3. Rogozenco, Dorian (2484) - Mikhalevski, Victor (2570)

Ulcinj, 2019
NB 7/k

816
1...? =

Show/Hide Solution

1...g5! 2.Bd2 gxf4 3.Bxf4 Kc8!

3...Bd4 4.a5 Kc8 5.Kc6 Bg1 6.a6 Bf2 7.Bd6 Ba7 8.Bc5+-
4.Kc6 Bd8!= 5.Bd2
5.Kd6 Ba5 6.Ke6 Be1 7.Kxf5 Bxg3=
5...Bc7 6.Be1 Kb8 7.a5 Bxg3! 1/2-1/2

4. Matlakov, Maxim (2710) - Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi (2722)

Ulcinj, 2019
R 5/b

817
1...? =

Show/Hide Solution

1...e3!= 2.f3
2.f4 e2+ 3.Ke1 Re4=
2...e2+ 3.Ke1 Re3 4.Rf8 Kg7 5.Rf4 Kg6 6.Rf5 Kg7
6...Re7
7.f4 Re4 8.g5 Kg8 9.Rf6 Kg7 10.f5 Re5!
10...Kg8? 11.Re6 Rf4 12.Re5 Kg7 13.Kxe2+-
11.Rg6+ 1/2-1/2

5. Grandelius, Nils (2691) - Narayanan, Srinath (2611)

Douglas, 2019
R 6/e

818
1...? =

Show/Hide Solution

1...h3! 2.Ke3 Rf1!

2...Rh1? 3.Kf4 Rxh2 4.Rc6+ Ke7 5.Kxg4+-
3.a4 Rf3+ 4.Ke2 bxa4 5.bxa4 Kg6!= 6.Rc6+
6.a5 Rxg3! 7.hxg3 h2 8.Rc6+ Kg5 9.Rc5+=
6...Kg5 7.Rc5+ Kg6 8.Rc4 Kg5 9.Rf4 Ra3
9...Rxf4? 10.gxf4+ Kxf4 11.Kf2+-
10.Kd2 a5
10...Ra1 11.Re4 Kf5 12.Rf4+ Kg5
11.Re4 Kf5 12.Rf4+ Kg5 13.Re4 Kf5 14.Rd4 Rf3 15.Ke2 Rc3 16.Rf4+ Kg5 17.Kd1 Re3
18.Kd2 1/2-1/2

6. Grischuk, Alexander (2759) - Oparin, Grigoriy (2654)

Douglas, 2019
R 7/d

819
1.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

1.Ke6!
1.Rc1+ Kd6=
1...Kc6 2.Rc1+! Kb5
2...Kxb6 3.Rb1+ Kc6 4.Rxb7 Kxb7 5.Kf7+-
3.Kf5! Kb4
3...Rf7+ 4.Kg6 Rb7 5.Kh7+-
4.Kg6 Rxb6+ 5.Kxg7 Re6 6.Rg1+- Kc5 7.Rg6 Kd5 8.Kxh6 Re8 9.Kg7 Re7+ 10.Kf6 Ra7
11.h6 Ke4 12.Rg4+
12.Rg7 Ra6+ 13.Kg5 Ra5+ 14.Kh4
12...Kf3 13.Rg7 Ra6+ 14.Kg5 Ra5+ 15.Kg6 Ra6+ 16.Kh5 Ra5+ 17.Rg5 Ra7 18.Rf5+ Ke4
19.Kg6 1-0

7. Suarez Real, Alberto (2460) - Zaro, Alfonso Llorente (2447)

Espana, 2019
R 7/g

820
1...? =

Show/Hide Solution

1...hxg4!
1...Re7 2.gxh5 gxh5 3.Kd4 Rd7 4.Rh8 Kc7+ 5.Ke4 Rd2 6.Rxh5 Rb2 7.Rh7 Rxb4+ 8.Kf5+-
2.fxg4 f5! 3.Rg8
3.g5 Rh7 4.Rd8+ Kc7 5.Rg8 (5.Rd4 Re7=) 5...Kb6 (5...Rxh4+? 6.Kc5+-) 6.Kd4 Rxh4+ 7.Ke5
f4 8.Rxg6 Kxa6 9.Rxc6+ Kb5 10.Rf6 Rg4 (10...f3 11.Rxf3 Rh5 12.Kf6 Kxb4 13.g6 Rh6 14.Kf7
Rxg6 15.Kxg6 a5=) 11.Kf5 Rg1 12.Kxf4 Ra1! (12...Kxb4? 13.Ra6+-) 13.g6 Kxb4 14.g7 Rg1
15.Rf7 a5=
3...fxg4 4.Rxg6+ Kc7 5.Rxg4
5.h5 Rd5 6.h6 Kb6 7.Rxg4 Rh5 8.Rg6 Rh4+ 9.Kc3 Kxa6 10.Rxc6+ Kb5 11.Rd6 Rh3+ 12.Kd4
Kxb4=
5...Rd1 6.h5 Rh1 7.Rg5 Kb6= 8.Rc5
8.Kd4 Rh4+ 9.Ke5 Rxb4 10.h6 Rh4 11.Rg6 Kxa6 12.Rxc6+ Kb5=
8...Rh4+ 9.Kc3 1/2-1/2

8. Duda, Jan Krzysztof (2734) - Lupulescu, Constantin (2643)

Batumi, 2019
R 7/h

821
1...? =

Show/Hide Solution

1...Kg6!
1...gxh4? 2.Rxh4 f5 (2...Kg6 3.Rh5+-) 3.gxf5 Kf6 4.Kc7 Rc3+ 5.Kb6 Rb3+ 6.Kc6 Kxf5 7.Rh5+
Ke6 8.Rb5+-
2.Rh8
2.hxg5 f5! (2...Rxb7+ 3.Kxb7 f5! 4.Rh8 (4.gxf5+ Kxh5 5.g6 Kh6! 6.gxf7 (6.Kc6 Kg7=
(6...fxg6? 7.f6 g5 8.Kd6+-)) 6...Kg7=) 4...fxg4) 3.Rh1 fxg4 4.Kc7 Rc3+ 5.Kd8 Rd3+ 6.Kc7=
2...gxh4 3.Rxh4
3.Kc7 f5 (3...Kg5 4.Rg8+ Kf4 5.b8=Q Rxb8 6.Kxb8 h3 7.Kc7 h2 8.Rh8 Kxg4 9.Rxh2 f5
10.Rh7 f4 11.Kd6 f3 12.Ke5 f2 13.Rxf7 Kg3 14.Ke4 Kg2 15.Rg7+ Kh2=) 4.g5 (4.gxf5+ Kxf5
5.b8=Q (5.Rxh4 - 3.Rh4) 5...Rxb8 6.Kxb8 Kg4=) 4...Kxg5 5.b8=Q Rxb8 6.Rxb8 h3=
3...Kg5=
3...f5 4.gxf5+ Kxf5 5.Kc7 Ke5! (5...Kg5? 6.Rh8 f5 7.b8=Q Rxb8 8.Rxb8 f4 9.Rf8 Kg4
10.Kd6+-) 6.b8=Q Rxb8 7.Kxb8 f5 8.Kc7 f4 9.Rh1 Ke4=
4.Rh8 Kxg4 5.Kc7 f5 6.b8=Q Rxb8 7.Rxb8 f4 8.Kd6 f3 9.Ke5 f2 10.Rb4+ Kf3 11.Rf4+ Ke2
12.Rxf7 f1=Q 13.Rxf1 Kxf1 14.Ke4 1/2-1/2

9. Rozentalis, Eduardas (2547) - Antipov, Mikhail Al (2558)

Ulcinj, 2019
R 7/i

822
1...? –+

Show/Hide Solution

1...g5!
1...Rxb2 2.Ra6+ Kg5 (2...Kf5 3.Ra7 Ke6 4.Ra6+ Kd5 5.Ra7 Rf2 6.Kg1 Rf6 7.Ra5+ Kc4 8.Ra4+
Kxc3 9.Rxh4=) 3.Ra7 Rf2 4.Kg1 Rf4 5.Rb7 Kh5 6.Rb4 Rf5 7.a4 g5 8.Rb5 Rf6 9.a5 Rc6 10.Rb3
Ra6 11.Ra3 Kg4=
2.Ra4
2.Ra6+ Kf5 3.Ra5+ Kg6 4.Ra6+ f6 5.Kh3 Re3+ 6.Kh2 g4-+
2...Kf5
2...Rxb2 3.Kh3 Rc2-+
3.Rb4
3.Kh3 Re3+ 4.Kh2 g4 5.Rd4 Re2-+
3...g4-+ 4.Kg1 g3 5.Kf1 Rf2+
5...Rf2+ 6.Kg1 Rc2 7.Kf1 Rc1+ 8.Ke2 h3! 9.gxh3 g2
0-1

823
824
 Dimitrov, Radoslav (2508) - Shimanov, Aleksandr (2587)
Bastia (m/3-rapid), 2019
§ 3/c2

Pawn endings are very tricky at times, causing grave blunders. Here the players exchange
mistakes and the game ends in a draw.
1.Kg4?
1.Kf3=
1...Ke5-+ 2.Kf3 Kf5 3.Kg3 g5? Missing the chance to play for a win.
3...h5-+
4.h5!=

Torma, Robert (2436) - Mullick, Raahil (2399)

Budapest, 2019
NB 2/h

825
In a completely winning position White goes wrong and spoils all the chances right away.
1.Nd4?
Instead, he should have converted easily after 1.Kg5 Ng7 2.Kf6 Nh5+ 3.Ke5 Ng7 4.Ng3 Ne8
5.Ke6 b5 6.Kf7 b4 7.Kxe8+-
1...Ng7+?
1...Ne7! 2.g7 Ng8 3.Nf5 b5 4.Kg6 b4 5.Ne3 b3=
2.Kh6!+- Another hope! 2...Ne8 3.Kh7?= But, ruined once again...
3.Ne6! Kb4 4.Nc7! Nf6 5.g7 Kc5 6.Kg6 Ng8 7.Kh7 Ne7 8.Ne6+ Kd6 9.Nd4 Nd5 10.Kh8
Nf6 11.Nf3 b5 12.Ng5 b4 13.Nh7 Ng8 14.Kxg8 b3 15.Nf6+-
3...b5 4.Kg8 Nf6+! 5.Kg7 Nh5+ 6.Kh6 Nf6 7.g7 b4 8.Kg6 Ng8 9.Kf7 Nh6+ 10.Kg6 Ng8
11.Kf7 1/2-1/2

Harika, Dronavalli (2495) - Moiseenko, Alexander (2635)

Douglas, 2019
NB 2/k

826
In a seemingly equal knight ending White quickly goes downhill.
1.Kb3?
Instead, an incisive pawn push should be a good path to a draw: 1.b4! Ke5 2.b5 axb5+ 3.Kxb5
Nd8 4.Kc4 Nf7 5.Kd3 Kf4 6.Ke2 h5 7.Kf2 Nd6 8.e5 Kxe5 9.Nf3+=
1...Ke5-+ 2.Kc4 g4 3.Kd3 Kf4 4.Ke2 Nd4+ 5.Kf2 h5 6.Nf1 Nf3 7.Ng3 h4 8.Ne2+ Kxe4
9.Nc3+ Kf4 10.Ne2+ Kg5 11.h3 Ne5 12.hxg4 Kxg4 13.b3 Nd3+ 14.Kg1 Kf3 15.Nd4+ Ke4
16.Nc2 Nc1 17.b4 Kd3 18.Na3 Ne2+ 19.Kh2 Nd4 20.Kh3 Nb5 0-1

Amin, Bassem (2699) - Bluebaum, Matthias (2643)

Douglas, 2019
NB 5/d

827
In a roughly equal ending, Amin options for the wrong move.
1.Kxg7?
1.Bc4 Ne4 2.gxf6 gxf6 3.a4= and it should not be too difficult to clinch a draw.
1...fxg5-+ 2.Kg6 g4 3.Bc4 g3 4.Bf1 Ng4 5.Bh3 Ne3 6.f6 g2 7.Bxg2 Nxg2 8.Kf7 Nf4 9.Ke7
Nd5+ 10.Kd7 Nxf6+ 11.Kc6 Ne4 12.Kb5 Kd5 13.Kxa5 Nc3 14.a4 Kc6 15.b4 c4 16.b5+ Kc5
17.b6 Nd5 18.b7 Ne7 19.b8=N c3 20.Na6+ Kd6 0-1

Baron, Tal (2531) - Batsiashvili, Nino (2422)

Douglas, 2019
R 6/d

Black had reasonable path to a draw, but totally misplayed this rook ending.
1...a5?
1...Rg1+! 2.Kf3 (2.Kf5 c5 3.f8=Q+ Kxf8 4.Kf6 c4 5.f5 c3 6.Rc7 Kg8 7.Rxc3 Kh7 8.Rc7+
Kxh6=) 2...a5 3.Ke4 a4= and there is no way to make progress for White.
2.Rg7+- a4 3.h7 Rg1+ 4.Kf5 Rxg7 5.f8=Q+ Kxf8 6.h8=Q+ 1-0

Kosic, Dragan (2481) - Duran Vega, Sergio (2387)

Budapest, 2019
R 6/f

828
After the terrible 1...Rc7? Black is clearly lost.
Instead, Black had a resource at his disposal which would allow him to secure a draw with
precise play 1...Rf8 2.Kf4 Kxc6 3.Ra7 f6 4.Rxh7 g5+ 5.Ke4 Kd6 6.h4 gxh4 7.gxh4 e5 8.dxe5+
fxe5=
2.Ke4? White goes wrong too.
2.Rxc7 Kxc7 3.Ke4 Kd6 4.c7 Kxc7 5.Ke5+-
2...Kxc6? But, Black did not punish him.
2...f5+ 3.Kf4 h6=
3.Rxc7+ Kxc7 4.Ke5+- Kd7 5.Kf6 Ke8 6.g4 Kf8 7.h4 h6 8.f4 Kg8 9.Ke7 Kg7 10.h5 gxh5
11.gxh5 Kg8 12.f5 With an easy conversion for White. 1-0

Deac, Bogdan Daniel (2613) - Shankland, Samuel (2705)

Douglas, 2019
Q 3/d

829
Yet another misplayed queen endgame.
1...Qh8+?
Black could have surived after 1...Qd7= or 1...Qf3=
2.Kb1+- Qf8 3.Qc2+ Kg1 4.Qd1+ Kh2 5.Qe2+ Kg1 6.Qe1+ Kh2 7.Qh4+ Kg1 8.Qg4+ Kh2
9.b7 Qd6 10.Qe2+ Kg3 11.Qb2 Qb8 12.Qc3+ Kh4 13.Qc8 Qe5 14.b8=Q Qe1+ 15.Qc1 Qe4+
16.Qc2 Qe1+ 17.Kb2 1-0

Audi, Ameya (2336) - Haria, Ravi (2463)

New Delhi, 2019
Q 3/e

830
The position might be tricky with little time on the clock, but White should still hold without
much trouble.
1.Qc1?
1.Qe2+= is the correct queen move.
1...Qd3-+ 2.Qc5 Kb3 3.Qb6+ Ka4 4.Qa7+ Kb4 5.Qe7+ Kb3 6.Qb7+ Kc3 7.Kg5 a2 8.Qc7+
Kb2
¹8...Qc4 - 18...Qc4
9.Qe5+ Kc2 10.Qc5+ Qc3 11.Qf5+ Kd1 12.Qf1+ Qe1 13.Qf3+ Qe2 14.Qh1+ Kc2 15.Qc6+
Kb1 16.Qh1+ Kb2 17.Qb7+ Kc3 18.Qc7+ Qc4 19.Qe5+ Kb3 20.Qe3+ Ka4 21.Qa7+ Kb4
22.Kh6 Qc1+ 23.Kh7 a1=Q 24.Qb6+ Kc3 25.Qc5+ Kb2 26.Qb4+ Ka2 27.Qa4+ Kb1
28.Qb3+ Qab2 29.Qd5 Qc7+ 30.Kg6 Qbb6+ And White will soon be checkmated. 0-1

Kovalev, Vladislav (2661) - Gavrilescu, David (2451)

Douglas, 2019
Q 3/e

Black could have hold this theoretical endgame, but instead he made a grave mistake.
1...Ka4?
1...Kb2= would suffice for equality, as well as 1...Ka2=
2.Qe4++- Kb3 3.Kg8! Qd8+ 4.Kf7 Qd7+ 5.Kf6 Qd8+ 6.Kf5 Qf8+ 7.Kg4 Qg7+ 8.Kf3 Qf6+
9.Ke2 Qb2+ 10.Ke3 Qc1+ 11.Kf2 Qb2+ 12.Qe2 Qh8 13.Qd3+ Kb2 14.Ke2 Qg7 15.Qe4 Kc1
16.Qh1+ Kb2 17.Qe4 Kb3 1-0

831
832
BENKŐ, A GREAT LEGEND OF ROYAL GAME

Pál Benkő

Pál Benkő, (July 14, 1928 – August 26, 2019), was a Hungarian-American chess grandmaster,

833
openings theoretician, author and problemist. He became Hungarian champion when he was
twenty, and finished clear or joined first place for record eight US Championships: 1961, 1964
(in that year he also won the Canadian Open Chess Championship), 1965, 1966, 1967, 1969,
1974, 1975. Benkő's highest achievement was participation in the Candidates Tournament in
1959 and 1962. Also, he qualified for the 1970 Interzonal tournament, but he gave up his spot in
the Interzonal to Bobby Fischer, who went on to win the World Championship in 1972. A truly
remarkable decision!
A famous chess opening is named after him, the popular Benko Gambit (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5
b5), which he made significant contributions in, and played with great success from the mid-
1960s. In addition to his success as a player, Benkő was a noted authority in the field of chess
endgames, and also composer of endgame studies and chess problems. During his illustrious
career he gained the titles of an over-the-board Grandmaster, and also FIDE International Master
of chess composition (1995).
For years Benkő was running a column on chess endgames in Chess Life magazine, which was
published by the United States Chess Federation.
Benkő composed a great number of orthodox problems (#2,#3 and #n movers, as well as
helpmates), but he excelled at composing chess studies. I the hhdbv database there are 149
studies by Benkő, while YACPDB contains a great total of 450 problems and studies by the
renowned author. Benkő got 40 points on the list for the FIDE Album by the World Federation
for Chess Composition.

1. Benko, Pal
1st prize Magyar Sakkelet, 1967

1.? =

834
 Show/Hide Solution

Magyar Sakkélet/7 (c): Benkő=P A Study Apiece–139 2010.

A really nice overview of Pál Benkő’s astounding achievements has been recently written by his
compatriot Péter Gyarmati in EG, Vol XXV, No. 218 (October 2019). This study is the first one
in the short collection published on that occasion. There are a few versions of the study in the
databases, the first one dating back in 1967 with the final version being published in 2010. Black
is threatening 1...Ra5 and 2...Rf5. Hence the White’s play is both forced and precise, while the
5th and 6th move deserve exceptional praise.
1.Bc7! Rb2
1...Ra7 2.Bb6!
2.Bd6! Rc2 3.Be5! Rd2
3...Rc5 4.Bd4!
4.Bf4! Re2!
4...Rb2 5.Bd6!
5.Bb8!!
5.Kxe2? Kg2; 5.Bc7? Ra2!; 5.Bd2? Kg3!
5...Re8 6.Bg3! Kg4
6...Kxg3=
7.Kxf2 After more than 200 years, this is an elaboration of a position by Del Rio position (Kg5,
Ra7, f6: Kf8, Bc4, draw). 1/2-1/2

2. Benko, Pal
1st prize Magyar Sakkelet, 1977

835
1.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

Benkő began composing studies relatively late in his rich career, at the age of nearly 40. The
following study is also of a highly analytical style and shows a great tactical work with the
Nowotny theme. The study has the thematic try 1.g7? and the play is enriched by a number of
subtle sublines. The final nuance being 8.Kg1! A real everlasting masterpiece.
1.e7!
1.g7? Rg3 (1...Rd8 2.Rd6 Rg8 3.Rxd1 Rxg7 4.Rd7+ Rxd7 5.exd7) 2.e7 Bh5 3.Rg6 Rxg6!
(3...Bxg6? 4.Kf2!) 4.e8=Q Rf6+ 5.Ke1 (5.Kg1 Bxe8 6.g8=Q Rg6+) 5...Bxe8 6.g8=Q Bd7!;
1.Rc7+? Kb6 2.e7 (2.g7 Rg3 3.e7 Bh5) 2...Re3 3.g7 Kxc7 4.g8=Q Be2+ 5.Kf2 Rxe7
1...Re3
1...Rf3+
2.Ke1! (2.Kg1? Rg3+; 2.Kg2? Re3 3.g7 Bb3 4.Rc7+ Kb6 5.Rc3 Bd5+) 2...Re3+ 3.Kxd1 Rxe7
4.Rc5! (4.Rf6? Re5! (4...Re3? 5.Kd2 Rg3 6.Ke2 Kb7 7.Kf2 Rg5 8.Kf3 Kc7 9.Kf4 Rg1 10.Kf5
Kd7 11.Rf7+; 4...Re4? 5.Rf7+ Kb6 6.g7 Rg4 7.Ke2 Kc6 8.Kf3 Rg1 9.Kf4 Kd6 10.Kf5) 5.g7
Rg5 6.Rf7+ Kb6 7.Ke2 Kc6 8.Kf3 Kd6 9.Kf4 Ke6; 4.Kd2? Re4! (4...Re5? 5.Rc7+ Kb6 6.Rh7
Kc6 7.g7 Rg5 8.Ke3 Kd6 9.Kf4 Rg1 10.Kf5)) 4...Kb6 5.Rg5 Rg7 6.Ke2 Kc6 7.Kf3 Kd6 8.Kg4
Ke7 9.Kh5 Kf6 (9...Kf8 10.Kh6 Ra7 11.Rb5) 10.Kh6

2.g7
2.Rc7+? Kb6 3.g7 Kxc7 4.g8=Q Be2+ 5.Kf2 Rxe7
2...Bb3 3.Rc7+!

836
3.Re6? Rxe6! (3...Bxe6? 4.Kf2) 4.g8=Q Bc4+! (4...Rf6+? 5.Kg1! Bxg8 6.e8=Q) 5.Kf2 Re2+
6.Kf3 Bxg8 7.Kxe2 Bf7
3...Ka6!
3...Kb6 4.Rc3!
4.Kf2! Re4 5.Rc6+!
5.Kf3? Re1 6.Rc6+ Ka5 7.Re6 Rxe6 8.g8=Q Rf6+ 9.Kg3 Bxg8 10.e8=Q Rf1
5...Ka5 6.Re6! Rxe6
6...Bxe6 7.e8=Q
7.g8=Q Rf6+ 8.Kg1!
8.Ke3? Bxg8 9.e8=Q Re6+; 8.Kg3? Bxg8 9.e8=Q Rf1! (9...Be6? 10.Qd8+) 10.Qe5+ Kb4
11.Kg2 Bc4; 8.Kg2? Bxg8 9.e8=Q Bd5+ 10.Kg1 Rb6
8...Bxg8 9.e8=Q Bd5 10.Qd8+ 1-0

3. Benko, Pal
1-2 p. MSSZ-2000 AT Magyar Sakkelet, 2000

1.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

A thrilling tactical study rich in numerous blows.

1.Rg5+ Kf8

837
1...Kh8 2.Qh1+ Rh7 3.Qa1! Rg7 4.Rh5+ Kg8 5.Qa8+ Kf7 6.Rf5+
2.Qb4+
2.Qf2+? Rf7 3.Qc5+ Re7+ 4.Kf6 Qh7
2...Re7+ 3.Kf6 Qe4
3...Qh7
4.Rg8+! Kxg8 5.Qb8+

4.Rh5! Qf3+ 5.Rf5 Qe4

5...Qe3 6.Qb8+ Re8 7.Kg6+ Kg8 8.Qc7 Re7 9.Rf8+! (9.Qd8+? Re8 10.Qh4 Qh3!) 9...Kxf8
10.Qd8+ Re8 11.Qf6+ Kg8 12.Qg7#
6.Qb8+
6.Kg6+? Ke8 7.Qb8+ Kd7
6...Re8 7.Qc7! Re7
7...Qe7+
8.Kg6+ Kg8 9.Re5!

8.Qc8+ Re8 9.Kg6+ Kg8 10.Qc7! Re7

10...Qe7 11.Re5!
11.Qd8+ Re8 12.Qh4! Qe7
12...Re7 13.Qf6
13.Rf8+! Kxf8
13...Qxf8 14.Qh7#; 13...Rxf8 14.Qxe7
14.Qh8# 1-0

4. Benko, Pal
Vergio, 1999

838
1.? +–

Show/Hide Solution

In this study Benkő was able to successfully upgrade the old Max Grünfeld’s idea (1903). The
white king must be placed on h8 in order to make the study valid and correct. A perfect
handbook example.
1.a4!
1.b3? Kb2 2.Rh1 Kxa2 3.Rh3 (3.Rh5 b4!) 3...Kb2! 4.Kg7 a4=
1...Kxb2
1...b4 2.Rh1 Kxb2 3.Rh5 Ka3 4.Rxa5 b3 5.Kg7 b2 6.Rb5+-
2.Ra3!!
2.axb5? Kxa1 3.b6 a4 4.b7 a3 5.b8=Q a2=
2...Kxa3
2...b4 3.Rh3 b3 4.Rh5 Ka3 5.Rxa5 b2 6.Rb5+-
3.axb5 a4 4.b6 Kb2 5.b7 a3 6.b8=Q+ 1-0

5. Benko, Pal
Magyar Sakkvilag, 2013

839
1.? =

Show/Hide Solution

My friend GM in over-the-board chess Petr Kiryakov (also an avid composer) believes that
Benkő was aware of the game played in 2007 (see the following diagram), so he explored the
position in this study. White draws in a highly instructive fashion, just as in the game (where the
player with large advantage could not convert it).
1.Nb3
1.a4? b4! (1...bxa4? 2.Nc4)
1...Bd5 2.Nc1
2.Kd2? Bxb3
2...Kb6 3.Kd2 Ka5 4.Kc3 Bc4 5.a3 Ka4 6.Kb2 c5 7.Ka1! Kxa3 8.Nd3! Bxd3 1/2-1/2

6. Djurasevic, Branislav
original for 10. UAPA, B2 group, 2019

840
1.? +–

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(after Eljanov–Arutunian 2007 & Benko 2013)

The author of this column developed the following idea even further, taking into account both
the Benkő’s study and aforementioned OTB game. In this version there are some additional
elements: Kings battle, white king traveling and thematic try here is new and fresh comparing
with its predecessors. The only move White must not play is f4 even though it is the most natural
move in the position. GM Pavel Eljanov, who missed the win, uses this very study as a fine
example in lectures with his students.
1.Bf5+
1.Kf4?= see thematic try 2.Kf4 for more details. 1...Kg7!= or 1...Kf7!=
1...Kg7!?
1...Kg5 2.f4+ Kh4 3.Kf6 Kg3 4.Kg7 Kxf4 5.Kxh6!+- (5.Kxf8? Kg5!=)
2.Ke4!
Thematic try: 2.Kf4? Kf6! 3.f3 (3.Ke4 h5! 4.gxh5 Kg5 5.Bg6 Ne6= Black controls dark
squares. Also, on the board is wrong bishop, so draw is pretty obvious.) 3...Kf7 4.Kg3 Kf6
5.Kh4 And we reach 80th black move in the game Eljanov,Pavel 2675 - Arutinian,David 2552,
European individual Championship, Dresden 2007, 1/2 : 1/2 (87). Same idea with opposite piece
colour showed by Pal Benko, Magyar Sakkvilag 2013, No 2167 in hhdbv 5...Kf7! 6.Kh5 Kg7
7.f4 tempo move 7...Kh8!! 8.Kxh6 Ne6! 9.Bxe6=
2...Kf7

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2...h5 3.g5!+-
3.Kf3! Kf6 4.Kf4! Kf7 5.Kg3! Kf6 6.Kh4 Kf7! 7.Kh5 Kg7 8.f3!+-
8.f4? Kh8!!= The same position appears as on the 7th move of the thematic try.
1-0

7. Timman, Jan
1st prize Benko 90 JT, 2019

1.? +–

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This year the JT Benko 90 Tournament was concluded while the legendary Pál Benkő was still
alive. However, due to a rather bad eyesight Benko could not take the responsibility of the
arbiter. That honour passed to Richard Becker, GM of chess composition. The first prize was
deservedly won by Jan Timman, yet another true legend of our royal game. Becker stated: "After
a few natural and economical moves, Black signals his stalemate intentions with a pawn
sacrifice. White answers with a very subtle reciprocal pawn sacrifice. The future sacrifices of
both the white Rook and Bishop will not be enough to prevent stalemate; a pawn must go, too!
The plan and counter plan with all their satisfying sacrifices and counter sacrifices are expertly
arranged, but there is more! The composer has also furnished a second main line that
thematically complements the first. When Black tries to dash all plans by reversing the order of
pawn promotions, White reveals the surprising echo sacrifice 10.Ra5!!"
1.Rd1

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The reasonable looking 1.Re3+? Kg4 2.Rd3 fails to 2... 2...f6! 3.Bxf6 Be7 4.Ba1 Bg5=
1...Bc1 2.Ke2 h3
2...Kg2 3.Bd4+-
3.Rg1+
Not 3.c4? Kg2 4.c5 Ba3! draw
3...Kh2 4.Kf2
4.Rf1? Kg2=
4...f6! 5.Bxf6 Bb2 6.c3!!
The logical try: 6.Bxb2 d1=N+! 7.Rxd1 a1=Q! 8.Rh1+ Kxh1 9.Bxa1 h2 10.Kg3 Kg1 11.Bd4+
Kh1 12.Bc5 bxc5 13.Kf2 c4 14.b6 c3 and stalemate can no longer be avoided
6...Bxc3 7.Bxc3 d1=N+
2nd main line: 7...a1=Q 8.Rxa1 (8.Bxa1? d1=N+! 9.Kf1 Ne3+ 10.Kf2 Nd1+=) 8...d1=N+ 9.Kf1
Nxc3 10.Ra5!! zz 10...Nd5 11.Ra3 Nc7 12.Rb3 Nd5 13.Kf2 and wins
8.Rxd1 a1=Q 9.Rh1+! Kxh1
9...Qxh1 10.Be5#
10.Bxa1 h2 11.Kg3 Kg1 12.Bd4+ Kh1 13.Bc5! bxc5 14.Kf2 c4 15.b6 c3 16.b7 and mates in
three. 1-0

8. Benko, Pal
1st prize Magyar Sakkelet, 1970

843
Mate in 3 moves

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This mate in three brought Benkő great respect, winning the 1st prize at Magyar Sakkélet
Tournament. The initial position is exceptionally charming one. Even though there is a dual
solution in the 2nd move after defence 1...Kf5 2.Qf3+ and 2.Qh5+, the problem did not lose any
of its glory. Earlier this year there was an interesting article on the ChessBase with a great
number of analysed positions avoiding the dual solution. The author, Frederic Friedel claimed:
"This is one of the most elegant chess problems we have ever seen. It was composed by the
master, Pál Benkő when he was just fifteen! Five pieces, four on their original squares, and the
task is to force mate in three moves. That is quite difficult: Bobby Fischer failed to find the
solution in half an hour. Can you do better – and can you find a correction for the minor dual that
was found in the problem? You can win a nice prize if you do..."
1.Bc4 Ke5
1...Kf5 2.Qf3+ (2.Qh5+ dual 2...Ke4 (2...Kf6 3.Qg5#) 3.Qd5#) 2...Kg6 (2...Ke5 3.Qf4#)
3.Qf7#
2.Qd5+ Kf6 3.Qg5# 1-0

9. Benko, Pal
Magyar Sakkelet, 1972

Mate in 8 moves

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844
The most brilliant of the two white pieces in order to activate the 3rd piece. A familiar idea, but
masterfully explored! This problem was included in the FIDE Album.
1.Na2! Kxa2 2.Be6+! Ka1 3.Ba2! Kxa2 4.Nf5 Ka1 5.Nd4 Ka2 6.Ne2! Ka1 7.Nc1 a2
8.Nb3# 1-0

845
B97
NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SHARP NAJDORF

The Najdorf Sicilian is considered to be a very reliable weapon in the arsenal of any
knowledgeable player. However, it requires great precision, memory, and permanent observation
of all the developments in both over-the-board competitions and correspondence games. The
Bg5 variation is complicated and demanding in particular, being both razor sharp and rich in
possibilities for both sides.
In this article I will try to cast some light in the most topical of all the sub-variations, namely
“The Poisoned Pawn” line which is being constantly debated in the elite correspondence chess
tournaments and games in general.

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.e5

10...h6
We can reach the critical position via different move order as well: 10...dxe5 11.fxe5 h6 12.Bh4
g5
11.Bh4 dxe5 12.fxe5 g5 13.exf6

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13.Bg3 Nh5 14.Ne4 Qxa2 15.Rb3 Nd7 16.Be2 Qa1+ 17.Bd1 Nc5 18.Nxc5 Nxg3 19.hxg3 Bxc5
20.c3

20...Bd7 (20...Qa5 21.O-O - in this position Black optioned for an interesting move, even though
the rivals agreed to a draw - 21...b5 1/2 : 1/2 Schmidt,Theo - Schuller,Jean Claude, corr 2019
(The most common continuation in practice is 21...Qc7 22.Bh5 Rf8 23.Kh2 Bd7∞ Darini,Pouria
2496 - Cheparinov,Ivan 2695, Dubai 2016)) 21.Rxb7 O-O-O

22.O-O! (threatening Bf3) 22...Bb5 (22...Bxd4+? 23.cxd4 Bc6 24.Rb2+-) 23.Rfxf7 Bxd4+
24.cxd4 Qxd4+ 25.Kh2! Qg1+!! 26.Kxg1 Rxd2 27.Bg4 (27.Rfc7+ Kd8 28.Bg4 Rd7 29.Rxd7+
Bxd7 30.Rb8+ Bc8 31.Bxe6 Kc7 32.Ra8=) 27...Rd7! 28.Rfxd7 Bxd7= Schmid,Pablo -
Loinjak,Sinisa, corr 2018.
13.Bf2 Ng4 14.Bg3 Nd7 (14...Bg7 15.Bb5+ Bd7 16.Be2 Nxe5 17.Ne4 O-O∞ Baufays,Hugues -
Stroemberg,Hakan, corr 2017) 15.Be2 Ngxe5 16.Nxe6 fxe6 17.Bh5+ Ke7! 18.Qe3 Qa5! 19.O-

847
O Bg7 20.Ne4

20...Rf8 (At the Batumi Olympiad 2018 in Dante Beukes - Gerrard Mphungu game, Black
continued with the imprecise 20...b5? but, White missed the opportunity to claim advantage after
21.Rbd1 (21.Kh1 Beukes,Dante 2155 - Mphungu, Gerrard 2091, Batumi (ol) 2018) 21...Rf8
(21...Qb6? 22.Rxd7+ Nxd7 23.Rf7++-) 22.Rxd7+ Nxd7 (22...Bxd7? 23.Qc5++-) 23.Bd6+ Kd8
24.Rd1→ and Black would end up in serious trouble) 21.Rfd1 Nc4! (White wins by force after
the mistake 21...Qxa2? 22.Bxe5 Bxe5 23.Rxd7+! Kxd7 24.Rd1+ Kc7 25.Qc5+ Kb8 26.Qxe5+
Ka7 27.Qc5+ Kb8 28.Qxf8+-) 22.Qe2 b5 23.Kh1 - the idea being Be1 - 23...Qb6 24.Qxc4
bxc4 25.Rxb6 Be5∞ Dorn,Markus - Petrigin,Oleg, corr 2017
13...gxh4 14.Be2 h3!?

14...Nd7 15.O-O (15.Ne4 Qxa2 16.Rd1 Qd5 17.Qe3 Qe5 18.Nf3 Qc7 19.O-O Rg8=) 15...Qa5
16.Kh1 (16.Bf3 h3 17.gxh3 Qg5+ 18.Qxg5 hxg5ƒ) 16...Qg5 In tournament practice White most

848
often opts for 17.Rf4!? (17.Qe1 Nxf6 18.Nf3 Qg7 19.Ne5 Be7 20.Na4 O-O 21.Nb6 Rb8
22.Rb3 Ne4 23.Ned7 Bxd7 24.Nxd7 Qg5 25.Nxb8 Rxb8 26.Rd3 (A really interesting draw,
after precise play from both players occurred after 26.Bh5 Nd2 27.Rxf7 Nxb3 28.Qxe6 Kh8
29.Rxe7 Rf8 30.Kg1 Qxh5 31.cxb3 Qd1+ 32.Qe1 Qd4+ 33.Qe3 Qd1+ 34.Qe1 Qd4+ 35.Qe3
1/2 : 1/2 Radjabov, Teimour 2748 - Wojtaszek,Radoslaw 2744, Shamkir 2018) 26...Rc8∞
Lebedev, Valery - Dvoinikov,Andrey, corr 2017. Also, Black can engage some serious
complications after 17.Qd3 Nc5 18.Qc4 Bd7 19.Bf3 Rc8 20.Qe2 Bd6 and after a series of
forced moves a draw by repetition was agreed: 21.Bxb7 Nxb7 22.Ne4 Qe5 23.Nxd6+ Qxd6
24.Nf5 Qc6 25.Rxb7 h3! 26.Rf3 Kd8 27.Rfb3 Qxg2+ 28.Qxg2 hxg2+ 29.Kg1 exf5 30.Rd3 Rc7
31.Rb8+ 1/2 : 1/2 Bescos Anzano,Manuel - Wunderlich,Hans Dieter, corr 2018) 17...e5 18.Nd5
exd4 19.Qxd4 Kd8 (In the correspondence games we often see the following line 19...Bc5 -
however, after a series of forced moves Black gains solid compensation: 20.Qe4+ Kd8 21.Rf5
Re8 22.Qxe8+ Kxe8 23.Rxg5 hxg5 24.Nc7+ Kd8 25.Nxa8 Nxf6©) 20.Ne7 Even though there
are only a few over-the-board games in this line, in the correspondence base we can find deep
investigation of all developments: 20...Qe5 21.Qd2 Bxe7 22.fxe7+ Qxe7 23.Bg4 f5 24.Rxf5 Re8
25.Rd5 (White can clinch a draw by perpetual check after: 25.Rd1 Kc7 26.Rf7 Qxf7 27.Qd6+
Kd8 28.Qb6+ Ke7 29.Qd6+ Kd8=) 25...b6 26.h3 Kc7 27.Bxd7 Bxd7 28.Qf4+ Kb7 29.Qd4
Bb5 30.a4 Rad8 31.axb5 a5= with an equal endgame.
14...e5 15.Nb3

(15.Nd5 exd4 16.Nc7+ Kd8 17.Nxa8 Nd7 18.Nb6 Bc5 19.Nxc8 Qxa2 20.Rxb7 Kxc8 21.Rb3
Re8©) 15...Be6 (15...Nc6 16.Nd5 Qd6 17.O-O Be6! (17...Nd4 18.c4 Nxe2+ 19.Qxe2 Rg8
20.Nd2ƒ Solak, Dragan 2603 - Can,Emre 2605, Turkiye 2018) 18.c4 O-O-O 19.Qe3²; 15...Qd6
16.Nd5 Be6 17.Bf3 Nd7 18.Na5 e4!? (18...Bxd5 19.Qxd5 Rc8 20.Rxb7 Rc7 21.O-O²) 19.Bxe4
Qe5 20.Qf4 Bd6 21.Qxe5 Bxe5∞) 16.Nd5 Qd6 17.Bf3 Nd7 18.Na5 e4 19.Bxe4 Qe5 20.O-O
(20.Qf4 Bxd5 21.Qxe5+) 20...Nc5 (20...Bd6=) 21.Bf3=.
14...Qa5 15.O-O h3!?

849
(15...Nd7 16.Kh1 Qg5 17.Qe1 Nxf6 18.Nf3 Qg7 19.Ne5 Be7 20.Na4 Nd7 21.Nxf7 O-O
22.Bc4=) 16.Qe3 (16.Bf3?! Nd7 17.Nd5 (17.Kh1? Ne5³ Pichot,Alan 2552 - Cheparinov,Ivan
2699, Gibraltar 2018) 17...Qc5 18.Rfe1 Bd6 19.Kh1 Be5 20.Nxe6 fxe6 21.Nb6 Rb8 22.Red1
Qc7 (In several games Black was able to hold his own after 22...Rh7!?∞) 23.Bh5+ Kd8 24.Bg4
Ke8 25.f7+ Kxf7 (Muzyka,Nikolay - Matei,Cornel, corr 2009) 26.Nxd7 hxg2+ 27.Kxg2 Bxd7
28.Qxd7+ Qxd7 29.Rxd7+ Kf6 30.Rf1+ Kg6 31.Bxe6 Rhd8=; 16.g3 Nd7 17.Rbd1 Bb4
(17...Ne5) 18.Qe3 Qg5 19.Qe4 Bc5 20.Kh1 Qe5=) 16...Bc5 (16...Rg8 17.g3 Rg5 18.Ne4 Re5
19.Bf3 Nd7 20.Qf4 Rd5 (20...Rxe4 21.Qxe4 Nxf6 22.Qd3 Be7 23.Nb3 Qe5∞) 21.Rfd1 Ne5
22.Be2 Ng6 23.Qf2 Bd7 24.Rxb7 Rd8 25.c3 (25.c4 Rxd4 26.Qxd4 Bc6 27.Qxd8+ Qxd8
28.Rxd8+ Kxd8 29.Rb8+ Kc7 30.Rxf8 Nxf8 31.Nf2=) 25...Bc8 26.Rbb1 Bc5 27.Nxc5 Qxc5=)
17.Bf3

17...Nc6! 18.Bxc6+ bxc6 19.Ne4 Rg8 20.g3 e5 21.Nxc5 Qxc5 22.Rbe1! Rg5 23.Nf3 Qxe3+
24.Rxe3 Rf5= Turkov,Vladimir - Nekhaev,Andrey, corr 2015

850
15.Ne4!?N A new move! The position is extremely rich in possibilities where any mistake
might be deadly.
15.gxh3 Qa5 16.Ne4 Qxd2+ 17.Kxd2= (17.Nxd2 Nd7µ);
15.g3 Qa5 16.O-O Nd7 17.Rbd1 (17.Kh1 Qg5∞) 17...Bb4 (17...Ne5) 18.Qe3 Qg5 19.Qe4 Bc5
20.Kh1 Qe5 21.Rf4 Qxe4+ 22.Nxe4 b6 23.Nxc5 bxc5∞;
15.O-O Qa5 (15...Rg8 16.Bf3 Qa5 17.Rf2 Bc5 18.Kf1²) 16.Qe3 Rg8 17.g3 Rg5 18.Ne4 Re5
19.Bf3 Nd7 20.Rfd1 Nc5 21.Qf4 Nxe4 22.Bxe4 Qc5 23.Kf1 Bd6 24.Qg4 Rg5 25.Qe2 Bc7
26.Nf3 Rf5 27.Bxf5 Qxf5 28.Qd3 Qxf6 29.Rb4 e5 30.Rc4 Bd8 31.Re1 Bf5 32.Qc3 e4 33.Qxf6
Bxf6 34.Nd4 Bh7 35.Ne2∞
15...e5
Black has some highly interesting alternatives at his disposal: 15...hxg2 16.Rg1 Qxa2 17.Rb3 e5
18.Qc3 Bd7=;
15...Qxa2 16.O-O Qd5 17.Bf3 e5 18.Rfe1 Qxd4+ 19.Qxd4 exd4 20.Nd6+ Kd7 21.Nxc8 Bc5
22.Nb6+ Bxb6 23.Bxb7 Bc5 24.Bxa8 Nc6∞;
15...Nd7 16.O-O Nc5 17.Bf3 Nxe4 18.Bxe4 Qd6 19.Rfd1 e5 20.Nb3 Qxd2 21.Rxd2 Bb4 22.c3
Bxc3 23.Rd3 Bb4 24.Rbd1

24...Be6™ (24...O-O? 25.a3! Bxa3 26.Rg3+ Kh8 27.Rg7+-) 25.Bxb7 O-O 26.Rg3+ Kh8
27.Bxa8 Rxa8 28.gxh3 a5=
16.Rb3 hxg2 17.Rg1 Qxa2 18.Qc3 Bd7 19.Rxb7
19.Nf3 Nc6 20.Nxe5 Be6 21.Bc4 Bxc4 22.Nxc4 O-O-O=
19...Qd5
19...exd4? 20.Qc7 Be6 21.Rxb8+ Rxb8 22.Qxb8+ Kd7 23.Qb7+ Kd8™ 24.Qb6+ Kd7 25.Rxg2²

851
20.Qc7 Nc6 21.Nxc6 Qxc6 22.Qxe5+

22.Rb8+ Rxb8 23.Qxb8+ Qc8 24.Qxe5+ Kd8=

22...Kd8
Some really beautiful tactical motifs occur after: 22...Be6!? 23.Rxf7! Qd5! 24.Rxf8+ Rxf8
25.Qc7 Rf7 26.Nd6+ Kf8 27.Nxf7 Bxf7 28.Qe7+ Kg8=
23.Rxd7+
23.Qa5+ Kc8 24.Rxd7 Qxd7 25.Bxa6+ Rxa6 26.Qxa6+ Qb7=
23...Qxd7 24.Qa5+ Kc8 25.Bxa6+ Rxa6 26.Qxa6+ Qb7 27.Qxb7+
27.Qc4+ Qc7=
27...Kxb7 28.Rxg2² White is a pawn up, but Black has a very active play. The game ended in a
draw after precise play on both sides in Valinova,Jana - Tasic,Vladimir, corr 2019

852
853
854
855
856
857
858
859
Table of Contents
Back Cover 4
Title page 5
System of Signs 8
The Best Game of the Preceding Volume 10
The Most Important Theoretical Novelty of the Preceding Volume 12
22nd EUROPEAN TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP GM Ivan Sokolov 23
FIDE WORLD CUP 2019 GM Danilo Milanović 72
HAMBURG FIDE GRAND PRIX GM Ivan Ivanišević 108
EUROPEAN CLUB CUP GM Dragoljub Jaćimović 124
THE LAST MAN STANDING ON THE ISLE OF MAN GM Ivan
141
Ivanišević
DANNY'S CHESS DIARY GM Daniel Gormally 167
GOING FOR THE KILL GM Rafael Leitão 187
SAINT LOUIS WINTER CLASSIC GM Sabina-Francesca Foişor 206
THE REHABILITATED CARO-KANN – Part III GM Aleksander Delchev 233
THE FOUR KNIGHTS SICILIAN GM Miloš Perunović 260
FIGHTING AGAINST THE FIANCHETTO KNIGHT GM Michael
275
Prusikin
FROM THE CHESS INFORMANT ARCHIVES Douglas Griffin 288
Classification of Openings 296
A00-A24 298
A25-A49 331
A50-A74 350
A75-A99 383
B00-B24 396
B25-B49 408
B50-B74 443
B75-B99 489
C00-C24 550
C25-C49 590
C50-C74 618
D00-D24 655

860
D25-D49 668
D50-D99 692
E00-E24 738
E25-E74 758
E75-E99 784
Index 797
Combinations GM Branko Tadić 805
Endings IM Goran Arsović 813
Endgame Blunders IM Zoran Petronijević 825
Studies FM Branislav Đurašević 833
Correspondence Chess CCM Vladimir Tašić 846
Tournaments 853

861