Giri Back on Track

Round six of the Tata Steel Chess saw two of the rating favorites win comfortably their games. Magnus Carlsen won unexpectedly quickly against the reigning Russian champion Evegeny Tomashevsky. While the local hope produced the following game:

[Event "Tata Steel Chess - Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.01.22"]
[Round "6.2"]
[White "Giri, Anish"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2798"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "0:17:45"]
[BlackClock "0:59:33"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. d4 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Bd6 {Diagram [#] A fashionable
line.} (5... Be7 {is also quite popular} 6. Bg2 c6 7. O-O Nbd7 8. Qc2 O-O 9.
Rd1 b6 10. Ne5 Bb7 11. cxd5 cxd5 {as in Radjabov,T (2738)-Gelfand,B (2741)
Berlin 2015}) 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O Nbd7 8. b3 dxc4 $146 {[%csl Yc4,Yd4][%cal
Rc7c5] Diagram [#] A good novelty. In these positions Black is trying to free
himself in two ways. First and foremost he trades the c4 pawn and then goes
for either e6-e5 or c7(c6)-c5. The former plan was tested so far:} ({In two
games, which saw} 8... c6 9. Nc3 Re8 10. Qc2 dxc4 11. bxc4 e5 {Khairullin,I
(2658)-Ovetchkin,R (2529) Ekaterinburg 2013}) 9. bxc4 c5 {Instead Mamedyarov
goes for instant c7-c5 without the usual waste of a move (as in the Slav
defenses for example).} 10. e3 Qc7 11. Qc2 cxd4 ({The knight has nothing to do
on b6} 11... Nb6 12. Rc1) (11... a6 $5 {at once deserved attention as it is a
needed move. Black can chose the right moment for the central capture.}) 12.
Nxd4 a6 13. Rc1 Rd8 {In combination with Black's next move- a very unfortunate
decision. The development of the queenside bishop was priority.} ({Both} 13...
Rb8 $1 {[%cal Gb7b6,Gc8b7] Diagram [#]} 14. Nb3 b6 $11) ({And} 13... Nc5 $1 14.
Nb3 Rb8 {were comfortably levelling the game.}) 14. Nb3 Rb8 {Due to the skewer
threat it seems as this move is forced.} (14... Nc5 $2 15. Ba5 {drops the
exchange.}) ({However, the immediate} 14... Be5 {was Black's best after which
things are not as bad for him} 15. Ba5 ({Or} 15. c5 Bxa1 16. Ba5 b6 17. Bxa8
bxa5 18. Nxa1) 15... b6 16. Bxa8 Bxa1 17. Nxa1 bxa5 {[%csl Ya1,Ya5,Ya6,Yb1]
[%cal Gc8c1] Diagram [#] Black is not in a bad shape despite the doubled pawns.
}) 15. c5 Be5 16. Nd4 $1 {[%csl Gd4][%cal Gb1a3,Ga3c4,Rd2a5,Ya1b1] Diagram [#]
Probably Mamedyarov underestimated this retreat. Now the queenside is
paralyzed.} b6 {Pawns are usually not allowed on c6 from good live.} ({If}
16... Nf8 17. Na3 {White finishes development and will soon start concrete
threats} Bd7 (17... Ng6 18. Rab1) (17... Bxd4 18. exd4 Rxd4 19. Qb2 e5 20. Bc3
{loses material for Black.}) 18. Rab1 Ng6 19. Nc4 $1 Qxc5 20. Ba5 Rdc8 21. Qd2
{[%csl Yc5] Diagram [#] and the black pieces look awkward.}) 17. c6 Nf8 (17...
Nc5 18. Na3 {does not change much.}) 18. Nc3 $1 {Diagram [#] Giri is not
afraid to sacrifice a pawn. Threats like Nc3(d4)-b5 followed by c6-c7 are in
the air and Black still does not have much to move.} Ng6 ({Black will be
paralyzed after} 18... Bxd4 19. exd4 Rxd4 20. Be3 ({Or} 20. Bg5 $5) 20... Rd8
21. Rd1) 19. Rab1 Qe7 {Mamedyarov gives up the exchange.} ({Once again} 19...
Bxd4 20. exd4 Rxd4 21. Be3 Rd8 22. Rd1 {is not fun for Black.}) ({The threat
was} 19... h6 {(nothing move)} 20. Ncb5 $1 axb5 21. Nxb5 Qe7 22. Bb4 Qe8 23. c7
{with complete demolition.}) 20. c7 $1 {[%csl Rc6][%cal Rd4c6] Diagram [#]}
Qxc7 21. Nc6 Bb7 22. Nxd8 Bxg2 23. Kxg2 Rxd8 24. Na4 {Giri has too many open
files for the rooks thus his material advantage is decisive.} Qb7+ 25. f3 b5
26. Nc5 Qa8 27. Nd3 h5 28. Ba5 {Little by little the white pieces take
commanding positions.} Nd5 (28... Rd7 29. Qc8+) 29. Qe2 Re8 30. e4 Nde7 31. Bc3
{Diagram [#] Speculating with threats is one good way to get rid of the active
pieces.} Bb8 32. Qb2 f5 {Last chance to muddy the waters.} 33. Qb3 fxe4 (33...
Nf8 34. Nc5 $18) 34. Qxe6+ Kh7 35. Qxe4 Qd5 36. Rb2 {Giri could have exchanged
the queens already, but he correctly understands that this can be done anytime.
} (36. Qxd5 Nxd5 37. Re1 Rc8 38. Bd2 $18) 36... Qf7 37. Re2 h4 38. Qe6 Qxe6 39.
Rxe6 Rd8 40. Nf2 Nf5 41. Ne4 Rd5 42. Rxa6 hxg3 43. hxg3 Bxg3 $1 {Diagram [#]
Out of nothing Mamedyarov created some practical problems.} 44. Rh1+ $1 {
But Giri is alert.} (44. Nxg3 Nf4+ 45. Kh2 Nxg3 {would not be clear at all.})
44... Bh4 45. Bd2 Rd4 46. Bg5 Rb4 47. Rxg6 {[%csl Yh4][%cal Gg5h4] Diagram [#]
A small combination a' la Capablanca does the job.} Rb2+ 48. Kh3 Kxg6 49. Bxh4
Rxa2 50. Rg1+ Kf7 51. Bf2 Rb2 52. Kg4 {The rest was easy for the Dutch GM.} g6
53. Bc5 b4 54. Nd6+ Nxd6 55. Bxd6 Ke6 56. Bf8 Kf7 57. Bd6 Ke6 58. Bb8 b3 59.
Kf4 Kf7 60. Ke3 Rc2 61. Be5 Rc5 62. f4 {Diagram [#]} Rb5 63. Bb2 Rh5 64. Rg2
Rh1 65. Kf3 Rf1+ 66. Kg4 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.

Rewind and Repeat

The good things in life and in chess do not only happen once. Check the game by Viswanathan Anand against Shakh Mamedyarov from round eight of the Gashimov memorial in Shamkir.

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.04.25"]
[Round "8.4"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2791"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "0:43:44"]
[BlackClock "0:50:22"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 {Mamedyarov has been very successful in his lat six game
in the Petrov- 5.5/6! Who dares claiming that the opening can be borning after
that?} 3. Nc3 {Surprise! Anand has played the Four Knights back in 1992-96 via
a different move order though...} Nc6 4. Bb5 Bb4 ({Ruinstein's recipe is
sharper and more forceful. Ivanchuk has used it twice against the Indian} 4...
Nd4 5. Ba4 Bc5 6. Nxe5 O-O 7. Nd3 Bb6 8. e5 Ne8 9. Nd5 d6 {with compensation
for a pawn, Anand,V (2715)-Ivanchuk,V (2700) Monte Carlo 1995}) 5. O-O O-O 6.
d3 d6 7. Ne2 Ne7 8. c3 Ba5 9. Ng3 Ng6 {Diagram [#] Funnily enough, the
position now is similar to some lines of the Ruy Lopez. Yep, the Berlin ones.}
10. d4 Bb6 11. Re1 c6 12. Bd3 Re8 13. h3 h6 14. Be3 Be6 {Both sides developed
their pieces harmoniously and naturally.} 15. Qc2 ({Also possible is the
development of the queen on the c1-h6 diagonal.} 15. Qd2 Qc7 16. Nf5 Bxf5 17.
exf5 Nf8 {And now the typical Italian sacrifice with} 18. Bxh6 $2 {does not
work because of the cool} N8h7 $1 ({not because of} 18... gxh6 19. Qxh6 Qe7 20.
dxe5 dxe5 21. Nxe5 {and White should be winning}) 19. g4 e4 20. g5 Nh5 21. Bxe4
gxh6 {with advantage for Black, Adhiban,B (2481)-L'Ami,E (2593) Dieren 2009})
15... Qc7 16. a3 $146 {[%cal Gb2b4] Diagram [#] A novelty. White wants to
expans on the queenside.} ({A predecessor saw} 16. c4 exd4 17. Nxd4 Ne5 18. Be2
Ng6 19. Rad1 $14 {1-0 (43) Nguyen,A (2496)-Markus,R (2436) Budapest 2000})
16... a5 17. c4 a4 {It is not quite clear why the inserted moves a2-a3 and
a5-a4 should favour White. More likely they should favour Mamedyarov.} 18. Red1
{Anand moves the rook away from a possible tempo on a5.} ({However, the line
after} 18. Rad1 exd4 19. Bxd4 Ba5 $6 {leads to favourable complications for
White after} 20. Bxf6 $1 Bxe1 21. Nh5) 18... exd4 {Because of the annoying
threat of c4-c5 Black should do this sooner or later. Now the pawn structure
modifies to one which is similar to some lines of the Bogoljubov defense.} 19.
Bxd4 ({Black is OK after} 19. Nxd4 Bd7 20. Ndf5 Bxe3 21. Nxe3 Nf4 $11) 19...
Ne5 20. Be2 {Diagram [#] Mamedyarov more or less solved the opening problems.
If Anand has any advantage it is symbolic.} Bc5 ({Instead, one good away to
exploit the hole on b3 was} 20... Bxd4 $5 21. Nxd4 Ned7 {followed by Nd7-c5-b3
with equality.} ({But not} 21... Nfd7 $2 22. f4)) 21. Rd2 Nfd7 22. Rad1 Red8 $6
{Up to now Mamedyarov defended flawlessly, but this move is a mistake. In a
cramped position it is always good to trade some pieces.} (22... Nxf3+ {was
mandatory when Black is still good after} 23. Bxf3 Red8 ({Not} 23... Rad8 24.
Qxa4 Nb6 25. Qa5 $1 $16)) 23. Nh4 $1 {[%csl Ye5,Ye6,Rf5][%cal Gh4f5,Gg3f5,
Rf2f4,Rf4f5] Diagram [#] Now f2-f4-f5 is a constant threat and the knights are
eager to get closer to the enmy king with Nh4(g3)-f5.} Bxd4 24. Rxd4 c5 $5 {
The only chance of a counter play.} ({Or else Black loses a pawn after} 24...
Nc5 25. Nhf5 Bxf5 26. Nxf5) 25. Rxd6 Nc6 {The d4 square is usually good
compensation in these positions, but..} 26. Nhf5 $1 {Powerplay!} Nd4 27. Qd2 ({
Worse is} 27. R6xd4 cxd4 28. Nxd4 Nc5 $11) ({Or} 27. Nxd4 Qxd6 {and White does
not have any (good) discovered attack.}) 27... Ne5 {This was the position that
Mamedyarov was heading to. The black knight seem perfect on their outposts,
the active rook on d6 will be traded and the compensation is obvious. However,
Anand had foreseen something in advance...} ({Since otherwise Black is down a
pawn for nothing} 27... Nf6 28. Rxd8+ Rxd8 29. Nxd4 cxd4 (29... Rxd4 30. Qc2
$16) 30. Qb4) 28. Rd5 $1 {[%csl Gd5] Diagram [#] Deja vu! Like yesterday, the
former world champion sacrifices the exchange for a pawn and attack and wins!}
({Instead} 28. Rxd8+ $6 Rxd8 29. Nxd4 $6 cxd4 {would be dream come true for
Mamedyarov.}) 28... Bxd5 29. cxd5 Qb6 ({The trade of a knight pair multiplies
the attacking potential of the first player.} 29... Nxf5 30. Nxf5 Qa5 31. Qe3
Qb6 32. f4 Nd7 33. Qc3 {and Black should not survive.}) 30. f4 $1 {[%cal Ge4e5,
Gd5d6] Diagram [#] Anand has a clear plan. Advance the pawns in the center as
much as possible, disconnect the flanks, checkmate.} ({The endgame is also
great for White} 30. Nxd4 cxd4 31. Qxd4 Qxd4 32. Rxd4 {but why to get here
when there is mate instead?}) 30... Ng6 ({Or} 30... Nxe2+ 31. Qxe2 c4+ 32. Kh2
Nd3 33. Qg4 {which wins a second pawn for White.}) 31. Bc4 {Anotehr deja vu!
The Indian GM used the same diagonal to grind down Michael Adams yesterday..}
Qa5 32. Qf2 b5 {Black tries his inly chance to distract the opponent.} ({
Nothing can stop the pawns} 32... Nxf5 33. Nxf5 Re8 34. e5) 33. Nxd4 ({Also
good is} 33. Ba2 Nb3 34. Nh5) 33... cxd4 34. Ba2 b4 35. Nf5 bxa3 {Alas, after}
(35... b3 36. Bb1 {the bishop will work again on the other diagonal.}) 36. bxa3
Qc3 37. e5 {Perhaps the only slip in Anand's phenomenal play.} (37. d6 {was
more subtle, with transposition into the game after} Rab8 (37... Qxa3 $2 38.
Qxd4) 38. Rd2) 37... Rab8 ({Another transposition is} 37... Qxa3 38. d6 Rab8
39. Rd2) 38. Rd2 Qxa3 ({The computer suggests} 38... d3 {as a good defense,
but it is hard to believe that White is not mating after} 39. d6 Qxa3 {Diagram
[#]} 40. Bxf7+ $1 Kxf7 41. Qa7+ Ke6 42. Ne3 {For example} Rb1+ (42... Rd7 $2
43. Qxb8) 43. Kh2 Qb4 (43... Rd7 44. f5+ Kxe5 45. Qxd7 {and wins.}) 44. Rf2 $1
Qb7 45. Qd4 {and the analyzes can go for another twenty moves but I will leave
that to you. My feeling says that the attack should be sufficient.} ({Even
better than} 45. f5+ Kd7 46. Qxa4+ Qc6 47. Qa2 Qc5 (47... Rb7 48. Qe6#) 48. e6+
Kxd6 49. Qxb1 Qxe3 50. Rf3 Qe5+ 51. Kh1 {which Black some chances of survival
thanks to his passed pawn.} Kc6 52. fxg6 d2 53. Qc2+ Qc5 54. Qa4+ Qb5 55. Rc3+
Kb6 56. Qd1 {White is better, but not necessarily winning.})) 39. Nxd4 {Now
everything is under control.} Qc1+ 40. Kh2 Rbc8 41. d6 a3 42. Nf5 Rf8 43. d7 {
Diagram [#] One more jewel in Anand's rich collection of masterpieces!
Mamedyarov had had enough of it. After} (43. d7 Rcd8 44. Qd4 {the only way to
stop the checkmate (e5-e6) is to sacrifice a whole rook with} Qf1 45. e6 Qxf4+
46. Qxf4 Nxf4 47. e7) 1-0

The last round of the tournament on the next day was rather peaceful with only one game being decisive. The world champion Magnus Carlsen exploited a blunder by the birthday boy Rauf Mamedov to finish the tournament clear first a full point ahead of Vishy Anand.

One Mistake

The only decisive game in round two of the Shamkir Tournament was the one between the world champion and the Azerbaijani's highest rated representative. Mamedyarov committed just one mistake in the opening but this proved one too many:

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.04.18"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2754"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "0:39:35"]
[BlackClock "0:25:47"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 g6 {Mamedyarov chose the solid, but someone
passive Schlechter line of the Slav defense. The arising positions transform
into Gruenfeld set-ups.} 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be2 {This move is considered more
precise than} (6. Bd3 O-O 7. O-O {which allows} Bg4) 6... O-O 7. O-O b6 ({Four
years ago Vugar Gashimov won a nice game against the world champion's second
after} 7... Nbd7 8. h3 b6 9. b3 Bb7 10. Bb2 c5 11. Qc2 Rc8 12. Rad1 dxc4 13.
Bxc4 Bxf3 14. gxf3 cxd4 15. Rxd4 Ne8 16. Rd2 Nd6 {Nielsen,P (2681)-Gashimov,V
(2760) Khanty-Mansiysk 2011}) ({The guru of the Schlechter line Gata Kamsky
prefers to play} 7... a6 {This should mean something.}) 8. a4 {The idea is
either to expand on the queenside or to weaken the b5 point. Also interesting
is} (8. b4 Ne4 9. Bb2 ({Please note that the capture on e4 leads only to
equality after} 9. Nxe4 dxe4 10. Nd2 e5 $11) 9... Nxc3 10. Bxc3 Bb7 $14 {Anton
Guijarro,D (2607)-Li,C (2711) Germany 2015}) 8... a5 {Mamedyarov had some
doubts about this move.} (8... Ba6) (8... Bf5 {were tested as well previously.}
) 9. cxd5 {Diagram [#]} cxd5 $146 {Mamedyarov tries to improve upon a game by
Anand that saw:} (9... Nxd5 10. e4 Nb4 11. Be3 Bg4 12. h3 Bxf3 13. Bxf3 $14 {
with long-lasting edge for White, Anand,V (2800)-Wang,Y (2732) Nanjing 2010})
10. b3 Ne4 $2 {Both players didn't like this move. It is quite common in the
Gruenfeld but here is just bad as Black cannot free himself in the center.} ({
Instead both} 10... Nc6 11. Ba3 Nb4) ({Or} 10... Ba6 {and only after} 11. Nb5
Ne4 {are playable for Black.}) 11. Nxe4 dxe4 12. Nd2 Bb7 {Mamedyarov is forced
to get into passive defense.} ({The point is that the usual freeing move} 12...
e5 {(see the note to move eight) can be refuted in two ways. Either with the
preliminary} 13. Ba3 $1 ({Or after the immediate} 13. d5 $1 Qxd5 14. Ba3 Rd8
15. Nxe4 $16) 13... Re8 14. Nxe4 exd4 15. Nd6 $16 {In both cases with large
advantage for White.}) 13. Ba3 f5 14. Rc1 {A clever move. Carlsen does not
want to put a piece yet on c4.} Kh8 {In case that Black continues he
development with} (14... Nd7 {White has} 15. Bb5 Nf6 16. Nc4 {with a bind. One
line goes} Nd5 17. Ne5 Rc8 18. Rxc8 Qxc8 19. Bd7 Qa8 20. Be6+ Kh8 21. Nf7+ Kg8
{Quite strangely White does not win material after the many discovered attacks,
but this does not change the evaluation of the position as clearly better for
White} 22. Nd8+ Kh8 23. Nxb7 Qxb7 24. Qc2 $16) 15. Nc4 Nd7 16. d5 $1 {[%csl
Rd5] Diagram [#]} Rc8 17. d6 {Carlsen: "Once I get the pawn to d6 then the
position is, I think, very unpleasant for Black. He cannot get serious
counterplay against the king and I break through on the queenside quickly.
Mamedyarov agreed with the world champion: "It was very easy to play for White.
"} e6 ({Black loses material after} 17... exd6 18. Nxd6 (18. Qxd6 {is also
great for him.}) 18... Rxc1 19. Qxc1 Bd5 20. Rd1 Bxb3 21. Nb7 $16) 18. b4 $1 {
Strong play by Carlsen. One weakness is not enough to win the game and he
opens the road for his pieces while the black ones are busy with the d6 passer.
} axb4 19. Bxb4 Bd5 20. a5 bxa5 21. Bxa5 Qe8 22. Qa4 Bc6 23. Qb4 Rb8 24. Nb6 {
The white pieces are easily improving themselves. Now the best blockader is
challenged.} Ne5 ({For good or for bad Black had to try} 24... Nxb6 25. Bxb6
Qd7 {It is doubtful that Black can say himself after say} 26. Ba6 {White
controls the open c file and will soon break in, but this was Mamedyarov's
best chance.}) 25. Qc5 Ba8 {This loses on the spot. Once that the blockade is
gone White wins with direct attack along the seventh rank.} ({Some extra
control of the seventh rank was needed, although I suspect that both the
players had already considered Black's position hopeless after} 25... Rf7 26.
Bc3 Nd7 27. Nxd7 Bxd7 28. Bxg7+ Kxg7 29. Qe5+) 26. Bc3 {[%csl Ye5,Yh8][%cal
Ra7h7,Ra1h8] Diagram [#] Domination.} Nd7 27. Bxg7+ Kxg7 28. Nxd7 Qxd7 29. Qe5+
{Black resigned due to the checkmate (or queen loss) after} (29. Qe5+ Kh6 (
29... Kg8 30. Rc7) 30. Rc7 Qd8 31. Qg7+ Kg5 32. h4+ Kxh4 33. Qh6# {Magnus
Carlsen needed only one mistake from his opponent to punish him harshly.}) 1-0

Report.

In the Spirit of the Old Masters

Georgia's capital Tbilisi is hosting the third tournament from the FIDE Grand Prix series. Half of the event have already passed and the best player so far is the former European champion Evgeny Tomashevsky from Russia. However, we cannot miss a game between two of the most artistic performers. It took place in round five:

[Event "FIDE Grand Prix - Tbilisi"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.02.20"]
[Round "5.6"]
[White "Jobava, Baadur"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2696"]
[BlackElo "2759"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "0:02:21"]
[BlackClock "0:51:07"]

1. b3 {The Nimzowitch-Larsen opening can nowadays be named after Baadur who is
commonly using it and keeps on finding fresh ideas.} Nf6 2. Bb2 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7
4. d4 {[%csl Yb2][%cal Gb2d4] Diagram [#] Georgian's favorite move. It seems
illogical to close the bishop that had just occupied the long diagonal, but
Jobava has an opinion of his own.} c5 5. e3 cxd4 6. exd4 d5 7. Qd2 Nc6 8. O-O-O
({One very fresh example of Baadur's saw} 8. f3 h5 {Perhaps this is what
inspired Shakh for what he did later in the game.} 9. Bb5 Qd6 10. Nge2 Bh6 11.
Qd1 Bf5 {and Black already very comfortable in Jobava,B (2727)-Carlsen,M (2862)
Wijk aan Zee 2015}) 8... Qa5 $146 ({A novelty upon a game these two played
earlier. That game saw} 8... O-O 9. f3 h5 10. Kb1 Bf5 11. a3 Rc8 {with
double-edged game in Jobava,B (2711)-Mamedyarov,S (2764) Beijing 2012}) 9. f3
h5 10. Kb1 Bf5 11. Bd3 $1 {[%csl Yd4][%cal Re1e8,Rd1d8] Diagram [#] This
enterprising pawn sacrifice is practically forced.} ({The normal development}
11. Nge2 $2 {is just bad as Black has concrete threats} Nb4 12. Rc1 Nxa2 $1) ({
While a waiting move like} 11. a3 {allows all the joy for Black after either}
Rc8 ({Or} 11... a6)) 11... Nxd4 $1 {Shakh goes for it! He could have easily
kept the balance after} (11... Bxd3 12. Qxd3 e6 {but he decided that the risk
is worth it.}) 12. Nge2 Nxe2 ({Worse is} 12... Bxd3 13. Nxd4 Ba6 14. Rhe1 {
when Black cannot easily evacuate the king from the center. For example} e6 15.
Nxe6 $1 fxe6 16. Rxe6+ Kf7 17. Nxd5 Qxd2 18. Re7+ Kf8 19. Rxd2 {and the attack
continues in the endgame.}) 13. Qxe2 Bd7 $1 {Correct decision. Generally,
Black would be happy to trade pieces. The problem with the move} (13... Bxd3 {
however is that it brings the white attackers too quick} 14. Rxd3 Rd8 (14... e6
$2 15. Nxd5 $1 {is a nice tactical shot.}) 15. Rhd1 {when Black is once again
losing the central pawn} e6 16. Nxd5 Rxd5 17. Rxd5 Nxd5 18. Bxg7 {with clear
advantage for White} Nc3+ 19. Bxc3 Qxc3 20. Qb5+ Qc6 21. Qxc6+ bxc6 22. Rd6)
14. Rhe1 e6 {For the pawn Baadur managed to bring his rooks in the center, but
what comes next? One more move and the black king will escape from the
dangerous zone and Shakh will start converting the extra pawn.} 15. Bxg6 $5 {
[%csl Ye8] Diagram [#] ! Nope, the king will stay in the center. Jobava
follows the classical rule. If the opponent's king is in the center, open
files to reach it.} fxg6 16. Nxd5 Nxd5 ({There is no time to escape} 16... O-O
17. Nxf6+ Bxf6 18. Rxd7) 17. Bxg7 Rg8 $5 {Mamedyarov rejects the draw after} (
17... Nc3+ 18. Bxc3 Qxc3 19. Rxd7 $1 Kxd7 20. Qxe6+ Kc7 21. Qf7+ Kc8 {The king
has to stay on the back rank as going up may lead to a big fall down} (21...
Kc6 $2 22. Re6+ Kc5 23. Qc7+ {and mate after} Kb4 24. Qxb7+ Kc5 25. Qc6+ Kb4
26. a3+ Kxa3 27. Qa4#) 22. Re8+ Rxe8 23. Qxe8+ Kc7 24. Qxa8 {White regains the
piece and is even a piece up, but the presense of their Majesties on the board
with the kings wide open will sooner or later lead to a perpetual after} Qe1+
25. Kb2 Qe5+ 26. c3 Qxh2 27. Qxa7 Qxg2+ $11) ({However, it seems as that the
best defense was the subtle} 17... Rh7 $1 18. Qe5 (18. Bb2 $5 Nc3+ 19. Bxc3
Qxc3 20. Rd6 O-O-O {brings the king into safety.}) 18... Kf7 19. c4 ({The
difference with the game continuation becomes apparent after} 19. Rxd5 Qxd5 20.
Qf6+ Kg8 $1) 19... Rxg7 20. cxd5 Kg8 21. dxe6 Qxe5 22. Rxe5 {White has two
pawns for the piece, but this is not enough here.}) 18. Qe5 Rxg7 $6 {[%csl Yd5]
Diagram [#] Tempting! When under attack it makes sense to annihilate as many
many active pieces as possible, even if we give back part of the material.
This however has a nice refutation.} ({White's attack is very strong in case of
} 18... Kf7 19. Rxd5 Qxd5 20. Qf6+ Ke8 21. Qxg6+ Kd8 22. Qf7 Kc7 23. Re3) ({But
} 18... Qc7 {looked like the best defense with the idea} 19. Qxd5 (19. Qb2
O-O-O) 19... Rxg7 20. Rxe6+ $6 ({Instead} 20. Qd4 $1 Kf8 21. g4 {keeps the
game unclear as the king is still vulnerable.}) 20... Bxe6 21. Qxe6+ Qe7 {and
Black holds and wins.}) 19. Rxd5 $1 {The knight is a very important defender.
Now the attack on the open files is furious!} Qb4 20. Rd6 Kf8 ({Once more
there is no time to saveguard the king} 20... O-O-O $2 21. Re4 Qa3 22. Rc4+ Bc6
23. Rxd8+ Kxd8 24. Qxg7) 21. Red1 Bc6 $2 {This loses instantly, but
objectively speaking Black was already in bad shape. True, after the most
resilent} (21... Be8 22. Rxe6 Bf7 23. Rd7 Kg8 {[%csl Rg8] Diagram [#] Baadur
had to find the following amazing resource} 24. Rxf7 $3 Kxf7 (24... Rxf7 {is
easier for White after} 25. Rxg6+ Kf8 26. Rh6) 25. Qd5 $3 {Ambush.} Kf8 26. Re4
$3 {A truly remarkable position! The two white heavy pieces dominate the three
black. Spirit rules material. White wins the queen at least. For example} Qa3 (
26... Qc3 27. Rf4+ Ke8 28. Qb5+ Kd8 29. Re4 Rc8 30. Qe8+ Kc7 31. Rc4+ Qxc4 32.
Qe5+) 27. Rf4+ Ke8 28. Ra4 Qf8 29. Re4+ Re7 30. Qb5+ Kf7 31. Rf4+) 22. R1d4 {
Not bad, but there was an instant win.} ({It seems as both the players missed
the important deflection after} 22. Rd8+ Rxd8 23. Rxd8+ Kf7 (23... Be8 24. Qf6+
Rf7 25. Qh8+) (23... Ke7 24. Rd4) 24. a3 $3 {when the queen has to abandon the
f4 square and thus lose the game} (24. c3 {should also do}) 24... Qe7 ({Or
mate after} 24... Qxa3 25. Qf4+ Ke7 26. Qf8#) 25. Qf4+ Qf6 26. Rf8+ $1 Kxf8 27.
Qxf6+ {and White wins.}) 22... Qb5 23. Rd8+ $2 {Lets the win slip away.} (23.
Qxe6 $1 {kept tremendous attack, say} Qg5 24. h4 Qe7 25. Qc4) 23... Rxd8 24.
Rxd8+ Ke7 25. Qd6+ Kf6 26. Qd4+ {Diagram [#]} Kf7 $4 {The culmination of the
battle and the last mistake. Shakh became once more overambitious and
blundered checkmate.} (26... Ke7 $1 {was mandatory when White can repeat the
moves} 27. Qd6+ ({Or try} 27. a4 {which should also lead to some perpetual
after} Qf5 28. Qd6+ Kf6 29. Rf8+ Rf7 30. Qd8+ Kg7 31. Rg8+ Kh6 32. Rh8+ Kg7 ({
But not} 32... Rh7 33. h4 $3 {when the black king is once again surrounded} Qf7
34. Rg8 $1 Rg7 35. Rf8 {Oh wait, was that the queen?}) 33. Rg8+ $11)) 27. Qf4+
Ke7 {An epic battle of two of the most creative players of our time!} ({And
not waiting to see the mate, Shakh resigned.} 27... Ke7 28. Qf8#) 1-0

Report.

Exciting Draw as a Desert

The Tashkent Grand Prix brought a lot of joy and excitement for the chess fans all over the world.
This game from the last round was a sweet finish of the event:

[Event "FIDE Grand Prix Tashkent 2014-15"]
[Site "Tashkent"]
[Date "2014.11.02"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Jobava, Baadur"]
[Black "Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A70"]
[WhiteElo "2717"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2014.??.??"]
[EventCountry "UZB"]

{For the first and last time in this tournament we are going to break the
tradition and analyze a draw game instead of a decisive one.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4
c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 {In the decisive round Mamedyarov pays a
tribute to his great compatriot Vugar Gashimov. The Benoni took key part in
Vugar's opening repertoire and it is quite likely the two Azeri Super-GMs have
studied the opening together.} ({Still, the choice of the opening should have
been a surprise for Baadur, as I have found only one game in the database
where Shakhriyar chose the Snake Benoni} 5... Bd6) 6. e4 ({Rather surprisingly,
the Benoni is a rare guest in Jobava's games. He had tried here the rare lines
after} 6. Nf3 g6 7. Bg5 ({And also} 7. Qa4+)) 6... g6 7. Nf3 Bg7 8. h3 {This
time the sharp modern line was chosen by Jobava.} O-O 9. Bd3 b5 10. Nxb5 Nxe4
$5 {Many sources consider this option tempting, but inferior. This evaluation
might reconsidered after the game.} ({Vugar Gashimov preferred instead the
main line} 10... Re8 11. O-O Nxe4 12. Re1 a6 13. Na3 Nf6 14. Rxe8+ Nxe8 $11 {
Karjakin,S (2721)-Gashimov,V (2730) Baku 2009}) 11. Bxe4 Re8 12. Ng5 Qa5+ 13.
Nc3 Ba6 {Black sacrificed a whole piece but managed to keep the opponent's
king in the center. The white pieces are rather lose as well and various
threats, like teh simple pawn pushes h7-h6 and f7-f5 are in the air.} 14. Bd2
Nd7 $1 {Development above all! Bad is:} (14... h6 15. Ne6 $1 fxe6 16. dxe6 Rxe6
17. Qg4 $16) ({and} 14... f5 15. Ne6 fxe4 16. Nxe4 $16) 15. Qc2 Rab8 $1 {Once
again Shakh neglects the material in favour of the pure energy.} ({A tempting
alternative is} 15... Ne5 16. O-O-O f5 17. f4 Nc4 18. Bd3 Nxb2 $1 19. Kxb2 {
Diagram [#] in conjunction with the computer blow} Re3 $3 $146 {[%csl Rb2,Yc3,
Yd3][%cal Rg7a1,Ra5c3,Rb8b1,Re3d3] None has ever tested this in over the board
game and it is definitely worth analyzes!} ({Instead} 19... Bxd3 20. Qxd3 $18 {
left Black with no counterplay in Murali Krishnan,B (2412)-Turov,M (2624)
Mumbai 2010}) {The key idea of the line is} 20. Bxe3 Rb8+ 21. Kc1 Qa3+ 22. Kd2
Rb2) ({Once again regaining the piece seems insufficient} 15... f5 16. Ne6 fxe4
17. Nxe4 Qb6 18. Bc3 Bh6 19. Bd2 Ne5 20. Bxh6 Qb4+ 21. Bd2 {1-0 (21) Ulibin,M
(2523)-Munoz Pantoja,M (2459) Montcada 2013}) 16. O-O-O Ne5 {This whole line
was mentioned in a recent book on the Benoni by GM Petrov. The eveluation is
clear plus for White on the account of the game below.} 17. Rhe1 $146 {[%csl
Ye8][%cal Ge1e8] Diagram [#] The most natural move is a novelty. "I understood
that Shakhriyar is very well prepared and decided to play safe"- Jobava.} ({
The only predecessor saw:} 17. Na4 Qd8 18. Rde1 f5 19. f4 fxe4 20. fxe5 Bd3 21.
Qd1 Bxe5 {and eventhough White managed to win later it is quite obvious that
Black has at least clear compensation for the piece, Bern,I (2590)-Olafsson,H
(2545) Sweden 1994}) 17... Rec8 $1 {The idea is to meet the threat Nc3-a4 with
the next move.} ({The main problem for Black now is that he cannot play
actively with the knight} 17... Nc4 18. Bd3 Rxe1 19. Rxe1 Rxb2 20. Re8+ Bf8 21.
Qxb2 (21. Qa4 $1 {looks also very strong.}) 21... Nxb2 22. Bxa6 {and both the
players agreed that White has too much material for the queen.}) 18. Na4 Rb4 $1
{"I was chocked when you played this as I thought I was winning" said Baadur
to his opponent at the press conference. "Yes, but after..."} 19. f4 {"The
only move"-Shakh.} Nc4 20. Bf5 $1 {[%csl Rf7,Rh7][%cal Rf5c8,Yc2f5,Rf5f7,Rf5h7]
Diagram [#] "I remembered somehing- my analyzes", said Shakh. "Now White is
either winning, or losing."} ({One of the lines where White is losing arises
after the natural capture-} 20. Bxb4 $2 cxb4 21. Bd3 b3 $1 22. axb3 Bxb2+ $1
23. Nxb2 Qa1+ 24. Qb1 Na3+ $19) 20... Rcb8 {This time this is an only move for
Black.} ({Bad is} 20... gxf5 21. Qxf5 Qxa4 22. Qxf7+ Kh8 23. Bc3 {as it is
White who is mating.}) ({And also} 20... Nxd2 21. Bxc8 $18 {wins simply for
White.}) 21. Bxb4 Qxb4 22. a3 (22. Qb3 $5 gxf5 (22... Bb5 23. Qxb4 cxb4 24. Bc2
$18) 23. Qxb4 (23. Re7 Bb5 24. Nc3 Nxb2 25. Qxb4 cxb4 26. Nxb5 Nxd1 27. Nxd6
Bf8 28. Rxa7 Bxd6 29. Kxd1 Bxf4 30. Nxf7) 23... cxb4 {[%cal Ga6b5] followed by
Ba6-b5. "I did not like this as the bishop on g7 is very strong"- Jobava.} 24.
Re7 Bb5 25. Rxa7 Bxa4 26. Rxa4 Nxb2 27. Ra6 (27. Ra7)) 22... Nxa3 $1 {Missed
by Jobava.} ({White was hoping for} 22... Qa5 {although it seems as the
players were seeing ghosts in the post mortem-} 23. Bd3 $2 ({Probably White
should go for the wild complications after} 23. b3 Nxa3 24. Qd2 Qb5 25. Qe3
gxf5 26. Nxf7 Qxa4 $5 27. Nh6+ (27. bxa4 Rb1+ 28. Kd2 Rb2+ 29. Kc1 Rc2#) 27...
Bxh6 28. Qg3+ Kf7 29. Re7+ Kxe7 30. Qh4+ Kd7 31. bxa4 {when nothing is clear
as usual in this game.}) 23... Nxb2 24. Nxb2 Qxa3 ({None of them mentioned the
simple move} 24... Bxb2+ {after which it is Black who is winning} 25. Qxb2 Rxb2
26. Kxb2 Bxd3 27. Re8+ {or else the rook on e1 is hanging} Kg7 28. Rxd3 Qb5+ $1
{[%csl Rd3,Re8][%cal Rb5d3,Rb5e8]}) 25. Bxa6 Bc3 26. Rd3 {and even in this
line White is not winning, say} Qa1+ 27. Qb1 Bxb2+ 28. Kc2 Qa4+ 29. Kd2 Bc3+
30. Kxc3 Rxb1 31. Rxb1 Qxa6 {the active queen is capable of miracles when the
opponent's king is not safe.}) 23. bxa3 Qxa3+ ({Better than} 23... Qxf4+ 24.
Rd2 (24. Qd2 $2 Qxa4) 24... Qxg5 25. Bd3 c4 26. Bxc4 Rc8 (26... Qg3 $5 {is
still unclear!}) 27. Bxa6 Rxc2+ 28. Kxc2 {with the idea} Qh4 $2 29. Re8+ $18)
24. Kd2 Qg3 $1 {"Once that I found this move I thought it is great for me. I
have no rook, no knight, but that is OK!"- Mamedyarov.} 25. Rb1 $1 {Baadur
trades the active black rook and saves the game.} (25. Re4 gxf5 $19) 25...
Qxf4+ 26. Kd1 Rxb1+ 27. Qxb1 Qd4+ 28. Kc1 Qf4+ 29. Kd1 gxf5 {Shakh tries his
last chance for a win.} ({The Azeri GM did not like the endgame after} 29...
Qxa4+ 30. Qc2 Qd4+ 31. Qd2 Qxd2+ $6 ({Here too Black can force a draw if he
likes} 31... Qa1+ 32. Qc1 Qd4+ $11) 32. Kxd2 gxf5 33. Re8+ Bf8 34. Nxh7 $16)
30. Re8+ Bf8 {Diagram [#]} 31. Nxc5 $1 {Once more a very precise decision.} ({
The position remains equal after} 31. Rxf8+ Kxf8 32. Ne6+ fxe6 33. Qb8+ Kg7 34.
Qxa7+ Kf6 35. Qxa6 Qd4+ 36. Ke1 Qxd5 37. Nc3 $11 {but it is definitely much
easier to play here as Black!}) 31... Qd4+ 32. Kc1 Qxc5+ 33. Qc2 Qg1+ 34. Qd1
Qc5+ 35. Qc2 Qg1+ 36. Qd1 Qxg2 {The last try.} 37. Qh5 (37. Nxh7 Kxh7 38. Rxf8
Qxh3 39. Rxf7+ Kg6 {would be once more easier to play as Black albeit drawish.}
) 37... Qg1+ {And due to the mating threats Black is forced to give the
perpetual. One of those draws we would be happy to see more often!} 1/2-1/2

Congratulations to Dmitry Andreikin for the clear win of the event!

Time Trouble

The ninth round of the Tashkent Grand Prix saw more exciting chess with two black wins. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov was quite lucky to turn the tables in his favour against Dmitry Jakovenko:

[Event "Tashkent FIDE GP"]
[Site "Tashkent UZB"]
[Date "2014.10.31"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Jakovenko, D."]
[Black "Mamedyarov, S."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A04"]
[WhiteElo "2747"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2014.10.20"]

1. Nf3 {In this game Mamedyarov surprised his opponent with the Dutch defense.
One should be looking forward to those surprises at a top level. Especially
after the free days!} f5 {"It is the second time in my life that I play 1...f5.
I just wanted to play chess." Mamedyarov} 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 g6 4. b4 d6 5. d4 Bg7
6. Bb2 {However, it seems as something went wrong with Shakh's preparation as
after the game he called his next move a mistake} e5 $6 7. dxe5 Nfd7 8. Bg2
dxe5 ({Probably the lesser eveil for the second player is} 8... Nc6 9. Qb3
Ndxe5 10. Nxe5 dxe5 $14 {Kovalyov,A (2599)-Mastrovasilis,A (2539) Leros 2010})
9. O-O Qe7 {Diagram [#]} 10. e4 $1 $146 {A powerful novelty which Jakovenko
found over the board.} ({Black hoped he will have time to play e5-e4 himself,
for example} 10. Nc3 c6 11. b5 e4 $132 {Gagliardi,V (2034)-Fister,B (2235)
ICCF email 2008}) 10... O-O ({Black suggested the following line at the press
conference as advantageous for White} 10... f4 11. gxf4 (11. Ba3 $1 {also
looks fine as} O-O 12. b5 Nc5 13. Qd5+ {loses a piece for Black.}) 11... exf4
12. Bxg7 Qxg7 13. e5 $16) (10... Qxb4 $2 {would be horrible and will give a
chance to Shakh to become part of the miniature textbooks} 11. Ba3 Qxc4 12.
exf5 {and if Black is still greedy the game might rapidly finish} gxf5 13. Ng5
$1 Nf6 ({There is also the fancy line} 13... h5 14. Bd5 Qa6 15. Bf7+ Kd8 16.
Ne6+) 14. Re1 $18 {with decisive attack in the center, say} e4 15. Nd2 Qa6 16.
Ndxe4 $1 fxe4 17. Bxe4 {[%csl Ge4,Re8][%cal Ge1e8,Gd1d8,Ga3f8,Gg5f7,Ge4g6,
Ge4c6] Diagram [#]}) 11. b5 $1 {Energetic play! Jakovenko will tie up the
black pieces before they wake up from the slumber.} Nc5 12. Nc3 Be6 13. Nd5 Qd6
14. Ng5 $16 {"It is very bad", repeated Mamedyarov, shaking his head.} Nbd7 15.
Ba3 Bf7 {A critical moment.} ({Black wanted to play} 15... Rae8 {but did not
like the lines after} 16. exf5 gxf5 {is even worse} (16... Bxf5 17. g4 $1 Bd3 (
17... Be6 18. Ne4 $1 {[%csl Rd6] Diagram [#] curiously traps the queen in the
middle of the board.}) 18. Qxd3 Nxd3 19. Bxd6 cxd6 {with big advantage for
White as he wins at least a pawn after} 20. Ne4 Re6 21. Rad1 Nb2 22. Nc7 $16)
17. Qh5 h6 18. Nxe6 Rxe6 (18... Qxe6 19. Nxc7) 19. Rad1 $18) 16. Qc2 {A good
move with the idea Ra1-d1, but it gives some time to Black to catch his breath
up.} (16. exf5 $1 {would have increased White's advantage. The timely capture
on f5 is a common theme in both the KID and the Dutch. It is curious to know
what did the former European champion Jakovenko miss in this line. White is
most likely winning after} gxf5 17. Ne3 $1 {Mamedyarov} Qxd1 18. Raxd1 {with
the threats Ne3xf5, Bg2xb7, Ng5-e6, Bg2-d5 and maybe five more that I am
missing.} e4 19. Nxf5 Bxc4 20. Nxg7 Bxf1 21. Rxf1 Kxg7 22. Nxe4 b6 (22... Nxe4
23. Bxf8+) 23. Nxc5 Nxc5 24. Bxa8 Rxa8 25. Bxc5 bxc5 26. Rc1 $18) 16... c6 17.
Nb4 a5 {Now the games follows a forced line.} 18. Rad1 ({The computer suggests
} 18. Na6 $5 bxa6 19. Rad1 Qf6 20. bxc6 Qxc6 (20... Qxg5 21. cxd7 Qe7 22. exf5
$16) 21. exf5 e4 22. Nxe4 Nxe4 23. Bxe4 Qc7 24. Bd6 Qa7 25. Bxf8 Rxf8 26. fxg6
hxg6 27. Bxg6 $16 {and if this was played during the game I suggest that we
replace the human players with computers for the next cycle.}) 18... Qf6 19.
Nd3 Qxg5 ({Clearly worse is} 19... Nxd3 20. Rxd3 Qxg5 21. Rxd7 $18) 20. Nxc5
Nxc5 21. Bxc5 {Black managed to trade the horses but his position remains
unpleasant. White can push for the win without any risk. Unfortunately for the
Russian player, he got into time trouble.} Rfd8 $5 {Lures the bishop on the
less active b6 square.} ({After} 21... Rfc8 22. Rd7 $1 cxb5 23. Be7 Qh5 24. c5
$16 {White's clearly better due to the miscoordinated black pieces.}) 22. Bb6
Rdc8 23. exf5 $6 {Seven moves ago this was winning, now it lets the advantage
slip away. Chess that is...} (23. Rd7 $1 {Diagram [#] suggested by Shakhriyar
was best. He also showed the principled line} cxb5 24. c5 $1 Be8 {this is what
he wanted to play but Black is not doing great at all} (24... f4 25. Rxb7 Bc4
26. Rd1 Rab8 27. Rxb8 Rxb8 28. a4 $1 {wins for White.}) ({As does also} 24...
Bc4 25. exf5 Bxf1 26. Kxf1 $18 {and Black is helpless.}) 25. Rxb7 Bc6 {Here
Mamedyarov was not sure about the line} 26. Qb3+ ({But instead} 26. exf5 $1
Bxg2 27. Kxg2 Qxf5 28. Qb3+ Kh8 29. Qd5 {is huge advatage for White}) 26... Kh8
27. Rf7) 23... Qxf5 24. Be4 {Surprisingly the most natural move is inaccuracy.
It is interesting to see how differently the two players were evaluating the
position. Jakovenko thoought that he might be already worse, while Mamedyarov
stated that after his next move he is OK.} (24. Qxf5 gxf5 25. bxc6 bxc6 26. Rc1
Ra6 27. Bc5 Bf8 {with chances for a draw was suggested at the press conference.
}) (24. Rd2 $5 {was still leaving White somewhat better} Qxc2 25. Rxc2) 24...
Qe6 $11 25. bxc6 bxc6 26. c5 {In the time trouble Jakovenko tries to force a
draw, but this is very hard task against the mischievous Mamedyarov.} (26. Rc1
{was safer} Bh6 27. Be3 Bxe3 28. fxe3 $11) 26... Qxa2 27. Qxa2 Bxa2 28. Rd6 Bc4
29. Rb1 $2 {This is the actual mistake!} (29. Ra1 Bb5 30. Rxa5 Rxa5 31. Bxa5
Bf8 32. Re6 {was sugegsted by Mamedyarov at the press conference and he added
that the rook is not trapped after} ({White can aslo defend with} 32. Rd2 Bxc5
33. Bc3 Re8 34. Bc2) 32... Kf7 33. Rxe5 Bg7 ({In this line the Azeri GM missed
the geometrical motif} 33... Ra8 $1 {when the white bishop will have to stand
on the same diagonal with the bishop sooner or later} 34. Bd2 (34. Bb4 Ra4 35.
Bc3 Rc4 36. Bb2 Bg7 $19) (34. Bc3 Bg7) (34. Be1 Ra1 35. Bf3 Bg7 36. Re3 Bd4 37.
Re4 Bc3 $19) 34... Bg7 35. Rg5 Bh6 {still, it is hard to say if Black can win
this after the counter trick} 36. Rxg6 $5 Bxd2 37. Rd6 Bb4 38. Bxc6 Ra1+ 39.
Kg2 Bf1+ 40. Kf3 Bxc5 41. Bd5+ $17) 34. Rg5 {but if we continue the line with
the move} Be2 {we shall see that White's problems are still there. The rook is
not feeling comfortable at all, pour some zeitnot to that and you know how it
feels.}) 29... a4 $19 {Now the a passer is obviously much stronger than the c
one.} 30. Rxc6 a3 31. Rxc8+ (31. Rd6 {was suggested by Shakh as a last chance
for his adversary, but Black should win that too} a2 32. Ra1 Ra4 {with teh
idea to clear the diagonal for the dark-squared bishop.}) 31... Rxc8 32. c6 a2
33. Ra1 Bf8 34. c7 Bd6 35. Bb7 {Diagram [#]} Bxc7 $1 {The last finesse.} ({
Jakovenko was hoping for} 35... Rxc7 36. Bxc7 Bxc7 37. Be4 {followed by
Be4-b1! and chances for a draw.}) 36. Bxc8 Bxb6 {White loses the rook and
resigned. Jakovenko got big advantage out of the opening. He missed to
increase it by opening the position and then let it all slip away in the time
trouble.} 0-1

Shakhriyar is now sharing the second place with Nakamura. A sole leader is Dmitry Andreikin who won also with the black pieces to the former co-leader Baadur Jobava. Standings.

Exciting Draw in Round Four

All the games ended peacefully in round four of the Tashkent Grand Prix which does not necessarily mean that there was no show for the spectators.

[Event "Tashkent FIDE GP"]
[Site "Tashkent UZB"]
[Date "2014.10.24"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Mamedyarov, S."]
[Black "Nakamura, Hi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D31"]
[WhiteElo "2764"]
[BlackElo "2764"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2014.10.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 {Invention of Tigran Petrosian. He used this move
to avoid Botvinnik's plan with Ng1-e2, followed by f2-f3 and e3-e4 with strong
central play. The sixth world champion used this plan to defeat Paul Keres in
1952. After 3...Be7 Black usually expects 4.Nf3} 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bf4 {However
White can also vary his play.} c6 6. e3 Bf5 {If White does not like the b1-d3
diagonal, Black will gladly occupy it.} 7. g4 {The most dangerous plan.} ({The
swap of the light-squared bishops is clearly favorable for Black as he has
most of his pawns on light squares.} 7. Bd3 Bxd3 8. Qxd3 $11) 7... Be6 {This
position was tested three times in the Botvinnik-Petrosian match. White tried
both 8.h2-h3 and 8.Bf1-h3. Mamedyarov chooses a third option} 8. h4 ({After} 8.
h3 $5 {White's plan is to play Bd3, Qc2, Nge2, 0-0-0.}) 8... Nd7 9. h5 Nh6 10.
Be2 Nb6 11. Nh3 g5 12. hxg6 hxg6 13. Be5 $5 $146 {[%csl Rf4][%cal Gh3f4,Ge5h8]
Diagram [#] A very sharp and unexpected move.} ({It is funny that Nakamura
used this line himself to defeat Levon Aronian three years ago. In this game
he made a novelty} 13. Bg3 $146 Qd7 ({which none else dared to repeat that far
as after} 13... Nxg4 $3 14. Bxg4 Qd7 {Black is actually better (suggested by
Romain Edouard).}) 14. Nf4 O-O-O 15. Nxe6 {Nakamura,H (2753)-Aronian,L (2807)
Sao Paulo/Bilbao 2011}) (13. f3 Bh4+ {[%cal Gg6g5,Gf7f5] followed by ...g5 and
...f5 is usually played.}) 13... f6 {Forced.} ({Bad is} 13... Rh7 14. Nf4 Nd7
15. Nxe6 fxe6 16. Bg3 $16) 14. Nf4 $1 {The point behind Mamedyarov's previous
move.} fxe5 15. Nxg6 Rg8 $6 {Taken by surprise Nakamura decided to sacrifice a
pawn.} (15... Rh7 {will be the critical test for the whole line.}) 16. Nxe7
Qxe7 17. Rxh6 e4 ({Black needs to close the center.} 17... exd4 $6 18. Qxd4 $16
{will add positional advantage to the extra pawn.}) 18. a4 {[%csl Ya7,Yb6,Yb7,
Re8] Diagram [#] Shakhriyar got tempted by a queenside attack.} ({The critical
point of the battle. White missed the nice regrouping} 18. Kd2 $1 O-O-O 19. Qg1
$1 {The queen is coming quickly in the game} Rg7 20. Qg3 Rdg8 21. Qe5 $16 {
[%csl Ge5,Gh6] with powerful centralization and clear edge for White.}) 18...
Nd7 {The knight is moving to a better square.} 19. Qb3 ({Black is also
gradually equalizing in case of} 19. a5 Nf6 ({Not} 19... O-O-O $2 20. a6 b6 21.
Qa4 $16) 20. a6 b6 21. Qa4 Bd7 22. O-O-O O-O-O ({It is too early to regain the
pawn} 22... Nxg4 $2 23. Bxg4 Rxg4 24. Rh8+) 23. Rg1 Rg5 {and after some
further preparation the pawn on g4 will disappear.}) 19... Nf6 20. Rc1 $5 {The
best practical chance.} Bxg4 {Once again Hikaru is very precise.} (20... O-O-O
$6 21. a5 Nxg4 22. Bxg4 Rxg4 23. Ne2 $5 ({or} 23. a6 b6 24. Qa4 Qe8 25. Ne2 {
will be definitely more pleasant for White to play.})) 21. Rxf6 $1 {[%csl Ya7,
Yb7] Diagram [#] This is what the previous play was all about.} Qxf6 22. Qxb7
Rd8 23. Qxa7 {For the exchange White has two pawns and some initiative. The
problem is that his king is not perfectly safe neither.} Rf8 24. Nd1 Bxe2 25.
Kxe2 Qd6 {Nakamura takes measures against the white pawns.} 26. Rc5 Rb8 27. Qa5
Kd7 28. Qc3 Ra8 29. a5 Rfb8 30. b4 Rb5 {Now that the pawns are stopped it is
time for some trades.} 31. Rxb5 cxb5 32. Qc5 {Diagram [#]} Rc8 $1 {Once that
the black pieces get freedom it is only White who needs to be careful.} ({
There is no need to allow another defended passer.} 32... Qxc5 $6 33. dxc5) 33.
Qxb5+ Ke6 34. a6 $1 {Mamedyarov forces a draw.} (34. Qb7 $2 {is playing with
fire} Rc2+ 35. Kf1 Qh2 36. Qa6+ Ke7 37. Ke1 Qc7 {with the idea Rc2-c1 and
Qc7-c3 leads to powerful attack for Black.}) 34... Ra8 (34... Rc2+ 35. Ke1 Qh2
36. Qe8+ {will force perpetual check.}) ({As will} 34... Ra8 35. a7 Rxa7 36.
Qe8+ $11) 1/2-1/2

Complete report.