A blunder or not?

The Polish Grandmaster Radoslaw Wojtaszek is known for his strong white color. After his loss in round three against Anish Giri in Qatar he wanted to recover as quick as possible with the white pieces. Things did not go so well for him at the beginning of his game against the yesterday's hero D. Vocaturo:

[Event "Qatar Masters Open"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.12.23"]
[Round "4.14"]
[White "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Black "Vocaturo, Daniele"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2723"]
[BlackElo "2597"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "0:09:06"]
[BlackClock "0:01:36"]

1. d4 e6 2. c4 Bb4+ {Diagram [#] How to name this opening? Advanced
Bogo-Indian? Or flexible Bogo-Indian?} 3. Bd2 Bxd2+ 4. Qxd2 Nf6 5. Nc3 d5 6. e3
{Wojtaszek wants to develop his knight on e2.} ({Now} 6. Nf3 {will switch
into proper Bogo-Indian and this move was a choice of Mamedyarov and Bacrot
among others.}) 6... O-O 7. cxd5 ({The move} 7. Nf3 {is still possible, for
example} Qe7 8. Qc2 c6 9. Bd3 dxc4 10. Bxc4 Nbd7 11. O-O e5 12. Bb3 exd4 13.
exd4 {and White was better in Riazantsev,A (2646)-Roiz,M (2600) Berlin 2015})
7... exd5 8. Bd3 Nc6 {[%csl Yc8,Yd3][%cal Gc6e7,Gc8f5] Diagram [#] This was
played only once before but seems very, very logical. In the arising Carlsbad
pawn structure Black would love to swap off the light-squared bishops. In
the usual Carlsbad the black queenside knight is already on d7 and in order to
achieve the desired trades the knight has to take the long route via f8-e6-g7
and on the top of this Black has to spend time on Rf8-e8 and g7-g6. Vocaturo
is more clever, he creates the positional threat in just two moves.} 9. Nge2
Ne7 10. Qc2 {Stops Bc8-f5.} g6 $146 {Diagram [#] A novelty. Black consistently
plays for Bc8-f5.} ({The only predecessor saw} 10... b6 11. b4 c6 12. Rb1 Bd7
13. O-O {with slight but long-lasting advantage for White, Vaisser,A (2555)
-Bricard,E (2460) France 1993}) 11. h3 {Agressive play. White wants to prove
that g7-g6 was not perfect and that the kingside is weak as well.} (11. O-O Bf5
{should be fine for Black.}) 11... Bf5 12. g4 Bxd3 13. Qxd3 {"I thought this
position is promising for me" Wojtaszek "but Black's next move is very strong."
} Nc8 $1 {[%csl Ge4][%cal Gc8d6,Gd6c4,Gd6e4,Gf6e4] Diagram [#] The knight is
heading for the optimal d6 square and then it will have the pleasant choice
between the e4 and c4 beauties.} 14. O-O-O Nd6 15. f3 {If White had now the
time to play Ne2-g3 followed by g4-g5 everything would be great, but...} Re8
16. Nf4 {White found nothing better than this move, but it has a flaw.} ({
It transpires that} 16. Ng3 {is too slow due to} b5 $1 {[%csl Re4][%cal Rb5b4]
Diagram [#]} 17. e4 ({Worse is} 17. Nxb5 Nc4 $1 ({Or} 17... Nxb5 18. Qxb5 Rxe3
{in both cases with advantage for Black.})) 17... dxe4 (17... b4 18. Nxd5 Nxd5
19. exd5 Qg5+ $17 {is even stronger.}) 18. fxe4 b4 {with Black's edge
(Wojtaszek)}) ({Black is also doing great after} 16. g5 Nh5 17. Nxd5 Qxg5 {
(Wojtaszek)}) 16... c6 17. h4 Nc4 $1 18. e4 Qd6 $1 {[%cal Rd6b4,Rb4b2,Rd6f4]
Diagram [#] A very nice maneuver, missed by the Polish GM.} 19. e5 Qb4 {
With the double threat of checkmate in one and Nc4xe5! Wojtaszek thought for a
moment that he is lost, but then managed to put himself together and found an
excellent resource.} 20. Qe2 $1 {[%csl Rf4][%cal Ga2a3] Diagram [#]} ({White
also calculated the line} 20. Qc2 Ne3 21. Qd2 Nxd1 22. Kxd1 Nd7 23. h5 {
but came to the conclusion that there is not enough compensation after} c5 ({
Or first} 23... Nb6)) 20... Nxe5 21. a3 {The black queen feels overburdened.}
Qc4 22. g5 $1 {Diagram [#]} Nfd7 (22... Qxe2 23. Ncxe2 {drops a piece.}) 23.
Qc2 $1 {Suddenly, the black knight is in danger.} ({Wojtaszek dismissed} 23.
Qd2 {due to the pretty resource} Nc5 $1 {Diagram [#]} 24. dxc5 Nxf3 $17) ({
He also did not like} 23. Qh2 $5 {for the same reason-} Nc5 {but here he
missed a simple move for White in the line} ({However, Black can play for
compensation with} 23... b5 $5 24. Kb1 (24. dxe5 Nxe5 25. Kb1 a5) 24... a5 {
and nothing is clear at all.}) 24. dxe5 (24. dxc5 Nxf3 25. Qg3 Re3 {is indeed
good for Black (Wojtaszek)}) 24... d4 25. Qe2 $1 {and White wins a piece.})
23... Nxf3 ({The familiar trick} 23... Nc5 {was still there when Black can
save the knight but lose precious time. Wojtaszek planned} 24. Kb1 Ned7 {
and now either} 25. Nfxd5 ({But not} 25. Ncxd5 cxd5 $1) (25. h5 $1 {with
strong attack is also great for White.}) 25... cxd5 26. dxc5 {with advantage
for White.}) ({Black can sacrifice the knight for three pawns in the line}
23... Nf8 24. b3 Qa6 25. dxe5 Qxa3+ 26. Qb2 Qxb2+ 27. Kxb2 Rxe5 {but it is
clear that White has the better chances.}) 24. Qf2 $1 {[%csl Rf3] Diagram [#]
The queen dance is over, the knight is trapped.} Nde5 25. Kb1 (25. dxe5 $2
Qxf4+) 25... Nxd4 $2 {A time-trouble blunder.} ({White expected} 25... Rad8 {
(to stop the knight sacrifice on d5)} 26. dxe5 Nxe5 (26... Qxf4 27. Rd3 {
In both cases White has the upper hand but there is plenty of play ahead.}))
26. Rxd4 Qc5 27. Ncxd5 {The correct idea, but in the wrong move order.} ({Not}
27. h5 Nf3 $1 {(Wojtaszek)}) ({However, the preliminary} 27. Rc1 $1 {and only
after} Qf8 28. Ncxd5 $1 {Diagram [#] was the correct move order.} cxd5 29. Nxd5
) 27... cxd5 28. Rc1 (28. Nxd5 Nf3 $1 {is again good for Black.}) 28... Qf8 $2
{Now the attack is unstoppable.} ({Correct was} 28... Qb5 $1 29. a4 (29. Nxd5
$2 Nd3 $1) 29... Qa6 30. Nxd5 Nd3 31. Nf6+ Kh8 {when nothing is clear. Most
likely the players should split the point after something like} 32. Qf3 Nxc1
33. Nxe8 Rxe8 34. Qxf7 Qe2 35. Kxc1 Qe1+ 36. Kc2 Rc8+ 37. Rc4 Qe2+ 38. Kb3 Qd3+
39. Rc3 Qd1+ 40. Ka2 Qxa4+ 41. Ra3 Qc4+ 42. Qxc4 Rxc4 43. Rxa7 Rxh4 44. Rxb7
Ra4+ 45. Kb3 Ra5 46. Rb8+ $11 {Diagram [#]}) 29. Nxd5 {Once that the knight
occupies f6 outpost, the "h" pawn will rush in and open the file for the heavy
pieces.} Rec8 30. Re1 Nc6 31. Rde4 (31. Nf6+ Kh8 32. Rd7 $18) 31... Rd8 32.
Nf6+ {[%csl Gf6,Yg8,Rh7][%cal Rh1h7] Diagram [#]} Kh8 33. h5 gxh5 34. Rh1 Rd6
35. Rxh5 Rxf6 36. gxf6 (36. Qxf6+ Qg7 37. Reh4 $18) 36... Qd6 37. Rxh7+ $1 Kxh7
38. Qf5+ {[%csl Rh7] Diagram [#] Black resigned as it is mate in three.} (38.
Qf5+ Kh8 39. Rh4+ Kg8 40. Qg4+ Kf8 41. Rh8#) 1-0

Report.

A Good Finish

Magnus Carlsen had a very bad tournament in Reykjavik,with some horrible moments including a one-move piece blunder against Pelletier. His final game though was typical for his style:

[Event "Open European Team Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.11.22"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2850"]
[BlackElo "2748"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "0:24:24"]
[BlackClock "0:02:04"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 {Diagram [#] Carlsen did not have great tournament in Iceland
but remained true to his search of fresh opening lines.} d5 3. e3 c5 4. c3 {
A Reversed Slav defense arose on the board.} Nc6 5. Nd2 cxd4 6. exd4 {Now we
have typical Carlsbad pawn structure. Similar position can easily arise from
the exchange Caro-Kann after 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c3.} Bf5 7. Qb3 Qc8
{In case of} (7... Qb6 {White will leave his queen where it is} 8. Ngf3 {
and enjoy the possible trade after} Qxb3 9. axb3 {as he has the clear plan
b3-b4-(b5) and Nd2-b3-c5(a5).}) 8. Ngf3 e6 9. Nh4 Be4 {[%cal Yf2f3] Diagram [#]
Motylev decided not to provoke the f2-f3 move and played solidly against
Grischuk in Berlin:} (9... Bg6 10. Nxg6 hxg6 11. h3 Be7 12. Bd3 Bd8 $1 13. Nf3
Bc7 {with approximate equality, Grischuk,A (2774)-Motylev,A (2649) Berlin 2015}
) 10. Nxe4 Nxe4 11. Nf3 Bd6 {Not only finishes the development but reduces
White's attacking material on the kingside. In the Carlsbad the first player
is looking for piece attack there as he owes the nice e5 outpost and can
easily shift heavy pieces along the third (fifth) rank.} 12. Bxd6 Nxd6 13. Bd3
Qc7 14. Qc2 $146 {[%csl Ge1,Rh7][%cal Rd3h7] Diagram [#] A novelty. The idea
is clear- to prevent the immediate castling and to provoke kingside weakness
by Black.} ({The straightforward} 14. O-O {gave a chance to Black to castle at
once} O-O 15. Qc2 g6 (15... h6 $5 {looks safer.}) 16. Rfe1 b5 17. Qd2 Kg7 {
with mutual chances in Sandipan,C (2594)-Kasimdzhanov,R (2700) Dubai 2014})
14... O-O-O {Wojtaszek decided to avoid any kingside attacks and simply went
on the opposite wing.} ({If} 14... h6 {White can wait for his opponent's
castling with an useful move like} 15. Qe2) ({While} 14... g6 {can be answered}
15. h4 $5 O-O-O 16. h5 {and White is using his rook from its initial position.}
) 15. O-O h6 {Quite unusual situation arose. Instead of a minority attack,
Black will attack on the kingside himself, while White will push the pawns
against the enemy king as well.} 16. a4 Kb8 ({The line} 16... g5 17. a5 g4 18.
Ne5 Nxe5 19. dxe5 Nc4 20. Bxc4 Qxc4 21. a6 b6 22. Ra4 {is favourable for the
first player.}) 17. Rfe1 ({Black will reply in the same way after} 17. b4 Rc8)
17... Rc8 {[%cal Gc6b4] Diagram [#] The threat Nc6-b4 forces White to retreat
temporarily.} 18. Qd1 Rhe8 $1 {Wojtaszek switches to central play. A wise
decision that should nivilate White's aggressive intentions on the queen's wing.
} (18... g5 19. Ne5 h5 20. Nxc6+ Qxc6 21. a5 g4 22. a6 {looks better for White.
}) 19. Bf1 Re7 (19... f6 $5 {followed by e6-e5 is also good.}) 20. Rc1 Rd8 21.
Re2 $1 {[%cal Gf3e1,Ge1d3,Gd3c5] Diagram [#] A deep maneuver. The rook frees a
square for the knight that wants to get on the best square ever- c5.} Ne4 22.
b4 Ng5 23. Ne1 {The point behind Carlsen's maneuver. If Black manages to trade
the knights, he will be out of danger.} e5 $1 {This is the proper moment to
hit the center, all the pieces are either on the first or the second rank.} 24.
b5 Na5 25. Rxe5 Rxe5 26. dxe5 Qxe5 {Diagram [#] The Polish GM played
energetically and almost equalized completely. Now he wants to put pressure on
the backward c3 pawn, thus next move is forced:} (26... Nc4 $5 {was an
interesting pawn sacrifice} 27. f4 Ne6 {when Black has compensation thanks to
the weakened dark squares.}) 27. c4 Ne6 28. Nf3 Qf4 $2 {[%csl Ya5] Diagram [#]
But this is wrong. Black needed to try and trade the queens instead} (28... Qd6
29. cxd5 Qxd5 30. Qxd5 $6 (30. Qe1 $5 {might still give some hopes for an
advantage to the first player.}) 30... Rxd5 $11) 29. cxd5 Rxd5 30. Qxd5 Qxc1
31. g3 {Takes away the f4 square and prepares the development of the bishop.
Black's position is very unpleasant to say at least.} (31. Qd7 Qf4 {is less
precise.}) 31... Qc5 32. Qd7 Qf8 33. Ne5 {[%csl Ya5,Yb8,Yf8] Diagram [#] All
of a sudden the black pieces are completely helpless. The knights lack
co-ordination, the queen is extremely passive.} Nc5 34. Qd5 {With the major
threat Qd5xc5.} Kc7 35. Nxf7 Nxa4 36. Qe5+ Kb6 (36... Kc8 37. Bh3#) 37. Nd6 Nc5
38. Ne8 {Diagram [#]} ({The threat Qe7-c7 mate can be stopped only with} 38.
Ne8 Qf7 {but that loses a whole piece after} 39. Qd6+) 1-0

Report.

A Sudden OCB Attack

The Tata Steel tournament keeps on producing games of very high quality. The following encounter demonstrated excellent defensive skills by both the players. At least until a moment when Black erred. Then Radjabov finished the game in a great attacking style in the endgame,

[Event "Tata Steel Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.01.18"]
[Round "8.7"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Wojtaszek, Radoslaw"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2734"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "0:00:07"]
[BlackClock "0:03:23"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. h3 {The main idea of
this line is to achieve an improved version of the Fianchettoe line with an
extra tempo for White (g2-g4 in one go instead of g2-g3 first).} e5 7. Nde2 b5
{Not the most common reaction for Black. But since Wojtaszek is one of the
leading specialist in the Najdorf this move is definitely worth a try!} ({Both
the developing moves} 7... Be7) (7... Be6) ({Or the restricting} 7... h5 {are
more popular than the text move.}) 8. Bg5 {Radjabov chooses a rare, but very
logical line in return. The d5 square is a magnet for the white pieces.} ({The
main move is} 8. g4 Bb7 9. Bg2 Nbd7 (9... h6 10. Be3 Nbd7 11. Qd2 {Mamedyarov,
S (2728)-Sadvakasov,D (2596) Astana 2006}) 10. a4 b4 11. Nd5 Nxd5 12. exd5 Qa5
{Inarkiev,E (2682)-Adly,A (2594) Dubai 2014}) 8... Nbd7 9. Nd5 {White is
willing to trade pretty much every single light piece except for the black
dark-squared bishop.} Bb7 10. Nec3 Rc8 {A cunning idea.} ({White is slightly
better after} 10... Be7 11. Bxf6 Nxf6 12. Nxf6+ Bxf6 13. a4 b4 14. Nd5 {when
both the positions with a knight versus a dark-squared bishop or pure opposite
colored bishops are favourable for him.}) 11. Nxf6+ ({Radek's idea becomes
clear in the line} 11. a4 b4 12. Bxf6 Nxf6 13. Nxf6+ Qxf6 14. Nd5 Qg6 $1 {
which looks awkward for the first player.}) 11... Nxf6 12. a4 $1 {It makes
sense to create some weaknesses before occupying the d5 square.} b4 13. Nd5 Be7
$1 {Black sacrifices a pawn. The alternatives are not appealing:} (13... Bxd5
$6 {leads to the above-mentioned opposite colored bishop position} 14. Bxf6
Qxf6 15. Qxd5 Rxc2 16. Qa8+ Qd8 17. Qxa6 Be7 18. Bb5+ Kf8 19. O-O {which White
would love to have.}) (13... a5 $2 {is simply bad due to} 14. Bb5+ Bc6 15. Bxf6
gxf6 16. O-O {with strategically won position for White- superior minor piece,
better pawn structure, bad king, etc...}) 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Nxb4 {Radjabov
accepts the challenge.} ({The line} 15. b3 O-O 16. Bc4 a5 17. O-O Bg5 {leads
to equality.}) 15... O-O ({Naturally, not} 15... Bxe4 16. Bxa6 Rc5 17. Bb5+)
16. c3 $146 {Diagram [#] I need to bitterly disappoint you. All of this have
been previously played and the pawn sacrifice is not original. The strong move
in the game though is a novelty.} ({An important improvement. White reacted
poorly in the predecessing game} 16. Bd3 $6 Qb6 17. Qd2 a5 18. Na2 Qxb2 (18...
d5 $1 {was even better}) 19. O-O Qd4 20. Qxa5 Bxe4 {with advantage for Black
in Milovanovic,R (2399)-Sadvakasov,D (2605) Minneapolis 2005}) 16... Bxe4 17.
Bxa6 Rc5 {There is no time to digest the g pawn} (17... Bxg2 $2 18. Rg1 Bxh3
19. Qf3 $1 Be6 20. Bxc8 Bxc8 {normally would be a nice sacrifice of an
exchange if it was not the loose position of the black bishop on f6} 21. Nc6
Bb7 22. Rg3 $1 {the queen is now hanging and Black has to part with his bishop
pair} (22. Nxd8 $2 Bxf3) 22... Bxc6 23. Qxc6 {White is much better.}) 18. O-O
Ba8 {As a result of the opening battle White won a pawn but Black has distinct
compensation for it- a hefty bishop pair and central majority.} (18... Qa8 {
was another way to search for compensation} 19. Qg4 Be7) 19. Re1 {Now both the
players skillfully maneuver. Wojtaszek tries to advance his pawns in the
center and on the kingside while Radjabov carefully prevents this plan.} d5 20.
Bf1 ({Also interesting is} 20. Bb5 e4 21. Nc2 Be5 22. Nd4) 20... e4 21. Nc2 Be5
22. Nd4 Bb8 {One idea is to create a battery, another to advance the f pawn.}
23. g3 $1 ({Or else Black may advance the f pawn} 23. Qd2 f5 24. Ne6 $4 Qd6)
23... Qb6 24. Qe2 $1 {Diagram [#] Once more excellent profilaxys!} ({Teimour
should never allow the f7-f5 advance, as then f5-f4 will immediately follow
and the white position will fall appart on the dark squares.} 24. Qd2 f5) 24...
Rcc8 {The consequences of the direct assault are of a paramount importance for
the evaluation of the position. After the critical} (24... f5 {White has} 25.
Qa6 Qxb2 {and the fantastic resource} 26. Red1 $3 ({But not the tempting} 26.
Ne6 Bxg3 $1 27. fxg3 Rc6 28. Qb5 Qxb5 29. axb5 Rxe6) (26. Qxa8 Bxg3 27. Qxf8+
Kxf8 28. fxg3 Rxc3 {if anyone is better here, it is not White.}) 26... f4 {The
other tries do not work neither} (26... e3 27. Qe6+ Kh8 28. Qxe3 f4 29. Qe7) (
26... Qxc3 $2 27. Rac1 Qxc1 28. Rxc1 Rxc1 29. Qxa8) (26... Rxc3 27. Qxa8) 27.
Rab1 Qxc3 28. Rb3 Qa5 29. Ne6 {in all these lines White has the upper hand.})
25. a5 Qg6 26. Qg4 $1 Qh6 27. h4 $1 {[%cal Gg4g5] Very well played. Radjabov
will soon trade the queens.} Kh8 28. Qg5 Qd6 29. Nf5 Qe5 30. f4 $1 h6 31. Qxh6+
gxh6 32. fxe5 Bxe5 33. Be2 {As a result of his excellent strategy, Teimour
managed to trade the queens and took away one of Black's trumps- the possible
kingside attack. However, converting the advantage is far from easy.} Rb8 34.
Ra2 (34. Reb1 Bc6) 34... Kh7 35. Rd1 (35. a6 $1 {was more precise} Rg8 36. a7
Rb7 37. Kf2 {with excellent winning chances.}) 35... Rb3 ({Black couls also
sacrifice a second pawn} 35... d4 36. cxd4 Bd5 37. Raa1 Bf6) 36. Kf2 Rfb8 37.
Rd2 Kg6 $1 38. Ne7+ Kf6 39. Nxd5+ Bxd5 40. Rxd5 Rxb2 41. Rxb2 Rxb2 42. Ke3 {It
was Wojtaszek's turn to defend and he did it greatly as usual. The Polish GM
is one of the best defenders in the world.} (42. c4 Rb3 43. g4 Ra3 {is most
likely a draw.}) 42... Bxg3 (42... Bxc3 43. a6) 43. a6 {Diagram [#]} Bh2 $2 {
BBut this is wrong. Black could have drawn with} (43... Rc2 $1 44. Bb5 (44. Bc4
Rxc3+) 44... Rxc3+ 45. Kxe4 Ra3 {in this case the white bishop will not reach
the a2-f7 diagonal. All Black will need is to trade the rooks and sacrifice
the bishop for the a pawn.}) 44. Bc4 $1 {Suddenly, Radjabov creates an attack
which is usually unstoppable in the opposite colored bishop endgames!} Rc2 45.
Kxe4 Rxc3 46. Rf5+ Kg7 47. Rxf7+ Kg6 48. Bd5 Bg1 49. Rf1 Bc5 50. Ke5 Ra3 51.
Rf6+ Kh5 52. Rf4 Kg6 {The pawn is poisoned} (52... Rxa6 53. Bf7+ Rg6 54. Kf5
Be3 55. Bxg6#) 53. Rg4+ Kh7 (53... Kh5 $4 54. Kf5 {is instant mate.}) 54. Be4+
Kh8 55. Rg6 h5 56. Rc6 Bf8 57. Kf6 {Diagram [#] Total domination! The light
squares are undefendable.} Kg8 58. Bd5+ Kh7 59. Kf7 {A game with plenty of
content in which both the players skillfully defended when needed. Wojtaszek
committed only one mistake in the endgame and this was enough for Radjabov to
create deadly attack. Never underestimate the opposite colored bishops!} (59.
Kf7 Ra5 (59... Bb4 60. Be4+ Kh8 61. Rh6#) 60. Be4+ Kh8 61. Rc8 (61. Kxf8 Rxa6
$1 62. Rxa6)) 1-0

Report.