Svidler Takes the Lead in Baku

Peter Svidler managed to make an important step towards the overall win of the World Cup 2015. Yesterday, he was more creative and outwitted his compatriot Sergey Karjakin to take an early lead in their match of four games:

[Event "FIDE World Chess Cup"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.10.01"]
[Round "55.1"]
[White "Svidler, Peter"]
[Black "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2727"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "0:22:20"]
[BlackClock "0:02:14"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. d3 O-O {Diagram [#]} (5... c5 6. e4
$5 Nc6 7. Qe2 O-O 8. e5 Nd7 9. c4 d4 10. h4 $5 {Svidler,P (2758)-Karjakin,S
(2766) Khanty-Mansiysk 2014 CBM 160}) 6. Nbd2 c5 7. e4 Nc6 8. Re1 b5 9. exd5 {
Diagram [#]} ({The two players have also discussed the positions arising after:
} 9. e5 Nd7 10. Nf1 b4 (10... Bb7 11. h4 Qc7 12. Bf4 Rfc8 13. Ne3 Qd8 14. Ng4
Bf8 15. c4 Ne7 16. b3 Bc6 17. h5 h6 18. Ne3 Nb6 19. Qe2 bxc4 20. dxc4 dxc4 21.
bxc4 Na4 22. Qc2 Rab8 23. Reb1 Qa5 24. Rb3 Nb6 25. Qe2 Nd7 26. Rab1 Qc7 27. g4
Be4 28. Rxb8 Rxb8 29. Rxb8 Qxb8 30. Nf1 Bc6 {1/2-1/2 (30) Karjakin,S (2753)
-Dominguez Perez,L (2734) Khanty-Mansiysk 2015}) 11. h4 a5 12. Bf4 a4 13. a3
bxa3 14. bxa3 Ba6 15. Ne3 Rb8 16. c4 dxc4 17. Nxc4 Nb6 18. Nd6 Nd5 19. Qxa4 Rb6
20. Rac1 Nxf4 21. Qxf4 Nxe5 22. Nxe5 Bxd6 23. Qe3 Rb3 24. a4 Qc7 25. Nc4 Be7
26. Ne5 Bd6 27. Nc4 Be7 28. Ne5 {1/2 (28) Svidler,P (2756)-Karjakin,S (2772)
Loo RUS 2014}) 9... Nxd5 {A slight surprise.} ({"Generally, Sergey takes"} 9...
exd5 {"which is fine for Black." Obviously Svidler put his efforts in the
study of that line.}) 10. Ne4 ({"I suppose I should play"} 10. a4 {Diagram [#]}
b4 11. Nc4 {"But then Black simply develops with Qd8-c7, Bc8-b7, Ra8-d8 and I
am not sure what is my plan." Svidler}) 10... Bb7 11. c3 $146 {Diagram [#]} ({
Predecessor saw:} 11. Bd2 Qc7 12. c4 bxc4 13. dxc4 Ndb4 14. Bc3 {Grossmann,S
(1886)-Lindenberg,G (1889) Greifswald 2003}) (11. Bg5 f6 12. Bd2 e5) 11... a6 (
{Svidler suggested instead} 11... h6 {[%csl Rf7,Yg5][%cal Rf7e6] Diagram [#]
to rule out Bc1-g5 and to keep the pawn on f7 thus depriving White of targets.
After the possible} 12. d4 cxd4 13. Nxd4 Nxd4 14. Qxd4 {he explained that
without the dark-squared bishops on the board his position would be better,
but since it is still alive he would rather prefer to have the black pieces.})
12. a4 {Before White does anything he wants to weaken the black queenside.} ({
White considered teh curious idea} 12. Bg5 f6 13. Bc1 $5 {Not to obstruct the
queen in its support for the d3-d4 break. However, he could not convince
himself that he is better in the line} e5 ({Some preparatory move like} 13...
Qd7 $5 $11 {Diagram [#] though looks good for Black. He can bring his rooks
first on d8 and e8 and play e6-e5 later.}) 14. d4 cxd4 ({Another option for
Black is} 14... exd4 $5 15. cxd4 c4 {with good position.}) 15. cxd4 f5 16. Nc5
Bxc5 17. dxc5 e4 {However, in the final position White has the strong} 18. Ng5
{and if} Qd7 19. f3 $1 {to break open his bishops with advantage.}) 12... b4 {
This is not forced at all. A reasonable alternative was} (12... h6 {followed
by Qd8-c7 with equality.}) 13. Bg5 f6 14. Bd2 e5 15. Rc1 {[%csl Rc5][%cal
Rc1c5] Diagram [#] For a moment White felt optimistic as he has targets on the
queenside.} Rf7 {Svidler suggested as a better defense the move} (15... Rc8 $1
{With the idea to take control of the c5 square. The point becomes obvious in
the line} 16. d4 ({Probably Karjakin was afraid of the move} 16. Bh3 {and after
} f5 {Either} {Or} 17. Neg5 (17. Nfg5 {However, if he is careful with} Qd7 $1 {
he should be fine. The main thing Black needs to avoid is greediness after} (
17... fxe4 $2 18. Be6+ Kh8 19. Nxh7 $1 {[%csl Yh8] Diagram [#] A typical trick
as} Kxh7 20. Qh5#)) 17... Qd6 {but in both cases Black holds.}) 16... cxd4 17.
cxd4 Nxd4 18. Nxd4 exd4 {and in comparison to the game c5 is under control.})
16. d4 $1 {White got the initiative and what followed next was connected with
oversight by Black.} bxc3 17. bxc3 cxd4 18. cxd4 {Diagram [#]} Nxd4 $2 {
Svidler did not mention this but that move might be the worst mistake Karjakin
did today. The fact that these two knights were traded was very favourable for
White who made excellent use of his fianchettoed bishop.} (18... exd4 $1 {
Instead was more tenacious. White still keeps an edge but he has to play first
of all very energetically with} 19. Qb3 Rb8 20. Nfg5 $1 fxg5 21. Nc5 Ncb4 22.
Nxb7 Rxb7 23. Bxb4 Rxb4 24. Qxd5 Rb8 25. Qc4 {And then it is not yet clear of
the opposite bishop position after} d3 $1 {[%cal Rd3d2] Diagram [#]} 26. Bd5 (
26. Rcd1 d2 27. Re2 Rb1 28. Rxb1 d1=Q+ 29. Rxd1 Qxd1+ 30. Bf1 Qd6 {is also
better for White but maybe hold able.}) 26... d2 27. Bxf7+ Kh8 28. Qxa6 Bc5 $5
$16 {is actually won for White.}) 19. Nxd4 exd4 20. Qb3 ({Karjakin only
expected} 20. Nc5 Bxc5 21. Rxc5 Nc3 {with massive liquidations and a draw after
} 22. Bxc3 Bxg2 23. Kxg2 dxc3 $11) 20... Rb8 $6 {Objectively, a mistake. From
far away Karjakin considered this a good move and good position for him, but
White's next reply clarifies the situation.} ({Better was} 20... Qd7 $1 {
Diagram [#] although after} 21. Rc4 {White is clearly better. For example} f5
22. Ng5 Bxg5 23. Bxg5 Nf6 $1 {to break the pin at once} 24. Bxb7 Qxb7 25. Qxb7
Rxb7 26. Bxf6 gxf6 27. Rxd4 $16 {Although White keeps winning chances Black
has hopes to hold this endgame.}) 21. Rb1 $1 {[%csl Yb7,Rb8,Yd5,Rg8][%cal
Rb1b8,Rg2a8,Ra2g8] Diagram [#] This pin is more than annoying.} Qd7 (21... Rf8
22. Bf4 $1 {reveals one point behind the pin.}) 22. Rec1 ({Worse is the greedy
} 22. Ng5 fxg5 23. Bxd5 Bxd5 24. Qxb8+ Rf8 {[%csl Gd5,Yg1] Diagram [#] with
huge compensation for a pawn (Svidler).}) 22... Qe6 {The last mistake
according to White. Svidler was afraid of the move} (22... h6 {Diagram [#]
when he could not see a clear win. True, after} 23. Nc5 ({Or} 23. Rc4 {which
would practically lead to the same after} f5 24. Nc5 ({As} 24. Rxd4 fxe4 25.
Bxe4 Bc5 {is good only for Black.}) 24... Bxc5 25. Rxc5 Nc3) 23... Bxc5 24.
Rxc5 ({Once again White should avoid capturing the exchange} 24. Bxd5 $2 Bxd5
25. Qxb8+ Rf8 {with a win for Black actually!}) 24... Nc3 25. Bxc3 dxc3 {
Diagram [#] Now Svidler considered two winning attempts:} {White can take the
exchange} 26. Bd5 ({The quiet} 26. Rxc3 {when Black is completely tied up but
it is not that easy to pick up the black bishop as Black is always threatening
to move away his rook with a tempo, or sacrifice the exchange:} Kh7 {If White
tries to triple his pieces along the b file there is} 27. Qc2+ (27. Qb2 Bxg2 ({
Or even the preparatory} 27... Re7 28. Rb3 Bxg2 29. Rxb8 Be4 (29... Qh3 $5 {
looks good too.})) 28. Qxb8 Be4 {and White still has to prove his win.}) 27...
f5 28. Rcb3 $2 Rc8 $1 $11) 26... Bxd5 27. Qxb8+ Rf8 (27... Kh7 28. Rd1) 28. Qc7
{And Black can still fight} (28. Qf4 $1 {is best with decent winning chances.})
28... Qe6 {In all these lines White is close to winning but there is still
plenty of play going on.} ({But Karjakin has to avoid E. Miroshnichenko's
discovery} 28... Qf5 $2 29. Rb7 $1)) 23. Nc5 Bxc5 24. Rxc5 Rd8 25. Ba5 $1 {
Diagram [#]} Rd6 ({In case of} 25... Rdd7 {Svidler saw the beautiful win after}
26. Re1 Qf5 ({But he was not so sure about the line} 26... Qd6 {when he had to
find an even more stunning win} 27. Bb4 $3 {[%csl Gb4] Diagram [#] when Black
is doomed, since} Nxb4 28. Re8+ {loses the queen to start with.}) 27. Qxb7 Rxb7
28. Re8+ Rf8 29. Bxd5+) 26. Qc4 {White is completely dominating and Rb1xb7 is
a deadly threat. Unstoppable.} Nc3 27. Rxb7 ({Svidler saw another win} 27. Qxe6
Rxe6 28. Bxc3 Bxg2 29. Rc8+ Rf8 30. Rxf8+ Kxf8 31. Bb4+ Kf7 32. Kxg2 Rb6 33.
Rb2 $18) 27... Qe1+ 28. Bf1 Ne2+ 29. Qxe2 {Diagram [#]} 1-0

Report.

Vishy Wins!

Photo © John Saunders

The former world champion Vishy Anand said it right at the after-game analyzes: "I knew that with the soccer system the tournament definitely cannot be won. But there is a very high probability to end on last place." Which already speaks a lot about his attitude towards the last game at the LCC. Still, a silent Berlin quickly appeared on the board:

[Event "6th London Chess Classic"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2014.12.14"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Anand , Viswanathan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2745"]
[BlackElo "2793"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "2014.??.??"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 {I can almost hear the sigh of disbelief from
Anand's admirers when the Berlin appeared on the board. It has the reputation
of a very solid and drawish opening, but like I mentioned this many times
already it is also played for a win at the highest level.} 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4
Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 Ke8 {Vishy had tried many
sublines in the Berlin and today he opted for the "modern" positioning of the
king.} 10. Nc3 h5 11. Rd1 {Diagram [#] I read somewhere that Mickey was the
secret Anti-Berlin weapon for Magnus Carlsen in the WCC in Sochi this year.} ({
Adams deviates from a game that was played less than a month ago} 11. Ne2 b6
12. Rd1 Ba6 13. Nf4 Bb7 {This was an excellent novelty which solved Black's
problems at once.} 14. e6 Bd6 15. exf7+ Kxf7 16. Ng5+ Kf6 17. Ne4+ Kf7 18. Ng5+
Kf6 19. Ne4+ Kf7 20. Ng5+ {1/2 (20) Carlsen,M (2863)-Anand,V (2792) Sochi 2014}
) 11... Be7 12. g3 b6 13. a4 Bb7 $146 {Curiously, it is once again Anand who
produces a novelty and once more it is the Bb7 move!} ({Previously} 13... a5 {
had been played by a great expert of the Berlin wall} 14. Bf4 Rg8 15. Ng5 Bb7
16. Rd3 Ba6 17. Rd2 Rd8 18. Rad1 Bc8 19. Kh2 Rxd2 20. Rxd2 Bd8 $11 {Efimenko,Z
(2689)-Bacrot,E (2705) Germany 2012}) 14. a5 ({The generally desirable trade
of the dark-squared bishops allows a fine square for the black king} 14. Bg5
Bxg5 15. Nxg5 Ke7 $11) 14... c5 {Vishy believes that the pawn thrust is not as
dangerous and that the long diagonal is of a greater importance,} 15. Nd5 Bd8 (
{The curious pawn sacrifice} 15... Rd8 16. Nxc7+ Kf8 17. Rxd8+ Bxd8 {where the
two white knights are hanging is not that appealing once that Black spots the
line} 18. axb6 axb6 19. Ne1 Bxc7 20. Ra7 $1) 16. Bg5 ({However Mickey could
have tried} 16. c4 $5 {at once with his knight controlling the d4 square.}) ({
Nothing gives} 16. axb6 axb6 17. Rxa8 Bxa8 $11) 16... Rf8 $1 {Diagram [#]
"This move was very important and I still have that counterplay along the
diagonal if he takes the pawn"- Vishy} ({he former world champion was also
considering} 16... Bxd5 17. Rxd5 Bxg5 18. Nxg5 Ke7 {but he was not sure that
the pawn sacrifice will be sound after} 19. Rad1 ({However, there was also the
typical central strike} 19. e6 $1 fxe6 20. Re1 $16 {with the tactical point}
Kf6 21. Rxe6+ Kxg5 22. f4#) 19... Rhd8 (19... Nd4 20. c3 $1 {wins for White})
20. Rxd8 Rxd8 21. Rxd8 Kxd8 22. Nxf7+ Ke7 {Sometimes this is enogh for an
equality stated Anand, but maybe not here, for instance} 23. Ng5 Nd4 24. c3
Ne2+ 25. Kf1 Nc1 26. a6 $1 (26. axb6 cxb6 $1) 26... Nd3 27. f4 Nxb2 ({Or} 27...
h4 28. Ke2 c4 29. gxh4 Nxf4+ 30. Ke3 Nd3 31. Nf3 Nxb2 32. Nd4 $16) 28. Ke2 $16)
17. c4 {Vishy did not like this move as it weakens the d4 square. This is an
excellent outpost for the black knight.} ({If White wants equality he could go
for} 17. Bxd8 {but Adams was still hoping for something more} Bxd5 18. Rxd5
Rxd8 19. Rxd8+ Kxd8 20. axb6 axb6 21. Ra8+ Ke7 $11) 17... Bxd5 18. Rxd5 ({
Nobody mentioned the other capture} 18. cxd5 $5 {but my feeling is that it was
good for White thanks to this little tactics} Bxg5 19. axb6 $1 {and if Black
keeps the bishop} Be7 (19... cxb6 {might be better but now Black will not be
able to undermine the white pawn center with c7-c6 like in the game.} 20. Nxg5
Nd4 21. Kg2 (21. f4 $5) 21... f6 22. exf6 gxf6 23. Re1+ Kd7 24. Ne6 $36) 20.
bxc7 {he is definitely in trouble. Just look at the white pawn mass in the
center!}) 18... Bxg5 19. Nxg5 Ke7 {[%cal Ga8d8] Diagram [#] Now Black
equalizes ad starts thinking of something more.} 20. Kg2 ({This time} 20. Rad1
{does not work to} Nd4 $1 {as there is no c2-c3 resource.}) 20... Nd4 21. Rd1 (
{One little nice trick was pointed by Vishy} 21. b4 Ne6 $1 {wins a pawn for
Black.}) 21... Rad8 {The knight on d4 holds black's position together until he
trades a pair of rooks. Once that the penetration on the seventh rank is out
of the question, Black can start attacking the overexposed pawn(s) on e5 and
possible d5.} ({Another idea was} 21... c6 22. Rd6 f6 23. Ne4 fxe5 24. Rg6 {"I
did not see Black getting anywhere" Anand.}) 22. Nf3 ({If} 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23.
axb6 axb6 24. Ne4 {Black can go for the e5 pawn at once} Ke6 25. Ng5+ Kf5 26.
Nxf7 Rf8) 22... c6 ({Vishy was also considering the move} 22... Rxd5 {with the
idea to attack the white pawns later, but saw a nice idea for Mickey} 23. cxd5
Nxf3 (23... Nb3 24. axb6 axb6 25. d6+ (25. Nh4) 25... Kd7 26. Ng5 Nd4 27. dxc7
Kxc7 28. Ra1 $132) 24. Kxf3 f6 25. e6 Rd8 26. Ke4 {[%cal Gf2f4,Gf4f5] Diagram
[#] with the idea of a fast f2-f4-f5, when the undermining move} c6 $2 {fails
to} 27. dxc6 $1 Rxd1 28. c7 {and White wins.}) 23. Rxd8 Rxd8 24. Ng5 ({They
both agreed that White was holding after} 24. axb6 axb6 25. Rd3 Nxf3 26. Rxd8
Nh4+ 27. gxh4 Kxd8 28. f4 g6 29. Kf3 Ke7 30. b3 Ke6 31. Ke4 b5 32. Kd3 Kf5 33.
Ke3 $11) 24... b5 ({The play along the b file is not fast enough} 24... bxa5
25. Ne4 Rb8 26. Nxc5 Ne6 {(Anand) and here strong is} 27. Rd7+ $1 Ke8 28. Rb7)
25. cxb5 cxb5 {Black achieved a lot. He has a very strong knight in the center,
active king and pawn majority on the queenside. It is not pleasant for Adams
at all but it was hard to believe that his position will collapse that soon.}
26. Ne4 Nc6 $1 {A nice winning try.} 27. Rxd8 Kxd8 {[%csl Ya5,Rc5,Ye5] Diagram
[#]} 28. e6 $2 {A mistake. Mickey did not trust his kingside pawns and this
lost the game for him.} ({Also dubious is} 28. a6 $6 Nxe5 29. Nxc5 Kc7 $17) ({
However} 28. f4 $1 {was strong when White has enough counterplay after both}
Nxa5 ({Or} 28... c4 29. Nd6 a6 30. Nxf7+ Kd7 31. Kf3 Nxa5 32. Nd6) 29. Nxc5 Kc7
30. e6 $1 {The key move!} fxe6 (30... f6 $4 31. e7) 31. Nxe6+ Kd6 32. Nxg7 Nc4
33. Nf5+ Kd5 34. Kf3 Nxb2 35. Ne3+ Kd4 (35... Ke6 36. Ke4) 36. g4 hxg4+ 37.
hxg4 {and it should be a draw after say} Nc4 38. Nxc4 Kxc4 39. g5 Kd5 40. g6
Ke6 41. f5+ Kf6 42. Ke4 a5 43. Kd4 b4 $11) 28... fxe6 29. Nxc5 Ke7 $17 {[%csl
Ya5,Yb2][%cal Ge7d6,Gd6d5,Gd5c4,Gc4b3,Yc6a5] Diagram [#] Now that the game
gets one-sided it is the activity of the kings that decides.} 30. Nb3 Kd6 31.
Kf3 Kd5 32. Kf4 Kc4 33. Nc1 ({Anand had already seen the win after the more
resilent} 33. Nd2+ Kd3 34. Nf3 (34. Ne4 e5+ 35. Kf5 g6+ $19) 34... b4 $1 $19 ({
Rather than} 34... Nxa5 35. Ne5+ Kc2 36. b4 Nc4 37. Nc6)) 33... Nxa5 34. Kg5
Nb3 35. Ne2 b4 $1 36. Kxh5 a5 {The rook pawns are most unpleasant for the
knights and this one is unstoppable! This was the only win for the black
pieces at the LCC and it gave the best tie break to Vishy Anand who won the
tournament!} 0-1

Complete report.

Magnus Takes the Lead!

The second game of the WCC in Sochi must have been very demoralizing for the challenger and all his supporters. Carlsen did his usual thing of squeezing water out of the stone and won very convincingly. The fact that Anand's mistake was not obvious at all must have been very frustrating for the Indian GM.

[Event "World Chess Championship 2014"]
[Site "Sochi"]
[Date "2014.11.09"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2863"]
[BlackElo "2792"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2014.??.??"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]

{Once people tended to say that this move demonstrates the determination of
the first player.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 {Nowadays some people regret
of the old days. It did not take us long to see the Berlin in the match.} 4. d3
{Magnus decided to try and squeeze something out of the Anti Berlin.} Bc5 5.
O-O d6 6. Re1 ({Adams tried the trade on c6 recently} 6. Be3 Bb6 7. Bxc6+ bxc6
8. h3 O-O 9. Re1 h6 10. Nbd2 {Adams,M (2743)-Ponomariov,R (2723) Dortmund 2014}
) ({Looking into advance in the game we should say that there is another
adherent of the approach that the World Champion used in the game. Gata Kamsky
is the man in question, although he prefers to develop the bishop on e3
whenever he captures on c6.} 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 7. h3 O-O 8. Nc3 Bb6 9. Re1 {Kamsky,
G (2723)-Ponomariov,R (2718) Moscow 2008}) 6... O-O 7. Bxc6 {The fact that
Carlsen inserted the rook move before trading shows that he has something
original on his mind.} bxc6 8. h3 Re8 {Diagram [#]} 9. Nbd2 $146 {The actual
novelty. Previously only} (9. Be3 {had been tried. White won that game too, is
this the refutation of the Berlin?!} Bb6 10. Nbd2 {Moritz,A (1237)-Kyas,P
(1506) Willingen 2006}) 9... Nd7 {One idea is to conduct d6-d5. Another- to
bring the knight to e6 from where it will control both d4 and f4 squares.} ({
Also interesting is} 9... h6 10. Nc4 Nh7 {intending f7-f5} ({or} 10... Be6 $5))
10. Nc4 Bb6 ({The central aproach is tactically justified} 10... d5 11. exd5
cxd5 12. Ncxe5 Nxe5 13. Nxe5 Bxf2+ 14. Kxf2 Rxe5 15. Rxe5 Qf6+ 16. Qf3 Qxe5 {
but this would have led to the typical Carlsen's position after} 17. Qf4 Qe7
18. Be3 $14 {[%csl Ya7,Yc7,Rc8,Yd5,Ge3] slight edge without much counterplay
for the opponent.}) ({Anand also disliked} 10... Nf8 11. c3 Ne6 12. d4 exd4 13.
cxd4 Bb6 14. Be3 {which seems a bit better for White as well.}) 11. a4 $1 {
Typical Scotch idea. Magnus wants to trade the bishop but does not want to
allow} (11. Nxb6 axb6 {[%csl Yc6,Ye6][%cal Gc6c5,Gd7f8,Gf8e6,Gd7b8,Gb8c6,Yc6d4,
Ye6f4] which will reinforce black's dark-squared control.}) 11... a5 12. Nxb6
cxb6 13. d4 {White managed to get something out of the opening. Still, it
should not be much.} Qc7 {One of the natural moves that remain unnoticed
without thorough analyzes. I would not call it a mistake but since White's
initiative grew after it with alarming speed this moment is worth mentioning!}
({Probably Vishy had to clarify the situation in the center with} 13... c5 $5 {
[%csl Yd4]} 14. dxe5 (14. c3 cxd4 15. cxd4 Bb7 16. Ra3 d5) 14... Nxe5 {with
the idea to meet} 15. Ra3 {with} Ba6 $11) 14. Ra3 $1 {[%csl Yg8][%cal Ga3d3,
Rd3d8,Gd3g3,Gg3g8] Diagram [#] The rook is looking for a career in the center
or on the king's flank.} Nf8 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Nh4 ({There is nothing to hope
for on the open file at the moment} 16. Rd3 Ba6 17. Rd2 Rad8 $11) 16... Rd8 17.
Qh5 (17. Rd3 Ba6 $11) 17... f6 {Anand is carefully defending. He brings fresh
forces on the flank- the queen at first, then centralizes the bishop} (17...
Ng6 {may transpose to the game.} 18. Nf5 f6 19. Rg3 Be6) 18. Nf5 Be6 19. Rg3 {
Carlsen also did everything that he could to create threats. Now the defense
is quite unpleasant for the Indian GM.} Ng6 ({Vishy could have also defended
with} 19... Rd7 20. Bh6 g6 21. Qh4 Qd8 22. Qg4 Kh8 23. h4 Raa7 ({Not} 23...
gxf5 $2 24. exf5 Qe7 25. fxe6 Nxe6 26. Qf5 $16) 24. h5 g5 {although Black's
situation remains unpleasant.}) 20. h4 {White already had a choice of
interesting continuations} (20. Bh6 $5 {Diagram [#] would have most likely
transposed to the previous note as if} gxh6 (20... Rd7 21. h4 {transposes to
the line above}) 21. Rxg6+ $1 hxg6 22. Qxg6+ Kf8 (22... Kh8 $2 23. Qxf6+ Kh7
24. Qxh6+ Kg8 25. Qxe6+ $18) 23. Qxf6+ Qf7 (23... Bf7 24. f4 $3 exf4 25. e5 {
Diagram [#] is mate in 8 if you ask your engine...}) 24. Qxh6+ Ke8 (24... Kg8
25. Re3 $18) 25. Qh8+ Kd7 26. Rd1+ Kc7 27. Qxe5+ Kb7 28. Rxd8 Rxd8 29. Nd6+
Rxd6 30. Qxd6 {the four pawns should be definitely stronger than the bishop.})
20... Bxf5 {A critical moment of the game! The knight was definitely annoying
but after this trade Vishy gives the keys of the castle to Magnus.} ({The
inhuman defense} 20... Rd7 21. Qg4 ({However, White can play better} 21. Bh6 $1
{with the point} gxh6 22. Qxh6 {that leads to unstoppable h4-h5 and powerful
attack.}) 21... Nf4 22. Bxf4 exf4 23. Rf3 Re8 {is sugegsted by the engines} 24.
Rxf4 Qe5 25. c3 g6 26. h5 Kf7 27. hxg6+ hxg6 28. Nh6+ Kg7 29. Nf5+ Kf7 $11) ({
One more inhuman defense is the line} 20... Kh8 {I have no idea what marks to
put on that one...} 21. Rxg6 ({Most likely Carlsen would prefer} 21. Qf3 Bxf5
22. exf5 (22. Qxf5) 22... Ne7 {but this would be more favorable version of the
game continuation for Black.}) 21... Qf7 22. Bh6 {Still no idea...} gxh6 23.
Rxh6 Qxh5 24. Rxh5 Rd2 25. Ne3 {[%csl Yh5] Diagram [#] White is a pawn up but
play without the rook on h5.}) 21. exf5 Nf4 ({White is also better after} 21...
Nf8 22. Be3 c5 23. Qg4 Kh8 24. h5 Qf7 (24... h6 $2 25. Bxh6) 25. h6 g5 26. Qe2
{but was probably preferable to the game continuation.} (26. fxg6 Nxg6 27. f4 (
27. Qf5))) 22. Bxf4 exf4 23. Rc3 $16 {[%csl Ya8,Gc3,Yc7,Ge1,Gh5] Diagram [#]
The difference in the activity of the heavy pieces spells trouble to the
Challenger.} c5 24. Re6 $1 ({Magnus wisely refuses to win the pawn in return
for activity} 24. Rc4 Qf7 25. Qxf7+ Kxf7 26. Rxf4 Rd2 27. Re6 Rb8 28. Rc6 Rb7 (
{There is no time for} 28... Rxc2 29. Rc7+ Kf8 (29... Kg8 30. Rg4) 30. Rg4 $18)
29. Rc4 Rd5 (29... Re7 30. Rxb6 Re1+ 31. Kh2 Rxf2 32. Rxc5) 30. g4 h5 31. f3
$16 {White has good winning chances but the game continuation was even
stronger!}) 24... Rab8 25. Rc4 Qd7 26. Kh2 $1 ({Once again discarding} 26. Rxf4
Qd1+ 27. Qxd1 Rxd1+ 28. Kh2 Rd2 29. h5 h6) 26... Rf8 (26... Re8 27. Rce4 Rxe6
28. fxe6 Qe7 29. Qf5 $16) 27. Rce4 Rb7 28. Qe2 $1 {[%csl Re2,Ge4,Ge6] Diagram
[#] The Alekhine doubling of the heavy pieces in action.} ({It was also
possible to grab the pawn} 28. Rxf4 Qd2 29. Qf3) 28... b5 29. b3 bxa4 ({Anand
will be happy to get rid of the queenside pawn but after} 29... c4 30. axb5
cxb3 31. b6 b2 32. Qc4 $1 {White wins due to the line} b1=Q 33. Re8+ Qf7 34.
Rxf8+ Kxf8 35. Qc8+ Qe8 36. Qxe8#) 30. bxa4 {Once more no rush. It might have
been horrible to be in Anand's shows this game.} (30. Re7 Qd5 31. Rxb7 Qxb7 32.
Rxa4 $16) 30... Rb4 (30... h6 31. c3 {would not have changed the situation.
White will start the harvest soon.}) 31. Re7 Qd6 $1 {The best defense.} ({In
case of} 31... Rxe4 32. Qxe4 Qc8 {White would have taken the more valuable
pawns first} 33. Ra7 Re8 34. Qd5+ Kh8 35. Rxa5 $18) 32. Qf3 Rxe4 33. Qxe4 f3+
34. g3 h5 $4 {[%csl Rg7][%cal Ra7g7] Diagram [#] This loses instantly. Vishy
blunders under the constant pressure. After} (34... Qd2 35. Qxf3 Qxc2 36. Ra7
Re8 37. Rxa5 $16 {Magnus would still need to show good technique to deserve
the full point.}) 35. Qb7 {One of those typical Magnus games where one wonders
where did his opponent made a mistake! The new plan chosen by the World
Champion proved more venomous than expected. But it was the super neat play of
Carlsen that won the game!} 1-0