Khismatullin Does not Stand Still

Last year Denis Khismatullin won bronze medal at the Russian championship, but the start of the current Super Final was not good for him. However, thanks to his consistent fighting mood he was capable of moving close to the equator of the tournament table after the following win:

[Event "Russian Championship Superfinal"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.08.17"]
[Round "8.6"]
[White "Motylev, Alexander"]
[Black "Khismatullin, Denis"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2658"]
[BlackElo "2642"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "0:31:12"]
[BlackClock "0:32:34"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 Nbd7 {Diagram [#]
"Alexander is a famous specialist when playing against Najdorf, but today I
got lucky and managed to use my round one preparation for Sergey Karjakin."
Khismatullin.} 7. Bc4 h6 8. Bh4 g6 {[%cal Gf8g7] Diagram [#] "A relatively
fresh idea that has been seen in correspondence games, but not in top-level
over-the-board."Khismatullin} ({Instead} 8... Ne5 9. Bb3 g5 10. Bg3 e6 11. h4
Rg8 12. hxg5 hxg5 13. Nf3 {was the course of Shirov,A (2732)-Ibrahimov,R (2543)
Villarrobledo 2009}) 9. Qe2 Bg7 10. O-O-O ({It is important that} 10. Bxf7+ {
does not work due to} Kxf7 11. Qc4+ d5 {(Khismatullin).}) 10... O-O 11. f4 Qc7
{Stops e4-e5 and prepares e7-e5.} 12. f5 $146 {Diagram [#] "Controversial
decision, but since this was the first choice of the computer I was prepared
against it." Khismatullin} ({All predecessors continued} 12. Nf3 {one example
goes} Nb6 13. Bb3 Bg4 14. h3 Bxf3 15. Qxf3 Nbd7 16. g4 {with sharp play in
Lampert,J (2454)-Cebalo,M (2379) Bad Woerishofen 2015}) 12... g5 {It seems as
this pawn will be a good hook for the White's attack but in reality it is
Black's play which is easier.} 13. Bg3 b5 14. Bb3 Bb7 15. h4 g4 {[%csl Yg4,Gg8]
[%cal Rh1h4,Rf1f5] Diagram [#] The point behind Black's play. This is typical
Dragon idea. Black may even sacrifice this pawn later in case of a need. The
most important thing though is to keep the files locked.} 16. h5 {Khismatullin
did not like this move neither and suggested some central play instead with
either} (16. Rhe1) ({Or prophylaxis} 16. Kb1) 16... Nc5 17. e5 {Practically
forced. After} (17. Bd5 $6 b4 $1 {Black's attack is too strong} 18. Bxb7 bxc3
19. Bxa8 cxb2+) ({Perhaps} 17. Nd5 {was better, although it would allow the
move} Nxb3+ 18. axb3 Bxd5 19. exd5 {The position is very complex, and I
suspect this was White's best bet. In the line} Nxd5 (19... Rac8 $5) {White
should go for the tricky} 20. Ne6 Qa5 21. Rxd5 Qa1+ 22. Kd2 Qxh1 {Diagram [#]}
23. Nxg7 $1 Kxg7 24. f6+ $1 exf6 (24... Kxf6 $2 25. Be5+ $3 {might end badly
for Black.}) 25. Qxg4+ Kh7 26. Qf5+ Kg7 27. Qg4+ {with perpetual.}) 17... dxe5
18. Bxe5 Qb6 {The queen prepares the queenside attack and keeps an eye on the
other wing.} 19. Rh4 {Motylev decided to sacrifice the exchange in order to
reach the black king.} ({Parting with the dark-squared bishop cannot be good
for White} 19. Bxf6 Qxf6 (19... Bxf6 {is also good} 20. Qxg4+ Kh8 ({The move}
20... Kh7 {is possible as well as the trick} 21. Bxf7 $2 {fails to the
in-between check} Bg5+)) 20. Qxg4 Rfd8 {Black controls the board.}) ({Black
also has very clear play after} 19. Rhe1 Rad8) 19... Kh7 20. Rxg4 {The point.
White's attack evaporates after} (20. Bxf6 Bxf6 21. Rxg4 b4 (21... Rad8 $5) 22.
Na4 Nxa4 23. Bxa4 Rad8 {[%csl Gb7,Gf6][%cal Gb7h1,Gf6a1] Diagram [#] with
clear edge for Black thanks to his awesome bishops.}) 20... Nxg4 21. Bxg7 Kxg7
({A bit more precise was} 21... Nxb3+ {as if White recaptures with the knight}
22. Nxb3 {Black can trade queens} (22. axb3 Rg8 $1 {repels the attack and
will leave Black winning after} 23. f6 Nxf6 24. Bxh6 Kxh6 25. Qxe7 Rae8 26.
Qxf7 Bc8) 22... Qe3+ 23. Qxe3 Nxe3 {with winning endgame for Black.}) 22. Qxg4+
Kh8 23. Qe2 (23. Qf4 Qf6 {will create the threat e7-e5 and White will have no
time to consolidate (Khismatullin).}) 23... Nxb3+ 24. Nxb3 Qf6 25. Na5 ({White
cannot afford to grab pawns} 25. Rd7 Bc6 26. Rxe7 {as then Black can swap off
rooks with} Rfe8 27. Rxe8+ Rxe8 28. Qf2 Re5 29. g4 Qg5+ $19 {Diagram [#]
Almost all endgames are easily won for the second player.}) 25... Qg5+ ({One
more precision was mentioned by Khismatullin} 25... b4 $1 {depriving the
knight of the d1 square} 26. Na4 Qg5+ 27. Rd2 Bd5 $1 {which would have
transposed to the game.}) 26. Rd2 b4 27. Na4 (27. Nd1 {was White's last chance
to try and cement the position by transferring the knight from a5 to e3,
although Black should be close to winning here as well.}) 27... Bd5 $1 {[%csl
Ya4,Ya5] Diagram [#] Now the white knights are horrible.} 28. c4 ({The bishop
is untouchable due to the pin} 28. Qe5+ f6 29. Qxd5 Rad8) 28... bxc3 29. Nxc3
Rac8 {Once that the rooks occupy the open files game would be over.} 30. Kd1
Rfd8 31. Ke1 {Once again the bishop is untouchable} (31. Rxd5 Rxd5+ 32. Nxd5
Rc1#) (31. Nxd5 Rxd5 32. Nb3 Qxf5 $19) 31... Qh4+ 32. Qf2 Qh1+ 33. Qf1 Qxf1+ {
Well calculated by Black. The endgame is won by force.} 34. Kxf1 Bxa2 $1 {
Diagram [#] Wins the pawn back. The rest was easy for Khismatullin.} 35. Rxd8+
Rxd8 36. Nc6 (36. Nxa2 Rd1+ 37. Ke2 Ra1) 36... Bc4+ 37. Ke1 Rd3 38. Kf2 Rd2+
39. Ke3 Rxb2 40. Ne5 Bb3 0-1

Report.

Top Chess in Chita

The Russian Super Final takes place in Chita. With two rounds to go anything can happen in both sections. Evgeny Tomashevsky is leading the men's tournament, half a point ahead of the nearest rival but will have to defend the black color tomorrow against Sergey Karjakin who is trailing him by half a point. In the ladies section the leader is the young Aleksandra Goryachkina.
Not all the players have the tournament of their lives, but there are plenty of interesting games to watch. Like this one:

[Event "Russian Championship Superfinal"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.08.16"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Khismatullin, Denis"]
[Black "Dubov, Daniil"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2642"]
[BlackElo "2654"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "128"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:41"]
[BlackClock "0:24:02"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 g6 5. b4 {White is stronger on the
queenside and expands as much as he can there. The problem with this plan is
that it neglects the development of the kingside.} ({A more common plan is} 5.
Nc3 Bg7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O {Carlsen,M (2863)-Mamedyarov,S (2756) Shamkir 2015})
5... Bg7 6. a4 O-O 7. Nbd2 Ne4 8. Bb2 Bg4 9. Qb3 a5 $146 {Diagram [#] "If I
stand passive I might get significantly worse" Dubov. Black is sacrificing a
pawn.} ({In the predecessing games Black was defending with} 9... Nxd2 10. Nxd2
Be6 {Kaenel,H (2364)-Sermier,G (2420) Switzerland 2011}) 10. b5 Nd7 {The point
behind Black's last move. Now White is more or less forced to accept the
challenge.} 11. cxd5 ({Bad is} 11. Bd3 $2 Ndc5 $1 12. dxc5 Nxc5 13. Qc2 Nxd3+
14. Qxd3 Bxb2 $19) ({The other natural move} 11. Be2 {also has a drawback} Nxd2
12. Nxd2 Bxe2) 11... cxd5 12. Qxd5 Nxd2 13. Nxd2 e5 $1 {[%csl Ye1][%cal Ge8e1]
Diagram [#] The point behind the sacrifice. Black breaks open the center and
intends to attack the uncastled white king.} 14. Be2 {Khismatullin understands
the danger and rushes to safeguard his king.} ({Black's initiative remains
strong in the endgame after} 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Qxd8 Rfxd8) ({The pawn-grabbing
} 14. Qxb7 $2 {is suicidal} exd4 15. Bxd4 Bxd4 16. exd4 Re8+) 14... Be6 15. Qe4
({Once more} 15. Qxb7 {looks dubious on the account of} exd4 16. Bxd4 Nc5 $5 (
16... Bxd4 $1 17. exd4 Nb6 {aint's bad neither.}) 17. Bxc5 Bxa1 18. Bxf8 Kxf8
19. Qe4 Bc3 {(Dubov)}) 15... Re8 {Black had plenty of choice how to develop
the initiative.} ({Like in the line above it made sense to open the center at
once with} 15... exd4 16. Bxd4 Nc5 17. Bxc5 Bxa1 18. Bxf8 Kxf8 19. Qd3 {with
plenty of compensation for the pawn.}) ({He could have also asked White if he
wants to repeat the moves after} 15... Bf5 {Or not, but when White goes for}
16. Qf3 (16. Qd5 Be6) 16... exd4 17. Bxd4 Bxd4 18. exd4 Nb6 {Black seems
perfectly fine.}) 16. d5 {This move slightly shocked Black who possibly
expected something like} (16. Nf3 exd4 17. Nxd4 Nc5 {with initiative.}) 16...
Nf6 {[%csl Re4][%cal Rf6e4] Diagram [#]} ({From far away Dubov wanted to
continue} 16... Bf5 {and it is somewhat misterious why he did not follow his
plan. The line} 17. Qc4 Rc8 18. Qa2 Rc2 (18... Qh4 $5 {might be better.}) 19.
Bd1 Rxb2 20. Qxb2 e4 21. Qa3 Bxa1 22. Qxa1 Nc5 $15 {is very good for Black.})
17. dxe6 $1 {The move that we should expect from Khismatullin- fearless
attacker.} ({Black has risk-free advantage after} 17. Qh4 Nxd5 18. Qxd8 Rexd8
$15) 17... Nxe4 18. exf7+ Kxf7 19. Bc4+ Re6 {The only move.} ({In case of}
19... Kf6 20. Nxe4+ Kf5 21. f3 $1 {[%csl Yf5][%cal Rg4f5,Rg2g4] Diagram [#]
Black is in trouble. For instance} h5 22. Rd1 Qc7 23. Nd6+ Kf6 24. f4 $1 {
Followed by 0-0 leaves him no reasonable moves.}) ({The king is not save in
the center} 19... Ke7 20. Nxe4 {with the threat Bb2-a3+}) 20. Nxe4 Rc8 ({Dubov
did not like the line} 20... Qh4 {because of the study-like play} 21. Bd5 $1 {
Diagram [#]} Rd8 22. g3 $1 Qh5 23. Bxe6+ Kxe6 24. O-O {with advantage for
White.}) 21. Bxe6+ ({Or else Black intended to give back the sacrificed
material after} 21. Rd1 Qxd1+ $1 22. Kxd1 Rxc4 23. Ng5+ Kf6 24. Nxe6 Kxe6 $17 {
with clear advantage in the endgame. It should also be noted that Dubov saw
the line} 25. Kd2 Rxa4 26. Bc3 $6 Ra2+ 27. Kd3 e4+ $19) 21... Kxe6 22. O-O {
The smoke is going down but it is anything but clear still. White has adequate
material balance for the queen, but the black pieces control the open files.
The good old verdict unclear suits best in the situation.} Qd3 23. Ng5+ Kf5 {
"A nutter" would Simon say. Indeed, Black could have played safer} (23... Ke7
24. Ba3+ Ke8 25. Ne6) 24. h4 {[%csl Rf5][%cal Ge3e4,Ra1a3,Ra3f3] Diagram [#]
With the idea to insert the white rook along the third rank after e3-e4+
followed by Ra1-a3-f3.} Qe2 {The queen moves away from the third rank with a
tempo. It should also be noted that around this point of the game both players
were down to two minutes on their clocks.} ({On} 24... Qb3 {Dubov did not like}
25. Rfb1 ({However} 25. e4+ {might be even stronger, for example} Kg4 26. Bc1
Kxh4 27. Nxh7 Rc3 28. Bg5+ Kg4 29. Rac1 {and the black king is in danger.}))
25. e4+ Kg4 26. Bc1 {A critical moment of the game.} Rc3 $6 {It looks logical
to swap off one of the active white pieces with} (26... Bf6 $5 {this however
gives an extra option for White} 27. Nxh7 Bxh4) ({Or} 26... Bh6 27. Be3 ({This
time} 27. Nxh7 {is not as good} Bxc1 28. Raxc1 Rxc1 29. Rxc1 Qd2 30. Rc7 Qe1+
31. Kh2 Qxf2 $17) 27... Bxg5 28. Bxg5 Rc3 29. Rac1 Rxc1 30. Rxc1 h6 31. Bxh6
Kxh4 32. Be3 {If anyone is better here it is only White.}) 27. Be3 $6 ({
Khismatullin missed a golden chance} 27. Nxh7 $1 {was extremely strong when he
could have created a mating net after} Kxh4 28. Bg5+ Kg4 29. Kh2 $1 {Diagram
[#]} Kh5 30. Rae1 Qa2 (30... Qc2 31. f3) (30... Qg4 31. f3) 31. g4+ (31. f3)
31... Kxg4 32. Rg1+ Kh5 33. Kg2 Kg4 34. Kf1+ Kh3 35. Rh1+ Kg4 36. Rh4+ Kf3 37.
Rh3+ Kg4 38. Rxc3 $18) 27... Kxh4 ({Black cannot play for checkmate himself}
27... Rxe3 28. fxe3 Kg3 29. Rf3+) 28. Nf3+ ({Also interesting is} 28. g3+ Kg4
29. Rae1 Qc4 30. f3+ {with the idea} Kxg3 ({But Black is fine after} 30... Kh5
$1 31. g4+ Kh4 32. Nxh7 Kg3 33. Bf2+ Kf4) 31. Bf2+ Kf4 32. Bh4 Qc8 33. Re2 {
and White wins.}) 28... Kh5 29. Rad1 Qc2 {Surprisingly, this is also a mistake.
} (29... Rxe3 30. fxe3 Qxe3+ 31. Rf2 Qxe4 32. Rd7 Bh6 33. Rxh7 Qe3 {would most
likely ended in a draw.}) 30. Rfe1 ({Dubov saw the move} 30. Rd7 {and intended
to defend with} Rc7 {In the time-trouble both players missed the fantastic
resource:} 31. Ne1 $3 (31. Rc1 $2 Qxc1+ 32. Bxc1 Rxd7 {was the line that Black
was hoping for.}) 31... Qc3 32. g4+ Kxg4 33. Rxc7 Qxc7 34. Kg2 $1 {[%csl Yg4]
[%cal Rf2f3,Rf1h1,Rh1h8] Diagram [#] When all of a sudden the black king is in
mating net. White should win after} Bf6 35. Rh1 Bh4 36. Nf3 g5 37. Nxg5 $1 Qc2
(37... Bxg5 38. f3#) 38. Nf3 Bg3 39. Rxh7 Qxe4 40. Rg7+ Kf5 41. Kxg3 $18) ({
Black is defending after} 30. Rd5 g5 $1 {with the tactical idea to take any of
the white light pieces at the moment he captures on g5.} 31. Nxg5 (31. Bxg5
Rxf3) (31. Nxe5 Qxe4 32. g4+ Kh4 33. Rd4 Qxe5 34. Kg2 Qxd4) 31... Rxe3) 30...
g5 31. Nh2 Rd3 32. Rc1 Qxa4 {Diagram [#]} 33. b6 $2 {Now White's attack slows
down and it is the material advantage which matters.} ({White should have
opted for} 33. Rc7 Kg6 34. Rxb7) 33... Kg6 34. Nf1 Qxe4 35. Rc7 a4 36. Rec1 a3
37. R1c4 Qd5 38. R4c5 Qd6 39. Rxb7 a2 40. Rc1 e4 41. Ra7 {The time trouble is
over and Blаck has enough time to convert the advantage.} a1=Q ({But not}
41... Ra3 42. b7 a1=Q 43. Rxa1 Rxa1 44. Rxa1 Bxa1 45. Ba7 Be5 46. b8=Q Qxb8 47.
Bxb8 Bxb8 48. Nd2 {[%csl Yd2,Re4,Yf2,Yg2,Rg5] Diagram [#] when in order to
draw White needs to give his knight and two pawns for the e4 and g5 pawns only.
}) 42. Raxa1 Bxa1 43. Rxa1 Rd1 44. Rxd1 Qxd1 45. b7 ({There is no fortress
after} 45. g3 h5 46. Kg2 h4 47. gxh4 gxh4 48. Nh2 Kh5 49. Kh3 Qh1 {zugzwang.})
45... Qb1 46. g4 Qxb7 {[%cal Gg6f6,Gf6e6,Ge6d5,Gd5c4,Gc4d3,Gd3e2] Diagram [#]
Next Dubov demonstrated neatly the winning plan. First the king goes all the
way to e2.} 47. Kg2 Qd7 48. Nh2 Qd1 49. Ba7 Kf6 50. Bb6 Ke5 51. Ba7 Kd5 52. Bb6
Kc4 53. Ba7 Kd3 54. Bb6 Ke2 55. Bc5 {Then the queen is transferred to the
kingside.} Qd7 56. Bb6 Qf7 57. Be3 h6 58. Bb6 h5 59. gxh5 Qxh5 60. Nf1 Qf3+ 61.
Kg1 Qh3 62. Ne3 Kf3 63. Bd4 g4 64. Be5 {Diagram [#] And last, the decisive
break comes.} g3 $1 {White resigned not willing to see} (64... g3 65. Bxg3
Qxg3+ 66. fxg3 Kxe3 67. g4 Kd2 $19) 0-1

The Move of the Year?

The EICC finished yesterday in Jerusalem and as far as I can see from the various pictures, great coverage of the event and thoughts shared in internet it was a greatly organized event.
It is hard to say which of the games played in Jerusalem was the best, everyone will definitely has his/her own preferences.
The following game however is special. It was played in a crucial moment, round ten of the event and the winner was receiving a chance to play for the title. It was also crowned by a spectacular move which will stay in the treasury of the chess world.

[Event "European Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.03.06"]
[Round "10.3"]
[White "Khismatullin, Denis"]
[Black "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2653"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "0:02:23"]
[BlackClock "0:02:39"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 {The Nimtzo-Indian Defense is a good sign that a
complicated, tough battle is about to come.} 4. e3 O-O 5. Nge2 Re8 6. a3 Bf8 7.
Ng3 d5 8. Be2 a6 {Eljanov chooses the more complicated continuation. The
capture} (8... dxc4 {leads to a symmetrical play and offers better chances of
equality to the second player-} 9. O-O c5 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. Bxc4 {Kuzubov,Y
(2661)-Kryvoruchko,Y (2706) Lvov 2014}) 9. O-O c5 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. cxd5 $146 {
[%cal Gc4d5] Diagram [#] Previously only} (11. b4 {had been checked with
promising position for White after} Ba7 12. Qc2 dxc4 13. Bxc4 Qc7 14. Bd3 Nbd7
15. Bb2 {El Debs,F (2514)-Henriquez Villagra,C (2466) Praia da Pipa 2014})
11... exd5 12. Bf3 {A somewhat strange version of the IQP arised. The white
knight normally stays on f3 in these positions, and the bishop is on e2. The
different positions of these pieces have their pros and cons. For instance, a
knight on f3 would make it harder for Black to break in the center with d5-d4,
but will allow a chance to the black bishop to get on g4. On the other hand
the white bishop on f3 is far more active than on e2.} Be6 {A natural desire
of the isolated pawn is to go forward. However after} (12... d4 13. Nce4 Bb6
14. exd4 Bxd4 15. Bf4 $1 {White will have big lead in the development and if
Black dares to take the pawn with} Bxb2 $6 {He will get smothered after} 16.
Ra2 $1 Nxe4 17. Nxe4 Bf6 18. Rd2 Nd7 19. Nd6 {with domination of the white
pieces.}) 13. b4 Bd6 14. Bb2 {The pawn is untouchable due to} (14. Nxd5 $2 Bxg3
15. Nxf6+ Qxf6 {when the rook is hanging on a1.}) 14... Be5 {Eljanov decided
to get rid of the bishop as it was idirectly helping the attack against the
isolani. This is visible in the line} (14... Nc6 15. Na4 Rc8 16. Bxf6 Qxf6 17.
Bxd5 {where the pawn falls. If we continue the line though, we shall see that
Black is OK after} Bxg3 18. hxg3 Red8 19. e4 Ne7) 15. Na4 {Trading the
dark-squared bishops is good for White, as long as he can black the d5 pawn.
In the next moves both sides play around the d4 square.} Bxb2 16. Nxb2 Nc6 17.
Nd3 Qb6 ({Black could have also played} 17... d4 $5 {[%cal Rd5d4] Diagram [#]}
18. Bxc6 ({Or} 18. Nc5 dxe3 19. Qxd8 exf2+ 20. Rxf2 Nxd8 21. Nxb7 Nxb7 22. Bxb7
Ra7) 18... bxc6 19. exd4 Qxd4 20. Nc5 {It seems as White is better, but} Qxd1
21. Rfxd1 a5 $1 {clarifies the situation. Black is OK.}) 18. Rc1 a5 $1 {Good
strategy by Eljanov. He wants to get rid of the queenside pawns and to open
room for his pieces. Black obviously did well in the opening.} 19. Rb1 axb4 20.
axb4 Rad8 {Another promising continuation is the typical} (20... d4 $1 21. b5 (
21. e4 Bc4) 21... Na5 22. exd4 (22. e4 Nc4) 22... Qxd4 {If anyone is better
here, it ain't White...}) 21. b5 Na5 22. Ne2 Ne4 23. Ndf4 Nc4 24. Bxe4 $1 {The
black knights became too active and Khismatullin hurries to get rid of one of
them.} (24. Nd4 Nc3) 24... dxe4 25. Nd4 Bc8 {The position has been modified
but remains approximately equal.} ({Also possible was} 25... Bd7 $11 {with the
idea to prevent} 26. Rc1 $6 Bxb5 27. Rb1 Na3 28. Rb2 (28. Rb3 Qd6 $1) 28... Qf6
) 26. Rc1 Ne5 27. Qb3 Qh6 $1 {A crafty little move!} 28. Rc5 $1 {Khismatullin
is aleart. What can be more natural than occupying the sevent rank?! Nothing,
except that after} (28. Rc7 $2 {[%csl Yc7,Rh2] Diagram [#] Eljanov had
prepared the nasty} Rxd4 $3 29. exd4 Nf3+ $1 {with huge advantage for Black,
say} 30. gxf3 Qxf4 31. Rxc8 Rxc8 32. fxe4 Qxe4) 28... b6 29. Rd5 {The rook
carefully avoids the mines. Now one interesting continuation was} (29. Rxe5 $5
Rxe5 30. Nc6 Qd6 31. Nxd8 Qxd8 32. Rd1 {when White is a tad better but the
game looks drawish.}) ({Just as before} 29. Rc7 $2 {is bad due to} Rxd4 30.
exd4 Nf3+ $1 31. gxf3 Qxf4 32. Qc3 exf3 (32... Bh3)) 29... Bb7 30. Rxd8 Rxd8
31. Rd1 Qg5 32. Kf1 $1 {Another good prophylaxis. Worse is} (32. h3 Nf3+ 33.
Nxf3 exf3 34. g3 h6 {when the f3 pawn will feel like a bone in White's throat.}
) 32... g6 33. h3 Nd3 34. Nc6 $1 {Khismatullin avoids the draw in the line.} (
34. Nxd3 exd3 35. Nc6 Bxc6 36. bxc6 Qc5 37. Rxd3 Rxd3 38. Qxd3 Qxc6 $11) 34...
Bxc6 35. bxc6 Qc5 $1 {So does Eljanov! Black can force a perpetual after} (
35... Nxf4 36. Rxd8+ Qxd8 37. exf4 Qd2 38. Qa4 ({This way of avoding the draw}
38. Qc4 $4 {is not the brightest ever} Qd1#) 38... e3 39. fxe3 Qxe3 40. Qc4 b5
$1 41. Qxb5 Qxf4+ 42. Kg1 Qc1+ $11 {with perpetual.}) 36. Qa4 Kg7 37. Qa1+ Kg8
38. Qa4 {In the time trouble Eljanov rejects the repetion with a blunder} Rd6
$2 {[%csl Rc6] Diagram [#]} 39. Qa8+ $2 {That goes unpunished. Instead} (39. c7
$1 Qxc7 40. Qe8+ Kg7 41. Qxe4 f5 (41... Nxf4 42. Qe5+) 42. Ne6+ Kf7 43. Qxf5+
gxf5 44. Nxc7 {would have won a pawn for White.}) 39... Kg7 40. Qa1+ Kh6 {The
strong threat is Qc5-c2 and Khismatullin goes for the extreme} 41. Nxd3 exd3
42. Qh8 $3 {Thus abandoning his own king. If Eljanov was crafty earlier, then
Khismatullin's devilish at least... Anyway, who would not play here} Qc2 ({
Wrong was} 42... Qxc6 $2 43. Qf8+ Kg5 44. Qxf7 Qc2 $4 45. Qf4+ Kh5 46. g4+ Kh4
47. Qh6#) ({But} 42... Rxc6 43. Rxd3 $11 {should be a draw.}) 43. Qf8+ Kg5 {
[%csl Yf1,Gf8,Yg5][%cal Rc2d1,Rd3d2,Rd2d1] Diagram [#] Now take a deep breath
as what follows is magic.} 44. Kg1 $3 {What a move!!! White gives his rook
with a check! And...wins!!!} Qxd1+ {There was no way back.} (44... Qxc6 45.
Qxf7 $1) (44... Rxc6 45. Qxf7 $1) 45. Kh2 Rxc6 ({Or the prosaic win after}
45... Qc2 46. Qxd6 Qxf2 (46... d2 47. Qf4+ Kh5 48. g4+ Kh4 49. Qh6#) 47. Qxd3)
46. Qe7+ {Before working the lines till the end Khismatullin gives a chance to
his opponent to lose faster. Eljanov has no choice anyway.} Kh6 {Everything
else loses as well} (46... Kh5 47. g4+ Kh6 48. Qf8+ Kg5 49. Qxf7) (46... Kf5
47. g4+) (46... f6 {This one is tricky as after} 47. f4+ Kh6 48. Qf8+ Kh5 {
White has to avoid one more trick with the spectacular} 49. Qg7 $3 ({While the
obvious} 49. g4+ {will be only a draw after} Qxg4 $3 {Forced, but nevertheless
beautiful and White has to find the draw after} 50. hxg4+ Kxg4 {as} 51. Qd8 $2
{even loses!} ({Instead both} 51. Qb4 $1 Rc2+ 52. Kg1 Kg3 53. Qe1+ Kf3 54. Qd1+
Kxe3 55. Qe1+ $11) ({and} 51. f5 $1 $11 {should draw.}) 51... Rc2+ 52. Kg1 Kg3
{[%csl Yg1][%cal Rc2c1] Diagram [#]})) (46... Rf6 47. f4+ {wins as well for
White.}) 47. Qf8+ Kg5 48. Qxf7 $1 {[%csl Yg5] Diagram [#] Unbelievable, yet
true. Despite the extra rook, super strong passer and the fact that White
attacks only with his queen and pawns Black has no defense! The game concluded}
Rf6 49. f4+ Kh6 50. Qxf6 Qe2 51. Qf8+ Kh5 52. Qg7 h6 53. Qe5+ Kh4 54. Qf6+ Kh5
55. f5 $1 gxf5 56. Qxf5+ Kh4 57. Qg6 {And not waiting to see the mate after} (
57. Qg6 d2 58. Qxh6+ Qh5 59. g3# {Diagram [#] Eljanov resigned. Hats off to
Denis Khismatullin!}) 1-0

Report and congratulations to the winninr, GM Evgeniy Najer from Russia!.