Slow Grinding

The general strategy in a short match of two games is to try and play without any risk whenever possible, especially with the white pieces. Things went very well for the experienced Peruvian GM in the second game of the match Granda Zuniga-Fier at the World Chess Cup 2015 in Baku.

[Event "FIDE World Cup 2015"]
[Site "Baku AZE"]
[Date "2015.09.13"]
[Round "1.52"]
[White "Granda Zuniga, Julio E"]
[Black "Fier, Alexandr"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2667"]
[BlackElo "2624"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[EventDate "2015.09.11"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bb4 {This game followed
Khismatullin-Tomashevsky from the Russian Superfinal that we have annotated
for chess.com not long time ago.} 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O e4 7. Ng5 Bxc3 8. bxc3 Re8
9. f3 {This is one of the main lines in the English opening, which was heavily
investigated after Garry Kasparov used it against his great rival Anatoly
Karpov in their match in Sevilla 1987.} exf3 10. Nxf3 Qe7 {Diagram [#]} ({A
couple of weeks ago Anand tried} 10... d5 11. d4 dxc4 12. Bg5 h6 13. Bxf6 Qxf6
14. e4 Bg4 {and held the game to a draw against the future winner of the
tournament in Aronian,L (2765)-Anand,V (2816) Saint Louis 2015}) 11. e3 Ne5 12.
d3 ({Nothing promises} 12. Nxe5 Qxe5 13. Rb1 Rb8 14. Rb5 Qe7 15. d3 d6 16. e4
Bg4 $1 {as seen in another encounter Aronian,L (2780)-Anand,V (2804) Stavanger
2015}) 12... d6 13. Nd4 c5 {Better than} (13... Bg4 14. Qc2 c5 {to which
Tomashevsky explained that the positional exchange sacrifice after} 15. Nf5
Bxf5 16. Rxf5 d5 17. cxd5 c4 18. d4 Nd3 19. Bd2 Ne4 20. Re5 $1 {is good for
White.}) 14. Nc2 $5 $146 {[%cal Rc1a3] Diagram [#] Granda Zuniga comes well
prepared for the game.} ({After the usual} 14. Nf5 Bxf5 15. Rxf5 d5 $1 $146 {
Tomashevsky uncorked a strong novelty. This was only the start of a superb
opening preparation by the former European champion which helped him win the
Russian title, Khismatullin,D (2642)-Tomashevsky,E (2747) Chita 2015.}) 14...
Bg4 15. Qd2 d5 {Fier follows Tomashevsky's footprints but this is exactly what
Granda wants. Instead} (15... Qe6 $5 {will be tested in the future.}) 16. cxd5
c4 17. Ba3 {The point behind White's knight retreat.} Qd8 {The only move as} (
17... Qd7 18. d4 Nd3 19. Rxf6 $1 {Diagram [#]} gxf6 20. e4 {followed by Nc2-e3
is awful for Black.}) 18. dxc4 (18. d4 Nd3 19. Rab1 {was another possibility.})
18... Nxc4 19. Qd4 Rc8 ({White is better after} 19... Nxa3 20. Nxa3 Qe7 21. Nc2
) 20. e4 {White managed to stabilize the situation and keep the extra pawn.
His play is easier.} Qb6 21. Rf4 Ne5 {Psychologically it was difficult to
retreat pieces, but} (21... Bd7 {followed by} 22. Bb4 Ng4 {[%cal Gg4e5]
Diagram [#] and Ng4-e5 with blockade might have been the better choice.}) 22.
Ne3 ({Better than} 22. Qxb6 axb6 23. Bb4 Nd3 {with counter play for Black. For
example} 24. Ne3 Nxf4 25. gxf4 Bd7 26. e5 g5 $1 {Diagram [#]}) 22... Be2 {This
makes things worse as the white knight can take advantage of the f5 square.} (
22... Bd7 {was still best.}) 23. d6 (23. Nf5 {at once was also very good. In
the forced line} Rxc3 24. Ne7+ Kh8 25. Qxb6 axb6 26. Bb2 Nf3+ 27. Bxf3 Rxf3 28.
Bxf6 ({Better than} 28. Rxf3 Bxf3 29. Bxf6 gxf6 30. d6) 28... gxf6 29. d6 {
White has serious winning chances.}) 23... Qa6 24. Bb4 Rcd8 25. Rxf6 $1 {
Diagram [#] This sacrifice is always good! Well sorry, it is not even a
sacrifice here.} gxf6 26. Nd5 Kg7 27. Nc7 Qc6 28. Qe3 {Solid and in accordance
with the general match strategy-no counter play at all for the opponent like in
the line} (28. Nxe8+ Rxe8 29. Qxa7 Bf3 30. Qd4 Bxg2 31. Kxg2 f5) 28... a5 $1 {
Diagram [#] Fier defends very well and takes care of the most dangerous white
pawn.} 29. Bxa5 (29. Bc5 Bf3 $1 {is OK for Black.}) 29... Qxd6 30. Nxe8+ Rxe8
31. Bb4 Qa6 32. Bc5 {Diagram [#] The tactical skirmish is over. Now the
grinding starts.} Qd3 33. Qxd3 Bxd3 34. Rd1 Ra8 35. a3 Bb5 36. Bh3 Bc6 37. Bf5
Nc4 {Misses the excellent chance} (37... Nf3+ 38. Kf2 Ng5 $1 {Diagram [#]} 39.
Re1 Re8 $14) 38. Kf2 h6 39. Bb4 b5 40. Bc5 Be8 41. g4 {White made a lot of
progress, activated his pieces and now the king.} Bc6 42. Kg3 Re8 43. Kf4 Re5
44. Bb4 Re8 45. h4 Ne5 46. Rd6 Ba8 47. h5 $1 {[%csl Yf6,Yf7,Rg7,Yh6][%cal
Gh4h5] Diagram [#] The signature of the great master. There will be no
annoying checks on g6, the black king will be in constant danger (if the black
rook leaves the back rank, the white one will occupy it and Bb4-f8 would prove
deadly).} Nc4 48. Ra6 Nd2 49. Bc5 ({Not bad was} 49. Rb6 Nxe4 50. Bd7 Rd8 51.
Bxb5 $18) 49... Bxe4 (49... Nxe4 $2 50. Rxa8) 50. Bd4 Bxf5 51. Bxf6+ Kh7 52.
Kxf5 {Diagram [#] A pair of pawn were traded but the most important
achievement for White is that he broke the blockade. His pieces are dominating.
} Nc4 53. Kf4 Ne3 54. Rd6 Nc4 55. Rd7 Kg8 56. g5 {The most convincing win.
White plays for an attack.} hxg5+ 57. Kxg5 Nxa3 58. Kh6 {With the idea
Rd7-d5-g5+} Kf8 59. Kh7 Re6 60. Rd8+ Re8 61. Rxe8+ Kxe8 62. Kg8 {Diagram [#]
The h pawn decided the game.} 1-0
Report.

The Start of The World Chess Cup

The FIDE World Chess Cup started yesterday in Baku. A lot of interesting games were played, I chose the following one for you:

[Event "FIDE World Chess Cup"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.09.11"]
[Round "1.19"]
[White "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Black "Idani, Pouya"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2736"]
[BlackElo "2569"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "0:28:46"]
[BlackClock "0:17:38"]

{In the first round of the World Cup I would like to pay a tribute to the
hosts with a game of their main hope. Shakriyar Mamedyarov has a dangerous
opponent in this game- the former world youth champion Idani Pouya of Iran.}
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 Be7 5. b3 b6 6. Bb2 Bb7 7. Nbd2 Nbd7 8. O-O
O-O 9. c4 {Diagram [#] The position is quite symmetrical but since White is
the first one to play he has more options. He may now like to put the queen on
e2 (c2), connect the rooks and then decide in which moment to open the center.
Pouya decides not to allow this.} Ne4 ({The more usual way is} 9... c5 {which
generates pressure in the center. For example} 10. Qe2 Ne4 11. Rfd1 Qc7 12.
cxd5 exd5 13. Rac1 Bf6 14. Nf1 Rac8 15. Ng3 g6 16. Bb5 {with complex play,
where White seems somewhat better, Short,N (2664)-Ganguly,S (2603) Kolkata
2015}) 10. Rc1 Bd6 ({Also} 10... Rc8 11. Qe2 a5 12. Rfd1 f5 {has been seen,
Danielian,E (2490)-Zhu,C (2461) Sharjah 2014}) 11. Qc2 f5 {The point behind
Black's last move. He wants to create a nice Stonewall position with the dark
squared bishops on the board.} 12. Rfd1 $146 {[%csl Gd1,Yd2,Yd3,Yd4,Yd5,Yd6,
Yd7,Rd8][%cal Gd1d8] Diagram [#] The mystery rook move is a novelty.
Mamedyarov sees in the future.} ({Previously only} 12. Ne5 {has been tried} Rf6
(12... Nxe5 {is not bad neither} 13. dxe5 Bb4 $11) 13. c5 $6 {This drops a
pawn.} bxc5 (13... Nexc5 14. dxc5 Bxe5 15. Bxe5 Nxe5) 14. Bxe4 {and so on,
Cordero,D (1984)-De Leon,P (1741) Montevideo 2009}) 12... Qe7 ({It is quite
understandable that Black does not want to open the files for the white rooks
with} 12... c5 {but that was objectively the correct decision.}) 13. cxd5 exd5
14. Ne5 c5 {Black changes his mind.} ({Bad was} 14... Ndf6 15. f3) ({However}
14... Rac8 {deserved attention as it creates the threat} 15. f3 (15. Ndf3 {is
better to which Black would most likely react with} c5) 15... Nxd2 16. Qxd2
Nxe5 17. dxe5 Bxe5) 15. Nxe4 $1 {The mistery is about to get reveal...} fxe4
16. Bxe4 $3 {[%csl Rd6,Rd7][%cal Rd1d7] Diagram [#]} dxe4 ({There is no choice
} 16... Bxe5 $2 17. Bxh7+) 17. Nxd7 Qxd7 ({Perhaps} 17... Rf5 $1 {[%csl Yd7]
Diagram [#] was the way to play. The idea is to somehow surround the white
knight. True, after} 18. dxc5 ({Or} 18. Ne5 Raf8 {with good compensation for a
pawn.}) 18... bxc5 {Both} 19. Qc4+ ({and} 19. Rxd6 Qxd6 20. Nxc5 Rc8 21. Bd4)
19... Kh8 20. Rxd6 Qxd6 21. Nxc5 Qd2 22. Qc2 Qxc2 23. Rxc2 {give more than
enough for the exchange but it is doubtful that White's advantage will be
sufficient for the whole point.}) 18. dxc5 {[%csl Gd1,Rd6,Rd7] Diagram [#] Now
the mystery of the rook is fully revealed. It wins something along the d file.}
Bxh2+ {The bishop is doomed anyway. For example} (18... bxc5 19. Be5 Rf6 20.
Bxf6 gxf6 21. Qxc5 Bxc5 22. Rxd7 Ba3 23. Rcc7 {and White wins.}) 19. Kxh2 Qc7+
(19... Qg4 {is a bit more active but White is in control after} 20. Kg1 Rac8
21. Qc4+ Kh8 22. Qd4) 20. Kg1 {Diagram [#] White won a pawn and has more
active pieces.} Rac8 21. Qc4+ Rf7 22. cxb6 Qxb6 ({Or else Black loses another
pawn in the endgame} 22... Qxc4 23. Rxc4 Rxc4 24. bxc4 axb6 25. Rd8+ Rf8 26.
Rd6) 23. Qa4 Rcf8 (23... Rxc1 24. Rxc1) 24. Rd7 {Now Mamedyarov decides the
game with direct atack on the seventh and the eight ranks.} Rxd7 25. Qxd7 Rf7
26. Qe8+ Rf8 27. Qa4 {[%csl Ga4,Yb6] Diagram [#] Avoids the possible technical
problems in the opposite colored bishop endgame after} (27. Qe5 Qf6 28. Qxf6
gxf6 29. Rc7 Rf7) 27... a6 28. Qc4+ Rf7 ({White would not mind this endgame
though} 28... Kh8 29. Qc7 Qxc7 30. Rxc7) 29. Rd1 Qc7 30. Qe6 Qe7 {This allows
a beautiful finish.} 31. Ba3 $1 {[%csl Rg8][%cal Rd1d8,Rd8g8] Diagram [#]} ({
Black resigned not willing to see the mate} 31. Ba3 Qxe6 32. Rd8+ Rf8 33. Rxf8#
) 1-0

Report.

Stubborn Defense

Fabiano Caruana significantly improved his tournament situation in Shamkir after an important win with the Black pieces against the former world champion Vladimir Kramnik.The Italian GM had to survive at first the strong pressure that his opponent put on him. The moment in which Kramnik decided to open up the game was not chosen right and the tables have turned into Caruana's favour.

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.04.23"]
[Round "6.5"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2802"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:10"]
[BlackClock "0:09:02"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 {Just like Carlsen the other day, Vladimir Kramnik also
decided to avoid the Gruenfeld.} g6 3. Bg5 Bg7 4. c3 O-O 5. Nbd2 d5 {This is
considered the most reliable move against teh Torre Attack.} 6. e3 Nbd7 7. Be2
c5 {Diagram [#] The Torre Attack represents in this case the reversed Slav
defense. To which Caruana replies with something like a reversed Catalan. My
tongue got reversed as well.} 8. O-O b6 9. a4 {A standard reaction to the
fianchettoe similar to the one that Carlsen used against the same Caruana in
round three.} a6 ({Alternatively} 9... a5 {weakens the light squares and the
pull for White} 10. Bb5 Ba6 11. Bxa6 Rxa6 12. Qe2 $14 {Petrosian,T (2649)
-Gopal,G (2522) Golden Sands 2013}) 10. b4 {White shows aggression on the
queen's flank but his plan is deeper than that. Kramnik wants to force his
opponent to close that side of the board in order to concentrate his forces in
the center and the kingside.} Bb7 11. a5 $146 {Diagram [#] A novelty, in the
spirit of the above-mentioned plan. Previously only} (11. bxc5 bxc5 12. Qb3 {
has been tried without much success for White} Bc6 13. Qa3 h6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15.
dxc5 e5 {with good compensation for a pawn in Bogdanovski,V (2435)-Mista,A
(2579) Paracin 2013}) 11... cxb4 {Now Caruana will have at least one open file
to keep his opponent busy .} 12. cxb4 b5 13. Rc1 Ne8 {Carlsen already proved
in his game with Mamedyarov earlier that the structure arising after} (13...
Ne4 14. Nxe4 dxe4 15. Nd2 {favours White.}) 14. Nb3 Nd6 {Both parties seek and
find the optimal squares for their pieces.} 15. Ne1 Nc4 16. Nd3 $14 {Diagram
[#] It becomes apparent that White has a lot of small advantages in comparison
to his opponent. To start with- the space advantage. The little pawn on a5
takes away the b6 square from the black Nd7 while the white knights are
feeling very comfortable. White's bishops are also more active and all of
this leads us to the conclusion that Kramnik succeeded with his opening
strategy. Now he starts slowly torturing his opponent. The grand plan is to
prepare and carry out the e3-e4 advance. Caruana's position lacks any
weaknesses, but is passive and it is overall quite unpleasant to play.} Ra7 (
16... Rc8 {is less precise as after} 17. Nbc5 Nxc5 18. Nxc5 {the pawn on a6
will hang.}) 17. Bh4 Ba8 18. Bf3 ({Also interesting is} 18. Re1 {intending
Be2-f1, f2-f3 and later e3-e4 but the former world champion prefers a more
aggressive set up.}) 18... Nf6 19. Qe2 Ne8 20. g4 $5 {[%cal Gh4g3,Gf3g2,Rf2f3,
Re3e4,Rf3f4] Diagram [#] Intending Bf3-g2, Bh4-g3 (the point behind g2-g4) and
further advance of the f and e pawns.} Ned6 21. Bg2 Qc8 22. Nbc5 Re8 23. Bg3
Qd8 {Caruana prepared his position as much as he could for the possible
assault.} 24. Rcd1 ({White could have also provoked a weakening with} 24. Be5
$5 {as} Nxe5 25. dxe5 Ne4 26. f4 {is good for him.}) 24... e6 25. f3 Qe7 26.
Kh1 Bh6 {Black does not want to change the pawn structure and play with
isolated pawn after} (26... e5 $5 {but this definitely interesting.}) 27. Nf4 {
The time trouble is approaching and Kramnik decided that this is a good moment
to complete his idea. However, as he later confessed at the press-conference
he missed an important tactical detail.} ({He did not like} 27. Bf2 {due to} f5
{"and Black holds" (Kramnik), but White still has better position without any
risk after say} 28. Ne5 fxg4 29. Nxg4 Bg7 30. e4) 27... Nb7 28. Ncd3 {Or else
Black might take on c5 and put his bishop on c6.} Nd8 $1 {Strong maneuver
before the decisive central clash.} 29. e4 Nc6 $1 {Diagram [#] The point. Now
it is not clear who attacks more.} 30. exd5 (30. Qf2 {simply loses a pawn} Nxb4
) 30... Nxb4 31. dxe6 {Only here did Kramnik realize that he had missed a
strong queen sacrifice.} ({His original intention was} 31. d6 {but then he saw}
Nxd3 $5 ({Caruana on his turn thought that} 31... Qf6 {is also good for him.
Indeed after} 32. Nh5 gxh5 33. Nxb4 Bf4 34. Nd3 Bxd6 35. Be5 Bxe5 36. dxe5 Qg5
{Black seems in good shape.}) 32. dxe7 Nxf4 {[%csl Gc4,Ye2,Gf4] Diagram [#]
and Black in complete control.}) 31... Nxd3 32. Rxd3 {The black pieces came
into life and his position is stronger now.} fxe6 ({Even better was} 32... Qf6
33. Re1 Rae7 {with clear advantage for the second player.}) 33. Qe1 Qd8 {There
are too many weaknesses in White's camp and he tries to compensate with
kingside activity.} 34. h4 Rf7 ({Kramnik suggested a more simple alternative}
34... Bxf4 $1 35. Bxf4 Bd5 36. Qg3 Qxa5 37. h5 Rf7 {with clear edge for Black.}
) 35. g5 Bg7 36. Bh3 $6 {In time trouble Kramnik blunders for the second time.}
({However, his position is already difficult even after his analyzes suggestion
} 36. Rd1 Qxa5 37. Qe2 (37. Qxa5 Nxa5 38. Ra1)) 36... Rxf4 $1 {Diagram [#] A
powerful central blow. Caruana opens the archers.} 37. Bxf4 e5 38. Bg3 e4 39.
Rd1 Bd5 ({Not} 39... exf3 $2 40. Be6+ Kh8 41. d5 $16 {which they both saw.})
40. Be5 exf3 41. Qf2 (41. Kg1 $5 {was suggested by Black as a more tenacious
alternative, but Black is much better anyway.}) 41... Qxa5 42. Bg4 Rf8 {For
the exchange Black has two pawns and strong central grip.} 43. Rd3 ({Instead}
43. Rfe1 {allows "my most typical trick" (Caruana)} Nb2 $1 44. Rd2 Nd3 $1 45.
Rxd3 {Diagram [#] with the idea} Qxe1+ $1 46. Qxe1 f2+ {and wins.}) 43... Qb4
$1 {Kramnik spend a lot of time here calculating pretty much everything but
could not find salvation. Below are given some of the beutiful lines that the
opponents calculated during the game:} (43... Bxe5 $6 {may lead to a darw after
} 44. dxe5 Nxe5 45. Qd4 Qa2 46. Qxd5+ Qxd5 47. Rxd5 Nxg4) (43... Be4 $2 {loses
to} 44. Be6+ Kh8 45. Bxg7+ Kxg7 46. d5) (43... Nxe5 44. dxe5 Bc4 $6 {stumbles
on} 45. Rxf3 Rxf3 (45... Bd5 46. Be6+ $1) (45... Rd8 46. e6 $1) 46. Qxf3 Bxf1
$4 47. Be6+ Kh8 48. Qa8+ {and mate (Kramnik)}) 44. Bg3 {Some more lines by
Kramnik and Caruana:} (44. Bxg7 Kxg7 45. Bxf3 (45. Qg3 Qe7 $1 46. Bxf3 Qe2 $3 {
is especially cute.}) {and now the key move is} 45... Be4 $3 {Diagram [#]} ({
Rather than} 45... Rxf3 46. Rxf3 Nd2 47. Qe1 $1)) (44. Bxf3 {is answered in a
similar way} Rxf3 45. Rxf3 Bxe5 46. Qg2 Ne3 47. Rf8+ Qxf8 48. Rxf8+ Kxf8 $19) (
{Black also wins after} 44. Bf6 Bxf6 45. Bxf3 Bxf3+ 46. Rxf3 Bg7) 44... h5 $1
45. gxh6 Bxh6 {Now the knight gets a chance to come closer to the kingside
with Nc4-e3(d2). The end is getting closer.} 46. Kh2 {Nothing helps:} (46. Ra1
Nd2 $1) (46. Bxf3 {is simlar as above} Rxf3 47. Rxf3 Nd2 48. Qe1 Qf8 (48... Qb3
{also wins})) 46... Nd2 $1 47. Ra1 Ne4 {Diagram [#] Without the dark-squared
bishop White's position falls apart.} 48. Qc2 Nxg3 49. Rxa6 Be4 50. Bxf3 Qe1
51. Qb3+ Kh8 52. Bxe4 Rf2+ 53. Kh3 (53. Kxg3 Qg1+ 54. Kh3 Rh2#) 53... Qf1+ 54.
Kg4 Rf4+ {Kramnik resigned before the mate. Overall, he had the advantage,
led the game, but a couple of inaccuracies proved enough for Fabiano Caruana
to show his best qualities- stubborness in defense and iron nerves. I believe
that this was Black's first win in the event.} (54... Rf4+ 55. Kxg3 Qf2+ 56.
Kh3 Rxh4# {Diagram [#]}) 0-1

Report.

The Clash of the Top Seed

Round three of the Gashimov Memorial saw the long-awaited clash of the world's top players. The Stonewall suited Carlsen well again after his memorable win against Vishy Anand in Baden-Baden earlier this year. Caruana's time trouble prevented him from splitting the point, which would not been that difficult otherwise.

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.04.19"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2802"]
[BlackElo "2863"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "0:43:20"]
[BlackClock "1:02:50"]

{This was the third encounter between the former number two and the world
champion after the incredible Sinquefield tournament this summer. After the
memorable string of seven wins plenty of people hurried to claim that Fabiano
Caruana is the main threat for the world champion. Magnus Carlsen is obviously
well stimulated by these statements and wants to prove that there is no
rivalry at the moment.} 1. d4 {In the last two games Caruana chose 1.e4 but
did not get much out of the opening.} f5 {The Dutch is a recent addition to
Carlsen's repertoire which show his real intentions. No slow, boring positions
but real battle.} 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. c4 c6 {Carlsen also used the
Stonewall to defeat his great predecessor in February.} 5. Nf3 (5. Nh3 {
remains a viable option for White.} d6 6. O-O Be7 7. b3 e5 {Zhou,J (2625)-Wang,
Y (2702) Xinghua 2012}) 5... d5 6. O-O Bd6 7. b3 Qe7 {Diagram [#] To stop
Bc1-a3 with favourable trade of the dark-squared bishops.} 8. Bb2 {Caruana
decided to play solid.} (8. Ne5 {was Anand's choice and after} O-O 9. Nd2 a5 {
[%csl Yb4][%cal Ga5a4]} 10. Bb2 Nbd7 11. Qc2 a4 12. Ndf3 Ne4 {Anand came up
with a novelty} 13. e3 {which however did not yield White much, Anand,V (2797)
-Carlsen,M (2865) Baden-Baden 2015}) ({Another solid plan is the bishop trade
after} 8. a4 O-O 9. Ba3 Bxa3 10. Nxa3 b6 11. Qc1 Bb7 12. Nc2 a5 $11 {Vachier
Lagrave,M (2745)-Radjabov,T (2713) Beijing 2013}) 8... b6 9. Ne5 Bb7 10. Nd2
O-O 11. Rc1 a5 {The same move as in the game with Anand.} 12. e3 Na6 13. Nb1 ({
Also possible is} 13. Qe2 a4 14. bxa4 Bxe5 15. dxe5 Nd7 16. a5 Nac5 17. Bc3 {
when instead of} bxa5 {Possible improvements would be} (17... Ba6 $1) ({Or}
17... Na4 $5) 18. Nb3 Nxb3 19. axb3 $14 {So,W (2656)-Reinderman,D (2573) Wijk
aan Zee 2010}) 13... Bxe5 14. dxe5 Ne4 15. Qe2 {Diagram [#]} a4 $146 {
Carlsen's novelty. It is funny how similar his ideas are so far in comparison
to the game with Anand.} ({Previously only} 15... Nc7 {has been seen} 16. f3
Ng5 {but this does not look active enough and White is somewhat better after}
17. Nc3 ({Instead of} 17. h4 Nf7 18. e4 fxe4 19. fxe4 dxc4 20. Qxc4 c5 21. Rfd1
{with a draw, Komarov,D (2575)-Gleizerov,E (2540) Leeuwarden 1995})) 16. Nc3
axb3 17. axb3 Qb4 $132 {Black generated enough counter play on the queenside.}
18. Nxe4 {This more or less should have forced a draw. the next moves are very
logical and push the game towards the logical outcome.} dxe4 (18... fxe4 {
would weaken the c8-h3 diagonal and will be favourable for White after} 19. Bh3
Nc5 20. Bd4 $14) 19. Qc2 Nc5 20. Bc3 Qxb3 21. Qxb3 Nxb3 22. Rb1 Nc5 23. Rxb6
Na4 {[%csl Yb6,Yc3] Diagram [#] The bishop pair is taken off the board and
Black has a strong knight versus a relatively passive bishop. This however
should not be for very long and White has an active rook as compensation. One
problem for Caruana was that he was getting low on time.} 24. Rxb7 Nxc3 25. Re7
Rfe8 26. Rxe8+ {An easier draw would have been} (26. Rc7 Rec8 27. Re7 Re8 28.
Rc7 {as if the other rook attacks} Rac8 {it will no longer has an open file}
29. Ra7 $11) 26... Rxe8 27. Ra1 (27. f3 {"was an immediate draw. I was very
surprised the way that the things have happened". (Carlsen)}) 27... Rd8 28. Bf1
c5 {[%csl Gc3,Yf1] Diagram [#] "I thought that the position was a draw no
matter what I play and then I somehow drifted. The next idea was a disaster"
(Caruana)} 29. Ra3 (29. Ra5 {should draw indeed in the line that both the
players showed at the press conference} Rd1 ({Caruana was more concerned about
} 29... Rd2 {but Carlsen did not think he has anything after} 30. Rxc5 Nd1 31.
Rc8+ Kf7 32. Rc7+ Kf8 33. Rc8+ Ke7 34. Rc7+ Kd8 35. Rxg7 Nxf2 36. c5 Ng4 37.
Bb5 $11) 30. Rxc5 Nb1 31. Rc6 (31. Rc8+ Kf7 32. Kg2 Nd2 33. Rd8 {was also
equal.}) 31... Nd2 32. Rd6 Rxf1+ 33. Kg2 Rd1 34. c5 Rc1 35. Rxd2 Rxc5 $11 {"I
could not see anything better" (Carlsen)}) 29... Nb1 30. Ra1 Nd2 {Now White is
in trouble and the lack of time does not contribute to solving his problems.}
31. Be2 ({Or else White loses a pawn after} 31. Kg2 Nf3 32. Ra5 Rc8) 31... Nf3+
32. Bxf3 (32. Kg2 Nxe5) 32... exf3 {The endgame is difficult for White and the
world champion plays very neatly.} 33. h3 h5 $1 {[%csl Yg1][%cal Rh5g4,Rf5g4]
Diagram [#] It is important to keep the white king in a box.} 34. g4 (34. Ra5
Rd1+ 35. Kh2 Rf1 36. Rxc5 Rxf2+ 37. Kh1 (37. Kg1 Rg2+) 37... Rf1+ 38. Kh2 Rc1 {
and the f pawn promotes.}) 34... fxg4 35. hxg4 h4 $1 {Now the king is trapped
forever.} 36. Kh2 ({There is no way out} 36. g5 Kh7 37. Kh2 Kg6 38. Kh3 Kh5 $1)
36... Rd2 37. Kh3 g5 38. e4 Rd4 {Carlsen avoids the rampant rook idea possible
after} (38... Rxf2 $4 39. Ra8+ Kg7 40. Ra7+ Kg6 {Diagram [#]} 41. Rg7+ $1 Kh6
42. Rh7+ Kxh7 {and stalemate.}) 39. Ra8+ Kf7 40. Ra3 ({The players also
discussed the line after} 40. Ra7+ {but cme to the conclusion that Black is
winning anyway.}) 40... Rxc4 41. Rxf3+ Ke7 42. Re3 Rd4 {The rest is a matter
of technique for the world champion.} 43. f3 c4 44. Ra3 Rd3 45. Ra7+ Kd8 46.
Kg2 c3 47. Ra4 c2 48. Rc4 Rd2+ 49. Kh3 Kd7 50. Rc5 Rf2 51. f4 (51. Rc3 Rxf3+)
51... Rf3+ 52. Kh2 Rxf4 {Diagram [#] A somewhat misterious win by the world
champion.} 0-1

Report.

Shamkir Starts with Two Decisive Games

The first round of the super tournament in memory of Vugar Gashimov Shamkir started with two white wins and three draws. The former world champion Vladimir Kramnik won in his trademark style against the English GM Michael Adams.

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.04.17"]
[Round "1.2"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:31"]
[BlackClock "0:00:05"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. c4 O-O 6. d4 {It seems as the
Catalan is an opening specifically designed for Vladimir Kramnik. Small, but
lasting edge, no couterplay at all for the opponent, this suits his style
perfectly fine.} dxc4 7. Ne5 Nc6 8. Bxc6 bxc6 9. Nxc6 Qe8 10. Nxe7+ Qxe7 {
Kramnik had tried this line twice at two different Candidates tournament.} 11.
Na3 {[%csl Yc4][%cal Ga3c4] Diagram [#] This is what he also did against Anand
in Khanty an year ago.} ({Against the future world champion he tried} 11. Qc2
e5 12. Rd1 Rb8 13. Nc3 h6 14. dxe5 Qxe5 15. Bf4 Qe7 16. Rd4 Be6 17. Rad1 {with
slight edge for White, Kramnik,V (2810)-Carlsen,M (2872) London 2013}) ({The
main move remains} 11. Qa4) 11... c5 ({Marin's recommendation was recently
tested by Naroditsky} 11... Rd8 12. Qc2 Rxd4 13. Nxc4 Qc5 14. b3 Rd8 15. Ba3
Qh5 16. f3 {although Black managed to win later, the opening seems to favor
White, Kjartansson,G (2439)-Naroditsky,D (2601) Saint Louis 2014}) 12. dxc5
Qxc5 13. Be3 Qc6 $146 {[%csl Rg2][%cal Rb7g2] Diagram [#] A novelty. It has
been though already mentioned by GM Marin as well.} ({Taken by surprise in
Khanty Anand chose} 13... Qh5 14. f3 c3 $1 15. bxc3 Qa5 16. Qc1 Ba6 17. c4 Rac8
{and kept the game leveled, Kramnik- Anand, FIDE Candidates, Khanty Mansiysk
2014. Or perhaps this was a perfect preparation by Black?}) ({Nakamura solved
the opening problems after} 13... Qb4 14. Qc1 Ba6 15. Bd4 Rfd8 16. Rd1 Rac8 17.
Qc3 Qa4 18. Qc2 Qxc2 19. Nxc2 c3 20. Bxc3 Rxd1+ 21. Rxd1 Bxe2 {Aronian,L (2797)
-Nakamura,H (2767) Saint Louis 2014}) 14. Rc1 Bb7 15. f3 Ba6 ({The
counter-attacking attempt fails after} 15... Ng4 16. Bd4 e5 17. Rxc4 Qh6 18.
fxg4 $16) 16. Nxc4 Bxc4 17. Qd4 {An improvement upon Marin's line that goes} (
17. b3 Bxb3 (17... Bxe2 {might be better}) 18. Rxc6 Bxd1 19. Rxd1 {with slight
advantage for White (Marin).}) 17... Rfc8 $6 {This does not seem optimal.
Critical is the queen sacrifice after} (17... Nd5 $5 18. Rxc4 {Diagram [#]}
Qxc4 $1 19. Qxc4 Nxe3 20. Qa6 Nxf1 21. Kxf1 {White has a queen and a pawn for
the two rooks and chances for the advantage, but the rooks seem quite strong
as well.}) 18. b3 Qa6 19. bxc4 Qxa2 20. Kf2 $14 {Now White is a little better.
His pieces are more centralized and the bishop is clearly stronger than the
knight.} (20. Bg5 $5 {at once is also interesting.}) 20... a5 21. Bg5 {This
move is definitely part of White's plan but White should have prepared it with}
(21. Rfd1 $14) 21... e5 $1 {Strong play by Adams who almost equalizes after
this.} 22. Qd6 ({Naturally not} 22. Qxe5 $2 Re8) 22... Rd8 23. Qb6 {Diagram [#]
} Rab8 $6 {It is somewhat reliefing that even at the top level players tend to
chose the wrong rook. After the correct:} (23... Rdb8 $1 {White will lack the
nice resource that he used in the game. He will still be somewhat better after}
24. Qe3 ({Or} 24. Qc6 Rc8 25. Qb5 Rab8 26. Ra1 Rxb5 27. Rxa2 Rxc4 28. Rfa1 $11)
24... a4 25. Bxf6 gxf6 26. c5 a3 27. c6 Qb2 28. c7 Rc8 29. Rc4 {but Adams
would have decent chances for a draw.}) 24. Rfd1 $1 {Kramnik immediately
seizes the chance to occupy the open file with a tempo.} Re8 ({Alas, the queen
is untouchable} 24... Rxb6 25. Rxd8+ Ne8 26. Rxe8#) 25. Qe3 a4 ({In the line}
25... Re6 26. Bxf6 Rxf6 27. Qxe5 {Black has no time to play Rf6-e6 as the
other one hangs.}) 26. Bxf6 gxf6 27. Qe4 {Kramnik opened the enemy king and
now intends to combine the threats against the king with the advance of the
passed c pawn. Black's defense is extremely difficult.} ({The computer claims
that a better idea is to push at once} 27. c5 {but Kramnik remained true to
his style and avoided any counter-play connected with} e4) 27... a3 28. Rd7 {
Diagram [#] The culmination of the game.} Rbd8 $2 {Once again Adams chooses
the wrong rook!} (28... Red8 {would have been better, keeping both the open
files under control. If Black manages to trade a pair of rooks, he would
survive.} 29. Rcd1 (29. Ra7 Qb2 {and there is no Rc1-b1!}) 29... Rxd7 30. Rxd7
Qb3 {Compare this position with the one after 30...Qc3 from below.}) 29. Ra7 $1
Qb2 30. Rb1 {Two rooks in the attack and a queen can paint plenty of checkmate
pictures...} f5 {Desperation, but there was no way out.} ({Like the one after}
30... Qc3 31. Rxf7 $1 {[%csl Rg8][%cal Gb1b7,Ge4h7] Diagram [#]} Kxf7 32. Rb7+
{This is the difference. One rook is destroying the king's castle, the second
one assists the queen. Black is checkmated after both} {and} Kf8 (32... Ke6 33.
Qc6+ Kf5 34. g4+ Kg6 (34... Kg5 35. Rg7+ Kh4 36. Qxf6+ Kh3 37. Qh6#) 35. Qe4+)
33. Qxh7) 31. Rxb2 fxe4 32. Rxa3 Rd4 33. Rc2 Rc8 34. c5 exf3 35. Rxf3 {Kramnik
won a pawn and all his pieces are ideally placed.} Rc6 36. Rd3 Rxd3 37. exd3 f5
38. d4 $1 {[%csl Yc6][%cal Gf2e2,Ge2d3,Gd3d4,Gd4d5] Opens the road for the
king. Black resigned after} exd4 39. Ke2 {An excellent start for the former
world champion!} 1-0

Full report by Peter Doggers.