Chinese Perfection-Part 2

After Hou Yifan's inspired win Wijk an Zee witnessed another Chinese precision in round five. Thanks to this win, Ding Liren moved to a shared first place:

[Event "Tata Steel Chess - Masters"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2016.01.21"]
[Round "5.5"]
[White "Ding, Liren"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2766"]
[BlackElo "2769"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "0:55:52"]
[BlackClock "0:42:34"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 {Diagram [#] Karjakin repertoire is a solid
Nimtzo-Queen's Indian openings.} 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Nc3 c6 8.
e4 d5 9. Bd3 ({Grischuk's fabulous idea to sacrifice four pawns in a flash:} 9.
exd5 exd5 10. Bg2 dxc4 11. O-O cxb3 12. Re1 bxa2 13. Ne5 Bb7 14. d5 cxd5 {
did not find followers yet, Grischuk,A (2771)-Fedoseev,V (2659) Baku 2015})
9... dxe4 10. Nxe4 Bb7 11. Qe2 Nbd7 {Black is very solid and intends to swap
off a pair of knights on e4, free his position a bit and prepare c6-c5 for
ultimate leveling of the chances.} 12. O-O-O $146 {[%csl Yc1,Ye8][%cal Gg3g4,
Gh3h4] Diagram [#] But Ding ruins Black's plan for a slow, sleepy game.} ({
Normal play will be} 12. Nxf6+ Nxf6 13. O-O c5 {when Topalov found a way to
complicate matters with} 14. d5 exd5 15. Rfe1 dxc4 16. Bxc4 O-O 17. Rad1 Qd7
18. Ng5 {for the pawn White has plenty of play, Topalov,V (2767)-Leko,P (2737)
Beijing 2013}) 12... Nxe4 13. Bxe4 Nf6 14. Bc2 a5 {The king on the queenside
requires actions.} 15. Rhe1 b5 {[%csl Yc1] Diagram [#] Karjakin tries to
create counter play before castling.} ({There was nothing wrong with} 15... O-O)
16. c5 {The only move. It gives a lot of squares to the black pieces (d5 and
c3 in particular) but at the same time provides stability on the flank. Bad was
} (16. cxb5 a4 $1 {when Black opens too many files against the white king.})
16... b4 17. g4 Ba6 ({White is not even sacrificing the pawn after} 17... Nxg4
18. Rg1) 18. Qe5 O-O ({White is not forced to trade queens after} 18... Qd5 $6
19. Qf4) 19. g5 Nh5 $1 {Diagram [#] Karjakin correctly sacifices a pawn.
White's attack is too strong after} (19... Nd5 20. Qe4 {To force a weakening
move.} g6 21. h4 Bb5 22. h5 {Followed by a timely capture on g6 and doubling
of the heavy piecs along the "h" file and mate. Say} Nc3 23. Bxc3 bxc3 24. hxg6
hxg6 25. Qh4 {[%csl Yg8][%cal Rh1h8] Diagram [#] and it is over.}) 20. Qe4 g6
21. Qxc6 Ra7 22. Be4 {Prepares the d4-d5 advance. From a hinsight better was
the immediate} (22. Qb6 Qxb6 ({White was probably worried about his queen
safety in after} 22... Qa8 $5) 23. cxb6 Rb7 24. Be3 {White's advantage is
clear, for example} Rxb6 (24... Bd8 25. Be4 Rxb6 26. d5 exd5 27. Bxd5 Rb8 28.
Ne5 {[%csl Gd5,Yd8,Ge3,Ge5,Yf8,Yh5] Diagram [#] with huge difference in the
activity of the pieces.}) 25. d5 Rd6 26. Bc5) ({If Ding starts to retreat
Black will get what he wants-} 22. Qe4 Bb7 23. c6 Ba8) 22... Bb7 23. Qb6 $1 {
The only move. Queens should leave the board as if} (23. Qb5 Bxe4 24. Rxe4 a4
$1 {Black will get strong attack along the "a" and "b" files.}) 23... Qxb6 24.
cxb6 Bxe4 25. Rxe4 (25. bxa7 $2 Bxf3) 25... Rb7 26. Be3 Rc8+ $2 {[%cal Gf8f2,
Yc8c1] Diagram [#] It is tempting to put the rook on the open file with a
tempo but this might be the losing mistake! It did great where it was as
proven by the line} (26... Bd8 27. d5 exd5 28. Rxd5 Bxb6 29. Bxb6 Rxb6 30. Rxa5
f6 {[%csl Rf2,Rf3] Diagram [#] and the rook is ready for the harvest on the
"f" file. In this line the most probably outcome would be a draw.}) 27. Kb1
Rxb6 28. d5 $1 Rd6 29. Rd2 Kf8 30. dxe6 Rxe6 31. Rxe6 fxe6 {The result of the
forced play is a cheerless endgame for Karjakin. The main problem is not the
isolated e6 pawn, but the pair of black queenside pawns which are blocked on
the color of their own bishop.} 32. Rc2 $1 {[%csl Ya5,Yb4][%cal Gb1c2,Gc2d3,
Gd3c4,Gc4b5,Gb5a5] Diagram [#] Excellent technique by Ding. The rook is ready
for the decisive penetration.} Rd8 ({Or} 32... Rxc2 33. Kxc2 {followed by a
triumphal king march all the way to b5.}) 33. Nd4 Ng7 (33... Kf7 {would lose
faster to} 34. Rc7) 34. Nc6 Rd1+ 35. Rc1 {Once more White speculates with the
threat of a rook swap to win the decisive tempo.} Rd5 36. Nxe7 $1 {[%csl Ya5,
Yb4,Ge3,Yg7] Diagram [#] Such moves are harder to make than it seems. The
knight was clearly superior to the bishop but the latter was Black's best
defender. Once that it is gone none can save the queenside pawns.} Kxe7 37.
Rc7+ {A small check but once more excellent technique. The king is driven back.
} Kf8 38. Rc5 $1 {Wins the "a" pawn.} Ke7 39. Rxd5 exd5 40. Bb6 Kd6 {A better
try was} (40... Ne6 41. Bxa5 Nxg5 42. Bxb4+ Kd7 43. a4 Nf3 44. h3 Ng1 {Diagram
[#] when Black regains the pawn. The bishop is still clearly superior to the
knight but thanks to the reduced number of pawns left on the board and the
light color of the a8 square Black has decent drawing chances.}) 41. Bxa5 Kc5
42. Bd8 Nf5 {It seems as this is a fortress but with subtle maneuvering Ding
breaks in.} 43. Kc2 Nd4+ 44. Kd3 Nf5 45. Bc7 Kc6 46. Bf4 Kc5 47. Be3+ Kb5 48.
Ke2 $1 {[%csl Yd5,Yg6,Yh7][%cal Ge2f3,Gf3f4,Gf4e5,Ge5f6,Ge5d5] Diagram [#]
Intending Ke2-f3-f4-e5.} Nh4 49. Bd2 Nf5 50. Kf3 Nd4+ 51. Kf4 Nc6 {The last
stand.} 52. Be3 Ka6 53. Bc5 Kb5 54. Bd6 Ka5 $2 {And it is over in just one
move.} ({After} 54... Kb6 55. Ke3 Kb7 56. f4 Kc8 {White still need to prove
his win, which I suspect he can do with either} 57. f5 ({Or} 57. a3 bxa3 58.
Bxa3) 57... gxf5) 55. Ke3 {Karjaking resigned due to} (55. Ke3 Kb5 56. f4 Ka6
57. f5 $1 {Diagram [#]}) 1-0

Report.

Every Tempo Matters

In position with opposite castlings the main question is "Who is faster?" Every tempo counts and the speed of the attack is richly awarded at the end. This is what the Polish GM Dariusz Swiercz managed to prove in round five of the Qatar Chess Masters. In a sharp Gruenfeld the former junior world champion managed to grind down the fearsome Anton Korobov from Ukraine:

[Event "Qatar Masters Open"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.12.24"]
[Round "5.8"]
[White "Korobov, Anton"]
[Black "Swiercz, Dariusz"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2713"]
[BlackElo "2646"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "0:07:01"]
[BlackClock "0:02:29"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 {Diagram [#] A popular move order.} d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5.
e4 Nb6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. Be3 O-O 8. Qd2 Nc6 9. O-O-O Qd6 10. Nb5 {Mamedyarov
introduced this move in the modern practice back in the distant 2004...} ({
White can postpone the jump and go first} 10. Kb1 Rd8 {and only then} 11. Nb5
Qd7 12. d5 a6 13. Nc3 Na5 14. Bd4 {with unclear play in the blitz game Aronian,
L (2784)-Volokitin,A (2639) Berlin 2015}) 10... Qd7 ({Noone had ever tested
the computer move} 10... Qd8) 11. f4 Qe6 {[%csl Ra2][%cal Ge6a2] Diagram [#]
The point behind Black's previous move. He needs to counter attack as quick as
possible.} 12. Nc3 ({With his kingside undeveloped White cannot afford the
McDuck's approach} 12. Nxc7 $2 Qxa2 13. Nxa8 Na5 $1 {[%csl Rb2,Yc1][%cal Ra5b3,
Ra2a1,Rf8c8,Rc8c1,Rb6c4,Rg7b2] Diagram [#] leads to lethal attack for Black.})
12... Nc4 13. Qe2 N6a5 (13... Nxe3 14. Qxe3 {is aslo possible and was tested
in the game Wang Hao-Svidler, Stavanger 2013.}) 14. Bf2 $146 {[%csl Gf2]
Diagram [#] Korobov decided to keep this bishop. Since Black did not take it
on the previous move some players believed that he may never take it.} ({
Afresh example is} 14. Nf3 c5 15. e5 cxd4 16. Nxd4 Qb6 17. Nf5 Nxe3 18. Nxe3
Nc6 19. Ned5 Qd8 20. g3 Be6 21. Bg2 {with advantage for White, Karjakin,S
(2780)-Giri,A (2720) Wijk aan Zee 2013}) 14... c5 {A sharp position occurred.
Both sides castled in different flanks and in these situations the main
question is who is faster. Swiercz tries to open files as early as possible
and he has every right to do so. Even the rough, mechanical calculation
reveals that he is already ahead in the development. The other logical
possibilities are} (14... b5 $5) ({And} 14... Rd8 $5) 15. Nf3 ({Bad is} 15.
dxc5 $2 Bxc3 16. bxc3 Qf6 {[%csl Rc3,Rf4][%cal Rf6c3,Rf6f4] Diagram [#] with
double attack against c3 and f4.}) (15. d5 {fails to impress neither after} Qb6
) ({However, the immediate} 15. e5 {is interesting with the idea to meet} b5 {
with} 16. d5 Qf5 17. g3 {The threat is Bf1-h3 when White wants to make use of
his knight on g1. But Black may pretend that he did not see it and go for} b4 {
when} 18. Bh3 $6 {Bumps into} bxc3 $1 19. Bxf5 $2 cxb2+ 20. Kc2 Bxf5+ 21. Kc3
Rab8 {[%csl Rc3] Diagram [#] and Black wins. Such sharp lines are typical for
positions with open kings.}) 15... b5 16. e5 {Building some barricades seems
more useful at the moment} (16. Kb1 $5 Qa6 17. Qc2) 16... Qa6 ({White would be
happy to close the position after} 16... b4 17. Ne4 b3 18. a3) 17. Ne4 $2 {
[%csl Ya2,Rc1] Diagram [#] It is not that obvious, but White badly needed this
knight in the defense of his king. Correct was} (17. dxc5 Bf5 (17... Bh6 18. g3
Bg4 {is another possibility.}) 18. Nd4 {with unclear play.}) 17... Bf5 $1 {
A cold shower. Instead of defending, Swiercz brings another piece in the
attack.} 18. g4 ({Probably here Korobov realized that on the planned} 18. Nxc5
{Black has the killer} Nb3+ $3 {[%csl Rc1] Diagram [#]} 19. Nxb3 (19. axb3 Qa1#
) 19... Qxa2 20. Rd3 Rac8 {and White has to resign.}) ({White is clearly worse
after both} 18. Kb1 Nc6 $17) ({Or} 18. g3 Nc6 $17) 18... Bxg4 19. Nxc5 {
Now that the bishop is away from the b1-h7 diagonal it seems as White can do
this. But...} Nb3+ $1 {[%csl Ra1,Ra2,Rc1][%cal Ra6a1] Diagram [#] Comes anyway.
} 20. Kb1 {There is no choice} (20. axb3 Qa1+ 21. Kc2 Qxb2+ 22. Kd3 Bf5+ 23.
Ne4 Qxb3#) ({Or} 20. Nxb3 Qxa2 {we do not count.}) 20... Nxc5 21. dxc5 {
The smoke had cleared. Black kept all his active pieces and White has no
defenders of the queenside, nor development. With natural play Swiercz
converts his indisputable advantage.} f6 {[%cal Rg7a1] Diagram [#]} (21... Rad8
{was quite convincing too.}) 22. Rg1 Bh5 23. Qe4 fxe5 24. Bxc4+ bxc4 25. Rd7 ({
Computer claims White's best chance is the endgame after} 25. Nxe5 Bxd1 26.
Rxd1 Rad8 27. Rxd8 Rxd8 28. Qxc4+ Qxc4 29. Nxc4 Kf7 {but Black is obviously
winning here as well.}) 25... Bxf3 26. Qxf3 Qe6 {[%csl Rb2][%cal Ga8b8,Gf8c8,
Rg7b2] Diagram [#]} 27. Rgd1 ({Or} 27. Qg4 {when Black has a pleasant choice
of winning continuations} Rf5 $19 ({And} 27... Qxg4 28. Rxg4 exf4 29. Rxe7 Rab8
$19)) 27... e4 $1 28. Qe2 Rfb8 29. R1d4 c3 $1 {Diagram [#]} ({Even better than
} 29... Bxd4 30. Rxd4 c3 31. b3 Rd8 {which also wins.}) 30. b4 ({In case of}
30. b3 {Swiercz can enjoy another sac on the b3 square} Rxb3+ $1 {[%csl Rb1]
Diagram [#]} 31. axb3 Qxb3+ 32. Kc1 (32. Ka1 c2 $1 $19) 32... Qa3+ 33. Kc2 Qb2+
34. Kd1 Qb1#) 30... Bxd4 31. Rxd4 a5 32. b5 c2+ $1 {[%csl Yb1][%cal Rb8b5,
Re6a2] Diagram [#] It is over.} 33. Qxc2 (33. Kxc2 Qxa2+ 34. Kd1 Qb1+ 35. Kd2
Rxb5 $19) 33... Rxb5+ 34. Kc1 e3 35. Re4 exf2 0-1

Report.

Wesley and the Kingside

It is always a great day for chess when two creative players meet over the board. In Dortmund this happened at round five and the game in question was between Wesley So and Ian Nepomniachtchi:

[Event "43rd GM 2015"]
[Site "Dortmund GER"]
[Date "2015.07.03"]
[Round "5"]
[White "So, W."]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, I."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E60"]
[WhiteElo "2778"]
[BlackElo "2720"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2015.06.26"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 {This Anti-Gruenfeld line is extremely popular
nowadays.} e6 {Diagram [#] A very interesting way to get into another opening.}
4. e4 c5 ({Another Gruenfeld specialists has passion for the original} 4... d5
$5 {One recent example of his saw} 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Nc3 dxe4 7. fxe4 Bb4 8. Bd3
Nxe4 $1 9. Qe2 O-O 10. Bxe4 Re8 {with wild complications in Giri,A (2750)
-Vachier Lagrave,M (2766) Biel 2014}) 5. d5 d6 6. Nc3 {Now the game transposes
into the Benoni.} ({Bogdanovich played instead} 6. Ne2 {against Nepomniachtchi
but failed to impress with opening advantage} Bg7 7. Nec3 Nh5 8. Be3 exd5 9.
cxd5 f5 10. Bb5+ Nd7 11. exf5 gxf5 12. f4 Nhf6 $1 13. O-O Ng4 {and Black was
happy in Bogdanovich,S (2581)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2714) Moscow 2015}) 6... Bg7 7.
Nge2 exd5 8. cxd5 O-O 9. Ng3 a6 {Diagram [#]} ({I have the feeling that the
immediate} 9... h5 {is more accurate. But that is a matter of taste.}) 10. a4
h5 11. Be2 {Most commonly White prefers the move 11.Bg5 in this situation.} ({
One more recent example in this line goes} 11. Bg5 {seems unpleasant for Black,
but he can easily get rid of the bishop, with a tempo} Qc7 12. Be2 Nh7 13. Be3
h4 14. Nf1 f5 15. exf5 gxf5 16. f4 Nf6 17. Bf2 Re8 18. Bxh4 Ne4 19. Ra3 Qa5 {
1/2-1/2 (19) Aronian,L (2770)-Ding,L (2755) Tsaghkadzor 2015}) 11... Qe8 $146 {
Diagram [#] Nepomniachtchi played this novelty in a flash. The queen moves
away from the possible pin on g5.} ({Practically all previous games continued}
11... h4 {Right now, before the knight gets the h1 square! The knight on f1 is
somewhat misplaced while from h1 it easily gets to f2 to overprotect the e4
pawn. One example} 12. Nf1 Nbd7 13. Bg5 h3 14. gxh3 Rb8 15. Ng3 Qb6 {with
counterplay for Black in Ivanchuk,V (2733)-Bacrot,E (2730) Cap d'Agde 2013})
12. Bf4 $1 {So wants to prove that the queen sortie was premature.} ({A
natural reply would be} 12. O-O h4 13. Nh1 Nh5 14. Nf2 {with somewhat better
position for White.}) ({Black's idea is revealed in the line} 12. Bg5 Nh7 13.
Bf4 (13. Be3 f5) 13... h4 14. Nf1 Qe7 {followed by f7-f5 and possibly g6-g5.})
12... Qe7 13. Bg5 Qe8 {Black lost a couple of tempoes, but he intends to take
back one of them with the mauver Nf6-h7. Creativeness is a good thing, but
tempoes are tempoes.} (13... Nbd7 14. Qd2 {is not what Black was hoping for.})
14. Qd2 Nbd7 15. Bh6 $6 {Possibly a bit premature. White had good alternatives
in his disposal. Both} (15. a5 $5) ({and} 15. O-O $5 {lead to slight advantage
to White.}) 15... Qe5 $1 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. Bd3 $6 {So frees the e2 square for
the g3 knight and prevents the unpleasant check on d4. Still, this looks
rather slow.} ({In case of} 17. O-O Qd4+ $1 {[%csl Yc3] Diagram [#]} 18. Qxd4
cxd4 19. Na2 h4 {Black has no problems whatsoever.}) ({Thus} 17. Nf1 {although
as said before the knight is not extremely happy on f2.}) 17... Rb8 {Prepares
the standard b7-b5 break.} (17... h4 18. Nge2 {is also OK for Black.}) 18. Rd1
({Once again White cannot castle due to} 18. O-O Qd4+ 19. Rf2 Ne5 $17) 18...
Re8 19. Be2 {White admits his mistake.} (19. O-O $6 {[%csl Yd3][%cal Re5d4]
Diagram [#] leads to Black's advantage after} Qd4+ 20. Rf2 Ne5 21. Bc2 Qxd2 22.
Rfxd2 Nc4 (22... b5 $1 {might be even better.})) 19... h4 20. Nf1 h3 {
Nepomniachtchi can be happy with his opening idea. He had equalized at least.}
({Safer was} 20... Nh5 21. Ne3 Nf4 $11 {not pushing the "h" pawn too far.}) 21.
g4 b5 22. axb5 axb5 23. Ng3 b4 ({Another way to play the position is} 23... c4
$5 24. b4 ({Or} 24. f4 Qe7 25. g5 Nh7 26. O-O Nc5 27. e5 dxe5 28. d6 Qb7 {with
huge complications.}) 24... cxb3 {with counterplay.}) 24. Na4 {If anything,
White will get some time to finish his development.} Ra8 25. b3 Ba6 {And Black
is also happy to trade his light-squared bishop. All in all the position
remains balanced.} 26. Bxa6 Rxa6 27. O-O {[%cal Ge1g1] Diagram [#] White
catsles on move 27! His plan is to attack on the kingside, while Black should
look for a way to get counter-play on the other wing.} Rea8 28. f4 Qe7 $6 {The
first inaccuracy by Black in this game.} ({Strong was to get into an endgame
and to kill any kingside attack before it had even started} 28... Qd4+ $1 {
However in the line} 29. Qxd4 cxd4 30. g5 (30. Rxd4 Nxg4 $17) 30... Ng4 31.
Rxd4 Nc5 32. Nxc5 ({Safer is} 32. Rxb4 Nxb3 33. Rxb3 Rxa4 34. Rb2 Ra2 {
although here too Black has more than enough for the pawn and does not risk to
lose.}) {Black had to foresee the fantastic resource} 32... Ra2 $3 {[%csl Ra2,
Yg1][%cal Ra2g2,Rg2h2] Diagram [#] after which White has no salvation!} 33. Na4
Rg2+ 34. Kh1 Rxh2+ 35. Kg1 Rg2+ 36. Kh1 Rxg3 {with winning position for Black.}
) 29. Qe2 Nh7 30. Rf3 {So nicely regroups his forces and is ready to pick up
the h3 pawn.} (30. g5 $5 {not to allow the queen on h4 was perhaps better.})
30... Qh4 31. Kh1 $3 {[%csl Yg7,Yh4][%cal Rg1g7] Diagram [#] A crafty move
which White should have foreseen in advance. Black is in trouble and the lack
of time on his clock does not help him find the best moves.} c4 $2 {Not the
most optimal decision. So is happy to see the "g" file opened for his rooks.} (
{The pawn on g4 is poisoned} 31... Qxg4 32. Nf5+ $1 gxf5 33. Rg3 {as the queen
will be lost.}) ({If Black moves the king out of the check} 31... Kg8 {White
will simply continue with his attack} 32. Rg1 $1 {as} Qxg4 33. Nf5 $1 {is once
more crushing for him} Qh5 34. Qf1 $1 {and White wins.}) (31... Nb6 $1 {[%csl
Yd1][%cal Ra8a1] Diagram [#] was mandatory to open the "a" file asap and to
find counterplay along it. For example} 32. Nxb6 Rxb6 33. Rg1 Rba6 34. g5 Ra2
35. Qf1 Ra1 (35... Rc2) 36. Qxa1+ Rxa1 37. Rxa1 Qg4 {with counterplay.}) 32.
Qxc4 Qxg4 33. Qd3 Kf8 ({It is already late to open the file} 33... Nc5 34. Nxc5
({But not} 34. Qd4+ $2 Nf6 35. Nxc5 $4 Qxf3+ 36. Kg1 Qg2#) 34... dxc5 35. Rg1
Ra1 36. Nf1 $1 Qh4 37. e5 {is huge advantage for White.}) 34. Rg1 Rxa4 {
Desperation. Or else White will mount further pressure with} (34... Nhf6 35.
Qf1) 35. bxa4 Nc5 36. Qe3 Rxa4 37. Nf5 $1 {[%csl Yg4] Diagram [#] White wins
the queen and the game.} gxf5 ({The black queen is trapped after} 37... Qh5 38.
Rxh3) ({White the tricky} 37... Ra1 {is met by} 38. Rfg3 $1 (38. Rxa1 $4 Qg2#)
38... Rxg1+ 39. Rxg1 Qh5 40. Nxd6 {with a win.}) 38. Rxg4 fxg4 39. Rf1 Nf6 40.
e5 Nfe4 41. f5 $1 {Diagram [#] The time control is over and So energetically
wrpas up the game.} Ra2 (41... dxe5 42. Qh6+ Ke7 43. f6+ Kd6 44. Qf8+ Kxd5 45.
Qxf7+ $18) 42. e6 g3 43. hxg3 Ke8 44. g4 h2 45. Qh3 f6 46. g5 Nxg5 47. Qh8+ Ke7
48. Qg7+ Ke8 49. Qxf6 {Diagram [#]} 1-0

Report.

Magnus Grabs the Lead

Round five of the Gashimov Memorial was crucial for the leaders. Wesley So suffered his first loss to the former world champion Vishy Anand who showed his best chess so far in Azerbaijan. In the meanwhile the reigning champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway produced a real masterpiece to take the sole lead. His opponent in this game Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France also appreciated the greatness of the game and did not look too disappointed at the end of it. Instead the two players spend a lot of time analyzing the game at a press-conference full of benevolence and positivness.

[Event "Shamkir Chess"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.04.21"]
[Round "5.3"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Vachier-Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2762"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "0:15:45"]
[BlackClock "0:41:19"]

1. Nf3 {Magnus Carlsen managed to get his opponent away from his beloved
Gruenfeld early in the opening.} Nf6 2. g3 b5 3. Bg2 ({The two players spent a
lot of time analyzing some interesting possibilities after} 3. c3 e6 4. Qb3 {
an idea typical for the Sokolsky opening with colors reversed} a6 5. a4 Bb7 6.
axb5 Bd5 {an old trick, said Carlsen} 7. Qc2 (7. c4 $2 Bxc4 $1 {this is the
point} 8. Qxc4 axb5 $17) 7... axb5 8. Rxa8 Bxa8 9. Qb3 Bxf3 10. exf3 c6 {with
about equal position.}) 3... Bb7 4. Na3 {Diagram [#] A fresh position arose on
move number four!} a6 ({The immediate} 4... b4 {was also possible when after}
5. Nc4 a5 6. d3 {[%cal Ge2e4] "I liked my knight on c4" (Carlsen)}) 5. c4 b4 {
"I decided to play b5-b4 as in the QID the knight is not very well placed on
c2"(Vachier-Lagrave), "Yeah, but then you have to waste a lot of moves"
(Carlsen)} (5... e5 {was teh othe rmove that the two players analyzed. They
had a lot of fun in the arising original lines with Carlsen appologizing at
the end that they are wasting the time of the journalists.} 6. O-O e4 7. Nd4 (
7. Nh4 d5 8. cxd5 Qxd5 9. d3 g5 {Diagram [#]} 10. Nf3 $5) 7... d5 8. d3 (8.
cxb5) 8... c5 9. Nf5 g6 10. Ne3 d4 11. Nd5 Nxd5 12. Bxe4 Bg7 {with equality.})
6. Nc2 e6 ({It is somewhat surpring but this has already been seen before in a
total of 26 games. Here is a recent one} 6... c5 7. O-O e6 8. d4 cxd4 9. Ncxd4
$14 {Efimenko,Z (2648)-Moiseenko,A (2707) Dubai 2014}) 7. d4 a5 {The players
agreed that White is somewhat better after} (7... Be7 8. a3 bxa3 9. b3 $14) 8.
O-O Be7 9. d5 Na6 10. Nfd4 Nc5 11. Re1 $146 {[%cal Ge2e4] Diagram [#] Only
this is a novelty. White prepares e2-e4.} ({Another recent game saw} 11. dxe6
fxe6 12. Bxb7 Nxb7 13. Bf4 O-O 14. Nb5 Ne8 15. e4 {with slight edge for White,
Neiksans,A (2559)-Kulaots,K (2563) Wroclaw 2014}) 11... O-O {Carlsen was
surprised that his opponent allowed the move e2-e4 that easily and suggested
instead} (11... Nfe4 12. f3 (12. Nb3 Nxb3 13. axb3 Nc5 14. e4 e5) 12... Nd6 13.
e4 O-O (13... Nxc4) 14. b3 e5 {with a better version to what had happened in
the game later.}) 12. e4 e5 ({Maybe} 12... d6 13. dxe6 Nfxe4 {but this is what
I was unhappy about (Vachier)} 14. Qg4 Nf6 15. Qe2 $16) 13. Nf5 d6 14. Bg5 $1 {
[%csl Yg5][%cal Rf6d5] Diagram [#] A wonderful positional sacrifice of a pawn.}
({The immediate} 14. f4 {is also possible but less appealing to the world
champion} Nfd7 15. Nxe7+ Qxe7 16. f5 c6 {"too many loose ends, should be OK
for Black" (Carlsen)}) 14... Nxd5 {Vachier decided to bite the bullet. "So
Magnus, you were considering this move?" asked the jounalist and WGM Elmira
Mirzoeva. "I am capable of missing it, but not today..."(Carlsen)} (14... Bc8
15. Nce3 h6 16. Bh4 {looks terrible for Black (Carlsen)}) 15. Bh6 $1 {The
point of White's sacrifice. In return for the pawn he will ruin the black
castle and cement the knight on the wonderful outpost on f5. He will also
dominate on the light squares.} gxh6 16. Qg4+ (16. cxd5 Kh8 17. Qh5 {also
looks fun for White.}) 16... Bg5 17. cxd5 Kh8 18. h4 $1 {[%csl Yg5][%cal Gg2h3,
Yg4f3,Gh3g4,Gg4h5,Gc2e3] Diagram [#] The beginning of a nice regroupment on
the light squares that clearifies the situation.} Bf6 19. Nce3 Bc8 20. Qf3 Bg7
21. Bh3 $1 Rg8 22. Bg4 Qf6 23. Bh5 {With the bishop coming out all the white
pieces stand nicely. Now he can think of including the rooks into the battle.}
Bxf5 24. Nxf5 c6 {"If you do not play this then you will lose at some moment
because of the rook coming on f3" (Carlsen). "Even rook on the g file and
g3-g4 I thought. And g4-g5 at some moment" (Vachier).} 25. dxc6 Rac8 26. Qd1
Rxc6 (26... Nxe4 {does not work due to} 27. Bg4 $1) 27. Qd5 Rgc8 28. Rad1 Bf8
29. Qxf7 (29. Bxf7 Na4 {did not appeal to the Norwegian although this also
looks close to winning for White.}) 29... Qxf7 30. Bxf7 {White won the pawn
back and kept the dominant position of his pieces. He owes everything- the
bread, the butter and the knife.} Na4 31. Re2 Rc1 32. Rxc1 Rxc1+ 33. Kg2 Nc5
34. b3 {[%csl Gb3] Diagram [#] "I was very happy to play this move and to stop
any counterplay" (Carlsen). "I am playing a bishop and a king down" (Vachier).}
Rc3 35. Kh3 Nd7 36. Be6 Nc5 37. Bd5 Nd7 38. Ne3 Nf6 39. Be6 Rc5 40. Nc4 Kg7 ({
Vachier was always looking for counter-play but it never worked. Here for
instance} 40... a4 {fails to} 41. bxa4 d5 42. Ne3 (42. Nxe5 {should do as well}
)) 41. f3 $1 {Even in such a great position the world champion does not lose
focus! He rejected his original plan} (41. Kg2 {after seeing the tactical
continuation} Nxe4 $1 42. Rxe4 Kf6 43. Bg8 d5 {Diagram [#] which would have
complicated matters.}) 41... Ne8 42. Rd2 Nc7 43. Bg4 {It is over, Black's
position falls appart.} a4 (43... Nb5 44. Nxa5 {drops a pawn.}) 44. Nxd6 Bxd6
45. Rxd6 a3 46. Bd7 ({Vachier Lagrave suggested an alternative win after} 46.
Rd7+ Kf8 47. Rxh7 Rc2 48. f4 exf4 49. gxf4 Nb5 50. e5 Rxa2 51. e6) 46... Rc2 {
The last chance for Black is connected with the sacrifice of the knight.} 47.
Bc6 Rxa2 48. Rd7+ Kf6 49. Rxc7 Rc2 50. Rxh7 Kg6 (50... Rxc6 51. Rxh6+) 51. Rc7
{Now White is waiting for the pawn to come on a2 to play Rc7-a7.} Kf6 52. h5 $1
{Finishes the game in style with checkmate.} Rc1 53. Rh7 a2 54. Bd5 {[%csl Rf6]
[%cal Gh7f7] Diagram [#] Vachier resigned due to the checkmate.} (54. Bd5 a1=Q
55. Rf7+ Kg5 56. Rf5# {What a game by the world champion!}) 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.

The Value of a Blunder

The fifth round of Grenke Classic was once again quite eventful. The most dramatic game turned to be this one:

[Event "3rd GRENKE Chess Classic"]
[Site "Baden Baden GER"]
[Date "2015.02.07"]
[Round "5.4"]
[White "Aronian, Levon"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D38"]
[WhiteElo "2777"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2015.02.02"]

1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 d5 4. d4 Bb4 {The Ragozin line. We are skipping the
opening phase as all of the moves have been played three weeks ago by Levon
with the back pieces in his game with Magnus Carlsen from Wijk aan Zee.} 5.
cxd5 exd5 6. Qa4+ Nc6 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bxf6 Qxf6 9. e3 O-O 10. Be2 a6 11. O-O Be6
12. Rfc1 Bd6 13. a3 {Diagram [#] Levon came well prepared for the game. White
immediately starts the minority attack. This move is not as common as} (13. Qd1
{which was Carlsen's chose in Tata. Then after} Ne7 14. a3 Rfd8 15. b4 Nc8 {
was Levon's novelty from Wijk an Zee. It did not work with Magnus, but Anand
obviously thrusts this position and belives he can develop his pieces better
than in the abovementioned game. There are also early improvements for Black
in the position.} 16. Na4 {We will have to wait and see what Anand had in mind
when choosing this line. Was it an improvement earlier, or the one I suggested
in this position Now} b6 $6 {led to problems for Black in Carlsen,M (2862)
-Aronian,L (2797) Tata Steel Masters 2015} (16... b5 $5 17. Nc5 Nb6 18. a4 ({
In case of} 18. Nb7 Rdb8 19. Nxd6 cxd6 {the doubled pawn on d6 will cover the
vital e5 and c5 points.}) 18... Nxa4 19. Nxa4 bxa4 20. Rxa4 Rab8 21. Ne1 Bxb4
22. Nd3)) 13... Ne7 {The knight belongs to the kingside as Black will attack
there. Vishy also prepares his next move.} 14. b4 c6 {This somewhat slows the
attack, but White can regroup.} 15. Qb3 g5 ({A game by another Grenke Classic
participant saw White successfully conducting the Minority Attack after} 15...
h5 16. Na4 h4 17. Nc5 Rab8 18. Qd1 Bc7 19. a4 Bg4 20. Nd2 Bf5 21. b5 axb5 22.
axb5 Qd6 23. Nf1 $1 {White is solid on the kingside and is already creating
weaknesses on the other side in Bacrot,E (2723)-Grandadam,N (2286) Basel 2011})
16. Qb2 $1 $146 {[%csl Ye2,Yf2][%cal Gb2e2,Ge2f2] Diagram [#] A deep
profilactical novelty. White defends...the bishop on e2!} ({The only
predecessor saw} 16. g3 {but this weakens the kingside and after} g4 17. Ne1 h5
18. Qd1 Nf5 19. Ng2 Rae8 20. Na4 Kg7 21. Nc5 Bc8 22. Nd3 Rh8 23. Ndf4 Bxf4 24.
Nxf4 h4 {when Black had serious threats on the kingside, Mirzoev,A (2510)
-Peralta,F (2590) Navalmoral 2011}) ({White idea is revealed after careful
study of the most natural move} 16. Na4 {Then Black has this tricky idea in
his disposal} g4 $1 17. Nd2 (17. Ne1 Bxh2+ $1 18. Kxh2 Qxf2 19. Bd3 Nf5 {looks
scary for White, to say at least.}) 17... a5 $5 {with the idea} (17... Bxh2+ $6
{would be too early as the queen is trapped after} 18. Kxh2 Qxf2 19. Nf1 $1
Qxe2 $2 20. Ng3 Qb5 (20... Qf2 21. Rf1 $18) 21. Rc5 {and White wins.}) (17...
h5 {is also interesting for Black.}) 18. b5 Bxh2+ $1 19. Kxh2 Qxf2 20. Bd3 ({
Now} 20. Nf1 {does not work due to} Qxe2 21. Ng3 Qxb5) 20... cxb5 21. Bxb5 Nf5
{with strong attack for the piece.}) 16... Qg7 {Vishy regroups as} (16... g4
17. Nd2 Bxh2+ 18. Kxh2 Qxf2 19. Nf1 {is no longer appealing for Black.}) ({
Another possibility is} 16... h5 {but then} 17. Na4 Rae8 (17... Ng6 18. Nc5)
18. Nc5 Bc8 19. Ne5 {looks a bit better for White.}) ({Perhaps the immediate}
16... Rae8 $5 {is most accurate. First Black will secure the queenside} 17. Na4
Ng6 18. Nc5 Bc8 {and only then Black will decide which pawn he wants to
advance first.}) 17. Na4 Rae8 18. Nc5 Bc8 19. g3 ({In case of} 19. a4 {Black
gets counterplay with} f5 20. b5 axb5 21. axb5 f4 {but this was preferrable to
what happened in the game.}) 19... Nf5 {Not a bad move, but the
straightforward attack looks even better} (19... f5 20. Bf1 f4 21. exf4 gxf4
22. Bg2 h5 {and Black looks faster.}) 20. Bd3 Qf6 {With the threat Nf5xf3,
thus the next move for White.} 21. Rf1 h5 22. Rac1 h4 {Vishy played logically
and strong and his attack is growing fast. He now intends to open up the h
file and checkmate with his heavy pieces.} 23. Qd2 ({Perhaps White should have
defended with} 23. Ne1 {in order to recaptureon g3 with the f pawn} hxg3 24.
fxg3) 23... Nh6 $2 {[%csl Yg5] Diagram [#] So far Black had played logically
and strong and achieved extremely promising position. Now Anand chose a
tempting but tactically wrong idea. After the consistent} (23... hxg3 24. hxg3
Kg7 {Black has tremendous attack. For example} 25. Kg2 Rh8 26. Rh1 {[%csl Ye3,
Yf2,Rg2,Yg3] Diagram [#]} Nxe3+ $3 27. fxe3 Bh3+ $1 28. Rxh3 (28. Kf2 g4) 28...
Rxh3 29. Kxh3 Qxf3 {and mate along the h file.}) 24. e4 $1 {Very strong! Now
tables are turned into White's favor. Once that this pawn jumps to e5 Black
can no longer attack the kingside.} Bxc5 {One mistake often lead to another.
This makes things easier for White.} ({Anand probably missed} 24... Qxf3 25.
Qxg5+ Kh7 26. e5+ Bf5 (26... f5 27. exf6+ Bf5 28. Qg7#) 27. Bxf5+ Nxf5 {and
now the only but sufficient move for White} (27... Qxf5 28. Qxf5+ Nxf5 29. exd6
Nxd6 30. Nd7 $1) 28. Rc3 $1 {and if} Nxd4 29. Qxh4+ Kg7 30. Qxd4 Bxc5 31. bxc5
{with extra material for Aronian.}) ({The most resilent continuation is} 24...
Be7 {to defend the pawn although here too White should be better after} 25. Ne5
(25. e5 Qxf3) 25... dxe4 26. Nxe4 Qg7 27. Nc5) 25. e5 $1 Qg7 {Now it is over.}
({White is clearly better after} 25... Bxb4 26. axb4 Qg7 27. Nxg5 Bf5 {but
this was the most stubborn continuation.}) 26. bxc5 f6 27. exf6 Rxf6 28. Nxg5 {
Diagram [#] There is nothing left from Black's attack and he is a pawn down.
The rest is easy for Aronian.} Bf5 29. Rce1 Rff8 30. Rxe8 Rxe8 31. Nf3 Bxd3 32.
Qxd3 Re4 33. Re1 hxg3 34. hxg3 {A painful defeat for Vishy Anand who played
consistently and strong until he blundered badly in a very promising position.}
1-0

Report.