The EICC in Jerusalem is approaching its end. But the great games produced their are countless.
The following one has an important impact on the general standings:
A game that I liked (ChessBase 13)
[Event "European Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.03.05"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Navara, David"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2735"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "0:03:41"]
[BlackClock "0:16:04"]
1. Nf3 {Navara plays pretty much everything and varies his openings on accaunt
of the opponent. In this game he chose a tricky opening idea to deal with the
Gruenfeld defense.} Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e3 {In search of
innovation! This line is quite fresh and fashionable. White is mainly pinning
his hopes for an opening advantage with one of the following continuations:} (
5. g3) (5. d4) (5. e4) 5... Nxc3 {This was perhaps easy to predict.} ({Peter
Leko's careful aproach led to a completely different game after} 5... e6 6. d4
cxd4 7. exd4 Be7 {with a typical IQP position that arises from the Panov/
Nimtzo-Indian/Tarrasch openings, Tomashevsky,E (2714)-Leko,P (2731) Sochi
2014. The problem with this aproach however is that Nepomniachtchi does not
play neither of these openings, at least with the black pieces. He is an
expert of the Panov attack, but as White.}) 6. bxc3 Qc7 7. Bb2 $1 $146 {[%csl
Rg7][%cal Rb2g7,Gc3c4] Diagram [#] A novelty on move seven! It seems illogical
to place the bishop on the diagonal which is blocked by the pawn, but this is
only temporary. The world champion had tested} (7. d4 g6 8. Bb5+ Bd7 9. a4 Bg7
10. O-O O-O 11. Ba3 b6 {when the position still resembles the Gruenfeld,
Carlsen,M (2881)-Giri,A (2752) Stavanger 2014}) 7... Nd7 ({If anything, Black
is not going to fianchettoe the bishop!} 7... g6 $6 8. c4 {is awkward for the
second player.}) ({Perhaps Black will try in the future} 7... e5 {with natural
development- Bf8-e7, Nb8-c6 and central control.}) 8. Qb3 e6 ({Once more the
fianchettoe is not appealing} 8... g6 9. Ng5 e6 10. c4 e5 {when White has a
pleasant choice between the aggressive} 11. h4 ({and} 11. f4) ({or the
positional} 11. Be2 {after which the knight on g5 will be rerouted to the d5
square via e4-c3.})) 9. c4 {The opening operation was successful! Navara took
his opponent out of the book and objectively speaking White enjoys some
pressure. The bishop on b2 is very nicely placed.} b6 10. a4 {Since the black
kingside is frozen, White prepares a "warm" welcome for the black monarch.} Bb7
({The careless} 10... e5 $6 11. a5 Bb7 $2 {allows a nice combination} 12. axb6
axb6 13. Rxa8+ Bxa8 {[%csl Ya8,Ye8] Diagram [#]} 14. Nxe5 $1 Nxe5 15. Bxe5 Qxe5
16. Qa4+ {and wins.}) 11. a5 $1 f6 {Nepomniachtchi tries to close the long
diagonal and free his bishop.} ({Things are not very optimistic for Black after
} 11... O-O-O 12. axb6 (12. Be2) (12. Bd3) 12... axb6 13. Be2) (11... e5 $2 {
transposes to the above-mentioned line after} 12. axb6 axb6 13. Rxa8+ Bxa8 14.
Nxe5 $1) 12. Bd3 $1 {Once that the pawn had moved on f6 the black kingside
became vulnerable and the Czech Grandmaster neatly uses that.} Bd6 $6 {An
inaccuracy.} ({Better was} 12... Be7 $5 {with the idea} 13. Qc2 f5 14. Bxg7 Rg8
15. Bc3 Rxg2 {with slightly better chances for White.}) 13. Qc2 f5 ({White is
also much better after} 13... Nf8 14. Be4) 14. Ng5 $1 {[%csl Re6,Rg7][%cal
Gg5e6,Gb2g7,Gg7h8,Ga5b6,Ya5a6] Diagram [#] Play on both flanks!} ({Black was
OK after} 14. Bxg7 Rg8 15. Bc3 ({Not} 15. Qc3 $2 Bxf3 $1 16. gxf3 Kf7 17. Bh6 (
17. Rg1 Bf8 $1) 17... Be5 {when Black is on top.}) 15... Rxg2 $11) 14... Nf8 {
The most reasonable defense.} ({Black's position falls apart after} 14... e5 $2
15. Ne6) ({And} 14... Ke7 {can be met by the simple} 15. f4 {with large
advantage} ({Or the more entertaining} 15. Nxe6 $5 Kxe6 16. Bxf5+ Kf7 17. Bxh7)
) 15. f4 $1 h6 ({It suddenly transpired that the pawn on g2 is invincible. In
the line} 15... Bxg2 16. Rg1 Bc6 (16... Qb7 {loses prosaically after} 17. axb6
axb6 18. Rxa8+ Qxa8 19. Bxg7 Rg8 20. Bxf8 $18) 17. axb6 axb6 (17... Qxb6 18.
Bxg7 {is a mess for Black.}) 18. Rxa8+ Bxa8 {[%csl Ya8,Ye8,Rg7][%cal Rg1g7,
Rb2g7,Yc2a4,Ya4e8,Ya4a8] White has the fantastic resource} 19. Nf7 $3 {with an
instant win. For example} ({By the way} 19. Nxe6 $1 Nxe6 20. Bxf5 {would also
work.}) 19... Qxf7 (19... Kxf7 20. Rxg7+) (19... Rg8 20. Nh6 Rh8 21. Bxg7) 20.
Rxg7 ({or also} 20. Qa4+ {in either case with a win.})) 16. Nf3 Ng6 {The black
king has not peace after neither} (16... O-O-O 17. O-O $16) ({Nor} 16... Kf7
17. O-O (17. Ne5+) 17... Nh7 18. Ne5+) 17. h4 $1 {Amazing play with the rook
pawns! Larsen would be so proud of Navara. Now the black king is not safe
anywhere...} O-O-O {Nepomniachtchi decided this is the lesser evil. However...}
({Or:} 17... O-O 18. Rh3 $1 {[%csl Rg6,Rg7][%cal Gh3g3,Rg3g7,Yh4h5] followed
by Rh3-g3 and h4-h5. You did not forget about the bishop on b2, did you?}) 18.
axb6 axb6 {Diagram [#]} 19. Bxf5 $1 {Well calculated combination!} Nxf4 (19...
exf5 20. Qxf5+) 20. Be4 $1 ({But not} 20. exf4 exf5 21. Qxf5+ Kb8 22. Ne5 Bxg2
{when the black bishops come into life.}) 20... Bxe4 21. Qxe4 Nd3+ $1 {The
Russian GM finds the best defense.} 22. Ke2 $1 ({Definitely not} 22. Qxd3 $4
Bg3+) 22... Nxb2 23. Rhb1 $1 {Navara regains the knight while developing!} Rhe8
24. Rxb2 Qb7 25. Qb1 $1 {Once again the best continuation. White's
concentration in the attack is enviable!} ({Both} 25. Qg4) ({and} 25. Qg6 {
were tempting but the text is stronger.}) 25... Bc7 26. Rba2 {White's position
is overwhelming. The rooks are about to enter the king's castle.} Bb8 27. Ra8
Rd6 28. R1a7 $5 {A somewhat surprising, but strong idea! The queen will
co-operate much better with the knight than the black rooks and the bishop.} (
28. Qg6 $1 Re7 (28... Red8 29. R1a7 Qxa7 30. Rxa7 Bxa7 31. Qxg7) 29. Ne5) 28...
Qxa7 ({Or} 28... Qc6 29. Qg6 Red8 30. Ke1 $1 {with the unstoppable threat
Nf3-e5!}) 29. Rxa7 Bxa7 30. Ne5 Red8 {Black's defense is extremely difficult.}
(30... Bb8 31. Qb5 Red8 32. d3 {with the threats Ne5-f7 and Ne5-c6 looks
winning for White}) 31. d3 Rf8 32. g4 $1 {Once again Navara plays on both
flanks and opens operative room for the queen. Grand play!} Bb8 33. Qh1 $1 {
[%csl Ya8,Rb8,Yc6,Yd7,Yf7,Yg6][%cal Rb1h1,Rh1a8,Gg4f5,Ge5f7,Ge5d7,Ge5c6,Ge5g6]
Diagram [#]} h5 {The only chance. Black is completely paralized after} (33...
Bc7 34. Qa8+ Bb8 35. h5 $18) 34. gxh5 Rf5 35. Ng6 Rf7 ({Or else the rook will
be in trouble in the line} 35... Rxh5 36. Qf3 Rh6 (36... Rh7 37. Qf7 Rd8 38.
Qxe6+) 37. Qf8+ Rd8 38. Qxg7) 36. Qe4 Rf6 37. Ne7+ Kc7 {One sweet line of a
Q+N team work is} (37... Kd7 38. Qb7+ Bc7 {[%csl Gb7,Yd7,Ge7] Diagram [#]} 39.
Nc8 $1 Rc6 40. Na7 $3 Rd6 41. Qc8+ Ke7 42. Qxc7+) 38. Qh7 Rf7 39. Ng6 {A total
domination! The threat h5-h6 is unstoppable!} e5 40. Nxe5 {Now it should have
been over. White's plan is to place the knight on d5 after the preliminary
e3-e4 if needed. But every epic battle needs at least a pinch of a drama...}
Re7 41. Ng6 (41. Ng4 {was a win.}) 41... Red7 42. Nf4 $2 {Diagram [#] Here it
is! The dramatic blunder. Instead, the correct} (42. Qg8 Rxd3 43. Nf8 Rd2+ 44.
Kf3 Re7 45. Ne6+ Kb7 46. Nxg7 {still wins.}) 42... Kb7 $2 {The favour is
returned. Black could have saved the game after} (42... g5 {Ouch!} 43. Nd5+ ({
I doubt that the pawns are as good as the rook in the line} 43. Qxd7+ Kxd7 44.
hxg5 Ke7) 43... Rxd5 44. Qe4 Rxd3 $1 (44... R5d6 45. hxg5 {might still be a
win for White!}) 45. hxg5 ({Perhaps White missed that in the line} 45. Qxd3 $2
Rxd3 46. Kxd3 gxh4 47. h6 Kd7 48. Ke4 Ke6 {Black can stop the pawn?}) 45...
Rd2+ 46. Kf3 Rh2 47. h6 Rf7+ 48. Kg4 Rf1 {and the active rooks should save the
game.}) 43. Qf5 Bc7 44. e4 {Now everything is under control and Navara
finishes the game in style.} b5 45. Nd5 bxc4 46. dxc4 Rd8 47. e5 Re8 ({There
is not fortress after} 47... Rxd5 48. cxd5 Rxd5 49. Qe4 Kc6 50. e6) 48. Nxc7
Kxc7 49. Qf7+ Kd8 50. Qxe8+ Kxe8 51. exd6 Kd7 52. Kf3 Kxd6 {Diagram [#]} 53.
Ke4 {I suspect that this move was not played but was registered after
Nepomniachtchi resigned. What a game!} ({Both} 53. Kf4) ({and} 53. Kg4 {win
easily.}) 1-0
The following one has an important impact on the general standings:
[Event "European Championship"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2015.03.05"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Navara, David"]
[Black "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2735"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[Annotator "Bojkov, Dejan"]
[PlyCount "105"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
[WhiteClock "0:03:41"]
[BlackClock "0:16:04"]
1. Nf3 {Navara plays pretty much everything and varies his openings on accaunt
of the opponent. In this game he chose a tricky opening idea to deal with the
Gruenfeld defense.} Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e3 {In search of
innovation! This line is quite fresh and fashionable. White is mainly pinning
his hopes for an opening advantage with one of the following continuations:} (
5. g3) (5. d4) (5. e4) 5... Nxc3 {This was perhaps easy to predict.} ({Peter
Leko's careful aproach led to a completely different game after} 5... e6 6. d4
cxd4 7. exd4 Be7 {with a typical IQP position that arises from the Panov/
Nimtzo-Indian/Tarrasch openings, Tomashevsky,E (2714)-Leko,P (2731) Sochi
2014. The problem with this aproach however is that Nepomniachtchi does not
play neither of these openings, at least with the black pieces. He is an
expert of the Panov attack, but as White.}) 6. bxc3 Qc7 7. Bb2 $1 $146 {[%csl
Rg7][%cal Rb2g7,Gc3c4] Diagram [#] A novelty on move seven! It seems illogical
to place the bishop on the diagonal which is blocked by the pawn, but this is
only temporary. The world champion had tested} (7. d4 g6 8. Bb5+ Bd7 9. a4 Bg7
10. O-O O-O 11. Ba3 b6 {when the position still resembles the Gruenfeld,
Carlsen,M (2881)-Giri,A (2752) Stavanger 2014}) 7... Nd7 ({If anything, Black
is not going to fianchettoe the bishop!} 7... g6 $6 8. c4 {is awkward for the
second player.}) ({Perhaps Black will try in the future} 7... e5 {with natural
development- Bf8-e7, Nb8-c6 and central control.}) 8. Qb3 e6 ({Once more the
fianchettoe is not appealing} 8... g6 9. Ng5 e6 10. c4 e5 {when White has a
pleasant choice between the aggressive} 11. h4 ({and} 11. f4) ({or the
positional} 11. Be2 {after which the knight on g5 will be rerouted to the d5
square via e4-c3.})) 9. c4 {The opening operation was successful! Navara took
his opponent out of the book and objectively speaking White enjoys some
pressure. The bishop on b2 is very nicely placed.} b6 10. a4 {Since the black
kingside is frozen, White prepares a "warm" welcome for the black monarch.} Bb7
({The careless} 10... e5 $6 11. a5 Bb7 $2 {allows a nice combination} 12. axb6
axb6 13. Rxa8+ Bxa8 {[%csl Ya8,Ye8] Diagram [#]} 14. Nxe5 $1 Nxe5 15. Bxe5 Qxe5
16. Qa4+ {and wins.}) 11. a5 $1 f6 {Nepomniachtchi tries to close the long
diagonal and free his bishop.} ({Things are not very optimistic for Black after
} 11... O-O-O 12. axb6 (12. Be2) (12. Bd3) 12... axb6 13. Be2) (11... e5 $2 {
transposes to the above-mentioned line after} 12. axb6 axb6 13. Rxa8+ Bxa8 14.
Nxe5 $1) 12. Bd3 $1 {Once that the pawn had moved on f6 the black kingside
became vulnerable and the Czech Grandmaster neatly uses that.} Bd6 $6 {An
inaccuracy.} ({Better was} 12... Be7 $5 {with the idea} 13. Qc2 f5 14. Bxg7 Rg8
15. Bc3 Rxg2 {with slightly better chances for White.}) 13. Qc2 f5 ({White is
also much better after} 13... Nf8 14. Be4) 14. Ng5 $1 {[%csl Re6,Rg7][%cal
Gg5e6,Gb2g7,Gg7h8,Ga5b6,Ya5a6] Diagram [#] Play on both flanks!} ({Black was
OK after} 14. Bxg7 Rg8 15. Bc3 ({Not} 15. Qc3 $2 Bxf3 $1 16. gxf3 Kf7 17. Bh6 (
17. Rg1 Bf8 $1) 17... Be5 {when Black is on top.}) 15... Rxg2 $11) 14... Nf8 {
The most reasonable defense.} ({Black's position falls apart after} 14... e5 $2
15. Ne6) ({And} 14... Ke7 {can be met by the simple} 15. f4 {with large
advantage} ({Or the more entertaining} 15. Nxe6 $5 Kxe6 16. Bxf5+ Kf7 17. Bxh7)
) 15. f4 $1 h6 ({It suddenly transpired that the pawn on g2 is invincible. In
the line} 15... Bxg2 16. Rg1 Bc6 (16... Qb7 {loses prosaically after} 17. axb6
axb6 18. Rxa8+ Qxa8 19. Bxg7 Rg8 20. Bxf8 $18) 17. axb6 axb6 (17... Qxb6 18.
Bxg7 {is a mess for Black.}) 18. Rxa8+ Bxa8 {[%csl Ya8,Ye8,Rg7][%cal Rg1g7,
Rb2g7,Yc2a4,Ya4e8,Ya4a8] White has the fantastic resource} 19. Nf7 $3 {with an
instant win. For example} ({By the way} 19. Nxe6 $1 Nxe6 20. Bxf5 {would also
work.}) 19... Qxf7 (19... Kxf7 20. Rxg7+) (19... Rg8 20. Nh6 Rh8 21. Bxg7) 20.
Rxg7 ({or also} 20. Qa4+ {in either case with a win.})) 16. Nf3 Ng6 {The black
king has not peace after neither} (16... O-O-O 17. O-O $16) ({Nor} 16... Kf7
17. O-O (17. Ne5+) 17... Nh7 18. Ne5+) 17. h4 $1 {Amazing play with the rook
pawns! Larsen would be so proud of Navara. Now the black king is not safe
anywhere...} O-O-O {Nepomniachtchi decided this is the lesser evil. However...}
({Or:} 17... O-O 18. Rh3 $1 {[%csl Rg6,Rg7][%cal Gh3g3,Rg3g7,Yh4h5] followed
by Rh3-g3 and h4-h5. You did not forget about the bishop on b2, did you?}) 18.
axb6 axb6 {Diagram [#]} 19. Bxf5 $1 {Well calculated combination!} Nxf4 (19...
exf5 20. Qxf5+) 20. Be4 $1 ({But not} 20. exf4 exf5 21. Qxf5+ Kb8 22. Ne5 Bxg2
{when the black bishops come into life.}) 20... Bxe4 21. Qxe4 Nd3+ $1 {The
Russian GM finds the best defense.} 22. Ke2 $1 ({Definitely not} 22. Qxd3 $4
Bg3+) 22... Nxb2 23. Rhb1 $1 {Navara regains the knight while developing!} Rhe8
24. Rxb2 Qb7 25. Qb1 $1 {Once again the best continuation. White's
concentration in the attack is enviable!} ({Both} 25. Qg4) ({and} 25. Qg6 {
were tempting but the text is stronger.}) 25... Bc7 26. Rba2 {White's position
is overwhelming. The rooks are about to enter the king's castle.} Bb8 27. Ra8
Rd6 28. R1a7 $5 {A somewhat surprising, but strong idea! The queen will
co-operate much better with the knight than the black rooks and the bishop.} (
28. Qg6 $1 Re7 (28... Red8 29. R1a7 Qxa7 30. Rxa7 Bxa7 31. Qxg7) 29. Ne5) 28...
Qxa7 ({Or} 28... Qc6 29. Qg6 Red8 30. Ke1 $1 {with the unstoppable threat
Nf3-e5!}) 29. Rxa7 Bxa7 30. Ne5 Red8 {Black's defense is extremely difficult.}
(30... Bb8 31. Qb5 Red8 32. d3 {with the threats Ne5-f7 and Ne5-c6 looks
winning for White}) 31. d3 Rf8 32. g4 $1 {Once again Navara plays on both
flanks and opens operative room for the queen. Grand play!} Bb8 33. Qh1 $1 {
[%csl Ya8,Rb8,Yc6,Yd7,Yf7,Yg6][%cal Rb1h1,Rh1a8,Gg4f5,Ge5f7,Ge5d7,Ge5c6,Ge5g6]
Diagram [#]} h5 {The only chance. Black is completely paralized after} (33...
Bc7 34. Qa8+ Bb8 35. h5 $18) 34. gxh5 Rf5 35. Ng6 Rf7 ({Or else the rook will
be in trouble in the line} 35... Rxh5 36. Qf3 Rh6 (36... Rh7 37. Qf7 Rd8 38.
Qxe6+) 37. Qf8+ Rd8 38. Qxg7) 36. Qe4 Rf6 37. Ne7+ Kc7 {One sweet line of a
Q+N team work is} (37... Kd7 38. Qb7+ Bc7 {[%csl Gb7,Yd7,Ge7] Diagram [#]} 39.
Nc8 $1 Rc6 40. Na7 $3 Rd6 41. Qc8+ Ke7 42. Qxc7+) 38. Qh7 Rf7 39. Ng6 {A total
domination! The threat h5-h6 is unstoppable!} e5 40. Nxe5 {Now it should have
been over. White's plan is to place the knight on d5 after the preliminary
e3-e4 if needed. But every epic battle needs at least a pinch of a drama...}
Re7 41. Ng6 (41. Ng4 {was a win.}) 41... Red7 42. Nf4 $2 {Diagram [#] Here it
is! The dramatic blunder. Instead, the correct} (42. Qg8 Rxd3 43. Nf8 Rd2+ 44.
Kf3 Re7 45. Ne6+ Kb7 46. Nxg7 {still wins.}) 42... Kb7 $2 {The favour is
returned. Black could have saved the game after} (42... g5 {Ouch!} 43. Nd5+ ({
I doubt that the pawns are as good as the rook in the line} 43. Qxd7+ Kxd7 44.
hxg5 Ke7) 43... Rxd5 44. Qe4 Rxd3 $1 (44... R5d6 45. hxg5 {might still be a
win for White!}) 45. hxg5 ({Perhaps White missed that in the line} 45. Qxd3 $2
Rxd3 46. Kxd3 gxh4 47. h6 Kd7 48. Ke4 Ke6 {Black can stop the pawn?}) 45...
Rd2+ 46. Kf3 Rh2 47. h6 Rf7+ 48. Kg4 Rf1 {and the active rooks should save the
game.}) 43. Qf5 Bc7 44. e4 {Now everything is under control and Navara
finishes the game in style.} b5 45. Nd5 bxc4 46. dxc4 Rd8 47. e5 Re8 ({There
is not fortress after} 47... Rxd5 48. cxd5 Rxd5 49. Qe4 Kc6 50. e6) 48. Nxc7
Kxc7 49. Qf7+ Kd8 50. Qxe8+ Kxe8 51. exd6 Kd7 52. Kf3 Kxd6 {Diagram [#]} 53.
Ke4 {I suspect that this move was not played but was registered after
Nepomniachtchi resigned. What a game!} ({Both} 53. Kf4) ({and} 53. Kg4 {win
easily.}) 1-0
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